Guyana times daily

Media urged to report suicide cases sensitively

P17

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

5 shot as gunmen create mayhem at Ramada Princess Casino guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2842

Saturday, April 30, 2016

PRICE

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Business P16 community flays Govt on high crime rate

Unidentified man killed in Homestretch Avenue hitand-run P11 Sportfishing vessel launched P13 in Guyana

– 1 arrested after left behind by colleagues

Page 7

ECD man shot in failed execution – escape with $3M attempt All radio/TV/cable licences to be re-evaluated – GNBA

Gunmen storm Ruimzigt rice mill

$80 vat included

Page 10

AML/CFT Bill

Govt heading down hill P11 – PPP

Page 10

Page 3

Duo charged for illegal exporting ‘Towa Towa’ P8 birds Deadly prison riot

Prison Officer temporarily blinded P10 during uproar

Guyana National Broadcasting Authority Chairman Leonard Craig, Attorney Abiola Wong-Innis, Ameena Gafoor and Jocelyne Jossiah (left) on Friday at the inaugural press conference

Government gives GTT green light for 4G service Page 9

Health Ministry to investigate concerns of IPA and GAFDD Page 2

...amid calls to recall infant milk with vegetable oil

Temporary relocation

Vendors protest removal from P9 Stabroek market Square

2

news

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Health Ministry to investigate concerns of IPA and GAFDD ... amid calls to recall infant milk with vegetable oil

F

ollowing revelations by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD), that the product LAILAC infant milk was not suitable for babies, and its intent to recall the product from the local market, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton has announced that Ministry will be investigating the matter before making any pre-emptive decisions.

The rationale for such a decision the minister said, is because he was only informed about the issue through newspapers and while he has full faith in the GAFDD and recognises the authority vested in the body to effect its mandate, he has also heard the grievances of the business people, and “in the interest of good governance I would want to find out more.”

His statements come in the wake of information reaching Guyana Times

that suggests the GAFDD issued an ultimatum to IPA to remove LAILAC “infant milk” from the local market, giving the body 15 days to acquiesce. IPA failing to comply with the ultimatum from GAFDD would see

that product being seized.

The body rationalised the impetus for its decision based on two things: the use of vegetable oil as a substitute for milk fats in the infant milk; and the non–availability of evi-

dence by the IPA to show that LAILAC is freely sold and distributed in France, where it is being produced, a condition necessary for the product to be compliant with the Food and Drug Regulation (12) of 1977.

GAFDD had said that LAILAC infant milk, a product distributed by the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) cannot be considered "infant milk", because of its specific vegetable oil content. The importance of the issue was highlighted because of the potentially deleterious effect the vegetable oils could possibly have on infants Information from GAFDD highlighted that the composition of the LAILAC milk is not suited for infants since the compound used to replicate the natural milk fat found is breast milk was listed simply as vegetable oil.

Exacerbating the situation was that the product

and usually fortified with iron (as recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics)… The natural content of milk fat is poor in these fatty acids and does not allow the formulae to reach the minimum requirements. For this reason, it is necessary to use vegetable oils.”

It ignored however the GAFDD's point that the specific vegetable oils were not identified, which could be potentially harmful to infants as described above.

The IPA had said that “LAILAC Infant milk is manufactured by NUTRIBIO, located in France.” The company produces several brands of milk including Nactalia and Lailac. “It produces several

has no information highlighting which particular vegetable oil is used in the imported milk.

It was also stated that the Materials Management Unit of the Public Health Ministry had complained about defective batches of the LAILAC milk.

While vegetable oils can be used as substitutes for the fats in "mothers’ milk", they must be of a specific type that lend themselves to be digested by the infant.

Many vegetable oils are broken down into fatty acids that are simply excreted by the baby more dangerously can combine with other substances such as glycerol to form soaps which can adversely affect the infant.

The IPA has since sought to rebut the statements made by GAFDD, citing the body as being “discriminatory” and “deliberately” targeting the company.

In seeking to substantiate its claims that LAILAC is indeed suitable for infants, the importer highlighted that “All milk based baby formulas are made with cow’s milk, vegetable oils, vitamins, minerals

brands of products of which LAILAC is the brand marketed in the Middle East, Caribbean and Africa. In this region, Guatemala also imported this brand. All its products are manufactured in France.”

Against a background of widespread concerns that substandard products are frequently shipped to Third World countries, the statement that LAILAC is not distributed in France or Europe, but to "Middle East, Caribbean and Africa” - all Third World countries – can be considered red flags.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr Karen Cummings, who was quoted in the media as saying: “I have been advised that while it is labelled milk it should not be labelled as such since it is fortified with vegetable oil and not milk fats. Further it is made in France but not sold in France. We have adopted the standard that any product to be distributed in Guyana must be used in the country where it is produced.”

news

3

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, April 30 – 11:00h-12:30h and Sunday, May 1 – 12:30h-14:00h.

T

Saturday, April 30 – 10:10h-11:40h and Sunday, May 1 – 11:35h-13:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East South-easterly between 1.78 metres per second and 4.02 metres per second.

High Tide: 10:26h and 23:18h reaching maximum heights of 2.26 metres and 2.23 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:54h and 16:38h reaching minimum heights of 1.05 metres and 0.29 metre respectively.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

03 04 09 10 15 21 20 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Friday, April 29, 2016 Daily Millions

03 13 15 22

01

LUCKY 3 1

6

6

Draw De Line 02

04 06 08 10

All radio/TV/cable licences to be re-evaluated – GNBA

13 20

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

he Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) will be re-evaluating all radio, television and cable licences in keeping with a new national plan for frequency allocation and coverage.

This announcement was made on Friday when the Broadcasting Authority hosted its inaugural press conference to discuss concerns over the regulation of the broadcasting industry.

Some of the issues raised by the GNBA include the restructuring of broadcasting fees and licensing requirements; modifying the conditions for application with respect to new and existing licences; introducing new guidelines for retraining of monitoring personnel and monitoring of broadcast programming; among others.

Chairman of the Board of Directors Leonard Craig indicated that his expectation is that everyone (licence holder and new applicants) will have to re-apply and in the re-application process you are considered on the merit of your application. He elaborated that his interpretation would be a “re-evaluation” based on merit.

Craig termed this process as “putting everyone in one pool” and then evaluating them based on the premise that there is not enough frequencies to effectively support every one. The pool includes all current licence holders and 44 applicants.

Commercial zones The GNBA intends to implement a new commercial zoning system which will attract separate fees based on the zones. The primary zone includes Georgetown and the areas encompassed in 30 miles of such at a fee of $1.2 million per annum for Television (TV) stations, with radio licensing requiring $2.5 million per

GNBA Chairman Leonard Craig

annum.

The secondary zone inclusive of Berbice, Bartica and Essequibo will seek to incorporate a fee of $600,000 per annum for TV licences and 1.25million per annum for radio licences. The tertiary zoning licence inclusive of Linden, Lethem and Mabaruma will go at a fee of $300,000 for TV and $625,000 for radio licences per annum.

The Board of Directors will also look to facilitate community stations for marginalised and Hinterland areas at $150,000 for TV stations and $321,500 for radio stations per annum respectively.

According to the GNBA, “the fee for each zone is 50 per cent less than the preceding zone.

Nevertheless, the policy of 3.5 per cent of gross income whichever is greater, will stand” and operators desirous of extending to more than one region, subject to approval, will be required to pay the annual fee applicable to the additional zones.

The Authority is still deliberating on fees for the cable systems. The GNBA is currently in discussions with the National Frequency Monitoring

Unit for allocation of frequencies.

The GNBA has indicated that after careful study the fees for television was reduced since it was found that income generation for TV is less than in radio. The body then posited that there are currently seeking to collect monies owed to them in TV to the tune of $120 million.

Defaulters will be met privately to determine an adequate option to resolving the issue. However, discussions are in progress as to the effect of an amnesty period for defaulters on television license.

Rating systems The Board is also contemplating the introduction of ratings systems.

This system will see 20 per cent locally produced programmes within the first year of broadcast.

Local broadcast includes

newscasts, music, documentaries and public service announcements.

Additionally, the Directors are pressing for US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) ratings regulating the structure of TV schedules.

TV-G and TV-PG rated shows will be allowed during the day with TV-PG13 rated materials will be allowed to show from 20:00h followed by TV-PG17 productions after 22:00h. The rating system is prohibiting the airing of TV-M, TV-R and TV-X. Consequently, the Board is currently in preparation of a set of guidelines for all broadcasters.

As it relates to commercials, the Board is instituting not more than 15 minutes per hour of commercials as “it affects the smooth continuity of the programmes,” as well as the practice of stringing together one commercial after another which cuts into the programme content. Such practices will incur sanctions if not adhered to the GNBA’s outlined guidlines.

The Board says it is currently preparing a set of guidelines for all broadcasters.

The conference was represented by the Board of Directors including Chairman Craig, Attorney Abiola Wong-Innis, Victor Insanally, former broadcaster Anthony Vieira, Ameena Gafoor and Jocelyne Jossiah. The panel recommends “a complete review” of the spectrum allocation.

4

guyana-times.com

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Precarious crime situation

I

t is no surprise that Government is receiving severe blows for its ineffective response to the spiralling crime situation gripping the country at present.

Over the past few days, bandits have been creating havoc in communities across the country and citizens are expressing a deep sense of fear that they could be pounced upon at any time. We have seen the most brazen attacks recently which have left many businesses and ordinary citizens wondering when the authorities would be able to get a firm grip and arrest the situation once and for all.

To begin with, Government, in particular the Public Security Minister, seems incapable of dealing with the crime situation.

To date, in spite of a number of brazen attacks, the authorities are just making promises to citizens that the security situation in the country will improve. The bottom line is that citizens are losing patience with Government, particularly the sector that is responsible for ensuring citizens enjoy some level of comfort and safety. Citizens are demanding more from those elected to serve their interests and it is only reasonable that they fulfil those expectations.

As recent as Friday morning, gunmen stormed the Princess Casino in the most daring attack in recent times our country has experienced. It was reported that during the early morning robbery, several persons were injured and the gunmen escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

One would think that considering the high level of security systems in place at such a secured business establishment, the gunmen would have been hesitant to launch such a brazen attack on the premises. However, from all indications, the gunmen were not scared at all.

Also on Thursday, in broad daylight, armed bandits entered a La Penitence grocery shop in another brazen robbery attack, in the process shooting the owner of the business establishment and escaping with cash. In addition to these two cases, there were many other daring robberies over the past few weeks carried out against both businesses and individuals; and certainly the level of fear and uncertainty is increasing in society.

These most recent cases should serve as a reminder that criminal elements are coming up with new and more sophisticated methods in carrying out their criminal acts and certainly the security apparatus of the State should take this into consideration.

From all indications, it seems as if the bandits are now acting with impunity as there is no fear whatsoever of the law enforcement officers. This could be due to the fact that government has been sending mixed signals in relation to its position on crime.

There is a perception that the President is more concerned about pardoning criminals as against sending a strong signal to everyone that no form of criminality will be condoned While pardoning prisoners is not entirely a bad action, the fact that government has kept the identities of the criminals hidden from the public, portrays the message that these criminals are being protected. It should be noted that these pardoned prisoners were convicted not of nonviolent crimes but of “hardcore ones.”

Further, it must be noted that the Administration has taken a laid back approach to dealing with the crime situation, Many are asking where is the crime prevention plan that APNU/AFC boasted about during the May 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign.

Certainly, the statistics so far in relation to serious crimes are worrying and underscore the need for urgent action by the Ministry of Public Security and the relevant law enforcement agencies.

Government must provide the resources needed to fight crime, eg more patrol vehicles, manpower, and so on.

Additionally, there is dire need for the police to step up efforts as it relates to more intelligence-led policing. Building better community relations will certainly go a far way in helping them to be successful in this regard.

At present, the general perception is that government is powerless, ineffectual, and out of their league in fighting crime.

We are almost midway of 2016, and the situation does not look as if it is improving, especially as it relates to the number of armed robberies taking place.

We urge government to revisit the issue of the increasing crime rate and take the necessary action that will hopefully result in some sense of order and decency.

A picturesque view of the Demerara River and farm lands

Freddie’s unjust attacks against Rhyaan Shah and Swami Aksharananda

Dear Editor, In separate recent columns, discredited columnist Freddie Kissoon unjustly attacked Indo-centric writers Ryhaan Shah and Swami Aksharananda, calling them “racist for exposing the victimisation and racism Indo-Guyanese and Amerindians experienced under the APNU-AFC coalition”; thousands of IndoGuyanese and Amerindians were terminated or replaced

by Afro-Guyanese supporters of the PNC. Freddie does not dispute that Indo-Guyanese are victims of racism, but he feels Shah and the Swami should also have “addressed the hiring practices of the PPP when it was in office”. Freddie hints but offers no evidence that Afro-Guyanese faced employment discrimination under PPP rule.

Shah and the Swami addressed this question honestly. When PPP assumed office in 1992, 98 per cent of the staff was AfroGuyanese.

When PPP was removed from office in 2015, about 86 per cent of the staff was Afro-Guyanese.

Since May, most IndoGuyanese and Amerindians who PPP hired have been replaced. There is no place for discrimination in our nation regardless of which party is in governance.

Replacing alleged PPP discrimination with real APNU-AFC discrimination is not the way to govern the nation. The APNUAFC had promised during the election campaign there would be no discrimination against Indo-Guyanese or Amerindians, who were supporters of the PPP, when appealing for their votes.

Tens of thousands

of Indo-Guyanese and Amerindians crossed over to the APNU-AFC coalition as a result of that APNU-AFC commitment. To fire IndoGuyanese and Amerindians or replace them with AfroGuyanese on the (nonfactual) basis that PPP discriminated against AfroGuyanese is not acceptable and must be opposed.

Shah, Swami and other serious scholars don’t pay attention to Freddie because they recognise he is a failed academic. Freddie does not understand the concept of racism because he did not study sociology or political science or anthropology – the disciplines under which racism is studied.

Freddie claims he studied philosophy and he said he was denied a PhD and expelled from the university and deported. I chose to respond to Freddie to correct his inaccuracies and misunderstanding of concepts and for historical posterity.

In assailing Shah, Freddie cowardly did not mention her name although he mentions Swami’s name, but he disrespects Swami by not according him that title. There is no name called Aksharananda. It is Swami Aksharananda -shows Freddie’s poor cultural upbringing.

Freddie is disrespectful to Swami probably because Swami has a doctorate and Freddie was expelled from university and misleading readers that he has a PhD. And clearly, Shah clearly gets under his skin – and that’s because she ignores him as does Swami and others.

One can tell Freddie was a failure based on his writings. He demonstrates gross misunderstanding of a simple concept as rac-

ism. He defines a racist as someone who writes on his ethnic group. So according to Freddie, Eusi Kwayana, Tacuma Ogunseye, David Hinds, Eric Phillips, David Granger, Clive Thomas, Barrington Braithwaite, Robin Williams, Abu Bakr, etc are all racists, but Freddie would not call them as such recognising they would deal with him.

So Freddie reserves the label only for Indo-centric writers because as letter editor Freddie would not print responses. Those Afro-centric writers, like Indo-centrics, are not racist for writing on or defending their group. When writers speak as Indo-Guyanese or write on Indo-Guyanese they are racists, but when Afro-Guyanese speak as such they’re never condemned or seen as racists.

Freddie carries their letters but not Indo-Guyanese writers. Freddie is his own worst enemy and is tangling himself in his own web of inconsistencies.

Freddie should take the advice of CN Sharma and “take his medication”.

