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Issue No. 3096

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, January 16, 2017

PRICE

GECOM chairmanship

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Ramjattan contradicts Granger

Leadership race P13

AFC mum on violating its own constitution

– says past appointments were constitutional Page 3

Banking sector should serve hinterland, remote areas – President Page 7

... as Republic Bank opens $1.5B Triumph branch

Body of Zorg man found in trench P2 Anna Regina residents complain P17 about substandard road works

Dr Norton outlines plans for Social Cohesion P13 Ministry

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger cutting the ribbon to officially open Republic Bank’s $1.5 billion Triumph, ECD branch on Sunday, in the presence of Republic Bank Guyana’s Managing Director, Richard Sammy, (right) and Board Chairman, Nigel Baptiste (left)

Page 2

Moruca man West Berbice stabbed to death Mandir vandalised during row – Dharmic Sabha calls for swift justice Opposition’s economic adviser warns of brewing danger Page 10

Page 11

Corentyne carpenter’s murder

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Witness being sued for $20M

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monDAY, january 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Moruca man stabbed Dominican to death during row fined, deported for overstaying A A miner of Moruca Village, North West District (NWD), was in the wee hours of Sunday stabbed to death, during a confrontation with another man in the village.

Dead is Robert “Bobby” Ferreira, 30. Based on information received, Ferreira and two friends, who had travelled to the village, were at a gettogether when an argument broke out among the group of men.

The argument quickly escalated, and one of the men broke a bottle and stabbed Ferreira to his leg. The injured man was subsequently picked up and rushed to the hospital, but it was too late.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the dead man's father, Virgil Ferreira explained that he received a call from his eldest son at about 03:50h informing him that Bobby had been stabbed.

He explained that his son worked in the interior and returned home to spend the holidays. He was accompanied by two friends.

"It was him and these two friends were at a hang when the confrontation occurred… I don't know if it was a broken bottle or a knife that was used to stab my son… all the information

Dead: Robert “Bobby” Ferreira

I received was that he was stabbed," the father related.

He further explained that after his son was stabbed to the leg, his friends ran after the suspect to apprehend him.

"His friends thought that a stab on the foot was not that serious and

ran after the suspect, but apparently, due to the stab wound, the main artery was severed causing a blood blot which had directly affected the heart," he explained.

After the two men returned with the suspect, they placed the injured man into a vehicle and took him to the hospital. Unfortunately, within a few minutes of his arrival at the medical facility, he succumbed.

The grieving father confirmed that the suspect hailed from the village and was in Police custody assisting with the investigations. Meanwhile, the father is calling on the relevant authorities to ensure that the post-mortem examination is done in a timely manner so that his son can be laid to rest.

The reason for this request, he explained, is that bodies are often kept for long durations at the mortuary with no pathologist to perform the post-mortem. Eventually, the bodies are buried without family members knowing the cause of death of their loved ones.

Ferreira leaves to mourn his parents, and 11 siblings. The Police are continuing their investigations into the murder.

Dominican who claimed to like Guyana was on Friday deported when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

Julicia Marcado, 22, a mother of two, who is currently unemployed, pleaded guilty to the offence when it was read to her.

It is alleged that between June 20, 2015 and January 10, 2017 at Georgetown, she failed to comply with a permit which had been granted for her to stay in Guyana.

She, therefore, overstayed her time in Guyana.

When asked by the Magistrate, her reasons for overstaying, she simply said that she liked Guyana.

According to the prosecution, the defendant came to Guyana on June 5, 2015, after she was granted two weeks’ stay in the country.

However, she never applied for an extension.

On January 10, 2017, the defendant checked into a police station for reasons unknown where it was discovered that she was staying in Guyana illegally.

As such, she was held and charged with the present offence.

Magistrate McLennan ordered that Marcado pay a fine of $30,000 or spend four weeks in prison.

She was also ordered out of the country on the next flight.

Meanwhile, Anna Diaz, 25, another Dominican, was also deported after she also overstayed in Guyana.

She pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between October 1, 2016 and November 30, 2016, she overstayed for the said period.

She told the Magistrate that she was currently a vendor in Guyana and had hopes of getting her papers to become legal.

She was also fined $30,000 and deported.

Brazilian charged with narco possession

A

Brazilian national was brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, charged with having a quantity of narcotics in his possession.

Ostavo DeSantos pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him by the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

The charge against the 21-year-old stated that on January 12, 2017, at Aranka

Backdam, Cuyuni River, he had in his possession 5.7 grams of cannabis.

DeSantos told the Magistrate that he did not consume the drug which he was found with, but would sell it.

Chief Magistrate McLennan pointed out to the defendant that selling drugs was a crime and, as such, he was fined $20,000 with a default sentence of four weeks in prison.

Body of Zorg man found in trench

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olice in G Division (Essequibo Islands and Coast) are currently investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered floating in a nearby trench, around 08:00h on Sunday.

The body has since been identified as 39-year-old Deodat Lakeram, known as “Krishna”, of Zorg Village on the Essequibo Coast.

Residents discovered Lakeram's body in a nearby trench alongside the Zorg Public Road, clad in black long pants and a grey jersey with black Rider slippers. A

silver chain was around the neck.

By the time detectives examined the body, the face and right hand had been partially eaten by fishes.

The body of the unemployed man was identified by his uncle, Takoor Persaud.

Lakeram, who was a known alcoholic, was last seen around 14:30h on January 14, with a fisherman in the village.

The body was later transported to the Suddie mortuary where a postmortem examination would be conducted.

news

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monDAY, january 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

GECOM chairmanship

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, January 16 – 08:30h-10:00h and Tuesday, January 17 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, January 16 – 07:30h-09:00h and Tuesday, January 17 – 07:55h-09:25h.

Ramjattan contradicts Granger – says past appointments constitutional cept one of the names from the first six provided.

President Granger last Wednesday said that he was moving to put an end to the breach of the Constitution, which saw persons without the qualifications of a Judge being appointed to the position of GECOM Chair. He said regardless of what obtained in the past, as current President of Guyana, it is his responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the Constitution will be followed.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening, with heavy rain in the late afternoon. Temperatures will range between 23 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to north-north easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:05h and 19:22h reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres and 2.58 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:55h reaching a minimum height of 0.68 metre.

SATURday, January 14, 2017

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President David Granger

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eader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is adamant that the previous appointments of Chairmen of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) were very much constitutional, a position that was previously rejected

by President David Granger.

Ramjattan, addressing Journalists at his party’s first bi-weekly press conference for 2017, was taking a dab at the current fiasco between Government and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) over the nomination of a new chairman for the elections body. While the party said it supports the position the Head of State has taken on the matter, Ramjattan when questioned said previous appointments of Chairmen were within the confines of the Constitution.

Appointment constitutional

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“Those were very much constitutional and if I might tell you this, it was very fortuitous or fortunate that the then President and Opposition Leader managed to find favour with a name in the first list.”

He said, however, that while it was fortunate in the past that both the serving President and the Opposition Leader were in agreement with the list provided , it does not mean President Granger has to ac-

Breaches

He was at the time responding to Guyana Times when asked about his acceptance of a nomination for the GECOM chairmanship

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

in 2000 by then Opposition Leader Hugh Desmond Hoyte without having the necessary qualifications of a Judge as required under the Constitution.

“My understanding is that at all material times, a member of the legal profession or several members of the legal profession were on the list, but my acceptance of the nomination or my name being on the list does not necessarily mean that I must accept the six names which are submitted. So it doesn’t follow the law of what you would call the ‘non-sequitur’ (a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or state-

ment). The point is, even if the Constitution had been breached or if a nomination had been made in breach of the Constitution 10 or 20 years ago, there is no need to repeat it. That is not a precedent, I don’t accept that. I’m accepting now, as President, that the Constitution provisions must be applied,” the President stated.

“This is a constitutional matter and I’ve cited the Constitution to (Jagdeo). I’m not playing politics, I’m serious about the appointment of Chairman of GECOM and the Constitution is very clear. Mr Jagdeo did write to me and he asked for some clarification,” the Head of State said.

He added, “Well, as I said it has now gone into the legal zone and we are going to ensure that he gets the legal clarification that he needs, but in terms of names, I’m not in the business of naming names at this stage. I’m in the business of satisfying the constitutional requirement for the appointment so that is as much as I can say at this stage. The law will prevail and we will continue to engage the Leader of the Opposition as required under the Constitution. So I’ve not disengaged (him), I’ve examined his letter and a response will be sent.”

In response to the President’s rejection of his first list of nominees and his consequent request for a second one, Jagdeo, last Tuesday, wrote the Head of State requesting an urgent meeting, while asking that he elucidate his interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana, which deals with the requirements of the nominees to be submitted by the Opposition Leader.

The six nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader in December last year were retired Major General Norman McLean; Attorney and Political Analyst, Christopher Ram; former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo; Peace

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

and Governance Consultant, Lawrence Lachmansingh; businesswoman, Rhyaan Shah; and Professor James Rose, none of whom President Granger noted has the qualifications of a Judge as required by the law.

The Head of State had outlined that the Constitution requires only persons who are Judges, qualified to be Judges, or former Judges of either a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court.

However, Jagdeo pointed out that his interpretation of the Constitution is that the requirements go beyond the qualifications of a Judge.

Playing politics

Jagdeo meanwhile believes that President David Granger is playing politics with the matter and therefore announced his intention to have the issue resolved at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). He said if both parties were unable to resolve their differences regarding the interpretation of the Constitution, he will propose that both the Opposition and the Government approach the CCJ together seeking a resolution.

If Government is unwilling to take this route, then he is prepared to take the matter to the CCJ alone, he said.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, January 16, 2017

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

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Power to the people

his editorial seeks to provide a background to the decision of Justice Ian Chang in the case of Cedric Richardson v the Attorney General of Guyana and the Speaker of the National Assembly, which the Chancellor of the Judiciary is reviewing on appeal from the present AG of Guyana. It does not comment on the merits or demerits of the ruling.

The Plaintiff, Richardson, essentially sought to determine the extent and nature of the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution of Guyana. While he conceded the Guyana Constitution, like all modern constitutions, made provisions for amendments (here by Art 164 (2)), if the change sought alters the fundamental structure of the Constitution, this must be approved by the people through a referendum rather than the 2/3 vote of their representatives as stipulated by the Constitution.

While Guyana acknowledges the Constitution as the “Supreme Law” of the land, ultimate sovereignty still resides with the people, and even the Constitution cannot abridge this. Richardson contended that Act 17 of 2001 placed restrictions on their right to choose specific candidates and such a restriction on their freedom to choose could only be approved by the people themselves.

What must be made clear from the onset is, contrary to what the media insists on labelling the “Third Term” appeal, the judgement includes three other restraints that the objected-to constitutional change of 2001 placed on the republican rights of Guyanese citizens to vote for a candidate of their choice. These were succinctly spelled out as follows

by Justice Chang: “The purported alteration of Article 90 by Act No 17 of 2001, in substance and effect, undoubtedly diminishes the democratic rights of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as President, by excluding from presidential candidature (1) Citizens of Guyana not resident in Guyana on Nomination Day. (2) Citizens of Guyana resident in Guyana on Nomination Day but who have not been continuously resident in Guyana for seven years prior to that date.

(3) Citizens of Guyana by registration.

(4) Citizens of Guyana who have served for two terms as President.

As such, the purported alteration by Act No 17 of 2001 purports to curtail the people’s electoral democratic choices and to offend the declaration in Article 1 that Guyana is a democratic state – in which the sovereignty resides in the people (Article 9). This is precisely why, for the purpose of any alteration of Articles 1 and 9, the voice of 2/3 of the elected members of the National Assembly is not the voice of the people.”

Justice Chang’s interpretation of the constitutional provision rested on “normative” substantive republican values rather than the older, procedurally-driven Liberal view of Constitutions as merely “descriptive”. While he cited two cases – the Belize case Bowen v The Attorney General BZ 2001 SC 2, and the Indian case Kesavananda Bharati v the State of Kerala (1974) 1 SCC (Jour) 3to support his ruling, it appears there was a refusal by his critics to deconstruct the difference between the two approaches and to accept as the Indian Supreme Court did, “while there was no implied limit to constitutional amendment, the very nature of the word “amend” meant that Parliament could not abrogate or destroy the foundation or the basic structure of the Constitution.”

In the Liberal procedurally-driven perspective on Constitutions, the protection of the negative freedom of the citizens, adumbrated as “fundamental rights”, against the Leviathan state, is paramount, But as stated by the theorist Jurgen Habermas, in the substantive republican view, “…the state’s raison d’être does not lie primarily in the protection of equal private rights but in the guarantee of an inclusive opinion- and will-formation in which free and equal citizens reach an understanding on which goals and norms lie in the equal interest of all.”

It is this insistence that the will of the people must be untrammelled in the exercise of their positive freedom, that Justice Chang’s ruling rests. Ultimately, the ruling asserts: “Power to the people.”

A Persian leopard plays with a bottle of snow at Dvur Kralove nad labem Zoo, Czech Republic

Pre-production oil revenue borrowing misguided, poor economic advice Dear Editor, I refer to the article titled “Guyana should go the route of resource-based borrowing” published on January 15, 2017, in another newspaper.

The recommendation that Guyana should go the route of pre-production oil revenue borrowing is misguided and a poor economic prescription.

Resource-based borrowing should not be confused with pre-production oil revenue borrowing, for there are fundamental differences between the two – the main difference being timing. Borrowing on pre-production oil revenue ignores the multiple risks facing the realisation of such revenues.

While preliminary results show that Guyana may realise the commercial production of oil in the future, these signals should not be taken as forgone conclusions.

