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The Race to LGE 2016

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2789

Monday, March 7, 2016

PPP moving to have election crimes punishable by law – Opposition Leader

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Hindus observing Maha Shivaratri P13 today with pomp and celebrations

Wild hogs destroying P11 Paruima farms – farmers defenceless after weapons surrendered

ExxonMobil may bring another rig by yearend – Financial Officer P2

- hundreds gather at Babu Jaan for death anniversary of Dr Cheddi Jagan

50-seater bus commissioned in Bartica by President

…more students get bicycles P9

Page 12 Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds joined hundreds of People’s Progressive Party/Civic supporters at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice in observance of the death anniversary of the Party’s founding leader and late President, Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan

48-year-old killed in Another hit-and-run accident prisoner dies – another dies in Corentyne smash-up Page 2

Page 7

at Camp St jail

State forensic audits

Transporting cane from West Bank to Uitvlugt impossible – farmers P10 …described as “the road to hell”

Page 3

Evidence needed before going to Courts – President – requires recommendations from law officers

Closure of Wales Sugar Estate

7kg ganja unearthed P9 during roadblock

2 news ExxonMobil may bring another rig by yearend – Financial Officer U MONDAY, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

S oil and gas giant ExxonMobil could bring a second offshore drilling rig to accelerate development of its holdings off Guyana after appraising the initial Liza find and drilling a pair of wildcat wells.

According to oil and gas online newspaper upstreamonline.com, John Reilly, Chief Financial Officer of another US-based oil company Hess, was confident that with further success on the exploration side and discussions with its partner, ExxonMobil, it “could potentially be bringing in another rig towards the end of this year and which would potentially be running a two-rig programme in 2017”.

Hess had partnered with ExxonMobil on the discovery back in May of 2015.

According to upstream, ExxonMobil is chasing a series of lookalike prospects in the Cretaceous fan trend that was proved with the Liza discovery, and plans a pair of wildcats in addition

to two appraisals at Liza.

“Now that we have tuned the logs to the seismic, we believe you can see these other fans quite clearly,” Hess’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Hill said.

Hess has already allocated some US$70 million in 2016 to look at field development options for Liza, but Reilly cautioned that that figure could increase next year.

“If the appraisal wells go well on Liza, (that could mean) potentially sanctioning a project there and having further development costs,” Reilly said.

Reilly explained that the potential fast-tracking of drilling and field development offshore Guyana was a large driver in Hess tapping equity markets for more than US$1.4 billion through a common and preferred share offer earlier this month.

He said the four planned offshore wells will cost around US$250 million each and there would be additional costs associated

with early development of the Liza field.

Hess remains optimistic on Liza despite the downturn in oil prices owing to a number of factors.

The Liza discovery has a “fantastic reservoir” with high permeability, with water depths and formation depths that are shallower than those seen in the US Gulf of Mexico.

“This isn’t the deepwater Gulf of Mexico,” Hill said. “These are 18,000 feet – you don’t have to drill through salt so these are low-cost kind of development wells. As we are doing this work on Guyana, we are at a low point in the supply chain, so rigs, ancillary equipment, if we go to an early production system – all that you can develop

at a much lower cost than you could say a year-and-ahalf ago,” Hill said.

Late last month, ExxonMobil spudded its highly anticipated appraisal of the Liza oil discovery off Guyana.

The US supermajor had also begun seismic work on the adjacent Canje block after completing a farm-in deal.

Drillship Stena Carron has spudded the Liza2 appraisal after sailing to ExxonMobil’s Stabroek block off Guyana from the Canary Islands, where it had been idle for more than a year.

The Liza appraisal is the first of at least four wells – split between appraisals and wildcats – planned for the 6.5-million-acre block

by ExxonMobil, along with partners Hess and CNOOC Ltd subsidiary Nexen.

Earlier this month, Hill said the appraisal programme would also include a drill-stem test of Liza-2 in order to better understand reservoir characteristics

Region 7 receives specialist doctors, to get blood bank

R

egion Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) now has a total of 16 doctors, eight of whom are specialists in gynaecology, anaesthesiology, cardiology and dermatology.

There is also a paediatrician as well as a nose, ears and throat specialist.

With preparations un-

derway to transform Bartica into a town, the current Administration is putting the requisite structures in place to improve the Region’s healthcare system.

During a recent visit to Bartica, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton told residents that works were being done assiduously

to raise the standards of the healthcare providers in the Region.

He noted that unlike before when all the doctors were centralised at the Bartica Regional Hospital, they have now been posted in outlying communities such as Kamarang, Issano and Waramadong.

Bartica Regional Hospital

Moreover, Region Seven will soon be getting its own blood bank for which a refrigeration system has already been procured.

Meanwhile, with new management in place at the Bartica Hospital, some cases which were previously transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital were being attended to right at that regional facility.

Moves are also afoot to establish a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Bartica Regional Hospital

with the aim of reducing infant mortality in the district.

NICUs provide specialised care for premature babies (neonates) who are not fully developed and are unable to survive on their own without the assistance of monitoring equipment, incubators and breathing apparatus.

Bartica will officially secure its township status on April 23, 2016. This date is symbolic of the ordinance made by the British Government some 178 years ago, to declare Bartica a town.

such as the oil-water contact and any compartmentalisation of the reservoir.

Despite those unknowns, Hill called rock properties of the Liza reservoir “fantastic” on a conference call with investors.

In addition to the appraisal drilling, ExxonMobil will drill one or more wildcats to test additional prospects after receiving data from a 17,000-square-kilometre seismic shoot that is being completed by CGG. “The objective there is to figure out if what we are seeing on seismic is replicable in other areas of the block, because we have a lot of lookalikes on seismic,” Hill said.

“So we want to get a well or two in a couple of the other things and see what running room we have on the block. We think there’s a lot, but obviously you’ll need some more wells to figure that out.”

In addition to the drilling work, ExxonMobil is kicking off a suite of science on its newly-expanded holdings off Guyana.

Earlier this month, ExxonMobil began meteorological and oceanographic surveys on Stabroek block as well.

48-year-old killed in hit-and-run accident – another dies in Corentyne smashup

A

48-year-old pedestrian was killed after being struck down by a motorcycle along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Public Road in Unity Village.

The incident occurred on Saturday around 23:00h.

The dead man has been identified as Deadat Ram of Helena No 2, Mahaica, ECD. According to reports, the man was walking along the roadway when the motorcyclist crashed into him.

The motorcyclist fled the scene, but his abandoned motorbike remained there without the registration number.

As for the pedestrian, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Police have launched an investigation.

news

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moNDAY, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 7 – 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, March 8 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 7 – 15:20h-16:50h and Tuesday, March 8 – 16:05h-17:35h.

State forensic audits

Evidence needed before going to Courts – President – requires recommendations from law officers

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions will prevail throughout the day with light rain showers in the late morning hours. Clear skies to partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 03:22h and 15:41h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.72 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:14h and 21:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.59 metre and 0.45 metre respectively.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

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President David Granger

Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma

T

hough there are a number of recommendations before Cabinet for charges to be laid against various individuals and entities, government wants to ensure they have “concrete evidence” before going to the Courts.

Commenting on these recommendations, President David Granger on his “Public Interest” TV programme explained that there is not sufficient evidence to take the culpable parties to Court.

“Well, we need to have evidence before the case goes to Court… maybe the audit might have discovered that there might have been deficiencies and malpractice but that itself is not evidence which is necessarily accepted in Court,” he stated.

Granger said once Cabinet has considered the reports, the matter would then be transferred into “the hands of the laws” to make recommendations.

“The Cabinet does not direct the Courts… once we have recommendations from the law officers that there are cases to answer, that is the course we’ll follow... we don’t tell the Courts what to do,” Granger further pointed out.

The President maintained that the main focus is to correct or to prevent any malpractice from recurring. turn to page 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

moNday, march 7, 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

The Georgetown Debate

W

ith Local Government Elections (LGE) less than two weeks away, the rather underwhelming awareness of the event received a fillip Saturday when a public interest group, “Under the Tamarind Tree” pulled off a very well-organised debate between six of the contestants for the 15 constituencies that constitute the Municipality of Georgetown. Broadcast live over the State television, a cable company and streamed over the Internet, it was seen by a large swathe of the Guyanese public and hopefully stimulated some interest in their own specific constituencies.

After a hiatus of 22 years, it appeared that apart from Mark Benschop, the contestants – Phillip Thomas – A Guyana Nation Building Corps; Sherod Duncan – APNU+AFC; Mark Benschop – Team Benschop; Michael Leonard – Team Legacy; James Cole – PPP/C; and Clayon Halley – Youth For Local Government – were not fully aware of the rationale for the struggle over local government that extends over 35 years.

Guyana emerged from a colonial government that imposed a very centralised, militarised command and control governance structure intended to keep the populace subjugated to extract the maximum wealth for its own purposes. This was deepened by the post-1970 PNC regime even though it purported to “decentralise” governance via a “Regional System”, further broken down into Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and Municipalities. Subsequent to constitutional changes in 2000, a bipartisan task force worked to draft new Local Government legislation that would return autonomy to Local Government institutions by removal of Central Government ministerial control and conceding greater financial autonomy.

The question that fazed each of the contestants was on how precisely was the municipality to achieve that financial autonomy so that it would not be “muzzled by the (Central Government) hand that fed it”. They were all quite prolix on the number of projects they would execute, but obviously did not spend enough time on the funding issue. When the Youth for Local Government candidate entirely missed the import of the question, the moderator used his prerogative to have the question redirected to each of the other contestants. Most of them flubbed their answers in not conceptualising of securing revenue streams great enough to deal with the challenges confronting the city.

The PPP candidate said he would offer an “amnesty” to defaulting taxpayers and thereafter pursue collection vigorously. Benschop would focus on garnering funds from advertising on city locations, parking meters in commercial zones and interestingly from radio and TV stations the city would presumably acquire. Leonard waxed vehemently against “outsiders” from the East Coast and “over the river” who use the city’s facilities without paying for them. He would install toll mechanisms, presumably akin to the ones that medieval cities used to have to ensure they paid their way. He did not say whether he would go as far as building a wall around the city with drawbridges at strategic points to collect the tolls. He brushed off the shabby treatment meted out to farmer-vendors who were expelled from Merriman Mall, to expatiate on “better use” of city spaces.

Duncan, who did exhibit wide knowledge of City minutiae, including the need for a “budget greater than $2B", offered as his big funding proposal a return of the Lotto to the City and charging GPL for its posts on city pavements. Inter alia, he glossed over the question posed directly to him as to how would he deal with the contradiction of fighting for the city to be autonomous from the Central Government while being on the slate of the party controlling that Central Government.

Overall, the Georgetown Debate was a worthwhile endeavour in permitting the citizens of Georgetown, with one quarter of the entire country’s population, to have a glimpse of some of the independent candidates who are attempting to wrest control of City Hall from interests that have become too entrenched and too corrupt. Maybe the Debate will spur all involved in these LGE to “get their act together”.

Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) Programme on Sunday hosted a walk to raise awareness on suicide in Guyana Protection photo)

(Ministry of Social

Unity and cohesion in Muslims Dear Editor, Guyana is a kind and tolerant mother to all the divisions in the society, keeping the differences aside while cohesively pasting the coexistence of all the different faiths and beliefs.

The Guyanese are divided racially, and then religiously, and then further down, sectarian division.

Editor, it is not a surprise that as the world becomes civilised, diversity of ideologies, thoughts and beliefs emerge. But such springing of tenets in the hands of ignorance can cause devastating consequences, like in the Middle East.

Islam, as I believe, and as every Muslim would claim, seeks to unite humanity. Even if someone is not a Muslim, the Holy Quran has given them rights on Islamic Basis.

However, the more taunting element to deal with here, is that Muslims themselves are divided into so many groups, which is a pity for the society.

Firstly, differences in beliefs has sparked the immergence of Sunnis, Shias and Ahmadiyyas. But this division, Editor, is in existence from the time of the demise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May peace be on him).

He truly was a mercy to mankind, as God states in the Holy Quran (21:107), “We did not send you (O Prophet) but as a mercy to all the nations.”

After his demise, truly, the Muslims felt the large chunk of mercy that god had stored amongst them. Of these Muslims, Shias make up about 0.35 billion (21%) whereas the Sunnis make up the majority.

History tells us that at-

tempts were made between both the Sunni and Shia scholars, and to an extent, Ahmidiyya scholars, to debate and resolve the differences, and many were successful. In contrast, history also tells us that the majorities had oppressed minorities and vice versa on the basis of difference of beliefs.

I simply can imagine a world with Muslims studying different sects as much as they ignorantly fought.

Indeed, knowledge would have been a better path to follow and resolve conflicts peacefully. Even further, Editor, when I was studying Islamic Jurisprudence, I was introduced to five schools of thoughts, namely, Hanafi, Hanbali, Ja’fari, Maliki and Shafi’i.

Though, this diversification of Islamic Laws is not a source of war in many cases. These were emerged a little after the Prophet’s demise. They have differences, in most cases, miniscule, in Islamic Law, due to the different categorisations and outreach of Ahadeeth (sayings and actions narrated from and about the Holy Prophet).

I was taught that no Muslim has the right to call another Muslim wrong if he follows a different school of thought. If we are hearing news from the MiddleEast about the various wars emerged amongst various groups, it is not in relation to the schools of thought, but often, sectarian.

The mainstream Islamic Scholars have condemned and even encouraged the fighting against groups that spread such word of division to deepen the wounds in the Muslim world. Without a shadow of doubt, everyone

is, by now, well aware that the violence in the Muslim world today, is a direct descendant of US backed Saudi Regime that propagates Takfeeri ideology. Takfeeri ideology, simply put, is one which accepts that their subject of belief is the correct one, and everyone out of their diaspora are ‘infidels’, regardless of them being a Shia or Sunni. Takfeeri is anyone who claims to be a Muslim and calls another Muslim who believes in the tenets of Islam, a Kaafir (disbeliever).

Therefore Editor, Guyanese nation, especially the Muslims, should be advised that if a Masjid or a centre of such propagates such belief, it is better to not participate in that field.

In Guyana, we are fortunately blessed to witness all the different variety of Muslims. It would have been more acceptable if we just had these differences and followed the school of thoughts accordingly and peacefully.

But, unfortunately, the love of power, sources of income, arrogance and ignorance has caused the Muslims to further divide into different groups, shamelessly, bringing into place, more gaps and differences. To fill these gaps of differences, firstly, Muslims must stop creating gaps and stretching them.

Editor, I think it is of utmost essential that we urge the Muslim scholars not to propagate divisions but to acknowledge the differences and respect them. Days are over, where one group spreads hatred of the other in order to maintain its followers.

Today, hatred is not

keeping intellectual followers, it is pushing them away.

Just by not scaremongering on other Muslims, a Muslim can very well make a great contribution in the reformation process. Secondly, the scholars of different schools of thoughts and sects should come together, make public gatherings together, acknowledge each other with praise-worthy qualities and spread the word of love and harmony.

Tolerating others’ beliefs and differences does not mean that one should leave his own belief. Scholars of the various schools of thought must come together, in a scholarly environment, with intellect, and debate on issues that can potentially be corrected or resolved.

Previously, most of the minority groups were either forgotten or purposely not invited to unity meetings at national level, ironically. However, we are seeing some light improvements in the present days and hope that this improvement will persist in the social cohesion of the Muslims and nonMuslims.

Editor, you can see how desperately sorrowful I am to express this plague in our society. I cannot tell you how much more desperate I am to erase the differences and come to one agreement.

After all, we Muslims believe in one God, one Book, one final Prophet and pray in one direction. We have a lot more similarities to promote than differences, which by the way, are technical. Is it not possible we come to form one strong cohesion, respecting each other?

Nay, it is!

Abdus-Saalih

guyanatimesgy.com

moNDAY, march 7, 2016

Maha Shivraatri reminds us of the need for spirituality Dear Editor, Hindus will observe Maha Shivraatri today in the conventional manner by engaging in elaborate, but symbolic rituals coupled with fasting, congregational worship and twenty four hours vigil.