Racism is the belief that one’s group is superior to another group or when (members of) one group attacks (sometimes violently) another group or when a government pursues policy to discriminate against (persecute) an ethnic group.

During the period of the dictatorship (1966 thru 1992), Indo-Guyanese, Portuguese, Amerindians and Chinese were denied employment and or faced discrimination. That is racism. Foods, goods and religious paraphernalia used

by Indo-Guyanese were banned.

That is racism and the perpetrators (some now in

official government positions as part of APNU) were (are) racist. Indo-Guyanese were violently attacked; that is racism. The dictatorship encouraged kickdown-door banditry against Indo-Guyanese; that is racism. Being silent when all of these racist practices were occurring makes you racist.

Hinds, Ogunseye, and Kwayana spoke out against PNC racism and some of the violent attacks on IndoGuyanese. Freddie did not speak out against the abuses and violence meted out against Indo-Guyanese; that would make Freddie an anti-Indian racist. PS: Swami and Shah or other Indo-centric writers do not advocate Indo-Guyanese inherent superiority over any group and Indo-Guyanese do not violently attack any group; so they can’t be racist.

All of them and this writer advocate racial equality and sharing of the nation’s resources based on racial equity. Freddie calls for the domination over and persecution of Indo-Guyanese because they are supporters of PPP. That confirms Freddie is a racist anti-Indian hater.

Freddie is an APNUAFC sycophant lacking independence and objectivity in analysis. For Freddie, anything Indian and/or PPP is bad. He is frothing from his mouth; witness his grovelling to APNU to keep his job as columnist and letter editor. And that is why Indians honour him with the gharpoochna feeder title, an honour he deserves for lacking self-respect and integrity.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyana-times.com

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

5

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

The racist tactics of the APNU/AFC regime Dear Editor, The APNU+AFC regime has clearly displayed their racist policies in their attitude towards the IndoGuyanese and Amerindian population of our country.

One of the first moves the regime made when they took office was to commence mass dismissals of persons of these ethnic groups from the public service.

The discrimination, especially against IndoGuyanese, has continued, particularly at the level of the state corporations, including GuySuCo and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), among others.

Indo-Guyanese now live in a state of great appre-

hension, wondering what next the regime will use to victimise them because of their race.

The situation in the sugar and rice industries is also a demonstration of the racist tactics being practised by the regime.

However, they reserve some of their vilest attacks for the Afro-Guyanese supporters of the PPP/C. Kwame Mc Coy is one such victim who is hated/despised by the regime because he is a strident supporter/activist of the PPP/C. This makes him enemy number one for them.

During the 2015 elections, Kwame was seriously injured by ardent supporters of the APNU+AFC;

his suffered a broken nose and was hospitalised for several days.

The regime has also brought trumped-up charges against him. In the early days of its assumption to office, Mc Coy was arrested on a fake murder charge and forced to endure several days in prison under horrific conditions. He was also dragged before the court shackled in chains.

Now again, the regime has resurrected another case. This time involving Mark Benschop, a known political provocateur, stating that Kwame damaged his (Benschop’s) property, etc.

This incident occurred more than five years ago.

The most troubling occurrence is that the political directorate is using the police to harass their opponents.

Mc Coy, in a statement issued to the press, pointed out that three eyewitnesses testified that he was not present when the alleged incident involving Benschop’s vehicle being damaged occurred.

The police refused to place those eyewitness’ statements in Mc Coy’s file before it was sent for review. The only purpose for this act was to ensure that Kwame was charged and placed in the lockups.

This could be seen as an act to punish and humiliate him because of his be-

Dear Editor, With reference to the letter written by Sase Singh captioned “The de-recognition of rural Guyana” which you published on 24 April, 2016 the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindus for Selfless Service-HSS) takes the opportunity to publicly agree with the views stated.

HSS holds the same certainty that the Hindus and youths from the rural geography of this country should be taken into perspective as we move to construct the new Ethnic Relations Commission.

How can one form a national body when the representations of the people from the different walks of life are not equally being represented? Why must central Guyana have majority of the say on national Guyana! Did the relevant authority elaborate the importance of the ERC within the rural areas? Aren’t our “Country” men and women superlative too? Are we ruralist ruled out?

HSS has its roots in the rural areas, working for 20 years in this country. The core of HSS is the Hindu youths, young men and women who have been selflessly serving society.

With many influential leaders and youths, HSS has worked within many rural communities in recruiting and reforming young Hindus and to some extent non-Hindus, all in the aim to serve this nation.

HSS has touched all three counties of Guyana, such as Morasi, Leguan, Wakenaam, Charity, La Grange, Stewartville, Vergenoegen, Cummings Lodge, Blairmont, De Edward, Skeldon, just to name a few.

Over the years HSS has

been working in the areas that are often overlooked.

In 1997, we were actively involved in one of the very first Suicide prevention awareness programmes held at Cove and John Hindu Collage.

Who can forget Guyana’s flood disaster in 2005? In addition to the 120,047 hot meals and 73,889 hampers and dry ration distributed, HSS joined with other Hindu groups to cook and distribute over 3000 hot meals, braving the vulnerability in delivering medical supplies to the thousands affected in its three days/ nights relief effort.

In 2011, the group continued the fight against suicide by hosting seminars in the rural communities and even had some of its members trained as “Gatekeepers”.

Gatekeepers gave support to the then Ministry of Health in its approach for National Suicide Prevention.

HSS has being doing work, from helping children with aids for schooling to collaborating with Hindu groups in steering and hosting International Day of Yoga. We gathered youths from all ethnic groups to attend the HSS honouring ceremony of our cricket great - Shiv Chanderpaul. This was no different when we illuminate HSS Guyana’s 1st National Diya last November at Rahaman’s Park.

Just as recent as last weekend HSS organised a massive youth cricket play-off where talents that are often overlooked was brought to light. HSS composition is with the Hindu

youths of Guyana and moreso those of the rural areas.

During HSS chowtaal session with President David Arthur Granger at the State House - our “I LOVE GUYANA” project was publicly announced by one of our members. The president was enchanted to know of move in assisting to make Guyana a better place.

The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh hits the nail right on the head since we are not just a Hindu organisation but it is filled with a number of talented and educated youths whose aims are to serve Guyana. Why are we ruralist ruled out?

Are we ruralist ruled out?

Sincerely, Praem Narine Rambharak (Satesh)

ing a PPP/C supporter/activist. .

Mc Coy’s continued harassment is not an isolated case; it is a continuation of racist policy of the regime and which has clearly and openly shown their intolerance to criticisms levelled against them.

Recently, the regime cancelled the leases that were granted to some thirty Afro-Guyanese farmers in the West Berbice area. These lands were state lands which the former PPP/C administration leased to landless farmers and those already cultivating land, but were being exploited by persons claiming to be members of a coop.

The ‘co-op’ was investigated and it was recommended that it should be disbanded. This entity was controlled by a little clique of known PNC/APNU members.

The cancellation of these farmers’ leases was another vindictive act designed to ‘teach’ a lesson to Afro-Guyanese people not to support and/or work with the PPP/C. As can be gleaned from the above, the persons who were granted leases to farm the land are poor farmers, who badly need the income gained from their crop to support them-

selves and their families.

The regime obviously intends to punish these farmers or force them to humiliate themselves by begging pardon of the PNC big shots.

These acts of victimisation and racism have clearly shown that the PNC has not changed their ‘leopard spots.’

They not only discriminate against IndoGuyanese, but also against Afro-Guyanese who dare show an iota of independence and action.

This will only bring our country to economic and political disrepute in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

6

saturdAY, april 30, 2016

Page

guyana-times.com

Foundation

5 tips for parenting together when your styles conflict

BY PAM MYERS, BSED

Y

our parenting style began to evolve when you were a small child. How you were parented, your experiences growing up, and your values shape how you approach parenting. Your goals for your child and your definition of parenting success play an important role in your personal parenting style.

Y o u r spouse comes to the role of parenting with his own experiences, beliefs, and values. Often styles can conflict. When two parents don’t agree on how to raise their children, it isn’t just difficult on the marriage, it’s challenging for the children. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel – with an open heart and an open mind, the two of you can work together.

Understand your style

There are essentially three different styles of parenting. There is authoritarian, which entails strict rules and consequences.

Authoritative parenting also has rules and consequences. However, it’s more responsive to the particular child’s personality and needs. Permissive parents place few rules on their child and are quite lenient. Understanding where your style fits,

cessful adult?

Talking about will help both of you realize that while there may be differences, there are also similarities.

Establish a system that supports team parenting

Agree on how you’re going to approach parenting together. For example, small issues can be handled in the moment.

However, larger discipline problems may be handled together after you’ve had a chance to discuss the situation.

Allow room for mistakes

Create a plan

and where your spouse’s style fits, is the beginning.

Communicate

Sit down and talk about what you each view your role as a parent to be. What are your goals? How do you define a successful parent?

What values do you want to instill in your child and how do you think you can help them grow up to be a suc-

Consider creating what you might call a parenting mission statement. This outlines the various areas that are important to you and your family, and what priorities you want to emphasize. For example, in terms of education, what do you expect from your child?

Creating a parenting plan gives you both a template to work from and it’s a document that you create together.

Neither parent is perfect and both will make mistakes. Blame, anger, and conflict don’t help either one of you nor does it help your children. Keep parental conflict away from your children and discuss your differences calmly.

Finally, if you’re struggling to come to an agreement, consider getting professional help. A parenting class or a counselor can help the two of you come together.

It is possible for you to find common ground and parent even when your styles conflict. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

T

imes are changing.

Things that were considered unheard of a few decades ago are becoming more common each day. With the norm being changed so drastically men and women have sometimes begun to switch roles in the family. Having women in the work place isn’t exactly a new concept anymore.

But men staying home with the family is still relatively rare. The lack of precedence can make things a bit of a challenge sometimes. But that’s okay. It’s human nature to want to overcome challenges.

The first thing a stay-athome dad needs to remember is that they don’t have the exact same maternal instincts as a woman would.

That isn’t to say that a man doesn’t want to care for his kids just as much, but rather that he often has to think about it a little more. At least at first. Over time you can develop that instinct and it will become second nature.

A man’s natural instincts usually come out in more of a hunter form than that of a caretaker. While a mother may typically want

to make the world safer for her child, a man is more likely to want to make the child tough enough for the world. These are very similar ideas that are still drastically different. Especially when dealing with younger children, it is always a good idea to make them feel safe. This means providing a safe environment for them to grow and explore in. You don’t have to neglect teaching them the skills they’ll need when they’re older.

But never forget that they are not on their own just yet.

One of the hardest thing a stay-at-home father will face is the fact that even though society is coming around, it’s still not quite used to seeing a man playing at the park with his toddler on a weekday afternoon. The father will sometimes have to catch a dirty look or two when he explains that his spouse works while he takes care of the baby. If you are happy with this arrangement you’ve made with your family then the best thing you can do is to own it. be proud of what you do. After all, you are personally seeing to it that your children grow up well.

Sometimes a father will be stricken with a sense of helplessness. He may feel a need to get out of the house and work or do something else that he finds productive or enjoyable. This feeling isn’t exclusive to men.

People want to feel that they’re doing something with their time. The primary caregiver should always remember that spending time with, and raising, his or her children is a very important job. Not to mention that working and caring for your kids is not impossible.

Just look at how many single parents have pulled it off in the past.

Society will continue to shift and change for as long as it exists. social norms will be built and rebuilt.

If you’ve found a structure that works for you and doesn’t harm anyone else, why should you care if it’s considered normal right now? If being a stayat-home father is what the future, or even the present, holds for you, then so be it.

Just remember these few things and be the best stayat-home dad you can be. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

news

7

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

5 shot as gunmen create mayhem at Ramada Princess Casino

– 1 arrested after left behind by colleagues

F

ive persons were shot after gunmen invaded the Ramada Princess Casino, at Providence, on the East Bank of Demerara in the wee hours of Friday morning.

According to reports, pandemonium broke out at the gambling facility after four gunmen stormed the Casino at about 03:45h and discharged several rounds as they relieved patrons and staff of cash and other valuables.

During the shooting, Eon Garraway was shot to his left hand; James Gregory was hit to the left foot; Orlando Knights received injuries to the left hand; and Udairan Sookraj was shot to his right hand. They were all admitted to a city hospital.

The gunman captured by Police is loaded into the back of a Police vehicle

In addition, Melissa Ferguson, Jermaine Mason and Roshel Fraser were also assaulted by the armed men during the episode. Based on reports received, after the men entered the facility, they held a security guard on duty at gunpoint and

took away his shotgun and several rounds of ammunition.

The men then ordered everyone to lie on the ground and escorted the security guard to the cashier’s cage where they relieved the cashier of an undisclosed

sum of foreign and local currency. By this time, the police were alerted about the robbery in progress and responded promptly.

As they arrived at the scene, they were confronted by the armed men which resulted in an exchange of gunfire. During the exchange, Police Lance Corporal Andrew Richardson attached to Impact Base, Brickdam Police Station was shot to his abdomen. He was admitted to a city hospital and reportedly underwent emergency surgery.

Meanwhile, during the shootout, one of the bandits was captured and taken into Police custody. The firearm that was taken away from the security guard was recovered. The other three men managed to escape.

Pomeroon boat ‘accident’

Suspect released on bail A s Police probe the circumstances surrounding the death of Abdool Shameer, 58, a labourer who went missing on Monday evening in the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the two suspects in the alleged murder have been released on ‘substantial bail’.

This is according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum who revealed that the men’s 72 hours holding period was up, and as such Police were mandated to release them on bail.

Shameer’s body was recovered in Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini) on Thursday. Initial reports had stated that about

Dead: Abdool Shameer

02:00h on Monday, Shameer also called Mohamed Shameer, of Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon, was crossing the

Pomeroon River in his boat when another boat, which was powered by an outboard engine, collided with him.

After the collision Police said, Shameer could not be located; however, the 33-year-old captain of the other boat, who hails from Siriki, Pomeroon River, was unharmed.

Suspicions were raised after it was revealed that the dead man and the surviving captain had “old grievances”.

Meanwhile, a passenger of the suspect’s boat confessed that after the collision the captain allegedly disposed of the man’s body.

When questioned by Police, the eyewitness alleged that

the captain took the body to Moruca, where he disposed of it. The eyewitness later took Police to the scene where the body was buried and family members positively identified the remains.

The body was retrieved and taken to a Charity funeral home. An autopsy will be performed shortly.

According to the dead man’s brother Fizal, he last saw Shameer on Monday morning about 10:30h in the Jacklow area. He said he left to visit a friend at Jacklow and upon returning, the accident occurred. Family members are contending that the act was revengeful as the two men had old grievances.

The Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino, Providence

Guyana Times understands that the car that was used in the robbery was hijacked at Brush Dam, Buxton, on the East Coast of Demerara.

Hid in the wash room

However, a waitress attached to the casino told this publication that she went to use the wash room located in the lunchroom and as she was leaving, she saw the gunmen making their way into the gambling hall.

Upon seeing this, she alerted her colleagues and without hesitation, they joined her in the washroom since they were fearful that something was “going down”. The women, amounting to 12, were joined by two male colleagues who further assisted in securing the area by barring the doors and closing the windows that were open.

While hiding in the washroom the woman claimed that they heard footsteps in the kitchen and thought that the gunmen wanted to use the back entrance. Soon after, a hail of gunshots was heard then there was silent.

They breathed a sigh of relief after they heard the sound of sirens. As they stepped out of the washroom

and went into the gambling hall, they realised that two coworkers were shot. At the scene on Friday morning, A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) Commander Clifton Hicken confirmed that the Police were able to capture one of the bandits who was hiding on the premises after he was left behind by his colleagues.

