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UG Council hikes tuition fees by 35% guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3176

Friday, April 7, 2017

...15% + 10% + 10% over 3 years

SARU officials invade, seize computers from Enmore NDC

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 7

Jealous woman confesses to killing pregnant friend Page 12

Page 9

– PPP calls for criminal charges against these ‘officials’

$80 vat included

No charges in death of 10-yearold student – P16 Hicken Cop on fraud charges P8 granted bail

Gold miner busted with cocaine, P8 ammo remanded

Big challenge exists to retain trained doctors – Education Minister says during tour of new Texila University campus

P10

Flourishing black market for US dollars in Guyana – Ramsammy P11

Diamond hospital dogged by drug shortages, other issues Page 3

Head of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services, Dr Vindhya Persaud listens to concerns raised by one of the doctors at the East Demerara Regional Hospital, commonly known as the Diamond hospital, during a visit by the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Thursday

Stalled ECD 4-lane highway

Overpaid, defaulting contractors paying back millions – MPI Page 7

– Chinese firm expected to restart project in June

Baby dropped off dead at P16 GPHC – Police looking for mother

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friDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

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friDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, April 7 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, April 8 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Diamond hospital dogged by drug shortages, other issues – Opposition MPs to demand answers from Health Minister in Parliament

Friday, April 7 – 13:50h-15:20h and Saturday, April 8 – 14:40h-16:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, followed by sunny weather in the afternoon. Partly cloudy to clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North Easterly to East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 01:57h and 14:18h reaching maximum heights of 2.30 metres and 2.37 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:51h and 20:17h reaching minimum heights of 0.92 metre and 0.79 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, April 5, 2017

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visit by members of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services to the East Demerara Regional Hospital, commonly known as the Diamond hospital, on Thursday, April 6, has led to the discovery of shortages of drugs and medical supplies, along with a host of other serious issues.

The team comprised Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Dr Vindhya Persaud, Dr Vishawa Mahadeo, Indranie Chandarpaul and Alister Charlie. Government MPs were not present.

The visit lasted for several hours as the MPs had detailed discussions with management and hospital staff about the challenges and successes at that facility.

Cuban national and Medical Superintendent, Dr Maitee Camacho, told the media that the facility was currently under construction, as they were trying to create more space.

While explaining that there was adequate staff to carry out the daily required functions, Dr Camacho noted that space was becoming

PPP/C Member of Parliament and former CEO of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), Dr Vishwa Mahadeo and Medical Superintendent at the Diamond hospital, Dr Maitee Camacho discuss ways in which the facility could be improved

from many other distant communities were treated at the facility for various conditions and medical issues.

In instances where their cases are extremely serious, patients are referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

But this has been reduced over the past year, owing to several institutional changes. “We do not do deliveries here. All the complicated deliveries need to go to GPHC

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Head of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services, Dr Vindhya Persaud makes a point during a discussion with Dr Camacho and other senior hospital staff on Thursday

more limited, especially with the increased number of patients who visit the hospital on a daily basis.

She said although the population in Diamond is approximately 80,000, patients

[Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] or the orthopaedic and neurosurgeon cases go there too. In the future, I don’t want to refer patients to the hospital, but at the moment we cannot han-

dle all cases,” she explained.

Dr Camacho admitted that there was also a drug shortage at the hospital and gave reasons for this.

“We have some issues with MMU [the Materials Management Unit]; they don’t have all the drugs. It is true. For in-patient and some drugs for emergency we don’t have….At this moment, we don’t have insulin,” she declared.

Another issue raised by the Medical Superintendent was the fact that the facility lacked basic equipment, particularly in the x-ray department and the medical laboratory.

Staffers also complained that all laboratory tests were currently being referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital and, in most instances, it took two to three days before the results were returned.

Dr Persaud, who heads the Sectoral Committee, said based on Thursday’s visit, she has recognised that while most doctors were eager to work, they were frustrated by the many shortages.

“Things like sterile gloves, medication, injectables. There are many shortages here. So many that they

are frustrated because they see their patients suffering.

One doctor lamented that he was not able to control his hypertensive and diabetic patients because he can’t treat them.”

The Opposition MP told the media that the public was, therefore, left to suffer, primarily because not everyone could afford to purchase their own drugs.

“What you have is complications, because if you have chronic hypertensive and diabetic patients, you are looking at things like renal failure, cardiac disease, and your eyes. All these things are affected. So, if people are prolonged uncontrolled, and you know Guyana is made up primarily of hypertensive and diabetics, then you are looking at a serious problem.” Meanwhile, Dr Persaud highlighted the fact that the hospital was currently without an administrator and that responsibility has now been shifted to a doctor which, in her view, was unacceptable.

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

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

Time to stop number crunching

W

hen sugar and rice sneeze, Guyana catches a cold. It is an old adage that has always been associated with the Guyanese economy.

Therefore it was quite surprising to many that the Administration failed to conduct a proper social and economic impact study on the sugar belt before moving forward on the decision to close Wales Sugar Estate at the end of 2016. Only recently, following an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team visit in Guyana, the preliminary findings in its report ‘IMF speak’ warned the Government to be “mindful of the large social impact” and the “need to protect those affected” by the process of change in the industry.

Today, we are witnessing a rapid tumbling of the foreign exchange rate. However, the Administration is attempting to cast aspiration on all and sundry rather than look inwardly. The Government even dismissed civil society organisations, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) for speaking on this issue. All the GMSA was doing was its job as a Private Sector organisation by independently advocating on the issues that are affecting its membership.

On March 31, the Bank of Guyana released its Banking System Statistical Abstract for February 2017.

This is a critical tool for financial strategy in any country.

It is prepared by the Central Bank with assistance from the Finance Ministry, the Bureau of Statistics and the commercial banks. What was revealed in that document reinforced what the Private Sector and the Leader of the Opposition and former President Bharrat Jagdeo had been saying all along. It was former President Jagdeo who said “the Government’s policy is driving the foreign currency market into a panic”. The GMSA even went further to urge the authorities to “take immediate step to stabilise the value of the local currency.” But according to the figures we are now seeing in this Central Bank Report, the “boat done gone a falls”.

The report illustrated that at the end of February 2017, the Net International Reserves at the Central Bank was US$594.4 million, a decline of some US$45.4 million from a year ago. If we add the foreign currency in the vaults of the commercial banks into the equation, the situation is even worse. All the evidence is now pointing to the economy actively heading back to the days of 1976-1979 when, because of grave mismanagement of the economy under the then People’s National Congress Government, the real per capita income cumulatively declined by 25 per cent according to a World Bank Report published in 1984. And it only took less than two years this time.

Guyana experienced cumulative positive growth for its people since and continued under all of the People’s Progressive Party Government. So much so that the GDP per capita in 2015 was 10 times what it was in 1992. From the very inception, it required a partnership between the Government, the Private Sector, and civil society. This is what is lacking today under the present Administration.

Guyana has always been about the six sisters as President Granger describes them (rice, sugar, gold, bauxite, forestry and seafoods). But the manner in which this Administration continues to treat the productive sectors, especially the sugar and rice sectors, is starting to show serious symptoms of economic stagnation. No amount of new taxation measure can turn this situation around. It requires positive public policies continuously that will return confidence in the economy.

This inability to formulate positive public policy continuously after some two years at the helm has already brought great hardship to the ordinary people.

President David Granger cannot remain a bystander to this issue. He has to lead.

Lifting them high: These lasses were all smiles as they peered down from their high vantage point after leaving the National Library on Thursday with reading material for the weekend ahead (Marceano Narine photo)

Bogus leaders in sugar industry must be exposed Dear Editor, The Chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr Clive Thomas, told the National Assembly’s Economic Services Committee (ESC) that since the entity was saddled with a $77 billion debt and defaulting on all of its repayment obligations, it makes no business sense to keep it going.

I would like to take this opportunity to debunk these alternate and uninformed positions presented by Dr Thomas. That figure of G$77 billion is nothing but an alternative to the truth. Please permit me, Editor, to prove why GuySuCo’s real debt is around G$32 billion.

FACT 1

Who legally engaged with the international banks to lend the US$220 million to fund the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP)? Did the final approval happen in the GuySuCo Board Room, or did it happen in the Cabinet Room of the Government of Guyana (GoG)?

That decision to legally bind the company to this debt was made by the Cabinet

of Guyana under the then PPP Government. So why are all of these debts for the SSMP Project in the books of GuySuCo and not on the books of the National Debt?

Proper Government accounting will clearly advise that the Government, and not GuySuCo, must take responsibility for these Skeldon Factory debts. Therefore, all G$30 billion of these SSMP-related debts must be delinked from GuySuCo and incorporated into the National Debt.

FACT 2

Who owns GuySuCo? Who owns and controls the GRA, the NIS, the Lands & Surveys Commission (GL&SC), MMA and GNCB? The GoG, on behalf of the people, controls all of these entities. Why then this great lethargy and reluctance from the Ministry of Finance to make a genuine attempt at cleaning up the balance sheet of GuySuCo? Saddling the balance sheet of GuySuCo with all these related party debts is just plain ridiculous.

GuySuCo owes some G$10 billion in debts to the GRA, the NIS, the GL&SC, the

MMA and the GNCB, which is tantamount to one arm of the Government owing another arm of the Government.

Who is the Government really trying to fool? These debts must, and should, be liquidated and settled by the Central Government with immediate effect.

FACT 3

It is a little-known fact, but the evidence is there that some G$5 billion of the workers’ contributions were misappropriated for a long time, starting from the Raj Singh days. So GuySuCo’s current senior management, including Errol Hanoman, is not made up of innocent souls.

PAYE, NIS contribution, pension contribution, SILWIF loan repayments and union dues which were deducted from the pay of the workers were, by and large, diverted from their intended purposes to fund core operations, and particularly the salaries of the management team. So far more than G$5 billion of the workers’ money have been illegally pumped into the day-to-day operations of GuySuCo as an illegal loan taken by force from the work-

ers.

The workers’ unions, GAWU and NACCIE, should file a legal suit in the court, demanding full reimbursement of those ‘stolen’ funds.

This is a national crime.

So, in the final analysis, when any of the doubting Thomases open their mouths and shout that GuySuCo has a debt of G$77 billion or more, you, the workers and the people at large, must publicly reject these half-truths and expose these bogus leaders in the sugar industry. The leadership of GuySuCo is not interested in fixing the sugar industry, but in working overtime to find an excuse to destroy the sugar belt, to the detriment of the entire nation.

The chickens for this foolish strategy are already coming home to roost: They closed Wales and the exchange rate declined by some G$10 dollars; next to be closed are Rose Hall and Enmore estates. When that happens, an exchange rate of G$250 to US$1 will be a certainty.

Regards, Sase Singh M Sc - Finance, ACCA

Increasing UG fees another assault on education

Dear Editor, I am appalled to learn that the tuition fees for University of Guyana (UG) students will increase by 35 per cent over the coming three years. This is yet another assault on education.

Since the beginning of the Governments’ term, there has been an unrelenting attack on education in Guyana.

In less than two years, education is now significantly more expensive and harder to access. This goes against the utterances of promotion of education and, instead, aims at reducing the country’s already limited human capital.

This assault has its genesis upon the coalition Government’s ascent to pub-

lic office, when the initiative which provided cash grants for student across the country were eliminated. Through the elimination of this subsidy, the Government has increased the burdens on parents and this has possibly forced some to drop out of school.

Unlike the Ministers of Government who earn exor-

bitantly and gave themselves a humungous increase, ten thousand dollars mean a lot for many families in the country. If the Government was aware of the reality, they would understand.

After the cash grants were discontinued, the next and most vicious assault to date came in the form of VAT on education .

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

Nominee list for Drugs shortages a matter of life and death GECOM Chair Dear Editor, The shortage of drugs and medical supplies is a matter of life and death, and not just a political problem, as some may want to believe. (Earlier this week), we at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition were confronted with this reality in a very direct way.

Two children, juvenile diabetics (Type 1, diabetics who have been on insulin all their lives, and who will always be on insulin) travelled with their mother from Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), only to be told that no insulin was available. They turned for help at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and requested that we highlight their case. They further explained that, while at the hospital, they were informed by staff of the GPHC that insulin would be available in another four weeks (by May 8th 2017),

their next clinic date.

Herein lies the problem: After a $605 million purchase of drugs and medical supplies by the GPHC, and the ensuing scandal of this award going to ANSA McAL without any proper procurement process, a vital drug like 70/30 insulin, needed to ensure the health of our citizens, is not available at our foremost health institution in Guyana.

We sought to verify, through different sources, the state of affairs, and we have concrete evidence to substantiate this claim.

There was no insulin in the pharmacy or at the hospital’s bond. We can further confirm that there was no insulin at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, the West Demerara Regional Hospital, or any of the hospitals in the county of Berbice.

Thankfully, public-spirited citizens who were present at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition financially supported the

purchase of this essential drug for the children, going the extra mile by searching various private pharmacies in Georgetown to make the purchase (this was not a case of a beggar trying to dupe people or get money, so no excuses will be accepted).

The question is: What will happen to the hundreds -- if not thousands -- of Guyanese who suffer from this chronic non-communicable disease that requires daily supply of insulin and other medications?

The Ministers of Public Health should stop making excuses, finding scapegoats and blaming their predecessors and other junior staff for this prevailing incompetence.

Penalising staff, such as sending them on administrative leave, having police investigate for theft, and conducting a robust public relations stunt are insufficient actions, and will not deflect the nation’s attention away from the major drug

shortage that exists in our health care system. What a Shame!

The APNU/AFC promised the Guyanese people the ‘good life’. Is this the ‘good life’ -- causing this family to expend scarce resources to travel from the Essequibo Coast to Georgetown to obtain this service which should have been provided in the county of Essequibo itself? This speaks volumes to the level of maladministration that is taking place in our country.

