Guyana Times

Govt to convene CoI for suicide Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2754

Monday, February 1, 2016

Glenn Lall launches vicious attack on QAII Group of Companies

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

centre pages

– misrepresents Goolsarran’s NICIL audit to libel acquisition of Sanata Textiles

Better Hope man Ganja field in commits suicide Essequibo destroyed Page 7

Page 7

Page 17

P9

Region 2 women P8 calling for tighter security Government to recover NIS funds from CLICO P2

Suicide being tackled at the grass-roots level in Berbice National P10 Youth Policy announced

- no consultations with Opposition

Sisters Policing Network (SPN) held a suicide awareness walk on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB) as it stands firm to tackle the upsurge in Guyana.

The three-mile walk started at Edinburgh and ended at Sisters Village Police Station

Alleged LGE fraud at Rose Hall

Guyanese man dies P3 after setting self on fire in NY

Page 3

GECOM launches investigation President outlines development hindrances Page 8

P11

Delayed salary increases

Unprofessional, without conscience – trade unionist Page 7

Regions 1 and 9 to receive housing subsidies

P

2 news

monday, february 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Government to recover NIS funds from CLICO

G

overnment will be seeking options to recover the over $5 million owed to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), by the Colonial Life Insurance Company Limited (CLICO) Guyana.

This is according to

Finance Minister Winston Jordan who on Friday, during his presentation of this year’s Budget, said the NIS has been facing several challenges over the years, including the lack of compliance by both employers and employees combined

with unprofitable investments.

The insurance provider received a severe financial blow in 2009 following the collapse of CLICO. The company was later liquidated, and while some of the money secured from the

CLICO building

sale of its assets was used to pay out more than 4000 policyholders, NIS was unable to recover the multimillion dollar investments it had pumped into CLICO. Before the collapse, CLICO Guyana had invested close to US$40 million in CLICO Bahamas. Guyana is still awaiting its day in court to see if that money could be recovered.

Guyana’s Central Bank Governor Gobin Ganga had posited however, that the way things appeard, Guyanese policyholders may not get back their savings. According to him, in terms of beneficiaries, Guyana is “way down the ladder”, nestled at category “D”.

This being the case, according to him, it does not seem Guyana would anytime soon be able to recover the monies invested since, like many other countries; it is still awaiting its day in court. He said it is obvious that Guyana’s case has been “put for last”, on the list of cases filed by other Caribbean countries against the group.

Suriname is one such country, claiming US$15.5 million from CLICO

Bahamas. Guyana’s case is being represented by an esteemed lawyer, John Wilson of McKinney Bancroft & Hughes.

will see NIS recovering this money over the long term”.

Additionally, he said, the management of NIS will work diligently to ensure greater compliance through the enforcement of the laws.

“This year, management will be targeting delinquent businesses and employers, in order to recover the $1.3 billion in arrears owed to the Scheme.”

He said NIS will also be examining an appropriate investment policy to guide its investments to ensure that future investments are profitable. He said NIS plays an important role in enhancing the capacity of the poor and vulnerable to

NIS building

Jordan told the National Assembly it was important that Government take this route.

“In 2016, the Government intends to examine options for repayment of $5.24 billion owed

by CLICO. To this end, the Government will start discussions on the modality of an arrangement that

manage risks such as unemployment, disability, sickness, and old age.

“Given this, as well as Government’s commitment to reduce poverty and inequality within our society, we will ensure that profitability is restored at NIS, over the longer term”, the Finance Minister declared.

Suicide prevention outreach

Hope and Healing interfaith service held in Region 2 BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

I

n an effort to help reduce the growing number of suicides in Region Two and spread spirituality amongst the populace, a “Hope and Healing” interfaith service was held Sunday at the Lifespring Ministry, Devonshire Castle.

The service was coordinated by a popular overseas based Guyanese, revered Pastor and counsellor Banwattie Ram. The service commenced at 16:00 hours and saw participation from the three major religious groups (Hindu, Muslim and Christian).

Prayers were said by the religious leaders after which Pastor Ram addressed everyone. Ram related that suicide is preventable and everyone has something to do in saving a life. She said her main aim is to instil positive thoughts to everyone she reaches through spirituality.

Ram, a former Chief Schools Welfare Officer, said religious organisations and schools are the targeted areas in an effort to foster inclusion.

Ram said she was very concerned, having learnt via the media about the number of suicides that plague Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and as such she began networking for help.

Coming on board, the ordained minister said, was The Caribbean Voice (TCV) along with other kind-spirited individuals who supported her in the Hope and Healing outreach.

The outreach “Hope and Healing for Essequibo” began on January 29 and thus far has reached out to residents of various communities, religious leaders and schools.

“The support I have received is overwhelming, I know together as a people we can do this, saving a life is everyone’s business” Ram said.

Based on the outreaches, necessary recommendations will be made for future planning. There has been a massive campaigning throughout the coast where posters, advertisement, flyers were disseminated at various places including the Children Mashramani Competition held at Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

Ram further said she was involved in similar outreaches in Georgetown and Berbice, commenting that it is the opportune time to work with the people.

She said she believes that through networking and empowerment it could reduce the number of persons wanting to end their life. She thanked all those who were supportive during her one-week Outreach in Region Two and said it is just the beginning, while underscoring that more needs to be done.

news

3

monday, february 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

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

Alleged LGE fraud at Rose Hall

GECOM launches investigation T

Monday, February 1 – 11:00h-12:30h and Tuesday, February 2 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 1 – 09:55h-11:25h and Tuesday, February 2 – 11:20h-12:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Sunny conditions can be expected throughout the day, with light rain showers in the late afternoon, while cloudy conditions are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 10:06h and 22:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.25 metres and 2.17 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 16:03h reaching a minimum height of 0.99 metre.

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has launched an investigation into the alleged Local Government Elections (LGE) fraud which reportedly transpired at Rose Hall, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The investigation was launched after 40 residents of Williamsburg, Rose Hall, sent two petitions to inform GECOM that they were fooled and tricked into signing a document which made them candidates on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) List of Candidates for the upcoming LGE. Speaking with this newspaper on Sunday, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally said that the entity was investigating the incident, and noted that since this matter was “very technical, we would be examining it from all angles”.

He said Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, assisted by a high-level team from GECOM, would be visiting the area to conduct investigations into the matter before any decision was made.

The residents are peeved over the situation.

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

They claim that two persons – Hemwattie Isaacs and Robert Bisram – who are candidates for the coalition Government at the upcoming polls are behind the fraud.

Nineteen persons are claiming that Bisram fooled them, while 21 are claiming that Isaacs fooled them into signing a document which makes them candidates for the APNU/AFC. In separate petitions, it was stated that between January 11 and 24, Isaacs of Williamsburg South, Constituency Number Three, and Bisram, of Williamsburg Central, Constituency Number Two, went to those communities and bore false witness to the

petitioners.

According to the petition seen by Guyana Times, both Isaacs and Bisram showed residents a form and told them that they were visiting on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Council (RHTC) and villagers had to sign a form in order for the area to be cleaned and for drainage works to be done by the RHTC. The petitioners said that they later learnt that the two had enlisted them as candidates for APNU/AFC for the upcoming LGE. “We wish to inform GECOM that we do not support APNU/ AFC or any of its candidates for the LGE. We are supporters of the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/ Civic],” the petitions stated.

The alleged fraud was later discovered after PPP/C LGE representative Vijai Ramo was in the process of acquiring the signatures needed. The candidates then learnt the forms signed had enlisted them as candidates for APNU/AFC for the local polls.

Ramo noted that there was one instance where an individual admitted signing for his entire household.

That issue is being further investigated and the signatures which have been submitted to GECOM are being checked before the Police were summoned.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, one of the candidates on the APNU/AFC Rose Hall list served GECOM with a request to withdraw his name as a candidate.

“I did not know that I was signing to become a candidate for a political party.

I am a PPP supporter and now my name is on APNU’s list as a candidate. The PPP ask me to be a candidate and I said no. I don’t want to go so far in politics; I have my business and is everybody support me. I have prepared a letter asking them to withdraw my name from their list. They will not get my support even if they refuse to do so.”

Guyanese man dies after setting self on fire in NY

Saturday, January 30, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS E

03 10 16 22 23 27 28 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Daily Millions

05 06 07 11 13 LUCKY 3 9

5

1

Draw De Line 01 07 08 12 15

20 21

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Firefighters found the victim, identified by family as Sunildatt Seudatt, already dead outside his apartment house

A

Queens man died after setting himself on fire in front of his apartment house Friday night, authorities said.

Firefighters found the victim, identified by family as Sunildatt Seudatt, already dead in the concrete yard outside 172-41 90th Avenue, Jamaica, Queens around 21:00h.

Neighbours told family members that they tried pouring water on Seudatt, but it was too late.

Relatives were at a loss as to why Seudatt, described as part of a large family of Guyanese immigrants, would kill himself so violently.

One relative, who declined to give his name, said Seudatt had been depressed. He said that a daughter of Seudatt and two young grandchildren

also lived in the three-storey building.

“I saw the fire trucks earlier. You would never think that this would be why,” said Rebekah Singh, 40, Seudatt’s niece. (NY Daily News)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 1, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Budget 2016: Whither the engine?

C

onceding that the traditional sectors of the Guyanese economy were “anaemic” long before the Budget was presented last Friday, it had been hoped by the private sector and economic analysts that government would have sought to augment its public investments programme by offering incentives to local and foreign private investors…Since both the APNU/AFC Government and the Opposition had deemed the Private Sector “the engine of growth”, the measures at the disposal of all Governments could have supplied some of the “fuel” to the engine.

Going all the way back to efforts to pull economies out of the doldrums during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Governments were shownif the supply of money to the banks were increased, the latter would lower interest rates. And encourage businesses to take loans, make investments, push up the employment rate, generate increased economic activity via spending by the new employees and a virtuous spiral could be initiated.

The mechanism to increase the supply of money works by the Central Bank buying T-Bills held by the Banks - giving the banks loanable funds for paper held by the latter.

However, in the week leading up to the Budget, the Bank of Guyana actually SOLD $5B in T-Bills, effectively drawing that much money from the banking system, while paying the latter interest. Banks therefore have less incentive to lend private businesses, which have to carry SOME risk and would then only do so at a rate high enough to cover that risk.

The Finance Minister should issue a clear signal on what it would like the monetary targets the Bank of Guyana should aim for. While that institution is the sole determinant of the money supply and interests rates, like the Fed in the US, it would presumably take cognisance of the overall direction the government, which has been elected by the populace, would like it to head. And there is onlyone direction that Guyana needs right now as far as money supply is concerned, and that is up.

The other measure that could be considered to give a fillip to the economy would be to lower the corporate tax rate so that companies would retain more of their profits that could then be ploughed into investments to start the virtuous spiral. Guyana presently imposes a 40 per cent tax rate on the profits of “commercial companies” - those that generate more than 75 per cent of its gross revenues from trading in goods not manufactured by it (in other words, merchants engaged in telecommunication, banking or short-term insurance. Manufacturers are taxed at 30per cent.

In other countries that have been working their way out of a recession, even the developed countries like England have a corporate tax rate below ours of 30%. China weighs in at 25% and more aggressive jurisdictions like Hong Kong have gone down to 16.5% and Ireland 12.5%.

In addition to encouraging local companies to expand their operations, foreign entities will also find it more encouraging to invest in Guyana and retain more of their profits. While the Budget, for instance, caters for “diversification of agriculture” the imminent closure of Wales Estate demands that companies with capital and experience in large-scale agro-processing Go-Invest and its new CEO will need these inducements to have FDI show up on our shores.

It must be noted there is the very real possibility that companies might simply retain their increased profits and this brings up another possibility that our government might want to explore: simply print money and pump it into circulation through government spending. This “pump-priming” is not intended to replace private investment but to stimulate and supplement it.

The possible resulting inflation would encourage companies to save less and also banks to lend more. While traditionally inflation has been presented as a grave threat, “managed inflation” is now seen as a tool for growth.

A number of children joined the Sisters Policing Network (SPN) suicide awareness walk on the East Bank of Berbice to bring to the fore the need for troubled persons to seek help

Guyana’s parties should emulate American primary election system Dear Editor, Today is the start of the American primary election season to choose delegates who will gather at a convention in July (Republican) or August (Democrat) to choose the Presidential nominee of the two major parties for the November general elections.

Political parties in Guyana should consider empowering their supporters, as American parties do, allowing them to choose the Presidential nominee in an open free and fair election rather than through a rigged system as obtains in our nation.

All opinion polls put controversial candidate Donald Trump at the head of a crowded field of candidates seeking the Republican nomination.

Hillary Clinton leads the Democrats. In Iowa, voters will caucus in the evening and then vote unlike in the regular primary elections when party members can vote throughout the day. All 50 states and American territories cast ballots either in caucus or primaries to choose delegates who support a particular candidate.

Delegates in early voting states are awarded based on a PR system. But later primaries (for Republicans)

have winner takes all delegates.

Democrats have the PR system of delegate allotment for all states and territories.

The primary season ends around June.

When Trump announced his candidacy for the nomination last year, I dismissed him feeling he won’t last long as a candidate.

I felt Jeb Bush would win the nomination and lose to Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Bush led the polls briefly before Trump overtook him.

Bush is suspending his campaign; in other words, he has given up the contest for the nomination.

Trump, on the other hand, has staying power.

His candidacy is real and there is a strong possibility he could win the nomination. But he would lose to Clinton who is almost guaranteed the nomination though in politics anything can happen.

The latest poll thru Saturday evening conducted by the prestigious newspaper, The Des Moines Register, puts Trump ahead of Senator Ted Cruz (of Texas) 28% to 23% among likely GOP caucus-goers.

The poll also found Sen Marco Rubio (Florida) with

15% and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, a Black American, led the polls at one time but his support has been slipping.

Other candidates are trailing way behind and are likely to fold their campaigns in a couple weeks especially if Trump wins big.

The traditional leadership of the parity is against Trump but voters are sticking with him.

In fact, what shocked many people is when a group of Indian Americans formed a political affairs group to support Trump who has been viewed as anti-immigrant and anti-minority when he made outrageous statements. But Trump has been pro-immigration on skilled technical labour from India and that could have galvanized some Indian professionals to back him.

The poll finds Trump not only leading among Republican fringe elements but hard core traditional members as well. The poll stated that 45% voters are still somewhat “fluid” and could be persuaded to change their minds. Voters are fed up with establishment candidates and are voicing their anger by voting Trump.

On the Democratic side,

former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton led her chief rival, Sen Bernie Sanders (Vermont) 45% to 43% -- a statistical dead heat. This has turned out to be too close a contest for comfort for Clinton, evoking memories of what happened in 2008 when Barack Obama won an upset victory.

Whoever wins the early primaries is likely to prevail and win the nomination by winning large numbers of delegates in the later primaries. A majority of delegates (about 2000 for Republicans and about 4500 for democrats) at the convention is needed to win the nomination.

Short of a voting process to choose Presidential candidate of each major party in Guyana, there should be a primary election process among members to select delegates who will then choose the nominee.

A Presidential candidate is too important a position for only a handful of individuals, who are aloof from the rank and file supporters, to choose the nominee.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Why should people continue to be part of Community Policing Groups?

Dear Editor, As we all have seen/heard during the past few months, the crime rate in Guyana has escalated beyond control and bearing this in mind, the kind-hearted individuals in the Region 5 (MahaicaBerbice) Community Policing Groups (CPG) are putting their best effort forward to do a voluntary deed by assisting

the Guyana Police Force in apprehending the thieves and murderers in their communities. But quite recently, these same CPG members have started to question their involvement in these voluntary and life risking groups, because there are many issues that cause the CPG members to wonder if they are simply being used as puppets who

should risk their lives, and allow people to beat them etc when the people in the “interim” Executive of B1 are simply there to gain financially and are biased against women.

This interim Executive was “selected” without the knowledge of most of the members of the various groups in this region and

quite frankly, the present interim Chairman has a very dire issue against women being seen as individuals who can work outside of the house and make a name for themselves. His ideology is “women should be in the kitchen and their empowerment should be a new appliance for the kitchen”. continues on page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 1, 2016

The challenges of crop diversification for GuySuCo Dear Editor, In a media letter of Jan 27, Anthony Vieira a Director of GuySuCo and a member of its Commission of Inquiry, expressed the opinion that given the circumstances of high wages and its inability to mechanize harvesting, the only way forward for the corporation to become economically viable and bring wealth to Guyana was through crop diversification.

He gave no detail for this transformation but promised that full disclosure of the proposals will be available by October 2016, which when implemented will make loss of the Wales factory conglomerate a memory of bad times since the workers will not face displacement but have continued employment working in an industry with a future.

He was therefore seeking the trust of sugar workers and a little more time for his miracle solution to turn around GuySuCo. Unfortunately, Tony Vieira has been a dreamer for most of his life. By profession he is an Agriculturist.

He came from a family which owned three sugar estates, two of which are on West Bank Demerara (WBD), where he was the Manager until he ran their operations into the ground due to lack of investment, strategic planning and poor management.

