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New Switzerland, Egyptian Ambassadors accredited P12 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3112

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, February 2, 2017

PRICE

Govt’s Cultural Advisor wanted by Police for questioning

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: GECOM chairmanship

Opposition, Govt Attorneys to meet next P12 week Thieves raid Berbice Pensioners Association P2 office

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... dodges CID ranks on "torching" threat to Guyana Times/Evening News/TVG

ExxonMobil briefs Govt, Opposition on oil find

Page 7 Page 12

Citizens P9 encouraging corruption in Police Force – PCA Head P17 Linden Trade and Investment Fair launched

Schoolgirl’s leg crushed by speeding car P10 President David Granger, First Lady Sandra Granger and UN Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka flocked by members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) at the Umana Yana following the World Interfaith Harmony Week. Also in photo is Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton (Carl Croker Photo)

AG vs Deputy Solicitor General

Forced out of office

Berbice Bar President apologises member to Justice Kennard short notice calls for AG’s for ...says Govt reviewing retirement removal policy at State agencies Page 9

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F&DD warns against P11 importation of expired food items

2 news

thursDAY, february 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Forced out of office

President apologises to Justice Kennard for short notice

S

President David Granger

peaking for the first time since the matter became public last week, President David Granger has apologised for the initial short notice of 36 hours given to retired Justice Cecil Kennard to vacate office as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

When asked by Guyana Times about the rationale behind the short notice, the Head of State told reporters on Wednesday that he regretted “very much the short notice, he does deserve a longer notice…I apologise for the short notice given to Justice Kennard, it’s a matter that was under consideration in the last quarter last year and I regret the notice was so short.”

This newspaper was told that Justice Kennard was initially informed about his December 31 termination 36 hours prior. However, that time was later extended to the end of February.

Meanwhile, the President further explained that the decision to sack Justice Kennard was not based on his performance, but was a result of a general review being conducted on the length of service and age of persons holding offices at State entities.

“There is no negative report; in fact, a decision was taken to review all the boards, including Central Housing and Planning Authority… So it is not a criticism of Justice Kennard, I worked with him.

He came before the Disciplined Forces Commission and he has got a lot of bright ideas.

But at this time, we look forward to filling all of the constitutional appointments.”

The President added, “We also have the Public Service Appellate Tribunal; well he is Police Complaints Authority, we want to fill the Ombudsman position so it is the result of a general review of all the agencies, boards and commissions so there will be further information on those, but nobody is being purged.”

He went on to say that there would be a general order explaining Government’s

all the State entities were being reviewed and decisions were expected to be made during this month.

Justice Cecil Kennard

policy on age and retirement for those agencies, boards and commissions. According to the Head of State, his Administration is trying to build a pool of expertise among the younger generation. “We are simply trying to give other persons the opportunity to serve,” he pointed out.

Hamilton Green Meanwhile, asked by this newspaper whether former Mayor Hamilton Green, who currently heads the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) and is around the same age as Justice Kennard, would meet the same fate, President Granger opted to not answer directly, but reiterated that

Justice Kennard’s take During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Justice Kennard said the manner in which Government is coercing him to retire as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority was disturbing and upsetting especially, since he has devoted over 50 years of service to the country.

Even more shocking,

Justice Kennard pointed out, is that Government is yet to formally indicate to him its reasons for wanting him to retire. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had confirmed to reporters last Thursday that the President had asked the PCA Head to retire because of his age.

The former Chancellor of the Judiciary believes that age is not a practical reason for asking someone to retire as age does not render someone incompetent or incapable of executing his/her duties.

Moreover, Justice

Kennard was said he was “shocked and upset” after being informed by his secretary while on vacation that a letter of his termination was sent to his office. He also contended that the timeframe in which Government gave him to retire was unfair, especially for a senior officer of his capacity.

Justice Nevertheless, Kennard indicated that he would not be challenging Government’s decision, but was merely requesting that his retirement date be pushed to the end of March so he could complete his work.

Thieves raid Berbice Pensioners Association office

T

he elderly citizens of the Berbice Pensioners Association (BPA) were left traumatised after bandits on Sunday night invaded the premises carting off a number of valuable items.

Reports are the caretaker of the Association’s building was not on site on Sunday and thieves used the opportunity to raid the entity. This publication was told that the thieves made their way into the building via a window situated aback the one-storey building.

BPA President Alfred Paul said that the caretaker left the premises around 21:00h and returned the following day.

Upon her return, it was discovered that the window had been forced open.

Further inspections revealed a number of items, including a gas stove, were missing.

Paul is appalled that persons would commit such an act against the elderly.

It is not the first time that the building which was constructed in 2011 was burglarised.

Back then, louver panes were stolen which forced the Association to use vent blocks on the building. Last year, an attempt was made to enter the building through the window, which was used in this break-in, but the caretaker who was on hand then thwart-

ed all efforts. The association is a non-profit one and caters for pensioners, mainly those who are unemployed.

It has provided computer training to both pensioners and others, as well as cookery and fabric design programmes for the community.

Despite the inability of many of its members to earn, a part of the focus of the organisation is to impart knowledge to the community. Police are investigating the recent breakin.

news

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thursDAY, february 2, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 2 – 08:30h-10:00h and Friday, February 3 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 2 – 07:50h-09:20h and Friday, February 3 – 08:25h-09:55h.

Govt’s Cultural Advisor wanted

by Police for questioning ... dodges CID ranks on “torching” threat to Guyana Times/ Evening News/TVG

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

WEATHER TODAY Cultural Policy Advisor posted the comments on his social media page – which also included a call for the destruction of the recently implemented but controversial parking meters.

He stated: “Here’s my idea for a united Guyanese protest against impunity and tenderpreneurship – go break down all the parking meters and then proceed to torch the Sanata complex.” Johnson explicitly made the connection between the Sanata Complex,

Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the early morning hours, with heavy to light rain showers can be expected in the afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tides: 08:14h and 20:41h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.54 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 01:47h and 14:11h reaching minimum heights of 0.60 metre and 0.63 metre respectively.

wednesDAY, febrUARY 1, 2017

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DAILY MILLIONS 04 12 15 17 26 LUCKY 3 6 8 3 Afternoon Draw

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

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

G

overnment Advisor on Culture, Ruel Johnson, is wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to threats he made to “torch” the Sanata Complex, which houses most prominently, the Guyana Times newspaper, Television Guyana (TVG) and Radio Guyana Inc 89.5.

Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Clifton Hicken told Guyana Times that Police ranks visited Johnson’s office at the Education Ministry on Wednesday afternoon to haul him in for questioning, but he was not there.

However, Johnson claimed to be in his office and on his Facebook page mocked “a senior Police Commander whose detectives apparently can't find a fairly large man in a relatively small office.”

Also Crime Chief Wendall Blanhum told this newspaper on Wednesday that an investigation has been launched into the matter following a report filed with the Police by the Head of Security of the media group.

Blanhum explained that the security personnel will provide a statement on the incident after which other persons including Johnson

Commander of A Division Clifton Hicken

will be questioned.

Johnson, who is also a Director of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), which publishes the Chronicle, on Monday called for the torching of the Sanata Complex as a “united Guyanese protest”.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has already pledged to seek an explanation from his advisor about his threats as they are “not reflective of the Government or its views”.

Asked to comment on the matter on Wednesday, President David Granger posited that the Education Minister already dealt with the Government advisor.

However, Johnson took to social media boasting that Dr Roopnaraine did not engage him on the issue.

“I saw my boss last night after he came into office after a Cabinet meeting. He asked for his flash and I wished him happy birthday…,” he commented.

On Monday, the

Government Advisor on Culture, Ruel Johnson

QAII, its owner and the media group consisting of the Guyana Times newspaper, Television Guyana (TVG) and Radio Guyana Inc (89.5) which would all be torched.

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) also weighed in on the matter.

GPA President Neil Marks said such a serious allegation should be reported, adding that the organisation will wait for the outcome of any probe stemming from the report.

In Chapter 8:01 of Guyana’s Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Title four, Section 35, the charge of ‘Attempt, incitement and threat’ applies to “Everyone who, in any case where no express provision is made by this Act, or by any other written law for the time being in force, for the punishment thereof, attempts to commit, or incites or attempts to incite any other person to commit any felony not punishable with imprisonment for seven years or more, or any misdemeanour, under this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and liable to imprisonment for one year.”

In Section 36, the Act goes on to cite that in cases where the felony cited incurs imprisonment of seven years or more, the act of incitement carries imprisonment for two years.

According to the laws of Guyana, arson is an indictable offence usually carrying a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of five years. turn to page 7

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thursday, February 2, 2017

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

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

America’s Secretary of State

I

n one of the closest votes ever for the position – 56 to 43 with one Democratic abstention, former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson was ratified as the 69th Secretary of State of the USA. With Donald Trump, the President, who nominated him, clearly determined to effect a quantum leap in the conduct of American foreign policy, both procedurally and substantively, Tillerson will definitely be one of the key members in the US Cabinet over the next four years.

As such, it ought to be a matter of satisfaction that Guyana, normally one of the countries that have to figuratively flail its arms in the air to catch the attention of such officials, has already achieved that goal. It was during Tillerson’s stint at the head of ExxonMobil that oil was struck off our shores in the Stabroek field and he personally announced it as the most significant one for his company last year. While, as is required by American law, Tillerson has quit as head of the oil giant – the largest in the world – it would be foolish to think that he would have forgotten Guyana, a country he is said to have quietly visited.

Tillerson’s confirmation was unusually tense – and only garnered four Democrats who switched – in the vote that split along partisan lines. But this tight vote merely mirrors the dichotomy in the two parties’ views of the President’s new course. Not so incidentally, Tillerson’s choice as Secretary of State exemplifies one of the major planks in Trump’s new world vision. Trump played the role of the boy who announced “the king had no clothes”, when he questioned the bases for the US not normalising relations with Russia. He is evidently of the view that the American posture is one that merely continues an orientation and course of action that were honed during the Cold War, which ended with the US’s victory in 1989.

The Russians no longer follow the Marxist-Leninist line in any sphere – including most significantly, economics.

In fact, of all the countries that emerged from the fall of the “Iron Curtain”, Russia has arguably adopted the capitalist path of development more fervently than most.

Tillerson’s ExxonMobil was one of the US companies that took advantage of Russia’s ideological volte-face and personally crafted a mega US$500 million energy deal with that country. He was subsequently awarded the Order of Friendship by President Vladmir Putin for his efforts, the highest honour a foreign national can receive in that country.

Unfortunately, the US imposed sanctions on Russia following the latter’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and ExxonMobil was forced to place its investment on hold.

The company did commit to returning and continuing to develop the fields, however, once sanctions are lifted.

During the campaign, Trump signalled he would lift those sanctions.

For Guyana, Tillerson’s experience with a post-Soviet leader in a post-ideologically fixated world that has abandoned the East-West and left-right binaries is going to prove crucial in our own efforts to normalise relations with the USA. Tillerson knows from personal experience with leaders such as Putin and a host of officials and business leaders he would have encountered and interacted with in Russia, that leaders in the West must go past the old communist bogeyman and deal frontally with real-life challenges in a globalised world such as Marx could not have conceived of.

Now that Guyana has gotten a free pass in having the attention of one of the key figures in the Trump Administration, it is our hope that they do not muddy the waters by invoking rhetoric and stances from a bygone era. With Trump also deciding to make radical changes in his dealings with what he had defined as “radical Islam”, Tillerson will have his hands full. Guyanese leaders should focus on dealing with the development of Guyana in so that its citizens do not have to be seduced to the “dark side” of whatever concoction.

World Interfaith Harmony Week: Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, learning about the Rastafarian culture at the Umana Yana, Georgetown on Wednesday at the launching of World Interfaith Harmony Week (Carl Croker photo)

Nagamootoo’s “Cadillac lifestyle in a donkey-cart economy” Dear Editor, Mere hours after Nagamootoo lambasted the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) for salary increases during their tenure in Government, headlines revealed yet another atrocity on the nation’s purse by Nagamootoo and the coalition regime.

He has been granted tax exemptions on unlimited vehicles, in addition to the duty-free vehicle in his possession as a Member of Parliament (MP) and the multiplicity of benefits he receives as erstwhile Prime Minister and Vice President: So much for his pre-elections assurances to the electorate that his Government would not indulge in a “Cadillac lifestyle in a donkey-cart economy”.

When the PPP/C accessed administrative office, the former People’s National Congress (PNC) Government had depleted the nation’s Treasury to zilch, run up internal and external debts that this and coming generations would have been paying to infinity if it had not been for former President, late Dr Cheddi Jagan and former Finance Minister and subsequent President, Bharrat Jagdeo’s unrelenting struggle for debt relief and prudent and astute management of the nation’s finances.

For years the President and Ministers of successive PPP/C Aadministrations received what was tanta-

mount to a mere stipend – a pittance much lower than that of the PNC-inherited.

In 1995, President Jagan acceded to his Ministers’ requests for an increase in salary, bearing in mind that their duties engendered great expenses, including travel and related costs to effectively manage their respective mandates.

The salary scale of PPP/C Ministers was then increased to one dollar above that of Permanent Secretaries.

Desmond Hoyte, who is being praised for reversing the PNC’s draconian management practices during its governance of Guyana, had been forced by the International Financial Institutions (IFIs), in particular the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to re-institute a plethora of changes – including holding free-and-fair elections after decades of rigging, or face sanctions, which included, among others, withholding of financial assistance to a poverty-stricken nation bankrupted by the PNC regime. He had no choice but to assent to all the IMF punitive conditionalities, among which was the imposition of the much-touted Economic Recovery Programme (ERP).

Now being lauded as a feather in Hoyte’s cap, the ERP was, in effect, a punitive menu of measures that created much suffering to the nation’s working-class, which dubbed the punitive fiscal regime of the

ERP as ‘Empty Rice Pots’.

One of the impositions of the ERP was freezing the wages of public servants at $2000, to which Hoyte had acceded. All during the PNC’s dictatorial tenure the trade unions, except for the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), had become toothless poodles that could not even yap.

Upon accessing office, even as vulnerable as his government was to external financial forces, Dr Jagan figuratively told the IMF to put their conditionalities where the sun does not shine and immediately restored bargaining powers to the trade unions.

Ever since then, to the date that the party demitted office, the PPP/C has ensured, depending on the dictates of the nation’s economic strength, that public servants received an annual increase in salary retroactive to the first month of the year, an annual bonus at year-end, and enhanced benefits.

For someone who is benefiting from the fruits of the hard work and prudent management of the nation’s finances by PPP/C Presidents and Ministers, as Nagamootoo is, to begrudge the salary increases of PPP/C Presidents and Ministers is tantamount to spiteful vindictiveness and is absolute ingratitude because he, not the PPP/C Presidents and Ministers, started living a Cadillac lifestyle and became a ‘fat

cat’ without lifting a finger to work for the Guyanese people.

Nagamootoo’s tirade against the PPP/C anent salary increases was an attempt to deflect attention from the excesses that he and his confederates in the Granger-led Government are bestowing on themselves, relatives, friends and financiers – living the good life at the expense of the Guyanese working-class.

More so, his figures were laughable and deliberately misrepresentative of Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s figures that he presented to Parliament.

Unless one is mentally deficient, or deliberately obtuse the difference in governance by the PPP/C Administration and the coalition regime can be discerned by merely comparing the salary and simple lifestyle of PPP/C’s Prime Minister, the really honourable Samuel Hinds, to that of the coalition’s Prime Minister, whose excesses are unconscionable and utterly disgraceful because, as the PPP contends, the salary that Moses Nagamootoo is condemning the PPP Presidents and Ministers for was not enough for him and the members of the coalition Cabinet; hence their hefty pay increases immediately upon accessing office.

Sincerely, Attiya Amanda Baksh

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, february 2, 2017

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

Give Chanderpaul Did Jordan look up the meaning of disgraceful? farewell test Dear Editor, Guyanese iconic cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul is greatly admired and held in high esteem throughout Sri Lanka as I found in my research sojourn there last December travelling around the island. Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts feel Chanderpaul should be allowed to play a last home test series in a fitting farewell to the game.

And this feeling long before Chanders, as he is referred to, experienced a recent spurt in batting form scoring three hundreds in regional cricket over the last month.

