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Govt living in a cocoon – Jagdeo

Issue No. 2860

Thursday, May 19, 2016

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

GAWU supports cash-strapped GuySuCo bailout P11

Page 3

– no plans to fix economy

$114M recovered as GRA cracka downs on smuggled goods Page 9

Essequibo smash-up

Driver slapped with 4 counts of causing death by dangerous Page driving 8

Premature P10 baby of ‘brain-dead’ 17-year-old succumbs

... doctors lose hope in teen’s recovery – Dr Norton

Good Hope man seriously injured in P17 WCD accident

Public Service CoI

Contraband found at Camp Street Prison

Police to request P17 records from phone companies – Hicken

Contract workers to be integrated into permanent public Page service – Harmon 17 – report handed over to Opposition Leader, House Speaker

Ogle Airport renaming

Arjoon-Martins, Gouveia accused of breaking oath

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon presents a copy of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service Report to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland on Wednesday

Vendors complain about City Hall’s ‘antibusiness’ stance Page 3

– claim they are “blocked” from selling during Jubilee

Wales factory to be converted into dairy products, fruit juices processing facility

Page 14

P10 Police Constable to be charged with Sisters Village fatal accident

2 news

ThursDAY, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Independence Day celebrations

PPP to partake in flag raising ceremony

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday announced that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will be participating in the annual flag raising ceremony to usher in Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary, which will be held at the D’urban Park arena on May 25.

“We will be attending the flag raising ceremony because we believe that will be a very important event,” Jagdeo emphasised during a news conference at the Party’s Headquarters, Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown.

The PPP/C played an integral role in the country’s struggle for independence from Great Britain.

Expanding on the event, Jagdeo expressed the hope that President David

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Granger will use the opportunity to reflect on the role of former Presidents Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and Forbes Burnham in this significant achievement.

Jagdeo registered his disappointment that the

Head of State did not acknowledge the contributions of these individuals in the struggle for independence, in his Independence Day address to Parliament.

“Maybe in an attempt to avoid controversy, he did not really explore the challenges the country faced as a pre-independent country, the struggles endured to gain independence, the sacrifices many Guyanese made to achieve that status, it was not handed to us on a platter by the British,” Jagdeo stated.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo disclosed that the PPP/C will be organising events of its own to commemorate Guyana’s 50th year as an independent nation.

Details will be made available to the public soon.

15 new vehicles added to Police Force’s fleet

Some of the new vehicles handed over to the Guyana Police Force

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he Guyana Police Force on Wednesday received a boost to its existing fleet of vehicles as Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan hand-

ed over 15 new vehicles.

Among the vehicles given to the Police Force are five Mark X motor cars, eight Hilux Single Cab Pick-up trucks and two tow trucks. The keys to these vehicles were handed over to Assistant Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine at the Tactical Drill Square, Eve Leary.

Before the handing over, Minister Ramjattan highlighted that this addition to the Force’s resources would definitely boost its efficiency.

“These vehicles will definitely be a bolster to the capacity of the Police Force to get quickly to the scenes of crimes and also to ensure that the transportation for our Policemen and women from one place to another, in performing their duties, is effectively [done] and in a quick as possible manner,” he stated.

The Public Security Minister explained that this move was part of the Five-Point Strategic Plan to enhance the capacity of the Force in order to reduce crime. He added too that the handing over came in time for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations during which many assets would be needed on deck.

On this note, Ramjattan urged that efforts be taken to ensure that the vehicles were properly used and maintained. He charged Police Officers to take care of the vehicles as though they were their personal property.

“We are to ensure that Policemen don’t be involved in drinking and driving like we have seen in some occasions. That is not going to do justice to the fact that we are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on these vehicles, then you go crash them up and we have to spend more money to have them repaired,” he stated.

In addition, Minister

Ramjattan disclosed that negotiations were ongoing to procure another 28 vehicles for the Force. These are expected to be delivered later in the year.

In his remarks, Assistant Commissioner Ramnarine expressed his appreciation to Government for boosting the Force’s transportation capacity, which he noted would enhance its operational capacity.

“These vehicles are much needed. I want to thank the Honourable Minister and by extension, Government for realising the needs and many demands that we in the Force have, to serve members of the public,” he stated.

The Assistant Police Commissioner pointed out that the increased vehicular capacity would also go towards improving the Force’s response time to reports, an area it has been struggling with over the years.

“One of the problems we’ve had is our late response, poor response, no response in very important matters within the public domain in particular crime,” he stated, adding that the vehicles will go a long way in aiding the work of the Police over the coming weeks for the Jubilee celebrations.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Ramnarine also echoed sentiments of the Minister, urging the Divisional Commanders to ensure the vehicles were maintained in accordance with protocol.