The sugar factory has since been abandoned and the sugar lands are being sold in bits and pieces to developers. The other estate, Plantation Houston in Georgetown has suffered a similar fate as the WBD estates.

Interestingly, there were no crop diversification on any of these estates after sugar cultivation failed although the then PNC Govt had subsequently experimented on the WBD estates with a dairy farm which subsequently failed also.

Tony Vieira in his missive expressed conflicting views on the re-structuring of GuySuCo to make it profitable. He felt that suggestions made in a news media letter of Jan 16 by Khemraj Tulsie, a former GuySuCo employee for needed improvements in many critical areas of the Corporation was off base since in his opinion growing sugar cane in Guyana had become completely uneconomical and in his personal capacity (not as a GuySuCo Director) he did not see how the fortunes of the Corporation could be reversed cultivating sugar cane under existing conditions.

However, he later recanted his views in the closing remarks of his letter and admitted that he had accepted a Directorship for GuySuCo after he perceived that he could make a difference as the opportunity existed for converting the proposed abandonment of sugar cane lands which in his opinion are uniquely and perfectly designed for other things such as crop diversification which could provide continued employment for proposed displaced sugar workers and bring wealth to the country.

The APNU/AFC Government are yet to make public its proposals for the future viability of GuySuCo. Turning around any Corporation is difficult; turning around a farm based one is unheard of. However, it appears that based on the experience and advice of one of its Directors who claimed he was born in the sugar industry, GuySuCo will close down much of its sugar cane losing assets and introduce other crops to form an economic and viable combination which will not only prevent the displacement of workers but be profitable to the country as well.

To bring new crops into profitable production on abandoned cane fields will

require substantial capital investment, retrained workers and a minimum of 5 - 10 years as soils have to be analysed, fields laid out, plant types determined and produce markets negotiated and assured.

These and other requirements necessary for successful crop changes would be unattainable during the life of the present Govt and therefore for continuity there has to be consensus among the politicians of both parties that the benefits of crop diversification as envisaged is viable and therefore worthy of capital investment if the money could be found. If not, the proposed scheme should be considered to be just a pipe dream as the eventual displaced workers wait it out to find work in a sluggish economy and/or receive severance pay, if any.

Finally, GuySuCo is the largest employer in Guyana and its workers can determine which political party governs the country. Because as a core they have the trump card, politicians of both parties are making all sorts of conflicting populist promises and solutions without merit to return GuySuCo to profitability and ensure its longtern sustainability.

Therefore, President Granger conscious of the fact that cutting jobs can cause social unrest, nevertheless will have to bite the bullet and do what is evidently necessary which is to divest the assets, operations and activities of an industry which is financially bankrupt and cannot be returned to its former glory and sooner or later if nothing significant is done will take the country with it.

After all the APNU/AFC Govt underestimated the complexity of the challenges it inherited from GuySuCo and now appears bewildered in its ability to deliver.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

Why should people continue...

Moreover, he uses his status to control persons by demanding them to allocate funds for him to purchase “phone cards” for his so called CPG usage. He asked at a recently held Statutory meeting, which I attended, that all 22 groups within the B1 Division should fund him with $1000 per month for him to purchase phone cards to call the groups of their meetings… like what the hell? If he has a list of these groups monthly meetings schedule, why should he as the chairman call these groups to remind them of their meetings, when each group secretary knows when and how to alert their members to their monthly meeting?

Most of the attendees at that meeting left when they were told by a member of the

Guyana Police Force that if they apprehend a stranger in their area in the late hours of the night and that person resists by hitting them and/or insulting them, they should take their beatings then come to the nearest station to make a report to the Police so that they can go and catch the culprit… so my question is: why are these innocent lives leaving the safety of their homes to come out at night when its better off to stay indoors, protect your family and hence saving yourself from embarrassment, harassment and beatings?

Region 5 has been the centre of attraction lately where it pertains to horrendous crimes (Murder/arson in Bath, Robberies regionwide and Double Murders in Bush Lot) and hence

from page 4

the various CPGs should be commended for assisting the GPF assiduously in their quest to apprehend the criminals, instead they are being used at the whim of the Executive of B1 Division (who quite unfortunately haven’t been an active member of the CPG for the past years) and treated like the offenders by accepting that they shouldn’t question the whereabouts etc of strange suspicious individuals who traverse their communities at night Is this the way to stop crime? Or is this the new way of making sure the bandits have free reign of our communities at night?

Inculcate back the vigilante groups!

Yours sincerely, M Josephs

5

Think before taking your life Dear Editor, Have you ever felt that your life is in darkness and all you want is some light?

At some point you may feel worthless. The pain is too much, you cry every day and sometimes scream in the pillow to muffle the sound so you can’t be heard.

The agony, the torture, the pain all in your voice as you cried.

You feel as if your world has crumbled. No one is there to comfort you and the person you had hopes on left you in sorrow.

Not everyone is brave to overcome their problems and depressions. Because every day a new thought may come to you and make you break down even more.

You’re stressed at home, at work, or at school. You had a long, hard day only to find out in the end, that you are being blamed for someone else’s mistake.

What makes us vulnerable is when we are scared to share our problems with others. We stop trusting, out feelings are sore, we can’t differentiate, we are just frustrated and confused. Our minds are set towards negative thoughts.

When we can’t bear it anymore or keep it in any longer, we feel as if we can ease the pain from our misery by causing harm to ourselves.

Those harms will let us focus on that pain. But what you don’t know is that’s a new pain added to our turmoil. It’s like you start all over again and this time, it’s even worse.

When you are depressed you don’t need to take matters in your own hands.

You may not trust anyone, but don’t be afraid. Not everyone will hurt you. Find someone who you can confide in and is willing to help you. Tell them about your problems. I’m sure they will advise you or maybe take you to counselling.

Taking your life won’t ease anything. It will make matters worse.

Think about your family. How will they feel? They will feel devastated. They will feel helpless. They will feel as if they were not good parents or siblings. They will feel responsible for your outcome.

But you know how I feel?

I feel as if you were selfish.

You were selfish, because

you think only about yourself.

When you have problems, stay, face them and be brave. Talk about it.

Listen to those who are in it. Question yourself. Ask yourself if what you are doing is the right thing?

Who am I hurting?

What did I do wrong? How can I get help?

There are solutions for all our problems. We are not alone. Don’t say that you will never hurt yourself or take your life, always have faith in God (whatever you conceive Him to be).

Pray and let him show you the way and make things easier for you.

You don’t need to be rich or poor. Depression can happen to anyone.

Depression is when an individual suffers from anxiety problems, disillusions, loss of appetite, inertia, ceases communication, is emotional, always have an unwavering and bleak outlook, and feels all alone. More importantly depression leads to suicide.

Do not do it.

Dear Editor, I was glad to read about the appointment of the Chairman and Board of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and was happier to learn that there was a new Chairman. What I did not understand was why it took so long to appoint a board – about eight months. Similarly, the GCAA and GPL boards were eventually appointed.

It is difficult to comprehend why a relatively simple thing as appointing a board takes so long. In any efficient administration, it should take no more than ten days to appoint and have approved a board. But then again, it is possible that with a coalition government and all the various competing candidates and sponsors, a simple matter may not be that simple.

The board has some fresh faces and a better gender balance, but a significant omission is that of serious technical mining/geological expertise.

This should be corrected early. If not, the technical staff at GGMC will attempt to make rings around the Commission.

The board that was replaced did boast of such expertise. Also, the parliamentary opposition does not appear to be represented and particularly in the era of social cohesion, this should be rectified.

There are many pressing challenges at the level of the board, principal among which are rampant corruption in the field mainly, and the question of ‘landlordism’.

The question of the failure of miners to declare gold pro-

duction and that of environmental and safety issues must also be urgent on the agenda of the new board. But the issue we wish to address here is the question of landlordism.

At the meeting held with miners on Friday, January 15, 2016 Minister Trotman in response to their complaints that they did not have any suitable land to work, “instructed the GGMC Board and Closed Area Committee to urgently release lands with known occurrence of minerals to small scale miners in each of the six mining districts”.

The so-called instruction of the Minister is ill-conceived and obviously arises from a lack of knowledge of what is the reality on the ground.

He is therefore wrong, dead wrong.

There is really no need to release lands from the closed areas for small miners because the real problem is landlordism in the mining districts, a matter that the Minister apparently failed to address in his meeting with miners, according to press reports.

If the Minister had bothered to obtain the facts he would have known that as far as small claims are concerned ten miners control over 5000 small claims with Ramnarine, Coates, Alphonso and Osman alone controlling 3730 claims.

The top man in this group has 1560 claims.

That is the real problem.

No wonder the small miners have no place to work.

As far as the Prospecting Permits Medium Scale (PPMS) are concerned, the top

13 miners control 2304 permits with the top four controlling 1230 permits. The top miner in the group above alone controls 565. By now it should be clear to the reader what is going on here.

Then we come finally to the mining permits where the top eight miners above control 759 permits.

Not surprisingly the top four above control 531 permits. All of these figures in all three categories relate to Guyanese miners.

A close examination of the personalities in these categories reveal that the same persons who dominate the PPMS also dominate the small claims and the mining permits. In all, the extended group of miners comprises 28 persons.

The total number of PPMS mining permits and small claims controlled by this group exceeds 8575. The Alphonso, Ramnarine, Hopkinson, Coates, Lamazon and Osman group of six accounts for 5102 or 58.5 per cent.

So there you are Minister.

If you open the closed areas the same group will gobble up everything. That is exactly how things have been at the GGMC for the last 23 years.

Where foreign mining is concerned, suffice it to say for the moment, that all the mining agreements with foreign companies from 19922015 should be tabled in the National Assembly and made available to the citizenry for analysis.

Yours truly, Arianna Khan

10 miners control over 5000 small claims

Yours faithfully, Ramon Gaskin

6

monday, february 1, 2016

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Ways to help your child succeed School-age readers in primary school (Part 1) F

P

arents’ guidance and support play a crucial role in helping children do well academically.

Here are ways parents can put their children on track to be successful students.

when you talk about the school day. It’s good to know the location of the main office, school nurse, cafeteria, athletics field, playgrounds, auditorium, and special classes.

Attend parent-teacher conferences

Support homework expectations

Children do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. Attending parentteacher conferences is a good way to stay informed.

These are usually held once or twice a year at progress reporting periods. The conferences are a chance to start or continue conversations with your child’s teacher, and discuss strategies to help your child do his or her best in class. Meeting with the teacher also lets your child know that what goes on in school will be shared at home.

If your child has special learning needs, additional meetings can be scheduled with teachers and other school staff to consider setting up or revising individualised education plans (IEPs), 504 education plans, or gifted education plans.

Keep in mind that parents or guardians can request meetings with teachers, principals, school counsellors, or other school staff any time during the school year.

Visit the school

Knowing the physical layout of the school building and grounds can help you connect with your child

Homework in grade school reinforces and extends classroom learning and helps children practice important study skills. It

also helps them develop a sense of responsibility and a work ethic that will benefit them beyond the classroom.

In addition to making sure your child knows that you see homework as a priority, you can help by creating an effective study environment. Any well-lit, comfortable, and quiet workspace with the necessary supplies will do. Avoiding distractions (like a TV in the background) and setting up a start and end time can also

help.

A good rule of thumb for an effective homework and/ or study period is roughly 10 minutes per primary grade level. Fourth-graders, for example, should expect to have about 40 minutes of homework or studying each school night. If you find that it’s often taking significantly longer than this guideline, talk with your child’s teacher.

While your child does

homework, be available to interpret assignment instructions, offer guidance, answer questions, and review the completed work.

But resist the urge to provide the correct answers or complete the assignments yourself. Learning from mistakes is part of the process and you don’t want to take this away from your child.

Send your child to school ready to learn

A nutritious breakfast

fuels up children and gets them ready for the day. In general, children who eat breakfast have more energy and do better in school.

Children who eat breakfast also are less likely to be absent, and make fewer trips to the school nurse with stomach complaints related to hunger.

You can help boost your child’s attention span, concentration, and memory by providing breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fibre, and protein, as well as low in added sugar. If your child is running late some mornings, send along fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt, or half a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Many schools provide nutritious breakfast options before the first bell.

Children also need the right amount of sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. Most school-age children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age for a variety of reasons.

Homework, sports, afterschool activities, TVs, computers, and video games, as well as hectic family schedules, can contribute to children not getting enough sleep.

Lack of sleep can cause irritable or hyper types of behaviour and might make it difficult for children to pay attention in class. It’s important to have a consistent bedtime routine, especially on school nights. Be sure to leave enough time before bed to allow your child to unwind before lights out and

limit stimulating diversions like TV, video games, and Internet access.

Teach organisational skills

When children are organised, they can stay focused instead of spending time hunting things down and getting sidetracked.

What does it mean to be organised at the primary level? For schoolwork, it means having an assignment book and homework folder (many schools supply these) to keep track of homework and projects.

Check your child’s assignment book and homework folder every school night so you’re familiar with assignments and your child doesn’t fall behind. Set up a bin for papers that you need to check or sign. Also, keep a special box or bin for completed and graded projects and toss papers that you don’t need to keep.

Talk to your child about keeping his or her school desk orderly so papers that need to come home don’t get lost. Teach your child how to use a calendar or personal planner to help stay organised.

It’s also helpful to teach your child how to make a todo list to help prioritise and get things done. It can be as simple as: - homework - soccer - put clothes away No one is born with great organisational skills — they need to be learnt and practised. (Excerpt from Kidshealth)

Listening and learning rom kindergarten through Third Grade, a child’s ability to read grows by leaps and bounds.

Although teachers provide lots of help, parents continue to play a very important role in their child’s reading development.

Children who are first learning to read get more information from listening to books read aloud than from reading them independently. This is especially true for vocabulary development – children will learn much more about what words mean by hearing books read aloud and discussing new words with their parents than from reading on their own.

As your child’s reading skills improve, he or she will begin to read independently.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you should stop reading to your child. Reading aloud together can help build vocabulary, improve reading skills, and foster a sense of closeness between you and your child.

Encourage discussion about characters and share your reactions to books to help reinforce the connection between what you read and everyday life.

Your growing reader Here’s how reading usually progresses from kindergarten to Third Grade: Kindergarten. This is the time when most children begin learning to read. By the end of the school year, they will probably know most letters and their sounds, be able to match words with the same beginning or ending sounds, and read/write several simple words. They might be able to read simple text as well.

First Grade. In this year, most children learn to read many more words. They sound out words with a variety of phonics patterns, recognise a growing list of words by sight, and connect meaning to the words and sentences they read. Most first-graders can read simple books independently by the end of the school year.

Second and Third Grade. Children in Second and Third Grade continue to learn more phonics patterns and sight words for reading and spelling, read aloud more expressively and fluently, use reading to discover more about the world around them, and perhaps show a preference for specific authors and types of books. You’ll likely start to see a shift as your child begins to focus his/her energy on learning new information from text.

Ideally, children at this age have learnt how to read, and are now reading to learn.

If you have concerns about your child’s reading level at any time, talk to your child’s teacher, school counsellor, and doctor. Children who are not making good reading progress might have a reading disability, such as dyslexia. With the right educational help, most children can become readers, but identifying the problem and addressing it early will bring about the best results.

(Kidshealth) To be continued

news

7

monday, february 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Better Hope Unprofessional, without man commits conscience – trade unionist suicide Delayed salary increases

P

rominent Trade Unionist Gillian Burton-Persaud has berated the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government for excluding the much anticipated salary increases for public servants in its National Budget for 2016.

During his presentation Friday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan stated that the announcement on salary increases for public servants has to await the conclusion of discussions with the relevant unions.

“The Government understands the disappointment this will create among public servants, but wishes to assure them of our commitment to their welfare and advancement. We ask that they give the collective bargaining process an opportunity to work,” the Minister said.

However, speaking with Guyana Times Saturday, Burton-Persaud pointed out that Government should have commenced the collective bargaining discussions way ahead of time in order to arrive at consensus in time for the budget presentation, rather than saying to the nation that they will have to wait.

“It’s very unprofessional and without conscience that a government would bring a budget to the National Assembly and to the na-

tion and say that you cannot offer public servants an increase as yet because you’re still in negations with unions,” the trade unionist outlined.

Nevertheless, BurtonPersaud, who is also an Opposition Member of Parliament, explained that given the fact that government increased the threshold by $5000 to $55,000, then they are in fact sending an indication that salary increases this year may very well be a meagre 5 per cent. This, she noted, would be hypocritical on Government’s part since while in opposition they used to criticise the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government for giving similar paltry increases.

“Last year, the (salary) increase percentage that was given was wrong because they did not seek to talk to the bargaining unions in a collective manner… now you are going through (the process) you are not giving an increase as yet because you have not completed your negotiations with the union. The workers have to wait until whenever that negotiation is finish to get an increase so they (are) still hanging in limbo,” Burton-Persaud remarked.

Meanwhile, like last year, Government again in the 2016 Budget failed to fulfil its campaign promise of special increases for

Gillian Burton-Persaud

members of the disciplinary forces.

Speaking on this, the unionist posited that Government may be employing a “political stunt” and maybe somewhere along the line, they would reveal to the disciplinary forces increases.