Maha Shivraatri which means the “Great Night of Shiva” is a sacred occasion for the Hindu. It is a moment of reflection and introspection and recommitment to spirituality.

The occasion allows an opportunity to remind oneself of the need for spirituality, which is the pursuit of truth which the Hindu views as the Reality of

life. The ultimate goal of life is to merge with that Truth or Reality. It is to achieve God-Realisation or Shivahood.

The Hindu highest school of philosophy (Vedanta), or more particularly the Advaita School of Vedanta defines the real as Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam, Brahman.

Eternal Existence is Satyam or truth. Jnanam is awareness or pure consciousness. Anantam indicates infinitude.

Brahman connotes the real. Aanandam Brahman is yet another definition of truth. It means that the Real is Bliss and no

being is alien to bliss.

Summing up all these definitions Akhanda Sat Chit Anandam or the infinite existence-knowledgebliss is the real (God) and Vedanta philosophy deals with it, which is the highest and central focus in the sacred observance of Maha Shivraatri.

A blessed Shivraatri to all!

Regards, Pt. Charranlall Nandalall Secretary, Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha Region 3

Who to vote for in the LGE? Dear Editor, The last two Local Government Elections (LGE) were held in 1970 and 1994.

In 2009, the LGE laws were changes to give people less options. There are two voting systems each covering about 50% of the country, Proportional Representation (PR) and First-Past-The-Post (FPTP).

With PR, people can only vote for Political Parties (PP) and Voluntary Groups (VG), Private Individuals (PI) cannot contest in the PR area.

So people are not allowed to vote for PI, they can only vote for a list of persons on PP or VG slate. What this means is the person on the list may live Essequibo, but is on a list for New Amsterdam.

Contestants do not have to reside in the area where they are contesting. With FPTP,

in addition to PP and VG, Private Individuals (PI) can compete.

In this LGE, I urge each and every eligible voter to vote VG in the PR areas and PI in the FPRP areas.

The next LGE election date is uncertain, given our history. So you have to vote for people who will serve in your interest and not in the interest of any political party. In the short history of Guyana, the only good period of governance was from 1985 to 1992 under D. Hoyte and 1992 to 1997 under C. Jagan.

The issues raised here on do not refer to the preceding period. All other ruling was filled with power drunkenness, massive corruptions and lawlessness. Guyanese did not deserve what took place under the PNC and the PPP. APNU was seen as the

best change, but of recent many of us have regretted the decision to support them. For myself, I thought they go with a “Hoyteian” approached to governance.

But I am deeply disappointed with them. Their first act was to give themselves 50 to 100 per cent increase in benefits, just like 1998, under J. Jagan, ministers salary were grossly increased.

Both parties support development in areas where their elite lives, not necessarily where their supporters live.

You must take the interest of your community in your hand, even it means voting against the party of your choice. Once again, make your vote count for your community, vote VG and PI. Best of luck!

Sincerely, Bhola Nauth

A complaint about the violation of a lease agreement

Dear Editor, A couple months ago, I penned a complaint about the violation of a lease agreement (an enforceable binding contract) between myself and the City Council for use of land in Back Road, Mandela Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. I use the land to park my machinery. I also informed Mayor Hamilton Greene about the violation of the lease to which I paid the appropriate fees.

The Mayor promised privately to investigate the complaint and assured that the lease will not be violated. He also commented publicly that he would investigate the matter when queried by a news reporter and that he would revert back to me and to the media which carried my complaint. That has not happened.

Since the complaint and the media interaction with

Mayor Greene, the land in question is being developed with the rights to my lease being usurped by another person who claimed it was “given” to him by the City Council and the Mayor.

The City Council and Mayor know fully well what is going on. Attached are a couple of photos to show work being done on the site.

The person who has claimed the land and has taken over use of it said: “We have a new government. We in charge now. I tek the land. Nobody can’t do anything”.

The person has a huge contractor with the new coalition government. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Are we going back to racial discrimination and racial bullyism? Is this the change people voted for? Will laws be enforced in this country? It is a case

of racial and political discrimination in which the land was forcefully taken away from me and given to a supporter of APNU and a political donor.

I spent millions of dollars to drain and develop what was a piece of useless swamp land for business use.

I signed a lease and honoured the contract, paying land use.

No one desired the land when it was flooded and of no value. After I developed it with my personal money, and turned it into a valuable property, others want it.

And the City Council and Mayor have broken the lease agreement. At a minimum, the Council must compensate me for the value I stored unto the land and for breaking the lease.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP

5

British peer who exposed fraud in Guyana passes on Dear Editor, I write to pay tribute to Lord Avebury, the British peer who helped to focus attention on fraudulent elections in Guyana, who died last month at age 87. He and fellow peer Lord Chitnis, as well as several other British officials and dignitaries from the Commonwealth, provided the Guyanese freedom fighters in the diaspora much support and encouragement in our struggle for free and fair elections in the former homeland.

We remain eternally grateful for his exposè on electoral fraud in our former homeland and some of the atrocities committed on the nation.

Several Guyanese met the esteemed gentleman in England and lobbied his assistance to take a mission to Guyana to observe the December 1980 elections.

Without his exposure of electoral fraud in Guyana and without his lobbying of UK government officials, pressure would not have been mounted on the Hoyte regime to allow a free and fair election that allowed the PPP to return to government.

Lords Avebury and Chitnis deserve much credit for their work and should have been so recognised by the PPP government.

In New York, we formed the World Union of Guyanese (with Sir Fenton Ramshaoye, the former distinguished AG and current Queen’s Counsel) as the international Chairman; the great Ravi Dev, Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Rramracha and myself were all part of that group.

In fact, we hosted Sir Fenton who was tasked with meeting officials in the UK (where he lived) and the Caribbean (where he practised law) to advocate for free and fair elections and to urge governments to pressure the PNC dictatorship to hold free and fair elections.

Dr Ramsahoye met with Lord Avebury and other Lords as well as British government officials to solicit support for

our cause for the return of democratic rule in Guyana.

Mike Rahman, who was terrorised by Burnham’s henchmen, now a AFC supporter, accompanied Sir Fenton in several of those meets. Rahman may wish to amplify on the proceedings of those meets. Mike Rahman did a lot for the struggle while he lived in England, and like Sir Fenton and those of us who did so much to restore free and fair elections, were not credited for liberating the homeland.

As recounted to me, Lord Avebury related how he personally was beaten by thugs and bloodied in Guyana and thrown in a stink drain as he travelled around to observe the December 1980 fraudulent elections campaign.

Other members of his Observer Mission were also beaten but they persevered in their mission, accepting the brutal assault as part of a cause so they can expose the fraud taking place in our homeland. It helped our mission.

I note that while Lord Avebury was documenting the electoral fraud in Guyana, a handful of us picketed the Guyana Mission at the UN and Consulate in NY on 39th Street and 2nd Ave over several days to expose the fraud and atrocities meted out o the observers and activists and the rigging of the election as we did during the rigging of the July 1978 referendum.

In his report on the 1980 election as well as in his conversation with Sir Fenton, as related to me, Lord Avebury made reference to the fraudulent Burnham constitution and the rigged referendum of July 1978 as well as the rigged elections of 1973 and 1968.

Lord Avebury considered the constitution a fraud that gave unlimited powers to Burnham. Lord Avebury said Burnham felt he was God and the constitution gave him Godlike powers to tower over everyone.

Dr Jagan had opposed the Burnham constitution but embraced it when he was elected

President, unwilling to change it or even pass a bill in parliament saying the 1978 referendum giving rise to the Burnham constitution was a fraud; Jagan led the campaign against the rigged referendum and the constitution.

There has been much debate on interpretations of clauses and Sections of the Burnham constitution. Since the constitution is a product of fraud, as documented by observer missions, should it not be considered as null and void and should efforts not be made to replace it ASAP? The legal doctrine of “fruits of the poison tree” applies here – proceedings from an illegal or fraudulent act are considered to be illegal. Lord Avebury supported such a conclusion.

And in fact, in the US, evidence obtained from illegal acts are considered as unacceptable in jurisprudence. Also, anyone who becomes an immigrant or a citizen through fraud can have same nullified. It cannot be understood why the Burnham constitution cannot be dumped.

During the campaign, the coalition said it would replace the constitution if elected. It is now safely ensconced in office.

What is preventing it from replacing this fraudulent constitution? The constitution should be replaced with powers being given to the people and taken away from the executive.

Power belongs to the people not the parties and power and resources should be shared among the ethnic groups.

As we observe the 50th anniversary since Independence, the government should consider giving honours to men like Lord Avebury, Sir Fenton, Mike Rahman and others who contributed so much to restore democracy in our homeland.

We owe much to Lord Avebury’s work, his credibility, and his international reputation as a decent and fair-minded person to restore democratic rights to our homeland.

Regards, Vishnu Bisram

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moNday, march 7, 2016

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Give them reading!

– how (and why) to give the gift of reading to children

By Paula J Schwanenflugel, PhD, and Nancy Flanagan Knapp, PhD

W

e want to look at four simple ways you can give this gift of reading to the children (and perhaps the adults) around you, whether in your classroom, your community, or your own family.

Give them books!

Libraries are great--we spend a lot of time in them ourselves--and a good school library can make a huge difference in children’s literate lives. But something special seems to happen when children get to actually own books.

Teachers and researchers have long known that children who have lots of books at home usually learn to read more easily and better. In fact, a study based on recent international PISA results found that this effect held true across all 42 participating advanced and developing countries, even after controlling for parents’ education and SES. In several recent interview studies, elementary school children have talked about how getting books as presents made them want to read, and this effect is not confined to young-

er children.

In their classic study of the Hooked on Books programme, which gave books to incarcerated adolescent boys, Fader and McNeil found out just how much owning books can mean to even these children. Each boy got to choose three regular paperbacks from a bookstore-donated selection; they not only read their books, but carried them everywhere, sneaked them into classes, traded them, stole them from each other, and even took them along when they ran away!

If you are a teacher, you can use some of these same sources, as well as sites like Craigslist and Donors Choose, to get inexpensive books you can give to students as presents or rewards. As a parent, you can encourage your child’s teacher to put up “swap” shelves, where students can initially pick out a book or two for themselves and, when finished, swap them for new ones. This strategy has been shown to increase reading among even disadvantaged, failing students.

Giving children books does not have to cost a fortune

It is no use, however, to give children books they don’t want to read, or even worse, books we think they should read. If you are wondering what books to give your children, think about what kind of TV shows and movies they like, a n d what they like to do.

B o o k s about favourite games or sports, or tied into pop-

You can find lots of inexpensive used books in good condition on sites like Amazon, Ebay, and half. com. Many public libraries hold regular sales of books that have been donated or culled from their shelves, again at pretty low prices. Used children’s books in good condition can often be found for a dollar or less at garage sales and flea markets.

Give them choices!

ular TV shows or movies, can be a good choice. Ask your school librarian what are the “hot” books in your children’s age groups right now, or check out lists of kid-recommended books: But one of the best ways to give children the gift of reading is to let them pick out books for themselves.

Then you can be sure they will get something they want and will feel comfortable reading. Choosing also empowers people, especially children, who often have so little choice or control over many aspects of their lives.

So take them with you to the flea market or the garage sales. Let them browse on Ebay or make a wish list of books on Amazon that you and other relatives can draw from for birthday and Christmas books.

If you can afford it, take them to a bookstore and let them pick out a brand new book (perhaps within a certain price limit...) to celebrate the beginning of school or special achievements or events. Even “non-readers” may surprise you at how carefully they winnow through the books, considering this one or that, until they find that “just right” book to take home.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

It’s all good: my anxiety is my family’s anxiety

By Leon Scott Baxter

H

ello, my name is Leon and I’m a stress-ball.

I’m high-strung. I’m Type-A. And, I’m the father of two girls (ages 12 and 16).

All their lives they’ve seen Dad get intense when things didn’t go right: the bagger forgets to put the eggs in my grocery bag and I have to return to the store; I find an extra charge on my credit card bill that I don’t recognise; unannounced road construction makes us late to the movie theatre. These all create anxiety in me, and everyone in the family knows it.

Being Type-A also means I’m a goal-setter—I fully submerge myself in the resolution process every January. This year I set a number of resolutions and took an online course about reaching my dreams, called the “Infinite Possibilities 30-Day Project”. Every day for the month of January, I watched a two or three-minute video and moved on with my life. In one video I was asked to look at my resolutions and create a running theme, using a phrase or title.

After some consideration I realized that “It’s All Good” would be the right mantra to encapsulate my resolutions, especially the one about making lemonade out of lemons: Everything happens for a reason, and it’s all-good in the end.

If it’s not good, then it’s not the end.

Applying “It’s All Good” in 2016

My youngest daughter won a contest and one of her prizes was a family trip to Universal Studios, Orlando. The company arranged everything: flight, ac-

commodations, transfers, excursions, park tickets, etc. There was nothing for us to do but pack our bags, bring a camera and have fun.

Well, the trip was fraught with many unforeseen twists and turns. Our first encounter with one of these hairpin turns was sitting on the tarmac at Burbank Airport, waiting for take off. “We’re sorry about the delay,” the captain announced.

“We’re experiencing some tail wind conditions that are keeping us grounded. We’ll be waiting another forty-five minutes before we take off. Please sit comfortably.”

I could see my daughter Grace, the prize-winner, calculating. She knew we had a connecting flight to catch at JFK, and there was only an hour layover. When we took off, the captain informed us we’d have to land in Las Vegas for refuelling: another 30-minute delay.

Grace asked, “Won’t that mean we might miss our flight?”

That’s when it came out of me. It was definitely my voice, but the words…the words didn’t sound as though they belonged to me.

“Don’t worry. It will all work out.”

Even though I knew we’d miss our flight, I truly believed it would be okay.

One evening back in our room, we started recounting all of our mishaps (there were so many more I could write a miniseries about our trip), and how each situation worked out. We still made it to Orlando on additional flights, the desk clerk gave us free meals for forgetting our keys, and they gave us the best seats in the house at the Blue Man Group show. Then, Grace said something that got everyone’s attention:

“You didn’t freak out.”

My 16-year old whipped her head up from her phone. “Yeah, I totally noticed that, too. What was that about?”

Even my wife chimed in, saying how surprised she was.

I reminded my family that I was practicing my New Year’s Resolution. Being calm was very liberating. “It helped me, too,” said Grace. “I expected you to go off the handle and be freaking out, but when you didn’t, I felt safe. I felt like things were under control, and my anxiety was lowered.”

My older daughter agreed.

“I totally get that. I wasn’t sure what was going on – if Dad was just trying to keep it all under control and not explode. When I saw he really was calm, I really became calm, too,” she said.

It made me feel both good and bad as a parent. My control helped ease the anxiety in a stressful situation for my family – but that means for the last 16 years, my intensity helped exasperate stressful issues. I hadn’t realised how much my reactions affected my family’s stress levels. I feel fortunate this trip helped me learn that “It’s All Good” is more than just a mantra; it’s a crucial mindset for me to continue in order for my family to stay calm and happy.

(Empoweringparents.com)

news

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moNDay, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Young couple in battle with State Another over 4 acres of land prisoner dies – takes Govt to court at Camp St jail S

Camp Street Prison

A

nother prisoner at the Camp Street Penitentiary passed away on Sunday, Director of Prisons Carl Graham has confirmed.

However, this prisoner was not involved in the recent uprising that had erupted at the jailhouse.

According to the Director, the inmate was for some time now in the infirmary; separated from the mayhem that was ongoing in the other sections of the prison.

Graham, at the time, was unable to provide additional details on the development.

That aside, he noted that the injured inmates who were involved in the rioting at the Prison are so far in a stable condition.

Graham also assured that following the meeting with government officials, the prisoners have remained calm and that there are no immediate indications of more unrest pending.

He explained that the prisoners are now enjoying the extended period – as announced by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan – to make contact with relatives.

The Director of Prisons stressed that the damages caused during the threeday rioting have already been rectified.

On the evening of March 2, inmates at the Camp Street Prison started about nine fires in an attempt to express dissatisfaction over living conditions there.