The industry still faces multiple risks in commercialising oil production.

Oil companies have not yet ruled out all geological risks that may hinder the extraction process. Concerns about the quality of oil available, the actual amount of reserves, the scale of production and other market and financial risks still loom large.

Pre-production oil revenue borrowing would essentially be putting Guyana’s economy and Guyanese taxpayers at risk of over-indebtedness and at the mercies of multilateral lending institutions. Going this route could lead to more taxes on families and businesses coupled with harsh financial and

economic consequences with the slightest setback in the oil industry.

There are policies that are more critical for laying a strong foundation for the oil industry and the economy that the Government should prioritise at this stage.

These include: • Develop industryspecific legislation that provides a legal framework for the oil industry • Policy reforms such as realigning education and skills training policy and the development of appropriate labour standards to meet the needs of the oil industry • Develop appropriate legislation to strengthen the legal systems to be able to deal with dispute resolution that may arise within the industry in a timely manner • The development of environmental standards specific to the oil industry that ensure environmental preservation without hindering the industry. For example, holding oil companies accountable in the event of spills that can have serious environmental consequences • Develop fiscal management, accountability, and oversight mechanisms to ensure oil revenues – whenever realised – are properly managed and directed towards building a strong economic foundation for long-term growth. Such mechanisms include setting up of designated trust funds backed by appropriate legislation and earmarked for specific development purposes with funding from oil revenue.

These are common-sense policies that do not require

pre-production oil revenue borrowing and are more critical for the operation, commercialisation, effective management, and sustainability of the oil industry as it matures. Ensuring current tax revenues are having meaningful changes to communities in the areas of affordable housing, safe and clean communities, quality and affordable health care, and upgrading the nation’s transportation system are more important priorities at this stage. These are critical public investments with high long-term returns and form the backbone of economic take-off.

It is also important for the Government to develop a national economic policy with clear developmental priorities that would utilise oil revenues. Taking on new debt to fund projects in a fragmented and random manner would be a colossal mistake. The identification of projects should be done within a broader economic strategy with specific developmental outcomes. The development of such strategy must include local government and civil society participation. More importantly, such strategy must focus on policies that would foster broad prosperity for all Guyanese and not enrich political elites and the wealthy.

While I have reservations with the Dutch disease argument in its totality – a situation where the discovery of a natural resource leads to economic underdevelopment – one can easily recognise why countries which found oil became worse ec-

onomically instead. Shortsighted Government policies that focus on political gains at the detriment of prudent macroeconomic policies are the root cause. Borrowing on pre-production oil revenues is one such short-sighted policy.

Adding new debt to Guyanese taxpayers in a premature manner and on revenues that are far from being realised is a receipt for economic failure. Already, recent changes to the tax laws have increased the burden on taxpayers, especially the poor and most vulnerable. Allowing time for economic adjustments to take place and for the full impact of these policies to be realised while laying the foundation for the oil industry and investing in basic public services critical for economic growth are not just good economic policy but also good governance.

The coalition government has an opportunity to lay a solid foundation for Guyana’s future. Resisting the temptation of pursuing political gains at the expense of the nation’s economy and the economic future of the Guyanese people is necessary. By making policy choices that are more critical to economic growth and a strong foundation for the oil industry given its adolescent age, the coalition Government can achieve both economic and political gains – a win-win approach.

Sincerely, Dhanraj Singh Economist

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate, Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Appearance vs reality at the Approaching the CCJ irrelevant Berbice Dharam Shala Dear Editor, I refer to the letter published in another publication on 13/1/17 by Kella & Pamela Ramsaroop titled: “Dharam Shala Berbice has a very pleasant and welcoming appearance”.

This letter was in response to the one I wrote on the 12th indicating that the actual living conditions at the Dharam Shala were far from pleasant mainly because of its location. As an alternative to re-siting it (which the Ramsaroops are resolutely against), I invited the Government of Guyana to consider erecting a ‘Palms’ in Berbice (to be located on the site of the old New Amsterdam Hospital or in the Mental Hospital compound) and using the same funds being allocated to install a less urgent elevator system in the Georgetown Palms.

It is unfortunate that the Ramsaroop sisters have found it necessary to ‘attack’ me despite my openly acknowledging the sterling contribution made by them

and their patriarch; they take umbrage to my suggestion to the Government which I emphasise is not conditional upon the closure of the Berbice Dharam Shala, although I maintain that the reality of the actual living conditions belies the “pleasant and welcoming appearance”.

From the outside the Dharam Shala does in fact appear pleasant because it is overshadowed by the beautiful mandir, which also houses what the Ramsaroops refer to as “an Anglican Chapel”.

But the residents do not live in the latter, nor do they live in the recently refurbished caretaker’s residence; similarly, the walkway and the fence mentioned by the goodly ladies are not at issue.

I did in fact meet recently with the Ramsaroop sisters to discuss the possibility of re-siting the Berbice Dharam Shala because I am convinced that the current site might have been OK before the Canje Bridge was

built virtually over it and the drainage/flooding problems were not acute.

However, having been convinced that re-siting was a “NO NO” to quote their assertion to me, I did not, nor do I intend to, pursue that approach any further.

However, that is not to say that I cannot pursue the establishment of a ‘Palms’ in another location which was the thrust of my letter on 12/1/17.

I take this opportunity to debunk the allegation made by the Ramsaroops that I “was interested in the land of the Berbice Dharam Shala” and their suggestion that I owned land at PalmyraCanefield for re-siting it.

I do not see any conflict in the Ramsaroops retaining the Berbice Dharam Shala as is, while the Government and/or others consider building a Palms as well; after all there is co-existence with the Dharam Shala and the Palms in Georgetown.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

A cleaner, greener Bartica Dear Editor, An Integrated Solid Waste Management Programme is critical to a cleaner, greener Bartica. A year ago, solid waste management was a burden, an environmental crisis, a health hazard.

Today, with the support of Government and stakeholders, we are doing much better but are a distance off from where we should be.

With a small population of just under 15, 000, we are committed to modelling best waste disposal practices.

Practices that will not only enhance the aesthetics of the township but positively impact the health of its citizenry.

The Council is presently spending millions of dollars per month to keep Bartica clean which includes managing the Byderabo dumpsite. This site was recently rehabilitated by the Town Council through funding from the Government.

In the year 2017, the municipality will be placing greater emphasis on sensitisation.

An educated populace on Integrated Solid Waste

Management may be the answer to a cleaner, greener Bartica.

The incident of an international institution burning documents at our “dumpsite” on Wednesday, January 11, resulting in a massive fire, the continued littering of our parapets with construction waste by some contractors and the dumping of garbage on sections of our reserves and beaches are cause for much worry.

What is common on all fronts is the “We did not know” exclamation.

Unfortunate as it may be, it highlights the challenges the municipality has in moving forward. We can no longer continue to only invest in machinery and equipment, we must invest in the populace as well.

Therefore, a massive sensitisation programme targeting every resident has now become a priority. Residents, businesses and institutions must understand their responsibility in achieving the goal of a cleaner, greener Bartica. It must not be taken for granted or assumed that the citizenry understand or know.

The municipality by no means can do it alone.

Stakeholders’ participation through education will make a tremendous difference.

Sincerely, Gifford Marshall Bartica Mayor

Dear Editor, In accordance with the Constitution, Guyana’s Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, last week submitted a list of six nominees to President David Granger for his consideration and appointment of one as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

President Granger asserted that none of the nominees was a judge, or qualified to be a judge, as the Constitution dictates.

Consequently, the President, exercising his powers under the Constitution, declared the nominees “unacceptable,” and rejected the list.

Mr Jagdeo retorted that, apart from the requirement that the Chairman shall be a judge or a person qualified to be a judge, Article 161(2) of the Constitution also mandates that “any other fit and proper person” may be so appointed. Mr Jagdeo subsequently announced an intention to approach the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for an interpretation of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution; particularly the clause “any other fit and proper person.”

Article 161(2) states that “Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in

appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.”

Approaching the CCJ on this matter would be nugatory. I believe that the powers which Article 161(a) confers on the President are absolute and innocuous from judicial review.

Regardless of any requirement, qualification or eligibility, the Constitution mandates that, ultimately, the nominees by the Opposition Leader cannot be “unacceptable to the President.”

It therefore follows that acceptability is not to be determined by the nominator or the courts, but exclusively by the President, guided by the Constitution – not the Opposition Leader or a judge.

Sincerely, Rickford Burke President, Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)

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monDAY, january 16, 2017

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Foundation

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ducators and parents alike know that preschool-age children need a lot of modelling to navigate through social/emotional, cognitive and gross/fine motor skills. Many experts in the field of education in the last decade have emphasised the importance of playbased curriculum and its vital role in developing a child’s imagination and social skills. Learning to get along with others is modelled and developed throughout the preK years and a child’s formative years through programmes under the umbrella of SEI (Social/Emotional Skills): anger management, problem-solving and empathy skills. Kindergarten teachers are thankful for the beginning role that preK teachers play in this initial modelling and development. Fine and gross motor skills are honed through everyday preK learning activities such as cutting, drawing, sorting, painting, catching, throwing, kicking, hopping, jumping and writing one’s name.

be their reading role models with daily practice in order to navigate successfully through beginning literacy skills.

According to research, parents should focus on the words on the page while reading with their preK reader (Evans, Shaw, Bell, 2000).

Here are some strategies for beginning and seasoned readers’ literacy success: Point to each word on the page as you read. This beginning literacy strategy will assist children with making print/story/illustration connections.

This skill also helps build a child’s tracking skills from one line of text to the next one.

Read the title and ask your child to make a prediction. Beginning and sea-

Early literacy needs today

However, recent preK research has focused specifically on cognition within early childhood development and on how parent involvement fits into preK literacy development.

Past early literacy research emphasised the importance of daily adult/child reading time, as well as having 100 or more books in one’s home, and its link to a child being academically ready and successful in kindergarten. Recent research has proved that reading as a stand-alone activity will not help children with preliteracy skills (Phillips et al., 2008).

Unfortunately, the latest research on parent involvement in early literacy has stressed that children need to be given more specific skills while being read to in order to be successful with early literacy skills (Roberts, Jurgens, & Burchinal, M., 2005).

Parents’ involvement: What skills need to be part of a daily routine?

guyanatimesgy.com

Parental involvement in early literacy is directly connected to academic achievement. Children need parents to

s o n e d readers alike need to make predictions before reading a story. This will go a long way to ensure that a child incorporates previewing and prediction in his or her own reading practices both now and in the future.

Take “picture walks”. Help your child use the picture clues in most early readers and picture books to tell the story before reading.

Model fluency while reading, and bring your own energy and excitement for reading to your child.

Both new and seasoned readers struggle with varying pitch, intonation and proper fluctuations when they read aloud.

Older readers will benefit from shared reading (taking turns).

Ask your child questions after

reading every book. Reading comprehension is the reason we read -- to un-

Parental involvement in early literacy is directly connected to academic achievement derstand. The new CCORE standards assessing US children’s readiness for the workplace and college ask children at all grade levels to compare and contrast their understanding of concepts.

This takes practice. Help your child explain his or her understanding of any given story in comparison to another.

Have your child share a personal experience similar to a problem or theme within a story. Higher-order thinking skills (critical thinking) are skills children are expected to use in both written and oral assessments in school.

There is no way for a teacher to ask every child to use a critical thinking skill every day. Parents can.

Connect reading and writing if possible. The connection between reading, writing and discussion should be incorporated with daily literacy practice. Have a young child dictate to a parent who writes in a journal or on a sheet of paper. Modelling the formation of sentences aligned with the words of a story is crucial for a child to begin making a neural interconnectedness between reading and writing.

A child’s process of drawing pictures brings his or her personal creativity toward the story. Sharing these illustrations of experiences and individual interpretations related to the sentence he or she has created on the page is yet another step toward this early balanced literacy approach. Beginning and lifelong literacy is transformative and constantly growing. However, the process must begin when initially learning to read, and must be as intuitive to a child as when he or she learned to speak. This can happen through incorporating repetition, proper skills and modelling. (edutopia.org)

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hildren and adults behave according to the pleasure principle: behaviour that’s rewarding continues, behaviour that’s unrewarding ceases.

While you don’t have to go to the extreme o f playing behavioural scientist, dangling cheese in front of little rats to direct them through the maze, you can invent creative ways to motivate desirable behaviour with rewards. Motivators help family life run more smoothly: “First one in bed picks the story.”

A word of caution

Prizes are a way to shape children’s behaviour by enticing your child toward goals you’ve made for him. The ultimate goal is self-discipline – a child behaves because she wants to or because she knows you expect good behaviour. She shouldn’t expect a prize each time she behaves well. A friend who home-schooled her child until he was eight found that when he entered school as an already a strong reader who was motivated by the pleasure he found in reading, the reward system for reading used by the teacher was not appropriate for him. He made out like a bandit. Slowly his motivation shifted from reading for pleasure to reading for prizes. Ideally, a job well done like reading and finishing a book should be its own reward. Some children may need rewards to get them to read in the first place, but you run the risk that these children will never read for pleasure.

Still, kids are human, and humans go for that chunk of cheese. You do a job well partly because of the rewards you expect to get. If “rewards” or “bribes” offend

the moralist in you, call them “motivators”. An attachment-parented child is more likely to be motivated by social rewards than by prizes: “This coupon is good for one lunch date with Mommy or Daddy.”

To work, a reward must be something your child likes and truly desires. Ask some leading questions to get ideas: •“If you could do some special things with mom or dad, what would they be?”

•“If you could go somewhere with a friend, where would you like to go?

