Guyana Times Daily

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2850 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

May 8, 2016

PRICE

High crime rate

President says Govt “doing its best” to tackle situation

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Missing GTT shares sale money

Govt yet to locate missing US$5M payment – P10 Granger

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…claims media making a “frenzy”

Digicel rolls IPA to be turned out 4G network over to Police – in Guyana Health Minister … future investments pegged at US$30M Recalled LAILAC infant milk

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Page 5

Bartica officially declared “a town” Page 7

The march pass saluting President David Granger during the official township status declaration for Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Saturday

Stabroek Market restoration

Vendors complain of slow, biased relocation system Page 9

Teen critical P15 after struck by motorcycle Removal of Water Street vendors

City Council has no jurisdiction over Panday’s property – Nandlall P15

Region 10 food handlers’ practices a concern – Agriculture Committee Head P18

Opposition wants probe into drugs, medical supplies P5 shortage

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NEWS

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SunDAY, may 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, May 8 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, May 9 – 05:00h-06:30h.

IPA to be turned over to Police – Health Minister

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, May 8 – 05:00h-06:30h and Monday, May 9 – 05:40h-07:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected in the morning while heavy to light rain showers can be expected in the afternoon. Thundery showers can further be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 05:23h and 17:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.92 metres and 2.76 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:24h and 23:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.29 metre and 0.51 metre respectively.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

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Recalled LAILAC infant milk

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

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he Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department’s (GA-FDD) order to recall all Lailac infant milk products will now be handled by the Police as International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) continues to disregard the directive.

This is according to Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, who in a telephone interview with Guyana Times stood by the decision made by the GAFDD, noting that since the product does not meet the country’s required standards, then it is an appropriate move to have the Lailac infant milk pulled from the market. He added that since local distributor IPA refuses to do so, then it will become a legal issue where the Police will get involved.

“If the law so says and the product does not abide by the regulations then the Food and Drug Department has a right to pull the product from the market. If they (distributors) continue to defy the order, then it’s a legal matter and when it comes to a legal case, it goes to the Police and a decision will have to be made,” the Public Health Minister said.

Dr Norton further added that he is disappointed that the Analyst-Food and Drug Department has not started to seized the milk from the shelves of retail and wholesale entities.

“It could be that the company brought in the milk some time ago, probably sold it to supermarkets and the supermarkets continue to display it so that they don’t make a loss. What I know that can be done is the Food and Drug Department can literally go and seize these products. I don’t know why they’re not doing it.”

Additionally, he said that an investigation will be launched into why the GAFDD is inactive with respect to seizing the milk.

The GA-FDD in early February 2016, issued a recall for the Lailac infant

milk, however more than six weeks after the recall deadline of March 22, 2016, the product remained on the shelves of numerous retail

recall was based on concluding after reading the product’s label which showed that the product is labelled infant milk although in the

by infants, the formula can prove to be dangerous since the fatty acids in the triglycerides produced influence their function negatively.

The recalled LAILAC infant milk on the shelf of a supermarket on Saturday

and wholesale outlets.

The IPA has persistently disregarded the GA-FDD’s instructions contending that LAILAC infant milk is a milk-based baby formula.

The recall by GA-FDD was issued on two grounds – the product’s noncompliance with Food and Drug Regulation (12) of 1977, which prohibits distributing a product in Guyana that is not distributed in its country of origin. GA-FDD Director Marlon Cole was quoted in other sections of the media as saying that LAILAC was not and could not possibly be sold in France as milk.

“Our regulations clearly state that the product must be freely distributed in the country of production.

That product is not sold in France. No other Caribbean country has LAILAC milk.

It is not milk,” he was quoted as saying.

The other reason for this

production process nonspecified ‘vegetable oils’ were used to replace milk fat. According to the GAFDD, in making the product as close as possible to “mother’s milk”, unless specific vegetable oils were added to the cow milk-based substance, when digested

The IPA has admitted its LAILAC product was not sold in France, the country of origin but only in the Third World countries. The IPA continues to argue that the product is being distributed in France, but under a different brand.

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SunDAY, may 8, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Muslim Mayor of London S

adiq Khan, 45, a London-born son of Pakistani immigrants, who grew up with his six brothers and sister in a threebedroom, public housing apartment, was sworn in as Mayor of London, the capital of Britain yesterday.

With Whites forming 60% of London's population of 8+ million, and the total Asian population only 1.5 million or 18%, Labour Party Khan's 57% of the vote to defeat the Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith, had to have included support across the ethnic and religious spectrum.

Sadiq Khan fulfils the promise of multiculturalism in societies that are culturally plural, even though Conservatives such as David Cameron in Britain, Angela Merkel in Germany and other politicians are moving away from the movement in the wake of a wave of xenophobia sweeping Europe.

That Khan is a practising Muslim and therefore a member of the group that has faced the brunt of xenophobia in recent years, makes his victory even more significant.

He became the first Muslim leader of a major Western capital.

Sadiq Khan followed the path of most immigrants that came to Britain to achieve economic advancement. In his case, he studied law, became a university lecturer and the chairman of a civil liberties group, and was elected to Parliament in 2009.

In accordance with the multicultural ideal, Khan was not forced to abandon his cultural or religious identity, but was taught to respect other cultures and religions. Unlike many others, he accepted the premises of multiculturalism, and its demand that all groups should be allowed to co-exist peacefully, even as a lawyer he defended the right of several defined as "extremists".

In Khan's own words he describes what many in Guyana, which is also a multicultural society has still not accepted, much less practice. As a devout Muslim, he does not drink alcohol, but as he told one newspaper, his faith is just one facet of his character. “We all have multiple identities: I’m a Londoner, I’m British, I’m English, I’m of Asian origin, of Pakistani heritage, I’m a dad, I’m a husband, I’m a longsuffering Liverpool fan.”

Khan's opponent in the election was ironically Zac Goldsmith, the multimillionaire brother of Jemina Goldsmith, who was once married to Pakistani cricket idol-turned Muslim politician in his native country Imran Khan.

Goldsmith, however, ran what even members of his own Conservative Party called a "nasty and racist campaign".

Unfortunately, David Cameron did not think so and repeated many of the allegations that attempted to link Khan to Muslim extremists while ignoring his hard-earned credentials defending the civil rights of individuals from all walks of life.

Khan did not just rail against "the system" but worked from within to change shortcomings he identified. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Tooting in South London in 2005 and by dint of hard work rose quickly through the Labour Party ranks.

In 2009, he was made the first Muslim member of the British Cabinet by Gordon Brown, and as such had to be sworn in by the Queen. He told a newspaper: “The palace called me and said, ‘What type of Bible do you want to swear on?’ When I said the Quran, they said, ‘We haven’t got one.’

So I took one with me.”

Khan will now be in charge of a city with an annual budget of US$23B, and more importantly, be given the opportunity to destroy many of the stereotypes of Muslims that are being peddled in the West.

On the other hand, his adherence to the tenets and premise of multiculturalism will be a reminder to many other in multicultural societies that they also have a role - a major role - to live out the meaning of the doctrine and so break those negative stereotypes.

Here in Guyana, there also exist shibboleths as who can or cannot hold office because of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. We also have to break such outmoded notions.

Even boats need a cleaning. As seen in this Marceano Narine photo, a man stands in the mighty Essequibo as he vigorously washes the outer surface of a water taxi that plies the Parika to Bartica route

I offer the President my apologies if I was disrespectful Dear Editor, Jerome Khan has a valid point.

My comments about the Coincidence of Correia being a dominant Operator and Shareholder at the ogle airport and the Renaming of the Airport to Correia could have interpretations and if one of those interpretations is deemed to be disrespectful to the President, I offer the President my apologies.

This Ogle International Airport fiasco is unfortunate and could have and should have been resolved by the past and current governments.

However, it is clear to

me that the President will proceed with the renaming of the airport regardless of the pleas and objections from the majority of the stakeholders at Ogle Airport.

That is the democracy of which I speak.

I speak not of shareholders who make up a very small percentage of the stakeholders of a national public asset and public utility owned by the people of Guyana and managed by a private company.

At this point I am yet unaware of any public or indeed any consultations conducted to derive a name for the airport.

This might be a small issue to the President in the national scheme of things, but a major issue to the operators at the airport.

Nevertheless, my disagreement with the President on this one issue should in no way be interpreted as disrespectful to the President and if it did I once again apologize to the President.

Khan, learned as he is, has however failed to provide the evidence I have begged him to produce, instead unsuccessfully crouching behind a transparent veil of renewed baseless accusations of a political na-

ture. Sadly he attempts to further drag the issue into the political gutter for reasons unknown to me at this time.

At this juncture, I could only hang on to the hope that the government as promised will intervene and resolve the governance issues that severely affect the airport so that we all could continue with Nation building without the distraction of constant conflict which seems to be plaguing our country.

Captain Gerry Gouveia, CEO Roraima Airways

Imran Khan defends Nagamootoo’s ego Dear Editor, I read a letter in the Chronicle signed by "Imran Khan, Press Secretary to Prime Minister Moses V Nagamootoo" in which he takes Guyana Times to task for an alleged "constant harangue...directed towards Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo". While he purports to respond to a letter published in the Times from one Tiana King-David, I would like to respond to his attempt to rebut the specific points made made by Times.

US$80,000 it means that the Prime Minister's vehicle had quite a number of options added.

Khan goes to great length to justify the purchase.

First he claimed the PPP Government had budgeted for an identical SUV but this was appropriated by the then Finance Minister. But if the PPP was so "wasteful" and "greedy" according to the APNU/AFC, how does following in their footsteps a justification of the Nagamootoo's parsimony?