Management tightlipped

Hicken could not say how much money was stolen from the casino. As Police investigated the scene, they recovered more than 20 spent shells.

When Guyana Times visited the scene later in the day, investigators were tightlipped about the incident and so were the traumatised employees who were seen milling around the area, seemingly in shock. The Manager of the casino also refused to speak with the media.

This attack comes as quite a surprise, since anyone going to the casino has to first go through a number of security checks. From reports reaching this newspaper, the Police might be thinking the robbery might have been an inside job.

8 news

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Ruimveldt man jailed for gun, ammo A

South Ruimveldt man was on Friday sentenced to four years in jail after he was found guilty of two counts of illegal gun and ammunition charges when he appeared in the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Court before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Nabadaninge Gobin, 33, of Lot 149 Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was charged for the illegal possession

of a 9mm Gluck pistol and for having 13 rounds of live ammunition in his possession.

Magistrate Latchman in her bid to use Goblin’s case an example, told the court that her ruling is based on

the seriousness of the offence committed which is a direct result of the rampant spike in gun crimes nationwide.

Gobin, who is a repeat offender, was also fined $120,000.

Duo charged for illegally exporting Towa Towa birds

D

anwattie Persaud on Friday pleaded guilty before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for failing to produce at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) a permit for the exportation of birds.

It is alleged that on April 27, at the CJIA while boarding a

Caribbean Airlines flight, a search was conducted on Persaud’s shoulder bag when “Towa Towa” birds among other species were found in huge hair rollers.

The woman told the court someone had given her the birds to take to New York. Chief Magistrate McLennan ordered her to pay a $140,000 fine or spend six months in jail.

Meanwhile, Kayun

Mohammed, 52, a Canadian citizen was also charged for failing to produce a permit at the CJIA for the exportation of birds.

Mohammed of Lot 12 Enterprise, Leguan, Essequibo Island, was charged for attempting to export the birds to Canada on April 28 while being an outgoing passenger on a Fly Jamaica flight.

The man, who was destined for Canada, was also stopped and a search was carried out on his carryon bag, when the birds were discovered in hair rollers.

In his explanation to the court, he said that he was exporting the birds for personal purposes. He was also fined $140,000.

Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving six months in prison.

Cuban charged for overstaying, fined $30,000

C

uban Elizabeth Rodriguez, 23, was on Friday charged for overstaying her time in Guyana when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Rodriguez was arraigned on the charge which stated that having been permitted to stay in Guyana from March 22 to April 22, 2016 she failed to comply with the conditions under which

her permit had been granted and overstayed the time allotted.

Police Prosecutor Kerry Boswick told the court that the woman is a holder of a Cuban passport and she entered Guyana on March 22, 2016 via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and was granted a one-month stay.

He told the court that on April 27 at about 20:30h, the national was in a motor vehicle that was stopped at

a roadblock at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

After failing to show any form of identification, the woman escorted the traffic ranks to the location of her passport when it was discovered that the date on the stamp was invalid. She was then taken to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters where a further investigation was carried out.

Rodriguez was later charged for the offence.

The woman when asked through an interpreter by Magistrate Latchman if she had anything to say, told the court that the prosecutor’s facts were correct and she did not pay much attention to the date on her passport, which showed that she overstayed in Guyana for five days.

The mother of one also told the court that she came to Guyana alone as a tourist. She was fined $30,000 and deported.

Eyew tness

Can’t get no...

I

...in-for-mation

s there no honour even among milkmen? It’s been over forty years since the international outrage at the Swiss conglomerate Nestle’s foisting substandard “baby formula” on the Third World as a substitute for mothers’ breast milk. And spending God knows how much on advertising to convince the natives they were “modern”.

Millions and millions of mothers jumped on Nesle’s fake-milk bandwagon just to show off to their neighbours down the (dusty) street. And that’s never really stopped, has it? Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced an International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes, that’s been observed more in the breech than anything else. And also even though most countries - like Guyana - have launched awareness programmes on the benefits of Breast milk. For instance, the latter has antibodies that protect the baby - until their immune system’s fully developed.

Containers of breast-milk substitutes should clearly state “Breast milk is best for babies”. But how many such labels have you seen? And the Third World still is flooded with the stuff that doesn’t comply with the requirements as to what constitutes Breast milk substitutes.

Take the recall the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, (GAFDD) of International Pharmaceutical Agency’s (IPA) so-called infant formula brought in from France. Seems what tipped off the GAFDD was that the milk wasn’t sold in its country of origin.

For once our bureaucrats were on the ball - and had issued regulations that we cannot import such items.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? If it’s not good for them, why should it be good for us? It’s not as if we’re Guinea pigs, are we? So the government doesn’t have to do a darned thing about the owner Lloyd Singh’s whining that it’s OK to replace the fat that’s supposed to make the milk “complete”, with vegetable oils. Yep! The stuff you use to fry your chicken!

Well, old Lloydie was being more than a bit economical with the truth. Seems you CAN use vegetable oils as a substitute - but they’re not all interchangeable. Lloydie left out the info about which oil he used! To the poor baby’s digestive system, coconut oil’s quite different nutritionally from say, soy oil. So the fact that Lloydie didn’t have the type of vegetable oils used on the label, is another strike against his product.

But Lloydie isn’t your milkman from down the road who’s watering down his goods. This is the fella who Vice President Ramjattan boasted was his friend. Built the AFC’s headquarters!

And more to the point just bid for a $1.9 billion contract for pharmaceuticals. Let’s all hope he doesn’t repeat his “spoiled milk” gambit.

...Pro-tec-tion

Seems our goodly Minister of Public Security just brushed off the Berbice Chambers of Commerce’s invitation to visit his native county to discuss the latest spiralling crime wave. Told them he was “too busy” with the Jubilee preparations. Really? Well what exactly is he doing that has him with a ball and chain in Georgetown?

The only activity your Eyewitness recalls him being involved with Jubilee-wise, was his promise to look into relaxing his 2am curfew on Bars during the Independence week. Did he interpret “look into” to mean visiting every bar in Georgetown to poll their opinion on the subject?

Well...duh! He already knows the answer there!

Or is he composing that paper on the connection between the time of bar closures and crime rates? The PSC had asked for this. But more to the point: isn’t Ramjattan worried he’s just ensuring he and the AFC become “dead meat” like he feared when the union with APNU was first broached?

...mave-rick union

Even though he’s pigmentally challenged, your Eyewitness is tickled pink at the news all our trade unions are going to march together in unity come this Labour Day. Solidarity forever!

But is the Teacher’s Union really gonna listen to Pressie?

Don’t they have a point to make?

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

news

9

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Govt gives GTT green light for 4G service

Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

GTT Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd

hief Executive Officer of Guyana Telephone Telegraph, Justin Nedd has confirmed that the telecommunications giant was granted the approval by Government to roll out its 4G Service.

While a date has not been set for the official launch of the 4G network, the telephone company is very much excited about the news. With the new service, customers will enjoy a new and exciting experience thus giving them the opportunity to “Do More” with faster speeds.

“Finally, we will bring you 4G. I know that you have waited a long time and I am as happy as you to say that we have received approval from the Government,” said GTT CEO Justin Nedd in a statement to the press on Friday.

He added that the 4G mobile network will enable customers to connect to the Internet much faster than ever before whether to browse, watch videos or movies, download music or shop online.

“All smart phones sold by GTT are ready to experience the faster speeds,” he added.

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes has been visionary and forth-

right in acknowledging GTT’s ability to do more for its customers.

“We are happy to announce that in close cooperation with GTT, we are able to provide high speed broadband services. This is the way forward for our country and it underlines that GTT is ready to ‘Do More’ for Guyana and for their customers,” she said.

The service will be available to GTT mobile customers with active data plans in Georgetown and additional areas will soon be activated to offer more customers this new experience.

GTT takes this opportunity to thank its loyal customers for their business and welcome new customers to experience 4G. Although the approval has been granted to GTT for the 4 Spectrum, the Telecoms Bill is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly at the next sitting.

The passage of the Telecoms Bill will end GTT’s monopoly.

In 2013, then GT&T and Atlantic Tele-Network formally submitted an updated request for spectrum allocation to the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government.

C

Temporary relocation

Vendors protest removal from Stabroek Market Square A group of angry vendors, who were removed from the Stabroek Market Square, where they ply their trade on a daily basis, staged a protest outside Ministry of the Presidency before marching down to City Hall on Friday.

The Mayor and City Council is removing them temporarily to the vacant lot south of Parliament Buildings so that the market square can be cleaned.

However, vendors feel that this move is “unfair” and “disrespectful”.

At the protest, vendor Arrisa Richmond told Guyana Times that she was not at the meeting when the agreement was made and noted that the area where City Council wants to send them is “not prosperous.” The single-parent of three also stated that she intends to return to vend at Stabroek despite the fourmonth removal which City Council has imposed.

“They seh come Sunday fuh clean [and] I coming an give dem a hand fuh clean... but I will be going back there to vend on Tuesday right on because they seh they want de place look nice for Jubilee; I want piece ah de Jubilee money, too,” Richmond stressed.

Other vendors vowed they will not be taken for granted and some noted they would not go anywhere.

“I am not moving from there, I am selling out here 22 years... Jagdeo used to call we in and talk to us whether he like we or not.

Jagdeo used to deal with we and is he put we there; we vote for a change and this is what we get?” questioned a vendor in anger.

She stated, “No vending, no Jubilee”, and noted that vendors intend to continue

Venders protesting outside City Hall on Friday

their protest actions.

“We is de government backbone, we put everybody weh they deh right now, and we deserve better treatment than this,” a male vendor expressed.

After locking the gates, City Council tried to ease the tensions when Deputy Mayor Sherrod Duncan came out to speak with the vendors.

“We’re all very concerned about the vendors there. We all want you folks to earn a good living, that’s why we’re saying we’re not ceasing vending on the whole but we want to be able to take care of that square. We understand all the concerns, the thieves, the junkies… that is why we are in a massive push for the reorganisation of that square,” Duncan told the crowd.

Despite his attempts to calm the gathering, the protestors continued to vent their anger over the current management of City Hall.

On Thursday, Town Clerk Royston King during a meeting with some 400 vendors said that they would be removed for four months to facilitate a clean-up exercise as part of an overarching plan to secure the integrity and health of Stabroek Market Square.

In the agreement City Hall imposed, it was stated that a “massive clean-up” exercise will take place on Sunday May 1 and vendors, who have stalls in the municipal markets, were asked to return and occupy those stalls. Should these vendors fail to do so, it will result in the “repossession of those facilities.”

“Vendors, who are plying their trade at the Stabroek Market Square and contiguous areas would be temporary relocated to a plot of land south of the Parliament Building. The Council would provide lighting, 24 hours security, and sanitary facilities,” the Council had noted.

At the meeting Thursday, King told stakeholders that land is adequate for all the vendors especially those who reside on the periphery of the square.

Vendors had raised concerns over the plot of land identified. They had questioned if there would indeed have enough space for all of them to ply their trade.

City Council had however stated that all vendors at the meeting supported the plans.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, april 30, 2016

News Gunmen storm Ruimzigt rice mill – escape with $3M

By Kristen Macklingam

G

unmen stormed into the Ruimzeigt Rice Processors Inc, Alesie Avenue, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Thursday night and escaped with over $3 million after beating the security guard on duty.

According to reports the bandits also escaped with six laptops and machinery parts. The incident occurred at about 01:30h.

Reports are that the men entered the facility from a back entrance and held the two security guards at gun-

point before beating and duct-taping them.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ruimzeigt Rice Processors Inc Jai Kesswanie in an interview following the incident said the perpetrators used a blowtorch to open the safe where the cash and other items were stored.

“In the process of cutting open the safe door they damaged a lot of things, in addition to taking the monies and valuables. The one security who was badly injured we took him to the West Demerara Hospital but it was locked and even

A

Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD was shot to his feet and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to reports received, at about 20:30h, the now injured man was on the roadway in his village when

Prison Officer temporarily blinded during uproar that order because of the aggressiveness in inmates at that time... had they overrun us on the landing and make it into the yard, what wouldda be the end result… if they make it over the fence, society woulda be in chaos,” stressed the Trade Officer.

The witness also told the CoI that he teaches inmates joinery and carpentry so that when they leave the penitentiary, they can find employment. He noted that one of the former inmates he trained is now a construction supervisor.

It was suggested that prison beds be made out of “low density” hard wood and ply board so as to prevent inmates from utilizing bed metals as improvised weap-

the police station here was locked… we then had to call the police and then they came immediately to the scene,” he explained.

According to Kesswanie, this is not the first time a robbery has taken place at his businessplace, however, the losses on previous occasions were minimal in comparison to this latest incident.

Meanwhile, this newspaper was told that investigators are working on the theory that the robbery was an “inside job”.

An investigation has since been launched.

ECD man shot in failed execution attempt n East Coast Demerara (ECD) man escaped death on Thursday evening after a man with whom he had an old grievance opened fire on him.

Quazan Pellew, 44, of

Deadly prison riot

the suspect rode up to him and discharged rounds in his direction. After the man was shot, the suspect escaped and remains at large.

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting incident.

Chief Officer of the Guyana Prison Service Peter Barker testifying on Friday

Trade Instructions Officer Owen Charles teaches joinery and carpentry

A

Trade Instructions Officer at the Camp Street Prison was temporarily blinded after inmates threw liquids on him during the deadly riot on March 3, which left 17 prisoners dead.

Prison Officer Owen Charles told the Commission of Inquiry that the liquid substance thrown at him was a mixture of “Jeyes fluid, pepper and another unknown matter.” His blindness he said lasted for some 4-5 minutes.

Charles also stated that he was rushed to the prison infirmary where the medex used saline water to restore his sight. When commissioners asked the witness why prisoners would have Jeyes fluid in their possession, Charles explained that the inmates are usually given the disinfectant to clean the bathroom area and often times they would retain.

Charles also told commissioners that when he was on the catwalk, he witnessed inmates with their improvised weapons. He noted that at this point there was no other choice than to comply with the order to lock the door as inmates could have possibly escaped the prison compound.

“I had to comply with

Kitchen Officer, Gordon Daniels

ons.

Chief Officer of the Guyana Prison Service, Peter Barker, who joined the service 14 years ago told the CoI that he remember when one of his officers had pushed the key in the door but could not turn it. This testimony comes in light of the account of numerous witnesses that inmates had tampered with the door before the time of the fire.

Barker told the CoI that the Capital A door was opened on March 1 and 2.

He professed that in the prison, there are “no faulty locks”.

He also recalled that while firemen were battling the blaze, he ensured the safety of all of the divisions at the jailhouse. After these checks were carried out, the Chief Officer attempted to go into Capital A division to assess the situation but he could not continue as the scene was too “horrible” and he “could not take it.”

Kitchen Officer Gordon Daniels also testified at the proceedings to defend the effectiveness of his department’s operations. He noted that he normally eats the food which he prepares and he further observed that the food is tested both internally and externally. He further noted that inmates are fed thrice daily with meals that are balanced.

Daniels told the Commission that many inmates assist in the preparation of meals and noted that the kitchen needs modern equipment to make its operations more efficient. Some of the cooking is done via firewood. The witness expressed that the food prepared is “fairly satisfactory”.

The hearings resume on Monday.

Lone gunman robs Mahaicony salesman

A

salesman was robbed of $700,000 and a quantity of phone cards when he was held at gunpoint by a lone bandit at Novar Village, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Reports are that Tahir

Yusuph, who hails from Rosignol, Berbice, had just visited a location where he conducts business and was about to enter his vehicle when the gunman pounced.

This newspaper was told that the gunman placed the gun Yusuph’s face and de-

manded the case and phone cards.