It is our sincere hope that by highlighting the plight of this family, action will be taken to ensure that the nation gets value for money. Is it unreasonable to conclude that after spending $605 million dollars, we perhaps only got $250 million worth of drugs and medical supplies? Answers are urgently needed.

Yours faithfully, Bishop Juan Edghill

Increasing UG fees another assault...

from page 4

This is the assault that has consumed the news since the petty bourgeoisie was most affected. The middle class generally gets what it wants but if the middle class had been as affected by the loss of the cash grants as the lower classes were, the outcome would have been significantly different. However, it’s not just middle class people that are affected.

Many families in Guyana make significant effort for their children to receive a better education, as highlighted by a private school operator; some students arrive in BMWs while many others arrive on foot.

Then came the latest attack on education, a 35 per cent fee raise on UG over

the coming three years. As it stands, many students already find it difficult to amass the current tuition fee. The 35 per cent increase will surely cripple them. There are many students at UG who are from rural areas in the country.

This has the effect of added burdens on the parents of these students who would have sacrificed meals and basic amenities in a concerted effort just to see their children pursue higher education; how can one justify this unconscionable act?

We are faced with a Government that is making education access and affordability considerably more expensive at every possible opportunity. And Guyana is a country that

is in dire need of education.

As such, it should be the reverse with government subsidising the sector more.

Fees at the University of Guyana should be used as a tool to rectify the imbalance between social and natural science at UG. More than two-thirds of students at UG are in the social sciences; the reverse should hold whereby the fees should be

used to correct this misallocation of human resources rather than to crowd out the poor. We plead with the Government to reverse these policies and let education be a human right and not a luxury for the wealthy, or a distant dream for the proletariat.

Sincerely, Stephen Kissoon

a ‘hot topic’

Dear Editor, The nominee for the post of GECOM Chairman has been the latest hot topic on our nation’s agenda. Numerous discussions have been held, as well as a list has been submitted, but to no avail. Our conversations, consultations, discussions, or what have you were not convincing enough to persuade the President as to that “fit and proper person” to hold that position.

Our discussions are going in circles. There has been a submission of the first list of names, which President Granger bluntly rejected, reason being the submitted list had no judge as its nominee.

His refusal has left many of us dumbfounded, because the Constitution that should have landed us with such an individual was suddenly found to be lacking in the clause “fit and proper person.” The President and his Attorney General are having great difficulty with the interpretation of the term “fit and proper person,” hence his refusal to accept any of the names on that first list. Their interpretation of that clause ultimately leads to a judge and a judge only.

Be that as it may, a second list is soon to be presented to the President for his perusal, and, hopefully, his approval. However, I must readily say that I am somewhat of a pessimist when it comes to matters of a GECOM Chairperson, judging from the response the President gave on the first list. So I am almost certain the same fate would befall this new list of persons. Being as dogmat-

ic as President Granger is, he leaves nothing to speculation, so the situation is another rejected list and a final unilateral appointment by the President himself.

Now, we have tapped into the grapevine and have come up with some very interesting results. News is circulating that a nominee is already on the cards, and that individual is a woman. She is a longstanding supporter of the PNC, one in whom the President can trust.

That person is a former High Court judge. However, reports are that the powers that be are at loggerheads with the final selectee, especially the Attorney General. Let’s wait and see what happens.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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Foundation to show that life moves on after bad events.

W

e tend to idealise childhood as a carefree time, but youth alone offers no shield against the emotional hurts and traumas many children face. Children can be asked to deal with problems ranging from adapting to a new classroom to bullying by classmates or even abuse at home. Add to that the uncertainties that are part of growing up, and childhood can be anything but carefree. The ability to thrive despite these challenges arises from the skills of resilience.

The good news is that resilience skills can be learnt Building resilience – the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress – can help our children manage stress and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. However, being resilient does not mean that children won’t experience difficulty or distress. Emotional pain and sadness are common when we have suffered major trauma or personal loss, or even when we hear of someone else’s loss or trauma.

We all can develop resilience, and we can help our children develop it as well. It involves behaviours, thoughts and actions that can be learnt over time.

Following are tips to building resilience.

Make connections Teach your child how to make friends, including the skill of empathy, or feeling another’s pain. Encourage your child to be a friend in order to get friends. Build a strong family network to support your child through his or her inevitable disappointments and hurts. At school, watch to make sure that one child is not being isolated. Connecting with people provides social support and strengthens resilience. Some find comfort in connecting with a higher power, whether through organised religion or privately and you may wish to introduce your child to your own traditions of worship.

Help your child by having him or her help others Children who may feel helpless can be empowered by helping others. Engage your child in age-appropriate volunteer work, or ask for assistance yourself with some task that he or she can master. At school, brainstorm with children about ways they can help others.

Maintain a daily routine Sticking to a routine can be comforting to children, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives. Encourage your child to develop his or her own routines.

Take a break While it is important to stick to routines, endlessly worrying can be counterproductive. Teach your child how to focus on something besides what’s worrying him. Be aware of what your child is exposed to that can be troubling,

whether it be news, the Internet or overheard conversations, and make sure your child takes a break from those things if they trouble her.

Although schools are being held accountable for performance on standardized tests, build in unstructured time during the school day to allow children to be creative.

Teach your child self-care Make yourself a good example, and teach your child the importance of making time to eat properly, exercise and rest. Make sure

your child has time to have fun, and make sure that your child hasn’t scheduled every moment of his or her life with no “down time” to relax. Caring for oneself and even having fun will help your child stay balanced and better deal with stressful times.

Move toward your goals Teach your child to set reasonable goals and then to move toward them one step at a time. Moving toward that goal – even if it’s a tiny step – and receiving praise for doing so will focus your child on what he or she has accomplished rather than on what hasn’t been accomplished, and can help build the resilience to move forward in the face of challenges. At school, break down large assignments into small, achievable goals for younger children, and for older children, acknowledge accomplishments on the way to larger goals.

Nurture a positive self-view Help your child remember ways that he or she has successfully handled hardships in the past and then help him understand that these past challenges help him build the strength to handle future challenges. Help your child learn to trust himself to solve problems and make appropriate decisions. Teach your child to see the humour in life, and the ability to laugh at one’s self. At school, help children see how their individual accomplishments contribute to the wellbeing of the class as a whole.

Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook Even when your child is facing very painful events, help him look at the situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Although your child may be too young to consider a long-term look on his own, help him or her see that there is a future beyond the current situation and that the future can be good. An optimistic and positive outlook enables your child to see the good things in life and keep going even in the hardest times. In school, use history

Look for opportunities for self-discovery Tough times are often the times when children learn the most about themselves.

Help your child take a look at how whatever he is facing can teach him “what he is made of.” At school, consider leading discussions of what each student has learnt after facing down a tough situation.

BY KEVIN DWYER

M

ost adults have memories of a favourite teacher and for most of us that teacher got our best behaviour and responses to instruction. If you examine what that teacher emulated it was caring, connectedness and the expectation of our high academic learning. Those favourite teachers supported and encouraged our resilience.

What is resilience? What are proactive, resilient social skills and how can we support them in school?

When children quickly adapt to new environments

that may require them to learn new skills, to be patient, to cope effectively with some challenges, frustrations and maybe even anxiety we say they are responsible and resilient.

Researchers have discovered that these positive coping skills are learned and dependent upon the child having a bond with a caring adult who models, teaches and reinforces these positive skills. Resilience is dependent upon experience and is necessary for learning. Many children entering school have different degrees of resilience just as they have different degrees of experience in reading and numeration. Expecting these skills to be innate and hard wired in the brains of children is a foolish premise.

Just as we teach and establish the classroom structures for learning to read we can do the same for building and supporting resilience, a proactive skill in all our students.

When teachers and schools establish resilient classrooms they support memorable experiences for children and higher academic achievement.

According to the Institute of Medicine (2004) caring schools that foster high expectations and self autonomy have higher academic achievement.

Researchers have developed many “best-practices” that can be integrated into classrooms to enhance resilience. Several

Accept that change is part of living Change often can be scary for children and teens. Help your child see that change is part of life and new goals can replace goals that have become unattainable. In school, point out how students have changed as they moved up in grade levels and discuss how that change has had an impact on the students. (www.apa.org)

good guides for teachers and schools to use are available and no school should be without one since there are powerful connection between resilience and academic learning. The value of focusing on resilient classrooms enables teachers to connect with the constructs of positive education and the powerful influence of the learning environment on lifelong brain functioning. Yes, it’s the environment – what we do – that actually changes brains.

Students will persist in problem solving if we support that persistence. Students become more confident in their skills when we convey to them that

they are capable and up to the challenge.

That great teacher you remember who you worked hard to please and gave your best was building your resilience.

But today, more than ever, children are entering school with adverse experiences that make them vulnerable to the challenges of learning. Poverty overwhelms almost one-in-five children and poverty can foster giving up when facing frustration.

Today, building resilience in the classroom as a component of instruction is vital. Can we plan to do this? If we have an innate drive to build resilience can we do it better? Doll and others say, “Yes” and furthermore they give us the guidance to build resilient classrooms and resilient school communities.

Getting started or building on existing efforts can begin with reading materials on resilient classrooms. In a previous blog we talked about using class meetings and teaching social skills. Resilience advocates support and integrate these interventions in their classroom models but suggest even more.

There is universal agreement that classroom management relies upon known routines known to increase children’s comfort and these kinds of structures are almost automatically in-place. (www.cmhnetwork.org)

TO BE CONTINUED

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friDAY, APRIL 7, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Stalled ECD 4-lane highway

Overpaid, defaulting contractors paying back millions – MPI ...Chinese firm expected to restart project in June

By Jarryl Bryan

C

ourtney Benn Contracting Services and Compustruct Engineering Incorporated, who were red-flagged by the Auditor General’s 2014 Report for receiving millions of dollars in overpayments in regard to the East Coast Demerara Highway Improvement project, have begun to make restitution.

The first repayment cheque, valued at $10 million, was actually submitted to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure four months ago, according to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn, who said that at least two cheques have been forthcoming from Courtney Benn Contracting Services and Compustruct Engineering Incorporated; and more payments should be forthcoming, though not on a fixed instalment basis.

“They have started paying back,” Vaughn said. “We have the deductions. We had the first cheque (four months ago) and it’s continuous.”

The East Coast Demerara road project, started in 2011, spanned from Better Hope to Belfield, with the civil works split into seven lots.

Originally intended to bring a number of benefits to motorists using the road, including reducing congestion, this project has been at a standstill for years, with lots one to five at varying stages of completion. More than $2.7billion have been expended on this project.

Courtney Benn Contracting Service had been assigned to do work on Lot Three − from La Bonne Intention (LBI) to Beterverwagting, with the contract sum being $349 million. Compustruct, on the other hand, was assigned Lot Four, ranging from

Beterverwagting to Triumph.

The cost for works on this lot was $322.3million.

According to the 2014 Auditor General’s Report, both contracting firms were granted time extension up to June 17, 2015. On September 18, 2015, the auditor observed that Lot Three was 80 per cent complete, while Lot Four was halfway complete.

The Auditor General had noted that advance payments of $120.6 million for Lot Three and $132.7 million for Lot Four had not been recovered. The AG had also stated that Compustruct submitted only one advance bond, while receiving three advance payments. Compustruct’s performance bond expired

sign a framework agreement last year with outgoing Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Limin. The agreement was for a concessional loan from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China to the tune of US$45.5 million.

Chinese engineering firm China Railway First Group will take over completion of these works, and is expected to complete the upgrade project. Vaughn said there are a few technical aspects still being worked out before the firm starts mobilisation.

“Mobilisation for China Railways is expected within the next month or two,” Vaughn said. “So as soon as we are able to get that bond,

The East Coast Demerar highway

on December 31, 2014. In the case of Courtney Benn Contracting, the company’s bonds also expired in 2014.

In February 2017, however, Courtney Benn had denied reports that his contract was terminated because he had not fulfilled his contractual obligations. In fact, Benn reportedly stated that his work was completed, as the roadway was widened, drains dug and sheet pilings erected.

Fresh start

After the initial work on the various lots had been done, the coalition Government proceeded to

we will be able to wrap things up. We are working along with them in some price differences that we’re seeing, and as soon as those are wrapped up, we will have the project moving.”

He said the Ministry could not provide details of those price differences, but that information would be provided once negotiations conclude.

The Auditor General redflagged notable examples of incomplete work. In this picture showing Lot Four of the East Coast Demerara fourlane project, works were completed on the southern side of the road only

UG Council hikes tuition fees by 35% ...15% + 10% + 10% over 3 years

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he University of Guyana (UG) Council has approved a 15 per cent increase in tuition fees, the first step in its move to see an overall 35 per cent tuition increase over a three-year period.

UG announced on Thursday that following intense discussion, the March 30 extraordinary meeting of the Council, chaired by Chancellor Eon Nigel Harris, voted to increase tuition fees.

The decision, it said, came following an examination of the University’s projected budget deficit, the pressing needs of the institution, and projected alternative income streams.

Comparative data on private high schools and Universities in Guyana and the Caribbean Region were also examined and the tuition and fees at all the institutions examined were found to be several times higher than those of UG. The University stated that even with the “unavoidable adjustments”, fees at the institution will still be comparatively lower.

According to UG, the Council’s decision will be applied to tuition fees for all programmes and for both continuing students and new students for the 2017-2018 academic year. However, it said input from the Student Society was considered, leading to an incremental rollout, where continuing students will now pay an increase of 15 per cent (about $2500 a

month), and new students will be required to pay 18 per cent (about $3000 a month).

At the same meeting also, the Council reportedly decided to incrementally increase the tuition fee by 10 per cent for the 2018-2019 academic year for all students, and by a further 10 per cent for all students for 2019-2020.

