Guyana Times Daily

$61M help for Guyana’s subscription to international P9 extractive ‘watchdog’

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3001

Saturday, October 8, 2016

PRICE

GWI Chairman resigns

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Budget 2017

P10

FITUG proposes 25% income tax rates to Govt P9

…option was to leave or be a “rubber stamp” – Hinds

1 dead in Moruca River boat collision

Page 16

Ambulance needed at P11 Ogle Airport – Labour Dept

As Haiti death toll rises

Hurricane Matthew Page 14 claims over 800 lives

UG loans

Persons refusing to sign as guarantors P17

Region 6 gets P2 new REO

…promises to bring efficiency, competence to the post

Forest Law Enforcement Destroyed houses are seen in a village after Hurricane Matthew passes Corail, Haiti (Reuters)

5 arrested with guns, ammo, ganja at nightspot Page 7

GECOM reforms unlikely for 2020 elections Page 7

– AFC

T&HD staff accuses senior manager of nepotism, corrupt practices Page 12

…calls for forensic audit

Regional P13 reps call for integration of Indigenous Peoples rights

Causing death accused on $500,000 bail P8

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Region 6 gets new REO …promises to bring efficiency, competence to the post

T

he Alliance For Change’s Dr V e e r a s a m m y Ramayya, having resigned, has been replaced

by Regional Democratic Councillor No 6 Kim Williams-Stephen, as Regional Executive Officer (REO) who has since vowed to bring a high level of efficiency, knowledge and competence to the post.

Dr Ramayya recently resigned from the post, as well as the party that sponsored him saying that the AFC has not lived up to its founding principles and has since turned a blind eye to corruption.

The former AFC Executive, in tendering his resignation, said his contributions and investments in the party did not resonate deeply. He said too his contributions over the past six years to the party have instead benefited others, add-

ing “I have no remorse in exiting the party.”

According to Dr Ramayya, the party has failed to deliver on its promises and pointed out that the party which politicised the issue of corruption in the 2015 campaign has instead turned a blind eye.

The party’s former Executive Member, who had been credited with helping the AFC secure two parliamentary seats representing Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), has also lamented the fact that the party is yet to repay him $15 million.

Meanwhile his replacement, Williams-Stephen’s is said to have 30 years of experience in the public service, 28 of which was spent at the Audit Office of Guyana in the capacity of Audit Manager (ag) for Regions Five and Six. She is said to possess a wealth of knowledge in

Newly appointed Region Six REO, Kim Williams-Stephen

the area of regional auditing, having also audited for Regions Five, Seven and Nine.

Williams-Stephen started work as a typist clerk at the very Region Six RDC in 1986 and was subsequently transferred to the Audit Office in 1988.

The new REO is a strong

advocate for good governance, transparency and accountability and is also a firm believer in quality service to others.

“It’s an honour and privilege for me to have been given the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I gave the praises and thanks to God Almighty because without him this would not have been possible,” the REO stated.

Williams-Stephen noted that her main functions as REO would include the provision of service to the community in the areas of health, agriculture, infrastructure and education, and to ensure that resources are expended for the intended purpose.

“My aim would be to ensure that these essential community services are delivered in a cost-effective manner bearing in mind that quality is the most im-

Dr Veerasammy Ramayya

portant factor,” the REO explained. While recognising the fact that the human resource capacity of any organisation is its most valuable asset, WilliamsStephen said it is imperative that the dedication of all levels of staff is acknowledged and appreciated.

This, she said, will provide the requisite motivation needed to complete the delegated tasks.

With overseas training in performance management, Williams-Stephen said her intention will be to ensure that each staff has a thorough understanding of their importance to the collective goal and is aware of their individual roles and responsibilities.

“Each person must know that they have a vital role to play. We need to first understand that we are working for a common good and so

we have to put our political differences aside. The main objective is to ensure that when we provide a service it must be done to the best of our ability,” she pointed out.

Williams-Stephen related that she will also strive to build on the strengths of the council and create awareness that the provision of service must be undertaken for the sole purpose of improving the livelihood of those in the community.

“Our service must come from a place of humanitarianism. We must not have the attitude that whether we perform or not we will still be paid at the end of the month.”

A wife and mother of four; ranging in ages between 15 and 23, WilliamsStephen has also ventured into the arena of teaching having served as part-time lecturer at the Berbice High School.

She is also a local preacher at the Central Methodist Church.

“I came from humble beginning and I always believe in the biblical principle that those who humble themselves shall be exalted,” Williams-Stephen said.

Williams-Stephen’s appointment is in keeping with government’s thrust to utilise persons from the available human resource pool with the adequate knowledge base to ensure the effective delivery of services.

UG outlines plans for revenue generation, campus modernisation

The University of Guyana, Turkeyen campus

T

he University of Guyana (UG) will embark on a series of activities to boost its revenue generation to compliment Government’s subventions to ensure critical projects that will modernise the educational intuition; and guarantee comfort to both students and lecturers.

Insufficient funding has always been a major challenge for UG, preventing the administration from executing projects, particularly infrastructural, which can enhance the overall college experience.

UG’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Griffith, during an interaction with the media on Thursday, explained that in order to transform the university into a modern institution, the administration intends to explore several avenues of revenue generation.

These areas include merchandising, naming opportunities, endowments and fundraising activities.

Merchandising is branding of various products with the UG logo for sale as keepsakes.

TURN TO PAGE 9

NEWS

3

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, October 8 – 09:30h-11:00h and Sunday, October 9 – 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, October 8 – 08:15h-09:45h and Sunday, October 9 – 09:30h-11:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery rain showers with chances of sunny weather can be expected in the morning hours, while heavy to light rain showers are expected in the afternoon. Clear skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 26 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly and Southeasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 08:15h and 21:10h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.23 metres respectively.

GWI Chairman resigns …option was to leave or be a “rubber stamp” – Hinds

R

ather than being a rubber stamp, Chairman Nigel Hinds, has resigned from the Board of Directors at the Guyana Water Incorporated, owing to irreparable differences that have developed between himself and the entity’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles.

Hinds on Friday confirmed that his resignation letter has been submitted to

Low Tide: 02:18h and 14:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.87 metre and 1.06 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

04 09 13 14 15 23 02 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016

Daily Millions

11

09

15 22

23

0

1

LUCKY 3 3

2

0

Afternoon Draw

8

Evening Draw

Draw De Line 03

08

10 11 14

20 21

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

GWI Managing Director Dr Van West-Charles

the Minister with responsibility for the sector, Ronald Bulkan.

During a brief interview with Guyana Times, Hinds said Dr Van West-Charles currently lacks credibility and described the entity’s Managing Director as pernicious and a person who abuses his authority at the water utility.

Hinds told this publication that by his actions, he has opted to give the Executive and management some leverage in their future dealings with the entity’s Managing Director.

He was adamant that Dr Van West-Charles currently lacks integrity and credibility regardless of “whichever

party he belongs to.”

Hinds in his letter – a copy of which was seen by this publication – to the Communities Minister, said “I cannot perform in the best interest of GWI, GWI staff, GWI shareholders and other stakeholders of GWI – as a rubber stamp Chairman of GWI… thus, my resignation.”

According to Hinds in his resignation letter, “It is with a deep sense of regret that I resign as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Guyana Water Inc (GWI) with effect from October 26, 2016.”

Hinds, was recently challenged when he moved a motion at the level of the Board to have the Managing Director sent on leave pending an investigation into his abuse of powers among a litany of complaints.

The internal fighting between Dr VanWest-Charles and the Board of Directors came about following complaints related to numerous infractions and changes at the utility entity that had been instituted by him.

The entity’s Internal Audit Department (IAD) has since launched an investigation into an abuse of authority by the entity’s Managing Director.

The auditors have also recommended that many of the changes instituted by Dr Van West-Charles be reversed.

The investigation was launched into the actions of Dr Van West-Charles after allegations had been lodged, ranging from questionable employment practices, the suppression of internal audits, and retribution against senior employees, among a host of other infractions.

Chairman of GWI Board of Directors Nigel Hinds

Auditors

With regards to the employment practices of the Managing Director, the entity’s Internal Audit Department (IAD) found that in instances there were no justification for consultants hired and that a position had in fact been created to facilitate the employment of an ‘unqualified’ Lear Goring.

Goring – since fired – was employed as a Debt Recovery Manager but did not have the minimum qualifications for the post and was being paid monthly $263,000 in addition to a $20,000 allowance.

Another of the hired consultants that attracted the attention of GWI’s IAD was

a Billing Consultant employed by Dr Van WestCharles, on a temporary contract with a monthly starting salary of $525,000.

Also, the media recently reported that sole sourcing at GWI skyrocketed by as much as 850 per cent under the guise of Dr VanWestCharles after the dismantling of the entity’s procurement department.

He was also accused of dismantling of the Procurement Department.

The Internal Auditors have since recommended an urgent review of GWI’s policies and procedures at all operational areas to reflect modern practices and the structural changes recently made.

4

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

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

Matthew's aftermath

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

Editorial

Early childhood development

A

ccording to findings of The Lancet’s new Series, ‘Advancing Early Childhood Development: From Science to Scale’, an estimated 43 per cent – 249 million – of children under five in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at an elevated risk of poor development due to extreme poverty and stunting.

This most recent finding is indeed shocking when one considers what this means for a country’s development and more particularly, the future of its children. Developing countries such as Guyana must therefore heed the call for increased focus to be placed on early childhood development, especially when it comes to allocating the necessary resources aimed at supporting the relevant programmes.

On a more global scale, the findings in this Series underscore the importance of increased global commitment to early childhood development. Co-author of the Series, Professor Linda M Richter warned: "We now know how high the cost of inaction is, and new evidence makes clear that the time to act is now.

We hope the evidence in this Series will help countries reach more pregnant women and young children with preventive and promotive services that have the potential to drastically improve developmental outcomes for children as well as their adult health, wellbeing, and economic productivity.”

According to WHO, research shows that a child’s brain develops faster in the first two to three years than at any other time in life: “These early years are also a critical period of adaptability and responsiveness to interventions. When young children are deprived of nutrition, stimulation, and protection, the damaging effects can produce long-term detriments for families and communities.”

In Guyana, there are weaknesses in certain areas in relation to early childhood development, especially as it relates to the collection of data. More often than not, the relevant data is not readily available to help policy makers and development partners design effective early childhood development programmes that would have lasting impacts.

As noted by UNICEF in one of its previous reports, much progress has been made in terms of access to preventive and curative healthcare for children and indicators for immunisation reflect this. However, there is a concern about relatively high infant mortality rates.

Further, chronic malnutrition continues to be a problem and displays significant geographical disparities. For example, the national averages for stunting are somewhere around 10 per cent but could be much higher in hinterland communities. Poor diet and repeated bouts of infectious disease in childhood are considered the main causes.

The case has been made for huge investments in the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting with a woman’s pregnancy. In this most recent report, the authors stress the strong position of the health sector in providing an entry point for early childhood interventions – especially in support of nurturing care.

The sector’s ability to access women and children during the critical period from conception through early childhood presents an opportunity to integrate low-cost interventions, such as WHO/UNICEF’s Care for Child Development, and Reach Up and Learn, into existing maternal and child health and nutrition services.

Interventions need to be available early.

The authors propose several ways the global community can scale-up support for early childhood development services. These include: Encouraging the adoption and implementation of policies to create supportive environments for families to provide nurturing care for young children; Building capacity and strengthening coordination to promote early childhood development through existing health, nutrition, education, social, and child protection services; Strengthening measurement and ensuring accountability for early childhood development services; Increasing research, and fostering global and regional leadership and action; and Expanding political will and funding through advocacy for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Certainly, the Lancet research is further proof that much more needs to be done by governments and policy makers in developing countries with the support of other international development partners to ensure that our children are given the best care and support, beginning with the earliest stages of their lives.

What children experience in the earliest days and years of life has a tremendous impact on shaping and defining their future.

Hurricane Matthew killed more than 800 people and left tens of thousands homeless in its rampage through Haiti. A girl walks on a damaged tree in Les Cayes, Haiti (Reuters)

It is time for President Granger to wake up and lead Dear Editor, In his maiden New Year’s message to the nation as Executive President in 1993, the late President Cheddi Jagan charged the nation to be “lean, clean and mean” in all their actions. He advised his people that they couldn’t embark on reconstructing Guyana until and unless there is a “higher moral code of behaviour as a society and as individuals....”

He called on all to “set their faces sternly against squandermania, bribery, and corruption, discrimination in all forms, nepotism, and favouritism”. He said it is the only way we can “reduce the huge budget deficit left by the former government”.

Now, reflecting on these wise words from the most respected Head of State that ever ruled Guyana, I fast forward to the state of the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the lethargy of the powers that be, when it comes to its appointment. Why is the PPC being undermined by the Granger administration when, while on the opposition benches, it was these same people who were shouting at the top of their voices for its establishment and how they were going to “fire and fry” the corrupt officials. But quite hypocritically, these

same people, when given the power to act, profess that they are not “a cabinet of angels”.

Isn’t this deep-seated intellectual dishonesty of the highest order?

Financial scandals involving public officials continue to capture the nation’s attention thanks to some determined investigative journalism. Most of these scandals are as a result of the deteriorating ethical behaviours of public officials who have indulged themselves in all sorts of malpractices.

So when the people saw an older greyhair gentleman professing “LOVE AND UNITY” and a commitment toward the establishment of the Commission at Whim in March 2015, they said let us give him a try. So where is that commitment today?

The Commission will contribute to the strengthening of procurement ethics, integrity, transparency, accountability and professionalism in public institutions. The PPC will help protect public resources and enhance public sector performance.

But President Granger has to act if the nation is to benefit from any of these bonuses of a democracy. Keeping politicians in the procurement equation will do nothing but embellish corruption in

Guyana. I was so proud of the National Assembly when they endorsed the names that will form the Commission. The National Assembly did its duty to the nation; they sent the names to President Granger over a month ago. But since then, there seemed to be a determined emphasis to bury this Commission by the powers that be in the Ministry of the Presidency.

So there are two important points of this letter: 1.

The Granger administration talked financial scrutiny when they were in opposition, but when given the power to act they have not walked the talk.

One only has to review the 2013 Budget speech by the then vibrant leader of the AFC who has morphed into a proverbial mouse on the issues of integrity and good governance these days. In 2013 Ramjattan said by not appointing the PPC the then government was “breaching the Constitution”. But the breach is still alive today in 2016; so where is his voice today?

2. The Bid Protest Committee (BPC) is not a Constitutional Body, but a creature of politicians and thus it is not independent.

The BPC is nothing but a process to castrate the Guyana Constitution. By giving it a life, the Granger

administration is attempting to politically influence the procurement system, which is one of the reasons why Guyana is where it is today. And when we think May 2015 made a difference on these acts of financial skulduggery, it has not. Actually, the corruption has got more pervasive and worst. Many complaints have been lodged with me that one member of this government has already built a mansion on taxpayers’ dollars for one of his secondary paramour by demanding sand, stone, cement and zinc-sheets before he takes their contract to the cabinet.

So let us not fool ourselves, the concepts of ethics, accountability, transparency, integrity and professionalism in the public service is under a clear and present danger under the Granger administration. There are clear signs of practices and behaviours, which perpetuate corruption, conflict of interest and financial malpractices such as unjustified sole sourcing of goods and services and so on.

It is time for President Granger to wake up and lead on this issue by appointing the Public Procurement Commission.

Regards Sase Singh, Maryland, USA

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 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

City Hall workers Region 6 Chairman continue to suffer exposed corruption Dear Editor, How much longer must the citizens of Georgetown and the workers of City Hall be made to suffer under the Town Clerk?

Since the beginning of the year, workers have to suffer the indignity and hardship of being paid late each month. In fact as I write this letter, many workers are still to be paid, contrary to the erroneous report that everyone was paid.

