Binder1

G Division presents books to Capoey children

P13

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3109

Monday, January 30, 2017

GECOM chairmanship

Govt displaying “woeful lack of clarity” on Constitution – Nandlall ... as PM says list not limited to Judges only Page 3

Deputy Solicitor Fire guts General decries Corriverton abuse from AG apartment

Page 9

…Kissoon attempting to cloud facts – Williams

– 2 homeless Page 8

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Cummingsburg Accord less P9 than desirable – Patterson

The stats speak for themselves – Natural P12 Resources Minister …despite miners’ fears of decline in sector, unavailability of concessions

Quinoa – next major crop in Guyana P16

Nagamootoo appointed AFC’s political adviser P12

In this composite photo, President David Granger joins in celebrating Chinese New Year with members of the Chinese Association and other special invitees at the soon-to-be-opened New Thriving, East Bank Demerara outlet on Sunday evening

GHRA proposes GAWU awaiting strategies to combat requested impacts of mining documents from

1 month after sugar consultations

Page 17

Govt

Page 9

Special P17 needs school to benefit all Caricom members

2

monDAY, January 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

3

MONDAY, January 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 30 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, January 31 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 30 – 06:00h-07:30h and Tuesday, January 31 – 06:45h-08:15h.

GECOM chairmanship

Govt displaying “woeful lack of clarity” on Constitution – Nandlall ... as PM says list not limited to Judges only

Ramesh Dookhoo

Rhyaan Shah

Professor James Rose

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has pronounced that the list of nominees for a new Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) submitted by the Opposition Leader for the Head of State’s consideration can be a mixture of qualified persons from various fields, and is not limited to Judges.

This, however, contradicts President David Granger’s reasoning when he rejected Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s list of mixed nominees.

Nagamootoo, who is a notable attorney, argued that the list of nominees must have at least one person who meets the constitutional requirement of being “a person who holds or who has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.”

“You have to get a mixture. You can have somebody who is a judge or some other proper persons, not necessarily someone who is qualified to be a judge,” the Prime Minister told media operatives during an interview following an event at Parliament Building on Friday.

According to Nagamootoo, though the Constitution provides for “other fit and proper persons”, the Opposition Leader could not ignore completely the requirement for a

‘judge-type’ candidate.

“When it says four times in one article of the Constitution that you must have a judge or someone who has been a judge or qualified to be a judge, then if you follow the Constitution faithfully, then you include a judge,” he asserted.

Jagdeo nominated Attorney and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; Executive Member

Granger wants all six persons to meet that constitutional requirement of being in possession of such legal qualifications.

Even Jagdeo appears unsure of what exactly the President is looking for in his list of nominees; hence, his request for a meeting with the Head of State to clarify the inconsistencies.

But using Nagamootoo’s logic, if at least one person

larly, how it differed from the President’s understanding.

“So, even in the Government itself, there seems to be a woeful lack of clarity on what the constitutional provision requires and that is significant, and it should illustrate to the public that the Government itself is imploding in relation to what the Constitution means. The President says that all the persons must be of judgelike status and quality. The Prime Minister is saying at least one of them must be of that status or quality,” Nandlall highlighted.

He further argued that both the President and Prime Minister were wrong in their interpretations because the Constitution never stipulated a proportion of persons from each category to be nominated.

“In as much as they are trying to still overemphasise the judge-like qualifications, the persons contemplated by the Constitution who are not

Lawrence Latchmansingh

Norman Mc Lean

Christopher Ram

of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Dookhoo; former PSC Chairman and Army Chief Norman Mc Lean; writer Rhyaan Shah; Professor James Rose; and human rights and conflict resolution consultant Lawrence Latchmansingh.

But President Granger declared that the entire list was “unacceptable” because none of the candidates met the constitutional requirement of being a judge or being eligible to be a judge.

From all indications,

must be a ‘judge-type’ in order to render the list valid, then it would appear likely that the President would appoint that one ‘judge-type’ person as the new GECOM Chairman, since the other “fit and proper” persons would be considered “unacceptable” as they were being labelled now.

required to be judge-like must be treated with equal importance as the persons who are Judges, former Judges or are qualified to be Judges. The Constitution does not see one category of persons superior to the other, clearly two categories of persons are contemplated: Judges, former Judges or persons qualified to be Judges or a different set of people who are unlike Judges, but are fit and proper and they may come from various professional pursuits,” he explained.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day. Lightly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 06:05h and 18:22h reaching maximum heights of 2.68 metres and 2.77 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 11:55h reaching a minimum height of 0.52 metre.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

09 13 18

20 25 26

11 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 02 08 11 12 15 LUCKY 3 6 7 9 Afternoon Draw

0

5

6

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04 05 06 09 12 14 17 DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

P

Lack of clarity

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, in an invited comment, drew attention to the inconsistencies in the Prime Minister’s interpretation altogether and particu-

TURN TO PAGE 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, January 30, 2017

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

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

The US Muslim Ban

I

t is an indictment of the nature of modern politics that everyone – bar none – is surprised, even shocked, that President Donald Trump is doing exactly what he said he would. But Donald Trump was elected precisely because he rejected the cynicism of the establishment, who would tell the people what they “wanted to hear” but once in office, do what THEY think best. He sensed the establishment had moved far away from what Conservative President Ronald Reagan had called the “silent majority”: he articulated their concerns and fears and now seems determined to confront them frontally and brutally.

One of the objections of the “silent majority” was the establishment had developed a superciliousness to their world view, viewing them as “unsophisticated yahoos”. This was illustrated in the aftermath of the elections and the Women’s Protest against Trump when the establishmentdominated media harped on the factoid that the vast majority of white women who voted for him were “not college graduates”. In the American narrative, egalitarianism was supposed to be the most privileged virtue – one man (or woman) –- one vote.

But from one perspective, the establishment’s scepticism of “the masses” – which was earliest expressed

by Plato when he rejected democratic governance as “mob rule” – was also shared by the ‘Founding Fathers’ of the American Republic, who were obviously all male but also conservative land and slave owners. They introduced the “Electoral College” as a device to mediate the gullible “raw” votes of the people who would be enticed by “populist” demagogues. But ironically, the device served to elect Donald Trump, who seized the populist mantle even though he is a billionaire – that sets him far above the masses economically. It is quite possible, as an outsider to the political establishment, he resonates with the masses on issues.

And he certainly did on the “Radical Islamicist threat”.

By and large, Americans are in general agreement they face an existential threat to their way of life, from “Islamist terrorists”. While some of the more liberal members of the establishment may make nuanced arguments that the terrorism may be “blowback” against US military actions in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East – all Islamic countries – these do not resonate with the ordinary Americans who at the most mundane level, saw at least a trillion dollars spent on new security features at airports.

Not to mention inconveniencing them with the tedious procedures introduced by Homeland Security in the wake of 9/11.

One of the complaints by the “silent majority” was the radicalisation of Muslims in the US was being facilitated by new immigrants who would have been exposed to more militant approaches in the conflicts in their homelands.

From this perspective, we can understand White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s explanation of Trump’s Executive Order halting all immigration from seven Islamicmajority countries as a “necessary step” for dealing with people from countries that have “a propensity to do us harm’.

Arguments that there are countries such as Saudi Arabia that have produced far more radicals who have harmed the US than the blacklisted seven countries will not cut any ice with Trump or his base. He is shaking the tree to show he “means business” on the “Islamic Threat”. In his inauguration speech, he had emphasised his promise in reference to Muslims: “We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones — and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth.”

As we said in our editorial “The Trump Doctrine” (GT122-17): “The word “eradicate” is very strong and implies a total war that will take this battle even into the home –both within and without America.” This ban on Muslim immigrants in seven countries is just the beginning –we can expect that Muslims even from countries such as Guyana will be scrutinised.

Not to mention all Muslims living in the US.

Miss Universe 2017 Iris Mittenaere of France was crowned by outgoing Queen Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines at the pageant on Sunday

The election of Raphael Trotman is a sad day for Guyana

Dear Editor, January 28, 2017 has come and gone; just another day in Guyana – it appeared. But not quite; history will attest that that day was one of the sorriest days in the history of the country. On that fateful day, the AFC party elected a leader of a party who, according to evidence, is the very anathema of what the Party stands for.

When the AFC was birthed, many Guyanese felt a sense of relief. They purported a time had finally come when politics would not be the “usual” in the largely partisan, divided country where race has played a significant role in

its history and politics.

The election of Raphael Trotman in 2017 signals the beginning of the end of the AFC. This leader, according to evidence found in a tape and backed by some who were present at the recording of a meeting in Bartica. The gist of what transpired was articulated for us by Freddie Kissoon, in his column on April 2, 2016.

Kissoon related that he and others listened to two speeches from a tape on a cellphone, which the columnist felt was “a hate-filled speech that manifested the cruelties and sadism of old political culture”. The columnist opined, “Raphael

Trotman has demonstrated by those two speeches that he does not belong to the future of politics in this tragic land” as he raced into his “demagogic rage of ethnic loyalty”. The columnist also indicated that Trotman “told the gathering that Bartica was a PNC stronghold, asked the attendees if they see anywhere in Guyana that in the LGE, there is opposing parties contesting in PPP areas?

The implication and message were there for even a school boy to understand.”

(Kissoon apologised for that column a few days later. However, it must be noted that nowhere in that “apology” did he retract

anything that was recorded in the tape. The columnist felt he needed to apologise because he wanted “Mr Trotman to know that there was never any intention to damage his career.”)

According to Kissoon, he, as well as David Patterson and others have had a copy of the tape.

The election of a leader of a party who has uttered such hateful vitriolic has no place in a progressive society but in the enthrals of tribal intellection. The AFC had seven seats in the last election. I doubt they will muster one in the next.

Sincerely, Devanand Bhagwan

Economic tragedy of the intended border wall Dear Editor, Aside from the economic tragedy the intended border wall that the incumbent President of the United States of America wants to build, as a border deterrent that that wall would incur on America and also straining relations with Mexico, America’s third largest trade country, the Mexicans would simply take their business elsewhere. China and Brazil would just love to fill that void and the fact that undocumented workers have actually strengthened America’s economy, as they provide massive product output, at wages most Americans don’t want, and don’t take away jobs that

Americans do want. The wall is just foolish.

Also, if the Mexican border is tightened up with an impregnable wall, it would only serve to redirect people who are determined to go to the United States to the other access points which are available, and we learnt that there are several others. That’s right! There are five other points, ie, Canada, Pacific, Atlantic, Air, and the most vulnerable of all, the Gulf of Mexico.

Even though those access points may be more difficult, one can’t ignore them and they will probably become less difficult once they get good at it. So, since they can’t be ignored, the North

American administration would need to be adding to the already ridiculous price tag of border control, as they would need to refocus massive resources, that is, taxpayer monies, in those areas as well.

Without a wall, people will always use the Mexican border as their way to traverse into the United States of America and their focus can remain there, where they have actually seen large declines in border crossings for some time, contrary to what they have been hearing from some.

The intended wall is the dumbest idea the incumbent administration has proposed so far, aside for invading na-

tions to take their oil.

With the concerns many Americans have expressed regarding the future under the new administration, I wonder, is the wall to keep the Mexicans out, or to keep the Americans in? In that case tunnelling, extra-long ladders, Hot Air Balloons, Catapults or Circus Cannons would also do the trick.

We Guyanese have a saying: if you cannot get into a house by the front door, try the back door; if that too is shut, try the windows and even if that too is found to be closed then, try the roof top!

Yours sincerely Rooplall Dudhnath

guyanatimesgy.com

MONday, January 30, 2017

5

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

The incompetence City Council seems to have its priorities mixed up of a few at City Hall Dear Editor, Every Guyanese from the youngest child has been taught in school that Guyana has two rainy seasons, one during the Christmas period and early in the year, and in the other in the May/June period. In fact, who had forgotten that lesson learnt the hard way in December 2005 when the rainy season really made its presence felt? How could the members of the Georgetown City Council forget this episode, which we now call the ‘Great Flood’, or are they just blissfully waiting for another one? From all appearances, that is exactly what they are doing.

Fast forward to last December the day before Christmas Eve, the heavens opened and rain poured ‘cats and dogs’, whilst at the same time the Council claimed that there was a high tide.

Despite all that has gone on before and in spite of the advanced technology available to us in weather forecasting, the Council, like in 2005, again seemed to have been taken by surprise. Persons in their well decorated homes for the Christmas were forced to pick up and dry out their carpets, rugs, linoleum and furniture from the lower flats, whilst many businesses lost millions of dollars in stocks that were stored on the ground in their stores or stalls in the municipal markets, but Council bore no liability.

In some places like Bel Air Park and South Ruimveldt, water took days to drain off, so some persons spent Christmas Day and beyond wading through their lower flats.

What was most disappointing, however, was that the Georgetown City Council claimed they spent nearly $800 million of our tax dollars cleaning up, however, for just a few millions more several of the pumps and sluices were left in a state of disrepair. Such ineptitude in a city government should never be tolerated by the citizenry or Central Government.

Georgetown has a system of interconnected canals and sluices that, if maintained and utilised properly, there

would hardly be flooding and thus the absolute necessity for the Council’s engineering and drainage staff to ensure that these structures are maintained, modernised and rebuilt when necessary.

However, instead they have left pumps to lie inactive for want of spare parts and repairs, allowed squatters to take over the reserves next to the drains preventing effective maintenance of those drains, and have actually filled some of those drains and canals, whilst in other cases they have just allowed some sluices to become totally abandoned.

It should be noted that everyone suffers from the incompetence of a few at City Hall, particularly those who live in bottom-flats and who in many instances fall ill from the stagnant dirty water.

And as usual City Hall sings the same tune that the cow died on, and that is that sluices cannot be opened when there is high tide, but they are not talking about or taking action against the errant officers whose neglect caused two pumps to be inoperable.

While we are willing to concede that our low lying Georgetown will flood given its geographic situation, the fact is that the flooding should not and will not be so dire, if the systems that they inherited from the Dutch are allowed to work the way they were designed to. But of course systems cannot work themselves, rather they have to be operated by people, that is, the engineering and drainage staff of the Georgetown City Council. Why are we paying them if they don’t constantly clear and de-silt the drains and canals when there is dry weather and if they don’t check and maintain the pumps.

When these municipal officers are found to be in dereliction of duty in these crucial areas, they should be dealt with condignly, but rather it seems they are given a pat on the back.

Best regards, Deodarie Putulall

Dear Editor, Persons traversing the Stabroek Market Square are met each night with the entire structure ablaze with hundreds, if not thousands of decorative lights that adorn the building which apparently were placed there as part of the Jubilee Celebrations in May 2016. But with the Jubilee and Christmas long over, one is left to wonder what purpose and utility is being served by such irresponsible behaviour on the part of the Council? How could the city afford such wastage of electricity when they always claim to be broke? But worse, they already owe the Guyana Power and Light hundreds of millions of dollars that they

have shown no intention of paying and now they are adding this to the bill. How ridiculous? These are not LED or energy saving bulbs, but rather energy wasting, incandescent bulbs. The citizens and visitors to Georgetown do not need the Stabroek Market to be illuminated at nights, but would prefer to have the insides of the various markets better lit in the daytime, whilst they are shopping to improve security conditions; they need better lighting on the streets, many of which are dark and unsafe at night.

