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Opposition Leader meets Canal No 2 residents P5

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

Issue No. 3169

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, March 31, 2017

PRICE

GPHC’s sole sourcing

Procurement Commission launches probe into pharmaceutical contracts

WHAT'S INSIDE: 6 months after disappearance

Husband ‘confesses’ to killing wife …admits burying body in backyard

P8

Page 3

Gun-toting Businessman “Granny” shoots shot during row hotel handyman over pool game Mayors, Deputies urged to embody leadership characteristics Page 11

$80 vat included

Page 13

New import regulations on drugs, cosmetics, P13 medical devices

GTT, GPL top list of consumer complaints P16 – PUC

“Hold your leaders accountable” – Norton to Region 8 villagers P13

Page 5

… at swearing-in ceremony Seated from left: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communities, Emile McGarrel; Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; President David Granger; and Ministers within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Patterson and Dawn Hastings-Williams with the newly sworn-in Mayors and Deputy Mayors at State House

Exxon makes Judge says another oil AG’s behaviour discovery offshore insulting, disrespectful Guyana High Court drama

Page 7

– President demands explanation from AG

Page 9

2% withholding tax not applicable to P14 “just about anything” – GRA

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friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 31 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, April 1 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 31 – 06:20h-07:50h and Saturday, April 1 – 07:00h-08:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light cloudy skies in the early morning hours is expected to give way to light rain showers that are expected to last throughout the better part of the day, ending with day with sunny intervals. Partly cloudy to light cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North Easterly to East North-Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tides: 06:43h and 19:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.92 metres and 2.84 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 00:18h and 12:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metre and 0.35 metre respectively.

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GPHC’s sole sourcing

Procurement Commission launches probe into pharmaceutical contracts

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midst widespread public criticism over the award of a $605 million contract to a foreign company for the supply of “emergency” pharmaceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on Thursday announced that it has launched an investigation into the matter.

According to a statement from Chair of the PPC, Carol Corbin, the Commission is probing the procurement of pharmaceutical and other medical supplies, specifically by the GPHC, in keeping with its functions as detailed in Article 212 (AA) (1) of the Constitution.

“In this regard, the Public Procurement Commission is in the process of collecting and reviewing relevant information from various stakeholders within the national procurement system, and will conduct interviews and examine documentation as deemed necessary,” the Chairperson stated.

She continued: the PPC is committed to a completely transparent and objective investigation, and as such, is inviting members of the public who may have pertinent information to make written submissions addressed to the Chairperson of the Public Procurement Commission at Parliament Office, Parliament Buildings. These submissions will have to be made

by April 12, 2017.

Corbin added that since the subject of the investigation is of national interest and has resulted in significant public concern, the Commission will submit its findings to the National Assembly.

This announcement comes on the heels of the Parliamentary Opposition tabling a list of questions in the National Assembly on the procurement of drugs and medical supplies within the public health system. The questions were

PPC Chairperson Carol Corbin

posed by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Parliamentarian Juan Edghill.

According to Teixeira, at a press conference on Wednesday, the Opposition is not satisfied with the answers given by Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence on the recent emergency procurement for the GPHC. It thinks that such a move is in violation of the Procurement Act and the financial rules and regulations of the country.

“As a former Chairperson (of) the Public Accounts Committee and a member of that body up to today, spanning over 10 years, she is very knowledgeable, and knows what she did was not allowed. We believe that the $605 million for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies without a tendering process and on the grounds of emergency needs merely hides a bigger scandal,” the Opposition Chief Whip posited.

The questions directed to Minister Lawrence were based on: the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the Ministry of Public Health; the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and safeguarding the nation’s health and protecting the public purse.

According to the docu-

ment released to the media by the Opposition, the first set of questions seeks to ascertain the total sum expended for drugs and medical supplies for the Ministry of Public Health and GPHC between January 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017. It also enquired about the percentage of the allocation in the 2016 Budget for drugs and medical supplies that were expended by December 31, 2016; and what percentage, if any, of the money unspent, was returned to the Consolidated Fund. The Minister is also being asked for the reasons for the underperformance in the procurement process within the public health system.

“Could the Honourable Minister provide the following information to the National Assembly: The name of each supplier; the value of each contract, and date of award; the name of the supplier/s who failed to deliver within the stipulated contractual period, and by what amount; (and) the name of the supplier who delivered inferior/substandard drugs and medical supplies?

“Could the Honourable Minister state in each case of procurement: Whether these tenders were publically advertised; if so, when and where? And if any of these awardees were pre-qualified? And in each case of the above, which body of the Ministry of Public Health and the GPHC was responsible for evaluating and recommending the award of these contracts?”

Moreover, the Opposition wants Minister Lawrence to provide information of the number and names of any contracted suppliers who delivered drugs and medical supplies that were expired, were close to being expired, and/or are of an inferior quality between January 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017; as well as name the specific drug and/or medical supply and the dollar value in each case.

“Could the Honourable

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

Minister state if she has information that any employee(s) of the Ministry of Public Health, and in particular the Materials Management Unit, and /or the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, has/have been complicit with contractors/suppliers of pharmaceutical and medical supplies in defrauding the state? And, if so, state what actions have been taken to investigate these allegations; (and) state whether the Office of the Auditor General and/or the Guyana Police Force (has/have) been called in to investigate these allegations?”

Defending her decision to “fast track” the $605 million purchase of emergency medical supplies, the Public Health Minister had stated that many of the suppliers did not meet their contractual obligations. She added, too, that the police were investigating allegations of fraud pertaining to procurement in the Ministry.

Furthermore, the Opposition wants to know whether the “unusual decision” to relocate her ministerial office to the Diamond Drug Bond on the East Bank of Demerara has provided the opportunity for the Minister to take a more hands-on approach to the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the public health system. turn to page 5

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

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

Underexploited opportunity

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s the restructuring of the agricultural sector is ongoing in Guyana, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is at the same time reporting that the dynamic agro-processing sub-sector in the Region is an underexploited opportunity.

Interestingly, the organisation is urging that Caribbean countries, such as Guyana, engage in economic restructuring and diversification practices.

Regionally, it is estimated that consumer food products account for over 50 per cent of the Caribbean’s annual imports from the United States, comprising mainly poultry, red meats, dairy products and processed fruits and vegetables. This volume of imports suggests that there is scope for substituting these products with increased domestic production. This can be facilitated by achieving greater economies of scale through the expansion of agriculture in the larger countries like Guyana.

For Caribbean countries, debt is a large percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exceeding the debt threshold estimated to hurt economic growth. And the food import bill, last estimated to be some US$4 billion annually, is a hefty portion of that troubling equation.

As such, to address these challenges, it was suggested that three key sectors – agriculture, transportation and telecommunications – need restructuring. In the case of Guyana, particularly in the area of agriculture, underexploited opportunities must be pursued. Guyana has long realised the opportunities inherent in her agriculturefriendly land, and, for more than a decade, has made several attempts to capitalise on nature’s bountiful blessings, in concert with sister Caricom nations.

The Administration, like its predecessors, has touted on numerous occasions that Guyana was once the breadbasket of the Caribbean and was striving to fill this role once again.

To make the leap from the many plans conceived to spark this transformation, swift, concerted, consistent and holistic action is necessary.

It is no secret that major adjustments are needed in this challenging economic environment, marked by slower global demand. Perhaps this will force the revolution of thought and action required, particularly to address another major hindrance – most youths’ lack of interest in farming.

One school of thought is that diversifying the agricultural sector as a foundational pillar of a competitive economy will put Guyana in an advantageous position, given our huge land mass, abundant water resources, minimum of adverse weather phenomena and tradition of both cash crop and large-scale farming. However, to drive this competitiveness, Guyana must address constraints in key areas. Important among these is the cost of electricity, which is a major component of the cost of agro-processing. Consequently, reducing the cost of power and improving the reliability of supply will reduce significantly the cost of agro-processing, making it more attractive as a business venture. At this juncture, where the Private Sector and Government are at obvious loggerheads over several recent tax reforms, the Administration also needs to seek to mend the rift and design better policies in an effort to revitalise the business community. Chief among these should also be reform of a number of measures to improve doing business in Guyana.

This will drive the Private Sector, the real engine of growth.

To reposition Guyana as the breadbasket of the Caribbean in a competitive Region, these constraints must be addressed and the local agro sector must be motivated to produce consistently and to a high standard while embracing new technologies and farming methods. Likewise, larger investments are required in research and development, in order to facilitate the diversification of agro products. This will result in local products’ better performance in regional markets.

To regain our lost position as the bread basket of the Caribbean, certainly underexploited opportunities must be examined in a revolutionary manner by mending bridges with the Private Sector. Such a resolution with the business community will provide opportunities for marginalised groups to participate in, and benefit from, development.

George Lewys, aged five, poses for a photograph with owl butterflies during an event to launch the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, Britain (Reuters/Stefan Wermuth)

We should be thankful for private education in Guyana Dear Editor, One cannot help being moved by Swami Aksharananda’s incisive letter in the media, in which he exposed the apparent contradiction between President Granger’s praise for the education provided by private schools and the harsh taxation policy being pursued by the Minister of Finance, “as he sought to justify the 14% tax on students” while pronouncing on “the sins of private schools”.

I am at a loss to fathom such denigration; how can Guyanese reconcile this with the fact that were it not for the valiant efforts made by the numerous ‘pioneers

of private secondary education’ in colonial British Guiana, the army of professionals who laid the foundation for an independent, functional Guyana would not have been around?

(Think of, for example, R E Cheeks, J C Luck, R Ishmael in Georgetown; or J C Chandisingh, Rudra Nath, A A Ramlochand in Berbice) And while we are in this context, I cannot help thinking, with all humility, of my own involvement as the first Principal of Hindu College initiated by another Swami, ie Swami Purnanda Ji). Of course none of this would have been possible if the parents, many of whom

were virtually destitute, were not themselves convinced that education was the most powerful vehicle in their journey to socio-economic and personal development.

Today’s parents are no different from long ago; they also have to gird their loins, make many sacrifices and difficult choices in favour of private education, because they are disillusioned with the offerings of free public education. They have learnt not to ‘look a gift horse in the mouth’, and are prepared to go the extra mile in pursuit of the best available education for their children. This is not to knock our public school

system or teachers, but the realities are obvious to the parents who, realizing that there is no second chance for their children, are prepared to ‘go the extra mile’.

It is therefore most disheartening for them to now have to tighten their belts and go even further by having to pay an education tax.

I support the call from our revered Swami Aksharananda-Ji for an immediate reconciliation between the apparently divergent approaches taken by our President and Minister of Finance.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

Setting the record straight on Linden (Pt1) Dear Editor, I am obliged to respond to the article “Setting the record straight on Linden television”, by Imran Khan, Director of Public Information, which appeared in the State paper on March 29, 2017.

Khan’s article should be seen for what it is: a veiled attempt to excuse the non-implementation of the APNU/AFC campaign promise, and an excuse for the failure and inability of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to successfully conclude this initiative so far. Further, in penning this letter, Khan sought to take a swipe at the former PPP/C administration.

I will address, firstly,

the question of the implementing of Linden TV, and secondly, the events behind this call, which Khan so skilfully and colourfully misrepresents in his first three paragraphs.

We are nearly two years into our APNU/AFC Coalition, and Linden TV is not yet up and running.

Obviously there have been problems – problems which one might have expected to disappear with the PPP/C out of office. As I have written before, the PPP and the PPP/C are not all that is wrong and bad for bauxite communities, Guyanese and Guyana. Indeed, I am ready to argue that we (PPP and PPP/C) have been good for all Guyanese and

Guyana.

Let me acknowledge that a lot of anger and hostility to us might have been earnest, but as is the case here, a lot of it was not well founded. True, Green Construction Company in that time of foreign exchange difficulties arranged the purchase of the equipment/technology of the day (early 1980s), its delivery and setting up. They put in a bill for it. It was not free, and not a Green gift to anyone. Note that, from then to 2012, the technology supplied then was superseded many times over; some were destroyed in a fire and any remainder was no longer useful. Just consider the large thirty-foot receiving

dishes on Richmond Hill, Linden and at Versailles (of VCT 28/TVG) and the small two-foot-and-less satellite dishes of today.

There was/is no Green TV to “return to the community for their full ownership, management and control”.

It should be considered that handing over the present day NCN TV station in Region 10 presents a precedent for every RDC to plead for our Central Government to grant them a TV station in similar manner!

Sincerely, Samuel A Hinds (OBE – Old Bauxite Employee) Former Prime Minister, Former President

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Opposition Leader meets Canal No 2 residents

Mayors, Deputies urged to embody leadership characteristics …at swearing-in ceremony

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he newly elected Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the nine Municipalities throughout the country were told that they must embody the leadership characteristics of representativeness, inclusiveness and effectiveness.

This was the charge given them by President David Granger on Thursday morning at State House after the nine mayors and eight deputy mayors had been sworn in. They were elected to office back in December last year.

In his remarks, the Head of State pointed out that Town Councils are part of the tripartite system of Government; that is: Ministers representing at a national level, region-

L

eader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, and People’s Progressive Party Civic Members of Parliament (PPP/C) Irfaan Ali and Dr Leslie Ramsammy met with hundreds of residents at a ‘bottom house’ meeting in Canal #2, West Bank Demerara.

The Opposition lead-

er discussed a number of issues with the residents, such as those concerning rice, the economy, sugar, taxes and social services.

Residents were very vocal about their fears surrounding the spiralling crime situation, hardship faced with the closure of the nearby Wales sugar estate, Government’s

Elections will be held once again.

