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Digicel concludes backto-school programme Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2966

guyana-times.com

Friday, September 2, 2016

PRICE

SOCU now doing basic Police work – Jagdeo P3

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Still no P10 Cabinet decision on ‘Pharmagate’ findings … but Public Health Minister acted in good faith – Granger

...probing murders, grievous bodily harm, theft not the Unit’s function Celebrating Indigenous Culture

EBD road P16 project deadline extended again

Cocaine in rum at CJIA

WBD man jailed

Heritage Month 2016 kicks off

Education Ministry P2 seeking “fresh blood”

An indigenous cultural group at the Heritage Month launch

... CEO vacancy to be advertised – Dr Roopnaraine

GWI officially 10% is all Govt sacks Lear can afford Goring

Public servants’ increase

Page 9

− President

P8

Page 16

…insists decision based solely on lack of qualifications

Berbice teen allegedly raped

by US-based family friend Page 16

Pomeroon P2 boat captain was drunk – Police source

2

NEWS

friDAY, september 2, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Pomeroon boat captain Education Ministry seeking was drunk - Police source T “fresh blood” ... CEO vacancy to be advertised – Dr Roopnaraine

E

ducation Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has revealed that the vacancy for Chief Education Officer (CEO) at the Ministry will be advertised. He made these revelations at the launch of Education Month on Thursday.

Less than two weeks after CEO Olato Sam was sent on leave, Marcel Hutson is now acting in that capacity.

The former CEO was given the boot after Government opted not to renew his contract.

Dr Roopnaraine told media operatives that discussions to find a replacement were ongoing and assured them the vacancy would be advertised.

Responding to questions over the Ministry’s decision to replace Sam, Dr Roopnaraine said that while he was satisfied with the CEO’s performance, it was time for “fresh blood” in the Ministry.

“Mr Sam has served us well and I think that it’s time that we get some fresh blood in the Ministry…I think he [Sam] did very

Former CEO Olato Sam

well as Chief Education Officer,” the Education Minister stated.

Hutson will now manage the education sector and will report directly to the Minister. He will also be responsible for the implementation of programmes to better the nation’s education system.

On August 19, reports surfaced that Sam’s contract may not have been renewed. The Ministry subsequently issued a statement noting that the CEO was

he captain of one of the boats which collided on Wednesday evening, resulting in the death of a man, was said to be under the influence of alcohol, according to Police sources.

The boat builder Tyrone Da Silva, 34, of Grant, Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is presently in Police custody assisting with investiga-

Pomeroon.

Guyana Times understands that when the captain was transported to the Charity Wharf after the collision, detectives from ‘G’ Division (Essequibo Islands) conducted a breathalyzer test which found that he was beyond the stipulated limit.

Wednesday’s accident claimed the life of Ryan DeFeitas, 29, called ‘Steppy’

Dead: Ryan DeFreitas

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Acting CEO Marcel Hutson

sent on “annual leave”, adding that his contract was not renewed. He was, however, praised for serving the sector with “distinction and zeal”.

The Ministry has noted that it intended to find “a suitably qualified candidate” by the end of September 2016.

Earlier this month, Sam was noticeably absent from the Ministry’s press conference during the announcement of Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) results. Acting

Chief Education Officer (Nursery) Ingrid Trotman presented the results.

Since then, he has refused to comment on the matter and had only confirmed that he was sent on leave by the Ministry.

“I have nothing to say about this…you need to talk to the Minister. I’m officially on leave from the Ministry,” he explained when questioned.

Sam was appointed CEO of the Ministry in 2011, after serving five years as the Technical Adviser to the Education Minister.

He holds a Master’s Degree in International Education, and has lectured at the University of Guyana’s School of Education and Humanities, the Departments of Foundations and Education Management and Curriculum and Instruction.

He also possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Anthropology and Education from the Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.

The boat in which DeFreitas was travelling

tions into the collision which occurred sometime around 19:35h in the vicinity of Burn Bush Grant, Lower

of Coven Garden, Lower Pomeroon. According to information, DeFeitas was driving his employer’s

40-horse powered engine boat heading south on the right bank of the Pomeroon River while the other boat, driven by Da Silva, was heading north when the collision occurred. The boat in which the deceased was, measured 18 feet in length and contained two other passengers, Felix DeFeitas and Ray Marks. They both received minor injuries and were treated at the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital.

Meanwhile, Da Silva’s had his wife Afeeza Amin and his three-year-old daughter in his boat. They also received minor injuries.

Following the collision, the Police were summoned to the scene where the decreased body was retrieved and taken to the Charity Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The boats are impounded at the Charity Police Station while Police are conducting further investigations.

Mechanic granted bail for larceny

A

Linden mechanic was granted bail

by Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday for a charge of break and enter and larceny.

Ejad Alli, 18, of 244 Greenheart Street, Mackenzie, pleaded not

guilty to the charge which stated that between August 19 and 20, he broke and entered the home of Collette Stephens, 439 Greenheart Street and stole a Samsung television set valued $305,000 and a Blu cell phone valued $12,000. The

said items were the property of Stephens.

The accused, who made his first appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, was granted bail in the sum of $75,000. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on September 28.

news

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friDAY, september 2, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 2 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, September 3 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 2 – 17:00h-18:30h and Saturday, September 3 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with sunny conditions can be expected throughout the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 33 degrees Celsius

Winds: East South-easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 2.57 metres.

High Tide: 04:55h and 17:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.67 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:48h and 23:03h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.52 metre respectively.

SOCU now doing basic Police work – Jagdeo

...probing murders, grievous bodily harm, theft not the Unit’s function

G

uyana’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) – a body established with the exclusive mandate to investigate financial crimes under the country’s international treaty obligations – is now made to do regular Police work, including investigating murders, robbery and theft, according to its protocol recently developed by the Public Security Ministry.

SOCU was established in 2013 as a law enforcement agency to investigate exclusively, allegations and reports relating to money laundering and terrorism as part of Guyana’s international obligations to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML&CFT) apparatus.

However, the Unit’s responsibility has now been expanded to include basic

counterfeiting and piracy of products, environmental crimes and gold smuggling.

Investigation of many of these crimes, however, is the mandate of the GPF and does not fit within the expected responsibility of SOCU when it was established, based on a recommendation from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF); the regional watchdog body for money laundering and terrorism financing.

Armed with a signed copy of the SOCU protocol, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo told a Thursday afternoon press conference at his People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Robb Street headquarters, that this new mandate is ridiculous and with this expanded mandate, not much is left for the rest of the Guyana Police Force to do.

Jagdeo urged that the

of confusion in President David Granger’s Cabinet over who exactly should be responsible for SOCU. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, whose Ministry drafted the SOCU protocols, stated in that document that the Unit will report to the Police Commissioner, as well as act on instructions emanating from the top cop.

However, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams on Wednesday, hinted at plans to remove the body from under the purview of the Guyana Police Force.

Jagdeo weighed in on the confusion, stating that again, its pure absurdity and incompetence in the Government.

“This is the nonsense that goes on in the Government, a useless bunch of Ministers. They don’t even know what they

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removing the Unit from under the Police Force can lead to significantly political interference.

“When you transfer these powers to bodies that report to Ministers or Office of the President (now Ministry of the Presidency) etc, that’s when it becomes a black hole… you don’t know who they will act and they will be influenced to take political actions against opponents, so we believe the Unit was set up under the Police to support the FIU. That’s what it does, the FIU doesn’t need a policing arm,” the former Head of State said.

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

duties being executed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and based on the approved protocol of the SOCU, apart from investigating referrals from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and suspected criminal transactions relating to financial crimes, including money laundering and financing of terrorism, the body is also tasked with probing non-financial crimes.

Among the “specific responsibilities” of SOCU are investigating corruption and bribery, murders, grievous bodily harm, robbery or theft, forgery, piracy, counterfeiting currency,

Unit return to its original mandate.

“This is a Special Organsied Crime Unit, it can’t do 21 things, it has to go back to its core functions, which was [fighting] money laundering and terrorism. There are other places in the Police Force where they deal with piracy, smuggling, fraud, murder... you have the CID or environmental crimes and counterfeiting of products, that’s not for SOCU,” the Opposition Leader declared.

Confusion in the camp

Jagdeo also lamented the seemingly high degree

are doing… the incompetence is unbelievable,” Jagdeo stated.

Delinking of SOCU

Meanwhile, the former President also signalled his party’s staunch opposition to the intended delinking of SOCU from the Guyana Police Force, declaring “I don’t support the removal of SOCU from the Police Force.”

Jagdeo said while the Police Force may have capricious action time and again it is Government by laws, protocols, regulations and standard operating procedures (SOPs),

Asked if the now broadened mandate of SOCU could impact Guyana’s exit from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) watch list, when a team from that body and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) conducts an onsite visit here in a matter of weeks, Jagdeo said that the visiting delegations are likely to unearth the many deficiencies in the system, including the fact that the Attorney General “lied” about having a fully functional FIU, despite Government now moving to put the staff of that body in place by mid-September, ahead of the visit. turn to page 12

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friday, september 2, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Being culturally responsive

T

he ability to learn from, and relate respectfully to, people of your own culture, as well as other cultures is known as cultural responsivity. Without going into the myriad of reasons why Guyanese from all walks of life should, by now, understand that our culture is dynamic and complex, owing to an interesting amalgamation of six ethnicities, Guyana’s cultural fabric is interwoven with African, East Indian, Portuguese, Chinese, Indigenous and European influences.

In the past, Guyana has been described as an example to other countries about religious and cultural tolerance, but most can accede that the journey has not been without its challenges. In fact, we cannot for one nanosecond cease in our drive to build the understanding and tolerance, which are vital for our continued economic and social development.

Most of today’s international conflicts are driven by differences, including economic and class tensions and are masked by ethnic and religious differences. Thankfully, Guyana has been spared the atrocities associated with religious and cultural extremism.

One of the main factors which have essentially shielded us is the fact that many in our society have remained open to the viewpoints, thoughts, and experiences of others and have actively sought to explore and honour those differences. We have, in essence, been culturally responsive.

Over the next month, we will join our Indigenous brothers and sisters in celebrating Amerindian Heritage Month, and will be invited to participate in the many planned activities across the country. We will undoubtedly be exposed to many aspects of the Amerindian’s rich and diverse traditions, most of which we are familiar with; many will be new to us.

In these instances, it is apt that we remain respectful and mindful of our viewpoints, lest we offend. We must at all times guard against the temptation to judge views that are different from ours as wrong. There will be instances where cultural norms of one group may make us uncomfortable. However, we must resist the urge to judge.

Instead, we should make a conscious effort to understand the other perspective.

During the recently hosted interfaith service, which was held to mark the commencement of Amerindian Heritage Month 2016; one religious leader is reported to have made several unpleasant remarks which were said to have offended a few present at the event. He was at the time delivering remarks on behalf of his religious organisation.

While the ‘faux pas’ was dismissed as being “a matter of opinion”, it is apposite for our leaders to take note. This is especially directed to our religious leaders, who have a vital role to play in leading the fight for religious and cultural harmony.

While it is true that we are entitled to our opinions, it is also true that we should feel comfortable expressing our views; this goes without saying. However, we need to avoid imposing our own values onto others. Again, because we live in a plural society, we need to make a conscious effort to understand the perspectives of others.

It goes without saying that our answers to important societal problems will not be identical, further, our understanding of the causes of existing issues will not have the same frame of reference. But, like most things, the development of our cultural identity, our tolerance and understanding are all ongoing processes.

Every opportunity that our society is given to celebrate and unite can be used as a platform where individuals, organisations and groups can become aware of each other and recognise existing commonalities.

During the coming month, scores of events will be held nationwide to celebrate a very important aspect of our culture; let us proceed in the spirit of peace, tolerance and cooperation, and let us continue to encourage and practice a culturally responsive attitude.

All smiles as Education Month gets underway: Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine (centre) and other officials commemorate the activity flocked by students

Question to GAWU – Is GuySuCo a friend or a foe to its employees?

Dear Editor, As one reads the article titled “Chand says cooperation needed to resist any bid to reprivatise sugar” that was published in another section of the media on Sunday, August 28, 2016, one gets the impression that Mr Komal Chand is saying some of the right things but in the wrong context.

The theme for the recentlyconcluded Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Congress was “United Struggles for Workers’ Rights, Democracy and a Secure Future”. The nine resolutions which were approved by the Congress included, “safeguarding and defending workers’ gains in the sugar industry, rejecting reprivatisation and closure of the sugar industry, education and training, unity of the working class, wage/salary improvements and Annual Production Incentives, and solidarity with the workers of Wales Estate”. These were the resolutions which are specific to GuySuCo. While the militancy of GAWU is commendable, the challenge with the resolutions relevant to GuySuCo and the tone of the Congress from a GuySuCo perspective is contextual. The impression one gets is that GAWU perceives GuySuCo as a foe and not a friend; hence, the very design of the theme and the resolutions are aimed at fighting this foe. GAWU’s approach might have been more appropriate in 1832, but definitely not in a dynamic and changing environment in 2016.

GuySuCo would like to encourage GAWU to be militant

and inspire our workers to support their Union; however, this militancy has to be in the right context. The resistance is against what and against whom? Against a Corporation that provides free medical benefits to them and their families? Or one that is struggling to keep 17,000 employees on its payroll and needs its employees to channel their energies into making it as efficient as possible, so that they can contribute towards securing future employment for themselves and their colleagues?

Against a Corporation that provides them with the necessary tools and safety gear to do their jobs in a safe environment? A Corporation that provides transportation to take them to and from work every day in keeping with agreements?

A Corporation that pays wages and salaries, and increases, even though it is not making a profit? Resistance against an Interim Management Committee that is one year old and is trying to find solutions to a problem that was not created by them, but nevertheless has taken responsibility to lead GuySuCo through these tough times, and craft a strategy for a prosperous future?

One would have thought that with the level of awareness that Mr Chand and GAWU have of the challenges facing the sugar industry, the focus of this year’s Congress would have been to motivate and inspire our workers to develop a greater sense of ownership, which is fundamental for the successful turn-around of the Corporation, and to support the five pathways which

the Corporation has developed to achieve the goals and objectives in its strategic plan.

These pathways include; mobilisation (financial, human, etc), developing skills and expertise, encouraging flexibility and adaptability, improving the industrial relations climate and becoming a highly disciplined business entity.

The call was made by GAWU for workers to stand up and defend their rights.

This is no doubt a noble call.

However, GuySuCo wishes to remind GAWU that the ‘rights’ message has to be disseminated to workers in the context that ‘rights have responsibilities’. As a matter of fact, rights are only made valid based on the responsibilities which are attached to them. An analysis of the outcomes from the Congress indicates that it fell short on the responsibilities component of the message to our workers. GuySuCo would only be as successful as the sum of its parts and the employees are a key part of the whole.

Another point is that while some of our employees are members of GAWU and the Union focuses on the rights of these members, there is need for balance in this engagement, since the members of GAWU also have a responsibility to ensure that the rights of other employees who are not members of the Union are upheld.

