Guyana Times daily

Educators awarded for dedicated role in nation’s development P10

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2872

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

PRICE

Venezuelan soldiers opened fire on GGMC officials − Brigadier Phillips

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Corentyne Piracy attack

Jurisdiction a problem in prosecuting suspects – P14 Commander

Page 3

Drug shortages Teen killed as caused by change mining pit caves in procurement in at Konawaruk system – Norton – Committee of Inquiry launched into death Page 2

Page 7

Water issue in Diamond to beP13 regularised by weekend – GWI Multimillion-dollar fraud

Global Fund P13 demands reimbursement from Govt – Minister Norton …culpable individuals to be sanctioned

Prison riot CoI

P17

Final report for submission to President today

Snap! A loud noise reverberated as the flimsy board gave way, almost sending a sand truck overboard as it was disembarking the ferry at the Leguan Stelling on Sunday afternoon (Devina Samaroo photo)

World No Tobacco Day today

Stop the rhetoric, lay the bill! – Dr Anthony Page 11

2015 cocaine-in-rum case

Ex-CJIA technicians fined in excess of $17M, get 4 years in prison Page 8

PPP flag raising ‘mistreatment’

There was a breach of protocol – Rohee

P9

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Teen killed as mining pit caves in at Konawaruk – Committee of Inquiry launched into death

I

n yet another mining accident, a teenager was on Sunday afternoon killed after a mining pit in which he was working caved in. The tragedy occurred at a mining pit in the Konawaruk Backdam, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

The dead teenager was identified as Ramal Williams, 18, of 58 Miles Mabura Road, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

According to reports, the teenager, along with others, was working in the pit when it suddenly gave way.

The others reportedly ran to safety, but Williams was trapped by the soil.

After some time, his motionless body was pulled from the pit and taken to the Mahdia Hospital where doctors confirmed his death.

An investigation has since been launched into the incident.

The Natural Resources Ministry in a release stated that it was saddened by the unfortunate death of the teenager.

As such, Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, Simona Broomes has been tasked with the responsibility of visiting the area to ascertain the circumstances leading to the death of the young miner.

Broomes’ team will include representatives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). In addition, a Committee of Inquiry will also be launched to fully investigate the matter within the next 72 hours.

The Ministry also expressed its condolences to

the family, colleagues, and friends of Williams.

Williams is the second teen to have died in a mining pit collapse this year at Konawaruk. In March of this year, 19-year-old Trenton Sebastian of Kurukubaru, was killed at Konawaruk, Mahdia Backdam, after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed, pinning him under slush.

It was reported that Sebastian and four other miners were washing the walls of the mine while other miners were simultaneously clearing the area of trees, when one of the walls of the pit caved in.

Region Eight has seen its fair share of deadly mining pit collapses over the years. A mining pit collapse at Mowasi Backdam, which claimed the lives of 10 miners back in May 2015, led President David Granger to establish a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to probe mining accidents.

The CoI report highlighted that there have been over a 15-month period, 28 deaths, most of them a result of pit cave-ins. It revealed that from 2012 to 2015, 62 miners, mostly young men, lost their lives on the job.

These accidents were said to have been caused by negligence, especially with regard to safe mining practices, including shortcuts taken by workers, who sometimes treasured their finds over their own lives.

The CoI determined there was a pervading culture of laxness towards safety, and that clear rules must be applied and enforced.

Draft Code of Conduct handed over to Prime Minister – hopes to include it in Integrity Commission legislation

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo receives the revised Ministerial Code of Conduct from Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

G

overnment is hoping to have the long awaited Ministerial Code of Conduct drafted into the existing Integrity Commission legislation, but will await the advice of the Chief Parliamentary Council before taking this route.

The announcement was made on Monday, when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo received the revised draft Code of Conduct from Minster of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman at Office of the Prime Minister.

Trotman, along with a small committee, was tasked with reviewing the draft code of conduct. The team which comprised two representatives of the Office of the Prime Minister, along with two lawyers from the Guyana Bar Association, met several times during May, examining best practices in

places such as Tanzania and other African countries and several Caribbean countries, seeking to ascertain their applicability to the Guyana scenario.

The Prime Minister, speaking to the media following the handing over, said Government felt the subject matter was critically important to the public and therefore moved to have a special committee set up by Minister Trotman.

“We are aware that all over the commonwealth where we belong, there is a great need for emphasis on persons in public life… The committee was set up to have the matter reopened for recommendation”, he said.

He said since the Integrity Commission Act provides for the declaration and justification of assets of persons who hold public offices, along with their spouses and children,

the recommendation was made that the integrity legislation include the prescription for the Code of Conduct.

“So if you ask me a question about what will be done with this document, the answer will be that it will be sent to the parliamentary council for legal advice on whether these recommendations or draft code should be included in the integrity legislation that should be enforced as far as any infraction of the law is done”, the PM said.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, the purpose of the Code of Conduct is to assist Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) and public office holders in the discharge of their obligations to their constituents and the public at large.

It provides guidance on the values – the moral qualities – that should govern the conduct of Ministers and MPs in discharging their parliamentary and public duties. It is also meant to reinforce public confidence in the way in which Ministers and public office holders perform those duties.

Ministers, by virtue of the Oath or Affirmation of allegiance taken when they are elected, have a duty to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, according to law.

The Code states that public office holders also have a duty to uphold the law, including the general law against discrimination and sexual harassment, and to act with propriety on all occasions in accordance with the public trust and confidence placed in them. They also have a general duty to act in the interests of the nation as a whole and owe a special duty of care to their constituents, and citizens.

The Code of Conduct says that the acceptance of gifts

and other forms of rewards worth more than $10,000

by Ministers, MPs and other public office holders in their official capacity shall be reported to the Integrity Commission.

Ministers, MPs and public office holders should consider declining such gratuities if the acceptance of same could be perceived to have an effect on their objectivity and lead to complaints of bias or impropriety.

It also states that Ministers, MPs and public office holders should also avoid using their official position or transmitting any information made available to them in the course of their duties to benefit themselves, their relations or any other individuals with whom they are associated. They should avoid compromising themselves or their office and any action which may lead to an actual or perceived conflict of interest.

Failure to avoid or declare any conflict of interest may give rise to criticism of favouritism, abuse of authority or even allegations of corruption.

Furthermore it is meant to reinforce public confidence in the way in which Ministers and public office holders perform those duties.

Asked about the timeframe for the code to be incorporated into existing law, Nagamootoo said he could not say. However, he noted that all such information will become available following the review by the Chief Parliamentary Council.

Nagamootoo stressed that he was not very concerned about the timeframe, but rather the quality of the work.

“All these things dealing with law, is not only about timeframe, it has to do with the quality of what is put out. Step by step procedure must be followed to ensure credibility. In so doing, there will not be any accusations of nonconsultation of the draft. It has to go through another cycle of evaluation.

So it is not so much dealing with timeline and deadline, but that people in the end will say that there is something that is both enforceable and has certain provisions by which leaders in public life are accountable”, Nagamootoo said.

Minister Trotman, who once held the responsibility for governance said the President and Prime Minister, hold all responsibility to set sanctions against Ministers.

The Code of Conduct is based on 10 principles – Accountability, Dignity, Diligence, Duty, Honour, Integrity, Loyalty, Objectivity, Responsibility, and Transparency – and is a Coalition Government manifesto promise.

NEWS

3

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, May 31 – 13:00h-14:30h and Wednesday, June 1 – 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, May 31 – 12:15h-13:45h and Wednesday, June 1 – 13:20h-14:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers sometimes accompanied by thunder can be expected throughout the day. Light clouds and light rain showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 12:29h reaching a maximum height of 2.41 metres.

Low Tide: 05:59h and 18:28h reaching minimum heights of 0.82 metre and 0.76 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS G 01 04 08 12 15 22 16 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

Daily Millions

08 17 18 19 23 LUCKY 3 9

1

5

Draw De Line 03 12 15 1 9

4 20

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

Venezuelan soldiers opened fire on GGMC officials − Brigadier Phillips

T

hree mining officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) came under fire from the National Bolivarian Armed Forces while travelling in a boat in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips confirmed.

Speaking to Guyana Times Monday evening, Brigadier Phillips said while his troops stationed at Eteringbang were still conducting investigations, the incident occurred.

He said that much information is not yet available, however the incident was reported to the police at Eteringbang. Based on the police report troops were dispatched to conduct investigations.

Police sources in Eteringbang told Guyana Times that shots were fired, however none of the mining officers, nor the captain of the boat were injured in the shooting incident.

The source said the officers were carrying out inspections and monitoring of gold mining camps in the Cuyuni when the Venezuelan soldiers opened fire on them.

The officers, the source said, were forced to seek cover by lying flat in the boat as the captain sought to get the attention of the Venezuelan troops with whom he is said to be familiar with.

After recognising the captain, the Venezuelan troops ceased fire and asked the GGCM official to iden-

Brigadier Mark Phillips

tify themselves before they were allowed to proceed.

After the frightful incident occurred the GGMC officers then proceeded to file a police report at the Eteringbang outpost.

Top government officials including President David Granger have been briefed and reportedly were up to last Monday evening in contact with Venezuelan authorities.

This is not the first time there has been tension at the Guyana/Venezuela border.

In September last year, the Venezuelan military dispatched heavily armed troops as well as a gunboat and other heavy artillery to the Cuyuni area.

Then in December, a Venezuelan helicopter landed at the Kaikan Airstrip, in the said Region Seven.

Brigadier Phillips had told Guyana Times several

Venezuelan military men dressed in uniform, who were armed, disembarked the aircraft.

Reports indicated that the soldiers began to engage in conversations with two villagers and shortly after, they boarded the chopper and took off.

Brigadier Phillips told this newspaper that the Venezuelan soldiers were inquiring from the villagers if they had landed in San Juan, Brazil. However, the villagers informed them that they landed in Kaikan, Guyana. Upon receiving this information, the soldiers boarded the helicopter and left.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have been tense over the past few months after the Bolivarian Republic continues to lay claim over 2/3 of Guyana’s territory, even though an 1899 Arbitration

panel awarded the disputed Essequibo region to Guyana.

In February 1966, just before Guyana was granted Independence, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Governments of British Guiana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela signed an agreement to resolve its contentions, but Venezuela has sporadically raised the controversy it created.

The controversy was reignited by Venezuela when the Government of Guyana granted access to the USbased oil exploration company ExxonMobil, allowing it to drill for oil in the Stabroek block offshore Essequibo.

The Venezuelan Government was peeved at this move and made direct contact with the oil company, urging it to discontinue its attempt to carry out drilling activities in the area. Saying it had no part in the territorial issue, the oil company went ahead with its drilling activity.

President Maduro later issued a decree on May 26, 2015, which purported to ratify maritime sovereignty over waters within 200 miles including the entire Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo Coast as well as part of Suriname’s maritime territory and an area which is under dispute with Colombia.

Guyana has been seeking the UN help in resolving the issue and has SOUGHT A juridical settlement if the UN process fails.

Nandlall wants names and criteria used to pardon prisoners made public

O

pposition Member of Parliament (MP) and former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has taken Government to task, requesting that the Ministry of Public Security provide details on the names of persons President David Granger intends to have released from prison.

President Granger on Saturday evening had told Guyana Times that he intended to release some more prisoners, particularly women who are mothers and who have committed minor offences. The Head of State has so far released some 71 prisoners, both male and female since coming to office.

Nandlall said it was imperative that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, make known in the National Assembly the list of names of these selected prisoners, their dates of birth, offences which they have committed and what they are being pardoned from, their criminal records and the length of the sentence that was served at the

Former Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

time when the pardon was granted.

He is also requesting that the minister declare publicly the process and criteria used by President Granger or any authority who was acting on his behalf to determine prisoners’ eligibility for presidential pardoning.

In addition, Nandlall is also seeking an answer as to under what statutory or constitutional provision, if any, did the President act in

granting these pardons for the convicts.

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is requesting to be informed of the “approximate number of pardons” the president is likely to select on an annual basis.

Recently, President Granger announced that steps are being taken to release another batch of convicts, most likely comprising of women with the exception of those who committed murder and manslaughter.

President Granger explained: “There are certain criteria. It is not a reckless process. Persons who have been involved in crimes of violence - manslaughter or murder - will not be eligible and we are looking at persons who might have been convicted for short periods for what we call non-lethal offences,” In recent reports, President Granger urged Guyanese not to be worried with his decision to pardon more prisoners for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary, pointing out

that he is acting in accordance with the law.

The news of pardoning of convicts has created tension among citizens, recalling the recent riot at the Camp Street Prison, which claimed the lives of 17 inmates.

President Granger reiterated that the process of pardoning prisoners is governed by certain criteria. “I have behaved always in accordance with the constitution and on the advice by the Minister of Legal Affairs and as far as I am concerned, as long as I continue to behave in a legal manner, in a constitutional manner, the people of this country have nothing to fear.”

According to the government, Rehabilitative programmes were initiated for pardon offenders that will effectively aid in them reintegrating in society. It is the hope of the President and his Administration that the pardoned prisoners will honour the second chance given and be productive citizens.

4

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Moving on T

he grand Jubilee celebrations of our Independence is now over. The final event was the privately sponsored Banks Jubilee Mega Concert at the Guyana National Stadium late Sunday night, May 29. And unfortunately it appears "Banks Fest" might just serve as a synecdoche for the state of affairs of our country, 50 years after Independence.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan had waived the 2:am limit on events serving alcohol for "Jubilee week" and by 3:am a fight broke out among the mostly young, inebriated patrons which literally "brought the curtains down".

From announcements last year, many thought the ambitions for the celebrations exceeded the capacity of the country to execute them. And from the poorly attended, almost invisible multi-event Jubilee Festival earlier in the week, to the infamous walk-out by the Opposition from the Flag Raining Ceremony at the new Jubilee Park, the celebrations became a "series of unfortunate events".

But while one may hope all of that is behind us and the country should be moving on, as William Faulkner reminded us, "The past is not dead; it is not even past".

One unfortunate "live" event that must be addressed sooner than later would be for the government to offer an unequivocal apology to the Opposition Leader and his MPs for whom seats were not reserved at the Flag Raising Ceremony. All their "explanations" will be seen as "cavilling" at best, and "crass" at worse.

But the government has much more to move on from than its faux pas of the Jubilee week. There is the economy on which the World Bank pronounced two months ago: "... real GDP growth decelerated to 3.8 percent in 2014 and to 3.0 percent in 2015, as commodity prices collapsed for Guyana’s major exports. Drought, and uncertainty surrounding the 2015 elections also contributed to slower growth. Increased production of gold (two new mines opened in 2015), rice, and sugar compensated for lower global prices and balanced out contractions in construction, forestry and bauxite production.

The economy is expected to grow by around 4 per cent in 2016 and 2017. Most of 2016 growth is expected to come from continued rapid growth of gold production and rebounding performance in construction and wholesale and retail trade industries."

The government has latched on to this prediction of growth to assert all is well with the economy. But even a cursory look at the numbers above would suggest otherwise.

The two "new mines" in gold mentioned are both foreign owned (Troy and Guyana Goldfields) and will produce the most of the gold in the coming decade to be credited to Guyana. However, apart from the royalties and wages paid, while the huge value of the product might inflate Guyana's GDP, it will not end up in Guyanese pockets to be spent in Guyana. And this raises the old controversy over "growth" versus "development" which one would have thought was settled by now - at least in Guyana.

Just to plug numbers into "GDP" to create "growth" while technically valid, has nothing to do with "development" which includes the income individuals have available for them to spend on their welfare.

Continuing with the World Bank statement, we are not sure where the "rebounding performance in construction and wholesale and retail trade industries" was coming from. The statements from the Private Sector Commission and several Regional business bodies have reported the very opposite.

What must be done by the Government for Guyana to "move on" economically is to craft a plan immediately, utilising all the tools available to them - monetary, fiscal, grants/loans, attracting FDI, etc - to jump-start the economy to create jobs.

The Opposition has already volunteered to assist in this effort and their offer will go a long way in building cohesion in the best way possible: creating an economy with enough wealth to be distributed equitably to lessen the finger pointing.

Ducks a lot At 9:45 am each day, more than 1000 Indian Runner ducks are released for the first of two sorties at South Africa’s Vergenoegd vineyard in Stellenbosch. Their mission: seek and eat thousands of tiny white dune snails feasting on budding vines. Used for centuries in Asia to control pests, the ducks stand upright like penguins and are slim enough to fit between rows of vines. The flock, which started with six ducks in 1983, gives Vergenoegd extra points in the wine industry’s sustainability certification process as the 57-hectare vineyard now uses so little chemicals it does not need to declare them (Reuters)

We cannot compete with a modern civilised world without classical education

Dear Editor, The decline of education in Guyana since the 1980s has been a major concern for every educated Guyanese citizen. As our political and economic condition deteriorated many of our qualified teachers left the country seeking better jobs with better pay and better job incentives.

When teachers are poorly paid, the education system cannot attract and keep qualified teachers. The effect of these conditions on student performance is reflected in failures at the primary, secondary and university levels.

