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Digicel gives back to St Cuthbert’s Mission Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2973

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, September 9, 2016

GFC’s action threatens US$60M China loan Page 7

...BaiShanLin affiliates made no promise to bring investors – Attorney

Jamaican busted with 100lbs cocaine in container from Guyana Page 5

Mason remanded for killing aunt

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

$1.6B EUIDB Project approved – to fund GPL Loss Reduction, Management Project P11

Police say crime down by 18% P11

Page 8

Ambassador’s conviction

Ramjattan P7 dodges questions on Ally, a leading AFC Diaspora figure Pharmagate

P3

Sussex Street ‘house bond’ arrangement “undesirable”

… Cabinet now agrees to find its own facility, currently inspecting sites – DPI

Fire erupts after lightning strikes HJ P2 studio Persons grabbing copies of books at an exhibition outside the Education Ministry on Brickdam, where a “Literacy Extravaganza” was held on Thursday in observance of International Literacy Day

ExxonMobil’s Skipjack well comes up empty Page 14

Linden-Soesdyke Highway dangerous P11 – Councillors call for road markings

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Fire erupts after lightning strikes HJ studio A major catastrophe was averted on Thursday after lightning struck the Hits and Jams Studio, causing a fire to erupt in the transmission room.

The incident occurred sometime around 10:35h at the Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, office of HJTV and 94 Boom FM. According to reports reaching Guyana Times, during the heavy downpour on Thursday morning, lightening struck the company’s signal tower causing a spark inside the building.

However, staff members were quick to take action, turning off the main power and containing the small blaze in the transmission room while the fire service was on its way.

Speaking briefly with reporters, Director of Hits and Jams Kerwin Bollers explained that when the lightning struck the tower, it sent a surge of electricity to

happened, I was stunned and so my DJ pulled down the mics so that no one can hear us scream or panic, and we started to unplug whatever we can,” she told this newspaper. Robertson went on to say that they then started to douse the fire which was at the time on the ceiling of the transmission room. She noted that

Staff members of Hits and Jams studio outside the building following the Thursday morning fire

the systems in the television station’s transmission room.

This resulted in the equipment being overpowered, as such, a fire broke out.

At the time, Bollers said it was too early to assess the extent of the damages incurred.

“Hopefully there is not

much damage… we’re trying to assess it and determine, pretty much, what are damaged and what can be repaired… we have some technicians coming over to check the equipment out,” he told reporters at the scene on Thursday.

At the time when the fire

broke out, there were about a dozen persons in the building, including popular radio broadcaster Feliz Robertson who was on air at the time.

She recalled that they heard a loud explosion before her DJ noticed smoke in the building.

“When that (explosion)

they managed to contain the blaze with a fire extinguisher. The broadcaster continued that they then gathered everyone out of the building and managed to take with them small pieces of equipment. She noted that shortly after a call was made to the fire service and fire tenders arrived on scene and took charge of the situation.

Parents of missing East Coast teen appeal for public’s help

A

week after the disappearance of 14-yearold Doothmattie Persaud, also known as Emily, her parents are appealing to members of the public for their help in finding the teen who allegedly ran away from home on Thursday, September 1.

Persaud, who resides at Lot 30 Industry Crown Dam, East Coast Demerara, was last seen by her mother, Lalita Seegobin-Hussain, on September 1 at P&R Taxi Service at Lot 60 William and Queen Streets, Kitty, Georgetown, wearing a blue top, blue Capri pants and a pair of black slippers.

The teen’s mother reportedly went into labour on August 31, leaving Persaud and her younger brother in the care of her uncle. Her mother told Guyana Times that before she went to the hospital, she left money and jewellery with her daughter.

After Seegobin-Hussain gave birth, she saw her eldest daughter on the morning of September 1, and, according to her, her daughter seemed elated.

The teen’s mother said that shortly after the visit, Persaud called her and disclosed that she was unable to find a gold bangle which was left with her earlier.

“I said ‘how you loss it?’, and she said she put it in the bag and like somebody take it out. I say ‘alright, when I come home, I gon deal with it. I gotta discharge’,” Seegobin-Hussain said.

Upon meeting with her mother to discuss the issue, Persaud said that she was in the company of a friend prior to her discovery of the missing jewellery. A report about the matter was lodged at the Kitty Police Station.

The family continued their day as per normal; however, her mother realised around 16:00h that same day she had not seen Persaud.

After checking, she found a letter which was left by Persaud and which insinuated that she had run away

Missing: Doothmattie Persaud, aka Emily

“… (it said) that she lost forever, she gone, that God bless me with a next daughter and she gone. Let I don’t stress, and let me don’t take on no worries, that whenever the time is right, she is going to come back,” the teen’s mother highlighted.

In tears, SeegobinHussain noted that since Persaud left the home, she has been trying to call her cellphone, but the last call on Saturday was answered by a man. “He was very abusive, he said he’s in Bartica and if I need to speak to my daughter, I have to talk money talk first.”

The distraught mother explained that since then, the cellular phone has been unreachable.

Seegobin-Hussain noted that this was not the first time that Persaud has opted to disappear, as a few years ago, she left the home for a few hours to visit her boyfriend at the time, unbeknownst to her parents.

The teen’s mother said that she has no knowledge of her daughter having another boyfriend.

The matter was reported to the Kitty Police Station and an investigation launched.

Seegobin-Hussain is requesting that anyone with information with regard to Doothmattie Persaud make contact with the nearest police station or contact her directly on 592620-0191 or 592-684-1692.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 9 – 08:50h-10:20h and Saturday, September 10 – 10:10h-11:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Pharmagate

Sussex Street ‘house bond’ arrangement “undesirable” …Cabinet now agrees to find its own facility, currently inspecting sites – DPI

Thundery rain showers with chances of sunshine are expected throughout the day while light rain showers with light cloud cover can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds:North Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 09:27h and 21:49h reaching a maximum height of 2.20 metres at each scheduled high tide.

Low Tide: 02:54h and 15:19h reaching minimum heights of 0.92 metre and 1.07 metres respectively.

In composite photo: Workers outside of the Linden Holding Inc ‘drug bond’ on Sussex Street, Albouystown on Thursday

T WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2016

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

he Government of Guyana has decided to secure its own pharmaceutical storage facility and is currently inspecting suitable sites, since the arrangement to pay in excess of $12.5 million monthly to Linden Holding Inc for its Sussex Street ‘drug bond’ has been found to be ‘undesirable’.

That information was disclosed on Thursday – weeks after the specially appointed Cabinet Sub Committee had submitted its report recommending that the lease be renegotiated or terminated, since a similar facility could be found at a cheaper rate.

Director of Public Information (DPI), Imran Khan, by way of a public statement, on Thursday released the decision of the Cabinet after deliberations on the matter.

According to Khan, “Cabinet has concluded that the arrangement was undoubtedly undesirable.”

He said Cabinet also considered the options and

recommendations in the report of the Cabinet SubCommittee tasked with reviewing the decision of the Public Health Ministry to lease facilities at Sussex Street.

Shortened lease

According to Khan, the Cabinet Council of Ministers, chaired by President David Granger, explored a range of options in its deliberations including shortening the lease period while expediting the search for another facility.

Government, through the Public Health Ministry, had inked an agreement with Linden Holdings Inc – a company owned by prominent People’s National Congress (PNC) supporter Larry Singh with no experience in the pharmaceutical industry – to pay $12.5 million annually in addition to agreeing to pay for the maintenance of the facility in addition, as well as the utility and other bills, including security.

Singh’s company has

its registered office in a Middle Street property that housed the former Sidewalk Café, owned by Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes.

The matter had come to the public’s attention on August 8 during the consideration of the Financial Papers outlining advances made from the Contingency Fund.

It was discovered at the time that the Public Health Ministry had, in fact, already handed over a $25 million deposit to Singh’s Linden Holdings Inc – the same amount he paid for the Sussex Street property.

The revelations had generated widespread outrage and public condemnation after which a Special Cabinet Sub-Committee had been appointed to review the deal.

Options

That Cabinet SubCommittee was chaired by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and comprised Prime Minister Moses

Nagamootoo and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

DPI Khan, in providing details of the Cabinet deliberations on Thursday, said, “The options of purchasing, constructing or leasing will also be explored.”

It was reiterated, however, “the conditions for the storage facility to be located within close proximity of the Georgetown port and be easily accessible remain applicable.”

According to Khan, “Though it has, out of necessity, taken some time to arrive at these decisions, Cabinet is satisfied that significant advances have been made on this matter and when the full menu of actions is completed, the best arrangement, in the interest of the people of Guyana, will be concluded.”

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guyana-times.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

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

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

Editorial

The right to earn a living T

he right to earn a living and enjoy the fruits of one’s labour is a fundamental human right. But recently, the local media is flooded with countless reports about the infringement of this right in countless ways and this is not just happening in the Capital but in other parts of the country.

We hear and read stories about the dreams and aspirations of hardworking citizens which are made increasingly difficult to attain by actions that interfere with their right to earn a living. Most of these cases, in one form or another, seem to affect vendors across the country.

In Guyana, many of the urban poor and middle-class people depend on street vendors for access to goods and services at affordable rates and thousands of wholesalers are also dependent on street vendors for their business, thus an entire economic system is based on street vending. Likewise, most vendors depend solely on their income to sustain their families.

Many are alleging that the City Council is imposing unnecessary requirements on vendors, confiscating goods, damaging property, and making unreasonable demands of business owners (in this instance vendors.)

First let us establish and acknowledge that the City Council has responsibilities and has by-laws and regulations to enforce. This goes without saying. It should also be said that, as citizens, we need to respect and endeavour to uphold all the laws of this land.

However, while we accept that the Council has a very important role to play in ensuring that we live and work in a clean and orderly society, so too must the body acknowledge that in carrying out its mandate, it can never be right or acceptable to infringe on citizens’ rights, especially when it comes to earning a living and taking care of one’s family. There is a right way and a wrong way to do things.

We are all human beings and as such, we should be guided by what we know to be right, as humans. The existing situation in several communities is worrisome. If the reports are to be taken at face value, then what we have is sections of society who are facing unemployment and may very well be on the breadline. We simply cannot accept this as a society when more can be done to remedy this situation.

What can be helpful is if representatives from the Council and those affected open the way for dialogue; not screaming matches, accusations or condemnations but real, meaningful dialogue which will result in the formulation of a functional plan.

Taking into account all of the views presented in these cases, it must be said that the vendors also need to accept that sometimes the status quo is outdated and that change must come. We all want to live in a society where cleanliness, security, and order rule the day. After all, this is why we pay our taxes. But those affected also have a very important role to play. They need to work with the authorities to ensure that their actions are within the law and that any decisions taken will be in their best interest.

If there are rules, we need to respect them; if there are restrictions, we need to act within the confines; and if our actions are affecting the wider society, then we need to address the issues and find a solution.

Let us remember that the right to work is the concept that people have a human right to work or engage in productive employment, and may not be prevented from doing so. The right to work is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognised in international human rights law, through its inclusion in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, where the right to work emphasises economic, social and cultural development.

Let us strive to find an amicable solution to this ongoing problem. There is too much at stake to do otherwise. All parties need to find common ground for the good of all.

A tethered hot air balloon flies over the ancient neolithic monument of Stonehenge near Amesbury in Wiltshire, England, to mark the 30th anniversary of Stonehenge becoming a World Heritage Site

NAREI clears the air Dear Editor, The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) wishes to address several inaccurate statements raised by a “concerned employee” in a letter captioned Complaints against the Administration of NAREI that was published in Kaieteur News on September 8, 2016.

NAREI was formed in 2011 and is governed by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute Act (2011). All employees are contracted and based on performance their contracts are renewed.

Even as management monitors the performance of staff regularly to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, employees are appraised on an annual basis.

The payment of gratuity is based on an employ-

ee’s performance and work completed for three months ‘resident service’. Therefore, if the employee is not on the job he or she cannot be assessed. However, mothers are entitled to their maternity benefits from the National Insurance Scheme.

Furthermore, Cuban graduates working at NAREI are directly employed by the Ministry of Agriculture and assigned to the institute.

Management is pleased to inform that there is no gap in the organisation currently. In fact, measures have been put in place to make NAREI more functional with the recent restructuring of its organogram.

There is a new finance manager and in the case where there was a deputy CEO and an assistant CEO there is now only an Assistant CEO. The previous structure allowed for redundan-

cy. Also, an administrative manager was hired, a post that was held by the previous Human Resources/ Administrative Manager. A senior human resources officer is managing the Human Resources Department that is staffed with knowledgeable personnel.

Furthermore, capable officers are carrying out the duties of Coastal Crop Extension Coordinator and Regional Crop Extension Officers (Regions 3 & 6).

Researches are executed at the Institute based on work programmes and budget prepared by respective departments and approved by the chief executive officer and the board of directors. NAREI is provided with adequate funding to execute all its research and extension work.

It is important to note that the board of directors

is appointed by Cabinet and not NAREI. NAREI’s management cannot give directives to or influence the board. The board is responsible for ensuring adherence to the Institute’s policies.

This concerned employee has never brought to the attention of management the issues listed. NAREI does not believe in having employees feel disgruntled or disheartened. Such feelings are counterproductive to the Institute accomplishing its mandate.

Management is always open to suggestions that will positively impact on the Institute in keeping with its policies.

Yours truly, Sharon Blair Senior Human Resources Officer NAREI

Caricom should intervene and sanction Barbados Dear Editor, I read with great interest the horrible and inhumane treatment meted out on a pregnant Guyanese woman by immigration authorities at the Grantley Adams Airport in Barbados recently.

This shocking incident came just two weeks before another Caribbean national Jamaican Sonya King and her 14-month-old son were denied food and water and were denied entry.

These incidents occurred despite the Caribbean Court of Justice ruling in

the famous Shanique Myrie case.

According to press reports King complained of being hungry and officers pointed her to the vending machine because the food court was closed. She complained that her baby had to ensure hours in wet pampers. What is disturbing is that the Division of Defence and Security which is part of the Prime Minister's Office cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.

This to my mind means that the Barbadian govern-

ment condones harsh and unconscionable treatment by its officers and this may be the reason why the officers were so harsh on pregnant Annecia Alfred who was forced to sit on a bench for 12 hours waiting to be deported to Guyana.

It seems therefore that Barbados, an original member of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has no regard for the Treaty of Chaguaramas which refers to the free movement of members of the Community as well as the CCJ which emphasised

the importance of freedom of movement of nationals within Caricom.

In the circumstances I feel that Caricom Secretary General and the Chairman of Caricom should contact the Barbados Government and try to remedy the situation.

A few other countries, Antigua, Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago are also hostile to regional nationals especially Jamaicans and Guyanese.

Yours sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

“Bogus” medical school administrator was ordered not to open school – Ministry source T

he administrator of the North Shore Medical College was instructed not to open her school until her registration was processed, a source from the Education Ministry disclosed.

“I was informed that the school’s registration was incomplete and they were supposed to wait until it was completed. She was told not to start teaching until everything was processed,” the source stated.

Acting A (Georgetown-East Bank) Division Commander Marlon Chapman, when contacted, stated that the administrator, who goes by several names, remained in Police custody and the Police would be seeking legal advice on their next move. The woman, K Singh, had held two students hostage in a locked building after Police turned up to arrest her for allegedly ripping off hundreds of students. She had locked herself and the students in the upper flat of the school after scores of other students turned up and began pounding on the door, demanding refunds on the grounds she was operating a

K Singh being escorted out of the building after a four-hour standoff with Police on Tuesday

bogus medical institution.