•“If you had a dollar, what would you buy?”

Granting privileges and rewards are discipline tools to shape children’s behaviour by setting limits and getting jobs done.

“If you hurry and do a good job cleaning your room, you might get finished in time to play outside before dinner.”

Rewards that work

The best rewards are o n e s that are natural consequences of good behaviour: “You’re t a k i n g such good care of your train set.

Let’s go to the train store and get another boxcar.” The natural consequences of good behaviour are not always motivating enough in themselves.

Sometimes it’s necessary to fabricate a reward.(Excerpt from askdrsears.com)

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monday, january 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Banking sector should serve hinterland, remote areas – President

... as Republic Bank opens $1.5B Triumph branch

I

n order to increase access to banking services, Guyana must develop systems adapted to its geographical composition which can, in turn, reduce income inequality. This was the view put forward by President David Granger who noted that local deficiencies still exist with regard to accessing financial services in Hinterland locations.

The Head of State made these comments on Sunday afternoon, at the launch of Republic Bank’s newest branch at Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD). It was disclosed that the facility cost some $1.5 billion.

The President pointed out that greater access to financial services will contribute to enhanced economic growth.

“The opening of bank

gic plan to serve the various communities throughout Guyana,” Sammy stressed.

In keeping with Guyana’s “green” initiative, the Managing Director disclosed that the ECD facility includes Lutron ‘Quantum’ Lighting and variable refrigeration flow air condition (AC) systems.

Meanwhile, Board Chairman Nigel Baptiste told the gathering that the new facility will see 32 staff being stationed there under the guide of Officer in Charge, Bibi Shaliza Seepersaud.

Highlighting

The President and First Lady on a tour of the Republic Bank, Triumph branch

achievement only, but one which will benefit the entire Caribbean community, noting the “strong presence” of Republic Bank in the

The latest Republic Bank facility at Triumph, ECD

branches brings banking services closer to the people [who] will feel more comfortable taking their financial transactions closer to where they live and work,” the Head of State noted.

President Granger told the gathering that the new establishment is not a local

Region. President Granger however cautioned that more efforts in the banking sector needs to be employed to reduce income inequality, especially in the interior locations.

“We have established three Capital towns, [but] Mabaruma still has no

bank,” the President told the gathering.

He highlighted that at present, many residents have to make costly overnight trips to access bank services. The Head of State emphasised that it is incumbent on the banking sector to find innovative means and mechanisms to expand services to Hinterland communities.

“Lack of access to banking services in un-served areas presents a serious constraint to income generation activities,” the President noted.

He further explained that because of the remoteness of some communities, mobile banking services would be a viable alternative.

“The expansion and use of mobile banking in Guyana is another potential approach to providing basic financial services to Hinterland and riverine areas. Mobile banking [can] provide services without having to invest in brick and mortar,” Granger told the gathering.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Republic Bank Guyana, Richard Sammy explained that the 1.1 acres land was acquired in 2011 following a Board of Directors decision to move forward with the project.

“Our decision to expand the Bank’s footprint stemmed from our increasing awareness of the demand for our service by the East Coast [Demerara] community. This expansion is also in keeping with our strate-

several achievements in various branch establishments, the Board Chairman revealed that the bank is examining expanding its Rose Hall operations by constructing a new facility at the location.

The bank opened for business on December 19 last, after construction was completed November 17, 2016, following its August 3, 2015 commencement.

It was disclosed that, in terms of size, the new facility is second only to Republic Bank’s Water Street branch.

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monDAY, january 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Closing their eyes…

I

…to the human detritus created

n the old days, folks had “outside” latrines where they’d dump their “dirty”. But after a couple minutes holding their noses, they’d ‘throw-back” – and even read the newspapers! Maybe that’s why latrines are also called “out-houses”! Your Eyewitness was reminded about this proclivity as he observed the nonchalance of the PNC-led coalition – as they traversed the destruction they’ve dumped on the ordinary and not-so ordinary folks of this country.

We can start with the tragedy dumped on the entire West Bank of Demerara, in general, and Wales in particular.

At least Minister of Agriculture Holder was honest enough – or too squeamish? – to stand the stench to go among the folks whose lives he’d destroyed. But surely the whiffs from all the putrefying dreams they caused by closing the single largest employment entity must’ve reached their air-conditioned offices in Georgetown? Remember the kid who topped UG a year ago, whose father was a cane cutter? What could he possibly be doing now?

Your Eyewitness is reminded of the poem, “Dreams Deferred” by Langston Hughes, which was written in Harlem in 1951: “What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up/ Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore—/ And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over—/ like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags/ like a heavy load. Or does it explode?

This was just about the same time Martin Luther King discovered Gandhi’s work of “Satyagraha” or Civil Disobedience and honed it into a potent weapon to launch the Civil Rights struggle for those oppressed Africans. A decade later, the sore did in fact explode, right there in Harlem, when a fella calling himself Malcolm X, decided King’s method was too uncertain. With the slogan, “Burn baby, Burn!”, almost every major American city went up in flames. And they got attention!

The question has to be asked: as the poverty and privations at Wales move from not being able to get three meals a day, to getting NO meals per day, whose message will it be? Martin Luther King’s, whose birthday it is today, or Malcolm X’s?

And it’s not just Wales. Take the vendors of Georgetown. They were the most rabidly partisan supporters of the PNC clique at City Hall in stymieing the efforts of the PPP Town Clerk and the Local Government Minister to improve their lot and the lot of Georgetown.

Talk about being willing to wallow in filth “for the cause”!

But what did that get them?

Larwah? A common cause must be made for dreams deferred.

…Amaila’s virtues

Another egregious dumping of dirt on the dreams of Guyanese by the PNC-led coalition Government has been their obdurate derailment of the Amaila Falls HydroElectric Project (AFHEP). The endemic “blackouts” of the PNC’s first turn at the helm had driven everyone to the edge of sanity, but had gradually been whittled down by the PPP. But most big businesses had to deploy their own expensive generators to get a reliable supply of electricity. AFHEP could’ve solved both challenges.

But the Government-then-in-Opposition destroyed AFHEP’s viability with their opposition to the project using a number of specious excuses. And we fast-forward to the present. All of their objections – and then some – were addressed by an independent Norwegian consulting firm, which concluded AFHEP was the most viable option for Guyana. And yet the Government not only balked – but did so by completely and deliberately misstating the findings and recommendations of the consultancy!

The recent placatory announcement that this wasn’t a “decision” but an “advisory” isn’t going to change anything, Dumping on Guyanese is now the Government’s reflex action.

…to judicial propriety

The PNC-led Government’s given only two weeks’ notice for applications for Chancellor and CJ – and then another three weeks to hold “meaningful consultations” with the Opposition Leader.

Oh well…why not another Constitutional crisis?

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

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monDAY, january 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Future outbreaks of gastro could be prevented – Dr Cummings

T

he cause for the recent Gastroenteritis outbreak in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) has been identified, treated and contained. Doctors, health officers and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) operatives carried out investigations in areas of the reported outbreak and revealed that it was caused by a water-borne disease contracted by residents.

Additionally, cases of the outbreak in Aishalton, Shea, Maruranau and Awareranau, were also linked to water contamination, according to the investigations. Minister within the Public Health Ministry

the code for setting up water pumps and wells was not adhered to, according to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Minister Cummings said, “What we found also is that they have this surface water and the well, it’s not covered so we hope that they would cover the wells (short-term solution) and of course hygiene, wash hands. Basically, hygiene to improve in that area and of course in terms of our medical supplies, ensure that we have adequate oral rehydration salts (and other medication to treat with these cases).”

Water supply wells,

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings hands over a fogging machine to Shea Toshao John Agustus

Dr Karen Cummings, who visited the Region, was informed by GWI representatives that in some areas,

pumps and any pipe where water can be sourced should be erected at least 100 yards from sanitary

blocks and bathroom facilities. Also it was stressed that water treatment practices should be efficiently carried out, according to the GWI. “We were able to disseminate information in terms of how we can improve water quality, improve the hygiene, we were able to look at some wells, some pumps with Mr Gomes, one of the Toshaos in one of the areas (Maruranau). We are hoping that we would be able to not have a reoccurrence in the future, we have sent in some medical supplies (and) we have given them bleach,” Minister Cummings added.

Meanwhile, District Doctor Tenecia Marks, who is stationed in South Rupununi, said that after receiving reports of a number of gastroenteritis infected cases, an investigation was launched to determine the cause of the outbreak.

“From the water samples taken from the wells within Shea, the main bacterial colony was the E. coli bacteria and we also found Entamoeba histolytica (a protozoan parasite) in the stool samples taken from patients,” Dr Marks explained. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, other can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Alluding to actions taken after the outbreak was reported, she said, “We immediately came to the sur-

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, along with Maruranau Toshao Patrick Gomes, being briefed by a GWI representative on the state of one of the wells in Maruranau

rounding villages and we did an outreach where we investigated the outbreak and to verify that it was indeed an outbreak. We visited the houses we inspected their wells took water samples, did chlorine distribution we did educative chats with the residents in the community and in simple terms demonstrated and also identified some of the unhealthy practices and how they can improve and practice healthy habits.”

The minister and her team also found that after these exercises were carried out, cultural practices in the hinterland remains a barrier towards ensuring that effective health-

care delivery. Since some resident refuse to adhere to health advice provided by medical personnel within the area.

However, the minister concluded that the longterm solution would be to replace defective water supply pumps and for the Community Health Workers at various Health Posts to educate residents on how water must be treated before consumption and domestic use.

Additionally, Minister Cummings distributed mosquito nets for pregnant mothers. A fogging machine was also handed over to the Toshao of Shea village to assist in preventing

the spread of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases in the South Rupununi.

The Minister also visited the Lethem Regional Hospital and noted that, “they have an adequate supply of drugs there and we expect great things coming out of Lethem as we strive to bring it up to a Regional Hospital.”

The Gastroenteritis outbreak was reported by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence on January 10, 2017. The senior Minister indicated that the situation has been brought to the attention of the Public Health Ministry and was being monitored closely

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, january 16, 2017

News

West Berbice Mandir vandalised – Dharmic Sabha calls for swift justice

The Mandir was vandalised and the perpetrators destroyed several Murtis

M

embers of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha are now appealing to the Police for justice after their West Coast Berbice Mandir was broken in to Saturday night.

According to reports, a member of the Number Three Vishnu Mandir on the West Coast of Berbice made the discovery. Several

Murtis were damaged and it was reported that several microphones were also stolen.

The Sabha, in a Facebook post Sunday morning, said: "It is our hope that those who committed this violation of this Mandir be dealt with by the law."

Investigations are ongoing.

Corentyne carpenter’s murder

Witness being sued for $20M O

ne of the witnesses in the Fayez Narinedatt murder case is being sued by former Community Policing Group (CPG) liaison officer Radica Ramanandan for $20 million.

Nafeeza Ally, also known as Crystal Singh, is named as the defendant in the writ, which was prepared by Attorney-at-Law Mescaline Bacchus, and the plaintiff, Radica Devi Ramanandan.

The plaintiff’s claim against the defendant is for defamation of character (libel) falsely and maliciously published in a permanent form on Facebook, of and concerning the plaintiff by the defendant on November 16, 2016 resulting in loss and damage to the plaintiff.

Ally is expected to respond to the writ, which has been filed at the Berbice High Court.

Ally had previously accused Ramanandan of verbal threats, which Ramanandan had denied and which were reported in this publication.

Ramanandan had told the media that she and murder accused Marcus Bisram were close friends.

Bisram is accused of masterminding the murder

of Narinedatt, a carpenter.

On November 1, 2016, Narinedatt’s body was discovered lying on the road with marks of violence.

The body was discovered about 03:45h at a scene which appeared to be that of a hit-and-run accident. However, Divisional Commander Kevin Adonis has said that the matter was considered a homicide following an autopsy conducted by Forensic Pathologist, Dr Nehal Singh.

Dr Singh’s findings revealed that the father of two, who suffered a fractured skull and spine among other injuries, was not hit while in a standing position.

Police had been looking for evidence to support the theory of a road accident.

Bisram and five others, including Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diadath Datt, Harripaul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob, have since been charged with Narinedatt’s murder.

Sections of the media had reported that Narinedatt’s family were offered large sums of money not to lead any evidence against the number one accused in court. The family reportedly rejected the offer.

The writ which was prepared by Attorney-at-Law Mescaline Bacchus and has as the plaintiff, Radica Devi Ramanandan

monDAY, january 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Opposition’s economic adviser warns of brewing danger

…says massive borrowing, no investments will cripple economy

R

eminiscent of policies pursued during the 1970s and 1980s, economic Adviser to the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, believes that there is “danger brewing”, evident in recent actions taken by Head of State, David Granger.

Dr Ramsaroop, a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) candidate during the 2015 General Elections, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times this week, pointed to the recent imbroglio over the repossession of Red House through executive order and the passage of Bills in Parliament, which with “his one vote majority, he gives orders to go into our bank accounts and seize funds without a court order, to limit our travels when they see fit”.

The economic adviser to the Opposition told Guyana Times that scepticism about Government was looming across the nation, with the entire population.

“Politically it is using its power in an anarchistic manner… I believe many are wrong for blaming (Finance) Minister (Winston) Jordan for his incompetence when it comes to finance, although that is true… It is really the President’s lack of macro and micro-economic policies that are allowing his Ministers to appear as renegades, taxing and spending our hard-earned money without regards to our well-being.”

