Guyana Times Daily

Library Week 2016

P15

National Library hosts open day Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2826

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Nigel Hughes takes indefinite leave from AFC

PRICE

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

– "defers" resignation

Barman dies after crashing into horse

Harbour Bridge to be closed for 6 hours P14 …to facilitate maintenance works

Essequibo man crushed to death by falling door

Page 17

Page 11

$80 vat included

– employer distances self from liability

President urges dispensation of mercy by new Parole Board Page 9

Moves afoot to hire new GRA Commissioner General P12 Missing British teen

Police en route to P13 Trinidad to collect DNA results

Tucville Secondary School student P15 robbed – parent calls for proper security

President David Granger and Attorney General Basil Williams (extreme left) with the newly sworn in members of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency

Increased tariff on neutral spirits

Deadly prison riot

Local pharmaceutical manufacturer wants excise tax removed

Prisoners spat on Fire Chief – CoI hears

Page 7

Page 7

Psychiatric P8 patient steals car – 5 other similar matters pending in court

2 news

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Thieves hit 4 Regions to benefit from Flamboyant US$30.9M sea defence project Supermarket

S

ome 20 communities in four Administrative Regions have been identified for works to be done on sea and river defence via a third loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The CDB made the announcement when it launched the US$30.9 million Sea and River Defence Resilience Project, in collaboration with the Government,

it covered the rehabilitation of some six kilometres of sea defence in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

He said, however, that these four Regions’ combined six km of sea defence work represents a mere two per cent of the foreshores

CDB Portfolio Manager William Ashby

The empty structure where the gas cylinders were stored before being stolen

T

he proprietors of Flamboyant Supermarket are counting their losses after thieves broke into their establishment and carted away hundreds of thousands of dollars worth in items.

Reports are that thieves broke into the supermarket at about 01:00h on Monday and stole 52 cylinders of gas from the business which is located at 3rd Avenue, Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. The items were valued at $560,000.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the owner of the entity, Keirtie Brasse, said the business was secured at 20:00h but subsequently received reports from residents in the area that at about 22:00h, two men were seen jumping the fence of the premises.

According to the busi-

nesswoman, the men shifted the security cameras’ focus and left the business.

However, reports are they returned later and broke the locks to the structure where the gas cylinders were security and carted off the items. This newspaper was told that the men they loaded the gas cylinders into two awaiting white cars before making their escape.

Additionally, this newspaper was told that even as the men were removing the items, the Police was called but never showed up until the following morning.

When this publication contacted the Diamond/ Grove Police Station about the incident, this newspaper was told that an investigation has been launched into the incident. However Police there were tightlipped about the failure of ranks to respond to the robbery.

A section of the audience

on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown.

Attending the launch were representatives of the CDB, Public Infrastructure Ministers David Patterson and Annette Ferguson, and the Finance Ministry’s Finance Secretary, Hector Butts.

Giving an overview of the project, Minister Patterson explained that

that have to be protected countrywide.

“So for $30 million, we are only looking into six km of sea defence. If one were to take into account the entire country, it would amount to some 425km.” He said this project was important to Guyana.

According to Patterson, Guyana’s sea and river defence form part of an integrated system which plays a vital role in the protection of people, assets and environment on the coastal belt.

This system contributes to sustainable and economic growth and future socioeconomic development opportunities through the minimisation of and the prevention of flooding and river and sea water infusion into the lowlying coastal region.

“To this end, the sea and river defence sector policy was developed and updated last year to better reflect an integrated approach to the delivering of sustainable sea defence along the coast. This improved integration of the many overlapping multisectoral functions and aspects of coastal zone management will aid in efficient and effective flood risks prepara-

tion, planning and implementation, while fostering better harmonisation and other relevant national initiatives,” Patterson relayed.

At the end of 2013, the CDB had approved longterm loans totalling about US$255 million to Guyana.

This figure will increase with the addition of the current loan. The first sea defence project was approved in 2002 at a cost of $1.8 billion. That catered for 2.1 km of sea defence in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). In 2006, the second loan of 1.9 billion was approved covering a total of 2.4km. This third loan, he said, has several components.

“It will focus on flood protection infrastructure and will focus on civil works and upgrading of 5.6 km of sea and river defence. The project sites are located in 20 communities between Region Two, Three, Four, Six along with the coastline and Demerara and Essequibo,” Patterson noted.

In his remarks, CDB Portfolio Manager William Ashby said Guyana remained well-known for its rich and natural environment; however, most of its population lived in close proximity to the 430km of coastline, an area threatened by coastal flooding and sea level rise.

He said Government had identified the protection of the people and productive land through climate change adaptation measures as a priority.

“It has long included efforts to manage the natural sea defence as well as extending and upgrading and maintain the system of sea and river defence infrastruc-

ture.”

Ashby said the importance of mitigating the impact of flooding on the economy has also been highlighted and improved risk management capabilities identified as essential to the achievement of the country’s developmental objectives.

The CDB, he said, has been fortunate to have the opportunity to support Guyana’s work in this sector, through a series of projects which started 25 years ago.

“Supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development is one of the Bank’s main strategic objectives over the 2015-2019 planning period and the promotion and environmental sustainability through climate change resilience, environmental management and disaster risk management are a key corporate priority,” the CDB official said.

He added that a key element of the CDB’s climate resilience strategy was providing borrowing member countries with access to concessionary resources to finance climate resilience investments for some of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world.

Ashby said following its accreditation of a regional implementation facility, the CDB now has better access and more funds to address climate change and help mitigate the impact in borrowing member countries.

He said the project would benefit some 45,000 persons in about 9000 households. It will also include a capacity building workshop for Public Infrastructure Ministry staff.

news

3

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, April 14 – 10:30h-12:00h and Friday, April 15 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, April 14 – 09:35h-11:05h and Friday, April 15 – 11:05h-12:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, while light cloud cover is expected in the afternoon and into the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East South-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:53h and 22:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.21 metres and 2.10 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:22h and 16:07h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 1.01 metres respectively.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

09 16 22 26 27 28 18 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Wednesday, April 13, 2015

Daily Millions

02 03 04 09

01

LUCKY 3

4

6

5

Draw De Line 03

08 10 14 18

20 21

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

Nigel Hughes takes indefinite leave from AFC – "defers" resignation

A

ttorney and Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Nigel Hughes has agreed to have his letter of resignation as Chairman of the party deferred, while he proceeds on indefinite leave of absence, as leaders of the party make careful consideration of his decision.

The new development took place on Wednesday, following a high-level meeting involving party leader Khemraj Ramjattan, General Secretary David Patterson and Hughes.

According to a release from the party, during the meeting detailed and frank discussions were held on the current political environment in Guyana and in particular “the coalition Government’s first year in office, the party’s relationship with its coalition partners and the AFC’s performance during this period.”

It said after a “most productive working session”, it was agreed that consideration by the party of Hughes’s resignation letter will be deferred and he would instead proceed on leave of absence from the duties and responsibilities of Chairman for a period of reflection and review after which a mutual decision will be taken.

According to the release, Hughes has reiterated firmly and unequivocally that he remains fully committed to the AFC and its development agenda for the country and he will remain an active and vocal member of

AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes

the party.

It was further agreed that during his absence from active duties as Chairman, he will continue political and policy work on behalf of the Party by concentrating his efforts on three critical and important pillars of the AFC’s agenda, including Constitutional Reform, Broadcasting Legislation and other core legal matters which the AFC has committed itself to advance in the interest of Guyana.

It said the party’s leadership “wholeheartedly recognises the significant contribution of the Chairman and accepts his decision to recalibrate his focus and attention at this time as the Party continues its historic mission on setting Guyana on a firm and steady path of sustained progress”.

On Monday, Hughes announced his decision to relinquish the post of Chairman of the AFC, saying the following day that it had become “difficult and unten-

able” for him.

Hughes made the decision to resign his post during a statutory committee meeting on Monday. While the statement published by the party immediately after did not give any specifics, it did indicate that the party’s leader and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was expected to meet with Hughes, in the hopes that he (Hughes) would reconsider his decision.

AFC insiders say the Attorney quit over a strongly-worded statement issued following an Executive Council meeting on Sunday, which called for a trimming of the powers of Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

That meeting was not attended by either Natural

Resources Minister Raphael Trotman or Ramjattan.

Another statement by the AFC followed, distancing both Ministers from the call

by Hughes.

This is not the first time the Chairman has tendered his resignation to the party.

In August 2013, Hughes submitted his resignation after a publication by Kaieteur News disclosed him as the Company Secretary of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project.

The project, which was being propelled in the National Assembly then by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration of the day, was heavily criticised by both the AFC and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Opposition.

He later rescinded that decision.

Hughes has been with the AFC since July 2011 and was elected Chairman on August 4, 2012.

4

guyana-times.com

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 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

Government as business catalyst

T

he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has just released its 2016 annual macroeconomic report on Latin America and the Caribbean. Dubbed “Time to Act: Latin America and the Caribbean facing strong challenges”, the report emphasises that because of the continued anaemic economic performance of the developed economies and China – with a consequent plunge in commodity prices – growth in the Region will be flat, even though the price of oil has fallen significantly.

The report calls for fiscal prudence with a commitment to avoiding populist fiscal profligacy combined with a strong emphasis on infrastructural development in the near term.

While this advice is salutary for an administration seemingly dedicated to just throwing its resources into the gala Jubilee Independence celebrations in May, it falls woefully short of what is actually needed to move the country on a sustainable growth trajectory.

What is needed is an “industrial policy” by the Government, which we have long advocated. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) defines industrial policy as a “concerted, focused, conscious effort on the part of Government to encourage and promote a specific industry or sector with an array of policy tools”. Industrial policies are geared towards shifting the industrial structure of the country by the Government in an effort to increase growth of the economy.

The Soviet Union had pioneered the structured industrial policy mode in the transformation of their economy to catch up with the developed West. The State, supposedly on behalf of the “working class”, took the lead in identifying which strategic industries would deliver both goods needed for consumption and production and then make the necessary investment.

Their evident success led to most poor, developing countries in the Third World imitating this model.

In Guyana, the PNC Government insisted it was a “socialist” government that would use “co-ops” to develop the economy; following the nationalisation of the “commanding heights of the economy”, the State controlled most of the productive enterprises. It also launched a raft of enterprises such as factories to produce bicycles, glass, fabrics, leather and earthenware. Most of these failed ignominiously and following the victory of the neo-liberal forces in the developed world in the 1980s, the new dispensation of “market fundamentalism” was imposed by the IMF here and elsewhere.

Under these policies, Governments withdraw from any direct involvement in production and the market – composed of private entrepreneurs –- was supposed to “decide” what and how much the economy was supposed to produce. The fall of the Soviet Bloc hastened the retreat from overt industrial policies and the embrace of “market fundamentals”. While there were evident successes from the “free market” policies, it all came crashing down in 2008, when the entire developed world entered into a recession in which they are still enmeshed.

But by then it was evident that there was a third way in economic development that led to more sustainable growth: it was exemplified by Japan and the Far Eastern Tigers. In this “third way”, there was also the identification of strategic industries and their facilitation, but the Governments very soon, turned them over to private interests. South Korea’s Samsung is an example of such a company. China, which interestingly moved into a government-controlled but privatelydriven industrial policy mode of development at the same time “market fundamentalism” was sweeping the rest of the world – was also successful.

The difference between the Chinese and Russian models of industrial policy development was that while the Chinese Government was integrally involved, the companies and enterprises were subject to market forces. In Guyana, productive enterprises under total Government control quickly develop fatal inefficiencies. In the Chinese model, their authoritarian Government acts to eliminate such inefficiencies but such a government cannot and should not be tolerated here.

We suggest, therefore, that while the Government must practise fiscal prudence, investment in infrastructure is not enough. It must see itself as an initiator and catalyst of an industrial policy.

Staff of the National Library explaining the display to students of the Saint Stanislaus College during the Open Day event on Wednesday

Hindus challenged Dear Editor, The festival of Holi is over and Hindus seemed to be quite happy that many non-Hindus participated in the celebrations. Others opined that it was just another religious event that was being overshadowed by alcohol and Bollywoodtype entertainment. What Hindus ought to share with all mankind is the universal knowledge that is the very foundation of their culture.

Our Indo-Guyanese ancestors were the first East Indians to inhabit any country in the Western Hemisphere when the first ships landed in British Guiana in 1838.However, a quick comparison with the vibrancy of Hinduism in neighbouring Trinidad and Suriname would show that Hindus of Guyana have a lot of catching up to do.

Indentured servants may not have brought many books when they first came aboard ships, but there is no reason why the oral method of sharing knowledge should

limit the methods of learning today. In 1939, devotees at Windsor Forest imagined that the Vedas was so large that they took a painted donkey cart to pick up the book at the train station. They must have been shocked when Professor Bhaskaranand appeared holding the book in one hand.

Every year, current and past Presidents attend graduation ceremonies at Saraswati Vidya Niketan at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and praise the success of this Hindu learning institution, its principal and its teachers, yet Hindus seem unwilling to duplicate this success.

Organisations in Guyana and even in NORTH AMERICA seem unable to meet the challenge to operate a private school. While some are in the initial stages they all appear to be struggling generally because parents themselves seem not to appreciate the value of cultural education. While we

wait for more classrooms, the temples can encourage more Hindus to read about Hinduism. The Vedic civilisation produced the first books, the Vedas, the first universities and some of the greatest minds in the world yet one would have to look with a microscope to find a library or books in many temples. Not songs, not a CD or a DVD that limits the imagination, but a book that can be read over and over anywhere without the need for electricity or a battery.

Many will finance a yagna or sponsor a murti, but few are willing to finance written knowledge even when devotees worship Mother Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. If the temples do not wish to participate, this does not prevent the enlightened devotee from taking the lead at their private functions at home or elsewhere.

Vedic scholars have produced masterpieces in literature, philosophy, science, history and every other

field of study. These include writings of Nobel Prize winner Rabindranauth Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Dayananda, Rajagopalachari.

In every home, there should be a copy of the Ramayan and the Bhagavad Gita.

The latter was described

by Gandhi as a book of Universal Ethics and by Vivekananda as a bouquet of the beautiful flowers of the spiritual truths collected from the Vedas and the Upanishads.

Once it is realised that these are the best gifts for family and friends, the demand would quickly lead to the establishment of specialised book stores, libraries and hopefully more private Hindu schools open to everyone wishing to find answers to mankind’s enduring questions; answers that are still relevant to modern technological societies.

Sincerely, Tamnarine Sahadeo Brampton, Canada

Reparations activists harming social cohesion efforts Dear Editor, I refer to M Maxwell’s letter in another section of the media on April 12, 2016 titled “Land Reparation for African Guyanese impractical”. Maxwell, in his letter, said: “What I have a problem is falsely bootstrapping and conflating the African land reparation claim root-

ed in recompense for slavery with patrimonial and inherent land ownership rights of Amerindians.”

Maxwell is correct because what he says is consistent with international law that pertains to the rights of indigenous peoples.

Maxwell also said: “The entire fiasco is increasingly ap-

pearing an ethnic land grab masquerading under the guise of land reparations.”

