Guyana Times - March 15, 2016

The Race to LGE 2016

Mother fights for better P17 life for her community Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2797

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

PRICE

Large acreage of rice land destroyed by salt water in Region 2

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Serious crime down by 12% P14 – Police ... 23 road fatalities recorded for 2016

Page 10

– D&I department lacks materials to repair damaged sluice

Bandits beat, rob Port Mourant family Page 7

$80 vat included

Bound pensioner found dead in Soesdyke house Page 10

“Don’t make me behave like Donald Trump” – Rohee explodes P11 Woman P15 robbed opposite Albion Police Station

Conflict intensifies between Region 9 Chairman and REO

P9

Attempted murder of wife P8 First Lady Sandra Granger on Monday agreed to partner with the Step by Step Foundation and Republic Bank (Guyana) Incorporated to increase awareness about autism in Guyana. In photo: First Lady Sandra Granger (second right) is flanked by, from left to right: Kiran Mattai, Cynthia Massay, Dr Suraiya Ismail and Michelle Johnson share a light moment after her acceptance to participate in the Autism Awareness March to increase awareness about the condition

Deadly prison riot CoI City Hall raises Sugar workers Unrest was vendor’s fees to receive aimed at getting by 500% API media’s attention Page 3

Page 12

Page 7

payment

…“GuySuCo did not shift their position” – Komal Chand

– prisoner

– from $300 to $1500 daily

GuySuCo employee jailed for 15 years P13 Passing of Jagdeo’s sister

Political parties, supporters send condolences

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 15 – 09:30h-11:00h and Wednesday, March 16 – 11:00h-12:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 15 – 08:45h-10:15h and Wednesday, March 16 – 10:00h-11:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions in the early morning hours will give way to thundery and heavy rain showers, with a return to sunshine in the late afternoon.

Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:13h and 21:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.22 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:21h reaching a minimum height of 0.85 metre.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

09 17 18 22 23 27 24 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Monday, March 14, 2016 Daily Millions

13 15 25 26

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Deadly prison riot CoI

Unrest was aimed at getting media’s attention – prisoner

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s the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the prison unrest continues, a murder accused on Monday testified that the Camp Street Prison unrest was aimed at gaining the attention of the media.

Thirty-seven-year-old Basil Morgan, a murder accused who has been on remand for the past five years, testified to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that the unrest at the Prison was aimed at gaining the media’s attention after the Prison officials failed to address their concerns.

Morgan explained to the Commissioners that the other inmates would frequently request that they be given a speedy trial as they had spent years on remand. However, he alleged, “no one paid them any heed and they became frustrated” with the situation.

This, he said, led to the planning of the riot to gain the attention of the media. “The night of March 2, 2016, that’s the Wednesday, after trying to gain the attention of the prison officials to ask if someone could please do something or say something…talk to persons in the media or judicial system to help persons out who have been in prison as long as me. But we would hear that they are only mandated to house you and to keep you safe, nothing more.

Personally, I asked officers more than one time and that’s what they would tell me. This has been leading up long before…this is not a one-day something,” he stated.

He related that as a result of the “lackadaisical response” by the prison officers, the inmates decided to take the situation into their own

Murder accused: Basil Morgan

hands.

“Persons’ frustration grew and they tried to gain the attention of the media so that their story can be heard and persons beyond the prison walls could know,” he related, adding that they tried to gain this attention “by lighting a fire in the external part of the building”.

Morgan said after the fire was lit, Police Officers were not in the building to render assistance or control the situation, but could be seen on the road looking on.

He went on to explain that when the media arrived, the prisoners began shouting their concerns; however, after the media left the area, the inmates continued igniting the fires.

“After the fire ‘reel’ out the fire that night, that was it. We just clean up and get some sleep. But before sleeping, persons went to the western side of the building, that would be the inner part of the building shouting to the officers, firemen and Police ‘we ain’t have no problem with the Police; we ain’t have no problem with the wardens… we just want our voice to be heard. And y’all already saying that y’all cannot do that.

And if y’all cannot do that and we cannot get no media personnel to come in…then how else could we do it? We have no problem with the Police,” the prisoner alleged.

The murder accused further testified that the following day, March 3, prison officials did not make routine checks to verify whether or not the situation was “under control”.

“No one came to ask what it was about the night before…no one came,” he stated. However, Morgan revealed that about 07:30h, the prisoners were taken in groups of five to the tarmac and then the dining hall where they were searched for contraband. However, unlike some other prisoners, he was not taken back into Block A,

where those on remand for or convicted of serious crimes were housed.

“Thank God I didn’t get to go back or I would be dead right now…because I would have been among the 17,” the relieved prisoner stated.

He related that chaos erupted soon after, adding that there was no resistance by the inmates when they were asked to come out.

He alleged that some survivors of the ordeal related that it was the tear gas that caused some of the prisoners to suffocate to death, adding that this was also stated on their death certificates.

“It is an enclosed building so instead of the tear smoke rising and going away, it only rise to the ceiling and come back down, so they were mostly panting for breath.

There’s a small door at the back and all who survive went to that door. All who get caught at the front screaming fuh ‘please open the door’, they are all dead,” he claimed.

He also alleged that there were orders to lock the prisoners in while the fire was ongoing.

“While I was being searched, the order was given to the Police at Capital A… the order was shouted out but I didn’t see who it was that ordered it,” he claimed.

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

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Editorial

Local government: last lap

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ocal Government Elections (LGE) are only three days away, but it does appear that there is a great deal of apathy in the air and on the ground. If the Disciplined Forces vote that took place one week ago is any guide, the turnout is going to be very bleak. While this is very unfortunate in light of the long, drawn-out struggle to return LGE to the national calendar as part of our democratic development, the long hiatus after the last election in 1994 has made the elections into an unknown quality that has both citizens and candidates quite nebulous in their expectations.

In the last month and a half, GECOM has done an excellent job in the local press of publishing information on and about the elections. The problem is most citizens – especially rural ones comprising the vast majority of the LGE constituencies – do not read the newspapers.

Knowledge of the traditional local government operations have atrophied in the last 22 years with misuse and the new laws that are supposed to rejuvenate the field have not percolated into the psyche of the citizenry.

After years of negotiations in the bipartisan Special Select Committee on Local Government, three sections of their submitted legislation were passed and assented to by then President Donald Ramotar in 2013 under the 10th Parliament – the Fiscal Transfer Act, the Municipal and District Council Amendment Act, and the Local Government Commission Act. The President balked at the fourth section, which removed powers over local government from the subject ministry and vesting them in a Local Government Commission that would be responsible for oversight, staffing and regulation of the local government organs.

Through added powers vested by the Fiscal Transfer Act, local organs would also now have much more autonomy over their funding, including the power to seek loans. With the change of government, the last pieces of legislation were assented to last July. The intent is to give more autonomy to the local organs with the expectation they would be more responsive to local concerns.

For the citizens, most of whom will be voting for the first time in LGE, they need to know about the structural changes now vested in "constituencies" within the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Municipalities, which would now have specific individuals responsible for them. At the LGE, therefore, there would be two parts to the ballot – just as in the General Elections: one for electing Councillors in general through Proportional Representation and another for Constituencies. Voters are expected to now know their specific representatives in their constituency who they most likely know and who are supposed to know of local problems they would be expected to address.

The most pertinent change, however, would be the need for the new officials – Councillors, Chairmen and Mayors, etc – to appreciate they should strive to be independent of the Central Government. It was for this purpose they now have greater powers over the raising and spending of funds in addition to being independent of ministerial control – both courtesy of the new legislation.

The education of both citizens and the Councillors who will be elected need to be addressed so they can better perform their duties in the new dispensation intended to broaden and deepen the democratic imperative of "power to the people". Maybe this is one of the roles the ABC countries can play after the elections since they were so vociferous in pushing for the latter.

As we pointed out some time ago, the fundamental issue in all efforts at "decentralisation" is the acknowledgement that power in the polity as a whole is already "centralised".

History has shown that power is never relinquished without struggle. It is hoped that the newly empowered local councillors will now seize the moment and declare their allegiance to local empowerment rather than buttressing the powers of the national elite.

Citizens should come out in force to let their voices be heard.

In celebration of Commonwealth Day 2016, Guyana held its second annual Youth Parliament on Monday in the Parliament Chambers.

Moving the motion “Youth Cohesion in Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies in the Commonwealth”, the youths were tasked with debating the topic as Government and Opposition members

Land is wealth and power Dear Editor, The Guyana Reparations Committee (GRC) wishes to extend congratulations to the new Government in accelerating the land titling programme for Indigenous Guyanese. Under the auspices of UNDP, and using Norway Funds, this exercise is scheduled to be completed by October this year.

It will be a welcome conclusion of the work championed by Stephen Campbell who visited the Queen just prior to Independence with support and advocacy of the Catholic Church and the then Business Community.

Today, the Amerindian Act gives our Indigenous Peoples, the 9 Nations that exist, 13.8 per cent of Guyana.

The cycle is completed for our 50th Anniversary.

Land is wealth. Land is power. Land is the basis of generational wealth creation. Just ask Israel. This seems to explain why land grabbing is the new contact sport in Guyana. We have seen the millions of acres granted by the last Government to Chinese and Indian foreign firms at often rock bottom prices of US$12 ½ cents per hectare (yes, per hectare) for 50 to 99 years.

Of course the new Government and various boards are investigating this incredible land grab supported and often sponsored by the previous Government.

We should soon learn more of this “festival of greed, corruption and criminality” which in some corners continues unabated in many shapes and forms. We have found out for example that 30 families/individuals control 80% of our mining concessions. Landlordism is in vogue for the already rich.

Quite extraordinary and quite wrong.

Egregious greed it seems has no bounds as some of these same individuals are collecting agricultural lands as if it is going out of style.

In April, the Reparations Committee will provide information to the Government of Guyana (including the Opposition) for their claim of lands for reparatory justice and social cohesion in Guyana.

There are three historical reasons why this claim has legal validity.

First, history has recorded that enslaved Africans, whom arrived in Guyana in mid-17th Century and were in Guyana for 100 to 200 years, before the Wai Wais and Wapishanas Nations, cleared 15,000 square miles or 18 per cent of Guyana and lost 450,000 lives to genocide during their enslavement.

Slavery “was and is a crime against humanity” (United Nations Durban Declaration) and hence reparatory justice is being sought from the Government of Guyana, the inheritors of the land from the British. Justice dictates that if Indigenous Peoples in Guyana can receive land for being here “first’ then African whom were here before the Wai Wais and Wapishanas should be legally entitled to land.

The Wai Wais arrived in Guyana from Brazil in the 19th century while the Wapishanas arrived from Brazil in the 18th century (information gathered from Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology and the Guyana Reparations Committee). The current population of 300 Wai Wais now have 1 million acres under their stewardship.

Recently, the Wapishanas, who comprise less than 10,000 people in Guyana made news by claiming an additional 10 per cent of Guyana beyond the 13.8 per cent already in the Amerindian Act. Second, enslaved Africans built Guyana.

History has also recorded and forgotten that (Guyanese) Africans “had driven back the sea and had cleared, drained and reclaimed 15,000 square miles of forest and swamps. This is equivalent to 9,000,000 acres of land.

In short, all the fields on which the sugar estates are now based were cleared, drained and irrigated by African labour forces. All the plantations now turned villages and cities were built by unpaid African labour. In the process of building these plantations, careful research has shown that Africans installed the following (1) 2,580,000 miles of drainage canals, trenches and interbed drains, (2) 3,500 miles of dams, roads and footpaths, and (3) 2,176 miles of sea and river defence.

The Venn Commission also reported that “to build the coastal plantation alone, a value of 100,000,000 tons of earth had to be moved by the hands of African slaves “(without machinery).

The entire economy of Guyana in 1838, for example, was that created by enslaved Africans whereas our Indigenous brothers and sisters were living nomadic lives. Justice dictates that Africans should be given lands for clearing 18 per cent of Guyana and providing free labour for over 200 years while indentured servants whom came after them, were paid and given lands.

Third, the last 25 years have seen foreign firms receive huge swaths of lands at giveaway prices while Africans have received none.

Any Government or people interested in social cohesion, equity, equal access, economic and social justice…. would take immediate steps in our 50th anniversary year, to grant lands to Africans for the massive and unparalleled contributions they have made to Guyana.

To begin this process, the Government of Guyana immediately freeze of the granting of land leases to anyone, local or foreign, until the reparatory land issue is addressed.

In the meanwhile, I call on the Amerindian Peoples Association, the National Toshao Council, the Catholic Church and all other religious groups, as well as any other Guyanese who believes in justice, to support this just cause.

