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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2770

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

PRICE

Budget debate 2016

Opposition can move noconfidence motion against Speaker – former Clerk

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

AFC condemns attack on Team Benschop’s P9 advocate

Page 3

Former Magistrate arrested in Linden Page 2

Cocaine in baggage hold

Immigration officers, Dynamic Airways – reportedly asked Police staff arrested to falsify document Page 7

Eccles man wanted P7 for drug trafficking

Workers start one-day strike action Page 10

Environmental degradation

Aurora Gold Mines to compensate Guyana P12 Beating of Team Benschop member

“Bulldog” P12 charged, released on $60,000 bail Workers across the sugar belt staged a one-day strike action in solidarity with their colleagues at Wales Sugar Estate. In photo: Workers of Wales standing outside the factory on Tuesday, while (inset) their colleagues at Blairmont, Berbice walk with placards to show solidarity

Budget 2016

Govt approves $320M for GINA and NCN Page 5

– despite slashing budget to $1 for these entities under the previous Administration

– call for rescinding of decision

Region 2 primary, nursery schoolsPage without chalk, 11 school supplies

$$M budgeted for Botanical Gardens, Kaieteur Park upgrades Page 16

– as monies are approved for Natural Resources

Walter Rodney CoI

President still reviewing P14 final report – “What’s the hurry?”

AG questions

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wednesday, february 17, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Former Magistrate Essequibo man arrested in Linden dies after falling

LOTTERY NUMBERS – reportedly asked Police F 08 16 18 20 26 27 01 Bonus Ball

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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

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ormer Magistrate, Attorney-at-Law Gordon Gilhuys was on Tuesday arrested at the Linden Magistrate’s Court after it was alleged he was attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Gilhuys was taken to the Mackenzie Police Station

by Inspector Singh and was later released on $10,000 station bail.

Police in Linden said that they were investigating a matter of alleged rape committed against a 16-year-old of Linden by the accused, Michael Franklin, whose lawyer is Gilhuys.

According to reports, the rape is alleged to have occurred sometime last month. Reports from the Mackenzie Police Station further indicate that

from stairs

– family anxiously awaiting post-mortem examination

By Indrawattie Natram

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Attorney-at-Law Gordon Gilhuys

the Attorney-at-Law approached Corporal Sabrina Quimby, urging her to prepare a false statement in favour of his client.

It is alleged that he told the Corporal to prepare the statement stating that the victim did not wish to pursue the matter and did not want any further Police action. However, this newspaper was told that the allegation was denied by Gilhuys.

Police have since sought legal advice on how to pursue the matter.

Gilhuys’s client, 23-yearold Franklin, is presently before the Court on a rape charge for which he was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 on December 30, 2015.

The man, who hails from Lot 223 Block 22, Wismar, Linden, is charged with engaging in sexual penetration of a female without her consent on July 23, 2015. The incident allegedly occurred at One Mile, Wismar.

amily and friends of 23-year-old Navendra Ramdial, also known as Rocky, who lost his life under mysterious circumstances on Valentine’s night while at his fiancée’s home, are grieving as they await a post-mortem to determine his exact cause of death.

Reports are Ramdial, an employee of Imam Bacchus and Sons Ltd, died tragically while venturing up the stairs of his fiancée’s Queenstown residence.

Speaking with this newspaper, the dead man’s father, Polander Ramdial, said his son left their Affiance home about 16:00h on Valentine’s Day. He said his son, who was scheduled to get married in August, had purchased ice cream and headed over to his fiancée’s house.

According to the grieving father, during the evening, he received a call informing him that his son had been walking up the stairs of his fiancée’s home when he lost his balance, fell and hit his head.

He said he was told that his son sustained a deep cut on the back of his head and was in an unconscious state. The young man was picked up

Navendra Ramdial

and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The grieving elder Ramdial said that he was anxiously awaiting the post-mortem examination on his son’s body to determine the cause of death.

Following the young man’s death, the Police were informed. They visited the scene and took statements from those who were present when the incident occurred.

The young Ramdial was described as a very cooperative and quiet person. He was the youngest son of his parents. Several of his friends have expressed their disbelief at his passing on social media.

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 17 – 13:00h-14:30h and Thursday, February 18 – 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 17 – 12:00h-13:30h and Thursday, February 18 – 13:05h-14:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Cloudy conditions with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with clear to light cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 00:11h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 05:36h and 18:24h reaching minimum heights of 1.07 metre and 0.95 metre.

Budget debate 2016

Opposition can move no-confidence motion against Speaker – former Clerk

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he parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – has the freedom to move a noconfidence motion against Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland if it believes he is not impartial.

This is according to former Clerk of the National Assembly, Frank Narain, speaking on the Opposition’s cries of biasness being displayed by the Speaker. He, however, pointed out that there was no guarantee that the no-confidence motion would be passed since the Government has a one-seat majority.

The Opposition, since taking up its seats in the National Assembly, has been criticising what it says is the partisan behaviour of

Assembly,” Jagdeo said.

He added that since coming to Parliament, Opposition members have been “restrained”.

Standing Orders

Former Clerk of the National Assembly, Frank Narain

or been vocal about this disagreement. We have respected his ruling in most of those occasions. But this is becoming overbearing.”

The issue that sparked the walkout was the Speaker’s decision to close

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Dr Scotland. It said the operations of the House had been drifting away from parliamentary norms.

On Monday, the Party walked out of Parliament, after the Speaker cut short the consideration of estimates for the 2016 National Budget. The Party said the move was “unfair”.

Speaking with Journalists moments after the walkout, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said the instances of the behaviour in question, which has been occurring over time, are overbearing: “We have not on many occasions – when subject to extremely partisan behaviour on the part of the Speaker – voiced,

off matters for the evening.

It was just around 23:00h and during a time when the Opposition was posing questions regarding monies allocated to Amerindian communities.

“As of now, Government has passed expenditure relating to the Amerindian people and the people of this country will never be able to understand fully what is in the estimates because the Speaker of the Assembly, who is supposed to be nonpartisan, has ruled in an extremely partisan way and has exposed his proclivity to do this to the PPP… This is totally unacceptable behaviour in the National

The former Clerk of the National Assembly told Guyana Times that the Speaker has the right to make decisions based only on the Standing Orders. He said, however, the Opposition had ways through which it could take action.

“They can bring a motion of no confidence in the Speaker,” he said. But this will most definitely cause some difficulties since

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland

would elect him and it may be that the Speaker may want to side with the major-

“As of now, Government has passed expenditure relating to the Amerindian people and the people of this country will never be able to understand fully what is in the estimates because the Speaker of the Assembly, who is supposed to be nonpartisan, has ruled in an extremely partisan way and has exposed his proclivity to do this to the PPP… This is totally unacceptable behaviour in the National Assembly.” – Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo Government has the majority.

He said the Speaker has the power to rule by the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

“Generally, a Speaker is elected by the House and it is usual that the majority

ity, who has put him there.

The majority can also remove him. So he might be inclined at times to see with the majority. But he still has Standing Orders to be guided by,” Narain, who retired 14 years ago, told Guyana Times. turn to page 7

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wednesday, february 17, 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

Running on empty

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any empty promises, a dearth of innovativeness and a void of meaningful policies can characterise the current Administration in office here in Guyana. The result is what everyone from a cleaner to a commissioner can recognise as the stagnation of our economy.

Knee-jerk reactions to occurring situations, fulfilling political sponsorship obligations, along with a determined push to ensure taxes are collected for the national treasury – perhaps to afford the Government’s bloated salaries – appear to be the priority of the coalition Government that leaves Guyana with an empty treasury of ideas and empty ideas for the treasury.

Where is the enthusiasm so many seemed to have had when the coalition came into power, where, despite any meaningful account of its plans for Guyana’s economy, it promised Guyanese a better life?

While it may be too early to say it failed, it is not too early to say it will fail, because APNU/AFC has yet to introduce significant policies and initiatives that show a potential for improving our lives anytime in the future.

And it is the simple things that reveal a lot.

When the gun amnesty was announced, it was hailed by some as a brilliant idea to rein in unlicensed firearms; with gun crimes still plentiful, it is obvious that while some citizens obey the law, others will not.

Now there are calls among some law-abiding citizens to give them firearms as they are being subjected to increasing robberies and are unable to defend themselves and their families, while effective law enforcement remains absent in their communities. However, attaining a firearm is a study in confusion and futility for many.

When the not-so-novel idea of shutting down businesses by 2am was enforced under the assumption that it would reduce crime and road accidents, that too was considered a brilliant policy by some. To date, its effectiveness remains debateable. The only thing that is indisputable is the fact that it has hurt many legitimate private businesses.

The uninspiring and bland budget, where there is so much so wrong within that it is beyond the scope of this editorial to discuss, can be an example for future economists on empty measures.

It can be argued that the Ministers of Government bring little to the table to help improve their so-far lacklustre management of their Ministries and by extension the country. Instead, political appointments are made and square pegs fill round holes as the unqualified take over.

Innovation under suppression and partisanship can never flourish for the good of the country. Not only those who openly support APNU/AFC may have ideas – if any at all – but many others can play a part in improving the sofar mediocre initiatives being put forward by Government – many stemming from a severely watered-down version of the previous Government’s innovations.

How much longer can the coalition Government exist on hijacking ideas which it then racks and ruins to become unimaginative policies? How long can it exists without demonstrating to Guyanese that it has a concrete plan for taking Guyana through the 21st Century?

Promises cannot be an acceptable plan; neither can policy plagiarism re-shaped and masqueraded as its own to lure Guyanese into a false sense of security for their future. APNU/AFC has to do more, much more, to convince those who voted for the coalition – especially the untraditional voters – that it is qualified and confident to run a country.

Otherwise, Guyana is running on empty.

Assistant Editor of Guyana Times, Tusika Martin along with Human Resources Supervisor, Lisa Ahmad explaining the operations of Guyana Times/TVG and Radio Guyana to students of the De Hoop Primary, Mahaica during a school tour to the entity on Tuesday

Writers should stick to facts and avoid name calling Dear Editor, I applaud the editors of Guyana Times for not tolerating personality attacks in its columns. It is amusing to read in another media, Tony Vieira threatening his friend Charles Sohan with a lawsuit for libel, for Sohan stating that Vieira’s career in sugar “was a failure”; Sohan offered evidence to support his claim. Vieira called Sohan all kinds of names (including stating that the man’s “head nah good”), but Vieira does not

feel his remarks are libellous. The law would suggest that Vieira’s unsubstantiated claims are more libellous than Sohan’s remarks.

Vieira should not make disparaging remarks about people’s lifestyle if he does not want same said about him.

Vieira and columnist Freddie Kissoon have had a history of mocking and jeering people using all kinds of denigrating descriptions and name calling in their writings and

speeches. And when writers respond in kind, they threaten legal proceedings to censor (gag) them. What is good for the goose should also be good for the gander. You can’t want to play Phagwah (with cow dung) with others and don’t expect them to return abeer (or cow dung) on you. Sohan has a right to a relatively equal response to Vieira in name calling.

No fair judicial system would pay heed to Vieira’s threatened lawsuit as it is

a frivolous non-case. I support untrammelled free speech. But writers must avoid personality attacks and name calling as is the vogue of Freddie and Vieira.

In my schooling on writing and in my writings in the public domain over the last 40 years, I was instructed to stick to facts and defend claims with credible evidence not personality abuses.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The audacity of some people

Dear Editor, I could not believe my eyes when I opened the newspapers recently only to see the headline boldly stating that a sitting Councillor pitted against a contractor and a carpenter in Constituency Three.

I was indeed appalled at the audacity of the sitting City Councillor, Junior Garratt, and who has been doing just that, sitting and not performing for the last 14 years around the horseshoe table, and now seeking to return to waste another three years under Constituency Three of Georgetown at the March 18 Local Government Elections.

The question that all politicians must provide to their constituencies is what is their track record? What

have they done to better their communities, and how have they bettered the lives of the citizenry?

Garrett cannot point to one project in the Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Prashad Nagar, North East and North West Campbellville Districts that he has advocated for or implemented in the last 30 years that he has lived in the Campbellville Housing Scheme.

I cannot believe that Garrett really thinks that his experience as a Councillor in a Council that has done absolutely nothing for the citizens of Georgetown would help him to be elected once again. At least his political party had the respectability not to put him on their list for the pro-

portional representation (PR), leaving him to fight for himself. I just hope that they have placed a young bright progressive person instead.

The Councillor’s track record as acting Finance Chairman of the Council has been a dismal one, with the Council facing all sorts of financial difficulties, not paying workers on time, owing many institutions such as Guyana Power and Light. He speaks as though if re-elected, he would automatically be back in the Finance Committee, suggesting that he would improve the City’s finances – something he could not do for the last 14 years. He gives the impression that he would be a one man show looking into staff welfare,

which would obviously include his son, whom he had hired recently within the Finance Department, maintaining the cemetery which is already being maintained by another Councillor’s son and the municipal markets.

His campaign pitch continues with him assuring the electorate that within a week of being elected, he will start doing the drains, parapets and alleyways. My question is since he has four more weeks on the present Council, why does he not do it now? Why wait?

This is all just talk and pie in the sky promises by an old Councillor who needs to make way for a younger person.

Sincerely, James Mc Onnell

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Budget 2016

Govt approves $320M for GINA and NCN – despite slashing budget to $1 for these entities under the previous Administration

By Edward Layne

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espite slashing the budget of the National Communications Network (NCN) Incorporated and the Government Information Agency (GINA) to $1 while in Opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government in the 2016 National Budget allocated and subsequently approved a whopping $170 million for NCN and $150 million for GINA, reflecting a more than $50 million increase in their subventions over last year’s allocations.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who holds responsibility for the two Stateowned media agencies, defended the increases, noting that in NCN’s case, the entity was heavily indebted.