It is unfortunate, but this is the impression I am receiving when I read the long letters in the press by the Guyana reparation activists which can certainly defeat Guyana’s continuing efforts to build social cohe-

sion. Already I have started to receive calls from indigenous peoples expressing their concerns. The Guyana Reparations Committee need to put themselves in order.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

guyana-times.com

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

5

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

The court has not made a decision against the Govt Dear Editor, On Tuesday, April 12, the PPP held a protest next to the Ministry of the Presidency, claiming that my appointments of a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons were unlawful and dictatorial.

I can state unequivocally that I am proud to be part of an administration which held Local Government Elections (LGE) within 10 months of being elected to office. I am proud to be part of the government that placed decision-making power into the hands of the people by giving citizens the opportunity to elect persons from within their communities to manage local affairs.

Guyanese should never forget that it was the PPP that displayed blatant disrespect for citizens and contempt for the Constitution by denying the people the right to enjoy local democracy. We recall too that in the 2011 Manifesto, the PPP promised to hold LGE within one year of being elected, a promise on which they reneged. On the other hand,

the coalition has demonstrated commitment to democratic norms by delivering on the promise of holding LGE. Following the LGE of March 18, there were ties in seven Local Authority Areas – one municipality (Mabaruma) and six NDCs. In the spirit of inclusion, consultation and fairness, the Administration proposed to the PPP that leaders of the tied councils be decided by the party with the plurality of votes. The PPP rejected our proposal. It should be noted that had the PPP accepted, they would have been able to choose leaders in four of the tied local authority areas; the coalition would have chosen only three. Editor, in my opinion, this hardly qualifies as being anti-democratic or dictatorial.

After the PPP rebuffed our offer – acting on legal advice and our interpretation of Section 28 (7) of the Local Government Act, Chapter 28:02 and Section 13(8) of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01– I proceeded to appoint leaders and deputy leaders of the Councils in

question, from among those with the largest numbers of votes, as stipulated by the laws.

The Administration desires that local democracy be made a reality as quickly as possible, hence the holding of LGE within months of assuming office. Similarly, the appointment of council leaders was done to ensure that the work of those councils could begin and proceed apace to the benefit of the affected communities.

Clearly, the Government has demonstrated that we are committed to democracy, not dictatorship.

Finally, contrary to what is being said by PPP officials, including Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, the courts have not made a decision against the Government as we are yet to be heard. What the courts have done was to grant an interim injunction without giving us a hearing. The PPP’s statements are, therefore, not only premature but misleading and untrue.

Yours faithfully, Ronald Bulkan Minister of Communities

URP applauds Hughes on principled politics

Dear Editor, Mr Nigel Hughes deserves high praise and congratulations for his principled position in resigning as Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman.

The United Republican Party (URP) hopes that Mr Hughes’ valiant resignation will motivate serious drastic changes in the coalition Government considering his first resignation over Amaila Falls was withdrawn without achieving anything positive.

The URP believes in private investments as the engine of economic growth.

The URP also strongly urges that both AFC leader Mr Khemraj Ramjattan and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo must become the vanguard against corruption considering they were fierce critics against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. What have they achieved for the 11 per cent Indian votes which they boastfully delivered for the APNU/AFC coalition’s victory in May? Guyanese are not prepared for life as usual after the change of government.

For Mr Nagamootoo to keep operating as if basking in the trappings of the Prime Minister’s post is all he lives for will not cut it

anymore.

Both AFC leaders must emulate Mr Hughes and must take a more positive stand against corruption. The URP believes Mr Harmon has far too much power and must either be reduced to size or dismissed outright.

The APNU/AFC coalition claimed power on the basis that Guyanese voted for change last May. But so far, all we have had is an exchange. Where is the change from public corruption?

Elected on a promise of good governance, the APNU/AFC coalition has, so far, not measured up.

Too many Government activities are done stealthily and in secret. The Government has been accused of corruption and embroiled in too many controversies. What the nation has gotten so far is the elite of the APNU/AFC replacing the preceding regime.

The working class and poor have been left out of the equation. Thousands have been fired from their jobs and thousands more victimised on account of race and political affiliation. Thousands will lose their jobs if Wales Estate is closed.

As a prominent AFC leader, Mr Hughes felt he

shared responsibility for the way these matters were mishandled. He wants his AFC party to be the agent of good change and rightly felt the right thing to do was to resign as Chairman of AFC. The URP is highly satisfied that he took such a principled position. Seldom do we find Guyanese leaders, any government official or any ranking party executives resigning over improper behaviour. Mr Hughes’ action is most commendable and an example for others to emulate.

The country is now in a different era with the removal of the PPP/C at the last polls. People are looking for principled governance (accountability and transparency) with decent political behaviour.

So far, only Mr Hughes has stepped up to the plate. As the URP leader, I salute and embrace Mr Hughes on these issues.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bandhu URP Leader Editor’s note: Mr Nigel Hughes has since deferred his resignation and taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Alliance for Change

Onward with City Hall’s forensic audit!

Dear Editor, I have noted with much pleasure the announcement by the new Mayor Patricia Chase Green that the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) is open to facilitating any forensic audit, and she has no objections and even welcomes the Office of the Auditor General to do such an examination.

It is my earnest hope that she is sincere with this declaration as any new and honest administration would demand an audit to not only know where they are financially, but to be guided in the way forward, strengthening and improving systems. Of course, it would highlight any skulduggery that has transpired and identify the perpetrators.

But why is Ms Chase

Green limiting the carrying out of an audit on the City Council to only being done by the Auditor General’s Office?

Everyone is aware of how taxed the Auditor General’s Office is, with its limited resources and its mandate to audit all State agencies. So, clearly, they would be unable to sift through the Council’s records as would be necessary. There would be need for the engagement of private and competent agencies and individuals as the Government did when the audits were done of places such as the Guyana Energy Agency; Guyoil; the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

The new Mayor further said that she has nothing to

hide. She may have a point as by now the public has been made aware that a close male relative of hers continues to receives contracts to clean the cemetery along with other wards of the city, while two female relatives are employed at the City Council benefiting from large salaries whilst doing nothing but sitting in an office in the Human Resources Department manicuring and pedicuring themselves. This is nepotism which is clearly defined as the unfair practice by a powerful person of giving jobs and other favours to relatives, but let us see what else the audit turns up.

Come on Madam Mayor, onward with the forensic audit!

Sincerely, Shanta Singh

Expensive overseas trips should be justified

Dear Editor, It was reported in the news media on April 12 that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has flown to Costa Rica and was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority and the General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation to discuss support for the agricultural sector in Guyana.

Tourism is the main foreign exchange earner for Costa Rica with bananas, pineapples and coffee as its major agricultural crops. It has no livestock development.

Guyana’s main agricultural crops are sugar and rice.

Their improved productivity can only come through mechanisation, development of high yielding plants and lower labour costs. Competitiveness has to come from lower cost of production. Hence there is no commonality with respect to the agricultural sector between the two countries and,

therefore it is difficult to comprehend as claimed, that the objectives of Minister Holder’s visit are to improve productivity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector thereby contributing to the development and well-being of the rural population since the crops grown by each country are dissimilar.

Minister Holder has been in office for nearly a year, done little so far and has no comprehensive plan to develop and improve agriculture, the most important sector in Guyana. The Report on the Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry is still under wraps without any decision taken to implement/reject the recommendations.

Presently, there is drought in Regions Two and Three with no concerted effort made by the Ministry of Agriculture to provide rice farmers with some water to save their seedlings while there is flooding in parts of Region Six which has destroyed crops to be reaped

because the drainage system is clogged for want of maintenance. The sugar industry is in a downward spiral with no alternative plan in sight for its rescue, particularly for Wales Estate and its impending displaced workers. The Hope Canal is still not functional as per its design requirements.

President Granger should let the poor people of Guyana know why so many of his Ministers with large entourages are making frequent expensive overseas trips which the country could ill afford to achieve marginal benefits while neglecting to address the problems at home for which they were appointed to resolve. “Charity begins at home” and, therefore, our elected representatives should not be allowed to make luxurious trips abroad for questionable purposes and no clear-cut objective to benefit the country.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

6

guyana-times.com

thursDAY, april 14, 2016

Page Foundation Children and food: 10 tips for parents I

t’s no surprise that parents might need some help understanding what it means to eat healthy. From the food guide to the latest food fad, it can be awfully confusing.

The good news is that you don’t need a degree in nutrition to raise healthy children. Following some basic guidelines can help you encourage your children to eat right and maintain a healthy weight.

Here are 10 key rules to live by: Parents control the supply lines. You decide which foods to buy and when to serve them. Though children will pester their parents for less nutritious foods, adults should be in charge when deciding which foods are regularly stocked in the house. Children won’t go hungry. They’ll eat what’s available in the cupboard and fridge at home. If their favourite snack isn’t all that nutritious, you can still buy it once in a while so they don’t feel deprived.

From the foods you offer, children get to choose what they will eat or whether to eat at all.

Children need to have some say in the matter.

Schedule regular meal and snack times.

From the selections you offer, let them choose what to

eat and how much of it they want. This may seem like a little too much freedom. But if you follow step one, your children will be choosing only from the foods you buy and serve.

Quit the “clean-plate club”. Let children stop eating when they feel they’ve had enough. Lots of parents grew up under the clean-plate rule, but that approach doesn’t help children listen to their own bodies when they feel full.

When children notice and respond to feelings of fullness, they’re less likely to overeat.

Start them young.

Food preferences are developed early in

life, so offer variety. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when children are babies. You may need to serve a new food a few different times for a child to accept it. Don’t force a child to eat, but offer a few bites. With older children, ask them to try one bite.

Rewrite the children’ menu. Who says children only want to eat hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and macaroni and cheese? When eating out, let your children try new foods and they might surprise you with their willingness to experiment. You can start by letting them try a little of whatever you ordered or ordering an appetizer for them to try.

Drink calories count. Soda and other sweetened drinks add extra calories and get in the way of good nu-

Water milk best for

trition. and are the drinks chil-

dren. Juice is fine when it’s 100 per cent, but children don’t need much of it – 4 to 6 ounces a day is enough for preschoolers.

Put sweets in their place. Occasional sweets are fine, but don’t turn dessert into the main reason for eating dinner. When dessert is the prize for eating dinner, children naturally place more value on the cupcake than the broccoli. Try to stay neutral about foods.

Food is not love. Find better ways to say “I love you.” When foods are used to reward children and show affection, they may start using food to cope with stress or other emotions. Offer hugs, praise, and attention instead of food treats.

Children do as you do. Be a role model and eat healthy yourself. When trying to teach good eating habits, try to set the best example possible. Choose nutritious snacks, eat at the table, and don’t skip meals.

Limit TV and computer time. When you do, you’ll avoid mindless snacking and encourage activity.

Research has shown that children who cut down on TV-watching also reduced their percentage of body fat. When TV and computer time are limited, they’ll find more active things to do. And limiting “screen time” means you’ll have more time to be active together. (Kidshealth)

Part Two: Get active

M

ost children don’t spend enough time moving their bodies. At least one hour of physical activity is recommended every day for children two years and older.

Regular physical activity helps children to have strong and healthy hearts, bones, and muscles, and to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. Those who are active may have an increased ability to learn, feel more energetic, and sleep better.

Here’s how to get your family moving:

Schedule a regular time for daily physical activity.

Use physical activity as family bonding time; be active together.

S e t your weekend in motion by planning active family fun.

Try a hike, a walk through the zoo, a dip in the local pool, or toss a Frisbee in the park.

Insert physical activity into the things you already do. Park farther away from store

entrances. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Play outside whenever possible.

Set up a safe area in your home where active play is OK – don’t let nasty weather be an excuse to be idle.

Avoid sugary drinks

Besides causing cavities, sugary drinks are one of the main culprits behind the childhood obesity epidemic.

Since the 1970s, soft drink consumption has more than doubled among teens and children in the US. So, it’s no surprise that the number of overweight a n d obese children has also increased.

B u t what’s considered a “sugary drink”? You may be surprised to know that besides soda, juice drinks, lemonades, sweetened iced teas, sports drinks, and coffee drinks are also loaded with sweeteners and offer little nutritional value.

For children two years and older, water and fat-free or lowfat milk (one per cent) are the best choices for drinks.

Limit 100 per cent fruit juice to one serving per day for children one-six years old, and no more than two servings for children ages 7-18. As an alternative, add flavour to water by throwing in a few lemon or lime slices. Your children will enjoy a refreshing beverage that’s good for them, too.

Here are more tips for getting your children off the sugar-packed soft drinks: When you go shopping, buy healthy beverages instead of sugary drinks.

Your children learn from you, so let them see you choose healthier options.

At dinner, offer lowfat milk or water. Reserve soft drinks for special occasions.

When thirsty, choose water. Keep it on hand to quench thirst at the big game and pack a water bottle in school lunches.

So try to make 5-2-1-Almost None part of your family’s life, and share the formula with your children. It can help prepare them to make good decisions on their own about the foods they want to eat – and that can lead to a lifetime of healthier choices. (kidshealth)

news

7

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Increased tariff on neutral spirits

Deadly prison riot

Prisoners spat on Fire Chief – CoI hears

Local pharmaceutical manufacturer wants U Excise Tax removed L

ocal manufacturing companies involved in the production of pharmaceutical products are contending that the law does not require them to make an Excise Tax payment on the purchase of alcohol and are therefore demanding the removal of the burdensome tariff on their purchases.

The tax should only be applied to alcohol that is consumed and is commonly known as a "sin tax".

Twins Manufacturing Chemists, which has been in existence for over 60 years, explained that the Excise Tax Act 2005 is only applicable to local manufacturers involved in the production of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or petroleum products and not pharmaceutical products.

“People who are not manufacturing spirits and other alcoholic products, the category Twins and NEW GPC falls into, they are not using these alcohols to make spirits and alcoholic beverages, we are using it to make medicine, we should not have to a pay the Excise Tax, that is our position on the whole matter,” Shafeez Ferouze of Twins Manufacturing stated.

According to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) website, Excise Tax is charged on the following items: alcoholic beverages; tobacco products; petroleum products; and motor vehicles.

Ram and McRae’s Value Added Tax and Excise Tax handbook also explains that the principal classes of goods on which the Excise Tax is payable are alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, petroleum products, and new and used vehicles.

Local manufacturers are now bearing the brunt of an onerous 40 to 65 per cent increase in the Excise Tax on the purchase of alcohol.

Last year, several manufacturing companies expressed concerns over the alarmingly high Excise Tax charged on the alcohol they would usually purchase from Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and had consequently requested the Government’s intervention to alleviate the burden plaguing the local manufacturing sector.

Instead of getting relief from paying the 40 per cent in Excise Tax, manufactures now have to pay an incredulous 65 per cent in Excise Tax for the neutral spirits they buy locally for use in the production of their goods and services.

The alcohol purchased by manufacturers is referred to as extra-neutral alcohol or neutral spirits and is measured in Litres of Pure Alcohol (LPA). At the pur-

Twins Manufacturing Chemists

chase strength of 96 per cent alcohol v/v (volume-volume percentage), it is considered only suitable for industrial use or further processing.

