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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

President hiding from criticisms of Govt – Jagdeo guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3113

Friday, February 3, 2017

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: AFC’s $43M campaign debt

No current master plan to clear P11 dues – Gaskin

Page 3

Bartica Massacre trial P10 New guidelines for foreign currency market – Trotman

2 sentenced to death by hanging, 1 acquitted Page 5

Govt has a problem with young female professionals – Opposition Leader P7

Mark Williams (left) and Dennis Williams (not in photo) were found guilty on seven counts of murder and sentenced to death by hanging. Roger “Goatman” Simon (right) was found not guilty on all counts and acquitted

Kwakwani NDC Chairman, Vice Chairman sworn-in P16

Footballer gunned down in Albouystown for gold chain Page 2

Parking meter burden

By-laws still awaiting AG’s review, Cabinet approval – Harmon Page 7

Attack on Chancellor

Boundaries between Judicial, Executive arms should be adhered to – Trotman Page 9

2 wanted

by Police for narco trafficking

P16

Police urging taxi drivers to beware of hijackers P10

2 news

friDAY, february 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Footballer gunned down in Albouystown for gold chain

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footballer attached to the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) was on Thursday morning gunned down moments after taking his fiancée to her Independence Boulevard, Albouystown home.

Thirty-nine-year-old Paul Anthony Daniels,

of Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, was shot once to his chest during an alleged robbery about 06:00h.

The man reportedly went to drop home his fiancée and had decided to watch some television before departing the home where the incident occurred. Based on reports

received, two armed men entered the home through a door located on the northern side of the building, which was left open.

Upon entering the house, they held Daniels and his fiancée at gunpoint and relieved him of a gold chain which he was wearing at the

time and an undisclosed sum of cash, after which the men exited the house. Daniels, who was also a construction worker, went in pursuit of the men and during the chase, the suspects discharged several rounds, one of which hit Daniels, in the region of his stomach.

He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Thursday morning, there were several bullet holes in the zinc gate and bloodstains on the ground.

Several persons had gathered while the man’s fiancée was reportedly at the Brickdam Police Station providing further statements. Staymon Ross, a neighbour, recalled hearing gunshots and immediately running towards the front.

He noted that by the time he reached the front of the yard where the gunshots were heard, he saw Daniels lying in a pool of blood.

Without hesitation, he assisted in placing the injured man into a vehicle and took him to the hospital; however, but by the time they arrived at the medical facility, the injured man took his last breath.

He noted that the father of one lived on the West Bank of Demerara, but whenever he was working in Georgetown, he would stay at his fiancée.

He explained that Daniels had just arrived at the house when the two gunmen attacked. He could not say what occurred in the house, but was told that the construction worker was robbed of the gold chain he was wearing at the time.

“This boy ain’t got no problems with anyone, so it had to be a robbery… he does come and go and people don’t even know when he is around…,” Ross noted.

He said that the couple were due to get married soon.

Ross is also of the belief that the crime situation has taken a turn for the worse, calling on the Head of State to intervene. Another neighbour told Guyana Times that she was sleeping and

Dead: Paul Anthony Daniels

was awakened by the sound of bullets followed by loud screams. As she rushed to investigate, she saw Daniels panting for breath.

Within seconds, she noted, he took a long breath and at that time, she thought that he was dead. However, he was placed in a vehicle and rushed to the hospital. She too stated that Daniels was never involved in any illegal activities.

“He does come and go… both of them work and when she work, he does drop she home… and that is what exactly happened this morning,” she noted.

However, some at the scene recalled only a few days ago, two men had visited the area enquiring about Daniels’ whereabouts, leaving them to believe that the shooting might have stemmed from an old grievance.

A few also believe that the now dead man might have known his killers since they called out his name as they made their way into the house. After the shooting, the two men escaped on two pedal cycles.

The Police have launched an investigation into the incident, but no arrests have been made.

news

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friDAY, february 3, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 3 – 09:00h-10:30h and Saturday, February 4 – 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 3 – 08:25h-09:55h and Saturday, February 4 – 09:25h-10:55h.

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

President hiding from criticisms of Govt – Jagdeo

WEATHER TODAY Early morning sunny weather is expected to give way to heavy rain showers, with light rain showers in the afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 09:07h and 21:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.51 metres and 2.41 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:37h and 15:08h reaching minimum heights of 0.72 metre and 0.73 metre respectively.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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issue he highlighted was the President’s rationale in asking Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Chairman, Retired Justice Cecil Kennard to resign. Granger, who is 71 years old, had stated that the former Chancellor of the Judiciary was too old. This is despite the proliferation of retirees within the Cabinet and on State Boards and Commissions.

“So he packages these things and he deals with safe subject, in a safe environment. Now I hope that he meets with the miners, that he doesn’t take the safe road again like he has done with so many other things.” Jagdeo’s challenge follows criticism from other public figures about the President’s lack of accessibility to the full media corps. Former Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran, had stated in a post on social media that the President ought to face scrutiny on the subject of hydropower.

Ramkarran had questioned the conflicting contents of the Final Report of Norconsult’s “Review of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in Guyana”, and the Government’s position on the issue. On the subject of press conferences, Ramkarran made comparisons with the period when former President Janet Jagan faced an outcry after one year without a press conference.

“I recall that long before a year had elapsed of Mrs Janet Jagan’s presidency, an outcry arose regarding her failure to

President David Granger

ormer President and current one journalist from State media and one Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat journalist from the private media.

Jagdeo has slammed President The show usually lasts for half an David Granger for failing to hold a press hour and is aired weekly. There is a preconference since October of 2015. amble where the President addresses a According to Jagdeo, the President’s topic introduced by the moderator, and reluctance to face an open media corps is then the reporters are invited to begin his way of hiding from scrutiny and rigthe question-and-answer segment. When orous questioning from the press. questioned, the President defended this The Opposition Leader called the system.

President out on the issue while hosting “It does not mean that my engagehis own weekly press conference at his ment of one or two persons is inferior to Church Street office on my engagement of four or Thursday. He was at five persons or 10 or 20 “I’ve seen the miners; they’re trying to meet the President. I hope the time pointing to atpersons. I am not going tempts by the Guyana he meets with them. But I have a major issue with the President to fight it.” “If you want Gold and Diamond a ‘mass games’, I can and his accountability to the nation. He hides behind these Miners Association have it, but the importprepackaged interviews and I think it’s time now the media said (GGDMA) to secure ant thing now is that you to him, we’re not going to be complicit in this.” – Jagdeo a meeting with the have access to the Head President. of State and he will an“I’ve seen the miners; they’re trying hold a press conference. She eventually swer your questions. So, there is nothing to meet the President. I hope he meets held one about one year into her presi- wrong with my meeting with you in this with them. But I have a major issue with dency,” Ramkarran had posted on his format,” he said. the President and his accountability to Facebook page last month.

Asked whether he was opposed to “The voices calling out Mrs Jagan in meeting members of the media, via a the nation. He hides behind these prepackaged interviews and I think it’s time 1997-8 are still around, but have gone press conference, the President respondnow the media said to him, we’re not go- silent on President Granger’s failure to ed in the negative, stating that when the hold a press conference despite having need arose, he did not mind engaging the ing to be complicit in this.”

“Because by doing that, you create been elected to office one and a half years entire press. the impression that he is facing a free, ago.”

“I don’t have an objection to having a When Granger was challenged about large press conference. I have a very busy independent media corps and is accountable to them. And that people can’t rigor- this trend late last month, he had stat- schedule and it is difficult to spend a lot ously contest your views. He has not held ed that he was not opposed to holding a of time in the media, but I try to make press conferences because I think he does press conference. However, he had spo- it possible every week. But if that is the not want to be held accountable on sever- ken of a busy schedule as precluding him desire of the Guyana Press Association al matters that are happening in his gov- from doing so. At present, the President (GPA), then that could be arranged with is questioned by the media when he is in- my press team,” he said. ernment.”

Jagdeo expressed confusion over sev- terviewed on the “Public Interest”, a teleSince then, no press conference has eral aspects of Government policy. One vised show which features a moderator, been held by the President.

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friday, February 3, 2017

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

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

VAT and domestic tourism

T

he recent announcement of the introduction of a 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on local airfares has been met with public outcry, as persons across the country, including businesses and citizens, have bemoaned the impact this would have, not only on travel but on tourism.

Many operators who have been in business for decades have voiced their concern over the implications this will have on their customers, primarily on tourists, miners and persons utilising the services from hinterland and farflung areas. Undoubtedly, the cost of travel to and from the interior will increase and this is a cost which operators have to pass on to their customers. Although hinterland residents have been exempted from paying the tax, one of the concerns raised is the issue of identifying who exactly the residents of the interior are. This will be difficult for the service providers to ascertain. Another area of concern was who bears the cost if a passenger is deemed unacceptable for the exemption. Would this burden be foisted on the airline or service provider? In the absence of criteria from the Guyana Revenue Authority, other operators are positing that they will then have to charge every passenger VAT on their airfare. Then, there is the issue of bookings which have been made some time ago.

The President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Andrea De Caires said the VAT on domestic airfares would severely impact tour operators who now have to deal with the implications on bookings made some time ago.

According to reports, although THAG has since appealed to Government for a 60-day grace period or they would have to absorb the VAT, the body is concerned about tours and trips which have already been sold, as they now have to approach those customers to inform them of the 14 per cent charge, or they will have to absorb the cost which means operating at a loss. The primary concern of service providers is that the VAT on domestic tickets would affect passengers and customers and would result in market shrinkage and less money to cover operational expenses and debt servicing. The previous Tourism Minister, Cathy Hughes, two years ago, had announced that domestic tourism was important to the new Administration and international visitors, while she acknowledged that many persons currently living in Guyana have visited other countries, but have never set foot in the hinterland. In the past, she had assured of the Government’s sharp approach in developing Guyana as a must-see tourist destination. Hughes then explained that it was the aim of her Ministry to look into this situation and try its best to provide a solution to the issue of Guyanese being unable to travel around their country.

Additionally, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock had asserted that his Ministry will be working closely with the Tourism Ministry so as to assist the hinterland communities to realise their true potential, as it relates to community-based tourism, which is intended to attract more domestic tourists.

However, the introduction of VAT will undoubtedly affect domestic tourism and could make local holidays unaffordable, although the VAT on airfares is unlikely to stop people from travelling; it is more likely to result in a shift in consumer choices. The high cost of domestic tourism has kept it beyond the reach of wageearning Guyanese, a circumstance that has inevitably led to product promotion that targeted visitors almost exclusively. Even as the tourism officials pledge to promote domestic tourism, there simply is no plan in place to make it more affordable. Travel to tourist destinations in Guyana, much of which must be done either by air, sea or long, sometimes overland treks means substantial investment in aircraft, pilots, aviation fuel, gasoline, speedboats and buses. The journeys are often relatively short, but the logistics involve heavy investment. With the implementation of VAT on local airfares, it seems as though the drive to promote domestic tourism has been halted.

This striking moated medieval castle on the island of Funen in Denmark, lies dramatically in landscaped gardens. There are loads of interesting things to do, from a car and aeroplane museum to a treetop walk. A magnificent early-20th century doll’s house, Titania’s Palace, is on display in the castle. It has beautifully created miniature features, including a bible and a working finger-size organ in the chapel (Manfred Gottschalk/Getty Images)

Contempt of the Judiciary

Dear Editor, Never before in the legal history of Guyana has an Attorney General levelled publicly such a blast of terror and fear upon any Head of the Judiciary or his own Legal Officer.

The fallout from this scurrilous blast has radiated its tremulous fear through the spinal cord of the entire body of the Judiciary in Guyana and elsewhere. This act of madness and irresponsibility was unleashed by the Hon Attorney General, Basil Williams to the editor of the Guyana Chronicle on the 19th January 2017 vide copy of article on pages 1 & 3. Its Editor did not make any prudent check or investigation or make any enquiries of the Registrar of the Appeal Court to verify the facts as he is duty-bound to do, before he plunged himself into the abyss of the dark and dastardly deeds, of contempt, vilification and degradation of an indepen-

dent institution, that is, the Judiciary as guaranteed by the Constitution of Guyana.

There is in court, recorded documents to show the pure stream of justice was flowing uninterruptedly concerning Jagdeo’s case until the Editor of the Guyana Chronicle and the Attorney General of Guyana polluted same. Your prejudiced perception is that the Chancellor together with applicant Bharrat Jagdeo; his Attorney-at-Law, M Bacchus and the Deputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon, all of common ethnicity, caused the Attorney General and the Editor to fall in the dark mud of malice and partiality that Jagdeo must receive the benefit from the court unjustly. But the law does not recognise skin colour; the law is the law.

They paid no heed how the bench was constituted ,and they became blinded and dethroned of all reason and forgetting their func-

tions as journalist and the leader of the Bar, with implicit false faith in the contemptuous utterances of Basil Williams, the Attorney General of Guyana, then gleefully, gladly penned the poisonous piece of journalistic venom accusing the court of partiality and conspiracy to dethrone justice.

The Attorney General, who has such legal wisdom and foresight, ought to have seen the unholy conspiracy of the Bench and Bar and should have appeared in person, as Leader of the Bar, filed his Affidavit in Answer, argued his case as a legal luminary and eminent counsel and crushed the applicant’s case to smithereens. Let him tell you and the nation why he did not, after he recognised and detected this wicked conspiracy of which he and the press have verbally assaulted and damnified the Judiciary into contempt, disrepute, impartiality and the members of the Bench with defamatory

remarks who are unworthy to hold such office. Why not judge men by the content of their character rather than by the colour of their skin.

The Editor has let down those who repose confidence in him to be a just, fair-minded and objective journalist who has now sinned against the predecessors who held that high, noble and splendid office of learning and honour, namely, the Attorneys General such as Dr Fenton Ramsahoye, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Mr Fred Wills, Dr Mohamed Shahabudin and Mr Keith Massiah who have been betrayed by the current Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams, SC, through libel, slander and contempt.

It will take a new generation of lawyers to restore the pristine glory of these great chambers.

Yours respectfully, Jailall Kissoon Attorney -at-Law

GuySuCo is currently an open book Dear Editor, The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) would like to respond to a letter that was published in another publication by Mr Sookram Persaud on the 31st January 2017 and titled “This decision by GuySuCo boggles the mind”.