In fact, the money spent placing all of those lights on the front of the Stabroek Market and lighting them up each night would have been

Mash 2017 straight walk Dear Editor, Mash 2017 straight walk is far from the days when we enjoyed most of town and could see the final fete in the National Park. Now it is down Brickdam, Georgetown and stop. We had more energy, less money and more good times back when all the big companies participated.

Life was that sweet. People on the side-lines could join-in and enjoy the fete, along with the participants because you always seeing somebody you know enjoying themselves in the masquerade.

The good days when XM Five-year was the drink of choice, lime rickey was available and everyone would cookup a storm and sit pun de veranda and enjoy the sweetness of Mashramani. The sports hall would be packed for Soca competitions and the talk of the town would be on the lyrics of the winner.

Usually criticising something that went or going wrong. Everyone would enjoy a good laugh. All the school

children would get ready for Mash games and enjoy being a proud Guyanese, but still complain about the hot sun. Yet they loved being outside in the fresh air, avoiding class and enjoyed the positive energy of people smiling all the time because ‘we getting ready for Mash’.

Don't forget how much money would spend and memories would be made on the Mall. Especially when relatives from overseas come visit and start reminiscing of the good old days and would say how things not that bad, because they having a good time during Mash. I guess things too busy for a good time this year.

Miss a year and come back with a miniature display of what others calling carnival.

Please try to do betta and bring back a proppa mash-up during Mashramani. We not that busy to not have a good time.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

better spent repairing the badly dilapidated roof over the Stabroek Market wharf, which collapsed since 2014 and was left just like that by the Council, and for repairing the non-functional clock which was supposed to start ticking again in time to ring in our

New Year 2017 as its rehabilitation was expected to be finished by December 31 last year, but never did. The City Council just seems to have its priorities mixed up.

Sincerely, Shanta Singh

Disappointed with outcome of GuySuCo IMC

Dear Editor, The local media published an article on January 23, 2017 titled: “Sugar industry should not be a burden to Guyanese taxpayers - President Granger”. In this news item, the impression is that President David Granger is keen on dialogue with all sections of society for ideas and solutions for GuySuCo to stop its dependency on taxpayers. Editor, I agree and support this thrust.

As a taxpayer contributing to the subsidisation of GuySuCo, I was very optimistic in June 2015 having learnt that Government installed an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to manage the company without any political interference.

Subsequently, this IMC employed a team of technical experts and consultants to reverse the trend of poor performance in agriculture and factories, and this is understandable because the IMC is far from being competent in these areas. With this fresh team GuySuCo advised the nation that it has put together the “best minds” in sugar to handle the situation in one of its missives from the communication department. Then came the salaries and benefits of the IMC, experts and consultants which sent shock waves across the land because no bankrupt company in this

world would pay those rates; however, Guyana affords it, despite the slave-like wages paid to the ordinary workers.

All my optimism vanished in December 2016 when GuySuCo dropped a bombshell production of 183,652 tonnes for the year 2016.

After having this team of “best minds” in sugar for one-anda-half years, paid them better than any country would, they delivered the second-lowest production since 1990.

From their own performances, one can conclude that GuySuCo’s biggest burden at this point is the IMC, experts and consultants whose remuneration amounts to G$14.1 million per month. That is, G$253.8 million over that last 18 months. They are akin to a mill stone around GuySuCo’s neck. The President has the power to remove this burden from GuySuCo and taxpayers.

With this mill stone management team at GuySuCo, production for 2017 may be bleak again. GuySuCo may wish to dispute this as they typically do with vague statements and no details. In the meantime, what is GuySuCo’s production target this year?

This is the first time that it is not yet known though we are approaching the end of January 2017.

Sincerely, Sookram Persaud

6

monday, January 30, 2017

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

By Jessica Bowers

I

t was during my 13-year-old’s annual checkup that the doctor informed me that my parenting days are numbered. “You no longer have the greatest influence over your teenager. In fact, you come in fourth behind friends, teachers, and his doctor,” he told me glibly. While I mentally threw a tantrum over his blasé indictment on my role as a parent, I considered whether I was willing to tuck my tail and move to the back of the line.

Admittedly, as I’ve moved into the role of parenting a teenager, the time that we spend together has been more restricted. Of course, that limits my overall influence, but I’m completely unwilling to watch from the back and hope for the best as my children traverse their most formative years.

Fortunately, by a heap of dumb luck, I have built some habits prior to the “dreaded teen years” that I hope will serve to carry my influence just a bit further and create a positive relationship with my teens.

Set aside time to talk about their day I’m sure you’re starting to notice a trend. When it comes to teens, the biggest challenge is grabbing their attention. Before the busyness of high school hits, make sure you have a habit of checking in with each other every day. Maybe it’s through text or email, but make it consistent. When your grown child calls you every Sunday, you’ll thank yourself for the effort.

Make physical contact “Mother of Family Therapy” psychotherapist Virginia Satir said that people “need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance, and

Eat dinner together So much of successful teen parenting is about getting face time with them. So many other things vie for their attention that parents have to be diligent about getting noticed.

Setting a habit to have one meal together every day carves out a time for all of you to reconnect.

Put away your phone at the table and when you drive I’ll admit that this decision was first driven by fear and guilt. In other words, I felt guilty for wanting to surf Facebook while eating dinner, and I was fearful that if they saw me texting in the car, they would mimic that behaviour. Sometimes fear and guilt serve us well. This is a habit that has helped to set a standard for how we interact with each other in the digital world. The times at the table and in the car are the most concentrated conversation moments of our day. I’m glad that we have all learnt to put away the gadgets and use that time to connect.

12 hugs a day for growth.”

Teenagers are definitely growing in so many ways, but they’re not often cuddly. As children hit the preteen years, make an effort to find new ways to keep the physical contact up. Maybe it’s a quick scratch on the back or a smoothing of the hair. It doesn’t have to be prolonged, but it has to be present.

Interact with their technology Technology is constantly changing, and consequently, blowing right past the parents of teenagers. It’s almost expected that parents will be in the dark about the latest app. That is a dangerous place to be. By the time they hit the teen years, children should be used to you knowing about what’s new

in their tech world and checking on how they’re using it. While you’re at it, put limits on their technology use and keep that up during the teen years.

Spend time with their friends While it’s said that you can’t choose your child’s friends, you can certainly know who they are. With such a high possibility of getting left out of the loop, knowing who your children are with and what they’re doing is key. Start this habit by being the parent with the best playdates, so your children will be used to having you around with their friends. And heed this warning sign: if your children are talking about people who you’ve never met and don’t know anything about, it’s time to get acquainted.

Understand their interests As soon as my children start talking about Creepers, TNT, or anything related to Minecraft, I start wishing I had a dentist appointment to get me out of the conversation. The things that interest my children are often boring to me, but because it matters to them, I pretend like it matters to me.

Being willing to understand what matters to them is a huge relationship builder that carries over into the teen years.

Find a hobby to share When my son turned 10, we started running together and training for short races. It helped to burn off his pre-teen hormones and jumpstart my 30-something metabolism, but it also gave us another commonality and bonding point. Now, that he is a teenager, he looks forward to our runs (mostly because he is faster than me), but also because it’s something special that defines our relationship.

Tuck them into bed Conventional parenting wisdom holds that the first three minutes after children wake up and the last three minutes before

they go to bed are the best times to connect with them. The magic behind bedtime conversations is simple: children will do anything, even tell you the details of their day, to stay up a little later.

Prior to the teen years, this is a great time to catch up with your child, but it’s a habit that should definitely continue as they age. Turns out, teens are just as willing to talk, and there’s an even more serious reason why checking in at night should be your habit. If children are going to start making dangerous choices, the evidence of those habits will be more obvious at night. We have checked in on our children at night to find that they’ve snuck their iPads to bed or they’re eating junk food after bedtime. More importantly, though, teens are so much more likely to get in trouble, including

sneaking out, when they feel like their parents have gone “offduty” for the night. Checking in reminds them that you’re always present.

Let them fail (or succeed) At the beginning of this parenting gig, you were quite literally responsible for your child’s survival. Remember, the early years—what I like to call the “death watch” period— when you got to the end of every day grateful that they hadn’t ingested bleach or fallen down the stairs? That kind of vigilance is a hard habit to break. It’s best for parents to start early to begin to train themselves to give their children space to try things on their own. That way, when it’s time to let them go for good, you have enough practice to actually be able to do it. (Parenting.com)

How kids learn resilience

T

he guiding theory behind much of the school discipline practised today—and certainly behind the zero-tolerance, suspension-heavy approach that has dominated since the 1990s—is behaviourism, which is grounded in the idea that humans respond to incentives and reinforcement. If we get positive reinforcement for a certain behaviour, we’re likely to do it more; if we get negative reinforcement, we’re likely to do it less.

Clearly, on some level, behaviourism works. People, including children, respond well to behavioural cues, at least in the short term. But researchers are coming to understand that there are limits to the effectiveness of rewards and punishments in education, and that for young people whose neurological and psychological development has been shaped by intense stress, straightforward reward systems are often especially ineffective.

Roland G Fryer Jr, a celebrated economics professor at Harvard, has spent the past decade testing out a variety of incentive schemes with public-school students in Houston, New York, Chicago, and other American cities that have school systems with high poverty rates. Fryer has paid parents for attending parent-teacher conferences, students for reading books, and teachers for raising test scores. He has given kids cellphones to inspire them to study harder. Altogether, he has handed out millions of dollars in rewards and prizes. As a body of work, Fryer’s incentive studies have marked one of the biggest and most thorough educational experiments in American history.

And yet in almost every case, Fryer’s incentive programmes have had no effect.

From 2007 to 2009, Fryer

distributed a total of US$9.4 million in cash incentives to 27,000 students, to promote book reading in Dallas, to raise test scores in New York, and to improve course grades in Chicago – all with no effect. “The impact of financial incentives on student achievement,” Fryer reported, “is statistically 0 in each city.” In the 2010–11 school year, he gave cash incentives to fifth-grade students in 25 low-performing public schools in Houston, and to their parents and teachers, with the intent of increasing the time they spent on Maths homework and improving their scores on standardised Maths tests. The students performed the tasks necessary to get paid, but their average math scores at the end of eight months hadn’t changed at all. When Fryer looked at their reading scores, he found that they actually went down.

The stark fact that complicates incentive studies like Fryer’s is that children who grow up in difficult circumstances already have a powerful set of material incentives to get a good education. Adults with a highschool degree fare far better in life than adults without one. They not only earn more, on average, but they also have more-stable families, better health, and less chance of being arrested or incarcerated. Those with college degrees similarly do much better, on average, than those without. Young people know this. And yet when it comes time to make any of the many crucial decisions that affect their likelihood of reaching those educational milestones, children growing up in adversity often make choices that seem in flagrant opposition to their self-interest, rendering those goals more distant and difficult to attain. (Excerpt from the Atlantic)

7 Foreign exchange earnings unaffected

by GuySuCo scale-down – Jordan news

MONDAY, January 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

F

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

inance Minister Winston Jordan does not believe the country’s foreign exchange earnings will be affected by the ongoing scale-back in the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Speaking to media operatives on Friday, Jordan pointed out that GuySuCo’s operations have been scaled-back for some 18 months now, yet the foreign exchange earnings remain intact.

The Finance Minister was at the time being questioned on the uncertainties in the market regarding reports of a shortage of for-

eign currency in the country.

“GuySuCo operations has been scaled back now for the last 18 months or so and the market still functions properly, we maintain a healthy reserves and so on,” he stated.

Jordan explained that over the last 50 years, Guyana has had one leading commodity or the other that has “bailed it out”.

“It was bauxite at one time; for a short time it was sugar, and right now it’s

gold. So something will step in essentially. And even with the lower earnings from sugar, rice and timber, we still have reserves that are higher today than at the end of 2015,” the Finance Minister stated.

He went on to say, however, that the foreign earnings from sugar could only be affected if one looked at sugar alone. He pointed out that Government’s plan was not to stop sugar production completely, but rather to diversify the industry. In this regard, he contended that the foreign revenue earnings will not b e affected.

“Only if you look from sugar itself, but the changes we are looking at are a comprehensive package with diversification…” he explained.

T h e r e have been reports that there is a shortage of foreign currency in Guyana. The report had cited complaints from those in the business sector. This, however, has consistently been denied by Jordan and Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga.

But at a recent public fo-

rum, the Finance Minister called on those involved in the practice of hoarding foreign currency – exporters, importers and cambios – to be responsible and heed the entreaties of the

Government. He also had issued an ominous warning: failure to do so would result in the Government taking decisive action.

In fact, the Finance Minister disclosed that he

has already begun engagements with the various financial institutions on the matter.

“We have a number of actions being taken behind the scenes,” he stated.

Govt displaying “woeful lack...

Nandlall contended that the Opposition Leader was free to choose from either categories, since the Constitution does not mandate him to make the list a mixture of both, nor does it provide a ratio for choosing.

He argued too that the spirit in which the Constitution was reformed was to expand the list of nominees in order to move away from the restriction to just judge-like individuals.

Meanwhile, after rejecting Jagdeo’s first list, the President requested a second list of nominees.

Instead, Jagdeo requested a meeting with President Granger to discuss the different interpretations of the Constitution, since that seemed to be the root of the problem.

But Granger declined to meet with the Opposition Leader and proposed that

Jagdeo submit a representative to meet with the Attorney General, Basil Williams.

Williams and his predecessor, Nandlall, are slated to meet to have a discussion on the matter, with the aim of reaching a consensus between both parties on what is required for the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman.

Nandlall had written to the Attorney General requesting an appropriate day for the engagement to take

FROM PAGE 3

place. The last official word on the matter was that a date was yet to be set.

Jagdeo said he would consider submitting a second list, depending on the outcome of the meeting between the Attorney General and his representative.

“After that meeting, should I have to submit a new list, I would probably consult broadly again with people so that I can get the best names to go forward,” he stated.

8 news

monDAY, January 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Fire guts Corriverton apartment – 2 homeless

Raj Ramnarine, 19, who lost everything in the fire

Melissa Sooknanand, homeless at 19

wo persons are now homeless after a fire, which is believed to be electrical in origin, gutted an apartment building at Corriverton on Saturday evening.

Smoke was seen coming from the back of the three-apartment, one-storey concrete building at Lot 81 Rahaman Street, Corriverton, shortly after 20:00h.

According to reports, no one was in the apartment, which was occupied by a teenaged couple, when the fire started. The quick response of residents prevented the fire from spreading.

The other two apartments which were saved were occupied by four persons.

According to Melissa Soknandan, 19, she had just locked the door and gone to the front of the yard when she was alerted that smoke was coming from her apartment. She told Guyana

Times that she went to the front of the yard to see if her husband, Raj Ramnarine, 19, was on his way home

T

fren hold me from me hair and pull me back, so me can’t get to save anything, so all me thing bun up,” the young woman said in tears.

The teenager noted that apart from the furnishings in the apartment, she also lost all of her clothing. On Sunday, when this publication visited the scene, the woman explained that she was wearing clothing, which was given to her by a friend.

Residents explained that they did not know a telephone number for the Springlands Fire Station, which is located about three minutes away, so they were unable to alert the firemen

miles away, and the New Amsterdam Fire Station, some 50 miles away, were all alerted and responded.

Meanwhile, Mahatam Sookram broke into the burning building with the aim of putting out the fire which was quickly spreading across the interior of the house. He explained that after his friend got in through a window, he broke a pipeline leading to a water tank to get water.

“Each house have one, one tank, so we help out one another and use pail and take the water and out the fire.