He pointed out that while the State broadcaster’s monthly expenses top $50 million, its revenue is just about $30 million per month. He also argued that the allocations were expected to help expand and strengthen the entity.

The Prime Minister also defended the GINA allocation, claiming that the resources would be used to ensure that there is improved performance and capacity at the entity.

It is important to note that while in Opposition, the co-

alition partners had said the cutting of NCN’s and GINA’s budgets was as a result of their failure to provide coverage to the Opposition.

However, despite the change in administration, to date, GINA has not been providing coverage to the Opposition, particularly during the current Budget debate.

Director of Public Information (DPI) Imran Khan, who operates out of the Prime Minister’s Office, had said that it was not the job of GINA to cover the Opposition, a stark contradiction to the argument that the APNU/AFC used as the basis for cutting the agencies’ budgets.

The DPI’s public pronouncement prompted President David Granger to intervene and declared that GINA must cover the Opposition in Parliament.

“As far as I am concerned, the Government Information Services, the Government News Agency must cover all three branches of Government – Legislative, Executive and Judicial … [people] have to be

better informed and you cannot inform the people by depriving them of information,” President Granger had said.

But despite this pronouncement by the President, GINA continues to ignore the Opposition speakers in Parliament. Checks of bulletins released by GINA over the past 24 hours revealed that not a single Opposition Member of Parliament was given coverage, except for mentions when the Government Ministers were responding to Opposition questions.

Recently, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee called on GINA to issue an official statement as it related to its policy on coverage of the Opposition.

“I believe that GINA must write to everybody…conveying to them the policies…how much airtime they are allotted and things like that,” the General Secretary stated.

Many are of the view that despite the promises by the coalition to ensure that these entities, along with the Guyana Chronicle newspaper, are remodelled and realigned to fulfil the true meaning of State media, they continue to be dominated with propaganda of the Government, with very little coverage given to the Opposition.

As a matter of fact, a

reporter of the Guyana Chronicle was hauled over the coals by Prime Minister Nagamootoo during the 2015 Budget debate for an article

published in that newspaper in which it was reported that the Government blundered with the preparation of the Budget.

Added to that, reports had also surfaced at that time that all the newspaper headlines must be approved by the PM’s Office.

The governing boards of NCN and the Guyana Chronicle are dominated by party supporters, while GINA is headed by APNU/ AFC Candidate in the 2015 General and Regional Elections Beverly Alert, despite a commitment from the Administration to depoliticise these entities.

These occasions brought to the fore the control the Prime Minister’s Office and the coalition Government by extension still exercise over State media.

Black Bush rice lands in danger from floodwaters – kokers not working

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en days after appealing for water for their rice fields, rice farmers at Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are appealing to authorities to assist with drainage, saying that there is too much water in their rice fields.

Farmers are saying that the situation has reached crisis proportions, and both rice and cash crop farmers claim that their farms are under threat.

In an interview with Guyana Times, the farmers said that crops were about 70 per cent ready for harvest.

The farmers are fearful that unless there is a quick intervention, they stand to lose millions of dollars given the excess water in their fields.

The major contributory factor, farmers said, is the outfall at Adventure, Berbice, which is blocked and needs to be de-silted and widened.

“As it stands, the water in the canal is higher than that at the outfall, but when they open the koker door, the water barely running out: the whole thing block up,” one farmer claimed.

This claim comes in the wake of headlines about new pumps being commissioned along the Corentyne Coast.

In late October last year, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder commissioned a $183 million drainage pump at Eversham, which was expected to benefit more than 750 farmers in Black Bush Polder. Then in late December, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo commissioned a new drainage pump at Number 43, in Joppa, Corentyne. That pump cost $277 million.

The Black Bush Polder rice farmers are claiming that authorities have turned a blind eye to their concerns.

One rice farmer, Ramran Basdeo, says he stands to lose several thousand acres

of rice and become bankrupt which would mean him not being able to go into the next crop.

“If we lose this crop, we gon lose plenty. We really need some assistance: if this crop lost, all we money gon go down the drain …that can’t happen; is plenty money we invest and we don’t know what will happen the next crop. If this one gone, we not gonna get to start the next one.”

According to the more than 20 rice farmers who spoke with this publication, they collectively stand to lose 11,000 acres of rice if the situation is not rectified. The farmers also said that they were disappointed with the non-representation from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA).

In an invited comment, Regional Chairman David Armogan said the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been informed of the situation. Two weeks of rainfall, Armogan said, was responsible for the current situation the farmers are in. “Because of the El Niño weather conditions, we have been pumping water to irrigate the lands and ensure the irrigation canals are filled; however, with the recent heavy rainfall the past week, the water on the lands has increased and since the canals are already filled, they don’t have anywhere to run off to,” Armogan said. He added that the recent high tides compounded the situation, making it difficult for the sluice to open to drain the excess water.

In relation to drainage at Eversham, the Chairman said he was not sure that would be a plausible solution, but preferred to have the experts from the NDIA make their assessment and come up with a possible solution at the earliest.

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Foundation

Being a mom has made Parenting me a better person – through each new experience as a mom, I’ve discovered a new part of myself

By Meredith Mortensen

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t’s been said that the moment a child is born, a mom is born as well.

I was born five and a half years ago. After 32 hours of labour, exhaustion stole my strength, and instead of cradling my newborn daughter in my arms, she laid on my chest covered in vernix, taking her first swallows of air. I looked down at her strikingly eyes.

I lost myself in that moment, not knowing that in the years to come that I would find myself in motherhood.

Due to my long, complicated labour, my milk took days to come in. I nursed, pumped, and repeated for days and days, as we bottle-fed and supplemented with formula. After ongoing complications— bleeding, cracking, and soreness that penetrated my body—I found myself crying in the bathroom, wondering why I couldn’t feed my own baby the natural way. My husband, ever supportive, said, “Well, maybe nursing isn’t for you.” An unfamiliar emotion rose up inside of me and told me that was not the answer.

Shedding my private and

modest self, I sat with a lactation specialist while she poked, prodded, and taught me about latching and expressing milk. I successfully overcame breastfeeding challenges and nursed my daughter for 11 months. I found a fierce determination to persevere, as this new found per-

son, a new mother.

In the months that followed, surprises were at every corner. I made the decision to walk away from a corporate career to be at

home with my daughter, which was a choice I didn’t see coming. Once a very social person, I easily turned down invitations to galas and fun events, preferring quiet nights at home over heels and cocktails.

I dove

into domesticity. I made my own baby food, baked homemade bread, and embraced the new mommy me.

My son was born three and a half years later, and he arrived with his own set of complications. Motherhood

was different for me the second time around. He battled acid reflux and struggled to gain weight. Naturally a calm person, I didn’t recognise myself as the anxiety a n d sleep deprivation compounded.

B u t through s t r u g gle comes strength.

Before I experienced it, I probably would h a v e judged o t h ers for their anxi e t y a n d d e pression, thinking maybe it was a choice or a personality issue. I used to believe that people could just change their attitude and they’d feel better. I now marvel at all who experience this debilitating heartache. My judgment has been replaced with compassion and empathy. I’m a deeper

more understanding person because of my experience with anxiety as a secondtime mom.

Our daughter started kindergarten, and I felt myself acting as somebody I didn’t know, once again. Not one to drink the Kool-Aid or be a joiner, I shockingly, yet immediately signed myself up for the PTA. I volunteered to march in the Halloween parade and held my Cinderella’s hand until she dropped mine, surprising me with her newfound, schoolgirl independence.

I’ve never been artistically inclined, but I embraced my daughter’s passion for art, and I volunteered to help with an art lesson. I squirted black ink on paper plates and helped the wideeyed kindergarten students use a brayer, a tool I didn’t even know existed. After the tools were washed and put away, I was covered in ink, and I laughed and remarked, “Oh, the things we do for our children.”

Through my children I’ve discovered different sides of myself, finding a new part of myself with each new experience. Motherhood is the role of a lifetime. I’ve discovered it’s not what I thought it would be. It’s better. (parenting.com)

Don’t babies have separation anxiety?

We recently left our fivemonth-old daughter with trusted friends overnight.

We were so worried about how she’d react, but our friends said she was fine the entire time. Don’t babies experience separation anxiety when they’re away from their parents? – Allia and Chris The first time you leave your baby with a babysitter is likely to be harder on you than it is on your child. As long as their needs are being met, most babies younger than six months adapt pretty well to other caregivers.

Most babies start to have separation anxiety when they’re 8 to 12 months old, with it peaking between one and two years of age.

Separation anxiety usually happens once a baby grasps the idea of object permanence – that there’s only one of you and when she can’t see you, you’ve gone away. What causes the anxiety is that she doesn’t understand when and if you’ll come back. Whether you’re in the kitchen, in the next bedroom, or at the office, it’s all the same to your baby. You’ve disappeared, and your child will do whatever he or she can to prevent this from happening.

Playing games like peeka-boo can help her learn that you will return after you go away.

Separation anxiety is a common developmental stage, and your baby will probably go through it sooner or later. Until then, be glad that her first time away from you was safe and enjoyable. (Kidshealth)

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wednesday, february 17, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eccles man wanted for Immigration officers, Dynamic drug trafficking Airways staff arrested P Cocaine in baggage hold

T

hree immigration officers and two employees of Dynamic International Airways were arrested as investigations continue in connection with the package of cocaine which was unearthed in the baggage hold of a flight that arrived at the John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York from Guyana earlier this month.

Guyana Times understands that the Police are also looking for another Dynamic International

Airways staff who has since gone into hiding.

This newspaper was told that the three immigration officers have since confessed that they assisted the passage of the illegal substance through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Reports are that the package of cocaine, weighing about two pounds, was placed in the baggage hold by a local handler and was discovered by a handling staff who was removing the

luggage from the aircraft upon its arrival in the US. The handler at JFK then notified his supervisors and the drug enforcement unit at the Airport about his discovery and investigations into the matter subsequently began.

With the help of US authorities, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), along with the Guyana Police Narcotics Branch, began intense investigations into the matter which led to the arrest of the five persons.

Replacement for Dr Clive Jagan

PPP/C awaiting conclusion of Budget proceedings

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition has not commenced the process to select a replacement for Dr Clive Jagan, who resigned from his parliamentary seat last week reportedly owing to ill health.

The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee told Guyana Times that it was yet to select a new Member of Parliament or shortlist candidates for the position.

However, PPP Executive Member Gail Teixeira explained that the Party was awaiting the conclusion of the ongoing Budget considerations before it commenced that process.

The PPP/C will have to select its new Member of Parliament from its List of Candidates from which Dr Jagan was also extracted.

After being absent from the National Assembly

Dr Clive Jagan

since the beginning of the year, the House was informed last Thursday that the Opposition parliamentarian had resigned from his seat.

This announcement was made by Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland, who revealed that he received a letter from the MP dated February 4, in which

the first-time parliamentarian indicated that he was giving up his seat in the National Assembly.

While Dr Jagan did not state, in the letter to the Speaker, the reason behind his decision, it has been known that the parliamentarian has been ill for some time now.

Earlier this month, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed that Dr Jagan was ill and was currently overseas receiving medical treatment.

Dr Jagan is the nephew of the late President and cofounder of PPP, Dr Cheddi Jagan. The renowned dental surgeon made his entry into politics just before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections by endorsing the PPP/C. He was placed on the Party’s List of Candidates and subsequently selected as a second-bencher Member of Parliament.

olice on Tuesday issued a wanted bulletin for Kennard Stephen De Jonge for questioning in relation to possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

While, not giving details of the possession which led to the wanted bulletin, Police said the incident took place on February 2, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Police say De Jonge, 33,

Kennard Stephen De Jonge

is of African descent, whose last known address is Lot 59 BB Eccles Park, EBD. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of De Jonge is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-1111, 227-2128, 227-1149, 225-6411, 226-7065, 911, or the nearest Police station.

The Force assures that all information will be treated with strict confidence.

Opposition can move no-confidence...

Meanwhile, political commentator, Dr Henry Jeffrey said he was sure that the Speaker has been abiding by the Standing Orders of the House.

“I am certain that the Speaker has been saying that he is making his decisions based on his interpretation of the Standing Orders.”

Sharing his views on the matter too was economist Ramon Gaskin, who said he saw Dr Scotland as a professional man.

“You have a very rambunctious Parliament there.

All 65 of them knocking the table like a fish market, so he has a difficult job in trying to control those guys,” Gaskin said.

Over the weekend,

former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran had sought to console the Opposition, saying that it need not be deterred by the Speaker’s ruling on another issue that has been fuelling criticism in some sections of the public Last week, the National Assembly descended into a state of near chaos after PPP/C Member of Parliament Alister Charlie expressed concern over the Government’s apparent attempt to brand the country with the widespread usage of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) party colours.

However, the House Speaker quickly intervened and charged that “green

from page 3

and yellow” were colours of the Guyana flag and, therefore, would not be subject to lampooning. He subsequently ordered that Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira’s microphone be turned off, disallowing her from making a point on the matter.

A huge debate has taken centre stage in the political arena regarding the usage of the colours green and yellow and more importantly, the Speaker’s ruling on the issue.

Expressing his views on the matter, Ramkarran indicated that there was no detailed rationale of the Speaker’s ruling and consequently, the PPP/C should not be deterred from mounting a public campaign on the issue.

8 news

wednesday, february 17, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eyew tness Murder accused remanded Deafening T

revor Anthony Amsterdam was remanded to prison by Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with a murder charge.

It is alleged that

the 32-year-old man on November 10, 2015 at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, murdered Jermaine Simon.

