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Issue No. 2853

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

PRICE

Recalled LAILAC infant “milk”

WHAT'S INSIDE:

IPA rushes to take back “milk” after threats of Police involvement

No compromising on building code regulations – Deputy P10 Fire Chief

Page 3

Trio charged for stealing car, gun and cash

Murdered Berbice woman endured years of abuse

– to be charged for trailing businessman from bank

Page 7

$80 vat included

Page 8

8 firefighters injured while battling Gafoors blaze

Prisoner to serve P3 additional 3 years in jail – found guilty of unlawful wounding charge

2014 robbery accused jailed for 5 years P8

See stories on pages 9 & 13

City Hall awarded $40,000 as vendor P7 withdraws court matter

Workers to know fate today – owners still assessing losses

Dookie distances self from Panama Papers scandal P7

The aftermath of the fire that razed the Gafoors Houston Complex. Inset: Chief Executive Officer Sattaur Gafoor meets with employees as the company continues to assess its losses following the fire on Monday

Stabroek Market restoration

2015 Election Day violence

Memories still fresh in Unregistered Sophia victims’ minds vendors face

– still awaiting compensation

Page 5

uncertain future

Page 12 Wales Estate closure

Govt ignoring recommendations of Economic P9 Services Committee – Ali

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WEDNesDAY, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 11 – 08:30h-10:00h and Thursday, May 12 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 11 – 07:15h-8:45h and Thursday, May 12 – 08:00h-09:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.68 metres per second and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:34h and 20:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres and 2.36 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:07h and 13:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.69 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

10 14 17 19 25 27 04 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Friday, May 9, 2016

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IPA rushes to take back “milk” after threats of Police involvement

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esponding to threats of possible Police involvement, the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) on Monday finally began removing stocks of the banned LAILAC milk powder, a substitute infant milk product from stores across the country.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer on Tuesday told Guyana Times that he was not prepared to have any Police issue tarnish the company’s reutation, but did promise that every effort will be made to have the product back on track.

“We are going to be complying with the recall by the Government Analyst. It is the law and we have to comply.

We are going to make all necessary steps to put it back on the shelf.”

“In February, they tell us the milk should not be advertised. We went and removed all advertisement; we showed them the World Health Organisation (WHO) act which says that a country must use all discretionary measures to advertise it.

There is no law that says you cannot advertise substitute.

Then they say that this milk is not labelled properly, we had baby milk instead of baby formula. We said ok, we will make the necessary steps to make the change. When they said they don’t see the manufacturing company, we showed them that on the label. Then they said we have no certificate of analysis, we produced that, now they are saying that the laws of Guyana say that the milk is not sold in France and it cannot be sold here,” Singh told Guyana Times.

He said the company has decided to recall the milk and await pending decisions it has with the company in France.

Asked if he has had any discussions with the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) and/or Government, Singh said “no one wants to have a discussion. It is so unfortunate.”

“What happen is the head of F&DD wanted this milk off the market for whatever reason I don’t know, but the milk was affecting the sale of high value milk. This is milk for the poor people and I am hoping that the Minister addresses the issue. This is milk that we have sold thousands of tins per week and it means that the poor people are using it... said it is sold in Africa, Middle East and the Caribbean, I don’t see why it cannot be sold in Guyana,” he said.

Meanwhile, the GA-FDD and the Consumer Affairs Bureau have come under heavy criticism for failing to enforce the regulation immediately, after the issue came to light.

Although the issue has been brewing for some time now, and the eventful refus-

al of IPA to adhere to an order by Government, critics say much is left to be desired from these agencies that have been tasked with looking into the health and wellness of consumers across the country.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton on Sunday said the recalled product did not meet the country’s required standard, and as such, was inappropriate to have it on the shelves of businesses.

Dr Norton had also expressed disappointment in the Analyst-Food and Drug Department for not moving sooner to seize 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, he had told Guyana Times.

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, the product remained on the shelves of numerous retail and wholesale outlets.

The IPA had persistently disregarded the GA-FDD’s instructions contending that LAILAC infant milk is a milkbased 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.

The other reason for the recall was based on conclusions after reading the product’s label which showed that the product is labelled infant milk although in the production process non-specified ‘vegetable oils’ were used to replace milk fat.

According to the GA-FDD, in making the product as close as possible to “mother’s milk”, unless specific vegetable oils were added to the cow milkbased substance, when digested by infants, the formula can prove to be dangerous since the fatty acids in the triglycerides produced influence their function negatively.

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.

Prisoner to serve additional 3 years in jail – found guilty of unlawful wounding charge

Daily Millions

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Recalled LAILAC infant “milk”

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Camp Street prisoner Marlon Persaud, who has been incarcerated since 2012 for a robbery under arms charge, was on Tuesday sentenced to three additional years in prison for unlawfully and maliciously wounding fellow inmate Wayne Gilbert.

Persaud, 28, seemed to be remorseful and pleaded with Magistrate Judy Latchman to pardon him of his crime, after appearing in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Persaud told the Court he was not a violent person, and he was locked up since 2012 without being able to see or take care of his family.

He asked Magistrate Latchman to place him on a bond or to have him complete community service instead of more jail time.

All of his pleas were, however, denied by Magistrate Latchman.

He was convicted of chopping Gilbert with whom he shared a prison cell on

October 2, 2012 at Camp Street Prison. About 17:00h, Persaud had returned from doing field work and while being armed with a cutlass, chopped Gilbert about his body.

He also threatened to kill Gilbert during the altercation. Gilbert received lacerations to his hand and feet.

Magistrate Latchman’s ruling was based on the fact that the defendant used a dangerous weapon – a cutlass to carry out the crime.

Marlon Persaud

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Editorial

Education vs Educare

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e tend to advance ourselves aggressively on a secular path and we have many militating factors that push you to do so. As the world shrinks with globalisation and borders to free trade and movement of skills proliferate exponentially, in order to maintain an edge or even be viably relevant within the workforce equation, we are forced to purse the route of perpetual knowledge acquisition. Not to be misconstrued, knowledge acquisition is integral towards our economic and social advancement as a people and it is the only vehicle through which the abyss of poverty can be surmounted.

However, we have reached a point in our secular learning where emphasis is placed solely on knowledge acquisition to gain a competitive edge at the expense of everything else. This one-sided affair is one of the reasons why there is so much turmoil in the world presently. In the final analysis, we emerge as educated, qualified people, who are severely lacking in the moral quotient necessary for us to be wholesome individuals.

With no moral, social or spiritual upbringing centred on the promulgation of human values, our children become ruthless and shrewd adults whose only motivation is the advancement of self. They also go through life disadvantaged because they don’t have the necessary support group or faith mechanisms to guide and lift them when they fall down. That is why we are seeing so many reported cases of suicide, so many reported cases of school related violence, so many reported cases of drug abuse, bullying and intolerance towards others.

Researchers from the University of Michigan analysed data from an annual survey of high school seniors from 135 schools in 48 states in a study called “Monitoring the Future” (Wallace and Forman, 1998).

Their research findings show that “religious involvement has a large impact on the lifestyles of these students, especially in late adolescence: Students who say that religion is important in their lives and attend religious services frequently have lower rates of cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and marijuana use; higher rates of seat belt use, eating fruits, vegetables, and breakfast, and lower rates of carrying weapons, getting into fights, and driving while drinking. This is one of the few studies that have examined religiousness, spirituality, and health-related practices in adolescence.”

Our contention is not that we must “drag” our children to the church, the mandir or mosque or any other religious centre for them to be instilled with virtuous knowledge.

The point is that our education system has to start implementing in its curriculum religious teachings that promote not just secular education but “educare”. Teachings that instil in the mouldable minds of our young ones, human values, such as love, truth, non-violence, peace and right conduct.

There is an adage that says “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks” and it rings true in that we can’t wait until children become adults to impart in them human values or ethics; probability of failure is imminent in such cases.

However, if we start instilling human values in children at a tender age, they will grow up to be educated and balanced individuals, exuding character.

This translates to more righteous people in the workforce, who are not just looking out for themselves but for the betterment of others also. In so doing, a lot of the societal ills such as corruption, corporate scheming, embezzlement and intolerance would be minimised, if not mitigated.

For this to be realised though, more work has to be done not only on the part of the educators and policymakers, but also on the part of the parents. The parents have to play an integral role in consciously moulding their children by also imparting to them the necessary teachings in human values, thereby supplementing and reinforcing the values that the child will learn in the school systems equipped with “educare”.

This is the only way I see the world changing to a more peaceful abode and it starts with the young ones.

According to a great spiritual master, “When there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in character; when there is beauty of character, there is harmony in the home; when there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation; when there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.”

“The end of Education is character, education is for life not just for living.”

On Sunday, May 8, 2016, the Academic Working Group of the National Commemoration Commission (NCC) in collaboration with the Indian Commemoration Trust hosted a cultural presentation at the Indian Monument Garden, Church and Camp Streets, which celebrated the intellectual brilliance of Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for Gitanjli: a collection of Indian Songs. He was the first non-European to receive that award

No Minister should have discretion to break the law!

Dear Editor, I have noticed that the Vice President and Minister of Public Security has been quoted in the media, as saying that he will be relaxing the drop-dead 2 am curfew on partygoers for some of the Jubilee events.

The two compelling reasons which were given for the curfew were 1) It was the law and 2) It would assist in the prevention and reduction of crime. The public has been regaled by our public security forces with statistics that showed the encouraging re-

duction in crime.

Hence, clearly the 2 AM curfew must have been a contributing factor, as it was one of the menu of crime-fighting measures which the Government implemented.

My observations are twofold. Since the 2 am curfew has been working as a crime fighting strategy/tactic, why would we want to subject our celebrants (overseas visitors and residents) at Jubilee celebrations to possible crime by going beyond the 2 am curfew? Our hardworking public security forces would all

be stretched too thin during these events – they have to secure celebrants as well as our enlarged list of Vice Presidents and Ministers.

Thus the risk of criminal activity against the public could increase. Secondly, even if our esteemed Vice President would be relaxing the curfew, would he not be asking people to break the law which he has sworn to upheld?

My views are if the curfew has not contributed to the decrease in criminal activity, it should be eliminat-

ed not for selected events and companies, but should be done across the board. If it is causing less criminal activity, then there should be no discretion and it should apply across the board regardless.

Also if the Vice President wants to relax it, then do not break the extant law, be law abiding and bring sunset legislation to relax it till the end of the Jubilee celebrations.

No Minister should have discretion to break the law!!!

Sincerely, Manzoor Nadir

Still no audit of City Hall

Dear Editor, Stakeholders in Georgetown continue to await the much-needed forensic audit at City Hall which is taking forever and a day.

With the new Council sitting on the sidelines and cheering on the Town Clerk, the Human Resources Manager and the Officers, there continues the hiring, promoting and rewarding of the handpicked, favoured cohorts and the excessive spending of the citizens’ taxes.

Obviously, the Human Resources Committee and

the Council have had little say in these recent appointments who are relatives or friends of other senior officers, and which signal no end in sight to the entrenched culture of nepotism at the Council. To confuse these hapless Councillors, there is the continuous transfers and movement of staff from one department to another, while friends and family are being promoted and hired willy-nilly.

Similarly, the acts of fiscal recklessness are also undiminished with the illegal granting of interest waiv-

ers continuing, along with the doling out of contracts without adherence to tender procedures going full steam ahead.

City Hall is the latest Ponzi scheme to happen in Guyana, and when they eventually run out of money that they are getting from the Central Government and from the interest waivers and fees, fines and taxes, the Georgetown Municipality will either collapse (classic Ponzi style) or depend on the Central Government for bailouts.

The Council’s wages bill is

staggering and still climbing.

When will the new Council review this? The rate of appointments, promotions and new hiring is frightening.

When will the new Council bring an end to this?

The doling out of contracts is unprecedented. When will the new Council commission the needed forensic audit?

Will the Central Government continue to allow King and his cabal to make Georgetown into a failed city?

Sincerely, Shanta Singh

Saddened by Gafoors fire

Dear Editor, The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is saddened to learn of the massive fire which engulfed and destroyed the bulk of the Gafoors Complex at Houston, East Bank Demerara on May 9, 2016.

It follows that the jobs of the hundreds of workers linked to this business’s operations stand threatened and their future very uncertain. The fire will also affect the business community as a

whole and the manufacturing sector too. Obviously, the cessation of operations will see a great lot of the workers employed being sent home.

This is most unwelcome news at this time, especially in light of a tightening job market in which very few jobs, if any, are being created. This newest contingent of the likely unemployed comes on the heels of the workers who were let go and those hundreds of others who stand threatened by the impending closure of operations of Wales and LBI

Estates by the Government of Guyana. These will augment those hundreds in the Public and Private Sectors who were dismissed in recent months.

The FITUG is in solidarity with those workers and their families as they confront and face a future characterised by much uncertainties and insecurity.

The heightening unemployment situation in our country brings into focus the recent call by our two trade union umbrella bodies– FITUG and the Guyana Trades Union

Congress (GTUC) – for the formulation of a National Programme for Job Creation.

Such a measure is essential and necessary in our times as many of our workers and their dependents, at this time, are unsure as to where and when their next meals and paycheques will come from. Their future is indeed bleak and our leaders must give serious attention to such developments and with urgency too.

Sincerely, FITUG

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wednesDAY, may 11, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

2015 Election Day violence

Memories still fresh in Sophia victims’ minds – as they await compensation from Govt

The horse stable and a small wooden shack that belonged to Prashad’s son on fire

Today marks one year since that violent eruption in C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, which left millions in property destroyed and items stolen; however, as time has moved on so have the victims of that incident who have struggled to get their lives back on track.

On the evening of May 11, 2015, after the close of polls in historic General and Regional Elections, residents of C Field erupted transforming the community into a virtual warzone over allegations of electoral impropriety by a political activist.

In the ensuing showdown, five cars, one minibus and a house, along with two horse stables, were completely destroyed by fire. The animals escaped unhurt. The violence targeted People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member Narine Kooblall but quickly escalated to his immediate neighbour on the left, who suffered the most in losses.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Farida Prashad recalled how the events unfolded on that fateful night that caused her and her family to lose their peace of mind. The woman said she was at home when persons gathered in front of her house, accusing her of having stolen ballot boxes from the polling station.

“That is something I will never forget and I remember it like it happened yesterday;

we are still traumatised over the situation and we still living in fear that something like that will happen again,” she noted, pointing out that the individual who started the riot was still a free man.

“You can’t just go up to somebody place and say ‘come see they have ballot box’; that cause so much destruction and then you would be a free man on this road, while we suffer millions of dollars in losses,” she noted.

According to Prashad, her two daughters who had separate apartments in the bottom flat of her house lost everything, as persons broke into their homes while the Police were right outside.