The Police Force is often criticised for the lack of vehicular resources, and in some cases, river transportation, which have been the core cause of ranks often being unable to respond effectively to reports when they are made.

In many instances, citizens are forced to drive to Police stations to collect officers and take them to crime scenes.

news

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thursDAY, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 19 – 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, May 20 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 19 – 15:00h-16:30h and Friday, May 20 – 15:35h-17:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres per second and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:51h and 15:14h reaching maximum heights of 2.50 metres and 2.47 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:49h and 21:02h reaching minimum heights of 0.70 metre and 0.73 metre respectively.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

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Govt living in a cocoon – Jagdeo

– no plans to fix economy

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has bashed the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government, saying that it remains clueless and hapless, even as the country’s economy continues on a downward spiral.

The former President also called out the Government for refusing to concede to advice and recommendations, which could in effect help to put the country back on the road to recovery.

Jagdeo was at the time addressing journalists at his Party’s head office on Wednesday. “This Government lives in a make believe world and cocoon.

They believe that if they don’t know about something, it has not happened.

And there are so shut out from the rest of society and other voices of reason and so arrogant about it even when confronted by good advice from civil society and everywhere else,” Jagdeo told journalists.

He said the Administration, which has recently completed a year in office, has embraced a laid back approach, while Guyanese continue to feel the brunt of a dilapidated economical structure.

“We heard recently that the economy has slowed down because drug proceeds are not flowing freely through the economy

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

and the Minister of Finance holds on to this excuse, repeating it. If they do believe this, then they are missing the opportunity to address the real issue surrounding the economy.”

Jagdeo said Government has embraced the concept that drug money is flowing less through the economy and that is the reason things have not been going well.

“So why should I do anything about it, everything else is perfect and so he misses this huge opportunity,” Jagdeo said, speaking of Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

He recalled statements made by economist, Professor Clive Thomas, who had related that at least 30 per cent of the monies was being siphoned off and going abroad. He said with all

the blockages of things allegedly enjoyed by his Party while in office, Government should now have more money to spend, and hence, see a rise in the economy. He said even as Government moves to reduce the high incidences of alleged gold smuggling and other “illegal” activites, more money should be around to help build the economy.

“So why are we talking about a reduction in flow.

Infact, you should have been talking about an increase of the economy. This is all fake.

Because they make this whole case of drug flow. He (Finance Minister) is saying in effect that if you cannot pay your loans now, you are losing your jobs, people are not buying in the stores anymore, that your hardships are determined and in

the economy because you did not get the drug proceeds,” he lashed out.

Jagdeo said Government does not understand the reality of what is happening, adding that Guyanese have lost all confidence in the Administration and every day, they continue to do things to erode the little confidence that is left.

He made mention of Government’s harsh attack on citizens with private property, noting that when things like these are done, going after private people, taking back leases and titles for land, confidence is eroded.

“You are saying that private property is not important. The precipitous drop is due to the fact that people do not have confidence in this Government and every day they do things to erode confidence further.” He further added that it is obvious that Government has no plans to fix the economy, noting that it is fixable but the Administration has no vision.

“People are worse off after one year of the coalition in office and I see no improvement given the direction of the Government.

Now why are we in economic decline? Is it possible that even with the world situation where there is a slowdown in demand is it possible that for a country like Guyana to prosper?”

Vendors complain about City Hall’s ‘anti-business’ stance – claim they are “blocked” from selling during Jubilee

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he Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is being accused of adopting an anti-business stance towards vendors who are plying their trade around the city, with the most recent such example being a decision to stop vendors “under the clock” from using umbrellas to protect their merchandise from sunlight and rain.

The vendors told Guyana Times on Wednesday that they were

Vendors forced to cover goods with tarpaulins as an alternative

informed by City Hall that umbrella use was now re-

stricted and they were only allowed to cover their

goods with cloths or tarpaulins.

Vendors say they were informed by the Council that the use of umbrellas was always banned; however, the authorities were being lenient due to the heavy May/June rainfall.

This publication understands that the vendors were told that the ban would now be implemented being that the “rainy season has eased up”. turn to page 7

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guyana-times.com

thurSdAY, may 19, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Reparations for Africans and Amerindians

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wo years ago, the Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) composed 10 demands against the former European colonial nations for reparations on their crimes against humanity (CAH) in the forms of genocide, slavery, slave trading, and racial apartheid. This Friday, the Guyana branch of the Reparations Commission will be hosting a “rally and relay” at the Parade Ground, where a “Reparations Baton” emanating from Barbados will be passed over to them on its way to the other Caribbean territories. President David Granger will be the guest speaker.

Guyanese should be aware of the specific demands Caricom is making on Britain and other European ex-colonial states. They were adumbrated by the CRC in a document from which the following was extracted. Couched within the Caricom Reparations Justice Programme [CRJP], the demands are for the Region’s indigenous peoples and the descendants of “African slavery”.