On the point of reprivatisation, GAWU would add much value to the process of ensuring the sustainability of GuySuCo by encouraging our workers – its members, to instead of

channelling their energies and resources towards fighting the Corporation, their focus could be on increasing production and productivity. Turning out to work on their estates and going the extra mile, being flexible and adapting to the changes and contributing towards the development of a highly disciplined workforce, confirming to appropriate work standards which are imperative for a successful business.

It is obvious that GuySuCo and GAWU have different motives and motivations. The Corporation is of the view that the leadership of GAWU needs a paradigm shift: this will pave the way for more positive and progressive engagements with the Corporation and its employees and would contribute significantly towards accelerating the growth and development of the sugar industry.

Finally, while GuySuCo does not expect its stakeholders, for example GAWU, to adapt readily and rapidly to all of the changes taking place in the industry, there is a reasonable expectation that the Union would understand that the Corporation runs a business and has to manage it that way.

Additionally, the Corporation is open to engage GAWU when the Union settles down and is ready to discuss its realities and possibilities.

Yours faithfully, Audreyanna Thomas Senior Communications Officer Communications Unit Ogle Estate

guyana-times.com

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

Freddie incorrect on UG political appointees

Dear Editor, In a recent commentary, controversial columnist Freddie Kissoon claimed that Forbes Burnham and the PNC never appointed Members of Parliament or politicians or politically connected to UG’s Board. He is completely wrong as evidence reveals. Although Freddie is not taken seriously by Guyanese readers, except by those who despise Indians or hate the PPP, his misinformation cannot go uncorrected or unchallenged. Hence, my response to set straight the UG record on PNC political appointments. Unfortunately, Freddie has a tendency of making unsubstantiated claims. And when corrected, he never issues an apology or heeds the correction. As the letter editor of his publication, he refuses to publish my responses. Freddie is not qualified to be editor of any publication (not a journalist) because of his inherent

bias against people with intellect.

Readers, I spoke of how Freddie fabricates information and does not do much research to buttress claims or arguments. This is one of reasons, among several others they say why, Freddie was denied his doctorate at the University of Toronto and deported back to Guyana. It has been my experience in exchanges with Freddie that he does not comprehend what he reads and often misstates information and facts. Not surprisingly, Freddie is thoroughly discredited among Guyanese even among his closest friends and confidants, all of whom see him as a hustler for freebies.

Even his publishing boss and his editor-in-chief poke fun at him, recognising him as someone who sings for his supper. Privately, his so-called friends say they have no respect for him, but they use him as an attack

dog against Indians and the PPP. Readers will note that Freddie constantly attacks Indians.

On PNC political appointees on UG Board, minutes of a meeting held on March 3, 1982, reveal the following PNC Members of Parliament, Ministers or Cabinet members: D Ainsworth; V Burnham (Vice President Women Affairs); E Gilbert; Hammie Green (Minister of Sports and Deputy Prime Minister); Sase Narine (Minister). There were several others who were members of the PNC or closely affiliated with it – C Baird (Pro-Chancellor); LT Bowen; E Burrowes; Laurie Lewis (later Police Commissioner and the man who exempted Freddie from National Service hardship duties in the jungle); W A Davidson; K Denny; J Holder; C Jarvis; Rex McKay (legal adviser to the PNC); A Munroe; Malcolm Parris (PNC

Election Commissioner and Minister); C Philadelphia; B Raghubir (later PNC Police Commissioner); L Scotland (not sure if related to Speaker Barton Scotland); SM Shakoor (friend of Burnham), G Sharma (Burnham’s man at Maha Sabha); J Sinclair; KA Yhap; N Younge and Havelock Brewester, among others. On a Board of about 29, Burnham appointed only four Indians and the two Opposition appointees were Indians. The composition of the UG Board was not much different prior to 1982 (from 1965) and did not undergo any significant change during the remaining tenure of the PNC (thru 1992). The ethnic composition of the Board under PNC tenure reveal virtually no Portuguese or White, occasionally one Chinese and one Amerindian and about 25 per cent Indians (who in the 1980s comprised about 55 per cent of the popula-

tion thereby making them severely underrepresented).

Under PPP tenure in office, Indians continued to be under-represented on the UG Board as PPP did not want to upset the apple cart. The few Indians on the massive Board did not speak up on matters affecting or supportive of Indians at UG. The PPP did not want independent Indian thinkers on the Board or anyone who was perceived as a potential competitor for political leadership of Indians. As a result, several Indian scholars were denied employment at UG or their contracts were not renewed. Several Indians in administrative positions left UG (Tain and Turkeyen) out of frustration over the difficult time they faced from the Board; they could not obtain support from the PPP Government to transform UG into a premier institution. Over the last year under the coalition regime, Indian and Amerindian

students and intellectuals say they have found themselves in a worse situation now than under the PPP regime. The PNC (APNU) appointees continue to dominate UG Board. One Indian scholar noted that when reading the first edition of a publication, “Renaissance”, released under the new Vice Chancellor, they wondered whether “UG has no Indians or Amerindians”.

Yet Freddie peddles misinformation on Indians and political appointments at UG. Freddie needs to stop his rewriting of history regarding the misrule of PNC. The discredited columnist would do well to conduct thorough credible research before making claims. Or better yet, Freddie should not make pronouncements on matters on which he lacks intellectual scholarship.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Is Guyana overtaken by actors and comedians?

Dear Editor, When you look at the Guyana landscape today the situation is pathetic and disgraceful to say the least.

Items of foolishness and stupidity keep filling the air by the minute, that you have cause to ask yourself the question not, what will be the next event (that is already written up), but when would the next comedy take place.

Take, for example, the Freddie Kissoon court matter, this comedy should have been struck off the court records long ago. But, this is Guyana where anything goes. After six years, a simple misdemeanour matter

is still very much alive in a civil court, could you believe that?

In fact, the matter is on to the point that the socalled victim is telling the court who to appoint to the bench to hear his ridiculous case. The story gets more hilarious when the alleged victim stated in clear-cut language that the two men held are “not the” individuals who threw faeces on him. Then why are we in court, why is there a court case? The answer to that question is, to have this pantomime show and to waste valuable time and money. If I may add the Government of the day who benefited from Freddie’s

Get real, Madam Mayor!

Dear Editor, With the veritable epidemic of corruption that has swept City Hall in Georgetown over the last year, does the Mayor, Patricia Chase Green, really not know why a senior officer is not taking action against certain senior officers and why he appears to be too lenient with them?

How does she think one special contractor gets paid all the time, in a timely manner, whilst the other contractors are not paid for a year?

How does she think the

interests owed by some properties are waived whilst others have to pay?

How does she not think that the employment of friends and relatives by some senior officers and some Councillors is a clear act of nepotism?

And do you know that senior officers of the Council have to be disciplined by the Local Government Commission, which does not exist?

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

Foolishness may well have decided to get some more of his tantrums by re-opening a dead case to get some more amusement.

Freddie, on the other hand, does not realise that this is the trick and has since kept up the pace thinking that he is still either “looking good” or “smelling good” from that “miasmic substance attack”.

In either case, the pathetic situation that is Guyana continues. Such is the situation with Patrick Yarde and his begging bowl buddies in the GPSU. Do they honestly think that this Government was in any way serious

when it promised them a 20 per cent increase for public servants? Far from it! Like Mr Rohee cogently puts it “meat for the boys and bone for the workers”. There is no PNC-led Administration past or present that has in any way – shape or form – been sympathetic or helpful to the workers. I urge my readers to review historical records and you will see those undemocratic and draconian stances taken by the PNC regime. The PNC-led Administrations take away from workers rather than give to them, and no one, I repeat, no one in the GPSU or otherwise can do any-

thing about it.

To think of it, Patrick Yarde and his comedian friends were very militant and aggressive during the time of the last Administration, making threats and carrying them out with strikes and other subversive acts, where is that militancy now? Has the Union lost its militancy?

Seems that their militancy is for certain Governments and not others, sad situation indeed. Did I hear him say pay the public servants from the hidden accounts?

Yes, I am absolutely sure that is what Yarde said, but were there hidden accounts

in the first place? But aren’t these the same accounts the now Government, accompanied by their cheerleader union friends in the GPSU, said were stolen by the last Administration in one massive corruption scheme?

How come these accounts are there now? Questions, and more questions in the Guyana Comedy show that is current. I must hasten to a close, but I would end on a sarcastic note just the way I’ve started “and they lived happily ever after”. Cheers to the “good life Guyana.”

Sincerely, Neil Adams

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Page

Foundation

How to make friends at a new school

S

tarting with a new school can be difficult.

Everything seems to be so weird, and you don’t even know where to go for your own classes. Making new friends can be hard too, because everyone seems to have already made their own cliques. However, you can integrate into your new environment. Just try to have as much fun as you did in your old school. One way is to simply ask someone, “What’s your name?” or “Would you like to hang out after school?” (hold off on invitations to hang out until you’ve gotten to know this person, though). You can also ask if they have seen a certain movie or show. They might ignore you, but if they do, simply move on to someone else.

Designer clothes aren’t necessary, but look neat, whatever you wear. Good grooming can make you seem cleaner and more approachable.

Mints are a great way to keep your breath fresh throughout the day, but good teeth cleaning should be all you really need.

this school?” or even a compliment “I love your shoes, where did you get them?”

Make the first move.

Anywhere, in the bathroom, near your locker, or at the water fountain, you can find someone that has things in common with you, all you need is to know how to approach them. Strike up a

Having a positive approach

conversation, smile and compliment them, and, of course, introduce yourself and tell them where you came from! You never know where you can find a nice friend.

Remember people’s names. You like it when people use your name, and other people do, too.

Moreover, people can get annoyed if you don’t remember their name. Ask them gently if they have a nickname.

You’d be surprised where this can come in handy.

Do something nice for someone. Save someone a seat. Say “hi” in the hall.

Give congratulations for a job well done. Pay a compliment: “I love your shoes/ backpack.” It can make wonders.

Finding your confidence

Take a deep breath.

You shouldn’t be nervous – you’re going to a new school, not to a torture chamber.

Remember that in your new school you will find children your age. You’re going to meet people who like you there.

Be yourself. Never change who you are to try to fit in. If your friends don’t accept you for you, they’re not really friends. Most people belong with a certain clique simply because they are being themselves and their unique personalities and interests falls into that stereotype. For example, someone who is naturally athletic may become a jock in high school or someone who naturally artistic or emotional may become part of the emo crowd.

Be hygienic. No one likes a whiff of body odour or bad breath that could knock someone over. Shower daily, wear deodorant, brush your teeth, and wash your hair.

guyana-times.com

Be kind to the people you meet at your new school. Make sure to be nice to people of all cultures and backgrounds. If you think that you will say something that will make them feel sad, do not say anything and just nod your head if they talk to you. Also, remember to be as kind and as helpful as possible!

Be inviting. A smile goes a long way. When you walk in the halls, don’t hunch over your books or keep your eyes on the floor.

Stick your chin up and make eye contact with other people. If you see someone you know, give a smile or say hi. Introduce yourself. Tell them your name and where you’re from. Ask a question: “How’s the cafeteria food around here?”

Chat about the new school: “How long have you gone to

Getting involved

Join after school activities you like. Choir or

theatre or hang around for a French club meeting, etc.

Even if you don’t know anyone there, you’ll all share a common interest, and you can experience with different personalities from yours that have the same interest!

Look for other people who are new to the school. You’re probably not the only one and at the very least, you’ll have one thing in common: you’re both in an unfamiliar environment.

The good news is, if you are starting at a new school in start up year, almost everyone is new! Since being new is something that you all have in common, making new friends shouldn’t be that hard. Talk about your old school, your new school, your opinions, grades, teachers, etc.

Don’t sit at the back of the class where other people don’t notice you! Try to sit in the middle where you’re around everyone and can make conversation.

Tips to help your child transition to a new school T

ransitioning to a new school can be difficult for children. Whether it’s your child’s first day of elementary school, their first day of high school, or you’re moving to a new school district, starting a new school can affect a child’s academic performance, social development, and mental state.

There are things you can do before and during your child’s switching to a new school to help them feel comfortable, and get used to their new environment.

Talk it out: Ask your child questions like what are you most excited about for your first day of school?

What are you worried about? The way you talk about going to a new school

transition phase, your child may be quieter than ever, or begin to question everything. They might have more attitude than they normally do. Remember they’re reacting to a new environment, and you shouldn’t change your standards for how they’re expected to behave, but they will need time to adjust.

Play school: Try role playing with your child before school starts. They can be the teacher and you can be the student. This helps them think about what these respective roles mean, and they’ll get to play with the concept of school, and see it as a fun scenario.

Don’t miss out on sleep: During a stress-

will shape how your child views it.

Replicate first day of school traditions: Continue on with former traditions like making a special breakfast for the first day, or planning a stop at the library, or a visit to grandma’s house after school. Offer your child a little extra TLC and minimise changes within the home.

Make new friends early: Take advantage of the time before school starts. If possible let your child join a sports team or attend a day camp where they can make friends that go to their new school, and have these friends over for a play date.

Take a test run: Do a practice first day of school and take your child to their bus stop or drive them to school. If possible arrange to meet their teachers before school starts and have a tour of the new school. Make teachers and administrators aware of the last school your child went to and ask if they have any helpful suggestions.

Stock up on school supplies: Choosing their own backpack, lunchbox, binder or clothes might help your child feel more confident and in control on their first day.

Be involved: If possible volunteer at your child’s school or help out with a school sport or club. Try to take an active role in their school environment and get to know your child’s friends and the other parents.

Be patient: During a

ful time, anxiety can make sleep difficult. Sleep deprivation can adversely affect mood and academic performance. Routine is really important during a high stress time of change. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep!

After your child has started a new school, you want to be on the watch for signs of strain and stress.

Look out for these signs your child needs some help adjusting to their new school: * repeatedly refusing to go to school * throwing tantrums whenever school is mentioned * recurring meltdowns when you try to bring them to school * suffering separation anxiety and needing you more than they have in recent months or years * changes in sleeping or eating habits If you notice your child’s showing signs of poor transitioning, it’s important to talk to them about it, and to meet with their teachers and administrators so you can work to target the sources of your child’s discomfort.

School guidance counsellors and school psychologists can also help with difficult transitions. They can sometimes designate a faculty member as a contact person with whom you can communicate. The school may even be able to pair your child with a “buddy” like a built in friend who is comfortable in the school already. (pathways.org)

Detecting the cliques and enjoying your new friendships

Figure out who the “mean girls” or the “hotheaded jocks” are. These are the people that you might want to avoid for a while. Don’t be mean to them and don’t completely avoid them, because who knows, they may be nice people! Also stay away from the types that are in gangs and do criminal activities.

You need to be yourself.

Be strong. And don’t try to please everyone around you if it doesn’t please you.

Finally, meet up with your new friends outside of school once you get to know them. This is an important step in making true friends who you can rely on.

Just be yourself and don’t let anyone change that. (wikihow.com)

NEWS

7

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

High-profile criminals possibly pardoned by Govt – Jagdeo …claims some clients of APNU/AFC lawyers were on the list

G

overnment’s refusal to reveal the names of pardoned prisoners has led to the belief, at least of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo that highprofile criminals were among those released, some of them even clients of pro-Government lawyers.

There has been constant pressure from stakeholders, including the political Opposition and rights groups for greater transparency. Government has remained adamant in its bid to keep the identities of the pardoned criminals a secret.