In addition, they lost three motorcycles, her daughter’s shop was looted and two horse stables and a small wooden shack which belonged to her son were also burnt as protesters lobbed Molotov cocktails.

Prashad noted that her husband’s horse cart and canter truck was also burnt, leaving him jobless as well.

She recounted as the crowd became unmanageable that night, they left with the Police, who told them not to secure the house as it would be under Police surveillance, but when they returned two days later, almost everything in the upper flat was missing and whatever was left, was destroyed.

She further noted that

over a dozen birds that were given to the Police for safekeeping also went missing along with the safe that was in her room which contained several important documents.

“We came back and started to block up the house because all the windows them were broken...we had to live here for over two months with zinc sheets on the windows… and as we get help from private people we start repairing,” she related.

Prashad revealed that they received help from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha as well as from the PPP/C, but the assistance they got from the Guyana Relief Council was what gave them that lift they needed to make the major repairs on the house.

In the same vein, the woman expressed her disappointment with the Government over its lack of interest in the victims.

“Nobody from the Government side check with us, they did ask we how we doing if we dead or alive...

PPP/C Opposition for compensation to be given to the victims of the Election Day violence.

Her next-door neighbour, Kooblall, who was at the centre of the incident, said while he too was disappointed about the fact that Government did not show any form of concern for them, he has since moved on and has made peace with what happened exactly one year ago.

Kooblall is a Pastor and has a church in his yard. On May 11 last year, his minibus was burnt and days later his home was broken into and looted and his nephew was badly beaten during the raid. The situation was so intense that he had to move out, along with his family, for a month, before returning home.

He noted that with the help of some A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) members, they were able to restrict the crowd that fateful night from entering the yard, but not from destroy-

Narine Kooblall’s bus and another vehicle destroyed by fire in front of his home on May 11 last year

We didn’t even get compensation from them and all these things happen because of their (Govt) supporters,” she remarked, adding that she was disappointed that Government turned down the motion taken to the National Assembly by the

ing his vehicle. However, the man noted that things are

now back to normal for him and he has since restored his relationship with neighbours. “The main thing is that we have our lives, those things that were lost are material and now the focus for me is reconciliation in the

Talk Show host Kwame McCoy community,” the man posited. He too voiced his disappointment about the rejection of the motion that was seeking compensation from Government. “I was really hoping that the Government would have stepped in and given us some form of compensation… reading what happened there in Parliament, we felt disappointed. They could have given us some form of compensation or even a soft loan – just some form of help,” he stated.

Kooblall said he was hopeful that Government would change this position and offer some sort of compensation to him and his neighbour for the losses they suffered as a result of the events that unfolded exactly one year ago. For him, he said, even a duty-free concession would suffice so that he

could buy another vehicle to replace the one destroyed by the fire.

In addition to Prasad’s and Kooblall’s vehicles, persons also burnt several vehicles belonging to Government Ministries that were being driven by staff members.

Dozens of persons suffered tremendously as a result of the many instances of violence that was perpetrated on Election Day 2015.

Guyanese were badly beaten and attacked by angry mobs, and families lost thousands of dollars as a direct result of the unrest that occurred in several communities.

At various polling stations across the country, other persons were victims of the brutal violence administered by residents who believed there was a threat to the integrity of the ballot boxes.

At the Turning Point Snackette in Tucville, Greater Georgetown, two persons were physically assaulted after being accused of attempting to steal ballot boxes.

In other areas, persons were hauled out of their vehicles and received several blows about their bodies for merely making an appearance in villages that were predominately occupied by supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

Talk Show host Kwame McCoy was attacked so badly that he had to be hospitalised. McCoy was confronted by an angry mob as he was about to exit the polling station at St Sidwell Primary School at Hadfield Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

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guyana-times.com

Foundation

Ways to motivate your child to be stellar Inspire her thirst for knowledge inside – and outside – of school

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f you want your child to be a stellar student, don’t limit learning to the walls of his classroom. Although the skills he’s learning there are crucial to his intellectual and social growth, your child needs your help to open up the world of ideas. His renewed joy in discovery will transfer to his schoolwork, so you’ll boost his academic achievement too!

to sorting and sequencing

Supplies that encourage open-ended play, such as blocks, will develop your child’s creative expression and problem-solving skills as he builds. He’ll need lots of

University in Philadelphia, continues, “Parents feel compelled to give their kids every advantage they can afford.

So they cram their days with art, music, sports, and even weekend enrichment programmes.” Is it any wonder

Fill your child’s world with reading

Take turns reading with your older child, or establish a family reading time when everyone reads her own book.

Demonstrate how important reading is to you by filling your home with printed materials: novels, newspapers, even posters and placemats with words on them.

Encourage him to express his opinion, talk about his feelings, and make choices

He can pick out a side dish to go with dinner and select his own extracurricular activities. Ask for his input on family decisions, and show that you value it.

Show enthusiasm for your child’s interests and encourage her to explore subjects that fascinate her

If she’s a horse nut, offer her stories about riding or challenge her to find five facts about horses in the encyclopaedia.

Provide him with play opportunities that support different kinds of learning styles — from listening and visual learning

tion, whether you’re looking for gardening tips on the Internet or taking a night class in literature.

7-year-old girl born without hands wins US handwriting competition

Ask about what he’s learning in school, not about his grades or test scores

Have him teach you what he learnt in school today – putting the lesson into his own words will help him retain what he learned.

Help your child organise her school papers and assignments so she feels in control of her work

If her task seems too daunting, she’ll spend more time worrying than learning.

Check in with her regularly to make sure she’s not feeling overloaded. unstructured play time to explore them. Kids today have half as much free time as they did 30 years ago, notes a national study of 3500 children, 12 and under, released by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.

“Children are affected by the same time crunch as their parents,” notes Sandra L Hofferth, a senior research scientist at the institute.

“As a society, we have talked ourselves into believing that we have to make every moment count, and that we have to fill our children as we would empty vessels,” says Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, co-author of Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less. HirshPasek, a professor at Temple

that when youngsters have a free moment, they complain that they’re bored? More likely, they simply don’t know what to do with themselves.

“There is a myth that doing nothing is wasting time, when it’s actually extremely productive and essential,” says Dr Hirsh-Pasek. “During empty hours, kids explore the world at their own pace, develop their own unique set of interests and indulge in the sort of fantasy play that will help them figure out how to create their own happiness, handle problems with others on their own, and sensibly manage their own time.

That’s a critical life skill.”

Point out the new things you learn with enthusiasm

Discuss the different ways you find new informa-

Celebrate achievements, no matter how small

Completing a book report calls for a special treat; finishing a book allows your child an hour of video games.

You’ll offer positive reinforcement that will inspire him to keep learning and challenging himself.

Focus on strengths, encouraging developing talents

Even if she didn’t ace her Maths test, she may have written a good poem in English class. In addition to a workbook for Maths practice, give her a writing journal.

Turn everyday events into learning opportunities

Encourage him to explore the world around him, asking questions and making connections. (scholastic.com)

By Melissa Willets

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Virginia First-Grade girl born without hands has won a national handwriting competition in the United States.

Seven-year-old Anaya Ellick hasn’t let her disability keep her from accomplishing big things. Even though she doesn’t wear prosthetics, the girl won a national handwriting contest in a category for students with cognitive delays, or intellectual, physical or develop-

mental disabilities. It was sponsored by education and literacy organisation ZanerBlose.

“There is truly very little that this girl cannot do,” Tracy Cox, principal at Anaya’s school, Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia, told ABC News. “She is a hard worker. She is determined.

She is independent. She is a vivacious and a no-excuses type of young lady.”

So how does Anaya write?

Incredibly, while standing at her desk, the first-grader uses her forearms to hold her pencil and produce penmanship that a team of occupational therapists determined was deserving of the top prize.

“We looked at her writing and were just stunned to see how well her handwriting was, considering she writes without hands. Her writing sample was comparable to someone who had hands,” the competition director, Kathleen Wright, says.

As the contest’s first prize winner, Anaya won a trophy and a check for US$1000.

But I’m guessing it must be the sense of accomplishment that is the best prize of all. Still, Ron H White, Greenbrier founder and superintendent, says about Anaya not having hands, “I don’t think Anaya thinks of it as an obstacle.”

What an inspiring little girl! I will definitely be sharing this story with my own seven-year-old the next time she thinks there’s something she can’t do. Heck, I will think back on Anaya’s story the next time I am feeling any self-doubt! (par-

enting.com)

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wednesDAY, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Murdered Berbice woman endured years of abuse Dookie distances self from Panama Papers scandal T he Rose Hall, Corentyne woman who was hacked to death by her reputed husband endured years of abused at the hands of the man she loved.

Bhagwattie Etwaru, 50, was murdered on Monday evening during an argument with her husband about his alcohol consumption.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday, the woman’s youngest daughter, Natasha Etwaru, said that over the past five years, the dead woman’s reputed husband Desmond Gordon had made several threats to kill her mother.

The couple has been living together for some eight years.

“I see he beat she couple well times,” she told this publication.

The couple was living alone at Mangrove Street, Rose Hall. This newspaper was told that Etwaru made frequent visits to the Rose Hall Police Outpost with reports of domestic vi-

Dead: Bhagwattie Etwaru

olence.

According to Natasha, her mother would on many occasions report her beatings to the Police and then return saying that she did not want to proceed with the charges.

On other occasions when she was physically abused, she would leave home and stay with relatives. “Sometimes she does come by we and den after two, three day, he gon come and bribe she back,” the now dead woman’s youngest daughter related.

The dead woman’s sis-

ter-in-law, Babita, said for the first three years of the relationship, everything between the couple seemed fine but then suddenly, things changed. She said that the couple got together in 2008.

Meanwhile, on the day of the fateful incident, relatives recalled that the couple was consuming alcohol together. According to an eyewitness, who is a friend of the couple, Gordon became upset with his wife’s drinking habits. “He beat she one time and she get a cut on she face,” the eyewitness said.

“I tell him before you beat the lady, why you don’t left the lady and leh she go long she way, an while gaffing with he, she jump down from the verandah, and he come down and bruck a wood a start beat she again and I walk out the yard.”

The eyewitness recalled that another neighbour then telephoned the Rose Hall Police Outpost and was told that it was a “man

and woman matter.”

He said a short while after, Gordon walked out of the yard and approached him. “He tell me he kill the woman and he going an hang heself. So I try fuh gaff with he. I tell he wait, ah going an buy this thing and then neighbour collect him and tell the Police, but when the Police come she already dead.”

According to the dead woman’s sister-in-law, only last month a restraining order was taken out against Gordon and he was also placed on a bond to keep the peace for six months.

She said Etwaru would frequently hang out with friends and on some occasions, would be away from home for up to four days before returning. She referred to Gordon as an abusive husband who Etwaru kept running back to.

Etwaru leaves to mourn seven children. The couple did not have any children together. Gordon is in Police custody as investigations continue.

City Hall awarded $40,000 as vendor withdraws court matter

T

he injunction that was filed against City Hall with regard to its “illegal” removal of vendors from the perimeter of the Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) Bond on Water Street, Georgetown, was on Tuesday withdrawn by request of the complainant.

When the matter was called in the High Court, the complainant, Peter Warren, who was being represented by Attorney Anil Nandlall, instructed his lawyer to ask for the withdrawal of the injunction.

Even before the request for withdrawal was made,

The Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) Bond on Water Street

the Judge had discharged the injunction after the Council’s lawyer presented to the Court an affidavit from the owner of the GSL bond, Malcolm Panday, indicating his disapproval of

vending around the perimeter of his building.

With the decision, the High Court Judge ruled that City Hall should be rewarded $40,000.

The injunction against

City Hall was filed after the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) had dismantled the stalls lining Water Street to facilitate its major clean-up campaign.

This was despite appeals by the vendors, who indicated that the land on which they were vending was not State-owned, but private.

However, after the injunction had been filed, Panday had informed that he had not given any permission for his premises to be used for vending, and the vendors had occupied there of their own accord.

D

r Edris K Dookie, one of the three persons linked to Guyana and highlighted in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released database that contains information on offshore entities that are part of the Panama Papers scandal and the offshore leaks investigations, has since distanced himself from the scandal.

Dookie in a media release said that he has “no legal, financial, banking relationships, etc with Panama-based Mossack Fonseca or any other entities, companies and institutions in Panama.” The businessman also defended the company listed in the database – Oyster Oil and Gas Limited – citing that it is a publicly traded company which is listed on the “TSX Venture Exchange, Toronto, Canada.”

The ICIJ database made mention of Dookie as a shareholder in Oyster Oil and Gas Limited, an active company that was incorporated in 2010.

The database showed that his local address in Guyana is Lot A16-17 Shamrock Gardens, Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

Located at this address is Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc, a company Dookie co-founded.

Dookie was also the cofounder and President of ON Energy and Executive Vice President of CGX Resources Inc, a Canadian oil company that was granted three exploration licences by the Government of Guyana.

He was allegedly fired by the Board of the company in light of the poor performance by CGX in 2013, in finding hydrocarbon deposits on the shores of Guyana. Several wells were drilled which came up empty, thus drying up the company’s cash flow and putting it in a desperate position of needing to raise additional funds to stay afloat. Under new management, however, and in partnership with ExxonMobil, CGX was able to acquire the fund-

ing necessary to continue and has since found significant hydrocarbon deposits off Guyana’s shores.

Yucatan Reis, was the second person named in the Panama Papers database who is linked to Guyana. He is a Brazilian that is a beneficiary of Equatorial Project Management and Engineering Enterprises Ltd, according to the database. Further checks of the database showed that the company was incorporated in 2013 and became inactive in 2015, with it being labelled “Bad debt account”. The address of the company is in Switzerland with offshore connections in the British Virgin Islands. The database also shows that Reis has a local address – Lot 40 Bel Air, Georgetown.

Reis is the co-owner of Muri Brazil Ventures Inc and also the owner of Excel Minerals, a gold mining/money transfer/financing company located at Sixth and Light Streets, Alberttown.

The third person named in the database, Chetwynd RF Bowling, has a local address at Lot 20 Main and St John Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice. The database shows that Bowling is a shareholder and Director of Alinga Consulting Group LTD, an active company that was incorporated in 2008. It is located in New York and has possible offshore ties with the British Virgin Islands.

Panamanian specialist law firm Mossack Fonseca, the world’s fourth largest provider of offshore services, was hacked and information totalling 2.6 Terabytes of data (11.5 million) of its confidential documents were leaked to the Panama Metropolitan Paper and other news entities. The leak has since revealed damning information of Heads of States, the elites, business moguls and other parties who were clients of the secretive law firm that created offshore bank accounts to hide their wealth, possibly allowing them to avoid paying taxes.