Twins Manufacturing Chemists explained to Guyana Times that since the implementation of the Excise Tax, they have been lobbying but to no avail for relief, or at the very least, an explanation for the inconsistency with what is stipulated in the Act and what is being practiced.

“Since 2007, we’ve been behind this… the issue is the Excise Tax, it ought to be removed for local manufacturers who are not producing alcoholic beverages,” Feroze said, noting that they never received a single response.

With the current Administration, he lamented that instead of correcting the error, they have decided to raise the Excise Tax. “Instead of reviewing and removing, they (the Government) are increasing and imposing the Excise

Tax,” he stated.

He noted that if the manufacturing companies continue to pay the whopping Excise Tax on the purchase of the alcohol, then it will only be a matter of time before the costs are passed down to the consumers.

Strangely, it is exceedingly cheaper to import the same product from Trinidad and Tobago because both the Excise Tax and Value Added Tax are waived by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) under the existing tax legislation as incentives for local manufacturing. But importation has to be done in bulk and this poses another cluster of challenges to local manufacturers.

Therefore, any local businesses desirous of using alcohol as a raw material will have to endure the onerous tax locally or import foreign alcohol – an alternative that is coincidentally inimical to the interests of another local manufacturer and the Guyanese economy.

pon arrival at the scene of the fatal Camp Street Prison fire, which left 17 inmates dead, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle revealed that he was verbally abused and spat on by prisoners.

In his testimony at the afternoon session of Wednesday’s Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into events surrounding the deadly prison fire, Gentle explained that the situation was very tense, noting that there was potential for “anything to happen”.

Due to the nature of the prison environment, he opined that inmates could have attempted a jail break.

Attorney representing the Prison Service and Guyana Police Force, Eusi Anderson asked Gentle to detail the abuses which were hurled at him.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle

plained.

The Chief Fire Officer was questioned as to why he arrived at 11:59h after the Fire Service received the report at 11:18h.

Gentle explained that he ensured that ambulances gathered as his deputy Compton Sparman related to him to expect casualties.

He noted that when he arrived, he along with Police Commander Clifton Hicken and Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels tried to diffuse the situation.

Proceed with caution

Fireman Garfield Benjamin

In his testimony, the Chief Fire Officer remembered vividly prisoners saying “Why the f**king Fire Chief coming now” and “we want to f**k up the prisons”.

“I was spit on by the same people [prisoners]; persons were rocking the fence,” Gentle further ex-

The Commission was told that subordinate firemen were told to proceed with caution.

“The cautionary words were basically to alert them that this was not a normal situation, it was a riotous situation and they must be cognisant of their own safety,” Gentle recounted. In his explanation over what he heard over his radio set, the Chief Fire Officer explained that Fire Officer in Charge of Operations Compton Sparman was shouting “Enter with caution! Proceed with caution!”

several times.

In trying to ascertain the available resources to the fire service, the Commission was told that there are 191 ranks in Georgetown (A Division) and that there is a more than 95 per cent compliment of ranks in the overall service. Gentle however admitted that the fire service does not have all that it currently needs. He revealed that the fire service is undertaking measures with stakeholders to fix many of the broken fire hydrants in the city.

Sophia Boucher, leading firewoman in the control room, was also called to testify as she was the officer on duty receiving reports at Central Fire Station, Stabroek between 11:00h and 14:00h. Upon inspection, Attorney associated with the Bar Association Glen Hanoman raised concerns that the logbook started on March 2, 2016, and as such, could not establish a flow of entries, thereby hindering its credibility. He then petitioned Commission Chairman James Patterson that its predecessor be tendered as evidence. turn to page 9

8 news

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS Psychiatric patient steals car – 5 other similar matters pending in court

A

26-year-old patient of the National Psychiatric Hospital was on Wednesday taken before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with stealing a car, his sixth offence of this nature.

Raymond Samaroo, of Lot 20 Owen Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on April 11, at Georgetown, he stole one Toyota Carina 212 motorcar property of the Virtual Complainant (VC), Lavern Grenaola.

Police Prosecutor Adduni Innis told the court that on the day in question, the accused stole the car and drove it until it ran out of gas and abandoned it at that point.

Raymond Samaroo

She objected to bail citing the defendants previous five such offences. Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to May 3.

Just last month, on March 17, at Kitty, Samaroo stole a Toyota Premio motor

car valued $1.7 million and $15,000 cash, property of Fareeda Hamid.

He has also been previously charged for four offences similar in nature.

On June 27, 2015, while on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, he stole a motor car bearing registration number PHH 5935 valued $5 million from Rishi Lall. He again stole the same car on June 28 from the vicinity of the Kitty Police Station on Alexander Street, Kitty. Initially, when Samaroo hijacked the car, the VC’s girlfriend was still seated inside and had to jump out of the moving vehicle to avoid abduction.

Then, on Monday, August 3, 2015, at 35 Garnett Street, Campbellville, he stole one Honda CRV motor car val-

ued $5 million, one Samsung cellular phone valued $25,000 and $30,000 cash; a total value of $5,055,000, property of Rhonda Joaquin.

On that occasion, the owner was parked in front of her yard and was about to exit the vehicle when the defendant rushed into the vehicle, forcing her to exit, and drove off.

He subsequently drove through two Police road blocks, nearly injuring two officers in the process. He also has several other matters before the courts.

Previously, an order was made for the accused to be mentally evaluated so as to ascertain whether or not he is fit for trial. This was done, and it was revealed that he was capable of being tried.

“Lil Man” on trial for killing 2-year-old niece – Court told child was sodomised

A

s the trial against Kevin Rankin who allegedly murdered his two-year-old niece in 2013 continues, the prosecution is expected to present its final two witnesses and close its case today.

Rankin, also known as “Lil Man”, is on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-member jury for allegedly killing two-year-old Kimani Phillips on October 21, 2013 at Lot 46 Haslington South, East Coast Demerara. The defendant was 15 years old at the time.

At the commencement of the trial on Friday last, State Prosecutor Narissa Leander related that on the day in question, the toddler was left in the care of Diane Graham, the defendant’s mother.

During the course of the day, the woman reportedly went to conduct some errands, leaving the toddler and Rankin at a neighbouring relative’s house. Leander explained that the prosecution’s case would be built by the circumstantial evidence which would

prove that Rankin inflicted the fatal injuries on the child.

Graham, the first witness, had testified that on the day in question, she left her son at home for about 20 minutes while she conducted a transaction at MoneyGram.

She related that while she was out, she received a phone call which led to her returning home. Upon her arrival at the home, she stated that her son exited a car and told her of her granddaughter’s demise. The woman also alleged that the child was suffering from constipation.

On Monday, Kiana Primo, the defendant’s cousin, admitted that she had supplied the Police with an untrue statement when relating the incident. She stated that early that day, she was on the upper flat of the house when she noticed a strange odour, which was later discovered to be as a result of the toddler defecating. She stated that she ordered Rankin to clean the child up while she continued her chores. Sometime later, she recalled that Rankin

had rushed to her clad only in a pair of short pants, telling her that the toddler was not breathing. She said upon investigating, she noticed that the child was lying motionless with her eyes and mouth open, and Rankin was nervous. She explained that they then rushed her to the health centre where she was pronounced dead.

While under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Sandil Kissoon, Primo confessed that she had told the Police a different version of what occurred. The woman, who was 18 years old at the time, admitted that she told the Police that when she discovered the child on the bed, the toddler was moving her head from side to side. She claimed that she lied because she did not want her cousin to be arrested, but now she wished to clear her conscience and tell the truth.

Venice Phillips, the mother of the deceased child and sister of the defendant, also testified in the matter. She explained that she left her

two daughters in her mother’s care on the day in question as per normal. She also refuted her mother’s claim that the child was suffering from constipation, saying the child was healthy when she left.

State Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh testified that the autopsy performed on the toddler revealed that she had been sodomised. Dr Singh said the cause of death was haemorrhage and shock due to multiple abdominal injuries. He explained that Philips had been “subjected to anal penetration”, which left behind fresh samples of blood. He further related that the child suffered abdominal trauma as a result of anal penetration as well as massive internal injuries to her spleen, liver and anus. He contended that the injuries were caused simultaneously, adding that the toddler suffered injuries on her head and neck and blunt force trauma consistent with being hit, compression or a fall. Dr Singh also revealed that he could not determine by what the child was penetrated.

Eyew tness

Who’s fooling who...

S ...Mook?

ome people just don’t know when to shut their mouths. Sometimes it’s because of a disease called logorrhoea – seen in manic episodes of bipolar disorder and in some types of schizophrenia. It’s also called agitolalia, agitophasia, tachylalia, tachyphasia, and verbomania. Yes, Dear Reader – it’s as bad as it sounds!!

So where’s your Eyewitness going with this? Well, as he read Brian Tiwari’s response to allegations of “corruption” against Minister of State Joseph Harmon – for just flying in the same plane with him as his duly appointed “Business Advisor” – he noticed Mook Lall’s tag line at the bottom of the article in his Muckraker: “Tiwari has nothing he wants”.

But nowhere in the statement did Tiwari say the Mook “wanted” what he had – that is, that the Mook was jealous of his possessions. All the business mogul said was the Muckraker newspaper practised “gutter journalism” – which is a tautology! – and was conducting a “vendetta” against him. Folks can conduct “vendettas” for all kinds of reasons – like say, you used to engage in “backtracking” and somebody blows your cover. Or someone seized your Lexus SUVs and made you pay duties when you’d already spent millions bribing the customs people!

But here it was, the Mook’s mouth open – his logorrhoea, remember? – and the real story jumped out – projecting what’s on his mind, OK? He wants what Tiwari has soooo badly. And what is that? Tiwari’s planes? His diplomatic passport? His exclusive resort up the Essequibo?

His quarries? The largest civil construction company in Guyana? Well...all of that and more! And the “more” goes back to what your Eyewitness’s been saying for years: the Mook is so jealous and envious of those who’ve left him behind in the dust (relatively...of course!). That Brian was his cousin only made his jealousy more bitter. That Tiwari was able to connect to the new Administration made it unforgivable.

The Mook, you see, thought he’d developed influence in the APNU/AFC after scandalising the PPP with his charges of corruption and the money donated through FUCOP. Even before the ink was dry on Prezzie’s appointment, the Mook was baying for the blood of those he envied. But while ordinary folks were swayed by his yellow journalistic scandals, the real power players in the new dispensation knew the Mook was a loose cannon who was too full of himself. And cut him loose.

Marriott and Brassington? Status quo. One hundred and one audits? Nothing. BaiShanLin? Nothing. It was just too much. And as we all know by now...hell hath no fury like a Mook scorned. And we arrive at the storm in a teacup over Brian Tiwari.

Since when people can’t support another political party? Wasn’t the Mook PPP?

...on patriotism?

Your Eyewitness just read about a Jaguar that was relocated by the government from the Essequibo after it was trapped by some villagers. The newspaper noted that was because the Jaguar is an endangered species protected under our Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations (2013). Could somebody tell this to Minister of Security Khemraj Ramjattan? Last we heard, the man refused to take down the Jaguar skin he’d nailed to his wall when he was made Vice President and a member of the Cabinet!!!

You can excuse a man when he doesn’t know he’s doing something wrong. But on the Jaguar skin indiscretion, he was warned by no other than Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes – and he thumbed his nose at her. Maybe because he’s her party leader?

Well, we just hope they protect that Jaguar now relocated on the East Bank of Demerara. Ramjattan might just figure he needs another Jaguar skin!

...on gold

The GCB just honoured our cricketers from the Men’s, Women’s and U-19 teams who made us so proud. They were given gold rings. But do they realise if they now try to leave the country with the rings, SOCU might just have them jailed?

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

news

9

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016 | guyana-times.com

President urges dispensation of mercy by new Parole Board

P

resident David Granger has urged a new five-member Advisory Council of the Prerogative of Mercy to use their culture, values and religious persuasion to exercise compassion to incarcerated persons.

The President offered the admonition Wednesday afternoon, after swearing in the five members of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy board at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The Council, guided by the Constitution, will be allowed the opportunity to grant pardon to a convicted prisoner, conditionally or otherwise, or grant a respite of the execution of the punishment imposed.

The Council is to advise the President on such matters.

According to President David Granger, Guyana currently needs a quality of mercy that will transform the political culture from what he said has become a “dog eat dog” way of life.

“In Guyana, we need that quality of mercy. We need to transform the po-

President David Granger and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams with the new members of the Board

litical culture. We need to be more compassionate and more merciful. Because if you have a President that is not compassionate and is not capable of extending mercy, what sort of country do you want our children to grow up?

He said the simple ceremony was a representation of the kind of Country Guyanese must live in and the types of relationship each citizen must have He thanked the group

Prisoners spat on...

Her evidence corroborated the time when the report was received, when Marlon Gentle arrived, the time when the fire tenders were dispatched as well as the time when the ambulances were deployed.

Fake logbook?

In cross-examination, Attorney Hanoman postulated that Boucher assisted in “drafting up the logbook” for the pur-

pose of bringing it to the Commission and that another logbook exists for March 2 and March 3.

“I am suggesting to you that you assisted in preparing a brand new logbook,” Hanoman said but the leading firewoman simply replied: “No, Sir.” Eariler, another Fire Officer, Garfield Benjamin told Commissioners that the scene in the prison was “gruesome” and not-

for coming forward, urging them to be fearless despite the inevitable criticisms.

“You must be prepared to bring your culture, your values, your religious faith, your beliefs, your spirit of compassion into the functioning of this Advisory Council. Let those values permeate society. Let the youngsters in school understand that they can be friendly with teachers. Let political parties know that they do not have to be fighting with each other.”

from page 7

ed that he had never seen such scenes in his experience as a fire fighter. He stated that some of the bodies were packed on top each other – 12 were at the doorway and three were near the toilet area.

The witness related that he did not see any canister of tear gas at the scene on March 3.

In this morning’s session, Marlon Gentle will resume his testimony.

The five-member team includes Carl Hanoman, Justice Duke Pollard, Yvonne Heywood Benn, Merle Mendonca and Justice James Patterson.

Article 188 of the Constitution empowers the President to grant to convicted persons a State pardon – the very act establishes an Advisory Council on the prerogative which is expected to advise the President.

The Prerogative of Mercy is exercised in instances of petition, usually from a convicted person or persons acting on their behalf.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, april 13, 2016

News

New Commissioner of Lands and Surveys takes office today

T

revor Benn, the new Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), will commence work today.

Benn, who was previously a Senior Land Developer at the Commission, was most recently a Programme Analyst with responsibility for governance and poverty at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

On Wednesday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon made the announcement at a preliminary meeting of the Board of Directors of the GL&SC at the Commission’s D’Urban Backlands location, where he said that the Commission was well poised to advance its work in the administration of State lands.

At the meeting, the Minister used the opportunity to welcome the Board members and the Observers, who were drawn from the various Government Ministries and departments, and expressed confidence that their varied expertise and experience will pro-

mote the work of the Commission.

“I trust that with the composition of this Board, the blend of experience from academia, from business, of persons who are in legal practice, persons who are in private land surveying, that you bring that total blend of skills [to] make the Commission what it was meant to be,” Minister Harmon said.

