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Demerara Criminal Assizes opens P17

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3091

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

PRICE

GECOM chairmanship

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Urgent meeting needed to clarify Constitution Page 3

– Jagdeo writes to Granger

7 homeless after fire guts Somerset home P10 Shot robbery P8 suspect granted bail

…President confirms receipt, AG hints at unilateral appointment

Pomeroon father chopped by son Page 7

Pregnant woman dies in Berbice crash

“We will see GDF transformed” – new Chief-of-Staff

3 in custody for nightclub shooting P12

Page 13

GECOM chairmanship

PPP believes Granger setting stage to make unilateral P2 appointment

Page 11

Deplorable conditions

Ituni parents P10 continue protest, school remains closed

Brigadier Patrick West as he assumes the command of the Guyana Defence Force at the Change in Command Parade on Tuesday at Base Camp Ayanganna (Dexter Ceres photo)

Norton admits drug procurement change led to countrywide shortages Page 3

... staff pressured to cancel bids, re-tender to accommodate favoured companies ― source

Govt duplexes, townhouses

$13M budgeted for model village exhibition P7

2 news

wednesDAY, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM Chairman

PPP believes Granger setting stage to make unilateral appointment

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) strongly believes that President David Granger is setting the stage to make a unilateral appointment of the next Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman and has signalled a warning that democracy is under threat.

In this regard, the Party on Tuesday said it is urging every right thinking Guyanese to raise their voice against the coalition Government’s worrying attempt to assault the electorate’s right to a free and fair election process.

The Party’s warnings come in wake of President

Ramesh Dookhoo

Granger’s interpretation of the Constitution of Guyana which led to him rejecting the list of nominees submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana

peared on the list submitted by then Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte to then President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Carter Formula

The PPP outlined that the Carter Formula is designed and intended to achieve consensus between Government and Opposition regarding the appointment of GECOM’s Chairman.

This is why the list emanates from the Opposition but must find acceptance with the Christopher Ram

Elections Commission (GECOM).

President Granger contended that the names submitted by the Opposition Leader do not have the requirements outlined in the Constitution. He believes that the Constitution limits the nominees to being Judge or being eligible to become one even though the Constitution provides for persons being “fit and proper” to be appointed as the GECOM Chairman.

Granger contended that the list submitted by Jagdeo is “unacceptable” on the basis of the Constitution even though many former GECOM Chairmen did not meet the criteria of being a Judge or possessing qualifications to become one. Granger’s rejection is also in light of the fact that he accepted the nomination to be GECOM Chairman in 1997 when his name ap-

Professor James Rose

characteristics.

GECOM’s composition was also designed to achieve a certain degree of equilibrium, hence the composition of three nominees from the governing party and three from the Opposition, with the Chairman holding a balance with the power of a casting vote.

Unilateral appointment

The Party said if the President makes a unilateral appointment of a Chairman of his own choosing, then it will fundamentally alter that vital balance which the Constitution was designed to achieve.

“This will result in a tremendous loss of confidence in an already publicly impugned Elections Commission,” the Party warned. PPP noted that President Granger is the first President who has ever rejected a list submitted by the Opposition Leader.

“We think that this is the beginning of an elaborate plan to rig the next elections.

We feel that the President is laying the foundation for the

President.

The Formula was constitutionalised unanimously in 1995 in the National Assembly. It was retained by the Constitutional Reform Commission 1999-2001. The speeches in the National Assembly and the notes of the Constitutional Reform Commission lauded the Formula for its consensual

unilateral appointment of a Chairman of GECOM of his own choosing. Such an appointment will not only be unconstitutional but will certainly compromise the integrity of the electoral machinery. We always knew that once the [People’s National Congress] PNC holds the seat of Government democracy will be under threat.

Our fears are becoming a reality,” the Party expressed in a statement to the media on Tuesday.

Interpretation

Rhyaan Shah

Lawrence Latchmansingh

Given the gravity of the situation, the Party is urging the diplomatic community, civil society organisations, the Guyana Bar Association, the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, the Berbice Bar Association, the Guyana Human Rights Association, Red Thread, the labour movement, religious organisations, the Private Sector Commission and every Guyanese to raise their voice “against this self- serving, twisted and grossly er-

Norman Mc Lean

roneous interpretation of our Constitution and to condemn this intended assault on our democracy.”

Significantly, the PPP pointed out that the Opposition Leader, though not constitutionally obliged to hold consultations, met with every major representative organisation in the country regarding the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman.

These consultations produced the list submitted by Jagdeo to the President and the Party is contending that all of these stakeholders clearly could not have misinterpreted the Constitution.

“A rejection of this list is therefore a rejection of the voices of all these organisations. Is the President saying that all these organisations have interpreted the Constitution wrongly, and only his interpretation is correct?” the Party pondered.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has since been asked to submit a second list of nominees to the President.

news

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WEDNESDAY, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, January 11 – a night retraction at 04:00h and 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, January 12 – a night retraction at 05:00h and 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Berbic –Wednesday, January 11 –15:00h-16:30h and Thursday,12-15:30h-17:00.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny weather with light cloud cover can be expected in the morning while sunny weather is expected to be interrupted by light rain showers in the mid afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 23 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly and North Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 03:30h and 15:46h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.74 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:19h and 21:50h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.45 metre respectively.

saturday, January 7, 2017

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Daily Millions LUCKY 3 0

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... staff pressured to cancel bids, re-tender to accommodate favoured companies ― source

T

he explosive revelations about collusion in the drug procurement system are just the tip of the iceberg in an avalanche of corruption which thrives in the local health sector, former Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton disclosed.

“It is much, much more than we can ever imagine.

I am going to say this, that report is probably the tip of the iceberg; you’ve got much more information to come,” Dr Norton revealed to Guyana Times during an exclusive interview at his new office within the Ministry of the Presidency.

Dr Norton, who was recently transferred from his post as Public Health Minister following an influx of negative publicity that erupted over the drug bond scandal, had requested an independent investigation be launched into the drug procurement process after he suspected mass malpractice within the process.

A Board of Inquiry (BoI), headed by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Winston Cosbert, was established and conducted a three-week probe into the system.

The report, which was leaked to the media ahead of Cabinet’s consideration, unearthed shocking instances of collusion between suppliers and Health Ministry staffers.

The report also recommended that a senior Health Ministry official be fired for his role in these malpractices.

Missing drugs

03 09 12 17 25 7

Norton admits drug procurement change led to countrywide shortages

20

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Dr Norton, during his 18 months at the Public Health Ministry, noticed instances where drugs which were ordered could not have been found, and only upon inquiry, did staffers inform him about the situation.

“When medical supplies left the central bond, there was no correspondence to say that this amount left and this amount was de-

Former Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

livered. The other thing is when you were told you were expecting so much medication, only after you found that the medication is short, then you are told that all did not come,” the Minister explained, reflecting on one instance when he summoned staff to his office and demanded an explanation for the confusion within the system.

Dr Norton strongly believes that information was being deliberately withheld from him.

Credibility

Another issue plaguing the drug procurement process is the absence of verification procedures on the credibility of the suppliers of drugs to the Public Health Ministry.

This deficiency resulted in the situation whereby the Ministry was procuring drugs from a blacklisted Trinidadian pharmaceutical firm called Western Scientific.

“I tried to find some information about a particular company known as Western Scientific, and I defended this company because I needed their drug as urgent as possible because we were having a shortage, only to find out that this company was blacklisted by IDB [Inter-American Development Bank] because of so many corrupt practices,” Dr Norton recalled.

The BoI discovered that

a female employee of the Ministry admitted during her testimony that she had in fact spoken to a bidder from the Trinidadian company, which was soliciting inside information.

The BoI also found that an accountant attached to the Ministry’s Materials Management Unit approached a senior staff at the Ministry with proof that the same female employee was giving insider information to a bidder, but he failed to act on it.

As such, the report noted that the senior official was “wilfully evasive and deceptive” during his testimony.

False certifications

Furthermore, the Minister explained that when the procurement process became open to competitive bidding, the influx of bidders made it challenging to do background checks on every bidder even though they met the criteria.

“You asking me to go to each one of these companies that are bidding in spite of the fact that they reach all the criteria there; I don’t know their background, I only worked 18 months there…It is really asking quite a lot for me to swear about the integrity of every company,” he stated.

Dr Norton added, “And I am not making excuses: I am telling persons what is actually on the ground. I am not begging for sympathy; I

am saying it as it is.”

He noted too that some companies would submit the required documents, but only later it would be discovered that the paperwork was fraudulent.

“In order for you to supply certain things like reagent, you need a certificate of authorisation from manufacturing company.

Information was provided that some of these letters of certification were false,” the Minister disclosed.

He noted that the Ministry needed to do indepth research into each bidder to ensure they were above board, an undertaking which would require much work that could not have been sorted out in 18 months.

Change

The Minister conceded that the change in the drug procurement system also made the process quite challenging, resulting in countrywide shortages and opening avenues for malpractices to occur.

But he maintained that the change was needed since it was unfair to continue along the lines of sole sourcing.

“You are changing a system with the same persons involved, with short staff and persons who are simply not qualified, with the infrastructure not in place, you will run into difficulties…I want the nation to know that that CoI was asked for by me, because you were given information, to be told that you have everything under control – only to find yourself on the limb again,” he stated.

He explained too that with the new system (whereby the Regions submit the list of drugs they want to purchase and the monies budgeted for the Regions are sent to the Ministry for bulk purchases in order to benefit from economies of scale) created many shortcomings.

TURN TO PAGE 9

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wednesday, January 11, 2017

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

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

Editorial

Reform essential T

he incumbent Caricom Chairman, President David Granger, in his New Year’s message reminded that 2017 marks the mid-point of the Five-Year Strategic Plan for the period 2015-2019, which is a foundational element in the Community’s Reform Process, geared towards ensuring that people feel the impact of the integration movement in their daily lives. More importantly, the Head of State reiterated that integration was not merely about systems and institutions, but rather about people.

Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRoque, in his address at the 39th meeting of the Community Council of Ministers held recently, acknowledged that the year 2017 will be a crucial time for the reform, particularly for the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). He then called for a rigid approach to the examination and attention of issues.

Clearly, the reform process has begun to take shape, and based on the Secretary General’s pronouncements, the implementing partners for the Strategic Plan – the member states, the regional institutions and the Secretariat, are embracing the challenge, since the groundwork for the cohesive approach had been laid. Last July, Heads of Government mandated that a review of the status of CSME be completed for consideration of the intersessional meeting. That review, LaRoque asserted, is being undertaken as well as how the CSME can be recalibrated to make it more responsive to address issues of growth and competitiveness.

The operational plan for achieving the goals has been designed, which identifies the specific roles for each of the implementing partners – the member states, regional institutions and the Secretariat. Towards the goal of strengthening the framework, a sensitisation session on the CSME Regime for Free Movement of People will be held in Suriname this week.

More than 30 participants will attend the one-day sensitisation training workshop in the Dutch-speaking Caricom Member State. It is hoped that the intervention will help to address the critical importance of stakeholder engagement, including with employers, the Private Sector and labour, to the successful operation of the CSME and regional integration in general.

A second session will also be facilitated, which will provide training for Immigration and Border Control Officers on current arrangements under the CSME. The focus will be on matters relating to the CSME arrangements for facilitation of travel and the free movement of skilled Caricom nationals. This targeted training, to be provided by Officers of the Caricom Secretariat, is expected to provide a clear understanding of the principles of Free Movement and the impact of how Immigration Officers interpret their function as frontline officials.

The Suriname workshops are among several national-level interventions by the Caricom Secretariat’s CSME Unit, aimed at strengthening capacity among personnel in key Ministries and agencies who are tasked with advancing the implementation of the CSME. Prior to the Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers, the Secretary General had stressed that, as difficult and challenging as reform is, it is absolutely essential in order to confront the ever-changing nature of today’s global environment. This reform is not an end in itself but a means of ensuring that the citizens of Caricom derive the maximum benefit from our integration process, he stressed.

At the end of it all, the regional integration process would be much more efficient and effective, in serving the interests of all the people. It is becoming more and more evident that Caricom, in recognising this, is moving to strengthen cooperation to address social, political and economic challenges, as well as focusing on regional security, human resource development, health and foreign policy. As the Secretary General acknowledged, the strength of the integration movement gives member states a solid platform upon which to build resilience, given the uncertainties on the international scene and implications of global events on the Community. A transformed Community for the benefit of all of its people underpins the Caricom reform process, which formally began in 2013.

The Community Strategic Plan identifies eight Strategic Priorities and key areas of intervention for each over the fiveyear period, 2015-2019, which are Building Economic Resilience; Social Resilience; Environmental Resilience; Technological Resilience; Strengthening the Caricom Identity and Spirit of Community; and Strengthening Community Governance, along with two enabling priorities of Coordinated Foreign Policy, and Research and Development and Innovation.

Justice Navindra Singh takes the salute from members of the Guyana Police Force as the April session of the Demerara Assizes officially opened on Tuesday at the Georgetown High Court

Govt needs to apologise for Red House fiasco Dear Editor, Please allow me to weigh in on the Red House fiasco, which unfolded when the APNU/PNC/AFC Government pushed ahead with an asset recovery effort. Glaringly, such a drama is a demonstration of how Government ignored the rule of law in preference for absolute power when it attempted to illegally purge the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) from the Red house.

On December 29, Government demanded that the CJRC must quit tenancy within 48 hours.

One day later, Government iron-fisted the CJRC when it invaded the premises in a takeover attempt.

Employees from Ministry of the Presidency ripped

down the “Cheddi Jagan Research Centre” sign and changed the locks. Such abuse of power should never be acceptable and should never be emulated.

Government needs to give democracy a chance or else this country will drift into chaos.

By all means it is unsurprising that Government invaded the Red House, given that in all of our history, Indo-Guyanese have been strong-armed.

Government needs to be reminded that plenty of civilised options are available if it wants possession of the Red House and they include - negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. The CJRC is about Dr Jagan, who was instrumental in our country’s history. But Government is

way too divisive to tolerate the CJRC in the Red House.