We salute the Amerindian Community for their intensified advocacy in the media since this new Government has come to power.

Today, Africans have less than 5 per cent of the economy. One of the biggest reasons is their exclusion from lands owed them for the free labour they provided and for the “crimes against humanity” and 450,000 lives lost while building the Guyana all others enjoy today.

The last government understood this issue but deliberately made it worse by undergoing the “greatest transfer of State wealth in the Caribbean and possibly Latin America” to their ethnic support base.

Eric Phillips Chair Guyana Reparations Committee

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ACDA says It’s time we injected some new blood into the city Europeans can claim Africa’s lands Dear Editor, In a letter published in other media, Eric Phillips of the African Reparation Committee and ACDA presents an interesting interpretation of “indigenous” and states that Africans came to Guyana before the Wai Wais and Wapishanas who arrived here in the 19th and 18th centuries respectively from Brazil. This, he says, gives Africans legal rights to land settlements like the Amerindians.

It’s an interesting argument. The First Peoples arrived in the Americas in pre-historic times and settled in areas that had no defined boundaries.

The boundaries and naming of countries came with the European explorers and colonisers.

There has never been a dispute about the First Peoples’ rights to land, and their presence or non-presence in any particular area at any given time is a non-issue. No one can claim any arrival before them. The next people to arrive were the Europeans. Africans are third in line.

Phillips likes to write

at length about the miles of canals dug and the mountains of earth moved by his forefathers. He boasts with a sense of prideful accomplishment as if it was his forefathers’ good intention to arrive here, clear and work the land and make this earth fruitful when that was the intention and plan of the European colonisers.

The African slaves were the tools and implements used to do the necessary work so any sense of accomplishment belongs to the Europeans.

The colonisers expended much capital to purchase the slaves from African kings and tribal leaders and to ship them across the Atlantic.

They felt that feeding and housing them were enough “payment” since they had to recoup their capital and make a profit from the plantations.

They did not feel there was any need for financial payments.

No one thinks this was fair. In fact, it was a savage business. However, when Phillips, on behalf of his African brethren, presents an indecent and

odious proposal for “indigenous” status that attempts to place Africans on the same footing as the First Peoples, he opens himself to utter derogation and ridicule. Africans could even lose sympathy and support for their just claims for reparations.

The history of European exploration of Africa goes back to the 15th century and the earliest settlers arrived in the 17th century. When they arrived at specific locations, several tribes now present at these places were probably not there at the time. The Europeans, too, cleared, dug, planted and created.

According to Phillips’ reasoning, Europeans can now make legal claim on African lands because they arrived at particular places in Africa before certain African tribes.

Phillips has every right to indigenous claims – in Africa, from where his people came. In Guyana, Africans will have to buy land like everyone else, except for Amerindians.

Yours truly, Shanie Jagessar

Dear Editor, I wish the City Councillors from Georgetown knew when to call it a day, or as we in Guyana say “when to call it George.” Here we have a bunch of tired, worn out, mentally bankrupt senior citizens who have had 22 years instead of the prescribed three, managing our capital, who are still trying to hang around for a little longer maybe for the monthly stipend of $60,000, by seeking to be re-elected at LGE 2016. What a shame that is, when one does not know when to move on.

Some of them are even showing signs of loss of mental faculties. A classic example of this would be the recent case in point when Mayor Green during a visit to the Kitty Market in an interview with the press, announced that his days as mayor are numbered and as a result, the restoration and renovation of that facility would be the responsibility of the next mayor.

Alas! Just a few days after such a grand announcement, rehabilitation commenced in earnest by the same Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Unbelievable! A case where the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing Clearly, Mayor Green and his councillors are mere sailors and not calling the shots at City Hall, yet Chase-Green is parading around this and other projects pomping a scene; as they would say to give the impression that the project was their doing, earning them kudos for re-election.

Why would we need these old dreamers back as our city mothers and fathers? They would more be like doddering city grandfa-

thers and grandmothers.

It is time to reinsert youth into the main portals of governance. These senior citizens are trying to prevent youth participation in governance and the fulfilment of their dreams and utilisation of their energies.

The time to improve the capacity of youths at the community level is now. We need young people as policy-makers. I encourage everyone to vote wisely, vote for the youth.

Sincerely, Amber Valentine

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Foundation

If your child’s teacher graded your involvement, would you pass?

– if you thought you were done worrying about grades now that you’re a grown-up, think again. Prepare to bring your A-game

By Hollee Actman Becker

I

f a bill passed in the Mississippi House becomes law, teachers would get to grade parents on their involvement with their children’s education. Do you think you’d pass?

First came the news that a school in Georgia is considering keeping children from participating in extracurricular activities if their parents aren’t engaged in their academics. Now comes a bill passed by the Mississippi House, which, if turned into law, will call for teachers to grade parents’ involvement with their children’s education.

Say what, now?

Under House Bill 4,

Uh-oh. I was doing pretty well until we got to that last one. We are known for showing up to school late on occasion, and I have no problem pulling my children out of school for vacay. I’m a firm believer in children experiencing the world beyond the classroom.

So would I pass? I’m not so sure.

The Upshot

I consider myself my chil-

very active in dren’s school lives. I help with homework every night; I’ve had coffee with their teachers; and I’ve held every role f r o m c l a s s parent to fundraisi n g chair t o

of

a l s o known as the Parent Involvement and Accountability Act, a new section would be added to every child’s report card, where teachers could grade parents on things, like their responsiveness to communication with teachers and the students’ completion of homework, readiness for tests, and frequency of absences and tardiness.

the

President Parent-Teachers

Association.

That being said, I find this bill completely ridiculous and offensive. And apparently, I’m not alone.

“My initial reaction is, this is absurd,” Mary Clare Reim, research associate on education at the Heritage Foundation, told Mississippi Watchdog.

“The concept that parents should be graded by teachers on their involvement is a reversal of what the education system should look like. Parents should be grading teachers on their performance.”

Amen! (Parenting.com)

Help your child or teenager move toward happy productivity Productivity makeover step 1: slow down and find balance

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onfidence and happy productivity are built on competence, on grappling with the challenges that lead to expertise. If your child or teenager can’t seem to connect with any interests, and doesn’t engage in challenging learning opportunities at school or elsewhere, you may want to consider helping them with a productivity make-over.

The first step toward happy productivity may surprise you. In order to encourage your child or teenager to become more actively engaged in meaningful efforts in one area or another, try encouraging him to step back and slow down. Even better, do the same in your own life. This step-back-slow-down approach can be particularly valuable if your lives have been over-scheduled, rushing from one activity to another.

Here are some questions to ask yourself in order to initiate a productivity make-over. Your answers can help create a healthy balance in which you and the other members of your family can thrive, and move toward engagement in activities that lead to happy productivity.

Is there enough time in the day for playful exploration? It’s through engaging with others in games of their own devising that children learn to make decisions wisely, manage their emotions, see things from others’ perspectives, sort out conflicts, and make friends.

Other benefits of unstructured play-

ful exploration include better selfregulation, self-awareness, and collaboration skills; greater ownership of one’s own learning; and a freer imagination. These are the building blocks of happy productivity across the life span.

Action: Free up time in whatever ways you can. Encourage your child’s curiosity, playfulness, sociability and deep desire to learn by assigning a top priority to playtime.

This may mean reducing the emphasis on organised sports, homework, lessons, and practice.

What about going outside?

Outdoor time increases well-being in every area: psychological, physical, cognitive, and creative. Time in nature expands the imagination; stimulates all the senses; frees the spirit; and makes a person calmer, more optimistic, healthier, and more creative. It enhances academic success by improving attention and focus. Children who spend time outdoors are calmer, more optimistic, healthier, more creative, and more successful at school than those who don’t.

Action: Get some outdoor time every day. An hour outside every day is great, but even if it’s only a 20-minute walk to the store, you and your child will experience many benefits, including stress reduction and increased sense of well-being, both of which support happy productivity. Even when the weather is bad – you’ll feel better if you dress for it and spend time outside, and so will your child.

Is screentime gobbling up every free minute? Although technology has a useful place in young people’s lives, too much time on screens (computer games, social media, television, etc.) encourages lazy habits of mind. In addition to the problems of bullying, attention distortion, and addiction that are experienced by some children who spend too much time online, a child or teenager who depends on entertainment and activities created by others never learns to discover and explore her own interests.

Action: Set limits.

Depending on the age of your child, do this unilaterally (up to age five or so), or (as she gets older) in discussion with her. You can set a limit of a total number of minutes per day, and/or a time window during which screens are allowed. You can give extra screentime as a reward (for homework completion, say, or household tasks done well, or actions above and beyond what’s expected), and you can subtract screentime as a consequence for behaviour you want to see changed (ignoring family regulations, for example, or rude behaviour, or unfriendly actions toward siblings). (Excerpt from psychologytoday) to be continued

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tuesDay, march 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Bandits beat, rob Port Mourant family

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andits have once again struck on Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), this time beating and robbing a Port Mourant family.

The Diaram family has been left traumatise after two masked gunmen forcibly entered their home demanding valuables.

Reports are the incident took place on Friday evening at Lot 347 Ankerville, Port Mourant. This newspaper was told that Kavita Diaram was about to close her parents’ grocery shop

when two men held her at gunpoint and forced their way into the building.

Speaking with Guyana Times Kavita that one of the bandits had a gun while the other had a cutlass. ““They hit me in my head and I fall down, and they run to me father and put cutlass on he neck and tell he don’t move,” the traumatise woman reported.

She related that the men then proceeded to bound her father, Sookram Diaram, hand and feet with duct tape. According to the younger Diaram, as the

men bound her father, her mother Sabritrie Diaram also called ‘Lil Gal’ began screaming in an effort to alert neighbours. This caused the men to turn their attention to the woman, who too they bound.

“They then leff me father and they come and they start beat she and tell she shot you ****ing mouth and get down to the floor.”

She related that one of the bandits dragged her mother while beating her with the cutlass, demanding valuables.

She said the men es-

City Hall raises vendor’s fees by 500% –from $300 to $1500 daily

The rehabilitated area that vendors will occupy from Wednesday

T

he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown will be raising the fees for vendors plying their trade at the rehabilitated Merriman Mall.

The new fee is now $1500 daily, jumping from $300.

This huge increasing is not resonating well with vendors who are bitterly objecting to the arbitrary move by City Hall.

Two months after finally being relocated to their initial vending spot, the vendors had opined that everything would return to normalcy.

This thought was however short-lived, as returning to the spot comes with a hefty price tag for rental fees.

The adjusted announcement was made during a meeting on Monday at City Hall to facilitate the way forward for the vendors.

It was reported to Guyana Times by one vendor present at the meeting, that the M&CC had spontaneously ‘dropped’ the mandate, thereby driving shock and frustration through the majority of the vendors.

She related that whereas the vendors had paid $300 per day for the rental before they were moved and while at the Cummings Street lo-

cation, from Wednesday they would be required to pay $1500 daily.

It is understood that the vendors had tried to negotiate for a reduction, complaining that this was way too high for just a day’s occupancy.

However, their attempts were futile since it was reported that they were told a reduction was not possible.

Since vending is their way of life – their very survival, the vendor who spoke with this publication said they had eventually agreed since the M&CC were stubborn in rescinding the decision.

She said that because of the situation at the cramped Cummings Street location, the vendors would have it any other way rather than continue vending there.

It was indicated to them that they would be moved back to the location on Wednesday of this week, and business would resume immediately at the Mall.

The stalls would be allocated on the basis that either the vendors use the original positioning as they had before, or they would have to take numbers to which stall they would occupy.

Vendors had anticipated the movement since last

Wednesday but they reported that upon turning up at the site they were informed this had been postponed until this week.

In January of this year, the vendors were removed from the Merriman Mall after it was declared by the M&CC that the location would from then on be ‘vending free’.

The M&CC apparently believed that removing the vendors from that location and placing them at Cummings Street, would generate more profit for the small businesses.

This decision was made in light of the deplorable conditions which the M&CC had condemned, claiming that this was the work of irresponsible vendors.

There was much back and forth however, with some saying that the shift was temporary while the M&CC had deemed it permanent.

The vendors had earlier been told that relocation was to facilitate the rehabilitation process of the mall and they would be moved back once this was accomplished.

The Merriman Mall location after the relocation had been transformed to become a skating arena for public and private users.

The Diarams' grocery shop

caped with the day’s sale along with a large number of phone cards.

“We can’t really know what they take because we have a lot of things inside and is only when we go inside that we does count up the money,” the woman explained.

The traumatise woman said the Police arrived at the scene about 45 minutes after the incident.