The 10-point plan begins with a call for an apology: “The healing process for victims and the descendants of the enslaved and enslavers requires as a precondition the offer of a sincere formal apology by the Governments of Europe.” Because “over 10 million Africans were stolen from their homes and forcefully transported to the Caribbean as the enslaved chattel and property of Europeans”, the second demand declares, “The descendants ...have a legal right to return to their homeland.”

Third is a specific development programme “for indigenous peoples to rectify the historical injustices of “genocide and land appropriation (which) went hand in hand”. The Caricom paper noted that “survivors remain traumatised, landless, and are the most marginalised social group within the Region”.

The fourth demand is for the Caribbean to be given analogous “community institutions such as museums and research centres (which) prepare (European) citizens for an understanding of these CAH. These facilities serve to reinforce within the consciousness of their citizens an understanding of their role in history as rulers and change agents.”

Fifth is for Europe to address the consequences of the abysmal living conditions during slavery leading to “the highest incidence in the world of chronic diseases in the forms of hypertension and type two diabetes. Arresting this pandemic requires the injection of science, technology, and capital beyond the capacity of the Region.”

Sixth is a demand for the eradication of illiteracy by Europeans. “At the end of the European colonial period in most parts of the Caribbean, the British in particular left the black and indigenous communities in a general state of illiteracy.

Widespread illiteracy has subverted the development efforts of these nation states and represents a drag upon social and economic advancement.”

Seventh is a demand for an “African Knowledge Programme”. “The forced separation of Africans from their homeland has resulted in cultural and social alienation from identity and existential belonging. Denied the right in law to life, and divorced by space from the source of historic self, Africans have craved the right to return and knowledge of the route to roots.”

Eighth is a call for the “Psychological Rehabilitation” of Peoples of African Origin. “For over 400 years Africans and their descendants were classified in law as non-human, chattel, property, and real estate. They were denied recognition as members of the human family by laws derived from the parliaments and palaces of Europe. This history has inflicted massive psychological trauma upon African descendant populations.”

The ninth demand is one for the “transfer of technology” because of its policy of “underdevelopment” as adumbrated

by Walter Rodney. “The effectiveness of this policy meant that the Caribbean entered its nation building phase as a technologically and scientifically ill-equipped backward space within the postmodern world economy.”

Lastly was a call for debt relief by the old imperial powers since “Caribbean Governments that emerged from slavery and colonialism...inherited the massive crisis of community poverty and institutional unpreparedness for development. This process has resulted in states accumulating unsustainable levels of public debt that now constitute their fiscal entrapment.”

The Guyana National Museum joined with the rest of the world to celebrate International Museum Day. In this Marceano Narine photo, an unlit fire side on display at the Museum depicting the early East Indians' way of cooking in Guyana

It is truly not easy to steal an airport in broad daylight Dear Editor, Minister Patterson’s address at the Ogle Airport renaming was significant to NATA. That our concerns had not fallen on deaf ears and were deemed to have merit and his recognition that what had worked 10 years ago may not be applicable today was instructive.

His pledge to ensure that the legal review of the lease between the Government and Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) will be done in a consultative and inclusive manner was most important since this approach is a foreign concept in our relationship with OAI. The findings of that review of the lease agreement will “form the basis of determining the way forward as regards to the proper implementation of the Agreement” and NATA looks forward to the proper implementation as this is an important safeguard to our collective interests.

This new dispensation to openness and transparency by the Minister and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was clearly a foreign concept to Mr Michael Correia, the Chairman of OAI who was also present as he cautioned the GCAA about placing a draft document online.

NATA commends the GCAA for taking steps in keeping with our “Green Economy” and moving away from the expense of printing numerous copies of voluminous documents for circulation. We congratulate the GCAA for its inclusionary and democratic approach to place this important document online to enable review and feedback from the industry itself and not just

a select few.

Where the aviation industry’s development is concerned, it is unimportant whether aviation stakeholders are members of NATA or the Aircraft Owners Association. What is important is that compliance is non-negotiable.

Non-partisan collaboration by the membership of both associations to ensure that the most productive feedback is provided to the GCAA is what the industry needs. I made this offer and remain hopeful it will be accepted so we can move forward.

Space will not permit a full response to Mr Anthony Mekdeci’s letter of May 18, 2016 in sections of the media, so I will address some aspects.

His deliberate misinformation that Ogle International Airport is 100 per cent built, owned and operated by a Private Sector company, OAI is dishonest. An inventory of the assets of the State, the assets of the aircraft owners built by their blood, sweat and tears and finally the assets that came into being as a result of the investment of the shareholders of OAI would be instructive.

This would expose Mr Mekdeci’s claims of Mr Michael Correia meeting the greater burden of the financial obligations imposed by the Lease Agreement as dishonest.