“There will be Local Government Elections in 2018, and if you don’t perform and if you are not effective, your constituents are going to make their feelings impact on the outcome of those elections… I urge you therefore to ensure that all of the citizens in your towns and in your wards and in all of your constituencies are (made) aware of the decisions that you are taking, which in the final analysis affects them and their well-being.

I also urge the leaders of these municipalities to emphasise the principles of representativeness, inclusiveness and effectiveness in their municipal administration,” the President

at the capital town as the centre of all of these services,” President Granger noted.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, the President hosted a special luncheon for the newly sworn-in municipal leaders at State House, during which Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan echoed the need for them to secure the confidence of their constituents as well as their colleagues in order to retain their positions.

The Minister noted that the local government system offers the prospects for solving everyday issues and challenges affecting people’s lives and livelihoods.

“Local problems have local solutions, and the role of Central Government is

seeming non-support to rice farmers, and the horrors of the sector. Rising cost of living, health care and rising unemployment were other issues residents were very concerned about. They also voiced their concerns on GECOM and the appointment of judges.

Procurement Commission...

FROM PAGE 3

At a press conference on Wednesday, Edghill said the party is looking to have full disclosure of information on the questions that were raised. “At the National Assembly is where the Opposition holds the Government accountable, and we hope that the excuse that you can’t name names isn’t used in the answer to this question; because if the

minister is saying that people are complicit who provided insider-traded information, who connived with suppliers to defraud the state, we must be able to get clearance on this, or she will just be seeking to blow hot air to cover her own tracks,” he said.

According to the Opposition MP, this move is to ensure that transparency, accountability and

good governance are upheld in the procurement process within the country.

Edghill and Teixeira also posed questions to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on the procurement of drugs and medical supply from the Budgets of the 10 Administrative Regions.

(Vahnu Manikchand)

President David Granger addressing the newly sworn-in Mayors and Deputy Mayors at State House on Thursday

al chairmen at a regional level, and mayors at the municipal or local level.

“All three levels must work together if we are to deliver the quality of life that our citizens desire and deserve. They cannot be separate; they cannot refuse to cooperate, regardless of which Party they come from or in which part of the country they function. All three levels – national, regional and municipal – must work together for the national good,” the President stated.

President Granger outlined that the officials were elected by their constituents, and so they must ensure that their actions and decisions are reflective of what will benefit the people. He reminded them that Local Government

said.

Following the holding of Local Government Elections last year, the first time in over two decades, as well as the establishment of three new townships, the Head of State pointed out that Government is now looking to establish municipalities in every region throughout the country.

“It is the Government’s intention that every region will have at its heart a capital town. Just as the body has a head, every region must have a head.

That capital town will be a centre of public services, public health, public education, communications, business, justice, social protection, security and of sport. People from outlying areas must be able to look

to provide support to the Local Government System and organs, to enable you to deliver vital services to people. So you are not in confrontation with Central Government, and vice-versa; we are all allies and partners,” Bulkan stated.

The newly sworn-in Mayors are: Patricia ChaseGreen (Georgetown); Kirt Wynter (New Amsterdam); Krishnand Jaichand (Corriverton); Carwyn Holland (Linden); Vijay Ramoo (Rose Hall Town); Rabindranauth Mohan (Anna Regina); Gifford Marshall (Bartica); Carlton Beckles (Lethem), and Henry Smith (Mabaruma).

The Deputy Mayors are: Lionel Jaikaran (Georgetown); Winifred Heywood (New Amsterdam); Jamna Persaud Ghamandi (Corriverton); Waneka Arrindell (Linden); Dave Budhu (Rose Hall Town); Darshan Persaud (Anna Regina); Nageshwari Lochanpersaud (Bartica), and Maxine Welsh (Lethem).

The offices of these newly-sworn-in mayors and their deputies will be effective April 1.

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Foundation How to teach your child time management

BY CLARE KUMAR

H

ere are eight essential time-management tips Children can use to better their chances of success in school and later on in life.

It’s never too late to teach time management.

Success in school is defined by more than just how much one studies. Just as important is how Children go about getting their work done and completed on time. A recent study by Intel Canada highlights that, if given the chance, the top two pieces of advice post-secondary students would give their younger selves are to learn how to better manage their time and improve self-discipline.

As students grow, they become more independent managers of their possessions and their time; yet time management and organising skills are only lightly touched upon rather than a core part of the curriculum. Here are eight tips Children can use to better their chances of success in school, and later on in life.

1. Provide tools that suit your child’s learning style

Learning can take place more quickly if the teaching methods and tools suit how your child likes to learn. We use a mixture of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic ap-

proaches to learn, and likely have a preference for one over the others. Intuitiveto-use touch screens are appealing to young users, especially those with a preference for kinaesthetic learning.

2. Create a study zone that promotes focus

Multi-tasking is a myth: You get more done by focusing on one task at a time.

Create a study environment that promotes focus for your child. Some prefer silence, whereas others focus better with music in the background. Some Children will be able to sit and work independently whereas others will need gentle reminders to go back to their work.

If your child isn’t completing homework in an appropriate amount of time, re-examine and adjust his working environment.

3. Use the right time-management tools

According to Intel Canada’s recent study, 87 per cent of students polled recognise that time-management skills are critical, yet 43 per cent of students polled report a significant lack of confidence in them.

To effectively manage time, it’s important to have the right tools at hand. These include clocks, watches, timers and of course, calendars.

For younger Children, planners or school-issued agendas can be effective.

Encourage them to look at the month view which helps make time less abstract.

For older Children, a calendar application on their computer (with the necessary view-by-week and bymonth), which syncs with their smartphone, is a convenient choice.

4. Schedule time for homework in the calendar

Often calendars are used to record due dates or appointments, leaving large swaths of time unallocated. This gives a misleading sense of how much time is available to use for schoolwork, play and other responsibilities. Help your child break down projects into pieces of work that can fit into 30- to 90-minute blocks of time, and schedule these in the calendar.

5. Coach self-discipline

Self-discipline is identified as a crucial skill by almost all students in the recent study by Intel Canada.

Help Children improve self-discipline by giving them the responsibility of managing assignments or parts of a project on their own. Discuss the benefits of focusing on their work rather than following distractions. Let Children experience the consequences of mismanaging their time, and use it as a learning tool.

Role-modelling self-discipline also helps.

6. Manage sleep and energy for top performance

If you’re tired, cold or

hungry, isn’t it much harder to think clearly? The same applies to Children.

Providing nutritious food and enforcing appropriate bedtimes will help avoid lack of sleep, which may sabotage the next school day and create a vicious cycle of poor attention and chronic lack of energy to complete school work. Getting fresh air and adequate exercise also helps boost energy and focus. Taking physical breaks every 60 to 90 minutes can also help keep your child refreshed.

7. Keep technology up to date

If your child is working on an older, slower, possibly unreliable computer, it could be sabotaging her productivity. If it’s time for a new PC, consider what you want to do on it, how portable it needs to be and your budget.

To find options that suit your needs, check out www.

PCMatchmaker.ca. You’ll be asked a series of questions and given suggestions as to which models are perfect for you and currently available at retail.

8. Lighten the load

Children have to cart a lot around. Lunches, water bottles, gym clothes, and of course books, tablets and computers for school work.

Help manage the load by providing a sturdy, light weight and durable backpack and encourage eliminating weight when possible by accessing information digitally, consolidating devices and archiving older papers. (www.todaysparent.com)

ways to help children who

procrastinate

(Continued from Thursday)

BY MICHAEL KRAMER, PHD

2.Clarify your expectations: Children tend to overestimate parental expectations, so make sure you are clear and realistic in what you expect from your child.

For example, many parents may focus on the effort put forth on a school project or test, not the grade – but a child may think you expect them to earn straight-As in every subject.

This may be realistic for children who are consistently high-achievers, but for children who struggle with just turning in their homework, such expectations may be too much.

In this case, lean toward setting specific, achievable expectations such as structured time to do homework, study, or do chores.

Also remember to be clear and direct when stating your expectations.

Doing so will help ensure that you and your child are on the same page –if your child still procrastinates after you have this conversation, restate your expectations and reinforce that they are accountable for their own actions and the corresponding consequences.

3. Teach problem solving skills: Consider this scenario: If I don’t excel on this paper, my grade point average will go down, which means I won’t be able to play football this year, which means I’ll have no friends, school will be unbearable and I’ll be a total loser.

Is that scenario reasonable or likely? No. But children who fear failure often spiral into a series of unrealistic, irrational, worst-case consequences. It’s called catastrophic thinking. In addition to contributing to anxiety and procrastination, this kind of thinking can lead to outbursts of bad behaviour.

A child may act out because they don’t know how to solve the problem appropriately.

You can help coach your child by teaching effective problem-solving techniques.

Try breaking tasks up into more manageable chunks or setting smaller, more attainable goals. By helping your child understand how to develop a plan for tackling a problem, they may feel less overwhelmed by the amount of work involved with the task.

4. Point out positive

qualities: Ask your child to identify the attributes they think lead to happiness and success in life – integrity, creativity, people skills, passion, for instance. Getting your child to focus on personality traits they already possess, or will likely develop, will boost their self-esteem and shine light on unrealistically high standards.

5. Use your experience to relate: Self-disclose some of your own fears and describe how you’ve managed them. By acknowledging your imperfections and struggles, you may prevent

your child from feeling defective – like s/he is the only one who can’t effectively manage tasks.

Attempting success

Because anxiety can be paralysing, you may have to help your child get started.

Consider giving her a defined start time. For instance, “After dinner at 18:00h, let’s get started.” You can also try setting some rules around the process, like working for a certain amount of time without interruption, or completing a specific body of work before taking a break. This type of structure can help children (and adults!) manage anxiety and generate a sense of momentum and confidence.

Ultimately, your goal is to help your child learn to set reasonable expectations.

Anxiety and fear are better managed by attempting to succeed at the task at hand rather than avoiding it. Said another way, fear doesn’t simply dissipate with the passage of time – it is only reduced through continuous effort, which leads to success.

With parental support, a plan to tackle problems and a willingness to try, your child will be armed with tools to manage tasks effectively. (www. empoweringparents.com)

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friDAY, march 31, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

High Court drama

Judge says AG’s behaviour insulting, disrespectful – President demands explanation from AG

By Vahnu Manikchand

O

ne week after High Court Judge, Justice Franklin Holder stormed out of the courtroom following an exchange with Attorney General Basil Williams, President David Granger has revealed that the AG has been asked to formally give a detailed explanation of the incident.

Speaking publicly for the first time on the issue, the Head of State told media operatives at State House on Thursday that Williams has since submitted his explanation.

“The Attorney General has responded. I have asked for an explanation of the matters which were reported to me and when I have that opportunity, I will respond to him and the Chancellor of the Judiciary,” he stated.

Nevertheless, President Granger indicated to reporters that he was confident the matter would be resolved, after hearing from all the parties involved.

“You know in law, there is a principle of hear the other side so you mustn’t jump to conclusions; so I want to hear

both sides. We heard one side in the media and I’ve asked the Attorney General for his side,” the Head of State noted.

Newly-appointed acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards told reporters on Tuesday that she was in receipt of information on the matter and the issue was currently “being addressed”.

Justice Holder has formally complained to the Chancellor of the Judiciary that he abruptly walked out of the courtroom last Thursday as a result of statements made by the Attorney General.

The AG was quoted as saying, “I could say what I want to say and however I want to say it, I have always been like that”, and “…The last Magistrate who did that to me was later found dead”.

According to Justice Holder in his complaint filed on Friday last, he felt disrespected by the Attorney General’s behaviour.

The High Court Judge said he “took umbrage to his (Williams’) tone and what he was insinuating, which was in effect that the court was being selective in recording the evidence”. The Judge said

Williams responded by saying that the last person who told him what he should not say was a magistrate and he was now dead.

“He further said all morning Mr Nandlall disrespecting you and you have not done anything about it,” Holder wrote, adding that this was not a true statement of what had occurred.

“This was followed by a most egregious statement by Mr Williams which is: ‘I could say what I want to say and when I want to say it; I have always been like that’,” the Judge complained.

At this point, Justice Holder said he left the bench without adjourning the matter. “Immediately after hearing these words, I rose from the bench and went into my chambers. I did not adjourn the matter, nor did I give any instructions to the parties,” Justice Holder outlined in the letter, while expressing that the Attorney General should apologise to him in an open court.

However, the State’s chief legal adviser has expressed an unwillingness to do so when asked at a press conference on Wednesday, telling report-

Below is the full content of the Judge’s letter

ers, “What? I don’t know about apology.”

Despite the Judge saying that the Attorney General was the reason for him walking off the bench, Williams is holding out that he is not to be blamed for what happened. “(Anil) Nandlall was the one who caused the problem…we can’t allow Nandlall to create this problem and leave it unresolved. The Judge and I will resolve this issue,” Williams insisted.

In fact, the Attorney General even defended his actions and his statements.

“Everything I dealt with in that short time was to dis-

abuse the learned Judge’s mind that his interpretation was not (so),” he stated.

Williams believed that the Judge fell prey to “transferred frustration” as a result of Nandlall’s “barracking” of nearly three hours.

“Perhaps his detaining the learned Judge again as he was preparing to leave the bench, seeking clarity on whether the witness’s answer of ‘no’ was recorded, induced certain misapprehensions in the Judge’s mind in all the circumstances and the Attorney General became the victim of transferred frustration,” the AG said at a press conference following the

incident.

Moreover, Williams also insisted that his comment was not a threat even though the defence lawyer at the time, Anil Nandlall described it as one.

The incident occurred during the trial of Carvil Duncan, who had moved to the court to block the work of a presidential tribunal that was set up to determine whether he should be removed from his post as Chairman of the Public Service Commission in light of his criminal charges, one of which has since been dismissed at the Magistrate’s Court.

