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Issue No. 2785

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, March 3, 2016

PRICE

Pre-retirement decisions

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Judges can interrupt leave to deliver rulings – acting CJ

Excise tax review

Page 7

... after taking oath of office as JSC member

Inquiry Board to probe CANU-narco link allegations Page 3

$80 vat included

Passage of controversial Tax Amendment Bill

PPP/C’s confidence in “biased” Speaker dwindling

Govt still to address issue with local P17 businesses Controversy brews over Region 10 television P12 station – Chairman calls for cease order

Page 2

... Teixeira roasts Scotland’s – National Security Committee Head disregard for Constitution

Wales Estate solidarity strike

GAWU deliberately sabotaging industry – GuySuCo complains

P2

Damning Rodney CoI report

Granger says “not afraid” to publicly release P12 findings

Brazilian Minister conferred with Guyana’s 2nd highest award Page 9 President David Granger (second from left), Brazil's External Affairs Minister Mauro Luiz lecker Vieira, Chancellor of Judiciary Carl Singh, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Minister of State Joseph Harmon posing for the media following the investiture ceremony

Rape accused commits suicide before jury returns verdict Page 9

Foulis father of 8 hangs self Page 14

... stop talking, start acting – PPP/C urges President

Local Police, INTERPOL officially working on GPL DCEO’s extradition P17

2 news

thursday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Passage of controversial Tax Amendment Bill…

PPP/C’s confidence in “biased” Speaker dwindling … Teixeira roasts Scotland’s disregard for Constitution

By Devina Samaroo

O

pposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira delivered a feral blast against House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland for failing to uphold the Constitution of Guyana when he allowed the passage of the Tax Amendment Bill 2016 in the National Assembly, despite the lacking of a majority vote.

She equally expressed grave concerns over the manner in which the House Speaker continues to address Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs).

“We are extraordinarily disturbed by the Speaker’s process of decision-making and reactions to the Opposition Members, we find it disrespectful and belittling the way he speaks to our MPs, including the Leader of the Opposition (Bharrat Jagdeo),” Teixeira related.

To this end, the seasoned parliamentarian explained that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will continue to stand up for what is right, even if it means continuously raising concerns about parliamentary procedural breaches.

“We will continue to

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

point out though that we are here at the behest of the people whether they voted for us or not, we will continue to fight and we will continue in the parliamentary forum to defend the Constitution and we will continue to fight for what we believe is right for the Guyanese people,” she insisted.

Teixeira indicated that it would be unfounded to move a No-Confidence Motion against the House Speaker at this point, since it will not be supported by a majority vote; however she did not entirely rule out the option.

The MP added that the

Dr Scotland still has an opportunity to redeem himself.

“There is still an opportunity for the Speaker…to uphold parliamentary democracy,” she stated.

The passage of the Bill

After the PPP/C rose to object the passage of the Bill without a majority vote in the House, Dr Scotland indicated that the onus was upon the parliamentary Opposition to prevent the Bill from passing.

The Speaker maintained that the PPP/C should have called for a ‘division’, which would have allowed for the

votes to be counted to determine if there is majority vote.

However, the Opposition Chief Whip argued that it is the Speaker’s responsibility to ensure the Constitution is not violated, and therefore, the Speaker should have initiated the call for a ‘division’.

“Ultimately, the Speaker has to rectify it… there is a perception of a wrong that has been committed… so the Constitution was violated and (you’re saying) the Opposition is at fault. This Pontius Pilate approach is totally unacceptable… you’re telling me that the Constitution is being eroded and violated in full face and no one must do anything, the Speaker says ‘oh no I can’t do anything, it’s your fault’, (Raphael) Trotman says ‘oh we can’t do anything, it’s the Opposition’s fault’, and we’re willing to accept that,” Teixeira contended.

Challenge

Moreover, the PPP/C already indicated its intention to move to the court via a constitutional motion to challenge the passage of the Tax Bill.

PPP/C parliamentarian

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland

Anil Nandlall had explained that the Bill will be challenged on the grounds that it was not passed in accordance with the law. “The Constitution lays down how bills are to be passed in the National Assembly and every bill that is passed in violation of that constitutional procedure would be unconstitutional and unlawful,” he stated.

According to the former Attorney General, had the constitutional procedures been followed, the Bill would have failed as it required a majority vote.

Had the Speaker been

an elected Member of Parliament (MP), he could have used his casting vote to determine whether or not the Bill will be passed.

However, Dr Scotland was chosen from civil society and not from the List of Candidates of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), therefore, he does not have a casting vote.

A failed bill cannot be brought back in the same session of Parliament.

Therefore, Government would have had to wait until the 12th Parliament to retable the bill.

Wales Estate solidarity strike

GAWU deliberately sabotaging industry – GuySuCo complains

I

n response to the series of countrywide strikes being organised by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) con-

cluded that the Union poses a danger to sugar workers, contending that it continues to mislead its membership into activities that only further deplete their earnings.

“The Corporation has

noted the continued negative stance taken by GAWU with the Union’s President contending that the Corporation is issuing threats rather than sitting down with them to discuss

issues,” the Sugar Company wrote in a statement on Wednesday; one day after yet another strike action.

GuySuCo asserted that these industrial actions only further reduce the production and productivity of the sugar industry and more importantly, denies the sugar workers and their families a normal livelihood since these weekly stoppages only result in reduced pay, as well as loss of the normal weekly incentives.

Moreover, the Sugar Corporation claimed it has “verifiable” evidence that

GAWU goes to the extent of threatening field representatives who have been reluctant to comply with directives to call workers out on strike.

“The Corporation at no time issued any threats to the Union but the real threat is that of GAWU,” GuySuCo reiterated.

Moreover, the Corporation made it abundantly clear that it will no longer engage the Union while the one-day per week protest action in maintained.

Furthermore, GuySuCo

declared that the crop will be stopped and will not resume until assurance by the Union is given that the weekly protest actions will be discontinued.

According to the sugar company, the one-day per week stoppage is significantly aggravating the financial position of the Corporation.

GAWU had announced that it will continue to express its dissatisfaction through various forms of industrial action until Government rescinds its decision to close down the Wales Sugar Estate.

news

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thursday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 3, 2016 – 12:30h-14:00h and Friday, March 4, 2016 – 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 3, 2016 – 11:35h-13:05h and Friday, March 4, 2016 – 12:45h-14:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while cleat skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 11:27h reaching a maximum height of 2.17 metres.

Low Tide: 04:53h and 17:40h reaching minimum heights of 1.13 metres and 1.01 metres respectively.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

01 03 06 16 20 22 19 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

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Dataram’s revelations

Inquiry Board to probe CANUnarco link allegations – National Security Committee Head

I

n light of the damning allegations made by self-confessed drug baron Barry Dataram earlier this week, President David Granger has announced that a Board of Inquiry (BoI) will be established to investigate claims of corruption within various security agencies.

Dataram, during an interview with HGPTV Nightly News (Channel 67), alleged that senior officials of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) are involved in illegal drug trafficking activities and even alleged that one of the agents bagged some $10 million in exchange for allowing cocaine to leave the country. He also made allegations against the fairly new Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

However, speaking with reporters on Wednesday, President David Granger revealed that the National Security Committee (NSC), which he currently heads, decided during their weekly meeting on Tuesday to establish a Board of Inquiry to look into the allegations.

“Yes we’re convening an inquiry to investigate the allegations which were made… Yesterday, this matter came up before the Committee and we have decided that a Board of Injury will be convened… that inquiry will determine the veracity of the information which was published in the newspapers,” the Head of State stated.

According to the President, the Inquiry will be headed by an officer that is yet to be named.

He added too that the persons who will be conducting the probe will be giv-

President David Granger

en Terms of Reference to guide them in investigating the allegations of alleged improper behaviour of officers of the State.

When further asked, President Granger pointed out that if the probe finds any State agents culpable, then the course of action taken will be in accordance with the law.

“We will deal with the culpable in a way we always deal with the culpable. We expect that there will be due process, if there is a case to answer… (by) the persons alleged to have committed an offence.We will ensure that the person, after proper investigations, is put before the Court but we will not interfere in the judicial process,” the Head of State posited.

He went on to say that once there is a case to answer to, then the case along with necessary information will be forwarded to the relevant authorities for the law to take its course. “We’re not persecuting anybody but we just want to know the facts and we will take it from there,” Granger stressed.

The highly sensationalised interview with Dataram and his nephew aired on Monday evening, and the country’s premier anti-narco agency subse-

quently released a statement that said night, dismissing the accusations.

In fact, Head of CANU James Singh denies all allegations of impropriety levelled against the Unit by the Dataram family. He explained that Dataram’s savagery against his agency may be as a result of his (Dataram’s) uneasiness due to the commencement of his trial for possession of129.230kg of cocaine that was found in Shrimp at his Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), residence on April 16, 2015.

On the other hand,

Self-professed drug baron Barry Dataram

Singh stated that CANU welcomes the “frank confessions” of Dataram as it relates to his involvement in the narcotics trade and urged him, along with “others” connected to the narcotic trade both small

Head of CANU James Singh

and large; mules and traffickers alike, to attend the nearest court, Police station and or the CANU Head Quarters Georgetown to provide useful intelligence in past and ongoing investigations and operations.

“CANU welcomes further public confessions of criminal elements. CANU urges the citizenry to stand up, speak out, to have the tenacity to testify against the elements of the narcotic trade; and help the Unit make Guyana a safer place,” he stated.

Singh added that CANU agrees that all law enforcement bodies should operate justly and within the confines of the law and noted that this is a welcomed wave of change Guyanese should continue to adopt this apparently new stance of intolerance to white collar crime plaguing Guyana.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, march 3, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

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

Editorial

Whither Aid for Trade?

C

aricom launched its “Aid for Trade (AfT) strategy 20132015” in the same year an important step towards reducing trade costs was taken at the Ninth WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali where Members concluded the Agreement on Trade Facilitation. AfT had been proposed unilaterally by G7 in 2005 in reaction to the growing gap in exploiting the opportunities in trade opened up by globalisation, the AfT regime is intended to assist developing countries with building their trade capabilities in line with their own development plans. The catchphrase was that “market access must be converted into market presence”.

This capacity building is critical since with the freezing of the Doha Round of the WTO, the developed world has focused on creating trading regimes in which the less developed countries are not in a position to benefit from their trade commitments. Since the start of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative, donors have disbursed a total of US$264.5 billion in official development assistance and an additional US$190 billion in other official flows for financing trade-related programmes in developing countries. A review should be conducted to determine whether the AfT has helped or hurt our economies.

As part of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), for instance, the European Union (EU) had made a commitment to proceed with the AfT and to work with both Government and the Private Sector, especially the latter to boost their trade capacity. Very little has actually been done in the Caribbean.

WTO has more specifically emphasised that AfT must be deployed to assist developing countries to enter the Global Value Chain (GVC) in which production is spread among any number of countries and value is added at each stage of the transfer. Much of today’s global trade is in intermediate goods which are imported, value added and then exported.

The problem is that most value is captured in the design and conceptual stage of the value chain, as well as in the final sales and marketing end of the GVC. However, this is not where most developing countries are located. They are generally located in the lower value manufacturing section of the GVC, and even then, this is true for some, not all developing countries.

The benefit a country gets from participating in the GVC will depend on where a country is lined up in terms of its technological capacities; the depth of their manufacturing capacities; how developed their services sectors are; the size of their enterprises; their managerial expertise; and their ability to meet the standards of the international markets to name only a few criteria.

Owing to these and other limitations, developing countries could open up, and they could become more integrated, but the quality of their integration may not be of real benefit.

Mere liberalisation will not upgrade countries’ technological or services supply side capacities. Nor will Trade Facilitation Agreements – expediting the entry of imports through a range of customs procedures.

So the focus of AfT to increase trade via GVC has to be deepening the production capacities of developing countries so that they can garner a bigger share of the value added. From a decision Caricom made in 2009, the AfT strategy was crafted towards “upgrading key economic infrastructure; enhancing export competitiveness; diversifying economies; retooling the Private Sector; strengthening regional integration; and creating financial and other instruments to encourage and support innovation and research and development”.

We suggest that the impetus must be more directed to engender the movement of our manufacturing capacities beyond being assembly lines, creating a more vibrant agricultural sector – including agro-processing and increased production capacities in a range of services sectors. The latter is crucial because with the entry and exit of intermediate goods between countries, the service component of the GVC has grown exponentially. It now surpasses trade in manufactured goods.

Failure to engage in structural transformation especially of services and deepening of production capacities could mean that our countries will continue supplying raw materials or at best, sites for low value-added manufacturing tasks.

Brazil's External Affairs Minister Mauro Luiz lecker Vieira lays a wreath at the Independence Arch in Georgetown as part of activities on his official visit to Guyana as he deepens ties with his Guyanese counterparts

Vishnu Bisram should continue to write against race issues

Dear Editor, Rajendranauth R Singh (a fictitious name?), writing in another paper on February 28, urged the editor of that publication not to feature Vishnu Bisram's letters. That paper did not carry my response. Let me state I religiously look at papers to see if Bisram has penned any commentary or news report. I look forward to his views. He is erudite and objective. I look forward to and compliment Bisram’s reports on the Diaspora, his travelogues, and his commentaries on varied issues. Bisram has his finger on the political pulse in Guyana and does an excellent job of analysing Guyana’s politics and clarifying issues relating to the political landscape.

Few write as professionally and with balance as he does; he lambastes all three parties (PPP, PNC, AFC), exposing their failures, broken promises, and selfishness. He tells us to reject all three for their failed leadership. He is the kind of person the country needs in leadership and I encourage him to enter politics to give Guyana racial equality. I thoroughly enjoy the exchanges between Bisram and Freddie Kissoon. I have not seen any recent exchanges between Freddie and Bisram; I can assure you there is a

lot of readership on those exchanges because whenever I visit the roti shops in Richmond Hill, people talk about it. Freddie is antiPPP but the others give a more balanced view of that party.

Unlike Rajendranauth Singh who wants to bury the race issues under the sand, I applaud Bisram for confronting Guyana’s race dilemma head on and offering a proposal to resolve racial conflict. He calls a spade a spade. He and Ravi Dev have advanced proposals for resolving our racial conflict. I salute Bisram for his position on resolving the race conflict. He and Dr Hinds consistently call for equitable power sharing so that no race predominates over another race.

Race is everything in life and particularly so in Guyana. If it were not, why APNU would said it needed AFC’s 11 per cent Indians to win the elections? Bisram recaptured some of the difficulties in his commentaries over the years. It is well known that Indians and Africans during the period of the 1960s were at each other’s throats divided in their support for PPP and PNC. But when oppression stepped in during the late 1970s and 1980s, Indians and Africans gravitated

towards each other and looked out for each other’s survival. My grandfather was a Police Officer and when he brought home confiscated foods (like sardines, salt fish, bread, potatoes, split peas, channa, etc), we shared with our Indian neighbours. They were treated badly and several of them were jailed

by Police for selling contraband goods.

They invited us to jhandi and Koran Shariefs and their Christian services at home. Now, Rajendranauth tells Indians to forget their experience and move on.

Is he joking? I feel insulted that someone would tell me to forget racist experiences during the 1970s and 1980s.

How would my African people feel if someone tells them to “move on” from slavery? How would African-Americans feel if someone tells them “move on” from the past experience of Jim Crow racism?

And if it is Rajendranauth wants to move on, how come he does not give the coalition government that message to move on from all the allegations being made against PPP? CR Peters says five Indians in a committee of 142 is fair representation. Really? Is that how your parents train you to be non-racial and not to see race? How about

if it were the reverse – five Africans (or 14) and the rest being Indians – would Africans accept it? Would Peters accept it? Don’t Peters and Rajendranuath see anything wrong in the under-representation of Indians, Amerindians, Chinese, and Whites – the gist of the complaint reported by Bisram. Have they not seen any value in Bisram’s critique of the composition of the committee? I shudder to think about what they consider as “fair and balanced”. By his view, Rajendranuath won’t have any problem going back to slavery and indentureship because he tells Indians to move on from their past experience under Burnhamism.