A forensic audit would expose that the Correia Group of Companies were the main beneficiaries of contracts to provide services to the Airport. Benefiting from such non-arm’s length transactions contributed to their confident investment

over the years as they were assured of financial returns whether the Airport made a profit or not. This windfall in the early years continued to the later years as well. That they are the only beneficiaries of all international business opportunities coming into the Airport has been enabled by the Airport Management team of Messrs Anthony Mekdeci and Malcolm Chan-a-Sue. If the other companies were as fortunate to have benefited from both sets of windfalls, they could have also become greater shareholders.

Minister Patterson recognised the importance of the domestic operators also.

The significant sums of revenues paid by these domestic operators over the years to the Airport management also enabled the Airport’s development to a great extent. Mr Mekdeci’s claim that it was only Mr Correia, the altruist, who invested his monies to make the Airport’s development possible chose to ignore this reality which is easily verifiable from the company’s financial records.

In spite of Government’s recognition of the significant importance of the domestic operators, their needs were never catered for in OAI’s developmental plans. This was deliberate as it enabled further benefits to the Chairman of OAI and his group of companies.

His Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Company Limited (CAMSL) rented office space to OAI, its tenant for 16 years, and to small aircraft operators as well.

Correia Mining Company (CMC) was leased land for use as a car park and container storage, then became

landlord to aircraft operators who constructed their office and bonds out of containers on that land. Not surprising all of those companies went out of business as contiguous access is crucial for the survival of small operators especially and was absent.

The lucrative contracts which resulted from the Airport management sending all international business to the Correia Group of Companies placed a premium on the space they rented to the small operators. The small operators received eviction notice with no consideration by their landlord, the Airport’s management nor OAI as to where they were expected to go, other than out of business.

After the eviction of these small operators by the Correia Group of Companies, OAI then had the audacity to write Air Services Limited, Roraima Airways and Wings Aviation Limited on March 22, 2016 asking that they grant airside access to the small operators.

In essence, the Chairman of OAI through the CEO of the Airport was now delegating OAI’s responsibility to these three larger companies.

NATA acknowledges all the regulatory requirements by OAI to the several international and domestic bodies which have jurisdiction over the International Airport.

However, this should not come at the cost of the domestic operations which the Government had clearly prioritised and should benefit from the “fair and equitable” development of the Airport. continued on page 5

guyana-times.com

thurSDAY, may 19, 2016

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

President needs to address We cannot and must not conflict of interest with tolerate injustice, suppression Minister Broomes

Dear Editor, PEP means in international money laundering language Politically Exposed Person. This whole concept came about because it was believed that corrupt politicians hide their ill-gotten gains and undertakings not in their own names, but in the names of their spouses and children and parents and other relatives. Recently, we learnt that the politician, Minister Simona Broomes had given to her daughter permits and licences and other expensive and income earning assets to her daughter.

Anywhere in the developed world Minister Broomes’ daughter would be strictly questioned, asked about her

source of income, asked about her present ability to manage and fund and operate the business transferred to her by her Minister mother. In fact if the Minister’s daughter attempts to open an account right now in Canada or the US, she would have to show source of income and be grilled and interrogated extensively.

So given that President David Granger and his Cabinet seem not to care about possible corruption, as a citizen I would like to know the following: 1. When did the Minister’s daughter become a miner?

2. What is the occupation of the Minister’s daughter?

3. Is it true that the Minister’s daughter is actual-

ly a student studying outside of Guyana?

4. Is it not true that this is a new permit/ licence that was granted to the Minister’s daughter?

5. What is the source of income of the Minister’s daughter?

6. Do the Minister and her daughter live in the same house when the daughter is in Guyana?

Editor, outside of these issues, the President also needs to address the serious conflict of interest position the Minister is in and has been in ever since she assumed the office she presently occupies.

Sincerely, A Grant

Rohee’s flippancy is astonishing!

Dear Editor, I write in response to the recent PPP press conference of Monday last, conducted by Mr Clement Rohee.

The average Guyanese must be shocked by his recent statements in local media that PPP’s best explanation for not launching an investigation into Satyadeo Sawh’s murder was that “we didn’t get to it”.

He stated that no Government “gets” to everything in its manifesto. This argument is a logical fallacy: reductio ad absurdum!

Was investigating the countless murders that paralysed our nation for the first decade of this century just another manifesto promise?

Someone in the PPP hierarchy must see the brazenness of this

position. This was your own Minister! Is “let the chips fall where they may” the PPP’s position on matters as imperative to national security and leadership as this? One hopes not!

I would point the finger at the honourable Mr Rohee with greater seriousness for his pussyfooting around the absence of an inquiry, but a simple check of the archives has shown me an entirely new layer of surprise: Rohee was not even the Minister of Home Affairs in April 2006, it was Ms Teixeira! It seems that Rohee does not even know the range of his time in office – no wonder he can’t recollect why there was no inquiry!