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friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

6 months after disappearance

Husband ‘confesses’ to killing wife

…admits burying body in backyard

By Andrew Carmichael

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force have been called in to investigate the disappearance of a Black Busk Polder woman who has not been seen since September last year.

According to reports, Wilwantie Balack, 39, of Mibicuri North, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne was last seen on September 3, 2017 by her 21-yearold daughter Dharshni Davi Balack.

However, three days later, the father approached this same daughter at her Friendship Village, Corentyne home and indicated that his wife had left the country and would not be attending her wedding.

The young Balack told this publication that over the past eight years she has tried desperately to find and contact her mother. According to Dharshni, her mother is the holder of a 10-year U.S. visa, and had visited the United States once before.

On that occasion, she had stayed with a brother in New York, but when he was contacted, the brother said he had not seen his sister and had doubted that she was in the U.S.A. Following reports from other relatives that the woman's husband had reported conflicting stories about the

Wilwantie Balack

whereabouts of his wife, the daughter approached the Prime Minister’s Regional Representative, Gobin Harbhajan, for help, and he asked the family to have confidence in the police.

Senior police officers were contacted, and the daughter was invited to the Whim Police Station, where a report was officially made on Wednesday.

Following that, police arrested the missing woman's husband and his 22-year-old reputed wife.

The man, when questioned, gave

police several stories about the whereabouts of his wife. They were all checked out and found to be untrue.

On Thursday afternoon the man reportedly told investigators that he had killed his wife.

Investigators were told that on September 6 last, the man and his wife had an argument over her wanting to go to the USA, whereas he did not want her to go.

The argument escalated and got to a stage where he became ‘physical’ with his wife.

"Me choke she and she get unconscious...," the man told investigators as he described his wife passing out and falling to the ground. He said that after she passed out he became scared and dug a hole in the back yard and buried her.

Police went to the scene, and left last night without being able to confirm the man’s story. They are expected to return this morning and begin digging. Meanwhile, this publication has been informed that members of the Major Crimes Unit are expected to travel to Berbice today to assist with the investigations.

When Guyana Times visited the home last night, police had cordoned off the area and ranks were guarding the house

‘Transferred frustration’

Y

…in the courts ou live and learn. Your Eyewitness just learnt about a concept in Psychology called “transferred frustration”. He learnt it from the eminent legal luminary, Basil Williams, who just happens to be the Attorney General of Guyana and, not so incidentally, was just conferred with silk. For Williams to‘ve risen to the top of the legal totem pole – in his eyes at least – it’s clear the man is a psychological whiz, who could suss out folks on the stand, just like that!

In this instance, a Judge walked out of his court because – in his own words – he took umbrage at the tone and words that Williams used to him when in court.

Which was basically, “Listen Bud! I’m so big and bad, I can speak to you any damn way I choose! Who’s the man? I’m the man!” The Judge took his complaint to the Chancellor and Chief Justice and said he’d be satisfied with an apology from Williams. And that he wouldn’t be entertaining Williams in his court henceforth.

Now you’d think the Judge, having all the Judgelike qualities of Judgehood as enumerated by President Granger – integrity, intelligence and initiative – would’ve known why he was filing an official complaint against Williams. But you – and the Judge – would be wrong according to AG Basil Williams, SC. The Judge – and you –- obviously don’t know about the psychology of “transferred frustration”.

What REALLY happened according to eminent counsel, was his opposing counsel NANDLALL had actually frustrated the Judge with his objections to Williams’ masterful cross questioning. But he obviously did this so slyly, the Judge, with 30 years’ experience, didn’t realise the “iniquity” of Nandlall and consequently took out his repressed Nandlall-generated frustration on poor Williams! Why else would a Judge be upset with a lawyer telling him he could damn well speak however he wanted in the Judge’s court??!!

From this (enlightened) perspective, your Eyewitness thinks rather than Williams apologising to the Judge as he was asked, he should bill the Judge for the psychological insight provided!

The Judge also confirmed opposing counsel Anil Nandlall’s charge that Williams also mentioned the last occupant of the Bench who dared to cite him for contempt, was no longer in the land of the living. The only point of dispute was whether the last comment of Williams’ was a “threat” – as Nandlall claimed it was.

But as lawyers they’d all know, as to whether Williams had the requisite INTENT for his words to constitute a criminal threat – would be determined by what a REASONABLE person hearing the comment would conclude.

So, what’d you think, reasonable reader? …and protests Now that your Eyewitness’ eyes have been opened to the concept of “transferred frustration” so many things are clear to him. It’s almost like 20/20 hindsight! Take these protests that’ve been springing up like Jumbie Umbrellas all over the place. It’s all due to transferred frustration!! Did you think those protesters against Smart City and City Hall were really protesting against the Parking Meter Contract that would suck Guyana dry for 49 years? Naaah! They were really frustrated they weren’t allowed to tint their cars and were taking it out against the City Council!

The VAT-Education protesters?

Transferred frustration, strikes again! Their grouse is actually against those kids who regularly churn out 20 CSEC’s a pop and make THEIR kids look bad! The sugar workers protesters at Wales and elsewhere? Actually, they’re absolutely cut up about that 2 am ban on rum-shops selling rum but don’t want to get the Public Security Minister upset.

Police might just harass them!

Transferred frustration can be a bitch, no? But it makes your Eyewitness’ life so much simpler! …of ex-GECOM Chair Imagine, for over a decade, the newly departed GECOM Chair had to hide his anger over the antinomies of the Carter Formula.

And here, reporters thought he was just irascible.

Transferred frustration!

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

9 Exxon makes another oil discovery offshore Guyana U news

friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

.S. oil giant ExxonMobil is again announcing “positive results” in its oil exploratory efforts in Guyana, this time confirming a new discovery in the Snoek well offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block.

Drilling targeted similar-aged reservoirs as encountered in previous discoveries at Liza and Payara, Exxon said.

“The latest discovery at Snoek demonstrates the continued success we have achieved in this technically complex play, which is just part of the significant exploration province offshore Guyana”, President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Steve Greenlee, has said.

ExxonMobil began drilling of the Snoek well on February 22, 2017, and encountered some 82 feet (25 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs.

The well was drilled to a depth of 16,978 feet (5,175 metres) in 5,128 feet (1,563 metres) of water on March 18. The Snoek well is located in the southern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 5 miles (9 km)

to the southeast of the 2015 Liza-1 discovery.

Following completion of the Snoek well, the Stena Carron drillship has moved back to the Liza area to drill the Liza-4 well.

“As we continue to eval-

6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holder of 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent in-

President David Granger meeting with ExxonMobil executives at State House on Wednesday

uate the full potential of the broader Stabroek Block, we are also taking the necessary steps to ensure the safe, cost-efficient and responsible development of this world-class resource, which can provide longterm, sustainable benefits to the people of Guyana,” the company’s President said.

The Stabroek Block is

terest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

As for the Liza discovery, ExxonMobil drilled three wells in there, and is now getting ready to drill the fourth. The Liza1 well was drilled in March 2015, while the Liza-2 well was drilled in June 2016.

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production

Cop accused of stealing money from man he was about to arrest

A

rank of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) attached to B Division (Berbice) is now under investigation after he allegedly stole money from a house at which he went to make an arrest.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred on February 25, 2017 at a Lot 39 Stanleytown, Berbice home. The home is reportedly the dwelling of Tyrone Griffith, who was at the time being arrested.

It is understood that after Griffith – who was in the process of being arrested – accused the specific officer, the other ranks who had accompanied him [the accused officer] reportedly left without completing the arrest.

However, Griffith fol-

Guyana, responsible for all drilling activities on behalf of ExxonMobil in Guyana, drilled the Liza-3 well in October last year.

In December, ExxonMobil awarded a contract to SBM Offshore to

lowed them and demanded that the officer return his money.

The complainant said he later visited the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was directed to the Police Complaints Department after which he met with the Deputy Commander, Errol Watts and laid his complaint.

B Division Commander Ian Amsterdam has confirmed that the Police are investigating the matter.

According to him, when the matter was first reported to him, the officer at the centre of the investigation was on leave.

Amsterdam explained that upon approaching the officer, who is said to be attached to the CID, he [the

said officer] had assured him [Amsterdam] that he would repay the ‘stolen’ money.

However, the accused lawman’s position on the matter quickly changed and he began to deny ever stealing the money from Griffith’s home.

Amsterdam said he ordered an investigation into the matter and a file containing statements has since been sent to Police headquarters in Georgetown.

Since the incident, Griffith told Police that the specific officer had indicated to him that he [officer] wanted money for the Berbice Mash celebrations. The complainant disclosed that the stolen money belonged to his 76-year-old mother.

supply an FPSO unit for the Liza development, which is estimated to hold in excess of 1 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

President David Granger has, on Wednesday, informed executives of the oil company of Government’s commitment to the development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector in an atmosphere of transparency and trust,

so that the Parliamentary Opposition and the people of Guyana could be fully involved in the process.

The Head of State made the comments during a meeting with a visiting delegation of ExxonMobil Executives at State House.

The meeting was to discuss matters related to the status of exploratory and appraisal work in the Stabroek Block. The President said it is important that there are regular and accurate announcements on matters pertaining to the development of the sector.

“We are committed to the norm of transparency… so that we can move forward at a domestic level, not only in an atmosphere of transparency, but trust; so that all Guyana would see this not as a short term bonanza; so that Guyanese will see this as a national industry… In this regard, we are walking step by step as the developments take place offshore and the developments in terms of our legislation within our regulatory framework -- in terms of the passage of information to various stakeholders in Guyana and the diaspora -so that we can create an en-

vironment which is stable and secure,” the President said.

The company’s President, Steven Greenlee, said that the discussions with President Granger were very fruitful, and that they look forward to a strengthened productive and transparent relationship. “It was a very positive meeting. We are all very happy that we have such a cordial relationship with the Government; a very productive and transparent relationship,” he said.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who also attended the meeting, echoed the President’s sentiments in an invited comment, stating that the engagement was part of an ongoing dialogue which aims to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and ExxonMobil.

“As we progress together, we have to do so in an open and transparent way, being mindful that we are in a parliamentary democracy. We have to ensure that the Opposition and other stakeholders are made aware of what is happening,” Trotman said.

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friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil & gas

Consultations must bridge gap between technical and ‘layman’ — former Alberta Premier

W

hile consultations and lectures on oil and gas are ongoing, there is a need for more people to be involved in the dialogue. In addition, breaking down technical information, such as safeguards against environmental risks, is important to overall consultations.

This is according to the former Premier of Alberta, Canada, Alison Redford, QC, who was among the presenters at the inaugural Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA)-sponsored conference and exposition over the past few days.

She advised that policy makers take time to ensure that all pertinent information be above board and is understandable to the nation. “When you understand an issue well, you think that everyone understands it as well as you. And I’m telling you, speaking as some-

Former Premier of Alberta, Canada, Alison Redford

one who is not an engineer or a geologist, that there is really technical information about environmental impact and production that the public wants to understand.

“And I’m sure (that) over the future, there will be lots of people who will stand up at public meetings and ask you questions that seem ab-

solutely ridiculous to you, cause it seems so easy. So I would encourage you to take the time to build a foundation so that everyone can be a part of the discussion,” she advised.

She noted that the public will have concerns because they care about their community, and may have unanswered questions based on what they read in the newspapers and on social media. Redford pointed out that other countries were late in having these frank and encompassing discussions, to the detriment of public relations.

She said that Guyana has the opportunity to do better because the populace is capable of exchanging ideas and partly because of the GOGA-backed seminars. Redford observed that GOGA understands who needed to be a part of the conversation.

“Political leadership will need to decide what they believe Guyanese want for policy choices. That gap between where political leadership makes the policy and what the rules say can takes different terms. I would suggest that creating the policy is one of the most dynamic and important conversations you can have; but once that policy has been set, I’ve certainly seen the development of rules being more successful when everyone has been involved all along,” she declared.

According to Redford, it was not possible for technical experts to develop and set a framework without a different type of engagement with the public. Using Peru as an example, she explained that while policy makers might think their consultations were extensive enough, misinformation can hamper relations at the community and stakeholder level.

“Peru has a wonderful set of legislation with respect to consultations with indigenous people. But at

the end of the day, they have pipelines in northern Peru (that leaked) that they couldn’t repair because the community does not trust Government enough to (allow Government) come in and fix those leaks.”

This is a reference to Peru’s declaration of a state of emergency last year after a pipeline owned by state oil company Petro Peru spilled 3000 barrels of crude oil into rivers. These rivers were a major source of water and food for some indigenous communities. turn to page 12

Lamaizon, McIntyre freed of Laing Avenue execution

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celebration is now underway following the exoneration, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, of two accused men in the Laing avenue murder of Orin David Malik.

City Magistrate Dylan Bess -- on Thursday afternoon, prior to dispensing his ruling -- reminded the court that his duty in the Preliminary Inquiry is not to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused persons, but rather to discern whether the evidence presented is strong enough to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.

The magistrate, in his ruling, declared that the prosecution was unsuccessful in convincing the court beyond a reasonable doubt that Negus Lamaizon and Samuel McIntyre were guilty, in order to commit them to stand trial at the High Court. He said the essential elements of murder were not proved, and that none of the twelve witnesses could positively identify the two accused individuals as the persons who had shot the deceased, and thus it could not be inferred that Malik had died as a result of injuries inflicted upon him by the two men.

Negus Lamaizon and Samuel McIntyre in court Thursday

The magistrate said that even though witnesses, during the Preliminary Inquiry, had placed Lamaizon and McIntyre at the murder scene, the question arises as to whether this is sufficient to convict the men of the capital offence. Finally, in the absence of the mental element to commit the unlawful killing, the two men were pronounced free to go.