In Sri Lanka, because of my western appearance and language accent, everywhere I travelled in hotels, restaurants, markets, and on the streets, questions inevitably arose about my country of origin. Not too many Sri Lankans are familiar with Guyana. But they know of West Indies to which they relate outstanding cricket names.

They belted out Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Denesh Ramdin, etc, and of course Chanderpaul.

The older Lankans recalled Clive Lloyd, Rohan Kanhai, Alvin Kalicharran, Gary Sobers, Andy Roberts, etc. The conversations centred on Chanderpaul who Lankans described as one of the finest test batsman of his era. They respect Chanders for the way he played his cricket and his batting and

leadership skills in mentoring and helping youngsters on the team. They miss seeing Chanderpaul in cricket matches.

Lankans recognise Chanders as someone who a team can rely on to save or win a match, and they could not understand why West Indies unceremoniously dumped such a reliable batsman especially when he performed better than all the rest on a team.

Sri Lankans love Chanderpaul batting style, especially his patience to score runs and to tame hostile bowlers. He is not intimidated by the fiercest fast bowling or the guile of deadly spin. He scored runs against all forms of bowling.

They remember his unorthodox grip and batting position and the unique way he marks his batting crease.

They noted that he does not surrender a match and is uncompromising in his batting. He has a reputation of never selling out a match unlike several cricketers of his generation.

Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts feel Chanderpaul was unjustly discarded.

They feel he should have been allowed to play a final home series and given the opportunity to break Brian Lara’s run record.

A final home series for Chanders would not have done West Indies any harm as the team did terrible in every series played at home or abroad since Chanders was dumped. In fact, he may

very well have saved matches or caused WIndies to win games abroad or at home over the last two years.

On his recent batting form, it is to be noted that Chanders also did extremely well in a friendly benefit 2020 match in Penal, Trinidad two weeks ago, scoring some 42 runs not out at almost two a ball that came from mostly sixes and fours.

He scored freely going after the ball proving that he still has youth in him contrary to what West Indies selectors think. In that match, Lara freely scored a 50 that included several fours and a couple of sixes.

Lara and Darren Ganga, the former Trinidad and West Indies captain, who also scored freely, captained each side with Chanders on the Lara side. Chanders bowled economically and took wickets. I was in Trinidad at the time and both Lara and Chanders received standing ovations and were mobbed by spectators.

Both Lara and Chanders are close friends, and Lara had stated repeatedly that he has no problem with the “Tiger”, as Chanders is known, breaking his run aggregate. West Indies should recall Chanders for a final test series in light of his recent batting form. He deserves a fitting farewell from the West Indies board as the Sri Lankan fans observe.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, The Finance Minister has published a statement lambasting the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government of excesses when it comes to salary increases for its parliamentarians when in office.

He went about it with gusto followed by his Prime Minister who further labelled it as unconscionable and disgraceful. But did these too gentlemen ever stop to look at the meaning of these words “unconscionable” and “disgraceful” because if they did they would come to the stark reality that they are speaking of themselves.

Could anyone in their wildest imagination look at a period 1998-2014 when the PPP/C made an attempt at raising its salaries and compare that to a mere three

months of the coalition taking office and compare the two? That is why I am still dumbfounded at the asinine statements of the Finance and Prime Ministers.

How could you compare the two? It simply defies intelligence! And may I reveal to my readers that salary and emolument increases were to have been 100 per cent, it was only after the Opposition’s vigorous attack and public outcry to the increases that it was reluctantly dropped to 50 per cent. So, I cannot fathom their silly excuses in vainly trying to justify their rape of the public purse when their position in the eyes of all right thinking people is hopeless. It is a situation of a hopeless government steering the ship of a hapless economy.

I am equally appalled by these people when you

view the statement of the Prime Minister when he was in Opposition. It was Nagamootoo’s quote that “the PPP/C were living the Cadillac Life Style in a Donkey Cart Economy” meaning that the PPP/C was living above their means. What gumption in the Prime Minister to ever speak on salary increase matters! What nerve!

He simply forgot that he made those statements.

Nagamootoo of all persons lack the moral fortitude to ever speak on such matters.

I am sure there is not a moral fibre left in him to make such utterances.

But it all goes to show how immoral and disgraceful they are to openly live the good life.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

What else is new?

Dear Editor, I was rather amused (on a more serious note, I should be quite disappointed) when I read the typically exhaustive letter written by E B John in lamenting the fact that “there has been indifference to the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service”. I am tempted to ask Mr John, my friend; ‘What else is new, Earl’?

It would be interesting to hear how Mr John and some of my fellow Commissioners from the CoI into the

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) (who are now actively ensconced in the top echelons of GuySuCo) feel about similar indifference to

the recommendations of the CoI into GuySuCo! Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

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Foundation

What parents should know about the immune system

T

he immune system, which is made up of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs, defends people against germs and microorganisms every day. In most cases, the immune system does a great job of keeping people healthy and preventing infections. But sometimes

When antigens (foreign substances that invade the body) are detected, several types of cells work together to recognise them and respond – vaccines utilise this ability of the body to increase protection

nodes, that house the leukocytes.

The leukocytes circulate through the body between the organs and nodes via lymphatic vessels and blood vessels. In this way, the immune system works in a coordinated manner to monitor the body for germs or substances that might cause problems.

The two basic types of leukocytes are: phagocytes, cells that chew up invading organisms lymphocytes, cells that allow the body to remember and recognise previous invaders and help the body destroy them A number of different cells are consid-

row and stay there and mature into B cells, or they

either

leave for the thymus gland, where they mature into T cells. B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes have separate functions: B lymphocytes are like the body’s military intelligence system, seeking out their targets and sending defences to lock onto

Once produced, these antibodies stay in a person’s body, so that if his or her immune system encounters that antigen again, the antibodies are already there to do their job. So if someone gets sick with a certain disease, like chickenpox, that person usually won’t get sick from it again.

This is also how immunisations (vaccines) prevent certain diseases. An immunisation introduces the body to an antigen in a way that doesn’t make someone sick, but does allow the body to produce antibodies that will then protect the person from future attack by the germ or substance that produces that particular disease.

Although antibodies can recognise an antigen and lock onto it, they are not capable of destroying it without help.

That’s the job of the T cells, which are part of the system

that destroys antigens that have been tagged by antibodies or cells that have been infected or somehow changed. (Some T cells are actually called “killer cells.”) T cells also are involved in helping signal other cells (like phagocytes) to do their jobs.

Antibodies also can neutralise toxins (poisonous or damaging substances) produced by different organisms.

Lastly, antibodies can activate a group of proteins called complement that are also part of the immune system.

Complement assists in killing bacteria, viruses, or infected cells.

All of these specialised cells and parts of the immune system offer the body protection against disease. This protection is called immunity.

(Excerpt from Kids Health)

problems with the immune system can lead to illness and infection.

About the immune system The immune system is the body’s defence against infectious organisms and other invaders. Through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause disease.

The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. One of the important cells involved are white blood cells, also called leukocytes, which come in two basic types that combine to seek out and destroy disease-causing organisms or substances.

Leukocytes are produced or stored in many locations in the body, including the thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. For this reason, they’re called the lymphoid organs.

There are also clumps of lymphoid tissue throughout the body, primarily as lymph

Taking antibiotics safely

S

continued from Wednesday

ered phagocytes. The most common type is the neutrophil, which primarily fights bacteria. If doctors are worried about a bacterial infection, they might order a blood test to see if a patient has an increased number of neutrophils triggered by the infection.

Other types of phagocytes have their own jobs to make sure that the body responds appropriately to a specific type of invader.

The two kinds of lymphocytes are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes start out in the bone mar-

them. T cells are like the soldiers, destroying the invaders that the intelligence system has identified.

Here’s how it works: When antigens (foreign substances that invade the body) are detected, several types of cells work together to recognise them and respond. These cells trigger the B lymphocytes to produce antibodies, which are specialised proteins that lock onto specific antigens.

child uncomfortable, such as a stuffy nose or scratchy throat. The key to building a good relationship with your doctor is open communication, so work together toward that goal.

Remember: Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infection if taken Never use antibiotics for the full amount of time prescribed by the that have been lying doctor Talk to your if you’re around your home. And pharmacist unsure about how to never give your child give your child the dose. The medantibiotics that were right icines take time to prescribed for another work, too, so don’t expect your child to feel family member or adult. better after taking first dose. It may Saving antibiotics “for the take a child one to two the next time” is a bad days to feel better.

Similarly, don’t let idea, too your child take antibiotics longer than prescribed. er illnesses (especially those And most important, thought to be caused by vi- never use antibiotics that ruses) run their course. This have been lying around helps prevent antibiotic-re- your home. And never sistant germs from devel- give your child antibiotoping. But leave it to your ics that were prescribed doctor to decide if an illness for another family memis “mild” or not. Even if the ber or adult. Saving antisymptoms don’t get worse biotics “for the next time” but do last a while, take is a bad idea, too. Any reyour child to the doctor. maining antibiotics should Seek medical advice be thrown out as soon as and ask questions. Ask your child has taken the full your doctor about whether course of medicine as preyour child’s illness is bac- scribed. terial or viral, and discuss Help fight antibiotic rethe risks and benefits of an- sistance by taking simple tibiotics. If it’s a virus, ask steps to prevent the spread about ways to treat symp- of infections. Encourage toms. Don’t pressure your hand washing, make sure doctor to prescribe antibiot- your kids are up to date on immunisations, and keep ics.

Ask your doctor about kids out of school when ways to treat the symp- they’re sick. (Excerpt from Kidshealth) toms that are making your o what should you do when your child gets sick? To minimise the risk of bacterial resistance, keep these tips in mind: Take antibiotics only for bacterial infections.

It’s a good idea to let mild-

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thursDAY, february 2, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

ExxonMobil briefs Govt, Opposition on oil find G

overnment, along with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, met on Thursday with officials of US oil and gas major ExxonMobil for updates on the promising oil discovery.

The gathering at the Marriott Hotel was described as what Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said was a high-level meeting between the oil company and members of Guyana’s Parliament.

According to Trotman, there is undoubtedly good news coming from the development of the Liza reports.

“What is different about this briefing, there seems to be good news about the actual development of the Liza reports and how we intend to take it to production in 2020 and give updates on new techniques that will be deployed,” he said to Exxon officials and Cabinet members present.

According to Trotman, the presentation is more of a technical one and is the beginning of a series of engagement which will begin with policymakers, but will extend to Guyanese, both at home and in the diaspora.

Opposition Leader Jagdeo, speaking to Guyana Times following the meeting, said while he did not want to divulge the content of the meeting, he did seek some clarification from the US team about several issues discussed in the meeting. Those concerns were raised when the team visited his office, after the official meeting at the Marriott Hotel.

Following the first discovery of oil by the US company back in 2015, Government has been upbeat about the prospects and economic future of Guyana.

The most recent offshore discovery of oil in early January sparked further hope.

The well was drilled by ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso

it did not yield commercial quantities of hydrocarbons.

ExxonMobil spud Liza 3 after Skipjack turned up unfavourable results. Skipjack

was a separate prospect 25 miles north west of the Liza wells. The Liza 3 well, like Liza 2, will be focused on testing the flank of the Liza

Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and members of the Opposition met with ExxonMobil Country Manager Jeff Simons and his team to be briefed on the developments in the oil and gas sector

Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, and encountered more than 95 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. It was safely drilled to 18,080 feet in 6660 feet of water. The Payara field discovery is about 10 miles north west of the 2015 Liza discovery.

In addition to the Payara discovery, appraisal drilling at Liza-3 has identified an additional high-quality, deeper reservoir directly below the Liza field, which is estimated to contain between 100 and 150 million oil equivalent barrels. This additional resource is currently being evaluated for development in conjunction with the world-class Liza discovery.

Drilling on Payara began on November 12, 2016, with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. Two sidetracks have been drilled to rapidly evaluate the discovery, and a well test is underway to further evaluate the successful well results.

The well data will be analysed in the coming months to better determine the full resource potential.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen

Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest.

Back in October 2016, the company made its third significant discovery in its drilling explorations offshore Guyana, with its partner, Hess Corporation, noting that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion based on calculations from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more than 58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations. The well was drilled to 5475 metres at a depth of 1692 metres. Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Data from the Liza 2 well test is being assessed.

In May 2015, Exxon confirmed its significant oil discovery at its Liza 1 exploration well, where more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs were encountered.

The Liza wells are being drilled with the <<<Stena Carron>>> harsh environment drillship.

On September 8, ExxonMobil announced that its third exploratory well Skipjack (the third well drilled and not Liza 3 as reported in the local media) was unsuccessful, since

Government Ministers meet with officials from ExxonMobil at the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday

structure to determine the aerial extent of the reservoir.

In July 2016, ExxonMobil submitted a development plan for Liza to Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency to begin the environmental review process.

That plan calls for a pair of rigs to drill development wells from two drill centres, each with a corresponding water injection site to the East.

Business site Bloomberg, in June of 2016, reported that ExxonMobil’s oil discovery off the coast of Guyana may hold as much as 1.4 billion barrels, twice the size of the previous estimate, making it potentially worth about US$70 billion based on current prices.

Govt’s Cultural Advisor...

This is not the first time that Johnson has made discriminatory and inciting comments on social media about provoking violence.

In 2016, Johnson was lambasted by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira for a similar outburst, and she called on Education Minister Roopnaraine to terminate Johnson’s contract.

According to Teixeira, Johnson does not have an understanding of the role his position has in shaping society and is reckless in his statements. She had pointed out that the

Constitution of Guyana speaks to the issue of anti-discrimination and noted that a person who holds the responsibilities of culture must be sensitive to Guyana’s multicultural nature.

Meanwhile, only last year, East Bank Essequibo resident Bibi Safora Salim, who used social media to issue threatening and derogatory statements against President David Granger, was charged, placed on bail and then tried by the courts. Unlike that case, which was dismissed because there was

from page 3

no specific offence committed, according to the Magistrate, in this instance, incendiary threats to 5520 followers to “torch” specific premises presented a clear and present threat.

Similarly, Tameshwar Beekham, a self-professed A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change supporter, was charged and fined after he issued death threats on social media against the life of former President and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo and other parliamentarians of the People’s Progressive Party.

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thursDAY, february 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New charges filed against suspected robbers …attempted murder charges mistakenly dropped

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wenty-one-year-old Jason Howard and his alleged accomplice, Curtis Vasconcellos, 23, on Wednesday reappeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who dropped two attempted murder charges against the duo for which they are currently on remand among several other matters.

The first charge alleged that the men were jointly involved in the attempted murder of Tower Hotel security guard Balmick Persaud on December 14, 2016 during the process of a robbery.

Another attempted murder charge was mistakenly dropped against Howard, who on October 21, 2016, at Water Street, Georgetown maliciously and unlawfully wounded Virtual Complainant (VC), Quacy Joseph with intention to murder him.

The defendant in the afternoon reappeared before the Chief Magistrate and the

Jason Howard and Curtis Vasconcellos

charge was reinstated.

In addition, three new charges were brought against the duo alleging that on December 14, 2016, the men unlawfully and maliciously discharged a loaded firearm at the security guard at Tower Hotel, Main Street Georgetown, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm.

The second charge read that the men, on the same

day, unlawfully and maliciously wounded the virtual complainant with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm.

The men were not required to plead to the indictable charges, but a notguilty plea was entered by the duo with respect to the third charge, which stated that the men on December 16, 2016 in an armed robbery stole $ 2.969 million

from Tower Hotel accountant Baldeo Seegobin.

The court was informed that the men have outstanding matters of similar nature before other courts.

It is alleged that Howard on October 1, 2016 robbed Roopnaraine Boodhoo of $800,000 on North Road, Georgetown and Bibi Bacchus of $100,000 in Plaisance, East Coast Demerara on November 6, 2016. He was also jointly charged with three others for the murder of an elderly couple at their Good Hope, East Bank Demerara residence.

Meanwhile, Vasconcellos will stand trial at the Georgetown High Court for the attempted robbery of a Grove, East Bank Demerara businessman, Nazeem Khan.

The defendants are to remain on remand and the matter will continue at the magistrate’s court on February 16, 2017.

Warlock murder suspects still on the run

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rime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Wednesday confirmed to Guyana Times that the Police are still hunting the three suspects wanted for the shooting death of Andrew Fraser in Warlock, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on Thursday evening last. He iterated that checks were made at several locations in

which the men would frequent but to no avail.

