Guyana Times Daily - December 3, 2015

Budget 2016 talks

FITUG P13 proposes 40% tax threshold increase Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2696

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, December 3, 2015

PRICE

BBCI Toll Reductions

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Pension schemes, other bondholders to suffer major losses to accommodate lower tolls Page 12

TIGI President, Vice President P12 resign – Christopher Ram appointed new VP

– huge blow for NIS, GAWU, GuySuCo

Millions wasted as Govt retrofits State vehicles

Page 3 Specialty Hospital flip-flop P14

– former AG wants full disclosure

Opposition will mount legal challenge if contract not retendered

As crime spirals out of control

Operation Dragnet Man shot during launched to combat row at Aubrey crime, terrorism Barker Road Page 10

– Govt stonewalls questions on Fedders Lloyd's disqualification

Page 7

P17 GGMC Commissioner sent on administrative leave

17 Govt commissions Page new $30M Cummings Park Nursery School Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine on Wednesday joined residents, education officials and teachers in commissioning a brand new nursery school at Cummings Park, Greater Georgetown

Another Guyanese busted with cocaine at JFK

Page 9

Chronicle fires former Chief Editor, GM Page 11

– no notice, benefits given

Styrofoam ban regulations being drafted P14

Campaign financing

Harmon “not ready” to address the matter Page 7

Sheriff Street hit-and-run

Driver turns self in to Police P13

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 3 – 11:30h-13:00h and Friday, December 4 – 12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 2 – 09:15h-10:45h and Thursday, December 3 – 10:25h-11:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Thundery showers are expected throughout the day and into the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:53h and 22:18h reaching a maximum height of 2.17 metres and 2.16 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:18h and 15:49h reaching minimum heights of 0.98 metre and 1.09 metres respectively.

wednesday, december 2, 2015

LOTTERY NUMBERS A 14 17 25 26 27 28 09 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Daily Millions

05 08 13 14 19 LUCKY 3 6

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Draw De Line 01 03 12 13 17

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

Millions wasted as Govt retrofits State vehicles – former AG wants full disclosure

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government seems to have again found itself on the wrong side of accountability and transparency, as it is now being accused of handing out a multimillion-dollar auto repair contract to a close friend and financier of the coalition’s election campaign.

Former Attorney General under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration Anil Nandlall told a news conference on Wednesday that he was in receipt of credible information that the Government had handpicked the contractor to retrofit a number of Stateowned vehicles at premium prices.

“There is a close friend of the Administration and a financier of the election campaign who owns an auto accessory body shop and this person, this business, has been given a number of contracts, none of which seems to have been advertised to retrofit a number of SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) of the Forestry Commission and the Geology and Mines Commission. One vehicle has thus far been retrofitted I am told to be used by a Minister at a cost of $11 million, now that is the cost of a new vehicle or several new vehicles, depending on the type of vehicle that they want to source,” Nandlall said.

The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) is of the view the Government was going this route after

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

its decision earlier this year to purchase a $22 million SUV for Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was condemned by Guyanese, including many of the coalition’s supporters.

“So now to avoid spending money on the acquisition of new vehicles, we are told that the vehicles that they have are now being retrofitted,” Nandlall said.

Nandlall bemoaned the fact that this contract, which will cost the public purse millions, was awarded without any openness.

“These things are happening and we don’t know what’s the nature of the transaction. If one vehicle is $11 million, this is a multimillion-dollar project. Did they receive quotes from other persons? Did they go out to public tender? That is what transparency is about. That is what the procurement act mandates,” Nandlall asserted.

Efforts to contact Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of

State Joseph Harmon, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman and Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally all proved futile, as their phones went unanswered.

The APNU/AFC while in Opposition had chastised the then PPP/Civic Administration on claims that it was not operating in an accountable and transparent manner and vowed that should it gain political power, things would be done differently.

However, many believe that the Government is now involved in worse practices than what it had accused the PPP/C of doing, as there is a lack of disclosure on many contracts and programmes involving billions of dollars.

Among the examples of unaccountability and lack of transparency cited by some critics is the Government’s glaring silence on the source and amount of monies used to finance the multimillion-dollar inauguration of President David Granger and his Cabinet on May 16.

Critics also pointed to Government’s failure to follow any public tendering process for the hiring of forensic auditors for the ongoing forensic audits, rather than the hand-picking of Christopher Ram and Anand Goolsarran, two staunch supporters of the coalition, as well as the coalition’s refusal to disclose the source of its fund-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

ing for the extravagant 2015 General and Regional Election campaign.

Further, the Administration has been under the microscope as questions of corruption and lack of transparency were raised over the multimillion-dollar city clean-up activities, for which the contractors, contract sums as well as scope of works were never revealed.

The most recent of lack of transparency accusations engulfing the Government is that of the construction of the Specialty Hospital for which the Government selected a disqualified contractor in Fedders Lloyd to complete the project, despite the Public Procurement Act stipulating there must be a retendering process.

Fedders Lloyd is a former client of Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan.

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Views Editor(ag): Michael Younge Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Civilisational clash in Europe?

M

ore than two decades ago (1993), Harvard’s Samuel Huntington unfurled his “Clash of Civilisations” thesis which seemingly became the working model for Western, especially US, foreign policy strategists. In the wake of the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and the end of the Cold War, the timing was maybe more than just fortuitous.

With the war – by whatever name it is called – unleashed

by ISIS in Europe out of its caliphate in the Middle East, superficially, it would seem that Huntington has proven to be a prophet. Huntington insisted that as ideological distinctions – on the capitalist-communist continuum – among nations during the Cold War lost the traction they once had now that there was one superpower left standing, new conflicts would revolve around other markers.

He proposed that ideology would be replaced by cultural differences, and world politics would be accordingly reconfigured. As early as 1996, he already pointed out that across the globe, new conflicts – and new cooperation –had replaced the old order of the Cold War era.

In what appears to be a prophecy, the blurb for the book announced that Huntington postulated: “how the population explosion in Muslim countries and the economic rise of East Asia are changing global politics. These developments challenge Western dominance, promote opposition to supposedly “universal” Western ideals, and intensify inter-civilisation conflict over such issues as nuclear proliferation, immigration, human rights, and democracy. The Muslim population surge has led to many small wars throughout Eurasia, and the rise of China could lead to a global war of civilisations. Huntington offers a strategy for the West to preserve its unique culture and emphasises the need for people everywhere to learn to coexist in a complex, multipolar, multicivilisational world.”

Huntington argued that the West’s claim to “universalism would only lead to confrontation with non-Western cultures”.

“Western Universalism” pushes Western values including democracy, freedom of speech, and human rights in an attempt to universalise them throughout the world. He, therefore, suggested that as we seen today, after Paris 2015, a new axis is being drawn with Europe on one side and all others who do not join them on the other side and defined as “beyond the pale”. Who else would commit such barbarities against “human rights”?

Huntington’s work, his thesis and strategy for the West are undermined however by his insistence on equating the European experience with “Modernity” with a capital “M”. The history of Europe shows that while “modernity” developed as a struggle against the Church, epitomised by the Enlightenment, in struggling against the Church, the resulting paradigm was inevitably undergirded by the latter’s premises. The view that the rights of the individual trump those of the nation is one such premise and this has led to “human rights” becoming the touchstone for all activities at the individual, national and global levels.

Much of what is dubbed the “clash of civilisations” is actually a struggle by some to assert that modernity does not have to be uni-linear: they insist it must be accepted that almost every culture/religion can modernise without having to westernise. It is from this perspective, for instance, we must view the changes that are sweeping the Islamic world in general and ISIS in particular. The resurgence of the Islamicists is not definitionally “non-modern” and the fact that there are 35,000 individuals from Western countries fighting on behalf of ISIS, must signal something about the claims of Western universality.

Especially for multicultural, multiracial, multireligious countries, countries like Guyana, a universalism that accepts the best of all cultures on a rational basis might be the way to go. One does not have to believe that “everything is valid” to accept that there is validity in much of what all the different world views posit. What made man “Human” are the innate instincts of kindness, tolerance, mutual love and sense of fairness inherent in all human beings, prior to the birth of all of “religions”.

These can help head off any “clash of civilisations” if practised fairly.

An aerial view of the Caricom Secretariat (photo by Marceano Narine)

Is Ramkarran defending an illegality?

Dear Editor, In his weekly column, published in the Stabroek News, Mr Ralph Ramkarran, this week, chose to write in defence of and indeed, advocates for, the Specialty Hospital project to be awarded to Fedders Lloyd without going through any procurement process. “There is absolutely no reason why a new bidding process must be undertaken when the contract is ready to be awarded... There is no rule or principle which dictates that for a new contract, a new bidding process has to be undertaken…” boldly writes Ramkarran.

The following cannot be disputed: 1. that a public procurement exercise was undertaken in respect of this project in accordance with the Procurement Act Cap 73:05, Laws of Guyana; 2. that the process, manned by the National Tender Procurement Administration Board (NTPAB) and it’s team of technical evaluators, disqualified Fedders Lloyd from this procurement process on certain technical grounds; 3. that this same process produced Surendra Engineering Ltd as the successful bidder;

4. that this company’s bid, qualifications and competence for the project did not only meet the satisfaction of the evaluators but would have enjoyed the imprimatur of the Indian Exim Bank, and presumably, the Indian Government; 5. that the contract was awarded to Surendra Engineering Ltd; 6. that the award of the contract to Surendra Engineering, brought that procurement process to an end; 7. that Fedders Lloyd ‘s bid was never evaluated because they were disqualified at a preliminary stage.

The contract between the Government of Guyana and Surendra Engineering Ltd, was terminated for breach of certain fundamental terms by the company. That is the current state of play.

In the face of the provisions of the Procurement Act, with which I must presume, Mr Ramkarran is familiar, how can learned Senior Counsel seriously advance the contentions to which I have made reference above?

The long title of the Procurement Act, without more, renders his arguments implausible: “An Act to provide for the reg-

ulation of the procurement of goods, services and the execution of works, to promote competition among suppliers and contractors and to promote fairness and transparency in the procurement process.”

Section 3 of the Act applies the Act to all procurement by procurement entities; this includes every Ministry, department, agency, unit or sub division of the Government of Guyana. The only exception is where procurement is done in respect of matters of National Defence or matters of National Security. The Act vests the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board with the responsibility of managing, conducting and executing the procurement process.

Section 25 provides...

“Public tendering is mandatory....”Indeed, there are exceptions but none of which will apply in this instance. I can cite more sections of the Act and refer to decisions of our court, all of which emphasise the mandatory nature of the public procurement process adumbrated by the Act. I am therefore flummoxed that esteemed Senior Counsel can argue that there is some discretion residing in the Government which autho-

rises it to avoid the provisions of the Procurement Act and handpick a contractor to do a job valued at several million United States dollars. It is nothing but inanity. From the article, I gather that learned Senior Counsel appears to find corruption abhorrent.

Yet he advocates the avoidance of one of the most effective anti-corruption legislation and sees nothing improper with awarding a multi-million US dollar contract to a contractor without any procurement process!

But then again, perhaps my learned senior may have cast off his silken robe momentarily and was engaging in light political rhetoric when he wrote that piece. How else can one explain his extraordinary remark that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is the most corrupt administration of post independent Guyana, and he sat on the Executive Council of that Party for 21 of the 23 years it was in Government and served as Speaker of the National Assembly for a decade on behalf of the same PPP/C Government, without saying a word.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Election challenge PNC-led coalition hands out $77M hearing should presidential grants from bankrupt treasury be expedited Dear Editor, Guyana should follow Trinidad in having an expedited judicial hearing to the election petition (filed in May) before the court in order to end the uneasy, tense relation among the population. The economy has been contracting since May as a result of the instability resulting from the problematic election procedure when the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) refused to carry out a recount of the ballots as it had promised before the declaration of the final results. Development will remain at a standstill unless the matter is brought to a quick resolution as businesses will not want to commit to new investment.

Neighbouring Trinidad was able to have its election petition addressed within two months while Guyana’s is moving at a snail’s pace.

It is noted that Guyana held General Elections in May while Trinidad held elections four months later in September. Both election results were challenged by the defeated incumbent parties. But whereas Guyana’s election challenge to vitiate the results has no resolution in sight, in neighbouring Trinidad, the court has ruled on an election petition on Monday – just a little over two months after the petition was filed.

The Opposition United National Congress (UNC) in Trinidad was granted leave (to bring forth evidence) by High Court Justice Mira Dean-Armorer to challenge the election commission for extending the voting time.

The UNC felt that extending the voting time was illegal and that it led to its defeat – not equally applied to all). The then Opposition PNM won 23-18. The ruling PNM appealed the decision. The appeal court held oral hearing three weeks ago and rendered a decision on November 30. The Elections and Boundaries Commission

(EBC) joined in the challenge to Justice Dean Armorer’s ruling claiming it has absolute power to set conditions pertaining to all aspects of the election.

Justice Dean-Armorer felt the EBC has to answer to the charge of inequity in extending the voting time. The Court of Appeal was asked to decide the constitutionality of the decision of Justice Dean Armorer who granted leave to the UNC to challenge the results of the September 7 General Elections. There was a majority decision 2-1 in the appeal.

The Chief Justice Ivor Archie was the lone dissenting voice in the petition ruling that went against the PNM and the EBC. Voters have questioned the CJ’s uttering during the oral phase of the appeal three weeks ago when he stated he does not want the country to go through another election even before listening to the evidence. Lawyers felt he should not have voiced a personal opinion. He should have heard the matter and not offer an opinion. Many felt his judgment was biased and are not surprised by his dissent.