“When I call for Whim

Police Station there was no vehicle at the present moment then we call Rose Hall Outpost then everybody start calling for police.”

This is the third time that bandits have targeted the Diaram’s. The previous times being March and January 2015. Police are still investigating the incident.

The frightened woman related that the family is

traumatised over the incident and is scared for their lives.

“This crime get reckless, this crime is too much.

There is no good in this place.”

A Police source told this newspaper that between last Thursday and Saturday there were four reported robberies along the Lower Corentyne during which firearms were used.

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tuesDAY, march 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Attempted murder of wife

GuySuCo employee jailed for 15 years

A

n employee of the Guyana Sugar C o r p o r a t i o n (GuySuCo) was on Monday sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of attempting to murder his wife.

Ganga Persaud, 54, of Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury on trial for two charges, the first being attempted murder and felonious wounding.

The man, who was formerly employed at GuySuCo’s Uitvlugt Estate, faced these charges after he attacked his wife Sumintra Rampersaud on July 29, 2009 after she was allegedly engaged in a conversation with another man whom her husband suspected she was having an affair with.

The Court heard the testimony of the arresting Police Officer as well as the defendant’s statement.

Police witness Derrick Foo told the Court that on the day in question at about 20:45h, relevant to a report made at the Leonora Police Station, he went to a shop at Meten-Meer-Zorg where he met Persaud, whom he told of the allegation and cautioned him. He stated that while under caution, Persaud said “Me and meh wife separate for three months now. Meh hear she got an affair with a watchman name Boss. On July 29, 2009 I was waiting fuh she at the street head and ah see my wife and ‘Boss’ talking”.

The Officer further explained that the defendant admitted that he dealt the woman a series of punches to her head and when she fell he stripped her of her clothing and subsequently used a stick, which was 1.5 inches thick, to assault her, piercing her inches away from her genitals twice in the process. Foo stated that after giving this statement,

the defendant said “meh sorry”.

The Prosecutors also indicated that before assaulting the woman with the stick, Persaud used his fingers to penetrate the woman’s vagina, telling the man she was with “you next, this is wuh yuh been want see.”

However, the unrepresented defendant denied these allegations and said he was being framed and that on the day in question he was at the shop from 15:00h in the afternoon until he was arrested.

However, earlier in the proceedings, he admitted he suspected that his wife and the watchman were having an affair, saying, “Me and meh wife used to live very, very good. Suddenly from encouragement from people Mr Boss start visiting my wife when me ain’t deh home.”

When called to lead his defence, Persaud opted to give an unsworn statement.

He related that he has five children with his wife whom he lived with for over 13 years. “On that said night, for what I am being framed for, I was at a shop at MetenMeer-Zorg back street,” he stated. He further explained that he was there for some time, and later Officer Foo arrested and took him to the Leonora Police Station.

He further alleged that the next day he was beaten with a baton by officers in an attempt to get him to admit to the crime which he did not commit. “This statement is true and correct to the best of my knowledge,” the defendant stated in closing.

On Monday, after deliberating for over two hours, the Jury delivered the guilty verdict 10-2.

Justice Singh subsequently handed down the sentence to Persaud.

The state was represented by attorneys Narissa Leander, and Siand Dhurjon.

Eyew tness The authoritarian personality...

O

...and Trump

utsiders are puzzled at the “Trump Phenomenon”.

How could a fella exhibiting such outrageous behaviour and rhetoric have a serious chance of becoming the next President of the USA? Do so many Americans really believe they could not only build a 2000mile wall between their country and Mexico - but get the Mexicans to pay for it?? Is he really going to deport 10 million illegal immigrants? Make up with the Klu Klux Klan?

And what about all his histrionics? The pouting and screaming and flailing hands? There are serious people who’ve pointed out that Trump’s cultivation of habits and characteristics of the Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini are too eerie and spot on to be coincidental. But the biggest question remains as to why the total package’s being lapped up by millions of Americans?

After all, aren’t they supposed to be the most informed society in the world? With the most pervasive media network that beams information 24/7 into the bedrooms and even bathrooms of Americans so that they can make “informed “’decisions, which we peons in the Third World are supposed to emulate? If people up north could ask, “Who is the Newton of the Hottentots?” to suggest the west is on top of the evolutionary chain in every aspect of human endeavour, are our politicians expected to throw up a Trump in a decade or so?

Well, to be fair, even the folks up north are puzzled and as they are wont to do (Your Eyewitness is wont to use the word “wont”!) they’ve already been studying the phenomenon SCIENTIFICALLY. And just like after one hundred years of looking they finally discovered “gravity waves”, to explain the Trump Phenomenon they’ve just announced it's all due to the “authoritarian personality” in the people who are acting like groupies whenever Trump is around. So the fault, dear readers, doesn’t lie with Trump but in the bozos following him.

So what is this “authoritarian personality?” One expert explained it thusly: “When political scientists use the term authoritarianism, we are not talking about dictatorships but about a worldview. People who score high on the authoritarian scale value conformity and order, protect social norms, and are wary of outsiders. And when authoritarians feel threatened, they support aggressive leaders and policies.”

Now to be fair to Trump, the study that showed the extremely strong correlation between the authoritarian personality and fears was done back in 2011. But then that raises the possibility that Trump got hold of the study, (your Eyewitness is sure he reads the American Journal of Politics Science every night to bed) and just tapped into the fears opportunistically, no?

Think about it!

...in Guyana

Even back in the fifties when we were starting to fight for independence (well... at least talking the talk!) the British said we were “politically precocious”. Now that we’ve been educated about the “authoritarian personality” and its reflection in the leader they throw up, could it be we’re still “precocious politically” and we already have our Trump in our midst?

Now let’s go through the symptoms as observed over the last few months as Trump trounced and trumped his Republican rivals. The most noteworthy characteristic is the leader says whatever comes to his mouth, without mediating it through his brain. If you can’t think of someone then, dear reader, you should “haul yuh ass!!”

Then, of course, there’s the flailing of hands, foaming at the mouth and screaming at the audience. The picture becoming clearer... or are there still some “snowflakes” as one of the authoritarian leaders complained recently?

But dear reader, don’t be too hard on the leader.

Remember, he’s (and it’s always a “he”, no?) just channelling his followers’ fears.

...dismissal of BIGA

The assault by APNU/AFC forces on the local group in Bartica that dared to contest LOCAL Government Elections continues in the wake of the President’s precedence.

This time the local APPOINTED leader said BIGA was “force ripe”!!

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

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tuesday, march 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Conflict intensifies between Region 9 Chairman and REO

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

C

hairman of Region Nine (Upper Takatu Upper Essequibo) Bryan Allicock and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker continue to disagree on a number of issues within the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Similar divergences are currently occurring between the Regional Chairmen and Regional Executive Officers in other administrative regions across Guyana.

During a press conference at Freedom House on Monday, Allicock once again vented concerns over the demeanour of the REO, accusing him of attempting to take control of the region instead of performing his administrative duties.

Allicock also complained of being undermined and disrespected by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition’s candidate, noting that his actions are counterproductive to the development of the region.

Fuel

According to the Regional Chairman, the REO refuses to budget adequate sums of money for the purchase of fuel for him to reach out to the villages.

Allicock said because he is being accused of using the fuel to conduct political work, the REO significantly cut the amount of fuel typically granted to the Regional Chairman.

He is now getting five gallons of fuel per week, which can only cover “three days’ running” in Lethem.

“Up to now, I can’t cover the entire region,” Allicock stated, noting that the villages are far apart and therefore it would require more fuel to travel such distances.

In fact, Allicock accused the REO of using the State resources for the purpose of political work.

Protocols

Allicock also accused the REO of breaching basic protocols.

He alleged that Parker would often visit communities without informing the

Region 9 Chairman Bryan Allicock

village councils.

Additionally, he complained that the REO would refuse to inform him of presidential or ministerial visits to the region.

Referring to the recent visit of First Lady Sandra Granger, Allicock said he was completely left in the dark.

“If he refuses to inform me of their visits, how must I know about that visit? The First Lady’s visit I knew nothing about. It was be-

ing stated that it was the President’s visit so I called the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs asking the Minister (Sydney Allicock) and he said he does not know anything about that because the President was preparing to go to Ecuador… so I was coming from the bank when I was told that the First Lady was here already distributing boots,” he explained as he responded to critics who chastised him for “boycotting” government events in the region.

“How am I going to be a part of this development if I am not in the loop,” he queried.

Leadership

Allicock also accused the REO of overriding decisions made by the RDC. He pointed out that the Council had approved monies to be spent on the renovation of the annex building for nurses.

However, he alleged that Parker rushed to workers to finish the building under the pretext that the President would be staying there.

But upon completion,

Region 9 REO Carl Parker

Parker moved into the building which is fully furnished and includes five air-conditioned rooms.

Allicock also accused him of controlling the economic fund of the region and in so doing; he refuses to allocate adequate sums for critical purposes.

In fact, he even accused the REO of withholding salaries from certain staff.

Moreover, Allicock said the REO overtly made attempts to change the signatories for the region’s bank

account.

Meanwhile, similar controversies have been brewing in other regions.

In Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), the Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt and REO Rupert Hopkinson are constantly at war with each other.

Hopkinson is currently occupying the State House in the region and is accused of abusing his power and overstepping his boundaries.

In converse, Ramdatt is being accused of attempting to thwart the REO’s efforts of community development.

Over in Region Three (Essequibo Islands /West Demerara), matters escalated to the point where Regional Chairman Julius Faerber threatened to sue REO Dennis Jaikarran for allegedly carrying out duties on his own, without informing or seeking approval from the RDC. This entire issue spiralled from October of 2015 when Jaikarran slashed Faerber’s fuel allowance by half.

Creation of Gender Affairs Bureau being “streamlined”

T

he creation of the Gender Affairs Bureau (GAB), which was slated for completion in early 2016, is currently being “streamlined.”

This is according to current Administrator of the Men Affairs Bureau (MAB) Diego Alphonso, who on Monday told Guyana Times that staffing structure is being worked out.

“Presently the personnel department is working out the organisational structure… everything remains the same,” related Alphonso.

He further stated that the Social Protection Ministry will alert the public as soon as the bureau commences operations. The MAB administrator said: “We will be issuing a

MAB Administrator Diego Alphonso

press release when we officially start off the department.”

The establishment of this

bureau will see the merger of the MAB and WAB (Women’s Affairs Bureau) which exist as two separate entities. It has been explained that the subsumed units will operate under a singular head while achieving the relevant objectives.

It was in December of last year that Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence disclosed that this unit would begin operating in early 2016. She had opined that this merger is in keeping with world trends.

Head of the Women and Gender Equality Commission Indra Chandarpal had welcomed the merger. She however cautioned that the issues of men and women must be

The Women and Gender Equality Commission Head Indra Chandarpal

dealt with equally.

“I don’t see a problem… we have other jurisdictions

where it operates in that way,” Chandarpal said, adding: “What we need to ensure however is that men’s issues are also taken on board because the problems we face in society is not only female; so with the one division you can have two desks… each desk, I am sure will continue to do the things they have been doing.”

She had however expressed disagreement with the organisation having a singular director.

“I don’t subscribe to the idea of one director… you need to have separate heads.

I think that they should have two different directors… in terms of the WAB you have a separate person and the MAB you have a separate person.” Chandarpal

had opined that one director shouldn’t be tasked with the implementation of policies for both genders.

“That person would really have to be gender conscious to understand that you can’t take sides. We all understand the issues affecting each other but I think it would be more suitable if you can have two different persons rather than one,” she remarked.

In light of these concerns, the MAB head had explained that while there would be one head, the two components would continue simultaneously.

“There would be the male component and the female component,” Alphonso had stated.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, march 15, 2016

News

Large acreage of rice land destroyed by salt water in Region 2 – D&I department lacks materials to repair damaged sluice

S

cores of rice farmers in the Westbury and Dartmouth areas on the Essequibo Coast are bitterly complaining about the intrusion of salt water onto their rice lands.

The farmers are counting their losses as they are unable to reap anything this crop. During a visit to the area Monday rice farmers related that the Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Administration has failed to address their concerns in a timely manner.

According to them, the sluice door at Westbury is falling apart and despite several reports to the regional office nothing has been done. They explained that the door was leaking and the administration sent planks to stop the flow of water. The farmers explained

Rice burnt in the Westbury area

that the planks were a swift intervention but it needed to be bolted down.

“Just a simple augur to use to bolt down, the administration don’t have, and because of that the water broke away into our lands.

Who would compensate us?”

a rice farmer wanted to know.