He nevertheless stated that the Police will continue to pursue the men and have them placed before the courts. It was reported that the three men are known criminals to the Police.

They were implicated in several high-profile matters including the recent Police

Dead: Andrew Fraser

operation at John Street Campbellville, Georgetown, which unearthed an AK47 assault rifle, 80 rounds of ammunition along with a .9mm pistol and several mobile phones.

Andrew Fraser, 30, of Lot 565 East La Penitence, Georgetown, was gunned after two men pulled up in a dark-coloured Carina 212 motorcar and opened fire.

Fraser who was due to leave the country the following Saturday left home with the intention of collecting two suitcases but stopped at the shop to buy porridge.

From all indications, his

cousin, Timothy St Hill was the target but he was caught in the crossfire. Based on reports, the young man was minding his own business, paying attention to his cellphone when the men suddenly appeared at the scene and opened fire.

He was shot at least five times by the two men who fled the scene in the motorcar. Dawn Sampson, mother of the man who was allegedly targeted, confirmed that her son was the target while accusing the Police of having a hand in her nephew’s execution.

Her son, St Hill, was only recently charged for entering Guyana illegally from Suriname. St Hill was also fingers in the Rio Night Club shooting incident sometime back.

His mother however, claimed that the Police had recently accused her son for the guns and ammunition that were found during a raid at a Campbellville, Georgetown house.

He was arrested but after the 72-hour detention period elapsed, he was released.

The Police have questioned St Hill in connection with the murder.

This country…

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…not for SOME old men

ime, it is said, waits on no man…but in Guyana, it’s clear the Government can make it stop for SOME men. Which, as you can imagine, dear reader, is not an inconsiderable power – especially in a country where the Government already acts without shame as the Levithan! Your Eyewitness has already mentioned the firing of one ex-Chancellor of the Judiciary – Justice Cecil Kennard – from his position as Chair of the Police Complaints Authority, because he’s “too old”.

What he didn’t know, were the circumstances under which the Chancellor was fired. And these were shocking and reprehensible, to say the least. Imagine giving a man 36 hours to leave his job after HE’S given 50 years of service to Guyana! And that notice is sent through the mail! “Cold” isn’t the word. Then to rub salt into that wound, when Justice Kennard askes for an extension to clean up his case backlog, they give him two months rather than three! What manner of men are these that call the shots, this PNC-led coalition Government?

Men with a devious plan, that’s who. First of all, we know the purported “age disqualification” for Justice Kennard is risible. We already pointed out this Government hired Clive Thomas – who’s just as old as Kennard – to not just one job, but three!! Two more stressful than any other job in the realm – Chairing GuySuCo and Chairing SARA. On the third, “Advising the President”, maybe he can wing it – but not the other two. In the PCA, Justice Kennard would be basically evaluating evidence in cases just as he’s being doing for 50 years. Thomas, has never run a cake shop much less getting rid of GuySuCo’s assets to “political investors” and collecting assets from “political enemies”.

So, what’s really going on here? The decks are being cleared to have the Executive assume total control of the State machinery. And individuals who have a background of independence – especially from the judicial branch, just won’t do – no “intelligence, integrity and impartiality” needed! Their ideal candidates would be someone like the old Chief Justice Bollers, who did the PNC’s bidding when he was placed in charge of the then Elections Commission. And closed his eyes to all the rigging.

By removing Chancellor (ag) Carl Singh, former Chancellor Kennard, former Appellate Prem Persaud, and Deputy Solicitor General Kissoon, the message sent is pellucid. If you’re employed by the State, you’re presumed guilty of consorting with the “enemy” once you’re ethnically challenged!

Your professionalism doesn’t matter. Just bend your principles into a pretzel to conform with outcomes you know the Government wants.

…playing with lives

Your Eyewitness saw the carefully worded – VERY carefully worded statement that in seven out the 10 regions of Guyana, 60 per cent of the “primary drugs”, were supplied. They could have been up front and admitted that four out of 10 main drugs like pain killers or “sugar tablets” are unavailable to the vast majority of the people of this country!

But that’ll never happen in this Orwellian Guyana, will it? In Opposition, the APNU/AFC insisted there were major problems in this country’s pharma procurement.

Taking office, they threw the old system out – to “correct” the flaws. The old major supplier was thrown out on their ears and new favoured ones introduced.

But the complaints of “drug shortages” persisted – but were stoutly denied. The medical personnel didn’t know what they were talking about! But after a while, the “no drugs” cries were too widespread to ignore.

So we heard it was a “warehouse problem” – and a new sole sourced warehouse would take care of that.

So what’s the new excuse?

…and parking

The Chronic insisted former President Ramotar’s car was clamped even thought there was no meter there, because it was in a “no parking zone”. So, Smart City’s doing the Traffic Police job, now?

Does Ramjattan know about this?

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

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thursDAY, february 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

AG vs Deputy Solicitor General

Berbice Bar member calls for AG’s removal

Adrian Anamayah

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alls are now being made for Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, to be sacked in light of his alleged assault against his Deputy Solicitor General, Prithima Kissoon.

Adrian Anamayah, a Berbice Bar Association Member, told Guyana Times that the behaviour demonstrated by Williams was unbecoming of an Attorney General and of a Senior Counsel.

In this regard, Anamayah called for the AG to be removed.

“It’s a tragedy; the AG has sought to publicly ridicule a public servant in such a manner…Secondly, to blame everyone for his incompetence and refusing to accept any responsibility. At the end of the day, he is not only the head of the Bar, the buck stops at him, so anything that goes out of the Chambers, it has his blessing so he has to accept responsibility for it,” the lawyer explained, referring to the AG’s blame game regarding the case against former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Williams had blamed the Deputy Solicitor General for the dismissal of a Statesponsored appeal, which led to the quashing of the case against Jagdeo.

The controversy, which has erupted over this matter, has dragged the credibility of the AG Chambers into disrepute, according to Guyana Bar Association Executive

Member Teni Housty.

“When these things come out, it doesn’t fit (the entity’s repute). It weakens the confidence in the State machinery when it comes to the administration of justice. When these things happen, it is the administration of justice that suffers,” he stated.

When contacted for a comment, Berbice Bar Association President Deena Panday promised to issue a statement on the matter.

Guyana Association of Women’s Lawyers President Sadie Amin also promised to provide a comment on the matter.

“It’s a tragedy; the AG has sought to publicly ridicule a public servant in such a manner.” – Berbice Bar member Adrian Anamayah Kissoon has since filed a detailed complaint to the Public Service Commission (PSC). In the complaint, Kissoon spoke about the AG failing to give instructions or examining documents prepared by her prior to being filed or presented to the court.

She also claimed that Williams, who was recently made a Senior Counsel by President David Granger, instructed his assistants to refuse to accept any documents or correspondence from her.

Meanwhile, in another section of the media, Solicitor General Sita Ramlall, in a letter to the editor, pointed out that Williams had insisted to Kissoon and herself, that he be named as the plaintiff in the appeal when he was not a party.

“I did not prepare nor approve the Appeal in this mat-

Attorney General Basil Williams

ter. The Deputy Solicitor General, Ms Prithima Kissoon at all material times and at all stages had conduct of the matter and she was aware that an Appeal was being prepared. When the Appeal was to be filed, Ms Kissoon could not be found to affix her signature to same.

The pleadings were brought to me for signature, whereupon I declined to sign same. I then went to the Honourable Attorney General and advised that he could not be a party to the action for the very same reasons…but the Honourable Attorney General was adamant and instructed me to sign and file the Appeal. This was done,” Ramlall stated.

Defence

In his defence, the AG claimed that he could no longer sustain Kissoon’s undermining of his Chamber’s cases. He claimed that in cases where President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and the Attorney General were sued, Kissoon deliberately disobeyed the instructions of the Attorney General and the Solicitor General with regard to challenging the applications on lack of jurisdiction, thereby causing the matters to be protracted.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has since pledged to look into the issue and make recommendations on the way forward.

Citizens encouraging corruption in Police Force – PCA Head

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hairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), Retired Justice Cecil Kennard is urging citizens to make complaints against corrupt officers, noting that failure in taking such action only fosters the disease in the Police Force.

Justice Kennard, during an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, noted that one of the major problems in clamping down on corruption in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was lack of cooperation from the general public.

“What I found is that people are very reluctant to come forward. They would make allegations, but they won’t come forward and when they come forward, what they do behind the scenes, the Policeman involved would contact the person from whom they extracted money and they work out some sort of arrangement and then they would come later say that they don’t desire further actions,” he explained.

The PCA Head disclosed that for last year alone, some 840 complaints were made to the entity, but only 25 of them were about corrupt cops.

Out of those 25 complaints of corruption, only a few of the cases saw disciplinary action taken against the ranks involved while the others were just dropped.

PCA, Justice Cecil Kennard

The majority of the complaints received by the PCA last year stemmed from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Justice Kennard said the statistics show that corruption was rampant in the traffic department of the GPF. The PCA Head reiterated this “disease” could only be tackled with the cooperation of the citizens of Guyana, and he encouraged them to come forth with their complaints against Police Officers.

“It all depends on the cooperation of people. They must be bold enough, having lodged a complaint to see it through…what I would expect is that members of the public are more cooperative and assist the Police Complaints Authority. And when I say assist, they must

be bold enough to come forward and bring their reports to the PCA because if they don’t do that, the Police will continue to do wrong things and the image of the Police Force, which is already tarnished, will be further tarnished,” he posited.

Meanwhile, Justice Kennard explained that some of the other complaints were in relation to neglect of Police duties including not acting on a report, not conducting proper investigation, not attending court, and wrongful seizure of property, among others.

Regarding disciplinary action, the PCA Chairman explained that he preferred to avoid taking it to the court in minor cases as legal proceedings were usually protracted.

He resorts to a quicker method of disciplining whereby ranks from Inspector to Assistant Commissioner would have their files sent to the Police Service Commission (PSC) to delegate someone to carry out an investigation. Ranks from Constable to Sergeant would have their files sent to the Commissioner of Police for an inquiry to be held. At the conclusion of the probes, if an officer is found to be culpable, the file comes back to PCA to recommend a penalty such as warning, loss of pay, reduction in rank, transfer, or extreme cases, dismissal.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, february 2, 2017

News

No arrest in 2nd suspect in Houston botched robbery arrested De Willem, WCD robbery T

he second suspect in the botched robbery at Houston, Greater Georgetown, which left one bandit dead, was arrested

by Police and he is expected to be charged soon.

The man who escaped on Friday after his accomplice, Gary Koster was shot dead by the businessman whom they were trying to rob, is a known character to the Police.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that the suspect resides in Norton Street, Bagotstown, and was granted bail by the Magistrate’s Court about three months ago on an armed robbery charge.

Blanhum noted that he was positively identified as the second suspect in the attempted robbery on Friday.

Reports are Koster, 38,

along with the man in custody were on a black and grey CG motorcycle, CH 2167, and trailed a 48-yearold businessman of Anna

One of the bullets struck Koster to his left-side temple and another to his neck, while his accomplice fled the scene on foot. Koster died on

Catherina, West Coast Demerara and attacked him.

However, in retaliation, the businessman pulled out his licensed .32 Taurus revolver and discharged several rounds in the direction of the alleged bandits.

the spot. His relatives who spoke with Guyana Times on Saturday last, are of the belief that market vendor was executed and called for a thorough investigation into the alleged robbery.

They also claimed that

the now dead man was “no thief” but Police have confirmed that he was fingered in several armed robberies.

At the scene on Friday last, the Police retrieved one 9mm and three .32 spent shells. The one 9mm spent shell, Police disclosed, was fired from a gun the dead man’s accomplice was carrying.

During the attempted robbery, the gunman dealt one blow to businessman’s face while at the same time discharged a round but the bullet missed its intended target.

It was at this time, the businessman whipped out his firearm and fired three shots with two hitting Koster who fell to the ground. The second suspect is expected to be brought before the courts before the end of the week.

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s Police continue their investigations into the armed robbery on a De Willem, West Coast Demerara goldsmith, an arrest is yet to be made.

D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) Commander, Leslie James told Guyana Times that up to late Wednesday evening, investigators were working with several leads but confirmed that no one was arrested.

He however noted investigations are continuing.

Five armed bandits on Tuesday executed a daring daylight robbery on a goldsmith, Dhanraj Patram, with several of his family members terrorised in the process including his 10-year-old son.

The men reportedly confronted Patran in the workshop after gaining entry through an open door. The men reportedly struck the goldsmith to his head and punched him to his face as they demanded cash and jewellery.

They bound the man’s hands, gagged his mouth

with duct tape, placed a gun to his head and escorted him to the upper flat of the house where his wife and other family members were.

Upon seeing them, the bandits duct taped the women’s mouth and hands then ordered them to lay face down on the floor.

During the ordeal, the businessman’s 10-year-old son returned home and was greeted by the gunmen who also gagged his mouth and demanded that he takes them to the money and jewellery. Petram told reporters that the men then ransacked the bedrooms and found a quantity of jewellery and cash, including US$1200 and escaped in two motorcars.

He explained that the bandits were all masked and were wearing dark-coloured clothing. After the men left, he managed to untie himself and raised an alarm. The Police were also contacted and within minutes arrived at the scene and immediately informed their counterparts at various Police stations.

Venezuelan woman fined, deported for overstaying

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wenty-one-year-old Vildalva Boniella, who on Wednesday reappeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, was fined and deported after she pleaded guilty to an immigration charge brought against her.

The Spanish-speaking woman previously appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on January 28, to answer to a charge which alleged that between January 1 and January 28, 2017, at Iteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), she entered the country by sea and disembarked without presenting herself to immigra-

tion officials.

She was subsequently picked up by Police officials on patrol at Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) and thereafter arrested and charged with the offence.

Defence Council for the woman on Wednesday in plea of mitigation told the court that his client, who has two small children, came to Guyana in hopes of securing employment to support her family due to the ongoing Venezuelan crisis.

The Chief Magistrate fined Boniella $15,000 and she will be escorted as soon as possible to the nearest port of exit.

thursday, february 2, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

F&DD warns against importation of expired food items What did you say?

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he power of words are utilised in all types of situations and for an infinite number of reasons, both good and bad.

They are used to incite violence or instil calm, to hurt or to lift spirits, to motivate or break a person and to deceive or empower. Irrespective of our native tongue or our dialect, the strength of the words we use can be a great influence in the ears of the receiver. When we consider that great leaders have inspired nations to unite behind them, generals earned the loyalties of armies following Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal them to probable death and even cult leaders persuading their followers into mass suicides with words, the magnitude of that power becomes tangible.

Even though from birth we find various ways of communicating needs and desires before we have the command of speech, it is not until we are able to actually form intelligible words that we broaden the possibilities for expressing complex feelings and become able to influence more than nurturing responses from those around us. Once we are able to develop this skill we are able to contribute to action and feelings in others.

Communicating with others is the premise on which we build anything; relationships, physical structures, planning strategies and businesses to name a few. Many of us may find ourselves at a loss for words or unable to express our feelings adequately under circumstances that make us uncomfortable, but unless we master the use of language we will forever be at a disadvantage. It will follow that our needs may not be met, our wishes not considered and our viewpoints not understood.

Even what we say to ourselves in our heads is potent. We can talk ourselves in and out of situations, associations, marriages; in and out of life changing decisions.

Miscommunication can cause a myriad of problems and the use of language to portray temporary feelings can be the seed of detrimental conflict. Words cannot be taken back once spoken and the damage they can do is far reaching. Destructive language can have implications that are irreparable. In order for your listener to grasp true meaning behind your words, it is important that you are clear with that meaning.

The words we use, whether verbally or in writing, influence how others perceive us and direct them to an understanding of how we perceive them. They factor into the decisions people will make about us. They can build or destroy relationships.

Many people are compelled to voice any passing feeling, thought or impression they have without regard for the impact their words will have. They randomly unload the contents of their mind whether it be trivial matters or gossip about others that can cause untold, albeit unintentional, damage.

Our use of words can also cause social damage and although this issue may seem old fashioned to some, the overuse of indecent language is cause for acute sadness when looking at how desensitised our young people have become and how insensitively so many use it. With the choice of over a million words, why do people feel the need to express themselves in a vulgar manner in environments where they may potentially offend? The freedom of speech certainly reigns in most places, but there is still a responsibility to young children and people of an opposing verbal persuasion not to offend with choice of language.