There is obviously a concerted attempt to undermine the leadership of GuySuCo. Mr Persaud, if he is real and that is his name, is evidently the “pen” of those who foolhardily believe that they can succeed. Maybe these people are unable to get their own way since the Interim Management Committee

(IMC) was appointed. Are they trying to turn the clock back? To what purpose?

GuySuCo is an open book and most, if not all, are aware of its desperately poor financial state. The management team would like to see a change in direction in the best interest of the employees and the country. If Mr Persaud is truly concerned about the performance of the Corporation and its future and that of its employees, he is welcomed to meet with us at which time we could enlighten him.

Regarding the specific points he raised, if he truly understands the indus-

try, he would know that the weather influences the commencement of each crop, and to date, it has been wet.

Additionally, he ought to know that the out-of-crop maintenance programme also dictates when the crop starts. The specific projects in the programme are dictated by the state of each factory. Again, if he is in the know where the industry is concerned, as he suggests by his writings, then he should be aware of the rundown state of not only the factories but also the field equipment and infrastructure.

Finally, regarding his hilarity at the statement that

the management team is meeting to consider the crop estimates, we are not sure how he thinks this is done, but there is a process and the team meeting to consider and agree on the estimates after the field work is done is part of this process.

"Mr Sookram", or whoever he is, should be brave and come forward and have faceto-face discussions with us.

Yours faithfully, Audreyanna Thomas Senior Communications Officer Communications Unit

friday, february 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Bartica Massacre trial

2 sentenced to death by hanging, 1 acquitted counts of Break and Enter and Larceny, one count of unlawful wounding, and one count of terrorism.

As families of the accused awaited the verdict near and around the court, a tense atmosphere persisted. After Justice George sentenced Mark Williams and Dennis Williams to death, many were heard stifling surprised expressions, as the Court

smiles.

Several witnesses, many of whom were called by the prosecution, had testified that Simon was not there when the gang executed the attack, but a police constable had placed him at the scene.

It was on February 17, 2008, that 12 persons, including three Policemen, were slaughtered as gunmen carried out a deadly rampage

family members testified to witnessing the post-mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh who had also testified to the multiple gunshot injuries that the victims suffered.

Before the jury deliberated on Thursday, Justice George summed up the case for over seven hours. The Judge had told the 12 jury

Roger “Goatman” Simon rejoicing after being acquitted in the Bartica Massacre Trial by Justice George

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

lmost nine years after the horrific Bartica attack that rocked the nation, gang members Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, and Dennis Williams, called “Anaconda”, were on Thursday found guilty of seven counts of murder each by a 12-member jury.

In a shocked but silent courtroom around 23:00h on Thursday, presiding Judge Roxane George, SC, sentenced the two to death, noting that they would be executed by way of hanging by the neck.

Additionally, the men were found guilty on five counts each of manslaughter, but a ruling on those matters was deferred to this afternoon. When asked by the Judge to respond, Mark Williams, who appeared unmoved by the sentence, simply declined.

“I have nothing to say,” he told the court which was packed to capacity. During the trial, Mark was identified as the one who handed a gun to gang leader Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins to shoot five persons at the Bartica

Ferry Stelling, at close range.

His accomplice, Dennis Williams, received his sentence in absentia, as he further declined to attend his trial. However, his defence counsel, Shaphier Husain who was re-assigned to him by the State, protested the death sentences for both men, citing United Nations and Commonwealth Human Rights conventions. He appealed for custodial sentences to be imposed for the two convicts. Justice George, in response, noted that she indeed granted such sentences and appreciated the human rights concerns raised. She, however, indicated that the death penalties were handed down owing to the nature of the crimes committed.

Not guilty

Meanwhile, the jury, which deliberated for over four hours, found Roger “Goat Man” Simon not guilty on all 12 counts, but he remains remanded to prison pending the outcome of other charges.

His Defence Attorney, Peter Hugh made bail applications to the court, but Justice George has deferred a ruling on five other counts related to the Bartica Massacre – three

Family members and well-wishers of Roger “Goatman” Simon shouting “freedom” and dancing upon hearing the verdict

Marshall had ordered silence before the sentence was read.

Moments after the announcement that Roger Simon was absolved of the 12 counts, family members and well-wishers grinned from ear to ear as they exited the courtroom and ran to meet him in the lower flat of the High Court, as law enforcement ranks took him away to the prisoner’s holding cell. A large group of persons who were seen outside the court shouted “freedom” and danced as Simon was all

while members of the community were watching a game of 20/20 cricket on television. On that fateful night, Police Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne were fatally shot, while Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yasseen, Errol Thomas and Baldeo Singh were the civilians killed.

Over 30 witnesses testified in the case that lasted over three months. Many

members of their obligation to be fair when they considered all of the evidence. The jury was told that the passage of time can affect recollection of events. She also told the members to pay keen attention to the evidence of the prosecution’s main witnesses Clebert Reece and Dwane

Williams, two gang members who identified Mark and Dennis as being present at Bartica. The jury also had to take special note of the evidence of Michael Caesar, who was called by the defence. He had provided an alternative account of how events unfolded, saying that the two accused were not present.

Caesar, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, was on December last sentenced to 45 years each for eight counts of manslaughter in the Lusignan Massacre, while he was sentenced to 60 years for 12 counts of manslaughter in the Bartica Massacre, resulting in a 1080-year sentence.

He will have to spend at least 40 calendar years in jail before he can attempt to acquire parole. Co-accused Clebert Reece, who was the boat driver that transported the gang to Bartica, was sentenced to 420 years for the Bartica attack.

When State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar had first presented the case last year, it was stated that on February 17, 2008, Mark Williams, Dennis Williams, and Roger Simon, along with others, “struck terror with wanton disregard for life”, resulting in the deaths of 12 persons.

The prosecution’s case was led by Diana Kaulesar and assisted by Stacy Goodings, while Roger Yearwood represented Mark Williams.

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friDAY, february 3, 2017

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

5 WAYS TO GET YOUR TEEN TO STOP DRINKING ENERGY DRINKS

Battling teen

prescription drug abuse

BY LUIS F MORALES KNIGHT, PHD?

BY PAM MYERS, BSED

A

re you concerned that your teenage son or daughter is drinking too many energy drinks? Between 30 per cent and 50 per cent of young adults say that they regularly consume these high-caffeine, high-sugar beverages. With health effects of energy drinks ranging from heart palpitations to dental decay, parents need sensible strategies to help their teens cut back.

Help them to make an informed choice. Teens often react negatively to an outright ban. For most teenagers, being forbidden to do something without good reason only makes it more attractive. Talk to them about why you want them to cut down on energy drinks. Explain the health risks; you need to make a good case for why you want them to reduce their consumption. Use examples they can relate to. Telling them “I read an article in a magazine about caffeine” is a lot less effective than “Last Friday you and your friends drank Monster all night, and on Saturday, you complained all afternoon about how bad you were feeling.”

Appeal to self-interest. Teens naturally tend to think of themselves: their appearance, their future, their social standing. They worry about their looks, or what others will think of them.

You can take advantage of this normal self-obsession. Tell them that too much caffeine can produce bowel irritability or panic attacks. Energy drink manufacturers try to make their products seem “cool”; there’s nothing cool about spending the

party locked in the bathroom or crying in the corner.

Use peer pressure. Energy drink advertisers use peer pressure to sell their products. Nobody in their ads is alone; drinks are associated with music or sporting activities that teens will attend as part of a group.

You too can use peer pressure. Get together with other parents to talk about your teens’ consumption of energy drinks.

If their peers are cutting down, your son or daughter is more likely to follow suit.

Not many teenagers want to be different from the group, and it only takes a few people to create a tipping point.

Be prepared f o r arguments. You may be told, “You never complained when I drank Gatorade.”

Remember that there’s a big difference between a sports drink and an energy drink. Sports drinks replace lost fluid and minerals; energy drinks can actually lead to dehydration (iahsaa.org/ Sports_Medicine_Wellness/Nutrition/ Energy_Drinks.pdf). Your teen may say

that “Nobody ever died from drinking energy drinks.” The Canadian Journal of Cardiology (onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828282X(14)01667-5/fulltext) reports that energy drinks are implicated in several deaths. “The ingredients are all good for you”: the simple fact is although guarana or taurine aren’t bad in small quantities, there is little clinical evidence for the long-term effects of consuming large amounts. And if you’re told that energy drinks contain less caffeine than your regular Starbucks, remember to point out that you don’t add seven teaspoons of sugar to your coffee. You don’t then pour in some other chemicals that enhance the effect of the caffeine. You don’t chill it so you can drink it faster and you don’t follow it with another three of the same.

Provide alternatives. This is probably the simplest way to get your teen to reduce energy drink consumption. Make sure that the refrigerator contains plenty of fruit juice, vitamin water or iced tea.

When you explain to your teens why you want them to cut back on energy drinks, make sure that you ask them what alternative drinks they’d like. For teenagers, something that they’ve chosen is much more attractive than something they’ve had forced upon them.

Remember that you’re unlikely to get teens to give up energy drinks altogether, but you can persuade or influence them to make a decision to cut down. If they can make that decision and find alternative drinks, you’ll have helped them to make an important step to a healthier life.

W

hen you think of teenage drug abuse, you probably think of marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin or cocaine, and a scruffy-looking dealer standing in some dark alley. But there is an alarming rise in another kind of drug abuse – one where the medicine cabinet is the dealer.

Drug abuse as a response to pressure

In Orange County, California, where I practice clinical child and adolescent psychology, we are seeing teens abuse prescription drugs as a way to deal with the pressures of adolescence. Benzodiazepines, particularly Xanax (often called “zannies” or “bars”), are the drugs of choice for many.

This type of drug is typically prescribed to counter the effects of anxiety in adults. It works in a way similar to the way alcohol works. In larger doses it will provide a sense of numbness and a feeling of “I don’t care,” but without risking detection by breathalysers or even by the cheaper home drug tests. It’s no wonder we see such drugs being misused by teens.

Of course, because these medications aren’t being administered by prescription and under the direction of a ?physician, there is serious danger of addiction, overdose or even death.

Why is this problem becoming more prevalent?

Many of the children I see are what I refer to as “overscheduled.” In addition to their many academic obligations, they engage in numerous sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities. Although these things are designed to enrich children’s lives, they can sometimes do the opposite if they compete with and edge out important social activ-

(Childdevelopmentinfo.com)

ities, such as spending time and connecting with family. When that happens, teens can wind up distanced and alienated from their parents and siblings.

That’s just one part of the problem. Another component is the pressure these children feel from parents, peers and society in general.

Many teens feel like they must excel in all of their activities so they can get into good colleges and eventually get good jobs as adults. Parents want their children to succeed, too, so they sometimes push their teens to work harder and achieve more. Although Mom and Dad may believe they’re doing this in a loving way and that it’s all in their teen’s best interest, the child feels the pressure regardless of the intent behind it.

Teenagers are still children, and they need to be given the time and space to be children – have fun, relax and blow off steam. Without this downtime, stress can build up to a point they feel is unbearable. That’s when drugs such as Xanax can become an attractive alternative.

Drug abuse as a way to compete

On the other end of the spectrum, psych stimulants (such as Adderall, Ritalin, Focalin and Provigil), which are intended to treat the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy, can be easily abused for the same reasons.

Rather than treating the anxiety of overscheduled teens; however, they enable teens to concentrate harder, work longer and, in their minds at least, achieve more. These drugs are also extremely dangerous and can lead to addiction, overdose and death. This is especially true of specific formulations (famously Adderall and Ritalin) which can be ground up and snorted.

Newer formulations, such as Concerta and Vyvanse, cannot be abused in this manner. (boystown.org) TO BE CONTINUED

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friDAY, february 3, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Parking meter burden

By-laws still awaiting AG’s review, Cabinet approval – Harmon I

n spite of Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan already signing off on the by-laws governing the controversial operation of the parking meter system implemented throughout Georgetown, Attorney General Basil Williams is currently reviewing the documents before they are approved for gazetting.

This was disclosed by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Thursday at the post-Cabinet press briefing.

According to Harmon, “in as much as it is signed off by Minister of Communities, (the by-laws) still have to go through the process of the Attorney General vetting it and checking to ensure that it is consistent with the laws of Guyana and that the rules, which require certain levels of fairness, are all embedded in those bylaws.”

He explained that once the vetting process is completed, the by-laws would then be presented to Cabinet for its final approval before they are advertised in the official gazette.

“So, we have to ensure that things are very tight where the by-laws are concerned and they’ve actually been sent to the AG for him to exercise that scrutiny,” the Minister of State posited.

Two days prior to last week’s roll-out of the parking meter project, Minister Bulkan signed off on the bylaws after they were submitted last minute by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

It had previously been reported that because of the time and location where the documents were received, the Minister could not give his authorisation until legal experts had perused them.

Hence, paid parking did not

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon commence as scheduled on January 23.

However, amid concerns that he had rushed through the by-laws without any proper scrutiny before signing off on them, Minister Bulkan had stated that the by-laws were reviewed by the Attorney General before they were signed off on.

But Harmon could not confirm whether this was done.

He noted that this would be known when the Attorney General submits his report to Cabinet.

In this vein, the State Minister was asked whether it was appropriate for the Communities Minister to sign off before Cabinet approved the by-laws. In his response, he asserted that the City Council was authorised to implement the project regardless, under the rules and regulations of the Council.

According to Harmon, these by-laws are basically for gazetting. Moreover, he outlined that these bylaws would seek to address certain categories of exemptions.

“There are certain agencies like emergency vehicles, vehicles of the State and diplomatic vehicles –

there will have to be some arrangement (for exemption). All of these arrangements, I don’t believe, are fully in place under the current arrangements and, therefore, they need to have by-laws to regulate how that functions,” the State Minister posited.

On the other hand, with regard to concerns raised by organisations such as the Brickdam Cathedral, which has been recently demarcated as a parking zone, Harmon posited that the affected groups should approach the City Council and the company operating the parking meter system – Smart City Solutions – for exemption status as was done by the Guyana Teachers’ Union in relation to parking in front of schools.

