Guyana Times Daily - February 26, 2016

Esso intensifying oil exploration efforts – Govt

P7 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2779

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, February 26, 2016

PRICE

PNC attempting to protect its hero

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Sophia teen injured in P7 drive-by shooting

Page 3

– Sir Richard Cheltenham … will not dignify President Granger with a response GPL multimillion-dollar fraud

Police, Canada in extradition talks for former Deputy CEO Page 10

$80 vat included

Bandit shoots accomplice dead during Berbice robbery

Kwame McCoy fires back P9 ... says dirty politics of PNC targeting AfroPPP supporters

Page 7

P8 Expresidential guard freed on attempted murder charge – wife refuses to give evidence

Opposition Leader meets new Israeli Ambassador Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday met newly-accredited Israeli Ambassador to Guyana Mordehai Amibai-Bivas at the Office of the Opposition Leader (OLO) in Church Street, Georgetown where brief cordial talks were held

Kildonan man dies after foot injury Page 2

2016 Police Officers’ Conference

Community Police needed in crime fight – President Granger Page 9

Paradise man jailed for 25 years for raping girl, 13 Page 14

Hospital employee P11 critical following motorcycle accident

DPP wants P14 further investigations in CrumEwing probe – file returned to Police

2 news President Granger invited to join Drought committee set up in Region 3 South American Defence Council – to speak on security, defence of small nations I S friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

ecretary-General of the Union of South American States (UNASUR), Ernesto Samper, on Thursday invited President David Granger to join the South American Defence Council and to speak on the issues of Security and Defence in relation to small States and the Caribbean.

During the meeting, held at the Ministry of the Presidency, the SecretaryGeneral also pledged to foster closer ties between Guyana and UNASUR. Samper was accompanied by Juan Salazar, Advisor of Chile to UNASUR, Enrique Vala Naruaja, Advisor of Argentina to UNASUR, Mauricio Dorfler, Director of Political Affairs of UNASUR, Bernardo Figueheido, Advisor on Infrastructure (Brazil) and Romina Marconi, International Assistant to the Secretary-General.

In an invited comment, Samper said this is his first meeting with President Granger in Guyana and as such, he wanted to discuss the mandate of UNASUR as well as mutual areas of interest, including Security and Defence.

President David Granger and UNASUR Secretary General Ernesto Samper during their meeting on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency

“We discussed the regional agenda of UNASUR and the importance of the participation of Guyana in these matters, especially on topics such as infrastructure, since we will be employing some projects here.

I also invited him to the South American Defence Council to explain his theories about the security of the Caribbean and its implications on the security of the whole region and then we spoke about the South American Citizenship pro-

gramme that we are supporting and presenting to all the countries,” Samper said.

The South American Citizenship Programme has its genesis at the Sixth Summit of UNASUR, held in Lima, Peru in 2012. The Summit had concluded with a firm proposal to create a single South American citizenship.

The Secretary-General said he is particularly pleased that President Granger has indicated his

cooperation for the success of the projects and programmes discussed.

On the issue of the border controversy with Venezuela, Samper said UNASUR would like to see a peaceful resolution so that the Region can continue to be a zone of peace…

I have been saying for the last month - that they (Venezuela and Guyana) can find a way to solve their differences because it is a peaceful region and we all want the peace of Guyana and Venezuela,” he said.

During a meeting with the Secretary-General last year in Paramaribo, Suriname, President Granger had said that Guyana is committed to the infrastructural integration of South America. He had also noted that UNASUR’s agenda: to promote peace, democracy and human rights, could only be realised within a framework of peace and respect among South American states.

n light of the ongoing critical drought in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) a committee has been established to address the condition.

This committee was formed in partnership with the regional administration and stakeholders from the region.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Dennis Jaikaran, on Thursday disclosed during an interview with Guyana Times that the region is “still fighting the battle” as farmers continue to complain about lack of water for their crops.

He went on to explain that the committee has been meeting at least thrice a week to do an evaluation of the situation. These meetings, which comprise the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Region Three Water Users Association, and farmers’ representative, are used to engage farmers on how to rationalise water pumped from the conservancy, which is derived from the Bonasika Creek.

Jaikaran noted that there are evident improvements in rice cultivation in the region as a result of water supplied. This, he noted, has saved 75 to 80 per cent of the crop.

In addition, farmers that sow other crops are included in the meetings to have their inputs considered and concerns addressed.

According to Jaikaran, the regional administration has formed a link with farmers by assisting them in any possible way to ensure their crop growth does not fluctuate extensively due to the drought.

“We provide our resources, whatever we have, to up-

grade the dam, clean the irrigation canals and maintain and repair whatever facilities that the farmers might need” Jaikaran explained.

The drought ongoing since the beginning of the year, has caused much inconvenience to farmers and residents.

Apart from the significant loss in crop, residents have been complaining that they are not receiving potable water due to the low pressure in the main.

In an effort to offer help to the distressed region, the Agriculture Ministry through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority had established two pumps which provide water on a 24-hour basis.

Additionally, there was a downpour that assisted the farmers.

But even as efforts are being made to assist farmers in the region, over 4000 acres of rice were not planted in Leguan because of the El Niño condition.

Speaking with this newspaper, General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association Dharamkumar Seeraj said only 40 acres have been planted this crop.

Half of that amount has already been lost.

“They didn’t plant much because of the losses,” he said.

The same situation has been happening in Crabwood Creek, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) he said. There, farmers have lost some 300 acres so far for this crop in. Farmers are “hard-pressed for irrigation and are at their wits end,” he told Guyana Times.

Meanwhile, over 130 acres of rice have been destroyed, with more likely to go down in Wakenaam Island, Essequibo.

Kildonan man dies after foot injury

A

man is in Police custody assisting with the investigation into the death of a Berbice labourer, who succumbed after sustaining an injury to the left foot during an altercation.

The dead man has been identified as Richard Dundas, 53, of Kildonan, Corentyne, and Berbice. He

was reportedly involved in an argument with the suspect at a popular shop in the village during which a bottle was thrown at him.

The bottle reportedly struck the now dead man to his left foot and broke, resulting in a wound. Dundas was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was treat-

ed and sent away, but later succumbed while at home.

The Police have since taken statements from a number of persons who were around at the time of the incident. They are also awaiting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of the father of four.

news

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friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 26 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, February 27 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 26 – 06:20h-07:50h and Saturday, February 27 – 06:40h-08:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light rain showers can be expected throughout the day morning, while clear to partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:32h and 18:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.64 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:09h and 12:25h reaching minimum heights of 0.56 metre and 0.55 metres respectively

wednesday, February 24, 2016

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PNC attempting to protect its hero – Sir Richard Cheltenham … will not dignify President Granger with a response

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

C

hairman of the recently concluded Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Barbados Queens Counsel Sir Richard Cheltenham has refused to address the response of President David Granger on the finding of the investigation into the death of Dr Walter Rodney, but said that it is a known fact that political parties would usually want to protect their heroes.

Speaking to Guyana Times from his law office in Barbados on Thursday, Sir Cheltenham said that he would not respond to Guyana’s Head of State or anyone else on the final report of the three-member panel, but noted that from his experience of previous such CoIs, it is expected that the People’s National Congress (PNC) would want to protect its hero.

“It is a political party and you understand what is happening. The hero of that party was Burnham, so you understand where it comes from…They had an idol”, Cheltenham told Guyana Times.

The final report of the Commission fingered former Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham; then leader of the People’s National Congress, along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as the one responsible for the death of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) founding leader on June 13, 1980. The report only made this information official, as this was part of evidence emanating throughout the 17-month long investigation.

But President David Granger on Wednesday told journalists that the report submitted by the commission is highly “flawed” since it was based on hearsay evidence.

“I would not like to comment in too much detail in this point in time. The matter has not been fully discussed by the Cabinet … when you look at details of the evidence provided, it is clear that the

President David Granger

Report itself is badly flawed and we intend to challenge it. We intend to challenge the findings of the Report and the circumstances under which that Report was conducted,” he had told journalists at the Office of the President.

Cheltenham said he wished not to cause a tit for tat with the President or any other person as it “will not end”.

“We have done our report and it is for the people to comment, including the Government and say whatever they like. And even take it to court. Many commissions have been taken to court.

None of this is anything new, you all don’t have a rich history of commissions, it’s only now you all are having a view.

Countries have commissions all the time and many of them are taken to court. Sometime on small issues, they would challenge the establishment of the Commission, but none of these is new. I am not disposed to comment on these things,” the Chairman told Guyana Times.

According to Cheltenham, he is professional in this regard. “This is the ninth Commission for me. Nobody in the region has done more commissions than I have and some of them have gone to court. So all of that are consequences of a commission,” he explained.

The Chairman said it is now up to the public to comment and say “whatever they want”. “We have already said what we had to say, we hope that they would find it as evidence base. It is nothing that

Barbados Queen's Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham

I have to get back into. We have done our part. Having heard the evidence, we have made our comments. They can say what they like. It is proper that the people comment”, he said.

He said he was however grateful for the honour to have been part of it (The CoI) which he reminded was followed in the Diaspora and throughout Guyana through broadcast. He said the report should now be the “subject of robust comment and debates”.

Ramotar’s take on Granger Meanwhile, former President Donald Ramotar who instituted the Commission of Inquiry back in 2014 said he was “extremely disappointed” at the President’s response.

“I am confident that the work that was done was thorough and that they collected a lot of (evidence)”, Ramotar said about the Commission’s work.

According to Ramotar, President Granger is in a position of “conflict of interest” since he is the Leader of the PNC which has been “accused of these things and he is the Head of State, he will use his position to try to discredit the report”.

According to Ramotar, Government since taking office has been showing hostility to the Commission. “They truncated it. They could have allowed it to finish,” he said.

In a copy of the report seen

by Guyana Times, the three Commissioners – Barbados

Founding member of the WPA, Dr Walter Rodney

Queens Counsel Richard Cheltenham, Jamaican Queens Counsel Jacqueline Samuels Brown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam – concluded that given all the relevant facts, events and circumstances set out in the report, they could do nothing else but establish that William Gregory Smith, was not acting alone but had the active and full support, participation and encouragement of, and/or was aided and abetted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) – both agencies of the State – and the political directorate including Prime Minister Forbes Burnham in the killing of Dr Rodney.

Rodney, a world respected political and social activist, died in June of 1980, after a communication device he was examining exploded in his lap.

It was the theory of those close to the founding Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), that the man he had somewhat come to trust; a then Guyana Defence Force Sergeant and communication expert William Gregory Smith, had implanted the explosive into the device Rodney was expected to test.

The theory claimed too that the Government of the day, the People’s National Congress (PNC) and its leader, former Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, had used Smith to carry out the attack.

4

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friday, february 26, 2016

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Editorial

A tarnished anniversary F

ebruary 23 is jubilantly celebrated as Guyana’s Republic Anniversary but the day had taken a dark turn some 14 years ago when five men maimed and murdered their way out of prison to begin a reign of criminal terror that was later linked to a so-called political ideal.

The day marks the anniversary of the Camp Street prison break that left death, destruction and a divided nation from which Guyana has not yet healed.

It was a time in which the silence of the then opposition spoke volumes of the indifference of one group of persons to the trauma and fears of another. Indeed, the politicisation of the event and its aftermath remains a chasm in society that may never be closed.

The day has been referred to in media as the day Guyana lost her innocence; the day crime and politics began to take on a dangerous alliance, and opportunists found a backdoor to destabilising and dividing the country.

For those directly affected by the criminal violence, over the years have been a time of healing and for some even forgiveness, but alas not for the nation.

The politics that pervaded what was at first, for the criminals, a callous attempt to escape punishment for their crimes, has left bitterness and distrust among sections of the populace most victimised during the onslaught of the five and their supporters.

It was during this time when law enforcement began hunting the escapees that the then opposition began protesting what they called police excesses, rather than protest the lack of progress to apprehend the criminals who were terrorising citizens almost on a daily basis. It was such perceived bias that created the idea of a politicisation of the jailbreak.

Another inglorious era in Guyana’s politics had begun. With a craving to undermine a democratically elected administration, five vicious prison escapees were heralded as heroes, similar to the pirates in our colonial history. How convenient it was to find glory in an oppressive colonial system – a system we fought hard to discard earlier – when it can fulfil one’s own agendas.

Indeed, the howls for investigations into the then questionable activities of the police ring out in stark contrast to today’s muted calls for such investigations into the newly-formed SOCU organisation’s activities which see police and army invading the homes and privacy of certain Guyanese citizens who are not convicted criminals but suspects in the eyes of many – based not on evidence but more often on hearsay and conjecture.

Fourteen years ago, while many Guyanese were celebrating freedom from a repressive colonial system, five men convicted of some of society’s worst crimes sought to deny their victims justice by escaping their punishment, and soon became poster boys for a yetunknown political group bent on destroying a country because they were not democratically chosen to lead.

On the infamous jailbreak anniversary on the day of our Republic celebrations, let us remember all those who have been affected by the event since, and reflect on the tragedy it brought to our nation.

And lets us hope we never again see the dishonourable coalition of criminality and politics that prevailed following the Camp Street prison break.

Students from the Anchorville Nursery School in Berbice, along with their parents visited the Guyana Times/TVG/RGI on Thursday as part of their school tour to the city. In photo, Human Resources Supervisor Lisa Ahmad explains the operations of the entities during a tour of the facility

Investigate sexual abuses and prosecute perpetrators Dear Editor, The ongoing sex investigations on and filing of rape and sexual assault charges against popular TV star Bill Cosby has brought the issue of sexual abuse of women to the forefront worldwide.

In Guyana, in your letter columns, allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against elements of the police and armed forces. During the period of the Burnham dictatorship, elements in the government bureaucracy and the PNC hierarchy were also accused of sexual abuse of women (and even some sodomising boys); there were allegations also of sex abuse when PPP was in office.

There were reports of widespread rape at the PNC mandated National Service.

An investigation is warranted on all rape allegations and criminal sex charges (from independence till now) filed against perpetrators in addition to granting monetary compensation to the many victims.

Action is needed against those culprits to send a clear message to those who may contemplate committing sexual assaults that their actions will result in serious consequences.

Action against rapists and abusers of women will also have the effect of increasing the country’s evolving understanding of rape and sex abuses and help to end this deviant behaviour.

Rape is not only when the male violently forces his way (with a weapon or physical strength) onto the woman.

Cosby did not use a weapon or violence to engage in sex assaults; he drugged some and use his popularity to overcome others.

Rape is also when perpetrators use their position of authority (in government, party, army, police, national service, etc) to force others to commit involuntary sexual act and/or when the perpetrators use such authority to sexually abuse people including many who went to police stations to report crimes (including domestic abuses, rapes, etc).

Such sexual misconducts were widespread during the period of the dictatorship and some kind of atonement is needed to prevent a recurrence.