She noted it is appalling that an administration which is headed by persons with military background would falter in giving increases to the men and women who put their lives on the line to serve and protect Guyana and its people.

Moreover, the Parliamentarian outlined that the Finance Minister had previously stated that the $50,000 “Christmas bonus” which was given to public servants in December is equivalent to what the discipline services would customary get, suggesting that

the PPP/C administration was discriminatory towards the public servants by only giving that incentive to the disciplined forces.

“So now we have to question whether if in fact that the $50,000 in December to public servants is to tide them (public servants) over to now,” Burton-Persaud stated.

On the other hand, the trade unionist outlined that this situation has to be looked at holistically.

She pointed out that when a government could find it fit to take a significant ministry such as Labour and make it into a department within another ministry (Social Protection), it sends an unbecoming signal to the country’s workforce.

She noted that since post-slavery era, there has always been an agency to deal with labour and following Guyana’s independence, an official Ministry of Labour was established.

“Suddenly we have now taken the ministry and made it a department so what you are saying to me, in truth and essence, is that labour is not important and that is why everything will go a mess,” she stated.

A

25-year-old man died on Sunday afternoon after ingesting a large quantity of rat poison at his neighbours’ house earlier in the day.

Dead is Ray Cheddi, of Lot 125 Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Reports are that the man had a quarrel with a family member and subsequently ingested 10 carbon tablets about 14:00h. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed about 17:00h.

Speaking with this publication, his mother, Sharmanie Shivanand, said her son, who was an alcoholic, returned home from work

on Saturday evening in an intoxicated state. She said that after she reprimanded him sternly, he became very abusive to her.

“I tell he to leave my house, because he nah hear me. He say he will kill heself, and walk through the door,” Shivanand recounted in tears.

The distraught mother recalled that about 14:30h on Sunday she received a call from her younger son informing her that “Cheddi” had ingested rat poison and was in hospital. On arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital, she learnt he had already succumbed.

Investigations are ongoing.

Ganja field in Essequibo destroyed

P

olice ranks stumbled upon a huge ganja field in Onderneeming Backdam, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Saturday last.

According to a press statement from Police, the field was about two acres with more than 4000 cannabis sativa (marijuana)

plants under cultivation.

The plants had an average height of 30 centimeters (1 foot).

The statement disclosed that an abandoned camp with 100 kilograms of dried marijuana was also discovered. The field and the camp were both destroyed.

Up to press time, no arrest had been made.

8 news President outlines development hindrances P monday, february 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

resident David Granger called on citizens to redouble efforts to build strong homes, churches and schools in an effort to tackle what he described as the “four horsemen” that are hindering the country’s development and corroding the social fabric of society.

He was at the time addressing the Guyana District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas at the closing rally of its 2016 Conference held at the National Cultural Centre.

“Together we must work to achieve the national unity we dreamt of 50 years ago. We must enhance the social cohesion we hoped would have been the dividend of Independence; recommit ourselves to building this beautiful country,” the President said.

The Head of State also spoke elaborately on the “four horsemen” obstructing nation building: crime, disease, ignorance, and poverty.

On the issue of crime, the President underlined that strong institutions (homes, schools, and churches) are critical to nurture the young generation, particularly through the difficult adolescent years and encourage them to stay on the right path. The Head of State noted that it is also important to address the causes of crime.

The second issue which the President believes is hindering Guyana’s development is the proliferation of diseases such as dengue, malaria, gastroenteritis and more recently, Chikungunya and Zika: “We are called to ensure a cleaner and greener envi-

President David Granger addressing the Guyana District of the Methodist Church closing rally

ronment, a more sanitary and healthy environment so that we can bring up our children in a healthy country and overcome that horseman of epidemic diseases.”

Ignorance, the President noted, is another factor that must be addressed in order for the country to move forward. He said it is the greatest threat to the country’s development and explained that too many children are failing exams even at the primary level, not being qualified to enter secondary schools, while those who enter are ill-equipped to complete.

“Every year over 4000 Guyanese children drop out of primary and secondary schools. Many of them are semi-illiterate or completely illiterate. We cannot build a country, we cannot build a new society, we cannot

go into another 50 years of Guyanese Independence with a population which is dropping out of school at this rate,” President Granger stressed.

The President’s drive to ensure that every child, without exception, attends school has given birth to the now overwhelmingly successful ‘Three Bs’ programme, which has already touched the lives of children across the country.

With regard to the issue of poverty, the President said it is the root of inequality which affects a large part of the population: preventing them from getting an education and overcoming diseases, and seducing young people into a life of crime.

“Poor people have very few choices… the Government cannot solve these problems alone. The message I bring today to you is to appeal to the Methodist Church to work with other non-governmental organisations, other religious organisations to overcome these four horsemen of the apocalypse,” he said.

Meanwhile, the annual conference saw a series of activities over the past week including a health fair in Georgetown. It brought together members of the Berbice, Essequibo, Mahaica, West Demerara, and Georgetown chapters of the Methodist Church in Guyana.

Another high point of the conference was the appointment of Bishop Glenna Spencer as the organisation’s new District President.

The conference was held under the theme, “Vision 2300+ Moving Forward, Empowered by the Holy Spirit”.

Region 2 women calling for tighter security

W

omen who live alone are calling for frequent patrolling by Police as well as tighter security measures to be implemented by G Division within Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

These calls were made after several home invasions were reported along the coast.

A number of single women have expressed their constant fear of being attacked since home invasions are prevalent along the coast.

Guyana Times under-

stands the most recent attack was carried out on a Richmond Village woman who lived alone. The woman, who is mentally challenged, has been raped repeatedly over time and despite several reports, nothing has been done.

Residents in the community believe that the mentally challenged woman should be placed in a safer home. They related that her mother usually looked after her, but in the nights would leave her alone because she too feared her life. The

mother was allegedly raped twice also.

Recently, another woman who lives alone was burglarised, but she was not at home at the time.

The thief ransacked the woman’s home, carrying away all of her underwear among other items. Thieves subsequently again raided the said house and carted off household items.

Residents from various villages are calling on the Commander of G Division, which spans the Essequibo

Coast and Islands, to increase security along the coast as several unidentified males are often seen in the wee hours roaming the coast. Women living on the Essequibo Coast stressed that they wanted to feel safe at home.

A senior officer from G Division told Guyana Times that they were never informed about the home invasion. However, Police are presently looking at the reports of rape of the mentally challenged woman.

Eyew tness Salvaging... ...the junior partner

Well, now we know why Nagamootoo’s been rushing over to NY at the drop of a beer bottle to shower accolades on his NY financiers. The party’s new headquarters had to be funded! So take a back seat, Asquith Rose...money talks and a letter writer balks! And if Nagamootoo needed $72M to air-condition and “fix up” the PM’s residence that Sam and Yvonne Hinds had occupied for 23 years, you know he’d insist on (literally) feathering the party’s nest! How’d you keep them down at Whim once they’ve seen the bright lights of Main Street!!?

But it’s not just Nagamootoo and Ramjattan who lusted for the new office...so did their erstwhile partners from APNU. It’s critical for the PNC to have its two layers of cover to hide the characteristic mark of the hyena from the sixties to “slow fyaah; mo fyaah”. The first layer – producing APNU, didn’t fool anyone: even the hicks in the sticks couldn’t see, say, Keith Scott standing up to Granger and Harmon!! (Quick now...what’s the name of Scott’s “party”?)

So the wooing of the AFC was launched and consummated. Some hicks in the sticks did believe Nagamootoo could do what Scott and Company couldn’t do. They clearly didn’t consider he wasn’t even made dogcatcher in the PPP after 50 years – because he was just a windbag! The PNC could now have its cakecover and eat it too. It knew Nagamootoo just wanted a big title and the opportunity to mouth off big time.

The Cummingsburg Accord was just for the Berbicians: Nagamootoo always knew he was getting Larwah.

But now that Nagamootoo’s been stripped to the buff (power wise, please...the literal connotation assaults the sensibilities!) and shown to be a sheep in sheep’s clothing, how does the PNC keep its cover? It has to make the ABC line that Guyana has a “multiracial” Government, plausible, doesn’t it? Well...duh! Just don’t make the same mistake it did with Keith Scott and Company.

So the AFC must keep its name (APNU+AFC) and have all the paraphernalia of a party – flag, symbol, “Executive” − and now concrete headquarters. Never mind the said Executive are scared shi*less to hold their “Convention”.

Or to ask whatever happened to the Cummingsburg prenup, or the Committee, headed by BurchSmith, looking into it?

They’re following the traditional advice to abused wives: “Ah wha yuh guh lef he fah? Think about dem Pickney.”

The said Pickney, of course, being the titles, salaries and SUVs. And the “Daady” gets to open the new house as the PNC keeps its cover. It’s a win-win for all – except Guyana.

...Burnham’s legacy

Burnham’s claim to fame is he brought independence to Guyana on May 26, 1966. Actually, from the now declassified files of Britain and the US, we now know he actually BOUGHT it by pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the right wing assault on socialism and the progressive left. Machiavellian that he was, Burnham thought he could outsmart the Americans – but he found out that Faustian bargains aren’t that easily sloughed off.

The Devil always wants his pound of flesh. And so it was, “Independence” became an ironic bitter curse by the 1970s as the economy and society collapsed ignominiously around Burnham’s ears. Folks actually demanded that “the white man” return. Burnham also claimed he’d brought “multiracial unity” to Guyana with some Indian leaders who switched camps from the PPP. It didn’t work then, and it wouldn’t work today.

But the newly-ensconced disciples of the comrade leader will now spend $300 million to convince us “Independence” was an achievement. And not 30 pieces of silver!

...education?

Your Eyewitness has cautioned this Government about seemingly spending on education for “Education” sake. In the Budget, $40 billion was allocated to the sector.

But to what end if there’re no jobs created to employ all those “educated” citizens?

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

news

9

monday, february 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt to convene CoI for suicide

By Devina Samaroo

A

Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will soon be mounted to address the suicide epidemic that continues to plague the country and afflict its development.

The Inquiry will focus on determining the reasons behind the high number of suicides in the country, after which a comprehensive plan will be launched to deal with the issue when it occurs and to also put preventive measures in place.

While the research is ongoing, an emergency suicide prevention plan of action will be put into effect.

The Public Health Ministry recently launched its National Suicide Prevention Plan with a list of proposed activities that will focus on risk factors reduction, health promotion and prevention; re-

ducing access to the means of suicide; improving health systems response to suicidal behaviour; and strengthening surveillance and research on suicide in Guyana.

The latter component will comprise the impending CoI. Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during his Budget presentation on Friday last, explained that the Inquiry will focus on data collection and research, including gathering epidemiological data, demographic information, and research on driving factors contributing to designated rates per region and analysis will be done at the regional and country levels, including maps and profiles for targeted interventions.

“The issue of suicide is driven by multidimensional factors and, hence, can only be solved through a multistakeholders approach,”Jordan

Lindeners to walk against suicide

− day off planned for schools’ participation

BY UTAMU BELLE

L

inden is joining in the country-wide fight against suicide in the form of a suicide prevention walk in the community on Wednesday, in an effort to spread awareness.

The event is being organised

by Lester and Friends, as well as Youths For Change, in collaboration with the Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Department of Education.

Organisers have extended a warm welcome to any-

one interested in being a part of the walk slated to commence at 09:00h at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground, Wismar.

The procession will continue across the MackenzieWismar Bridge to the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, where a grand concert will be held.

Schools across the Region are expected to be in attendance, and according to an organizer, Lester Glenn, the Department of Education has organised for schools to be out on Wednesday to facilitate participation in the event. Student participants, he noted, should be dressed in their school’s uniform, while others are requested

to be dressed in the designated theme colour, yellow.

“If there is anyone out there that would like to join Linden in the Suicide Prevention Walk, feel free to contact us. After the walk we will be having a talk with (someone) that specialises in suicide awareness. We’re also hoping to have flyers and handouts that will be distributed during the march. Afterwards we will be having refreshments. It’s expected to be a packed, educational and entertaining

programme. I do hope that the rest of the country follows suit with similar walks against suicide,” he said.

There has been an upsurge in the number of suicides in Guyana recently, especially among young people, and the issue has drawn attention from Central Government.

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine recently indicated that the Central Counselling Body will be ready in a few days’ time, noting that counsellors will be present in schools across the country. A number of groups across the country have also come on board with assistance in putting an end to the scourge of suicide.

stated as he underscored the need for the CoI. The Finance Minister further detailed that government, as a part of its suicide prevention plan, will allocate adequate resources to the relevant sectors to embark on training secondary school

Additionally, he disclosed that works are in the making for the introduction of a psychiatry programme at the University of Guyana.

And lastly, Jordan said government will establish a mental health secretariat to offer training and services to

Government to launch a Commission of Inquiry into the spate of suicides in Guyana

teachers and students to be able to identify those at risk for self-harm.

Psychiatry programme and mental health secretariat

both professionals and those seeking mental health services.

However, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton

had explained that though the secretariat is yet to be established, the mental health unit is already in operation.

The Unit will be working in close collaboration with the criminal justice system, the Agriculture Ministry and UG in an effort to extend its services to a larger capacity of people in an effort to bring the alarmingly high suicide rates down.

The Unit will provide regular reports on patient suicides and up-to-date statistical data that will highlight and make recommendations in the areas where clinical practice and service delivery can be improved to prevent suicide and reduce risks; ensure toolkits for mental health services are available to all healthcare practitioners; implement follow-up treatments particularly for people who repeatedly cause self-harm or attempt suicide; and provide training which will also be extended to UG. The Unit will also be working with the Agriculture Ministry to put a number of

measures in place to support rural workers aimed at easing some of the stresses which are known to adversely affect farmers, agricultural workers, and their families.

Interestingly, there was no mention of the Gatekeepers Programme in government’s plan to combat the issue of suicide.

There have been mounting calls for the resuscitation of this Programme which was successful in its efforts to curb the instances of suicide in the country.

Former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, under whose stewardship the Programme was launched, had expressed willingness to help government to reintroduce the initiative, noting that it would only cost approximately $5 million annual to make the project workable.

Meanwhile, Budget 2016 proposed to spend approximately $28 billion on the health sector – which is chiefly responsible for concerns related to suicide.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 1, 2016

News

National Youth Policy announced – no consultations with Opposition

G

overnment’s National Youth Policy has been finalised according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who on Friday announced the initiative during the presentation of Budget 2016.

This document outlines the plans for the development of young people as proposed in President Granger’s party manifesto.

“There is significant allocation of resources for training at both the technical and vocational levels and in youth entrepreneurship. This budget allocates resources to deal with youth unemployment in a holistic way. Training will be done in literacy and numeracy, counselling and guidance and youth small business development,” the Minister told the National Assembly.

In August 2015, Presidential Adviser on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton had announced that the National Youth Policy draft had been completed and was awaiting review from the President and Minister of Education.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic Member of Parliament, Charles Ramson Jr on Saturday told this newspaper that the Opposition has been “left in the clouds” with

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

regards to the updated content in the policy.

“We don’t know what is inside; we know that the PPP had drafted a youth policy which was 90% completed but we have not had any consultations so far. If they said that they have completed it then it is a clear indication of their intention to proceed in Government without having the PPP’s involvement,” the young MP posited.

Ramson further stated that all stakeholders should be involved before any policy could be properly drafted for implementation.

Earlier in January, Ramson had explained to this publication that a National Youth Council was set up by a non-governmental organisation instead of Government

of Guyana. He had further stated that he was unsure whether this council had the authority to engage or make decisions on behalf of the Government.

He had also berated Norton’s handling of the policy which saw delays over several months.

Former Youth Minister Dr Frank Anthony in an interview with Guyana Times Saturday, echoed Ramson’s sentiments, stating that the current policy was not circulated among opposition circles.

“I haven’t seen the final policy because I haven’t seen what it is that they have,” Dr Anthony remarked. He has called for Government to make the policy available so that it can be appropriately assessed.

Other the other hand, youth activist and People’s National Congress-Reform member James Bond has welcomed the policy, stating that all youth should come on board.

“I know a draft was presented but I am happy to hear that it has been completed, it is great news,” Bond stated.

Both Dr Anthony and Ramson are waiting for the Budget debate to commence to obtain information from Government about the policy.

Lions Club urged to be responsive to society’s needs

President Granger addressing members and invitees at the Lions Club’s 43rd Chartered Anniversary Dinner Saturday evening

P

resident David Granger has urged the Bel Air Lions Club to look at their plan of action to ensure they are responsive to the needs of the country.

The President made the remarks moments after he was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Club Saturday. The club was celebrating its 43rd Charter Anniversary at Georgetown Club.

“You have a good reputation. You have a proud record of service and I congratulate you,” President Granger said, adding that he is proud to be an Honorary Member.

However, the Head of State said that in a year that he has designated the year of National Renaissance, Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, it is critical that all Guyanese come together to address the problems facing the country.

To this end, President Granger called on Lions to

be guided in their work by what is taking place in the rest of the country.