However, after four tense hours, the captive students were released and the Police managed to gain entry into the building by climbing through a widow to arrest her. She was escorted out of the compound by two Policewomen and one Policeman into a vehicle and taken to the Alberttown Police Station for questioning.

In 2009, former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had accused Singh of operating a fake nursing school, called “InterAmerican Nursing School”. He had stated that hundreds of

students were scammed into releasing large sums of money to her. She was arrested and placed on bail. However, some time later, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended that no charges be laid against her.

Four years later, another medical school surfaced—this time under the same woman.

In 2014, another set of students took to the streets in protest against the woman and her school – insisting that they were being scammed.

It was reported that Singh, who went by the name Gita Kissoon, never turned up to

supervise their examination.

In both instances, the Education Ministry and the Public Health Ministry were notified, but nothing was done to seriously address the matter. However, this time, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton urged students to beware of offshore medical schools and to consult the Ministry before registering with them.

One concerned parent had stated that she had a “calm assurance” that the school was accredited after she had enquired and found out that the Education Ministry was aware of the school’s presence.

Students claimed that Singh would instruct them to mark their own test papers and promised to send the grades to the board overseas.

“She keep talking about the board and board, but we keeping asking to see the board and we never hear from them or see any of them,” one frustrated student indicated.

Singh was issued an eviction letter by the landlords of the building a month ago and had since changed the locks.

EBD Road expansion works

Many sections without reflectors …Company ignoring Police recommendations – Traffic Chief

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s the long-delayed East Bank Demerara (EBD) Road expansion project continues, many commuters have registered their concern over the lack of safety measures, since many sections of the roadway are unlit and without the adequate quota of reflectors. This has posed

5

a major challenge for night drivers.

Part of the road at the village of Herstelling in the vicinity of the Kamboat Restaurant and Buddy’s Housing Scheme, was described as a “blind” section, given the way in which the road was angled. Reports are

that this specific section has led to a few minor vehicular collisions.

Guyana Times understands that it was the responsibility of the road construction company to install reflectors on completed sections of the road, as well as traffic diversion zones. The

delayed completion of the road has been significantly contributing to traffic congestion. The matter has gained the attention of the Guyana Police Force, which has responsibility for traffic control in the country.

TURN TO PAGE 16

Jamaican busted with 100lbs cocaine in container from Guyana

G

uyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) is probing the discovery of some $60 million worth of cocaine in a 20-foot container that was shipped to Jamaica from Guyana.

Based on reports the Jamaican Narcotics Branch on Wednesday discovered over 100 pounds of cocaine in the container shipped to that country from Guyana.

A Jamaican has since been arrested by the Jamaican Police.

Moreover, the Jamaican authorities have since informed CANU about the incident and investigations have been launched.

According to additional information, the cocaine was concealed in 48 parcels in a bag in the container which was found on Savannah Avenue in Kingston. The narcotics reportedly carry a combined weight of 52.65 kilograms. The estimated street value is US$474, 000 or J$60.2 million.

Guyana Times understands that the container was filled with a shipment of rice which was checked and sealed by the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). However, it is presumed that the cocaine was slipped into the container after the checks

by GRA. Head of CANU, James Singh, when contacted on Thursday evening, confirmed that they were asked to assist in the probe and have been in contact with their counterparts in Jamaica.

Both CANU and GRA are working on the matter and are tracing the process followed by officers who had responsibility for checking and clearing the container.

They are checking to see if there were any breaches of the standard operating procedures or the security regimen in place at the port of exit and the wharf.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Page

BY REBECCA ALBER

W

e know students do plenty of listening in our classes, but what about the other three communication skills they should be engaging in and practicing daily?

I’m talking about reading, writing, and speaking.

guyana-times.com

Foundation tory. They will need advanced levels of literacy to perform their jobs, run their households, act as citizens, and conduct their personal lives.” – Richard Vaca, author of Content Area Reading: Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum

the content you teach. The ultimate goal of literacy instruction is to build a student’s comprehension, writing skills, and overall skills in communication.

Ask yourself, how do I mostly convey the information and

minutes you talk, give them one to two minutes to talk to each other. You can walk around and listen, informally assessing and checking for understanding.

knowledge to my students? Do I turn primarily to straight lecture, or teacher talk? Or, do I allow multiple opportunities for students to discover information on their own?

Conversation helps immensely when processing new content and concepts.

Students also will surely have more fruitful answers to share (be sure to always provide think time when asking questions of students).

Let’s define literacy

It was once known simply as the ability to read and write. Today, it’s about being able to make sense of and engage in advanced reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Someone who has reached advanced literacy in a new language, for example, is able to engage in these four skills with their new language in any setting –academically or casually.

Literacy is an every-century skill

With content standards looming, it’s easy to only focus on the content we teach, and covering material. We have so much to tell students and share with them.

However, are we affording students enough time daily to practice crucial communication skills?

If you are a Maths, History, Science, or Art teacher, where does literacy fit into your classroom instruction?

It’s common to believe that literacy instruction is solely the charge of language arts teachers, but, frankly, this just is not so. Naysayers, please take a moment to think about this quote: “Adolescents entering the adult world in the

Content is what we teach, but there is also the how, and this is where literacy instruction comes in.

There are an endless number of engaging, effective

21st century will read and write more than at any other time in human his-

strategies to get students to think about, write about, read about, and talk about

Here’s one way to look at it

Speaking

Students having academic or high-level conversations in small and large group settings does not happen overnight. It takes time – and scaffolding – to create a Socratic seminar setting in your classroom.

In order for our students to engage in academic conversation, or ‘accountable’ talk, they need plenty of practice with informal conversation in pairs and triads. Use the following strategies frequently for building students’ oral skills: thinkpair-share, elbow partner, shoulder share, and chunk and chew. Children need to be talking and not sitting passively in their seats.

For every five to eight

Writing

When was the last time your students had sore hands from writing in your class? Just like conversation, writing helps us make sense of what we are learning and helps us make connections to our own lives or others’ ideas.

You can’t avoid thinking when you write. Students need to be writing every day, in every classroom.

How about adding to your instruction more informal and fun writing activities like quick writes, stop and jots, one-minute essays, graffiti conversations? Not all writing assignments need be formal ones. (Excerpt from www.edutopia.org)

TO BE CONTINUED

instructional strategies to support literacy in all classrooms BY SHAELYNNFARNSWORTH

“A

ll educators are teachers of literacy” – a common phrase I echo when speaking or writing.

Notice, I did not say “All educators are teachers of reading,” which would demand a skill set many educators do not have, although that is often what most people think when they hear the first statement. There are no expectations for educators at the middle and high school grades to understand reading instruction (phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, etc), instead, expectations reside in supporting student understanding in literacy acquisition in disciplinespecific consumption and creation.

The question becomes how?

With this lens, fears often subside and educators realise that they are the expert in that content area. The question then turns to – How? Zooming out to a wider view of discipline literacy, one understands that much content learning by students is done through

reading or viewing and their demonstration of understanding is exhibited through writing or communicating in some form.

From the larger view, teachers can then zoom back into specific disciplines and ask themselves what are the skills a student must possess to tackle discipline-specific texts (which includes multiple modes) and what components of communication do I need to teach in order for students write and create in a discipline-specific way.

3 instructional strategies

The ‘how’ is one area that I am often asked to address with staff. I offer three instructional strategies that are applicable to any discipline and support literacy in any classroom:

Read/think aloud

Examples: A History teacher demonstrating how historians read and make sense of primary sources. Read/ think aloud text – Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. A reading strategy historians often use is to consider the time

period it was written in and what was happening in the world during that time to help them understand meaning and context. This would be modelled aloud to students.

Maths – Rafranz Davis shared with me a movement among Maths educators, shifting the focus from test made questions to real-world problems.

During a read/think aloud in Maths class, Davis suggests utilising Polya’s fourstep method as a model to demonstrate to students – 1. Understand the problem. 2. Devise a plan. 3.

Carry out the plan. 4.

Look back.Students can call upon this strategy anytime they approach an unfamiliar example.

Vocabulary concept/label

Example: Alice Keeler provided the perfect example for identifying concept and label vocabulary in a Maths classroom. Students are given a problem to solve and explain their thinking around parabolic, cubic, and porabol as within the context of two illustrations; one is a visual of a climbing path for El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, the other a water fountain.

Parabolic would be an example of a concept vocabulary term, as opposed to Yosemite, bagging the peak. The last two terms are ones the teacher would define for students and move on, on the other hand, concept vocabulary would demand more attention in both the instruction via the teacher and the acquisition and demonstration by the student.

Providing a non-example, such as the climbing path, also pushes children to think differently and solidify their demonstration of understanding of a concept.

Mentor examples

Example: A Science teacher uses multiple lab reports published in a scientific journal as a mentor example.

Students examine how the data sets were organised, recurring vocabulary, and structure. The content of the lab report may not be an area that is covered in the course, but as a mentor example, students to grasp the essential components of a lab report – how labels work to inform to support the format, the proper way to insert lists and data into the report, and when longer explanations are needed in paragraph form on lab reports. (shaelynnfarnsworth.com)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

GFC’s action threatens US$60M China loan

Ambassador’s conviction

Ramjattan dodges BaiShanLin affiliates made no promise to questions on Ally, a leading ...bring investors – Attorney AFC Diaspora figure T

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

E

ven as the Foreign Affairs Ministry said it was probing reports that Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Shamir Ally was in 2003 convicted in the United States for dissemination of false financial information, Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan is refusing to say if his party intends to launch a probe into the allegations against Ally – a leading member in the AFC New York Chapter.

When contacted on Thursday, Ramjattan declared “I have nothing to say to you”.

When news of the conviction surfaced, Guyana Times had contacted the AFC Leader for a comment, but he had denied knowing about the issue.

Ramjattan had said that there was a background check done on Dr Ally and that no such information ever surfaced. “I don’t know where you got that from; we did our checks (on Dr Ally) a long time ago. So you write what you have to even if it means a lawsuit.”

AFC General Secretary, David Patterson had also said he was not aware of the allegations against Dr Ally.

Guyana Times also emailed Dr Ally for a comment but is still to receive a response. When contact was made with the Guyana Embassy in Kuwait, this pub-

lication was told that there is no available telephone contact for the Ambassador who only arrived in that country last week.

Dr Ally was appointed Guyana’s Ambassador to Switzerland under the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government, but was later seconded to Kuwait.

When asked by journalists about the allegations against Dr Ally, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said his Ministry was reviewing the now public 2003 conviction, with a view of making recommendations to Cabinet with regards to the necessity of further action.

“I have seen one of the publications and we are investigating – trying to establish the veracity and in determining the seriousness of the conviction,” Greenidge told reporters on Wednesday, following an accreditation ceremony held at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Speaking to his credentials, Vice President Greenidge reminded that, “Dr Ally was also a member of GoInvest; he had been on a number of other boards or bodies in Guyana.”

With regards to the current investigation by the Guyana Government into Dr Ally’s US conviction, Greenidge pointed to some of the hurdles in acquiring the necessary information through official channels.

Following Dr Ally’s appointment, his company, International Consultants Services made public his biography, listing all Dr Ally’s business employment and experience, including companies for which he worked.

However, while it mentioned he has experience as a Corporate Controller, and experience in electronics, the company Acrodyne was not mentioned, leading to questions being asked whether Dr Ally would have deliberately left out this bit of information from his biography.

Dr Shamir Ally, Guyana’s Ambassador to Kuwait

United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said that Dr Ally, Controller of Acrodyne; along with Acrodyne’s former Chief Executive Officer and President, A Robert Mancuso and Chief Financial Officer, Ronald R Lanchoney were involved in the dissemination of false financial information

by Acrodyne Communications Inc in press releases and Commission filings in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

The trio was aware of numerous and significant problems with Acrodyne’s accounting controls, but failed to assure that thefinancial transactions were accurately recorded.

The Commission claimed that as a result of the actions of Mancuso, Lanchoney and Ally, Acrodyne engaged in inaccurate and improper cost accounting and revenue recognition.

On March 4, 2003, US District Court Judge, Michael M Baylson entered final judgments against the men, prohibited Mancuso and Lanchoney from acting as an Officer or Director of a public company.

Additionally, Mancuso was fined $50,000, Lanchoney $10,000 and Ally $10,000.

According to court documents, the men consented to the entry of the orders without admitting or denying the Commission’s allegations in the action.

he move by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to repossess concessions held by BaiShanLin International Forest Development Inc (BIFDI) has jeopardised a US$60 million loan to the company, and the matter has since attracted the attention of the Chinese Embassy in Guyana.

The GFC on Tuesday announced that it was moving to repossess concessions held by BaiShanLin. Guyana Times has since been able to confirm too that the Forestry Commission had also in the previous week written to five companies affiliated with BaiShanLin, terminating the Timber Sales Agreements (TSAs) and Joint Ventures that the companies had effected with the Chinese-based logging company.

Based on documentation seen by this publication, on September 1, 2016, the GFC wrote to the five companies with whom BaiShanLin had entered into Joint Ventures, informing them that the arrangement had been terminated, since the Commission had not been informed ahead of time of a transfer of shares.

90 days

Each of the companies was told to remove any equipment it had on the more than 400,000 hectares of forest within 90 days.

But Attorneys for BaiShanLin are preparing to challenge the actions of the Forestry Commission in the courts.

BaiShanLin has since secured the services of Satram and Satram Law Firm and the Attorneys are now questioning the action taken against the five companies since none would have made or reneged on any commitments to the Government of Guyana or the Forestry Commission.

Loan jeopardised

Pratesh Satram spoke

BaiShanLin trucks laden with logs in the interior

with Guyana Times on Wednesday and indicated that the US$60 million loan taken by the Chinese logging company from the China Development Bank (CDB) was now under threat, since the shares BaiShanLin would have acquired in the local companies had been used as security against the loan.

This publication has since been told that meetings were being held in China with the Bank and other stakeholders to decide on a course of action in light of the move by the GFC, since “the loans were secured in part against the shares of those companies.”

The matter has also engaged the attention of the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown, since it was approached for assistance by BaiShanLin. In fact, the Attorney this publication spoke with

has questioned why the action was taken against these companies in the first place, since, according to the GFC in its public pronouncement — it is BaiShanLin that failed to produce an investor.

According to Satram, none of the companies which had their Joint Ventures terminated with BaiShanLin had made any promises to the Government to produce any investor.

According to letters issued to Haimorakabra Logging Co Inc, Kwebanna Wood Products Inc, Sherwood Forests Inc, Wood Association Industries Company and Puruni Woods, they had violated provisions in the Forestry Act when they failed to inform the Commission of a transfer of shares, hence the decision to terminate the arrangement.

TURN TO PAGE 9

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

IN THE COURTS

Mason remanded for killing aunt

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he mason who confessed to murdering his aunt was on Thursday arraigned for murder.

Azad Ally also called “Kevin Mohan”, 22, of Lot 315 Fifth Street, Cummings Lodge, Georgetown, was charged for the murder of his aunt when he appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

He appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on September 4, 2016 at Cummings Lodge he murdered Anita Mohan, 48, during the course or furtherance of a robbery of $10,000.