In Guyana, in the security forces and at national service some used their position of authority to force their way on innocent women who wanted nothing to do with them. In some cases, the women (involuntarily) submitted their bodies to avoid persistent harassment and intimidation in exchange for kind treatment (access to food, light work, excuse from drills, etc) at national service; that is rape.

The PNC-AFC coalition government has announced it is resuscitating the dreaded national service (terminated by the PPP) where sexual transgressions were common. People are pained to read and hear about so many cases of rape at national service.

Before national service becomes full blown again, there should be an investigation of sexual abuses at national service. Many crimes were committed on innocent students serving in mandatory national service in order for them to get their diplomas.

There were unwanted pregnancies; some children did not even know their fa-

thers from the rape when the girls were passed on from one rapist to another. The abuses carried out by the culprits brought shame and disgrace on so many families. The nation cannot afford to return to that era.

A commission of inquiry into sex (and other) abuses is required even if national service is not restored, to send a clear unambiguous message to would-be sex abusers.

Where are the women’s groups on this issue?

Women’s groups should demand an investigation and offer support to victims encouraging them to come forward and finger the perpetrators of such horrendous crimes.

In the meantime, women should seek civil compensation if not criminal prosecution by taking the perpetrators and the state to court.

Lawyers should volunteer to assist the victims obtain justice as is being done in the US against Bill Cosby and other Hollywood celebrities. Multiple lawsuits for monetary compensation have been filed against perpetrators in American courts in several states on sexual misconduct and allegations of crime. Guyanese Americans should also look into filing civil cases against criminals (even if crime committed in Guyana) and the Guyana government in American courts for compensation.

American laws allow for lawsuits in some cases where crimes were committed in a foreign country. And many of the perpetrators of sex crimes in Guyana have migrated to the US. These sex crimes are no different from those committed in Rwanda, Burundi, Sarajevo, Bosnia,

etc. There is a “Cosby effect” of ongoing reports of sex crimes committed as far back as the 1960s.

The US armed forces have set up a hotline to report sex abuses with no statute of limitation; allegations are being reported from decades ago. The same is needed in Guyana where a confidential office should be established to take reports of sex crimes.

All across the US, there has been a sharp increase in reported rapes, many very old assaults, as a result of what is now known as the Cosby effect. Cases of rape should not have a statute of limitation. In the US, in the interest of justice, allegations against Cosby have gone as far back as 1965.

In Guyana, rapes were carried out with the intent of having fun without any concern for the victim’s religious practices, traditions and customs and other cultural values and respect for the victim’s or family’s honour.

The perpetrators of sexual assaults must not go unpunished. This will alter the way how men treat women and how law enforcement handles rape investigations as well as the behaviour of males in authority whether in government, police or armed forces.

The PPP let down the country in not mounting an inquiry into sex abuses at national service and government offices and pursuing reports of sex crimes.

The APNU-AFC coalition should see to it that justice be done to victims of sexual abuses at national service and in the bureaucracy.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIday, february 26, 2016

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To the misdirected accuser – GECOM is not irresponsible Dear Editor, Leon J Suseran’s correspondence in the media reflects an emerging trend in letter-writing which finds promotion and reproduction in newspaper columns in spite of, perhaps because of, the inherent crudeness and hostility of the missives. The fact that much of the abuse is misdirected and just plain wrong seems to matter not.

Leon J Suseran speaks of “utter disgust”, “anger”, “GECOM’s irresponsible workers”, “uncaring act”, “dastardly act by GECOM”,

and so on.

Let us look at the reality associated with a “water main” which was allegedly damaged by GECOM’s workers on Friday, February 19, 2016: 1) GECOM entered into a contract with an independent Contractor who, by signed agreement, is expected to execute the definitive terms and conditions of service inherent in the contract.

2) The activities and circumstances relating to the erection of the sign, the subsequent cleaning of the

area, etc, are parts of the Contractor’s remit, surely not GECOM’s. GECOM does not hire the Contractor’s labour force.

3) Although it is highly likely that the Contractor’s workmen were implicated in the pipe’s damage, the evidence may still only be circumstantial. Also, of course, there is nothing that can relate to any action, premeditated or otherwise, carried out by GECOM. GECOM’s staff is not involved in construction?

4) Further, what evidence is there to make Leon

J Suseran “fearful” that GECOM would be damaging the GWI network all over Guyana?

5) The job (erection of signs) was advertised and due process was followed, and the Tender was awarded. All quite above board; all carried out also on the basis of a tested and proven track record of the Contractor.

Never, to GECOM’s knowledge, has the Contractor ever made such an error.

We are convinced that the Contractor would feel badly about what happened (if indeed it was a lapse by the

Effective local government system can strengthen democracy Dear Editor, As the date for Local Government Elections approaches, the Alliance For Change (AFC) urges all eligible Guyanese to participate fully. The AFC is of the view that an effective local government system can redound only to the strengthening of democracy at the national level.

The AFC notes that many persons including some of its members will be contesting these elections under an independent banner. This is their right.

As a party that has a proud tradition of fighting and upholding all

human rights, the AFC will respect the rights of those members who have opted to put themselves forward to be elected, whether as an individual for a constituency or as part of an independent group.

The Alliance For Change encourages all persons and groups contesting the elections to campaign with fervor but to also respect the right of others to so do.

After waiting for more than a decade to have local government elections, it is time for all Guyanese to demonstrate maturity by ensuring these elections

are peaceful and without intimidation.

Sincerely, Alliance For Change (AFC)

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

Contractor’s employees), and that the Contractor would make the appropriate apology, especially if he believes that this accident was a very singular occurrence.

The time it took Leon J Suseran to think and report (erroneously) about the supposed dastardly and malevolent act perpetuated on the unsuspecting community by GECOM was time unproductively spent. He could have used that time to immediately call the GWI’s Area Manager, so that the damage could have been promptly rectified —as was done as soon as the GWI crew was informed, albeit two days later. Why did Leon J Suseran, an experienced and knowledgeable re-

porter, write such an acerbic and scathing letter, clearly blaming the wrong party?

I hope that the purpose of this response to Leon J Suseran’s letter has been fulfilled, namely (i) that GECOM is not a callous entity, (ii) that GECOM hires Companies after due process as stipulated in the law, and (iii) that GECOM does not involve itself in building signs, rather we prefer to help in building bridges (metaphorically speaking) which can result in the improvement of social cohesion.

Sincerely, GECOM’s Relations Office

Public

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friday, february 26, 2016

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aising a teenager is difficult for the best of parents, just as being a teenager is difficult for all teens, regardless of how easy a childhood they had. But these are the years when parenting needs to be done delicately. Watching your teen draw away from you can be hurtful and worrying but this is when your child needs that space and you need to give it to them.

Once children are born, they get progressively more distant from their parents, growing their independence so that they can become their own people. Teenagers are the culmination of this.

Teens need space to discover themselves as separate beings from their families. It is valuable growing space that

guyanatimesgy.com

you need to respect.

Though it’s hard to leave your teenager alone, especially as their behaviour becomes more and more worrisome, you must create boundaries – for both you and them. This can be as formal or informal as you feel is necessary. Make sure they are aware that you will respect these boundaries that you’ve set for yourself. Consider giving your teen a say in the boundaries that they would like to see in place. Even if some of them are unreasonable, having this discussion should give you insight into what your teen is thinking, feeling and needing.

But don’t let go of your teen entirely. During this phase it can be tempting to

just give up entirely once you’ve started down this path, but resist the temptation. Your teen, more than ever, needs to know that you love them and are there for them. This is a time when many risky behaviours take place and when your teen will test your limits.

Everyone needs space, but no one more than teenagers. As they’re slowly separating themselves from their family identity, they need room to discover themselves. Boundaries are important for giving teenagers their privacy but also important for safety and consistency. Let your teen know that they will have a little more space to themselves but don’t allow that to create a license for chaos. (childdevelop-

mentinfo.com)

our daughter is facing some huge changes in her life: a new school, approaching teenhood and a body that’s changing in ways that may feel scary can make life challenging for her. She still needs your support and, though it’s trickier to help her, it’s worth all the effort.

Physically, your daughter is fast approaching puberty; she’s becoming more aware of changes in her body and this may lead to problems with self-image or eating disorders. This is one of the fastest periods of growth and she may gain up to 3.5 inches in height as well as starting to develop a more mature body shape.

Boys enter puberty in the next two to three years.

Her cognitive skills are developing apace. She is a more confident speaker and may adapt her speech, including slang and swearing, to fit in with her peers. She’s better at abstract thinking, problem-solving and reasoning hypothetically so you can expect some interesting discussions. Her selfmanagement has improved though you might need to talk to her about issues such as hygiene, homework and risk-taking behaviour. It’s likely she’s just moved to a new school and might need support or guidance with the additional academic challenges she’s facing.

Her social groups are changing and she’ll want to spend time more time with friends. The acceptance of her peers is important to her.

She might be less open and communicative with you.

She’s struggling for a level of independence she’s not

quite ready to achieve; this can be frustrating for her and can manifest itself as rudeness or bad attitude. She’s realising that grown-ups aren’t perfect and could become critical of adult behaviour. More positively, she may become more interested in community issues and want to help others.

Emotionally, this is a turbulent time for your daughter; puberty and body changes can make her feel less confident and lower her self-

esteem. She might also be confused by her first experiences of sexual desire. As she forms stronger and more complex relationships, most commonly with other girls, she may find there’s conflict between the pressure to conform to their moral code and the standards she’s carefully formed over time. She may find it difficult to maintain an even temper; anger and rebellion are common at this age.

Despite this, she’s better able to understand the other person’s point of view making her more open to reasoned arguments.

There are several ways you can support your daughter. Open communication and answering her questions honestly, especially about the way her body and feelings are maturing, will maintain the trust you’ve built over the years.

Encouraging her to be proud of her accomplishments and effort and supporting her when things don’t go so well will bolster her confidence and self-esteem. Staying calm during moodiness or emotional outbursts, which often stem from her asserting her independence or expressing her individuality, prevents situations from escalating. Giving her time, space and privacy allows her to sort through her feelings and makes her more likely to confide in you.

Socially, you can encourage her to take part in group activities and, by respecting her friendships and meeting her friends’ parents, you can identify and deal with any bad influences before they become a problem.

Involving her in family decision-making, giving her set chores and showing an active interest in her education will not only help her develop a sense of responsibility but allow you to reinforce the positive values she needs for later life.

Your 11-year-old might seem more interested in what her friends say, but she needs you. You can have a strong relationship that will give her the support and guidance she needs to become the successful adult you want her to be. (childdevelop-

mentinfo.com)

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friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Bandit shoots accomplice dead during Berbice robbery A

n attempt to rob a gas station late Thursday evening went horribly wrong when a bandit accidently shot dead his accomplice during the process.

The Guyana Times understands that two bandits stormed into the

Arif’s Service Station, Ondermeening in Berbice and demanded that the employees hand over all the money.

According to eyewitnesses, one of the bandits held a salesgirl at gunpoint while the other bandit held the su-

per-visor at knifepoint, demanding cash.

During the process, the armed bandit discharged a round in the direction of the supervisor to scare off persons but instead, the bullet struck his accomplice.

Reports indicate that the

man then hijacked a motor car PTT 2704 belonging to Rolland Robertson and fled to scene with approximately $50,000. Reports indicate that the vehicle was later discovered in Bath Settlement.

Police Force looking to enhance operations

A section of the gathering at the Police Officers’ Annual Conference

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is reviewing the agency’s performance over the past year and discussing its action plan for 2016, as the Police Officers’ Annual Conference kicked off Thursday.

This year’s conference is being held under the theme “Consolidating on partnership programmes, enhanced public trust and capacity building to provide effective security”. It will culminate with a dinner party on Saturday evening.

Among the huge gathering at the opening ceremony were past and present security officials, Head of State David Granger, Minister

of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, and Members of the Diplomatic Corp.

In his remarks, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud stated that while 2015 was a challenging year, it also saw the Police Force making a number of successful strides. He particularly mentioned the Force’s role in the smooth conduct of the 2015 General and Regional Elections and the equally smooth transition of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition into Office.

Moreover, the Top Cop gave a brief review of the GPF’s performance through-

out last year, pointing out the highlights that would have contributed to enhanced policing. “(The President’s) Five-point Strategy and Operation Dragnet have positively impacted crime and traffic controls. Criminal Investigations Department (CID) operations in the latter half of last year coupled with our Social Crime Prevention Programme, in particular, have served to reduced fear of crime in Guyana,” Persaud stated.

Among the plans for 2016, the Police Commissioner detailed, are the ‘Street Cameras Programme’, heightened Information

Technology support, enhanced use of video analysis technology and continued infrastructural work on the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS).

Meanwhile, delivering the feature address at the Conference held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, Eve Leary, President Granger recommitted his administrations’ support in lending whatever assistance is needed to help the Guyana Police Force effectively and efficient carry out its mandate.

According to the Head of State, his Government’s approach is to respect and protect the vulnerable sections of society including the elderly, children and women.

“We are disturbed that so many crimes are committed in our communities… It is our communities that we must put our policing efforts if we are to protect our citizens, to make them safe,” he stated.

Against this background, the President noted that the necessary policing efforts should be put in place.

Granger also recognised the need to adequately equip the GPF. He further acknowledged the Force’s, particularly the CID, new-found ability to solve crimes in a speedy manner.

Sophia teen injured in drive-by shooting

P

aul Softley, 18, of B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown was on Wednesday evening shot after occupants of a motor car discharged several rounds in his direction.

According to reports received, the teenager was in the company of his brother walking along the roadway at B Field, Sophia when a motor vehicle drove by and the gunshots were discharged in their direction.

Softley was struck behind his left ear and has been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A Police source stated that the shooting incident occurred about 21:00h

on Wednesday. Up to late Thursday evening, the victim was unable to identify the car that was involved in the shooting incident.

The Police are conducting an investigation into the incident.

Esso intensifying oil exploration efforts – Govt

G

overnment has announced that oil exploration efforts have intensified following the discovery of commercial quantities of oil in Guyana’s Maritime Zone, with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL) heightening its surveys.

On February 18, the company commenced a meteorological and oceanographic survey within the Stabroek Block. The site survey covers the areas of Section A – approximately 104 Nautical

by specified coordinates.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman recently informed the National Assembly that there is growing interest in Guyana’s hydrocarbons and as such, ExxonMobil will undertake further exploratory drilling of the Liza well.

“The time has never been as propitious for petroleum exploration as the low prices have led to a high availability, at good prices, of specialised skills, exploratory rigs and equipment, all

The Polarcus Adira

miles from the coast of Guyana and spans an area of 12 square kilometers; Section B – approximately 116 Nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 12 square kilometers; and Section C – approximately 134 Nautical miles from the coast of Guyana, encompassing an area of 12 square kilometers.

The exercise entails subsurface moorings and is scheduled for completion during May 2018.