When this newspaper contacted Regional Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah, she said that indeed the sluice at Westbury is faulty and that she visited the area recently and

sluice is in a dilapidated state.

According to Coonjah reports were made to her by the D&I workers but there is limited resources and building materials.

The vice chairman added that there is presently a shortage of maintenance materials in the D&I department. Coonjah however noted if the planks were bolted down then the lands could have been saved.

According to reports over 24,000 acres of rice lands are under cultivation out of 36,200. Recently a team headed by Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt accompanied by Coonjah visited the backdams in February. During that visit the team noticed many crops damaged due to the intrusion of water.

Bound pensioner found dead in Soesdyke house T he partially decomposed body of a pensioner was on Monday afternoon found in his First Hill, SoesdykeLinden Highway home. He was believed to have been murdered.

The dead man has been identified as Anthony Breedy, 60, of Lot 76-78 First Hill. His hands and feet were tied behind his

back.

According to information received, the dead man’s body bore several marks of violence, including lacerations to the head, and his SUV was reported missing.

Guyana Times understands that the man lived alone and was not seen for several days. It was after a foul stench was detected by neighbours, the gruesome

discovery was made.

They alerted members of the Community Policing Group who in turn contacted the Timehri Police Station.

Crime scene experts have recovered several pieces of evidence as they continue their investigations.

One resident told Guyana Times that after the man’s SUV was not seen, they thought that he had

left for the interior where he operated a business.

The house was reportedly ransacked thus leading investigators to believe that Breedy’s death might have stemmed from a robbery. Several persons have been questioned in connection with the discovery. The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.

Transparency International and Corruption in Guyana

T

hat Guyana ranked 119 out of 167 countries (zero means clean) and received a score of 29 out of 100 (100 means excellent)

by International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 2015 is not shocking. The ranking and scoring by CPI strike at the core of Guyana’s long standing problem: corruption and more corruption. Perhaps, it is too Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine much to ask for accountability at this stage, but surely, this recurring solemn news cannot be avoided.

To recall, CPI was conducted by Transparency International (TI), a civic organisation fighting and revealing corruption across the globe. Since its launching in 1995, TI has revealed some damning evidence of corruption. Some may argue that the methodology of TI is questionable because the findings are based on perceptions rather than objective quantitative analysis.

Nonetheless, the consistency of the findings cannot be easily dismissed since they tend to match local realities: conflict of interest, bribery, misuse of power, misconduct, clientelism, skewed tendering process, etc, of those in power.

After all, the aim and purpose of TI is not to target specific regimes in specific countries but to reveal the injustices meted out to innocent citizens by elected officials through the use of state resources for personal gains and aggrandisement.

I would argue that TI was generous in giving Guyana the above scores. I would place Guyana around 17 of out 100 since the real nature of corruption is difficult to unearth. This ranking would place Guyana alongside Haiti and Venezuela as the most corrupt countries in the region. I take this pessimistic position because everywhere you go in Guyana, from Charity to Crabwood Creek, people are looking and asking for a “lil raise.” You got to be living under a rock not to know what a “lil raise” means in Guyana. Greasing the palm is as common as saying good morning and good afternoon in Guyana.

Corruption, by its hidden nature, is difficult to define.

Corruption is simply when elected officials or employees use public or state resources for personal or private gains. Put simply, the misuse of power by those who control the levers of power. Corruption, as one UN official puts it, is public enemy number one. For this reason, corruption is not hard to recognise.

The recent demise of 17 prisoners is a prime example of corruption. This is not a national tragedy. It is Guyana’s first prison genocide. Much has been said why it happened but if inadequate wage given to the prison staff continues, if the reliance on the family and friends of remand prisoners by prison staff for kickbacks continues, and if the waiting long periods for trails, and treatment of remand prisoners continues then expect more ominous news.

Equally troubling is a lack of meaningful connection between the prison system and the Ministry of Security, namely under Kemraj Ramjattan. This man must take full responsibility or step down. Someone, some people, something somewhere have to take responsibility for 17 deaths since these deaths occurred under watch of the current regime.

I urge family members of the prisoners to take this matter to the highest level, including the international court. I urge these families not to be gullible and accept $100.000 each ($US500) offered by the government. I urge these families not to rely on the findings of the governmentappointed Commission of Inquiry. Ask for or conduct your own independent inquiry. To do otherwise would be counterintuitive to the general welfare of prisoners in Guyana.

There are myriad reasons why the carnival of corruption is high in Guyana. The lackadaisical and quixotic approach to work because of low wages and limited incentives, especially in the civil service and the disciplined forces, encourage corruption.

People accept jobs knowing that they will make additional money on the side through bribery and kickbacks. They also know that the penalty for engaging in corruption is hardly punishable. The penalty structure for corruption in Guyana is extremely weak because it is implicitly corrupt.

Corruption is also encouraged when top officials do not send the appropriate message and demonstrate positive image of themselves. The mere fact that government ministers gave themselves lucrative salary increases and denied the same to a majority of Guyanese does not bode well for morality and ethics on the job. Some may blow the whistle or choose to whisper about corruption and may receive ridicule and chastisement for doing so. The norm, however, is to toe the line, participate in corruption and turn a blind eye because they believe their superiors are corrupt. (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu)

tuesDAY, march 15, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

“Don’t make IMF urges Govt to promptly address me behave like anti-money laundering deficiencies Donald Trump” T – Rohee explodes

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

P

eople’s Progressive Party General Secretary Clement Rohee threatened to respond to members of the media fraternity in a manner similar to the United States Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump after becoming annoyed by a question posed by a senior journalist.

“Don’t make be behave like Donald Trump,” Rohee exploded, causing the entire room of media operatives to erupt in laughter.

During his press conference on Monday, the politician once again raised concerns about the undertakings of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) – which he claimed was driving intimidation into society.

Subsequently, a senior journalist, in quoting the saying “Do nothing, fear nothing”, asked Rohee why should persons be fearful of the operations of SOCU and SARU if they have nothing to hide.

The General Secretary was annoyed by this question and so declared, “Don’t make be behave like Donald Trump”.

On a matter of technicality, Rohee pointed out that he never alleged that fear is being instilled in the general populace but rather, the entire citizenry is being intimidated.

“We haven’t done anything so we don’t fear anything but it is precisely because we haven’t done anything and we fear nothing that this use of SOCU and SARU against innocent people that is creating the concerns in the country. That is my point,” Rohee clarified.

United States Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump

Time and again, PPP/C executive members raised several concerns about the work being conducted by the two entities, citing the lack of transparency and accountability regarding its various operations.

Particularly, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had told media operatives that the investors’ confidence and national economic development would never prosper if SOCU continues to “instil fear” into the nation, as people will be “afraid” to make substantial investments and/or keep money and other valuables for fear of being liable to be invaded or having their properties seized.

One of the most notable high profile operations was that spearheaded by SOCU which resulted in the Carifesta Avenue crash, killing GDF Sergeant Robert Pyle, his wife Stacy and another civilian.

Meanwhile, this recent outburst by Rohee has joined a list of his hilarious trademark catchphrases like “Goat nah bite meh” and “King Kong ain got s…t on me”.

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) is urging the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government to “promptly” address the deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework so as to ensure full compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations.

This call came days after an IMF staff team, led by Marcos Chamon, concluded a visit to Guyana to hold discussions for the 2016 Article IV consultation.

“While recent steps towards strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework are welcome, the authorities should address remaining deficiencies promptly. The authori-

ties are urged to accelerate the implementation of the action plan agreed with the Financial Action Task Force,” the team said in a statement posted on the IMF website.

In December, Attorney General Basil Williams stated that there were still a number of recommendations the country needed to fulfil before it could become fully compliant with FATF and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) requirements.

Guyana is currently on the FATF light grey list (for

those that have developed an action plan) and on the CFATF enhanced follow-up list, Williams had stated.

He explained that Guyana would remain on these lists until it dealt with the outstanding recommendations, but, quickly pointed out that it appeared it was an ongoing process: In explaining why Guyana was not fully compliant with CFATF/FATF recommendations, Williams highlighted that several recommendations might have several components; therefore, if a country satisfied

nine of the 10 components, it would still be rendered “not fully compliant”.

Upon assuming office back in May 2015, the Government moved to pass a series of contentious amendments to the AML/ CFT Bill, despite objections from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), which argued that the proposed amendments contained some provisions that had been rejected by the CFATF, as well as the FATF, and Government ran the risk of passing into a law a bill that may not be compliant with international requirements.

A mere six months after the Bill’s passage, the Government returned to the National Assembly last December with a number of Government amendments to the amended Bill.

12 news

tuesday, march 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Sugar workers to receive API payment Heightened support …“GuySuCo did not shift their position” – Komal Chand NACTA polls

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

fter months of deliberation, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has finally informed the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) that workers would receive their Annual Production Incentive (API) for 2015 on April 1.

This was on Monday revealed by GAWU President Komal Chand, who in an interview with Guyana Times said that GuySuCo informed the Union in writing that workers would be given 2.72 days pay for the 85,000 tonnes of sugar produced.

“They [GuySuCo] informed the Union in writing last week that sugar workers will be paid the 1st April…85,000 tonnes of sugar will give you a quantity of 2.72 days pay,” Chand posited.

He also noted that workers were first promised the API payments in December, after which it was said that

the payments would be awarded in March.

The Union President explained that the dispute stemmed from the fact that the Sugar Corporation was unwilling to compromise.

“The Union wanted more than what GuySuCo was going to pay so there’s a dispute; that dispute went to the Ministry of Labour [where] the Corporation remained adamant in its position,” stated Chand.

“Now that the Chief Labour Officer declared the matter deadlocked, having done so, GuySuCo is now going to pay the 2.72 days pay which is what they were going to pay all the time; they did not shift their position.”

The GAWU President also observed that the Sugar Corporation was yet to give word on possible 2015 wage increases for workers.

With regard to the closure of Wales Estate, Chand explained that GuySuCo has not updated the union on discussions with workers over their decisions to either

GAWU President Komal Chand

take a transfer to Uitvlugt or to take a severance package.

“We haven’t heard anything from GuySuCo on a full list of workers who they’re going to transfer to Uitvlugt or who they hope to make redundant and pay them their severance pay.

GuySuCo is required by law to inform the Union about the transfer and redundancy of workers and they haven’t

done that yet,” explained Chand.

GuySuCo and GAWU have been at loggerheads since November of last year over the API for sugar workers for 2015. The non-payment of API in addition to the non-increase of 2015 wages and the proposed closure of Wales Estate led workers to engage in onceper-week strike action to compel GuySuCo to give in to their demands.

GuySuCo had opined that if these strikes continue, the Corporation would have no other choice than to halt the current crop. It has been reported that workers viewed this disclosure as a “mere threat”.

With the imminent payout of the API, the GAWU President explained that the Union would have to “wait and see” if the workers would continue the organised strikes. This publication has, however, learnt that the planned strike action across estates will move ahead today.

Return of technocrat members to Parliament

PPP/C member appeals Chancellor’s decision

T

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentary Opposition is legally challenging the decision taken by the Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh to allow the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Candidates to sit in the National Assembly even after outgoing Chief Justice (AG) Ian Chang ruled that they cannot.

PPP/C Member Desmond Morian filed an Affidavit in response to the Application for Stay of Execution filed on behalf of Felix and Scott.

The matter was called at the Appeal Court on Monday where Justice Singh ordered that the Attorney General Basil William file an Affidavit in Reply within 10 days to the Affidavit in Answer, that the Affidavit must serve a

Winston Felix

written submission, that the Respondent file and serve a response to those submissions within seven days and that the matter be adjourned to April 27 for hearing of the arguments.

Days after Chang ruled that Government Ministers Winston Felix and Keith Scott could no longer sit in

the Chambers of the National Assembly, the Chancellor granted a Stay of Execution, allowing them to reenter parliament.

The matter before the court was filed last year by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister and now PPP/C Parliamentarian Anil Nandlall, against Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams and Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs.

The intention was to prove that the two serving ministers are illegally present in the National Assembly since they are technocrats.

According to Nandlall, the APNU/AFC parliamentarians are taking up posts that have been allocated in an unconstitutional and unlawful way.

In his ruling, Justice

Keith Scott

Chang stated that the Ministers’ presence as members of the House were “unconstitutional” since they were Technocrat Members.

The contention is that the Ministers’ names were on the then opposition list of representatives during the leadup to the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

for official release of Rodney CoI Report

T

he ongoing opinion survey conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) revealed that there is overwhelming support for the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government to release the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report into the death of Guyanese academic and political figure Dr Walter Rodney.