PM's new $22M SUV

PM's vehicles

Imran Khan admits, "In the 2015 budget, the sum of GY$22 million (US$110,000) was allocated for the purchase of the vehicle for use by the Prime Minister." This exactly what Times stated. Since the suggested Mfg Selling Price for a 2015 LandCruiser was was

Khan claims rather than "20 vehicles", the OPM has "only 11". One news report at the transition reported the PPP left eight vehicles. At least this confirms the previous PM was not a spendthrift. It suggests also that even if the number 11 is correct, two other vehicles

were purchased in addition to the famous $22 million Landcruiser. Are these also premium Landcruisers? If only four of the eleven vehicles are used by the PM and his security detail, who are the seven staffers with vehicles? Imran Khan?

PM's residence

Khan also admits that the Pm's residence is being rehabilitated, but does not mention that it cost $22 million .

PM's salary

Khan claims, "The Prime Minister’s salary was increased only marginally..." What is the reality? Nagamootoo's salary was increased by $2,000,000 from $1.5 million to 1.7 million monthly.. Two million dollars increase at 11 per cent is "marginal"? What does he call the $5500 for 11

per cent on $50,000 for the public servants?

Khan also tried to explain the "marginal" for his boss.

It was supposed "to take it above that of the Attorney General to correct an anomaly which existed under the PPP Government.

"To be exact the salary "anomaly" was introduced by Hoyte to induce his Chancellor Keith Massiah to become his Attorney General. The question is why would it bother Nagamootoo if the Attorney General had a larger salary than him?

The only answer is "ego".

And this is borne out by Imran Khan's querulous complaint that because it is tax free, " the Honourable Attorney General’s take home salary...is (still) greater than that of the the Prime Minister.

Sincerely, Suresh Persaud

NEWS

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Digicel rolls out 4G network in Guyana …future investments pegged at US$30M

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

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igicel Guyana launched its superfast 4G network, guaranteeing enhanced data services on mobile devices with more varieties of packages to choose from.

During the launching ceremony in Bartica on Saturday, the telecoms giant introduced 4G Smart Bundles consisting of “Bigger data bundles” and Free Talk and Texts to all local numbers, which will be available to both postpaid and prepaid Digicel customers.

Technically, the 4G service will be cheaper since it will be bundled with free talk and texts; while the regular plan will remain the

same.

The service will be available in over 100 sites across the country, including Georgetown, Berbice, Essequibo, and Linden as well as out of town areas such as Port Kaituma, Kwakwani and Mahdia.

Other areas will get the 4G services in the following months.

Digicel Guyana’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin Kelly expressed his gratitude to Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes for releasing the spectrum to allow the 4G network to become available.

According to the CEO, all that is left to do now is to liberalise the telecommunications sector in the country

in order to stimulate competition, which will in turn result in better services for customers.

Kelly noted that once the Telecommunication Liberalisation Bill is passed, Digicel will take immediate steps to introduce cheaper services such as Internet rates and international calls, as well as the possibility of landline services.

Following the passage of the Bill, Digicel’s future investments into the country could be worth over US$30 million.

For more information about Digicel’s 4G upgraded Internet, customers can visit the company’s Facebook page, one of its outlets or call the customer care line by dialing 100.

Customers flocked Digicel's outlets to access the newly launched 4G Internet service

Opposition wants probe into drugs, medical supplies shortage

I

n light of the recent shortage of drugs and medical supplies within the public health system, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will be tabling a motion this Thursday in the National Assembly for an investigation to be launched into the situation.

On that day, the House will be dealing with private members’ business, referred to as Opposition Day, and Opposition parliamentarian, Dr Frank Anthony will be moving the motion titled “The persistent shortage of drugs and medical supplies in the Public Health Care Delivery System”.

According to the Order Paper issued by Parliament on Friday, Dr Anthony wants “... that this National Assembly calls on the Minister of Public Health to launch an immediate investigation into which drugs and medical supplies are not in supply and those that in short supply (name of the items and the quantities by region) in the public health care delivery system.”

Furthermore, the Opposition member is asking that Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton report to the National Assembly within one month on which drugs and medical supplies are in short supply or nonexistent and the reasons for the shortages of drugs in the public health care delivery system. He also want the Minister to say what measures which have been, and are being taken to rectify this ongoing crisis; the projected timelines for an improvement in the delivery system across the country; and the budgetary implications of these emergency measures, if any; as well as to report on the measures put in place to prevent such a reoccurrence.

Dr Anthony pointed out, in his grounds for the motion, that his crisis of the drugs and medical supplies shortage is putting the lives of thousands at risk as the

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

Public Health Ministry and the Government continues to drag its feet and take no emergency interventions to correct the situation. “… at the present time, there appears to have been no response to this growing crisis with no procurement of large quantities of these medicines and medical supplies dating back to latter half of 2015, despite on-going and persistent reports of the shortages of medicines, including basic and essential drugs, reagents and x-rays supplies across the country, and most noticeably at its tertiary care and referral hospital, the Georgetown Public Hospital, where $2.8 billion of its $7.2 billion bud-

getary allocation is for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies,” the Opposition MP outlined in the motion.

He went on to point out that this countrywide shortage of basic and essential drugs medical supplies were raised in the House, with calls for urgent action to be taken by several Opposition Members of Parliament during the Examination of the Estimates of the 2016 Budget on the allocations for the health sector.

The medical doctor further underscored that it is the fundamental right of every citizen to have free medical attention and for the Public Health Ministry to

ensure that citizens have access to medicines and medical supplies in sufficient quality and quantity on a timely manner. He noted access to health care is a right and not a privilege granted

by Government.

Moreover, the Member of Parliament pointed out that $5.19 billion was appropriated in the 2015 Budget and this was tripled this year with $19 billion being budgeted, of which some $5 billion has been allocated for the procurement and distribution of medicines and medical supplies to all hospitals, health centres and health posts throughout the country. He further added that last year over $600 million of the allocated monies for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies were not utilised.

Over the past few months, patients across Guyana continue to face stumbling blocks as access to some basic forms of medical care remains limited, especially at publicly-run health institutions. Some of the most hard hit areas includes Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and 10 (Upper Demerara-

Opposition parliamentarian, Dr Frank Anthony

Berbice).

However, the Government through the Public Health Ministry has

been denying that there is any such shortages in the country.

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guyana-times.com

Foundation

I did not Gender relations and indentureship begin anew

Anu Dev The shortage of women on the plantations during and immediately after Indentureship, because the recruiters in India couldn’t secure even the onethird quota, had a great impact in reshaping social relations in the new community they would form in Guyana.

It played a major role in breaking down the caste and even religious distinctions that were so powerful in India. The low status given to widows or women with children there was also reversed as they were so in demand.

Coming from a rather patriarchal society, but who could now work independently, it forced a rethinking of the role of women since they now seized greater agency in choosing their companions or remaining with them.

I will illustrate these points with examples from my own

family history. My paternal great-great grandfather Rambishun (b1869) left a wife and baby son in Ishmailpur, Bihar and arrived in British Guiana in 1888 where he “married” Sanichari (b1873), who already had a son, Rambharose. Not long after, Sanichari’s widowed mother married a Muslim man. Her oldest son, brought up as a Muslim, was younger than his nephew, my great grandfather.

Interestingly, Sanichari separated from Bishun in his later years and raised her grandson from her firstborn, Rambharose, who had passed away.

Whether fact or fiction, the story is told in my family of one of Rambishun’s seven brothers arriving in Demerara to look for him, but upon discovering the latter had married a local woman outside his caste, returned to India without even seeing Rambishun.

If true, Rambishun and Sanichari would have been one of the few Hindus whose marriage was registered to have been checked in the immigration depot’s records.

“Marriage” was a rather fluid relationship to the early indentureds, and even the ones performed by the Hindu or Muslim rites were not recognised by the authorities.

Remarkably, however, towards the end of Indentureship with an increase in the number of women from local births, the immigrants began to recreate the communities they had left behind in India. And to reintroduce in inevitably altered forms, some of the old social relationships.

The religions of Hinduism and Islam, which the immigrants had brought with them in their practices, provided the framework for this change, but it played out within the plantation environment. My paternal great grandfather Ramlagan (b1896) living at De Willem on the West Coast Demerara, for instance, was betrothed to a girl in Leguan at the age of eight in 1904. She was identified through “Jahaji” relations.

Ramlagan was expected to bring her to his home when he “became a man”, most likely between 14 and16 but never did. He had learnt to read Hindi, considered himself “modern” and was determined to select his own bride. As a young man, he was the driver (foreman) of a female weeding gang and there saw and courted his future bride, my great grandmother, Kaamoda (b1901) sometime around 1918. She boasted

that while he had his way with “many girls” she withstood his charms until marriage!

However while she was famously very strong willed and independent, Kaamoda was typical of the women from that time onwards who allowed their husbands to strut on the stage as “the man” but behind the scenes was an equal when it came to running the house and making major family decisions. She worked from the age of six in the “backdam” and after marriage, also helped with the 3-acre “farm” Rambishun had acquired in exchange for his return passage to India.

It was on the site of the old factory at De Willem which has been abandoned and had to be laboriously cleared and levelled. She would also plant, cut and thresh paddy from the land she and Ramlagan rented.

All of Kaamoda first four children - sons - died young and it was not until 1929 that my grandmother Surujdai was born, followed by her sister in 1939. Kaamoda would have then been 38 years old - practically middle aged. She worked in the cane fields until she was sixty and then, along with Ramlagan, worked the farm and rice “bed” full time.