Two wrongs don’t make a right, and the coalition’s failure to move faster on an inquiry

into the Shaw murder, and the terror of that era in Guyana’s history, cannot be tolerated for much longer. However, at least it was a manifesto promise of the coalition. Getting to the bottom of things is taking far too long, and Mr Ramjattan should avoid walking in Rohee’s footsteps.

On a final note, I return to Mr Rohee’s bloviation: why does the local media tolerate such absurd answers to serious questions? Surely our press can do better than to find satisfaction from an answer as hollow as his. Democracy is in the media’s care, and if it is not monitored properly, it will become warped.

Sincerely, Basdeo Ramdhan

Dear Editor, Over the past two decades the Government – both past and present – has been taking active steps to recognise and preserve the rights of indigenous peoples in Guyana.

The passage of the Amerindian Act 2006, the land titling process and community development plans are all examples of the Administrations’ quest to recognise and protect the rights of indigenous peoples in Guyana as well as to ensure that resources are made available to the Amerindian as the first peoples of this land.

The APNU/AFC Administration not withstanding its slow pace of implementation of the land titling process has good intentions of seeing it through. As we are about to celebrate our 50th Independence anniversary – a time when all Guyanese are happy and proud, a time of reflection and a time to celebrate, the indigenous peoples’ rights are being trampled

upon, being marginalised, stifled and suppressed by the operations of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) local office.

I wish to draw attention to resources that were supposed to be made available to indigenous peoples through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) – approximately US$300,000. Over two years have elapsed since the signing of the agreement and the IDB is still sorting out implementation modalities.

This delay and withholding of benefits to the Amerindian peoples of this country, I am afraid, is unacceptable to Guyana’s indigenous peoples and more so in breach of the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) of which Guyana is a signatory. I am, therefore, appealing to the United Nations’ human rights bodies to investigate this clear breach of indigenous peoples’ rights in Guyana by the IDB by withholding and delaying

benefits due to us by way of REDD+ preparation activities.

My fellow Amerindians, there is no independence celebration for us. The IDB still thinks of us as being primitive people not worthy of priority while they enjoy the good life (air conditioned office and highly paid salaries), we are being made to beg for the next meal for our own survival.

My fellow Amerindians, let us join forces together in unity. If the IDB cannot give us what is due for us, they must go. We cannot and must not tolerate injustice and suppression of our rights. United Nations (UN) and the Government of Guyana (GOG), please do something about this, since as Amerindians we want our independence. Best wishes to President Granger and the people of Guyana on our 50th Independence anniversary.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

It is truly not easy to steal...

The needs of the domestic aviation operators have been superseded by those of the international operators.

We are hearing of plans to extend the runway even further to accommodate more international aircraft whilst nine operators have to share one small, narrow, winding taxiway to the runway. This is on the side of the Airport where several additional leases are being considered. In addition to the already congested taxiway increasing the operational cost of the disenfran-

chised operators, there are serious safety implications that both the international and domestic bodies should be concerned about.

We at NATA make no promises to anyone to remain silent on matters affecting our members.

We have rights and we shall exercise them. These include approaching the courts of Guyana to address grievances. We have also exercised our rights to appeal to the higher courts.

The matter of the manipu-

from page 5

lation of the shares of OAI is before the courts and we will not argue that case in the media.

But the fact remains that Ogle Airport is, as Minister Patterson correctly stated, a national asset. It is truly not easy to steal an airport in broad daylight.

Respectfully, Annette ArjoonMartins President National Air Transport Association (NATA)

US spied on Mandela and Jagan Dear Editor, Reports in the British media say the American CIA spied on iconic Nelson Mandela and provided information to the racist White apartheid regime to have the Black leader arrested. Last Sunday, London Sunday Times described the revelation made by the CIA spy in having Mandela arrested as a “bombshell disclosure”. The paper said the “former CIA agent has finally confirmed what the world has long suspected: the US agency was behind the arrest that put Nelson Mandela in prison for 27 years”.

The CIA has had a reputation of undermining nationalist movements and spying on independence and freedom fighters to keep tabs on their activities so as to delay freedom of these colonies. As it did to Mandela, the CIA is known to have spied on British Guiana’s Dr Cheddi Jagan and other leaders in the colony (as well as leaders in other colonies) and passed on information to the British authorities to have Jagan, his wife, Janet, and other independence leaders arrested as

a means of destroying the independence movement. The CIA supported Burnham who became an ally of imperialists.