According to reports, Simon, of Lot 46 Norton Street, Bagostown, was riding in the village around

20:30h, when a lone gunman rushed out of a yard and shot him to his head before escaping.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries early the following morning.

The day after the shooting, the Bagotstown house where Amsterdam was a tenant was set on fire – an act which investigators believed was retaliation for Simon’s death.

The case will continue on March 14.

Lindener slapped with assault, threatening behaviour charges

T

wenty-eight-year-old Kevin Headly was remanded to prison on Tuesday by Magistrate Clive Nurse on three charges – making use of threat-

ening behaviour, threatening language and assault.

He appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges to which he pleaded

not guilty. Headly, of Lot 192 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, allegedly assaulted Sheryl Samuels, the Virtual Complainant (VC) on February 14, in addition

to making use of threatening behaviour and threatening language against the VC. The case will continue on March 2.

Disorderly prisoner forces Linden Magistrate’s Court into recess

T

he Linden Magistrate’s Court was forced into recess for the second time this month owing to disorderly behaviour from a remanded prisoner.

Presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse on Tuesday called a short recess after “break and enter and larceny” accused Paul Marciano began to verbally abuse Police ranks in the prison-

ers’ holding cell of the courtroom.

“Is vex ya’ll want see? I get vex in here or what, bai?!”

Marciano shouted several times, disrupting the court’s proceedings in the process.

After several minutes of disruption, Magistrate Nurse ordered that Marciano be removed and taken to the Wismar Police Station and charges for disrupting the court be instituted against

him. While being escorted, Marciano dared prison ranks to remove his handcuffs and hurled obscenities against them. He shouted that he was being wrongfully charged and remanded to prison since “nobody ain’t coming to court”.

Marciano, 40, a labourer of Lot 12 Water Lily Road, Wismar, Linden, has been on remand since last December for the charge, which stated

that between December 23 and December 25, 2015, he broke and entered the home of Devon Peters at Third Alley, Wismar and stole a 32-inch television set valued $100,000 and two Samsung Galaxy cellular phones valued $100,000. Both items were the property of Peters.

The Court heard that Marciano was a repeat offender. The matter was adjourned for May 17.

North East La Penitence teen slapped with robbery charge

A

North East La Penitence, Georgetown, teenager was on Tuesday slapped with a robbery under arms charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts.

Shawn De Santos, 18, pleaded not to the charge, which stated that on December 31, 2015, at North East La Penitence, while being in the company of others and being armed with a gun, he robbed Nigel Marks of a

quantity of gold jewellery valued at $500,000 and one cellphone valued at $6000; all the property of Nigel Marks.

The Police Prosecutor objected to bail as the items were not recovered and because of the seriousness of

the offence. The Prosecutor informed the court that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was shot during the robbery.

The Magistrate upheld the prosecution’s submission and the accused was remanded to prison. The case will continue on March 14.

silence...

...from GPSU on contract workers

F

or years and years, Patrick Yarde – President for life of the GPSU – has been jumping up and down about the hordes of "contract workers" the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government hired to perform jobs that Public Service workers were supposed to do. Cynics said it was because the Union dues to cover his salary and perks were reduced that Yarde was upset. Not to mention undermining his ability to blackmail the PPP/Civic through strike action.

But last year, in his impassioned testimony to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) President David Granger instituted to examine the terms and conditions of public service work, Yarde called for the TOTAL elimination of contract workers. And it had nothing to do with his influence or his salary or his perks or such crass matters. He was thinking totally about the WELFARE OF THE CONTRACT WORKERS!!!

That's right... Yarde said while contract workers may get three or four times the salaries of regular public service workers, they didn't have "security of tenure". And this made them "vulnerable to pressure" from the political directorate to do "wrong things". And as a patriot and a man concerned about the welfare of the working class – no matter how well-heeled they were – he had to stand up for what is "right". Which is to get rid of an iniquitous system that made men and women do "wrong things" just because of filthy lucre.

Your Eyewitness is a sucker for patriotism and sacrifice and you, dear reader, should guess how touched he was at Yarde's peroration in front of the CoI. And that's why he's kinda confused why this defender of the dignity of the working class hasn't uttered even a squeak now it's been revealed that CONTRACT WORKERS HAVE SKYROCKETED UNDER THIS GOVERNMENT!!

Imagine that! As Yarde explained, it's not just about the money – it's that so many other innocents have been placed in a position where they'll be forced to do "wrong things". While your Eyewitness has led quite a sheltered life, he's heard hints of some of these "wrong things". His mind boggles that Yarde hasn't led his in front of Parliament Buildings waving pitchforks. Or even their pens – which are supposed to be mightier than swords.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government spokespersons aver as to how they'll be "integrating" the contract workers gradually into the regular public service. But is that a good idea?

After all, with all the "bad things" they've had to do to earn those super salaries (as high as $1 million/month!!) won't they corrupt those paragons of virtue (albeit low paid) who fork out their union dues to Yarde and Co?

...to strident criticisms?

Folks were beginning to worry whether the Agriculture Ministry (MOA) had closed up shop. What with declaring that rice "wasn't their business" and claiming not to know whether it was the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) or the Cabinet that had closed down Wales Estate, the concerns weren't exactly unfounded.

But suddenly we've heard some noises indicating that perchance sprouts might have still survived through the MOA's months of hibernation.

But sadly the noises were only criticisms of proposals and information which concerned citizens had come up with, in an effort to address the concerns of the workers of Wales. The MOA claimed the proposed severance package a past official of GuySuCo mentioned was "too high". But didn't offer any figures of its own. It also said the plan by a former Chairman of GuySuCo to form a public company from the Wales assets, weren't viable.

Without mentioning its own plans that are supposed to be released in October.

The workers should presumably "trust" the MOA and buy their "pig in poke"!

...on AUDITS

Once again, Jailall Sharma has said nothing about the dozens of audits (already paid for) to find money that either "siphoned off" or "hidden" by the PPP/C. But once again, Jailall has promised to "jail them".

Without the evidence, Jail-all?

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

news

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wednesday, february 17, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

AG presents laws for Family Court to House

The Family Court building in the Demerara High Court Compound

A

fter months of revision, the Rules of Law for the much-anticipated Family Court have been completed and were presented to the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The documents were laid over by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams for the House to review and approve before the official opening of the facility, for which a date has not been disclosed as yet.

The Rules of Law which will govern the practices and procedures of the Family Court had been completed a while ago; however, some “necessary amendments” had to be made. This process was headed by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh.

In preparation for the operation of the Family Court, several training sessions were held. Training was done with the staff at the registry and another session was held for members of the Bar and Judges as well.

The acting Chancellor had previously told Guyana Times that two Judges would be appointed to the new facility; however, at the time no decision was made as to who they would be. Justice

Singh had noted that while there were no judges specialised in the area of family law, there were judges who are knowledgeable in the area.

“All of the Judges have been receiving training, refreshing programmes – in areas of law and procedures relating to the Court, so I

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams submitted the Family Court’s rules to the National Assembly on Tuesday

would think basically all of our Judges are competent to preside in the Family Court,” he previously told this newspaper.

Nevertheless, the

Judicial Service Commission (JSC), of which Justice Singh is the Chairman, last year appointed two more female Judges – former Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DDPP) Jo-Ann Barlow to the complement of Puisne Judges.

It has been almost five years since the Family Court building was completed and handed over to Government.

Works were ongoing for about seven years to have the Court, which is located in the compound of the High Court in Georgetown, established.

The upper flat of the building will accommodate the courtrooms, the Judges’ chambers, and a children waiting facility, while the lower flat will be the Family Court’s Registry.

In 2010, then Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand had said the establishment of such a court was prompted by observations that Guyanese family units were affected by societal demoralisation.

It is expected that the services of the Family Court would be mostly sought by the Social Protection Ministry, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA).

The Court was established to address problems arising from dysfunction of the family unit, and to give special attention to child rights issues. It will handle issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship, and custody.

AFC condemns attack on Team Benschop’s advocate

T

he Alliance For Change (AFC) has denounced the beating of a member of the Team Benschop who was attacked by one of their employees on Monday for hanging campaign flags in the Kitty District.

Iqbal Rahim was attacked while placing party flags in Dowdin Street, Kitty.

On Tuesday, the party said that it “unreservedly condemns this brutal and barbaric attack in the midst of the campaign for Local Government Elections. We urge that the matter be reported to the Police and that the Guyana Police Force be allowed to conduct an investigation into the incident and take appropriate action after the conclusion of their investigation.”

The man accused of carrying out the attack, Robert Cromwell, was arrested on Tuesday and appeared in court charged for unlawfully wounding Iqbal Rahim and placed on $60,000 bail.

Meanwhile, leader of Team Benschop, Mark Benschop during an inter-

Chairman of the AFC Nigel Hughes

view with Guyana Times on Tuesday said Cromwell is also competing in the Local Government Elections (LGE) as an independent candidate in Constituency Two. Following the incident on Monday, which left Rahim nursing wounds he sustained, Attorney and Chairman of the AFC, Nigel Hughes, had condemned the attack, deeming it as one which disregarded the right of individuals to campaign under their preferred political party.

In one of Hughes social media posts subsequent to

The injured Iqbal Rahim

the attack, he said “I unreservedly condemn this brutal and barbaric attack in the midst of the campaign for Local Government Elections.

All candidates for Local Government Elections should be permitted to campaign unhindered, free from fear and intimidation in every square inch of Guyana.”

According to the post, Hughes is of belief that Guyana has evolved from the phase where violence had been associated with elections, but this incident is contrary to what Guyana should’ve been.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, february 17, 2016

News

Wales Estate closure

Workers start one-day strike action – call for rescinding of decision

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

T

he livelihoods of workers of the Wales Sugar Estate will not go down in vain. This was the sentiment of sugar workers from Wales, Blairmont and Albion estates, who started the planned one-day per week strike, on Tuesday against the proposed closure of the Wales Sugar Estate.

counted for between 70-80 per cent staff and Uitvlugt was fully operational.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) had recently announced that workers across four of the country’s eight sugar estates will down tools and stand in solidarity with their counterparts at Wales.

On Tuesday when Guyana Times visited Wales, Estate

Indian, black, everybody gon punish. Me ah 50, when I go get a wuk… Me can’t leff from here and go till Uitvlugt, that too far,” the cane cutter lamented.

Harrinarine Deochand, a father of four, also expressed his frustration at the decision by the Government to close the estate.

“Me nah go Uitvlugt, we belongs to here so; we go to

hopeless when he heard that the news of the closure of the estate.

“It gon affect me a great lot, cause this estate is my daily hope… I will take my severance pack and look for job somewhere else, from here to Uitvlugt is like 20 miles… you would have to wake like thre o’ clock in the morning to reach there,” Graham said.

Sewskar, only name giv-

support de strike 100 per cent. From Vreed-en-Hoop to Free and Easy this thing gan affect… DDL too, they got to get we molasses,” Deochand said. He also explained that his family will encounter financial difficulties if the estate is closed.

Another worker of 16 years at the estate, Kentonia Graham, said that he felt

en, of Good Intent, West Bank Demerara, stated that she has been working for 26 years at the estate and does not know what her next move will be after receiving her severance package.

Nadira George, a cane cutter who also has 26 years of service, has lived through the closure of the Diamond estate and does not want to move to Uitvlugt. “Me nah wan go to Uitvlugt,” expressed the mother of five.

Joshua Fernandes, a father of seven, related to this newspaper that four of his seven children are still in school and he is worried about his family’s future.

“Me want them reverse this decision, me ain’t want no transfer. A lot of people depend on [Guyana Sugar Corporation] GuySuCo… I think here would be a ghost town if the estate close down.

I think they should build a big prison in Wales Police [Station] compound because here would turn a very bad place.”

Meanwhile, Sultan Hussain, a factory representative and worker with 36 years, opined that Government officials should meet with workers and decide a way forward.

“Since this strike start we appealed with the Government to send somebody to us [but] none of the Government officials hasn’t come and reached with any worker and sit with us and have any dialogue,” the disgruntled factory worker explained.

Ravi Singh, a cane cutter stated that he has “sacrificed” himself to the sugar estate and he is calling on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to visit Wales and explain his position on the estate’s closure.

Head of the Number 12 Gangat Wales, Talat Khan said that the decision to close the estate must be changed.

“This morning here is no stranger as to what our long struggle is all about… this is going to continue until we get someone to say that the

Some of the workers participating in the one-day strike action

These planned strike actions are expected to continue with the possibility of fully fledged strikes if a favourable decision is not made with respect to the Wales Sugar Estate.

On Tuesday, the workforce turnout at Wales Estate was 20 per cent while Blairmont saw a 28 per cent turnout.

Albion was said to have ac-

several workers and representatives stood outside the factory.

Abdul Rahaman, a father of one with over 26 years of service, told this newspaper that if the decision to close the estate is not reversed then a lot of families will face hardships.

“We want this decision reversed, everybody gon suffer –

Discretionary funds

S

atiricus breathed a sigh of relief. All the "long talk" was over in the Budget "debate". Satiricus really had no time with the first week of this annual ritual. It was just an opportunity for the politicians to "mouth off" and show how much they knew. And even there, they cheated: all excepting a handful of them like Nagga Man, had to read from notes.

But this week was the real deal...who was going to get what, when and where – money that is. And while some philosopher claimed "money can't buy happiness", Satiricus was satisfied it could but a facsimile close enough to satisfy most folks. Satiricus wanted to know how well they were treating his favourite politician – the Prime Moocher, Nagga Man. The big bad PPCEE had complained about the fantastic raise the Moocher had wangled for himself – $1.7 million per month! But he breathed a sigh of relief when they didn't cut that. In the couple of years since Naga Man had completed law school while in his sixties, he was earning multimillions monthly. Just to sign a few papers for NOCIL, he's gotten $7 million!! People didn't appreciate what a huge salary cut he'd taken to serve the people as the Prime Moocher.