Performance at Grade Six Assessment as well as CXC and GCE is very disappointing. Failures at the University of Guyana have now become a major concern for the business sector as well as government institutions. Students who are qualified with 6-12 subjects and even university graduates cannot function properly on a job. Many of them cannot write a report or a proper job application letter; they cannot do basic arithmetic, yet they are given a certificate. I know of a student who passed eight subjects including Maths but cannot recite his seven times table and do simple multiplication and fractions.

My daughter currently attends St Stanislaus College in Georgetown and she told me a girl teaching her English who is not a trained teacher and many times they have no teachers for a number of subjects.

What bothers me most is the amount of projects she has to get done that involves painting, colouring, making demonic objects like a masacurman, I saw her making a little wooden house then she asked for paint to paint it. One day I shopped over $25,000 in things for her so

called projects. I am wondering if that College and all our top A schools have now become trade schools rather than an institution of real rigorous studies in a variety of great subjects including a foundation in great literature from Shakespeare to Walcott.

Our system of education is producing more and more dunces, all because our politics is to duncify the next generation to control them.

The true foundation of education is reading. Today students are seen with ipods, blackberries and all sorts of technical equipment attached to their ears, but a good book for them is something obsolete. My visit to several libraries has proven this, because I haven’t seen a great number of students reading and doing research.

Today, television and DVDs as well as vulgar music have taken a toll on our young generation. We are just one generation away from complete illiteracy.

The school discipline that was in the Ministry of Education 30 years ago is now thrown out of the school windows.

The removal of corporal punishment from our schools has created more disobedient students.

Teachers are unable to deal with indisciplined students and thus teachers are now afraid of some students and their parents.

A child without a proper education and great moral upbringing will be another nuisance in society. Most of the problems we have seen in the form of domestic violence, drug addiction, prostitution, stealing, etc, are the direct result of illiteracy and poor parental guidance.

A survey among the religious community found that over 60 per cent of families attending churches cannot read or write at a competent level. Many of our young

people today cannot write their own names properly.

As a legal marriage officer I discovered that a great many of our young Guyanese citizens will spell their own names wrongly when they write them, while some will write a ‘call name’ but cannot spell out their real names which are on their birth certificates. While I am not against technology, I believe this age of technology has helped to create more illiterates.

Our poor education system has failed since the late LFS Burnham introduced free education from nursery to secondary school.

This free system of education failed because our schools cannot produce textbooks for students writing CXC, thus their parents are pushed to buy thousands of dollars’ worth of illegally photocopied books from some store owners.

Where have we failed in our education system? First the free education mentioned above did not push our system of education to be competitive with our Caribbean neighbours.

Our country failed to produce better graduates than Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, etc. The Caribbean is a very small space of about 6.5 million people, and our people are very far behind that small space.

In many of our institutions in Guyana lots of nonGuyanese are working for higher salaries because our people are under-qualified to do the job. For us to better equip our people academically we will have to return to the old colonial system of back to basics such as Grammar, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Spelling, English, Reading, Dictation, Geography, History, etc.

Today even some well qualified teachers cannot teach proper grammar to a child. Many students told

me teachers are not taking time off to correct their assignments, so how will that child recognize his/her mistakes?

Many of the subjects that are offered at high school are business subjects and not really tough subjects which will improve the student’s intellect and thinking power. The teaching of classical literature from Homer to Shakespeare should be reintroduced into our education system.

The study of Latin, French, Spanish, Economics, Ethics, Logic, Literature, Astronomy, Biology, Physics, Political Science, Jurisprudence, Religion, Mathematics and the Social Sciences should be in our academic curriculum. All of these subjects will give our students a very comprehensive understanding about education.

The nation’s wealth and prosperity comes from the value of her educated citizens. Rome ruled and governed the world once because of her supreme intellectual aptitude and power.

We cannot compete with a modern civilized world without a classical education. What we need are dedicated teachers who will work for their salaries and not collect the government’s money by false pretences. The economic progress of this nation comes from education that is the key to our GDP and prosperity.

We also need moral education which will include religious education in our schools and universities to build and improve the character of students. The end result of education is good character; that is the key to our moral, spiritual, intellectual and economic development.

Yours faithfully, Rev Gideon Cecil

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

5

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

GGDMA should do some introspection before casting aspersions Dear Editor, The Board of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), as currently constituted, includes two representatives of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA). The GGMC Board deliberates on and decides on the allocation of mining properties to all miners, including members of the GGDMA. There is no record, in the public domain, of any member of the GGDMA recusing themselves from deliberations related to granting of mining rights to its members. I am consequently perplexed by the GGDMA’s claim that Minister Simona Broomes’ position reflects a conflict of interest. The GGDMA failure to recuse itself from deliberations related to the granting of mineral rights to its members is of significantly greater national concern than Ms Broomes’ right to pass her property, acquired before she became Minister of Government of Guyana, on to her children.

There are issues related to the mining sector in Guyana which are of much greater concern to the GGDMA. The record will demonstrate that there have been in excess of 20 deaths in the gold mining industry in the last year. The GGDMA, which claims to represent the interest of gold and diamond miners, has never conducted a technical assessment to determine measures which should be developed and implemented to reduce incidents related to loss of life in the gold mining industry. Life is apparently cheap to the GGDMA. The Mining Amendment Regulations 2005 define a large-scale mine as “a mine

which is the subject of a Mining Licence and from which a minimum volume in excess of 1000 m3 of material, inclusive of any overburden, is excavated or processed as an aggregate in any continuous twenty-four hour period”. This definition, except for its reference to a Mining Licence, qualifies all members of the GGDMA as large-scale miners.

Part XXIV of those amendments imposes obligations on large- and medium-scale miners. These include adherence to several engineering and environmental compliance requirements. The national interest of Guyana would be best served if the GGDMA focus is on ensuring adherence by its members to these mandatory requirements. The costs of technically and environmentally non-compliant gold mining operations, coupled with the loss of life in the sector, have greater long-term consequences and are of significantly greater national importance than Ms Broomes’ passing her property on to her children.

The Government of Guyana has identified gold smuggling as an issue of major national concern. The GGDMA has, commendably, issued a public statement in support of the Government. Several members of the GGDMA are holders of Prospecting Licences.

Smuggling can be easily addressed by these members adhering to the mandate of Prospecting Licences as enunciated by the Mining Act 1989. Chapter 2, Section 32 of that Mining Act “confers on the licensee ……. The exclusive right to explore for any mineral…” Exploration,

by GGDMA members who are holders of Prospecting

Licences, is performed only after these licences are farmed out, after payment of huge amounts, to international mining companies.

Quantification of mineral resources leaves no room for smuggling as demonstrated by the former Omai Gold Mines and now so effectively proven by international companies such as Guyana Goldfields, Troy Resources and Sandspring Resources. The GGDMA should use its presence on the GGMC Board to agitate for exploration of all Prospecting Licences to curtail gold smuggling from Guyana. Failure to do any less would call into question the stance of the GGDMA on gold smuggling. In the interim, the GGDMA would better serve the national good by convincing its members to undertake exploration activities prior to their commencement of mining operations. This will result in significantly lower environmental consequences that the “wildcatting” now performed by members of the GGDMA. The President should be commended for his stand on the GGDMA concerns related to Ms Broomes. I have no intent to be presumptuous; however, I am firmly of the belief that the national interest would be better served if the GGDMA, given the green thrust of economy, is advised to request that its members adhere to sound mineral exploration and mining practices to ensure an undue burden is not placed upon the economy to correct environmental and health impacts of GGDMA members’ operations.

Yours truly, Charles P Ceres

Industrial production of hemp needed to boost economy Dear Editor, Every day we hear about the country’s economy being in shambles, the high rate of unemployment and crime, and our major sectors – rice, sugar and mining being in trouble.

But, I listened on Saturday last (May 28, 2016) to an interview with one Dr Dooerga, President of Guyana Hemp Association on Radio Linden on the massive economic benefits our country can reap with the industrial production of hemp.

He spoke in depth of

the opportunities the country can reap if we produce hemp. It can reduce poverty, provide massive employment and also develop communities on the coastland and the hinterland, and Guyana as a whole.

I urge President David Granger and his APNU/ AFC administration to give the no-objection to the production of industrial hemp in the country so we could continue to build our economy.

I call also on Dr Dooerga and his group to immediately launch an awareness

programme to sensitise Guyanese on the prospects of hemp production.

He spoke about a national consultation to be held next month in Georgetown.

Please arrange a regional consultation in Linden as early as possible. We have the land in Linden and Region 10, as well as the manpower and infrastructure to push the production so we could develop our great Region and the town of Linden.

Yours truly, Alfred Park

WPO celebrates 63 years of women empowerment Dear Editor, Many of you may not know this, but 63 years ago on 27 May, 1953, Janet Jagan and others founded the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO). The WPO was the first mass political women’s organisation in Guyana that introduced women to politics.

Several years before the formation of WPO, the Women’s Political and Economic Organisation (WPEO) was formed on 9 July, 1946. This organisation advocated for women to attend meetings and participate in political discourses, for better working conditions for working women, especially domestics. It also advocated for better living conditions for women and for the girl child to be sent to school.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was formed on 1 January, 1950 and it immediately began to struggle for the following: 1. Universal adult suffrage (the right of everyone to one vote).

Prior to 1953, the voter had to own property and certain amount of money in the bank.

2. For the girl child to be sent to school 3. Workers’ rights: for improved working and living conditions of workers.

4. Independence from Great Britain The first elections held under universal adult suffrage in April, 1953 saw PPP winning 18 out of 24 seats in the Legislative Council. For the first time in the then British Guiana, underprivileged peasant workers had a voice.

For the first time in the country’s histo-

ry, three women entered the Legislative Council (Parliament) to speak for and represent all women countrywide. They were Janet Jagan, Jane PhillipsGay and Jessie Burnham.

As History would have it, 133 days later, the British Empire suspended the constitution and fired the legitimately elected government of the PPP and restricted all its Leaders from entering villages and sugar estates. Due to this Dr Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan were jailed for six months each. Other PPP leaders were harassed.

On 27 May, 1953, Janet Jagan, Jane Phillips-Gay, Jessie Burnham, Jessica Huntley and several other women formed the WPO. This organisation produced thousands of political women over the years, most of whom are grassroots’ women. However, many of the WPO leaders emerged as powerful national leaders and they were advisors to presidents, ministers of government, members of boards, etc.

The WPO provided support to the PPP over the years in advocating for women’s rights, for the girl child to be educated, and to have the right to work.

The WPO has participated meaningfully in activities that were aimed at building and strengthening democracy, especially during the 28 years of PNC dictatorial rule. In the struggles for the restoration of democracy women marched and demonstrated for the return of basic foodstuff that were banned, drugs for the hospital, etc.

Over the past six decades, the WPO participated and held membership in

several international organisations.

The WPO is proud of its record as a political organisation when it looks at the journey it travelled with the women of this country to get to the place they are today. Today women are seen in every position available, every strata of society. Women are no longer the silent bystander.

They speak when they are spoken to and they stand out in every crowd and no longer look on but participate.

The leadership of the WPO salutes every woman who has been part of and made this journey possible.

We are proud of who we are and what we have contributed to.

Yours truly, The People's Progressive Party

6

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

Page

guyana-times.com

Foundation

Kids are what you eat: grab a whisk & an app

(Part 1)

– food-related technologies and corrective attitude recommendations for families

By Jamie Krenn, PhD

T

oday, families are searching for costeffective meals with little or no prep time, a drive-through or whatever isn’t expired in the refrigerator. With the hectic pace of modern life, they often come to rely on fast food or other pre-processed alternatives. In some cases, these quick selections are a cover for negative feelings towards cooking that stem from the stresses of a busy lifestyle. Research suggests that the early years lay the foundation for future attitudes towards eating (Krenn & Hachey, 2015). Food insecurities have been linked to many adverse outcomes on childhood development and growth (Cook & Frank, 2008) and overall life quality (Krenn & Hachey, 2015; Casey et al., 2005).

Natural positive attitudes toward food and cooking may just as easily be smothered and replaced with disinterest or lack of motivation if parents do not nurture it. As a result, young children may end up patterned to unhealthy food choices, have an indifference to food preparation, and will have a higher risk for nutritionrelated health issues. The challenge with several strategies and useful technology applications is to find creative ways to combat this debacle within our “sizeable” society (Krenn, 2016; Krenn & Hachey, 2015).

While most children are too young to use a knife, turn on the stove, or work unsupervised – with proper guidance, there are many ways for them to make a more active contribution to food choice and preparation especially within the preschool classrooms (Krenn, 2016; Krenn & Hachey 2015). Since the “cook” needs to be moving during preparation portable devices are optimal and answers the question of where families can focus their attention (Krenn, 2016; Schuler, 2009). Cooking and foodfocused apps not only serve to display recipes, but they offer learning opportunities as well. Families may benefit from the following recommendations below to adjust their “attitudes” related to food preparation with some digital assistance: Begin by promoting positive feelings

towards cooking. One of the ways to encourage informal learning is by combining healthful food ideals with imaginative means of entertainment. Research and experience are required to help families understand the benefits of a healthy diet and to realise that cooking skills have both a positive physical benefit and a socialcognitive benefit throughout their lives (Bandura, 1986). Try as a parent to redefine yourself as a “cook” .Heck, let your kids call you “chef” and you call them “sous chef – or vice versa – have a cook-off to determine who will be at the pass.

oil and compare their measurements with the recommended daily allowance. Young children will enjoy smashing images of a burger, crushing a can of cola, and flattening a pizza (Octave Media International, 2012).

Grandma’s Kitchen (preschool)

Grandma’s Kitchen is an educational, quiz-type game covering prekindergarten subjects, such as counting by tens and basic addition. Grandma asks questions as she cooks and offers fun play breaks. Each activity joins the kitchen and mathematics themes, along with simple letter sounds and alphabetic organization (Fairlady Media, 2015).

Veggie Circus Farm (preschool)

This app helps young children recognise vegetables. It provides animated vegetable performances that teach kids how to say the names of vegetables, and it visually shares basic nutritional benefits that even children who don’t yet know how to read can understand (Brainster, 2014; Moore, 2015).

Perfect Picnic (ages 5–7)

Create a new plan for re-thinking what food practices should be with positive media in the form of apps and portable devices. It has been demonstrated that cognitive load is reduced when redundant information is presented pictorially, repeating a lesson using a mobile app is more beneficial than continually presenting too much of a concept (Bobis, Sweller, & Cooper, 1993). An app can be an innovative visual-learning tool. As a caregiver, talk about what is learned in each app, what foods are healthy, and work with your kids to brainstorm what to make next in the kitchen. Some apps that can help are listed below:

Smash Your Food (preschool+)

This app allows users to smash food and see how much sugar, salt, and oil it contains. Users measure the sugar, salt, and

Perfect Picnic teaches food safety as users create the safest picnic operation in a park. It encourages handwashing, food-thermometer use, and the safe storage of perishable items and highlights the importance of clean cooking surfaces (Huminah Huminah Interactive, 2013).

Eat & Move-O-Matic (ages 9–11)

This app helps users recognise the relationship between food and exercise.

It shows calories consumed and the time required to burn off the calories with activities such as finishing homework and dancing. It offers guidelines for healthful substitutions for high-calorie food, like burgers and fries (NMSU Board of Regents, 2015).

NOTE: While these apps have great kitchen themes and developmentally appropriate topics, parents should refrain from using them as the primary method of teaching—rather use these apps as supplements. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com) (TO BE CONTINUED)

Things you should never say to your child about food

A

s parents, we all say things to encourage our kids to eat healthier. Yet, in our modern, food-centric environment, even wellintentioned comments can be translated into negatives that hinder eating. So, here are some common “food statements” parents often say to kids, how kids are likely to translate them and more effective things to say and do: “See, your (sister, brother, cousin, friend) is eating it, why don’t you?”

Translation: “He/she is a better eater than me.”

A better thing to say: “I know you’ll get there, sweetie.

It takes time – and many tastes – to learn to like a new food.”

Rationale: Instead of feelings of inferiority, you want to instil confidence that the child can and will like the food in their own time.

“You used to like cherries — you are so picky!”

Translation: “Maybe I won’t grow out of this pickyeating thing?”

A better thing to do: Don’t call attention to picky eating.

Instead, make eating an enjoyable experience.

Rationale: Avoid labelling children as “picky” as this is a normal stage of development and the label tends to stick.

“For the last time, no, you cannot have ice cream!”

Translation: “I’m never getting ice cream again!”

A better thing to say: “We are not having ice cream now because lunch is a half hour away. We’ll have some one day this week for dessert.”

Rationale: Children accept “no” much better when they

know why they can’t have something and when they will have it again.

“You didn’t eat enough.

Take a few more bites and then you can leave the table.”

Translation: “Mom/dad/ empty plate (external signals) are a better judge of when I’m done eating than what I’m feeling inside.”

A better thing to say: “Make sure you got enough to eat because the next meal won’t be until (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time).”

Rationale: When children are in charge of how much to eat, they learn how to effectively manage hunger (hint: sometimes, mistakes have to be made).

“If you eat some of your veggies, you can have dessert.