And then we see the irksome statement from City Hall which says they are trying to strike a balance between honouring the Council’s financial obligations to its workers and contractors, and providing critical and vital municipal services.

The truth of the matter is that the Council’s payroll is bloated, laden with friends and family who are earning super salaries for doing little or nothing.

The truth of the matter is that one super contractor continues to cart off hundreds of millions of dollars in a very corrupt arrange-

ment.

The Town Clerk is quoted as saying that the council needs to be more efficient with its tax collection, noting that there are outstanding rates and taxes. So what is his debt recovery unit doing?

Then he goes into his old worn-out refrain thanking workers for their patience, understanding and support in the effort to restore Georgetown to its pristine state.

That is the tune that the cow died on. Can the workers thank their mortgage

companies, power and telephone and electricity companies, their grocer, their landlord, minibus drivers, etc, for their patience, understanding and support in the effort to restore Georgetown to its pristine state?

The Town Clerk clearly is not as dependent as other workers on his salary to survive and is being condoned by a Local Government Officers Union that has sold out the rights and welfare of the workers.

Sincerely, Deodarie Putulal

Dear Editor, The entire RDC boardroom was in a state of shock and disbelief when Regional Chairman, David Armogan announced that he has refused to approve the payment to a certain contractor even though the work done was approved by three councillors - two from the PPP/C and one from APNU/ AFC. With contract in hand he explained to the RDC the reason why he refused to do so. The work done was approximately half the size of a normal house lot yet it cost the Region $150,000. The weeding was done at the monument site at Rose Hall Town, opposite Republic Bank by the Rose Hall Town Arch. This was ‘emergency’ work done for the Town Day celebrations.

This work could have been done by the Rose Hall Town Council for as much as $5000, maximum $10,000.

When the Chairman questioned the said councillors if they inspected the work they replied in

Was the Coat of Arms changed?

Dear Editor, I have noticed since Wednesday 6 October 2016 that the Coat of Arms has been changed. This appears to have been done arbitrarily and without public knowl-

edge.

At today’s Investiture Ceremony the “new” Coat of Arms was on display. I have scanned all the local newspapers for this week to see if any notice was pub-

lished or if the Ministry of Citizenship or other relevant Ministry had made a Public Announcement. I could not find any such notice.

I am therefore asking you to kindly investigate

and as appropriate obtain an explanation as to which version of our Coat of Arms is to be used.

Thank you for your assistance.

Faoud Khan

the negative. How could these people whom the residents entrusted to get value for money not inspect the work? How can they determine the standard of work?

These are members of the Regional Works Committee and should know the procedures involved before certifying works for payment.

These persons have no right to serve us. They must do the honourable thing and resign.

Moreover, it was pointed out by another Councillor that if the Regional Vice Chairman was not on leave then the Chairman would have never been able to discover this fraudulent and corrupt transaction.

It is normal for the Vice Chairman to award ‘emergency’ works and to approve payments. The question is where are the checks and balance?

This is type of corruption that Dr Ramayya was agitating about. He was a threat to the Regional Vice Chairman since he refused to approve pay-

ments for many such fraudulent works and so he had to be pressured into resigning.

This revelation at the RDC Statutory meeting I am sure, is just the tip of the iceberg and as the Vice Chairman of the Works Committee of the 52-74 NDC, I have had firsthand experience of substandard work being certified by both the Engineer and the Regional Vice Chairman, therefore, I am calling for a forensic audit to be done for all the ‘emergency’ works undertaken; the tender process and the engineer’s estimates which are highly inflated to benefit the contractors who will be in a better financial position to facilitate ‘kickbacks’. Unless this is done the corrupt practices will continue and development of the Region will remain retarded.

Yours sincerely, Lakram Singh Councillor and VC of the Works Committee 52-74 NDC

6

saturday october 8, 2016

Page

Foundation

Brain-based reasons to teach handwriting in school

BY J RICHARD GENTRY PHD

T

eaching handwriting in elementary school is getting huge support from research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Handwriting helps support children’s literacy and academic development.

Here’s what the research now says regarding both “why” and “how” to teach it.

1. Handwriting helps kids develop reading circuitry in their brains If we want children to learn to read, we should teach handwriting beginning in preschool. Brain scanning has demonstrated that handwriting in manuscript helps preschoolers learn their letters. In doing so, the child who is learning to print letters is setting up the neural systems that underlie reading. How? By connecting several reading and handwriting distinct shared neural systems or networks in the human brain.

Think of writing by hand as being indispensable for helping children develop a brain that reads with proficiency. That’s why schools that have thrown out teaching handwriting should bring it back.

2. Handwriting makes better writers and spellers and predicts reading and academic success The handwriting is on the wall. Research shows that learning to write by hand is a key component in improving both spelling ability and written composition. With beginners, handwriting experience facilitates letter learning, and letter learning not only sets up the neural systems that underlie reading, writing, and spelling but it is a primary predictor of later reading success. In addition, handwriting fluency frees the child’s mind for more complex composing skills for making meaning. Much of the current handwriting research demonstrates immediate gains and lasting benefits for academic achievement. Even in upper elementary and middle school, research has shown that learning to write in cursive improved spelling and composing skills.

The takeaway? It’s worth taking the time

in the daily curriculum and it’s worth the financial investment in teaching resources for handwriting.

3. Handwriting makes both children – and adults – smarter! Close those laptops!

Learning handwriting in preschool is better than learning letters on the computer because research shows that handwriting in print – not keyboarding – leads to adult-like neural processing in the visual system of the preschool child’s developing reading brain. In one study, researchers found gray matter volume and density correlating with higher handwriting quality, which signals more efficient neural processing and higher skills and ability. Furthermore, when older students lack fluency in their writing, composition skills suffer along with self-

esteem, grades, and test scores.

Even in adults handwriting is better than keyboarding for learning. Public Radio International’s Marc Sollinger reports Pam Mueller’s note taking research at Princeton University that led Sollinger to champion handwriting and implore laptop writers to “Close Your Laptops!” and write notes in longhand.

Mueller’s note taking experiments found that typing on a laptop was much less effective for remembering and synthesising information. Those lecturerverbatim laptop notes weren’t as good as longhand for studying for the test or for retrieving information because encoding in writing – just as with preschoolers and kindergartners – is better for the learning brain than keyboarding.

4. Start out with teacher modelling Exemplary veteran kindergarten teachers and researchers Eileen Fledgus, Isabell Cardonick, and I worked for over thirty years synthesising the research and showing kindergarten and first grade teachers the benefits of teacher modelling for letter learning and writing. Even if children come to kindergarten classrooms unable to write their own names we have them drawing their story or drawing their information and writing meaningful pieces within a couple of months. Now our techniques are supported by neuroscience and psychological research.

5. Teach handwriting directly and explicitly Handwriting is a complex skill engaging cognitive, perceptual, and motor skills simultaneously. It is best learned through direct instruction.

Some schools in the United States have stopped teaching manuscript explicitly in kindergarten and first grade, and stopped teaching cursive beginning in Grade Three ostensibly due to not having time to teach handwriting in elementary school. That’s a mistake. Handwriting for school children is a boon for reading, writing, and spelling. It’s still required in Great Britain – they are getting it right. It’s s u p p o r te d by research.

We should be t e a c h i n g handwriting (and spelling) in the US. Invest in handwriting instruction, and as I reported in previous posts, invest in explicit spelling instruction. If you are a parent, a principal, a school board member, or an education administrator insist on direct handwriting and spelling instruction throughout primary and elementary school. Both are important stepping stones on the 21st century pathway to academic success. (psychologytoday.

guyana-times.com

How to raise a lifelong learner

BY KAREN CHARLTON

I

magine you stopped learning in high school. Once you walked out of those school gates, you left all your wonder, your curiosity and your playfulness at the door.

You go out, get a job, work, get married, have kids, retire, and then die, all without wondering … what’s out there in that big, wide world?

You can actually graduate high school and not learn much ever again. Just quietly, I think a few of my former classmates have done exactly that; they’ve failed to imagine a bigger life than the one immediately in front of them. They’ve denied themselves new experiences, and without wonder teasing them in new directions, the world for them has become a place that is

a place they can find answers; an art gallery, a library, a museum.

Let them know it’s OK to be a nerd and get lost in a topic; that’s often when the best discoveries are made.

Perhaps your child is into trains, or the violin, or jewellery making; help them find the thing that makes them lose themselves, and enable them to pour themselves into that thing. This might mean extra classes, or specific tools, or a quiet place to practice their instrument. As a parent, you can help them scratch that itch.

Here’s the thing: the very act of learning one new thing will teach them a variety of skills that they will use in other areas of their

com)

small and narrow; there are no questions, just answers and closed doors. It’s a sweet shame.

Learning, however, opens doors in so many areas of life; it gives us opportunity, it helps us adapt to new or difficult situations.

Learning helps us to solve problems, both practical and of the heart. Most of all, it helps us to grow long after we become grown up. The key to lifelong learning is desire; desire to know more, or to do things better.

It’s not just book smarts that encourage someone to become a keen learner.

The child’s curiosity – their desire to ask who? what? where? when? why? and find out more – is the drive behind that search for new knowledge and for solutions to problems.

As parents, the best thing we can do is nurture our child’s curiosity, and give it the best chance to grow strong and flexible. Answer their questions. If you can’t answer them, direct them to a place where they can find the answers. Take them to

lives; organisation, time management, practice, skill, dedication, perseverance, confidence. Learning is cumulative; it builds and grows, like a muscle. The more you use it, the more inclined you are to use it. Once your child leaves school, they’re going to need these skills not just for further study, but for getting on with their life, and making it full and good.

Wonder is a question mark, when you find yourself standing with your mouth open, dazzled by some amazing thing, asking ‘how did they do that?’

Wonder is experimental and open-ended; it’s being open to notice the world and its diversity and absurdity, and having the confidence and self-assuredness to say aloud “WOW, that is wonderful. I want to know more.” We mightn’t always understand the answer, but the most important part in learning is asking the question in the first place. And we never become too old for asking questions. (kidspot.com.au)

NEWS

7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

GECOM reforms unlikely 5 arrested with guns, for 2020 elections – AFC ammo, ganja at nightspot

F

ollowing numerous and repeated recommendations from election observer groups over the years for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to undergo reforms, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has stated that these transformations will not be likely before the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

This was disclosed by the party’s General Secretary David Patterson, who told reporters at a press conference on Friday that while GECOM

reforms is high on the AFC’s priority list, it is unlikely that this will be done in time for the country’s next national elections.

“It is quite high (on the priority list) but to get there before 2020... As a party, we do know that we will be part of the Government from 2020 going on… so therefore we have talked and I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I know coming up to elections, what areas we have to look at not only politically but administratively and legislatively to strengthen the hand of the AFC either singly or in a coalition or shared governance – whatever format – and that’s what is driving our priorities,” Patterson stated.

For decades now, Elections Observer Groups both internationally and regional-

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

ly have been insisting that while GECOM’s purpose for existence is to administer free and fair electoral processes, Guyana should consider reforms that would reduce or eliminate the politicised composition of election bodies in order to ensure independence and impartiality.

However, while the AFC recognised the need to end the practice of having political appointees as members of GECOM, the party’s General Secretary admitted on Friday to reporters that little has been done to bring the matter up for discussion with its coalition partner – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Patterson explained that this is so because the AFC has as priority issues such as Constitution reforms, campaign financing legislations and corruption matters on its

agenda.

He said, “It is not one of the topics that have arisen at the moment so far… We don’t want to move anything to displace our priority which is constitutional reform. We have a massive list of things to discuss which we go down sequentially. (The list of things) is getting longer everyday to discuss with our coalition partner but there are certain things which we are mandated to do by our members and constitutional reforms and campaign financing and corruption issues and things like that are high on the agenda,” the General Secretary said, while adding that the AFC will eventually get to the reforming of GECOM. Currently, the elections oversight body comprised using the Carter Centre model that was introduced for the 1992 elections. This model provides for three members each from Government and Opposition and the Chairman appointed by the President from a list of names submitted to him by the Opposition, a process which many say have since exhausted its usefulness.

To this end, Patterson outlined that the AFC believes there should be more civil society involvement in GECOM. In fact, he recalled that his party has recommended that the seven-member commission be replaced with a 10-member body, three of whom will be representatives from political parties and the remaining members from civil society.

“We have been on record and we reduced the Government and Opposition’s participation to a third and rest must be made up of civilians,” he stated, while noting that such a model has been adopted by Jamaica and is proving to be successful.

The guns, ammo and ganja found during the Police operation

F

our men and a woman were arrested in the wee hours of Friday at a popular nightspot in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown with two illegal firearms, several rounds of ammunition and a quantity of ganja.

Reports are that Police swooped down on the Ballaz Wash Bay Bar between 01:30h and 02:30h and conducted a search on the occupants. During the search, a .38 revolver

with six live rounds of ammunition, one air gun and a quantity of marijuana were discovered.

Guyana Times understands that one of the men who was arrested was fingered in a shooting during a football game in West Ruimveldt. The five persons are expected to be charged shortly.

On Thursday, an Annandale, East Coast Demerara, man was taken into custody after he

was found with two illegal handguns and several rounds of ammunition.

According to reports, the unemployed man, 24, was arrested in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, after Police received a tipoff.

Police at about 12:40h went to a house in the area where they found a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol, along with three rounds of ammunition.

8 news

SATURdAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS

Causing death accused Eyew tness on $500,000 bail Memories…

A Laing Avenue, La Penitence, Georgetown, man who reportedly caused the death of a pillion rider just over three months ago at Houston, Georgetown, was on Friday granted $500,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Melroy Barnwell, 27, of Laing Avenue, is accused of riding motorcycle CG 8485 in a dangerous manner, thereby causing the death of Paulette Josiah on June 22, 2016.

The prosecution’s case is that on the day in question, the defendant was riding at a fast rate and trying to overtake a long line of traffic. It was stated that the defendant tried to dodged traffic that was coming in the opposite direction when he collided with a car.

According to the Prosecution’s case, the defendant was without any traffic documents. It was revealed in court that Josiah died of internal

Dead: Paulette Josiah

bleeding with fractures to her thighs and abdomen.

Unrepresented, Barnwell informed the court that he was never questioned about documents for his motorcycle; in fact, he stated that he had all of his documents except for his licence.

Paulette Josiah, 19, of Lot 127 Block CC Eccles, East Bank Demerara, succumbed to her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital while receiving medical attention.

According to earlier reports by Traffic Chief Dion Moore, the motorcycle overtook a vehicle, but at the same time it was noticed that the car was approaching and Barnwell applied brakes, which resulted in Josiah pitching off the motorcycle.

The traffic chief had disclosed that both riders were not wearing safety helmets.

Barnwell is scheduled to make his next court appearance on October 18, 2016.

Miner slapped with break and enter, simple larceny charges

A

miner of Lot 23 Friendship, East Bank Demerara, was slapped with charges of break and enter and simple larceny and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Anthony Lall pleaded not guilty to the first charge which stated that between September 13 and October 3, 2016, he broke and entered the dwelling of Shonelle Douglas, stealing a television and a gas bot-

tle, totalling $115,000.

The second charge stated that Lall stole two 500-gallon black tanks valued $60,000 from Douglas around the same time; he also pleaded not guilty to this charge.

Police prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that Douglass secured her house between September 13 and October 3, 2016, and left, however, upon her return she noticed the said items missing.

Jones added that Douglas made a report, after which ranks investigat-

ed and caught Lall with the items in his possession.

Lall explained to the court that he did not steal the tanks but that they were given to him to sell.

He said he told Police where the man resided who gave him the items but no investigations were done.

The unrepresented defendant was placed on $25,000 bail altogether. The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court where Lall is scheduled to appear on October 18, 2016.