Editor, I will condemn my siblings for being part of a committee of 142 that does not speak out against the disproportionate racial composition of the jubilee committee.

Furthermore, I will discourage them from attending any event that does not do justice to the culture of the varied races of the country. We are after all "one people". Dr Bisram, I encourage you to continue to speak out against racial injustice.

Yours truly, Tanesha Jacobs

guyanatimesgy.com

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Ramharack should return home to demolish Why were Indians forced to leave Jagan’s legacy which frightens him Guyana?

Dear Editor, Praise to God Almighty that Dr Baytoram Ramharack, who now lives in New York can feel totally liberated from the clutches of the Jaganauts who he believes ruined Guyana.

In two of his recent letters in the press titled “Jagan’s legacy contributed to ourcurrent politically dysfunctional society” and “We need a comprehensive CoI which covers the PNC and PPP years.” So what is Dr Ramharack’s illustrious contributory alternative to Jagan’s mountain top legacy? Jumping from the current meaty Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report, the expatriate Dr Ramharack cannot wait to add some more pooknee (blow torch) fire power to his battering of the Jagan edifice. Dr Ramharack’s profound unwisdom is his preference to sell sea shells from an offsite New York seashores when Guyanese rice and sugar workers are in a bitter fight for their lives. What matters not at all is the dire plight of those whose economic, racial and family survival are under siege now they are again being ‘Ramharacked’ to pieces after Rodney’s Working People’s Alliance and Moses’ Alliance For Change gave emancipated empowerment to the People’s National Congress (PNC) to destroy

poor people.

Why does the PNC elimination of Wales sugar estate and refocusing away from the damning Rodney CoI report gets Dr Ramharack’s priority treatment? Why are these issues of lesser importance? Something is loose somewhere. Get with the programme brother man. Your harmonium is out of tune with Guyanese reality. Cease using your drumsticks to become a basooree (woodwind flute) of Pied Piper irrelevance in a time when the Jagans who have always been champions of the workers are greatly missed and lamented for not being alive. You create unnecessary diversions most inopportune.

Dr Jagan was no dictator who starved Guyanese, drove them away from Guyana by the thousands or curtailed their press freedom.

He rigged no election nor did he execute his enemies or subjected Guyana to a reign of prolonged political terror.

Under Jagan’s 1960’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government, Guyana was the breadbasket of the Caribbean, with the best educational system and with the highest standard of living in the Caribbean.

Yes a million times yes to the truth that Guyanese flocked to Jagan’s 1947 Political Affairs Committee, which became the PPP in

1950. They also similarly embraced Rodney with gusto. Every colour, race, religion the educated and not so educated, countryside and capital inhabitants were gathered together under one banner to free Guyana from the British and the PNC. What was wrong with that? Give me a break brother man. Jagan is dead and gone. He did not divide Guyana by race or by hook or crook. Up to now Dr Ramharack is clueless who did? Dr Ramharack proudly sanctifies Mr Eusi Kwayana as an “elder statesman” when the exiled Buxtonian ceaselessly battered the Jagans and the PPP as being pro Indian; at every tack and turn he did so. Mr Kwayana historically still does continue his course and Dr Ramharack’s letter must have given much comfort to him.

When Dr Ramharack pursues his pleasure in beating up the dead Jagans as being Don Quixote class conscious Communist rabble rousers, he reveals his own prejudices. Whose designs he serves can be measured by whom he best smears. Why is the racist Mr Kwayana his sanctified “elder statesman” idol who gets away scot-free, while Dr Rodney is held up as a Pan Africanist like he is some wolf in sheep’s clothing which he is duty bound

City Hall lacks respect for Guyana’s Parliament Dear Editor, All over the world, one of the most visited places by tourists, visitors, students and travellers tends to be the Parliament Buildings of the capital cities of countries across the globe, and Guyana is no different.

The more famous ones include the Hungarian Parliament, in Budapest; the Palace of Westminster, in London; the Capitol, in Washington DC; the Reichstag, in Berlin, Germany; Centre Block, in Ottawa, Canada; Houses of Parliament, Cape Town, South Africa, and many more.

But visitors to our Public Buildings in Georgetown, particularly if they walk along the pavement on the western side have to tip toe around excrement and other unmentionables, pass along a drain that has been stagnant for years, encounter persons urinating right there into the trench and are also faced by an unsightly building that once housed a gas station but

now accommodates an assortment of vending stations from pirated CDs and DVDs to alcoholic beverages.

How could the Georgetown Municipality be so disrespectful of the Parliament of Guyana?

And this situation can be verified by any and everyone who is willing to venture along that pavement, but just do not go at night or you will surely be mugged on top of it all.

Apart from demolishing that ugly edifice that should have never been there in the first place, cleaning the pavement and drain and arresting those exposing themselves in public while urinating, should the City Constabulary not post sentries and have a changing the Guard ceremony at this most important Sincerely, Mark Roopan

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

to expose?

Dr Ramharack is overdue to take a political bath. He ought to pull up his socks, sit up straight and take note.

Mr Kwayana is the cattle prod which still lives to keep Guyana races polarised.

Either Dr Ramharack is of similar views that Indians must go their own way or he is not. In the meantime, stop the flip-flopping or step out the arena. This is no time for confusion and disarray.

All Guyanese are not a bunch of fools who embraced Jagan’s prolonged nonsense as you seem to think and so earnestly believe. While Dr Ramharack ran away to America, the Jagans stayed in mosquito-infested Guyana to build it for everyone, if gentle reminder can be offered and accepted. How exceptionally liberated are those who have been fortunate to have charted, by their own wisdom a separate happiness.

Dr Ramharack’s educated presence in Guyana would make a big difference had he chosen to remain with us in Guyana. For the Jagan edifice to be demolished, one needs to be domiciled in Guyana. What difference would it make anyway?

So when can we expect Dr Ramharack to return home to muddy Guyana?

Sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

Dear Editor, Kindly allow me to respond to Rajendranauth R Singh’s letter of February 28, 2016 titled “He writes about the same thing in every letter every day” in reference to Dr Vishnu Bisram.

If Dr Bisram writes on race in the context of Guyana politics, what makes him wrong to address others to whom he responds, and the others more right? Are they justified by special rights or privileges?

In a given society, only the minus one per cent is targeted to make or break a given race or country.

Writers like Dr Bisram and the growing others are the reason why Indo Guyanese have some sort of political visibility and defence.

Mr Singh cares not about politics but he should explain why his Afro Guyanese friends are so visibly politically involved in the partisan 50th Brooklyn Independence committee led by People’s National Congress (PNC) partisan Rickford Burke.

Indian survivability and political pushback is obviously not in Mr Singh’s repertoire because he is already a conquered subject. What makes Mr Singh “Indian” is up to him to define.

Those Indians like Mr Singh and the self-hating Indians like Mr Freddie Kissoon, who are his admired heroes, most ad-

equately explain why we had the Wismar massacre of defenceless Indians and the mass exodus of some two hundred thousand Indians now living in North America. Are Mr Singh and family proud exiles in their new Diaspora or would they have preferred to remain safe and secure in their own country? Did Mr Singh ever ask his parents why he and his siblings were taken to New York? Had Mr Singh involved himself in anything Indo-Guyanese in Queens or elsewhere, Mr Singh views probably would be different towards Dr Bisram.

Mr Singh is invited, please take the time, to understand how the political evolution in Guyana kept Indo-Guyanese out of the political mainstreams by institutionalisation of racism by the PNC Government, giving rise to the Birams of the Caribbean.

Such cotton candy approach to “one love” will not cut it if Mr Singh is inclined to wake up and smell the curry. Rights come by political might; that is why he is now enjoying the fruits of “freedom” in the USA; a right not luxury that many Singhs did not have in PNC Guyana. Compatriot. May Shiva be with you and with all political Guyanese!

Sincerely, Vassan Ramracha

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

How to use your child’s learning style in his favour

– by determining how your child learns best, you can create a learning environment that better meets his needs

er language challenges, but they may read slowly. They respond well to spoken directions and are often social learners.

To help your child: You can make her environment more multimedia-oriented by incorporating radio programmes, videos, and recorded lectures. Also try listening while your child reports information back to you, organising group discussions, or encouraging performance.

By Heather Hamilton

I

t’s no secret that children learn in a variety of ways. While life doesn’t always accommodate your child’s particular learning style, you can help him by educating yourself.

By identifying where your child excels and incorporating appropriate activities into his study time, you can help him achieve academic success early on.

The 411 on learning styles

Learning styles can be broken down in a number of ways, so it’s possible that you’ll come across references to styles that you may be unfamiliar with, but we’ll be discussing the seven most common ones.

It’s also important to note that students often cross over into multiple learning style categories.

Your child may be an aural, social learner or a logical, solitary learner. Identifying which categories your student falls into will help you form an academic plan that best suits her needs.

Decoding your child

The most crucial part of determining your child’s style is to observe him, preferably in a setting where you can view measurable results. If it’s clear that your child is struggling and you can identify the way he is

Verbal

being taught, you’ll be able to begin narrowing down potential learning styles.

You can also have your child take a test that will help identify her learning style. These can be found in educational books or online and can help provide initial direction. While these assessments may not always be 100 per cent accurate, they can provide a useful starting off point.

Finally, familiarise yourself with the tendencies of each learning style.

Knowing what traits are often demonstrated by students who fall under one or multiple categories will

equip you to help your child.

The 7 learning styles Visual

The visual style is a very common form of learning in which students associate images with information.

This can include pictures, graphs, and diagrams.

They’re prone to reading (as opposed to listening) and may struggle with instructions they hear. They’ve got a distinct preference for pictures over sound and like to establish a project’s purpose and goal before beginning.

To help your child: Provide visuals, which can include supplementing class material, helping to colour code organisational tools, or helping him solve his own work in a way that makes sense.

Auditory

Auditory learners retain information by listening and sometimes repeating it.

This style works well with traditional classroom setups. Students tend to enjoy activities, such as reading out loud, explaining things to others, and speaking up in class. These children often like grammar and oth-

Children who love and excel at reading and writing may be partial to the verbal learning style, which involves both the written and spoken word. They also tend to enjoy pictures, like visual learners. They’re probably reading a lot, both for school and for pleasure, and prefer transcripts to recordings, although videos may work best. They often like working on handouts, writing on the board, and making lists.

Most of all, they enjoy repetition and talking about the things they’re learning.

To help your child: Try reading instructions aloud and then discussing them, perhaps more than once.

You can make up rhymes or songs to help your child remember, find ways to connect words to each other and create mnemonics.

(Parenting.com)

to be continued

Is my child normal?

– the question can do more harm than good

By Ara Francis, PhD

I

have rarely met a parent who did not, at one time or another, wonder if some aspect of their child’s development was “normal”. There are good reasons for this. Gone are the days when extended kin and large numbers of siblings shared in the tasks of childrearing. Late-modern life finds many of us parenting in relative isolation, without the accumulated wisdom or helpful hands of grandmothers, aunts, or cousins. We are faced, too, with an endless supply of scientific and pseudo-scientific information about children’s health and development. Parenting advice populates the Internet, but instead of easing our anxieties, it often just attunes us to a broad array of potential problems. It is no surprise, then, that so many of us find ourselves asking, “Is my child normal?

But what do we mean by “normal”? Although the concept has become a pivotal, taken-for-granted way that we make sense of human variation, the whole notion that some characteristics are regular, average, or standard did not emerge in Western cultures until the mid-nineteenth century.

As Lennard Davis documents in his 1995 book “Enforcing Normalcy”, prior to this period there were literary and artistic representations of the ideal, but such forms were tied to the divine and, by definition, not humanly attainable.

Only with the emergence of statistics and the bellshaped curve did the idea of “normalcy” take root in the collective imagination.

Far from a timeless benchmark against which people have always measured themselves, “normalcy” is but one way to think about human diversity. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

To be continued

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thursday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Pre-retirement decisions

Judges can interrupt leave to deliver rulings – acting CJ … after taking oath of office as JSC member

I

n light of the controversies stemming from a ruling handed down by now retired acting Chief Justice Ian Chang while he was on his pre-retirement leave, his successor believes that nothing was unusual with what he did.

Recently appointment acting Chief Justice, Justice Yonnette CummingsEdwards, who was also on Wednesday appointed a member of the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC), explained that it has been the practice of Judges to come out of their pre-retire-

Justice posited.

Moreover, Justice Cummings-Edwards further pointed out that the legislation is “silent” on whether Judges are allowed to deliver rulings in such situations.

The former acting Chief Justice on February 19 ruled that Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix and Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott cannot sit as technocrat members in the National Assembly, since they are candidates on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) successful List

was rather regrettable that the former acting Chief Justice should come out of his leave to issue such an order… I was very astonished that Justice Chang’s ruling and the circumstances under which he decided to deliver that ruling,” the Head of State had remarked.

Furthermore, Attorney General Williams also posited that he was not given an opportunity to respond to the decision of the court.

Nevertheless, Government has since successfully applied for a stay of execution on the ruling, thus allowing

Minister Basil Williams; Justice Prem Persaud; and Justice Lennox Perry.

In congratulating Justice Cummings-Edwards on her new appointment, President Granger noted that this is one of the many steps taken by his Government to ensure that integrity and professionalism within the judiciary is preserved and at the same time ensuring public confidence in the system is restored.

“We have taken measures to ensure that the autonomy and integrity of the Judiciary in Guyana is not Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards taking her oath of office before President David Granger

President David Granger (centre) and Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards (third from left) along with other members of the Judicial Service Commission, as well as Minister of State Joseph Harmon (third from right)

ment leave to deliver decisions on cases which they have heard.

“The then acting Chief Justice had some matters that were part-heard before him (in which) decisions were pending and he came out and gave his decisions on that,” she stated, while adding that Justice Chang “had not demitted office…

He was on leave and those matters were part heard before him… (and) he chose to come and give the decision rather than have the matter done over… there have been cases before where Judges, as far as I can recall, came out,” the new acting Chief

of Candidates for the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Following the ruling, several Government representatives, including President David Granger as well as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams had expressed concerns over the fact that the then outgoing Chief Justice came out of his pre-retirement leave to hand down the controversial ruling.

The Head of State had subsequently expressed his surprise at the ruling, particularly, since Justice Change had to come out of his leave to deliver it. “It

the two Ministers to return to the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Justice Cummings-Edwards, by virtue of her appointment as acting Chief Justice, was sworn-in as a member of the Judicial Service Commission

by President Granger on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency. Her appointment was a statutory requirement in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.

It was done in the presence of Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh; Minister of State Joseph Harmon; Attorney General and Legal Affairs

just a matter of prescription but is also a matter of fact, and together with the Minister of Legal Affairs and the Minister of State, and the other members of the National Assembly, this year 2016, we have taken a step forward and I want to assure you, Honourable Chancellor that we will continue to work towards preserving the dignity and integrity of the Judicial Service Commission,” the Head of State remarked. He added that in doing so, “we have, so far, been able to win the confidence of the public and we will continue to ensure that not only the com-

plement of the JSC is kept in accordance with the law but also the confidence and the competence of the members of that Commission are always above reproach.”

He added that while the ceremony was a simple one, its significance should not be taken for granted. On this note, Head of State further expressed full confidence in the new acting Chief Justice’s ability, stating that it is his belief that she will discharge her function without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

This was a position adopted by the Justice Cummings-Edwards, who told reporters that following her swearing-in that she intends to “perform the functions there without fear or

favour, affection or ill-will and to continue the work of that body”.

The acting Chief Justice who began her law career in 1988, was nominated by the Government as the most qualified candidate for the position of acting Chief Justice back in December.

She was confirmed in December following consultations with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

Before her appointment as acting Chief Justice, she previously served as an Appeal Court Judge for many years. Justice Cummings-Edwards is the second woman to be appointed to the position of Chief Justice – the first being Justice Desiree Bernard.

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thursday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eyew tness

Duo remanded to prison Honour... on larceny charges

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wo men were remanded to prison when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with larceny charges.

Jason Thomas, 22, of Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Christopher Niles, 21, of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara pleaded guilty with an explanation.