They raised my father from the age of six.

By Ryhaan Shah

I dedicate the following original poem to all my jahajis and jahajins We share a journey still on the ship of life in this homeland where, even after 178 years, we are still made to feel outsiders by some unless we conform to an idea about ourselves that is theirs to define. It is an extreme arrogance that has no foundation in law or international conventions on human rights.

In the face of such prejudice, our strength lies in what we know to be true about ourselves.

I Did Not Begin Anew I did not begin anew but am the blood and bone Of ages past and centuries of time.

I did not begin anew but am the present from a past That was never abandoned on this distant shore.

I am no shard of history, no broken vase, but lived In every century of old, fought glorious wars, Beheld the gods and sang their songs of praise.

They kept me whole through all the trials Of this new earth bound by golden stalks Made rich by sweat and tears Cut through by the cutlass’ bright spark That flashed swift, swift, through the equatorial air And left marks on hands, on hearts, The veins of a promised life.

I did not begin anew for how reshape The Creator’s hand, or why? And how deny all That I am since yesterday?

I cannot begin anew and live a lie within this self That stands here in this sunbright bit of space, all ready now To stage my dance, my poetry of sound.

And who are they To say; to choose who, what, where my life begins And how I am to think, when I can hear my footsteps Stamping, drumming, through all the years to the rhythm And the rhyme of my ankle bells because for me, Like every other, all the earth is mine?

Am I then to die, to be forever stilled, If I live, breathe, rush through the air and find That this self, myself, is, was, and forever shall be?

I, too, have myths, gods, dreams, And have no need for reinventing wisdoms And honours of a splendoured past that dances To the music of the ages and is shot through With the glitter of the bracelets that still adorn my arm.

I will not begin anew and put aside my past And set adrift all history, all space, all time, And the very beginning of the world.

I cannot begin anew the wonder that is God And still forever the consciousness of thought.

I am the distillation, the essence, The creation of the Being And the far spread of stars.

How ask me then to begin anew?

(Copyright Ryhaan Shah, May 2016)

news

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sunDAY, may 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Bartica officially declared “a town” – President envisions great advancement The march pass suavely made its way to the Bartica Stelling, where President David Granger, Regional Chairman Gordan Bradford and Mayor Gifford Marshall were awaiting.

The ceremony started off with prayers by several religious groups, after which President Granger delivered the feature address.

The Head of State, who is deeply connected to the

is a magnet for economic growth.

“Bartica has to lead the way, become our first green town… Solar energy, electrical vehicles, wind energy, solid waste management, recycling… Bartica is going to become a laboratory for Guyana’s green economy,” he stated.

The President added: “It must be a model town for our green economy, showing

President David Granger and Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall unveiled the plaque

D

rumrolls sounded and the crowd grew wild with excitement as the march pass began, signalling the commencement of the grand celebrations of the official township status declaration for Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni) on Saturday.

Usually a quiet ambiance, the mining communi-

Barticians capture the moment

ty was colourfully decorated in the colours of the Golden Arrowhead and erupted into cheers and applause as families came out in huge numbers to join in the festivities.

Despite the light drizzles, residents lined the streets with smartphones in hand to capture photos and videos of this historic moment.

President David Granger recieves the eyes right from the officers on the march pass

Bartica, was overjoyed that this day has finally arrived.

He noted that Bartica has been awaiting its township status for over 100 years, since the ordinance was passed to make Bartica a town in 1887.

With having gained its official township status, Bartica can now set the stage for other municipalities to follow.

According to President Granger, Bartica can lead the way in becoming a green town, a town that attracts investors from all across the Caribbean, and a town that

all other towns and other regions how Guyana would supply enough energy without depending on fossil fuel.”

He envisions that within the next four years, the new town can boast of having the greatest advancements in all integral aspects of development: technology, education, and overall economic development.

Amid the pomp and ceremony, the plaque was

unveiled and President Granger officially declared Bartica a town, much to the delight of residents.

The celebrations continued into the evening with a blast of cultural extravaganza.

Among those present for the celebrations were First Lady Sandra Granger, State Minister Joseph Harmon, Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, Health Minister Dr George Norton, and others.

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news

SunDAY, may 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

High crime rate

President says Govt “doing its best” to tackle situation … claims media making a “frenzy”

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n light of the recent spate of crimes in Guyana, President David Granger said crime is actually on the decline but the media frenzy is making it appear otherwise.

Speaking on the weekly televised programme – The Public Interest, the Guyanese Head of State pointed out that contrary to the media frenzy, the country’s current crime situation is not in such a bad state as is being portrayed.

“I do regret that the media frenzy seems to have bowled people over, they feel that things are getting worst but things are actually getting better,” the President said.

Granger explained that while he and his Administration are concerned about the frequent occurrence of criminal activities in the country, some of them are entirely out of their control.

“If a woman hires a hit-

man to kill her father or if a man hires a hitman to kill his wife, these are interpersonal disputes which the State cannot be held responsible for… If a security guard at a gas station or a hotel allows persons to come in and conduct a robbery, it is difficult to blame the State and asking what is the State doing about it,” he pointed out.

Nevertheless, the Head of State noted that his Administration is doing its best to have crime under control and has since taken a series actions of such as training of investigators and increased deployment of ranks especially in the hinterland region.

He remarked that Commander of the hinterland division (F Division – Interior locations), Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram, who has responsibility of Regions One (BarimaWaini), Seven (Cuyuni-

President David Granger

Mazaruni), Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), is now stationed in Bartica as opposed to being at Police Headquarters, in Eve Leary, Georgetown; thus being able to more efficiently police the division.

He also mentioned plans to have those divisions further sub-divided so that there are strong Police divisional commanders in each one of the administrative regions.

The President went on to talk about the increased deployment of Police in Region Nine, particularly the Rupununi area. He added too that plans are afoot to augment the strength of the Police Force overall, which is currently said to be some 20 per cent under strength.

In addition, he noted that the strength of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has been boosted, so there are now

more and better trained detectives, highlighting the fact that a lot of serious crimes are not only being solved but being solved more quickly than ever before.

Another measure the Head of State said was put in place by his Administration to curb crime is aerial patrols on the coastland, which he noted has contributed significantly in protecting the country’s fishermen from piracy attacks.

“There have been small incremental changes and… so all of these measures have been introduced over the last seven months and they are supplementing Operation Dragnet, which will continue to June 1st at the end of the 50th anniversary celebrations,” Granger said, while noting that even though these measures are in place, it may be too early to see any results.

Furthermore, the President reminded that when his Administration came into office almost a year ago, it inherited a certain situation throughout the security sector. This, he added, has affected what is happening in the prisons, the Force’s ability to investigate crimes and it has even affected the upsurge in crime of recent.

Over the past weeks, there has been an alarming increase in the number of murders and armed robberies occurring throughout the country, causing stakeholders such as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) as well as business owners and farmers, who seemed to be targets in most of the cases, calling on the Administration to strengthen its crime fighting strategy.

Only Thursday last, former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, faced off with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan in the National Assembly over the crime situation. Rohee had tabled an emergency motion on the issue.

However, the Guyana Police Force earlier this week released the monthly statistics for April 2016, in which it stated that crime is actually down by 19 per cent when compared to the same period last year.

According to the figures given for last April, there were 50 murders, 23 robberies, 188 robberies with firearms, 111 robberies with the use of other weapons other than a gun, 28 robberies with violence, 20 robberies with aggravation, 72 burglaries, 437 breaking and enter and larceny cases, 37 larceny from persons, 63 cases of statutory rape and 22 forcible rapes cases.

Eyew tness Slowing strangling... ...Parliamentary democracy

W

hat's this thing called “democracy”? Winston Churchill, said “Democracy is the worst form of Government – except for all the rest.” Then there’s the explanation offered by Abe Lincoln, the US President who didn’t back down from waging a civil war for African Americans’ freedom: “Government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

And while the “for the people” exhortation’s pretty clear cut, it’s the other two parts that pose the challenge we keep butting up against in Guyana. Since all “the people” of even our less-than-a-million populace can’t all show up to decide on matters like whether we’ll give Ministers 50 per cent raises or not, we send Members of Parliament to do so for us. And they’re either the “Government” when they have a majority of seats or the “Opposition”, when they don’t.

And so it may happen – like after a 54-day holiday, the Government decided on by their lonesome – the Government decides to amend the Anti-Money Laundering Bill once again. They’ll show up in Parliament, debate the matter with the Opposition (exchange barbs that produce more heat than light) and vote. And that’s deemed to be “Government of and by the people”.

To those who may say, “Hey! It ain’t fair...the Government will always get their way!” the riposte is, “Well we gotta find a way to make a decision – and in any case if your side’s the Opposition they did get their chance to convince the Government of the error of their ways, didn’t they?”

And so we come down – in the end – for a Government to be considered “democratic”, the Opposition must be allowed to have their say.

That’s not too much to ask, is it? As was pointed out, the Government ‘s gonna always have the last word, and on counting heads, have their way. So when a Government starts refusing the Opposition to have their say in Parliament, citizens of all political persuasions should sit up and take notice. It shows an authoritarian mindset that doesn’t even tolerate “mere talk” against its actions. And such an authoritarian mindset can easily descend into dictatorial actions – even against their own supporters.

When the Government’s Speaker during the last parliamentary session persistently truncated the Opposition MP’s time to reply...some Government supporters giggled. They didn’t see the humour, however, when their Government summarily hauled vendors off the Stabroek Market Square. And this silencing of the Opposition continued last week when Nagamootoo moved that the time given to Opposition motions one day next week be cut by half.