According to Dr Ramsaroop, “we know that 2017 is now the year of taxation and borrowing of debt”. He recalled that in March 2007, under then President Bharrat Jagdeo’s leadership, the Inter-American Development Bank (IBD),

Dr Peter Ramsaroop

Guyana's principal donor, cancelled Guyana's nearly US$470 million debt, equivalent to 21 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was borrowed by the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government of the 1980s.

Guyana, he said, had become heavily indebted as a result of the inwardlooking, State-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s.

“I do not believe we will be that lucky again… The bad habits of the PNC/ APNU [A Partnership for National Unity] are once again playing out… What is APNU doing with all our taxes? What are they doing with all the borrowing?” he questioned.

Dr Ramsaroop told Guyana Times, “We were in the top 50 in the world on our GDP growth when the PPP demitted office. We are now at the bottom of 160 plus countries.”

Sugar industry

Compounding the situation, according

to Dr Ramsaroop, is Government’s closure of sugar factories and “putting our citizens on the unemployment line is economically irrational… The unemployment of sugar workers and so much more to come from the other estates have damaged the moral, social and economic fabric of our nation”.

Dr Ramsaroop has since posited that this would lead to social and economic marginalisation of those affected as they struggle to take care of their families and pay their bills.

The Government, he said, basically has shut down Guyana’s economy.

“We have seen a rapid decline in the levels of

output, income and employment, while placing a heavy-handed taxation on each of us,” he said.

No new investments

Dr Ramsaroop recalled too there have been no new major investments in the nation. In fact, Dr Ramsaroop is of the opinion that the APNU’s bullyism has scared the investors from the country.

He suggested too that the Alliance For Change (AFC) – the party he once served as Chief Executive Officer – was weak: “they are just mannequins, figures now in the PNC Government.”

The economist told this publication that the coun-

try was currently at a stage where it has to increasingly compete with other countries to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by offering a number of incentives and other concessionary measures.

He said policies to reduce the tax burden on firms were key to attracting foreign companies, but instead “this Government has no skills or policies necessary to attract new investments”.

He told this publication it was the PPP Government that brought in the top three gold mining companies that were currently holding up the country’s economy.

“They (PPP) were the

ones that brought in Exxon and other oil companies, all the call centres, which in turn created thousands of jobs and provided positive growth to our economy… What has APNU done?” he questioned.

Dr Ramsaroop has since concluded that “our current economic woes are exacerbated by a government which seems to be sowing the seeds of perpetual discord by taking arbitrary action which many see as ill-thought through.”

According to the economist, “what is needed is an urgent reappraisal of the issues that are causing so much damage to large sections of the population”.

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monDAY, january 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt must take proactive role in diversifying agriculture –Hemp Assoc

W

ith Guyana’s rice and sugar industries looking less than promising after taking a beating in 2016, the Guyana Hemp Association (GHA) is calling on Government to be more proactive and lead the way in diversifying agriculture.

Alluding to the legal status of hemp in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Australia, Canada, China and the United Kingdom (UK), association members are adamant that there is no reason for hemp to still be illegal in Guyana.

The representatives pointed out that farmers as far as Orealla and Essequibo were awaiting the opportunity to cultivate hemp, full time.

GHA Executive Member Raymond Dundas, who hails from Laluni, explained that a number of farmers from his community have land and are left in limbo as they await legislative changes. He is optimistic that hemp farming will

Guyana National Hemp Farmers Co-op Chairman Aubrey Francis

boost Laluni’s economy like never before.

“They are preparing more than one hundred acres of land in my community,” he said. “(But they) cannot plant. They are waiting there, patiently.

We were there since 1970 and Laluni has no development.”

Meanwhile, Aubrey Francis, Chairman of the Guyana National Hemp Farmers Co-op, noted that the Association was hoping that the amendment introduced to Parliament last year, was passed.

The Hemp Association

GHA Executive Member Raymond Dundas

has already presented to Parliament a document entitled ‘Industrial Hemp for Guyana’, which makes the argument for hemp to be regularised. It also contains a petition signed by citizens, which calls for the planting to be given State sanction.

“It’s already there and we are hoping that the Government will pass it so that we can go ahead with assisting the economy and helping poor people out of the poverty that they’re in. We’re in the process of applying for lands in the Intermediate Savannahs.”

He stated that other

co-ops were currently being formed, which would also be looking to apply for lands. He pointed out that Guyana has no shortage of agricultural land.

“Rice is down. Sugar is almost out. GuySuCo has land all over, which they can distribute to help people in the co-ops that are being formed, to cultivate hemp. Hemp is the only answer, at this point in time.

“We need the Government to get off the back-foot and help carry this (endeavour), and for the Government to get more proactive than reactive.

We need assistance from the Government. We think that if the Government can push (the legislation), much of the problems that we are experiencing now will be alleviated.”

The Association, whose representatives are chagrined by the slow pace at which change is coming, revealed that there were hundreds of farmers all over Guyana who were looking for the opportunity to invest in this industry.

During his 2016 endof-year press conference, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had summed up the sugar industry’s performance as one plagued by poor labour turnout, equipment shortages and lack of skills.

For rice, there was a decline of 12.7 per cent in the sector. The blame for this had been laid at the feet of the El Niño weather phenomenon. There was also an exodus of farmers from the industry, who had cited the low prices per bag of paddy.

Hemp is a variation of the Cannabis sativa plant species from which comes marijuana. However, it is cultivated in such a way that the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is kept at a minimum. Hence, its psychoactive element is eliminated and the plant has no value as a drug.

Over 50 countries have legalised the farming of hemp, inclusive of the abovementioned.

Industrial hemp has several uses, including food, oil, building materials and medical uses. Sometimes referred to as ‘marijuana’s cousin’, hemp is classified by law as a cannabis derivative in Guyana. Hence, it is still illegal.

Pay competitive wages to avoid brain drain – former T&T Energy Minister advises

K

evin Ramnarine once headed Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy and its Energy Affairs Ministry from 2011 to 2015 and was called upon to grapple with many internal matters regarding regulating the oil and gas sector.

According to Ramnarine, Guyana has a unique opportunity to learn from the examples of other oil producing countries like Trinidad. One of the pitfalls to be avoided, he stressed, is the brain drain which can result from inadequate wages paid to Government staff who will be involved in running the sector.

Ramnarine was delivering a lecture to a packed room at Pegasus’ Savannah Suite on Friday, as part of a series of lectures being hosted by the Guyana Oil and Gas Association.

He noted that the oil and gas sector is highly competitive and raiding parties from private oil companies enticing staff away from governments was common.

“What we have in Trinidad is a succession planning problem, especially in the State oil company. And these are lessons that Guyana should take. The private sector has gone into State-owned oil companies and has raided the middle management, taking (many) to work for them,” he said.

He noted that because of this, top officials in their 50’s and 60’s are left with no talent to succeed them at the helm, because that talent was raided.

“It is many times worse in the ministry of energy in Trinidad and Tobago.

It is where companies go to first to raid, because the ministry salaries are not attractive (enough) to keep them. So I keep stressing that the human resource planning of this sector is very important.”

Ramnarine advised that Government pay these employees better than what Exxon, for instance, would pay them.

In addition, he stressed the importance of succession planning.

“People don’t live forever. And they don’t stay in jobs forever. You don’t

Former T&T Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine

want to have a deficit in your human resource capacity.”

He explained also that when Guyana has builtup its human resource base, there may very well be a case whereby countries from the Eastern Hemisphere will come and recruit.

“I use to walk through the Hyatt in Trinidad and see oil companies from the Middle East conducting interviews with my staff.”

Guyana has a history of grappling with ‘brain drain’, most notably in the education and public sector. At the 27th Council of Human and Social Development (COHSOD), Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnarine described it as a challenge to development.

In the World Bank Migration and Remittance report for 2016, statistics had shown that 93 per cent of all persons who left Guyana had obtained a tertiary education. This situation was also described by Roopnarine as a national tragedy.

Among the factors Roopnarine had cited was the desire to obtain better remuneration. He had acknowledged the need for an improvement in financial remuneration and also non-financial incentives.

Ramnarine also spoke of the need for Guyana to develop its own flagship oil companies. He had advised that three companies would be needed. One that could partner with the oil exploration and extraction companies, one for the development of infrastructure such as ports and industrial estates, and finally, one for the marketing of commodities produced from the oil.

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monDAY, january 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dr Norton outlines plans for Social Cohesion Ministry

Leadership race

AFC mum on violating “I its own constitution

T

he Alliance For Change (AFC) may be headed towards a clash with its own constitution later this month when its delegates vote by secret ballot, to elect its leader for the next two years.

The party is mum on the fact that incumbent AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan intends to stand for re-election. In addition, current General Secretary David Patterson will also be in the fray. Both have held their positions for more than two terms.

This is despite Article 19 (1) of the party’s constitution explicitly stating that no leader would be allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office in the interest of “a broader activism in leadership positions by the membership”.

When contacted on Sunday, former AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes declined to give a comment on Ramjattan’s proposed reelection. He noted that it would not be appropriate for him to comment, as it would be seen as influencing the vote.

Efforts to contact Ramjattan, who is also the Public Security Minister; Patterson, who also holds the post of Public Infrastructure Minister; or Cathy Hughes, who currently heads the Telecommunications Ministry and is a potential contender for AFC leader, were futile.

Ramjattan was elected AFC Leader in 2012, his term lasting for four years

Willing to go again – AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

or the equivalent of two terms. According to Article 7 of the party’s constitution, “A national convention shall be held every two years at a place and time decided by the National Executive Committee.”

Though Ramjattan will be looking to be re-elected to serve in the leadership capacity, he is expected to face stiff competition for the post at the upcoming elections, which will be held at the party’s National Executive Conference (NEC) later this month.

The AFC’s NEC will be hosted on January 28 at the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) – the first NEC outside of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The NEC will include elections for the position of the party’s leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary and 12 National Executive

Members.

The AFC was formed by Ramjattan, current Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and the late Sheila Holder, in 2005. Trotman became the leader, but a power-sharing agreement was enacted that would see the leadership being rotated.

It was with this formula, and the constitution it enacted, that the AFC contested subsequent elections.

It has since been subsumed by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, a step taken in order to contest the 2015 General Elections.

The AFC has faced criticism from political activist Dr David Hinds for its perceived silence on controversial issues, including the Ministers’ salary hike and the state of the sugar industry. According to Hinds, the party appeared to be suffering from apathy and was disconnected from its support base.

Dr Hinds had noted that after the promise of transformation it came with, the party seemed to have shifted away from its transformative agenda.

In response, the party had stated that it remained committed to change and transformation. The AFC had gone on to cite its accomplishments, such as the no-confidence motion it brought to Parliament and the step it took to partner with APNU. Hinds had subsequently described the AFC as “power drunk”.

QC boys win Business Incubator logo competition

Winners of the logo competition, Omari Joseph and Jonathan Jacobas receive their prize from Scotiabank Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani

T

wo students from Queen’s College, Omari Joseph and Jonathan Jacobas won the Business Incubator logo competition , an initiative of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Canadian Non-Governmental

Organisation (NGO) Cuso International; the Small Business Bureau and Geotech International Guyana Inc. These organisations collaborated to create the Business Incubator, and the need for a logo sparked the initiative. The prize

sponsored by ScotiaBank consists of a book voucher valued $30, 000 each.

The programme is spearheaded by Patsy Russel, a Cuso volunteer. Scotiabank Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani presented the winners with their prizes.

wouldn’t blame persons for thinking the Ministry never really attained anything,” Dr George Norton expressed, as he told Guyana Times of his plans to transform the Social Cohesion Ministry.

Dr Norton was initially disappointed with his transfer from the Public Health Ministry, since his expertise lies in health, to be placed as the leader of a ministry he said neither he nor the public knew anything about.

President David Granger had justified his reshuffling of the Cabinet, saying that Dr Norton has some strengths in the area of social cohesion.

While Dr Norton did not originally connect with the President’s assertion, he told this newspaper that he was now beginning to understand how he can help to foster national unity.

“It was said that I have some strengths in this particular Ministry and I am beginning to see them,” he said on his first official day at the Social Cohesion Ministry, located in the compound of the Ministry of the Presidency.

“Meeting with people and knowing their lifestyle, habits and culture is something I have developed over the years naturally and this is an opportunity to put them into practice in the best interest of Guyana. I am very happy that I am given this opportunity to make an effort in unifying Guyana in whatever way I could. I will do all I can to achieve that objective,” he stated.

The Social Cohesion Ministry was established upon the assumption of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition to office.

The first Social Cohesion Minister, Amna Ally, was

The new Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

tasked with devising programmes and strategies that would foster unity among Guyanese.

Before being transferred to the Social Protection Ministry as the substantive minister, she had promised to present a social cohesion strategic plan in the National Assembly “soon”.

Reports indicate that 29 social cohesion sensitisation and strategic plan consultations have been held with a number of stakeholders, including Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs); Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs); Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); civil society; the Guyana Police Force (GPF); cultural and political groups; the Private Sector, health workers and vulnerable groups.

But the public has not been well-informed about the objective and strides made within the Social Cohesion Ministry and Dr Norton does not blame them.

The new Minister, however, intends to change this and to improve on the work that was done by his predecessor.

He has already met with religious leaders, including Dr Roshan Khan as a representative from the Muslim religion, Dr Vindhya Persaud as the Hindu representative

and Pastor Ronald McGarrell from the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO).

Dr Norton noted that the work ahead to foster togetherness among the population was going to be challenging.

“The years of Guyanese history will show you that it is not one that we can really be proud of. There has always been conflict along the racial and political divide. We have so many different sects and religions, and a vast difference in so many ways in our geographical layout. For one to really say that they have achieved national unity in spite of all that has been said about it, is really farfetched.

But I am convinced that whatever can be done to erase the differences, it is worth doing,” he stated.