The case will now go to trial and will take some months before it is concluded. Trial begins in late February right after carnival. And the Chief Justice said the trial will be expedited, unlike in Guyana where it has been a slow process with the court not speeding up the trial to bring about a quick resolution. Lawyers in Trinidad say they expect the entire process – testimony of over 1000 witnesses and oral arguments – to be completed within nine months. In Guyana, it appears the ruling party is not interested in a speedy resolution to the election petition resulting in an unstable economic environment that will only hurt the population.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led coalition’s has successfully given $76.547 million to 208 hinterland communities.

The press report was in Guyana Times, December 2, 2015 Ed, “Over $76 million in presidential grants paid out for 2015 thus far – Minister Allicock”.

Congratulations are in order that this was achieved between May to November 2015 – a total of seven months. However, the PNC-led coalition cannot truthfully anymore assert they inherited a bankrupt economy from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

Either Guyanese are being assumed to be fools or it’s the ways things are with the new Government changeover.

Where did the coalition find some $77 million to give away as “presidential grants” when the economy is supposedly bankrupt?

Why is labeled “presidential grants” and not “Government of Guyana grants”? Its taxpayers money, not money coming personally from President David Granger! Because of political reasons – those Dr Clive Thomas claims that Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is bankrupt may just be another diversion to deny sugar workers their hard earned Annual Production Incentive (API). What’s the truth of the matter if it can be told? There cannot be any good reasons why GuySuCo should deny the hard working sugar workers their due for 2015.

Many Amerindian communities reportedly failed to uplift PPP/C Government grants for

the 2013 and 2014, according to GINA. Was Pauline Sukhai, the PPP/C Government Minister in charge of Indigenous Affairs asleep during her tenure? It’s scandalous that the PPP/C has been so totally out of touch that funds approved for our Amerindian communities were sitting around in the treasury waiting to be disbursed for two successive years.

The GINA report said that the current coalition disbursement “was

done between April and November 2015. It also reported that the process is still ongoing, since a number of communities are still to uplift their 2013 and 2014 grants.” The GINA report noted that some communities allowed their funds to backup for the past two years.

For the buoyancy of Guyana’s economy now under PNC management they must correct the wrong impression which they foisted on Guyanese. Those who have now become more

enlightened must know Guyana’s international economic image is not enhanced to make it attractive for outside investors.

Finance Minister Winston Jordon must be commended for acknowledging that National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited is necessary. In the meantime sugar workers must be paid and not be penalised for earlier mistakes.

Sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

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BY DEBBIE PINCUS, MS LMHC

I

f you’re like most parents, you probably spend enormous amounts of time and energy teaching about the importance of being responsible. You encourage it, you explain why it’s important, and you remind your child again and again why he should do the things he’s supposed to do. You complain, nag and lecture, but to no avail. It probably seems like you’re talking to a brick wall, because your child still won’t clean his room, empty the dishwasher, complete his homework or apologize to his little brother unless you threaten and punish.

Why is this such a hard lesson to teach – and why does learning to be responsible seem so hard for children? It’s not because your child is hard-headed or a spoiled brat, or because you haven’t been trying to teach him about it. Here’s the hard pill to swallow: if your child is continually irresponsible, it could mean that you aren’t taking responsibility for your own behaviour.

You’re probably saying, “That’s absurd. I certainly do take responsibility for my own behaviour.” And I believe you.

If I had to take a guess, you’ve probably been extremely vigilant about trying to convince your child that he should be more responsible.

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

“Instead of learning responsibility, your child is learning how to function in reaction to you” It might even define your relationship together – and you’re probably ready to tear your hair out over it.

No doubt you’ve put in an enormous amount of effort to make certain he behaves well.

But here’s the clincher: This intense focus on what your child should do gets in the way of his ability to be emotionally separate from you. You think you’re being helpful, but your actions actually aid his irresponsibility. That’s because he’s functioning in reaction to you instead of being responsible for himself.

(I’ll explain more about that later.)

S o what

does this have to do with you not accepting responsibility for your own behaviour?

When you move your focus off of your child and onto yourself by taking responsibility for how you will act, your child will likely learn to be more accountable for his behaviour.

Think of it this way: If you jump into his box and tell him what to do and how to act, how responsible for himself can he become? The two of you have effectively become entangled.

Instead, stay in your own box, maintain your boundaries and take responsibility for yourself.

Here’s an example. Let’s say your adult son always shows up at the last minute and expects

dinner to be waiting for him. When he arrives, you start lecturing him about how he should call ahead, while you’re scurrying around getting food on the table for him. You continue to criticise

him for his inconsiderate attitude while waiting on him hand and foot. Trust me, this will not teach him anything about being more thoughtful in the future. In fact, you’ve probably motivated him to come as late as possible next time to avoid criticism and stress. A better way to handle it is to tell him if he doesn’t let you know he’s coming home for dinner by 16:00h, you won’t be able to make anything for him – and then stick to your word. The key is t h a t

consequences. No lectures, no preaching, no criticising, no personalising. Respect his ability to make choices, even if you don’t agree with them. (Not letting you know he’s coming home for dinner.)

Respond to those choices from your own best and most responsible thinking and actions. (Set a limit and stick to it. If he doesn’t call by the time you’ve stated, you won’t make him dinner.) Even though it may feel uncomfortable, taking responsibility for yourself will likely earn his respect. The goal isn’t to change him – you can’t. The goal is to become a strong, clear individual who he respects

you’re taking re s p o n s i b i l i t y for what you will and won’t do here and letting him deal with the natural

and who

is inspiring.

Here are four needed steps to get away from lecturing, nagging and punishing that will help you move toward having more responsible children.

1. Put the lecture on “pause.”

When you’re worried about your child’s irresponsibility and you’re about to lecture and preach, stop for a moment and breathe. The moment between your child’s action and your response is your most important parenting moment. It is in this space that you can choose to respond from a knee-jerk reaction or from a more thoughtful place.

The knee-jerk response often calms you down momentarily, but it’s the start to becoming a nag. When you pause and think about the bigger picture, you can make a better choice: the choice to stay out of your child’s box and to remain emotionally separate.

Although it doesn’t feel as good – you’re not scratching that reactionary itch – you know that it can lead to a more responsible parentchild relationship. Without the pause, it’s easy to let your emotions lead you astray.

2. Shift your gaze off of your child – and onto yourself. Confront yourself with the important questions.

Ask yourself, “What would a responsible parent do in this situation? What are my options if my child is not acting responsibly – and which option do I want to choose?

And am I willing to live with the possible consequences of that choice?”

Let’s say you wanted your 16-year-old son to get a parttime job last summer. He kept saying he was looking, but never put applications in anywhere and ended up sitting around the house.

Now that the school year has started, he’s not getting his work done, and when he does, he somehow forgets to hand it in to the teacher. And what’s worse, the angrier you get, the more detached and flat he gets.

First, stop and ask yourself, “Is there any way I might be contributing to my child’s irresponsibility? Have I set myself up to be the nag, or am I over-functioning for him?”

You’re taking the obligation off of him because you’re serving as a constant reminder about what he should be doing. This gets in the way of your child being able to hear his own voice. Now, instead of learning responsibility, he’s learning to function in reaction to you. (www.empoweringparents.com)

TO BE CONTINUED

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Campaign financing

Harmon “not ready” to address the matter M onths after promising to make public his party’s contributions to the coalition’s 2015 election campaign, General Secretary of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Joseph Harmon said he was not ready to address the matter surrounding his party’s campaign finances.

When prompted for disclosures on APNU’s contribution to the total amount spent on the APNU/Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition’s extravagant 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign, Harmon indicated that he was not ready to make this information public.

“I am not ready for that as yet,” he stated. Harmon, who is also the State Minister, declined also to say when his party would be making the figure public.

AFC Executive Member and current Business Minister Dominic Gaskin had confirmed that his party was already in receipt of the total sum of APNU’s contribution towards the campaigning costs for the

both APNU and the AFC pledged to make public the details surrounding the financing for their campaigns. In fact, they had promised to make this information public by the first week in August, but to date, no substantial information has been released regarding campaign financing, at least

APNU General Secretary and current Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Elections, but it appeared that APNU was pussyfooting around on the release of this information to the public, although it had promised full public disclosure of its campaign funding.

The AFC had previously disclosed that it spent an incredible $400 million and it was waiting on its coalition partner to disclose its contribution. Gaskin told this newspaper that the party did receive the figure for APNU’s total contribution; however, he declined to offer any more information on the matter.

“It would be inappropriate,” he stated.

APNU was required to provide 60 per cent of the funding of the coalition with AFC therefore, if this formula was adhered to, then the coalition would have spent at least $1 billion on the campaign.

Harmon previously stated that his party was willing to reveal the amount of money it utilised for campaign purposes, but would not disclose where the money came from.

On the campaign trail,

AFC Executive Member and current Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

on the part of APNU. Harmon previously posited that all the political parties, if they have nothing to hide, should feel committed to “transparency” and reveal their information.

Man shot during row at Aubrey Barker Road

A

39-year-old man is nursing a single gunshot wound to his left foot after he was shot during an argument. The incident occurred sometime around 09:15h on Wednesday.

The injured man has been identified as Lawrence Moore. According to reports, Moore was involved in an altercation with another man along the Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt,

Georgetown. During the argument, the man reportedly discharged a round at Moore, injuring him.

The injured man was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is currently admitted a patient.

Meanwhile, the Police have launched an investigation into the incident as the suspect is yet to be arrested.

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Eyew tness

Football Coach remanded Of human bondage… on drug charge

A

football coach was on Wednesday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Colin John, 35, of Lot 183 Eccles, East Bank Demerara, denied the

charge which stated that on November 29 he was found to be in possession of 21 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that on the day in question, the Police stopped a car that the accused was travelling in and requested to conduct a search.

Miner on $120,000 bail for break and enter

A

miner was on Wednesday placed on $120,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with break and enter and larceny.

Thirty-eight-yearold Ariane Dookie of Lot 343 East Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty plea to the charge which stated that between November 19 and November 20 at Georgetown, he broke and entered into the shop

of Loris Joseph and stole a quantity of clothing valued $1 million.

The details surrounding the charge were not revealed in court; however, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that the articles were not recovered. The Prosecutor further related that there are outstanding statements in relation to the matter. Prosecutor Jones did not object to bail but requested that it be substantial. Dookie was granted bail in the sum of $120,000.

The case will continue on January 4, 2016.

During the search, the Police reportedly found the narcotics in the passenger side seat in several transparent plastic bags.

The Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.

Bail was denied and John was remanded to prison.

He will return to court on January 4.

Y

Football Coach Colin John

Battery thief fined

A

Bartica miner was on Wednesday fined $80,000 when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with simple larceny.

Forty-year-old Deon Obermuller of Lot 39 5th Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) pleaded guilty to the charge, which stated that on November 29 at Croal Street, Georgetown, he stole a Power Master Battery valued $60,000; property of Allister Paris.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the defendant is known to the

Deon Obermuller

Police and was charged for similar offences in the past.

It was reported that on the day in question, the Virtual Complainant (VC) was alerted by his security guard that someone was in his premises.

According to the Prosecutor, the VC subsequently saw the defendant exiting the premises with the battery in his hand and confronted him after which the defendant attacked him.

The Prosecutor said that the VC then opened fire on the defendant, injuring him to his knee. The matter was then reported and the battery was recovered.

In court on Wednesday, the defendant admitted that he stole the battery but added “I was going to get it for somebody”. He related that he was working along Main Street on the day in question when an unknown man drove up alongside him in a car and told him he would pay him to retrieve a battery from a house for him.

He said the man escorted him to the premise of the VC and he went into the property to collect the battery.

He further added that while he was leaving, he was confronted but the man who hired him but he made good his escape. He said as he attempted to follow suit, he was shot in his right knee.

Despite his story, he was fined $80,000.

…and slavery

esterday, Dec 2, was “International Day for the Abolition of Slavery” – adopted by the UN when it passed the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. The UN Secretary General advised: “The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.”

Now while all those abuses are really horrible and must be eradicated, your Eyewitness has a problem with lumping them under the rubric of “slavery”. Especially when we’re in the throes of fighting for reparations from the Europeans for “slavery” of our people from Africa between the 16th century and –in the case of Britain – only ending in 1834.

African slavery was unique for its totalisation of control over a human body where the slave was described as “chattel” – literally personal property of the “master”. The similarity to “cattle” isn’t coincidental - they come from the same Latin root. The slave was also a beast of burden.

The slave could be flogged, drawn, quartered or killed by whatever means necessary. His children could be taken from him as could his wife at any time for whatever reason (or none).The slave was worked from “day clean” to “dusk” and during the cane-cutting season, far into the night. His African way of life was deemed “primitive” – if not “animalistic” and the whip used liberally by “drivers” if the slave dared to exhibit such “primitiveness”. That “drivers” were originally used to herd cattle also wasn’t coincidental.

The ravages of that slave experience ARE IMMANENT in the present and that’s what the money from reparations is supposed to be used to heal. And there’s much healing to be done. So while it may appear that your Eyewitness going on at a rate about something in “the past” – that past haunts us in the present. And we can’t allow those efforts to deal with it be devalued.

Your Eyewitness waited for the usual press releases that accompany these UN “days”, but there was a void this time. Was it because of others sharing the concern expressed by yours truly? But whatever it is, it’s a pity that the UN’s concerns about modern-day oppressive behaviours aren’t getting their fair share of attention.

Perchance “slavery” should only be applied to African slavery involving the Middle Passage?

…and carbon justice

Yesterday, the real horse trading on capping carbon emissions started – and as usual, most of the action will be in some back rooms. And that’s where small countries can get muscled out – unless they have a schtick that gets the big boys’ attention. Jagdeo had given Guyana that schtick, but the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government would rather drown than admit Jagdeo might’ve been on to something.