The court heard that the defendant was previously charged with assaulting his girlfriend. While in court the defendant kept mumbling, “I will not live with my aunt and kill her.”

The matter was transferred to Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where the accused will make his next court appearance on October 28.

Azad Ally also called “Kevin Mohan” being escorted by the Police

The battered body of the woman was discovered on Sunday afternoon by her son who had just returned home from work. The woman was found in a

pool of blood in her kitchen .

The accused told detectives that his now dead aunt sold drugs at home apart from selling greens and vegetables during the day. He revealed that on the day in question a friend had purchased “drugs” from the woman and left.

He later returned and requested another package but on credit since he did not have money. He further stated that his aunt refused to give credit which led to an argument. It was during the argument that the suspect and his accomplice dealt the woman several blows to her head.

An autopsy performed revealed that Mohan sustained a chop to her head and one in the vicinity of her temple along with a stab wound to her chin and one in her mouth.

The perpetrators also cut off portion of her tongue and she was strangled. The police are still hunting the second suspect in the brutal murder.

Brazilian woman granted bail after securing local address

M

ikaany Meres made her second appearance on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where she was granted $100,000 bail after being able to secure a local address.

Meres, who was unrepresented when she made her first appearance before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, was denied bail after the prosecution cited in its objection that she did not

have a local address and if granted bail, would not return to court.

As such, the woman was remanded. At her second appearance on Thursday, Meres was represented by Attorney Mark Conway, who informed the Chief Magistrate that his client now has a local address – Lot 60 Bel Air Springs, Georgetown.

It is alleged that on August 11, 2016 at Aishalton village, South Rupununi, the defendant

Mikaany Meres

had in her possession a live round of .32 ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The prosecution stated that on the day in question, the defendant was intercepted at Aishalton checkpoint where she was attempting to enter Marudi Backdam. The ammunition was concealed in a black handbag belonging to her.

The matter was transferred to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for October 28, 2016.

Lindener charged with 4 counts of larceny remanded

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Lindener accused of four counts of break and enter and larceny was remanded to prison by Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday, when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that Marvelous Stull broke and entered the

home of June Cumberbatch at 1218 Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden and stole $8000 on Tuesday, June 21.

It is also alleged that he broke and entered the home of Fabian Anthony at Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward on Friday, August 5 and stole a flat screen LG smart televi-

sion valued $639,226 and a desktop computer and CPU valued $478,871, property of Anthony.

It is further alleged that he broke and entered the home of Sonita McLean at Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward on Monday, August 8 and stole $15,000 in cash.

Further, it is alleged that the accused broke and entered the home of Janet Henry at Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward on Monday July 23, with intent to commit a felony. The accused was remanded to prison and the matter adjourned until September 28.

Eyew tness Time and place...

T

...or hypocrisy?

his Pandit Tillak fella who rushed in where angels fear to tread - commenting on the high rate of teenage pregnancy in Amerindian communities - has taken quite a beating. His take on the phenomenon? That it seemed to be socially sanctioned even though technically it violates the laws of Guyana - specifically those concerning statutory rape. The latter's defined as having sex with a girl below sixteen and it matters not whether there was consent or not. You have sex with a below 16-year-old and it’s proven, that's it!

Presumably attempting to be "delicate" - what the Pandit actually said was "I was reliably informed that in Amerindian tradition and culture, and please I stand to be correct (sic), that a girl as soon as she enters puberty, she must be equipped with these fundamental knowledge: she must know how to make the pepper-pot, the cassava bread and she must also know how to warm the bed…”

One riposte came from an "ASHTON SIMON, MBA, MPM, Master Project Manager Certification, President, National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF).

Referring to himself as an ex-military man, Simon commended President Granger for later pointing out that he (Prezzie) had recently attended the unveiling of a Statue of Lord Hanuman, a Hindu Deity and he'd learnt a lot about this practice. Prezzie had implicitly chided the Pandit when he concluded, “the best people to speak about their own culture are the people themselves," said Simon.

But Simon, who may or may not be "simple", chose to ignore Prezzie's admonition about letting folks explain their own cultures. He went on an extended rant - not about the Pandit (he only called him a "full blown idiot") or even Hindu practices in Guyana - but about alleged Hindu practices in India on child marriage, incest and forced marriages, etc.

Hey, as your Eyewitness said, the Pandit was certainly not observing the implicit "truce" that's assumed when you have multicultural and multi religious gatherings. But does Simon have to declare war on Indian Hindus?

But fact of the matter is, Simon's assertion that the Pandit's statement was "misleading" just isn't true!! . In yesterday's paper, Minister of Health (who's Amerindian) pointed out that teenage pregnancies ("girls under 15") in Amerindian communities were tremendously high but "It's not teenage pregnancy that's the problem, it's the path before that," in other words "their culture".

Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence also had weighed in and stated that people in Amerindian communities had adopted a passive attitude towards rape, incest and TIP. She called for "prosecution".

So should we be politically correct and also become "passive" about this problem?

...for medical training

Whatever's the matter with some young people and their parents? Don't they read the papers or look at the news? Your Eyewitness was nonplussed when he saw on the front pages, policemen and policewomen clambering up ladders to nab the owner of a fake "medical school".

How many times have the soon apprehended female con artist not pulled this trick?

PT Barnum, the American showed - who pulled numerous hoaxes in his lifetime and formed the Circus named after him - famously said, "There's a sucker born every minute". And we know a sucker and his money's soon parted, right?

Well certainly in Guyana, it seems there are TWO suckers born every minute. Listen...you want to become a Doctor and presumably you can't get into UG Medical School - which isn't even accredited. Isn't that a tip off that whoever accepts you into their "medical" school is engaged in a rip off?

And that you were prepared to rip off some other unsuspecting Guyanese when you "graduate" by pretending to be a "Doctor"? Shame!

...to complain

So the government's finally taking action against Bai Shan Lin after bitching and moaning for years before the elections.

As Greenidge now says, China always had regulations for its companies engaged in forestry operations. Why weren't they used before?

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

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Jordan dismisses Donald Ramotar’s debt claims …says will not be distracted by diatribes of a failed president

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inance Minister Winston Jordan on Thursday pronounced that Guyana's debt profile remains stable and sustainable and in fact asserted: “We are in a better position today than 15 months ago, when this Government entered office.”

Jordan was at the time seeking to rubbish earlier claims by Former President Donald Ramotar, who during the course of the week had accused the current coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government of racking up significant debt which he pegged at more than 60 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Ramotar made the charge in the context of the debt that had been racked up by the People’s National Congress (PNC) while in office during the 28 years prior to 1992.

Diatribe

Finance Minister Winston Jordan has since debunked the claims made by Ramotar, saying: “We will neither be

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

sidetracked nor otherwise distracted by the diatribe of a failed president.”

Jordan in his dismissal of the former president’s—a Russian trained economist— assertions that Guyana’s debt is climbing said: “Mr Ramotar claims that concerns were being raised in many quarters, but failed to identify a single instance of such. “ Jordan said too, that he is unfamiliar with the source of the former president’s claims

that the nation’s debt has been on the increase and in fact accused Ramotar of attempting to “pass a falsehood on to the Guyanese people, hoping it would resonate.”

According to the Finance Minister, the total public debt to GDP ratio at the end of December 2015 was 48.6 per cent, down from 51.9 per cent at the end of December 2014.

He said too that the total debt service to revenue ratio at June 2016 was 7.5 per cent compared to 9.3 per cent at June 2015.

According to Jordan, since coming to office, in May 2015, the coalition government has in fact only contracted a total of three loans for a value of US$55.3 million.

He pointed to the a US$1.6 million loan for a farm Access Road Project; US$3.7 million for the University of Guyana’s Science and Technology Project Extension, and a US$50 million Loan for the construction of the Ogle Bypass Road.

Jordan was adamant that

Former President Donald Ramotar

of this amount only US$1.4 million has been disbursed and counted as part of the public debt: “All of these loans were at the discussion stage with the PPP/C Government, prior to May 2015.”

He said too that between June 2015 and June 2016, the total public debt, comprising external and domestic debt, increased by less than 1 per cent, or from US$1.54 billion to US$1.55 billion.

According to Jordan, “this marginal increase reflects an increase in the issuance of 91-day and 182-day Treasury bills.”

The Finance Minister pointed out too that the total public debt had declined from US$1.6 billion at endDecember 2014 to US$1.54 billion at end-December 2015.

He was adamant that Guyana's debt profile remains stable and sustainable: “We are in a better position today than 15 months ago, when this Government entered office.”

According to Jordan however, “what the Guyanese populace should know, though, is that, at the time the PPP/C Government left office, there were 31 disbursing loans with an approved value of US$616.2 million.”

He said of that amount, less than half or US$245.7 million, had been disbursed and, thus, formed part of the national debt.

“The balance of US$370.5 million will be disbursed in future…So, even if this Government did not con-

GFC’s action threatens US$60M...

In one such letter addressed to Hongbo Chu, the Secretary of Sherwood Forests Inc and written by the GFC’s Corporate Secretary, Jacy Archibald, the Commission acknowledged that written approval had been given for a Joint Venture arrangement between Sherwood Forests and Hongbo Chu. “However, the GFC has unearthed that subsequent to the aforementioned approval, that you transferred the shares issued to the joint venture partner to BIFDI without prior consent.”

According to the letter seen by Guyana Times, “The GFC, therefore, gives official notice that the TSA granted to Sherwood Forests Inc is revoked with immediate effect.”

Similar letters were sent to each of the companies informing that the TSA had been revoked, since the GFC had not been informed of the shares transferred.

BaiShanLin, over the years, would have utilised the concessions of its affiliates to extract and export logs since the State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP) it possesses does not allow the company to extract or export logs from those concessions.

What debt?

In making the announcement of repossession, the Commission said, “The decision came after the company failed to deliver on agreed actions to introduce

investors to the Commission and having been given time to prove that it had an acceptable plan to clear an approximately GY$80 million debt.”

“In keeping with Forest Governance Practices, the GFC will be formally repossessing the concessions owned by the company and accelerating efforts to recover the debt owed,” it declared.

None of this, however, had been communicated to any of the five companies and according to the Attorney-atLaw that this publication spoke with, the GFC has not been formally responded to, but the matter would be vigorously defended in court.

BIFDI was incorporat-

ed in September 2006 under the Guyana Companies Act 1991 with the main objective of timber harvesting and establishing downstream

tract a single new loan in the coming years, the national debt will still increase by US$370.5 million, less any sums that would have been repaid or written-off over that period.”

According to Jordan, since his demitting office, following two consecutive rejections at the polls by the majority of Guyanese, Ramotar has been occupying himself with writing letters to the press, all of which contain spurious allegations that are designed more to inflame than inform the populace.

The Finance Minister reminded of government’s commitment to maintaining a strong macroeconomic position, “that is conducive to the growth of the economy and increasing its international competitiveness.”

According to Jordan: “In our single-minded pursuit of this objective, we will neither be side-tracked nor otherwise distracted by the diatribe of a failed president, whose Goebbelsian posture will not be allowed to gain traction in our society.”

FROM PAGE 7

wood processing operations in Linden.

To date, however, BIFDI has failed to fulfil many of its commitments to the

Government of Guyana, reneging on the obligations it made, which were accepted in good faith, according to the GFC.

10

NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Kaieteur grenade Linden-Soesdyke attack PI begins Highway dangerous

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he Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the case involving the grenade attack on Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall commenced before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Alfie Garraway, 36, of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown; Janiel Howard, 20, of Lot 322 Section C Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara and Leroy Williams, 25, of Lot 11 Durban Backlands are accused of conspiring with other persons to cause an explosion by way of grenade, likely to endanger lives and cause damage to property.

Constable Darson Larose took the witness stand where he gave evidence for the prosecution. He related that he only observed the crime scene at its initial stage and

shortly after, handed over his investigation to his superior, Corporal Hosanna.

Under cross-examination by the defence team, it was established that Larose did not follow proper police procedure by penning the necessary entries into the station diary; however, he noted that he made entries in his personal diary that he has no qualms releasing to the court.

The prosecution’s second

Janiel Howard

Alfie Garraway

witness, Constable Dillon Pyle told the court that he was up to date with the investigation. He added that he saw one of the defendants, Janiel Howard, in the vicinity of the Linden bus park in Georgetown and arrested him after identifying himself as a “plain clothes” Police Constable.

He continued that he read the charge to him which

— Councillors call for road markings

C

Leroy Williams

says “he conspired with others to cause an explosion by way of grenade, likely to endanger lives and cause serious damage to property” and arrested Howard.

The defence team put forward to Pyle, as he was under cross-examination, that he was not up to date with the investigation, since he failed to let Howard know who he conspired with to cause the explosion. The defence team added that the day before Pyle made his arrest, Garraway was taken into custody and if Pyle was up to date with the investigation, he would have known such information.

According to the prosecution, a number of other witnesses are yet to take the witness stand to give evidence. The PI continues on September 9, 2016 before Chief Magistrate McLennan.

ouncillors of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have registered their discontentment over the absence of road signages and markings at certain parts of the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, as well as internal roads within the Linden community.

Expressing concern during a statutory meeting at the RDC last week, several Councillors made remarks regarding the issue. Apart from signs and markings, Councillors have bemoaned the lack of proper lighting to guide drivers at nights.

Councillor Douglas Gittens also slammed the Region 10 Road Safety Council, for not playing an active role in ensuring such issues are addressed.

"The Linden Soesdyke Highway is a death trap... meaning, you cannot see anything after a certain hour on that road. High beam, low beam, don't matter. These guys putting LED lights now on their vehicles and it's three times brighter than the normal lights," Gittens said.

The Councillor, who served as a member of the previous Council, also pointed to the issue of trucks leaving the Linden commu-

nity, which he noted sometimes "break down" in the middle of the Highway, and as such create hazards.

"We discussed in 2012, lighting of the Linden Highway, however the Government of Guyana stated that it was impossible due to the distance from Georgetown," Gittens said.

Speaking on the issue, Regional Chairman Renis Morian pointed out that the Public Infrastructure Ministry had commenced a lighting programme on bridges along the Highway, however, the lights were reportedly stolen. Gittens, in response, argued that apart from lights, signage and markings may also be used.

"The roads are unmarked and you cannot see any of the speed signs", he stated.

Meanwhile, Councillor Charles Sampson also voiced his concerns regarding lighting and road markings. He pointed out that more lights are needed to serve the area up to the Wisroc junction at Wismar, Linden.

It was noted that the area is relatively dark at nights.

Sampson noted too that there were numerous street lights which were not working along Winifred Gaskin Highway, noting that the lights are the responsibility of Central Government.

The Councillor further made calls for speed limit signs to be erected.

"I admire the Police for trying to slow down speeding cars, but what are the speed limits? Where are the speed limit signs? I never see a speed limit sign on the road... When you drive along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway it's a shame. That road ain't got no markings.

If it's raining and you coming through the Highway in the night, it's just God's mercy that could bring you through the Highway.

The Highway can be marked...Even in Linden, we got Winifred Gaskin Highway, Washer Pond road – no markings at all.

Why is it so difficult for us to mark roads? Why can't the Ministry mark the Highway? Put proper markings and proper indicators? " Sampson stressed.

He added that it's a "nightmare" driving at nights, especially along the Moblissa area where it is extremely dark. Sampson opined that once roads are properly marked, it will be better for drivers to see.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Regional Chairman made a promise to write to the Public Infrastructure Ministry for support.