Dr Norton also wants to help in other areas such as advancing sports and culture in communities where talented persons who are disconnected from the city are not afforded the opportunities to develop to their full capacity.

He noted too that he wanted to equip persons with the knowledge needed to create jobs for themselves with the understanding that Government could not provide jobs for everyone.

The Minister noted too that being in the Social Cohesion Ministry would not stop him from focusing on health issues plaguing the nation.

Dr Norton explained that during his travels across the country, he would continue to pay keen attention to the health crisis affecting communities and try in whatever way he can to provide assistance and bring relief to those affected.

Some $90 million was budgeted for the Social Cohesion Ministry in the 2017 National Budget.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, january 16, 2017

Regional

New Brazil prison riot: Investor in Antigua & Barbuda accused of At least 30 dead tax fraud in Germany

A

t least 30 people have died during a 14-hour riot in a Brazilian prison, Police said.

The revised death toll is three times what was initially reported, and could increase further, the sources said.

On Saturday afternoon, violence erupted between members of rival gangs at Alcacuz prison, starting a riot which lasted until a dawn raid the following day.

Earlier, prison officials said some of the victims had been decapitated.

“We could see the heads ripped off’’ three of the dead prisoners, said Zemilton Silva, coordinator of the prison system.

Forensic teams said most victims had been decapitated or had body parts chopped off, according to reports, and many bodies were thrown into a ditch.

It is not yet known if any prison officers or Police staff were injured during the in-

A

Prisoners took to the rooftops during the riot

cident.

The riot is believed to have started when members of one of Brazil’s powerful criminal organisations attacked their rivals, who were housed in a separate wing.

Details are still emerging as authorities restore order and remove the dead and in-

jured from the complex.

Video footage from the scene showed prisoners roaming the rooftops of the prison, and smoke billowing from at least one building.

After Police regained control, prisoners were stripped and lined up under guard.

Several reports said prisoners had cut off electric-

ity to the site at the beginning of the violence. Rio de Janeiro’s O Globo newspaper reported one inmate had temporarily escaped, but was quickly recaptured.

No prisoners are believed to be missing, but several were taken to nearby hospitals.(Excerpt from BBC News)

British businessman who was investing in several projects in Antigua and Barbuda has been arrested in London in connection with tax fraud in Germany.

Peter Singh Virdee was arrested at Heathrow Airport last week on a European arrest warrant, on behalf of the authorities in Germany.

The 43-year-old businessman was named as one of the investors in the US$450 million Gravenor Bay project in Antigua and Barbuda which includes two five-star hotels, golf course, marina, polo friend, villas, commercial units and residential apartments. His clean energy company, PV Energy, had also signed a contract with the Government of the twinisland nation to develop and install two solar plants and solar panel roof installations on more than 50 schools and public buildings.

Virdee appeared before a Westminster Magistrates’ Court where his extradition proceedings commenced on Wednesday and he was released on bail.

He is accused of operating a so-called “VAT carousel” scheme on EU carbon credits, under which traders export the credits from one member state to another in order to take advantage of EU VAT rules. As exports, the sales are exempt from VAT, but the traders charge their customers VAT which they never declare to the authorities. The scheme ran from 2008 to 2012. It’s alleged Virdee operated “in the background” but was one of the central organizers of the criminal enterprise and was known in the group as “Batman”.

If found guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

But he has denied the allegations.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

T&T: Cops probe Carmona's housing allowance Jamaica to establish new hospitality school A Police investigation has begun into the housing allowance paid to President Anthony Carmona.

However, this is not yet a criminal investigation, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams explained Saturday.

The investigation into the matter is currently being handled by the AntiCorruption Investigations Bureau, Williams said.

The investigation comes in response to four letters sent by Attorney Justin Phelps on behalf of his client Rhoda Bharath to the Commissioner of Police calling for the housing allow-

T&T President Anthony Carmona

ance paid to Carmona to be probed.

Bharath’s call for the

Police to investigate the housing allowance came as a result of legal advice she obtained from British Queen’s Counsel Cathryn McGahey which stated that a “proper and independent” Police investigation must be conducted to “reveal the true picture” about the payment.

On March 18, 2013, Carmona assumed office as this country’s president.

It was revealed that Carmona received a taxfree housing allowance of TT$28,000 a month from July 2013 to May 2015 despite also being provided with state accommodation at Flagstaff Hill. The monthly allowance amount-

ed to some TT$644,000.

As a result of this, McGahey was asked to advise Bharath on whether a request to the Commissioner of Police for an investigation into misconduct in public office on the part of the President, his Secretary Esther Daniel-Liverpool, and Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Stephanie Lewis was justified.

In her advice, McGahey stated that “the case is finely balanced but I believe that there are the moment reasonable grounds to suspect that the offence of misconduct in public office has been committed.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Caribbean American congresswoman joins legislators in boycotting Trump’s inauguration

C

aribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke has joined several United States Congressional representatives in planning to boycott Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President on Friday.

Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, will be among a number of Democratic lawmakers who say they will stay away from the ceremony.

This comes in the wake of Trump’s attack on US civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis, of Georgia.

“I will NOT attend the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump,” Clarke tweet-

ed on Saturday. “When you insult @RepJohnLewis, you insult America.”

According to the New York Daily News, Trump insulted the Georgia representative on Saturday after Lewis said he did not see Trump as a “legitimate president”, citing claims that Russia meddled in the US election in Trump’s favour.

According to Politico – a Virginia based politicaljournalism organisation – Congressmen Adriano Espaillat and Jerrold Nadler, of New York, are among at least 18 congressional representatives planning to stay away from Trump’s inauguration.

On Saturday, Nadler tweeted that Trump stands with Putin, while he sup-

Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke

ports Lewis. “ (We) Cannot celebrate the inauguration of a man who has no regard for my constituents,” tweeted New

York Congressman Jose Serrano on Thursday, responding to Trump’s campaign pledge to deport millions of undocumented migrants.

Another New York congressional representative, Nydia Velazquez, pledged to travel to Washington in joining thousands of women protesting Trump’s presidency with a massive march scheduled for the Saturday after the swearing-in ceremony.

Earlier, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee said she “will not be celebrating or honoring an incoming president who rode racism, sexism, xenophobia and bigotry to the White House. (Excerpt from CMC)

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (third from left) and Professor Hawkins (right) signing the agreement

J

amaica says it is collaborating with professionals from international tourism training institutions for the design and development of a hospitality school due to open in 2018.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said Professor Emeritus of Management and Tourism Studies at the George Washington University, Donald Hawkins, will lead the team tasked with developing the design of the institution and its programmes.

The team, at the end of their 50-day term, is expected to produce a business plan that will serve as a guide for the establishment of the school.

Bartlett said the hospitality school is central to the Government’s push to build out the tourism experience and the development of the country’s capacity to retain its position as a leading destination.

He said the school will focus on training persons for middle- and upper-level positions in the industry.

“The focus of the institution will be heavily handson, and so we will be training for competence as well as for pedagogy,” he said, noting that the school will be constructed alongside a hotel to allow students to have practical experience in the relevant aspects of the industry.

Cabinet, earlier this week, approved arrangements for the establishment of the school, which will be the first of its kind in the country.

The facility is expected to deliver training on the five ‘networks’ for visitor experience – gastronomy, knowledge, shopping, health and wellness, and sports and entertainment – on which the Government has placed strategic focus for the growth of the sector. (CMC)

monDAY, january 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Israel, Palestinians warned Amazon’s Mahatma Gandhi against taking unilateral flip-flops prompt anger measures harmful to peace

F

S

ome 70 countries on Sunday reaffirmed that only a two-state solution could resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and warned they would not recognise any unilateral steps by either side that could prejudge negotiations.

The final communiqué of the one-day international Middle East peace conference in Paris shied away from explicitly criticising plans by US President-elect Donald Trump to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, although diplomats said the wording sent a “subliminal” message.

Trump has pledged to pursue more pro-Israeli policies and to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, all but enshrining the city as Israel’s capital, despite international objections.

Countries, including key European and Arab states, as well as the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, were in Paris for

Western and Middle Eastern envoys pose for a picture during the Mideast peace conference in Paris, France, January 15, 2017

the conference, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected as “futile”. Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians were represented.

However, just five days before Trump is sworn in, the meeting was seen as a platform for countries to send a strong signal to the incoming American President that a two-state solution to the conflict could not be compromised on and that unilateral decisions could exacerbate

tensions on the ground.

The participants “call on each side ... to refrain from unilateral steps that prejudge the outcome of negotiations on final-status issues, including, inter alia, on Jerusalem, borders, security, refugees and which they will not recognise”, the final communiqué said.

A French diplomatic source said there had been tough negotiations on that paragraph. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brexit: UK “could change economic model” if single market access denied

T

he United Kingdom may be forced to change its “economic model” if it is locked out of the single market after Brexit, Chancellor Philip Hammond has said.

Hammond said the Government would not “lie down” and would “do whatever we have to do” to remain competitive.

He had been asked by a German newspaper if the UK could become a “tax haven” by further lowering corporation tax.

Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn said his comments sounded like “a recipe for some kind of trade war with Europe”.

Having so far refused to offer a “running commentary” on her plans, Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to spell out the most detail so far of her Brexit strategy in a speech on Tuesday.

Reports have suggested she will signal pulling out of the EU single market and customs union, although Downing Street described

this as “speculation”.

In an interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Hammond said he was “optimistic” a reciprocal deal on market access could be struck, and he hoped the UK would “remain in the mainstream of European economic and social thinking”.

“But if we are forced to be something different, then we will have to become something different,” he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

CIA head warns Trump to watch his tongue

O

utgoing CIA Director John Brennan has warned US President-elect Donald Trump to avoid off-the-cuff remarks once he takes office.

He said spontaneity was not in the interests of national security.

Trump is known for regularly making broad pronouncements on issues of national importance on his Twitter feed.

Brennan also said that Trump did not fully appreciate Russia’s capabilities or intentions.

“I think Mr Trump has to understand that absolving Russia of various actions that it’s taken in the past number of years is a road that he, I think, needs to

CIA head John Brennan said he took umbrage at Presidentelect Donald Trump’s references to Nazi Germany

be very, very careful about moving down,” he said.

Brennan’s remarks, in an interview for Fox News Sunday, come a week after the release of a US intelligence report which said Russian President Vladimir Putin had likely attempted to influence the election.

Trump is considered to have underplayed for months the conclusions of the intelligence community that Moscow hacked Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

He only accepted them at a news conference on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, both the Kremlin and Trump’s team have denied reports in the Sunday Times newspaper that the two sides were planning a summit between Trump and Putin in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik.

Reykjavik was the venue for a summit in 1986 – near the end of the Cold War – between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the then US and Soviet leaders.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

lip-flops bearing the face of India’s independence icon Mahatma Gandhi for sale on Amazon triggered fresh outrage on Sunday, days after the e-retail giant was forced to stop selling Indian flag doormats.

On Wednesday, India demanded Amazon apologise for selling “insulting” doormats featuring India’s national flag, with Sushma Swaraj, Indian Foreign Minister, warning of tough action against the company.

The flip-flops were still available to buy on Sunday morning, but a few hours later the offending sandals had disappeared from the site.

On Saturday, the Indian Foreign Ministry said that the country’s “Ambassador in Washington has been instructed to convey to Amazon that while providing a platform for thirdparty vendors, they should respect Indian sensitivities and sentiments”, said spokesman Vikas Swarup.

Several people left comments on the Customer Reviews board beneath the Amazon listing condemning the sale of the sandals.

“Try imagining your footwear featuring your own parents or grandparents & how comfortable would you be with that kind of a ‘respect’ & ‘affection’ shown to them,” wrote Ramesh.

“Shameless Amazon first it was Indian flag and now Mahatma Gandhi looks like Jeff Bezos is losing his mind,” wrote an anonymous user.

Bezos is Amazon’s founder.

The flip-flops, which cost US$16.99, are described on the website as “professionally printed” and a product that “will look great and make someone smile”.

Amazon could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday.

Amazon has made steady inroads in India, with plans to invest US$5 billion in the country since entering the cut-throat, rapidly growing e-commerce market in 2013.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Gambia President-elect Barrow to stay in Senegal until inauguration

T

he Gambia’s President-elect Adama Barrow is to remain in Senegal until his planned inauguration on Thursday, State media in Senegal say.

The move was requested by West African leaders after a summit in Mali, Senegalese news agency APS said.

President Yahya Jammeh is currently refusing to step down until the Supreme Court can hear his challenge in May. Regional bloc Ecowas wants the United Nations to approve military action if Barrow’s inauguration is blocked.

On Saturday, leaders repeated their calls for Jammeh – who initially accepted the result – to go voluntarily at an AfricaFrance summit in Bamako.

Mali’s President Ibrahim Keita called for “proverbial African wisdom” to prevail to avert a bloodbath and there are growing fears that the uncertainty could cause a refugee exodus.

Thousands of Gambians, mostly women and children, have already crossed the border into neighbouring Senegal and further afield to Guinea-Bissau, where they do not require a visa, officials say.

Barrow, who beat

Jammeh in last month’s election, was at the Bamako summit and was referred to as the President.

Last week Nigeria’s President flew to the Gambian capital Banjul to try to broker a deal, but Jammeh would not relinquish power.

Jammeh’s attempt to overturn the election result has been delayed because of a shortage of judges, but his legal team has asked for an injunction to block Barrow’s inauguration.

The African Union has said it would no longer recognise Jammeh’s rule after his term ends. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Tibet protesters detained in Swiss capital during Xi Jinping visit

S

wiss Police detained 32 Tibetans and Swiss nationals protesting against a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday, a spokesman said.