He then escaped.

However, police have apprehended a man said to fit the description of the bandit. He is presently in police custody as investigations continue into the matter.

saturDay, APRIL 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

AML/CFT Bill

Govt heading down hill – PPP T

he People’s Progressive Party said government is heading downhill with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, adding that its most recent decision to ramrod three new stages of the bill in Parliament, will do more harm than good.

The Party’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said government is still advancing with these stages, without taking into consideration the most important element that would get the nod from the Financial Action Task Force, and that is the appointment of a director of the Financial Intelligence Unit.

According to the order paper, Government, through Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams is expected to present another Anti-Money Laundering Bill, when the National Assembly meets for its 36th sitting on May 4.

PPP Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

But Teixeira said the architecture of the AML/CFT is structured on a Financial Intelligence Unit: “The role of the FIU is implementer and regulator in relation to the implementation of regulation on these issues… there is no FIU director or deputy director and the new architecture that the new Government brought in and passed in Parliament, leaves it to the parliamentary

Last minute! Workers hurry to submit Income Tax Returns

L

ong lines of persons hurriedly submitting income tax returns forms at the Guyana Revenue Authority.

With the last date being today for filing income tax returns, workers stood in long lines to ensure their income tax returns are submitted.

Persons who submit these forms after the closing date stand to pay penalty fees.

Committee of Appointment to appoint.”

Teixeira said there has been no appointment of any member of the constitutional body. According to her, government needs to appoint a director, deputy director, accountant and lawyer along with ten members to sit on the Anti-Money Laundering Authority. She said none of the issues have been completed. If fact, they have only now begun to be addressed.

She said the rush to take the Bill through with the amendments, is unacceptable, as the main item of the legislation is absent.

So whether it is checking with the banks to see if they are compliant, the reporting and investigative aspects cannot be done without the FIU becoming fully constituted.

She said her party does not buy the argument that the rush to have the Bill go through Parliament is necessary, since, whether the bills are passed or not, before FATF, the country will still remain noncompliant

because of the absence of an FIU body.

“The rule of FATF, CFATF and the international banking system is that the FIU and the director of the FIU are in all of these issues. The government seems to be unaware of what needs to be done”, she said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently urged government to “promptly” address the deficiencies in its AML/CFT framework to ensure full compliance with FATF recommendations.

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

Currently, government is in the process of employing a director and deputy director for the FIU. Teixeira, who is member of a parliamentary committee in charge of overseeing this aspect, disclosed that a sizeable number of applications for the position have been received.

Thereafter she said, a sub-committee will be established to develop a score system to act as a guideline when reviewing the applications to determine which will appear on the shortlist for interviews.

Meanwhile, more amendments to the AML/CFT Bill are slated to be presented at the upcoming sitting of the National Assembly on

May 4; however, Teixeira lamented that Government intends once again, to ramrod all three stages during that one sitting.

The PPP/C Chief Whip explained that she got a call from the Government Chief Whip Amna Ally who informed her of Government’s intention to present the amendments at the upcoming sitting.

“She asked if we will support the amendments to the AML/CFT Amendment Bill with all three stages at one sitting on May 4… and our answer was a resounding ‘no’,” Teixeira stated.

She explained that the amendments are large and complex, and therefore, it needs to be reviewed extensively, especially considering that the PPP/C will be entering the parliamentary chambers with no knowledge whatsoever on what to

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams

expect.

Teixeira further explained that these pieces of legislations need to be reviewed and discussed comprehensively to ensure it is consistent with each other and that there is no contradiction.

Unidentified man killed in Homestretch Avenue hit-and-run

A

n unidentified man met his demise on Thursday night following an accident along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown. The accident reportedly occurred at about 21:35h.

Based on investigations, the victim was reportedly crossing the road when he was struck by a speeding car. He sustained injuries and subsequently

succumbed.

The driver of the car, Guyana Times understands, fled the scene but based on information provided to Police by an eyewitness, the driver is presently in police custody assisting with investigations.

The dead man was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting identification and post mortem.

12 news

saturDay, APRIL 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Elderly businessman’s murder

$297M in contracts approved for supply of drugs, infrastructural development

Daughter confesses to arranging killing C

By Kristen Macklingam

T

he daughter of the murdered East Bank Essequibo (EBE) businessman Habiboodean, has confessed to arranging her father’s murder.

Habiboodean’s daughter, 50, turned herself in at the Leonora Police Station, West Coast Demerara (WCD), on Wednesday and has also implicated other persons in her father’s death. This includes Linden Lewis, 28, called “Bullet” who was in police custody.

The woman along with four other suspects had been arrested earlier this week and law enforcement officials continue to search for a fifth suspect in the businessman’s mur-

Dead: Habiboodean

der which happened place in 2008.

Habiboodean, 77, who was the owner of a gas station at Ruby, EBE, died at a hospital after being badly beaten in his home on February 15, 2008.

The dead businessman’s daughter, and his former employee of Vergenoegen, EBE, had been charged with the murder at that time, but the case was subsequently dismissed owing to insufficient evidence.

This cold case has now been reopened by investigators following a breakthrough last week when one of the four persons arrested for the murder of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife, Bibi Munir, 69, who were burnt to death in their Good Hope, EBE home, said he had knowledge of Habiboodean’s death.

Lewis, aka “Bullet”, during interrogation, told investigators that he was the hit man behind Habiboodean’s murder.

abinet has granted its approval for the award of contracts to the tune of $297,940,140 in the areas of health and infrastructural development.

Four agencies were awarded contracts for the supply of tuberculosis medication for the Public Health Ministry, while a contract for the construction of Rip Rap sea defences at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo, Essequibo Islands, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) has been awarded to A and S General Contractors Incorporated.

Contracts were also awarded for the installation of highway lighting in Corentyne (Adventure Arch to Philippi (No 31 Canal) and the Urban renewal on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

Contract details Health: 1.Supply of Tuberculosis Medication Supply of Tuberculosis Medication

Supply of Tuberculosis Medication Supply of Tuberculosis Medication TOTAL

Type of work

Agency awarded to

NEW GPC INC International Pharmaceutical Agency Incorporated

Global HealthCare Supplies Incorporated Caribbean Medical Supplies Incorporated

Agency awarded to

Amount ($)

$4,453,862 $4,561,020

$17,849,462 $1,424,840 $28,289,184

Amount ($)

Infrastructural Development:

A&S General Contractors Incorporated

$65,681,000

TOTAL

$65,681,000

Dynamic engineering

$35,808,357

H Nauth and Sons

$147,966,600

$183,774,957

Cummings Electrical Company Limited

$20,194,999

$20,194,999

2. Construction of Rip Rap Sea Defences at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three.

3. Urban renewal on Carifesta Avenue: “Avenue of the Caribbean” – Lot 1 (Lighting system)

Urban renewal on Carifesta Avenue: “Avenue of the Caribbean” – Lot 2 :Civil Works TOTAL

4. Installation of highway lighting in Corentyne (Adventure Arch to Philippi (No 31 Canal)) TOTAL

La Penitence robbery

No arrest as yet – Crime Chief

T

he two perpetrators of the brazen daylight robbery committed on a pastor’s son at La Penitence are still at large, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said on Friday.

David Sooknanand of Savage Street, North East La Penitence, Georgetown, was held up by two men armed with firearms who took away an undisclosed sum of cash and escaped in a waiting car on Thursday.

The shopkeeper of North East La Penitence, Georgetown, is currently a patient at a city hospital nursing

a gunshot wound to his left foot after being shot during the robbery.

At about 11:30h, a male and female entered the man’s business under the pretext of purchasing cooking gas. “The female and male come to buy cooking gas, and there is a little door that you have to open to pass through the gas bottle… when he opened it to pass the gas is when they got in… we have a trap door separating where I was from them and I peep and saw them and beg them hard not to kill my son, I begged them then I put down the trap door and bolt

it,” the man’s elderly mother stated.

The pastor’s wife explained that she heard shots being fired downstairs and thought that they had killed her son.

She further explained that the two bandits made good their escape in a white car which was parked in front of the family’s grocery shop.

The woman revealed that it is not the first time the grocery shop has been targeted. The investigations are continuing as Police are on the hunt for the perpetrators.

News

13

saturDay, APRIL 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Guyanese wins 2016 Distinguished Research Award from Trent University

Sportfishing vessel launched in Guyana

K

Minister Cathy Hughes cutting the ribbon on ‘Tri Deve’

O

Dr Suresh Narine and colleagues in the research laboratory

ne of the world’s foremost authorities and leading scientists in the groundbreaking field of biomaterials, Trent University alumnus, professor in Physics and the director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Guyanese Dr Suresh Narine has been announced as the recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Research Award, one of the university’s top honours.

Vice President, Research and International at Trent University, Dr Neil Emery in congratulating Professor Narine said that the incredible biomaterials research Narine and his team is conducting, will not only impact at local, national and global levels, but also pivotally contributes to Trent’s standing as a leading research university.

Meanwhile, Dr Narine in speaking about the award said Trent University is an institution which has a deep-seated place in his

identity, as it has played an immensely important formative role in his early academic life and continues to be pivotal in his professional career as a professor and researcher.

“This award also is a recognition of the contributions of students, research associates, technicians and collaborators with whom I have had the privilege of working over the past 15 years, and I am pleased to share the honour with them,” he noted.

Prof Narine has had notable success since starting at Trent University in 2009. In February 2010, he was awarded a $1.25 million Ontario Research Chair in Green Chemistry and Engineering from the Council of Ontario Universities, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

In November of that same year, he was awarded a $3 million senior industrial research chair in biomaterials from the Natural

Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in partnership with Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc and the Grain Farmers of Ontario which was recently renewed for a third consecutive term.

Professor Narine also developed the National Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Guyana.

A talented teacher, Prof Narine has also won numerous teaching awards, including the Students Union Award for Leadership in Undergraduate Teaching from the University of Alberta, an award from the former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, for his contributions to Science and Technology in Canada and for his contributions in this field towards the development of Guyana and more recently he was named laureate for the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence in the Science and Technology category.

anuku Tours on Friday launched a Sport Fishing vessel where Minister of Telecommunications and Tourism Catherine Hughes indicated her excitement and appreciation, having been included in the inauguration.

Representative of Kanuku Tours Danny Kruger identified himself as “a South African bush pilot” who fell in love with Guyana.

At the launch he said the entity is committed to unlocking more of Guyana’s exquisite sceneries and pristine rainforests to foreign and local tourists.

Kruger highlighted that this vessel would serve as an opportunity for tourists to see more of what Guyana has to offer and also allow affordable methods of relaxation. He said the 32ft modernised vessel ‘Tri Deve’, was the first deep-sea fishing charter of its kind that would sail in the coastlines of Guyana.

It was explained that the average trip for the ‘Tri Deve’ would take 6-10 hours traveling up and down the coast

of Guyana from the mouth of the majestic Essequibo River to the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Kruger indicated that species that would be targeted during any fishing venture on this vessel would be snooks, tarpon, bull sharks, and others. He also highlighted that clients would be expected to follow the rules of ‘catch and release’ strictly “in order to preserve the species for future generations.”

Additionally it was highlighted that during the Jubilee celebrations, Kanuku Tours will be offering two 3-day safaris called ‘Challenge Guyana’ which would allow persons to tour the jungle through the Kanuku Mountain Range.

M e a n w h i l e , Telecommunications and Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes offered congratulations to Kanukup Tours for following through on the promise they made in relation to this launch.

“It is accredit to you that you were not put off by the several hurdles I know you may have encountered along the way.’’

She highlighted that government is in the process of examining all of the procedures to ensure they are making things easier for new businesses, especially those locally, to be able to invest in Guyana.

The minister described this event as ‘unique’ and ‘interesting’ saying “as you know, Guyana has committed to pushing Tourism as a new area of investment and a new key industry that we want to build our economy on.’’

Minister Hughes indicated that through talk of promoting Tourism, they are constantly looking for new products, such as Kanuku Tours is offering to several tour operators.

She highlighted that sport fishing was recognised as an ideal product to offer, due to the high demand for it in the Tourism market and was glad to hear that the ‘catch and release’ rules will be adhered to. She added that Government is working closely with NGOs to ensure that the required legislation is present to allow responsible use of Guyana’s fishes.

14

guyana-times.com

saturDay, april 30, 2016

Regional

T&T’s Rowley: Abortion First US Zika death reported remains illegal in Puerto Rico

T

T

rinidad’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has contributed to the national discussion on the issue of abortion, saying Government will abide by the current laws.

Responding to questions during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Rowley reinforced the view

by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh that abortion was illegal in T&T. “The law of the land is that abortion is illegal and we are all law-abiding citizens,” Rowley said.

He said discussions would continue to take place but that sometimes one had to challenge the law in order to solve problems more meaningfully.

However, unlike his Cabinet colleague, Rowley

he first known death in the US to the Zika virus has been recorded in Puerto Rico, say health officials. A 70-yearold man infected with the mosquito-borne virus died in February, Puerto Rico’s health secretary said.

The US territory has recorded more than 600 Zika cases, with 73 of those involving pregnant women.

Zika has been linked to severe birth defects, especially in Latin America, such as

Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley

said the conversation was not over as it was one which was taking place at all levels. He is also anticipating that it will continue into the future because many women are utilising the option of abortion.

“We know it is happen-

ing, which is backyard abortions. Let us not bury our heads in the sand and pretend that in this country there are not thousands of women who take part in abortions and sometimes at the risk of their own lives.”

(Trinidad Guardian)

Caricom countries seek to strengthen social security

C

ountries within the region are strategising ways to ensure sustainability of their respective social security schemes.

Officials are meeting in The Bahamas for the 27th Caricom Heads of Social Security Meeting and they are exploring the global trends in social security and how these fit within the region, and at a national level.

“Caribbean nations must find their own unique method to adopt the innovative strategies in management and administration that help to improve communications with stakeholders and citizen engagement, expand benefits, improve compliance levels and strengthen their governance structures; all while ensuring the sustainability of their national insurance funds,” the Bahamas’ Minister of Labour and

The Bahamas’ Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson

National Insurance Shane Gibson said at the meeting which ended on Friday.

He noted that in his country, the National Insurance Fund (NIF) has reserves of approximately $1.8 billion, and it plays a critical role in the Bahamian economy.

“In fact, in many instances, NIB has invested in a number of infrastructural projects and private sector

equity offerings as a means of stimulating economic activity and ultimately building our economy,” Gibson said.

He also disclosed that NIB has reached a significant milestone in its history – the implementation of a state-of-the-art Insurance Administration System software, which will improve its services to the public. (Excerpt

babies being born with under-developed brains.

Health secretary Ana Rius said all 14 pregnant women infected with Zika who have given birth have healthy babies. Seventeen people on the island have been in hospital, the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) said.

Five are thought to have developed a temporary paralysis condition known as Guillain-Barre because of Zika, although that link is

unproven.

“The patient died of complications related to severe thrombocytopenia,” the CDC said.

“Although Zika virusassociated deaths are rare, the first identified death in Puerto Rico highlights the possibility of severe cases, as well as the need for continued outreach to raise health care providers’ awareness of complications that might lead to severe disease or death.” (BBC News)

Britain praises Cuba’s Castro for embracing realities of modernity

B

ritain’s Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Friday praised Cuban President Raul Castro for embracing the realities of the modern world after a meeting with the Communist leader that marked a further step in Cuba’s thaw with the West.

He is the first British Foreign Secretary to set foot on the Caribbean island since its 1959 revolution, and his visit follows one by US President Barack Obama in March.

Hammond said he had a “long and interesting discussion” with Castro about the octogenarian leader’s push to update one of the world’s last Soviet-style command economies.