The parking meter project, since its initial announcement, was criticised by stakeholders. However, the M&CC has maintained that it was necessary in order to bring in revenue for the cash-strapped municipality.

Smart City Solutions had given a grace period from the beginning of the year until January 23 when persons were expected to begin paying for parking throughout the city. Nevertheless, the introduction of paid parking last week received a cold welcome as drivers played it safe and avoided using spaces demarcated for parking meters.

While this trend continued throughout most of the first week, the first day of paid parking saw at locations such as Republic Bank and Muneshwars on Water Street, in addition to Handin-Hand and the Bank of Guyana on the Avenue of the Republic, parking me-

ters cut lonely figures. The usually congested parking areas of these enterprises were conspicuously empty.

Persons refusing to pay for parking, which is done by using meter cards pur-

chased from identified retailers, will have their vehicles clamped by officers from the SCS and City Council. They will also be made to pay an $8000 fine to have that clamp re-

moved. However, this payment will have to be made within two hours of the vehicle being clamped; otherwise, it will be towed to a SCS compound.

Govt has a problem with young female professionals – Opposition Leader by her subject Minister, Attorney General Basil Williams. Williams had listed her supposed loyalty to Jagdeo and the PPP as one of his reasons for the move.

However, Jagdeo stressed that in all his years in the PPP, he has never known Kissoon to be a member of the Party or even an open supporter. He made it clear that even if she was, that would be no grounds for dismissal.

“If we start doing ethnic Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

President David Granger

T

he political Opposition is putting Government in the hot seat for the spate of actions taken against young professionals inherited from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration.

In addition, the Party is critical of Central Government’s failure to discipline an appointed official against whom allegations have been made.

According to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, the current policy has seen young professionals, particularly women, being targeted for removal based on supposed party allegiances. He made this pronouncement during a press conference at his Church Street office on Thursday.

This comes after the sidelining of Deputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon

Aggrieved: Deputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon or political testing of employees, then where will we end up in this country if we ask people what your politics are before you hire them? And it seems as though young professionals can’t find a place.”

According to Jagdeo, these actions formed a visi-

ble pattern too numerous to mention. He then referenced the case of a high ranking Region Nine municipal official, who went public with complaints of sexual assault against a top regional official.

“This Government has serious problems with professionals. Particularly young professionals and particularly women. So in (Region Nine, an education official) complained about the (alleged) predatory behaviour of the (official). And it was swept under the carpet.”

“Then the (municipal official) complained that she was sexually molested by the same person. It was reported to everyone, including the Minister. The President is aware of it. They try to sweep it under the carpet again.”

TURN TO PAGE 15

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friDAY, february 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Businessman on trial for gun, ammo possession T

he trial of the city businessman who was busted with a firearm and matching rounds at Palm Court, Georgetown, commenced on Thursday when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge stated that

Carl Carter, on October 8, 2016, was in possession of a revolver and four matching rounds at Palm Court, Main Street, Georgetown.

Carter, who made his first court appearance on Thursday, was represented

by Attorney-at-Law Stanley Moore.

Corporal Eastman took to the witness box to testify against the accused. Police Prosecutor Kevin London told the court that on the day in question, Police officials, acting upon information, entered the premises of the popular nightspot and searched Carter, find-

ing in his possession a firearm with matching ammunition.

The man was taken into custody and subsequently released on station bail.

The matter will continue on February 27, 2017 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Accused in “Six Head” fatal accident to know fate soon

M

anex Powers, who is accused of causing the death of former WBA World Welterweight Champion Andrew “Six Head” Lewis, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Thursday, to make an unsworn statement as the trial into the death of the boxer continues.

The accused first appeared before the courts in May 6, 2015 and pleaded not guilty to the charge read to him by the then Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge read that on May 4, 2015, at New Hope Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the ac-

Accused: Manex Powers

cused, a 32-year-old resident of Campbellville Housing Scheme at the time, drove motor vehicle PNN 596 in a manner dangerous to the

Former WBA World Welterweight Champion Andrew “Six Head” Lewis

public, thereby causing the death of Lewis. Powers, who was represented by defence

counsel Peter Hughes, had initially entered a not-guilty plea and was released on $250,000 bail.

The man had previously appeared before the Magistrate on January 10, 2017, and the final trial date was set for February 2, 1017.

However, the accused, represented by Defence Attorney Stanley Moore, made his court appearance on the said date, taking to the witness box to make an unsworn statement. The final hearing was postponed by the Magistrate.

The accused is to know his fate when he makes his final appearance before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on February 27, 2017.

Man remanded for attempted robbery A 28-year-old man was on Thursday remanded to prison by Magistrate Faith McGusty when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, to an-

swer to a charge of attempted felony.

It is alleged that David Bernard, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on January 30, 2016, at Kingston, Georgetown, in the company

of another attempted to rob Virtual Complainant (VC) Deon Blackman, an employee of the Marriott Hotel.

The VC told the court that on the said day he was on his way to work when he was ac-

costed by two men on bicycles, armed with a screwdriver, who demanded that he hand over cash and other valuables. He stated that he then attempted to escape from the duo by running away and scaling the fence of a nearby Government building, where he sought refuge.

He then reported the matter to the Police, who upon searching the area in the company of the VC, arrested the accused who was identified by Blackman as one of the men who accosted him.

Bernard, who was unrepresented, pleaded his innocence, claiming that on the day in question he was heading home from the seawall when he was stopped by a Police van and was subsequently arrested for the said offence.

The presiding Magistrate refused bail and the man was remanded to the Camp Street penitentiary until February 17, 2017, when the matter will continue at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Facts…

T

…vs interpretations hings were proceeding so blithely after the “scientific revolution”, the chattering class of Europe declared their era the “Age of Enlightenment”! In capitals! But there came a fella Nietzsche, who upended it all with his mordant perspective on the received wisdom. (”Nee-chee”, like the sewing machine!) One of his pithy pronouncements was “there are no facts, only interpretations”.

This view’s even more radical than the new Trump Epistemological Doctrine on “alternative facts”. With the latter, both the speaker and the audience accept there are, in fact, something ontologically grounded, called “facts”. What Nietzsche asserted and all his post-modern followers assert is there are no such “facts” out there to be “discovered”, independently of our interpretations!

Now, if you think your Eyewitness must’ve inhaled some good old “Jamaican Gold” to be carrying on like this, he didn’t. He’s just trying to offer a possible explanation for the “explanations” being offered for the firings of some high-placed officials in the State apparatus. It all started when Justice Kennard was given 36 hours’ notice to clear his desk as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). The Minister to whom he reported – Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan – said, even though his performance was exemplary, he was let go by Prezzie on account of his “age”.

Now Prezzie’s finally confirmed this assertion. And this is where the matter of “facts and interpretations” arise. It is, after all, a fact that Justice Kennard is nearing 80 – but who gets to “interpret” this fact to make him too “old” and incapable of performing his job that he should, therefore, be sent out to pasture? As your Eyewitness said before, Prezzie has the power to appoint the Chair to the PCA – but nowhere in the act does it extend that power to fire the man. There is – we’re told – the niceties of the “rule of law” to be complied with, no?

On what grounds has Prezzie, therefore, determined that Kennard is in his dotage? Prezzie echoed the subject Minister Ramjattan that Kennard was performing ably in his job, so it can’t be a matter of “competency”. Prezzie intimated he’s about to issue a directive on this issue of age limits on the job. But isn’t this putting the cart before the horse? And is this a role for him, or the legislature?

And then, in our newfound Republican awareness, maybe it ought to be the subject for a referendum?

And why wouldn’t Prezzie say whether the new rule would apply to 80-year-old Hamilton Green “O.R.”.

Is it, to paraphrase Humpty Dumpty, a word is whatever Prezzie wants to interpret it as??!! …on GECOM Like Bobby Brown, Prezzie’s also asserted some “prerogatives”. Here, to interpret the Constitution on who chairs GECOM. Prezzie seems to feel the person ought to not only be “sober as a judge” but to’ve actually been a judge.

But your Eyewitness thinks events have highlighted the need for some new skills. Ironically on the same day the departing Chair penned a rather sweet letter to his staff echoing Juliet’s “parting is such sweet sorrow” line, came a reminder that some in the same staff might’ve connived to swindle hundreds of millions from the Elections’ watchdog.

No one can even hint the outgoing Chair was involved with those shenanigans. Not only is it clear the judge-like fella wasn’t one to suffer fools (gladly or otherwise!), it’s a cert someone who felt the sting of his acerbic tongue in this small, ego-riven country would’ve long spilled the beans on him, if he’d dipped his hand into any till. So maybe the GECOM chair should be an accountant who’s fit to be a judge.

Chris Ram, anyone? …on Education Reform The Minister has named a Task Force, and tasked it with convening a Working Group, to work to form a Focus Committee, which will focus on launching an Action Quorum to report back to him.

By 2020??

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

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friDAY, february 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Attack on Chancellor Singh

Boundaries between Judicial, Executive arms should be adhered to – Trotman

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh

T

he Alliance For Change (AFC) on Thursday sought to again establish that there was a strict separation of powers between the Judicial and Executive arms of Government and neither should comment adversely on the function of the other.

The distinction was again drawn by AFC Leader Raphael Trotman, who was asked to comment on the attack by Attorney General Basil Williams on Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh.

While Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has already distanced Government from the position Williams has taken against the soonto-be retired Chancellor, the AFC on Thursday, not wanting to delve too deeply into the matter, maintained that the boundaries should be adhered to.

“As lawyers, we know that there is a strict separation of powers between the Judicial and Executive branches of Government. It should not be the function of either branch to comment adversely on the function of the other. As long as you know that the Executive ought not to be making mention of what is happening in the Judiciary,” Trotman told the media.

He said while the Executive may make general

comments on things such as the virtues of establishing a family court, the singling out of individual judges or judgments was not something that the Executive ought to be doing.

Attorney General Williams came under fire from the Bar Association and Prime Minister Nagamootoo, among others, for unleashing an attack on Justice Singh following a ruling which dismissed a State-sponsored appeal against a High Court decision quashing a racial incitement charge against Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

Nagamootoo said Government did not support any such attacks on the Judiciary even if they were coming from its own officers.

The intimidation campaign was being waged by the State’s newspaper which attributed comments to the Attorney General expressing displeasure with rulings made by the acting Chancellor, stressing the point that the “sun is setting” on the Chancellor’s career with his pending retirement.

“In as much as any citizen, or the Government for that matter, may criticise decisions emanating from our courts which, after all, are not cloistered halls immune from public scrutiny, our Government does not encourage attacks on the Legislature and Judiciary.

It is not Government’s policy or decision to besmirch the character of any judicial officer. Our Government would not condone attempts, however well-meaning or veiled, to impugn the integrity of judicial officers,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo had said at a public forum last week.

The Prime Minister further underscored the need to respect the various tenets of democracy, such as the separation of powers that guide the Executive in its relations with the Legislature and the

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman

Judiciary. To this end, he posited that the Administration has been leading the way in ensuring the independence of both the Legislature and the Judiciary by making them financially and administratively autonomous.

Nagamootoo’s statement comes in light of comments made by former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran last weekend, when he called out the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the State media, for being silent on the matter, noting that the attacks on the Chancellor seemed to be a government policy.

But even after this, the PM, continued along that line, further insisting that the acting Chancellor needed to retire, as he should have already proceeded on preretirement leave in preparation for his official retirement date on January 30, 2017.

“I would expect that the Chancellor would also proceed on preretirement leave and then leave on his birthday (anniversary) as he had advised me that should be the position of Acting Chief Justice (Ian) Chang at the time,” Williams pointed out.

The apparent push for Justice Singh to retire by January month-end comes in light of the impending ruling on the appeal to the two-term

presidential limit case set for February 15. The acting Chancellor is set to rule on the State’s appeal made against the decision by former acting Chief Justice Ian Chang that the presidential term limit was unconstitutional.

Many commentators, including the former Speaker of the National Assembly and former President Bharrat Jagdeo, believe that the Government was attempting to intimidate the members of the Judiciary and send a warning of what would happen if they made rulings undesirable to the A Partnership

for National Unity (APNU)/ AFC Administration.

The Guyana Bar Association (GBA) has not taken kindly to the actions of Attorney General Williams.

According to former President and current committee member of the Bar Association, Teni Housty, the Government should remain conscious of the importance of maintaining the Judiciary’s independence and impartiality.

Clashes with Judiciary

He noted that for the Executive to be clashing with the Judiciary over its deci-

sions, instead of respecting its authority to make those decisions, jeopardised the concept of separation of powers.

The Attorney called for an “independent and impartial judiciary, immune from effect and statements from any other branch of Government” to be maintained. He made it clear that attacks against the Judiciary, above which the Chancellor presides, should never happen.

Williams has also been berated for seeking to silence the work of Deputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon.

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friDAY, February 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New guidelines to monitor foreign exchange markets – Harmon

T

he Bank of Guyana has come up with a series of new regulations to closely monitor the local foreign exchange markets, following reports of shortages in the market and allegations of foreign currency hoarding.

Speaking at the post Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters that Cabinet was assured by Finance Minister Winston Jordan that there was no shortage in the country’s foreign exchange but disequilibrium in the market.

Nevertheless, Harmon explained that the Bank of Guyana, as the regulatory body for banks and nonbank cambios, was instructed to respond with stricter regulations and closer monitoring of the foreign exchange market.

“The Bank of Guyana is therefore expected to issue a number of guidelines with regards to the new regulations and monitoring,” he said. Harmon added that these will include ensuring that exporters repatriate their export earnings at the banking system as is required and conducting close monitoring and examination of bank and non-bank cambios to maintain orderly market behaviour and stability.

According to the State Minister, measures were also taken to ensure that all

foreign loans and grants issued are disbursed on time so as to increase the flow of foreign currency in the country.

Meanwhile, addressing reports of commercial banks syphoning foreign exchange to selective clients, the State Minister posited that these new guidelines are aimed at preventing such practices. He noted that before, Central Bank could not have stopped this practice because of the quality of oversight it had then; however, he noted that this situation will soon be reversed.

“I think what the (Finance) Minister has recommended here and what the (Central) Bank will do is that it will strengthen its monitoring capacity and ensure that rules and regulations by which these banks operate that they hold them on a much closer and tighter leash,” the Minister of State asserted.