When we consider what kind of language our children are listening to in music videos, at school among peers and even in some homes, it is only natural that they will mimic. Foul language is frequently heard in shops, on public transport, in the streets; so many places where the youngest of children are present. I also hear the same obscenities coming from those barely able to form coherent sentences. With such aggressive tones and negative sentiment, what are we allowing our children to soak up as their foundation from such an impressionable stage in their lives?

Before speaking, take a few moments to contemplate what you will say and how you will say it; while considering the impact they will have on the listener. Think about who else is around to pick up on what your words mean. Whether you are giving a speech, comforting a friend, berating a child, arguing with a spouse, sharing a joke or voicing an opinion.

The choice of words, the tone we use and the true sentiment behind it will give it either phenomenal power or influence, or render great thoughts inadequate due to a lack of clear expression. What will you say, what do you mean?

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he Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (F&DD) has warned importers of food, particularly those who import foods for further processing and/or for use in the fast food industry, to ensure they are not expired and have at least 75 per cent of their shelf life at the time of shipment.

In a release to the media on Wednesday, the Department said it has been frequently intercepting containers with expired items,

while others had only a few days shelf life remaining.

“In one such instance, a container arrived in Guyana on the 24 December 2016 with one item being expired since the 2nd June 2016 and others on the 19th November and the 17th December 2016.

In addition, there were some items that were going to be expired in January of 2017,” the department said it its statement.

The department is also advising Procurement/ Purchasing and Quality

Assurance personnel in those industries to ensure that only items with acceptable expiration dates are ordered, shipped and/or received to be used for food processing for consumers.

“The Department will no longer facilitate assortment (separation) exercises at any port of entry, neither in importers' bonds nor in their warehouses. Action will now be taken against importers who knowingly and deliberately perpetuate this practice of importing expired

and/or short dated items”. It said such actions will not be limited to the refusal of entry only, but will also include legal proceeding against perpetrators.

The Department said it will continue to work in close collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority (Customs Department) to ensure food inspectors have easy and regular access to documents, records and containers with food destined to be used in the food processing and/or fast food industry.

Schoolgirl’s foot crushed by speeding car School was rushed to the hospital around 12:30hrs on Wednesday by her teacher.

According to reports, the child along with other students were walking on the roadway making their way back to school when the accident occurred. Her teacher spoke to this publication and related that the child who reportedly realised she was about to be struck, ran from the car but was not fast enough.

The motorcar which was out of control at this time ran over her foot causing her to fall. Students who were

The child with her injured foot

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n 11-year-old girl is temporarily immobile after a motorcar which was allegedly speeding on the Graham’s Hall Access Road, East Coast

Demerara, ran over her left foot while she was in front of her primary school.

The child of the Shaheed’s Orphanage and a student of Graham’s Hall Primary

with her at the time ran to the school and informed the child’s teacher of what had occurred.

She was then picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she is being treated.

Nurses confirmed that the child will be unable to walk for a significant period of time because of the extent of her injuries.

The driver of the motorcar was taken into custody at the Sparendaam Police Station.

Investigations are ongoing.

12news

thursDAY, february 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New Switzerland, Egyptian Ambassadors accredited

GECOM chairmanship

Opposition, Govt Attorneys P to meet next week P resident David Granger said he was anxiously awaiting dialogue between the Government and the Opposition, which has been scheduled for next week, before determining the next step forward in appointing a new chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Opposition’s legal adviser, Anil Nandlall and the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Senior Counsel Basil Williams are expected to meet shortly to discuss the interpretation of the laws governing the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman.

Minister Williams, who is currently in Trinidad, told the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday in an invited comment that former Attorney General Nandlall had writFormer Attorney General Anil Nandlall ten to him in January asking that the meeting be organised any time after January 25. asked them to meet and see in what ways However, given that he was in Jamaica at we can have a common interpretation of this time, AG Williams said he had under- the Constitution. In the final analysis, it’s taken to set a date next week for the meeting a constitutional matter and I felt that the Constitution was quite clear so if there was to happen. any opaqueness or obscurity, I hope that the meeting between the two Attorneys would clarify that,” he noted.

Nevertheless, the Head of State maintained that he was correct in his interpretation of the Constitution that the nominees for GECOM chairmanship must be a judge or have qualifications equivalent to that of a judge.

“I’m anxious to move ahead, it’s a constitutional office, but as I said my interpretation of the Constitution was quite clear. I’m not saying that the person has to be a judge, but if you read the whole article of that Constitution, it intends that the person must possess certain qualities and we are looking for those qualities,” the President asserted.

The controversy on the matter revolves Attorney General Basil Williams around the different interpretations of the Opposition Leader and the Government on Meanwhile, President Granger told re- Article 161 (2) on the appointment of a new porters on Wednesday at State House that GECOM Chairman.

The Opposition’s understanding conhaving realised that the issue arose out of two different interpretation of the Constitution, forms to the updated Constitution which he did not see the rationale to have further incorporates the Carter formula to have a dialogue with Opposition Leader Bharrat democratic process for the appointment of a Jagdeo and as such, has left the matter in chairman.

Granger’s interpretation, on the oththe hands of the legal experts from the two er hand, seems to reflect the old 1980 sides.

“I think (Jagdeo) has nominated the pre- Constitution which limits the pool of persons vious Attorney General and I’ve nominat- to be appointed to GECOM’s helm to only ed the current Attorney General and I have judges or those eligible to be a judge.

resident David Granger on Wednesday accepted Letters of Credence from the new designate non-resident Ambassadors of Switzerland and the Arab Republic of Egypt to Guyana.

After receiving the credentials from Swiss Confederation Ambassador, Didier Chassot, at State House, President Granger posited that the country stands to benefit from the guidance and expertise of Switzerland, as Guyana embarks on its ‘Green’ Economy Action Plan.

He went on to say that cordial relations enjoyed by the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties in May 1977, was further strengthened last year when Guyana establishment an embassy in Geneva.

respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security. We are willing to cooperate and collaborate with the Swiss Confederation and other countries in finding workable solutions to global threats,” President Granger asserted.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Chassot, who will be based in Venezuela, posited that the Swiss Confederation was keen to advance ties with Guyana and the Caribbean as a whole. He noted that his country follows the developments in Guyana with great interest and he will endeavour to further enhance the relations, which exist between them. Guyana and the Swiss Confederation have many areas of commonalities such as the pursuit of peace and se-

The diplomat further noted that the convergence comes from the identical principles that determine the foreign policy of the two countries regarding the same steady commitment to peace and security.

Moreover, while the Egyptian envoy admitted that the trade and economic relations between the two countries have not met expectations, he pledged to ensure that during his tenure these are strengthened.

“I would like to express the keenest will of the Egyptian Government to strengthen its… economic relations with your country, which has a lot of resources and potential,” he assured.

Meanwhile, President Granger in his remarks, said that the establishment of

Swiss Ambassador Didier Chassot presenting his credentials to President David Granger on Wednesday at State House

“The embassy will give further impetus to enhancing the growing bilateral and multilateral relations between our two countries. Guyana and the Swiss Confederation are enjoined by our shared values of mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit,

curity, the Ambassador said, and as such, he will venture to build on these.

Earlier Wednesday, the Guyanese Head of State also accepted credentials from the new Egyptian Ambassador, Alaaeldin Wagih Roushdy, who praised Guyana as a shining light and a role model to countries around the world as a state which endeavours to peace and prosperity.

diplomatic ties between the two countries in September 1971 were based on shared values of mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.

“Guyana is a model of interfaith harmony”— Granger

H

ead of State David Granger on Wednesday described the religious diversity which Guyana enjoys as a “model of interfaith Harmony”.

President Granger was delivering the keynote address at the launch of World Interfaith Harmony Week at the Umana Yana – a United Nations event. He said that at a time when hostile relationships and religious conflicts continue to envelop in other parts of the world, Guyana has policies that promote peaceful coexistence by fostering interfaith harmony.

He explained that interfaith harmony is advanced through dialogue which in turn promotes understanding of each other’s culture and beliefs, and which, in turn, generates cooperation which leads to development and facilitates the dismantling of the barriers of domination and distrust.

United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka, who spoke on behalf of all UN organisations in Guyana, said that anti-Muslim hate crimes, xenophobia, racism, anti-semitism and other forms of bigotry are on the rise in the world today and as such, the stability, which comes with interfaith harmony, is becoming increasingly important for countries.

“We all have to resist cynical efforts that try to divide communities and portray neighbours as the ‘other’. People everywhere need to feel that their cultural identities are valued and at the same time to have a strong sense of belonging to their community as a whole.

As societies become more multiethnic and multireligious, cultural and economic investments and cohesion are required so that diversity is rightly seen as richness not a threat,” she said.

The activities to com-

memorate World Interfaith Harmony Week are being spearheaded by the InterReligious Organisation of Guyana (IRO) under the theme, “Fostering Social Cohesion in Guyana”. World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010, by His Majesty, King Abdullah II of Jordan. It was unanimously adopted in October of that same year. It started as an initiative to bring together leaders of the Christian and Muslim faiths in dialogue, but was later expanded to include all faiths.

Meanwhile, Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton told the gathering that patience, tolerance, peace, love, mutual respect and understanding are some of the values inherent in all religions, which should bind Guyanese together.

Additionally, Bishop Juan Edghill represent-

ing the Leader of the Opposition and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic said that if Guyana is going to safeguard inter-religious harmony, people need to propagate their respective faiths without demonising the faiths of others. He

also spoke about the role of education in understanding and appreciating the rights, cultures and beliefs of others.

“I believe that there should be greater attention as it relates to our education system; you don’t have

to accept it, you don’t have to practice it but if you understand it, you can make space for it to happen without using whatever influence you have to ridicule, stop or condemn,” Bishop Edghill said.

Cane harvester conned by bandits

A

cane harvester attached to the Albion Estate, Berbice is now left counting his losses after bandits on Monday conned him of his gold jewellery.

According to information received, the man was at home when he received a call where the caller purported to be a representative of the GTT in New Amsterdam.

He was instructed to report to the GTT office there in relation to his phone line, which the caller told him he would lose if he failed to go

to the office.

This publication understands that the man left his home to go to the utility company.

While on his way to the company, a call was then made reportedly by the same perpetrator to the 12-year-old son of the cane harvester.

He was instructed to collect all of the gold jewellery in the house and take it to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Sources close to the Police confirmed that the boy gathered the jewellery

belonging to his mother and sister totalling in excess of $200,000 and took it to the hospital.

When he arrived at the hospital, he was sent to the back where he was instructed to leave the jewellery on a table.

Moments later, he was told to go back for the jewellery, but when he did it was not there.

Information surrounding the entire incident is sketchy; however, the Police have launched an investigation.

news

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thursDAY, February 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 2 flooding

RDC dissatisfied with Agriculture Ministry’s response es to re-sow paddy that were already growing and were damaged by floodwaters.

Ramdatt said initiatives of providing fertiliser, pesticides and fuel after assessments were completed can go a far way in bringing relief to the affected farmers.

He said during his interactions

By Indrawattie Natram

T

he office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) is dissatisfied with the response of the Agriculture Ministry to those farmers who suffered from recent floods during the rainy period.

According to Government Councillor Hardat Narine, there was clear evidence that rice farmers across the region, including the Pomeroon areas, were severely affected. The Councillor at various forums vented his disappointment with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder in relation to the entire flooding situation. Narine said rice farmers suffered and there was no immediate response from the Ministry that was supposed to support them.

Like Narine, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt argued same, pointing out that all categories of farmers were affected including livestock, cashcrop and rice farmers.

Ramdatt said Minister Holder’s refusal to address the suffering of farmers in Region Two points to an uncaring attitude, one of neg-

they will be getting for next crop.

Some of these farmers are still owed by millers Guyana Times was told.

There were also concerns over the rice cereal crisp factory not being operational to assist the industry. To vent their frustrations, rice farmers recently protested the

A resident pointing to where the water was four days ago

ligence and a total lack of respect for the working class people of the region.

He further argued that the region’s economy is heavily dependent on the rice industry, alluding that the Agriculture Ministry and rice stakeholder, the Guyana Rice Development Board are not meaningfully engaging the RDC. To date, no meeting has been held with rice farmers to discuss the challenges facing them or to even

to enquire about their losses.

“To date, the RDC was not engaged in finding ways to support the affected farmers even though the Minister of Agriculture was informed in writing about the sufferings of the residents due to the recent floods,” Ramdatt said.

As such, Ramdatt said the RDC is calling for an intervention to assist those farmers who suffered.

Rice farmers are currently pressured to find additional resourc-

Farmers bearing placards protesting the non-support of Government

with rice farmers, it was revealed that there are high levels of frustration and uncertainty among the farmers, with many expecting to know the price per bag of paddy

poor state of the industry at Anna Regina. During the protest, they vented their concerns and called for the subject Minister to visit the region.

Guyana celebrates women leading entrepreneurial ventures

Directors of Eco Atlantic Investments, Miranda ThakurDeen and Sophia Dolphin with First Lady Sandra Granger

G

uyanese women are encouraged to take on leadership roles in innovative and entrepreneurial ventures as the country celebrates the accomplishment of a women-led establishment.

Eco Atlantic Investments Co, an entity headed by two Guyanese women, on Tuesday launched a line of environmentally friendly personal care and household products that were welcomed into the Guyanese market as timely and valuable to sustainable development and women empowerment.

Members of Government and other present parties all endorsed the use of the Seventh Generation Products and expressed their elation as it was not only a stride towards ecological advancements, but also

an inspiration to women in becoming pioneers.

While congratulating Eco Atlantic Investments, the panel of guest speakers echoed similar sentiments in encouraging women to follow the example set by Miranda Thakur-Deen and Sophia Dolphin, directors of the company, to take on leadership roles in creating ideas and opportunities.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Vishnu Doerga deemed this initiative a pioneering one, challenging other companies to be creative in their innovations as well.

He also complimented the women for offering a solution to pollution by introducing these ecofriendly products to continue the many ‘go green’ campaigns that are ongoing in Guyana.

Also attending the Seventh Generation product launch were several noteworthy women including the First Lady, Sandra Granger.

The speakers reminisced on the conventional roles of women and conveyed their excitement as women were now inventors, creating opportunities not only for themselves, but for their families and their communities as well. Granger highlighted the contributions woman have made in the past, especially pertaining to environmental protection as they have been practising reusing and recycling items such as diapers, bags and coconut husks. She further tasked Guyanese to examine local produce and devise methods of marketing these products, especially on an international scale.

The event emphasised the efforts being made by women to erase stereotypical gender roles that have been embedded in our society, by acknowledging the accomplishments of Guyanese women, especially regarding establishing and leading business initiatives.

Mrs Lyndell Danzie-Black of Cerulean Inc, another women-led entity, stated that investing in women was an investment in both the present and the future.

As such, continued support for women in power and collaborative efforts of female-led organisations have been proposed in an effort to promote similar ventures as the one embarked on by Eco Atlantic Investments.

Children of Watooka being distributed to students and teachers on Monday in Linden by a representative of author Steve Connolly

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chools across the Linden community benefited from a donation of books entitled Children of Watooka, a Story of British Guiana, written by author Steve Connolly. While the first batch was distributed on Monday, a total of 4000 books are expected to be distributed to school libraries across the community by the end of the week.

The book, which captures the captivating history of British Guiana and the bauxite/aluminium industry, also captures stories of Guyanese and ex-patriates from Britain, Canada, Holland and the United States, with a focus on the village of Watooka in the mid twentieth century. Connolly himself was born at Mackenzie, Linden in 1943 to Canadian parents who were ex-pats as-

sociated with the bauxite company living in Watooka at the time. Children of Watooka was published to coincide with Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary and the 100th year of bauxite celebration in 2016.

During a simple distribution exercise at the Mackenzie Primary School on Monday, Samuel Wright, a representative of Connolly said the presentation was symbolic since the book is a very important one in highlighting the country’s history. He said there are many important things about Mackenzie that people are unaware of, as he opined that more books like Children of Watooka is needed.

“For example, this book reminds us that during World War II, most of the aluminium that was used

to build the ships and aircrafts, was produced from bauxite mining at Mackenzie... This book reminds us of how exciting it was... This book was written by someone who lived at Watooka... It reminds us that as we teach our children, there are so many things that we have to excite them about,” he said.