When the Fire Service come, the fire did already out.”

stationed there. They, however, called the Guyana Fire Service in Georgetown. The Springlands Fire Station, along with the Rose Hall Fire Station, which is 30

Sookram went into the burning house with the experience he gained two weeks prior when a building across the street was on fire.

Part of the gutted apartment

from work.

The young lady explained that as she rushed to the apartment, two men broke in and began to douse the blaze.

“When I run inside mi

turn to page 13

Making choices…

Y

…on leadership

esterday, your Eyewitness offered some background to the AFC Biennial Meet where the assembled rank and file - and there were some real “rank” ones present!! - purported to elect “office bearers”. With the AFC effectively being “dead meat”, these worthies can also be called “pall bearers”!

Probably trying to show they were “grounding” with the rural masses, the conclave was moved to Vreeden-Hoop - one mile west of Georgetown!! But if they really wanted to find out how “the other half lives”, they could’ve visited the squatting area of Plastic City - literally right next door to the school, where all the speechifying and voting took place. But did they? Not THIS lot. The press revealed the vehicles bringing the leaders and delegates stretched one mile in either direction. It was a sight to behold - especially to the pi55ed commuters of West Dem, who were slowed to a crawl at the Vreed-enHoop junction.

But why would the PM, VP and senior and junior Ministers want to get their SUV’s dirty? Let the lumpen element of Plastic City eat cake!! But oh yes… there was an election. Or was it “selection”. The standing indictment of these bourgeois political games is the rank and file are simply given the choice of voting for persons who’re already defined as “leadership material”. If one keeps rotating and shuffling the same pack of four cards - how the heck will there ever be new blood with new ideas at the head? Where, as we know, dead carcasses start stinking!

Anyhow, this being Guyana, even the choice between Tweedledee and Tweedldum turned on the question of race - in this “multi-racial party”. AFC’s one claim to fame was to accept there had to be a “rotation” between the African and Indian Guyanese in the top tier. But this, of course, further restricts the choice available to the hoi polloi! No Indigenous person need apply!!

With newbie Moses Nagamootoo dropping out, the “Leader’s tag” became a toss-up between Founding Leaders Raphael Trotman (as a “Mixed” he goes both ways!) and Khemraj Ramjattan. The vote was 127 to 125 in favour of Trotman and the congratulatory hug of Ramjattan left more space between them than the notoriously fake Hollywood “air kisses”!! No love lost there!!

There were mutters of who bussed in who, and who credentialised who. But the optics in the papers showed a clear, even racial breakdown - with Indigenous Peoples in the swing seat. As minorities are wont to do - they threw their support to the fella with more access to the real power holders!

Prezzie’s congratulatory call to Trotman re-sealed the Nassau Accord!! A homecoming?

…on judicial independence

Whatever one may say of Moses Nagamootoo (and this Eyewitness has said plenty!) he must be saluted for defending the Chancellor of the Judiciary against - as he put it - “scurrilous attacks in the Chronicle newspapers against the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary.”

As an attorney - and therefore an officer of the court - Nagamootoo was duty-bound to take this position. But we know to our cost, the seductiveness of pelf and power.

Khemraj Ramjattan, a far more senior lawyer, sat next to Nagamootoo and was mute! What made Nagamootoo’s act more courageous was as PM, his powers have been severely whittled away - yet was now conceding his last bastion of “Information” was slipping away.

For the editor of the Chronic to carry the attack, he had to know Nagamootoo didn’t count anymore in the scheme of things?! Another question was what made Nagamootoo come out now?

The staunch condemnation from his old bete noir from his PPP days, Ramkarran, about the “Chronicle’s calumny” had to have done the trick.

Can’t have the bourgeoisie seize the high ground!!

…on humiliations

The problem with bullies, they don’t know when to stop. How can these people clamp Ramotar’s car? The man was PRESIDENT OF GUYANA! The entire edifice is being eaten away by these termites!

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

news

9

monday, January 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

1 month after sugar consultations

GAWU awaiting requested documents from Govt N

early one month after Government’s high-level consultations with several stakeholders in the sugar industry, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has not received several requested documents.

These include an outline of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) plan on the new ventures for the Wales Sugar Estate, in addition to the relevant studies that were considered before the diversification plans were determined.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Sunday, GAWU President Komal Chand related that the Union was still awaiting GuySuCo’s release of the documents pertaining to the studies that were conducted.

“They had stated that if we want any documents

GAWU President Komal Chand

and any information, we could request. We (GAWU) have done so, but we haven’t gotten any documents from them,” he explained.

The GAWU President further highlighted that the Union intended to ascertain the exact crops, in addition to rice, that were being proposed for cultivation under the diversification plans. It was disclosed that stakeholders were in-

formed that the Rose Hall Factory would be closed, Enmore Estate would be closed and the Skeldon plant would be sold. The public later became aware that a Trinidadian firm had expressed interest in the heavily automated Skeldon factory.

Chand later disclosed that no rice was yet planted. This follows his statements in December that only 35 out of 480 acres were levelled off. Chand also told this newspaper on Sunday that only “five workers” would be drafted into the rice venture.

“In one of the documents, they said that they will need about five workers because rice is highly mechanised,” the GAWU President pointed out.

Meanwhile, several former GuySuCo workers have told Guyana Times that they were coping at present, nearly one month

Cummingsburg Accord less than desirable – Patterson

Former AFC General Secretary and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Its signing was instrumental in getting the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) into Central Government.

But 23 months later, the agreement has been deemed “much less than desirable”.

This is according to former AFC General Secretary and Public Infrastructure Minster David Patterson, who said that the day-today administration of the Accord has been problematic, especially at the local level.

“The day-to-day administration of the Accord is much less than desirable.

The interface between the coalition partners at all levels has not been the best.

Although at the Cabinet and ministerial level, the working relations have been excellent, at the lower levels, it has not been so.”

Patterson noted that in order to contest the 2015 General and Regional elections, when the party leadership entered into discussions with APNU, some “tough patches” were experienced.

“But after long and hard negotiations, the Cummingsburg Accord was agreed and signed. The details of the Accord have been the subject of wide discourse, both in the party and the wide society,” he said.

Patterson lauded the performance of the AFC Ministers in Government, noting that they performed well in their respective portfolios. In fact, Patterson referred to his party as “the outstanding party within the coalition Government up to this point”.

“However, not every element of the Cummingsburg Accord has functioned as the framers intended and a number of issues have arisen that need to be addressed in an effort to enhance its effectiveness. The Accord has an initial lifespan of 36 months, ending in February 2018.”

“One of the main weaknesses of the Accord is the silence on the way in which the coalition would treat with the Local Government Elections. The coalition partners, despite some ef-

fort, were not able to reach an equitable political arrangement, which led to a less than satisfactory outcome for those elections.”

“Going forward, as of this conference, a better and sustainable mandatory set of inter-communication methods must be developed and executed to harmonise the work of the AFC, particularly at the party and community levels.”

That being said, Patterson went on to say that the AFC was committed to the coalition and where there are issues, they would be addressed.

According to Patterson, these issues should be ventilated within the party, rather than in public because “it becomes fuel for our enemies”.

“This coalition is good for the country. Let us resolve any issues we have in a consultative manner, rather than in a publicly adversarial manner.”

There have been various criticisms of the Accord.

The Accord had designated responsibilities, such as domestic affairs and chairing of the Cabinet to AFC executive, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

When this did not materialise, the Opposition had noted that Nagamootoo’s role was largely ceremonial.

The PM has always insisted otherwise.

After the results of the AFC NEC were declared on Saturday, President David Granger had issued a congratulatory message to new AFC Leader Raphael Trotman. In the message, the Head of State recommitted to the Cummingsburg Accord.

Sugar operations ended at the Wales Sugar Estate in December last year

after Government ended sugar operations at the Wales Sugar Estate. The workers, however, stressed that they were unsure how they would survive in the coming months.

It was after months of reiterated calls for engagement that several Government Ministers met with the parliamentary Opposition, GuySuCo, GAWU and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), to discuss the way forward for

the sugar industry.

The Ministry of the Presidency had noted late last year that after the documents were perused, a suitable date and time for the next meeting would have been determined.

However, the GAWU President explained on Sunday that this date was yet to be determined.

The long-awaited consultations were held on the very day that sugar operations at Wales ceased (December 31).

The Wales Sugar Estate

is the oldest of the country’s estates and the shutting down of sugar operations were only confirmed after the story broke in a Guyana Times report in January 2016. The closure has affected over 1000 workers directly and thousands more in Wales and surrounding communities.

Over the last several weeks, tractors have been seen transporting punts and other materials from the Wales Estate, reportedly to Uitvlugt and other Estates across the country.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, January 30, 2017

News

Deputy Solicitor General decries abuse from AG …Kissoon attempting to cloud facts – Williams

D

eputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon has accused the Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, of setting up stumbling blocks in place aimed at restraining her from executing her functions and of going to extremes to frustrate her from demitting office.

Kissoon filed a complaint against the Attorney General to the Public Service Commission (PSC) after his most recent action of banning her from presiding over all court matters involving the AG Chambers.

Detailing her abuse from the beginning, Kissoon said Williams would not approve, correct or alter any draft pleadings presented to him prior to court hearings despite those documents being sent to him via email or being given to his Confidential Secretary, Demi Hipplewith, Andrea Marks and other assistants he has retained over the past year.

“Even though reminded regularly this is not done or is done so belatedly and at the ninth hour that I have been embarrassed before the courts or had to resort to my legal acumen to ensure that the State is properly represented. On occasions when legal matters do arise in court, in which I appear in the majority of cases, although the Attorney General, in writing, undertakes to the court to appear

and conduct the matters he does not do so or his appearance is merely cursory,” she outlined.

Kissoon highlighted that on numerous occasions the Attorney General requested adjournments for matters and despite the honourable courts adjourning matters to accommodate the AG, he has continued not to give instructions or examine documents she prepared before they were filed or presented to the Court.

She further claimed that the AG instructed his assistants to refuse to accept any documents or correspondence delivered by her and as a result, she would have to resort to “registering or express mailing him correspondence and “at all times, emailing him and carbon copying relevant recipients”.

The Deputy Solicitor General observed that the concatenation of the aforesaid events were then revealed in the State newspaper where the AG accused her and the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh of conspiracy in the race baiting case against former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

In fact, Kissoon disclosed that the AG was reluctant to file an Affidavit in Answer as required in the matter.

“This was not done even though I diligently prepared a draft Affidavit and presented same to him; he did

Deputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon

not see it fit to peruse or discuss or give me instructions on same. I have records to show my notification and reminders to him,” she stated.

She outlined that while this step, that is to have the Affidavit in Answer filed, was not taken to satisfy the procedure of the court, the court continued to fix a date for the hearing of the matter.

“Adjourned dates are continued to be given in which I have to appear and I am duty-bound to the court who enquire about my course of action. In the Attorney General v Bharrat Jagdeo, I sought to make oral submissions which were put in writing and sent to the court as well as copied to the AG. I was sick between the 5th January

2017 to the 21st January 2017, for which I submitted medical reports and case lists on his request for all matters that would be heard in my absence; all the cases are matters concerning the Attorney General of which the Chambers of the Attorney General has custody,” she stated.

Kissoon highlighted that the AG appeared in court whilst she was on sick leave and applied to the court for leave to file further submissions, which he did not do.

“On the date of the ruling, he did not appear in court but sent Miss Stuart, my subordinate, for the first time to take the decision which was duly made by the court dismissing the appeal as the wrong party was the Appellant and not Miss Artiga. Here I must emphasise that the appeal in this matter was prepared and approved by the Solicitor General, now resigned. I sought to remedy the mistake,” she stated.

Kissoon was adamant that this matter caused the AG to abuse her, to “vilify and libel me in the press”.

The Deputy Solicitor General further highlighted that she resumed duties on January 23, 2017, with the intention of reporting directly to the AG. However, she said she discovered that he was at a meeting and, therefore, went to her office and cleared it of accumulated documents.

Kissoon added that a memo was directed her to cease conduct of all court matters involving the AG Chambers until further notice.

“On the 24th Jan, 2017, in pursuance of AG further humiliating me and seeking to find a reason lawful or unlawful to oust me from my post, he sent members of his admin staff to record from my office all the cases that are contained therein, whatsoever – that means I don’t know – for I deal only in court cases, for which all pleadings and documents are a matter of public record, having been filed. This course of action

The complaint was copied to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

Clouding the facts

Attorney General Basil Williams

employed by him during the last year has been recorded in various memos sent to me by him, with replies,” Kissoon outlined.

In desperately seeking intervention, the Deputy Solicitor General told the PSC: “I always hold the belief that the Public Service is a neutral entity that employs Guyanese regardless of their heritage or ethnicity so long as such persons are qualified in the opinion of the PSC. To the best of my knowledge and belief I have fractured none of the Public Service Rules since I joined the service in 2007.”

She posited that in the prevailing circumstances, the AG has ensured that “I am prohibited and restrained from performing my functions”.

“Commissioners, I respectfully wish to inform you that the course of conduct administered unlawfully by the AG personally upon me is reprehensible, unbearable and malicious, initiated and executed by the AG, Basil Williams, SC, so that I leave the office which I consider through the opinion of my lawyers as CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL,” she stated.

The Deputy Solicitor General also applied to proceed on her deferred leave from since 2016 which was denied by the AG, while she awaits directions from the PSC. She is also requesting permission to leave the country.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General late Sunday evening responded, stating that Government could no longer sustain Kissoon’s unrelenting undermining of its cases. He said having been employed by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime and paid over one million dollars and other benefits per month, Kissoon has been openly supportive of Nandlall and the PPP/C even when seated on Government’s bench.

He further stated that in every case involving now Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C’s surrogates, where the former Attorney General is the opposing counsel, in which Kissoon appears for the AG Chambers, glaring errors have been made.

He said in cases where President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and the Attorney General were sued, Kissoon deliberately disobeyed the instructions of the Attorney General and Solicitor General with regard to challenging the applications on lack of jurisdiction, thereby causing the matters to be protracted, effectively aiding Nandlall in saving face.

“Last week, prior to my departure from Guyana for a Council of Legal Education meeting in Jamaica, I instructed the Permanent Secretary of the Attorney General Chambers/Ministry of Legal Affairs to inform the Public Service Commission of the Chambers’ intention to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Ms Kissoon, and further, to enquire of the PSC’s procedures pertaining to same,” Williams said According to Williams, the Deputy Solicitor General is attempting to cloud the facts of a situation, where there are numerous memoranda issued to her for numerous infractions.

Essequibo man nabbed with ganja

A

28-year-old labourer from the Onderneeming Sand Pit area in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was nabbed by Police in Essequibo on Saturday evening with a quantity of cannabis.

A search was conducted during which Police unearthed a quantity of seeds, leaves and stem suspect-

ed to be cannabis. The substance was found in the man’s right pants pocket.

He was told of the offence, but denied the charge.

The suspect, Audwin Pilgrim, was later taken to the Suddie Police Station where the substance was weighed and amounted to 12 grams. He is presently in Police custody pending charges.

11

monDAY, janUARY 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

12 news

monDAY, January 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

The stats speak for themselves – Natural Resources Minister …despite miners’ fears of decline in sector, unavailability of concessions

N

atural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has responded to critics on the performance of the country’s natural resources sector, emphasising that his statistics speak for themselves.

He defended his record when asked about the criticisms on Saturday, at the Alliance For Change (AFC) National Executive Conference (NEC). Trotman pointed to the level of gold production as an indication of a good job.