Why? Well the Government MP’s want to attend GuyExpo!! And for that, the essence of democracy can be trampled on!

...butter

Back in the late seventies, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) were in deep discussion to form a “unity Government”. At the time, Burnham had increased the military budget tenfold as he launched several military and paramilitary units that would eventually employ 23,000 men and women. The PPP’s “Mirror” then ran an editorial – “Guns versus butter” – which is the classic phrase to signal a Government’s spending too much on the military at the expense of social needs. At the time, the ban of several foods was biting – especially as the economy had collapsed – so it wasn’t as if the PPP was sensationalising the matter or anything.

But the PNC demanded the Editorial be retracted or the unity talks were off. The PPP didn’t retract – and that was that. Well, all of that flashed into your Eyewitness’ thoughts as he read about the $410M supplementary for “Operation Greenheart” conducted by the GDF last October to scare off the Venezuelans. A like amount must’ve been already spent.

So, couldn’t some of that $800 million be spent for some “butter” for Wales workers?

...credibility

And isn’t $10 million for “maintenance of a swimming pool for the training of officers and ranks” a bit much when Operation Greenheart was in the jungles of Region Seven – crisscrossed with creeks and rivers?

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

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Stabroek Market restoration

Vendors complain of slow, biased relocation system

A

s the row between the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the vendors continues, vendors are yet again dissatisfied with the relocation system. However, Town Clerk Royston King is confident that the system is fair.

Vendors are complaining about the slow pace of the system of relocation is going.

“I am out here since 7:00am and can’t get through yet,” a vendor told this newspaper at 16:30h.

The town clerk indicated that the process was moving at that pace since the council is trying to ensure the process is “fair to everyone”.

On the other hand, some vendors are contending that there may be some biasness in the allocation process since a number of per-

other work.

One vendor contended that the City Council is taking away his honest means of making a living, noting that he is disappointed.

“They putting we out of honest living,” the man said.

Over the past week, ven-

Vendors flock the market clerk’s office to get registered

with the market and Council and are known to the council to do business in that area.

“The council has a register and we are working with it. That register is managed by the Market Clerk and I am confident that she will do

A vendor expressing his frustration on Saturday

sons are going to the Market Clerk subsequent to them and are given spots even as they wait.

However, the Town Clerk in contesting this argument noted that the council is operating in phases to relocate the vendors to the temporary location beginning with the 133 vendors.

He added that the 133 vendors have been registered

faced that the council will be relocating them to facilitate works on the area for the 50th Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence.

The relocation is said to be temporary.

Meanwhile President David Granger on Friday

a job that is fair,” King told this publication.

He acknowledged that the Council has a huge problem with unregistered vendors, who are now coming forward to claim spots ahead of those registered.

According to him, the council will give preference to the 133 registered vendors and will also accommodate a few from America

Street.

“There are some we will allow to remain back down to the Water Street area in a more organised manner but right now we are dealing with the vendors around the Stabroek Market Square.”

The Town Clerk noted that he is happy about the temporary location and is encouraging patrons to support this move.

Even as this is being done, some vendors are still not pleased with the new arrangements.

One vendor who sells drinks said the new arrangements are not financially feasible for his business.

“This location is a waste of time because we depend on people who travel with public transportation to support us and if we go there nobody will come there to buy a drink and go back,” the upset vendor complained.

Prior to the relocation, over 400 vendors had plied their trade in the Stabroek Market area, however the new location can only accommodate 150 tents—at a squeeze at that.

Vendors are aware that the space is insufficient to

facilitate them but King said the Council is trying to facilitate as many vendors as possible.

“We will accommodate as many as we can but when we reach that bridge we will cross it,” he said.

According to vendors, they are faced with two alternatives if not awarded a spot - they will go back to their old spots or look for

The new location still without vendors on Saturday afternoon

dors operating in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market Square were engaged in heated confrontations with M&CC after word sur-

called on the Council to hasten its efforts to prepare and provide an alternative location for the vendors.

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guyana-times.com

News Missing GT&T shares sale money

Govt yet to locate missing US$5M payment – Granger S

ome two weeks after it was disclosed that Chinese company, Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group had already paid the outstanding US$5 million for shares in GTT, local authorities are still trying to trace the money.

During this week’s TV airing of The Public Interest programme, President David Granger when asked said the money is yet to be located.

“I don’t know where (the money) is, I would like to find out but the money went missing under the previous administration and it is certainly missing and that’s what Harmon’s (trip to China) was about. We’re trying to find out ourselves,” he stated.

In 2012, the Chinese company had purchase Government’s 20 per cent shares in the local telephone company at the cost of US$30 million from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). However,

based on an agreement with the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) administration, the company paid US$25 million and had two years to make the outstanding payment.

Datang failed to pay the outstanding amount with-

by NICIL’s Legal Counsel, Natalia Seepersaud.

However, at the postCabinet briefing on April 20, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman disclosed that the Minister of State was able to retrieve some documents which

in the agreed time and upon its assumption to Office, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) regime undertook to recoup the money, hence the Minister of State’s trip to China. During the trip, Harmon was accompanied

show the US$5 million was paid and as such, efforts were launched to track down to whom, how, where and when the payment was made, since no record of it was made.

While, the government spokesperson did not pro-

vide any details about the information given to it by the Chinese company, he did hint that the payment was made under the previous administration when he said “that was before May 16, 2015”.

However, the PPP/C administration had long maintained that the US$5 million was still outstanding to Guyana. In fact, when contacted shortly after Trotman’s revelation last month, former President Donald Ramotar, under whose leadership the transaction was conducted, told Guyana Times he is not aware of Datang making a payment on the outstanding amount. However, he noted that if any such payment was made it would have been paid to NICIL, with whom Datang had the transaction.

Meanwhile, at a press conference late last week, former Head of NICIL Winston Brassington stated that efforts were afoot to recoup the monies.

Excessive rainfall causes flooding in Region 4

A

s the El Niño phenomenon comes to an end in Guyana, the rainy season has stepped in, causing new woes for the residents of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

As the heavy rainfall sweeps across the country intermittently, the high tide coupled with the downpours, have caused the Mahaica Creek, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to overflow its banks, result-

Flood water in a yard at Helena, ECD

ing in major flooding.

According to reports, between Friday last and Saturday, rainfalls has been excessive and is causing flooding throughout the region. Residents are being affected, especially those in the village of Helena Number 2, where yards and houses are currently under water.

Additional reports reaching Guyana Times indicted that residents are forced to stay indoors because of the rising water levels. Some residents are even being affected inside of their houses, where the overflowing water has entered their homes.

Trottie's Taxes S

atiricus was appalled at the level that the spit press would sink. When he was a callow youth and used to read those "westerns", Satiricus had read a fella "couldn't sink lower than a snake's belly". Well, to print what the Stabber did on Trottie's Taxes made them sink lower than the Kaieteur Fall's gorge.

It wasn't what they printed was untrue. Trottie had NOT been paying his NUS as the law required him to do while he was working. But the Stabber didn't state the context in which Trottie committed – or actually did not – commit that act. There is "text" and then there is "context". And "context" added another part to the "text" – con. You had to "con" the text.

Like when Trottie explained what was going on when business folks give big time money to politicians – like the drugs man who built Trottie's KFC office for $100 million. It was called "political investment". "And there's nothing bad about investments," thought Satiricus. "Was there? That was real good con-text!"

And that is why Trottie "trip them up" when he replied to Stabber's accusations that he hadn't been paying NUS. Looking them straight in the eye, he announced loudly he'd been paying NUS on the money he earned since he acceded to high office. And not so loudly he admitted he had NOT PAID when working as a lawyer.

Now Satiricus knew, as a lawyer, the law demanded Trottie pay 12.5 per cent of his salary. And when the Minister of State had explained about some people had to take a BIG cut in salary when they took high office, he'd been thinking of lawyers like Trottie. These were fellas who could charge clients millions for just signing a paper like Trottie's former client Prakosh revealed. So to pay 12.5 per cent on those millions was like pulling out molars to lawyers like Trottie.

But on the other hand, now he was employed by the Government in high office, the Government was paying 8.4 per cent of his salary to NUS and he was only paying 5.6 per cent.

5.6 per cent of "only" $750,000.

So the con-text the Stabber refused to print was the millions Trottie had to pay to bring his NUS up to date.

"Unless," Satiricus smiled, "Trottie didn't declare those lawyerly earnings!"

The overflowing Mahaica creek

Meanwhile, the Belmonte Market area is also said to be flooded from the overflow of the Mahaica Creek. This has affected the vendors who either dwell in the floodwaters or go home.

Flood prone region

Region Four has a history of being flood prone every time there is excessive rainfall. In 2015, residents were forced to seek shelter at rescue centres because of high water accumulation.

Many regions in Guyana are constantly faced with issues of flooding, especially those living on the coastal plain. The Government has put various mechanisms in place to rectify the issue but flooding still seems to be a huge issue in Guyana.

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Removal of Water Street vendors

City Council has no jurisdiction over Panday’s property – Nandlall — bond owner denies giving vendors permission to use facility

T

he Water Street vendors’ woes have deepen as Malcolm Panday, owner of the former Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) bond from which they were selling, has stated that he did not give any permission for his property to be used.

The vendors were granted an injunction against the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) from removing them from the area where they vended on Water Street.

However, Attorney for the vendors Anil Nandlall has challenged Panday’s denial, disclosing that the vendors had indeed bargained with the businessman to vend outside of the bond, on the premise that they act at caretakers for the aforementioned spot.