The findings of the poll, conducted by Dr Vishnu Bisram, are based on random interviews with some 1230 individuals comprising 43 per cent Indians, 30 per cent Africans, 17 per cent mixed, 9 per cent Amerindians and 1 per cent others.

The data was analysed at a 95 per cent confidence level with a marginal error of 3 per cent.

Asked if the government should immediately release the Rodney Report, 88 per cent said “yes” and only 3 per cent responded “no” while 9 per cent was unsure.

There have been mounting calls from local personalities for the release of the report.

After discrediting the contents of the document, President David Granger promised to release the report after Cabinet completed its perusal.

Meanwhile, the NACTA survey also found that a majority of voters do not believe the APNU/AFC agreement has been working well.

Another popular opinion was the disappointment with President Granger and the leadership of the AFC for failing to honour the promises made during the General and Regional Elections campaign to not close down any sugar estates and to pay up to $9000 per bag of paddy.

Queried on whether they feel the AFC/APNU coalition agreement has been working well, some 54 per cent said “no” with 6 per

cent said “not sure”.

Some 55 per cent of the voters say they are disappointed (as compared with 40 per cent who are not) with the behaviour of the AFC leadership in not insisting on the enforcement of the terms of agreement made with the APNU (PNC) a year ago to form the preelection coalition especially with regards to governance.

Asked if they think Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan have betrayed sugar workers and rice farmers, 54 per cent replied “yes” with 39 per cent saying “no” and 7 per cent not offering a response.

The polls also found that some 99 per cent of rice farmers and sugar workers (and farmers in general) say Nagamootoo and Ramjattan betrayed them and were not protecting their interests. The same percentage of farmers also says the AFC/ APNU coalition agreement is not working well and that the AFC leadership has disappointed them in not insisting on the enforcement of the coalition terms of agreement.

Asked if they think the government is abusing the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), some 63 per cent said “yes” with 21 per cent saying “no” and 16 per cent “not sure”.

In fact, many respondents believe the government is using SOCU to target (harass and intimidate) political opponents and business person, who are affiliated with the Opposition.

Queried whether they feel Guyana is heading for a return to dictatorial rule, 51 per cent answered in the affirmative with 42 per cent saying “no” and 7 per cent “not sure”.

Many people feel recent actions of the government and SOCU are reminiscent of the period of “Burnhamite governance”.

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tuesDAY, march 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Passing of Jagdeo’s sister

Political parties, supporters send condolences C

ondolences continue to pour in from various political parties and citizens both at home and abroad, after news broke of the passing of Ooma "Shanta" Jagdeo, sister of former President and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday.

Jagdeo via his facebook page on Sunday afternoon announced the passing of Ms Jagdeo, whom is described as dearer than a sister.

“It’s with deep sadness; I announce the death of my sister Shanta. She was the epitome of a sister; she was a mother, my confidant and friend. She took care of me all my life and I will miss her dearly,” he posted.

President David Granger in a personal message expressed condolences to the Leader of the Opposition on the passing of his sister.

“The loss of a loved one, especially someone who has been devoted to your care and well-being for almost your entire life, is al-

Ooma "Shanta" Jagdeo

ways a painful experience.

I pray that God’s comforting Grace will be with you in this your moment of grief,” Granger wrote in his message to Jagdeo, his office said.

President Granger also extended condolences on behalf of the Government of Guyana to all family members during this time of bereavement.

Jagdeo’s, People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) in a statement expressed its “deepest condolences” to the Jagdeos.

“Specific condolences were conveyed to Dr Bharrat Jagdeo by the Party’s General Secretary on behalf of the Central Committee and the entire Membership of the PPP,” the party said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNNU/AFC) government in a statement expressed “deep condolences” to Jagdeo, his relatives and the PPP. “The government salutes Ms. Jagdeo for her unflagging love for her brother to whom she was not only an older sibling but to whom she was also like a second mother,” the government’s statement said.

It added that the loss of a sibling, particularly a sibling to whom one is particularly close as Mr Jagdeo was to Ms Jagdeo, leaves a void which can hardly be filled.

Dominicans fined for overstaying in Guyana T wo female nationals of the Dominican Republic were on Monday fined by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for failing to comply with the conditions by which they were allowed to stay in Guyana.

Juanna Matero, 30, accepted the charge which

stated that she failed to comply with the conditions by which she was allowed to stay in Guyana by staying beyond the time permitted.

Anna Matero, 20, also accepted the charge which stated that she failed to comply with the conditions by which she was allowed to stay in Guyana by stay-

ing beyond the time permitted.

The Court heard that both women had arrived in Guyana as tourists at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and were granted one month’s stay.

They were sentenced to a fine of $15,000 each with an alternative of four weeks in prison.

“The nation stands in solidarity with and holds Mr. Jagdeo up in prayer, in this, his time of grief,” the statement concluded Several colleagues of Jagdeo as well as his supporters expressed condolences to the former president.

Former Guyana Elections Commissioner and Attorney Jaya Manickchand wrote: “I am so shocked and saddened. My heart hurts.

Our condolences to you, President Bharrat Jagdeo, Sheila, Chinee, Jean, Reema, her beloved nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Rest in peace dearest Shanta. Your love and wonderful personality will be missed.”

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in a post on his facebook page said it was with sadness that he leant of the Opposition Leader sister’s death.

“It is with sadness that I learned about the death of Ms Ooma Jagdeo, late sister of Bharrat Jagdeo, former President and current Opposition Leader. I extend sincere sympathies

to Bharrat and the entire Jagdeo family at this untimely loss,” Nagamootoo wrote.

Meanwhile, PPP/C Member of Parliament and Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall also sent condolences to the former president, “To Cde Bharat, I say that the entire PPP/C family and all of our supporters are with you at this difficult time and we shall ensure that you overcome this tragedy and become even stronger.”

Several Guyanese, both at home and abroad took to the opposition leader’s Facebook page to express condolences.

Abigale Rodriguez wrote: “My deepest condolences to you Cde. Bharat and your family. Stay strong and have faith. May your sister soul Rest in blessed peace.”

And, Tony Rahim said: “Condolences to you and your family Sir, in this a dark moment in a family’s life. We are only here on this Godly Earth which the Almighty had bestowed upon each of us, and he

shall continue to shine his light for all of our journeys into the afterlife.”

Cause of Death

Meanwhile, a post mortem performed on Ms Jagdeo’s said the 57-year old woman died of natural causes.

Ooma Jagdeo, also known as “Shanta”, was discovered dead by her niece and nephew who went to visit her at Jagdeo’s Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, home where she was living with him.

On Sunday, Jagdeo was forced to cut short his ongoing Local Government Elections (LGEs) campaigning outreaches in Essequibo after receiving news of his confidant’s passing.

Ooma Jagdeo had lived with him at State House while he was President and when he moved to his Sparendaam home, she also moved there with him.

She will be cremated on Wednesday at 13:00h at the Good Hope Crematorium.

Wake is being held at her Sparendaam home.

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tuesDAY, march 15, 2016

News

New Board appointed for GPHC Serious crime down by 12% – Police – 23 road fatalities recorded for 2016

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Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings and the new Board

T

he new Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was on Monday sworn in during a simple ceremony held at the Hospital’s Resource Centre.

This announcement was made by Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton.

Dr Carl Max Hanoman was confirmed as the new Chairman of the Board.

The other Board members are Colonel Patrick West; Cleopatra Barkoye; Collette Adams (Deputy Permanent Secretary, Public Health Ministry); Mandy Sukhdeo; Sonya Roopnauth; Kempton Alexander along with Dr Sheik Amir and Allan Johnson as Ex-Officio Members.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Hanoman stated the GPHC would see a number of

changes under his direction.

To be given main focus will be the computerisation of the hospital.

This was strongly supported by the Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings as well as the Board members.

Further, Dr Hanoman said that under his direction, individuals seeking care at the facility can expect advanced care and services along with more professionalism from the staff.

Addressing the Board members, Minister Cummings said that she was expecting a lot of changes at the facility and the public should “expect great things”.

The Minister also urged the Board to continue to supervise the progress of all undertakings and to ensure that while the standards were be-

ing improved, they were also maintained.

The appointment of this new Board came in light of the former Chairman, Dr Noel Blackman being charged in relation to illegal prescription of pain killers. Records show he wrote 114 prescriptions in 2014 for about 3800 oxycodone pills and nearly 2500 prescriptions for about 365,000 pills last year.

Dr Blackman, a former Health Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) and owner of the Channel Nine television station, HBTV, was appointed to serve as Chairman from the period of December 23, 2015 to November 30, 2016.He is a registered Vascular Surgeon in the City of New York and also an Executive Board Member at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

he Guyana Police Force on Monday revealed that it has recorded a 12 per cent decrease in serious crimes at the end of February 2016 when compared to the same period last year.

Among the serious crimes monitored by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

The decrease the police boasted, is as a result of continuous emphasis on “intelligence-led policing, capacity building of the Criminal Investigations Department, its social crime prevention programme and enhancing police community relations.”

The police stated that a total of 25 murders were recorded at the end of February 2016, which was the similar to that of February, 2015.

Of the 25 murders committed, nine were as a result of robberies, five were domestic related, 10 were of the disorderly type, and one is so far undetermined.

To date, four murders have been recorded for March.

In addition, the police stated that at the end of February, robbery under arms overall has decreased by 4 per cent in comparison to the same period in 2015.

The statistics indicate

a decrease of 9 per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; while there was a 4 per cent increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

The statistics revealed that there has been a d e crease o f 1 3 per cent in

reports of rape, with 48 re- ports at the end of February this year compared to 55 for the same period last year.

Break and Enter and Larceny and Burglary have shown an overall decrease of 11 per cent. Moreover, there has been a whopping 17 percent reduction in Break and Enter and Larceny.

Further, the police have seized a total of 10 illegal firearms comprising five pistols, four revolvers and one shotgun. However, in relation to domestic violence, a total of 473 reports were reported with 311 cases being

made out.

Meanwhile, the traffic department has recorded 17 road fatalities from 17 accidents up to the end of February 2016 when compared to 19 fatalities from 12 accidents for the same period in 2015. The statistics proved an 11 per cent decrease.

There have been decreases in other categories of traffic accidents comprising serious, minor and damage.

Pedestrians have been the main category of road users affected in road fatalities with five such persons having lost their lives at the end of February 2016. In addition three cyclists, three motorcyclists, four drivers, one passenger in a vehicle and one pillion rider have also lost their lives.

Speeding has been the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of 10 of the 17 fatal accidents at the end of February 2016.

Finally, the police stated that a total of 11,783 cases were made against errant motorists up to the end of February.

Of these 4080 cases were for speeding, 442 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 130 for using cell phone while driving and 379 for failing to wear seat belt.

Up to Sunday, March 13, six other persons have lost their lives from six fatal accidents.

TUESday, march 15, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

News

LGE 2016

GECOM, NDCs reaffirm preparedness

By Shemuel Fanfair

L

ocal Government Elections (LGEs) are just days away and a number of stakeholders have given assurances that systems are in place to ensure the polls go off without a hitch.

Speaking with Guyana Times Monday, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Tamara Rodney said measures are in place to ensure the transparency of the process.

“Everything is pretty much on schedule. With regards to security all of our operations are being done in the presence of the officers of the Guyana Police Force along with party agents.

Every single thing is done with scrutiny and transparency with regards to the elections for March 18,” the PRO assured.

She noted that GECOM has undertaken to carry out the process in accordance with the policy that was approved by commissioners, that is, “where the ballots are transported in the presence of agents – they are all in one vehicle as well as the police.”

In terms of voter education programmes, the PRO explained some of many steps GECOM has taken to familiarise the public with this elections process.

LGE 2016

Guyanese to cast “punishment vote” against APNU/ AFC – Rohee – despite “poor” voter education from GECOM

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From left: GECOM’s PRO Tamara Rodney; Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally; CEO Keith Lowenfield and Deputy CEO Vishnu Persaud

“We have ads in the newspapers… the street campaigns where we have been going around to several communities in Guyana; we are wrapping that up and tomorrow we are going to Georgetown; we have different publications prepared for the public, which entails an animated sketch of the voting process with the ballot specimen,” the PRO posited.

This publication also contacted some Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) offices where it was confirmed that polling stations have been earmarked and selected for constituents to cast their ballots.

Best-Klien Pouderoyen NDC incumbent Chairman, Omesh Balram told Guyana Times that everything is “coming up fine” in his district. He noted that there will be 30 polling stations within the area’s 10 constituencies on election’s day.

Works Chairman for Herstelling-Little Diamond NDC, Wilfred Hassan related that the area has 15 polling stations and opined the majority of residents are aware of the voting process.