NAMILCO employee detained, charged for escaping Police custody

A

NAMILCO employee was on Wednesday granted bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for escaping Police custody.

Trevor Xaviera, 24, of James Street, Albouystown, was not required to plead to the charge when he appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on September 3, 2016 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Police Outpost and while being confined under Police guard on a charge of simple larceny, he escaped from custody.

The defendant attempt-

ed to explain to McLennan “de whole scene”; however, he was not awarded an opportunity to speak.

He was granted bail in the sum of $50,000 and would next appear before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on September 26.

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

$1.6B EU-IDB project approved Police say crime down by 18% – to fund GPL Loss Reduction, Management Project – stats show reduction in murder, robberies

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he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU) will be pumping some $1.6 billion into a new project at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), to help improve operations at the company’s management level and control of power loss.

Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Annette Ferguson, briefing journalists on Thursday about the billion-dollar project, said its aim is to improve capacity building for the executive management of the power company.

“The other aspect will focus on the improvement in the loss reduction area.

Currently, the loss reduction rate stands at just over 29 per cent and by 2020; we would sees a reduction in the technical losses by 23 per cent. This is what the 1.6

billion will utilise. With this money being released, we will see a more efficient and effective GPL, both at the management team and providing service to the public.

Meanwhile, speaking on the issue of loss reduction, Ferguson said her Ministry had advised the Board of Directors to carry out an audit on the Loss Reduction Unit of GPL. They are currently awaiting the findings.

She said based on the recommendations, actions will be taken.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon also speaking on the company’s technical losses said the power company is now seeking to expand its reach to unserved areas. According to him, there is widespread electricity theft, particularly in areas that are off the grid of the power company, and that

is something that needs to be addressed.

“Because in our experience, electricity theft comes from some areas where people do not have full access to electricity so they run a line from one house to the next and then get to a post. So you have issue like that and it is something we cannot disregard that it is one aspect of the line loss and loss reduction exercise that will have to take place… So there are technical losses and losses due to human activity, which we have to deal with,” Harmon said.

Earlier this year, the power company had sent a stern warning to persons who were stealing electricity.

It said that it had adopted a zero tolerance for such practice and warned that persons caught would be handed over to the Police.

US Major General meets with GDF Chief-of-Staff

Major General Clarence Chinn of the US Army and GDF’s Brigadier Mark Phillips with members of the two armies at Officer Cadet School on Thursday

A

high ranking military official of the United States Army along with his delegation is visiting Guyana to further cement ties between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the US military.

Commanding General of the US Armed Forces Southern Command, Major General Clarence Chinn, on Thursday made his first official visit to Guyana. He immediately met with GDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips and discussed the strong bond between the Florida National

Guard and the Guyana army.

They also focused on areas such as the role of women in the Armed Forces, the professionalization of the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and Warrant Officer Corps, and future activities between the two countries’ forces.

The US military official was also privy to a demonstration by THREE-ONE, Guyana's Special Forces Unit.

Major General Chinn assumed command of US Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on June 4, 2015.

Major General Chinn is a

1981 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and has served in a variety of command and staff positions in Airborne, Air Assault, Light Infantry, and Ranger units.

US Army South conducts security cooperation and responds to contingencies as part of a whole-of-government approach in conjunction with partner nation armies in the US Southern Command area of responsibility in order to strengthen regional security and counter transnational threats.

D

espite a different picture painted with the daily occurrence of criminal activity, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is reporting an 18 per cent reduction in all categories of serious crimes recorded at the end of August 2016.

In its monthly statistics released on Thursday, the GPF said that murder has been reduced by 10 per cent, compared to the same period last year. A similar pattern is seen in robberies.

Gun-related robberies declined by seven per cent while a 17 per cent decrease was recorded in armed robberies where other instruments were

used, and a nine per cent reduction in robberies where no instruments were used.

Additionally, it was reported that there was a 19 per cent decrease in robberies with violence along with a 38 per cent decrease in larceny from the person.

Furthermore, the police recorded a 20 per cent decrease in rape and a combined 40 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny, and burglary.

This statistical analysis comes two weeks after acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine reported 15 per cent decline in serious crimes recorded from January 1 to

August 23, compared to the same period last year.

Some 91 murders were recorded thus far this year, reflecting an 11 per cent decrease of the 101 that were recorded in 2015. However, gun-related robberies recorded over the two comparative periods saw a levelling off with 473 cases in both years.

Moreover, there were 32 cases of simple robberies last year compared to 28 as of August 23, and armed robberies with other instruments saw 232 cases last year compared to 206 this year, also representing an 11 per cent decrease.

TURN TO PAGE 14

12 News

friDay, september 9, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Anna Regina vendors peeved over Town Council’s move — Mayor say Council needs organised market area conducive to vending

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cores of vendors plying their trade along the Anna Regina road shoulders in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are now without a means to earn a living due to the 'careless and senseless' act of the Anna Regina Town Council.

Many persons, especially single parents, are now clueless where they should vend or what they should do as a means of survival.

The vendors’ stalls were dismantled by a team from the Anna Regina Town Council on Wednesday morning and most of their materials are presently impounded; the vendors are required to pay a fee of $2000

on the area where they usually vend. Added to that, intense rain also affected others from vending since the Council confiscated many of their sheds from the stalls.

Last Wednesday, Narine’s stall was dismantled by the team and ever since she has not been earning a living. Although several reports were made to the Minister of Communities and the Anna Regina Town Council, nothing has been done.

Narine had explained earlier that her stall cost $300,000 to construct and it was not a permanent one. She however said that the Council on Thursday

Stalls dismantled by the Council

to collect the items impounded by the Council.

Those affected – included fruit, vegetable, fish and clothing vendors – had erected temporary makeshift stalls that used tarpaulin for shelter. In the eyes of the Council; however, those stalls were permanent and as such all were dismantled, rendering the vendors jobless.

Among those severely affected are Sattie Narine, a single mother from Capoey village; and Krishna Narine, a father of six from Somerset.

Their stalls were completely destroyed on Thursday by the Council.

The vendors related that when they visited the market area on Thursday, they discovered that there were no tables, chairs or anything

completely dismantled the structure, damaging her tables and carrying away her chairs. As such, she could not earn money.

She is now unemployed and is losing thousands of dollars daily. The single mother labelled the Council's act is “discriminatory” and called for immediate intervention from higher authorities.

Krishna Narine who vends in close proximity explained that he too felt discriminated against. He discovered his stalls and some structures missing when he visited the market area on Thursday morning. He said what the Council is doing is very “unfair” at a time when the region's economy is struggling. Narine explained that he has been

Vendor Sattie Narine

vending for almost 28 years and has never faced such injustice. He is also out of business and is currently incurring additional expenses due to the exercise conducted by the Council. He is now forced to remain home since he cannot vend.

Other vendors have also vented their disgust. They have opined that the coalition Government is taking bread out of their mouths, saying “this is what we do for a living, there is not space for us to sell, they want to make Guyana clean so how are we going to provide for our families? Who will give us money and pay our bill?

Selling is we living.”

Region Two’s Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson, has commenced

Affected vendors

planting palm trees along the road shoulders. Palm trees along with permanent fences are now seen along the road side instead of vendors.

Meanwhile, the Anna Regina Town Council has come in for much criticism since the entire situation commenced. The Councillors had decided to have all vendors vend inside the market since, according to them, there is enough space.

The Mayor of the Town, Rabindranauth Mohan, explained that while the Council is not against vending, there must be some sort of decency and order. Mohan said that if one should drive through Anna Regina they would notice all shapes and sizes of stalls and this, he said, is not sending a good message about the Town.

He said too that the Council is calling for is a well-organised market area conducive to vending. He explained that currently, there are vendors occupying more than 20 feet of space and only paying a fee of G$400.

The mayor further noted that what the Council wishes to see is vendors paying a fee based on the space that is occupied.

When asked if there will be any consideration for vendors, Mohan said it was the Council's decision and permanent structures erected on the road shoulders are illegal.

Suicide and Culture I

've written so many columns about suicide since 1997, I'll just adapt one from 2011. We might as well be spitting in the wind to get official action.

"Tomorrow Guyana will observe World Suicide Prevention Day. Yes, suicide is a worldwide problem and we are Number 1. In 2011, the theme for the commemoration activities Ravi Dev was “Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies" and in this innocuous statement there is much food for thought.

When suicide is discussed by policy makers, they usually toss out figures on the national rates prevalent in their respective countries.

In Guyana with its 200 suicides annually, our rate comes in at 26 per hundred thousand (pht). But over the course of the last few decades as statistics were collected, it became apparent that within countries there were striking differences in suicide rates among different ethnic groups.

For instance in the US, Blacks committed suicide at only half the rate of Whites and the suicide rate for the latter group is actually 17.6 pht. This is more in line with the global suicide rate of 16 pht.

This suggested that efforts to mitigate suicide rates had to be directed to the affected communities. In Guyana, working in the Indian community since my return to Guyana in 1988, I could not help being struck by the high incidence of suicide among Indians in general and Hindus in particular.

In 1997, working along with Swami Aksharananda among Hindu youths, we organised a seminar on suicide at the Cove and John Ashram.

As part of that exercise, we conducted a pilot survey of suicide in several communities on the West Coast Demerara.

It confirmed our anecdotal evidence of suicide occurring in epidemic proportions among Indians as specifically Hindus.

From that time we began to make annual calls for a national suicide programme to be initiated.

The Ministry of Health (MoH), through its Minister, candidly acknowledged the existence of the Suicide problem in our country and (very) gradually the bureaucracy swung into action. But evidently impelled by their rules and tradition, their response was measured. The release of a study in 2001 commissioned by Dr Frank Beckles, a clinical and forensic psychiatrist, whose son – himself a doctor, had committed suicide – was salutary.

In addition to garnering publicity to highlight the suicide menace, it provided concrete data that could guide the policy makers. It confirmed the high suicide rate but just as significantly it confirmed our early findings of the ethnic specificity of the problem.

Three out of every four suicides were by Indian Guyanese and it was therefore not surprising that Regions 6 and 2, dominated by Indians suffered the highest suicide rates: Berbice alone had 52.7% of all cases. Another finding that jumped out was that eight out of ten suicides were committed by males – and young males at that. Two thirds of all persons that committed suicide in Guyana were also below the age of 35. When the numbers were disaggregated it suggested that the suicide rate for Indians was 41 pht and for Indian males, a staggering 66 pht.

I remember being at the launching of the Beckles study and the subsequent discussion that honed in on the ethnic specificity of the phenomenon. It was pointed out by one interlocutor that while there was a high correlation between Hindus and suicide in Guyana it could not be assume that Hinduism was a causative factor. The predominantly Hindu village in India that the Indians had left had an extremely low rate of 6.3 pht. High suicide rates were found in all of the Indian "diaspora" countries ever since the beginning of Indentureship and this suggested a line on inquiry.

Of the programmes introduced to deal with suicide, in my estimation the initiative that holds the greatest potential for reducing the incidence of suicide is the Gatekeepers Programme. Here, individuals from communities concerned about the scourge are trained by professionals so that suicidal persons will have culturally compatible persons to whom they can turn. All communities must become Gatekeepers.

Unfortunately most of these programmes have faded.

And we simply wring our hands even as there has been renewed calls for action, especially by the CaribVoice.”

13 Guyana observes Literacy Day with public reading NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

– many other activities organised to commemorate the event

G

uyana joins the rest of the world to celebrate International Literacy Day on Thursday with a public reading session hosted by the Ministry of Education.

The “Literacy Extravaganza” was held outside of the Ministry’s Brickdam Office and saw educators, authors, students and even stakeholders in attendance.

During the three-hour event, the gathering heard readings from various stakeholders as they basked in the power of the written word.

The presenters all highlighted the importance of reading and how stakeholders, particularly educators, can play a role to encourage

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was among the officials from Education Ministry at the Literacy Extravaganza on Thursday

literacy among children.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, read a piece on prolific deaf-blind author Helen Keller from the book – ‘Living for Triumph Climbing the Summit of Success’ by

Felix Cortez.

According to the minister, Keller is the first person in history to attend university and graduated with honours despite being crippled with blindness, deafness and the inability to speak.

“Helen overcame her difficulties and in doing so, she surpassed all others. No one before or after her has ever started with so little and achieve so much,” she quoted.

Henry further added that “the message really should

be one of inspiration. This is a challenged person, whom we heard, overcome the odds, and I believe every child matters whether you are disable or able.”

This Junior Education Minister’s comments comes in light of the theme for this year’s observance of Education Month in Guyana, “Each Child Matters: Stakeholders Unite for the Enhancement of Education”.

Also reflecting on the Education Month theme, renowned Guyanese writer Petamber Persaud underscored that if children cannot learn the way they are being taught then they must be taught in such a way that they can learn.

Persaud noted that there

are bits and pieces of literature everywhere even on billboards, and he encouraged persons, particularly students, to read at every given chance.

Other readers included: Education Advisor Vincent Alexander, Chief Education Officer (ag) Marcel Hutson, other officials from the Education Ministry, representatives from religious bodies, the Guyana Teachers Union and Parent-Teachers Association.

The “Literacy Extravaganza” was one of many activities organised around the country to observe International Literacy Day, which was held this year under the theme “Reading the Past, Writing the Future”.

Digicel Guyana Inc gives back to St Cuthbert’s Mission officially proclaimed September 8 as International Literacy Day. It was celebrated on Thursday bringing together the Private Sector, communities, teachers, stu-

Officials of the telecommunications giant posed with the teachers and children of St Cuthbert’s Mission Nursery School

I

n observance of International Literacy Day 2016, Digicel Guyana Inc visited St Cuthbert’s Mission where members of its staff engaged the pupils of the nursery school in a reading and storytelling exercise.

Public Relations Officer Vidya Sanichara noted that the exercise was held to show the children the importance of reading, as a means of giving back to the community. She noted that Digicel supported the notion of promoting literacy since it was an instrument of empowering individuals, communities and societies.

Digicel Guyana Inc also

used the opportunity to donate a quantity of books, back-to-school items and backpacks to the students and teachers during its visit.

Sanichara mentioned that since Digicel was the network of choice in most of the Indigenous communities in Guyana, it is only fitting that the company visits these areas to give back to subscribers.

Acting Headmistress Helen Kattow expressed her gratitude, noting that Digicel always visited and spent time with the teachers and children. “We are grateful as always, the children get very

excited when they see the Digicel bus coming into the village. Thank you so much Digicel.”

Also present for the event was Lenox Shuman, Toshao of the Mission. He expressed a similar appreciation to Digicel for its continuous support, especially when it comes to literacy.

“We appreciate initiatives like this; it shows a different degree of corporate responsibility, which is welcomed in our community. The more corporations that do this, the better off we will be,” the Toshao said.

Fifty years ago, UNESCO

Sussex Street ‘house bond’...

Hostile reception

Regarding Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, the Cabinet review has noted that he has already taken responsibility for the imbroglio and has publicly expressed regrets over the controversy.

Dr Norton was found to have misled the National Assembly, when he said during the August sitting that the Ministry had already begun storing drugs and medical supplies at the Sussex Street location.

At the time, this was not the case since the facility was still under renovation, but this appears to have changed, since checks at the Sussex Street location on Thursday revealed that supplies were being offloaded into the bond

from a 20-foot container that was parked on the road.