Alleged door thieves on bail T

hree persons, all of whom reside at Lot 13 Field Barnwell, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, were on Friday brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, accused of stealing 4 doors from a building under construction at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Sween Evon, 27, Roy Nurse, 41 and Timacy Kameroon, 22, all pleaded not guilty to the joint charge of simple larceny.

It was alleged that on October 3, 2016 at Providence, the trio stole two pine doors valued $45,000 and two Purpleheart doors valued $32,000, property of Yomattie Seetaram.

Prosecution facts revealed that the two men and woman stole the doors off a building under construction.

The doors were recovered at the defendants’ residence.

The unrepresented defendants were granted bail altogether in the sum of $15,000. They are scheduled to make their next court appearance on October 25, 2016.

…dimmed or erased? our Eyewitness was pleased that the PNC marked its 59th birthday. Seemed to’ve been a rather staid affair. But then…when you’re almost a pensioner it isn’t easy to “shake a leg”, much less get down and boogie!! But did it have to be so low keyed that none of the dailies covered it? Your Eyewitness had to depend on one of those fly-by-night internet news outfits that dot the Guyana landscape - worse than flies on a week-old road kill!

Anyhow, your Eyewitness isn’t complaining. (Even though there’s the old conundrum - If there’s an event but no one knows about it, did it really happen?) But if the birth of the PNC’s being remembered, shouldn’t the groups that helped form the party all be there? The celebrants seem to want us to forget the PNC didn’t just drop from the sky… but from an Anglo-American plan to oust the PPP - in which both Jagan and Burnham were leaders.

The super ambitious Burnham was egged on by those interests and split from the PPP to form the PPP (Burnham) which opposed the PPP (Jagan) in the 1957 elections. Even though he pulled off what he thought was a powerful “ethnically balanced” leadership core from the PPP (Latchmansingh and JaiNarine Singh from sugar Labour and East Indian Association), Burnham lost ignominiously to Jagan.

And that’s when the PNC was formed - by merging PPP (Burnham) with a party of the League of Coloured People elite and a force unto himself - Sydney King - who was to become “Eusi Kwayana”. Now this wasn’t just a merger for numbers - it was a merger of ideology - Burnham with his “socialism”, the League of Coloured Peoples (LCP) with their conservative, white bias outlook and Sydney King with his incipient African rights concerns.

Mr Kwayana’s still alive… why wasn’t he invited for old times’ sake? So what if he left to form the WPA? That party’s now in the coalition, no? And even those out of government are giving “critical support”!! And what’s this about the PNC leading us to Independence? What was the UF and Peter D’Aguiar? Chopped liver? If it wasn’t for him… Jagan and the PPP would’ve had 28+23 years at the helm. They could’ve invited Nadir! Look out AFC - you’ll be erased, too!!

And how come Kamau Cush - of the Smart Solutions Parking Meter fame - gets a front seat when Van WestCharles had to sit behind him - all on his lonesome? That’s real cold to a fella who was once called “Baby Jesus”.

Why? Well if Haiti’s Papa Doc had “Baby Doc”, why couldn’t Burnham who fancied himself as the Supreme, have his “Baby Jesus”??

Ahhhh...memories are made of this!!

Y

...dimmed past 100 days?

And here your Eyewitness thought things might be different. After all, when a party directly accuses the government of lying through their teeth about everything - including their name (was there a Civic?) - you’d think they’d be careful about their promises when THEY become the government, no?

Well, not this lot! Let’s count some of the ways they stiffed the slobs who voted for them on promises to be fulfilled WITHIN 100 days: NO to a “Significant salary increase for government workers including nurses, teachers, security personnel and civil servants”; NO to “Immediately implementing a phased reduction of VAT”; NO to “Reduction of President’s Pension”; NO to “Establishment of Public Procurement Commission”; NO to “Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians, Ministers”; and NO to “Adoption of a long-term sustainable economic development plan”.

Can these fellas actually stand in front of their constituency - those outside never believed their pitch to begin with - and hope to get their votes?

Loyalty of race? ...of leaks There’s the old folk saying, “knock got knock back”! So after leaks spouted in the direction of GECOM’s CEO on some serious corruption charges, up came some about the DCEO. GECOM battle of the leaks?

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

NEWS

9

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

$61M help for Guyana’s subscription to international extractive ‘watchdog’ T he Guyana Government is partnering with United States-based Carter Centre in its preparation to become a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) – an international body aimed at highlighting how countries manage their oil, gas and mineral resources.

To assist Guyana in its quest, the US Government has injected some US$297,000 (G$61.3 million) to help prepare Guyana for its membership to the extractive industries transparency body.

This fund will be used by the Carter Centre during the 12-month project to assist Guyana, through the Natural Resources Ministry, with a series of programmes that will help the country to develop an acceptable candidacy for submission to the international extractive industries ‘watchdog’.

The grant was announced by US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway on Friday at the Embassy’s Duke Street, Kingston, location: “The scope of the grant is expected to assist the Government of Guyana to develop the candidacy documents required by the EITI Secretariat. I am confident this programme will strengthen the work of the Government of Guyana in promoting transparency in the country’s extractive industries at a time when Guyana prepares to wel-

From left: US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway, acting Prime Minister Carl Greenidge, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and Carter Centre Representative Jason Calder at the US Embassy following the announcement of the $61.3 million grant

come future growth in the petroleum industry.”

Meanwhile, Carter Centre Country Representative, Jason Calder, outlined that the project is aimed at building capacity, reviewing laws and regulations, as well as working with the MultiStakeholder Group.

“We are pleased to be working with Minister Trotman and his team to support EITI,” Calder noted, while mentioning that “the potential transformative impact that oil revenue could have if it supports a sound national development strategy. Central to such strategy are the systems for inclusive governance, transparency and accountability. This has not been the reality in many countries stricken

with the resource curse – something we are certain Guyanese want to avoid.”

On the other hand, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman posited that joining EITI is a show of good governance and will ensure transparency and accountability in the country’s extractive sector. Adherence to and implementation of EITI is important for Guyana’s economic and social development: “Guyana’s economy is heavily based on extractive industries and the country is soon to become an oil producing nation. These resources belong to the people and are none renewable and therefore we will need to ensure that they are managed judiciously.”

Trotman continued that

UG outlines plans for revenue...

FROM PAGE 2

The administration will soon engage several companies, including Impressions, Topaz, as well as Gaskin and Jacksons, for proposals on this initiative.

“Our university is going to have to get into the business of both online availability and in person availability of things that would help the university both brand and re-image and make some money,” Dr Griffith stated.

He added that naming opportunities is also an excellent concept used by universities around the world.

“You go to universities in the Caribbean and around the world and you see colleges and schools and faculties and buildings with names, those names come with money. And so we are going to have to be in the business of raising money in naming opportunities,” he explained.

The Vice Chancellor also touted the idea of having a store at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and select areas in the Diaspora market where UG products can be on sale.

In addition, Dr Griffith disclosed that the administration is looking to expand UG outside of the Turkeyen campus and the new locations can be used as a revenue earner through rentals.

Currently, he said the university is looking at three locations and a decision is likely to

be announced in the New Year.

Responding to calls for more university campuses to be established across the country such as in Essequibo and Linden, the Vice Chancellor said this is not in the short-term plan for UG since it makes no sense investing in the construction of new campuses when the central location needs significant improvements.

Modernisation

To modernise the university, it is asking Government for a $5.2 billion subvention in next year’s budget.According to the Vice Chancellor, a large portion of the money would be used to pay higher salaries to both foreign and local academic staff.

He stressed that to improve the university’s credibility more foreign staff would have to be hired to perform functions which cannot be taken up by locals owing to the lack of skillset required.

“It’s not always something that colleagues like to hear…

Some of the staff we are going to need to hire both on the academic and on the administrative side will need to come from outside Guyana. We will need to attract people from outside that have got skills that we need that are not readily available here,” he explained.

The funds will also be used to improve the laboratory, support overseas travel for lecturers to present papers at

international conferences, development of a new library, a new centre for communication studies, fencing of the campus to prevent animals from roaming, the purchase of a tractor, and to improve lighting.

UG also plans to hire its own attorney to take care of all its legal aspects, such as labour issues and intellectual property rights. The VC envisions that the attorney will also work along with law students so they can get that experience before graduating.

UG also has plans to improve its drainage and irrigation system, water supply and pressure, electricity distribution; particularly to reduce the instances of blackouts, reduce flooding associated with heavy rains, expand parking areas, construct new buildings and expand its road network for more vehicular entry and exit.

UG is exploring the option of opening access from Dennis Street, Georgetown and is also in talks with the management of Giftland OfficeMax to connect its entrance road with the campus.

Additionally, Public Infrastructure Ministry, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and the Guyana Water Incorporation, have been frequenting the campus to examine the existing infrastructure to determine how best they can assist in its improvement plans.

joining EITI will also see Guyana benefiting in vari-

ous areas, particularly in improving the country’s investment climate – a signal to international investors that the government has a clear commitment to transparency and good governance, and strengthened accountability vis–à–vis the Guyanese people.

Additionally, acting Prime Minister Carl Greenidge assured that government would pay close attention to the benchmarks set and which the Carter Centre will be monitoring during the course of the project.

In subscribing to EITI, Guyana will have to form a tri-partite MultiStakeholder Group (MSG) drawing from government, civil society and the extrac-

tive industries to guide and oversee the EITI process.

Moreover, the MSG will have to provide an annual report in which various types of extractive sector revenues paid by companies to the government are reconciled with those that government reports receiving.

The extractive industries watchdog will also examine revenue allocations, intergovernmental transfers, company social expenditures, the process for allocating licences and contracts, identifying the beneficial owners of companies in the extractives sector, and documenting the impact of the extractive industries on the economy.

10

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

News

Budget 2017

FITUG proposes 25% income tax rates to Govt

T

he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on Thursday proposed to Government, through engagements with the Finance Ministry, that the income tax threshold be increased to $70,000, while the personal income tax rate be reduced to 25 per cent.

On Thursday, Minister within the Finance Ministry, Jaipaul Sharma met with the union on issues relating to the 2017 National Budget, where a number of measures were proposed by the treasurer of the FITUG Seepaul Narine.

An income tax threshold of at least $70,000 monthly which would be up from $50,000 currently was proposed, and that the personal income tax rate be 25 per cent rather than 30 per cent.

“FITUG also sought to have the promised reduction in the rate of VAT be reflected in the 2017 Budget. To bring relief to families, especially with children, FITUG advised the Minister to once again make provision for tax relief for spouses and children under age 16,” said a statement from FITUG.

Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma

FITUG Treasurer Seepaul Narine

Other proposals included an increased minimum wage for workers and continued Government support for the sugar industry.

Taking into account that when the National Minimum Wage was introduced in 2013 it was about 85 per cent of the Public Sector minimum wage, the Federation suggested that the National Minimum Wage be set to 85 per cent of the prevailing Public Sector Minimum Wage. It also proposed that that the sectorial minimum wages, last adjusted in 2012, be adjusted once again.

On sugar, FITUG called on the Government to adopt the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendation to have the Skeldon CoGeneration Plant returned to GuySuCo and a revised Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) be put in place.

Additionally, the Federation proposed that the industry’s diversification be furthered through; other co-generation plants, the construction of a refinery to take advantage ofthe Caricom market demand, and the establishment of a distillery in Berbice.

“The diversification ini-

tiatives FITUG advised could be pursued following discussions with various stakeholders, including the respective Trade Unions in the industry. FITUG also called on the Government to reverse its decision to close Wales Sugar Estate in view of the negative impact the closure will have on the economy and on the affected workers and their families, among others,” the statement indicated.

Meanwhile, the unions and the Minister discussed bringing the qualification for Old Age pension to begin at 50 per cent of the Public Sector Minimum Wage.

“With respect to NIS, old age pensions, FITUG proposed that the increases in pensions be linked to the annual Public Sector wage rise as was the practice in the past.”

FITUG also recommended that the Government consider significant salary increases for all Government employees including those employed by semi-autonomous agencies, State-owned companies and public corporations.

Additionally, FITUG suggested that the Government consider compiling and publishing reports on the impact and performance of various foreign investment projects in an effort to determine whether the Guyanese people are receiving the best possible returns.

Sharma acknowledged FITUG’s proposals and assured them that the proposals would be taken into consideration by the budgetary team in the process of the Budget formulation.

“FITUG hopes that unlike the previous consultations the Minister had with FITUG on his Budgets, that we will see some of our proposals reflected in this Budget in the making,” the statement said.

17th batch of students commence studies at KKTC

Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry interacting with students

T

o be better than who I am, to work harder, to use my time and energy meaningfully, to play sensibly, to always believe I can, to always comply with my instructions, and to have success only through courage, hard work, order and discipline.” Those were the words recited by 240 new students commencing their studies at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC).

These students are drawn from all of the administrative regions and will be spending 10 months at the institution pursuing studies in technical and vocational skills and business studies.

“During the next 10 months or so, you will be exposed to 10 different subject areas, some of which will provide you with the skills that will make you marketable, and others that will teach life skills that will enable you to interact effectively with other persons and society at large,” Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry told the students.

The minister emphasised the importance of exploiting all the facilities and resources available at the KKTC; in this regard they were advised to be disciplined in their studies. “Do not allow anyone or anything to distract you from your studies.”

You must all work to develop your full potential. There are lots of things you can do and achieve at this training centre, but your achievement is to a large degree, defined by yourselves.”

The challenges of the course were not understated; however the students were advised to set a timeta-

ble for their studies and revision.

“You can start to shape your future here; take full advantage of the training you have been offered and remember that a lost opportunity cannot be regained,” Minister Henry admonished.

She expressed hope that the end result of the course will see young people being shaped into citizens who will help to change the communities from which they came for the better, and the country as a whole.

The Assisting Director of Youth (ADOY), Leslyn Boyce in her remarks highlighted the plans for the KKTC. “The Department of Youth plans on raising the standards of the institution to make it more current, efficient and effective while aligning it with TVET Standards,” she stated.

That thrust will be realised through the implementation of recommendations coming out from the KKTC Reviewing Curriculum Interim Report.

The priority areas, in this regard, are the restructuring and strengthening of the management structure by recruiting technical and competent staff; training of instructors to deliver competency based education; registering the KKTC under the Council for Technical and Vocational Training; commence the process of competency based education training; purchasing tools/equipment that would match TVET standards; expand the workshop spaces and provide clear guidelines for management.

saturDAY, october 8, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

Linden Town Clerk's admin leave

Mayor denies wrongdoing, calls for audit of the Council

Ambulance needed at Ogle Airport – Labour Dept

L

inden Mayor Carwyn Holland has denied any wrongdoing in his recent decision to send Linden Town Clerk (TC) Jonellor Bowen, on administrative leave pending investigations. The Council is presently awaiting the findings of a hearing into alleged wrongdoings by the TC from the Communities Ministry.

Speaking with the media on Friday, Holland explained that due to issues raised, it was the view of the Council to send the Town Clerk on administrative leave.

He further explained that a ‘no objection letter’ was received from the Communities Ministry on October 4, following an examination of the Council’s requests and recommendations. Prior to that, he said a letter was sent to the Ministry on September 9, 2016.

“This is a decision which was passed several weeks ago by the Council that voted unanimously in favour of her going on leave until the investigation is over. Thus, our decision was not abruptly arrived at. We exhausted and we used all means necessary to ensure that the Town Clerk was treated fairly, to ensure that we were on the right side of the law with whatever we were doing. We sought advice, we sought commission and we also sought out the Ministry of Communities to see whether they would have an objection because if they would have had an objection we could not have proceeded…” Mayor Holland said.

He added too that a letter was handed over to the Town Clerk on Thursday, while she was being notified of the impending administrative leave. The process, Holland indicated, was done in the presence of Inspectors and Senior Officers within the Council in addition to a Union representative.