Satiricus was also pleased the PPCEE hadn't cut the $30 million to fix up the PM's residence on Main Street before Nagga Man moved in. Those rats in the oven had left a terrible stench...even worse that the stench from the $multimillioncontract his friend Rum Jhaat had given to his client Feather Load.

And since the Prime Moocher didn't have any line responsibility and was only in charge of the State newspaper and television, Satiricus was very happy that the Prime Moocher got $150 million for his TV station – $50 million more than last year. But why did the PPCEE have to hound him about what he would use the extra money for? How could he be expected to know about petty things like money? Why couldn't they trust a man of the Prime Moocher's integrity?

But that was typical of the petty mentality of the PPCEE that had persecuted Nagga Man for years about his religion.

They were upset that Nagga Man allocated $10 million for himself as his "discretionary spending". So what if he already had millions allocated for "entertainment" and everything he did was paid for by the State?

Did they believe Nagga Man didn't have discretion to spend the $10 million wisely? Did they think he would blow the whole $10 million on Bush Rum at one back street dive?

Satiricus for one, knew Nagga Man knew every Bush Rum haunt in Guyana, and had faith the Prime Moocher would spread the $10 million equitably.

Nadira George has 26 years as a cane cutter at the Wales Estate

decision is revoked so the Estate can go back to normalcy,” Khan stressed.

He also stated that further negotiations over an increase on 2015 wages, discussions on API talks will continue with the Union and Labour Department within the Social Protection Ministry.

He also vented his concerns over GuySuCo not involving the Union in dialogue with workers. Organisational Chairman of the GAWU Branch Committee Gordon Thomas explained that other solidarity protest actions are in the pipelines.

“We are planning one for next week Tuesday,” Thomas stated.

“The Government must change their decision be-

cause if the Prime Minister could recognise that they made a mistake, Cabinet should really rethink the decision.”

“Everybody is being affected, the Private Sector, the workers, the community continues to be frustrated with how things are going. Our intention is to change the decision because we know to our hearts that Wales is [at] a dead end and there are no other alternatives for the people so [they] are very concerned at this moment,” Thomas stressed.

He decried the ways in which the management of GuySuCo has handled the proposed closure.

“GuySuCo continuing to do what they feel like because have been moved, no getting work because the management want to take their own decision; they are not abiding by the rules of the Union.

They [GuySuCo] are saying one thing and then doing something else and it’s not fair to the people.”

Government and Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) confirmed the closure of the estate in January after Guyana Times published that a decision was made to close the entity. The rationale behind the closure was that this year would see Wales accounting for $1.6 billiion-1.9 billion in losses.

wednesday, february 17, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Region 2 primary, nursery schools without chalk, school supplies

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

S

everal primary and nursery schools in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are without chalk and school supplies, leaving parents with no other choice but to purchase these materials in order for classes not to be suspended at these schools.

Guyana Times understands that several heads of Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) from various primary schools, including C V Nunes, Suddie, Fisher, Taymonth Manor and Aurora, have expressed their frustration over the current situation.

This newspaper was told that parents who have children attending the C V Nunes Primary only recently purchased 25 boxes of chalk to assist teachers.

The supplies including the two boxes of chalk that C V Nunes received from the Department of Education

Several parents expressed concerns about the fact that the Education Ministry is failing in its administration of schools, since it is the Government’s responsibility to provide teaching materials in a timely manner.

“It’s like we sending we children to private school.

We have to buy chalk, card board and various sup-

plies and when we asked (why), the school not getting any supplies from the Ministry,” a frustrated parent related.

Due to the shortage of these essential teaching materials, several parents met with the Regional Education Officer Baramadai Seepersaud to voice their frustration.

They were promised that

Linden duo on bail for assaulting each other

T

wo Linden residents were granted $10,000 bail each on Tuesday for assaulting each other.

Twenty-five-year-old Kelly Williams, who is a mother of two, and 18-year-

old Teyshion Field, both of 47 Village, Mabura Road, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s

Court.

It is alleged that they both unlawfully and maliciously assaulted each other during an argument on February 5 at 47 Miles, Mabura Road. The case was adjourned to March 30.

the situation would change but to date, it remains the same.

The parents also said that they made efforts to meet with Regional Executive Officer Rupert (REO) Hopkinson but he was not in his office at the time of the visit but was promised by the Deputy REO, Sunil Singh that an investigation will be launched.

Several parents whose children attend C V Nunes Primary said they were shocked to learn that the

department of Education in Region Two, sent two boxes of chalk for teachers to teach 700 children.

This, they described, as “grossly insufficient”.

When this newspaper contracted the Regional Education Officer, she said she is not aware of any shortage of school supplies.

She denied the allegation made by the parents but noted that the Department received a late budget and as such, purchases were made late.

Meanwhile, Co-Chair of

the Education Committee of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council Arnold Adams, said he received numerous complaints from parents who have children in school at the nursery level. Adams said parents from the PTA at Aurora Nursery have complained about the same situation.

He further explained that parents are calling on the Education Ministry to immediately launch an investigation to determine what led to the situation and how it can be quickly rectified.

12

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Environmental degradation

Aurora Gold Mines to compensate Guyana Keeping it real Politicising N Sugar atural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman on Tuesday said Government was seeking to have recently commissioned mining company Guyana Gold Mines, provide some compensation for the damage it caused to the environment during its operations at the Aurora Gold Mines.

The Minister was responding to questions by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

According to him, while Government and the gold

T

Aurora Gold Mines

company have agreed to make the compensation, he was unable to disclose the

actual amount being put forward in this regard.

TURN TO PAGE 14

Beating of Team Benschop member

“Bulldog” charged, released on $60,000 bail

Robert “Bulldog” Cromwell

A

n independent candidate vying in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) appeared before Magistrate Dylan Best at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with an assault charge.

Robert “Bulldog” Cromwell, 48, of Lot 26 Dowdin Street, Kitty, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on February 15, 2016 at Dowdin Street, Kitty, he unlawfully wounded Iqbal Rahim.

The Prosecutor stated that the Virtual Complainant (VC) resided at Lot 236 Dowdin Street, Kitty and was a member of the Mark Benschop group vying in the upcoming LGE. The Court heard that on the day in question around 17:00h, the VC was putting up flags and posters in favour of Mark Benschop when the defendant approached him and pulled a ladder out from under him, causing him to fall.

As a result of the fall, the VC suffered major injuries to his face and ribs.

The matter was reported to the Police and the defendant was charged.

The defendant told the Court that he had no altercation with the VC and denied that he assaulted him.

He told the Court that he was coming from work when the VC showed him money and told him that Benschop gave it to him. He added that he then went on his way.

The Prosecutor had no objections to bail, and it was granted in the sum of $60,000. Magistrate Best also ordered the defendant to keep away from the VC. The matter will return to court on March 7.

he controversy surrounding the Wales Sugar Factory (WSF) and the announcement by the Government that the Estate will close by the end of the second crop this year should come as no surprise to anyone. Sugar prices have been on the decline for a long time. The industry is plagued with serious problems. GuySuCo is Dr Baytoram Ramharack operating at a tremendous loss given the depressed price of sugar and the amount of money that was invested in the industry, particularly in Skeldon.

However, what came as a surprise to sugar workers was the manner in which the proposed closing was handled.

According to the Government, the WSF is unproductive for a number of reasons: its basic infrastructure is run down, most of the bridges are in dilapidated shape, cultivation is in poor condition and the old estate will require an infusion of heavy capital to make it productive. Capital investment is one thing, but producing sugar for a profit may not be a good investment because of its declining world market price.

Looking at the big picture, given the current trends, the sugar industry will have to undergo serious transformation to make it a viable industry in the short term. Ultimately, I believe the industry in its current form will not survive and alternative plans have to be put in place by the Government as a phasing out of the industry is undertaken. The continued investment and subsidising of sugar production will only place further drain on the nation’s limited resources. However, the closing of the WSF is an economic as well as an emotional issue for various reasons. One, sugar production is the sole reason for the introduction of Africans and Indians into the country. It has traditionally, like rice and bauxite, been one of our “blue ribbon” industries that have contributed to our economic development. While Africans have drifted away from the estate, Indians (with a smaller percentage of Africans) still work for GuySuCo. Two, the production of sugar has spawned a number of small industries and continue to provide a boost for the local economy because workers spend their earnings, thus ensuring a circulation of money. Sugar workers have come to believe that this industry will remain viable forever.

Three, GuySuCo remains the largest employer of the rural Indians and the Opposition party enjoys a fraternal relationship with the sugar union (GAWU). Any action taken by the sugar union is seen as being sanctioned by the PPP. Inevitably, closing of the sugar factory becomes a divisive issue with racial connotations.

Sugar has a sweet but bitter history. Like many Guyanese, my father gave more than 30 years of his life to the sugar industry until his retirement in the 1980s. However, working for the sugar industry was not enough to maintain a household with an extended family. My father supplemented his family’s income with rice cultivation and animal husbandry.

Over time, we were better off economically than most of the villagers, but not as wealthy as the shopkeepers and rice millers. But none of this was possible without the years of income that was earned from working in the sugar industry.

For many families, a similar history entails.

Emotions, however, cannot justify subsidising an industry that produces a commodity that does not create added value so that a higher return is guaranteed. Any further subsidies will place a tremendous drain on the nation’s economic viability. The role of sugar and its contribution to the economy have to be reconsidered.

In hindsight, the Government has not handled this issue appropriately, and workers were kept in the dark.

Before the election, David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo pledged to keep the industry alive. Granger said that sugar was “too big to fail”. Whatever plan is finalised for Wales, the interests of the workers must be the central concern of the Government. Workers who are already reeling from the lack of an Annual Production Incentive (API) are waiting to see how the Government plans to handle this situation, as the Government considers “alternative ventures” which would benefit the people of Wales. Whatever plan evolves, sugar will remain a politicised issue. Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mothers’ Union launches depression, Essequibo Dharmic suicide awareness programme Naujawan hosts youth

T

he Diocese of Guyana Mothers’ Union launched a “Depression and attempted Suicide” awareness programme on Tuesday, at the Regency Suites on Hadfield Street.

Suicide is an epidemic within Guyana.

The Mothers’ Union has now joined hands with other organisations to fight against depression and suicide in the society.

Patricia Adams, the creator of this programme, explained that members should be gatekeepers by being attentive to individuals around them who display tendencies such as a lack of self-esteem, a contributory factor to suicide. Adams noted that persons who suffered from severe depression eventually

Patricia Adams

had suicidal thoughts.

She explained that committed individuals would be trained to work as mentors for persons with suicidal thoughts. These mentors, she said, will be targeting persons within their communities who are substance abusers to assist and counsel them, to prevent depression and suicide.

The programme is geared to enable depressed individuals to express their thoughts and feelings to obtain the help needed. This will be done through the use of various activities planned by the Mothers’ Union.

Suicide is a serious social problem in Guyana: according to statistics, it is among the countries with the highest suicide rates.

Recently, Government and Non-Governmental Organisations have boosted the fight against suicide.

The organisations are offering counselling to depressed individuals with suicidal tendencies. Suicide hotlines are also available to render assistance.

For 2016 so far, at least 12 persons have taken their own lives across the country.

camp at Affiance Mandir

Some of the youths participating in group discussions

S

cores of children living within Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) benefited from a fun-filled youth camp on Valentine’s Day at Affiance Mandir, compliments of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha youth arm, Dharmic Naujawan.

According to the Chairman of the Essequibo Coast Dharmic Naujawan, Meera Narine, the youth camp afforded children with the opportunity to interact with their peers and share innovative ideas on various topics affecting society. Narine said the one-day camp saw the participation of youths from various man-

dirs along the Essequibo Coast.

Topics that were discussed included healthy diet, values and morals, and building of self-esteem.

The importance of prayers and involvement in charitable activities were also discussed at the forum.

In the evening, youths participated in popular yoga exercises and Shaka, and played games.

According to Narine, the Naujawan intends to host more youth camps to keep the young people occupied.

“We are trying to assist youths to occupy their time meaningfully by involving in discussion, playing games,

keeping themselves physically fit, generally we want youths to be better in society,” Narine said.

The youth camps will be held at various mandirs along the coast. The Dharmic Naujawan was formed in the 90s under the guidance of the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud with the aim of educating youths in Hinduism as well as to be more responsible in society.

The Naujawan, over the years, has been involved in blood drives, medical outreaches, charitable donations as well as youth camps and educational programmes.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, february 17, 2016

News

Walter Rodney CoI

President still reviewing final report – “What’s the hurry?” AG questions

President David Granger

A

week after receiving the final report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, President David Granger is yet to make public the findings of the three-member panel.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams said the Head of State is yet to review the findings.

“The President is the person who has custody of the matter. He will read it and decide what he wants

to do with it. They still have to wait till he’s ready,” Williams told Guyana Times on Tuesday.

He said there is no need to hurry. “What’s the hurry?” he asked.

After a 17-month long investigation, Commissioners in the Inquiry finally handed over the report last Tuesday which presumably details the circumstances that led to the death of Working People’s Alliance

Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

(WPA) Founder, Dr Rodney.

The content of that report is yet to be made public by President Granger.

The WPA stalwart was killed on the evening of June 13, 1980, when a bomb said to be planted in a communications device exploded while he sat in his brother’s car outside the Georgetown Prisons.

The WPA had always maintained that the leader’s death was well orchestrated by the then People’s National Congress (PNC), led then by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. The PNC has always denied this claim.