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wednesDAY, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS

2014 robbery accused jailed for 5 years

A

trio will now spend the next five years in prison for a 2014 robbery under arms charge, which Magistrate Judy Latchman found them guilty of when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

The alleged mastermind Alana Taylor, 36, a mother of three, broke down in tears when the Magistrate made her ruling. Taylor, along with her two accomplices: Amunike Rogers, 21, and Peter McKenzie, 25, looked dazed as she stood and listened to the final ruling on the case.

They are convicted of robbing Elizabeth Hendricks on March 2, 2014, at her Light Street, Georgetown home at gunpoint of a number of articles, including one laptop and a gold ring, all valued $341,000.

During Magistrate Latchman’s ruling, she made mention of the Prosecutor’s facts which stated that Taylor allegedly befriended the Virtual Complainant, after which she conspired with the oth-

What’s in a name...

A Alana Taylor

Amunike Rogers

Peter McKenzie

er two defendants to rob Hendricks. They claimed to know Hendricks, but she, however, denied having ever seen them before.

On the day in question, Taylor made contact with Hendricks to go over to her house to ‘black her hair’, but Hendricks told her she was not feeling well; however, Taylor insisted and said she was still coming over.

Upon Taylor’s arrival, Hendricks’s daughter opened the gate and the two other accomplices took the opportunity to enter

the yard to carry out their crime.

It is alleged that Taylor sat quietly throughout the entire ordeal looking on, without rendering any assistance to Hendricks while she was being assaulted by both McKenzie and Rogers.

Magistrate Latchman noted that a breach of trust was created on the part of Taylor as she was Hendricks’ friend.

Also damning was the fact that the plan was carefully hatched, the crime was well thought-out and organ-

ised, and the three knew exactly how they were going to execute it.

The Magistrate’s decision was, however, challenged by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, who indicated that he would be filing an appeal.

“I spoke with three defendants ... and they are still maintaining their innocence,” Todd said, maintaining that justice should and would be served, especially given the fact that none of his clients have prior brushes with the law.

Trio charged for stealing car, gun and cash – to be charged shortly for trailing businessman from bank

T

Randell Douglas

Eyew tness

he three men who were caught while trailing a businessman from a city bank will be charged shortly, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant informed Magistrate Dylan Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

The trio had appeared before the Magistrate to answer to simple larceny charges for a crime committed previously.

The three men – Afzad Khan, 53, of Lot 149 Bell West, West Coast Demerara; Parmanand Rampersaud, 56, of Laneville Grove, and Randell Douglas, 36, of Lot 42 Palm Street, Werk-en-

Rust, all of whom are taxi drivers, appeared before Magistrate Bess, and were not required to plead to the charge. It is alleged that on April 26 at Middle Street, Georgetown, they stole from motor car PJJ 989, one green bag with $400,000, a .32 Taurus pistol valued $150,000 and 45 .32 rounds of ammunition, property of Brian Narine.

They were allegedly caught committing the act on surveillance cameras.

Prosecutor Grant made objections to bail based on the grounds that the defendants have charges of a similar nature pending in the court.

However, the Prosecutor’s objections were overruled and the three were granted bail in the sum of $250,000 each. The case will continue on May 16.

The three men were nabbed last Saturday after they were found trailing a businessman from a city bank. Reports are that the businessman observed that a vehicle was travelling behind him for a prolonged period and phoned the Police, who dispatched a patrol immediately. As the police were about to intercept the vehicle, the occupants attempted to exit and join a minibus, but were captured.

...of baby formula?

fter a year, looks like this sordid case involving fake “baby’s milk” is drawing to a close. Sort of.

The Americans talk about “taking candy from a baby” as a mean act. But giving a baby fake milk?

Jeez!! Doesn’t get more despicable than that! We know Guyana’s still a poor country (and getting poorer every day), but if mothers know there’s no milk to give their babies...at least they have the option of giving them their own.

And that’s the point, isn’t it? IPA TOOK AWAY THAT CHOICE. Now companies DO manufacture “substitutes” for mother’s milk – which is the very best thing for babies to imbibe. After a million years of evolution, Mother Nature arrived at just the right formulation. So the substitutes should try to match as best as humanely possible, the composition of mothers’ milk, nuh!

Well, that’s not how some shysters in the world of business, like IPA – operate. They’ll try anything just to make a buck...and that’s why there’s the warning, “Caveat Emptor” – let the buyer beware! Well, somebody should’ve told Guyanese to beware of IPA! They brought in a batch of “infant milk” – called Lilac –- that substituted some unknown “vegetable oils” for the fats that are normally used. Which could be harmful to babies.

Thing is, our local Food and Drug Department (FDD) did their job and caught on to the subterfuge early in the day. They ordered the IPA to pull the fake stuff off the shelves. They, however, stonewalled even though they couldn’t fill the two conditions the GA-FDD told them they violated. So how could IPA get away with such highhandedness? Well, that’s the question the Stabber tried to answer in an editorial.

They beat all around the bush with claims about the FDD not having “resources”, they didn’t get the backing of the Ministry of Public Health blah, blah, blah. But in the “bush” was an elephant they studiously ignored – and the elephant is “IPA”. Fact of the matter: the owner of IPA’s the same fella who VP and Minister of Public Security and leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan bigged up as having built the headquarters of the AFC. And later the former co-leader of the AFC, Raphael Trotman announced that such contributions by businessmen were “political investments” – which had to generate a return. So, while no one is willing to say it...can’t we, Dear Reader, connect the dots and figure out why the IPA could tell the FDD to go take a hike? It was a “return on investment”.

So what’s in a name? It’s not just about “baby milk” – it also has to do with not calling a bribe a “bribe”.

...of an airport

The deed’s now done – Ogle International Airport is now “EF Correia International Airport” – whether we like it or not. And that’s the point, isn’t it? It’s not just about the name itself – even though no matter what some shill lawyer says – that’ll have an impact since the main operator of the “partnership” that runs the airport is also named “Correia”.

No...the main question is how can we call ourselves a “democracy” when the President confesses that he wasn’t even “lobbied” to change the name of the airport. He evidently just woke up one morning and out of the blue decided, “Today, I feel like changing the name of an airport. And I’ll name Ogle after “Correia”.

Why? No special reason...Correia wasn’t even the first Minister of Infrastructure under which air travel was covered. That was Eusi Kwayana.

So what if tomorrow the President wakes up and decides to rename Georgetown?

How’d you like to live in Greentown?

...like Fenty?

Well, seems like Rihanna! And she’s sponsoring US college scholarships to several Caribbean countries like Guyana. Her mother, a Fenty, was originally from Guyana who somehow ended up in Barbados.

Maybe they didn’t have a Guyanese be yhen?

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

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wednesday, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Wales Estate closure

Govt ignoring recommendations of Economic Services Committee – Ali P

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) point man on the parliamentary Economic Services Committee (ESC), Irfaan Ali, said Government has not been adhering to any recommendation made by the Committee regarding the issue at the Wales Sugar Estate.

On Sunday, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder told Guyana Times that Government was still awaiting an assessment of the Economic Services Committee, where the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry was sent in January of this year.

It is hoped that the report would provide some guidelines so that a decision could be made about the future of the more than 1700 workers of the Wales Sugar Estate.

Holder said too that there seems to be some amount of carelessness by the Opposition PPP, which is part of the Committee, to make known its recommendations. The Party is represented by Ali, who is also a Member of Parliament.

Ali, however, on Monday said the Committee has been having countless meetings with numerous recommendations being passed onto Government. However, those recommendations are not being accepted, he said, adding that the Committee

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

has issues with the way Government has been operating, since, instead of taking the recommendations, it has been acting on its own and implementing the ideas of outside sources.

He said Government has been acting “wantonly” and that includes the very closure of Wales Estate. According to him, if Government wants any recommendation from the Committee, it must ease on its closure of estates.

Following the announcement of the Wales Estate closure, Government had sent the final report of the CoI into the sugar industry to the special parliamentary committee for review. It is still awaiting that report.

According to Holder, the committee has been in existence for far too long and

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

should have already carried out most of the work required.

He said by now, the Committee should have already had discussions with persons who participated in the Inquiry, among other matters. He said the Committee was, however, expected to meet on Wednesday, May 11, and hoped that some developments could be had in this regard. Holder noted that the future of the sugar workers continued to hang in the balance.

Government, in January of this year, confirmed that the Estate would be closed in December after Guyana Times broke the story.

The announcement had sparked a series of outraged protests over the months following. Workers and their

families said they were unsure of what the future held for them, especially since they knew no other form of work.

On Friday last, the High Court issued an interim injunction barring GuySuCo from dismissing or redeploying hundreds of sugar workers attached to the Wales Sugar Estate, without first consulting with their unions, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).

The action was brought after GuySuCo began discussions with individual employees of Wales Estate to negotiate severance packages, without informing or involving the unions.

GuySuCo on Monday said it was still to receive the necessary legal documents regarding the interim injunction that was granted by Justices William Ramlall and Diana Insanally in the Full Court of the High Court.

The unions are represented by Attorneys Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Euclin Gomes, Sase Gunraj, Manoj Narayan and Sasha Mahadeo.

8 firefighters injured while battling Gafoors blaze

Scenes from inside Gafoors Complex’s main entrance on Tuesday

E

ight firefighters were injured on Monday evening as they attempted to battle the blaze that completely destroyed the Gafoors Complex, at Houston, Greater Georgetown.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has confirmed that eight ranks received injuries when sections of the complex collapsed on them.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Deputy Fire Chief Compton Sparman related that of those injured, one fireman was affected by the gases associated with fire.

“When he leave here, he wasn’t breathing properly, he had to be [rushed] to the Georgetown Hospital. One had a fracture; I think his neck had some problems and wrist,” Sparman said. Additionally, he said six other firemen were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital with injuries, burns and breathing problems associated with the inhalation of gases. While the firefighters’ injuries are said to be not life threatening, they were “shak-

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle

en up” by the ordeal. According to reports, firefighters also sustained “bumps and bruises” while some were reportedly given sick leave.

The popular Gafoors Shopping Complex located at Houston, went up in flames on Monday as workers were about to leave for the day, leaving billions of dollars in losses.

Reports are that the fire started about 15:00h in Bond Number Three, which contained fishing equipment. Despite attempts by firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service to contain the blaze, the fire quickly engulfed the building as the glass shutters shattered.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016

News Queens Atlantic Group offers support to Gafoors T

he Queens Atlantic Investment Incorporated (QAII) has offered its support to the management and staff of Gafoors Houston Complex, which was destroyed by fire on Monday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Queens Atlantic said Gafoors, both as a company and its owners Mr and Mrs Sattaur

Gafoor have, for decades, stood out like a beacon in the business community in terms of their commitment to the development of the country, private business and to principled business practices.

“As a company we offer our support in the rebuilding of Gafoors in whatever way we can,” stated Chairman of the QA companies, Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop.

Power drunkenness

S

No compromising on building code regulations – Deputy Fire Chief

By Kizzy Coleman

W

ith the recent fires across the country, the call for the observance of the Building Code has been reiterated.

Deputy Fire Chief Compton Sparman made the call while speaking with Guyana Times at the Gafoors Houston Complex, which was gutted by flames on Monday evening.

According to Sparman, the Building Code is stronger and “has more meat than the Fire Prevention Act”.

The National Building Code of Guyana recommends various loads and resistance factors to ensure safety in structural designs and construction of buildings, while the Fire Prevention Act provides for the inspection of

premises in Guyana for the purpose of eliminating fire hazards and connected purposes therewith.

Sparman noted that the Fire Prevention Act was designed on a goodwill basis.

“You don’t have to adhere to it, the only thing that we can do is to prevent you from certifying the place,” he stated.

He divulged that in cases where the Fire Department has sanctioned businesses for not adhering to the Act, there is a Fire Advisory Board that has the authority to restrict the Fire Chief.

The Deputy Fire Chief supported the Building Code.

“If you have the Building Codes which consist of strong laws that say that you have to do this, then it is going to be better for both parties –

Deputy Fire Chief Compton Sparman

the business people, the Fire Service; and the community at large,” Sparman noted.

According to Sparman, most businesses in Guyana are negligent when it comes to observing the Building

Code as it has a cost attached.

“The data would show that most buildings, most times you recommend certain fire safety requirements, some put quarter, some put half and some none at all because as I said there is a cost attached. So the building code will eat down your profit and because you want to maximise your profit, people opt to go to the insurance to insure,” he disclosed.

He further noted that the implementation of fire safety requirements was not at an optimum level as it was mandatory. “How the system is designed in relation to implementation of fire safety requirement, it is not optimum simply because it is not an enforcement, so businesses could do as they please.”

However, the Building Code being implemented to deal with fire safety and occupancy is mandatory.

“It says look if you do not do this in this stipulated period, then you could be sanctioned and only then people will understand. But if you allow a man to make a choice, then obviously he will make a choice that benefits him,” Sparman noted.

atiricus was appalled at the ugly catfight going on between the WAPA and KFC partners in the Coalition.

And while like most catfights – what with all the hair pulling, scratching, biting and such like – it was good theatre for those in need of political titillation, it was very infra dig for fellas who were supposed to be running the country. Satiricus didn’t like it one bit since it involved his two favourite politicians – Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man. “But what bothers me most,” complained Satiricus to his friend Cappo as they downed a few at the Back Street Bar, “is this so-called supporter of the KFC writes a letter to the press saying it’s not a case of “power drunkenness” by the KFC leaders.”

“Wha’ wraangwid da?” asked Cappo as his eyebrows arched. “Dat is de man feeling.”

“Well, even though the fella made some good points, why did he have to bring up “drunkenness” when he’s talking about Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man?” replied Satiricus morosely.

“De man talking about “power”, Sato... NOT bush rum!” smiled Cappo. “I don’t know about that,” replied Satiricus. “I think it’s a Freudian slip.”

“Me na care if a third slip or square leg,” said Cappo as he took a swig, “Me think dat Hynes chap mek wan good pint. KFC get buy-out by Pee-an-See!” “But what about what the letter writer said?” sniffed Satiricus, “WAPA get bigger buy-out, but Hynes don’t talk about that!”

“Well, let abee ‘gree wid dat,” said Cappo placatingly.

“Wha’ me think is de two a dem a behave like when wan man gat two wife. An’ dem a fight fuh get ‘e attention! Cat fight!” “C’mon, Cappo!” exclaimed Satiricus. “These are big men in the society. They have principles, you know.

And they have to stand up for their principles.”

“Principles?!” scoffed Cappo. “Budday...all a dem jine up Pee-an-See fuh throw out PPCEE an’ get big jaab and big money and big cyaar.”

“Well...that comes with the job, you know,” said Satiricus sheepishly. “Really?” said Cappo with his eyebrows touching his hairline. “Why me think dem give de self de big money and big cyaar?”