Translation: “I can’t wait until the day I don’t have to eat my veggies – and can go straight to dessert!”

A better thing to do: Instead of nagging and food rewarding, offer tasty vegetables often and model healthy eating.

Rationale: Research shows that children learn to prefer the reward food over the “have to eat” food.

“Eat this, it’s good for you.”

Translation: “It tastes bad.”

A better thing to say: “This tastes really good and is similar to X that you like.”

Rationale: Studies show taste rules children’s food preferences and they benefit from getting more information about a new item.

“If you are good in the store, you can have a cookie,” or “If you don’t stop doing that, you won’t be getting ice cream tonight.”

Translation: “Every time I’m good, I should get a treat!”

A better thing to do: Let them know ahead of time the consequence that will happen if they misbehave – and leave food out of it.

Rationale: Think about the long-term effects of constantly rewarding with food. For example, in a 2003 study published in Eating Behaviors, adults who remembered food being used to reward and punish were more likely to binge eat and diet.

“We don’t eat cake often because it is bad for you.”

Translation: “I like everything that is bad for me (Bad = pleasure).”

A better thing to say: “Cake is not a food we eat all the time. We’ll have some cake this weekend at Jake’s birthday party.”

Rationale: Labelling food as “good” and “bad” creates judgment around eating.

Instead, teach children how all foods fit into a balanced diet based on frequency of eating.

Never underestimate the power your words have when it comes to children and food.

(Excerpt from HuffingtonPost.com)

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Drug shortages caused by change in procurement system – Norton By: Devina Samaroo

P

ublic Health Minister Dr George Norton indicated that the change in the procurement system is probably the likely cause for the drug shortages being experienced at certain public health facilities across Guyana.

Since the beginning of the year, reports have been surfacing of a massive drug shortage in the public health system.

In January, Georgetown Public Hospital’s (GPH) Chief Executive Officer Allan Johnson said cashflow problems at that institution resulted in a shortage of drugs.

The Diamond Diagnostic Centre’s Medical Superintendent Dr Michael Pereira had also registered concerns about the drug shortages at that institution.

Region Three Regional Chairman Julius Faerber had also complained of the massive drug shortages plaguing the region.

During a visit to several health facilities over the weekend, hospital staff informed the Public Health Minister and team that there were drug shortages.

At the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital, the relatively new staff disclosed that the health facility has been lacking basic essential

A new drug procurement system was introduced earlier this year

drugs from the time they were dispatched to the area, which is some three months ago.

Pharmacist Dolly Softly said basic drugs such as Panadol and Paracetamol have been unavailable, while other drugs are expired or nearing expiration.

In fact, it was highlighted that the current batch of insulin will be expiring today.

Prompted on the reason for this shortage, the doctors explained that the drugs would finish fast because there would be an influx in the number of persons coming in for treatment.

They explained that they would make requests for more supply, however, none are forthcoming or it usually takes a long while before the drugs arrive—this causes the influx of persons.

Regional Health Office Dr Shawn Bancroft explained that in most cases, drugs are stored at the West Demerara Regional Hospital since the demand there is higher.

“We are unable to distribute it to all health facilities, we kept most for the inpatients and send the small amounts to the other hospitals,” he stated.

However, Minister Norton said it appears persons are just making excuses and urged the authorities to manage the health systems more effectively and efficiently.

“Persons have become complacent and taking things for granted… requests were made but nothing seems to be done, nobody seems to be concerned at the level of the region that things were requested and not delivered,” he lamented.

Dr Norton said he will take steps to work closer with the Communities Ministry, which to a larger extent is responsible for the regional health system, to address the problems.

“I know that’s a large ministry and they’ve got so many on their plate, this is not to say that we don’t have

either but I am not going to depend on the region to do everything… we have to do this together, and I would keep in communication with medical professionals in the centre so I can do my part as well,” he stated, hoping that by yearend most of the issues will be rectified.

“I hope the shortage we are experiencing now, because of the change in the procurement system, would become available to the public in a timely manner and in sufficient quantities,” he stated.

Earlier this year, the Public Health Ministry introduced a new system for procuring of drugs and medical supplies with the aim of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the drug supply chain in the country.

This was accompanied by several changes in the bidding documents which were intended to create a more level playing field among competitors.

Reports have explained that the changes saw each region submitting to central government, a list of drugs needed and the total sum required to make the purchases. Monies will be warranted back to the Public Health Ministry from the Regions to facilitate a centralised procurement.

Initially, this current administration had mandated that the drug purchases be

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton examining the limited drugs available at the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital

done at a regional level.

However, the process was later changed after some $600 million was returned to the treasury, owing to the incapacity of the regions to source their own supplies.

The current procurement system gives each region its independence to source the drugs from its preferred supplier as opposed to central government making bulk purchases.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

2015 cocaine-in-rum case

Ex-CJIA technicians fined in excess of $17M, get 4 years in prison

T

wo former Air Conditioning (AC) technicians of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) were on Monday jailed for four years and fined in excess of $17 million each

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, after they were found guilty in relation to a 2015 drug bust at the Airport.

The men, Lorrick Williams, 25, and Chris Douglas had attempted to export three bottles of El Dorado 5year rum laced with cocaine on May 29, 2015.

They first appeared in court on June 1, 2015 along with the alleged mastermind of the crime, Kean Brewster, all charged with

Jailed: Lorrick Williams (gray shirt) and Chris Douglas (yellow shirt)

possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking .

They had a total of 6.304 kilograms of cocaine.

At the time of the bust, both Williams and Douglas worked at the Airport as AC technicians.

It is reported that they gave Brewster three bottles of El Dorado 5 year rum laced with cocaine to take to the United States of America. The transaction had allegedly taken place in the washroom

area of the Airport.

During check-in, Brewster was searched when the rum looked unusually thick.

The contents of the bottles were tested and found to be cocaine.

Brewster subsequently admitted that he intended to traffic the illegal substance to the US, before he pointed out the other two accused, as the persons who gave him the bottles.

The prosecution further informed the Court that footage from the Airport’s security cameras showed the three men entering the washroom. It was also stated that the defendants admitted they were paid various sums of cash to play their part in the drug deal.

Both Williams and Douglas maintained their innocence, up until their sentencing.

Linden man remanded for attempted murder Bartica

A

South Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) man was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after being charged with intent to commit murder.

Miner Samuel Boucher, 27, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on May 24, 2016 at Cuyuni River, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Shanell Rodrigues with intent to commit murder.

Samuel Boucher

Bail was objected to by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, who told the Court Rodrigues was still hospitalised.

According to Jeffers, Rodrigues, who is known to Boucher, is the owner of a shop in the interior. The altercation between the men stemmed from an argument between the two over money owed to Rodrigues.

Boucher will make his next court appearance on June 15 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

woman fined for drug possession

A

Bartica woman was fined $10,000 and sentenced to two months of community service by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday charged with drug possession.

Thirty-five-year-old Samantha Singh pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on May 26, 2016, at Bartica, she had three grams of cannabis in her possession.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the Court that on the day in question about 01:30h, Singh was escorted to the Bartica Police Station in relation to another matter under investigation. A search was conducted on her and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found in her bosom by Police Constables.

The woman was told of the offence and the illegal substance was then weighed in her presence.

Further investigations were carried out and she was charged for the offence.

Singh, who pleaded guilty to the offence, admitted to being a user of marijuana.

She apologised for her actions and begged the Magistrate for leniency.

Magistrate Ann McLennan in imposing the punishment made it clear to Singh that if she failed to pay her fine and complete the community service, she would spend the next three months in jail.

Eyew tness Enchained...

S ...no more to work

ome folks are all atwitter about the administration spending a week of carousing in honour of Independence. But c’mon, what would be “independence” if we can’t carouse? Isn’t that what the struggle was all about? Think about it. Two hundred years of slavery, almost a hundred years of Indentureship... work... work... work. Nothing but work. And backbreaking work at that. And if that didn’t work, they’d break your back on the rack!

So what would independence be but the freedom to carouse and frolic whenever and wherever we want? But to listen to some, you’d think slavery and Indentureship should be reintroduced. So what if with our refusal to work all the time, foreign firms are giving us a wide berth?

Let the fools in China and Singapore work LIKE slaves. They never WERE slaves...and that’s why they don’t appreciate the stance our people are taking. Only those who feel it, know it!

Our stance to non-stop work is called passive aggressive revolt. We learnt it back in the day when the Man tried to have us bend our back all day long in the cane field. Not all of us could rise up like Cuffy and the fellas who stood up to bullets at Devonshire Castle and elsewhere. No sir... most just malingered and literally threw spanners into the works. And that was when Massa day was still going strong... why should we do any different now that Massa Day done?

But our rejection of regimented work and passive aggressive revolt isn’t just in REACTION against the Man... it goes back to our true nature before we were all messed up on the plantations. Before then, we lived in harmony with nature. When Columbus arrived, he thought we were living in jungles! How wrong he was! Fact of the matter we didn’t have to be planting no plantations of cane or whatever.

Our forefathers, the Indigenous Peoples just make a small clearing in the jungle, stuck in some pieces of cassava and yams and voila! In three months all they had to do was pull out our food when they were hungry! The rest of the time? Well... just loll around in their hammocks and let nature take its course, since boys will be boys!

Burnham had tried to get us back to these idyllic times of all day frolic... but some anti-nationals refused to go along with “buy local”. They kept whining about “Dhall and aloo” being banned!

Guyanese are lucky we’ve finally gotten some leaders with the cojones to fulfil the vision of the Comrade Leader.

Long may we frolic!

...no more to dependency

Thinking back about our ancestors living in the land of milk and honey, got your humble Eyewitness thinking back to his days at UG. There he was taught about why the Man could keep us working day and night in backbreaking labour even though we were all independent. Professor Thomas, now Chairman of GuySuCo, was his professor and he opened up your Eyewitness’ eyes to witness what was really going down.

We were stuck in a “dependent” relationship with the developed countries. Even though the Man was gone, he’d left us “underdeveloped” so we didn’t even know how to make a pin - which we just had to have. So we kept on planting sugar and rice and other backbreaking labour things and sold them to the Man so we’d get money to buy his pins. Professor Thomas had proudly stood up to the Man and told them if he had the power he’d CUT all links with him.

Is this why he’s closing all the sugar factories?

...to Protocol

With the Government so top-heavy with be-medalled military types, your Eyewitness is still befuddled as to why someone from their ranks weren’t seconded to rescue the Culture Minister who was clearly out of her depth.

Too busy pulling Dragnet?

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

PPP flag raising ‘mistreatment’

There was a breach of protocol – Rohee ... “it clearly was a case of ineptitude, incompetence or inexperience”

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) remains steadfast in its claims that the apology and explanation offered by Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry about the poor seating arrangements in the VIP section during the flag-raising ceremony for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary were inaccurate.

The Party is also adamant that the treatment meted out to its members, who all hold constitutional posts, was a breach of protocol and swore that had the PPP/C been in Government, the Opposition would not have faced such humiliation.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee told a news conference on Monday that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is seeking to paint a picture that the Opposition was uncooperative; however, this was not the case.

He gave a detailed explanation of what transpired on the evening of May 25, at D’Urban Park, stating that all the instructions and directions that were decided upon in Parliament were adhered to. However, things obviously took a wrong turn.

“We are saying that there was a breach of the protocols and the arrangements of the promises that were made to us,” the Party’s General Secretary stated, continuing, “It would not have happened if we were in Government with the then Opposition. It clearly was a

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

case of ineptitude, incompetence or inexperience, or it was designed like that,” he posited.

He said Members of Parliament were told in Parliament that there were seats allocated to the 32 Opposition MPs, and they all left the Office of the Leader of the Opposition that evening, with the understanding that seats would have been available for them.

According to Rohee, the planning and execution of the event were chaotic and this has been the views expressed by a number of persons.

“A number of commentators have all criticised the event and the action and the disrespect,” he told Journalists.

He maintained that the Leader of the Opposition is holding constitutional office, and so are the MPs. “They are not stray dogs,” he said.

“When we go to

Parliament, the Speaker expects us to act in a particular way. So how come it is good for one location and bad for another location?” he questioned.

Rohee explained that the claim that there was a clash in arrivals was untrue as MPs were already present, long before the arrival of both the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and President David Granger.

“We went there before the Prime Minister and the President. We went there before people start pouring in the place. We went there before Ministers arrived,” the General Secretary said.

On the night of the incident, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo expressed disappointment that his Party was left embarrassed when members turned up at the D’Urban Park arena to be part of the activities, but could not because most of the MPs were left standing

without any seats.

He said an effort was made to correct the situation, but after some 30 minutes standing, nothing was done. They all dubbed the situation disrespectful, and the group, led by Jagdeo, walked out of the event.

But on Friday, Minister Henry, who had responsibility for the staging of the event, said the parliamentary Opposition was invited to all State events and confirmed its attendance to the flag-raising ceremony.

She said after accepting the invitation, the Opposition was briefed by

Presidential Section with all other past Presidents and Prime Ministers. All other PPP members were to be seated in the other VIP section.

According to Henry, the Opposition Leader did arrive, but not at the time he was expected to. Explaining the details of what transpired on Wednesday evening, Minister Henry said Jagdeo arrived at 21:55h and approached the southwestern entrance (Hadfield Street).

She said had it not been for the Police’s insistence that the group use the

standing in the passageway and had indicated that they would only sit when they could be assigned seats together. However, according to her, this was not told to the usher.

But, the Minister’s account is being disputed.

Several independent commentators have all deemed the flag-raising ceremony “chaotic” as they revealed that ushers in the VIP section were running all over the place as confusion abound as to whom should be seated where.

There were also claims that a number of unauthor-

Disappointed PPP members leaving D'Urban Park on the eve of Independence Day

her on Tuesday, May 24, on the time of arrival, entrance to be used and seating arrangements. Based on the arrangement, the Opposition Leader was expected to be seated in the

north-western entrance, the Opposition and President David Granger would have arrived on the tarmac at the same time.

According to her, the other members remained

ised person were seated in the VIP box, one of the fact which may have been responsible for the lack of adequate seating for the opposition MPs.

10

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

News

Cove and John Ashram reaches out to broom maker of Bush Lot, Berbice

Educators awarded for dedicated role in nation’s development

– single mother struggling to send children to school

By Indrawattie Natram

I

n continuing the service work of giving and helping others as a non-profit organization, the Cove and John Ashram located on the East Coast of Demerara in collaboration with the Food for the Poor Inc recently reached out to another struggling single mother of five from Bushlot on the West Coast of Berbice.

The mother’s plight was seen through an article that was written and published in a recent edition of the Guyana Times. Immediately after reading the article members of the ashram ventured to the mother’s home at Wire Dam Bush Lot and assisted her.

Saraswatie Sampooran, a mother of five received a complete bed set (bed, pillow, mattresses, sheets), food hampers and clothing compliments of the Ashram in partnership with Food For the Poor Inc. Sampooran also known as Rita who is currently struggling to send her four children to school believes that an education is important and as such the determined mother makes “pointer brooms” and plant flowers as a means of sustaining her livelihood and providing for her children.

Although her earnings are meager she manages to provide for her family.

A

The awardees along with Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and other officials

The mother of five with her children

Out of her five children one is attending Secondary School. The mother who currently resides in a shack surrounded by sheets of zinc said that in the nights she often sleeps in fear. Many times she was attacked by persons who took advantage of her situation she said.

The mother of five is currently living on a piece of Government reserve at Wire Dam where she constructed a shack she called her home.

She said that she had applied for a house lot in the past but due to lack of finances she could not obtain same from the Government.

Her desire is to live in a

more comfortable and safe environment where she could provide more for her children.

During the visit, Administrator of the ashram and spiritual leader, Swami Shivashankaranandaji encouraged the mother to continue having faith and give assurances that the ashram will continue to help her. He advised the single mother to live for her children and assured her that help will come her way.

The mother expressed gratitude towards the ashram and Food for the Poor Inc. She thanked them for assisting her.

s Guyana continues with its calendar of activities marking the Golden Jubilee anniversary, 50 past and present educators were on Monday rewarded with trophies and certificates for their outstanding contributions to the education sector over the past 50 years.

During the elaborate rewarding ceremony at the National Cultural Centre which saw the attendance of hundreds of education officials and students from across the country, these educators were bestowed with awards for their dedication towards the development of the nation academically.

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and the School of the Nations as they recognised the need of rewarding teachers for their work as well as to stimulate other educators to pattern themselves after those being awarded.

The ceremony was held under the theme “Improving performance through teacher recognition and rewards” spoke exactly to the theme of celebrating the achievement of the educators as their roles have been crucial in the development of the country’s education sector.

Speaking to this effect, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam emphasised the essential role of educators

and its direct link to the general advancement of the country.

Mentioning that teachers are the first persons who offer formal education to children, Sam affirmed that their tasks and role should not be underrated.

“I have referred to teachers as both agents of nation building and soldiers for national transformation. In some, the faith of our nation rests on the shoulders of the dedicated educators spread across this country” Sam cited.

In saluting educators across the country, he reminded that they are the persons responsible for classroom development, that of the community and the extensive nation.