I n c o m i n g Commissioner Benn, who was not at the meeting, met with President David Granger Wednesday afternoon and said, in an invited comment following that meeting, that he was both pleased to accept the appointment and with the confidence that the President has reposed in him.

He said he intended to use his knowledge and experience “to help to bring about some changes to the way we see land and use land in Guyana”, adding that “it is not acceptable for people to be waiting exceptionally long for a piece of land.”

With regard to his immediate plans, Benn said he intended to make priority issues related to pol-

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon addressing the preliminary meeting of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission Wednesday afternoon in the Commission’s boardroom

icy, the backlog of lease allocations and those related to the welfare of the Commission’s staff.

The Board of Directors has agreed to meet once per month and the next full meeting is scheduled for May 19 when a time and date for monthly meetings will be made statutory.

The Board will be chaired by Paulette Henry, Lecturer, Head of the Department of Sociology and Interim Director of Gender Studies at the University of Guyana and will include Rawle Small, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Guyana Incorporated; Patsy Ross, former Programme Officer at the UNDP; Lieutenant Colonel Ramkarran

Doodnauth of the Guyana Defence Force, Commander at Base Camp Stephenson; Joel Trotman, Civil Engineer/Land Surveyor;

Maurice Gajadhar, CEO of New Timehri Handling Services Incorporated; Wilfred Brandford, local hotel entrepreneur;

Randy Storm, Executive Manager at Banks DIH Limited; Clayton Hall, former Commissioner of Forests at the Guyana Forestry Commission and Programme Director at Conservation International, now of the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry; Kevin Samad, Civil Engineer in the Public Infrastructure Ministry; Leon Rutherford, Manager of Surveys, GL≻ Rawle Edinboro, Chief Development Planner, Central Housing and Planning Authority and Carol James, Surveyor.

Linden man wanted for shooting at ex lover, another man

P

olice investigators are looking for a Wismar man who shot and injured his ex-lover and another man earlier this month in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Forty-seven-year-old Colwyn Croal, called “Alex Croal” of Lot 604 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, is wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to the attempted murder of Simone Belle and Sherwin Hughes on April 3, at Half Mile, Linden.

According to Police reports, Belle, 41, of Half Mile; and Hughes, 41, of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, were shot and injured in front of the former’s home. The incident occurred sometime around

Wanted: Colwyn Croal

01:45h.

“Investigations so far have revealed that Simone Belle had just arrived home in a vehicle driven by Sherwin Hughes, when shots were dis-

charged at them in the vehicle by a man who is reported to have shared a relationship with Belle and which was ended several months ago,” the Guyana Police Force said in a statement following the incident.

Both Belle and Hughes were admitted to hospital but have since been discharged.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Colwyn Croal, known as “Alex Croal” is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 444-3406, 4443274, 444-3512, 225-2227, 225-6411, 911 or the nearest Police station. The Police have advised that all information will be treated with strict confidence.

thursDay, APRIL 14, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

Barman dies after crashing into horse

A

barman attached to Bank DIH Limited Sports Bar was late Tuesday evening killed after he slammed into a horse along Mocha Village Access road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is Shemroy Anthony Cave, 21, of Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD. Cave would have suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

According to reports, the

11

dead man left his girlfriend’s home at Mocha Arcadia, and was riding his motorcycle along the roadway when he collided with the horse. The horse was also killed as a result of the impact of the collision.

The dead man’s father, Shemroy Anthony John, who was at the Providence Police Station on Wednesday morning explained the Cave and his brother left his Princes Street, Georgetown home at about 21:30h. Cave was supposed to drop his

The mangled motorcycle after the accident

Dead: Shemroy Anthony Cave

brother off and then head to Diamond. He noted that after sometime had elapsed, he telephoned his other son who left with Cave but his phone went unanswered.

At this time, he attempted to get Cave on his mobile but someone else answered the phone. “When the person answer, I asked for Shem and the person start ask me questions… if I know him… If I have a telephone number for the relatives… so I told them I am his father and at the same time asked what happened with my son,” the aggrieve father stated.

The person on the other end of the line informed John that his son was involved in an accident at Mocha Access road and suggested that he makes his way there. He immediately left his home and rushed to the scene only to find his son’s motionless

body lying on the roadway in a pool of blood.

The aggrieved father further stated that there was nothing he could have done to save his son’s life since his son was already dead and so was the horse. He nevertheless picked up the young man and took him to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

John added that from all indications, his son might have crashed into the horse but there were no eyewitnesses who came forward to say anything. When asked about his son’s whereabouts, he noted that his son started to see a girl in Mocha and it is assumed that he might have visited her prior to the accident.

She too, he claimed, has not contacted him since the accident. He claimed that he met his son’s girlfriend once.

However, the man vented his concern with respect to stray animals on the roadway.

He is of the belief that stray animals should be collected and the owners charged. In this instance, he is calling on the Police to find the owners of the horse and institute charges. This however, might be impossible since the horse did not have any branding marks.

Cave leaves to mourn his parents and five siblings.

His body is at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Guyana to participate in 7th International Quranic competition

Azharuddin Khan and Asif Abdool Rasheed have memorised the Quran at the Madrasah Tafeez Al-Quran

G

uyana is set to participate in the 7th International Quranic Competition for memorisation, recitation and interpretation of the Holy Quran to be held in Kuwait.

The competition, hosted by the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Saba and the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs of Kuwait, was scheduled to begin on Wednesday and will conclude on April 20.

The objective of the com-

petition is to highlight the importance of the Quran, encouraging the reading and recital of the holy book.

Representing Guyana this year is Azharuddin Khan of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara and Asif Abdool Rasheed of West Coast Berbice; both have memorised the Quran at the Madrasah Tafeez Al-Quran.

Both will be competing in the memorisation and intonation of the Holy Quran categories of the competition.

12 news

thursDay, APRIL 14, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Approved applicants to uplift Moves afoot to hire new US visas from DHL office GRA Commissioner General

W

F

our months after firing Khurshid Sattaur from his post as Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the agency is looking for suitable applicants to fill the vacancy.

The GRA is also advertising for a new Deputy Commissioner General.

The applicants are required to have a comprehensive knowledge of the country’s tax system and familiarity with the Tax Laws, Regulations and Tax Treaties administered by the Revenue Authority, as well as the relationship of these legislative instruments with the various programmes governed by the GRA. In an advertisement published in one of the daily newspapers, it was stated that applicants must possess a professional accounting/auditing designation and a Master’s Degree in Taxation, Business Administration, Economics, Information Technology or Law. The GRA requires that applicants for the post of Commissioner General possess a minimum of 15 years’ experience in Tax and Customs Administration with a minimum of eight years at the executive level.

The closing date for sub-

Former GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

mission of applications is May 3, 2016.

In January, Sattaur was given an unceremonious send-off from his post as Commissioner General of the GRA. Sattaur was initially ordered on 200 days’ leave to facilitate an international forensic audit of the firm.

Reports indicate that the Commissioner General was expected to retire before the 200-day period was over.

Following his departure he was visited by junior members of the Revenue Authority, who took away his firearm and other items

belonging to the State entity.

This move evoked public outcry, after which the Board clarified that it was only doing what was required by law.

In response to the decision to fire him, Sattaur said it was obvious through the many public pronouncements by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that it would be uncomfortable for him to continue as the Head of the GRA under the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

ith effect from Monday, the Consular Section of the US Embassy will implement a notable change to its immigrant visa process.

According to a statement on Wednesday, all approved visa applicants will no longer return to the Embassy to uplift their approved visas as this service is now being provided by the local DHL office, located at Lot 50 E Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

“Applicants will be able to pick up their passports and visa packages at the DHL office Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 9:00am to 6:00pm.”

The Embassy explained that during the interview, the Consular Officer will provide a “Visa Delivery Instruction Notice” to all approved visa applicants advising the applicant of the pick-up information at the DHL office seven business days after the interview.

In uplifting the visas, applicants, 18 years or older, must present the “Delivery Instruction Notice” and their National Identification Card to the DHL office within 30 days of visa approval.

For those applicants who do not have a National ID Card, DHL will request supplemental identification such

as an official driver’s licence (with photo) or an original birth certificate.

The DHL agent will also review information from the passport or visa to validate the identity of the applicant picking up the documents.

Additionally, DHL will require the applicant to record his/her name, ID document number, and signature as proof of receipt. Visas will only be given to applicants/ passport owners.

However, as it relates to picking up the visas of minor applicants, parents uplifting the documents on their children’s behalf must provide proof of their valid relationship by presenting the following documents: the child’s original birth certificate or adoption decree, with at least one of the parent’s full legal name displayed on the document and

the parent must also prove their identity by presenting a national ID card or passport with a matching name on the child’s birth certificate or adoption decree.

The introduction of this offsite Document Return Service is new to Guyana; however, this service has been implemented at US Embassies worldwide as part of the Global Support Strategy for Visa Services.

Visa applicants will benefit from the flexibility the service offers by being able to uplift documents at days and times that are convenient to them.

Questions regarding the DHL document return service, including questions about visa delivery status may be directed to the US Embassy’s Visa Information Service telephone line at 592-225-8732.

“Quarters” wanted for abduction of Windsor Forest man

A

s the Guyana Police Force continues to probe the alleged abduction of a Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara resident, investigators have issued a wanted bulletin for a 33-year-old man.

Winston Sherlock Wade, called “Quarters” of Lot 59 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, and Lot 25 Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara, is wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to the abduction of Tarzim Gafoor at Windsor Forest on April 9.

However, Gafoor, who is also known as “Coolie Boy”, told Guyana Times that the matter was a case of mistaken identity. He explained that four persons had approached “Quarters” on

Wanted: Winston Sherlock Wade called “Quarters”

Saturday last and asked to be taken to “Coolie Boy”, but it turned out that it was another person with the same call name.

“It got other people who go by that name so when they asked him to go to “Coolie Boy”, he only know me so he bring them to me,” the man related.

Gafoor did not want to divulge any further details about the incident, as he was still trying to ascertain what really transpired.

However, he did admit that a report was filed with the Police.

The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of “Quarters” to contact them on telephone numbers 268-2343, 268-2298, 2682222, 225-6411, 225-2227, 911 or at the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

Mason on bail for stealing gold chain

A

mason charged for stealing a gold chain appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

It is alleged that Josiah Bess, 23, of Lot 23 Campbellville Housing Scheme on February 27, 2016 at Regent Street, Georgetown, stole from Mark Bikharie one gold chain valued $230,000.

In Court on Wednesday, Bess’s Attorney, Adrian Thompson, in a bail application, said that his client was picked up by Police and taken to the Campbellville Police Station to supposedly stand in an identification parade, unbeknownst to him that allegations were made against him.

Thompson also told the Court that the Virtual Complainant failed to identify his client as the per-

son who stole his chain.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, in response, objected to bail, pointing out that on the day in question, city police saw the incident on Regent Street. However, the Prosecutor’s objections were overruled and Chief Magistrate McLennan granted bail in the sum of $150,000.

The case will continue on May 3, 2016.

News

13

thursDay, APRIL 14, 2016 | guyana-times.com

ANSA McAL launches 50/50 promotion I

n playing its part in the observance of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee anniversary, ANSA McAL on Wednesday launched its 50/50 Stag promotion at the 704 Bar and Lounge.

The promotion which will be running for the remaining days leading up the grand independence celebration will give 50 persons a chance to win $50,000.

Speaking at the launching, Dharshanie Yussuf, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the company explained that in light of the anniversary, they will be giving back to their customers.

Persons purchasing the newly branded Stag beer, bearing the 50th anniversary logo, can submit their crowns for a chance to be a part of the grand draw.

Yussuf said persons are required to submit five Stag crowns at boxes provided countrywide at participat-

Representatives from ANSA McAL during the promotion launch on Wednesday at the 704 Bar and Lounge

ing supermarkets and bars.

Meanwhile, Linden Henry, Brand Coordinator of ANSA McAL, said the company has moved on from branding this nature of promotions as a corporate responsibility but rather a norm in rewarding its faithful supporters.

Henry added that since the company is geared at getting on board in pulling off the nation’s 50th

Independence celebrations, there was no better way of doing it than giving back to the Guyanese public.

The grand drawings will be held on five separate days in different parts of the country, where 10 persons will be pulled each day to be winners of the $50,000 cash prize.

In addition, the company had also recently launched its Ariel promotion, with fo-

cus being on 50 years as an independent nation. With this promotion, the company is putting up for grabs 50 50-inch television sets for lucky participating customers.

Another one of its initiatives in marking the Golden Jubilee, ANSA McAL will be hosting its anniversary concert on May 27 at the National Stadium which is anticipated to be one of the largest.

These promotions and initiatives by the company will add to the already long list of events which have been planned for the anniversary by a number of entities across Guyana.

Since this is expected to be the most grand anniversary celebration in Guyana’s history, more and more companies have been indicating their desire to get on board in helping the Government pull off the extravagant affair.

21 trainees graduate from MACORP

T

wenty-one trainees who have all advanced from the Excavator Operator Training Programme of the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) on Tuesday graduated when the company hosted its graduation.

The graduation ceremony which was hosted at the company’s Providence branch, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), saw the newly qualified graduates being awarded for their hard work.

The aim of the training is to equip technicians and operators with skills to service and operate Caterpillar equipment and machinery, while creating a future for young Guyanese.

In training, they were all required to attend a sevenweek training programme

The 21 MACORP graduates with representatives of the company

where they were taught how to establish Caterpillar excavator operator safety, identify Caterpillar excavator components, use the simulator for control familiarisation, carry out recommended maintenance procedures, and demonstrate basic operation techniques.

Kaimraj Murli, Corey Auric Alleyne and Esha D’

Ornellas – the three best graduating trainees – were awarded for their exceptional performance.

This graduating batch marks a total of 760 persons that have graduated from the programme since its establishment in 2008.

MACORP continues to play an important role in Guyana’s development, con-

tributing directly with technical support. The company has been supplying equipment to mining, agriculture, road construction, basic industry, marine, forestry and electrical power generation.

The company has established branches in Bartica and Port Kaituma, with its head office located at Providence, EBD.

Missing British teen

Police en route to Trinidad to collect DNA results

A

Police rank was expected to depart Guyana early this morning for Trinidad and Tobago to uplift the DNA results from samples taken from the decomposed body, suspected to be that of British teen Dominic Bernard.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that the rank is expected to return with the results as early as this evening.

The relatives of the murdered teen are awaiting the DNA results before arrangements are made for a funeral service.

Eighteen-year-old Bernard came to Guyana late last year to spend some time with his Godbrother Aaron Hing of Kildonan village, Corentyne. However, he mysteriously vanished and his body was found three months later, a few villages from where he was expected to stay while in Guyana.

After the teen was reported missing by his father in January, local Police launched an investigation which led to the arrest of Hing and his friend, Staymon George. The duo subsequently confessed to beating and burying the young man.

They reportedly took some £2000 and the teen’s camera and video making equipment; some of which they allegedly sold while they disposed of others.

They later admitted that they had collected the teen from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on October 14, 2015, and on their way to Berbice, they stopped along Sheriff Street where they ate and drank a few beers.