“All of the polling stations are prepared as GECOM has prepared them. They are using some private residences, health centres and schools because this elections is different from national elections. All of the political parties have been going about holding meetings around the area sensitising people on how to vote. From what I’ve observed, about 80% of residents understand how they have to vote.”

Similarly, incumbent NDC Chairman of ToevlugtPatentia Roy Bennett said all is set in his district.

“We are ready, everything is in place. We have 21 polling places in the community, some are private residences some are public places.”

Commonwealth Day 2016

Youth Parliament hosted I n celebration of Commonwealth Day 2016, Guyana held its second annual Youth Parliament on Monday in the Parliament Chambers.

Joining 53 other countries, Guyana has signified the day by hosting the session which coincides with this year’s theme of the day.

As each country hosts various activities to mark the celebration, there are common grounds on the theme “An Inclusive Commonwealth” which calls for everyone to be involved in their country’s affairs regardless of differentiating factors.

Singling out youths specifically, Guyana commenced the sitting of Youth Parliament with participation of 35 youths from across the 10 administrative regions.

Surrounding the topic of having each person included, this Parliament sitting facilitated discussions between the two acting presiding parties on how youths

15

are being represented and integrated in Guyana’s activities.

Divided into the opposition and ruling party, these students had the chance to experience what parliament is like and more particularly to be a representative for youths across Guyana.

Moving the motion “Youth Cohesion in Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies in the Commonwealth” the youths were tasked with presenting their speeches on this, dependent on the party they represented.

The motion primarily focused on having Commonwealth countries create opportunities for youths to be involved in the decision-making process.

In this way, youths would generate their thinking skills into the effective governing of their country in order to be an active body in averting situations that commonly affect them.

There was also emphasis on having the entire popu-

lation treated equally and fairly, in spite of their race, age, gender, belief or other identity.

Each student was given a chance to express their views and opinions on the aforementioned aspects of “An Inclusive Commonwealth” where the affairs of youths were concerned.

Additionally, this served as a forum to make recommendations on how youths can be made more productive and active in their country’s development.

The students each represented a member of Guyana’s Parliament, and delivered their presentation based on the ministry they represented. However, these discussions had to coincide with the theme of Commonwealth Day and the role of youths.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday of March to promote unity and equality among member states and the world as a whole.

Bennett also noted that four polling places had to be shifted due to either lack of water or toilet facilities. He stated that his party, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) has been engaging in door-todoor activities encouraging and informing constituency members about casting their ballots.

Jaideo Sookho, the incumbent NDC Chairman of Mora/Parika stated that his party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as well as the APNU/AFC have engaged members in his area’s 8 constituencies. He however opined that GECOM should have done more voter education programmes as many constituents are still unsure of the voting process.

He also noted that one of the polling places was moved after his party complained that one of the private residences was that of an opposing candidate.

Guyanese are voting in these elections for the first time since 1994.

hree days before the Local Government Elections (LGE), the People’s Progressive Party remains dissatisfied with the efforts made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to educate the general public about the process and importance of casting their ballots.

“As far as we’re concerned, the public relations of GECOM is still poor. They are not performing based on the budget that they have at their disposal. I see a few squirts now and again in some sections of the media, but it’s still not enough because our tapping into the views of the electorate, there’s still a considerable amount of people who don’t know where to go to vote and what the elections are all about,” Party General Secretary Clement Rohee pointed out.

Irrespective of the inadequate educational campaign, Rohee anticipates masses of Guyanese voting in favour of his Party at the upcoming polls.

“Hundreds of thousands of Guyanese voters are going to the polls on March 18, angry with the APNU/AFC coalition administration…

The Guyanese electorates are going to the polls to cast the punishment vote against

the APNU/AFC for their unfulfilled promises and the heavy tax-burdens recently foisted on them as a result of the passage of the 2016 budget,” he stated.

According to Rohee, Guyanese are angry over the constant “lies and halftruths” peddled by the Government.

In particular, he noted that they were angry over the large salary increases granted to government officials, the removal of the cash grant and other social benefits.

Meanwhile, Rohee also expressed that the media should do more to assist the PPP/C Parliamentary Opposition to get its message out to the public, given that it no longer has the State media to utilise. “(The media) should not only look out for paid advertisements because it looks as though only paid advertisements they are looking for. This is a partnership as we see it and the media must also give some free time to the political parties, especially the PPP/C now that we are in Opposition.

The APNU and AFC have a pork barrel where they can now dip their hands to take out money to place ads in the newspapers. We don’t have that kind of resources,” he stated.

Woman robbed opposite Albion Police Station

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andits continue their rampage on the Lower Corentyne and in their latest attack have dared the police.

Following armed robberies at Port Mourant, Ankerville and Hampshire Squatting Area between Thursday and Saturday evening, police were dared on Sunday as two armed men went into a home situated in front of the Albion Police Station and carried away cash and jewellery.

One of the victims who shouted for the police from her window after the bandits had left, recalled that she was aroused at about midnight and noticed a masked man wearing gloves in her bedroom.

According to Carmine Kissoon, a flashlight was beaming in her face. The intruder demanded cash and jewellery. “I said to him, please don’t hurt me please don’t hurt me, because he had a gun in his hand. I said look

the money is in the drawer and the money is on the dresser and he went and he picked up the two bags with the money.”

She said that as she pleaded not to be hurt, three other men entered her bedroom and quizzed her about how many other persons were at home.

Kissoon told this publication that she informed them that it was just herself and her daughter-in-law in the house.

“I called on my daughter-in-law… I called about four times. I say there is thief in the house. They told her bring the money; the carwash money.”

The ordeal lasted about fifteen minutes. However before it was over Kissoon said she was feeling unwell and needed some water which one of the thieves got for her.

“Suzan (the daughter-inlaw) give them the phone and they run downstairs and they run out the back then I drop

Carmine Kissoon

the trap door and I yell for the police,” Kissoon said.

Several police officers arrived at the house within seconds but the bandits went through the back and escaped. She said that upon investigating they realised that the men made their way into the building after breaking a window and bending the grill.

Kissoon said she lost $370,000 in cash and $230,000 in jewellery, a cellular phone and a laptop.

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tuesDAY, march 15, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

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news

tuesday, march 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

The Race to LGE 2016

Guyana to benefit from UK’s Caribbean Infrastructure Fund

Mother fights for G better life for her community

By Kizzy Coleman

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hose elected to represent their constituency in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs) just three days away, will be the ‘voice’ fighting for the rights of those living in their community.

Contesting in Constituency 4, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), striving to be that Poorandai Sukhu ‘voice’ for the people of her community is Poorandai Sukhu, a mother contesting under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) banner.

Sukhu stands firmly motivated to work along with residents to address four main issues affecting the community - drainage, rehabilitation of roads, proper water supply, and proper garbage disposal.

These issues she said are “of great concern to me” assuring that they will be tackled under her watch as councillor if elected.

Henry Ford had said: ‘Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success.’

“I know that it would be my job to work together with the residents of my community to achieve success in my endeavours to better our lives,” Sukhu disclosed.

The first issue to be addressed under her leadership is drainage.

Zeelugt is a community that goes underwater after heavy rains, and the poor drainage dose little to improve the situation.

“We need to work hard in this regard, we cannot sit back and do nothing while people in our community continue to be faced with this issue, we need to get up and do something”.

Sukhu pledges to work in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to effect the changes needed.

“You can’t just say that you need change, you need to get up and fight for that change. If you don’t fight then nothing will ever be achieved”.

In addition to her four main pillars she will be addressing, Sukhu also states that security needs addressing.

“We need at least one police outpost in the area because it can be unsafe at times especially at nights.

We don’t want that, we need a better community for all, a safer community for all”.

She stressed the need for stealing to cease and for the high increase of drug using in the area to be urgently decreased.

“We need to combat drug using, and to get people to report these matters to the police because people are usually scared to do so,” she remarked.

Currently Sukhu is involved in an initiative in her constituency aimed at continuing to educating school drop outs.

“I also am involved in a campaign where we go around and encourage people in the community to clean up their parapet; this is aimed at cleaning up our beautiful community”.

Many teenagers and youths, young women and mothers in the area without a skill cannot do much for themselves; as such, Sukhu plans to “provide skill training for all these persons”.

“I would advise all in my constituency to vote for me to get all these major issues tackled, because once I am elected, I want that we have a proper, stable community’.

uyana is among eight Caribbean countries and one British Overseas Territory that have moved closer to accessing funding to build new roads, bridges, ports and other vital infrastructure as the United Kingdom’s Caribbean Infrastructure (UKCIF) Programme becomes operational.

The UKCIF was ratified on March 9, 2016 by the Board of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), paving the way for implementation of the gamechanging programme, the Bank said in a statement on Monday.

The UK Department for International Development

(DfID) will provide up to £300 million in grant financing from January 2016 to March 2020 to Guyana, along with Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Montserrat.

“As a founding member of the CDB, the UK has worked hand in hand to chart the future of the Region, along with other member countries throughout our 46 years.

The UKCIF will boost development and growth in the Region,” the statement quoted CDB President, Dr Warren Smith as saying.

He added that the beneficiary countries would be

able to use this funding to revisit essential large-scale projects that have had to be shelved because of the constrained fiscal space and severe indebtedness of many of our countries.

“We appreciate this grant from the Government of the UK, as successful completion of the projects will result in improvement in the lives of the citizens in these countries,” Dr Smith added.

It is expected that successful completion of projects under UKCIF will result in employment opportunities; improvements in livelihoods; poverty reduction; increased resilience to climate change and positive policy action in the

Region. Investment in infrastructure means better access to services as well as economic opportunities for both men and women.

All projects will be submitted to the CDB by the national governments and may be for both capital projects as well as technical assistance. The interventions must be anchored within CDB’s strategic objectives of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, and promoting good governance.

The Programme was first announced by UK Prime Minister David Cameron last September in Jamaica and makes the UK one of the largest bilateral donors to the Region.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, march 15, 2016

ARCHIE

An insightful approach to every situation will be re(March 21- quired. Say little while gathApril 19) ering facts. Uncertainty will cost you, so do your research.

Hard work will help you avoid trouble.

ARIES

Speak up if you think it TAURUS will help a situation or project (April 20- you are involved in. Reveal May 20) your feelings, intentions and plans for the future. Love is highlighted.

dilbert

Emotions will be difficult GEMINI (May 21- to control. Make an effort to be June 20) mindful of others and to keep what’s happening around you in perspective. Make personal change your focus.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Find something to do that is geared to increasing knowledge, nurturing creativity or discovering more about different cultures. An opportunity will come from an unexpected and unusual source. Romance is on the rise.

Search for adventure via LEO travel, meeting new people (July 23or getting involved in someAug. 22) thing that you feel strongly about. You can bring about positive change if you are dedicated and unwavering.

Keep a close watch over your VIRGO belongings, and refuse to let (Aug. 23anyone goad you into an emoSept. 22) tional squabble. Put your time and effort into achieving greater stability instead of squandering your energy on excess.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don’t hem and haw when LIBRA (Sept. 23- you should be taking ownOct. 23) ership of your words and actions. It’s up to you to bring about positive change. Use discipline and enthusiasm to reach your expectations.

SUDOKU TODAY'S WORD – DISHONOR (DISHONOR: dis-ON-er: To treat in a disrespectful manner.)

Average mark 16 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 23 or more words in DISHONOR? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY'S WORD – ZIRCONIA

zinc

ironic

cairn

orca

zircon

racon

coin

acorn

icon

rain

coir

azoic

ionic

rani

corn

azonic

iron

roan

czar

solution for Last Published Puzzle

You should include a loved SCORPIO one or close ally in your plans.

(Oct. 24Don’t be daunted by changNov. 22) es unfolding around you at work. Make love and romance a priority.

You will experience setSAGITTARIUS backs if you aren’t precise (Nov. 23- and prepared to move forDec. 21) ward. Don’t leave matters to chance or rush into anything.

It’s important to know exactly where you stand financially and emotionally.

Getting together with peoCAPRICORN ple and sharing thoughts, (Dec. 22- ideas and plans will lead to Jan. 19) an interesting turn of events.

Romance and a celebration will bring you closer to someone you love.

If you use common sense AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- and diplomacy, you will excel.

Feb. 19) Present what you have to offer and make suggestions that will bring about the changes you want to see unfold.