In fact, the confiscation of several prohibited items earlier that day prompted the whole reaction.

The next day, the prisoners again started rioting which led to the deaths of 17 inmates.

The following day was also marred with unrest.

It was not until government officials visited the prison and negotiated with the criminals, promising to meet their demands, that normalcy was restored.

Evidence needed...

“It’s not a witch hunt; and again, if persons have committed offences, we want to see them tried, we want to see justice done.

But in so doing, we would like to ensure that the cases are strong enough to bring about convictions,” he posited.

Junior Finance Minister and coordinator of the State Forensic Audits Jaipaul Sharma had told Guyana Times that he made several recommendations for further police investigations and for criminal charges to be filed in relation to the forensic audit reports into the various state entities but Cabinet is delaying on making a decision.

Meanwhile, Sharma during his Budget 2016 presentation indicated that the audit findings showed that the former administration in many instances violated the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and consequently expressed his

from page 3

opinion that persons be charged for political corruption and acts of fraud.

He had also stated that there appears to be sufficient evidence that implicates certain persons in premeditated plans to engage in corruption.

In May 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government launched about 45 audits into various State Agencies across the country.

Others were gradually initiated, making the total number of audits 50.

So far, only four of the 50 audits have been released - Marriott Hotel, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Carifesta X 2008 and the acquisition of the water cannon by then Home Affairs Ministry.

Government has since promised to release the other reports soon.

ome four acres of land in Washington, West Coast Berbice (WCB), is currently the subject of dispute between a young couple and government.

This land/property battle is just one of many cases involving the government that is engaging the High Court’s attention.

In fact, only recently, a group of rice farmers from Region Five (Mahaica Berbice) successfully gained an injunction forbidding the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) from carrying out its ‘Cancellation of State Land Leases’.

Guyana Times spoke to the Berbice couple, Darshannie and Feroze Mohamed, who explained that government officials have parked equipment including ploughs and tractors on their land in an attempt to prevent them from conducting any form of activities there.

The couple identified the persons who are employed within the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) who have prevented them from utilising their

Attorney Anil Nandlall meets with the Berbice couple

land.

According to the couple, the RDC insisted that the land belongs to the State.

When the matter was taken to the Police Station, the ranks reportedly informed the couple that a senior government official instructed them not to take action on the matter.

As a last resort, the couple retained the services of Attorney Anil Nandlall to take the government to court.

Guyana Times understands that a writ for trespass has already been filed seeking injunctions to remove and restrain the individuals in question from interfering with the land.

Notably, the couple during an interview with this newspaper presented documentations to show they are owners of the land. The transport shows that the land has been in private ownership since 1947.

8 news

moNDAY, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

20-year-old admits to stealing mother’s jewellery – sentencing deferred, probation report ordered

A

17.

20-year-old man who admitted that he stole his mother’s jewellery will know his fate on March

Avinash Ram, of Richmond Village, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to the larceny charge when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Friday at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. Standing with a red shirt, three-quarter pants and a rosary around his neck, Ram admitted that he stole jewellery from his mother. The charge stated that between February 27 and March 2, 2016, he stole a gold chain valued $100,000 and a gold ring valued $20,000, property of Paradai Yugeshwar. Sentencing was, however, deferred as the Magistrate ordered a probation report to be submitted.

Avinash Ram

Ram, who was not represented, told the Court he was a drug addict and when he used drugs, he could not remember what he did.

His parents were presented in court and when questioned, they said that he was never abusive or arrogant around them. The mother said that she, however, observed him and suspected that he was using drugs. The father requested that the Magistrate discharged the case as he wanted to put his son somewhere safe where he could control him.

Magistrate Scarce, however, informed the father that his son had pleaded guilty to an offence which required sentencing. The Magistrate further related that given Ram’s explanation, the case required a probation report. The case will continue on March 17.

Mason remanded on accessory to murder charge

A

young mason was on Friday denied bail when he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with being an accessory to murder.

Alan Sim Junior, of Lot 860 Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that between November 23 and 25, 2015, he helped to destroy evidence against his father, who allegedly murdered

Alan Sim Jr

Melissa Skeete in a vehicular accident.

It is alleged that the defendant was contacted by his father to clean blood stains and destroy the number plate from the car involved in the incident.

Sim’s lawyer told the Court that contrary to the Police report, his client was wanted by the Police and after the incident, he and his client reported to the Police Headquarters.

He further argued that his client was innocent and the Police had no evidence

of him committing the act.

However, the Prosecutor informed the Court that the defendant made several attempts to escape and as such, he was remanded. The case will continue on April 1.

Essequibo man given 4 days to pay child support or face jail time

A

father of three from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was given four days by Magistrate Sunil Scarce to pay arrears he owed over for four years for child maintenance.

Sewh Persaud appeared before Magistrate Scarce on Friday at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

When the case was called, Persaud pleaded with Magistrate Scarce to give him two months to settle his arrears, claiming that he was poor and unemployed and had other children to maintain who were all toddlers. He begged not to go to jail as his toddlers would suffer. He also told the Court that he was willing to pay $20,000 as that was all he had in his bank account. The Court heard that Persaud owed $78,000 for child support, as he had not paid the required amount for the past four years. As such, an arrest warrant was issued for him. Persaud’s relatives who were present in Court begged for two months to pay his arrears; however, the Magistrate said that the money must be paid in four days’ time or the defendant would be jailed.

The case will be called again on Tuesday, March 8.

Eyew tness Moving on...

Y

...from Jagan?

esterday was the 19th anniversary of the death of Dr Cheddi Jagan, founder of the People’s Progressive Party. Normally there would’ve been a big pilgrimage to the site of his cremation at Babu Jaan, not far from his birthplace at Port Mourant, Berbice. But this year things were relatively muted. Could it be the present leaders of the PPP are moving on from the total identification of the party with the old leader?

There are those who believe the process is long overdue - and your humble Eyewitness is one of them.

Nothing against the old fella personally - it’s just that Jagan was from another era and literally another place and it would be more than passing strange if his diagnosis, prognosis and prescriptions don’t have to be re-examined for relevancy.

There’s been some of this re-examination - but from outside the party. Dr Baytoram Ramharack has critiqued Dr Jagan’s reliance on Marxist analysis of Guyanese society and ignoring the elephants in the room of race and ethnicity. In that he was invoking CLR James oft quoted aphorism, “The race question is subsidiary to the class question in politics, and to think of imperialism in terms of race is disastrous. But to neglect the racial factor as merely incidental is an error only less grave than to make it fundamental.”

Ramharack found Jagan’s position quite ironic since his support base among the Indian-Guyanese was completely due to their identification with him as an “Indian” and not because of any “class consciousness”.

Some of Jagan’s critics saw the situation not as a matter of “irony” but of calculated exploitation of the race card, since in all his attempts at coalition building he took it for granted that he would be the “Indian” leader.

One wonders when the critique from within the PPP will start. It is possible that the powers that be believe that any critique would seem like a “betrayal” of the great man. But why does it have to be? Let’s take Dr Jagan’s Marxist premise that if the party focuses on economic development of the country without discriminating among the ethnic groups, class consciousness would wipe out racial consciousness.

Every election since 1992 has been “fair” and has confirmed the racial cleavages are just as salient as the PPP found them when they took office in that year. Now that can be so only if they either a) discriminated against African Guyanese or b) class is trumped in Guyana by race. And since every PPP leader would honestly swear it isn’t (a) then they have to accept (b).

And admit that Jagan was wrong - at least in that issue - and the party needs to move on.

...from Burnham?

In Guyana Jagan and Burnham are inextricably linked in the popular mind such that young people believe there was a fella named “JaganBurnham” who was later split asunder. And maybe they were - symbolically. So if there’s going to be a re-evaluation of Jagan in the PPP can one hope the PNC will follow suit on THEIR “founder leader”?

More than anyone else that can ONLY come credibly from our sitting president - Brigadier (rtd) David Granger.

Granger caught Burnham’s eye very early when he was fishing around for options to replace the racially balanced Special Services Unit formed by the British as the core of the soon-to-be country’s army. Granger was sent to Mons and within a decade was heading Burnham’s indoctrination unit in the army. In 1979 he was made head of the army to head off Rodney’s subversion of the officer corps.

His later training in history provides the methodology and the Rodney Commission, the grist. His remarks on the release of the Report will give us a clue of the revisionism of Burnhamism.

...on pardoning?

In the wake of the prison rebellion, President Granger now wants a “maximum security” prison. Does this mean no more pardons?

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

9 50-seater bus commissioned in Bartica by President news

moNday, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

…more students get bicycles

O

ver the weekend, President David Granger commissioned yet another 50-seater bus that was donated to his “Five Bs” (boats, bicycles, buses, books and breakfast)

Meanwhile, during his visit to the mining community, President Granger hosted a public meeting at Third Avenue where he charged the residents to make good use of the new means of

and the child of a poor man have the same education, they then have a chance to be equal and with that equality, you have a better opportunity at employment,” Granger said.

President David Granger hands over a bicycle to one of the 30 students who benefited from a donation of this mode of transportation under the “5 Bs” initiative which is intended to ensure children get to school

President David Granger told residents of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) who were gathered at the Third Avenue, Bartica meeting that education, equality, empowerment and enterprise are key to the enrichment of their communities

initiative for the students of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Thirty more students also received bicycles. Earlier in January, some 21 students received bicycles as part of the same programme.

The bicycles were donated by Denar Trading while the bus was donated by businessman Nizam Kassim.

transportation.

The President told residents that education was the foundation of equality and next to food, clothing and shelter, education was the best thing anyone could offer to a child.

“One of the reasons there is so much poverty is because there is so much inequality.

Once the child of a rich man

The Head of State recalled travelling around the country and observing children in hinterland communities walking for miles to attend school while others had to paddle a canoe for hours.

He noted too that even children on the coast encounter challenges in acquiring transportation to get to school.

Against this backdrop, he underscored the importance of the Five Bs initiative.

Granger also maintained that education could ignite the spirit of enterprise in young people across the country.

The President pointed out that while education was a means to employment, if everyone chose to seek employment in the public sector, rather than harness their entrepreneurial potential, growth and development would move at a very slow pace.

“You, the ordinary resi-

Region 10 science fair

Innovation and creativity highlighted

I

Students of the Watooka Day Primary showcase a part of their presentation

nnovation and creativity were the main highlights on Friday, as Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) presented its leg of the Regional Science Fair, through its Department of Education under the theme, “Enhancing Traditional Technologies to Sustain Modern Societies through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)”.

The venue was the New Silver City Secondary School at Wismar, Linden where students of the nursery, primary and secondary divisions showcased their innovations in keeping with the theme. From the recycling of plastic bottles for use as kitchen aides to a sink disposal system, the venue was brought to life as scores of curious onlookers came out to witness the various inventions. Regional Education Officer Marcia Paddy-Andrews said the Region, which would also host the National Science Fair this year, was looking forward to having the largest contingent.

dents of this town, must be able to embark on private enterprise without hoping to become a police or a soldier or a civil servant… By becoming entrepreneurs: opening little factories, little plants and exporting, you can make yourself rich,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who also visited Bartica, spoke to residents about Government’s intention to strengthen security in the Region.

“Police deployment must reflect the nature of the com-

munity they serve… every service provided to the people of Guyana must be provided equally and we must accept nothing less,” he said.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman also spoke to residents and outlined some of the projects in the pipeline to develop the Region.

These projects include roads from Parika to Goshen and from Bartica to Mahdia, a new stelling and vending area, a municipal airport and enhanced electricity generating capacity.

7kg ganja found during roadblock

P

olice ranks have unearthed some 7 kilograms of cannabis (marijuana) during a roadblock conducted at No 59 Village, Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to a press

release, ranks conducted search on a vehicle around 17:55h on Saturday during which the marijuana was found.

One man has been arrested and is currently in police custody assisting with the investigations.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

MONdAY, march 7,2016

News Closure of Wales Sugar Estate

Transporting cane from West Bank to Uitvlugt impossible – farmers …described as “the road to hell” described the journey as “the road the hell.”

Some farmers said they will go into cultivating other crops while others said Government must reverse its decision to close the estate.

Hesley Jacobs from La Retraite, WBD, started cane farming in the 1960s which was passed from his father.

Jacobs and his brother cul-

A

Hesley Jacobs

number of cane farmers expressed concerns about the infeasibility of transporting canes from West Bank Demerara to Uitvlugt Estate on West Coast of Demerara.

Speaking with Guyana Times on the issue of transporting cane, farmers explained that for this to happen access roads and bridges have to be constructed to facilitate this move.

They also said that while they transport anywhere from 6-10 trawlers of canes to Wales, the distance to Uitvlugt could only yield 1 trip per day. Devindra Mohabir a tractor operator

Neil Levans

tivate 50 acres but plan to plant suckers, cassavas and pigeon peas by next crop. He stated that while his children are all grown, he continues to support several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Jacobs observed that he cannot go the Uitvlugt route and citied the difficulties farmers would encounter with transiting their produce.

“You have to go through Number One Canal, then you have to go through A-Line, then you have to go to Centre Line, then to Leonora high bridge, then to get to the factory you have to go out on the road so it wouldn’t be an easy task, the cost would be high

so you wouldn’t be able to upkeep that,” Jacobs explained.

Neil Levans, a farmer for many years, noted that the Levans family has been planting cane since Bookers ran the estates—before they were nationalised.

He especially echoed the sentiments that the distance to Uitvlugt is too tall, it involves costly wear-and-tear on machinery, etc and has nixed the idea of transporting to that location.

The Caryll family has been in the industry well over 40 years. The brothers stated all they know is sugarcane cultivation.

Orland Caryll, 45, has been farming for over 20 years and he plans to diversify into rice, cassava and beans. He stated that his family will be affected by the closure as he has two dependent children and predicted that Wales will become a “ghost town.”

“Shops and business will be affected directly and indirectly,” stated the farmer.

His brother Roger, a father of 9 with three children currently in school, stated

sible”. He further noted that farmers are at crossroads as the price of sugar is not feasible.

It was explained that farmers once received $104,000 per tonne of cane but that has reduced to $58,000.

Many of the farmers emphasised that Government is “not looking into their inter-

Roger Caryll at his farm

that he has recently paid off his loans and estimated that the closure will cause him to lose “millions” in investments. The farmer expressed disappointment that no official from the Agriculture Ministry came to address the closure with farmers.

“The most hurtful thing is that they never find time to meet with the farmers,” stressed the Carylls.

Avenash Ramharack, 20, is a young farmer who took over from his father. He claimed that his father died of a heart attack after hearing the news of the closure.

He has also called for a reversal of the closure.

Sadik Hussain, who has his farm in Canal Number Two stated that his family

From right: Avenash Ramharack, Mohamed Abu, Talib Khan and Dennis Mootoveren

has been in cane farming over 70 years and observed that sugar is “in his blood.”

Mohamed Abu Talib Khan had seen the closure of Versailles and moved to Wales Estate in 1979, noting that was an “easy transition” but stated that to transport to Uitvlugt would be “impos-

ests.”

Following a report in Guyana Times in January, Government and Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) confirmed the estate’s closure, citing that Wales would account for losses between $1.6-1.9 billion.

Revetment works executed to save Christianburg from erosion

The eroded section at Christianburg, Wismar, Linden

I

n an effort to deal with the issue of erosion at Christianburg, Wismar, Linden, the Public Infrastructure Ministry under its Sea Defence division is undertaking revetment works in the vicinity of the Katapulli Creek which flows into the Demerara River.

The area has been under serious threat of erosion for years and according to engineer of the project James Douglas, the livelihood of the community is presently at risk.

As a result, the project is being executed to save it from the effects of flooding and other related issues.

Works began about three weeks ago on the bank of the river and is expected to be completed within three months at a cost of $21 million.

“We’re putting a revetment here so that you don’t get intrusion of the river, which, if it comes to the sub-base of the road, it can be in trouble... What is being done here now, will keep the water from getting under the road,” Douglas stated.

The engineer, who stressed on the importance of the complex project, explained that as a result of the area experiencing massive erosion in the past, the river is coming closer to the community and there are noticeable effects of seepage of its water.

