Guyana Times Daily

PPP to participate in Independence Anniversary celebrations P13 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2838

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

PRICE

1 dead, 4 injured in Bushy Park accident

WHAT'S INSIDE: CANU’s CoI

Barry Dataram testifies P9

Page 7

Bandit killed during home invasion at Yarrowkabra

Censorship of State media

PM office confirms weekly State media briefings, denies interference Page 3

Page 12 Dead bandit: Raphael “Scar” Armstrong

– baffled by stance of the GPA to write President Granger

Roraima launches new aircraft, AMO division

Page 16

… in joining 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations Roraima Airways joined in the 50th Independence Anniversary festivities by launching its newest addition to its fleet of aircraft, branded with the 50th Golden Jubilee logo at Roraima Airways Hangar, Ogle International Airport, ECD on Monday in the presence of prestigious guests, including Government Ministers and representatives from the Private Sector, tourism industry, and the aviation fraternity

Work ethic disappointing at GPHC’s maternity ward – Dr Norton Page 9

$80 vat included

12 President drafts Army for Page lagging D’Urban Park Project

Kitty man shot during execution attempt P2 Joint Services had to flee Camp Street Prison – P11 CoI hears National P10 Tourism Policy draft ready for Cabinet P2 PPP condemns press censorship

Sophia woman’s murder

P7

Taxi driver slapped with murder charge

2

news

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Kitty man shot during execution attempt A

Kitty, Georgetown, man was on Monday morning rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on him in what appears to be an attempted execution.

The injured man was identified as Donald McKenzie called “Baje”, 24, of Stanley Place, Kitty.

Eyewitnesses say about 08:30h McKenzie, along with several other men, were standing outside a shop at the corners of Queen and William Streets, Kitty, when two men rode up on a CG motorcycle.

As the men approached, McKenzie rushed into the

The bloodstained floor

shop to seek cover however, one of the men entered the shop and discharged several rounds at him.

He was hit once in his left shoulder.

The men then quickly left the scene, but not before blurting out, “leff he we gon get he a next time an done he dance.”

Reports are that the shooting may have been retaliation for an incident that transpired Sunday evening, where McKenzie and several others were allegedly involved in an altercation with another man who was assaulted during the process.

Police are investigating the matter.

The shop at the corners of Queen and William Streets, Kitty where the shooting took place

PPP condemns press censorship

P

ersistent in its claims that media censorship was virtually nonexistent during its tenure in office, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Monday strongly criticised the current Administration for engaging in such practices, particularly in suppressing the voice of the parliamentary Opposition.

“Press censorship is being driven from the Office of the Prime Minister in particular and the Ministry of the Presidency in general, the vehement denials notwithstanding.

Examples abound across the board,” a statement from the Party noted.

PPP General Secretary

Clement Rohee, who hosted the Party’s weekly news conference, also took a swing at private media, insisting that they too are guilty of encouraging political censorship.

Rohee explained that the PPP would host weekly press conferences at which more than one press statements were often read and thereafter subjected to questioning by journalists, and the statements were promptly sent electronically to all media houses. He noted too that off-the statement questions were encouraged.

However, a majority of the media houses in the country refuse to publish or broadcast the views of the parlia-

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

mentary Opposition on current issues.

“These statements and/ or releases are usually either edited or never published by the Guyana Chronicle, the Kaieteur News nor the Stabroek News. This is a truth which none of the editors of these newspapers can deny and a fact which they don’t seem to have the courage to explain, save for political censorship,” he asserted.

Rohee added, “What censorship basically does is to deny Guyanese readers another view apart from the official view which appears to take pre-eminence over the non-official views, including those of the PPP.”

Brushing off contentions that his concerns are hypocritical, Rohee maintained that when the PPP was in office, “press censorship was virtually nonexistent, save for a few occurrences which cannot be described as press censorship”.

Rohee explained that the State media under the PPP provided coverage to the then Opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC); however, the parties were not satisfied.

Rohee said presently the PPP Opposition was not getting any coverage.

“We did carry it; they were not getting enough,

they wanted more, but we are not getting anything,” he posited.

Two weeks ago, the United States Department of State scolded Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo for his attempts to censor the State media.

Only recently, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) expressed concerns that the Prime Minister and his Director of Public Information, Imran Khan, continued to dictate the news being disseminated by the State media entities – the Guyana Chronicle, the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA).

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, April 26 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, April 27– 08:30h-10:00h .

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, April 26 – 06:15h-07:45h and Wednesday, April 27– 06:55h-08:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Censorship of State media

PM office confirms weekly State media briefings, denies interference – baffled by stance of the GPA to write President Granger

BY EDWARD LAYNE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy to light rain showers will prevail throughout the day. Thundery showers with light cloud cover can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:41h and 19:10h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.48 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:42h reaching a minimum height of 0.59 metre.

A

s confusion continues to rage over allegations Government ministers and other officials, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Director of Public Information (DPI) Imran Khan constant meddling in the works of the state media entities, the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday came out swinging at the Guyana Press Association (GPA) which has written on the matter.

The GPA in a recent letter to the President but leaked to sections of the media, singled out PM Nagamootoo and Khan as among government officials who continue to censor state media.

But, the statement issued under the letterhead of the DPI said the “Government of

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tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Director of Public Information Imran Khan

Guyana” was “baffled by the stance of the GPA to write to the President to “politically intervene” in matters that ought to have been raised with the competent board of directors of the respective state entities.

The GPA in its letter informed President Granger that the Prime Minister himself issues directives to the managers of the state media entities on a weekly basis.

“It is our understanding that the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, hosts a weekly meeting at which clear directives are given to the state media (also the Government Information Agency) regarding propaganda to be dispensed by these

President David Granger

agencies,” the letter stated.

It continued that the GPA is of the view such meetings not only bear the hallmarks of government interference in the work of state media, “but also constitute a grave act of intimidation into slavishly following the dictates of the executive government.”

Regarding Khan’s role, the GPA said there have been “numerous” instances where Khan “has either sought to dictate content of NCN and the Guyana Chronicle, and in some cases even having content removed.”

He is also accused of chastising state media employees, which the GPA said “clearly amounts to acts of intimidation and causes these state media workers to practice self-censorship.”

The GPA in its missive also cited instances where other government ministers and officials have been interfering in the work of the state media.

It also complained that the board of directors of NCN and the Guyana Chronicle “deeply involved” in making editorial decisions, includ-

ing deciding who should attend overseas training programmes and assignments.

However, a Monday afternoon statement issued by the DPI denied the allegations of the GPA. The DPI acknowledged that the Prime Minister meets on a weekly basis with state media personnel, but said there have not been any complaints of intimidation at those meetings.

“Government of Guyana strongly refutes that the state media personnel are intimidated during the Prime Minister’s weekly meetings. The Office of the Prime Minister has received no complaints from the Board of Directors or management of any state media entity of intimidation or interference.

No member of the Guyana Press Association attending

GPA President Neil Marks

these meetings has made any objections,” the statement said.

It explained that the “periodic meetings” with state media heads focus on coordination of schedule of Government events and coverage of same, which it said

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

is a practice in place since 1992 and clarification of information regarding government’s policy on a number of matters.

“State media attendees have all commented on the usefulness of the engagement,” it added.

It said that “reactions” by government officials regarding positive, negative, limited or one-sided coverage of government business in both the state and private media is route and does not amount to interference.

The statement added that while it is fit for the GPA to advise its members to act professionally and to defend standards of journalism, for the GPA to call on the Executive to ‘manners’ his ministers on “unsubstantiated allegations” is another matter. turn to page 7

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guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

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

Editorial

Pharma Procurement muddle “

S

ole sourcing” is the procuring of supplies without any bidding process to ensure that the most competitive prices are secured. In the less than one year it has been in office, the APNU/AFC government has repeatedly “sole sourced” pharmaceuticals - the sin it had falsely criticised the previous regime of practicing.

Previously in our health sector, medicines and medical supplies were procured through two mechanisms: open bidding and bidding by pre-qualified suppliers. The latter was recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Bank for comprehensive country purchases so as to address the complexities and scale of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

In 2010, following the recommendations of the Auditor General, the list of pre-qualified suppliers modelled after a WHO model was compiled. The prequalified suppliers would still have to bid on governmental contracts, but the prior screening served as a due diligence for reliability in the supply of pharmaceuticals that literally determined “life and death” for citizens.

A “Pre-qualification Questionnaire” by the National Procurement Administration and Tender Board (NPATB) spelled out the criteria necessary for compliance, even as it noted that the traditional international suppliers PAHO/WHO, the UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP and IDA were automatically qualified. Suppliers also had to be legally registered in Guyana and the Caribbean; be “principally” involved in the distribution of drugs; and be in a position to supply at least 75 per cent of the number of line items on each list. The questionnaire also requested business, manufacturing, quality and product information.

In 2014, the application for pre-qualification explicitly spelt out the point system utilised in the 2011-13 criteria. There were 200 maximum points for allocation to bidders according to how they scored on a number of questions in the categories of General Information, Financial Capacity, Infrastructure, Previous Experience, Established Linkages, Manufacturer/ Distributor Information, Quality Information and Product Information.

In the interest of the integrity of the process, three unnamed experts were selected by the NPTAB to select local pre-qualified suppliers, based on their ability to satisfy the publicly stated criteria.

According to the new evaluation criteria, bidders were awarded points according to how they scored on a number of questions in the above mentioned categories.

Entities seeking to pre-qualify to bid had to score 80 per cent of the 200 points. Preference was given to local pharmaceutical manufacturers and companies that have appropriate warehousing facilities. It said, too, that products manufactured in Guyana and certified by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department automatically qualified and were eligible for a 10 per cent price advantage compared with imported items.

Under “General Information”, the evaluators were asked whether they are a legally-registered company in Guyana and would have been awarded a maximum score of five points for this. Under “Financial Capacity”, an applicant would be evaluated for its financial capacity to deliver on the bids it was awarded.

Five points are awarded if the company has over 50 fulltime employees with an average time on the job of three years.

Under “Infrastructure”, 10 points are given if the applicant has a warehouse facility of 30,000 square foot in Georgetown or its environs, with suitable equipment, staff, IT, security, certification, and sanitation.

An additional five points were awarded if the facility has three separate temperature control zones for the storage of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Having a separate area for the storage of controlled substances, that is, narcotics, will attract a score of 10 points.

After promising to establish “new criteria” for open bidding since last December, nothing was done apart from abandoning the WHO-approved pre-qualification process.

The open bidding to be conducted today will be a free for all in which the citizenry will eventually suffer because there is no mechanism to winnow out the “fly by nighters”.

In the rush to introduce “competition” the baby was thrown out with the bathwater.

One of the world’s largest month-long Kumbh Mela began in Ujjain, India on Friday, April 22, 2016. First day of the Kumbh started with the presence of saints & devotees throughout the world. Early in the morning (Amritwela) Juna Akhara took a royal bath in the holy river Shipra. Ujjain is also the abode of Lord Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 ‘jyotirlings’ in the country.

Police need database on CG motorcycles used by bandits

Dear Editor, Police need to clamp down on the trend of illegal activities being committed by persons who traverse the city and its outskirts on motorcycles and bicycles as a chosen means of escape.

In addition, to the present tint removal by the traffic department must be applauded, it must also be noted that most crimes are committed with the use of motorcycles.

The use of tinted vehicles are also a sign of concern since many now feel it’s a fashion statement to have their vehi-

cle heavily tinted. This type of lawlessness must not be allowed to continue.

Meanwhile, since so many people have been robbed by bandits on CG motorcycles the police should ensure that they monitor this mode of transport in a database since it’s the number one choice of movement for many bandits.

Many of these riders don’t even have legitimate papers for these motorcycles. There are many persons riding motorcycles in front of the Traffic Department, Eve Leary, Brickdam Police Station and

many other stations without helmets and any fear of police action.

Helmet use consistently has been shown to reduce motorcycle crash–related injuries and deaths, and the most effective strategy to increase helmet use is enactment of universal helmet laws.

Universal helmet laws require all motorcyclists to wear helmets whenever they ride.

By preventing motorcyclist deaths and protecting against injuries, helmet use also translates into economic costs saved at public health

institutions.

Police statistics indicate there have been a high percentage of deaths of motorcyclist and pillion riders who did not use the basic protection of a helmet for their own safety.

Kindly let the authorities release statistics on the amount of crime being executed by motorcycle bandits and it would be seen that is a trend that needs to be stopped; the law must be enforced condignly.

Sincerely, Haleem Khanb

Guyana’s Amerindian land-titling project not yet completed Dear Editor, I refer to your article titled “Guyana signs on to Paris Cop21 climate change treaty” in Guyana Times (23 April, 2016).

President David Granger at the signing session said among things that, “Guyana in the short term, up to 2020, will intensify the sustainable management of our indigenous communities which own

and manage 14 per cent of our national territory.’’ While President Granger is correct, he should have said “currently’’ or ”so far’’ own 14 per cent of our national territory.

This is because Guyana’s Amerindian Land-Titling (ALT) project is not yet completed. And when the ALT project is completed indigenous communities may own and manage over 14 per cent

of Guyana’s territory.

The 1969 Amerindian Lands Commission (ALC) report had recommended that 128 communities receive communal freehold title of 24,000 square miles of land including mineral rights to a depth of 50 feet. Indigenous communities had initially claimed 43,000 square miles of land before the ALC but were refused. It must be noted that the ALC

did not visit all the areas of Guyana occupied by indigenous peoples and therefore did not account for a number of communities in its report.

There are currently over 187 indigenous communities in Guyana which the government of Guyana has to provide for.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud.

How have we sunken so far as a nation?

Dear Editor, It sickened me to read of the cold-blooded and carefully-planned murder of 25-yearold Simone Hackett. A young lady was lured to the place of her death, brutally killed, then her body dumped in the trench like a piece of trash! (I am not in any way hinting at our means of garbage disposal; that is another topic for discussion.)

We have lost all sense of

humanity as a nation!

It just boggles my mind to understand how we have sunken so far as a nation. Is it due to our plethora of broken homes, many of them missing active father figures? Is it due to the loss of strong communal ties that would make us our ‘brother’s keeper’?

Is it the fact that our government has chosen not to reactivate the death penalty, and has rather facilitated the

creation of a haven for criminals who could just kill and then happily live a very long life (whether behind bars or not)?

In the latter regard, don’t the families of the Good Hope couple (Mohamed and Bibi Munir) who were burnt alive, the businessman (Mahendra Persaud) who was callously shot and then run over by a vehicle, the British teen (Dominic Bernard) who was

bludgeoned to death, and so many others deserve true justice? When will we put an end to such madness in our country? Let us all do our part in making Guyana a better and safer place in which to live.

Kudos to the Guyana Police Force for the recent spate of solved crimes.

Keep up the good work!

Regards, Loria-Mae Heywood

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016

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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

UN’s prohibitionist Unconstitutional practices at approach with illicit drugs the Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC demonstrates impotency Dear Editor, The UN held a special session, the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on Illicit and Illegal Drugs between 16 April and 19 this year.

The session was called in recognition of the increasing health and economic burdens posed by the growing problem of illicit drug use and drug dependency in the world.

The illicit and illegal drug use problem has morphed into an enormous tragedy affecting individual lives in millions of families and threatening the economics and security of families, communities and countries around the world, with no exception.

The drug problem is not only a social problem; it is an economic and security issue of enormous proportion. The involvement of the UN rightly underlines the recognition that this global problem can only be solved through concerted global cooperation and action.

The UNGASS 2016 on Illicit and Illegal Drugs was intended to formulate and agree on a framework strategy to tackle, stop the growth and reverse the illicit drug pandemic.

Unfortunately, the agreement reached is a continuation of the prohibitionist strategy presently being used, calling for more concerted and better implemented prohibitionist programmes. The prohibitionist approach seeks to make the world an illicit drugfree world, a goal that is unreachable.

In so doing, the UN reinforces its continued impotency in dealing with global social crises with significant economic impacts.