According to the CEO: “For the next years the country is placing the mantle in the hands of these educators to be advocates for academic development so that the future of Guyanese would be moulded. We salute you our educators, for in your hands we have placed the canvas on which the masterpiece for our next 50 years will unfold.”

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine spoke passionately about the magnitude of the educator’s input to the general growth of the country, while noting that they are not rewarded to the extent of their contri-

butions.

Roopnaraine admitted that he is aware of the inadequate salary and other benefits that these teachers are in receipt of despite their critical role in the education sector.

He disclosed that the Education Ministry have had discussions with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) on the topic of the insufficient wages paid to educators.

The Minister further noted that classroom work is crucial for the development of individuals but this can only be achieved if there is an educator who is committed to the task.

With this, he charged educators across Guyana to work along with the Ministry to effect the change they want to see in Guyana, as it grows from strength to strength.

“My charge for our teachers and education officials is that you recognise what we in the ministry are about to effect in guaranteeing the future of Guyana by doing work in the classroom. We can’t achieve this without having an educated population” the Minister underlin ed.

The educators awarded were selected from the ten administrative regions of Guyana for their devoted work in the teaching profession.

FFTP celebrates silver jubilee in Guyana

F

ood For The Poor (Guyana) Incorporated will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary of quality service to the poor and needy locally on Friday, June 3, 2016.

The celebrations will officially be launched with a Day of Reflection on Friday, at the Police Training Centre, Camp Street, Georgetown commencing at 09:00h and will conclude at 13:30h.

This will be followed by the “Anniversary Thanksgiving Church Service” on Sunday, June 5 at St Theresa’s RC Church,

Stone Avenue, Campbellville starting at 16:00h.

There will be an exhibition of some of the various items the NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) distributes to the poor, on June 8 and 9, 2016.

This exhibition will commence at 09:00h each day and will be held at the Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary.

The organisation’s 25th Anniversary Dinner is scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at the Pegasus Hotel Guyana.

The gathering will be addressed by President/CEO of Food For The Poor Inc,

Florida, Robin Mahfood.

FFTP’s anniversary month of activities concludes with a Fitness Walk and Health Fair on July 3, beginning at approximately 07:00h in front of the Bank of Guyana building and will proceed through Main and Church Streets and end at the National Park.

The theme for the silver jubilee is “Walk of Champions – Be a Champion for the Poor”.

For further information kindly contact Wayne Hamilton on the following numbers: 698-4348 or 2181553.

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

World No Tobacco Day today

Stop the rhetoric, lay the bill! – Dr Anthony By: Devina Samaroo

S

hadow Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony is urging government to stop pussyfooting and act expeditiously to bring the draft Tobacco Control Bill to the National Assembly.

Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing ‘World No Tobacco Day’ to-

pressed that the government should stop giving lip service to the need to introduce stricter legislation to clamp down on tobacco usage.

“Do tangible things to address this public health concern. We would like to know: what is government’s strategy for the prevention and reduction of tobacco smoking in Guyana? When would

der the theme: “Get ready for plain packaging”; and is aimed towards highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on countries to get ready for plain (standardised) packaging of tobacco prod-

In this regard, Dr Anthony is urging government to comply with Article II (Packaging and Labelling of Tobacco Products) and Article 13 (Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) which recommended the adoption of plain packaging of tobacco and tobacco products.

The draft legislation seeks to make all enclosed spaces, public places, work place and public transportation smoke-free areas; ban tobacco promotion and sponsorship; ensure clear graphic warnings on all tobacco products with the warning picture being 50 per cent of the cigarette package; and ban selling cigarettes by and to minors.

Recommendations have also been made for there to be increased taxes on the product.

Statistics and dangers

World No Tobacco Day 2016 is being observed under the theme: “Get ready for plain packaging”

day, however the parliamentary opposition spokesperson on health believes that the country in lagging behind in its efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco smoking.

In an official statement on Monday, Dr Anthony ex-

the draft Tobacco Bill, already drafted by the previous Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, be brought to parliament?” he stated.

World No Tobacco Day 2016 is being observed un-

ucts, a method which restricts use of tobacco packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labelling, and increases the effectiveness of health warnings.

The former government minister underlined that there are about 1.3 billion smokers in the world, most of them from developing countries and all of them at risk for debilitating chronic diseases.

Dr Anthony emphasised that the impairment of peoples’ health by tobacco smoking is a serious public health challenge and should be comprehensively addressed.

Shadow Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

The latest disease burden report estimates that globally tobacco kills approximately 6 million people annually. The global health care costs relating to tobacco disease is expected to increase to US$200 billion per year.

He noted that although several studies on tobacco use were completed in Guyana, particularly monitoring smoking by youth, very little statistics are available on the prevalence of tobacco smoking, and the health care cost has not been estimated.

But the school prevalence for tobacco smoking shows increasing numbers of young people smoking, and judging by what is happening in developing countries, this burden is significant, he observed.

A study conducted by the Global Youth Tobacco Survey showed that 21 per cent of students aged 1315 smoke or had smoked in Guyana.

Tobacco smoke poses significant harm to primary users and those affected by second-hand smoke.

In 2012 the United States Food and Drug Administration published a list of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents in Tobacco Products and Tobacco Smoke.

This lists identified 93 chemicals, these include 82 carcinogen substances, 24 respiratory toxicants, 12 cardiovascular toxicants, 13 reproductive or development toxicants and four addictive substances.

These substances when inhaled over time have been implicated in a number of diseases such as coronary heart diseases, cerebrovascular disease, aortic aneurysm, chronic airway obstruction, cancer (lung, larynx, lip, oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, bladder and other urinary organs, kidney, pancreas, stomach, liver, colorectal, cervix, acute myeloid leukaemia), it has also been associated with sudden infant death, infant respiratory death syndrome and low birth weight at delivery.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Abel Seetaram fired PPP willing to negotiate as PM’s Special outside the courts − Rohee Representative Tied municipality, NDCs

T

he People’s Progressive Party/C (PPP/C) said Monday it was willing to meet with the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government half-way and hold negotiations outside the courts, to have the deadlock on a Mayor for the Municipality of Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) and chairpersons for the five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) matters ongoing on the tied Local Authority Area (LAA), settled.

General Secretary of the PPP Clement Rohee said the opposition has decided on this course after the interest of the people was taken into consideration.

Speaking to journalists, Rohee said his party recognize the plights of residents in these tied LAAs, and the absence of functional councils since the March 18, 2016 elections are causing.

Another factor is the failure of the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) to timely manage its constitutional responsibilities of ensuring by-elections that statutorily are due in areas that have tied LAAs, Rohee said.

“Equally important was the decision by the Granger Government, to impose and execute their solution, instead of negotiating,” he said, adding that this position is being maintained despite the ministerial appointment is in contravention of the laws of Guyana.

Rohee said the government has already rejected the PPP/C’s proposal for a rotation of the Mayorship in the case of the Mabaruma Municipality or

the Chairmanship of the five NDCs and instead, imposed its own office bearers.

He said despite this, the PPP/C is again open to negotiations to iron out an amicable solution including a sharing of the position of principal office bearers in the tied LAA’s.

“The party, in the interest of those persons is signaling its willingness to reengage in negotiation with Government to have a resolution”.

According to Rohee, his party’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira had met with Government’s Chief Whip Amna Ally on the issue.

Further contact was made with Ally recently to set up a date for the re-engagement, however, Ally has indicated that she will not be available until after June 11.

He said rather than wait on the court, the party thought it could resolve this issue because it is the people who are affected.

The PPP/C had moved to the courts to stop Communities Minister Bulkan from illegally appointing a Mayor for the Town of Mabaruma as well as the Chairpersons in five Local Authority Areas in which the PPP/C and the APNU/AFC had the same number of seats after LGE. Bulkan had appointed Kervin Crawford as Chairman of the GibraltarFyrish NDC; Audrey Thomas as Chairman of the Industry-Plaisance NDC; Peter Livingstone as Chairman of the Malgre Tout-Meer Zorgen NDC; Carol Nurse as Chairman of the Woodlands-Bel Air NDC; Gershon Clarke as

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

Chairman of the WoodlandsFarm NDC and Rupert Henry Smith as Mayor of Mabaruma.

However, the Court quashed these appointments and ruled in favour of the PPP/C on the grounds that they were contrary to and in violation of Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 and the Local Government Act Chapter 28:02.

Justice Diana Insanally said the decision “is in excess of and without jurisdiction, made in bad faith, is unreasonable, arbitrary, capricious, based upon irrelevant and improper considerations, mala fide, malicious, vindictive, unlawful, ultravires, null, void and of no legal effect”.

And although the High Court had ordered that a date be set to host by-elections in the tied local authority areas, this is yet to be done.

PPP Chief Whip Teixeira had expressed concerns that the Guyana Elections Commission and the A Partnership for National

Unity/Alliance For Change Government continued to disregard the rule of law.

Furthermore, she chided GECOM for abdicating its constitutional responsibilities of ensuring each local authority area has its leadership installed.

“GECOM must be reminded that the elections process of the March 18 Local Government Elections is at this point incomplete until the by-elections of the tied local authority areas are concluded,” she stated, noting that GECOM has a constitutional right to ensure these elections are held.

Earlier this month, GECOM said regarding the election of a Mayor for Mabaruma, Section 13(6) of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, states that, “the Town Clerk shall appoint a date not later than December 28 in the same year for the election of the Mayor from the tied Candidates by the voters whose names appear on the register of voters, for the time being in force, for the city.”

As it relates to the five NDCs, GECOM said Section 28(6) of the Local Government Act, Chapter 28:02 provides that, if there is no election of Chairman on account of an equality of votes cast by the councillors present, “the overseer shall immediately fix a day within the last 10 days of the year for the election” by the registered voters, for the election of a Chairman from the councillors receiving the equal votes.”

In both instances, GECOM said it was still awaiting the notification for the date of the elections.

Abel Seetaram

C

ontroversial member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Abel Seetaram was on Monday fired from his post as Special Representative to the Prime Minister.

The announcement was made Monday via a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister.

According to the correspondence, the Office of the Prime Minister has “terminated with immediate effect the services of Mr Abel Seetaram as Regional Representative of the Office of the Prime Minister for Region 5”.

The Office of the Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank Seetaram for his services during the period of his engagement and extended best wishes in his future endeavors.

It was also explained that an announcement with regards to the operations of the Office for the Regional Representative of the Prime Minister for Region Five will be made subsequently.

Reports are that his

firing came on the heels of comments he made on social media, where he lashed out at the AFC for “disrespecting him” after members of the party held an outreach without including him. “The AFC is so disrespectful to me as a elected national executive member,” he stated.

In addition to his recent actions where he crashed a new and expensive government-owned vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol, he later failed to make his Court appearance in relation to the matter and the matter was adjourned.

Reports are that on May 8, around 21:00h Seetaram is alleged to have lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the fence of a businessman. He will also be charged for being an unlicensed driver, dangerous driving and breach of insurance.

It is alleged that it was not the first time he has been involved in such a situation which resulted after he became intoxicated.

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Multimillion-dollar fraud

Global Fund demands reimbursement from Govt – Minister Norton …culpable individuals to be sanctioned By: Devina Samaroo

G

overnment is under pressure to find some G$15 million to recompense the Global Fund International Organisation, after an investigation into its local malaria programme unearthed massive corruption.

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton during an interview with the media on Sunday said the international organisation has demanded that the Government of Guyana repay the amount that was found to be swindled under the programme.

Reports indicate that these irregularities affected expenditures totalling US$72,973.

“It is quite a large sum of US dollars and it is aimed directly against the government,” Norton remarked, noting that sanctions are

very well underway for culpable persons.

However, Dr Norton said government will be launching its own investigation into the fraud findings before any further action is taken.

Following complaints of incessant irregularities in the Global Fund malaria grant in Guyana, the organisation commenced an investigation into the matter, covering the period January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015.

According to the investigation findings, there were complaints of fabricated data in relation to the distribution of bed nets, malaria surveillance activities and associated fraudulent expenditures, including ‘per diems’ and fuel for programmatic work that allegedly did not take place.

The irregularities were facilitated by the inadequate management of the

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

Global Fund malaria programme by the Vector Control Services (VCS) of the Public Health Ministry, which included poor record-keeping and a failure to respond to Global Fund Secretariat Management Actions.

Water issue in Diamond to be regularised by weekend – GWI … water distribution exercise to commence

A

s the water woes in Little Diamond Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara (EBD) continue, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has indicated that its team would be working to have the water flow regularised by this weekend.

In the meantime, the utility company will commence a water distribution exercise via tankers throughout the course of this week in the affected areas.

This was according to the acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the company, Kirk Clarke, who informed <<<Guyana Times>>> that they were working to address the water shortage as soon as possible.

Commenting on the root of the problem, Clarke explained that it was not water main problems in Little Diamond but rather a breakage in Mocha, EBD, which

resulted in the shortage of water.

Noting the recent complaints by residents as it relates to acquiring water for domestic purposes, Clarke confirmed that the company’s team would be visiting the area daily to distribute water.

In cases where persons are not present at home during the day to receive their supply of water, the team will have another exercise during the evening hours so that every resident could benefit.

However, GWI assured that the engineering team would be working around the clock to have the situation fixed so that the situation could return to normal.

According to the residents who spoke with this publication recently, the area has been without water for the past month and little has been done by the nation’s water supplier to have

the issue addressed.

One resident said GWI personnel had visited the area for their regular assessment of water metres, but when the situation was reported, they had responded “there is nothing that we can do”.

Another resident said the team had been working on the main and informed the residents that they could not locate the fault and, therefore, could not address it.

Meanwhile, the residents had expressed their frustration since it was their belief that the GWI was turning a deaf ear to their complaints.

They had stated that their families were being inconvenienced as a result of the shortage.

“I have to go to work and I got children to send to school, so we need something to be done immediately,” one resident said.

During the period under investigation, Dr Reyaud Rahman was Director of VCS. He resigned in December 2015.

Dr Norton said it “speaks volumes” that Dr Rahman along with four senior officers resigned from their positions upon completion of the investigation.

The minister had previously indicated that with an allegation of corruption and fraud of such magnitude being levied against the government, an investigation will have to be launched to confirm the validity of the information and determine the best course of action to be taken in addressing this messy situation.

He had also expressed concerns that this situation might blacklist Guyana from receiving funding in the future.

“At this point in time, paying any debt of that nature would certainly not be in the best interest of the economy of the country. We cannot afford to do that. It is unfortunate that this had to happen, we are definitely in need of such funding and we are just hoping that this will not affect us in the future to access such funding,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, the report said the investigation found evidence that VCS employees inflated the number of long-lasting insecticide im-

pregnated mosquito nets reported as distributed and had fabricated underlying bed net distribution documents to support the inflated figures.

Additionally, the report said VCS employees also fabricated documentation for another surveillance ac-

The report noted that there was an analysis of over 46,000 individual names and signatures on the bed net distribution activity sheets to assess if the activity sheets contained indicators that bed nets had not been distributed to beneficiaries, and

tivity relating to the operation of malaria committees.

The report further stated that two VCS malaria supervisors responsible for distributing bed nets in the regions confessed that they had inflated bed net distribution figures in the Semester Reports and that they had fabricated underlying documentation to support the figures.

The two individuals claimed that an administrative employee had instructed them to inflate the figures.

However, when interviewed, the VCS administrative employee denied passing instructions for the figures to be inflated.

The report also stated that the former VCS Director claimed he never gave instructions to inflate the figures or fabricate the documents.

upon completion of this exercise, it found that it could not obtain reasonable assurance that 20,981 bed nets, representing 45.2 per cent of the total reviewed, had been delivered to beneficiaries, on the basis of anomalies found in the bed net distribution activity sheets.

This figure did not include bed nets where it appeared that a single individual, such as a community health worker, mining camp leader or a family member, had signed legitimately on behalf of a group of individuals.

The investigation also found that the average incidence of signature anomalies across the regions and periods under review was similar; indicating that the fabrication of underlying bed net distribution documentation was systematic.

14

guyana-times.com

tuesday, may 31, 2016

News

Corentyne piracy attack

Jurisdiction a problem in prosecuting suspects – Commander

A

s the search continues for the three missing Corentyne fishermen, Police in Berbice are facing difficulty in laying charges against the five suspects in the recent piracy attack in which three boats were hijacked.

Investigators have already obtained a confession statement implicating the captain and the four crew members and detailing how anchors were placed on three of the fishermen who were thrown overboard.

Berbice Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam, however, told Guyana Times that since all three of the attacks occurred in Surinamese waters, the hands of local law enforcement were tied in their attempt to prosecute the suspects. According to Amsterdam, efforts to contact their counterparts in neighbouring Suriname on Monday had failed.

Since the 72-hour detention period is near expiration, the suspects will have to be handed over to

authorities in Suriname by this afternoon if the Suriname Police are to get involved. According to the Commander, the High Court will not grant an extension to the 72-hour detention period because of the constraints surrounding jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the owners of the boats which were attacked by pirates between Friday night and Saturday morning are calling on both Government and the judicial system to play a more meaningful role in the fight against piracy.