Clearly, Government lacks skills, sophistication and sensitivity necessary to run a multi-ethnic society.

The impact of such a fiasco is calamitous. Government deals a death blow to racial unity which is necessary for moving this country forward. Guyanese need a Government who can unite this country and not one that divides it.

Like most Guyanese, I too was flooded with repressed memories of the abuse I endured in this country as I watched the Red House invasion.

Government obviously lacks the moral standing to move this country forward.

Although, Government is in the midst of an asset recovery effort, it is

also draining much needed State assets that can never be recovered. How can the $12 million per month Government spend for a drug bond to store a few boxes of condoms ever be recovered? How can the mega salary increase which Government awarded itself ever be recovered? How can funds used to cover salaries for friends and family ever be recovered? The list goes on and on. Government needs to lead by example.

Government needs to know that it is hurting our country. And last but not least, Government needs to apologise to the Guyanese people for the Red House fiasco.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram

Questions on GECOM Chairman saga Dear Editor, Article 161 (2) of the constitution states “…or any other fit and proper person…”

Can President David Granger and his brilliant AG Basil Williams explain what that means, especially in respect to the appointments

of Rudy Collins, Edward Hopkinson, Joseph Singh and Dr Steve Surujbally, all as Chairman of GECOM? Also, can the brilliant AG and GECOM’s Legal Officer explain how the former Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, signed an or-

der on December 29, 2016, for a new registration period when he had already resigned and a list of candidates for his replacement was already submitted to President Granger?

Further, how could there have been a legal meet-

ing of the Commission with a Chairman, who has resigned, and how will the Commission be able to monitor this new registration without a Chairman?

Sincerely, Chandra Shekar Azad

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

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

Too much, too quickly (Part Two) Changes in the US Dear Editor, It would appear that the Government of the day has accepted the IMF’s prescription to tax everything in the country that provides joy and happiness to our people. And who knows, maybe they will soon charge us for the air that we breathe. To my opinion as a laymen and political child, the Government has overdone it, the words used by some Ministers in Parliament are vexatious and shows inexperience.

To say that people who go to private hospitals have money and can therefore pay tax is not very wise.

If all people were to go to public hospitals, the service would be worse than it is and would be undated with people. Many make sacrifices to go to the private hospitals not to miss more than a day’s work and many even borrow money for the medical services.

This Minister needs to apologise to the nation.

Please note the following: VAT - on water, medicine, electricity, sugar, salt, rice, etc, is tantamount to cruelty and excessive torture. People are of the opinion that the decrease of two per cent in VAT is a mere charade like pulling wool over the eyes of people.

Old Age Pension – to increase old age pension by a pittance to the pittance is a good idea. But to give with the left hand and kick with the right foot is completely wrong and unfair. These people are compelled to pay VAT on all of the basic necessities of life.

Many feel good about the increase, but they do not understand that they need to pay VAT on their split peas, their flour and other condiments. In reality, they are losing instead of

gaining.

Parents and school children - parents will now need to find more money for their children. The child has to pay VAT on the dhal puri and the lemonade. It is a major burden being added to the parents. I believe that the Government needed to go out with the Opposition to listen to the concerns of the people before this budget was produced. Governments sometimes forget the power of the people through their vote. It was proven in the last election that no political party controls any population for too long. The Government needs not forget that they were hired by the people and can be fired by the people. I do think that in the words of LFS Burnham, that this is a recipe for riot. Is it late? No it is not too late.

The Government can turn around and win the hearts of all people in this country, including the Private Sector and the Chamber of Commerce. I appeal to the Government to revisit this budget and withdraw the tenants of it which is dangerous, I appeal that they listen to the people of this country and work with the Opposition as cogent partners of development for this country.

Capital Flight - I believe if this budget is passed we will have an exodus of monies or a capital flight. I have never in the history of Guyana experienced such uncertainty. I have heard people talk about buying gold and storing it, also I have heard that persons plan on withdrawing hard cash and burying it.

Garnishing of bank deposits – garnishing of people’s money at a time such as this is a dangerous precedent to set. This

Walter Rodney issue should be laid to rest

Dear Editor, I read with interest the comments made by Dr David Hinds in relation to the Walter Rodney affair.

It was clearly established during the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that the WPA, led by Rodney, was planning an armed revolution with the aim of removing the elected PNC Government from Office and as a result the PNC, led by Burnham, took the necessary steps to ensure they did not succeed.

As I stated in my testimony, I may have done the same.

The rest is now history.

In the interest of national reconciliation and unity, peace and stability in my humble view the issue should be laid to rest. As

it can never be proven beyond a shadow of doubt that Burnham gave direct instructions to kill Rodney, all that can be proven is that it was State sponsored. It was also clear that neither President Granger, nor Mr Harmon played any part in Rodney’s death.

We may never agree with all the decisions made by the new Government, but at the very least they should be given a chance to rule out their term of Office without disruption. I will always be available to the Government to assist in any way I can in the area of Security and Intelligence.

Yours respectfully, Allan Robert Gates

can cause great fear in the financial system, persons will stop making deposits, and we will see a decrease in the liquidity of banks. This is a case as a layman in the financial sector where legal money can become black money for usage in the underground economy.

Increase in Demerara Harbour Bridge Toll while this may necessary for the maintenance of the bridge, it is too much too quickly. It could have been put off for another time; with this increase another tax has been placed on the heads of the people. It is a requisite reality that all Guyanese must face.

Two per cent for contract workers - forcing the employers of people who are contract workers will create an unnecessary development of paper work and force many into doing illegal work. Some have said to me that they will move on or quit since my company is strictly lawful.

Workers who travel - to tax their travel allowance and out of town allowance is like rubbing salt in an open wound that’s already emaciated with blood and gore. This new development will cause these professionals to move to other Caribbean countries (Trinidad, Barbados) which have long attracted our educated people.

Beggars - even the beggars are complaining that they are losing the pittances that they would usually get from charity and persons on the roadways because of the new tax measures.

As I said above, I see the

budget causing trauma, I fear that it will turn investors away. It may also stymie the legal US currency being sent by legal means and turn people to do so illegally leading to another problem. Guyana is our country and it is our home, we must protect it against such practices.

I wish to appeal to those self-employed persons and those who cheated the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for many years, to understand that the Government needs your contribution to provide for the facilities and services that we all use. Citizens must aspire to pay their fair share of taxes so that the country can move forward into better things. So while I disagree with the taxes increasing so quickly, I will never encourage theft of Guyana’s resources.

Dear Government, if you have to institute these budgetary strangleholds on the people, I advise that you do so on an incremental basis. I state again as I close that I wish to see Guyana prosper and I would like to see this APNU/AFC Government raise the standard of living, to implement policies that will attract investment and for entrepreneurs to use their resources for the development of industries that will aid my people and country. I pray for my country as I pray with the Government to partner with the Opposition and all citizens to advance the welfare of all our peoples.

Yours sincerely, Roshan Khan

political arena Dear Editor, Barack Obama was slated to become the most important American president since Ronald Reagan, a liberal icon in the mould of L B Johnson or F D Roosevelt, who deeply reshaped the federal government of the United States.

Just think about everything that changed during his presidency. He signed into law an all-inclusive national health insurance bill, a goal that had escaped progressive presidents for a century. He got surprisingly tough reforms to Wall Street passed as well, not to mention a stimulus package that both blunted the recession and transformed the education and energy policy.

He has put in place the toughest climate rules in American history and signed a major international climate accord. He opened the US to Cuba for the first time in more than half a century, and reached a peaceful settlement to the nuclear standoff with Iran.

He opened the military to LGBTQ Americans and appointed Supreme Court justices who made same-sex marriage the law of the land.

And now, with the election of Donald Trump and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress, most of President Obama’s legacy is imperilled.

President Trump has promised to repeal Obamacare, to dismantle the DoddFrank financial reforms, to reverse the deal with Iran, and to scrap all climate regulations. Much of that he could do with executive power alone. The rest could be done with a cooperative Congress, in some cases even without a filibuster-proof majority.

No one knows yet how much Trump, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell will actually be able to do. But if they do what they’ve promised, Obama’s ultimate legacy will be greatly diminished. Maybe his policies would be brought back by future presidents, but maybe also they’ll be gone forever. Maybe, like Ulysses S Grant, he will go down as a president who enacted a huge number of crucial, socially progressive policies that were abandoned as soon as he left office.

Yours faithfully, Rooplall Dudhnath

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

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Foundation

Get moving! Toddler activities to encourage physical development

BY PAM MYERS, BSED

T

here are countless activities to keep a toddler happy and occupied on a rainy day. The challenge is uncovering the ones that help develop their little minds and bodies–especially the projects and games that require neither money to obtain nor lots of time to prepare.

These fun pastimes get children from 18 months to three plus years moving and grooving! These activate also help develop communication, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, selfcontrol, and social skills: the usual suspects to promote healthy, intelligent, awesome kiddos.

So get moving! Engage, inspire, and most importantly, have fun!

Go on a scavenger hunt for colours. Let your child pick her favourite colour, and encourage her to find it on home décor, toys, pillows, paintings, and more. Then pick another colour and look for it just in one room. Then pick another colour and count how many times you see it.

Then pick another one and another one...

Turn off the lights, close the curtains, and shine flashlights on the wall. Make patterns in circles and lines, and have him imitate your movements.

Next, prop up the flashlight

guyanatimesgy.com

with a pillow so your hands are free to make shadow animals. Can your child guess the shape? Adorable animal noises optional.

Climb over, around, and on top of pillows scattered on the floor. Use bed pillows and throw pillows of all shapes, colours, and sizes.

The greater the variety, the better. All the jumping, balancing, and following directions promotes gross motor and cognitive skills; and toppling over is no problem- it’s fun!

Throw sock-balls into your laundry basket. Start with the laundry basket very close to your child, and personally show him how it’s done so he can mimic the action. Once your future basketball star gets comfortable with the objective and motion, slide the basket a little further away and practice even more.

Pretend to be different animals from the farm, the wild, and the ocean.

Chuckles will abound once both of you are impersonating the sounds and movements of your child’s favourite animals. Take an imaginary trip to another environment, describe the surroundings, and see what your ducky does next.

Stretch. Yoga experience not required. Stretch tall like a tree, and keeping your legs straight, bend down to touch your toes. Stretch your arms

out wide and reach from one side to the other. Next, have a seat and position her little legs into a diamond shape.

Can she bend over and smell her adorable stinky feet?

Place masking tape in a squiggly line on the floor.

Balance on it, walk along it, or jump over it. Duct tape, masking tape, or packaging tape work great. Any coloured, thick tape that won’t ruin the floor or rug when removed will do. This exercise is a great confidence booster once she accomplishes the specific task.

Follow the leader. At this age, and especially at first, your being the leader is highly beneficial for your peanut to become familiar with the game. Toddlers love to imitate. Start small with clapping hands, making faces, or bouncing like a bunny.

And if your toddler can take the lead, absolutely encourage him!

Build a fort with pillows, sheets, and furniture. Where art meets engineering, a great pillow fort is born. Use lightweight sheets and blankets to drape between chairs, tables, or a sofa.

Anchor the sheets by tucking them into the furniture, or placing books on top. Add pillows and cushions to the floor, and cuddle up.

Three words: Hide. And. Seek. It may take a few practice rounds as this game is absolutely thrilling for most

children, and they sometimes get too excited to stand still or be quiet. Establish rules like staying on the first floor, and counting to 10 with eyes closed; then hide and seek behind furniture and corners.

Dance. Internet radio and cable radio stations offer a plethora of choices to introduce your child to new sounds, rhythms, and tempos. No need to stay on one channel for the whole song.

Get silly, get slow, and eventually use the pause or mute button for a fun game of freeze dance. Shake your groove thing!

Enjoy an old fashion game of “Simon Says”.

Have your toddler put on his listening ears and practice following direction only if you say “Simon Says.” Simons says arms over your head, moo like a cow, jump up high, run in place, give me a kiss.

If your child doesn’t wait for “Simon Says,” prepare for tickles!

Toy treasure hunt.

Enjoy the preparation as much as finding the toys.

Walk with your munchkin around the house and choose his favourite small toys.

Next make a pile of blankets, sheets, or freshly washed clothes, and bury the toys in the big pile. Now dig in! Can he tell which toy it is without first pulling it out?

Keep as many balloons in the air as possible. The sight of a single balloon is one sure way to make a child smile. But several balloons?

Now that’s a party! Inflate four to six balloons and try to keep all of them simultaneously in the air. Tap, pat, and swat your way to fun, all while ensuring a spacious place to play.

Now turn off the TV and get active. It doesn’t take anything more than items around your house and a little imagination. Bond with your child, be a positive role model and encourage independent movement with plenty of giggles along the way. (Childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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eing motivated is a sometimes elusive, but sought after attribute by many. Lack of motivation can lead to procrastination, halfhearted work, and just general disinterest in our daily duties of life.

I think the most fundamental thing about staying motivated is rememberAshley Anthony ing why you’re doing what you’re doing. For students like myself, the end result isn’t even an exam. It’s not CSEC, CAPE, or even getting into university. It’s our futures.

Where do we see ourselves? We have to have some sort of vision and a plan as to how to get there. Let’s say you’re aspiring to be a doctor.

What does it take? Which subjects do you have to do? Once you know that, understand that if you want your dream to become a reality, you have to do well in those subjects. So even if you despise numbers and higher mathematics, if pure mathematics is a prerequisite, then you have to do it. We have to be able to see that we have to do tasks that we might not like now, so that in the future we can do what we would actually like to. Therefore, every time you get stuck on a differential equation, remember how it will feel when you treat your first patient and press on.

Sometimes though, we can have our goals in mind, but we still can’t muster the motivation to complete the tasks to get us there. They may feel too daunting, stressful, or you may just dislike them too much. It happens. One of the things you can do in such a case is try breaking up the project into little bits, and rewarding yourself after completing each bit. Alternatively, you can try tackling it a little every day until it’s due. I’d advise the second case, especially if you foresee that the actual process of doing the task will be stressful.

It’s better to spread those out over long-term periods to avoid overwhelming yourself.