The weak drug agreement at the 2016 UNGASS, together with the failure to introduce a global minimum tax collected at national levels for tobacco and soda, major global killers, further intensifies the feeling among global citizens that the UN is impotent in dealing with global social crises.

The 2015 UN Global Drug Report estimates that about 250 million persons ages between 15 and 64 used illicit drugs at least once in 2013.

There is an estimated 27 million people with drug use disorders, and more than 400,000 of them die each year. About 13 million of the 27 million are injecting drug users and about 1.7 million are HIV-positive.

The health, social and economic harm caused by the illicit use of psychoactive drugs is an enormous development problem for every country in the world.

While illicit drugs cause direct damage to the phys-

ical and mental health of users, drastically reducing the length and quality of their lives, the problem has morphed into an economic and security challenge.

In facing up to the challenge globally, there are two factions. The traditional faction wants to treat all drug users as criminals, confronting the problem as strictly a security problem.

But the second faction wants to treat the illicit drug problem with a more humane approach, seeing the illicit drug disorders from a health perspective.

Both factions concede that the drug lords are criminals.

Of the 27 million persons who suffer from a drug disorder problem, 16 million overuse opioid drugs, psychoactive substances derived from the opium poppy, or their synthetic analogues. Examples are morphine and heroin.

Worldwide, an estimated 69, 000 people die from opioid overdose each year.

There are effective treatments for opioid dependence, yet, only 10 per cent of people who need such treatment are receiving it.

The inexpensive medication, naloxone, can completely reverse the effects of opioid overdose and prevent deaths due to opioid overdose.

Programmes such as these must become global initiatives, supported at the UN. Since the 2016 UNGASS on drugs ended last week, Richard Branson, the Head of Virgin Group of Companies in the UK, three former presidents and a renowned Aids researcher have called for all drugs to be decriminalised at a press conference that was sharply critical of the UN’s latest drug policy agreement, adopted this week.

They concluded that the UN’s first special session on drugs in 18 years had failed to improve international

narcotics policy, choosing to only tweak its prohibitionoriented approach to drug regulation.

Activists for drug policy reform had hoped for greater emphasis on harm reduction programmes. But some countries like Russia and Egypt, countries that favour strong repressive criminal actions, exerted undue influence on the outcome.

The Representative from Indonesia insisted that capital punishment must be an important part of the global drug policy. Nations like China also support this notion. The 2016 UNGASS on Drugs has made the drug lords very happy.

The continued prohibitionist approach means that the over $400 billion illicit drug trade will continue to grow to become the world’s largest business and continue the plague that kills too many in an extrajudicial death sentence.

The impotency of the UN to deal with problems that are global in nature calls into question the manner in which we make decision. The fact is that the outcome document at the 2016 UNGASS in New York City had the rhetoric of the world leaders, but the outcome document was formulated in 2015 in Austria.

About 75 countries without representation in Austria did not participate.

Virtually all of Caricom, many Latin American, African and Pacific countries were not present.

Now countries must await the follow-up meeting in 2019 to ensure a change in direction to end this plague. It is high time that the UN awake from its slumber and deal with its impotency in confronting a deadly pandemic.

The time has come for real action and to stop the talkshop.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Dear Editor, I would like to bring to the public’s attention the discriminatory and shameful behaviour of a few officials at the Kilcoy/ Hampshire Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) – behaviour which is discouraging to investors and suppressing development in Guyana. During the last week of March, as we were commencing the rolling-out of our project on the fouracre plot of land that is legally leased to us, we were confronted and stopped by a few NDC officials who are trying to cause confusion even after we produced all documentation and lease.

On this plot of land, we plan to do large-scale greenhouse cultivation, set up a cold storage facility, and construct a chilli pepper processing factory, which will have a tremendous impact on Kilcoy’s and surrounding villages’ economies by providing jobs and direct farming opportunities.

When the chilli pepper factory becomes operational, farmers from Line Path to Mahaica will have a market place to sell their chilli peppers.

This project is also geared at producing large volumes of traditional and non-traditional cash crops mainly for the export market. This can be a welcome solution for cash crop farmers in Berbice who have suffered enormous hardship over the years to find markets for their cash crop.

We hope to collaborate with cash crop farmers by hosting workshops that will provide information on good farming practices which will enable farmers to produce export-quality cash crops and participate in the vegetable trade.

We have received enormous support and encouragement from the residents of Kilcoy/Hampshire especially when they learnt of the project and how they can

benefit.

Residents of Kilcoy contended that the large area of waste land of which the four-acre plot is a small portion provides no benefit for the local villagers or anybody in Guyana.

Whoever is behind this set-back, we want you to know, if entrepreneurs and companies invest and develop the land, jobs and opportunities will be created.

To date, we have made substantial investment in the project which includes: the purchasing of large volumes of shade net, plastic, irrigation hose, irrigation pump, gardening tools, equipment and vehicle for transportation.

Actual work done on the plot includes fencing, crowning of the entire four acres,

installation of adequate drainage and irrigation and a large pond was dug for freshwater storage and a complete foundation for a new building.

We would like to say to the few friend-favoured NDC officials who are calling for our lease to be revoked and the land to be given as house lots to their own colleagues, I ask, what utter nonsense is this?

This is shameful, unconstitutional and it is total injustice; therefore, we are calling on the relevant authorities to investigate and take action against corrupt practices at the Kilcoy/ Hampshire Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

Yours sincerely, Neri Alli

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tuesdAY, april 26, 2016

Page

Foundation

Exam-taking tips

T

he National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Examinations is just a day away, so here is some tips to make the two-day exam smoother. Good luck, students!

Plan your exam day

Make sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam. Check all the rules and requirements.

Get enough sleep

Don’t try to pull an allnighter. Normally eight hours of sleep a night is recommended, so that you’ll be well rested enough to focus during the test.

Be early

Work out how long it will take to get there

Test-taking tips

Bring at least two pencils with good erasers, and any other resources that you are allowed.

Bring a watch to the test so that you can better pace yourself.

Keep a positive attitude through-

Eat ‘brain food’

Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, and yogurt.

The same applies on exam day – eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but it won’t help when your energy levels crash an hour or so later.

Having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus, but avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy.

Drink water

Remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking enough water throughout your revision, and also on the exam day.

– then add on some extra time. You really don’t want to arrive having had to run or feeling frazzled. Try to show up at least 10 minutes before the test will start.

Go to the bathroom before walking into the exam room. You don’t want to waste any time worrying about your bodily needs during the test.

out the whole test and try to stay relaxed. If you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths to relax.

Keep your eyes on your own paper, you don’t want to appear to be cheating and cause unnecessary trouble for yourself.

When you first receive your test, do a quick survey of the entire test so that you know how to efficiently budget your time.

Don’t stay on a problem

that you are stuck on, especially when time is a factor.

Pace yourself, don’t rush.

Read the entire question and pay attention to the details.

Write legibly. If the grader can’t read what you wrote, they’ll most likely mark it wrong.

Always read the whole question carefully. Don’t make assumptions about what the question might be.

If you don’t know an answer, skip it. Go on with the rest of the test and come back to it later. Other parts of the test may have some information that will help you out with that question.

Don’t worry if others finish before you.

Focus on the test in front of you. If you are running out of time, do the problems that have the greatest point values.

If you have time left when you are finished, look over your test. Make sure that you have answered all the questions. Only change an answer if you misread or misinterpreted the question because the first answer that you put is usually the correct one. Watch out for careless mistakes and reread your essay and/or short answer questions. (Excerpt from testtakingtips.com)

guyana-times.com

The upside of adolescence – preparing ourselves for successful parenting during the teen years

By Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, MSEd

Understand why teens push us away

It is so easy to feel rejected by our teens. After all, sometimes they tell us they can’t stand us!

We need to remind ourselves our children sometimes hate us precisely because of how deeply they really do love us.

Adolescents are preparing for what might be the toughest developmental task of their lifetime – to fly from the nest.

Who would want to fly from a warm, cosy, and comfortable nest? They have to imagine it as prickly at best, maybe even uninhabitable. In order to separate from us, and figure out their own identities, they sometimes have to see us as offensive, as hopelessly embarrassing at the very least.

Understand risk-taking is a necessity of adolescence

Once we understand that the teen years are about preparing to take the largest risk of our lifetimes – flying from a cosy nest into uncertainty – we can begin to view adolescent risk taking as necessary practice.

If we forbid any risk taking, we prevent our teens from successfully launching.

Our challenge is to allow risk taking within safe boundaries that still guarantee safety and morality.

Don’t install control buttons

We want to set limits in a way that actually enhances our children’s freedom. Limits are restrictive when given with

(Part 2)

the goal of controlling rather than protecting.

They are smothering when they prevent someone from trying something they are perfectly capable of handling. They are disorienting when inconsistent. They offer security when they are clear markers for what is in- and out– of-bounds.

Our goal in raising children should move beyond creating independent adults.

Our goal should be to raise children who are so secure in their independence and competence that they will choose interdependence. We can create the intergenerational relationships in which we all will flourish when our teens leave our house knowing that we supported, even celebrated, their growing independence.

If, however, we install “control buttons,” we may undermine their desire to maintain a close connection with us.

Allow for experimentation within safe and moral boundaries

Imagine a table covered with 10,000 pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

The puzzle is titled “Who Am I?” – the fundamental question of adolescence. Not realising he has a lifetime to complete the puzzle, the teen ferociously tackles it because he believes he needs to get it done by the time he writes his college essay.

How does someone put together a puzzle? One begins with the corners and then creates the borders. Only once the borders are in place does a person have the confidence to work out all of the pieces in the middle – occasionally trying to force even those together that don’t quite seem like a natural fit.

It is the boundaries you create and the monitoring you insist upon that creates those trustworthy borders that your teen can push against as he tries to manipulate the harder inner pieces on his own. It is your job to have firm boundaries that assure safety and morality . . . then it is equally as important that you get out of the way as he struggles with all of the irregular pieces within those boundaries.

It is with those puzzle pieces in the “safe and moral zone” where he must learn life’s lessons, make mistakes and recover, and safely test his wings.

Be a role model

Once the borders are securely in place, what is the next step of putting together an impossibly complex puzzle?

One looks for matching pieces and imagines how the patterns might fit together. A wise person looks at the picture on the lid – over and over again.

You are the picture on the cover your child compares himself against. When teens have a role model of what healthy adults looks like, it becomes easier for them to complete their own puzzles.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

1 dead, 4 injured in Bushy Park accident T

wenty-year-old Shawn Spellen, of Lot 143 Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was in the wee hours of Monday killed after the vehicle in which he was travelling suffered a puncture and turned turtle.

According to information received, the accident occurred about 03:30h at Bushy Park Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The now dead man was heading home when one of the tyres of the motor car got punctured, causing the driver

Dead: Shawn Spellen

to lose control of the vehicle, which reportedly toppled several times before coming to a halt.

An injured Spellen was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital before being transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the motor vehicle

Taxi driver slapped with murder charge

The damaged vehicle

and three others also sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital.

The deceased’s mother, Pamela Spellen, when contacted told Guyana Times that her son left home on Sunday evening with friends to attend a function at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara.

She noted that she later received a phone call from one of his friends, who informed her that her son was involved in an accident and had been taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

The distressed mother stated that when she arrived at the medical institution, she saw her son lying on a bed with blood oozing from his head and nostrils.

She said the doctors at the Leonora Hospital made recommendation for him to be transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital,

PM office confirms...

“The Guyana Government reaffirms its commitment to an open, free and plural media. It is indeed refreshing to witness the re-introduction, in state media, of positive coverage of opposition views and activities and access to the state media by persons who are routinely critical of Government. Press freedom is alive and well in Guyana,” the statement said.

The government, particularly Nagamootoo and Khan, have been in recent times constantly called out for their alleged censorship of state media, allegations they constantly deny.

These allegations have

Sophia woman’s murder

along with the four other injured persons. She relayed that her son was placed in the ambulance, but took his last breath on his way to the medical facility.

In a soft voice she stated, “After they left Vreed-enHoop, he probably went to Parika with his friends.”

Pamela Spellen confirmed that her son, who she described as very loving and caring, was a Private attached to the Guyana Defence Force. He joined the army in mid-2013.

The young man leaves to mourn his mother and four siblings. The Police are conducting an investigation into the fatal accident. Over the past weeks, several persons have lost their lives on the roadways with speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol being the main factors in the crashes.

from page 3

come on the heels of a United States Department of State’s 2015 Country Report on Human Rights Practices which scolded the Prime Minister who in August, 2015 issued a directive that all headlines in the State-owned print media be first scrutinised and approved by his office before they are published.

The directive was a response to a headline criticising the Government.

The PM was also criticised by two local newspaper columnists, Dr David Hinds and Freddy Kissoon over censorship of state media.

Notably, while in oppo-

sition, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) had chastised the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration over abuse of the state media and promised that once it gained political power it will make these entities independent.

But many senior media operatives say they are still to see any signs of the government moving to free-up state media so that the views of all, including those who are critical of the administration, find its way on the NCN airwaves or on the pages of the Guyana Chronicle.

Clevon Hamilton

Dead: Simone Hackett

Ranachal Singh

taxi driver was on Monday remanded to prison after being arraigned with the murder of Simone Hackett, whose body was found in a trench at Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, with several stab wounds.

Ranachal Singh, 31, of Lot 7 Good Faith, Mahaicony, was not required to plead to the charge which stated that between April 16 and 19, at Cummings Lodge, he murdered Hackett.

The taxi driver’s vehicle was allegedly used to transport Hackett’s ex-boyfriend to and from the scene of the murder.

Singh appeared before Magistrate Zamina Ally at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, and the matter was adjourned to May 18.

Clevon Hamilton was also arraigned for the heinous crime at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s

Court last Friday. According to reports, Hamilton contacted the now dead woman and instructed her to collect a package for their son from a friend at the University of Guyana (UG) Access Road.

The woman went to the location only to see Hamilton instead of the friend.

The prosecution told the Court that the suspect admitted to the crime during interrogation.

It was reported that the mother of one left home on Saturday evening about 20:30h to uplift the package, but never returned home. Her body was discovered in a trench among the vegetation by two schoolboys on their way to school.

Hours after the discovery, the Police arrested Hamilton in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

He told investigators that he travelled to Georgetown on Saturday, and stayed at a city hotel.

On the night the woman

went missing, he contacted Singh who collected him from the hotel and dropped him off at the bus shed where he met the woman.

At the time, he was carrying a haversack in which the murder weapon was concealed.

Hamilton admitted that during an argument, he choked the woman after which he pulled out the knife and inflicted the fatal injuries. He then tossed the body into the trench, got rid of the murder weapon, boarded Singh’s taxi and travelled back to Mahdia.

The car that was used to transport the murder suspect to Mahdia was found abandoned in a bushy area in the mining district.

During an inspection of the car, blood stains were found on the seats.

It is believed that after stabbing the woman, Hamilton boarded that vehicle with blood on his clothing.

A

8 news

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

3 men slapped with rape, sexual assault charges

T

hree men on Monday made appearances at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on separate rape and sexual assault charges.

Lakeram Persaud, 50, of Bartica, Essequibo, was remanded to prison after he was read a charge which alleged that he raped a 12-year-old girl.

The charge, which was

read by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, stated that he engaged in sexual penetration of a child under 16 years old earlier this year in Bartica. The unrepresented man was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for May 11.

Meanwhile, 37-yearold Deo Chand was fined

$150,000 on a sexual assault charge. While the details of the charge were not revealed, it was explained that the defendant will serve a default two-year jail term if he failed to pay the fine. He was also placed on 12 months’ probation.

Finally, Leonard Rodrigues was placed on $200,000 bail after he appeared before Chief

Magistrate McLennan charged with the rape of a minor. The charge against him read that between December 28 and December 30, 2015 at Heaven Hill, Water Front, Port Kaituma, he raped a girl under the age of 16.

The matter was transferred to the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court for May 14.