“There’re lies and then there’re statistics. We have never had the level of gold production that we’ve had before. Despite the removal of both Barama and BaiShanLin from the forests, we only dropped 15 per cent below where we were in 2015 and 2016,” he said.

“In the area of oil and gas, we are making monumental progressive steps. So I believe that I’m being singled out simply because I’m doing such a good job. It could not be that the natural resources sector is in any peril. In fact, it has been (exceeding) all the expectations of the international financial institutions.”

According to the Natural Resources Minister, if there is a criticism that his performance as Minister was not up to par, “it tells me that I’m doing very well and I will continue to let the statistics speak for themselves”.

The 2017 Budget had included several new taxes, but relative to the gold industry, there was an increase in contributors’ tax from 10 to 20 per cent. This announcement was accompanied by a two per cent

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

tax on gross earnings.

In addition, certain goods and services will now attract Value Added Tax (VAT), while miners would also have to file for income tax returns every year-end.

The new tax measures are scheduled to take effect after they are assented to by

the President and then gazetted. From the outset, however, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has resolutely stood against them.

Concerns

The GGDMA had a meeting at its headquarters on North Road and according to reports, the miners agreed that a letter would be published and also posted to

President David Granger, informing him of their concerns.

It is reported that slowing down production as a form of protest was also suggested, though this was nixed in favour of their request for a meeting with President Granger. According to reports, the miners plan to peacefully protest if a meeting is not granted.

Gold production has been solid, with some 690,000 ounces of gold being declared in 2016. An agreement was also reached between the Finance Ministry, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the GGDMA for concessions.

The Government had announced that the concessions, which include duty-free concessions on imported equipment for small and medium-scale miners, had been renewed last year.

But when Budget 2017 was read, both the GGDMA and the Guyana Women

Miners Organisation (GWMO) were vocal in their criticism of the $250 billion Budget.

The Association had said that the measures could only lead to lower declarations and a decline in the sector. With regard to tax compliance, the GGDMA is of the view that miners will experience difficulty when filing tax returns owing to their locality.

Pertaining to fuel concessions, the Association had complained that benefiting from these concessions was unrealistic as the GEA complicated the matter. In fact, the miners revealed that they no longer had the fuel concession option.

According to the miners, in 2015, VAT was not paid on heavy-duty equipment, matting, spares and other materials. However, the Association lamented, in 2016 VAT was required on these items and a phased reduction was implemented on their concessions.

Nagamootoo appointed AFC’s political adviser

T

he Alliance For Change (AFC) has appointed Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to a newly-created position of political adviser during the party’s National Executive Conference held over the weekend.

The position has no term limit and Nagamootoo will serve on the party’s Management Committee as a full voting member.

Nagamootoo had been nominated to contest for the positions of Leader, Chairman and Vice Chairman, but withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the elections, citing the need to “make space in the party leadership for a new generation of leaders”.

Nagamootoo did, however, contest for a position on the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and won a spot among the 12 elected

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

members of the NEC. Nagamootoo’s political career spans more than 50 years, during which time he served in the People’s

Progressive Party. He then joined the AFC in 2011 and in 2015, was elected Prime Minister under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)-AFC coalition.

Nagamootoo was the AFC’s incumbent Vice Chairman, but did not seek re-election. He took over the vice chairmanship of the party in 2011 following the passing of co-founder Sheila Holder, and also served as acting Chairman since April 2016 when then substantive Chairman Nigel Hughes resigned.

Raphael Trotman was elected Leader of the Party, while Khemraj Ramjattan was elected Chairman and Cathy Hughes was elected Vice Chairperson. Young businessman Marlon Williams is the new General Secretary.

news

13

monDAY, janUARy 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Hundreds attend Region 2 Mash costume display and liberation of Guyana’s turtles. Friendship Primary was next and portrayed the forested regions of Guyana and its majestic rainfall. In the same category, Hampton Court Primary beautifully crafted a representation of the national bird, the Canje Pheasant. Their float was made of natural materials, such as feathers, straws and nibi. The CV Nunes Primary also created a beautiful dis-

play. Friendship Primary copped first place, followed by Hampton Court Primary and Better Hope Primary.

There were also depictions of waterfalls, rose petals and ethnic displays, while the secondary category featured costumes depicting Mashramani messages, in keeping with the theme.

Cotton Field Secondary’s costumes portrayed unity, while Charity Secondary

featured a boat, dubbed “Liberty”, which also highlighted the theme of Mashramani.

The students were colourfully dressed with glittering faces, and many costumes caught the eye, including those from Hampton Court Primary, Cotton Field Secondary and Charity Secondary. These costumes were beautifully designed and expertly presented.

Cotton Field Primary performing for the Judges

H

undreds of children from various primary and secondary schools from across the Essequibo Coast gathered at the Anna Regina Centre Ground on Friday to witness the costume and physical display, as well as the jump rope competition.

The event was organised by the Region Two (Pomeroon-

Supenaam) Department of Education, however, it was noted there were fewer participating schools than in previous years. Abram Zuil and Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary Schools did not participate in this year’s costume competition.

The activity is part of Mashramani celebrations in Region Two and featured chil-

dren displaying appropriate costumes under the theme “Celebrate with Dignity, Liberty and Greater Unity”.

Taking the stage first in the eight-10-year-old individual tropical category was Better Hope Primary.

Teachers from that school were very creative and portrayed turtles in Guyana’s forest. They advocated for unity

Charity Secondary School’s ship titled “Liberty”

G Division presents books Europcar opens in Guyana to Capoey children

A

Chief Inspector Clarence Hutson presenting the books to the children of Capoey

s part of the Guyana Police Force's social crime prevention plan and efforts towards working with youths from various communities, officers attached to G Division (Essequibo Coast-Essequibo Islands) distributed books to children in the Amerindian community of Capoey last week.

Prior to the handing over, the ‘Young Warriors’ youth group was also formed.

Led by the Community Relations Officer, Inspector Syndelin Isaacs and Chief Inspector Clarence Hutson, the team met with the

Toshao and the youths of the Amerindian community. Thus far, 27 young people from the area have indicated their interest in joining the newly-formed youth group.

Inspector Hutson encourage the beneficiaries to use the books as a weapon to boost their literacy level. He also urged them to be positive and to set goals that they could work towards.

Meanwhile, Toshao Melrose Henry expressed gratitude towards the Police from G Division for considering her community. She assured them that youths would make the most of the

activities which would be offered by the group in the near future. Henry also commended the efforts of the new Divisional Commander, Khali Pareshram in forming various groups along the coast. She said with the youth group, children could be involved in meaningful activities and be away from mischief.

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Youth Officer Herald Alves also attended the event. Books were also distributed to several other youth groups in Wakenaam and along the Essequibo Coast.

Fire guts Corriverton...

On that occasion, fire was seen coming from the upper flat of a two-storey building.

Three adults and two children were in the building at the time. Their concern was grabbing some of their personal belongings from the burning building.

Sookram and his friend were on hand and went into operation, as other neighbours joined in. By the time the Fire Service arrived, the

blaze had already been extinguished.

There was no damage to the lower flat, and the occupants continued to live in the upper flat until Friday, when the landlord asked them to remove.

Meanwhile, Ramnarine, a chain boy attached to the Skeldon Sugar Estate, told Guyana Times that when he arrived home on Saturday, it was all over. According

Invitees at the launch of Europcar at Cara Lodge

from page 8

to him, he was at a friend’s house when his wife came and told him what had happened. “When I ask she, she say some fuse box did sparking over the TV and drop on the TV and catch afire…”

The young couple are hoping that they will be able to get their lives back together within a short period of time.

Anyone who wishes to assist can contact them on 6854184.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin inspecting one of the vehicles at the launch on Friday

W

i l d e r n e s s Explorers has partnered with Europcar Suriname to offer visitors and Guyanese a new car rental service, which was launched on Friday night at the Cara Lodge in Georgetown.

The entrance of this company to the local market brings a new level of

service to the industry with its fleet of brand new vehicles and guaranteed delivery to international standards.

Speaking at the launch, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin said that the operation would bring a new standard to the sector. In commending the two companies for the ini-

tiative, he reiterated that the Government of Guyana was committed to prioritising the development of the tourism sector.

Europcar was founded in Paris, France in 1949.

It presently operates in 140 countries around the world. Europcar Suriname has been in operation for the past 11 years.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, January 30, 2017

Regional

Amazon Reef: 1st images of new coral system

T

he first pictures of a huge coral reef system discovered in the Amazon last year have been released by environmental campaigners.

The Amazon Reef is a 9500 sq km (3600 sq miles) system of corals, sponges and rhodoliths, Greenpeace says.

The reef is almost 1000 km (620 miles) long, and is located where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Oil drilling could start in the area if companies obtain permits from the Brazilian Government, the group warns.

“This reef system is important for many reasons, including the fact that it has unique characteristics regarding use and availability of light, and physicochemical water conditions,” researcher Nils Asp, from the Federal University of Para, said in a statement.

“It has a huge potential

The reef runs from French Guiana to the Brazilian state of Maranhao

for new species, and it is also important for the economic well-being of fishing communities along the Amazonian coastal zone.”

Scientists were surprised by the discovery, in April 2016, as they thought it was unlikely that reefs would be found it the area given unfavourable conditions,” they said in a paper in the scientific journal Science

Advances.

The reef ranges from about 25-120m deep (82393ft) Asp now says that his team wants to gradually map the system. At the moment, only five per cent of it has been mapped.

“Our team wants to have a better understanding of how this ecosystem works, including important ques-

tions like its photosynthesis mechanisms with very limited light.”

But Greenpeace says drilling in the area means a “constant risk of an oil spill”.

Campaigner Thiago Almeira said environmental licensing processes for oil exploration there are already under way. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

T&T: More than 50 murders in 28 days

T

hese have been more than 50 murders in 28 days in Trinidad and Tobago and Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley says the “heinous murders” over the recent weeks have been “nothing short of traumatising for the entire nation”.

“The loss of life through violent and unlawful means is wholly unacceptable,” Rowley said in a release issued last night.

“In recent weeks we have seen teenaged school girls being abducted and their young lives brutally snuffed out. Women continue to die through violent means.

We are witnessing scenes where bodies are being dismembered and humiliated for display,” Rowley said.

“Every murder is considered objectionable by the Government but the espe-

Haiti holds final round of election cycle started in 2015

Jamaica focusing on increasing H resort attractions — Bartlett

T

ourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica has adequate time to increase the number of resort attractions available to meet the anticipated growth in visitor arrivals.

“I have been preaching religiously that we have to get ourselves ready to meet the inevitable demands, as it relates to our tourism offerings over the next five years,” Bartlett explained.

In this regard, the Minister emphasised the need for increased investments to develop more diverse attractions, which he believes will be a winning proposition “by any stretch of the imagination”, while highlighting several engagements being undertak-

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett

en to this end.

“J Wray and Nephew Limited is spending some J$1 billion to renovate its Appleton Rum Tour facility in St Elizabeth which is a guaranteed winner. I have told them that based on ev-

erything I am seeing, by way of investments, they will have very little problem meeting or exceeding their annual projections,” Bartlett stated.

He also welcomed the Port Authority of Jamaica’s

Barbados: Politics needs a new image, says UDC Director

T

here needs to be a new image of politics in order to attract the right people to lead Barbados into the future.

Saying that politics was now being perceived as a “nasty” business, Director of the Urban Development Commission Derek Alleyne highlighted that many young persons had lost interest in becoming politicians because of this.

“The age group in Barbados in the 24s to 30s seem to have no interest in what is happening politically,” he said, pointing out

that adults too did not have anything positive to say about politics.

“We do not encourage our kids to get involved . . . and I know that talking to some of the kids of the former Ministers, there is a perception that they get battered so much as children and see the way their parents are treated and things that are said about them that they get turned off,” the former labour officer said.

However, he stressed that there must be change in this view as the only al-

ternative was people only with an interest in gaining power rather than a genuine interest in developing their country.

“If we leave it to those people who will make statements in the short term, whose only interest is in getting their hands on the Government, who have no idea as to where Barbados should go, if we leave it to those people, we will get worse and the quality of politicians will continue to receive the same reviews… that they are wicked,” he said. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

(PAJ) infrastructural upgrade of the fisherman’s beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann, noting that, on completion, the development will be a major tourist attraction.

“We need a lot more initiatives like these and there is still time (to undertake these). There is no doubt that the visitors will be coming. So it’s just a matter for us to put our shoulders to the wheel and get going,” Bartlett urged.

The Minister’s comments come against the background of emphases by local tourism interests of the need to increase the sector’s complement of resort attractions. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

cially abhorrent types of murders occurring in recent weeks have brought an acute sense of terror and trauma to citizens,” he said.

Rowley said the Government will provide law enforcement with all that is humanly possible “under the ambit of the law” to find the criminals and bring them to justice.

“Government sincerely sympathises with all who have lost loved ones to murder and while we share the pain inflicted on the national community by those who engage in violent conduct we continue in our sustained efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

Capital punishment is still on the statute book and Attorney General Faris AlRawi has been dealing with this. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

aiti held a final round of legislative contests as well as long-overdue municipal votes on Sunday, closing a repeatedly derailed election cycle that started in 2015.

President-elect Jovenel Moise’s political faction and its allies are hoping to increase their majority in Parliament with eight Senate runoffs. Voters were also choosing 5500 district authorities in local elections whose tardiness over a decade has exasperated many.

Alix Pierre, a Port-auPrince lawyer and one of hundreds of voters gathered at a polling station in the Canape Vert section of Haiti’s capital, said he was relieved the 2015 electoral cycle was finally concluding.

“It took such a long time to get here,” he said after casting his vote.

Turnout elsewhere appeared to be paltry, with

numerous voting centres in Port-au-Prince serving only a trickle of voters.

In the Port-au-Prince slum of Bel Air, Benite Oramise was the only voter in mid-morning at a school serving as a polling station.

“I hope people will come after more church services are over. We should make our voices heard,” she said.

Across the country, balloting appeared to be mostly calm and orderly. Some 12,000 police officers were deployed — essentially the entire Haitian National Police Force — to maintain order.

There were a handful of disturbances reported by mid-afternoon, including one in the central town of Mirebalais, where somebody threw tear gas outside of a polling station, sending voters into a panic.Moise’s oathof-office ceremony is slated for February 7. (Jamaica Observer )

CDB calls for more action in making shift to sustainable energy

T

he Barbadosbased Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says regional countries have made notable progress in making the shift to sustainable energy, but more must be done to promote and unlock financing for a clean energy shift in the Caribbean.

The CDB was among various regional and international stakeholders that participated in the just concluded Fifth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF-V).

CDB Head of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Tessa WilliamsRobertson, used the con-

ference to outline commendations on how Caribbean Governments can bridge the financing gap that could slow the Region’s progress on achieving its renewable energy targets.

Data show that the Caribbean needs at least US$15 billion in financing to achieve 47 per cent renewable power capacity by 2027.

“As a region, we face a number of constraints to accessing financing for sustainable energy development. These include our small market size and the perceived high risk of investing in the Caribbean,” said Williams-Robertson.

She said that to drive the

right quantity and quality of investments, Caribbean Governments need to ensure their legal frameworks allow and support sustainable energy financing; establish the feasibility and financial viability of the proposed projects; and determine if capacity-building or technical assistance is needed for implementation.