Let’s face it…we might be small but we’re still A COUNTRY. And when an entire country commits to a path of green energy, you can bet everyone in the room will sit up. AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM!! The big boys will always manoeuvre to do what they gotta do.

But, in the meantime, since they already made some commitments for cutting carbon emissions, they HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. And that “something” could be to do good by countries that are net carbon sinks (that is, those that sequester more carbon than they spew out) like Guyana.

REDD has already been established to pay countries with forests not to cut them down beyond a certain rate.

Let the big boys salve their consciences by funding our LCDS.

...and contrition

Some fellas are in bondage to their own pride. After insulting Brassington with every expletive in the book – and then some - couldn’t Jordan at least tell the man he’s sorry now he’s admitted everything’s kosher with NICIL? Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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thursday, december 3, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

to reconvene Another Guyanese busted Parliament on December 17 with cocaine at JFK M

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ess than two weeks after a Guyanese woman was busted with several cocaine pellets in her stomach at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York, another Guyanese was recently busted with a quantity of cocaine in his carry-on suitcase.

Broderick Owen Layne, 33, of Georgetown is now an inmate of the Brooklyn Metro Detention Centre.

According to reports, the man arrived in New York on a flight from Guyana on November 22, and underwent routine searches by the Customs and Border Patrol Agents.

Prior to the search, he told the agents that he packed the bags himself and was aware of all the contents. The agents carried

out a search on his hand piece and noticed that it appeared bulky.

Further searches revealed a false bottom in the hand-piece, which had over 3 pounds of cocaine concealed in it. The Guyanese man was immediately arrested and charged. He is being represented by a public attorney.

On November 21, a joint operation carried out by local and US drug enforcement agents at the JFK Airport resulted in a Guyanese woman, Shellon Beckles, being intercepted and arrested with cocaine. Her arrest comes two weeks after another female Guyanese was busted at the said US airport with over 100 pellets of cocaine in her stomach.

Shureen Giddings, 26,

was charged for unlawfully importing cocaine into the United States after she was arrested on November 9. According to court documents, Giddings was subjected to a Customs and Border Protection examination during which, Giddings appeared nervous. This prompted the officers to conduct a ‘pat down’ but nothing was found.

However, after extensive questioning, the woman admitted to swallowing the cocaine filled pellets. She told the agents that she could no longer hold them and requesting to use the bathroom, the court documents revealed. A total of 105 pellets amounting to more than three pounds were retrieved.

US officials have noted that within the International

Bauxite miners’ benefits

Tax-free overtime reinstated

Tax-free overtime benefits reinstated for bauxite miners

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auxite miners of Linden and Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) will now be benefiting once again from tax-free

overtime benefits after they were withdrawn in 2007.

State Minister Joseph Harmon made this announcement as he was updating media operatives at

a post- Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

According to the Minister, the benefits, which were in place since 1988, were arbitrarily taken away from the bauxite miners.

As a result, Cabinet took a decision to reinstate the tax-free overtime benefits for the bauxite miners.

He noted that the withdrawal adversely affected the earnings of the bauxite workers and was seen as a punitive measure and, therefore, Government took it upon itself to correct the situation.

2 fined $100,000 on separate traffic offences

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wo men who appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse in relation to two separate traffic offences were fined a total of $100,000 at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Kofi Philadelphia, who pleaded guilty to driving while not being the owner of a driver’s licence, was fined $25,000 or four months imprisonment for the offence.

The charge against him stated that on November 28,

he rode motorcycle bearing registration number CH 255 while he was not the holder of a driver’s licence. He was also slapped with a charge for breach of insurance for the said motorcycle and was fined $50,000 with an alternative of six months imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Troy Dodson was fined $25,000

by Magistrate Clive Nurse after he was charged with the offence of failure to give

right of way. The court heard that on November 27, while driving motor lorry GRR 4193 along the Kara Kara Public Road, Mackenzie, Linden, he failed to give way to an approved Police vehicle with siren after he was approached by the said vehicle.

A sentence of four months in prison was also handed down by the presiding Magistrate if there was default of payment.

Lindener to do community service for drug possession

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agistrate Clive Nurse on Tuesday sentenced a Linden man found guilty of a narcotics charge to 50 hours community service. The court heard that 29-year-old

Marvin Johnson was caught

by Police ranks with one gram of cannabis sativa in his possession on November 27, while at One Mile, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Johnson, who appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court pleaded guilty to the charge and received the sentence of 50 hours community service or an alternative of two months imprisonment.

Arrivals Building at Kennedy Airport’s vast terminals, there is a daily battle of wits between drug mules trying to conceal their illicit cargo in everyday objects like salt shakers, food, wigs, underwear, kitchen pots, prosthetic limbs and body cavities.

Of the nearly 14 million travellers passing through the terminal last year, about 400 were targeted for further investigation, and 26 per cent of those targeted were caught with contraband, officials stated.

Meanwhile, Guyana and the US have sought to strengthen their ties to combat narcotics trafficking among other critical areas.

inister of State Joseph Harmon announced that the National Assembly will resume on December 17 after being suspended since mid last month.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had requested from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, to reschedule the November 12 sitting of the National Assembly to facilitate the Ministers’ travelling schedules.

This was approved amid much disapproval from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) which contended that the Government was deliberately avoiding to debate on the mo-

tion calling for the annulment of the September 25 Order No16 which gave the Ministers, Members of the National Assembly and Special Offices exorbitant salary increases.

When Parliament reconvenes on December 17, the salary annulment motion will likely to be debated.

PPP/C Executive Member and former Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira told Guyana Times that the motion had initially expired but her Party had resubmitted it for debate. Therefore, she said that the motion would still be valid by December 17 but it is just a matter of if it will appear on the Order Paper.

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thursday, december 3, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C wants ToRs Operation Dragnet launched of Govt advisers on to combat crime, terrorism Diaspora Affairs As crime spirals out of control

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embers of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service are being deployed throughout the country with the aim of enhancing national security through an operation codenamed ‘Dragnet’.

With more prowling criminals on the loose during the Christmas season and the threat of terrorism on the rise, the Guyana Government launched a massive anti crime/terrorism operation which will see improved security operations throughout the country.

This announcement was made by Minister of State Joseph Harmon during the post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The announcement was also made despite declarations from Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum that crime is not spiralling out-of-control and assurances from the Government that it will deal with the situation.

The operation will see the Joint Services coordinating with other law enforcement and Government agencies to intensify the country’s security operations by increas-

Operation Dragnet will see improved security operations throughout the country

ing border patrols, having a more robust presence of Police Officers within communities and having strengthened immigration scrutiny at the various ports of entries.

“The Commissioner of Police (Seelall Persaud) has given the assurance that all persons not engaged in core functions will be deployed to give an increased robust presence,” said Harmon.

In a press release, the Joint Services urged members of the public not to be alarmed and called for support during Operation Dragnet.

Meanwhile, Harmon ex-

plained that there were several factors which influenced Government’s decision to implement this initiative.

Among these factors is the possibility of Guyana being vulnerable to the threat of terrorism.

“Terrorism has no borders,” Harmon stated, noting that the violent act can occur anywhere. Harmon referred to the recent attacks in Paris, Mali and Russia and also, the recent talks about terrorist influences in Trinidad and Tobago, noting that those incidents are evidence enough that no country is immune from terrorisms.

“Therefore, it would be remiss of a Government if it does not put into place arrangements which will secure its citizenry, we are not waiting for something to happen, we are putting in arrangements that will make our citizens safe,” the Minister stated.

In addition to the threat of terrorism, the Minister explained that the operation was launched to address the crime situation, especially at Christmas time, so citizens can begin again to feel safe in their homes.

“The crime situation which we’ve basically looked at very carefully and decided we need to put addition measures in place so people will feel safe when they go about their business…,” he said.

Harmon related that the Government also took into consideration the December 6 elections in Venezuela.

“You know that there is an election that will be taking place in the month of December in Venezuela and, therefore, we always have to be on the alert for these things that are occurring on our borders,” he stated.

Operation Dragnet took effect December 1 and will last until June 2016.

BY EDWARD LAYNE

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he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration is being urged to make public, the Terms of Reference (ToRs), as well as the names of the nearly 30 persons in the United States and Canada, who were recently appointed as Advisers on Diaspora Affairs.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall on Wednesday told reporters that the Party is concerned at the secretive manner in which the Government has appointed these advisers.

Nandlall said while a few persons were named, there has been no proper public disclosure by the Administration regarding these persons and what they were appointed to do.

“We have not heard any public announcement emanating from the Ministry of the Presidency. We want to know, who these people are, how they were selected, what their qualifications are, what are their sectoral responsibilities, what are their portfolios, what are their remuneration packag-

es, offices going to be rented for them, expenditures are going to be paid, light bills and phone bills are going to be paid, utility expenses are going to be paid. We need to know these things,” Nandlall told a news conference at the PPP’s headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said it was of concern that these advisers were handed the presidential instruments of appointment to State portfolios at political events of the APNU/AFC. “This again paramountcy of the party,” she said.

Responding to this, Minister of State Joseph Harmon at his post-Cabinet news conference on Wednesday, confirmed the appointments, but said that these persons are working pro bono.

“They are honorary personnel; these are people who actually promote Government’s image in the Diaspora. These are all honorary work these people are going to be doing, so there is no pay, there is no anything else. It’s actually a recognition that these are persons within the Diaspora who can help to promote Guyana and who can help in promoting business for Guyana,” Harmon said.

At an AFC appreciation dinner and dance in Toronto in October, Earth Marshall, Ron Alert and Dr Rohan Somar of the AFC’s New York Chapter and Accountant Tameshwar Lilmohan of the party’s Tornoto Chapter were appointed Ministerial Advisers on Diaspora Affairs and presented with their Certificates of Instruments

by Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, on behalf of President David Granger.

The others, according to Nandlall, were appointed at a People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

thursday, december 3, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News Faerber accuses REO Chronicle fires former of mistreatment

Chief Editor, GM – no notice, benefits given

Former General Manager Michael Gordon

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he Directors of the Guyana National N e w s p a p e r s Limited have made a shocking decision to fire their General Manager Michael Gordon and former Editor-in-Chief Mark Ramotar with immediate effect.

Late Wednesday afternoon, a press release was sent out stating that the Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), publisher of the Guyana Chronicle and Sunday Chronicle, at a meeting on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, took a unanimous decision to discontinue the services of Gordon and Ramotar effective immediately.

The release stated that “the Board of Directors has taken these two decisions with a view to strengthening both the administrative leadership and management and the editorial department as the newspaper seeks to

rebrand and reposition itself as a credible national newspaper”.

It was also mentioned that the Chronicle newspaper has been suffering from weak management and circulation numbers have been on the decline.

The release alluded to the fact that the respective posts will be publicly advertised and appointment will be made following the completion of the process.

When contacted, Ramotar declined to comment on the matter to the media until better advised. Attempts to contact Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is also Information Minister , proved futile.

Sources close to the Guyana Times explained that there was no valid reason given for their termination.

Gordon previously served as the acting CEO of the National Communications Network (NCN). He was transferred to serve as the Chronicle’s General Manager under the previous Government.

The incident seems politically motivated, as since the change in administration several persons perceived to be supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) were fired.

When the State Media Board was being appointed, Prime Minister Nagamootoo had said that the boards would lack political influences. Despite promising that, several members of the coalition Government’s National

Former Editor-inChief Mark Ramotar

List for the May 11 elections have managed to earn a spot on the State Boards, including Jean La Rose, who was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors for GNNL, and Tabitha Sarabo.

The recent appointment of Editor Nigel Williams saw former acting Sunday Editor Chamanlall Naipaul, stating that he “felt compelled to resign after having discussions with senior officials at the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper where he was ‘indirectly threatened’ about his job”.

Based on the reports reaching this newspaper, no discussions were held with the two now jobless individuals over their position. Questions still linger over whether these persons will be paid off for their years of service.

Ramotar served the newspaper for over 16 years, while Gordon had a one-year stint which ended today.

– claims vendetta stemmed from old grievance

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egional Chairman of Region Three ( E s s e q u i b o Islands-West Demerara) Julius Faerber wrote Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on the various mistreatments he has experienced at the hands of the newly appointed Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikarran.

According to Faerber, the treatment he has been facing at the hands of REO is “unprofessional.” He noted that since Jaikarran’s appointment on October 1, 2015, he has cut his already insufficient fuel allocation by half (from 10 gallons per day to five gallons) when the vehicle’s gas tank capacity is 20 gallons.

The Chairman pointed out that Jaikarran has also stopped his monthly allowances for refreshments for visitors to his office. He said as justification for cutting his refreshment allowance, the REO was on a local newscast claiming that he (Faerber) was using the monies to buy “sanitary pads”.

“I’m a male. What am I going to do with sanitary pads, I have been purchasing sanitary napkins, which is table tissues, so I don’t know if he got mixed up,” the Chairman explained.

Furthermore, Faerber added that the REO has even ordered the various Heads of Department (agriculture, education, finance, health and public infrastructure) within the region not to attend

Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber

Region Three REO Denis Jaikarran

the monthly meeting during which they were supposed to brief the Regional Chairman of what is happening in the various sectors.

“So now I’m not in a position to know what is being done within those programmes,” the Chairman stated.

Faerber said that whenever he has an issue with the REO, he would email him raising these concerns and copy the Communities Minister along with other Ministers and President David Granger, in hopes that the subject Minister would intervene but this was never done.

“I was waiting on a response from the Minister to say whether he has received those letters by the way of acknowledgement but I have not received any acknowledgement from the Minister so my next step was to write the Minister formally on the issue and re-

quest an urgent meeting.