Nevertheless, Minister Harmon pointed out that there are foreign currency issues in countries across the Caribbean, where banking companies take advantage of loopholes in the market, which Guyana will be zeroing in on. “… yes there are some companies that have been sending large amounts of foreign currency abroad but when you examine the situation all around us in the entire region, you have for-

eign currency issues in all of those countries… to the extent of which persons find the soft stop where they can access it… and this is what these measures by the Minister of Finance and the Bank of Guyana are meant to tighten up on,” he pointed out.

Last month, Minister Jordan had warned of attempts by exporters, who are hoarding foreign currency, to lower the value of domestic currency by exporters. This practice, he said, has the potential to destabilise Guyana’s economy.

The Finance Minister, who was at the time speaking at the opening of Citizens’ Bank Limited new Head Office building, explained that some exporters and importers are conducting mutual foreign exchange transactions, outside of the exchange market structure.

“Some companies have been seeking to pay for ex-

port and repatriate profits earlier than required in the business cycle, thus creating a demand for foreign currency. Aggravating this untenable situation is the action of some net foreign exchange earners, who are demanding foreign currency from the market, while hoarding their foreign currency holdings,” the

Minister stated.

He continued that, “Some companies are even purchasing foreign exchange to facilitate trade for their counterparts outside of Guyana, while a few exporters and importers are conducting foreign exchange transactions bilaterally, outside of the foreign exchange market.”

Nevertheless, Jordan went on to assure the public that foreign exchange demands can currently be met with what is in the system.

He was adamant that this was the case, despite the reduction in export earnings from sugar, rice and timber.

According to the Minister, the foreign reserves of commercial banks totalled US$315 million at the end of 2016. This is roughly the same level as in

2015. Jordan noted that in 2016, the Bank of Guyana had sold approximately US$30 million to commercial banks to smooth out spikes during seasonal demand.

“Indeed, for the period November to December 2016, the Central Bank sold some US$12 million to the bank cambios to ensure adequate flows of foreign exchange to the market. The Bank of Guyana will continue its interventions in the market as warranted.”

Jordan also called on those involved in the practice; exporters, importers and cambios, to be responsible and heed the entreaties of the Government. He also had an ominous warning; failure to do so would result in the Government taking decisive action.

Police urging taxi drivers to beware of hijackers T he Guyana Police Force is advising all taxi drivers, particularly those operating Toyota Allion and Premio motor cars, to be on the alert for potential hijackers.

According to the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Jairam Ramlakhan, the modus operandi of these perpetrators is to lure taxi operators with the help of females and leading them to remote locations. “(They use) one or two female accomplices to hire cabs in Georgetown enroute to destinations such as Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and East and South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Upon arrival at their requested locations, the drivers are attacked and robbed by two men armed with guns of their personal belong-

ings as well as their motor cars,” Ramlakhan noted.

Meanwhile, the Police Force is also appealing to the general public to provide any information they may have regarding the identities of these individuals perpetrating these types of offences.

Persons are urged to immediately report any

such information or any unusual activity they may have observed to the nearest Police station or call telephone numbers 2256411, 226-1389, 227-2128, 225-2227, 226-7065, 2250575, 911.

The Police have advised that all information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

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friDAY, february 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com The Guyana Times is pleased to introduce a new column, Straight Talk from Sase Singh , who has worked primarily in the areas of financial turnarounds, business analysis and strategic planning. His research interests include public policy development, business turnaround and understanding strategies for optimising the use of resources. Sase Singh has a Masters in Finance – specialising in financial modelling from Lancaster Business School. Singh is a certified chartered accountant. He also has post-graduate executive qualifications from the London Business School in Corporate Finance and Corporate Restructuring. Singh is a PhD candidate in the field of Public Policy.

He currently has his own consultancy firm which consults mainly in the field of financial troubleshooting on very large federally funded projects in Latin America.

S RAIGHT It is a life and with Sase Singh death issue – Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)

D

ear Readers, I am re-launching this series called Straight Talk.

It will be just that – straight talk for and with the poor and the working class in mind and with a focus on giving a voice to the voiceless. It hopes to break down the complex national issues into street talk so that the common man can make his mind up on the big issues that are affecting his life.

This week I want to focus on the state of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), which cause foreign inflows into Guyana. There has been a sharp decline in investments due to a poorly designed and non-productive investment strategy compliments of the underperformance of the Ministry of Business and Finance respectively. This has caused FDIs to run almost dry – both as a percentage of total investment and as a percentage of GDP. Every man, woman, and child must know that there is a strong relationship between foreign inflows and economic growth. There are several convincing reasons for this. For an economy to grow between seven per cent and eight per cent a year, there needs to be investments around 35 per cent and 40 per cent of GDP. Guyana is averaging around 26 per cent since 2015, a far cry from the rate that is needed to sagaciously grow this economy. The national saving rate since 2015 also fell short of the investment rate by some three per cent. The rational model is that FDIs should be increasing to meet this gap. In the case of Guyana, it is not meeting this gap.

As aggregate demand in Guyana slowly collapses, the sensible economic policy would have been to better mirror the budget to the capacity of the economy. Rather, we are now saddled with a partially unfunded “biggest budget ever” tagged at $250 billion. This translates into higher taxation on the local population and heavier borrowings.

Both of these measures which are already in full force under Minister Jordan, has started to crowd-out and dissuade the local Private Sector from pursuing a more aggressive investment profile. So who really will be creating these jobs as the capacity of the Private Sector weakens?

This is where some serious policy decisions are needed. Minister Jordan’s strategy of political witch-hunting the Private Sector by way of this draconian VAT on electricity and water (which also affects the poor) is furthest from the real solution. This is a recipe for economic bankruptcy, not seen since the horrible economic days of 1984.

But to the analyst community, another dangerous issue was identified; how the investment portfolio is distributed. The graph below was pulled from the 2017 Budget.

This graph basically illustrates that since 2015, Guyana has depended more and more on domestic savings to finance national investments rather than foreign inflows. So the graph is telling us that in 2013 – 77 per cent of our national investments were financed by foreign inflows, 2014 – 43 per cent; 2015 – 11 per cent, 2016 – 10 per cent and projections for 2017 are – 8 per cent. The higher rate of foreign inflows in 2013 can be explained by the inward investments because of the two foreign gold mines that were incubated under the PPP. Since then Guyana has had a Siberian winter when it comes to new investment. There is no excuse for the foreign inflows only accounting for 10 per cent of the investment portfolio in 2016, when the established norm is around 35 per cent?

But this situation is expected to get worse in 2017. If one peruses the 2017 Budget, one is informed that actual FDI is scheduled to plummet to $19 billion compared to $87 billion in 2013. The real question remains, are the conditions in place to bring new foreign investments to Guyana? My immediate answer is a profound NO! It was Candidate Granger who promised in the 2015 APNU/AFC manifesto that he will provide employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, …. and “promote economic growth”. He has not delivered on even portions of this promise and one third of the term has elapsed. What is critical right now is progress on an actionable investment road map to tag deliverable milestones. No more WILL DO THIS and WILL DO THAT. There is no place for “Mr WILLO” in 2017, 2018 or 2019. It is time for delivery on the promises.

In the final analysis, the conditions are not in place in 2017 to attract FDIs and, therefore, the population must embolden themselves for more taxation without representation under this Granger Administration. Today, the cost of doing business is higher (more VAT), economic instability persists, there is a slothful judicial system, a crime-infested nation, widespread corruption on all fronts, and most importantly, a very inconsistent and unpredictable economic framework. Without these pre-conditions in place, Guyana cannot attract higher levels of FDIs. Please feel free to share your comments at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

AFC’s $43M campaign debt

No current master plan to clear dues – Gaskin

A

lthough it is part of the governing A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, the AFC said it currently had no master plan to pull itself out of the $43.4 million debt it was in.

Last Saturday, at its fifth Biennial Conference, outgoing Treasurer Dominic Gaskin reported that the political party had not been able to cover its outstanding debt incurred in the national and regional elections campaign.

Gaskin related that for 2016, the party’s accumulated surplus stood at a negative $14.2 million, down from $16.8 million in 2015 and $8.4 million the preceding year.

According to him, the party had purchased the building housing its headquarters in Kitty, Georgetown in 2014 for $18 million, contributing to that debt.

On Thursday, Gaskin said while there were some initiatives in the pipeline, there was no master plan.

“The debt was considerable. It’s a fluid situation.

We’re a party of various

groups, and groups who contribute to the party’s coffers and to the reduction of our debt, but there is no master plan. There are many things happening at many levels of the party that all contribute to our reduction of our debt,” Gaskin said.

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman added that the party has chapters and partners in the Region and internationally that help with fundraisers. He said the party was seeking no other way to shake itself out of debt, referring to the belief that it being in Government could provide an advantage in this regard.

“If we were indeed corrupt, we would not have a debt and the fact that a political party in power has campaign debts tells something.

I believe it is not uncommon; we’re managing, we have made strides (we are a young party) and with the strength of the delegates and the wider membership, we will get through this.”

The outgoing Treasurer said that in the interim, dating from 2016 some claims and debts have been reduced, with some being covered by

Outgoing AFC Treasurer, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

AFC’s coalition partners, “because having come to us and not gotten any relief, they went to the other party and some of them have gotten some relief,” Gaskin had said at the conference.

He too was optimistic that the party would show a positive figure by the next audit.

Gaskin related that the party borrowed $14 million from a local bank. He also related that renovations had to be done to the building. The Business Minister stated that the building’s value was now $34 million, with an outstanding mortgage of $11.3

million.

“Now these figures are taken from the draft of the audited accounts. And what they indicate is a decrease in our net assets… (largely due to the huge campaign debt),” the outgoing Treasurer said.

The AFC formed a coalition with APNU to contest the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

However, in January 2016, when the new AFC Head Office, named “Centre for Change” had opened, the then Party Leader Khemraj Ramjattan did not reveal that the building was purchased via a mortgage, but rather sang the praises of businessman Lloyd Singh who he said was a major financier of the building.

As a matter of fact, during the opening ceremony, Ramjattan asked Singh to stand and be acknowledged, and Singh complied and responded, “Khemraj Ah know y’all got fuh get ah building.

Ah know of something.”

Ramjattan told the gathering that Singh gave the AFC the advance money for the building.

12news

friDAY, february 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IAC receives funds for centenary activities

T

he Indian Action Committee (IAC) on Thursday received funds totalling $500,000 from the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport for its centenary commemoration activities of the end of Indian Indentureship to be held in April 2017.

The IAC thanks the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport for its support.

The IAC will be using these funds to offset costs incurred in its centenary activities.

A Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry presents the donation to IAC Executive Member Safiya Gafoor (right) at her office

s we wrote last year, March 10th will mark 100 years since Governor-General Hardinge of the Government of India issued an order ordering the cessation of shipments of Indentured Indians to Guyana, the West Indies and Fiji. And to mark this seminal event, commemorative events are being organised in each of these locales to allow the descendants of those immigrants to reflect upon their past from the perspective of their present, with an eye towards charting a course to their future.

In Guyana, most of the groups that work in the Indian-Guyanese Ravi Dev community, culturally, socially, religiously, etc, have made a laudatory and successful attempt to coordinate the timings and locales of their events so that clashes are minimised. This will ensure that as many Guyanese as possible have the opportunity to participate by their presence. I do not want to pre-empt the official calendar of events that will be released soon save to say that March is practically booked for the entire month.

I can speak about one event I am involved with the youths of the Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS) who have chosen to host a mass event on the West Coast of Demerara on “INDIAN ABOLITION DAY 100: End of Indian Indentureship”. They are collaborating with the umbrella group, “Guyana Indian Immigration Abolition Association”, that is also sponsoring an Arts Exhibition and a Symposium. Rhyaan Shah is involved with this initiative.

The HSS/GIIAA group plan to utilise the “Mela” form of collective activity – “Mela” means “gathering” in Sanskrit – to bring together Guyanese on this special day. They will adapt their Mela, however, to their theme of “Examining the history of Indian Indentureship; confronting the challenges of the present to create a bright future”. The “Mela” or fair was a feature of 19th Century village India and was the site from where a large number of individuals were enticed by the “Arkatiyas” (“Recruiters”) to emigrate to become plantation labourers in so many countries. The group will be recreating the phenomenon by deploying actors as modernday arkatiyas.

One of the survival mechanisms of the Indian immigrants was to exchange their right of a return passage to India for small plots of lands on which they planted rice. The land was invariably worth less than the return passage, but they accepted the exchange since they would have by then made the decision to remain in Guyana. This crop was first cultivated commercially at Plantation Edinburg on the West Coast of Demerara. The group plans to demonstrate the early method of rice cultivation where stalks of paddy were first cultivated in a small “biyari” and then transplanted laboriously by hand to the “rice beds”. Today, the rice industry – which includes the milling, packaging and shipping of rice – is the largest employer in Guyana and brings in huge amounts of foreign currency.

The Mela will also illustrate the harsh times into which the industry that brought the Indians to Guyana, sugar, has fallen. The closure of the factory at Leonora and Versailles was quite traumatic during the 1970s. But the sudden closure of Wales appears to be replicating the harsh conditions of life during indentureship and they hope to bring some youths from that Plantation to illustrate their plight in skits, song and dance. Special songs have been composed for the occasion.

They also intend to illustrate the other Indian contributions to Guyana, which in addition to saving the sugar industry and creating the rice industry can be seen in jewellery, foods, clothing, religion (Hinduism and Islam), sports, arts and crafts, music, business, entrepreneurship in forestry products, multi-culturalism, movies, etc. As far as possible, booths will be dedicated to these activities. It is interesting that Cheddi Jagan, who played a critical role in bringing Indians into modern politics, was born and died in March. He, along with other Indian leaders such as Jang Bahadur Sings, will be commemorated in one booth.

But the dark underside of Indian life in Guyana will also be illustrated: booths dealing with the social problems of Indian Guyanese – suicide and alcoholism – will distribute pamphlets and offer suggestions for institutionalised approaches. As they say, come one, come all on March 5th.

Venue to be announced.

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friDAY, February 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 2 residents benefit from Lions Club eye clinic residents also received free eye glasses, many of which were donated from Canadians towards the venture.