Howard Rambarose and Jermaine Jeffers, the two other suspects allegedly involved in the Emancipation Day killing of former murder accused David Malik, remain incarcerated at the Camp Street Prison following murder charges brought against them on March 3

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Malik was gunned down execution style on the afternoon of August 1, 2016, following a dispute stemming from the payment of money.

On the day in question, the deceased had a heated argument with one of the suspects whom he had bailed out of jail at sometime in 2015. The man then reportedly left and returned with three others, and the victim was riddled with bullets as he approached the vehicle of the said suspects. The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

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friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

S RAIGHT T

Gun-toting “Granny” shoots hotel handyman

Infrastructure investments since May 2015: A Grade ‘D’ performance

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he investment rate in 2015 for public infrastructure was a pathetic 60 per cent of the 2014 level. In 2016, it was 92 per cent of the 2014 levels and this was mainly because of a financial crutch. I was reliably advised that there are several instances of advance payment done for work not delivered.

For example, I have been advised a sum of G$1.65 billion was advanced to the Chinese as at the end of 2016 for works not delivered upon at the Airport. This is a huge risk if the Chinese default on this project. How can the David Granger Administration operate this recklessly with the taxpayer’s money?

But in spite of all these financial gymnastics to prop-up the national figures surreptitiously, there is still that important question of the state of the portfolio of infrastructure in the nation? It would be wonderful to be able to benchmark where we are as a nation; infrastructurally. Why does Guyana not have a ‘Public Infrastructure Report Card’? This Report is one that highlights where a nation is infrastructurally and where it ought to be when compared to other countries with similar sized Gross Domestic Product (in Guyana’s case – Suriname, Malawi and Barbados).

Such a Report can capture progress on areas such as road and bridges, electricity, energy projects (hydropower and so on), public parks, drainage and irrigation facilities and so on. I am sure a bank like the Inter-American Development Bank would fund for free since it also helps them progressing financing opportunities.

The record will show that the spending on capital projects funded by the budgets between 2009-2017 has been dwindling during the Granger years compared to the People’s Progressive Party years. This is not great news for the economy. Compared to the period 2009-2011, the actual capital expenditure during the period 2012-2014 increased by some G$11.8 million (eight per cent). (See table below).

However, if one fast-forward to the Granger years, the record of performance on the Public Sector investment projects will illustrate nothing but a pathetic performance on the infrastructure front. Paving a Lombard Street here and a Sussex Street there are important but are not transformational infrastructure projects. To really flesh out this disaster happening in the Public Infrastructure Ministry, one only has to look at the capital expenditures surgically. During the period 2015-2017, capital expenditures are expected to decline by some G$26.5 billion (almost 20 per cent wiped off the capital budget from the previous period) and there is no real large transformation project in progress.

Although the economy expanded in 2015 and 2016 and is expected to expand by a paltry two per cent in 2017, spending on these transformational capital works has literally dried up.

Rather there is an obsession with cosmetic projects that add no real new wealth to the nation.

It has been proven empirically by Professors Bom and Lighthart in their revolutionary work, “How Productive is Public Capital” that a one per cent increase in the stock of public infrastructure will grow the economy by 0.08 per cent. The payoff is there and therefore much of this economic decline under the Granger Administration is self-inflicted because the Finance Minister is out to sea on how to grow an economy.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Private Sector arm of the World Bank, the infrastructure spending needs of a poor country like Guyana should be at least eight per cent of its GDP. Under this Granger Administration, we are at a quarter of this rate. The strategy should not be an obsession with short-term projects like the D’Urban Park Ponzi Scheme, but major long-term projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydro Project or any hydro project for that matter. These transformational projects have all of a sudden become back burner projects since May 2015. The message from Team Granger is when oil production starts, Guyana will become the land of “milk and honey”. But that will happen after 2020, so what will they do for the people between 2017 and 2020? There is an urgent need for a mega project in 2017, to really kick-start the economy but it is clear that the Granger Administration is in a zone of “narcolepsy” since May 2015.

So where is this evidence of this “A” Grade performance?

Please feel free to share your comments at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

wenty-three-year-old Brandon Collins, a maintenance worker attached to the Alpha Hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, was Thursday morning shot by Leila Jagdeo, a 69-year-old woman who is known in the area as “Granny”. She reportedly told law enforcement officials after the incident that she had thought Collins was a thief.

According to staff attached to the hotel, the incident occurred at about 06:50h on Thursday, when the man was cleaning the weeds off of a zinc fence which separates the hotel’s premises from the yard in which the elderly woman lives.

Jagdeo was not available to speak to media operatives, but Guyana Times was told that the woman told Police that she had thought Collins was a bandit who was trying to jump into her yard, so, being a licensed firearm holder, she picked up her revolver and fired one shot in the direction of the young man.

The elderly woman’s home behind the fence through which the man was shot

The bullet pierced the zinc fence and hit Collins to his abdomen.

Staff from the hotel ran to the young man’s aid after realising what had transpired. They subsequently called the Police, and the injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is presently in a stable condition.

Staffers attached to the hotel questioned the elderly woman’s reason for shooting at the maintenance worker, since, according to them, Jagdeo knew the man.

The hole where the bullet reportedly pierced the zinc fence and injured the man

“She tell Police that she thought he was a thief, but she know Brandon. She does ask he fuh help she do things around she yard, and he help couple times,” a hotel staff told this media house.

Collins reportedly hails

from Berbice, but currently lives in Republic Park on the East Bank of Demerara.

He is said to have been employed with Alpha Hotel for approximately three years.

Jagdeo is presently assisting Police with investigations. (Ramona Luthi)

12 News

friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

PUC slams service providers for taking “customers for granted”

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he Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has sent out a strong message to utility companies that fall under its purview, urging them to pay more attention to the concerns of customers.

The PUC in a release on Thursday said the companies should not be taking its customers for granted, although they might have a monopoly on the service provided.

According to the PUC, consumers have begun making complaints about their discomfort with the services of utility companies, especially after becoming aware of the work of the Commission and the obligations of the service providers.

“Customers are questioning why they are receiving prolonged estimated bills for more than actual readings even though water and electricity meter readers visit regularly. There are also

A PUC official interacting with a shopkeeper

claims of reporting low electricity consumption that persist for long periods, only to eventually have their services removed with the utility claiming that the meters were tampered [with],” PUC said on Thursday.

The Commission said it usually files claims on behalf of such consumers, noting that investigations have

shown that consumers are overbilled.

“The record shows that for the year 2016, in excess of thirteen million dollars were credited to customers’ accounts”.

It said electricity consumers are also frustrated when faced with damages to their appliances due to power problems. More of-

Consultations must bridge...

Redford said that without a clear understanding of what a country’s goals are for the oil and gas resources, misunderstandings and mistrust can creep in and hamper the successful execution of projects.

Drawing on her experience as a lawyer and a politician in an oil-producing economy, she said that unilateral collaboration will be especially necessary in Guyana. This is because

preparations for regulating and overseeing the sector must be comprehensive, but completed as soon as possible. She warned about variance between what the locals understood and what the oil company, government and regulators were actually doing. “There are so many choices to make in Guyana right now. When you look at a country of 750,000 people and the resources that are being devel-

ten than not, the PUC said consumers are advised that the power company is not liable for the claim or that the claim was disallowed because it was not filed according to procedure.

“Consumers seem unaware that they must immediately call a GPL Emergency Call Centre to report the damage and obtain a reference number. Only the customer that signed the contract for the service from GPL can then file a claim, which includes the previously obtained reference number and supporting documents, to a GPL commercial office within 30 days of the occurrence. Damaged appliances and equipment may be considered as evidence to the claim and should not be disposed before the outcome of the claim is determined”.

The Commission said it remains committed to its mandate of ensuring that both consumers and utilities are fairly represented.

from page 10

oped, the expectations of the public and the international attention that you are gaining, there is a lot of work to be done,” she said.

“What we have learned in Canada, even though we have had regulations for one hundred years, a close relationship to industry and an understanding of how important energy is to economic growth, (is that) it’s very important to understand the partnership that must exist

between your political leadership and the community. I served as premier of a province that had a lot of oil and gas to get to market. We had plans ten years ago to build at least five pipelines to get that gas to market. We had the supply to put in the pipeline, we had the money to build it, and we had fairly good political support across the country. And today, in 2017, only one of those pipelines have even been approved, let alone built,” she told the gathering.

She lamented that in Canada an opportunity was missed to have an early honest discussion with sections of society that the Government had not realised would be interested in those issues.

In Guyana, consultations and seminars have been facilitated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and GOGA since last year. They have featured international experts and politicians who have had a hand in drafting policies in other countries.

While an oil and gas policy had been in existence under the previous government, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had announced that aspects related to licensing, fiscal framework, transparency and accountability, and the environment would be incorporated.

There is still outstanding legislation which has to be discussed at the level of the National Assembly.

This includes the Sovereign Wealth fund and its three sub-divisions: Stabilisation, Infrastructure and Social Development, and Citizens Participation Funds.

Redford’s admonitions come on the heels of another discovery in the Snoek well offshore of Guyana’s Stabroek Block.

(Jarryl Bryan)

Legitimacy vs legality of amendments

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he debate over the affirmation of our Court of Appeal of the ruling of Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang in the Richardson case, was joined by the intervention of former Chancellor and AG Keith Massiah. The learned Chancellor (rtd) wrote “in respectful concurrence with Justice Duke Pollard’s crystalline analysis of the issues bearing on the question of the presidential term limit.”

In doing so however, he reveals unfortunately, his concern and that Justice Pollard was solely about “presidential term limit” and not even the three other categories of citizens that were removed from consideration as presidential candidates to Ravi Dev the citizenry by Act 17 of 2001. Most significantly, they give short shrift to the real issue of the limits of the amendment power in reference to the basic structure of the Constitution in general and of the “democratic sovereignty” of the Guyanese people in particular.

But in supporting Justice Pollard’s focus on an exegesis of “associated words on statutory terms…that Articles 1 and 9 of the Constitution refer to “a unified political entity” and not to “constitutional entitlements of the people”, Chancellor Massiah reveals their common source of confusion.

Our Constitution emphasises at its very beginning: “We the people do adopt (the Constitution)”. It then declared, the Guyanese people, possessing the “constituting power”, created “THE STATE AND THE CONSTITUTION”, including Article 1: “Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state…”, and Article 8: “The Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana”.

The Constitution therefore possesses “constituted power” that is superior to the state but subordinate to the “constituent power” of the people.

Under the next heading, “PRINCIPLES AND BASES OF THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEM”, Article 9 reaffirms one aspect of the “constituting power” of the people by affirming, “Sovereignty belongs to the people”. And they “exercise it through their representatives and the democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.” The latter have constitutive power. Chancellor Massiah ignores the distinction between “constituent power” which resides in the people and “constituted power”, which is delegated to the Constitution and the people’s representatives. The constituent power is exercised by the people to create their Constitution and not vice versa for the Constitution to specify “entitlements” of the people, as the Court of Appeal claims.

In Guyana, while the people have delegated the power of amending the Constitution to their representatives (Article 164) this is inevitably a substantively and procedurally limited power. Procedurally it is to be exercised according to specified increasing levels of difficulty which ends with the ultimate possibility of a referendum of the people. The latter is a simulation of the exercise of their constituent power by acclamation, and is absent in the Indian and Belizean constitutions, which Justice Pollard (and by implication) Chancellor Massiah ignored.

The other use of the distinction between “constituent” and “constituted” power is to delineate the limits of the substantive amendment power by the representatives of the people: the latter, we emphasise being constitutive and limited cannot alter what was dubbed the “basic structure” by the Indian Supreme Court and encapsulated in our Articles 1 and 9. This delineation created the distinction between the “legality” of an amendment and its “legitimacy”.

It raises the possibility as has occurred by Art 17 of 2001, that an amendment may be legal (according to the constituted delegated rules of Art 164) but illegitimate, based on its constricting the foundational principles emanating from the constituent power of the people.

The latter impose “implied limitations” of the delegated amendment power and illustrates the distinction made by Carl Schmitt between the “Constitution” (substantive) and stressed by CJ (ag) Chang (rtd) and the Appellate Court and “Constitutional law” (procedural”) relied on by Justice Pollard and Chancellor Massiah.

In sum, CJ (ag) Chang and the Appellate Court hold that the Constitution specifies the ontological unalterable basic structure produced by the constituting power (dubbed “eternity laws” by some) which cannot be restricted in Guyana unless approved by a referendum of the people, in a simulation of their constituent power. Article 17 of 2001 sought to create an “unconstitutional constitutional amendment”.

With Constitutional reform possibly on the horizon, determining the necessary basic structure of a constitution for Guyana might hopefully be informed by the debate.

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friDAY, march 31, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

"Hold your leaders New import regulations on drugs, accountable" – Norton cosmetics, medical devices to Region 8 villagers

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Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, speaking to village leaders of Region Eight

inister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, has urged the residents of Region Eight to engage in self-help activities to ensure that community projects and infrastructure are maintained.

Dr. Norton was part of a team of Government officials who visited Kato Village on Wednesday and met with toshaos and councillors of District One in Region Eight. The other ministers in that team were Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valarie Garrido-Lowe.

“Self-help is not an old thing, it can still work. We have to start doing it sometimes… I agree there is some amount of limitation, but we have to do our own thing, our own little work here and

there,” Minister Norton told the village leaders.

According to a GINA report, Norton said residents should not complain to ministers about issues that they themselves can resolve, such as students defacing the sanitary facilities at the schools.

“You can’t expect the Ministry of Education (Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine) in Georgetown to come and fix your school toilet that your child using every day. That’s not how it works; the residents themselves should come together and make certain that it is clean and properly maintained,” he pointed out.