The first charge stated that on February 27, 2016 at Kingston, Georgetown, while being in each other’s company, they robbed Selvin Apple of one brown wallet valued $7000, one

Jason Thomas (left) and Christopher Niles

backpack valued $10,000 and $5000. The second charge stated that on the

same day at the same location, both men robbed Ursilla Triffer of one black

bag valued $10,000.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail owing to the penalty attached to the offence and the fact that both defendants gave false addresses to the Police.

Jones stated that Niles gave his address as Lot 1 Tucville Housing Scheme, Georgetown while Thomas gave his address as Lot 13 Stevedore Housing Scheme, Georgetown. According to the Prosecutor, either of the addresses is accurate.

He further disclosed to the Court that the stolen items were recovered after both men were accosted by a Police patrol. The case will continue on March 15, 2016.

Teenager jailed for larceny – tells court he doesn’t know what is wrong with him

A

n 18-year-old was on Wednesday jailed for six months when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Winston Lorry, of Canje, Berbice, pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. It alleged that on February 28, 2016 at King and Regent Streets, Georgetown, he stole from Leoni Roberston one Samsung Galaxy S3 valued $40,000 and from Elizabeth Ranasar, one Samsung

Galaxy S4 valued $80,000, a total value of $120,000.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the Court that on the day in question, the Virtual Complainants were sitting at a window seat in a minibus, which was parked at King and Regent Streets.

The Prosecutor informed the Court that both women were on their cellular phones when Lorry snatched the phones through the bus window and escaped.

Prosecutor Jones explained that a Police patrol heard the commotion after

Winston Lorry

an alarm was raised and the VCs related what had transpired.

Sometime later on the same day, the defendant was accosted and arrested

by Police Officers. The VCs identified him and the items were recovered on his person.

The defendant told Magistrate McLennan that he did not know what was wrong with him (pointing to his head). The Magistrate told the defendant that he needed rehabilitation.

Lindener remanded Larceny accused gets $50,000 bail on narcotics charge

A

Lindener who was slapped with a possession of narcotics charge was on Wednesday remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Collin Harding of Lot

136 Victory Valley, Wismar pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on January 17, 2016 he had in his possession 30 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

The case will continue on April 13.

A

man accused of stealing $130,000 and US$40 was on Wednesday slapped with a larceny charge.

Jermaine Smartt of Wismar, Linden pleaded not guilty to the charge when he speared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden

Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that the 27-year-old defendant stole the money on February 25 from the home of Earl Davis.

His Attorney Leslyn Charles made a successful bail application and he was released on $50,000 bail. The case will continue on April 20.

Y

...thy people

our Eyewitness was intrigued by an ad in the dailies inviting nominations for several national awards. What with our 50th Independence Jubilee coming up, this isn't any surprise. What's a "national celebration" if ribbons aren't pinned on the chests of some of our more distinguished worthies. But a question bubbled up in the mind of yours truly as he considered whose names he should send up.

Firstly, the top two Honours were off the list – Order of Excellence and Order of Roraima. WHY? This is a real downer. Right off the bat your Eyewitness can think of more than 25 "living" Guyanese who should legitimately get the Order of Excellence. The problem will be to decide which two of the 27 present Ministers will be left out.

Your Eyewitness’s reasons for choosing these worthies were already most succinctly elaborated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency – Lt Col Harmon. In a climate where most folks think it's money that makes the world go around, these noble men and women took massive salary cuts from their regular jobs to serve the Guyanese people. They are the kind of people who live up to the credo:"Ask not what your country can do for you – but rather ask what you can do for your country." We ask that the Advisory Council for the Orders of Guyana forthwith declare the "Order of Excellence", open for nominations.

There also wasn't the "Order of Roraima" – for which 30 "living" Guyanese can qualify for giving "outstanding" services to the nation. Your Eyewitness would've nominated the entire City Council who've served this nation splendidly by preserving our Garden City for 22 years. Mayor Hamilton Green, of course, has already been given his "OR" at the last Independence Bash.

While some may cavil at all the City Council members being given this honour – we would all know the Mayor couldn't have done it all by himself, could he? Especially as they were blocked at every step by the dastardly PPP. The first three awards open for nominations were from the "Order of Service" category – the Cacique Crown of Honour; the Golden Arrow of Achievement and the Medal of Service. And since they weren't given the "significant" raises promised, your Eyewitness nominates the entire Public Service for these awards.

Their designation alone qualifies them: Public SERVICE. But your Eyewitness was most pleased there were four categories of medals available to honour our Disciplined Forces. All they need to qualify are "services above and beyond the call of duty" and "gallantry".

Isn't that describing ALL members of the Forces?

...the PNC General Secretary

Your Eyewitness wonders who's advising the PNC on the Rodney CoI. The leader of the Party – President David Granger has a copy of the Report. In fact, THE copy of the Report – and yet his General Secretary wasn't given a copy? That's what Oscar Clark said when asked to comment on the Report as far as the PNC was concerned. What's going on?

The Report described a situation where the first PNC leader, Burnham, was a "maximum leader" – in fact, called "the Kabaka" and everyone else in the party were his "creatures". In fact, if the Report's to be believed, all institutions of the State were staffed by the PNC leader's "creatures" – including the Army. This tradition lasted in the PNC way into the regime of Burnham's successor, Hugh Desmond Hoyte. He explicitly described HIS General Secretary – one Aubrey Norton – as his "creature" who he could fire at will.

And here it is, some people thought the leopard had changed its spots!!

...our laws

There's a slander on the law, first chronicled by Charles Dickens – "the law is an ass". But it was a CONDITIONAL description. It's satisfied when you have a Speaker, KNOWING the House is evenly divided, awards "victory" to one side!

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

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thursday, MARCH 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Brazilian Minister conferred with Guyana’s 2nd highest award

– updated on the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela

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he Government of Guyana has conferred the country’s second highest National Award – the Order of Roraima – to Brazil’s External Relations Minister Mauro Luiz lecker Vieira, for his outstanding diplomacy work in the region.

Minister Vieira was appointed a honourary member of the Order of Roraima by President David Granger on Wednesday, where the conferral of the national award was done at an Investiture Ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency.

According to the Head of State, the award was reflective of the Brazilian Minister’s long and outstanding service in the field of diplomacy, as well as his commitment to hemispheric peace, security and stability.

“I am honoured to be able to present to the Foreign Minister of Brazil this award, which is first of all a testimony to his more than four decades of service in the Foreign Service of Brazil and it is a testimony to his long successful career, particularly, since he spent much of that time in this hemisphere,” President Granger said on Wednesday during the ceremony.

The Head of State added that the conferral of this award is also a testimony to the partnership between Guyana and Brazil that has been established for several decades. He noted that over

President David Granger bestowing the Order of Roraima Award onto Brazil’s Minister of External Relations Mauro Vieira

the years, Guyana could always depend on its friendship with the neighbouring country for support.

Additionally, President Granger remarked that the award also signifies Brazil’s commitment to peace in the hemisphere. “Your role, as the Minister of External (Relations), in ensuring that the philosophy and policy of the Federative Republic of Brazil permeates all of the organisations and institutions which have been established in this continent for peace and security,” he remarked.

The President reiterated Guyana’s commitment to support the work of Brazil in not only South America but also in the Caribbean, to which Guyana is a gateway. On a lighter note, President Granger told Minister Vieira that the award is more so significant since Roraima is the point at which Guyana and Brazil, along with Venezuela, touch.

Minister Vieira was on a short visit to Guyana and has met his Guyanese counterpart, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Matthew’s Ridge Police killing

Murder suspect still hospitalised, to face charges soon

D

ennis Marks, the man who fatally stabbed Police Sergeant Linden La Rose and injured two other Police ranks on Tuesday, was on Wednesday flown out of Matthew’s Ridge, North West District and is under Police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is receiving medical attention.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that once the suspect is released from hospital, he will be charged for murder among other charges. He is expected to make an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the charges will be read.

According to the Crime Chief, the two other Police ranks who were injured by the suspect are recuperating. Sergeant La Rose was in the company of the two others officers when they were attacked by knife wielding Marks during which La Rose was stabbed to his neck as they attempt to arrest the suspect.

Reports indicate that La Rose was stabbed to his

Dead: Police Sergeant Linden La Rose

neck while the two other injured ranks were stabbed to their chest and hands respectively. The suspect was subsequently shot to the right foot. La Rose was pronounced dead on arrival at the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital.

On Wednesday, the Crime Chief explained that in relation to the rape accusation that was made against the suspect, an investigation has been launched. Guyana Times understands that the murder weapon was retrieved on Wednesday after

investigators revisited the scene.

In September 2015, Constable Antonio Dawson, age 28, formerly of Murphy Street, Wales, West Bank Demerara, was fatally stabbed during an attempt to arrest a man, who subsequently took his own life by slitting his throat. The incident occurred in the vicinity of the entrance to Gafoors Houston Complex, Greater Georgetown.

The dead Constable was attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Impact Base Unit, in Brickdam, Georgetown. Dawson reportedly sustained at least five stab wounds to his upper body.

Based on reports received, the attacker was seen acting in a suspicious manner and was approached by a group of Police Officers.

A confrontation subsequently ensued between one of the ranks and the man who stabbed the officer about five times.

He man then turned his rage on himself, stabbing himself in the chest and then slitting his own throat.

and President Granger upon his arrival. During those meetings, a wide variety of diplomatic areas were discussed.

Minister Greenidge subsequently briefed the media on some of these areas. “A range of issues (was discussed) touching on cooperation, Police, health, defence and economic cooperation, and how we might move these forward,” the he noted.

The Foreign Affairs Minister added too that his Brazilian colleague was also interested in relations with other neighbours, particularly, developments within the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

According to Minister Greenidge, the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy also came up in the discussions and the Brazilian Minister reiterated its support to Guyana.

“Brazil is a party to both Guyana and Venezuela in respect to the tri-junction point (where the three countries meet and so) Brazil’s position is quite consistent with ours and with the bulk of the international community with regards to legality and the rule of law,” he remarked.

The Minister said during the meeting, the Brazilian External Relations Minister was updated on the on-going border controversy.

Rape accused commits suicide before jury returns verdict

H

ours before receiving the verdict from the jury at the High Court in a pending rape trial, the accused on Tuesday succumbed at a hospital after he ingested a poisonous substance.

William Bassant ingested a poisonous substance at his home and succumbed at the Diamond Diagnostics Centre, on the East Bank of Demerara.

Bassant was before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a mixed jury on two counts of rape. According to the particulars of the case, in 2013 Bassant engaged in sexual activities of a female under the age of 16.

According to information received; Bassant and the young woman, who was 15 years old at the time, reportedly corresponded via text messages and grew close. The court had previously heard that the young woman’s phone was damaged, and as such, she communicated with him through a friend.

During the trial, the court heard that the accused, who was in his late thirties at the time, picked the young woman up from her home under the pretence that he would be dropping her to school.

However, the young woman related that after they passed her school she panicked. Bassant told the young girl that they would be going to his house, and according to reports, she followed him inside. The court was told that when his house, the now dead man pulled out a cutlass and threatened the young woman, forcing her to engage in sexual activities with him.

The girl’s mother learnt of her daughter’s absence from school that day and began enquiring about her whereabouts which led her to Bassant’s house in the company of several Police ranks. Bassant was arrested and charged with two counts of rape.

On Monday, the man was due in court to receive the verdict but was absent. As such, the Judge postponed the ruling to Tuesday; however, on Tuesday after he once again failed to appear, an arrest warrant was issued for him and the matter was further postponed to Wednesday.

However, on Wednesday the brother of the deceased related to the court the startling development, and as such, the matter was dismissed.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, march 3, 2016

News

El Niño conditions

Durban Park development project Some Region 5 rice farmers lacks transparency – PPP/C still awaiting water to lands

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he livelihoods of rice farmers in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) remain under threat as much needed water has not yet reached many farmlands.

In an interview with this publication on Wednesday, Region Five’s Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal said that the project to provide relief is not being properly supervised by the Mahaica Mahaicony AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA).

“MMA is not managing and supervising the structure properly so all the farmers can get water,” Ramphal emphasised.

He also noted that much of the rice crops have withered and are burnt, as many of the farmers who are closer to the front of the canal are still preventing those further away from garnering the necessary water supply to save their acreages.

“There are some farmers who are bullying the system and are not allowing other farmers to get water,” the Regional Chairman pointed out. He related that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is still in “constant contact” with the Agriculture Ministry’s agency to highlight the plight of

Region Five Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

the rice farmers.

In February, there were reports that farmers in areas closer to the main canal were blocking the water flow to allow more water to enter their fields, an activity which caused farmlands further away to be deprived of the necessary water supply.

The MMA-ADA then implemented a system where farmers would be allowed to pump water for two days and also issued warnings to ensure that farmers allowed water in the canals to flow freely. However, some farmers continued to hoard water for their lands.

The Region Five Chairman told Guyana Times on February 23 that

he had encouraged farmers to cooperate so that there is equitable distribution of water into the farmlands. Ramphal had related that in his engagement with the Agriculture Ministry, he suggested that in addition to the two pumps that are in operation, two others would be needed to ensure that there is an adequate supply of water to the affected farmers.

Ramphal also explained in January that the dry weather patterns had made the availability of fresh water scarce and stated that the Kaliserabo canal, a main source, was “clogged with weeds.” While an excavator was at that time deployed to remedy this situation, Ramphal opined that excavation of the said canal would have taken several months to complete.

Rice cultivation is the main economic activity in the Mahaicony/Mahaica area and farmers have already expended millions to bring their crop to the present stage. The current crisis continues to threaten over 17,000 acres under cultivation. The continued dry conditions are attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon.

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) parliamentary Opposition has been waiting since November last to receive critical information pertaining to the development of the Durban Park area into a major public venue.

This is according to Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira who pointed out that there is a complete lack of transparency on the Durban Park initiative.

During a press con-

Construction works ongoing at Durban Park

Durban Park upon completion

ference on Wednesday, Teixeira said there has been absolutely no disclosure on the undertaking, including the amount of taxpayers’ money being expended, how the contracts are being awarded, and who they are being awarded to.

She also argued that while there is an artist’s sketch of what the area will look like after construction, Government is yet to make public the concrete design of the recreational arena.

Though construction works are still ongoing, Durban Park hosted its

first National Event – the Republic Day Flag Raising Ceremony on February 23.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in full in time for the Independence Day celebrations on May 26.

The first phase includes uprooting the overburden and replacing it with sand and loam to enable construction of drains and pathways and the installation of floodlights.

The second phase will include the installation of nine ponds and seating facilities such as benches and bleachers.

Upon full completion, the Park is expected to have a capacity of 30,000 persons; both seated and unseated, and will be able to accommodate literary events, concerts, sporting activities and other public events.

El Niño condition

GWI to assist Region 9

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n light of the El Niño conditions being experienced in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) said it is taking on a multistakeholder approach to assist the situation.

According to the nation’s supplier of water, they are collaborating with the Regional Democratic Council (NDC) of Region Nine to ensure that there are effective strategies in place to relieve residents from the severity of the drought conditions.

Hinterland Engineer Cleon French reported that GWI has been offering technical assistance to the distressed region in the form of the supplying materials which would make it easier for water to be made more available within the region.

Additionally, the water utility along with the aid of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) made a contribution of electric pumps and water tanks to the region, among other crucial materials that are in demand to reduce the effects of the drought.

Further, the water company is mobilising in the of Annai, communities Maruranua, Katoonarib and Aishalton where they will be

Regional Chairman Brian Allicock

executing well cleaning exercises in collaboration with the said communities in order to make certain that water is accessible.

French had noted that they will also be lowering the well pumps so as to provide accommodation for the low levels of water in the well due to the El Niño conditions.

On a more long-term basis, GWI has sought the support of a Hydro Geologist to carry out a thorough technical evaluation within the region, gathering data on what is required to be done in regards to the present drought.

GWI would then use this data to craft rational strategies to provide permanent so-

lutions for the affected areas.

The Region Nine area has been encountering ongoing El Niño conditions over the past several weeks.

Through collaborative efforts with a number of governmental and non-governmental organisations, residents were greatly assisted as conditions have started to improve. This is according to Regional Chairman Brian Allicock during an interview with Guyana Times.