South Ruimveldt man remanded on drug trafficking charge

“Y

ou can’t do this to me, Ma’am! I don’t want to go to jail!” were the words of a resident of Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Park, Greater Georgetown on Monday when he was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Travis Pilgrim, 28, a miner of Lot 58 Aubrey Barker Road, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The charge read that on April 23, at Port Kaituma Water Front, he had in his possession 1.814 kilograms of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

While the details of the charge were not revealed

Travis Pilgrim

in Court, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. The accused requested an opportunity to speak in Court and claimed that he was not the owner of the drugs. Pilgrim

alleged that on the day in question, he was exiting a boat when a woman who had a few children with her requested that he assist her with a bag of rice.

He stated that the woman asked him to carry the bag of rice and leave it at a par-

ticular spot in the market.

However when he put down the bag, a Police Officer approached him and questioned him about its contents. He said he explained that he was asked to deliver the bag to that spot by the woman, but nevertheless he was arrested. He further claimed that while in custody, he was beaten by the investigating rank and forced to sign a caution statement.

After listening to his explanation, the Chief Magistrate remanded the man to prison and transferred the matter to the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court for May 3. When told that he would be remanded, Pilgrim shouted, “I never do none bad before! You can’t do this to me, Ma’am…This is my first appearance; I don’t want to go to jail.”

Nurse on bail for stealing purse

A

nurse attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital was on Monday released on $20,000 bail when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with simple larceny.

Nadia Walcott, 23, of 45 Norton Street, Lodge, denied the charge which read that on Wednesday, April 20, at Robb Street, Georgetown, she stole a purse valued at $1500 and $25,200 in cash, property of Keoila Browne.

She was jointly charged for the offence with Christine Henry, a 22-year-old security guard.

The Court heard that the Virtual Complainant left her purse in a washroom and the women stole it. A report was made to the Police, and an investigation led to the arrest of the two women. They were each granted $20,000 bail and would return to Court on May 30.

Eyew tness

Out of the mouth...

T

...of the sycophant

he State-owned Chronic’s been under the gun recently. Part of the reason is its obvious misapprehension it’s actually “Governmentowned”. And consequently had to be the handmaiden of the Minister of Information. Of course, we all know that a “handmaiden” was originally a servant of a Biblical wife who “offered out” the servant for her husband “to lie with”. Not so incidentally, our Minister of Information is in fact our Prime Minister who emphasised “marriage” between his “AFC” and President Granger’s APNU. After the “marriage”, there has been no doubt who was the “man” and who was “on top”.

Be as it may, the “handmaiden” Chronic went so far to “lie with” President Granger, it actually doctored a front page pic to make the latter look good. But in its umpteenth editorial to explain away its handmaiden status, yesterday the Chronic made an interesting observation. In the tradition of “Mouth open; story jump out”, discussing the challenges of a political marriage with multiple partners (not to mention handmaidens) the Chronic pointed out the identity of one it had hitherto denied: “There is also the group of ex-soldiers whom some have argued represent an independent force in the coalition.”

Imagine that! Out of the mouth of handmaidens and concubines! “Some”??? The PPP had raised this issue even before the new Government took over when several big wigs from the armed forces hit the campaign trail. Dr Luncheon raised fears of a “military government”. After the Government was formed and even more military types were drafted in as “advisors” to the President and running all sorts of projects, the alarm intensified.

The Government said it was a tempest in a teapot and since none of the other marriage partners... umm....”coalition” partners complained, the alarm bells became muffled. But here it is, right from the mouth of the handmaiden to the PM comes the articulation of the “military threat from within”!!

Now we know the PM and his AFC have already placed their concerns on the agenda of the coalition that one exmilitary officer – namely Joseph Harmon – seems to be an “independent force”, which is too powerful to boot. Have the fears of the AFC now mushroomed to incorporate the entire phalanx of military comrades in the Government as an “independent force”?

President Granger had indicated now that the first anniversary of the marriage is nigh upon us (to continue with the Biblical lingo!), he was going to arrange a retreat to discuss the challenges in the concubinage arrangements.

We do hope he realises that the concerns of his Minister of Information goes beyond Harmon – and to “an independent military force” in the coalition.

Forewarned is forearmed?

...of the prophet

Last February, according to the Press Release from his office, Prezzie conducted a recon on GuySuCo’s headquarters at Ogle. And revealed it was being considered for conversion into the “Public Service Staff College” to conduct APNU/AFC’s promised training for public servants. This is now confirmed. The thought that immediately popped into this Eyewitness’ head is why didn’t the Administration launch this College as part of UG – which could certainly use the funding and broadening of its programme?

The second one was, “if any institution in Guyana needs management training, God it has to be GuySuCo! So why not use it for them? After all, that’s what the building’d been used for by Bookers in its “Guyanisation” drive back in the day, nuh? And those managers regularly produced 350,000+ tonnes of sugar annually with their hundred-year-old factories.

But maybe the President thinks that’ll be throwing good money after bad?

...of dissemblers

Over in Berbice, with his huge entourage, PM Nagamootoo said they were only doing their “civic duty” as they squeezed the flesh and played “Santa Claus”.

“This is not a propaganda exercise,” he swore.

Now why would he suspect folks could possibly think that?

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

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9

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Work ethic disappointing at GPHC’s maternity ward – Dr Norton

P

ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton has expressed his disappointment over the work ethic of doctors and nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) maternity ward after learning of a mother’s tragedy at the facility.

The mother who is still a patient at the maternity ward, along with her newborn, disclosed that the nurses had taken a blood sample from her newborn since last Wednesday but were yet to return the test results.

According to the mother (name withheld), when she enquired about her discharge from the facility, she was told by the doctor “she cannot leave the facility until the test results return”.

“It is since last Wednesday the blood sample was taken and up to now they can’t return the results. I ask the doctor when they are getting the results and he said he doesn’t know. I am in here a while, I want to go home,” the frustrated mother vented.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, Minister Norton registered his disappointment and condemnation of the maternity unit officials.

“Despite all of the efforts being made to regularise the system at the health facilities, patients are still not being treated satisfactorily,” Dr Norton noted.

Further, he expressed his empathy with the mother and affirmed he will investigate the matter immediately.

The woman disclosed to this newspaper that she

GPHC’s maternity ward

had a surgical delivery (Caesarean section) and suffers from hypertension, so she could not breastfeed her newborn.

“The newborn was supposed to be fed by the nurses with formula; however, the newborn was left hungry many times which gave the baby jaundice,” said the mother. She revealed she had called upon several nurses to feed her child, but was always made to wait.

According to the mother, when she enquired about her newborn “yellowness of complexion”, a doctor disclosed to her that this occurred because the “baby wasn’t fed adequately”.

A relative of the new mother has been made to purchase hypertension pills daily as prescribed by the doctor since the hospital does not have the drug.

Meanwhile, the Government has set aside $89 million in the 2016 National Budget for the development of the country’s premier health facility’s maternity unit.

The issue of mothers sharing beds at the medi-

cal institution still exists: Early in April, a photograph capturing a mother with her newborn under a bed surfaced in the media, prompting an investigation, but the hospital could not account for when it had occurred. The overcrowded maternity ward is in dire need of significant improvement, both in the infrastructure and the treatment given. Earlier in the month, Minister Norton had announced that the issue of mothers sharing beds would end soon as the facility is currently being extended and work should be completed by mid-May. The new extension will house some 60 beds and a 17-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with table-top foetal heart-rate monitors and portable ultrasound machines, an operating theatre and soundproof rooms.

Minister Norton disclosed recently that there was also a shortage of midwives, as the hospital needed at least 200, but there were only 38 midwives presently at the facility.

CANU’s CoI

Barry Dataram testifies A midst criticism of its establishment, the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption at the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Monday heard the testimony of self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram.

Dataram appeared unrepresented before single Commissioner, Retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of the Public Service Office on Vlissengen Road.

The inquiry heard of allegations that CANU officers have with drug traffickers.

The retired Brigadier was ap-

Self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram

pointed by President David Granger to probe allegations which Dataram expressed in an on-camera interview with HGPTV Nightly News in February.

Dataram reportedly disclosed that he based his testimony on what he knows about CANU’s operations. Earlier this year, during an interview with television reporter Travis Chase the self-confessed drug

Commissioner, Retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell

CANU Head James Singh

dealer alleged that senior officials of CANU are involved in illegal drug activities. He had also stated that one of the agents bagged some “$10 million in exchange” for allowing cocaine to leave the country.

Dataram had also told the newscast that CANU was “the biggest drug dealer” this country has and alleged that half of drugs seized “goes back on the street”.

Dataram had further alleged that staff associated with CANU would obtain $5 million upfront from the trafficker while the balance of 50 per cent would be paid on arrival of the cocaine in Canada or the United States.

Following the numerous allegations, President David Granger had revealed that the National Security Committee (NSC) headed by himself had decided to establish a Board of Inquiry to look into the allegations.

However, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in a statement had said while it supports any effort to ensure that CANU maintains its integrity and profes-

sionalism, it was dismayed at the President’s haste to probe allegations made by a known drug trafficker who is seeking to bring into disrepute the whole of CANU. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan who supported the probe had stated he was confident CANU would be exonerated.

He had rubbished Dataram’s claims, and stated that, “I disbelieve all of them but that’s my opinion. It’s like Pablo Escobar saying that the Drug Enforcement Agency is not a good thing because of course he has interests but indeed we have to pay attention to what was said to clear it up and I want to believe that an inquiry would be the best way to deal with it.”

CANU Head James Singh said Dataram’s “savagery” against CANU may be as a result of his uneasiness owing to the commencement of his trial for possession of 129.230kg of cocaine found in shrimp at his Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, residence on April 16, 2015.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, april 26, 2016

News

National Tourism Policy draft ready for Cabinet By: Merissa Wilson

G

uyana’s tourism sector is set for growth and advancement in the very near future as the Ministry of Tourism and Public Telecommunications is prepping to have the National Tourism Policy presented to Cabinet for its approval.

The much anticipated policy, after consultations with a number of pertinent stakeholders, has finally been drafted and once approved by Cabinet will make its way to Parliament for debates and implementation.

Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes

This comprehensive policy is said to be inclusive of

the input of stakeholders after a series of public consultations was made during the course of drafting.

This is according to the Minister of Tourism Catherine Hughes, who disclosed that the ministry will be embarking on presenting the policy to Cabinet meeting, slated for next week.

Hughes said the policy was endorsed by a number of pertinent bodies including the Tourism and Hospitality Association (THAG). This policy she outlined: “Had received positive feedback from these bodies and had been agreed upon as being one of the most effective ap-

proaches to reforming the tourism sector” The National Tourism Policy falls under the budget allocation of $98.1 million that was earmarked to the ministry for its projects in 2016. This policy targets activities such as sports fishing, sports tourism as motor racing and cricket; yachting and cruise visits along with entertainment and cultural tourism.

Most significantly, the policy had been crafted to renew legislations including that of yachting which had been on the front burner of THAG over the years. turn to page 13

RDC 10, LM&TC launch clean-up exercise

W

ith Guyana’s 50th Jubilee celebrations just around the corner, the Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) and the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) on Monday launched a two-day cleanup project in Linden, slated for April 29 and 30.

With the aim of the exercise being to have Lindeners and, by extension, all residents of Region 10 actively be involved in the cleaning of their immediate environment, Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell said the M&TC would be providing

From left: Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian, Deputy Linden Mayor Waneka Arindell and LM&TC Councillor Wainwright Bethune speaking on the clean-up initiative

assistance in removing the waste that cannot be burnt or buried.

Arindell and Regional Chairman Renis

Morian both stressed that while the facilities of the RDC and the M&TC were limited, all efforts would be

put in place to ensure full support. The Deputy Mayor is urging residents with a build-up of garbage to make contact with the LM&TC. “We’ll try to make those services as readily available as we can. We do not have much manpower and vehicle so give us some time, but we’ll make sure we get to everyone so that Linden can be in a better state…We’re asking you to clean your space. So whatever is in your space that you think does not belong there, let’s get that cleaned up…if each of us dig our own drains, we’ll be able to reduce flooding and have that water flow through our community…We want the 50th to look good and to look good on Linden,” Arindell stated.

Morian said the exercise would also be extended to include other immediate areas such as Bamia, Kwakwani and Ituni. He congratulated members of the community who have already begun cleaning their spaces. He is also encouraging stakeholders and Councillors to get on board with the initiative.

“This is our town and it’s very important that we clean up…this is a collective effort,” he noted.

Meanwhile, as part of the President’s ‘greening’ programme, a regional tree planting programme, Morian explained, will soon come on stream, whereby residents are encouraged to plant trees. With the assistance of Community Development Councils (CDCs) across the Region, this initiative is expected to be launched within the second week of May.

Can my Neighbourhood Democratic Council deliver?

I

am delighted to read in the Guyana Times that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) from 52-74 Village in Upper Corentyne, Region Six is up and running.

A new 18-member Council was sworn in to manage the local affairs of about 25 villages, estimated to have around 50,000 inhabitants. These villages are the rice belt of Guyana.

Except for fishing, they serve no other economic purpose than producing rice.

There are two experienced persons at the helm of the NDC, Chairman and Vice Chairman Davanand Chaitram and Ahmad Rajab, respectively.

There are good reasons to believe that the NDC will deliver, but I am disappointed not to see the name Rohan Jagnandan amongst the 18-member Council. Rohan is Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine a hardworking man who used to work at the No 71 Village Office, a building resembling one of those buildings from the days of the Wild West. There is only one way in and one way out. When I saw Rohan way back in 1989, he was busy trying to retrieve late payments and taxes from villagers at the risk of his own life. In recent years, he had become a delivery man/salesman.

Minor disappointment aside, I have a wish list for the NDC, but I am sceptical whether it will have a glimmer of a chance, much less happen. At the swearing-in ceremony for the NDC, the current regime’s representative made an unctuous speech and wished the NDC well and left, but I doubt whether he or his superiors would be proactive and return regularly. I am not sure what resources he left with the NDC. I bet it was not much but more talk and more promises to the now most desperate people in the most desperate Region in Guyana. The crisis in rice cultivation has returned, so have begging and iron bars on windows and doors, giving the impression that people are living in a prism of prisons.

As far as I know from personal experience, the NDC has always had great vision, but limited resources have prevented it from delivering on promises. The supply of regular water for farming and drinking as well as electricity has been a continuous challenge amidst frustrations. Do you wonder why Berbicians go to bed early and get up early?

Limited lights and water, man!

My first wish happens to be in tune with the President’s initiative. I understand that the President is thinking of adding a few more towns in Guyana. I am not sure what the rationale behind this move is other than townships will have more leverage to take care of their own matters. In this regard, I suggest that the NDC be on stream and put forward a proposal to transform Benab (No 64 Village) not only into a town but the capital of Berbice. The main draw is the 10mile beach, the colonial houses and setting, the schools, the rice cultivation, the various shops and restaurants, the revolutionary square, the defunct movie theatre, various churches, the sport grounds, nearby fishing wharfs, race tracks, and above all, the people and culture. Of course, a hospital is missing. But do not get too excited. Benab needs more investment and development – an effort, I believe, is worthwhile.

My second wish is that the NDC would tackle environment degradation, not only the obvious garbage alongside the roads and gutters and filth, but also the eyesore of abandoned buildings and idle land. For anyone unaware, if you travel from Crabwood Creek to New Amsterdam you would think that hurricanes usually pass through some villages. Actually, there has been a human hurricane of sorts, which is the flight of thousands of Berbicians to the Caribbean islands and further afield. In so doing, they have left a sordid history of political brutalisation and economic exploitation.

But the question now is what ought to be done to tackle abandoned buildings and idle land? I suggest that the NDC send out a notice with specific instructions and guidelines to the owners of the abandoned buildings and idle land that looks like this: Take care of your property otherwise the NDC will do so at your expense. This approach may sound harsh but it was carried out and received great results in some Latin American countries. Something has to be done about the aforesaid problems because they are coterminous with continuous out-migration. Even amongst those who remain, the enthusiasm for a better living environment is low. Does the NDC from 52 to 74 Village have the vision to reverse the current scores of eyesores? I will be back with a report in six months.

(Lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu)

tuesDay, APRIL 26, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

Problems at GPHC major Joint Services had to flee Camp concern for patients Street Prison – CoI hears P Deadly prison riot

Director of Prisons Carl Graham

By Shemuel Fanfair

D

uty Officer at the Camp St Prison Oldfield Romelous in his testimony to the Commission of Inquiry into the deadly prison riots on Monday revealed that on 4 March members of the Joint Services had to “literally run” to evade the aggressive behaviour of inmates. This followed the events surrounding the 3 March fire which left 17 inmates dead.

Romelous, who testified in the morning session recounted that when inmates proceeded to advance, Joint Services made their narrow escape through the second gate.

“Had it not been for that little gate, the second gate that could not have accommodated everybody going through at one time, that’s the only reason mek people had to turn back and fight off the chase that was coming, they an had no other option, you either die with yo back facing your enemy or you turn and retaliate against your enemy,” recalled the Duty Officer.

Romelous stated that on the Friday, the unrest started with inmates in Capital B after which prisoners in other divisions joined in to show resistance to as officers exercised caution: “No action was taken because nobody wanted to end up in the position of Mr Samuels; [on] March 4th, the prison officers, police officers, fire service officers, literally ran out of Georgetown Prisons.”

He told Commissioners that if Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels had remained in command, efforts would have been employed to curtail the continued rioting. Romelous also pointed out and noted that the Deputy Director is a “no nonsense” figure whose presence keeps inmates in check.

Romelous also told Commissioners that after the riots, morale of officers has since remained low and as Duty Officer, he has not

been able to “assure ranks” that the law is on their side.

“I’m questioning the laws right now in my mind, how will it protect me as I go forward in the prison service,” he noted.

The Commission was also told that overcrowding remains the major

futed claims from inmates that the prison food lacks taste as he himself would often prepare meals and sometimes partake of it.

Director of Prisons Carl Graham took the stand in the afternoon session. He noted that the March riots are the worst experience he has ever faced. He noted he is traumatised and has been praying with fellow inmates for “Devine intervention”.

When asked by Counsel how often would fire prevention inspection by the fire service be carried out, the Director stated it is done twice per year but he was not sure if any has been done for 2016.

Reports of these inspections would be delivered to the Ministry of Public Security. However, Graham told the Commission he is not aware of any such reports as they haven’t been given to him.

The Commission Counsel raised concerns

Duty Officer at the Camp St Prison Oldfield Romelous

challenge with as little as 40 beds being assigned to some 65 inmates.

It was revealed that this current situation is the source of regular conflicts among inmates. Romelous noted that many of the conflicts are settled, “physically” and he observed that working in the prison environment is “very tedious”.

It was further revealed that while the full complement of prison officers to be stationed on duty is 16, only 4 officers would be at times present. It was also stated that some evenings would only have two officers on duty to the 1014 inmates which equates to 1 officer to 507 prisoners.

Under questioning

by Commission Counsel, Romelous stated that since being stationed at Camp Street, he had never seen the side door to Capital A open, even when searches are conducted. He pointed out that “only the front door” would be opened.

Romelous, who was trained at Carnegie also re-

about the fire prevention recommendations not being observed but the Director stated he is “not aware” that pumps are not in working order. He revealed a pump is being sourced from England.

Commissioner Dale Erskine sought to ascertain the purposes for which inmates would use mobile phones. Graham stated prisoners would use phones to “organise with persons” outside to bring in prohibited items to the facilities and to organise persons to “do harm to prison officers”.

Since the deadly threeday unrest in March, tensions have remained high and many inmates continue to issue threats that they will “kill prison wardens”.

With the case on Friday, inmates were however not represented as no attorneys attended to cross-examine witnesses.

The Guyana Bar Association in protest withdrew from the CoI on Wednesday.

atients at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) on Monday drew attention to the continuous issues plaguing them at the health facility.

Some patients complained there were complications in regard to understanding what some doctors say to them. One man informed Guyana Times that the doctor currently treating him does not speak English (Creoles) and so he (patient) does not understand what is said to him the majority of times. ‘’I got a doctor that I don’t understand. Is a White man and I can’t talk his language. I keep saying I want a Guyanese doctor but nobody ain’t listening.’’

Another patient relayed that there was no one available to translate for him what is being said and that he is unaware of what he’s being treated for. He said that because of this, he feels he is being diagnosed incorrectly.

“I used to go Best Hospital right, but I was transferred over here. In 2014 I injured my head, and the doctors at Best told me that I can’t cut cane again.

I’m a cane cutter right.

Anyways so I come here and the Cuba doctor tell me I’m okay. Nothing ain’t wrong with me. I could work back.

When I working now, I get-

Georgetown Public Hospital

ting dizzy bad bad, ah getting light headed. I nearly faint. It keep happening all the time and the doctor telling me nothing ain’t wrong.

I ain’t know if he ain’t understand or wa.’’

Negligence

Persons who were admitted to the facility, reported having been ignored by nurses on numerous occasions. One pregnant woman voiced that she was forced to wait for three hours for medical assistance.

“I come here to get medication and speak to a doctor because I got low and high pressure and they had me waiting here long long. I pregnant, six months pregnant and I gotta sit here and wait. People just come and done gone and I was still waiting.’’

The mother of a patient at the GPHC relat-

ed that since her daughter has been admitted, she has been ignored on numerous occasions by the nurses in the ward. She said when her daughter voice her discomfort about anything, nurses refuse to acknowledge her.

Drug shortages

Contrary to the assertions of the board of the GPHC and the Junior and Senior Public Health Ministers respectively, that there are no drug shortages at the hospital, patients are still complaining that they have to buy their medications via a private institution or pharmacy since the hospital could not provide it.

The mother of a patient was one of the many persons who complained to this newspaper about having to buy their child’s prescription medication privately.

12 news

tuesDay, APRIL 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Businesses cautiously President drafts Army for optimistic over 50th lagging D’Urban Park Project jubilee celebrations

By Romario Samaroo

A

cross the city of Georgetown business-owners are having mixed opinions on the outlook of sales for Guyana’s 50th jubilee celebrations.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, had said that as Guyana looks to celebrate its 50th year as an independent nation, the economy is expected to experience a boost due to the mass number of overseasbased Guyanese and tourists expected for the event.

From an economic standpoint, the expected chain-reaction of these foreigners in the country will lead to a surge in spending across hotels, craft shops, entertainment facilities and all other business entities. The locally economy will benefit tremendously.

However, as it stands presently, a lot of businesses are complaining of the slow turnover of money nationwide.

Market vendors are already crying out that their produce aren’t selling as before, while store-owners are not having the best of times either. Samantha Kamal complains “business

is a little slow in general.”

Stephanie, a local craft shop operator in City Mall is also not too pleased with how business is going but is hopeful the upcoming celebrations can influence a positive change.

But not all businesses are crying, Sookraj, a Regent Street store-owner, is accepting of the state of business, nevertheless he would welcome an increase in business.

Margret Jones who sells clothes on Wellington Street is also hopeful the upcoming celebrations will bring a change in fortune to her business as “it has its ups and downs but it’s been down a while” Craftsmen selling tokens and souvenirs of Guyana are patiently awaiting the foreigners as they are the ones who usually purchase these products.

The Chinese business community are not too pleased with the state of business either. A Chinese trader operating in the Sino Mall recalled the terrible state of business that resulted in her closing down her fast food restaurant. She is now wholly dependent on her commodi-

ties store to earn a living.

This dilemma “slow business” is not only affecting the Georgetown area but also in Berbice and Region Three. Jamal Braithwaite, who rents a shop around the Skeldon market cried out “this is one of the worst patches” he has seen.

One commonality among every store operator apart from their concerns of economic stagnation are their concerns over security. These traders noted that the crime rate is one of the main deterrents of doing business now.

A lot of them are also seriously inquiring about the government’s approach in tackling crime, saying it is too often they hear and/or see robberies and murder.

Sophie Mohan pointed out, “this looks terrible on our country, especially with outsiders coming.”

She is hoping the police force can “step up and tackle crime—and do it fast.”

The parliamentary opposition PPP/C has already openly blasted the administration on their “poor strategies” in tackling crime, as well as putting mechanisms in place that would facilitate conomic growth.

Head of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Special Projects Unit, Lawrence Mentis (front, left) in discussion with Guyana Defence Force Captain Daniel Seeram, as soldiers officially join the D’Urban Park Development Project workforce

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he Ministry of Public Infrastructure is moving to complete the D’urban Park Development Project in time for the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. Army personnel are now on site to help turn the project into a reality.

Fifteen soldiers on Monday turned out at D’urban Park and will be lending support to MPI’s Special Projects Unit (SPU) for the duration of the agency’s work. According to Captain Daniel Seeram of the GDF, the 15 soldiers include five mechanics and were deployed by Commander-inChief and Head of State, President David Granger.

“The Guyana Defence Force is always ready to lend a helping hand to Guyana’s development,” Seeram said.

Meanwhile, Head of SPU Lawrence Mentis explained that the agency’s work is moving apace. Amongst SPU’s works are the completion of the VIP and public parking areas; creation of access driveways; and the building of bridges. These works commenced on Friday.

Works have begun on the external parking lot for the public as well as the road for the national float parade,

which will culminate at the site.

Mentis further explained that approximately 100 of the agency’s workers are onsite to ensure SPU’s task is completed, not only on time, but to the highest possible standard.

“Things are progressing smoothly. We’ve had beautiful weather and the materials are coming in on time, as we expected. Once the weather permits and we’re able to keep up our current pace, we’ll be able to meet our deadline,” Mentis predicted.

The set deadline for SPU’s work – and the entire project – is May 12, two weeks before Independence Day. On Tuesday last Cabinet cleared the use of some $150 million for the completion of the Project from its current stage.

Minister Patterson had said funding, on the initial stage of the project, is on the line item of Ministry’s Infrastructure Development, “but there are alternatives, including what has not been concluded, a grant funding which is already earmarked for such type of developments… I can expend as much as $150 million, however, at this initial stage, we do

have to get this finished before, so there will not be any need for a contingency at the moment.”

The Public Infrastructure Minister went on to say that should the grant funding come to fruition, there is the possibility that it would wholly fund the remaining work that government has undertaken to complete: “I do hope the possibility of a grant funding is resolved quickly, as it will obviously defray those costs.”

Meanwhile, the sources that would have funded the project to its current state still remain unknown. When asked about this, Patterson noted that the funding was derived from donations but did not reveal any names, saying that an audit would be conducted to clear up any speculation.

The works being done on the D’Urban Park Project are categorised as: roofing and remedial works for spectator bleachers; completion of superstructure, walls and roof for the VIP stand and electrical wiring; lighting and power supply; access driveways and bridges, sanitary facilities and drainage works.

Bandit killed during home invasion at Yarrowkabra …attacked family during party

The house where the shooting occurred

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well-known bandit was on Sunday evening shot dead, while one man was injured following a home invasion at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

Dead is Raphael Armstrong, 32, also called “Scar”, formerly of Friendship, East Bank Demerara and of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

The injured man is Adrian Mohar, 24, of Yarrowkabra.

He has been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to reports, the man was shot about four times by the owner of the house,

Gary Mohar, who also operates a business. Based on reports received, the Mohar family were having a family get-together when they were attacked by Armstrong and an accomplice. He held about 12 people at gunpoint, including several children, and ordered them into the house.

Without hesitation, the adults led the children into the house with the gunman following. One of the children attempted to run but her father, Adrian Mohar, grabbed her.

Apparently thinking that Adrian was going to attack, Armstrong discharged a round

Dead bandit, Raphael “Scar” Armstrong

hitting the young man in his hand. At this time, the owner of the house put up a fight with the man during which his gun fell to the ground.

The man quickly picked up the gun and discharged at least four rounds at Armstrong.

The injured bandit, according to Police, was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. At the home of the businessman on Monday, his brother who asked not to be named told Guyana Times that the men invaded the party about 20:30h. continued on page 13

News

13

tuesDay, APRIL 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

NFMU wants more women in ICT field PPP to participate in Independence A

s the world is about to celebrate “Girls in ICT Day,” the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) wants more women in Guyana to be empowered and employed in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a field of learning traditionally dominated by men.

Karen Boyer, executive assistant of NFMU highlighted that the annual Girls in ICT Day will be celebrated on 28 April, 2016. Its theme this year is “Expanding Horizons and Changing Attitudes”. She indicated that since there’s an obvious inequality between men and women in the ICT workforce, they are currently on board to encourage women of all ages to become more technologically aware and push for careers in the sector.

“Basically we’re trying to encourage and inspire women to enter into the ICT sector because you find that there is a disparity between men and women in the working environment. So basically, we’re trying to really push for them to become involved in the technology field’’ said Boyer.

She indicated that NFMU usually hosts several events during the year to provide training for women countrywide.

NFMU’s executive as-

Anniversary celebrations

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Graduating girls in ICT 2015

sistant explained that on Thursday 28 April 0they will be conducting their technological training at Bygeval Secondary School in Mahaica. She said this training session will be hosted for 300 girls in the surrounding areas.

Boyer added that this teaching session will be held in the presence of members of the Guyana Society for the Blind and will have speakers from National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), University of Guyana (UG), and Guyana National Computer Incident Response (CIRT), among others.

The women of NCERD, UG, CIRT, the Ministry of Public Security, and others, will be sharing their experi-

ences in the field of ICT and will highlight what it can offer girls, such as job opportunities and education.

She further indicated that the head of CIRT, Sandra Khan, will be elaborating on Cyber Security to ensure girls are aware of its importance. ”We’re trying to basically let society know that girls are sometimes better than guys, in terms of technology and even in general. It just takes a little push-start and the opportunity to get familiar,’’ Boyer said.

She also highlighted they will be hosting another training programme called “Tech Day Camps” during the months of June to November. She explained this was a ‘one on one’ fo-

Bandit killed during home...

He noted that during the get-together, his brother saw shadows behind the “fat poke” tree and thought that someone had gone to urinate.

He said within a few seconds, a man who was masked and wearing dark clothing pounced on them demanding that they go into the house. He claimed that another man was behind him. Fearful that the gunmen would do “something stupid”, the family members complied. The homeowner’s brother said from all indications, the men had jumped the back fence and walked among the bushes to reach the house.

The family later learnt that there were at least six men – two who held them up and another four in the yard.

However, after the gunshots rang out, the other bandit who was at the door called

upon the others to “run” as he took his own advice. The man went on to say that after the bandit was shot, the Police were summoned.

When the Police arrived at the scene, they removed the toque covering the man’s face and it was then his identity was confirmed. The Police have since seized the unlicensed firearm as they continue their investigation into the shooting incident.

Armstrong has been fingered in several robberies under arms as well as trafficking in narcotics offences. He was busted at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport in December 2014 with 2.8 kilos (6.3 lbs) of cocaine when he arrived on the Caribbean Airlines BW526 Flight from Georgetown, Guyana.

The cocaine was found con-

from page 12

cealed in bottles of cream liqueur which were in duty-free bags. According to information received, Armstrong was pulled aside for a customs inspection when he presented a black suitcase along with a yellow duty-free shopping bag.

The black suitcase was searched without any incident and the defendant remained calm, but as drug enforcement agents moved to inspect the duty-free bag, the young man started acting in a suspicious manner.

In the bag, the customs agents found two 26-ounce bottles which “purported to contain rum cream liqueur”.

While inspecting the bottles, the agents noticed that one of them was not sealed and had a strong odour. Armstrong was arrested, charged and deported to Guyana.

National Tourism Policy draft...

from page 10

Recently, THAG President Shaun McGrath had emphasised the importance of the yachting industry and its impact on the growth of tourism.