“So what we’re doing here is actually keeping the river out and keeping this road solid, so no water can seep under the road. You would notice in some places there is a depression and

that tells you that water was getting under the road.

This (work) is to solidify the community,” he further explained.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said the course of the creek was changed under the watch of a previous Regional Executive Officer in 2011 which saw it flowing more so into the community as it was then shut off at a particular point. This, he stated, caused a main road in the community to become undermined.

“You just don’t turn a creek that has been flowing for a hundred years… you have to get the proper technical people… because of this not being properly done, the whole road was undermined,” Morian stressed.

moNDAY, march 7, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Wild hogs destroying Paruima farms – farmers defenceless after weapons surrendered By: Devina Samaroo

I

n the little village of Paruima in Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), farmers are now defenceless against wild animals that continue to destroy their crops; ultimately affecting the livelihoods of all residents within the community who are heavily dependent on the local agricultural produce.

Located in close proximity of the Venezuelan border, Paruima is the only home to the Arecuna Amerindian tribe in the country with farming being the most important economic activity for its villagers.

With its main source of livelihood under threat, the villagers have to resort to costly alternative methods of acquiring food.

According to residents, the cost of living in the community is beyond what the average Guyanese endures.

“The cost per pound of chicken is around $800 $900 alone,” one resident remarked in attempting to illustrate how burdensome it is for the villagers who now have to source food from other avenues than the local farms.

Since September last, following the countrywide Gun Amnesty Programme, majority of the farmers handed over their weapons with the expectation that they will immediately be reissued in accordance with the stipulated process.

With no means of hunt-

11

Damian Chambers

ing or warding off wild animals, farmers are now vulnerable.

Former Toshao Damian Chambers told Guyana Times that many families are suffering as they are now exposed to harsh conditions of living and are finding it difficult to adapt to the challenging lifestyle.

He explained that almost everyone in the community were under the impression that when they surrendered their guns, they would get them back almost immediately through legal channels.

After venting their concerns, authorities then informed the residents that they will have to reapply for the firearms.

But Chambers contended that the “illegal weapons” of which the villagers were in possession were acquired for the sole purpose of maintaining their livelihood and not for any illegal activity.

Therefore, he expressed that he could not compre-

hend why residents have to go through such strenuous and expensive procedures before they can be reissued with the firearms.

He noted too that it is undoubtedly costly to apply for a firearm. Chambers also expressed concerns in relation to the new fees announced for firearm licences.

“We don’t usually pay for our licences. We were exempt but I don’t know how this new enforcement will affect us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Paruima Regional Official Lee Williams told this newspaper that desperate attempts are being made to get government to urgently address the situation.

He explained that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder visited the village in December last to talk to residents about the issue.

“He said he was aware of the consequence of the amnesty… but he referred us to the Public Security Ministry,” Williams noted.

The official said they are constantly making indirect contact with the Public Security Ministry through the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry.

He admitted however that no progress is being made.

Moreover, Williams disclosed that about 20 farmers submitted applications to become licensed firearm holders but so far only two have received letters of rejection. The rest are awaiting responses.

Police need help identifying fatal accident victim

T

he Guyana Police Force is seeking help from the public to identify the victim of a fatal accident that occurred a month ago.

According to Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, the accident occurred on February 9 on High Street, Georgetown and since then the victim remains unidentified as no one has come forward

R

egion 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Chairman Renis Morian has given assurance the Region’s budget has been approved and will be officially made public next week. It is expected to be presented in parts via local television broadcast to the residents of Linden. Already, a portion of the budget delivery has been recorded, according to Morian.

“The 2016 budget speaks to serious improvement in the Region... What makes this budget cycle a good one for us is that apart from what the Regional

Chairman Brentnol Ashley

Earlier this year, the residents of most parts of Region One had complained about experiencing water woes due to the dry weather conditions which had were also affecting other regions.

The residents had consequently resorted to obtaining water from nearby rivers and waterways for consumption.

While Region One has recorded some improvements as indicated by its

Chairman Renis Morian

Administration would have asked the Ministry of Finance or the Government of Guyana to provide, there are serious input coming

from other agencies’ budget.

From the Ministry of Public Infrastructure budget they are doing the river front, Katapulli creek and the entrance to West Watooka.

So the whole approach to budgeting now is not just left on the RDC (Regional Democratic Council) but it’s a collaborative effort that every Ministry would be doing something,” Morian stated.

The Regional Chairman has also called for an action plan to be put in place by all the committees of the RDC in ensuring effectiveness of the execution of the budget.

Lindener slapped with attempted murder charge

A

Lindener was remanded to prison

by Magistrate Clive Nurse on an attempted murder charge.

The accused, Kelroy McPherson, of Wismar, Linden, appeared at the

Region 1 conditions improving – Chairman

R

Unidentified accident victim

Chairman to present Region 10 budget this week

El Niño weather

egion One (Barima/Waini) has recorded some improvement from the El Niño weather phenomenon which had severely affected region.

This is according to Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley during a telephone interview with >>>Guyana Times.<<< Ashley said there is evident progress in the weather conditions.

According to the chairman the situation has been gradually improving as there have been downpours over the last few weeks.

In addition the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has been actively visiting the region assessing the situation and offering relief, both temporary and permanent.

Commenting on inconveniences faced by the residents, Ashley explained that prior to the visible improvements there had been issues with obtaining potable water but now the residents are receiving an adequate amounts through distribution exercises.

However according to the chairman, even though conditions are improving, there was no intervention by government to aid the region. He noted that GWI has been the only participating body in offering help.

to identify him The body of the man is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary, awaiting identification.

The Police is asking anyone who may have information in relation to his identity to contact the police on phone numbers 225-6411, 227-1152, 227-2272, 227-1149, 911 or the nearest Police Station.

chairman, drought conditions still persist in other regions across Guyana, particularly Regions Nine and Three.

Region Nine has been receiving support from government and other private agencies. There is an anticipated food shortage in the region, but it was reported that this will be covered through tangible support from the relief committee.

The administration of the region had informed that they are optimistic there will be positive results in the near future through the partnerships they had pioneered.

Meanwhile, Region Three continues to battle with the severe effects of the dry weather.

A committee has been established to monitor the drought and engineer temporary reliefs, specifically for farmers.

The cash crops in the region, specifically rice have been affected severely as there had been a massive loss in cultivation.

Additionally, residents have also raised complaints about not receiving an adequate amount of potable water.

However, due to the ongoing conflict within the administration of the region, there seems to be minimum improvement as there is little cooperation.

Linden Magistrate’s Court to answer to the indictable charge.

It is alleged that he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Clifton Craig with intent to murder him, at Christianburg, Wismar

on Sunday, December 27, 2015.

The prosecution was not ready to proceed since it was noted that the case file was incomplete.

The case will continue on April 5.

12 News PPP moving to have election crimes punishable by law – Opposition Leader moNDAY, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

…hundreds gather at Babu Jaan for death anniversary of Dr Cheddi Jagan

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will be moving to have election crimes punishable by law before the next Regional and General Elections in 2020.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who was at the time addressing hundreds of supporters at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice at the observance of the death anniversary of the Party’s founding leader and late President, Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan.

“Before the next elections, we have to lobby for legislation to make elections crime punishable by law. We must have thorough legislation against [Guyana Elections Commission] GECOM officials who act fraudulently. GECOM has never taken any of its employees to court,” Jagdeo told the mammoth crowd.

“People have a fear that the elections of the future will not be fair,” he told supporters, assuring them that the PPP has a plan of action that would be developed to ensure that the 2020 General Election would be free and fair.

Outlining the plan, he said that all must join in the call for GECOM to launch an international investigation into the false Statements of Poll (SoPs) which were allegedly in GECOM’s database. “We have to push for an investigation into why the Returning Officer of Region Four [Demerara-Mahaica] shut her door so that the PPP could not submit its request

for a recount. We must get answers as to why GECOM tried to strike out our elections petitions even though they were not a party to the elections. We must insist that all observers – including GECOM, international and the Private Sector – follow a protocol at the Local Government Elections,” Jagdeo told his supporters as

then Government which was being preached.

He said the Party only looked good on paper going into the May 10 elections, but was weak in terms of structure. Jagdeo said a post-mortem of the elections was done and proved that despite the lapses the Party had going into the elections, it should have been victorious.

Supporters including Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdattat and PPP Executive Member Alli Baksh at the wreath-laying ceremony on the Essequibo Coast on Sunday

Wreaths at the monument erected in memory of Dr Cheddi Jagan in Region Two

he outlined some of the activities the Party would be involved in as it prepared to get back into office.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader told supporters that the Party lost the 2015 National Elections because of its own complacency, false promises by the coalition and the message of corruption on the part of the

“We would have still been in office had they not stolen the election… we will win back all those who left us and were misled. Many have come back and many young ones now have a chance to compare.”

Meanwhile, over on the Essequibo Coast, Dr Jagan was also remembered at an impressive wreath-laying

ceremony held at the Cheddi Jagan play park in Anna Regina.

The special wreath-laying ceremony was organised by Anna Regina PPP Freedom House in commemoration of Dr Jagan’s death anniversary. Dr Jagan passed away 19 years ago on March 6, 1997.

The programme featured poems, songs, and lectures that neatly traced the life of the dynamic politician.

Delivering the feature address was former Minister within the Agriculture Ministry and PPP Central Committee Executive Member Alli Baksh, who said that Dr Jagan was born in Port Mourant and although he was an ordinary person, he used his time on earth to transform all sectors in Guyana through his hard work.

Baksh described Dr Jagan as a teacher, father and a politician who had the working class at heart with the vow to liberate Guyana to a democratic and free nation. Baksh highlighted the life and work

of the leader, his education, his political life and the achievements he made for Guyana.

In 1953, Baksh explained to the young comrades present, Dr Jagan saw the struggles of rice farmers and formed the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA). Via the GRPA, many things were done to assist rice farmers hence making the rice industry viable. Baksh told the gathering that Dr Jagan was sent to prison numerous times, but with determination he stayed focused and made Guyana an independent nation.

“Our comrades must remember the history and the rich legacy of Jagan, he had vision for Guyana, inherited a Government that was bankrupt and with begging hat, he went out to various countries asking for debts write-off; he made the economy start blossoming,” the PPP member said.

Meanwhile, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, addressing his fel-

low PPP comrades, described the late Dr Jagan as a fighter. He outlined that “local government” and “independence” were just a few of the things the leader fought for, for a better Guyana.

According to Ramdatt, Dr Jagan was the most principled political leader that pursued the people’s agenda, despite varied attacks by the PNC. He noted that for an independent Guyana, the struggle was led by Dr Jagan who had unwavering commitment to the working class.

“Our working-class people are rice farmers who are struggling; we must unite together in our Party, embrace all forms of peaceful struggle; we shall rise up and not let them intimidate and silence us. Let us draw inspiration by leader Jagan; today we have to renew our commitment to be revolutionary,” Ramdatt said.

He urged his comrades to remain united towards the manifestation of a progressive nation.

President Granger seeks long-term solution to Prison Service problems – conducts fact-finding mission at Mazaruni Prison

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he Government is exploring its options for mediumand long-term solutions to the challenges facing the Guyana Prison Service (GPS). President David Granger, accompanied by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Sunday visited the Mazaruni Penal Settlement in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region (Seven).

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford and Commander of F Division (Interior Locations), Ravindradat Budhram also joined the President at a meeting with staff of the institution and on a tour of the facility.

The team paid close attention to the infrastructure of the settlement, including the maximum security area, a workshop and the staff quarters. The visit is part of an assessment of all the GPS facilities to determine current physical and human resources capacity so that informed decisions could be made on how best to improve the way the service functions.

President Granger referred to the visit as an important fact-finding and problem-solving mission and assured the staff and officials present at a briefing meeting, held before the tour of the facility, that

problems within the GPS would be resolved within the limits of the country’s resources and to the best of the Government’s ability.

Referencing what was now Guyana’s worst prison riot ever, during which 17 inmates lost their lives at the Georgetown Prison last week, the President noted that the Prison Service had problems that were endemic which must be solved.

“Our presence here is not just a gut reaction. It is a plan to ensure that there is a long-term strategy.

We are ensuring that the Guyana Prison Service fulfils its mandate.

We have to build a system in which persons who enter this Service as inmates would have the best opportunities for rehabilitation and those who are incorrigible… would be prevented from bringing harm to society,” the President said.

The Head of State added that if these changes had been made over time, then the tragedy that occurred in Georgetown, might not have happened. He said, “What occurred in Georgetown ought not to have occurred had improvements been introduced to the Guyana Prison Service over a period of time… Some of the measures, which could have corrected or could have prevented the events of last

week were not implemented.”

Upon his arrival at the 173-yearold penitentiary, the Head of State was presented with a thorough brief by Officer in Charge (OC), Alexander Hopkinson on the inner workings of the facility as well as the administrative and other challenges that are faced on a daily basis. The prison officers and other administrative staff were also given the opportunity to air their concerns with the President and the Ministers.

President Granger assured the staff that the Government would try its utmost to ensure that their issues, particularly those that relate to their personal welfare and that of their families, were addressed in line with what obtained within the other services, which fall under the remit of the Public Security Ministry.

At present, the prison houses a total of 289 inmates, 24 of whom are high-profile criminals. The required staff complement is 95, but the facility only has 54 staff currently. The OC explained that they were looking to increase their staff strength in order to increase capacity. However, accommodation and other logistical arrangements have to be addressed before that can happen.

President David Granger and team enter the high-security level of the Mazaruni Prison during a tour on Sunday

13 Hindus observing Maha Shivaratri today with pomp and celebrations news

moNDAY, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Swami Shivashankaranandji Maharaj

By Indrawattie Natram

H

indus in Guyana are joining others around the world in observing Maha Shivaratri today with much celebrations in various parts of the country.

Twenty-four hour congregational services and chanting are planned at various temples in almost all the administrative Regions in Guyana.

The biggest service will be commemorated at the Cove and John Ashram, East Coast Demerara.

Service commences at 05:30h and will conclude on March, 8, 2016.

Already every nook and corner are cleaned and achar has been preserved anticipating the auspicious day.

In Georgetown, the Dharmic Radha Krishna Mandir in Kitty, Shree Krishnaa Mandir in Campbellville, Rama Krishna Mandir in Kitty and those on West Coast are having Shivaratri services.

On the Essequibo Coast all temples are conducting adoration to the Hindu God Lord Shiva.

Temples at Adventure, Golden Fleece, Perseverance, Cullen, Cotton Field, Sparta, Colombia, Affiance, Charity and Airy Hall are celebrating the auspicious day.

Homes are cleaned, housewives have purchased new Indian wear and Hindus have commenced fasting. Chanting will be ceremoniously done for 24 hours with Hindus offering grains, milk, honey and water in the name of Lord Shiva.

Concentrating on the deep significance of the largest festival in the Hindu Calendar, Swami Shivashankaranandaji of the Cove and John Ashram, told this publication that “Maha Shivaratri” literally means “ a great night for Lord Shiva”. Swami said Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for devotees of Lord Shiva and has been accorded with lots of significance in the Hindu calendar.

“It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains mok-

sha\liberation, this itself is very significant” Shivashankaranadaji pointed out.

Pandit Kaydar Persaud, speaking about Shivaratri said the festival has tremendous significance in Hinduism and according to sacred scriptures Shivaratri falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalgun.

Pandit Persaud said it has been declared so by Lord Shiva himself, when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

In observing Shivaratri, Hindus fast day and night and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga (symbol of Lord Shiva) with honey, milk, water, etc. Hindus consider the festival as extremely auspicious, Pandit Persaud said, and that worshiping Lord Shiva with utmost devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins.

“That devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth, married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life.

Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is re-

garded as the ideal husband” the Persaud said.

Stories/legends

Unveiling the story that surrounds Shivaratri, both Pandit Persaud and Swami Shivashankaranandaji Maharaj

tree. In order to attract deer, he started throwing the leaves of the tree onto the ground, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingam (symbol of Lord Shiva) beneath the tree.