Swiss authorities had limited the duration of the protest in the centre of Bern to two hours before noon (1100 GMT) to avoid the kind of confrontation that marked the last visit by a Chinese President 18 years ago.

Several people near a security zone set up for the State visit failed to comply with Police instructions, Bern cantonal police said in a statement.

“Thirty-two people were detained to secure safety,” a spokesman said.

At noon, Police prevented a man from setting himself on fire, according to the statement. The man was

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Swiss President Doris Leuthard walk past an honour guard of the Swiss Army upon his arrival for an official visit to Switzerland at the airport in Zurich, Switzerland, January 15, 2017

taken care of by doctors.

Fourteen activists were detained near the Swiss Parliament building in the afternoon as they continued to protest past the time restriction, waving posters saying “Free Tibet” and “Don’t Deal With Killers”, the association of Tibetan Youth in Europe said.

“The situation inside

Tibet is getting worse day by day. Our people are being oppressed, our people are being imprisoned,” the association’s spokeswoman Mimpara Dhakyel said.

“We are really concerned (about) how our government, our own government treats us, doesn’t permit us to demonstrate.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

16

monDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

I SAY...

What the people say about

The victimisation of the vendors Melisa Primo - Vendor “Well after they moved us, they did not tell us back anything and we just came here and set-up back our stalls and start to work because we got to make a living. They came and they break down my stall and I came and set it up back, so I am just waiting to see what will happen next.”

Michael Nicholas - Vendor “Well I used to sell in front of KFC and after that they told us to move to the Parliament place, and now they are asking us to more again and we were not told to move to where exactly. So we are all just sailing and setting up wherever we can until they come to move us again. The sad part is that we still gotta pay them fees when they come and for today all I sell was $1000 for the entire day.”

Collin Benjamin - Georgetown “I liked the little place that was set up for the vendors but I do think that it is too small. I am puzzled as to why they are being moved again, these people have lives and victimising them will only prove fatal for the Government.”

Falisha Teekaram - WBD “I think that the treatment to the vendors is very harsh.

There were other actions that could have been taken such as; there should have been proper consultation with the vendors before removing them and demolishing their stands. And there should be a plan of what they will do with the vendors, for example getting a permanent spot for them to vend. But all of this could only be done if the City Council sits down and layout their plan with the vendors.”

Maya Hercules - Georgetown “I could imagine it would be frustrating for the vendors of the Parliament View Mall being relocated, then displaced once again, while trying to make a living; and for Merriman’s Mall dismantling of stalls…

I understand Government’s efforts of wanting presentable stalls, but without adequate, prior notice to these vendors, it’s harsh; lest we forget it’s another person’s means of income that has been destroyed.”

Andre Rutherford - Georgetown “I think that the President and City Council is right to do what they are doing because we need a better life of higher standard in this country. If they are not harsh in their ways of doing what they are doing, then nothing will ever change, so I completely agree with what is happening.”

Natasha Lanfranc - Vendor “To be honest, I was not here (Merriman Mall) when the Mayor was here. But I was told that she does not know that people from the Town Council came and removed the vendors from here. So from what I am seeing is the Mayor and Town Clerk are not cooperating and we the vendors are suffering because of it.”

Tzaddi Franklin - Georgetown “I think the vendors should be given a forum where they are able to communicate/ make negotiations with the Mayor and City Councillors to ensure that the spot is up to their expectations and what the vendors need in order to [make their stalls suitable].

Additionally, the Council should build permanent structures to their standards and charge a fee for maintenance.”

Carol - Vendor “Imagine we have to pay fees and we are not even getting to sell, we are not selling anything because we don’t have a fixed location to vend. Only the other day vendors from the Mall were crying out because City Hall demolish all they’re stalls, something’s gotta be done.”

APNU/AFC Govt committed to reducing corruption

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration is committed to the process of reducing corruption in Guyana, AFC’s executive member and Minister of Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, has said.

Hughes said while corruption remained a culture here, the Administration has been focusing on ensuring that in as many agencies and offices possible, the necessary checks and balances were put into effect to reduce such.

“The process of fixing these challenges is not something that can be done in six months, one year or year and a half. It is done by ensuring that the checks are in place and that there is constant monitoring and that when there are situations that we are aware of – that the perpetrators are brought to the court and are punished,” she told Journalists at the AFC’s press conference on Friday.

According to Hughes, it also means that if the issue of corruption is going to be fixed, then more people should be able to take a stand.

“It comes back to our personal integrity and what we talk about...we have to be honest and look at what we have become in Guyana.

When will we as Guyanese say that the continuation of this behaviour is totally unacceptable?” she asked.

AFC Executive member and Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

According to the Minister, there are rules and everyone must be governed by those rules. “Ministers, people on the street. It doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter where you come from, how much money you have.”

She said people usually took a whole new approach to things when they “jump on a plane” and go to North America. “All of a sudden, we become responsible. When are we going to have pride in our own country?

AFC General Secretary and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said that his Ministry, which was publicly perceived to be one that was susceptible to corruption, has been going through the process of purging. He said corruption has been brought to a very low rate over the last 18 months.

“Each and every time someone indicates that something is going wrong, we investigate it in the Ministry.

We don’t make a lot of public pronouncements, but the levels of corruption have been drastically reduced.”

Party leader and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said that at a state level, the anti-corruption agency, the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) has come into being within the second year of the

new government, something that the country should be proud of.

He said the new Government, while in Opposition, had been clamouring for the establishment of the PPC. He said while Cabinet was still giving its no-objection to contracts because of some administrative setbacks of the Commission, the body would soon take up its full responsibility.

Ramjattan said this was a difficult thing for the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to do. “It is a far, far cry from where we have come from… that is a major anti-corruption activity done within the first 24 months of this Administration.”

He maintained that there must be enforcement of all laws.

monDAY, january 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

News

Region 6 nursery schools earmarked for extension …another to be closed – Chairman

T

he Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Administration has announced that it will be extending two nursery schools in New Amsterdam this year and closing a third.

Regional Chairman David Armogan made the announcement during his first press conference for 2017. He revealed that the Region intended to spend $14 million to extend the Viola Nursery School to accommodate 35 more pupils.

The building, which is located in Vrymens Erven, is currently too small to accommodate the growing school population.

The Chairman further stated that St Mary’s Nursery would also be extended at a similar cost. He explained that the extension would cater for all the children who attend Trinity Street Nursery, which was in a deplorable state. The

One of the schools earmarked for rehabilitation

Trinity Street Nursery School will then be closed.

Food For The Poor (FFTP) had indicated its willingness to fund the construction of a new building

to house the Trinity Street Nursery School.

The organisation held discussions with senior officials from the Department of Education, Region Six,

and made the commitment. It is proposing that Government provide the land and it will fund the entire project.

The Education

Department was furnished with a document to that effect and a copy was given to the Regional Executive Officer (REO).

FFTP had proposed that

the ‘Old New Amsterdam Hospital’ compound be used for the project. However, the then REO, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, had objected to the site, saying that it was not fit for a school because a hospital once stood there.

FFTP had been waiting on the Department of Education to propose other plots of State-owned land for the construction of the new school building.

Speaking at the press conference, Regional Education Officer Volika Jaikishun explained that a few of the teachers and head of Trinity Street Nursery would be transferred to the two schools which would be extended, while others would eventually be placed in other schools.

Armogan, who once headed the Regional Education Committee, assured the teachers that they would not be displaced.

Anna Regina residents complain Plans for new about substandard road works RDC building in Region 10 complete

R

The pot holes that riddle the recently-rehabilitated road in Anna Regina

esidents living close to Station Street in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are complaining about the poor, sub-standard and sloppy works executed there by a contractor they describe as “inexperienced”, who was hired by the Regional Administration, through its Regional Tender Board (RTB) system.

According to the residents, from the initial stages of the project, there have been several requests to halt the works; however, the concerns raised were disregarded by the engineers in charge, and instead the road was completed.

They are claiming that the road shoulders were made with mud instead of the standard materials, with many saying that they witnessed the contractor removing the mud from a nearby trench. According to the residents, a report was made to a senior regional official; how-

Naitram had initially raised concerns about the contractor, and made calls for the works to be redone or the contractor held accountable by the RTB, for the defective works.

Alluding to the next steps, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt pointed out that the matter involved the RDC and suggestions, as well as findings, were forwarded to the clerk of the RDC, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson for attention.

He said the position of the RDC was the defaulting contractor should face disciplinary action. In addition, Ramdatt said based on feed-

Former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon

T

The past condition of Station Street

ever, the contractor continued with the project.

“We spoke out on numerous occasions, it’s taxpayers money building roads; as such, we have every right to speak out: the work done on the street was sloppy and lacked proper supervision by those who were put in charge,” residents explained.

Although the road was re-

cently rehabilitated, it is currently riddled with pot holes and residents are predicting that within a few months’ time, millions of dollars more will have to be expended for rehabilitation works.

On numerous occasions, the matter engaged the attention of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Government Councillor

back, the contractor did not follow the bill of quantity for the project, and the project was slowly executed. The Chairman urged members of the RTB to launch an investigation into the matter and to ensure there was greater scrutiny of the said contractor in the future.

he architectural design for the construction of a new building to house the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) has been completed and Councillors have been given a sneak peek.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian recently facilitated the RDC Councillors having a look at the official plan, which was executed

by D Mac’s Design Solutions Architectural and Drafting Services.

Almost a year ago, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephen has disclosed that $10 million had been budgeted to offset the architectural design of the building, which was scheduled to be completed by 2020.

“We’re not going to be

Regional Chairman Renis Morian

getting it this year (2016); however, the Ministry has given us $10 million to do the drawing, so we have to hire a consultant. So that will entail how the building would look. By 2020, we will have our new building,” Stephen had announced.

The present RDC building is situated at Co-op Crescent and Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden.

Former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, during his tenure, had voiced several concerns over the present RDC edifice, pointing to issues of safety. Solomon had pointed out that the building was sinking and the structure could not withstand the number of staff.

Several other health and safety violations were also outlined by the previous Regional Chairman.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, january 16, 2017

ARCHIE

Refrain from initiating a change before you are fully (March 21- prepared to deal with the conApril 19) sequences. Make sure your plan is foolproof before you reveal what you are going to do.

ARIES

You are in control whethTAURUS er or not you realize it, so stop (April 20- looking over your shoulder May 20) and go about getting things done to your specifications.

Celebrate your victory with a loved one.

dilbert

Move forward cautiously.

GEMINI Show discipline and restraint (May 21June 20) when dealing with others.

Refuse to get into a position that is compromising or based on temptation. Personal improvement should be your priority.

Don’t chase change when you can let things come to (June 21- you. Take your time and enJuly 22) gage in the things that bring you great joy or satisfaction.

Keep life simple, affordable and filled with love.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Change is upon you.

Consider what you enjoy doing most, and search for a way to turn what you are passionate about into a paying gig. You can make your dreams come true.

Get in the game of life.

VIRGO Don’t wait for people and op(Aug. 23Sept. 22) portunities to come to you. If you jump in and participate, you will discover that you have plenty to offer.

Calvin and Hobbes

You may want change, but LIBRA before you get moving, make (Sept. 23sure you aren’t infringing on Oct. 23) someone else’s territory or disrupting plans that are already in place.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Take control and get what SCORPIO you want to do underway.

(Oct. 24You’ll get the response you Nov. 22) need, along with a chance to utilize people you’ve enjoyed collaborating with in the past.

You’ll be restricted by SAGITTARIUS someone who has an emo(Nov. 23tional hold on you if you are Dec. 21) evasive or try to bring about change without sharing your plans.

SATURDAY'S

solution for Last Published Puzzle

You should take pride in CAPRICORN what you do. Embrace change (Dec. 22and innovation.

If you use Jan. 19) your imagination, you will be enlightened by what you discover. Don’t let an unexpected change influence you.

Offer your opinion and AQUARIUS lend a helping hand, but don’t (Jan. 20put your hard-earned cash to Feb. 19) work for someone else’s benefit. When it comes to your money, invest in yourself.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Meeting people, forming partPISCES (Feb. 20- nerships and getting involved in March 20) events, activities and organizations will bring you satisfaction, along with unusual encounters and opportunities that can change your life. Romance is featured.

monDAY, january 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

19

Australian Open...

United late draw against Liverpool

Federer, Kerber in the spotlight on day 1

earns

Z

latan Ibrahimovic’s late equaliser earned Manchester United a point they fully deserved after a typically thunderous encounter with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Liverpool led through James Milner’s 27th-minute penalty, awarded after Paul Pogba inexplicably handled a corner as he went up to challenge Dejan Lovren.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was Liverpool’s hero with superb first-half saves from Ibrahimovic’s free-kick and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, as Jurgen Klopp’s side put up stern resistance and threatened on the break.

It looked like the visitors were going to hold on and move back to second in the Premier League, but United finally forced the goal they merited when Antonio Valencia reacted first when substitute Marouane Fellaini’s header came back off the post, crossing for Ibrahimovic to head home off the bar.

Liverpool are now in third place, seven points adrift of top-flight leaders Chelsea, while United - whose nine-match winning run in all competitions came to an end - are now 12 points off the top. (BBC)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s equaliser against Liverpool means he has scored 14 goals in his first 20 Premier League games

R

oger Federer takes the spotlight on his return to grand slam tennis on the opening day of the Australian Open on Monday but those looking for title contenders might be wise to cast their gaze elsewhere.

Seeded 17th after six months away from the sport nursing a knee injury, Federer’s first round match against Austrian qualifier Juergen Melzer has nevertheless been awarded the prime spot of the final match on Rod Laver Arena.