Guyana Times photographers encountered a hostile reception however, when attempts were made to record the offloading of the container.

“Wha de s*#@! ya’ll think ya’ll doing,” was the query of one of the officials at the site when they noticed Guyana Times photographers attempting to take out photographs of what was transpiring.

Vigilant

Meanwhile, DPI Khan, in providing an update on what has become known as the pharmagate scandal, said, “Cabinet recommitted itself to be vigilant with regard to all contracts

FROM PAGE 3

and arrangements and assure the people of Guyana that efforts will continue to strengthen the delivery of healthcare services which, for too long, have been held hostage by close friends and cronies of the previous Administration.”

He said too that the Cabinet Council of Ministers has since acknowledged the frank expression of views by a wide cross-section of Guyanese society which it respects “as vital to true participatory and inclusionary democracy”.

Khan said the Government recommitted itself to managing the affairs of the State in a transparent and accountable manner and to respect public opinion at all times.

dents, learners, NGOs, and governments to actively mobilise and promote literacy.

Meanwhile, the communications company will also be visiting several other indig-

enous communities throughout the month of September to make similar donations as Guyana celebrates both Indigenous Heritage Month and Education Month.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

ExxonMobil’s Skipjack well comes up empty

A

s US oil giant ExxonMobil continues exploration in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, the company reported that its Skipjack well did not yield “commercial quantities of hydrocarbons”, according to the Natural Resources Ministry.

The Ministry in a statement said ExxonMobil and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) informed authorities that on August 29, 2016 the well proved not to have commercial quantities of hydrocarbons.

“We are continuing to have verification work done and awaiting a full report and more information will be provided then. This announcement reminded us of the undulating fortunes of mining in general and of oil exploration in particular,” the Ministry’s statement said.

ExxonMobil, the statement continued, will continue with plans to develop the Liza well with its declared capacity of approximately one billion barrels and also look for other possible targets for drilling.

“Likewise, the Government continues its preparations for the eventual production of oil and gas in the near future by building capacity at the legislative, technical and regulatory levels,” the statement continued.

Efforts to contact ExxonMobil’s local manager, Jeff Simmons, proved futile, as Guyana Times was told he was out of the office.

However, sections of the local media quoted Simmons as confirming that indeed the Skipjack well did not turn up

Traffic

Meanwhile, with regards to Traffic Management, the figures recorded by the Police Force do not match the consecutive reductions seen by the end of August.

“Unfortunately the Guyana Police Force has yet again seen an increase in road fatalities,” the Police said.

Parents still worried about bees in Abary School

A

The Stena Carron: Drilling ahead of Liza 3 offshore Guyana (Upstream photo)

the results expected.

International oil and gas newspaper, Upstream quoted ExxonMobil sources who confirmed that the company failed to hit commercial hydrocarbons at the Skipjack exploration well, where the super major was targeting similar conditions to its massive Liza oil find of between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The US super major confirmed reports from Upstream sources that Skipjack, which was spud on July 17, was a dry hole.

The company did not detail if there were any hydrocarbon shows during the drilling.

Sources familiar with the geology in the vast GuyanaSuriname basin called the Skipjack prospect a geological lookalike to Liza, reiterating comments previously made by executives at ExxonMobil’s partner Hess that the Stabroek Block contained potentially more than 20 structures with similar attributes as Liza.

The Stena Carron drillship is on location at the Liza

3 appraisal well after drilling Skipjack 40 kilometres to the north-west of Liza.

ExxonMobil spud Liza 3 on September 4 and, like its predecessor Liza 2, the well will focus on testing the flank of the Liza structure to determine the aerial extent of the reservoir.

Liza 2 hit more than 190 feet of net pay and caused ExxonMobil, along with partners Hess and CNOOC subsidiary Nexen, to boost their estimate of the recoverable oil in place at Liza.

In July, ExxonMobil submitted a development plan for Liza to Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency to begin the environmental review process.

That plan calls for a pair of rigs to drill development wells from two drill centres, each with a corresponding water injection site to the east. Production will be sent to an FPSO with capacity of around 100,000 barrels of oil per day.

Under that plan, first production from the field would come online sometime in 2020 or as late as 2021.

Police say crime down...

In addition, break and enter and larceny recorded a 21 per cent decrease with 1029 cases in the corresponding period last year and only 814 in this year.

A total of 46 firearms were seized from January to August 20: 23 pistols, 13 revolvers and 10 shotguns. The highest number of seizures was recorded in ‘A’ Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) with 20 seizures, while ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) followed with 12 firearms.

In terms of juvenile offenders, to date the Force has dealt with some 321 such cases countrywide, including 189 males and 132 females, who have been spared the ignominy of the Criminal Justice System, due to their intervention between the Complainants/Reporter, Victims and Police.

One year later

According to the statistics, 87 fatalities have been recorded at the end of August this year, which are seven more than the same period last year. While a decrease in serious and minor accidents were recorded, there was again, however, an increase in damage accidents.

Speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and inattentiveness continue to be the main causes of fatal accidents. To this end, Traffic Enforcement is continuous country-wide with special emphasis on driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, music/breach of condition of road service licence, overloaded minibuses and use of cellular phones.

Also the lecture to schools programme, and visible patrols at school areas are ongoing.

Nevertheless, the Police have charged 48,585 persons with traffic offences so far this year. These include 18,053 for speeding of which 7133 have been fined; 1168 for driving under the influence of alcohol of which 268 have been fined; 1108 for unlicensed drivers of which 631 have been fined; 2016 for overloaded minibus of which 872 have been fined and 476 for using cell phones

FROM PAGE 11

while driving, of which 268 have been fined.

Meanwhile, the GPF recognises that its relationship with the public is seemingly improving day by day because of the numerous community related activities being conducted by its ranks, together with the regular Facethe-Community meetings by Divisional Commanders and other senior officers.

Additionally, it noted that exposure to training both locally and internationally, continues to be a top priority at all levels of the Force. To date, 87 Officers and other ranks have benefitted from overseas training in India, China, USA, Russia, Argentina and Jamaica, among other countries.

These officers underwent training in: financial investigation; fingerprinting identification; maritime interdiction and prosecution; countering organised crime; public order maintenance; cyber training; footwear impression and identification; counteraction against terrorism and extremism, and surveillance and counter surveillance.

Currently, there are over 260 ranks undergoing the Basic Recruit Training at the three Police Colleges.

fricanised bees have taken up residence in the headteacher’s quarters at Abary Primary School, putting the lives of teaching staff and students at risk.

On Wednesday, some parents contacted Guyana Times over the situation, which they say has been in existence for more than a year.

Back in 2015 when the previous school year started, the bees were found and the situation was reported to regional authorities. However, since then no official from the Department of Education in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) has visited the school, situated up the Abary River and is considered one of the remote schools in the region.

One parent, Ramchand Ramnarine has decided not to send his children to school since the new school term started for fear of harm from the bees which live just next to the school.

“We report several times to the Regional Educational Department and the Regional Chairman and a couple weeks before school open we went to meet the REO (Regional Educational Officer) and when he understand we were there to see him, he get away.

He didn’t want to speak to us.”

According to Ramnarine, they first reported the dangerous situation in September 2015 and three other times before school year ended, then again shortly before schools reopened on Monday. He noted that on the last occasion, they reported the issue directly to the Regional Chairman.

Meanwhile, a teacher Vanita Sukdeo says the bees in the headteacher’s quarters

A close-up shot of the bees at the school

have prevented the school from having children involved in every aspect of the curriculum.

“They cannot do any outdoor activity, so when they get their little recreation outside they can’t do that; they can’t even run, play or speak hard in the school because the noise will affect the bees and it is very dangerous for the children,” the concerned teacher related.

Another teacher explained that they have also reported to regional officials about the need to look at the physical structure as well. She also mentioned the lack of the school boat service: “The Ministry of Education gave us a boat for the children to come to school but within a year the engine broke and we haven’t got any information about the boat and it is very difficult for the children to walk this long distance to get to school, and when they get to school they are so tired to commence their work.”

In addition, when the parents took their concerns to the Regional Education Officer Owen Pollard last year, they also mentioned that the boat experiencing engine problems.

According to the concerned parents, they were told then that the department did not have funds to repair the engine. They say they also provided a quotation for the repair which amounted to $200,000.

Parents also claimed that during the rainy season, children would arrive at school and have to take a bath and change into fresh clothing before going to classrooms.

In an invited comment, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal told this newspaper that the parents met with him in August, informing him that they were not getting any assistance from the Education Department.

Ramphal said he has since contacted the Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison and related the concerns of the Abary residents.

According to the Regional Chairman, on Monday he was told by Pollard that the department experienced no major problems as the new school year opened except for a few schools with a furniture shortage, suggesting that the Abary Primary had already been fixed.

Guyana, Suriname to promote tourism in the Guianas

M

inister of Business Dominic Gaskin will be leading a delegation to meet with his Surinamese counterpart and have discussions on promoting tourism in the Guianas.

This was disclosed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at the Post Cabinet briefing on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

According to Harmon, the meeting between Minister Gaskin and Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Andojo Rusland, is scheduled for today.

The Business Minister will be accompanied by Director of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, along with Theadra Williams of the Business Ministry during the visit to the neighbouring country.

Minister Harmon explained that the engagement is a follow-up to a visit by President David Granger to Suriname, to discuss a joint approach to developing the Guiana Shield as a green tour-

ism destination.

The Minister of State noted that the meeting between the Ministry of Business and the Surinamese Minister is aimed at taking that process forward.

The engagement will also address the removal of the hassle involved in travelling between the two countries. In 2015, some local minibus operators working the Guyana/ Suriname route complained about unfair treatment by the Surinamese authorities.

Additionally, the Minister of Business will also be participating in a Business Meeting and State of the Industry Conference of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to be held in Bridgetown, Barbados this month-end.

The conference is aimed at addressing the state of the Caribbean’s tourism industry, its growth, competitiveness challenges and its tourism products.

Guyana is a member of the CTO, and is one of the few nonsand and sea tourism destina-

tions. According to Harmon, the country beings a unique perspective to the organisation and the conference is a great opportunity to present the arrangement of promoting the Guiana Shield along with Suriname and French Guiana, as a Caribbean destination.

The Guiana Shield is a 1.7 billion-year-old Precambrian geological formation in northeast South America. The higher elevations are the Guiana Highlands, with flat-topped mountains and are the source of some of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls such as Angel Falls and Kaieteur Falls. The Shield underlies Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and parts of Brazil and Colombia.

It has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world, and is the natural habitat of numerous endemic species of mammals, fresh water fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects. The Shield also sustains one of the largest blocks of primary tropical rain forest worldwide.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

guyana-times.com

Around the world

Call for double salary for civil servants to stimulate St Kitts economy

O

pposition Leader, Dr Denzil Douglas is suggesting that Government double the salary of civil servants.

He made the call for the one-off extra month’s pay on the grounds that it would help stimulate the economy.

Dr Douglas said the twinisland federation’s public servants are hardworking, but “nervous and uncertain of their own survivability in the public service”.

And he said those civil servants, as well as the Private Sector, would benefit from the move.

“I advise very strongly that the Government pays a double salary for the celebration of the 33rd Anniversary of Independence so that there can be some economic

15

Opposition Leader, Dr Denzil Douglas

stimulus and stimulation in the economy at this critical time,” he said.

Back in December 2014, while Dr Douglas was still Prime Minister, the Government paid civil servants twice their usual pay

as a demonstration of its gratitude for their hard work.

He said at the time that the bonus would help to boost morale and provide an added stimulus to the economy. (Caribbean360)

Russia says Palestinian, Israeli leaders agree to meet

I

sraeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed "in principle" to meet in Moscow in what Russia hopes will relaunch Middle East peace talks after a more than two years' break, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

While it is not clear when the meeting will take place, Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said on Thursday Moscow had heard from the offices of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the two agreed to meet in the Russian capital.

"The leaders of Palestine and Israel have given their general consent to meet in Russia," Zakharova told re-

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas previously said he would only meet Netanyahu if Israel freezes settlement construction on occupied Palestinian lands [AP]

porters.

"The most important thing is to pick the right timing," she added. "Intensive

contacts on this are ongoing."

Al Jazeera's Mohamed Jamjoom, reporting from Moscow, said the Russian statement "hardly sounded like a sure thing at this point", highlighting a comment by a Kremlin spokesperson on Wednesday saying that a meeting between the two sides was "not on the schedule and not on the agenda".

Earlier this week, Abbas said a scheduled meeting in Moscow had been postponed at Israel's request.

Abbas has said that he would only meet Netanyahu if Israel freezes settlement construction on occupied lands and carries out a previously agreed-on release of Palestinian prisoners. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

Death for India acid Mugabe critics Murder victim calls attack murderer denied food aid family from car trunk

A

man in the Indian city of Mumbai has been sentenced to death for a fatal acid attack on a woman at a busy railway station three years ago, in what is being seen as a legal landmark.

Preeti Rathi, who was 23 when she was murdered, had just arrived from Delhi to join the Indian navy as a nurse.

Her neighbour Ankur Panwar attacked her after she rejected a marriage proposal.

It is the first such sentence for an acid attack in India. Many such attacks go unpunished, campaigners say.

Panwar, 25, was convicted of murder and other offences at a special court in the city on Tuesday. He is likely to appeal against the verdict in a higher court.

On Thursday, the special court said that the crime fell within the "rarest of rare" category which justified the death penalty.

Rathi, who suffered severe injuries to her lungs and eyes in the attack on May 2 2013, died a month later.

A month after her death, India's Supreme Court ordered federal and state governments to regulate the sale of acid. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Z

imbabwe's ruling party has been accused of deliberately withholding aid from Opposition supporters in areas facing starvation because of drought.

The country's human rights commission said opponents of President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party had been told they would never get any food aid.

The Government has not yet commented.

Mugabe declared a state of disaster in February, with the Government estimating that four million people would need food aid by January 2017.

"Ruling party members were the major perpetrators

in violations linked to distribution of food," Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Chairman Elasto Mugwadi told media in the capital, Harare, detailing the findings of the investigation.

Mugwadi said huge numbers of people had been affected by the alleged tactic, without giving exact figures.

The Government says half the rural population faces starvation.

In recent months, there have unprecedented protest against the Government of the 92-year-old leader, who has now been in power for 36 years. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

woman who was abducted in Montana spoke to her family by telephone several times before she died.

Rita Maze, 47, called her husband from the trunk of her stolen car on after being abducted from a rest stop on a highway.

She spoke with her family and Police for about 10 minutes, but did not know where she was, the local sheriff said.

Her body was found 325 miles (523 kilometres) away near Spokane airport on the Washington state border.

The abduction is believed to have taken place near

Wolf Creek, north of the state capital of Helena.

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said Mrs Maze had called her husband using a mobile phone on Tuesday, and said that she been hit on the head near Wolf Creek, north of Helena.

Her husband reported her as missing, and remained in contact with his wife.

Rochelle Maze, the victim's daughter, told the Great Falls Tribune that her mother was hysterical and difficult to understand when they spoke. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

$$$B handed out in contracts − Ministries called upon to expedite work

G

overnment on Tuesday gave its no objection to several contracts totalling billions of dollars in various sectors, a move which Minister of State Joseph Harmon said had to be taken to ensure work of the various ministries are streamlined.