Keep personal matters a PISCES (Feb. 20- secret. Don’t let anything inMarch 20) terfere with your productivity or common sense when it comes to business. Accept the inevitable and avoid taking risks.

tuesDAY, march 15, 2016

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14-time Grand Slam Afridi, Malik play down focus on security champion to sue over doping claims P R afael Nadal plans to sue an ex-French government minister who said his seven-month absence in 2012 was “probably due to a positive doping test”.

The Spaniard is upset with comments made by Roselyne Bachelot, who was formerly Minister for Health and Sport.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner, 29, says he will sue anyone else who alleges “something similar in the future”.

Nadal says he is tired of the allegations and is no longer prepared to let them pass unchallenged.

“A minister of France should be serious,” he said.

“This time is the time to go against her. We are going to sue her.

“This is going to be the last one, because I’m going to sue her. I am tired about these things. I let it go a few times in the past. Not any more.”

Bachelot, 69, served as Minister for Health and Sport from 2007 until 2010,

Rafael Nadal

under the government of former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

She made the allegations about Nadal last week, when addressing Maria Sharapova’s failed drugs test.

“When you see a tennis player stopping for months, it’s because there’s been a positive control,” said the French politician.

Nadal has already spo-

ken out about the speculation surrounding him.

Following Sharapova’s admission last week of a failed test, the former world number one said: “I am a completely clean guy.

“I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong.”

Nadal has never failed a drugs test but has been the subject of speculation that he dopes.

In 2011, former French Open champion Yannick Noah wrote a newspaper article saying Spanish sporting success was due to doping.

A year later, a satirical French TV show featured a life-size likeness of Nadal filling up his car’s gas tank from his own bladder before being pulled over by traffic police for speeding.

Then in 2013, Belgian former professional player Christophe Rochus questioned Nadal being able to dominate the 2012 French Open and then be injured two weeks later at Wimbledon. (BBC Sport)

akistan’s T20 captain Shahid Afridi has played down the focus on the team’s security in India, saying he cherishes the support and appreciation of Indian fans. Teammate Shoaib Malik also backed Afridi’s statement, saying the security in India is “very good”.

The players spoke to the media after arriving in Kolkata on Saturday, where they will play India on March 19. The game was scheduled to take place in Dharamsala, but was moved to Kolkata due to concerns over the security of the Pakistan team. A threemember delegation from the PCB visited Dharamsala and formally said ‘security is not assured’ at the venue. The controversy also delayed the departure of the men’s and women’s teams to India.

“I’ve not enjoyed playing anywhere as much as I have in India,” Afridi said.

“I am in the last stage of my career and I can say that the love I have got in India is something that I will always remember. We have not got this much love even from Pakistan.

Shahid Afridi

“There are cricket-loving people here, much like in Pakistan. Overall, I’ve enjoyed a lot playing in India in my cricketing career.”

Malik, who is married to Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, said he had never faced security issues on his previous visits to India.

“Firstly I would like to thank the Indian Government. The security is very good,” Malik said.

“My wife is from India and I come to India a lot. I have never faced any security issue.

“I don’t really see any dif-

Messi, Neymar help Barca to 12th straight La Liga win L

ionel Messi scored and provided three assists as Barcelona equalled a club record of 12 consecutive league wins by thrashing struggling Getafe 6-0 at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

The Argentine, who also missed a penalty, scored with a brilliant curling finish from the edge of the area, while Neymar marked his return to action after suspension by netting either side of halftime.

Barca remain eight points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-0.

Celta Vigo moved up to fifth in the table with a 1-0 win at home to Real Sociedad with Iago Aspas scoring the winner in the 16th minute.

An own goal by Getafe defender Juan Rodriguez put Barca on their way to their 12th straight victory after eight minutes but then Messi missed a fourth penalty of the season, before laying on passes for Munir El Haddadi and Neymar to stretch the hosts' lead.

The 28-year-old Messi

Lionel Messi and Neymar celebrate a goal

added the fourth before the break and was soon setting up Neymar again in the second half, threading the ball into the path of the Brazilian, who scored his 25th goal of the season in all competitions.

Then Arda Turan completed the thrashing with an overhead volley to finish off the hapless visitors, who have lost eight of their last nine league games.

Luis Enrique's side are

in the midst of a record of 37 matches without defeat in all competitions and the victory over Getafe matched the 12 straight league wins they achieved in 2012-13 under coach Tito Vilanova.

“We’re a unique team, different from the rest, and the opposition can’t do anything to stop us,” Luis Enrique told a news conference.

"We’re in a great situation and feeling very confi-

dent."

Barca went into the match without having to play in midweek for the first time in 2016, yet Luis Enrique still made five changes from the team that won 4-0 at Eibar last Sunday.

The Catalans host Arsenal on Wednesday hoping to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League after beating the Premier League side 2-0 in

the first leg.

Atletico Madrid kept up their faint hopes of catching Barcelona by recording a fourth straight league win, comfortably beating Deportivo with goals by midfielder Saul Niguez, top scorer Antoine Griezmann and Argentine forward Angel Correa.

Saul headed Atletico in front in the 18th minute by racing into the box to meet a cross from Filipe Luis.

Griezmann, who got the only goal in Atletico’s 1-0 win over local rivals Real Madrid a fortnight ago, netted for the fourth game in a row by swivelling to strike into the bottom corner after a lay-off from Spain international Koke.

Substitute Correa put a further shine on the victory by finishing off a lofted pass from captain Gabi, leaving Deportivo in 13th place in the table, still without a league win in 2016.

Third place Real Madrid, who are 15 points behind Barcelona, visit Las Palmas on Sunday. (Reuters Sport)

ference between Pakistani people and the Indians. We eat the same food, we speak the same language. I don’t really see any difference.

I am very happy to be in India. I have always got a lot of love from people and from media.”

Malik went on to state that Pakistan could benefit from the underdog tag they carry going into the World T20. He said the team could draw inspiration from the 1992 World Cup and the 2009 World T20, which Pakistan won despite low expectations from the public.

“It’s good that we’re underdogs and that gives you a lot of confidence. At the same time, we are here to do well,” Malik said. “Let’s talk about 1992 World Cup first.

People were not expecting us to do well and win it but we won that. Same thing happened in 2007 World T20 when we did well before losing to India in the final. In 2009, we were not that big as a team but still we won.

The same is the case going into this edition.”

Pakistan, who are ranked No. 7 in the T20 rankings, have had a poor run of form in the format recently, with series losses against England and New Zealand. They lost crucial matches against Bangladesh and India in the recent Asia Cup and failed to make the final. Five of the side’s nine T20I victories in the past 12 months have come against Zimbabwe and UAE. Moreover, the World T20 squad was also in flux. Pakistan were forced to make changes following injuries to Babar Azam and Rumman Raees, while Khurram Manzoor made way for Ahmed Shehzad after a disappointing run in the Asia Cup. (Cricinfo)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesDAY, march 15, 2016

West Indies women Rain, Johnson’s 79 save go down to Australia Jaguars against Hurricanes W A WICB/PCL 4-day Cricket…

combination of persistent rain and Captain Leon Johnson’s well composed 79 help quell a burst from West Indies under-19 pacer Alzarri Joseph to help the Guyana Jaguars draw their ninth round match of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)/ Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day tournament at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua.

Jaguars resumed the day on 108-2 with Johnson on 51 and Singh on 16, trailingby 132 runs after the Hurricanes enforced the follow-on.

As rain prevented much play in the early morning sessions, the little play that was achieved saw Johnson being dropped at squareleg by Jeremiah Louis off the bowling of Gavin Tonge on 59; then another chance which completely mirrored the first when he was on 66 with the total at 131-2.

Johnson settled and saw the Jaguars reaching lunch at 145-2 with Johnson on 77 and Singh 21, still needing 92 to make Hurricanes bat again.

Another rain delay occurred just after lunch but soon as the skies cleared, Johnson (79) was bowled by Joseph and two overs later, the bowler had Christopher Barnwell (00) out caught

Alzarri Joseph

and bowled; then Joseph had Raymon Reifer (06) out caught behind.

A couple of over later, offspinner Rakheem Cornwall got the wicket of the resolute Singh for 32 as Guyana slipped to 173-6 at tea.

Just after tea, two quick wickets fell as Joseph got the better of Veerasammy Permaul (01), then Cornwall got Bramble (11) as the Jaguars were now 187-8 and a defeat seemed evident.

Former West Indies Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul (25 not out)

and Devendra Bishoo (16 not out) took the Jaguars to 2228 when play was brought to a close; Joseph ended with 4-74 while Cornwell took 3-34.

Scores: Hurricanes 430 (Hodge 149*) Jaguars 190 (Reifer 48, Tonge 4/37) & 222/8 (Johnson 79, Joseph 4/71) Jaguars will now return home for their final match against Jamaica Scorpions starting at the National Stadium, Providence, starting on Friday.

Roy Fredericks' Floodlight T20…

Banks DIH latest to add sponsorship

est Indies Women will begin their Twenty20 World Cup campaign later this week with question marks over their batting, after another brittle performance left them with a 43-run defeat to Australia Women in their official warm-up game here Monday.

Chasing 140 for victory at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Caribbean collapsed to 96 all out off 19 overs without a single player passing 20.

The total was their third low score in four T20 contests in recent weeks, following on from their 2-1 defeat in their three-match series against South Africa Women.

Stacy-Ann King topscored with 19 not out to lead five players in double figures but the next best was captain Stafanie Taylor with 14.

West Indies Women lost teenaged opener Hayley Matthews for four to the

Stacey-Ann King

third ball of the innings to be four for one before crawling to 38 for two in the 10th over. However, Taylor’s dismissal triggered the final side as the Windies Women lost their last eight wickets for 58 runs.

Leg-spinner Kristen Beams picked up three for

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA WOMEN +A Healy c & b Taylor 18 E Villani c & b Dottin 51 *M Lanning not out 49 A Blackwell c Taylor b King 14 J Jonassen not out 3 Extras: (b1, w1, nb2) 4 TOTAL: (3 wkts, 20 overs) 139 Did not bat: S Coyte, R Farrell, H Ferling, N Carey, L Cheatle, B Mooney, E Perry, E Osborne, M Schutt, K Beams.

Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-80, 3-127.

Bowling: Smartt 2-0-19-0 (nb1), Connell 4-0-30-0 (w1), King 3-0-21-1, Fletcher 4-0-26-0, Taylor 2-0-8-1, Matthews 2-015-0, Dottin 3-0-19-1 (nb1).

WEST INDIES WOMEN H Matthews c Lanning b Jonassen 4 *S Taylor c Mooney b Beams 14 S Quintyne c Mooney b Farrell 13

D Dottin c Cheatle b Beams 5 B Cooper c Schutt b Beams 12 +M Aguilleira st Healy b Osborne 10 S King not out 19 S Campbelle c Osborne b Coyte 0 A Fletcher st Healy b Farrell 3 S Connell c wkp Healy b Cheatle 2 T Smartt c Villani b Farrell 4 Extras: (lb4, w5, nb1) 10 TOTAL (all out, 19 overs) 96 Did not bat: S Selman, Kyshona Knight, A Mohammed, Kycia Knight Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-23, 3-38, 4-40, 5-54, 6-68, 7-71, 8-84, 9-87, 10-96.

Bowling: Jonassen 2-0-8-1, Cheatle 4-0-18-1 (w3), Schutt 2-0-13-0 (nb1), Farrell 4-0-1803, Beams 3-1-9-3, Osborne 2-0-14-1, Coyte 2-0-12-1.

nine while seamer Rene Farrell finished with three for 18.

Earlier, Australia Women eased to 139 for three off their 20 overs after they were sent in.

Opener Elyse Villani stroked 51 from 42 deliveries while captain Meg Lanning hit an unbeaten 49 from 39 deliveries.

The right-handed Villani struck eight fours as she helped add 70 for the first wicket with wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy who made 18 off 24 balls before she was caught and bowled by offspinner Taylor in the 11th over.

Villani fell soon afterward in the 14th over but Lanning, who counted two fours and three sixes in her knock, combined with Alex Blackwell (14) to put on 47 and ensure Australia Women finished strongly.

West Indies bowl off their group campaign on Wednesday against Pakistan at the same venue here.

They have been installed in Group B also alongside India Women, Bangladesh Women and England Women. (Windies Cricket)

Athletes and public are demanding answers, says WADA President

A Clive Pellew, Beverages Brand Manager, handing over to the President of BCC, Shabeer Baksh the sponsorship cheque as Branches Controller Gavin Jodhan and Blairmont Under-19 Captain Zameer Inshan look on

B

anks DIH has come on board with a substantial amount for the Roy Fredericks' Floodlight T20 tourney which is slated for the March 19 and 20 at the Blairmont Estate Ground.