“OK...OK..But what about this “power drunkenness”? asked Satiricus in desperation.

“Well, Sato, me friend. Wha’ you seh when wan big PRIME Moocher threaten wan lil’ reporter because he write wha he t’ink?”

11

WEDNESDAY, may 11, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

12 news

wednesDay, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Stabroek Market restoration

Unregistered vendors face uncertain future

T

he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has made provisions for the 133 registered Stabroek Market vendors; however, no consideration of an alternative was put forward with regards to the livelihoods of the scores of unregistered vendors.

On Tuesday evening while traversing the Stabroek Market area, a number of vendors were seen selling but suddenly a loud voice shouted, “de Councillors coming, de Councillors coming”. The vendors swiftly picked up their goods and dispersed; however, unfortunately for one vendor in the act of escaping the Councillors, all of his goods (Fish) fell. The frustrated vendor ran and left his goods which eyewitnesses quickly grabbed.

Late at nights when the Council is away, vendors then make their way to their old location trying to secure whatever sales they can at that time.

According to one vendor, “I walk around all over Georgetown all day trying to get a spot, is at nights I try to

push in a little sales to look after my children. This is share nonsense Greene doing, she don’t like us.”

Despite the fact that these

Georgetown on Tuesday, a number of road vendors were seen walking around with their goods on mobile karts.

The vendors in an inter-

Some of the street side vendors moving their merchandise

persons are vending illegally, it is the opinion of many that these persons still have families to maintain and vending is their only means of income.

When Guyana Times visited the area, many asked “What will happen to the unregistered vendors?”

Traversing the streets of

view with this publication disclosed their dire situation of not being able to sustain their families. Sandra Peters disclosed that she believes that the M&CC is “deceitful and heartless.”

“They said to come out early Sunday morning to clean up the Stabroek Market area

and we came out and clean up but when we came Monday for work, then them say they don’t want we selling here no more”.

Peters said she is not pleased with the M&CC principles in which they operate.

Another vendor disclosed, “I do not know how long I can afford to be walking around Georgetown aimlessly because I am not getting to work and I have my children to feed.

People are trying to make an honest dollar but like M&CC want we go and thief instead.”

Grace Adonis, another vendor, noted that she is always on the alert since members of the City Constabulary are constantly after roadside vendors.

“Even if you walking around with your cart and your back just turn for a minute, they come and take away your cart, it’s an honest dollar I am trying to make, I can only do what I know to feed my children.”

The unregister vendors are pleading with the M&CC to remember them and act swiftly in providing some form of provision for them.

Keeping it real Ramjattan should not be in charge of Public Security

W

hile referring to the crime problem President David Granger said that there was a dip in serious crimes committed during this quarter. However, in the same vein, instead of projecting a strong image that the Government has a comprehensive plan to tackle the crime epidemic, including robbery and Dr Baytoram Ramharack murder, the President sounded ambivalent as he blamed the high crime wave on the previous regime and on “inter-personal disputes”.

Meanwhile, the Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, told Berbice businessmen that he was too busy planning for the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations and could not meet with them. One would think that in a situation like this where Berbicians were very concerned about crime, Ramjattan, being a Berbician himself, would seize at the opportunity to assist members of the “11% constituency” that placed his Government in the seat of power.

Out-of-control criminal activities can inflict severe damage to a country’s economy, especially for a small country like Guyana. It is unthinkable that in a country like ours, with such a small population, that criminal activities of all types, could figure so prominently in our daily lives. Look at any newspaper in Guyana. It is a daily occurrence. As we count down the days towards the Independence Jubilee, the concern for many Guyanese, including those in the Diaspora who would like to return home for the celebration, is the fear of being a victim of crime. The continued problem with crime cast a shadow on the coalition Government, which came to power promising to address the crime wave that has gripped Guyana for many years now.

There is no question that wanton crime and murder rates are a symptom of the moral decay of society. No single issue (with suicide being an exception) is more germane to our physical existence and survival. As I noted in another piece, crime alters our behaviour, it limits our freedom, it creates a psychological fear in our minds, and it keeps away tourists and investors who are desperately needed to polish our international image and boost our flailing economy. The violent crime wave has taken a deadly toll as fear keeps Guyanese behind locked windows and bolted doors. The US State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security has issued clear warnings on its website about “what to do” when Americans travel to Guyana. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime lists Guyana’s homicide rate at about 17 per 100,000 people – the fourth highest murder rate in South America (behind Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil). Guyana’s murder rate is three times higher than that of the United States.

Historically, petty criminal behaviour has been associated with the “choke and rob” crimes committed during the Forbes Burnham era. The more serious “kick down the door” crimes under President Hoyte prompted him to call for the death penalty. The crime wave took on a more ominous nature with the rise of the drug trade and an increasingly corrupt Police Force, coupled with the rise of “death squads” that can be linked to the Mash Day 2002 jailbreak during the PPP regime. Criminal acts became more bestial and brutal in the years following the jailbreak. It did not help when some segments of society provided support to some of these criminals by declaring them “freedom fighters”. President Granger’s first executive act following his election, without any assessment of its impact on society, was to release 60 criminals from prison. This was clearly an ill-conceived action in a society already nervous about escalating crime.

There is no lack of suggestions from various interest groups in Guyana as to what a comprehensive crime prevention plan may constitute. While criminal activities affect Guyanese across the racial spectrum, there is no question that the majority of victims of the current violent crime wave are Indians. Indians are stereotypically perceived as hoarders of wealth and are less likely to put up a resistance to perpetrators of criminal activity.

What seems to be clear at this point is that Ramjattan has been incapable of addressing the crime wave. He has no experience in this area and the time has long passed for him to “learn on the job”. Either President Granger should remove him from this position or he should resign the position.

Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com

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wednesDay, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Gafoors Houston Complex fire

Workers to know fate today – owners still assessing losses

W

hile investigations continue into the blaze that gutted several sections of the Houston Complex of hardware giant Gafoors, workers will soon know the fate of their jobs.

According to reports, the over 500 employees of the Gafoors Complex, which is located at Houston, Greater Georgetown – which went up in flames on Monday – have been told to report to work today, where they are expected to be advised on the way forward.

Employees, who turned up for a meeting with management on Tuesday were reportedly told that they should return as decisions on their jobs are still to be made. However, Guyana Times was told that employees from the Houston facility will be transferred to other Gafoors locations.

Meanwhile, at about 02:00h on Tuesday morning, the fire which started on Monday afternoon reignited. This newspaper was told that this led to the main en-

The aftermath of the fire that razed the Gafoors Houston Complex

trance being completely engulfed.

When this publication visited the scene just before 10:00h on Tuesday, firemen were still battling the fire, which gutted six bonds of the Gafoors facility, causing losses to the tune of billions of dollars.

At that time, Deputy Fire Chief Compton Sparman, said while fire fighters were able to save approximately 40 per cent of the structure, highly flammable materials were contributing to the pockets of fires. He also stressed that further investigations would be needed to determine the origin of the blaze.

“I don’t want to make comments because fire investigation is a complex one; it deals with eyewitness statements, the burn pattern, and if you look at the magnitude of this building, it’s very difficult,” Sparman stressed.

Meanwhile, the Government issued a statement, empathising with the management of Gafoors, while expressing concern

Onderneeming labourer found dead

A

28-year-old labourer from Onderneeming, Red Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Monday evening discovered dead on a bed in his residence. He was discovered by relatives in a crouching position on a bed with a rope around his neck.

The labourer, Javindra Narayan, called “Roopnarine” was said to be living with his common law wife at Onderneeming Red Village. According to reports, the man exhibited no signed of suicidal tendencies, so his death continues to baffle relatives.

Guyana Times was told that at the time of the incident, Narayan was at home alone while his common law wife was at work.

But even as Police investigate the man’s death, relatives are contending that there seems to be some foul play involved, since the position Narayan was in at the

Javindra Narayan, called “Roopnarine”

time of his discovery is not consistent with suicide by hanging.

The body has since been taken to the Suddie Hospital mortuary as Police await a post-mortem examination to determine the way forward with their investigations.

over the jobs and financial losses that came as a result of the blaze.

Likewise, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) also extended their grief over the situation to the Gafoors family on the losses they

would have suffered.

“The Commission also commiserates with all the workers who have been rendered jobless by the conflagration. This is not only a severe blow to the Gafoor family and their employees

but it is a national loss,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Police ranks have been stationed at the facility on a shift system so as to ensure that looting does not take place. On Monday at about 15:00h, the

fire of unknown origin started in bond three at the facility which stored fishing equipment.

Despite attempts by fire service officers to extinguish the blaze, the fire quickly raged through the complex.

14

guyana-times.com

wednesDay, may 11, 2016

Regional

2 held in US over Suriname shipment Mexico Judge says “El Chapo” extradition may proceed of cocaine-filled frozen fish

T

wo Brooklyn residents have been charged after pickin They were held last Friday in a sting operation, two days after US Customs and Border Protection officers seized the shipment at Miami International Airport.

Law enforcement authorities had put the fish back into the shipping boxes after confirming it contained cocaine, and then transported the shipment to a storage facility in Queens, which was kept under surveillance, according to New York Daily News.

Daniels and Gonsalves showed up at the warehouse on Friday in a van

and picked up the boxes and drove to another storage

papers revealed the importer of the fish had been pre-

Some of the cocaine packages that were hidden in the fish

facility in Brooklyn. They were arrested as they unloaded the vehicle.

The New York Daily News reported that court

viously associated with a shipment of 82 kilos of cocaine from Guyana that was seized at the Miami airport in February.(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Brazil crisis: Rousseff impeachment process 'back on track'

A

n impeachment process against Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff appears to be back on track after the acting speaker of the lower house revoked his surprise decision to suspend a crucial vote.

Speaker Waldir Maranhao did not give any reason for his U-turn, which came less than 24 hours after he had called for a new impeachment vote. The Senate is now expected to vote on Wednesday on an impeachment trial.

If Rousseff loses, she will be suspended for the trial's duration. She faces allega-

tions that her Government violated fiscal rules, which she says is a common practice in Brazil.

Maranhao's earlier decision to annul the lower house vote held on April 17 had thrown the impeachment proceedings into disarray. Maranhao argued there had been irregularities during the lower house session.

Members voted overwhelming in favour of the impeachment process going ahead.

He said members of the lower house should not have publicly announced their positions prior to the vote, and that it had been wrong of party leaders to instruct

their lawmakers how to vote. The controversial decision added a dramatic twist to Brazil's political crisis.

Markets were quick to react: Brazil's currency fell by 4.6 per cent before recovering slightly. The Ibovespa stock benchmark fell by as much as 3.5 per cent, reflecting investors' dislike of Rousseff's Workers' Party policies, which they view as interventionist. But the decision mainly caused confusion as to what would happen next, and if a Senate vote on impeaching Rousseff would go ahead as planned on Wednesday. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Construction workers trapped as hotel collapses in Jamaica

R

escue personnel have been pressed into action after a section of a hotel under reconstruction collapsed, injuring and trapping several construction workers.

A section of The Royalton Negril Resort and Spa in Westmoreland, which is under renovations, caved in around 06:00h. Several workers were injured and were rushed to hospital.

One worker who was trapped under the rubble had been rescued by late morning, while firefighters worked feverishly to free at least two others, according to local reports. The cause

of the collapse was not im-

The aftermath of the collapse at the Royalton Hotel

mediately known. It is also unclear how many people were injured and the nature

of their injuries. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who is overseas on official business, has dispatched a high level team from his Ministry to the site.

The team is being led by the Ministry of Tourism’s Senior Director of Technical Services, David Dobson and includes Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Ian Dear, Executive Director of TPDCo, Dennis Hickey, Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, Senior Communications Strategist, Delano Seiveright and other government officials. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Panama to close Colombia border to halt Cuban migrants

K

ey crossings on Panama's border with Colombia are to be closed to control the flow of Cuban migrants heading to the United States.

President Juan Carlos Varela said the decision was necessary as Costa Rica and Nicaragua had recently closed their borders to Cubans heading north.

Panama has also agreed to tran sfer more than 3500 Cubans hoping to reach the US to a town in northern Mexico.

President Varela said the flights to Mexico could last two to three weeks.

The Cubans have been stranded in Panama for months. They are hoping to reach the US under a de-

cades-old law which gives them privileged entry and a fast track to residency.

The number of Cubans trying to reach the US has increased lately because of fears that warming relations between the two countries could mean the end of the preferential treatment they receive. (BBC News)

A

federal judge has ruled that the extradition of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman to the US can move ahead, Mexico’s Judicial Council said on Monday, but the Foreign Relations Department must still approve it and the defence can appeal.

The Council, which oversees Mexico’s federal judges and tribunals, said the judge, who was not identified, had agreed that the legal requirements laid out in

the extradition treaty between the two countries had been met.

The Foreign Relations Department has 20 days to decide whether to approve Guzman’s extradition. Any extradition attempt can be delayed or stopped by a request to the court by attorneys for Guzman, the convicted leader of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel.

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said, at an unrelated news conference, that she was looking forward

to an “imminent” resolution, but did not have a specific timeline. Guzman was moved on Saturday from a prison outside Mexico City to one in Ciudad Juárez, near the US border. Questions have arisen on both sides of the border about the decision to relocate the drug lord to a region that is one of his cartel’s strongholds.

A Mexican security official acknowledged Sunday that the sudden transfer was to a less-secure prison.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean students to benefit from Rihanna’s new scholarship programme

B

arbadian-born Grammy-winning singer Rihanna has announced a global scholarship programme that would fund education for students from seven countries, including her home country and four other Caribbean nations, in the United States.

The college scholarship programme, launched through her Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), would provide up to US$50,000 in scholarships for successful applications from Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, or the US who have already been accepted into a bachelor’s degree programme at an accredited four-year college or univer-

sity in the US for the 20162017 year. ”To be able to give the gift of an education is actually an honour.” Higher edu-

Rihanna founded the CLF in 2012 in honour of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite

cation will help provide perspective, opportunities, and learning to a group of kids who really deserve it. I am thrilled to be able to do this,”

the star told USA Today.

Recipients will receive an award ranging from US$5000 to US$50,000, which may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance, and awards may be used only for tuition expenses.

The deadline for applications is June 10. Once applications are submitted, a committee will screen 50 finalists based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience and a personal essay, and winners will be announced

by August. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

High-level T&T-Ghana energy talks

E

nergy matters were high on the agenda on Monday when Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, accompanied by a 12-member delegation, embarked on the first full day of meetings of their four-day state visit to Ghana.

Dr Rowley, who is in Ghana at the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama, arrived in Accra on Sunday after travelling from London and was received by Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.