And Jagdeo strongly suspects that this is because Government spearheaded the release of dangerous individuals.

He lambasted the secrecy in which the Government has been operating, particularly with this matter which is of importance to all Guyanese.

“Imagine you pardoned 70-odd people and it has become a state secret, even the Speaker (National Assembly) would not allow us to ask for the names of the people…We are not questioning the right of the President to do it, we are just asking who these people were and the executive would not give the answer,” Jagdeo said.

He, however, has his own suspicions as to why the Government has been reluctant to release the names of the pardoned prisoners.

“We believe that the reason they are not giving the answer is because contrary to what they told the public that these were people who stole phone, etc, … there were some high-profile criminals who were clients for some of the lawyers in the APNU/AFC Coalition, who were on that list and that is why they are refusing to give the names, because they are releasing … some clients,”

President David Granger

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Jagdeo said.

He argued that these lawyers are the ones who may be compiling the list that is sent to the President for action. Jagdeo also took a jab at President Granger who he said has not been keeping his promise of transparency.

“The President, he talks a lot about transparency, but he is just all gaff,” Jagdeo declared.

Last year, President Granger pardoned some 50odd prisoners whom he said were only guilty of “petty crimes”.

He had announced that more prisoners would be pardoned this year, as part of a budding tradition for the Independence Anniversary.

However, to date, the list of prisoners to be pardoned is yet to be approved.

Several individuals who were among those already pardoned were again charged for criminal offences.

Back in February 2016, Joshua Joseph, 20, who had recently received a presidential pardon, ended up behind bars again for escaping lawful custody.

The other notable case was that of 19-year-old Kelvin Bates who was pardoned by the President, but, along with another man, was arrested in May 2016, after

they robbed a cambio dealer in Corentyne, Berbice.

Bates and his accomplice were also held for a total of six counts of robbery under arms, one attempted murder charge, and one charge each for the possession of arms and ammunition and a possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge.

Joseph was at the time on remand on charges of robbery under arms and break and enter Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had subsequently accepted that Government had blundered.

Ramjattan had told Guyana Times in May 2016 that he would be inclined to release the names of those pardoned prisoners if requested.

“Of course, if asked, we will release the names of all those who will be pardoned.

It is an obligation in the name of transparency that the Minister released all the names of those who are on parole and pardoned,” he pointed out.

However, despite several requests from the Opposition, the media and rights groups, the names have not been made public, even as the President made it clear he intended to release more “petty offenders

The Camp Street prison

on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader believes that Government needs to do more as it relates to the

crime-fighting strategy.

In response to the President’s notion that the current crime situation is a continuation of the crime

wave in the early 2000s, Jagdeo posited that those who subscribed to that belief were clearly out of touch with reality.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

IN THE COURTS

Eyew tness WBD man jailed Questions...

D Y Cocaine in rum at CJIA

wayne King, 32, of 165 Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, who was implicated by his girlfriend Vanessa Moore, for smuggling 2.945 kilograms of cocaine in El Dorado rum at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was on Thursday sentenced to 60 months imprisonment and fined $30,000.

It was alleged that Moore had 2.945 kilograms of cocaine in El Dorado rum in her luggage at (CJIA) while she was booked to travel to London on November 9, 2015.

King was later arraigned on the same charge.

The prosecution informed the court that the man befriended the woman to gain her trust to use her to smuggle the cocaine.

The prosecution added that investigations later revealed that Moore had been in the company of King before she was apprehended and that the defendant had fled after the

drugs were discovered.

It was further explained that Moore had been given the two bottles of rum by King, who had asked her to deliver them to a friend in London.

Moore, who was initially charged with trafficking in narcotics denied the allegation and told the court that her London address is 78 McDonald Hills.

The prosecution’s case are that on the day in question, the Guyanese citizen was an outgoing passenger en route to London via Port-ofSpain when she was subjected to a routine search of her luggage, which unearthed two bottles of rum - a 12year and 15-year old El Dorado rum.

After the discovery of the illicit substance, Moore told the Police that her boyfriend had given her the rum to take to London to give to a friend.

The charges were later dropped against Moore after King had turned himself in to Police in the presence of his attorney.

...on City Parking

Dwayne King

our Eyewitness understands it takes a stake driven through the heart to kill Dracula.

So what the heck does it take to kill this abomination called “Smart City Solution Parking for GTown”? After all, the latter’s gonna suck way more blood from the good burghers of our Capital City than the old Count from Transylvania ever did!

This tale is unfolding exactly like these horror movies that used to keep us transfixed in a mixture of morbid curiosity and fear. We know there will be a whole lotta people slaughtered by the end...but we don’t know exactly how! In this case we always knew the citizens of Georgetown and visitors to its teeming streets will literally get it in the end...but we weren’t sure how gory it’ll be.

Even if you were vacationing on Mars for the last six months and missed all the shenanigans of the Mayor, Town Clerk and the rest of the Gang of Four at City Hall, the fact that Smart City Solutions had moved on from exhibiting the Meters to hiring personnel should give you a hint “parking contract done gone a watah”! . The last vote taken by the City Council when they approved the “revised” plan was just the icing on the cake.

And what’s this revised plan? Well, just a licence to funnel money from your pockets into the hands of the Boys and Girls in the band for twenty years... rather than forty-nine! And then we should know that even that’s a “cock”. There is, after all, the clause giving the option for an “additional 20 years subject to the approval of the City, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld”!!

If for some obscure reason, the approval’s withheld, we can just see the high-priced lawyers Smart City will be able to afford in 20 years having a field day with that phrase “not to be unreasonably withheld”!! But let’s look past the so-call reductions in the penalties for “illegally” parking - we always knew these were hiked up so as to give the city some “haggle room” no? Did the Gang of Four think we don’t shop at local markets?

But the final straw on the unfolding tragedy was the reward by the PNC to the Mayor by electing her to the PNC Central Committee. She obviously saw this as an endorsement of her travesty.

Even though democracy demands “informed consent”, she circulated the “revised contract” just an hour before the meeting!!

...on Social Cohesion training Six months before Prezzie ventured into the village Mandir of Blairmont to pay his respects to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman, his Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally had beaten him to the punch on the ecumenical front. As pictured in the Daily Chronicle of March 7, there she was praying to Lord Hanuman up close and personal in the Ogle Shri Samayapuran Mariamma Mandir. It was very touching, and as she said, it was an opportunity to demonstrate what “social cohesion was all about”.

The Pandit, one Deodat Tillak pledged to work tirelessly with the government on this social cohesion front. But from his “religious” intervention at a Heritage Month Interfaith Service this week, he has a far way to go to build “togetherness” among us Guyanese. With several Indigenous Peoples in the audience including Ministers of Government and advisors, he claimed that paedophilia and statutory rape were a scourge in their community.

Now whatever may be the merits or demerits of his point, surely this wasn’t the time or place to state it so bluntly. Obviously Amna Ally didn’t coach him enough!! ...on professional training

The Government just announced they’ll be subsidising the cost of tuition for budding lawyers going over to Hugh Wooding in TT. But will they subsidise some poor clients on their return?

And if law in TT, why not medicine at UG??

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

news

9

friday, september 2, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Public servants' increase

10% is all Govt can afford − President

T

he Guyana Government has made its final offer to Public Servants for 2016 and Head of State, David Granger is adamant the administration would like to proceed and make the payouts on its offer but remain engaged with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) to have outstanding issues addressed in the coming year.

The President made the disclosure on Thursday, when he appeared with local journalists on his weekly television programme, the “Public Interest” and addressed the offer to pay a 10 per cent salary increase to public servants earning less than $99,000.

President Granger told the media that Government’s proposal “is as much as we could do as of the 1st September, and we intend to proceed with that.”

He was asked to respond to the likely refusal of the proposal by the GPSU’s general council and the likelihood of government making an arbitrary award in the increase of public servants’ wages and salaries for 2016.

“I am not saying that the public servants do not deserve more but we did everything that is possible,” the President stated.

Qualifying his position, the President said the proposal is by no means, “unjust,” but rather “it is what is affordable at present.”

Budget 2017

He reminded too that government wanted to wrap-up the negotiations for this year, since it had to complete the 2017 Budget, which would have to reflect any increases for public servants.

President Granger has

President David Granger

already announced that the 2017 Budget will be presented on December 5, and that government is committed to remaining engaged with GPSU since there are still a number of demands to be addressed.

“We entered negotiations in good faith and we haven’t discontinued negotiations but that is the final offer we put on the table because we had to prepare next year budget so we had to tidy up this business before the last quarter,” said Granger.

He used the opportunity to also reflect on the economic context, within which the salary increases are being negotiated and made, namely, the falling international commodity prices which have been taking a toll on government revenues, in addition to the high levels of indebtedness.

The President spoke of the billions that have had to be forked over from central government to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as subsidies.

According to the Head of State, GuySuCo is being bailed out to the tune of $10 billion annually and this is in addition to the problems being faced in the falling

prices for sugar, gold and bauxite which represent some of Guyana’s main revenue earners.

The President used too that in addition to the increases being asked for by public servants, government has been finding it difficult to channel sufficient funds to more social programmes such as health and education.

Meanwhile, President Granger also used the occasion to respond to critics of the administration that have been responding to the announcement that only half of the 2016 allocations in the Budget have been spent.

Attitude problems

According to President Granger, they (critics) “ought not to be afraid that there have been any malpractice,” since the explanations “are quite simple.”

He pointed to the lack of ministerial planning units, the problems being experienced at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and the third major problem being “attitude problems.”

This, he said, will not be a problem in the coming year since mechanisms are being put in place to ensure that these kinks are ironed out.

On the matter of the need for planning units, the President said when the new administration took Office in May 2015, the ministers found that the level of advice being proffered was not in keeping with that which was expected.

“So many ministers who took over last year were not receiving the quality of advice on the plans that I feel,

East Coast serial robber slapped with 10 charges

A

self-confessed serial robber appeared before the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Thursday charged with a series of armed robberies on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Shemroy Hackett, 27, called ‘Donkey’ of Lot 137 Bare Root, Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD, pleaded not guilty to all ten charges and was remanded to prison until September 30. Hackett was positively identified during several identification parades conducted on Wednesday, in relation to six recent armed robberies, including one that was committed on the owner of R. Ramlogan General Store, Logwood, Enmore, last Monday.

The defendant was apprehended following a high-speed chase and shoot-out with police. He was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

In addition to the six rob-

bery under arms charges, Hackett was also slapped with two counts of discharging a loaded firearm with intent, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and twelve rounds of matching ammunition.

It was reported that sometime around 15:45h on August 29, four masked and armed men confronted the grocery shop owner and demanded cash and jewellery.

The men subsequently carted off a quantity of valuables including a licensed handgun with fifteen rounds of ammunition, after assaulting the businessman.

They then made their escape from the premises, hijacked a pink Toyota Raum bearing registration PNN 334 and proceeded in the vicinity of Bare Root, further up the Coast.

However, they were observed by ranks of two patrols, and upon realising that they had attracted the atten-

tion of the Police, the men opened fire.

In retaliation, the Police discharged several rounds at the vehicle, one of which shattered the back windscreen.

The perpetrators abandoned the car and fled towards the backlands of Bare Root. They were pursued by the Police and Hackett was arrested with the unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

A number of live rounds and spent shells were also found in the stolen car, which was taken into Police custody.

Whilst in custody, the man also confessed to being a member of a gang which committed a series of armed robberies on the ECD. Police in ‘C’ Division (ECD) are currently working on vital information received to apprehend the three other bandits involved in the Enmore robbery and efforts are also being made to dismantle the gang which Hackette admitted to being a part of.

that we feel now, that they deserve to have.”

He said it was this situation that led primarily to the decision to establish the ministerial planning units.

Tender Board problems

Granger spoke too of the ability of government to process the numerous tenders.

According to the President, “there is just too many requests for that board to handle.”

He suggested that maybe what is needed is a bigger board or more regular meetings of the tender board—

akin to what obtains in the sitting of night courts.

“Those are two main problems, the absence of planning and the capability of the tender process,” according to Granger.

The Head of State said too, “I would admit there is an attitude problem, too,” and sought to assure that this will be corrected by presenting the annual Budget ahead of the beginning of the financial year.

He explained that what inherently happens when the Budget is presented in March, is that the monies

do not become available until June, which eventually leads to the bottlenecks at the national tender board.

According to Granger, presenting the Budget early will mean that no Permanent Secretary—the accounting officer for any ministry—will be able to say in January that the money is not available to begin executing programmes.

“Lack of planning and lack of preparedness will not be an excuse because they will know in December what the allocations are,” he stated.

10 news Still no Cabinet decision on ‘Pharmagate’ findings friday, september 2, 2016 | guyana-times.com

… but Public Health Minister acted in good faith – Granger

President David Granger

T

he Cabinet Council of Ministers, Chaired

by President David Granger, has not met in two weeks; as such, no decision has been made with regards to the Sub-Committee’s recommendations to renegotiate a contract between the Public Health Ministry and Linden Holdings Inc for the storage of Government’s drugs and medical supplies.

The Head of State made this pronouncement on Thursday, when quizzed by Guyana Times for an update on any decisions made.

The President said he did not want to pre-empt the collective decision of the Cabinet, save to say that, “we know there was an error of judgment.”

According to President Granger, “we believe that the Minister operated in good faith… He received information which quite possibly was inaccurate.”

Pressed on any decisions

by Cabinet, Granger explained that over the past two weeks, there have been no meetings of the high-

est decision-making forum of the Executive, since “the Cabinet Secretary and other people had to do work in other places.”

Government is still func-

He told Guyana Times however that, “As far as we are concerned the investigative process is at an end and we want to make sure there is no re-occurrence… that’s just all I can say at this stage.”

The Cabinet SubCommittee that was appointed by the President has completed their report following their investigations, which have since been handed over.

That body was chaired by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and included Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

That Cabinet SubCommittee report has recommended that the agreement to pay Linden Holdings Inc in excess of $12.5 million to rent its Sussex Street property to be used to store

cess the coffers for more money.

It was during the consideration of the papers that it was discovered that Government had in fact already paid over $25 million to Linden Holdings Inc – the exact amount the company paid for the Sussex Street property just days before.

Linden Holdings Inc has as its principal shareholder Larry Singh – a prominent supporter of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); the party making up the largest bloc of the coalition the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Linden Holding’s Inc has its registered office in Middle Street, Georgetown, in the same building that housed the Sidewalk Café and owned by Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes. Its bond is located at 69 Sussex

The contentious bond owned by Linden Holdings Inc in Sussex Street, Albouystown

tioning, according to the Head of State, who sought to assure that despite not meeting, “Cabinet is still functioning and the matter (drug bond brouhaha) will come up again when we meet on the (September) 6th.”

Government’s drugs and medical supplies, be re-negotiated.

The matter came to the fore on August 8, when the National Assembly considered advances made from the Contingencies Fund in addition to a request to ac-

Street, Albouystown.

The agreement has come in for increased scrutiny with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo recently labelling the entire affair as a “corrupt act” which is only being covered up by the Granger appointed sub-com-

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

mittee.