He noted that special cases that do not match the lenses that they currently have would be taken back to Canada, re-examined and sent back to Guyana Lions members.

The beneficiaries also used the opportunity to express their satisfaction with the team’s efforts and their humanitarian works.

(Indrawattie Natram)

Another beneficiary getting from an eye examination

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ne thousand residents living within Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) benefited from free eyewear and optometry services, compliments of the Lions Club, through a January 29 to February 2 outreach.

According to Verna Young, a Lions representative, the initiative was a collaborative effort between the Lions Club and the Canadian Vision Care (CVC). Speaking at the Anna Regina Kendra, where the outreach was held, Young explained that the beneficiaries hailed from several areas, including nine Amerindian communities and Moruca. She further explained that 1000 persons were selected by leaders from their respective communities and were given a card/chit to attend the outreach. Vulnerable cases were given first priority and 200 persons were examined daily during the outreach.

Young is the Lions Club

Vice President and is responsible for health activities within the Lions club. She added that Lions members, who were all volunteers, were responsible for the team during their visit. She explained that the Lions and the CVC have fostered a solid partnership over the years and have been coming together for more than 10 years, providing free eye services and spectacles to Guyanese. Young, on behalf of the Lions, joined with hundreds of Essequibians in extending sincere gratitude towards the CVC team.

Meanwhile, CVC Head Robert Senterner said the team, which consisted of 11 members, were excited and happy to provide the service to the Region Two population. The team included three optometrists, two opticians, one nurse and five other volunteers who were qualified in the field.

He said the members were also Lions from Canada.

Senterner said that

A volunteer facilitating blood pressure testing

New Peace Corps trainees arrive in Guyana

The new batch of Peace Corps trainees have arrived to commence their two-year stint here

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ess than a week after the new Peace Corps Country Director, Kury Cobham arrived in Guyana, a new batch of about 38 Peace Corps trainees arrived in the country on Tuesday to begin their two years of service to Guyanese.

The 30th group of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Guyana has already begun pre-service training on the Essequibo Coast, liv-

ing with local host families and learning the Guyanese way of life in the villages of Suddie, Huis t’ Dieren, Queenstown, Windsor Castle, Capoey Lake, Lake Mainstay and Anna Regina.

As health and education volunteers, they will

engage in field practicums in local schools and health centres. The group is expected to be officially sworn in as Peace Corps volunteers in early April, after which they will begin service throughout Guyana.

Late US President John

F Kennedy created the Peace Corps in March 1961 to provide human resources and technical assistance to developing countries that request such engagement.

The Peace Corps was first active in Guyana from 1966 to 1971.

In 1993, the Peace Corps was invited to return to Guyana by late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan. Since 1995, nearly 700 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Guyana in the health and education sectors.

The Peace Corps and the US Embassy extend their gratitude to the Government and the Guyanese people for their hospitality and the opportunity to work together to advance Guyana’s sustainable development aspirations.

14 news

friDAY, february 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Review of retirement policy

Govt to address lack of guidelines for appointments – President

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resident David Granger has underscored the importance of crafting clear and precise guidelines for the appointment and duration of service of members, as Government moves to conduct a general review of all the State authorities, Boards and Commissions.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday, the Head of State pointed out that the Government recognised that these State entities play an important role in the governance of the country and provision of services to the Guyanese people, hence, it is imperative that clear guidelines of service are established.

“It is impossible to function as a government without these authorities, agencies, Boards and Commissions.

The problem is that there is no handbook. There is no guideline. We know that these agencies and authorities have been established by law… We want to ensure that all of the (entities)

are able to function, to deliver all of their services efficiently to the public, so the Administration is now engaging in a review, but we have discovered that there are no terms and conditions for the appointees, particularly the chairperson of the Boards,” the President said.

He went on to say that the terms and conditions of these appointments could not be left open ended and must be clearly laid out. The President noted that public servants have a stipulated time to retire and members of these State bodies should be bounded by the same as well. President Granger further asserted that the function of these State entities could not be underestimated and it was, therefore, incumbent on the Government to ensure that the systems were put in place not only for efficient management, but to ensure that the guidelines for the length of service and retirement were documented.

“There is no hard and fast rule about how a person would be selected and this

has led to the present dilemma that people do not know how long they are expected to serve and it is not clear how some persons were appointed. Although we don’t have a problem with those who were appointed, the time has come because of age and service qualifications for them to demit. There has to be an end and it just can’t go on forever,” he said.

He explained that Governments have traditionally relied on professionals, particularly persons from the Judiciary, since they are expected to bring with them the qualities of independence, impartiality and integrity. However, these professionals mostly retire at 65 years and it is reasonable for them to serve another decade until they are 75 or 80, the President said.

Moreover, Government had outlined that this move to review the appointments at State agencies, Boards and Commissions was also a means of creating an atmosphere for younger and qualified candidates to have an

these changes,” President Granger posited.

Government’s announcement of a review of its retirement policy comes on the heels of criticisms received following an executive decision to sack Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), retired Justice Cecil Kennard, given his age. The former Chancellor was initially given 36 hours to vacate office, but this was extended until the end of February.

Reasons unclear

President David Granger

opportunity to serve in those capacities.

“We want to ensure that there is balance, particularly gender balance and we want to ensure that persons appointed are in fact qualified, that they have the expertise, education and experience and this will enable Guyanese people to get the best quality of service from these authorities and agencies. So, this is what we are doing and I am very confident that in the end the public would be better served by

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday outlined that Government’s reason for sacking Justice Kennard was baffling since they have much older persons appointed at the helm of more weighty State bodies that should have been let go of first. One such person he named is Dr Clive Thomas, who currently chairs the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and also heads the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA).

“I don’t have anything against (older) people once

they can perform at that age, but I’m saying that the President gives these inconsistent answers, because he doesn’t subject himself or allow himself to a challenge like should happen in a democracy,” Jagdeo posited.

Meanwhile, there were also much comments about the fate of former Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green, who currently heads the Board of Directors of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

However, Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Thursday confirmed at the post-cabinet press briefing that with the life of the CH&PA Board having come to an end, Green, who is over the age of 80, will not be returning on the new board.

“There are younger competent persons and we believe that they ought to be given a chance. It is no disrespect and disregard to the work of these individuals (who held the posts) but we have to provide upward mobility within the system,” Harmon explained.

Junior Finance Minister could be taken before Privileges Committee – Jagdeo

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is deliberating on having Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma taken before the Privileges Committee of Parliament after his statement that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) gave $55 billion in tax breaks to friends and family.

He made this revelation on Thursday during a press conference at his office on Church Street. According to Jagdeo, the concessions were given to individuals and organisations such as remigrants, churches, businesses and hospitals.

“I’m tempted to take Sharma before the Committee of Privileges for this. But then it may not make sense. We have heard from Minister Winston Jordan once that the $55 billion of tax remissions was given to friends and family of the PPP.” “Sharma repeated this in his budget speech and I see it headlined in the newspapers. So anyone hearing this would say, hold on a minute, these people must have been messing with our revenue, this warrants exploration.”

According to Jagdeo, these tax breaks went to “hospitals, companies and businesses, churches and charitable organisations, public officers and officials, Ministries and Government departments, re-migrants, diplomats and foreign-funded projects.”

“That’s where it went to, not friends and families of the PPP.” Jagdeo said that with this in mind, he was deliberating on taking the Junior Finance Minister before the Committee.

The former Head of State

presentation in Parliament on Monday, based on a tax motion.

While he did not produce any reports from the Guyana Revenue Authority to support this contention, Sharma was adamant that the figures were factual.

Private charges for MPs

Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma

also said that the tax breaks to these categories were cut, but the tax breaks for Ministries increased to $4.3 billion in 2016.

“That is the only category that is increasing.

Everything else cutting down. They’ve reduced the remission to churches, to charitable organisations, to companies, to remigrants, but they have increased remissions to Ministries and Government departments.”

According to Jagdeo, concessions were granted to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to bring in vehicles duty-free.

“The Prime Minister can now bring in personal vehicles, VAT-free. That was one of the measures introduced in the 2017 Budget.

They could have left it alone, but that was one of the tax breaks. And then putting VAT on babies’ milk and supplies and things disabled people use.

“So I had to debunk this, because they keep repeating it and it keeps appearing in the papers all the time.”

Sharma had made this disclosure while making a

“We had asked for the release of the tax records for all MPs. They have voted against this for the past 10 years.”

According to Jagdeo, this is not being done because he believes there is tax evasion being committed by individuals. With this in mind, Jagdeo stated that the Opposition may proceed to file private criminal charges against Ministers and MPs who are non-compliant with the Integrity Commission Act. “We have made it clear that we will probably have to file private criminal charges against Ministers and Members of Parliament who have not complied. And for the past couple of weeks we have talked about this, because it does not seem as though SARA (State Assets Recovery Agency) is interested in those transgressions.”

“It (SARA) talks the talk, but is not interested and we may never find out about their assets. They are targeting only Opposition people and private individuals. So, we may have to file private criminal charges for non-submission to the Integrity Commission.”

The issue of submitting declarations to the Integrity commission has been a sore one for some time. Back in 2005, then Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin,

had taken legal action to rescind the appointment of the Chairman.

He had stated that then President Jagdeo had not consulted him.

Jagdeo is on record as having called on the

Government benches to declare their assets, stating that if this is done he would make public his own assets, both locally and overseas.

This challenge has never been accepted by the coalition.

According to the Integrity Commission Act, MPs and other listed officials are supposed to file their annual returns with the Integrity Commission. However, the body has not been a functioning one.

NDC Overseer in court for assaulting Guyana Times reporter

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n Overseer attached to the Johns/ Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for allegedly assaulting Guyana Times Berbice correspondent.

Boodmattie Ramnarine, 48, allegedly assaulted Andrew Carmichael, a Guyana Times and TVG reporter causing actual bodily harm on August 15 last, at the Port Mourant/Johns NDC office.

The mother of one appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Ramnarine, who was unrepresented, indicated to Magistrate Artiga that she would be retaining the services of an attorney before March 13 when the matter comes up again for trial.

Meanwhile, at a Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting held in the RDC’s boardroom at Vrymens Erven, New Amsterdam on Thursday, the assault issue was raised by Councillor Zaman Husain, who questioned why the RDC had not investigated the allegations.

In response, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (REO) Claude Henry told the RDC that the matter was not

NDC Overseer Boodmattie Ramnarine

formally reported to the RDC. He also questioned why the reporter was proceeding with the matter in the court after almost six months have passed.

However, in November last year, Husain had raised the issue at an RDC meeting and the REO, Kim WilliamsStephen said she was unaware of the report, but was informed that a formal complaint was made to the previous REO, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya in writing. The REO on that occasion had promised to investigate the report.

At the following meet-

ing in December, the issue was again raised and the REO had promised again to take action. It had been reported that the Overseer of the Johns/Port Mourant NDC had choked the Guyana Times reporter and assaulted a fish vendor of the Port Mourant Market.

This was following a protest by the vendors over individuals selling on Friday evenings at the market, which they claimed was affecting their business. It had also been reported that the vendors after taking to the streets and getting no response from the NDC, had gone to meet with the Overseer.

Reporters were on hand covering the proceedings.

During the visit to the NDC office by the vendors, the Overseer physically attacked one of the vendors.

The reporter was reportedly video-recording the attack on the helpless vendor when he was attacked and allegedly choked by the Overseer.

Meanwhile, the comments at the RDC on Thursday seem to suggest that Carmichael, who has been covering RDC meetings in that region for more than 15 years, would not be getting any redress from the highest decision-making body there.

friDAY, february 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

News

Odin Sanchez freed: Yemen al-Qaeda: US says raid Colombia’s ELN rebels was ‘very thought-out process’ release key hostage

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olombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels have freed a key hostage, clearing the way for peace talks with the Government next week.

Ex-congressman Odin Sanchez, 62, had been held by the ELN since he offered to swap places with his ailing brother in April 2016.

President Juan Manuel Santos had insisted Sanchez be released before peace talks could begin in Ecuador.

He was handed over in the remote jungle region of Choco, in western Colombia.

The Government confirmed Sanchez’s release, saying: “Odin Sanchez is now with the humanitarian commission and will leave minutes from now in a helicopter bound for [the regional capital] Quibdo.”

In exchange, President Santos sanctioned the release of two jailed ELN fighters.

Odin Sanchez was taken hostage in April 2016 after agreeing to take the place of his sick brother

Nixon Cobos and Leivis Valero were handed back in the mountains of Santander, in the country’s North-East.

The ELN announced earlier this week that it was also holding another hostage, a Colombian soldier previously reported missing by the Army. Freddy Moreno was seized on January 24 in the eastern province of Arauca.

The ELN said it was willing

to release him, too.

The ELN, a 2000-strong communist guerrilla army, has been in conflict with successive Colombian governments since 1964. Last year, the Government signed a peace accord with the country’s largest rebel group, the FARC, and Santos has said he wants a deal with the ELN to bring complete peace to the country. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he White House has said a raid in Yemen on an al-Qaeda stronghold that likely killed civilians was a “very thoughtout process”. As many as 23 civilians were killed in the raid on a village in Yakla district on Saturday, including 10 children, rights group Reprieve says.

Yemeni reports say the victims included the daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, a militant killed by a US strike in 2011. The raid was the first such operation authorised by President Donald Trump.

The US military had previously said a Navy Seal, William “Ryan” Owens, 36, died and three others were injured. But the US Central Command (Centcom) later said that those killed could include children. Several

Reports say Nawar al-Awlaki was killed. Her father and brother were killed by US drone strikes

Apache helicopters were reported to have taken part in the operation, which killed 14 militants, including three al-Qaeda leaders, according to the US military.

Earlier on Thursday, Reprieve said a newborn baby was among 10 children killed in the attack. It also

Uber CEO bows out of Trump advisory council after users boycott

Stakeholders want Caricom Heads of Government to meet on energy

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articipants at a recently concluded high level forum in The Bahamas want energy to be placed squarely before the Caribbean Community (Caricom) heads

lenges of transitioning to clean energy can be solved if they are placed in a political context.

This is against the background of the promotion of

CSEF V panellists during the final discussion

of government to generate speedier action and firmer commitments to the transition to renewables.