Meanwhile, while this decision for increased tuition has been made, the University is still battling with its senior staff with regard to negotiations for salary increase.

At the same meeting, the Council also authorised the

UG Administration to commence negotiations with the two unions at the tertiary institution for remuneration packages based on what the University of Guyana could afford. The Council said it also received clarification from the Finance Ministry that the claim by the unions that the Government of Guyana had provided a fixed sum of money for salaries, which would amount to a 15 per cent salary increase, was inaccurate.

In this context, the UG Administration will continue to analyse the University’s budget to determine the fullest possible extent of affordability. It also was stressed that staff performance will be a key factor in determining salaries and benefits, whether monetary or non-monetary.

8 news

friDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Cop on fraud charges granted bail

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n yet another instance of a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) being arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court, 42-year-old Constable David Singh of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) appeared on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to fraud charges, and was released on $40,000 bail following not-guilty pleas.

The first charge alleged that on January 26, 2017, at Penny Lane, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he falsely pretended to pay $6000 per day for a period

of 40 days for the hiring of a motor car from virtual complainant (VC) Troy Jacobs, knowing same to be false.

The other charge alleges that between February 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, at Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, the TSU rank uplifted from Rabindra Harrichand some $400,000 on account of Latchman Mohabir, but converted same to his own use and benefit.

A seemingly unremorseful Singh denied both allegations, and Attorney Patrice Henry, in a bail application for the defendant, de-

David Singh

scribed the accused as not a flight risk and said he would attend court should he be

granted bail. He added that Singh had reimbursed both complainants in full prior to Thursday’s court hearing.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore did not object to bail, but asked that it be granted in a substantial sum.

Bail was set at $40,000, the latter charge of fraudulent conversion attracting bail at $25,000.

Singh stood unshackled in court whilst the charges were read to him. He was also protected from the prying eyes of the media by police ranks who blocked photographers from taking clear shots of the accused. (Paula

Gomes)

Gold miner busted with cocaine, ammo remanded

A

gold miner, who was busted with a quantity of cocaine and ammunition, was on Thursday remanded to prison after he pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

Thirty-nine-year-old Terrence Curry, on April 4, 2017, had in his possession several rounds of .32 ammunition, without being the owner of a firearm licence.

The second charge stated that the defendant, who re-

sides in Georgetown, on the same day was found in possession of 173 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

An unrepresented Curry pleaded not guilty to both charges read to him by the Magistrate and was remanded to prison.

The court heard that the analysis certificate and ballistics report were yet outstanding, causing the matter to be adjourned to April 26, 2017.

Favoured few…

N

…at Whim ever let it be said the Prime Minister only thinks of himself. Some very mean persons had the temerity to suggest such was the case when immediately upon being made Prime Minister of ALL the land (minus the Cabinet, unfortunately) his salary was increased by 50 per cent, his official PM’s residence was air conditioned and refurbished, he got a new Land Cruiser and the approach roads to his residence at Liliendaal were miraculously resurfaced!

Your Eyewitness says “miraculous” since the PM insisted he had nothing to do with ordering the asphalting!! It was by sheer coincidence – and serendipity for the PM – that of all the roads in Guyana, the Public Works Department that took months to fix a frightening sinkhole at one of the busiest intersections in Guyana; picked on his road!! Hey…good things happen to some people, OK? Anyhow the clincher that PM Nagamootoo wasn’t just selfish or narcissistic came this week, when almost two years to the day of his own good (and lucky) fortune, the PM reached out to the people of his native village of Whim on the Corentyne Coast and had street lights installed and their roads fixed. Well…the roads weren’t asphalted but the potholes were filled with “crusher run”. After all, the folks of Whim, who grew up with the PM, would appreciate that asphalt doesn’t come cheap.

And there’s nothing personal about choosing “crusher run” for them. After all, when he ordered his $100 million new and specially equipped Land Cruiser, he DID say it was because he wanted to visit his people in Berbice. So along with the village donkey carts, his Land Cruiser will have to negotiate those same potholes as soon as the “crusher run” is quickly blown away, when next he visits his native village. The main thing is, the PM thought of his people and not only himself. And then again, we learnt he and the Prezzie both went to primary school in Whim when they both were in short pants.

Your Eyewitness is happy at the PM’s act of beneficence because he can now defend the PM against the mean and petty naysayers. Charity, like aid, begins at home. The PM had to first help himself, and now two years later has helped his village. The rest of Corentyne can now rest assured that in two years – just before the next elections – another village with some connection to the PM, will get streets and crusher run. Maybe Port Mourant where the PM went to high school?

So what about the rest of Guyana who’re in darkness – literally and figuratively? Well, dear reader, you can do the Maths: one village every two years!! …for scholarships The same mean spirited folks who badmouthed PM Nagamootoo because the Government took care of his “bare necessities”, are also muttering under their breaths about the Government bolting the stable gates after the horses have bolted. Well, your Eyewitness says, better late than never, no? He’s talking, of course, about the Government now making the process for awarding scholarships “transparent”, after they’d awarded some 38 scholarships to individuals close to the Government.

As a matter of fact, some of them were IN the Government!! Two Ministers, to be exact. Their scholarships had nothing to do with their substantive portfolios and this drew fire from the nattering nabobs of negativity. What they didn’t realise is this is a government that’s always thinking strategically.

Ministers will be rotated to show the Government is “tough” so it’s better to qualify some Ministers for future postings!!

But the meanies were so consumed with bitterness, they didn’t notice the scholarships were only revealed just before Christmas and were simply Christmas presents!

This year the presents will be more transparent!

…getting treatment for depression Well today is World Health Day and the theme is “Depression: let’s talk”?? Well in Guyana, we’re the world capital of suicide, which comes out of depression.

But here, we don’t talk. We march!!

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

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friDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

SARU officials invade, seize computers from Enmore NDC – PPP says incident another flagrant abuse of authority

– SARU’s CEO says operation was to retrieve systems NDC wanted to “get rid” of

A

gents attached to the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) on Thursday afternoon went to the Enmore Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office and confiscated several computer systems.

A statement from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) revealed that the incident took place around 14:00h.

According to the Opposition, the group of SARU officials went to the NDC located at Station Road in Newtown, Enmore in the company of Councillor Deochan Singh, a representative of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition on the Council.

The release further stated that the officials took away from the premises, without the permission of the NDC or the Community Resource Centre, 15 complete desktop computers and eight backup power-packs.

“These equipment are owned by the Community Resource Centre, a Non-Governmental Organisation, established by the residents of Enmore that uses these equipment to hold classes for young people in the community.

The equipment are stored and the classes are held in the upper flat of the NDC building with the permission of the said NDC,” the PPP said.

Moreover, it was reported that when the acting Chairman of the NDC attempted to intervene, he was assaulted by Councillor Singh. A report of the incident was made to the Police Outpost at Enmore, the Opposition said in the statement.

However, when contacted on Thursday evening, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SARU, Major (Rtd) Aubrey Heath-

The Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at Enmore, East Coast Demerara

Retemyer denied that anyone was assaulted during the operation as claimed by the PPP. He further explained to Guyana Times that his agency had merely gone to render assistance to the e-governance department, which was going to retrieve the computer systems after it was informed

by SARU that the NDC wanted to “get rid” of them.

“We got information that these computers were there and that they were not in use and that some people on the NDC were about to get rid of them; whatever get rid of means – selling them or giving them away – I don’t know,” he stated.

Heath-Retemyer went on to say that “we simply alerted E-governance who asked for us to accompany them, so some people went from my unit with E-governance, collect the computers and give them to E-governance, who has them.”

According to the SARU Head, the systems were taken by E-governance so that in the future, the people of Enmore can access them.

Asked by this newspaper whether they had informed the NDC officials

beforehand or tried to ascertain whether there were indeed efforts to “get rid “of the systems, HeathRetemyer responded in the negative.

He said, “I didn’t inform them and what we did is try to assist E-governance.

I guess whoever went up there would have spoken to somebody (from the NDC).

I don’t know the details because I was out of the office, so I can’t say exactly what transpired after then.”

Meanwhile, the PPP, which won 16 of the 18 seats on the Enmore NDC in the March 2015 Local Government Elections (LGE), pointed out that this incident was another flagrant abuse of authority and another extreme authoritarian initiative of this Government, again using SARU, as a weapon against innocent citizens and their private property.

“Currently, SARU has absolutely no law enforcement powers. The PPP emphasises that these abuses are taking place in broad daylight and without the SARA [State Assets Recovery Agency] Bill being enacted. One can only imagine the illegal rampages, which will take place when this Bill assumes

Diamond hospital dogged...

“As you see, there is construction, and many decisions to be made and things to be addressed. If you don’t have an administrator, how are you going to properly function?

And you are taking hours from that doctor delivering health care,” she lamented.

The Parliamentary Sectoral Committee has

already visited the New Amsterdam Hospital, where drug shortages were discovered also. The Committee plans to visit Linden, Suddie and Georgetown Hospitals soon.

At the conclusion of these visits, the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee will compile

from page 3

a comprehensive report and have it submitted to Parliament with recommendations and for further discussion.

It plans to summon Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence to answer for the poor conditions and other issues facing these and other health institutions across the country.

the force of law,” the Party stated.

To PPP

this calls

end, upon

the the

Commissioner of Police to immediately launch a full investigation into this matter. The Opposition wants the Police “…to institute criminal charges forthwith against those who were engaged in this clandestine, unconstitutional, authoritarian and criminal enterprise”.

Moreover, the Party’s statement outlined that the Enmore NDC and the Community Resource Centre have also been advised to launch civil proceedings against the State claiming monetary compensation for trespass, constitutional violations and deprivation of private property. (Vahnu Manikchand)

10

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, april 7, 2017

News

Big challenge exists to retain trained doctors − Education Minister says during tour of new Texila University campus

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ducation Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine on Thursday joined other officials from that Ministry to tour the new campus of the Texila American University.

The tour was the second official one to be done since the medical university opened the doors of its new campus earlier this year.

The tour covered the six modern labs, including those used for biochemistry, pathology, skills, analogy and Information Technology.

Following the tour, Dr Roopnaraine said he was very excited about the work of the institution and the contribution it has been making to the health sector in Guyana. He said, however, that Government would be challenged with retaining the skills of Guyanese doctors who would eventually graduate from the university.

“It’s a wonderful environment in which to train our doctors; but, as I said, the biggest challenge for us after all of this is to ensure that all of them stay in Guyana. But I am very excited by what I am seeing,” he said.

The Education Minister and team were somewhat

test in the skills lab, where various medical procedures are practised on dummies.

The university also has a library, which focuses heavily on e-books, since more stu-

Already recognised by the Guyana National Accreditation Council (NAC), Texila University will apply to the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for

and the public.

Another major plan the University has is for solar energy to power some 80 per cent of its operations.

The Texila American

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, along with Education Advisor Vincent Alexander,with officials of Texila University during the tour on Thursday

concerned about the welfare of students’, particularly those from countries around the world. The university has students from India, the USA and several African countries. Dean of student’s affairs, Marie Josephine Judy, has said the university follows a strict guideline to keep students in check.

Alluding to the fact that coming from one environment to a completely new place is always a challenge, Judy said her job is to assist in the orientation of the new students with both school and their new home for their university life.

The university offers oth-

er programmes in the field of medicine, and hopes to expand and offer courses in areas of business as well as information technology before the end of the year.

Texila University is currently waiting for the Guyana Government to confirm the date for the official opening of its new and modern campus, in which all its local operations have become centralised.

With an investment of US$10 million, the new facility boasts some six modern labs, including those for biochemistry, pathology skills, analogy and IT. Students can put their knowledge to the

The Texila University at Providence, East Bank Demerara

dents prefer to read on their electronic devices. In addition to some 48,000 electronic copies of books, there are several hundred hard-copy books on the library shelves of the three-storey building.

More than 400 students are currently studying at this elite institution, including local and international students. However, the campus has a capacity to accommodate 1500 students.

Dorms, provided by investors, are on campus for international students.

The staff complement stands at 100, including teaching and non-teaching personnel, with the majority being Guyanese.

recognition of Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), in order to further boost its integrity.

CAAM-HP, the legally constituted body, was established in 2003 under the aegis of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and is empowered to determine and prescribe standards and to accredit programmes of medical, dental, veterinary and other health professions’ education on behalf of the contracting parties in Caricom.

CAAM-HP will serve as the means of providing the assurance of quality that generates confidence in the principal stakeholders, students

University is part of a global conglomerate, Texila American University Limited Hong Kong (TAU-HK), which also owns Texila Education Management Services (TEMS), USA; Texila Global Consulting Services, United Arab Emirates; and SAKSHI Education and Consulting and Training Limited in India.

The university began here in 2010 with seven students operating out of the Critchlow Labour College on Woodford Avenue in Georgetown. It then moved to establish a campus at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, due to a growing student population.

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friDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

No spin can hide the truth

Parika murder

Flourishing black market for US dollars in Guyana – Dr Ramsammy

Police shoot at Parika wife strangler

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eteran politician and former government minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy is of the strong view that “there is a flourishing black market for US dollars in Guyana right now”.

According to him, the black market for US dollars, which had essentially died in Guyana by 1990, “is seriously back today”.

Ramsammy, in a commentary, said “APNU+AFC is in a futile spin and denial mode, but truth cannot be simply dashed aside”.

The Bank of Guyana is desperately trying to provide APNU+AFC with some buffer by its own futile efforts to obfuscate and deny that there is any shortage of US dollars in Guyana, he posited.

“APNU+AFC can spin until it turns blue, it will not change what every Guyanese -- including the leaders of APNU+AFC and the Bank of Guyana – know: That the black market for US dollars has returned to our country with a vengeance,” Ramsammy commented.

“Whether the shortage of US dollars in the official market is real or engineered, the fact is there is a real black market (wherein) people are purchasing US dollars (for) as high as Gy$230 to US$1.