The T&T delegation of Government officials, chairmen of oil and gas companies

and representatives of the business community are engaged in three days of meetings and activities, exploring and strengthening economic ties with the West African nation.

The agenda includes a visit to the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana’s only refinery which is located about 24 kilometres East of Accra. Originally named the Ghanaian Italian Petroleum (GHAIP) Company and incorporated as a Private Limited Liability Company in December 1960, the refinery had been 100 per cent owned by Italy’s ENI Group

The Government of Ghana bought all the shares in April 1977 and in 1990 the name was changed to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

Dr Rowley and his delegation were also scheduled to visit the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), also located in Tema and also wholly stated owned. The aluminium smelter plant is a major producer for the world market. The other major energyrelated activity on the itinerary is a visit to the Atuabo Gas Plant, a gas processing facility located in Ghana’s Western Region in the peninsula of Ashantiland. (Excerpt

from Trinidad Guardian)

Gonsalves still opposed to citizenship by investment programme

T

he St Vincent and the Grenadines Government says it remains opposed to the controversial citizenship by investment programme (CIP) as a means of luring foreign investors to the island.

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, addressing the launch of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Finance Fair Monday night, said that his administration remains opposed to the CIP, which he described as a “race to the bottom”.

Several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts-Nevis and Dominica, have established CIPs through which foreign investors are given citizenship in return for making a significant investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.

Gonsalves told the Private Sector that he was re-affirming his Unity Labour Party (ULP) position on the issue and that his Government has no intention of having a citizenship by investment pro-

gramme.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the space is narrowing for economic citizenship programmes, adding, “and there is a race to the bottom in all of them and there are a lot of good products in this area in other countries where people from China and the Middle East are rushing to – Austria, Portugal, but, of course, they have different type of – better run regimes for these types of things. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

wednesDAY, may 11, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

Syria: Deaths as air strikes President Barack Obama to visit hit Binnish town in Idlib Hiroshima on Japan and Vietnam trip N

U

S President Barack Obama is to visit Hiroshima this month – the first serving US President to travel to the Japanese city since it was hit by a US nuclear bomb in 1945.

The visit will be part of an Asian trip from May 2128 that will also take in Vietnam.

The Hiroshima bombing on August 6, 1945 killed 140,000 people. Along with a second bombing on Nagasaki – it is credited with ending World War Two. The White House said there would be no apology for the bombings.

A statement from Obama's press secretary read: "The President

will make an historic visit to Hiroshima with Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe to highlight his continued commitment to pursuing peace

apology, the President's Communications Adviser, Ben Rhodes, said on his Twitter page that the US would be "eternally proud

The atomic bomb dome. Some 140,000 are believed to have died in the attack on Hiroshima

and security in a world without nuclear weapons."

In ruling out any

of our civilian leaders and the men and women of our armed forces who served in

World War II".

He said that Obama would "not revisit the decision to use the atomic bomb at the end of World War II. Instead, he will offer a forward-looking vision focused on our shared future".

He said the visit would "offer an opportunity to honour the memory of all innocents who were lost during the war".

Rhodes added: "The President and his team will make this visit knowing that the open recognition of history is essential to understanding our shared past, the forces that shape the world we live in today, and the future that we seek for our children and grandchildren." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Gunmen kill 5 security personnel in Nigerian Delta, oil companies evacuate staff

G

unmen killed two Policemen in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta as they slept in a security post on Monday evening and three soldiers were killed in a second attack, Police and the Army said.

The raids took place a day after five Police Officers were shot dead in the same region.

Recent violence has raised concern that militants might resume an insurgency that has been quiet for the past several years.

A labour union on Tuesday called for the evacuation of oil workers from the region.

The Army said it would use "all available means and

measures" to crush militants attacking oil facilities, saying: "They will stand to regret the consequences of their actions."

The two Policemen, who were asleep on guard duty,

tack in Bayelsa state, the Army said.Last week, a group known as Niger Delta Avengers attacked a Chevron facility in the Delta after claiming a strike in February against a Shell

A military gunboat is seen on a river in Nigeria's Delta region April 3, 2011

were killed in Delta's Rivers state, a Police spokesman.

The soldiers died in an at-

pipeline, which shut down the 250,000 barrel-a-day Forcados export terminal.

The violence has pushed Nigeria's crude output near to a 22-year low.

"Best thing for any reasonable company to do is evacuate its workforce," said Cogent Ojobor, Chairman of the Warri branch of the Nupeng oil labour union.

Chika Onuegbu, Chairman of the trade union in Rivers state, said Chevron had evacuated some staff from the Delta following a similar move by Shell.

"There is high alert around various installation around the Niger Delta due to recent attacks," Onuegbu said. "Those evacuated are where their platforms have been attacked but others are working."(Excerpt from Reuters)

5 Pacific islands disappear as sea levels rise

F

ive tiny Pacific islands have disappeared amid rising seas and erosion, Australian researchers say.

The missing islands, part of the Solomon Archipelago, were not inhabited by human beings.

But six other islands were found to have seen swathes of land turn into sea, destroying entire villages.

The researchers say it is the first scientific confirmation of the impact of climate change on Pacific coastlines.

The study, published in

Environmental Research Letters, looked at 33 islands using aerial and satellite imagery from 1947 to 2014, combined with historical in-

els rise as much as 10mm (0.4in) every year for the past two decades.

The five that have vanished were all vegetated reef

Images show the remains of six partially eroded islands in the Solomon Islands

sight and local knowledge.

It found that the archipelago had seen sea lev-

islands of up to five hectares (12 acres) in size that were occasionally used by fisher-

men but not populated.

"They were not just little sand islands," leader author Simon Albert said.

One of the six islands that have been heavily eroded is Nuatambu Island, home to 25 families. The research says it has lost 11 houses and half its inhabitable area since 2011.

The researchers say their study is the first that scientifically "confirms the numerous anecdotal accounts from across the Pacific of the dramatic impacts of climate change on coastlines and people". (Excerpt from BBC News)

China transgender case: 'Mr C' vows to fight on for equality

T

he tribunal in Guizhou province has awarded him unpaid wages, but has ruled that his dismissal was legal, he says.

It is the first case of its kind in mainland China.

China does not recognise many LGBT rights such as gay marriage, and its laws do not protect people from dis-

crimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Mr C told BBC Chinese he was "disappointed" with the ruling.

"If a company can dismiss someone because of the way he dresses and is judged not illegal, then what more excuses do they need to dismiss

someone?" he said.

"The case made me realise that discrimination against transgender [people] is more severe than I had thought. I will keep appealing to safeguard my legitimate right."

He was hired for a sales job with Ciming Checkup company in 2015, but was let go a week after starting

work.

The tribunal dismissed recordings presented by Mr C's lawyers that, according to them, showed there had been discrimination based on his transgender identity.

Instead, the court accepted the company's claim that he was dismissed due to poor performance. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ew air strikes on the town of Binnish in Idlib Province in Syria's northwest have killed at least 14 people.

Fighting also appeared to continue on Tuesday inside and around the city of Aleppo, 50 kilometres from Idlib city, according to the British-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Government forces and rebels in Aleppo had initially agreed on Monday to extend their truce for a second time, according to the army, as the United States and Russia vowed to "redouble" efforts to end the five-year conflict.

The cessation of hostilities was initially to last for two days, but was later extended until Tuesday at 00:01 am.

Announcing a further prolongation, the army command said: "The 'regime of silence' in Aleppo and its province has been extended

by 48 hours from Tuesday 01:00 am [local time] to midnight on Wednesday."

The US and Russia also agreed to try to extend a February 27 ceasefire across the whole of the country.

But Tuesday's deadly airborne raids, by either Syrian or Russian warplanes wounded dozens, the Observatory said.

A local rebel commander was also among those killed.

There were no immediate details about other casualties.

Idlib Province, which borders Turkey, is almost completely controlled by rebel groups, including the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front along with Ahrar alSham.

Washington and Moscow on Monday hailed some "progress" in reducing the fighting, but admitted to ongoing "difficulties" in achieving a de-escalation in some areas as well as in ensuring humanitarian access to besieged areas. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bangladesh hangs top Islamist party leader for 1971 war crimes

B

angladesh hanged Islamist party leader Motiur Rahman Nizami on Wednesday for war crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence to break away from Pakistan, the Law Minister said, in a move that could draw an angry reaction from his supporters.

Nizami, head of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was hanged at Dhaka Central jail after the Supreme Court rejected his final plea against a death sentence imposed by a special tribunal for genocide, rape and orchestrating the massacre of top intellectuals during the war.

Nizami, 73, a former legislator and Minister, was hanged at 12.01h local time,

Moulana Motiur Rahman Nizami, chief of the Jamaate-Islami, Bangladesh's biggest Islamic Political Party and an alliance of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party, waves to his supporters during a rally

Law Minister Anisul Haq told Reuters.

Thousands of extra Police and border guards were deployed in Dhaka and other major cities to tighten security. (Reuters)

Tata Steel UK says 7 bidders express interest

T

ata Steel has confirmed that seven bidders are interested in buying its UK operations.

It said all the bidders were interested in the whole of the loss-making business, and it was not considering offers for parts of it.

Tata said it was also clarifying outstanding points with a "number of other interested parties".

The sale includes Port Talbot, the UK's largest steelworks, as well as sites at Newport and Rotherham.

About 4000 people work at Port Talbot, some 1300 at Newport, and about 1200 at Rotherham. Tata also has operations at Corby,

Shotton and Teesside.

Tata's Scunthorpe operation, which employs more than 3000 people, has already been sold to investment firm Greybull Capital for a nominal ÂŁ1.

The company said all the bidders had progressed to the next stage of the sale process, where they would now receive further information about the business.

Group executive director of Tata Steel, Koushik Chatterjee, said: "We believe that the bids being taken forward offer future prospects of sustainability for the UK business as a whole." (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

WEDNesDAY, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Indigenous producers launch high-end facial cleanser I

ndigenous producers recently launched their Rupununi Essence Luxury Facial Cleanser, developed by the Makushi Unit (MRU), Research Medicine from Trees and other groups, in collaboration with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST).

According to a statement released from the Ministry of the Presidency, “The 100 per cent organic skin cleanser was created through a partnership among the Ministry, the IAST, under the stewardship of Director, Professor Suresh Narine, and indigenous producers from the North Rupununi.”

The partnership started in November 2015, with the aim of adding value to the products produced by indigenous groups. This was achieved by adding flavours and scents and by refining production techniques to ensure a better product that

could access high-end markets.

Recognising that there is now a niche market for organic products both locally and internationally, the partnership, along with the Ministry of Indigenous

tainable products to develop, such as soaps, body lotions and cleaners made from crabwood oil and other botanicals, which the producers are now exporting and which would be available for sale locally at high-end re-

The Rupununi Essence Luxury Facial Cleanser

Peoples’ Affairs and women’s and social activist Vanda Radzik embarked on a “robust business plan” aimed at empowering, in particular, women producers.

They created a list of sus-

tailers.

The Parishara peanut butter factory was also refurbished through this collaboration, the release noted.

Speaking at the launching, Social Cohesion Minister

Amna Ally noted that “this event is of great significance not only to the Makushi people but to all of our indigenous brothers and sisters, because it showcases the novel and innovative mechanisms that can be employed to produce products such as the Rupununi Essence Brand.”

Minister Ally said, “Our indigenous peoples and their civilisations have contributed greatly to the world’s agricultural diversity and its related biological diversity and knowledge diversity. They are the originators and custodians of millennial and dynamic agriculture and food systems that remain viable in the 21st century.”

Ally further disclosed that her Ministry “will continue to work with communities to empower them”. “We intend to promote and develop projects such as these that will ensure economic empowerment of our indigenous population. We will invest in initiatives to provide technical assistance and capacity strengthening programmes for indigenous organisations that require funding.”

The Social Cohesion and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the application of technology in indigenous communities to alleviate poverty and promote community-based enterprise and cohesion.

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock extended congratulations to the MRU and other groups for creating the product and noted that it was essential that they all continued to work to create economic stability within their group and the national economy.

According to Minister Allicock, “You have demonstrated the will to stay close to your culture and heritage.

You have, therefore, helped with the preservation, growth and development of your culture, customs and practices.”

Professor Narine praised a number of persons instrumental in helping to create the cleanser, including Minister Ally; the “tireless” Radzik; Dr Paloma Mohamed, who was instrumental in crafting the marketing and advertising for the product; Dr Marie Correia, who taught the group how to make liquid soap and the “indefatigable” Mrs Annette Arjoon-Martins, who was accompanied by her husband, celebrated singer/songwriter Dave Martins.

“For too long we have ignored this amazing patrimony, the gift of knowledge from our indigenous peoples.

We like to say that it is new knowledge, but they have known this for millennia,” Professor Narine said.

The launching, which was held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, was well attended by a number of Ministers and notables.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

No more delays – Pass the tobacco bill now

I

n 2001, I had indicated that one of my priorities in health was to enact and enforce a tobacco control law.

After more than a decade of consultations and drafting, with support from the Bloomberg Foundation and from the Pan American Health Organisation Dr Leslie Ramsammy (PAHO), we were ready to move forward with the legislation. But I was then moved to another ministry and my almost 12 years of efforts to bring forward tobacco control legislation was halted.

The failure to pass the tobacco law continues to haunt me as a lost opportunity and a failure when I was Health Minister.

When I introduced a motion in the National Assembly in 2005 for the ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) – the first ever global health treaty – the motion was unanimously approved, although there was a little resistance from a few Members of Parliament. Later, Minister Bheri Ramsaran had to conduct a new set of consultations and by the time he was ready to bring the bill forward, Parliament was prorogued in October 2014. The present Public Health Minister has promised that the bill will soon be read for the first time in Parliament. I expect that once introduced, a tobacco control bill should, similar to my motion in 2005, have no difficulties in being unanimously passed in Parliament.

In spite of the extensive rounds of consultations lasting for almost 15 years, there are those in our country who insist we do even more consultations. I know that the present Public Health Minister, having announced that this long-prepared tobacco bill will be finally introduced in Parliament, will be approached by many well-placed persons and organisations to re-open consultations. Whether he does or not, it should not stop him from proceeding with the introduction of the bill. It is a wellhoned trap that the tobacco companies around the world set for us.

The tobacco companies argue that the consultations were not comprehensive. As evidence, they insist they were never invited to any of the consultations. It is true that the tobacco companies were not invited to the consultations in Guyana.

They were excluded because under the FCTC, to which Guyana had signed on with more than 180 countries around the world, it is stipulated that the tobacco companies must not be engaged in national consultations on how to control tobacco.