Among the recommendations made by the sub-committee is the renegotiating of the contract in order to secure a lower price for the facility, since it was found that a similar facility could be obtained at a cheaper rate.

The sub-committee had also recommended that Cabinet terminate the contract should Singh’s Linden Holdings Inc refuse but this will require one year notice being issued to Singh.

Another of the recommendations made was for the Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton to issue a public apology, which he has since done.

Dr Norton met with media operatives on Friday last, and apologised for telling the National Assembly that New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (NEW GPC INC) had been paid in excess of $19 million for the rental of its drug bond and that drugs had already been stored at the controversial Sussex Street property.

According to Dr Norton, ever since August 8, 2016, “I

have come to the firm position that the answer given to the questions related to NEW GPC and the storage of drugs at the bond at 29 Sussex Street, were not accurate and these were based on information provided to me; in the circumstances, I wish to express my sincere and profound regret to his Excellency, Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; Honourable Dr Barton Scotland, Speaker of the National Assembly; Prime Minister Mr Moses Nagamootoo and my parliamentary colleagues of the APNU/AFC; members of the parliamentary Opposition and all others who were present or were able to observe the process of the consideration of the estimates.”

According to Dr Norton, “as Minister of Public Health I know that the high standard of duty and care is expected of me and the staff of the Ministry of Public Health, so I take full responsibility for this unfortunate episode and give my full commitment that it will not re-occur.”

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Largest batch of Regent Street nurses graduate 'thieves' remanded – amid dismal deficiencies at T Georgetown School of Nursing

A section of the graduating class on Thursday

History was recorded on Thursday when over 300 student nurses graduated from the Georgetown School of Nursing, despite dismal conditions.

The school’s Principal, Cleopatra Barkoye, confirmed that the institution was celebrating its largest batch of graduating students, while issuing a call for the Public Health Ministry to ensure that the school became a safe, healthy environment for both students and teachers.

She opined that stakeholders have failed the class of 2016 by not doing better for them. She underscored that while there has been a slight improvement in the pass rate within the last two years, student nurses cannot link theory with practice. She said too that they were unable to build on knowledge and critical thinking, while their absenteeism rate was “sky-rocketing”.

The Principal revealed too that 310 students’ comprehensive skills were at an all-time low and the causative factor was the ail-

ing environment they were studying in.

Barkoye said the tutors were “working against the tide” when they have to fan themselves while lecturing, because the air conditioning system was malfunctioning.

She added that there were other pieces of equipment that needed maintenance, but nothing was being done.

Disheartened by the continuous disruption of the water supply in the school, Barkoye described the situation as “unbearable,” adding that the students and teachers would also go for months without Internet access.

“Both the teachers and students are affected. If they work in a comfortable environment, then their pass rate would improve so it is imperative that we work to fix it,” she emphasised.

She recommended rigid interviewing of persons desirous of entering the school, noting that this would cut the failure rate radically, and the introduction of a clock-in system for students to prevent the lecturers from having to tediously write in the time they arrive

at school, as well as prevent absenteeism.

Barkoye also noted that there should be uninterrupted high-speed Internet access for students and teachers.

“Solutions must become clearer and not lop-sided.

A healthy working environment will allow the students to work in comfort and improve their success rate and nurses will be attracted to the school to tutor,” she said.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton indicated that the Government has recognised the integral role nurses play in the country and so it had allocated some $56 million to the improvement of nursing infrastructure, specifically the school’s training centre, and other nursing schools.

Although he acknowledged that the Government was lagging in completing these infrastructure projects, he assured that it was “conscious” that they needed to be finished.

He assured that as Public Health Minister, he would ensure that nurses’ concerns were addressed.

he duo who were highly condemned on social media for snatching a woman’s jewellery on Regent Street in the vicinity of City Mall, Georgetown, were refused bail when they appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts, facing the joint charge of theft.

Daniel Samuels, 24, of 185 Regent Street and Jason Thomas, 23, of 19 Norton Street, Georgetown, both pleaded not guilty.

It is alleged that on August 29, 2016 at Regent Street they stole one cricket gold band valued $200,000 belonging to Jenny Latchmanarine.

The unrepresented defendants pleaded with the magistrate for leniency and community service, however, their pleas were denied and they were remanded.

Thomas told the court he never appeared in court be-

The duo who were charged

fore and was never convicted; the prosecution however pointed out that he was previously charged for narcotics and was placed on communi-

ty service which he failed to honour.

They will make their next Court appearance on September 19, 2016.

Lindener on bail for simple larceny

A

registered nurse attached to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) was granted bail

by Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on a

charge of simple larceny.

It is alleged that the accused, 32-year-old Dexter Holder, stole a Samsung Galaxy S3 cellphone valued $39,000, property of Sheralin Shakespare. The incident is alleged to have

occurred at the Linden Hospital Complex on Thursday, August 28.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of $30,000. The matter was adjourned until September 28.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

NA hire car drivers protest river taxis time change

H

Hire car drivers picketing the T&HD office in NA

ire car drivers operating from the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling on Thursday picketed the region’s Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) after it rescheduled the operating hours of the water taxies across the Berbice River.

The notice was placed on Wednesday, indicating that from September 1, the speedboat service will operate from 06:00h until 09:00h and then again from 14:30h until 18:00h. Previously, the service operated between 6:00h and 18:00h.

However, the hire car drivers are complaining that this change in the operating hours of water taxis will affect them since persons

would usually cross the river during the day with the boats and use the cars to move around New Amsterdam.

Kirk Lagoudou, one of the drivers, argued firstly that the notice given is too short.

“This morning [Thursday] we and notified that there is a change in the time that the water taxies will be operating. They put up the notice Wednesday. They did not come and inform us in advance,” he told Guyana Times on Thursday during the picketing exercise.

According to Lagoudou, pensioners will be adversely affected with the new hours of operation since they are given free crossing by the water taxis. However, he noted that with the time

change, pensioners as well as other persons wanting to cross the river, will now be forced to use the minibuses which charge a fee of $300 per trip compared the $120 water taxi fare.

It was pointed out that operating from the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling is considered a lucrative route for hire car operators who charge $140 per trip around the town as against $100 which is the fare in other parts of the town.

“The Government should rethink its decision, taking into account the poorer class of persons who need to use the service to get from one side of the river to the other,” Lagoudou said.

He warned too that the

move could make the town of New Amsterdam become a ghost town.

After the ferry service was scrapped, and the Berbice River Bridge became the only means of crossing the river – economic activity slowed down in the town as businesses in the vicinity of the stelling came to a standstill.

On the other hand, minibus operators plying the New Amsterdam/Rosignol route raked in large sums of money as they charged $300 for the 12-minute journey and made three trips per day.

With the introduction of the water taxies, they protested, calling on Government to also subsidise their operations saying that the $2200 to cross the Berbice River was too high.

Many were forced to leave the route and fares had been reduced to $260 in an effort to attract more persons.

But this amount was recently raised back to $300 – the same price it was when the Berbice Bridge was charging $2200. Now the bridge fair is $1900.

Asked for a comment today on the new scheduled for the water taxies, the minibus operators – who had been very vocal in the past complaining of the difficulty in their operations as a result of the water taxi service – remained silent.

SOCU now doing basic ...

“These people (visiting teams) are going to find a SOCU which was set up to support this (FIU) now doing environmental crime, they will find now that

SOCU has been politicised… they will find a lot of deficiencies and they will find a Government that is not serious about going after real cases of money

laundering but is more concerned with using the State machinery SARU, SOCU, FIU everybody to come after political opponents, that’s what they will find

FROM PAGE 3

and we will speak to them about it,” Jagdeo said.

SOCU has been under heavy scrutiny from many quarters of society, including rights groups after a botched operation on December 30, 2015, involving a high-speed chase on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, which resulted in the deaths of three persons – Guyana Defence Force Sergeant Robert Pyle, his wife Stacy Pyle and the driver of a canter truck Linden Eastman.

Sergeant Pyle and a team from SOCU were supposed to be conducting surveillance on the home of former Head of NICIL Winston Brassington at Cowan Street, Kingston, Georgetown, and became engaged in the high-speed chase down Carifesta Avenue with a vehicle occupied by Opposition parliamentarian Charles Ramson Jr, his wife Alana Seebarran and her brother.

During that high-speed chase, Pyle slammed into the truck that was travelling in the opposite direction, resulting in the three deaths.

The Government has since refused to launch a Commission of Inquiry into the incident, prompting condemnation from politicians and rights groups.

Unfree labour T

here is this movie starring Bill Murray.

He's up in Pennsylvania reporting on "Groundhog Day" and every morning he awakens to experience the exact events from the day before, in a seemingly infinite loop.

Ever so often I get this same feeling during the 28 years I've returned to Ravi Dev Guyana. Take this claim just made by some in the runup to Emancipation Day that Indian indentured labourers undercut the bargaining power of the freed slaves after 1838 and that is what pushed them off the plantations. "It's like déjà vu all over again" as Yogi Berra was alleged to have quipped.

In vain, I've pointed out over the years that it's futile to play the "blame game" when, in the development of capitalism, after constructing its base on the back of African chattel slave labour (following genocide on the indigenous peoples), it went on to appropriate the very form of unfree labour they had used before slavery – indentured labour (of Europeans). There is no question the planters did intend to undercut the bargaining power of the freed slaves after Emancipation – but the new 19th Century indentureds were also contributing to what Marx dismissed as "primitive accumulation" in the drive of capitalism to create what he ironically called "doubly free labour": free to sell their labour-power to anyone they choose, and freed from any ownership over the means of production.

But I was just as unsuccessful in pointing out that the details of their claim were so blatantly incorrect, it suggested that more was at play than careless historiography. In 1998, I noted in my paper, “Aetiology of an ethnic riot”: “It was not Indian labour that broke the back of African attempts to wrest higher wages from the planters. Rather, if labour were to be “blamed”, it was more the Portuguese and, ironically, fellow Africans from both the WI and Africa, who played key roles.

The ex-slaves called the strike of 1847 at a point of financial crisis for the planters who, encouraged by the indentureship of 15,747 Portuguese, 12,897 Africans from the WI and 6957 Africans from Africa – a total of 35,601 – compared with only 8692 Indians, held off the demands for higher wages. After 1848, by when more than half of them had moved into villages and towns, the unskilled exslaves, by and large, decided to make their living off the plantations because, even though Indian indenture was suspended between 1838-1845 and then again in 184950, there was no movement back to the plantation by the Africans, nor was there any increase in the wage scale.”

Available land was the pull factor for the move.

What is also overlooked is that eventually there were more indentured Africans arriving from the Caribbean (40,783) than the Portuguese (30,078) from Madeira and from Africa (13,355). In fact between 1835 and 1838 exactly 5000 ex-African slaves had been brought from the smaller islands into Guyana. Somehow, these African indentured servants – mostly from Barbados – have been forgotten.

Ironically, there were several instances recorded of Indian indentureds protesting that the West Indian indentureds were undercutting their wages!

I wrote to one interlocutor in 2004, "The point I have been making is that we are going against the analyses of history made by eminent West Indian historians such as Williams and Rodney (among others) when we lay blame to the immigrants – whether Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, West Indians or Africans who were all indentured. It was the working of the systems imposed on us by the British, whether political (imperialism), economic (pre-capitalist) or cultural (cultural hegemony), that kept us all in thrall.

Today, we are still busy blaming each other for our mess and not questioning whether those bequeathed systems are not still contributing to our problems. And that we should get busy, as a first step, in modifying them to assist in leading to greater equity and justice for all of us."

Twelve years later, after capitalism's latest globalised financialised phase has imploded, the travails of "doubly free" labour continues as Britain, Europe and the US blame immigrants who "took away their jobs".

What will I wake up tomorrow to?

NEWS

13

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Digicel concludes Canje top NGSA students honoured back-to-school programme T he Digicel outreach programme, which has been an annual event for the last six years, culminated on Thursday with a grand health fair at the National Cultural Centre.

The back-to-school dental programme catered for 300 children, providing services of health checkups, barbering and school give-aways.

Communications manager of the telecommunications giant, Vidya Sanchara explained that the initiative

Smiling students pose with (front row) Region Six Chairman David Armogan, Education Ministry representative Mary Samaroo, and East Canje Organisation of New York representative Anil Beharry

T

Schoolchildren receiving supplies from staff of Digicel Guyana

Children receiving free hair cuts, compliments of Digicel Guyana

was a collaborative effort between the Rotary Club of Central Georgetown and Digicel.

She noted that the only challenge the company encountered in delivering the programme to their listed

destinations was being unable to make it to Essequibo, due to transportation difficulties.

The programme benefited children of Timehri, Mahaica, Berbice and Tuschen.

Sanchara further expressed her gratitude to the Public Health Ministry and other sponsors for being part of Digicel’s initiative.

Director of Marketing Jacqueline James noted that the initiative was conceptualised because Digicel wanted to give back to the children, seeing that they are to resume school in a matter of days. Sanchara assured this publication that next year’s outreach programme will definitely be bigger and better.

he East Canje Organisation of New York recently honoured the top National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) performers from the Canje community, in Region 6 ( East Berbice/ Corentyne).

During a simple yet significant ceremony, held at the training building of GuySuCo, Rose Hall Estate, 19 students from six primary schools were rewarded; total cash of close to US$2500 was provided as incentives by the East Canje Organisation.

This organisation, whose members are former residents of the East Canje area, annually recognises the top three performers of the six schools.

Those awarded were Aditya Dhanpat, Aliyah Hussain and Aaron Samar of Sheet Anchor Primary; Jahien Carmichael, Christel Ramjattan and Melinda Persaud of Fort Ordinance Primary; Roheem Blair, Malika Gansawh, Amera

Balram and Kowal Mangal of Cumberland Primary; Saeed Mohamed, Anthony Umrao and Geneva Hitnarine of Rosehall Primary; Aditya Brijeman, Nandanie Baljit and Angeli Sanichar of Betsy Ground Primary; and Shamia Alleyne, Jason King and Gavin Puran of Gangarram Primary.

In delivering a message on the Organisation’s behalf, representative Anil Beharry underscored the body’s commitment to the community.

"Congratulations to you the students, parents and teachers for your success and we pledge to continue this programme. We are currently in the process of securing wheelchairs for the needy as one of our many ways of giving back to the East Canje area. You have done us proud and we will continue to raise funds in the USA to assist our home country. We have only recently hosted the largest annual Canje Day, a pop-

ular event where not only persons from the East Canje area attended but the entire Berbice," the message said.

Region 6 Chairman David Armogan thanked the organisation for its wonderful initiative and encouraged the children to make good use of the funds.

He also reminded them that this is only the foundation stage and that they must stay focused to do well in the rest of their academic career and in life in general. He also congratulated the parents and teachers for the role they played in the success of the young intellectuals.

Speaking on behalf of the Education Department, Mary Samaroo also expressed gratitude to the East Canje Organisation and congratulated the students, parents, and teachers. The 2016 NGSA results were announced in early July.

Top student Raheem Blair delivered the vote of thanks.

14

guyana-times.com

friday, september 2, 2016

News

Child-centred approach planned for Education Month — active involvement of parents cited

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he Education Ministry on Thursday launched Education Month 2016, under the theme “Each Child Matters: Stakeholders Unite for the enhancement of Education”, with calls for greater parent involvement.