Tuesday’s sitting of Cabinet saw Government looking into important works, Harmon noted, adding that the spending for the year and award of contracts had not been very good.

Earlier in the year when an assessment was done on spending and public infrastructure projects, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had indicated that the percentage was unsatisfactory and that all of the government ministries needed to expedite their work to ensure that they are able to satisfy their requirements.

According to Harmon at the Post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, the issue was compounded with the lack of a Public Procurement Commission, which he said has been slowing down operations.

The Minister of State added that contracts had to go to the National Tender Board Administration (NBTA), then back to Cabinet, before being handed out, thereby delaying the process.

“Those are issues we are now refining, we have now gotten it better and with the introduction of the Public Procurement Commission, some of these steps will be taken out to be much better,” Harmon stated.

Meanwhile, Cabinet gave its no objection to a contract for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of miscellaneous roads in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). The rehabilitation and construc-

tion of Morris Street, Good Hope, Essequibo for $22.1 million was awarded to Mohammed Fawaz Bacchus Construction and the rehabilitation and construction of an Eastern last street in Charity, Essequibo Housing Scheme for the sum of $18.2 million, awarded to Y.BholaConstruction Services.

Additionally, Cabinet also gave its no objection to the construction of the KuruKururu main road in RegionFour (Demerara-Mahaica) for the sum of $67.3 million.

The contract was awarded to KhemrajNauth Constructing.

No objection given to the construction and rehabilitation of urban roads in Region Four, including‘D’Field main access road, Sophia, Georgetown, at the cost of $26.8 million, which was awarded to JR Construction

and the rehabilitation of Pattensen(Turkeyen) Road network at a cost of $75.7 million. This contract was awarded to Handel Garnett.

A contract of $22.8 million was awarded to R&B Investments for the rehabilitation of the Guyhocmain access road.

Cabinet also gave its no objection to the construction of roads in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) with repairs to the Four-Corner Junction at a cost of $16.1 million, which was awarded to BK International. The company also secured a second contract for the maintenance of Back Road Baidorado for the sum of $13.2 million.

Furthermore, a contract for the rehabilitation of the Linden Highway at $37 million was awarded to BardonConstruction Services.

The construction of

groynesat Cullen on the Essequibo Coast at $23.5 million was awarded to Deodat Construction Firm.

Meanwhile, for the provision of designs and supervision service for the construction of a sluice at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara,a contract valued $18.75 million was awarded to SRKN Engineering. The rehabilitation of a concrete bridge at a cost of $60.5 millionwas awarded toAnurudhRamchamitarConstruction.

A $240.3 million contract for the rehabilitation of the Bartica Stelling was awarded to Courtney Benn Construction Services; while works on the Goods Wharf at Kingston, Georgetown, to the tune of $58.9 million was awarded to M. Sukhai Construction Service.

For the reconstruction of the Transport and

Harbours Department (T&HD) Central Workshop and Administrative building at the cost of $47.9 million was awarded to Gupta Contracting.

Cabinet also consented to the rehabilitation of the Leonora Diagnostic Centre at a cost of $74. 4 million and awarded the contract to Builders Hardware Quality.

In addition, it approved the extension of the school building at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing,which will cost $25.5 million and was awarded to Doodnauth Contracting andSupplies.

A second contract of $49.1 million was awarded to Beresford Harry for the construction of the nurses hostel in the town. Added to that is the construction of an outpatient building at the New Amsterdam Hospital at a cost of $15.9 million.

Many sections without...

In an interview with this newspaper on Thursday, Traffic Chief Deon Moore explained that several recommendations had been issued

by Police to the construction company, but he observed that these recommendations were seemingly going unheeded.

“It seems that they [aren’t listening] to the recommendations as they are more concerned with the [Public Infrastructure] Ministry,” he explained. When questioned about the state of dialogue

the Traffic Department has with the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Moore indicated that their concerns could only be alleviated if recommendations were taken on board.

“We normally have monthly meetings with them and from then, those concerns will be heeded,” Moore posited, adding that implementation of recommendations “are still a work in progress.”

Responding to the occurrence of minor accidents in the area, Moore posited that Police were always concerned

Ongoing construction works on the EBD highway

by such.

“It is always a concern for us to ensure the roads are safe,” he noted.

On Thursday, Guyana Times sought to ascertain from the Public Infrastructure Ministry what were its recom-

mendations on installing reflectors on medians and other areas, but Minister David Patterson has not yet responded.

In May, Patterson had updated the public on the fourlane expansion project. He had committed that the project was set for completion by the end of August. However, works were still ongoing between Providence and Herstelling.

Minister Patterson had expressed that the expansion would not only serve to

FROM PAGE 5

provide additional space, but also would significantly cut down on travel time, allow a smoother flow of vehicular traffic, and most importantly, reduce accidents along the East Bank Demerara corridor.

Only a few days ago, Dhanraj Datturam, 51, of Lot 146 Marshon Street, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, lost his life in a two-lorry smash-up at Providence on the East Bank.

Another man was injured in the fatal accident.

guyana-times.com

Name: Xamiera Kippins Age: 20 Height: 5’11” Occupation: Model, fashion blogger, and Creative Director at Struckturetheblog.com Education: Bishops’ High School – class of 2012; 10 CSEC subjects, three CAPE subjects Talent/skills: My talents are dancing, sketching, cooking, creative writing and design, photography and editing, yoga.

Interesting facts: I am not a very good singer but I love to sing out loud; my mom and I have the same smile; I love cats, they are magical; my strange addiction is garbanzo beans and I love Broadway musicals.

Academic honours/leadership positions: District Young Women Leader (Beehive) at the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2011-2012) Academic/community/ professional associations or clubs: None.

Community service experience: International Day of Service Clean-up Campaign; fun chats and discussions with young girls and boys from the Girls Rock, Boys Rule Foundation about self

esteem and personal hygiene; and the walk against domestic violence led by Traits Model Management.

Goal/ambition: To be Miss Guyana Universe 2016; to attain my Degree in Management Studies; to achieve enlightenment; to have a family; to be a mentor to young girls for a year; to go on an African safari; to help 10 persons each achieve one life goal and to sing a song with a dear friend on the Gershwin Theatre Stage.

My goals as Miss Guyana Universe 2016: To be a great ambassador of Guyana; to shed light on the struggles young girls and women face in society; to be a positive role model and a beacon of light and truth to everyone I meet and to fulfil all other responsibilities as Queen.

Previous pageant experience: No prior pageant experience.

What places have you travelled to? I have travelled to four countries. They are Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Curacao and The Dominican Republic.

What primary message or concern would you advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016? As Miss Universe Guyana 2016, my message would be aimed at creating positive body image and establishing higher self esteem in young women.

Why should you be Miss Universe Guyana 2016? I believe I should be Miss Guyana Universe 2016 because I am a force of nature.

It is a great responsibility. I am driven and I possess the heart, elegance, poise and confidence to do so. It is my dream.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Name: Ariella Basdeo Age: 24 B5’7 1/2 O c c u p a t i o n : Administrative Assistant Education: University of Central Florida – Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Prelaw Track with a specialisation in International Relations and Global Studies, 2016; Valencia College – Associates Degree in General Studies, 2013; Lake Brantley High School, 2010 Talent/Skills: Ballroom dancer Interesting facts: I was the first person to represent Guyana for the Miss Global Organisation, where I placed in the Top 20 and was awarded Miss Enterprise.

I am also, signed to three modelling and talent agencies. This year I was given the opportunity to join the Caribbean Passport Newspaper as a fashion, fitness, and lifestyle columnist. I have been a competitive ballroom dancer since the age of 14.

Academic honours/ leadership positions: Valencia College, Dean’s List; Team Lead for JV Dance Team, 2007; Lake Brantley Honour Student Academic/community/

professional associations or clubs: Founder/ Owner of Warriors of Hope, a campaign to build awareness and aid in suicide prevention. Owner of “Warriors”, an organisation that helps persons with suicidal thoughts. Ambassador for The Caribbean Voice Community service experience: I have volunteered with many organisations: The Diabetes Association, Relay for Life, and most currently, The Guardian Ad Litem.

Goal/ambition: My goal

Top 15 selected for

“Spotlight” title

Ronald Taylor, one of the contestants

Eze Nurse during one of the auditions

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is to bring happiness to all those who enter my life. My ambition is to become an International Attorney.

Previous pageant experience: In 2015, I was selected to be the first person to represent Guyana in the Miss Global Pageant, which took place in the Philippines. I placed within the Top 20 and won the special award title of Miss Enterprise. In the spring of 2016, I was also deemed as Region Four’s ( Demerara Mahaica) ambassador.

What places have you travelled to? I have travelled to 10 out of the 50 states of the USA. I have also been to the Philippines and Guyana.

What primary message or concern would you advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016? My main concern is to promote self-love.

Why should you be Miss Universe Guyana 2016? I should be Miss Universe Guyana 2016, because I am confident, driven, motivated, willing and able to do what is necessary to build the Miss Universe Guyana brand. Once I am crowned, I will be ready to implement my 365-day plan to bring home the ultimate title of Miss Universe 2016 for the country of Guyana.

he “Spotlight”, a new singing show is down to the top 15 performers after intense auditions and several rounds of competition. The top 15 is expected to be revealed on Tuesday, September 13, at the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

RED Entertainment and E-networks Inc have collaborated to produce the televised talent competition which has been receiving great reviews.

This competition opened the doors for talented Guyanese across the nation to showcase their talents, whether it is dancing, singing, playing an instrument, comedy or acrobatics. Now it is crunch time and one person will walk away with $2.5 million as the cash prize.

After over 100 Guyanese auditioned in July, the Spotlight judges have chosen the final 15 contestants. These individuals and groups will be announced, with the final round of competition commencing thereafter. The judges for the competition a re Russel Lancaster, Alana Seebarran and Christian Sobers.

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guyana-times.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

JMC

Terry Gajraj

Rakesh Yankarran

Anand Yankarran

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Devindra Pooran

he Indian Culture International presents “Indian Legend Spectacular” at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday, October 15. The event is dubbed the first Caribbean Indian awards.

The special red carpet affair will see awards being given out to several groups and individuals who have contributed to Indian music in Guyana and further afield.

It is proposed that plaques will be given to the awardees.

Those listed to be awarded are Terry Gajraj,

Kries Ramkhelawan

Anand Yankarran, Rakesh Yankarran, Kries Ramkhelawan, Mohan Nandu, Chate Singh, Tageman, Devindra Pooran, Ramkissoon Singh, and Sookrane Boodhoo.

Also receiving awards on the evening will be Virendra Persad, Music Director and leader of Trevini Band, Trinidad and Tobago.

However, the evening will also see performances by members of the Trinveni Band including KI, Nishard M and Neval Chatelal. There will also be performanc-

Newly-crowned Miss Guyana Talented Teen Aliya Wong

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ight of Guyana’s most talented teenage girls took to the stage of the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening last as they competed for the coveted crown of Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2016.

At the end, Aliya Wong proved to be the best of the lot as she got the judges nod for the title, with Jerusha Farrell and Ayana Glasgow gaining the first and second runners-up positions respectively.

The delegates who contested the pageant were Ahiesha Antoo, Anicia Wiliams, Annastacia Boyal, Naiome Bacchus, Ayana Glasgow, Aliya Wong,

es by three renowned dance troupes.

After the award ceremony, patrons will partake in the “After Award Bazaar” which will feature lots of Indian and Chinese foods and an international bar. Tickets for balcony cost $3000; Auditorium, $4000, VIP, $5000 and VVIP, $6000 and are available at Muneshwers Limited, Water Street; and Amavani, Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

It will be a red carpet affair, so patrons are asked to dress appropriately.

Geetanjali Nauth and Jerusha Farrell.

The girls competed in introduction, talent and evening gown segments. The pageant is in its 16th year and was dubbed ‘Sweet Sixteen’ as it was being held for the first time under a new franchise holder, Wasim Khan ,under the name “The Imperial House’.

However, the elated crowned queen told G u y a n a T i m e s

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ll roads will lead to the Bell West Community Centre ground for the second annual “Bell West Big Night and Vehicle Sound Off,” billed for Saturday, September 15. The event will feature several attractions, including a sound clash among the top music systems on the Westside – Big Life Sound

Entertainment that she was proud of herself since she put a lot of work into the pageant.

“I wanted this so bad so I know that I pushed myself – l a t e nights training, r e hearsals by myself...”.

T h e

and Power Sonic.

Also, vehicles registered to participate in the vehicle sound off competition will compete in four categories.

These are Mini Extreme Car, Extreme Car, Mini Extreme Bus and Canal Number Two Sound Off. The event is expected to be off the hook, with several side attractions including mouth watering

teenager who is also a 2nd Dan black belt noted that the experience was an amazing one.

“It was an a m a z i n g learning experience, basically we just had fun in everything t h a t we did but at the same time, we know when to be

Aliya Wong flanked by the other delegates after copping the Miss Guyana Talented Teen title

Bar-b-que and games.

Admission to the event is $200 with Bar-b-que being sold for $500. Bell West Big Night and Vehicle Sound off is promoted by Hype Entertainment.

Those who wish to register for the vehicle sound off can contact Selector Juggie on telephone number 6436628.

focused and bring our A Game.”

She encouraged other girls who have an interest in entering a pageant to “be yourself” and to “be confident”. “It’s all about confidence and self-love and the best persons to be is you. It is an amazing experience when it comes to pageantry because it opens a lot of doors to opportunities.”

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

guyana-times.com

F

o r over 60 years, women from across the world have trained and prepared for their unique journeys to compete for the title of Miss Universe. Their journey starts locally, at a national preliminary such as Guyana, where one lucky contestant will have the opportunity to represent her country at the annual Miss Universe Pageant.

The new Miss Universe Guyana is one that is determined to affect change and provide the women who are a part of their system the skill sets they need to be successful leaders of tomorrow.

Now under new ownership and guidance by National Director Jyoti Hardat and Creative Director, Derek Moore, its global reach is maximised to extend amazing opportunities to the talented young women of our beautiful country, Guyana.

Research has shown that the

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number one obstacle women are faced with when reaching their potential in any endeavour is the lack of self-

The Miss Universe organisa-

to stand in any forum, anywhere and declare that she is confident, secure, comfortable, powerful and beautiful.

T h e M i s s

conUniverse fidence.

Guyana The comp a g e a n t mittee mempromises to bers are proud stand by these to be a part of an words and vows to Jyoti Hardat, National Director of Miss Universe Guyana with empower organisation, such Guyanese as Miss Universe, Tricia Langa, Senior Director, Global Franchise Operations of women to be contributwhich challenges the Miss Universe organisation ing members of society, women to get out of leaders and role modtheir comfort zones, push their tion’s mission is to empower ev- els, as they tackle issues to make envelopes and be fearless. ery woman to have the confidence way for our future generations to

ver the past few weeks, the secret has been let out of the bag – yes, “Bazodee” is heading Guyana’s way – a movie that has been creating some stir, starring Soca King Machel Montano. The movie will be opened at the Princess Movie Theaters and at Caribbean Cinemas Giftland Mall on Tuesday, September 15.

B y

now, movies lovers would have been checking with the theaters to enquire about the release of tickets but according to information received, tickets for the movies will be available this weekend.

Movie synopsis Anita Ponchouri (Natalie Perera), the dutiful daughter of a deep

in debt Indian businessman (Kabir Bedi) is about to marry a wealthy Londoner (Staz Nair) when a chance encounter with Soca singer, Lee de Leon (Soca music Superstar Machel Montano in his film debut) sets things askew.