“He is espousing a programme of gradual change, embracing the realities of the world we live in,” Hammond said in an interview at the British ambassador’s residence in Havana.

“I was very struck by the fact that he described the Internet as the reality of our world, spoke posi-

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (centre) attends a wreath laying ceremony for Cuba’s independence hero Jose Marti at Revolution Square in Havana, April 28

tively about the benefits the Internet could bring.”

Cuba still has one of the world’s lowest Internet penetrations with access expensive and restricted.

The state says it wants to expand access and has been installing Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the country. But change is slow and critics suggest the government fears losing control

of media and seeing new avenues of political opposition open up.

Castro has vowed to “update” Cuba’s socialist model but market-style reforms have been implemented haltingly and even reversed in some areas. A Communist Party Congress this month proposed little new to tackle the country’s economic woes. (Excerpt from Reuters)

24 people missing after deadly garbage dump accident in Guatemala

from Caribbean360)

Jamaican woman cop critical in hospital after attack at bus stop

J

amaica’s Police Commissioner, Dr Carl Williams has vowed that the men who shot and seriously injured a middle-aged female Police Corporal in Franklyn Town in Kingston early Thursday morning while she awaited a bus to get to work will not get away.

The Policewoman was in critical condition up to Friday night. “The doctors are doing their best to keep her alive. We are very optimistic. But let me say this, the persons who shot her will be found. They will not get away, they will be

found. Anyone who had anything to do with it will be brought to justice,” Dr Williams told the Jamaica Observer.

The Corporal, who was shot multiple times, was assigned to the Police Commissioner’s office.

Thursday’s brazen gun attack on the Policewoman on Bray Street in the eastern Kingston community has once again brought into sharp focus the continued calls from the Jamaica Police Federation for buses to be assigned to take cops to and from work.

Constable Crystal

Thomas was last July fatally shot while on her way home from work as she tried to intervene in a robbery on the bus on which she was travelling on Spanish Town Road in Kingston.

However, almost a year since that incident the Police still have not been assigned the buses for which the federation has been appealing.

Speaking with the Observer, head of the federation, Sergeant Raymond Wilson stressed that the police have never let up on the call for a transportation system. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Garbage collectors look at rescue teams (not pictured) working at the site where a massive pile of garbage collapsed at a landfill dumpsite in Guatemala City, Guatemala

A

t least 24 people are still missing after a collapse at Guatemala City’s largest garbage dump this week that killed four people, the city said on Friday.

People sifting through the dump, which receives about

500 truckloads of trash every day, were caught unawares on Wednesday when part of the massive heap of garbage caved in, according to authorities in Guatemala City.

Four people were killed and 15 were rescued from the mountains of waste with

injuries.

City spokesman Carlos Sandoval said the 24 missing included seven recycling workers. Others had apparently entered the dump illegally, he said. The search for the missing continued on Friday. (Reuters)

saturDAY, april 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

People with albinism Norway helicopter crash: in Malawi face ''total 13 killed near Bergen extinction" – UN T

M

alawi's estimated 10,000 albinos face "extinction" if they continue to be murdered for their body parts for use in witchcraft, a UN expert has warned.

Ikponwosa Ero said that the situation "constitutes an emergency, a crisis disturbing in its proportions".

Her call came after two men received a 17-year jail term for murdering a 21-year-old woman with albinism. Ero said Malawi police have recorded 65 attacks, abductions and murders of albinos since the end of 2014.

Albinos were targeted because of beliefs that their

The UN expert on albinism says people with the condition are seen as a form of income

body parts "can increase wealth, make businesses prosper or facilitate employ-

ment", said Ero, the UN human rights council's expert on albinism.

"Even in death, they do not rest in peace as their remains are robbed from graveyards," she added.

Ero, herself an albino, said there are economic motivations.

"Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries and the sale of body parts of persons with albinism is believed to be very lucrative." People with albinism, who lack pigment in their skin and appear pale, are regularly killed in several African countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. (Excerpt from BBC News)

hirteen people are presumed dead after a helicopter crashed west of the Norwegian city of Bergen, rescuers say.

Eleven of those on board were Norwegian, one was British and one Italian. No survivors have been found.

A major rescue operation was launched but ended within hours of the crash.

Meanwhile, Norway's civil aviation authority has imposed a flight ban on the type of helicopter that crashed – the Eurocopter (EC) 225L Super Puma.

Reports say it was "totally destroyed".

Its officials told VG newspaper (in Norwegian) that servicing for the helicopter which crashed had been delayed twice in 2015, for a total of 200 flying hours.

Later, local media quoted a civil aviation authority spokeswoman as saying the helicopter's two black boxes had been recovered. The British Civilian Aviation Authority later said it was suspending commercial use of the Super Puma, so it

would be unable to carry oil and gas workers but could still fly for other purposes.

The aircraft was flying from the Gullfaks oil field to Bergen, a centre for the North Sea oil and gas industry. Eleven bodies have been found, and two other people are still missing.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said news of the crash was "horrible".

King Harald and Queen Sonja cancelled a trip to Sweden, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

More tigers poached in India so far this year than in 2015

China denies US aircraft carrier Hong Kong visit

C

hina has denied a US aircraft carrier permission to make a port visit to Hong Kong, the US State Department says.

The nuclear powered USS John C Stennis, as well as its escort ships, were prevented from docking on Friday.

The US said it expected that a separate port visit for another US ship, the USS John C Stennis,, would continue as normal. A dispute over China's military presence in the South China sea has dogged relations between the US and China in recent years.

The request for the visit was recently denied despite a "long track record of successful port visits to Hong Kong", Pentagon spokesman Bill Urban told Reuters.

The USS John C Stennis, had entered Hong Kong earlier on Friday morning, Reuters reported. No official reason has yet been given for the denial of permis-

The USS John C Stennis, seen earlier this year in South Korea, is a nuclear-powered super carrier capable of holding up to 90 aircraft

sion to the aircraft carrier.

The ship has been touring the Western Pacific region for several months.

Earlier this month the US Defence Secretary, Ash Carter, landed on board the USS John C Stennis, to state his support for allies in the region.

"What's new is not an American carrier in this

region," he said on April 15. "What's new is the context of tension which exists, which we want to reduce."

Earlier this month the US and the Philippines agreed to conduct joint patrols in the South China Sea. China claims most of the sea as its own and has become increasingly assertive. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Kunduz hospital attack: MSF's questions remain as US military seeks no charges

M

édecins Sans Frontières reiterated its request for Barack Obama to permit an independent inquiry into a US attack on its hospital in northern Afghanistan on Friday after a US military investigation failed to yield criminal charges.

Meinie Nicolai, the President of the group also known as MSF or Doctors Without Borders, told the Guardian: “We still have questions on negligence and the list of errors that we’ve heard” outlined in a

declassified report into the October 3, 2015, airstrike that killed 42 civilians in MSF’s Kunduz hospital, one of the most infamous episodes in the US’s longestever war.

On Friday, the general in charge of US forces in the Mideast and South Asia, Joseph Votel, said the strike was “not a war crime”, since a US AC-130 gunship crew did not realize it was striking a hospital. Votel’s predecessor took disciplinary action against a dozen service members,

though no criminal liability will follow.

Nicolai said MSF still had to thoroughly review the military inquiry before characterising it, but noted that it was performed by the same US military that “committed the attack”.

At the Pentagon, Votel said the strike did not rise to the level of a war crime since striking the hospital was not an “intentional act” – something John Sifton of Human Rights Watch called “simply wrong as a matter of law”.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

The Wildlife Protection Society of India said 28 tigers have been poached already this year, three more than last year

M

ore tigers have been killed in India already this year than in the whole of 2015, a census showed Friday, raising doubts about the country’s anti-poaching efforts.

The Wildlife Protection Society of India, a conservation charity, said 28 of the endangered beasts had been poached by April 26, three more than last year.

Tiger meat and bones are used in traditional Chinese medicine and fetch high prices. “The stats are

worrying indeed,” said Tito Joseph, programme manager at the group.

“Poaching can only be stopped when we have coordinated, intelligence-led enforcement operations, because citizens of many countries are involved in illegal wildlife trade. It’s a transnational organised crime.”

Poachers use guns, poison and even steel traps and electrocution to kill their prey. India is home to more than half of the world’s ti-

ger population with 2226 in its reserves according to the last count in 2014.

The figures come after a report by the WWF and the Global Tiger Forum said the number of wild tigers in the world had increased for the first time in more than a century to an estimated 3890. The report cited improved conservation efforts, although its authors cautioned that the rise could be partly attributed to improved data gathering. (The

Guardian)

Kenya flooding: Nairobi sixstorey building collapses

A

six-storey building has collapsed in a residential area of the Kenyan capital Nairobi as heavy rain plays havoc across the country.

At least three people have died, KTN television reported, but others have been pulled from the rubble alive. Rescue workers are digging through wreckage amid what the Red Cross called "chaotic scenes". It is not known how many people are trapped.

The rainfall has caused

landslides, washed away houses and flooded roads.

The pictures showed rescuers lifting rubble with their bare hands. At one point the crowd erupted into cheers when a baby was pulled out alive.

According to KTN, more than 50 people have been rescued so far.

There has been no independent confirmation of the death toll. In another county, two boys are missing after going herding, according to the Red Cross.

Earlier on Friday at least three people were killed when a wall collapsed in an area of Nairobi, according to local media. President Uhuru Kenyatta last year ordered an audit of all the buildings in the country after a spate of collapses.

The same area of Nairobi saw another collapse early last year, with at least two people killed. Poor construction standards are frequently blamed for such incidents.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

saturDAY, april 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Business community flays India puts consultant Govt on high crime wave clause to $50M

T

he recent upsurge in criminal activities across the country seemed to have cracked the nerve of the business community as it came out swinging at the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Administration, for what it said seems to be its inability to take control of the situation.

Officials of the Central Corentyne and Berbice

Chambers of Commerce (CC&BCC) on Thursday first criticised the new Administration, pointing out that it appears to be powerless and ineffectual in tackling the situation.

“Government seems powerless, ineffectual, and out of their league in fighting crime. It is extremely disappointing as the coalition campaigned very strongly on this issue and we were all optimistic with all the military, ex-commissioners and other ‘experts’ at their disposal and now we have a situation in Berbice that is far worse than we have ever experienced,” the organisations, which represents the interest of businesses in Berbice said in a statement.

The two groups in a joint statement said “everyone seems to be a sitting duck, as it seems every day a business is held up and residents beaten and robbed in their homes, this coupled with the depressed business environment, makes it exceedingly burdensome for businesses and ordinary citizens to cope.

President Granger and the Government has miserably failed the people of this country to provide protection and security”.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan also came under fire for his seemingly reluctant and unconcerned disposition at addressing the situation head on in the ancient county.

The Minister reportedly told the business community in the region that he had no time to deal with their concerns as he was extremely busy with the preparation for the country’s 50thIndependence anniversary celebration slated for next month.

“The present Security Minister, who we strongly believe will not be able to support and motivate the Force, is too busy preparing for the jubilee celebra-

tions than meet with the Chambers at our request to discuss the present situation… He wants us to do his work for him. We must document what we feel he should do in the present situation and send it to him, instead of his coming to us to hear what we have to say and see if any of it can be implemented.

Since we have to wait over one month to get a meeting

with the Minister, let the public be the judge of his priorities.”

The Chambers articulated that that Police morale is low, with officers uncertain and afraid to shoot. They said this should be taken in context of President Granger’s insistence on pardoning criminals, stating that “it is no surprise that gun crimes have spiralled out of control. Bandits have become more emboldened by the Government’s approach.”Just recently, a Police was almost killed by a bandit in Rose Hall in the

presence of his armed colleagues.

The Government’s policy on crime needs a serious overhaul. The Government appears weak, soft and sympathetic to criminals, contrast this with the late President Hoyte’s no-nonsense and aggressive approach to the ‘kick down the door bandits’ in the eighties, President Granger being a historian should go back and study and implement the strategies used by President Hoyte, who on assuming office in the eighties quickly brought the crime spree under control,” the Chamber said.

In light of Ramjattan’s remark for the CC&BCC to provide their input, the Chambers have suggested several things that could be done to tackle crime in Berbice. These include quick response teams to be located in Berbice, establishing a permanent SWAT teams in the county; Government’s unconditional support for our Policemen and women; increase in salary, pay salaries on time; increased Police patrols; and the Rose Hall Police Outpost should be converted into a Police station. The CC&BCC added that the Force needs more manpower and vehicles, in addition to training and education.

They also suggested the exploration of the possibility of CCTV cameras and dutyfree concessions for security equipment.

Meanwhile, following

Guyana loan

I

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

the release by the Berbice Chambers of Commerce, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in a statement also expressed extreme concern over the mounting crime situation.

The GCCI brought into account the brazen attack on the Ramada Princess Hotel Casino and the killings earlier this month of rice farmers Mohammed Munir and his wife Jamilla.

GCCI said that with the independence jubilee fast approaching, the authorities have to do more to arrest the crime situation.

It lamented that years of changes and the provision of resources to the Police seemed to have little or no impact. According to the GCCI, there is an urgent need for a national discussion on the long-term capacity of the Police to handle crime.

ndia has proposed to extend a $50-million line of credit to the Guyana government for the East Bank/East Coast Road linkage project with the condition that the country would engage an Indian consultant with New Delhi developing technical and financial parameters of the project.

The Indian party is also supposed to assist the Guyana government in the selection of an executing agency. Sources in the ministry of road transport and highways in Indian said the ministry could not find a suitable public sector road project consultant. The ministry would now have to look for one from the private sector to carry out the job in Guyana, the sources added.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had in August last year requested MoRTH to give it a list of PSUs under its jurisdiction which may have the capability to undertake the task. However, in response, MoRTH had conveyed that there were no PSUs under its jurisdiction which are capable of undertaking the job.

MEA had written to the MoRTH again on April 6 requesting it to “kindly” convey a list of empaneled public or private sector consultants who may be suitable for the purpose.

The sources said, following MEA’s letter, MoRTH has already started working on the matter and will soon float a tender seeking letters

of intent from interested parties belonging to the private sector for carrying out the task.

On March 16, Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Resident Representative, Export/ Import (EXIM) Bank of India, TD Sivakumar signed the credit agreement. This was done at the Ministry of Finance.

Witnessing the signing were Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, Minister within the Finance Ministry, Jaipaul Sharma and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Shri Venkatachalam Mahalingam.

Minister Patterson told reporters that the proposed new road will be four lanes, with two paves.

He explained that since the project is being funded by an Indian Bank, the road contract will only be open to contractors from India.

However, there will be several sub-contracting opportunities for local contractors and businesses, for materials and labour.

Additionally, the ministry will be immediately moving to retain a consultant to finalise the design for the road. This process is expected to take approximately three months. Following this, the ministry will proceed with advertising, tendering and subsequent awarding of the contract, Minister Patterson said. (The Financial Express)

36th sitting of National Assembly

PPP to raise questions on D'Urban Park; other issues

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has set out a number of questions it will be seeking answers to from Government when the 36th sitting of the National Assembly reconvenes next Wednesday.

Among them is the reason why Government did not use the Guyana National Stadium for hosting the nation’s 50th Independence anniversary celebration.

Party Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said Government’s use of the National Stadium could have saved the country the billions of dollars it is now pumping into building a new structure to host the event next month.

“The National Stadium can seat 16,000 people and 5000 on the mound and in the field itself, can hold another 20,000. It has all the parking facilities, washroom, etc. It has first aid medical facilities, water etc… so our question is why was that not considered, especially that it would have saved the country money.