The launching ceremony was held outside the Ministry on Brickdam, amid the soothing sounds of steel pan and drumming and the visual appeal of dance.

It was emphasised that the involvement of parents in their children’s lives was a key ingredient in their success. As such, it was announced that this year’s “If we don’t get education right, nothing will go right” – Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

agenda would incorporate a “child-centred” approach.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine noted that this period served to provide reflection and moti-

“The flowers of the universe” Students release balloons in the presence of Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and other officials at the launch of Education Month on Thursday

vation to the education sector and society, highlighting that this year’s theme seeks to emphasise a child-centred approach.

Dr Roopnaraine pointed out that Government has launched several initiatives to advance education, since last year’s observance of Education Month.

He explained that the Education Ministry has recently created positions for two individual coordi-

nators to head two separate departments dealing with the Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs) and private schools respectively.

Roopnaraine posited that these new departments will seek to improve education delivery.

“More and more private schools are entering the education sector…given the Government’s mandate to regulate the affairs of the society, it is incumbent on the

Education Month 2016

GTU wants more consultations — Mark Lyte reiterates call for fairness, inclusion

GTU President Mark Lyte

I

n order to meet the needs of 21st Century learners, “due respect” and “recognition” must be given to stakeholders, particularly if the Education Ministry wants to enhance the education sector.

This is the contention of Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) President Mark Lyte who has suggested that the Education Ministry should employ measures to ensure that the Union is duly consulted.

Speaking at the launch of the festivities associated with Education Month on Thursday, Lyte stressed that GTU will only be satisfied if stakeholders are truly recognised.

“Education Month is being launched at a time when much ado as to whether we are meeting the needs of our learners in the 21st Century. We are saying that each child matters to this

Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Delma Nedd

nation and that all stakeholders must unite for education to be enhanced; we have the opportunity to live this… the Guyana Teacher’s Union would be happy when true unity is fostered among all stakeholders. For this to happen, due respect and sincere recognition must be given to all stakeholders,” the GTU President explained.

He noted that his Union should be treated fairly, and even suggested that the Union is not an equal partner as an education stakeholder.

“A call to unite is not only to be formulated when a theme is formulated… but every step of the way in the education process.

Stakeholders like GTU, must be treated with fairness and inclusivity if education is to be enhanced. The GTU longs for true partner-

ship as a stakeholder,” he posited.

Lyte then assured that GTU is committed to seeing the success of the education delivery in Guyana. “Our ultimate objective is to ensure our education sector succeeds, it will take a renewed look from our educational administrators to ascertain what it takes to move us forward, much pride would have to be buried and true sense of value must be given to every stakeholder,” the GTU President further outlined.

Over the last several months, GTU has been registering its concerns over a lack of consultations with the Education Ministry on advocating better salaries and working conditions for public school teachers.

The Union has been appealing to the Education Ministry on salary negotiations to ensure that teachers could benefit from a 40 per cent increase to their current income. However, the Ministry had postponed these negotiations. GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald, during an interview with Guyana Times, said there has been “no indication” from the Ministry on proposals for increases.

It was earlier this month that the GTU registered its disdain over a statement issued by Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd to the effect that the Ministry had never agreed to disburse de-bunching payments to teachers.

Ministry to ensure that private schools are facilitated in the delivery of education and that they are regulated to assure the society of their relevance and the provision of quality service,” the Minister said.

“If we don’t get education right, nothing will go right,” he added.

He stressed that parents must play an important role in the delivery of education to their children.

Roopnaraine’s sentiments were echoed by acting Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Hutson.

“Research suggests that families where at least one parent or significant adult engaged in this way children are more likely to learn, see the school in a positive light and to enjoy productive relationships with their teachers,” Hutson postulated.

PTA member Robert Forrestor said that education could be the vehicle for change while UNICEF’s Representative Marianna Flach related that education

should allow for optimum success.

“Throughout Education Month, the Education Ministry will make the strong call for support from all of us,” she noted, adding that quality education should be provided to children. Flach also pointed out that each child “has a right to life” and echoed the view that parents should give encouragement and support in the education of children. She stressed that these initiatives will aid in the achievement of sustainable development goals.

EBD road project deadline extended again

Ongoing works on the East Bank Demerara carriage-way

W

orking on almost three years of delays, the East Bank Demerara Four-lane Expansion Project has now been given a month’s extension to complete the works.

According to Chief Roads and Bridges Officer, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Ron Rahaman, in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), the road should be completed by the end of September.

He explained that the contractors are currently facing challenges of material shortage, including asphalt.

The road project has three components Lots One, Two and Three. Lots Two (Prospect to Little Diamond) and Three (Little Diamond to Diamond Intersection) were completed last year while work is ongoing on Lot One (Providence to Covent Garden), which cov-

ers a length of 2.65 kilometres.

Rahaman noted that the project is currently being carried out by BK International Incorporated and General Earth Movers and would see four fully surfaced lanes with road markings, signs and lightings.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson had earlier stated that the project will result in the reduction of wear and tear of vehicles and accidents, and facilitate smoother traffic flow and reduce travel time on the East Bank corridor.

The US$17.2 million project which was rolled out in 2011 and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed by the Ministry of Public Works Services Group.

Back in 2011, the then

administration had rolled out the four-lane extension project to Dipcon Engineering Services at a cost of US$8 million which had only completed 59 per cent of the contract and then effectively ceased all works in May 2015 – two years after the project was scheduled for completion on April 30, 2013.

Following discussions with the contractor, an agreeable settlement was reached on August 16, 2015 and that contract was terminated. However an addendum (additional works to a signed contract) was signed with BK International Incorporated and General Earth Movers to continue the construction on the East Bank Road Expansion Project, which will have to be completed by September 30.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

News

Indigenous culture PNCR Congress sheer under threat – rhetoric – Jagdeo President Granger T ... Garrido-Lowe calls for greater understanding

he recently concluded Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has been labelled a major disappointment by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

During a news conference

oric in the President’s speech.

A repetition of the Manifesto promise…not a single policy measure. All declarative statements that can be traced back to the Manifesto,” he posited.

Jagdeo outlined that tout-

Burnham at the centre of the philosophy of his government,” Jagdeo stated, noting that the President only defined Burnham as egalitarian and nationalistic in outlook, when in actuality he stood for much more.

A section of the gathering at Congress Place

A

President David Granger received a token to commemorate Heritage Month

mid much pomp and ceremony, and an array of spectacular cultural performances, Amerindian Heritage Month 2016 was officially launched at the Heritage Village at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, on Thursday evening.

The huge benab, however, could hardly contain the massive crowd of Guyanese from all walks of life, who joined President David Granger; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Valerie Garrido-Lowe; other Ministers of Government and members of the diplomatic corps, to celebrate with Guyana’s first people.

All who graced the podium, whether to bring greetings or give addresses, registered the resounding call for unity and a deeper appreciation of the Amerindian way of life.

President David Granger, delivering the feature address, lamented the significant threats which face Indigenous communities and which prevents them from reaching their “God given potential”.

“The cultural heritage of our Indigenous communities unfortunately is under threat. The slow pace of economic growth threatens communities, limited economic opportunities over the last two decades has caused distress and migration to other nearby countries. It has also had a harsh effect on education, and health, environmental degradation through mining and logging, in some cases there has been alcoholism, Trafficking in Persons (TIP)”, the Head of State said of the state of affairs of Amerindian communities.

“Our Constitution says that Indigenous peoples

shall have the right to the protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages, cultural heritage and way of life. That is a right”, the Head of State told the massive crowd.

He reminded that every year in September, Guyana renews its commitment so that these rights are not diminished in any way.

The Head of State said Indigenous people are the custodians of the hinterland, as it is they who protect the country’s natural assets and who,through intimate relationships with nature and sustainable agriculture in fishing, forestry, hunting and mining, passed down the customs and practices for centuries.

President Granger, however, noted that these can only be preserved and protected if there are cohesive communities, free from the threat of social decay and economic decline.

He acknowledged that the Indigenous communities are generally remote and distant from the main population centres, and consist of many settlements, many of which are isolated and scattered.

“The management of scores of these communities is compounded by the complexity of development issues,” the President said, stressing that these communities therefore need very strong structures of Government.

He said because of the small numbers of communities and the large and great distances between them, it is often difficult to give them the quality of service they need and deserve.

The President explained, “These threats, if left unchecked will hasten disintegration and the hinder the ability of Indigenous communities to propagate their values, traditions and way of life. We need therefore

some administrative agency, which will ensure that decisions which are made by the National Toshao’s Council and the National Assembly through the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs are implemented”.

According to him, while culture is important, it would be under threat unless there are apparatus and mechanisms to ensure that the communities are prosperous. He again proposed the establishment of the National Indigenous People’s Authority (NIPA) to ensure all decisions are implemented.

“Implementation is the muscle of progress.

Intentions will remain wayward without implementation”, the President said.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe, urged those present to take time to learn about all Guyanese culture.

With that done, she said, it will to some degree prevent the spewing of misconceptions as was done by Pandit Deodatt Tillack, who at the interfaith service on Wednesday evening, ranted about his preconceived way of life of Amerindians.

“How else would you learn to love and care or each other and how else would you learn to give, and achieve social cohesion… during my childhood in the hinterland, I have never met a person who willingly offered their 12-year-old girl children to warm men’s bed.

That is a crime known by all nations,” Garrido-Lowe said, noting that the pandit erred on Wednesday evening during his remarks.

“Guyanese, let us learn about each other, try to understand each other and celebrate together this special Indigenous Heritage month”, she urged.

at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Headquarters on Thursday, the former President also knocked the PNCR’s endorsement of the governing principles of its founder, Forbes Burnham.

Jagdeo noted that he expected greater clarity on government’s developmental plans for the economy to emanate from the various speeches during the threeday event, and explained that he was greatly disappointed when this did not occur.

In fact, he surmised that everything spoken about during the congress was sheer rhetoric.

“We heard again the rhet-

ed policies like bridging the gap between hinterland and coastland development, fostering social cohesion, and creation of a green economy are all lofty promises with no precise plan on how they will be achieved.

Burnham era Further, the Opposition Leader strongly criticised President David Granger’s constant endorsement to policies practiced by former President Burnham.

“We heard the President attempting to define his government and what will guide his government. And he said we will look for inspiration and policies from the Burnham era. So he placed

“These aren’t the only two things Burnham stood for…If you trace the era that Burnham lived in and practised his policies in, you will see that that era has been characterised not by egalitarianism but by significant acts of discrimination, a failed economy, economic hardships, a repressive state… and no one can mention Burnham without talking about rigged elections and lack of democracy,” he stated.

According to Jagdeo, the new era of 2016 obligates policy makers to “look beyond Burnham”.

“2016 needs a new set of policies,” he stressed.

Harbhajan reprimanded at Region 6 RDC meeting

T

he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) has lashed out at Prime Ministerial Representative of the Region Gobin Harbhajan, for statements which appeared in the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, under the caption ‘Region Six RDC accused of ignoring budget proposals by NDC’.

Harbhajan claims that the Region’s 2017 budget proposals were prepared by the Vice Chairman, Dennis DeRoop and Regional Engineer, Roopesh Singh.

Regional Chairman David Armogan speaking at the RDC meeting Thursday asked Harbhajan to apologise to the RDC. “Don’t make erroneous statements and have them in the newspaper because it is seen around the world…

I am head of this RDC and I am not going to tolerate it,” the Chairman said.

On August 8, the RDC approved a $7 billion budget proposal for 2017 which

Harbhajan, who is also a Regional Councillor, did not attend.

DeRoop says he has no authority to pronounce on the passing of the budget proposals because he was absent.

However, Harbhajan says he is holding to his utterances. He told this publication that the proposed budget does not reflect the sixteen NDC’s in the region.

“The bottom line is that the consultation was not done with the NDC’s; it was just presented for approval,” he said.

Meanwhile, a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) councillor, Haseef Yusef also appeared in the article criticising the budget proposals and pointing to the same two officials.

No one at the RDC accused Yusef of making wild allegations. Among those who criticised Harbhajan were the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) councillors.

Councillor Shurla Scott condemned the actions of

Harbhajan saying that he was not at the meeting and he should not have done it.

Meanwhile, Yusef had reported that the budget debate lasted for just over an hour. “This speedy deliberation can be solely attributed to the unpreparedness of the Regional Engineer who dismally failed to provide the RDC councillors with any explanation of the criteria which he used to arrive at the figures he submitted for all the capital expenditures,” he said.

“It must be borne in mind that this Annual Budget must ensure that the Region makes the best use of taxpayers’ dollars and to deliver better services to its residents.

However, what transpired in the RDC boardroom bears testimony to the fact that the budget planning process was improperly done. This process is the core mechanism in the preparation of the Annual Budget and the Engineer should have provided ample evidence to show that such planning was done,” he added.

16 News

friDay, september 2, 2016 | guyana-times.com

EBD supermarket robbed Berbice teen allegedly raped

by US-based family friend twice in 3 weeks

P

A

n East Bank Demerara businessman is contemplating permanently closing his supermarket after bandits hit the business a second time three weeks.

Sometime around 19:35h on Wednesday, three gunmen, two of whom wore masks, executed a daring robbery at the Freshmart Supermarket located on the Covent Garden Public Road, EBD, escaping with over $1 million in cash and valuables from staff and customers.

Guyana Times understands that the businessman had just arrived at the location to balance the cash while two staff were attending to the remaining customers when the three bandits stormed the premises brandishing guns and issuing threats.

They forced the occupants to lie face down on the floor as they proceeded to relieved them of their valuables including jewellery, phones and cash.

According to the owner of Freshmart Supermarket, who requested that his name not be published, the trio was able to steal over $1 million in cash and valuables from both the business and customers at the time of the robbery.

This newspaper understands that the robbery was captured on the surveillance cameras, from which the third unmasked perpetrator can clearly be identified. It was reported that the bandits escaped in a waiting car which was parked directly in front of the supermarket.

However, the cameras could not clearly pick up the vehicle’s colour or model.

Freshmart Supermarket in Covent Garden, EBD

The businessman further related that three weeks prior to this incident, his supermarket was robbed and although the security cameras managed to record the culprit, the Police are yet to make an arrest.

The man explained that at the time of the first robbery, he was not pleased with the professionalism display by ranks at the Providence Police Station and this time round, he is far from satisfied with the pace of the investigation.

Following these two recent attacks on Freshmart Supermarket, the businessman said that it has been closed for an indefinite period.

“I do not know when or if I am going to re-open my business due to the crime situation and the way in

which Police deal with such matters. The Police need to do more and act more rather than offer lip service. The previous matter although it wasn’t such a big robbery, the Police didn’t do what they were supposed to, they didn’t even want to listen to me, really,” the businessman posited.

Meanwhile, the businessman is offering a reward of $1 million to anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of the three gunmen who robbed his supermarket two nights ago.

“I have lost a lot of money…is more than one time now I get robbed and I think it is the same people carrying out the robberies…so I am offering this reward not to do the Police’s work but to help them do the work faster,” he stated.

Nursing lecturers lobby for duty-free concessions

G

eorgetown School of Nursing Principal Cleopatra Barkoye on Thursday called on the Public Health Ministry to have nursing tutors granted duty-free concessions.