Seeking to find the truth once and for all, the People’s Progressive Party finally acceded to the numerous requests to have the Inquiry launched.

Back in February 2014, Barbados Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham, along with Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline

Dr Walter Rodney

Samuels-Brown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath

Jairam were sworn in to serve on the panel of the investigation.

There were some hiccups regarding the handing over of the final report. The report was handed over to the Secretary of the Attorney General, an order, according to the Commission’s Chairman, which was given by the Head of State himself.

Former President Donald Ramotar is hoping he would be able to access a copy of the findings into the death of Dr Rodney from President David Granger.

The investigation into the death of the political activist was launched back in February 2014, during the period Ramotar was President.

He had said at the time that Guyanese the world over and supporters of Dr Rodney had for years been calling for an independent investigation into the death of the historian and founding member of the WPA. He said too that the historian’s wife and children had also made several requests for an inquiry.

Aurora Gold Mines to compensate...

from page 12

According to Minister Trotman, the company will be paying the Government of Guyana a figure that it believes is sufficient for the degradation caused by the mine.

He said the compensation will be made to the Kaieteur National Park and would be finalised before June of this year. After 19 years of investment, the Guyana Goldfields Inc in June of 2015 began the production of gold at its Aurora mine location in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The company said that its investment would have seen “massive benefits in royalties to Guyana’s Government… tremendous transfer of skills, technology and science to Guyana… sustainable benefits to small business from procurement and communities benefiting from corporate social responsibility partnerships”.

It stated that after 19 years of exploration involving the latest of technologies and over a US$300 million investment, it is finally realising its corporate mission of “Building a First Class Mine; Caring for the Environment; Building Communities and Creating Opportunities”.

During the exploration phase, the company had employed some 150 Guyanese workers, and for the period January 2014-June 2015, Aurora Gold Mines Project (AGM) and the Gurvan Saihan Joint Venture (GSJV) had contributed to over $1.2 billion in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and some $226 million to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The benefits to Guyana’s economy, the company said, have been tremendous, noting that it is expected to continue throughout the life of the mine.

The benefits include “Mining Royalty” of eight per cent on gold sales at a price of gold over US1000 per ounce, 30 per cent corporate income tax at a projected value of US$509 million, payroll taxes at a projected value of US$67 million and excise tax on petroleum with a projected value of US$43 million.

In 2008 the International Finance Corporation (IFC) took an equity role in Guyana Goldfields. Consistent with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy role to protect the environment, Guyana Goldfields was able to benefit from the rigid standards imposed by the IFC such that, today, the Aurora Mine is one of the most modern mines both environmentally and technically. In addition, the latest in management techniques and computer tools are in use, the company said.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the world

Strikes on schools and hospitals in Syria ‘war crimes’, Russia rejects claim

F

rance and Turkey have called the bombing of two schools and five hospitals in Syria “war crimes”, while hopes for a ceasefire faded as President Bashar al-Assad played down prospects of a truce.

Up to 50 civilians, including children, died when missiles hit at least five medical buildings and two schools in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces on Monday.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon said the raids violated international law and “cast a shadow” over efforts to end Syria’s five-year civil war. He did not say who was responsible for the attacks, but groups monitor-

One of the hospitals bombed was run by medical charity Doctors Without Borders [EPA via MSF]

ing the conflict suspected the strikes were carried out by Russia, an ally of the Syrian regime.

Russia’s Health Minister, Veronika

Skvortsova denied Moscow was responsible, saying its military had targeted Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) infrastructure and she had

no reason to believe it had bombed civilians.

“We are confident that [there is] no way it could be done by our defence forces.

This contradicts our ideology,” she said.

Turkey on Monday separately accused Russia of “an obvious war crime” and warned that there would be consequences if Russia did not immediately end such attacks, as it sought support for a ground invasion.

Also on Monday, Assad warned Turkey and Saudi Arabia that any ground invasion of Syria would have “global repercussions” and said sending in troops would not be a “picnic”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

South China Sea takes centre stage at US-ASEAN summit

U

S President Barack Obama and allies from Southeast Asia will turn their attention to China on Tuesday on the second day of a summit intended to improve commercial links and provide a united front on maritime disputes with Beijing.

After a first day focused on trade and economic issues, Obama and

his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will try to arrive at a common position on the South China Sea during a second day of talks at Sunnylands, a California resort.

China and several ASEAN states have conflicting and overlapping claims in the South China Sea, but not all the Southeast Asian nations

Former UN Chief Boutros BoutrosGhali dead at 93

agree on how to handle them.

US officials want the summit to produce a statement calling for China to follow international law and handle disputes peacefully.

“We will be continuing to work with our ASEAN partners on a potential statement that we might issue together,” White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice told reporters on

Monday.

“We obviously have issued such statements in the past with ASEAN, and in it we consistently underscore our shared commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes, freedom of commerce and navigation, the rule of law, and the necessity of disputes being resolved through peaceful, legal means.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

In Mexico gangland, Pope urges Church to combat graft, violence

Pope Francis gestures while wearing a Mariachi hat given to him by someone in the crowd at Zocalo Square

Former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali

F

ormer United Nations Secretary General Boutros BoutrosGhali, whose term was marked by war in the former Yugoslavia, famine and genocide in Africa and confrontation with the United States, died on Tuesday. He was 93.

The 15-member UN Security Council observed a minute’s silence after the death was announced on Tuesday by Venezuelan UN Ambassador Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, head of the Security Council for February.

An Egyptian, BoutrosGhali served as UN chief

15

from 1992 to 1996. He died at Al Salam Hospital in Cairo on Tuesday, an official at the hospital said.

As the UN’s first Secretary General from Africa, Boutros-Ghali associated himself with the famine in Somalia and organised the first massive UN relief operation in the Horn of Africa nation.

But success eluded him there and elsewhere as the UN tottered in an increasingly disorderly post-Cold War world, with the world body and the big Security Council powers underestimating the deep animosity behind many conflicts. (Excerpt from Reuters)

P

ope Francis visited Mexico’s gang-infested heartland on Tuesday, calling on priests to fan out and combat the scourges of corruption and drugs trafficking that have stoked a decade of bloodletting that the Government has been unable to stop.

Gang wars over the lucrative methamphetamine trade have torn the western state of Michoacan apart.

Widespread kidnapping and extortion by gangs have sparked an uprising by vigilante groups.

The Pope visited Morelia, Michoacan’s picturesque capital known for its Spanish colonial architecture, amid tight security

given scattered outbursts of violence in recent months.

“What temptation can come to us from places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity, and indifference in the face of suffering and vulnerability?” the Pope asked an estimated 30,000 priests, nuns and seminarians at a Mass in a stadium in Morelia.

Tens of thousands more people lined the streets outside the venue for a glimpse of the first Latin American Pope, who is travelling to some of the poorest and most violent corners of the country on his February 12-17 trip to Mexico. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Oil falls despite SaudiRussian output deal

O

il prices fell on Tuesday despite Saudi Arabia and Russia agreeing to freeze oil output at January levels if other producers follow suit.

The announcement came after Ministers from the two nations met in Doha along with their counterparts from Venezuela and Qatar.

Brent crude, which had risen more than five per cent earlier, fell two per cent to US$32.77 a barrel, while US crude was down 2.3 per cent at US$29.03.

Oil prices have sunk from their recent peak of about US$116 in June 2014.

Venezuela’s Oil Minister, Eulogio Del Pino has been visiting major oil producers in recent weeks to rally support for the idea of freezing production at current levels in an effort to stabilise prices.

But Iran’s Petroleum Minister, Bijan Zangeneh said that the country would “not forego its oil market share”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Excitement over new cancer treatment

A

Leukaemia cells

therapy that retrains the body’s immune system to fight cancer has provoked excitement after more than 90 per cent of terminally ill patients reportedly went into remission.

White blood cells were taken from patients with leukaemia, modified in the lab and then put back.

But the data has not been published or reviewed and two patients are said to have died from an extreme immune response.

Experts said the trial was exciting, but still only “a baby step”.

The news bubbled out of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s annual meeting in Washington DC. The lead scientist, Professor Stanley Riddell from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in

Seattle, said all other treatments had failed in these patients and they had only two-to-five months to live.

He told the conference: “The early data is unprecedented.”

In the trial, cells from the immune system called killer t-cells were taken out of dozens of patients.

The cells normally act like bombs destroying infected tissue.

The researchers genetically modified the t-cells to engineer a new targeting mechanism – with the technical name of chimeric antigen receptors – to target acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Prof Riddell told the BBC: “Essentially what this process does is, it genetically reprogrammes the T-cell to seek out and recognise and destroy the patient’s tumour cells. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

wednesday, february 17, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

$$M budgeted for Botanical Gardens, Ramsammy’s Ruminations A Speaker that sees Kaieteur Park upgrades himself as a Government

– as monies are approved for Natural Resources

A

s the National Assembly considered the 2016 Capital and Current Estimates for the Natural Resources Ministry, it was revealed that millions were set aside for upgrade works to be done at the Botanical Gardens, as well as at the Kaieteur National Park.

While fielding questions from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman explained that a total of $50 million was approved under the National Parks Commission for the restoration of the Botanical Gardens and recreation park.

According to the Minister, Government wants to restore the facility to its original intent of botany.

“We would like to take it back to a place of botany, where people can come and see the different plant species that Guyana is famous for. Right now, it is more of a recreational park and not enough is being done on the botanical side, so we are going to change that up a bit,” he stated.

Among the works slated to be done are the construction of a Black Caiman walkway, rehabilitation of the plant nursery, rehabilitation of fencing structures, and improvements to drainage and irrigation structures.

Additionally, he pointed out that the money will also be used to upgrade the National Park, located on Thomas Lands, Georgetown, as well as the Joe Vieira Park, West Bank Demerara.

Furthermore, Trotman added during questioning by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira that major upgrade

The Botanical Gardens

works are also slated to be done at the Kaieteur National Park to attract more visitors, especially with Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary coming up.

“We are going to be putting up some protective rails to act as deterrents to persons who have other thoughts in mind. We have already introduced a set of protocols like no alcohol, two guides at any one time, one in front and one at the back for every group. As we prepare for the 50th anniversary, we know that thousands of people are coming home; Guyanese and others and so we want to make sure Kaieteur is ready for them in its full glory,” the Minister noted.

Meanwhile, as the consideration of the Ministry’s estimates continued, Trotman was quizzed on the areas of contracted employees with the Opposition Chief Whip asking why Forest Officers were stationed at the Ministry and not at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

The Minister explained that this situation was inherited from the previous Administration. He read out one of the contracts, signed by

the Ministry of Public Service on November 27, 2014, which stated that the employee should be stationed at the Ministry.

Trotman further disclosed during queries from Opposition back-bencher Neil Kumar that some $8.95 million was budgeted for the employment of an oil and gas consultant to work with the Natural Resources Ministry.

He noted that this is important given the fact Guyana is embarking on developing its oil and gas sector. The

Minister added that the terms of references for these personnel have already been prepared, and advertisements will be done both locally and internationally.

Moreover, Opposition MP Odinga Lamumba had asked the Minister whether the 548 hectares of State land will be assessed and surveyed. In response, the Natural Resources Minister declared that while this issue is a “vexed” one, his Administration has every intention of preserving whatever lands are left remaining.

Following the near hourlong scrutiny of the monies for the Natural Resources Ministry, the entire $814 million budgeted was passed in the National Assembly and now stands as part of the 2016 Estimates of Expenditure.

This include the sum of $219 million for the Ministry’s Policy Development and Administration; $6.4 million for Natural Resource Management, and $474.5 million for Environmental Management.

Water shortage continues in Diamond – GWI experts dispatched to rectify situation

W

hile the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) technical team continues to work to resolve the water shortage in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), some areas still remain without water, even as experts have been dis-

patched to restore the well stations in the area.

This was according to GWI’s Public Relations Officer Timothy Austin, who told Guyana Times on Tuesday that work is being done in the area and the Chief Executive Officer of the utility, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, has engaged a number of experts and local contractors regarding the current technical challenges experienced at the Diamond Well Station.

The residents of the Diamond Housing Scheme, Diamond Public Road and Kaneville have been plunged into a phase of a water shortage due to a reported rupture at the well in the area.

The shortage is said to be as a result of the ruptured well casing as well as the great build-up of clay in the well, which was in the process of being fixed by the GWI team and local contractors.

The work being done on the well includes removing the accumulation of clay and placing internal sleeves in order to seal the rupture, after which the well will be cleaned and disinfected in order to deliver a fresh supply of water to residents.

In an attempt to ease the inconveniences faced by the residents, GWI had arranged a daily exercise in the affected areas where trucks transported tanks of water to the communities for distribution based on fixed schedule.

Though a specified date on when the situation will be completely resolved was not disclosed by the water provider, they have assured that their team along with the contractors will be working tirelessly to formulate a long-term solution at the well station to rectify the shortage and avert possible ones in the future.

T

MP and bully

he Speaker of the National Assembly arbitrarily curtailed the consideration of the budgetary allocations for the various ministries. Last night, he prevented any question by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on the budgetary allocations for the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry. At every sitting of the National Assembly, the Speaker abdicates his responsibility as an impartial arbiter in the affairs of the Parliament. His behaviour continues to expose that he unabashedly conceives Dr Leslie Ramsammy himself as an MP of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

This behaviour is a blow to the democracy that our people fought for and that, with the PPP as the vanguard, we have been nurturing since 1992. Guyana's democracy is threatened anytime we cause the Parliament to descend to the levels of partiality and dictatorial arrogance. The Speaker of Guyana's Parliament conducts the affairs of Parliament not even pretending to be impartial and with a hefty dose of arrogance. He has become a senior bully in a Government that bullies its way forward.