“The Town Clerk received the letter in good faith and I also advised that she hand over the properties of the Council in a formal manner… All was good but I understand she asked for five minutes to seek legal Counsel and she was allowed the five minutes”, he explained The TC then locked her office door and remained inside with her Secretary for approximately two hours, after which time, the Officers subsequently asked her to comply with the order, the Mayor outlined.

“Within this time she was seen leaving with several bags. She was asked then to be inspected at this time when we realised that something was amiss. We called the Police…”

I

The Roraima Airways aircraft which exploded

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and Town Clerk Jonellor Bowen

Holland alleged that the TC had claimed that the documents she was leaving with were her personal documents which turned out to be pertinent documents belonging to the Council, including documents which the Council was requesting and did not know had existed, he said were found to be in her possession.

He indicated that a decision was then made for her to sign for all the documents she had attempted to leave with.

Guyana Times understands that Municipal Treasurer Audrey Nelson is now the Acting Town Clerk. A letter addressed to the Mayor which was seen by this publication, dated October 4, 2016 and signed

by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan authorised Nelson to act in the position.

“The Town Clerk, Ms Jonellor Bowen remains the substantive Town Clerk of the Municipality of Linden but she is on administrative leave until such time as to the findings of the hearing is presented. She will still be acknowledged… We have asked the Ministry of Communities to assist with sorting out the accounts of Linden and I will further make the call for an audit of the Council because it is my view and it is the Council’s view that things are not regular,” Holland said.

He said the Council is now excited to get work done, noting that he believes that the Government is a fair one and if it is found that there was no wrongdoing on the part of the TC, he would champion the cause for her to resume duties.

“But if the findings states that there is wrongdoings etcetera, then let the law take its course,” he said.

Holland and the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) had passed two NoConfidence Motions against Bowen and subsequently wrote Minister Bulkan requesting she be removed.

Town Clerk responds

Responding to the recent events, Bowen relat-

ed that on Thursday she was formally asked to hand over the keys to the acting Town Clerk, including all correspondence, court documents, etc.

Subsequently, she was advised that the letter served by the Mayor was irregular and technically incorrect and that she should proceed based on the law.

According to the Town Clerk, the letter stated that she should proceed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the hearing, which she outlined, wrapped up a few weeks ago.

Bowen explained that she was therefore advised not to hand over anything, which accounted for her initial decision to have the documents remain in her possession.

The letter which was viewed by this publication stated… “We the Mayor and Council of the Linden Municipality hereby send you on administrative leave with immediate effect until the conclusion of the hearing”.

The spat between Bowen and several Councillors, including Holland and Arrindell, began after she accused the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of spending over $500,000 on travel expenses from the already depleted coffers of the Town Council.

n light of a recent explosion at the Eugene F Correia International Airport while a Roraima Airways aircraft was under maintenance, the Labour Department has recommended that an ambulance be permanently stationed at the airport.

The department conducted an investigation into the June 20, 2016 industrial accident, which left aircraft engineer, Anil Rampersaud, with injures following the explosion. Senior Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer,Prandatt Basdeo, carried out the investigation.

At the time of the incident, Rampersaud and aircraft technician Darcy Chambers were executing maintenance tasks to the Roraima Airways Britten Norman Trislander aircraft.

It was reported that a fire erupted and Rampersaud, who was standing on the wing executing his duties, jumped to the ground upon

seeing the fire. In the process, he injured his left heel and suffered burns to parts of his body. He was pulled to safety and rushed to the Woodlands Hospital in a car.

Chief Occupational Safety and Health Officer (ag), Lydia Greene said the Ministry finds it necessary to call on the airport’s authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure that an efficient ambulance service is provided – on site – at the Eugene F Correia International Airport.

She stated that during the investigations under focus, it was revealed that in the absence of an ambulance service, the injured employee had to be transported to a city hospital in a private car.

In doing so, he was exposed to the possibility of further injury.

“The Ministry is of the view that such a deficiency in the safety arrangements at the airport needs to be urgently addressed by the airport authorities.”

Greene said that several short comings may have contributed to the accident and noted that the company is expected to take corrective actions immediately.

“Valuable lessons are always learnt from each accident and it is anticipated that the experiences garnered from this one will serve as a template to prevent similar occurrences. The Social Protection Ministry bemoaned the fact that there are far too many employers who treat occupational safety and health with scant regard because they place more value on profit than on people,” she said, adding that there are employers who place a high premium on the wellbeing of their workers by investing substantially in occupational safety and health.

She urged employers and employees to utilise the recently established hotline, 225-7008, to report all accidents and potential accidents urgently since, “safety is everybody’s business”.

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Glasgow returns as T&HD staff accuses senior manager of nepotism, corrupt practices UGSS President …calls for forensic audit

R

on Glasgow returns for a second term as the President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) with renewed vigour to continue the work he commenced to improve the campus experience.

Glasgow won against another visionary student, Brian Smith, who coalesced with Denroy Tudor with the hopes of taking command of the transformation process of UG. The UGSS elections were held on September 28 and very few students voted despite rigorous campaigning by both sides.

Nonetheless, the student

body in addition to electing a president, voted for representatives of each faculty: Agriculture and Forestry, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences,

Re-elected UGSS Ron Glasgow

President

Education and Humanities, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Technology.

During a recent in-

terview with Guyana Times, Glasgow said his plan for the enhancement of the student experience is to boost club creation, to stimulate club activi-

ty, to form Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with other universities, to improve sporting and recreational facilities, among others.

He explained that there are not enough clubs available on campus, only 14 clubs with a student population of close to 8000: “It’s pretty insignificant and out of the 14 clubs, only six are active,” he pointed out.

Glasgow said he will push for the creation of more clubs, as well as the stimulation of existing clubs.

“We need places where students can go and express themselves, express their hobbies,” he stated, noting that there is more to the college experience other than academics. Glasgow noted too that MoUs with other universities will provide a lot of benefits for the student population, such as foreign exchange programmes, research and intercampus association and development.

He also hopes to continue the improvement of existing sporting facilities since the current structures are too substandard and are far from encouraging the involvement in on-campus sporting activities.

Glasgow also wants to construct a recreational centre that will be the hub for students to go have fun playing games and being social.

S

everal employees of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure have dispatched a letter to the President and copied the Prime Minister calling for a forensic audit of the department and for a senior manager to be sent on leave during the audit.

The letter to both President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo revealed that there is a mass of corrupt practices and favouritism occurring within the department. The letter indicated that persons, who are friends of a senior manager, are being promoted without the necessary qualification and experience.

“Only staff within that circle is being promoted…,” it read, highlighting that the senior officer has hired several family to work in the department. The letter outlined that the officer in question has been “finding and creating” jobs for family and friends.

It noted that an Officer in Charge within the department was removed by the previous subject minister for corrupt practices, however the officer was reinstated by the very same senior officer.

The employees in the letter revealed that priority passes are being sold by senior managers. Priority pass is for government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corp, and senior officers of the Joint Services.

“What has been happening is that Tom, Dick and Harry are coming for pass

and paying between $10,000 to $25,000 for one pass,” the letter stated.

The employees also allege that monies are being deducted from salaries and are not paid over to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). It is only after they visit NIS to query about benefits, that they are told that, for months, the department has not paid any contributions on their behalf.

“Same is being done for credit union deductions. All this can be considered as fraud being committed by the T&HD and should be stopped,” the letter urged.

In addition, the concerned employees related that customers shipping goods to the North West District (NWD) are also being harassed by staff.

“They are told that if they want the goods to go on the boat they have to pay. Customers suffer a lot through theft when the boat reaches North West. Goods are missing,” the missive read.

“The fuel and drugs are big businesses,” the letter went on, adding that drugs are being shipped on the boat to the NWD. “Customers and sailors of the boat are in collusion.

The sailors and the captain keep the drugs in the cabin.

We want to see the Police and CANU come and search the boat before it sail every time.

Drugs will be found. With the fuel: illegal fuel comes from the North West District on the boat in seven and five gallons containers and hidden away in the cabins.”

When contacted Friday for a comment, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said that he is unaware of any such letter. He said too that if there were any instances of corruption occurring within the department he would have been notified.

“I’m not aware of anything of that sort. I haven’t seen the letter but I will assure you if anything came to the ministry it would have been investigated but we haven’t received any information,” he said.

In the letter, the employees maintained that T&HD management are indeed aware of the wrongdoings.

“Management is aware of a lot of things but playing blind, deaf and dumb on them because we know they are part of the wrongdoings that are taking place at the department.”

“It is time for the government to act. It is the tax payers’ monies running the T&HD. The department does not make monies; it is not a profit making department. It depends on money from the government to keep it afloat and that money is the tax payers’ money,” the letter said, adding that the senior manager and cohorts should be sent on leave pending a forensic audit into the department.

The concerned employees called on the President and the ministers “to help save T&HD now” as many “wrong things are taking place”.

They maintain that the department has now become “a money making organisation” for some.

NEWS

13

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

New Climatological Station Forest Law Enforcement Regional reps call for integration commissioned at GSA … to boost research capacity of GSA students of Indigenous Peoples rights

A

griculture Minister Noel Holder on Friday commissioned a new Climatological Station in the compound of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. The new station was established as a collaborative effort between the Hydromet Department and the GSA and will see students pursuing certificates and Diplomas in Agriculture benefiting from the facility, as the station will be used mainly for research purposes.

Minister Holder, during his address to the gathering, described the occasion as timely, as it fits into the Ministry’s vision of transforming the sector.

“With data from this station, we will be able to plan, in a scientific manner, improvements in both our agricultural practices and production in this era of global climate change,” the Minister said.

The Agriculture Minister stressed the importance of placing greater emphasis on providing people with the timely information necessary to protect themselves from extreme weather conditions.

“Early warnings of danger can not only help communities to respond and adapt to risks posed by climate change, but also raise awareness of the causes and effects of climate chang,” Minister Holder added.

The effects of climate change are magnified and multiplied in poor communities. With these facts being known, global Meteorological centres have focused on generating forecasts. The Agriculture Ministry, through its national weather service’s Hydromet Office, permits the public to be more

R

Climatologist Komalchand Dhiram explains to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder how one of the instruments at the Climatological Station will be used to gather data

climate smart, through the use of climate and weather information to make informed decisions.

With the commissioning of the station, the Hydromet Service now has a total of eleven established climatological stations across Guyana which allows them to better monitor weather variables experienced in the various locations, in all the regions. Agriculture being the pillar of the productive sector as it contributes significantly to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product, this station serves as an intervention towards improving agricultural output.

While offering remarks at the commissioning, Climatologist (ag) at the Hydromet Department Komalchand Dhiram, explained that the station will be used mainly for observational purposes. “This is primarily an observational station but to some extent, it will function as a means to carry out seasonal forecasting. With this data, farmers can know what crops to plant during a given season.

The more stations we have in a specific grid gives a wid-

er scope which will allow for a more accurate forecast,” Dhiram said.

By introducing a Climatological Station at the Guyana School of Agriculture, an average of 120 students per year will be exposed to practical experience in Agricultural Meteorology. This will assist greatly in enabling students to link the theoretical aspect of climatology with the practical aspect, as students will be able to gain additional knowledge in reading and recording climate data.

More specifically, the instruments will enable the collection of rainfall, air temperature, wind speed, sunshine and evaporation. Data collected will provide opportunities for more focused research in crop production, adaptation, improved resilience and other suitable interventions to cope with the changes in climate in addition to providing an opportunity to undertake analysis in real time in a strategic location.

The Climatological Station was built as at cost of approximately $1.6 million.

egional representatives are calling for the rights of Indigenous Peoples to be integrated into the negotiations of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnerships Agreements (FLEGT VPA) between Guyana and European Union.

This call was made at the regional seminar held at the Pegasus Hotel, where representatives shared lessons on FLEGT VPA in support of the legal trade in timber.

In deliberating on the role of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples during the VPA implementation, representatives indicated that while extensive engagements were carried out there is still a need for the active engagement of Indigenous groups in every stage of the deliberations while applying the principle of Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC).

The participants recognised that there was need for more discussions on this topic, and possibly channel nonVPA related issues to other relevant fora.

There was also major cross-cutting themes throughout the seminar, including the need to involve civil society in the decisionmaking process relating to FLEGT licensing; the need for continued financial support in moving from the negotiation stage to the implementation phase, and the need for Guyana to highlight its forest sustainability capacity and be proactive

A section of the participants at the regional seminar

in securing timber export markets in preparation for its eventual FLEGT licensing.

There was also a general consensus that gaps in capacity necessary for implementation exist and some stakeholders identified the VPA annex on support measures as one mechanism through which these needs could potentially be addressed.

Guyana’s VPA process commenced in 2012 with the formation of a National Technical Working Group followed by consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and the subsequent development of a road map; four negotiations with the EU have since been held - in Guyana in 2012, 2015, and 2016 and in Brussels in 2013.

This seminar is the second such event to be held in Guyana — the first was in 2014. It was organised by the National Technical Working

Group and the FLEGT Facilitation Support Office in collaboration with other partners (APA, EFI, FAO, Iwokrama and IUCN).

This seminar was convened to share experiences and lessons learned around the processes of VPA with the European Union under the auspices of the FLEGT Action Plan.

The FLEGT Action Plan was developed in response to the problem of illegal logging and trade in associated timber products.

Approximately 90 persons participated in the event, including Guyanese resource persons from Civil Society, the different scales of forest sector operators, the NGO community including Indigenous organisations, Academia and Government Agencies; and international participants from Suriname, Honduras, Guatemala, Liberia, Ghana and the EU.

14

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

Regional

As Haiti death toll rises

Hurricane Matthew claims over 800 lives

T

he UN has warned it could take days for the full impact of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti to emerge, as the death toll soars to more than 800 dead.

The death toll has doubled, and may rise, as rescue teams gain access to southern areas cut off by the storm.

The World Food Programme’s Carlos Veloso says some of the hard-hit towns can only be reached by air or sea.

Many of the deaths in Haiti were in the Southwestern coast, which suf-

The South-western town of Jeremie suffered the full force of the storm

storm in a decade.

Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency on Friday doubled the death toll from the hurricane from 400 to more than 800.

A definitive number is taking time to obtain because of the intensity of the damage to remote areas that are inaccessible because of flood water.

At least one major town in the South – Jeremie – has been 80 per cent destroyed, with aerial footage showing the scale of destruction with hundreds of flattened houses. (Excerpt from

fered the full force of the hurricane this week.

Rescue efforts are under

way to assess the destruction left in the wake of the most powerful Caribbean

BBC News)

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett

it is important that we are willing to help each other in times of need. Jamaica is eager to assist in rebuilding the sectors in these countries, even as we seek to collaborate with them in building regional tourism through initiatives, such as a multidestination tourism framework,” said Bartlett.

The Minister is currently in Armenia where in his capacity as Chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) Board of Affiliate Members, he chaired the

38th Plenary Session of the UNWTO Affiliate Members.

“It is important for me to reach out to each Minister across the Region whose nation has been impacted, because I wanted them to know that I am available to assist in any way possible to rebuild the tourism sector,” shared Bartlett.

Bartlett’s comments came as normality has returned to Jamaica’s tourism sector with the nation being spared the brunt of Matthew. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica ready to assist Cuba, Haiti and Bahamas – Bartlett

J

amaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has expressed sympathy to the people of Haiti, Cuba and The Bahamas, including his colleague ministers of tourism, who have been impacted by the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

Bartlett, in a release Thursday, outlined that Jamaica stood ready to assist in rebuilding the tourism industry in the affected countries.

“We are all a part of the regional tourism family, so

Nicole now a hurricane; St Lucia and French Govts sign judicial agreements forecast to meander aint Lucia and France relationship in the field of South of Bermuda have signed two justice between the French

T

ropical cyclone Nicole strengthened into a hurricane on Thursday, with maximum sustained winds near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Although some additional strengthening was expected Thursday night, weakening was forecast by late Friday through today.