Mohamed Aaron, the owner of the boat which the missing men crewed, said that the judiciary must institute “harsh penalties” to prevent piracy.

“Because fishermen have to risk their lives to go out and catch fish… now five man go out to catch fish and only one come back.

They got to get a good penalty because if you always pardon them they gon kill more people. If I do hijacking one time and you release me and ah doing an-

Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam

other time and you release me, then ah gon continue doing it all the time, but from the beginning if you give me the penalty I done know that is trouble and I ain’t going back again,” Aaron said.

“I think the Minister should do something fo we, to stop this hijacking,” expressed the boat owner.

He also opined that the pirates who have been accused of hijacking are per-

sons actively involved in the fishing industry.

Another of the owners, Hazrat Alli explained that therewas urgent need for Government to arrest the situation.

According to him, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan needs to visit the community without delay. He noted that Minister Ramjattan should listen to some of the suggestions of the boat owners with one of their main concerns being the way in which the courts deal with cases involving piracy.

“Fish is one of the largest resources in this country and if fishermen down tools, it will be serious.

So I think Mr Khemraj Ramjattan should come and clear up some points with us,” he noted.

Clint Natoo, another boat owner whose vessel was attacked, shared simi-

lar sentiments.

“If the Police hold up five people and they gone to the court, the court does give them bail. So if yo bail ah person now, the same person can go and hijack again,” he observed.

On Monday, three boats went in search of the fishermen who were reportedly thrown overboard when five pirates attacked and robbed them. The body of Hemchand Sookdeo, 45, called “Dread” of Number 55 Village, was recovered on Saturday trapped in a seine, while those missing are Dochan Sukra, 54, called “Butcher” of Number 55 Village; Dhanpaul Rampaul of Number 67 Village and Munish Churman, 26, called “Boyo” of Number 60 Village.

Their Captain, Seepersaud Persaud, 43, of Corriverton, was rescued. Family members of

Reported threat of ISIS attack on schools in Trinidad

W Venezuela: 11 shot dead in Trujillo state

G

unmen have killed 11 people, including three teenagers and a Colombian national, in Venezuela, officials say.

They say the unidentified attackers ordered the victims out of their homes before shooting them dead in the western Trujillo state on Saturday.

The gunmen then fled the scene in cars and motorcycles.

Non-governmental Organisations say Venezuela’s crime rates are increasing, as the country’s economy is in recession due to falling oil prices.

Last year, the Venezuelan Observatory

of Violence group released its report for 2014, recording 24,980 violent deaths.

That equated to 82 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 79 in 2013.

The NGO says those are figures for a country at war.

The government disputes the group’s findings, saying the rates are much lower. (BBC News)

Caricom, US discuss threat of lawsuit over queen conch

O

fficials from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the United States have advanced talks in Washington on several key concerns affecting trade between the US and the Region, chief among them being the threat of a lawsuit

by US-based NGOs over the harvesting of queen conch for trade.

The threat is a major concern to the Region, which exports roughly US$185 million worth of conch meat a year to the US. In February 2016, WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals notified the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of their intention to sue the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Marine Fisheries Service/NOAA Fisheries, and

the missing men related to this publication that their hopes of their loved ones being found alive are slim.

Following the revelation of what transpired, Police were able to identify the boat which was used by the pirates and five suspects were arrested.

The Public Security Minister while on the campaign trail had promised that under the coalition Government, fishermen would be safe to ply their trade. In his first official visit to Berbice as Minister, Ramjattan met with the business community on the Upper Corentyne and suggested that the fishermen should purchase radio sets as a means of communicating with their respective ports – a system that had already been implemented by the previous Administration.

ith yet another voice note warning of terrorist attacks in Trinidad and Tobago – this time in the twin-island republic’s schools – Education Minister Anthony Garcia is urging teachers and students not to panic, describing the person responsible for the latest audio recording as someone with a deranged mind.

Last week, Police were investigating two audio recordings in which two men claimed that shopping malls would be attacked between last Thursday and Sunday.

Police received a call on Thursday from someone who said that “something would happen” at the Trincity Mall. That prompted an evacuation of the shopping centre, but the green light was subsequently given for business to resume and the alleged hoax caller was arrested within hours.

Then on Friday, a record-

Education Minister Anthony Garcia says the person responsible for the latest audio recording, in which it’s claimed ISIS will attack schools, is someone with a deranged mind who wants to instil fear in the population

ing of a man claiming that terror group ISIS planned to blow up schools began circulating on social media.

“The word is that Isis

has planned to blow up the schools so please keep your sons and your daughters and your nephews and your grandchildren away from the schools please. This is not no joke, this is not no kicks,” a male voice is heard saying, adding that there would be no Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations on Wednesday.

However, Minister Garcia told the Trinidad Guardian that the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities for further investigation and there would be school as usual.

“I am confident that all security measures are in place so that in the event there is any truth to these rumours, we will be prepared…You have absolutely nothing to fear or to believe that would cause any undue stress to the exams,” Garcia added, in a message to students, teachers and parents.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Jamaican Opposition welcomes Caricom review but urges caution

The threat is a major concern to the Region, which exports roughly US$185 million worth of conch meat a year to the US

their officers and directors over the Government’s decision back in 2014 not to list the queen conch as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), which was represented at the seventh Annual Meeting of the Caricom-US Trade and Investment Council last week by its executive director, Milton Haughton, maintained that the petition of the Non-Government

Organisation (NGO) is unjustified, as it is based on outdated and erroneous information.

A listing that the species is endangered would result in an outright ban, while a listing that it is threatened would lead to more stringent export regulations, among other measures.

However, US authorities have indicated that they will defend their position on the queen conch. Caricom States will, meanwhile, be monitoring this situation closely. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

T

he Jamaican Opposition on Monday welcomed the review of Jamaica’s membership in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), but warned that the proposed Commission should be cautious in its approach to the review.

The Opposition in a news release said a review, from time to time, of the workings of any institution or organisation, or of an individual’s or a country’s membership can be a “meaningful exercise”.

However, the Opposition warned that the proposed Caricom Review

Commission should not begin with any preconceived or settled view of a Caricom partner being “an ATM” or of regional partners being “mendicants”.

The Opposition says it expects that the exercise will result in “sustainable benefit and the development of our country”.

According to the Opposition, dated concepts such as “federation through the backdoor” should be shelved and the Private Sector should be encouraged to conduct its own introspection as to whether or not it has made proper use of

the institutions of Caricom and allow its findings to flow into the discussions of the Caricom Review Commission.

“We also believe that the academic fraternity should make itself readily available to provide discrete assistance to the deliberations of the Commission,” the Opposition People’s National Party said.

The Opposition said it would support any call for the findings and recommendations of the Review Commission to be presented to the Parliament for full consideration and debate.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

Chad’s Hissene Habre jailed Bleaching kills for crimes against humanity off ‘third of Great

A

special court in Senegal has sentenced former Chadian military ruler Hissene Habre to life in prison after convicting him of crimes against humanity, torture and sexual slavery.

The verdict on Monday caps a 16-year battle by victims and rights campaigners to bring the former leader to justice in Senegal, where he fled after being toppled in a 1990 coup in the central African nation.

“Hissene Habre, this court finds you guilty of crimes against humanity, rape, forced slavery, and kidnapping,” as well as war crimes, said Gberdao Gustave Kam, Burkinabe President of

Former military ruler Hissene Habre was found guilty of crimes against humanity by a Senegal court in landmark case

the Extraordinary African Chambers (CAE) court.

“The court condemns you to life in prison,” Kam added, giving Habre 15 days to appeal against the sentence.

Habre raised his arms into the air on hearing the

verdict, shouting “Down with France-afrique!”, referring to the term used for France’s continuing influence on its former colonies.

Human rights groups accuse the 72-year-old of being responsible for the deaths

of 40,000 people during his rule from 1982 to 1990.

Habre’s case was heard by the Extraordinary African Chambers in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, a special criminal court set up by the African Union within the West African nation’s court system.

Reed Brody, a lawyer for Human Rights Watch who has spent the last 15 years working with victims to bring Habre to justice, said the landmark case could encourage others to bring similar action.

Victims groups who had travelled to Dakar to hear the verdict were visibly moved by a judgment that comes a quarter century after the abuses they suffered.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Crocodile grabs Australian woman during night swim

A

woman is feared dead after a crocodile attack in Australia’s Daintree National Park.

The woman, named locally as Cindy Waldron, 46, from Lithgow in New South Wales, was reportedly swimming with a friend on Sunday evening at Thornton Beach near Cairns in north Queensland.

She was in waist-deep water when she was attacked, media reports said.

The last fatal attack in the area occurred in 2009, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“We would hold grave fears for the welfare of the woman,” Police spokesman Russell Parker said.

“Her 47-year-old friend tried to grab her and drag her to safety and she just wasn’t able to do that. “[The friend] then ran to a nearby business and raised the alarm, and from

that point Police and other authorities were advised.

“They had been walking along the beach and they’ve decided to go for a swim just in waist-deep water at Thornton Beach and probably a very nice, clear night, but obviously may not have been aware of the dangers.”

Nine News reported that witnesses heard the woman yell: “A croc’s got me, a croc’s got me.”

Neil Noble, of the

Queensland state ambulance service, said a five metre (16-foot) crocodile had been reported recently in the area.

A search for the missing woman, helped by a rescue helicopter, resumed on Monday. A local cafe is being used as a command post by the search team.

Residents told Australian media that the area was a known crocodile habitat.

Barrier Reef coral’

M

ass bleaching has destroyed as much as one third of the coral in the northern and central Great Barrier Reef in Australia, according to a research.

Australian researchers found that around 35 per cent of the coral in the northern and central sections of the reef is dead or dying, Terry Hughes, a professor with James Cook University, in Queensland, said on Monday.

The findings, based on months of aerial and underwater surveys of the 2300km reef off the country’s east coast, are a major blow to the World Heritage Site that attracts about A$5 billion (US$3.6 billion) in tourism each year.

“This year is the third time in 18 years that the Great Barrier Reef has experienced mass bleaching due to global warming, and the

current event is much more extreme than we have measured before,” said Hughes.

Bleaching occurs when the water is too warm, forcing coral to expel living algae and causing it to calcify and turn white. Mildly bleached coral can recover if the temperature drops, otherwise it may die.

Although the impact has been exacerbated by one of the strongest El Niño weather systems in nearly 20 years, which recently subsided, scientists believe climate change is the underlying cause.

The World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate report, which was released on Friday with no references to Australia, has sparked outrage from climate scientists, who were not informed that their contributions had been removed. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Data watchdog rejects EUUS Privacy Shield pact

(Excerpt from BBC News)

India: Students electrocuted as live wire falls on bus

T

It is not yet known what caused the electric wire to snap and fall on the bus

wo Indian students have died after a live wire fell on their school bus in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

The students were returning from a picnic on Sunday evening when the incident occurred, police said.

At least 30 students were injured and are receiving treatment in hospital. Police have launched an investigation.

It is not clear how the live wire fell on the bus, but media reports said it happened after some students pulled at a tree that was touching

the cables.

Some reports said it was a coconut tree, while others said the wire snapped when the children tried to pluck fruit from a mango tree “We are probing. As of now we’ve filed a case of accidental death. We don’t know if there was any negligence,” television channel NDTV quoted a police official as saying.

In a similar incident last year, at least 25 people were electrocuted in the in the Tonk district of the northern Rajasthan state after a live wire fell on a bus carrying a wedding party. (BBC News)

Chinese city bans students from tearing up textbooks, State media says

A

Chinese city has banned high school students from tearing up textbooks or yelling in hallways to relieve exam pressure, state media said.

The ban, issued by the Xiamen Education Bureau, comes 10 days before the National College Entrance Examination.

Almost ten million students across China sit for the notoriously difficult, two-day exam every year.

High schools should instead provide psychological guidance, the China Youth Daily report said.

The notoriously difficult “Gaokao” exam determines whether and where students will go to university

An “unconventional measure of blowing off steam before the exam has prevailed in recent years,

with students tearing their textbooks into pieces and throwing them off the school building. Some

choose to yell in the school buildings to cheer themselves up as well,” CCTV said in an online post.

The EU-US Privacy Shield agreement was supposed to safeguard EU citizens’ personal information when stored in the US

T

he European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has said a data transfer pact between the European Union and the United States needs “significant improvements”.

The EU-US Privacy Shield agreement was supposed to safeguard EU citizens’ personal information when stored in the US. The agreement was designed to replace the Safe Harbour pact, which the EU Court of Justice ruled invalid in 2015.

But the EDPS Giovanni Buttarelli warned Privacy Shield was “not robust

enough”.

“I appreciate the efforts made to develop a solution to replace Safe Harbour, but the Privacy Shield as it stands is not robust enough to withstand future legal scrutiny,” he wrote in a statement.

Buttarelli’s statement does not mean the agreement will be scrapped, but his concerns echo those expressed by European privacy regulators in April.

The Privacy Shield agreement, negotiated by the US and the European Commission, was intended to be ratified in June. (Excerpt

Xiamen officials also encouraged schools to let students relieve stress in a more “healthy way”, the post said, without giving specifics.

The exam, called the Gaokao, determines if and where students will go to university.

Young Chinese people see the Gaokao as a makeor-break moment with a result that could see them hurtle down one of life’s paths or another: poor farmer or doctor; factory

worker or scientist.

The exams have been criticised for leading to a culture of cramming and rote learning. When you’re competing with millions of students fighting for limited places the temptation to cheat is high and you can hear Chinese people speaking openly about doing this.

At its most extreme the stress from the Gaokao is thought to lead to clinical depression and even suicide. (Excerpt from BBC News)

from BBC News)

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Prison riot CoI

Final report for submission to President today

Make rice cereal factory operational – Region 2 Chairman

... says rice farmers need to be given more attention

The rice cereal factory in Region Two

By Indrawattie Natram

T

Camp Street Prison where the riot unfolded

he report on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly March 3, 2016 Camp Street Prison riot is expected to be submitted to President David Granger today May 31, 2016.

Guyana Times was informed last Wednesday that the Commission did not request an extension beyond May 31 and as such, the report will be submitted. This expected submission comes after two months of lengthy, at oftentimes emotional testimonies from witnesses and heated cross examinations by attorneys which concluded on May 9.

The CoI began on March 8 and was expected to conclude on March 28; however, the Commission applied for a two-month extension which was granted. On April 20, the Guyana Bar Association withdrew, citing time constraints in cross examination of witnesses.

It was after two days of rioting at the Camp Street penitentiary that 17 inmates died after fire engulfed the Capital A Block on March 3 with scores of prisoners trapped.

The fires were reportedly set by protesting prisoners.

President Granger who serves as Chairman of the National Security Committee then ordered an inquiry into the fire after inmates met with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Public Security Minister, Kemraj Ramjattan.

At that meeting, the inmates and ministers reached a “gentleman’s agreement” where some of the concerns of the prisoners were addressed.

These negotiations were however criticized by some sections of society.

Outlined in the terms of reference, which covered the period March 2 to 4, the CoI aimed to enquire into all the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the prisoners on the morning of March 3, 2016; to report the findings and conclusions to the Minister of Public Security;

President David Granger

and to make recommendations on any action that should be taken to avoid a recurrence.

When the witness statements had concluded, Commission Counsel Excellence Dazzel noted that witness’ testimonies along with many other materials which the Commission had

in its possession would have been used to compile the report.

The Commission was able to secure the testimonies of inmates, an ex-inmate, fire officials, Police officials, Prison officials, a former prison official, a Pathologist, the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Probation Officer, Chairman of the Parole Board and the Chancellor of the Judiciary.

“The Commission has before it several reports and other materials which it will be utilising in conjunction with the previously mentioned testimonies, to formulate its report,” Dazzel explained to the media.

Retired Justice James Patterson served as Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry while Dale Erskine and Merle Mendonca served as Commissioners.

W

ith the troubles the rice industry is currently experiencing in the agricultural region of Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt is calling on Government to put the rice cereal factory, located at Anna Regina, in operation. Ramdatt made this request at the Flag Raising Ceremony held on May 25, 2016, in the region to mark Guyana’s 50th Anniversary.

During his address, Ramdatt noted that unemployment is the major challenge affecting the region, coupled with the low prices offered for paddy. He therefore urged the government to put the factory in operation at the shortest possible time, adding that it will create employment for over 200 persons, and positively impact the rice industry.

Ramdatt said he is clueless as to why such a beneficial project has not yet materialized even though the facility was construct-

ed under the previous administration. The chairman said even as Guyana celebrated its 50th Jubilee Anniversary it must be recognized that the economy is struggling and Region Two must not be forgotten.

He explained that a careful assessment of the rice industry and timely interventions by government of subsidies on fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, timely payment, rescheduling of loans should be given attention. He told attendees that rice farmers are crying out daily; and pointed to the over 80 per cent of Region Two population who rely on the rice industry one way or the other.

“Give priority to our farmers, do not invest in parks without meaningful consultations with our people. If we cannot maintain play grounds, how are we going to sustain these parks? Evidence of deterioration at these Parks is already here with us, farmers need help” Ramdatt reiterated.

The chairman further

said the region over the years demonstrated to the rest of Guyana that it is a model region; a region where the people are at peace, civility and harmony.