During an interview on Saturday, Nandlall told Guyana Times the vendors whom he represent have been occupying the premises for a number of years, but there was no occasion where Panday filed an order or requested for them to be removed, even though he is now alleging that the vendors are vending illegally on his property.

He added that the vendors have some evidence in

writing to support their contention, in relation to the formal granting of permission by the businessman to occupy the front of the bond for their livelihood.

“It is quite strange and highly incredulous that Mr Panday, having regard to the fact that these people have been there for a number of years, that he never took any steps to have removed from his bond,” Nandalall noted.

He further added that if this was indeed a case of trespassing by the vendors, Panday should have, in his rights, taken legal action against them, instead of waiting years after to assume the position that the vendors are illegally plying their trade on private property.

Nandlall noted that with

this disclosure by the businessman and given it is factual, then it further strengthens his case for the injunction to be continued in court against the City Council.

With the claim by Panday, he said this confirms the position that the City Council has no right to remove the vendors, since the land is private property, whether or not the vendors were granted permission by the owner to occupy the external part of the building.

“This demonstrates beyond any doubt that the people are vending on Panday’s property and not City Council’s reserve or parapet and therefore the Town Clerk, City Engineer and the Mayor and City Council have absolutely no jurisdiction to

remove them because they are not occupying council’s property,” Nandlall affirmed.

The attorney assured he will continue with the case against the council, since it is fully aware that the property is privately owned but still went ahead in dismantling the stalls of the vendors, in light of facilitating a cleanup campaign.

Meanwhile, Town Clerk Royston King commenting on the claim made by Panday, maintained that the entire area must be free and clear but he would be unable to speak in-depth of the matter, since it is engaging the attention of the court.

When asked about the Council’s disregard for the injunction, King said: "We have always respected the courts.

We hold the position that there should be no vending in that area.”

However, as the issue unfolds as to whether it is private or state property, persons vending at the Water Street location continue to raise their contention about being violated by M&CC. While most of them have recognised the need for the clean-up and what it means to Guyana, some have raised contention about the method which was used to move the vendors.

Guyana Times understands that the council, without indication or permission by vendors, had dismantled stalls along Water Street, resulting in huge losses to some vendors.

Those who vend at that location are calling on the relevant authorities to address the issue promptly so that they can continue their trade on the premises.

Teen critical after struck by motorcycle

A

12-year-old Friendship Secondary School student is battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was struck by a motorcyclist.

According to reports, Jonathan Ashby of Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was standing on the roadway near his school in the company of his friends at approximately 11:30h on Friday, when he was struck by a male biker.

The students raised an alarm and the injured child was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre (DDC); however, because of the extent of his injuries, he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for emergency medical attention.

Up to press time, Ashby was in an unconscious state in the ICU. The rider of the motorcycle reportedly told Police that the child was pushed into his path by his fellow students. Police have since launched an investigation.

By: Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal

Mothers’ Day reflections

W

hat stronger love can you think of than a mother’s love?

From the moment of conception, the mental and physical challenges of pregnancy are life altering. Under normal circumstances the bond that is formed is unbreakable despite being tested during childhood, teenage years and beyond. Under other circumstances the shape of the bond or lack of, may not be conducive to healthy development.

The absence of mother/child attachment can have negative effects that last a lifetime. Psychiatrist John Bowlby theorised about the causes of his young patients’ disturbances and found that failure to attach to a significant person (mother) during early years was a huge contributor to dysfunctional social, emotional and cognitive development.

His attachment theory highlighted a child’s fundamental impulse to seek security, sustenance, love and stimulation from their mother.

Consequent studies, both physiological and behavioural, echoed the significance of early bonding, suggesting new mothers must strive to: interact with, hold, talk to, teach, love, protect and support the development of their child.

As children grow they still need our time. In a day and age where women’s working is often a necessity rather than a choice, time at home is a luxury. Quality time can serve as well as quantity.

Children need conversations in which they feel significant.

They need to know they can share a problem with someone and not be dismissed or misjudged. They need to know that they are loved, cherished, supported and protected.

A mother can do this in limited time if she momentarily pauses, focuses on these aspects and sets aside some of those less unimportant things. What is it that we are giving priority to over our children’s wellbeing?

Balance is vital as a child matures. An overpowering mother who doesn’t provide opportunities for her children to be independent, make decisions, experience failure and encourage resilience can also hinder her child’s development.

Children need boundaries and a safe environment in which to explore and progress. They need a level of freedom that ensures they become independent thinkers and selfregulating individuals.

A mother, intentionally or otherwise, often shows her daughters what they should expect from a partner, and her sons acceptable ways to treat women. How a person behaves in a relationship is often a reflection of the relationships they have experienced growing up. Be aware of how you are affecting both your sons and daughters when you accept unhealthy treatment from someone. Are you in a situation you would be happy for your child to accept? If the answer is no it is time to think about changing your situation.

The old adage that “children don’t come with a manual” is so true. Despite the studies and the advice available to us, ultimately most of us “mother” instinctively. We try our best, we make mistakes, we can sometimes be selfish and are often too tired to do what we know is right.

Regardless of age, race, culture or religion, mothers share a universal connection in that their job is the hardest and hopefully the most rewarding in the world.

Their responsibilities, their worries, and fears, their proud moments and their pain connect them in a way that transcends any superficial difference.

Today is a great opportunity to reflect on ways in which we can enhance our children’s lives alongside celebrating the diverse matriarchal figures that have graced our existence, whether they are moms, aunties, grandmothers or family friends who have nurtured us through our journeys. A time to commend all mothers who do their best, work hard and make silent sacrifices every day and also to be aware that there are many fathers out there who do the job of absent mothers. It’s a good day to recognise how tough it can be to make the right decisions, give sound advice and provide what their children need; all too often with very little support.

Let’s be thankful to those who nurtured us in one way or another.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Albouystown residents benefit from TEG medical outreach

T

he Technocrat Empowerment Group (TEG) on Saturday hosted their first medical outreach in Albouystown, also targeting nearby communities.

The outreach comprised of a dental booth, blood drive, infectious disease, and suicide domestic violence booths. Additionally, treated nettings were distributed to the residents.

A member of TEG, Dr Royston Adonis proclaimed: “Our objective is to give back to the people of Albouystown, which we are doing in a form of an outreach, we are going into depressed areas of our country to empower people by educating them about diseases, not only chronic diseases but social issues such as suicide.”

TEG disclosed that they will continue beyond Albouystown since their aim is to cover Guyana. Dr Adonis added: “this will not be the only venture here in Albouystown but we plan to go to Tiger Bay and other areas affected in this aspect.”

Another member of the group, Trevor Burrowes, lamented concerns for the people that are faced with medical challenges as well as social challenges. Burrowes said: “we want to show love and embrace people, we want them to know that we are concerned about them.”

Scores of residents attended the outreach who all benefited from medical supplies and attention. Some residents took the opportunity to donate blood which Adonis noted was good in aiding the supply of the Georgetown Hospital.

Meanwhile at the chronic disease booth, practitioners not only prescribed medication but took time to educate on the illnesses.

The elderly in attendance received hampers which they evidently appreciated.

The suicide domestic violence booth which was some distance from the main activities, comprised of specialists in domestic violence and behavioural science.

A member of the booth explained the reason for distancing the booth was because of the stigma attached to suicide and domestic violence. The member added that despite the stigma “a great amount of persons came and we did our duties”. This booth distributed brochures and urged residents to utilise the resources available to them.

“This initiative is to effect change in the community not only for the adults but the children as well” said Adonis.

Despite the rainy weather, the outreach was highly attended. The residents praised this initiative and expressed how thankful they are to group for visiting them.

The “palace” intrigues

G

uyana’s earliest contemporary politics was forged by much idealism. There was a unity of people and purpose, and the struggle for independence started out as one of the world’s great political movements. It was bravely fought and was intended to bring us peace and prosperity, freedom and self-determination.

However, 50 years on, it is the sordidness of the international conspiracies and national betrayals that ushered in Guyana’s independence that has Ryhaan Shah stayed. The country has never shaken it off and successive governments plunged us deeper into the muck and mire which had their genesis in the Burnham era. Violence, greed and corruption have stayed at the very heart of government.

Many will contend that Burnham’s corruptions had more to do with wielding absolute power than amassing personal wealth.

This led to his misuse of state institutions such as the army, police, and public service and no government has yet reformed these institutions. In fact, they are all quite happy to take advantage of their unprofessionalism for their own ends.

Even President Cheddi Jagan, during his five years in office established no significant changes and what has happened since is hardly surprising. The Jagdeo-Ramotar Governments faced accusations of corruption and greed that were hinged on their association with businesses and with international companies like China’s BaiShanLin. But businesses are by nature opportunistic - they may call it “pragmatism”. Without that trait – taking advantage of market fluctuations, competition, economic cycles, etc – they die. It is not surprising, therefore, that they also align themselves to the government of the day. Success depends on relations that would provide a hassle-free business environment and, perhaps, even garner lucrative state contracts.

Where many saw these associations with the Jagdeo-Ramotar Governments as ethnic favouritism, they were little more than businessmen doing business as usual.

The Tiwari-Harmon relationship probably proves this point and Brian Tiwari is probably not the only businessman who has switched his political allegiance with a new government in place. It is said he already was friends with Harmon. It is also very likely that businesses that had good relationships with the PPP/C Government continue to be friends with the party and more especially with its current leader, former President Jagdeo.