He encouraged teachers and head teachers who were recipients of the books to read and discuss it with their students.

Wright noted that it is important for teachers and children to read the book to have an understanding of some of the things that Connolly saw and felt as a child.

Several students, teachers and head teachers were the first recipients of the book during the distribution on Monday.

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thursDAY, february 2, 2017

Regional

Colombian FARC rebels on “final march” M

embers of Colombia’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), have embarked on what they say is their “final march”.

FARC negotiators signed a revised peace deal with the Colombian Government on November 24, 2016, to put an end to more than five decades of armed conflict.

FARC rebels march towards a transition zone as a local resident rides past with a child on a motorbike in Cauca province, in Colombia, on January 31, 2017.

Under the deal, the FARC rebels agreed to leave their camps in the jungle and move into 26 transition zones where they will demobilise.

The logistics of moving 6300 fighters to the zones were not easy. The Government said it took 450 pickup trucks, 120 cargo trucks, 100 buses, 80 boats, 10 tractors and 35 mules to transport the reb-

Members of Colombia’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), have embarked on what they say is their “final march”

els.

Many of them arrived on foot, with some of them posting pictures of themselves on social media under the hashtag #LasFarcCumplen (#FarcDelivers). Residents waved white flags as FARC rebels march past in Cauca province, in Colombia.

When the rebels arrived at the transition zones,

they found that many of them had not been finished yet, prompting sarcastic tweets from some of them questioning whether they had gone to the right place.

The Government said it would try to speed up the work.

The rebels will stay in the transitions areas for up to 180 days. There they will

be registered, hand over their weapons and start their reintegration into civilian life.

The last of the FARC’s 6300 fighters are expected to arrive in the transition areas by the end of today.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos tweeted on Tuesday that “war with the FARC is now history”. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Barbados passport ranks most powerful

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arbados’ passport has been rated as the most powerful in the Caribbean and the 50th most powerful in the world.

According to passportindex.org, this country’s passport has a power rank of 21 globally out of the 199 countries surveyed, as holders are allowed to travel to 132 countries without having to get a visa before departure.

The index, which is up-

dated annually, outlines the number of visa-free regions and countries each nation’s passport can access and includes those ports of call that are completely visa-free and those which require a visa on arrival.

The second most powerful in the region is The Bahamas, allowing visa-free travel to 129 countries and holding a rank of 53rd in the world, followed

by Antigua and Barbuda, which allows visa-free travel to 124 countries and is ranked 54th in the world.

Ranking fourth in the Caribbean is St Kitts and Nevis at 57th in the world, followed by Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, with world rankings of 59th, 61st and 62nd respectively.

St Lucia ranked 66th in the world, followed by

Grenada, Dominica and Honduras, which took the 70th, 72nd and 76th places.

Further down the list were Belize, Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname with a world ranking of 97th, 100th, 103rd and 109th respectively.

Cuba, The Dominican Republic and Haiti brought up the rear, with world rankings of 128th, 149th and 150th. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

National Security Minister admits there are more than 100 Trinis linked to terrorist activity overseas

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ome 128 Trinidadians have been linked to terrorist activities in other countries, but Trinidad and Tobago is no terrorist state, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon has declared.

Dillon made the comments in Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers raised concern about the issue on the heels of charges levelled by a United States commentator on MSNBC network last weekend, that the radical group ISIS, had dozen of members in the twin-island republic.

Malcome Nance, referring to US President Donald Trump’s recent visa ban for seven majority Muslim countries, said

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon

the US “hadn’t banned terrorists from Brazil and ISIS which has dozens of members from Brazil or Trinidad or The Bahamas, who have more terrorist

members than any of those (seven countries).”

Dillon, who condemned the statement, one day after Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley slammed

Nance, said “based on our information at this point in time, there are almost 130 nationals who have left T&T involved in terrorist activities in countries away from T&T. Information at hand right now reflects about 70 adults and roughly about 58 family members.” The Minister admitted that the issue was a challenging one but he assured that the Government was working with partners to crack down on the problem.

Nance had also charged that ISIS had significant numbers in The Bahamas but Prime Minister Perry Christie had denounced the claim as false. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

UN wants Jamaica to broaden definition of sexual intercourse

T

he United Nations is recommending that Jamaica’s definition of sexual intercourse be extended beyond “penetration of the vagina by the penis of another person”.

UNDP Senior Human Rights Adviser in Jamaica, Birgit Gerstenberg, told a parliamentary committee meeting at Gordon House this afternoon that the UN was recommending that other forms of penetration be considered such as penetration of the mouth, anal intercourse or penetration by non-sex organs and objects (except for medical purposes).

Gerstenberg told the committee that the UN’s

definition is key for the definition of criminal types of gender-based and sexual violence. “If sexual intercourse does not consider the possibility of other penetrative practices that may be used for inflict grave sexual violence to any person, it does not recognise the same nature of any sexual penetration and diminishes particularly humiliating or painful traumatic experience that victims may undergo,” she said.

The joint select committee, chaired by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, is reviewing four sexual relations and violence Bills including the Sexual Offences Act. (Jamaica Observer)

Brazil’s Senate picks Temer ally to head upper chamber

Senator Eunicio Oliveira attends a senate session to elect of the President of the Brazilian Senate in Brasilia, Brazil February 1, 2017

B

razil’s Senate elected an ally of President Michel Temer as its new leader on Wednesday, providing key support in the upper chamber for proposed reforms to restore fiscal discipline.

Senator Eunicio Oliveira, 64, was elected Senate president by a vote of 61-10, despite accusations that he took a bribe of 2.1 million reais (us$670,000) from a defendant in a sweeping graft investigation. Oliveira has denied the bribery allegation.

Oliveira was leader of Temer’s Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) in the Senate. His election for two years will help Temer muster support for a bill reforming Brazil’s costly pension system, part of his plan to plug a huge budget deficit.

As head of the Senate, Oliveira will be second in the presidential line of succession, after the Speaker of the lower chamber.

Oliveira succeeded Senator Renan Calheiros, who completed his term in office after defying a Supreme Court order to step down last year following his indictment in one of five corruption cases against him.

“The Senate must not fall out of step with the current momentum in the fight against corruption in the country,” Oliveira said in a speech before the vote. He vowed to defend the independence of the legislature from judicial interference.

Protesters at an anti-corruption demonstration outside Congress said Oliveira was no different than Calheiros, who is expected to switch places with him to become the PMDB whip. (Reuters)

thursDAY, february 2, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

India caps cash donations to US Senate confirms Rex Tillerson as top US diplomat parties in landmark reform

R

ex Tillerson, the former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, has been confirmed by the US Senate to become President Donald Trump’s Secretary of State.

The Texas native, 64, was cleared for full Senate approval in a 56-43 vote.

The vote came after Senate Republicans changed the rules in order to approve Trump’s nominees for health and treasury, despite a Democratic boycott.

Tillerson, who has never held political office, faced intense scrutiny over his ties to Russia. The former oil chief forged multibillion-dollar deals with Russia’s state oil company, Rosneft, and was awarded the Order of Friendship by the Kremlin in 2013.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

In his Senate confirmation hearing, he admitted that the West had reason to be alarmed by Russian aggression, but he refused under questioning to label Putin a war criminal. As America’s top diplomat, Tillerson will

handle relations with countries including China and Russia and negotiate matters such as climate change and human rights, on behalf of President Trump.

The Senate voted largely along party lines, despite speculation that some Republicans would not approve his nomination.

Though some critics suggested Tillerson would not be able to give up his corporate interests, supporters contended his background as a global dealmaker would bring fresh perspective to the role.

Tillerson’s confirmation was more contentious than those of his predecessors.

The Senate confirmed President Barack Obama’s selections John Kerry 94-3 and Hillary Clinton 94-2. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US puts Iran ‘on notice’ after missile test confirmed

U

S President Donald Trump’s national security adviser has signalled a toughening US stance on Iran, condemning a recent missile test and declaring Washington was “officially putting Iran on notice”.

In his first public remarks since taking office, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn accused former President Barack Obama’s Administration of having “failed to respond adequately to Tehran’s malign actions”.

Citing a recent missile test and the actions of Iranianbacked rebels in Yemen, Flynn said on Wednesday that “Iran is now feeling emboldened”. “As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice,” he said without elaborating.

Both Trump and Flynn have been vocal opponents

Zarif on Tuesday addressed reporters alongside his visiting French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault

of an international deal that saw Iran curb its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. Earlier on Wednesday, Iran confirmed that it carried out a new missile test, but insisted that it did not breach Tehran’s nuclear accord with world powers or a UN Security Council resolution endorsing the agreement.

Hossein Dehghan, Iran’s Defence Minister, on

Wednesday defended Sunday’s test after the US called an urgent UN Security meeting to discuss the issue.

On Tuesday, Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister, affirmed that Iran’s missile tests do not involve rockets with nuclear warheads and are not part of the historic deal signed two years ago by world powers, but stopped short of confirming the test.(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chinese billionaire Xiao Jianhua ‘abducted’ from Hong Kong hotel

A

billionaire with links to the family of Xi Jinping was reportedly taken from his apartment in the Four Seasons in Hong Kong by Chinese Police and taken to the mainland.

Xiao Jianhua, one of China’s richest men, is currently in Police custody on the mainland, the Financial Times and New York Times reported. He may be assisting with a graft investigation, part of the Chinese President’s sweeping campaign that critics say is more about consolidating power than tackling corruption.

If Chinese Police were involved in Xiao’s abduction from Hong Kong, it would appear to violate the former British colony’s mini-Constitution, which only permits the Hong Kong Police to operate in the territory.

Xiao was born in China, is a Canadian citizen and

Xiao Jianhua has denied reports that he was taken from the Four Season hotel in Hong Kong by Chinese Police.

He says he is recovering from an illness ‘abroad’

holds a diplomatic passport from Antigua and Barbuda, reports said. He was living in a luxury apartment at the Four Seasons but a group of plain clothes Chinese securi-

ty agents allegedly escorted him from the hotel across the border to the mainland, reports said. There was so sign of a struggle on CCTV footage taken at the hotel.

Xiao denied he had been abducted in two posts on his company’s social media account, but by Wednesday both had been deleted. “Regarding the reports on me in recent days, I have to say that I, Xiao Jianhua, have been recovering from an illness outside the country,” he said in one of the posts. He said he had “not been abducted”, according to the statement that was quoted in Chinese state media.

But Hong Kong Police said Xiao crossed into China through one of the city’s land border crossings on January 27, contradicting Xiao’s claim he was receiving medical treatment “abroad”. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

C

Indian voters queue to cast their ballots. Only one per cent of the population is estimated to pay income tax

ash donations to Indian political parties will be capped at 2000 rupees (£23.50), with larger donations able to be made by “electoral bonds” under landmark funding reforms announced by the government.

The changes were proposed by the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, while unveiling his first national budget since November’s shock decision to invalidate India’s two highest-value bank notes.

The budget on Wednesday also aimed to cushion the blow of demonetisation on rural Indians and the poor while extending the campaign against untaxed wealth of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with an announcement that any cash transactions greater than 300,000 rupees would soon be outlawed.

As part of the same effort to coax Indians to declare what they earn – in a country where only one per cent are estimated to pay income

tax – Jaitley also halved the tax rate for those whose annual earnings fell within the lowest taxable band, 250,000-500,000 rupees a year.

Electoral funding experts and India’s election commission have been urging changes to the country’s highly opaque political funding system, with a study last week finding that nearly 70 per cent of political donations could not be traced to any source. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

DR Congo Opposition Leader Etienne Tshisekedi dies aged 84

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R Congo’s main Opposition Leader has died in Brussels aged 84, reports say.

Etienne Tshisekedi, one of the country’s most important advocates of democracy, was a prominent opponent of successive Congolese leaders.

The party he helped found in 1982, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress party (UDPS), said he had travelled to Belgium last week for medical checks.

He was due to head a transitional council under a deal for President Joseph Kabila to step down this year.

Tshisekedi served as a Minister under autocratic ruler Mobutu Sese Seko in

Tshisekedi was a prominent opponent of successive Congolese leaders

the country then known as Zaire before helping to set up the UDPS. During the 1990s he was named Prime Minister four times but did not remain in the position after clashing

with Mobutu, who was eventually forced out in 1997.

His activism meant he remained popular but in recent years he had been suffering ill health. (BBC News)

Suspect in Canada mosque shooting sought money, scouted site

T

he suspect in the shooting rampage at a Canadian mosque visited the site before Sunday’s massacre, asking for money and scouting the scene before returning with guns and killing six men as they prayed, a member of the mosque said.

Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, was charged in court on Monday with six counts of premeditated murder and five counts of attempted murder with a restricted weapon after Sunday evening’s massacre at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.

Members of the mosque were shocked to find the man that had been seen twice outside the centre in the days before the shooting was the same slightly built FrenchCanadian that police said was the lone attacker in the shooting.

“I remembered his face,” Lhoussine El Manoug said on Wednesday, recalling his reaction when the suspect’s image was broadcast across Canada after the massacre.

El Manoug said he recalled meeting the man just three days before Sunday’s

shooting.

The suspect showed up at the mosque between 19:45h ET and 20:00h ET (0045-0100 GMT) on Thursday, the same time as the attack on the mosque Sunday night.

The man said he needed money to travel to Montreal.

El Manoug replied that he did not have any money and suggested they continue the conversation outside the mosque, a square building with a glass front wall, converted from a bank by the city’s burgeoning Muslim community in 2010.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

Rosh Khan: Social Media Doctor P

urpose.Impact.

Legacy.

These are the concepts upon which Dr Rosh Khan has built his mini-empire which spans SocialRank Media marketing company; the Masterclass Institute (business education); ERGrafix (a onestop shop for all graphic and motion graphic needs); as well as the soon-to-beopened FranklinCovey Guyana and GardenOfTheAmazon ecommerce business.

“People matter,” he said fiercely, and that fervent desire to help people and make their lives better has taken him from the rigours of becoming a medical doctor in his early twenties to helping persons accomplish their goals of becoming more and making their ideas reality.

Citing Facebook and Pinterest as examples of the type of ideas he hopes to give life, the passionate socially-minded entrepreneur said “if one of my students were to become 10th of what Bill Gates is, imagine what he could do for Guyana …for the world….

It’s not just about me…. .”

He knows well the power of inspiration, of information, of that light bulb moment when everything clicks into place

and you experience a mind transformation. As a teen, Khan had his mind blown by The Arc of Ambition – a book about leadership that featured technology’s visionary leaders at the time Michael Dell, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs – given to him by a cousin. Already consumed by technology, the ever-curious teen, fuelled by computer classes at Global Technology and a kid-friendly laptop gifted by his father, set about creating the blueprints for Siber, his own computer factory. He would later decide notwithstanding his tech fascination, that he would become a doctor, merging his ambitions to help people, earn a decent living and make his family proud. But fate had other plans for the humanitarian-at-heart. “… Being in medicine, I loved it…but I realised that I could do more; as a doctor – as phenomenal as that is – you are really helping people one on one, but you look at these visionaries in the world and while they may have gone through that phase where they helped people one on one— the end goal was to create some sort of corporation of some kind. They were able to scale it up at such a multinational

Rosh Khan

level, where now they could build the hospitals, where now the money they made from the corporation could fund research, where now they could fly in humanitarian aid. As a single doctor, you’re able to do your part, but if we (his companies) are successful in everything we want to do, the scale at which we can help is just so much bigger...”

The long-time avid creator and consumer of tech knew that social media, then in its infancy stage, would be huge and chose it as his vehicle to sate his hunger to create positive change.

The hard part was telling his parents, who had worked long and hard and spent millions to

Business News

Gas strike looms in Jamaica

P

etroleum marketing company Rubis Energy Jamaica is standing its ground despite threats of a shutdown of the retail trade, which the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA) says is almost certain, based on the mood of its membership.

The Energy Ministry and the Fair Trading Commission have met separately with the two parties and urged them to settle the long-running stand-off

amicably, but the dealers have said that they are not pleased with the results of that meeting and that a suspension of services in the trade is still on the table.

On Tuesday, Rubis was clear that it had no intention to meet with the JGRA, and that negotiations would continue privately with the dealer of its St Ann’s Bay gas station, whose contract was terminated earlier this month. It insisted that each contract is of a private com-

mercial nature by law.