At the time of Mandela’s August 1962 arrest, the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union was at its height following the Cuban missile crisis and the rise to power of a democratic Jagan communist Government in British Guiana. Reports note that “the CIA had eyes on various regions of the globe where they saw communism as a growing threat, including Cuba, East Germany, China, Laos, Cambodia, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Vietnam. The US intelligence community regarded communism as the biggest threat to democracy at the time, and believed that any spread of Soviet power would compromise the country’s safety”.

Because of America’s anti-communist position, “President Ronald Reagan had placed the ANC on a terrorism watch list in the 1980s – and Mandela required special permission to visit the US during and after his 1994 to 1999 presidency. He was fi-

nally removed from the list in 2008”. Our own Jagan and his wife, Janet were on a similar list as the Americans did whatever was required to keep Jagan out of office; Burnham and the PNC were agents of imperialism and anti- revolutionary.

Mandela was the leader of the anti-apartheid resistance movement in South Africa similar to how Jagan was leader of the peaceful revolutionary movement in Guyana. The British media reported that “a CIA agent and the spy agency, known for its anti-leftist activities and anti-nationalist activities, “played a ‘key role’ in the arrest of Mandela‚ which subsequently led to his trial and imprisonment for almost 28 years”. Ironically, the CIA kept Jagan out of office for almost 28 years.

According to the CIA spy Donald Rickard, who worked under the title of Deputy Consular General to obtain diplomatic immunity, the CIA kept tabs on Mandela’s movement. Rickard said he helped track down Mandela because the CIA viewed him as “the world’s most danger-

ous communist”.

Last March 30‚ Rickard said: “We were teetering on the brink here and it had to be stopped‚ which meant Mandela had to be stopped.

And I put a stop to it.”

Rickard said he learnt Mandela was on his way to Natal, travelling between Johannesburg and Durban.

He was dressed as a chauffeur.

“I found out when he was coming down and how he was coming... that’s where I was involved and that’s where Mandela was caught.”

The former spy didn’t explain how he received the information on Mandela’s whereabouts. But he said he believed Mandela was “completely under the control of the Soviet Union, a toy of the communists” and was about “to incite” the people of Natal into a mass rebellion against the apartheid regime.

Rickard defended the arrest of Mandela saying the racist White regime, which was being supported by the US and Britain, would have collapsed and been taken over by communists unless America came to the rescue of

the racists. “And I put a stop to it.”

Since the revelation, there have been calls for the CIA to come clean about its relationship with the apartheid government and Mandela’s arrest.

Mandela’s eldest grandson, now an ANC MP, told reporters in response to the latest revelation: “Whilst we were always aware of the West’s role in overt and covert support for the apartheid state, (this) disclosure has put an end to decades of

denial revealing the fact that the USA put its imperial interests above the struggle for liberation of millions of people. We call on freedom loving people of the world to come out in condemnation of this betrayal of our nation, the peoples of Southern Africa and all who suffered as a consequence of the USA’s support for the brutal apartheid state.”

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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thursday, may 19, 2016

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Foundation

Early adolescence, loss of confidence, and fear of trying – separating from childhood and letting go of childish things can cause insecurity

By Carl E Pickhardt, PhD

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he parents were perplexed. “Our Sixth Grader was adventurous and enthusiastic about new experiences in elementary school. That’s how we’ve always known her. But now she’s suddenly become more cautious and hesitant. She often refuses to attempt something new, even activities that we know she’d like. It’s so frustrating to see! Why is she afraid of trying?”

In early adolescence (usually beginning in late elementary school), loss of confidence and fear of trying can go hand in hand. Consider possible reasons why.

When a girl or boy enters adolescence, they usually announce this change in words and actions that seem to say: “I am no longer content to be defined and treated as just a child anymore!”

The old childhood identity no longer feels sufficient or satisfactory. Beginning to detach from childhood and parents, it’s an awkward time.

The young person knows how he no longer wants to be defined, but doesn’t yet have an alternative definition to fit in its place.

Unsettled and restless for change, there’s a lot to figure out and practise. It was easier to feel confident in the smaller, sheltered, simpler, and more secure world of childhood, still embedded in the family circle, than in the rapidly expanding and more demanding world of adolescence outside of home.

Having to grow forth into this less protected, more com-

guyana-times.com

plex, and daunting older arena of life experience, there is a sense of uncertainty and anxiety. In addition, there is a new social constraint at work: playmates to simply have fun with in childhood have become peers to fit in and keep up with in adolescence.

Thus, most young people encounter loss of confidence that for a while can be expressed in a fear of trying as adolescence gets underway.

Introduced to these fears many years ago when I first started counselling in a junior high school, I still hear them expressed when counselling today. Consider what a number of fears of trying might be.