Norton noted that while all of the issues cannot be addressed overnight, village leaders need to be more responsible, because they were elected by the people whom they are required to serve.

In the area of educa-

tion, Minister Norton said the results for mathematics at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination in the hinterland are very worrying. “... they are without teachers and then we have to go and compete against the students in Georgetown. This worries me… But, if I could have reached up to Queen’s College and go on to study further, I think you could do it too, and your children could do it. We must not deprive ourselves of this (opportunity), and I don’t want to hear excuses (about can’t),” Minister Norton admonished the residents.

The ministers’ visit forms part of a series of outreaches ministers have been conducting to share information directly with residents on the plans and policies of the Government.

Businessman shot during row over pool game

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businessman was in the wee hours of Thursday morning shot and injured during an argument over a game of pool at Adventure, Essequibo Coast.

The injured man has been identified as Wilfred Tennyson, also called Lawrie, 32, of 37 Adventure, Essequibo Coast.

Based on reports received, a Supernumerary Constable attached to a Security Service was armed with a handgun belonging to the security firm to which he is employed. He left his place of duty and ventured

into the victim’s shop, and they engaged in a game of pool.

However, an argument erupted after the victim won a game, and the suspect allegedly whipped out his firearm and shot Tennyson to his right side abdomen.

The victim was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was treated and admitted.

He is said to be in a stable condition. The 20-year-old suspect from Adventure, Essequibo Coast has since been taken into custody, and his firearm has been lodged.

But speaking with the

Guyana Times at the Suddie Hospital, the injured man refuted claims which suggest that the incident stemmed from an argument, but said rather that the suspect’s firearm accidently went off while he playing pools.

"I genuinely feel it was an accident, there was no argument; and besides, we are friends…the shot just went off by accident," the victim claimed. Tennyson has undergone emergency surgery to remove the bullet from his abdomen. Police are continuing their investigations.

he Government Analyst - Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) wishes to advise all importers that, as of the 1st August, 2017, all drugs, cosmetics and medical devices imported into Guyana must be accompanied by an original Free Sale or Health Certificate. This regulation and new enforcement was announced through a press advisory issued by the GA-FDD on Thursday. These certifications must be issued by the competent authority in the prescribed form and in the country of origin.

Additionally, the new directive stipulates that the information provided by the Free Sale or Health Certificate must include the name and address of consignor, name and address of consignee, the certification number, description of the product, quantity of the product, mode of transportation, attestation from the competent authority, an official signature, and the organisation’s or authority’s stamp.

The need for verification is in accordance with Food and Drug Act of the Laws of Guyana, Chapter 34:03, Section 32(II),

and the Food and Drug Regulation 13. GAFDD has indicated that this move is to ensure that drugs, cosmetics and medical devices being imported into Guyana are of the requisite standard, and as such, the department is acting in the interest of consumer protection and safety.

Importers who fail to provide the necessary verification for the purchase of the listed items will be barred from completing their transactions upon enforcement of the new regulations, come August.

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friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

2% withholding tax not applicable to “just about anything” – GRA

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Thursday denied claims that the two per cent withholding tax on contractors’ earnings (individuals/ companies) applies to “just about anything”.

The revenue body, making reference to section 39 (13) of the Income Tax Act, Chapter 81:01, stated: “Payments disbursed to contractors in excess of $500,000 for a contract shall be subject to a withholding tax at a rate of two per cent on every payment.”

The GRA explained that “contractors”, as defined in Subsection 14 of the Income Tax Act Chapter 81:01, referred to a person contracting with or employed directly by an owner or an agent of the owner to supply services, goods, materials, equipment, or personnel in the furtherance of the services.

It said the law which

applies to payments to resident businesses, individuals and companies with written “contractual arrangements” is not applicable to regular day-to-day commercial activities involving the trade in goods and services. Consequently, the GRA said payments such as those made by rice millers to rice farmers for paddy were not subject to the two per cent withholding tax.

“The two per cent withholding tax … must be remitted to the Guyana Revenue Authority, and will be treated as an advance payment towards the quarterly taxes payable by the taxpayer (the person from whose payment the two per cent was deducted). This results in the reduction of the quarterly payment of the individual and companies from whom the tax was withheld.

Receipts will be issued by the Guyana Revenue

The Guyana Revenue Authority building, Georgetown

Authority as proof that this payment was made on their behalf,” the financial unit explained.

According to the GRA, withholding tax is also applicable to non-resident disbursements and payments, noting that rates range from 10 per cent to 20 per cent depending on the country of residence.

On Tuesday, Guyana Times reported that the

Revenue Authority was demanding that individuals and companies receiving more than $500,000 for the supply of services, goods, materials, equipment or personnel in the furtherance of services deduct a two per cent withholding tax and remit same to the tax authority. Guyana Times was told that the tax would be given as a tax credit when the individual

or company filed the requisite income/corporate tax return.

This newspaper was told that while contractors typically meant those engaged in construction and similar activities, this new imposition seemed to expand on that definition to include just about anyone doing just about anything.

The two per cent withheld for all contractors must be remitted to the GRA on a monthly basis or within 30 days of making the payment to the contractor.

This publication understands that some Ministries have already begun deducting the two per cent withholding tax on monies paid to suppliers.

According to one businessman, if that is the intended application, then individuals and companies will have to follow suit and deduct two per cent on all types of bills, including electricity, fuel purchas-

es, salaries and wages, and purchases of raw materials once the amount is over $500,000 and if the supplier is a resident individual or corporation. “If this is what was intended, it will be a tax most bizarre and will spell further doom for entrepreneurs and businesses in Guyana,” one businessman expressed to this publication.

The GRA website stated that where any deduction and remittance have not been made by the person liable, the person not making the deduction of withholding tax will be held liable for the amounts outstanding.

These new measures came into effect February 1, 2017. However, this is not applicable to foreign trade companies, but rather serves as a discriminatory measure to local businesses.

GECOM chairmanship

Lots of Guyanese meet criteria – President

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resident David Granger has dismissed concerns raised about the difficulty in finding nominees for the Chairmanship post at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

He says there are lots of Guyanese who meet the new criteria set out by him to guide Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in compiling a new list of potential candidates for the position.

“I’m sure if they search they will find people of impartiality and integrity. There’re lots of them around… There are good Guyanese who I think satisfy those criteria. I didn’t pull them (criteria) out of the sky, they came out of the Constitution,” the Head of State told reporters on Thursday, when asked for a response to the concerns raised by the Opposition.

The President says he is confident the Opposition Leader would find suitable nominations for the GECOM Chairmanship, noting that the Constitution was written in a way to emphasise the qualities which he has asked for.

“I’m sure that Mr Jagdeo will be able to find somebody; and if he doesn’t, we can sit down and discuss it.

I’m interested in having a Chairman as quickly as possible, and I’m sure he is too.

So I look forward to meeting him to learn from him who his nominees are; and even if there is a problem, we can discuss it further,” President Granger posited.

After rejecting the initial list submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, President Granger has since outlined the qualities that the nominees for the GECOM Chairmanship

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and members of the PPP engaging members of the religious community during last week’s consultations

should possess in order for him to consider them for the post.

The new criteria state that the candidate should be qualified to be a Judge of the High Court, or should have been an attorney for a minimum of seven years.

In the absence of those requirements, the President has said, any other “fit and proper person” could be considered, providing he/she is deemed to have wide electoral knowledge and is capable of handling electoral matters, since he/she is qualified to exercise unlimited jurisdiction in civil matters.

That person should not be an activist in any form -gender, racial or religious; nor should that person have any political affiliation or belong to any political party in any form – overt or covert. The person must be able to discharge his/ her functions neutrally between the two opposing parties, as he or she would have done in court between two opposing litigants. Here, the President appears to be making it a requirement for the candidate to have practised in a court of law.

Additionally, the person

must be able to discharge the functions attached to the post without fear or favour; not allowing any person or organisation to influence him or her to compromise his or her neutrality.

The President also said that the person should have a general character of honesty, integrity, faithfulness and diligence, which would enable him/her to discharge his/her duty as Chairman of GECOM.

However, following consultations with civil society bodies last week, the Opposition Leader’s Office issued a statement which noted that the criteria were considered as “an imposition on the Constitution, which makes no such demands.”

The statement said most disconcerting was the stipulation that the candidate must not be an activist in any form. “(It) was thought to be discriminatory and violated

the anti-discrimination articles of the Constitution,” the statement explained.

Nevertheless, the civil society groups have since made several submissions in regard to their nominees for the GECOM Head. In fact, at a press conference on Wednesday, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira disclosed that while some of the groups have made their submissions, others are having difficulty finding persons to fulfill all the criteria set out by the President.

“We’ve got about 12 to 15 (submissions)…but there are some civil society bodies who’ve indicated that when they examined the criteria, even when they come up with names, not one name can fulfill all the criteria,” she stated.

Teixeira explained that while the nominee may meet the one requirement, such as exercising jurisdiction in civil matters, they may not fulfill the other part of the criteria -- possessing wide electoral knowledge. To this

end, the Opposition Chief Whip insisted that the criteria set by the President undermines the constitutional provisions, and is causing extreme duress in finding nominees.

“His excellency, the President, has gone beyond the Constitution and placed undue restrictions and pressure and duress on the selection of the position of Chairperson which the Constitution itself did not contemplate. The focus of the constitution was the integrity and the independence of the post holder, and we stand firmly by that position,” she noted.

According to the Opposition Chief Whip, the remaining submissions of nominees from civil society for the GECOM Chairmanship were to be handed over by the end of Wednesday. She added that, upon the receipt of all the nominees, the Party will then determine the next step forward.

Digicel partners with ZTE to expand 4G LTE

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igicel on Thursday announced an agreement with ZTE Corporation, a major international provider of telecommunications, and mobile enterprise and consumer technology solutions, to expand its 4G LTE networks across its 26 markets in the Caribbean and Central America.

Deploying ZTE’s worldclass 4G LTE solutions will see Digicel delivering the highest-performance mobile broadband services to all its customers across the Region.

ZTE’s innovative 4G

LTE solutions, including Uni-RAN, will help Digicel upgrade and optimise its infrastructure as part of an ongoing network transformation programme, pro-

tion at Digicel by enabling deployment of next-generation digital services and business innovations.

Deployed by mobile carriers around the world,

viding subscribers with superior mobile Internet connectivity and coverage.

ZTE Uni-RAN solutions will support network evolu-

ZTE’s Uni-RAN solution increases the network operation efficiency by prolonging the lifecycle of devices through network

upgrades and smooth evolution. Based on ZTE’s SDR (Software Defined Radio) technology, Uni-RAN protects operators’ investment and dramatically reduces network costs and increases the stability and reliability of network operation.

Digicel recently announced its Digicel 2030 global transformation programme promising customers a completely new communications and entertainment experience made possible by a more agile, customer-centric application of resources and investment.

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friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

16 News

friDAY, march 31, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTT, GPL top list of consumer complaints – PUC …encourages public to make complaints if no resolution provided

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or the year 2017, there have already been over one hundred complaints to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for at least two utility companies –GTT and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

This is according to the PUC’s Complaints Division Manager, Destra Bourne.

She stated that as of March 2017, there were 29 complaints from GPL customers, while for GTT that number was 94. According to Bourne, the PUC had resolved 44 of the GTT complaints.

“For 2017, the most prevalent complaints we have had relates to GTT and no dial tones. That can be referred to as a technical issue,” Bourne stated.

Procedure

Explaining the work the Commission does in these instances, Bourne stated that the PUC would arrange rebates for customers, who would have been paying for a service that was not working for a period of time.

“Once the service has been restored, they’re entitled to some amount of rebate for the period the service would not have been working.”

The Public Utilities Commission

“That’s for GT&T. In the case of GPL customers, it’s in the form of rebates and in the form of credits to the account for GPL not meeting the service standards.”

She noted that the PUC has been able to garner $1.2 million for customers, inclusive of complaints that were pending from last year.

She also encouraged customers who have been under siege by poor utility service and lack of resolution to escalate the matter to the PUC’s attention. Bourne emphasised that the process was actually a simple one.

“The procedure is quite simple. If you have a problem with one of the utility (companies), your first step is to visit the utility and make a complaint in rela-

tion to your problem. That is giving the utility the first option to deal with whatever issue you have.”

“If you are not satisfied with how they dealt with the problem of the resolution, then you can seek redress from the PUC. If the complaint has merit, we will follow that complaint up with the utility. If we notice that the utility would have made the correct decision based on the matter in front of us, we will advise you on that.”

For the year 2016, the Commission secured credits for consumers from the utility companies in the sum of $13,285,302. The credits included various sums for overbilling and failing to correct defaults in time.

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oday, the fourth day of Navaratri the Devi, Durga is honoured and worshipped in the form of Kushmanda Devi.

The word Kushmanda is made of three words that are “Ku + Ushma + Amnda= Kushmanda”. Here “Ku” is “Little”, “Ushma” is “Warmth or Energy” & “Anda” is “Egg”, means the one who create the universe as “Little Cosmic Egg” with the energy of Her divine smile is called “Kushmanda”.

If we pronounce Her name correctly, which means pointing the tongue upwards when we enunciate the Sanskrit “sha” and “anda”, we have done half our work of invocation by pointing our speech past the sky (akash – from where comes the light) to the Sun, in whose abode this Goddess lives.

Goddess Durga is very happy in this incarnation and it is believed that when there is no existence of any creation or universe and there was the eternal darkness, which ended when Maa Kushmanda smiled. So that Kushmanda Devi is known as the creator the whole universe. She is also named as “Adi Shakti”.