Teixeira said there still remains a number of unan-

Minister David Patterson and members of the media during a tour of the D'urban Park

swered questions, including the procurement of services, donors and contractors. She said the Party will also be raising concerns about what it said is the alleged defective and substandard ongoing works at the D'Urban Park facility.

The multimillion-dollar D'Urban Park facility is currently under construction and Government hopes that this could be completed the latest May 17.

The project was recently reassigned to the Public

Infrastructure Ministry to ensure a faster pace to completion. Along with that reassignment, Government also pumped another $150 million towards the project. The motion on the D'Urban Park facility was tabled by the Sectoral Member of Parliament (MP) on Infrastructure Juan Edghill.

Listed too for answers, Teixeira said is the question on the solicitation of some $80 million as donations. The Chief Whip said

her Party wishes to know where the money has come from, and where it has been put. This, she said, is in accordance with the financial laws.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has also tabled two sets of questions on notice to the Minister with regards to the 34 honorific advisors. He will be seeking answers on who these advisors are, their qualifications etc, their jobs and salaries.

Her Party has also presented two other motions. One

is on the shortage of medical supplies and the other surrounds the issue that young MP’s are concerned about – the motion on curbing the rise of suicide rates in Guyana.

She said the PPP already submitted a motion to the Speaker in January calling for a debate on the status of the rice industry. That motion, she reminded, was rejected on the grounds that Government was not officially concerned with the rice industry by the Speaker.

“We had resubmitted that motion stating and showing that the official gazette assigned the responsibility, through the Ministry of Agriculture that one of its responsibilities is to the rice industry and so we are calling again for that... calling again for its resubmission.”

The Party will also again be requesting that the speaker call on Natural Resources Minister Rapahel Trotman to apologise for the misinformation he gave about the previous Government giving away productive forests.

17

news

saturDAY, april 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Media urged to report suicide cases sensitively W

ith suicide statistics showing Guyana as the country with the highest suicide rate, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) along with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and other pertinent ministries, met on Friday with the media to discuss how they can be sensitive in reporting cases of suicide.

This falls under government’s efforts to significantly remove the label attached to Guyana, and it is believed that one of the major steps is urging the media to readjust the way they give detailed reports of suicides.

During the workshop, the media were involved in comprehensive sessions with a number of medical experts on how they can be more sensitive in their reporting, which researches show have an evident link to reduction in the cases.

Speaking at the work-

President David Granger; Tourism and Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings and PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow at the head table on Friday

shop, President of GPA Neil Marks cited that the media fraternity has been lambasted for being sensationalist and callous in how they report suicide.

However, he added, this is so because the media operatives lack requisite training on how suicides should

be reported it does not stimulate copycatting.

“The fact that sometimes we do a terrible job is because we are untrained and we just don’t know how to do it. Hence the reason we are at the workshop is to be able to understand how we cover suicides.” Mark highlighted.

Marks further stated that there will always be reporting of suicides within the media, but the most that can be done is to ensure operatives are educated in the area of how they present this information in the public domain.

Meanwhile, Minister

of Tourism and Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes spoke of the vast effect that insensitive reporting by the media has on the tourism industry and the country as a whole.

She emphasised specifically on images of gruesome crimes and suicide victims that have made its way to the front pages of newspapers in the country.

Noting this, Hughes added that Guyana is marketed to the world in a negative light: “I’d like you to consider the image or the impression you have the power to create that impact directly on how this vast world with billions of people view this country and its people.”

Hughes stated.

Considering the effect on the tourism sector, the minister urged the media to join with government to promote Guyana as an attraction to the world by removing negative images from front pages

of newspapers.

“I want to remind you that we are working hard to make Guyana attractive so we can sell our country as a choice destination for the world’s tourists. I ask you to please keep the pictures of smashed up cars, dead bodies lying on roadways or the minute by minute recount of suicide victims’ last days alive, off the front pages.”

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health also shared similar comments as Hughes, pointing out that statistics show Guyana as having a suicide rate of 42.2 per every hundred thousand citizens.

She reiterated the urgency of the media recognising the need for considerate reporting of suicide cases.

The workshop entailed a number of discussions with the media to shed light of their impact on the increase of suicide as the government aims to combat the societal ill.

Unemployment linked to domestic violence First Lady praises efforts to support

T

he increase in unemployment is a creating a higher risk for incidents of domestic violence, says United States (US) psychologist and author Dr Steven Stosny.

He was speaking with Sunday Newsday during a break at a domestic violence conference held at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Mucurapo.

Stosny reported he has been informed that the domestic violence rate in Trinidad is high and observed that all over the world it gets higher as unemployment goes up.

He pointed out that in the US when there is a quarter point tick up in the unemployment rate, there is a quarter point tick up in domestic violence and it is almost directly correlated.

“It is mostly because males when they can’t protect their families start feeling bad about themselves and that’s when they are more likely to be abusive. So unemployment and underemployment in the males when they get jobs below their skill level or where they don’t make very much money there’s a higher risk of domestic violence,” he explained.

In the past few months hundreds of workers have been sent home from companies such as steel companies ArcelorMittal, and Centrin, construction company OAS Construtora and oil company Respol and Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus has described the trend as a period of “mass retrenchment”.

Stosny said because of the oil collapse this country’s economy is worse and in Canada there is a similar problem because of the oil sands.

He added that while that culture is very different from Trinidad and Tobago they are experiencing the same up tick in domestic violence because of the economic crisis.

autism awareness, fundraising

— over $600,000 raised for new Step by Step school

F

In his presentation, he spoke of the need to focus on the abuser as well as the victim.

“Victims do need support but you are not going to change the problem of domestic violence unless you change the abuser because they are the ones doing it.

So you’ve got to do both,” he said.

He said a lot of the bravado that is seen in the Trinidad and Tobago population is people defending themselves “from thinking their life sucks”.

He explained that one reason why the literature on domestic violence had not progressed was because the crime is defined by the victim and not the abuser.

He said that in any case of abuse, whether between heterosexuals, between homosexuals, child abuse or elder abuse, the motivation is the same — power and control.

He stressed that this was the symptom and abusers believe they are unlovable and inadequate and have to be manipulative, deceitful and possessive to earn affection.

He pointed out that if someone tells an abuser that they love them they would not believe it but believe they want their money or something else.

He explained that these “attachment abusers” try to change the reflection of themselves as powerless, in-

adequate and unlovable by manipulating the mirror of the attachment and their partners.

“To devalue something you have to be in a devalued state yourself,” he said.

He explained abusers lack skills and pro-social empowerment and use the fragile substitution of values for power.

He said the anger makes them feel powerful but when this wears off they crash and become depressed and end up on a roller coaster of anger and depression.

“A lot of abusive people are anger junkies,” he added.

Stosny advised that abusers be taught pro-social empowerment to make them feel valued, instil in them the conviction that they can make their lives better and to get them in touch with their deeper values.

He said they need to change their brains through focus and repetition of healthy behaviours.

During his presentation, he spoke of the abuse he suffered from his father including a hole in his head he received when his father hit him with a shingle at age three.

He noted, however, that the most vivid memories were when his parents would spend days without speaking each other. His mother eventually left his father and remarried. (Trinidad Newsday)

irst Lady, Sandra Granger on Friday encouraged donors and well-wishers of the Step by Step Foundation to continue to support the initiatives to build a new school for children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) even as $685,000 has been raised during activities held to mark Autism Month.

The First Lady made

panies were involved, but also some of the kids were there and I think it brought home to some of us who did not have dealings with children with special needs, particularly ASD, that they are people like us,” the First Lady said.

She announced that the ‘Light it up blue walk’ alone netted $383,000 in proceeds.

“I think it’s our first lit-

The site plan of the new Step by Step School designed by Architect Kenrick Thomas

this appeal in her address at the launch of the building fund for the new Step

by Step School, held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

She recalled that when she was invited to become patron of the Foundation, she agreed without hesitation. She said she is extremely pleased at the support received from individuals and donors alike at the first major awareness and fundraising effort the ‘Light it up blue’ Autism Awareness Walk on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day. “When we first started our first exercise for autism awareness …I was struck by the fact that there were not only people there, com-

tle step towards the foundation for the school and I am hoping that through corporate and private donations, large or small we will be able to commence the building of the school,” she said.

Mrs Granger also said she is looking forward to more donations and further collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the school, noting particularly that linkages with the ministry will lead to earlier diagnoses and treatment for children affected

by ASD. In giving a brief update on the Foundation’s progress, Dr Suraiya Ismail, Chair of the Executive Committee said the new

school has a projected cost of $120M. The Foundation hopes to be able to accommodate 50-60 children, to provide training facilities for parents and training opportunities for Education Ministry teachers, among other plans.

The Foundation has grown from five children to seventeen and plans are in train to enrol two more in September. It also now boasts seven tutors and the Ministry of Education has committed to providing teachers as needed.

“Our growth was achieved through the generosity of many, many donors, from the private sector and from individuals too many to name,” Dr. Ismail said, adding that they are “extremely fortunate to have the patronage of the First Lady”.

Meanwhile, in his address, Managing Director of Republic Bank said Richard Sammy,, “It is my pleasure to acknowledge the widespread enthusiasm and support for this cause.”

He noted that a number of companies donated their products, purchased t-shirts and their staff members and other persons showed up, purchased t-shirts and participated in the ‘Light it up blue’ walk.

Today, many individuals also made direct cash donations and, all combined, the efforts netted the sum of $685, 000.

Caption: First Lady, Sandra Granger (centre) and Richard Sammy, Managing Director pay keen attention to Dr. Suraiya Ismail, Chair of the Step by Step Foundation as she makes a point, during a brief interaction before the start of the reception.

18

guyana-timesgy.com

saturday, April 30, 2016

ARCHIE

A little effort will go a long way. Sign up for events, class(March 21- es or activities that will chalApril 19) lenge you physically. A positive personal change on your part will help someone you love.

ARIES

Research your options and TAURUS discuss them with someone (April 20- you trust. Gaining insight May 20) into a situation that could expand your interests will give you the edge and ensure your success.

dilbert

Keep abreast of what a cerGEMINI (May 21- tain someone does and says.

Don’t leave yourself in a comJune 20) promising position just because you were afraid to say no. It’s up to you to protect your rights and reputation.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Take the plunge and do something different. The experience will open your eyes to a host of new possibilities.

A change at home will do you good.

Don’t indulge in emotional LEO melodramas. Get involved in (July 23an activity that will tire you Aug. 22) out and make you feel like you have accomplished something. Indulgence is the enemy.

Travel or make a point VIRGO to experience something that (Aug. 23will broaden your awareness Sept. 22) and give you reason to make beneficial personal changes.

Romance will improve your life.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don’t worry about what LIBRA (Sept. 23- others do. Focus on the things Oct. 23) you enjoy and the people you love to spend time with.

Personal change may not be wanted, but it will be beneficial.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – CIGARILLO

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23SAGITTARIUS Dec. 21) -- Don’t be afraid to (Nov. 23- show emotion or be perfectly Dec. 21) honest about your feelings.

It’s best to clear the air so that you can move ahead with your plans.

(CIGARILLO: sig-uh-RIL-oh: A small, narrow cigar.)

Average mark 26 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 40 or more words in CIGARILLO? The list will be published on Monday.

THURSDAY’S WORD – DENTIST deist dent diet dine dint edit nest tend tent

test tide tied tine tint ides inset send sent

side sine site snide snit stein stent stet stint

An emotional encounSCORPIO ter will upset your plans.

(Oct. 24Patience and tolerance will be Nov. 22) required if you plan to work on something creative or family-oriented. Romance is your best alternative.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Reverse psychology will CAPRICORN help you get approval for the (Dec. 22- changes you want to make at Jan. 19) home or to personal papers, contracts or settlements. A romantic plan will help you keep the peace.

A goal-oriented approach AQUARIUS coupled with high energy and (Jan. 20a passionate heart will give Feb. 19) you the drive you need to excel. Don’t let anyone or anything discourage you.

While traveling, delays, PISCES (Feb. 20- discord or misunderstandings March 20) can be expected. You are best off sticking to familiar places and people. Romance will ease your stress.

t

saturDAY, aPRIL 30, 2016

19

Jamaica Tallawahs welcome Steyn as Malinga is ruled out of CPL

South Africa star Steyn “proud and delighted” to sign up for the biggest party in sport M

ohammad Khan excited to welcome “a modern great” to Tallawahs squad The Jamaica Tallawahs have moved quickly to replace the injured Lasith Malinga in their HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) squad by adding South Africa’s Dale Steyn to their ranks for the coming season.

A former number-one ranked Test bowler, Proteas favourite Steyn is one of the leading stars of the world game and will feature in his

inaugural CPL campaign for the Tallawahs. In 42 T20 Internationals to date, the 32-year-old has claimed 58 wickets, with an economy rate of 6.71, which is a fraction above (6.68 runs per over) overall career figures in 20-over cricket where he has taken 178 wickets in 165 games to date.

A consistent performer across all three formats, Steyn is also currently ranked fourth in the Test bowling rankings, having previously held the top position from March 2009

to December 2015, and is ranked sixth in One-Day Internationals.

Sri Lanka star Malinga, 32, who also featured in the Guyana Amazon Warriors attack in 2013, is awaiting further tests on a knee injury sustained during the West Indies series back in November 2015. Despite featuring briefly in the Asia Cup, he has been unavailable since then and missed out on the ICC World T20 2016.Commenting on the news, Dale Steyn said: “It is a great privilege to feature

in the CPL for the first time and I am proud and delighted to sign up for the Jamaica Tallawahs for the forthcoming CPL season. The CPL is one of the strongest Twenty20 leagues in the world game and it’s a tournament that’s on the rise.

There are some outstanding world-class players signed up across all six teams and I’m looking forward to playing against some of my great friends and team-mates, amongst them Hashim Amla, AB (de Villiers), Faf (du Plessis), David Miller

and Morne (Morkel) this summer. It will certainly add a nice bit of spice to the mix!

“I have seen CPL grow over the last few years and it is always a great experience playing in the Caribbean.

The crowds and the atmosphere are always special and the fans really get behind their team. Now that there will also be six games in Central Broward Stadium in Florida, I can’t wait to join up with the team in June and stepping out in Tallawahs colours in a full

Sabina Park.”

Mohammad Khan, General Manager - Jamaica Tallawahs, said: "We're delighted to welcome Dale to the Tallawahs family. Dale is the best fast bowler in the world and a modern great.

We believe he's going to be an excellent addition to an already solid team."

You can watch the leading up-and-coming and international talent this summer at #CPL16 across the Caribbean and in Florida by purchasing tickets from www.cplt20.com.

Barcelona must Australia players don't want win all remaining two day-night Tests in 2016-17 games to secure C La Liga title

L

eaders Barcelona must win all three remaining games to secure the La Liga title as their rivals are unlikely to drop any points, says boss Luis Enrique.

Leaders Barca, who started April nine points clear at the top, are level on 82 points with second-placed Atletico Madrid, while thirdplaced Real Madridare a further point behind.

"It's unlikely the teams chasing us will slip up," said Enrique on Friday.

"We're playing great heading into the final stretch."

Barcelona are ahead of Atletico in the table because of their superior head-tohead record.

Barca, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are all in action at different times on Saturday.

Zinedine Zidane's Real can, for a few hours at least, go two points clear at the summit if they win the 15:00 BST game at 12th-placed Real Sociedad.

Atletico will go to the top if they win at home to 16th-placed Rayo Vallecano (17:15 BST), while Barca will end the day back on top with a win at 13th-placed Real Betis (19:30 BST) "It is another final.