Allicock noted that over the prolonged drought period, there have been consultations with a number of agencies that had made their input on how they intended to assist the region. He noted that the region has been able to see evident progress as a result.

He had informed that GWI had pioneered a water programme for the providence of water and they had been assessing the region for the establishment of wells.

However, Allicock said that even though there has been assistance in the acquisition of water, the region is concerned that a food shortage would be imminent if the dry weather persists. He noted that in the case of a food shortage, the relief committee would supply the region.

thursday, march 3, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Region 3 drought committee ineffective – Chairman

Jubilee 50/50 promotion

Hundreds flock Housing Dept … says conditions worsening to cash in on discount C

The large number of persons gathered outside the Housing Department

J

ust one day after the announcement was made that the Housing Department will be offering a 25 per cent discount on the cost of land in observance of the 50th Independence Anniversary, Guyanese wasted no time in taking advantage of the huge savings being offered.

Scores of Guyanese flocked the Housing Department on Brickdam early Wednesday morning to apply for the ‘50 for 50’ discount promotion on house lots.

On Monday, Junior Communities Minister Valerie Sharpe-Patterson announced that individuals who were in receipt of letters confirming their house lot allocation, could take advantage of the opportunity to earn an overall 25 per cent discount on the total

cost of the land.

Landowners have until the end of April to make a 50 per cent down payment on the total cost of their land, after which they will be automatically qualified to pay only 50 per cent of the remaining balance.

However, the discounted balance must be paid in full before the end of May. Additionally, the promotion is not applicable to persons whose plot of land is worth more than $3 million.

It is also not applicable to persons in the remigrant scheme or industrial and commercial zones.

Speaking to Guyana Times, some of the landowners expressed satisfaction over the initiative.

“I like the idea. It is going to help a lot of people, I know for sure. I am just happy right now. I already

pay down half for my land and now I don’t have to stress about paying the other half. I just got to pay half of that, it’s like Christmas,” one gleeful citizen stated.

“Some people might think that the 25 per cent is not a lot of money coming off, but let me tell you, for we poor people, it is a great relief,” a mother of three expressed.

Others noted that they gathered outside the Housing Department as early as 05:00h in order to get a head-start.

“When I see the thing in the papers yesterday, I said ‘waah!’. I know that nuff people would come down for this and it’s a good thing I come out so early. Look at this crowd,” a young man from Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) related.

Local hotel sector staff complete training in Barbados

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes (centre) with participants who completed training under the Crane Hotel programme

P

u b l i c Telecommunication and Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes on Wednesday handed out certificates and pins to participants that completed seven months of training at the Crane Hotel, in Barbados.

“Guyana has signed on with a Memorandum of Understanding with Barbados. It was actually signed in the last quarter of last year and through that agreement, we have been building on the good relations that we have with Barbados,” Minister Hughes is quoted as saying by the

11

Government Information Agency.

“Guyana had a fantastic opportunity to have seven employees within our hotel sector and of course we were lucky that a representative from the Carnegie School… was able to go to the Crane Hotel for a period of seven months,” Hughes stated.

She further explained that several managerial staff went to the Crane Hotel for a period of three months. “They were able to have on the job practical training in terms on how a first rate hotel operates, and best of all, they were able

to bring those skills back to Guyana,” Hughes said.

She expressed hope that these constant attempts to upgrade standards and transfer skills will continue.

The Crane Hotel is an AAA (Triple A) 4-Diamond hotel which has established itself as one of the regional leaders in competencybased training and internship in hotel environments over the last five years. They have trained interns from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Canada.

ontradicting what was previously said about drought conditions improving in Region Three (Essequibo Islands -West Demerara), Regional Chairman Julius Faerber has said that this was far from reality.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Faerber said that El Niño conditions continue to plague the Region and residents were yet to receive proper relief.

Commenting on the effectiveness of the committee which was established by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) and comprised stakeholders including the Rice Producers Association (RPA); the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRBD) and the Three Waters Users Association, Faerber stated that he was not included in these meetings, but held the belief that the body was unproductive since there has been nothing significant done so far to address the situation.

This, he alleged, is as a result of there being no consultations with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on the drought.

For this reason, Faerber said, there could be no improvement if there was no cooperation within the Region to reap positive outcomes.

In light of the disagree-

Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber

ment in the Region’s administration, West DemeraraEssequibo Islands is left to face the brunt of the distressing weather pattern since there are no strategic plans for alleviating the situation.

Additionally, he informed that there has been an immense impact on the rice sector, which continued to deteriorate as the weather got drier.

Further, the general agricultural sector is being affected, as other cash crops are being destroyed and livestock is becoming sick and subsequently dying.

Faerber told this publication that residents have also raised complaints about their inability to receive sufficient potable water for consumption.

Compounding residents’ plight, Faerber explained, water from the conservancy that is pumped to the homes of the residents is being reduced since the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has begun utilising water from the already low water supply.

In an attempt to aid the Region, the Agriculture Ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), has set up two pumps in the Bonasika area.

The nation’s water supplier, Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has also been frequently visiting the Region to assess the situation and engineer strategies to assist.

In a recent interview with the REO, Dennis Jaikaran, he had informed this publication that the drought conditions in the Region were improving.

He had said that the committee, which holds meetings three times a week with stakeholders and farmers, has conducted frequent evaluations of the situation in the Region, and has sought to advise farmers and residents on ways to rationalise the water which is pumped from the conservancy.

He had reported that there was evident progress in rice cultivation, with 75 per cent to 80 per cent of the crop being saved.

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thursday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Damning Rodney CoI Report

Granger says “not afraid” to publicly release findings … stop talking, start acting — PPP/C urges President

President David Granger

P

resident David Granger has promised to officially release the findings of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) as soon as Cabinet members complete their perusal of the Report.

Speaking with Journalists at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday morning, the Head of State said the Government document was laid before Cabinet on Tuesday and was currently being perused.

He noted that the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress would also have to look at the document and later make a pronouncement on the findings. All of this will be done before the document is laid in the National Assembly.

“Cabinet has not yet made a decision, but in due course, it will. It will be released so that the public could judge for itself. It is a Government document; an announcement will be made as soon as Cabinet gets an opportunity to peruse it. The PNC is a part of the APNU [but] will make its own decision when it wishes to do so,” President Granger told Journalists.

The three-member CoI which probed the events leading to the death of Dr Rodney back in 1980 has suggested that the PNC and its leadership at the time were aware of the circumstances surrounding his death.

President Granger, however, again discredited the tribunal’s work, which he said could have been done

PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

more effectively.

“I iterate that one of the important elements of the evidence that was supported was that some conspiracy took place. Four persons were supposed to be present at that conspiracy: two of them are dead and two are alive. If it was so important, emphasis would have been placed over that two-year period to have the evidence of that person (Cecil Skip Roberts), but it was really bizarre that he was brought into the country and not allowed to testify,” he said.

“I think we need to bring closure to the matter. I think persons who have chosen to speak have spoken and I respect their views and all the political parties will make their opinions public and I expect that once that is done, it will be laid in the National Assembly,” he said.

He related that unlike popular belief, his party, the People’s National Congress, had always been in support of anything that would determine what caused the death of the Working People’s Alliance leader.

“I just want to make it clear that the party that I lead, the PNC, supported an international inquiry into the death of Dr Rodney.

Even in 2014, we supported it, but we made representation about the Terms of Reference which we thought were prejudicial. We believe that there are still elements of truth that were not explored.”

So far, the PNC has chosen to remain tight-lipped on the details of the findings of the Inquiry.

The party, which held the reins of power during the pe-

Dr Walter Rodney

riod Dr Rodney met his demise, has been accused of causing his death, a move it was hoped would silence his mounting criticisms of the dictatorial leadership of the day.

PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke, when contacted on Tuesday, refused to comment on the findings of the probe.

“I don’t make comments on newspaper reports, when the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress gets a copy of the Report, I will make a comment,” he had said before ending the call.

Clarke’s refusal to com-

ment has come although the party’s leader, President Granger has already pronounced on the findings.

The President, however, did not speak on behalf of the party, but the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government. Critics say that the comments by the Head of State could not represent Government, since it was not the APNU/AFC coalition that was accused of Rodney’s death, but the PNC. Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira on Tuesday said it was time for the PNC boss to stop talking and start acting. She said while he has already pronounced on the findings of the Inquiry, he was still to officially release those findings.

Teixeira also lamented the fact that the immediate family of the slain historian, particularly his wife, Dr Patricia Rodney, has not yet been furnished with a copy of the Report.

Controversy brews over Region 10 Accused to stand trial television station in High Court – Chairman calls for cease order Sex worker's murder

BY UTAMU BELLE

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Wanted: Kanand Ojha

By Kizzy Coleman

R

on “Andel” Forde, the suspect in the murder of commercial sex worker Nephi Luthers, was on Wednesday committed to stand trial for murder in the High Court when Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan concluded the Preliminary Inquiry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 42-year-old, of Lot 19 Meadow Bank, Georgetown, allegedly on July 22, 2015 at Quamina Street, Georgetown, killed Luthers.

During the PI, the Court heard that there was a confrontation between Forde, the other suspect in the incident Kanand Ojha, and Luthers. During the confrontation, the 20-year-old man, of ZZ Durban Street, Wortmanville, was shot once to his chest.

According to reports, on the night of the shooting, Ojha paid Luthers $5000 to perform a sexual act in

Dead sex worker, Nephi Luthers

the vicinity of St George’s Cathedral.

During the act, he was reportedly relieved of his personal belongings. After the act was completed, he left in his motor car, but subsequently realised that his phone and cash were missing.

According to reports, Ojha collected Forde and went back to the location where they confronted Luthers who vehemently denied that he did business with Ojha and a heated argument ensued.

During the argument, Ojha reportedly told Luthers, “You have to give back the thing”, but in response, the commercial sex worker said: “Me ain’t been with you”. At this time, Forde pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger, shooting Luthers to his chest.

After being shot, Luthers fell to the ground and the two men fled the scene.

Ron “Andel” Ford

Luthers was picked up by his colleagues and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Forde and Ojha subsequently went on the run, and wanted bulletins were issued for their arrest.

Forde was apprehended in Linden and transported to Georgetown. He was subsequently charged with the offence.

On Wednesday in Court, Magistrate McLennan informed Ford that there was sufficient evidence for the matter to be heard by a judge and jury. As such, he was committed to stand trial in the High Court.

Meanwhile, Ojha is still on the run. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Ojha is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-8196, 226-7065, 2271149, 911 or at the nearest Police Station.

hile residents of Linden and the rest of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) may be a step closer to owning their own television station, there appears to be controversy surrounding its establishment.

This was revealed by Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who indicated that he is concerned after learning that the station is about to be handed over to a “private individual.” Speaking with Guyana Times on the issue, Morian said that he was informed that “individuals” are presently moving to set up a dish at the station’s Richmond Hill location; however he indicated that he has no knowledge of who those persons are. Morian stated too, that the persons are not from within the region and a trial run of the station is set for this weekend. As such, he is calling for a cease order on the proceedings.

“You would recall that when residents of Region 10, through the then leaders, made the open cry to access a station for themselves. This was not to be had or managed by any private individual to benefit a private person, but this was to benefit the residents and people of Region 10,” Morian stated regarding the issue.

“I’m in receipt of a letter from the Guyana Broadcasting Authority and this letter tells me that the television broadcasting station, permission has been granted by the governing board above named authority, subject to the licence agreement. Please be informed that you will be notified at a later date of any other obligations on

Region 10 Regional Chairman Renis Morian

which permission was given to operate,” the letter stated.

According to the Regional Chariman, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is the authority managing the affairs of Region 10, hence any handing over, discussions or otherwise pertaining to licence establishment of a television station in the region should be channelled through his office.

“We haven’t had any discussion with any private investor, hence I’m calling on the office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of the Presidency to look into this matter with immediate effect because on behalf of the residents of Region 10, we don’t want the station to be operated by any private group outside of Linden,” Morian said.

He added that if there is any agreement concerning the establishment of the television station, in moving forward, it should be arrived at following consultations with the people of the region and the RDC. “The benefit must come to the people of Region 10 and we would want to have a broadbased Committee representing the people of Linden to manage

this entity.

Morian added that a lot has been happening “under the radar”, and called for those involved to channel correspondence to his office and by extension the Linden Mayor and Town Council. “It cannot be to benefit one individual... this has to benefit the people of Region 10...”

He added that while discussions would have been ongoing with the previous Administration, there needs to be continuity under the present, however, the Regional Chairman established that there was no such continuity under his stewardship as it relates to the television station.

A television station for the region formed part of the August 21, 2012 Agreement signed unto between the previous Administration and the region, under the stewardship of former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon. The Region 10 Broadcasting Inc was then establishment in an effort to advance the setting up of the station for which Solomon serves as one of the Directors. Last July, Head of the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), Valmiki Singh advised that the RBI could be assigned a channel for use as a regional television channel which gave clearance for the station to be established. According to the Government Information Agency, Singh gave the technical recommendations during talks with the former Regional Chairman while a tripartite meeting was convened by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who holds the information and telecommunications portfolios.

news

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thursday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

First Lady reiterates World Wildlife Day 2016: 15 ways support for single mothers to save earth’s animals and plants

By Morgan Winsor

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First Lady Sandra Granger (left) and representatives of Community Care – Nikita Wong (centre) and Nickesha McPherson share a light moment after Wednesday’s meeting

F

irst Lady Sandra Granger on Wednesday reiterated her support for the empowerment of women, more specifically, young single mothers. The First Lady was at the time speaking to representatives of Community Care, a Berbice-based home care provider, during a meeting at State House where discussions revolved around possible areas of collaboration.

Mrs Granger related that when she was first approached by the group, she was immediately interested, given their aims. She added that her interest was also piqued due to their reach to far-flung areas like Bartica and other areas in Essequibo, in addition to offering services in Berbice and Georgetown.

She further stated that the group’s mandate “to empower single mothers,

mainly, and young women, with the skills to create a career and to become self-sufficient was particularly appealing, as it ties into my women empowerment programmes.”

Since assuming the position of First Lady, Mrs Granger has spearheaded and supported a number of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable members of society, especially women.

The First Lady also posited that the organisation’s work was analogous to initiatives that she has undertaken, making reference to the five-day Care of the Elderly certification programme held in November 2015 at the Recreation Centre of the Palms Geriatric Home.

She encouraged the representatives to contact the Social Protection Ministry so as to “deter-

mine how they too can have their staff certified and recognised as professionals in the field.”

Chief Operating Officer of Community Care Nikita Wong stated that the meeting was fruitful and the discussions were very beneficial, as the First Lady had informed her of steps she needed to take to ensure that her staff are certified, and guided her on how to better manage and advance her business.

Meanwhile, Care Supervisor at Community Care, Nickesha McPherson, related that she conducts individual training sessions, ranging from one-day to three-month sessions, and manages the organisation’s staff. She related that she too was delighted and pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

oday marks World Wildlife Day, which the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly designated as a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the planet’s wild animals and plants.

African and Asian elephants will be a main focus of this year’s World Wildlife Day under the 2016 theme, “The future of wildlife is in our hands.” However, people around the globe are always encouraged to highlight wildlife species from their own countries on the observance.

An estimated 100,000 elephants were slaughtered for their ivory tusks between 2010 and 2012 to meet a growing demand in Asia, where raw tusks sell for around US$1100 per kilogram. Most illegal ivory currently comes from the African elephant. But Asian elephants remain at risk.

Thousands of elephants are also taken from their wild habitats and sold in the live elephant trade to be used in the tourism industry in countries like Thailand.

At the same time, climate change is posing a fundamental threat to the survival of wildlife species around the world and is putting natural resources at risk. So here are 15 easy ways you can help save Earth’s plants and animals on World Wildlife Day or any day.

1. Use social media to amplify the theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day with the hashtags #InOurHands and #WWD2016.

2. See Earth’s most amazing creatures up close by spending the day at a nearby national park, aquarium, wildlife refuge, museum or botanical garden.

Elephants walk across a path at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya, approximately 186 miles from Nairobi, Kenya, on May 21, 2015 (Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images)

3. Launch a campaign in your local community linked with World Wildlife Day. 4. Talk about the importance of saving the world’s wild animals and plants in schools and universities or with friends and families.