I wrote him on Tuesday,” he stated.

Moreover, the Regional Chairman, who has been serving in this post since 2006, opined that Jaikarran’s behaviour towards him may be “vindictive” since the two had some old issues.

Faerber noted that more recently, he had reported the REO to the Ministry for not attending several management meetings since his assumption to the post.

Further, he recalled that in 2008, there was an incident that may have sparked Jaikarran’s hostile behaviour towards him.

The issue between the Chairman and the REO of Region Three has seen the two taking dibs at each other in the media over the past two months.

A few weeks ago, the two regional officials held counter protests against each other.

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thursday, december 3, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BBCI Toll Reductions

Pension schemes, other bondholders to suffer major losses to accommodate lower tolls – huge blow for NIS, GAWU, GuySuCo

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ondholders of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) are coming under pressure to accept the lowering of interest rates and the significant extension of the repayment period on their investment in order to facilitate the reduction of tolls to cross the Berbice River Bridge.

The Guyana Times understands that the bondholders were invited to a special meeting scheduled for December 14 to discuss matters concerning Government’s intention to

Pensioners in Guyana

reduce the Berbice River Bridge toll.

During that meeting, the bondholders will have to decide whether or not they will agree to the requested requirements, which would facilitate the fulfilment of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition’s campaign promise of the toll reductions.

The bondholders had invested millions of dollars in Corporate Bonds Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 instruments.

The BBCI is asking that the bondholders approve the interest rates applicable to the bonds being reduced from nine per cent (Tranche 1) and 10 per cent (Tranche 2) per annum respectively, to a fixed 7.5 per cent per year.

Additionally, the BBCI is asking that the bondholders approve the extension of the repayment periods and schedule of repayments of Bond Tranche 1 and 2 to an additional three and four years respectively, in equal semi-annual payments.

The bondholders are the New Building Society Limited (NBS); the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); Republic Bank Limited; the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI); Scotiabank; Citizens Bank; the NEW GPC INC; Trust Company Guyana Limited; Handin-Hand Trust; Guyana Sugar Corporation Pension; Guyana Power and Light Pension; Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Pension; Guyana Geology and Mines Pension;

NIS Head office, Georgetown

Demerara Bank Limited; Demerara Distillers Limited Pension; Massy Pension and Geddes Granger Pension.

Should these bondholders agree to the requests being made by the Bridge Company, they would be losing significantly on their multimillion-dollar investments in the Company.

On the other hand, should they refuse, the toll reductions will take much longer to be implemented.

Even though GuySuCo was declared “insolvent” and allegedly not in a position to pay workers their earned Annual Production Incentive (API), its pension fund for sugar workers – $281 million – will also be receiving lower returns, as well as GAWU’s $81 million.

On November 16, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had announced that from December 1, the tolls to cross the Bridge would be reduced; however, this did not materialise.

In a press release, the Public Infrastructure Ministry explained that an

agreement was still being brokered with the Berbice Bridge Company.

The Ministry said it has submitted a draft agreement to BBCI for review, in relation to toll reductions.

Thereafter, another copy of the proposed agreement was sent to BBCI on November 30. The document is currently engaging the attention of BBCI’s lawyers, the Ministry reported.

It went on to say that once it received a favourable response from the Bridge Company, the $40 million subvention would be available for immediate release and the tolls would be immediately implemented once the agreement was signed.

However, following the resignation of the NEW GPC and Queens Atlantic Investment Inc representatives from the Board of Directors of the BBCI, Government now has the majority of seats on the Board. This simply means that it can move ahead with the toll reductions by simply putting the matter to a vote.

TIGI President, Vice President resign – Christopher Ram appointed new VP

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resident of the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) Calvin Bernard has resigned from his post, effective December 1 to attend to personal health issues and to give attention to the recovery process at the Faculty of Natural Sciences after it was destroyed by a raging fire on November 24.

As Dean of the Faculty, Bernard now faces the challenge of leading the recovery process while attempting personal recovery having lost his own teaching and research material. He has nonetheless committed to continue to provide support to the work of the Institute.

TIGI Vice President Ayana McCalman also resigned from her post effective December 1, citing person-

Christopher Ram al health reasons. This was McCalman’s second appointment to the TIGI Board.

For Bernard, he served on the Board since July 2013.

As a Director, he has contributed significantly to the general work of the organisation and on the natural resource and environment sectors. He

served as TIGI’s point person on the EU-FLEGT negotiations process and the EITI. As President, Bernard contributed meaningfully to promoting the vision of TIGI and has well represented the organisation on issues of governance and transparency.

Bernard and McCalman had served within the capacity of the respective positions following the appointment at TIGI’s Annual General Meeting earlier in June.

They have both been long standing members of the organisation and continue to be part of the general membership.

TIGI now comes under the stewardship of Reverend Compton Meerabux as President and Christopher Ram as Vice President.

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thursday, december 3, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Budget 2016 talks

FITUG proposes 40% increase in threshold

By Kristen Macklingam

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s the public awaits major announcements which are expected to be made in the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government’s 2016 National Budget, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is lobbying for an increase in the current Income Tax threshold by 40 per cent next year.

Guyana Times understands that during a meeting between the Federation and Finance Minister Winston Jordan late November, head of FITUG, Carvil Duncan, proposed a number of measures for the Administration’s consideration.

According to a press statement from FITUG on Wednesday, FITUG is proposing that the Income Tax threshold be boosted from $50,000 to $70,000 or more each month.

It is also contending that the personal income tax rate of 30 per cent should be reduced to at least 25 per cent.

FITUG also sought to have the ‘promised and expected’ reduction in the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) reflected in the 2016 National Budget, since the APNU/AFC coalition initially promised to include this in its 2015 National Budget, but failed to do so.

This publication understands that FITUG, in order to ensure that relief is brought to families, especially those with children, advised the Finance Minister to once again make provision for tax relief for spouses and children under the age of 16.

It must be mentioned that Minister Jordan was also informed that the Federation had high expectations that the Tax Reform Committee would propose “innovative measures” aimed at providing greater relief to working people.

Sugar industry The Federation took the opportunity to remind the Minister about the importance of the sugar industry, while seeking continued support for the sector as it battled to overcome its setbacks.

“The Minister was reminded about the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) loan to the tune of US$7.5 million that is earmarked towards critical work in three sugar estates and urged to have the funding accessed and released to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

FITUG also supported the return of the Skeldon Co-Generation Plant to GuySuCo with an approved and revised Power Purchase Agreement (PPA),” the press state-

FITUG President Carvil Duncan

ment said.

In January 2015, the then Administration, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), had announced that it would apply the CDB loan to enhance the capacity of GuySuCo to produce and harvest sugar cane on selected estates.

This loan was approved by CDB’s Board of Directors on December 11, 2014.

The goal of the project was to reduce operational costs, improve mechanisation, improve maintenance of the extensive drainage system, secure irrigation and flood protection, and to provide for the development of critically needed non-sugar agricultural production, such as rice.

Additionally, in its press statement on Wednesday, FITUG stated that in order for the Government to further the

Sheriff Street hit-and-run

Driver turns self in to Police

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lmost 24 hours after Police investigators found the vehicle which was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident last Thursday, the driver of the vehicle turned himself in to Police.

Dellon Duncan, 34, of Section F Sophia, Georgetown, was reportedly driving motor van GHH 5201, which struck down 17-year-old Travis Bollers and his cousin, Quacy McCalmon, while they were travelling on a motorcycle on November 26, before driving away from the scene.

After four days of intense searches by the family and the Police for the driver and the vehicle, the white Nissan Datsun was finally located on Tuesday afternoon at a vulcanising shop in Pike Street, North Sophia. The vehicle was discovered by traffic ranks.

Then, on Wednesday morning, Duncan surren-

Dead teen: Travis Bollers

dered to Police accompanied by his Attorney.

Guyana Times was told that the owner of the vehicle took Duncan to the Kitty Police Station and informed the Police that he was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Duncan has since admitted to driving the vehicle when it hit the two young men off the bike.

Charges are expected to be laid soon. Duncan is likely to face a causing

death charge along with a charge of failing to render assistance.

Bollers, of Werk-enRust, Georgetown, and his cousin, were on the bike at the junction of Sheriff and Pike Streets when Duncan’s vehicle made a sudden turn into Pike Street and struck them.

The teenager was not wearing a helmet at the time and sustained severe head injuries. He died less than an hour later while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. His 22-yearold cousin, of Lodge, Georgetown, sustained minor injuries about his body.

Guyana Times was further told that after the two young men were struck down, the driver of the vehicle exited the conveyance and looked at the injured men. After seeing the severity of the accident, he went back into the vehicle and drove away.

sugar industry’s diversification, other co-generation plants were needed as well as the construction of a refinery. This refinery would take advantage of market demand in Caricom, and a distillery should be established in Berbice.

“Diversification initiatives, FITUG advised, could be pursued following discussions with various stakeholders, including the respective trade unions in the industry…

Meanwhile, regarding Old Age Pensions, FITUG wants the level of Old Age Pensions to begin at 50 per cent of the Public Sector Minimum Wage. FITUG also recommended that

the Government consider significant salary increases for all Government employees…”

Guyana Times understands that these Government employees are those employed by semi-autonomous agencies, State-owned companies and public corporations.

The Federation is urging that the pay increases be retroactive to January 1, each year and the APNU/AFC coalition administration make this year’s increases retroactive to January 1, 2015.

It should also be noted that FITUG suggested that the National Minimum

Wage be set to 85 per cent of the prevailing Public Sector Minimum Wage.

“FITUG’s suggestion takes account that when the National Minimum Wage was introduced in 2013 it was about 85 per cent of the Public Sector Minimum Wage.

The Federation also proposed that the sectoral minimum wages, last adjusted in 2012, be adjusted once again. The Finance Minister thanked FITUG for its suggestions/proposals and noted that they were all understood and are practical,” the body added. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

14 NEWS

thursday, december 3, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Specialty Hospital flip-flop

Opposition will mount legal challenge if contract not retendered – Govt stonewalls questions on Fedders Lloyd’s disqualification “In any event, the principles of transparency, public accountability and the provisions of the procurement act mandate that this project is retendered,” he stressed.

BY EDWARD LAYNE

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s the controversy deepens over Government’s decision to hand-pick Indian contracting firm Fedders Lloyd to complete construction of Guyana’s first Specialty Hospital, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) says it will consider mounting a legal challenge if the Government does not retender for the project, maintaining that Fedders Lloyd was disqualified from the initial tendering process.

PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall told a news conference on Wednesday that the Party’s concerns are not with the contractor, but rather the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s flagrant

Grounds for legal challenge

An artist’s impression of the Specialty Hospital

breach of the country’s procurement laws.

“If the Government insists on proceeding with the project in the manner they have signalled, we reserve the right to challenge the process legally and to bring an abrupt halt to it.

The rule of law must prevail… Fedders Lloyd may be in the end, able to succeed, Fedders Lloyd may, in fact, be the best company in

the world to build this hospital, but it’s not about the company, it is about the process. It must be transparent, it must be accountable and it must conform to the procurement act,” Nandlall told reporters.

Nandlall, said the laws are clear on this project, but also emphasised the need for a fresh procurement process in the interest of transparency and accountability.

When asked about the grounds for the legal challenge, Nandlall, a former Attorney General, highlighted that the Procurement Act governs public procurement in Guyana and every contracts over and above a particular sum once the procuring unit is an agent or department or Ministry of the Government of Guyana, then the procurement must fall under the ambit of the Procurement Act. “This handpicking of Fedders Lloyd is outside, ultra vires the procurement act and therefore, it’s unlawful,” Nandlall declared.

Timeline

Nandlall explained that the PPP/C’s legal challenge to the process can

only be initiated after the contract is officially awarded to Fedders Lloyd, pointing out that at this point, only a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed.

“An MoU has been signed, that is not a binding document, if they move towards the signing of a contract, well then the actions will have to be taken at that stage,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon when asked to respond to the fact that the Government decided to engage Fedders Lloyd to complete the hospital, when that company had publicly admitted it was disqualified, stumbled in providing an answer.

“Let me say this, I am not going to go down any particular road on this matter, because the responsible Minister I think has spoken on it, Minister of Finance, and that any further qualifications which are necessary, I believe can be provid-

ed by him or the Ministry.

I am not in a position right now to go about saying either this is so or that is not so,” Harmon told his weekly post-Cabinet news conference Wednesday.

Nandlall also chastised the APNU/AFC Government for breaking another campaign promise, pointing out that the coalition in its manifesto spoke extensively about its intentions to ensure there is maximum transparency and accountability.

He quoted from page 13 of the coalition’s 2015 Elections Manifesto which states: “ensure accountability and transparency in Government by granting access to citizens of all aspects of government’s transactions and activities.”

He said they have now broken their own promise of accountability and transparency. “They have tossed the procurement laws out of the window,” Nandlall said.

Styrofoam ban regulations being drafted

T

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is drafting the Environmental Protection Expanded Polystyrene Ban Regulations.

During a public symposium and exhibition on Wednesday morning, aimed at promoting the use of Styrofoam alternatives for a cleaner environment, EPA Executive Chairman, Dr Indrajit Ramdass said that this was done since the negative environmental impacts and contribution of Styrofoam products to the national solid waste problem were recognised.

He added that the aim of the regulations was to restrict the importation of the Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers for food service, while simultaneously promoting and encouraging the use of recyclable containers and packaging by the food service industry in Guyana.

Dr Ramdass explained that the sustainability of the environment was the foundation upon which the Government of Guyana’s green and sustainable economy five-stage plan was founded. He added that through this plan, positive measures were to be taken to ensure the conservation, protection and improvement of our environment for the benefit of all.