The 35-year-old won the last of his four titles at Melbourne Park in 2010 and half a year out of the game combined with the tricky draw that comes with the lowly ranking, makes a fifth

Roger Federer

crown a bit of a long shot, even for the Swiss Master.

Andy Murray embarks on his first grand slam campaign as world number one with much stronger title credentials, even if he has lost five finals at Melbourne Park, four of them to the man he usurped in the rankings, Novak Djokovic.

The British top seed takes on Ilya Marchenko in the last match of the afternoon session on Rod Laver Arena and will have to contend with temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius as well as the Ukrainian.

Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, also begins his quest for a third grand slam crown, against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan, while Japan’s fifth seed Kei

Nishikori renews his crusade to give Asia its first men’s champion against Andrey Kuznetsov.

Women’s top seed Angelique Kerber opens the night session on the main showcourt as she begins her a first grand slam title defence against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko, who pulled out of a warm-up tournament in Hobart last week with a virus.

Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza and Svetlana Kuznetsova are the other top 10 women’s seeds in action on day one and they will be glad to be early starters with temperatures forecast to soar when the bottom half of the draw plays on Tuesday. (Reuters)

raised about de Villiers Test future Doubts A B de Villiers’ Test future appears to be up in the air once again, as he prepares to meet with the South Africa team management to discuss his role in the side when he completes his comeback from injury.

Although de Villiers has completely recovered from the elbow surgery which sidelined him for the last three Test series since the end of the CPL in June, and was expected to slot straight back into the XI as soon as he became available, there are renewed questions over whether he wants to continue in the longest format.

“We need to sit down with him and plan his future,” Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach said. “AB has got to make that decision, I can’t decide on whether he plays or not.

“When I say that, I mean AB has got to make the decision about whether he is available and the selectors have got to make the decision whether he plays. He

has obviously got to make some decision about his future in cricket.”

Domingo’s comments came after current Test captain, Faf du Plessis, indicated de Villiers was wavering over whether to make a return to the longest format, and was looking at one-day cricket as a priority.

“I’m not sure how AB will feel in terms of Test cricket so we will have to see,” du Plessis said. “We are excited to have him back in the one-day team. I am hoping he decides to play [Tests] for us. He is obviously a worldclass batter and I, as a captain, would love to have him as a leader in our team, and obviously as a batter. He is a fantastic player.”

Du Plessis, a long-time friend of de Villiers, was also asked whether the pair had spoken about de Villiers not returning to Test cricket. He claimed not to have not had that conversation but suggested de Villiers’ six-month absence from the game may prompt him not to continue

anyway.

“He hasn’t played for a while. The plan was for him to play in this series and then the one-dayers start, but now we will see what AB’s plans are - whether he wants to play,” du Plessis said.

De Villiers, who was named permanent Test captain last January, stepped down in early December, before the Sri Lanka series, when it became clear he would not be fit to play in it.

Having already missed the New Zealand and Australia Tests - in which du Plessis was a successful stand-in skipper - and with his recovery period becoming more drawn out, de Villiers felt the team needed to move on.

During those series, Domingo was always firm in his stance that, when de Villiers was available, “someone will have to make way,” and a common talking point has been the identity of that player.

With du Plessis installed as captain and JP Duminy

AB de Villiers has not played Test cricket for South Africa in more than a year

finding form at No.4, the spotlight has been on Temba Bavuma, who has struggled in this series, but all official word, including that of the convener of selectors Linda Zondi who was speaking on public broadcaster SABC, is that Bavuma will be retained. That means it is difficult to make room for de Villiers, despite his reputation.

Whether the pressure to find a place, or the concerns over how his elbow will hold up, are playing on de Villiers’ mind is not known, but this is the longest he has been out of the game since making his debut 12 years ago.

Ultimately his decision may be based on something entirely different. De Villiers is in demand at T20

leagues around the world and even publicly revealed that he turned down an opportunity to play in the Big Bash last summer. He is also a hot corporate commodity and his MRF bat sponsorship was conditional on him playing all three formats. If that has changed, there is a chance that so too has de Villiers’ mind.

Still, he would not be entirely lost to South Africa, and will still lead their ODI side. De Villiers will play a List A match for Northerns next Sunday and, if all goes well, he will play in the third T20 against Sri Lanka before assuming the captaincy ahead of the ODIs. His long-term plan is to take the team to the Champions Trophy and ultimately, the 2019 World Cup. Morne Morkel was also due to play in that Northerns’ match but has suffered a recurrence of some of symptoms of his back niggle. He will need to be reassessed before a call is taken on his availability.

(ESPNCricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, january 16, 2017

India v England, 1st ODI, Pune...

Kohli, Jadhav fire explosive India past England Virat Kohli taps the ball on to the off side

Kedar Jadhav celebrates a century in front of his home crowd ©AFP

T

hree half centuries and a big total were not enough for England in Pune, as India clattered their way to victory in the opening ODI. Centurions Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav brutalised England’s bowling attack on Sunday as India mounted a masterful run chase to secure a three-wicket victory in the first one-day international in Pune.

Ben Stokes (62) had raced to his team’s fastest 50 in India to join Jason Roy (73) and Joe Root (78) as one of three tourists to produce half centuries, England posting an imposing total of 350-7.

But the tight boundary at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium also worked in the hosts’ favour, captain Kohli plundering 122 and Jadhav 120.

Having been tasked with pulling off their third biggest ODI run chase on

home soil, India were rocking when Shikhar Dhawan sliced David Willey (2-47) straight to Moeen Ali at third man for one, followed by the clean-bowled departure of KL Rahul (8) from the same source.

Kohli began the counterattack with successive fours off the Yorkshire star and Yuvraj Singh (15) followed suit with a six, but Stokes (273) broke up their promising partnership when the latter, playing across the line, steered an inside edge down the leg side to Jos Buttler.

India’s hopes took another hit when MS Dhoni, playing in his first match since stepping down as limitedovers captain, went down the ground to Jake Ball (367) and was fooled by a short delivery, top edging to Willey at mid-wicket for six.

Perhaps overestimating the importance of the veteran’s scalp, England were unprepared for the interven-

tion of Jadhav, who nearly outshone his skipper, rocketing to 120 from 76 balls, teeing off with 12 fours and four maximums as the tourists toiled in the field.

The 200-run stand for the fifth wicket finally came to an end when Kohli, having unleashed with eight boundaries and five sixes, including a brilliant shortarm jab off the bottom of the bat to dispatch the hapless Chris Woakes (0-44), tried to pull Stokes and could only top-edge to Willey.

Suffering from cramp, Jadhav followed three overs later, the pull shot also his undoing, Stokes waiting at deep square leg from Ball’s delivery.

It was left to Hardik Pandya (40 not out), Ravindra Jadeja (13) and Ravichandran Ashwin (15 not out) to get India over the line, affording the hosts plenty of confidence going into the second match in

Cuttack on Thursday.

Earlier, Roy set the tone for the tourists with a halfcentury off 61 balls, surviving being dropped on 66 before he was eventually stumped by Dhoni off Jadeja an over later.

Root had already inherited his mantle, surpassing the opener to top score in the innings, notching four boundaries and a six in the process. Jasprit Bumrah’s slower ball finally wrongfooted the Yorkshireman, Pandya taking an overhead catch at long on.

Eoin Morgan (28), Jos Buttler (31) and Moeen (28) also caused India plenty of problems, but it was Stokes who really hurt Kohli and his team, supplying five sixes and two fours from just 40 balls as India’s death bowling proved woefully insufficient, leaving the fireworks of Kohli and Jadhav to bail their colleagues out.

(Sportsmax)

©AFP

SCOREBOARD England innings (50 overs maximum) J Roy st †Dhoni b Jadeja 73 A Hales run out (Bumrah) 9 J Root c Pandya b Bumrah 78 View dismissal E Morgan* c †Dhoni b Pandya 28 J Buttler† c Dhawan b Pandya 31 View dismissal BA Stokes c Yadav b Bumrah 62 M Ali b Yadav 28 C Woakes not out 9 10 D Willey not out Extras (b 1, lb 11, w 6, nb 4) 22 Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 350 Did not bat: AU Rashid, JT Ball Fall of wickets 1-39 (Hales, 6.2 ov), 2-108 (Roy, 18.3 ov), 3-157 (Morgan, 26.6 ov), 4-220 (Buttler, 37.5 ov), 5-244 (Root, 41.4 ov), 6-317 (Stokes, 47.1 ov), 7-336 (Ali, 48.4 ov) Bowling: Yadav 7-0-63-1 (1nb, 3w), Pandya 9-0-46-2, Bumrah 10-0-79-2 (3nb, 1w), Jadeja 100-50-1, Ashwin 8-0-63-0 (2w), Jadhav 4-0-23-0, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-14-0

India innings (target: 351 runs from 50 overs) K Rahul b Willey 8

S Dhawan c Ali b Willey 1 V Kohli* c Willey b Stokes 122 Yuvraj Singh c †Buttler b Stokes 15 6 M Dhoni† c Willey b Ball K Jadhav c Stokes b Ball 120 H Pandya not out 40 R Jadeja c Rashid b Ball 13 15 R Ashwin not out Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 11) 16 Total (7 wickets; 48.1 overs) 356 Did not bat: JJ Bumrah, UT Yadav Fall of wickets 1-13 (Dhawan, 3.6 ov), 2-24 (Rahul, 5.5 ov), 3-56 (Yuvraj Singh, 10.2 ov), 4-63 (Dhoni, 11.5 ov), 5-263 (Kohli, 36.2 ov), 6-291 (Jadhav, 39.5 ov), 7-318 (Jadeja, 44.1 ov) Bowling Woakes 8-0-44-0 (2w), Willey 6-0-472 (3w), Ball 10-0-67-3 (4w), Stokes 10-0-73-2 (2w), A Rashid 5-0-50-0, M Ali 6.1-0-48-0, Root 3-0-22-0

Australia v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Melbourne...

Hafeez, Shoaib steer

Pakistan to drought-breaking win

A

n overdue victory in Australia finally arrived for Pakistan on Sunday, as the tourists won by six wickets in the second ODI. Pakistan won in Australia for the first time since 2005 in any format on Sunday, sealing a six-wicket victory in the second oneday international.

Having suffered a whitewash in the Test series and lost the ODI opener by 92 runs, a response was desperately required from the tourists and they finally delivered at the MCG, where standin skipper Mohammad Hafeez topscored with 72 and Shoaib Malik made a crucial, unbeaten 42.

Mohammad Amir (347) had led the way in restricting the hosts’ total, with Junaid Khan (2-40) and Imad Wasim (2-37) also claiming important scalps.

In a sign that perhaps their luck was finally set to turn, Pakistan

benefited from a costly Steve Smith mistake as they chased Australia’s 220 all out, the captain putting down Hafeez in the first

over o f f Mitchell Starc (2-45).

Hafeez, leading the team in place of the injured Azhar Ali, took full advantage, making serene progress to a half century that was barely disrupted by the departure of Sharjeel Khan (29), who edged James Faulkner’s full delivery just outside off stump to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

T h e nerves did briefly m o u n t Mohammad Hafeez tries to pull one away ©Getty Images

for Pakistan from the 31st over when J o s h Hazelwood snaffled Babar A z a m (34) o f f Starc at third man boundary.

The visitors’ skipper followed an over later, his concentration finally broken as he played across the line to a fuller Faulkner (2-35) ball outside off, scooping a tame shot to Hazlewood at midon.

Shoaib survived two reviews in quick succession before seeing Asad Shafiq depart for 13, taken easily

by Wade, having gone after a wide Starc delivery, but he continued to attack, supplying five boundaries and a maximum to keep the chase on track.

But Umar Akmal (18 not out) provided effective support during a tense conclusion, lifting some of the pressure by punching Faulkner back down the ground for four, before Travis Head sent a wide down the leg side to hand Pakistan the long-awaited triumph.

Earlier, Smith anchored Australia’s innings by topscoring for the hosts with a patient 60, the skipper reaching the boundary just

twice from 101 balls before a slower Imad delivery drew an inside edge.

Nearly all of Australia’s specialists got starts but failed to build, openers David Warner (16) and Usman Khawaja (17) both falling to Junaid.

Mitch Marsh picked out Imad at cover off Amir for a duck an over later, leaving the home team reeling at 41-3.

From that shaky position, Head (29), Glenn Maxwell (23), Wade (35) and Faulkner (19) all made valuable contributions in support of the captain, but the spin of Shoaib (1-15) did for Wade.

Hasan Ali (1-29) had already tempted Head into an attempted cover drive that saw him edge to Mohammad Rizwan, while Imad bowled Maxwell when the flamboyant Victorian came down the track but missed as he tried to hit through the offside.