Additionally, March 9 will see the commencement of seismic surveys within the Canje block for a period of six months. The assessment will be conducted using three vessels, namely the Polarcus Adira, the Groen 7-Oceans and the VroonVos Athos. The site survey will be done approximately 105 Nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 7760 square kilometers bounded

of which make exploration very encouraging,” Minister Trotman indicated.

The Natural Resources Ministry will be placing significant emphasis on capacity building during 2016; with the development of a framework for a Petroleum Agency and the conceptualisation of an institute in collaboration with the Education Ministry.

International Development partners have signalled a willingness to train young Guyanese to assume responsibility to lead the petroleum industry in the decades ahead.

Anticipating the finances that will be garnered from the oil sector, a Sovereign Wealth Fund will be developed. This will protect the economy from the volatile nature of mineral revenues, and help grow and modernise the sustainable non-extractive sectors.

8 news

friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Ex-presidential guard freed on attempted murder charge – wife refuses to give evidence

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n ex-presidential guard was on Thursday freed on an attempted murder charge after his wife refused to give evidence against him when he appeared at the High Court, Georgetown before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a mixed jury.

Malvin Taylor, 35, was found not guilty of the charge, which read that on January 26, 2011 he discharged a loaded firearm at his wife Sharon Taylor,

34, and her sister, Michelle Edwards, 23, with intent to commit murder.

He was also charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Aubrey Smith, who was in the company of his wife at the time.

According to reports, on the day in question, the accused saw his wife and his sister-in-law speaking to Smith and an argument ensued. It was further explained that Taylor pulled out his gun and fired sev-

eral shots at them. It was also related that the accused suspected that his wife was having an affair with Smith.

His wife and sister-in-law sustained injuries and were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public spirited citizens. He several days later turned himself in to the police with his lawyer.

The preliminary inquiry into the matter commenced at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before then Chief Magistrate Priya

Sewnarine-Beharry in late 2011 and saw some nine witnesses giving testimony.

In February 2012, Taylor was ordered to stand trial at the High Court after instructions by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On Thursday, his wife and sister-in-law told the judge and jury that they had forgiven the accused and did not wish to offer evidence.

As such, the jury found him not guilty and he was acquitted.

Ganja farming family on illegal cultivation charge

Chandanie Ramroop

A

family of three on Wednesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan

at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with a cultivation of marijuana charge.

Rajesh Ramroop, 24, of Leguan Island, Essequibo, and Chandanie Ramroop, 45, of Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on February 21, 2016 at Leguan Island, they cultivated cannabis.

The third defendant, Ashminee Persaud did not appear in court as she is currently hospitalised and under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

It was also alleged that on the same day, Rajesh

Rajesh Ramroop

Ramroop stole one pedal cycle valued $22,000, property of Deonarine Ragabeer. He was also slapped with a pos-

session of 7 grams of cannabis charge.

Attorney Peter Hugh made a petition on behalf of Rajesh Ramroop for reasonable bail, stating that two other persons are also charged for the same offence.

He also asked for reasonable bail for Chandanie Ramroop, stating that she is not a resident of where the cannabis was found.

Chandanie Ramroop was granted bail in the sum of $70,000 while Rajesh Ramroop was granted bail at $65,000.

The matter will continue at the Leguan Magistrate’s Court on March 24.

Mother, daughter slapped Brother remanded for threatening to kill sister with assault charge

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mother and daughter were slapped with three charges of abusive language, threatening language, and assault when they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Melissa Ramdiyal, 24, of Lot 16 Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stated that on February 21, 2016 at West La Penitence, Georgetown, she unlawfully assaulted Deonarine Daniram and used threatening and abusive language against Aleen Seecharan.

Her mother Lalita Ramdiyal pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman informed the court that both parties are a flight risk as Lalita Ramdiyal is to leave the country for surgery.

Melissa Ramdiyal told the court that on the day in question she went to the residence of the virtual complainants and asked for Seecharan as she was told

Seecharan was having a relationship with her child’s father.

She added that she is solely responsible for what happened and that her mother was not involved. She admitted to using threatening and abusive language but denied that she assaulted anyone.

Melissa Ramdiyal was granted $10,000 bail and was requested to submit her passport to the court and to make weekly reports to the nearest police station.

Her matter will return to court on March 22, 2016.

Lalita Ramdiyal was fined $10,000.

A

man on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with two charges - threatening language, and threatening behaviour.

Calvin Brown, 21, of Norton Street, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that on February 22, 2016, he made use of threatening behaviour, and threatened to fill his sister, Lashana Barker.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that the virtual complainant and the defendant live in the same house and that

on the day in questioned, the defendant pulled a knife and threatening to kill his sister.

The Prosecutor stated that if the defendant is placed on bail he will continue his behaviour as he has a habit of verbally abusing the VC. The sister told the court that the defendant has no control and when he loses it there is no telling what he can do.

As Barker was relating the matter to the Magistrate, the defendant began behaving disorderly. As such he was remanded to prison.

The case will continue on March 29 2016.

Taxi driver on fraudulent conversion charge

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taxi driver on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraudulent conversion.

Stephon Buckett, 22, of Lot 264 Bissessar Street, Prashad Nagar,

Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that on January 19, 2016 at Prashad Nagar, he was solely entrusted by Joshua Williams with one laptop computer valued $150,000 in order that he may pawn the computer and bring the proceeds

to Williams, but he fraudulently converted the proceeds for his own use and benefit.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones had no objections to bail and it was granted in the sum of $50,000.

The case will continue on March 9, 2016.

Eyew tness Deep denial...

W ...on Rodney CoI’s Report

e finally received an acknowledgement by the President that he received the Report from the Rodney CoI. And it was in response in passing to a reporter’s question as he acknowledged a new foreign diplomat. The President, however, had to’ve read the Report which he’d been too busy to receive personally: he pronounced the Report “flawed”.

He hasn’t released the Report officially, however, neither to Parliament nor to the public. So folks in the meantime have to go by the “leaked” document that’s been circulating to evaluate the President’s assessment. The President complained the Commission paid too much heed to “hearsay evidence”. But the President should know that CoIs are not courts of law...and their rules are different.

For instance, in the Procedural Rules of the Commission – appended to the Report – in reference to “Evidence”, it is clearly stated: “The Commission may receive any evidence that it considers to be helpful in fulfilling its mandate whether or not such evidence would be admissible in a court of law.” The Commissioners are selected from backgrounds that would lend credibility to their ability to assess evidence and weigh their probity impartially.

The President did say “we intend to challenge the Report and the circumstances under which that Report was conducted”. We hope he would provide the concrete evidence to counter the “hearsay” evidence he objects to. Another reason President Granger preferred for downplaying the Report was that an individual said to be at the centre of the plot to kill Rodney, Asst Commissioner Skip Roberts, had been brought to Guyana but not called to testify.

We believe that is a cogent objection and the Commission should provide an explanation. But from where this Eyewitness sits, he also thinks the Commissioners should explain why the President himself was not deemed knowledgeable of the assassination plot, when Maj Gen Mc Lean was. According to the US Country report of that era: “The PNC’s increasing politicization and subordination of the GDF disturbed many members of the officer corps.

When some expressed a desire for military neutrality, PNC informants in the armed forces alerted Burnham to the dissension within the GDF. In August 1979, Colonel Ulric Pilgrim, the operational force commander, and Colonel Carl Morgan, a battalion commander, were dismissed. Pilgrim and Morgan had been two of the most popular officers in the GDF. Burnham appointed a PNC loyalist, Colonel David Granger, commander of the GDF. To extend his influence further, Burnham also replaced the army chief of staff Brigadier General Clarence Price with a Burnham loyalist who had been a civilian police officer.”

If Mc Lean, up the ladder above Granger as GDF Commandant, had to know...what about Granger?

...by Govt on oil

As the Government continues to emphasise celebration of the Independence Jubilee at the expense of new investment that would create jobs, it’s been ignoring the evidence that they – and more importantly, the economy – won’t be rescued by ExxonMobil’s oil find off Essequibo.

A Bloomberg report this week revealed that: “Exxon Mobil Corp failed to replace all of the oil and natural gas it pumped last year with new discoveries and acquisitions for the first time in more than two decades. The reservereplacement ratio fell to 67 per cent in 2015, as apposed to its usual 100 per cent or higher. They added reserves in Abu Dhabi, Canada, Kazakhstan and Angola.” Notably Guyana’s reserves were not added, signalling ExxonMobil would be waiting for higher prices – above US$60 per barrel.

Which, at the moment, looks very unlikely since the Saudis aren’t budging in their war against US shale oil taking their market share.

As the Saudi Oil Minister said in Houston – the market will determine who’ll survive!!

... rice

The lapdog Chronic had the PM “respond” to our debunking disinformation on the mythical “Mexican rice market”. The latest excuse is the Mexicans are looking at the “phytoSanitary” permits.

NAGAMOOTOO should hold his breath...not rice farmers!

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

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friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

2016 Police Officers’ Conference

Community Police needed in crime fight – President Granger

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s the Guyana Police Force (GPF) opened its annual Officers’ Conference on Thursday to discuss its action plan for 2016, President David Granger touted community policing as a model plan in the fight against crime and violence and urged that this concept not be taken for granted.

According to the Head of State, in order to win the war against crime and violence, focus will have to be placed on the causes of these societal scourges. He said that these scourges can be addressed at the community level.

On this note, President Granger called on the Police Force to intensify its partnership with communities, through community policing.

“The basic idea is that there must be a bond of mutual trust between the Police and the public. Community policing establishes partnerships and these partnerships emphasise problem-solving and they place emphasis on public safety and public service with the aim of improving the quality of life (of citizens),” he outlined.

President David Granger

sought to improve human safety in all communities without building more police stations.

“This is the strategy that will result in the revolution of our existing concept of community policing,” he said, adding that “community policing is not a substitute… it is a supplement for

Community Policing Groups during the anniversary march last year

The President added too that correctly conceived and competently conducted policing would require a “sea change” in the way things were presently being done. He noted that there was a temptation among Police Officers to be preoccupied with prosecution and punishment, rather than the prevention of crime and the protection of citizens.

The Head of State added that there needed to be a system where residents were secure in their communities, even in the absence of police stations, noting that this can be done via community policing. In this regard, he called on the Police to develop a strategy that

regular policing”.

According to the Commander-inChief, community policing does not entail recruiting an army of vigilantes, in fact, it means building a partnership between the Police Force and residents. He further recognised that the concept of community policing has been battered, resulting in many of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) collapsing.

Moreover, the Head of State posited that in order for CPGs to be successful in their mandate, they must comprehend the functions and privileges afforded to them, noting that this has been subjected to bizarre interpre-

9

tations over the years. He added too that CPGs should refrain from being “lawless or outlaws” and from becoming victims of political policing in their communities.

In this vein, President Granger outlined that CPGs, neighbourhood policing programmes, crime stoppers schemes and so on needed to be examined in order to be more effective in making communities safer.

“I ask you to reconsider the concept of community policing, for me it is central for keeping humans safe in this country. It is not something peripheral that we should ignore or treat as a rival. I urge you to recommit yourself to comprehend more completely real policing of communities,” he said.

The President went on to say that in order for communities to be secured against crime and violence, there needed to be a more collaborative culture to make human safety a reality in Guyana.

However, the Head of State’s sentiments came months after Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had sought to cripple CPGs by taking away vehicles allotted to them and handing them over to the Police Force.

This has caused much “bad blood” between the Police and CPGs, as both maintained the need for vehicles in conducting their operations.

The Minister’s announcement had come in light of constant criticisms against the Police over the lengthy time officers would take to respond to criminal activities. Persons have complained that sometimes when they call Police Stations to get assistance, they are often told that there are no vehicles available and when vehicles are available, there are no drivers.

According to Ramjattan, in past budgetary allocations (2013 and 2014) much was not allocated to the actual Police Force but to CPGs. “It’s a matter of resources… We have not touched any of the plans or discarded any of the plans from the previous Administration, we are only adding to them, except, of course taking away the policing community vehicles and giving them to the Police because we feel that’s a frontline thing,” Ramjattan noted.

However, former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had rubbished the idea, stating that the new Minister was “digging a hole to fill a hole”. He pointed out that both the Police Force and CPGs have their own Budget allocations to finance their needs.

“They have to resource both the Police Force and Policing Groups; they just can’t resource one and leave the other,” the former Minister posited.

Kwame McCoy fires back …. says dirty politics of PNC targeting Afro-PPP supporters

Kwame McCoy

F

ormer Press and Publicity Officer Kwame McCoy has spoken out even in the middle of massive controversy following his arrest, insisting that he is yet another victim of “[People’s National Congress] PNC-type politics”.

In a media statement issued late Thursday afternoon, McCoy continued to maintain his innocence and said antiPeople’s Progressive Party (PPP) activists were simply out to tarnish his character and reputation.

“The pernicious political persecution and witch-hunt is obvious, active and vicious at this time of our history …

The extent of this nasty politics, hate and spite being directed at me and other AfroGuyanese in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in such fast and furious manner must be condemned outright.

I am overtly convinced that the barrage of political plots has been designed to make me a victim of the PNC–type politics of targeting AfroGuyanese in the forefront of the PPP for all sorts of harassment,” he stated.

Reflecting on the ‘high’ drama that took place outside the Court on February 22 – when he made his first appearance in relation to the Freddie Kissoon assault – McCoy stated that the demonstrations were all part of a diabolic plan at work to ruin his life.

McCoy also took a swing at the controversial Kaieteur News outlet for the attacks published against him, particularly in relation to an article headlined “Kwame McCoy

gun butt victim says he was forced to flee Guyana”.

“This article no doubt plays into the design to present me as a violent person in the first place. The conviction against my name is currently under appeal and for that reason I don’t wish to go too much into details at this time, except to recognise the extent to which some people would go to destroy your character for political gains,” McCoy said.

Shedding light on the matter, he posited that the other party involved – Mr Stewart – “is absolutely aware that his political stunt paid off because I am the one who got a wrong deal as a victim of miscarriage of justice. But time will reveal the level of his wickedness. It was not until the court appearance I knew Mr Stewart for the first time.

We never had an altercation and it is important to note he had no witness/s in support of his claim of a story occurring on the busy D’Urban Street thoroughfare.”

McCoy continued, “Mr Stewart used two of his friends to extract money out of me in this matter. I never acceded to his demand because of the certainty of my innocence. One of his friends with whom I share an excellent relationship did confide in me that he was the kind of individual who would make such allegations for the purpose of money.”

To this end, the Freedom House employee maintained that in his entire life, he never once contemplated, initiated or executed a crime.

McCoy was recently arrested for questioning in relation to the Courtney CrumEwing murder probe, among other matters. He was later charged for throwing faeces on anti-PPP activist and Kaieteur News columnist Freddie Kissoon in May 2010.

McCoy was just one of several PPP/Civic affiliates who were recently arrested in relation to several Police investigations, particularly the execution-style murder of CrumEwing.