5. Go vegan! Eating a vegan diet rather than an omnivorous one results in 1.485 fewer metric tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent gases per year, which is a bigger CO2 savings than from switching to an ecofriendly car.

6. Organise wildlife photo exhibitions and donate the proceeds to a conservation organisation.

7. Go see a showing of wildlife films or organise your own screening. Finalists from the International Elephant Film Festival will be screened worldwide today.

8. Pledge to be fur-free and refuse to buy or wear any fur.

9. Partake in the World Wildlife Day 2016 poster design contest for a chance to

win a free ticket to South Africa.

10. Join a wildlife organisation.

11. Donate to a local conservation project. If you’re strapped for cash, donate your time. You can volunteer to rescue wild animals, clean beaches or teach tourists about your local habitat.

12. Refrain from purchasing goods made from illegally-sourced protected wildlife or their parts and products.

Buying these products is not only illegal and can put you in jail, it also harms a species and supports wildlife trafficking.

13. Collect signatures for a “say ‘no’ to illegal wildlife products” campaign.

14. Sign up for a road race to raise money and awareness for wildlife. Set a donation goal and choose a wildlife charity.

15. Reduce your overall “footprint” on wildlife and their habitat by setting small goals for yourself each day. (International Business Times)

Annandale shooting

Prosecution closes case

– unrepresented accused to lead his defence today

T

he prosecution team on Wednesday closed its case against Osamo Stevens, who is on trial for attempted murder. The 24-yearold stands before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a mixed jury on two charges. The first charge read that on December 23, 2007 at Sand Reef, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, he shot Devon Spencer, also called “Housetop”, with the intent to commit murder.

The second charge stated that on the same day, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Spencer with intent to maim, disable and disfigure.

The trial commenced on Tuesday, and the prosecution team closed its case after presenting its four witnesses.

On Wednesday, a voir dire into technicalities of

the evidence and the testimony of three Police witnesses also concluded.

The first witness was Detective Mahendra Tooknauth, who is attached to the Police Narcotics Branch. He testified that at the time of the incident he was stationed at the Vigilance Police Station attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He related that on the day of the incident, about 1 18:00h, relative to a report made

by Spencer that he was shot by the accused in his lower back at 17:40h at Annandale, he travelled to the location to examine the crime scene, but found nothing of evidential worth. He said that as he found no spent shells or anything suspicious, he left the scene. He further explained that based

on the information he received from the victim, he contacted one “OJ” who he later identified as the accused.

Detective Tooknauth stated that on January 23, 2008, he made personal contact with the accused at the CID Headquarters, Eve Leary where he was questioned in relation to the shooting. Tooknauth related that the questioning was done in the presence of one Inspector Singh in an open room. He stated that he told the young man, who was 16 years old at the time, that he was not mandated to say anything and could remain silent if he wished.

Tooknauth told the Court that the accused told him that an individual who he identified as “Fine Man” gave him the gun to kill Spencer if he wanted

to start ‘liming’ with him.

The detective swore that he did not use force, fear or threats in his questioning.

Further, under cross-examination by the accused, Tooknauth denied that he deprived him of his rights.

Under jury re-examination, the witness stated that he did inquire further about “Fine Man” but did not divulge much about his findings.

State witness Police Lance Corporal Kellon Fraser testified that on the day of the incident, while he was stationed at the Beterverwagting Police Station, he received information about an alleged shooting. He explained that about 17:20h, he accompanied the injured Spencer to the Georgetown Public Hospital in an ambulance and the victim was examined by doctors

on duty and admitted. He further explained that on January 18, 2008, he returned to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he uplifted a medical certificate for Spencer. He testified to making a copy which he placed in the Police file and delivering the original to the Station Sergeant.

Another State witness Corporal Daniel Corbin, who is stationed at the Kwakwani Police Station, explained that in January 2008, he was stationed at the Mackenzie Police Station, attached to the Anti-Crime Unit. He related that on January 23, 2008, he was on patrol duty at Wismar, Linden when he received information which led him to stop minibus PJJ 5894, which was occupied by 11 persons. He stated that he conducted a

search of the bus and recognised a male dressed in a green shirt and a pair of green jeans. He stated that the young man was carrying a blue haversack.

Corbin explained that he approached the young man and told him that he needed to accompany him to the Mackenzie Police Station, as there was a matter under investigation involving the young man. Corporal Corbin related that the haversack carried by the young man, who he identified as the accused, contained several pieces of clothing. He stated that he escorted the accused to the Police Station where he transferred him into the custody of one Inspector Wright.

The matter continues today when the unrepresented accused will lead his defence.

14 NEWS

THURSday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Foulis father of 8 hangs self A

father of eight has become the latest suicide victim after he was found hanging from the rafters of his Foulis, East Coast Demerara home on Wednesday.

The dead man has been identified as Vishal

Babooram, 33, a conductor, formerly of Montrose, East Coast Demerara.

According to information received, the now dead man reportedly went home on Tuesday evening in a drunken state and an argument erupted with his wife thus

resulting in her leaving the home with the six children.

He was left at home alone while his other two children were at his mother’s. The discovery of his body was made on Wednesday morning by neighbours who raised an alarm. From reports re-

ceived, the man and his wife had frequent domestic disputes.

A relative of the dead man told Guyana Times that he received the message hours after the body was cut from the rafters. He noted that Babooram was in the habit

of consuming alcohol which would result in fights between him and his wife.

On this note, he explained that the man was previously married and that union brought forth two children.

The second marriage produced the other six. The

grieving relative stated that he was not sure what caused the argument, but the wife claimed that he went home under the influence of alcohol. She only learnt of her husband’s death following the discovery on Wednesday morning.

thursday, march 3, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Clinton and Trump tighten New Jamaican Prime Minister to nomination grip

D

emocrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have each won the most states on the biggest day of the race for the US presidential nominations.

Trump won seven states, while his closest rival, Ted Cruz, took three. The thirdplaced Republican, Marco Rubio, came in with one.

Speaking in his home state of Texas, Cruz urged other Republicans to quit the race and join him against Trump.

Democrat Bernie Sanders had wins in four states.

Super Tuesday saw 11 states voting, from Massachusetts in the east to Alaska in the north-west. A

Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump

12th state, Colorado, held a caucus – won by Sanders – but does not actually select its delegates until April.

Super Tuesday allocated nearly a quarter of Republican delegates, and about a fifth of Democratic delegates, who will elect

their respective presidential candidates at party conventions in July. No candidate has yet won enough delegates to secure their party’s nomination.

Mrs Clinton, a former Secretary of State, and Trump, a property tycoon,

entered Super Tuesday as favourites to win the vast majority of states for their respective parties.

The Democratic frontrunner won in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas and Massachusetts.

Delivering her victory speech from Miami, having moved her campaign to Florida for the primary there on March 15, in common with other candidates, she appeared to already be looking towards a potential presidential race against Trump.

“The stakes in this election have never been higher and the rhetoric we’re hearing on the other side has never been lower,” she said.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

UN imposes tough North Korea sanctions

T

he United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution significantly expanding international sanctions against North Korea.

Correspondents say the new measures amount to some of the toughest against North Korea in two decades.

The vote is in response to North Korea’s nuclear

test last month.

The sanctions will result in all cargo going to and from the country being inspected, while 16 new individuals and 12 organisations have been blacklisted.

“Today, the international community, speaking with one voice, has sent Pyongyang a simple message: North Korea must abandon these dangerous programmes and choose

a better path for its people,” US President Barack Obama said in a statement.

Addressing the Council after the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said that it was a “perverse reality” that North Korea was more interested in developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes than it was in meeting the basic needs of its people.

The United States and North Korea’s long-standing ally China spent seven weeks discussing the new sanctions.

In addition to the mandatory cargo inspections, the sanctions also include a ban on all sales or transfers of small arms and light weapons to North Korea, and expulsion of diplomats from the North who engage in “illicit activities”. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Major 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes off Indonesia

A

powerful and shallow earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Sumatra island, sending panicked residents rushing from their homes in a region hit hard by quakes and tsunamis in the past.

The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres on Wednesday, triggering a tsunami alert for parts of Sumatra, including West Sumatra, North Sumatra and Aceh, the local BMKG quake monitoring agency said.

Hours later, the tsunami warning was lifted.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casu-

The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, triggering a tsunami alert for parts of Sumatra [EPA]

alties.

The epicentre was several hundred kilometres from the Mentawai Islands,

a small chain southwest of the country’s main western island of Sumatra.

The quake was felt

Mozambique plane debris believed to be from Boeing 777 – Malaysian Minister

D

ebris believed to be part of a Boeing 777 jet has been found off Mozambique and will be taken to Australia to be examined by investigators involved in the search for the missing Flight MH370, Malaysia’s Transport Minister said.

Liow Tiong Lai said there was a “high possibility” that the piece of debris belonged to a 777 jet, but added he could not conclude yet that it was from the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner.

“The debris will be taken

to Australia for further examination,” he told Reuters.

An official in Mozambique’s Foreign Ministry told Reuters the fragment was being flown to the capital Maputo from Inhambane province, 800 kilometres (500 miles) to the north, and would arrive on Wednesday evening. It would be examined in Maputo by Malaysian and US experts, the official said.

Earlier on Wednesday, NBC News said the piece could be a horizontal sta-

biliser from a Boeing 777, citing US, Malaysian and Australian investigators who looked at photos of the debris.

The piece of debris was discovered off the east African coast between Mozambique and Madagascar.

Flight MH370 disappeared two years ago when it was en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. Last year authorities found a piece of the plane’s wing on the shore of Reunion island in the Indian Ocean on the other side of Madagascar. (Excerpt from Reuters)

strongly in Padang, a major city on western Sumatra, sparking panic.

A reporter with the AFP news agency there said that people ran from their homes and fled to higher ground by motorbike, car or on foot.

Traffic ground to a halt and there was a sense of panic on the streets, the reporter said.

Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said tsunami warning sirens were after the earthquake activated and “people responded to the early warning by evacuating to higher places”. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

be sworn in today

J

amaica will officially have a new leader tomorrow and a new Cabinet by next week.

Andrew Holness will be sworn in this afternoon, a week after his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won the General Election.

The procedural recount, which ended on Monday night with the JLP winning 32 seats to the People’s National Party’s (PNP) 31, had delayed his inauguration. But the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) Tuesday confirmed that Director of Elections Orrette Fisher had advised Governor General Sir Patrick Allen that the JLP had won the majority of the seats, paving the way for Holness to be sworn in.

The preliminary count after last Thursday’s elections had given the JLP 33 seats and the PNP 30 in the 63-seat House of Representatives.

A

However, following the recount in the St Mary South Eastern constituency, the JLP lost that seat to the PNP. The JLP candidate Dr Norman Dunn has filed for a magisterial recount, which begins today. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

President Morales’s ‘dead’ son to face media

A

woman who had a son with Bolivian President Evo Morales says she will present her child to the media “at a convenient time” to prove he is alive.

Morales, 56, says he had a two-year relationship with Gabriela Zapata, now 28, from 2005.

He has acknowledged that Zapata gave birth to his son in 2007, but has alleged she told him the child died shortly after being born.

Zapata’s aunt said on Saturday that the boy was alive and in Bolivia.

News of the relationship between Zapata and Morales first emerged on February 3 as part of a journalist’s investigation into alleged influence peddling.

Speaking on Bolivian

Brazilian Judge frees Facebook executive Diego Dzodan Judge in Brazil has ordered the release of Diego Dzodan, the Vice President for Latin America of the social media company Facebook.

Dzodan was arrested on Tuesday for refusing to share with Police WhatsApp messages sent by alleged drug dealers.

Facebook owns the messaging service WhatsApp, but Facebook says the service operates separately.

Judge Ruy Pinheiro said

Andrew Holness will officially take over today

the decision to arrest Dzodan had been “extreme” and called it “unlawful coercion”.

“It seems to me that the extreme measure of imprisonment was hurried,” he said when he overturned Tuesday’s decision by a Judge in a lower court.

The Judge who had ordered Dzodan’s arrest had accused the executive of “repeated non-compliance of court orders” for not sharing the WhatsApp messages.(Excerpt from

BBC News)

Gabriela Zapata had a child with President Evo Morales in 2007

television, Journalist Carlos Valverde disclosed that a Chinese engineering firm, CAMC, had been given lucrative State contracts.

Zapata until recently was a senior manager at the Chinese firm.

Valverde also broke the news of the previously undisclosed relationship between Zapata and Morales.

He said the two had had a child together.

Two days later, Morales spoke in public for the first time about the relationship.

“I met Gabriela Zapata Montano in 2005. It is true that she was my partner,” he said.

“In 2007 we had a child, but unfortunately, he died.

We had some problems and then we grew distant,” he added.

Prosecutors opened an investigation into the allegations of influence peddling and on Friday ordered the arrest of Zapata.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

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thursday, march 3, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

A flair for design: Trails and Treasures

M

arisa JaisinghSundar’s flair for design is evident in each of the striking pieces she creates and the 30-year-old mother of three, of Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara, has translated that talent into a flourishing business, Trails

and Treasures Décor, which provides décor for all occasions.

The entrepreneur, who confessed that she loved making things pretty, said it all started when she was getting married. “I wanted a beautiful, elegant affordable wedding. I couldn't find

a wedding planner or decorator, so being creative and with the encouragement of my husband (her biggest influence), I planned and decorated my own wedding. It was beautiful, but stressful; then, the light bulb came on: I can offer this service to other brides so they can have a stress- free day and there it was – Trails and Treasures was born!”

The business, which opened its doors on February 7, 2007, has grown significantly.

Jaisingh-Sundar, who noted that she could write a book about the experience, said: “…a business is like a child. You give birth to it, and it got all these stages it goes through: like the infant stage (start-up); childhood (smooth but still worried and cautious); then the teenage years (very profit-

able, but you still have to be on it) and then adulthood (it can stand on its own but still needs checking on).”

The former Campbellvile Secondary student said her parents are her biggest inspiration to whom she is very grateful and Jesus, her mentor, and waxed philosophical about the meaning of success. “Success is when I can feel the morning sun on my skin and feel truly blessed because I know God got me in whatever I'm about to do.”

She advised would-be entrepreneurs to “do what you love, keep at it, stay focused, develop discipline towards the business and always keep abreast of what's trending in the service/ product you're into”.

Contact: 609 6849I Facebook.com/Trailsand-Treasures-Decor

New technology for shrimp farming

Business News

Moody’s cuts China outlook to negative D

U

S ratings agency Moody’s has cut its outlook for China from “stable” to “negative”.

While reaffirming its current debt rating, the agency warned that reforms were needed to avoid a downgrade.

Moody’s said the change in outlook was based on expectations that Beijing’s fiscal strength would continue to decline.

The negative outlook comes on the heels of fresh data suggesting China’s economy is continuing to lose steam.

Moody’s said it was con-

cerned over China’s incomplete implementation of much-needed reforms.

“Without credible and efficient reforms, China’s [Gross Domestic Product] GDP growth would slow more markedly as a high debt burden dampens business investment and demographics turn increasingly unfavourable,” Moody’s said in a note.

“Government debt would increase more sharply than we currently expect.”

But the ratings agency did confirm China’s current Aa3 rating, saying that there was still time to ad-

dress the current economic imbalances and implement reforms.

Just one week ago, China sought to assure the global economic community over the strength of its economy.

At the G20 meeting in Shanghai, the country’s Finance Minister, Lou Jiwei insisted Beijing could tackle the pressures it is currently facing.

China’s economy, the second-biggest in the world, is growing at the slowest rate in 25 years as it attempts to move from an export-led nation to one led by consumption and services. (BBC News)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

Fixed as at March 2, 2016 Calculated at 94% purity

U.S.