One airline operating in Guyana is charging people at a rate of Gy$250 for one US dollar. Some travel agencies are charging people at a rate of Gy$220 for a US dollar.

“At (commercial) banks and official Cambios, the rate for US$1, which was around Gy$206 at the end of 2016, is presently around Gy$218 -- a definite decline of the Guyana dollar. The Guyanese business community and others who may need US dollars, such as people who travel outside of Guyana, are finding it difficult to procure US dollars from Banks and Cambios,” Ramsammy stated.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in its first quarterly Caribbean Report for 2017, confirmed that the Guyana dollar has suffered a significant decline against the US dollar in 2016, a decline that has so far accelerated in 2017. The Guyanese Business Community has formally complained about the erosion of the value of the Guyana dollar against the

Former Government Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy

US dollar, and the decline in the availability of foreign currency. The banking community has confirmed it is unable to meet demands for US dollars. Media personnel have tested the market and can confirm three things: first, that it is difficult to purchase US dollars from Banks and Cambios; second, that when available, the rate is between $218 and $220; and third, there is a black market wherein one US dollar is purchased at a rate of above G$230, Ramsammy contended.

“Interestingly, even as APNU+AFC, mainly through its Finance Minister, insists there is no validly to the claim there is a shortage -(brought about by) a declining value and a flourishing black market for US dollars -- the Bank of Guyana (has) sought to ban trading US dollars for Barbadian and Trinidadian dollars. This is clear evidence that APNU+AFC/Bank of Guyana know the US dollar is under serious stress in Guyana.

“Further evidence that APNU+AFC is aware of the real shortage of US dollars and the declining value of the Guyana dollar comes from the fact that APNU+AFC instituted new rules for the Banking Community, which established a Gy$3 spread between the buying and selling price for the US dollar,” Ramsammy explained.

He deemed this move a desperate and stupid bid to stem the decline in the Guyana dollar, and said it has predictably catalyzed the US dollar black market.

He said part of the problem is the dramatic decline

in US dollar earnings by rice and sugar, traditional pillars and powerhouses in foreign currency earnings.

In spite of the increase in gold earnings, Ramsammy said, Guyana has lost up to US$40M in export earnings in 2015 and 2016, and might well incur bigger losses in 2017, mainly because rice and sugar have been decimated by the reckless policies of the coalition Government.

“Compounding the problem is a meagre foreign direct investment (FDI) profile.

APNU+AFC had promised, and even boasted, that an APNU+AFC government would immediately propel FDI. After 22 months in office, FDI has dried up. Many local businesses have not invested, foreign businesses have curtailed their investments, and no significant new investment has come.

“The big splash in 2015 and in 2016 with expensive trade and investment teams in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe have resulted in zilch investment,” he stated.

Meanwhile the Bank of Guyana’s external reserves have again fallen below $US600 million. At the end of 2015, it had fallen to US$598.

At the end of 2016 it had not significantly improved with a reserve of about US$620M. At the end of the first quarter, the external reserves stand at $594M. Under the PPP Government, the reserve fluctuated in the last 10 years between US$700M and US$1billion. The PPP had largely maintained the reserve at about 6-to-8- months’ export earnings. Presently, it stands at about a threemonth export base. According to Ramsammy, this is not coincidence; it is a telling statistic.

“No matter how hard the Finance Minister and the Governor of the Bank of Guyana spin the truth, APNU+AFC, like its parent, the PNC in the 1970s and 1980s, is presently presiding over an economy in which foreign currency availability is limited, the Guyana dollar has devalued, and there is a black market for US dollars and foreign currency. These truths are at the moment incontrovertible,” he concluded.

... who plunges into River to escape

T

he man who allegedly strangled his 29-year-old wife, Dhanwantie Ram of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Wednesday last was on Thursday shot at by Police Officers who received a tip on his whereabouts.

Based on reports received by Guyana Times, the Police were informed that the suspect, Ganesh Dhanraj, was seen in Roden Rust, EBE. When the Police arrived on the scene, he was spotted in the company of his sister, who was seemingly aiding him.

According to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, when the suspect noticed that he was cornered, the man started to run, but the Police fired at him. It is unclear whether he was injured as the man jumped into the Essequibo River, but did not resurface.

The Police are currently in the area and a manhunt has been launched.

The suspect’s sister, whose name was not released, was arrested by the Police and was being questioned.

On the day of the murder, Ram, a mother of three, was found with a sheet wrapped around her neck.

She was found in a sitting position in a sofa by neighbours, who rushed over to the house after hearing screams.

Reports indicate that the woman and the suspect had been married for the past 12 years, but the relationship had been an abusive one. Because of the abuse that Ram faced, she left her martial home, along with her three children, a few days before she was killed.

Dhanraj, however, went to the home of the victim and demanded that she return to his home. He assaulted her after she refused to comply with his demand.

On Wednesday, she was making her way to the

Suspect: Ganesh Dhanraj

Parika Police Station to lodge a report, but was intercepted by the suspect who took her to his home where he allegedly committed the act.

He was seen running out of the house towards the backdam following the incident. The woman was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The dead woman’s mother-in-law, however, accused her of being unfaithful to Dhanraj.

But Ram’s father, Bhagat Ram Jailal, related that his daughter was being abused constantly and on numerous occasions, he had to be the peacemaker because of the couple’s children.

Dead: Dhanwantie Ram

12 NEWS Woman confesses to killing pregnant friend FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– in jealous rage

T

he woman who was charged for murdering her pregnant best friend back in 2015 has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

When she appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown on Thursday, Angelique Williams, now 20 years old, had her sentencing postponed until April 25, 2017, because her Attorney, Mark Waldron, requested time for a probation report to be submitted.

On May 21, 2015, Williams, then 18 years old, stabbed her best friend, Renita Thomas, then 20, at Versailles on the West Bank of Demerara.

According to reports, the two women had been best friends for over five years.

However, on the day of the incident, the duo, in the compa-

Killed: Renita Thomas

ny of Thomas’s one-year-old child and some other friends, had gone on an outing at the Aracari Resort at Versailles, West Bank Demerara. When they were leaving the location, they became involved in an argument which turned into a full-blown fight. The al-

Murder accused: Angelique Williams

tercation turned deadly when Williams armed herself with a broken bottle and repeatedly stabbed her ‘best friend’ to the chest, stomach and head in full view of their friends and Thomas’s one-year-old child.

Reports in the media at the time had indicated that the

cause of the entire incident was jealousy on Williams’s part.

According to relatives, the best friends had made a pact in the past to become pregnant at the same time, and raise their children together. However, as they worked to make their plan a reality, Thomas got pregnant with her first child and Williams did not get pregnant. This angered Williams, but she reportedly “got over it” until the day in question, when she accidentally learnt that Thomas was pregnant again, and that she was “left in the dark.”

Thomas had repeatedly been warned by her family about Williams, who was known to have a “crazy streak”, but she would always defend her friend. Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy are the State prosecutors in the case. (Ramona Luthi)

Irish Potato Pilot project showing favourable progress

T

he National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the World University Services of Canada, Caribbean (Guyana) Incorporated collaborated in the latter part of January to cultivate five different varieties of Irish potato on a quarter-acre plot in Little Biaboo, Mahaicony Creek, Region 5.

The varieties of potato cultivated are Spunta, Kennebec, Chieftain, Bristol Pride and Shepody, with the Bristol Pride showing excellent yield and growth rate.

The 90-day potato trial project is currently in its eighth week, and showing positive results. Harvesting is expected at the end of April.

The project is being implemented and funded by the Government of Canada through the Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) Project.

On Tuesday, a fertilisation

Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth examining the plot where the pilot potato project is being facilitated

and harvesting practical session was carried out, demonstrating to farmers the procedures for caring for the potato crop.

Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth, said this is a successful trial of Irish potato cultivation. He noted that a similar project was carried out at Laluni on the SoesdykeLinden Highway, but the exercise failed due to flooding.

Dr Homenauth said that since there are signs of suc-

cess, it is only a matter of time before similar projects are rolled out in neighbouring communities.

The possibility of successfully cultivating potatoes along the low coastal plain had almost been ruled out, given that the region is prone to flooding. The land on which the trial is being conducted has been altered to avoid flooding.

Bhagwan Persaud, the farmer on whose land the pilot project is being facilitated,

has said he is interested in expanding the production of the potato crop. The farmer said potato was never previously cultivated in the area, and could be another major crop coming out of Little Biaboo.

Persaud noted that if he is to expand production, a number of factors must be taken into consideration, including allowing enough space for the potatoes to develop their full yield. He said conditions such as climate, soil type, irrigation and infrastructure that are favourable for potato production must also be considered.

According to a GINA report, the objectives of the potato cultivation trials are to identify agro-ecological areas on the coastland of Guyana which are suitable for the production of potatoes, to evaluate the adaptation and performance of the five varieties of potatoes, to determine the growers’ perception of the various varieties grown, and to examine consumers’ perception, taste and preference.

For a new Constitution

R

eturning to Guyana in 1989, I was a member of an activist group called the “Jaguar Committee for Democracy” (JCD), that published a monthly newsletter, “Jaguar”.

One of our idèe fixe was to stress the need for “constitutional change” and I wrote a paper on this subject: “Towards the Second Republic: For a new Constitution”, which was released May 5, 1991.

David De Caires, publisher of the Stabroek News, became interested and asked to have the piece run as a series of articles in his newspaper.

In the first article Ravi Dev published in July 1991, I wrote: “Recently in Guyana, there have been widespread calls for the present Constitution to be either extensively revised or completely abolished. Both the PPP (SN11/18/90) and the WPA (12/2/90) have stated that following free and fair elections, they would recommend the National Assembly be constituted into a “constituent assembly” to draft a new Constitution. Even Desmond Hoyte, leader of the PNC – and one of the architects of the 1980 Constitution – has conceded that at least one of its aspects, its socialist orientation should be changed. He would like the Constitution to be ‘neutral’.

“Substantively, there is much in the Constitution, with which we disagree: the dictatorial presidency, the social ethos, the lack of accountability, etc. However, there will always be citizens who differ with aspects of their country’s legal institutions, including their Constitutions and this private right must be balanced against the public need for continuity, predictability and stability in the affairs of the state. Constitutions cannot be altered capriciously. It is for this reason they specify fairly elaborate and rigorous procedures to compel reflection before amendments can be enacted. Cognisant of this caution, we yet support calls for the repeal of the 1980 Constitution for the following reasons.

“Under the 1966 Independence Constitution, certain sections were most rigorously “entrenched” and could only be amended by a national referendum in accordance with stipulations in the Amending Clause (Article 73(1)).

This amending clause was itself so entrenched. In 1978, the PNC decided to introduce a new Constitution, which of course, is the ultimate amendment involving all clauses.

Since the Government law was still the 1966 Constitution, and entrenched clauses would be changed, the PNC realised they would have to submit the new Constitution to the Guyanese people for ratification in a referendum. This they were unwilling to do. They instead decided to hold a referendum to amend the Amending Clause so as not to require the subsequent ratification of the new Constitution.

This referendum was boycotted by the Opposition parties, yet the PNC claimed a 97 per cent approval. Independent observers, however, maintained that not more than 15 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote.

“Using its greater than 2/3 majority in the National Assembly obtained in the rigged 1973 elections, the PNC extended the life of Parliament on 7/10/78 and the Assembly was transformed into a “Constituent Assembly”. The PNC submitted its Draft Constitution in December the same year and ostentatiously invited other organisations to join the Assembly. Illustrating the nature of the invitation, the TUC complained later that “not one iota” of its recommendations were accepted and the PNC only wanted labour to rubber stamp its draft. This draft was passed on 2/14/1980 almost unchanged and was assented to by President Arthur Chung six days later.

“This is the 1980 Constitution, which is still in force: drafted by a minority party, passed by an illegal Assembly and never ratified by the Guyanese people. It thus violates the most fundamental requirement of a Constitution – that it reflect “the will of the people”.

“As a postscript to this sordid episode in Guyana’s history, to add insult to injury, the PNC reintroduced the need for a national referendum to amend certain entrenched clauses.

The PNC arrogantly demonstrated it simply had never wanted to put its Constitution before the people.”

After the PPP acceded to office, their fervour for constitutional change waned for some inexplicable reason.

David De Caires decided to rerun the series calling for a new Constitution in 1993.

News

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friDAY, APRIL 7, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

VAT on education

I’m going to listen to stakeholders – Roopnaraine

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head of today’s meeting with stakeholders on the controversial imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on private tuition, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has stated that he would be listening to the concerns raised by stakeholders, and their proposals on the 14 per cent VAT before approaching Cabinet.

Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Dr Roopnaraine said, “I’m going tomorrow to listen, and then, in terms of finding solutions, we have to sit with them and then sit with my colleagues in Cabinet to see… Because, you know, the VAT on education was really thought through by the Ministry of Finance, and came to us as a proposal,” the Education Minister said.

“They have a lot of financial reasons, you know, why they are bringing this.

I myself have been talking to teachers, talking to parents, and it has not gone down very well, and so we have

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

to address it,” Roopnaraine stated.

The Education Minister said he is trying to lobby the support of his colleague Ministers before approaching Cabinet. “Before I approach Cabinet, I’m trying to win the support of oth-

er Cabinet Members; and once I do that, then I think we can approach Cabinet with a more-thought-out and agreed on position; but it will

go before Cabinet,” he assured.

Since its implementation, Government’s tax on private education has received widespread criticism, with many calling the decision one that has not been thought through and needs to be urgently revised or repealed. To this end, there have been several protest actions calling on Government to rescind the imposed taxation on private education. In fact, at one protest exercise held on Wednesday outside the Education Ministry’s Brickdam Head Office, those affected by the tax imposition were not confident that today’s meeting would yield any action in their favour.