“Concessional financing is also critical to driving sustainable energy innovation in the Caribbean. CDB is pleased to report that we have had successes in mobilising such resources to power a clean energy future for the Caribbean region,” she said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

MONday, January 30, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Global backlash grows against Canada to offer temporary residency to travellers stranded by US Trump’s immigration order

A

global backlash against US President Donald Trump’s immigration curbs gathered strength on Sunday as several countries including long-standing American allies criticised the measures as discriminatory and divisive.

Governments from London and Berlin to Jakarta and Tehran spoke out against Trump’s order to put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily ban travellers from Syria and six other Muslimmajority countries. He said the move would help protect Americans from terrorism.

In Germany – which has taken in large numbers of people fleeing the Syrian civil war – Chancellor Angela Merkel said the global fight against terrorism was no excuse for the measures and “does not justify putting people of a specific background or faith under general suspicion”, her spokesman said.

She expressed her concerns to Trump during a phone call and reminded him that the Geneva

C

People protest Donald Trump’s travel ban from Muslim majority countries at the International terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, US, January 28, 2017

Conventions require the international community to take in war refugees on humanitarian grounds, the spokesman added.

Merkel’s sentiments were echoed in Paris and London; “Terrorism knows no nationality. Discrimination is no response,” said French Foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, while his British counterpart Boris Johnson tweeted: “Divisive and wrong to stigmatise because of nationality.”

Along with Syria, the US ban of at least 90 days affects travellers with passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, including those with dual nationality that includes one of those countries. Trump said his order, which indefinitely bans refugees from Syria, was “not a Muslim ban”, though he added he would seek to prioritise Christian refugees fleeing the country. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Madagascar: Truck crash kills 47, including newly-weds

A

t least 47 people, including 10 children and a newly-wed couple, have been killed in a traffic accident north of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, according to Police.

The incident took place early on Saturday when a truck carrying wedding guests deviated off the road and plunged into a river outside the town of Anjozorobe.

Police spokesperson Herilala Andrianatisaona

told AFP news agency on Sunday that at least 22 people were also injured in the accident.

The Police have blamed the driver for carrying too many passengers on a truck that is only meant to transport goods.

“According to our hypothesis, the truck driver, cognisant of the offence he was committing, which was transporting too many passengers in a vehicle meant for carrying goods, drove

fast to escape traffic Police checks,” Andrianatisaona said.

“The driver lost control of his vehicle after having negotiated a wrong turn and ended up in the Mananara River,” he said. The truck was reportedly transporting guests who were celebrating a wedding a day earlier.

The island nation off the south-east coast of Africa has a population of about 24 million people. (Al Jazeera)

Malaysia boat sinks: 23 Chinese tourists and 2 crew rescued

T

wenty-three Chinese tourists and two crew members have survived after their boat sank in rough seas off eastern Malaysia, officials said.

Shahidan Kassim, a minister in charge of national security, told reporters that six people were still missing, The catamaran sank on Saturday – the first day of the Chinese New Year holiday. It sparked a major air and sea search covering 400 nautical square miles.

“We will deploy search assets that can operate at night, and continue our rescue operations to locate those who are still missing,” Shahidan told a press conference in Malaysia’s eastern state of Sabah.

The catamaran left Kota Kinabalu in Sabah on Saturday at 09:00 lo-

anada will offer temporary residency to any travellers stranded by US President Donald Trump’s orders temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries, a senior official said on Sunday.

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen told a news conference he did not know how many people might be eligible, but said only a small number of passengers trying to fly to the United States from Canada had been denied boarding.

Trump’s abrupt decision on Friday, which also affects refugees, left people around the world uncertain of whether they would be al-

lowed to enter the United States.

“Let me assure those who may be stranded in Canada that I will use my authority as minister to provide them with temporary residency if they need it, as we have done so in the past,” Hussen said.

The government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has so far refrained from criticising the United States, which takes 75 per cent of all Canadian exports, preferring instead to stress Canada is open to refugees.

The Canadian Council for Refugees called on Ottawa to pull out of its socalled Safe Third Country agreement with the United

States, under which Canada returns asylum seekers crossing the US border.

Such a move would be diplomatically insulting and Hussen said the pact would remain unchanged for now.

Local and national politicians in Canada have already condemned Trump’s ban.

On Sunday, the Opposition New Democrats called for an emergency debate in the federal Parliament.

Earlier in the day, more than 200 Canadian technology company founders, executives and investors called on Ottawa to immediately give temporary residency to those displaced by Trump’s order. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India invites Pakistan for Speakers’ summit but Pak unlikely to attend

I

n a potential ice-breaker, India has invited Pakistan for the South Asian Speakers’ Summit which it will host next month in Indore. Pakistan though, top Government sources told Times of India, has declined the invitation.

Other South Asian nations, all members of Saarc, have confirmed their participation for the Summit on achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The conference will be held by Indian Parliament and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Indore, February 18-19.

This would be the first high-level engagement among South Asian nations since the cancellation of the Saarc summit which was to be held in Islamabad in November last year. Enraged by the terror attack in J&K’s Uri, which was carried out by terrorists from across the Line of Control – the de facto border –, India had then isolated Pakistan diplo-

This would be the first high-level engagement among South Asian nations since the cancellation of the Saarc summit, which was to be held in Islamabad in November last year

matically by forcing several other countries to withdraw from the summit.

According to Indian officials, while the Speakers’ Summit comprises Saarc members, it is not per se a Saarc activity and is driven more by IPU. In a first, India had also invited Myanmar for the Speakers’ conference.

Myanmar too is learnt to

have declined the invitation. The last edition of the event was held in Bangladesh and the next one will be hosted by Sri Lanka. PM Narendra Modi had earlier himself directed the Government to host the summit in Indore in line with his initiative to move international conferences out of Delhi. (Excerpt from Times of India)

UK committee to investigate Israeli Embassy scandal

A

China’s Consul General in Sabah checks her mobile phone in Kota Kinabalu, where the stricken vessel began its journey

cal time (01:00 GMT) and was heading towards Pulau Mengalum, a popular tourist island 60km (37 miles) west of the city.

Three crew members were on board the vessel, along with 31 passengers.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said it

received a distress call from the boat but contact was lost soon after.

The owner of the vessel alerted authorities on Saturday night that it had never reached the island, and the search operation was launched. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

committee of UK parliamentarians plans to investigate a scandal surrounding an Israeli diplomat who was caught promising to “take down” Britain’s Foreign Office Minister in an Al Jazeera investigation.

The Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee intends to examine evidence that the Israeli embassy in London, through senior political officer Shai Masot, attempted to interfere in British politics in order to shape the country’s policy towards Israel-Palestine.

“The Government may have formally closed the is-

sue of Shai Masot, but we intend to look into the way foreign states seek to influence UK policy,” said Committee Chairman and Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, as reported by local media.

The Lobby, Al Jazeera’s six-month investigation, exposed Masot’s plans to manufacture a scandal and “take down” Foreign Office Minister Alan Duncan.

The Lobby also uncovered Israel’s extensive, well-financed propaganda campaign in the UK to counter negative news stories about its policies and to fund trips to Israel for

young activists.

As part of the investigation, Robin, an undercover reporter using an alias, infiltrated a lobby of politicians, activists and Israeli Embassy officials working to drum up support for Israel.

Many enjoyed financial or strategic support from the Israeli Embassy in London via Masot.

In the wake of the investigation, Masot was forced to resign from Israel’s UK Embassy, which subsequently attempted to distance itself from Masot’s actions and apologised to the UK. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16 news

MONDAY, January 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

The new Mashramani route Nicolette Fredericks -

Kamelia McPherson -

“I think it’s gonna be too clustered. You will not really be able to see much because Brickdam basically has buildings on both sides of the road.

Whereas with the church street route, you could have stood on both sides of the parade and still have a full view.

The Brickdam route would be limited because you’ll have persons also vending on those parapets in addition to cars and the floats”.

I prefer Brickdam because traffic would be freer and the last time I noticed that it was well organised from the older route. The bands got faster to the Durban park and activities for that day were on time”.

Ariana Medas

I personally think it is quite convenient and more organized than the last time. It is shorter than the usual Camp and Church Street to the National Park route, but more convenient”.

Nikita Hintzen -

Honestly I think it’s bad for tourism because they have made the route shorter and the congestion was real bad last year.

I’m sure that a lot of companies pulled out from participating because of this”.

Learie Barclay-

Garvin Blackman-

“I think it will be much better for the parades to be on Brickdam road. It’ll prevent the city from being so nasty after the celebration as in previous years.

When the celebrations are over, Brickdam will be cleaned and everything would be able to go back to normalcy very quickly so I’m in full support. Also, parents that would taking out the children to enjoy the festivity will be able to better control them and keep watch on them on the new route.”

Andrea Marslowe -

Alex Persaud -

It personally doesn’t bother me but this change would see the vendors and other such persons being placed at a disadvantage as they look forward to garnering sales along the long route ;the short route would mean less vending time for them thereby affecting business”.

Emilda Simpson

Roycelyn Alleyne

“That is so stupid. Why would they do that? Mash is a celebration that people eagerly await each year. People want to walk and have fun and I think that the new route is just limiting the enjoyment of Mash Day. This decision should be immediately reconsidered by the Government.

In my opinion, it doesn’t make sense.”

Malcolm Ferreira -

Well I think that the decision was made when the relevant authorities were probably high on something. Brickdam in my opinion isn’t a very good idea of a route for an event like Mash.

Firstly it is a very narrow piece of asphalt where the countless floats would most likely have to squeeze through to get to Durban Park”.

Secondly it is not family oriented, meaning where would the hundreds of families with their little kids fit? I do not think that the government has thought through this change like the other initiatives implemented; without consideration for the Guyanese citizens, only in their favor and for their benefit.

Ricky Singh-

Sevanie Williams -

I do think it is a good idea. It is a straight route and traffic can always be diverted to either side and I think it may be the ideal route since the gathering will be at Durban Park. On the other hand however, it breaks routine and attends to diversity which reflects our culture”.

It has been a tradition for so long; the parade route from Camp and Church streets leading to the National Park. This is quite hard to break and for some people to accept. I am also of the opinion that the new route is too short and persons prefer parading along the old longer route. Additionally, the national park has been, and still is an ideal venue for families who wish to picnic. On the bright side however, it is convenient for the children’s parade and as there have been incidents of children fainting under the blazing sun on the parade to the National Park”.

In highlighting the rich history of Brickdam, we must consider the history of the Church street route. As a kid, I enjoyed many picnics and family outings to watch and celebrate, Mashramani on the Merriman’s Mall. Many families look forward to the outdoor set up and children get to play and meet new friends. The Merriman’s mall is in much better shape than recent years and I’m certain families would welcome the enhanced surroundings as well as the capacity to accommodate more persons than Brickdam. If the aim is to end up at Jubilee Park, then perhaps we should consider using the church street route and make a right turn at Irving Street and head to the jubilee park”.

It does remove the picnics of the Merriman’s Mall and this route is too short. Otherwise I see no trouble with it”.

“The route for the parade is shorter yes, but Brickdam road is a wide straight road and it would be less hectic. I think people will enjoy it. You won’t have so much confusion, change is always met with scepticism, but people always adjust. I think we should see how it goes this year and then the Government will know how to proceed for years to come.”

Quinoa – next major crop in Guyana

Q

uinoa is an organic grain that is natively grown in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Southern Chile in South America. The grain, which has major health benefits, promises to be the next major crop grown in Guyana.

Based on research carried out by scientists at the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), there is consideration to venture into cultivating the grain in Guyana.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the “health food” was gaining worldwide prominence, since important health benefits were attached.

“We are looking at a crop that was mentioned, I think it was mentioned by His Excellency, I believe the President would have mentioned it, quinoa. Quinoa is one of those health foods that

is gaining prominence worldwide. We have been working with the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) in this regard and very shortly, we will get some seed material from Peru that we can utilise here and it will be done in hinterland areas,” Dr Homenauth explained.

He added that this crop was never planted in Guyana previously and several variety samples would be acquired to determine yields and a way forward with the crop. Quinoa is an herbaceous, tiny, beadshaped grain (seed), with a slightly bitter coating, nutty flavour, and a firm texture. It has more than 200 varieties, which can be mainly classified by areas in which they are grown. Unlike wheat or rice, quinoa is a complete protein – containing all nine of the essential amino acids. Although there are hundreds of cultivated varieties of quinoa, the most common versions available are white, red and black

Quinoa – Cooked and raw (side by side)

quinoa.

It has been recognised by the United Nations as a ‘super crop’ for its significant health benefits. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest. Quinoa contains twice as much fibre than any other grain and also has iron, magnesium, riboflavin (B2), and a high level of manganese.

While quinoa is usually considered to be a whole grain (similar to regular white rice, brown rice and other grains, such as wheat and barley), it is actually a seed, but can be prepared like whole grains such as rice or barley. When

cooked, its grains quadruple in size and become almost translucent.

The whole grain is commonly used by vegetarians and persons practising healthy lifestyles. Consuming quinoa can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, high blood pressure, colon cancer and obesity.

This legume that is both rich in starch and legume nutrients may not be a household name just yet, but after its cultivation and promotion, it can be used as a substitute for rice and other whole grains.

news

17

monDAY, janUARY 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister Cummings calls on Guyanese to reduce stigma attached to leprosy

G

uyana on Sunday joined the rest of the world in observing World Leprosy Day. To raise awareness, a talk to formally launch a month of activities was held at the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam.

Delivering the feature address at the launch was Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings. Dr Cummings noted that the stigma attached to the disease forced infected persons to isolate themselves and not seek the available medical treatment, which was free of cost in Guyana.

“We must be responsible citizens and do whatever we can to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with leprosy,” Minister Cummings stated.

Several trainees were coached in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of patients with leprosy. Also, the Minister noted that the Public Health Ministry was for the first time able to visit Regions One (Barima-Waini); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to follow up, monitor and evaluate the

competence of the trainees who were dealing with leprosy, the Government Information Agency (GINA)

Minister Cummings also stressed that there was great need for peer counsellors within the leprosy pro-

not become defaulters,” the Minister explained.

Country Representative from the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Dr William Adu-Krow said that his organisation was pleased to have supported the Public Health Ministry last year on its Leprosy Control Programme.

He said, “This year 2017, we are committed to

elimination at the national level in Guyana.”

Leprosy control has improved significantly throughout the world owing to national and sub-national campaigns in endemic countries. Integration of basic leprosy services and inter-general health services has made diagnosis and treatment of the disease more accessible.

In 2002, leprosy was thought to have been elim-

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, addressing stakeholders at the launching ceremony of World Leprosy Day at the Palms Geriatric Home

reported.

Minister Cummings stated that “the Ministry of Public Health, through its infectious disease programme, will continue to work tirelessly to improve and ensure the reduction of the prevalence of leprosy in Guyana through coordinated efforts of health promotions, surveillance and prompt access to treatment.”

gramme at the Ministry.

She pointed out that currently measures were being put in place to recruit peer counsellors. This is being done through a collaborative effort with the Social Protection Ministry. “Peer counsellors we believe will provide essential assistance in the area of patient follow-up to ensure patient remain on treatment and do

PAHO/WHO representative, Dr William Adu-Krow at the launching ceremony of World Leprosy Day at the Palms Geriatric Home

continue our support to the Ministry of Public Health in its efforts towards achieving the ultimate goal of leprosy

inated. This was due to the disease detection being fewer than 1 case per 10,000 persons. In 2014, none of

the endemic 122 countries had recorded more than 1 case per 10,000 persons.