Finally, have someone (preferably a motivated person) help you out. Talk to them, tell them of your aspirations, and ask them to check up on your progress. Explain to them why you want to accomplish your goals so if for some reason you forget, they can always remind you.

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt duplexes, town houses

Pomeroon father $13M budgeted for model chopped by son

village exhibition S

ome $13 million has been budgeted for the development of a model village of duplexes and town houses as the first step in gauging the public’s preference before moving full steam ahead with the construction of this new housing solution.

This is according to Junior Communities Minister with responsibility for housing, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson during a press conference on Tuesday morning at her Brickdam office.

Patterson explained that the exhibition, which will be in Perseverance on the East

Junior Communities Minister with responsibility for housing, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson

Bank of Demerara (EBD), will have on display life-sized houses for members of the public to view.

She said the range of houses will target low-moderate-middle income groups, young professionals, singles, and more.

According to Minister Patterson, developers will be assigned to lots in the area on which they will construct the houses, which they will be allowed to sell, after the exhibition, to eligible persons on the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) waiting list and prequalified for mortgages by the commercial banks.

Developers who participate will also be given the opportunity to showcase their building systems, methodology for construction and other features of home construction.

Suppliers of building materials will also be invited to participate.

A Duplexes and townhouses in other parts of the world

“The public will be free to interact with the developers, financial institutions, insurance companies, home improvement companies…

Persons with house lots who are desirous of building can engage a developer to build for them,” the Minister stated.

Thereafter, a survey will be done to inform the Government of the public’s preferences before it goes ahead to develop duplexes and town houses across the country. These housing solutions will be constructed in Great Diamond, Little Diamond and Perseverance, EBD; Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara; and a section of East La Penitence in Georgetown, among many others in all regions except Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo), where the Hinterland Housing Project would be undertaken.

The Minister noted that Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) is posing some challenges for the CH&PA because the area initially identified is more suitable for mining.

Meanwhile, expressions of interest have already been published and the Minister anticipates that the construction of the first set of duplexes and townhouses (which will form part of the exhibition) will commence in April. Minister Patterson noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find housing solutions for the growing number of persons applying for house lots.

She explained that with the minimum age being changed from 21 years old to 18 years old, more and more applications are being received on a daily basis.

There is currently a backlog of some 25,000 applications for house lots but the availability of land is a major problem for the CH&PA. The Minister disclosed that there are currently no house lots available for allocation in Region Four but some are available in Region Three but only in the high-income bracket.

“That is why we are looking to build duplexes, town houses and condominiums.

We have to look at increasing density. We cannot continue

giving one house lot per person or we would never complete the 25,000 applications,” she stated.

33-year-old labourer of Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon River, is currently hospitalised at the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) after he was chopped by his son during an argument.

Reports are the incident occurred at about 22:00h on Friday at their Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon home.

Guyana Times was told that the man, Andre Melville, was celebrating his birthday

at home when his son, who is wanted by the Police, approached him and an argument ensued. The argument escalated and the younger Melville grabbed a cutlass and dealt several chops about his father’s body. The labourer was immediately rushed to the hospital and was admitted a patient. His condition is listed as stable.

Police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Shot robbery suspect granted bail

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ark Anthony, the 18-year-old robbery suspect who was shot by Police during the course of a shootout, was on Tuesday granted bail when he reappeared before Magistrate Dylan Bess.

It is alleged that on September 26, 2017 at Georgetown, Anthony discharged a loaded firearm at Police Officer Roger Pilgrim with the intent to maim, disfigure or to cause grievous bodily harm.

The second charge stated that on the same day, at Laing Avenue, Georgetown, he robbed Tevin Williams of one iPhone valued $47,000 and one BlackBerry cellular phone valued $20,000, while being armed with a gun.

Additionally, the final charge alleged that Anthony

Hampshire murder

Popular horse racing jockey among 2 remanded for murder

T

Mark Anthony on the stretcher during his first court appearance

had in his possession one .38 revolver, three matching rounds and one .38 spent shell.

At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, Anthony denied the charges.

The prosecution contend-

ed that on the day of the incident, Officer Pilgrim saw Anthony acting suspiciously and as such, he approached him. However, before he was able to react, the defendant whipped out a firearm and discharged a number of rounds.

This prompted the Officer to take out his pistol to return fire, and Anthony was shot to his waist. The bedridden defendant was taken to court on a stretcher. He was released on $150,000 bail. The case will continue on January 17.

wo persons, including a popular horse racing jockey, were on Tuesday remanded to prison when they appeared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court, charged with the murder of a fellow villager.

The two accused, Jockey Ravindra Ramnauth, also called “Andy”, and Rockey Ramoo were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on December 29, 2016, at

their readiness.

Ramnauth, 28, of Beharry Street, Rose Hall Town, and Ramoo, a farmer of Lot 122 Williamsburg, Corentyne, were allegedly seen by villagers committing the act.

It was reported that on December 29, villagers saw Ball, of Lot 74 Hampshire South, Corentyne, drinking with the two accused.

The three were later seen fighting. Ball was allegedly

Alleged narco trafficker charged A man who was last week busted at Sussex Street, Georgetown with a quantity of narcotics was on Tuesday taken before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of trafficking in narcotics.

Morano Wilson, 22, of Parfaite Harmonie, West

Coast Demerara, was charged for being in possession of 4.64kg of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

He denied the charge which stated that between January 6 and 7, 2017 at Sussex Street, he had the

cannabis in his possession.

However, according to his Attorney, Dexter Todd, the cannabis was not found on his client’s person but rather he was called by Police to identify a package that he had shipped after which he was charged with the offence.

He explained to the Chief

Magistrate that his client was unaware that the box contained the cannabis.

The prosecution is adamant that the package belonged to the defendant and told the court that he admitted to such in the presence of Police.

He was remanded to prison until January 27.

3 women slapped with larceny charge

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hree women – Shenella Adams, Onica Cambridge and Tiffany Edwards – were all charged with robbing an American citizen when they appeared before Magistrate Dylan Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on January 8, 2017 at Main Street, Georgetown, they robbed Adrian Sanchez of one cellphone valued $50,000, one wallet and $9000

in cash.

According to the defendant, the girls attacked him on the day of his arrival in Guyana and took the items from him. However, he told the court that he was returning home in a few days

and as such, he did not wish to pursue the matter. The Magistrate placed the girls on a bond to keep the peace for 12 months with a strict warning that if they failed to do so, it would result in them being incarcerated.

Accused: Ravindra Ramnauth and Rockey Ramoo

Williamsburg, they murdered Mohan Ball.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Orin Joseph told the court that the prosecution needed more time to clear up three points, which the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had asked for when the case file was sent to the DPP’s office.

Magistrate Marissa Mettelholzer remanded the duo and ordered that they return to court on January 30 when the Police were expected to provide a report on

held by his feet and dragged along the street.

A post-mortem examination of the deceased by Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan on December 30 was inconclusive.

The autopsy report indicated that the body had marks of violence, but none were life-threatening. The report also indicated that water was in the deceased’s lungs, and the man had problems with his heart.

Police unearth illegal drugs in city raid

P

The 10.3 kilograms of cannabis discovered by Police

olice on Monday discovered some 10.3 kilograms of cannabis at a house in Broad Street, Charlestown, following a tip-off.

According to the Police, ranks, acting on information received, conducted several raids in the Broad Street, Charlestown neighbourhood for illegal drugs

and firearms.

During the exercise, which commenced at 16:30h and concluded at 17:45h, in excess of 10.3 kilograms of cannabis was found at separate locations.

A female has been taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM Chairmanship

Urgent meeting needed to clarify Constitution – Jagdeo writes to Granger …President confirms receipt, AG hints at unilateral appointment

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has written to President David Granger requesting an urgent meeting to clarify the misinterpretation of the Constitution of Guyana regarding the qualifications of nominees for the post of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Responding to the President’s rejection of his first list of nominees and his consequent request for a second one, Jagdeo asked that the Head of State elucidate his interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana, which deals with the requirements of the nominees to be submitted by the Opposition Leader.

“I hereby request that Your Excellency clarify what you interpret the qualifications are of the persons to whom Article 161(2) of the Constitution refers. I am of the considered view that an urgent meeting will immeasurably assist in rec-

President David Granger

onciling any differences of opinion which may exist on this issue,” Jagdeo expressed in the correspondence.

It was dispatched on Tuesday, one day after he was formally informed by the President of his rejection of the list.

In the letter, which was made public to the me-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

dia, Jagdeo also expressed his interpretation of the Constitution: that the requirements go beyond the qualifications of a judge.

“I am obliged to inform Your Excellency that my interpretation of Article 161(2) is different, in so far as, it also provides for, in addition to the category of persons to whom you have

referred, “or any other fit and proper person”,” Jagdeo penned.

President Granger, in his letter to the Opposition Leader, expressed that the nominees he submitted to fill the position of the GECOM Chairman “do not seem to conform to the requirements of …

Article 161(2) …” of the Constitution.

Prior to dispatching the letter, the President told media operatives that the Constitution requires only persons who are judges, qualified to be judges, or former judges of either a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court.

An extract of Article 161 reads, “Subject to the provision of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited ju-

Attorney General Basil Williams

risdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the

Norton admits drug procurement change...

“It’s the change that caused the difficulties,” the Minister admitted.

Nonetheless, he was adamant that the change in the system was needed and with adequate and competent staff, the process could be strengthened to work for the public’s benefit.

Sole sourced

Meanwhile, a source closed to the Public Health Ministry has confirmed that the ministry is engaged in sole sourcing more than ever before. For example, soon after the 2015 elections, the

Ministry sole sourced $300 million in drugs from the International Dispensary Association (IDA) and paid 100 per cent in advance. Then, aside from Western Scientific, there is a second Trinidadian favoured company that gets all the contracts for kidney dialysis for millions of US dollars by bypassing tender procedures. As the BoI also revealed, a favoured new company was caught actively faking important documentation on the road to securing yet another sole-sourced contract for nearly $100 million in critical HIV diagnostic products.

Most, if not all, of these items, circumvent the Food and Drug Department’s registration guidelines and so there is no system of quality checks to protect the citizens of Guyana.

Retenders

Another source at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has revealed to this publication that despite experiencing pressing and critical shortages of drugs and medicines, the Ministry and hospital were often pressured to cancel bids and retender them so as to facilitate favoured companies. Valuable

time and financial resources are squandered in this manner, not to mention it is unfair to legitimate bidders.

In other instances, the closing dates for tenders are extended to accommodate the preferred bidder(s).

Prequalification system

As the Minister now tragically admits, it was the change in the drug procurement system, which led to countrywide shortages. Prior to May 2015, the then Government operated a prequalification system which shortlisted companies on the basis of: (a) quality

from page 3

control procedures; (b) financial capacity; (c) infrastructural (as in warehousing) capacity; and (d) human resource skills to supply essential drugs and medicines. The prequalification system was designed under World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and proved effective against the same problems to which the Minister now alludes above. At the minimum, there can be no doubt that the prequalification system ensured that critical medicines were consistently available in the requisite quality and quantity.

President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly”.

The Constitution, therefore, clearly provides for any person other than a judge or someone who is qualified to be a judge who is “fit and proper” to be appointed as GECOM Chairman.

This is also evident in the fact that many of the past Chairmen of GECOM lacked legal qualifications, including the immediate past Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

AG’s take

A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency confirmed that President Granger received the letter from the Leader of the Opposition and he would be responding in due course.

Nonetheless, the Attorney General Basil Williams shared his views on the situation, asserting that the President has “done nothing wrong”.

In his defence of the President’s posture, the Attorney General has signalled the intention of the Government to unilaterally appoint a GECOM Chairman (see story on page 2).

According to him, the determination of “fit and proper” is at the discretion of the President.

He contended that all the nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader must be acceptable to the President, which is strange because the President only has to select one acceptable person as the GECOM Chairman. turn to page 13

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

News

Deplorable conditions

Ituni parents continue protest, school remains closed P

arents of students who attend the Ituni Primary School in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) continued their protest action against the deplorable conditions at the school on Tuesday, as the school continues to remain closed. The protest, which began on Monday, was fuelled by a number of issues which ranged from malfunctioning and limited washroom facilities, to lack of potable water and faulty infrastructure. During the protest, protestors padlocked the gate of the school, vowing not to send their children back to the institution unless the issues are dealt with. The padlock was however removed by the Police and the gate and doors to the school were then reopened, despite students being absent. Police informed the protestors that they should not lock Government's property and as such the lock was removed and the Head teacher then proceeded to open the school's doors.

A parent and member of the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Kim Edwards, told Guyana Times that an official of the Regional Department of Education had made a promise on Monday that contractors would visit the school with materials to conduct the repairs the following day – Tuesday – however, she noted that nobody came as was promised.

"Nothing of the sort. We

One of the staircases which was barred

went there protesting all day and nobody went. We were planning to go straight down to Georgetown. Get a good amount of parents and go to Georgetown and protest.

We're not sending our children to school until we see something done and we can't send them to school while the construction is being done. If they plan to block a section and tell us to send the children to school, we can't do that. We can't do that, at all," she reiterated. Parents also expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged behaviour of a representative of the Region's Department of Education.

According to Edwards, the representative visited the school to conduct an assessment of the repairs; however, they failed to consult with parents and teachers following the assessment.

"After she finished, she just jump in she vehicle and gone. A lot of Grade Six parents were out there. People were very angry. Our only concern is for our children's safety," she said.

Parents have planned to continue with daily protest action until they see results. As such, another protest is scheduled to take place today.

On Monday, protesting parents noted that their requests for an upgrade of the school's sanitary block have gone unanswered for years, as they pointed out that currently, only one toilet is functional and it serves both male and female students. Additionally, it was noted that the school's corridors were in a deplorable state and only one of the school’s staircases is good enough for use. Edwards stated that officials visited the

school once and had advised them to block off the school’s problematic staircase, which had been done; however, she noted that the pressure remained for repairs to be done to the remaining staircases.

Sections of the building are presently falling apart, making it unsafe for students.