“That Renaissance requires responsiveness and this is the year in which we can respond more vigorously, more purposefully to deal with the problems facing the society; problems which are corroding our social fabric, problems which are gnawing at the nation’s economic muscle, problems, which are rotting the moral fabric of society,” the President said.

The Head of State added that it is his personal hope that Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence will be a time of reconciliation as Guyana heals the wounds and repairs the damage of the period leading up to 1966: “We have to work together to achieve that national unity and in order to improve national cohesion in order to develop that common purpose and enhance the common good… It is not going to be easy but we will not get much further

forward, we will not move much faster unless we heal those divisions and achieve a common purpose; that purpose of being Guyanese, of building a kinder, gentler, more humane society.”

The President named among his critical priorities: crime, disease, access to education, teenage pregnancy, and poverty.

“I have a plan of action in designating this the year of Renaissance and I hope that I will be able to more positively tackle the problems of children’s education, of juvenile crime, of disease; particularly of maternal deaths and of poverty if we are to achieve that target of a rebirth, something I dream about.”

President Granger was formally inducted

by President of the Club, Matthew Langevine, Leon Rutherford, Secretary and Sheikh Nasseer, Director of Membership. The President was accompanied by First Lady Sandra Granger.

Missing teen, 14, returns home

By Kizzy Coleman

E

ntiyah Singh, 14, of Supply, East Bank Demerara who went missing on Sunday has returned home to her parents.

Her mother informed Guyana Times that the teen returned home on Friday night.

The girl was said to be staying at a friend’s home and after the family saw the reports of her missing, they reported her whereabouts to the police.

Last Sunday, the family was scheduled to go to church but did not do so after they discovered the teen was not in the home.

“My daughter is going through some tough times since she was raped and she is very frustrated especially since we are pursuing the matter and are facing so much heartache in doing so,” mother Singh explained.

Her mother had explained to Guyana Times that she was suspicious of

Entiyah Singh

her daughter’s behaviour since the court case involving alleged rape by the police officer was called on Tuesday and Entiyah disappeared two days before that.

The alleged rape occurred in October 2015.

She added that since her daughter was raped she has not been herself. “I don’t know is what happen to this girl since that incident with her and the officer. I can see

that she is upset all the time and it is worrying me, I am really worried for her life,” the woman lamented.

This is not the first time the teen has run away from home.

In 2015, Entiyah had run away after her parents discovered she was seeing an older man.

They explained that after she ran way, she met the police officer who allegedly raped her while she was seeking protection from him.

The matter was reported to the police and he was arrested and charged. He was granted $200,000 bail.

Singh told this newspaper that as the matter was being investigated the sister of the officer approached and offered her money to drop the matter, a conversation she has on tape.

She said that she refused the offer and continued to pursue the case as she wanted justice for her daughter and not money.

monday, february 1, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Former Agri Minister asserts rice is Government’s business − says Parliament must be irrational to ignore major economic sector lous, insensitive, stupid and discriminatory.”

By Devina Samaroo

H

ouse Speaker Dr Barton Scotland’s rejection of an Opposition Motion on the rice industry has sparked wide-ranging debate on whether or not government is responsible for the issue and former Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy weighed in on the discussion, contending that it is “utterly foolish” of Parliament to ignore a matter of such national concern.

The motion called for a discussion on government’s support for the rice industry but the House Speaker disallowed the request on the grounds of a Standing Order which read: “Government is not officially concerned with the Rice Industry in Guyana.”

But the former Agriculture Minister was quick to prove the Speaker wrong and in a statement on Sunday, he highlighted at least four reasons why he believes the Speaker’s ruling was irrational.

Dr Ramsammy explained that Parliament is not just about what the government wants but rather, about protecting and promoting the welfare of all citizens. “…since when are rice farmers and their families not the business of the Parliament?” he posited.

He argued that rice is a pillar of the economy, creating jobs and livelihood for many along with earning foreign currency for the country, “since when the economy of Guyana is not the business of our Parliament?”

Dr Ramsammy reminded that rice is one of the most important export commodi-

11

Economic suicide

Former Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

ties, contributing to reducing the gap in export-import balance.

The former Minister stated simply that rice is government’s business and that the Standing Order was misrepresented.

Notably, the Official Gazette dated June 6, 2015, shows that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder holds responsibilities for the rice industry and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

Spotlight on the Speaker

Commenting on the ruling, Dr Ramsammy expressed that this is just another of the reckless decisions by the Speaker.

“The Speaker is an accomplished Guyanese, but his behaviour as Speaker exposes him as totally a creature of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC). He does not even pretend impartiality as the Speaker,” Dr Ramsammy stated.

Dr Scotland was previously under the spotlight for his perceived political partisanship in his rulings in the National Assembly.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

Concerns were that he went against constitutional conventions and parliamentary norms in favour of the Government and in some cases went as far as attempting to muzzle the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition.

In reviving the attention on the Speaker’s performance, Dr Ramsammy concluded that Dr Scotland’s decision on the rice motion is not impartial based on the Standing Order or on the Constitution of Guyana.

“It reflects APNU/AFC’s policy. President David Granger and the Minister of Agriculture have explicitly stated that they consider rice as private sector and that Government does not see itself with a role in protecting and promoting the interests of the industry and of the rice farmers and their families. Rice farmers are collateral damage in APNU/ AFC’s war to decimate the PPP,” Dr Ramsammy stated.

The former Minister continued to criticise the decision and in doing so labelled the Speaker’s position “cal-

Fervent in his arguments, Dr Ramsammy emphasised that rice is about Guyana and is therefore a government focus. “…no matter what the Speaker says and no matter how much the President and his Minister of Agriculture try to distance themselves from responsibility for difficulties the industry faces… rice is about Guyana,” he stated.

He asserted that killing rice is nothing but economic suicide and in rejecting the motion, the Speaker opted for economic suicide.

Dr Ramsammy also forecasted doom for the future, given government’s unyielding position towards rice.

“Rice is on the path to destruction… If rice dies, Guyana is in serious economic and social trouble…

The continued assault on rice will have utterly catastrophic consequences not only to the rice industry, but to food security and the social and economic development agenda of our country,” he stated.

Moreover, he highlighted that rice contributes more than 60 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product from agriculture and about 10 per cent to national GDP. He noted too that rice is one of the largest investors in the economy, with rice farmers alone investing more than $30 billion annually for the last decade.

In spite of the economic importance of rice, government made no allocations for the industry in its $230 billion Budget for 2016.

Regions 1 and 9 to receive housing subsidies

R

esidents of Region One (Barima-Waini) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) can expect to receive subsidies from the Government for the construction of houses and the replacement of roofs as a part of a Budget 2016 measure to improve housing in the hinterland communities.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan made these disclosures to the National Assembly on Friday, as he presented the coalition Government’s second financial plan since its assumption to executive office.

The Finance Minister further disclosed that Government budgeted over

“The high rate of possession of these turnkey homes and lots indicates that new homeowners are eager to realise their dream of homeownership,” Jordan said, noting that Government would continue with the same zeal towards the housing sector in 2016.

“We will continue with infrastructure works in existing housing schemes, including the installation of electricity and provision for potable water. New housing developments will commence in areas such as Perseverance, Stewartville, Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Williamsburg and Amelia’s Ward,” he disclosed.

Additionally, $4.2 billion

Some of the turnkey homes

$644 million to expand the Hinterland Housing Project.

During the Budget presentation, the Finance Minister announced that Government would forge ahead with its programme of establishing cohesive communities in which serviced lots, social infrastructure and amenities including green spaces, parks and recreational facilities are provided to ensure an improved quality of life for all Guyanese.

The Finance Minister reminded that Government expended some $1.9 billion on infrastructural improvements in housing schemes in 2015, while 74 turnkey homes were built and over 4000 land titles were distributed.

has been earmarked to assist in developing the four communities which are to be upgraded to township status: Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem.

According to the Finance Minister, these investments will realise the decentralisation of key Government systems into these communities as well as provide for the establishment and upgrading of critical infrastructure.

On that note, Jordan declared, “The Government stands steadfast in its pledge to make these imminent towns thriving economic centres.”

The Minister with responsibility for the housing sector is Valerie PattersonSharpe.

World Interfaith Harmony Week

Social Cohesion Minister highlights Guyana’s religious diversity

By Devina Samaroo

S

ocial Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, in her message to the nation in observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2016, charged all Guyanese to embrace their cultural and religious diversity in order to overcome the various hurdles in life with the aim of achieving the highest levels of social cohesion.

Interfaith Harmony Week provides the ideal opportunity for interfaith and other groups of goodwill throughout the world to demonstrate what a powerful movement they are in effecting change within their communities.

The Social Cohesion Minister, in her charge to the nation, commended those local organisations that have embarked on initiatives in observance of the World Interfaith Harmony Week 2016 and have contributed year-round to promoting unity.

Ally noted that Guyana has always been a country with a deep reverence for God and as the country continued to develop, there was an increasing role for religion and goodwill in fostering social cohesion.

“We know once social cohesion as an approach to development is advanced, there would be greater opportunities for citizens to be

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally

included in processes. Their participation would enable them to have a sense of belonging to their communities and by extension to Guyana,” she said.

On that note, the Minister underscored that the faith-based organisations and other interfaith partners in Guyana, therefore, had significant roles in advocating for and taking action to advance communities.

“I urge you to be active as agents of change at the local and national levels, for the benefit of your respective gathering, congregations, members, constituents...,” she said.

Moreover, Ally addressed the current discourse on prayers in schools and reiterated that Government respected the right of all persons to worship God as they please.

“It is a constitutional right. Our dynamics are particularly peculiar in Guyana, because of the myriad of cultures, religious persuasions, ethnicities and all those variables, which cause us to be diverse. There would be a conclusion to this discussion and I am sure, here again you have roles to play as Guyana’s interfaith community,” Ally stated.

World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2010, and was subsequently unanimously adopted by the United Nations.

It had its genesis in “The Common Word Initiative”, which in 2007, called for

Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialogue based on two fundamental religious principles and by extension Commandments – Love of God and Love of the Neighbour. It was agreed on with the understanding that neither side would compromise any of its religious tenets.

The theme, “Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour’ is commonly used and embraces fundamental theological principles, and, therefore, all mankind of goodwill can be included in the observances.

World Interfaith Harmony Week is celebrated from February 1-7 every year.

12 news

monDAY, february 1, 2016 | g

Glenn Lall launches vicious attac

– misrepresents Goolsarran’s NICIL aud

I

n what has to be the most vicious attack on private enterprise in Guyana in general and on the Ramroop group of companies (Queens Atlantic Investment Inc – QAII) in general, the Glenn Lall-owned Kaieteur News on Sunday published a litany of lies and libellous accusations by reporter Abeena Rockliffe under a front-page banner headline “Govt spent US$5M to rehab Sanata, then sold it to Ramroop for US$3.4M – Audit report reveals”.

In the body of the story, however, the Kaieteur News could NOT point to any statement in the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) audit report by Anand Goolsarran which even implied that the Government had paid any sum much less “US$5M to rehab Sanata”. The report could not so state for the simple fact that it is a matter of public record that the cleanup of the Sanata Textiles Complex, inclusive of asbestos removal, was done during the lease and after the purchase when QAII took possession of the Complex and was totally funded by QAII. The reporter did not adhere to even the scantiest standard of responsible journalism.

All the audit said about the Sanata purchase, which Kaieteur ironically published, was: “By Order No. 40/2010 dated November 29, 2010, NICIL sold 18.891 acres of land and buildings and erections at the Plantation Ruimveldt (Sanata Textiles) to Queens Atlantic Investments Inc. (QAII) for $689 million (US$3.4M). The note on NICIL’s publication reads: After being advertised for sale but no proposals was received, in mid- 2007, a proposal was received from QAII for the development of the compound with a US$27 million investment plan.

The proposal was for a lease with an option to purchase.

At the time of the proposal NICIL was facing continued vandalism and destruction to the property despite the presence of security. In 2007, following the requisite approvals, a lease was issued and in 2010 having satisfied all the conditions precedent to exercise the option to purchase, the property was sold at the current market valuation of the property before the improvements were implemented.”

There is nothing in this statement that Kaieteur News could possibly point to, to make its libellous claim that Government had spent any sum to clean up Sanata Complex.

Asked for a comment, Dr Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop said, “I want to state categorically that after the lease the Government of Guyana did not spend a single cent on the cleanup or any other expense that went into rehabilitating what was at that time buildings reverting back to a jungle.

Glenn Lall has been peddling this misinformation and lie since 2008 when we launched the Guyana Times. At this time, I think he is struggling for relevance and should get some professional help.”

What are the facts?

Background on Sanata Textiles

Sanata Textiles Limited was dissolved under the Public Corporations Act pursuant to the Sanata Textiles Limited (Dissolution and Transfer of Assets and Liabilities) Order No 49 of 2000. All assets were then transferred to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) from December 29, 2000. The property was leased to G&C Sanata Company Inc. That company was forced to down scale and later cease complete operations. The Complex was left abandoned for several years.

Challenges

The handover of all G&C Sanata Company Inc’s assets to NICIL resulted in Government assuming full responsibility and control of the Complex. Several challenges were encountered namely: Security – Despite a change of three different security firms, the Complex located at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt was still subject to numerous break-ins and theft. Millions of dollars in losses were suffered as a result of those crimes.

Equipment, furniture and cables were among the items stolen. The electrical cables attracted the thieves, given their high retail value in the scrap metal trade. There were also a number of cases of gunfire in the compound as thieves engaged security.

Vandalism – due to the ongoing theft, the equipment and installations were vandalised beyond repair and had little or no value at the time of privatisation. The electrical circuitry was severely damaged from the theft of cables and panels resulting in the compound being in a state of darkness.

High maintenance costs – Added to the losses incurred as a result of theft and vandalism, maintenance of the Complex proved costly, burdening NICIL. Some $20 million had to be budgeted annually towards payment of insurance, rates and taxes, repairs and maintenance, water, electricity, security, salaries and other miscellaneous expenses.

State of the Complex on acquisition - At the time of acquisition, the entire Complex wa

vegetation was overgrown; garbage was prevalent; equipment and installations were vanda there was also flooding in some section

, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

news 13

ack on QAII Group of Companies

udit to libel acquisition of Sanata Textiles

plex was in a state of disrepair: fences had fallen apart; drains were blocked; roads were inaccessible; e vandalised beyond repair; the buildings were infested with termites and unfit for occupation; sections despite it being the dry season.

In light of these challenges, a decision was made to have Sanata Textiles Complex privatised. This process began in the last quarter of 2006 with advertisements for the former G&C Sanata operations. THIS WAS DONE NO LESS THAN 20 TIMES AND NO BIDS WERE RECEIVED. The original closing date of January 19, 2007 was extended to February 28, 2007 to encourage interest from both local and overseas investors, but yet no bids were received.

Investors were then invited to submit tenders for the leasing of assets (plant and machinery of the printing and dyeing factory) and the leasing of land and buildings or factory associated with the printing and dyeing factory.

This is as a result of the rules of competitive bidding of the Privatisation Policy Framework Paper of June 1993 which stated that when an entity has been advertised and there are failed bids, direct negotiations can ensue with interested parties. Relying on this Policy and past precedent set by the privatisation of Linmine to Omai in 2003 following the non-receipt of bids to privatise, NICIL began negotiations with QAII for the lease of the Complex.

In April 2007, QAII submitted a business plan to lease the Complex. The business proposal was unanimously recommended for approval following detailed discussions and negotiations with the Privatisation Board on May 9, 2007. Cabinet subsequently endorsed the recommendation.

Key terms of the proposal included:

The lease rate being set in US$ and being payable in the equivalent Guyana dollars at the date of payment; The lease rate being indexed to the rate of inflation in the US after 2009; and All rates and taxes being paid from the account of the lessee.

Benefits of QAII proposal

The Privatisation Board and Cabinet considered the following benefits in accepting the proposal: Utilisation of the land and buildings which had fallen into a state of dilapidation and vandalism; Avoidance by NICIL of the high level of maintenance, security, rates and taxes, and insurance associated with the property; Creation of new jobs; Conversion of the property which was not making a net return into an entity with positive cash flow; and Encouragement of economic activity in the Ruimveldt Industrial Area.

On June 4, 2007, a lease agreement between NICIL and QAII was entered in to for a 99-year lease with an option to purchase after the completion of three years.

The rental paid by QAII was 50 times greater than the average rent paid to the Government by other companies in comparative industrialised areas. Other companies have typically paid as little as G$1 per square foot, a fraction of what was being paid by QAII.

The transformation

Today, the transformation of the Sanata Textiles Complex is testimony to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc’s determined drive and dedication to invest and contribute to the country’s overall growth and development. ***As the pictures conclusively show, the removal of asbestos from the facility and other major rehabilitation were done after the QAII lease and acquisition.

These costs amounted to over US$3 million and were instrumental in doubling the value of the Complex by the end of the decade****.

Despite the significant challenges, QAII, as an investor, is proud to take a leading role in the economic development of Guyana and remains committed to servicing and improving the social well-being of citizens.