“The EPA is empowered

by Section 4 of this act as the designation institution for environmental protection and management. In compliance with these mandates, the EPA has a legal

EPA Executive Chairman, Dr Indrajit Ramdass

responsibility to develop and see the enactment of legislation to directly address such situations,” the Chairman stated.

Styrofoam poses a significant threat to human health and contributes to Guyana’s solid waste problem. A study conducted by HydroplaneSemco 2009 noted that Styrofoam accounted for two per cent of typical municipal garbage in Georgetown.

The EPA Chairman reiterated that Styrofoam was non-biodegradable: the material would take at least 500 years to decompose and was in drains, along roadsides and other public places where there was littering.

“As it is disposed by winds, it breaks down into smaller pieces which can be ingested by wildlife and marine animals, which can result in the death of these creatures. The ICC Guyana country report of 2014 stated that foam pieces amounted

to 25 per cent of all materials recorded under 2.5 cm in size. Alternatively, the burning of Styrofoam releases carbon monoxide into the environment, which is extremely hazardous to health.”

Dr Ramdass further added that the Agency would collaborate with the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Finance via the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), to implement the ban on the importation of Styrofoam products for food service, and also shared that this ban was expected to come into play on January 1, 2016.

He said the Agency was also aware that prior to the implementation of this ban, a standard for alternative packaging products must be identified and recommended. Currently, an approved national standard for Styrofoam alternatives is not yet available; however, the Agency has commenced the process of developing such standards.

With regard to alternative products, the agency recommends a 100 per cent biodegradable and compostable plant fibrebased product.

These products must meet ASTMD 6400 and D6868 standards, and should be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). BPI certification means that a third party has tested that the products will be broken down in a composting facility.

In addition, the following types of containers would be allowed under the ban: aluminium, glass, recyclable plastics and paper.

thursday, december 3, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

slams plans for Shooting rampage in California Opposition Robert De Niro’s US$250M mega resort in Barbuda leaves 14 dead, 17 wounded

With suspects at large, authorities ordered a security “lockdown” of all local schools, as well as city and county buildings, and area hospitals were placed on alert

G

unmen opened fire on a holiday party on Wednesday at a social services agency in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 people and wounding 17 others before fleeing, authorities said.

As an intense manhunt for up to three suspects ensued, San Bernardino Police reported one “suspect down” in an exchange of gunfire

with officers, but did not immediately confirm whether the individual was connected to the shooting.

The shooting rampage at the Inland Regional Centre about 60 miles (100 kilometres) east of Los Angeles marked the deadliest US gun violence since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012, in

which 27 people, including the gunman, were killed.

San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said in a televised news briefing three hours after Wednesday’s shooting that the suspects were believed to have made their getaway in a dark-coloured sport utility vehicle.

A vehicle matching that description turned up at the shootout with Police several hours later, city Police Spokeswoman Sergeant Vicki Cervantes. She said the number of wounded rose to 17.

With suspects at large, authorities ordered a security “lockdown” of all local schools, as well as city and county buildings, and area hospitals were placed on alert, Burguan said.

Burguan said he knew of no possible motive behind the attack, which unfolded about 11:00h.

“We have no information at this point that this is terrorist-related, in the traditional sense that people may be thinking,” he added. “Obviously, at minimum, we have a domestic-type terrorist-type situation that occurred here.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

UK leaders clash over Syrian air strikes

U

nited Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron has told Members of Parliament that bombing the so-called Islamic State in Syria will “keep the British people safe”.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the PM’s case “doesn’t stack up” as MPs debate whether to back air strikes.

Cameron faced calls to apologise for saying opponents of military action were “terrorist sympathisers”, with Corbyn saying it “demeaned” his office.

The PM declined to apologise, but said there was

“honour” in voting for or against military action.

The 10-hour Commons debate will end with a vote on whether the UK joins others such as France, the US and Russia in bombing targets in Syria.

Air strikes could begin soon, if the Commons delivers what Cameron hopes will be a majority after Corbyn abandoned attempts to impose his opposition to military action on Labour and allowed his MPs a free vote.

Cameron called on MPs to “answer the call from our allies” and take action against the “woman-raping, Muslim-murdering, medi-

eval monsters” of IS, who he warned were “plotting to kill us and to radicalise our children right now”.

He said MPs faced a simple question: “Do we work with our allies to degrade and destroy this threat and do we go after these terrorists in their heartlands from where they are plotting to kill British people, or do we sit back and wait for them to attack us?”

Jeremy Corbyn emphasised the “potentially farreaching consequences” of the Government’s vote on intervention in Syria The Prime Minister also defended his controversial

Jamaica’s PM promises continued support of MSMEs

P

rime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says the Government will continue to put supportive mechanisms in place to facilitate the growth and development of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) sector.

“I give my commitment that we (the Government) will continue to engage micro, small, and mediumsized businesses. We will continue to create more opportunities for their growth and development,” Simpson Miller said.

She was addressing the 40th anniversary banquet of the Small Business Association of Jamaica at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Saturday. The Government,

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

she said, has increased its loan support to the sector, with J$1.3 billion disbursed by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) during the calendar year 2014. The figure represents a 14 per cent

increase over the amount provided in 2013. For the financial year 2013/14, the DBJ provided J$2.3 billion in loans for MSMEs. Some 1000 of those loans were disbursed through microfinancing institutions.

According to Simpson Miller, other public sector entities, including the Micro Investment Development Agency, continued to offer modest levels of funding to MSMEs, with the agency providing more than $150 million to the sector last year.

In addition to the increased loan support, the prime minister said the Government has embarked on new initiatives to help small businesses build their capacity. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

claim that there were 70,000 moderate opposition fighters in Syria, saying it was the estimate of the Joint Intelligence Committee the UK’s senior intelligence body. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Actor Robert De Niro and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne earlier this year

P

lans by Hollywood actor Robert De Niro and Australian tycoon James Packer to build a US$250 million mega resort at one of the late Princess Diana’s favourite Caribbean hideaways, Barbuda, are being met with stiff resistance with opponents accusing Government of trampling citizens’ rights to push the project through.

Last week’s passage of the “Paradise Found” bill by the Antigua and Barbuda Parliament paved the way for the 391-acre development, to be located on the site of the derelict K Club, which closed in 2004.

The new law, named for the De Niro-Packer resort brand, gives the celebrity partners attractive incentives, including a 25-year tax holiday, in return for building the exclusive beach-

front resort, which features a yacht marina and a new airport on Barbuda.

Opponents nevertheless say that the new law, which was passed within hours of its first reading, will “wipe out” sections of existing legislation.

Critics say that among the provisions stripped by the new law are the right of the elected Barbuda Council to consider and approve large-scale property deals on the island, and the population’s shared ownership of its land.

Plans for the mega-resort, which include an eco-lodge and more than 40 up market cottages, each with a private pool, call for the grant of a government lease for 140 acres in addition to the 251 acres once occupied by the old K Club, The Guardian reports. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

16 news

thursday, december 3, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

Hundreds attend Christmas tree light-up at Giftland Mall E

verybody’s favourite holiday just got a whole lot better with the magical Christmas tree light-up at the Giftland Mall on Tuesday evening.

Spreading the spirit of Christmas in a much bigger way, the Beepat family took things up a notch this year with grand performances, all in a truly festive atmosphere, where children and adults alike had a merry time as they ushered in the Christmas season.

In the lead up to the highly anticipated lightup, performances were done by local groups, such as Octive from the School of Nations, Poonam Singh, among others.

Hundreds gathered to marvel at the spectacle before them as they joined in the countdown, as the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo pulled the

Proprietor of Giftland, Roy Beepat, in his remark, highlighted that Christmas is a very dear time of the year for his family, not because of the

commercialism but because it is a time to give back to the community.

In that regard, Giftland will be donating to 12 charitable organisations for

the Christmas season. For every shopper who spends $5000 or more, Giftland will add 500 to its donations contributions.

Lady Northcote back in operation, off to Port Kaituma Giftland’s first annual Christmas tree light-up

switch that transformed the Giftland Mall into a Christmas wonderland.

Scores of children began to jump in glee as they danced around to the jolly Christmas tunes while parents rushed to take photos in front of the beautifully lit tree.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo in his brief address to the gathering lauded the Beepat family for this grand initiative as he looked ahead to a Guyanese Christmas where every village would have its very own Christmas tree light-up.

Lady Northcote as it departs from the dock for Port Kaituma, Region One

A

fter months of docking for major repair works, motor vessel Lady Northcote is back in operation and has set sail for Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Loaded with passengers, cargo and vehicles, the vessel departed from the Water Street Wharf, Kingston, Georgetown shortly after 11:00h on Wednesday. The wharf was a hive of activity, as crew members of the Lady Northcote milled around to ensure that everything was in working order, while passengers prepared themselves for the long journey.

Back in September, Lady Northcote was docked at the EC Vieira Dockyard at Houston, Greater Georgetown, to undergo major rehabilitation.

EC Vieira Investments Limited completed the job last week to the tune of $140 million. However, initial rehabilitation costs had been pegged at approximately $70 million

but this amount was doubled due to extensive unforeseen damages.

Among the extensive works done to Lady Northcote were repairs of its hull; servicing of all onboard machinery; improvement of interior and exterior decking and upgrades to the main and passenger decks. The facilities onboard were also improved through the upgrade of the galley while the vessel’s crew will be more comfortable, thanks to improved beds and washroom facilities.

Additionally, the offloading and loading capabilities were improved while all of the vessel’s plates were changed. In terms of safety, the vessel now holds 100 life rafts.

The underwater propellers were also completely rebuilt.

The rebuilding of the propellers is of particular significance since for years, the vessel’s route – from Georgetown to Port

Kaituma, Region One – lasted about 36 hours.

However, the engineering team has projected that the rebuilt propellers will cut down on this travel time. The team was able to determine the accuracy of its theory when the vessel maximised functioning following various tests.

With these overhauls, it is expected that the 78-year-old vessel will arrive at its destination in less than 24 hours, a considerable improvement from the previous 36-hour travel time.

Lady Northcote was last week taken for a test sail along the Demerara River, which was deemed successful by the engineering team. During the test, the motor vessel travelled from the Vieira Dockyard to the Kingston Wharf at a minimised speed. The trip was the first time the vessel moved in two months.

During the hour-long trip, owner of EC Vieira Investments Limited, Edmond Vieira, explained that when Lady Northcote arrived at the dockyard for repairs, it had “no functionality”. He said, “It was a very, very brutal rehabilitation service; very challenging”.

In response, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME), Dwane Griffith, lauded the contractor’s job and thanked Vieira on behalf of the entire crew. He added that the entire repair process had gone off without a hitch.

Lady Northcote is the oldest vessel in the Transport and Harbours Department fleet.

17 GGMC Commissioner sent 12 children have successful on administrative leave heart surgeries at GPHC news

thursday, december 3, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

By Kristen Macklingam

F

ollowing a number of inquiries within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), its Commissioner, Rickford Vieira has officially been sent on administrative leave.

Guyana Times understands that Vieira, along with three other senior officials, is soon to be dismissed from his posts by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

This newspaper was told that dismissal letters have already been drafted for the four individuals.

However, when contacted on Wednesday, Vieira told Guyana Times that the reports about letters of dismissal, especially concerning him, were false and mere “rumour”.

“That is not true. I was sent on leave so the Minister can deliberate on the matter, but nobody has gotten any letter of being dismissed. I came back from leave yesterday (Tuesday) and was given a letter signed by the Minister to proceed on leave until he finishes his deliberations on recommendations put forward by the Board of Directors,” the GGMC Commissioner stated.

He maintained that he neither was notified nor did he receive any information

GGMC Commissioner Rickford Vieira

about him being dismissed much less received a letter of intended dismissal.

“I am only on leave so the Minister can look at the matter. The recommendations he has to deliberate on are from the Board, the same Board, same Directors and such that have been functioning since 2014. The others who are supposedly said to be facing dismissal have not received any letter,” Vieira added.

It has been recently reported that letters had been prepared to be dispatched to Vieira and the Director of Mines, the Chief Geologist and another officer who are facing dismissal.

Guyana Times understands that the decision lies in the hands of the Government as to what route will be taken based on

the outcome of the inquiries which have begun into operations at the GGMC. It must be reminded that earlier this year there was a GGMC Management and Systems Review and findings had indicated that there were extreme irregularities in the mining sector.

The report also questioned the competency of the Commission’s Board, stating that there were a number of cases where there were numerous absences from meetings of the Board of Directors which may have contributed to a backlog of unresolved matters.

“The competence and commitment of the Board, as reflected through the numerous absences of its members must come in for some scrutiny as potential causative reasons for the large number of matters which remain outstanding and the manner of treatment of some matters,” said the report, which was authored

by Dr Grantley Walrond, L Heesterman and J Goolsarran.

The Board’s life comes to an end on the last day of this month, December 31, 2015.

The APNU/AFC Government is yet to publicly announce its decisions on the matters at hand at the GGMC and what new adjustments will have to be made. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

API talks

GAWU, GuySuCo to meet today

By Kristen Macklingam

A

s the debate continues between the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the cashstrapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) surrounding the agreement on the workers’ Annual Production Incentive (API) for 2015, the two will once again meet to continue talks.

The Union and the Sugar Corporation are expected to meet at 13:00h today to once more deliberate on and discuss the positions they have taken with regard to the sugar workers’ API. Although the two have already had talks within the past few weeks, GAWU and GuySuCo have failed to come to an agreement with respect to the API. At the last meeting, GAWU proposed five-and-ahalf days for the API, while GuySuCo has offered twoand-a-half days.