She said a principal nursing tutor had stated that in order to be qualified as a tutor, a nurse must undergo many years of preparation and would usually travel for more than 30 miles per day.

She implored that while the Minister would not be in a “position to do anything at present about their salaries”, he could at least help them to help the students. She pointed out that nursing lecturers are also eligible for duty-free concessions.

“We are only 10 in numbers at present. Help us to feel proud of our experience,” she said, adding that there was already a shortage of nurses, so it was only fitting that the Minister did ev-

erything to retain qualified nurses.

“We are teachers too, but the advantage we have over any teachers is that we are also nurses and midwives,” Barkoye remarked.

Prior to 2008, duty-free concessions for nursing tutors had always been lobbied for and acknowledged by the Ministry. Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had stated that the concession was something that could be granted once it was explored fully.

Nurses have continuously griped about poor wages and deplorable working conditions.

Nurses from across the country, particularly in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), and on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara and in Georgetown, had complained

that their salary and work conditions were not allowing them to offer proper health care.

They lamented their paltry salaries and annual allowances such as $13,000 for uniforms and footwear and in some cases as little as $500 for risk allowance in some hazardous areas of work such as dealing with psychiatric patients.

Meanwhile, University of Guyana Health Sciences Faculty Director Wilton Benn outlined that there was a need for investment in nursing. “Investment in nursing is an investment in the health of the nation,” he said. He further stressed the need for nurses to be highly trained and qualified for their position in the health sector. He stated that the Faculty has so far invested in the training of nursing tutors to ensure that they were producing good graduates.

olice in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) are investigating the alleged rape of a teenage girl in her home by a family friend, who was vacationing in Guyana recently.

According to reports, the 15-year-old high school student who hails from Berbice, was at home alone with “an older gentleman” who was visiting from the United States and was staying at her house.

Guyana Times understands that the 57-year-old overseas-based Guyanese is a friend of the teen’s grandmother and would stay at their home whenever he is visiting.

It is alleged that the incident took place on August 16, however the matter was only reported to the Police on Wednesday night, by which time the alleged rapist had already returned to the US. Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, pointed out that the fact that the family waited some two weeks before lodging a complaint with the Police allowed the alleged perpetrator to return to the USA. “When they came to make the report it was

too late to arrest him because they made it when the man had already gone out of Guyana. However, we are still pursuing this case and whenever he returns to Guyana he will be apprehended and we will send the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice on the way forward.

We are not closing the case just because he isn’t here. Personally I will ensure that it is not left like this. If he is guilty then justice needs to be served,” Amsterdam vowed.

While investigations continue, the Divisional Commander is urging persons who have been physically or sexually assaulted to come forward as soon as possible and make an official report to Police so that

the perpetrators can be dealt with accordingly.

Amsterdam further lamented that there are many cases which do not even come to the Police directly as well as the fact that some persons take a long time before they come to the Police for help.

“The sooner they come then the sooner we can help them and the faster we can ensure that the guilty people are caught…If people do not come forward then they are denying themselves justice and delaying it also.

So I want people to rest assured that when you come forward and make your report we will handle your cases fairly and in a timely manner,” the Commander assured.

GWI officially sacks Lear Goring − insists decision based solely on lack of qualifications

T

he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has officially sacked ‘drug convict,’ Lear Goring, who served as the entity’s Debt Recovery Manager.

Public Relations Officer, Leana Bradshaw, released a missive from GWI to this effect on Thursday, in which the utility company explained that the decision was taken by the company’s Board of Directors.

The specially convened meeting of the Board of Directors to decide on Goring’s future with the water company was held on Thursday. Goring gained prominence recently when it was discovered that he and the entity’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles were both Directors of Atlantic Fuels Inc – an entity which was issued a fuel licence under questionable circumstances.Goring was also found to have been convicted of drug trafficking twice and was deported on both occasions from the United States of America (USA). According to Bradshaw’s public missive on Thursday, “the decision comes following a review of Mr Goring’s credentials, which do not satisfy the requirements outlined for the position.” The GWI communication further stated that “It should also be noted that the decision taken was based solely on a review of his qualification for

GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles

Lear Goring

the job.”

Goring had recently been sent on administrative leave pending investigations into reports that he was not qualified for the position of Debt Recovery Manager.

The matter had come to light when it was discovered that Dr Van WestCharles’ business partner had been hired shortly after the Managing Director’s appointment at GWI. Publicly available US court documents show that Goring was convicted in the early 1990s before being deported to Guyana in 1993. He was also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine in 1995 and he later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 63 months in prison by Judge K M Moore in a Brooklyn, New York court.

He had reportedly used a forged passport to make his way back to the United States.

Goring and another GWI employee were hired shortly after Dr Van West- Charles took office with neither of the positions being advertised. Guyana Times understands that Lance Mars and Goring, both of whom are reportedly close friends of the GWI’s Managing Director, were employed as a Consultant and Manager of the Debt Recovery Unit.

Dr Van West-Charles had told this publication that with respect to the hiring of Mars, there was “no need to advertise.” With regards to Goring’s appointment as Debt Recovery Unit Manager, Dr Van WestCharles had told this publication that Goring had applied for the job, was interviewed and subsequently hired. He had defended Goring’s employment, pointing to the $3 billion debts owed to GWI and said he needed a person in the position that he could trust.

guyana-times.com

O

ne of three young ladies will be selected to represent Guyana in the upcoming Miss India Worldwide Pageant slated for the latter part of the year. The con-

test is set for October 3-9 in New Jersey, USA. The three delegates will appear before a panel of judges on Saturday when they will try to impress the distinguished men and

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

woman in several segments, including Indian wear, evening gown, talent and intelligence.

After the final audition, the most suitable young lady will be selected and

crowned by the reigning queen, Lieve Blanckeart. After this, she will be involved in intense training to get ready for the international pageant.

Meet the finalists…

Name: Abigail Mohabir Age: 21 Height: 5’ 4” As an aspiring commercial lawyer, Mohabir enjoys reading, nature walks and music. She described herself as hardworking, talented, outgoing, passionate, competitive, sophisticated and very dedicated.

She also claims to be a down-to-earth person and loves to explore life.

“Miss Indian Guyana is more than just a beauty pageant, it’s building a foundation of a quality beauty ambassador.

I believe it is an opportunity to showcase talent, beauty, intelligence, and humanitarianism. I do believe that participating in this pageant would give me the opportunity to expose my true qualities as an ambassador for my beautiful country.”

Exidos releases new single, “Struggles”

Name: Tahirih Boodhoo Age: 25 Height: 5’ 6” Boodhoo loves writing poems, riding bicycle, swimming, modelling, drawing, dancing and singing. She believes diverse, persevering, spiritual, beautiful, charming, eloquent and intelligent are the main words that describe her as a person.

“Miss India Guyana franchise is one that is highly respected worldwide – it entails phenomenalism, nobility, culture and talent which is why I believe I am the best suited person to represent Miss India Guyana in this year 2016. I would be honoured to be an ambassador for this franchise.”

T

Name: Brittany Singh Age: 20 Height: 5’ 5” As an accountant in training, Singh enjoys fishing, baking, swimming, dancing, modelling, arts, craft, travelling and researching new ways of improving and developing herself, not only her physical appearance but also mentally.

“I love meeting new people and learning about the different ways of life. I believe when you show appreciation for the little things in life, you'll receive more than you've asked for. Miss India Guyana is something I had always aspired to be a part of with the hope of someday representing my country on the world stage.”

he rising star out of the West Bank of Demerara, Andre Spencer called Exidos, has been creating quite a stir with his recent tracks “Politician” and “Riddle Me” and with the release of his newest single, he is on the path to stardom. The new single “Struggles”, which was penned by the singer himself, will be released this weekend on several radio stations.

The song was recorded at AJ Studios under the AJ Records label. It is about the struggles and hardship the young artiste faced as a kid growing up. “At times I felt like giving up, but I didn’t let anything get me down because I always strive for suc-

cess and even when things were looking all wrong, I turned to the Lord,” the young man said.

It was with this in mind he wrote the song and performed it with lots of passion. The young man recently launched his mix tape with at least 12 tracks that were all written by him. He vividly recalled growing up on the Westside and playing marbles with his friends in the ghetto, while the rich kids would be at home playing video games.

He learnt to be humble and although his parents were not wealthy, he was content as a young man growing up. Now, he has the opportunity to elevate himself and set a better life for his family. He hopes one day to perform on the international stage with some of the best in the dancehall fraternity. Over the coming weeks, the young man will be releasing several other tracks.

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guyana-times.com

friday, september 2, 2016

M

iss World Guyana 2016 Nuriyyih Gerrard and a delegation, including 1st Princess, Region 7’s Treasure James; 2nd Princess, Region 2’s Najuma Nelson and an official team, have started a September 1- 6 New York tour.

While in New York, the reigning queen will make a number of appearances where she is expected to be sharing her vision for mental health in Guyana – her Beauty with a Purpose project.

Her first engagement starts with a Meet and Greet at the John F Kennedy Airport organised by Fly Jamaica, sponsors of the Miss World Guyana delegation’s travel to

Name: Faydeha

New York City.

Today, she will be attending a special Meet and Greet at the Guyana Consulate in Manhattan where she will present her campaign on mental health.

On the other hand, James and Nelson are also expected to pitch their Beauty with a Purpose projects and share some of their experiences as Miss World Guyana representatives.

Meanwhile, engagements have also been planned with the Guyana Cultural Association and media representatives.

The queen and her delegation, the Miss World Guyana franchise holder and

Board will be participating in the Moonlight Cruise on September 4, the West Indian Labour Day Parade and other events hosted by the Guyana Cultural Association.

After her tour, the beauty queen will continue her

King

Age: 23 Height: 5’9” Occupation: Human Resources Manager, Top Brandz Distributor Education: Diploma in Social Work, CAPE, CSEC Talent: Dance, drama, spoken word Interesting Facts: I have completed the junior and senior course in etiquette training. Because of my great management skills, I was promoted two times within one year of working for my company. Most of my weekends are spent at the Sophia Orphanage counselling children and volunteering.

Academic Honours/ Leadership Positions: In 2011, I was recognised as the most influential young person in Berbice. I am a certified peer counsellor.

Academic/Community/Professional Associations or Clubs: Leader of the domestic violence awareness and prevention club in Skeldon Community Service experience: Counselling in various parts of Berbice, counselling at different children’s homes, clean up campaigns Goal/Ambition: To have my degree in social work and open my own counselling centre, so that I may help in creating a better Guyana and in addition, create job opportunities.

Previous pageant experience: Miss Berbice 2010 – Queen; Miss Jamzone 2012 – 1st Runner Up; Miss Guyana Universe 2012 – 3rd Runner Up; Miss Bartica Regatta 2013 – Queen; Miss Jamzone 2015 – 1st Runner Up; Miss Guyana Caribbean Culture 2015 – Queen; Miss Caribbean Culture Regional 2015 – Miss Congeniality; Miss Guyana

Global International 2015 – 2nd Runner Up. Which places have you travelled to? Suriname, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua What primary message or concern would you advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016? The importance of trained social workers in Guyana Why should you be Miss Universe Guyana 2016?

I am driven by my passion for pageantry, and for making my country better. I have never quit on anything before and I stand by my commitments.

I believe life doesn’t have a remote, so you have to get up and change it – you. There is so much I want to do, so I can show young motivated girls, that it does not matter where you came from but where you want to go.

training for the international pageant billed for December in Washington, DC, where it is expected that 110 beauties from around the world will compete for the coveted title.

The Miss World Pageant is the first international pageant

in which Guyana has achieved repeated success. In 2014, Guyana restored her glory on the international stage after a 40-year gap when Rafieya Husain placed in the top 10, winning one of the most coveted prizes for her Beauty

Name: Ashley Cameron Age: 26 Height: 6’1” Occupation: Revenue Officer Education: Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate; CAPE, A-levels; Diploma in Micro Computer Studies, Degree in International Relations Talent: I am talented in singing, dancing, elocution, impromptu speaking, spoken word, dramatic poetry and acting.

Interesting Facts: I am the second to last child in my family, but the first to attend the University of Guyana.

Academic Honours/ Leadership Positions: I brought first place in impromptu speaking in high school and won best supporting actress for the play, “Macbeth”.

Academic/Community/Professional Associations or Clubs: I am a proud member of the Leos of Stabroek and I also work along with some friends in our own charity group called the Every Wish Foundation.

Community Service Experience: I donate clothing and school supplies to orphanages through my charity group, Every Wish Foundation.

Goal/Ambition: My ambition in life is to open the first recycling plant in Guyana. I would also like to travel to different countries to help women and children who have been displaced from their homes due to famine, war and natural disasters.

Do you have previous pageant experience? I was Miss Guyana Jamzone 2013 1st runner-up and Miss Global International Guyana 2013 1st runner-up.

Which places have you travelled to? Trinidad and Tobago, Panama and El Salvador What primary message or concern would you

with a Purpose campaign.

In 2015, the world witnessed Guyana winning its first talent title at the Miss World competition and once again placing in the top 10 with Lisa Punch. It’s now Gerrard’s turn to shine.

advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016? The primary concern I would advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016 is the need for social development and skills for women and children, especially those children who are about to leave high school and those women who lack academics to perform in the world of work.

Why should you be Miss Universe Guyana 2016?

I should be the next Miss Universe Guyana, because I am determined to not only set an example for myself, but for young women and my future generations to come. This pageant would encourage me to boost my self-esteem and build my confidence in being an ambassador for my community and country.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

guyana-times.com

S

tyle Mission, as the name so aptly suggests, is a special event concerning style, yet purposefully styled with a mission, in mind. Sonia Noel and

the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts had begun this mission some years ago, featuring her fashions, all designed to support the less fortunate, the financially challenged and the underprivileged.

This year, Style Mission returns with a bang…featuring a cross-section of local designers, all part of Guyana Fashion W e e k ( G F W ) 2016, under the creative direction of the Caribbean’s fashion guru, Richard Young, on September 11 at the Pegasus Hotel at 16:00h.

The charity is

geared towards assisting two outstanding persons in the creative field to seek further medical attention.

Popular actor/comedian Henry Rodney and former lead hairstylist and makeup artist for GFW, Corin Gibson, are both in need of assistance to meet their medical expenses. Style Mission 2016 is expected to raise funds so as to enhance the life chance of the individuals.

Noel, recently bestowed with an honorary doctorate and 2016 Philanthropic Leader award for her extraordinary philanthropic work, continues her style mission, as it were, by giving back to her community and elevating the ways we seek to develop nation-

19

building confidence among our citizenry.

The presentation also comes as a precursor t o GFW, highlighting an eclectic range of innovative designers and showcasing stylists, hairdressers and makeup artists alike.

The phenomenal Russell Lancaster will grace the proceedings with his inimitable singing style. Also featured at the event will be an auction of jewellery from King’s Jewellery World, a paint-

ing by Devina Deputron and a signature piece by Noel.

Local celebrities such as Ron Robinson, Merrano Isaacs, Jennifer Thomas and Sonia Yard will also be in attendance and will add that special touch. Ras Camo will be there to entertain with his music.