The termination stirred afresh the JGRA’s objection to the contractual terms offered to dealers, leading to an emergency meeting of the membership and a demand for Rubis to reinstate the contract as well as for the Government to fix deficiencies and inequities in the structure of the petroleum trade and implement legislation to offer great protection to the retailers. (Jamaica Observer)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Calculated at 94% purity, January 31, 2016

Selling

USD

$1198.80

GBP

$260.16

$263.46

Gross

$231,662

CAN

$157.85

$159.68

Net

$215,446

USD

$205.98

$208.44

$ 222.22

$225.07

Indicators as on January 31, 2017

EURO

Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$55.70

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$210.32/ton

London Sugar

$540.00/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

+0.84 Change %

-2.10 0 USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1209.60

$1210.60

Low/High

$1197.60

$1213.10

Change

-0.70

-0.06%

Business Concept – Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the most basic version of a product which a company wants to launch in the market. By introducing the basic version to consumers, companies get to gauge the response from prospective consumers or buyers. The final product is released in the market only after getting sufficient feedback from the product’s initial users. (Economic Times)

send him to medical school in the US, especially since his father, local businessman Roshan Khan, was adamant his children would not know the stress and strain of building and sustaining a business and would be experts.

But he convinced them that he was watching the trends and knew what he was doing and got their support. Khan was further determined that he would start his business without any financial support from his family.

Now SocialRank Media, the financial backbone of his enterprises, has grown from his New York bedroom where it was started in 2011 to serving Fortune 500 companies and doing over US$20,000 in revenue montly. On the local market, it has been around for about three years now, but really picked up steam last year.

“I believe Guyanese have really seen and understand the power of digital in the last two years and realise that if you’re going to continue to win, if you’re going to stay competitive, you’re going to need to a powerful team that understands digital marketing and can deliver results – that’s us! (To date, we’ve worked with some of the biggest companies and organisations in Guyana.)”

Of Masterclass Institute, which grew organically out of his realisation that some businesses needed more than social media marketing help as

it was like putting a fresh coat of paint on a rotting structure, Khan waxed eloquent: “We are a very young company, but based on our success stories just one year into the programme, we are confident and committed.

Changing lives is what makes us tick. And that’s why we’re launching the Digital Wealth Creation Summit (scheduled for February 4 at the Marriott) – the first event of its kind in Guyana.”

He plans to build Masterclass Institute into the premier business education and learning institution in Guyana and the Caribbean.

“At the end of the day, we are a GROWTH AGENCY. Whether it’s through our marketing services, consulting, or business education and training programmes, we help people and businesses grow…

It’s about helping entrepreneurs rediscover themselves and growing businesses that value purpose, impact, and legacy,” Khan stressed. “….Business must be about profits, but profits must have a purpose.”

In talking about his influences, the names come rapid-fire: entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn, philosopher Alan Watts, scientist Carl Sagan, digital entrepreneur Chris Farrell, and the biggest – his Dad whose work ethic and treatment of people he lauded.

“He really helped to mould me

into the man I am today … I’m also blessed to be CONTINUALLY influenced every single day from the greatest mentors, businessmen, and coaches from around the world – through their books and content.”

The lessons he has learnt along the way include: 1.Listen.

Take guidance. Consult. But at the end of it all... DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS RIGHT; 2. Entrepreneurship is not sexy but that’s exactly the point. It takes hard work to get to where you want to go. (The good news and the bad news is that no one is coming to save you.); 3. Don’t become a victim of comparisonitis. Focus on being a better you – PERIOD; 4. A milliondollar idea is nothing without the million-dollar execution; and 5. BE COMPASSIONATE and ETHICAL ALWAYS. UNDERSTAND THAT EQ WINS AGAINST IQ. Highlighting that his failures have proved his biggest inspiration, Khan, who says curiosity and grit are the most important qualities of an entrepreneur, mused: “Success is in knowing that failure is not the final destination. Just understand that we are not done yet that we have more ways to go.”

Contact: Regent Street (between New Garden and Oronoque Streets opposite Shoe Heaven); 225-1842; www. facebook.com/DrRoshKhan; and www.roshkhan.com

Investors’ Guide

Stocks close mostly higher after Fed keeps rates unchanged, Apple surges 6%

U

S equities closed mostly higher on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, as was widely expected.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained about 25 points, having risen more than 100 points earlier in the session, with Apple contributing the most gains. The S&P 500 rose less than 0.1 per cent, with utilities falling 1.7 per cent to lead decliners and health care outperforming.

The Nasdaq composite rose 0.5 per cent as Apple spiked around six per cent.

The Federal Open Market Committee — the central bank’s policy-making arm — kept its benchmark overnight lending rate target at 0.5 per cent to 0.75 per cent. Ahead of the announcement, market expectations for a rate hike were just four per cent, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

“That was the expectation and they delivered,” said Jason Thomas, chief economist at AssetMark. “One thing we’re sure is that the Fed is going to telegraph its next move. With all the talk about growth, ... the Fed will have even more pressure to do so,” he said.

There was little in the post-meeting communiqué to indicate when the Fed might resume the rate normalisation process. However, officials did take note of a change

in mood. “Measures of consumer and business sentiment have improved of late,” the committee said in its statement. The language was new, and in the arcane process of discerning where the thinking resides among central bankers, significant.

“The market’s fear was that the Fed could’ve been more hawkish; that didn’t happen,” said Matt Toms, chief investment officer of fixed income and Voya Investment Management.

“The one thing that could be viewed as more hawkish – and that’s grasping because it was a pretty tame statement – is that the Fed’s two per cent inflation target could be reached in the medium term.”

The Fed raised rates for just the second time in a decade at its December meeting. The central bank also signalled the possibility of three rate hikes this year.

“Donald Trump’s executive orders have shaken the Fed and they do not want to increase rates as aggressively as previously thought.

The unanimous decision by the Fed has made it clear that March meeting may not have much life,” said Naeem Aslam, chief market at Think Markets.

Investors have shifted some of their focus away from the Fed and into the White House, following a sharp rally after President Donald Trump’s election on

November 8. “We’re in a transition period — which I like to call ‘The Great Hand-off’ — from monetary policy to fiscal policy,” said Adam Sarhan, CEO at 50 Park Investments.

The stock market’s rally was propelled by the prospects of fiscal stimulus, deregulation and corporate tax cuts. Equities ended January on a sour note, as the major indexes closed lower the last two days of the month.

That said, they managed to close off their session lows on Monday and Tuesday.

In economic news, the latest report from ADP and Moody’s showed private companies added 246,000 jobs in January, well above the expected 165,000. January also turned in the best single-month performance since June.

Meanwhile, Facebook Inc reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue as the world’s largest social network continues to benefit from its aggressive push into mobiles and video.

Facebook’s shares were up 2.7 per cent at US$136.78 after the bell on Wednesday.

Mobile ad revenue accounted for 84 per cent of company’s total advertising revenue of US$8.63 billion in the fourth quarter ended December 31, compared with 80 per cent a year earlier. (CNBC

and Reuters)

news

17

thursDAY, February 2, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Linden Trade and Investment Fair launched T

he Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) and the Linden Chamber of Commerce have collaborated to launch the Linden Trade and Investment Fair 2017, under the theme, “Linden – The gateway for investment and opportunities, a window to future development.”

This year’s event, slated for March 24-26, was officially launched on Tuesday outside the LEN building, Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). Some of the sectors being targeted for the event include tourism, mining, construction and agro-processing, among others. During the course of the event, river tours to a heritage trail will also be conducted.

According to coordinator, Staydon Payne, this year’s event, which will be showcased at the Egbert Benjamin Centre, has been formulated to be more investment oriented, while exhibiting the potentials

of local manufacturers and business people.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce Kevin De Jonge said the trade and investment fair promises to provide opportunities for local businesses in the region, in an effort to enhance their trade and investment opportunities.

He said while the event is a signature one, the Chamber thought it necessary to collaborate this year as a means of proving to citizens that the best way to get things done is by pooling resources together. He further shared his vision of bringing stakeholders of the Region together in order to achieve economic development.

“We realise that despite the many economic difficulties and social difficulties that we have had and are still experiencing, unity is still the key to success...

If we can come together on a regular basis to discuss the economic development of Linden, we can reap

Regional Chairman Renis Morian addressing the gathering at the launch

nothing else but success...

So, this year’s expo, we’re bringing together the experience and creativity of the Chamber of Commerce and the industriousness of LEN. This, along with the support we’re expecting from local authorities, regional authorities and the businesses of Linden,” he noted.

Region 10 Regional

Chairman Renis Morian while addressing stakeholders at the launch, commended the organisers of the event. “I’m saying to the organisers, let’s fine-tune what we’re doing. This must not be another exercise in futility. This must be an exercise that at the end of it, we can measure our successes,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LEN, Tandika Miller, stressed the importance of core entities uniting in order to achieve success. She noted that it is only through the support of leaders, stakeholders and the general public that the event will be made a success.

She added that the event

promises to cater to entertainment needs as well as investment opportunities.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, while delivering his address to mark the official launch, said Linden plays a pivotal role in driving development, while he urged all to work collaboratively in the process.

“We must encourage investors to make Linden their home... When investment comes to our town, our people must demonstrate skill, expertise and fortitude to get the job done...

For the people and the town of Linden, investment is an essential ingredient in advancing the all-inclusive development we envision and this investment must be from both local and external entities,” Mayor Holland said.

Other entities on board with the initiative include Go-Invest, the Natural Resources Ministry, the Guyana Marketing Corporation and the Small Business Bureau, among others.

Kitty Market’s completion Robb Street fire date shifted again Duo to stand trial in High Court for triple murder

A

prima facie case was established on Tuesday against Ganga Krishna and accomplice Avishkar Kissoon, who are currently on remand for the Robb Street, Georgetown fire which claimed the lives of three persons.

Thereza Rozario and Feresa Rozario in November 2014, died when an early morning fire razed the Robb Street building in which they

A

A part of the Kitty Market that is still under construction

lmost a year after the rehabilitation of the Kitty Market commenced, the Market Committee Chairman, Lionel Jaikaran, has revealed that the structure is to be completed by March.

The prolonged process of having the market restored however has left vendors who ply their trade there in a distressed state.

Guyana Times visited the area on Tuesday and vendors were visibly distressed over the prolonged period that the market has been under construction.

The vendors relayed that they were informed late last year that the scheduled date

for completion, December 31, 2016, would not be met and now the project is scheduled to be completed in March.

Meanwhile, there were no workers on site at the time this publication visited the market.

The vendors who ply their trade near the location disclosed that work had been halted for the week. Broken blocks and stone were seen outside of the incomplete market structure.

This newspaper was told that materials for the restoration of the market were removed from the worksite.

Moreover, upon inspection inside of the Market’s upper flat, beer bottles were lit-

tered across several rooms.

Restoration works on the Kitty Market began on February 12, 2016 and was supposed to be completed by May 26, 2016 for Guyana’s Jubilee Anniversary.

However, City Hall could not provide funds for the continuation of repairs on the $240 million structure. As such, a new deadline was set – November 2016, but this was not met.

Vendors, who ply their trade near the market, are still obligated to pay their monthly rents for the space in the business structure, even though they have not been occupying that area for almost a year now.

B&E suspect released on $120,000 bail

A

Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) man was on Tuesday release on bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before her to answer to a charge of larceny.

The charge read that Dwayne Yai Yai, 42, on January 24, at Tambakay Landing, Mazaruni River,

broke and entered into the business premises of Andrew Pereira and carted off a quantity of Digicel phone cards valued $664,000 and three cellphones valued $65,000; a total value of $742,000.

Yai Yai denied the charge and his lawyer requested bail on the grounds that his client has no previous

brushes with the law and is not a flight risk. The lawyer also told the court that his client has a medical condition for which he requires urgent surgery.

The Chief Magistrate granted bail at the sum of $120,000. The case will continue on February 16 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

resided. Randolph Thomas, father of the two deceased, managed to escape through a window on the second floor but subsequently succumbed to second and third degree burns at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

After two years of investigation, Police got a major break in the case when Kissoon reportedly confessed that he was paid to set fire to the building by the business-

man, motivated by an ongoing dispute between the Thomas’ and Krishna regarding ownership of the premises.

The two men claimed their innocence when given a chance to speak by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday. After several minutes, the Chief Magistrate then pronounced that a prima facie case was made out by the prosecution against Ganga and Kissoon.

Support given to develop Suddie playground

NDC Chairman Charran Sarabjeet inspecting the ground along with Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt

T

he Regional Democratic Council of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in partnership with the Annandale/Riverstown Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has pledged its support towards the development of the Suddie playground.

The decision came after officials realised that the ground was underutilised and it has the capacity to host several events. The Suddie playground is said to

be one of the largest grounds within the region.

Guyana Times understands that over the years, the state of the playground has deteriorated.

Recently, Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt and Chairman of the Annandale/Riverstown NDC Charran Sarabjeet conducted inspections on the playground.

Development works will commence soon which will be done in phases. The first step will entail the clearing

of the vegetation and land filling then a new cricket pitch will be prepared.

The RDC and the NDC will then work on a development plan for the sustainable and increase use of the playground.

A playground management committee will be form and tasked with the responsibility of enhancing the physical infrastructure, the multipurpose centre and to create meaningful opportunities by way of innovative activities.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, February 2, 2017

ARCHIE

You’ll find it difficult to proceed with caution. Your (March 21- desire to get things done your April 19) way will lead to both opportunities and obstacles.

ARIES

You know what’s best for TAURUS yourself and how you should (April 20- proceed, so don’t let anyone May 20) dump responsibilities on you that will deter you from following through with your plans. Avoid excess.

dilbert

Try something new and GEMINI get out and make friends with (May 21June 20) people who challenge you.

Networking functions will encourage you to be more innovative and entrepreneurial.

Physical fitness is encouraged.

Your emotions will be difficult to deal with. Trying to (June 21- change what other people do is July 22) a waste of time. Concentrate on yourself and how you handle situations.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Express your feelings and bring about the changes that will help you gain control over your life. Don’t accept undesirable results when you can have so much more.

You need to handle money VIRGO (Aug. 23- wisely. Demands are best kept Sept. 22) at a distance. Don’t fold under pressure or give in to someone using persuasive tactics in an attempt to convince you to accept a bad deal.

Calvin and Hobbes

Strive to stabilize your life LIBRA and your relationships with (Sept. 23others.

Seek compromise if it Oct. 23) will help you avoid discord or loss. Change can be good if it’s made with honorable intentions.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Bring about positive SAGITTARIUS changes at home by working (Nov. 23- to promote your ideas and Dec. 21) plans for a better standard of living. Discipline and labor will be rewarding.

TODAY’S WORD — SAMISEN (SAMISEN: SAM-uh-sen: A Japanese musical instrument.)

Average mark 19 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 25 or more words in SAMISEN? The list will be published on Saturday.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — CIVILIZED civil iced idle ivied veil

veld vice vied vile lice

lied live livid evil deli

devil dice diel dive

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Explore your ideas, and SCORPIO clear a space at home that (Oct. 24will encourage you to engage Nov. 22) in creative endeavors. Travel is best avoided. You will face injury or delays if you aren’t cautious.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Problems while traveling CAPRICORN or dealing with financial in(Dec. 22- stitutions, government agenJan. 19) cies or hospitals will surface.

Evaluate each situation separately and say no to anyone or anything that doesn’t fit your agenda.

Don’t be afraid to act fast.

AQUARIUS You’ll stay ahead of the com(Jan. 20petition if you take action.

Feb. 19) You can bravely make things happen.

PISCES Rely on people you know (Feb. 20- in order to drum up support March 20) for your projects. Honesty will help you cut through any confusion and will bring what you want and need to the forefront.

thursDAY, february 2, 2017

19

o t e s p a l l o c d Englan Chahal wizardry

– India take series 2-1

E

ngland lost their last eight wickets for eight runs as India powered to a 75-run win in the third Twenty20 in Bangalore to take the series 2-1.

Chasing 203, England were 117-2 with eight overs to go after three Eoin Morgan sixes in a Suresh Raina over.

But leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (6-25) got Morgan and Joe Root in successive balls and England fell to 127 all out.