In search of a muse, de Leon agrees to perform at the engagement party for both families. Unable to deny their mutual attraction, Anita must now choose between the answer to her family’s financial prayers and the possibility of real love.

Pulsing with the sensuous dance rhytmns of Carnival and set against the vivid tropical colors of Trinidad, BAZODEE is a new style Bollywood musical with a distinctly Caribbean island flavour.

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flourish.

The Miss Universe organisation is now under new ownership and management, which has since boosted this international pageant’s global presence. With new management, comes new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange between the sister countries, who participate in this competition.

In its new approach to enhancing tourism to Guyana, the committee has collaborated with the Tourism Ministry to help train our finalists and to further their knowledge about their beautiful home, the untouched paradise, Guyana.

The organisation is currently partnering with a few charities in Guyana and the Guyanese Diaspora worldwide and will be adding more who choose to work with them, in the future.

Its intention is to raise awareness to the many issues being faced by Guyanese; both at home and around the world. Some of the charities include Give Foundation Guyana and The Caribbean Voice.

he Westside will definitely come alive on Saturday, September 24, as the West Demerara Secondary School Old Students Association hosts its third annual West Demerara Reunion and Old School Party.

The grand party dubbed “Green and White” is slated for the 50/50 Sports Bar, New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

The second reunion held at Aracari Resort was definitely a blast and the third is expected to be much more exciting with several s u r p r i s e s .

Among the activities at the event will be the free distribution of Tequila to the first 50 ladies.

There will be bottle specials on

all drinks throughout the evening. The party will be hyped by Deejay Magnum and Westsiderz Sound Krew.

Advance tickets for the event cost $2000 and are available at Westsiderz Entertainment Centre, Vreed-en-Hoop and 50/50 Sports Bar. The event is powered by Heineken and Westsiderz Electronics and is promoted by Westsiderz Entertainment.

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friDAY, september 9, 2016

Shorten men’s matches, says Delegate banned after carrying Russian flag at Paralympics ceremony former Player Council head

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n official of the Belarus delegation who carried a Russian flag at the Paralympic opening ceremony to support his country’s near-neighbor that is banned from the competition was stripped of his accreditation, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said on Thursday.

The man, identified by Russian media as Andrei Fomochkin, director of the Republican Centre of Olympic training for Athletics in Belarus, was hailed as a hero by both Russian and Belarusian officials.

But his action fell foul of the IPC’s ban on political gestures.

“The IPC will be speaking to NPC Belarus this morning to remind them that political protests are forbidden at the Paralympic Games,” the IPC said in a statement, adding that the individual had been identified and his accreditation canceled. The statement did not name the person.

Athletes from Belarus at the Paralympics opening ceremony

In Russia, where the ban for state-sponsored sports doping has been fiercely contested, there was high praise for Fomochkin.

“A hero has appeared today amongst us,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Interfax news agency. “(He) showed solidarity with people who were disgracefully treated in an inhumane way in not being allowed to compete at the Paralympics,” Zakharova added.

Russia’s Paralympic Committee head Vladimir

Lukin enthused: “During this difficult period, he remembered us... It’s great that the Belarusians thought about the closest country to them, about Russia. We won’t forget this.”

In Belarus, the Foreign Ministry also commended Fomochkin.

“This was the right thing.

Our sportsman acted in a serious, manly and friendly way,” the Ministry’s press secretary Dmitri Mironchik told RIA Novosti. “If we need to answer for these gestures, then we will answer,” he added. (Reuters)

Liberty Media to buy Formula 1

The business of Formula 1 is being sold to a media company

U

S firm Liberty Media has confirmed it is buying the racing business Formula 1 for $4.4bn (£3.3bn).

The move ends years of speculation about the ownership of the company.

Bernie Ecclestone will remain as chief executive but Chase Carey, vice-chairman of 21st Century Fox, will become the new chairman.

Liberty Media has stakes in several sports and entertainment businesses, including the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball club.

Owned by the billionaire John Malone, Liberty will initially purchase a minority stake in the world’s leading motor-racing championship.

A full takeover is planned if regulators approve the deal.

“We are excited to become

part of Formula One,” said Greg Maffei, chief executive of Liberty Media.

“We think our long-term perspective and expertise with media and sports assets will allow us to be good stewards of Formula One and benefit fans, teams and our shareholders.”

Ecclestone said: “I would like to welcome Liberty Media and Chase Carey to Formula One and I look forward to working with them.”

The total transaction values the firm at $8bn but includes $4.1bn worth of Formula 1’s debt.

Liberty Media is buying the stake from the private equity firm CVC Capital.

CVC has held a stake for the past decade but sold some of its holding in 2012.

It has been criticised for taking considerable profits from the sport, which has suffered from falling TV ratings in recent years. (BBC Sport)

Match-fixing probe into US Open 1st-round match

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first-round match at the US Open is under investigation after suspicious betting patterns were detected.

The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) said it was looking into Timea Bacsinszky’s win over Vitalia Diatchenko.

Swiss Bacsinszky, the 15th seed, beat Russia’s world number 87 6-1 6-1.

The TIU said the alert did not mean match-fixing had taken place, adding:

“There are many reasons other than corrupt activity that can explain unusual betting patterns.”

It cited “incorrect oddssetting, well-informed betting, player fitness, fatigue and form, playing conditions and personal circumstances” as factors which could prompt betting organisations to raise an alert.

However, the organisation was critical of the manner in which details of the

investigation were released, blaming a “leak”.

“Publicising match alerts is premature and inevitably draws unwarranted attention to the players involved in the match.

Under the Tennis AntiCorruption Program, all players are considered innocent unless proven otherwise at an independent anticorruption hearing,” it said.

(Reuters)

ennis must consider shortening matches in a bid to engage with a younger fanbase and avoid losing television viewers, according to former ATP Player Council president and doubles specialist Eric Butorac.

The 35-year-old American, who was succeeded by world number one Novak Djokovic as president, said speed of play is high on the agenda for the new board, which also includes two-time reigning Olympic champion Andy Murray of Britain.

“It’s too slow,” Butorac, who finished his two-year term as president last month, told Reuters at the U.S. Open. “I said to Andy, I would rather you and Novak play for two hours rather than four.

“I’m too busy. I’ve got two kids, I’ve got stuff to do. I love watching you guys play but I don’t need four hours of it.”

According to Butorac, who served on the Council for eight years, Murray is not averse to change.

“We need to do some serious research,” he said. “We need to look at: what does our fan base want? What does our younger fan base want? Is it too long?

“I said to Andy, I think we could play two out of three sets here (instead of best of five, as played at the four grand slams). “And Andy said: ‘well, is it better to play two out of three or to play fewer games in a set?’ That’s not a terrible idea.” Murray

Novak Djokovic took 5 hours and 53 minutes to beat Rafa Nadal in the Australia Open final in 2012

said he had enjoyed his first meeting of the Council, held on the eve of the U.S. Open.

“The first meeting was four and a half hours long,” Murray told British reporters. “A lot of things got discussed. I’m looking forward to doing it.

“How much you can change things, I don’t know.”

It was the epic Australian Open final of 2012, when Djokovic beat Rafa Nadal after five hours, 53 minutes, that led many, especially television companies, to call for players to speed up between points.

The average length of men’s matches through the first six days at Flushing Meadows this year was 2 hours and 31 minutes. That is eight minutes longer than the overall average from 2015. But 25 matches so far in this year’s U.S. Open have gone to five sets and organizers are experimenting with the use of a shot clock in the junior events and collegiate events. The clock, allowing players 20 seconds between points as per the rules at

grand slams, was first used on Sunday but American junior Brandon Holt said he barely noticed it. “I only looked at it one time and it said 17 seconds,” he said. “I don’t think we even got close to it – at the end I don’t think the guy even turned it on.

“Mostly (the juniors) play pretty fast. But the pros, especially in the fifth set, they’ve got to take a lot of time so I don’t know how that’s going to work.”

Butorac, who played his last professional match at the U.S. Open last week before moving into a role with the USTA, said he knows some people will not want to change but that it might be the best thing to do.

“It’s tough to mess with tradition but at some point we’ve got to make sure we’re putting the best product on the court,” he said. “And I don’t always know that more is better. “It (would be) a powerful movement but if you truly believe it’s best for the sport, then sports have changed scoring before.”

(Reuters)

ICC hands official warning to ‘poor’ Queen’s Park Oval ― Kingsmead in Durban not spared

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he ICC has handed official warnings under its pitch and outfield monitoring process to Kingsmead in Durban and the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

Kingsmead hosted the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand from August 19 to 23, and the Queen’s Park Oval the fourth Test between West Indies and India from August 18 to 22. Both matches were heavily curtailed because of outfield conditions.

Andy Pycroft and Ranjan Madugalle, the match referees for the two Tests, both rated the outfields “poor” in their official reports.

Madugalle and Geoff Allardice, the ICC’s general manager, reviewed CSA’s response to the “poor” rating, while Allardice and match referee David Boon reviewed

Sun, no play! Ground staff at Queen’s Park Oval dug up the outfield in a bid to get it to dry out although it was not raining

WICB’s response.

Since this was the first occasion either ground had received a “poor” rating, the grounds stood to receive either a warning or a fine not exceeding USD 15,000, along with “a directive for appropriate corrective action”.

“The sanctions take into account Durban and Port of Spain venues’ history of producing good conditions for international cricket and com-

mitment by both the boards to take appropriate steps to ensure similar events are not repeated in future,” an ICC release said.

In all, 11 sessions out of 15 were lost to a wet and soft outfield at Kingsmead. Only 22 overs of play were possible in the Port-of-Spain Test, with no play at all on days two, three, four and five despite largely sunny weather.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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ormer presidents and officials of the West Indies Cricket Board have urged CARICOM to conduct a forensic audit of the board in order to save West Indies cricket from “absolute and total downfall”.

Six former officials Ken Gordon, Pat Rousseau, Anthony Deyal, Charles Wilkin, Bruce Aanensen and Imran Khan - have claimed that the current WICB administration under Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron has seemingly become “untouchable”, and not doing anything would lead to the “inevitable demise” of cricket in the Caribbean.

“We must reinforce the message that West Indies cricket belongs to the people of the West Indies, not to the WICB,” Gordon, WICB president from 2006 to 2008, said. “It may be timely to call for a forensic audit of the organisation. We need to lift the clouded veil which now surrounds that body.

Answers are required and this can be a first step to return to the transparency required of a body which is a major beneficiary of regional resources and private sponsorship.

“Many lovers of the game have said to me, ‘What can we do that would make a difference?’ The WICB seems to be untouchable. I say to them and to all cricket lovers who are concerned, let the call for a forensic audit be loud and clear. We need to save our cricket and this has to begin with getting the WICB right. It would be entirely legitimate for CARICOM to fund such an exercise and I urge that they consider doing so.”

Asked for a reaction, the WICB told ESPNcricinfo that it has hired global consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG to conduct the audit operations. “We maintain an internal and external audit system with PWC and KPMG respectively.

You may refer to them for any additional inquiries you

Ken Gordon

Pat Rousseau

may have,” a WICB spokesperson said.

Gordon first made the call for an audit in July and has renewed his plea in light of the WICB’s refusal to accept the latest CARICOM reform proposal and the controversial removal of Darren Sammy as captain of the West Indies T20I team.

Rousseau, who served as president of the board from 1996 to 2001, said all sporting bodies need to be carefully monitored. “There should be an assurance that there is certification by an independent group that proper governance procedures are followed at all times. I would commend to all the governments in CARICOM that they create special legislation that brings all the sporting associations under an obligation to observe good governance principles and to protect the finances of the association.”

Deyal, WICB’s corporate secretary between 2006 and 2008, supported Gordon’s call and also urged for an audit of country boards.

“I strongly support the call. Mr Gordon has made a strong case for following the money and has proposed as the mechanism a forensic audit of the individual boards which own the WICB and of the WICB itself.

There is a deep threat of the absolute and total downfall of West Indies cricket. It’s a process which is fully underway and at this stage seemingly inevitable.”

Wilkin, a former chairman of the board’s governance committee, suggest-

ed that unless the board heeds the calls for change, CARICOM governments should “refuse permission for use of the stadia and refuse them access to regional cricket grounds”.

“The real leverage which CARICOM has, if it seriously wants to force the WICB to change, is the control of most of the stadia used for international matches,” Wilkins said. “The WICB will not be able to host touring teams if the CARICOM governments refuse permission for use of the stadia and the various other permits required under local law.”

Wilkins said he was skeptical about CARICOM’s unity considering the emergence of factions within the regional body. In June, Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne had stated that he would categorically reject the CARICOM’s call for dissolving the WICB. Imran Khan, a former WICB communications officer, also felt the CARICOM’s refusal to give the WICB access to certain grounds could have an impact. “Two things need to happen: mass fan boycott, and CARICOM governments refusing the WICB access to grounds which they own or control or have influence over,” Khan said. “CARICOM can no longer delay taking decisive action to rescue to the regional game from the cauldron of incompetence from which it boils. To not act is to contribute to the further deterioration of the regional game and to be complicit in its inevitable demise.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

T

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he Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has named a 13-man T20 squad to participate in a triangular tournament to be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association from October 7 to 15.

Guyanese, Trevon Griffith who is now in his second season with the Jamaica Scorpions is also included in the youthful side.

The tournament forms part of Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence celebrations and, according to the JCA, Jamaica will be

Trevon Griffith

using it to expose and showcase some of its emerging talent.

The team will be captained by veteran Nikita Miller and includes Griffith,

John Campbell, Jermaine Harrison, Kerry Holness, Brandon King, Derval Green, Romaine Morris, Oshane Thomas, Nicholson Gordon, Gavin Wallace, Pete Salmon and Fabian Allen.

Experienced national coach, Junior Bennett, will lead the team that will be managed by Donovan Senior.

The players that have been selected to represent the West Indies on the recently announced Pakistan tour and the ‘A’ Team tour of Sri Lanka, have not been included in the squad.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

friday, september 9, 2016

Mayor’s Cup final shifted to Tucville Ground

Jaguars Franchise League…

West Berbice blown away for 30 ― Reifer registers tournament’s 4th ton A W

― 7 -A-side games included

est Demerara opening fast bowling pair Romario Shepherd and Raymond Reifer along with emerging spinner Richie Looknauth dismantled West Berbice for 30 as action in the third round of the Jaguars Franchise League got underway on Thursday at the Young Warriors Ground in Cumberland Berbice.

Shepherd 3-14 and Reifer 2-5 combined to take five wickets as they orchestrated the damage very early into the day’s play but it was Looknauth, who sustained the assault with excellent figures of 4-10. It took the visitors 25 overs to rock the host, who is without the service of their leading batsman Shimron Hetmyer due to West Indies commitment.

Reifer then led a strong reply for West Demerara with a scintillating knock worth 119 runs from 121 deliveries. At the close West Demerara reached 276/5 with a healthy lead of 246 and five wickets remaining.

Apart from Reifer, Akshya Persaud scored 74 while Safraz Esau struck 53 off 41 balls. Leon Andrews has so far taken 2/55 bowling for West Berbice.