The general thinking at the Fifth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF V) held from January 23-25, 2017, in Nassau, was that while there is steady progress, the chal-

sustainable energy as the vehicle through which Caricom Member States will become economically competitive and advance the human services that are required for an acceptable quality of life. The bottom line is the availability of more reliable energy and the ability of citizens of the

Community to enjoy cleaner energy, hence the need for political attention.

Over two days, several panels featuring Government Ministers and some of the biggest names in the regional energy field discussed a range of issues pertinent to the Community’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Discussions centred on the Caricom Energy Policy (CEP) and the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) and regulatory matters; building a culture of effective statistics and information management; funding the transition; and identifying knowledge, skills and quality requirements.

The Forum, which attracted more than 100 persons, also looked back at progress in energy transition made over the past five years and looked forward to the next 10 years.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Govt has a problem with young female...

FROM PAGE 7

“So women in workplaces can’t get any justice. Look at other young women. Marcia Nadir received her letter of termination. Ms Kissoon, hounded out of the Attorney General offices with a claim that she is pro PPP.” The wrangling between Kissoon and Williams originated from the dismissal of a State-sponsored appeal which led to the quashing of the racial incitement case against former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Williams had blamed the Deputy Solicitor General for this outcome by publicly ridiculing her, in addition to criticising Chancellor of

the Judiciary, Carl Singh.

His statements prompted rebukes across the political divide, with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo distancing himself from Williams’ comments.

However, Kissoon has since filed a detailed complaint to the Public Service Commission (PSC). In the complaint, Kissoon spoke about the AG failing to give instructions or examining documents prepared by her prior to being filed or presented to the court.

She also claimed that Williams, who was recently made a Senior Counsel by President David Granger,

instructed his assistants to refuse to accept any documents or correspondences from her.

In his defence, the AG claimed that he can no longer sustain Kissoon’s undermining of his Chamber’s cases.

He accused her of deliberately producing errors in the Chamber’s cases so that the PPP parliamentary Ppposition members could benefit.

According to Williams, Kissoon has been openly supportive of Anil Nandlall and the PPP/C even when seated on Government’s bench.

cited local reports as saying that a heavily pregnant woman was shot in the stomach during the raid and subsequently gave birth to an injured baby boy who later died. Images of several dead children emerged on social media soon after the attack took place. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Travis Kalanick wrote in an email to Uber staff on Thursday that he stepped down after he spoke with Trump about his immigration executive order ‘and its issues for our community’

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ber CEO Travis Kalanick is stepping down from Donald Trump’s economic advisory council following intense criticism and an online boycott of the company over its ties to the new administration, the company confirmed Thursday.

The company faced a viral boycott campaign in the

wake of Trump’s executive order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslimmajority countries. Uber’s non-participation in a work stoppage called by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, in addition to Kalanick’s position in the economic advisory group, led many users to pledge to #DeleteUber,

a hashtag that trended on Twitter and Facebook over the weekend.

Uber has not revealed how many users deleted their accounts, but it was enough that the company implemented an automated process to handle the demand.

News of the resignation was first reported by the New York Times. Trump’s executive order has faced widespread backlash in Silicon Valley, where many top executives and company founders are immigrants and where companies rely heavily on highly skilled workers from abroad.

Executives from companies including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, and Netflix spoke out against the travel ban. Many companies announced donations to civil liberties or refugee rights organisations, and some have announced intentions to support legal challenges to the order. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

16 news Kwakwani NDC Kingston Secondary School student stabbed Chairman, Vice FRIDAY, february 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Chairman sworn-in

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Fourth Form student of Kingston Secondary School was on Wednesday stabbed to his abdomen by another student following a scuffle.

According to the 17-yearold who spoke to Guyana Times, there had been an exchange of words between himself and a 15-yearold student on Monday.

However, he related, on Wednesday the 15-year-old confronted him, and the duo fought.

“He point up he hand in meh face, and I lash it away and then we start fight.

Choke up and thing,” the teen explained.

He further related that students and teachers eventually separated them, but as the teachers pulled him away, the other student managed to get hold of a pair of scissors and swiftly dealt him a stab to the left side of his abdomen.

The Fourth Form student said that his opponent then ran downstairs into the schoolyard, grabbed a bottle, broke it and attempted to attack him further. However, the young man said that this time, he armed himself with a piece of wood, while the teacher who was holding on to him ran away.

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hairman of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Development Council (KNDC) Merna Adrian and Vice Chairman Kelvin Daly were officially sworn in as elected representatives of the Council on Thursday, at a swearing in exercise, conducted at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) in Linden.

The exercise, which saw the two officials taking the oath of office, was conducted in the presence of Regional officials, including Chairman Renis Morian, Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Gavin Clarke and numerous Councillors.

Speaking with Guyana Times following the ceremony, Chairman of the KNDC, noted that elected representatives have several develop-

The teen shows his stab wound

The 15-year-old, in the company of his friends, reportedly ran out of the school compound.

The 17-year-old said that he only became aware that he was injured when his teachers started shouting at the sight of blood oozing from his side.

He was then rushed

to the Georgetown Public Hospital, and his mother was informed of the incident.

This publication understands that the teen received one stitch and two x-rays were conducted.

The matter was reported and was under investigation.

KNDC Chairman and Vice Chairman (centre) with regional officials following the swearing in ceremony

mental activities planned, some of which are already ongoing in Kwakwani. She stressed also that there is much work to be done within the community by the NDC. “We started some projects in 2016 that we will be completing in 2017. We have some road projects and we have a lot of infrastructural works to do- like school fences and grounds, the ball field

area. We have a lot of work to do”, Adrian pointed out.

Additionally, highlighting several issues in the community, Adrian pointed to roads, garbage collection and drainage. In an effort to curb garbage woes, she noted that a community cleanup campaign commenced last year and is presently ongoing.

Unidentified man killed in Canal Polder accident

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n unidentified man was on Wednesday evening killed after he was struck by a minibus while riding along the Canal Number One Polder access road, West Bank Demerara. The accident reportedly occurred at about 19:15h.

The deceased is of East Indian descent and is suspected to be in his 40s.

Based on reports received, the man was riding his bicycle when the minibus, bearing registration number BKK 9004, report-

edly overtook a parked vehicle and came into the path of the pedal cyclist, who was riding in the opposite direction.

As a result, the man was thrown off his bicycle and sustained injuries to the right side of his forehead.

The driver of the motor vehicle, Mark Henry, of La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD, immediately picked up the man who was in an unconscious state and rushed him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was admitted.

The injured man reportedly fell into a coma and later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the minibus is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

Up to press time, Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force confirmed that no family member has come forth to identify the body which is being kept at the West Demerara Regional Hospital Mortuary.

The Police are continuing their investigations.

2 wanted by Police for narco trafficking T

he Guyana Police Force on Wednesday issued wanted bulletins for two men for questioning in connection with trafficking in narcotics on separate occasions at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

The men have been identified as an ex-Policeman Shawn Nebblett, 33, of Community Lane, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown; and 54-year-old Azeemudeen Kamaludeen of Lying Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

Nebblett is wanted for the cocaine bust which occurred on January 24, 2017, where a woman who was on a flight headed to Toronto, Canada was intercepted by members of the Police Narcotic Branch with 4178 grams of cocaine in her suitcase.

Meanwhile, Kamaludeen

is wanted in connection with the discovery of 22 pounds of cocaine hidden among several bottles of wine, a quantity of custard powder and other products at the CJIA. The package was intercepted as it was being loaded onto a Fly Jamaica flight destined for Toronto.

Sixty-three-year-old Denis Jones, a convicted cocaine mule was the sender.

He reportedly served a sentence for drug trafficking and was also deported from

the United States for cocaine possession.

The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Nebblett and Kamaludeen to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-1389, 227-2128, 2267065, 225-2227, 225-0575, 911 or the nearest Police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, february 3, 2017

musical showcase for Congress Place on Sunday

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DJ EMRON

host of international and local Guyanese artistes are expected to set the stage on fire at the Congress Place Auditorium on Sunday as Carib Feedback Production hosts “African Unite” – an international musical showcase.

The evening is being held in observance of Black History Month but more importantly, is being used to celebrate the birth anniversary of Jamaican and internationally acclaimed reggae singing sensation, Bob Marley. This is the sixth year the evening is being hosted. This year, “Africa Unite” will feature Guyanese Prince Ally and Phil “Bumpy” Dino from Canada; Leemunth John, also known as “B’naanza” from Suriname; First Born, Mark Batson, I Max and female sensation “JP”

from the Vizion Sounds music family in Guyana; Mario Kein, Gad I, Silenci Negusi, calypsonia Ras John Marcus, WiFi and Kenya backed by the Yoruba Singers and the new Sound Dimension bands.

Special guest artistes include Killa Milla, comedian Chubby, Double S and Surprise from the Creator Family and acrobat Ras Marcus. King Tafari Love Music sound system and DJ Emron (from the UK) will also be appearing.

Admission is $1000 for adults and $500 for children. Tickets are available at Vizion Sounds studio at 34 Anira Street, Queenstown; Congress Place in Sophia and from the artistes. Main sponsors so far are Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd, GUYTRAC, GAICO, Daddy’s, Midtown Chariot Hotel, Global Seafood Distributors and Banks DIH.

Firstborn

Ravi B

Yoruba Singers

Rooplall G

Rick Ramotar

O De Hunter

Rikki Jai

Mario Kein

n January 28, thirty-three energetic performers took to the stage for the semi-final of the International Chutney Soca Monarch (ICSM) in the LIV Nightlife, South Trunk Road, La Romaine, Trinidad and Tobago, but at the end of the night, only nine moved forward to the finals.

After some fierce competition and well-choreographed acts, the artistes impressed the judges and more so, their fans who turned up in their numbers to be a part of the exciting event. For the first time in history, a female did not advance to the final.

The judges thought that “Ravi B” with his cross-over hit “Budget” outshone his competitors at the semifinal, followed

by Omadath Maharaj with his tune, “Ramsingh Sharma”.

However, the semi-final was one of the most keenly contested in years and now nine artistes will move forward

KI

Nishard M

to compete against the defending champion, Kris “KI” Persad, on Saturday, February 11, at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

Those moving forward to compete against KI are Michael Ramroop, also known as “Showtime”; Ravi B; Rick Ramoutar; Rikki Jai; Nishard Mayrhoo; Omadath Maharaj; Rooplal G; Lalchan Babwah, also known as “Hunter”; and Shivan R and Slammer Cutter.

The defending Champion, KI, is excited and is ready to defend his title.

If he wins the contest this year, it will be his 4th title. His tune, “KI Make Me Do It” has been topping charts and without a doubt, he is the favourite to win the title.

He promises come February 11, his performance will be diverse and unique with some thrills and surprises. The reigning International Chutney Monarch, however, wished his fellow contestants the best of luck.

Michael Ramroop

Shivan R and Slammer Cutter

Omadath Maharaj

18

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

A

M

anoel Ferreira, also referred to as “King Perai” hails from the Pomeroon but resides in Eccles, on the East Bank of Demerara. He began singing in church but then relocated to Georgetown at the age of 12 where he completed his secondary education.

He served in the Guyana Defence Force for three years after which he worked in the interior as a diver but performed at small shows during his leisure time.

He acquired the name “Perai” from a song he sang about the Piranha fish which was composed by a friend from Bartica, in Region Seven.

Since then, he has performed with many of Guyana’s top bands which included the Melody Makers, the Originals, the Sheriff Deputies, Pete’s Caribbean Fusion and El Sadiek.

In 2009, he performed at the Watz Hott Guyana Show in Essequibo where he was spotted by Music Producer Bonny Alves. Alves wrote a song for “King Perai” to enter the National HIV/AIDS Song Competition in 2010, sponsored by the Health Ministry, and placed third.

In 2011, he bettered that feat by placing 2nd in the same competition that broadened its boundaries from HIV/AIDS to general health and all chronic diseases.

Competing fiercely in the National Calypso Competition, he eventually won the crown in 2015 after five years. That same year he won the Champion of Champions Calypso Competition, organised by the Mighty Rebel.

He launched his first original album “Life After The Crown” and has five music videos to his credit to date. However, “King Perai” is coming stronger this year with his rendition of “Perai Justice”. Without a doubt, he has his eyes set on regaining the title

Ishara Dance Group

s plans move apace for Mash 2017celebrations, Westsiders Entertainment is planning one of the biggest fetes which will see patrons getting their grooves on for not one but three nights. The three exciting events will be spread across the country beginning on February 24 and culminating on February 26.

Rick Ronoutar The event which is expected to coincide with all the other parties for Mash 2017 is titled “Red Square Fete” and will feature a long list of international, regional and local artistes. The list includes Trinidad chutney sensations, Adesh Samaroo, De Hunter, Rick Ramoutar and Sexy Vanessa; with Guyana’s own Terry Gajraj gracing the event with his presence.

The local Guyanese cast will include Steven Ramphall, Aamir Khan, the Shakti String Orchestra and the Ishara Dancers. Also adding some vibes to the three-night affair will be the versatile duo, WR Reaz and Selector Andy from the Team MMR family.

The first event is billed for February 24 in the parking lot of the Leonora Synthetic Track, on the West Coast of Demerara. The following night, partyholics will be entertained at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara, and on February Terry Gajraj 26, the last show will be held at the Canje Ground, Rose Hall, Berbice.

Tickets for the event cost $1000 in advance and more at the gate.

Showtime for all of the shows is 19:00h but gates will be opened at 17:00h.

Sexy Vanessa

Team MMR

Shakti String

for February 19 @ Aziza Acouza

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he Aziza Acouza Resort on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway is the place to be on Sunday, February 19, for “3 County Creek Jam”.

The beach-styled party will see deejays from the three counties – Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice making sure that patrons have a blast in the sun with the best music booming through the sound systems. The event is about promotion unity among deejays from across the country.

Music will be provided by Silver Star Sound, Black Stone, Thunder Bolt Sound and Big Life Sound along with Fearless Squad, Afrikan Vybes and for the first time on the Creek, Stitchie One Man Band.

Apart from the deejays and the fun, the delegates vying for the Miss District 4 title will be unveiled to the public for the first time. So far, several villages have confirmed their participation in the pageant.

These villages include Supply, Land of Canaan, Soesdyke, Timehri, Circuitville, Yarrowkabra, Kuru Kururu Swan Turn and others.