With this under consideration, McGrath had disclosed it was agreed upon by government to amend the legislation which would see Bartica becoming a port of entry. This, he believed, would do wonders for the enhancement of tourism.

He also explained that yachts can directly go through the Essequibo River rather

than docking in the capital which will further enhance the sector.

Meanwhile, the country is looking to further advance tourism through a number of initiatives and activities in the near future.

The highest on this agenda is the “Golden Jubilee” 50th anniversary activities which have been thus far receiving positive responses as reported by the ministry.

This month of activities is poised to be the largest tourist attraction that will not only

improve Guyana’s economy but also place the country on the map for further promotion.

Additionally, the country is set for the first time to host the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals at the National Stadium.

Being one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated event, a large turnout is expected from regional and international countries, which in turn would further boost the country’s tourism and economy.

rum, where girls from ‘out of bounds’ areas, such as Charity, Santa Rosa and others, would be able to come into contact with technology.

Tech Day Camp will consist of training sessions for programming, coding, photoshopping, and other computer-related applications.

Boyer added that persons interested in this free programme can contact the organisation through its Facebook page ‘Girls in ICT Guyana’, or they can call 226-2233 for more information or visit them at Lot 190 Charlotte Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

“International Girls in ICT Day” is celebrated in 150 countries worldwide with more than 5300 events and participation of over 177,000 girls and young women.

It was recorded that in 2015, more than 66,000 girls and young women had taken part in over 1800 celebrations of ICT Day in over 130 countries!

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has confirmed that it will be participating in the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations organised by the State.

Last year, the Party did not participate in the Independence celebrations, which coincided with President David Granger’s inauguration celebrations.

However, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee told a news conference on Monday that the Party decided to participate in State functions once it received invitations.

He noted too that the Party will be organising events of its own to observe this momentous occasion in the country’s history.

With regard to the float parade, the Party said no decision has been made regarding whether or not members would participate.

Government has budgeted $300 million for the 50th Anniversary celebrations on May 26.

Government has announced a series of ac-

tivities for the lead-up to Independence Day 2016, including an exposition expected to be hosted at the Guyana National Stadium from May 19 to 22. It will feature agro processors and local craft among others.

The 50th Independence Anniversary Logo was unveiled with much fanfare.

The logo was designed b y

Chris Taylor and Compton Babb, and depicts Guyana as a golden nation moving forward towards establishing itself in the world in its next 50 years.

Corporate Guyana has been taking part in the celebrations, with Air Services Limited rebranding a helicopter with the logo, Caribbean Airlines, an airplane; and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) launching its special edition 50-year-old rum.

14

guyana-times.com

tuesDay, april 26, 2016

Regional

Haiti election: Thousands Mexican Police protest over missed deadline attacked in Acapulco

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T

housands of Haitians have protested against a delay in the run-off round of a presidential election that should have been held on Sunday.

The deadline was missed after allegations of fraud during the first round in October of last year.

Interim President Jocelerme Privert said the run-off might not happen now until this October.

But supporters of the front-runner, Jovenel Moise, are demanding a run-off sooner.

Protesters took to the streets of the capital, Portau-Prince, asking for a chance to cast their votes.

They were carrying placards supporting the banana exporter, who won the first round of the elections.

Demonstrator Sabrina Demosthil said the marchers were “calling for the run-off to be held as quickly as possible”, the Associated Press news agency reports.

The April 24 deadline

Moise supporters demonstrated near the headquarters of the Provisional Electoral Council in Portau-Prince

had been widely regarded as unrealistic.

Haiti has been in political turmoil since the first round, in which Moise came first, but fell short of an overall majority, was disputed by losing candidates.

Four run-off deadlines have been missed so far,

some of them leading to violent unrest throughout the country.

The authorities have set up a team to evaluate the allegations of fraud in the first round.

Privert, who was chosen as interim President in February to fill a power vacuum after incumbent

vestment in green economies, which in turn will be administered through a Caribbean Resilience Fund,” Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, during the recent meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR), in St Kitts.

The proposal stems from the recognition that while Caribbean countries are among the most highly indebted countries in the world, the high debt dilemma was linked to external

shocks, compounded by the inherent structural weaknesses and vulnerabilities confronting Caribbean SIDS with limited capacity to respond. Many Caribbean countries belong to the middle income category, which constraints their access to concessionary funding.

Addressing government officials and representatives of numerous regional and international organisations during the opening of the CDR, the most senior authority of the ECLAC pre-

President Michel Martelly stepped down, previously said the vote would be held at the end of May. But on Sunday he suggested the country should choose its next President at the same time as an October 30 deadline for a Senate election. (Excerpt from BBC

olice Officers came under attack in a twohour gunfight in the Mexican city of Acapulco, officials say.

Several gunmen attacked a hotel where Officers stay, in the tourist area Las Playas on Sunday evening.

Dozens of people had to shelter in shops while shooting continued, until after 23:00 local time.

One suspected gunman was killed when Police returned fire. Officers then chased other gunmen through the streets before securing the area.

At the same time, a separate group of gunmen attacked a federal Police base in the city.

Mexico’s federal authorities have called an emergency meeting with the local authorities to discuss the incident.

Guerrero State Governor Hector Astudillo Flores told Imagen radio that the gang

members were taking revenge for the arrest of their leader, last Friday.

Freddy del Valle Berdel, known as “The Donkey”, is the presumed leader of the Beltran Leyva drug cartel in Acapulco.

“We have information that this is a retaliation for his detention. It was the federal Police who arrested him and the attack was against federal Police Officers,” said Mr Astudillo.

Some universities in Acapulco have cancelled classes for Monday, but local media report that according to education authorities, schools will still be opened.

The US Department of State has warned American consular staff not to travel to Acapulco, saying that Guerrero was the most violent state in Mexico in 2015.

Tens of thousands of people have died in drug-related violence in Mexico in the past decade. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Brazil’s main Opposition ECLAC proposes climate change-based party split on joining debt alleviation strategy for Caribbean a future Temer Govt

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he Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has called for the creation of a Caribbean Resilience Fund as part of a debt alleviation strategy based on a climate change swap proposal.

“The swap will involve the use of pledged climate funds to write down the public debt of Caribbean countries and create the financing necessary to fund climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives and in-

News)

sented a proposal on debt for climate adaptation swaps, which detailed a strategy for the growth and economic transformation of Caribbean economies, in light of the heavy debt burden being faced in the sub-Region.

Bárcena explained that resources from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) could be used to write down Caribbean public debt from multilateral and bilateral lenders, and to buy back debt from private creditors at a steep discount. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

50 years after Haile Selassie went to Jamaica, his grandson follows suit

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rince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, the grandson of the man at the heart of Jamaica’s Rastafarian movement, is on a nine-day trip to the Caribbean island – half a century after the State visit of his late grandfather, Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie.

The Prince, who is accompanied by his wife, Princess Saba Kebede, will stay in Jamaica for the rest of the month in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his grandfather’s visit.

Speaking at the Haile Selassie High School which he said would receive a J$600,000 (US$4906) donation, he said he felt blessed to witness the fruit borne by the educational institution, for which ground was broken

by Emperor Selassie when he visited Jamaica in 1996.

He commented on the academic achievements of students who have graduated from the institution, and its successes in the sporting arena, as he recalled his grandfather’s desire to see his people educated.

“His Majesty saw education as an advancement. We weren’t his only chil-

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange (left), looks on as His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, greets members of the Rastafari community at the Norman Manley International Airport

dren; there are many Ethiopians who he sent abroad to study, (and) they all started out from humble backgrounds.

So his vision and foresight has extended to Jamaica,” he said.

Principal of the school, Lorenzo

Ellis, who said the funds would be used in a building programme, disclosed that members of the Prince’s delegation had advised him they would be contacting others in Ethiopia to contribute to the school. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Member of the Lower House of Congress, Bruno Araujo (centre) celebrates with fellow congressmen after his vote in favour of the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff was enough to confirm the process, in Brasilia, Brazil, April 17, 2016

B

razil’s largest Opposition party is divided over how strongly to back a new interim Government if it succeeds in having President Dilma Rousseff stripped of office, as it eyes a run at the presidency in 2018, senior members said on Monday.

The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) will support a Government led by Vice President Michel Temer from the aisles of Congress if the left-leaning Rousseff is unseated next month, but the party is split over whether to join his Cabinet.

The Senate was due to meet later on Monday to pick a 21-member committee that will report back on whether to put Rousseff on trial in the Upper House on charges of deliberately breaking budget laws to boost her re-election bid in 2014.

The Lower House voted this month there were grounds for a trial. If the Senate agrees to put her on trial in a vote on May 12, as expected, Rousseff will immediately be suspended from office for the period of the proceedings. She denies any wrongdoing.

Temer, whose Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) quit the Government last month, is preparing to govern. Former Central Bank Governor Henrique Meirelles is emerging as the top candidate to become Finance Minister, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters.

Investors are looking to Temer to restore confidence in Latin America’s largest economy. Brazil was stripped of its coveted investment grade credit rating in December amid the worst recession in decades and an acute fiscal crisis. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

tuesDAY, april 26, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

Canadian PM condemns Poisoned sweets kill 23 in “cold-blooded murder” of Pakistan’s Punjab national in Philippines

John Ridsdel, 68, a former mining executive, was captured by Islamist militants along with three other people in September 2015 while on vacation on a Philippine island

C

anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned on Monday the execution of a Canadian hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines, calling it “an act of cold-blooded murder”.

John Ridsdel, 68, a former mining executive, was captured by Islamist militants along with three other people in September 2015 while on vacation on a Philippine island.

The Philippine army said

a severed head was found on a remote island on Monday, five hours after the expiry of a ransom deadline set by militants who had threatened to execute one of four captives.

“Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage-takers and this unnecessary death.

This was an act of coldblooded murder and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage,” Trudeau told

reporters on the sidelines of a Cabinet meeting.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with the Government of the Philippines and international partners to pursue those responsible for this heinous act.”

Trudeau declined to respond when asked whether the Canadian Government had tried to negotiate with the captors or pay a ransom, or whether it was trying to secure the release of the other Canadian being held, Robert Hall.

The captives included Ridsdel and Hall, along with one Norwegian man and a Filipino woman, who had appealed in a video for their families and Governments to secure their release.

Residents found the head in the centre of Jolo town.

An army spokesman said two men on a motorcycle were seen dropping a plastic bag containing the severed head. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Fifty-two more people are being treated at the hospital after consuming the poisoned sweets [EPA]

A

t least 23 people have died after consuming poisoned sweets in central Pakistan, Police officials say.

Umar Hayat, a resident of the Karor Lal Esan area in Punjab province, bought the sweets on April 17 – according to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper – from Tariq Hotel and Sweet Shop to distribute among friends and family after the birth of his grandson.

But celebration turned

to sorrow when 10 people died the same day, including Hayat’s six brothers, a sister and two family children.

“The death toll from consumption of the sweets has now risen to 23,” Munir Ahmed, a local Police official, told AFP news agency on Monday. “In addition, 52 people are still being treated at various hospitals.”

Rameez Bukhari, a senior Police Officer from the district, said three people

–- two brothers who run the bakery and a worker – have been arrested.

“There was a pesticide shop close by which was being renovated and the owner had left his pesticides at the bakery for safe keeping,” said Bukhari.

“A baker may have used a small packet in the sweet mixture.”

Bukhari said Police were awaiting laboratory results. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Obama ramps up Special 2 persons hacked to death India cancels Chinese Forces mission in Syria in Bangladesh’s capital dissident leader’s visa

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resident Barack Obama announced on Monday the biggest expansion of US ground troops in Syria since the civil war there began, saying he would dispatch 250 Special Forces soldiers to help local militia to build on successes against Islamic State.

The new deployment increases US forces in Syria six-fold to about 300. While the total US ground force is still small by comparison to other American deployments, defence experts said it could help shift the momentum in Syria by giving more Syrian fighters on the ground access to US close air support.

Obama said the move followed victories that clawed back territory from Islamic

State.

“Given the success, I’ve approved the deployment of up to 250 additional US personnel in Syria, including Special Forces, to keep up this momentum,” Obama said in a speech in the German city of Hanover, the last stop on a foreign tour that has taken him to Saudi Arabia and Britain.

“They’re not going to be leading the fight on the ground, but they will be essential in providing the training and assisting local forces as they continue to drive ISIL back,” he added, using an acronym for Islamic State, also known as ISIS or Daesh.

The US military has led an air campaign against Islamic State since 2014.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T

wo persons have been hacked to death at an apartment in Bangladesh, including an editor of a transgender magazine.

Another person injured when three attackers entered their apartment in Dhaka posing as couriers and attacked them with sharp weapons, Police said on Monday.

Julhas Mannan ran a transgender magazine Rupban and previously worked at the US Embassy.

The other person killed was a gay-rights activist.

“Unidentified attackers entered an apartment at Kalabagan and hacked two people to death,” Maruf Hossain Sorder, Dhaka

Metropolitan Police spokesman, told AFP. The incident comes two days after a university professor was killed in a similar fashion in an attack in Rajshahi claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group.

Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, said at least three assailants critically injured a security guard on their way out of the building.

“There is major fear in the country and the Government is denying involvement of international terrorists or ISIL in the country even after the groups have highlighted that Bangladesh is one of their operating bases,” he said.

I

ndia has cancelled the visa of Chinese dissident leader and Uighur activist Dolkun Isa after a protest

by Beijing.

Isa, Chairman of the World Uighur Congress, was due to attend a conference next week in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala.

He said he was “disappointed” by the Indian Government’s action.

Earlier reports said Delhi had granted Isa a visa after China blocked India’s bid to get the UN to ban Jaishe-Muhammad chief Masood

Azhar.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hua Chunying, had criticised India’s move and described Isa as a “terrorist” with an Interpol red-corner notice against him, leading to Delhi rescinding his visa.

Uighurs are an ethnic minority community from China’s western Xinjiang region and have a long history of discord with Beijing.

They are Muslims and regard themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. (BBC News)

Saudi Arabia agrees on plan to cut reliance on oil

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Tamir Rice shooting: Cleveland reaches US$6M settlement

The child’s fatal shooting triggered large protests calling for Police Officers to be held accountable for brutality [AP]

T

he US city of Cleveland has reached a US$6 million settlement with the family of

12-year-old Tamir Rice who was shot dead by a Police Officer while playing with a pellet gun outside a recreation

centre.

An order filed in US District Court in Cleveland on Monday said the city will pay out US$3 million this year and US$3 million in 2017.

Under the terms of the settlement, Cleveland does not admit any wrongdoing, according to the order.

The wrongful death suit against two officers and the city alleged the officers acted recklessly when they confronted the boy in November 2014.

A grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against the officers.

Investigators last year found no hard evidence the Police Officer who shot Rice ordered him to raise his hands before opening fire.

Documents released in July 2015 by the Prosecutor handling the racially charged case detail the moments before the brief, deadly encounter. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Saudi Arabia will also sell shares in State oil giant Aramco and set up the world’s largest wealth fund in line with the plan

S

audi Arabia’s Cabinet has agreed on a broadbased economic reform plan, known as Vision 2030, revealing how the oil-reliant state plans to diversify its economy over the next 14 years.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Deputy Crown Prince, said on Monday that the country was building up its Public Investment Fund to become a major player in global markets.

He said Saudi Arabia was

restructuring its Housing Ministry to increase the supply of affordable housing, and creating a “green card” system within five years to give expatriates long-term residence.

Saudi Arabia will also sell shares in State oil giant Aramco and set up the world’s largest wealth fund in line with the plan, Mohamed bin Salman said separately in an interview to the Saudiowned Al Arabiya news channel. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 news

tuesDAY, april 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Roraima launches new aircraft, AMO division … in joining the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations

ity for Tourism Catherine Hughes to use her influence in government to push for Guyana’s plaque on Mount Roraima to be restored.