$1229.35

$154.87

Gross

$237,381

$205.98

$208.44

Net

$220,764

$ 223.53

$226.40

GBP

$288.13

$291.77

CAN

$153.09

USD EURO

Indicators as on March 3, 2016 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$34.40

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$10.640/cwt

London Sugar

$414.50/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

+1.87 Change %

-1.34 +0.52 USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1238.50

Low/High

$1224.60

$1244.80

-1.00

-0.08%

Change

$1239.50

Business Concept – Liberalism (Economic) A concept that a government should not try to control prices, rents, and/or wages but instead let open competition and forces of demand and supply create an equilibrium between them that benefits the vast majority of citizens. It differs from the doctrine of laissez faire in its acceptance of the government intervention to control creation and spread of monopolies and in distribution of public good. Economic liberalism, in general, favours redistribution of income through taxes and welfare payments. (Business Dictionary)

isease in shrimp farming has cost the industry many billions of dollars in the past 10 years. However, there is a viable and profitable solution. New technology created by Panamanian resident and aquaculture scientist, Dr Bill McGraw, will provide a biosecure, zero water exchange system for growing shrimp that has a zero percent chance of being affected by any disease currently decimating many areas of

shrimp farming in Central America and throughout the world. Over US$20 million has been spent in continuing research over the past 25 years in the US and overseas, working with the company Spirit Sustainable Resources International, with headquarters in Texas.

This system has been proven to be very efficient, economically viable, robust and, most importantly, free of disease during its use for four years in the province of

Chiriqui, Panama, and three years in overseas countries.

There are no herbicides, pesticides and all plants and animals are non-GMO and organically produced. Unlike most shrimp produced worldwide, there are no antibiotics used and there are no plans to include chemicals in processing shrimp. And unlike any shrimp produced in the US and Panama, shrimp production will be conducted 365 days per year under greenhouse. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now!)

Investors' guide

Asia shares score seven-week peak, commodities on the mend

A

sian shares were trying to string together three sessions of gains today as upbeat data on US jobs and gains for a range of commodities whetted risk appetites globally.

Notably, oil shrugged off record high US crude stockpiles as investors chose to focus on an OPEC plan to freeze production, keeping alive talk the market had bottomed from a near two-year selloff.

US crude CLc1 was up three cents at US$34.68 a barrel, after Brent LCOc1 ended 25 cents firmer at US$37.06.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added another 0.4 per cent to reach a sevenweek top, having surged 2.6 per cent on Wednesday.

Higher prices for copper and iron ore helped Australian stocks rise 0.5 per cent to their highest in over a month.

Japan’s Nikkei was up 0.3 per cent, following a four-per cent jump the previous session.

Energy and bank stocks had led Wall Street higher on Wednesday, giving the Dow a gain of 0.2 per cent. The S&P

500 added 0.41 per cent and the Nasdaq 0.29 per cent.

The calmer mood showed in the CBOE Volatility index, a measure of investor anxiety, which closed at its lowest level so far this year.

Yet fissures remain in the global outlook, argued Justin Fabo, a senior economist at Australia and New Zealand Bank.

Despite the latest bounce in

commodities, prices were still very weak and a lot of money had been borrowed on the assumption that they would not be.

“China has huge potential to roil markets as the nation navigates a difficult structural transition,” he said.

“Asian trade, traditionally a bellwether for global growth, is in recession.”

“Risk is being repriced, and the ability of central banks to keep pulling rabbits out of the hat is now pretty limited.”

Indeed, there are plenty of worries the European Central Bank could disappoint expectations for aggressive easing when it meets next week – just as it did in December.

Back then markets reacted violently when the Central Bank’s stimulus steps stopped far short of what had been priced in, leading the euro to rocket three per cent in just one session.

Fearing a re-run, investors are holding back on shorting the euro, keeping it at US$1.0864 EUR= and off a one-month trough of US$1.0825. The dollar also faded a little on the yen to 113.50 JPY=, after losing grip of a two-week high at 114.56.

Instead, the limelight was stolen by the Australian dollar which neared its 2016 peak in the wake of surprisingly strong domestic economic data.

The Aussie was taking in the view at $0.7285 AUD=D4, following a 1.7 per cent rally on Tuesday. (Reuters)

17

news

thursday, march 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Excise tax review

Govt still to address issue with local businesses

G

overnment is still to address the burning issue of the impact the unfair application of excise taxes is having on the local manufacturing sector.

Even with the passage of the 2016 National Budget, local manufacturers are still left in the dark regarding this pressuring tax.

In 2015, during his budget presentation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said that the newly instituted Business Ministry would be responsible for the issue of excise tax and the problems facing local manufacturers. However, from then to now, nothing has been forthcoming in this regard.

Of great concern for some manufacturers is the 40 per cent excise tax on alcohol.

Two manufacturers had recently raised concerns about the impact this tax is having on their production.

The New GPC INC and Twins Manufacturing Chemists had related that they utilise about 96 per cent alcohol in their manufacture of a diverse array of local products for domestic and export markets. They stated that the charging of the excise tax on the alcohol significantly impacts the cost of production and therefore the competitiveness of their products against the increasing influx of cheaper imports.

Furthermore, according to NEW GPC, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had restarted imposing VAT on inputs such as empty bottles which are used in manufacturing, while at the same time it continues to deny payment of VAT refunds.

Without a functioning system for refunds, VAT effectually adds to the cost of the product and separately it becomes another burden on

cash flows. The combination is a hindrance to manufacturing and/or to expanding local production.

It was revealed that most manufacturers buy their alcohol from Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and in the process pay a whopping 40 per cent in excise tax, which is an enormous burden in an already high-cost economy where there are major barriers, including the high cost for energy.

It was also revealed that it is far cheaper to import the same product from Trinidad and Tobago because both the excise tax and value added tax are waived by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) under the existing tax legislation as an incentive to local manufacturing. But importation has to be done in bulk and this poses another cluster of challenges to local

manufacturers.

Therefore, any local businesses desirous of using alcohol as a raw material will have to endure the onerous 40 per cent tax locally or import foreign alcohol – an alternative that is coincidentally inimical to the interests of another local manufacturer and the Guyanese economy.

The alcohol purchased is referred to as extra-neutral alcohol or neutral spirits and is measured in Litres of Pure Alcohol (LPA). At the purchase strength of 96 per cent alcohol v/v (volume-volume percentage), it is considered only suitable for industrial use or further processing.

Guyana Times was unable to contact both Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin for a comment on the issue.

Local Police, INTERPOL officially working on GPL DCEO’s extradition

A

s the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues its aggressive pursuit to extradite former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light Inc Aeshwar Deonarine, its Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said he has been communicating regularly with international law enforcement authorities.

“We, the GPF, are well aware of what jurisdiction Mr Deonarine is within but that is information I cannot at this time give out.

The Force has its Standard Operating Procedures to follow and we are working assiduously to have this matter dealt with. An arrest warrant has already been

Aeshwar Deonarine

forwarded to the relevant authorities,” the Crime Chief said on Wednesday.

Deonarine, who has always maintained his innocence, had already indicated

that he was willing to return to Guyana to defend himself in the court of law.

The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has already reportedly been contacted to lend assistance to the Guyana Police Force in having the former CEO extradited from Canada.

The former DCEO is wanted by the Police after he allegedly transferred GY$27 million from his previous place of employment to his personal bank account.

Upon the discovery, Deonarine was sent on leave, along with another colleague Carvil Duncan, who was accused of stealing $984,900.

However, Deonarine had

promised to repay the $27 million that he collected but never did. The Police were called in and an investigation was launched. Based on advice, Police instituted charges against Deonarine and Duncan.

Duncan, 73, of Lot 1977 Lanstead Road, Festival City, Georgetown and Deonarine were jointly slapped with simple larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny charges.

Duncan made a court appearance and was granted bail but Deonarine was a no-show. It was reported that the former DECO left Guyana since August 3, 2015, via Fly Jamaica Airlines for Canada.

LGE 2016

GECOM reassures stakeholders of adequacy of polling day staff

T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is reassuring stakeholders that there is adequate polling day staff for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

In an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Tamara Rodney explained that owing to the intricacies of these elections, more staff was required.

“We actually have more than the last elections, because this one is more intricate, so we have adequate staff and security in place,” stated the PRO. GECOM, in a release, stated that it has been training staff since September 2015. And it has reached a stage where “we are comfortable that we have the required numbers to work on E- Day”, Rodney told this publication.

When questioned about concerns over the lack of voter education on

the local polls, Rodney noted that the Commission recently embarked upon a “street marketing campaign” in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

“We have been on the streets in the communities, door-to-door in fact sometimes, telling people about the whole electoral process,” the PRO ex-

plained.

In January, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield revealed that although GECOM issued many advertisements for persons to apply to work for the elections, applications for Election Day work were slow in coming.

Lowenfield had also pointed out that in Georgetown; nine Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) on the East Coast; in Region Two, in some specific local authority areas and also in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), they had experienced a “shortfall” in acquiring the requisite E-Day staff.

Guyanese across various NDCs and municipalities will exercise their franchise in the LGE set for March 18.

These polls are the first since 1994. In February of this year, United States President Barack Obama praised Guyana for the return of local democracy.

The Race to LGE 2016 Marlyn Kennedy to leave “no stone unturned” in elections bid – pledges to fix Ruimveldt Industrial Estate roads

Marlyn Kennedy

M

arlyn Kennedy, a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic candidate in the upcoming Local Government Elections is of the view that her experience and advocacy in community development qualifies her to adequately represent the needs of constituents in her area. She is a candidate for Constituency Fourteen, which covers South Ruimveldt Park/Ruimveldt Industrial Estate.

Kennedy informed Guyana Times that she has served as Secretary on the Rasville Roxanne Burnham Gardens Community Council Board and has over the years worked with key stakeholders to ensure that residents live a better quality of life. Some of the achievements she noted were the improvement of water systems, telephones, roads being built and attempts towards residents getting land titles.

Under the theme “Lets Develop Our Community,” the candidate promised that constituents can expect “a return to progressive ideas.”

Among her many objectives, Kennedy hopes to ensure “a clean environment, recreational facilities for youths and permanent maintenance of drains, establishing a village office, three-month amnesty for delinquent tax payers, more social programmes for the youths, including a community centre for “Skills Training.”

The candidate also hopes to ensure that there is better accountability at City Hall for taxes and posited that she strongly advocate that there is no increase in rates and taxes and to ensure that there is permanent road maintenance. One of the many roads she pledged to fix was that in Ruimveldt Industrial Estate, which is currently potholed.

She noted that to advance her causes, she would actively engage City Council to ensure that road rehabilitation works and the many other needs of constituents get addressed.

“Should I become a Councillor in City Hall, we would have to put

propositions on the concerns of the residents to the bargaining table so we all would come together as Councilors to address [their] needs [so] that we can come to an amicable decision to make better roads,” Kennedy explained.

“Whatever is the mandate, whatever are the decisions taken at the board, I would work along [and] not leave no stone unturned; for the sake of the residents, I would do my best to let them hear me and hear the cry of the residents.”

The candidate related that as a Councillor, she would address the issue of flooding, especially in South Ruimveldt Gardens.

“We will have to discuss that with the residents, get to understand the basic needs with the drains that are clogging… you would then take it to the Council and let them and then [Council] could implement [systems] to rid the community of flooding,” Kennedy explained.

The PPP/C candidate opined that because she is mature, concerned, and dedicated, socially active and community conscious; residents should support her bid to become their constituent representative.

“I think that they should support me because I have been a longstanding leader in the community, I worked with the masses and I have shown progress in many ways in whatever enhancements came to the community and the residents know me as a person of integrity. I am community conscious and aware of [their] needs,” Kennedy opined.

She outlined some of the Party’s objectives in their selection of prospective constituency representatives.

“The PPP’s objectives are to see the constituency get a good leader, they know that they can trust, they can look forward to the people getting good service,” cited Kennedy Kennedy stated her optimism that she will win her constituency.

“My chances of winning [are] above 50… I wouldn’t go to 100 but it’s above 50,” the candidate pointed out.

“I am fearless because I know who I am, it’s not what people say about you, it’s what people can see inside of you… I’m positive, nothing is impossible and when you’re going to these challenges, you never harbour negatives but whatever comes, it will be a learning experience for me,” opined Kennedy.

“Come March 18, we have to vote for competent leaders to run our constituencies,” emphasised the PPP/C candidate.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, march 3, 2016

ARCHIE

A disciplined approach is in your best interest. Whether (March 21- you are helping someone or April 19) making personal improvements, a positive state of mind will be essential. Love is highlighted.

ARIES

Offering assistance is honTAURUS ourable, but don’t let any(April 20- one take you for granted. Use May 20) your knowledge and attributes to further your endeavours, not someone else’s ideas and plans.

dilbert

There will be a fine line GEMINI (May 21- between right and wrong.

June 20) Weigh the pros and cons of a situation and make decisions based on the most likely outcome.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

An unusual encounter will leave you questioning your life and goals. A receptive attitude toward those who have something different to offer will help you make a positive change.

Alter the way you earn LEO your living or take on a new (July 23venture that will supplement Aug. 22) your income and help you decrease your debt. Don’t be tricked into investing in a fast-cash scheme.

Criticism is best avoided.

VIRGO Whether you are dishing it (Aug. 23out or on the receiving end, no Sept. 22) one will benefit. Positive support will resolve matters and lead to better days ahead.

Calvin and Hobbes

Share your ideas and take LIBRA (Sept. 23- part in events that are geared Oct. 23) toward unusual encounters.

Romance is on the rise, and making a personal decision will pay off.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – BANDITS

Don’t let a hopeless idea SAGITTARIUS lead you on a wild goose (Nov. 23- chase. Show some practicality Dec. 21) or you will end up losing out.

Base your decisions on facts.

Romance is encouraged.

(BANDITS: BAND-its: Robbers; outlaws.)

Average mark 13 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 19 or more words in BANDITS? The list will be published tomorrow.

TUESDAY’S WORD – ENDURING rend inner ending dire engird dirge ride inure ennui drug ridge gerund enuring dune rind ginned nine dung ring ginner rude gird nude during nudge under rued grid deign unrig ruin grin dine urge ruing grind diner urine rune guide ding reign rung gunned dinner rein indue gunner

Listen to others, but SCORPIO make your own choices. It’s in (Oct. 24Nov. 22) your best interest to keep the peace as well as be true to the endeavours you want to pursue. An unusual offer will be made.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Don’t let unexpected CAPRICORN changes disrupt your plans.

(Dec. 22- Concentrate on what needs to Jan. 19) be done in order to reach your destination. Don’t be afraid to take a different path.

It’s a good day to stick AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- close to home and avoid any Feb. 19) run-ins with others. With a little extra time and effort, a personal project can be completed. Spruce up your looks or attitude.

Don’t push your luck. Be PISCES (Feb. 20- attentive and observant in orMarch 20) der to avoid ending up in a compromising position. If you work with the current, you will come out ahead.

thursday, march 3, 2016

19

Cheddi Jagan memorial road Fairfield, Hobroken to race in Berbice this weekend square off on March 5 T F

he East Berbice roadways will be a hive of activity of Sunday when the 19th annual Cheddi Jagan memorial road race is staged from 09:00h.

The 55-mile race, in memory of the founder of the People’s Progressive Party Civic and former president Cheddi Jagan, will pedal off in front of Freedon House at New Amsterdam, proceed to Number 55 Village before returning to Port Mourant for the finish.

The veteran, female, and mountain bike riders will turn at Hog Style on the upward journey and return to Port Mourant for the finish.

The first six finishers in the Open category, along with the top three juniors, veterans and mountain bikers, as well as the first Over60 rider will be rewarded.

Flashback! Winner Orville Hinds (right) and second place finisher Alanzo Greaves (Avenash Ramzan file photo)

Last year’s winner was Orville Hinds, who clocked two hours, 38 minutes, 29.44 seconds (02h: 38m: 29.44s), followed by Alanzo Greaves,

Raynauth Jeffrey, Robin Persaud, Hamzah Eastman and Raul Leal.

Raphael Leung, Andrew Hicks and Christopher

Griffith were the leading three juniors, while Ozia McUally won the Mountain Bike race ahead of Julio Melville and Deeraj Garbarran, and Marica Dick outhustled Whitney Poyer and Toshawnna Doris in the female segment.

Walter Isaacs was the top Over-60 rider. Meanwhile, transportation for riders and officials will leave the Sport Ministry’s office on Main Street at 05:00h on Sunday.