Murdered: Dominic Bernard

As investigations continued, the Police arrested Jameel Sinclair who subsequently took law enforcement officials to an area behind Nurney Village and pointed out where he buried the teen’s camera and its components. Sinclair admitted that he was promised payment to hide the teen’s belongings on the night he was fatally beaten.

Shortly after, the Guyana Police Force charged Hing, 22; George, 23; Krystal Thomas, 20; Sinfinee Henry, 39, and Sinclair, 20, for the murder. They were remanded to prison on the indictable charge.

However, on Tuesday, Thomas, Henry and Sinclair were granted bail by the High Court after an application was filed on their behalf. The petition was heard and granted by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court.

Bail was granted in the sum of $300,000 each on the condition that they report to the Whim Police Station every two weeks, beginning this Friday if bail is posted.

14

guyana-times.com

thursDay, april 14, 2016

News

Trip to China

Harmon to present written statement to Cabinet – President

M

inister of State Joseph Harmon will today present a written statement to Cabinet on all the accusations being levelled against him, when Ministers convene for a meeting, President David Granger has assured.

The President, responding to questions posed by Journalists on Wednesday, said Minister Harmon already offered an oral explanation to Cabinet members on Tuesday for being in a photograph with officials of BaiShanLin. According to President Granger, the explanation given to Cabinet by Harmon related that he had to visit a number of places in China, with little time to do so.

“As you know the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China was in China at that time, he had to go to three or four different cities and the Ambassador arranged the executive transport because of the distance between the cities, and the amount of time he had at his disposal. So it was

President David Granger speaking to the media on Wednesday

arranged by the Chinese Government to enable him to travel to different cities… to conduct the business that he was there to conduct,” President Granger said, before reiterating that the trip was funded by the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL).

In what appears to be a move aimed at tarnishing Harmon’s political career, Kaieteur News has been

publishing a series of articles about the Minister’s decision to appoint businessman Brian Tiwari as his personal Adviser on Business Development and instructions he gave to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to halt a seizure of several vehicles from Chinese logging company BaiShanLin. The articles were skilfully designed in a manner to portray the Minister as corrupt.

Harbour Bridge to be closed for 6 hours … to facilitate maintenance works

P

ersons intending to use the Demerara Harbour Bridge on Sunday are advised that the bridge will be closed for six hours to facilitate major maintenance works.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company (DHBC), Rawlston Adams, disclosed that the Bridge will be closed from 06:00h to 12:00h to facilitate the replacement of the fourth pontoon at Span Eight.

“We want to get the message out because there are a lot of people who use the Bridge so we want them to know so that they can make alternative arrangements, either the cross early or they reschedule their activities,” he stated.

Adams is confident that his team will be able to complete the works within the stipulated time and will have traffic flowing on the bridge soon after. He explained that the major component of the works to be done is the replacement of one of the pontoons that holds the eastern hydraulic cabin, which housed the controls for the retractor span at that end of the Bridge.

According to Adams, while the Harbour Bridge Company tries not to impede on vehicular traffic during maintenance works, this was unavoidable due to the sensitive nature of the controls in the hydraulic cabins.

“Normally, we would replace the pontoons with a temporary one, rehabilitate it and then reinstall it but in this case that is not possible

General Manager of the DHBC Rawlston Adams

because we have to reinstall the hydraulic cabin immediately so as to continue our normal operations in terms of opening and closing the Bridge,” he stated.

The DBHC General Manager added that “if we

a week and that is not an option.”

As such, he noted that on Sunday, the operators will remove the old pontoon, install the new one and immediately re-attach the cabin in order to have it up and running.

In executing the works, the Bridge Company had to fabricate a new pontoon, which commenced since 2014 and was completed last year to the tune of $46 million. Additionally, a lifting device had to be constructed at the cost of $2.8 million.

This device will be used to remove the hydraulic cabin from the pontoon without any damages to the key component of the Bridge.

According to Adams, these works are part of a menu of maintenance works to be done throughout the

The pontoon, housing the hydraulic cabin, which will be replaced on Sunday

had executed the work in a traditional manner, it means we would have had to take out the pontoon, remove the cabin, take about a week to rehabilitate the pontoon and bring it back and then put on the cabin. That means, the bridge will not be able to retract for about

year. While those remaining works will not entail the closure of the Bridge to vehicle traffic, it will require the Bridge being closed to marine traffic.

Adams noted that the Bridge Company has already begun engaging stakeholders such the fuel companies on this.

SARU Bill 2016

Harmon discusses laying of legislation in National Assembly

SARU Head, Dr Clive Thomas along with Minister of State Joseph Harmon

M

inister of State Joseph Harmon met with members of the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) to discuss matters in relation to the Unit’s operation and the laying of the SARU Bill 2016 in the National Assembly.

SARU has been operating illegally, Attorney

General Basil Williams had admitted, as there is currently no legislation governing the operations being conducted by the Unit.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Opposition had previously expressed concerns over the fact that SARU has been operating without legislation in

place and that the Terms of Reference of its operations are still unknown to the public.

Contacted for a comment from SARU Head, Dr Clive Thomas, Guyana Times was told that he was unavailable. During the recent meeting on Monday, SARU provided a report on all matters attracting its attention.

SARU has been involved in a number of investigations, including that into Pradoville 2, Chinese Logging Company BaiShanLin, the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), the granting of radio licences, among others.

Meanwhile, SARU also discussed with the Minister the various challenges, progress was measured and plans/strategies were devised on the way forward.

thursDAY, april 14, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

Nawbatt’s $49M lawsuit

Foreign Affairs Ministry says termination of noncareer diplomats normal

T

he Foreign Affairs Ministry is disputing the claims made by former Guyana High Commissioner to Canada Harry Narine Nawbatt that he was “unlawfully dismissed”, pointing out that it was normal practice to terminate the services of noncareer diplomats upon a change in administration.

Nawbatt is suing Government for over $49 million in damages for what he said was unlawful dismissal from his duties.

However, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a statement on Wednesday, said when there was a change in administration, there may be termination of non-career diplomats who serve as Heads of Missions at the pleasure of the President of the day on a contractual basis.

“In practice, such Heads of Missions would normally submit their resignations when that Administration demits office. Following the results of the General Elections in October 1992, the PPP Administration terminated the services not only of non-career Ambassadors and High Commissioners but also of the career diplomats. The only exception was Ambassador Samuel Rudolph Insanally, who was serving at the time as the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations,” the Foreign Ministry said.

It said in May last year, only two career diplomats headed Guyana Missions.

“Consequent upon the

15

Harry Narine Nawbatt

results of the May 11, 2015 elections, the services of all political/non-career officers would have come to an end anyway. Of these political appointees, only Ambassador Bayney Karran, who heads Guyana’s Embassy in Washington, DC and is also Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States, submitted a letter of resignation.”

It said in doing so, he indicated his availability and willingness to serve the new Administration if so desired.

“On the other hand, notwithstanding the protocol of resignation, Mr Nawbatt and the other political officers submitted no letters of resignation or expression of willingness to serve. His contract, like those of the other non-career officers, can be said to have been thereby frustrated.”

The Ministry said it was remarkable, although not surprising given the effrontery of some of those officers that Nawbatt could claim

to have been since May 11, 2015, in a position to give and receive instructions and to discharge duties as a diplomatic representative of Guyana.

The Ministry said there was no record of it having any involvement in the settlement of the terms of the contract to which Nawbatt has made reference. The contract on which he is basing his appeal was signed a mere few weeks before the 2015 elections. It said he and the other persons signing such contracts would have been aware of the risks involved in signing so close to national elections, a document linked to the provision of service to a President and Administration whose tenure was the subject of the very elections. The contracts ought to have been extended to May 11 or 12 or end of May as agreed by the Inter-Party Transition Committee.

The Ministry said too that it was also unaware of when Nawbatt left his post in Canada. According to the court papers, Nawbatt is suing for damages in excess of $25,000,000 for breach of contract of employment and special damages for $24,295,104.

The former High Commissioner said on June 8, 2015, Audrey Waddell, Director General (ag) of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, wrongfully and in repudiatory breach of the said agreement purported to terminate the plaintiff’s employment and wrongfully dismissed him.

Tucville Secondary School student robbed – parent calls for proper security

A

fourth form student of Tucville Secondary was on Tuesday afternoon robbed while on school property and her mother is blaming poor security at the education facility for the robbery.

According to reports, the young woman was in the school’s compound when a man approached her and demanded she give him all of her money. She resisted which angered the man, who started to tug at her pocket, successfully gaining possession of her phone.

The young woman then put up a fight and this caught the attention of other students who came to her assistance. The perpetrator after seeing this, fled through the back fence of the school with students hot in pursuit.

After realising what was transpiring, the man pulled out a knife and yelled “I gon stab anybody that follow meh” which caused the students to retreat. He then made good his escape.

Chanise Brotherson, mother of the teen told Guyana Times that she was informed of the robbery by the school’s administration moments after her daughter made the report.

She disclosed that she was given all assurances that the matter was being dealt with by the Police but up to Tuesday evening, the

Chanise Brotherson shows the opening in the fence at the school’s compound

Police were yet to visit the school.

The woman is calling on the Education Ministry to intervene in the matter, blaming the lack of proper security at the school for the attack on her daughter.

“What I am asking is for the Ministry to step up to deal with this situation because it is not safe for the children. They need to repair the fences around this school because all around the school, the fences are in a poor condition. When the delinquents come to the school, even the guards cannot control them. How can we let our children be in an environment that is not safe”.

She further related that she was told by the school’s administration that the Ministry was made aware of the deteriorating condition of the fences but nothing has been done to date.

“I was told that the

Ministry has been working on an estimate to facilitate the rehabilitation of the fence but no works have started and that was a long time ago”.

Guyana Times was told that this is not the first incident of this nature at the school. Only recently, a student was stabbed at the entrance of the school while a number of students have fallen victims of armed robberies.

The angered mother said her daughter could have lost her life; hence she is calling for quick and immediate action to be taken.

“My daughter could have lost her life and then we would’ve seen the whole media coming down here. I am asking before something worse happen in this school that the Ministry take their stand and do something as early as possible,” the angry mother said.

Library Week 2016

National library hosts open day

Probation and Child Protection Officers trained

T

Students interacting with one of the librarians during the tour on Thursday

T

Probation and Child Protection Officers being trained

he Social Protection Ministry has announced that Probation Officers and Child Protection Officers are currently being trained in house to “conduct investigations and prepare reports for the Court”.

In December 2015, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence had announced that the Ministry was desirous of running with its pro-

grammes, but it was “hamstrung by staff shortage” in the Labour and Accounts Departments as well as in the Child Care and Protection Agency.

She had further related that there was a “perennial shortage of funding to monetise the initiatives” the Ministry had been conceiving.

The Child Care and Protection Agency legisla-

tion was passed on January 8, 2009 to create an agency that deals specifically with children, especially those in vulnerable situations. The legislation mandates the Agency “to implement the policies and decisions in relation to the laws governing children: the monitoring of childcare facilities; to intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and to protect vulnerable children”.

he National Library on Wednesday held an open day as part of its observances of Library Week 2016.

The 65-member staff participated in accommodating a number of schools in an exclusive tour of Guyana’s depository of information. In keeping with its theme ‘Transforming your community with help at national library,” the students were given a detailed tour of each section of the 107-yearold facility.

The tour began at the toy collection section, where persons were informed of reasons why they should encourage reading from a very young age.

At the juvenile centre, primarily targeting young readers, tour guides explained the process of joining the 22,000 plus

members of this centerpiece for information and viewed the adult section which included works ranging from religion to science. Special collections on display included the Adrian Thompson collection, AJ Seymour collection, Ian McDonald and rare books collection. Music lovers were also educated on the library’s collection of gramophone recordings and CDs across all formats of music.

The tour proceeded to the research centre where students and citizens were shown the vast collection of research material that the library has in store.

Additionally, the visitors to the facility were showed how the system operates on a daily basis, where the importance of librarians was high-

lighted.

On the last part of the tour, visitors were shown the “Book mobile” that provides service for outlying communities.

Deputy Chief Librarian Nadine Moore made a call at the event for more persons to utilise the library’s services that are available at their disposal. She also reminded the public that the library’s week of activities continues today at 17:00h with the “Ask a Lawyer” initiative.

This initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the Guyana Bar Association, where individuals can ask participating lawyers questions about pressing legal concerns. This event will be held in the Conference Hall of the National Library.

16

thursday, april 14, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Business News

Christine DeCambra-Forrester: FAO Food Price Index up a notch Making trash into treasure

T

he Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 151.0 points in March 2016, up 1.0 per cent from February, but almost 21 points (12.0 per cent) below its March 2015 level, according to the United Nations food body. The main feature last month was the strong rebound in sugar prices, which, combined with a further increase in vegetable oil quotations, more than offset a plunge in dairy values.

International prices of the other commodities used in the calculation of the FFPI

C

hristine DeCambraForrester is a busy mom of two who has built her business Everything makes Craft on exactly that premise, turning trash, upcycling as she describes it, into beautiful creations. From a wide array of materials: cereal boxes, macaroni and cheese boxes, aluminium tin cans, plastic and glass bottles, etc, the 33-year-old UG graduate creates artful craft to delight the young and the old including paper sculptures, ornaments, wall decor and other bric-a-brac, gift bags, and cards.

She credits her husband as her biggest influence.

Everything makes Craft, located on the second floor of the GeoTech Vision Building, at 50 Brickdam, Georgetown, has become a haven for crafty moms and other persons who delight in creating striking pieces from things that we normally discard. Her Facebook page serves the same purpose in cyberspace with a coterie of fans and rave reviews.

The Queenstown resident says: “Crafting... is very relaxing to the mind, body and soul!”

The business was born out of DeCambra-Forrester’s search for an enjoyable way

to spend time with her children. Upcycling satisfied that need while helping to reduce garbage build-up and later, as the crafts the family made caught persons’ attention, earned additional income.

And now some two years later, DeCambra-Forrester, one of 10 women who were selected to be part of the Women’s Innovator Network in the Caribbean (WINC) Acceleration Programme, is spreading her pioneering brand of environmentallysavvy and sustainable upcycling even farther, offering fun, creative activities for children and craft classes for adults (on April 23, she will host the first Adult Crafters Haven Workshop).

“I am bringing the drive of upcycling to all Guyanese in hopes that we will see what awesomeness can come from our everyday household disposables,” declares DeCambra-Forrester , who went from being a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) employee of five plus years to a local upcycling pioneer. She said the single most important trait for entrepreneurs was “the drive and the passion to continue to do what you do”.

She hosts a “Kids Crafty Klass” periodically throughout the year and creates craft tutorials for the Guyana Today show in her efforts to popularise the hobby of upcycling.

As Guyanese become increasing aware of the benefits of upcycling for themselves and the environment, DeCambra-Forrester is poised to make Everything makes Craft a household name in Guyana. “Satisfied customers equal success,” she stressed.