Parents also noted that although officials from the Education Ministry and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) are aware of the situation, the issues remained unaddressed.

The parents are more so concerned that students who have to sit the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations would be affected by the situation.

Recently, Councillors within the region had highlighted the deplorable conditions which were unearthed during a visit to several schools in riverine areas in Region 10. Regional Chairman Renis Morian, during a RDC meeting last week, presented a document titled “Year of Resultsbased Management”, which includes plans for the region’s education sector, among other areas for 2017. The document outlined plans to be facilitated in collaboration with the Education Department for the upgrading of schools and compounds, the establishing of a working relationship with schools’ PTAs and the monitoring of education delivery in the region.

7 homeless after fire guts Somerset home

A

family of seven of Somerset and Berks, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are now homeless after their one-storey wooden home was completely destroyed by fire.

Reports are no one was at home when the fire started about 23:00h on Monday.

This newspaper was told that the impoverished family usually receives support from neighbours and several Non-Governmental

Organisations.

The wooden structure was owned by a 45-yearold man identified only as Pension and Radha (only name given). Guyana Times was told that when the father of six leaves for his

sea job, his 40-year-old wife would usually stay with her daughter at Walton Hall Village.

It is unclear what may have started the fire. Police are investigating.

S

Gone AWOL

atiricus was glum. And it wasn’t just the postholiday blues. He had wended his way to the Back Street Bar with some trepidation, since of late his leaders Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat had seemed to be missing in action - just when the politics had heated up. He knew the fellas were going to rag him something fierce - and they didn’t disappoint him.

“Suh tell me wha yuh leadah Nagga an’ Rum Jhaat seh ‘bout how dem throw out Cheddu pay-pah, na?” said Bungi snidely, even as he was snapping off the cap on his beer bottle.

“Yes, Sato,” chimed in Hari, without missing a beat with his bottle. “They haven’t said a thing. Are they still stale-booz from their Christmas and New Year boozing?”

“OK fellas,” said Satiricus resignedly, as he tried to head them off. “You know they couldn’t drink like the old days because of the 2 am curfew.”

“Cur - few?” grinned Bungi. “Dem man does guh in de back room and ‘cur – plenty’ till marnin’ come!!!”

“But seriously Sato, don’t tell me Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat are in Guyana,” said Hari, whose face belied his claim to seriousness. “They have to be abroad or something.”

“Naah, they’re in Guyana,” admitted Satiricus glumly.

“But ah how dem fellas suh quiet?” demanded Bungi.

“Dem get lack-jaw?”

“Even if they have lock jaw from all that Bush Rum they drank during the extra holidays,” continued Hari doggedly, “they can write to the newspapers to defend their leader, can’t they?”

“Dats right!! Nah dem bin seh how dem a de bigges’ JagaMight?” Bungi butted in.

“Look fellas. I know where you coming from,” admitted Satiricus. “You think Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat should speak out like Rolphie.”

“Damn right!!” exclaimed Hari. “And they both lawyers too!”

“But you have to understand, Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat are not like Rolphie,” Satiricus explained. “They are inside working to change the Pee an’ See.” “Really?” asked Bungi. “But look who change who!!”

wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

“We will see the GDF transformed” − new GDF Chief-of-Staff promises to boost national defence

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rigadier Patrick West, the man assuming the role of the Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has pledged to transform the Force and boost its national defence capacity, as his tenure begins.

West was promoted from Deputy Chief-of-Staff to Chief-of-Staff, taking the oath of office before President David Granger on Tuesday at Base Camp Ayanganna.

The new Brigadier, who has 33 years in the GDF under his belt, succeeded Brigadier George Lewis.

In an interview with reporters afterward, Brigadier West did not divulge details of his plans for the Force or for procuring equipment for the troops. He, however, explained that all proposals were with the Defence Board and strategic considerations had to be made.

He said, “Once those plans are finished, I or the President will make a statement. What I can say is that we will see the Force effectively transformed, for total national defence. That is what we can look forward to.”

West also revealed that when he first joined the GDF, he did not think about ascending to the post of Chiefof-Staff. It was only a few years ago that he saw the potential for such advancement and decided to devote himself to getting his degrees, he added.

“I never thought that a

Outgoing Brigadier George Lewis and the New Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West

day like this would arrive,” West, who also received the Military Service Star, said.

“Until a few years ago I saw the possibility. So I completed all my required professional military and academic education, so that I could provide the relevant balance, strategic or otherwise, to the Force.”

“I will be a just Chief-ofStaff, one who is good and one who is a professional. And I think you can use that as a guideline to observe the tenure of my office.”

In his address to the gathering, President Granger underscored that correct procedure was followed in promoting West. Granger also stated that there was no one who could criticise the professional education of West.

“He has completed all his

military courses at home and abroad, and his military education is comparable to anything we have seen in the past,” Granger said. “The first pillar of his professionalism is his professional education and there is no way anyone could criticise the professional education of Brigadier West,” the Head of State said.

West enlisted in the GDF on September 1, 1984 and was commissioned on August 28, 1985, after which he was posted to the Artillery Battalion (an experience he shares with his predecessor).

He has held various positions within the GDF, including Platoon Commander and Commanding Officer in both the Artillery and Infantry Units.

He is the holder of a Master of Science Degree in Administration from the

Central Michigan University, a Master of Military Arts and Science from the Command and General Staff College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Management, a Diploma in Public Management and a certificate in Human Health and Global Environmental Change from the University of Guyana.

His training has taken him to foreign military institutions such as the Escola de Aperfecion de Officias in Brazil, Intermediate Level Education at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the National Defence University in the People’s

Republic of China. In addition, he had several peacekeeping modules in Latin America.

Change of Command Parade

Later in the day, discipline and attention to detail were on full display as the Change of Command Parade was completed without a hitch on the parade ground of Camp Ayanganna. Its conclusion marked the end of Brigadier Lewis’ 34-year military career. It also marked the end of his three-month stint, the shortest tenure of any Chief-of-Staff.

The brilliant assembly of troops who took part in the

parade included members of the Air Corps, Coast Guard and a Special Force squadron. In his parting remarks to them, Brigadier Lewis quoted outgoing American First Lady Michelle Obama in offering advice on dealing with criticism.

“When they go low, you go high,” he encouraged.

Lewis encouraged troops to bear constructive criticism with equanimity and to focus on representing the Force in a positive light.

The Brigadier also expressed pride in the fact that he was the first Chief-ofStaff to hail from the Ancient County.

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WEDNEsDAY, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt moves against squatters …to build low-cost houses for 700 squatters

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unior Communities Minister Valerie Sharpe-Patterson has sounded a warning to persons who continue to squat on Government land, even though they were granted house lots by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

The Minister, who has responsibility for the housing sector, told a Tuesday morning news conference that Government will be taking strict actions against those persons – actions as extreme as breaking down the squatters’ houses.

She explained that some persons opted to rent out their legal house lots and live in squatter settlements.

“There are a number of squatters who already have an allocation of a house lot, some of them built on it and is renting and they are squatting, so they are squatting and they are collecting rent. We are going to deal with those persons. We are going to break them down (squatter houses) if they don’t move,” the Minister said, noting that notices have already been served to the respective squatters.

Low-cost homes

Meanwhile, Government will be building low-cost houses for some 700 squatters who currently reside

3 in custody for nightclub shooting

Government will have no other choice but to remove them from the squatting areas.

“We have to restore order to the city,” she stressed.

Regularise

The Department of Housing of the Communities Ministry, Brickdam

in Sophia, East Ruimveldt and West Ruimveldt.

Over the years, the programme will be expanded to provide housing solutions to squatters in different locations across the country.

“We can’t deal with all the areas, as we continue along the year, we are going to clean up,” Patterson said.

The CH&PA has already identified a location for the construction of the low-cost wooden houses to accommodate the squatters from the central Georgetown locations first.

Minister SharpePatterson made it clear that the houses will not be given away free of cost.

“We are knowledgeable of the fact that some of these persons have appli-

cations in our systems for years, they say ‘I have applied formally but I haven’t received an allocation of a house lot, but I have to find somewhere to live’. Those arguments have been advanced and I quite understand, I don’t say that has given you a reason to squat, you can go rent but I don’t believe you should break those people houses down and leave them on the road,” the Minister explained as one of the main reasons why they have decided to construct alternative living arrangements for squatters.

However, she said if the squatters still refuse to move even after being offered the alternative arrangement, then

While Government has been successful in regularising some of the squatting areas, Minister SharpePatterson noted that it is impossible to regularise all the areas where persons have illegally taken up residence.

“You cannot regularise some of the squatting areas, some of the areas you cannot put any infrastructural work,” she explained.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that squatting poses major environmental and health issues to the squatters, as well as persons who live in surrounding areas. “…because the canals cannot be cleaned, they are squatting on all the dams, all the dams are taken up, they have pit latrines over the canal, everything is emptying there… And I saw a child going down to that very water to wash kitchen utensils,” the Minister pointed out, noting that it must all come to an end.

Last year, the CH&PA regularised 221 squatters which fell below the annual target of 400.

T

hree persons are now in Police custody in connection with a shooting which occurred outside of a popular nightclub three nights ago.

According to Divisional Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), Clifton Hicken, he has been informed that the Police have so far taken statements from the Virtual Complainant (VC), after which the three arrests were made. Hicken relayed to Guyana Times that the Police have also obtained video footage from the nightclub which is currently being developed.

The investigation followed an order from Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

The shooting reportedly left several persons hospitalised, but unfortunately the incident was not reported to the Police. This publication understands that following the shootout, those injured were all rushed to a private city hospital by management

of the nightclub.

Some were treated and sent away, however, two persons are reportedly still receiving treatment.

Reports are that staff at the club were ordered by management to collect and dispose of the spent shells, as well as to clean bloodstains to get rid of evidence of the incident.

However, one of the injured persons contacted Police and informed the authorities of what transpired.

Police were told that persons were in the nightclub when the sound of gunshots was heard. A number of persons were grazed by bullets and at least two persons received gunshot wounds to their feet. When the Police reported to the scene, not much evidence of what happened was found however, bullet holes were noticeable in the walls. The Manager and other staff of the nightclub were also taken into Police custody as the investigation continues.

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pregnant woman dies in Berbice crash A

pregnant woman died on Monday evening at the New Amsterdam Hospital after the driver of the car in which she was traveling, lost control and slammed into a utility pole.

The accident occurred at Number Two Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) and has left another passenger hospitalised.

The driver is currently assisting Police with the investigation.

The dead woman has been identified as Donnis Higgins of Lot 103 Semple Street, Hopetown Village, WCB. Reports are that Higgins was one of the two passengers in the car at the time of the accident. Eyewitnesses

Dead: Donnis Higgins

say the car slammed into a utility pole and then a fence after it missed a sharp turn on the road.

Moments after the accident, an ambulance which was already carrying a patient from the Fort Wellington Hospital collected both passengers.

According to reports, when the ambulance arrived at the New Amsterdam Hospital, persons gathered and watched as the woman was taken to the Accident and Emergency Uni. However, after several hours of trying, doctors were unable to save the mother and her unborn child.

Higgins was a mother of one and a former clerk attached to the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA).

The other passenger in the car at the time of the accident, Daniel Harrynarine, was admitted to the same hospital. According to the 24-year-old, he joined the vehicle at Cotton Tree to go two villages away, but only

The car in which the pregnant woman was travelling

made it past one village.

“I was going to Number Four when I catch a taxi going to Number Four. I don’t know if the driver slept away or what, but the driv-

Urgent meeting needed to clarify...

“All six persons are required to be acceptable to the President. Therefore, if you bring in three of those persons, [who] are not in the range, you are actually reducing the options of the President. So it is beholden on the Leader of the Opposition to always provide a list of six acceptable persons or as they say six persons not unacceptable to the President. He is the decision maker. The President is doing nothing wrong.

In fact, he has invited the Leader of the Opposition to send another list and he can do that several times until the Leader of the Opposition gets it right and he has to get it right, failing which the President will be forced to make an appointment,” the AG argued.

He maintained that the decision was entirely based on the President’s judgement.

Expanding on the legal qualifications set out by the

Constitution, where Article 161 (2) on four occasions refers to judge level qualifications, Minister Williams said that the President believed that the Constitution should be followed thoroughly in the selection of a Chairman for such an important post and if the need arises for several lists to be submitted by the Leader of the Opposition in keeping with the law, then this should be done.

The Constitution fur-

er just run off the road by a turn and go straight into a fence,” the injured man said.

His brother Chandrica told this publication that

he received the news and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

He explained that he saw the injured woman being attended to by doctors and heard her screaming as he searched for his brother.

Meanwhile, a Police source explained that the driver of the motor car, bearing registration number HB 3101, Lancelot Ferguson, 45, of Belladrum, WCB, claimed that he did not know what happened.

According to the source, the driver claimed to suffer from hypertension. B (Berbice) Division Commander Ian Amsterdam said the driver was not found to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

from page 9

ther states, vesting ultimate responsibility in the Head of State to ensure a properly qualified person fills the post, that “provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a judge

of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge”.

Minister Williams said, “It is entirely at the discre-

tion of the President. The Constitution gives him that power to determine, who is a fit and proper person. The Leader of the Opposition ab initio (in the beginning) really has to address his mind to what the Constitution requires.”

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

News

Bartica Massacre trial

“Fineman” gang carried out Bartica, Lusignan, Lindo Creek attacks − State witness A State witness who testified in the Bartica Massacre trial has implicated the co-accused as being part of the “Fineman” gang, which carried out the 2008 massacres at Bartica, Lusignan and Lindo Creek.

Dwane Williams, who was a 15-year-old gang member at the time of the February 17, 2008 Bartica attack, told the 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court on Tuesday that coaccused Dennis “Anaconda” Williams and Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, were both involved in not only the Bartica matter, but the Lusignan and Lindo Creek attacks as well.

His revelation comes just days after self-confessed Bartica Massacre boat driver Clebert Reece confirmed that co-accused Dennis Williams and Mark Williams were accomplices in the Bartica attack.