However, in 2016, Guyana diagnosed 52 new cases, with Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) being deemed the most affected region.

The Public Health Ministry throughout the month of February will be conducting a number of awareness exercises across the country. The exercises include visits and educational talks at both primary and secondary schools, with 10 schools on the East Bank targeted. There will also be an awareness booth set up at the Giftland Mall on February 18 and 19, followed by a health walk on Brickdam on February 25.

Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms and legs. The disease has been around since ancient times, often surrounded by terrifying, negative stigmas and tales of leprosy patients being shunned as outcasts.

However, the disease is completely curable. Persons with the disease are urged to seek early treatment as this can prevent disfiguring disability related to the advanced stages of leprosy.

GHRA proposes strategies to Special needs school to benefit all combat impacts of mining

T

he Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has made several recommendations to be adopted by indigenous communities seeking to combat the negative effects of mining on their way of life.

A recent GHRA publication entitled, “The Impact of Mining: Survival Strategies for Interior Communities in Guyana”, suggests that unless steps are consciously taken to resist them, the communal dimension of indigenous life will continue to be sacrificed at an accelerating rate due to the negative effects of mining.

The proposed strategies are aimed at reinforcing the communal dimension of life, which will both build capacity for a more autonomous direction of communities and combat the ill-effects of mining.

According to the Association, the threat is significantly greater now than when it first engaged with this problem over 30 years ago.

“Indigenous communities are pressured to a much greater degree to be more ambitious, to improve their material lifestyle and to provide their families with educational opportunities, all of which require access to a cash income which only mining can currently provide,” the GHRA noted.

But the organisation’s study proposes alternative strategies rooted in the life of the community, rather than the “national development experience”. The GHRA said this process was premised on encouraging the community to take responsibility for its own future, rather than being dependent on externally-devised and led interventions – like mining.

“The conventional approach to development promotes an overly individualistic understanding of human rights at the expense of the communal dimension of life in indigenous communities,” the body stated.

The GHRA observed that Guyanese indigenous communities, compared to their Latin American counterparts, have been discouraged from their spiritual and cultural beliefs in which a sense of living in harmony with each other and with na-

A recent GHRA publication entitled “The Impact of Mining: Survival Strategies for Interior Communities in Guyana”

ture is central. Therefore, the central focus of the organisation’s proposed strategies is to strengthen the community as distinct from strengthening individuals within the community.

“Strengthening individual capacities, whether economic, academic, sporting or cultural, must be undertaken in a manner that reinforces rather than weakens the community,” the GHRA said.

The first recommendation is the development of community life plans.

“Indigenous communities should be encouraged to develop a compre-

hensive life plan for the intermediate future. Current economic planning does not go beyond the requirements of funders to access development,” the GHRA documented.

The body noted that these indigenous communities needed a clear vision of where they wanted their communities to be over the next decade, with respect to land territorial boundaries, productive activity, infrastructure, education, language and health.

“Development of such plans involving the whole community is a mechanism both to strengthen the community’s sense of itself, as well as provide purpose and context for evaluating specific plans and proposals brought to the communities,” the body noted. The other strategy is to create support networks, both actual and virtual, aimed at overcoming the isolation and fragmentation of community life induced by mining.

The GHRA outlined that these networks should focus on facilitating contacts between persons outside communities, responding to emergencies, maintaining contact with children in educational institutions on the coast and assisting Amerindians in trouble with the law.

Another strategy is to support actions for women in these communities to address the absence of males from family life; neglect of farming by males which ultimately throws the burden of subsistence onto the wife and children; the increased presence of non-Amerindian miners, traders and other itinerant males and trafficking of young women to mining areas among others.

The study also provides an interactive use of social media, television and radio as a tool for reducing isolation within families and communities.

The full report is available from the GHRA offices at $800 a copy.

Caricom members

C

uban Ambassador to Guyana Julio César González Marchante, along with members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat and Government officials, on Friday visited the construction site of the special needs facility for persons with disabilities located within the compound of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

The Regional Centre for Stimulating the Development of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs Associated with Disabilities is aimed at training persons to manage individuals with disabilities.

The training to be provided includes evaluation and diagnosis, language therapy, occupational therapy, psychological treatment, prevention, rehabilitation and social integration services, with a psycho-pedagogical and socially inclusive approach.

Ambassador Marchante said he was pleased with the progress of the building. The Centre is the fruit of deepening relations between the Caricom Region and the Government of Cuba.

“We will continue developing that; this is one of the proofs, it is something that we can share and we will continue collaborating with Caricom through our relations,” Ambassador Marchante said.

In early December, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, along with

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Ambassador Marchante signed a Tripartite Cooperation and Technical Assistance Agreement at a ceremony held at the Caricom Secretariat.

Guyana will host the Regional Centre which will use Cuba’s extensive experience to assist Caricom Member States to meet the special educational needs associated with disabilities.

Two years ago in Havana at the fifth Caricom-Cuba Summit, it was proposed that Cuba would cooperate with Caricom in nine specific areas, including “the creation of a training centre for the treatment of physical disabilities to assist physically challenged children and youths.”

That Caricom-Cuba Summit came a year after a high-level ministerial meeting in Haiti in 2013 where the Petionville Declaration recommended specific national and regional actions to address the needs of people with disabilities.

The Caricom Secretary General, in his remarks at the signing ceremony, said the project emphasised the interest of all parties to address a very important social and humanitarian challenge facing the Region, and aimed to use Cuba’s extensive experience in this area to assist Caricom Member States in improving the lives of a vulnerable sector of the population.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, janUARY 30, 2017

ARCHIE

You’ll be ready to take on the world, but that doesn’t (March 21- mean you should be impulApril 19) sive. Think first, but don’t hold back once you are ready to make your move.

ARIES

Stay focused on what’s imTAURUS portant to you and what will (April 20- bring you closer to your goals.

May 20) Helping others will add to the knowledge and experience you need to advance.

dilbert

Restrain yourself from GEMINI getting involved in organiza(May 21June 20) tions that may conflict with your beliefs or background.

Emotional manipulation is apparent. Be prepared for some negative consequences.

Pace your actions, and don’t fall into a trap that will lead to (June 21- discord. Engage in striving for July 22) personal gains and exploring the endeavors that fascinate you. Protect your reputation and your health.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Put everything you’ve got into what you want to achieve. Personal and professional perfection will be the result if you stay focused and intent on doing what you do best.

You’ll be torn between VIRGO (Aug. 23- what you want to do and what Sept. 22) you should do. Take care of your responsibilities early so you can enjoy what and who mean the most to you.

Calvin and Hobbes

Your changeable attitude LIBRA will confuse your inner circle.

(Sept. 23Try not to make impulsive deOct. 23) cisions that could disrupt your home and family. Work on improving yourself instead of criticizing others.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Put your time and effort into SCORPIO learning, reconnecting with (Oct. 24people you’ve lost touch with Nov. 22) and making your home more inspiring and conducive to creativity. Physical improvements will boost your confidence.

Not everyone will be on SAGITTARIUS your side. Emotional manipu(Nov. 23- lation will be difficult to deal Dec. 21) with. Don’t let anyone take advantage of your generosity or free-spirited nature.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Be careful what you say CAPRICORN and do. Problems with peers, (Dec. 22relatives and people who opJan. 19) pose your way of thinking can be expected. Protect your assets, possessions and physical well-being.

An unexpected change in AQUARIUS the way you handle financial (Jan. 20or contractual matters will Feb. 19) prove to be advantageous.

Look past any limitations you face and forge ahead.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES You’ll be frustrated by the (Feb. 20- constraints imposed upon you.

March 20) Don’t give in when you can figure out a way to get around any obstacle. Navigate your way to victory.

MONDAY, january 30, 2017

19

Australian Open…

Federer outlasts Nadal for 18th grand slam

A

n incredible Australian Open final went the way of Roger Federer, who edged Rafael Nadal in an epic clash.

Roger Federer clinched an 18th grand slam title with an enthralling five-set win over Rafael Nadal in an Australian Open final for the ages.

The dream clash between the two greats lived up to all expectations on Rod Laver Arena before Federer closed out a 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 win on Sunday.

Federer, who with his victory pushed four ahead of Nadal for majors won, was the aggressor throughout and reaped his reward.

The Swiss maestro secured victory in three hours and 37 minutes for his fifth title in Melbourne and first since 2010.

It also helped him improve on a poor record against Nadal in major finals, having now won three of their nine meetings on the biggest stages in tennis, and his triumph is even more astounding considering he missed six months of 2016 with a knee injury, an absence that meant he was 17th seed in Melbourne.

While Nadal tried his usual strategy of targeting the Federer backhand with his trademark fierce forehand, the 35-year-old managed to dictate more points, many of which he wanted to keep short.

A 14-time grand slam champion, this was Nadal’s chance to close the gap on his rival, but instead it widened and perhaps ended once and for all the conversation regarding the greatest of all-time.

The epic 2009 final between the duo was decided in Nadal’s favour by a poor final set

from Federer, but this edition saw both players step up in a thrilling and other-worldly fifth that was deservedly won by the Swiss.

Just five points were won against serve in the opening six games of the first set on a pleasant Melbourne evening, before an aggressive Federer broke.

With a suspected leg injury, Federer needed the first set, and he proved untouchable on serve to close it out in 34 minutes.

But Nadal went 4-0 up in the second as Federer’s level dropped and, although he did manage to get one of those breaks back, the Spaniard squared the match.

Federer almost gave up serve inexplicably from 40-0 up in the opening game of the third set, but put on a show after holding.

He took a 2-0 lead with three forehand winners, including an incredible shot down the line to set up a break point he converted.

The momentum, so heavily in Federer’s favour to start the fourth, swung again as Nadal broke for 3-1.

Nadal was challenged in the next game before playing arguably the shot of the tournament with an outrageous squash-like forehand cross-court winner to go 4-1 up, a return that cleared the net much to the disbelief of Federer and the Rod Laver Arena crowd.

As the match approached its fourth hour, Nadal forced a deciding set by holding to love, and Federer took an off-court medical timeout.

The break did nothing to slow Nadal, who broke in the opening game of the fifth when Federer sent a forehand wide.

Nadal kept being challenged and

S

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry shoots the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Raymond Felton during the third quarter at Oracle Arena

Roger Federer is congratulated by Rafael Nadal after winning their Men’s Final

Federer’s pressure would eventually pay off, a backhand cross-court winner followed by an error from the Spaniard finally seeing him break back for 3-3.

After winning an extraordinary 26-shot rally with a forehand winner down the line, Federer remarkably broke again in the eighth game.

tephen Curry bombed in five three-pointers in a personal 25-point, third-quarter explosion, helping the Golden State Warriors run away from the Los Angeles Clippers in a 144-98 victory on Saturday.

The All-Star starter, playing at home for the first time since the formal announcement last week, poured in a game-high 43 points, delivering the Warriors (40-7) an eighth consecutive regular-season win against their Western Conference rival.

The 46-point victory margin was the Warriors’ biggest of the season. The Clippers, meanwhile, had not previously lost by more than 26 this year.

Curry swished a 51-foot buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter but his best was yet to come.

He connected on eight of his 11 shots, including five of his eight three-point attempts in the third quarter, during which the Warriors went for 45 points and ran off to a 117-74 lead.

Despite not playing in the fourth period, Curry recorded his third 40-point game of the season and came within three of his season-high, set in November against New Orleans.

Kevin Durant contributed 23 points and a team-high seven assists, and Klay Thompson had 16 points for the Warriors, who notched their fifth straight home win.

Curry (9-for-15), Durant (3-for-4) and

Momentum threatened to swing again as Federer went 15-40 down when serving for the title, but he recovered to secure a famous victory with a forehand winner, the celebrations delayed by a Nadal challenge that would prove incorrect, prompting a raucous ovation from the crowd. (SportsMax)

Thompson (2-for-3) combined for 14-for-22 shooting from three-point range, as the Warriors made half their 34 attempts from beyond the arc as a team.

Curry also found time for a team-high nine rebounds and six assists, helping Golden State gain a 48-32 advantage on the boards and record 30plus assists for the 31st time this season with 35.

The Warriors are now 30-1 when logging 30 or more assists in a game.

Blake Griffin, playing for just the second time since returning from knee surgery, led the Clippers with 20 points.

J.J. Redick added 13 points for Los Angeles (30-18), which has not beaten the Warriors in the regular season since Dec. 25, 2014.

The Clippers fell to 1-4 since losing star guard Chris Paul to thumb surgery.

The Warriors gained an immediate upper hand in the game when Griffin drew two early fouls and was pulled in the contest’s fifth minute.

Golden State went up by as many as 11 in the quarter, then pulled away with a 41-point second period that featured 5-for-5 shooting on three-pointers.

Curry had two threes in the run, including his curtain-closer on the half from one step beyond half court.

The Warriors led 72-51 at halftime. (The Sports Xchange)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, january 30, 2017

India v England, 2nd T20I, Nagpur…

Bumrah’s kiss of death levels series

J

asprit Bumrah bowled a brilliant final over to give India a thrilling five-run win over England in the second Twenty20 international to level the series on Sunday.

With England needing eight to win in Nagpur, Bumrah removed Joe Root and Jos Buttler, the former wrongly given lbw, and conceded only two runs.

Ben Stokes (38) looked to be taking England to their target of 145 before falling lbw to Ashish Nehra (3-28).

Opener KL Rahul earlier made 71 from 47 balls in India’s 144-8.

That was three runs fewer than India managed in England’s comfortable seven-wicket win in the first T20 game in Kanpur, but this chase was more challenging on a slower, lower surface.

And though the majority of England’s attack impressed, their spinners were outbowled by India’s, with pace bowlers Nehra and Bumrah making telling contributions at each end of the visitors’ innings.

England needed 24 from the last two overs, but were made favourites by the hitting of Buttler, who took 12 from Nehra’s final three balls, complete with a bottom-handed fetch over the long-on fence.

It was left to jerky right-armer Bumrah to defend eight runs off the concluding six balls, which began with a slice of fortune that saw Root adjudged leg before, despite an inside edge, departing for a run-aball 38.

From there, Bumrah befuddled England with changes of length and pace - the tourists only laid bat on one of the last five deliveries, and even that was a Moeen Ali miscue for a single.

When a swiping Buttler was bowled, England’s best hope went with him, and Moeen failed to make contact when a six was needed off the final ball.

England’s chase was dealt an early blow by 37-year-old left-armer Nehra, who learned from the way the tourists bowled back-of-a-length to have openers Sam Billings and Jason Roy caught on the leg side from successive deliveries.

From 22-2, Root rebuilt in the company of captain Eoin Morgan, England happy to accumulate in the face of the accuracy of the India spinners as only three boundaries came in one 10-

over period.

It took the power hitting of Stokes to ignite the chase, the left-hander making the most of a reprieve after being bowled by a no-ball by spinner Amit Mishra, from the first delivery he faced.

Muscling the ball to longon for two fours and two sixes, Stokes looked to be in control of the pursuit before being pinned in front by the returning Nehra.

When he departed, England required 28 from 19 deliveries. As Bumrah and Nehra excelled, they managed only 19, and 10 of those came from two Buttler blows.

Whereas India’s spinners used the conditions to squeeze

England in the middle overs, the home batsmen pounced on slow bowlers Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson.

Rashid, who did not bowl in Kanpur, and Dawson, in the side for paceman Liam Plunkett, conceded a combined 44 runs from their five overs.