Her advice to would-be entrepreneurs is to “do what you love, and if you can’t, then do what you must and then do what you love. The road is looong and will get lonely along the way, but keep your chin up and press on... Deciding to start a business is actually the hardest part, putting it into action is probably going to be harder if you try to do it without a good support system. Once you’ve decided to start a business and have worked out the kinks in the first few stages then you’re good to go. Don’t give up!”

Contact: 696-3036 I facebook.com/everythingmakescraft

Market statistics Cur

Buying

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board Selling

$1245.75

$162.78

Gross

$240,548

$205.98

$208.44

Net

$223,709

$ 232.70

$235.68

$293.01

$296.71

CAN

$160.92

USD EURO

Fixed as at April 13, 2016 Calculated at 94% purity

U.S.

GBP

The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 147.6 points in March, down marginally from February, but 13.1 per cent less than in March 2015. Wheat prices averaged slightly lower, as a result of strong competition and a generally favourable supply outlook in the new season.

Maize quotations remained under downward pressure, largely influenced by favourable production prospects in South America, weak import demand and larger than anticipated outlook for plantings in the United States.

Rice prices were stable.

Verizon bets on Armstrong, M&A savvy in Yahoo bid

V

e r i z o n Communications Inc is the clear favourite in the upcoming bidding for Yahoo Inc’s core Internet business, according to Wall Street analysts, in large part because the telecommunications company’s efforts to become a force in Internet

content have gone relatively well under the leadership of AOL Inc Chief Executive Tim Armstrong.

Verizon acquired AOL last June for US$4.4 billion – its first big foray into the advertising-supported Internet business – and it is not yet clear how well the

unit is performing financially. Subsequent moves, including the takeover of much of Microsoft Corp’s advertising technology business, a deal to buy Millennial Media for about US$250 million and the recent launch of the mobile video service go90, are also too recent to assess.

(Reuters)

Resurgence in gold

A

fter four years of sharp falls, a sudden revival has been taking place in the gold market.

In the first three months of 2016, the price of the yellow metal soared by 20 per cent – its best quarterly performance since the financial crisis erupted in the final three months of 2008.

The gold price, currently around US$1260 an ounce, is well below its record peak of almost US$1900 achieved in July 2011, at the height of the European sovereign debt

crisis.

For investors who have missed out on the rally so far, the big question is: has gold turned a corner, suggesting that it will continue to rise, or will it crash back down to earth?

As gold pays no income, it is difficult to value. Therefore, it is difficult to value. Therefore, unlike an individual share or stock market index, it is less clear whether the metal is cheap or expensive at its current price.

Townsend Lansing, an executive director at ETF Securities, said: “Gold has traditionally been viewed by investors as an effective store of value, protecting portfolios against market turbulence and the corrosive effects of inflation. However, since 2011 the metal has suffered a four-year decline as expectations of high inflation associated with the launch of QE failed to materialise, leading asset managers to question the metal’s relevance. (The Telegraph)

Investors’ Guide

Cambio Rates Bank of Guyana

changed little.

The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged nearly 219 points in March, up 32 points (17.1 per cent) from February and reaching its highest level since November 2014. Last month’s sharp increase mainly reflects the expectation of an even larger production deficit during the current crop year than earlier anticipated, following the recent heavy rainfall in Brazil, the world’s largest sugar producer. Reports of higher use of raw sugar for the production of ethanol in Brazil also boosted prices.

Indicators as on April 13, 2016 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$41.76

Price

Change %

-0.98

USD

Change %

Rough Rice

$218.46/ton

London Sugar

$412.40/ton

+0.04 +0.13

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1232.00

$1233.00

Low/High

$1230.40

$1254.10

Change

-10.40

Business Concept – Upcycling

-0.84%

Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless and/or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value. (Business Dictionary)

Dow hits 5-month high erasing 2016 losses W all Street rallied for a second straight day on Wednesday, led by gains in beaten-down financial shares after JP Morgan Chase’s quarterly results.

The major indexes each ended up one per cent or more. The S&P 500 finished at its highest level in more than four months, while the Nasdaq registered its highest close of the year and the Dow Jones industrial average touched a more than fivemonth high.

JP Morgan, the No 1 US bank by assets, reported a quarterly profit that topped low market expectations. Its shares surged 4.2 per cent and gave the biggest boost to the S&P 500.

Financials, the worst performing sector this year, were the leading group on

Wednesday, climbing 2.2 per cent. Other big bank earnings are due this week, including reports from Bank of America and Wells Fargo on Thursday.

“There have been two really weak legs to this market: energy and financials,” said Rick Meckler, president of LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey City, New Jersey. “The energy market had its rally yesterday, and with financial stocks having its rally today, it’s really put a little support behind stocks.”

Investors have been bracing for a weak overall firstquarter earnings season, with greater potential for positive surprises given the diminished expectations. S&P 500 profits are expected to have declined 7.8 per cent in the first quarter, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 187.03 points, or 1.06 per cent, to 17,908.28, the S&P 500 gained 20.7 points, or one per cent, to 2082.42 and the Nasdaq Composite added 75.33 points, or 1.55 per cent, to 4947.42.

Wall Street’s rocky start to 2016, amid concerns over the global economy, has been followed by a sharp rebound starting in mid-February.

Stocks have steadied in April and the S&P 500 is now positive for 2016.

China’s exports in March returned to growth for the first time in nine months, further signs of stabilisation in the world’s second-largest economy.

The Dow Jones transportation average, seen by many as an indicator of economic health, gained 2.6 per cent.

(Reuters)

news

17

thursDay, april 14, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Essequibo man crushed to Feasibility study yet to be conducted on location of new DHB death by falling door – employer distances self from liability

A

labourer attached to the Arnold Sankar Rice Mill at Airy Hall, on the Essequibo Coast, was killed on Monday after a door from the building fell on him. Dead is 56-year-old Ganesh Narine of Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.

According to information received, Narine was on the night shift with other workers and was sweeping paddy when the door collapsed.

He was reportedly pinned by the fallen door but was pulled from under it by his colleagues.

Narine sustained severe injuries to his abdomen and ribs and was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The autopsy, which was conducted on Tuesday by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that the labourer died as a result injuries to the chest. The Police have launched an in-

Dead: Paddy sweeper Ganesh Narine

vestigation into the alleged industrial death.

A relative of the dead man told Guyana Times that although Narine was killed at the rice mill, the miller is not taking responsibility for his death. He noted that the businessman has since offered his condolences to the dead man’s family and donated a few grocery items to facilitate a wake.

The relative is claiming that a life was snuffed

out and feels that the Police should investigate the incident. The scene where the incident occurred was visited by Commander Kevin Adonis and Detectives from the CID department.

Narine, who leaves to mourn his seven children, was described as a very good father. He was employed as a seasonal paddy sweeper at the time of his demise.

Only recently, 29-year-old Christopher Boyer of Wauna Village, Mabaruma, was crushed to death after a tree fell on him at Wauna Hill, North West District.

The father of five was reportedly cutting logs at Wauna Hill when one of the trees fell on him. Boyer sustained severe injuries to his head and was rushed to the Mabaruma Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

These deaths come on the heels of activities launched as Guyana observes Occupation Health and Safety Month.

City clean-up campaign

Princes Street petrol station’s service disrupted

A

s the clean-up efforts continue in the city, the manager of Infinity Service Station, Keshan Persaud, was left fuming after city workers on Tuesday left the area in a muddied state.

The concrete slabs were removed to facilitate the cleaning of the drains at the Princes and High Streets business. Persaud alleged that workmen advised that they would not put the concrete slabs back into place as they were only responsible for removing it.

“This was all unnecessary as they could have gone under the concrete slabs and it [has] more than enough height for people to walk under and clean,” the businessman opined. It was noted that business was affected as only a limited number of vehicles could enter to obtain gas.

Guyana Times was told that on Monday, a female worker who bore no identification informed management of the gas station that these works would commence. It was related that when managers of the service station attempted to make inquires of the works, the female worker reportedly asked them if they were attempting to tell them how to do their job.

Persaud stated that the gas station doesn’t mind losing business for a day to facilitate the works, but opined that the city workers must operate with a more professional approach by way of giving proper notification.

This publication made

Council workers executing their clean-up of the drains

contact with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for a comment with regards to the issue and was told that it was rectified.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the M&CC, Debra Lewis, stated that she was made aware of the issue after the businessman made contact with her. She explained that she spoke with someone who looked into the matter and rectified such.

With respect to the response by the worker – that they are not responsible for replacing the slabs after removing it – the PRO stated that this is not the case, stating that “they have to replace whatever they remove.”

Subsequent to this publication making contact with City Council, the businessman disclosed that he received a call from the

PRO. At around 17:00h when Guyana Times again made contact with the businessman, he alleged that the statement posited by the PRO was inaccurate.

Persaud said that when the PRO contacted him, at around 14:00h, she told him that she would be coming to his place of business along with an engineer to inspect and rectify the problem but as at 17:00h, he was still waiting on that visit.

He explained that Lewis told him that after enquiring about the works on the drains, she was told that they were incomplete, which resulted in the concrete slabs not being replaced.

The businessman stated that work was completed and that the workers have commenced work on the other side of the road.

G

overnment is yet to announce which company will be awarded the contract to conduct a feasibility study on the relocation of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

A few months ago, companies both locally and international, had bid for the contract to conduct the study, as well as design and ultimately construct the new location for the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

However, on Wednesday, General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company (DHBC), Rawlston Adams, revealed that the Public Infrastructure Ministry has already made the evaluations and recommendations for the consultancy.

“Those recommendations are with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), I think to forward to Cabinet. So soon, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will be making some announcement through the Tender Board and the Cabinet as to when they will be awarding the consultancy for the feasibility study,” he stated.

Asked about the role the Harbour Bridge Company will play in the project, Adams explained that they are basically reviewing the process as it relates to the Terms of Reference and the evaluations. However, the DHBC General Manager pointed out that he was the engineer responsible for the Berbice Bridge and that feasibility study so his experience is now being used for

An aerial view of the Demerara Harbour Bridge

this new project.

Further asked about the details of the new bridge, Adams noted that the feasibility study will determine how Government goes ahead in terms of the new bridge to link Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

“The feasibility study will identify all the issues and costs involved in building the new bridge. The study will guide us in which direction – do we build a new bridge? Do we keep this one?

Do we have two and that’s why we do feasibility studies to identify all the issues and to have them address,” he stated.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge head went on to say that “people will have ideas as to how things will go but its best to wait on the consultants who are being paid to look at and have discussions with all the relevant parties and bring it all together and put it in a document that says we have studied, looked at it, we’ve talked to people and based

on our experience, we have advice this is the way forward.”

Back in January, Chief Works Officer at the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Geoffrey Vaughn, had stated that the tenders were already evaluated and sent off to NPTAB for the shortlisting of qualified tenders,” the Chief Works Officer stated.

On December 8, 2015, NPTAB opened the bids from seven European and four Chinese companies who signalled their interests in the construction of the new bridge. Several other overseas companies partnered with local firms and also applied for the contract.

Floating at 1.25 miles, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is a strategic link between the East and West Bank of Demerara. It facilitates the daily movement of large numbers of vehicles, people, and cargo. The structure was built in the 1970s but was opened in July 1978 with the expectation of lasting only 10 years. However, some 37 years after, it is still floating.

18

guyana-timesgy.com

thursday, April 14, 2016

ARCHIE

Explore your talents. Sign up for a course that will help (March 21- you develop a strategy to turn April 19) an enjoyable hobby into a profitable enterprise. Share your life’s ambition with a loved one.

ARIES

Make changes at home TAURUS that will ease stress and make (April 20- your life simpler. You’ll be inMay 20) spired to use the extra time you have to do something that brings you happiness.

dilbert

Reneging on a promise GEMINI (May 21- will leave you in a precariJune 20) ous position. Have something ready to offer in place of your original plan to avoid damaging your reputation.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Don’t let your impulses call the shots. If something doesn’t seem right, keep a close watch and quietly protect against any sort of personal loss. Be patient; a better opportunity will come along.

Look for alternate routes LEO if you see too much negativi(July 23ty, baggage or debris in your Aug. 22) way. Make subtle changes that you know are doable and are easy to implement without detection.

Take in as much informaVIRGO tion as possible. Get involved (Aug. 23in events and discussions Sept. 22) that will lead to introductions to people who can help you achieve your dream.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don’t let an emotional sitLIBRA (Sept. 23- uation keep you from doing Oct. 23) something you want to do.

Someone will try to manipulate you if you show confusion or insecurity. Put an end to being controlled.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – NARCISSISTIC

You need to put yourself SAGITTARIUS first. Make changes that will (Nov. 23- bring convenience and order Dec. 21) to your life. Let go of dead weight and focus on what you can accomplish.

(NARCISSISTIC: nahr-sis-SIS-tik: Having excessive interest in oneself and little empathy for others.)

Average mark 26 words Time limit 50 minutes Can you find 49 or more words in NARCISSISTIC? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – CHAMPION camion camp capo capon chain champ chap chin china chino

chip chomp chop coin coma anomic aphonic mach macho main

manic mano mica moan mocha pain panic phon phonic piano

pica pinch poach icon inch opah nacho nipa

Take an inside look at SCORPIO what you are dealing with (Oct. 24and who is behind any opposiNov. 22) tion that comes your way. Go directly to the source and apply your magnetic personality to get approval.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Make sure you have evCAPRICORN erything in order. It will be (Dec. 22- difficult to deal with medical, Jan. 19) emotional and joint financial matters if you have neglected personal business. Don’t pay for someone else’s mistake.

Plan a day of fun with a AQUARIUS friend, children or a loved (Jan. 20one.

Keeping active will help Feb. 19) you stay in shape and boost your confidence. Romance is encouraged.

Do your research before PISCES (Feb. 20- you make a change that will March 20) affect your looks or income.

An expert will offer you options that better suit your needs.

thursDAY, aPRIL 14, 2016

19

DVA school tournament off to successful start

Patentia Secondary School captain (left) receives the champion trophy from Neiketa Samaroo of Angcam Marine Supplies

T

he Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) was extremely pleased to partner with Angcam Marine Supplies to commence the re-intro-

duction of volleyball into Demerara schools, as they ran off the first leg of the DVA Schools League at West Demerara Secondary School on the West Bank of

Demerara on Wednesday.

At the opening of the first leg of the games, which saw five schools from the West Zone competing for top honours, the presidents of DVA (Trevor Williams) and the Guyana Volleyball Federation (John Flores) both emphasised their elation with the fact that school volleyball will now be revived in Demerara and were equally thankful to the sponsors who lent generous support to the tournament.

Williams also opined that Angcam Marine Supplies, which is located on the second floor of Lot 1955 Parika Highway, and is a major supplier of Marine products in Guyana, is a new partner to local volleyball and “we aren’t only grateful for their timely input to the game, but we hope that at the end of this tournament, they will be encouraged to continue their support of local volleyball.”

At the end of the

day’s play, which saw the five schools competing in a round-format, ensuring that each team got the opportunity to match skills against each other, the results are as follows: West Demerara defeated L’Aventure 25-12; Patentia defeated Professional Learning Institute 25-22; Leonora defeated West Demerara 25-18; Patentia defeated L’Aventure 25-13; Leonora defeated Professional Learning Institute 25-22; Patentia defeated West Demerara Secondary 25-11; Leonora defeated L’Aventure 2515; Professional Learning Institute defeated West Demerara Secondary 2519; and Patentia defeated Leonora 25-9.