Faulkner survived to the end of the innings, when he lofted one from Amir to Shafiq at point. He had received no assistance from his fellow members of the tail, Starc (3), Cummins (0) and Hazlewood (0) all departing quickly, and Australia’s earlier failure to push on from promising positions ultimately proved fatal. (Sportsmax)

Junaid Khan lets out a roar after dismissing David Warner ©Getty Images

SCOREBOARD Australia innings (50 overs maximum) U Khawaja c Sharjeel Khan b Junaid Khan 17 D Warner c †Mohammad 16 Rizwan b Junaid Khan S Smith* b Imad Wasim 60 M Marsh c Imad Wasim b Mohammad Amir 0 T Head c †Mohammad Rizwan b Hasan Ali 29 G Maxwell b Imad Wasim 23 M Wade† b Shoaib Malik 35 J Faulkner c Asad Shafiq b Mohammad Amir 19 M Starc run out (Junaid Khan) 3 P Cummins c †Mohammad Rizwan b Mohammad Amir 0 J Hazlewood not out 0 Extras (lb 7, w 11) 18 Total (all out; 48.2 overs) 220 Fall of wickets 1-31 (Warner, 5.5 ov), 2-40 (Khawaja, 7.6 ov), 3-41 (Marsh, 8.5 ov), 4-86 (Head, 17.2 ov), 5-128 (Maxwell, 26.2 ov), 6-193 (Smith, 42.3 ov), 7-199 (Wade, 43.4 ov), 8-207 (Starc, 45.4 ov), 9-212 (Cummins, 46.5 ov), 10-220 (Faulkner, 48.2 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 9.2-0-47-3 (1w), Junaid Khan 8-0-40-2 (3w), Imad Wasim 10-

0-37-2 (2w), Hasan Ali 7-0-29-1, Mohammad Hafeez 10-0-45-0 (1w), Shoaib Malik 4-0-15-1 Pakistan innings (target: 221 runs from 50 overs) Mohammad Hafeez* c Hazlewood b Faulkner 72 Sharjeel Khan c †Wade b Faulkner 29 Babar Azam c Hazlewood b Starc 34 Asad Shafiq c †Wade b Starc 13 Shoaib Malik not out 42 Umar Akmal not out 18 Extras (lb 6, w 7) 13 Total (4 wickets; 47.4 overs) 221 Did not bat: Mohammad Rizwan†, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Sharjeel Khan, 14.3 ov), 2-140 (Babar Azam, 30.3 ov), 3-142 (Mohammad Hafeez, 31.5 ov), 4-195 (Asad Shafiq, 42.5 ov) Bowling: Starc 10-1-452 (2w), Hazlewood 10-2-32-0 (1w), Cummins 10-1-481(1w), Faulkner 9-0-35-2, Head 2.4-0-23-0(1w), Marsh 6-0-32-0 (2w)

21

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A

s the Region prepares for its premier limited overs tournament, which will be played in Barbados and Antigua from January 24, Guyana Times Sport have decided to review some cricketers that were dominant at the youth level and were earmarked to progress to the senior division but have failed to do so or have not commanded a place in First-Class cricket.

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Zamal Khan

Lofty and exciting fast bowler, Jeremy Gordon, now 29 was extremely quick and his run through to the delivery crease define what he had to offer to batsmen.

He represented Guyana under 15 and under 19 teams.

He made his debut for the Guyana Under-15 team in 2002 in the annual regional Under-15 competition, in Trinidad & Tobago. He then represented Guyana Under-19 team in the 2004 regional youth competi-

He is still regarded as a fearsome fast bowler and in 2015 he hint at a return to competitive cricket here but according to source close to him, “he was told by a cricket official here that his reintegration must start from scratch. Where he would have to play club cricket then move up.”

Zamal Khan should consider himself to be a fortunate West Indies U-19 former player. In 2003 he replaced an injured col-

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Jeremy Gordon in action for Canada

part 4

Zaheer Mohamed

league and Guyanese player, Zaheer Mohamed, in the West Indies Youth team.

That year he played in the senior regional limited over tournament and the next year he participated in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Youth World Cup in Bangladesh under the leadership of Denesh Ramdin. The West Indies reached the final of that tournament where they lost to Pakistan.

In 16 youth matches for Guyana, the all-rounder, who bowls and bats left handed, scored 534 runs with one century and three half century while he claimed 13 wickets.

He too was lost due to migration but in 2013 he returned to the local scene to represent Berbice in the limited over inter-county competition.

Zaheer Mohamed was unfortunate not to play for the West Indies U19 in 2003 and 2004 after being ruled out by injury. However, he made his first-class debut as a teenager in 2004 along with another teenager, Leon Johnson.

The all-rounder has 18 first-class and List A matches under his belt but that seems as all he would not play for Guyana again because he has been absent from the local scene.

Mohamed is one of those cricketers, who never got to showcase his full potential.

In his first-class career to date he has registered four fifties batting late in the order.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, january 16, 2017

WICB Regional Super50...

Hetmyer looking to make lasting impression

By Akeem Greene

T

alented Guyana Jaguars opening batsmen Shimron Hetmyer will play his maiden West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Super50 as a senior cricketer after playing for the West Indies Under-19 team during the 2015 edition of the tournament.

In his List A debut against Trinidad and Tobago he made an even half-century which surely was one of the signs that placed him in good stead in becoming the West Indies under-19 captain for the 2016 World Cup, where he led the team to historic championship glory.

Considering his success as a youth cricketer, the dashing left-handed batsman plans to use the Super50 as a benchmark to test how much he has developed as a professional cricketer, with the illustrious aim of gaining a spot in the senior West Indies team.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport, the 20 year-old stated, “this is a very important tournament for me, it can tell me how fast I have developed and where I am on getting into the West Indies senior team; it’s my main goal now to get into the team, hopefully in the one-day format as early as possible but first I have to make it count in this tourna-

fondness for, the player said that he is e x tremely confident of doi n g well

at the crease”.

Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon had posited that the team’s top order needs to be more consistent i f the

con-

team can book a place in the February 18 final.

Quizzed as this will be any added pressure, the Guyana Amazon Warriors player responded saying, “I will go about doing what I know best and that is just playing my natural attacking game, the coaches told me to do what I do best and if I get the team off to a good start then so be it”.

With the last title in this format of the game coming in 2005 for Guyana, Hetmyer says that the team is focused and ready to perform to break the jinx.

“I think, the guys are focused, I can’t comment on the previous years but the guys are really focused with planning and all aspects of the game but I’m not pressured to perform, I will go do what I know best for the team”, the opening batsman said.

The tournament which

Classical! Shimron Hetmyer in the nets at the National Stadium (Marceano Narine Photo)

ment”.

The Berbician, who played for the West Indies A team on the tour to Sri Lanka last year, had a commendable first half of the four-day season, where he scored three half-centuries in an attacking fashion but failed to add to his lone First-class century.

Heading into a format where he certainly has a

sidering the glimpses of destructive batting he showcased in the four-day matches.

Hetmyer posited that he will be trying to convert those 50s into big hundreds, stating, “After the break in the four-day season, I spent some time thinking of ways I can convert those 50s into big hundred and it is really just about me staying focus

begins on January 24 in Barbados and Antigua, will see Guyana being based in Barbados for their preliminary matches and if the pitches in the Island of the flying fish remains proves history correct, it will be the conditions the young batsman thrives under and will only auger well for himself and the Jaguars.

to leave Big Bash for Super50

W

e s t Indies

Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite will leave Big Bash League’s (BBL) Sydney Thunder later this week in order to honour his commitment with Barbados for the regional Super50 competition.

Brathwaite replaced injured West Indian teammate Andre Russell last week and has been a hit with fans and players at the franchise so far. The all-rounder has also made a solid contribution with the ball claiming figures of 3 for 21 in Thunder’s derby Carlos Brathwaite has had some good performances in his clash against the Sixers on Saturday and short stint with the Thunders opening with 2 for 31 against Hobart.

O n each occasion entertaining the crowd with his triple dab celebration.

Following a third consecutive win in a row the Thunder could sneak into the BBL final with a win over Adelaide Strikers in Wednesday’s semi-final. Should the Thunder win the match Brathwaite would, however, miss the January 28 final as the regional Super50 tournament gets under way on January 24.

“Unfortunately, I still have to go home on (Thursday) morning to play in the Super50 tournament,’’ Brathwaite said on Saturday.

The Barbados Pride will begin their campaign against the Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval on the competition’s opening day.

Caesar to continue leading GAPF E

d Caesar was once again elected at the helm of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) as they hosted their elections as part of the Annual General Meeting at the National Racquet Center, Woolford Avenue on Saturday.

Caesar received 14 votes to gain this position ahead of Gordon Spencer who received one less vote.

However, Spencer returned to serve as Caesar’s deputy running unopposed.

Similarly, the rest of the executive posts ran unopposed.

Melissa Tucker did not return as General Secretary, but rather a committee member, along with Martin Webster and Nadina Taharally as the other committee members.

Andrea Austin was appointed as the new General Secretary while the role of Public Relations Officer/ Organising Secretary was awarded to Dr. Osmond Mack.

During the presentation of Tucker, Fitness Express was highlighted as the top corporate sponsors as the Federation welcomed some

GAPF President Ed Caesar returned to the top post

new partners. The returning president reminded those in attendance that sponsorship is a major factor to the growth of the sport and it is critical that the Federation earn the trust and support of corporate Guyana as well as an increase in volunteering.

Caesar indicated that it is his intention to work along with each and every member of the Federation to see them fulfilling their

goals that they will be setting out in 2017.

As part of the new executive’s goal for 2017, they will be aiming to build on the platform set out by the previous administration especially in relation to the areas of training and educating powerlifters.

President of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) Frank Tucker presided as Returning Officer.

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, january 16, 2017

Bodybuilders achieving pro status a plus ― Brisport-Luke

F

ollowing one of Guyana’s most successful run in its history of bodybuilding, recently accredited Central America and Caribbean (CAC) judge Franklyn Brisport-Luke is of the opinion that there will be many rewards for the country as it relates to our bodybuilders achieving pro status.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, the 49-year-old judge reminded that Guyana has done “tremendously well” in 2016 and “it is a plus for us once they bodybuilders achieve the pro status at the Arnold Classic that CAC Judge they are earmarked to go to within another two Franklyn months.”

Brisport-Luke While he congratulated them for putting Guyana on the map, he is particularly proud that this is the first time we will be having representatives at the Arnold Classic, if plans go accordingly.

Some of the front runners in the world of bodybuilding, according to the CAC judge were CAC gold medalist, Kerwin Clarke, Emmerson Campbell, Devon Davis, Yannick Grimes Alisha Fortune while young Faroud Bacchus has caught the eye of most fitness enthusiasts.

Not only will the Arnold Classic have high rewards for the country through the athletes, but the country will also have the first ever Guyanese judge who is accredited from that organization if Brisport-Luke is given the opportunity to go forward.

In a previous interview, President of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBF), Keavon Bess related that Brisport-Luke is setting the standard for judging in the country and is clearing a path for other judges who will want to follow in his footsteps along with Frank Tucker who is arguably the most qualified judge in the country.

During the 2016 season Guyana performed at their peak, copping five medals at the CAC in Dominica Republic, medaling at the Darcy Beckles Kerwin Clarke has been one of Guyana’s Classic in Barbados, successfully hosting Stage of Champions.

23

Benjamin signs for T&T professional club Caledonia

G

FC winger Kelsey Benjamin has been taken on the Caledonia roster for the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League.

Caledonia who first sent the skilful winger to Maloney FC in the lower division of the Eastern FA has decided that Kelsey is now ready to play at the Pro League level. “ Kelsey is a really talented kid and many of the senior players have encouraged us to promote him into the first team, says Morvant Caledonia United Head Coach Rajesh Latchoo. “ He has the potential to reach Kelsey Benjamin had an very far once his attitude impressive outing in the 2016 and commitment matches edition of the Digicel Schools his talent, I think he will Football Championship for become a top player, add- Chase Academic Foundation ed Latchoo.

GFC Manager Faizal Khan said Benjamin move is the first of a very methodical arrangement with exposing Guyana’s talent.

“We plan to place three other lads in the Caledonia set up let them learn to become professionals and once they can fulfil their potential in Trinidad the sky is the limit for these players”, Khan added.

Benjamin is a former Chase Academic Foundation student who helped his side to championship glory in the 2016 edition of the Digicel Schools Football Championship.

Meanwhile, Khan is also busy making arrangements for senior team striker Sheldon Holder to go Finland for trials.

standout bodybuilders in recent times

hailed as an

of motor racing in Guyana Caribbean Motor Racing Champion said that “Vieira was man that died but died with the most toys”. Ming made the statement due to the fact that the top race driver had a large appetite for collecting motor cars and Go-karts.

Ming, who joined forces with Vieira in

establishing ‘Technical Services and Supplies Limited’ which then introduced Yamaha outboard motors and Holder tractors to the Guyana market, explained how the two along with other members used their funds to rehabilitate the various structures at the circuit.

Eric Vieira in his “Beast” at the South Dakota Circuit in the 1970s

I

t was a solemn mood on Sunday afternoon at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), as the members reflected on the life of one of the founding members, Eric Vieira.

Vieira, who passed away in London last week, was a former President of the club, was instrumental in the sport reaching the heights it

presently holds today.

Speaking at the appreciation ceremony, Kit Nascimento, coined Vieira as “Mr Motor Racing” since “It was his version, his dedication that has given the sport it’s prominence today”.

Taking those in attendance down memory lane, Nascimento explained that, “It began in the 1950s with a band of

daredevils racing on #63 Beach with Vieira using a Triumph motor bike”.

Vieira, who is renowned for his driving in his “Beast”, played a big role in the club getting the support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to pave the South Dakota Circuit in the 1970s.

Similarly, Stanley Ming, a former

Stanley Ming addressing the gathering on Sunday afternoon

Long standing club member Pat Holder spoke of the days of watching Vieira race on the beach and the various daredevil-like stunts he would try to conduct. The event ended with a minute of silence followed by some members doing a lap of honour on the Go-Kart track.

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

WICB Regional Super50...

Pg 22

Hetmyer looking to make lasting impression Deft touch! Shimron Hetmyer hard at work on his batting at the National Stadium in the lead-up to this year’s Regional Super50 (Marceano Narine Photo)

Pg 23

hailed as an icon of

motor racing in Guyana Stanley Ming leads the pack during the lap of honour for the late Eric Vieira (Carl Croker Photo)

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