The race is being sponsored jointly by several sport enthusiasts and organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee is expected to drop the flag to send the riders on their way in front of Freedom House, New Amsterdam.

Bangladesh v Pakistan, Asia Cup 2016, Mirpur

Bangladesh hold nerve to seal final berth T

hose who watch cricket regularly will tell you that in a tight contest, the winning side will always show some signs of their impending triumph.

Mahmudullah’s upright blast over extra cover at the start of the 17th over can only be described as the shot of the tournament so far. In a tight chase of 130 against Pakistan, it was only fair that Mahmudullah struck the blow that took Bangladesh to the Asia Cup final.

Despite Shakib Al Hasan’s brain freeze to Mohammad Amir in the 18th over, Mashrafe Mortaza struck two heroic fours immediately after to ease Bangladesh’s nerves.

Then, in a manic 19th over bowled by Mohammad Sami which included two no balls, Mahmudullah’s squeezed boundary past point all but sealed victory for the hosts.

Once Mahmudullah duly knocked off the winning runs with a slog past midwicket, he and Mashrafe wheeled away in wild celebration, nearly ramming into their on-rushing team-mates.

Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 15-ball 22 was perhaps the most important innings of his career, particularly because he was at the crease in the last over of the 2012 Asia Cup final, when Bangladesh fell short by two runs against

Bangladesh players celebrate their passage to the Asia Cup final

Pakistan. This game went into the last over too, but mostly because Bangladesh lost wickets at crucial stages and were trying their best not to crumble to Amir. The other Pakistan bowlers were all shoddy, and they were not helped by the team’s very poor effort in the field.

Still, it was Bangladesh who were pegged back early in their 130-run chase.

Tamim Iqbal was the first to go as a rare leg-before victim of Mohammad Irfan, who brought the ball into the batsman and hit the striding front pad half-way up.

Luckily, Soumya Sarkar found Sabbir Rahman willing to stick around to weather the initial Amir storm.

After the pair had safely negotiated those two overs, they looked for runs off the other bowlers. Soumya managed to hit Amir for an elegant four through midwicket, while Sabbir’s only boundary in his 15-ball 14 also came through a roll of the wrist, through fine-leg.

Sabbir fell to Shahid Afridi in the ninth over, missing a charge completely to be bowled. Soumya survived a few close calls with miscued

hits dropping short on a number of occasions, but he was generally hitting them well on the leg-side. Mushfiqur Rahim was also lucky to survive a close leg-before appeal to Afridi before Amir and Malik brought Pakistan into the game in the space of eight deliveries in the 13th and 14th overs.

Having been brought back for a single over as his second spell, Amir yorked Soumya by clattering into his leg-stump. Soumya had made a run-a-ball 48 that had five fours and the pumped six into the midwicket stands, but when he got out, Bangladesh needed 47 off 40 balls.

There was much expected from the experienced duo of Mushfiqur and Shakib at that stage, but Mushfiqur was given out leg-before trying to reverse-sweep Malik in the over after Soumya got out.

Taskin Ahmed and Al-Amin Hossain were Bangladesh’s best bowlers, stepping up in the absence of Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out through a right side strain. Taskin bowled his first maiden over in his T20I career in a first-spell that saw him give away just one run. His second spell produced the wicket of Umar Akmal; he finished with figures of 4-1-14-1. Al-Amin

airfield Sports Club will play host to USA side Hobroken in a feature 35-over cricket match at the Fairfield Sports Club ground from 11:00h.

While the visiting teams will comprise senior and master players, Fairfield team will have two upcoming talents, Ramnarine Chatura and Shoaib

Singh, Prakash Persaud, Selwyn Chung, Darragh Dempsey, Neeraj Kher, Samay Vithlani, Lennox Fordyce, Bharath Bhasker, Sagar Waghmare, Matt Ford, Hafeez Saheed and Charles Seville.

Fairfield squad reads: Alex Marshall (Captain), Mustac Shaw, Ramnarine Chatura, Motelall Chatura, Deonarine

Shaw. Chatura represented Guyana for the last two years at the Under-17 level, while Shaw, a Demerara Under-15 opener, is part of a 20-man Guyana squad selected for the regional Under-15 tournament this year.

Hobroken Cricket Club squad reads: Omesh Nandall (Captain), Ramjit

Chatura, Wazim Mustapha, Astraf Mustapha, Deonarine Mungal, Rajindra Singh, Leon Targoogchandrue, Denard Lovell, Vishal Persaud, Shoaib Shaw, Karpov George, Mitra Persaud and Anav Deonarine.

The umpires will be Gavin D’Aguiar and Daniel Richmond.

bowled two tight overs at the top, giving away just nine runs before returning in the last four overs to give away

four and 12, as Bangladesh decently closed out the Pakistan innings for 129-7.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Pakistan innings (20 overs maximum) Khurram Manzoor c †Mushfiqur Rahim b AlAmin Hossain 1 Sharjeel Khan b Arafat Sunny 10 Mohammad Hafeez lbw b Mashrafe Mortaza 2 Sarfraz Ahmed† not out 58 Umar Akmal c Shakib Al Hasan b Taskin Ahmed 4 Shoaib Malik c Sabbir Rahman b Arafat Sunny 41 Shahid Afridi* c Sabbir Rahman b Al-Amin Hossain 0 Anwar Ali c Sabbir Rahman b Al-Amin Hossain 13 Extras 0 Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 129 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Khurram Manzoor, 1.1 ov), 2-12 (Sharjeel Khan, 3.5 ov), 3-18 (Mohammad Hafeez, 4.5 ov), 4-28 (Umar Akmal, 8.2 ov), 5-98 (Shoaib Malik, 16.4 ov), 6-102 (Shahid Afridi, 17.3 ov), 7-129 (Anwar Ali, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Taskin Ahmed 4-114-1, Al-Amin Hossain 4-025-3, Arafat Sunny 4-0-35-2, Mashrafe Mortaza 4-0-29-1,

Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-26-0 Bangladesh innings (target: 130 runs from 20 overs) Tamim Iqbal lbw b Mohammad 7 Irfan Soumya Sarkar b Mohammad 48 Amir Sabbir Rahman b Shahid Afridi 14 Mushfiqur Rahim† lbw b Shoaib Malik 12 Shakib Al Hasan b Mohammad Amir 8 Mahmudullah not out 22 Mashrafe Mortaza* not out 12 Extras (lb 4, w 2, nb 2) 8 Total (5 wickets; 19.1 overs) 131 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Tamim Iqbal, 1.4 ov), 2-46 (Sabbir Rahman, 8.1 ov), 3-83 (Soumya Sarkar, 13.2 ov), 4-88 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 14.2 ov), 5-104 (Shakib Al Hasan, 17.2 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 4-026-2 (1-w), Mohammad Irfan 4-0-23-1, Mohammad Sami 4-0-30-0 (2-nb), Shahid Afridi 4-0-20-1, Anwar Ali 2.1-0-250 (1-w), Shoaib Malik 1-0-3-1

20

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, march 3, 2016

Simmons wants improved Andre Russell faces possible ban fielding from Windies

W

est Indies head coach Phil Simmons says his players will use warm-up matches against English County Warwickshire this weekend, to ramp up their fielding arsenal in preparation for the T20 World Cup starting next week in India.

West Indies start a two-match series against Warwickshire on Friday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after thrashing Zimbabwe two-nil in a similar series which ended on Monday.

Simmons says he is confident West Indies fielders can once again drive fear in the hearts of opposing batsmen.

“It’s a case of making sure that we get back to a standard where people are afraid us in the field and we have the players that can put that fear into other people in the field,” said Simmons.

“I think we as a unit have to make sure everybody is doing their job and if we can get it to that stage by the 16th then people will be in for a shock”.

The Caribbean side displayed solid batting in their confidence boosting

Andre Russell could face suspension

Phil Simmons

warm-up victories against Zimbabwe.

However Simmons expressed some reservations about their fielding especially during their final match against the Zimbabweans where catches were dropped.

“Think we need to make sure that we are in the field, that we are getting to the ball and we are hitting stumps and things like that,” he said.

“We dropped a few catches today…but we got to make sure that we are doing everything right by the time we leave here”.

The former West Indies all-rounder says he was impressed with the unbeaten century stand for the first wicket between Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher

which led them to a 10 wicket victory against Zimbabwe on Monday.

He says competition for Chris Gayle’s opening spot is healthy for the regional side.

“This was a much better wicket than two days ago and they showed what they are capable of doing,” said Simmons.

“They are both in a way fighting for a spot as Chris Gayle has to come in so it’s good for them to show what they have and for us to know that if Chris is not there that we still have people who can do the job up top”.

West Indies are also scheduled to play warm-up matches against India and Australia next week. (windi-

escricket)

Swansea dent Arsenal’s title hopes

W

est Indies allrounder Andre Russell has committed an “anti-doping whereabouts” violation, according to the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), and could face a

lengthy ban from cricket.

Russell, who is part of the West Indies squad for the upcoming World T20, has reportedly missed three such tests in a 12-month period, which equates to a failed test under doping

laws.

“We received notification of Russell’s violation about two weeks ago and I’ve appointed a panel to hear his case,” JADCO independent disciplinary panel chairman Kent Pantry told Reuters.

Athletes must make their whereabouts known to local anti-doping agencies to facilitate testing.

Russell could face a possible two-year ban if found guilty of the violation.

“There is a process regarding the findings by JADCO,” the West Indies Cricket Board said in a statement. “All that will be observed and you will be advised accordingly.” (Cricinfo)

Refugee team to compete at Olympics

A

team of refugees will compete at this summer’s Olympics in

Rio. A total of 43 prospective athletes have been identified for the Team of Refugee Olympic Athletes (ROA), which will compete under the Olympic flag.

“By welcoming ROA to the Olympic Games in Rio, we want to send a message of hope to all the refugees of the world,” said International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

“This team will be treated like all the other teams.”

As well as sporting ability, selection criteria will include personal circumstances and United Nationsverified refugee status.

Athletes will then be supported with funds to train.

“This team may end up between five and 10 athletes maybe,” said Bach. “We have no target. It depends very much on the sporting qualifications.”

The ROA will be housed

(£139m), but the build-up to the Games has been overshadowed by an economic downturn in Brazil, political turmoil and Zika.

The 2012 Olympics in London reached its revenue target from ticket sales months before the start because of huge demand and, overall, 96% of the 8.2 million tickets were sold. `”I have no concerns at all there,” said Bach.

“Brazilians, they do not buy tickets at such an early stage, as the British or the Germans. There is no concern at all. We had comparable figures before other Olympic Games.

“I have no doubt that when the time comes, these numbers will increase.”

Zika a ‘moving target’

Brazil has been at the centre of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to a rise in cases of babies born with unusually small heads.

As the British Olympic

from a broader games perspective, the WHO believes it will not be a major factor.”

A waste of US$25M?

Andrada also said that that the Brazilian government would issue a presidential decree to ensure that a $25m (£17.7m) drug testing lab in Rio does not go unused.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has issued a deadline of 18 March for Brazil to comply with international doping legislation.

The decree, to be issued on 15 March, will “solve this problem”, according to Andrada, because there is not enough time to push new laws through parliament.

Facilities and water

Before the outbreak of the Zika virus, there were health concerns about pollution in the water where some events will be held.

As a result, Guanabara Bay, which will host sailing and swimming, and the la-

Swansea defender Ashley Williams turned in when Petr Cech missed his punch

A

rsenal’s hopes of landing a first league title in 12 years suffered a heavy blow as Swansea came from behind to win at Emirates Stadium.

Joel Campbell slid to hook the Gunners into an early lead and they looked set to make up ground on leaders Leicester.

Swansea - missing boss Francesco Guidolin through illness - levelled when Wayne Routledge side-foot-

ed home.

Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez struck the bar before Ashley Williams pounced to earn a crucial Swansea win.

The Welsh club now have a six-point cushion to the relegation zone but Arsenal’s six-point deficit to Leicester City at the top of the table looks sure to yield ugly headlines.

Arsene Wenger’s side have lost three successive

games for the first time since 2010, severely damaging their title hopes in a season which many regard as their best opportunity in recent times to be crowned champions.

After defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday, pundits lined up to criticise Arsenal’s failings. Their shortcomings were again laid bare against the Swans as they missed chances and their soft centre again cost them dear. (BBC Sport)

Tottenham miss chance to go top

T

ottenham missed the opportunity to go top of the Premier League as they lost to an outstanding West Ham United performance at Upton Park.

Michail Antonio’s seventh-minute header from Dimitri Payet’s corner gave Slaven Bilic’s side a narrow victory margin - but the

Hammers were vastly superior to a disappointing Spurs, who never threatened the victory they required to overhaul Leicester at the top of the table.

Spurs were second best in all departments and when they did threaten, West Ham keeper Adrian saved from Toby Alderweireld’s shot and

Harry Kane’s rebound, the England striker also failing with a good chance at the far post late on.

And how West Ham’s fans lapped it up as they relished putting the skids under Spurs while only leaving themselves one point off the top four in this most unpredictable of seasons. (BBC Sport)

Rio will stage the first Games in South America

in the athletes’ village and will enter the opening ceremony as the penultimate team, ahead of hosts Brazil.

The IOC also issued assurances over the Zika virus, slow ticket sales, water pollution and facilities.

Fewer than half of tickets sold

So far, fewer than half of the 7.5 million tickets issued for the Games, which will run from August 5-21, have been sold.

Sales of more expensive tickets for premium events and the opening ceremony mean ticket revenues have reached 74% or $195m

Association warned pregnant women to avoid all nonessential travel to Brazil, the IOC said it continues to follow the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which has said that Brazil should be safe during its winter.

Rio 2016 communications director Mario Andrada said athletes will have air conditioning in their rooms and will be advised to keep the windows closed to keep any mosquitoes out.

“Zika is a moving target,” he said. “It’s a global tragedy, especially for women and pregnant woman. But

goon where rowing and canoeing events will take place are to be subject to increased testing.

Both sites will be examined every other day from April, and then on a daily basis during the Games.

In addition, Andrada claimed that almost all venues were ready for the Olympics, saying: “All venues are almost around 95% ready.

“The velodrome needs a little more but it will be ready at the end of April.”

(BBC Sport)

21

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GCB, other partners launch Scotiabank Kiddy cricket programme T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in collaboration with other stakeholders on Wednesday launched the annual Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme through an interactive media session at its boardroom on Regent Street, Georgetown.

The programme will return to schools throughout the country in the next school term. The main pillars of the programme are coaching and education.

Territorial Development Officer of the GCB, Colin Stuart, expects the programme to create wellrounded and disciplined players.

“This year we’re building on what we’ve done previously; there will be a coaching and education aspect where we train the players on different aspects of the game like, batting, bowling and fielding, as well as fitness,” Stuart explained.

As it regards the competition, it has been themed “Progression One” and the general Scotiabank Kiddy rules have been adjusted to make it similar to the normal cricketing rules, as this will enhance the aspect of teamwork and individual responsibility.

It is expected that a number of schools will be able to participate in an international display when Australia play the West Indies in the Tri-series at the National Stadium, Providence, on June 10. the Head of Allied Arts division at the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, believes the programme will give the Ministry the opportunity to address other issues than sports, and is confident it will fit perfectly into the current move to have a more active sports programme in the school curriculum.

“In terms of evaluating

or adding on to the skills that are being thought in the curriculum, this will offer a good outlet for students to practice and enjoy themselves,” he pointed out.

Scotiabank, which has been the major sponsor of the tournament, continues to support the programme due to the enormous amount of talent that has been exposed in the tournament.

Marketing Manager, Jennifer Cipriani, posited that “cricket is very close to our hearts, as West Indians we love our cricket and Scotiabank decided to sponsor cricket many years ago because it was something that really appealed to the West Indians and we thought that association with cricket will work favourable for the bank.”

National cricketers Steven Jacobs and Jonathon Foo are just two of the many products of the programme.

GFSCA to field 3 teams at Florida Cup

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Amrit Rai

Anil Beharry

Uniss Yusuf

he annual Florida Cup is slated for March 11-13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, and the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) will field three teams at the competition.