“Giving back is in my DNA,” Noel ecstatically said. It’s a premier event in aid of a worthy cause. Tickets cost $2500 and $4000, and are available at Nigel’s Supermarket and the Pegasus.

G

uyanese gospel singer and producer Samuel Medas has been nominated for seven Caribbean Gospel Music Awards. The nominations were announced two days ago. The award show and festival will take place in The Bahamas in the latter part of 2016.

Medas has been nominated for Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year (“Love Letter from Heaven”); Soca Vocal Performance of the Year (“They Don’t Know”); Album of the Year (“Ink of Intimacy”); New Artiste of the Year; Praise and

Worship Recording of the Y e a r (“Never Leave”); Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year (“The Truth”) and Song of the Year (“Love Letter from Heaven”).

The artiste expressed his excitement to be nominated alongside iconic names in Caribbean Gospel Music, like S h e r w i n Gardener, P a p a San, DJ Nicholas, Positive,

Jermaine E d w a r d s and Gates Praise. He contended that these were the people whose music he grew up on and they continue to have a huge influence on him.

“I’d love to say hard work paid off, but I know all too well that me reaching this far, and being nominated out of hundreds of other great artistes is just by the grace of God. And there’s an untold testimony behind that too. Thanks to the people who push me to higher heights,” Medas said.

The young singer is one of the most sought-after local gospel artistes and also produces music full time for a number of other gospel singers. He has repeatedly said that his music and his albums showcase his personal relationship with God.

C

hutney Glow in Popular Guyanese entertainers Team MMR, led by Wonder Boy WR Reaz, will be heading to the United States of America for the first time to be part of a grand event called “Chutney Glow”. WR will be accompanied by Selector Andy and without a doubt, they will create a stir.

They are expected to perform at several events,

but the main one will be held at Golden Terrace Banquet Hall, Richmond, NY on September 17. The event will feature some of the best in the chutney business, including Guyana’s own Terry Gajraj, Adrian Dutchin, Deeraj, Bunty Singh and others.

Also performing at the event will be well-known singing sensations Anant Hansraj and Omesh, New

York’s Angel Caribbean Band and many others.

WR noted that he was all hyped and ready to perform for members of the Guyanese Diaspora.

He expects to make his name in “Region 11” as one of the most versatile entertainment groups in Guyana. Team MMR has been around for quite some time and has been performing at various public events and weddings.

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

friDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016

ICC to look into Lauderhill fiasco T

he ICC will discuss the fiasco in Florida in its annual workshop for match officials next month. A 40-minute delay at the start of the India-West Indies T20I in Lauderhill on Sunday, for “technical” reasons, robbed the match of a result with rain arriving two overs into the second innings. Had the match begun on time - conditions at the ground were perfect at the regulation start time - the match would have been past the halfway mark of its second innings. Only five overs in each innings are required to be bowled for a result in T20 matches.

“At next month’s annual workshop, the match officials will be discussing a wide range of topics, including the second T20I in Florida,” an ICC spokesperson confirmed to ESPNcricinfo.

The ICC playing conditions have guidelines for de-

lays for only three reasons: rain, poor light, unfit playing surface. The match referee and umpires were left to make a subjective call

the start was unprecedented, but the events may not have been unprecedented: there have been at least two instances in recent times

In Hobart on February 28, 2012, the ground lost power during the innings break of an ODI between India and Sri Lanka. With

Despite the rain that washed out the second India-West Indies T20 in Lauderhill, the match may have had a result had its start not been delayed for ‘technical’ reasons

when the request to delay the match was made to them by the two “competing members”. The decision to delay

when broadcasters have had issues, but play went on without delay on both occasions.

the daylight still holding up, the second innings began at the scheduled time of 6.35pm even if it meant

Rare England whitewash looms after Headingly victory T

he England one-day bandwagon rolls on, a rare ODI series whitewash still in view, after they overcame a challenging position at Headingley.

Chasing a modest 248 they were troubled by the returning Mohammad Irfan, slipping to 72 for 4, but two players who did not even feature in the world record at Trent Bridge, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, broke the back of the target with a stand of 103.

For Stokes, who has had a frustratingly truncated season, it was his first fifty in any international format since February. He played some fantastically crisp shots, not least a brace of

drives early in his innings off Hasan Ali, and there was the chance for a maiden ODI hundred before he picked out deep midwicket.

Bairstow, meanwhile, had been a late call-up to play on his home ground after Jos Buttler tweaked a quad muscle during the warm-ups. He survived a tight run-out chance on 17 but had not lost any of his fluency from the Test series despite limited time in the middle since. He could not quite see the chase home in front of his home crowd, run out by a direct hit, his speed not saving him this time, but an adopted Yorkshireman David Willey - finished the job alongside Moeen Ali

SCOREBOARD Pakistan innings (50 overs maximum) Sami Aslam c Stokes b Plunkett 24 Sharjeel Khan c Stokes b Jordan 16 Azhar Ali* c Willey b Rashid 80 Babar Azam c Plunkett b Ali 12 Sarfraz Ahmed† c Plunkett b Ras hid 12 Mohammad Rizwan lbw b Rash id 6 Mohammad Nawaz st †Bairstow b Ali 13 Imad Wasim not out 57 Hasan Ali c Root b Jordan 9 Umar Gul not out 6 Extras (lb-3, w-6, nb-3) 12 Total (8 wickets; 50 overs) 247 Did not bat; Mohammad Irfan Fall of wickets 1-24 (Sharjeel Khan, 3.6 ov), 2-61 (Sami Aslam, 14.2 ov), 3-110 (Babar Azam, 22.4 ov), 4-136 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 29.5 ov), 5-152 (Mohammad Rizwan, 33.4 ov), 6-169 (Azhar Ali, 37.6 ov), 7-180 (Mohammad Nawaz, 40.5 ov), 8-236 (Hasan Ali, 48.5 ov) Bowling; DJ Willey 8-2-400, CJ Jordan 9-1-42-2 (nb-1, w-1), BA Stokes 4-0-15-0 (w2), LE Plunkett 9-0-61-1 (w2), AU Rashid 10-0-47-3 (w-

1), MM Ali 10-0-39-2 (nb-1) England innings (target: 248 runs from 50 overs) JJ Roy c Mohammad Rizwan b Mohammad Irfan 14 AD Hales c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Irfan 8 JE Root c Mohammad Irfan b Hasan Ali 30 EJG Morgan* c Sharjeel Khan b Umar Gul 11 BA Stokes c Babar Azam b Imad Wasim 69 JM Bairstow† run out (Azhar Ali) 61 MM Ali not out 45 DJ Willey not out 4 Extras (lb-3, w-7) 10 Total (6 wickets; 48 overs) 252 Did not bat; LE Plunkett, AU Rashid, CJ Jordan Fall of wickets 1-15 (Roy, 2.5 ov), 2-36 (Hales, 6.4 ov), 3-59 (Root, 11.2 ov), 4-72 (Morgan, 14.3 ov), 5-175 (Stokes, 34.1 ov), 6-225 (Bairstow, 44.2 ov) Bowling; Mohammad Irfan 5-126-2 (w-3), Umar Gul 10-1-391 (w-1), Hasan Ali 10-0-53-1, Imad Wasim 10-0-50-1 (w-2), Mohammad Nawaz 10-0-540 (w-1), Azhar Ali 3-0-27-0

Ben Stokes on the go during his top score of 69 against Pakistan at Headingly

with 12 balls remaining.

In the end, the result was comfortable for England once the middleorder pair found their stride and Irfan, who had caused the early problems, left the field with what was indicated to be cramp. When he tried to bowl again in the 42nd over he sent down one ball, which was so wide it missed the pitch, then walked off again. In the pavilion, Mickey Arthur had a face like thunder. With overs to fill, Azhar Ali was forced to bowl himself when Irfan may have forced a late wobble.

However, although perceptions can be warped so soon after seeing a record like 444 for 3, Pakistan’s total appeared significantly short. It had been anchored by Azhar’s 80 off 104 balls, but he was one of three wickets for Adil Rashid as England rarely lost control, although Imad Wasim again impressed with an unbeaten 41-ball 57. At least, though, there was a frisson of excitement

early in England’s chase for a crowd boasting strong Pakistan support.

Irfan roughed up Eoin Morgan before he fell to Umar Gul. At 72 for 4 they lost Joe Root, who had been closing in on an England record six consecutive ODI fifties when he hooked to long leg where Irfan steadied himself. It was the trickiest position England had been in since the opening ODI against Sri Lanka, at Trent Bridge, when Liam Plunkett’s last-ball six earned a tie. And this time there was no Buttler or, for that matter, Chris Woakes.

But they had Stokes, Bairstow and Moeen, which was more than enough.

Stokes was given a life on 34, when Mohammad Nawaz couldn’t hold what would have been a fine catch at deep squareleg from a fiercely struck sweep and Bairstow edged Imad narrowly wide of the keeper on 37. But Pakistan would have needed everything to go their way.

the broadcasters couldn’t show the first 3.4 overs of the chase. The power was restored before it became dark, and the match went on without delay.

A year before that, just before the start of an ODI series in India, the then host broadcasters Neo Sports had a run-in with Prasar Bharati, the government agency responsible for uplinking live telecasts out of India. The match began on time even though Neo lost out on broadcasting the first 2.5 overs of the match.

The ICC confirmed that its match officials had made the final decision to delay the start. “Taking into account the strategic considerations behind the staging of the two international matches in Florida,” the ICC said, “the match officials, on the request of the two competing members, agreed to tweak the playing hours to allow the host broadcaster

to overcome the technical difficulties.”

Such decisions are usually made by the match referee in consultation with the umpires. Ranjan Madugalle was the match referee for the Lauderhill match; the on-field umpires were Joel Wilson and Leslie Reifer and Nigel Duguid the third umpire. The “strategic considerations” here could allude to the objective of spreading the game in a new market. In fact, when the ICC sanctioned these matches, it welcomed them as capable of developing cricket in the USA. “The ICC has approved these matches because we believe they can play a significant role in the long term development of cricket in the USA and our ongoing efforts to unify the USA cricket community,” the ICC CEO Dave Richardson had said in a release. (Cricinfo)

GHB/Lucozade Indoor Hockey League…

Oliver holds off Bounty to put Vintage in semis ― Spartans ease past Old Fort

BY ROMARIO SAMAROO

W

ith the final four in contention for the championship in the Guyana Hockey Board/ Lucozade Indoor Hockey League at the National Gymnasium on Thursday, Oliver Rahim held off Bounty in a heated penalty shoot-out in the battle of the Georgetown Cricket Clubs teams; Vintage and Bounty, while in the female qualifier Marzana Fiedtkou sent Spartans into the Semis.

In the lone men’s game, a straight Knockout, the first half was all about excellent goal keeping skills from both the Bounty and Vintage goal keepers. However, with just three minutes remaining of the first half, Kevin Spencer worked his way past Rahim Oliver to a pair of goals in quick succession, ending the half with Bounty leading 2-0.

In the first minute of the second half, Eric Hing responded to put Vintage in contention. Hing’s accuracy was followed by that of Patrick Edgill two minutes later as the Vintage boys leveled the score early in the second half.

Hing once again returned to blast past goalkeeper, Medroy Scotland for the second time which sent Vintage in a 2-3 lead.

However, Bounty was not going to fold that easily with Kareem McKenzie scoring with just three minutes remaining in the match.

Spencer scored once more to send Bounty in the lead 4-3 but with less than a minute on the clock while Vintage leveled the field to send the see-saw battle into the penalty.

In the shootout, Oliver was the first to stop a tough shot by the Bounty boys.

Rahim Oliver

And after a mix up between the umpires it was awarded a save. On the other side, Vintage found an easy pass through Scotland to have Vintage lead 4-5.

Rahim once more defended like a pro and saved a second while Eric Hing netted his third and send Vintage through to the next round.

In the female contest, a resumption from Tuesday where only the first half was played before an unusual power outage ended the game prematurely with Spartans 2-nil up against Old Fort. Marzana Fiedtkou, picking up from where she left off, scored seconds into the second half thanks to a powerful assist from Dominique de Groot.

The Old Fort women were using the corners nicely as Dian Garnett put them on the scoreboard only to have Fiedtkou score the fourth goal and put Spartans in the semi-finals where they will meet Hikers with the winning team advancing to play GCC Pizza Hut in the finals on Saturday.

The semi-finals in both categories will be played this evening also at the National Gymnasium from 19:00h while the finals will be played on Saturday at the same venue also from 19:00h.

YELLOW PAGES friDAY, september 2, 2016 | www.guyana-times.com

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70-year-old plans to swim across Essequibo River A

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

fter conquering the Berbice, Demerara and Corentyne Rivers a swimmer has set his sights on the mighty Essequibo River and plans to swim across it on Tuesday.

Ashraf Ali has swum across the Berbice Ricer twice, the Demerara River twice and the Corentyne River once and now intends to take on the majestic Essequibo River in what is expected to be a six-hour swim.

The Berbice River took him one and a half hours, the Corentyne River four hours and the Demerara River thirty minutes.

The 70-year old Ali last swam across the Berbice River in 1998 and intends to do it again on Saturday (tomorrow) as he prepares himself for the swim of his life; the Essequibo River. The Demerara River swim was done in 1999 along with his

15-year-old daughter at that time and a few other teenagers.

To add to his experience, Ali has swum across Lake Mainstay twice.

The former Berbice High School student wants the Essequibo swim to also mark fist former school’s 100th anniversary and Guyana 50th Independence anniversary.

Tuesday’s swim will start at Rockstone and he intends to swim around Luck Island and then make it to the other side of the river. He estimated that it will take him six hours. “It will be a challenge to see if I can keep myself afloat for that long and if I can swim against the tide and with the strong current for that long.”

Ali has completed all of the swims that he has attempted; some of them accompanied and some alone.

“I will be doing the Essequibo swim alone because the water has piranhas, stingrays, caimans and anacondas…”

However, the Berbice River swim on Saturday might be done with others if anyone wants to take up the challenge.

On Tuesday Ali met Divisional Commander of Berbice Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam to discuss his plans. In congratulating the experienced swimmer, Amsterdam said the police will be there to give their support.

He, however, noted that it is always good when people can do things like that.

“It should act as a good motivator for the youths, we now have an Olympic size pool in Guyana and it is about time for us to start producing swimming champions. I wish you success and hope that more young people will take up swimming as a sport,” the Commander said.

Ali noted that he is also doing both swims to promote good health.

Table Tennis on agenda for National School Championships

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he annual Guyana Teachers Union (GTU)/ Ministry of Education National School Championships usually comprises of Track and Field, Cycling and Swimming but President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Godfrey Munroe made the disclosure at a recent press conference that the ultimate goal is to have the sport added to the 2017 edition of the championships.

“Ultimately, the goal is to have the sport added to the championships, the central aim of the plan is to orient students and players of the game in a fun way; secondly it is to develop school teams, school teams that will compete in inter-school, inter-district and culminate into the National frame work in terms of the National championships,” the GTTA President said.

Munroe added that “the GTU has agreed at their congress that they will enshrine it into the National championships where points will be allocated just like swimming, athletics and cycling”.

In revealing how the GTTA, plans to partner with the GTU and the Ministry of Education, Munroe disclosed that targeting specific districts in an effort to unearth talent.