The volleyballers from Patentia Secondary were crowned champions.

The Georgetown leg, which is sponsored by Talk is Cheap Internet Cafe, will kick off on Friday at St

Odile Broomes (right) presents the runner-up trophy to the captain of Leonora Secondary

Roses High School and the top three teams from that zone, along with the top two teams from the Linden Zone, which is sponsored

by Indesco trading, will join Patentia and Leonora Secondary in the final leg of the DVA Schools League.

The DVA is also extremely happy to have Digicel

and the Guyana Volleyball Federation as partners in this venture as their contributions will help to ensure that the final is grand and fitting for the re-launch of schools volleyball in Demerara. The final is scheduled for April 29 at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, from 10:00h.

Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Eden Gardens…

Rohit, Buttler brush aside 188 target I

t was entirely bewildering.

Mitchell McClenaghan walked out at No. 4 for Mumbai Indians. It is not like the side is short of hitters. Mumbai spent INR 3.8 crores acquiring a new one for this year, but Jos Buttler caught fire only after the spark provided by McClenaghan’s eightball 20. The events between the 11th and the 15th overs of the chase decided the winner of the match - Mumbai, by six wickets.

McClenaghan’s responsibility - under normal circumstances - was to slip into Lasith Malinga’s shoes.

Be the wicket-taker at the start and the enforcer at the end. Today, he was asked to disrupt the Kolkata Knight Riders spinners. And he was given the freedom to do so. Every single shot played by the New Zealand fast bowler was a slog. His second, third and fourth balls cleared the Eden Gardens boundaries. The eighth - a wide full toss that he tried to slog sweep - led to his downfall but by then Mumbai had regained lost momentum. An equation of 101 off 60 balls had shrunk to 79 off 49.

It became 49 off 30 when Buttler followed a straight

Rohit Sharma played some innovative strokes during his match-winning fifty

drive with pulled six off chinaman Brad Hogg. A scoop to the fine leg boundary - which established Buttler’s finesse - and two lofted cover drives which established his power - deflated Knight Riders.

Gautam Gambhir, who had taken the record (27) for the

most fifties in the IPL earlier in the night, watched the ball soar and the chances for his team sink with every minute Buttler was on strike.

When Buttler eventually fell for 41 off 22 balls, the Mumbai captain, Rohit Sharma, back at his pre-

ferred opening position, provided more evidence of why he should be given as many overs as possible in a T20 game. Rohit held the innings together with his unbeaten 84, and even finished it off with an array of beautiful shots - a straight six, a deft glide to third man and an outrageous sweep off an overpitched delivery coming at him with the express pace of Andre Russell from around the wicket. Rohit averages 50.12 and strikes at 145.81 at Eden Gardens in T20 cricket. Mumbai, his team, have won eight out of 10 games at this venue, including the IPL title in 2013 and 2015.

Knight Riders’ batting may not have been as eyecatching as Mumbai’s, but it was very efficient. Manish Pandey could find the boundary at will. He pulled his second ball for four, dominated the spin of Harbhajan Singh and J Suchith by virtue of his quick footwork, and secured his fifty off only 26 balls. The standout shot, though, was a glide to third man off Jasprit Bumrah in the 13th over. The pitch was excellent for batting, but it was allowing the cutters some grip. Pandey saw the variation out of the bowler’s

hand, waited for it to arrive and simply let it fly off the face of his bat.

His captain Gambhir was a little less adept - at the end of the second over he was only 3 off 8 balls but a lot more determined.

Gambhir hared back and forth for twos - there were eight of them in his innings of 64 - and ensured he was at the crease for as much of the

20 overs as possible. Andre Russell bludgeoned 36 off 17 balls to give the Knight Riders a total they thought was more than par.

But their most trusted weapon - spin bowling - was dismantled by Rohit and company. Hogg, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla cost 103 in 11.1 overs. There was no coming back from that. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Kolkata Knight Riders innings (20 overs maximum) RV Uthappa† c Pollard b McClenaghan 8 G Gambhir* c †Patel b Pandya 64 MK Pandey c & b Harbhajan Singh 52 AD Russell b McClenaghan 36 YK Pathan not out 9 C Munro run out (Southee/†Patel) 4 SA Yadav not out 4 Extras (lb-3, w-7) 10 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 187 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Uthappa, 3.4 ov), 2-121 (Pandey, 13.4 ov), 3-164 (Russell, 17.2 ov), 4-170 (Gambhir, 18.1 ov), 5-183 (Munro, 19.5 ov) Bowling: TG Southee 4-0-430 (3-w), JJ Bumrah 4-0-32-0, MJ McClenaghan 4-0-25-2 (1w), HH Pandya 2-0-22-1 (1w), Harbhajan Singh 4-0-311, J Suchith 2-0-31-0 (2-w)

Mumbai Indians innings (target: 188 runs from 20 overs) RG Sharma* not out 84 PA Patel† run out (Hogg/†Uthappa) 23 HH Pandya c Pandey b Chawla 9 MJ McClenaghan c Munro b Kuldeep Yadav 20 JC Buttler c Yadav b Russell 41 KA Pollard not out 1 Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-8) 10 Total (4 wickets; 19.1 overs) 188 Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Patel, 5.5 ov), 2-87 (Pandya, 10.1 ov), 3-109 (McClenaghan, 11.5 ov), 4-175 (Buttler, 18.3 ov) Bowling: AD Russell 4-0-521, JW Hastings 4-0-31-0 (2w), GB Hogg 4-0-37-0 (1w), PP Chawla 3.1-0-29-1, Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-37-1 (1-w)

20

guyana-times.com

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

Injured Simmons out Bayern Munich slip through to semi-finals of IPL 2016, Guptill B named replacement ayern Munich secured a fifth consecutive Champions League semi-final appearance by battling past Benfica.

The Portuguese side, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, gave themselves hope when Raul Jimenez headed them in front in the return tie at home.

But Arturo Vidal thumped in a shot and Thomas Muller guided in a close-range effort to put the Germans in control.

Talisca curled in a freekick for Benfica after Javi Martinez escaped a red card before Bayern progressed.

Bayern boss Pep Guardiola will join Manchester City this summer and the two clubs could meet in the last four when the draw is made on Friday.

Vidal’s effort had given his side a slender lead going into the second leg in Lisbon and, after they went behind on the night against the run

M

umbai Indians opener Lendl Simmons has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2016 due to an injury to his lower back. New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill has been named as Simmons’ replacement.

Simmons’ injury is similar to the one that forced him to withdraw from the first stage of the World T20 last month. He later joined the West Indies team for the tournament, in place of the injured Andre Fletcher, and scored a crucial 51-ball 82 not out in the semi-final against India in Mumbai.

Simmons was the best batsman for Mumbai Indians during their title run in IPL 2015, scoring 540 runs in 13 matches at a strike-rate of 122.41 with six half-centuries. Overall, he has scored 942 runs in 22 matches for Mumbai Indians since 2014. He was out for 8 in Mumbai’s opening game against Rising Pune Supergiants last week.

Guptill was unsold during the player auction in February, despite being listed as one of the marquee

Lendl Simmons was Mumbai Indians’ highest run-getter during their title run in IPL 2015

players at a base price of INR 50 lakh (US$74,861).

The opening batsman was the highest run-getter in the 2015 World Cup, scoring 547 runs in nine matches, including a knock of 237 against West Indies in the quarter-final. Guptill’s overall T20 record stands at 4684 runs from 155 match-

es with two centuries, including one against South Africa in December 2012.

Guptill has also played in the Caribbean Premier League for Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, apart from stints with Derbyshire and Sydney Thunder. (Cricinfo)

Taylor’s retirement a huge shock, says Cook

E

ngland Test captain Alastair Cook says the retirement of national team-mate James Taylor came as a “huge shock.”

Nottinghamshire batsman Taylor has been forced to give up the game because of a serious heart condition.

Taylor, 26, returned to the England Test side for the first time in three years in October, a move that was welcomed at the time by Cook.

“He proved people wrong time and time again and was a great character to have around the dressing room,” he said.

“It’s a career cut very short but, on the flip side, at least it’s been detected and we’re not talking about something a lot worse.”

Taylor has been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition similar to the one which affected footballer Fabrice Muamba, and needs an operation.

He played in seven Tests and 27 one-day internationals, having started his ca-

Alastair Cook (right) played alongside James Taylor on England’s recent tour of South Africa

reer with Leicestershire.

“When I found out on Monday night it was a huge shock, and a realisation of how lucky we are that we are able to play this great game,” Cook told BBC Essex.

“If there’s a guy that can handle what he’s going through, it’s him because of his character.

“Hopefully the operation can go well and we’ll see him around, and adding his talent to the English game in a different way.”

Yorkshire and England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, a former roommate of Taylor, says cricket’s current heart screening

process is in place to save lives.

“Naturally, something like that is very tough to take and is a bit scary in many ways,” said the 26-year-old, who also played cricket and rugby against Taylor at schoolboy level.

“Hopefully we can keep doing the checks, as it has been found early enough to save someone’s life.

“I’m keen on things like that. I’ve been checked and, touch wood, everything is OK. You can’t be 100% certain in life, but as far as I’m concerned the checks and procedures are in place and get taken care of.” (BBC Sport)

Vidal scored in both legs of the quarter-final tie against Benfica

of play, he equalised with a vital away goal.

The Chile midfielder, who helped Juventus to the final of the competition last season, is a powerful presence in midfield with his allaction style and gives the Bundesliga side an extra cutting edge.

However, Vidal - along with Martinez, whose lastditch tackle on Goncalo

Guedes might have been viewed as a professional foul - can consider himself slightly fortunate he will not be suspended for the next round.

Vidal was one booking away from missing his side’s next match and a late challenge on Mehdi CarcelaGonzalez could easily have seen him cautioned by referee Bjorn Kuipers. (BBC Sport)

Court moves IPL out of Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur in May

A

ll IPL 2016 matches scheduled in Maharashtra after April 30 must be moved out of the state, the Bombay High Court has ruled. The ruling came after a Public Interest Litigation questioned the hosting of matches in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur due to a severe drought in Maharashtra.

The ruling affects 13 matches, including the final which was to be held in Mumbai on May 29. Pune will miss out on six matches, including the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, while no games will be held in Nagpur. The state was earlier scheduled to host 20 matches.

Last week, the court had sought an explanation from the BCCI and the three state associations on why water should be “wasted” on hosting the games when the state faced one of its worst ever droughts. The court later allowed the opening match to be held as scheduled in Mumbai on April 9, and asked the Maharashtra state government and Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, to respond on plans to tackle the issue of water shortage.

On Tuesday, the court orally asked the BCCI if matches could be shifted out of Pune.

In its defence, the BCCI had stated that less water was used to prepare the ground for an IPL game when compared to an international fixture. The board also stated that it intended to use treated sewage water for ground preparation in Mumbai and Pune. Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants, the franchises based in Mumbai and Pune, had proposed to contribute INR 5 crore to the

Maharashtra chief minister’s drought relief fund and supply 40 lakh litres of water to drought-hit areas at their own cost.

While the BCCI is mulling its next move, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla has admitted that moving games out of Maharashtra is a logistical problem for the board. He also pointed out that no objections of this kind were raised when Mumbai and Nagpur hosted World T20 matches last month.

“Organising the IPL is a gigantic work. It’s not easy.

All preparations had been done, completed,” Shukla said. “Now shifting the matches will be a problem. So far, we have not got the written order, after we get that, we will study the order and work out an alternative plan.

We always respect the court.

We need to talk to other franchises. Out of 19 matches in Maharashtra, 13 have to be moved out, we will have to work it out.

“The key problem is water for farmers, which we are trying to find a solution to.

We were willing to give water, contribute to the CM’s fund. Now shifting matches will be a problem. If matches are to be shifted, where will they be moved, how will they be moved, all these issues are

involved. And this comes after nobody raised an issue about the 24 World Twenty20 matches that were held recently.

“Nobody raised these issues for six months. Whatever was required, we were willing to do. In fact, I would like to point out that a lot many other sports and cultural events are going on in Maharashtra, which also use water and they should also help.”

Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary, said there was an attempt to create negativity over issues: “We are not using drinking water, we have said that we will use treated sewage water only. How many swimming pools of 5 star hotels have been shut? Have people stopped watering their lawns? There is an attempt to create negativity on every issue these days. IPL was to use 0.00038% of water so that shows the requirement was not much.”

Ness Wadia, co-owner of the Kings XI Punjab franchise, welcomed the order.

Kings XI were scheduled to play three home matches in Nagpur between May 7 and 15, apart from games in Mumbai and Pune on May 13 and 21, respectively. “I’m very happy with this, we welcome this decision,” he said.

(Cricinfo)

21

sports

YELLOW PAGES

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19, 3-day cricket...

thursDAY, april 14, 2016

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 611-1018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

Driving School Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION Music 2016!! Register - learn to play the recorder, drums, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, violin, steel pan and train your voice at Foundation 7 Music School. Call 225-1151/657-8404

FOR SALE One Toyota Spacio, One Toyota Forklift, One Motorcycle 110cc, One Cement Mixer (Ransom), Vick’s Hardware. Tel: 2642682/649-0707 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and at Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 2265053.

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer & HP scanner $25,000. Call 225-2676 or 601-5285.

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655 2 STOREY CONCRETE HOUSE 35 X 45 ENCLOSED DOWNSTAIRS, SIZE OF LAND 65 X 120, SECTION A DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME, EAST BANK DEMERARA, CONTACT # 664-5052/6170583

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral).

Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/ VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

KEY UTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249.

We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

optician Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

health

Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 Mondays-Saturdays 9am-3pm.

Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

lAND FOR SALE 1.5 Acre Land in W.B.D. Call #:658-0115 Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 625-1514 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234 One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale. Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 695-3150 (serious inquires only)

property for sale GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 673-5546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987 Bargain! One 3-bedroom wooden building in Georgetown. Solid greenheart beams, columns & boards. $1.3M Negotiable. Call 227-4285

services House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

WANTED Wanted, One Joiner to work in Crown Dam, ECD. Call: 627-3405 or 2224576.

SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg.

(MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST. G/ Town. 231-7101 Vacancy exists for one full-time Pharmacist to work on the West Coast of Demerara in Metenmeerzorg.

Telephone: 275-0733

Demerara bowl out U-17s for 90 on rain-affected day D

emerara produced a sterling bowling effort to bundle out the Under-17 Select for 90 on a rain-affected opening day of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Under-19 Inter-county, Three-day tournament sponsored

by Hand-in-Hand at the Wales Community Centre ground.

It was the seamers day as the likes of Samuel McKenzie (2-8), Kelvin Shewpersaud (2-16) and Sherfane Rutherford (2-14) wreck the Under-17s batting, while the off-spin of Malcolm Hubbard picked up 2-6.

Captain Bhaskar Yadram with 18 and Sagar Hatheramani 16 were the principle scorers for the Under-17s.