This is notwithstanding the continuing unwarranted and malicious attacks by ***the Kaieteur News and its owner, Mohan “Glenn” Lall****, that are aimed at besmirching the company’s reputation and good image.

The compound now houses newly-constructed buildings and infrastructure inclusive of access roads, fencing, lighting, security, and a waste disposal system to name a few. Additionally, significant investments have been made in the acquisition of state-of-the art machinery and equipment for the printing and hardware manufacturing divisions.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 1, 2016

Regional

Trinidad declares health Colombia investigating Venezuela border incident emergency over Zika

C

N

o cases of the Zika Virus have surfaced in Trinidad and Tobago, but Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has declared a national public health emergency as a result of the threat of the Virus, even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) is yet to determine whether to declare an international emergency.

He said that stance was being taken because of the spread of the Virus across more than 20 countries in the Americas. With the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is responsible for spreading Zika, in the twinisland republic, the Minister added, its arrival was inevitable.

Deyalsingh made the announcement on Friday, a day after the WHO said its chief, Dr Margaret Chan would convene a meeting of the Organisation’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee today to determine whether the Zika outbreak is a public health

olombia said Sunday it was investigating reports a Venezuelan patrol boat crossed a border river and exchanged fire with its Police.

The Foreign Ministry said the Venezuelan patrol boat was reported to have chased some people in canoes to the Colombian side

Zika is being spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito

emergency of international concern.

“Be that as it may, I, as Minister of Health, am declaring a national public health emergency…I have already set up a Rapid Response Unit to treat with Zika and to treat with the Aedes aegypti mosquito,” Deyalsingh said at a media conference on Friday.

Under the initiative, the Ministries of Local Government and National Security and other State agencies that have a stake in environmental concerns

S

paving the way for the economy to achieve sustained growth and financial stability.

“Together with our sister organisations – the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank – we stand ready to help Suriname meet the economic challenges it is currently facing,” the IMF mission chief for Suriname, Daniel Leigh, said in a statement.

“At the request of the authorities, an IMF team will visit Paramaribo in the next few weeks for discussions on Suriname’s reform programme and financing needs.”

from Caribbean360)

Last November, Suriname devalued its currency by more than 20 per cent, following a drop in oil and gold prices and a major dip in financial reserves.

The exchange rate moved from 3.50 Suriname dollars to the US dollar, to 4.00 Suriname dollars to the US dollar.

The devaluation was the second in four years.

In January 2011, the local currency was devalued by 16.4 per cent and Government announced tax raises on alcohol, tobacco, gasoline and basic services as it sought to offset the impact of payments of overdue public worker salaries. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Antiguan Govt dismisses Opposition protest

T

he Antigua and Barbuda Government has dismissed the protest by supporters of the main Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), saying it was fearful that the Government would succeed with its socio-economic policies for the country. ”We want to remind those people who are sitting on the fence, who might think the UPP might have some legitimate cause for and legitimate reason for marching, that this is not so,” said Government’s spokesman Lionel Max Hurst.

“They have no legitimacy: they ran a terrible government for 10 years; they bankrupt Antigua and Barbuda, brought it to the precipice. The march is just an empty type of a gesture to attempt to get their principal base organised because they certainly recognise that with all the investments that are coming in, all the jobs that will materialise, their chances of winning an election are greatly reduced,” he added.

Thousands of UPP supporters, carrying placards and chanting songs, led by party leader Harold Lovell took to

these events took place, and to take appropriate action”.

The two countries share a 2219 kilometre (1378 mile) border, which has been a source of tension since Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro closed border crossings last August in a crackdown on smuggling.

(AFP)

El Salvador ex-leader Francisco Flores dies

will collaborate to increase fogging, spraying and dissemination of information to the public. Soldiers will assist in this regard.

“The Ministry of National Security will be providing logistical support on the ground in terms of vehicles and in terms of people to assist the vector control department and in putting boots on the ground to knock door-to-door, to assist in fogging and spraying,” Deyalsingh added. (Excerpt

Suriname approaches IMF for possible financial aid uriname has approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other lending agencies for assistance, as the country continues to take a hit from the sharp fall in the price of commodities such as gold and oil, on which the economy depends.

The IMF said authorities from the Desi Bouterse Administration had discussed the possibility of financial support for their economic programme.

It said several policies have already been implemented in the context of that programme with a view to strengthening the level of international reserves and

of the Arauca River, where the exchange of fire occurred.

No one was reported injured in the incident late Saturday, it said.

The Government “has entered into contact with the authorities of Venezuela for the purpose of clearing up the circumstances in which

the streets on Thursday to protest the policies of the 18-month-old Browne Administration, accusing it of failing to carry out the promises made during the campaign for the last general elections here.

“You came out today to express your disgust, to express your dissatisfaction and to say to Gaston Browne, his days are numbered,” Lovell told supporters at a rally at the end of the street protest.

He called on Prime Minister Browne to reduce the price of gasoline within four weeks or face addition Opposition pressure. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Candles, flowers and photos were placed by supporters outside the hospital in San Salvador, where Francisco Flores was declared dead

T

he former President of El Salvador, Francisco Flores, has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Flores, 56, had been in a coma since undergoing emergency surgery.

He had been under house arrest on charges of embezzlement and illegal enrichment. Flores handed himself in to the authorities in September 2014.

He was accused of divert-

ing a large part of a donation of US$15 million given

by Taiwan to help the victims of earthquakes in El Salvador in 2001.

Prosecutors say he misappropriated US$5 million and transferred it to his private bank account. Another US$10 million is alleged to have gone into his party’s coffers.

Flores, from the conservative Arena party, said that El Salvador enjoyed

“a privileged relationship” with Taiwan because it backed the Asian country’s request for membership of the United Nations.

Flores took office in 1999 and was in power until 2004.

Correspondents say many people in El Salvador had been encouraged that their country had begun to effectively fight high-level corruption when they saw attempts to bring Flores to justice. (BBC News)

Jamaican Prime Minister in election date announcement

P

rime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was expected to Sunday night end the agony and anxiety of millions of Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora by announcing the date for the island’s 17th general election since voting began in 1944.

If all goes well, Simpson Miller, who will deliver the main address when the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) cranks up its election machinery in Half-WayTree square, St Andrew, should convey the vital information by 21:00h. By or before that time, the nation will hear whether or not they will vote in late February or early March of this year in an election that could have been held in a year’s time, based on constitutional provisions, but which the present Administration insists on calling early.

Already, mouths – wayward and controlled – have been busy projecting February 29 as the likely date, seeing that it co-

Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

incides with the PNP’s famous election victory 44 years ago on that same date in 1972 when Michael Manley toppled his friend and fellow trade unionist Hugh Lawson Shearer from power.

The Simpson Millerled PNP pushed its neck ahead of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) last Sunday with full-page advertisements in the Sunday Observer and Sunday Gleaner newspapers showing its 63 candi-

dates. The JLP has followed in Sunday’s edition.

That marked a clear sign that the Prime Minister was shaping up to fly the proverbial gate. Two days later, Simpson Miller in an offmicrophone comment in the House of Representatives, told Opposition spokesman on finance and planning, Audley Shaw, who is also the Member of Parliament for Manchester North Eastern, that her “master” had touched her. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

monday, february 1, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Syria peace talks hit trouble More than 10,000 refugee after Damascus blast kills 60 children missing in Europe

Children stand near damaged vehicles as residents and soldiers loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad inspect damage after a suicide attack in Sayeda Zeinab, a district of southern Damascus, Syria on January 31, 2016

S

yria’s main Opposition group met United Nations mediator Staffan de Mistura for the first time on Sunday, but the talks ran straight into trouble after Islamic State bombers killed more than 60 people near the country’s holiest Shi’ite shrine.

Representatives of the Saudi-backed Higher Negotiation Committee (HNC) – which includes political and militant opponents of President Bashar

al-Assad – warned they may yet walk away from the Geneva talks unless the suffering of civilians in the fiveyear conflict is eased.

The head of the Syrian Government delegation retorted that the blasts in Damascus, which the Interior Ministry blamed on a car bomb and two suicide bombers, merely confirmed the link between the Opposition and terrorism – even though Islamic State has been excluded from the

talks.

The UN is aiming for six months of negotiations, first seeking a ceasefire, later working toward a political settlement to the civil war that has also killed over 250,000 people, driven more than 10 million from their homes and drawn in global powers.

Only on Friday, the HNC said it would boycott the process, insisting it wanted an end to air strikes and sieges of Syrian towns before joining the negotiations. This forced de Mistura – who invited the Government and Opposition umbrella groups for “proximity talks”, in which he would meet each side in separate rooms – to get the ball rolling with only the Government delegation.

Under intense pressure, notably from the United States, the HNC later relented and arrived in Geneva on Saturday. However, the group questioned how long the delegation would stay.

M

ore than 10,000 unaccompanied refugee and migrant children have disappeared in Europe, the European Union Police agency Europol said on Sunday, fearing many have been whisked into sex trafficking rings or the slave trade.

Europol’s press office confirmed to Al Jazeera the figures published in British newspaper The Observer.

The number relates to the last 18-24 months.

The agency’s chief of staff Brian Donald said the vulnerable children had disappeared from the system after registering with State authorities following their

arrival in Europe.

“It’s not unreasonable to say that we’re looking at 10,000-plus children,” Donald told The Observer, adding that 5000 had disappeared in Italy alone.

“Not all of them will be criminally exploited; some might have been passed on to family members. We just don’t know where they are, what they’re doing or whom they are with.”

Donald said there was evidence of a “criminal infrastructure” established since mid-2014 to exploit the refugee flow.

The Observer reported that Europol found evidence of links between smuggling

UN asks for US$861M to help Iraq meet humanitarian bill

Migration and Displacement Minister Jassim Mohammed al-Jaff (R) delivers a joint statement to the media with UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq Lise Grande in Baghdad, Iraq on January 31, 2016

T

he United Nations appealed on Sunday for US$861 million to help Iraq meet a big funding gap in its 2016 emergency response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war against Islamic State.

Baghdad, whose revenues have fallen as oil prices have plunged, has said it would manage to finance less than half of its US$1.56

billion plan to assist 10 million people in need.

“With the expanding needs, the allocation through the federal budget will not be sufficient. We expect that the highly prioritised (UN) Humanitarian Response Plan will help cover part of the gap,” Migration and Displacement Minister Jassim Mohammed al-Jaff said in a statement.

UN humanitarian coor-

Deadly attack on Nigerian village kills 50

A

t least 50 people are reported to have been killed in northeastern Nigeria in a gun and bomb attack by suspected Boko Haram militants.

Pictures from the village of Dalori show burnedout buildings and charred livestock.

Fires from the burning village could be seen in the city of Maiduguri, nearly 10km (six miles) away.

One witness report-

ed hearing the screams of children as huts were set on fire.

Other survivors say the shooting on Saturday evening continued for hours and left barely any parts of the village untouched.

Residents said at least 50 people were killed, although a Reuters reporter counted 65 bodies at a hospital morgue.

Witnesses said the attackers arrived on motorbikes and in lorries and

were wearing military uniforms, Nigerian media reported.

Survivor Alamin Bakura told the Associated Press that he hid in a tree as the attackers struck on Saturday evening.

He said he saw militants firebomb huts and heard the screams of children as people were burnt to death. He said several members of his family were among those killed or wounded. (Excerpt from BBC News)

from Al Jazeera)

China strongly condemns US over warship in South China Sea

(Excerpt from Reuters)

dinator in Iraq Lise Grande said she expected the crisis in Iraq “to widen and worsen” in coming months.

The UN expects huge numbers of civilians to flee Mosul when Iraqi forces mount an offensive to retake the northern city from Islamic State, which the authorities have pledged to do this year.

“The number of people who need help is going up, the amount of resources is going down and that’s why you have a really big gap.

What we’re trying to do in a very clear way is to prioritise,” she told Reuters after launching the appeal in Baghdad.

Among the 10 million Iraqis requiring urgent assistance are more than 3.3 million people displaced by the conflict with Islamic State since 2014 and a quarter million people from neighbouring Syria who have fled from their country’s nearly five-year-old war. (Excerpt from Reuters)

rings bringing people into the EU and human trafficking gangs exploiting migrants for sex and slavery.

“There are prisons in Germany and Hungary where the vast majority of people arrested and placed there are in relation to criminal activity surrounding the migrant crisis,” Donald said.

Over one million migrants and refugees, many fleeing the Syria conflict, crossed into Europe last year.

“Whether they are registered or not, we’re talking about 270,000 children,” Donald told the paper. (Excerpt

China, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims in the Paracels

C

hina strongly condemned the United States after a US warship deliberately sailed near one of the Beijing-controlled islands in the hotly contested South China Sea to exercise freedom of navigation and challenge China’s vast sea claims.

The missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed

within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the Paracel chain “to challenge excessive maritime claims of parties that claim the Paracel Islands”, without notifying the three claimants beforehand, Defence Department spokesman Mark Wright said Saturday in Washington.

China, Taiwan and

Vietnam have overlapping claims in the Paracels and require prior notice from ships transiting what they consider their territorial waters. The latest operation was particularly aimed at China, which has raised tensions with the US and its Southeast Asian neighbours by embarking on massive construction of man-made islands and airstrips in contested waters.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said that Vietnam respected “innocent passage” of ships through territorial waters in line with international law. State media quoted Binh as reiterating Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracels and Spratlys and calling on nations to actively and practically contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera America)

Youngest conjoined sisters separated at Swiss hospital in Bern

D

octors in Switzerland say they have separated eight-day-old conjoined sisters, believed to be the youngest babies to be successfully parted.

The twins, born in December, were fused at the liver and chest.

Swiss media say doctors had originally planned to separate them when they were several months old, but brought the operation forward when they each suffered a life-threatening condition.

The operation reportedly carried a one per cent chance of success.

The twins, named Lydia and Maya, were born eight weeks premature at the Inselspital hospital in Bern, along with a triplet who was fully separate and healthy.

The hospital said the twins were “extensively conjoined on the liver, but had all vital organs”.

The twins underwent an operation to separate them in December

They weighed just 2.2kg (4lb 14oz) together. One of the twins had too much blood, and very high blood pressure, while the other one did not have enough.

A 13-strong medical team took five hours to separate the girls on December 10.

“Such small conjoined siblings had never been successfully separated before,” the hospital said.

The head of paediatric surgery, Steffen Berger, paid

tribute to the medical staff, saying: “The perfect teamwork of physicians and nursing personnel from various disciplines were the key to success here. We are very happy that the children and parents are faring so well now.”

The girls underwent further surgery to close their abdominal walls and are now recovering in a paediatric intensive care ward. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

16 news

monday, february 1, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

VOX POPULI

I SAY...

What the people say

Guyanese share their views on increase in Old Age Pension Erma Hughes, 73, New Amsterdam “I am thankful for it because don’t matter how small, it will full a hole, so I am glad for it.

The rumour was that we will get $20,000 a month after the budget but in my mind I know that everything can’t happen at the same time. The government just pay out civil servants $50,000 each.

We had a raise already, we use to get $13,000 and then it raised to $17,000. So if we get a little this year we should be grateful for it.”

Desiree Deyounge, 68, West Bank Demerara

“I’m satisfied with that amount but whenever they get a chance they should put on something else because it can’t do to pay everything. I have to find food, I have to find $11,000 mortgage every month and light bill is like $9000 and things very expensive now. As a single parent I don’t have a husband, I living by myself. I mean to say the government did a good by giving us more but the light bill and water is very expensive, so I think they should bring back the free water and light; it good for pensioners at least. I don’t think it is enough for me to pay for the water and the light. This nice government and we glad for the change but is just the light and the water.”

Caesar McAlmont, Linden:

Lalita Bridgemohan, Queenstown, Essequibo Coast - Self-employed

“I think it is wise but Government should have given more like $1500, since all other subsidy were cut, I know of some pensioners who still do gardening for survival because their children give them up, I think the $1200 is okay but still not so much to add up with the rising cost of living. Pensioners are also Guyana’s treasured asset and should be treated equally.”

Joan Sampson, 73, Diamond

Barbara Persaud, 75, New Amsterdam

“I think it should have been a little more. Pensioners would have worked very hard over the years and I was expecting the increase to be something more substantial.

I admired the fact that there was a reasonable increase last year and I was expecting something more this year.”

“I feel that it alright for now but at least I am a pensioner and I’m satisfied with what I’m getting and I think is very good for now, is better than nothing, and I thank God for small mercy. I’m not the owner of my own home so I wasn’t benefitting from the subsidy but I am trying to get my own home for the longest while and if I could get that I would be very glad.”

“I am pleased with it because it is still something the government giving; they trying to help everybody. I expect that next year they gon put something again, so every year they would put and we will reach a good amount. The President doing good more than the balance what was in there because the pensioners getting something every year.”

Rose Luke, Linden

Marie Scalene, 91, New Amsterdam “I already try to be contented with my lot and I am glad for the $1200 because it will help me more. I didn’t expect to get a cent more because I know we did get a raise already so I was not looking out for more. I already try to be contented with what the Lord gives me.”