Fear of Failing: of not performing well enough Fear of Visibility: of public exposure Fear of Judgment: of criticism Fear of Embarrassment: of being laughed at Fear of Rejection: of being refused Fear of Disappointment: of being let down Fear of Defeat: of losing Fear of Injury: of getting hurt Fear of Surprise: of the unexpected Fear of Exclusion: of not socially belonging Fear of Success: of ongoing

achievement pressure Myriad are the fears of trying that can beset young people as the age of growing up begins. And myriad are the frustrations of parents observing a young person’s reluctance to try what she or he has not done before or is not naturally good at. Seeing potential for growth of adolescent capacity and experience, parents can become exasperated when they see hesitation and timidity slow development down. “If you would just go to the school dance with your friends, we know you would have a good time!”

“No way!” is the young person’s answer, basing this deci-

sion on social risks he does not yet feel ready to take. Parents might want to treat early adolescent trying for what it often is: an act of courage in the face of many possible fears. It may be easier to empathise if they remember how trying something new requires learning, and that learning itself at this vulnerable age can be risky in at least five ways.

First, you may have to declare ignorance: “I’ll show I don’t know.”

Second, you may have to make mistakes: “I won’t get it right the first time.”

Third, you may have to look foolish: “Other people can

see me mess up.”

Fourth, you may feel stupid: “I’ll end up acting dumb!”

Fifth, you may get evaluated: “Doing badly will hurt my reputation.” Parents can support effort at this anxious early adolescent age by empathising with fear and putting the risks of trying and learning in a positive context, particularly when the process feels painful or the outcome is unwanted. So a parent offers this perspective to a 13-year-old who just failed to make the starting cut. “I know this is disheartening after you worked so hard. But maybe you could treat your disappointment not with sadness, but with respect. As far as I’m concerned, you should be proud of yourself. I believe that if a person doesn’t fail sometimes that just means they’re not trying hard enough. Good for you for getting out there and giving it a go! And you might consider this. In a way, effort matters more than outcome because in most cases, the first you can control, but the second you can’t. So focus on effort, and let the outcome take care of itself.”

Finally, there is this. If you interview entering Sixth Graders and graduating Eighth Graders about selfconfidence, what I have found is usually this. Because of growth from trying much that is new in spite of their fears, these acts of daring (or courage, if you will) have resulted in an amazing transformation. Compared to insecure Sixth Graders, some Eighth graders, flush with hardearned confidence, can seem downright arrogant. (psychologyto-

day.com)

4

keys to resolving conflict with your child

By Daniel L Shapiro

M

ost parents know the nightly ritual: You read your child a bedtime story, say “lights out,” and then brace for the storm of “I do not want to go to bed!!!” Night after night, parents suffer from this same malady, until we finally lose that last sliver of patience and snap back at our child with some not-sonice words. Our child eventually falls asleep, but we lay awake worrying about what we said and wondering whether we may just be the sing l e

worst p a r ent in the world.

You’re not. In reality, every parent and child fight – and a whole new set of tools offers powerful methods to resolve conflict, whether you are struggling to put your four-year-old to sleep or tussling with your teenager over screen time. Here are four crucial guidelines: Don’t fall into “vertigo” Perhaps no relationship in life is as intense as that between parent and child.

So as conflict intensifies, you risk having the tension emo-

tionally consume you, to the extent that you can think of nothing else in your life. I call this experience vertigo, for you feel like the world is spinning out of control. Every time you try to regain focus, your child makes a new demand on you or a child lobs a punch at a sibling, pulling you one step further into that emotional swirl.

The best way to break out of vertigo is to avoid getting into it. As tensions escalate, ask yourself one critical question: “Do I really want to get caught up in this conflict?” Most likely, the answer will be no.

So take a moment to regain per-

spect i v e : Take a deep breath and imagine yourself an hour from now, alone in the shower or in your bed relaxing and reading a book. Or imagine yourself on the moon looking down at your interaction.

Is it really worth getting so worked up over your kid’s bedtime? Probably not.

Appreciate your child’s concerns. We parents tend to think that we know all the right answers, especially when we are in arguments with our children. But just because we have power over our children doesn’t mean that there is no validity to their perspectives. Children often have a good rationale motivating their behaviour, and it pays to take the time to inquire, listen, and try to understand. When your 10-yearold starts shouting that you treat him unfairly, don’t just defend your behaviour. Ask why he thinks that way. He may be jealous of the leniency you show in disciplining his younger brothers, or he may be making a call for more attention.

Give your child some autonomy. Imagine how disempowering it can feel to be a child: Your parents tell you what time to wake up, what to eat, when to sleep, and even how to talk.

Unsurprisingly, then, children want some freedom to determine their own destiny. So the next time your child asks if she can stay up an extra half hour, don’t just say no. Ask why. Listen to her reason, and give her a choice: “If you stay up later tonight, you will have to go to bed earlier tomorrow night.