At stumps, Demerara were 25-1, trailing their

Keemo Paul

Sherfane Rutherford

opponents by 65 runs with Rutherford (02*) and Ronaldo Renee (23*) at the crease. Opener Raymond Perez fell without scoring.

Over at the Enterprise ground, Essequibo, batting first, were 71-2 after 26.3 overs with skipper Keemo

Paul on 25 and Sachin Persaud eight. That match was also affected by rain, and only got underway at 15:00h.

Action will continue today from 09:30h, weather permitting.

Barcelona suffer shock exit to Atletico Madrid

spirituality Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anew-life@live.com SICKNESS, EVIL, SPIRIT, RELATIONSHIP, IMPOTENT, REUNITE, LOVERS, PREGNANCY, JOBS, BUSINESS, BLOCKAGE ETC. 612-1975, 683 5228

services Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

TO let wewLeonora New Housing Scheme, W.C.D. Garage, Kitchen & Shower.

Tel: 675-5998/268-2277.

NO CHILDREN. Working Persons Only

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 225-7878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

Barcelona lost for the first time in 11 Champions League games

H

olders Barcelona suffered a shock C h a m p i o n s League exit as Antoine Griezmann’s double sent Atletico Madrid into the semi-finals.

Barca arrived in Spain’s capital with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg but poor defending allowed the unmarked Griezmann to power home Saul’s cross.

Saul headed against the bar as Barca toiled before Griezmann scored a late penalty after Andres Iniesta handled.

Barca were denied a

penalty when Gabi handled just inside the area.

The defeat ended Luis Enrique’s hopes of securing a La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey treble, while Atletico join Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid in Friday’s semi-final draw.

Barcelona’s players surrounded the referee after Gabi clearly handled inside the area though he was standing outside it, the referee awarding only a free-kick.

But Barca were a shad-

ow of the team that conquered Europe so convincingly last season and have now lost three of the last four games in all competitions.

In addition, Lionel Messi failed to score for the fifth game in a row for his club, and Neymar and Luis Suarez were frustrated by excellent home defending.

On the rare occasions Suarez managed to work an opening he found Jan Oblak in fine form on a great night for Atletico. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

Johnson buoyed by prospects of WI recall – “It’s about getting big scores and being able to contribute to the team’s success”

By Akeem Greene

F

ollowing a successful season in the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day competition, Guyana Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson is of the view that his stellar performances could provide a pathway back into the regional side.

Johnson, during an exclusive interview with this publication, said he is wary of the fact that to cement to a place in the side he needs to produce big scores.

“It’s about getting bigger scores actually; I have managed to get four half-centuries in the four Tests I have played and some thirties and forties, but probably a the Test level those kind of scores won’t cut it, but it’s about getting the opportunity and then able to get big scores and contribute towards the team’s success,” Johnson explained.

The current policy of the WICB and its selection panel is that players should be engaged in domestic competitions and performances will be recognised.

In the just concluded regional tournament, Johnson topped the batting charts with 807 runs from 10 matches at an average of 57.64, and a top score of 111 not out. If the selectors hold true to the policy outlined above, then the elegant lefthander could be guaranteed a spot in the Test side.

Though his stats this season are commendable, Johnson was dismissed twice in the 90s and his overall conversion rate has always set tongues wagging,

After a solid First-Class season, Leon Johnson is looking to add to his four Test caps

especially given his enormous talent.

After playing 73 FirstClass matches, he has scored 28 half-centuries, but only four centuries since making his debut for Guyana in 2004.

In recognising the need to improve on his conversion rate, Johnson said, “It’s mainly down to concentration, once I’m able to concentrate for longer periods I will be able to convert those halfcenturies into centuries; most of the times after I get the half-century and then get out, it’s probably a rash shot as I get too relaxed at

the crease.”

After a slow start to the 2015/2016 season, the batsman began churning out the runs to put his team a top of the table. He revealed that a lot of hard work went into the successful outing.

The 28-year-old said, “It’s just down to hard work, the first couple of games, I had 31 runs from three innings and I had a little reflection on that and it was the following eight games I was able to put it right and convert those centuries into half-centuries.”

He further stated, “I was disappointed to get out

twice in the 90s so I could have gone on to finish with four hundreds this season, but I’m grateful and very thankful; it could have been a lot worse, but [also] it still could have been better.”

The batsman, who led the Guyana Jaguars to successive titles in the Four-day competition, believes the hard work they put in was the reason for them becoming champions yet again.

“It’s actually a good feeling; we put in a lot of work leading up to the tournament as well. Obviously, it’s always good to plan well, but the main thing comes down to executing well and we executed well,” the skipper said.

He added, “We had a couple of hiccups, but we came out with a draw [in one of the games], so it was very pleasing to win at the end of the tournament.”

Johnson, who averages nearly 40 in his four Tests, and gathered scores of 54 and 44 in his last Test against South Africa in Cape Town last January, was handed a retainer contract by the West Indies Cricket Board.

The upcoming Tri-Nation series between the West Indies, Australia and South Africa in June, followed by India, who will travel to the Caribbean in July to play a four-Test series, could provide the perfect opportunity for Johnson to showcase his immense talent at the international level once again. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)

Universal Auto and General Supplies cycling set for Saturday

Flashback! 2015 main race winner Jamal John receives his prize from sponsor Shameer Baksh, the Managing Director of Universal Auto and General Supplies (Avenash Ramzan file photo)

A

fter a few races on the road, competitive cycling makes a return to the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday with the 12th annual staging of the Universal Auto and General Supplies 11race programme.

Set to pedal off at 09:00h, the day’s activities will feature most, if not all of the country’s top wheelsmen, who would no doubt look to outmuscle each other. With the Independence ThreeStage tentatively being held annually in May, riders will also want to keep an eye on their fitness level ahead of that event.

Saturday’s programme will get underway with the BMX cyclists taking the forefront in the various age group categories. They will compete in the 6-9, 9-12, 1214, Open and Boys and Girls 12-14, while the Mountain Bike, Veterans and Juvenile riders will hold the limelight

after.

The main race- the 35-lap School Boys and Invitational- will attract the country’s leading senior riders and the up and coming talents within the senior ranks.

Team Coco’s Jamal John is the defending champion of the main race, having won last year’s event in a time of one hour, 18 minutes, 08.62 seconds (01h: 18m: 18.62s). The other defending champions of the other categories are Raphael Leung (Juveniles), Shameer Baksh (Veterans Under-50), Keon Thomas (Mountain Bike) and Brighton John (BMX Boys and Girls).

Saturday’s programme is being coordinated by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, and is being sponsored by veteran rider Shameer Baksh, who is also the Managing Director of Universal Auto and General Supplies.

DVA inviting players to U-19 and U-23 trials

W

ith the aim of attracting the best possible talents in the Demerara area, the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) is inviting Under-19 and Under-23 male and female players to attend trials with a view to represent Guyana at the upcoming South American Championships hosted by Confederation of South American Volleyball (CSV).

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the DVA. Trials will be held on Saturday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, starting at 11:00h, according to the association.

According to DVA Vicepresident Ian Wills, the team to attend the South American Championships in Peru and Columbia in June and July will be na-

Ian Wills

tional one comprising players from the two active associations in GuyanaDemerara and Berbice.

Wills said the best players from this weekend’s trials will be shortlisted, while a similar exercise will be held in Berbice. The best of the two sets of players will

then be chosen to represent the Golden Arrowhead.

The Guyanese will head into unchartered territory, as no Guyana team has ever competed at the Under-19 and Under-23 levels in the history of the South American Championships.

Guyana did however; participate at the Under-16 level about a decade ago.

“We are excited at the realm of possibilities and are also equally pleased that the opportunity to fulfill our mandate of development of volleyball is bearing fruit. This is also an excellent way to boost exposure amongst our youths and we look forward to trial process as we are very optimistic we will see great talent coming forward this Saturday,” the DVA was quoted in its release.

guyana-times.com

thursday, APRIL 14, 2016

Smartt living the dream of winning World T20 A

23

Wilson highlights success of Stag Elite League

By Akeem Greene

– “The feeling is great, words cannot explain; it’s something we always wanted to achieve”

Treymane Smartt

By Akeem Greene

S

unday April 3, 2016, will always be a significant day in the history of West Indies Cricket, as it was the day both the Men and Women’s teams won the ICC World T20 tournament in India.

One of the players who basked in the glory of that momentous day was Guyanese Tremayne Smartt, who is still is overjoyed at the Caribbean’s side success.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport Smartt revealed, “The feeling is great, words cannot explain; it’s something we always wanted to achieve.”

The West Indies Women’s team would have made it to the semi-finals of the World T20 before, but never got further. Smartt explained that even before the tournament started, she knew they would win.

“I was very confident because I did an interview in Berbice before I left and I

said that we would win the World Cup and we did just that,” Smartt pointed out.

She added that the key factors in winning were the support and self-belief they had as a team and most significantly “we had a motto, “moving in faith.”

The charisma of the West Indian players has made them major crowd attraction in the cricketing-loving country India.

The 30-year-old explained that “the support was great and sometimes you won’t be able to hear your own self as everyone was on the top of their voices, calling names and just supporting us; it was great to see a different country supporting us.”

Having reached this stage of the tournament for the first time, and playing at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, which has a seating capacity of over 66,000, the medium-fast bowler jovially said that the feeling was simply surreal.

“The feel of playing at

that Stadium was great, especially when you sit and look at the outfield and the excited fans,” she recalled.

One of the most memorable moments of the day was the iconic celebrations that usually correspond with West Indian success and the World T20 champions relished the chance to celebrate the success with the Men’s team after they won the title later in night.

The Berbican stated, “That feeling was really great, we actually ran down the stairs as quickly as we can, even faster than how we would do our basic warm-up; it was amazing.”

The right-arm bowler, who has taken 38 T20 wickets at an average of 19.10 and economy rate of 5.43, was honoured by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Monday.

She was the recipient of a special chain made of gold.

“I appreciate what they [GCB] have done for us and it’s something that they need to continue doing, not only for us, but the males as well,” she said.

Have played 53 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 56 T20 Internationals for the Caribbean side, the player plans to teach the upcoming cricketers that they must work hard if they want to achieve success.

“The thoughts I will instill in the young ones that are coming-up is that, just continue working hard, especially fitness-wise and stick to the basics as that always remain the same,” the World Champion advised.

Smartt is set to be in action when the Regional Women’s 50-over tournament bowls off in Guyana in July and also when the English Women are set for a tour of the West Indies later this year.

Chess tournament starts on Saturday at NRC

T

he Guyana Chess Federation will commence a seven-round chess tournament this weekend at the National Resource Centre (NRC), Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The competition will start on Saturday at 14:00h with first round, followed by two rounds on Sunday, the first of which will be at 09:30h. The remaining four rounds will be contested next weekend.

Interested players will

be charged an entrance fee of $1,000. Prizes for the top performers will be at stake.

The competition will be held under the Swiss System.

lpha’s United attacking midfielder Daniel Wilson views the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Stag Elite League as an avenue to develop local players who have aspirations of playing for the senior national Men’s team, the Golden Jaguars.

The lanky Wilson in an interview with Guyana Times Sport said, “It [Elite League] would develop the team [Golden Jaguars] as a lot of local players will be a part of it [League] and a lot of these locals are crying out for a chance and this league will help them. But it’s not just the league has to help them, but they have to help themselves also.”

The Golden Jaguars player, who has been playing for one of the country’s premier football club for four years, believes the League to date has been successful.

“So far the league has been a successful league thus far, as players have shown their talents and skills that they need to be in the national programme, but for me it’s a good league and it will just get better,” Wilson stated.

The 22-year old, who is also

Daniel Wilson

a National Under-23 player, and has scored two goals for the Golden Jaguars in 20-plus appearances, revealed that his love for the game comes from having a strong footballoriented family.

“I grew up in a football family; my cousin is the coach (Wayne Dover), also Anthony Abrams, a lot others and it gave me the courage to be a part of football,” Wilson divulged.

He added that his favourite players are the likes of Manchester City’s Yaya Toure and Germany’s Toni Kross. When the conversation returned to his club’s

performance in the League to date, he disclosed that it has not gone according to plan.

“It was not a successful one for us as we plan to win the first phase; so it is not going according to plan but we are working to improve,” the footballer explained.

In the first half of the League, Alpha finished third on the points table, just two points adrift from the top placed team.

However, in the League Finale, they have struggled, winning just four of their eight matches to date, to go with two losses and a similar number of draws.

The mixed results have them placed in third place on 14 points, but this time, they trail the number one team by 10 points with only six matches to go.

Wilson, who in November 2105, attended a tryout with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Sporting Kansas City, scored five goals in the League Genesis and one so far in the ongoing League Finale. He said the goal is still to help his team to win and qualify for the Caribbean Football Union’s Club Championship. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)

WI Fullbore Short Range champions off to Antigua next month

Members of the Guyana team following last Sunday’s session at the Timehri Range

R

eigning West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Short Range champions, the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA), has commenced training in earnest ahead of the next month’s championships, set for the island of Antigua from May 16-22.

Captain Mahendra Persaud and fellow marksmen began the task of gelling together and getting into rhythm on Sunday last at the Timehri Rifle Range as they seek to retain the title which they last won when the championships were held in Jamaica in 2014.

Last year there was no competition in the Caribbean as the West Indies competed at the World Long Range Championships and Palma Match, which were held at Camp Perry in Ohio, U.S.A, in August. Eight Guyanese had made up the 16-member

West Indies team.

Guyana won the team Long and Short Range Titles (Milex and WIFSC Trophies) for an unprecedented fourth time on Jamaican soil in 2014; however, only the Short Range championship will be contested in Antigua, which does not have a Long Range.

Captain Persaud noted that practice on Sunday took on the team format that would be done in Antigua at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges.

“The exact format that we would be shooting in Antigua was used at training. We ran the order that we would also be using as we seek to get our form and focus going the way we ought to. I am confident that we will be able to retain the title as the best in the Caribbean,” Persaud explained.

Wind Coaches are Paul Slowe, Persaud, Lennox

Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck and Dylan Fields, who will all shoot and coach as has been the norm over the years.

Lennox Braithwaite is also the defending Caribbean Individual Champion and will be aiming to win this accolade for the fourth year in a row, having won in Guyana (2012), Barbados (2013) and Jamaica (2014).

Other members of the squad are Ryan Sampson, Peter Persaud, Terrence Stuart, Sherwin Felicien and Leo Romalho. Training will continue every Sunday in the lead up to departure for Antigua.

Meanwhile, the GNRA has disclosed that they are faced with a budget of $4.6 million in order to make the tour a reality. Letters have already been sent to corporate Guyana, as well as the relevant government ministries soliciting assistance.

thursDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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

Johnson buoyed by prospects of WI recall

Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Eden Gardens…

Rohit, Buttler brush aside 188 target Pg 19

Pg 22

– “It’s about getting big scores and being able to contribute to the team’s success”

Leon Johnson acknowledges the applause after one of his two Test fifties

Andre Russell wallopped 36 off 17 balls, but leaked valuable runs during the dying stages of the run-chase

Wilson highlights success of Stag Elite League Pg 23

The Stag Elite League is currently in the Finale phase

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyana-times.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.