Recently, during the debate on the 2016 Budget, the Speaker obscenely instructed that the microphone be turned off on the Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira. The veteran MP was seeking to protect one of the Regional MPs from her Party from being silenced by the Speaker. The Region Nine MP, Allister Charlie, charged that the APNU/AFC was using Government resources to brand Guyana as APNU/AFC and to re-enshrine party paramountcy in our country. Specifically, he was referring to the vulgarity of painting everything from bicycles to buildings in yellow and green; the colours of APNU/AFC. The Speaker in a vulgar effort to silence the MP intentionally misinformed the House that the colours yellow and green cannot be brought up in a discussion in the Parliament because they are colours of the National Flag. Incidentally, the colours of the national flag do not include yellow, but rather gold, and these are not the only colours of the national flag. But the salient facts are that nothing in our Constitution, in any law or the Standing Orders of Parliament, prevent any MP from highlighting the indecency of party paramountcy, branding the country in the colours of the ruling party or referring to colours that might be colours on the national flag. The truth is the APNU/AFC is blatantly branding Guyana in colours of yellow and green, the colours of APNU/AFC, this branding being expenses of the Government, from taxpayers money.

When MP Teixeira sought to prevent the Speaker from unjustifiably silencing the MP, she was effectively silenced also by the turning off of the microphone. The Opposition Whip has a right to object and to demand impartiality from the Speaker.

She was entirely in her right to demand that the Standing Orders be respected by the Speaker and that in a debate on the budget, an MP has every right to raise an issue of party branding of a country, using taxpayers' resources.

The Speaker believes he can arrogantly end discussions on any matter without following the Standing Orders or by using spurious reasoning made up on the spot in an aggressive effort to curtail the democratic rights of MPs and the people they represent – facts that place the Government in a bad light are not justification for the Speaker to silence anyone. Both the Region Nine MP and Teixeira were in their right and the Speaker silenced them not by using the Standing Orders but by invoking injudicious excuses, totally biased and behaving like an MP of the Government side, rather than as a Speaker. This is the Parliament, the pillar of our democracy, not a backyard playground with bullies.

I previously wrote about the abdication of his duties when the Speaker sought to protect APNU/AFC from debating a motion brought by the PPP to highlight the plight of the rice farmers and the rice industry. On that occasion he denied the PPP the right to introduce a motion that sought to highlight a matter of national significance. But the Speaker knowing that such a debate would reveal the glaring discriminatory policies of APNU/AFC and expose their determination to destroy the rice industry prevented the motion from coming to the floor by simply deeming rice as not a matter the Government is involved in. It prompted me to ask since when the Government is not involved with rice, why is there a Government rice research centre, why is there a Guyana Rice Development Board and why is there a Rice Factories Act? We cannot escape the reality that Guyana's Parliament is being turned from an institution of celebrating and strengthening our democracy to a playground where bullies try to intimidate and silence the people's representatives. These are only three instances we see the Speaker's abandonment of impartially in now an incredibly long list of bullying the Opposition. The Speaker has assumed the role of the HEAD BULLY in a disgraceful strategy to impose another era of dictatorship. As a people we must not ignore these frightening signals that the APNU/AFC has firmly placed Guyana on the road to dictatorship. Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com

17

news

wednesday, february 17, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Corentyne schoolboy accident

Minibus driver remanded T he driver of the minibus, which slammed into a canter on the Corentyne last Thursday, resulting in the death of a school child, has been remanded to prison on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

The accused was refused bail when he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh on Tuesday.

Leon Parhoo, 24, of Lot 27 Number 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which stated that on February 12, at Bengal Village, Corentyne, he drove minibus bearing registration number BPP 2259 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Narvin Bachu.

The 16-year-old was killed moments after the accident involving the bus, which was transporting children home from the Regional Schools’ Costume Parade finals, which were held at the Albion Sports Complex, Corentyne. Eight students, one adult, a conductor and driver were in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Magistrate Singh also read another charge to the accused which stated that on the same day at Bengal Village, he failed to render assistance to take Bachu to seek medical attention. He pleaded not guilty to that charge.

In a bail application,

Minibus driver; Leon Parhoo

Defence Attorney Krissondat Persaud told the court that while the offence is a serious one, the defence will comply with whatever bail conditions the court deems fit in granting Parhoo his pre-trail liberty. He told the court that the accused was in a commonlaw relationship and has one child.

The Attorney argued that Parhoo had not been allowed to seek medical attention by the Police, as he too was injured in the accident. As it related to fleeing the scene after the accident, Persaud told the court that after the accident, his client along with the conductor of the bus fled the scene because their lives were under theat.

Before the bail application could be considered, Police Prosecutor, Inspector Godfrey Platter objected to bail on the

grounds that one person had died and several others are still in a critical condition as a result of the accident. He said that although the accused fled the scene, he was taken to the Police within 24- hours of the accident.

In refusing bail, Magistrate Singh ordered that the accused be taken for medical attention.

The matter comes up again on February 24 at the Number 51 Magistrate's Court, when the Police will be expected to present an update on the state of other victims involved in the accident.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination performed on the body of Narvin Bachu on Tuesday by Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekananda Bridgemohan revealed that the 16-yearold died as a result of multiple injuries. The autopsy also found that the deceased suffered a fractured skull and fractured spine.

Bachu was a student attending the Skeldon High School preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) in May. He leaves to mourn his mother, a brother and two sisters.

It had been reported in the media that the driver was speeding at the time of the accident. Victims of the accident had also stated that it was raining and the driver refused to slow down when asked to do so.

The Race to LGE 2016

B Field Sophia candidate looking to foster youth development

C

ompeting in five constituencies across Georgetown, the Youths For Local Government (YFLG), as its name suggests, is bent on promoting the development and growth of youths in their respective constituencies, while working towards ensuring that their wellbeing is safeguarded. The group also seeks to transform their community into a youth-friendly environment.

Under the broad platform, promoting community development, social cohesion and security in the communities, the group, which consists of five young people, has been working tirelessly to spread the word and encourage youths to become active in the Local Government Elections, ensuring that their votes reflect the change they want to see in their communities and De Vaughn Lewis lives.

One member of the YFLG, De Vaughn Lewis, who will be repre- ties targeting the entire community.

“We plan on doing this through senting Constituency Five (North and fashion shows, debates, sport days and South Sophia), as an individual in the competitions while building social cohefirst past the post under the YFLG told sion, expanding it across Georgetown,” Guyana Times that he was prompted to Lewis briefed. compete since he saw the need for refTo address the current crime rate ormation in the infrastructural sector, that afflicts the North and South social cohesion among the members of Sophia, Lewis told Guyana Times they the community and general communihave already formulated their apty development, especially in the eduproach to curb the situation. cational sector.

With partnership with Central Most essentially, he told this newsGovernment, Lewis reported that they paper that the group was driven to are looking to deploying a 24/7 surveilcompete since there was a lack of reprelance system at the entrances and exits sentation by young people in activities of all the communities they are competwhich vastly affect the country, such as the Local Government Elections ing in so that the crime rate will see a (LGE). As such, the group was formed significant decrease, in addition to the with the intention of giving back to influence of other youth programmes their communities by ensuring that they will be conducting. They will also their concerns are addressed efficient- aim to resuscitate the Police communily, while being a role model to young ty group to carry out their functions in each community. people to influence leadership from When questioned about a young age. what is going to be Lewis, who is curthe priority of the rently a Project group once they Coordinator at have been electthe Guyana Red ed, Lewis exCross explained plained that that the YFLG they will be has produced a reviewing manifesto with the policies, their plans and plans and visions for each projects that of the constituthe current encies they will Councillor be competing in. has impleAccording to mented, to ashim, the core assess their feasipects of the manible. festo seeks to further From there, the construction of youththe group will be on a friendly spaces, with a youth straight path in deterYouths for Local centre being constructed Government (YFLG) logo mining exactly what is to which will be equipped with be done in each commulearning tools, Internet, a linity, depending on what brary and recreational facilities. Elder had already been completed. persons who were previously a part of The YFLG will also be competthe teaching service will also be including as a group in the municipality of ed to play a significant role in offering Georgetown in order to expand their counselling and share knowledge with reach to youths.

Lewis urged all youths the youths of the community. to come out on the day of the elections Additionally, the manifesto will to cast their vote for the YFLG so that also focus on encouraging community their future will be revolutionised. cohesion, as well as inter-constituency cohesion through a wide base of activi-

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

ARCHIE

Surprise someone by doing something out-of-the-or(March 21- dinary or special. Your kind April 19) gesture will bring you closer together. Money matters can be resolved if you communicate openly.

ARIES

Listen to what’s being said TAURUS or offered to you. You may (April 20- give or get the wrong impresMay 20) sion. Ask questions and be as precise as possible. Ridicule and criticism will lead to setbacks.

DILBERT

Employ your intellect and GEMINI (May 21- persuasive ways to get what June 20) you want. Choose to use your creative imagination. If you express your thoughts, the response you receive will be educational.

CANCER

PEANUTS

(June 21July 22)

Follow your gut and act swiftly to avoid interference.

Don’t worry about what others do. As long as you set your goals and head down the designated path, success will be yours.

Don’t limit what you can LEO do. Explore the possibili(July 23ties and stay on course unAug. 22) til you are satisfied that you have exhausted every option.

A chance to come into some money is apparent.

Practical applications will VIRGO bring substantial results.

(Aug. 23Don’t hesitate to use all your Sept. 22) resources to reach your goal.

Bypass anyone trying to disrupt your plans. Take control and trust in your abilities.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Keep moving forward reLIBRA (Sept. 23- gardless of what others are Oct. 23) doing or the changes going on around you. It’s important not to lose sight of what’s most important to you.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD -- SOLIPSIST

Keep everyone guessing in SAGITTARIUS order to avoid being cornered (Nov. 23- by someone looking for anDec. 21) swers to questions that make you uncomfortable. A pleasure trip should be planned.

(SOLIPSIST: SAHL-ip-sist: One who believes that the self alone has reality or can be known.)

Average mark 20 words Time limit 35 minutes

Everything will be subCAPRICORN ject to your ability to finish (Dec. 22- what you start today. Enlist Jan. 19) the help of others if you trust them to be assets.

Can you find 29 or more words in SOLIPSIST? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – VEHEMENTLY vehement vent eely element eleven eleventh enemy envy even

evenly event eyelet heel helm helmet helve heme hymn

meet melee melt mete myth neve teem teen teeny

thee them theme then they thyme lent levee levy

You’ll have too many SCORPIO choices.

Find the best way to (Oct. 24Nov. 22) utilise your skills to ensure that you make the biggest gain. Don’t let a personal relationship stand in your way.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE Do something that makes AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- you feel happy. Take a break Feb. 19) or make a move to improve your life, looks or expertise.

Give yourself a boost.

Your reactions will be hard PISCES (Feb. 20- to temper. Do something conMarch 20) structive that will help you avoid a dispute or an emotional scene. Every choice you make will have an impact on how you move forward.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

19

Why Indian businessmen are buying cricketing franchises abroad – For a start, there’s visibility, and plenty of it

O

n February 11, State Bank of India (SBI) put on auction one of Vijay Mallya’s properties—the Kingfisher House in Mumbai—by placing an ad in a leading national business daily as part of efforts to recover a part of the Rs.6,963 crore owed by the defunct Kingfisher Airlines (KFA). SBI is the largest lender to KFA with an exposure of Rs.1,600 crore.

Away from all this, Mallya, chairman of the United Breweries Group, was busy hiring players for his newly-acquired cricketing franchise at the Barbados Concorde Experience in Christ Church Parish, Barbados.

A day ago, Mallya bought the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, the Barbados Tridents. The Tridents is one of the six participating franchises in the CPL Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies and is now in its fourth season.

As Tridents’ owner, Mallaya will pay $2 million as franchise fee to the CPL and will also pay player salaries.

Mallya also owns Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), which is among the eight franchises that participate in the billion-dollar Twenty20 tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL).

By acquiring the Tridents, Mallya joined his IPL colleague and actor Shah Rukh Khan, who bought a stake in CPL franchise Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in June last year.

Earlier this month, the franchise was renamed Trinbago Knight Riders or TKR, in sync with the Kolkata Knight Riders, which Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment owns in the IPL.

Mallya said his involvement with the CPL was both a business and a personal decision, given his previous interests in the region.

“I didn’t jump into the CPL in year one. I was busy concentrating on building my IPL franchise and I knew that the CPL will have some teething problems in the first couple of years. When I was convinced that the CPL was now a proper, growing T20 league here in the West Indies, I decided to take a good hard look. I was told that the Barbados franchise was available, which was great news for me personally,” he said.

The chief executive of Red Chillies Entertainment that owns TKR, Venky Mysore, too is excited about the new marketplace. “We are very excited to show our commitment to the marketplace, and in line with our vision of expanding the Knight Riders brand, it’s very exciting for us to rename the team as Trinbago Knight Riders. We’ve had a chance to discuss the idea with a lot of people, the local people and they like the idea of Trinbago, and love the idea of Knight Riders.

Knight Riders has become a significant brand in the IPL and in India in particular. We also have a massive global fan following. With us, bringing the Knight Riders brand to Trinbago, we’ll have a chance to drive a stake in the ground in this place as well, and hopefully, it’ll also grow from strength to strength,” he said.

Why CPL?

There are several reasons why Indian businessmen are keen on picking up cricketing franchises in other leagues, even if Indian

cricketers (big and small names) are not involved in the league, like the CPL. For a start, there’s visibility, and plenty of it. The timing of the CPL is such that it begins a couple of months after the IPL, in July, which gives some of these franchises an extended visibility period, from six weeks at home (IPL), to a further four weeks in the CPL. More importantly, the price points are low, which makes these teams attractive to buy. “It’s a massive

have a good look at the local players in the region, given that they feature in the IPL auction list every year.