The two day event will see eight top teams tussling for supremacy; the four preliminary rounds bowls off 12:30h on Saturday with Young Warriors playing Bath Underdog, at 15:30h.

Cotton Tree Die Hard will then play West Berbice Super Kings at 19:00h.

On Sunday, home side Blairmont Blazers will take on Skeldon Gladiators and Rose Hall Youth and Sports Club will face Bush Lot United; the four winners will play in the semi-final followed by the finals.

The fundraiser will look to address the main concern of the club, covers for the pitch. Another club aim is to

promote a Spelling Bee and a Math Quiz for Grade Six students in Region five to prepare them for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Other attraction for the tournament will be a Domino and Volley Ball competition, Cartoon Characters, Ice Cream and air horns giveaway, tassa drumming, trampoline, bouncy castle, live commentary and one man band entertainment.

thletes and millions of sports fans worldwide have demanded answers following the spate of doping and governance scandals which have hit sport recently, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Monday.

WADA president Craig Reedie also called on sponsors to help fund the fight against doping and promised better protection for whistleblowers.

Athletics was rocked last year when Russia was suspended from the sport after a WADA investigation revealed a state-sponsored doping programme and soccer’s governing body FIFA was shaken by the worst graft scandal in its history.

WADA President Craig Reedie

Tennis was also hit last week when five-times grand slam champion Maria Sharapova revealed that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

“The public’s confidence in sport was shattered in

2015 like never before, the public mood has soured and there is a general feeling that they’re all at it,” Reedie told a WADA conference.

“Sport has had its wake up call. Sport must ensure better governance if public and athletes are to uphold confidence in system.”

Reedie complained that WADA was struggling for funding.

“Now is time to look at how we get greater funding for anti-doping,” he said.

“TV broadcasters and sponsors could help fund clean sport.”

“We will continue to work hand in had with whistleblowers and the media and enhance measures to protect whistleblowers better.” (Reuters Sport)

21

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Gayle named to Twitter T20 dream team S ocial media tool, Twitter, has used an algorithm, looking at the most talked about T20 players over the last 12 months to come up with a virtual dream team.

Obviously, one of the most talked about cricketers ahead of the start of the Super 10 stage of the World T20s is Virat Kohli, but there are also four other indian players on the team.

Mahendra Singh Doni, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Harbhajan Singh are the others.

There is only one West Indian on the team in bighitting, left-hand opener, Chris Gayle, even though the regional side is said to have one of the best T20 units in the world.

The likes of Andre Russell, one of the most

Chris Gayle

well-travelled T20 players in the world, and Dwayne Bravo, an Indian Premier League mainstay, were not mentioned.

“This dream team is composed of the most-mentioned WT20 players on Twitter over the past 12 months, forming a first XI that would

be the envy of any coach,” Twitter said in a release.

The team is also made up of Pakistan players Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, and Mohammad Hafeez, along with Australian skipper Steve Smith, and South African paceman Dale Steyn. (Digicel Sportsmax)

GTT/GRFU 15’s League…

UG Wolves are champions

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UG Wolves celebrate their 15s title win

he University of Guyana Wolves powered their way to the first rugby title of 2016 by claiming the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT), Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 15s League title on Saturday at the National Park ground.

The Wolves topped

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With the first half ending with a close score line of 1210 in favour of the Wolves, the student/athletes put the pedal to the floor to pull away.

Scoring for the Caribs were Theodore Henry, Walter George and Ian Jarvis.

Australian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on GCB

TO let

taxi services

Yamaha Caribs 32-15 and was led by the tournament’s eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) Lance Adonis who scored two tries and two conversions in the victory.

Adonis had help from Ryan Dey, Osei McKenzie, Rondel McArthur and Jamal Angus who chipped in with a try apiece.

– discussions held on ODI tri-series

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H

igh Commissioner of Australia in Guyana, John Pilbean, paid a courtesy call on the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Friday and engaged a high level delegation of GCB Executives in wide-raging discussions on the upcoming ODI tri-series featuring West Indies, South Africa and Australia.

The GCB delegation was headed by its President Drubahadur, Vice President Fizul Bacchus, Secretary Anand Sanasie, Marketing Manager Raj Singh, Competitions

Chairman Colin Europe and TDO Colin Stu-art.

The series will consist of ten matches, slated for June 2016. The first leg will be played in Guy-ana with all of the matches to be played at the Providence National Stadium; Australia versus South Africa on the third, West Indies versus South Africa on the fifth, and West Indies versus Australia on the seventh.

The second leg is slated for St Kitts while the final four ODIs, including the final, will be held in Barbados. Australia last limited overs matches in the

Caribbean came in March 2012 when they played five ODIs. The two sides split the ODI series - with two wins each and a tie in the third ODI at St Vincent.

The gathering had fruitful and wide ranging discussions surrounding the logistical and security arrangements and other pertinent issues regarding the Australia team stay whilst in Guyana. The GCB is eager to host Australia, South Africa and West Indies teams and is confident that Guyanese will come out and support the matches.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

tuesDAY, march 15, 2016

GFF boss confident of Guyana’s beach soccer P

By Akeem Greene

resident of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)

Development will be key for Guyana to become a force in the international arena

Wayne Forde

Wayne Forde is optimistic about the chances of Guyana having a more successful run at Beach Football in the International arena.

He strongly believes that the country has a better chance of doing well at beach football than at the regular field goal football.

In speaking to media operatives at his office, the GFF President posited that “we also have a very good chance of do-

ing well at beach soccer on the international scene than we have done on the standard eleven a side because talking to a lot of people that have looked at the Guyana team, they really believe we can go all the way and that’s why the federation is willing

to make the investment with the coach and other requirements” Though the concept is still in its elementary stages in Guyana, the GFF President Forde believes the uniqueness of the sport can create a new market avenue for the Federation.

“What I like about the beach football is that it taps into a different market; is has a little bit of an entertainment flair to it and if you really put the right marketing thought behind it you can do a lot of things with it”, Forde explained.

The GFF are currently

in consultations with the Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) to secure a Coach and get the necessary requirements to improve the sport and the country’s performance extent.

“We have just taken a decision at the Executive level to support the contract and the wages arrangement for the coach that we now have here from Brazil”, the President revealed.

In January, Top Brandz under their Corona Beer banner joined forces with the GBFA in an effort to host Guyana’s first beach football in Linden.

Linden, Georgetown showdown set for Road to Mecca final – new champs to be crowned

Raiders’ Neil Marks takes a jumper against the Pacesetters

By Treiston Joseph

L

inden’s Retrieve Raiders and Georgetown Colts will face each other for the Road to Mecca III National Club Basketball title after both teams won their respective semifinals on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The Colts routed Dynas Ravens 81-59 on their way to the final while the Raiders ousted defending champs, Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters from the tournament with a 65-55 win.

It was the Dwayne Roberts show in the fourth quarter as he scored nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Raiders to the final against the Pacesetters.

Raiders employed a great defensive strategy to hamper Pacesetter’s offensive attack as they played a low 2-3 zone defence giving the Pacesetters freedom to shoot while collapsing their defence on

penetrative drives.

With the Pacesetters having no go to man in the post and their shooters having a cold night while their start player Travis Burnett penetrative ability was taken away with the low zone defence, the defending champs simply could not hang with the Raiders who pummeled them on the low block while hitting the occasional dagger.

Roberts along with his 17 points had 12 rebounds to end with a double-double while Jason Alonzo was a beast in the paint with 15 boards and 10 points. Keon Cameron had 11 points and eight steals in the win as well.

Sherland Legal was best scorer for the Pacesetters with 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assist while Stephon Gillis who was hot from beyond the arc in the last game with five threes could only muster nine points. Burnett could only must six points in the loss.

Meanwhile in the earlier game, the Colts routed the Ravens to steamroll their way into the final.

Stanton Rose had a big game for the Colts dropping 27 points and 11 rebounds, taking advantage of a defence that played him too tight in man-toman coverage.

Shelroy Thomas was in great shooting touch as well dropping 17 points while Dave Causeway and Kurt English had 11 and 10 points respectively in the win.

Stephney who has a brilliant fourth quarter display in the quarterfinals dropped a team high 21 points in the loss while Dominic Vincente had 15 points as well.

The tournament will continue on March 19 with the final when the Ravens take on the Pacesetters in the third place showdown from 19:00h while the Raiders and Colts clash from 21:00h at the Sports Hall.

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesDAY, march 15, 2016

23

Narine will be irreplaceable Rutherford, for Windies – Bravo GCA/ Noble House Sea Foods 2nd Division 2-day…

Perez tons give DCC easy win N

ational Youth Players Sherfene Rutherford and Raymond Perez stuck aggressive centuries in the Georgetown Cricket Association/Noble House Sea Foods second division two-day tournament on Sunday.

Playing at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), the lefthanded Rutherford made 169 while Perez struck 101 not out.

The visitors were set to resume on 49-5 in response to DCC first innings 302-2 declared, but only two players turned up at the venue on the second day; both were already dismissed, thereby granting DCC a walk over

Sherfene Rutherford

At Everest, Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) managed to hold on for a draw against the host.

Set 169 for victory GYO finished on 151-9. Trevon France made 34, Alex Ramalho 31 and C. Reid 21; Shaheed Mohamed picked up four wickets while Javed Rasheed had three.

Trailing by 15, Everest scored 183 all out in their second innings. Khemraj Ramdeen scored 63 while Dwayne Adams got 49 and Troy Gonsalves 22; Trevon France grabbed 5-28 to finish with figures of 12-58.

On the opening day Everest were bowled out for 111 batting first. Mohamed got 44 as France snared 7-30.

In reply GYO made 126 all out with Chris Deonarine scoring 55. Rasheed had four scalps while Akshaya

Raymond Perez

Persaud, Gonsalves and Mohamed had two apiece.

Over at Maltenoes Sports Club (MSC), Alvin Castello stroked his second century in the match as Third Class managed a draw despite conceding first innings points against MSC. Castello’s assault saw him smashing twelve fours and ten sixes in an unbeaten 151 as Third Class, batting a second time finished on 267-6 when stumps were drawn on the final day.

Yuvindra Ramnanan supported with 34 as Marcus Watkins had 2-31.

Earlier MSC resumed on 140-1 and declared on 332-8.

Joseph Cupidore who began the day on 43 played a number of lovely shots in scoring 96. Shaquille Moseley made 43, Floyd Rollins 31 and Orin Forde 28; Marcus Watkins had earlier scored 60. Trevor Hossein claimed 4-37. Third Class posted 275-9 declared in their first innings with Castello scoring 137.

In the other match at Police Sports Club (PSC), Police gained a walk over from St. Stanislaus as only five players showed up for play on the second day.

Batting first on the opening day St. Stanislaus were bowled out for 68 as Vishal Jaigobin grabbed five wickets.

Police responded with 236-7. Rawl Browne got 55; Travis Belgrave claimed 4-41. St. Stanislaus were 88-5 in their second turn at the crease. Carlton Gasper made 48 as Jason Mc Almont took 2-8 and Jaigobin 2-20.

W

est Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo says the absence of mystery spinner Sunil Narine will be a major hurdle for the team to overcome if it is to claim a second ICC World T20 title.

A crucial part of the team’s triumph in the 2012 edition of the tournament Narine has had a difficult couple of years after being called three times for an illegal action. The spinner currently undergoing remedial bowling was suspended from bowling in international cricket late last year.

“Narine’s absence is a big loss for us and any team. His four overs is crucial, he’s one of the best bowlers in the world. He is

Sunil Narine

someone who can’t really be replaced. The team will miss him badly,” Bravo told

OneIndia.

“I personally wish him all the best for his return to

International Cricket. We have to look beyond that and back his replacement Ashley Nurse. He’s not that big turner but he’s handy as a batsman. We still have a good position as a team.”

Narine currently will be one of three high profile players missing for the West Indies, the other including the powerful hitting Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo.

“Our chances is just as good as other teams. What happened four years ago is past. We have to focus on this tournament. We lost some key players but we still feel have the right balance. Our aim is to get top four then it will be anybody’s game,” he said. (Digicel

Sportsmax)

MONDAY, march 14, 2016

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

Linden, Georgetown showdown set for Road to Mecca final Pg 22

– new champs to be crowned

Dwayne Roberts goes up for an easy deuce during his game winning performance

Australian Rain, Johnson’s 79 save High Commissioner Jaguars against Hurricanes pays courtesy call on GCB WICB/PCL 4-day Cricket…

Pg 20

Pg 21

– discussions held on ODI tri-series Leon Johnson

Secretary Anand Sanasie handing over a token of appreciation to High Commissioner of Australia to Guyana, John Pilbean

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