Bridget Allen, 70, Georgetown

“The $1200 increase for pensioners is a good thing; although it is a small amount it’s still better than no increase at all. I think over time it will add up and it will eventually reach a level whereby they would be a little bit more comfortable but for now I think that the increase is ok.”

“It is not good enough because if you gotta buy food outside food is very expensive, and I go to medical clinic and if they don’t have tablet you gotta buy tablets outside and the tablets are very costly. I’m a diabetes case, high pressure, high cholesterol, stroke in the brains, I does walk and fall forward and I have arthritis but I thankful to the Government.”

Thakurdai Miriamalis, Pensioner, Golden Fleece

Onika Lawrence, Linden:

“Well I learned about the increase from the newspaper and I could remember thinking ‘How much this could do?’ I don’t think it’s anything really for our elderly people because a lot of them have to pay light bill, phone bill, water bill and they still have to eat. Some even got to pay transportation costs.

So I think it should have been a better increase bearing all these things in mind.”

Hilton James, Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast

“I strongly believe that more money could have been invested on the elders, given the fact their subsidy has been cut and still we have living needs, pensioners still work tirelessly and seldomly depend on their children for survival. The increase is good but still a $300 more would have be a good topping for the poor pensioners.”

“I think the increase is good for me, I live alone, I do gardening for my survival but I heard that although the Government has given the increase they are cutting the subsidy of Water bill etc. In my view, it is good but more could have been done for us pensioners, as it is I still have to work to support myself.”

Modi’s smart cities need over US$150B investment – study

T

he Narendra Modi Government’s vision of creating 100 smart cities will require an investment of over US$150 billion over the next few years, with the Private Sector being a significant contributor, says a report.

According to Deloitte, nearly US$120 billion will

come from the Private Sector.

The Government has already initiated two programmes with an initial outlay of US$7.513 billion for “Smart Cities Mission” and the “Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation (AMRUT)” for the upgrading of 500 existing cities.

Narendra Modi

“Even as funding for these smart cities is an area of concern, the major challenges remain with respect to the development of smart cities project management, Government decisionmaking and policy and regulatory framework,” Deloitte India’s PN Sudarshan said.

The Government recently announced the list of the first 20 cities to be developed as ‘smart cities’ with Bhubaneswar topping the list followed by Pune, Jaipur, Surat, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Vishakapatnam, Sholapur, Davangere, Indore, New Delhi,

Coimbatore, Kakinada, Belagavi, Udaipur, Guwahati, Chennai, Ludhiana and Bhopal.

While several cities have made incremental investments in smart solutions, the challenge will be to replicate these on a larger scale, he said. (Excerpt from Times of India)

17 Suicide being tackled at the grass-roots level in Berbice S news

monday, february 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

isters Policing Network (SPN) held an awareness suicide walk on East Bank Berbice (EBB) to bring to the fore the need for troubled persons to seek help.

More than 100 suicide conscious adults and children recently joined SPN to rally against the scourge, which in recent times has rocked EBB. The anti-suicide advocates marched three miles from Edinburgh to the Sisters Police Station carrying placards and chanting anti-suicide slogans.

The relatively small communities along EBB have been rocked by suicides on many occasions.

On January 6 the bodies of a man, 20, and a girl, 14, were found hanging in a house at Lonsdale. The couple were in a relation-

ship not approved by the girl’s parents. She was two months pregnant.

June 21, 2015, a man, 48, of Kortberaad, was found hanging after attempting to kill his wife and setting her house ablaze.

June 5, 2014, a man, 23, of Sisters Village was found hanging moments after he had stabbed a school girl, 14, to death and left the knife in her neck.

On February 14, 2011, a boy, 9, committed suicide by hanging himself at Gango Creek, and the following day another person from the area also committed suicide by hanging.

Speaking to the anti-suicide advocates after Saturday’s march, Coordinator of the event Janice Carmichael noted that youths are the future of

the country and took the opportunity to encourage them to stay alive as long as God (whatever He is conceived to be) permits.

Station Sergeant of the Sisters Police Station Margo Grosvenor in a brief address noted that all in the community are affected when someone does self-harm: “If you are having a problem seek help; talk to a teacher or a friend or even your pastor.

Suicide is not the answer.”

Pastor Wilbur Daniels, part of the march, noted that many families in Guyana have been affected by suicide in one way or the other. “As matter of fact, we have realised that suicide is one of the plagues of our society and as a nation we are known to have the highest suicide rate in the world.”

In noting that life is pre-

A section of the group

cious, Daniels said in life persons cannot face their many problems and issues that confront them without divine connections.

Govt recommits to fight against money laundering – Jordan

G

overnment has recommitted its fight against money laundering with the commencement of a National Risk Assessment Exercise with Technical Assistance and guidance from the World Bank.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said the exercise will see the participation and involvement of all the major stakeholders, and will help the country to identify, assess and understand its ML/TF risks. The outcome will facilitate the implementation of appropriate risk management and risk mitigation policy measures and the efficient allocation of financial and human resources.

As a further demonstration of its commitment to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, Government will also be benefitting from funding from the IDB to support Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism initiatives.

In this regard, assistance will be provided to the government in the areas of national risk assessments and national strategies; capacity building and regulatory reforms; and knowledge and dissemination.

“We are also in the process of restructuring the FIU, to make it a more vibrant and effective unit, in line with the functions specified in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 29. To this end, the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment is currently taking steps to appoint a Director and a Deputy Director for the Unit”.

Other technical staff he explained, will also be recruited and steps tak-

en to enhance their proficiency to ensure compliance with AML/CFT laws and regulations, and facilitate the efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism activities in Guyana.

Jordan reminded that Guyana is among eleven countries that are currently listed in the FATF public statement as “improving Global AML/CFT compliance: ongoing process.”

“This listing is referred to as the ‘Light Grey List,’ and it indicates that though the country has strategic deficiencies with its AML/CFT regime, it

has provided a high level of political commitment to address the deficiencies through the implementation of an action plan developed with the FATF”.

He said Guyana has been encouraged to execute the action plan expeditiously and within the proposed timeframe.

Jordan said money laundering allows individuals to disguise the origin of illicit funds and integrate these funds into the formal financial system, while the financing of terrorism enables terrorists or terrorist organisations to carry out terrorist acts.

“Recognising that these activities can have severe economic, social and political consequences for the economy, the Government of Guyana cooperated with the Financial Action Task Force and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force to fully comply with all outstanding deficiencies related to its AML/CFT regime and become compliant with the FATF Revised Recommendations, which are the global AML/CFT standards”.

“Mr Speaker, in 2015, the National Assembly passed legislation and guidelines on terrorism and terrorist financing. Stemming from these actions, Guyana has fully satisfied five of the eight elements of the Action Plan and partially satisfied the remaining three. In December 2015 Guyana passed further amendments and regulations, including guidelines on freezing, unfreezing and providing access to frozen funds. These actions should result in Guyana satisfying the three partially met elements of the action plan.”

on Saturday reinstalled the service intake Pump at the Bamford Point “The Bamford Point, Bartica GWI location facilitates two Intake Pumps that function within the Bartica GWI Water Service System, however in recent times only one of these Intake Pumps was operational and due to the malfunctioning of this Pump on Monday last, the entire Bartica Water System was “shut down,” a resident in a letter said.

According to the resident, this malfunctioning pump was then taken off for rectification and was only reinstalled Saturday but around 18:00h technicians encountered an opera-

tional setback, causing the pump to be dis-assembled again. This meant they had to work well into the night to completely rectify that problem. Water eventually resumed flowing through the taps around Bartica at around 09:00h on Sunday.

Residents of Bartica are now expressing profound gratitude to the persistent and valiant efforts of the Bartica GWI personnel that kept working throughout Saturday night to restore water supply.

The broken Pump will be serviced and another will soon be placed to boost the operations at Bartica GWI location.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Carmichael says the Sisters Policing Network will continue the fight against suicide at the grassroot level.

Syria conflict: Dozens killed near Sayyida Zeinab shrine

A

t least 50 people have died in blasts near the Shia shrine of Sayyida Zeinab, south of Syria’s capital Damascus.

A bus station and a building housing military headquarters were hit by the blasts, which mangled nearby vehicles.

It happened as the government and opposition groups gathered in Geneva in a bid to start talks aimed at a political solution to the conflict.

The attack, claimed by the Islamic State group, was aimed at disrupting the talks, the EU said.

Both the Syrian govern-

ment and opposition are in Geneva but the talks have yet to begin. The main opposition group says the government must first meet key humanitarian demands.

US Secretary of State John Kerry urged both sides to seize the opportunity to end the bloodshed.

Mr Kerry said there was “no military solution” to the spiralling crisis, which he warned could engulf the region if the tentative UNsponsored negotiations fail as previous attempts have.

The UN envoy to Syria has scheduled separate discussions with both sides in Geneva on Monday. (BBC)

Iran gives medals for capture of US sailors

An undated picture released by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards website shows American sailors sitting in a unknown place in Iran

I Bartica water woes settled R

esidents of Bartica, Region Seven (Cayuni/Mazaruni) are expressing gratitude that water in the community has been restored.

Residents over the past few days were in discomfort over the lack of potable water which was caused by upgrading being carried out in preparation for township status.

Guyana Times understands that the entire town was without water for at least three days during last week.

Residents were told that a major pump had been damaged.

On Sunday residents reported that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI)

Following the march, a brief session was held with youth who are being trained to be advocates for life.

ran’s supreme leader has awarded medals to navy commanders for capturing U.S. sailors who entered Iranian territorial waters this month, Iran’s state media said on Sunday.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has said Iran should remain wary of its arch-enemy the United States even after a landmark accord over Tehran’s nuclear program, awarded the Fath (Victory) medal to the head of the navy of the Revolutionary Guards and four commanders involved in the seizure of two U.S. Navy boats.

Iran has awarded the Fath medal since 1989 to war heroes, military commanders and politicians, especially

those linked to the eight-year Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

Iran freed the ten U.S. sailors on Jan. 13, a day after detaining them aboard the two U.S. Navy patrol boats in the Gulf, bringing a swift end to an incident that had rattled nerves shortly before the expected implementation of the nuclear accord with world powers.

The Revolutionary Guardss said it had determined the patrol boats had entered Iranian territorial waters by mistake.

The quick resolution contrasted with previous cases in which British servicemen were held by Iran for considerably longer, in once case almost two weeks. (Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 1, 2016

ARCHIE

Gather information and hone your skills to suit the (March 21- current job market. Avoid a April 19) run-in with someone you love.

Stay focused on advancing your career.

ARIES

Execute your plans sysTAURUS tematically in order to fire up (April 20- interest in what you want to May 20) do next. Celebrate your success. Romance will enhance your life.

dilbert

Don’t look back or give GEMINI (May 21- in to someone trying to take June 20) advantage of your abilities.

Temptation or unrealistic offers will lead to regret and setbacks.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

You can reach your goal and improve your life if you are willing to do things a little differently. Learn from those with more experience or a different perspective.

Take responsibility and LEO do what has to be done before (July 23someone complains. Avoid an Aug. 22) argument in order to bypass an emotional and financial loss. Keep the peace.

You’ll attract interest VIRGO and favours from people you (Aug. 23have worked with in the Sept. 22) past. Enjoy your success with someone who has supported you from the beginning. A reunion will boost your spirits.

Calvin and Hobbes

Keep a low profile until LIBRA (Sept. 23- you know exactly how you Oct. 23) want to handle an emotional situation. Acting in haste will jeopardise your position, reputation and popularity.

SUDOKU

Share your creative ideas SCORPIO with an intriguing someone (Oct. 24who has something to contribNov. 22) ute. Consider a partnership and make a proposal that offers incentives that will ensure your success. Romance is highlighted.

Keep your secrets to yourSAGITTARIUS self. Someone trying to take (Nov. 23- advantage of your skills will Dec. 21) put you in a compromising position. Stick close to home and protect your assets.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Express your thoughts CAPRICORN and make a point to do some(Dec. 22- thing nice for the people you Jan. 19) love. Sharing your plans as well as your success with loved ones will bring you closer together.

Don’t let your emotions AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- take charge or anger lead to a Feb. 19) regrettable mistake. Get your facts straight before you confront someone. Work on selfimprovement, not trying to change others.

Your generosity will result PISCES (Feb. 20- in unexpected benefits and reMarch 20) wards. Your skills will be recognised, and a proposal will help you use your attributes diversely. Love is in the stars.

monday, february 1, 2016

19

Track and field must Sammy wants Windies to be rebuilt – former stay World Number One W world champion

David Oliver

A

thletics’ crisis-hit governing body needs to be completely restructured, but IAAF president Sebastian Coe should be given the chance to lead the reforms, former world hurdles champion David Oliver has told Reuters.

“It (the IAAF) needs to be brought down and rebuilt from the ground,” Oliver said of the recent doping and corruption scandal that has engulfed the sport.

“If it touched anybody, either directly or indirectly, in this, everybody has just got to go,” added the American, who won gold in the 110 metres hurdles at the 2013 world championships in Moscow.

An independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) stated in a damning report that “corruption was embedded” at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The report found that a clique run by former IAAF president Lamine Diack, who is under investigation by French authorities, covered up organised doping and blackmailed athletes while senior officials looked the other way.

“The sport is at a point where there is no trust anywhere,” Oliver, who has served on the IAAF athletes commission, said at the Camel City Elite meeting in Winston-Salem.

“Clean athletes can’t get a fair shake. If you see an amazing performance, people say, ‘ah they are probably dirty’.

“I know I don’t really trust anything my eyes see anymore.”

GREATEST PRESIDENT

Oliver expressed concern about Coe’s leadership, after the British former Olympic 1,500 metres champion spent seven years as IAAF vice president under Diack but denied any

knowledge of his president’s alleged activities.

“For me, plausible deniability doesn’t work for somebody who is in power,” Oliver said, before adding that Coe should be given the opportunity to right the ship.

“He was elected so he should be able to oversee the efforts to clean everything up. He could be the greatest president in IAAF history if he overcomes what is going on,” he said.

Russia were banned from the sport indefinitely following the first part of the WADA report, which found a “deeply rooted culture of cheating” in Russian athletics.

They will only be eligible for August’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro if their suspended federation meets standards set by the IAAF and currently being investigated by a task force.

“Whatever the criteria they have to meet, if it is thoroughly up to stuff, they should be able to participate,” Oliver said. “But if there is even an inkling of wrongdoing still going on, unfortunately all should have to pay the price.”

Jason Richardson, the 2011 100m hurdles world champion, said he would have no problem with Russian athletes competing in Rio. “Even though there is such a thing as systematic doping out there, I would just hate to believe there are some who are not doping who are going to be penalised,” Richardson told Reuters.

“I would prefer more of an investigation on an individual basis.”

Richardson believes current world champion Sergey Shubenkov is among those Russians who are competing clean.

“I do, he is very technically sound,” Richardson said. (Reuters Sport)

est Indies captain Darren Sammy is backing his team to keep their T20 Number One ranking and also win this year’s International Cricket Council’s World T20 Tournament. The 32-year-old was on Friday named as West Indies captain for the tournament to be played in India from March 8 to April 3.

Sammy has made 60 appearances in T20 Internationals for the regional side. He previously led the West Indies in Tests and One-Day Internationals, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, which was played in Asia.

This is the third time he will captain the team to the ICC World T20 Tournament.

He was at the helm when the Windies beat Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium to win the Championship in 2012 and returned as skipper in 2014, when they reached the semi-finals in Bangladesh.

Speaking ahead of the tournament Sammy noted: “Whenever I’m called on to represent the West Indies it’s a great feeling…

West Indies cricket is my passion.

We are ranked at Number One and we want to stay there. We’re ready to win it again for the people of the Caribbean. We’ve tasted victory and it was a wonderful feeling. We want to taste it again and we know the people of the region want that was well.”

Sammy added: “The upcoming ICC World T20 champion-

Darren Sammy

ship will be a ‘massive’ event, and could be one of the biggest cricket tournaments we will ever see. All the world’s best players in this format will be participating and this promises to be something special. With the matches being played in India, that adds to the appeal.

West Indies will be bringing the ‘A’ game to the party. It will be hard cricket and we will be coming hard.” The West Indies are due to arrive in Kolkata on March 7 ahead of the tournament. They will have official warm-up matches against India on Thursday, March 10, and against Australia on Sunday,

March 13.

West Indies have been drawn in Group 1 of the Super 10 stage where they will play alongside England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and one of the qualifiers from the first round.

FULL SQUAD

Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Jerome Taylor (Trinidad Guardian)

Narine impresses with remodeled action in local league

W

est Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine showed off a remodeled action and grabbed two wickets during a 10-over spell for Queen’s Park against Clarke Road in the T&T local club league yesterday.

Suspended from international cricket in December for a suspect bowling action, Narine is hoping to use his participation in the local competition to get comfortable with his adjusted action ahead of a crucial test in England, in February.

The test will be important for the spinner as he will need to be cleared by the ICC before joining up with the West Indies team ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup. By all accounts the performance of the spinner gave cause for assurance.

“Sunil looked good today in his comeback game.

Everyone who saw him was happy with his outlook.