In response, the minister gave her assurance that she will do all in her power to have this done for the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

By Devina Samaroo

M

arking milestone advancement in the country’s tourism service and aviation sector, Roraima Airways joined in the 50th Independence anniversary festivities by launching its newest addition to its fleet of aircraft, branded with the 50th Golden Jubilee logo, as well as an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) Division to its already dynamic operations.

The launching took place at the Roraima Airways Hangar, Ogle International Airport, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), on Monday in the presence of prestigious guests including government ministers, the private sector, tourism industry, and the aviation fraternity.

The Britten Norman Trislander

With the introduction of the Britten Norman Trislander, the price for air travel is to be reduced significantly.

Roraima Airways now boasts of having the lowest fares to travel to the majestic Kaieteur Falls at just US$145 and the aerial tour of Georgetown at $4200 per person.

The company noted these affordable fares will remain throughout the year.

The Britten Norman Trislander’s 16-seater provides for better seating arrangements and more cargo capacity, which is especially significant when taking longer flights and transporting cargo.

Designed by John Britten and Desmond Norman, the Trislander is a further development of BrittenNorman’s better-known

Congratulations

Islander aircraft in order to give it a larger carrying capacity. In comparison to the Islander (which is the most common local aircraft), the Trislander has a stretched fuselage, strengthened fixed tricycle landing gear, and a third engine on the fuselage centre line atop the fin.

The Trislander has exceptional low speed handling characteristics, extended endurance, increased payload, low noise signature and economical operating costs. Capable of taking off from a 1500-foot landing strip, it can readily operate from unprepared surfaces.

Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways Captain Gerald Gouveia disclosed that the airways has the approval to bring in four more Trislanders, which will be in operation over a long period of time.

AMO Division

The AMO Division is Roraima Airways’ fourteenth division which opened doors for the creation of several career opportunities of Engineers, Accountable Manager, Aviation Technicians, Record Clerks and Quality Control personnel.

Captain Gouveia dis-

closed that the need to develop its own AMO division arose as Roraima Airways’ services increased, as did the demand for a 24/7 maintenance service.

“We have done maintenance with contract for 20 years, they did a wonderful job… but as your company grows and the fact that we spend so much of our time in the skies at nights doing medical evacuation, we needed a maintenance organisation that will respond when we needed them to… And when you contract maintenance service, you have that problem of working to their schedule,” he explained.

Gouveia boasted of having the best engineers, all of whom are young and ambitious individuals.

In this regard, he underscored the importance of aviation safety as he assured that Roraima Airways will continue to strive to deliver the best and safest experience.

Plaque on Mount Roraima

During his speech to the small gathering at the launching, Captain Gouveia charged to the Telecommunications Minister with responsibil-

Roraima Airways received warm congratulations on its achievements over the past 23 years.

Chairman of Private Sector Commission (PSC) Norman McLean, President of the National Air Transport Association (NATA) Annette Arjun-Martins, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Vishnu Doerga, and Junior Public Infrastructure Minister with responsibility for the Aviation Sector Annette Ferguson, as well as Minister Hughes all joined in expressing delight in the company’s continued commitment to the development of the country.

Tourism and Aviation

In her speech, Minister Hughes noted that it is always a challenge in lowering the cost to the country’s superior destinations so that locals can explore the beautiful land they call home.

In this regard, she noted that the reduction of the airfare to Kaieteur Falls will go a long way in promoting tourism.

Minister Ferguson in her remarks recommitted government’s assurance to work to develop the aviation sector through the improvement of airstrips and surrounding facilities.

GWI formulates new approach to provide better services for Region 9

I

n an effort to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in providing better services to the residents of Region Nine, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has taken a more aggressive approach.

Persons are to be trained and equipped within the Region to monitor the water situation and to resolve issues that will arise.

These persons are to be paid through the Village Councils.

“We have agreed that aggressive maintenance of our systems in the villages is one that requires our attention and during our discussion with the Toshaos, we have come to an agreement that in each village we will (GWI) establish a contract with the Toshaos and the Village Councils.

They will identify somebody who will do the main-

A section of Lethem, Region 9

tenance of the systems, both the photovoltaic and the

distribution systems,” GWI Chief Executive Officer, Dr

Richard Van West-Charles said.

Thieves hit De Kinderen Nursery, Zeelugt Primary schools

T

eachers are now fearful for the safety of the children attending both the De Kinderen Nursery School and the Zeelugt Primary School after a series of break-ins at the facilities.

The most recent of these break-ins occurred during the course of Saturday night at the De Kinderen Nursery School.

According to reports received by Guyana Times, thieves broke into the premises and carted off a number of items, inclusive of a CD player valued $85,000.

The school was also ransacked which indicated that the robbers were in search of other valuable items.

According to a teacher of the school, she was awakened around 04:50h by a security guard who informed her of the incident.

She explained that when she got to the school to investigate, it was observed that a window at the front of the school was broken. Upon inspection, she noticed that the inside of the school was ransacked.

The headmistress of the school disclosed to this publication that even though much was not taken, this incident is one of many that have been occurring recently.

“For this year, this is the third reported incident of a break-in that has taken place at this school.”

The principal explained that in addition to the items

that were taken, on other occasions computers and televisions were also lost.

The headteacher noted that even though these incidents have been reported, no measure has been taken to rectify the issue.

“We report these matters and the Police take statements each time and that is the end of it. No further investigation is ever carried out and so this keeps reoccurring.”

She also noted that at the facilities, there are poor security systems in place as the security guards are not doing their jobs.

She said the official who is in charge of security for the schools visited after the Saturday night incident and announced that they would be taking stricter action to ensure that the robberies decrease.

Meanwhile, other reports reaching Guyana Times indicate the stalls in the compound of Zeelugt Primary School were also robbed.

Previously, the school itself was broken into and vandalised.

This facility has also been broken into on numerous occasions in the past.

Parents whose children attend the schools are reportedly upset over the current situation and are calling on the relevant authorities to take strict action to rectify the issue.

The matter has been reported to the Leonora Police Station.

The decision was taken by the water company during a recent visit to the Region to assess the aftermath of the El Niño weather condition which has affected the Region since 2015.

GWI officers were accompanied by Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry personnel, who met with leaders from the North and South Rupununi. During that meeting, residents raised concerns about the quality of the water supplied, and communication between the residents and GWI staff.

According to the CEO, the sole purpose of the visit to the Region was to assess the consequences of the drought.

The GWI is also moving to test the water which is distributed to the residents, and to the health and education facilities, to ensure that the water is of an acceptable quality.

Because of the extensiveness of the area, Dr Van West-Charles said, it is challenging to provide proper service to the Region, something the company is looking to rectify.

He explained that the GWI has signed an agreement with the Region Nine Administration to drill initially eight wells, primarily in the South Rupununi.

He said that the water com-

pany will continue to monitor the situation to determine where more wells can be dug.

A GWI office is to be established in Lethem to enhance communication among GWI and its customers, the Regional Democratic Councils, and the Lethem Town Council.

Currently, the water company is in discussions with a number of experts to formulate a more strategic approach to look at the harvesting and security of water in the Region.

During the visit, a new well was commissioned at the New Culvert City, Lethem that will benefit hundreds of residents within Culvert City and various parts of Lethem. The New Culvert City well has a depth of about 187 feet, is equipped with a five-horsepower pump and a distribution system of over 12 cubic meters per hour.

Additionally, the GWI in collaboration with the Brazilian Army; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Society for Sustainable Operational Strategies (SSOS), and the Region Nine Administration, is drilling a number of wells throughout the Region to lessen the challenges in sourcing potable water in the dry periods.

17

news

tuesDAY, april 26, 2016 | guyana-times.com

First Lady commends Dharm Shala Marudi mining dispute Stakeholders for 95 years of service to the poor sign consensus F agreement irst Lady Sandra Granger on Monday joined Kella and Pamela Ramsaroop, donors, well-wishers, family and friends of the Dharm Shala Home of Benevolence for all races to mark its 95th anniversary.

First Lady Granger heaped praised on the Ramsaroops who have ably filled the vacuum left following the death of their father Harry Saran Ramsaroop in 2013, who himself had taken up the mantle of leadership after his father, founder of the Dharm Shala, Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj died in 1950.

“This family has served and cared for those in need for nearly one century, and it continues to serve. That dedication is all the more remarkable in an age where so much store is being put in material things, where success is rated by material possessions and social position,” Mrs Granger said.

The First Lady added, “we must commend Kella and Pamela for keeping faith with their grandfather’s and father’s dreams and for devoting themselves to the Dharm Shala.”

In giving a brief history of the genesis of the Dharm

First Lady Sandra Granger takes a closer look at one of the candlesticks displayed at an exhibition hosted by the Dharm Shala as Kella Ramsaroop, Managing Director, explains its history

Shala, Pamela Ramsaroop said her grandfather, Pandit Maraj, travelled widely across Guyana and was moved by the plight of the needy. She said that before he founded the Dharm Shala with assistance from the Hindu religious society, he started out by giving alms, introduced indigent persons to religion and started a soup kitchen with assistance from businessmen and residents in the Albouystown area.

“A devout practicing Hindu”, who also appreciated the teachings

of Christianity, Kella Ramsaroop said her grandfather’s compassion and commitment to the poor knew no bounds. In 1941, twenty years after he established the Albouystown facility, the Dharm Shala extended its services to Berbice, where it established a building of similar capacity and erected a temple and a church to serve its residents and the wider community.

After her grandfather’s passing, her father then dedicated 29 years of his life in service to the poor.

Today, Kella Ramsaroop serves as the Dharm Shala’s Managing Director and works alongside her sister to operate the home.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Boyer, of National Hardware Limited, remarked that the warmth, which pervades the Dharm Shala is a testimony to Pandit Ramsaroop and the values that he passed to his son and granddaughters.

He commended the family’s life of service to the poor, noting that it has inspired his family and has been the impetus, which motivated his and other families and donors’ involvement in the charity.

“When you come here to serve, whether you donate monetarily or by time, that you become part of this family and I encourage everyone here today, who is already part of the family, to continue to give and to be supportive of the work,” Boyer said.

On arrival at the Dharm Shala Complex, King Edward Street, guests were greeted by the sound of steel pan music played by Ras Camo Williams and a Powerpoint presentation of the work of the late Pandit Ramsaroop and his son Harry Ramsaroop.

May/June rainy season

Merriman Mall vendors fearful of flooding

A

s the rainy season approaches, vendors of the Merriman Mall are fearful of what their plight might be, given that the newly-rehabilitated structure is more susceptible to flooding.

Among the issues faced by the vendors, flooding was high on the agenda since it has been established that after light downpours, the tarmac and the stalls flood quite easily.

This was according to one of the vendors who told Guyana Times that only last week following the rains, some of the stalls were flooded, causing the vendors much inconvenience as they were forced to pack their goods at an elevated level to avoid contamination.

During that recent incident, there were also few sales since persons had refused to enter the environs of the market which had a substantial amount of water even though there was not much rain.

Following the complaints by the vendors on that day, the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Sherrod Duncan, along with the Vice Chairman of the Market and Public Health Committee, Lionel Jaikaran, had visited the Mall and were engaged in discussions with the vendors.

T

he tensions associated with the Marudi mining dispute are likely to ease as stakeholders approved and signed an agreement that will chart the course forward for mining in the Marudi Mountains in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The Natural Resources Ministry on Monday announced the conclusion of the mediation process which was held on April 23 to 24 and was aimed at “resolving the conflict that had escalated between large- scale mining company Romanex, miners, and several communities in South Rupununi, Region Nine”.

Romanex Company Representative Marshall Mintz expressed gratitude to Major General (Retired) Joe Singh, noting that the situation would have been “chaotic” had it not been mediated. The Ministry stated that it was “very pleased with the outcome of this historic process”, noting that it was “the first of its kind in Guyana”.

The Ministry noted that representatives from the Rupununi Miners Association; Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO); the Romanex Mining Company, and leaders from the neighbouring Amerindian communities of Aishalton, Awariwaunau,

Major General (Retired) Joe Singh

placed on “crafting workable solutions for parties in resolving mining, environmental and social issues.”

The decision to undergo mediation followed a meeting Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had with stakeholders at Aishalton Village last month. At this meeting, concerns had been raised over illegal mining, and environmental and social issues. After the discussions, the Minister noted the seriousness of the problems and expressed that a mediated solution was “the best means” of resolving the prevailing issues.

After the parties agreed to the said approach the Ministry appointed Major General (Retired) Joe Singh as mediator. It was also explained that the supporting team would have included Technical Officers from the

The Merriman Mall

According to the vendor, Duncan had promised to return the following day to meet with the vendors and also to provide engineers to look at the issues that were facing the vendors.

However, she said that this was not completed and they had not since heard from the Deputy Mayor or the Vice Chairman.

The woman said that it would be for the benefit of the vendors and customers if the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) would place a little more emphasis on the conditions surrounding vending at the Merriman Mall, espe-

cially the infrastructure.

She appealed for the Deputy Mayor to return to the site so that work can be completed in an effort to combat the anticipated effects of the rainy weather.

The vendors had reported a number of additional problems that have been plaguing the smooth flow of business in the area.

Another vendor reported that the overall structure was poor and prohibited business to its fullest capacity.

The vendors believe the high walls of the stalls prevent the display of their

goods to potential customers and do not fit the ideals of a marketplace.

It was reported that the M&CC had promised to have the walls reduced in size in the near future, but there was no indication of when this would be done.

With the special Market and Public Health Committee that has been established to review the conditions of market facilities across Guyana, vendors have renewed hope of improvement in the conditions under which they earn their livelihood.

Mining in the Marudi Mountains (File photo)

Karaudanawa, Achiwuib, Maruranau, and Shea played an integral part in their flexibility in crafting a workable agreement.

Also present at the mediation were representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who formed the technical team.

The Ministry had disclosed on Thursday that key focus would have been

Ministry along with representatives from the GGMC, the EPA, and the GWMO. It was in November last year that the miners of Marudi Mountain staged a protest highlighting the threat of being evicted by the mining company Romanex Guyana. It was reported that over 300 miners had been calling on the Government to have their operations regularised so that their livelihood would not be affected.

18

guyana-timesgy.com

tuesday, April 26, 2016

ARCHIE

Your quick wit will put you in the spotlight. Strut (March 21- your stuff and make personal April 19) changes that will boost your morale and result in compliments. Romance is encouraged.

ARIES

Build alliances and develTAURUS op open relationships with (April 20- people heading in the same May 20) direction as you. A beneficial idea or service you offer will bring in extra cash.

dilbert

You shouldn’t let anyone GEMINI (May 21- guilt you into something you June 20) don’t care to do. You’ll gain respect if you say no. Don’t pay for others’ mistakes or make donations you cannot afford.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Speak up, share your suggestions and offer solutions.

Don’t worry about the actions of others. If someone is unpredictable, keep your distance.

Your intuition will not mislead you.

Socialising with your peers LEO will put you in a good posi(July 23tion. Personal changes will Aug. 22) build confidence. Someone will be jealous of you. Offering friendship will stump your rivals.

Use your intelligence and VIRGO experience to overcome any (Aug. 23problems you face at home.

Sept. 22) An elder or someone you feel responsible for will have difficulty combating common sense and practicality.

Calvin and Hobbes

Partnerships will play a LIBRA (Sept. 23- major role in the decisions Oct. 23) and choices you make. Short trips or a meeting with someone can make a difference to the outcome of a personal situation you are facing.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – EARDRUM

You’ll have a different viSCORPIO sion from someone you are (Oct. 24working with. Try to use what Nov. 22) both of you bring to the table to come up with something spectacular.

You’ll receive plenty of inSAGITTARIUS formation, but before you act (Nov. 23- on hearsay, ask questions and Dec. 21) go to the source for the truth.

A change of heart will lead to a romantic encounter.

(EARDRUM: EER-drum: The membrane that separates the middle ear from the external ear.)

Average mark 18 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 25 or more words in EARDRUM? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – CONICAL

calico clan coal coca coil coin cola

colic conic oilcan nail noil icon alnico

anil laconic laic lain lion loan loin

solution for Last Published Puzzle

It’s OK to be different.