Dwane, known as “Small Friend”, testified that he camped out in the Buxton, East Coast Demerara backlands before being taken

Mark Williams, Dennis Williams and Roger Simon are the three on trial for the 2008 Bartica Massacre

to Bartica by Reece, called “Chi-Chi”. He told the court that he, along with several other individuals, had worked for “Fineman”’s gang. These gang members included: “Papa Willie”; “Saint John” or “John-eye”; “Mud-up”; “Chung Boy”; “Smallie” (Mark Williams); “Kapone” (Michael Caesar) and himself.

The State witness related that four weeks after camping out in the Buxton back-

lands, “John-eye” was shot, and about two weeks after, the men left for the seawall where they were eventually transported to Bartica.

Led by State Prosecutor Stacey Goodings, Dwane revealed that he had known Mark Williams and Rondel “Fineman” Rawlins for about five years before they all joined the boat en route to Bartica. He added that he would see Mark on his way to school and further told

the court that he worked for “Fineman”. Under cross-examination, the witness revealed that at one point he lived with “Fineman”.

Dwane also told the 12-member jury that he had never seen “Anaconda” before the boat ride, but confirmed that “Chi-Chi” was the boat driver.

He recounted to the 12-member jury that after hearing “rapid gunshots” as several gang members carried out the Bartica attack, they returned, and “Fineman” shot five men at the Bartica Stelling using a hand gun, while one man was allowed to go free.

The surprise witness also

Clebert Reece

recalled that the criminal gang had been camping out for several months before he was finally caught by Police.

The camping areas included Linden, Ituni, Christmas Falls and Kwakwani.

Rondell "Fineman" Rawlins

The court heard that the gang members were taken in an “open-back” Jeep to Linden. Dwane also recalled that during these stints, safes were opened and money, gold, diamonds and keys were all retrieved which corroborated Reece’s account of what transpired when the safes were opened. He told the jury that some time during his stay at the Ituni camp, the members had left for Georgetown.

Some time after, the camp was ambushed, “Mudup” was shot and the other members escaped and fled through the trail and Dwane was caught by Police on the 10th day when he had hitched a ride with a “truck man” who had assisted the gang. Dwane also told the court that he remained in Police custody.

Under cross-examination

by Mark Williams’ Attorney, Roger Yearwood, Dwane explained that he gave two statements to Police. He

stated that the gang was separated for one day only, and noted that he was afraid despite being trained “very well” in the use of AK-47s.

He also noted that he knew that persons had been killed at all three of the locations and even pointed out that he knew people would have been hurt before the Bartica attack was carried out. He stated that a total of 36 persons were killed in the attacks at Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek.

Yearwood later grilled the witness over the statements he gave to Police following his 2008 capture, and asked if anyone has promised him any reward to testify against the other accused.

A visibly agitated Dwane responded that all information was given voluntarily and noted: “When I gave statements, I told them about Bartica, Lusignan and Lindo Creek. Nobody promised me anything.”

Dwane, whose Lusignan Massacre charge was withdrawn, will continue his testimony before Justice Roxane George, SC, today.

Earlier in the day, the cross-examination of Reece concluded and he claimed that he never saw co-accused Roger Simon at the time of the attack. Meanwhile, he also claimed that even though fellow gang-member Dennis Williams tried to “poison him”, that is not the reason why he gave evidence.

Colombia suspension bridge collapse kills at least 11

A

suspension bridge in Colombia has collapsed, killing at least 11 people and injuring several others near the city of Villavicencio, South-East of the capital, Bogota.

Pictures show the structure, made of boards and rope, dangling on its side.

Eyewitnesses said one of the ropes had snapped as more than two dozen people were crossing the bridge.

Some managed to hold on, but many others, including young children, fell into the ravine below. The bridge was strung across a canyon at a height of about 10 metres (33 feet) but the steepness of the hill meant that some of those who fell tumbled much further down its side.

Hilton Gutierrez of the mayor’s office in nearby Villavicencio said that the

The bridge was a popular attraction with locals who were enjoying a long weekend

collapse was due to excess weight. He said that close to 30 people were on the bridge and that some of them were leaning over one side when a rope snapped, leaving the bridge lopsided.

An eyewitness told local news site Enterate Villavo that a local shop charged 2000 pesos (US$0.70; £0.55) to cross the bridge but that

there was no one monitoring the number of people using it at any given time.

Another woman told local media that the bridge was “an accident waiting to happen”. She said she could see from below that the boards of the bridge were rotten and that some were missing altogether. (Excerpt from BBC News)

wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Rare show of dissent in UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan Iran as millions mourn wounded in Kandahar blast ex-President Rafsanjani

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he ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Afghanistan has been wounded in the southeastern city of Kandahar in a bomb blast that also killed at least seven people.

The attack on Tuesday, which took place during a meeting between senior officials and diplomats from the UAE embassy, wounded 17 others, including the provincial governor.

In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said it was

Iranians, many wearing green wristbands – the emblem of the pro-reform Green movement – chant slogans in Tehran

T

he funeral of Iran’s former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has turned into a rare display of public dissent as at least two million people packed the streets of Tehran to pay tribute to a man whose death has shaken the country’s political balance.

In what was thought to be the biggest crowd honouring a politician since the death in 1989 of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the 1979 Islamic revolution,

Iranians from across the political spectrum attended the funeral.

All attempted to claim Rafsanjani, who died on Sunday aged 82, as their own as he was buried alongside Khomeini in a sumptuous shrine in South Tehran.

The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the funeral prayers at Tehran University campus as critics and supporters stood behind him, bidding farewell to a man who was considered a pillar of the

Islamic republic, a crucial mediator and, more recently, an advocate of political openness and better relations with the west.

But in the streets outside, mourners sympathetic to the opposition and supporters of Iran’s pro-reform Green movement, which was suppressed in bloody unrest in 2009, voiced dissent, chanting in support of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, Opposition leaders under house arrest.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

Chinese bomber flies round contested Spratlys in show of force – US official

A

Chinese H-6 strategic bomber flew around the Spratly Islands at the weekend in a new show of force in the contested South China Sea, a US official said on Tuesday.

It was the second such flight by a Chinese bomber in the South China Sea this year. The first was on January 1, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The flight could be seen as a show of “strategic

force” by the Chinese, the official said. It comes after US President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a tougher approach to China when he takes office on January 20, with tweets criticizing Beijing for its trade practices and accusing it of failing to help rein in nucleararmed North Korea.

Commander Gary Ross, a Pentagon spokesman, said he had no specific comment on China’s recent bomber activities, but added: “we

continue to observe a range of ongoing Chinese military activity in the region?.”

In December, China flew an H-6 bomber along the “nine-dash line” it uses to map its claim to nearly all of the South China Sea, a strategic global trade route.

That flight also went around Taiwan, which China views as a renegade province.

In August, China conducted “combat patrols” near contested islands in the South China Sea. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

India’s PM Modi touts digitised economy to business leaders

I

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a gathering of business leaders on Tuesday that the country was on the verge of becoming the world’s most digitised economy, and avoided direct mention of the economic hit from demonetisation.

Speaking at India’s biggest investor summit, organised in his home state of Gujarat, the 65-year-old said his government was strongly committed to continue reforming the Indian economy.

“We are working to adopt and absorb newer technologies, to bring about transparency, and to end discretion,” Modi told the summit, adding that foreign direct investment in the country has topped US$130 billion

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a speech after he inaugurated the country's first international exchange - India INX in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar, India, January 9, 2017 REUTERS/Amit Dave

in his two-and-a-half years in office.

“Believe me, we are on the threshold of becoming the world’s most digitised economy. Most of you wanted this change in India. I am proud to say that it is happening before you.

“Creating an enabling environment for business, and attracting investments, is my top priority.” Modi’s address to the Vibrant Gujarat investor gathering comes weeks after his shock decision to abolish 500 and 1000 rupee notes, worth around US$7.50 and US$15 each.

The move caused widespread anger among millions of people across the country, as they endured long queues at banks and ATMs to draw money or deposit old notes about to expire. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“following the heinous terrorist attack on the guesthouse of the Kandahar governor which resulted in the injury of his Excellency Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi, UAE ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and a number of Emirati diplomats”.

The UAE envoy and Kandahar’s governor were wounded by flames from the explosion, but many others were burned beyond recognition, provincial Police Chief Abdul Raziq told AFP

news agency.

The diplomats, who were in Kandahar on a humanitarian mission, were expected to open a number of UAE-backed projects as part of an aid programme to Afghanistan.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Earlier on Tuesday, two suicide blasts near Afghanistan’s parliament in Kabul killed at least 30 people and wounded 80, in an attack claimed by the Taliban. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

New candidate for ‘missing element’ in Earth’s core

J

apanese scientists believe they have established the identity of a “missing element” within the Earth’s core. They have been searching for the element for decades, believing it makes up a significant proportion of our planet’s centre, after iron and nickel.

Now by recreating the high temperatures and pressures found in the deep interior, experiments suggest the most likely candidate is silicon. The discovery could help us to better understand how our world formed.

Lead researcher Eiji Ohtani from Tohoku University told BBC News: “We believe that silicon is a major element – about five per cent [of the Earth’s inner core] by weight could be silicon dissolved into the ironnickel alloys.”

The innermost part of Earth is thought to be a solid ball with a radius of about

This study suggests silicon exists in the Earth’s inner core with iron and nickel

1200km (745 miles).

It is far too deep to investigate directly, so instead scientists study how seismic waves pass through this region to tell them something of its make-up. It is mainly composed of iron, which makes up an estimated 85 per cent of its weight, and nickel, which accounts for about 10 per cent of the core.

To investigate the unac-

counted for five per cent of the core, Eiji Ohtani and his team created alloys of iron and nickel and mixed them with silicon.

They then subjected them to the immense pressures and temperatures that exist in the inner core. They discovered that this mixture matched what was seen in the Earth’s interior with seismic data. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Uganda’s Museveni promotes son to special adviser role

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ganda’s leader Yoweri Museveni has promoted his eldest son to become a special presidential adviser in a reshuffle of Army Commanders.

Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has risen rapidly within the military, fuelling speculation that he is being groomed to become President one day.

Analysts say his new role, working more closely with state house, will broaden his remit and experience. Museveni, 72, is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. He came to power in 1986 after winning a five-year guerrilla war – and last year won his fifth term in office with more than 60 per cent of the vote.

General Kainerugaba, 42, had been in charge of the Special Forces in charge of his father’s security since 2008.

He graduated from

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 42, was promoted from Brigadier to Major General last year

the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2000 and last year was promoted from Brigadier to Major General. In the reshuffle Brigadier Peter Elwelu, who oversaw a deadly raid in November on the palace of a regional king accused of launching a secessionist movement, was promoted to Army Chief.

Meanwhile the previous Army Chief, General

Katumba Wamala has been made a junior Minister for Works in the Government after serving as the top Army official since 2013, a departure seen as a demotion, our correspondent says.

Military spokesman Paddy Ankunda said the moves were part of normal changes within the institution. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news Students to occupy Aurora Primary Ramsammy’s Ruminations The PNC has lifted and Nursery Schools by Friday its veil – Guyana's T freedom is in jeopardy WEDNESDAY, january 11, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

he keys to the Aurora Primary and Nursery Schools located in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) were officially handed over by the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson to the Regional Engineer on Monday.

The move followed a call from representatives of the schools’ Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs), who were contemplating a protest action if the keys were not handed over on time.

Parents had met with Guyana Times to vent their frustration over the situation.

According to information reaching this publication, the keys were handed over and cleaners were

Aurora Nursery

T

Aurora Primary School located in Region Two

tackling the interior of the buildings. A source from the Education Ministry said the children were expect-

ed to be in the new schools

by Friday. Currently, they are being housed at private homes, where classes are be-

ing conducted.

Regional Democratic Council (RDC) People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillor and Good HopePomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman, Showkat Ali pointed out that parents were incurring additional expenses to ensure that their children attended classes. The Aurora Primary and Nursery Schools were constructed at a cost of $118 million.

West African charged with illegal entry, deported

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man from Sierra Leone, West Africa, on Tuesday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with illegal entry into Guyana.

Samuel David, 38, admitted that on December 22, 2016 at Lethem, Rupununi, he entered Guyana by way of air and failed to present himself to an immigration officer.

The prosecution told the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan that on January 7, 2017, the defendant attempted to make a purchase at a popular jewellery store with a suspected forged credit card. As such, the personnel at the store reported the matter to the Police who arrested David and took him to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning.

It was there that it was discovered that he was from Sierra Leone and illegally entered Guyana. In a plea of mitigation, David’s Attorney told the court that he was in Guyana to propose to his girlfriend. The Attorney also told the court that David was born and raised in Sierra Leone, but has been living in Brazil for a number of years.

She made a successful application for leniency for her client, explaining to the Chief Magistrate that her client has two minor sons and has never had any other brushes with the law.

As such, he was fined $30,000 and deported.

he People's National Congress (PNC) between 1964 and 1992 plundered Guyana during a brutal dictatorship. Even after more than two decades of democracy and economic growth, Guyana today is unable to catch up, still socially and economically far behind other Caribbean Community nations. In May 2015, some people thought it had been long enough and the Dr Leslie Ramsammy PNC deserved a second chance.

In a forgiving mood, enough people voted to allow the PNC, disguised as the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), to return to power. In less than two years, the PNC has lifted its veil, shed the disguise, essentially declaring that APNU/AFC is just a name.

Those who continue to indulge in the false illusion that APNU/ AFC would preserve the freedom and democracy that we have nurtured as a nation since 1992 must seriously re-examine this misguided notion.

President David Granger's decision to reject all six nominees of the Leader of the Opposition for Chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is hypocritical, reckless and Executive lawlessness. Granger ignored the law, considered only one part that conveniently allows him to re-impose the brutal PNC-dictatorship of the 1968-1992 era. The decision is the most explicit signal that the PNC in the form of APNU/AFC intends to transform GECOM into the puppet-style Elections Commission of the period between 1968 and 1992. Granger wants the new GECOM Chair to be a puppet, just as Harry Bollers was before 1992.