Pleased with the Woodapple leaves and the patience of the hunter, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared

The symbol of Shiva, the lingam adorned with mandar

endorsed same. According to a popular legend, when a hunter could not find anything to kill for his food in a forest, he waited on the branch of a Woodapple (Bailpatra)

Cove and John Ashram being prepared for Shivaratri

before the hunter and blessed him with wisdom. From that day onwards, the hunter stopped eating meat.

Another legend has it that after the Earth was faced with imminent destruction, Goddess Parvati pledged with Lord Shiva to save the world. Pleased with her pledge, Lord Shiva agreed to save the world on the pretext that the people of the Earth would have to worship him with dedication and passion. From that day onwards, the night came to be known as Maha Shivratri and people began worshipping Shiva with great enthusiasm.

Hindus will fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises to Lord Shiva. Temples across the country are decorated with lights and colourful decorations. Devotees will be seen offering “bail patra” leaves to the Lingam. Special Shiva puja will be done in the day and chanting will be included in the night.

International Children Heart Foundation returns to Guyana

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ith the aim of providing free surgical care to children, the International Children Heart Foundation (ICHF) has made its return to Guyana.

The Foundation, based in Tennessee, USA, has been, over the years, performing paediatric cardiac surgery and interventional catheterisation procedures in countries throughout the world.

Given the increased child mortality rate across the world, the Foundation’s services are extended worldwide in order to significantly reduce the number of child deaths.

This has led it once again to the shores of Guyana where it immediately began assessing patients with heart conditions.

Partnering with The

Caribbean Children’s Foundation (TCCF) for this cause, the medical team have extended their services to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they are currently working.

In an interview with Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, he informed that the team were set to perform heart surgeries on children in Guyana.

However, he disclosed that there have been electrical difficulties at the facility, and this has been posing a threat in terms of the number of surgeries that could be performed.

Dr Norton said given these circumstances, the number of surgeries that the Foundation had planned might be reduced slightly.

Nonetheless, the team and the Ministry were working to have this situation

corrected so that the number of beneficiaries would be maximised.

In light of the increase in the child mortality rate, the Public Health Ministry had sought the help of the Foundation to aid in reviving Guyana’s child healthcare sector. The team had visited Guyana on several occasions as part of their annual volunteer project.

The Ministry had found that a great contributor to the increased rates was the inadequate resources to address the major issue of congenital heart disease.

The mission of the Foundation is to bring skills, technology and knowledge to cure and care for children with heart problems, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or gender.

In addition, the Foundation also offers train-

The International Children Heart Foundation (ICHF) examining children in the Georgetown Public Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

ing for surgeons and medical staff so they ultimately can provide care for the per-

sons in their countries.

Necessary equipment, surgical supplies and medi-

cation were also donated to the health facilities by the Foundation.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

moNDAY, march 7, 2016

Regional

Police impersonators kill 10 T&T not bankrupt, money just tight – PM at Honduras billiards hall P

There are 16 homicides on average in Honduras every day, mostly due to drug cartels (AFP)

A

t least 10 people have been shot dead by men dressed in Police uniforms in an attack in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, security and hospital forces said.

Five men arrived in a vehicle at a billiards hall in the violent north-eastern December 1 neighbourhood and opened fire with AK-47 assault rifles.

The men wore Police clothing when they attacked, killing eight people and injuring others, said a Security Ministry source who asked not to be named.

Two other people later died at the Hospital Escuela Universitario, hospital spokesman Miguel Osorio said.

Police said the pool hall was controlled by the Barrio

18 gang and there were about 30 people in it at the time. No arrests have been made.

The massacre took place a year after a similar shooting in a nearby pool hall left five people dead.

There are 16 homicides on average in Honduras every day, mostly due to drug cartels and territorial disputes by violent gangs dedicated to extortion. (Al Jazeera)

rime Minister Keith Rowley on Saturday gave the assurance that Trinidad and Tobago was not bankrupt, even as he acknowledged that the Government had a problem in paying its debts to public servants and contractors/suppliers on time.

“It is not a simple matter of if you can’t pay, you are bankrupt. The Government does not go bankrupt,” said the Prime Minister, referencing his uncle who worked at the port who always said his money could not finish, it will only run low because he has a monthly pension.

“The Government is in that situation where it might not be able to pay today, but its ability tomorrow is there because the Government has a revenue stream and different pockets and it is an accepted structure of public accounting and management that the Government has many pockets and you are not allowed to empty all at once.”

Asked if the inability to

Finance Minister Colm Imbert second from left, with friends on Pigeon Point beach, Tobago, during the PNM’s retreat

pay its debts as they became due meant T&T was bankrupt, Rowley said, “Certainly not, certainly not. It has a cash flow problem.”

The Government owes employees of the country’s regional health authorities and members of the protective services an estimated TT$5 billion as a result of the 14 per cent wage settlements agreed to by the previous Administration last year.

All of the money was due to the public officers last year. At a news conference at the end of the six-monthold Administration’s first retreat, which was held at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort at Lowlands in Tobago, the Prime Minister was asked about the payment to the public servants, in the context of the perception that the Government was slow to deliver. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Holness to announce Cabinet Barbados and St Lucia negotiating

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rime Minister Andrew Holness was expected to announce his Cabinet on Sunday.

Holness had summoned a number of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidates and prospective members of the Senate to meetings with him on Sunday at the Office of the Prime Minister, Jamaica House, after which the Party is expected to release the names of the members of the new Cabinet.

Jamaicans have been waiting with bated breath for the announcement of the Cabinet, following the JLP’s 32-31 win over the outgoing ruling party, the People’s National Party (PNP), in the February 25 general election.

There has been much speculation about the size of the Cabinet, however, it is expected that the Prime Minister will be guided more by his Government’s need to

meet the challenges of its slim majority, the exigencies of his campaign commitments and the need to complete the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EEF) agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

An important new development in the cabinet will be the establishment of a Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

(Jamaica Observer)

Cayman Islands legislator files multiple complaints against Police Chief

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member of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly (MLA) Bernie Bush has filed a list of multiple complaints with the Home Affairs Ministry, the Deputy Governor’s office and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) under section 44 of the Public Service Management Law regarding the conduct of Police Commissioner David Baines.

In his complaint, the Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) member, who has frequently voiced his concerns on the floor of the Legislative

Assembly about Baines’ management of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), has listed 20 different issues that he said amounted not just to inadequate performance over time but misconduct.

Bush told CNS that no one, not even the Commissioner, was above the law, after he sent his complaint to local government officials and Peter Hayes, the FCO’s Overseas Territories Director in London.

The MLA began his long list of issues with the 43 criminal Summary Court cases that were never pros-

maritime agreement

ecuted before the statute of limitations expired. He said the Commissioner failed to conduct an enquiry into why this had happened or take action against officers that had allowed their cases to lapse.

The final item on his list is the theft of Police cars.

Bush pointed to the failure of the Commissioner to conduct any review or take any action against the Police Officers who lost an undercover vehicle in November 2012 and the failure of the RCIPS to own up to a number of other suspected thefts of Police cars. (Excerpt from

Caribbean News Now!)

B

Barbados and St Lucia have ended talks aimed at establishing an agreement on maritime boundaries

arbados and St Lucia have ended talks aimed at establishing an agreement on maritime boundaries between the two Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries.

A Government statement said that officials from the two countries ended four days of talks in Barbados Friday and “prepared the draft text of a maritime boundary delimitation agreement”.

It said they were joined by officials from St Vincent and the Grenadines, who had recently concluded similar negotiations with

Barbados.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados signed a Maritime Boundary Delimitation Agreement on August 31, last year.

The statement said that the two delegations were supported by a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat and that the heads of delegations underlined “that these negotiations and, in particular, the provisional agreement between Barbados and St Lucia bear testimony to the spirit of cordiality and goodneighbourliness that has characterised all of these

discussions.

“The United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea, to which both countries are party, entitles them to claim an Exclusive Economic Zone of up to 200 nautical miles. As a result of the proximity of these States, there is a necessity to delimit their maritime boundaries,” the statement noted.

The delimitation of maritime boundaries facilitates the effective governance of these maritime spaces and creates certainty for users, the statement added. (CMC)

Woman indicted for impersonating FBI agent in Jamaican lottery scheme

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he United States Department of Justice (DOJ) says a US federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia has indicted a woman for impersonating a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) special agent in connection with an international lottery fraud scheme based in Jamaica.

The DOJ said that VaniaLee Allen, 30, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and falsely impersonating an employee of the United States, one count of wire fraud and one count of falsely impersonating an employee of the United States.

According to the indict-

ment, Allen and an unidentified co-conspirator in Jamaica sought to unlawfully enrich themselves through a fraudulent lottery scheme targeting an elderly resident of Evans, Georgia.

The DOJ said Allen’s coconspirator falsely informed the victim by phone that the victim had won money in a

lottery and instructed the victim to make payments to various people in order to collect the purported lottery winnings.

As alleged in the indictment, in order to gain the trust of the victim and induce him to continue to make payments, Allen traveled from Jamaica to the United

States and falsely portrayed herself to the victim as an FBI agent.

“Fraud schemes operating from other countries and targeting Americans often cannot fully succeed without assistance from a co-conspirator in the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant attorney General

Benjamin C Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“Scammers use many different tactics in an effort to gain the trust of their victims.

The Justice Department will actively pursue and charge those who participate in such criminal activity.” (Excerpt from

CMC)

MoNday, march 7, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

At least 60 killed in Iraq bombing

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Another 70 people were wounded in the blast near the city of Hilla (Reuters)

suicide bomber has killed at least 60 people and wounded dozens more by driving his explosives-laden fuel truck into a security checkpoint south of Baghdad.

The suicide bomber attacked the checkpoint on Sunday on a strategic highway near Hilla, 90 kilometres from the Iraqi capital, reports said.

Another 70 people were wounded in the blast, Police officials said.

Al Jazeera’s Jane Arraf, reporting from Baghdad, said: “It was apparently a

15

suicide bombing that occurred at a checkpoint that is usually manned by Iraq soldiers and federal Police forces. A long line of cars along that key road were also caught in the blast.”

Hilla is the capital of Babylon province, a predominantly Shia region with some Sunni presence.

“It’s the largest bombing in the province to date,” Falah al-Radhi, the head of the provincial security committee, told Reuters news agency.

“The checkpoint, the nearby Police station were

destroyed as well as some houses and dozens of cars.”

Among the dead were 39 civilians, while the rest were members of the security forces.

A separate attack on Sunday killed several members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces in Al Khaledeya, near Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province.

Iraqi soldiers, with the help of coalition fighter jets, are trying to advance towards areas controlled

by ISIL fighters around Ramadi. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan dies at 94

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ancy Reagan, the former actress who was fiercely protective of husband Ronald Reagan through a Hollywood career, eight years in the White House, an assassination attempt and her husband’s Alzheimer’s disease, died on Sunday at age 94.

The cause of death was congestive heart failure, said a spokeswoman for the Reagan presidential library.

She died at her Los Angeles home.

“She is once again with the man she loved,” her stepson Michael Reagan wrote on Twitter.

Reagan became one of the most influential First Ladies in US history during her Republican husband’s presidency from 1981 to 1989.

Her husband, who affectionately called her “Mommy” while she called him “Ronnie”, died in 2004 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s, the progressive brain disorder that destroys memory.

As news of Nancy Reagan’s death spread, tributes poured in from

Former US President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy wave while attending a gala celebrating his 83rd birthday in Washington in this February 3, 1994 file photo

Washington to Hollywood.

“Nancy Reagan was totally devoted to President Reagan, and we take comfort that they will be reunited once more,” former First Lady Barbara Bush said in a statement on behalf of herself and her husband, former President George H W Bush. “George and I send our prayers and condolences to her family.”

The Hollywood glitterati weighed in on social media, many of them grieving the passing of an icon they remembered having grown up in the Reagan era.

“I sat near #Nancy Reagan once and felt like a teenager seeing one of my idols. She was a BOSS,” wrote actress Elizabeth Banks of “The Hunger Games” fame.

(Excerpt from

Reuters)

China’s President Xi: Taiwan Iran: Billionaire Babak Zanjani never to ‘split’ again sentenced to death

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Leaders of Taiwan and China met for the first time in 60 years in 2014 amid protests (Pichi Chuang/Reuters)

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hina will never allow Taiwan to be “split” off from the rest of the country ever again, President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying on Sunday – a strong warning to the island against any moves towards independence.

China considers selfruled and democratic Taiwan a wayward province to be brought under its control by force if necessary.

Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 after the Chinese civil war.

Beijing has repeatedly warned against any moves towards independence since January’s landslide win by Tsai Ing-wen and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

At the annual meeting of congress, Xi made apparent reference to the Qing dynasty’s loss of Taiwan to Japan in 1895, who then ruled the island as a colony until the

end of World War II. “We will resolutely contain ‘Taiwan independence’ secessionist activities in any form, safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and never allow the historical tragedy of the nation being split to happen again,” Xi said.

“This is the common wish and firm will of all Chinese people. It is also our solemn commitment and our responsibility to history and the people,” he added.

Tsai has said she would maintain peace with China, and Chinese Staterun media have also noted her pledges to maintain the “status quo” with China.

Without making direct mention of Tsai, who assumes office in May, Xi said Beijing’s policy towards Taiwan was clear and consistent and “will not change along with the change in Taiwan’s political situation”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

illionaire Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani has been sentenced to death for corruption, justice officials say.

He was arrested in December 2013 after accusations that he withheld billions in oil revenue channelled through his companies. He denies the allegations.

Zanjani, 42, was convicted of fraud and economic crimes, a judiciary spokesperson said at a press brief-

ing.

One of Iran’s richest men, Zanjani was blacklisted by the US and EU for helping Iran evade oil sanctions.

Two others were sentenced to death along with him and all were ordered to repay embezzled funds. The ruling can be appealed.

In a separate development, a cargo of Iranian crude oil arrived at a Spanish refinery in San Roque on Sunday, the first delivery to a European

Union state since sanctions were lifted.

The Monte Toledo offloaded 1 million barrels at the refinery belonging to Spanish oil company Cepsa.

Before the oil embargo imposed by the EU in 2012, one in every five barrels of crude Iran exported was sold to refineries in Europe.

Zohreh Rezalee, a lawyer for Zanjani, told the BBC the verdict was politically motivated and an appeal would be lodged.

“We believe that Babak

Zanjani in this case is just a debtor,” the lawyer said.

Zanjani had acknowledged using a web of companies in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Malaysia to sell millions of barrels of Iranian oil on behalf of the Government since 2010.

Before his arrest, Zanjani had argued that international sanctions were preventing him from handing over US$1.2 billion still owed to the Government.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Benin election: Record numbers vie to become President

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enin’s voters have gone to the polls to choose a new president, despite lingering concerns about the distribution of voter cards that have already forced the election to be postponed once.

Polling stations opened on Sunday in the tiny West African nation of 4.7 million people. The first results are expected within 72 hours of the vote.

President Thomas Boni Yayi, who was elected with 75 per cent of the vote in 2006, but later tainted by corruption allegations and economic mismanagement, is stepping down after serving a maximum two five-year terms.

Voters will choose between a record 33 candidates to replace him, includ-

Outgoing President Thomas Yayi Boni is set to hand over power after two terms in office (Akintunde Akinleye/Reuters)

ing a former Prime Minister and two of the country’s most powerful businessmen.

Key issues in the election include job creation, tackling corruption, improving health

and education and boosting the nation’s economy.

According to the World Bank, 36 per cent of people in Benin live below the poverty line.

The frontrunner is Prime

Minister Lionel Zinsou, who is standing for the ruling Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE) party.

The 61-year-old already has the support of two Opposition parties and the current President, Boni Yayi. But critics may hold his French connections against him, calling him an outsider “parachuted” in by former colonial power France.

“People say I’m white, an interloper, a foreigner, a Frenchman, a colonialist,” Zinsou told the AFP news agency. “But there’s perhaps 10 per cent of people who act like that. For 90 per cent of people, obviously I’m different but that creates a certain interest.” (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

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moNDAY, march 7, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

VOX POPULI

I SAY...