CAPRICORN Follow your gut when it (Dec. 22- comes to someone acting inJan. 19) consistently. Pour more time, attention and cash into your home, family and plans for the future.

Follow your heart and use AQUARIUS your skills and best attributes (Jan. 20to get things done your way.

Feb. 19) Love is in the stars, and a romantic evening will pay off.

Proceed with caution.

PISCES (Feb. 20- Don’t give in to someone makMarch 20) ing demands on your time or money. Consider where you can make the most difference and follow through on your plans.

TuesDAY, aPRIL 26, 2016

19

Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Mohali…

Parthiv, Rayudu give Mumbai 25-run win

B

efore this match, Parthiv Patel had managed only 73 runs in his last five innings and Mumbai Indians had only two wins in six matches.

Martin Guptill, who hit 237 in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final and a 19-ball halfcentury in a T20 against Sri Lanka in January, and former India Under-19 winning captain Unmukt Chand were breathing down Parthiv's neck. The wicketkeeper-batsman picked out deep backward square leg off a no-ball on 15. He flapped the next ball - a free hit - to David Miller at midwicket. And he survived a close stumping chance on 32. He was then dropped at mid-off on 66. He prospered to make his highest IPL score - 81 off 58 balls - and led Mumbai to a 25-run victory against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali.

He later said: "It was an important knock from a personal point of view."

Parthiv found an ideal foil in Ambati Rayudu, who had a slice of luck of his own when he was dropped on 33.

Rayudu pushed on to score 65 off 37 balls in a 137-run partnership, the highest for Mumbai this season, which charged them to 189-6.

Kings XI still had a chance when Miller sent Kieron Pollard soaring over long-on to reduce the equation to 58 off 25 balls.

Glenn Maxwell was set by then, having scored his first half-century in India after 34 T20 innings. Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell McClenaghan, though,

nailed pinpoint yorkers to seal Mumbai's third win in their seventh match. This meant that Mumbai became the third team, after Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils, to defend a total this IPL. Mumbai were helped by reverse swing and smart field placement. Even when Bumrah and McClenaghan marginally missed their yorkers, Rohit Sharma had Harbhajan Singh at a finer-than-normal fine leg to intercept the paddles and scoops.

Mumbai, however, had a shaky start. Sandeep Sharma got inswing right away and had Rohit nicking

Johnson, although wayward, tucked Parthiv and Rayudu up with short balls as Mumbai limped to 25-1 in five overs. The next five then went for 52.

It was the sixth over that marked a stark shift in momentum. Parthiv was caught off a no-ball and then whipped Johnson for backto-back fours. He later took Mohit Sharma for a brace of stylish off-driven fours in the 13th over. Rayudu, meanwhile, took on the spinners.

He welcomed Maxwell with a six in the eighth over and hammered 29 runs off the 12 balls he faced from Axar Patel. He fell while attempting a hat-trick of sixes in the

spinner. At innings break, Rayudu said he and Parthiv had planned to launch the slog early in the innings, instead of holding back.

Parthiv cut loose after bringing up his half-century off 41 balls. Jos Buttler clubbed the second ball he faced over long-on for six before unfurling scoops and reverse scoops. His cameo ended when Mohit bowled him with a back-of-the-hand slower ball in the 18th over.

Five balls later, Parthiv miscued Johnson to point. Mohit also dismissed Pollard and Hardik Pandya with his variety in the final over of the innings, but Kings XI would be rooted to the bottom of

Parthiv Patel lived a charmed life with several chances

behind for a duck. Mitchell

16th over, off the left-arm

the table with their fifth de-

SCOREBOARD Mumbai Indians innings (20 overs maximum) RG Sharma* c †Naik b Sandeep Sharma 0 PA Patel†c Marsh b Johnson 81 AT Rayudu c Vohra b Patel 65 JC Buttler b Sharma 24 A Pollard c Sandeep Sharma b Sharma 10 HH Pandya c Miller b Sharma 4 KH Pandya not out 0 Extras: (lb-1, w-3, nb-1) 5 Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 189 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Sharma, 0.2 ov), 2-137 (Rayudu, 14.3 ov), 3-174 (Buttler, 17.5 ov), 4-180 (Patel, 18.4 ov), 5-189 (Pollard, 19.5 ov), 6-189 (HH Pandya, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-0-20-1 (1-w), MG Johnson 4-0-43-1 (1-nb), AR Patel 4-0-41-1, MM Sharma 4-038-3 (2-w), GJ Maxwell 1-011-0, P Sahu 3-0-35-0

feat in six matches.

M Vijay showed promise early in the chase with three flicked boundaries, but was duped by Tim Southee's slower ball in the third over for 19 off 13 balls. Manan Vohra was also undone by a slower ball, this time off Bumrah, as Kings XI were pinned down to 32 for 2 by the fifth over.

Harbhajan and Krunal Pandya hardly offered anything in the slot for the batsmen to get under. Shaun Marsh was forced to work the ball into the gaps and was largely subdued in an 89-run stand with Maxwell.

Just as he looked to up the ante, he holed out to deep

Kings XI Punjab innings (target: 190 runs from 20 overs) M Vijay c Buttler b Southee 19 M Vohra c Buttler b Bumrah 7 SE Marsh c Rayudu b Southee 45 GJ Maxwell b Bumrah 56 DA Miller* not out 30 NS Naik† b Bumrah 1 AR Patel b McClenaghan 0 MG Johnson b McClenaghan 1 MM Sharma not out 0 Extras: (lb-2, w-2, nb-1) 5 Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 164 Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Vijay, 2.5 ov), 2-32 (Vohra, 4.5 ov), 3-121 (Marsh, 14.6 ov), 4-139 (Maxwell, 17.1 ov), 5-141 (Naik, 17.5 ov), 6-149 (Patel, 18.3 ov), 7-151 (Johnson, 18.6 ov) Bowling: TG Southee 4-028-2, MJ McClenaghan 4-032-2 (1-nb, 2-w), JJ Bumrah 4-0-26-3, KH Pandya 2-020-0, Harbhajan Singh 4-031-0, KA Pollard 2-0-25-0

backward square leg in the 15th over, failing to clear the longest part of the ground.

By then the asking rate had ballooned to nearly 14 an over.

Maxwell played a calculated innings. He relied on bunts and dabs before finding his hitting range with successive fours off Pollard in the 11th over. He powered to a fifty, with drills and swats, but Bumrah and McClenaghan mixed it up nicely in the end overs.

Bumrah sniped off Maxwell and Nikhil Naik in the 18th over. McClenaghan then cleaned up Johnson in the following over to see off the hosts. (Cricinfo)

CSA punished for slow transformation C

ricket South Africa will not be allowed to host or bid for any major international tournaments after failing to meet transformation guidelines.

South Africa's sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, imposed the sanction after receiving the annual transformation report from the eminent person's group (EPG), a ministerially appointed independent committee. The same punishment was meted out to the rugby, athletics and netball federations, and the decision will be reviewed next year.

South Africa is not due to host any senior-team ICC

events until at least 2023 but is scheduled to stage the Under-19 World Cup in 2020. The sanction effectively means CSA cannot lobby or express interest in any other tournaments until Mbalula has cleared them.

Cricket is one of a "big five" of South African sporting federations that signed a memorandum of understanding with the sports ministry last May underlining a five-year strategic plan and commitment to change.

The specifics of each federation's targets have not been made public but there was a general 60% players-of-colour target across national

representative men's teams.

CSA fell short of that, with 55% of their team made up of players of colour and 45% white.

The other major area under consideration was black African representation, which has become a pressing issue in the country. Mbalula explained there was both a moral and strategic need to increase black African representation. "It is the right thing to do considering the grave injustices of the past but there is also the reality that 84% of the country's under-18 population is black African. To ignore this from a sustainability perspec-

tive alone will be suicidal," Mbalula said. CSA only had 9% black African representation in the national team.

The report also covered coaching structures and administrative positions, and found, across all platforms, that the rate of transformation in South African sport remained too slow. "The projections (for demographic representation) stretch into 2030 and 2040. We cannot have that," Willie Basson, a member of the EPG and a former CSA acting president, said.

Like Mbalula, Basson noted that the demographics of the South African

population must be reflected in national teams. "If we cannot mobilise the black Africanisation in our sport, we will pay the consequence in the not so distance future," he said.

The report praised the CSA for being one of the forerunners of transformation data collection along with rugby. "They have assigned dedicated resources to transformations data while many other codes are doing it on a part-time basis," Basson said. Both CSA and the South African Rugby Union have transformation committees in place, which Mbalula has now made a re-

quirement for all sports federations.

The process of reviewing transformation is now in its third year and will continue to be undertaken until South African teams are considered adequately representative.

Federations who fail to meet the transformation targets can face sanctions that also include suspension of government funding, withdrawing government recognition of the federation as a national federation - which would impact their ability to compete internationally - and withdrawing political support for endorsements and sponsorships. (Cricinfo)

20

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016

West Indies players reprimanded for World T20 outbursts

GFA Division One League...

Liliendaal Wolves W lead the pack L

iliendaal Wolves are the front-runners in the Georgetown Football Association’s (GFA) Division One League after defeating Order and Discipline 3-1 on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.

Jerris Moses gave the Wolves the lead in the sixth minute, but the Order and Discipline equalised the scores with a Collin Birchman’s goal in the 21st minute to end the first half 1-1.

Just two minutes into the second half, Travis Garraway’s strike put the Wolves back in the lead and put the pressure back on Order and Discipline.

Akeem Saul hammered the final nail in the coffin when he scored in the 51st minute and gave the Wolves their third win from four matches, while Order and

Discipline lost their first match and have dropped to second place.

In the other match,

The Stars have leaped into fifth place, while Black Water remain in the cellar position.

Houston Stars rocketed to their first win by defeating Black Water FC 4-0.

Houston Stars goals came off the feet of Joel Junior (17th) , Eon Sullivan (40th) , Joey Garrett (51st) and Keron Edwards (58th).

Eastveldt got their first win when they edged Black Pearl 1-0 due an Idany Jobe goal in the 48th minute.

The League will continue on May 1, where another triple-header will be played at the same venue.

est Indies' victorious cricketers have been reprimanded by the ICC for their actions and comments in the wake of their World T20 triumph in Kolkata earlier this month.

The team, which secured an emotional four-wicket victory in the final against England, had come close to withdrawing from the tournament before a ball had been bowled, due to a longrunning contract dispute with the WICB. In a speech on the podi-

the WICB as the "most unprofessional" board in the world. The board president, Dave Cameron, Bravo added, was "immature", "smallminded" and "arrogant".

However the ICC board, which met in Dubai on Sunday, reserved its congratulations for the WICB, whose teams completed an "unprecedented treble" in also securing the Women's World T20 and the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh that took place in February.

Instead, the ICC turned on the West Indies play-

to note that such behaviour had detracted from the success of what was otherwise a magnificent tournament and final."

Marlon Samuels, West Indies' player of the final, was also singled out for tacit criticism by Shashank Manohar, the ICC chairman, after his ungracious remarks in the aftermath of victory, not least his disparaging comments about England's Ben Stokes.

"The sport of cricket is proud of its unique spirit and this involves being gra-

GCB/Hand-In-Hand U-19, Inter-county 50-over...

Demerara crush Essequibo by 124 runs

D

emerara romped to a 124-run victory over Essequibo on Monday in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/HandIn-Hand 50-over Intercounty, Under-19 tournament played at the Wales Community Centre ground.

In the rain-affected game, Ronaldo AliMohammed’s unbeaten 53 (2x4s; 2x6s) lifted Demerara to 162-6 at the end of 38 overs with Miguel Jones taking 3-21.

With the Duckworth/ Lewis effect coming into effect due to the loss of overs

Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed

because of rain, Essequibo were given 181 runs to win for their new allotment of 38 overs.

Ali-Mohammed returned with the ball to take 3-7 and help to blow away Essequibo for 56 in 28.4 overs. Richie Looknauth (1-7), captain Travis Persaud (1-20) and Keshram Shabodan, with 4-9 from just five overs, supported Ali-Mohammed.

The second round will be on Wednesday with Berbice playing Demerara at Wales and the Select Under17s playing Essequibo at Everest.

Younis apologises for deserting Pakistan Cup

Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell celebrate victory in Kolkata

um in Kolkata, prior to accepting the trophy, West Indies' captain Darren Sammy turned on the board in a highly politicised speech in which he thanked his team-mates, the team's supporters and the heads of CARICOM - in particular Keith Mitchell, the Prime Minister of Grenada, who helped to broker a last-minute deal - but added that no one from the board had been in touch in spite of their team's triumph.

"People were wondering whether we would play this tournament," Sammy said during the live TV broadcast. "We had a lot of issues, we felt disrespected by our board … I'm yet to hear from [them]. That is very disappointing."

Sammy's stance was echoed by his team-mates, among them Dwayne Bravo, who went on to describe

Y

Younis Khan has expressed his willingness to participate in the remainder of the Pakistan Cup

ounis Khan has called the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan to apologise for his actions during the Pakistan Cup in Faisalabad. Younis, the captain of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had been fined 50% of his match fee for breaching level 2 of the PCB domestic code of conduct - his offences reportedly including questioning an umpiring decision, showing dissent and threatening an umpire - during the match against Punjab on Friday.

ers, describing their comments as "inappropriate, disrespectful and [bringing] the event into disrepute".

Serious consideration, it added, had been given to levelling Code of Conduct charges against the players, which could have resulted in fines and/or bans.

"The board considered the behaviour of some of the West Indies players in the immediate aftermath of the final, and unanimously agreed that certain comments and actions were inappropriate, disrespectful and brought the event into disrepute," read an ICC press release.

"This was not acceptable conduct at ICC events played out on a world stage in front of millions of people around the globe.

"The board acknowledged an apology by the WICB but was disappointed

cious in victory as well as defeat and respectful at all times to the game, one's opponents, the sponsors and the fans," Manohar said.

The ICC also praised the BCCI for its staging of the event, in spite of numerous logistical issues including the relocation of India's group-stage match with Pakistan and doubts as to whether Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla stadium would be cleared to host the first semi-final between England and New Zealand.

"The Board also complemented the BCB [hosts of the Under-19 World Cup] and the BCCI for the successful staging of these events and also thanked its broadcasters, commercial partners, fans and media for their support in making these events a success from a fan engagement perspective." (Cricinfo)

He had refused to show up for his disciplinary hearing, and left for Karachi, his city of residence.

"Younis Khan made telephonic contact with chairman PCB Shaharyar Khan today," the PCB said in a statement. "He felt sorry for the incident that happened during the ongoing Pakistan Cup in Faisalabad. He appraised the Chairman about his willingness to participate in the remainder of the tournament."

Younis and the Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq are advisors to Shaharyar on cricketing affairs. In view of this, the statement quoted Younis as saying it was "obligatory on my part to participate in the premier [one-day] domestic tournament for the larger interest of the promotion of the game in the country."

Despite the call, the PCB said the charges leveled against Younis remained in place and the case would be processed accordingly. (Cricinfo)

21

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According to the coach, there are technical areas that need to improve to better the performance of the squad.

“We still got some areas that we got to work on, especially in the line-outs and the malls, we [are] still a little weak there because they scored most of their tries

ticed, but coming up against Jamaica it will be a different kettle of fish because it is years now we didn’t face Jamaica so that will be a different ball game, so we still got to prepare and try to get ourselves organised and ready for them,” Adonis explained.

With quality players

Larry Adonis

in those areas, but otherwise the guys put up a good performance and we really pleased with this outcome,” the ruggers coach said.

Their next opponent is Jamaica, who was easily defeated by Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday in the twin-island republic, but Adonis explained that the team needs to be cautious of the Jamaicans.

“Watching at Barbados, they always come technically sound and we were able to do a lot of the stuff against them, the stuff that we prac-

like Claudius Butts and Theodore Henry missing, the coach was asked if an inclusion of other players would be done for the upcoming matches.