From here until the end of the season we only have finals remaining," said Zidane, whose side drew 0-0 at Manchester City in the first leg of the

Luis Enrique’s Barcelona were nine points clear at the top of La Liga at the beginning of April

Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

Atletico have gone five La Liga and Champions League matches without conceding and have won their last five domestic league games.

But boss Diego Simeone will have to watch the last three league games from the stand after receiving a touchline ban. (BBC)

ricket Australia has struck another obstacle in its plans to play back-to-back day-night Tests next summer, with Australia's players arguing that one is sufficient. The final Test of the summer's first series against South Africa will be a day-night fixture in Adelaide if CA can convince the players of both sides to agree, while the first Test of the second series will be a day-nighter against Pakistan at the Gabba.

However, South Africa's cricketers have expressed their concerns about playing under lights with a pink ball, and the Australian Cricketers' Association has now also raised queries about the wisdom of playing two day-night Tests in the summer. Alistair Nicholson, the ACA CEO, met with Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland on Thursday, and a wider meeting involving the players is expected to take place after the IPL. "The recent media regarding whether South Africa will or won't play a day-night Test is only one part of the equation," Nicholson said. "There are many other factors to be considered. The feedback we are receiving from our playing group is that there still remain concerns over day-night Tests and whilst there is acknowledgement that this format may grow the game, at this stage the

players would prefer to only play one day-night Test in 2016-17.

"Pink-ball Tests are a fundamentally different

captain Steven Smith said on Cricket Australia's website recently that last year's Test was "probably two millimetres of grass away from

the current discussions involving Cricket Australia.

He said that while the ACA welcomed the news that Cricket Australia and

Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) CEO says players prefer one game in 2016-17

game to traditional redball Test matches. We continue to be concerned about the durability and visibility of the pink ball, both the changing light conditions and the specifically prepared pitches are altering the conditions that the players are used to at each venue."

Last year's inaugural day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide Oval was over within three days, as extra grass was left on the pitch in an effort to protect the ball from too much wear and tear. Australia's

a four-day game".

South Africa captain AB de Villiers said he had met with Smith and some of the Australia players earlier this year to discuss daynight Test cricket, and "the consensus from our talks were that there are just too many unknowns". Smith said he was surprised at the comments from de Villiers and said the Australians would be happy to play a day-night Test if the South Africans wanted to.

However, the ACA said in a statement that "the legitimate concerns of the players had to be heard" in

Cricket South Africa would continue their talks on the possibility of the Adelaide Test being day-night, the players wanted to be part of the discussion.

"The players are supportive of innovation and certainly see the bigger picture," Nicholson said. "It's about growing the game through high quality cricket, accessible to as many people as possible. That's why we urge more formal discussions with the players having a seat at the table.

On behalf of the players the ACA would welcome that."

(Cricinfo)

20

guyana-times.com

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

Persistent rain forces Gujarat Lions win thriller; Steven Smith ton in vain Stag Elite League T match adjustments T

he Guyana Football Federation was forced to postpone and switch venues to upcoming matches in the Stag Elite League Finale.

The GFF in a Press Release stated that the much anticipated heavy weight clash between points leaders Slingers FC and second placed team Fruta Conquerors and the match Alpha United versus GDF FC which were original-

ly scheduled for Friday at the GDF Ground, Camp Ayanganna, have now been tentatively rescheduled (barring inclement weather) to the Tucville Ground on Saturday 30th April, 2016 at 18:00 hours and 20:30 hours respectively.

The release further stated that the official confirmation will be made on the Saturday morning (30th April).

This change was neces-

sary due to the GDF Ground being unfit for play as a result of the inclement weather.

Note, the matches between Buxton FC and Monedderlust FC followed

by Pele FC and GFC, originally scheduled for Sunday, 1st May, 2016 at the GFC Ground have now been tentatively moved to the Tucville Ground on the same day as originally scheduled.

his was a thriller that should have never come down to the last ball. But a combination of nerves, poor shot selection from Gujarat Lions and outstanding fielding by Rising Pune Supergiants kept the game alive till the end.

On a night when Steven Smith scored a century and-

chase. McCullum hammered four boundaries in the third over from Albie Morkel.

Dwayne Smith punished Ashok Dinda and R Ashwin for two fours each as Lions racked up 72 runs in the Powerplay.

With his quicks and spinners leaking runs, MS Dhoni turned to Rajat Bhatia

It didn't look likely when he was toying with the Lions bowlers during a 111-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane after Supergiants had been put in to bat.

Steven Smith made 101 off 54 balls, having built his innings with deft, backfoot flicks and powerful, front-foot drives. With Lions

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 50-over…

Persistent rain forces postponement of final matches

T

orrential rainfall has caused the final round matches in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Hand-In-Hand Under-19 Inter-county 50-over tournament to be rescheduled as no play was possible on Friday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Bourda and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC).

A press release sent by the Guyana Cricket Board stated “Due to persistent inclement weather, the third round and the final of the GCB/HIH U-19 50-Overs Inter-County 2016 Competition has been rescheduled until further notice”.

Both of the two rounds played were affected by rain but results were possible as Demerara, Essequibo and the Select Under-17s secured wins.

The first round matches

saw Demerara make light work of Essequibo; chasing 181 in 38 overs, Essequibo were blown away for just 56 in 28.3 overs. Ronaldo AliMohamed completed a fine all-round performance after making a defiant 53 to return with the ball claiming three early wickets, finishing with three wickets for seven runs off 5 overs.

Keshram Seyhodan wrecked the middle and lower order to finish with impressive figures of 4/9 off five tidy overs of left-arm spin.

At the Enterprise ground a brilliant opening stand from home-boy and captain Bhaskar Yadram and Sachin Singh. The two displayed good discipline, appeared very confident and in command, as their tactical display was characterized by great judgment, selectivity and admirable execution.

The proficiency of the open-

ing stands took the select U-17s to 108 before Sachin Singh was dismissed for 43.

Then Deon Venture was dismissed by Joel Seetaram for duck, to make the score 108/2.

Joshua Persaud joined Yadram and together they took the score to 127/2 in 22.5 overs, to give the select U-17s victory by eight wickets against Berbice.

The other two rounds saw Essequibo and Demerara also recording victories.

As it stands, defending champions Demerara currently have the most points with 13.04 points, followed by the Select Under-17s 11.03, Essequibo 10.05 and Berbice 4.00 points.

Teams were rewarded eight points for a win, two points for no result, 0.3 point for every fast bowling wicket; in addition, one point was awarded for bowling a team under 40 overs.

Russian Grand Prix: Sebastian Vettel handed five-place grid penalty

Vettel's car stopped during Friday's second free practice session with an unrelated electronics problem

F

errari driver Sebastian Vettel will be handed a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's Russian Grand

Prix.

Ferrari confirmed the German's car would need a gearbox change before the permitted cycle of six races.

It is a further blow to the four-time champion's attempts to take a first win for Ferrari this season.

Ferrari said the damage

Dwayne Smith hit nine fours and a six in his 37-ball 63 that gave Lions a headstart in a steep chase.

Dwayne Smith made a bruising 37-ball 63, it was birthday boy James Faulkner who sealed Lions' chase of 196 with three wickets in hand. This meant that Lions consolidated their position at the top of the standings with their sixth win in seven matches.

Steven Smith's surgical precision, fast hands, quick feet and strong wrists fetched him a maiden T20 century that would have been match on most nights.

But it was put to shade by Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith, who needed only 8.1 overs for a 93-run opening partnership. The blazing start allowed Suresh Raina (34) and Dinesh Karthik (33) the luxury of playing themselves in and taking the game deep.

When Karthik holed out to Rahane at deep midwicket, Lions needed 30 off 22 with seven wickets in hand.

But legspinner M Ashwin gave away only four runs in the 18th over, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja were knocked over in the 19th. and the pressure mounted.

With eight runs to defend, Thisara Perera was given the final over. Faulkner held his shape and swung the first ball to the squareleg boundary. The second ball was a wide and the third was driven to cover for a single. Raina was bowled off the fourth ball and Ishan Kishan was run out off the fifth, but Faulkner held his nerve and delivered the finishing blow.

The pace was similarly frantic at the start of the

whose canny medium pace accounted for McCullum in the ninth over. Dwayne Smith was unfazed, however, swinging anything in his hitting arc to deep midwicket and long-on. With nine fours and a six, there

to the gearbox was picked up in Vettel's first-lap collision with team-mate Kimi Raikkonen at the previous race in China.

Vettel, 28, admitted ahead of the Sochi race that there was "a natural sense

of pressure, especially from myself" following a tough start to the season that has left him 42 points behind championship leader Nico Rosberg after just three grands prix.

The penalty means the

bowling too short and overcompensating later, It almost seemed like he had very little choice in the matter. The visitors' generosity peaked in the 10th over when T20 debutant Shivil Kaushik bowled Smith off

SCOREBOARD Rising Pune Supergiants innings (20 overs maximum) View dismissal AM Rahane run out (Bravo) 53 SS Tiwary run out (Raina) 1 SPD Smith b Bravo 101 MS Dhoni*† not out 30 NLTC Perera not out 3 Extras: (lb-2, w-4, nb-1) 7 Total: (3 wickets; 20 overs) 195 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Tiwary, 2.3 ov), 2-124 (Rahane, 13.4 ov), 3-188 (Smith, 19.3 ov) Bowling: P Kumar 4-0-37-0; DS Kulkarni 3-0-25-0 (w-1); RA Jadeja 4-0-37-0; (w-2); S Kaushik 3-0-320 (nb-1); JP Faulkner 2-0-22-0; DJ Bravo 4-0-40-1 (w-1)

was an unmistakable air of authority to his batting until he inside-edged a Perera yorker onto his stumps. By then, the equation had been brought down to 81 off 55 balls with eight wickets left.

A level-headed half-century stand between Raina and Karthik and a timely cameo from Faulkner finished the game.

So Steven Smith ended up on the losing side again.

Gujarat Lions innings (target: 196 runs from 20 overs) DR Smith b Perera 63 BB McCullum c Morkel b Bhatia 43 SK Raina*b Perera 34 KD Karthik† c Rahane b Dinda 33 DJ Bravoc †Dhoni b Dinda 7 RA Jadejarun out (†Dhoni) 0 JP Faulkner not out 9 Ishan Kishan run out (Tiwary) 0 P Kumar not out 0 Extras: w-7) 7 Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 196 Fall of wickets: 1-93 (McCullum, 8.1 ov), 2-115 (Smith, 10.5 ov), 3-166 (Karthik, 16.2 ov), 4-180 (Bravo, 18.2 ov), 5-180 (Jadeja, 18.3 ov), 6-193 (Raina, 19.3 ov), 7-193 (Ishan Kishan, 19.4 ov) Bowling: JA Morkel 2-0-30-0 (w2); AB Dinda 4-0-40-2 (w-3); NLTC Perera 4-0-41-2 (w-1); R Ashwin 4-0-37-0 (w-1); R Bhatia 3-0-26-1; M Ashwin 3-0-22-0

a no-ball and the resulting free hit was smacked for six.

Then Rahane, like his new opening partner Saurabh Tiwary, was brilliantly run-out to leave Supergiants at 124 for 2 in the 14th over. Dhoni came in and slugged an unbeaten 30 off 18 to push the total towards 200, which should have been match-winning but Supergiants bowlers just weren't up to the mark.

(Cricinfo)

highest he can start the race on Sunday is sixth, although he is more likely to be eighth at best following a dominant performance from world champions Mercedes in Friday practice. (BBC)

21

sports

YELLOW PAGES SATURDAY, april 30, 2016 | www.guyana-times.com

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

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

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

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

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

FOR SALE One Toyota Spacio, One Toyota Forklift, One Motorcycle 110cc, One Cement Mixer (Ransom), Vick’s Hardware. Tel: 2642682/649-0707 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and at Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 2265053.

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

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655 2 STOREY CONCRETE HOUSE 35 X 45 ENCLOSED DOWNSTAIRS, SIZE OF LAND 65 X 120, SECTION A DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME, EAST BANK DEMERARA, CONTACT # 664-5052/6170583

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

Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

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

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/ VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

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

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

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

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

health

Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 Mondays-Saturdays 9am-3pm.

Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

lAND FOR SALE 1.5 Acre Land in W.B.D. Call #:658-0115 Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 625-1514 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234 One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale. Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 695-3150 (serious inquires only)

property for sale GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 673-5546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987 Bargain! One 3-bedroom wooden building in Georgetown. Solid greenheart beams, columns & boards. $1.3M Negotiable. Call 227-4285

services House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs.

Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

spirituality Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anew-life@live.com

VEHICLES FOR SALE NISSAN –X Trail 2013 Model Fully Loaded, 2500cc CVT 31,000KM, 8.9 Mil – Negotiable. Serious Enquires Only. Call: 685-3069/644-9141 One RZ Minibus BLL series in working condition. $400,000.00 One Toyota Raum (New Model) in excellent condition. $1.5M. Contact – 624-5002 One Toyota Picnic (8 Seater) in excellent condition.Mags Rims, DVD Player etc. $1.7M neg. Contact – 6245002 One Pitbull Minibus for sale. Excellent Condition. Call:624-5141 or email queries to mckriodax@gmail.com One AE110 XE Limited Sprinter. Very Good Condition; female driver. Tel: 223-0654 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

WANTED One live-in female housekeeper, over 35 years old and from outside of Georgetown. Tel:223-0654 Fast growing food distribution company is looking for a driver and salesperson with a car, experience and police clearance. Call: 231-8344 or 231-8529 Wanted, One Joiner to work in Crown Dam, ECD. Call: 627-3405 or 2224576.

SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg. (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST. G/Town.

231-7101 Vacancy exists for one full-time Pharmacist to work on the West Coast of Demerara in Metenmeerzorg.

Telephone: 275-0733

Cyclist Greaves suspended for one year L

ocal cyclist Alanzo ends on November 1, 2016.

Greaves has been susDuring this period, pended for one year Greaves would be barred by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), after he failed an anti-doping test last year.

Greaves was one of 10 cyclists who was identified by the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation for random testing at the conclusion of the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage in November 2015.

The Disciplinary Panel noted that Greaves admitted the charge, but stated that the infraction was not intentional. This is his first violation and he Alanzo Greaves waived his right to have the “B” sample analyzed.

It was therefore decided from participating in any that Greaves shall be dis- capacity in any event or acqualified in respect of the tivity or competition authoTour of Guyana Five-Stage rised, organised or sancCycle Race and any prize tioned by the Guyana money and ranking points Olympic Association, and is obtained therein shall be ineligible to participate in forfeited. The 12-month pe- any capacity in any nationriod of ineligibility started al, regional or international on November 1, 2015 and sport activity for a period of

12 months.

Interestingly enough, this publication learnt that Greaves only received official notice of his suspension on Friday (April 29).

Apart from Greaves, who rides for Team Mengoni, Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina was identified for testing, but refused owing to “insanitary conditions.”

Ospina had won the Tour of Guyana FiveStage, but due to his refusal, he was stripped of the title.

His teammates Darren Matthews, Jaime Ramirez, Raynauth Jeffrey and Hamzah Eastman, along with Raul Leal (Team Gillette Evolution), Geron Williams (Continental), Marloe Rodman (Heatwave) and Jamal Eastmond (Heatwave) were also tested.

The fate of the other eight riders is unknown at this time.

BCB, BCCDA launch Independence T20 Cup

A

fter an absence of one year due to national elections in May 2015, the annual Guyana Independence T20 Cup in Berbice has returned and was recently launched in the Ancient County.

The cricket extravaganza is a fundraiser organised jointly by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) and will be played on May 29 at the Rose Hall Community Centre Ground,

that his organization is once again happy to be part of this mega event and assure the fans that the partnership with the BCB will only get bigger and better.