What the people say about

Preparation and knowledge of Local Government Elections (LGE) Seerojanie Singh – Social Worker (Essequibo Coast):

“I am prepared to cast my vote on March, 18, 2016, I’ve been attending several meetings and am prepared to make a wise choice. Local Government is everyone’s business and I am prepared to vote for someone to take care of my community.”

Kevin Glenn (Linden):

“I think a lot of people still don’t have the full knowledge on Local Government Elections, but I think that’s because of the absence of the Regional polls over the number of years. So especially the younger people you find are not fully aware of the process and such. As for me I have a general understanding but there’s still much to be learnt.”

Sumindra Persaud (Essequibo Coast):

Denisia Liddell (Linden):

“I am from the Annandale/Riverstown NDC and I have attended much meetings and all the candidates are potentials. I am anticipating March 18, 2016 and so people should come out and make a difference in your community”.

“I don’t really understand much about the Local Government Elections, the system and how it works but I try to read and find out more about it. I guess it’s because it wasn’t held for such a long time in our country that people are now trying to grasp the whole thing. I’m watching to see how things go and I believe in time I’ll get a better understanding.”

Melisa Peters – Businesswoman (Essequibo Coast):

“In my constituency there are very capable persons vying for candidate position, I have confident in them and on March, 18, 2016 I am prepared to cast my vote and I urge persons to come out in their numbers and vote for someone who would provide better conditions in my NDC, Annandale\Riverstown.”

Colwyn Abrahms (Linden):

“I think I have fair knowledge of Local Government Elections. Our town or district is broken up into constituencies and a representative is selected to represent the people from any party to individual. Once the election is over then the Councillors select themselves a Mayor. It’s pretty much understandable once you ask the right people the right questions.”

Motorist Venezuela curtails fuel shipments killed to Caribbean countries following V collision with lorry PetroCaribe deal

enezuela has sent some 17 per cent less oil and fuel to the 18 member states of PetroCaribe in 2015, compared with the previous year, averaging some 84,000 barrels per day (bpd).

This is according to the Spanishspeaking country’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mining.

The Ministry’s annual report shows that under the PetroCaribe convention daily average supply of crude oil and byproducts to the signatory countries in 2015 stands at 84,000 barrels per day, which represents compliance with the quota of 65 per cent.

The 2014 report describes an average shipment of 101,000 bpd. For both periods, the shipment quota amounted to 129,000 bpd from State-run oil company Pdvsa, AFP said.

Overall, Venezuelan exports of hydrocarbons increased in 2015, by 3.9 per cent up to 2.44 billion bpd versus the prior year. This includes 1.94 million bpd of oil – a 2.55 per cent hike – and 504,000 barrels of by-products – an increase of about 9.3 per cent when compared with 2014.

Late last year, it was revealed that Caribbean countries enjoying the PetroCaribe Agreement with Venezuela would have to seek out alternative sources, since the Opposition coalition had announced that the new National Assembly would be revising international oil agreements which the Government had signed.

The Opposition’s Secretary General, Tomás Guanipa, had said that the coun-

try could not continue selling oil due in 20 years when it needed resources immediately. He said the country’s oil was for its people.

The PetroCaribe deal is an oil alliance of many Caribbean states with Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. The alliance was launched in June 2005 in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. In 2013, PetroCaribe agreed links with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), to go beyond

oil and promote economic cooperation.

The agreement was initiated with the aim of having solidarity with other countries in accordance with ALBA. The payment system allows for purchase of oil at market value for 5-50 per cent up front with a grace period of one to two years; the remainder can be paid through a 1725-year financing agreement with one per cent interest if oil prices are above US$40 per barrel.

Out of the 15-member Caribbean Community, 12 countries have signed on

to the agreement, including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

While Guyana had also signed on to that agreement and was enjoying a fruitful relationship in that regard, recent tensions between the two countries saw Venezuela pulling out of the rice-for-oil contract it had with Guyana.

Guyana received about half of its fuel supply via PetroCaribe, but the agreement was affected by the diplomatic row with Venezuela over a longstanding border controversy: The Spanish-speaking country has contended that the border drawn in 1899 is invalid, and claims nearly two-thirds of Guyana as its own.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela soured following ExxonMobil’s announcement of a “significant” oil discovery off Guyana’s coast.

However, Guyana’s Government remains committed to the judicial settlement of the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, and is seeking the legal opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the 1899 arbitral award.

PetroCaribe, a signature initiative of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, has sold about US$28 billion in oil to participating nations across the Caribbean and Central America since its creation in 2005. Member countries finance as much as half the price of the shipments at one per cent to two per cent interest over 25 years.

A

man is now dead following an accident on Corentyne, Berbice, on Sunday.

Dead is Jewram Khublallchand, 45, of No 75 Village, Corentyne.

Reports are that at about 10:00h Sunday, a lorry attempted to overtake Kbublallchand who was riding a motorcycle on the No 70 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

This newspaper was told that during the attempt to overtake, Kbublallchand was hit by the tray of the lorry.

Following the collision, the severely injured Khublallchand was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital by public spirited citizens but succumbed while receiving medical attention.

An investigation has been launched into the accident and the driver of the lorry remains in police custody assisting with investigations.

Just last month, Marvin Baithoo, 16, of Crabwood Creek, Berbice died after the minibus in which he was travelling crashed into a moving car, before toppling four times along the public road in the vicinity of Bengal, East Berbice, Corentyne.

That accident also occurred after the driver of the minibus attempted to overtake the car when it collided with the vehicle’s rear.

Last year, 30 persons were killed as a result of road accidents in Berbice. Of the 30, seven were drivers and 13 were passengers while the remaining were pedestrians.

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news

monday, march 7, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP will regain office – Jagdeo …“total incompetence” Opposition Leader says in describing Govt

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said that given the unfolding over the last ten months, he is confident the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) would make a successful bid at the next general and regional elections.

The former President was speaking to party stalwarts and supporters on Sunday at the Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice commemoration ceremony of the life of Dr Cheddi Jagan.

He said based on what has transpired in Guyana over the last ten months, since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government took office, there was no doubt the party would win the next General Elections.

“People have a fear that the elections of the future will not be fair. If the PPP was in office and the PNC [People’s National Congress] led coalition rigged the 2015 elections, now that they are in government what will they do?”

He also addressed some of the issues which the PPP/C had been focusing on in recent weeks, including the National Budget, crime, and the economy.

According to Jagdeo since the 2015 elections, there has not been any major investment in Guyana. “In fact, many investors have pulled out of the country,” he said while adding that the economy has come to a standstill.

He said as it relates to the economy, it is projected that in 2016 the manufacturing sector will show a 0.7 per cent

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

growth and this is because of two new gold mines which were established under the PPP/C. “The agriculture sector will show negative growth. The construction sector will be stagnant… every sector will remain stagnant or register a decline, Jagdeo, an economist, predicted.

He noted that in the 2016 National Budget there is no help for the fishing, mining, construction, retail trades and

agriculture sectors. Jagdeo said the new administration is clueless as to where it is taking Guyana.

“Total incompetence,” were the words he used to describe the government.

He said the budget has a list of new taxes which are all geared to make life harder for the small citizen. According to him, many rice farmers were fooled by promises made by the coalition during the lead-up to the last election.

Rice farmers were promised large sums per bag of paddy should the coalition win those elections. “Where is Nagamootoo now? He should have gone to Essequibo to campaign for the Local Government Elections. He can’t come to Berbice or go to Essequibo to talk to farmers, so he gone to North America…”

Jagdeo highlighted.

Speaking of crime, the former Head of State said the PPP has submitted a nine-point plan to the government on ways to tackle crime. “When we were in power and there was the Linden uprising they wanted Rohee to resign, now there are the deaths at the prison, why doesn’t Ramjattan resign,” he asked.

Jagdeo also spoke about contracts being given to people under the current administration who he claims are not real contractors. “Some of them have never held a spade and are getting $20 million contracts then they subcontract it to a contractor for $15 million and make $5 million.”

Families of dead prisoners hold vigil outside Camp Street Prison

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The families of the dead prisoners gathered outside of the Prison where they held the candlelight vigil

he families of the 17 prisoners who died during rioting at the Camp Street Prison last week held a candlelight vigil outside the jailhouse on Sunday evening, where they gathered in remembrance and to call for justice.

The vigil was held under heavy guard by the Guyana Defence Force in a cordoned area. The families gathered sang hymns and mournful tunes as they mourned those who perished in the riot.

Family of Delroy Williams, a murder accused, who perished in the fire, stated that they were at the vigil to express their hurt and concern at the death of one of two brothers. “We feel hurt, that is why we’re here tonight. We are doing this in peace and love,” Michael Williams, the brother of the deceased stated.

“We ain’t want no more

killings in the prison! We want betterment for the prisoners. They under bad conditions and they said they want their voice to be heard and we want their voice to be heard.

They ain’t getting proper food, they don’t have proper sleeping facilities for them, there are rats in the pots and the food that they eating and they want their voices to be heard. They did it for their rights,” he continued.

Williams’ mother explained that her other son, Leroy Williams is still in the prison and she is very concerned about him, while declaring her son’s innocence of the crime for which he is on remand.

The reputed wife of robbery accused Anthony Primo, who was before the Court for the America Street money changers’ robbery, explained that she was at home when she received the news

of Primo’s death. “He was to go to court only Monday… he went on Tuesday, and Thursday he died,” the woman cried.

According to reports, the bodies of 16 prisoners were found in the ‘Capital A’ section of the Prison on Thursday morning. This section, located on the eastern section of the compound on John Street, holds prisoners on remand for or convicted of serious crimes.

The prisoners reportedly lit a series of fires on the previous night, and following morning in retaliation of contraband items including drugs and cellular phones being confiscated during a raid.

The prisoners removed the mattresses and put them in front of the grille of their cells before setting them afire.

Firefighters spent hours there, putting out at least

three separate blazes on Wednesday evening. After they managed to put out the first fire, the angry inmates started another blaze at the same spot.

This fire too was successfully doused after about 15 minutes, much to the annoyance of the prisoners, who again lit another fire. The last inferno took fire-fighters approximately half hour to contain, close to midnight.

No one was injured during Wednesday night’s incident, but Thursday morning, the inmates continued the unrest within the confines of the penitentiary and some were injured.

The prisoners subsequently started yet another fire around 11:15h. While fire-fighters were able to put out that blaze, several inmates died and others were badly injured and rushed to the Hospital.

The Race to LGE 2016

PPP/C candidate aiming to develop infrastructure of Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme – “I am contesting for the benefit of the people of my community”

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he Local Government Elections (LGE) is not about politics or the main political parties per se, it is about ensuring that our communities and residents are taken care of.

This is according to Ester Chattergoon, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic candidate, who is contesting for her community of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

“While I am contesting under the PPP/C, I am not contesting for the benefit of the Party… I am contesting for the benefit of the people of my community,” she firmly stated.

The businesswoman related that she is contesting for her community in hopes of fostering the development of the growing housing scheme.

Chattergoon explained that Parfaite Harmonie is one of the fastest growing housing schemes in terms of population, yet it lacks some basic infrastructures necessary for such an environment.

“In Parfaite Harmonie, there are a number of issues faced by the residents. Firstly, the need for proper drainage is quite evident,” she explained. The mother of two went on to explain that there are few drainage channels in the area, and the existing drains are clogged with mud buildup as well as vegetation.

This, she related, causes the buildup of stagnant water as well as yards being flooded easily.

“Another problem we are plagued with is the overgrown vegetation on the unoccupied house lots,” she explained.

Chattergoon stated that a lot of the house lots that have been distributed to persons are unoccupied, and the owners are not tending to their land, meaning it is overgrown with trees and shrubs. “The vegetation harbours a lot of insects and dangerous reptiles. It also becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes which at this point is a dangerous health hazard to residents of this area,” the candidate posited.

She added that there is a need for proper roads, as well as street lights in the area, and these two issues are top on the list of residents’ concerns. She related that many streets do not have proper roads, and as such the public transportation providers do not venture into these areas, leaving residents to walk far distances in order to catch buses and cars and to return home.

She further related that at nights, it difficult for

Ester Chattergoon

persons to walk in these streets because there are no street lights, and which provides ample opportunity for robbers to pounce upon already distressed persons.

“If elected, I will ensure that these issues are rectified for the comfort, safety and security of the residents of Parfaite Harmonie. I am collaborating with the other candidates of the PPP/C in this area to publicly consult with residents and deal with issues that are important to them. Even if we are not elected, we are prepared to stand up firmly for the rights and development of Parfaite Harmonie,” Chattergoon affirmed.

She went on to reveal that if elected, she will be lobbying for the provision of relevant road maintenance, waste disposal and the clearance of vegetation in the area.

She further divulged that it is in the interest of the community that they request for a secondary school, market facilities, better access to healthcare and opportunities for youth development as well as a shopping mall.

“We are going to be encouraging investors to plug their money into developing businesses in the area so as to provide employment opportunities for the residents,” she declared, adding that they will be approaching the relevant authorities for a Police outpost to be established within the Housing Scheme.

She encourages persons to vote for her and her fellow party candidates, saying: “We are people you know and trust, we are approachable and have within our candidates a balanced team coming from various professions and religions.

We promise to ensure that Parfaite Harmonie becomes a safe and comfortable living environment that is provided with all the necessary infrastructure and amenities for the benefit of the residents.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

moNday, march 7, 2016

ARCHIE

Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. Initiate (March 21- change based on what you April 19) need to do in order to improve your life at home or work.

ARIES

Stick to what you do best.

TAURUS Don’t tempt fate. Abide by the (April 20- rules and be aware of current May 20) trends. Share your knowledge and experience, not your cash.

dilbert

Don’t stop just because GEMINI (May 21- someone else does. Push forJune 20) ward until you finish what’s expected of you. Your ability to influence others will lead to advancement. A favour will be granted.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Don’t let someone’s inconsistency ruin your day. Do your own thing and let your creative imagination be your guide.

Handle responsibility your way and take care of other people’s affairs for the right reasons.

Spending money on items LEO or procedures that will help (July 23you gain momentum will pay Aug. 22) off, as long as you are responsible, shop around for the best deal and stick to a set budget.

Set the standard for the VIRGO way you want to be treated, and (Aug. 23don’t let anyone get away with Sept. 22) bullying behaviour or emotional blackmail. Networking will lead to a worthwhile partnership. Love is highlighted.

Calvin and Hobbes

Making a fuss won’t solve LIBRA (Sept. 23- a problem. An older friend or Oct. 23) relative will offer you something of interest. Old dreams, hopes and wishes can be revisited.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD -- CORDIAL

Don’t take a risk. Be truthSAGITTARIUS ful and avoid gossip, overindul(Nov. 23- gence and arguments over reDec. 21) sponsibilities. Altering your living arrangements will help ease your stress and give you the freedom to begin a new pursuit.

(CORDIAL: KOR-jul: Warm and sincere; friendly.)

Average mark 25 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 35 or more words in CORDIAL? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD -- LISSOME

less lime loess lose loss isle seism semi

silo slim slime sloe smile soil sole some

mess mile milo miso miss moil mole moss

Make changes at home SCORPIO that will add to your comfort (Oct. 24and security and give you the Nov. 22) freedom to experiment with an idea you want to pursue.

Romance will improve an important relationship.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Avoid making assumpCAPRICORN tions. You are best off taking (Dec. 22- your time and seeing what Jan. 19) unfolds before you make a move. Learn from your mistakes and avoid a costly loss.

Hide your gullibility or AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- do enough research to know Feb. 19) when someone is taking advantage of you. Keep your life simple and aim for selfimprovement, not trying to change others.

You should try to make PISCES (Feb. 20- your idea a reality. Let your March 20) imagination take charge and lead the way. A gifted individual will want to contribute to your plan. Romance will improve a personal relationship.

moNDAY, march 7, 2016

Diaz upsets McGregor at UFC 196

19

Pakistan delegation to assess security arrangements in India

The Pakistan men’s and women’s team are scheduled to depart for India next week, but will wait for a security clearance before doing so (AFP photo) Nate Diaz applies rear-naked choke to Conor McGregor that resulted in the upset win (Sports Center photo)

T

he fight game is a humbling one. Conor McGregor learned that at UFC 196.