Throughout the world, tobacco companies are regarded, not as friendly, well-meaning partners, but as hostile infiltrators, invading our minds and bodies, creating sick and dead bodies, for the sake of big profits. Over 50 years ago, the tobacco companies had strong, irrefutable evidence that their products kill people, yet they criminally hid the truth from the public.

This is the sordid circumstance that prompted global leaders when we signed on to the FCTC that tobacco companies should not be engaged in our efforts to control tobacco.

While we excluded the tobacco companies from the consultations, these consultations were extensive and no one else was excluded. I personally attended many of the consultations and made many passionate speeches. The official exclusions of the tobacco companies, however, did not prevent them from bringing their views, positions and demands forward.

Tobacco companies have developed sophisticated methods to overcome the block against their official participation in consultations to introduce laws to control tobacco.

For instance the CEO of Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) attended several consultations even though DEMTOCO was not invited. But he came as the official representative of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) which was invited to every consultation held. Furthermore, the PSC made official representation in writing on behalf of DEMTOCO. Big tobacco is using its wily tricks to defer action against a proven killer. In this regard, I am disappointed too that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition did not see fit to increase the tobacco tax in the 2016 budget. I have been critical of the People’s Progressive Party also for not increasing the taxes more. My more pronounced disappointment this time; however, is because APNU/AFC increased 140 other taxes, including taxing the donkey cart operators and the lady who sells two eggballs outside her house. While in West Berbice the other day, I witnessed the Guyana Revenue Authority trying to collect taxes on people growing bora in their yard, but we do not see it fit to raise the taxes on tobacco. Weird world!

These are the reasons why I had proposed some time ago that the World Health Organisation should pursue a global minimum tobacco tax so that countries like Guyana where the taxes are relatively low for tobacco will have no choice but to raise the taxes. We should not feel proud that we are among the countries with the lowest tobacco taxes.

(Please send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com)

17

news

wednesDAY, may 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

NIS forensic audit

Former Chairman says previous Board denied response to findings

I

n light of the revelations emanating from the forensic audit into the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), former Chairman, Dr Roger Luncheon has stated that the previous Board was not given the opportunity to respond to the findings of the probe before it was made official and public.

The report outlined largely that during the period December 2011 to May 2015, which was under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) regime, Cabinet had caused some 93 per cent of scheme’s assets to be diverted into investments that are hardly generating revenues.

During this time, the head of the NIS Board was Dr Luncheon, who also served as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS). He, along with the then Board, was removed after the new Administration came into power in May last year.

Over the past few days, there have been many publications in the local media about the findings of the forensic audit, which was done by Ramesh Seebaran.

However, the former Chairman pointed out in a statement on Tuesday that before the findings were published, Dr Luncheon nor his former Board members were given a chance to respond before publication.

“Neither the auditor nor the (David) Granger Government afforded the Board (2011-2015) the professional convention of first responding to the Auditor Findings… The forensic auditor failed to address the issue of whether evidence was unveiled that establishing that the Board conducted its affairs and obtained financial benefits from irregular actions,” Dr Luncheon stated.

Furthermore, he outlined that “The findings of the forensic auditor that have been displayed in the press should and must be answered,” while asking whether “were the financial auditor or the Granger Government so inclined to solicit such an intervention, it should be and directed to the competent authority”.

According to the former NIS Chairman, the Board which he headed, was “unceremoniously” terminated in May last year and was eventually replaced with the members nominated by the new Government.

In the auditor’s report that was published on the Finance Ministry’s website, there were two particular “major high risk investments” that were said to be potential losses to the scheme. These are the $5.1 billion investment into CLICO and the $2.5 billion investment in the Berbice Bridge Company

Dr Roger Luncheon

Inc (BBCI).

The report further stated that the investment into the Bridge Company, which is not only making losses but has a lot of issues, was done without proper due diligence. The auditors posited that the Board accepted the decision when the Chairman informed Directors that Cabinet approved the sale of 950,000 preference shares in BBCI to NIS. Moreover, it was observed that Cabinet’s decision was “countenanced by Directors” who made no attempt to determine whether the investment was in the best interest of the scheme. However, this decision came, according to the auditors, one meeting after “Directors expressed a disinterest in the BBCI investment offer… (and) the Chairman expressed concern about the in ordinate risk concentrated in the portfolio.”

The report went on to detailed that at the end of June 2015, the Scheme’s investments stood at G$30,001,930,000 comprising of shortterm investments valued

$20,312,628,000 mainly of treasury bills, fixed deposits and CLICO; medium-term investments valued $1,693,359,000 mainly overseas investments in Government’s foreign account and a loan to the Caribbean Community and long-term investments valued $7,995,943,000.

Included in the long-term investments are shares in companies and BBCI. The cost of the investment in BBCI is $2,562,228,000 which represents 8.5 per cent of total investments.

Furthermore, it was highlighted that the 8thActuarial Review prepared for the period ended December 31, 2011, five years after the last review was done and in accordance with the NIS Act, indicated that the Scheme’s average yield on returns was 4.7 per cent compared with average inflation rate of 6.3 per cent which resulted in a negative real rate of return of 1.8 per cent over the fiveyear period reviewed. Since then, the average yield on returns for the years 2011 to 2014 has been three per cent whereas inflation has been 2.2 per cent a positive net return of .80 per cent.

Had the Scheme been receiving returns on its investments in CLICO and the BBCI’s ordinary shares (dividend), the rate of returns for the last four years would have been significantly higher, the auditors said.

The report added that based on the last audited financial statements (2013) the Scheme’s total investment in proportion to total assets was 93 per cent and in proportion to reserves was 95 per cent.

City Council to compromise with squatters on way forward

I

n light of the increased number of squatters who have illegally taken up residence in some communities on Government reserves, The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) intends to come to a compromise with these persons in deriving a feasible way forward.

Predominantly, squatting is a regular tendency in the Sophia, Greater Georgetown area, where a number of ‘mini houses’ can be seen built on dams and other parts of the land which have been unoccupied for a number of years.

With the vision of the Council to have the municipality of Georgetown undergo a major “facelift”, thought has being given as to how the issue of squatting can be addressed by the Administration in a timely and balanced manner that would not only benefit the Council, but also the squatters.

Speaking on the issue, recently elected Councillor of Constituency Five, Akeem Peters who has responsibility for Sophia, Liliendaal North and South, Pattensen/ Turkeyen, North/South and Central Sophia, told Guyana Times that indeed, the City Council is looking to regularise the situation where squatting has become a customary act in Guyana.

There has been an increase in squatting over the years, as persons have complained about the “royal run around” they have to endure in hopes of acquiring a house lot, along with the high pricing and unavailability of lots for low and middle-income

earners.

Noting this, Peters cited that the City Council is aware of the difficulty in securing land as well as the obvious plight of the squatters if their structures were dismantled without any indication by the Council.

For this reason, he said the Council has taken their discussions to the squatters, specifically those of the Sophia area, so they can voice their concerns and be

tion spoke to a squatter form the Sophia district who said that he has been squatting for the past three years.

The man, who declined to reveal his name, said he had applied for a house lot in 2012 but had to endure the “push around” by the Ministry only to receive a response in 2013, informing him that there were no lands available for low-income earners.

He said this stimulated his decision to illegally occu-

involved in the decision-making process for their future and that of Guyana.

Through these consultations, it is expected that the squatters and the Council can come to a compromise in terms of the way forward after the structures have been demolished.

Though a decision has not been made by the Council thus far, Peters assured that the Council, after making its assessments, is looking to initiate the best solution to address the issue and the concerns of the squatters.

However, Peters did not specify what action the City Council will take in regards to the post action.

Meanwhile, this publica-

py the land he is situated on since he and his family had no shelter. “We didn’t have anywhere to go and I don’t have a steady job so I decided to knock up a thing here and me and my family have been living comfortable.”

Asked on whether he believes that City Council should remove these structures after consultations with the squatters, the man said he will be in agreement with the decision only if housing provisions are made available for them.

Earlier this year, the City Council had indicated that it will be dismantling squatting quarters since these are illegal in Guyana, and have been on the rise.

18

guyana-timesgy.com

wednesday, may 11, 2016

ARCHIE

Focus on personal change and improving your financial (March 21- situation. Don’t let an emoApril 19) tional incident set you back or stifle your plans. Look over contracts, settlements and personal concerns.

ARIES

Join forces with someone TAURUS who shares your concerns. An (April 20- alternative path will give you May 20) insight into an incident and show you how you can rectify a pending problem. Spruce up your appearance.

dilbert

You must pay close attention GEMINI to relationships that have the po(May 21June 20) tential to upset your status, reputation or position. Such delicate matters must be handled carefully. Look for incentives that will help you gain approval.

Don’t make abrupt deciCANCER sions when helping others.

(June 21- You are best off getting the July 22) lowdown before committing to something you may regret.

Charity begins at home. Make romance a priority.

Peanuts

You’ll face criticism if you LEO don’t take others seriously.

(July 23Aug. 22) The changes you make will not go over well if you don’t let those affected by your choices have a say.

Calvin and Hobbes

A networking function or VIRGO social event will result in un(Aug. 23expected opportunities. Sign Sept. 22) up for a retreat or conference, or plan a romantic trip for two.

Get involved in your comLIBRA (Sept. 23- munity or travel to visit someOct. 23) one who needs your help.

Initiate change that will improve your current domestic situation. Don’t let an emotional matter hold you back.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – MNEMONICS

Preparation will be necesSAGITTARIUS sary if you want to avoid in(Nov. 23- terference. Someone will use Dec. 21) unscrupulous tactics to veer you off track. Follow your heart and make changes based on your needs.

(MNEMONICS: nih-MON-iks: A system to improve the memory.)

Average mark 25 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 39 or more words in MNEMONICS? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – VESTMENTS vent vest even event seem seen sense sent sestet

seven stem stent stet teem teen tenet tense tent

test tsetse meet menses mess mete ness nest neve

Do your own thing. Make SCORPIO lifestyle changes and express (Oct. 24your feelings about certain Nov. 22) relationships and how you’d like to see them develop. A romantic offer will help you gain approval.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Put your plans in moCAPRICORN tion. In order to reach your (Dec. 22- goal, rely on experience, and Jan. 19) people you know will come through for you. There are unexpected gains heading in your direction.

Don’t take risks. Focus on AQUARIUS good health, your professional (Jan. 20position and the changes necFeb. 19) essary to improve your life.

Don’t believe everything you hear or give in to peer pressure.

Getting together with old PISCES (Feb. 20- friends or colleagues will do March 20) you good and open up a dialogue that will lead to a partnership or chance to reclaim something you lost.

wednesDAY, may 11, 2016

Curry inspires Warriors in return, Heat level series with Raptors

A

40-point performance from Stephen Curry inspired the Golden State Warriors, while Dwyane Wade was in form for the Miami Heat.

Stephen Curry put on a clinic as the Golden State Warriors extended their second-round NBA play-off series lead against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 132-125 overtime win on Monday.

Curry was in dominant form in his return from injury after two weeks, posting 40 points - including 17 in OT - along with nine rebounds and eight assists as the Warriors moved to 3-1 in the Western Conference semi-final series.

"I've been through a lot the last three weeks, I've been working hard with a lot of people helping me," reigning NBA MVP Curry said post-game. "It took me a while to get a groove but it finally happened. I'm a little bit winded, but it's nice to get a win."

The Trail Blazers came out of the blocks strong, leading the Warriors by as much as 16 points in the

Stephen 40 points Overtime rebounds to cap a injury

Curry scored - including 17 in to go with nine and eight assists great return after

first quarter.

Portland led by 10 points at half-time, but the Warriors outscored the home side by 11 points in the third quarter to hit the front.

With the scores locked at 110-110 at the end of the fourth quarter, the Warriors blew Portland away in OT with Curry starring to seal a seven-point win on the

road, with game five back in Golden State on Wednesday.

Curry was helped by Klay Thompson (23 points) and Draymond Green (21).

Damian Lillard led the way for the Trail Blazers with 36 points and 10 assists in a double-double performance.

Dwyane Wade came up big for Miami as the Heat rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 94-87.

Wade scored 30 points as the Heat overturned a ninepoint deficit in the fourth quarter to claim the win and level the Eastern Conference matchup at 2-2.

The 12-time NBA AllStar also surpassed Magic Johnson for 13th place in the all-time post-season scoring list.

Heat team-mates Goran Dragic and Joe Johnson provided good support with 15 points each.

Cory Joseph and Terrence Ross led the Raptors with 14 points apiece as DeMar DeRozan (nine) and Kyle Lowry (10) were limited.

Game five takes place in Toronto on Wednesday.

(Sportsmax)

19

England captain set to stand down after decade in charge

C

harlotte Edwards is expected to announce she is stepping down as England women's captain after a decade in the role.

Made a CBE in 2014, the 36-year-old last year became the first player - man or woman - to captain England in 200 internationals.

Edwards led England to the 2009 World Cup and World T20 titles and won four Ashes series against Australia.

She was also the first woman to join the MCC world cricket committee.

England women were awarded central contracts for the first time in 2014 but they have not had global success since becoming professional.

They relinquished the Ashes to Australia last summer and lost in the semi-finals of the 2016 World T20.

Edwards is still set to skipper Southern Vipers in the inaugural Kia Super League, where six teams will compete in a new Twenty20 competition, which runs from 30 July to 14 August.

Charlotte Edwards has more than 10,000 international runs for England in her career of 20 years so far

Edwards for England

Tests: 1,676 runs from 23 matches at 44.10 average; four centuries and nine fifties ODIs: 5,992 runs from 191 matches at 38.16; nine centuries and 46 fifties T20s: 2,605 runs from 95 matches at 32.97; 12 fifties

Edwards's career highlights

Made international debut against New Zealand in 1996, becoming the youngest

player to represent England Hit her highest ODI score of 173 not out against Ireland in the 1997 World Cup, the day before her 18th birthday Helped England win Ashes for first time in 42 years in 2005 Named women's cricketer of the year by ICC in 2008 Guided England to victory in 2009 World Cup and World Twenty20 During 2013-2014, led England to back-to-back Ashes wins over Australia.

(BBC Sport)

US$60M upgrade coming for Jamaica’s national stadium A

n additional 10,000 seats are to be added to the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica as the Government looks to undertake a major upgrade of the 50-year-old facility over the next three years.

The plan that is to be executed over three phases, is expected to cost an estimated US$60 million and will see the grand stand area being extended and significant improvements being made to the doping control facilities.

Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender and Sports said upgrading work will be funded via a public/private sector partnership as the country tries to capitalize on the success of its athletes over the last decade.

“There is a three-year plan, and that has been on the books from when I was minister (2011) and we are at a point where I want to fast-track it,” said Minister Grange in an exclusive interview with Sportsmax.tv.