Raina and MS Dhoni both made half-centuries in India’s 202-6, while Yuvraj Singh blasted 27 from 10 balls.

That total was around par on a surface ideal for batting, but the sort of collapse that characterised the Test series loss means that England have been beaten in all three formats.

Although Morgan’s men competed best in the T20s, they have lost a series in which they won the toss on all three occasions.

Whereas their bowlers impressed in the opening two matches, here they were blitzed, with the batsmen falling in a familiar heap against leg-spin.

Their slump was the second-worst eight-wicket collapse in the history of international cricket - New Zealand lost 8-5 in a Test against Australia in 1946.

Only once before in all T20 cricket, either international or domestic, has a side

placed despite opener Sam Billings falling to the first ball he faced - an inside edge onto his boot that found slip and gave Chahal his first wicket.

Jason Roy wasted a

Jordan and Tymal Mills all failed to score as the last eight wickets went down i n only 1 9

good start - his 23-ball 32 ended when he top-edged the second of India’s leg-spinners Amit Mishra - only for Morgan to arrive and pick up the pursuit.

Targeting the parttime off-spin of Raina, Morgan helped take 22 from the 12th over of the innings to leave England needing 89 from the final eight.

However, with Root beginning to struggle at the other end - MS Dhoni struck his first T20I he went 13 deliver- fifty in his 76th match ies without finding the boundary - Morgan was balls. held on the leg-side fence off India’s stacked batting the returning Chahal for 40 line-up had struggled on and, from the next ball, Root slower pitches in the first was pinned leg-before to de- two matches, mainly down to part for 42. the excellence of England’s From there, it was a pro- bowling. cession as Chahal and secHere, they fired in a ond T20 match-winner blur of boundary hitting, Jasprit Bumrah ran through even though captain Virat the lower order.

Kohli was run-out by bowler Jos Buttler miscued pac- Jordan for only two after be-

Yuzvendra Chahal (centre) became only the third bowler to take six wickets in a T20 International

lost eight wickets for eight runs or fewer.

England have only once successfully chased more than 200 to win a T20 international, but were well

er Bumrah to mid-off, Moeen Ali fetched Chahal to longon and Ben Stokes pulled the same bowler to deep mid-wicket.

Liam Plunkett, Chris

ing sent back by KL Rahul.

As England missed their lengths - only the pacey Mills was close to the levels of the first two matches - Raina in particular cashed in with

power square of the wicket on the off side and pick-ups off his pads. He smashed five sixes in his 45-ball stay.

At the other end, Dhoni showed more finesse and the occasional deft touch, but he too cleared the leg-side fence twice in his first international T20 half-century - the 76-match wait for a maiden fifty easily the longest by any batsman.

But the most brutal treatment was dished out by Yuvraj, the man who once hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in a over.

Jordan, previously dependable, was punished for failing to nail his yorkers and three times pummelled back over his head for straight maximums as India took 118 from the final nine overs. (BBC

Sport)

SCOREBOARD India innings (20 overs maximum) V Kohli* run out (Jordan) 2 22 KL Rahul b Stokes SK Raina c Morgan b Plunkett 63 MS Dhoni†c Rashid b Jordan 56 Yuvraj Singhc †Buttler b Mills 27 RR Pant not out 5 HH Pandya run out (Stokes/†Buttler)11 Extras (b-4, lb-4, w-8) 16 202 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) Did not bat A Mishra, JJ Bumrah, A Nehra, YS Chahal Fall of wickets 1-4 (Kohli, 1.1 ov), 2-65 (Rahul, 7.2 ov), 3-120 (Raina, 13.3 ov), 4-177 (Yuvraj Singh, 18.1 ov), 5-191 (Dhoni, 19.2 ov), 6-202 (Pandya, 19.6 ov) Bowling TS Mills 4-0-31-1 (w4), CJ Jordan 4-0-56-1 (w2), LE Plunkett 2-0-22-1, BA Stokes 4-0-32-1 (w-2), MM Ali 4-0-30-0, AU Rashid 2-0-23-0 England innings (target: 203 runs from 20 overs) c †Dhoni b Mishra JJ Roy

SW Billings c Raina b Chahal 0 JE Root lbw b Chahal 42 EJG Morgan* c Pant b Chahal 40 JC Buttler† c Kohli b Bumrah 0 BA Stokes c Raina b Chahal 6 MM Ali c Kohli b Chahal 2 LE Plunkett b Bumrah 0 CJ Jordan st †Dhoni b Chahal 0 AU Rashid not out 0 0 TS Mills c Kohli b Bumrah (lb-2, w-3) Extras 5 Total (all out; 16.3 overs) 127 Fall of wickets 1-8 (Billings, 1.3 ov), 2-55 (Roy, 6.2 ov), 3-119 (Morgan, 13.3 ov), 4-119 (Root, 13.4 ov), 5-119 (Buttler, 14.2 ov), 6-123 (Ali, 15.1 ov), 7-127 (Stokes, 15.4 ov), 8-127 (Jordan, 15.6 ov), 9-127 (Plunkett, 16.1 ov), 10-127 (Mills, 16.3 ov) Bowling A Nehra 3-1-24-0 (w-1), YS Chahal 4-0-25-6, JJ Bumrah 2.30-14-3, A Mishra 4-0-23-1 (w-1), 2-0-17HH Pandya 0, SK Raina 1-0-22-0 (w-1)

32

Tokyo 2020 Olympics medals will come from mobile phones

O

lympic and Paralympic How does e-waste recycling work? medals for the Tokyo 2020 Discarded consumer electronics Games will be made from such as smartphones and tablets recycled mobile phones. contain small amounts of preThe Japanese public will be cious and rare earth metals, asked to donate old phones including platinum, palladiand small appliances to um, gold, silver, lithium, cogather two tonnes of gold, balt and nickel. silver and bronze for the Scrap cars and home ap5,000 medals. pliances such as fridges and The project hopes to proair conditioners also contain mote sustainability and rethese rarer metals, along duce costs. with base metals, including “A project that allows the peoiron, copper, lead and zinc. ple of Japan to take part in creRecycling or refining ating the medals is recompanies either collect ally good,” said Tokyo or purchase tons of this 2020 sports director Koji e-waste and industriMurofushi. al scraps. They then use “There’s a limit on the rechemical processes to separate sources of our earth, so recycling the various metals. these things will make us think Much of this work takes place about the environment.” in developing countries such as Collection boxes will be placed China, India and Indonesia. (BBC Sport) in local offices and telecoms stores from April and will remain there until the metal required has been collected.

Members of Japan’s Olympic organising committee tabled the idea to government officials and companies in 2016.

Olympic host cities have traditionally obtained the metal from mining firms.

But Japan, which lacks its own mineral resources, is keen to take the theme of a sustainThe making of medals ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games able future a step further.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, february 2, 2017

CWI Regional Super50 2017

Jacobs takes 5,

W

est Indies Cricket legend, Sir Curtly Ambrose will be part of the commentary panel as ESPN brings exclusive coverage of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Super50 Tournament.

Sir Curtly will be joined by another legend of the game, Jeff Dujon, the former West Indies wicket-keeper/batsman.

The other members of Sir Curtly Ambrose the panel offering expert analysis are: former West Indies opening batsman Daren Ganga, former West Indies fast bowler Tino Best, and journalist/broadcaster Barry Wilkinson.

“Sir Curtly is a great addition to the team that will bring expert analysis to the viewers on ESPN” said Nelecia Yeates, the WICB’s Commercial Manager. “He is a favorite with cricket lovers all over the world and we know he will share his vast knowledge of the game with our audience.” She added: “ESPN continues to show its commitment to growth of the cricket in the West Indies. Together we want to make sure that a wide range of fans can see and enjoy the atmosphere of cricket in the region.”

Sir Curtly ranks as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game and is a member of the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame. He took 405 wickets in 98 Tests and another 225 in 176 One-Day Internationals in an outstanding international career which spanned 12 years.

ESPN’s coverage will be brought LIVE from the newly-renovated Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. It will begin on Thursday, February 2 with defending champions Trinidad & Tobago Red Force taking on home team Leeward Islands Hurricanes and will feature nine matches including the semi-finals; on Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16; and the final on Saturday, February 18.

ESPN’s coverage will also be available on ESPN Play (www.espnplay.com) — ESPN’s multiscreen live and on-demand broadband service.

Scorpions win big

Andre McCarthy

L

eg spinner Damion Jacobs dashed ICC Americas hope of achieving a possible victory against Jamaica Scorpions with a five-wicket haul on Wednesday at the 3 W’s Oval at Cave Hill, Barbados as Group B action continued in the Cricket West Indies Regional Super50.

Jacobs grabbed his second five wicket haul in List A cricket to help dismiss ICC Americas for 187 in pursuit of 252 for their first victory in this year’s tournament. His 5-24 from 10 overs ensured Scorpions win the match handsomely by 67 runs on Duckworth/Lewis Method.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor continued his good run in this year’s Super50 tournament by capturing two wickets. Kamau Leverock, ICC Americas 22year old opener top scored with 75 to give his team a good start and kept them in the hunt but wickets at regular intervals at the other end meant that anoth-

er defeat was always on the cards.

Earlier, Scorpions started shakily, slipping to 533, with Chadwick Walton (21), Steven Taylor (7) and Jermaine Blackwood (9) all back in the hut but Andre McCarthy (63) and Devon Thomas (28) added 69 for the fourth wicket to rebuild the innings. There were two interruptions for rain in the Scorpions innings which forced the game to be reduced to a 46 overs a-side contest. Subsequent to the fourth wicket revival, John Campbell demoted to number six got 66 not out from 42 balls and Rovman Powell, who remained unbeaten on 52 from 38 deliveries created fireworks at the backend of the Scorpions’ innings in an unbroken partnership valued 101 runs which gave the Scorpions the momentum going into the second half of the match.

Saad Zafar was the pick of the ICC Americas’ bowlers with 2-35 from nine overs.

It was the second win

for the Scorpions from four matches while ICC Americas remain winless from the same amount of matches.

The Scorpions will have a few days off and will be in action again on Sunday against the Marooners while the ICC Americas will play the rested Jaguars on Friday.

S Wijeyeratne b Jacobs 19 A Amsterdam c Brown b Jacobs 20 N Dutta c wkpr Walton b Brown 18 T Allen b Jacobs 0 H Tariq+ LBW b Jacobs 7 S Zafar not out 15 T Patel LBW b J Taylor 2 C Perez run out (Campbell) 8 Extras (lb-2, w-5, nb-3) 10 Total (All out, 44.3 overs) 187 FOW: 1-35, 2-49, 3-97, 4-130, 5-141, 6-141, 7-154, 8-164, 9-169, 10-187 Bowling J Taylor 7-0-32-2 (w2), Brown 5.3-0-33-1 (w-1, nb2), Campbell 6-0-37-0 (w-1), Powell 4-0-13-0, Miller 9-034-1, Jacobs 10-1-24-5 (w1, nb-1), S Taylor 3-0-12-0 Result: Jamaica Scorpions win by 67 runs (D/L Method) Points: Scorpions 5, ICC Americas 0 Player of the Match: Damion Jacobs (Scorpions)

MATCH SCHEDULE

(all matches at Coolidge Cricket Ground; start at 13:30h/12:30h Jamaica Time) Thursday, February 2 Leewards Hurricanes vs T&T Red Force Saturday, February 4 Leewards Hurricanes vs Kent Spitfires Monday, February 6 T&T Red Force vs Windwards Volcanoes Wednesday, February 8 Leewards Hurricanes vs Windwards Volcanoes Friday, February 10 Windwards Volcanoes vs Kent Spitfires Sunday, February 12 Leewards Hurricanes vs T&T Red Force

FINAL FOUR Semi-finals

Wednesday, February 15 Zone A winners vs Zone B runners-up Thursday, February 16 Zone B winners vs Zone A runners-up GRAND FINAL Saturday, February 18 Semi-final 1 winners vs Semi-final 2 winners

in DCC’s hierarchy revealed

SCOREBOARD Jamaica Scorpions Innings (Maximum 46 overs) C Walton+ c wkpr Tariq b Zafar 21 S Taylor c Dutta b Kumar 7 J Blackwood stp wkpr Tariq b Zafar 9 A McCarthy c Patel b Pervez 63 D Thomas c Pervez b Patel 28 J Campbell not out 66 R Powell not out 52 Extras (b-2, lb-1, w-1, nb-1) 5 Total (For 5 wickets, 46 ove rs) 251 Did not bat N Miller*, J Taylor, D Jacobs, G Brown FOW: 1-29, 2-29, 3-53, 4-122, 5-150 Bowling Pervez 0-0-64-1, Allen 7-0-61-0 (w-1), Zafar 9-1-352, Kumar 7-1-23-1, Patel 9-043-1, Dutta 5-0-22-0 (nb-1) ICC Americas Innings (Target 252 from 46 overs) K Leverock c wkpr Walton b Jacobs 75 F Babar b J Taylor 5 N Kumar* c J Taylor b Miller 8

ESPN BROADCAST

GCA President Roger Harper

T

here is a rift among the hierarchy of Georgetown powerhouse, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), which was revealed at the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) through a letter under the subject; “Demerara Cricket Club state of affairs.” The GCA’s AGM was held on Tuesday at the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) Ground, Woolford Avenue.

The letter dated January 17, 2017 carried signatures of 20 concerned members, who sought GCA’s intervention into the state of af-

fairs of the club.

They are also calling for urgent election in keeping with the club’s constitution.

According to these members they require the guidance of GCA, be it meetings, sanctions and any other means necessary to regain normalcy at the club.

However, President of DCC, Alfred Mentore, said he was disappointed with the manner the GCA decided to handle this matter. According to Mentore, the GCA upon receipt of the letter should have summoned the members to a meeting to deal with the matter. He added it is a premature letter that was badly handled by the GCA executives, who have their own agenda. If not, Mentore believe they could have acted professionally.

The DCC President was further annoyed that the in the GCA Admiinistrative report failed to make mention of the club’s recent success in the UWI T20 tournament but instead channelled their efforts to the club’s AGM.

He further argued that and DCC members, decidthe AGM which is consti- ed is either Mentore contutionally held around firm a time for his club’s February will occur and AGM or the club would be notice will be sent shortly suspended from GCA. with the intention of elecMentore agreed with tion on or before February the former and as a re28, 2017. “Was it not for sult there will be an a court matter between AGM this month. the executives of DCC Harper, who is a forand concern members, the mer President of DCC AGM would have already also pointed to the been conducted,” said the part of the constitupresident, who also stat- tion which states eleced that he only learnt that tion should be held in the matter was dismissed December. at the GCA AGM. Mentore then statMentore said the ed that Harper held GCA cannot manthat position for a date what direction short stint with should be taken personal objecby DCC since the tives in mind.

GCA is a creation of several clubs in the City and has no involvement in the operation in any of these clubs.

At the AGM, prior to election the letter was read by GCA President Roger Harper, who after open deliberation among delegates contesting the election DCC President Alfred Mentore

YELLOW PAGES thursday, FEBRuary 2, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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21

2nd T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament for the Blind

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W

est Indies have lost their second straight match in the second T20 World Cup for the Blind in India. After going down to world champions and hosts, India by 142 runs in the first match on Tuesday, the Caribbean side lost by 130 to Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

In the opening fixture, India were sent in and got to a mammoth 305-5 from their allotment of 20 overs with Deepak Malik (80) and Anis Beig (25) putting on 57 in 5.4 overs to set up the explosive finish. Sunil then took 49 balls to compile 113 with 21 fours. Sunil, a B3 player added 115 for the third wicket with Malik. Guyanese B3 player, Kevin Douglas had a good performance with the ball picking up one for 27 from three overs to be the most economical West Indian bowler. The West Indians gave away 53 extras of which 35 were wides.

In reply, the Caribbean unit got 40 from Captain Dennal Shim and an unbeaten 27 from Douglas but were restricted to 163-5 to lose by 142 runs. Guyanese B1 player, Leroy Phillips made 18.

Malik came back to

Leroy Phillips

pick up 1-12 (2 overs) and was supported by B2 players Ajay Reddy and Dunna Venkatesh with 1-14 each.

On Wednesday, the West Indians woes continued with another heavy defeat this time to Sri Lanka who put on 281-2 from their 20 overs.