He said that funds raised from this event will be donated to the Bal Nivas of Babu John, Port Mourant, orphanages and schools, with the remainder to be shared by the two organisations to continue their work. Rajnauth continued by saying that the BCCDA recognizes the importance

The teams expected to compete for prizes of over $200,000 are Upper Corentyne, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Albion Community Centre, Young Warriors Cricket Club, Tucber Park, Blairmont, Police and West Berbice. The best players in Berbice will be on show such as Devindra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin, Narsingh Deonarine, Jonathan Foo, Keon Joseph and young ris-

SICKNESS, EVIL, SPIRIT, RELATIONSHIP, IMPOTENT, REUNITE, LOVERS, PREGNANCY, JOBS, BUSINESS, BLOCKAGE ETC. 612-1975, 683 5228

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

TO let FOR RENT 1,000 TO 10,000 SQUARE FT. WAREHOUSE SPACE, OFFICE SPACE & SHOP FRONT. CALL: 592-6002040/600-5758 Leonora New Housing Scheme, W.C.D. Garage, Kitchen & Shower.

Tel: 675-5998/268-2277.

NO CHILDREN. Working Persons Only

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

Members of the organizing committee at the launch recently

once a First-Class venue in East Canje, Berbice.

The family event will form part of the calendar of events of the region to celebrate our country's 50th Independence anniversary.

At a simple launching ceremony of the fourth edition held at the BCB office, members of the organizing committee spoke of the plans for the event.

Ramroop Rajnauth, popularly known as “Danzie”, a businessman and president of the chambers said

of sports in nation building and informed the gathering that over the years, the tournament was successful and he assured the general public that this year will be no different.

Secretary of the BCB, Angela Haniff, said that the tournament will see some changes this year and is to be concluded in daylight. It will be an action packed fiveovers-a-side, white balls, coloured clothing tournament, and will involve the top first division teams in Berbice.

ing stars, Gudakesh Motie, and the first-ever West Indies Under-19 World Cup winning captain, Shimron Hetmyer.

Tournament Treasurer, Chris Hicks, announced that the winning team is expected to pocket $100,000, the runner-up $50,000, while the Man-of-the-Match will collect $10,000. Trophies will also be up for grabs.

A number of other side attractions are expected to form a part of the programme.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SaturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra-Association Football League launched

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in collaboration with the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) officially launched the Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 IntraAssociation Football League on Friday 29th April, 2016 at the North

NAMILCO’s Financial Consultant Fitzroy McLeod who was also present expressed his satisfaction with the launch of the tournament, “NAMILCO has been very supportive towards sporting activities and we continue to contribute to education institutions, we believe this tournament can be a land-

in November – December 2016.

It will be managed by and simultaneously run in the nine (9) football-playing associations affiliated to the GFF at the Intra-Association level.

These associations include Bartica Football Association (BFA), Berbice Football Association

Representatives of NAMILCO and GFF president Wayne Forde at the launch of the Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra-Association Football League

Ruimveldt Multilateral School, Georgetown.

At the launch GFF President, Wayne Forde said that there is more to the tournament than just football, but rather, player development for our youths.

“It’s not just about football, it is about taking care of a child which can one day be the source of pride for our nation.”

mark in Guyana. We expect that this tournament will serve as the basis for unrivaled national effort in the identification and enhancement of football talent in this critical age group” The National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) is the exclusive sponsor of the tournament which is expected to commence on the 7th May, 2016 and conclude in June 2017 with a break

(BFA), East Demerara Football Association (EDFA), East Bank Football Association (EBFA), Essequibo Coast/ Pomeroon Football Association, Georgetown Football Association (GFA), Repununi Football Association (RFA), Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and the West Demerara Football Association.

Wolf’s Memorial Challenge Cup…

Latif leads Regal to victory over Wolf’s Warriors, again

R

egal all-rounder Warriors Masters 90 all out Richard Latif contin- in 12.2 overs (Laurie Singh ues to be a thorn in 5-12). the flesh for Wolf’s Warriors Parika Defenders defeatas he once again stood tall ed Enterprise Legends by to lead his team to victo- five wickets. Enterprise 115ry in the Wolf’s Memorial Challenge Cup. The big-hitting Latif, who always seems to keep his best performance for Wolf’s Warriors, stroked a fluent 66 not out, as Regal defeated Wolf’s Warriors by seven wickets. The win strengthened Regal’s hold on Wolf’s Warriors, after they defeated the same opponent in the Guyana Softball Cup final last year.

Latif’s knock, along with Sachin Singh’s 38, carried Regal to victory at 160-3 in 16.4 overs, after Wolf’s Warriors scored Richard Latif 154-8 in 20 overs, with Safraz Karim and Ricky 9 in 20 overs (Asif Ahmad Sergeant scoring 32 each.

4-19) Defenders 118-6 in Below are the sum- 14 overs (V. Kissoon 35, S. marised scores from the oth- Yadram 3-17). er games.

Superior Woods defeatRegal Masters defeated ed H.S. Masters by 35 runs.

Wolf’s Warriors Masters by Superior Woods 189-6 in 86 runs. Regal 176-6 off 20 20 overs (S. Kumar 33, C. overs (Raymond Harper 49, Matthews 31, M. Fung 29, Londford Klass 28*) Wolf’s S. Samaroo 3-12, R. Persaud

2-26, M. Ifill 2-31) H. S. Masters 154-9 in 20 overs (S. Samaroo 41, C. Hoyte 29, R. Persaud 26, D. Mohabir 2-15, M. Fung 2-30).

Regal defeated Lol Woodworking by four wickets. Lol Woodworking 161-5 in 20 overs (Jagdesh Deosaran 71) Regal 1646 in 18.3 overs (Patrick Rooplall 36, Marvin Bobb 24).

Fisherman Masters were also among the winners, defeating Savage Masters at the Cyril Potter College of Education ground.

Meanwhile, action will continue on Sunday at the Carifesta Sports Complex ground.

On Pitch One: 10:00hAlbion Masters vs Wellman; and 12:30hSavage Masters vs Enterprise Legends. On Pitch Two: 10:30h- 4R Lioness vs Blue Divas; and 12:30h- Wellwoman vs Enterprise Divas. On Pitch Three: 10:00h- Wolf’s Warriors Masters vs Fisherman Masters; and 12:30h- Tropical Springs vs Parika Defenders.

Independence 3-stage cycling set for mid May

L

ocal and overseas riders will engage in intense battle on the weekend of May 14-15 when the National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Guyana Cycling Federation and national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed stages the 34th annual Independence Three-Stage cycle road race.

Speaking to this publication on Friday, Mohamed confirmed that the dates have been set and all systems are being put in place to ensure a successful twoday event.

It is understood that the race will form part of activities to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary. As is the norm, two stages will be held on the first day, while the final stage will take place on day two.

On the opening day, stage one will be held from the Corriverton Police Station to New Amsterdam, starting at 07:30h, while stage two will commence at 14:00h and will span the Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue route.

The final stage will take place the following day from Kara Kara, Linden, to Homestretch Avenue, beginning at 08:00h.

Defending champion Orville Hinds (centre) will lead Team Gillette Evolution’s charge again this year, as they look to keep a stranglehold on the other teams (Avenash Ramzan file photo)

Team Gillette Evolution’s top wheelsman Orville Hinds is the defending champion, having won last year’s event in a time of six hours, 52 minutes, 26 seconds (06h: 52m: 26s). Teammates Michael Anthony and Raul Leal finished second and third respectively, ensuring a Team Gillette Evolution clean sweep.

Given the team’s outstanding performances over the past year and the clear chemistry that exists among

the members, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if one of the men in ‘white and black’ emerges champion again.

Strategic riding has been the hallmark of the Ansa McAl-sponsored team, and once they continue in that vein, then they would be hard to beat.

However, the other teams would be cognisant of the need to evolve and no doubt they would be coming with tricks of their own to topple Team Gillette Evolution.

guyana-times.com

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

23

Guyana to host CBC DVA County champions U-16 Championships to be crowned today after a 17-year absence A T

he Government of Guyana on Thursday last committed $20 million as a prerequisite to Guyana’s Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) to assist in hosting the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships in July.

President of the CBC,

since they bring great benefits to the country.

Clarke was delighted with Government’s position as he indicated his satisfaction of the physical structure required for the Championships, though some amount of the necessary upgrade is to be done before jump-ball in July.

Clarke went on to say

sion that is now becoming a reality. This will not be just an event that takes place and vanishes. It will have lots of spin-offs.” Hinds added.

“This is a step in the right direction. We are in need of a sports culture. We believe that this is a great investment in Guyana’s youth. We are grateful

Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (fourth, right) with Glyne Clarke, while Minister within the Ministry, which has responsibility for Sport, Dr. Nicolette Henry (third, right) share the moment with from left Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Nigel Hinds, Patrick Haynes, Kenrick Thomas and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones.

Glyne Clarke, stated that his organization needed the commitment from the Government to ensure Guyana’s capacity to host the Championships, which has not been held in Guyana since 1999.

At a meeting with CBC’s President Clarke and Vice-President Patrick Haynes, Guyana’s Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine emphasized that Guyana is proud to be host of the 2016 Championships.

“We are happy to be hosts; we have an interest in not only hosting events but also developmental work. We are happy to host these events because it puts Guyana on show,” said Roopnaraine who is the Minister with responsibility for Sports locally.

The minister expressed his approval, stating that mega events such as this should always be pursued

“What we saw made us very hopeful. Guyana has always been at the forefront of our basketball in the Caribbean; Guyana has always been gracious hosts.

We were assured that all the works to be completed are mostly cosmetic. We want to thank Government for coming up with this contribution.”

The Caribbean Confederation through its per diem programme will add 25 percent of the budget to host the event while the other budgetary sums will come from corporate sponsorship. Also present at the meeting was President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association, Nigel Hinds who is hoping that corporate Guyana will grab the opportunity come July.

“We at the GABF are very grateful for the efforts and commitment of the Government. We had a vi-

to Government and the Ministry of Education. This is a wonderful moment for us,” Hinds concluded.

Ten Men’s and seven Women’s National teams have been confirmed as participants in the tournament.

This includes; Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and the hosts Guyana in the Men’s Championship.

The Women’s Championship will include national teams from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the hosts Guyana.

The Youth Championship was last held in St John’s, Antigua in 2008 with the Bahamas capturing both Men’s and Women’s Championships.

Bayern chasing fourth consecutive title B

ayern Munich will not rest key players for Saturday's potential title-winning game with Borussia Monchengladbach, says boss Pep Guardiola.

Bayern will wrap up their fourth consecutive Bundesliga title if they beat Gladbach before they look to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

"We have to win against Gladbach first," said Guardiola.

Bayern are looking to be crowned champions of Germany for the 26th time.

Guardiola's side are seven points clear of nearest rivals Borussia Dortmund, who host Wolfsburg, with three games remaining.

Pep Guardiola is looking to win the Bundesliga title for the third time in three attempts

B o r u s s i a Monchengladbach are one point off the Champions League places.

Forward Thomas Muller, Bayern's top-scorer in Europe, and midfielder Franck Ribery both started on the bench in the Champions League in Spain's capital.

"We still need another win, we only have a few days to prepare and then we face Atletico three days later," added Guardiola, who is leaving Bayern for Manchester City in the summer.

Bayern, who face Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final on 21 May, are looking to finish the season with a treble.

fter a hiatus of at least a decade, the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) will today crown a schools champion in the county finals of the first school tournament for the new administration.

The tournament, which will serve off at 10:00h at the National Gymnasium, will see the top teams from the respective zones: West Demerara, Georgetown and Linden do battle to bring pride to their respective zones in the one day roundrobin finals.

After a successful preliminary leg, which saw Patentia Secondary winning the West Demerara leg and St Roses High and Linden Foundation Secondary winning the Georgetown and Linden legs respectively, the tournament now sets sight on crowning an overall Demerara school champion.

The tournament has been made possible by generous support from Indesco, the primary sponsor for the Georgetown leg; Angcam Marine Supplies, who sponsored the West Demerara leg; Talk is Cheap Travel Agency, the primary sponsor for the Linden leg, and Digicel and the Guyana Volleyball Federation.

Today’s action will also

Members of the Patentia Secondary School team, winners of the West Demerara leg, will be on show today

see runners-up, Leonora Secondary from West Demerara, Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary from Linden and Queen’s College and Marian Academy from Georgetown joining the zone champions to put on a spectacle for the fans and supporters expected to pack the National Gymnasium.

Excited by the response of the schools so far in this tournament, President of the DVA, Trevor Williams, is already talking about running off another school tournament later in the year as, Youth and School Volleyball has been identified by the association and federation as an area of focus moving forward.

Williams also pointed out that outstanding players from this tournament will get an immediate op-

portunity to further develop themselves in the sport because immediately after the completion of the finals, a male and female school team will start preparation to represent Demerara at the Inter-county championship scheduled for May 7 at the National Gymnasium.

Also in the pipeline for youth volleyball, the Guyana Volleyball Federation will be selecting male and female teams to represent the country at the upcoming Under-19 and Under-23 South American Championships, which are scheduled to serve off in Colombia in June of this year and the cream of the crop is expected to come from the schools participating in the ongoing school championships.

Massy United on board with LGC - however, rain forces postponement of event

Massy United Insurance Branch Manager, Lindel Harlequin (second left), presents the sponsorship cheque to Lusignan Golf Club President Oncar Ramroop. Looking on are Massy United Claims Officer Vibert Austin (left) and Lusignan Golf Club PRO, Guy Griffith

M

assy United Insurance, of Lot 126F Carmichael Street, Georgetown, has agreed to sponsor its fourth golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course. The event was set to tee-off at 12:30h today, but due to inclement weather, it has been postponed until further notice.

“Due to continuous rainfall over the past few days, the Massy United Insurance’s fourth golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course, scheduled for Saturday April 30, has been postponed until further notice, essentially dependent on fair weather allowing the Golf Course to be playable,” the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) said in a release.

Meanwhile, at a simple ceremony to announce the annual partnership, Branch Manager, Lindel Harlequin, indicated that “Massy United Insurance is pleased to be involved in promoting golfing in Guyana.”

Massy United Insurance, a Barbados-based company, offers a wide range of general insurance services for businesses throughout 14 territories in the Caribbean.

Lusignan Golf Club President, Oncar Ramroop, in expressing gratitude on behalf of the club, said, “We are highly appreciative of the good faithful support that we have had from Massy United Insurance in four years of sponsoring tournaments; and we are grateful that Mr. Harlequin

is also enthused at continuing this great support. We at Lusignan Golf Club are quite delighted that Massy not only provides such support, but also offers great insurance coverage to the club.”

When the tournament eventually comes off, it will be played using the Open Medal Play system. Players with the top four best net, Nearest-to-the-Pin, Longest Drive and Best Gross would be rewarded.

Among the top performers from the last Massy United tournament were Rishi Sukhram (A Flight champion), Chatterpaul Deo (B Flight champion), David Mohamed (C Flight champion) and Christine Sukhram (Ladies Flight).

saturDAY, APRIL 30, 2016

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

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 50-over…

Persistent rain forces postponement of final matches

Pg 20 The scene at the waterlogged GCC on Friday

Jamaica Tallawahs welcome Steyn as Malinga is ruled out of CPL

South Africa star Steyn “proud and delighted” to sign up for the biggest party in sport Pg 19

Cyclist Greaves suspended for one year Pg 21 Alanzo Greaves will not be allowed to get involved in any cycling related activities until the suspension ends in November

This will be Dale Steyn's first association with an overseas T20 league apart from the IPL

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyana-times.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.