“I have said to Major (Desmon) Brown, (the general manager at Independence Park Limited (IPL), let us try to implement the first phase

during this fiscal year.” IPL manages the stadium facility.

Phase one will see the addition of seats that should help to offset demand for

converge on Kingston from all over the country for what is perhaps the largest high school championships in the world. Demand for seats has been on the increase for

ball matches.

“When it is complete we will have a minimum of 10,000 additional seats,” the minister said.

“We will have a new

The Jamaica National Stadium in Kingston, built in 1962 is set for major upgrade over the next three years

seats in covered areas of the stadium that occurs when events like the extremely popular ISSA Boys and Girls Championships are on each year.

Thousands of athletes

years but only about 5000 seats are available in the grand stand that provide the best vantage points for track and field competition as well as international friendly and World Cup qualifying foot-

Royal Box and an additional grand stand area and improved bathroom facilities.

Right now work is being done to improve the bathroom facilities. There are also plans to improve and expand an

area for doping control.”

“And, I am hoping that we will be able to complete it in time for next year’s Boys and Girls Champs,” the minister continued.

“So, I have initiated discussions with certain private sector entities (local and overseas), which Major Brown will now have to do the follow up, but I am optimistic and determined that Phase One will be done in this financial year.”

Given the enormity of the undertaking Jamaica is going to have find partners that will help undertake the upgrade that the facility which was built in 1962 in time for the British Empire Games in 1966 will need.

“The exorbitant cost makes it necessary for the refurbishing to be a public/private sector partnership and even the possibility of name branding. We have really not leveraged and exploited the success we have had and private sector has benefitted tremendously from our success in sport but Government has not leveraged this to maximize the benefits for the country,” she said.

She said investors in the

project would want to identify not only with Jamaica’s sporting prowess but with its culture as well.

“I think private sector entities would want to identify with the success of our athletes. You can see how much they have exploited it, both local sponsors and sponsors from overseas have exploited the Jamaican colours, they have exploited images, they have exploited the personalities because it’s not just about running or participating in a sporting discipline but it’s the whole Jamaican psyche, the vibe that comes with the Jamaican experience,” she said.

“Private sector companies have utilized it to the max but the country as a corporate body has to say, okay, this is about us as a people, and as a government we represent the people and the people make us as a government and expect us to ensure that they benefit.”

The minister said she will provide more details during her budget presentation in June but “suffice it to say we are not waiting, we will be moving to expeditiously to get the first phase done.” (Sportsmax)

20

guyana-times.com

Sunrisers defend 137 to go top of the table wednesDAY, may 11, 2016

S

unrisers Hyderabad possess perhaps the best - and certainly the most in-form - pace attack

in the IPL, and this proved decisive in bowler-friendly conditions that produced a low-scoring thriller against

SCOREBOARD Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (20 overs maximum) DA Warner* c †Dhoni b Singh 11 S Dhawan c Tiwary b Ashwin 33 KS Williamson c Bhatia b Zampa 32 Yuvraj Singh c Tiwary b Zampa 23 MC Henriques c Bhatia b Zampa 10 DJ Hooda st †Dhoni b Zampa 14 NV Ojha† b Zampa 7 B Kumar c Tiwary b Zampa 1 BB Sran not out 1 Extras: (lb-1, w-4) 5 Total: (8 wickets; 20 ove rs) 137 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Warner, 3.2 ov), 2-64 (Dhawan, 10.2 ov), 3-96 (Yuvraj Singh, 15.2 ov), 4-114 (Williamson, 17.4 ov), 5-114 (Henriques, 17.5 ov), 6-135 (Hooda, 19.2 ov), 7-136 (Ojha, 19.4 ov), 8-137 (Kumar, 19.6 ov) Bowling: AB Dinda 4-0-26-0 (w-1), RP Singh 3-0-23-1 (w1), R Ashwin 4-0-16-1 (w-1), A Zampa 4-0-19-6, R Bhatia 3-026-0, NLTC Perera 2-0-26-0

Rising Pune Supergiants innings (target: 138 runs from 20 overs) AM Rahane c †Ojha b Kumar 0 UT Khawaja run out (Hooda/†O jha) 11 GJ Bailey c Nehra b Henriques 34 29 R Ashwin c †Ojha b Sran SS Tiwary c Dhawan b Nehra 9 MS Dhoni*†run out (Sran/ Yuvraj Singh) 30 NLTC Perera c Henriques b Nehra 17 R Bhatia not out 0 A Zampa c †Ojha b Nehra 0 Extras: (lb-2, w-1) 3 Total: (8 wickets; 20 overs) 133 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Rahane, 0.3 ov), 2-19 (Khawaja, 3.6 ov), 3-68 (Bailey, 11.6 ov), 4-78 (Ashwin, 13.2 ov), 5-86 (Tiwary, 14.6 ov), 6-126 (Perera, 19.3 ov), 7-133 (Dhoni, 19.5 ov), 8-133 (Zampa, 19.6 ov) Bowling: B Kumar 4-1-20-1 (w1), A Nehra 4-0-29-3, BB Sran 4-0-26-1, MC Henriques 3-020-1, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-10-0, Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-26-0

Rising Pune Supergiants in Visakhapatnam. There was turn, and R Ashwin andAdam Zampa - whose figures of 6 for 19 were the secondbest in the tournament's history - helped keep Sunrisers to 137, but there was also swing for the new ball, a bit of bounce, and grip for Mustafizur Rahman's cutters.

The chase was a chess game. MS Dhoni promoted George Bailey and Ashwin to Nos. 3 and 4 after the early loss of both openers, with the third-wicket pair ostensibly instructed to push the ball around and stabilise Supergiants' innings, given the modest required rate. Bailey and Ashwin put on 49 in eight overs, and when the partnership ended Supergiants needed 70 from 48 balls. Dhoni didn't walk in then; he came in with 60 required from 40.

It eventually came down to 42 off the last four, and Dhoni and Thisara Perera, conscious of the risk of hitting out against Mustafizur, were content to take singles and twos against the left-armer. The ploy kept Mustafizur wicketless, even as he conceded only

13 off his last two overs. Kane Williamson but Dhoni for a wide legbreak.

Dhoni and Perera made up as well. His fourth dipped Dinda came back for for that in the 18th over, on Shikhar Dhawan, left the 19th, and - in hindsight in which they took 15 off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but they were still left needing 14 from the last over.

Ashish Nehra started the final over with a full ball that Perera couldn't get under, and then a perfect yorker that Dhoni could only hit for one.

Perera skied the third ball to extra cover, leaving 12 to get off the last three.

Dhoni hammered the first of them - a full toss - over the wide long-on boundary, but when he was runout going for a second that didn't really exist he went for it because he simply had to - Zampa was left needing to hit a six to win it off the last ball, or a four to tie. He only managed an outside edge to a flying Naman Ojha behind the stumps as Nehra Adam Zampa's figures of 6 for 19 is the second-best in IPL history closed the match with a wide yorker.

The win took Sunrisers him searching far out in -bowled a match-turning top of the points table, and front of his body for a flick, over, conceding 15. The four left Supergiants with close and ran off the leading edge and six he conceded in that to no chance of qualifying through point. over came off attempted for the playoffs.

Ashwin finished his full yorkers that didn't miss the The captain winning the quota in one go, dangling mark by much, but missed toss had chosen to bowl in the ball above the batsmen's it by enough. Ojha whipped each of the 20 IPL games eyeline and teasing them away the leg-stump halfthat preceded this one, with dip and turn. He got volley, and Deepak Hooda and David Warner raised Dhawan to hole out in his deposited the full-toss high a few eyebrows - including third over, and only con- over midwicket.

Dhoni's - by opting to bat. ceded one run in his fourth, Dhoni, often averse to Given the swing and bounce with two slips breathing bowling spinners in the end available to the quicks, a down Yuvraj Singh's neck. overs, threw the ball back to traditional good length was When Ashwin finished Zampa. Hooda ran down and a pretty good T20 length as his spell, Sunrisers were 70 hit his first ball for six, but well, and Ashok Dinda and for 2 in 13 overs. Williamson the bowler saw him stepping RP Singh, by dint of deny- and Yuvraj hit two fours and out again and fired in a wide ing the batsmen width, kept two sixes in the next two, off legbreak. Then, off the last Sunrisers to 34 in the first Rajat Bhatia and Perera, three balls of the innings, six overs, while dismissing before the advancing Yuvraj he bowled Ojha off the thigh Warner. skewed a Zampa googly to pad with a slider, saw RP Ashwin, often used spo- long-off. Williamson and Singh put a skier down off radically by Dhoni in recent Henriques took 12 off the Barinder Sran at short third weeks, came on at the start 17th, bowled by Perera, be- man, and had Bhuvneshwar of the non-Powerplay overs, fore Zampa dismissed both caught at long-on. Little and immediately found the of them in the 18th, off suc- would he have known then, pitch to his liking. His third cessive balls. Both holed out as he walked off smiling, ball spun from just outside to long-off, but the bowler that he would be called on off stump and turned a long played a big role in at least to bat with a boundary reway down the leg side, beat- one of the dismissals, forc- quired off the last ball of the ing not just the advancing ing Williamson to reach out match. (ESPN cricinfo)

21

sports

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Jamaica Athletics: VCB feeling ‘‘fresh as ever’’ J amaican sprinter Veronica CampbellBrown insists she is feeling fresh as ever and that the thought of retirement is yet to really cross her mind.

The 33-year-old Campbell-Brown looked in good form on Friday as despite settling for third place at the Diamond League meet in Doha lowered her 100m season best in the process.

Campbell-Brown clocked 10.91 to finish behind Dafne Schippers of The Netherlands (10.83) and American Tori Bowie who posted 10.80 to win the event.

Many had expected the 2015 World Championships to be the final hurrah for the decorated sprinter, but she is already looking forward to the Olympic Games in Rio this year and does not have

Veronica Campbell-Brown

an expiration date in mind.

“Actually, I don’t feel a day older. I feel as young and as fresh as ever. So I will just train hard and stay focused as I feel good,” said Campbell-Brown.

“I do not put limits on

myself, and I am not closing any doors because I do not know what God has in store for me. So I will just take it season by season, and right now I am focused on the 2016 season.” (Sportsmax)

Manohar steps down as BCCI President S hashank Manohar has resigned as BCCI president in the lead up to the elections for ICC chairman, a post that must now be contested by independent candidates not linked to any country's board. Manohar will not be able to continue as ICC chairman either until the elections because the present post goes to the BCCI nominee to the ICC, which is Manohar.

"I hereby tender my resignation with immediate effect from the post of President of Board of Control for Cricket in India," Manohar said in a letter to BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur. "I also resign with immediate effect as the representative of BCCI on the International Cricket Council, as also the Asian Cricket Council on which I was nominated by the General Body of BCCI." Thakur confirmed to ANI that Manohar had stepped down because of the upcoming ICC election, for which the nomination process began on May 8. The ICC had announced in February that

Shashank Manohar was elected BCCI President, for a second time, in October 2015

its new chairman would be independent and no longer be able to hold a position with their home board, like Manohar and his predecessor N Srinivasan had done.

The ICC election will be overseen by the body's independent audit committee chairman and all present and past ICC directors will be eligible to contest.

Candidates can only be nominated by a fellow ICC director and a director can make only one nomination. Any nominee with the support of at least two Full Member directors will be put forward as a candidate for chairman.

Manohar had been elected BCCI president in October 2015 - his second term - after the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya. According to the BCCI constitution, in the case of the president resigning, the secretary will have to call a special general body meeting with two weeks notice to decide on the way forward.

Manohar's resignation came amid the Indian board's legal troubles with the country's Supreme Court in the wake of the Lodha Committee's recommendations to restructure the organization. (ESPN cricinfo)

own record of 286.

Curry led the league with 30.1 points per game and also become the seventh player in NBA history to make at least 50 per cent of his field goals, 40 per cent of his three-point attempts and 90 per cent of his free throws.

The announcement comes a day after one of the most memorable performances of Curry's career as he marked his first game back from a knee injury suffered against the Houston Rockets with a 40-point performance - with 17 coming in overtime - to lead the Warriors to a 132-

125 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, giving them a 3-1 lead in the second-round playoff series.

The San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard earned the most second-place votes and narrowly edged the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James for second place in the voting.

Curry's teammate Draymond Green also received votes, placing seventh overall. The Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant finished fourth and fifth respectively. (Sportsmax)

Curry is NBA’s 1st unanimous MVP S

tephen Curry earned all 131 first-place votes in winning the NBA's MVP award for a second straight year.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for a second straight year, becoming the first player to win the honour unanimously.

The league announced the results on Tuesday, with Curry receiving all 131 firstplace votes after leading Golden State to an NBArecord 73 wins with 402 three-pointers, beating his

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

wednesDAY, may 11, 2016

Crawford takes jubilee St Lucia Zouks 50-miler in Berbice announce home fixtures for CPL 2016 J

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

W

orld T20 winning captain Darren Sammy welcomes return of CPL to St. Lucia The St. Lucia Zouks have announced their fixtures for the forthcoming 2016 HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign and will open the home series of matches with an evening clash against St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Thursday, 21 July.

The Zouks, who will once again include West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy, fellow world champion Johnson Charles as well as another local favourite Keddy Lesporis, will also feature Australia duo Michael Hussey and the world’s leading international ranked all-rounder Shane Watson. The Australian stars will join South Africa pair David Miller and Morne Morkel, while ICC Under-19 World Cup winning off-spinning all-rounder Gidron Pope is also included.

The St. Lucia based side will be coached by Stuart Williams, who was part of the West Indies backroom team that lifted the ICC World Twenty20 in India recently, while Caribbean great Sir Andy Roberts and former England, India and Sri Lanka Assistant Coach Trevor Penney will also feature in the support staff.

The Zouks will take on four opponents in a combination of day and night time games in a big month for the island with the hugely popular Lucian Carnival set to attract big numbers to the island once more.

The opening match against the Patriots is sure to attract a large following

Shane Watson joins the biggest party in sport, the Hero Caribbean Premier League this year where he will turn out for the St Lucia Zouks

and is one not to be missed as it will mark the launch of the newly re-named 12,400 capacity Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, previously known as the Beauséjour Stadium.

Fans will also get to be a part of history for the opening of the newly-renamed Johnson Charles Stand.

Welcoming the return of CPL to his native St. Lucia, Darren Sammy said: “I am hugely excited by the opportunity to lead the Zouks once more this year. We have assembled our strongest squad of players to date and we will aim to be competitive this season. It’s encouraging to see such a blend of youth and experience and I have no doubt that the team is bestplaced to reach the play-offs.

“Of course, I will be hugely honoured to step out at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium and it will be a special moment for me and my family when we take on the Patriots in that opening game. I have a lot of happy memories playing in Beauséjour Stadium and hopefully this will mark a new and exciting era for St.