Besides the two Indian owners Khan and Mallya, the league also attracted Indian two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp Ltd as its title sponsor for its third edition last year. “It makes perfect business sense for a sponsor because it costs them one-tenth of what it would in the IPL,” says Tuhin Mishra, managing director and co-founder,

owners. It’s the first time that professional cricket league will be hosting matches there, it’s not often that the audience there gets to see some of the most talented cricketers in the world play,” said Breen.

The US is widely recognised as a cricket-starved, untapped market for administrators. “It (the US) is a massive market, if not for the Knight Riders, but for someone like Shah Rukh Khan. Even if he’s not making movies, through the CPL, he is there, he is visible during the tournament.

This is a case of extended visibility from the IPL,” Mishra added.

Global franchise opportunity?

Vijay Mallya: “When I was convinced that the CPL was now a proper, growing T20 league here in the West Indies, I decided to take a good hard look.”

boost for the CPL,” says Peter Breen, head of communications, CPL. “The involvement of owners who successfully run franchises in the IPL can only make the tournament better.”

The CPL, he adds, is a good proposition as it attracts some of the best players. “The talent in the league includes the likes of AB de Villers and Faf du Plessis who’ve just signed up for us.

It’s a huge thing for the CPL that it can attract players of that stature,” Breen says.

For Indian franchises, involvement in these leagues also gives them a chance to

Baseline Ventures, a sports marketing, entertainment and licensing company.

America, ahoy!

This time around, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has allowed the CPL to organise matches in North America (in cricketing terms, the US and Canada), and that too could be a big factor in luring Indian business interest. This year, the US will host six matches, predominantly in Florida. “The American market is an exciting opportunity, not just for the CPL, but for Indian

Interestingly, this is not the first time that an opportunity to own more than one cricketing franchise has come up. In 2010, the Rajasthan Royals announced the formation of a global cricketing franchise comprising themselves, Hampshire (England), Victoria (Australia) and Cape Cobras (South Africa) and Trinidad and Tobago (West Indies). The idea was to unite them under the Royals banner to ensure round-the-year visibility of the brand. Besides, the concept also involved seamless transfer of players from one team to the other and giving opportunities to fringe players from these teams.

However, it failed to take off.

Mishra says involvement in these leagues adds up to the valuation of the overall franchise. “Tomorrow or whenever, if they want to sell their franchise, their valuation with all these teams in place, will automatically go up,” he said.

FIFA hears Blatter appeal against eight-year ban

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anned FIFA president Sepp Blatter was at the headquarters of football’s governing body on Tuesday for a hearing to appeal against his eight-year suspension from the sport.

Blatter, 79, was banned in December along with European football boss Michel Platini over a payment of 2 million Swiss

francs ($2 million) made to the Frenchman in 2011

by FIFA with Blatter’s approval for work done a decade earlier.

FIFA’s ethics committee, which imposed the bans on Blatter and Platini, said the payment, made at a time when the former was seeking reelection, lacked transparency and presented con-

flicts of interest. Both men denied wrongdoing.

The case is now being heard by FIFA’s Appeal Committee.

Sources close to FIFA said that Blatter had arrived 7:30 am local time, evading cameramen and photographers who had expected him to arrive later.

Blatter’s advis-

er Thomas Renggli told Reuters he expected to get the verdict later this week.

Football’s world ruling body is engulfed by a graft scandal that has led to the indictment of several dozen leading football officials in the United States. Platini’s appeal was heard on Monday.

(Reuters Sport)

Sepp Blatter

Mallya and Khan’s involvement in the CPL is likely to lead many franchise owners to expand their footprint to other leagues such as the Big Bash League in Australia or the Ram Slam T20 Cup in South Africa, or even the newly-launched Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“It’s only a matter of time and the low price points could attract a lot of Indians.” says Mishra. “The quality of cricket in the Big Bash League at times is better than the IPL, and passionate cricket lovers in India follow that tournament, so it is surely a possibility.”

Last year, reports in the Pakistani media said that several Indian personalities, including businessmen and film stars, were interested in buying franchises in the PSL. That, however, did not happen. In 2011, when Cricket Australia were exploring the possibility of privatising the BBL, with each franchise valued at $50 million, several Indians were interested.

That too didn’t exactly go to plan.

With English cricket set to introduce a city-based franchise format for its Twenty20 competition from 2017, Indian businessmen could well be lining up to pick up some teams there.

“It’s like the model they follow in football, where a European team picks up ownership in other leagues, say the Major League Soccer,” says Mishra.

Manchester City is a classic example. It has bought clubs in the US (New York City FC) and Australia (Melbourne City FC) over the last few years.

(www.livemint.com)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Knight Riders throw full UG down Hornets support behind Narine GTT/GRFU 15s rugby league

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niversity of Guyana (UG) Wolves’ player Osie McKenzie performed brilliantly, scoring three tries to lead his side to a comfortable win over the Pepsi Hornets as action in the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT)/Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 15s League on Sunday.

Both teams played excellent rugby but UG Wolves got the better of Hornets to end the game 29-12.

Scoring for UG came

from McKenzie with three tries and Trevon Selmo with one try. Geoffrey Brooms had three conversion and a field goal to complete the win for the Wolves.

Pepsi Hornets 12 points came from Captain Elwin Chase and Rickford Cummins with one try each along with Ryan Gonsalves who had two conversions.

UG Wolves now have two wins from three games, they defeated Police Falcons and lost to Yamaha Caribs.

Pepsi Hornets also have

two wins in the tournament defeating Yamaha Caribs and Police Falcons.

Meanwhile Yamaha Caribs had a free walk in the park as the Police Falcons failed to field a full team at game time on Saturday giving Caribs three easy points .Caribs now have two wins in the tournament so far as they defeated UG Wolves also.

This weekend games marks the conclusion of the first round of matches in the League.

Calgary cricket star to shine on world stage

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o outsiders, they’re both high-stress jobs filled with confounding jargon and impenetrably complex numerical calculations.

Ask Calgarian Hamza Tariq though, and he’ll tell you there’s quite a difference between the accountancy career he expected, and the professional cricketing position he’s suddenly landed in, following the summons of a lifetime from the Caribbean.

“I couldn’t believe it — it was a really special moment,” said Tariq.

Tariq’s goal has always been to play professional cricket, but even after representing Cricket Canada on the world stage, landing a position on a pro team in one of cricket’s highly-competitve Twenty20 leagues seemed like a far-fetched fantasy for a 25-year-old from Calgary.

“I was hoping I might get picked, but I put my chances at maybe one percent,” said Tariq.

“I wanted to make a team, but I didn’t have high hopes, and I figured if it didn’t happen, then life goes on — but all of a sudden, that one percent chance become 100 percent.”

For a kid who started playing in Calgary — not exactly a hotspot for the world’s second-most popular sport — the signing to the Trinbago Knight Riders crowns an unlikely and impressive career, in a game most Canadians barely comprehend.

“I started playing at the age of 15 in Calgary, and from that day, I’ve just tried to improve every time I play — my only goal is to get better,” said Tariq.

Canada’s top wicketkeeper, Tariq’s chances of making a career of cricket badly faltered two years ago when the national team flopped in 2015 World Cup qualifying, and International Cricket Council funding to pay fulltime players was cut off.

With no professional league in Canada and limited career opportunities among the small but devoted order of amateur teams,

Sunil Narine

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est Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine has received support from Indian Premier League (IPL) club Kolkatta Knight Riders despite a somewhat controversial withdrawal from the regional team.

Narine was among 15 players selected for the Windies World T20 squad

despite being currently banned from international cricket. The expectations were that the spinner, who has been doing remedial work on his action, would be available to play in the tournament after an assessment of his action later this month.

Despite reports of things progressing well the player

stated last that he needed more time to be confident in his new action. The declaration came last week following a wage dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and senior players.

Narine was also selected to play for the Knight Riders despite being on the ban but Venky Mysore, the CEO of Knight Riders, said they were backing Narine to make a successful return to international cricket despite the latest setback and are confident Narine is ready for the Test.

“We don’t have any such concerns because he is a champion,” Mysore said.

“His action is one of its kind in the world and what tends to happen is that in a match situation when umpires look at him, it is an unusual action which is what makes him so effective,” he added.

“He has been working very, very hard. We have been supporting Sunil in all ways possible. I spoke with Carl Crowe and he is not at all concerned about Sunil going for testing and coming out well.” (Digicel Sportsmax)

Lady Jags’ Olympics hopes dashed by T&T Hamza Tariq

Tariq knew he better start making other plans for the future that didn’t revolve around bats, balls and wickets.

“I knew I better get a back-up plan,” he said.

Tariq enrolled in SAIT’s accountancy programme, and was in the midst of exams when he got the amazing news: he’d been drafted by the Trinbago Knight Riders of the Caribbean Premium League, and would soon be playing in front of thousands of cricket-mad fans.

Other cricketers might go out to celebrate when told a top-notch professional team has added their name to the roster — but the less-than-glamourous life of a cricket star in Calgary meant Tariq had other responsibilities first.

Like school. It was between an exam and a class on Thursday at SAIT that Tariq flipped open his laptop, filled with anxiety.

“The draft started at eight and so did the exam, and I just wanted to finish so I could find out what happened,” said Tariq.

The Caribbean Premier League draft was underway, and Tariq desperately hoped to be picked, following an impressive showing for the Americas team in an international tournament

last month — but he knew the chances were slim.

The CPL is considered one of the top cricket leagues in the world, after the Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash League.

But there, under the Trinbago Knight Riders, was the name Hamza Tariq.

He’d not only been drafted, he had been drafted by his favourite team in the region, a squad owned

by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who also owns Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders.

For a kid raised in Pakistan until the age of 12, the Bollywood link added a star-struck bonus to a moment of unbridled joy — for the minute he had to celebrate, anyway. Then it was off to class.

“I was speechless,” said Tariq.

He joins the team this summer for the league tournament, and Tariq says he plans to finish school, even though it might be hard to concentrate knowing he’ll soon be playing top-flight cricket in front of 20,000 live fans, and a nation of devout followers.

His goal, as always, is to keep getting better.

“If I do really well, it could open more doors for me,” he said. (www.calgarysun.com)

The Lady Jags’ poor defensive performance quells major momentum

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he Lady Jags’ journey to the Olympics came to a screeching halt on Tuesday evening after Trinidad and Tobago

emerged with a 5-1 win in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier in Houston, Texas.

Kennya Cordner sent the twin-islanders into the

lead as early as the seventh minute, and that goal opened the floodgates as T&T slammed in another three goals by the 25th minute.

Mariah Shade, Jenelle Cunningham and Ahkella Mollon were the other first half scorers for T&T, while debutant Bria Williams pulled one back for the Lady Jags just before the break.

Upon resumption, Cordner made it 5-1 for T&T, and although the Lady Jags made several attempts on goals, their efforts proved futile.

The Lady Jags also lost their first game against Canada 5-0, but rebounded to beat Guatemala 2-1.

A draw against T&T would have secured the Lady Jags passage to the next round of the Olympic Qualifier.

UEFA Champions League

ANSA McAL launches knockout stage

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NSA McAL under its Heineken brand launched the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League that began today.

The launching was held at the Savannah Suites of the Pegasus Hotel where Brand Manager of Heineken Guyana Robert Hiscock noted that the event was the best yet.

“It is great we really had to work hard to pull this off and we always like giving

back to the people that give to us, football of course is a proud sport and we know a lot of fans will be following this tournament and we just want to make the experience special,” Hiscock stated.

Managing Director of ANSA McAL Beverly Harper was also pleased with the event, “it was really a surprise to me, I think it was a great idea and the fact that it is a relief to the workers and fans it really is great, Guyana has a lot of

football fans and this is just great for them and ANSA McAl is happy that we can provide an event like this for them” Harper highlighted.

The Champions League started with its Round of 16 action on Tuesday with Paris SG defeating Chelsea FC 2-1.

Next Tuesday will see the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona in action while real Madrid will take the field today.

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Brazil court freezes footballer Neymar’s assets

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court in Brazil has frozen assets of football star Neymar.

The federal court in Sao Paulo announced it was issuing warrants to freeze almost $50m (£34.5m) worth of assets belonging to the Brazil and Barcelona striker.

They include a yacht, a jet and several properties.

Neymar, 23, is accused of tax evasion between 2011 and 2013 and faces legal proceedings. He has denied any wrongdoing.

‘Not too harsh’ Among the assets frozen are also three companies belonging to his family.

Prosecutors accuse Neymar of setting up companies as fronts in order to pay a lower rate of tax.

They demand he pay 63.6 million reias ($16m; £11m) in allegedly undeclared taxes.

The court ordered his assets be frozen to ensure the payment plus any possible fines, it said.

An auditor with the federal tax agency told the

Neymar

Associated Press news agency that Neymar could still appeal the decision and that he was unlikely to face jail.

“If he pays what he owes, the case is closed,” the auditor added. “Our legislation isn’t too harsh.”

Neymar and his father

were questioned this month in a court in the Spanish capital, Madrid, over separate allegations of corruption and fraud surrounding his transfer to FC Barcelona.

Neymar also denied any wrongdoing in that case. (BBC Sport)

Athletics Kenya CEO to temporarily step aside over bribery allegations

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Isaac Mwangi

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thletics Kenya’s chief executive has asked to step aside for 21 days pending an investigation into allegations that he sought bribes to reduce the doping bans of two Kenyan athletes who failed drugs tests, the federation said on Tuesday.