B3 players, Chandana Deshapriya (108 not out)

and Suranga Sampath (116 not out) put on an unbroken 247-run partnership for the third wicket after Sri Lanka were reduced to 34-2 in the fourth over. B1 player, Ganesh Singh and Douglas bowled four overs each but failed to get among the wickets and stop the run-flow with only Gregory Stewart (1-31) tasting success.

The run chase never really got going and West Indies eventually got to 151-8 falling short by 130 runs. Phillips top scored with 44 batting at number three while Kevin Douglas made 20. The pick of the Sri Lankans bowlers was Dinesh Sekage with 2-20 from his four overs.

Pakistan lead the 10team tournament with nine points from three wins while Sri Lanka, India, Australia and Bangladesh have six points and England three.

Nepal, West Indies and New Zealand are yet to register any points.

West Indies will play Bangladesh today in Delhi in search for their first points to keep their hopes of advancing further in the tournament alive.

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Everest Cricket Ground will be swarmed with softball excitement this weekend

T

he fourth edition of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc Republic Cup will commence tomorrow with lots at stake in the three-day tournament.

The tournament will be played in two categories; Male Open and Masters’ (over 40) with the champion team taking home trophies, cash prizes and bragging rights in the very competitive softball arena. The manof-the-match in the finals and the MVP in each category will also be rewarded splendidly.

The Open category will be played with the supreme balls and only round handed bowling will be allowed while the masters’ segment will be played with the white ball and both round handed

and wrist bowling will be accepted.

Everest CC and GNIC are among the venues identified for the preliminary games which will continue on Saturday while the finals will be contested on Sunday at Everest.

Fresh from victory in the KPL tournament, Regal will look to add to their collection of prizes and they continue to prepare for the Florida Cup in Fort Lauderdale at the end of February. However, they can expect stiff competition from Floodlight, Savage and the fast improving Mike’s Wellman in the Masters category while in the open segment challenges are expected to come from Speed Boat, Farm, Success and Mike’s All-Stars.

Among the players expected to be on show are Richard Latif, Chien Gittens, Lennox Marks, Roohit Dutchin, Wazir Hussain and Sachin Ramsarran in the open division. In masters segment fans can look forward to fireworks from the experienced Mahendra Hardyal, Mike Singh, Ricky Deonarine, Mahendra Arjune, Eric Thomas, Rudolph Baker, Greg De Franca, Uniss Yusuf and Wayne Jones.

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22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

We will b uild on work done – GCA President thursDAY, february 2, 2017

… as Association holds first AGM in 3 years

BVA’s Female Club team for 2016, Corriverton Jets pose with officials after receiving the award

A section of the delegates and stakeholders of cricket who were present at the GCA AGM and election

By Delvon Mc Ewan

S

cores of persons were present on Tuesday evening at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Pavilion to witness the first ‘legal and official’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) in three years.

Those who attended representative clubs, some of whom were delegates seeking elected positions while others were stakeholders of cricket anticipating the outcome of what could be deemed as the most important AGM in the local cricket arena.

It was a transparent AGM which included detailed information on how the administration functioned for the past three years financially, administratively and otherwise.

It was a relief for the association to host election for the first time since the AGM that was scheduled for February 19, 2014 was prevented from taking place because of a court injunction that was granted to the applicant Nazimul Drepaul, a life member of the Everest Cricket Club.

Pursuant to the order of the Honourable Chief Justice (AG), Ian Chang, dated February 27, 2014 which resulted from the hearing of the injunction filed by Drepaul, the Georgetown Cricket Association Executive Committee held a Special General Meeting on Thursday March 20, 2014 at 18:00h at the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion. Based on the ordered agenda set by the Honourable Chief Justice (AG), Chang, the members of the GCA set the date for the AGM to be held on November 20, 2014 and authorized the current executive to continue to function until that date.

Following that, Drepaul of Everest Cricket Club and

Shalim Baksh of Third Class Cricket Association, which is based at Lot 22 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, brought another court action seeking to have YMCA, Diplomats Cricket Club and Ace Warriors declared ineligible to vote.

They were asking the court to declare that those clubs should not have been allowed to vote at the Special General Meeting held on March 20, 2014 that was ordered by the Honourable Chief Justice and that the decisions made by the members at that Special General Meeting be declared null and void. They were also asking that those clubs be declared ineligible to vote at the AGM set for November 20, 2014 or any other general meeting. This matter was due to be heard on September 29, 2014.

Following a series of court hearings, postponements of hearings, mediation meetings and more court hearings, the matters were withdrawn by Drepaul and Baksh in December 2016. The business of the GCA can therefore return to a state of normalcy and the Association can now focus on executing its mandate.

Subsequent to the AGM, returning officer Ronald Williams conducted the election and former West Indian player and coach, Roger Harper, returned to his post as President of the GCA unopposed.

Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) was the only member of the GCA who was ineligible to vote due to failure to update its financial status for the year 2016 and 2017.

In his first interview after being reelected, Harper said the GCA is focus on serving its members and will build on work that would have been done over the years. “We look forward to serving our members and we’ll be aiming to build on

the work we’ve done over the years. Continuing to implement our development programmes, ensure that our members have competition for all levels.”

The former Guyana skipper added that the GCA’s aim is to give the players, especially the youths the opportunity to showcase their talent and develop their skills with an aim of moving on to higher heights in the game and if the association can complete that task of getting the players to develop their skills and enhance their ability then they would be contributing to the goodwill of cricket locally and regionally.

Filling the GCA’s other executive positions are; First Vice President Neil Barry, Second Vice President Azad Ibrahim, Secretary Debra McNichol, Assistant Secretary Paul Castello, Treasurer Dennis Wilson, Assistant Treasurer Imran Ali, Marketing Manager Graham Alli, PRO Colin Alfred, Chairman of Competition Committee Shawn Massiah. PKF…… was elected for the auditing work.

IN: Marketing Manager Graham Alli, Assistant Treasurer Imran Ali, Assistant Secretary Captain Paul Castello.

OUT: Harry Parmesar, Captain Ron Daniels and Mohammed Qualander.

Out of the elected 11 personnel only three were opposed-Barry defeated Lavern Fraser 30-6 for the first Vice President position, Ibrahim won against Fraser 29-8 in the race for second vice president while Massiah trumped Kenroy Joseph in the battle for Chairman of Competition Committee.

The GCA is expected to commence their calendar of on field activities from as early as next weekend.

S

amuel Fraser, Guyana under-19 captain and Sheliza Edwards were named as players of the year (2016) by the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) at its inaugural award ceremony held on Saturday at Port Mourant Community Centre (PMTC).

The event included individual and club performances as well as special awards.

The criteria used for selecting the various winners came from three nominations in each of the categories; the person or club had to be a regular participant in BVA’s events for 2016; show discipline and fair play, return quality performances and show commitment.

Devindra Latchman was named the most outstanding player in BVA competitions, Andy Rohoman top junior player, Ian Bagot of PMTC most disciplined player, PMTC the male club of the year, Corriverton Jets the

female club of the year and Tain Humanitarian the junior club of the year.

Devindra Budhu was named best referee while there was a special award for sponsor of the year and despite a number of names mentioned.

Deonarine Balram (Shane), Proprietor of the Balram Shane General Store of Rose Hall Town was unanimously selected as the sponsor of the year.

Earlier this month, President of BVA, Levi Nedd, said the association’s 2017 focus is on three main areas of development; Schools Development, Females Development and Beach Development as they aim to make the sport more popular locally.

Nedd said the idea to have the sport in the school curriculum is to provide students with knowledge of how to actually play the sport from nursery to tertiary.

Last year was a chal-

lenging but successful year for the sport in Berbice, but the highlighted moment was the triumph by Guyana male team which comprised only Berbician at the InterGuiana Games (IGG) held here.

The association also manage to field teams at local and international tournaments which also included competition in neighbouring Brazil in December.

The award ceremony was sponsored by Banks DIH, DDL, ANSA McAL, Chavez Entertainment Bar, Archway Snackette, J’s Supermarket, Dhanzie’s Auto Sales and Boutique, A. Sain and Son Supermarket and Naz’s Shopping Centre Rose Hall.

The BVA season opener is set for Saturday at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground, West Bank Berbice with the Aswell Mohabir Volleyball Tournament.

Jaguars, Orealla set to defend Aswell Mohabir Volleyball titles

T

Female volleyall players are making positive strides in the sport nationwide

eams coming from as far as Orealla and Siparuta will converge at Blairmont Community Centre Ground at West Bank Berbice this Saturday, February 4 for the Aswell Mohabir Volley Tournament.

The event is the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA)

first fixture for the year and will see competition in the male junior and senior categories as well as the female senior division.

It is a one day knock out tournament that will feature top and emerging clubs that fall under the association’s umbrella.

Port Mourant Jaguars-

PMTC is the male senior defending champions for the event which is entering its second phase while Orealla females are the ladies’ champion. Quality performances are expected from these two teams on game day.

Competition is schedule to serve off at 10:00h

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, febRuary 2, 2017

Conquerors get highest intake of players …as GFF January transfer window closes

T

he January mid-season transfer period which ended on midnight of the January 31st, was facilitated by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and saw Elite league club Fruta Conquerors raking in the highest number of the 82 players that requested transfers.

The Tucville-based club which saw a mass exodus of players leaving during the June 2016 transfer period has managed to acquire 14 players,

Defender Devon Millington will now ply his skills for Western Tigers

some of which are high quality footballers to strengthen their roster for the next phase of matches in the second edition of the GFF Elite League season which will resume later this month.

T

he ancient county of Berbice has produced a bounty of cricketers for Guyana at both the junior and senior levels and various West Indies teams.

However, over the past year, the governing state of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has been thrown into turmoil with an injunction placed against the board by Godwyn Allicock and David Black.

The rational being the injunction stemmed from the fact that Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club along with Young Achievers were inadvertently omitted from the Guyana Cricket Administration Act 2014 as voting members and would have participated in the elections to elect Anil Beharry and executive, which the plaintiffs of the injunction deemed to be illegal.

The Beharry led executive term in office would have expired as of December 31, 2016, with the injunction still intact. It begs the question now as how will the cricket affairs of the county be governed with no legitimate office bearers.

A source close to the matter in speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday

Those making the leaps to Conquerors are Ryan Hackett (Santos FC), Solomon Austin (Alpha United) Pernell Schultz (on loan from Caledonia AIA), Kareem Knights ( on loan from Caledonia AIA), Anthony Abrams (Alpha United), Travis Martin (Pele FC), Adrian Adonis (Alpha United), Joshua Browne (Alpha United), Raphael Edwards (Alpha United), Jahall Greaves ( Alpha United), Dennis Edwards (Georgetown Football Club), Konata Mannings (Pele FC), Marriheo Eastman (Eastveldt FC) and Shomol Smith (Santos FC).

Another city side which managed to gain some star attraction is Western Tigers, which sees the likes of Devon Millington (Slingerz FC), Adrew Murray ( Alpha United), Stellon David (Alpha United), Devon Charles (Pele FC), Jumane Somerset (Alpha United), Linden Picket (GFC), Hubert Pedro (GFC), Leroy Pedro (GFC) and Collin Nelson (Alpha United).

The nucleus of transfers came from the four elite league club (GFC, Slingerz, Alpha and Pele) which opted not to participate in the season two of the league.

In addition, to the international transfer of Shultz and Knights, Domini Garnett is also being loaned from Caledonia AIA (Trinidad) to Grove HiTech Football Club and Vurlon Mills being loaned from Slingerz Football Club to San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad).

The other clubs which saw high movement of players were: Victoria Kings FC – eight players; Top XX – seven players; Guyana Defence Force

Alpha United’s Anthony Abrams will suit up for Fruta Conquerors

FC and Eagles United FC – six players each; Northern Rangers FC and Den Amstel FC – five players each; Ann’s Grove United FC – four players; Buxton United FC, Uitvlugt Warriors FC and Grove Hi-Tech FC – three (3) players each; Riddim Squad FC and Botofago FC with two players each.

Netrockers FC, Guyana Police Force FC (GPF), Order and Discipline FC, Milerock FC, and San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad) – one player each.

The GFF’s Competition Director, Ian Alves, said the transfer period started off slowly but was hectic during the last week of the transfer window.

The next transfer period is scheduled to commence in June 1, 2017.

in a worrying state of affairs

23

“Light it up” campaign to brighten East Ruimveldt

T

he National Sports Commission (NSC) under the guidance of Director of Sport Christopher Jones has recently implemented a “Light it up” campaign aimed at redeveloping community grounds and one ground currently under the radar is the East Ruimveldt Community playfield.

On Wednesday, Jones held a meeting with residents of the community at the ground to discuss plans on how they can partner to develop the ground.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport the Director of Sport explained that “the conversation with the residents was very productive they provided us with details as to what was there before and what is there now and how we can bring the East Ruimveldt Community ground up to a playing standard so youngsters can access it.”

The expansive community playfield which has a basketball court, football field and indoor facilities is accessed by numerous individuals which is why Jones sees the restoration as important.

Jones explained, “ This why the NSC has launched its “Light it up campaign” as you would have various groups accessing the ground before sun down and with the erection of lights at the ground, we will able to schedule them out on a daily and timely basis that they can access.”

Jones also alluded to getting the Camp street prisoners or having the community members do self-help in order to get the facility up to scratch and also maintain the facility.

Similarly, Councilor Tricia Richards bemoaned the deplorable state of the ground, and said that the meeting they had was successful in their endeavors to reclaim the

Director of Sport Christopher Jones (right), along with Deputy Director of Sport Brian Smith, engaged in discussion with community members on Wednesday

pride of their community.

Richards felt that the grounds need to be graded and the lights be installed and most importantly they will be implementing a way of having members of the various disciplines be on a committee to monitor the ground.

Clifton Adams, President of the Eastveldt Football Club praised the Director for coming on board to help the “fragile community” since youngsters in the area needed a ground to engage in positive activities.

A similar venture is set to be undertaken in the community of West Ruimveldt.

A worry is that Berbice’s premier cricket facility could become a “white elephant” if urgent work is not done to resolve the current fiasco with the BCB

when quizzed on the progress of the court matter revealed that “as far as I’m aware, there has been no progress on the court matter, in fact the life of the administration came to end in December 2016, nothing has been heard on the case, no effort is being made to have the injunction lifted so the board can continue its work.”

It was furthered disclosed that “nobody knows what is going on with Berbice cricket, there have been talks about the formation of a committee of first division teams to run cricket but in my mind, that would be totally illegal because the Berbice Cricket Board con-

stitution does not cater for that; the situation is causing lots of clubs to close down and clubs are hardly attracting new members.”

It is understood that in 1990 there were over 120 cricket clubs in Berbice playing at the second division level while as many as 60 clubs had teams at every junior level. However, it seems difficult to find 40 second division teams and 20 clubs with youth teams.

Considering the impasse will continue to be harmful towards the sport in Berbice, the official close to the cricket affairs in the county made a call for the cricket Ombudsman to intervene in the matter.

The official stated, “Dr. Winston McGowan, who according to the cricket bill is the Cricket Ombudsman, should be the best person to deal with the matter or Christopher Jones of the National Sports Commission could intervene in the matter.”

The worry by the official which is also the view of many persons deeply engaged in the sport in the county, is that with county teams, needing selection and the organization of tournaments needing to done, who will officiate these process, with the technicality of no county being in place.

Phil Simmons snapped up by Afghanistan

F

ormer West Indies player and coach Phil Simmons has taken up a role as consultant with Afghanistan, who face the Irish in the Intercontinental Cup in March.

Simmons, is a former Irish coach who left job in 2013 after six successful years to take charge of his native West Indies.

However, last September the 53-year-old former Test opener was dismissed.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board said Simmons would assist head coach Lalchand Rajput on technical issues.

As well as the four-day Intercontinental Cup matches, Ireland will play Afghanistan in

Phil Simmons

five one-day internationals and three T20 games, all in Greater Noida.

Under Simmons, Ireland qualified for the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, achieving wins over Test nations England, West Indies and Zimbabwe. (BBC Sport)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CWI Regional Super50

“Light it up”

campaign to brighten East Ruimveldt

Jacobs takes 5, Scorpions win big

Pg 20

Pg 23 The current state of the East Ruimveldt Community playfield

Pg 19

England collapse to Chahal wizardry – India take series 2-1

Smiles of Champions! India celebrate a hard-fought series

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