Following that meeting between the Union and the sugar company, workers across the sugar belt commenced strike action at various estates after GuySuCo reiterated its counteroffer.

GuySuCo’s counteroffer and GAWU’s proposal have a notable disparity and both parties have refused

GAWU President Komal Chand

to budge from the positions taken since the first meeting was held to discuss the workers’ API. GAWU President Komal Chand on Wednesday told this newspaper that the Union would be entering the meeting with “high hopes and expectations” that GuySuCo would at least agree to a number of days close to what GAWU was proposing.

Chand explained that sugar workers having resumed their duties last week after the self-imposed strike action came to an end were patiently awaiting the outcome of the upcoming meet between GAWU and GuySuCo. As it relates to the steps that will be taken by the

Union should the Sugar Corporation remain unmoved in its offer, a decision on such will be made after the meeting comes to an end.

However, Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Errol Hanoman had stated that the Sugar Corporation “always had in mind” to meet and address the matter of workers’ API. Reports also stated that whether or not targets were met, incentives were always given, even though in cases of underachievement, the ‘pay-off’ had to be commensurate with the production and profit of GuySuCo. Further, it is said that the CEO believes “everything is going reasonably well at the Corporation”, noting that once targets are met, this would ensure the sustainability of markets for the product.

However, given the fluctuating prices for sugar on the international market, GuySuCo has to pay keen attention to operations at its estates and factories.

Meanwhile, sugar workers across the country are now left to wonder what their API will be for 2015, and just when they will be able to receive this payment. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

T

welve children have had successful surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) during the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) third mission for 2015, to Guyana.

The surgeries were carried out through the efforts of the Health Ministry with support from ICHF, commonly known as ‘Baby Heart’.

Dr Angel Bates, a physician from Canada, part of the programme to Guyana, told reporters that the group had operated on 12 children so far and five more were expected to have surgery before the team departed.

She added that her experience in Guyana has been great and hopefully the group would continue to build on the cardiac surgery programme in the country. She noted also that the group intended to visit Guyana every four months to perform surgeries.

Dr Bates shared that

this programme provided local staff with the experience to manage a Paediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit which was unavailable in Guyana until the group showed up.

On each trip, a total of 16 medical staff travel. The group usually performs two surgeries a day from Monday to Friday on children ranging in age from less than one year old to 15 years old.

The volunteer physician explained that so far there have been three common diagnosis in all of the children: the Atrial Septal Defect, which is a hole between the two top chambers of the heart; Ventricular Septal Defect, which is a hole between the two main pumping heart chambers; and Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a congenital heart defect which is classically understood to involve four anatomical abnormalities of the heart (although only three of them are always present). It is the most common cyanot-

ic heart defect and the most common cause of blue baby syndrome.

The mission of the ICHF is to bring the skills, technology and knowledge to cure and care for children with congenital heart diseases to developing nations. ICHF does this regardless of country of origin, race, religion or gender. Its goal is to make the need for ICHF obsolete.

It works towards this goal through its medical mission trips, during which its doctors operate on children and educate local healthcare professionals.

Leandra Thomas, of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, the parent of a 15-year-old patient in the programme, told reporters that she was very grateful for the programme as she did not know what her next move would have been.

She explained that her son took ill four days after the new school year began in September. The young man had his surgery on Tuesday.

Govt commissions new $30M Cummings Park Nursery School

E

ducation Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has sent a stern message to educators and parents for them to place emphasis on the education of the young child, since it is much easier for them to grasp concepts and succeed.

The Minister was delivering the feature address at the commissioning of the Cummings Park Nursery School in South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on Wednesday.

The School is the first of its kind for the community, and the Minister said he was extremely happy to be part of the opening, as the School would ensure that children were offered an equal opportunity at this crucial point in their lives.

“It is good to come here with the little ones because this is where it begins. If we get it right with these little ones, then everything will be easier,” he told the gathering of teachers, Ministry officials, parents and community members.

The Education Minister said he maintained his stance in the balance of academic, sports and cultural activities in the life of the pupil, stating that parents and teachers needed to come to the understanding that they all went hand in hand.

“I am very insistent that school has to be about much more than academic activity. We want academic excellence of course, but I believe that what we need to be pro-

The new Cummings Park Nursery School in South Sophia, Greater Georgetown

ducing in our education system are completely rounded citizens of the 21st century,” the Minister said.

Helping in this cause, Dr Roopnaraine said, will be the active presence of music and sport in the school curriculum.

Meanwhile, Headteacher of the School, Cecile WhyteJoseph said in the years prior to September, parents had to take their children to schools in far-flung areas, placing further pressure on their lives.

“This situation even worsened the rainy seasons, forcing parents to keep their children at home, depriving them of their nursery education.” The prayers of parents were finally answered with the construction of the School.

She reported that in 2010, a feasibility study was conducted on the accessibility of nursery education in the Cummings Park/Sophia area children and what was evident was that chil-

dren had to travel either to Turkeyen, C Field Sophia, Sophia or South Ruimveldt Nursery Schools.

She said based on these revelations, the Cummings Park Committee, headed by Eugene Lewis, approached the Education Ministry for assistance to construct the School in the area.

By 2014, the Education Ministry had begun the process and over a one-year period the building, constructed by Kissoon’s Construction Company was completed and handed over to the Ministry.

The School has on roll some 29 students and four teachers, janitorial staff and a security guard.

“At the end of the day, it is the human spirit that is most important; money can improve a school’s physical environment, but it cannot buy us the vision and passion that will guide development,” the Headteacher said.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, DECember 3, 2015

ARCHIE

Emotional distress and anger will ruin your plans.

(March 21- Don’t let things bother you.

April 19) Rise above others’ words or actions and act out of kindness, courtesy and respect.

Your maturity will pay off.

ARIES

Decorate or spruce up your TAURUS surroundings. Make plans to (April 20- entertain friends or family or May 20) host a festive event. Your enthusiasm and good will won’t go unnoticed. Enjoy high returns.

dilbert

Take it easy and be smart.

GEMINI (May 21- If you plan to go shopping or June 20) make some financial transactions, think twice before you go into debt. Live within your means and reduce your stress.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Spend a little time on yourself. Getting a new hairdo or outfit for an upcoming event will boost your morale.

Plan something fun or romantic for the evening hours.

Use your witty and charLEO ismatic personality to attract (July 23interest in something you Aug. 22) want to pursue. The attention you receive will result in surprising and unusual support.

Calvin and Hobbes

If you say you are going to VIRGO do something, you must do it (Aug. 23or someone will criticize you.

Sept. 22) It’s important to research the feasibility of any venture before you make a promise.

You will be quite upset LIBRA (Sept. 23- if people don’t honor their Oct. 23) words. Leave nothing to chance by taking care of matters yourself. Put your energy to good use.

SUDOKU

If you take an unusual poSCORPIO sition, you will discover some(Oct. 24thing about yourself and those Nov. 22) around you that will help you make an important decision.

Follow your intuition.

Don’t let a chaotic environSAGITTARIUS ment or frame of mind cause (Nov. 23you to make choices that are Dec. 21) questionable and easily criticized. It’s best to take your time and do things right.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

CAPRICORN Drastic measures may be (Dec. 22- necessary to get what you Jan. 19) want. Setting a budget and sticking to it will allow you greater freedom when faced with some tough decisions.

AQUARIUS

You should revisit old ideas and look over new agree(Jan. 20ments in order to find a way Feb. 19) to meld the two. Do something out of the ordinary and surprise someone you love.

Don’t overreact to critiPISCES (Feb. 20- cism. Do your best and reMarch 20) frain from getting into a dispute. Tread carefully when dealing with peers or people in authoritative positions.

Romance is encouraged.

thursday, december 3, 2015

CA XI v West Indians, Tour match, Brisbane, 1st day…

Bravo anchors West Indians on rain-affected day SCOREBOARD West Indians 1st innings KC Brathwaite c Inglis b Bazley 21 R Chandrika lbw b Bazley 10 46 DM Bravo not out MN Samuels c †Peirson b Boyce 19 J Blackwood c Carder b Lees 1 D Ramdin† c Andrews b Milenko 0 JO Holder* c †Peirson b Milenko 26 CR Brathwaite not out 25 6 Extras: (lb-6) Total: (6 wickets; 60 overs) 154 Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Chandrika, 15.3 ov), 2-35 (KC Brathwaite, 21.1 ov), 3-66 (Samuels, 28.5 ov), 4-69 (Blackwood, 31.5 ov), 5-83 (Ramdin, 35.3 ov), 6-115 (Holder, 43.6 ov) Bowling: S Milenko 14-333-2, RA Lees 13-9-10-1, JJ Bazley 10-4-27-2, CJ Boyce 12-1-43-1, MW Short 7-130-0, TD Andrews 4-2-5-0

D

arren Bravo’s unbeaten 46 helped West Indians reach 154-6 after Cricket Australia XI had reduced them to 83-5 on the first day of the tour game in Brisbane. Only 60 overs were possible, however, due to rain interruptions.

West Indians opted to bat and their openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Rajendra Chandrika were cautious at the start, adding 32 by the 16th over. The good work was undone, however when both men fell within six overs to seamer James Bazley.

Bravo and Marlon Samuels shared a 31-run partnership for the third wicket, but Samuels’ dismissal was followed by two more quick wickets.

Jermaine Blackwood was caught off fast bowler Ryan Lees for one and Denesh Ramdin bagged a duck,

Guyanese Rajendra Chandrika opened the batting, but failed to make an impact

courtesy medium-pacer Simon Milenko.

Bravo kept steady at one end and inched his way to 46 off 135 deliveries with six fours and a six. He shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 32 with Jason Holder and then added an unbeaten 39

runs with Carlos Brathwaite - the highest stand of the innings so far.

Apart from Milenko and Bazley, who took two wickets each, Lees and leg-spinner Cameron Boyce were also among the wickets.

(Cricinfo)

19

Guyana’s top referees remain on FIFA’s 2016 list

G

uyana’s eight leading football referees will remain on the FIFA list for 2016, with the world governing body for the sport conveying such to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) recently.

Head of the GFF’s Referee Department, Stanley Lancaster, had submitted the eight names to FIFA and after evaluation of primarily the International tournaments the group officiated in this year, the Guyanese officials were kept on the illustrious list.

Regarded as one of the best referees in the CONCACAF region, Sherwin Moore was listed by FIFA as the country’s number one referee.

Berbician Sherwin Johnson was ranked number two by FIFA. Venton Mars, Trevor Porter, Lenval Peart, Kevin Stephens and Kleon Lindey were the Assistant Referees.

Sherwin Moore

It was no surprise that the top female referee in Guyana, Maurice Skeete, was given a nod of approval

by FIFA, since she had officiated, with distinction, at several marquee Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and CONCACAF Women’s tournament this year.

Meanwhile, Lancaster noted that his department’s aim is to add more Guyanese official to the FIFA list.

Hotel Riverton Suites/UCCA U-19 competition…

Skeldon, Number 72 Cut and Load through to final S

keldon Community Centre and Number 72 Cut and Load Cricket Club have advanced to the final of the 2015 Hotel Riverton Suites/Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) Under-19 cricket competition. The final is scheduled for Sunday at the Number 72 Cut and Load ground.

Skeldon, being runnerup last year to Number 70 Young Stars, will want to make amends this time around against the boys from Number 72, whom they have defeated in the preliminary rounds.

The boys from Skeldon are clear favourites going into the final, having played undefeated in the preliminary rounds of the competition. However, the Number 72 boys will be playing at home, and with only one loss in the preliminary rounds, they

Dr Pooran Seepersaud, the proprietor of Hotel Riverton Suites, presents his company’s sponsorship cheque to UCCA President, Dennis De Andrade. Also in photo are other executives of the UCCA

will want to make amends for their defeat at the hands of Skeldon earlier in the competition.

The Skeldon team will be led by Deon Esau, while Number 72 Cut and Load will be lead by Davanand Chatterpaul, both of whom

have done well with bat and ball so far in the competition.

The leading runs scorer in this competition has been Ritish Bhagratti of Number 72 Cut and Load with 166 runs from three innings, followed by

team mate and captain by Aslim Baksh of Skeldon Chatterpaul with 115 runs with nine from three infrom three innings and nings.

Deon Esau of Skeldon on The competi113 runs from two in- tion started with five nings. The leading wicket teams- Skeldon Community taker is Chatterpaul with Centre, Number 72 Cut 13 wickets from three and Load, Crabwood Creek, innings, followed Number 48 Challengers

and Yakusari- and was played on a round-robin basis, 50-over format with the top two teams reaching the final.

The winner on Sunday will receive $30,000 and a trophy, while the runnerup will collect $20,000 and a trophy. The Best Bowler and Best Batsman are guaranteed $5,000 each, while the MVP of the competition and Man-of-the-Match in the final will also receive a similar cash incentive. They will also receive a trophy each.

The competition, in its second year, is being sponsored by Dr Pooran Seepersaud, the proprietor of Hotel Riverton Suites, located along the public road of Corriverton. It is being organised by the UCCA. The executives of the UCCA wish to thank Dr Seepersaud and his family for their support of cricket development in the Upper Corentyne area.

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GTT/Limacol League final…

Marks confident Kings will top Milerock C

learly reluctant to divulge the team’s strategies heading into their showdown in the GTT/Limacol round-robin/knockout league final on Sunday, Head Coach/ Manager of East Coastbased Victoria Kings, Calvin Marks, however, related that they’ve been hard at training and expects to beat Milerock in their own backyard, the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

“I really don’t want to say much about our plans, all I’m prepared to say at this stagd is that weare working hard towards a victory and the guys are confident and relaxed head of Sunday’s showdown against Milerock,” he said.