10 news

friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

SOCU to be fully equipped under GPL multimillion-dollar fraud Police, Canada in extradition Police Force – Head of State

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n light of recent statements by a financial investigation expert who underscored the need for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to be adequately equipped, President David Granger has revealed that this would soon be done.

Following the conclusion of a five-week advisory partnership with SOCU, British financial crime expert Sam Sittlington on Wednesday advised that major investments be made into the Unit in order for it to efficiently carry out its mandate.

To this effect, President Granger told reporters on Thursday that budgetary funds were expected to be released shortly to the various State entities, including the Guyana Police Force (financed by the Ministry of Public Security) under which SOCU falls.

“I have already signed the Appropriation Act so money should be released very shortly. It is up to the Minister of Public Security and the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the money is spent for the purposes which have been budgeted so the answer is how soon the Police Administration can get it done,” he remarked.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Sittlington emphasised the need for SOCU to be equipped – financially,

British financial crime expert Sam Sittlington

materially and in terms of staff complement – pointing out that its current resources were inadequate.

The financial fraud expert further stated that with a number of Ministries having a say in the functioning of SOCU, it creates confusion and instability within the Unit.

“To have clear Ministerial direction and funding from one course and a budget that caters for the operational needs of SOCU is a priority. If I was to describe the current process of obtaining equipment to assist SOCU operations, I would use the terms beg, steal or borrow – and I wouldn’t be far from wrong,” Sittlington stressed.

Over the recent weeks, SOCU has been making headlines with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition raising concerns about its operations following several incidents in which persons claimed that they were “harassed” by members of the Unit.

Moreover, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran also recently spoke out against the operations of SOCU, saying the original role of the Unit, as merely an investigative arm into money laundering activities, has expanded vastly under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, particularly with no prior public announcement and these new mandates appear to be stimulating unnecessary fear within the country.

However, Sittlington told local reporters that SOCU was being “kicked about like a political football”, noting that the comments being made were attempts to demean the work of the Unit.

“The comments made can be demoralising for the staff and certainly for Assistant Commissioner (Leslie) James. But you know what, they get on with their job, in a professional manner,” he stated.

talks for former Deputy CEO

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ocal law enforcement officials are aggressively pursuing the extradition of former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Aeshwar Deonarine, in order to bring him before the Court for allegedly siphoning off millions from the utility company’s accounts as “back pay”.

In August last year, Deonarine was sent on administrative leave after he allegedly transferred some $27.8 million to his personal account without the approval of the Board of Directors.

He is also being accused of paying former board member Carvil Duncan a sum of $948,000 that was not authorised.

Following months of investigations, the two former GPL executives were slapped with conspiracy and simple larceny charges last month. However, Deonarine had left the country since August and never returned as such he was charged in his absence.

Additionally, when the matter was placed before the courts late last month, an arrest warrant was issued for the former GPL second in command.

However, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Wendell Blanhum, told reporters on Thursdays that efforts are afoot to have Deonarine brought back to Guyana to

Wanted former DCEO of GPL Aeshwar Deonarine

answer to the charges.

“We have already informed our overseas enforcement counterparts. I’m in constant communication with them and we have already expressed an interest in having him apprehended and returned to Guyana so that he can be brought to justice and face those charges,” Blanhum stated.

Asked whether the Police have the former GPL’s DCEO exact location, the Crime Chief opted not to disclose that information, saying “I wouldn’t go into those details”.

After coming into office, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) administration found that close to $142 million of the PetroCaribe Fund was plugged into the operations of the state-owned

GPL. This was realised after Government said it had found an empty PetroCaribe fund when it took office and later launched an investigation.

Based on information gathered, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had explained that the power company has two DCEOs – one for operations and the other for administration. He said apparently the operations DCEO was receiving a higher salary than the administration DCEO and the operations DCEO had been making representations to the Board for there to be parity in the salaries of the two.

This, the Minister pointed out, was reportedly disapproved by the previous Board. In June 2015, with the signature of Director Duncan, Deonarine made the payment to himself retroactive from January 2013 to June 2015.

Patterson further stated that Board members had made several representations to have board fees increased from $5000 to $20,000. He noted while the Board had discussed the recommendation, no final decision was made in that regard. However, Duncan later went ahead and approved payment to the tune of $948,000 for himself, representing “back pay” for the 48 months that he had been a board member of GPL.

FAO consultations

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onsultations for the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), Country Programming Framework (CPF), were held at Regency Suites on Thursday.

The document which was signed during December 2015 between the Government of Guyana and the FAO it geared for bringing innovative international practices at regional, national and international levels over the next four-year period.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder explained that the CPF is an agreement between the Government of Guyana and the FAO, which would allow both parties to work on a medium level. This endeavour was implemented to achieve national development goals, as well as participation in the universal effort to eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, eradicate poverty and the sustainable utilisation and management of our natural resources.

Holder stated, in keeping with consistency for the Government’s mandate, as well as other regionally agreed frameworks, joint ownership and responsibility of the Country Programming Framework must be recog-

nised.

The priorities for this project are expected to be achieved over the next four or five years. It would be done in support of national agriculture, rural development and security developmental objectives as expressed in the Government’s national development plan.

Sensitising of other developmental partners would allow for wider collaboration and partnerships. Although the implementation technique of the CPF is a critical aspect, discussion and agreements with stakeholders would assist in aligning them with their own programmes.

FAO’S core functions are expected to assist in successful outcomes for the Country Programming Framework.

Management of the framework programme would reflect the result medium around which the document is articulated. The medium facilitates monitoring the progress towards the achievement of agreed outcomes, through the use of performance indicators, baselines and targets.

It was emphasised by the FAO and the Government of Guyana, targeting hunger and poverty needs to be alleviated. Projects provided

by the CPF would assist in reducing the gaps between genders, and allow easy access to productive resources and services, to influence programme and policy decisions.

Through implementation of the Country Programming Framework Guyana, achieved an Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1 from the World Food Summit Goal in 2015, despite the high rate of poverty and unemployment within the country.

Through partnership from several Ministries, CPF aims to strengthen the governance framework and mechanism for food and nutrition security as well as providing support for the implementation of the National Food and Nutrition Security Strategy and Action Plan.

FAO presently focuses on growth of the environment for sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries, hinterland and rural development.

Stakeholders, Private Sectors and national institutions hold the critical role of ensuring sustainability to these industries.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN is an agency of the agency that lends efforts to defeat hunger.

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friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region 2 cash crop farmers Hospital employee critical following motorcycle accident complain of lack of markets

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Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt meeting with a cash crop farmer

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

W

hile the Government is providing planting materials and technical assistance for farmers to grow more, cash crop farmers living in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are worried over the lack of market for their produce. They expressed their concerns to Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, who visited several farmers in the backdam on Thursday.

During the visit, farmers conveyed their dissatisfaction over the lack of markets for vegetables, such as pumpkin, calaloo, bora, pepper, plantain, lettuce and sweet pepper. The farmers related that local markets are flooded with these vegetables and no one is buying. Both producers and vendors are affected due to the slow economic activity in the region.

Speaking with Guyana Times during the visit, the Regional Chairman said cash crop farmers are facing difficulty in sourcing market for their vegetables, while adding that it is “heart wrenching” to see the situation which farmers are facing.

During conversation with farmers, the Chairman related that most concerns were raised by vendors about the current status of the rice industry. He said the ailing rice industry it is having a negative effect on the entire Region Two economy; hence persons cannot afford to spend as they had done previously.

During interviews conducted by Guyana Times with market vendors at Charity, Anna Regina and Suddie, they lamented the economic hardships they are facing since business is moving at a snail’s pace in the region.

The vendors related that most activities in the region centers on the rice industry, which is the main economic pillar of the region.

“It’s like you sit down all day with over $60,000 in vegetable and you only selling $2000. That’s big blows to business, we doing honest business and yet it’s not selling,” Shelly Persaud, a large scale farmer said.

Other vendors related same, saying many persons are not getting markets for their produce and they still have families to support.

“Since I am selling over 10 years, this is the worst year ever, nothing not selling, you putting nuff vegetables and still people can’t afford, it’s frustrating,” another vendor related. Farmers are therefore calling on the Guyana Marketing Cooperation (GMC) to represent their interest.

The motorcycle left lying on the road at the scene of the accident

was already admitted.

According to eyewitnesses, a route 42 bus had clipped the motorcycle, causing the biker to lose control and eventually slamming into the pedestrian. The bus fled the scene after the accident it was related.

However the bus driver maintained his innocence.

He related that after offloading passengers in Grove, he turned around to make his way back to Georgetown.

When he was in the vicinity of the accident, commuters began to flag him down and accused him of causing

the accident.

“So I stop me bus because they were stopping me and telling me that I cause the accident but I told them to check me bus. It ain’t get no scratch, nothing on it,” Saul told this newspaper.

He recalled that as he was travelling up to Grove, he noticed the motorcycle skating behind his bus.

“I see the bike skating but I drive on cause I had my passengers but when I come back, they saying that I cause the accident,” he said.

Lindeners granted bail for traffic violations

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wo Lindeners who appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, were granted bail after being charged for traffic violations.

Thirty-nine-year-old Troy Jones of Lot 13 Silvertown,

Mason granted bail on possession charges

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mason was Thursday refused bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a possession of narcotics charge.

Justin Percival, 34, of Lot 394 Moraballi Street, Retrieve, Linden, denied that on February 1, 2016 at Oronoque Drive, McKenzie, Linden, he had in his possession 463 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

Percival was remanded to prison and the matter transferred to Linden Magistrate’s Court for March 8.

n employee attached to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, East Bank Demerara (EBD) is in a critical state after she was struck by a motorbike as she was crossing the roadway to work.

Injured is Sherry Alexander, 43, of Coverden, who is a ward maid at the hospital.

Guyana Times understands that the nurse was in front of Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Bank branch at Diamond and as she was crossing the road to the hospital at about 21:00h, she was struck by motorcycle CD 7169.

Eyewitnesses told this newspaper that the impact caused the nurse to be flung into a utility pole where passers-by rushed to render assistance. She was unconscious at the time.

The motorcyclist on his skating bike pitched further up the road. He sustained severe injuries.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, the motorcyclist was being rushed to the Diamond hospital.

By that time, the nurse

Justin Percival

Wismar, Linden, was granted bail in the sum of $5000 for using a vehicle for a purpose other than what it is licensed for. He pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that he committed the offence on February 17, on the Washer Pond public road, in Mackenzie, Linden.

He was driving motor car PPP 6734 at the said time.

Jones is scheduled to return to court on April 5.

Also charged and brought before the court was 37-yearold Martin Richmond of Lot 493 Canvas City, Wismar, who was charged for being an untidy hire car driv-

er. The court heard that he failed to be clean and properly dressed while operating hire car HC 3947 along the Amelia’s Ward public road on February 17. He was granted $5000 bail by the presiding Magistrate. Richmond will make his next court appearance on April 6.

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friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Dismissed Wales Estate workers seek help to sustain families – call on Govt to find jobs for them

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he 67 Wales Estate sugar workers who were thrown on the breadline earlier this month following the arbitrary end to their employment are now seeking the intervention of Agriculture Minister Noel Holder to have them reengaged in their jobs since they have no other means of earning a livelihood.

In a letter dispatched to the Agriculture Minister on February 22, the sugar workers pleaded with the Government to provide some form of work for them so they could earn an income.

“We are forced to solicit financial support from friends and relatives for our existence.

We cannot continue to beg. At least, Mr Minister, please direct GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation), to provide work to us because we depend on the Estate for our livelihood and our daily bread. This request is also in keeping with your statement that no one have lost their jobs,” an excerpt from the letter stated.

The cover letter was followed by the signatures of the 67 workers.

Following the announcement of Government’s plan to shut down the decades-old Wales Sugar Estate, hundreds of workers across the sugar belt cried out, ultimately protesting the verdict with the intention of convincing the Administration to recon-

Some of the signatures of the sugar workers

sider the decision.

The workers embarked on a series of massive countrywide strikes, marches and other protest actions.

Some workers who spoke with Guyana Times made it clear that they are concerned about their economic futures and livelihood.

“We prepared to do what we have, to send a message to this Government … we can’t accept the decision to close down we factory and estate … the Government betrayed

we and awe know dat … .nobody can tell we differently,” Sugrim Persaud had expressed.

Another worker said that he was hurt and shocked by the decision and the Government’s seemingly lack of concern about the impact that the closure would have on the workers and their families.

“I hearing lots of things in the media and I see the Prime Minister and Mr Holder talking about going to another

estate … I want work right here…none a dem ain’t got no real plan fah deal with the situation,” he exclaimed as he constantly spilled expletives.

Others said that the decision, though comprehensible, could have been announced along with a sound short- and long-term plan of action.

“We are not dogs … is not our fault that things ain’t work out … we gon stand up day and night to Government to defend we family and we life,” a younger and seemingly more informed worker said.

It was previously reported that some 183 workers of the Estate had already been dismissed: 73 of them tillage employees and 110 from the planting division. Many workers from the Estate are soon to be deployed to the Uitvlugt Estate.

The Estate had already tilled some 800 acres of land, which subsequently had been abandoned. The Agriculture Ministry announced that these lands are to be used for other ventures which are yet to be detailed; as such, the preparation and planting of the land were discontinued.

Some equipment from the Wales Sugar Estate has already been moved to GuySuCo’s Uitvlugt Estate inclusive of the ploughing machines/tractors, all in an effort to close off all operations at the former estate by the end of 2016.

Rodney and his CoI

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inally there was a consummated CoI into the killing of Dr Walter Rodney and those of us who had long sought some sort of closure on the death of this paradigmatic Guyanese hero have to be grateful even for the leaked copy of the Report. It is one of the regrets of my life that I never personally met this great man who personified so many of the strands of life that I admire: a great intellectual verve, yoked to a willingness to test his theories in personal action while remaining humbly grounded to the common folk.

When I first returned to Guyana in December 1979 after seven years in the US, the political process had quickened with the activities of the WPA and Rodney, all of which were recounted to me with awe. In early July the PNC’s headquarters had been torched and Rodney along with Roopnaraine and Omawale were arrested. Father Darke had been murdered in broad daylight and the WPA announced at the end of the month it was officially a political party.

Three weeks later, closing the PNC’s Congress at the Square of the Revolution, Burnham declared, “... the battle is joined, no holds are barred. Comrades, they had better make their wills, because so far as we are concerned, we are not asking them for quarter and we will not give them any. Comrades, we are now in the Roman Amphitheatre. The lion and the gladiator cannot both survive; one must die, and we know that the PNC will live.”

By then Burnham had already shaken up the army command to ensure its loyalty for whatever that would be “joined”: David Granger was made Commander of the GDF, and Norman McLean, Chief-of-Staff of the Disciplined Forces. By November, Ohene Koama of the WPA had already been killed.