At the Port Mourant Ground, Upper Corentyne was in the hunt for first innings honours at the end of the opening day. They are

Raymon Reifer

Rajiv Ivan

some 30 runs away with five wickets remaining to gain first innings. Lower Corentyne was dismissed for 162 after they won the toss and chose to bat first.

Surujnarine Kandasammy struck 62 while in form batsman Jonathan Foo and Gajanand Singh contributed 22 and 20 respectively. Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Eon Hooper bagged 5/18.

At the close, Upper Corentyne was 133/5, as Rajiv Ivan led the way with 62.

Due to early morning rain the entire first day of the match between Georgetown and East Coast at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground, Bourda was washed out.

The downpour left the outfield and parts of the pitch wet forcing the match officials to call off the game

at 14:20h.

The match between the neighbours was predicted to be a highly competitive encounter but the players will have to wait until tomorrow to grace the field, weather permitting.

At Everest Cricket Club ground, Essequibo won the toss and decided to bat after a late start due to rain. They reached 8-1, with second round century maker Kevon Boodie back in the hut when the rain returned.

Ryan Shun who opened the bowling with off spin removed Boodie leg before wicket (LBW) for five. Retired Test player Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Avinash Persaud, both on one run apiece were at the crease when rain returned 15 minutes into the day’s play. The match was officially called off at 12:32h.

fter being slated for the Georgetown Football Club’s Ground, then moving to the Den Amstel ground, West Bank Demerara the finale of the annual Mayor’s Cup Football Championship will now be played at the Tucville ground on Sunday.

According to co-ordinator of the event, Lennox Arthur, the Den Amstel ground was initially booked but it was later understood that games in the Stag League were also booked on the same date forcing the Mayor’s Cup final showdown to the Tucville Ground.

In addition to the new venue, there will be two 7-aside inter-ward exhibition games with Grove taking on Kingston at 17:00h and North East La Penitence battling Golden Grove.

The exhibition games are sponsored by Sparta family and the winner will receive

Action resumes this weekend in various associations

fter constant postponement for various reasons, matches in the Guyana Football Federation/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 League will resume this weekend with matches at different venues on the East Coast and West Demerara.

In the East Demerara Association, Buxton Youth Developers will take on Golden Grove from 09:00hrs on Saturday and

D

$50,000 cash and the Sparta Family Trophy.

On their way to the final, Police defeated Linden’s Federal Winners Connection 3-1 while Western Tigers made light work of Ann’s Grove with a 4-1 drubbing at the Victoria Ground.

The winner of the final between Police and Western Tigers will cart off the Aruwai Resort first prize of $700,000. While the losing team will not walk away empty handed, but rather

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 League...

Leal aiming to repeat as A Powerade 50-mile champion efending champion, Raul Leal has made it clear that he will has set his eyes on riding off with the 6th annual Powerade 50 mile road race title when the big guns meet at this year’s Powerade 50 mile road race this Sunday.

The event which rides from Wales Police Station to Bushy Park, Parika and back to Schoonord for the finish, was won by the Team Gillette Evolution’s ace rider, Leal in a time of one hour, 55 minutes, 10 seconds (01h: 55m: 10s) in 2015.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Leal noted that he was not in competitive shape but has already begun his training to return to glory, indicated that it will be a tough task.

“Going into the event on Sunday it is going to be a bit challenging for me because I am not in racing condition right about now and this is mainly because I have not been training as much recently as I should have.”

Leal stated. However, the Team Gillette Evolution rider said that all is not lost on his chances and there are much that can be done to prepare for the Sunday feature including the De Sinco’s Degree deodorant 11-race Cycling programme which will pedal off on the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday.

“On Saturday, the fea-

Co-ordinator of Mayor’s Cup, Lennox Arthur

with the Ansa McAl trophy and $300,000.

In the other match of the night, Ann’s Grove will take on Federal Winners Connection for third place with the winner pocketing $200,000 and the John Fernandes trophy while the loser will collect $100,000 and the Ministry of State trophy.

Ricks and Sari has also donated hampers which will go to the winning team, while tournament’s top goal scorer will get a three piece suite compliments of AH&L Kissoon Furniture Store.

The leading goal scorer to date is Dwayne McClennon with 6, Randolph Wagner has 4 and Dellon Kelly 3, all representing Western Tigers. Quincy Holder of Police also has 3 goals and is in the running to claim the prize for the tournament’s leading goal scorer as well.

from 11:00h, Bachelors Adventure Paradise Sports Club will match skills with Buxton United.

At the same times on Sunday, Plaisance will come up against Ann’s Grove with the main attraction between BV Triumph United and Victoria Kings at the Melanie ground.

In the West Demerara Association, Slingerz will clash with Beavers from 12:00 hrs on Saturday; Wales United will play FC Eagles on Sunday from the same time then on Monday Den Amstel tackles Beavers from 12:00hrs. All matches will be played at the Den Amstell ground.

In Berbice, Cougars’ Shane Hamilton is the cur-

rent leading goal scorer for the with nine goals to his name and he is followed by Nial Roberts of Paradise Invaders with five.

Alex Pautaib (Corriverton Links), Troy Munroe (New Amsterdam United), Shafeel Deharte (Paradise Invaders) and Lamar Reid (Cougars) are sharing the third spot with two goals each.

The Milling Company has been in existence since 1969 and produces several heath oriented products such as Maid Marian Harvest High Fibre Whole Wheat Flour, Maid Marian Wheat-Up Breakfast Porridge, and Maid Marian Multigrain Flour among many other products.

8 gyms battle in Lennox Blackmoore Intermediate championships Team Gillette Evolution

tured 35-lap school boys and Invitational event will be used as preparation heading into Sunday when I defend my title.” Leal said.

Speaking on the competition in this year’s edition, the young champion identified a key aspect of the race meet but still pointed out a few riders who he will be looking to contain.

“We do not have stiff competition right now because most of the guys are in the United States competing but most of the treats I think will be coming from my Evolution team-mates such as Michael Anthony, Orville Hinds and Paul De Nobrega.” The defending champion highlighted.

Currently, Leal is without a coach but is not too worried,

having made good of his solo move but in looking to the future, the youngster will consider a coach as he progresses.

“I don’t have a coach at the moment and things are going pretty well and I don’t have intentions of getting one until I migrate and pick up my career overseas.” Leal said. Come Saturday, riders will turn out at the inner circuit of the National Park where they will compete in the DeSinco sponsored, Degree 11-race Cycling competition which is organized

by National Cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed while on Sunday, Mohamed will partner with Banks D.I.H. for the 6th annual Powerade 50 mile road race in Region three.

A

s the Lennox B l a c k m o o r e Intermediate Boxing Competition commences today at the National Gymnasium, the three-day event will feature eight teams from across the country vying for the top honours.

In the spotlight are the defending champions, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who have already listed one of the biggest teams to enter the competition with 30 contenders.

While 2014 winners, Republicans will be the main force who could dethrone the reigning champions having 20 boxers in their corner.

The former champions will feel confident with the likes of middleweight

The Forgotten Foundation Gym Sebert Blake

Youth Trainer,

Geraldo Phillips and Joshua Joseph who was the best boxer at the novice level.

However, flyweight Don Cumberbatch, lightweights Travis Hubbard

and Jamal Brisport, junior welterweight Colin Hinds and light heavyweight Renaldo Niles are all going to bring the fight to the republicans in an effort to retain the title.

Apart from the two powerhouses, stern competition is expected to come from the other six teams which include Essequibo boxing Gym, the Albouystown based Forgotten Youth foundation whose boxers are trained by veteran coach, Sebert Blake, two teams from Linden; Pocket Rocket Gym and Carill Gym and two from the ancient county, Rose Hall Jammers and Young Achievers gym.

The action begins from 19:00h and continues until Sunday.

guyana-times.com

friDAY, september 9, 2016

23

Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup Round 3...

Imperative for Leonora stadium to be certified ― Forde

By Akeem Greene

T

he third round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Men’s Caribbean Cup will kickoff within a one month’s time and Guyana’s Golden Jaguars are grouped alongside Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz and the Surinamese but the issue of concern for the football loving fans and officials is where will the matches will be played.

The Jaguars are scheduled to play Suriname on October 8 and then the Reggae Boyzon October 11 at the National Stadium, Providence but the venue which was built primarily for cricket is currently having the pitch re-laid which would mean that the field is incapable of having international football action.

President of Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde

As such President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde in speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Thursday explained that it is imperative that the alternative venue, the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora, meet the necessary requirements to host the matches.

“It is Imperative for the venue to be certified because for a match of this nature, we cannot have it played outside Guyana, we need the home turf advantage” the GFF head lamented.

He added, “We have engaged the Caribbean Football Union (CFU)and they willhave their team come down for a certification inspection of the facility.”

During the second round of the CFU in June, the Jaguars had to play their in-

tended home game against Curacao away in Curacao since the original venue of the game, the Guyana National Stadium was unavailable due to an international cricket engagements.

The National Track and Field Facility at Leonora was then considered as the alternative. However, it was ruled out following a site visit by a team from the GFF, who observed that the outfield still required a significant amount of work to ensure its readiness.

The GFF boss stressed that thefacility being certified to host the matches is not limited to the playing surface but also the other amenities that comes with a match of this magnitude.

He explained, “there has been a lot of work done on that surface but a venue to

host an international game of that nature, the quality and condition of surface is not the only factor the inspectors will look at, they look at the dressing rooms, seating, theentrance among several other things before they can arrive at a conclusion on accreditation of the venue.” Forde further stated, “It’sa lot of work, good work has been done by the management of the facility and I’m very optimistic the venue will be certified.”

Quizzed as to the possibility of the match having to move out of Guyana, Forde said “I don’t want to entertain those thoughts as yet, our thoughts and interests are to make sure this game is played in Guyana andthat the venue is certified for the match.” (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

12th Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival set for November

BY ROMARIO SAMAROO

C

oming off the hype of the just concluded Lucozade Indoor Hockey league at the National Gymnasium, the action moves on with the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival which will be hosted at the same venue from November 24-27.

President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes noted that the Diamond Mineral Water festival is a household name across the region and is one of the most recognized tournaments when it comes to indoor hockey, pointing out that it attracts more teams than any other Caribbean tournament.

The tournament will see three divisions; Male,

Female and Over-35 competing for US$7,500 in prize money and bragging rights while entrance fees for teams are US$400 for male and female and US$200 for the Over-35 teams.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Fernandes has stated that this is one of the most integral events on the hockey calendar.

“This is one of the main events on our calendar for the year because it attracts international teams from across the world and even regional clubs. In the past the tournament has attracted teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, USA, Canada and a few from Jamaica,” the Hockey Board President stated.

Fernandes went on to say that because of

Flashback! Hikers celebrate the Diamond Mineral Water Festival title with a 5-0 victory over Old Fort in 2014

the tournament being an Indoor tournament it is likely more teams will turn out but it is not pos-

sible for the outdoor tournament because Guyana does not have an official outdoor hockey field and

the National Gymnasium is similar to an indoor field.

To date, teams from Canada and USA have al-

ready indicated their participation and it is likely teams from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will come on board soon.

Additionally, Fernandes highlighted that what the Guyana Hockey Board and Lucozade did with the recent indoor league will go a long way in preparing teams for the Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival.

“We have not had a tournament with such frequent games as the league and we expect the teams from Guyana to go a far way heading in to the festival because of that,” Fernandes stated.

In the 11th edition of the festival, Hikers men and the GCC ladies were crowned champions having outplayed over 14 teams.

NPG Packaging & Plastic Inc Upper Corentyne 20/20…

Vikings, All Star & No 71 win 2 from 2

T

he NPG Packaging & Plastic Inc 20/20 cricket competition for teams in the Upper Corentyne started with a bang with defending champions Number 69 Vikings winning both of their games so far. Other teams to register two victories are No. 72 All Star and No. 71.

Teams winning one of their first round games are No. 68 Turn, No. 69 Red Rose, No. 73 Young Warriors, Skeldon, No. 70 M.Y.O and C.W.C Sports Club.

At the No. 73 ground, Vikings won by a massive 126 runs after No. 69 Vikings took first strike and blasted 180 for 7 with Steven Embrack 79 top scoring while Viendra Gooniah supported with 31. Bowling for No. 73 Young Warriors Lakeram Latchman took 2 for 32 off 4 overs and Azad

Steven Embrack

Totaram Persaud

Trishan Ramdass

Christopher Jaundoo

Mohammed 2 for 38 off 3 overs. In reply No. 73 Young Warriors were bowled out for 54 in 12.3 overs with Latchman Nakhul with 12, the only batsman in double figures. Viendra Gooniah returned with the ball and took 5 for 12 off 4 overs and got good support from Wadikar Ramrattan 2 for 10 off 4 overs and Deon Bramdit 2 for 12 off 2.3 overs.

Over at No. 72 ground,

the hosts batted first against Scottsburg United and scored 154 for 9. Trishan Ramdass blasted 52 (6x4; 3x6), Mahendra Bhoj 39 and Ganesh Singh 21 were the principle scorers. Bowling for Scottsburg United, Trishan Ramsarran took 4 for 27 off 4 overs and Sydney Jackman Jr 3 for 27 off 4 overs. In reply, Scottsburg United were bowled out for 124 in 19.3 overs with O.

George 27 and C. Beresford 24 getting among the runs.

Bowling for No. 72 All Star Ganesh Singh return with the ball and took 2 for 13 off 3 overs, Wayne Garnett 2 for 20 off 4 overs and P. Gobin 2 for 27 off 4 overs. No. 72 All Star won by 30 runs.

At No. 70. No. 68 Turn Team beat No. 70 MYO by 137 runs after taking first strike and racking up 211 for 7 off 20 overs. With

Totaram Persaud blasting 66 (4x4; 5x6) while Anthony Dourjodhan 34, Hemnauth Ramsaroop 28 and Raj Sooknanan 20 also made significant contributions.

Bowling for No. 70 M.Y.O Jameel Assad took 2 for 29 off 3 overs who were bundled out for 74 runs in 12.2 overs. Rajendra Deonarine 17 and Jameel Assad 16 showing some fight.

Bowling for No. 68 Turn

Team Anthony Dourjodhan returned with the ball and took 3 for 16 off 4 overs, Avinash Seecharran took 3 off 12 off 1 over and Totaram Persaud took 2 for 17 off 3 overs.

Skeldon won by 143 runs at No. 69 against No. 69 Red Rose. Skeldon batted first and blasted 231 for 5 off 20 overs. Christopher Jaundoo scored an entertaining 73 (9x4; 3x6) and got good support from Ravi Bassoo, Delvin Maynard 25 and Andrew Persaud 22.

Bowling for No. 69 Red Rose T. Rajram took 3 for 47 off 4 overs. In reply No. 69 red Rose were bowled out for 88 off 15.4 overs. D. Sydney took 5 for 10 off 4 overs and got good support from Mahendra Chitnarine 2 for 25 off 4 overs.

The competition continues with eighteen games set for Sunday.

friday, september 9, 2016

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

Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup Round 3...

Imperative for Leonora stadium to be certified ― Forde Pg 23

The football field at the Leonora stadium has hosted several domestic matches, but is yet to be passed to host Internationals

Jaguars Franchise League…

West Berbice blown away for 30

- Reifer registers tournament’s 4th ton

Leal aiming to repeat as Powerade 50mile champion

Pg 22

The state of the Everest Cricket Club ground after play was officially called off

Pg 22

Raul Leal is preparing for his title defence

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