Transforming GECOM into a puppet, democracy-busting arm of the PNC is shocking, but not unexpected. We had warned people that the APNU/AFC coalition is nothing but a reenactment of the old PNC/United Force (UF) coalition and that as soon as it is convenient, the PNC would abandon the AFC, just as they did the UF after 1968. Granger has masterfully exploited the burning ambition of Nagamootoo and Ramjattan. Unless these gentlemen and others from the AFC are willing to be subsumed into the PNC, their days are numbered. The same can be said of Rupert Roopnaraine and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

From day one, Granger showed his hand when he decided to have a Minister of Citizenship. Through his role as Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix is expected to manipulate the electoral list to favour the PNC in the next and future elections. The plan was designed long before the 2015 elections, but they needed to get into government first. The coalition agreement with AFC, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan was necessary and they promised them the moon, knowing that after the election they would take control. The PNC had already trapped the WPA by then. They have now taken full control.

The unequivocal move to seize control of GECOM is only the latest signal of a rapidly expanding strategy to impose dictatorship in Guyana. In the 20 months since assuming the seat of Government, APNU/AFC (the PNC in disguise) has openly exposed its dictatorial DNA. Outside of the electoral machinery, it has ensured the militarisation of our country. Past and present military personnel have been placed in all Ministries. They are everywhere in the Office of the President and in the Ministry of the Presidency, serving in important jobs and as Presidential advisors. It would be hard to find any Ministry or any Government agency without at least one military personnel close to Granger and the PNC. Guyana Defence Force (GDF) personnel are even used to spy on people, just like they did with Rodney. The People's Militia has been re-established and November 1 is now to be observed as Guyana Defence Force Day. There is no Teacher’s Day, Doctor’s Day, Nurse’s Day, Police Day, Farmer’s Day, etc. But there is a soldier’s day.

The President and his Cabinet have interfered with all the democratic institutions protected by the Constitution. The offices of the Auditor General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, service commissions, State Boards have all been threatened and interfered with, in less than two years. People are removed and others are installed in jobs, without the necessary rules being adhered to. Contracts are given without tenders. The Parliament has been reduced to a charade, with the Opposition being stymied. The Speaker has become a Chief Bully for the PNC, limiting debates and suffocating Opposition MPs from doing their jobs. Together, the Speaker and APNU/AFC have ensured that the Parliament becomes a convenient instrument to raise taxes and limit democracy and freedom. Arrogance and disrespect are evident daily.

Guyana's democracy has become very ill in the last several months. In the last week, Guyana's democracy is in death's throes. Good people cannot remain silent. The signs are everywhere that Granger has masterfully led the PNC back into the chambers of power and this time they will ensure that they brutally keep freedom-loving people far away, no matter what means are used. I beg my sisters and brothers to be wary and take heed. Too late, too late will be the cry. Awake my sisters and brothers. Freedom is at stake.

17 Demerara Criminal "Our expectations Assizes opens have to be met" news

wednesday, january 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

―Coomacka drivers continue strike action

T

Tuesday’s procession

he January 2017 Criminal Assizes for Demerara opened on Tuesday, where 140 cases are slated to be heard. The session opened with much pomp and ceremony, led by two Policemen on decorated horses, in keeping with tradition. Following closely behind were male and female Police ranks who marched with pride along Croal Street, into

the South Road entrance to the High Court where they performed a march pass.

Justice Navindra Singh took the salute just after 09:00h. He along with Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, will preside over the current criminal session in Demerara. There are 23 separate murder cases, while 11 manslaughter cases are listed for the current session. A number of attempt-

Keeping with long-standing tradition – Policemen ride horses at Tuesday’s procession

ed murder, rape and carnal knowledge cases are also due to be heard in the Demerara assizes.

High profile cases include the Lusignan massacre retrial being heard before Justice Singh and the 2009 setting fire to the Health Ministry building, where six men stand accused. Mark Royden Williams, an accused in the January 2008 Lusignan matter is currently on trial for the February 2008 Bartica massacre.

The ceremony included Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar AliHack, Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and a number of other Supreme Court judges, including Justice Roxane George, who was recently appointed a Senior Counsel by President David Granger. The October 2016 Assizes comprised 141 cases.

Surgery on 2-year-old eye cancer patient successful

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he two-year-old who was flown out of Guyana to Cuba in order to undergo treatment for eye cancer has returned and according to his mother, Cassandra Persaud, his surgery was a successful one.

According to Persaud, who returned home with the boy, Omkar Persaud, on Friday, their success was as a result of the support from Roraima Airways, the Public Health Ministry and the SHEA Foundation, who came forward to assist her son.

She also pointed to the contribution of Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, who she disclosed remained supportive throughout the period of her son’s treatment in Cuba.

The treatment, which was estimated to cost US$20,000, was only made possible by the abovementioned donors.

The lad and his mother departed Guyana for Cuba via Roraima Airways on December 15, 2016, in order for him to undergo treatment in the hope of saving his right eye, after his left eye was removed in 2016 after deterioration brought on by retinoblastoma (a rare, malignant tumour of the retina).

Omkar Persaud and his mother, Cassandra Persaud

The lad was also diagnosed with retinoblastoma in his right eye, and was in need of urgent treatment.

After his mother’s public pleas for assistance, a number of organisations came forward to support her.

One significant contributor was the owner of Roraima Airways, Gerry Gouveia who presented the

lad with two airline tickets to Cuba for him to undergo his surgery.

The Guyana Pandits’ Council and the Radha Krishna Mandir also made a donation of $315,000 towards the child’s care.

The journey is not yet over as Persaud is yet to undergo additional treatment in Guyana.

Residents, drivers and schoolchildren meeting with Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

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isgruntled drivers plying the roads to several mining areas across Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) continued their strike action on Tuesday, calling for their demands to be met before they could resume operations, even after they met with Regional Chairman Renis Morian.

The drivers, supported by residents, have expressed dissatisfaction over the deplorable state of the Coomacka access road, as well as the dilapidated state of the roads and bridges at Coomacka, Yaribo and Three Friends, and commenced strike action on Monday.

On Tuesday, a large group consisting of residents, drivers and schoolchildren met with Regional Chairman Morian, in front of the office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Linden where they further vented their frustration regarding the issues.

According to Morian, comprehensive work is needed, but in the meantime, contractors have been sent out to grade the roadway. However, residents and drivers have argued that they did not notice any contractors at the location on Tuesday. They further sought to clarify when the work was expected to be completed, but there was no definite answer provided by the Regional Chairman, who indicated that it depended on the state of the road.

“I can’t even tell you how long a pot of cook-up would take to cook. I can’t say how long, but if we start now, we will finish it to the earliest. I sent letters. There were persons who would have seen me come in to the area,” Morian told the gathering.

Speaking with this publication, one minibus driver, Robert Gentle explained that drivers would not continue to work unless there was improvement, not only at Coomacka, but in neighbouring places such as Yaribo. He further refuted claims by the Regional Chairman that there was a grader already present along the deplorable road-

way.

“The road ain’t bad. The road terrible. It nearly impassable. It got some holes so big that if the bus go down and you look at the ground level, you only seeing from the windscreen up. The rest gone down in the ground,” he said.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by minibus driver Mark Peters, who indicated that the situation has been ongoing for a number of years. “We’re in a devastated state right now, because for the past couple years the road is in a very deplorable state. We bus drivers decide to take a stance because we’ve been getting promises year after year, but nothing is being done,” he said.

During the discourse, angry residents claimed no regional official had visited the Three Friends area to take note of their concerns.

Residents and drivers alike are contending that all areas must be dealt with.

“If we start back working when the bridge fix up to Coomacka, we would got to punish in Yaribo for the rest of we life. So this thing got to happen straight in to Yaribo.

The bridges got to fix. They got people in Yaribo who got truck and when they go and load they does got to walk like two miles to meet home because the truck can’t cross the bridge. In Coomacka, the truck does got to park over the bridge and the driver does got to walk and go home,” Gentle said.

“It got to fix. No truck, nothing can’t pass,” another resident noted.

Based on the results attained, drivers said, they would know how to proceed.

“The Chairman made some promises. At the end of that work, which he promised is going to be done; we will decide the way forward because our expectations have to be met. A very critical part of this exercise is the bridges in Yaribo. Now if these bridges are not fixed, we can’t work. We can’t work until these issues are ironed out. Because if the bus fall in the bridge is another story again. The bridge only hook on lil’ bit of stuff and

when the rain fall and that wash out, the bridge falling overboard…” Gentle related.

Outrage over Regional Chairman’s reaction and response

Residents were dissatisfied with the Regional Chairman’s move to meet with them on the roadway during what they described as a “peaceful” exercise, as well as his responses to certain questions which were posed.

Gentle related that he went with ideas to present to the Regional Chairman, but was not given a fair chance to engage him. He noted, however, that he was still waiting to observe what would be done.

Peters said he was also dissatisfied that residents were not given a chance to meet at the office of the Regional Chairman.

Others were dissatisfied over the way in which their questions were answered, and noted that the Regional Chairman refused to listen to their concerns.

“We’re not getting no proper answer. He just don’t want to listen to anything that people have to say. We got to go and block up the road,” a resident noted.

18

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

ARCHIE

Keep your thoughts to yourself until you have a sure(March 21- fire way of making your point April 19) heard and having it received in a beneficial way. Don’t react emotionally or prematurely.

ARIES

Sign up for a course or reTAURUS treat that will get you in touch (April 20- with your inner self. Someone May 20) you encounter will offer you insight into how you can use your skills masterfully.

dilbert

Look over contracts, and neGEMINI gotiate fairly and with a con(May 21crete strategy in mind. Don’t June 20)

neglect your health or your personal life. Make compromises to ensure unity where important relationships are concerned.

Emotions will surface, leaving you in a precarious (June 21- position. If you are too outJuly 22) spoken, you will bring about an unwanted altercation.

Remain neutral and avoid excessive behavior.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Be a leader when it comes VIRGO to networking, defending your (Aug. 23Sept. 22) beliefs and making a statement that will help shape the outcome of a situation that concerns you. Partnerships look promising.

Go about your business.

LIBRA Work on projects that allow (Sept. 23you to use your intuitive inOct. 23) telligence and creative abilities. Don’t give in to emotional manipulation or unreasonable demands.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

Get a second opinion. If you do your due diligence, you will have the foresight to make the best choice.

Networking will help clarify what’s actually going on in your industry.

SUDOKU

You can move monSCORPIO ey around to ease financial (Oct. 24stress, take care of any aches Nov. 22) or pains or make physical improvements. A romantic celebration will end your day on a high note.

A positive change to your SAGITTARIUS position, reputation or sta(Nov. 23tus will result if you are disDec. 21) ciplined and determined to finish what you start. Being responsible will help you avoid interference.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Love, romance and a new CAPRICORN and improved lifestyle should (Dec. 22be your top priorities. Looking Jan. 19) back will help you make good choices moving forward. Rely on your intuition and experience.

Establish a financial goal

AQUARIUS and map out a plan that will (Jan. 20- help you save for something speFeb. 19) cial. Spending time with your

children and making personal physical alterations will bring you joy and greater confidence.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Personal issues should PISCES (Feb. 20- be addressed and resolved March 20) quickly. Shopping, socializing or making plans with children will give you a different perspective on life and how to live it.

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wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

19

England win MS Dhoni gave the packed Mumbai crowd what they wanted with a 40-ball 68

high-scoring warm-up match

– Dhoni hits 68 in farewell game as skipper S hikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh scored half-centuries, and the relatively less-heralded Ambati Rayudu scored a hundred. But, the magic the crowd thirsted for had to be conjured by the man they had assembled in large numbers for at the Brabourne Stadium. MS Dhoni was in a mood to oblige and belted out a crackling assortment of his show-stopping strokes on the way to an unbeaten 40-ball 68.

This was billed as Dhoni’s last match as captain of an Indian side, and his knock was meant to be the appetizer to a victorious sign-off. England, and in particular Sam Billings (93 off 85 balls), however, were determined to hijack the plot. A strong start, a rickety middle-phase engineered

by India’s spinners and a nervy finish ensued, and at the end, England sneaked to their first victory of the tour in a game they they looked to win in a canter.

England’s chase of 305 got the impetus it needed at the top to insure against any collapses later on. Alex Hales and Jason Roy rattled

along to 95 at more than six runs an over. Roy set the template for the innings in the first delivery of the innings - a full, inswinging delivery from Ashish Nehra was driven straight down the ground for four. Four balls later, he drove a similar delivery through the covers. Whenever the bowlers compensated by pitching it short, Roy and Hales leant back to punish.

While Hardik Pandya conceded just 16 from his first five overs, Ashish Nehra, returning from injury, and Mohit Sharma leaked runs. As has been the case for the most part of Dhoni’s limited-overs captaincy, he leant on his spinners for control. After Kuldeep Yadav struck with his third delivery - Hales slapped a short delivery to cover - he went on to prise out Roy, who attempted to slog a wrong-un and topedged a catch to deep midwicket.