By the time I returned again in September 1980, Rodney had been killed in June and the political mood was one of desolation even in the staunchly PPP enclaves. I was finally to return to Guyana permanently by the end of the decade and during that time I had the opportunity to become familiar with the life and thoughts of Walter Rodney. Coming from a non-academic background, I appreciated Dr Rodney’s refusal to ignore the issue of race/racism and ethnicity in his espousal of Pan-Africanism even though he was a committed Marxist.

I really believe that his killing in 1980 set back the process of addressing the racial issue that lies at the heart of our Guyanese political logjam and worse.

While Rodney was insistent that “revolution would be carried out by the people” and that leaders were not that critical as the people, the history of Guyana after his death, gives lie to his confidence in the “objective conditions” propelling change – revolutionary or otherwise. Rodney’s personal praxis, as much as the context, was crucial to his success in bridging the racial divide.

In the “by any means necessary” speech, Rodney spoke about the PNC and “assassination”. It was not because he was prescient but because he understood the logic of dictatorships. “As for the assassination — we are not worried about that. That is something that they are inventing because they have plans for assassination... These have been produced by the P.N.C. government — produced by the clique in power, because it is necessary for them to find some excuse in order for them to carry out their orders and their plans.”

In Rodney’s own assassination, the CoI has merely confirmed what he predicted, and what most objective Guyanese had long concluded: Burnham and the PNC had committed this crime against the Guyanese nation.

In 2005, ROAR participated fully in the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Rodney’s death as an act to signify the respect we held for the great man. And contra to what David Hinds wrote recently, it was not only the WPA and PNC that voted in Parliament in that year for a CoI: on behalf of ROAR we also were honoured to have done so.

We are grateful President Ramotar finally constituted a CoI and that it finally handed down its findings.

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friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Delinquent parents to face law – Minister Lawrence

Rodney CoI findings

Govt prevented “Skip” Roberts from testifying – Chairman

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Members of the East Bank Board Roderick Edinboro, Alma Francois-Bovell, Fannett Brandford, Loraine Stephens, Mark Braithwaite and Deryck Boyce along with Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

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arents who neglect their children will this year be under close scrutiny by the Social Protection Ministry, especially fathers who fail to provide financial support to their offspring.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence made the announcement during her address to members of the newly-appointed East Bank Local Board of Guardians, pointing out that many absent fathers have left the State to provide for their children.

“Everyone will face the consequence – the law. The State cannot be burdened when a parent or parents have the means of taking care of their children and they choose not to do so. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, we’re going to come after you,” she noted.

She observed that there were many instances where women were afraid to seek financial support owing to the “abusive behaviour” of some men.

The Minister emphasised that there were genuine cases where parents were unable to provide for their children, and further noted that

the Ministry was prepared to support those families. She, however, cautioned that it was “unfair to use taxpayers’ money to support children whose parents can afford to take care of them”.

According to Lawrence, there are some cases of the “dependency syndrome” whereby people are reluctant to seek alternative sources of income. She posited that this year would see the Ministry taking a different approach to social protection.

“We will teach people to help themselves…We’re going to work to ensure that this is the last year for Public Assistance. We are working to introduce conditional cash transfer. In that way, we focus on the family. The objective is to bring people out of poverty. When persons come into any agency/department of the Ministry, a comprehensive evaluation will be done to see how the family is lacking and we will support that family in those areas. We believe that Public Assistance doesn’t capture the family, but the conditional cash transfer will,” Lawrence said.

She pointed out that “everybody has potential”, but

admitted that there was a lack of opportunities. The Minister urged the Board to work along with religious leaders in the communities to further support families.

The East Bank Local Board of Guardians is one of the groups that have been installed across the country effective February 1, 2016 to process Public Assistance applications.

“Public Assistance is a form of temporary financial assistance issued by the Government of Guyana to specific persons, including the aged, infirmed, sick, destitute and children below the age of 14,” the Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

It was also noted that each monthly Public Assistance voucher is valued $6500. The Boards are responsible for evaluating and determining the legitimacy of Public Assistance applications in rural areas to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are justifiably spent.

The members of the East Bank Board are Roderick Edinboro, Alma FrancoisBovell, Fannett Brandford, Loraine Stephens, Mark Braithwaite, and Deryck Boyce.

Courts gives back to 2 schools

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ourts Guyana Inc. in its continued commitment to support the delivery of education in Guyana on Thursday donated to two local schools.

The furniture giant which is known to giving back to various communities its continuous contribution to various projects.

The recent donation by the company was made to the Parfaite Harmonie Primary School and Kingston Secondary School.

Parfait Harmony Primary received a television for its library and Kingston Secondary received a gas stove for its Home Economics Department to help students preparing for SCCP program.

The presentation ceremony was held at their Main Street Store where the items were handed over to the Head Teacher for both schools who expressed gratitude to Courts on behalf of their schools and PTA.

Meanwhile, Courts Public Relations and Promotions Officer Roberta Ferguson explained that the students of Parfaite Harmonie were in need of a television to help them in audio-visual teaching in order to improve literacy at the school while students

of Kingston Secondary were in need of a gas stove to facilitate practical sessions in Home Economics.

With the company being made aware of the needs of these two schools, it decided to assist by providing the much needed items.

hairman of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Sir Richard Cheltenham said Crime Chief and Assistant Police Commissioner under the Burnham People’s National Congress (PNC) regime Cecil “Skip” Roberts could not give evidence because the Inquiry abruptly ended.

President Granger, who recently contended that the final report of the three-member Commission was highly “flawed”, said that Roberts – a main witness – was not given an opportunity to testify during the 17-month long inquiry.

He said the Commission had brought Roberts to Guyana for some 10 days, put him up at a hotel and sent him back to the United States without asking him a single question. During the course of the inquiry, “Skip” Roberts’ name was mentioned several times. He along with now deceased former Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis were said to be aware of the occurrences of the day and were very much aware of the plot to kill Dr Rodney.

But Sir Cheltenham said “Mr “Skip” Roberts was among the witnesses that did not get a chance to testify because the Commission was brought to a premature conclusion. All of these things you have to put before the public”.

Chairman of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), Sir Richard Cheltenham

Sir Cheltenham, along with other Commissioners and lawyers, had back in July 2015, flayed Government for its decision to bring to an abrupt end, the Commission of Inquiry. He had said that the move would have definitely robbed the Commission of a comprehensive, thorough and fair outcome.

The CoI, which was convened in February 2014 by former President Donald Ramotar, has had some 66 sittings with a total of 29 witnesses giving evidence; three of whom were still to be cross-examined. The evidence of those witnesses – retired Major General Norman McLean, former Police Constable Allan Gates and Holland Yearwood were said to be crucial to the investigation. Further, the Commission

was still to hear from witnesses such as former Crime Chief Cecil Roberts, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Leader Rupert Roopnaraine and former People’s National Congress leader (PNC) Robert Corbin; all of whom had been issued with Salmon letters to appear before the Commissioners.

Sir Cheltenham said there was adverse evidence provided against many individuals who were alive, who have not been provided an opportunity to come forward to confront that evidence and comment on it.

He said the Commission would be disinclined to make any adverse findings on such, adding that if it was found that it was necessary to make a finding, Commissioners would be sure to add that the individuals against whom the evidence was given did not have the opportunity to comment on and any comment made should be subjected to that omission.

He said the decision of the executive to bring to an end the public hearings may well have implications for the thoroughness of the report as witnesses still to testify would not be heard and some of the terms of reference not adequately supported by testimonies so far will remain in that incomplete state.

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friday, february 26, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

DPP wants further investigations into Crum-Ewing probe – file returned to Police

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he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack has asked the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to conduct further investigations into the death of ex-soldier and political activist Courtney CrumEwing, who was killed almost a year ago.

Last week, ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested People’s Progressive Party (PPP) employee Jason Abdulla, PPP executive member and former Press Officer Kwame McCoy, Okene Fraser and self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds in relation to Crum-Ewing’s death.

Head of CID, Wendell Blanhum, told reporters Thursday that the file was sent to the DPP Chambers for advice on whether charges should be instituted against the four suspects who are alleged to play a role in the activist’s death.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

Dead: Courtney Crum-Ewing

However, he noted that the DPP has returned the file, requesting that further investigations be conducted. “The file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and having perused those statements in that file, they would have advised that we conduct some further investigations,” the Crime Chief disclosed.

Nevertheless, he revealed that police are hoping to conclude the additional investigation as early as possible

in order to have the files returned to the DPP. He added that these works have already commenced.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) we would have further questioned those four persons who were arrested and we are hoping that within the week or so we will be able to complete that investigation,” the CID head indicated.

According to Blanhum, the arrests of the four suspects were in light of new infor-

No-Confidence Motion against Linden Town Clerk ..."If there is urgent need for me to speak, I will" – Bowen

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inden Town Clerk Jenella Bowen said she prefers not to comment on alleged issues which lead to Municipal Councillors passing a no-confidence motion against her at the Council’s statutory meeting on Wednesday.

In an invited comment by Guyana Times on Thursday, Bowen stated “I prefer to hold my peace on the issue right now. If there is urgent need for me to speak, I will.

I don’t see it as urgent right now”.

The motion against Bowen was moved by Councillor Gordon Callender and seconded by Councillor Elise Halls.

Speaking on the issue Thursday, however, Callender said as a result of the motion, Wednesday’s statutory meeting was called off. According to him, there are several issues affecting the Council as it relates to the disposition of the Town Clerk.

He said one such issue stemmed from her decision not to rescind disciplinary letters which were issued to the acting Treasurer and acting Personnel Officer some time ago, while she was on sick leave.

He stated that by way of the letters, the employees were being penalised by Bowen, after they gained ac-

cess to a safe which, initially, only she has access to.

According to him, however, the decision for the employees’ access was based on a directive from Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman Orrin Gordon, in an effort to “look after the Council’s business”.

He said the directive was given to the acting Town Clerk at the time, Tessa Ragbeer. Callender added that the Council would have pleaded with Bowen several times, after the letters were issued to have them rescinded, however she refused.

He recalled several occasions where he noted this was done, including at a recent Committee meeting, whereby he stated each Councillor had asked her to rescind the letters. The Councillor said a previous motion had been moved by himself then, which was seconded by Councillor Fern Mckoy.

“The IMC Chairman also asked her (to rescind the letters) and she said she’s not doing it. She continued to prolong the issue and she didn’t do it. We moved a motion at the administrative meeting and she altered those minutes... In addition to that she keep writing people letters and when you ask her to do X, she’s not doing it... so we asked her to rescind those letters. She said

to the Council blatantly that she’s not doing it,” he stated.

Speaking with this newspaper on Wednesday, Gordon said the matter is a trivial one, stating that Bowen engaged in the action against the employees while she was on sick leave which, according to him, meant she was technically off the job.

“We felt she should have waited, done a thorough investigation then take the necessary action. The fact is that she was given a leave of absence by means of a sick leave which means you’re technically not on the job... she chose not to rescind the letters and insisted on not rescinding,” the IMC Chairman stated.

Gordon added that according to the law, the Town Clerk is under the directive of the Council and if Bowen chose to be defiant, she should have done so in writing. He added that there are other issues which the Council has had in relation to the Town Clerk; however, it felt “disrespected” by her recent decision.

“It sends the wrong message to the new Council which will be here shortly. It is foolishness and she continues to remain defiant,” Gordon had stated. He said he intends to engage the Communities Minister on the issue.

Paradise man jailed for 25 years for raping girl, 13

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ormer Evening News cameraman Andre Hetsberger, 46, was on Thursday sentenced to 25 years in prison by Justice Navindra Singh after the jury unanimously found him guilty of raping a minor relative.

In January 2015,

Hetsberger was charged for the offence before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was released on $300,000 bail.

According to reports, on October 17, 2014, he engaged in penetrating the

child – who was 13 years old at the time – using his fingers. He was also accused of forcing the child to engage in fellatio with him.

The State was represented by Attorneys Narissa Leander, Michael Shahoud and Siand Dhurjon.

mation that had surfaced in Crum-Ewing’s murder, however, investigators were unable to complete the probe.

“The investigation would have been triggered due to some new developments, where we would have received further information and as a result of that, they had arrested those guys. We had them in custody but because of the complex nature of that investigation, time did not permit us to complete that investigation,” he stated.

The four suspects have since been released from custody on their own recognisance and have been reporting to the Police to assist with

investigations.

Crum-Ewing, 40, an exsoldier, was gunned down execution style on March 10 last year while urging residents of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, to go out and cast their ballots during the May 11, General and Regional Elections.

An autopsy revealed that Crum-Ewing was shot five times – three bullets to the head, one to the back of the neck while the fifth entered under one of his arms. All the bullets were fired from behind and at close range except the one that hit under his arm and exited his shoulder.

It was also reported that

the bullet wound to the back of the neck was at point-blank range since gunpowder residue was found on the back of the collar of his shirt. Two .38 warheads were removed from the dead man’s head, reports had revealed.

Following the death of the man who rose to prominence after picketing former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall’s office, Reagan Rodrigues also called “Grey Boy” was arrested and charged.

Nandlall’s former bodyguard Rajput Narine was also arrested as investigations were ongoing.

friday, february 26, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the world

Jamaicans vote in General Election J

amaicans voted in their General Election on Thursday, as electoral officials disclose they were probing the circumstances surrounding the posting of a photograph of a marked ballot on social media.

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) said in a statement Wednesday that it had been made aware of the photo of the ballot cast in the constituency of Trelawny Northern, during Monday’s early voting for members of the security forces and Election Day workers.

It shows an “X” beside the candidate for the ruling People’s National Party (PNP), Victor Wright, who is going up against Dennis Meadows of the main

More than 1.8 million Jamaicans are eligible to vote

Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Meadows said in a post on Twitter that he had written to the Director of Elections on the matter.

In its statement, the

ECJ reminded all Returning Officers, Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks to “be vigilant in ensuring that recording devices are not used in polling stations and the activities of voters are closely

Migrant crisis: Greece recalls Ambassador from Austria amid EU rifts

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Most migrants arrive in Greece and then head north

reece has recalled its Ambassador to Austria amid sharp divisions among European Union (EU) States over the migrant crisis.

The move came after Austria hosted a meeting with Balkan States on the migrant issue, to which Greece was not invited.

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Greece called the move an “unfriendly act”. It said its Ambassador was recalled for “consultations”.

Ministers from EU and Balkan nations are meeting in Brussels to try to heal rifts over the migrant issue.

Austria, Serbia and Macedonia have taken their own steps to limit entry to

migrants, angering Greece, which fears the controls will cause a bottleneck.

In a statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry said that the Ambassador was being recalled “in order to safeguard the friendly relations between the States and the people of Greece and Austria”.

It said that problems facing the EU “cannot be dealt with, with thoughts, mentalities and extra-institutional initiatives that have their roots in the 19th Century”.

Speaking in Brussels.

Greek Migration Minister Yannis Mouzalas said his country would “not accept becoming Europe’s Lebanon, a warehouse of souls”.

Lebanon is home to about a million of the four million Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries. (Excerpt from BBC News)

monitored”.