“Not much changes; people like Claudius Butts might be coming in, but we going mostly with the same squad; you don’t change your winning solution,” he posited.

The national ruggers next encounters are against Jamaica on May 21, then Trinidad on June 19.

Buxton United, Pele FC secure vital wins B

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uyana’s national men’s rugby team, commonly called the “Green Machine”, produced a sterling performance on Saturday at the National Park Rugby Field to topple Barbados 48-17 in their first game of the Southern Zone of Rugby America’s North (RAN) 15s campaign, but the focus has shifted to improvement for the remaining matches ahead.

Though the team seemed well-oiled on the day, coach Larry Adonis explained that improving the fitness level is vital for the team going forward.

“The fitness stood-up; I looked at the recovery rate and it was okay; it was about 85% and coming next month it has to be a full 100% firing and really ready to go,” he said.

In the weeks leading up to match, many of the players found difficulty in attending training sessions due to work commitments and this could be a correlation to the fitness concern, but the coach is hopeful that the situation would change to allow the team to jell better.

With respect to the performance against Barbados, Adonis highlighted that “it was a good game, Barbados put up a good fight at the start; we started to break them down and started to run up the score.”

GFF/Stag Elite League Finale...

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uxton United and Pele FC both secured vital wins in the Guyana Football’s (GFF) Stag Elite League Finale on Sunday at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground.

In the opening match, a first half double by Denvor Dennis stormed his side to victory against a 10-man Georgetown Football Club (GFC).

Buxton created the earlier chances as Esan Hammer made the first attempt that went inches outside the far post and his second chance couple minutes later hit the cross bar.

Soon after Dennis scored the first goal in the 30th, but then a disagreement on the field saw GFC’s Linden Picket being issued a red card for violent conduct.

One minute after the card was issued Dennis was on the pounce again when chipped the ball over the keeper from just outside the 18 yards box in the 40th.

Buxton’s Kwadjo Garnett then had a chance, but was

Gregory Richardson

cleared off the line by the tracking centre-back which ended a dominant half by Buxton.

The second half was much of the same as Buxton created more opportunities as Garnett looked to get his first goal of the night when Hammer played a ‘throughball’ to the forward, but his shot was denied by an excellent save by the keeper.

The matched motored along, but the Bourda side could not find a way to penetrate the Buxton backline as they endured their 10th loss

from 11 matches.

In the other match, Pele defeated GDF 3-1, thanks to goals from Gregory Richardson in the 20th and 40th minutes, and then Omalo Williams scored in the 58th. GDF’s lone goal scorer was Selwyn Issacs in the 79th minute.

The League will continue today at the same venue where Fruta Conquerors play Monedderlust from 18:30h, followed by Slingerz FC clashing with Alpha United from 20:30h.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016

Woodpecker Women’s Hockey League...

Pizza Hut GCC Ladies whip Hikers 10-0 T

he inaugural Woodpecker Products Trophy and Sports’ Women’s Hockey League, which commenced in 2015 and remained incomplete, resumed at the weekend with a clash between archrivals the Hikers and Pizza Hut GCC. The GCC team, which has been dominant over the past several years, went into the match leading on points and being heavily favoured to win. The opening whistle pierced the air at 16:30h disrupting the silence of a tranquil GCC ground at Bourda leading the way to the grunts, shouts and cheers from players and spectators.

With the Hikers beginning the match short in numbers, it was clear from

the outset that they were in for a tough afternoon. GCC pressured the Hikers defence in the opening minutes and kept goalkeeper Sanasha Corlette busy between the uprights.

Despite the brave effort of Corlette, GCC and national striker Kerensa Fernandes would drill in the opening goal for the Pizza Hut ladies in the seventh minute of play with a powerful penalty corner strike from the top of the scoring circle. Fernandes en route to a hat-trick, unleashed a reverse shot three minutes later to take the GCC lead to 2-0.

The Hikers defence would spend most of their time taking the ball out of the net as GCC would

steamroll them to an easy 10-0 victory at full time.

In addition to the hat-trick by Fernandes, Sonia Jardine and Sandy Roopnarine scored doubles, while Gabriella Xavier, Aliyah Gordon and Ulrica Sutherland scored one each.

The victory has further secured the Pizza Hut GCC ladies in the lead of the tournament with 12 points, while the Hikers sit in second place with six points.

Under-21s are currently third with three points, while the Old Fort Shooting Stars are yet to secure points.

Matches will continue on Mondays and Fridays at Bourda and at Saint Stanislaus College ground on the weekends.

Hikers defender Latacia Chung and GCC striker Kerensa Fernandes battle for possession

GNRA Small Bore Section .22 Precision Pistol Shoot…

Braithwaite, Seojattan are Senior and Junior standouts R eigning Caribbean Fullbore Individual champion Lennox Braithwaite showed his versatility when he captured the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) Small Bore Section .22 Precision Pistol Shoot for senior marksmen on Saturday last at the Tactical Services Unit Range, Eve Leary.

The preliminary round shoots was held at 10m and 12.5m before the totals were tallied and the top five shots advanced to the final which saw the finalists shooting from 15m. When the final shot was fired and scores tallied, Braithwaite emerged as the number one shot with a score of 44/1.

Azad Hassan had to settle for the second place with a score of 42/1, and he beat into third place Ray Beharry who tallied 42 points.

In the Junior final, Raval Seojattan topped the field with a total of 47/1, followed

by Joseph Lewis (43) and Patrick Daley (35/1). The junior shooters initially compete at 5m and 7m before the finals tested their skills at 10m.

GNRA Small Bore captain Dale Hing has informed that the next shoot will take the form of another .22 competition on May 21 at the same venue before the Independence Action Pistol competition is held on May 29.

The top performers of last Sunday’s event

Moriah inspires ECCCC to double victory

3rd leg of DVA school tournament a resounding success E T

he final preliminary round of the ongoing Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) school tournament culminated in the bauxite famous Linden.

The Mining Town saw teams bringing their very best to battle for a place in the upcoming finals.

There were three female teams; Linden Female TeamSt Cuthbert’s Females and Georgetown Mixed Team. The B Division male teams were Castrol, Timehri High Fliers, Linden and St Cuthbert’s Males, while the likes of GDF and Young Achievers comprised the A Division Males.

In the female category, the Georgetown Mixed team defeated both the Linden and St Cuthbert’s Females to clinch the final 25-20 with the young St Cuthbert’s Females bringing second place. In the B Division final, the inexperienced St

Cuthbert’s lads took control of the game and won against the Linden team, comprising of many notable ex-na-

Trevor Williams

tional players, 25-19.

In the A Division category, the Young Achievers once again proved why they’re the best in the country by defeating the GDF

team 25-20.

Notable performances included a splendid blocking performance from George Michael Adolph and a powerful attacker in Juan Reynier Velasquez Calzado, both of GDF; while on the Young Achievers team both Geno Carroll and Ryon Mangrau were instrumental in obtaining their team’s victory.

DVA President, Trevor Williams, expressed a sense of pride after bringing competitive volleyball back to Linden after over 15 years and listed this leg as quite the accomplishment for the new DVA Executive.

Williams also noted that outreaches are a part of the DVA’s developmental agenda and the association is looking forward to nurturing new clubs, while placing a strong emphasis on youth and the building of a volleyball culture in Linden.

nmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) defeated Enterprise A on Sunday by nine runs in the semi-final of the East Coast Cricket Committee/SPR Enterprise sponsored 40-over cricket competition at Enmore.

ECCCC, asked to take first use of a wicket with plenty preparation moisture, found batting difficult against Enterprise A spinners. ECCCC were bowled out in the penultimate over for 156 with Nandram Gobin scoring 55 (8x4s, 1x6) and Gavin Moriah 18. Rohan Mangal took 5-27 from his eight overs for Enterprise A. In reply, Enterprise A were on top for the most part of their innings, despite two early wickets by Gavin Moriah. Two crucial wickets by off-spinner Chandraban Seemangal in the 30th over and Moriah in the 37th over brought ECCCC back into the game.

Enterprise A’s last pair

eventually succumbed under pressure, resulting in

Gavin Moriah

them being dismissed for 147 in the 39th over. B.Samaroo and R.Kisseur scored 33 and 31 runs respectively. Moriah

was the pick of the bowlers with 4-22 from eight overs, while Seemangal supported with 2-34 from seven overs.

ECCCC will now meet Fairfield SC in the final next Sunday. Fairfield defeated Strathavon SC in the other semi-final.

Meanwhile, ECCCC defeated Good Hope by 108 runs in their second round match of the East Coast Cricket Committee/Fairfield SC sponsored 20-overs cricket competition at Enmore last weekend.

Led by 47 and 33 from Dillon Ross and Chris Surat respectively, ECCCC amassed 155-6 wickets in 20 overs after taking first strike.

In reply, Good Hope were bowled out for 48 in the 15th over. Left-arm seamer Moriah continued his good form with 4-17 from four overs, while Yuvraj Dyal claimed 3-7 from three overs.

The competition will continue after the ECCC/SPR Enterprise 40-overs final.

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016

23

GVF unveils packed Soesdyke Falcons, Grove calendar going forward Hi Tech make winning start – Essequibo association now up and running EBFA/EDFA U-17 Goodwill Series…

Part of the action during one of the games last weekend

T

Members of the newly installed Essequibo Volleyball Association

he Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) is about to shift straight into third gear with the number of activities ongoing and scheduled to happen in the near future.

Recently back from South American Congress in Brazil, president of the federation, John Flores seems on a mission to flood the local sport landscape with volleyball activities and to push for the further development of local volleyball.

As a part of his strategy to spread the game throughout the entire country, Flores was instrumental in the resuscitation of volleyball in Essequibo where he himself travelled to in order to ensure that they create an executive body who will overlook and push the development of volleyball in that county.

The newly elected Essequibo Volleyball Association executives, who gave Flores a commitment to work hard for their term in office, has also given themselves a mandate to make Beach Volleyball one of their central focuses as they move the game forward in their association.

The executive body, which was installed on Saturday last at the Annual General Meeting, which was held at the Anna Regina court room and was attended by functional clubs from Mainstay, Lima Sands, Queenstown and the Police Sports Club of Anna Regina, saw the installation of Imran Baksh as President, Andrew Carter as Vice-president, Sergeant Clarke as the Treasurer, Randy Bridgemohan as the Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer and Marsha Williams as the Secretary.

Speaking at the installation of the new executive, Flores expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the new executive took the time to pledge their support to volleyball as he outlined that it will require dedication and hard work. Flores also pledged the support of the Federation towards the

development of the game in Essequibo as he urged them to spread the game as much as possible.

Taking the game to the international scene, Flores has also committed to the preparation and participation of male and female Under-19 and Under-23 teams to represent Guyana at the upcoming South American Championships, which is slated to begin in June of this year.

Expressing his pleasure with the work currently being done by the Berbice and Demerara Associations, especially in the area of youth and school volleyball, the GVF head related that those programmes will work perfectly to feed the national teams, which are expected to commence training shortly.

Busy period

Under the guidance of national head coach Levi Nedd, who has the responsibility of implementing and ensuring the execution of training programmes for national teams at all levels, the federation has declared that on May 7, they intend to run off the first leg of trials for the selection of players for the junior teams to participate in the South American Games.

The GVF’s Inter-county School Championship, which will run off on May 7 at the National Gymnasium, will be used as the first phase of the selection process, in which national selectors will use the opportunity to identify children from the school system who have the necessary skill level to be shortlisted for the national team.

Upon conclusion of the School tournament, Nedd and his selectors will turn their focus to all the other available players to determine the full complement of players, who will immediately commence preparation for the upcoming games.

The Under-23 male tournament is the first to serve off in Cartagena, Colombia, between June 18 and 23 and

Nedd has already indicated that his primary focus after shortlisting the players for the various games, will be the preparation of the Under-23 men team, which he seems extremely upbeat about.

Expressing his anticipation and expectations from the Under-23 men’s team, Nedd explained that more than half of the senior national men team that performed credibly at the Senior games held in Brazil last year will be eligible for selection to this team.

He went on the point out that seeing that Guyana was able to match up reasonably against the top senior players in the confederation, it won’t be beyond his expectation for this team to return some hardware from our first-ever outing at this level.

Notably eligible for the Under-23 team selection are national star player, Creston Rodney, who was the most outstanding local player in Brazil last year and is currently representing Glamorgan Volleyball Club in the Trinidad and Tobago senior club league; stand out performer, Vance Harding, who turned in outstanding performance in most of his first national outing, most notably against the Colombian men outfit; and Trevon McRae, who proved his worth as he matched up almost equally with some of the best senior middle attackers in South America.

Also on the international calendar for later this year, Flores informed that he will be taking teams to Boa Vista, Brazil, to represent Guyana at the Border Games and that will be an ideal opportunity for local teams to begin preparation for the Tradewind Tankers International Tournament, which has become the marquee event on the local volleyball calendar.

The Tradewind Tankers is scheduled for November as has become customary for local volleyball.

E

ast Bank Football Association (EBFA) runner-up Under-17 team, Soesdyke Falcons, downed East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Jubilee Champions, Bachelors Adventure/ Paradise Sports Club (BAPSC) 3-1 in the feature match on the first of two days of a Goodwill series of matches between the top two teams from each association.

Playing at the Golden Grove ground, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday afternoon last, EBFA Sun Burst champions Grove Hi Tech romped to a 4-0 win over EDFA’s runner-up team, Buxton Stars.

The series of matches, which will conclude this Saturday at the Grove Playfield when the two champions from each association face off after the two runner-up sides takes center stage, is being held with the primary aim of affording the respective teams exposure against teams from other associations.

The Soesdyke/Paradise match was action packed from the first whistle until the end of the 90-minute dual, both teams creating chances, but it was the boys from Soesdyke who would take the lead in the 18th minute from the penalty spot when Tyrell Khan scored the first of his double.

But even as Soesdyke enjoyed the better of the exchanges, 11-year-old Colin Hendricks, the smallest of all the players in terms of stature and age on the field, caused quite a bit of unease against his much bigger Soesdyke opponents in the attacking third.

Not afraid to take on the much taller Soesdyke boys, Hendricks worked quite a bit of magic with his nimble and smart ball work throughout the match, even scoring to salvage some pride for BAPSC. Khan doubled the lead for Soesdyke in the 55th minute before Hendricks reduced the advantage three minutes later. Soesdyke

would restore the two-goal cushion in the 76th minute when Kevin Sobers netted; the final score reading Soesdyke 3 BAPSC 1.

BAPSC goalkeeper Ryan Harris brought some blinding saves to keep the score line down.

The opening game saw Grove easing to a comfortable win even as they missed some 16 clear opportunities. Kevin Padmore scored a double for the Grove boys after the first half failed to produce a goal.

Padmore was on target in the 52nd and 65th minute. Mario Eastman scored in the 63rd minute, while teammate Gregory Stevens sealed the deal in the 76th minute.

Saturday’s final two matches are expected to produce more exciting action as the future stars of Guyana once again exhibit their talent ahead of next month’s GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 Intra-Association tournament.

tuesDAY, APRIL 26, 2016

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

Woodpecker Women’s Hockey League...

Pizza Hut GCC Ladies whip Hikers 10-0

Pg 22

GCC striker Sonia Jardine unleashes a reverse shot at goal

Improving fitness among key areas for “Green Machine”

World Cup winner Campbelle is Beharry’s ambassador

Pg 21

The possibility lies that the likes of Claudius Butt could be added to give further strength to the squad

Guyana’s female cricketer Shemaine Campbelle, a member of the T20 World Cup-winning West Indies team, has been signed by the Beharry Group of Companies as a Brand Ambassador.

“We are proud to present the new addition to the EBB family... ambassador Shemaine Campbelle! WELCOME TO THE CHAMPION FAMILY,” the company said on its Facebook page on Monday.

In photo, Campbelle signs on the dotted lines in the presence of Managing Director Anjuli Beharry-Strand and other senior functionaries of the company.

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