While Wednesday’s protest did not attract a large crowd like it did in the past, many parents, including educators and religious leaders, still believe that the Government is not serious about removing VAT on education. Swami Aksharananda, Principal of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School on the West Coast of Demerara, believes the meeting scheduled for Friday at the National Cultural Centre will not change Government’s position. The school principal and religious leader has said that if Government decides not to remove VAT on education, then those affected would have to continue to agitate.

Other parents told this publication that they hope Government would remove VAT on education in its entirety, and not merely try to lower the imposed 14 per cent.

Guyana highlights Indigenous rights at Amazonian Conference

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he Government of Guyana views consultation and dialogue with the Indigenous peoples, civil society and all stakeholders as an integral element of public policy formulation, Ministerial Advisor in the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mervyn Williams, told the Amazonian Conference on Social Protection.

And while Guyana has made advances in promoting mechanisms for social participation, it is cognisant of the current and future challenges that have hindered, and may in future hinder, the effective participation of all stakeholders, he added.

Williams was part of a delegation that represented Guyana at the Amazonian Conference on Social Protection in Belem, Brazil from March 27 to 31.

According to a GINA report, the main objective of the conference was to promote, among countries of the region, the sharing of knowledge and experiences on social protection in the Amazonian context. In Guyana, the Indigenous peoples are the main Amazonian population, and are considered very important.

Williams described the National Toshaos’ Council as “Guyana’s National Assembly of Indigenous Leaders.” The NTC promotes national participation in the areas of natural resources’ management and conservation, and pro-

Ministerial Advisor in the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mervyn Williams

vides advice to Government on the impact of legislation and national policy among several other areas.

“In this context,” he said, “the NTC has the right, statutorily, to equitable representation on the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, which is a constitutional Commission. The NTC also has representation on the Ethnic Relations Commission – another constitutional body – among others. Further, there exists a significant presence of Indigenous peoples in the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana.

Essentially, therefore, the channels and/or platforms for national representation and dialogue are many and varied,” Williams told the conference.

Williams also said the NTC utilises the opportunity to constructively engage the Government, including the President, Prime Minister and all Government Ministers,

non-governmental organisations, the military and civilian law enforcement agencies, the diplomatic Corps, and the international financial institutions.

Williams pointed out that sustainable economic development in the context of the village economy is a critical element in the implementation of social protection policies for the Amazonian population of Guyana. As such, the Government has formulated plans, programmes and policies aimed at taking opportunities for sustainable development to the villages and communities.

These projects take into account the sustainable development goals which, among other things, target the eradication of all forms of poverty by 2030.

The seminar, organised by the Ministry of Social and Agrarian Development (MDSA) in partnership with the World Bank and UNESCO, was supported by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ); the Brazil Learning Initiative for a World without Poverty (WWP); the Brazilian Navy; and the Secretariat for Social Assistance, Labour, Employment and Income of the State of Pará and Belém, Barcarena and Acará Municipalities.

Guyana was one of nine countries which participated in the event. Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela were the other countries.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017

Regional

Dead foetus found Colombia probes Mocoa landslide as death toll tops 300 on Antiguan beach

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he death toll from devastating landslides in southwest Colombia has now climbed to 301, including nearly 100 children, authorities said, as a grim search to find hundreds of people still missing continues.

Surging rivers triggered by torrential rains on Saturday sent an avalanche of floodwaters, mud and debris through the south-western city of Mocoa, causing widespread destruction.

There were 92 children among the 301 people killed, Colombia’s Disasters Risk Management office said on Thursday. Officials late on Wednesday announced a probe to determine whether town authorities had correctly enforced building regulations and planned adequately for natural disasters.

Mayor Jose Antonio Castro, Regional Governor Sorrel Aroca and their pre-

A

Red Cross staff recover a body after a landslide caused by the overflow of three rivers, in Mocoa, Colombia

decessors face a separate investigation by prosecutors, according to Colombian media reports.

Meanwhile, survivors like Joanis Marvel continue to wait at Mocoa’s morgue where bodies - often too decomposed to be identified except through DNA - continue to arrive. Marvel’s mother, brother, nephew, sister-in-law, grandmother and daughter are yet to be found.

They are among the 314 still missing, a figure provided by President Juan Manuel Santos in a national speech on Wednesday.

“I just need to find her, even if it is in a box,” Marvel said of her daughter, speaking to Al Jazeera. Members of the civil defence, firefighters from neighbouring towns and other volunteers often know where to start looking because they are guided by a stench. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

s Police probe the disturbing discovery of a dead male foetus – believed to be at about six months gestation – at Crawl Bay on Wednesday, one witness recounted seeing unusual activity on the beach just moments before workers raised an alarm.

The source who asked not to be named, reported seeing someone who they “had never [been] seen in the area before” who bore “a scary look about him” and

who was “walking with a black bucket”.

The source recalled that the man who “had dreadlocks” was there some time before 08:00h and added, “Not long after, the guys on the beach were yelling and they had found the dead baby.”

The foetus was first discovered by a group of around 15 workers from the Department of Environment (DoE) who routinely remove seaweed from the beach at

Red Hill. Later in the day it was pronounced dead

by Dr Sonja Gilkes-Weste and transported to Staffie’s Funeral Home.

While the position it was in made it difficult to determine whether it was male or female, the developing child had clearly defined arms, legs, hands, feet, ears and some visible hair on its head. A well-placed source later told Observer media that the remains had male genitals. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Brazil Police banned from striking by Supreme Court

No charge for 11-year-old Jamaican child who killed older boy

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here will be no criminal charge laid against the 11-yearold boy who fatally chopped a 14-year-old boy in Jamaica earlier this week. But a psychiatric evaluation will be done to determine the most suitable intervention for the pre-teen, State Minister for Youth Floyd Green said.

Under Jamaica’s Child Care and Protection Act, a child below the age of 12 years cannot be charged with a criminal offence.

Green said a team from the

Child Development Agency (CDA) will conduct the psychiatric evaluation and the boy will be “brought before the court and placed at one of our places of safety”.

Orane Johnson was allegedly chopped to death by the 11-year-old boy after the two had a verbal altercation on Monday evening. The boys – said to be friends – were in their neighbourhood in Wait-A-Bit, Trelawny when they had a heated argument which escalated into a fight. The younger boy left

and returned with a machete and hit Johnson multiple times in the head, almost severing it.

Green said a team from the CDA would provide grief counselling to the affected families as well as children at the Albert Town High School which Johnson attended.

The Government has also committed to assisting the family with funeral expenses, and “will provide further support as needed”, the Minister said. (Caribbean360)

54 years after the State inflicted violence on Rastafarians, Jamaica Govt says sorry

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t took more than five decades, but the Jamaica Government has finally formally apologised for a 1963 incident in which several Rastafarians were beaten and jailed and had their locks forcibly cut by agents of the State.

Fifty-four years ago, a Rastafarian in the Coral Gardens community was shot by a property owner in a dispute over lands. Some Rastas retaliated by burning a petrol station in St James, which eventually led to a massive crackdown by the Police. An April confrontation between Rastafarians and the state left eight Rastafarians dead. Others were arrested and had their locks chopped.

But Prime Minister

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness apologised to the victims of the State-inflicted violence in Coral Gardens

Andrew Holness on Tuesday apologised to the victims of the State-

inflicted violence and announced that a trust fund of no less than US$10 million would be established for the benefit of survivors of the incident.

In 2015, the Public Defender, in a report, recommended an apology in the Coral Gardens incident in which a policeman was also killed.

Holness noted that the Public Defender will be asked to continue the work that her office began, in terms of locating survivors and gathering important information about them and their families, in consultation with the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society and the Member of Parliament for that area. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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During the strike in Espirito Santo, soldiers took over policing duties

he Supreme Court in Brazil has ruled that strikes by Police are unconstitutional.

In a seven to three ruling, the court banned federal and civil Police Officers as well as fire fighters from going on strike.

Members of the military Police were already banned from stopping work. Police strikes are not uncommon in Brazil and have in the past created problems in major cities such as Rio and Sao Paulo as well as the state of Bahia.

The judges said that anyone working directly in the area of public security had no right to go on strike “in any form or manner” because they carried out “an essential activity for the safeguarding of the public order”.

They argued that work stoppages by security personnel “promoted anarchy, which is not allowed under the Constitution”.

In February, hundreds of federal Police Officers and soldiers were deployed to Espirito Santo after the

murder rate jumped up during a strike by military and civil Police Officers over pay and working conditions.

Because military Police were already banned under the Constitution from going on strike, hundreds of those involved were threatened with charges of rebellion.

A deal was eventually reached and the officers returned to work after three weeks of stoppage. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Venezuelan Opposition, security forces clash in anti-Maduro protests

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enezuelan Opposition protesters and security officers clashed on Thursday as the country’s fragmented Opposition gained new impetus against a socialist Government it blames for the country’s social and economic collapse.

The demonstrations were sparked by Supreme Court action last week to assume control of the country’s Opposition-led congress in what demonstrators said was a lurch toward dictatorship.

While the widely condemned decision was

quickly overturned, the Opposition has stepped up street protests against President Nicolás Maduro, despite such demonstrations having achieved little in the past.

Thousands of people blocked a main Caracas highway on Thursday, chanting “Out with Maduro!” and “No more dictatorship!” and vowed to march to the office of the state ombudsman, the Government’s principal human rights advocate.

Security forces blocked the march, sparking clashes with dozens of masked

youths in a scene repeated over and over again in the past 15 years in volatile Venezuela.

Protesters threw stones and petrol bombs while security officials fired tear gas and dispersed the crowds by mid-afternoon.

Demonstrators said they were more committed than ever and would take to the streets again. On Monday, Maduro said public sector employees would have all of next week off, sparking criticism that he was trying to defuse street protests.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

US launches missile strikes against Syria South African Ministers airfield following chemical 'attack' sacked by Zuma resign

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he United States has carried out a missile attack against targets in Syria in response to a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town.

A Pentagon official said about 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from Navy destroyers in the east-

ern Mediterranean at a Syrian air base.

President Donald Trump said he ordered the strike against the base from where Tuesday's attack was launched.

He called on "all civilised nations" to help end the conflict in Syria.

Dozens of civilians died in the suspected nerve gas attack.

The missiles hit the Shayrat airfield, from where Washington believes Tuesday's deadly attack was launched, one US official was quoted as saying.

Earlier on Thursday,

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should have no role in a future Syria.

His comments signalled a sudden shift in policy by the new US Administration.

(BBC News)

China’s President Xi Jinping arrives in Florida for Trump talks

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hinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Florida for a high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump.

His plane landed at West Palm Beach where he was greeted by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The heads of the world’s two biggest economies will hold the bilateral at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago retreat.

The American leader is expected to press his counterpart for action on North Korea, and Xi to seek assurances on Taiwan.

Trump tweeted last week that the summit “will be a very difficult one”.

Some protesters lined the streets to voice their opposition to China’s policy in the South China Sea. Xi and his wife, folk singer Peng Liyuan, will attend a welcome banquet at the Mar-a-Lago estate

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson greeted Chinese Premier Xi Jinping on arrival

on Thursday evening with the US President and First Lady Melania Trump.

The bilateral will conclude with a working lunch on Friday.

But there is unlikely to be any golf. While Trump is fond of hitting the fairway, Xi’s Administration has cracked down on the

sport in an anti-corruption drive.

All eyes will be on body language between the two leaders – one a softly spoken Communist Party apparatchik and the other a brash Manhattan property tycoon.

BBC China Editor Carrie Gracie says observ-

ers can expect an unpredictable power play from the very first handshake.

The Chinese are reportedly wary that the mercurial US President could embarrass Xi, who faces a party congress in November, by some breach of protocol. (Excerpt from BBC News)

as ANC lawmakers

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hree Cabinet Ministers removed

by President Jacob Zuma in a reshuffle last week quit as lawmakers of his African National Congress on Thursday ahead of a vote of no-confidence in him that the ANC has said it will defeat.

Mcebisi Jonas, an outspoken critic of government corruption who was Deputy Finance Minister until Zuma sacked him, resigned as a Member of Parliament along with Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Dipuo Peters, axed as Energy and Transport Ministers last week.

They will be replaced with candidates from an ANC list.

The ANC has rejected calls from opponents and some long-time political allies for Zuma to resign after the reshuffle, centred on the sacking of Pravin Gordhan as Finance

days after 13 people were killed in the attack.

Earlier on Thursday, an explosive device was made safe in a flat in St Petersburg by Russian Police.

Neighbours were moved away and witnesses told lo-

Monday’s bombing injured 50 people

cal media they saw men led out in handcuffs.

The main suspect in the metro bombing, Akbarzhon Jalilov, also died in the explosion.

He was aged 22 and from the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan. His

remains were identified by his parents on Wednesday, and by DNA testing.

Russian investigators are examining tape, tin foil and some other suspicious items found at Jalilov’s St Petersburg flat.

Russia’s Investigative Committee (SK) says they appear similar to components found in a device left at Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station on the day of the bombing.

The flat raided at around 05:00h local time (02:00h GMT) on Thursday was in Tovarishchesky Prospekt in the east of St Petersburg.

“An explosive device found in the flat has been made safe. Several suspects have been arrested; they didn’t resist and there’s now no threat to local people,” the head of the local authority, Konstantin Serov was quoted as saying. (Excerpt from BBC News)

from Reuters)

Thailand King signs Constitution paving way for polls

St Petersburg metro attack: Russia Police arrest 8 E T

ight people are being held in connection with the bombing on St Petersburg metro, Russian investigators have confirmed.

The arrests – six in Moscow, two in St Petersburg – came three

Minister, cost the country one of its investment-grade credit ratings.

South Africa’s rand has tumbled more than 11 per cent since March 27 when Zuma ordered Gordhan home from overseas meetings with investors.