It also reminded voters that if they use cellular phones, digital cameras or any other devices to capture the image of a marked ballot, they are committing a criminal offence and are liable, if convicted, to a fine of up to J$80,000 (US$661) or up to five years in jail.

More than 1.8 million Jamaicans are registered to vote in the General Election.

They cast their ballots at more than 7000 polling stations across the country.

The polls opened at 07:00h and closed at 17:00h.

The polls are being observed by Caricom and Organisation of American States (OAS) observer missions. (Caribbean360)

Mitt Romney questions Donald Trump tax situation

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epublican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has a “bombshell” hidden in his tax returns, the party’s 2012 nominee Mitt Romney has warned.

Romney says the billionaire was “dodging and delaying” on releasing his returns, which could shake up the race.

Trump has hit back calling the ex-Governor “one of the dumbest and worst candidates” in Republican history.

Donald Trump swept to victory in Nevada on Tuesday, his third straight win in the Republican race for nomination.

The 69-year-old easily defeated his rivals, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Ben Carson, ahead of the all-important “Super Tuesday” next week when 11 states are due to decide on their party candidates and a quarter of all nominating delegates are up for grabs.

All five Republican candidates are set to square off in another presidential debate in Houston, Texas, later on Thursday.

By questioning Trump’s tax returns, Romney seeks to call into question a key part of Trump’s political CV – his business success. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Lab-grown sperm makes healthy offspring

An embryonic stem cell, which can morph into any other type of tissue, was guided towards becoming sperm with a cocktail of chemicals, hormones and testicular tissue

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perm have been made in the laboratory and used to father healthy baby mice in a pioneering move that could lead to infertility treatments.

The Chinese research took a stem cell, converted it into primitive sperm and fertilised an egg to produce healthy pups.

The study, in the Journal

Cell Stem Cell, showed they were all healthy and grew up to have offspring of their own.

Experts said it was a step towards human therapies.

It could ultimately help boys whose fertility is damaged by cancer treatment, infections such as mumps or those with defects that leave them unable to pro-

duce sperm.

Making sperm in the testes is one of the longest and most complicated processes in the body – taking more than a month from start to finish in most mammals.

Now scientists have been able to reproduce the feat in the lab.

An embryonic stem cell, which can morph into any other type of tissue, was guided towards becoming sperm with a cocktail of chemicals, hormones and testicular tissue.

In order to develop properly, the cell must go through a crucial and delicate rearrangement of its DNA – its code of life – called meiosis.

Just like a female’s egg, sperm must lose half of their chromosomes (bundles of DNA) so that a fertilised egg has a normal amount. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

T&T is latest on Zika Somali leader: 200 Kenyan China says its troops dead in January raid warships to join major advisory list

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p to 200 Kenyan soldiers were killed in an attack on their camp in Somalia by al-Shabab last month, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said – although Kenya rejected the figure.

On January 15, dozens of heavily-armed al-Shabab fighters assaulted a Kenyanrun military base for African Union peacekeepers in the southern Somali town of El-Ade, not far from the Kenyan border.

“When about 200 soldiers who came to help your country are killed in one morning, it is not something trivial,” Mohamud told Somali Cable TV, a privately owned station. The interview was posted on YouTube on Thursday.

“We have been winning

for years and months, but that El-Ade battle, we were defeated. Yes, in war, sometimes something that you do not like happens to you,” the Somali President added.

Kenyan authorities have refused to give a death toll following the attack, which targeted troops working under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

But Kenya Defence Forces spokesman, Colonel David Obonyo, denied the number given by the Somali President and questioned the source of the information.

“It is not true. This information never came from us or anyone in the Government of Kenya,” he told the Reuters news agency on Thursday. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

US-hosted naval drills

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hina on Thursday confirmed it would send warships to join a major US-hosted naval drill this summer, even as tension between the world’s two largest economies mounts over the South China Sea. The Rim of the Pacific exercise, known as RIMPAC, is billed as the world’s largest international maritime exercise, held every two years in Hawaii in June and July.

Critics of the Obama Administration, including US Senator John McCain, have said the US should bar China from the drills to show US disapproval of its military actions.

The US and its allies have expressed growing concern over the Asian giant’s military buildup, as well as its increasingly assertive posture in the South China Sea. “Joining these military exercises will be beneficial to improving the Chinese Navy’s ability to contend with non-traditional security threats,” Wu Qian, a spokesman of China’s Ministry of Defence, told a regular briefing.

“At the same time, it will also be beneficial to depending China and professional exchanges and pragmatic cooperations with the relevant countries’ navies.” (Excerpt

from Reuters)

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&T is the latest Caribbean country to be added to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Zika advisory. The country as well as the Marshall Islands were added on Tuesday. T&T announced its first confirmed case of the Zika Virus last week. In December, the first local transmission of the Zika Virus infection was reported in the Caribbean.

According to the CDC website, local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with Zika Virus, spreading it to people. Since then, the Zika Virus has been reported in Barbados, Jamaica, Aruba, Haiti, Martinique and the US Virgin Islands. The CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postpon-

ing travel to any area where Zika Virus transmission is ongoing.

“If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.

“If you have a male partner who lives in or has travelled to an area where Zika transmission is ongoing, either abstain from sex or use condoms consistently and correctly for the duration of your pregnancy,” it added.

The Zika Virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her foetus. There have been reports of a serious birth defects of the brain, called microcephaly, and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika Virus while pregnant. (Trinidad Guardian)

16 news

friday, february 26, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

Israeli Ambassador calls on The Race to LGE 2016 Minister Ramjattan

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ewly accredited Ambassador of the State of Israel, Mordehai Amihai-Bivas, paid a courtesy call on Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, during which they discussed security related matters.

The brief meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Public Security Ministry on Brickdam, Georgetown.

According to a release from the Minister’s office, “national security matters were discussed and there was major focus on border control and security”.

In addition, the Ambassador assured Minister Ramjattan that whatever tangible and technical assistance is sought by Guyana, it will be offered by his country, especially with regards to assistance geared towards curbing the illicit entry into Guyana of arms, drugs and trafficked persons.

Ambassador AmihaiBivas was accredited earlier in the day as Israel’s nonresident representative to Guyana, when he presented his credentials to President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Constituency 3 candidate believes in personal interaction to promote change By: Merissa Wilson

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Israel’s non-resident Ambassador to Guyana Mordehai AmihaiBivas during his visit with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

Groups support decriminalisation of attempted suicide

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uicide prevention organisation, The Caribbean Voice (TCV), is again lobbying Government to consider the decriminalisation of attempted suicide.

As the law stands, Chapter 801: Section 96 of the Criminal Law Offences Act states that anyone who attempts to commit suicide would be guilty of a misdemeanour and liable to imprisonment for two years.

In this respect, Managing Director of TCV, Bibi Ahmad explained that the non-governmental organisation is trying to arrange a meeting with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to discuss its position on the matter.

She said that this will be

done even as the TCV will continue its advocacy towards the prevention of suicides.

Ahmad pointed to the organisation’s recent launch of the ‘ME’ Myself Esteem campaign which is aimed at identifying the root issues that contributes to suicide in Guyana, with the objective of formulating effective strategies to combat the issue.

Meanwhile, Dr Vindhya Persaud of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha said that she is supportive of the move towards decriminalisation.

“Suicide is not something where people randomly take their lives, it has a social and also mental health connotation and that those people need help so we would do bet-

Dr Vindhya Persaud

ter where people can access help and support and be rehabilitated before we criminalise [them]”, Dr Persaud stated.

She pointed to depression as a main link to suicides and opined that it is not sensible to criminalise the affected persons. “To criminalise and penalise someone further when that is a cry for help in itself, I don’t think it makes much sense,” Persaud suggested.

She noted that her orgainsation has continued to engage in suicide outreach programmes across the country. Persaud also noted her orginsation’s involvement in the formulation of the suicide hotline which was launched last year.

“We were very integral in that being developed because along with other religious bodies we worked with the current Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud in developing that hotline strategy,” noted Dr Persaud.

It was in August last year that the Public Security Minister posited that the decriminalisation of attempted suicide should occur in Guyana, in keeping with world trends. At the Police Force’s launch of the Guyana Interagency Suicide Prevention Helpline, the Minister explained that he wanted to start a “useful” debate on decriminalisation which was noted as “controversial.”

Ramjattan opined that persons should be rehabilitated and undergo counselling instead of facing penalties for the act which they would have committed. The Minister had suggested that placing persons who attempt suicide in jail would lead to them to becoming victims.

On Wednesday, this publication attempted to garner clarity on the status of the proposed debates to end the criminalisation of attempted suicide in Guyana. However, Guyana Times was unable to contact the Public Security Minister.

Many stakeholders have noted that there is the need for more Counsellors and trained professionals to battle the scourge of suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy is currently underway.

s Local Government Elections is on the way after being dormant for 22 years, the reintroduction has opened gates for individuals, political, and non-political groups to submit candidates who will be pivotal in their respective constituencies once elected into office following the March 18 election.

Seizing the opportunity, Candidate of LGE, the non-political party Paul Moore Guyana National Building Corps took up the challenge of engaging persons to be part of the elections to represent the party and efficiently meet the needs of residents in nine of the 15 constituencies and the municipality of Georgetown.

Under this party is where Thomas Moore, a media operative, is hoping to play a significant role in giving back to his community through effective leadership, understanding and adequate skills acquired from his job in the media.

Birthed and grown in Campbellville, Georgetown, Moore has taken up the challenge to be the ‘voice’ for the residents by contesting in Constituency 3 after seeing the need for advancement and revolution in his community, and the lives of those affected by the shortcomings that have been ignored by past and current leaders.

Competing under the motto “A safe sustainable city”, Moore told Guyana Times during an interview that the party’s priority interests lie in reforming a nation which meets the criteria of being one of the countries that has been developed technologically and physically, engaging citizens in intensive community service with the goal of creating a culture of peace, lawfulness and happiness.

In regard to keeping to the motto, Moore informed that the party is dedicated in ensuring the city is restored to its former glory through projects and inputs by members who have pledged to work together as one to effect change in a city where much work is required to uplift its standard.

A part from the rehabilitation phase that is planned, he said there is a great need to address the drainage problem which must be tackled on a technological basis.

“We see a whole technological strategy to deal with the drainage system in country. Technology is what we want to advance; we see the need in bringing technology into this.”

Additionally, Moore related that they will bring better laws to the table, while removing or altering the old ones to benefit the growth of Guyana. He also said persons can expect to see a new system in revenue collection.

Moore strongly holds the belief that in order for a community or nation to change there must be consultations with residents of the respective communities through regular meetings and discussions to assess the situations that have been inconveniencing them, and also to engage them in decision making that concerns their area in order to create a better, human-friendly environment. This, he said, is what he intends to do once voted as the councillor of Constituency 3.

“I believe that councillors are not just elected to make decisions in the city hall of chambers, but they should get out there among the people in the community and hear their issues. I like moving around and hearing people’s issues. People even come and bring their issues to me. In this way it is easier to offer assistance.”

He also stated that even though he is part of the media and can easily spread the word on current issues and concerns, he does not find it right to only highlight situations and wait on a policy paper to address it, but he believes that a high-quality leader would get out into the field and formulate strategies for the benefit of the people.

All in all, Moore explained that though one can have strategies planned and ideas on how to develop their respective communities, a vital role still needs to be played by team members in implementing these changes since ‘two heads are better than one.’

Moore is however optimistic will emerge as a good representative for his community in the March 18 elections.

guyanatimesgy.com

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en young ladies were recently revealed by the Miss Guyana World committee as perspective hopefuls to succeed reigning Miss Guyana World Lisa Punch.

The grand coronation is billed for May 27, exactly 50 years since the first Miss World Guyana contest was held.

The 10 finalists are Divya Yabindranauth – Miss Region One; Najuma Nelson – Miss Region Two; Marva Langevine – Miss Region Three; Ariella

Basdeo – Miss Region Four; Ashmini Ramnauth – Miss Region Five; Marleena Ramdass-Miss – Region Six; Treasure James – Miss Region Seven; Nurriyah Gerrard – Miss Region Eight; Damallie Jackman – Miss Region Nine and Tiffany Bobb-Semple – Miss Region 10.

The women were required to apply by submitting videos, attending live interviews and filling out an extensive online application.

The Miss World Guyana Organisation re-

ceived 40 applications from which the finalists were selected via a thorough process by external judges.

As is customary, delegates were assigned to different Regions of Guyana which they are expected to fully represent throughout the competition. The Miss World Guyana 2016 contestants had to possess “Super G” qualities: Generous, Genial, Good, Gregarious, Golden, Guyanese, Global, Gifted, and Graceful.

The finalists will be competing in several seg-

ments including Sports and Fitness, Talent, Interview, Top Model, multimedia competition, and Beauty with a Purpose. These preliminary competitions commence from May 8 leading up to the grand coronation on May 27.

The Miss World Guyana 2016 Pageant is a platform to enable personal and professional growth among finalists in addition to the promotion of community service, beauty, fitness and talent.

Participation in the

friday, february 26, 2016

Pageant affords young women the opportunity to raise awareness on issues and causes affecting their communities as they serve as Regional Ambassadors.

The Miss World Guyana Coronation Show is the country’s official preliminary competition to the Miss World pageant, the longest-running and prestigious pageant in the world with over 130 countries participating annually.

The local pageant started in May 1966 and the winner, Umbilita Van

Sluytman, who was also known as the Independence Queen, became Guyana’s first entry in the Miss World Pageant, making it to the semi-finals in 1966.

The Miss World Pageant is the first international pageant in which Guyana has achieved repeated successes, with local women gracing the top ten and five. As a result, Guyana is known for having one of the longest consecutive placement history in the Miss World Pageant.

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unty Singh, a 26-year-old father of two, was on Saturday last crowned Guyana’s Chutney Monarch when the competition was held in the Parking Lot of the Synthetic Track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

He wowed the judges with his tune “Fat Gyal” to take the title from defending champion Roger Hinds.

Coming in second was Pooran Seeraj, while Halima Khan sang her way to the third spot.

In an interview with the newly-crowned Chutney King, he stated that he has waited for a long time to be the winner of the competition and the resultant feeling was still creating butterflies in his tummy.

He said his winning entry, “Fat Gyal”, was not about disrespecting plussize women but encouraging them to live their lives.

He noted that many of the artistes have been bashing ladies in their recent releases, but he thought of recording a tune that would actually help to build the self-esteem of the women who believe that they are too “fat”.

He is very proud to have won the competition, particularly after several previous attempts starting from the age of 19 failed. After not being initial-

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wenty-six-year-old Edward Pillay, also known as “Lion Cub”, was born at the Georgetown Public Hospital to Mahadia and Edward Pillay.

He grew up with his 11 siblings (four brothers and six sisters) at Hauraruni on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, East Bank Demerara. He attended the Hauraruni All Age School from nursery up to Third Form and completed his secondary education at Dora Secondary School.