The core of Suraymandala (Sun) is the residence of this form. She is the only one who has the power and strength to live in the core of Suryaloka (Sun). By her the Sun obtains its brilliance and all the directions are pervaded by her light including the Sun God himself. Her luster illuminates and removes darkness from Earth; her boundless blaze gives light in life of human beings.

Devi Kushmanda also

known as “Ashtabhuja” (eight armed) as she is often depicted as having eight arms. In her seven hands she holds Kamandalu, Bow, Arrow, Lotus, a Jar of Nectar, Discus, and Mace. In her eighth hand she holds a rosary capable of giving eight Siddhis and nine Niddhis. She rides a lion who represents “Dharma”.

On worshiping Her ailments and sorrows are eliminated and life span, name, strength and health improved.

She also brings light into darkness and ignorance, gives true knowledge, destroys ego, disease, sorrow, depression and ignorance. Yogis and other dedicated devotees in spiritual practice should focus their energy in the Anahata Chakra / heart chakra which represents Kushmanda Devi.

On this day whether you

are attending mandir across Guyana or conducting your worship at home you should meditate on letting go bad habits/activities, asking forgiveness, being in touch with your true inner reality and position in the universe; your relationship with yourself, the universe, others in it and the Divine. Remind yourself that all power of the self comes through her grace.

Remember, the Goddess Kushmanda favourite is red coloured flowers, offer some and recite this simple mantra to her.

YA DEVI SARVBHUTESHU MAM KUSHMANDA RUPENA SAMSTHITA N A M A S T A S Y A I N A M A S T A S Y A I NAMASTASYAI NAMO NAMAH.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, march 31, 2017

Stiff competition expected at Miss Region 3 Culture pageant this Saturday

Anicia Williams Sonia Cummings

Marcia Clarke

Kasherell Payne

Olancia Howard

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he eight delegates vying for the title of Miss Region 3 Culture 2017, billed for this Saturday at the Leonora Synthetic Track, West Coast Demerara (WCD), are all ready for take the coveted crown. The delegates underwent rigorous training in several aspects and patrons are promised an evening of elegance, beauty and intelligence.

The delegates are Geetanjali Nauth, Sonia Cummings, Kasherell Tiffany Payne, Withney Loshanna Robertson, Anicia Williams, Marcia Clarke, Olancia Howard and Sonia Harris.

The pageant is being held with the aim of empowering young women to realise their potential, through a competitive yet collaborative effort; but more importantly, to

Geetanjali Nauth

become goodwill ambassadors and be role models in society.

The event will not only see the eight delegates competing in evening wear, talent, Swimwear and intelligence segments but there will also be a live performance by Jamaican dancehall artiste, Savage.

Tickets for the event cost $4000 for the VIP experience and $2000 for general admission.

Tickets are being sold at the Aracari Resort, Versailles, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Payless Variety Store, Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD; Avon DVD Club; Uitvlugt, WCD, Club El Passo, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); and Nicola’s Bar, Tuschen, EBE. The pageant gets underway at 20:00h.

Divya Yabindranauth is Miss United Continents Guyana 2017

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wenty-oneyear-old Divya Ya b i n d r a n a u t h was recently selected as Guyana’s delegate in the upcoming Miss United Continents slated to be held on September 23, 2017 in Ecuador. This will be the second time Guyana will be represented in the pageant which will see delegates from around the world.

The Guyanese beauty is an aspiring model, humanitarian, individualist, and dreamer who is eager to represent Guyana on the international platform.

Divya is no stranger to the world of pageantry; she competed in Miss World Guyana 2016 as Miss Barima-Waini and copped the Multimedia Award along with the People’s Choice Award.

She also placed in the top three for the Beauty with a Purpose (BWP) segment of the competition for her outstanding charitable contribution to the people of Region One and Guyana.

Raised in Tucshen Housing Scheme, on the East Bank of Essequibo, Divya lived with her grandmother in a quiet and humble setting.

She attended Vergenoegen Nursery School after which she attended Philadelphia Primary School and later transferred to Professional Primary School (PLC) in Meten-Meer-Zorg. She spent a few years there before moving to Comprehensive College in Tucshen. Divya migrated to the United States at the young age of 13. Presently, she resides in Houston, Texas, with her parents and two younger brothers, where she attended middle and high school.

During her time in high school, her determination and focus was to finish in three years as she desired to syndicate her junior and senior year in one in order to graduate early.

By studying meticulously, keeping up with good grades and remaining on path; Divya achieved much success by graduating a year early from high school. During her time in high school, she participated in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), a programme established to promote healthcare initiatives and to aid in the development of medical skills for students.

She also participated in community service and volunteer work for her school which helped her to communicate with others and work in group settings.

These experiences have expanded her knowledge and allowed her to see the need in society for helping those who cannot help themselves; no doubt a seedbed for the charitable platform that she is committed to.

Divya currently works at W-Industries as an Administrative Assistant, while she simultaneously pursues her degree in Business Management. In her free time, she makes frequent visits to children at local area hospitals, and engages in outreach programmes through her church.

The East Bank Essequibo beauty is truly honoured to be selected as Guyana’s representative to the 2017 edition of Miss United Continents. She believes that winning the pageant would provide a platform for uniting people with a common cause and to promote the importance of selflessly giving back to society.

Winning the title would also create visibility on a greater scale that will propel the cause that she envisions. She believes that holding the title would allow her to be a face of the people; not a face of vanity but a face of hope for those who cannot help themselves.

She is under the directorship of Missosology Guyana and come pageant night, she will be competing in the evening gown, swimsuit, national costume and interview segments.

Withney Loshanna Robertson

Tonia Harris

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, march 31, 2017

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for Aracari Resort this weekend

he Aracari Resort, Versailles, West Bank Demerara, is definitely the place to be this Saturday for the Westsiderz Entertainment Night Pool and Soca Party, titled “slick and sexy edition”.

All plans are in place for the hosting of the event which is expected to be off the hook.

Patrons are advised to purchase their outfits and come out to have a grand time in the water, while being served drinks. As promised, security will be at its best and there will be lifeguards on site to make sure all in the pool are well taken care of.

The party will be one with a difference and is expected to attract persons from the Westside, the East Bank and Georgetown.

Partyholics are promised a grand evening with the best music by the very best on the West side.

Those already hyped and ready for the session are Westsiderz Sound Crew, Deejay Vybe and Deejay Rahaman, who are all known to add flavour and excitement to a party.

In addition to the excitement, the first 50 ladies will get a free cocktail beverage. There will also be drink specials on Red Square Vodka during the event. Tickets cost $1000 and are available at Westsiderz Entertainment and at the venue.

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alm Court, Guyana Premiere Party Spot, is once again turning up the heat as it prepares for Easter weekend, with some of the most exciting parties. As recent as Phagwah night, its Main Street location was packed to capacity for its Phagwah celebrations which featured international chutney soca monarchs, Ravi B and Omardat Maraj.

Come April 15, the venue will yet again be packed with soca junkies, as one of the most exciting soca singers is expected to performed live. The event titled, “Easter Phenomenon” will feature the man himself, Benjai out of Trinidad and Tobago.

Known for his energetic performances in

Lake Mainstay’s 8th annual Car & Bike Show and After Party set for April 15

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ll roads will lead to Lake Mainstay resort, Mainstay/ Whyaka Village, Essequibo, for its 8th annual Car and Bike Show and After Party on April 15.

The event, which has been quite a success every year, is expected to be bigger and better with a number of categories added. This year, vehicles will compete in 18 categories in five groups.

In the Overall group, judging will be done for the best car, best SUV/ bus, best bike (small) and best superbike.

In the Artwork group, prizes will be given for the best car, bus/SUV and best bike, while in the Auto Internal group, prizes will be awarded for the best sound car, best sound SUV/bus, loudest sound car and loudest sound SUV/bus.

There will also be the Audio External group which will determine the best and loudest sound

among the cars, SUVs and buses. The final group will be the Extreme Sound and will determine best sound, loudest sound and classis.

However after the judging, there will be the after party with Pream’s Mega Sounds. Other attractions include food courts and beverage bars along with a children’s fun park.

Registration fees for each category will cost $4000 and can be uplifted at Lake Mainstay Resort Offices – Georgetown and Essequibo; Gutty’s Variety Stall – Charity; G&P Jaigobin and Sons Supermarket – Henrietta; Cellular Plus Store – Anna Regina; Anil Cellphone Store – Anna Regina Market; Derick Photocopy Shop – Anna Regina Post Office and Universal Pharmacy – Suddie. The registrationform can also be downloaded from the resort’s facebook page @ www.facebook.com/lakemainstay.

Registration closes on April 12. Over $1 million in cash prizes and trophies will be up for grabs.

Admission to the event cost $1000 and $500 for children under 10 years old. Gates open at 16:00h but the action starts at 18:00h. The event is sponsored

by Castrol Oil, Banks Beer and Stag Beer.

Guyana, patrons can expect an exciting evening with the best in soca music. Some of his tunes include his most popular “Phenomenal”, “Feter”, “Come out to Play”, “Drunk Again” and “Jah Power”.

The event is promoted by Pulse Entertainment, with tickets on sale for $2000 in advance but more at the gate.

Tickets can be uplifted at Pulse Online Shopping, Game Express, Palm Court and Movie Town.

It’s an Easter Saturday party that you don’t want to miss.

Award-winning Nigerian artiste Sinach to perform in Guyana on

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April 18

igerian award winning songwriter, worship extraordinaire and recording gospel artiste Sinach will perform live in Guyana at a mega concert at the National Sports Hall on Tuesday, April 18.

With over a decade of experience inspiring millions of people in praise and worship, Osinachi Kalu has performed in the continents of Africa, North America, and well as in the United Kingdom. She is a member of the Love World Music Team of Christ Embassy and has been performing from an early age.

As a songwriter who has written over 500 songs and has won several awards, the talented artiste believes in writing from her heart and knowing what the spirit of God is saying to the church.

Sinach grew up in Ebonyi, Nigeria and is known for her lyrics including “I know who I am”, “Stand amazed” and “Way Maker”.

Guyana has the privilege of hosting one of her rare appearances in South America.

She will be in Suriname over the Easter weekend, and Guyana through the Heavenly Light World Outreach Fellowship, which is thrilled to welcome her. She will be performing alongside several other Gospel singers.

friDAY, march 31 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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uyanese fashion icon Sonia Noel, fresh from the Women in Business Expo, is teaming up with the New Thriving Restaurant to launch an event themed “Afternoon Delight, Tea and Fashion”, at their Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) location. The recently opened New Thriving Providence location is embarking on several promotional ventures to market their new enterprise.

New Thriving recently hosted afternoon tea for in recognition of International Women’s Day – March 8 – for ladies to sampling the variety of teas, cakes, sandwiches and pastries. One of the objectives was to decide the menu for the launch of Afternoon Delight.

Noel, also a renowned fashion icon in the Caribbean and in the Diaspora, will be taking the stage to display her most recent line. As prom season approaches, Noel will be releasing a collection that caters to the pre-adults who will be graduating soon and celebrating their prom in full glitz and glamour.

This event is perfect for friends, mothers and daughters to have a relaxing time while enjoying

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delicious delicacies in an amazing atmosphere.

Apart from the prom fashion show, which will also feature pieces from Paula Evans, Sears Style and Beads of Elegance, there will be other attractions, such as make-up and tips and product lines from Le Cosmetiques

by Niketa, Henna Designs from Natasha Azeez, and Beads of Elegance Jewellery from Fiona Northe Graham. Songbird Mariam Corlette Williams will also be present at the event to add that touch of class with her performance.

The elegant event is set for April 8, at the new Massy Complex in Providence, EBD. After the launch of Afternoon Delight, there will be a daily feature between 15:00h and 17:00h.

Tickets cost $1500 and can b e

uplifted at the New Thriving Restaurant, and the Makin’ Style Boutique in the Courtyard Mall, Robb Street, Georgetown.

concert for Easter Monday night at National Park Tarmac

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Chris Martin

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Jackie Jaxx

uyana’s premier entertainment website, Hotspotgy.com, over the years has expanded its brand by creating a charity arm and hosting a Cabana themed cocktail event every year to raise funds to support a charity and/or organisation in need of assistance.

This year, the Cabana Cocktail event was held on February 18 at the 704 Sky

aster is just around the corner and several massive parties and concerts are planned, taking into consideration those who have been fasting during the period of Lent. As Lent ends, the party begins and more so, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Come this Easter Monday, kites of all descriptions will be flown in open skies but as it gets dark, the party begins.

The National Park Tarmac will definitely come alive on Easter Monday with a concert titled “I’m a Big Deal” and will feature Jamaican reggae/dancehall artiste and songwriter, Chris Martin. He is known for his performances since he has performed in Guyana on several occasions.

This Jamaican artiste, whose top tunes include “Take My Wings”, “Giving It” and “I’ll Be Your Driver”, will light the stage on fire. Also planning to create quite a spectacle is D’Major, also out of Jamaica.

New to the Guyanese audience, D’Major cites his musical influences as icons such as Sam Cooke, Beres Hammond, Stevie Wonder and R Kelly, all of whom have inspired a passion that has driven him to pursue music as his lifestyle.

This was satisfying and again his thirst drove him to want more. He recorded singles such as “People make the world go round”, “Among the angels”, “Sunshine”, and “Won’t Separate”. Also on the cast for the evening is Guyana’s own, Jackie Jaxx who has been blazing the trail with her provocative performances.

Adding some entertainment to the show will be Gully Ras, Selector Diamond, Selector Face, Deejay Seen Up, and Deejay Magnum. The host for the show will be popular radio personality, Curtis “Deejay Casual” Armstrong.

Tickets for “I’m a Big Deal” billed for Monday, April 17 at the National Park Tarmac cost $2000 in advance and more at the door.