There might even be cordial relationships all round since Jagdeo is aware that the business community has to be pragmatic and work with the new administration. Anyone who expected changes in this area is naïve about how government and big business work.

In the US Congress, for instance, lobbyists continually pitch for legislation that would favour their companies.

Here, Minister of State Joe Harmon is viewed as corrupt because of his close association with Tiwari and, more than that, of having too much power. President David Granger has come to the defence of Harmon who is, by all accounts, his second in command and who does wield much unilateral power.

Granger, for instance, had no knowledge that Harmon had conferred a honorary advisory title on Tiwari and many feel that the President is not party to the “palace intrigues” and the deals that are being struck in his Government’s name.

Adding to the intrigues are the international players. Granger might have convinced the Americans of his “Nassau Plan” which could have spurred them to help create the alliance between APNU and the AFC and bring about an elections victory for him.

Both China and the US are looking after their respective interests here and, as China cozies up to the new administration, the US can hardly say much given that the American debt to China stood at some US$1.23 trillion at the start of the year.

As always, the US continues to monitor Guyana’s political scene since the country is still viewed as part of its “backyard”. Because it sits at the edge of the Caribbean lake, Guyana is strategically important to America’s internal security, and the oil find off our shores could prove pivotal to the future of US manufacturing and industry.

Guyana’s riches continue to be sold off, siphoned off, smuggled out, or get plain “tief”. The national wealth of gold, diamonds, bauxite, timber, and agri-business profits has never trickled down to provide us with the much deserved good life. Will oil profits be any different?

What we know for sure is that millions continue to change hands away from public scrutiny and accountability as in APNU/ AFC campaign financing and Granger’s Providence Stadium inauguration. Secrecy most likely protects names that could be linked to state contracts and other perks.

As in all palace intrigues, the players have their own selfish agenda, and the national wealth continues to be divvied up among them as the general population feels the pinch of Guyana’s continued impoverishment.

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

NEWS

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Anna’s

Internet Connection in Konashen is Stale News

E

very now and then, GINA publishes articles on the meagre investments of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, as if to prove that the administration is actually making significant progress in developing Amerindian communities.

One of the more recent articles addressed the installation of internet connection in Konashen/ Gunns, Region 9 (Upper Takatu/ Anna Correia Upper Essequibo), as though the village was deprived of it. The Stabroek newspaper, sourcing from GINA, published an article in April, captioned “Masakenari [Konashen] hooked up to internet”, in which the following was asserted: “Masakenari, a Wai Wai village in the deep south of Guyana now has an internet connection after complaining about the difficulty in communicating with the rest of the country”.

Here is a perfect example of how GINA has set out with an agenda to mislead the public, and how national dailies are failing in investigative journalism.

For the purpose of clarification, it must be understood that Konashen, the Wai Wai village also known as Gunns and Masakenyari, had obtained access to internet connection by 2012. This came as a result of a management plan developed in 2007 between Konashen and the former Government, with the support of Conservation International, when the village formally designated part of its titled territory as a protected area. The Government provided both IT equipment and internet access to Konashen. Subsequently, it is hardly likely, as the articles stated, that the “people have been complaining about the difficulty in communicating with the rest of the country”, especially since members of the Village Council, including Toshao Chekema, as well as members of the community, are on a daily basis available via Skype and other social media platforms.

Minister Allicock should be ashamed for condoning the dissemination of misconstrued information which not only embarrasses his administration, but also misguides Guyanese and international observers. It would have been acceptable to allude to an upgrading of services which are already available, instead of boasting of innovation which in reality, is stale news.

Amusingly, the Minister supports this falsity on the basis of a needs assessment conducted by his Ministry. This indeed, comes as a surprise, considering that the Ministry’s Projects Department is comprised of five Project Officers and one Project Coordinator who were all privy to the communication channel established between Konashen and the rest of Guyana, and who still use this outlet for mobilisation, organisation, communication and logistic purposes. One deducts as a result, that there was no needs assessment, that the needs assessment was erroneous or that the Minister distorted the information presented by the needs assessment.

In the said GINA release, from which other dailies sourced their information, it was stated that a Medex will be stationed at Konashen, and will also travel to Parabara, a neighbouring Wai Wai village, to conduct medical outreaches.

Although the presence of a team of advisors and hired staff (some of whom are not even catered for by the Government’s standard organisation chart) so swollen that they even required the Ministry to rent another building to house them, the Minister remains unaware that to travel to Parabara from Konashen one takes up to three days via trail. This begs the question of what were the recommendations after review of the needs assessment, by three advisors, two Ministers, a Permanent Secretary, a Deputy Permanent Secretary, an acting Deputy PS, five Project Officers and one Project Coordinator, to facilitate the Medex’s work. None apparently.

Regarding the “deplorable” state of the road connecting Parabara to Konashen, the needs assessment also omitted in its findings, or perhaps the Minister grudgingly limited his knowledge, that the Government under the former administration provided $15 million, a John Deere tractor, an ATV and chainsaws to commence construction of the road. Building the trail from Parabara to Konshen is a continuous process, unless if it is constructed using asphalt, since it is located in dense rainforests.

Unsurprisingly, we have not yet witnessed any sustainable development initiatives, and the only new project which fits that description is the HEYS, which remains a failure since it has not expanded beyond Region 8, and that up to last month, participants had still not received their stipends. All other projects were initiated or drafted by the former administration.

So while the Government-run media withholds and corrodes information for the benefit of making Allicock look good, it is dangerous for presumably reputable media houses to rely on GINA without verifying their sources.

Especially when the truth is not unfamiliar among Guyanese.

Send questions & comments to sundayarrow@gmail.com

Celia Samaroo – a distinguished songstress and proud musical ambassador for Guyana

C

elia M Roopchan more popularly known as Celia Samaroo is one of Guyana’s most renowned songstresses of her generation. She is a reservoir of musical knowledge and Guyana Times was fortunate to tap into that reservoir.

Many may not know, but her talent has left an indelible mark on the fabric of music and its progression in Guyana.

Throughout her career, Celia has won a vast number of competitions at both the local and international levels. She was born to Harry and Ramdai Samaroo in the remote area of Princess Carolina up the Demerara River, Guyana. However, Celia grew up in the village of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, just three miles from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

At a very tender age Celia developed a passion for music as she became a frequent singer in her local mandir as well as school concerts and other village activities.

By the age of 17 Celia had embarked on a career in the music field with a desire to conquer it. She first got her break in the Maha Sabha Cultural Group where she was given the chance to flourish.

Samaroo did not only limit herself to bhajans but also became a frequent voice in homes by singing chutney, English and Indian music.

Celia has for years represented Guyana in the international arena as an ambassador of the people and culture of this nation. As a dedicated patriot, Samaroo has extensively travelled the Caribbean and countries such as the United States, Cuba, Canada and others.

Not only for stage shows but also performing at state functions and other major events.

Among her years as a performer, Celia has gained a wealth of experience performing alongside several of the top bands in the region including Melody Makers, Pete’s Caribbean Fusion, Sheriff Deputies, among others.

With the experience gained it is no surprise that Celia Samaroo was recognised for her outstanding contribution by being awarded the National Award in 1991, Sunshine Award of 1996 and Bollywood Performance Award in 2004, among others.

Samaroo, as humble as ever, reflected on how special every performance was, while noting that there is not one she can specifically single out as her favourite. “The atmosphere, the crowds and the joy it brings to be able to have this impact on lives is truly remarkable” she said.

Her work includes a long list of CDs of Bollywood songs and several of her own compositions such as “Gimmie chutney soca, Love me curry roti, Dance to the

chutney, and Dam Maro Dam (remix) with Triveni.”

The legendary singer re-

layed the difficulties she faced as a woman in a maledominated industry saying, “being a woman in any industry is challenging but you just have to keep focused.”

Apart from her music career, Celia has a full family of which she enjoys as much as she enjoys singing and performing. Samaroo is married and the proud mother of two children Amritha and Avinash.

She said it was challeng-

ing to handle both her career and household chores as well as looking after her children. But she is thankful for her husband for supporting her.

Celia is married to Bappi Roopchan, owner of the Shakti Strings Orchestra.

His band is among the best crossover bands in the country.

The music truly runs in the family as her son, Avinash Roopchan is the owner of Shakti Strings Studio. She is proud of both her son and husband for their contributions to music locally, rating them among the best in the business.

Her daughter Amritha has a son who Celia enjoys spending lots of time singing and playing with.

Celia and husband have both contributed tremendously to the music sector in Guyana over the years as they have kept the music alive from 1976 to present.

They both played an integral part in the GTT Bollywood Jingle and Song competition and the National Chutney Competition.

Celia’s career is not yet over as she is set to release her new collection coming

out of her family studio, Shakti Strings Studio.

The music industry has

Celia Samaroo

had its ups and downs but Celia is still hopeful that the future of the industry will be glorious. She is positive about “the abundance of talent in Guyana” and made the call for Guyanese to support their own and “appreciate our local artiste.”

Celia said she would be very honoured to be performing at the 50th Jublilee “Night of Legends.” She truly is a proud Guyanese and a living Legend.

18 news

SunDAY, may 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Primary school students share anti-littering message

G

rade Six students at Cornelia Ida Primary School in collaboration with United States Peace Corps volunteer Michelle Weekly, are sending a message to their community in the form of an anti-littering poster.

The beautifully illustrated poster features a coconut tree named Coco Man and the message “Don’t Pollute His Home.”

Grade Six students brainstormed to

come up with the design for the poster.