According to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami, at 5:00 EDT on Thursday, the centre of Hurricane Nicole was located about 330 miles (535 km) South of Bermuda, moving towards the North-

northwest near seven mph (11 km/h). This motion at a slower forward speed is expected through Friday morning. A meandering motion, but generally toward the South or South-east, is expected later Friday and today.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km). Swells associated with Nicole, along with rough surf conditions, will affect Bermuda for the next few days. (Caribbean News Now)

US Navy ship steaming toward Haiti to support relief efforts

T

he USS Mesa Verde, a US Navy amphibious transport dock ship, is steaming toward Haiti to support relief efforts after Hurricane Matthew killed more than 500 people and left thousands homeless in the Caribbean country, the Navy said on Friday.

A Navy spokesman said the ship would bring a large set of capabilities, including three CH-53 heavy

lift helicopters, bulldozers and fresh water delivery vehicles. The ship can produce 72,000 gallons of fresh potable water per day and is stocked with pallets of food, medicine, baby formula, diapers, first aid supplies and other key items.

The ship has a surgical team which can work out of two operating rooms on board. (Reuters)

S

agreements to aid both countries in criminal matters.

On Friday, September 30, 2016, the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters and the Extradition Agreement were signed by the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Allen Chastanet and the French Ambassador Eric de la Moussaye.

The intention of the conventions is to prevent and suppress acts of terrorism.

The signing also cements the

and Saint Lucia.

The Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters aims to develop cooperation between France and Saint Lucia for the purposes of preventing and combating crime, in respect of their constitutional principles respectively.

The agreement provides that France and Saint Lucia grant legal assistance in key areas such as appearance of witnesses, searches, seizures and forfeitures. (Caribbean

News Now)

IMF ‘stands ready’ to assist hurricane-hit Caricom countries

T

he International Moentary Fund (IMF) says it is prepared to assist Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries affected by the passage of Hurricane Matthew that left more than 800 people dead in Haiti.

The storm, regarded as one of the most powerful to hit the Region since 2007, also caused widespread damage in the Frenchspeaking Caricom country as well as in The Bahamas as it made its way through the Caribbean.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, expressing the Fund’s “deep concern and sympathy for the countries affected by Hurricane Matthew” said that she is also saddened “by the reports of lives lost and widespread destruction.

“Several countries have suffered damage from the

storm, including Colombia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, The Dominican Republic, Cuba, and The Bahamas.

“Haiti, which is still recovering from a catastrophic earthquake six year ago, appears to have suffered some of the worst effects of the storm. We are very concerned by reports of extensive loss of life, flooding, and destruction, particularly in the south-western part of the country that received the strongest impact from Hurricane Matthew.”

She said the Washingtonbased financial institution “stands ready to help the authorities of member countries as they deal with the aftermath of this catastrophe”.

The World Bank has already said it is providing assistance to Haiti. (Excerpt from Jamaica

Observer)

Liat to hire CEO in 3 months

A

Acting CEO of Liat, Julie Reifer-Jones

fter what seems like a continuous bad run of Chief Executive Officers (CEO), regional airline Liat is preparing to hire a third CEO in less than four years.

Acting CEO, Julie ReiferJones said, “The position was advertised and we’re using an external agency to assist in that recruitment… I would assume that, hopefully, an appointment should be made in the next three months at least.”

Reifer-Jones also told Observer media that she is being considered for the po-

sition.

Asked why she would want to take up such a challenging position, the Acting CEO said after being Chief Financial Officer at Liat for eight years, she feels like an intricate part of the company.

“I am committed to Liat.

For me, it’s an important regional organisation. I would like to see it succeed; I think it can succeed. In that regard, I would like to be part of the process to see it reach a point where it is succeeding,” she explained. (Antigua

Observer)

Colombian President wins Nobel Prize for peace efforts

C

olombian President Juan Manuel Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his “resolute” efforts to end more than five decades of war in his country, despite voters’ shock rejection of a historic peace deal.

The Norwegian Nobel committee rewarded Santos for his “resolute efforts to bring the country’s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end,” announced chairwoman Kaci Kullmann Five.

The deal, signed on September 26 after nearly four years of talks, was sup-

Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos (centre) casts his ballot in the referendum on a peace accord to end the 52-year-old guerrilla war between the FARC and the state on October 2, 2016 in Bogota, Colombia

posed to be ratified following an October 2 referen-

dum but voters shot down the agreement, leaving the

country teetering between war and peace.

The result caught most Nobel watchers off-guard, with most experts predicting the referendum would scupper Colombia’s chances.

But the committee said the aim was to encourage peace efforts in the war-torn country, which are now in “real danger” of collapse.

For his part, Santos said he thought peace was “very, very close” as he accepted the award on behalf of the Colombian people “who have suffered so much.” (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

Hurricane Matthew Huge phone scam targeting hits Florida and Americans leads to 700 heads North in US being detained in India

T

he steady march of Hurricane Matthew has left more than one million customers in Florida without power, State officials said, as the storm moved North along the US East coast after killing hundreds of people in Haiti.

The updated totals were released on Friday as the powerful storm, now downgraded to a Category 2, headed towards the state of Georgia, still packing wind gusts of up to 100 km per hour.

A woman in her late 50s suffered a medical emergency and died in her home in central Florida’s St Lucie County, as high winds prevented rescue workers from reaching her, a Florida fire department spokeswoman told AFP news agency.

President Barack Obama urged residents in the path to heed emergency officials’ warnings, adding that although there has already been “significant damage”,

Hurricane Matthew washes away parts of A1A Highway in Flagler County

storm surge and flooding are still a major concern.

Still, Hurricane Matthew caused major problems for travelers, with at least 4,500 flights canceled so far between Wednesday and Saturday, according to tracking service FlightAware.

All flights to and from Orlando cancelled on Friday and half of all flights were

cancelled in the lead up to today. As the storm moves north, so do cancellations in Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston and other major cities along the East coast.

Airports in southern Florida began to reopen late on Friday, however, and flights were expected to resume by midday. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Satellite images show activity at North Korea nuclear test site: report

A

n increase in activity at North Korea’s nuclear test site could signal preparations for a new test or a collection of data from its last one, a USbased monitoring group said on Friday, citing satellite images.

The 38 North group, run by Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, said there was activity at all three tunnel complexes at the Punggye-ri

nuclear test site involving a large vehicle and personnel.

The North is believed to be ready for another nuclear test at any time and there has been speculation it could mark the October 10 anniversary of the founding of its Workers’ Party with another underground detonation.

North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and has since then defied UN sanctions and rejected international talks to press ahead with the development

of the weapons and missiles to carry them, which it says it needs for its defence.

In January, it conducted its fourth nuclear test and last month its fifth and biggest, on the anniversary of the nation’s founding. The United States and South Korea are pushing for tighter sanctions against North Korea by closing loopholes left in a UN Security Council resolution in March.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Archbishop Desmond Tutu ‘wants right to assisted death’

Tutu celebrated his 85th birthday in Cape Town on Friday

S

outh Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu has revealed that he wants to have the option of an assisted death. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and anti-apartheid campaigner said that he did “not wish to be kept alive at all costs,” writing in the Washington Post newspaper on his 85th birthday.

Tutu came out in favour of assisted dying in 2014, without specifying if he personally wanted to have the choice. He was hospitalised last month for surgery to treat recurring infections.

“I hope I am treated with compassion and allowed to pass on to the next phase of life’s journey in the manner of

my choice,” Tutu wrote.

“For those suffering unbearably and coming to the end of their lives, merely knowing that an assisted death is open to them can provide immeasurable comfort.”

There is no specific legislation in South Africa governing assisted dying.

But in a landmark ruling in April 2015, a South African court granted a terminally ill man the right to die, prompting calls for a clarification of the laws in cases of assisted death.

The Anglican Church – of which Tutu is a member – is staunchly against assisted dying. This is not the first time Tutu has come out against the church, however. He is an outspoken supporter of gay rights, and has openly criticised conservative Christian attitudes to homosexuality.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Mumbai was the hub of a phone scam that fleeced Americans of millions, according to Indian Police

T

housands of US citizens may have been targeted in a huge tax scam run from call centres in Mumbai, where hundreds of workers were allegedly trained to speak in American accents in order to steal tens of millions of dollars, Indian police have said.

About 700 people are being investigated over what is believed to have been one of the biggest such scams in India’s history, which involved workers posing as US tax officials, according to Paramvir Singh, the police commissioner of Thane.

On Tuesday night,

about 200 officers raided nine premises in India’s financial capital. Police believe the alleged scam was run from the call centres, where workers pretended to be officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the US tax authority.

Employees would allegedly tell American citizens that they had defaulted on tax payments and were facing prosecution by the IRS. “They would give an American name and a batch number and tell the [US] citizen that they owed the authorities $4000, $5000 or $10,000,” said Singh.

Police have not revealed the amount of money that was stolen, or whether citizens from other countries had been targeted. But Singh said the call centres were running for more than a year and are estimated to have conned billions of rupees out of thousands of people.

Police suspect the ringleaders had associates in America, where the payments were processed.

The alleged scam was discovered followed a tip-off to Police, said Singh, who sent in an undercover call centre worker to investigate. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

1 dead in Moruca River boat collision

A

two-boat collision in the Moruca River, Region One (BarimaWaini), on Friday evening has left at least one person dead. The accident occurred sometime around 19:30h in the vicinity of the Parakese Village along the Moruca River, one of the three sub-

regions in the North West District (NWD).

While details of the accident were sketchy up to press time, Guyana Times was able to confirm the death of 32-year-old Rodwell Daniels, a miner of Santa Rosa Village. He reportedly sustained serious injuries

from thecollision.

According to reports reaching this newspaper, Daniels was operating a boat in the Moruca River, when it collided into another boat coming in the opposition direction. That boat was being driver by operator Thomas Norton, 32, of Kamwatta Village. Further information revealed that one of the boats was heading to Moruca while the other was leaving. Meanwhile, when contacted Friday night, F Division (Interior Locations) Commander, RavindradatBudhram, confirmed the accident and that Daniels died as result of the collision.

Budhram further indicated that Norton has been arrested and is assisting with the investigations.

Sunken Dragga to be removed “by any means” – Patterson

S

ome four months after dredge “Draga” sank at Pieremap Falls, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has ordered that the vessel be removed “by any means possible”.

The Minister told reporters on Friday that he has appointed someone to salvage the vessel, which will be done soon using one of three options.

“I know that the salvager has started and I gave her the instructions by any means possible – either cut it, tow it or destroy it…

It is in the letter destroy it. I didn’t say blow it up,” Patterson stated.

According to the Minister, this exercise will cost $24 million, which the owner Crown Mining will have to repay Government.

Moreover, Patterson disclosed that the owner had written to him, through a lawyer, requesting more time but that request was denied.

“I told him you cannot have one dredge disturbing an entire community…

We have written to the owner of the dredge, indicating

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

our disquiet on the issue of it taking so long – it actually went down the first week of June and it’s still there,” the Public Infrastructure Minister stated.

Over the past few months, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) MARAD and Crown Mining have been severely criticised over the failure to remove the sunken dredge at Pieremap Falls, Mazaruni River.

It was reported that Crown Mining assiduously tried to remove the dredge from its current position, unfortunately high tide and the location of the dredge, between rocks in the water-

falls, made it impossible to manoeuvre special equipment to the site.

Residents have also complained about the sunken dredge and the government’s failure to have it moved. The channel in which the partially submerged dredge is lodged is the only avenue for transportation to the upper and middle Mazaruni.

Only last month, the Natural Resources Ministry had assured that between the responsible mining operator and the MARAD, there will be an intensified effort to remove the dredge ‘Draga’ from its location in the Mazaruni River.

India agrees to fund $1M IT Centre of Excellence

I

ndia has agreed to set up a Centre of Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) in Guyana, at a cost of $1 million, to train about 500 Guyanese professionals.

Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, made this disclosure while addressing a gathering of academics at Bharath University’s special convocation held at Sree Balaji Medical College Hospital in Chromepet, India, on Wednesday.

“The door is open for pro-

moting specific networking between Guyana and the wider Tamil communities around the world. I look forward to deepening our contact and relationship,” he added.

Founder of Bharath University and former Union Minister, S Jagathrakshagan conferred the Degree of Doctor of Letters (HonorisCausa) on Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

“It is an honour on my first visit to Southern India from where my ancestors migrated

to Guyana almost 170 years ago,” he said. Nagamootoo was accompanied by his wife, Sita Nagamootoo.

Director and Vice Principal of the Madras Medical College, Sudha Seshayyan; Bharath University Chancellor Avvai Natarajan; President of Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research J Sundeep Aanand; and Chairperson of Sri Lakshmi Ammal Educational Trust J Sri Nisha, also spoke on the occasion.

Guyanese Hugh Wooding graduates honoured

Minister Nicolette Henry along with the recent Hugh Wooding Law School graduates and local student at the Umana Yana on Friday

T

he Guyanese students who in the past week graduated, Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad, were on Friday honoured by the Ministry of Education.

The achievement of the 19 students was recognised at a simple ceremony at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown. Having returned home, the students were all encouraged to excel and to strive for more.

Addressing the students, Minister Nicolette Henry first thanked them for returning home with the “wealth of knowledge” that they obtained during their studies.

She emphasised that this achievement is just the beginning of their journey.

The minister said: “So let me go right ahead by congratulating all of you who would have been successful at your course study at the

Hugh Wooding Law School, you have made yourself and all of Guyana proud”.

She extended special congratulations to the best graduating student Latoya Roberts for her exemplary performance.

“A special word of congratulation to Miss Roberts for her exemplary performance, that of being the best Guyanese graduating student but I must say that all of you deserve a round of applause because you are all outstanding and I believe that honour must be given where it is due and so though simple, we would like to recognise and certainly honour the efforts of you all.”

She acknowledged that Law is a tedious course, and applauded the students for not allowing this to dampen their resolve to excel.

Roberts in her address encouraged those poten-

tial law students who were present at the ceremony: “Becoming a lawyer or reaching the stage that we are at this time is no easy task, and while it may be easy to pomp our chests and to pat ourselves on the back, I must let each and everyone know that it is a team effort, Hugh Wooding Law School is a team effort”.

She explained that having successfully graduated she can now say that her journey and completing law school took a team effort: “There are no individual heroes, there is no man that stand on an island by himself, and if you want to survive at the Hugh Wooding Law School, you will need each and every one of your colleagues”.

She further encouraged the young hopefuls not to be daunted by the challenges which will come their way.

Bursary awards held for sugar workers’ children T

he Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee, at its Annual Bursary Award Ceremony, presented 12 Bursary Awards to children of Sugar Workers for 2016.

Speaking at the simple ceremony, Chairman, Allan Munroe, congratulated the awardees and encouraged the parents to continue supporting their children in all their endeavours.

He told the students that education is the key to success, but this encompasses not only academ-

Allan Munroe, Chairman of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee poses with the bursary awardees from Demerara

ic studies, but inculcating the correct attitudes of mind and skills that would

Allan Munroe poses with Bursary Awardees from Berbice

enable them to contribute to the development of our country. He said that spiritual development is also important and will assist in enabling them to be rounded individuals.

“Learn to respect each other, irrespective of race, creed or political belief and strive to make this country, nay, a world that is just, equitable and inclusive.

Appreciate the urgency to contribute to economic growth and environmental protection to benefit us all,” he advised the students.

17 UG loans PNC commemorated Persons refusing to 59th Anniversary NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

sign as guarantors – concerns raised over access to tertiary education

I

n light of the Ministry of Finance’s move to ensure that student loans are repaid, persons have become hesitant in signing on as guarantors. This situation has led to the disapproval of many student loans, which in turn prevents some students from advancing their studies at the tertiary level.

At a post-cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon responded to concerns over students being disallowed educational advancement due to financial constraints. He explained that guarantors are indeed liable for loan payments should students neglect their obligations.