This year the Guyana Consulate in Miami in collaboration with South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL) is hosting the tournament as Guyana celebrates 50 years of Independence.

Preliminary rounds in the Masters and Open categories will be played at Brian Picollo Park in Cooper City on March 11 and 12.

Both category finals will be played on March 13 at the Fort Lauderdale Cricket Stadium.

This year, the GFSCA will feature three teams.

GFSCA’s Wolf Warriors will be making their debut in the Open Category, while Floodlights and Floodlights Legends will be playing in the Masters.

GFSCA’s Wolf Warriors were champions of the Open, while Floodlights were champions of the Masters in

the 2014 edition of Guyana Softball Cup 4, played in Guyana. Floodlights were also champions in New York at 2015 Independence and Legends Cup when they defeated Regal Masters in the final.

Floodlights, Floodlights

Open and Masters titles of Florida Cup 2016. GFSCA’s Wolf Warriors will feature some of Guyana’s top softball players in captain Amrit Rai, Mark Harold, Azad Azeez, Safraz Karim and Reaz Karim among others.

Floodlights and Floodlights Legend will also feature some reputable players in the Masters, such as Ramchand Ragbeer, Lakhram Singh, Lalta Gainda, Ramo Malone, Jagdesh Persaud, Jailall Deodass, Uniss Yusuf, Kenrick Persaud, Ramesh Sunich, Surendra Nauth, Steve Narine, Poran Singh, Lloyd Rooplall, Pithamber Maharaj, Anil Beharry, Ago Gopaul, Ricky Deonarain, Goordial Mattai, Ravi Lutchman, Joe Lutchman, Sydney Jackman Jnr., Ganesh Singh, Motilall Chumundat, Arjune Badal, Ashmool Ali, Mohan Sukhu, Fizul Ali, Goverdhan Arjune, Jaipaul Singh, Narinedat Roy, Sahadeo Budhu, Dennis Mangru.

The three GFSCA teams have already started departing for Florida.

T

Ramo Malone

Legends and GFSCA’s Wolf Warriors are expected to give fierce competition to the teams from Florida, New York and Canada.

Regal, also from Guyana, is expected to play. The three GFSCA teams are very confident of lifting both

22

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, march 3, 2016

“An honour and privilege to GSL Minor League 10/10 be back with the Warriors” Super Over title win for Leonora Primary – Steven Jacobs relishes opportunity to represent homeland in CPL 4

By Avenash Ramzan

T

here is no better feeling than representing your country of birth. That’s the contention of Guyanese al-rounder Steven Jacobs, who will turn out for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (Hero CPL) later this year.

It is the third time that Jacobs has been snapped up by the franchise. After appearing for the South American nation in 2013 and 2014, the Malteenoes Sports Club off-spinner and lower-order batsman went unsold last year.

At the Player Draft earlier this year in Barbados, the 27-year-old Jacobs was bought in Round 14 by the Guyana Amazon Warriors at a value of US$5,000.

“I think it’s an honour and privilege to be back with the Guyana Amazon Warriors after playing two years with them,” he told this publication during an exclusive interview on Wednesday. “It’s always nice to be home and represent your nation so I just want to thank selectors, the manager, the coach and the owner for picking me.”

The presence of mystery spinner Sunil Narine in the Guyana Amazon Warriors set-up created little opportunities for Jacobs during the first two years, as he appeared in a total of just six games. In 2013, he was impressive in three games, picking up four wickets and even bowling a maiden.

Those wickets came at an average of 12.3, and an economy rate of 5.4. In 2014, his three games yielded just a solitary wicket.

“Well I was playing in the team as a spinner and then you had someone like Sunil Narine, who played in the XI most times and I had

Steven Jacobs

to sit out. But even though they were a few [games] I tried to make use of them,” Jacobs outlined.

With Narine now switching allegiance to home franchise Trinbago Knight Riders, Jacobs is looking forward to a longer run in the middle at CPL 4. “Yes, it presents an opportunity for me to step up and showcase my talent,” he reckoned.

Commenting on the Guyana Amazon Warriors chances in the six-week tournament, Jacobs said cricket is played on the day, and once the players stick to the basics, the results can be positive.

He also believes that with a plethora of Caribbean players in the line-up, fa-

miliarity to condition could be a plus for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

“I think we have a balanced team, we have a lot of regional players, which could actually be a plus for us because we know the conditions here, and I think that will work to our advantage,” Jacobs pointed out.

He continued, “You know how cricket is played…you can have the big players, but cricket is played on the day and once we apply the basics and do what’s necessary to win the games I think we can come out victorious in the whole tournament.”

Meanwhile, the dreadlocked Jacobs feels the Hero CPL is a positive thing for the Caribbean, not just for the development of the game, but also the cricketloving populace.

“With T20 cricket in the Caribbean this is something that the people of the Caribbean love- they come out and they enjoy it- and we the players do it not just for a living, but also for the people…because when you can go on the field and people are shouting and screaming for you it always gives you that extra energy and boost to perform,” he explained.

“So I think it’s good for the Caribbean because you see some good players coming through and you get to rub shoulders with some of the best international players and gain valuable experience.” (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

GCB/BANKS DIH LTD/DIGICEL NSSCL

Georgetown-Mahaicony, Essequibo to clash in Combine Elite final

G

eorgetown-Mahaicony Combine and Essequibo Combine have earned the right to face each other in the final of the NSSCL Combine Elite League by virtue of defeating Berbice Combine and Upper Demerara-West Demerara Combine respectively in the GCB/Banks DIH LTD/Digicel’s National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL).

In the Ancient County of Berbice, GeorgetownMahaicony defeated a strong Berbice Combine team by 58 runs at Albion Community Centre ground.

Batting first, GeorgetownMahaicony Combine made 181 all out in 47.3 overs on the back of a stylish 74 by former national Under-15 batsman Bhaskar Yadram.

Yadram showed great composure as he batted most of the innings while keeping the Berbician bowlers at bay.

He struck 10 fours and a solitary six during his knock.

He was well supported by

Bhaskar Yadram

the in-form Joshua Persaud, who struck 48, which included four fours. Bowling for Berbice Combine, national Under-15 player Junior Sinclair bagged 5-33 off 9.3 overs.

In reply, Berbice Combine could only manage 123 when they were dismissed in the 40th over.

Only Alex Algoo offered any resistance with 28. Bowling for the Georgetown Combine team, Joshua Persaud claimed 3-16 off 7.3 overs.

Yadram returned with the ball to take 3-24 off 10 overs.

In the Cinderella County,

Essequibo Combine got the better of Upper DemeraraWest Demerara Combine by five wickets. Upper Demerara-West Demerara Combine batting first scored 164-5 off 40 overs. Kevin Christian top scored with 38, while Sagar Hetheramani contributed 26. Bowling for Essequibo Combine, Bisham Moses had 2-30 off eight overs.

In reply, Essequibo Combine got to their target of 162 with three overs to spare losing only five wickets in the process. Quintin Sampson led the way with 39. He also had good support from Omesh Ramdahin, who made 34, while Rayon Venture was not out at the end with 27 not out.

With this win, the powerful GeorgetownMahaicony Combine and a strong Essequibo Combine will now do battle in the final of the NSSCL Combine Elite League today at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda, from 09:30h.

Members of the victorious Leonora Primary School in a jubilant mood

T

he Minor League 10/10 organised by the Guyana Softball League (GSL) went down to the wire in a Super Over which saw Leonora Primary School prevailing over Tuschen Primary.

The match brought a fitting end to the tournament, which attracted some nine primary schools from West Demerara.

Leonora Primary School won the toss as skipper Aryan Persaud elected to bat with Nicholas Persaud and Shaheed Vieira going merrily along, hitting some exquisite shots that made their supporters roar with delight as they accumulated 31 runs in two overs.

The start of the third over saw some success for the opposition with Alex Ritchie removing the aggressive Persaud for a wellplayed 20, which included two sixes.

Skipper Persaud joined Vieira and was immediately in his stride, striking consecutive boundaries to open his account. The second wicket, which was Persaud 15 (2x4s; 1x6s), and also the

third wicket, Vieira for 10, fell with the score on 50 in the fourth over.

It was all downhill after that and only Yavindra Singh 14 (1x4) helped them to 66 all out in their 10 overs. Ganesh Rampersaud with 5-17 was the bowler who wrecked the lower-order of Leonora Primary.

Ritchie and Rezekiel Renee with 2-19 and 2-13 respectively supported Rampersaud.

Tuschen’s reply was immediately set on the back foot as they lost Trevlon Chichester for one in second over with the score on five, but Renaldo Scotten with 28 (2x4s; 2x6s) quickly got them back on track.

In the company of Ritchie 14 (2x4s), who anchored the innings, it seemed as they were cruising until the hard-hitting Scotten got too ambitious and swung wildly at a good delivery from Persaud and was caught on the square-leg boundary.

The innings went into a decline, but Vivendra Narine and the tail tried their utmost to achieve victory, but the last batsman

Shane Hemraj ran down the wicket and was run out by miles, much to the disappointment of his teammates and supporters.

They were all out for 66 as had Leonora, thus ensuring the Super Over to decide the winner. Persaud ended with 2-10 from two overs and he was supported

by Shaheed Vieira with 2-8 from his two overs.

In the Super Over, Tuschen Primary batted first and scored nine, while Leonora responded with 13.

Aryan Persaud was adjudged the MVP of the tournament, having scored heavily and also picking 18 wickets.

The GSL congratulated both teams for their exemplary behaviour and the maturity in their cricket standard.

Meanwhile, the GSL will start the secondary school tournament shortly and sponsors are invited on board to ensure young people in the secondary schools have the opportunity to display the talents and interact with other schools.

Pream XI, Omesh XI extend...

Salman Khan took 2-6 from two overs and all the other bowlers bowled accurately to limit Blazers.

In reply, Pream XI raced to 70 -2 in 6.2 overs with Rajendra Kumar celebrating his birthday in style by clobbering 40 not out (1x4; 5x6s) off 12 balls.

Front-runners in the competition thus far, Omesh XI, destroyed Maracs XI by 85 runs.

Omesh XI took first strike and amassed 141 -8 in 10 overs with Vickram Kissoon hitting 50 (1x4; 7x6s); Quincy Jones 43 (1x4s; 6x4s). The two were involved in a partnership of 57 that propelled Omesh XI to the eventual score.

Zahir Khan took 2-17 from two overs. In reply, Maracs XI found them-

selves in trouble from the onset, losing their first six wickets for 39 in four overs and never looked like challenging the total as they were limited to 56 all out in seven overs. Mark Ally was the top scorer with 26 (3x6s). Vickram Kissoon completed a good day with 2-18 from two overs and he was supported by Vijai Jairam with 2-2 from one over.

The third match of the day’s proceeding saw West Coast Blazers defeating Amazon Warriors XI by 27 runs.

West Coast Blazers made amends for their loss earlier by scoring a challenging 128-4 in 10 overs.

Leonard Harprashad made 46 not out (1x4; 3x6s) and Mohamed R.K Saffie 43

from page 23

(3x4s; 4x6) in a partnership worth 47, while Mohamed Ahamad supported with 28 (3x6s).

In their turn at the crease, Amazon Warriors XI made a fight of it through Chris Sookram 37 (3x4s;2x6s) and Feroze Mohamed 25 (2x6s) and in a partnership of 43 that nearly won the match, but the rest of the batting could not upkeep the run rate which saw them being bowled out for 101 in 10 overs.

In the other games, Crossbreed Warriors hammered Power XI by 43 runs. Crossbreed Warriors racked up 119 all out in 10 overs with Elton Grant making 40 (5x6s). Power XI were then bundled out for 65 in 9.5 overs.

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, march 3, 2016

23

Florida to host CPL matches under lights Sunday is deadline for KMTC Phagwah race meet

submission of entries

Justice Cecil Kennard

T

he days are counting down to the deadline for the submission of entries for the annual Phagwah horse race meet, usually staged by the

released weeks ago, owners of horses must pay at least $5,000 for each horse at the time of entry. Failure to do so will result in the horse’s name not appearing on the official programme, and hence will not be permitted to run.

Registration can be done by contacting Roopnarine Matadial (325-3192) or Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316) or Justice Cecil Kennard (6237609) or Fazal Habibulla (657-7010) or Dennis Deroop (640-6396).

The day’s activity, which will gallop off at noon and will feature six races, will be headlined by the D1 and Lower W/A, which has a top prize of $700,000 and will be

Six races are carded for the day

Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) at its Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, race track.

Honourary President of the KMTC, Justice Cecil Kennard, told this publication on Wednesday that horse owners and trainers have until this Sunday to confirm their participation in the March 13 event.

To date, the response has been good, according to Kennard.

According to a release from the KMTC when the provisional programme was

contested over one mile.

The G1 and Lower W/A, which will also be held over a mile, will see the winner carting off $280,000, while the six furlongs H1 and Lower W/A has a winner’s purse of $240,000.

The J1 and Lower W/A six furlongs showdown has a top prize of $160,000, while the K and Lower W/A winner will pocket $120,000.

The opening race of the daythe L and Lower W/A- has $100,000 at stake for the winner.

Golyn 10/10 Softball

Pream XI, Omesh XI extend unbeaten streak

T

Leonard Harprashad

he Golyn 10/10 softball cricket tournament organised by the Guyana Softball League and sponsored by Trophy Stall and Golyn and Sons continued last weekend with two teams remaining unbeaten in the tournament. Omesh XI and Pream XI extended their unbeaten run as the competition enters its third weekend.

In the opening game, Pream XI made light work of West Coast Blazers, as they won by eight wickets.

West Coast Blazers won the toss and batted scoring a paltry 69 all out in 10 overs with Hemendra Kowlessar 26 (3x6s) the only score of note. turn to page 22

T

he first six Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches to be played on US soil will include two games under floodlights at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida as well as two weekend double-headers to round out the league phase of the tournament, from July 28 to 31.

The CPL organisers announced plans last month to stage six matches in Florida for the upcoming season and sources had told ESPNcricinfo that the games would be held at some point in the final two weeks of July. An advanced copy of the schedule obtained by ESPNcricinfo shows that Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents will feature in the first match in Florida to be played under lights, on Thursday, July 28.

The following day, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots will take on Trinbago Red Steel under lights again.

Night matches at the stadium are a major change after the ICC-certified facility initially failed to get clearance in 2010 to have T20Is

matches as well as the T20I series in 2012 between New Zealand and West Indies were scheduled for the day time.

However, a series of upgrades and facility renovations were carried out at the stadium in 2013, includ-

between New Zealand and Sri Lanka played under floodlights due to a design flaw. The floodlights at the stadium were originally installed too close to the field, creating excessive shadows which were deemed a safety hazard for night time cricket. As a result, both those

ing a relaying of the turf square. ESPNcricinfo also understands that the stadium floodlight towers were dug up and repositioned to reduce the shadow effect in order to allow for night time cricket to be played at the professional level.

Saturday, July 30, will

feature a daytime double-header starting at 12 noon local time between St Lucia Zouks and Jamaica Tallawahs, followed by Tridents against Amazon Warriors. The final day of the group stage on Sunday, July 31 will have another slate starting at noon, beginning with Red Steel and Patriots, followed by Tallawahs against Zouks.

As for local connections in the rosters, Tridents keeper-batsman Steven Taylor grew up in Miramar, just 18 miles south of the stadium in Lauderhill and turns out regularly to play club cricket in the Florida Southeast Cricket League (FSCL). Recent Tallawahs draftee Timroy Allen is also a Florida resident, though he is based a few hundred miles further north in Orlando. (Cricinfo)

thursday, march 3, 2016

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

“An honour and privilege to Florida to host CPL matches be back with the Warriors” under lights – Steven Jacobs relishes opportunity to represent homeland in CPL 4

Pg 22

Pg 23

Steven Jacobs celebrates a wicket during the first edition of the CPL in 2013

Central Broward Regional Park will play host to two CPL matches under floodlights

GCB, other partners launch Scotiabank Kiddy cricket programme

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Colin Stuart (extreme right), Nicholas Fraser (fourth from left) and Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani (centre) amongst others at Wednesday’s launch of the programme GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.