McGregor, the once seemingly invincible Irishman destined to hold UFC titles in multiple weight classes, tapped to a rear-naked choke applied by Nate Diaz on Saturday night. The finish came at 4:12 of the second round in a welterweight bout McGregor appeared to be in control of early.

Diaz (19-10), who took the fight on 11 days’ notice after McGregor’s original opponent, Rafael dos Anjos, withdrew because of a broken foot, reacted as only Diaz could.

McGregor (19-3), whose 15-fight winning streak was snapped, remains the UFC featherweight champion despite the loss. The bout was contested at 170 pounds because Diaz had virtually no time to cut weight. Originally, McGregor was attempting to move to the 155-pound division to challenge dos Anjos for the lightweight title.

McGregor blamed the loss, his first since 2010, on inefficiency.

All three of his professional losses have come via submission.

“I took the chance in going up to 170,” McGregor said. “I was inefficient with my energy. I’m humbled in victory and defeat. He took the fight on short notice and done the job. He was efficient. I was not.

These things happen. I’ll learn, and I’ll grow. I’ll face it like a man.”

McGregor detailed the pitfalls he encountered against a heavier and taller opponent than he is accustomed to fighting.

“I think I needed to be a little more select, a little more efficient with my energy,” McGregor told ESPN. “I needed to recognize that a bigger man -- you must put the shots together a little bit more to

stop a bigger man.”

McGregor had his way with Diaz in the opening round. His overhand left connected frequently with the right side of Diaz’s face.

Diaz was cut almost immediately and was bleeding badly over his right eye for the majority of the bout. But McGregor, who has famously boasted that no one can take his left hand, couldn’t put down Diaz, who never appeared hurt.

Nevertheless, McGregor was mostly in control. Even when Diaz scored a takedown late in the first round, McGregor immediately swept him and finished in top position.

The next round had a similar feel, as McGregor landed one left hand after another. Perhaps he grew too comfortable doing so. A couple of minutes in, Diaz wobbled him with a straight left. Diaz threw his hands up and smiled after the punch landed. Once McGregor’s legs buckled, Diaz immediately started to close in on him.

McGregor never went down, but Diaz pushed him to the fence and landed a series of left hands.

McGregor eventually managed to push off and began throwing back, but Diaz, with his two-inch reach advantage, expertly stepped in and out of McGregor’s attempts to hurt him and landed another hard jab and then a straight left hand that forced McGregor to shoot for a takedown.

Diaz immediately countered with a guillotine, flipped McGregor over and moved into full mount.

McGregor was forced to turn and give up his back, which led to the rear-naked choke and tapout. It is the ninth submission win of Diaz’s UFC career, second most in the promotion’s history. He trails only Royce Gracie, who has 10. (ESPN)

T

he Pakistan government has constituted a three-member security delegation, headed by a senior director of the Federal Investigation Agency, to assess the security arrangements for the Pakistan men and women’s team in India for the upcoming World T20. The security team will leave for India on Monday and will take a final call by Wednesday.

The government had initially granted the PCB permission to play in India, but the board has decided to put the visit on hold until they are guaranteed foolproof security.

The PCB’s move was prompted after the Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh had expressed his state government’s difficulty in providing security for the IndiaPakistan match in Dharamsala, scheduled for March 19.

Chaudhry Nisar Khan, Pakistan’s interior minister, told a press gathering in Islamabad

that the three-member team comprises Usman Anwar of the FIA, a PCB official and an official from the Pakistan High Commission in India. He said that it is the responsibility of the Indian government to ensure security of the Pakistan team, as the World T20 is an international tournament.

“I have asked the PCB chairman to wait, and the team can wait until the security clearance is assured,” Nisar Khan said. “We can delay our team’s departure till we are sure that they will be safe in India.

“If the security team’s initial report is positive, our cricket team will leave for India as per schedule on Wednesday otherwise we may delay the team’s departure. We not only want our team’s security in hotels and on routes, but want our players to play cricket without any worries in grounds where thousands of people will accumulate

for the match. We will only give a green signal for the team to go to India once we get security clearance.”

The PCB has adopted a cautious approach regarding the security situation. PCB chairman, Shaharyar Khan, has said that the threats against the Pakistan team are specific and threatened to pull out of the tournament unless the PCB gets a clear message about the security situation from the Indian government. He also called for India to publicly acknowledge Pakistan’s participation in the tournament and to also promise full security to their cricket team.

Pakistan have returned from Bangladesh, where they failed to qualify for the final of the ongoing Asia Cup. Both the men’s and women’s teams are scheduled to depart from Lahore on Wednesday for India, subject to the security clearance. (Cricinfo)

Peyton Manning to announce retirement

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Peyton Manning

enver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is to announce his retirement today, ending a sparkling 18-year

career in the NFL. Manning, who turns 40 later in March, played his last game when he helped the Broncos win the

Super Bowl in February.

It was his second Super Bowl win, the first coming in 2007 during a 14-year spell with the Indianapolis Colts.

One of the game’s most prolific passers, he was voted the NFL’s most valuable player a record five times.

He will retire as the NFL’s all-time leading passer, having amassed a record 200 career wins including play-offs.

In defeating the Caroline Panthers in this year’s Super Bowl 50, Manning also became the oldest quarterback to win the showpiece event - and the first starting quarterback to win it with two different teams.

It had been rumoured the surprise 24-10 victory would be his last game, but he said afterwards he would “take time to reflect”. (BBC Sport)

20 Tate ends Holly Holm’s 4-month reign as champ with unexpected win

guyanatimesGY.com

moNDAY, march 7, 2016

Miesha Tate rear-naked choke renders Holly Holm unconscientious

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photo)

ess than four months after her stunning win over Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm’s time as a UFC champion is over.

Miesha Tate (18-5), who late last year admitted she was considering retirement, submitted Holm with a rearnaked choke at 3:30 of the final round of their 135-pound title fight Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC 196 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Presumably down on the scorecards entering the fifth round, Tate latched herself onto Holm’s back during a scramble in the center of the cage.

Holm stood, wearing Tate as a back-

(Sports Center

pack. Tate sneaked her right arm under Holm’s chin, and in a final desperate attempt to break free, Holm front flipped to the ground.

Holm (10-1) refused to tap. She went unconscious, still throwing punches into the air in front of her.

“I let my guard down, and it cost me the fight,” Holm said in her postmatch news conference.

UFC president Dana White joined SportsCenter on Saturday night to declare that Tate’s first bantamweight defense will come against Rousey, who has not set a return date.

“I think that Ronda now will fight

Miesha Tate for the title. That’s what’s going to happen,” White said. “That’s what I said before this fight even happened. Whoever wins tonight will fight Ronda for the title.”

White said he contacted Rousey, who was not watching Saturday’s fight.

“I text Ronda, and she said, ‘What happened?’” White said. “I said, ‘Miesha just choked her unconscious.’

She said, ‘Looks like I gotta get back to work.’”

Rousey’s two previous wins against Tate each came via armbar. Holm said she wanted a rematch against Tate but would take any opportunity UFC provided.

White said Rousey doesn’t plan to fight until the fall, but he will inquire of her interest to fight Tate earlier than that.

“I feel we had a great game plan,” said Tate, a former Strikeforce titleholder. “She’s very dangerous. She’s capable of catching anyone at any moment. She’s a calculated fighter. I thought I had to be like a pit bull with a bone [with the choke]. I knew she wasn’t getting out of that one.”

Until that final sequence, it looked as if it would be a what-if kind of night for Tate. She took Holm down in the second round and eventually took her back with 90 seconds to work. Twice she threatened to finish with a rearnaked choke only to have Holm barely fight her off. (ESPN)

Taylor’s 63 makes it 1-1 for WI Women

S

Stafanie Taylor

tafanie Taylor’s halfcentury and contribution with the ball ensured West Indies leveled the series against South Africa with a dominant showing at the Wanderers. Taylor led a recovery after South Africa made early breakthroughs and then pushed them to a decent total on a good pitch, before her bowlers kept South Africa under constant pressure in a chase that never really got underway. They lost 6 for 24, with Taylor picking up two at the end, and were bowled out inside 20 overs, leaving themselves work to do ahead of the series decider in Cape Town on Wednesday.

South Africa would have felt they made the right decision after they put West Indies in to bat and had them at 17 for 2 in the first three overs. Shabnim Ismail’s impressive run continued as she claimed both wickets.

That brought West Indies’ most dangerous pair together.

Deandra Dottin and Taylor took on the South African

bowling and were particularly severe on the short ball.

Taylor showed both power and placement with the pull and the sweep while Dottin was inventive and even scooped Marcia Letsoalo over fine leg. Letsoalo, though, had the last laugh when she trapped Dottin lbw at the end of the 13th over to end the 68run stand.

Following Dottin’s wicket, South Africa pulled West Indies back with two boundary-less overs and in frustration Taylor holed out to long-on with the score at 100.

West Indies would have been eyeing a total over 150 and Stacy-Ann King played her part in trying to get them there. She was aggressive at the end and took 18 runs off the penultimate over before being caught at cover. That was the first of two wickets South Africa took in the last over to keep West Indies under 150 but it still proved too much to chase.

After an untidy start by Shamilia Connell, Tremayne

Smartt had Dane van Niekerk caught at slip to leave South Africa’s debutant opener Lara Goodall with immense responsibility early on.

She was joined by her captain Mignon du Preez, who took the initiative early with two pulls off Smartt but found the rest of the attack - Connell in particular - difficult to get away.

Goodall hit Connell straight to cover but Marizanne Kapp found a way to attack the fast bowler, who bowled her full quota of four overs upfront. She struggled in her final over and Kapp took advantage, first of width and then of a line that was straight. Connell should have had Kapp caught at short fine leg but had bowled a front-

foot no-ball; Kapp survived and sent the free hit for four.

South Africa’s good fortune ended there. Kapp gifted midwicket a catch in the next over from Hayley Matthews and du Preez was lbw four balls later. The hosts were wobbling at 52 for 4.

Taylor brought herself on and between her and Matthews, they gave away just eight runs in the next three overs to push the required run rate over ten.

Dinesha Devnarain tried to ease the pressure with 12 runs in an over but the attack was short-lived.

Devnarain was run out after Anisa Mohammed bowled Lizelle Lee, the wicket that sparked South Africa’s collapse. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies Women innings Kycia A Knight† c du Preez b Ismail 4 HK Matthews c Kirsten b Ismail 1 SR Taylor* c Daniels b Luus 63 DJS Dottin lbw b Letsoalo 19 Kyshona A Knight run out (van Niekerk/†Lee) 16 SACA King c Goodall b Ismail 24 SA Campbelle not out 3 Extras (b 1, lb 5, w 6, nb 1) 13 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs; 80 mins) 143 Did not bat: SL Quintyne, A Mohammed, TD Smartt, SS Connell Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-17, 3-85, 4-100, 5-136, 6-143 Bowling: S Ismail 4-0-25-3, M Daniels 4-0-31-0, O Kirsten 2-0-19-0, D van Niekerk 4-021-0, MM Letsoalo 3-024-1, S Luus 3-0-17-1

South Africa Women innings D van Niekerk c Matthews b Smartt 5 L Goodall c Taylor b Connell 7 M du Preez* lbw b Matthews 12 M Kapp c King b Matthews 17 L Lee† b Mohammed 8 D Devnarain run out (Matthews/†Kycia A Knight) 16 S Luus c Campbelle b Taylor 5 S Ismail c Matthews b Quintyne 13 O Kirsten b Taylor 3 MM Letsoalo not out 1 M Daniels st †Kycia A Knight b Mohammed 1 Extras (lb 4, w 5, nb 1) 10 Total (all out; 18.4 overs; 76 mins) 98 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-29, 3-51, 4-52, 5-74, 6-76, 7-87, 8-94, 9-97, 10-98 Bowling: TD Smartt 2-0-131, SS Connell 4-0-25-1, A Mohammed 3.4-0-12-2, HK Matthews 3-0-16-2, SR Taylor 4-0-17-2, SL Quintyne 2-0-11-1.

WI seniors must emulate juniors at World T20

I

Says Akeem Greene

t is not often the old looks to the young for inspiration but this should be the case when the star studded West Indies team plays in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 Tournament in India.

With just two days to go to the gala event, the Calypso side’s main agenda must be to win the title and return some amount of pride to the sport in the region.

The jubilant scenes that gripped most of the territories when the victorious under-19 players arrived home, with Guyana strangely being the exception thus far, since it was a Guyanese Captain that won the title for the first time in history, saw a bountiful of smiles along with a spark of rejuvenated interest in the sport by fans.

Even the young players had a charisma about their game throughout the tournament as they grabbed the attention of many with their “chest roll” dance styles.

If it sounds familiar, just turn the clock to four years ago, I am sure you can still remember the “Gangnam” dance style that Christopher Gayle and the rest of his teammates did at the victorious T20 World Cup as that celebration became iconic with the team and most importantly the fans felt appeased to be aligned to West Indies Cricket.

The senior side now embarks on a quest to recapture the prized trophy, a journey that will not be easy as they are grouped alongside some formidable teams but just as the under-19s snatched victories from the jaws of defeat, they must find a way to do the same.

Even with the loss of embattled mystery off-spinner Sunil Narine, Keiron Pollard and Lendl Simmons for varying reasons, they still hold arguably the most lethal squad in the tournament.

Some describe them as T20 mercenaries as they have toured the world playing countless of tournaments and the conditions in India will be no surprise or discomfort to them.

I honestly do believe they have a legitimate chance to cop the title; Why? If we dissect the squad, each one of those players can single handily win a match.

Let us remember Christopher Henry Gayle has the fastest century in Twenty20 cricket, off just 30 balls when he smoked the world record top score of 175 during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

There is former Captain and dynamic all-rounder Dwayne Bravo whose fielding alone is an inspiration to the team, not to forget Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels and the list goes on.

This Darren Sammy led unit undoubtedly has the artillery to go the full mile but their level of determination will be the determining factor in their level success in the tournament.

I think the fans should be cognizant that these household names might be together for the final time at a World Tournament as we all are well aware of the turmoil between some of the high profile names and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that has left many wanting to end their international careers or simply show a lack of interest.

The depressing state of the side in Test and One Day International formats makes this shorten and fast paced version of the game, tailored to the skills set of this group.

Let us remember too, that talks have been circulating of CARICOM wanting to dissolve the WICB, albeit mismanagement could be a major factor, the team’s record in cricket in the last decade has been nothing short of atrocious.

This is why this World Cup will be just more than a coveted trophy but can be used as a pipeline to fuel some success into the region’s cricket.

A win of this magnitude correlates to two hopefully important aspects of sustaining the sport, a needed financial sprout and resurrecting the nostalgic meaning of cricket in the region.

Unlike most of the other cricketing sides, for a full-fledged member of the ICC, they play somewhat the lease amount of international cricket and there is no reason to be too perturb considering their horrendous displays but it means that whenever opportunities like this arise, they must grab it firmly with both hands.

I must emphasize my initial point that if the young cricketers of the region could have found a way to defy the odds and bring home the title, the senior side must do the same, anything short of such, will be wholly disappointing.

Before departure to under-19 World Cup, the Vice-captain Keemo Paul words were “the ultimatum is to win the World Cup… we are going there to win”. Since we know how that story was written, the hope is that the senior side’s script begins on the same confident note.

YELLOW PAGES

Road to Mecca III…

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Raiders dispatch Warriors – Nets, Sonics pick up wins

By Treiston Joseph

T

itle favourites Retrieve Raiders easily took care of business in their opening game of the Road to Mecca National Club Basketball Championship when the knockout tournament continued on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Raiders trounced New Amsterdam Warriors 63-44 to claim an easy win as they displayed their superior post game.

Dwayne “Brown Suga” Roberts wasted little time in getting to work and dropped 16 points to go along with eight rebounds. Alexander Rose and Jason Alonzo had 11 points each in the win.