It was not clear if Gordhan would also step down as an MP. “I am resting now. I will see you on the 18th,” he said when asked on Thursday. Parliament will vote on the no confidence motion against Zuma on April 18.

Jonas made headlines last year when he said he had been offered the Finance Minister’s job by members of the Gupta business family, who have close ties with Zuma and have been accused of influence-peddling. Zuma and the Gupta family have denied any wrongdoing. (Excerpt

King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed the document at a ceremony in Bangkok.

he King of Thailand has signed a new constitution that paves the way for a return to democracy, but still gives the army an influential role in politics.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed the document at a ceremony in Bangkok.

It constrains future elected Governments with an appointed senate, and commits Governments to follow the military’s 20-year development plan.

The last Constitution was abolished after the military seized power nearly three years ago.

Critics claim the new document only allows for a partial, guided democracy.

It was approved by a referendum last August.

Elections could now be held next year.

Thailand has had so many constitutions in its

modern history – this is the 20th since 1932 – that many of them were introduced with little fanfare, reports the BBC’s Jonathan Head in Bangkok.

But King Vajiralongkorn, who succeeded his father last year, signalled royal approval for the new charter by requesting an elaborate ceremony for its signing.

The King had requested changes to the charter earlier this year that restore some significant areas of royal influence.

The edits remove a power that would have been granted to the constitutional court to call a meeting in the event of a political crisis.

A requirement that the King appoint a regent when he leaves the country was also removed. The King often spends time in Germany, where a son attends school. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No charges in death of 10-year-old student – Hicken

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he Guyana Police Force is working along with the parties involved in the recent death of a 10-yearold pupil, who died several days after being kicked in the stomach by a classmate.

According to A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander, Clifton Hicken, the Police Force, the Education Ministry, the teachers of the school in question and social workers are all working together on the matter.

He also told Guyana Times on Thursday that they have been in contact with the families of both the late 10-year-old Rosanna Harris and her nine-year-old classmate who reportedly inflicted the injury.

The Commander further explained to this newspaper that while the laws do not provide for any criminal charges to be laid against the aggressor in the matter, officials are working with the child to have him undergo counselling.

“He is traumatised with what has happened (with Harris) and with what has been reported in the media,” Hicken told this newspaper, adding that the lad has been interviewed twice by the Police.

Meanwhile, Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine told reporters on Thursday following a tour

A Division Commander Clifton Hicken

of the new Texila American University (TAU) campus in Providence, East Bank Demerara, that he met with the bereaved family of the deceased child that morning at their Lot 9 Public Road, La Penitence, Georgetown home and offered Government’s assistance.

“I just went to visit the family and I must tell you, it is one of the most appalling things I’ve had to do and we are going to see how best we can assist with the funeral arrangements and that kind of thing. But the family is going to need much more than that to lose a child under those circumstances,” he related.

Harris, a former Grade Five student of St Stephen’s Primary School located in Charlestown, Georgetown,

Dead: Rosanna Harris

went home two Fridays ago with a stomach ache and told her mother that another student had kicked her.

That weekend, the child was in pain and began throwing up. She was then taken to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where several tests were conducted including an ultrasound but nothing was reportedly detected and the child’s condition remained the same.

Last Saturday morning, Harris’s mother checked on her and she was responsive.

However, a few minutes later, she was found dead in bed by her sister.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Monday revealed that the 10-year-old died as a result of blood poisoning caused by blunt trauma to the stomach which is consistent with a kick.

Cattle farmer arrested with illegal gun, ammo

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olice in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) have arrested a 56-year-old cattle farmer of Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne, after an unlicensed firearm and matching ammunition were found in his home.

According to a police report, acting on in-

formation received, ranks swooped down on the suspect’s two-storey home on Wednesday at about 15:15hrs and conducted a search, during which an unlicensed .32 pistol and five matching rounds of live ammunition were found hidden under a suitcase in the low-

er flat.

The suspect is being processed for court.

And the Guyana Police Force is, in an advisory, calling on holders of firearm and driver’s licences, who have not yet renewed same for this year, to do so immediately.

Baby dropped off dead at GPHC – Police looking for mother

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olice are searching for a woman who allegedly dropped off a dead baby at the Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation (GPHC at around 22:00hrs last evening. The unidentified woman is suspected to be the mother of the baby.

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

According to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, following an examination, doctors at the hospital confirmed that the child had been dead for more than an hour prior to it arriving at the medical facility. However, when they sought to question the woman who had brought the child to the medical institution, she was nowhere around.

The Crime Chief has said that an investigation has been launched and police are working diligently to locate the woman.

Unconfirmed reports are that the baby had been electrocuted.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Tyrus Tasha Steelz Damian Adams

Mr 450

Tita Deonna Purrazzo

W

Dan “The Beast” Severn

restling fans will have another opportunity to watch their favourite wrestlers vie against each other for supremacy at an event called “Thunda in Guyana”, to be held at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall on May 27.

Patrons will definitely be in for a treat as the promoters are trying to make the event a photocopy of what is seen on National Television. Flairs, fireworks, smoke and streamers, among other things, will add to the excitement.

On the night of the event, there will be two title matches. The first will see Shannon “the Cannon” Ritch take on Dan “The Beast”

W

Severn, while the other will feature Tasha Steelz versus Deonna Purrazzo. In the other matches, Tita will come up against Damian Adams, and Tyrus will challenge Mr. 450.

The referee for the evening will be The New Boss; and tickets for this showdown will be available over the Easter weekend at a cost of $4000 for ringside, $1500 for stands and $7000 for VIP seating.

Tickets will be available at Giftland Mall, Nex Generation Promotion at Cummings Street, and at other locations that will be made known in due course. Thunda in Guyana is promoted

by Maximum Sports Combat and Strength in collaboration with Nex Generation Promotions.

ell known radio and television personality WR Reaz of Team MMR will today release his debut single, titled “Right Remedy”, on several radio stations across the country, including on Radio Guyana Inc. Apart from releasing the song in Guyana, the song will also be released in Trinidad and NY. Known for his versatility in several areas, the talented young man is elated to release his debut single, and thanks several persons who encouraged him to pursue his musical career. These include Terry G, Ravi B, Nishard M, and others.

The song was written by Guyanese Musician Shatta Youth, and was produced by DP Records alongside Team MMR. The song was recorded in the studios of DP Records at Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown. “Right Remedy” is, more or less, a reality song and might be revealing the lifestyle of the versatile emcee.

Shannon “The Cannon” Ritch

It tells the story of a guy who had lots of girlfriends but after a while thought of not having any, and remains free, single and disengaged. Now that he has no one, he feels it is time to mix and mingle, since he thinks he has the “right remedy”.

This song has been in the making since July 2016, and would have started at the Shakti Strings Studio, but after some challenges, the project was taken to DP Studious in December. Now that the song will be finally released, WR Reaz is expected to make his debut performance in New York on April 15 and 22. Here in Guyana, he will perform that song for the first time on April 29 at a Chutney Show at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground. He is also in talks with Palm Court to perform it there as well.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017

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group of young people with an interest in art and craft will be hosting an event called “Bunny Fun Day” that will give children an opportunity to explore their creative and artistic abilities. The event is set for Sunday at the Promenade Gardens, commencing at 13:00h.

The idea is to give children between the ages of five and 16 an avenue to use their imagination to create useful items from a quantity of materials that will be provided at the venue. This is the third year for the event and it has definitely grown from the first year.

Children will be required to pay a fee of $1500 and upon doing do, they will be given a basket of materials which they will use to create hats, baskets, bracelets and other personal items.

The participants will have a few hours to make use of the materials since the competition ends at 17:00h. After that, the judges will be looking keenly at the pieces that were created and decide on the winners.

The winners will be awarded prize such as trophies, hampers, electronic gadgets, stationary and art supplies. Meanwhile, the competition will be open to children in various age groups.

The five to eight age group will be required to upcycle either a toilet paper roll or a small plastic bottle using materials of their choice, while the children in the nine to 12 age group will be required to upcycle a small box or a one litre plastic bottle using materials.

Finally, in the 13-16 age group, children will be required to upcycle either a large box or a two litre plastic bottle. Apart from the demonstrations and competition, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt.

There will also be well stocked food and drink bars as well as various creative items on sale.

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for Easter Sunday @ PC

oca junkies are getting ready for another exciting party on Easter Sunday evening at Palm Court, Main Street, Georgetown. The event is called “Tadowww Easter Jam” featuring “Mr Bam Bam” himself.

Known for his energy and soca vibes, Olatungi will not disappoint as he has several new hits under his belt that have been creating some vibes on Caribbean airwaves.

Olatungi Yearwood is a Trinidadian born well-known composer and soca singer. He established himself as a soca talent early on when he entered and won multiple talent shows, while still in his teens, including the national Junior Calypso Monarch competition.

His shot to global fame when he won Trinidad’s famous Soca Groovy Monarch/ International Soca Monarch in 2015, performing his blockbuster single “Ola.” He is the very last International Groovy Soca Monarch champion, as the competi-

tion’s format was changed in 2016 to exclude that category.

Yearwood was featured in The Fader Magazine as the face of AfroSoca music, an emerging genre that fuses soca and Afrobeat.

His debut international album “Awakening” was released in July 2016. He has several hits such as “Winning Good”, “Oh Yay”, “Tun fo meh”, “Ah like it” and “Oh meh Darling”. He also teamed up with former International Chutney Soca Monarch, Kris “KI” Persad for “Runaway”.

With all the hits, he is ready to invade Palm Court. Other attractions include the “hottest” bunny girls who will definitely add that flavour. There will also be Cold Beer Bucket specials all night long.

As expected, the soca artiste will be on stage to perform later in the evening but to keep the patrons occupied, there will be Selector Carl, Deejay Anisah and Deejay Shizzle.

Admission to the event cost $2000 before 23:00h.

for Port Mourant Turf Club on April 9

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erbicians are in for a threat as Vybz Nation and Port Mourant Turf Club host a Gymkhana and Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 9, at the Port Mourant Race Track.

The day’s events will see five horse races covering six furlongs each. The races include H Class and Lower; J Class and Lower; L Class and Lower; Non Starters Race and Kangal Race.

Other attractions include Horse Cart Races, Running; Donkey Race; Motorcycle Race; BunEating Race; Beer Drinking, and there will be free rides for the children.

Several other activities are planned to engage children during the course of the day, among which are the carousel, bouncy castle, trampoline, slides, swing, and many more.

The first

100 children to this event will each get a free kite. Apart from the fun in the sun, there will be live performances by former Chutney King Bunty Singh, along with Trevon Vobes and Kady Kish. Adding some flavour to the event will be Deejay Dauren from Shocking Vibes and Deejay Dellon from Chromatic Sound.

Admission to the event will cost $1000 for adults and $500 for children. The event is promoted by Stag Beer and Red Square Vodka.

Action starts at 12:00h.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Personality

4th Rupununi Music & Arts Festival moves to Manari Ranch, Lethem

A

fter three years at Rock View and following discussions with colleagues in Government, sponsors, local residents and the Festival Team, the 4th Annual Rupununi Music and Art Festival will be held at Manari Ranch, near Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) this time around. The three-day event is scheduled for November 1012.

This will enable the commit-

tee to promote the new site into an eco-friendly cultural space over the next few years.

The vision is to create a ‘Festival Village’ which in time, will become a functional cultural oasis, offering a range of cultural, educational, arts and sporting opportunities and become a resource for the region and the country, throughout the year.

Also, with more hotels and rooms available in Lethem, it will provide the opportunity for potential cus-

19

PROFILE

tomers to commute to the Festival daily, if they wish. The organising committee will however, also develop a camping site at Manari.

There is much to be done in terms of infrastructure on the new site but with continued support, the Festival will undoubtedly ‘add value’ to Guyana and the region and in the longer-term create tangible economic, educational and tourism benefits for the country.

– Chandrapaul Rudy Hemraj

Lloyd Thomas Jr: “I believe that knowledge + discipline = success”

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eacher by day, and “artpreneur” by night, well in the hours not devoted to teaching, the indefatigable Lloyd Thomas Jr is passionate about two things: the creative and performing arts and education. He is compelled as he puts it “to strive to make a difference and revive” the arts. With his registered theatrical production company, Lloyd N De Arts Production, the St Joseph High Spanish and Theatre Arts teacher is certainly striving to make that difference.

“Lloyd N De Arts Production is a company of 21 members who possess a variety of talents such as acting, dancing, singing and cinematography. We envision a nation where the positive energies of youths are channelled into the creative arts sector, keeping them less interested in the negative ills of society while providing them with meaningful learning experiences through the performing arts,” he explained.

The 27-year-old, who is currently pursuing a degree in Spanish at the University of Guyana while supervising almost-daily rehearsals for a May production titled “Culturama” and completing a course in business training, added: “Apart from the theatrical aspects, we are also the official franchise holder of the inaugural Miss Cultured Guyana Pageant.

T h i s second a r m of the company holds a n o t he r committee that is in

charge of the aspects of the pageant.

Persons involved here are Ms Alicia Bess, Mr Sylvesterc Rae and Ms Lisa Adams, along with Ms (Faye) Caleb. To date, we have crowned one queen, Ms Akiela Dey and look forward to crowning another in October of this year.”

Thomas says he sees his company evolving to greatness. Also on his to-do list are: rebuilding theatre in Guyana; engaging youths in meaningful activities, preserving our cultural heritage, giving women a voice while encouraging them to be proud of who they really are, and fostering a good relationship with the State.

His simple, calm, unruffled demeanour belies the demands he places on himself and his intense focus on excellence. Indeed, there was a sense of inevitability that he would accomplish these lofty goals.

The Kwakwani, Upper Berbice native, who now resides in Georgetown, says that he is intrinsically motivated, by the need to see theatre and athe youths thriving.

“My single greatest influence is my grandmother, Margaret Thomas.