He called on government to give positive recognition to the region of 50,000 people.

He noted even as Guyana attained 50 years of Independence much more needs to be done for continued progress and positive transformations such as better drainage and irrigation and improvement of roads.

He also requested the establishment of a branch of the University of Guyana, a Regional Cultural Centre, implementation of a strategic and integrated approach to address social ills, child sexual abuse and suicide in particular, upgrading of sport facilities and a regional gymnasium, improved telecommunication services, expansion of the region’s tourism sector; and for the establishment of an agro/ processing facility to be given priority.

Swift action needed to support affected Public Servants – Region 10 GPSU rep

W

ith the release of recommendations by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) representative Maurice Butters is urging swift implementation, noting that workers continue to be adversely affected.

The GPSU rep has for years been advocating for improvements in working conditions of the region’s public service employees.

According to Butters, issues such as contract employees and their benefits, as well as non-payment of gratuity are still affecting workers. These issues were highlighted months ago at the CoI into the Public Service.

Making particular reference, Butters said all employees at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC)

are contract workers, who to date are awaiting change so they can be made permanent, which would mean they would be eligible for all benefits.

“We are still waiting on someone, in higher authority, to say something on these issues. All employees of the Linden Hospital Complex are contract employees, from the CEO right down. If a Doctor is employed by the LHC he is placed on contract”, the GPSU Representative stressed.

He added that coming out of the CoI recommendations was for all contract employees to be made permanent, however, no move has since been made in this direction.

Several issues regarding gratuity payments continue to plague employees, including nurses, and others, who have staged several protests over the issue, the GPSU

Rep said.

“We are trying to see how we can revive gratuity payments for female employees.

The contract of those employees state that they will receive gratuity based on service. The then Minister of Health spent weeks in Linden trying to coerce employees to come over to the Ministry and promised to corporatize the hospital. The employees were asked to sign a one-year contract to safeguard their pension, and gratuity was paid in lieu of pension. The contract signed then was to safeguard pension for service provided”, Butters said.

He added, however, that it was then changed, and gratuity was paid according to performance, instead of service. Additionally, Butters stated that there has been misinterpretation in the computing of gratu-

ity payments since it is supposed to be calculated on a three-month basis, however he said payments are received every six months.

“If that employee proceeds on maternity leave and that leave commences within the last months of the six-month period that they are paid for, then they lose an entire year of gratuity. Although the contract clearly states that they should be assessed within a three-month period. Nobody is looking at these issues affecting nurses”, he declared.

Issues highlighted by the St John’s ambulatory staff attached to the LHC several months ago has also received no attention, the union Rep said, as he accused the institution’s board of not taking a stand on behalf of the affected workers.

Those issues ranged from salary, to benefits and allow-

ances. According to staff, the salary is presently minimum wage, since they are paid $18,000 fortnightly.

Apart from that, it is alleged that employees do not receive double and time-anda-half payments for working on Sundays and holidays in some instances. It was also highlighted that they are required to work eight hours for five consecutive days, followed by two days off.

“We would have expected the board to do something but it is inactive. Apart from that, the board is being manipulated by a few people.

Employees are asking why a Minister of the Government (Valerie Adams-Patterson), should be part of the board”, he said.

Butters had testified at the CoI into the Public Service in Linden a few months ago.

17

NEWS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Rohee debunks Seelall’s claims that he hindered Police training

G

eneral Secretary (GS) of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Clement Rohee, on Monday debunked accusations by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud that during his tenure as Minister of Home Affairs he hindered the training process of police ranks.

Rohee during a press conference, vehemently denied the Commissioner’s claims that he hindered the processing of applications for overseas training of police ranks by ‘ducking’ the documents. According to the GS, during his tenure as Minister, a number of ranks were sent abroad to receive training; however, these were poorly publicised.

“It’s totally inaccurate and I debunked it and I said it is a falsehood because we were sending a lot of people abroad. I turned one day to the Permanent Secretary and said, ‘you know, we’re sending all these people abroad and we’re not publicising it’. And we agreed that every time a police rank or a group of Police ranks travel abroad to participate in scholarships or whatever the case might be, we would publicise it. And this is what we were doing… issuing press statement after press statement and some were appearing while some were not appearing because

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

some media houses didn’t want the PPP to look good.

They were not publishing it, they suffocated it. But if you go back, you’ll find a lot of press statements revealing police ranks going abroad for training by the Ministry,” he stated.

He said a review of publications and Police records would prove there were numerous occasions when police ranks were sent abroad for training. He urged the Commissioner to prove his allegations, saying the allegations are ‘total falsehood’.

“If Mr Persaud is serious about what he is saying, he should go into the records of the force headquarters and publish all of those fully funded scholarships that were ‘ducked’ at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

So it’s not true, it’s a total

falsehood,” Rohee related.

The former minister also explained that on several occasions, the slothfulness of Police officials in responding to invitations for training, and sending them to the Ministry for processing resulted in the invitations being processed too late.

“Sometimes, the invitation would come late to the Police, then they have to select a person, and sometimes they would ‘sit’ on the invitation. In either of the two cases, the information would come late to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Ministry would now have to prepare a Cabinet paper to go to Cabinet for approval…. as no public servant can leave the country without Cabinet approval. And it’s also a question of the advances that has to be given to them in order to facilitate their travel. In the case where it’s fully funded, the Cabinet still approves some money for them to leave the country, and these things take time. And if the invitation came late, it would obviously get caught up in that situation,” Rohee pointed out.

He also rubbished claims that he ducked the invitations and applications because he had a personal dislike of the ranks whose names were submitted for training.

Climate change education to become crucial part of national curriculum – Education Minister

I

n keeping with the President’s vision of promoting a “green Guyana”, Minister of Education Rupert Roopnaraine has proposed the introduction of “green classrooms” which would bring the country closer to achieving its goals by placing more emphasis on climate change within the school curriculum.

The minister was at the time delivering remarks at an awards ceremony for outstanding educators at the National Cultural Centre on Monday.

While noting that the ministry is mulling a review of the curriculums offered in Guyana, Roopnaraine informed that it is their aim to not only focus on the central activities offered in schools but rather to integrate environmental learning.

Since climate change and greening the environment is one of the more topical issues currently trending worldwide, being that its effects are not limited to specific countries only, Roopnaraine called for much thought to be given in introducing green classroom learning.

This he believes would place Guyana at a better point of accomplishing its vision of having a country that is more sustainable and green through initiatives for

this cause.

Nothing that classroom learning is fundamental to effecting changes in a nation since education is the gateway to development, Roopnaraine mentioned that this would be a step forward for the country as it relates to educating the population about safe environmental habits.

“President Granger talks about a green economy and greening Guyana and we know to create a green Guyana we have to green our classrooms, which means that we have to elevate climate change, climate literacy, and environmental literacy” the minister stated.

He added that work has already began to this effect as the ministry is aiming to have climate change education become a more crucial part of the national curriculum as they believe this would be a valuable method of relaying information that would bring about transformation.

Alluding to recent programmes by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) known as the Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development, Roopnaraine called for Guyana to take pattern of this since it would

ensure a more central role of the environment in classroom teaching.

This, he said, would also make the topic more crucial as part of the country’s global response to climate change.

“We need to enhance and intensify the programmes in the classroom to increase climate literacy among young people and the only way that we can do this is by encouraging innovative teaching projects that would integrate climate change into the schools” the minister noted.

To make this possible, he stated, the country should “work hard on building networks, partnerships” since “we need to understand the work of greening the classroom and greening Guyana is going to be the most important work that we can do in the years to come” As climate change has arrived on top of the agenda for immediate worldwide intervention, UNESCO had initiated its COP21 Conference in Paris which saw leaders from across the world signing up to become advocates in their country for promoting a green environment.

President David Granger had signed on to this indicating that he would introduce initiatives that would promote a green world.

Mayor denies City Hall is cash-strapped ... even as service providers threaten pull-out over excessive debt

E

ven as several service providers, including Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Excalibur Security Services, are threatening to withhold their services given the excessive amounts of money owed to them by City Hall, Mayor Patricia Chase Green is maintaining that City Hall is not cashstrapped.

Concerns were raised several days ago after information surfaced that City Hall was in deep debt, and could not afford to pay workers’ salaries and cover their expenses. It was also outlined that drainage contractors have ceased operations and rehabilitative works at the Kitty Market had come to a halt owing to financial difficulties.

However, Chase Green has denied these claims, telling Guyana Times that the allegations were untrue, and City Hall was capable of covering the municipality’s monthly wage bill which was estimated to be $67 million. The Mayor revealed that workers were paid on Friday afternoon.

“As I sit here, the treasurer has not informed me

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

that City Council is bankrupt. Employees were paid here, and those who are being paid through the bank… their money have been sent through,” Chase Green stated.

As it concerns the claim that security personnel had been withdrawn from several markets and other locations as a result of City Hall owing the security service, the Mayor maintained that she has not been informed of such, and rubbished the claims as hearsay.

“As far as I’m aware, the security personnel are on duty as well as the

Constabulary,” she stated.

Chase Green stated that she has not received any such reports which suggest that City Hall was incapable of paying its debts, and, as such, she questioned the authenticity and reliability of the information that was published.

However, the head of Excalibur Security Services, Retired Lieutenant Colonel George Gomes had confirmed to media operatives that he recalled security guards from several markets and other municipal locations on account of City Hall failing to pay its debt.

It has been reported in sections of the media that the Council owed the security provider in excess of $30 million.

Meanwhile, Puran Brothers Disposal Services has confirmed that plans are underway to pull its services unless the monies owed were paid off. A source close to the Disposal Services explained that management had sent several pieces of correspondence to City Hall concerning its debt, which was in excess of $40 million, but the Council was yet to respond.

18

guyana-times.com

tuesday, may 31, 2016

ARCHIE

ARIES

Emotional energy will sur(March 21- face and should be channelled April 19) into making personal gains and physical improvements and finding new ways to make your assets grow. Romance will bring you closer to a loved one.

If you share your knowlTAURUS edge with people you regard (April 20- highly, the information you May 20) get in return will give you the motivation and wherewithal to follow your heart and dreams.

dilbert

Versatility, discipline and

GEMINI (May 21- adaptability will help with any damage control necessary when June 20)

dealing with underhanded people. Protect your heart, body and soul, and beware temptation and empty promises.

Stretch your imagination

CANCER and offer offbeat suggestions.

(June 21- Your popularity will grow, July 22) and opportunities will arise

Peanuts

that you cannot refuse. Put possessiveness and jealousy aside or they will hold you back.

Show good faith and help LEO (July 23- others. Step up and make a Aug. 22) difference in your community, work and family. Don’t lecture when hands-on help will make the biggest impact.

Calvin and Hobbes

Cash will come your way VIRGO from an unexpected occur(Aug. 23rence.

Someone will try to Sept. 22) take advantage of your vulnerability. Look at the big picture and know when to say no.

You’ll captivate the people LIBRA (Sept. 23- you encounter with your inOct. 23) telligence, charm and compassion. A proposal will come as a surprise. Greater personal security is heading your way.

Romance looks promising.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD – FARCICAL (FARCICAL: FAR-sih-kul: Ludicrous; absurd.)

Average mark 14 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 20 or more words in FARCICAL? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – DRAGNET danger dare darn dart date dater dean dear dent drag drat rage rang range rant rate read

rend rent aged agent ager anger ante antre ardent gander garden garnet gate gear gnar gnat grade

grand grant grate great near neat earn tang tare tarn tear tend tern trade tread trend

SUDOKU

High energy coupled with SCORPIO unique ideas will put you in (Oct. 24the driver’s seat when dealNov. 22) ing with others. Your ability to use current trends to your advantage will pay off.

Don’t cave under pressure.

SAGITTARIUS Know that regardless of what (Nov. 23- others do or say, you have to Dec. 21) trust in your abilities and do what works best for you.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

If you take care of personCAPRICORN al matters, you will find it (Dec. 22easier to make snap decisions Jan. 19) in fraught situations. Stand behind your beliefs, and reject manipulative tactics.

Make your home a place AQUARIUS of comfort in order to attract (Jan. 20Feb. 19) welcome visitors. A positive change in your life will stem from a romantic relationship.

Keep demanding people PISCES (Feb. 20- at a distance. You can be far March 20) more effective if you put your energy into working alongside people with goals similar to yours. Your insight will not let you down.

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

19

England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Chester-le-Street

England beat Sri Lanka inside 4 days despite Chandimal’s century

England Captain Alastair Cook reached the 10,000run landmark on day 4 of the second test against Sri Lanka at Durham, becoming the 12th man to do so in Test history

A

lastair Cook finally reached the 10,000run landmark, the 12th man to do so in Test history, as England secured a nine-wicket victory to take the series although not without some significant toil.

Dinesh Chandimal’s sixth Test century, and first outside Asia, had continued Sri Lanka’s batting resurgence before they were bowled out for 475 to leave a target of 79.

Cook reached his milestone, which has been within his grasp since the South Africa series in January, in quite apt, understated, fashion with a nudge off his pads

off Nuwan Pradeep which trickled into the midwicket boundary. He responded with a sheepish grin and a wave of the bat to the dressing room and crowd. Freed from the burden of the approaching record, he finished with a comfortable unbeaten 47 as victory came 45 minutes after tea.

Yet, that it took England until the final session of the fourth day to complete the win - having enforced the follow-on 397 ahead early yesterday morning - was huge credit to Sri Lanka who batted for 128.2 overs in their second innings. The fightback was started by Kaushal Silva, energised by Angelo Mathews then carried forth by Chandimal.

Chandimal added 116 in 29 overs for the eighth wicket with Rangana Herath who contributed a lively 61 - the second fifty of his Test career - before James Anderson completed a hardearned five-wicket haul to take him to 18 wickets in the series. His previous scalps in the series had been handed to him rather easily, but in this innings he showed his full repertoire of skills, extracting seam movement from a docile surface and using the angle from round the wicket. He was named Man of the Match.

Chandimal’s hundred came from 172 balls when he guided Chris Woakes through gully - after a nervy nine deliveries on 99 - following the reshuffle of Sri Lanka’s order for the second innings which saw him slip down to No. 6.

He was given a life on 69 during the morning session when Jonny Bairstow shelled an inside-edge offered from the bowling of Anderson, but he batted with a conviction that had been lacking in the previous innings. The celebrations were expansive, a roar of emotion with an extended salute to the dressing room and after losing Herath he began to further open his shoulders, striking Moeen Ali for a straight six, before being bowled when he swiped at an off-cutter from Stuart Broad.

The day resumed with the new ball just four overs old and England struck in the fifth over of the day when Milinda Siriwardana edged Anderson to gully to end a seventh-wicket stand of 92.

But there was no hustling through the lower order as Herath brought back memories of his crucial innings at Headingley in 2014 when he put on the series-defining stand with Mathews.

Apart from the occa-

Dinesh Chandimal goes to his sixth Test hundred

sional variable bounce, the pitch was as true for batting as at any stage in the match, a point highlighted as Herath started to pick off boundaries including two sweetly-struck pulls. Steven Finn, who bowled a laboured three-over spell, was taken for 11 in four deliveries by Herath. Finn spoke honestly the previous evening about his search for form - while Ottis Gibson, the bowling coach, said before play that he was a bowler who stressed too much on negatives rather than positives - but he looked no closer to finding the answer.

Herath started to have some fun after lunch, in-

cluding reverse-sweeping Moeen, as he brought up his half-century from 87 balls.

He was dropped on 46 when James Vince spilled a skier running back from cover but eventually fell playing around a full delivery from Anderson who then added Shaminda Eranga by knocking back the off stump to claim his fifth wicket.

The last-wicket pair, Suranga Lakmal and Pradeep, had a bit of a swing as they added a further 22 runs before Lakmal top-edged to mid-on to give Woakes his second wicket. England’s bowlers will be grateful for the longer break before the final Test

at Lord’s.

The chase was a largely serene affair with Alex Hales, bowled when playing back to Siriwardana’s leftarm spin, the only casualty.

Nick Compton stayed with Cook to knock off the target, a little boost to his confidence after two first-innings failures in the series, and he was named as part of an unchanged squad for the final Test. So it was job done for England, this time with one day to spare but though the series has gone Sri Lanka will head south to slightly warmer climes - and a traditionally good batting wicket at Lord’s if the sun shines - with self-esteem restored.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Cook is youngest to 10,000 Test runs Reggae Boyz in 4 day Florida

E

ngland captain Alastair Cook has become the youngest player to score 10,000 Test runs.

Aged 31, five months and five days, he achieved the landmark by reaching five on the fourth day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street.

He brought up the milestone with a leg-side clip for four off Nuwan Pradeep and saluted the England balcony.

Youngest players to 10,000 Test runs Player Age Date achieved 31 years, 5 months, 5 days 30 May 2016 Alastair Cook (England) Sachin Tendulkar (India) 31 years, 10 months, 20 days 16 March 2005 Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 33 years, 4 months, 11 days 27 Feb 2009 Ricky Ponting (Australia) 33 years, 5 months, 11 days 30 May 2008 Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) 34 years, 6 months, 29 days 26 Dec 2011 “It’s a very special moment for me,” Cook said.