“3 County Creek Jam” is sponsored

by Shakura, Banks DIH, White Castle Fish Shop, Urban Styles and Deals Unlimited. The event is promoted

by Boss Level Entertainment.

friDAY, february 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

19

Latanya

Pearce

– contestant vying for the Miss Region 3 Cultural 2017 ti tle

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s Guyana Times Entertainment continues to feature the delegates vying for the title of Miss Region Three Culture 2017, billed for April 1 in the parking lot of Leonora Synthetic Track, West Coast Demerara (WCD), this week’s focus is placed on Latanya Pearce.

“Confident”, “scintillatingly beautiful” and “culturally inclined” are just a few of the terms used to describe this WCD beauty. Originating from the closely knitted village of Vergenoegen, on the East Bank of Essequibo, she has strong roots in the Carib and Warrau tribes.

Born on July 7, 1993 to Mr and Mrs Pearce, she attained her secondary education at the Zeeburg Secondary School, where she was successful at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) by gaining nine subjects.

However, she further ventured into achieving her tertiary education

T

and is now an adept Medical Laboratory Technician with aspirations of becoming a doctor.

Much like a few extraordinary individuals, she enjoys the simplest things in life; such as cooking, watching the Oprah Winfrey Network and shopping.

She grew up in a home where her mother was obligated to assume the roles of being both mother and father; one which she executed with distinction. She is her mentor and an example of strength.

It is a fact that women are imperative to the growth and strength of society and as such, it is her belief, that the empowerment of women to participate fully in economic life in all sectors is essential, and a path to a firm sense of confidence, independence and individuality.

Against this backdrop, her platform is based on the empowerment of women.

he first edition of Kids Fest 592 will be held over a two-day period to promote Guyana’s cultural diversity through music, dance, fashion and games.

Kids Fest 592 will be a perfect platform to help kids express themselves and to help them find passion and explore it further.

The festival will be a two-day event with lots of fun activities for the entire family. During the two days, April 15 and 16, there will be an amusement park for the enjoyment of both kids and their parents.

The concept is to bring Fairytales and children’s wildest imaginations to life. Kids and their family will be greeted by princess and super hero characters while they walk through the festival, giving them a storybook feeling. The event will be held at Giftland Mall on both days.

The festival will see children being entertained throughout the day by several characters including Angelina Ballerina, Bob the Builder and several fairytale princesses etc. The event will also feature several different zones, each sure to attract children of all ages.

Kids Fest 592 includes some interactive areas including the Dance Zone, Healthy Zone, Arts and Crafts Zone and ‘Big Bounce Zone’. Complementing the zones will be a variety of strolling performers, rides and lots of walkabout characters.

A

ll roads will lead to Club 704 at the corners of Lamaha and Albert Streets on Saturday evening for “Rave” – the ultimate party that will feature some of the best deejays in and out of Guyana.

The theme for the party, “Live, Love, Rave” is expected to be the best E.D.M party and will be a curtain raiser for Mashramani 2017 celebrations, with the best music and drink specials all night long.

The event will feature Deejay Ray Vestor, Deejay Mike Torres, featured Deejay ZAUD and Deejay Ryan together with Deejay Anisah. Each deejay will have an hour to set the place on fire starting at 22:00h. With the line-up of deejays, the party will undoubtedly be epic.

Apart from the specials and excitement, Pulse Entertainment is adding some more energy to the event by giving away 50 tickets for its Jungle Fever J’Ouvert party billed for February 18. Admission to the “Rave” concept party costs $2000 after 10:00h but everyone will be admitted free before.

The event is powered by Pulse Online Shopping, Grill 2 Go, 704 Sports Bar, Club and Sky Lounge @704.gy

Day one will feature live performances, talent shows, and different zones while day two will include a danceoff, fashion show, Easter egg hunt, Miss Kids Fest 592 Pageant and fashion show and the different zones.

Other attractions will include face painting, clown show, kids band/karaoke, gaming centre, kids painting mural, build a doll, title painting and lots more.

Kids Fest 592 is the brainchild of Natalya Thomas of ‘A One Events’ and Nadia Thomas of Duo Collection. The duo recognised the importance of the family to community development.

The family faces struggle every day and with the demands of this ever so changing world, there is not enough family time. Family memories are heavily built around family activities, and time spent together.

The arts play a vital role in a child’s development; both mentally and emotionally, as it touches us beyond the intellect, reaching down into society’s emotional core.

There is also a demand for quality children’s entertainment and activities that far exceed the availability in Guyana. This is why Kids Fest 592 found the need to work with a variety of quality children’s brands and entertainment companies to bring this large outdoor festival to reality. Registration for the festival begins on February 13 through March 24.

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friDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Guinness Greatest of the Streets Football…

West Demerara zone kicksoff tonight at Pouderoyen

FIFA’s General Secretary Fatma Samoura Co-ordinator Travis Bess and Colours Boutique representative, Creanna Damon hold the 1st place trophy while being flanked by Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (extreme left) and Banks DIH PRO Troy Peters (extreme right) at Thirst Park on Thursday

T

he Guinness in the Street Football Tournament will have its third installment in the West Demerara zone which will commence tonight at the Pouderoyen tarmac from 19:00h.

The zone which is a composition of West Coast Demerara, West Bank Demerara and East Bank Demerara will have six days of exciting football action, comprising 35 teams.

Banks DIH Guinness Brand Manager, Lee Baptiste speaking at the launch at the company’s Thirst Park Georgetown headquarters on Wednesday, expressed confidence that the tournament will continue to be a success considering the influx of teams as compared to last year.

He urged persons to go and support their respective teams while advocating that players exercise discipline

and be adherent of match times.

More so, Baptiste was most appreciative of the continued support of Colours Boutique in bring uniformity to the players.

Coordinator Travis Bess explained that 10 games will be played tonight, with two being qualifiers. The other nights will be group matches to determine who play in the knock-out rounds.

The competing teams are: Craig Raiders, Hustlers, Young Warriors, Goed Fortuin, Money Team, Police Force, Jetty, Harmony Ballers, Best Road Ballers, Gas team, Gold Setters, Classic 7, Prospect Jammers, Shattaville Gunners, Golden Warriors, Brother’s United, Westside Starz, Riders, Patentia Street ballers, Goed Intent All Stars, Admiral United, Demerara Speed Boat, ESPN, Samaroo Dam, Agricola, Future Craig,

Dekinderen Ballers, Vegea Boys, Westside Ballers, Comfort Ballers, defending champions Show Stoppers and Small Panama.

Bagotstown Ballers, Kitty Hustlers, Bagotstown Warriors and Young Ballers will be engaged in a qualifier to see which team will make it into the main draw.

The teams are competing for a top prize of $450,000 while the losing finalist to the fourth placed team will receive $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The other playing days will be Tuesday February 7, Friday February 10, Saturday February 11, Thursday February 16 with the grand finals set for Saturday February 18.

After the completion of this zone, the action will turn to Berbice in the second week of March, with East and West Berbice merging to form one zone.

G

GFF has authority to decide league composition – FIFA

lobal governing body of football, FIFA, has confirmed that the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has the right and authority to decide the composition of its competitions, including the Elite League. Four clubs have breached their obligations under the 2015 GFF Constitution by boycotting the 2016-2017 Elite League, after the GFF Executive Committee decided to include a further two teams in the league. In a letter to the GFF dated February 1, 2017, FIFA’s General Secretary Fatma Samoura said: “It is within the power of the GFF Executive Committee to change the regulations of the Elite League, including determining the number of participating Clubs, unless there is a binding written agreement between the GFF and the Elite League which would state otherwise - to the best of our knowledge, however, such an agreement does not exist.” FIFA’s confirmation follows a similar move by the regional body CONCACAF. The GFF Executive Committee, elected with a mandate to reform football in Guyana, took the decision to expand the Elite League in order to broaden the geographical reach, commercial potential and competitiveness of the league, and to accelerate the development of football across the country. In her letter, Samoura referred to Article 36.2.i. of the GFF Constitution, which states that it is within the powers of the GFF Executive Committee to “draw up regulations governing the conditions of participation in and the staging of competitions organised by the Federation, including the playing schedule.”

GFF’s President Wayne Forde said: “The Executive Committee has a statutory obligation to adhere to the directives of FIFA and CONCACAF, as do the members of the GFF. My hope is that we can put this matter behind us and refocus the nation’s attention on the game, and the players.”

CWI Regional Super50 2017

West Indies U-19 beat Kent by 28 runs – Yadram stars with bat and ball

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uyanese teenage sensation Bhaskar Yadram had a spirited performance with bat and ball to lead the West Indies Under 19 to their first win of the Regional Super50 on Thursday in Antigua. The young guns bowled out giant-killers, Kent Spitfires 28 runs short of an ordinary target of 156.

After being sent in, the West Indies U-19s were lead by Yadram with his 63ball innings which included two boundaries. The right handed stroke maker put on 60 runs for the second wicket with Matthew Patrick who top scored for the world U-19 champions with 45 (79b; 2x4; 1x6). After Yadram was run out for 29 at 83/2, Patrick continued but he was running out of partners until Keemo Paul propped up the innings with a busy 20. The Kent bowlers had a field day and after dismissing the West Indies youth side for 155 they seemed set for their third victory.

However, the West Indians utilized the conditions at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground much better to dismiss

the English county champions for a paltry 127 in the 34th over to complete a stunning upset.

Joshua Bishop bowled his full quota of overs to pick up four wickets but Yadram cleaned up the lower order as Kent lost five wickets for 19 runs to move from 76/2 to 95/7. Their last eight wickets fell for 51 runs as Yadram finished a memorable day with magical figures of 5-1-6-3.

Kent will now look to regain their winning ways on Saturday when they take on table toppers Leewards Hurricanes while the West Indies U-19s will play the Volcanoes at the same venue also on Saturday. There are two matches on today in Group B with Barbados Pride looking to continue their unbeaten streak when they take on the ICC Americas who are looking for their first win. That match will be played at the Windward ground from 09:00h while Guyana Jaguars meet Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners at 13:30h at the Kensington Oval in a day/ night important fixture for both teams.

SCOREBOARD West Indies U-19 innings (Maximum 50 overs) S Brathwaite c Ball b Thomas 12 M Patrick c Ball b Riley 45 B Yadram run out (Dickson) 29 E Stewart LBW b Riley 9 K Kallicharran b Coles 4 A Athanaze c Hunn b Thomas 9 K Paul not out 20 J Bishop c Thomas b Hunn 3 M Louis b Stevens 1 T Alleyne c Ball b Stevens 4 O McCoy c Northeast b Thomas 0 Extras (lb-3, nb-1, w-15) 19 Total (All out, 46.3 overs) 155 FOW: 1-23, 2-83, 3-92, 4-103, 5-113, 6-127, 7-135, 8-135, 9-148, 10-155 Bowling Thomas 8.3-0-39-3 (w10), Coles 8-1-28-1 (nb-1, w-3), Hunn 10-0-38-1 (w-1), Stevens 10-1-17-2 (w-1), Riley 10-0-30-2 Kent Spitfires Innings (Target 156 from 50 overs)

D Bell-Drummond c Patrick b McCoy 13 S Dickson c Patrick b Louis 20 S Northeast c Bishop b Paul 37 D Stevens c Brathwaite b Bishop 18 A Blake c Brathwaite b Bishop 13 A Ball b Bishop 0 A Rouse b Bishop 2 M Coles b Yadram 0 A Riley c Paul b Yadram 12 M Hunn not out 1 I Thomas c Athanaze b Yadram 2 Extras (b-1, lb-1, nb-1, w-6) 9 Total (All out, 34 overs) 127 FOW: 1-36, 2-41, 3-76, 4-92, 5-92, 6-94, 7-95, 8-124, 9-124, 10-127 Bowling McCoy 5-1-20-1 (w1), Paul 6-0-27-1 (nb-1, w-4), Louis 8-0-28-1, Bishop 10-144-4 (w-1), Yadram 5-1-6-3 Result: WI U-19 won by 28 runs Points: WI U-19 4, Kent 0 Player of the Match: Bhaskar yadram (WI U-19)

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sports

21

Mon Repos Market hosting cricket fiesta

Members of the Mon Repos Market Vendors Development Committee from left: Gangadai Sarwan, Kishan Sarwan, Elizabeth Aziz and Geeta Singh pose with the beautiful trophies that are up for grabs on February 18 at Lusignan

S

oftball cricket is considered the peoples’ game and is played on any opening possible with any amount of players available, as such the Mon Repos Market Vendors Development Committee (MRMVDC) have embarked on a major fund raising venture for Saturday February 18, 2017. The vendors will take to the Lusignan Community C e n t r e ground for a bar-bque and family f u n day

which includes softball cricket competitions across four categories; female open, male open, male over-40 years old and male over-50 years old.

All proceeds from the day’s event will go towards the maintenance of the biggest market on the East Coast Demerara and will start with the Over50 match between the best of Georgetown taking on the best of the East Coast of Demerara in a 20 overs a-side match from 14:00h.

All players from each team will be given medals for participation in the one of a kind cricket match while there will be trophies for outstanding performances.

According to chairman of the MRMVDC, Kishan Sarwan the truly family fun day have musical entertainment all day, tram-

poline and novelty games for the children and a variety bar to go along with the cricket action which will go into the night under the floodlights.

The female tournament will not attract any entrance fee for the four teams who will 10 overs a-side matches for trophies using the supreme balls.

However, the Male Open and Male Over 40 competitions will be 10 overs

a-side a m o n g eight teams in each category using the white balls. The entrance fee is set at $15,000 per team and the organizers will take the first eight teams in each category. The finalists are guaranteed cash and trophies to remember the occasion.

At a simple launch ceremony in the market on Thursday, Sarwan unveiled the array of trophies that are up for grabs and told Guyana Times Sport that the committee is aggressively approaching sponsors with the aim of getting more persons involved to make the day a resounding success.

Sarwan further stated that “Saturday is market day but that Saturday will be a Saturday with a difference and the entire market will benefit once everybody (vendors) come out.”

Douglas hits 123...