National coaches Gus Logie and Kelvin Williams were both here looking at him and they were pleased. They were very happy with the fact that during his last few overs he got back his pace on the deliveries, so all in all it was a good day for him,” Parkites coach David Furlonge said. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Sunil Narine

20

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 1, 2016

Ice-cool Raina lifts India to 3-0 whitewash

India pose with the T20I series trophy (Getty Images)

A

thrilling chase and a cruel missed chance saw India seal a Twenty20 series sweep over Australia at the SCG, as the more settled side was victorious once again.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli laid the groundwork for India’s pursuit before Suresh Raina was able to finish things off with the help of Yuvraj Singh, who looked out of touch before finding his timing at precisely the right moment as the pair took 19 off Andrew Tye’s final over of the innings to finish off the win.

Victory also lifted India to No.1 in the ICC T20 rankings; they were eighth before the series began.

Raina was fortunate to be there, having escaped a stumping chance second ball. The bowler Cameron Boyce was Australia’s out-

standing performer on the night, but he was let down by the glove work of Cameron Bancroft, a speculative choice as wicketkeeper for this match in the absence of Matthew Wade.

The error typified Australia’s muddled approach to this series, just a month out from the World T20 in India. However they did have the consolation of an outstanding century by the stand-in captain Shane Watson, who showed why he should be indispensable to the team’s campaign on the same day his former team-mate Michael Clarke announced he intended to return to cricket after a fivemonth break.

India’s bowling was not particularly strong this night, but their batting strength was demonstrated

by Rohit, Kohli and Raina.

Vitally, Raina and Yuvraj did not lose their heads under the pressure of the chase - a strong lesson for the Australians given their panicky displays in Adelaide and Melbourne.

In pursuit of 198, India needed a fast start, something Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit were more than capable of providing. Dhawan only lasted nine balls, but in that time clumped 26 runs and made a mess of Shaun Tait. Rohit was a little more circumspect, but helped keep the score ticking over well ahead of the required rate.

Australia were able to pull things back somewhat through the middle overs thanks largely to the bowling of Watson and the legspinner Boyce, who gave the ball teasing flight and loaded it with spin to beat Rohit,

Kohli and Raina in the air.

Boyce gained two wickets for his effort but should have had a third, when Bancroft missed the stumping chance that a more seasoned keeper might have completed.

After Kohli’s exit to Boyce’s penultimate ball for another sparkling contribution of 50, Raina and Yuvraj Singh pottered around for a time. As MS Dhoni had done during the 50-over match on this ground a little over a week ago, they allowed the equation to stretch out while finding their bearings, and Tye was left to defend 17 from the final over.

As though rousing from a deep sleep, Yuvraj pounced on Tye’s first two balls, flicking over backward square leg to the fence then pounding a six into the heaving crowd at midwicket.

That rather simplified

the equation for India, and a pair of hustled twos by Raina were followed by an exultant last ball boundary that completed India’s clean sweep.

Watson had won the toss on a warm evening and walked out to bat with his Thunder opening partner Usman Khawaja. In the form of his life, Khawaja strolled to 14 from five balls before edging a good one from Ashish Nehra and being dismissed for less than 50 for the first time since last October.

That was something of a shock for the crowd and the Australians, but Watson was soon finding his range with powerful shots struck through and over MS Dhoni’s fields. He was giv-

en a helping hand by a pair of no-balls from Jaspreet Bumrah in the fourth over, the second from the free-hit he gave up by bowling the first - both were crunched to the cover boundary by Watson.

Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell could not endure in Watson’s company, but Travis Head provided common sense support to his captain, who grew in fluency and confidence with every over. A few weeks ago Watson had played similarly well on this ground for the Sydney Thunder against the Sydney Sixers, and this time Watson went on from his typical resting place between 50 and 90 to a maiden T20 international century. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Australia innings UT Khawaja c †Dhoni b Nehra 14 124 SR Watson* not out SE Marsh b Ashwin 9 GJ Maxwell c Raina b Yuvraj Singh 3 26 TM Head b Jadeja CA Lynn c Jadeja b Bumrah 13 CT Bancroft† not out 0 Extras (lb 2, w 4, nb 2) 8 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 197 Did not bat: AJ Tye, CJ Boyce, SM Boland, SW Tait Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-69, 3-75, 4-168, 5-193 Bowling: A Nehra 4-0-32-1, JJ Bumrah 4-0-43-1, R Ashwin 4-0-36-1, RA Jadeja 4-0-411, Yuvraj Singh 2-0-19-1, HH Pandya 2-0-24-0.

India innings RG Sharma c Watson b Boyce 52 S Dhawan c †Bancroft b Watson 26 V Kohli b Boyce 50 49 SK Raina not out 49 Yuvraj Singh not out 15 Extras (b 1, w 7) 8 Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 200 Did not bat: MS Dhoni*†, HH Pandya, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, JJ Bumrah, A Nehra Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-124, 3-147 Bowling: SW Tait 4-0-460, SM Boland 3-0-34-0, SR Watson 4-0-30-1, AJ Tye 4-0-51-0, CJ Boyce 4-0-282, GJ Maxwell 1-0-10-0.

Djokovic domination total as he wins 6th Melbourne title N

ovak Djokovic vanquished Andy Murray for the fourth time in an Australian Open final on Sunday to win a record-equalling sixth title and serve notice to his rivals that he could surpass even his stellar 2015 this year.

The Serbian’s fifth crown in six years on his favourite court not only allowed him to match Roy Emerson’s record Australian Open tally but also brought him level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on 11 grand slam titles.

He has won four of the last five slams, 38 of his last 39 matches, and at this rate Roger Federer’s record 17 is within range of the 28-year-old.

Although world number two Murray battled hard after losing the opening five games in the blink of an eye, the dominant manner of Sunday’s 6-1 7-5 7-6(3) victory vindicated Djokovic’s opinion that he was at the zenith of his powers.

“There’s no doubt I’m playing the best tennis of my life over the last 15 months,” the 28-year-old, who topped the ATP rankings for the whole of 2015, said.

“I do feel that I’m at the peak of my abilities and my career. I don’t think about limiting my ambitions or what I might be able to achieve.”

For Murray, distracted on his 11th visit to Melbourne Park by

the illness of his father-in-law and the impending arrival of his first child, a dispiriting night ended up with a record of the wrong sort.

The Briton’s defeat was his fifth in five finals at the Australian Open. Only his former coach Ivan Lendl has lost as many at one grand slam and he at least wedged three U.S. Open titles in between the defeats.

Murray gave it everything he had in the two-hour, 53-minute baseline battle that was compelling viewing throughout an engrossing and pivotal 80-minute second set.

DELAY INEVITABLE

He was only able to delay the inevitable though.

“A lot’s been going on,” twice grand slam champion Murray, who was catching the first flight home, told reporters.

“I started the last couple of matches quite slowly, understandable in some respects.

“Obviously it’s not good to begin matches like that against someone like Novak. But I’m proud of the way I fought and managed to get myself back into the match.

“Now I just want to get home.”

Djokovic reprised the two sets of flawless tennis he played in his semi-final against Roger Federer to race to a 5-0 lead in just 19 min-

Novak Djokovic (right) consoles Britain’s Andy Murray while holding the men’s singles trophy after winning their final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament

utes.

Murray contributed to his downfall, a double-fault handed his first service game to his opponent, but the depth and accuracy of Djokovic’s groundstrokes had the Scot chasing shadows on the Rod Laver Arena.

To his credit Murray, who beat

Djokovic to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon titles and probably would have claimed several more but for the Serb, rose to the challenge.

He had chances too. He was 5-5 40-0 ahead in the second set with Djokovic under pressure before he came off second best in a spell-

binding 36-stroke rally as Djokovic roared back to break before clinching a two-set lead despite two double faults.

Murray even fought back from 2-0 down in the third, but his resistance snapped in the tiebreak and Djokovic fired down his seventh ace to secure victory.

“Every grand slam title is very significant in its own way,” Djokovic said. “Here, I managed to make history tonight and equal Roy Emerson’s six Australian Open titles.

“I’m honoured to be mentioned alongside legends of our sport.”

While Emerson’s triumphs came in the pre-professional era of the 1960s when few players from the rest of the world made the long journey Down Under, Djokovic’s dominance is international.

He won 11 titles including three of the four majors last year and already has a 12-0 record this season, having thrashed the other members of the “Big Four” -- Rafa Nadal, Federer and Murray -- to win in Doha and Melbourne.

Only Australian Laver, who was on the court named after him watching the final, has managed to win all four grand slams in one year and Djokovic would have to break his Roland Garros duck to match the feat and make more history. (Reuters Sport)

sports

YELLOW PAGES monday, february 1, 2016

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 611-1018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

health Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 MondaysSaturdays 9am-3pm. Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown.

Tel: 225-5034

Driving School Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION Music 2016!! Register - learn to play the recorder, drums, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, violin, steel pan and train your voice at Foundation 7 Music School. Call 225-1151/657-8404

FOR SALE Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indenture ship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and at Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 2265053.

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer & HP scanner - $25,000. Call 225-2676 or 601-5285.

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/ visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc.

Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105.

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249.

We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today. optician

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

lAND FOR SALE PARFAITE HARMONIE (80FT X 45FT) $1M. EAST COAST (LOWLANDS) $1.8M. PARFAITE HARMONIE (100FT X 50FT FENCED) $3.2M. 611-7223, 604-2207 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel # 610-2234

property for sale HUTSONVILLE, EBD – BUNGALOW WITH 3 BEDROOMS (1 SELF CONTAINED), SECURED, A/C, HOT AND COLD WATER - EXCELLENT CONDITION. TEL: 625-5431, 6223736, 697-4131 ONE 2-FAMILY HOUSE IN LAMAHA STREET. BACK HOUSE WITH DRIVEWAY. PRICE $30M. NEG. TEL: 226-1935

services House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464 REPAIRS. TV, STEREOs, MICROWAVEs, AMPs, DVDs, WASHERS, INSTALLATION OF CAMERAS, ETC. 693-2683

spirituality Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7 SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177.

A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

WANTED SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg.

(MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER st. G/ Town. 231-7101

NOT RECEIVING YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now.

Email: anew-life@live.com SPIRITUAL HEALING. SICKNESS, EVIL SPIRITS, RELATIONSHIPS, IMPOTENCE, REUNITE LOVERS, PREGNANCY, JOBS, BUSINESS, BLOCKAGE, ETC. 612-1975, 6935228

services Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning Car/ AC, Washers , Stoves. Call: Nick, 683-1312, 627-3206

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 225-7878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO let

Apt for rent - 2 Bedrooms, Toilet and Bathroom Inside, 194 Anaida Ave, Eccles, EBD. Tel: 669-9390 2-Bedroom Upstairs Apartment $65,000, 2-Bedroom Downstairs Apartment - $35,000. 306 BB Eccles, EBD. TEL: 233-2607, 6181225, 618-1557 SPACIOUS 2-BEDROOM TOP FLAT SITUATED IN RESIDENTIAL UPPER REGENT STREET CLOSE TO ORNOQUE ST. IDEAL FOR WORKING MARRIED COUPLE OR FOREIGN NATIONALS. PARKING AVAILABLE IN FRONT, PLEASE CALL 694-1368 OR 227-4183 AFTER 5 PM

Everton spoil Carlisle’s big day in the FA Cup

C

arlisle United had dreamed of an FA Cup fairytale back at their Brunton Park home that had been so heavily damaged in December’s floods, but Everton ruined the fourth tier side’s big day with a comprehensive 3-0 win in the fourth round on Sunday.

It was an emotional occasion for Carlisle following the devastation wrought by Storm Desmond which had left much of the Cumbrian city deluged, including the football stadium, where water rose as high as the crossbars.

Following a major relief effort, with players, management and staff helping with the clean-up as the club were forced to play away from home, Carlisle had returned to League Two action at a newly-relaid Brunton Park last week.

Still, everyone’s thoughts remained on their moneyspinning, glamour Cup tie against five-time winners Everton, seeking their first final success in the old competition since 1995.

Yet their hopes of achieving an upset befitting of the occasion in front of a soldout crowd were doused within two minutes as Aaron Lennon swept down the right wing and crossed low for Arouna Kone to tap home the simplest of goals.

Everton’s Ross Barkley celebrates scoring their third goal

(Reuters photo)

When the rampant Lennon cut past a static defender to fire home a second after 14 minutes, a long afternoon looked in prospect for the home side but Carlisle held out until a brilliant 65th minute Ross Barkley strike from the edge of the penalty area made it 3-0.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez told BT Sport afterwards: “We knew that you can allow these games to be very complicated. I thought we dealt with it with an incredible professionalism. The start of the game allowed us to control the rest of it.

“The fourth round of the FA Cup always brings excitement. I thought we played well and controlled the threat that Carlisle can

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

bring.”

Everton missed out on the chance of a Wembley final in the League Cup when they lost the second leg of their semi-final to Manchester City on Wednesday, going out 4-3 on aggregate, but Lennon is eying some FA Cup glory.

“We knew we had to get back to winning ways and fast. We had to get over Wednesday’s disappointment and we are in the draw later today,” he said.

The fourth round was being completed later with Chelsea playing at Championship side (second tier) Milton Keynes Dons ahead of the fifth round draw on Sunday evening. (Reuters Sport)

Chelsea captain Terry says to leave at end of season

C

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 35

21

helsea captain John Terry will leave the Premier League champions when his contract expires at the end of the season, he told British media on Sunday.

“It’s not going to be a fairytale ending, I’m not going to retire at Chelsea,” Terry was quoted as saying after his side’s 5-1 win over Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup fourth round.

“I was in last week before the Arsenal game and it (Chelsea contract) is not going to be extended. It’s a no at the minute.

“I needed to know now like I have done every January and sometimes it takes a couple of months to get done. Unfortunately it was a no. It took me a couple of days to get over.

“But I knew before the Arsenal game and my performance isn’t going to change - the way I train, what I give for the club.

“I want to give everything and finish on a high.

I couldn’t play for another Premiuer League club, it will be elsewhere for sure,” he was quoted as saying on British media websites.

Chelsea were not immediately available for comment.

The 35-year-old Terry, who has spent his entire career at Chelsea making almost 700 appearances, apart from a brief loan spell at

Jason Terry

Nottingham Forest when he was a teenager, has been the most successful skipper in the club’s history.

Terry, who made his debut as a substitute in a League Cup tie versus Aston Villa in October 1998, has led them to victory in the Champions League, won four Premier League titles, five FA Cups and three League Cups as well as the Europa League.

He also played 78 times for England, scoring six goals.

FAN FAVOURITE

Last season when Chelsea won the title, he played every minute of every league match. That run ended when he was substituted at halftime in the second game of this season by then-manager Jose Mourinho in a 3-0 loss at Manchester City.

He was then sent off in his next game against

West Bromwich Albion as Chelsea’s early season woes continued, culminating in Mourinho’s departure in December.

Terry’s form may have dipped this term but a glimpse of what he means to the fans came when he equalised late in stoppage time to force a 3-3 draw with Everton on Jan. 16, to preserve Chelsea’s unbeaten run under interim coach Guus Hiddink.

Jumping on to the hoardings surrounding the pitch to celebrate, he was almost engulfed by the adoring supporters.

However, Terry has not been universally popular in England with a series of controversies during his long playing career.

In November 2011 he was investigated by the police and later the Football Association for alleged racist abuse against Anton Ferdinand of Queens Park Rangers. Although Terry was later acquitted in court, he was banned by the FA for four matches.

He was twice stripped of the England captaincy and also fell out with former Chelsea team mate Wayne Bridge, who refused to shake his hand before a match following media allegations that Terry had an affair with one of Bridge’s former girlfriends. (Reuters Sport)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 1, 2016

Milo U-20 School Football Tournament…

St George’s fall to St John’s

Avenash Ramzan

Action during Sunday’s play at the Ministry of Education ground

By Treiston Joseph

I

naugural Champions of the Milo under-20 School football tournament, St George’s Secondary fell to St John’s College when action in the 2016 edition of the tournament continued on Sunday at the Ministry of Education ground.

The first game of the day was definitely thrilling when St John’s topped St George’s 3-2.

Joel Yhap scored a double for St John’s in the 14th and 43rd minutes to lead the way for the Waterloo based school.

Tofani Persaud scored the third goal in the 48th minute.

Scoring for St George’s came from Rayheim Augustus in the 46th and 53rd minute respectively.

Meanwhile Mae’s demolished Freeburg Secondary 5-nil with Darshawn Persaud scoring a hat-trick

in the 23rd, 28th and 59th minutes. Isaiah Stephen and Diego Britton scored the other goals in the sixth and 13th minutes respectively.

St Roses High School was also in form with a 3-1 win against Charlestown Secondary. Akeem Wilson (25th), Kegan Howard (35th), and Anthony Daly (46th) were the scores for the top Georgetown school while Luckhort Forde scored the consolation goal for

Charlestown in the 43rd minute.

The final game of the day ended in a tame draw with Queenstown and Tutorial Secondary drawing 1-1.

Wellinson Dos Santos scored for Queenstown in the 29th minute while Queenstown game up three pints by scoring an own goal in the 37th minute. Action in the tournament will continue next weekend at the said ground.