“The question of guarantors has always been there but I believe what is happening now is that the guarantors recognised that it is not that you just sign a piece of paper and you get away scotch free, that when you sign as a guarantor, if there’s any default on the part of the student is that you are liable to pay that money back,” Harmon indicated.

However, the Minister said that Government will assess the situation prospective students are facing.

Harmon explained: “I think it is something which the Student Loan Agency and the Ministry of Finance will have to look at very carefully just to ensure that it does not affect the education of our young people… it is something we’ll have to look at but the important thing is that we want our young people in school… whatever we need to do to ensure our young people are in classrooms, then we’ll have to remove any irritants.”

Meanwhile, responding

Student Loan Agency

to questions over students not being able to afford the loan payments, Registrar of the University, Dr Nigel Gravesande, stated that he believes that “someone must not be deprived of a tertiary education on the basis of economic considerations.”

“The facility available through the student loans facility, through the Ministry of Finance, attempts in real measure, consistent with the Act established in UG, not to have cost being an impediment to access,” Dr Gravesande opined.

A Financial Audit of UG conducted this year revealed that during the period 1994 to May 2015, the Government of Guyana approved $9,489,453,973 through the National Budget for student loans at UG. It was also noted that there was no receipt of funds from the Government in 2015.

The Audit pointed out that loans issued during the academic years 2011-2012 and 2014-2015, amounted to $1,581,422,277 of which $1,432,669,005 was issued to students at Turkeyen Campus and $148,753,272 to students at Tain Campus.

It further stated that as of December 31, 2014, some 25,335 students had received loans with a total value of $9,159,644,463.

Of the 25,335 students,

1776 or seven per cent repaid their loans, totalling $679,918,794, including principal and interest.

In September, government opted to grant reprieve to indebted students of the UG, by slashing accumulated arrears by as much as 75 per cent if the monies are repaid by the end of this month (October).

The Finance Ministry had noted that the extension of the waivers had been approved for those indebted, but currently, with payment schedules for their student loans, the Ministry had cautioned that “if, however, a borrower defaults, subsequently, the interest waived will be restored in full to the account.” The Ministry also indicated that borrowers whose accounts were current for at least three years at July 31, 2016 would benefit from a 50 per cent reduction on all future interest once the account does not go into arrears, but cautioned too that in this instance “if the account lapses into arrears, all interest waived will be restored.”

The reduction was recommended by the audit of the UG Student Loan Agency among other interventions, “to streamline the agency and set clear conditions for loan application guarantees and repayment.”

From left: PNC Chairman Basil Williams, General Secretary Oscar Clarke, Vice Chairman Volda Lawrence, Party Leader David Granger, Chief Whip and Assistant General Secretary Amna Ally and Pastor Terrence Esseboom

T

he People’s National Congress (PNC) marked 59 years of existence during a simple ceremony held at the party’s headquarters on Wednesday.

President David Granger, who is also the party’s leader, addressed his comrades and coalition invitees on the lawns of Congress Place, Sophia,

protection programmes were implemented to enhance social cohesion and public services.

“Guyana, under our founder/leader and first Prime Minister, strove to satisfy the needs of our people by expanding public education; by improving public health and public security; by increasing the stock public housing; by introducing

A section of those gathered to mark the party's 59th anniversary

Greater Georgetown. He reminded them of the contributions that the late PNC founder/leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham made towards Guyana attaining independence back in 1966.

The Head of State pointed out that in the early days, public housing and social

social protection through NIS [National Insurance Scheme]; by enhancing social cohesion and by extending public infrastructure through bridges and highways and the delivery of public services to the people,” Granger stressed.

The PNC was formed after it split with the People’s

Berbice businessman supports construction of all-weather road – will improve access to arable lands

C

hief Executive Officer of Nand Persaud Rice Mills, producers of Karibee Rice, Mahindra Persaud has thrown his support behind a proposal to construct an all-weather road from Number 59 Village, Corentyne, to Canje Creek, in East Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

The proposed road will link the Corentyne Highway with the Canje River and make available some 92,000 acres of agricultural lands up the Canje River and a further 100,000 acres on the other side of the river.

The road will also give access to residents along the bank of the river. The proposed 33-kilometre road is estimated to cost $900 million. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder recently ac-

cepted the proposal and may soon initiate discussions on the way forward.

According to the proposal, the road will open up land for rice, citrus, coconut, and dairy farming, access to logging, eco-tourism, and freshwater fishing with more than 8000 families standing to benefit.

Alluding to the impact of the proposed road, Persaud said the benefits will be tremendous: “There will be more acreage available for planting because there is a shortage of land for planting rice in region Six. The second benefit there will be a lower cost of production because if you get access roads the cost for production will go down and that would make you very competitive on the world market.”

He acknowledged the current shortage of land for rice and other cultivation in Region Six: “We have run out of rice in this region, there is a short supply for the past three months.

There is not enough rice to support the markets that we have gotten into… 90 per cent of our farmers want more rice land and if we can open more; if they have 25 acres and you give them 25 more …they will have to take in workers for their Labour force; all of this will be people benefiting,” the businessman said.

The all-weather road proposal was made by the Berbice Regional Representative, Office of the Prime Minister, Gobin Harbhajan, who reminded that a road existed sevenyears ago which linked the

Progressive Party (PPP) in 1957, of which Burnham was a part, serving as Education Minister under a Jagan-led Government.

Granger also reminded that the last President under the PNC’s reign, Desmond Hoyte, paved the way for a green nation in 1989, by pioneering the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation

Corentyne Highway and the Canje River.

He explained that a decade ago he heard of the first road from then President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, David Subnauth but could have done nothing until he was given his current appointment.

He noted: “In 2015 when the Coalition government came into power I decided to rekindle this idea which I know would receive the focus it deserved. I then discussed the idea of this project with the owners of Nand Persaud and Company Limited who agreed that the construction of this road will make a vast amount of scarce land available to farmers.”

Harbhajan said too that there is a need for fresh

lands for rice and other production to be made available: “Most of the rice farmers are renting land from the owners who live abroad and are paying $25,000 per acre, per crop. By opening up these lands and putting in the all-weather road it will give more leverage to compete on the world market. However, once you open an all-weather road you are opening industrial land,” he said.

Minister Holder opined that such a project will have a direct effect on the economic growth of Region Six and provide a better livelihood for farmers and their families, adding that it will significantly boost production in the ancient county since agriculture is the backbone of the region’s economy.

project.

“We made a gift to sustainable development and to the protection of the environment through a generous grant of 371,000 hectares of our pristine forests to be used as an international model for green development,” Granger explained.

The party leader used the occasion to reaffirm his party’s commitment towards achieving a ‘green economy’.

He also reminded the gathering of his party’s mission in enabling all Guyanese to enjoy the ‘good life’ which they deserve as citizens of a ‘green’ state.

The President said, “Guyana is an emergent ‘green state’. Our natural assets, our commitment to sustainable development, our contribution to countering the adverse effects of climate change and our collaboration with the international community in seeking solutions to global threats will ensure a secure future for our people and our children in the pursuit of a ‘green’ economy.”

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; former party leader, Robert Corbin; youth leader, James Bond; and Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green were all present at Wednesday’s observance.

18

guyana-times.com

saturday october 8, 2016

ARCHIE

Don’t deviate from the task that is your responsibili(March 21- ty. Completing what you start April 19) and living up to your promises will help you avoid criticism and prove that you have plenty to offer.

ARIES

Tie up loose ends, and TAURUS make plans to put work aside (April 20- and spend time with the ones May 20) you love. A short vacation or an activity that eases stress is encouraged.

dilbert

Avoid overspending or GEMINI taking on too much respon(May 21sibility. Don’t feel that you June 20) have to pay for others or buy their affection. Make plans to have fun on a budget.

Size up your domestic sitCANCER uation and consider what you (June 21- have to do in order to make July 22) things better. Compromise will help you avoid a nasty argument. Put love first.

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Stick to what you know, and keep whatever you do simple. It’s how well you do a job, not how much you do.

Take a disciplined approach to any challenge you face.

Make plans that will enVIRGO sure that love and romance (Aug. 23- are your top priorities. Refuse Sept. 22) to let someone from your past ruin what you have worked so hard to acquire.

Calvin and Hobbes

Emotions will cause you to LIBRA be indecisive. Don’t overreact (Sept. 23or make assumptions when Oct. 23) dealing with discord. Make a difference by focusing on what you can do, not on what you cannot.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Take some time to relax or SCORPIO to do something that gives you (Oct. 24pleasure. Use your skills and Nov. 22) talents to better your life and surroundings. Romance is in the stars.

Step up your game, do SAGITTARIUS your best to express your (Nov. 23- thoughts and put your ideas Dec. 21) to work. Focus on expansion and adding pizzazz to whatever you do.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Your emotions will be CAPRICORN sparked by the events going (Dec. 22- on around you. Protect your Jan. 19) possessions, assets and reputation from being subject to ridicule. Personal gains should be your goal.

Listen carefully when AQUARIUS dealing with authority fig(Jan. 20ures. Sticking to the rules will Feb. 19) help you avoid a nettlesome situation. You will be rewarded for any help you offer.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES Handle opposition with (Feb. 20- candor, and proceed to do March 20) what works best for you. Time spent updating your looks or what you have to offer will bring satisfactory results.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

J

19

Ball shines on England debut

ake Ball defied cramp and sapping humidity to mark his oneday debut with record figures of 5 for 51, as England snatched an extraordinary 21-run victory in the first ODI against Bangladesh at Mirpur.

Powered by a brilliant century from Imrul Kayes, and with Shakib Al Hasan providing experienced support in a fifth-wicket stand of 118, Bangladesh appeared to be marching up a mountainous run-chase of 310, and living up to their newly minted reputation as a tough nut to crack in oneday cricket.

The captain, Mashrafe Mortaza, was unable to be that man - he guiltily grazed a loose cut to the keeper as Adil Rashid ripped an illegible legbreak out of the rough, moments after planting a seed of doubt with his googly, and the game was as good as over in Rashid's next over, when Imrul charged out of his crease in desperate need of a boundary, and was stumped off a wide as Rashid speared the ball out of his reach.

Next to go was Shafiul Islam - the hero of Bangladesh's two-wicket win in the 2011 World Cup - who was run out without scoring, and victory was duly sealed from the penultimate ball of Ball's spell, as Taskin Ahmed grazed an edge through to Jos Buttler, England's standin captain, whose typically powerful 63 from 38 balls had earlier lifted his side to an imposing total of 309 for 8. Ball himself could bare-

ly stand by the end of the match, and he was rightly named as Man of the Match after becoming the first England bowler to claim five wickets on debut.

However, the foundations of England's victory were laid by Ben Stokes, who anchored their innings with his maiden ODI hundred, and Ben Duckett, the day's second debutant, whose 60

from 78 balls was a vital and mature contribution to an agenda-setting stand of 153.

Stokes made 101 from exactly 100 balls - a performance that might pale statistically compared to some of the masterful feats of run-making in England's ranks in recent months.

However, given the brutality of the conditions - the hu-

SCOREBOARD England innings (50 overs maximum) JJ Roy c Sabbir Rahman b Shakib Al Hasan 41 JM Vince c Mashrafe Mortaza b Shafiul Islam 16 BM Duckett b Shafiul Islam 60 JM Bairstow run out (Sabbir Rahman) 0 BA Stokes c Sabbir Rahman b Mashrafe Mortaza 101 JC Buttler*† c Mosaddek Hossain b Shakib Al Hasan 63 MM Ali c Tamim Iqbal b Mashrafe Mortaza 6 CR Woakes run out (Shakib Al Hasan) 16 DJ Willey not out 0 Extras (b-1, lb-3, w-2) 6 Total (8 wickets; 50 overs) 309 Did not bat: AU Rashid, JT Ball Fall of wickets 1-41 (Vince, 7.2 ov), 2-61 (Roy, 11.2 ov), 3-63 (Bairstow, 12.3 ov), 4-216 (Duckett, 38.6 ov), 5-230 (Stokes, 41.3 ov), 6-245 (Ali, 43.6 ov), 7-308 (Buttler, 49.4 ov), 8-309 (Woakes, 49.6 ov) Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 10-0 -52-2 (w-1), Shafiul Islam 9 -0-59-2, Shakib Al Hasan 100-59-2, Mosaddek Hossain 9-050-0, Mahmudullah 3-0-24-0, Mosharraf Hossain 3 -0-23-0, Taskin Ahmed 6-0-38-0 (w-1) Bangladesh innings

Tamim Iqbal c Vince b Ball 17 Imrul Kayes st †Buttler b Rashid 112 Sabbir Rahman c Willey b Ball 18 Mahmudullah c sub (SW Billings) b Rashid 25 Mushfiqur Rahim† c sub (SW Billings) b Rashid 12 Shakib Al Hasan c Willey b Ball 79 Mosaddek Hossain b Ball 0 Mashrafe Mortaza* c †Buttler b Rashid 1 Mosharraf Hossain not out 7 Shafiul Islam run out (Rashid) 0 Taskin Ahmed c †Buttler b Ball 1 Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-10, nb-1) 16 Total (all out; 47.5 overs) 288 Fall of wickets 1-46 (Tamim Iqbal, 9.5 ov), 2-82 (Sabbir Rahman, 13.6 ov), 3-132 (Mahmudullah, 22.2 ov), 4-153 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 26.1 ov), 5-271 (Shakib Al Hasan, 41.3 ov), 6-271 (Mosaddek Hossain, 41.4 ov), 7-274 (Mashrafe Mortaza, 42.5 ov), 8-280 (Imrul Kayes, 44.0 ov), 9-280 (Shafiul Islam, 45.2 ov), 10288 (Taskin Ahmed, 47.5 ov) Bowling: CR Woakes 7-1-380 (w-1), DJ Willey 7-1-46-0 (w-1), JT Ball 9.5-0-51-5 (nb1, w-4), BA Stokes 5-0-370 (w-1), AU Rashid 9-0-49-4 (w-3), MM Ali 10-0-62-0

midity was measured at one stage at 90% - and his previous fallibility against spin, most notably on the tour of Sri Lanka in 2014, it was a formidable performance.

It also began in some adversity, as he and Duckett came together following a collapse of 3 for 21 in 31 balls. James Vince had once again looked fluent without entirely convincing in his 16 from 20 balls, and when Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow departed in quick succession, the latter to a third-ball run-out, England were 63 for 3 in the 13th over and in need of some shoring-up.

Bangladesh used seven bowlers in all, with the third seamer, Taskin Ahmed, held back until the second half of the innings as Mashrafe leaned heavily and predictably on his quartet of slow men.

Aside from their drip-drip accuracy, the speed with which they burned through their overs was especially telling. There was little opportunity to think between deliveries, but Stokes was in the mood to trust his instinct, particularly on the reverse sweep, with which he picked off four of his eight fours.

Duckett, meanwhile, was quite content to play the anchorman. After his eye-popping scoring feats for Northamptonshire and the Lions this summer, this was all about bedding into the international arena, and he passed his first test

Karunaratne guides SL A to seven-wicket win

F

irst-innings centurion Dimuth Karunaratne scored an unbeaten 39 to guide Sri Lanka A to a seven-wicket win over West Indies A in the first match of West Indies A's tour of Sri Lanka. After taking the last wicket to bowl out West Indies A for 175, Sri Lanka A knocked off the 66-run target in 20.3 overs.

The day began with West Indies A on an overnight score of 165-9 and a lead of 55. They added only ten more runs before Lakshan Sandakan picked up his fourth wicket, getting No. 11 Reynard Leveridge stumped. Keon Joseph, who had resisted with Gudakesh MotiKanhai in a ninth-wicket stand the previous evening, remained unbeaten on 12 off 73 balls.

Lahiru Thirimanne, who had played his last Test in June, was promoted to open with Karunaratne. He scored 21 in a 43-run opening stand, before Rahkeem Cornwall trapped in him in front.