FROM PAGE 22

Bangladesh got their third win from their fourth match when they reached 196/2 from 19.4 overs. It took an unfinished brilliant 145-run partnership between Tanzijlur Rahman (90 not out) and Mahbubul Emon (52 not out) to get them over the rope to move to nine points.

There was one wicket each for Myles (34-1) and Anthony Cummins (55-1) while Ganesh Singh (40-

0) and Douglas (30-0) were wicket less.

The tournament continues today with five more Bangladesh playing bottom of the table New Zealand while West Indies take on second placed Australia in Mumbai.

Other matches are India taking on South Africa, Nepal playing points leaders Pakistan and England battling Sri Lanka.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, february 3, 2017

Guinness rugby 7s “GCA will

respect court scrums off Saturday orders”

Roger Harper

By Delvon McEwan

P

Police Falcons Captain Daniel DeAbreu along with Trinidadians Jeron Pantor and Leon Pantor

T

he inaugural Guinness Rugby Sevens will scrumoff this Saturday at the National Park in a day/ night affair which will have 15 matches.

Some of the matches will be played under floodlights and Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste is of the view that this is yet another venture by Banks DIH in paving way for the development of sports.

Baptiste revealed that the tournament took a lot of planning since it has been in the making or over a year.

The Manager felt, considering the exploits of the rugby sport over the years, such a tournament would only add in creating more interest.

Similarly, President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Peter Green posited he was most happy that support has found the union and hopes it will continue.

The President highlighted that the ‘Green Machine’ has dominated Caribbean sevens and fifteens rugby overs the years which has made them a formidable unit on the international

scene but with international exposure, it means that the players needed more support and one way to develop is to constantly have matches and this tournament is one step in that direction.

GRFU Secretary Petal Adams, explained that female teams were included to give the players some exposure and hopefully attract more players; the three Females teams are: Pepsi Hornets, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and Yamaha Caribs.

The men’s teams are: Yamaha Caribs, GDF, Pepsi

Hornets, Panthers and Police Falcons, who have enlisted the services of two Trinidadian players (Jeron and Leon Pantor).

The 20-minute matches will commence at 15:30h with over $300,000 in cash prizes up for the taking.

Male teams finishing in the top three will be awarded $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 respectively, while the winning female team cops $50,000; $5,000 will be given to Most Valuable player of the respective categories.

Dem Life backs NSSCL to revive West Indies cricket

A

s the sad reality of West Indies’ dismal performance in cricket sinks in, Demerara Mutual Life, Fire and General Insurance Company has begun doing their part as the company seeks to “revive West Indies Cricket.”

As such, on Thursday, at a simple handing over ceremony at their Head office at Robb Street and Avenue of the Republic, the company contributed a significant sum of money to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) as they endeavor into the latter stages of the National Secondary Schools Cricket League (NSSCL).

With the tournament budgeted at close to $15 Million, Marketing Manager of the GCB, Raj Singh indicated that the contribution by the insurance company is well received as sponsorship has been hard to come by, having lost both Banks D.I.H and Digicel.

Singh added that it was through rigorous discussions between the two parties that this agreement was able to become a reality and hoped that it would be the beginning of a long lasting partnership.

Speaking on behalf of the Insurance Company, Clarence Perry, Executive Marketing Manager, was very adamant on the state

GCB’s Drubahadur and Clarence Perry of Demerara Mutual Insurance Company inking the deal on Thursday

of West Indies cricket, citing the deterioration as something that needs to be curbed as soon as possible and the foundation of the revival of the cricket is at this level, hinting to the reason the company has embarked on sponsoring the tournament. “The primary reason for sponsorship is the development of youths, particularly the revival cricket. As you know cricket is something we cherish and we see this as an investment towards the overall goal of developing in the future, hopefully that these young men can go on to represent us nationally and also internationally and once again return West Indies cricket to where it used to be,” Perry said.

He further pointed out that “if we could contribute

in any way to make it happen, that’s what we would really like to do, invest in the young people,” sharing the position that no Guyanese is pleased with the position of West Indies cricket.

President of the GCB, Drubahadur highlighted his pleasure in seeing the sponsorship of the NSSCL by Demerara Mutual, indicating the importance of education and sport. He pointed out an incident whereby the West Indians were called an unspeakable name, “never again” he said. “You recall in a recent Australia T20 tour, a commentator called our cricketers dunce headers or something to that effect and I guess it affected every Caribbean person and we at the Guyana Board since last year took the initiative for us to improve our crick-

et and further our cricket we need to get back cricket into the schools,” The GCB President stated.

Drubahadur shared his viewpoint that it is always a plus to have some amount of academics to match your skills so you can be able to assess situations differently.

The GCB president committed the Board to a “highly competitive game” that will not disappoint the sponsors, saying ‘I want to give a commitment that the executives at the board, we view discipline on and off the field very seriously, we have Colin Stuart, our Technical Director, who is directly responsible for this and him being a former west indies player he knows about discipline, knows how to get you to the other level so we can commit to you a highly competitive game, competitive but friendly manner in which your name will not be tarnished in anyway.

Singh stated that while, the Insurance Company has contributed significantly, and there is still a huge gap that the GCB is filling, calling for the promotion of the remainder of the league. The League is in the latter stages with a few zone matches still to be played before going to the zone play-offs.

The resumption is set for Monday.

resident of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Roger Harper made it clear that his entity (GCA) will always respect the orders of the court and will do nothing other than to operate in those directions of the court and its orders.

At this time he was responding to questions immediately after his re-election as the GCA President on Tuesday evening at the Muslin Youth Organization (MYO) auditorium on Woolford Avenue. .

According to the former West Indian player and coach, there is an injunction against the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) so there is no legal DCB. “As far as the inter association cricket is concern, we (GCA) is of the understanding that there is an injunction against the DCB, it is tied up in court, there is no legal DCB.” As a result Harper says GCA will respect the orders of the court and will do nothing other than to operate in those direction of the court and the orders.

However, subsequent to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Secretary of the Board, Anand Sanasie, informed that the AGM was attended by 13 representatives from Berbice, excluding officials of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

He further stated that the other areas county board were represented; “Both of the other areas, the county boards were present, with the full amount of delegates, everything were discussed and resolved at the meeting.”

In this case the other areas county board could only be DCB and Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) since it is those two Boards along with the BCB, which makes it three boards which falls under the GCB umbrella.

However, it is unclear who represented the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) because there are no legitimate DCB due to an ongoing court matter. The DCB dilemma has been ongoing since 2011.

2nd T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament for the Blind...

Douglas hits 123, West Indies beaten again

Kevin Douglas

G

uyanese B3 player, Jamal Douglas hit an authoritative 123 but the West Indies went down to Bangladesh by eight wickets in round four of the T20 World Cup for the Blind in India on Thursday. Douglas who has shown good form without going on hit 17 fours from the 65 balls faced in 84 min-

utes opening the batting.

It was the Caribbean side’s third match and for the first time they opted to bat first upon winning the toss. Douglas who promoted up the order, lost three partners in quick succession as the West Indies stumbled to 43/3 at the start of the fifth over with Caneel Graham (1), Leroy Phillips (2) and Lo-Shane Myles (9) all back in the hut.

Douglas found a good partner in Gregory Stewart (40) to put on 151 for the fourth wicket before they were both dismissed in the final over. Mohammed Mahnud Rashid was Bangladesh’s best bowler with 1-18 from three overs as the West Indies made 195/6 with four batsmen falling via the run out route.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, febRuary 3, 2017

Petra/Limacol Round-robin Knock-out Football…

23

Linden’s perfect record shattered T

− Western Tigers take down Eagles, Grove Hi Tech shock Milerock

he Petra organized Limacol Football round-robin knock-out football tournament continued on Wednesday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda with Western Tigers and Grove Hi Tech eking out 1-0 victories over Linden teams Eagles United and defending champion Milerock respectively. Both Linden teams were unbeaten until then.

Watched by a handful of boisterous spectators, both matches produced thrills at varying stages that kept the balance intact for most parts.

City side Western Tigers, who have acquired several elite players boasted a strong a line up which paid dividend as Andrew Murray’s Jnr leaping header inside the box in the 4th minute was the goal to set the two teams apart.

While the Tigers kept lurking for more goals, the Eagles kept their defence airtight but it was the second half that saw a shift in momentum for the teams with

talented left winger Kurt Johnson leading the Eagles attack. However, his constant solo attack was not enough to change the score line.

In the earlier match, Domini Garnett’s left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area, pulled off a stunning win for Grove Hi Tech in the 90th minute against defending champions Milerock.

Spectators waited until the end of the see saw match up for the winning goal which left them wanting more however they will have to wait until Sunday when the action continues.

The competition will roll into the East Coast of Demerara village of Victoria on Sunday for a double header from 18:30h.

In the opening match at the Victoria Community ground it will be Mahaica Determinators battling Riddim Squad from 18:30h followed by Ann’s Grove against Pouderoyen.

The top teams are competing for a

Andrew Murray Jr heads the winning goal for Western Tigers

$500,000 first place prize while second to third will receive $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively.

In addition, the top teams in the groups will be rewarded $100,000, $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000.

Other than title sponsors Limacol, the organisers have also managed to gain the support of Bank DIH under their GT Beer brand, Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall.

Admission to the venue is $500.

Priyanna Ramdhani Vurlon Mills makes it to men’s final

Gumdac Open Doubles Badminton Tournament 2017…

returns to the T&T Pro league G

olden Jaguars forward and fan-favourite, Vurlon Mills signed professional football contracts on Monday evening with San Jan Jabloteh, confirming his transfer back to the T&T Pro League.

Mills who played consistently in the T&T Pro League between 2007 and 2013, returned home to Guyana with local professional outfit Slingers FC, helping the West side club to great success over the last 3 seasons.

Accomplishments include, winning the inaugural Stag Elite League 2016 competition and qualification for the 2017 CFU Club Champions, a feat never before achieved by Slingers FC. Sadly Slingers FC along with Alpha United, Guyana’s only two professional football clubs, have been denied from competing in this year’s CFU club championship. This denial is alleged to have come after the Guyana Football Federation Inc. and CONCACAF ruled against Slingers FC and Alpha United’s participation in this year’s tournament despite both teams already formally being confirmed as qualifying.

This, a decision that the Guyana football fans players and coaching fraternity are united together on being extremely disappointed about.

Mills said, he is looking forward to this fresh challenge in his playing career with new club San Juan Jabloteh. Vurlon went on to confirm, a major part in him deciding to sign with Jabloteh. Was due to the TT Pro League club competing in this year’s CFU club championship, with the aim of continuing on to qualify for the CONCACAF champions’ league 2017.

Mills confirmed, “I am signing with San Juan Jabloteh to represent not only myself, but all the Guyanese players who have worked so hard to qualify but now have lost their opportunity of playing in the CFU club championship and beyond.”

“To all my football fans, I thank you for all the love and support you have shown me over the last few years I have played professionally for Slingers FC back home in Guyana.”

“Finally, I want to say a big thank you to all my family as well as Mr Henry Chase from Chase Academic Foundations and last but not least my friend Faizal Khan for supporting me all the way in making this deal a reality.”

Vurlon Mills Vurlon Mills is expected to make his Jabloteh debut this weekend against Central FC, with Central sitting at the top of the T&T Pro League with star players, including non-other than EPL legend Kenwyn Jones in their squad this season.

The CFU Club championship, is a qualifying club tournament to reach the CONCACAF champions league and the big time. It is the most prestigious club tournament in this football Continent. Super rich Mexican and American Major League Soccer Clubs await the qualifying Caribbean teams with David Beckham and Ronaldinho to name but a few of the World Class players who have played in the prestigious club tournament over the past few years.

Priyanna Ramdhani and partner Avinash Odit in action in the preliminary stages of the competition at the National Gymnasium

B

adminton got off to a wonderful start in the 2017 season with the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) organized GUMDAC annual open doubles tournament on Wednesday at the National Gymnasium.

For the first time in the history of the sport, National and Caribbean champion, Priyanna Ramdhani is playing in the men doubles event and reached the finals with Avinash Odit.

According to a release from President GBA, Gokarn Ramdhani the move to have the top female player compete in the male division is due to the lack of competition in the ladies division.

With a number of matches being played, day one saw Marlon Chung and Ronald Yuen defeating Tyrese Jeffrey and Akili Haynes (21-7, 21-10), Priyanna Ramdhani and Avinash Odit defeating veterans George Melville and Leslie Liu (21-11, 21-15) as well as Gokarn Ramdhani and Javid Rahaman defeating Stephan Murdilall and Haymant Ramdhani (21-9, 21-13) in the open men doubles quarter-finals with Nicholas Ali and Jonathan Mangra defeating Gokarn Ramdhani and Javid Rahaman (21-18, 21-18) and Priyanna Ramdhani and Avinash Odit defeating Marlon Chung and Ronald Yuen (21-15, 21-16) in the open men doubles semi-finals.

In the open mix doubles quarter-finals, Avinash Odit and Angelica Holder defeated Marlon Chung and Ayanna Watson (21-17, 21-15) while Ronald Yuen and Pricilla Moore defeated Gokarn Ramdhani and Emelia Ramdhani (21-13, 21-12).

In the open mix doubles semi-finals, Jonathan Mangra and Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Avinash Odit and Angelica Holder, 21-19, 21-12 and Nicholas Ali and Greer Jackson defeated Ronald Yuen and Pricilla Moore 21-17, 21-13.

Meanwhile, in the open ladies doubles round robin one, Priyanna Ramdhani and Greer Jackson defeated Emelia Ramdhani and Ayanna Watson 21-5, 21-9.

The tournament continues this evening from 18:00h with play-offs in the finals and third place matches along with the presentation. This tournament, which is playing for the fifth year is made possible through Darrell Carpenay, Managing Director of GUMDAC and also an executive on the GBA.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

CWI Regional Super50 2017 Pg 20

West Indies U-19 beat Kent by 28 runs − Yadram stars with bat and ball

Man of the Match, Bhaskar Yadram pulls Matthew Hunn confidently in his match-winning innings at the SVRCG on Friday

Petra/Limacol Round-robin Knockout Football…

Pg 23

Linden’s perfect record shattered

–Western Tigers take down Eagles, Grove Hi Tech shock Milerock Milerock (green) were chasing the game against Grove Hi Tech in the final minutes

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