Yuzvendra Chahal had up to that point leaked 24 runs in three overs, but caught a break when captain Eoin Morgan reverseswept him to first slip where

SCOREBOARD India A innings (50 overs maximum) Mandeep Singh b Willey 8 S Dhawan c †Buttler b Ball 63 AT Rayudu retired out 100 Yuvraj Singh c Rashid b Ball 56 MS Dhoni*† not out 68 SV Samson c Hales b Willey 0 HH Pandya not out 4 Extras: (lb-2, w-2, nb-1) 5 Total: (5 wickets; 50 overs) 304 Did not bat Kuldeep Yadav, MM Sharma, YS Chahal, A Nehra Fall of wickets 1-25 (Mandeep Singh, 7.3 ov), 2-136 (Dhawan, 28.4 ov), 3-227 (Rayudu, 40.6 ov), 4-250 (Yuvraj Singh, 44.6 ov), 5-257 (Samson, 45.5 ov) Bowling CR Woakes 10-1-71-0 (nb-1), DJ Willey 10-1-55-2 (w1), MM Ali 10-0-42-0, JT Ball 100-61-2 (w-1), AU Rashid 8-0-490, LA Dawson 2-0-24-0 England XI innings (target: 305 runs from 50 overs) JJ Roy c Sharma b Kuldeep Yadav 62

AD Hales c Samson b Kuldeep Yadav 40 SW Billings b Pandya 93 EJG Morgan* c Dhawan b Chahal 3 JC Buttler† c Sharma b Kuldeep Yadav 46 MM Ali lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 0 LA Dawson c & b Kuldeep Yadav 41 CR Woakes not out 11 AU Rashid not out 6 Extras:(b-1, lb-2, w-2) 5 Total:(7 wickets; 48.5 overs) 307 Did not bat DJ Willey, JT Ball Fall of wickets 1-95 (Hales, 14.3 ov), 2-106 (Roy, 16.2 ov), 3-112 (Morgan, 17.6 ov), 4-191 (Buttler, 30.2 ov), 5-191 (Ali, 30.4 ov), 6-290 (Dawson, 45.1 ov), 7-290 (Billings, 46.1 ov) Bowling A Nehra 6-0-50-0 (w-1), HH Pandya 9.5-1-481 (w-1), MM Sharma 9-058-0, YS Chahal 10-0-56-1, Kuldeep Yadav 10-1-60-5, Yuvraj Singh 4-0-32-0

Dhawan pouched a onehanded stunner. Buttler and Billings, though, revived the chase with a 79-run stand for the fourth wicket. For the most part, they either swept or stepped out of the crease to negate the flight and turn. Kuldeep, however, halted their progress with another double-strike in the 31st over - Buttler hit one to Mohit Sharma at long off and three balls later Moeen Ali was lbw after having missed a sweep.

England were rescued by another robust partnership of 99 runs as Billings and Liam Dawson (41 off 47) took them within striking distance. Despite their dismissals late in the piece, England had little trouble going over the line.

India would apportion a large part of the blame to their catching: three catches were dropped. Mandeep Singh put down Buttler in the 25th over, and Billings was dropped on 44 and 84 by Sanju Samson and Yuvraj respectively.

Much of England’s hardwork was done in the afternoon by their fast bowlers after India were asked to bat. Their bowling appeared to be at its most menacing in the first half of the afternoon as Shikhar Dhawan and Mandeep Singh struggled to find fluency.

The first truculent shot it would become an increasingly common feature as the afternoon wore on - made an appearance in the fifth over when Dhawan hammered a pull over the head of Adil Rashid at fine leg, after he had walked in a few paces too many from the boundary. He then charged at Willey in the next over and flayed one over covers, but Willey wouldn’t be denied for much longer.

During the course of their 111-run partnership, Rayudu and Dhawan compulsively swept the spinners, and when they shortened their length, took runs off them with cuts and pulls.

Ball, however, pulled one back for his team after he found Dhawan’s outside

edge in the 29th over. No sooner had Yuvraj Singh walked in, Ball decided to examine his skills against the short ball. Yuvraj held his hand up awkwardly against one such delivery, and later played a clumsy pull. Yuvraj was comfortable against spin though. In the 34th over, he lofted Rashid for two sixes, first over long off and then over the bowler’s head.

Rayudu, meanwhile, was jumping out of the crease almost every other delivery and reached his century via a collection of heaves and thumps. His job done, he retired out a couple of deliveries later to give the crowd what they wanted - an opportunity to watch Dhoni bat. Dhoni began scratchily as he was hit on the thigh pad and missed a pull that ricocheted off his body and landed danger-

ously close to the stumps. But, after a rasping pull played like a top-spin forehand that hinted at rhythm, Dhoni went into overdrive after two successive boundaries in the 44th over.

From thereon, amid wickets at the other end and a pitch-invasion, Dhoni shuffleflicked, cut and thrashed his way to a halfcentury. In the last over, Dhoni walloped Woakes for two sixes and two fours. There was the full package of Dhoni treats - the wristy heavd over backward square leg, an uppish cut, a miscued pull and a primal slog over deep midwicket - as India ransacked 23 runs in the final over. A win for India A would have been sweeter, but the fans will take this.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Sharapova IS BACK ...returns this April after doping ban

M

aria Sharapova will make her professional comeback at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart on 26 April after her 15-month doping suspension.

The 29-year-old former world number one was given a two-year ban in March after testing positive for meldonium.

Her suspension was then reduced in October following an appeal.

The tournament in Germany starts two days before the Russian’s suspension runs out and she will not be allowed to attend until the day of her match.

Sharapova, whose main sponsor is Porsche, will return to tennis without a ranking and needs a wild card to enter the tournament.

“I could not be happier to have m y first match back on tour at one of my favourite tournaments,” she said.

“I can’t wait to see all my great fans and to be back doing what I love.”

The five-time Grand Slam champion won the Stuttgart title for three years in a row from 2012 to 2014.

She last played a professional tournament at the Australian Open 12 months ago, where she failed the doping test.

Sharapova was a long-time user of meldonium and says she was unaware it had been added to the banned list at the start of 2016.

She has already taken part in two exhibition events since her ban was reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

T

he World Cup will be expanded to host 48 teams, up from 32, Fifa has decided.

An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.

The sport’s world governing body voted unanimously in favour of the change at a meeting in Zurich on Tuesday.

The number of tournament matches will rise to 80, from 64, but the eventual winners will still play only seven games.

The tournament will be completed within 32 days - a measure to appease powerful European clubs, who objected to reform because of a crowded international schedule.

The changes mark the first World Cup expansion since 1998.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been behind the move, saying the World Cup has to be “more inclusive”.

“We are in the 21st century and we have to shape the World Cup of the 21st century,” he said at a news conference after the announcement.

“It is the future. Football is more than just Europe and South America, football is global.

“The football fever you have in a country that qualifies for the World Cup is the biggest promotional tool for football you can have.

“This football promotion, in many parts of the world where today they have no chance to play [at the World Cup], was at the top of our thoughts.”

According to Fifa research, revenue is predicted to increase to £5.29bn for a 48-team tournament, giving a potential profit rise of £521m.

Campaign group New Fifa Now described the expansion as

Football World Cup

“a money grab and power grab”.

But Infantino said: “It’s not at all a money and power grab, it is the opposite, it’s a football decision.”

He added the decision was taken “based on sporting merit”.

He says the decision on who will get the extra qualification slots has yet to be decided but “this will be looked at speedily”.

“No guarantees have been made,” he added. “The only sure thing is that everyone will have a bit more [representation] than they have.”

He says there is no rush to decide what will be used

impact on fans, players, teams and leagues, and also recognition of the importance of sporting integrity and commercial viability.

“In terms of the allocation of places, we note that further discussions will follow across the confederations and would expect a proper consultation process to be carried out before any decision is made.”

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan welcomed the expansion, saying it was a a “positive step, particularly for the smaller nations”.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino has been behind the move, saying the World Cup has to be “more inclusive”

to separate teams who finish on the same points and goal difference. Reports had suggested there could be a penalty shootout at the end of each drawn match.

But Infantino said: “This will be part of the regulations to be decided a few years before the event, it is nothing for now.”

The Football Association said in a statement: “We will work with Uefa, Fifa and the other European associations to understand how the 48-team Fifa World Cup will work.

“The priority has to be consideration of the potential

Uefa, European football’s governing body,said: “It was clear that all other confederations were overwhelmingly in favour of expanding the Fifa World Cup to 48 teams. As a result, Uefa decided to join in supporting the new format of the competition.

“Uefa is satisfied that it succeeded in postponing the final decision regarding the slot allocation of every confederation in the future format of the Fifa World Cup. “We would also like to state that we are happy that the new proposed length and format of the tournament does not

Junaid recalled as Irfan flies home after mother’s death

M

ohammad Irfan is set to leave the Pakistan ODI squad in Australia and fly back home following the death of his mother, a PCB spokesman has said. The selectors have named Junaid Khan as his replacement, giving the 27-year-old a chance to play international cricket for the first time since June 2015.

Irfan, 34, has not played for Pakistan since September last year, when he picked up cramps in both legs five overs into an ODI against England in Headingley. He worked on his fitness thereafter, but was not picked for the home series against West Indies in the UAE or the away tour of New Zealand.

Having bowled more than 150 overs in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, and helping his side Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to the title, Irfan won the approval of the

Junaid Khan

selectors to play the five ODIs against Australia set to begin in Brisbane on Friday. Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said the 14 players were chosen “keeping in mind the conditions in Australia” where his ability to generate extra bounce might have made him an asset.

Instead, left-arm fast bowler and WAPDA team-mate Junaid replaces him and will make a comeback of his own. Junaid had taken 78 wickets at 27.52 in 52 ODIs and had briefly spearheaded Pakistan’s attack before he was dropped. He took six wickets in seven games in the recentlyconcluded Departmental One Day Cup, before taking 4 for 31 for Peshawar in the Regional One Day Cup on Sunday.

He joins Pakistan’s four other fast bowlers, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz - both of whom buckled under heavy workloads in the 3-0 Test whitewash - Rahat Ali and Hasan Ali. Pakistan Squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Rahat Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Babar Azam, Imad Wasim, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sharjeel Khan, Shoain Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez.

increase the burden on players.

We will also ensure that clubs’ interests will continue to be protected.”

The European Club Association (ECA), which represents the interests of clubs at European level, reiterated it was not in favour of an expansion. It said Fifa had made a political rather than sporting decision.

“We fail to see the merits to changing the format of 32 that has proven to be the perfect formula from all perspectives,” it said in a statement.

“Questionable is also the urgency in reaching such an important decision, with nine years to go until it becomes applicable, without the proper involvement of stakeholders who will be impacted by this change.

“ECA will analyse in detail the impact and the consequences of the new format and will address the matter at the next meeting of its executive board, scheduled for the end of January.”

New Fifa Now says the governing body needs to reform, said it would “dilute the competitiveness of the tournament”.

“It will not help development of the game or provide improved competitive opportunities for lower-ranked nations,” it added. “Instead, it will make a mockery of the qualification process for most confederations.” (BBC)

Bayern start 2017 with friendly win over Eupen

Three Bayern Munich players celebrate after a goal was scored

Young midfielder Fabian Benko scored twice as Bayern Munich hammered Eupen 5-0 in their first game of the new calendar year.

Bayern Munich recorded a 5-0 friendly win over Eupen on Tuesday to start 2017 on a high.

The reigning Bundesliga champions won their final six matches of 2016 and will be looking to build on that form in the second half of the season as they chase the treble.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded a strong starting XI against the Belgian side, including Mats Hummels, Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski, and it was former Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels who opened the scoring from close range late in the first half.

Ancelotti made seven changes to his line-up at halftime, but that did not stop the

Bavarians from doubling their lead early in the second half via promising youngster Fabian Benko.

Bayern continued to dominate and it was Arturo Vidal who added a third, before Douglas Costa made it four after rounding the goalkeeper.

Things did not end there, however, as the 18-year-old Benko doubled his personal tally to cap a fine substitute cameo and have the final say.

Bayern return to Bundesliga action on January 20, when they lock horns with Freiburg.

FA REJECTS

Terry red card appeal J

ohn Terry made his first senior appearance since November against Peterborough but the Chelsea captain will now serve a onematch ban.

Chelsea captain John Terry will serve a onematch suspension after the Football Association rejected an appeal against the red card he received during Sunday’s 4-1 FA Cup third-round win over Peterborough United.

The 36-year-old was making his eighth appearance of the season for Antonio Conte’s side and first since November but was dismissed for a professional foul on Lee Angol in the 67th minute.

Speaking after the match, Conte John Terry

suggested a covering defensive run made by Branislav Ivanovic meant Terry was not denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, although the FA have rejected this claim and any other possible mitigation.

“John Terry will serve a one-match suspension with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal claim was unsuccessful, following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing,” read a statement on the organisation’s official website.

“The Chelsea defender was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity during the FA Cup thirdround tie against Peterborough United on Sunday.”

Terry will miss Saturday’s trip to face Premier League champions Leicester City, although he has not started in the top flight for Conte’s league leaders since the 2-2 draw at Swansea City in September.

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crucial parts of the sustainability of any sport.

“This is favourable for the sport because that broadens the base significantly,” Fernandes said.

Looking back at the year’s activities, one of the main competitions was the

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Guyana Hockey Board President Philip Fernandes

(GHB), Philip Fernandes.

According to Fernandes, the year was deemed good but had its fair share of difficulties. “We had a good year last year but I think there were some downsides to it,” he stated.

One of the major accomplishment of the year was “the hosting of more junior competitions which were excellent, the clubs themselves were excellent. With the encouragement of the board, each of the major clubs held their own competition and all of them had a junior feature so we have a lot more children playing the game, a lot more under-10, U-14, U-17, U-19.”

The GHB President related that this is one of the

Lucozade Indoor Hockey Tournament which he praised for giving the players “several weeks of continuous indoor hockey, something that has never been done before on the local circuit.” In addition to that, the junior boys’ team in May took part in the Junior Pan-Am Games in Toronto where they performed exceptionally well.

“We had our junior boys’ team going in May to the Junior Pan Am competition in Toronto and they played very well. They finished close to the bottom but they did win a few matches and every

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ith Guyana already being represented well at the start of 2017, the 2016 season of hockey was described as one of mixed fortunes. This was the opinion shared by President of the Guyana Hockey Board

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In their first game they chased 159 for victory against Desmond Buggy Haynes, where discarded national and former West Indies U-19 player Gajanand Singh and former youth player Kemol Savory scored fifties. In the second match against Moosai they replied with 103-3 after restricting their opponents to 101 in 18 overs. Singh again scored a half century. Other notable performers were Kellon Carmichael, Sherfane Rutherford and Keemo Paul.

Nedd described Singh as

a lost talent from the national set up and it is his wish that standout performances here can get some of the guys into the franchise setup.

Savory’s performance also received high praise from Nedd; “Savory batted ‘out of his skin’, it was a good knock and it was good to see an innings of that kind coming from him.”

Singh also caught up with this publication and he said he is currently using any cricket to get into the mix at the Regional level.

“I am using any cricket pos-

single match even against the top teams they competed and looked as if they belong on the field,” Fernandes highlighted.