Fast-bowler Joseph removed Roshen Silva in the following over and Charith Asalanka shortly after. But Sri Lanka A were never Dimuth Karunaratne was in any danger as Niroshan Dickwella joined instrumental in Sri Lanka A victory Karunaratne to see them through.

Jake Ball celebrates his maiden ODI wicket

with aplomb.

His five fours were timely pressure releases, including one cute scoop over the wicketkeeper's head off a Taskin short ball, but after reaching his half-century from 63 balls, his battery visibly went flat in the final minutes of his stay.

He managed one run from his last nine deliveries before missing a leg-stump full-toss to be bowled round his pads.

By the end of their fielding stint, however, Bangladesh were visibly tetchy after letting several crucial chances slip through their fingers - most tellingly, two lives in the space of five balls to Stokes, on 69 and 71 respectively a low drill to mid-on and an ugly skew to deep cover.

Inevitably, the man best placed to cash-in in such a moment was Buttler, who arrived at the crease with eight overs remaining and a licence to go loco, but it was a tribute to the efforts of his team-mates higher up the order that he was initially forced to rein in his aggression.

In fact, it wasn't until the back end of the 47th over that Buttler flicked on the Beast Mode. After 25 runs, including a solitary boundary, from his first 26 deliveries, he signalled his change of tempo with consecutive sixes off Shakib, before two more fours and an inside-out six over extra cover off Shafiul completed a startling 33-ball fifty, which became 63 from 38 balls all told. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies A 1st innings 276 Sri Lanka A 1st innings 386 West Indies A 2nd innings R Chandrika lbw b Gunaratne 5 KOA Powell b AM Fernando 0 JD Campbell lbw b Sandakan 22 SSJ Brooks* c †Dickwella b Gunaratne 28 VA Singh c †Dickwella b AM Fernando 46 JN Hamilton† c & b Asalanka 8 KAJ Roach lbw b Asalanka 2 RRS Cornwall lbw b Sandakan 3 G Moti-Kanhai lbw b Sandakan 34 K Joseph not out 12 RH Leveridge st †Dickwella b Sandakan 6 Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-1, nb-6) 9 Total (all out; 79.2 overs) 175 Fall of wickets 1-1 (Powell, 0.6 ov), 2-24 (Chandrika, 8.4 ov), 3-31 (Campbell, 13.4 ov), 4-75 (Brooks, 37.6 ov), 5-103 (Hamilton, 47.2 ov), 6-116 (Roach, 51.1 ov), 7-116 (Singh, 52.2 ov), 8-132 (Cornwall, 56.5 ov), 9-165 (Moti-Kanhai, 75.5 ov), 10-175 (Leveridge, 79.2 ov)

Bowling: AM Fernando 7-2-21-2 (nb1), CBRLS Kumara 10-2-30-0 (nb-1, w-1), DAS Gunaratne 15-4-30-2 (nb-1), PADLR Sandakan 27.2-7-51-4 (nb-1), KIC Asalanka 14-5-27-2, SANJ Fernando 6-0-14-0 (nb-1) Sri Lanka A 2nd innings (target: 66 runs) FDM Karunaratne*not out HDRL Thirimanne lbw b Cornwall ARS Silva b Joseph KIC Asalanka c Moti-Kanhai b Joseph N Dickwella† not out Extras (lb-1, nb-1) Total (3 wickets; 20.3 overs) Did not bat: SANJ Fernando, AM Fernando, DAS Gunaratne, MDKJ Perera, CBRLS Kumara, PADLR Sandakan Fall of wickets 1-43 (Thirimanne, 13.3 ov), 2-44 (Silva, 14.4 ov), 3-56 (Asalanka, 18.5 ov) Bowling: KAJ Roach 4-0-13-0, RRS Cornwall 10-3-30-1, K Joseph 6-1-172 (nb-1), G Moti-Kanhai 0.3-0-6-0

39 21 0 1 4 2 67

20 West Indies to play daynight Test at Edgbaston

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

E

ngland will play their first day-night Test match at home next year, the ECB has confirmed. The first Test of West Indies' tour, at Edgbaston on August 1721, will be contested under lights with a pink ball in a move designed to try and increase attendances and drive interest in the oldest form of the game.

Tom Harrison, the ECB's chief executive, said it was worth experimenting in order to try and "make cricket more accessible to new audiences". So far, the only Test played under lights with a pink ball was between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide last November, although a second, between Pakistan and West Indies in the UAE, will take place this month. Another two are scheduled for the forthcoming Australian

a success despite some issues with the deterioration of the pink ball (both Dukes and Kookaburra varieties). The club were unable to hold further tests in a first-class match but, with tickets due to go on sale next week, they have agreed to take the plunge for next summer.

"Bringing day-night Test cricket to England is an innovative and very exciting development for the game, and we're thrilled that Edgbaston will be the first venue to host a match played in this format," Neil Snowball, Warwickshire's chief executive, said.

"Edgbaston staged the UK's first day-night domestic match in 1997 and has a great history of hosting and

Edgbaston to host England’s first day-night Test

summer.

"It's a great opportunity to build on a lot of the thinking and the strategy that has been going on for the last 12 months," Harrison said. "It's been all about new audiences and doing all we could to make the game more accessible at every level, and this gives us an opportunity to find out if Test cricket played at a different time of day, under certain conditions, in a city centre at a time of year where people possibly don't get to go to the all day game - we'll see if that has a dramatic impact on attendance.

"It's also outside London, so there's more opportunity to see an impact of day-night cricket.

England historically love playing at Edgbaston, it's a great venue. We are taking an open and hopeful view and are expectant that it will have an impact on our market as we look to make cricket more accessible to new audiences."

Harrison added it was important to "embrace opportunities when they come". Warwickshire held a trial in a 2nd XI game in August, which was deemed

selling out some of the biggest fixtures in the game.

In turn, the Edgbaston atmosphere and match-day experience has become iconic, with England having a fantastic record of victories here."

Playing hours for the Test have been provisionally scheduled from 2pm until 9pm, with the final session set to take place under floodlights as the sun goes down. Dukes will continue to supply the ball; those used in the 2nd XI match at Edgbaston, in contrast to the Kookaburra version, featured a dark seam.

Cricket Australia has been the board most enthusiastic about day-night Tests and it is likely that the 2017-18 Ashes could feature a pink-ball game although the current captains, Alastair Cook and Steven Smith, have expressed reservations. "It's useful to have one before we go to Australia," Harrison said. "Giving guys the chance to play with a pink ball under lights, before an Ashes Test in similar conditions. It's a good opportunity to stick a stake in the

ground to say we are keen to innovate."

Player concerns about the conditions required to keep the pink ball from deteriorating were a feature of the Adelaide Test, where an unusually grassy surface was prepared and the match was over inside three days. Harrison said the ECB was "comfortable with the development of the ball", which has been tested extensively by the MCC - who first proposed the idea - notably in the Champion County match at the start of the English season.

He added that the England and West Indies players had been assured

they w i l l be given opportunities to prepare for playing under lights. West Indies' third three-day tour match, which takes place in Derby the week before the first Test, will be played as a day-night match.

"Players have taken some time to get around this," Harrison said. "It's not a new concept in terms of global international cricket and many boards are looking at ways to introduce this and as they have gone down this journey they have looked at all the things that need to come together, like lux levels at grounds, local council approval, public transport. They are all different in the day-night scenario.

There is a bit more work to do, but we can start to get excited.

"I'm sure we will convert those who are less than convinced about it.

We will work hard to make sure we are not treading on traditions here. In London we put a Test match on and it sells out. Outside London it's not as simple as that. Maybe this helps bring in some of those new communities that haven't been to Edgbaston before.

There will be a lot of marketing about, in a very busy summer for us across all formats." (ESPNcricinfo)

Guyanese Umpires calling 1st Dutch Colony Table Tennis Championships

T

en recently International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) accredited Guyanese umpires departed Guyana on October 6, 2016 overland to Suriname to officiate in the First Dutch Colony Table Tennis championships scheduled for October 7 and 8 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The team of consist of; Ryan Narine, Shavin Greene, Debra Bacchus, Xenophiah, Maurice Cummings, Candacy Mc Kenzie, Raynor Hilary Anderson, Waren Hackshaw and Leona Kyte.

The tournament will be played between Suriname, Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire in team singles, doubles and mixed doubles events to determine who would be the best in among the former Dutch colonies.

According to President of the Suriname Table Tennis Association Desire Hooghart,

Recently ITTF accredited Guyanese Umpires prior to their departure for Suriname

the tournament will become an annual feature hosted on a rotational basis aimed at further developing the sport in the former Dutch colonies.

In an unprecedented first for Guyana, recently certified under the ITTF basic Umpire and Referee training programme conducted

by Silvia Garro will form the nucleus of officials who will officiate in the competition.

Symbolic in that this provides an opportunity for the umpires to further harness their skills moving along a path of becoming International umpires. The engagement will truly serve to enhance and improve the tournament coordination capacity in Guyana.

Further, the presence of theses umpires are key to Guyana presenting a good representation at this forum which is critical to paving the way for more umpires to

be selected from Guyana for future international engagements by the ITTF. The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) sees tournament coordination and umpiring as key pillars upon which the sport must be built and made representation to the ITTF to host an Umpires and referees workshop earlier this year to increase the amount of persons with tournament coordination and umpiring skills.

The competition is well and truly on the way and from all reports the Guyanese are doing a splendid job.

Later in the year, the GTTA will be sending representatives to a Competition Manager programme organized by the ITTF which will be conducted in Barbados.

The programme is scheduled for December 2016.

Stoke Newington advancing well, says Hore

— Former Everest player adds to success

T

here has been a steady upwards trajectory since the side won the North East London Cricket League in 2013 – and the squad (pictured) is certainly not finished yet.

Opening batsman Simon Hore told the Gazette: “Winning the league again is a major step towards the club’s ambitions. We need to win two more divisions to be where we want to be.

“We have four kids in the Middlesex county squads – Mohan Shroff (Under-12s), Zayd Gajia (Under-15s), Wilhelmina Hornero and Kiah Martin (Under-13s girls).

“Middlesex expects, quite rightly, these players to be in their highest leagues. As a new club of only 17 years we are making great progress.”

Stoke Newington are renowned for giving youngsters the perfect platform on which to flourish, and 16-year-old Hufeiza Hafezi

has come through the youth ranks to cement a first-team place.

Tom Holden, only 13, has become a regular wicket-taker as one of the firstteam spinners, while captain Scott Doody led the run-scoring with 512 runs at an average of 42.6, with K Zazai supporting him with 295 at an average of 26.8.

In the bowling department, Zabehulah Mohammad blew most batting attacks away with 38 wickets at an average of 13.4, with best figures of 8-16, ably supported by Riyad Sattaur (6-21), Irfan Mohmand (5-35) and Abul Kasim Nalla (8-39) on other occasions. Sattaur is a former member of the Everest Cricket Club in Georgetown.

Doody said: “It’s a pleasure for me and a few of the other older boys to see our talented youngsters come through and, as an adult section, we are looking to integrate as many of them

into men’s cricket as we can, as quickly as possible.

However, we would like to attract more mature players, particularly batsmen.

“Hackney and surrounding areas have an abundance of young professionals who have played cricket at other clubs and at university and we would like to attract those players to be a part of our journey, because there is no doubt that in a few years we will be pushing to get into the county leagues.”

Next season, the club will be fielding a third XI, adding to their reputation as Hackney’s largest cricket club.

Two hundred children from the age of five upwards are being trained every weekend, and adult sessions will start after Christmas.

The club have three grass pitches and five astroturf surfaces, and a new pavilion complete with the borough’s only nets will be open from 2018. (Hackney Gazette)

Stoke Newington’s first team are celebrating their second successive promotion after being crowned champions of the Middlesex Championship third division

21

YELLOW

SPORTS

PAGES

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 611-1018 for the best cars at great prices.

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

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

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

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

FOR SALE Powerline Battery Water/wholesale. 1 litre and 0.5 litre sizes. Tel: 680-3863 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 Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 226-5053.

FLOWERS

PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available for sale.

Contact Pacific Development Inc. Tel:223-6035/227-8274 House Lot, Diamond New Scheme between 2nd & 3rd Ave. Contact: 638-1529 Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. Mon Repos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park: $20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp & Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence (land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmonie (land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521 GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs.

Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464 Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

WANTED Wanted One Gasoline Mechanic to work on the ECD. Contact #: 623-0318 WANTED 1 COSMETOLOGIST. APPLY IN PERSON, SHARON’S BUILDING – CHARLOTTE AND KING STREETS.

IMMIGRATION

3-Bedroom apartment at 482 Herstelling, EBD. Contact: 265-3307 or Whatsapp: 1-917-502-4302

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.

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

HEALTH Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 MondaysSaturdays 9am-3pm. Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

LAND FOR SALE Land for Sale. 1.5 Acres WBD. Close to Plantation Walk, Vreed-En-Hoop. 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 Transported Land for Sale at Logwood Enmore, ECD. Contact Tel: (592)-6225824 or (592)-671-5395.

− 12 sensational games slated for today’s opening

SERVICES

SALES GIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL, BRASSONIC Bldg. (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST. G/Town. 231-7101

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

Organisers upbeat at level of interest show in tournament

House for sale leonora market housing scheme, west coast demerara. 2 Floor, 3 bedroom, 2 shower, 2 kitchen, yard, double garage, tel: Amar 225-3737, 651-7078

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 & 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

Pee-Wee Boys Under-11 Schools football Championship

TO LET

SPIRITUALITY Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653 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, 3225788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 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

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

VEHICLES FOR SALE FOR SALE 1 FLAT TRAY NISSAN PICK UP. VERY GOOD CONDITION. CALL: 6623997 OR 610-4897 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 6531003 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

Co- Director of the Petra Organisation Troy Mendoca (centre) with teachers and pupils from the various schools after collecting the footballs for the championship

C

o- Director of the Petra Organization Troy Mendonca is impressed with the level of interest shown by teams for the Pee-Wee Boys Under-11 Primary Schools football Championship which kicks-off today at the Banks DIH ground at Thirst Park ground.

Mendonca in his address to the media on Thursday at handing over ceremony of the footballs to the participating schools posited that so far he has seen good signs.

“Yes we are satisfied, last year we had the absence of Redeemer Primary,

however, they are here which is a good sign; schools have been calling inquiring about different things which is an indication that things are in place and teams are excited to participate”, the organizer stated.

Mendonca posited that the championship can further develop the sport in Guyana but it must come through a partnership with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

He explained that, “our major aim is to create an avenue for these starters, a lot of times what we find as an organizing body, football wise, a lot has

Round 1

Thirst Park Match # 10:00h Mae’s Primary vs Winfer Garden Primary 1 10:00h St. Pius Primary vs Smith Memorial 2 10:45h West RVDLT Primary vs St. Margaret’s Primary 3 10:45h Enterprise Primary vs J.E Burnham Primary 4 11:30h St Angela’s Primary vs St. Ambrose Primary 5 11:30h Tucville Primary vs St. Gabriel’s Primary 6 12:15h

Marian Academy vs School of the Nations 7 12:15h North Georgetown Primary vs Success Primary 8 13:00h Stella Maris Primary vs New Guyana School 9 13:00h St. Agne’s Primary vs Redeemer Primary 10 13:45h South Ruimveldt Primary vs Comenius Primary 11 13:45h St. Stephens Primary vs F.E Pollard Primary 12

to be done through the parent body”.

The Co-Director added, “in the past, we had a TD [ Technical Director] being incorporated into the event ; I attended several programmes with the past TD and we had programmes air marked where our organization would have assisted, so we are looking forward to working with the GFF this time around with the new TD.” With 12 matches slated for the opening day, Mendonca is urging teams to be punctual for the since they have the march past of all participating schools will begin at 09:30h.