CFU Championships…

Shabazz impressed with Golden Jaguars... from page 24

By Akeem Greene Guyana’s National Football team, the Golden Jaguars have kickedoff an impressive start to their training ahead of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Men’s Caribbean Cup Championships, which is scheduled for March 21-29.

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz is pleased with the turn out on the first day of training and believes their off to a positive start.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Sunday at the Guyana Defense Force Ground, Shabazz revealed that “ we are happy with the turn out, we have 99.9% turn out, only Gregory Richardson didn’t show but

we are happy with the turn out for the training and we are off to a grand start”.

Many of the players present at the training would have played in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League but the aim at training is to develop stronger players by putting them through an intensified regime of practice.

“We have seen the players play in the clubs, now we want to raise the level of intensity in the training and see how they match up to a higher intensity of training”, the head coach explained.

He further added that “on the first day you want to see the guys who bring the right approach, the right

mental approach, the right desire; so it’s going well”.

In assessing the composition of the team, Shabazz said “we have a good mixture of youth and experience and of course this not the final squad, we have players now starting to play with their clubs; its early days yet”.

The squad reads: Alex Murray, Dorville Stewart, Solomon Austin, Joshua Brown, Colin Nelson, Sherwin Skeete, William Europe, Andrew Murray, Dwain Jacobs, Dellon Lanferman, Anthony Benfield, Kester Jacobs, Vurlon Mills, Dominic Garnett, Devon Millington,

Jermaine Sommerset, Mark McLean, Konata Manning, Travis Grant, Gregory Richardson, Alwyn McDonald, Kevin Cottoy, Linden Pickett, Delwyn Fraser, Dwain Lindie and Eon Alleyne.

The officials are Jamaal Shabazz (Head Coach), Wayne Dover (Assistant Coach), Rawle Adams (Team Manager), Faizal Khan (Player/Press Liaison Officer), Andrew Hazel (Goalkeeper Coach), Anson Ambrose (Trainer), Beverly Nelson (Physiotherapist), Trevor Burnett (Equipment Manager) and Earl Paul (Equipment Officer).

SPRINGER, POPE FIRE...

With their win, West Indies moved into second spot in Group C on two points alongside Zimbabwe.

The two teams meet on Tuesday, with the winner clinching a post in the Super League quarter-finals.

Needing a strong result following their opening loss to England last Friday, West Indies fired from the outset as Pope and Tevin Imlach, who scored 36, put on 120 for the first wicket.

The left-handed Pope faced 77 deliveries and hammered 12 fours while Imlach struck six fours in a 40-ball knock.

Despite the strong start, West Indies slumped once the opening pair were parted, losing four wickets for 20 runs in the space of 29 de-

liveries with Tikoisuva taking the first three wickets to fall.

He claimed Imlach playing on, trapped Pope lbw with a full length delivery in his following over before having Keacy Carty caught at cover for one off a loose drive.

When captain Shimron Hetmyer edged an attempted cut and was caught at slip off off-break bowler Vaibhav Kapadia in the 23rd over, West Indies were left to rebuild.

Springer then arrived to spark the revival, lashing ten fours and four sixes in a rollicking 157-run, fifth wicket stand with Goolie, which snuffed the life out of Fiji.

Goolie, a left-hander,

faced 75 balls and counted five fours and a six.

The right-handed Springer reached his first fifty off 42 deliveries. He moved into the 40s with a four and a six in the 37th over bowled by off-spinner Tuwai Yabaki and reached his landmark in the following over, with the second of three consecutive fours off Kapadia.

Springer needed only 32 more deliveries for his hundred, edging seamer Peni Vuniwaqa to the third man boundary to reach the landmark.

Facing a daunting total, Fiji’s job was made even more difficult when the impressive Joseph wrecked the top order.

With a single run on the

from page 24

board, he bowled T Veitacini with the third ball of the innings with one that seamed away and then trapped Delaimatuku Maraiwai lbw for four in the fifth over with a delivery that shaped back.

His new ball partner Ryan John then claimed Jordan Dunham for three at 11 for three in the sixth over before Joseph completed his top order demolition by producing a beauty of a delivery that jagged back to bowl Samuel Saunokonoko for two, as the batsman offered no stroke.

Vuniwaqa stood alone as wickets tumbled around him, facing 49 balls and hitting five fours before finally being ninth out, bowled playing back to Pope. (Windies

Cricket)

Take a bow, Shiv!

By Avenash Ramzan hivnarine Chanderpaul’s retirement announcement was unsurprisingly followed by an outpouring of tributes to the great Guyanese and West Indian cricketer.

Social media, newspapers and television shows were inundated with glorious recollection of a glittering international career, one which started 21 years ago in fine style at Bourda. He proceeded to be a most humble servant of West Indies cricket, standing like a beacon amidst a sunken ship.

Chanderpaul was inducted into international cricket at a time when West Indies was at the pinnacle of world cricket, and breaking into the team was as difficult as scaling Mount Everest.

Over the next two decades, the “Tiger”, as he had become affectionately known due to his fighting qualities, had witnessed the decline of the team, as having the dubious record of appearing in the most Test defeats in history would attest.

His announced his undoubtedly ability with fine 62 on debut against England at Bourda, and later on in the series, accompanied Brian Lara to the world record score of 375 in a partnership of 219. While the runs flowed during his maiden series in international cricket, one thing was quite obvious: Chanderpaul was determined to put a price to his wicket.

Bowlers had to work overtime to dislodge him, and that theme prevailed throughout his career. His achievements over those 21 years are well documented, but I will state a few here, even at the risk of being repetitive.

It is not by coincidence, Chanderpaul holds the record for the longest sequence between dismissals in a Test series, and is the only Test player to bat more than 1,000 minutes before being dismissed, four times. The dogged left-hander had demonstrated an insatiable appetite for batting, as his career strike of 43.31 would prove.

Amazingly, Chanderpaul faced 27, 395 balls for his 11, 867 Test runs, the second most by a West Indian behind Brian Lara’s 11, 953. In ODIs, he lifted that strike rate to 70.74; his 8,778 runs occupying 12, 408 deliveries. He is one of only six West Indians to score more than 10 ODI hundreds, tallying 11.

He holds the record for the most Test appearances by a West Indian- 164, and he is the second most capped West Indian ODI player with 268 games.

Among West Indians, Chanderpaul’s 30 Test centuries is second only to Lara’s 34 and his final average of 51.37 puts him behind only George Headley (60.83), Sir Everton Weekes (58.61), Sir Garfield Sobers (57.78), Sir Clyde Walcott (56.68) and Lara (53.17), among West Indians to have played more than 20 Test matches.

Chanderpaul was ranked the world’s best Test batsman three times- 2008, 2009 and 2013- and he was also named one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 2007, and was ICC World Player of the Year in 2008.

In an era of terminal decline, Chanderpaul’s numbers are astronomical, bringing rise to the notion that he may very well be the last great West Indian batsman. It would be a fitting tag for a fervent student of the game, for he has stood tall among his contemporaries, and has left a legacy in the gentleman’s game.

His sterling contributions should not only serve as inspiration to the next generation of West Indian cricketers, but every boy and girl in the Caribbean and further afield, as they pursue their dreams. Shiv’s career has left us all with a pertinent message: through hardwork, perseverance and determination, success could be had.

It’s sad that he didn’t enjoy the luxury of a farewell series, or was bestowed with the privilege of retiring on his own terms, but he has done enough to firmly etch his name among the greats of the game. Take a bow, Shiv! (aramzan@ guyanatimesgy.com)

S

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 1, 2016

23

GCA’s 1st Division Cricket…

UG top GYO despite Deokie’s 155

By Akeem Greene

T

he University of Guyana (UG) defeated Ghandi Youth Organisation (GYO) by eight wickets on Sunday in latest round of the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA) First Division two-day competition.

Playing at the Demerara Cricket Club, GYO resumed the day on 33-2 needing 181 runs to avoiding an innings defeat.

However, GYO’s middle-order batsman Abilosh Deokie had other ideas and smashed his way to whirlwind 155 inclusive of 22 sixes and two fours to extinguish any ideas of UG inflicting an innings defeat as his side was bowled out for 279 from 65.3 overs.

Deokie featured in a 133run partnership with Divesh Ramjattan (15) who was an excellent foil for each other as Ramjattan blocked most of the deliveries he

faced while Deokie blasted the UG bowlers to all parts of the ground. Christopher Deonarine chipped in with a valuable 29.

The wickets were shared among the UG bowlers as Dwayne Dodson picked up 3-18; Lloyd George 3-21 and Damion Vantull 2-15.

UG now needed 65 to win and got there with little trouble, thanks to Dodson’s 24 not out; Leon Williams and Melroy Stephenson both made 18. Left-arm spinner Trevone France took 2-28 in a losing cause for GYO. Scores (UG: 302 and 652; GYO: 88 and 279) At Police, Transport Sports Club (TSC) held on for a dramatic one-wicket win over the home team.

Police began the day on 83-5 and reached 214 all out in 38.5 overs. Police batting was led by Stephan Harris who made a valiant 73.

Harris and Seon Daniels (06) took the score from 99-7

Adrian Hinds

Dennis Squires

to 161-8 by virtue of their 8th wicket 62-run partnership. Breniol Woolford was the next best scorer with 31.

Devaugh Nandan picked up 4-53 to end with match figures of 8-96. Off-spinner Kevin Ross and medium pacer Shawn Messiah picked up 3-46 and 2-60 respectively.

Chasing 181 for victo-

ry, TSC got off to a solid start as openers Charwayne McPherson and Supaul Sanichar put on 47 for the first wicket; they then lost two quick wickets to leave the scores 59-3.

Young Adrian Hinds batting at number seven, featured in a vital ninth-wicket partnership with Ross (09)

which was worth 37; the pair took the score from 1308 to 167-9.

It was then over to the last wicket pair of Colin Barlow (04*) to secured the win as Hinds who batted with great composure ended on 45 not out.

Harris returned with the ball to take 4-49.

Scores (PSC: 134 and 214; TSC: 168 and 181-9) At Maltenoes Sports Club (MSC), the home team held on for draw but only to give the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) first innings points.

MSC resumed the day on 25-7 with a momentous task of overhauling DCC’s 3787 dec. and were eventually bowled out for 56 with Floyd Rollins top scoring with 25 as the next best score was Steven Sankar with 09.

Off-spinner Dennis Squires, who opened the bowling was the pick of the bowlers with 5-10 and

was backed up by seamer Carlton Jacques with 2-18.

DCC inserted the followon and it looked by all accounts another batting collapse was on the cards for MSC as lost their first two wickets with just 28 on the board.

The experienced pair of Elton Baker (62) and Marcus Watkins (38) steadied the ship with a third-wicket partnership of 75. Kellon Carmichael made 23 batting alongside Baker to quell any ideas of a DCC win.

Darien Best (00*) and Rollins (07*) were the batsman at the crease when rain brought a premature end to play as MSC ended on 188-7.

Left-arm unorthodox spinner Totaram Bishun picked up 4-79 from 25 overs while Squires was yet again among the wickets with 3-46 to take his match tally to 8-56. Scores (DCC 378-7 dec.; MSC 56 and 188-7)

Unity Cricket…

Gayle’s 48-ball ton powers Legacy All-stars to 7-wicket win

By Akeem Greene

I

t was the Christopher Henry Gayle show at the Providence National Stadium on Saturday night as the destructive opening batsman blasted his way to 101 from 49 balls to help the Legacy All-stars defeat the 007 Warriors by seven wickets in the Unity Cricket 20over match.

Watched by a close to full capacity crowd, Gayle, who is commonly called “Dark and Stormy” by many of his avid fans created his own storm as it simply was raining sixes. Gayle hit eleven mammoth sixes to all parts of the ground and just four fours.

Set 178 to win off their allotment of 20-overs, Gayle arrived to the crease with his gold-coloured bat to a loud roar by the fans and faced up to West Indies One Day International (ODI) and Test Captain Jason Holder.

The five balls of the over produced little excitement but the last ball of the over saw Gayle tugging Holder through the mid-on region for four, which was the precursor for the onslaught that was about to occur.

Next over medium pacer Dwayne Smith bowling from the Media Center end, hit the middle of the pitch and the left-handed Gayle rocked backed and pulled it to the mid wicket boundary.

His first six came when he cleared his front leg to hit leg-spinner Samuel Badree straight back over his head.

From left a representative of Trophy Stall, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Darren Sammy, 007 Promotions’ James Bond and Digicel’s Senior Sponsorship and Events Executive Louanna Abrams (Marceano Narine Photo)

It seemed Gayle was in the groove to produce a spectacle as in the next over he pulled Smith for six over the mid wicket boundary and into the Red Stand. One of his towering sixes even reached halfway into the grass mound.

With two orthodox left-arm spinners in Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie bowling for the opposition, it was a difficult task to contain Gayle.

Andre Fletcher (18) who opened the batting with Gayle stood as a mere spec-

tator in their 50-run opening run partnership.

However, it was the pair of Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (23) and Gayle in their 100-run second wicket partnership off 52 balls which secured the chase.

Gayle who has the record for the fastest T20 century off 30 balls brought up his hundred with a six off Badree but retired with the score on 150-1.

The pair of Dwayne Bravo (22*) and Nicholas Pooran (8*) took the scores to 180-3 from 16.5 overs to

deliver the emphatic victory.

Badree and Smith took one wicket a piece.

Earlier, 007 Warriors won the toss and chose to bat but their innings did not get off to the best of starts as they lost Shemroy Barrington without scoring off the bowling of Bravo to simple catch by Romario Shepherd at fine leg.

The right-arm fast bowler Shepherd returned to bowl Smith (07) in a lively spell of bowling on a pitch that surprisingly offered some amount of pace and

bounce.

The pair of Lendl Simmons and Bacchus took the score to 48-2 from the first six overs.

The left-handed Bacchus announced his arrival to the crease with a gem of a cover drive off the bowling of Shepherd that sped to the ropes.

Lanky left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn was introduced in the sixth over and was greeted with three fine boundaries by Simmons, one of which was a cracking square cut through point.

from page 24

Narsingh Deonarine suffered the same faith as Benn as the duo took the bowler, hitting him for three boundaries in his first over.

Shepherd was rewarded for his hard work as he deceived Bacchus with a slower ball to have him caught at the deep mid-wicket boundary for a well played 32 off 21 deliveries inclusive of five fours.

He fell with the score on 102-2 and featured in 88-run third wicket partnership off 52 balls with Simmons.

Simmons brought up his fifty with a cheeky cut backward of point off Shepherd but he did not last long after since he hit a long hop down the throat of Benn fielding at long-on off the bowling of off-spinner Gajanand Singh.

Darren Sammy who was the stand-in Captain of the side fell for 12 as he held out to a well-judged catch by Ashmead Nedd on the longoff boundary Holder (13) and Anthony Bramble (10) made a 21run sixth wicket partnership from 10 balls but wickets fell a regular intervals.

It was the pair of Permaul who made 25 from 12 balls and Motie (6) in a ninth wicket partnership of 33 to the score to 177-8.

Singh who seemed to have the golden arm of the night ended with figures of 4-25 from four overs; Shepherd and Bravo each took two wickets. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

monday, february 1, 2016

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

Unity Cricket…

Gayle’s 48-ball ton powers Legacy All-stars to 7-wicket win Pg 23

Gayle heaves one of his towering sixes

Springer, Pope fire Shabazz impressed with Golden Windies U-19 to win CFU Championships…

Jaguars’ first day of training

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz (white shirt) along with Assistant Coach Wayne Dover discuss tactics at training.

By Akeem Greene

G

uyana’s National Football team, the Golden Jaguars have kicked-off an impressive start to their training ahead of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Men’s Caribbean Cup Championships, which is scheduled for March 21-29.

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz is pleased with the turn out on the first day of training and believes their off to a positive start.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport

on Sunday at the Guyana Defense Force Ground, Shabazz revealed that “ we are happy with the turn out, we have 99.9% turn out, only Gregory Richardson didn’t show but we are happy with the turn out for the training and we are off to a grand start”.

Many of the players present at the training would have played in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League but the aim at training is to develop stronger players by putting them through an intensified regime of practice.

turn to page 22

S

hamar Springer struck a stunning hundred as West Indies Under-19s clobbered minnows Fiji Under-19s by 262 runs here Sunday, to pick up their first victory of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Sent in, West Indies stormed to 340 for seven off their 50 overs with Springer blasting 106 off just 78 balls, in-form opener Gidron Pope stroking 76 and Jyd Goolie, a breezy 66.

Seamer Cakacaka Tikoisuva finished with six for 59 from his ten overs.

In reply, Fiji could only muster a paltry 78 off 27.3 overs with Peni Vuniwaqa topscoring with 29 to be one of just two bats- Shamar Springer men to make it into Behind Joseph’s devastating new double figures. ball spell, Fiji tottered at 13 for four Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph did in the seventh over and never rethe early damage with three for 15 covered, and have now lost three before off-spinner Gidron Pope ran straight games in the competition. through the innings with four for 24. turn to page 22

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.