Lucia. The fans who travel will really enjoy their time there. They will really savour the hospitality off the field, so if fans come for the Carnival, they can stay to see top quality cricket. On the field we’ll be gunning for points and to put on a show for our home support.

“There’s a lot of excitement across the island already and this will be a crucial leg of matches before we move on to the backto-back games against Jamaica Tallawahs in Fort Lauderdale the following week. We’ll be ready and motivated to position ourselves for the crucial final few weeks of the CPL.” The remaining fixtures will be confirmed over the next week and tickets for all confirmed fixtures in the Caribbean and Fort Lauderdale are on sale now from www.cplt20.com.

St. Lucia Zouks Fixtures (all times local): 21 July – St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots (6pm), 23 July – Barbados Tridents (12 Midday), 24 July – Guyana Amazon Warriors (5pm), 26 July – Trinbago Knight Riders (6pm)

Meet the people turning Chinese Government's dream into reality

C

hina wants to be a "world football superpower" by 2050 and aims to develop a national team capable of winning the World Cup. So who are the people shaping that governmentled vision? And how are they setting about making a bold declaration become a reality? BBC Sport travelled the country to meet them.

The manager; SvenGoran Eriksson After managing the likes of England, Manchester City and Roma, Sven-Goran Eriksson moved to China in 2013 to coach Chinese Super League (CSL) side Guangzhou R&F. He joined Shanghai SIPG a year later.

Sitting down in a central Shanghai hotel the night before a CSL match against his old club, he reflects on how the sport has radically grown during his time in the country.

Sven-Goran Eriksson said, “Football has gone crazy in China.”

"Three years ago it was not like this. The football was OK. But this season it's gone crazy, totally crazy," he says.

"One of the reasons for that is the government. The president of the country is pushing for football.

"So I guess he's very happy to see the league is getting better and better but he wants China, as a national team, to be big, to be better

in football."

Eriksson is enjoying living and working on football's new frontier. He's also excited by the steady flow of bigname players heading eastwards.

Five of the top six global transfers so far this year have involved Chinese sides and the Swede believes more "huge" names will follow their lead in the months ahead.

"Even bigger names will come. I think that and the rumours say that," he adds.

But can leading footballers, used to living in Europe, be attracted to China solely by the vast financial rewards on offer?

Eriksson believes the standard of Chinese football is getting better, with players drawn to play in the CSL for sporting reasons too.

"It's absolutely the right time to be in China for football," he says.(BBC Sport)

uban Crawford in a time of 2:05:06 has won the Flying Ace 50-mile 50th anniversary cycle road race in Berbice on Sunday.

Crawford outsprinted Andrew Hicks to win the closely contested event.

The third place went to Brian Harris whose time was 2:11:14.

Syborne Fernands rode home in a group of five to take the last available prize 10:41 after the winners, he was also the first veteran to complete the distance.

The race peddled off from 48 Stanleytown New Amsterdam, and proceeded to Bush Lot Corentyne before returning to New

Whitney Poyer receiving Payless trophy from a Vanessa David of Payless

Seenarine, Delwin and Kenwin Collins in that order. Those riders were given a 5-minute head start and Khan took full advantage of it which earned him three of

Juban Crawford crossing the finish line ahead of Andrew Hicks

Amsterdam for the finish at Main and Alexander Streets.

The lone female to enter the race was Whitney Poyer who received the Payless Variety Store trophy as the female winner.

Zaman Khan was the first U-12 rider to cross the finish line ahead of Ralph

the eight sprint point prizes up for grabs. Crawford took three and Hicks the other two.

Crawford, Hicks and Harris moved away from the other senior starters from the starting line and soon caught up with the U-12

wheelers minus Khan. They made contact with him after 20-miles of riding and he stayed with them for the next 15 miles before Hicks and Crawford broke away to make it a two-man race.

Meanwhile, the U-12 rider, Khan was given $5000 from Corentyne contractor Gladwyn Abdulla for his fine riding. Coach of the Flying Ace Cycle Club, (FACC) Randolph Roberts also presented Khan with a medal for the improvements he has been showing since he took up the sport.

The race as sponsored by Payless Variety Store, Handin-Hand Group of Insurance Companies, Arokium Funeral Home, Pampy’s Chicken Enterprise, the Ministry of Education and the Region Six Regional Democratic Council and was used as a warm-up for Berbice riders ahead of the annual Independence 3-stage race with legs from Corriverton to New Amsterdam, Rosignol to Georgetown and Linden to Georgetown.

Murray ends coaching relationship with Mauresmo

B

ritish world number three Andy Murray has split from coach Amelie Mauresmo after two years.

Murray, 28, said he had "learnt a lot" from Mauresmo but they had "mutually agreed" to end their partnership.

"Dedicating enough time along with the travel has been a challenge," twice Grand Slam champion Mauresmo added.

Since he began working with her in June 2014, Murray has won seven titles - including his first two on clay - but has failed to add to his two majors.

In a joint statement, Murray added: "She's been a calming influence in the team and we will all miss having her around.

"I'll take some time to consider the next steps and how we progress from here, but I'd like to thank her for everything she has done.

She's been an invaluable member of the team."

F r e n c h w o m a n Mauresmo, 36, who gave

Andy Murray began working with Amelie Mauresmo in June 2014

birth to her first child in August 2015, added: "Working with Andy over the last two years has been a fantastic experience for me.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed being part of the great team of people he has around him.

I wish him and the team well and I hope he goes on to win many more titles."

Murray - who lost his number two ranking to Roger Federer after his defeat by Novak Djokovic in

the Madrid Open final on Sunday - was previously coached by former world number one Ivan Lendl, under whom he won the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon.

The Scot was the first leading male player to employ a female coach, saying at the time of the appointment: "I've always had a strong female influence in my career and that's something I needed right now."

(BBC Sport)

guyana-times.com

wednesDAY, may 11 2016

WIFBSC Short Range C/ships 2016 – Antigua

STAG / EBFA Senior League 2016

23

Hi Tech successfully defend title; Lions edge Jaguars as practice winds Grove Herstelling Raiders end dream as runner-up down; final practice set for Saturday G T eam Lion turned the tables on Team Jaguar in the penultimate practice match for the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) members ahead of next week’s West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Short Range Championships in Antigua, May 16-22, 2016.

It was another closely fought contest at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges as the shooters got in much needed practice ahead of what is anticipated to be a keenly contested Caribbean championships as the rest of the Caribbean will be gunning for the defending champions, Guyana.

Team Jaguar had defeated Team Lion in the first match on May 1st by three points 399.26 to 396.21 but on Sunday the Lion roared past the Jaguar by a single point on an exciting day of shooting which saw a number of marksmen being rewarded for exceptional shooting.

The only possibles on the day were recorded by reigning Caribbean and local Individual Champions

Caribbean Short Range Shooting Champions Guyana during practice on Sunday, May 8 at the Timehri Ranges, Yarrowkabra, Linden-Soesdyke Highway

Dylan Fields both at 500 also missed possible by a single point each.

Captain Persaud noted his pleasure at the building form of the shooters going into the final team practice on Saturday and next week’s Caribbean championships where the likes of Jamaica which has always provided keen battles for Guyana, Trinidad and

Scorecard for the Lions vs Jaguars Rifle Shooting Guyana NRA Team Match, May 8, 2016 Team Jaguar 300 Yards 500 Yards Leo Romalho 48.6 49.3 Lennox Braithwaite 47.3 50.5 Ryan Sampson 43.3 49.4 Sherwin Felicien 45.1 48.4 Team Lion Ransford Goodluck 49.5 50.3 Mahendra Persaud 47.4 49.3 Dylan Fields 48.4 49.3 Peter Persaud 43.2 47.4

Lennox Braithwaite and Ransford Goodluck of Team Jaguar and Lion at the 500 yards range.

Goodluck missed the cut at 300 yards by a single point while Leo Romalho (500 and 600), Ryan Sampson (500), Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud and Vice Captain

600 Yards 49.3 48.3 48.7 47.3

Total Team Score 146.12 145.10 140.14 140.8 571.44

47.3 48.3 47.3 48.2

146.11 144.10 144.10 138.8 572.39

Tobago, Barbados and host nation Antigua and Barbuda will all be aiming to dethrone the Guyanese.

“I am very pleased with the way our guys have been getting into form. We are the champions and we intend to return with the trophy in this the year of our 50th Independence Anniversary.

We are not relenting in terms of proper preparation so we will be up at the ranges again on Saturday for our final session at the same ranges.”

Persaud noted there is the usual high level of camaraderie among the members of the team and he is also expecting that in the Individual Championships, Guyana will again lead in that regard.

“I know that our regional rivals will be coming heavy at us as usual but this is something we are accustomed to and are prepared to take on the challenges that we will face come next week.”

The Wind Coaches who have been guiding the shooters during at the various ranges employing the same format that will be used next week as well as the allotted time are Paul Slowe (Head), Braithwaite, Goodluck and Persaud.

Captain Persaud also informed that corporate support has been rolling in but they are off the budget by about $500,000 which they are hoping to raise ahead of departure for Antigua next Monday.

Ban on CONCACAF funds lifted

T

he ban enforced on funding for the CONCACAF region

by FIFA has now been lifted reports indicate.

Following the controversy engulfing the region last year following the arrest of CONCACAF president Jeffery Webb and issuing of warrants for other officials, FIFA announced a freeze on US$10 million (£7 million/€8.8 million) worth of funding earmarked for regional development.

The global administrators of the game announced the ban in February, but following the recent changes by CONCACAF, including the appointment of an interim committee and special advisors, seem satisfied that the body is heading in the right direction.

The last three presidents of the body, Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner,

Jeffrey Webb

the Cayman Islands' Jeffrey Webb and Honduras' Alfred Hawit - have all been charged.

According to online publication inside the games a member of the FIFA Council Fernando Sarney, speaking at a meeting of the interim committee, confirmed that the money was now unfrozen.

CONCACAF opted not to announce a new presi-

dent in December of last year, choosing instead to appoint its new head at the XXXI CONCACAF Ordinary Congress on May 12.

Former president of the association Webb is currently under house arrest in the United States until next month where he will be sentenced for crimes ranging from money laundering to racketeering. (Sportsmax)

rove Hi Tech successfully defended their STAG / EBFA Senior League title ending the one round league emphatically with an 11-0 demolition of Mocha Champs when the league ended on Sunday last at the Grove Playfield on the East Bank of Demerara.

Also ending on a high is runner-up team, capping off a dream season, the Herstelling Raiders. The Raiders defeated Diamond United 3-0 in the final match of the league.

Grove, the undisputed senior champions of East Bank Demerara football once again showed their prowess with a clinical display against a Mocha side that cracked under relentless pressure from the champs.

Former National Under-17 forward Joel Dick who missed most of the season due to a knee injury returned in style to lead Grove with a hat-trick of

Herstelling Raiders forward Kevin Rose battles for possession with the Diamond players

was Mervin Squires in the 5th minute of the match.

Denzel Crawford (24th, 37th), Lloyd Matthews (28th, 39th) and Nicholai Matthews (51st, 58th) each scored a brace whilst the other goal came off the boot of Moses Fraser in the 41stminute.

Mocha did not stand a

STAG / EBFA Senior League 2016 Final Points Standings Team P W D L GF GA GD Points Grove 6 5 0 1 25 5 +20 15 Herstelling 6 4 1 1 10 7 +3 13 Kuru Kururu 6 3 1 2 15 7 +8 10 Agricola 6 3 0 3 15 11 +4 9 Soesdyke 6 3 0 3 13 13 0 9 Mocha 6 2 0 4 9 19 -10 6 Diamond 6 0 0 6 2 27 -25 0

goals; he scored in the 13th, 21st and 26th minute.

Opening for the champions which lost a single match to Kuru Kururu Warriors which ended third

chance against the airtight defence of Grove. The surprise package of the league, Herstelling Raiders closed out with a comfortable 3-0 win over Diamond United who ended the season with-

out a point.

Scoring for Herstelling were Kevin Rose in the 3rd minute, Ijaz Cave in the 15th and former National Under-17 goalkeeper and Herstelling Captain Quazim Yussuf from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

The presentation of prizes which will be held shortly will see the champions Grove pocketing $300,000, Herstelling will receive $150,000, Kuru Kururu Warriors will received the 3rd place prize of $100,000 while 4thplaced Agricola Red Triangle will be $50,000 richer.

Individual prizes will go to the Highest Goal scorer, Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper while the Fair Play Trophy is at stake for the Most Disciplined Team.

Raring to go: Golden Jaguars begin encampment ahead of Canada clash…

T

he Guyana Golden Jaguars began their encampment in preparation for the international friendly game against Canada with a training session on Tuesday May 10 at Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground, Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown.

The game which forms part of the calendar of events in celebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary kicks off at 19:00 Hrs on Sunday, May 15 2016 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The players took part in an extensive work out session completing various drills and fitness exercises to justify their inclusion in the national side as they prepare to take on Canada.

The training session is meant to maintain fitness and create chemistry between the players so that they will be a fit and cohesive unit.

Head coach of the Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz noted that more home based players have been selected for the friendly match because he intends to widen the pool of national players, giving opportunities to those who may not have had a chance before to showcase

their skill at the national level.

“We want to give playing time to some of the players

born player who resides in England; he expressed his gratitude towards being included in the National

Goalkeeper taking part in footwork and catching drills

who have not played for the national team in the previous games. We have a very competitive squad, if you look at some of the players in the Stag Elite League such as Hubert Pedro and Jahall Greaves, they have been doing very well and they now have a chance to represent Guyana.”

Among some of the players who will be representing Guyana for the first time is Ishankie Charles, whose younger sister Otesha Charles plays for the Guyana Lady Jaguars.

Charles is a Guyanese

Squad for the International Friendly.

“I’m absolutely proud to be given the chance to represent the country.” he said.

The session concluded with coach Shabazz giving a motivational speech and the players completing minor stretches to relax the muscles.

Training will continue today at the National Stadium, Providence with the morning session from 9:00 to 10:45 hrs and the afternoon session from 17:30 to 19:15 hrs.

wednesDAY, May 11, 2016

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

St Lucia Zouks announce home fixtures for CPL 2016

Pg 22 The Zouks will play their first home match against the Patriots at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in CPL action on July 21, 2016

Raring to go: Golden Jaguars begin encampment ahead of Canada clash…

STAG / EBFA Senior League 2016

Grove Hi Tech successfully defend title; Herstelling Raiders end dream as runner-up

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Guyana Golden Jaguars going through their paces on day one of the encampment to prepare for their clash with Canada Olympics Team this Sunday at Providence

STAG, EBFA Senior League Champions 2016, Grove Hi Tech Football Club

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