D’Major

Lounge and was the second year such a charity event was held. The funds raised from the 2016 event were used to assist Hero-Gy Charity, the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), the East La Penitence Homeless Shelter, and the Step by Step Foundation. Assistance was also given to the family of baby Renie Rogers, to aid

in payment for reconstructive surgery.

The funds garnered from this year’s event focused on supporting post-natal care of newborns and the mothers in the Maternity Ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). Specifically, the entertainment group provided 100 “Baby Boxes” that were given to women who gave birth at the GPHC between March 25 and 26.

The Baby Boxes were designed to help new mothers during their first month or two after the birth of their baby.

The items in the box consist of pampers, baby wipes, blankets, a baby bag, bonnets with mittens and booty, onesies, bath towels, bibs, washing rags, socks, infant shampoo, lotion, and powder – all of which were suggested

by the GPHC after consultations.

The group thanked its sponsors for contributing to its events and ultimately to the drive. These include 704 Sky Lounge, Cloud Nine Inc, Ultra Graphix, Jammi Jerk and Caribbean Containers

Inc. This charity arm of Hotspotgy. com comprises Travis Montooth, Shelisa Sattaur, Roger Peroune, Tracy Smith, Indira Chanderpaul and Rabin Chanderpaul.

20

friDAY, march 31, 2017

Kohli among sporting icons Beacon FC benefits from overseas chapter awarded Padma Shri

I

ndian cricket skipper Virat Kohli, Rio Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik, gymnast Dipa Karmakar were honoured with the Padma Shri by President Pranab Mukherjee at a civil investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.

Besides Kohli, Sakshi and Karmakar, five other sportspersons were named for the prestigious Padma Shri when the honours list was declared on the Republic Day on 26 January.

They included Paralympians Deepa Malik and Mariyappan Thangavelu, hockey captain PR Sreejesh, discus thrower Vikas Gowda and blind cricket team captain Shekhar Naik.

The dignitaries presented on the occasion were Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Kohli had been in the form of a lifetime over the last one year, which included four Test double-centuries as well as four centu-

Beacon players with Coach Gordon Braithwaite in the mix

India cricket captain Virat Kohli enjoyed an outstanding season, both as leader and batsman

ries in the 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016.

While Sakshi helped break India's medal-less run in the Rio event last year, Karmakar, who became the first-ever Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, finished fourth in the women's vault finals, in which she produced the highly dangerous 'Produnova' vault.

O

n Wednesday, the Beacon Football Club received several custom made balls and water bottles from its overseas chapter in Brooklyn, USA. With the intention to resuscitate operations at the club, the overseas chapter has taken the initial step towards the forward movement of the longstanding football club.

Among those involved in this selfless act are; Jermaine ’Left Foot’ Scott a former national junior and senior player, Allister Gill the club’s first goal keeper and son of former national and Police player, Lionel ‘Leo’ Gill’

Cameron re-elected

for 3rd term

–Vice President Nanthan also returns unopposed

A

lmost four years to the date, Whycliffe "Dave" Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan were again elected President and Vice President respectively, of the West Indies Cricket Board on Sunday, March 26.

The unanimous decision was taken by all 12 of the cricket delegates of the region. Cameron and Nanthan were the only two nominees for the posts this time around.

The pair were first elected on March 27, 2013 and at that time they had opponents. Four years and two elections later, the team has managed to make some strategic changes and adjustments. Among them, one of the most important was maintaining a surplus for two consecutive years – the year which ended September 30, 2015, the board reduced its accumulated deficit and ended with a surplus

of US3.4 million. Last year, a surplus of US$3.5 million was achieved with an accumulated surplus of US$1.578 million.

The President noted in his report to the Annual General Meeting that “we cannot over emphasize the need for financial stability in cricket, as without that kind of stability, all the other development plans cannot occur.” The President added that despite the tighter financial management “the board has invested in more development tours and the addition of the A Team tours is an example.”

Another important achievement is the fact that the WICB has managed to achieve best practices by producing audited reports within the given time for the past three financial years. The President praised the Audit Risk and Compliance and the Finance Committees for the tidy

Whycliffe "Dave" Cameron (left) was congratulated by Guyana Cricket Board’s Secretary Anand Sanasie after election in 2013 while Vice President Emmanuel Nanthan shared the moment

work they have done throughout the period.

The region will be hosting the Women’s World Twenty20 Championships November 2018 and there is a comprehensive programme which is being put together as the Women will try to defend their World Twenty20 title.

The President has advised that a public relations strategy will be deployed so that all West Indians can rally around our WI Women’s Team as they seek to defend their title on home soil. It will be a big event and we need all hands available to help as we seek to raise the profile of women’s cricket in the region; have a successful tournament and a win for our women’s team.”

The Women’s team will also be looking to win their 1st World Cup in the UK later this summer and all plans are in place to achieve this with the regional Women’s competition being played in April in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In moving forward, the President and the team will have the new strategic plan which will facilitate improved performances at the regional and international level and explore a more robust governance system.

The strategy revolves around the rebranding of Cricket West Indies; the development of our commercial arm – Windies Inc, and the creation of a development foundation to finance cricket development in the region”.

This was presented at the Board of Directors and Annual General Meetings in Barbados on Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26.

(Windiescricket)

Colin Reid Clarke, Jomo Benjamin, Claude Phillips, Dexter ‘JJ’ Cort and others.

Beacon FC was the first club outside the Linden teams to win the prestigious Kashif and Shanghai title in its first attempt.

Coach of the club Gordon Brathwaite said he is elated about the entire venture and there could only be more positives going forward, especially for the youth development.

The balls have the club name and logos on them.

Powerful Georgetown squad named for inter association tournament

A

Sachin Singh

strong squad has been named to represent Georgetown in the Under-17 Inter Association Tournament which commences on Saturday.

The Georgetown side which may appear a bit intimidating to their opponents, include players with national youth experience of the likes of Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh, Alphius Bookie, wicket Keeper/batsman Yudister Persaud, all-rounder Dwayne Dick (off spinner), former West Indies Under-15 fast bowler and an obvious senior West Indian fast bowling prospect - Qumar Torrington, who has bowled has been bowling impressively throughout the 2016/2017 GCB/DMLAS/ MOE/NSSCL.

The other players in the squad are fast bowler Dequan Bamfield, Juspice Jones and Wayne Bollers (right arm leg spinners), Adrian Hinds, Joel Spooner, Osapho Greene, Nkosi Beaton, Daniel Paul (National Under-15 fast bowler) and Dwayne Bollers ( Right arm leg spinner) Devon Allen and Ghamshan Premsham.

On Saturday 1 April, 2017, Georgetown will compete with East Bank Demerara at Everest Cricket Club Ground, while on Sunday 2 April, 2017, Georgetown will take on East Coast Demerara at Enmore Community Development Centre Ground.

All matches will be of One Day 50 Overs format, and will commence from 09:30h.

Ashmead Nedd

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21

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Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 35

Financial Manager of NAMILCO, Fitzroy McLeod hands over the sponsorship cheque to Mark Alleyne of Petra Organisation in the presence of NAMILCO’s Public Relations Coordinator Affeeze Khan (second from right) and Manager, Autamaram Lakeram (far right); Co- Director of Petra Troy Mendonca (second from left) and company representative

T

he National Milling Company (NAMILCO) on Thursday joined the list of illustrious sponsors for the 2nd Petra Organization Futsal Championships which is currently on at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Banks DIH under their GT Beer and Star Party Rentals are other companies who have pledges their support towards the exciting Futsal Championship and the milling company have come on board pledging the second place prize of $200,000.

On hand to receive to the sponsorship cheque at the NAMILCO’s Agricola Headquarters, was Co-Director of the Petra Organization Troy Mendonca who expressed grave appreciation for the company’s continued support.

Mendonca outlined the success of the tournament highlighting the fact that it is one which gives community–based teams a chance to organize themselves and then showcase their skills.

“Our communities have been plagued by social ills and the Petra Organisation believe we can bridge that gap through sport which will help make life easier, healthier and happier and we are happy that NAMILCO is on board with the Petra Futsal that targets grassroot teams that aim to put on keen competition,” Mendonca highlighted.

The Co-Director continued to be in high praise of the teams since many, if not all have structure attached to their formation but yet still showcase discipline and camaraderie.

Finance Controller Fitzroy McLeod said that the organization shares a similar emphasis on providing a public service.

McLeod outlined the aim of the company is to provide a reliable and quality service for its consumers and they will continue their investment in the field of sports.

“We have been in the food business for 48 years in Guyana and with our wheat foods and health foods being of the highest quality we believe that all the people we serve deserve the same, so we are proud to be partners with Petra for the second consecutive tournament to put on an event that exceeds in quality of previous years,” McLeod noted.

Last evening would have been the final night of the group stages which means that eight teams have progressed to the quarter-final rounds which begins on Tuesday.

Winner of the tournament will receive $400,000 and the championship trophy while third and fourth place finishers walk away with $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The event is slated to conclude on Easter Saturday, April 15.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

FRIdAY, march 31, 2017

Increased prizes for Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival

– mixed relays included

By Romario Samaroo

A

fter a successful introduction in 2016, the second annual Boyce and Jefford relay festival and family fun day was launched with a promise for a hefty increase in the prize monies in 2017.

Present at the impressive launch ceremony, at the Original Palm Court on Main Street in Georgetown on Thursday, were Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Palm Court Manager, Sasha Lewis, Stag Brand Manager, Lindon Harry and the two founders of the Boyce and Jefford Classic - Edison Jefford and Colin Boyce.

According to Boyce, this year marks an increase to the cash payout from last year while the events will feature five aspects of competition including relays, football, cricket, dominoes and for the first time, cycling for a total of $1,100,000 in prizes.

For the relay events, there will be competition in the 4x100 male and females, 4x400 male and female, for the first time, 4x200 mixed relay and 4x400 mixed relay, sprint medley females (100m,100m, 200m, 400m), sprint male relay (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m) distance medley female 2400m (400m, 600m, 600m, 800m) and Distance medley males 2800m (400m, 600m, 600m and 1200m).

These events will see cash prizes of $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000

Leon Seaton

By Akeem Greene

J

unior National Swimmers Leon Seaton, Lian Winter and Raekwon Noel have managed to qualify for April’s 15-19 CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas.

The trio made the qualifying times after the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) held three trials with the last being the Mashramani Meet earlier this month at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

Guyana Times Sport spoke to two swimmers who took a breather during their rigorous training in the pool ahead of the championships.

Seaton qualified for the 50m butterfly in a time of 30.12 seconds and a similar feat was achieved in the 50m free style where he clocked a time of 27.3s. He moved his tally to six events by clocking the required times in the 50m breaststroke (38.24s), 50m backstroke (33.99s) and 100m freestyle (1:01.99s) and 400m freestyle (4:59.38s) races to his list of qualifying events.

“The training I have been going through is very rough most days I have been waking up early exercising especially when I’m not in the pool so I could give my

Chairman of Boyce/ Jefford Colin Boyce

for teams finishing first to third.

For football, there will be fivea-side small goal action amongst four teams including Agricola Champion Boys, Sparta Boss, West Front Road and Broad Street Bullies while in cricket there will be two matches, one for male and a female game, all playing for $50,000 first prize and $25,000 second place plus trophies.

Boyce also indicated that it is expected that more teams will be coming on board which is in excess of 27 teams for a whopping $150,000 first prize Second place will receive $100,000 and third will take home $50,000 while the Most Valuable Player will get $10,000.

His predictions are based on the talk in the street, saying “the buzz

is around.”

Meanwhile, the cyclists will take to the field in the Devil take the hinds most, depending on the number of riders or 12 lap race as the females go head to head in the 2000m sprint for $25,000 a top payout if weather permits. Boyce noted that there is not much events which include cycling and as such they embarked on the opportunity to include the wheelsmen.

According to the other half of the Boyce and Jefford collaboration, Jefford, this is year is expected to be as exciting as last year when the inaugural run for the event was hosted.

“Last year we exceeded expectations when we filled the Sports Club Ground to capacity and this year we expect similar patronage from sports fans and enthusiasts,” Jefford said.

Similarly, Boyce gave an insight as to why the festival has come into action as well as why the other events were included.

“People were campaigning for us to have the Boyce and Jefford Classic moved from Linden despite our pledge in 2010 in our very first edition to have that meet stayed in Linden so we decided that we will do something for Georgetown. We started last year and I think the response was overwhelming so what we did apart from the relays, we had eight relays last year, we have some other activities to en-

Director of Sport Christopher Jones

tertain a wider cross section of the spectating public.”

Judging on the past events hosted by the duo, the Director of Sport recommitted to the government’s commitment to the efforts of Boyce and Jefford.

Jones noted that the government had set up “The Ministry of Social Cohesion and one does not have to explain the role and function of such a ministry but the efforts of Boyce and Jefford set out to do exactly that, bring about people, family and friends together in an atmosphere where they can have fun together and as such this activity is lending to the government’s thrust to have social cohesion in the country.”

The Director of sport went on

to say that “as such the National Sports Commission is only proud to be associated with and to provide funding for such an activity because we recognize that the Boyce and Jefford brand, this year in fact will be marking their 8th year as part of the Boyce and Jefford meet that is had in Region 10, it shows that these individuals are committed not only to the brand but the development of sports and as such any activities outside the Boyce and Jefford track and field meet that this body, this company is organizing because we recognize the efforts and development they are doing and we support same.”

The event is slated for April 30 at the Police Sports Club ground at Eve Leary, Kingston with admission set at $500 for adults and $200 for children which would make each spectator eligible to win gate prizes compliments of Ansa McAl, Jude Bentley Cycling Shop, Palm Court and Star Party Rentals.