Scoring for the losers came from Carlos Crandon

with 10 points and nine rebound while Ramone Fodgenay had nine points.

Plaisance Guardians topped the Republic Banks Nets to move on in the tournament with a 72-62 win.

Nikkoloi Smith slashed his way to 29 points and nine rebounds to lead the Guardians while Michael Richards backed-up with 10 points.

Darrian Lewis 17 points along with Antwan Austin’s 16 points was not enough to help fuel the Nets to victory.

Mortimer Williams also had 11 points.

Meanwhile Trevor Smith’s clutch three pointer with under three minutes to play ignited the Pepsi Sonics to a 73-64 win over the University of Guyana (UG) Trojans.

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forth with both teams answering offensive runs at different periods of the game to exchange lead.

Nevertheless with the game tied at 60 with under three minutes to play Smith’s dagger ignited a 10-4 run that closed out the game.

Smith ended with 15 points and seven rebounds while Jason Squires topped scored for the Sonics with 18 points and eight rebounds.

Kerwin Jackson also contributed 13 points while Earl O’Neil had 12 points and 14 rebounds as the Sonics had an all-round offensive showing.

Emanuel Archibald had a game high 23 points for UG while Ewart Smith had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Simmons out of World T20 due to back injury

W

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21

est Indies batsman Lendl Simmons will miss the World Twenty20 after suffering a back injury. The West Indies Cricket Board has not yet named a replacement and it is understood that the selectors, led by former captain Clive Lloyd, have not yet agreed on a unanimous choice.

Dwayne Smith, who won the Man of the Match in the final of the Pakistan Super League after helping Islamabad United take the title last month, remains a favourite. The selectors, however, could also pick Barbados batsman Jonathan Carter, who was a part of the squad for the 2015 World Cup. Carter, who has only played ODIs for West Indies so far, made his debut in January 2015 against South Africa and went on to play three matches in the World Cup, scoring his only ODI fifty in the tournament. He has scored brisk hundreds for West Indies A and Barbados in the past and has played 51 T20 matches, scoring 906

Lendl Simmons

runs, including one century and five fifties.

Simmons is the fourth player from the West Indies squad to be ruled out of the World T20 in India. Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo had earlier withdrawn from the team.

Narine, who had been banned from bowling in internationals in November last year due to a suspect action stated cited "insufficient progress in the rehabilitative work" on his ac-

tion as the reason for his withdrawal. Pollard had not rehabilitated sufficiently from a knee injury he suffered last November, while Bravo pulled out by stating he wanted to focus on Test cricket.

Simmons was a part of the West Indies squad for the 2009, 2012 and 2014 editions of the World T20, although he did not play a game in 2012 when the side won the tournament. He has played 34 T20Is since his debut in June 2007, scoring 761 runs at an average of 25.36 with four fifties, and his last game in the format was against South Africa in January 2015.

Since his last international appearance, Simmons has played in T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, the Bangladesh Premier League, the Big Bash League and the inaugural Pakistan Super League. In that period, he has scored 1406 runs in 46 matches at an average of 32.69 with 13 fifties. (Cricinfo)

Williams breaks ‘Cheddi...

from page 22

The event was orgainised by the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) in remembrance of the late party leader Dr Cheddi Jagan and rode off from outside of the party’s New Amsterdam office at M`ain and Charlotte Streets and proceeded to the Number 51 Police Station in Corentyne before heading to Port Mourant for the finish.

Mountain bike riders and veterans rode from the starting point to Adventure and returned to Port Mourant for the finish while the ladies rode from New Amsterdam to Port Mourant.

The first mountain biker to complete the race was

Speaking at the presentation ceremony Region Six Chairman David Armogan in congratulating the riders who came to the region to participate, noted that residents of the region look forward annually to see cyclist compete in the event. He said they are pleased to see the competition knowing that it is in memory of the former Head of State, Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Party Executive Secretary Zulficker Mustapha said Dr Jagan dedicate his life for the betterment of all Guyanese.

The presentation ceremony was held at the memorial site of Dr Jagan at Babu Jaan. (Andrew Carmichael)

Richard Charles followed by Hosai McCally and Michael Holder in that order. In the veteran category, seasoned campaigner Junior Niles was first ahead of Eon Jackson and Raymond Newton while Inter Guyana Games (IGG) female champion Marcia Dick could not hold a strong finish by Whitney Poyer and Christen Matterson who finished in that order.

The oldest rider to complete the race was 69-year-old Monty Parris. Thirty-seven riders were registered for the event which will have its second stage on May 13 and the final leg on May 21. Both legs take place in Demerara.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

MONday, march 7, 2016

GHB selects junior Lord’s 6-98 spins Pan Am squad GCC to first innings T GCA, GISE, Trophy Stall & Star Party Cricket…

win against PSC

– GNIC beat GYO by an innings and 76 runs

By Akeem Greene

L

eft-arm spinner Devon Lord snatched his maiden five wicket haul at the first division level to help the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) to first innings points against the Police Sports Club (PSC) in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) First Division two-day cricket on Sunday.

Playing at GCC, Bourda, PSC resumed the day on 46-1 in pursuit of GCC's 326-8 declared but faltered to 296 all out.

Lord who is a former Guyana under-15 player bowled some 37.2 overs and picked up wickets at key points in the match.

Police, who lost Reginald Rodrigues for seven saw Jason Heyliger (80) and Kelvin Leitch (87) put on 133 for the second wicket Leitch who the aggressor of the two stroked 15 fours and one six while Heyliger hit thirteen fours.

After the departure of the pair wickets began falling at regular intervals but Daniel Barker steadied the innings with a patient 25, a knock that spanned over two hours at the crease which help PSC challenge GCC's total.

Rawle Brown (26) and Stephan Hariss (28) chipped in amongst the scores as Police were bowled out with an hour’s play remaining.

With a lead of 30, GCC batted out the day to end on 66-4 as Belle made 33; Kempton Grumble took

Devon Lord (left) and Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed

3-10.

GCC first innings was built on a maiden century at first division level for National youth player Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed.

The right-handed AliMohammed made a strokefilled 124 and shared a 169run sixth wicket partnership with Sachin Singh who contributed a well composed 62.

Martin Pestano-Belle contributed with 42 as Leg spinner Visual Jaigobin was the pick of the bowlers for PSC with figures of 4-74.

Scores: (GCC 326-8dec & 66-4; PSC 296) Over at Maltenoes Sports Club, GNIC made light work of Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) as they won by an innings and 76 runs.

GINIC resumed the day on 292-5 in response to GYO first innings 166 all

out, eventually declared on 358-8 as Stephon Campbell top scored with 91 and Gajanand Suknandan making 59. O ff-spinner Surendra Herilall took 4-72 while Devinish Ramjattan chipped in with 2-59.

GYO needing 192 to make GNIC bat again were bowled out for 115 as Chris Deonarine top scored with 32. First-class player Gajanand Singh took 5-25 and Suknandan returned to take 4-35, ending with match figures of 10-77.

On day one, GYO’s demise came at the hands of off-spinner Suknandan with figures of 6-42.

Deonarine top scored yet again with a well composed 79 (13x4s; 1x6).

Scores: (GYO 166 &115; GNIC 358-8 dec.)

Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Race…

Williams breaks ‘Cheddi Jagan’ record

Marlin Williams crosses the finish line ahead of Raul Leal

M

arlon ‘Fishie’ Williams set a new record for the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle road race on Sunday when he clocked 2:15:10s to destroy last year’s record time set by Orville Hinds.

Williams together with Raul Leal for most of the

race had a stiff challenge from Shaquel Aguard, Paul DeNobrega and defending champion Orville Hinds who finished in that order behind Leal. Raphael Leung rounded out the top six finishers in the open category.

Leung was also the

first junior to cross the finish line ahead of Andrew Hicks and Christopher Cornelius. Leal took four of the eight sprint point prizes up for grabs while Williams claimed two. One each went to DeNobrega and Hinds. turn to page 21

he Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has selected 21 players, from which the final team of 18 will be chosen to represent Guyana at the Pan American Junior Championships, scheduled for Toronto, Canada from May 20-28.

The GHB was forced to make their selection earlier than usual due to the time required for the processing of Canadian visa applications for the players. The final 18-man team will be named in mid-April.

The squad has been preparing for the Pan American Junior Championships since August of 2014, by competing in all local competitions in addition to two warmup tours of Trinidad and Tobago.

On their first developmental tour in December of 2014, Guyana won three of their four matches; during

their second tour in August of 2015 the team won seven of their nine matches.

The squad includes eight players who were a part of the senior national team which drew 2-2 with Olympic qualifiers Brazil, on their way to a semifinal berth at the Pan American Challenge in Peru last year.

The team will be led by experienced captain and midfielder Mark Sargeant, with Andrew Stewart marshaling the defence and England-based playmaker Aroydy Branford returning to lead the striking line.

The players have recently stepped up their physical preparations under the guidance of physical trainer Barington Browne.

Head Coach Robert Fernandes indicated, fitness will be one of the main areas of emphasis for the team in the 10 weeks leading up to the tournament.

“As our last four international tours have proven, both at the junior and senior levels, our ability to outwork our opponents has kept us competitive and made up for our deficiencies in other areas. We can’t control our lack of access to an artificial pitch or to regular competition but what we can control is our fitness level and this is where we must be superior to our opponents.”

The 21-member National Squad read: Mark Sargeant (Cap), Medroy Scotland (GK), Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper, Shaquille Leung, Meshach Sargeant, Ian Burke, Michael Hing (GK), Rahim Oliver (GK), Rosario Ramsammy, Aroydy Branford, Andrew Stewart, Leon Bacchus, Jael Gaskin, Omar Hopkinson, Hilton Chester, Ato Greene, Paramanand Dindial, Troy Hodge and Nyron Joseph.

Milo U-20 School Football…

Chase make easy work of Kingston – Mae’s suffer upset loss

By Treiston Joseph

Action during the tournament as teams continue to vie for the top spot

C

hase Academy easily dispatched of Kingston Secondary with a 3-1 win to reach the quarterfinals of the Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament when Round of 16 action concluded on Sunday at the Ministry of Education ground.

It will be hard for any team to top Chase Academy with the defending champs showing great chemistry and form especially from their latest win.

The squad is passing the ball with and their coordinated offensive attacks at times seem unstoppable by opponents and Kingston was the latest victim of the team that is clicking on all cylinders.

Kelsey Benjamin wasted little time in getting the ball rolling as Chase scored the game’s opening goal with the game’s first shot on target in the seventh minute.

Vincent Thomas would capitalise on defenders that were out of position to equalise in the 16th minute for Kingston only to see Chase immediately take the lead one minute later through a goal from Ryan Hackett in

the 17th minute.

Sonel Logan would put the final nail in the coffin in the 29th minute as Chase closed up shop to secure the win before the first half concluded.

Meanwhile an in-form Mae’s Secondary committed too many mistakes and watched their hopes of advancing in the tournament come to an abrupt end when South Ruimveldt delivered the upset with a 4-3 penalty win.

The game ended one all but Mae’s only have themselves to blame as they gifted South Ruimveldt the game’s first goal via an own goal in the 29th minute.

However, the squad was able to equalise in the 55th minute through a Cecil Jackman goal but was unable to find a late winner by the end of regulation and the rest of the story is history.

North Georgetown pulled off a thrilling 4-2 comeback win against St John’s College to advance to the quarterfinals.

St John’s College was looking in brilliant shape to

advance after the conclusion of the first half as Darien Dickson and Joel Yhap gave them a commanding 2-0 lead with goals in the eighth and 30th minutes by respectively by the time the first half ended.

Nevertheless, North Georgetown came soaring back as Nehemiah Gomes in the 41st and Daniel Nedd in the 51st help North equalise.

Osafo Matthison would sink the go ahead goal in the 74th minute while Christopher Waddell 83rd minute goal would ensure North of a quarterfinal berth.

Christ Church was able to move into the quarterfinal round with a comfortable 3-1 win against Queenstown Secondary.

Wayne Wright, Tahul Alpin and Shamar Carrington were the scorers for Christ Church with goals in the 19th, 46th and 61st minutes respectively while Queenstown’s lone goal came from Kellon Blue in the 28th minute. Action in the tournament will continue on March 13 at the said venue.

guyanatimesGY.com

MONDAY, march 7, 2016

23

Trayon Bobb confident of further success for Slingerz in Elite League

By Akeem Greene

G

olden Jaguars and Slingerz Football Club attacking midfielder Trayon Bobb has given his team a vote of confidence as they seek to complete the double and top both the League Genesis and Finale of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League.

The 22-year old Bobb in an interview with Guyana Times Sport on Sunday said “I am confident in my team, we have been working together for a long time and we understand one another as much as possible as we play our own brand of football”.

Bobb, began his professional football career with Caledoinia AIA of the Professional League in Trinidad and Tobago in 2011; then moved to Finland in 2013 to join Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat FC after which he was able to secure a joint loan to Rovaniemi FC in the same country.

The player who made his first appearance for the Golden Jaguars senior side in August 2013 against India at the age of 18 is of the view that the Elite League is vital to the development of Football in Guyana.

“I have been away playing in Trinidad and Europe and this is my first time coming back home and playing in this league thus far; I think it’s really a good league for everyone in

Trayon Bobb

Guyana to show their talent and for young players to get exposure”, Bobb stated.

When questioned about his preferred position on the field he revealed that “I prefer to play on the wing mostly, that is my favorite position; my favourite footballer is Chicharito but also players like Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich because we all in the same position and are left footers”.

Slingerz to date has won all three of their matches and currently top the points table with nine points from three matches but faces arch rivals Alpha “the Hammer” United on Wednesday in an intriguing match that could see either team creating a greater strong hold on the top position.

Bobb who has scored two goals from three match-

GFA/Stag Premier League…

Santos edge Tigers 2-1 to go atop table

S

antos Football Club delivered an outstanding comeback 2-1 victory over Western Tigers to go top of the table in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Stag Premier League on Saturday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda.

The match was the highlight of the evening proceedings as the two unbeaten teams of the tournament were engaged in a highly eventful match.

Tigers who have entered this encounter as favorites due to their experienced team, took the lead in the 15th when veteran Dwayne Ali found the back of the net.

Despite the likes of talented winger Randolph Wagner and Devon Forde pressing for another goal for the West Ruimveldt based team, Santos defence held their composure; but just as it seemed the Tigers would hold the lead heading into the second half, talented forward Jobe Caesar netted in the 42nd.

It was in the second half

where the youthful side played with a much more offensive mindset as Caesar along with Ryan Hackett began pressing for another goal but with just three minutes left in the grueling encounter, Tyresse Forde hit the back of the net top produce the late winner.

In the earlier match, Riddim Squad and Sunburst Campton played to a 1-1 draw.

As the first half of the game was static; Raul Adams of Campton scored in the 53rd to put his side in the league but when it seemed that the Campbellville based side would have coasted to victory the experienced Amos Ramsay got pass the back line to score in the 72nd to end the fixture 1-1.

es thus far, also played for Guyana Under-20 football team and is in no way daunted by the task at hand and expects his team to do well.

“I do believe it is a good match up for us to show our talents so I certainly do think we can go all, we work extremely hard in training and hard work usually pays off successfully”, he explained.

Slingerz play Alpha United at the Fruta Conquerors ground in Tucville on Wednesday from 18:00h, followed by the homes side against Monedderlust from 20:00h. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)

Bobb, seen here battles for possession in a match for Guyana against Costa Rico in 2012, will have to use all his experience to help guide Slingerz to the title once more

monday, march 7, 2016

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

Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Race…

Williams breaks ‘Cheddi Jagan’ record

Pg 22 Winners pose with organisers and party officials for a photo opportunity

GHB selects junior Raiders dispatch Pan Am squad Warriors – Nets, Sonics pick up wins Road to Mecca III…

Pg 22

Pg 21

The heated action never slowed down on Saturday evening

Andrew Stewart clears the ball during Guyana’s 2-2 draw with Brazil at the 2015 Pan American Challenge in Chiclayo, Peru

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