During his school life, he was involved in sports – mostly cricket and football. Although he loved Reggae and Dancehall Music, he was dedicated to his church, which has always been a huge part of his life.

The talented artiste started to play the drums in church at the age of 12, and soon after his eldest brother started a band called “Dynamic Flames”. In the newlyformed band, he sang covers, but gradually, they started to compose original songs.

After a while, Pillay started to record his songs, but he had some terrible experiences resulting in disappointments, only his love for music and God kept him going. Later, he collaborated with “Fire G” for his first album, which was recorded in the Mac

ly successful in the Chutney Monarch competition, he tried participating in other competitions which definitely yield some success and acted as motivation to keep trying. He competed in the E-Networks Emerging Voices competition in 2014 and was awarded fourth position.

The singer, who at the age of 13, participated in the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabah’s Kala Ustav where he placed first in several categories and in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited’s Jingle Competition where he came in the top ten, said he knew that he had a chance to win the competition after hearing the renditions from his competitors.

The title, he noted, will be a great boost to his studio, BKVJ. Singh’s four-year-old son started the ball rolling when he was awarded the first prize in Region Five’s Annual Children’s Calypso Competition.

Given the new title, Singh is expected to collaborate with several artistes in the future, but his eyes are actually set on recording a song with international Chutney King Kris Persad (KI) in the Maha Studios in Trinidad and Tobago. One

day, he hopes to record a tune with renowned Soca Artiste Machel Mantano.

As of now, he is currently recording several tunes with Shelly G, Terry Gajraj and Water Flow out of Trinidad and Tobago.

The artiste is of the view that without the support of his family, sponsors and friends, he would not have been crowned Chutney Monarch and, as such, he thanked them from the bottom of his heart. They include Homeline Furnishing, Full Works, Feroz Service Station, Sign Art Graphics, D. Love Pharmacy, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Mr Karran Barran, Water Flow, DJ Rickster, Sase’s Hangout Bar and Westsiderz Entertainment.

Malcolm Corrica

Dove Studios in Jamaica. That album, “Inferno”, was produced by J Crazy, assisted by Mark Chatterpaul and another Jamaican Gospel artiste.

Upon his return to Guyana, Pillay performed at several Gospel concerts promoted by Kester Dean.

His success continued in 20092010 with his single “Sellout”, which had great reviews and radio play.

The young talent-

e d artiste, who has a bright future ahead of him, says that his

Eddy Grant

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greatest inspiration are definitely his parents and God. His advice to young people who want to be a professional singer is to love what they do and do it because they love it.

He listed his marriage and only son as his major successes along with his maiden album “Inferno”.

Apart from singing, he loves to play football and spend time with his family, especially his wife, son and mother. On a lighter note, he loves the colour black, but at the same time does not have anything that he referred to as his favourites.

Marilyn Dewar

s Guyana celebrates its 50th Independence Anniversary on May 26, the Guyanese Canadian Artistic Inc, in collaboration with the Culture and Tourism Ministry, will be hosting the first-ever Guyana International Artistic Music Awards on May 1.

The event will be held at the National Cultural Centre and will be the first major event on the official calendar for the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

This red carpet event will see the National Cultural Centre transformed for a Grammy style night of recognition of the best that Guyana has to offer.

Iconic Guyanese musician Eddy Grant will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, and special recognition will be given to other Guyanese stalwarts like music teacher and pianist Marilyn Dewar and Calypsonian Malcolm Corrica to name a few.

In order to be nominated to receive an award, persons or organisations must apply at the earliest. Each artiste can submit as many nominations as they wish. The deadline for nomination submissions is March 31.

Applications received after this date will not be counted in the judging process and will not be considered for an award.

The categories are Gospel; Soul; Rhythm and Blues (R&B); Hip-Hop and Rap; Calypso; Dancehall Reggae; Chutney; Classical; Soca; Indian and Cultural Reggae. In addition, nominations can be made for Cross-over Music; Rock and Roll Music; Steel Pan Music; Album of the Year and Best Single of the Year.

Leading up to the event, there will be a massive 12-hour marathon concert on April 30 at the Guyana National Stadium which will feature some of Guyana’s musical legends as well as those from the Diaspora. There will be gate prizes for patrons and other activities for families to enjoy in a picnic-like atmosphere.

guyanatimesgy.com

Dameon Apple

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Some of the participants

The Post Office

uschen, an East Bank Essequibo (EBE) village bordered by Zeelugt to the east and Vergenoegen to the west, has developed from a tiny bucolic community into a bright and busy one, with the advent of the housing scheme. Here, the houses range from the luxurious to little cottages covered with makeshift roofs filled with persons from diverse backgrounds.

Accompanying the spike in population has been the increase in business activities: all of the amenities residents need can be acquired in the vil-

Tuschen villagers

Lashaun Charles

Edward Perez

he countdown continues to the Aracari Resort Jubilee Karaoke Contest which begins on May 7, 2016 and concludes on May 28.

The competition is set to take place at the Aracari Resort, Lot 16 Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara.

The lucky champion will walk away with $50,000, a trophy, a recording con-

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tract from a top local recording studio, a night for two at the Aracari Hotel, a salon package, and much more.

The first and second runner-up will receive trophies, recording contracts and free pool access for two for a weekend. Only amateur singers are allowed and those persons can contact the organisers on phone numbers 264-2946

or 686-2064 for information about registration.

At the launch night, slated for May 7, 15 singers will be shortlisted from the list of applicants.

The quarter-finals are set for May 14, with the semi-finals and the grand finale being slated for May 21 and May 28 respectively.

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ll roads will lead to the Aracari Resort this Saturday as After Dark Promotions kicks off its “Wet ‘n’ Wild” Pool Jam. The event will feature sizzling appearances by the Miss Bootilicious Lingerie Divas, the After Dark Swimsuit Models, and the Excellent Model Agency Runway Models.

Music will be provided by Hill Rock Sounds, Ghost Rider Sound System, with DJ Garwin, Skinny Hype, and DJ Platinum mixing “crazy music vibes”.

Fans will enjoy four Xtra Beers for $1000 all night. For more deals on drinks, go to afterdark.gy.com. This event is powered by Smart Choice Entertainment, DDL, and Twisterz Digital Audio. Admission set at $1000.

The health centre

lage. Business entities range from general to hardware stores to vulcanising and mechanical shops and a furniture plant. There are smaller businesses such as an internet café, barber shops, restaurants and rum shops. Other villagers engage in farming in the backlands.

Tuschen is also home to the wellknown Double Day International Hotel and swimming pool.

Religion is highly appreciated within the multicultural community given the temples, mosques and numer-

ous churches present. The village also has a primary and nursery school for the children living in close proximity, as well as a post office and a doctor’s clinic. It is also the site of the towering dishes of GTT and Digicel.

In spite of the changes brought on by the population explosion, the pastoral charm of this village lives on.

Youths still enjoy a good game of cricket on the streets as well as football and other games, while teenage boys can be found fishing or taking a plunge in the trench by the koker.

A mosque in the community

Boys having fun at the koker

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friday, february 26, 2016

FIFA aims to start afresh RHTY&SC receives Medal of Service Award with vote to replace Blatter

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Crisis-hit FIFA set to elect a new leader today in Switzerland

Club Secretary/CEO receives the Medal of Service Award from RHTY&SC Patron and President of Guyana, David Granger

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he outstanding contribution of youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club was on Tuesday recognised by the Government of Guyana at the International Convention Centre.

Long Serving Secretary/ CEO and founder member of the Club, Hilbert Foster received a Medal of Service National Award on behalf of the Club from its Honorary Patron and Executive President of Guyana, H.E David Granger.

A humble Foster described the occasion as the greatest moment in the history of the RHTY&SC and stated that all of the members of the club were proud of its historic achievement.

In the history of Guyana’s National Awards, few of any sporting or youth organisation have received awards and the RHTY&SC is the first cricket club in Guyana’s history to be honoured according to a press release by RHTY&SC. The award winning Secretary/CEO stated that the RHTY&SC was only founded in September, 1990 by three-time Guyana and Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St Francis Community Developers and over the last twenty six years have successfully completed over 6000 projects/activities. The club has made a major difference in lives of countless youths, the elderly and less fortunate, the release noted.

The RHTY&SC currently undertakes 300 programmes/activities on an annual bases under the sub–headings of sports, education, culture, youth development, awards, community development, coaching, anti – crime, youth employment, anti – suicide among others.

The cricket teams of the RHTY&SC are among the top tier in Guyana and have together won over 40 major Berbice cricket championships and three national titles (two males and females).

The RHTY&SC was also named Guyana Cricket Club of the Year in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010 and has over the years produced six male senior Guyana cricketers, eight female national cricketers, five for the West Indies at different levels and a total of 40 junior national cricketers at all levels.

The club has also produced 98 players for the ancient country and is the home of Guyana’s only female cricket team.

Off the cricket field, the RHTY&SC achievements are too numerous to mention but Foster, who received the National Sports Personality in 2010 stated that several clearly stands out.

These includes the restoration of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School in 1991/92 at the cost of $4M, the transformation of the Area ‘H’ Ground from a swampland into a sports Centre, the hosting of a multimillion award ceremony every year for members and the distribution of over $200M worth of food items, educational kits, footwear and hygiene kits to less fortunate families and the distribution of $10M worth of school bags to students.

Other achievements that stands out are the hosting of the Ansa Mcal Award of Excellence, Berbice Sports Awards, assisting over 200 youth and sports organisation with over $15M worth of gears and equipment, producing an annual youth magazine, construction of a

Charity Kitchen, Youth Information booklet and the remarkable success of the Say No to Drugs, Suicide and Crime and Say Yes to Education/Sports programme.

The Management of the Club is currently headed

by President Keith Foster while the others are his younger brother Hilbert who serves as Secretary/ CEO, Franklyn Ross – Asst Secretary/CEO, Shemaine Campbell – Treasurer, Keith Hicks – Organising Secretary, Ravindranauth Kissoonlall – Asst Organising Secretary, Shawn Perriera – Club Captain and Committee Members – Sohan Harry, Mark Papaunah, Terry Pike, Neville Beaton and Erva Giddings.

President David Granger serves as the Club’s Honorary Patron while the Over-35 group performs the duties of experienced advisors to the Club Secretary/CEO and Management Committee.

risis-hit world football governing body FIFA faces one of the most important days in its 112year history when it elects a new leader today hoping to usher in a fresh era after decades of tawdry controversy.

Delegates from more than 200 countries will vote for a new president to succeed Sepp Blatter, two days after the disgraced Swiss and European football chief Michel Platini lost their appeals against bans for ethics violations.

A wide-ranging set of reforms, which are designed to prevent corruption, will be voted on before the FIFA election and are expected to be passed. They include term limits for top officials and disclosure of their earnings.

Whoever takes over from Blatter, who ran FIFA for 17 years like a globe-trotting head of state, will inherit a very different job with the focus on crisis management, after dozens of international football officials were indicted in the United States last year for racketeering, money-laundering and bribery.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa is the bookmaker’s favourite with UEFA’s Swiss general secretary Gianni Infantino a close second.

Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein believes he is still firmly in the race however, while Frenchman Jerome Champagne and South African Tokyo Sexwale will

hope to make an impact.

There was little indication on Thursday, though, that the vote would be anything other than a two-horse race between Sheikh Salman and Infantino.

“I am feeling good and very positive. The support I am receiving fills me with confidence,” Infantino told Reuters.

A spokesman for his Bahraini rival said: “Sheikh Salman is very confident about tomorrow’s vote.”

DECISIVE FACTOR The CONCACAF confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean opted against endorsing a candidate and delegates suggested that support within the region was divided.

With no block vote from those 35 delegates, Africa’s decision now looks set to be the decisive factor.

African countries make up more than a quarter of the 207 football associations eligible to vote. On the final day of campaigning, there were sharply conflicting versions of how they would cast their ballots.

While the vice-president of their continental federation said virtually all would back Sheikh Salman, several delegates told Reuters the African vote would be split.

Infantino has said he was confident of winning more than half of the African votes, while Liberian football chief Musa Bility predicted the possibly unlikely scenario of 27 of the region’s votes going

to Jordan’s Prince Ali. “The world is waiting and watching -- this is the biggest milestone in the history of FIFA. It will decide if FIFA goes ahead as we want or if it spirals down,” Prince Ali told delegates.

Former anti-apartheid militant turned businessman and politician Sexwale described FIFA as broken and a damaged brand, though he also referred to some of those felled in the scandal as “friends we have lost”.

Infantino repeated his promise to offer each of FIFA’s members $5 million to invest in the sport over four years, more than doubling the $2.05 million each federation got from 2011-14. He said this could be achieved “easily” by tackling the cost structure of FIFA. Bahrain’s Salman was again more cautious, though, speaking of a ‘realistic’ increase in funding.

“For me, if the numbers are right, we can increase -but I am not ready to mortgage FIFA’s future in winning an election.”

French outsider Champagne took a shot at Infantino’s globe-trotting campaign by saying the election had been “unbalanced”.

“I did not have a private jet to visit you, take a photo and then tweet and say I have got the endorsement,” he said to laughter from delegates.

Prince Ali told UEFA delegates if he won the election he would appoint a European as his secretary general but did not offer up a name. (Reuters Sport)

GFF to observe FIFA elections today in Switzerland

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he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has been selected as an observer of the FIFA electoral process scheduled for today in Zurich, Switzerland.

Guyana is among three (3) member associations to observe same and it is the first for the South American country.

In addition the GFF will be represented by President, Wayne Forde; First Vice President, Julian Bruce Lovell and General Secretary, Diedre Davis.

Slated to be one of the most important Congresses in the history of global football, this is FIFA’s second attempt in one year to elect

a new FIFA President.

After much turmoil, it provides an opportunity for the global Member Associations to send a strong message to the global community of the seriousness of good governance, transparency and a higher level of accountability.

The FIFA Congress will feature the presentation of the Reforms to FIFA’s Constitution and thereafter the election of a new FIFA President.

Among the reforms to be voted on are term limits for top officials and discloser of earnings. The President of the GFF advanced strong arguments in support of term

GFF President Wayne Forde

limits for the CONCACAF President and Executive Committee.

Additionally, he proposed amendments to the reforms that would ensure that the position of CONCACAF president is never left vacant again regardless of the circumstances.

These amendments were adopted unanimously. The President believes that the reforms emphasize the need for good governance, accountability, transparency and fairness. These timeless principles, he said, align well to the spirit and will of the Guyana Football fraternity and the people of Guyana.

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G

uyana Jaguars will play the Windward Volcanoes beginning today in their eightround match of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)/ Professional Cricket League at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia.

Despite their hard fought seventh-round draw against the Pride, Jaguars still top the league table with 107 points, 17 more than second place Barbados Pride while the volcanoes are in fifth with 41 points.

Jaguars will certainly want a win today to further secure the retention of their title and preserve their unbeaten run in 13 matches thus far.