She raised me to be the independent, smart and creative individual I am today. Additionally, there was my aunt, Denetta Joseph-Jeffrey, who was very influential through her motivational talks and great advice. Both of these strong women are responsible for shaping my

Members of the Lloyd N De Arts Production company

character and my place in society.”

Relating how Lloyd N De Arts Production got started, he said “after placing first in the school’s Drama Competition locally, I was encouraged by my peers, one of whom is Ms Faye Caleb, to expand my horizons. So I reviewed the thought and ventured straight into it”. On January 5, the business was officially launched with the “‘Youths in Performing Arts” production and a team of six persons on board — Thomas, Ms Caleb, Teneisha Crawford, Tyries Hunte, Kenacia Marc and Kemo Cort as the Stage Manager.

The entrepreneur also highlighted those who were instrumental as performers in the production – Shontel MC Lean, Kimberly Samuels, Roshini Boodhoo’s Jewan Ka Nyritia, the St Joseph High drama students and Renata Burnett. Also part of the team is designer Quinton Pearson from the renowned House of Pearson Designs.

“I have gained a wealth of knowledge throughout this process and valuable lessons, such as the importance of team building and personality development,” Thomas reflected. “... I was recently given the privilege to work with Mr Roshan Khan to develop my business skills,” he added, revealing another essential element in the systemic strategy he is deploying to achieve greatness in theatre.

In June, persons who are interested in becoming part of the theatre company can go through auditions to join the group of creative individuals as they look to expand.

You can experience Thomas’s “Culturama: Guyanese Culture At Its Best”, an evening of dance, storytelling, music and drama, showcasing our rich cultural heritage on May 6, 2017 at the Theatre Guild Playhouse. Tickets cost $1500 and show time is 20:00h.

Thomas may be contacted on www.facebook.com/Lloyd-NDe-Arts-Production; info_lartsproduction_ gy@ya-hoo.com; or 6510699, 223-4196.

Chandrapaul Rudy Hemraj and his two nephews

T

wenty-three-yearold Chandrapaul Rudy Hemraj, a middle order left-handed batsman attached to the Everest Cricket Club, was born at the Cane Grove Health Centre, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to Anita and Daiaram Hemraj.

Commonly called “Rudy”, the talented cricketer grew up in Strathavon Cane Grove, ECD with his three other siblings- Radha Sugrim, Randy and Rovin Hemraj.

He attended that Strathavon Primary School and completed his secondary education at the Bygeval Secondary School.

Cricket was a big part of his life since he grew up in a family that was enthusiastic about the game. He recalled attending cricket matches with his father and eventually, he developed a love for the sport.

At an early age, he knew that cricket would be part of his life.

He was forced to strike a balance between school and practice sessions; something he has not regretted since he was given the opportunity to represent Guyana at the Under 15, Under 19 and senior levels. Representing Guyana has been a lifelong dream of his and for it become a reality is quite overwhelming, but this

young cricketer continues to grab opportunities as they come his way with both hands. He was successful in the U-15, U-19 and the Regional four-day tournament.

His greatest achievement thus far is scoring 100 not out against Barbados in the Regional Under 19 50 overs tournament. In the next five years, he is very optimistic of being part of the West Indies senior team. He also hopes to stay fit and remains an excellent international batsman. More so, he hopes to become a mentor at his club for youngsters in his community.

For those who wish to make cricket a career, the young man’s advice to youths is to be patient and live in the moment.

He noted that trying to do too much often complicates everything and as such, urged them to be themselves and enjoy playing cricket. On a much lighter note, Hemraj’s favourite colour is green and he loves fish and chips and Bar-be-que. He also likes to listen to music and hang out with friends during his leisure time. The quotes he uses quite often are “Everything happens for a reason” and “No matter how hard things get, never give up because you never know how close you are to success”.

20

VIVO IPL 2017

Smith

R

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, april 7, 2017

seals Pune last over thriller

ising Pune Supergiant posted their first-ever win on their home ground in Pune after they defeated the Mumbai Indians by seven wickets in the Maharashtra Derby. The Mumbai Indians, put in to bat, posted 184-8, after which Steven Smith and Ajinkya Rahane scored

the ground and pulled the short delivery well. Rahane brought up his half-century in the ninth over when he pulled a short delivery from Hardik Pandya to the squareleg boundary; the RPS opener consumed 27 balls to get to the milestone – making it his fastest half-century in the IPL.

ance heading into the last few overs; RPS of the final over and helped add 30 runs to needed 13 at the start of the final over, the total. MI, 145-6 at the end of 18 overs, which came down to 10off the last three finished their allotted twenty overs at 184-7.

Imran Tahir was undoubtedly the best balls. Smith deposited Kieron Pollard into the stands off the fourth and fifth deliveries bowler of the match; a late addition to the to seal the issue. The RPS skipper remained VIVO IPL 2017 bandwagon, the leg-spinunbeaten on 84, scored from 54 balls, and ner prised out the MI top three and finished he had the company of MS Dhoni who re- with impressive figures of 3-28 from his four mained unbeaten on 12. RPS got home with overs. Rajat Bhatia used change of pace to good effect and returned with figures of 2-14 one ball to spare.

For MI, who were without their two- from three overs, while Adam Zampa and most experienced bowlers – LasithMalinga Ben Stokes picked up a wicket each.

The excitement continues today with and Harbhajan Singh, the wickets were shared by Tim Southee, Hardik Pandya and Gujarat Lions host Kolkata Knight Riders from 10:30h, Guyana Time. (IPLT20) Mitchell McClenaghan.

Earlier in the evening, MI got off to a brisk start through Parthiv Patel and Jos Buttler; the MI opening pair added Tahir 4-0-28-3, A Zampa 3-0-26Mumbai Indians innings 43 runs before Imran Tahir 1 (w-1), R Bhatia3-0-14-2 (20 overs maximum) bowled the left-hander behind PA Patel† b Imran Tahir 19 his legs. The leg-spinner struck Rising Pune Supergiant innings JC Buttler lbw b Imran Tahir 38 twice in his following over; (target: 185 runs from 20 overs) RG Sharma* b Imran Tahir 3 first, he breached through the N Rana c Bhatia b Zampa 34 AM Rahane c Rana b Southee60 defenses of Rohit Sharma and AT Rayudu c & b Bhatia 10 MA Agarwal c Sharma b 6 two balls later, he had Buttler KH Pandya c †Dhoni b Bhatia 3 McClenaghan 84 dismissed LBW. KA Pollard c Agarwal b Stokes 27 SPD Smith* not out BA Stokes c Southee b HH After a mid-innings colHH Pandya not out 35 Pandya 21 lapse, MI appeared headTG Southee run out (†Dhoni/ MS Dhoni† not out 12 Dinda) 7 ed towards a modest total.

MJ McClenaghan not out 0 Extras (lb-1, w-3)4 That’s when Kieron Pollard Total (3 wickets; 19.5 overs)187 Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-6)8 and Hardik Pandya upped the Did not bat MK Tiwary, R Total (8 wickets; 20 overs)184 ante; Pollard scored a quickBhatia, DL Chahar, A Zampa, Did not bat JJ Bumrah fire 27 from 17 balls – aidAB Dinda, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets 1-45 (Patel, 4.2 ed with three boundaries and Fall of wickets 1-35 (Agarwal, ov), 2-61 (Sharma, 6.3 ov), 3.1 ov), 2-93 (Rahane, 10.1 a six, before a sharp catch by 3-62 (Buttler, 6.5 ov), 4-92 ov), 3-143 (Stokes, 15.2 ov) Mayank Agarwal cut short the (Rayudu, 11.1 ov), 5-107 (KH Bowling TG Southee 4-0Pandya, 13.2 ov), 6-125 (Rana, Trinidadian’s innings. Hardik 34-1 (w-2), HH Pandya 15.3 ov), 7-146 (Pollard, 18.2 batted through to the end and 4-0-36-1, MJ McClenaghan ov), 8-183 (Southee, 19.5 ov) 4-0-36-1, JJ Bumrah 4-0-29feasted on some poor bowling Bowling AB Dinda 4-0-57-0 0, KH Pandya 2-0-21-0, KA

by Ashok Dinda in the final (w-3), DL Chahar 2-0-21-0, BA Pollard 1.5-0-30-0 (w-1) over; he hit four sixes and a Stokes 4-0-36-1 (w-1), Imran boundary off the first five balls

SCOREBOARD

Steven Smith punches the air after hitting back-to-back sixes for victory

half-centuries to help their team to their first win of the season.

Rahane dominated the early part of the run-chase; he contributed 27 runs in the 35runs opening stand, which was broken when Mayank Agarwal attempted to hit a back of a length delivery fromMitchelllMcClenaghan over the top, but ended up hitting it down the throat of mid-off.

Rahane and Smith then took control of proceedings. Rahane played his shots and found the boundary regularly – despite not having to do anything ungainly or play shots that didn’t come naturally to him; he ran the ball down to third man, drove down

The 58-run partnership between Rahane and Smith was broken in the eleventh when the former’s pull was pouched by Nitish Rana on the boundary. Smith, who had 25 from 22 balls when Rahane was dismissed, then took control and piloted the run-chase; unorthodox as usual, he worked out ways to score runs whatever the bowlers dished out.

He was helped along the way when he was put down by Nitish Rana on the boundary in the thirteenth over. When on 36, Smith offered the reprieve and the RPS captain made MI pay for their largesse as he carried on and helped the team past the finish line.

The match was pretty much in the bal-

Windies U-19 Camp to focus Yassin elected to head Darts on game awareness W

est Indies Under 19 Head Coach, Graeme West, is confident that the training camp being held in Antigua, (April 1 – 9) for the defending World Championship team, will lead to greater “efficiency and effectiveness” on the field.

West has declared that “the camp for the 21-member squad is highly specialized, and focuses intensely on the skills necessary to be successful in the 50-overs format. The coaching staff has tailored a comprehensive training package, which not only focuses on nurturing the young players’ talent, but developing some useful methods relevant to real match scenarios also.”

The Head Coach explained that each player has been working on individualized training programmes since the last training camp held in December. The players took a break because of their participation in the Regional Super50, which was deemed a success. They were afforded the invaluable experience of competing against top-class talent from the region, along with the visiting Kent Spitfires team.

The young Windies squad will get the opportunity to test their skills and methods against high level competition. The coach noted that “with their upcoming tours to South Africa in July and Zimbabwe later this year, the tours are designed to fine-tune the team’s preparation.”

The tour to South Africa will consist of eight matches. “The trip will

assist in developing the combinations and game plans that will need to be well established in order for the team to be competitive at the World Cup in 2018.” the Head Coach asserted.

“The talent of adapting seamlessly to Keagan Simmons and Javier Spencer different pitch conditions is one that strike a pose during their visit to WICB will surely be enhanced through these Headquarters in Antigua tours also,” he added.

West was quick to hail the exploits of his past team, while not putting too much 1. Keagan Simmons – TT pressure on the cur- 2. Cephas Cooper – TT rent squad. He also 3. Navin Bdaisee – TT stressed on the eager- 4. Matthew Patrick – TT 5. Te-Shawn Alleyne – TT ness of this team to 6. Kallicharan – TT compete, proclaiming, 7. Alick Athanaze – Windward Islands “It will be a huge chal- 8. Johann Jerimah – Windward Islands lenge to defend the ti- 9. Johnnel Eugene – Windward Islands tle won in Bangladesh 10. Daneal Dupigny – Windward Islands last February and no 11. Darron Nedd – Windward Islands team has won back to 12. Stewart – Windward Islands back U19 World Cups 13. Jeavor Royal – Jamaica since its conception, 14. Kian Pemberton – Leeward Islands but this group of play- 15. Javier Spencer – Leeward Islands ers are determined to 16. Mikyle Louis – Leeward Islands follow in the footsteps 17. Joshua Persaud – Guyana of Hetmyer, Joseph 18. Bhaskar Yadram – Guyana and company, to create 19. Joshua Bishop – Barbados their own piece of his- 20. Nyeem Young – Barbados 21. Shian Brathwaite – Barbados tory.”

E m m a n u e l Management Team Stewart and Kirstan Graeme West – Head Coach Kallicharan, part of the Corey Collymore – Assistant Coach 2016 Championship Shanye Cooper – Strength and Conditioning team, return to the Vernon Williams – Physiotherapist 21-member squad that Dwain Gill – Manager is now encamped.

Association

21-member squad

Newly elected President Sheik Yassin (centre) along with his new executive committee, missing is committee member Victorine Chandroo

T

he Guyana Darts Association (GDA) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday evening at the Maltenoes Sports Club (MSC), Thomas Land, where Sheik Yassin was elected as the new President.

Yassin replaces Jawan Buphan and will have Dr Terrance Joseph as Vice-President, Mary Correia (Secretary), Sudesh Fitzgerald (Treasurer), Michael Fenty (Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer) along with five committee members.

Yassin said that he is looking forward to gathering more support for the sport, adding that sponsors are critically needed for the sport to grow locally.

Later today at MSC, the association will be hosting a Novices tournament from 19:00h, where all are invited.

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21

WDFA U-17 Tourney gets Petra Organisation boost

Mark Alleyne (second left) hands over the items to WDFA Secretary Adrian Giddings while Troy Mendonca (left) and Women’s President Charmine Wade look on

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etra Organisation as part of its stated mission to assist in the development of football within communities listed the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) as the latest recipient of its goodwill when member Mark Alleyne made a presentation of balls and the winning trophy, during a simple ceremony that was conducted, at the Ministry of Education ground on Wednesday.

The items were presented to WDFA Secretary Adrian Giddings in the presence of Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca and Women’s Football Association President Charmine Wade, during the staging of the semi-finals of this year’s Milo 18 and under Schools Football Tournament.

Mendonca speaking at the occasion said that the gesture represents what the Organisation stands for which is to help further the development of the sport and to foster better camaraderie among the various communities.