The fifth edition of the tournament has attracted 24 teams, will conclude on November 19th. Winners of the tourney will receive the championship trophy, medals, a set of team uniforms and certificates while the runners-up will collect the second place trophy, medals, six footballs and certificates.

The third placed side will receive the respective trophy, four balls and certificates while fourth placed will be presented with a trophy and certificates. The most discipline team will also be presented with a trophy. On the individual side, the most valuable player, highest goal scorer and best goalkeeper will each receive a trophy and football cleats.

The competing schools are defending champion St. Angela’s, Stella Maris (2014 victor), St Puis (2013 winner), Marian Academy (2012 champ), Enterprise, Tucville, New Guyana School, West Ruimveldt, St Margaret’s, St Agne’s, South Ruimveldt, North Georgetown, Smith Memorial Primary, St Gabriel’s, FE Pollard Primary, Comenius Primary, Success Academy, Mae’s Primary, St. Ambrose Primary, Winfer Garden’s Primary, St Stephen’s Primary, Redeemer Primary, JE Burnham and School of the Nations.

The tournament is in the fifth year and 24 teams will vie for top honours.

In the opening games, Mae’s Primary will meet Winfer Garden’s Primary and St Pius Primary battling Smith’s Memorial Primary. See fixtures for the opening round in the table below

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

2nd annual Silvies Golf Tournament tees off today

Bakewell Junior tennis tournament

Resaul wins inaugural U-18 title — Kalekyezi cops U-14’s

S

ilvies General Store of Georgetown is pleased to sponsor a second Golf Tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club following a successful inauguration last year.

Tee off is at 12:30h and Chief Executive Officer of Silvies, Bramanand Persaud, who readily consented to be a sponsor in July 2015 at the request of golfer Kishan Bacchus, reiterated his desire to continue to contribute to golfing in Guyana despite the challenges in the commercial sector.

President Oncar Ramroop, expressed gratitude to Persaud for Silvies’ tangible expression of continued support of golfing in Guyana. Silvies General Store, while it has been in operation for some forty three (43) years providing Automobile and Motorcycle parts, and now also providing Hardware, Electrical and Industrial Products and serving customers in the gold mining, construction, vulcanizing and manufacturing industries, has always been concerned with giving quality support to the community.

Today’s tournament has attracted a large number of golfers and the 18-hole medal play format tournament will be evenly contest-

H

Silvies’ Sales Manager Darampaul Prettipaul (left) hands over sponsorship cheque to President of Lusignan Golf Club, Oncar Ramroop

ed. Last year’s top three finishers were Pur Persaud, 20/67 in first position, Troy Cadogan 24/69 second and

Patrick Prashad 9/69 third.

The public is invited to observe this tournament free of charge.

BCB/New York Business Group 2 Innings U-19 cricket

Albion is 1st in semis

A

Kelvin Umrao

fine unbeaten half century by Tyrone Pooranauth lead Albion Cricket Club (Albion CC) to first innings victory over Crabwood Creek Bomb Squad in their quarter final clash last weekend. He

got support from former national under 15 batsman Matthew Hardyal, 46 not out and former national under 15 and 17 wicket keeper/ batsman Adrian Sukwah 36.

The match played at Crabwood Creek ground saw Albion CC winning the toss and inserting the home team who were bundled out for 129 with Devanand Chatterpaul 62 and Z Shaw 37, the only two batsmen offering any resistance. Bowling for Albion CC, off spinner Karan Rajpaul took 3 for 21, pacer Josiah Dhani 3 for 29 and national under 15 and 17 left arm spinner Kelvin Umrao 3 for 30.

In reply, Albion CC raced to 164 for the loss of 1 wicket after which the home team conceded the game.

Matches will continue

this weekend.

The quarter finals, semifinals and finals will be played over two days. The final is slated for October 28 and 29 at the historic Albion Sports Complex and all the members of the New York based group that have sponsored the competition are expected to be on hand.

The Berbice Cricket Board takes this opportunity to thank Albion Cricket Club for their influence to get the New York Business Group to assist young cricketers in Berbice.

Special thanks to all t h e memb e r s and we look forward for a long lasting relationship, all in the interest of the game we all love most.

Heimraj Resaul

eimraj Resaul phenomenal run on the local courts in 2016 continued on Thursday as he defeated his senior Mark McDonald to cop the Boys Under-18 title of the Bakewell Junior Tennis Tournament.

Played at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Recreational facility in Bel-Air Park, the talented 14 year old Resaul pulled off a significant win against 15 year old McDonald to grab his first Boys under 18 title of the Bakewell Junior Open.

Last year it was McDonald who took the 18s title after losing to Resaul in the 14s. The match was run off over two days at the GBTI tennis courts, started on Wednesday with both players seemingly tentative as they played safe tennis to the detriment of holding their services games up until Resaul held for the first time at 3-2 to go up 4-2. At this time McDonald also held his serve and broke Resaul to even the set at 4-4.

However McDonald still played defensively and Resaul broke to go up 5-4 and then held serve to take

the set at 6-4. In the second set McDonald seemed rejuvenated and anxious to turn the tide and he demonstrated this by holding his first service game to go up 1-0. Resaul too was also able to up his tempo and both players held serve until McDonald raced away to a 4-1 lead.

Resaul then won three straight games to even at 4-4 with some great passing shots as McDonald became overconfident frequently approaching the net.

McDonald then regrouped and both players again held their service games to take it to 6-6 and forced the third set super tie-breaker.

At the start of the third set on Thursday, both players show a high level of confidence and the standard of play dictated trading points neck and neck until Resaul edged up 7-6 amidst a lot of fist pumps. This clearly threw off McDonald who once again slipped into his defensive mode and gave Resaul the next three points to prevail 6-4, 6-7, (7-2), 10-6.

In the Boys under 14, the Ugandan Joshua Kalekyezi was visibly elated as he defeated Viraj Sharma 5-3, 4-2 to take the coveted title. Both players had tough semifinals but it was clear that Kalekyezi’s defeat of former champion Jordan Beaton in the semis boosted his confidence enough to hold off Sharma who too has shown tremendous im-

Joshua Kalekyezi

provement in their techniques over the last year.

The Boys Under 12 final between Jeremiah Kalekyezi and Vadeanand Resaul is scheduled for today at 12:00 noon at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue followed by the Girls U-18 final.

The closing ceremony is scheduled for 16:00h at the same venue.

Overall summary of knockout round results for boys: Boys U12 Semifinals Jeremiah Kalekyezi defeated Adesh Khayyam 4-1, 4-1, Vadeanand Resaul defeated Nigel Lowe 4-1, 2-4 (10-5).

Boys U14 Semifinals Viraj Sharma defeated Vijay Sharma 4-1, 4-2, Joshua Kalekyezi defeated Jordan Beaton 5-4, (7-2), 4-2. Boys U14 Quarterfinals Jordan Beaton defeated Jeremiah Kalekyezi 4-0, 4-1, Viraj Sharma defeated Ridhwan Kasim 4-0, 4-2. Boys U14 Round Robin Jeremiah Kalekyezi defeated Akil Browne 4-0, 4-0. Boys U-18 Quarterfinals-Mark McDonald defeated Viraj Sharma 6-4, 7-5, Joshua Kalekyezi defeated Vijay Sharma 6-2, 6-1.

Young Warriors Cricket Club hosting East Canje Day of Sport

T

he Young Warriors Cricket Club of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice will be the host of the East Canje Day of Sports on November 6, 2016 at the Cumberland Ground. The day's events will be cricket and football and will see villages competing against each other.

Over the years the East Canje area produced many talented cricketers with the latest being young West Indies winning captain Shimron Hetmyer who is on the road to be only the second senior West Indies player after Leonard Baichan.

His brother Seon Hetymer, Gajanand Singh, Damodar Dasrat, Richard and Kevin Ramdeen, Balram Samaroo, Kwesi Maltay, Linden Austin, Boodnarine Sumair and Kassim Khan among many others represented Guyana at the youth

Shimron Hetmyer

levels.

Even though most of the players came through The Young Warriors Cricket Club programme, they live in different villages in the Canje district. This leads to regular fierce competition among the village teams.

Some of the teams expected to take part are Canefield, Gangaram,

Canje Pathfinders, Betsy Ground, Goed Bananen Land and Rose Hall Estate.

The cricket competition will be of five overs aside and will involve second division players. However, the teams are allowed to buy the first division players in the area with the starting bid being two thousand dollars with the exception of Shimron Hetymer whose starting bid will be ten thousand similar to franchise league style.

In addition, there will be a feature football game involving players from #2, Palmyra, Sheet Anchor and Cumberland versus the other villages in East Canje.

Attractive prizes up for grabs. Proceeds from this event will go towards Young Warriors CC which will assist with future cricket promotions. The first cricket match bowls off at 9:30h.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

Jaguars Franchise League, Round 7

23

Georgetown in charge of Upper Corentyne — Suknanan 6/78, Surujnarine 127*highlight opening day

Kandasammy Surujnarine

S

Keemo Paul

pinner Gajanand Suknanan and opening batsman Robin Bacchus valuable returns with ball and bat respectively put host Georgetown in a commanding position against Upper Corentyne on the opening day of the final round of the Jaguars Franchise League.

Yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda, Suknanan captured six wickets to restrict the visitors to 224 all out before Bacchus finished unbeaten on 55 as Georgetown was comfortably placed on 116-2 some 108 runs adrift Upper Corentyne’s first innings total.

National wicket keeper batsman Anthony Bramble played brilliantly for 93 while discarded West Indies Test batsman Assad Fudadin scored 46, as they topped the visitors’ batting.

Opting to bat first, Upper Corentyne reached 24 before losing their first wicket, that of Jason Sinclair for 10, caught by wicket keeper Dexter Solomon off the bowling of skipper Christopher Barnwell.

Joshua Ramsammy (11) who batted at three was next out as new ball bowler Kellon Carmichael claimed his first victim. At that stage it was 39-2 and it became a bit worrying for the visitors. However, a 51run third wicket stand between Fudadin and skipper Rajiv Ivan (21) gave the innings substance until the latter was caught at backward square to become Suknanan’s first victim.

It soon became 97-4 when Fudadin edged a ball to wicket keeper Solomon to give him his second catch and Suknanan his second victim. The demise of Fudadin was the last before lunch as Kevlon Anderon (03*) and Bramble on 24 not out saw their team to the break without another casualty.

During the second session the visitors lost four more victims but thanks to a superb knock by Bramble, who hit seven fours and two sixes, they also scored 124 runs during that said time. He first added 47 runs for the fifth wicket with Anderson (13) then 37 for the seventh with former national youth captain Shawn Perreira, who remained unbeaten on 17.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

The right handed Bramble, mixed some pugnacious hitting with spectacular strokes to give his team a reasonable first innings total. However, in pursuit of his first century in the League he played a heave at Suknanan and was brilliantly caught by a diving Devon Lord on the mid-wicket boundary on the stroke of tea.

Shortly after the tea break, Suknanan collected his sixth wicket of the innings and Renaldo AliMohamed collected his first to close the visitors’ innings.

Sukanan captured 6-78 to spearhead Georgetown’s attack while Carmichael finished with two wickets.

It was a Georgetown show for the remainder of the final session except for the demise of Andrew Lyght jr. for 17 and Sunil Singh for 26. Eon Hooper and Keon Sinclair are the bowlers to capture the wickets.

Georgetown will resume the second day with 108 runs adrift of Upper Corentyne’s first innings total with eight wickets in hand. Barnwell (10 not out) will join Bacchus at the start of play on the second day.

At Tuschen ground second placed West Demerara were dismissed for 346 after they were asked to bat

by Essequibo. Tagenarine Chanderpaul (54), Askhaya Persaud (54) and Romario Shephard (51) all made half centuries while Raymon Reifer contributed 49, Chabriraj Ramcharan 43 and Safraz Esau chipped in with 35. Bowling for Essequibo, Anthony Adams took 5/68 while Akinie Adams had 2/64.

In reply, Essequibo are on 87/3 with Kemo Paul on a blistering 43 not out (1x4) and (5x6). Shephard has so far taken 3/34.

At Port Mourant, West Berbice were dismissed for 174. Raffel Estraido top scored with 55 while Leon Andrews supported with 39. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Veerasammy Permaul had 4/56, Kassim Khan took 3/38 and Raun Johnson took 2/57.

Lower Corentyne in reply were 283/3 at the close of play. Opener Surujnarine Kandasammy is unbeaten on 127 and Seon Hetmyer is not out on 51. Jonathan Foo earlier made 42 and Gajanand Singh chipped in with 26. Collis Butts, Andrew Dutchin and Brandon Bess have so far taken a wicket each.

At Enterprise, the home team, East Coast Demerara

Georgetown were aggressive after picking up four wickets in the morning session

could only muster 125 all out batting first. Bhaskar Yadram top scored with 31, Paul Wintz made 22 and Chandrapaul Hemraj contributed 20. Bowling for East Bank Demerara, Stephen Harris had figures of 3/40, Totaram Bishun 3/12 and Stephen Jacobs 2/25.

East Bank Demerara in reply, were dismissed for 165 earning a first innings lead of 40 runs.

Deonarine Seegobin struck 56, Sherfane Rutherford 35 and Tevin Imlach scored 30. Bowling for East Coast Demerara, Ameer Khan took 3/24, Chandrapaul Hemraj

3/38, Paul Wintz 3/39 and Kamesh Yadram 2/1.

Batting a second time and facing a 40 run deficit East Coast Demerara are 34/0 with Bhaskar Yadram 26 not out and Keon Roberts on 8.

Play continues at 09:30h across the venues.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2016

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

Jaguars Franchise League, Round 7

Georgetown in charge of Upper Corentyne Pg 23

— Suknanan 6/78, Surujnarine 127*highlight opening day

Upper Corentyne’s top scorer Anthony Bramble face up to Georgetown’s best bowler Gajanand Suknanan

From Left- Kerwin Clarke, Franklin Brisport, GABFF President Keavon Bess, Alisha Fortune and Devon Davis briefing the media at Olympic House on Friday

"Let sport be the main attraction"— Bess

G

uyana’s best showing at the Central America and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships came this year in the Dominican Republic and President of the Guyana A m a t e u r Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation, Keavon Bess has called on stakeholders to fully use sport as a flagship for sponsorship.

“Corporate

Guyana can see an investment in athletes… we do not want a charitable donation but rather sponsorships for our athletes.” Bess went on to add that “the federation is always open for persons to come and approach for athletes to be available to advertise their business.”

This statement was made on the validation of the point that sports, especially in the discipline of bodybuilding is in the best position it has ever been. Guyana recently returned with an astonishing five medals from the CAC games. Mr. Guyana, Kerwin Clarke copped gold, Devon Davis won silver and young talent Emmerson Campbell returned with silver in only his second outing.

However, even with the team doing well

sponsorship was hard to come by as the usual persons were on board and were duly thanked for their efforts. The severity showed on three time gold medalist, Devon Davis, who was uncertain of his trip having not acquired enough funding but was helped by team mate Alicia Fortune who had received sound sponsorship.

Bess noted that if this showing is not enough to convince the relevant authorities then sports is definitely in a bad place, further revealing that there will be discussions for subventions by the government of the day for 2017.

Bess is also calling for there to be an adequate recognition of the athletes following their success and not let this fall to the waste side.

Nevertheless, the athletes, on returning home on Friday, formally expressed gratitude to all those who had come along and made it possible for them to perform so well.

These sponsors include the athletes’ respective gyms, the Guyana Olympic Association, Attorneys-at-law, business and fitness enthusiasts.

The team that travelled to the Dominican Republic included five athletes, Kerwin Clarke, Devon Davis, Alicia Fortune, Bruce Whatley and Emmerson Campbell as well as Judge Franklin Brisport and Keron Clarke.

The GABFF cordially congratulates the athletes on an excellent showing that has put Guyana on the map in the world of bodybuilding.

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.