Rahul, who averages 64.50 in his seven T20 internationals, took each of them for a leg-side maximum to go with the sweet cover drives he played off the fast bowlers.

Along with the rest of the middle order, Rahul was tied down by Moeen, the off-spinner returning excellent figures of 1-20 to give him a collective 3-41 from eight overs in the series, with only one boundary conceded.

Rahul eventually lofted Chris Jordan to deep mid-wicket, the second of three wickets for the Sussex paceman who also could have had Virat Kohli lbw for seven.

The reprieved Kohli went on to punish Tymal Mills, who recovered as part of a controlled display

by England’s pace attack, particularly at the death.

But by then, the damage had been done.

The deciding third match takes place in Bangalore on Wednesday. (BBC)

Jasprit Bumrah rejoices during his match-winning final over © AFP

SCOREBOARD India innings (20 overs maximum) V Kohli* c Dawson b Jordan 21 KL Rahul c Stokes b Jordan 71 S Raina c Jordan b Rashid 7 Yuvraj Singh lbw b Ali 4 M Pandey b Mills 30 MS Dhoni† b Jordan 5 H Pandya run out (Jordan) 2 A Mishra run out (Ali/Jordan) 0 J Bumrah not out 0 Extras (lb 1, w 3) 4 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 144 Did not bat: A Nehra, YS Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Kohli, 4.1 ov), 2-56 (Raina, 7.4 ov), 3-69 (Yuvraj Singh, 10.3 ov), 4-125 (Rahul, 17.2 ov), 5-139 (Pandey, 18.5 ov), 6-143 (Pandya, 19.3 ov), 7-144 (Mishra, 19.5 ov), 8-144 (Dhoni, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Dawson 2-0-200, Mills 4-0-36-1, Jordan 4-0-22-3 (1w), Stokes 3-0-21-0 (1w), Ali 4-0-20-1

(1w), Rashid

3-0-24-1

England innings (target: 145 runs from 20 overs) J Roy c Raina b Nehra 10 S Billings c Bumrah b Nehra 12 J Root lbw b Bumrah 38 E Morgan* c Pandya b Mishra17 B Stokes lbw b Nehra 38 J Buttler† b Bumrah 15 M Ali not out 1 C Jordan not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 4, nb 1) 8 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 139 Did not bat: LA Dawson, TS Mills, AU Rashid Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Billings, 3.1 ov), 2-22 (Roy, 3.2 ov), 3-65 (Morgan, 10.1 ov), 4-117 (Stokes, 16.5 ov), 5-137 (Root, 19.1 ov), 6-138 (Buttler, 19.4 ov) Bowling: Chahal 4-0-330, Nehra 4-0-28-3, Bumrah 4-0-20-2, Mishra 4-0-25-1 (1nb), Raina 4-0-30-0 (2w)

closes Tuesday

T

he Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has, to date, facilitated the transfer of eleven (11) players even as the mid-season transfer window period closes on January 31, 2017. Eight (8) Elite clubs are among those in the transfer list to date including three (3) players from Alpha United FC and one from Slingerz FC respectively.

Among the clubs which would have benefitted from transfers are the Guyana Defence Force FC (4), Northern Rangers FC (2), Victoria Kings FC (4) and Buxton United FC (1).

Competitions Director of the GFF, Ian Alves, said a Domestic Transfer, in order to be procedurally correct, must involve the Former Club, the player, the former Regional Member Association (RMA), the new club and the new RMA. The transfer will be considered complete until all of the named entities are informed and involved and provided that none has legitimate concerns with the attempted transfer.

The process for the Domestic Transfer is as follows: 1. The new club confirms the player has an interest in the transfer and, if so, the new club makes contact with the former club to negotiate the transfer agreement; 2. If it’s agreed upon, the new club collects the transfer docu-

GFF Competitions Director Ian Alves

ment from the relevant RMA; 3. Each entity involved fills and signs their part namely on the form; player, former club, new club; 4. The form is then submitted to the relevant RMA which confirms the authenticity of the involvement of each party; 5.

Everything being in order, the RMA approves the transfer and gives a copy to the new club; 6. If the player is being transferred across RMA, the new club takes their copy of the form to their new RMA so that the player can be registered within that RMA and cleared for participation as a player of that club It is important to note that the GFF is the RMA for Elite Clubs.

To date, there has not been any international transfers.

Tallawahs will

miss irreplaceable Gayle – Powell

T

alented West Indies rising star Rovman Powell admits that it will be sad for the Jamaica Tallawahs team to lose star batsman Chris Gayle ahead of the new Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season.

The big left-hander, who captained the Tallawahs to the title last season, revealed late last year that he would be moving to St Kitts and Nevis Patriots ahead of the 2017 season. The 23-year-old Powell one of the standout players in the Jamaica team’s title run is convince the Gayle will be a big miss as the team looks to defend its crown.

“To be honest, I am a little down about it, because he captained me in the last edition of the CPL and we are the champions now, but you can never replace a Chris Gayle, he’s that good of a player,” Powell told Realsport.

The big-hitting batsman will now ply his trade for the Patriots in the fifth edition of CPL

“We all wish him all the best while he is playing for St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, and please, don’t destroy us,

if he could just go a little easy on us,” a jovial Powell added. (SportsMax)

YELLOW PAGES MONday, january 30, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS

optician

“Conferences & Retreats – Full Service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities. Aracari Resort WBD – 264 2946 Alex Wayne”

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 4446376, Corriverton: 339-3536, MetenMeer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

“Weddings & Anniversaries: Rental or Full Service: Banquet Hall & Catering.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264 2946 Alex Wayne” “Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbor Bridge) – All Modern Amenities – Rates from $25. Phone 264 2946-8”

Business Opportunity Businessman interested in restarting a profitable venture. Need approximately $10 Million for 2 years, Lucrative Returns Safe. Email: businessopportunity12@yahoo.com or businessopportunity@yahoo.com.

Mobile: 641-7074 Complete package, key cutting machine plus 1000 blank keys:.Price: $450,000. Vers Realty: To Rent Office Space & Store Front, 17 Brickdam & Smyth Street, Stabroek, Georgetown Guyana. Tel: 223-1217 Or 600-5759

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

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

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

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

EDUCATION REGISTER - learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard and train your voice NOW OR in the Summer. Call 225-1151/ 657-8404 Learn to Play Music at Foundation7: Call NOW: 225-1151/6578404

FOR SALE PPP SERIES TOYOTA PREMIO FOR SALE, WITH A/C, ALARMS AND MUSIC SYSTEM FULLY FUNCTIONAL. CONTACT: 6552867 Powerline Battery Water/wholesale. 1 litre and 0.5 litre sizes. Tel: 680-3863 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 226-5053.

flowers

health Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 MondaysSaturdays 9am-3pm. Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com FOR YOUR HEALTH AND BEAUTY: Natural Choice Chai (Tea) & Moringa Powder, keep yourself healthy and beautiful from the inside out! Add Natural Choice products to your health foods today! Ask for it at your local supermarket. Now available at Flambouyant Supermarkets in Diamond and Eccles, all DSL Cash & Carry branches, The Guyana Shop (GMC) at Robb & Alexander Sts, Bourda, Medi Care Pharmacy in South Ruimveldt, (Royal Castle Building), Ram’s Supermarket at Vreed-En-Hoop and Sangeeta Supermarket in Linden.

HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now.

Jesus Cares.

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

SPIRITUAL HEALING: REMOVE BLOCKAGE , VOODOO, HEXCURSE, BLACK MAGIC, SPELL, BUSINESS, UPLIFTMENT, PREGNANCY, LOVE & MARRIAGE PROBLEMS, CLEARANCE ETC. Contact: 612-1975, 683-5228

taxi services

TO LET

prIVATE INVESTIGATION SERVICES: polygraph testing, cheating spouse, background checks, criminal investigations, private investigations, security survey – risk analysis, due diligence, bodyguard service, security consultancy, any other worldwide services. Contact Central Advisory Service – email: internationallpi1@ yahoo.com. Tel : 592-630-4041

property for sale ONE 2-STOREY, RECENTLY, RENOVATED PROPERTY – CONCRETE AND WOODEN STRUCTURE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BACK, SUB – LOT KITTY. EACH LEVEL HAS 2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATHROOM, KITCHEN, DINING / LIVING ROOM. $28M NEGOTIABLE. CONTACT. TEL 693-0003 (DURING BUSINESS HOURS) PROPERTY FOR SALE IN ENTERPRISE SCHEME. 1 LARGE FAMILY HOME, 4 BEDROOM, FULLY GRILLED, 2-CAR GARAGE, RESERVOIR, OVERHEAD TANKS AND WATER FILTRATION, ETC. CALL/ WHATSAPP NAVIN: 1-347-517-7432 Two buildings on lot at 180 Charlotte Street. L 20 x W 30. Contact Tel: 6247341, 227-6817, 226-5183. Price Neg.

GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks.

Get your extra key today.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997

Land for sale. 1.5 Acres WBD. Close to Plantation Walk, Vreed-En-Hoop. Call: 658-0115 Plot of land used to cultivate RICE, Plantation Better Hope, Essequibo Coast. Size 33.14 Acres. Tel: 625-1514

immigration

KEY CUTTing

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

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653

LAND for sale

Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. Mon Repos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park: $20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp & Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence (land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmonie (land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521

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

Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

spirituality

SALON / SPA “COSMETOLOGY – FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000.

Aracari Salon & Spa, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927”

services Technician – specializes in repairing and servicing to washing machines, pressure pumps, refridgerators, exercising machines, treadmills, stove/ranges, dryers, ovens, pressure washers, solar systems, water heaters. Tel: 673-9283 PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE. CERTIFICATE TRAINING COURSE IN JANUARY 2017. REGISTER NOW AND GET 50% DISCOUNTFOR CHRISTMAS UP TO 31ST DECEMBER. CALL: 6948322 OR 671-9603 House plans & estimates, weeding of grass & spraying done within 48hrs.

Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464 Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

UNFURNISHED BOTTOM FLAT – 2 BEDROOMS, BATHROOM, KITCHENETTE, DINING/LIVING ROOM, PRE-PAID METER. QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD – KITTY. NO CHILDREN. NO PETS. SUITABLE FOR STUDENTS OR SINGLE WORKING PERSONS. $55,000 PER MONTH. 2 MONTHS SECURITY DEPOSIT. RENT CONTRACT FOR 6 – 12 MONTHS. CONTACT 693-0003 (DURING BUSINESS HOURS)

VACANCY ONE ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTION / MANAGER TO WORK AT CLUB PURPLEHEART ON THE ESSEQUIBO COAST. MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN SAID FIELD. ACCOMODATION AND ATTRACTIVE SALARY OFFERED. CONTACT – 226-9768 HOUSEKEEPER – 624-0033 CUSTOMER/SALES ASSISTANT – 624- 0033 PUMP ATTENDANT – 680-3863 DRIVER/COMPANY – 680-3863

FAST GROWING FOOD DISTRIBUTION COMPANY SEEKING A BOOK KEEPER / INVENTORY CLERK, EXPERIENCE AND POLICE CLEARANCE NEEDED CALL FOR INTERVIEW 231-8344, 223-1027 OR 223-1034

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST TOYOTA COASTER BUS EXCELLENT CONDITION PRICE: $1.95 MILLION CONTACT: 266-3173-6

Hetmyer T

he West Indies Cricket Board has advised that Shimron Hetmyer be fined for a breach of the Code of Conduct during the second round of matches in Group “B” play of the Regional Super50 Tournament.

Hetmyer admitted to the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Mervyn Jones, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing.

Hetmyer was reported by on-field umpires Jonathan Blades and Leslie Reifer Jr, along with reserve umpire Troy

for

Tudor, for a Level 1 breach of the Code of Conduct during the match between the Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions last Thursday at Kensington Oval.

The left-handed Jaguars opener

Shimron Hetmyer

pitch

s l a m m e d his bat into the following his dis-

missal which contravenes the Code through abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, or ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.

Jones imposed a fine of 25 per cent of the player’s match fee for the breach of paragraph 1.1 of the Code.

Umpire Goberdhan aiming for greater heights

A

fter scoring 91% at the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) oral and practical examinations in November last year, local umpire Yogeshwar Goberdhan is seeking to continue climbing the ladder in local and hopefully regional and international cricket.

The elated Goberdhan in speaking to Guyana Times Sport in a recent interview said “ I am very happy, wherever it takes me, I’m willing to go; I am fully qualified now so I will want to climb the regional ladder and beyond”.

At age 42, the umpire says that though his career might short-lived but still plans to do his best as there are allot of opportuni-

Yogeshwar Goberdhan

ties now for umpires in the region.

With six years of experience under his belt, is extremely appreciative of the advice given by the international umpires Nigel Duguid

and Eddie Nicholls and is urging more younger persons to get involved in the sport, as the younger the join, is the greater chance they have of having a long and successful career.

As advice to those still practicing the profession, Goberdhan disclosed that the keys to success are remaining discipline, focused, impartial and most importantly keep abreast to the laws of the sport as they are constantly being updated.

The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) along with WICUA secretary Vivian Johnson, sent congratulatory messages to Goberdhan and other successful umpires.

Blyden hits ton on UWI debut

G

uyanese Travis Blyden was in ripping form on Saturday, scoring a century in his first match of Trinidad and Tobago East North East three day league for his new team University of the West Indies (UWI) against Sandre Grande’s

1 TOYOTA ALLION 2004 MODEL TEL: 681-3004

SALES GIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL, BRASSONIC Bldg. (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST, GEORGETOWN. 231-7101

21

breach of WICB Code of Conduct

PPP SERIES TOYOTA PREMIO FOR SALE, WITH A/C, ALARMS AND MUSIC SYSTEM FULLY FUNCTIONABLE CONTACT: 655-2867

WANTED

sports

Dreadnoughts Cricket Club.

Playing at home at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground, UWI St.

Augustine the right handed batsman, who signed on to the team as player/ coach, was instrumental for his team on the first day as he stroked 103 runs which included 14 boundaries.

This came after UWI won the toss in weather conducive for cricket and decided took first strike.

Blyden, who formerly represented Rahamut’s Evergreen as their captain and overseas professional guided his team to a commanding total of 316-6 at close on day one.

He was supported by opener Keron Thomas, who made an attractive 63 runs with 10 boundaries and Jasbour Findly who contributed 38 runs. The two overnight batsmen are Akim Chandler on a quick-fire unbeaten 47 and seven

Travis Blyden

boundaries and Christanja Carey with 24 not out.

The pick of the bowlers for Dreadnoughts was Jewan Ramroop with 2-56, Andell Ruiz 1/23 and Keron Joseph 1/74.

Play is scheduled to continue on February 4 at the same venue.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONDAY, january 30, 2017

Petra/Limacol Round-Robin Knock-out football…

– defending champs Milerock, Winners Connection victorious

T

he Linden teams in the 2nd annual Petra Organised Limacol round-robin knock-out football tournament have certainly made their presence know with three commanding victories.

Following Eagles FC 2-1 win over Uitvlugt on Friday evening at the Leonora Stadium, defending champions Milerock and Federal Winners Connection notched commanding victories on Saturday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda.

Milerock, who had stuttering start to their campaign last year, had an authoritative showing against a youthful and talented Northern Rangers, winning 2-1 via goals from Troy Lewis and Akeem Green.

Lewis opened the scoring for the champions with a spectacular free- kick from the

on the edge of the penalty area that rocketed into the top half of the net in the 10th minute.