“You forget about all the hard times you have as a cricketer.”

He beat India legend Sachin Tendulkar’s record

Cook surpassed Gooch’s tally of 8,900 Test runs at Headingley last May to become England’s leading run-scorer

of 31 years, 10 months and 20 days, which has stood since 2005.

Cook went on to make 47 not out as England won the Test by nine wickets.

“It’s certainly driven me personally,” the Essex batsman said. “To score 10,000 runs was one of those goals.

“It’s those seven o’clock nets with Goochy [his mentor Graham Gooch], the hard yards away from today that you put in to get here.”

England coach Trevor Bayliss praised Cook as a “phenomenal batsman”.

England’s leading Test run-scorer with a batting average of 46.49, Cook is the 12th player in history to 10,000 runs, and only the second opener.

Brian Lara, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid, Mahela

Jayawardene, Sunil Gavaskar, Jacques Kallis, Allan Border, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Steve Waugh are the other batsmen to reach the milestone.

Cook surpassed Gooch’s tally of 8,900 Test runs at Headingley last May to become England’s leading run-scorer.

He was playing the 128th Test of a glittering career which has seen him score 28 Test hundreds - also a record for an Englishman.

Cook made a century on debut against India in 2006, but was ruled out of the next match because of illness. He has not missed a Test since.

Appointed captain in 2012 following Andrew Strauss’ retirement, Cook led England to Ashes series wins over Australia in 2013 and 2015.

camp ahead of Copa start

The Reggae Boyz are a force to reckon with after they defeated defending champions Chile in a warm-up game recently

J

amaica’s Reggae Boyz are following a successful warm-up game against defending Copa America champions, Chile, with a four-day camp in Florida.

The Jamaicans stunned Chile, 2-1 at the Estadio Sausalito on Friday, were expecting Simon Dawkins, Chevone Marsh and Rodolph Austin to join the team by today to complete the full squad.

As part of that four-day camp, the Reggae Boyz will play against Boca Raton FC at Lockhart Stadium at

5p.m. The game is a closed affair.

The Boyz will break the camp on Thursday when they fly to Chicago to get ready for the Group C opener against Venezuela at Soldier field.

The Chicago game will be followed by a trip to California for a Rose Bowl meeting against Mexico on June 9, with the final game against Uruguay scheduled for Levi Stadium on June 13.

The top two teams from each of the four groups head to the quarterfinals.

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

Cricket and Independence

Shiv, made for cricket Full name: Shivnarine Chanderpaul Born: 16 Aug 1974, Unity Village, East Coast, Demerara, Guyana Batting: Left-hand batsman Bowling: Right-arm leg-break Teams: Guyana U-19 (1992-1993); WI U-19 (1993); Guyana (FC: 1992-); Guyana (ListA: 1992-); Guyana (T20: 2008); Demerara (1999-2003); WI A (1994); WI (Test: 1994-); WI (ODI: 1994/95-); WI (T20: 2006-); Durham (FC: 2007-2009); Durham (ListA: 2007-2009); Durham (T20: 2008); Lancashire (FC: 2010); Warwickshire (FC: 2011); Warwickshire (ListA: 2011); BPL Khulna Royal Bengals (T20; 2012); SLPL Uva Unicorns (T20: 2012); All teams Clubs: Georgetown Cricket Club; Everest (Georgetown); School: Cove and John Secondary School Relation: Tagenarine Chanderpaul (son) Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 2008 Lancashire cap: 2010

C

ricket has played a pivotal role in the development of Guyana as a nation before and after Independence in May 1966. There are a many outstanding Guyanese cricketers whose contribution to the glorious game will never be forgotten. Today Guyana Times Sport examines the career of Shivnarine Chanderpaul in a two part series. Today we examine Shiv’s early days and his early international career.

Early days

It was said that Khemraj Chanderpaul, Shivnarine's dad, had a concrete pitch laid in his front yard in Unity Village, on the East Coast of Demerara, in Guyana.

Shivnarine then faced bowlers from the entire village and elsewhere, who were allowed to bend their elbows as much as they wanted in attempting to dismiss him. His father challenged the bowlers to try to hit Shivnarine on his body, resulting in lots of bruises at the end of the day! It was this, he said, that caused him to adopt the unique crablike stance he now uses to great effect.

His dad would also have him practice batting on the beach at the water's edge so that he could learn to adapt to different batting conditions.

So great was his love for the game that he often cut classes to play cricket, leaving his sister to fetch home his schoolbag. He was soon playing for East Coast Police, then Everest and Demerara Cricket clubs before finally settling at the Georgetown Cricket Club.

Shivnarine's dad Khemraj Chanderpaul and uncle Munilall Chanderpaul (the older brother) were both accomplished wicketkeeperbatsmen who were called

to trials for the Guyana national team. Unity, the village they all hail from, is also the place of origin for West Indies fast bowler Colin Croft, Guyana expresident Jagdeo Bharat and Guyana Cricket Board ex-president Chetram Singh.

Youth Cricket

After making his first class debut for the Guyana senior team Chanderpaul hit a century in his first youth match for Guyana in the 1992 Northern Telecom Youth Championships, played in Guyana. The 18-year-old Chanderpaul finished the rain-affected tournament with 205 runs from 5 com-

Shiv Chanderpaul in his early days at the Georgetown Cricket Ground, Bourda

pleted innings and 7 wickets for about 20 runs each.

His fine efforts for Guyana in 1992 at both the senior and youth levels were rewarded with a tour to Bermuda as a member of the West Indies Select XI that same year. He played 5 limited overs matches with moderate success with bat and ball.

In the 1993 Northern Telecom Youth Championships, played in the Leeward Islands, Chanderpaul scored 335 runs from 2 completed innings and took 20 wickets at less than 9 runs each!

His runs included a century and 2 fifties. In addition, he took 5 or more wickets in an innings 3 times and 10 wickets in a match once.

Selected for the West Indies Under-19 team to tour England that same year (1993) Chanderpaul hit a magnificent 203 not out in the first Youth Test at Trent Bridge. He made 2 more scores of over 50 in the Test series but did not take any wickets.

Representing Guyana and the region

S h i v n a r i n e Chanderpaul made a fighting 90 on debut for Guyana in the 1992 Red Stripe Cup (regional first class tournament), at Bourda. Not yet 18 years of age, he showed from his very first big match the tough fighting spirit that would later bring him huge success worldwide as a batsman. In his first first class season he made 2 fifties in 2 matches, both at home in Guyana.

Batting left-handed high

Part 1- 2

Shiv Chanderpaul in his characteristic awkward batting stance

up the batting order and bowling right-arm wrist spin, he also represented Guyana in a rain-affected List A match that year against Barbados at Bourda.

The following year (1993) Chanderpaul showed that he was destinied for an outstanding cricket career. In the annual first class season he scored his first first class century, making 140 not out for the West Indies President's XI against the touring Pakistan Test team. He also took 4 wickets for 68 runs in the first innings of that match.

Chanderpaul's best first class score was 303* versus Jamaica for Guyana, in a match played in Jamaica that included Test fast bowler Courtney Walsh.

Playing for West Indies

Chanderpaul made his Test debut against England in 1994 at Bourda, replacing the injured Carl Hooper. He batted at Number 6 and made 62 in a match that West Indies won by an innings and 44 runs. He had

an excellent series, scoring four half-centuries in six innings at an average of 57.60. These included 75 not out made with Brian Lara in Antigua as Lara scored a then world record 375. For the next 2 years, however, Chanderpaul was in and out of the team as complacent team selection policies brought an end to West Indies' long unbeaten run in Test cricket.

He made his first Test century in his 19th Test match when he made 137* against India in 1997 in Barbados, batting for seven and a half hours.

He had previously scored 15 half-centuries. One of those was ended by Shane Warne's most remarkable delivery, on the stroke of lunch in the Sydney Test in 1996. The delivery – had it gone straight on – would have been a wide, so close to the line of the return crease did it pitch.

Instead it bit, and jagged back so sharply that if it had not rebounded from Chanderpaul's pad on to the stumps it would have missed leg stump. To be continued tomorrow.

Regal Masters are Independence Cup Champions

T

Mike’s Wellman played well but had to settle for the runner up position

yrone Sanasie’s all-round brilliance was the main factor for the Regal Masters in their capture of the Independence Cup last Sunday at Everest Cricket Club.

In a low scoring final Regal Masters defeated Mike’s Wellman by 34 runs in cool conditions on a wet outfield in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc.)/National Sports Commission Masters Independence T20 tournament.

Sanasie hit two boundaries and

cleared it twice while batting at number 10 and going to the crease with his team tottering at 124 for 8 in the eighteenth over. Sanasie and David Harper (8 not out) added 36 runs in just over two overs to take Regal Masters to a challenging 160 for 8 from their 20 overs.

Earlier, Regal got useful contributions from Eric Thomas with 33 (3x6; 1x4), Eon Abel 32 (3x6) and Mahesh Chunilall 18 (2x4) which paved the way for the late assault from Sanasie.

Kemchandra Dindyal was

the pick of the bowlers for Mike’s Wellman with 3 for 17 from his allotment of four overs. He was supported by Hardat Heranandan 2-28 (4) and Latchman Kallicharran 1/18 (3).

When the run chase was on the way, Mike’s Wellman seemed set for glory when the dangerous Richard Persaud and attacking Latchman Kallicharran were at the crease. They added 27 for the first wicket before Kallicharran departed for 12. The game changer, Ramesh Narine was then run out for three before David Harper uprooted the stumps of Ramo Malone for 12, leaving the score at 59-4.

Lloyd Rooplall and Dindyal kept their team in the hunt with a fifth-wicket stand of 29 before Rooplall was run out for 22. Regal bowlers maintained their consistency, and after Dindyal departed for 24, only Greg De Franca of the remaining batsmen showed any fight as Wellman were restricted for 126-9 when their 20 overs expired. Kippins was the pick of the bowlers with 3-14 off fours overs to earn the man-of-the-match award,

Members of the championship team Regal Masters along with sponsors and representatives of the GSCL Inc

while Shaheed Mohamed claimed 2-14 and Sanasie 1-14 from two overs before leaving the field with a thigh injury.

Regal Masters won the Trophy Stall trophy and pocketed $100,000 while Mike’s Wellman received a trophy and $50,000.

President of the GSCL Inc Ian John congratulated Regal and thanked the other participating teams. He expressed gratitude to the President of the Everest Cricket Club Rajesh Singh and his

executives for making their venue available as well as the sponsors. John noted that the competition was a historic one given the fact the Guyana celebrated its 50th Independence Anniversary.

The competition which was played over two days at the Everest Cricket Club Ground started with six of the country’s best soft ball masters team was sponsored by Trophy Stall, Ink Plus, WJ Enterprise, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Regal Sports.

YELLOW PAGES TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 6435122

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

IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

EDUCATION REGISTER - learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard and train your voice NOW OR in the Summer. Call 225-1151/ 657-8404.

Special Computer Package for 2016 CXC Students. 9 Courses in Computers $20,000 OFF. Computerized Accounting 4 Courses. Quickbooks, Peachtree, POS, Excel 2016. MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-En-Hoop/ Parika. Tel: 264-3057 Study in CANADA/USA $1,000US Processing Fee. Limited Offer.

MicroGraphics Technology, VreedEn-Hoop/Parika. Tel: 264-3057.

Cybertron BeReady Driving School.

Daily and Weekend Classes.

Limited Offer. MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-En-Hoop/ Parika. Tel: 264-3057

FOR SALE FOR SALE 3 HEIFERS. TEL: 658-0115 Powerline Battery Water/wholesale.

1 litre and 0.5 litre sizes. Tel: 680-3863 One Toyota Spacio, One Toyota Forklift, One Motorcycle 110cc, One Cement Mixer (Ransom), Vick’s Hardware. Tel: 264-2682/649-0707 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and at Lachmansingh Drug Store.

Tel: 226-5053.

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

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655 2 STOREY CONCRETE HOUSE 35 X 45 ENCLOSED DOWNSTAIRS, SIZE OF LAND 65 X 120, SECTION A DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME, EAST BANK DEMERARA, CONTACT # 6645052/617-0583

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

Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

IMMIGRATION Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105.

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

Forde backs Jaguars ahead of Curaçao clash tomorrow P

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

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

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

DRIVING SCHOOL Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek.

You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 227-3869, 6447052, 659-3381

21

SPORTS

OPTICIAN Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 3393536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 9431515 for the perfect trendy touch.

HEALTH

SERVICES

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

Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

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

TAXI SERVICES

resident of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde says he is optimistic that Guyana’s National Football team; The Golden Jaguars will have a successful campaign in the second-round of matches in the Scotiabank Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Men’s Caribbean Cup. Guyana will open the second round against Curaçao at the Ergilio Hato Stadium tomorrow June 1 before battling the US Virgin Islands (USVI) on June 4.

In Round One of the tournament, Guyana had topped Group Five after defeating Anguilla 7-0 in Guyana and Puerto Rico 1-0 in Puerto Rico.

Forde said he has full confidence in the Guyanese side despite the recent 5-1 defeat in the International Friendly against Canada’s Olympic Team on May 15 at

GFF President Wayne Forde

Providence. Forde is urging fans to show their support for the team since they are undefeated in the CFU tournament so far and are yet to concede a goal.

“I know that the result of the International Friendly against Canada is the one that is stuck in everyone’s mind, but I must remind the fans that we went through round one of the tournament without

conceding a goal and finishing as the best team within our group. I think the Guyana Golden Jaguars are doing well, I want to appeal to the Guyanese fans to support this engagement in the CFU, I am very optimistic at our chances of going far in the tournament and even coming away with the championship but we need the support to make this happen” he further stated.

The Players in the Golden Jaguars squad for the games against Curaçao and US Virgin Islands are: Alex Andrew Murray, Jake Newton, King Solomon Austin, Colin Nelson, Lester Jacobs, Eon Alleyne, Ricky Shakes, Emery Welshman, Devon Millington, Daniel Wilson, Dwight Peters, Quincy Adams, Brandon Beresford, Pernel Schultz, Sheldon Holder, Walter Moore, Samuel Cox and Trayan Bobb.

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

LAND FOR SALE Land at La Grange Public Road to Sea Dam, Size 4 Acres, could be used for commercial or Housing Scheme. Tel 625-1514 1.5 Acre Land in W.B.D. Call #:658-0115 Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 625-1514 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234 One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale.

Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 6953150 (serious inquires only)

PROPERTY FOR SALE House Lot, Diamond New Scheme between 2nd & 3rd Avenue. Contact: 638-1529 Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. MonRepos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park:$20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp and Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence(land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmony(land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521 Transported property in Regent Street between Wellington & Camp Streets. Tel 625-1514 GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 673-5546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 6790987

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

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

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 3373070, 337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anew-life@live.com Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 6875653, 220-0708

TO LET 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT. GROVE, EBD. CONTACT RAJ: 669-9390, 648- 5092 1 – ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT. TELE: 225-0247 FOR RENT 1,000 TO 10,000 SQUARE FT. WAREHOUSE SPACE, OFFICE SPACE & SHOP FRONT. CALL: 592-600-2040/6005758 Leonora New Housing Scheme, W.C.D. Garage, Kitchen & Shower. Tel: 6755998/268-2277.

NO CHILDREN. Working Persons Only

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

Nedd praises national U-23 volleyball team

VACANCIES One Male Worker. 20-40 Years Old. Must be able to understand Dutch & English. Must have valid driver’s licence.

Apply to 62 Sheriff St, Campbellville or call James on #600-7222 Cashier for Supermarket. Tel: 624-0033 One (1) Cook. Tel: 624-0033 One (1) Maid. Tel: 624-0033 Driver for Water Truck. Tel: 680-3863 Security – In store; Day Duty. Tel: 680-3863

WANTED Fast growing food distribution company is looking for a driver and salesperson with a car, experience and police clearance. Call: 231-8344 or 231-8529 SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg. (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST. G/Town. 231-7101 Vacancy exists for one full-time Pharmacist to work on the West Coast of Demerara in Metenmeerzorg.

Telephone: 275-0733

National Volleyball coach Levi Nedd (extreme right) with the Guyana U-23 team

N

ational head coach Levi Nedd has lauded Guyana’s Under-23 volleyball team for their performance during the recent series in Suriname.

The team that is preparing for the South American Championships in Colombia were, according to Nedd, outstanding in most areas, as they came out winners against a Condors U23 team, 25-15, 25-18 and 26-

24. They then defeated a Yeleco U23 team, 23-25, 2517, 30-28 and 25-17.

Following the successful series, Nedd said he hoped the experience would help build team chemistry, which he believes will be key when they take stronger teams from South America.

The team members, he said, are already very familiar with each other and this series should further cement the bonds between them.

As preparations for the

championships, set for June 18 to 25, continue, the team will be called into camps in Berbice and Demerara.