On Friday, with posters in hand, a small group of Grade Six students visited businesses along the Public Road to ask that they display the posters where they could be easily viewed by the public.

“Every business that we approached was very supportive and welcoming of the idea. They immediately looked for a place where they could display the poster,” Weekly said. The posters

are laminated so they can brave the elements.

The students would like to thank the following businesses for graciously embracing the idea: Good Life Supermarket, Karen’s Bargain Sales, Computer Resources, F Hussain and Sons, Beavon Johnson, Temptations, and Michelle’s Supermarket.

The students hope the posters will remind people that a trash-free Guyana is both healthy and attractive.

Younge’s Take The way of the Young

O

The poster Grade Six students are sharing with businesses in the community

Region 10 food handlers’ practices a concern – Agriculture Committee Head

H

ead of the Agriculture Committee of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Douglas Gittens has noted with concern the unethical way some food handlers, mainly butchers and meat hucksters, conduct their businesses in the Region.

Gittens noted that in many instances, health and safety guidelines are not adhered to, hence the need for enforcement of Guyana’s Food and Drug Act. Gittens recently highlighted several areas of concern, including the way eggs are stored before being passed on to consumers, and a number of unhealthy practices regarding meat and dairy products.

He said the Agriculture Committee has made several recommendations to deal with the issue and is looking forward to assisting with implementing and re-enforcing necessary systems.

“It is recommended that stipulations be put in place to deal with the way we handle food in the Region. We made several attempts to look at it in a good way for the future. For example, our butcheries... with the way the meat is stored outside of refrigerated areas...the cleanliness of the areas...

There should be guidelines on how to deal with eggs...

These are some of the things we have to look at in a comprehensive way”, he stated.

The committee head recently brought the situation to the attention of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) which he urged full support in moving forward.

ur Global Education System, as structured, teaches us that youths are the future of tomorrow's world and possess the ability to redefine and change the socioeconomic and geopolitical dynamics of the modern world.

It also teaches us that young people possess the necessary creativity, talent, energy and drive, vision and outlook as well as technological and transformational skills needed to confront some of world's most serious threats to the coexistence and continuity of the human race and protection, as well as Michael Younge preservation of the environment in which they cohabit.

As a result, elders across the globe and in very different locales have wasted no time in underscoring the importance of education, integrity, truth, knowledge and reason as prerequisites that should be instilled in youths in their most formative years.

This has lead to the creation and continued development of formal and informal institutions and organisations over several decades, if not centuries, aimed at preparing young people for the mantle of leadership while nuturing them to shape and redefine the global order in a positive and more effective manner.

Additionally, there can be no argument made against the fact that the rhetoric and philosophy of many powerful and ordinary elders are supportive of young people adding their voices and joining on global discourse on crime and violence, ending wars and diseases, reducing poverty and inequality, ending human rights injustices and social discrimination, and maintaining the balance of power and the search for world peace.

Youths, the world over, distractions aside after working, studying and adhering to the social constructs of their time are expectant that as soon as they feel they are of age, they can lead, rule the world, engineer positive and revolutionary changes and take up their destiny.

Unfortunately, recent history is replete with examples as to how the very system and elders that encouraged and educated youths are actively undermining their efforts to lead and create change as they see it.

The truth is, many elders refuse to step aside and allow new youthful blood to take over the spheres of power and control that influence aspects of the world's status quo.

Many of them use the excuses that youths are unsettled in their world view, too ambitious and inexperienced, possibly incompetent and pragmatic. So they use various structural policies to give 'some kinda' power, presence and a limited voice with the obvious aim of windowdressing to appeare proyouth and proinclusive.

In the developed world, any market analysis will show how hard it is for youths to climb to the top of dominant firms, entities and leadership groups such as the UN, WTO, PAHO/WHO and a slew of others. They literally have to upset and fight against the discriminatory processes that favour elders over youth to get ahead and in many cases, they prove themselves worthy of their portfolios once interference is kept at bay.

Closer to home, there are fewer opportunities for youths to be a part of a meaningful regional discourse and decisionmaking process that changes the way things are done in the Caribbean and South America.

While there are many established paper laws and instututions that seek to carve youth into the pot of power, there are even more personalities and elders who prefer conformity to their traditionalistic and idealistic outlook on regional affairs over the daring, bold and sometimes too ambitious plans of youths.

Decades after, the Caribbean Community still does not have a cohesive, influencial and powerful youth forum that can hold its elders to account whenever they fail to deliver, or debate with meaningful outcomes and not paper declarations, important socioeconomic and political issues that are retarding the forward movement of integration and the unification process, as well as the growth of the Region.

At home where power is concentrated in the realm of politics and wealth, the situation is worse but not surprising. Youths are used as poster boys and girls for political campaigning purposes, marketing appeal by powerful companies and rubber stamps for aid and donor agencies but are hardly ever properly rewarded, promoted, empowered or made influencial.

While it is clear the ruling Government is making steps to deal with aspects of youth leadership and inclusivity by piloting a national youth policy, that policy remains in the theatre undergoing corrective surgery.

There is also a noteable imbalance of youths sitting as MPs in Parliament and core ministerial as well as Government posts... two steps backward when one examines the record of the last PPP Government in these respects.

It seems as if youths are only made given prominence when elders need them to access wealth, power and status. While there are hundreds of elders who are eager to step aside and are not guilty of hording power and positions, there are thousands more to pay pure lip service to notions of youth power, influence and leadership.

It may be too later for the latter group when they realise that they should have been more wise as the world they will live in is still to be shaped by our ideas and visions.

We must all give way to the way of the young!

News

19

sundAY, may 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Local Board of Guardians

Region 2 RDC dissatisfied with non-consultation

Revetment works to save Katapulli Creek on schedule

T

he action of Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence in the formation of the new Local Board of Guardians without consultations has come in for much criticism with the Region Two RDC expressing dissatisfaction over the move.

The establishment of these boards commenced on April 7, 2016.

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, who was not invited to the launch, said the RDC is rejecting the manner members were identified by the Minister to serve on the new Board citing that there was a distinct lack of transparency.

Ramdatt said the RDC is clueless over the move and was never asked to submit names for the new board, and questions the criteria used to select members of the present board.

The chairman said the RDC is concerned over the cutting of public assistance to persons and

I

A section of revetment works in the vicinity of the Demerara River

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt

families deserving of support without meaningful justifications; the conduct of some staff attached to the Probation and Social Services Department; their rude and other forms of unprofessional behaviour to the public.

Concerns of inadequate staffing of the Probation and Social Services Department to adequately address the increase in social ills due to a struggling economy

within the region, and the lack of consultations and partnerships with the RDC and other key stakeholders in addressing social ills, were also raised.

Guyana Times was told that if the minister refuses to consult the RDC to submit names to serve on the Board of Guardians, the RDC will be taking to the streets to protest and object to the minister’s peculiar disregard for the RDC.

n an effort to save Katapulli Creek at Linden from massive erosion, revetment works began on site a few months ago.

Regional Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) Renis Morian said there had been a discrepancy involving work at the location however corrective works were recently conducted by an Engineer.

According to Morin, based on consultations, the creek, which forms a major part of the linkage to the Christianburg community had been under serious “threat” due to substandard work of the previous council.

“An agreement was reached after I had a discussion with the engineer to extend the revetment… so that’s on schedule”, he noted.

Morian said culverts in the Katapulli Creek will also benefit from rehabilitative works and noted that since the previous council had made a move to change the course of the creek, it had resulted in some issues. According to him, this nature-changing move was done without consulting a hydraulics engineer.

“Sea Defence is in Linden every week, checking to see how the works are going but I can assure you that all of those culverts are in the document to be done, from Katapulli right through to West Watooka. One of the things that we would have discovered… the water is passing under the foundation! …even the wall that was put in place was too short… so now we are beg-

ging Sea Defence to do things that they don’t have a budget for,” he stressed.

Engineer of the project James Douglas had indicated recently that the livelihood of the Christianburg community was at risk and that the works were being conducted so as to save it from the effects of flooding and other related issues.

He said it will also prevent the water retreating underneath the roadway. Due to the fact that the community has experienced massive erosion in times past, he noted that the nearby Demerara River was drifting nearer to the community as he explained that there had been noticeable effects of seepage of its water.

“The work is to solidify the community’, he stresed.

20

SunDAY, may 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

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SPORTs

21

Kohli hits second ton of season, RCB win

"I

hope it doesn't prove costly," a miked-up George Bailey murmured after narrowly missing an opportunity to run Virat Kohli out. Kohli had been on 4 at the time. He ended up smoking an unbeaten 108 off 58, made a chase of 192 look almost routine and steered Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory over Rising Pune Supergiants.

Supergiants' total was founded on fifties from Ajinkya Rahane and Saurabh Tiwary and, even more so, on a litany of errors from Royal Challengers in the field. But, led by Kohli, and boosted by crucial knocks from KL Rahul and Shane Watson, Royal Challengers brought the full force of their batting might to bear on a hapless bowling attack.

A chase of 192 requires a good start, and it was provided by Kohli and Rahul.

There were three quiet at the start before a series of classy drives - along the ground and through the air - took the score to 94 without loss by the 11th over.

Supergiants hit back in the next over when legspinner Adam Zampa, on IPL debut, dismissed Rahul and then the dangerous AB de Villiers

as well.

With 89 needed off 42, Shane Watson combined lusty strikes with streaky edges and before the bowler Thisara Perera knew it he had given away five fours in an over. With back-to-back sixes off Rajat Bhatia, whose slow cutters had started to become predictable, Watson brought the equation to 50 off 30 balls.