The men in green and black were not satisfied as they were relentless in their pursuit for another goal but some steely defending and nippy counterattacks by the Rangers kept the game in the balance.

Favour finally found Milerock, as Green orchestrated his own counter attack, with a solo effort down the left wing, unleashing a classical kick with his right foot, beating the diving keeper in the 45th.

Rangers certainly had an invigorating second half, threating the Linden’s defence on multiple occasions but a lack of organized set pieces thwarted any fruitful chances.

Devon Johnson introduction late in the second half had an immediate effect on the game,

Current Points Standings Group-A

Milerock marksmen Akeem Green (left) and Troy Lewis

with his first run at goal needing the keeper to enact a diving response.

Johnson eventually scored from a free-kick 20 yards from goal in the 90+1, giving his side a much needed consolation goal.

In the earlier match, Winners Connection won 3-1 via strikes from Gary Thompson

McKinnon hits target in P&P Insurance practical shoot

T

he 2017 season for the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) got underway with the practical pistol match last Saturday January 21 at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Timehri Range with Ryan McKinnon prevailing with as the top shooter. The event which was sponsored by P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants, saw McKinnon scoring 243.74 to ascend to the top of the point standing in the four stage event.

Arafat Qualander with 177.38 placed second while Harold Hopkinson 169.47 filled the third position.

The event saw local practical shooters testing their skills in four dynamic stages setup by the GSSF Match Committee competing for the top three prizes.

Prior to competition, President of the Federation, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon in her opening remarks, welcomed the shooters and encouraged all to follow the strict safety rules set out by the discipline and introduced the Match Director David Dharry. Members then commenced the afternoon with a shoot-off as a mark of respect to fellow sport shooting colleague, Eon Caesar who passed during December 2016.

The Match was then declared open. Four stages were set up side by side, and included paper targets, steel plates, and falling steel “poppers.” Shooters participated in the match, all under the Limited Division, USPSA Rules, with two persons shooting under the “Major” category (shooting higher than 9mm calibre). USPSA provides Minor and Major scoring based

Prizewinners of GSSF’s Practical Pistol Match sponsored

by P&P Insurance Brokers. Winner Ryan McKinnon in centre, flanked on the left by Mohamed Qualander (2nd) and on the right by Harold Hopkinson (3rd)

on power factor. Targets are divided into the scoring areas A, C and D with Minor and Major points 5-3-1 and 5-4-2 respectively. Scoring for practical shooting is done by recording the competitor’s time with an electronic device which ‘hears’ the shots and records the time from the audible beep which signals the start to the sound of the last shot fired. The targets are then scored and the total score gained is divided by the time recorded for that competitor the result of which is termed a Hit Factor. Thehighest HF will win that stage. Ultimately a balance of short times and accurate shooting is required.

Scores were computed shortly after the last shot was fired by Stats Officer, Dr. Pravesh Harry, and the prize order was as follows: first – Ryan McKinnon – 243.74 (MINOR), second– Arafat Qualander – 177.38 (MAJOR), third – Harold Hopkinson – 169.47 (MAJOR).

P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants branded Trophies for the Overall 1-3 Winners in the Limited Division were presented

Milerock’s forwards certainly kept the city side on their heels throughout the match

by Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, President of the GSSF. Vikash Panday representing the sponsor company, P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd. located at Lot 35 North and King Streets, Georgetown, reiterated his support for theFederation and for this Match which for the second year has been kindly sponsored and will be an annual event on the GSSF’s shooting calendar.The Board of Directors wishes to commend the Match Director, Range Master, Stats Officer, Range Officers and the shooters for ensuring an efficient event. Special thanks also to Lt. Col. Doodnauth, the Guyana Defence Force, Commissioner of Police Mr. Seelal Persaud, Asst. Commissioner Mr. David Ramnarine, the ranks of TSU and the Guyana Police Force, the Media and GSSF members for their support in promoting sport shooting amongst all Guyanese.

Sincere thanks were extended to CEO, Mr. Bishwa Panday of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd.

(13th), Sedrick Hunte (32nd) and Rawle Gittens (69th) while Kevin Padmore scored in the 78th for Grove Hi-Tech.

Tonight, action will continue at the same venue with Winners Connection playing Rangers from 18:30 hrs followed by Guyana Police Force FC against Camptown from 20:30 hrs.

The top teams are competing for a $500,000 first place prize while second to third will receive $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively.

In addition, the top teams in the groups will be rewarded $100,000, $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000.

Other than title sponsors Limacol, the organisers have also managed to gain the support of Bank DIH under their GT Beer brand, Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall.

Admission to the venue is $500.

Team

GP

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

Pts

Winners Connection

1

1

0

0

3

1

+2

3

Milerock

1

1

0

0

2

1

+1

3

Northern Rangers

1

0

1

0

1

2

-1

0

Grove Hi-Tech

1

0

1

0

1

3

-2

0

Team

GP

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

Pts

Western Tigers

1

1

0

0

2

1

+1

3

Eagles

1

1

0

0

2

1

+1

3

Uitvlugt

1

0

1

0

1

2

-1

0

NA United

1

0

1

0

1

2

-1

0

Team

GP

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

Pts

Den Amstel

1

1

0

0

2

0

+2

3

Santos

1

0

0

1

1

1

0

1

Ann’s Grove

1

0

0

1

1

1

0

1

Pouderoyen

1

0

1

0

0

2

-2

0

GP

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

Pts

Guyana Police Force 1

0

0

1

2

2

0

1

Mahaica

1

0

0

1

2

2

0

1

Riddim Squad

1

0

0

1

1

1

0

1

Camptown

1

0

0

1

1

1

0

1

Group-B

Group-C

Group-D Team

Greaves wants to personal record

By Romario Samaroo

F

ollowing Roraima cyclist, Alanzo Greaves wining the opening race for the new season, he has set himself a personal challenge to better his previous best of wins in a season.

Greaves is off to a flying start, though in quiet unusual the circumstances, he won the 24th annual Ricks and Sari 35-lap school boys and invitational race after crossing the finishing line with a punctured tyre in a time of one hour, 18 minutes and 10 seconds, fending off the setbacks of two punctures during the race.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport Greaves indicated that his 2016 season was a dark one, having been serving a one year ban but returned to win a few races at the end of the season and is banking on making 2017 memorable.

The most feared cyclist, who now adorns the ‘Core 8’ cycling team out of the United States uniform, mentioned that his personal best season was the 2014 season where he won the

most races, is aiming to better that come this season.

“Well my aim for 2017 is to beat my stride of wins, currently it is 23 wins in 2014 so this year I want to get like 30 wins.” Greaves anticipated.

He acknowledged that it would not be an easy task to achieve, saying that “it is going to be very hard to complete but I just have to keep focus and dedicate to my cycling and I think I can do it.”

Though immediately following Saturday’s race would have been the off season, a lot of riders were resting, and Greaves did not stop training, adjudging his win to that.

“You know it was off season, now the guys preparing to get their fitness up back but last year I did not come off my bike, I kept on training and training so right now I could say I got the advantage because I was training through the off season.” Greaves stated. He pointed out that it was remarkable to win the race having face two punctures but attributed it to his high fitness

break

Alanzo Greaves

level and thanked Walter GrantStuart, whose bike he rode after his first puncture.

Prior to the opening race of the 2017 season, the Roraima rider returned to competitive cycling in November, just in time to compete in the National ThreeStage, immediately making an impact upon arrival.

Greaves snatched the 20-lap race from team Cocos Hamza Eastman and came second behind Continental rider Geron Williams in stage one eventually finishing fourth overall in the Three-Stage event in a time of four hour 40 minutes and 30 seconds.

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, january 30, 2017

GCB executives return

Ming, Jeffrey off to impressive start in new season

– no election held

O

n Sunday the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at its La Bonne Intention (LBI) Board Hostel and for a second successive time its election was not held.

This means that all the executives have returned to their positions unopposed, due to the Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of October 2016.

Those nominated for posts at last October’s OGM were Drubahadur (President), Fizul Bacchus (Vice President), Anand Sanasie (Secretary), Virendra Chintamanie (Assistant Secretary), Anand Kalladeen (Treasurer), Rajendra Singh (Marketing Manager), Colin Europe (Competitions Chairman), Rayon Griffith (Chairman of National Selectors) and Nazimul Drepaul (Junior Selector).

According Secretary of the Board, Sanasie, because of challenges against the Cricket Administration Act there could not be an election. “A motion that came from the OGM as it relates to nomination for position on the executive committee of the GCB was presented, as was done in October as required by the constitution of the GCB, that motion was accepted, but because of a pending Court matter, in

Kristian Jeffrey

T

Several of the GCB executives (from left to right): Colin Europe, Anand Kalladeen, Anand Sanasie, Drubahadur, Fizul Bacchus, and Rajendra Singh

which a number of plaintiffs including the GCB have challenge certain aspects of the Cricket Administration Act, it was ruled that there cannot be any election by bodies that falls under the Act and GCB is one such body.”

Additionally, Sanasie said the motion before the AGM clearly indicated that there was only one nomination for each of the positions, at that stage it was entered into the minutes and that nomination stands until the process of election is complete.

The Secretary informed that the AGM was attended by 13 representatives from Berbice, who shared their concerns. “…surprisingly, and what is good for cricket is that there was an entourage that came down from Berbice that amounted to 13 representatives from Berbice, most of them representa-

tive of First Division clubs in Berbice… some of them are executives, but came in the capacity as representative of their clubs… We listened to their issues and so on, and they have pledged to resolved issues in the Berbice area, some of them that has nothing to do with the GCB, but two of which address the issue of their attendance,” Sanasie detailed.

He further stated that the other areas county board were represented; “Both of the other areas, the county boards were present, with the full amount of delegates, everything was discussed and resolved at the meeting.”

However, it is unclear who represented the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) because there are no legitimate DCB due to an ongoing Court matter.

Sanasie also stated that over the last four to five

23

years a lot of cricket has been played and the sport has not suffered. In contrast to what Sanasie said, there was no limited overs competition in 2016 to prepare the National Team for the ongoing Regional Super50 tournament or to identify emerging talent. He did state that the Board has no control over the weather, but will ensure that the competitions are completed in 2017.

This will be done because of a scheduled the administrators came up with, so hopefully the weather would not affect them. Why this scheduled was not in place prior to 2017?

Additionally, if the sport has benefitted then it means the players have benefitted as well, but with the amount of talented and top players playing professionally overseas this is yet to be proven.

wo of Guyana’s premier race car drivers Calvin Ming and Kristian Jeffrey have managed to shift gears in the right direction, to produce a stellar start to their 2017 season.

Ming, competing in the FIA Fórmula 4 NACAM in Mexico, was simply outstanding, winning his 17-lap race in a time of 26:01.252 seconds, six seconds faster than teammate Manuel Sulaiman, who clocked 26:07.915.

Ming also had the fastest lap time of 1:29.776 seconds.

Reports out of Mexico indicate that the young Ming had an excellent race, applying a well thought out strategy, and winning convincingly.

The Guyanese qualified in pole position for the race with a lap time of 01:28.247 seconds, one second faster that Sulaiman’s 01:29.259.

Similarly, Jeffrey won day one of the Suzuki Challenge Series SR3 Cup Championship at Bushy Park Race Track, Barbados.

Jeffrey competed in three races, finishing with two wins and third place. The Barbados pair of Sean Maloney and Suleman Esuf ended the day in second and third positions respectively overall. Jeffrey had finished second in qualifying earlier in the day with a lap time of 58.7s behind Esuf.

F4 driver Calvin Ming will continue to be all smiles if his 2017 goes as terrific as 2016

GFF prepares members for national “Fantastic way to begin youth academy programme season”– GHB President

By Romario Samaroo

T

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood and GFF Executive Committee Member Keith Ojeer with the President and Executive Committee Members of the East Bank Demerara Football Association (EBDFA)

T

he Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) is preparing for the launch of Guyana’s first national youth football academy and development programme with important consultations involving its nine regional Member Associations (MAs).

The first consultation was held on January 27with the Executive Committee of the East Bank Demerara Football Association (EBDFA). The first planning consultation saw GFF’s Technical Director Ian Greenwood and GFF Executive Committee Member Keith Ojeer intro-

duced the new regional development team, outlined the aims of the academy system, and discussed how the GFF would support and work alongside the association to ensure success.

The academy will be built on a network of trained Technical Development Officers (TDOs) in each of the nine MAs, tasked with identifying and coaching talented young male and female players in a nationally-coordinated system. Further meetings are planned for each MA as the youth programme rolls out across the country.

The programme,

with a scheduled launch of February 2, builds on GFF leadership’s manifesto pledges to nurture young talent more effectively, build national partnerships for development, and improve the prospects of young players.

“The GFF is committed to developing and investing in youth football in every region of the country. It is crucial that we support and work with each of our Member Associations in this coordinated way to deliver better results for everyone in football,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

he Guyana Hockey Board rolled out the proceedings for the 2017 season of hockey with the Bounty Farm/Antonio’s Grille One day tournament of outdoor Hockey at the National Stadium, Providence on Sunday.

President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes said it was ‘a fantastic way to begin the season.”

While indoor hockey had dominated the 2016 season a lot of the players were anxious to come out and have some fun in the much missed outdoor version of the game.

At the stadium, not only was the sun scorching but the field was in tip-top shape to facilitate the games, a feature that Fernandes commented on with much praise. “I think this tournament has gone very nicely, as far as outdoor facility, this field is a fantastic field at the National Stadium and so it is good to have a start on this kind of surface.” The GHB President stated. It was evident from the large amount of players from the various clubs across the country that turned out to have some fun under the sun.

However, a lot of new faces have joined in on the fun and excitement of the sport with these juniors complimenting the stalwart players of their clubs.

Intense action among the girls in the female division of the tournament at the National Stadium on Sunday

The GHB President also touched on this point, highlighting the excellent job of each club’s junior programme.

“This year we have a lot of young players, new players adding to the older players and that has given the tournament a nice flavor because we are seeing different matchups that what we have seen in the past.

The junior programmes have done very well in feeding the clubs with new young players and we see that evident from this tournament.” Fernandes stated. He went on to add that not only are these young players coming into the team but they are making an impact to their teams by playing some key roles.

This, Fernandes believed was due to the fact that a lot of the players were longing for an outdoor tournament.

“I think the players themselves are keen to be back outdoors, we had a long indoor stint and I think we have seen a lot of enthusiasm, a little bit of rust but a lot of enthusiasm and hockey skills.” Fernandes pointed out.

This is the first event of the GHB and has over a dozen games being played on two separate fields at the National Stadium. GCC completed the double, winning the male and female groups. The female team, Pizza Hut GCC defeated Woodpecker Hikers 5-0 while the males, Bounty GCC, entered a 2-2 stalemate with Pepsi Hikers after which they won the penalty shootout 3-2.

See a subsequent edition of the Guyana Times for a full report on the outcome of the competition.

MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Petra/Limacol round-robin knock-out Football Pg 22

Linden teams make powerful statement

– defending champs Milerock, Winners Connection victorious It was an engrossing battle between Milerock and Northern Rangers at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) with the former coming out with a 2-1 victory

Australian Open…

Pg 22

Pg 19

Greaves wants to Federer outlasts Nadal for 18th personal eak br record grand slam Heading for the top! Roraima rider Alanzo Greaves is racing towards a memorable 2017

Switzerland's Roger Federer kisses the trophy after winning his Men's singles final match against Spain's Rafael Nadal

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.