Marks said that over the next two days they will do light training, with

Saturday planned to be a theoretical session as they aim to get their systems right for the clash.

He added that the pursuit for victory will be led by the 41-year-old veteran Winston Pompey, who has been in scorching form and the one who engineered their win in their semi-final engagement against Topp XX with a stunning volley.

Marks added that Pompey’s strike partner Akeem Holder is also being relied on to get goals, while the in-form Alden Lawrence, who too has played a pivotal role in the team’s success to date will be called on to replicate earlier performances.

Then there are captain Calvin DeSouza and Aubrey Gibson, two experienced players with immense skill, and along with defenders

Winston Pompey

Sherlock Dowding, Shawn samuels, Samuel Blackett and Obesie Johnson, the team looks loaded with talent and players capable of taking them all the way.

Mention was also made of goalkeeper Ron Collins,

who has looked competent between the uprights and his role will be crucial in their quest for the top prize.

The two principals seem set to thrill the fans in what is being described as a battle between Region Four and Region 10 with bragging rights a significant factor in all of this.

Marks reminded that as far as he knows they hold a slight advantage in the head-to-head match-up and they will be using that as added motivation to beat up the hosts at home.

He reminded that a large travelling contingent from the East Coast will be in the Mining Town to offer much needed support to the team.

Sunday’s final promises to be a sizzler and fans are being urged to be there to witness the regional rivalry.

NBS Second Division 40-over cricket…

Looknauth guides Tamarind Root into playoffs

T

amarind Root Cricket Club of Hampshire, Corentyne, completed a clean sweep of the preliminary rounds in Zone J when they beat Rose Hall Town Bakewell B to end as winners of that zone.

By virtue, they have earned a place in the last 16 playoffs of the 2015 New Building Society’s (NBS) Second Division 40over cricket competition in Berbice.

Berbice Former Under-19 off-spinner Adrian

WIPA gets involved in T&T trio dispute T

he dispute between Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) based trio Rayad Emrit, Kevon Cooper and Evin Lewis and Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Suruj Ragoonath surrounding the termination of their 2015/16 TTCB retainer contracts is set for arbitration with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) taking up the matter.

Emrit, Cooper and Lewis, speaking to Newsday before leaving and during their current stints in the BPL, have maintained that before

Rayad Emrit

the 2015/16 Professional Cricket League (PCL) commenced, Ragoonath told them in a meeting that any Twenty20 leagues that came up during the season, the players would be allowed to compete with no indication their retainers would be compromised.

Also contrary to what the TTCB has stated, they never

wanted to relinquish their contracts, but were rather forced to give it up and accept a pay for play contract on their return from Bangladesh.

Emrit in particular took issue to a November 15 article on another daily newspaper titled, “Red Force players broke contracts” by quoting the article on his Twitter page, stating: “It’s easy to point fingers at the players and say all sorts, but I hope the reporters get the right story and say the truth.”

Emrit elaborated further to Newsday, saying, “I want the CEO or whoever that WICB source (in the article) is to come out and clear the air and say we are lying about the contracts. The statements in Guardian article are totally misleading.

“We would not have put our names in BPL draft if the TTCB didn’t tell us that we had permission to play in any T20 league. I don’t know about Kevon and Evin, but I have informed West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president Wavell Hinds about this and I am taking advice from my lawyer on the way forward,” concluded the Red Force captain.

Meeting

Newsday has been informed that WIPA president Hinds emailed Ragoonath on November 24 requesting a meeting among all concerned parties. “In pursuit of an amicable resolution, we will be guided by

withhold its release and NOC it shall provide the Cricketer with reasons for such decision. It is acknowledged that the MOU seeks to provide for a standard NOC which shall be used by the Franchise and the Cricketer in these circumstances.”

This quote was taken from page 8, section 9.2, of the 14 page contract that is

Evin Lewis

the established Tripartite Agreement on all contractual matters. Your usual cooperation is anticipated and appreciated,” Hinds stated.

During the recently concluded Red Force versus Jamaica Scorpions four-day match, a local player who wished to remain anonymous, told Newsday that what Emrit, Lewis and Cooper have said is accurate.

In the Guardian article that allegedly quoted a WICB source, it mentioned the area in the players’ contracts which deals with players playing cricket overseas during their retainer, which supposedly highlights why the players broke their contract: “The Cricketer shall not enter into any Overseas Contract without first obtaining a release and No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Franchise, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

If the Franchise does

Kevon Cooper

also in Newsday’s possession. Just below it in section 9.3 however states: “The cricketer herby agrees to the deduction from his monthly retainer as provided for in the MOU being made from his remuneration relating to his release and issue of an NOC (No Objection Certificate).” A WICB source revealed to Newsday that all three players requested and received NOCs from the WICB. The WICB is the sole regional body recognised by the ICC with regards to NOCs. Asked to clarify that

Balram Samaroo

Niroj Singh and left-arm spinner Kunal Mangal each took 3-17 to bowl out Rose Hall Bakewell B for 120 in 29.1 overs. Opening batsmen Avinash Looknauth then scored 54 not out (3x4s, 4x6s) to steer them to an easy seven-wicket win.

In another match, Berbice Under-15 batsman Alex Algoo slammed 86 (9x4s, 1x6) and former Berbice all-rounder Balram Samaroo 56 (3x4s) to guide Fort Canje Warriors to 252-5 in 35 overs against Canefield.

Warriors off-spinner Charran Singh then took 5-25 from seven overs, as Canefield folded for 116 in reply.

Also scoring half-centuries were former Berbice Under-19 batsmen Hakeem Hinds of Tucber Park and part of the contract which seemingly suggests that the TTCB could have instead reduced the trio’s wages during the three matches they would be absent against Jamaica, Guyana and Windward Islands, CEO Ragoonath defended the board’s position.

“The termination of contract was mutually agreed, if that wasn’t the case they wouldn’t be in Bangladesh at the moment. I don’t know what gave them impression from meeting they were free to play in any T20 league

Alex Algoo

Sanjay Badal of Canje Pathfinders.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At Hampshire: Tamarind Root beat Rose Hall Town Bakewell B by seven wickets. Rose Hall Town Bakewell B 120 in 29.1 overs (Adrian Niroj Singh 3-17, Kunal Mangal 3-17) Tamarind Root 1213 in 16 overs (Avinash Looknauth 54*).

At Cumberland: Fort Canje Warriors beat Canefield by 136 runs. Fort Canje Warriors 252-5 in 35 overs (Alex Algoo 86, Balram Samaroo 56, Royden Phil 33, Satesh Rupai 3-21) Canefield 116 in 33 overs (Rayon Sunthgolam 33, Charran Singh 5-25, Balram Samaroo 2-7).

At Edinburgh: Tucber Park beat Angoy’s Avenue Achievers by 57 runs. Tucber Park 154-5 in 20 overs (Hakeem Hinds 52, Chetram Persaud 25, Teron Sampson 2-18) Angoy’s Avenue Achievers 97-6 in 20 overs (Keion De Jesus 3-11, Julian Moore 2-14).

At Goed Bananen Land: Canje Pathfinders beat Betsy Ground Strykers by five wickets. Betsy Ground Strykers 120 all out in 23.2 overs (Collis Greaves 4-20, Keisher Gangaram 3-25) Canje Pathfinders 125-5 in 14.5 overs (Sanjay Badal 57). just like that,” Ragoonath said.

“I want media to ask players to put themselves in our shoes. If you sign someone to play a season who you thought was 100 percent committed, how they would feel if suddenly the plans are adjusted by a player who wanted to go to these overseas leagues and a replacement for remainder of season has to be found? “Once they acknowledge their availability on return, they will receive pay as you play contracts.” (Trinidad Newsday)

sports

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21

No sense in blaming the wicket – Kohli T

he ICC match officiating team’s “poor” rating of the Nagpur pitch has had no impact on Virat Kohli’s outlook towards the playing surfaces.

If anything, it has infuriated him further, to the extent that he has effectively accused the ICC of having double standards when rating the pitches. He brought up the recent Adelaide Test, which finished in three days, and a few others in South Africa where the ball dominated the bat, at least on paper.

“Well there have been three scores of under 50 in Tests in South Africa,” Kohli said on the eve of the final Test of the series. “I haven’t seen any articles about that. Teams have been bundled out for less than 100 six times in South Africa. There’s not been an article about that. Articles are there to be written. It’s about the mindset or opinion of someone. I don’t relate to it. I don’t understand it, and I certainly don’t entertain it.

It doesn’t bother me or the team. People can write articles as and how they wish.”

Midway into this sermon Kohli had to be reminded the issue here was not articles, but the ICC’s assessment of the pitch in Nagpur. “I’m talking about everyone,” Kohli said. “I’m not talking about people writing articles in general. It is an as-

sessment that has happened in every condition, in every ground. Unfortunately, in our country and in our situation, it is highlighted a lot more. That’s a fact. Because all we have been talking about is the pitch.

“In South Africa, the only thing we were talking about is how badly we were playing. So it’s been going on for a while. There’s no change in pattern. The Indian team is going into a new mindset.

Apart from that, the thinking of the rest around it has not changed too much.

Because we are criticised about our games and techniques when we don’t play well but when visitors don’t play well, it’s always the wicket. So there is no sense to it as far as I am concerned or the Indian team is concerned.”

In India reporters are not allowed anywhere near the pitch, which leaves captains as the only sources of information on the pitch, but Kohli refused to talk about what to expect from Delhi. “I don’t want to talk too much about the pitch,” Kohli said.

“Because there has already been a lot of talk about it.

If we have to talk about the cricket, it will be better. Because when the team wins, the support should come from all quarters.

Always, we look at points to criticise. There’s hardly a point where the team is

Virat Kohli

backed to make them confident. So, in my view, I don’t understand the logic behind it. There have been comments from all sides about the pitch. I don’t think anyone has written articles about the Adelaide Test, which finished in two-and-ahalf days. So I don’t see anything wrong with any kind of wicket that we play on.”

If the pitches are not an issue, there must be some reason there have been only four half-centuries in the series, two of those from India.

The team director Ravi Shastri has bemoaned the decline in the art of grafting for runs. When asked if he was concerned about his side’s performance against the spinners - and lesser spinners at that, when compared to R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra -

Kohli again retorted with apparent frustration.

“We are prepared to face anyone anywhere,” Kohli said. “We are prepared to take up any sort of challenge. I don’t understand why we are not sitting here and talking about the fact that we are 2-0 up in the series, and again we are trying to criticise our players.

As regards our weaknesses we know them and we are working on them, we are international cricketers, and we are not here to hide from any mistake. But if that’s the only point that is going to be raised in press conferences and debates then as a cricketer you don’t see any sense in answering those questions after a while. I think we should appreciate what the team has done and move forward in the same direction.”

Kohli was asked if the cricket played lived up to the billing in the lead-up to the series. “I think it was good Test cricket,” Kohli said.

“People have liked watching it on TV. You saw the crowds in Bangalore, in Nagpur, even Mohali we had a decent crowd. People want to see results. People want to see exciting cricket, and that is what has happened in this series. We have certainly enjoyed it. Playing and putting pressure on the opposition, we have enjoyed as a unit.”

(Cricinfo)

Smith, Boult in ICC teams of the year A

ustralia captain Steven Smith and New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult have been included in both the ICC’s Test and ODI teams of the year.

Alastair Cook, who led England to a 3-2 Ashes victory during the summer, was named the Test captain of the year. South Africa’s AB de Villiers was selected as the ODI captain, having scored the format’s fastest fifty and hundred during the qualification period from September 18, 2014 to September 13, 2015. The teams were chosen by a specially appointed selection panel, chaired by the ICC’s cricket committee chairman Anil Kumble.

Smith was one of three Australia players to make the Test team, along with opener David Warner and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.

Pakistan were the other team to have three representatives in the Test side, with Yasir Shah, the leading wicket-taker in the qualification period, Younis Khan and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed all rewarded for their consistent performances.

Stuart Broad, who was

Trent Boult

the most successful bowler in the Ashes with 21 wickets, was included in the Test XI for the fifth time since 2009. So was his countryman Joe Root.

Kane Williamson found a place in the Test team, but was surprisingly left out of the ODI side, despite being the leading run-scorer in the concerned period.

The other major surprises in the Test side were the omissions of Azhar Ali, who had four hundreds and five fifties from 10 matches, and R Ashwin, who could only find a place in the squad as the 12th man.

Mustafizur Rahman be-

came the first Bangladesh cricketer to be included in the ICC’s ODI team of the year, thanks to a barnstorming 11 wickets in his first two matches. He along with Boult, Mohammed Shami and Mitchell Starc, the Player of the Tournament during the 2015 World Cup, made up the ODI team’s pace attack, while Imran Tahir was selected as the sole spinner.

Kumar Sangakkara, who recently retired from international cricket, was picked as the ODI team’s wicketkeeper, marking the fourth time he made the side.

“I would like to congratulate all the players for their selection in the Test and ODI teams of the year,” Kumble said. “It is an achievement for each of them to be proud of and a recognition for their good performances in the qualifying period.

“Testament to the quality of cricket played is the calibre of players to have missed out on selection. While selecting these squads, the selectors considered various combinations and took into account several factors in overall performances. Congratulations

Steven Smith

to all of the players on their selections.”

Test team of the year: David Warner, Alastair Cook (captain), Kane Williamson, Younis Khan, Steven Smith, Joe Root, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Stuart Broad, Trent Boult, Yasir Shah, Josh Hazlewood, R Ashwin (12th man).

ODI team of the year: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Hashim Amla, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), AB de Villiers (capt), Steven Smith, Ross Taylor, Trent Boult, Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Starc, Mustafizur Rahman, Imran Tahir, Joe Root (12th man).