The next two overs belonged to Supergiants - RP Singh dismissed Watson and R Ashwin, introduced in the 17th over, conceded just seven. But Kohli remained. He plundered four sixes and a four off Zampa and RP Singh to leave just four runs to get off the final over, and applied the finishing touch himself. Kohli became the quickest batsman to 500 runs in an IPL season; achieving the landmark in eight innings, one better than his team-mate Chris Gayle, who was left out of the XI on Saturday.

Unlike their captain, the Royal Challengers bowlers and fielders were off their game. Missed chances have been a persistent irritant for them this season, but they graduated to a battering ram of woe today.

Tiwary was dropped twice in as many balls in

the sixth over; Stuart Binny missed a straightforward chance at short cover and Sachin Baby was unable to hold on despite getting both hands behind the ball at point. Tiwary received a third life, on 25, when Rahul fluffed a stumping and went on to make 52 off 39 balls. It was his second fifty in three matches.

The worst of Royal Challengers' errors came in the eighth over, when Rahane was surprised by Varun Aaron's extra bounce and the ball popped up towards where silly mid-on might have been. Both the bowler and Watson, running in from midwicket attempted to get under it, but no one went for the catch. The ball landed barely a foot from Watson.

Rahane finished with 78 off 48 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. His sixth halfcentury of the season put Supergiants on course for a total over 200. They went into the final five overs with eight wickets in hand and that allowed the batsmen coming in to look for runs despite risk. Supergiants did get 53 off these overs, but they needed a lot more considering Kohli was going to be in his happy place - with a target to chase. (ESPN

cricinfo)

22

guyana-times.com

sundAY, may 8, 2016

Historic: Three Rain forces chess players postponement of Powerade cycling achieve CM status

T

— event shifted to May 21

H

eavy and persistent rainfall in the city quashed any hopes of riders taking to the starting line to contest the sixth annual Powerade 11-race cycling programme at the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday.

The event, organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, was slated to pedal off at 09:00h, but officials and riders were forced to seek shelter from the elements.

“The rain was too much, and we didn’t want to take the risk of having the riders compete in that kind of weather,” Mohamed told this publication moments after the event was officially called off.

He further stated that the programme will now be held on May 21 at the same venue, as this weekend is booked for the 34th annual Independence Three-Stage cycling meet.

Hassan Mohamed

he discipline of Chess received a massive shot in the arm last week when it was revealed

by FIDE, the world governing body for the sport, that three Guyanese players have achieved the Candidate Master (CM) status.

Reigning senior national champion Wendell Meusa, former national senior and junior champion Taffin Khan, and female player Maria Thomas were conferred with the title after churning out exceptional performances for Guyana at the Sub-Zonal tournament in Barbados.

The trio, along with Jessica Clementson, Julia Clementson and Yolander Persaud represented Guyana at the event.

The Guyanese were pitted against much stronger players from 11 other countries, namely host Barbados, Aruba, Curacao, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas and Venezuela.

According to president of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), Irshad Mohamed, FIDE would usually host the Sub-Zonal competitions to allow countries which fall within a particular zone to put forward representatives to compete.

At these tournaments, players, depending on their performances, can achieve various titles, including CM, FIDE Master, International Master and Grand Master.

Commenting on the achievements of the three players, Mohamed said it is indeed a great honour for the country, and chess in particular. Meusa, Khan and Thomas have now joined Anthony Drayton and Ronuel Greenidge as the local players who hold CM title. Drayton and Greenidge were bestowed with the title about two years ago.

“Over the years, the different tournaments that we were able to have would have been some of the motivation behind having players to achieve titles,” Mohamed said.

The GCF also heaped praises of Meusa, who is also the national coach and a FIDE Development Instructor, for his role during the last Olympiad when he was able to work directly with the players and help them to improve their game.

“And he is one of the most instrumental persons in this whole process of players achieving Candidate Masters because he worked very vigorously to get them to achieve that title. I always believe credit must be given to him for the work he has done so far,” Mohamed acknowledged.

Meusa, speaking on behalf of the players, said it was the aim of the entire team to achieve the title, noting that it is a great achievement for the players personally, and Guyana as a whole.

The players’ trip was made possible through financial and other support from the GCF, Barbados Chess Federation, Caribbean Containers Inc., Gentle Elias and Chitra Samaroo.

GFF/Stag Elite League Finale…

Slingerz dismantle Fruta Conquerors 8-1 on Wade’s quadruple

D

ominican forward Julian Wade scored a quadruple of goals to help Slingerz FC comprehensively defeat Fruta Conquerors on Friday in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League Finale at the Track and Field Facility, Leonora.

The game was a top of the table clash and dubbed

It was the late second half blitz by Slingerz that really tore apart the Tucville based unit as in the space of nineteen minutes, six goals were scored against Fruta Conquerors.

Dominic Garnett netted in the 70th, which then saw a succession of three goals by the Wade in the 76th, 85th and 86th respectively.

GDF’s Delroy Fraser was the man open the scoring with strike in the 13th minute and Alpha would have been just a tad worried as the first half ended in GDF’s favour.

The second half saw a complete twist in the game, as the formidable unit of Alpha were able to secure three goals off the feet of

Alpha’s scorers Solomon Austin, Dwayne Lawrence and Anthony Abrams

as the match of the round where a ding-dong battle was expected. However, the heroics of Wade and the final score line, 8-1 made the pre-game into a one-sided affair. The result meant that Slingerz FC remains unbeaten in twelve games thus far.

It was Trayon Bobb who started the destruction in the 31st, followed by Wade in the 47th but a goal by the talented Eon Allyene brought the Conquerors back into the contest in the 49th, a match that if they won, they could have leveled with Slingerz at the top of the table on points.

Bobb (88th) and Garnett (89th) then treated themselves to a goal each which meant Slingerz inflicted the double of defeats on the Conquerors in the Finale and also are in the poll position to finish at the top of the League once more with just two matches remaining.

Fruta Conquerors on the other hand, will remain comfortably in second position, four points clear of their closest competitor, Alpha United.

In the other game of the night, Alpha United made light work of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to win 3-1.

Dwayne Lawrence in the 52nd, Solomon Austin in the 68th and Anthony Abrams in the 79th .

GDF would be ruing the opportunity they had of equaling the fourth place Pele on points in what can be considered the greatest intrigue of the final matches, the battle for fourth place.

The League continues on Sunday at the same venue, where GDF play Monedderlust and then the Fruta Conquerors are in action against the Georgetown Football Club (GFC).

Action kicks-off at 18:00 hrs.

guyana-times.com

sundAY, may 8, 2016

EDFA coaches now better equipped to function F

ootball coaches attached to the various clubs affiliated to the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) are now in a better position to execute their mandate, courtesy of a timely donation from the governing body for the sport on the East Coast.

At a simple ceremony at the office of Permanent Secretary in the Sport Ministry, Alfred King, representatives of five of the nine clubs were on hand to receive the pieces of equipment. These kits consisted of balls, cones, bibs, nets, a coach’s outfit and other equipment used by coaches.

The Executive Committee of the EDFA, through King, who is also the president, had made a

promise to assist the coaches during a coaching seminar held earlier in the year.

The initiative forms part of the developmental thrust of the association, which started with the coaching session which sought to build the capacity of the coaches to deliver quality coaching during competitions.

“This we hope will benefit the players, which will in turn improve the quality of play. It is also hoped that the kits will be used to supplement the job that is already being done by the coaches,” a release from the EDFA stated.

King, addressing the representatives on Saturday, said the donation is a part of concerted effort to improve

the level of football on the East Coast of Demerara.

“So we’re hoping that with the strategy that we have, you would see a structured development for football on the East Coast, and over time, of course in the next two or three years, one, we would have really strong clubs that would be competing nationally [and two] more players competing for national places at every level of football,” King pointed out.

The clubs represented on Saturday were Ann’s Grove, Buxton Stars, Beterverwagting, Victoria, Paradise and Golden Stars.

Absent were Mahaica, Plaisance and Buxton Youth Developers.

23

WICB CONGRATULATES THE GUYANA CRICKET BOARD

Anand Sanasie (left) collects his award as Male Sports Official of the Year from Director of Sport Christopher Jones at the National Sports Commission Awards Ceremony on May 4, 2016

S

T JOHN’S, Antigua – The board of directors, management and staff of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) would like to congratulate the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for being named the top sporting association of 2015. Equally “we are elated for Anand Sanasie who was named the top admin-

istrator.”

“Guyana’s cricket has improved considerably and they continue to dominate the regional competitions in several categories. We are excited at the opportunities for the region. We consider this a positive trend that as each region’s cricket gets better, West Indies cricket will also get better,” said

President, Dave Cameron.

The President went on to note that “this is a good achievement to follow by the other regions.”

The WICB is preparing for the upcoming Tri-Nation series which opens in Guyana on June 3. Guyana will also celebrate 50 years of independence later this month. (windiescricket.com)

SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2016

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

guyana-times.com

Historic: Three chess players achieve CM status

Page 22 From left: CM Taffin Khan, WCM Maria Thomas, Jessica Clementson, Julia Clementson, Yolander Persaud and CM Wendell Meusa

EDFA coaches now better equipped to function

GFF/Stag Elite League Finale…

Wade’s quadruple saw Slingerz dismantle Fruta Conquerors 8-1 Page 22

Page 23

EDFA president Alfred King (second right) and the various coaches display the equipment that were donated by the association (Avenash Ramzan photo)

From left, the magnificent trio of Dominic Garnett , Julian Wade and Trayon Bobb

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