However, while indoor hockey gathered some favourable success, outdoor hockey suffered as a result of the packed indoor schedule.

“The downside of the year was that our outdoor season was cut short. We didn’t get to complete the outdoor tournaments as we usually do. The weather was a factor, the availability of grounds was also a factor but also I think the focus on other things threw us off a bit,” Fernandes noted.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , Fernandes is of the view that in 2017, this will be remedied and this year both forms of the beautiful sport will be given equal opportunity.

“I think going into 2017 we will discuss this and we will prepare better. We have a few more young people coming forward from the administrative end and giving us some good support and I think we will have the competence among our officials to be able to successfully pull off both. We continue the junior development; we continue the indoor and still get the outdoor going well,” President Fernandes stated.

continued from page 23

sible, whether it be in the Caribbean, Canada or the USA, every chance matter. I am still working hard on my cricket and with the League set up I could probably be spotted by one of the several franchise.”

DCC stands three games away from the summit of the UNICOM sponsored event.

The teams are competing for $70,000 worth of prize money, with the winning team receiving at least $35,000 in cash and a champion’s trophy. Prizes will also be given to the Man of the Match, Big Six and others.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

WEDNesDAY, january 11, 2017

Messigher

Ventures Hockey Club Indoor Tournament…

GCC destroy Notre Dame 17-1 racing for top ― Hikers stumble at final hurdle runner title O T wo of the premier indoor hockey teams in Guyana, GCC smashed Notre Dame in the Veterans category while Pepsi Hikers fought hard but lost to Queens Park Cricket Club (QPCC) in the finals in the Men’s category of the 12th Annual Ventures Hockey Club Indoor Hockey Tournament at the Woodbrook Youth Facility in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

In the Veteran’s match up GCC were on a whole different level when they came up to an out-of-sorts Notre Dame team on their way to a 17-1 demolition lead by Patrick Edgill with seven goals.

Damon Woodroffe started proceedings with a goal in the first minute before Dwayne Scott followed suit two minutes later and Alan Fernandes in the 5th minute. Philip Fernandes then got into the action in the 8th, while Devin Hooper marked his name on the scoreboard in the 9th before Philip returned for his second in the 10th.

Edgill then got into the feast, blasting the first of his seven goals in the 11th. Marcus Fiedtkou and Alan scored in the 17th and 18th respectively before handing over to Edgill who scored consecutive goals in the 25th, 26th and 27th minutes.

Old is Gold! The GCC Vets prove that they are the true kings of the court

Woodroffe returned for his double in the 31st while Edgill netted three more in the 32nd, 34th and 40th as Alan closed off the match with his hat trick goal in the last minute of play.

Selwyn King scored the consolation goal for Notre Dame when he found the back of the net in the 21st minute.

However, Pepsi Hikers did not share similar success as they fell short to

QPCC in the finals of the men’s division 4-6. Jordon Reynos scored in the first minute of play for QPCC while Jordan Vieira scored in the 2nd and Reynos in the 4th to give the home team an instant 3-0 lead before Robert France reduced the deficit for Hikers one minute after.

Darren Cowie then extended the lead back to three with a goal in the 14th for the hosts.

However, Andrew

Corporate Antigua meets WICB

Michael Muirhead speaks with (l-r) Cindy Grant, Dion Francis and Kevinia Francis of Kennedy’s Club Limited. Kennedy’s is a distributor of beverages and liquor

S

ections of the corporate community in Antigua met with the Commercial, Marketing and Operation teams of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) at its head office in St John’s earlier today.

With the Regional Super50 competition two weeks away the corporate entities were given final details on packages on offer which will include access to commercial properties

for the rest of the calendar year. The meeting also highlighted how to acquire commercial relationships with the Coolidge Cricket Ground (Sticky Wicket), which was previously own by former prominent financier Allen Stanford, who is serving a 110-year prison sentence, having been convicted of charges that his investment company was a massive Ponzi scheme and fraud.

The Government of

Antigua and Barbuda and the WICB have entered into an agreement to co-own and manage the facility and the WICB’s outgoing CEO, Michael Muirhead, spoke about the “exciting opportunities to be available with the acquisition of the property and how both the island and cricket will benefit as a result.”

The Sticky Wicket facility will be redeveloped into a full-service space which will cater to a range of services including cricket matches, camps, entertainment and an exquisite dining experience. “The transition will take place in phases over a three-year period,” noted Muirhead.

Coolidge Cricket Ground along with the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will share Zone A matches of the Super50. Teams are Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Windward Islands Volcanoes, West Indies Under 19 and Kent Spitfires.

The next meeting is set for Thursday, January 12.

Steward found the back of the net in the 19th to close the first half 4-2.

Devin Munroe scored in the 25th in an attempt to have Hikers catch up, however, Reynos replied with a goal in the 28th to have the score sit at 5-3. Jamarj Assanah netted for Hikers in the 37th but Aidan De Gannes produced a beauty in the 40th to seal the deal for the new champions, QPCC.

ne of Guyana’s premier distance runners over the last few years, Winston Messigher has his eyes set on becoming undoubtedly the top runner in the country during the 2017 season.

Messigher has already gotten off to a convincing start by winning the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Cross Country race on Sunday in Linden.

The Linden-born runner believes he can achieve this goal because he will be training Winston Messigher twice as hard as he did last year and knows what his mistakes were and will improve on them in the new season.

“Christmas season over and I will begin training this week to be the best runner in Guyana and that is a promise,” Messigher said when speaking to Guyana Times Sport Messigher pointed out that at the end of 2016 he was troubled with an injury and opted not to risk it so decided against participation in the previous Cross Country race which was held in the national park in Georgetown. However, the determined Lindener badly wanted to defend his title in the Linden leg and so he did.

However, looking at the 2017 season, Messigher has stated that he will be looking to capitalize on the annual race meets and is confident he can beat his rival Cleveland Forde in the upcoming races.

Messigher pointed out the annual Massy 10K race is one such race he wants to prove that he can beat Forde and Cleveland Thomas, though the Courts 10K title is the race he is wants to win the most. Forde and Messigher were locked neck and neck in 2016’s Courts 10K but coming into the last stretch on Main Street, heading to the Courts Main Branch for the finish, Messingher gave up and allowed Forde to race away with the title for the fifth time in six editions.

If Messigher is to win in 2016, he will have to run better than he has ever run in his career a fact he is well aware of.

“I know to be the best this year I will have to run to the best of my ability but I am not just running to win, I am running to break my personal record,” Messigher said.

The distance runner highlighted that it will not be an easy road as he has to work all day and then train. “I train in the morning before work and after work I go and train again, it is not easy because after work I am tired but I want to win so I do what I have to do,” Messingher mentioned.

Adams takes over new role as WICB Director of Cricket

T

he West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has appointed James ‘Jimmy’ Adams as its new Director of Cricket.

The former head coach of the Kent County Cricket Club (2012 – 2016) will officially take over the position yesterday, Tuesday, January 10. He has a three-year contract.

Jimmy will oversee and manage all cricket matters to include development of all teams, all coaching and cricket education and other technical programmes. He will have the support of an Operations department.

While at Kent, Adams oversaw a period in which the club invested heavily in its home-grown talent via a strong academy system; the success of which can be seen in the number of players, senior and junior, that have gained recognition in national squads and the team narrowly missing out on promotion in 2016.

Adams brings a wealth of

experience to his new assignment. He has served West Indies Cricket in a variety of positions. He made his Test debut back in April 1992 and played 54 Tests with a

highest score of 208 not out; that was at the Antigua Recreation Ground against New Zealand in the 1995 – 1996 series. Adams has also played 127 ODIs and 202 first class matches.

With a playing career, just short of 20 years, he also represented Jamaica, Nottinghamshire, Orange Free State and Berkshire.

He ended with a 41.26 Test average and amassed 3.012 runs.

Jimmy thinks the timing is right for his new role with the WICB and “I am very excited to be directly involved in Caribbean cricket once again, and I look forward to working with all those committed to moving the game forward in the West Indies.

Outgoing Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus who was part of the selection panel says “I look forward to Jimmy bringing the breadth of his international experience and knowledge of cricket in the Caribbean to continue the work of rebuilding West Indies Cricket. It is an exciting time for cricket in the region, with the momentum of the World Cup’s success and the professional cricket structures beginning to produce players capable of competing and excelling at international level.”

Adams will be based in Antigua.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, january 11, 2017

“Light it Up” campaign T

23

Althea Scipio

is new GFF General Secretary

sets October deadline D

irector of Sport Christopher Jones, during an engagement on Friday night indicated that the National Sports Commission (NSC) will be embarking on a “Light it up” project and has set the deadline for completion as October 2017, just prior to the launch of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) 2017.

Tennis Inter Guiana Games are usually held separately from the traditional other seven disciplines and in October 2017, Guyana will host the tennis championship.

Jones noted that the NSC is aware of the obstacles that hinder the development of many sports in the country but reminded the public that there is a commitment by the current administration and the NSC to improve sports.

“We recognize the limitations that exist throughout the country in terms of facilities in many disciplines and of course like the commitment the government would have made to the sporting fraternity in general, we are committed to sport development throughout the length and breadth of the country,” the Director of Sport recalled.

The Director of Sport

highlighted that many countries have facilities that can practically have occupants training all day and night while it is impossible for us to use a number of local facilities after the sun goes down simply because we do not have enough lighting, pointing out the Tennis Court at the National Resource Centre as one such venue.

“I would also want to say if you haven’t read it or heard of it before, one of the projects we [NSC] have in 2017 is the ‘Light it up Campaign’ in which we recognize that the usage of facilities and grounds throughout the country do not have lights and of course if persons intend to do training they go beyond sunset so of course a project we have in 2017 is to see facilities across the length and breadth of the country receiving lights and the tennis court at the National Resource Centre is one of them. So long before IGG games that facility will be lit,” Jones stated.

He went on to say that this was possible due to the doubling of last year’s budget. “In 2017 as a result of the budget allocation that

Director of Sport Christopher Jones

has been made available, we would be seeing a lot of the facilities being rolled out throughout the length and breadth of the country,” Jones pointed out.

Consequently, Jones set the deadline for the completion of this project to be before October.

“I can say this now and make a commitment to the tennis association that the upcoming IGG Games that will be had in October that the facility we currently have at the Resource Centre I want to assure you that the National Sports Commission will be working with you to ensure that that facility is of regional standard in preparation for those games,” Jones promised.

he Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has appointed Althea Scipio as its new General Secretary (GS), effective January 1, 2017 following a series of interviews conducted in October 2016.

Scipio served as an Assistant Superintendent in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for approximately eight (8) years and as Honorary Secretary at the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) for approximately one year.

During her tenure in the Police Force, the new GS honed her management and man management skills while performing various functions in the Police Force, including forensics, community relations, media

– Singh eager to get into the mix

J

ust a few weeks ago the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) was one of the top club nominated for the club of the year award when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) hosted its annual award ceremony.

Currently the local powerhouse are competing in the

T

Flashback! GCA Inaugural Carib Beer T20 Champions

Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) will be rescheduled or GNIC will be awarded the game by mean of a walk over because Everest (the host) failed to show up.

When contacted yesterday chairman of GCA com-

petition committee Shaun Massiah, said a decision is pending regarding the matter.

The winner of the New Building Society semifinal match between TSC and Everest will meet powerhouse Demerara Cricket

relations, security management and secretariat management.

The General Secretary will now play a pivotal role

Winning, exhibiting Guyana’s T20 talent on Nedd’s agenda

GCA adjusts start of 2017 competition here has been a shift to the start Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) calendar of activities because of the inclement weather.

The season in the city was scheduled to start on January 14 with the New Building Society Second Division 40 over semifinals between Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Everest Cricket Club.

However, constant rainfall has led GCA to postpone the start of the season to the first week in February, again weather permitting.

The third edition of the Carib Beer T20 first division tournament, arguably the best T20 tournament in the country, is also expected to get underway when the season commences.

However, it is still unclear whether the Noble House Seafoods two day second division semifinal match between Everest and

New GFF General Secretary Althea Scipio

in the ongoing restructuring process of the GFF’s Secretariat, which has been embarked on by the Executive Committee, and, ultimately, the football fraternity as a whole. She will have the critical task of spearheading the successful and timely implementation of the Committee’s vision.

Scipio replaces Diedre Davis whose contract was terminated last June.

Merson Jones, the Deputy General Secretary was performing duties as General Secretary in the interim.

Club (DCC), who hammered Georgetown Cricket Club by 10 wickets in the first semi.

Meanwhile, TSC booked their final berth after they defeated Police Sports Club in their semifinal match of the Noble House Seafoods tournament.

University of the West Indies (UWI) T20 tournament and unlike an award ceremony, where a winner is decided on votes, winning this tournament lies i n DCC’s hand. Not b y any means contrary to the w i n ners of the club of the year award recipient but winning a n overseas competition could stake claims for the top club at the end of this year.

After some travel issues which saw them arrive in Trinidad two hours before their first game, DCC trounced Desmond Buggy Haynes by six wickets then Moosai by seven wickets, to complete two comprehensive victories. They are set to play Trinidad and Tobago Police Sports Club in the quarterfinals later today.

However, winning is important for DCC but exhibiting Guyana’s T20 talent is high on Coach Garvin Nedd’s agenda. According to Nedd there is a myth about the shortage of talent in Guyana, however, if DCC dominates during this tournament it could start a new chapter for Guyanese players. One that could increase demands for players from the Land of Many Waters.

Yesterday DCC had an intense training session ahead of their must win match and they worked on areas that

Garvin Nedd

need to improve from their first two matches.

The former first class off spinner is optimistic about his team’s chances, nevertheless, he is focus on one game at a time.

DCC is without the service of some marquee players like Christopher Barnwell and Paul Wintz, but the Derwin Christian led side has so far performed beyond expectation. turn to page 21

Gajanand Singh

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Ventures Hockey Club Indoor Tournament…

Pg 22

GCC destroy Notre Dame 17-1

― Hikers stumble at final hurdle

This composite photo shows GCC Vets(top) and Pepsi Hikers after their respective championship games in Port of Spain

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