Giddings in his response thanked the Organisation for its support which according to him will be used for the staging of the Association’s Under-17 Tournament anticipated to commence shortly.

The Xercise hosts a day of activities

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Local sports organisation The Xercise hosted a day of activities on Thursday to commemorate International Day of Sport for development and peace. In the photo, members of The Xercise along with local squash player Nicolette Fernandes and Miss Guyana World Nuriyyih Gerrard pose with students of Queen’s College who benefited from the interactive session

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, april 7, 2017

West Indies vs Pakistan, Brighto Paints presents Q Mobile ODI Series…

All eyes on Providence

Chase Academy, Morgan’s to clash in Petra/Milo Football final

– teams seek important winning start

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he Guyana National Stadium at Providence will come alive today when the West Indies play Pakistan in the first One-Day International in the three-match series.

In the short history of the Providence Stadium, it has developed a reputation of being low and slow. As such, the execution of each side's spin-bowling plans may be decisive in the outcome of this match - and indeed the series. However, the changes at Providence could make the toss today

Badree and Sunil Narine have all flown off to India - a mere series win, much less a whitewash, would be a welcome result.

With Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree away, this represents an opportunity for Devendra Bishoo to establish himself in the West Indies' line-up. He will play all three ODIs in front of a home crowd in Guyana the first time in his ODI career he is playing there. He is still just four games into a return from a five-year absence from the ODI set-

tain, after Azhar Ali was removed after the 4-1 defeat in Australia and omitted from the squad altogether.

West Indies squad reads; Jason Holder (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell and Chadwick Walton.

Pakistan squad reads; Sarfraz Ahmed (c/wk) Ahmed ShehzadAsif ZakirBabar AzamFahim AshrafFakhar ZamanHasan AliImad WasimJunaid KhanKamran Akmal ( w k ) M o h a m m a d A m i r M o h a m m a d AsgharMohammad HafeezShadab KhanShoaib MalikWahab Riaz.

Pakistan will begin as favourites today at Providence

even more decisive.

It is often alleged that the existential threat 50over cricket faces arises largely due to the number of ODIs played without context or substantial meaning. Series such as this one, featuring three ODIs tucked between four T20s and three Tests, would generally have been the perfect example to advance that point. But the ICC's otherwise severely criticised move to reduce the World Cup to ten teams, only eight of which qualify directly, means Pakistan and West Indies - ranked eighth and ninth in ODIs respectively - will be playing for much more than the series trophy when they take on each other in Guyana. If West Indies win all three ODIs, they will leapfrog their visitors to eighth position less than six months before the cutoff date of September 30.

Pakistan will be buoyed by a 3-1 win in the T20I series, although it did little to allay concerns that Sarfraz Ahmed's men are still too inconsistent to compete with the very best. The series was bookended by clinical wins, but the two games in between witnessed a convincing win for West Indies and one game their coach Stuart Law said they threw away. With West Indies now significantly depleted by the departure of many of their high-profile names to the IPL - Kieron Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite, Samuel

up, and will be eager to improve upon disappointing returns against England; in three games, he took three wickets and conceded 136 runs in the 21 overs he bowled. But with the pitch in Providence expected to favour the slower bowlers, he will be hoping for better returns.

For Pakistan, could it really be anyone else? The biggest talking point in the T20Is was legspinner Shadab Khan's explosive introduction to the international stage. The 18-yearold was instrumental in all three of Pakistan's wins, and was named the Man of the Series, an award for which, in truth, he was the only contender. He now faces a sterner test: whether he can turn brilliant fourover spells into solid performances over ten overs in various phases of an ODI innings.

Pakistan haven't made too many changes to the side that won the T20Is, although a few fresh faces have been drafted in. Asif Zakir, Fahim Ashraf and Mohammad Asghar are the three players in the 16man squad yet to pull on an international shirt in any format. The most notable difference is the return of left-arm fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan, who were rested from the T20 series. In addition, it will also be the first ODI series for Sarfraz Ahmed as cap-

It was high intensity throughout the Chase Academy versus South Ruimveldt match at the Ministry of Education Ground on Wednesday evening

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wo-time defending champions Chase Academic Foundation will face Morgan’s Learning Centre (MLC) in Sunday’s Petra Organised, Milo Sponsored School’s under-18 Football Championships at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The finalists reached the final as a result of battling wins in the semi-finals on Wednesday at the same venue.

Job Caesar’s spectacular brace led Chase to a 2-0 victory over Sir Leon’s Lesson while MLC beat Masters Academy 2-1.

For the defending champs, Cesar etched his name on the score sheet in the 67th minute with a powerful right foot on the outskirts of the penalty area which flew into the top-right.

The talented mid-fielder then added another in similar fashion on the left side in

the 90+1 on the to seal the hard fought victory.

Their opponents in the final, won their match 2-1 against Masters Academy as for MLC, the heroes were Daniel Floyd in the 18th and Chris Macey in the 49th; Mario Eastman gave his team a consolation goal, netting in the 80th minute.

The third place play-off between Masters Academy and Sir Leon will commence at 17:00 hrs followed by the final at 19:00 hrs.

Teams are battling for the $500,000 first prize on offer, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $300,000; $200,000 and $100,000 respectively – money that will go towards a school project.

The tournament is also sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health under the Theme “Stop the Violence.”

GHB/Smalta U-14 Indoor Hockey league…

Inaugural U-14 champs will be crowned tonight

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fter two months, the champions of the Guyana Hockey Board/ Smalta u-14 indoor hockey league will be decided tonight at the Marian Academy court, Carifesta Avenue.

Playing in two categories (boys and girls), the semi-finals and finals will be played from 16:00h with two matches being played at the same time.

In the boys division, the battle for supremacy amongst the two Saints Hockey Club (SHC) teams see SHC Scalpels and SHC Samurai paired for a chance to make it into the finals.

Scalpels would feel confident of their

chances to dispose of their other club team having finished on top of the table undefeated while Samurai will have a point to prove after making it in fourth position.

In the other semi-final, St. Joseph High (SJH) will come up against a resilient Hikers Hockey Club (HHC) Garnett Street as the two finished the group stage in 3rd and 2nd respectively.

Garnett Street would feel the better of the two teams heading into the match as they were victorious the last time these two teams met, however the SJH boys are a vibrant bunch and

Marian Academy will see the first-ever champions of the U-14

will be bringing their all and leaving nothing in the tank.

Meanwhile, in the female division, another SHC team takes to the top of the table and is booked to do battle against GCC Challengers, one of two GCC teams in the semi-finals.

In the other female semi-final, the other GCC team, Warriors will bring their A game against Marian Academy who will be tough to beat on home turf.

In the other matches, SHC Sensations will face St. Joseph High Girls’ team in the fifth place playoff while Old Fort and HHC Hatchets will take to the court to face each other with the winner facing the winner of the GCC thunderbolts and SHC Scorchers for the fifth position.

Tournament co-ordinator, Dominique De Groot has highlighted the high intensity coming from the competition and pointed out that this is all part and parcel of the GHB’s plans to have a regular influx of players moving their way up through the ranks so that there can be prepared for the senior level.

Additionally, this tournament provides the opportunity for Guyana to have a steady crop with experience to take it through to the international scene. This has long posed a problem for the locals especially at the PanAmerican games but is expected to be remedied with this particular tournament.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, april 7, 2017

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CWI/PCL Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament 2016-17

Contending Pride, Scorpions look to move ahead in title race

– Richards appointed Red Force Captain in shake-up

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arbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions, two of the strongest contenders for the title, will look to make hay while reigning champions and current leaders Guyana Jaguars cool out during the ninth round of the Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament beginning today.

Only four of the six regional franchises – including the Pride and Scorpions – will be taking the field this weekend, as the teams begin their final push towards the Headley/Weekes Jamaica Scorpions will be looking for more success against a struggling Volcanoes unit

Barbados Pride vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force (At Kensington Oval, Barbados)Squad Barbados Pride (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Aaron Jones, Preston McSween, Rachid O’Neale, Kevin Stoute, Jomel Warrican, Ryan Wiggins, Kenroy Williams IN-Corbin, Jones, McSween, O’Neale, Wiggins, OUT-Shamarh Brooks, Miguel Cummins, Keon Harding, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (from): Marlon Richards (captain), Yannick Cariah, Bryan Charles, Akiel Cooper, Sheldon Cottrell, Amir Jangoo, Imran Khan, Ewart Nicholson, Kjorn Ottley, Khary Pierre, Roshon Primus, Isaiah Rajah, Tion Webster IN-Cooper, Jangoo, Nicholson, Ottley, Primus, Webster, OUT-Nicholas Alexis, Rayad Emrit, Kyle Hope, Steven Katwaroo, Anderson Phillip, Jeremy Solozano Umpires: Johnathan Blades, Christopher Taylor (Jamaica) Match Referee: Stephen Proverbs Reserve Umpire: Ryan Willoughby

Trophy, symbol of R4Day supremacy. The match between the Jaguars and Leeward Islands Hurricanes originally carded for this weekend at the Guyana National Stadium has been pushed back two weeks, due to the three One-day Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan being contested tomorrow, Sunday and Tuesday at the same venue.

Victories for the Pride over Trinidad & Tobago Red Force under the lights on home soil at Kensington Oval in Barbados and for the Scorpions against Windward Islands Volcanoes on the road at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St. Vincent could mount even more pressure on the Jaguars to stay in front and complete their three-peat, when they resume play for what will be the final full

round of matches the following week.

Both the Pride and the Scorpions won the first-leg matches against their opposition for this weekend, as recent results trend strongly in their favour against the Red Force and Volcanoes respectively. The Pride have won eight of the last 10 matches over the last five years against the Red Force including four of the last five at Kensington Oval, and the Scorpions have edged the Volcanoes in four of the last five contests over the last three seasons, but have split the two matches they have played at the venue for this weekend’s match during the same time period.

All the sides playing this weekend, expect the Volcanoes, have been ravaged in one way or the other, either through West Indies duty, selection policy or in-

New Red Force Captain Marlon Richards jury, and a number of uncapped players are likely to make their first-class debuts

which should help to make the outcomes of the matches far more exciting.

Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Jamaica Scorpions (At Arnos Vale Sports Complex, St. Vincent) Squad Windward Islands Volcanoes (from): Liam Sebastien (captain), Sunil Ambris, Larry Edward, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Sherman Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Kenroy Peters, Jerlani Robinson, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyron Theophile IN-Edward, Fletcher, OUT-Gian Benjamin, Roland Cato Jamaica Scorpions (from): Nikita Miller (captain), Fabian Allen, Jermaine Blackwood, Dennis Bulli, John Campbell, Derval Green, Trevon Griffith, Marquino Mindley, Paul Palmer Jr, Peat Salmon, Jerome Taylor, Devon Thomas, Oraine Williams IN-Bulli, Salmon, Taylor, OUT-Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Andre McCarthy Umpires: Deighton Butler, Leslie Reifer, Jr Match Referee: Carlyle Felix Reserve Umpire: Roger DavisReserve Umpire: Ryan Willoughby

Bakers Memorial 20-miler pedals off Sunday – Agard seeks top spot, Jeffrey set for return

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he 6th edition of the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycling Cluborganised (LBFCC) Bakers Memorial road race is set for this Sunday in the Mining Town of Linden as hometown hero; Shaquel Agard has set his sights on claiming this accolade in front of the home crowd.

Last year’s winner Geron Williams is unable to defend his title since he is currently competing in the United States, as such a new champion will be crowned and Agard has put his name in the ring.

When Guyana Times Sport spoke to LBFCC rider Agard, he said “I am confident that I will have a good placing and even win this Sunday because I train on the hills which a lot of the riders are not re-

Shaquel Agard

ally exposed to.”

Though Agard suffered a freak accident in the National Park, Thomas Lands two weeks ago, which caused his machine to break; he has since gotten a new machine and is ready to make a comeback

after missing last Sunday’s road race.

Agard is considered one of the most favourable riders to take the accolade as he has under his belt exposure, experience and wins.

With the likes of Michael Anthony and Orville Hinds over in French Guiana, only a few riders share this experience.

Also making a comeback is Raynauth “Obeah Man” Jeffrey who recently competed in the Sunshine Grand Prix where he placed 13th overall and returned to Guyana on Monday.

Jeffrey said he is excited to be back home and is looking to use this race to get himself back in shape, having only been in five races for the 2017 season.

Hamzah Eastman is also another serious con-

Hamzah Eastman

tender for the title, having placed second in the two previous editions of the tournament and has shown some promising performances over the last few races.

In the mix of contenders, We Stand United’s ace rider Andrew Hicks is fea-

tured as he was the champion junior rider last year and will now be competing with the big boys in the senior category.

President of the LBFCC, Okel Arthur, when contacted, explained that the event is billed to ride off from 08:00h in front to the Baker’s residence, Redwood crescent Mckenzie, Linden (GTT) junction on David Rose Avenue as they proceed through the town and go through the Linden/ Soesdyke highway up to Moblissa and return to the starting point. The seniors will do four laps to complete a 20 mile race while the other categories include juniors, juveniles, women, veterans Under 50 and over 50.

The event is possible

Raynauth Jeffrey

by the compliments of the Baker’s family, relatives and friends, sports Plus Store, the Guyana Sports Development Foundation in collaboration with the LBFCC as the Baker family will be there to witness the action and distribute the prizes.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Leg spinner Devendra Bishoo having a bowl in the nets as West Indies Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams (centre), off-spinner Ashley Nurse (left) and Spin Bowling Consultant Rajindra Dhanraj pay close attention (WICB/Randy Brooks photo)

Pg 22

West Indies vs Pakistan Brighto Paints presents Q Mobile ODI Series…

All eyes on Providence

– teams seek important winning start

Pakistan Head Coach Mikey Arthur inspects the track at Providence on the eve of the opening ODI

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