The 14-man squad is comprised of Devendra Latchman, Joshua Jagmohan, Samuel Fraser, Xavier Lambert, Ryon Mangrau, Madan Budhram, Yoganand Dhoray, Kellon Leitch, Leon Stewart, Andy Rahaman, Ravi Rampartab, Samuel Persaud, Simon Orlando Seecharan and Ray Anthony Moore.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

West Indies arrive for Tri-Nation battle “The first aspect is about winning” says Simmons to worry about since several seasoned players were misshe West Indies ing.

Cricket Team arrived “We played two warm in Guyana on Monday up games, we had five playat the Eugene F. Correia ers missing so I’m not worInternational Airport, Ogle ried about that, we have a for the Tri- Nation Series good camp where the guys also involving South Africa worked hard, so that was and Australia. the important thing.”

The team was greeted by Simmons, who is the forseveral representatives from mer coach of the Irleand, sponsors Digicel, Guyana took over West Indies duty Cricket Board (GCB) in March of last year and President Drubahdur, Vice- has been very outspoken President of GCB Fazal about selection policy of the Bacchus and Director of team.

Sport Christopher Jones.

The team selected for The men in maroon will the first four matches of be chasing their first se- the series has omitted exries win since the home se- perienced players such ries against Bangladesh in Christopher Gayle, Darren 2014, where they won 3-0 Sammy, Dwayne Bravo and and head coach of the team Andre Russell.

Phil Simmons explained Quizzed on their omisthat goal is to win despite sions Simmons said, “I don’t the quality of the opposition. want to go back into that, we “In any tournament, the are here and we are here to first aspect about it is win- play against the two teams ning and that’s how I play and that is what we are gothe game, to win every time ing to do.”

I go into a game; so are going The Tri-nation series to try and look for the best means International crickway we as a team can win et will be returning to the the tournament,” the head stadium after nearly three coach said. years and GCB President The West Indies would Drubahdur- revealed that have lost both of their all systems are in place for warm up matches against a the hosting of the matches.

Barbados Select XI but the Drubahadur also alluded coach believes it is nothing to the fact that history will

By Akeem Greene

T

Gasol could miss Olympics due to Zika virus

P

Pau Gasol

au Gasol has called for "an open debate based solely on the facts" about the Zika virus ahead of the Olympic Games.

Pau Gasol is considering skipping the Rio Olympic Games because of concerns about the Zika virus.

The Chicago Bulls and Spain forward is thinking about staying home due to unanswered questions over the mosquito-borne disease, which evidence has shown can lead to birth defects in new-born babies.

Gasol said: "It wouldn't surprise me to see some athletes deciding not to participate in the Games to avoid putting their health and the health of their families at risk, "I'm thinking about [whether or not to go]. Just like every athlete, or any other person considering going to Rio, should be thinking about it."

He added: "Are we tak-

ing the precautions that will guarantee the health and safety of fans, athletes and other professionals who will travel to Rio, or are we putting financial concerns above the health of millions of people around the world?

"These Olympic Games, the first to be held in South America, could be unforgettable; the risk is that this could be for all the wrong reasons "Now is the time to raise awareness and to have an open debate based solely on the facts and with the goal of protecting lives and the health of our population: fear can only be defeated through knowledge.

"We have to take decisions and measures so that the Olympic dream doesn't become a medical nightmare."

A group of 150 medical experts last week wrote a letter to the World Health Organisation, suggesting the Games should be postponed or relocated.

Phil Simmons

be created in Guyana since the country will be hosting a Tri-Nation series for the first time and that all the matches will be played under lights.

The GCB head also stated that "the stadium is in immaculate condition and that security systems are in place and also explained that "ticket sales are going reasonably well but persons may also be purchasing online."

Director of Sport Christopher Jones ex-

pressed excitement over the matches being played here, as it gives an avenue to further exploit sports tourism.

“It’s game on! Any person inside the region or especially those Guyanese who are currently home from the Diaspora to celebrate the jubilee celebrations, this is an additional treat for them to come out to come out to the games and be part of the activities as well” Jones posited.

The West Indies will play South Africa on Friday, fol-

French Open 2016 R

ain cancels play as Novak Djokovic & Serena Williams wait Heavy rain has forced day nine of the French Open to be cancelled, meaning top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams must wait to play their fourth-round matches in Paris.

Monday's play was delayed before being called off at about 12:45 BST. Djokovic's match against Spanish 14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut has been rescheduled for 10:00 on Tuesday.

Williams meets Ukraine's 18th seed Elina Svitolina, before Andy Murray's quarter-final against Richard Gasquet.

All three matches are scheduled for Court Philippe

Chatrier - the main show court at Roland Garros with British number one Murray's meeting with France's Gasquet not starting before 13:00.

However, more rain is forecast in the French capital on Tuesday. It is the first time in 16 years the rain has caused a whole day's play to be abandoned at the tournament.

Murray, seeded second, is already through to the quarter-finals after beating American 15th-seed John Isner in straight sets on Sunday.

Ninth seed Gasquet is the only home player left in either singles draw, reaching his first Roland Garros quarter-final by beating fifth seed Kei Nishikori. (BBC Sport)

Rain caused a complete day's washout at Roland Garros for the first time since 2000

lowed by a match against Australia on Sunday, and then the two visiting powerhouses will play on Tuesday.

Australia are the current world champions wile South Africa are ranked number three in the One Day International format.

Tickets can be bought at the GCB’s office on Regent road or at the National Stadium, Providence.

Ticket prices for the matches are $4000 for the Green and Red Stand; $3,000 for the Orange stand and $2,000 for the party mound.

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (Captain), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Shannon Gabriel, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.

Rawl Lewis (Team Manager) Phillip Simmons (Head Coach Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach) Roddy Estwick (Assistant Coach) Andre Coley (Assistant Coach) C.J. Clark

(Physiotherapist) Ronald Rogers (Strength and Conditioning Coach) Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist) Philip Spooner (Media Manager) Dexter Augustus (Analyst) All matches bowl off at 13:00 hrs.

Friday 3: West Indies vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium Sunday 5: West Indies vs Australia – Guyana National Stadium Tuesday 7: Australia vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium Saturday 11: South Africa vs Australia – Warner Park Monday 13: West Indies vs Australia – Warner Park Wednesday 15: West Indies vs South Africa – Warner Park Sunday 19: Australia vs South Africa – Kensington Oval Tuesday 21: West Indies vs Australia – Kensington Oval Friday 24: West Indies vs South Africa – Kensington Oval Sunday 26: The Final – Kensington Oval

Scot Andrew Butchart wins Vitality London 10,000m to maintain Rio bid

Butchart beat Andy Vernon, one of his rivals for a 5,000m place in Rio, in the London race

S

cot Andrew Butchart maintained his superb form in a quest for an Olympics spot with Great Britain by winning the Vitality London 10,000m race on Monday.

The 24-year-old set a personal best of 28 minutes 28 seconds in the event that acts as the British 10km Championships.

Butchart comfortably beat defending champion Andy Vernon (29:04) and Ben Connor, who was third in 29:23.

Lily Partridge won the women's race.

Partridge ran a new personal best of 33:03 to beat Rachel Felton (33:35) into second, while Hannah Walker was third.

Butchart broke Nat Muir's 36-year-old 5,000m Scottish national record at the FBK Games in Holland last week, his time of 13:13.30 giving him a second qualifying standard to take to the Olympic trials in

Birmingham next month.

Butchart, a member of the Central Athletic Club in Stirling, must finish in the top two at the British Athletics Championships from 24-26 June to guarantee his place in Rio, with defending champion Mo Farah already pre-selected for one of Britain's three 5,000m places.

Nevertheless, Butchart who took more than a minute off his previous best 10km time of 29:32.43 - admits he is the form of his life four weeks out from the trials.

"I would like them to come tomorrow," he admitted. "A lot of little things are adding up to make a big difference.

"I knew I could run fast, it was just a matter of getting it done. I am really fit, I am doing sessions a lot faster than I anticipated beforehand and today again I exceeded my expectations so I am really happy."(BBC Sport)

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

Brenessa Thompson lowers National 200 Metres Record B

renessa Thompson continued her impressive season by once again lowering the national record in the women 200m. The first year student out of Texas A&M University clocked 22.99 seconds on Saturday May 28 to place 3rd in her race at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) West preliminaries in Lawerence, kansas. In the process she was the 20th fastest out of the 24 athletes to have qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic

Association (NCAA) finals in Eugene, Oegon on June 8-11. Felecia Brown was the fastest qualifier, stopping the clock at 22.27.

Thompson who is set to represent Guyana in the 100 & 200 metres at the Rio Summer Olympic Games in Brazil, first reduced the 12 year old national record of 23.33 held by Aliann Pompey to 23.19 on May 12 of this year.

Aliyah Abrams was another athlete to show national pride on the track to celebrate the Jubilee

Anniversary of Guyana's Independence.

The South Carolina Freshman who recently qualified to represent Guyana at the Olympics placed 3rd in the 400 metres at the NCAA East quarter-finals in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday May 27.

Her time of 52.30 seconds ensured that she qualified as the 9th fastest overall heading to the NCAA finals in Oregon. Courtney Okolo’s time of 51.06 was the fastest qualifying time for the finals.

CBC Under-16 male squad named F

ollowing an intense players’ evaluation process last weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has shortlisted 18 male players ahead of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships.

In addition, the women shortlisted for the Caribbean’s leading junior basketball tournament will need another week to name their 15-member squad.

This is according to a press release from the GABF yesterday.

A total of 74 youth basketball players (46 boys and 28 girls) participated in the selection process; 28 boys were invited to trials, with 18 more arriving as walkons. Meanwhile, on the female side, 22 were invited while GABF affiliated coach-

es recommended eight others.

The Boys shortlisted are: Yannick Tappin, Leon Benjamin (Mackenzie High School); Kevon Wiggins, Kelmar Carmichael (New Amsterdam Multilateral); Shamar France (Berbice High) School; Kwesi Roberts (St. Roses High); Andrew Johnson, Nigel Bowen(Plaisance Secondary); Roydon Glasgow (The Bishops’ High School); Isaiah David (Kwakwani Secondary); Akeem Crandon, Kareem Boyle, Kenmon Roberts (President’s College); Jordan Alphonso, Jahleel Young (Marian Academy); Zion Gray (Tutorial High); Quacey Shortt (Bladen Hall) and Jamal Persaud (North Georgetown).

Lugard Mohan was

named Head Coach of the Boys’ team. He received assistance last weekend from Kevin Bonnett, Willon Cameron, Wayne Hinds and Andrew Hercules. The physical trainer was Dominic Vincente.

Abdullah Hamid was named Head Coach of the Girls’ team. He got assistance from Ann Gordon, Kirk Fraser, Julian Haynes and Hercules.

In addition, the D.C Jammers team, High School Coach and Player Development Specialist; Kenny Avent, played a valuable role in giving instructional and tactical support to the process. Training for the 18 men named will be intensified over the upcoming weeks.

Guyana will host the U-16 CBC Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, July 2-16.

Guyana’s first 3-Gun Match a success

J

ust a few weeks ago the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) received a National Sports Award for the Most Improved Association for 2015 and there is no question that merely a few months later, Sport Shooting has once again been taken to an even higher level in Guyana after the successful hosting of Guyana’s first 3-Gun Match.

Prize winners pose with their trophies

On Saturday May 28, 2016 the Practical Shooters of Guyana were given a chance to display their Accuracy and Speed while managing Power at the GSSF’s Inaugural Multi-Gun Match sponsored by Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. The Match Director Mr. David Dharry welcomed participants and spectators to the Match and the safety element for the match

23

South Africa warm-up game ends in rain-affected tie

Shimron Hetmyer

S

outh Africa’s lone warn up game ahead of the Tri-nation series ended in a tie against the WICB President’s XI on Saturday night at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago.

In the rain affected day/ night match, South Africa batsmen made full use of the opportunity before the rain took centre stage to end the game prematurely with the President’s XI on 127 for three in the 25th over.

Set a revised target of 124 from 24.1 overs, the pugnacious Evin Lewis who made his T20 International

debut against Afghanistan during the recently concluded World T20, smacked a belligerent 71 not out from 61 balls.

Lewis hit six fours and four sixes and added 90 for the third wicket with West Indies Under-19 captain Shimron Hetmyer who made 29, striking four boundaries, before being bowled by the leg-spin of Imran Tahir Kraigg Brathwaite (09) and Jermaine Blackwood (07) were the other batsmen to be dismissed; Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabado and Tahir each took one wicket a piece.

The South African’s total of 280 for 9 was centred around Hasim Amla who made 92 (10x4’s) from 83 balls. Big hitting all-rounders Farhaan Behardien (36), Chris Morris (31), along with Abbott (43) and Aaron Phangiso (34) all chipped in with useful scores ahead of the Tri-Nation series.

The leg-spin of Jamaican Damion Jacobs was most im-

Evin Lewis

pressive, as he snared 4-53 from his 10 overs and was supported by Trinidadian medium pacer Rayad Emrit who took 2-72.

South Africa, hosts West Indies and World Champions Australia get back into 50-Overs mode when the series opens in Guyana at the National Stadium, Providence on Friday.

The South Africans and Australians are scheduled to arrive in Guyana on today while the West Indies touched down yesterday.

Tri-Nation series...

West Indies begin local preparation today at Providence

T

he first ODI series in the West Indies since West Indies beat Bangladesh 3-0 in a three match series in Grenada and St Kitts in 2014 bowls off on Friday at the Guyana National Stadium when number three ranked South Africa face West Indies in the opening game of the Tri Nation series which also involves number one ranked ODI team and five times World Cup 50-over Champions Australia.

The first three ODI will be played in Guyana as International cricket returns to this country for the first time since West Indies defeated Pakistan by 37 runs on July 16, 2013.

This is the first time that ODIs will be played under lights at Providence and the first that every game in a home series which culminates with the final on June 26 in Barbados will be played under lights.

Although South Africa played three matches in the 2007 World Cup at Providence Friday will be the first that they face-off with West Indies in Guyana.

The home team will have their first practice session at Providence between 14:00hrs and 17:00 hrs on Tuesday. The South Africans will have their first training session on Wednesday from 09:00hrs to noon while West Indies will at Providence from 14:00hrs to 17:00hrs.

All matches start at 13:00hrs while the gates at the Stadium will be opened from 11:00hrs.

Tickets which cost $2,000 for the Party Stand, $3,000 for the Orange Stand and $4,000 for the Green and Red stands are already on sale in Guyana and on-line for those overseas who are desirous of traveling for the first three ODIs. Australia have not

was monitored by Range Master, Mr. Ryan McKinnon.

Scoring was calculated by the competitor’s total points divided by the time it took to shoot those points on the targets in each stage which resulted in a Hit Factor. The shooter with the highest accumulated points from all stages in a match was declared the winner. Courses of fire in the practical shooting sport are often designed so that the shooter must be inventive. Shooting was under the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Handbook Rules.

David Dharry won the Limited Division followed by Ray Beharry and Peter Hugh while in the Production Division Shawn Smith scored the most points followed by Fabian Stuart and Azaad Hassan. The Open Division was won by Ryan McKinnon with Harold Hopkinson placing second followed by Mohamed Qualander.

Present at the Range to present the beautiful trophies to the Prize Winners was the Managing Director/CEO of Secure

played in an ODI here in 17 years since their last ODI ended in a controversial tie at Bourda in 1999. Steve Waugh was unbeaten on 72 when the crowd invaded the ground with the Aussies on 173-7 off 30 overs replying the 173-5 off 30 overs in the rain affected contest.

The team from down under will have their first practice session on Thursday June 2 when they train at from 14:00hrs to 17:00hrs at Bourda where tickets for Guyana leg of the series are being sold.

Fans will be able to see the likes of Australia Captain Steve Smith, IPL’s run machine David Warner and the best off-spinner in world Nathan Lyon, South Africa’s Morne Morkel, AB deVillers and Haslim Amla in addition to West Indians Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard at practice.

Innovations and Concepts Inc., Guyana’s Premiere Aviation, Land and Sea Security Services and Licenced Firearm Dealers, Mr. Harold Hopkinson. Special Stage Medals were presented by the President of the Federation, Ms. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon to the 1-3 Winners of each division.

At the closing ceremony, gratitude was extended to the Match Officials for ensuring the efficiency and high safety standards with which the match was run and for this big step in sport shooting in Guyana to commemorate the nation's 50th Independence Activities. The Federation also thanked Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force - Brigadier Phillips, Colonel Doodnauth, Guyana Police Force Commissioner Persaud, Assistant Commissioner Ramnarine, Commander Hicken, Superintendent Dehnert, Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the Armoury and Tactical Service Unit. More information on the GSSF is available on its website www.

GuyanaSportShooting.com

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

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

“The first aspect is about winning” says Simmons

West Indies arrive for Tri-Nation battle

From left: GCB President Drubahadur, Digicel Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Digicel Marketing Manager Jacqueline James, the West Indies Cricket Team, Digicel Senior Events and Sponsorship Executive Louanna Abrams and GCB Vice President Fizul Bacchus (Marcenao Narine Photo)

Brenessa Thompson lowers National 200 Metres Record

Pg 23

Brenessa Thompson will now focus on the NCAA finals, June 8-11

CBC Under-16 male squad named Pg 23

The contestants along with their respective coaches and officials

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