The action starts at 10:00h and will conclude with a gala presentation ceremony followed by an after-party up until about 22:00h.

Jefford, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Palm Court Manager Sasha Lewis, Stag Beer Brand Manager Lindon Henry and Chairman Boyce/Jefford Classic Colin Boyce at the launch at Palm Court on Thursday

Seaton, Winter hard at work for CARIFTA challenge best effort and come out on top,” the 13 year-old Seaton told this publication.

The North Georgetown Secondary School student who is arguably one of the country’s best chances of securing a medal at the championships revealed that he plans to work on correcting his technique as it regards his arm strokes, breathing patterns and kicks.

In speaking on his chances of copping a medal he stated, “Heading into to these games my chances are 88% of me winning; I might have a good chance of getting third or second but not sure about first.”

In finding the other 12%, the Sliver Shark Aquatic Club Swimmer said that he will be training hard and giving his best effort.

Being in the in the pool since the age of three and then competing from age five, the mystery is why does Seaton the love the water this much.

He revealed that “I just love the water, it motivates me to achieve my goals; swimming is a very stress relieving activity, occupies your time and simply eases your mind.”

Undoubtedly with an illustrious career ahead, Seaton has his

eyes set on an Olympic medal.

“I would like my career to head to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and not just qualify but bring Guyana’s first medal in swimming.”

On the other hand, for compatriot winter, her qualification came as more of a surprise. She clocked a time of 34.86 seconds in the 50m butterfly at the first longcourse time-trial event in January then returned to lower it to 32.28s and dip below the qualifying time of 32.57s.

Her success continued in the 200m butterfly, recording of personal best of 2:58.97s to easily beat the qualifying time of 3:05.0s.

“I was excited I thought wouldn’t have made it; when I was swimming it felt so slow, I didn’t realize I did it, when I finished everyone was jumping and celebrating but I was nervous since there are so much countries taking part and I’m just one swimmer,” the Dorado Speed Swim Club member stated.

Considering the amount of nerves ahead of the championships, the swimmer was questioned if she thinks she can return with a medal. “I have been working hard with coach Shyka Gonsalves so it depends on how hard I push myself and how

hard I can go; if I believe in myself maybe I can get; I’m nervous and I don’t know if I can beat all of these people but I will try my best,” The Bishops’ High School Student disclosed.

With the demands of school as

sleep then back to the pool.”

The other qualifier for the events was Raekwon Noel as his stellar performance came in the 400m freestyle achieving a personal best of 5:10.69s Also swimming impressive

Lian Winter practising her backstroke at the National Aquatic Centre

added pressure, Winter said that combining the two has plenty to do with time management.

The 13 year-old said, “It is a lot of hard work and time management, you have come out of the pool and start your homework,

times was 10-year-old Aleka Persaud, who clocked a remarkable 32.57s in the 50m butterfly, equaling the qualifying time, however, due to being in the 9-10 category, her age will prevent her from making the trip.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

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West Indies fail to chase 132 – Pakistan take 2-0 unbeaten lead

I

t's becoming a bit of a jinx, this match-up. Whatever the situation, however favourable the circumstances, West Indies just cannot seem to get over the line against Pakistan. It was no different today as a thrilling final over from Hasan Ali that swung one way and then the other saw Pakistan cling on to a three-run

Pakistan back into the game, crucially dismissing Samuels with the last ball. From thereon, it was always going to be close, and even though two boundaries in the final over looked to have put the West Indies on course, Hasan held his nerve to maintain Pakistan's grip over their hosts.

West Indies will rue a partic-

Where the game was won

West Indies were their own worst enemy at times, with sloppy fielding gifting Pakistan at least 15 runs. But what they might really rue is giving Pakistan the opportunity to bowl at a competitive total after reducing them to 95 for 8. Shadab and Wahab each played vital cameos in a 36-run partnership off just 19 balls. It took Pakistan to 132, a total that had looked ambitious for much of the innings as their batsmen struggled to get any sort of momentum.

The men who won it

Hasan Ali exults after sealing the win

win at the Queen's Park Oval.

It was a game they had no business laying claim to for much of a contest that was worlds removed from the cakewalk the visitors enjoyed in Barbados.

West Indies' chase of 133 began with a somewhat clumsy run-out after a collision between Evin Lewis and Shadab Khan, but Marlon Samuels looked in no mood to hang around as he took the attack to Pakistan's bowlers. Imad Wasim came in for particularly severe treatment as one over went for 19. Only a magical spell from legspinner Shadab Khan dragged

ularly wretched fielding performance, with several balls going through fielders' legs and plenty more fumbled. It detracted from an organised bowling display that had Pakistan on the back foot from the start, with Samuel Badree dismissing Kamran Akmal for a duck in the first over. No batsman could build on a start, and at one point it looked like the visitors might even fail to reach three figures as they slid to 95 for 8. Late blows from Shadab and Wahab Riaz then ensured they would have just enough to bowl at.

Shadab appears to outdo himself every time he steps onto the field, each game replacing the preceding one as the highlight of his career. Tonight, his effort was a legspin masterclass, with the teenager at times the only person standing between West Indies and victory. No batsman could pick his variations, with a pair falling to the legbreak, and two more dismissed after failing to read the googly.

His final over to Marlon Samuels was T20 cricket at its nuanced best. Samuels recognised all he needed to do was see out the over, while nothing less than his wicket would do for Pakistan.

It appeared the West Indian had succeeded, before Shadab deceived him off the last ball of his spell with a devilish wrong'un.

Samuels could merely edge it to the wicketkeeper, and from that point on, the match began to slip away from the hosts.

Moment of the match

The first four overs of the West Indies innings were ungainly, with batsmen and fielders unable to help themselves colliding into each other; no less than three times did players come together.

The first, between Evin Lewis and Shadab, resulted in the batsman being run-out, but the final one was altogether nastier. Samuels defended to point and scampered off for a quick single. Ahmed Shehzad ran in to effect a run out, and found himself in the path of

Chadwick Walton. This resulted in a horrible collision, with Walton's knee thumping into Shehzad's upper back and neck, requiring an ambulance to come out on the field and stretcher Shehzad off. It looked worse than it was, but the Pakistan opener was back on the field a few overs later.

Where they stand

Pakistan now cannot lose the four-match series, having taken a 2-0 lead. The third T20I will be played on April 1, at the same venue. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Pakistan innings (20 overs maximum) Kamran Akmal b Badree 0 Ahmed Shehzad c Brathwaite b Narine 14 Babar Azam c †Walton b Brathwaite 27 Shoaib Malik c Pollard b Brathwaite 28 Fakhar Zaman c Holder b Badree 5 Sarfraz Ahmed*† c Samuels b Narine 12 Imad Wasim c Brathwaite b Williams 4 Sohail Tanvir lbw b Narine 4 Shadab Khan run out (Brathwaite) 13 Wahab Riaz c Holder b Brathwaite 24 Hasan Ali not out0 Extras (w-1)1 Total (all out; 20 overs) 132 Fall of wickets 1-0 (Kamran Akmal, 0.5 ov), 2-41 (Babar Azam, 7.5 ov), 3-43 (Ahmed Shehzad, 8.3 ov), 4-51 (Fakhar Zaman, 10.4 ov), 5-87 (Shoaib Malik, 14.5 ov), 6-87 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 15.4 ov), 7-91 (Sohail Tanvir, 15.6 ov), 8-95 (Imad Wasim, 16.3 ov), 9-131 (Wahab Riaz, 19.4 ov), 10-132 (Shadab Khan, 19.6 ov) Bowling S Badree 4-0-14-2, JO Holder 4-0-32-0, KOK Williams 4-1-27-1, SP Narine 4-0-22-3, CR Brathwaite 4-0-37-3 (w-1)

Regal Sport Softball Cricket Tournament

Reid, Khan help Farm dominate Open matches

West Indies innings (target: 133 runs from 20 overs) E Lewis run out (Imad Wasim) 3 CAK Walton† b Shadab Khan 21 MN Samuels c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Shadab Khan 44 LMP Simmons lbw b Hasan Ali 1 KA Pollard st †Sarfraz Ahmed b Shadab Khan 3 R Powell b Shadab Khan 0 CR Brathwaite* b Wahab Riaz 15 JO Holder not out 26 SP Narine run out (Hasan Ali) 9 S Badree not out 0 Extras (w-7)7 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs)129 Did not bat KOK Williams Fall of wickets 1-10 (Lewis, 1.4 ov), 2-60 (Walton, 8.1 ov), 3-65 (Simmons, 9.1 ov), 4-76 (Pollard, 10.3 ov), 5-76 (Powell, 10.4 ov), 6-81 (Samuels, 12.6 ov), 7-114 (Brathwaite, 18.2 ov), 8-128 (Narine, 19.5 ov) Bowling Imad Wasim 4-0-28-0, Sohail Tanvir 4-0-29-0, (w-1), Hasan Ali 4-0-35-1 (w-1), Wahab Riaz 4-023-1 (w-1), Shadab Khan 4-1-14-4

Powerade 50-miler to heat up West Side

– Ariel & Regal Masters notch easy wins

T

he Regal Sport Softball Cricket Tournament began last Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground with four gripping encounters. Farm Sports Club completed a double win in the Open category while Regal Masters and Ariel Masters shared the spotlight with convincing wins in the Over-40 category.

Rawle Reid had a good day at the office with bat and ball and was well supported by Ameer Khan.

Against Friends, Khan took 5 for 20 and Reid 3-13 to bowl out their opponents for 90. Reid then returned with the bat to blast 31 to see Farm SC home at 91-3 from 8.5 of their 10 overs. Asif Ali supported with 22.

In their second match of the day, Farm SC beat Mosiah by five wickets with one ball to spare. Batting first, Mosiah were bowled out in the last over for a challenging 125 with Khan (3-21) and Reid (2-14) once again among the wickets.

Reid’s good form continued

with a shot filled 57 not out while Khan chipped in with 25 and Ralph Layne 17 as Farm SC finished on 130-5.

In the Masters’ Category, Amazone masters put up a good fight but were no match for Ariel Masters who won by six wickets in a high scoring contest. K. Persaud made 29 and S. Faizool 27 in Amazone’s total of 179 all out from 19 of their allotted 20 overs. S. Darmendra took 3-15 and S. Kumar 3-20 for Ariel who got to182-4 in just 13 overs.

Fazal Ali made a masterful unbeaten 81 and was supported by Vinod Lall with 33.

The final match of the day saw Regal Masters beating H.S. Masters by 23 runs. Batting first, Regal were lead by Lynden Lyght with an unbeaten 38 and Rudolph Baker with an attacking 32 as they amassed a challenging 133-5 total from their 20 overs. Regular wicketkeeper, Eric Thomas then took off the gloves and picked up the ball to claim 4 for 13 from four overs while

Eric Thomas

pacer Laurie Singh picked up 2 for 14 from four overs to send H.S. Masters packing for 110 falling short by 23 runs. Clyde Hoyte made 33.

The action continues this Sunday with matches slated for the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown, GNIC ground at Woolford Avenue and Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) ground also on Woolford Avenue.

At DCC, on Pitch Number

One at 09:30h Speed XI takes on Good Hope then at 12:30h it will be Success XI battling JJ Hustlers followed by Queenstown Masjid taking on Mosiah XI from 14:30h.

On Pitch Number Two also at DCC, Pigeon XI and Farm do battle from 09:30h while Regal AllStars and Good Hope go at each other from 12:00h followed by Bricka XI playing Unstoppable at 14:30h.

At GYO, H.S Masters challenge Savage Masters at 10:00h followed by Ariel Masters taking on Mike’s Wellman at 13:00h.

GNIC will also have two matches in the Masters’ Category with Regal Masters and Success Masters opening at 10:00h followed by Fisherman XI and Amazone battling at 13:00h.

All Open matches are 10 overs-a-side while the masters play 20 overs-a-side games.

The competition is sponsored by Regal Sport of 69 Seafort Street Campbellville, Georgetown.

Flashback! The winners pose with the organisers, sponsors and race officials of the Powerade Road Race

O

nce again the country’s top wheelsmen will take to the roadways of West Demerara this Sunday as they compete in the seventh annual Banks DIH sponsored Powerade 50-mile cycling road race.

The 50-mile journey which is organized by National Cycling Coach, Hassan Mohammed will start from 08:00h with riders taking to the starting line in front of the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara. The ride will then take the riders to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before returning to conclude meters short of the Demerara Harbour Bridge at Schnoord.

The first six finishers in the open category (seniors and juniors) as well as the top three finishers in the juniors, the veterans, the ladies and the mountain bike categories will be rewarded for their efforts.

Last year’s race saw Team

Evolution cyclists dominating the podium places. Orville Hinds, who will not be available to defend his title won the race in a time of one hour 21 minutes 22 seconds. Hinds’s teammates Akeem Wilkinson and Marlon “Fishy” Williams placed second and third respectively. Hinds is currently competing in French Guiana.

Another Team Evolution cyclist, Stephen Fernandes, finished sixth overall and was adjudged winner of the veterans’ under-50 category. The junior category was won by Deoraj Garbarran, Christopher Cornelius was second and Raphael Leung third. In the mountain bike category, Keon Thomas was first, Julio Melville second and Wayne Nurse third.

Representatives of the company would be present to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

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

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West Indies fail to chase 132 – Pakistan take 2-0 unbeaten lead Pg 23

Increased prizes for Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival Pg 22

– mixed relays included From left: Co-Chairman Edison Jefford, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Palm Court Manager Sasha Lewis, Stag Beer Brand Manager Lindon Henry and Boyce/Jefford Classic Chairman Colin Boyce at the launch at Palm Court on Thursday

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