Isaac Mwangi last week dismissed as “fabrication” accusations by Joy Sakari and Francisca Koki Manunga that he had asked each athlete for $24,000 to reduce their four-year bans. The two runners were caught doping in August at the world championships in Beijing, where Kenya topped the medals table.

Athletics Kenya (AK) officials on Tuesday showed journalists a letter from Mwangi that stated: “The allegations have caused me a lot of mental anguish.”

“I am anxious to have my name cleared,” he added, according to the letter dated Feb. 15.

Kenya is a global leader

in endurance running, both on the track and in big-city marathons, but more than 40 of its athletes have been banned for doping in the past three years.

The spike in doping, coupled with corruption allegations against top AK officials over the past year, has stoked fears in Kenya that the East African nation could follow Russia and be suspended from global athletics.

The doping crisis in Russia and Kenya, as well as allegations of corruption within the world governing body, the IAAF, have cast a shadow over the sport ahead of the Rio Olympics in August.

Jack Tuwei, the AK president, said the newly formed Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) would conduct the investigation into allegations against Mwangi and report findings in two weeks.

“If cleared, (Mwangi) will come back,” said Tuwei.

He added that the World

Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the IAAF Ethics Commission had been in touch about the allegations.

WADA last week said it was “extremely troubled” by reports against Mwangi, adding that they were “eerily similar sounding” to what had been learned through an independent commission investigation into widespread doping in international athletics.

Tuwei’s predecessor, Isaiah Kiplagat, and two other senior AK officials, are being investigated by the IAAF over corruption allegations during their tenures at the federation. All three deny any wrongdoing.

Kenya last week missed a deadline to prove to WADA that it was doing enough to combat doping and faces being declared a non-compliant nation, which could lead to a global ban. But AK officials, including Mwangi, say Kenya has increased efforts to root out doping ahead of the Rio Olympics. (Reuters Sport)

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

UCCA Mash Cup

EBSC annual awards ceremony

Vishnu’s Super Store Continue to strive for success – NSC’s Harry and Republic Bank give financial support

Deon Esau, employee of Republic Bank Corriverton Branch, hands over the donation cheque to UCCA President, Dennis DeAndrade

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ishnu’s Super Store of Springlands and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited’s Corriverton Branch have provided financial support for the Upper Corentyne 5/5 Mashramani Cup. Proprietor of the popular vehicle spare parts and general store, Chand Hardyal (Vishnu), and Deon Esau, staff of the bank, said that they were delighted to be part of this charitable event. Both organisations indicated how pleased they are with the work of the UCCA, keeping the game alive in the area despite the challenges they face.

The drawing was done recently and the first round matches are as follows: Game OneYakusari Caribs vs Number 69 Vikings; Game Two- Number 73 Young Warriors vs Number 72 All Star; Game ThreeNumber 72 Cut and Load vs Number 70A; Game Four- Corriverton CC vs Number 48 Challengers; and Game Five- Crabwood Creek Sports club vs Scottsburg United. The day’s action will start at 09:30h.

The president and executives of the UCCA take this opportunity to thank Chand Hardyal of

Chand Hardyal (right) also known as Vishnu, Proprietor of Vishnu’s Super Store hands over the sponsorship to UCCA President, Dennis DeAndrade

The much anticipated 5/5 Mashramani Cup 2016, organised by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) is a one day cricket extravaganza set for February 21 at the Number 69 Vikings ground, featuring 10 top teams from the Upper Corentyne area.

The 10 selected teams are Number 70 A, Crabwood Creek Sports Club, Number 72 All Star, Number 72 Cut and Load, Scottsburg United, Yakusari Caribs, Number 69 Vikings, Corriverton Cricket Club, Number 73 Young Warriors and Number 48 Challengers.

Vishnu’s Super Store of Springlands, Corriverton, and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited’s Corriverton Branch for making contributions towards cricket development. Proceeds from this event will go towards cricket development at the youth level in the Upper Corentyne area.

Sponsors, who have joined with the UCCA already to make this event a success, are N.P.G Packaging and Plastic Inc., Sarfraz Photo Studio of Corriverton and Office Express, with branches in Corriverton and Rose Hall.

The awardees pose for a photo at the conclusion of Saturday’s function

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n a stirring address to the gathering on Saturday night at the annual awards ceremony of the Enterprise Busta Sports Club (EBSC), Gervy Harry of the Department of Sport in the Ministry of Education urged the awardees to continue to strive for excellence.

Harry congratulated the awardees and urged them to stay committed to the game of cricket, while he also lauded the club for its contribution to the gentleman’s game.

“Awardees, you have worked hard for success, however, you must keep striving for repeated and consistent success and the achievement of one goal should be the starting point of another,” he reasoned.

Harry, who spoke on a wide range of issues including fairplay, doping and ed-

ucation, said that for West Indies cricket to return to the glory days, the clubs must continue to produce quality cricketers on a regular basis.

“No stone should be left unturned to produce worldclass players; players who can perform on the international stage, players who are capable of competing with and dominating the best players in the world consistently, we all have a role to play on this journey,” he stated.

Harry further added that the National Sports Commission (NSC) is keen on promoting sport and its organisations, maintaining facilities and encouraging cooperation with sport entities.

Meanwhile, several young cricketers were rewarded for their efforts in 2015, with Vivian Albert

and Kavita Yadram being named male and female cricketers of the year respectively.

During the period under review, Albert scored 669 and took 26 wickets at the senior level, while he made 176 runs and captured seven wickets at the Under-19 level.

Rohan Mangal, with 749 runs, was named best batsman of the year, while on the bowling side, Zaheer Mohamed Shadir took the prize for his chart-topping 29 wickets.

Hansraj Sookdeo (316 runs) and Devanand Persaud (14 wickets) were the best batsman and bowler respectively in the ‘B’ team, while Bhaskar Yadram with 846 runs and 13 wickets took the Under-19 all-rounder of the year prize.

Special prizes were

also given to Pradesh Balkissoon, Ricardo Niranjan, West Indies opener Rajendra Chandrika and former Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company (GBC), Robert Selman. GBC, through its Busta soft drink brand, is the title sponsor of the club.

Among the businesses/ individuals who made the award ceremony possible were GBC, Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed, P and P Lumber Yard, Jai Kissoon, Latchman Yadram, Mr Elattie, Vivian Albert, Mr Deokissoon, M and M Fast Food, Ruben Lumber Yard, SSAS Auto Sales, The Yadram family, Super J Store, Kanhai’s Electrical Agency, Ramchand Auto Sale and General Store, Crown Mining Supplies and the Enterprise Centre Council.

Trophy Stall puts up top trophies for WCC T20

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n a clear demonstration of its commitment to the development and promotion of sport in Guyana, the Trophy Stall donated a quantity of trophies and medals to organisers of the Wakenaam Cricket Committee (WCC) T20 cricket competition.

The presentation was done at the company’s Bourda Market location where Devi Sunich presented trophies for the winner and runner-up teams, man-of-the-match in the final, best batsman and best bowler, as well as medals to Zaheer Mohamed.

In an invited comment, Sunich said the Trophy Stall is pleased to be as-

sociated with the competition, adding that she is looking forward to a successful tournament. She stated that this is one way of giving back to the society, and she also took the opportunity to wish the teams well. Mohamed, who received the trophies on behalf of the WCC, expressed gratitude to the entity for its contribution to the sport on the island.

Good Success, Sans Souci, Sans Souci Jaguars, Zeelandia, Maria’s Pleasure, Noitgedacht and G Square Cavaliers of Belle Plaine are the teams battling for supremacy in the competition, which started earlier this week.

On behalf of the WCC, Zaheer Mohamed, receives the first place trophy from Devi Sunich of the Trophy Stall

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

23

Ally and Sons Secondary Great if BCCI allows emerging A.School U-17 cricket talents to play in CPL – Mysore Joint champions C crowned after washout

ricket in Trinidad and Tobago will look different during the next Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The men who own and run the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise of the Indian Premier League bought the T20 franchise last year, and this year they have rebranded the team as the Trinbago Knight Riders with the hope of making the Knight Riders brand a global powerhouse. It is a bold move and one that has some risks.

The proud cricket fans of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago have got used to support the Red Force and then the Red Steel. When the new logo for the team was announced it was the purple of KKR not the red, white and black of the T&T flag.

The reaction from some fans was an angry one, but Venky Mysore, the CEO of both TKR and KKR, has assured them that the rebranding will be sensitive to their concerns.

“For us, the branding with the logo and the name was the more critical part.

There is an old saying that you think global, but act local so we definitely want to act local.

“In fact, that was one of my visions last time I came here. I understand the sensitivities of the local culture and what is important to them,” Mysore said.

“We have to find an interesting way to integrate the flag colours. I saw a sea of red in the games that were held in Trinidad and for me it was a no-brainer.

“This is what people here are passionate abouttheir cricket and their colours so you have to take that seriously and get on board.”

Mysore arrived in the Caribbean straight from the IPL auction and pointed out how they were very different processes.

Whereas in the IPL each side can bid as much as they can afford for a player, in the CPL it is a draft process with each team taking turns to select a player for each salary bracket.

“Last year we came in and joined the party so to say. This year we have had a lot of planning, opportunities to prepare and participating in the draft was a very enjoyable process.

“I just came from the IPL auction that was very different from the CPL draft. So there are different dynamics at play and a different type of preparation is needed.

“You have more of an opportunity in the auction to get what you want based on the fact that if you have money in your purse you can bid for anyone.

“But here it is also about waiting for your turn and having enough options and homework that you can

to.”

Indian players

Venky Mysore’s Kolkata Knight Riders have brought into the Trinidad and Tobago franchise

make sure that your team combination is strong.”

While the CPL is entering its fourth year, the IPL is twice as old and Mysore believes having solid offfield support in terms of infrastructure and experience will be helpful to the Trinbago version of the Knight Riders.

“Behind the scenes support is one of our strengths.

We have always had this vision of creating the Knight Riders into a global brand, but first we had to build a solid base and a solid brand in India.

“Like most global companies, it is only when you have a good set-up and a process in place that you have the courage to go out and say we can replicate this in other parts of world.

“We have 15 million followers back in India for KKR. So trying to crosspollinate all of that and bring in our best practices and our systems here and support the team on the ground is something we are really looking forward

While the CPL has a solid Indian following with as much as half the viewers of last year’s tournament coming from the subcontinent, there is still room to grow.

One of the ways in which the CPL can gain a stronger foothold in India is with the inclusion of Indian players. The BCCI has never allowed its cricketers to take part in another country’s T20 event, but Mysore would like to see that happen.

“Marquee signings like Brendon McCullum or AB de Villiers always generate a lot of excitement. They lift the profile of the tournament and get the crowds and the fans going.

“I think it will be great to have Indian players as well. The board has its own reasoning for (restricting involvement), but I hope it at least allows some emerging players to play for CPL because there is a lot of talent on offer. It will also be great for them to come and have this kind of exposure.”

CPL can also gain some currency in the Indian market by revising the schedule so that they hit prime time TV hours in India.

There is a danger here, though. CPL has seen good attendances at night-time games. Moving a match to 12pm local time will be ideal for fans in Kolkata, but that may adversely affect local attendance.

“We have been in discussion with CPL. We are working with the broadcasters on some ideas because last year’s CPL stats were quite impressive.

“Maybe it was a coincidence, but with our entry, Indian viewership has doubled and it is now 50 per cent of CPL viewership.

“I think it will be fabulous to do something interesting. There are a few ideas that are being collated and brainstorming taking place. I think we can do something really neat.

“I will certainly be requesting Shah Rukh to get involved in the promotion.

What that does automatically is that several of the brands, Indian brands, will start to get involved, but also to showcase the country and the cricket.

“The cricket is definitely something to showcase, but also the country with the impact it will have on tourism, for example.

“In our meetings in Trinidad with the Prime Minister, the sports minister and other members of the cabinet, we have focused on ‘what is it that we can do for you?’ Ours can be a mutually beneficial association.”

With Vijay Mallya of the Royal Challengers Bangalore also buying a stake in a CPL side it will be very interesting to see just how the tournament changes to reflect the tie in with the IPL. India is the money generating powerhouse for the sport and it could mean great things for West Indian cricket to be so closely connected with the most successful T20 tournament in the world.

As long as those involved are mindful of ensuring that local fans stay involved the future could be a bright one for the CPL. (www.firstpost.com)

Captains of the winning teams, Berbice High School’s Malcolm Mickle (left) and Rosignol Secondary’s Chandradat Veerasammy proudly display the trophy in the presence of BCB representative Angela Haniff

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osignol Secondary School and Berbice High School were declared joint winners of the 2015 A. Ally and Sons InterSecondary School Under-17 cricket competition in Berbice due to rain.

At a short presentation that followed, Angela Haniff of the Berbice Cricket Board thanked A. Ally and Sons for coming on board and supporting the return of school cricket after so many years.

She said that the competi-

tion was well organised by the Competition Committee and unearthed many new talents.

This competition will feed the clubs who will then feed the county. She added that she is so happy to learn that most, if not all of the members of the Berbice Under-15 team, played in this competition. Prolific allrounder Javid Karim was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Prolific all-rounder Javid Karim collects his trophy from BCB representative Angela Haniff

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

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

Great if BCCI allows emerging talents to play in CPL – Mysore Pg 22

Players from India have yet to step foot in another T20 tournament

GTT/GRFU 15s rugby league

UG down

UEFA Champions League

ANSA McAL launches Hornets knockout stage Pg 20

Pg 20

Some of the action between UG Wolves and the Pepsi Hornetts

Robert Hiscock, Beverley Harper and Marketing Director of ANSA McAL Troy Cadogan pose with the Heineken girls at the launching

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