The last time these two teams met at the National Stadium, Providence; Guyana defeated the Volcanoes by 104 runs and were led by Test batsman Rajendra Chandrika with a fine 146.

Jaguars leading wickettaker Gudakesh Motie who was left out in the final eleven for the match at home to Barbados Pride, may yet again find himself in the same position as Beausejour pitch is known for its bounce and carry and the selectors

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By Akeem Greene

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

will be inclined to play two outright seamers.

Their batting is in good hands with the likes of the tournament’s leading run scorer Vishaul Singh (566 runs at an average of 56.60); and in third place captain Leon Johnson (499 runs at an average of 49.90).

Young opener, Tagenarine Chanderpaul who in this season has been a steady performer with the bat, especially in the second innings with scores of 81, 42 and 69 in his three matches to date.

Right-arm seamer Keon Joseph impressed with the ball at Kensington Oval and with similar conditions expected in St Lucia, Joseph will be looked upon to provide the early break through.

On the other side of the coin, Volcanoes themselves were apart of a hard fought draw against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their last match. They will look to senior members such as Devon Smith, Liam Sebastian, Delorn Johnson and Shane Shillingford for inspiration.

Shillingford so far has taken 31 wickets from seven matches and the last time these two teams played, the off-spinner was a torn in the

Jaguars side, snaring a match haul of 11-143; with five lefthanders in the top seven, he could yet again be a threat.

The experienced Smith will lead an underperforming batting line-up as he is their leading run getter with 298 runs with a high score of 89 this season. First ball bowls off at 10:00h.

JAGUARS (from): Leon Johnson (captain), Robin Bacchus, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Rajendra Chandrika, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh VOLCANOES (from): Liam Sebastien (captain), Sunil Ambris, Miles Bascombe, Alston Bobb, Kavem Hodge, Keddy Lesporis, Kyle Mayers, Kevin McClean, Kenroy Peters, Jerlani Robinson, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.

The other matchers will see Trinidad and Tobago Red Force play Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the National Cricket Center (Trinidad) and Jamaica Scorpions play Barbados Pride at Sabina Park.

Leonora and Tuschen Primary to battle in final

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Jaguars face Volcanoes today at Beausejour

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

he Minor League 10/10 softball cricket competition organised by the Guyana Softball League (GSL) for primary schools and sponsored

by Rohan Furniture establishment, Parbhu’s general store and Nigel Bell promotions will host its final on Sunday.

Leonora Primary and Tuschen will battle each other for prizes as well as for bragging right as the top school on the West Coast of Demerara.

The semifinals saw both teams portraying their strength as they dominated their opponents at the Leonora Primary School Ground.

In the first semi-final, Tuschen Primary defeated Uitvlugt Primary by 7 wickets.

Uitvlugt Primary lost the

tossed and were inserted but the score quickly became 2-2 but Skipper Rezekiel Renee forged a 29-run partnership with Anthony Baker (13) took the score to 31 before Baker lost his middle stump to Ganesh Rampersaud.

Tuschen were eventually bowled out for 41 as Rampersaud led the way with figures of 3-2 In reply Tuschen Primary rushed to 42 -3 with the powerful Renaldo Scott scoring 14 (2x6s).

In the other match, Leonora Primary hammered Windsor Forest Primary by 59 runs.

Leonora won the toss and elected to bat, racked up a massive 122-3 in 10 overs with left-handed batsman Aryan Persaud scoring a blistering 40 laced with two massive sixes and four exquisite fours .

He got support from the highly talented Darren Persaud who showed glimpses of his wide array of strokes on both sides of the wicket in compiling 26 (2x4s; 1x6).

The bowling of Windsor Forest was erratic and none of the bowlers showed any discipline as they paid for their lack of direction.

In their turn at the crease they were bowled out for 63 off their 10 overs with only Rajeev Arjune with 26(3x4s) and Hemchand Bisnauth 13 (1x4) offering any resistance.

Nicholas Persaud with 3-16 and Vicky Persaud with 2-21 were the pick of the bowlers even though all the others bowled accurately without taking wickets.

Meanwhile the finals on Sunday February 28 will be held at the same venue.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

friday, february 26, 2016

GTT/GRFU 15’s Rugby…

GFF/Stag Elite League…

hand Army 7-1 thrashing Wolves, Caribs Slingerz – Fruta Conquerors defeat Buxton 2-1 register wins

By Akeem Greene

S

T

he University of Guyana (UG) Wolves were dominant on Saturday with a victory over Police Falcons while the Yamaha Caribs topped the Pepsi Hornets on Sunday when action in the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) Company/Guyana Rugby Football Union continued last weekend at the National Park rugby field.

The Wolves did not spare the Falcons and hammered them 99-nil for an easy win in the tournament.

The Wolves were simply too strong, too fast and too composed of a unit for the

fresh faced Falcons who are still in their infancy phase as a unit.

The bulk of the scoring for UG came from Rondell McArthur (three tries), Captain, Lance Adonis (three and six conversions), Ryan Dey (three tries) and Godfrey Broomes (one try and a conversion).

Kevon Wallace and Trevon Selmon also recorded a try each to complete the student ruggers’ thrashing of the police recruits.

Other players were also able to score in the demolishing derby.

Meanwhile, the Caribs

pulled off a nail-biting win on Sunday to top favourites Pepsi Hornets in what can be deemed as an upset.

Tries by Captain Akeem Fraser, a try and conversion by vocal leader, Theodore Henry and a try by Kevin Davis earned the Caribs the victory.

Scoring for the Hornets came from Elwyn Chase (two tries) and Ryan Gonsalves (two conversions) who were unable to deliver the win for their club in the end.

The league will continue with more action on February 27-28 at the said venue.

lingerz FC continued their winnings ways as they defeated the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 7-1 on Wednesday at Tucville ground in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League.

Slingerz seven goals came from Vurlon Mills (23rd), Clive Nobrega (32nd), Trayon Bobb (40th), Julian Wade (55th), Tishard Joseph (60th), Domini Garnett (69th) and Devon Millington (87th) while GDF lone scorer was Olvis Mitchell (66th).

Slingerz FC wasted no time in asserting their dominance over the Army side from the onset; they were pressing the Army’s backline with constant attacks.

The deadlock broke when Golden Jaguars striker Mills scored a volley from the center of the box to start the precession of goals. Nine minutes later, Nobrega from about 25 yards out on the left, took a shot which ended up in the right side of the box as the Army’s defense stood motionless as the ball sailed over their heads.

GDF’s goalkeeper Oswald Cornette came in for a battering afterwards with a barrage of shots on goal which he valiantly kept out until Bobb playing on the right maneuvered his way pass the back line to plug one in the left side of the net to make the score 3-0 and end an eventful first half.

It only took ten minutes into the second half for the West Coast based team to change the score line when Wade with support from Bobb running down the left flank, managed to get control of the ball with a dinky pass and used his left to tap the ball into the net.

As the Soldiers, continued to unravel, Joseph from about 20 yards unleashed a venomous strike that rocked to the lower right of the goal to put Slingerz up by five goals.

Mitchell gave GDF some consolation when he got a goal by virtue of a right-foot-

Shaquille Agard (left) and Jahaal Greaves

ed kick that sailed into the top left.

Slingerz responded when Garnett running on the right simply steered the ball past the outstretched Cornette to make it 6-1.

When it seemed that would be enough torment for GDF, Millington placed the final nail in the coffin with an easy dab in goal from in the box.

Fruta Conquerors v Buxton United In the night’s premier fixture, home team Fruta Conquerors produced a well organised performance to defeat the visiting Buxton United team thanks to goals

by Jahaal Greaves in the 18th and Shaquille Agard in the 67th while Buxton benefitted from an own goal by Raphel Edwards in the 86th.

While the early minutes of the match was quiet, it came to life when Agard in the 17th hit the crossbar with a shot inside the box.

Just one minute later Greaves scored an acrobatic volley with his right foot after a deflection from a header.

In the 27th Buxton with their first offensive attack saw Kwadjo Garnett play-

ing in the left mid field take on two Fruta defenders but failed to get enough venom in the shot as it went wide.

In the 31st Denvor Dennis took a free-kick shot just outside the box that required a jumping effort by the keeper to tip it over the bar to end an eventful first half 1-0 in favour of Fruta.

As the second half resumed, Fruta’s Dwayne Edwards with a left foot volley that edge the top of the crossbar.

In what can be seen as a horrible judgment call when a Buxton defender played the ball wide with the assumption that another player would reach the pass, the ball was instead intercepted and passed to the scorer Agard with a powerful right kick to the bottom left.

Conquerors centre-back Raphael Edwards had a major lapse in his positioning and gifted Buxton with an own goal in the 86th.

The League continues today at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda where Pele tackles Monedderlust from 18:00h and Alpha United play home side GFC from 20:00h.

DCB/RSI Over-40 20/20 cricket bowls off today

T

he Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)/Raj Singh Insurance (RSI) Brokers Over-40 20-over cricket tournament will bowl off today across the Demerara region.

Lower East Bank Lions will clash with Lower East Coast Bulls at the Lusignan ground, Georgetown Bears will go up against West Coast Seals at DCC, Upper East Coast Tigers will take on Georgetown Buffaloes at Enterprise ground and West Bank Demerara Mavericks will battle Upper East Bank

Colts at Farm ground.

This competition consists of eight teams, two from each Association in Demerara.

Each team will play each other in the preliminary rounds for a total of 28 matches to be played every Friday afternoon. The top four teams will qualify for the semis with the winners of the semis contesting the finals.

Teams can earn bonus points for winning their games by large margins of runs or by not losing wickets in a run chase.

Other exciting rules man-

date that each team must bowl a minimum of seven bowlers with no bowler delivering more than three overs per game. These games will not have the usual T20 fielding restrictions but standard cricket rules and conditions will apply.

Each team was given a box of balls for the competition and the man-of-thematch for each match will be awarded a trophy. The winner and runners-up will also be awarded with a trophy each. Each match will commence at 13:00h.

guyanatimesGY.com

friday, february 26, 2016

23

GCB/BANKS DIH LTD/DIGICEL NSSCL...

Chase Academy, Uitvlugt Secondary to clash in final today A

star studded Chase Academy is set to play the team oriented Uitvlugt Secondary School today from 11:00h in the final of the Inter-School round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored

by Banks DIH LTD under its Coca Cola and Rainforest Water brands along with Digicel, at the Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) ground.

The League which commenced on November 15, 2015, engaged over 150 Secondary Schools across the country in Zonal and District league formats.

Both Uitvlugt Secondary School and Chase Academy played undefeated all the way to the finals, with Uitvlugt Secondary convincingly defeating Linden Foundation Secondary in the nationwide semi-final.

It must be noted that the Upper Demerara team was able to reach the semi-finals of the inaugural GCB/ Banks DIH LTD/ Digicel NSSCL, a

feat that must be commended since it is felt that the upper Demerara schools were less exposed to actual cricket practises and competition according to the GCB. Chase Academy handsomely defeated Lower Corentyne Secondary in the other nationwide semi-final to emerge winners, and to set up a classic final with Uitvlugt Secondary.

Uitvlugt Secondary School is likely to field performing players such as Captain and all-rounder Dodi Oslemo, who is a middle order batsman, but has also done well opening the batting, middle order batsman Chandrapaul Mohabir, fast bowler Reyaz Khan, off spinner Troy Drakes and all-rounder Reddell Reedy who generally bats at number three and bowls right arm leg spin.

These players will combine with other talented teammates to lead the Uitvlugt Seconary School charge against the formidable Chase Academy.

Under-19 World Cup glory….

“I have learnt a lot” – Imlach

Tevin Imlach

By Akeem Greene

W

est Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper batsman Tevin Adrian Imlach has viewed the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup as a major learning curve in his career.

“I have learned a lot, seeing other players and the way they play their game and how they construct their innings, it is something I want to implement , things that I didn’t know then, I’m now aware of so I think it will make a big difference in my career”, Imlach revealed.

The cricketer who spent most of years playing at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) would have been away for some six weeks interacting with various cricketing professionals and was highly receptive of the advice given about technical areas of improvement.

“I need to work on my [wicket] keeping, standing up to the spinners, it is something I really need to improve on, and in terms of batting I need stay more focused and be consistent, that is the main problem for me and it’s something I will be looking to work

on”.

In the quarter-final match against Pakistan, Imlach was a part of crucial second partnership with Captain Shimron Hetymer where his top score of 54 was vital in West Indies winning; he ended the tournament with 150 runs, eight catches and two stumpings. During the warmup matches, he made an even century against Scotland.

His stumping of dashing Indian opening batman Rishabh Pant in the final was seen as a huge precursor for the win.

“A lot of people thinks it kind of drove the momentum for the rest of the game, we saw he was operating kind of lackadaisical so I decided to have a throw at the crease, so fortunately it worked”, the wicketkeeper batsman explained.

At the age of 19, the stylish right-handed batsman has set his goals on obtaining a place in the senior team but has conceived it will take hard work and determination.

The question was asked whether he could challenge the current senior team wicketkeeper batsman Anthony Bramble for a spot in the longer format of the game.

“Definitely the next plan is get into the senior team; I need to go work on a few things; I’m very confident although [Anthony] Bramble is a very good player, he is not someone you want to count out but once I do my part and score as much runs as possible, I feel I can put up a challenge”.

With an undeniable amount of ability with the bat, many pundits of the game are hoping that he matures into player of even more substance that adds value to the sport in the region. (akeemg@guyanartimesgy.com)

Chase Academy, is expected to produce a powerful side with the likes of Captain and all-rounder Ashmead

Nedd, who has performed exceptionally throughout the league, scoring four fifties, with a top score of 96

against Lower Corentyne Secondary in the nationwide semi-finals while also grabbing two five wicket hauls, which included an excellent spell of bowling to return the amazing figures of 6-11 against Roses High School.

Wicket Keeper batsman Joshua Persaud is expected to build on his useful starts with the bat, to lend valuable support to his team.

Kirk Lovell who generally bats at number four, is expected to continue his brilliant form with the bat, to add to his registered 3 fif-

ties in the league, which includes a top score of 96, while all-rounder Dwayne Dick, who generally plays the number six batsman role remarkably well, is anticipated to continue his amazing form with the ball, a form that has earned him a six wicket haul in the league - a testimony to terrific bowling skills.

It is expected that close proximity schools are likely to send some of their students to witness the finals, which is expected to cumulate by 15:00h.

friday, february 26, 2016

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

WICB/PCL 4-day…

Jaguars face Volcanoes today at Beausejour

Pg 21

A win in this game will further cement the retention of the title

Under-19 World Cup glory….

GFF/Stag Elite League…

hand Army 7-1 thrashing “I have learnt a lot” – Imlach Slingerz – Fruta Conquerors defeat Buxton 2-1 Pg 22

Pg 23

Imlach (left) shared some key partnerships at the top of the order that propelled West Indies to victory on numerous occasions

Two of Slingerz goal scorers Julian Wade (left) and Devon Millington

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