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Petama Enterprise/Motor Trend softball…

Wolf’s Warriors, Regal Masters and Trophy Stall Angels are champions

Wolf’s Warriors emerged champions of the Open division

The beaming Trophy Stall Angels pose with their winnings

A

Guyana Softball Cup champions, Regal Masters, extended their dominance in 2015

ction in the highly successful Petama Enterprise/Motor Trend sponsored inaugural softball cricket competition culminated on Sunday last with the various category champions being crowned at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Queenstown.

Following the completion of the day’s activities, which wrapped up under floodlights, West Demerara’s Wolf’s Warriors defeated Regal by 30 runs to win the Open category; Regal Masters prevailed over Parika Defenders by 39 runs to lift the Masters title and

Trophy Stall Angels outplayed Wellwoman by eight wickets to cop the Female trophy.

In the Open final, Wolf’s Warriors racked up 204-4 from the allotted 20 overs with Safraz Karim smashing 82 and Amrit Rai 39.

Regal, the Guyana Softball

Cup Open champion, made a spirited reply, but fell short at 174 in 19.5 overs.

Richard Latiff top scored with 41 and Chien Gittens and Fazal Rafeek made 25 each, as Most Valuable Player of the final Mark Harold grabbed 4-18.

In the Masters final, reigning Guyana Softball Cup Masters champion, piled up 223-3, a total built on a brilliant 113 not out from Mahesh Chunilall, who was later named Most Valuable Player of the final. Mahendra Arjune and Rudolph Baker chipped in with 35 and 27 not out respectively.

Parika Defenders responded with 184-7 when the overs finished with D. Hanoman hitting 52 not out, O. Chandler 48 and A. Ahmad 24. Bowling for Regal, Satrohan Seeraj had 2-13.

On the distaff side, Wellwoman batted first and posted 79-2 in 10 overs with Zola Telford hitting 26 not

Female volleyballers off to SA Confederation Cup

T

wo female beach volleyball teams have left the shores of Guyana to participate in the second leg of the South American Confederation Cup, vying for a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Confederation Cup is basically a qualification round for affiliated federations seeking spots in the Olympics and having gotten past the first round in Brazil last year, the Guyanese girls are expected to open their second round campaign in Uruguay on Friday.

The two female pairs of Subrina Munroe/Odile Broomes and Daniella

Collier/Iambie Cave have been going through daily training sessions in the National Park for the past three weeks, and despite their inexperience in the beach version of the game, their indoor experience is expected to prove beneficial in their beach volleyball debut.

In an invited comment, Coach Ian Wills expressed satisfaction with the dedication and commitment shown by the ladies during training sessions, but he also outlined that the time he had with the ladies to prepare them for a tournament of this magnitude was inadequate.

Ian Wills

“The outdoor version of the game is totally different in many aspects, and as such I would have needed a few months at least in order to acclimatise the ladies with the

various differences and to make them competent to the level that beach volleyball comes naturally to them,” Wills explained.

Despite all the shortcomings, Wills expects good showings from his ladies as he pointed out that the team of Collier and Cave has vast indoor experience, while the strength of the team of Munroe and Broomes is their fitness.

The tournament will from Friday to Sunday, and the Guyana contingent, which also includes Manager Andrea Flores, is expected to return on December 9.

out. Most Valuable Player Roxanne DeMonick then stroked an unbeaten 39 and Kavita Yadram 24 not out, as Trophy Stall Angels cruised to victory at 84-2 in 8.2 overs.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

Open final: Wolf Warriors defeated Regal by 30 runs. Wolf Warriors 2044 in 20 overs (Safraz Karim 82, Amrit Rai 39) Regal 174 all out in 19.5 overs (Richard Latiff 41, Chien Gittens 25, Fazal Rafeek 25, Mark Harold 4-18).

Masters final: Regal Masters defeated Parika Defenders by 39 runs.

Regal Masters 223-3 in 20 overs (Mahesh Chunilall 113*, Mahendra Arjune 35, Rudolph Baker 27*) Parika Defender 184-7 in 20 overs (O. Chandler 48, A. Ahmad 24, D. Hanaman 52*, Satrohan Seeraj 2-13).

Female final: Trophy Stall Angels defeated Wellwoman by eight wickets.

Wellwoman 79-2 in 10 overs (Zola Telford 26*) Trophy Stall Angels 84-2 in 8.2 overs (Roxanne DeMonick 39*, KavitaYadram 24*).

Open semi-final: Regal defeated Die Hard by 132 runs. Regal 260-2 in 20 overs (Navin Singh 91*, Richard Latiff 68, Rohit Dutchin 42*) Die Hard 128 all out in 15.2 overs (A. Persaud 13, C. Singh 10, Khalid Haslim 3-15, Seewchand Budhu 2-13).

The Players of the Series for the different categories were Richard Latiff of Regal (Open), Rudolph Baker of Regal (Masters) and Matana Cambridge of 4R Lioness (Females).

At the presentation ceremony which followed the games, Managing Director of Petama Enterprise, Petamber Maharaj, and owner of Motor Trend, Jailall Deodass, were on hand to present the prizes to the champion teams and top individual awardees.

Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket…

Mae’s Primary crowned East Georgetown champions

O

n the back of another fine batting display by Jonathan Van-Lance, Mae’s Primary overcame Stella Maris Primary in the final of the East Georgetown zone of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket.

Winning the toss and batting first, Mae’s Primary compiled 130-4 in 14 overs as Van-Lance followed his match winning knock of 42 in the semifinal with another good showing in the final by scoring 43 not out striking one four and four sixes.

He was well supported by J. Honkirk, who contributed 26 and O. Percival with 25. Bowling for Stella Maris Primary, Anthonio Williams and D’Angelo Hall had a wicket apiece.

Stella Maris Primary responded with 96-5 when their 14 overs expired as the Mae’s Primary bowlers showed good control, stifling the batsmen throughout the chase. Anthonio Williams was the main contributor with the bat with 28. Five bowlers had a wicket each bowling for Mae’s Primary.

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thursday, december 3, 2015

23

YWCC honours Berbicians GCI Academy players benefitting with Life Membership status from mentorship

By Akeem Greene

T

he Cricket Guyana Inc. Academy players are grateful for the improved training regime, which is helping them to raise the level of their game.

The Academy programme runs parallel to the Guyana Jaguars squad and their training programme, and it is being used by Cricket Guyana Inc to give the bright prospects in local cricket a greater chance of playing at the highest level.

Guyana Times Sport spoke to two of the players at a practice session earlier this week at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, and they both expressed delight at being part of the programme.

West Indies Under-19 player Keemo Paul, a talented all-rounder, revealed, “It’s very good exposure for me; there is a lot of sharing of knowledge; the advice given will certainly help me improve my batting and bowling.”

Paul’s performance at the youth level has been extremely commendable, as his natural all-round ability always puts him in the limelight. The Demerara Cricket Club player, who hails from

the county of Essequibo, is a hard-hitting, lower-order batsmen and clever medium-pacer.

During the Regional Under-19 tournament in 2014 in Guyana, the righthanded Paul struck 15 fours in a back-to-the-wall hundred to secure a draw for Guyana, who had been trailing the Leeward Islands at the National Stadium, Providence.

Making a judgment on his training in the Academy so far, the 17 year-old related, “I need to be more consistent with the bat and when I get the ball, take wickets in the crucial stages of the match.”

Another young talent in the Academy is Akshaya Persaud, who is also a West Indies Under-19 selectee for the ICC Youth World Cup in Bangladesh next year.

“As a boy growing up, I always wanted to play for the West Indies, so I am really happy to be part of the [West Indies youth] squad and I hope to do well and carry the team over the line,” Persaud mentioned.

The player, who bats and bowls left-handed, has also enjoyed training stints with the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean

Premier League.

Speaking of his experience with the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Persaud said back then, “I will cherish bowling and batting against both the local and overseas players.

Firstly, bowling against Martin Guptill, Mohammad Hafeez, Lendl Simmons and Denesh Ramdin was like a dreaming come through for me.”

The Everest Cricket Club player is now cherishing the fact that he is able to mingle with senior players of the Guyana Jaguars squad.

“The Academy is helping me develop my all-round game and players like Shiv (Shivnarine Chanderpaul) are helping me with my batting, teaching me various skills,” Persaud related.

The Academy training involves young upcoming talents in Guyana being able to rub shoulders with the more experienced players, and also benefit from better coaching, and at the same time raise their fitness levels.

What is most commendable is that these young players are also being paid to be a part of the Academy. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)

GTT/Limacol football…

UDFA suspends activities to accommodate final

D

espite the initial challenges faced by the Petra Organisation, the organisers of the GTT/Limacol round-robin/knockout football competition have confirmed that the final will be played this Sunday, at the Mackenzie Sports Club in Linden.

According to Co-Director of the Organsation, Troy Mendonca, Secretary of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Terrence Mitchell made contact with them and confirmed that all football activities organised by the UDFA have been suspended to accommodate the staging of the grand finale that pits Linden’s Milerock and East Coast Demerara’s Victoria Kings.

Mendonca disclosed that UDFA President Sharma Solomon met with the executive in an emergency meeting on Monday night to discuss how best they could facilitate the re-

Troy Mendonca

quest made by the Petra Organisation to stage the final in the Mining Town on Sunday and they agreed to put on hold their own League until next year.

Mendonca said that the Petra Organisation was extremely grateful to the executive of the UDFA in agreeing to accommodate the final at a time when they too have ongoing football activities. He added that for the UDFA to sus-

pend their own activities at the expense of the Petra Organisation speaks volumes of the entity and its willingness to put football first.

The UDFA is scheduled to commence its year-end tournament shortly and with three of their teams set to appear on Sunday, two in the third place playoff and one in the final, it must be seen as solid preparations for them.

Mendonca stated that the UDFA League will break on Friday instead of the initial plan, which was next Wednesday, and this course of action must be recognised and applauded.

Meanwhile, the third place playoff is an all-Linden affair between Topp XX, who lost to Victoria Kings, and Winners Connection that fell to Milerock in semi-final action, at the Victoria Community Centre ground.

Posing with the tokens are (from left) Albert Smith, on behalf of Mursalene Bacchus, Ancel Hazel and Mortimer Georger

A

t a simple yet significant ceremony held recently, the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, honoured three outstanding sons of the East Canje area, namely Ancel Hazel, Mortimer George and Attorney-at-Law Mursalene Bacchus with Life Membership for their contribution to the game of cricket and community development in general.

Speaking on behalf of the club, former national senior cricketer Hubern Evans told the young cricketers in attendance that they may not know these gentlemen too well, but they should read up on Berbice cricket history and then they will understand their massive contribution to society in general, cricket in particular.

He thanked the three gentlemen for the role they played over the years.

George was a policeman in his youthful days and a fearsome fast bowler, who represented the county of Berbice. George also served the Berbice Cricket Board in several positions and was the longest serving Secretary. Bacchus has been the President of the YWCC since it was resuscitated over 15 years ago.

Hazel is a founder member of the Cumberland Cricket Club, now YWCC, and went on to play First Division for Rose Hall Estate CC. He then went on to play for Berbice in the firstever Inter-County cricket competition. He was also the Headmaster of the Cumberland Primary School and served in the Berbice Cricket Board in all possible positions. He was also a village councillor before heading the said Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

In response on behalf of all the recipients, Hazel

thanked the club for the kind gesture and promised to help the further development of the club in every possible way.

He charged the cricketers, which included West Indies Under-19 and senior national opener Shimron Hetmyer to make full use of the opportunities available these days with so much financial benefits available to successful cricketer.

He related how difficult things were in the old days, but admitted that the joy of playing the game was the motivating factor in those times. In closing, he expressed disappointment in the abolishment of the senior Inter-County cricket competition in Guyana, taking away the pride of playing for one’s county.

Hazel said that he is not too sure what will be the incentives the youngsters will now play for. He hopes that that decision will be reversed in the near future.

FIFA President congratulates Slingerz FC A cting President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Issa Hayatou, in a letter to President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde, extended congratulations to Slingerz Football Club on their Stag Elite League (Genesis) title, won on Sunday last at the Leonora Stadium. Slingerz FC defeated rivals Alpha United 3-2, thanks to a double from their Dominican striker Julian Wade, and a match-winning header from Devon Millington.

Issa Hayatou

The win saw the Javid Aliowned club pocketing $4 million, while Alpha United

had to settle for $2 million.

“It gives me great pleasure to send my heartfelt congratulations to Slingerz FC and their indomitable team on this great achievement,” Hayatou said.

According to the 69-yearold Cameroonian, “This title is the result of the determination of everyone involved and my congratulations go to the players, the coach, the entire technical and medical staff and the fans.” Hayatou thanked Slingerz FC and the GFF for “helping to spread the positive message of football.”

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

thursday, december 3, 2015

Female volleyballers off Bravo anchors West to SA Confederation Cup CA XI v West Indians, Tour match, Brisbane, 1st day…

Indians on rainaffected day

Pg 22 Pg 19

Guyana’s female beach volleyballers! From left: Iambie Cave, Daniella Collier, Odile Broomes and Subrina Munroe

GTT/Limacol football…

UDFA suspends activities to accommodate final Pg 23

Darren Bravo inched his way to 46 on the first day

GCI Academy players Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket…

Mae’s Primary crowned East benefitting from Georgetown champions Pg 22 mentorship

Keemo Paul

Akshaya Persaud

T

he Cricket Guyana Inc. Academy players are grateful for the improved training regime, which is helping them to raise the level of their game.

(See story on page 23)

Members of the Mae’s Primary School cricket team in a jubilant mood after their win

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