He explained, “we are targeting eleven of GTU sport districts in six regions; we will be looking to pull the talent from the respective districts in clusters to bring into structured National teams as a way of developing those talents”.

The back drop of having the sport implemented into the National championships come from the fact that a nationwide outreach programme is on the cards.

“Soon we will be having a nationwide table tennis

for schools/National Athlete development plan where we will be targeting 106 schools, having resident coaches and for that the equipment are

Guyana Table Tennis Association President Godfrey Munroe

already in the country.

The aim to reintroduce the sport in schools across the country is a collaboration among the GTU, Guyana Olympic Association and the Government of Guyana through the National Sports commission.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

friday, september 2, 2016

GCB/CGI Jaguars Franchise League…

Fiery contest expected between Lower Corentyne & Georgetown T

he second round of action in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Cricket Guyana Inc. Jaguars Franchise three Day League is scheduled to get underway at 09:30 hours today at four venues across the country.

The four matches will see East Coast Demerara coming up against Upper Corentyne at the Enterprise Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara; West Demerara challenging Upper Demerara/ East Bank at the Everest Cricket Club ground at Camp Road and Carifesta Avenue; Lower Corentyne doing battle with Georgetown at the Albion Community Centre ground and Essequibo battling West Berbice at the Young Warriors Cricket Club ground, Cumberland East Berbice.

The fiercest of battles is expected between Lower Corentyne and Georgetown as top players like Jonathan Foo, Gajanand Singh,

Leon Johnson

Veerasammy Permaul

Jonathan Foo

Steven Jacobs

Veerasammy Permaul and Raun Johnson will turn out for the former team while the city team will be represented by Guyana captain Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell and Robin Bacchus.

Lower Corentyne dominated there first round encounter while a strong Georgetown unit surprisingly lost first innings to Upper Demerara/ East Bank. The city side will be looking to rebound while the Lower Corentyne team will aim to continue along the winning path.

Historically, the GCB featured three teams in their premier Inter county tournament, and then shifted its attention to include a fourth team, from which the GCB has now expanded its wings to have eight selected teams from across the country compete among and against each other.

This format has allowed for non-contracted players to have the opportunity to compete for a place in the Guyana senior team under Pay for Play, and to vie for future player contracts.

The Jaguars league system

is also built on the participation of quality and experience players and the encouraging existence of a semi-professional system.

During the first round of matches, Lower Corentyne and East Coast emerged victorious over Essequibo and West Demerara respectively, while the matches played between Upper Demerara/East Bank and Georgetown at Everest Cricket Club ground, and West Berbice and Upper Corentyne at Young Warriors Cricket Club ground, ended premature-

ly due to persistent rainfall on the third and final day.

Jonthan Foo was among the highlights of the first round by registering the first century of the Jaguars three Day League with an attractive 152, while Veerasammy Permaul had a match haul 10 for 80, whereas, Gudakesh Motie, Ameer Khan and Raymon Reifer each registered five wickets hauls.

Some of the notable players to look for in this round are; For Upper Corentyne; Devendra Bishoo, Anthony

Bramble, Assad Fudadin and Clinton Pestano.

Lower Corentyne; Veerasammy Permaul, Surujnarine Kandasammy and Raun Johnson.

West Berbice; Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie and Shimron Hetmyer.

East Coast Demerara; Rajendra Chandrika, Paul Wintz, Steven Sankar and Chanderpaul Hemraj.

Georgetown; Leon Joseph, Christopher Barnwell, Robin Bacchus and Dexter Solomon.

East Bank/Upper Demerara; Vishaul Singh, Trevon Griffith, Steven Jacobs, Sherfane Rutherford and Tevin Imlach.

West Demerara; Raymon Reifer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Akshaya Persaud, Romario Shepherd and Kemol Savory.

Essequibo; Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ronsford Beaton, Keemo Paul, Kevon Boodie and Anthony Adams.

Top players aim for Trophy Stall Title New route for 7th Annual Massy 10k road race

T

onight at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Pavilion the country’s leading dart players will take their aims as Trophy stall and the Guyana Dart Association (GDA) collaborate to host a dart tournament starting at 19:30h.

Vicious competition is predicted as this tournament is open to all registered members of the GDA. Registration will commence at 19:00h.

The tournament will comprise Male and Female Singles and Luck of the Draw Doubles with prizes being awarded to the top three performers in each category.

Some of Guyana’s top dart players namely; Sudesh Fitzgerald, Luis Merlano, Marvin Yaw, Lallchand Rambharose, Nicholas Seetaram, Adrian Damon, Terence Joseph, Mary Correia, Jaswantie Hiralall, Victorine Chandro and Melissa Smartt are ex-

- Missigher throws out challenge to Forde

T

National darts champion Sudesh Fitzgerald (right) and Luis Ramirez Merlano are expected to be in action tonight

pected to participate in the competition.

Recently, the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion at Thomas Lands has been

the new home of darts as it turns out to be very welcoming for the influx of enthusiasts.

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat U-17 League...

West Demerara action resumes this weekend

M

atches in the West Demerara F o o t b a l l Association (WDFA) in the inaugural GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League are set to restart this weekend after weeks of postponement due to consistent rain and a damaged outfield.

On Saturday, Slingerz FC will match skills with

Beavers FC from 12:00hrs while at the same time on Sunday, Eagles United will oppose Wales United.

In the Berbice Football Association, Mahaicony took full advantage of home turf to turn back the challenge of Monedderlust with a solid 3-0 whipping of their West Berbice challengers. Leading the victo-

he hugely anticipated 7th annual Massy 10k road race organized by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will now begin at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.

Over the years, the race began at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara after which the athletes head south along the West Bank of Demerara Public Road then east across the Demerara Harbour Bridge and north along the East Bank of Demeraar Public Road to finish in front of the Massy Headquarters but President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson has indicated that the schedule for the bridge does not facilitate the race along the regular route this year.

The race is expected to begin at 06:00H which clashes with the retraction of the bridge making it impossible to have the race along the traditional route.

Hutson stated that in the previous years, “The Demerara Harbour Bridge usually separates the boys from the men.”

This year the well-atry bid was Shane McKenzie who hammered in a second half brace after they were sent on their way compliments of a Nathan Johnny 28th minute strike.

McKenzie found shooting range in the 65th and 68th minute and made no mistake in converting both chances to seal full points for Mahaicony

tended road race will begin at Diamond Public Road where athletes will proceed north along the East Bank Public Road to end at the usual finish line.

Five time winner of the event, Cleveland Forde has already indicated that he will be looking to better his time and defend his title as the top runner; however, Winston Missigher who has been in good form will be looking to dethrone the

champion.

Forde, who is also in excellent shape for this race will be setting his sights on bettering the 33 minute mark is confident that he can run around 32 minutes while Missigher, who defeated Forde in the Gold Mile road race, will want to prove that his win over Forde was no fluke.

Apart from the usual prizes of trophies and hampers the top male and female runners will cart off with $75,000. Additionally, all the runners to cross the finish line located at the Massy headquarters at Ruimveldt will have their numbers entered into a draw for the chance to win a special prize of one laptop computer.

Hutson indicated that this prize is a way for the organizers to encourage participation and reward runners who show great fitness and wellbeing while helping to improve the sport. All athletes are advised that they are to assemble at the Massy headquarters prior to the race in order to be transported to the starting point.

On Saturday last in Essequibo, at the Queenstown ground, Dartmouth Dominators mauled Good Hope 7-0 on the back of a helmet-trick off the boot of Terrence Marks. Sunday’s match saw Henrietta winning via the walk over route from Queenstown United.

NAMILCO has for 47

years been Guyana’s main provider of wholesome and nutritious wheaten flour products (including Thunderbolt and Maid Marian flour) and a line of healthy and convenient value added products including Pholourie and Roti Mixes, Wheat up, Whole wheat and Harvest High Fibre flour.

Winston Missigher

guyana-times.com

friday, september 2, 2016

23

Frankies crowned Turbo Power Plus national champions F

BY DELVON MC EWAN

rankies domino team of West bank of Demerara received their spoils for winning the Turbo Power Plus Nationwide Domino Tournament at the awards ceremony at the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) Headquarters in South Ruimveldt Park on Wednesday evening.

The winning team stood at the summit at the end of the 39 team tournament which lasted three days from August 26-28. For finishing in the top position Frankies received a whopping five hundred thousand dollars $500,000.00 as well as a trophy and an extra pack of dominoes.

The Tournament began with thirty nine (39) teams and started later than the

F&H Supremes of Georgetown fought hard but had to settle for second place in the Turbo Power Plus Nationwide Tournament 2016

expected 17:30H mark due to the late arrival of out of town teams some of which came from as far as the Corentyne Coast, Berbice.

Finishing in a close second position were F&H Supremes with 71 games

followed by Providence with 63 Games. For placing second, F&H Supremes pocketed $200,000 while Providence walked away with $100,000.

The following is the full list of winners; 1st place

ANSA McAL fully supports RHTY&SC Town Week

- Frankies of West Bank Demerara, 2nd place - 71 Games - F&H Supremes of Georgetown, 3rd Place 63 Games Providence also of Georgetown, 4th place – Rugged of Georgetown, 5th place - Determine of the

West Bank of Demerara and 6th place - Masters of Georgetown Accolades also went to the following for their achievements; MVP of the Finals - Terry Boyce (Frankies), First Double Love of Playoffs - Worrel Thornhill (Ruff Riders), First Love of Finals Terry Boyce (Frankies), Best Female of Playoffs - Candace Anderson and Best Uniformed Team – Thunder.

To show her appreciation and good gesture, the President of the Georgetown Domino Association Faye Joseph presented A Trophy and $50,000 to Royals, a domino team that came all the way from the Corentyne Coast to take part in this Nationwide Domino Tournament.

Prize giving and award ceremony

The presentation ceremony was graced by the presence of representatives of the sponsors the Guyana Beverages Inc. including General Manager Mark Telting and Andre Noel the Turbo Brand Manager (Trinidad Based) as well as representatives of the local domino body.

Speaking at the presentation President of the Guyana Domino Association (GDA) Faye Joseph thanked the players for the level of competition over the three days as well as the discipline which was shown throughout the tournament.

While Noel encouraged the GDA to continue along the path of hosting a successful tournament to the magnitude of the Turbo Plus.

Western Tigers are favourites for Mayor’s Cup F

Public Relations Officer of ANSA Mc Al Dharshanie Yusuf and RHTY&SC, MS Executive Member Mark Papannah seal the Deal

R

egional business giants ANSA McAL has officially come on board as the official sponsor of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S organised Town Week in observance of the 46th anniversary celebrations of Rose Hall Town as a township.

Rose Hall, the smallest town in Guyana was granted the status of township on the 20th of September, 1970 and Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation was granted the approval from the Mayor and Town Council to organise a series of activities to celebrate the anniversary between September 14 and 25.

Ansa McAL’s sponsorship includes the rental of music sets, tents and stage for several public events, trophies for sports and educational competitions, operating a booth at the Career and Business Fair on Thursday 22nd and providing two Georgetown based artistes for the Grand Public Concert

scheduled for the 25th of September to end the almost two weeks of celebrations.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster was delighted that the long-standing sponsor of the RHTY&SC, M.S has come on board as an official sponsor of the Town Week, which would be the best ever organised in Guyana.

Ansa McAL’s massive sponsorship was the final puzzle to fall into place and the Secretary/CEO expressed gratitude to Marketing Director Troy Cadogan for approving the Club’s sponsorship request.

The Town Week would be organised by the eight cricket teams of the RHTY&SC, M.S and its Over 35 section. The almost two weeks of celebration would start with a Massive March Past and Opening Ceremony on the 14th of September and would conclude on Sunday September 25 with the hosting of the Historic Rose Hall Town Cuisine Competition and Public Concert.

Among the other programmes planned are a Television Documentary on the Township, Public Exhibition, Tourism Posters, Honouring of Top Students, Medical Outreach, Educational Competitions, Steel-band Concert and Dancing Competitions, Launching of a 40 pages Booklet, Career and Business Fair, Opening of Family Recreational Park and the honouring of residents over the age of 85 years.

President David Granger, the RHTY&SC Patron has been invited to take the salute at the March Past and deliver the Feature Address at the Opening Ceremony.

The eight cricket teams – RHT Farfan & Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Metro Females, Pepsi Under 19 & Intermiade and Gizmos & Gadgets First Division are urging all local and overseas based residents of Rose Hall Town to get involved in every one of the planned activities.

our teams are standing in the annual Mayor’s Cup Football Championship with Western Tigers being dubbed favourites for the title when the semi-finals kick off on Sunday September 4 at the Georgetown Football Club Ground, Bourda.

At this stage, the least one of the four teams will walk away with is the fourth place prize of $100,000 and the Ministry of State Trophy.

Western Tigers who are playing well in this year’s tournament got the ‘favourites’ tag after a commanding 7-2 victory over Eagles United of Linden in their previous encounter.

All eyes will be on Western Tiger’s Dwayne McLennon, who deposited three top class goals against Eagles to take his tally of goals in the tournament to eight.

Mc Lennon is dangerous, on his day, but when partnered with Dellon Kelly, Randolph Wagner, Andre Webber and Philip Rowley, the team could be difficult to contain.

Western Tigers is due to battle with the first team to have qualified for the semifinals, Ann’s Grove at the Victoria Ground in the second match of the night.

Ann’s Grove, are also not to be taken lightly with the likes of Quincy Johnson and Hikosie Denny in their lineup.

In the other semi final, Police will play Winners

Randolph Wagner

connection from 18:30 h.

The lawmen defeated Santos 3-0 to reach the final-four stage and will be relying on the energy produced by Quincy Holder, who scored twice in that contest. The high spirited Holder will be looking to lead from the front once again.Winner’s Connection, who are coming up against the lawmen will be looking to better their game, having barely squeezed past Riddim Squad, 1-0 on their way to the semis.

All of the matches will be played at the GFC ground, Bourda.

The teams be battling for the top prize of $700,000 and a trophy, compliments of Aruwai Resort while the second place finisher will receive $300,000 and the

Ansa Mc AL trophy. The third placed team will take home $200,000 as well as a trophy compliments of John Fernandes Limited and fourth place will pocket $100,000 and the Ministry of State trophy. Additionally, the top four teams will receive hampers from Ricks and Sari.

The top goal-scorer of the tournament will be the recipient of a three-piece living room suite compliments of AH&L Kissoon.

The 2016 edition of the Mayor’s Cup is sponsored by Top Brandz Distributors, Cummings’ Electrical Company Limited, MACORP, Busta Soft Drinks, Sterling Products Limited and Bakewell.

friday, september 2, 2016

Pg 22

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

New route for 7th Annual Massy 10k road race

70-year-old plans to swim across Essequibo River Pg 21

― Missigher throws out challenge to Forde

Flashback! Cleveland Forde crosses the finish line to win the Massy 10k road race in 2015

Ashraf Ali sharing a moment with Police Commander of B Division Ian Amsterdam after their meeting

Frankies crowned Turbo Power Plus national champions

Pg 23

National champions Frankies Domino Team pose with their spoils along with representatives of Turbo and the Guyana Dominoes Association

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