Which do you want?” (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

to be continue

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7

THURsday, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Mahaicony rice farmers facing challenges – renew call for subsidies, Govt assistance ... “We need some help to go back into the field” – rice farmers

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

W

ith the collapse of the lucrative PetroCaribe (rice for oil) Venezuela deal last year, the challenges faced within the rice industry have been significant. With this in mind, farmers have reiterated calls for the deal to return as it would likely increase their earnings in price per bag of paddy.

On Thursday, rice farmers of Branch Road, Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) told Guyana Times that for the past few crops, they have not been able to achieve any substantial profits from the

lot. For 2014, we didn’t get paid… then we get to turn over lil bit and we tek loan,” Mrs Ally explained. She also stated that while some payments have been paid by rice mills in the area, they still owed we.”

Her husband pointed out that it was because of his financial woes that his wife was forced to help in his operations. He stated further that he cannot afford to employ other workmen.

Another farmer, Deonarine Sasenarine said he would usually plant 150 acres but will not plant any for the upcoming crop because of the low prices in the industry.

who has planted rice for over 30 years, called on Government to provide assistance for fertiliser and seed paddy. It was explained that the dry weather patterns damaged much of the acreage which would hamper the ability for farmers to obtain seed paddy to go in the next crop.

To this end, many farmers said that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder should meet with them to address their concerns.

Meanwhile, the family members of some farmers also told this publication that Government subsidies on fertilisers and equipment are necessary for their

Rice farmers Shamila Ally, Shrawan Kumar, Deonarine Sesnarine, Astraf Ally

industry. Astraf and his wife, Shamila Ally said that they lost “a lot” since the deal was abruptly ended.

“We bust a lot from that and the [miller] owe we a

At present, rice farmers are receiving between $1800 and $2000 per bag of paddy and many have said that this is not profitable.

Meanwhile, Kevil Vox,

survival.

“We need a better price, we need some help to go back into the field, because right now it very hard on farmers, right now the mill-

City vendors complain...

One of the vendors related that the Council had “barged” into her stall and removed her umbrella which was used to protect her items from discoloration caused by the sun.

She accused the Market Clerk, Stanley Lovell of wilfully plotting against the vendors for unknown reasons.

“Mr Lovell is going on with wicked things towards the people out here; we need something to be done about this. He is just sitting in his office and making demands without even thinking about the vendors.”

Holding back tears, an elderly vendor explained her plight in light of the decision by the Council to restrict the use of umbrellas. She noted that over the years, she had been a victim of the torment of the Council which has put a strain on her business and livelihood.

The woman said with this move, vendors now have another burden of trying to protect their goods so they were not damaged.

She noted the alternative of using tarpaulin to cover the goods given by the Council was anti-business.

“We need to display our items so we can’t use any cloth to cover it. We have to use our umbrellas. This is very unfair to us and we will not let it rest here,” the el-

derly vendor remarked The vendors are calling on the Government to consider the plight of “poor people” who are trying to survive in Guyana and rescind this decision.

Jubilee restrictions

Meanwhile, vendors also condemned a Governmentimposed restriction on vending for the Jubilee Float Parade and flag raising events.

On Wednesday, the National Commemoration Committee announced that vending would only be done on May 26 under the condition that the vendors register their stalls between Wednesday and Friday of this week, on a “first come, first sold” basis.

Vendors were urged to register with the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, before 15:45h on Friday.

The vendors are furious over the decision by the Government, since it was customary for them to ply their trade during parades, a time when retail businesses blossom.

They told Guyana Times that the constant changes being implemented by the Government were significantly hindering their businesses.

The vendors related that

from page 3

they had respected the decision by the Government to have the Republic Day float parade shifted to May 26 for the grand Independence celebration, but this was accepted under the position that every aspect of the parade remained the same.

One vendor, Akeem Peters indicated that selling beverages was his only means of livelihood and he usually looked forward to the increased sales during the float parade.

“When this parade comes, all my stocks sell out and I have to go back and buy just because sales are so much. Now I heard we have to register, and I don’t agree to this. What if we don’t have the time to register, what we, the poor people, are going to do then?” Peters questioned.

Another vendor vented her frustration at the move by the Government, describing it as “inconsiderate”.

“This move doesn’t make any sense in my opinion. All the Government doing is teaming up with City Hall against us. I would expect them to have our interest at heart, but all they are doing is taking away our sales, this is unfair,” the woman alleged.

Other vendors also expressed disagreement with the announcement.

Women suffering as a result of the rice crisis

ers owe we a set of money and we can’t go back into the field,” noted Tajwantie Ramotar.

She also noted that children are being affected.

“It affect de children dem very bad because [they can’t go to school] and you need money to send them… [they] got exam to write and you got to get money to buy the text books,” Ramotar further explained.

“We need the President to look into this, right now we nah get no proper price – $2000 a bag of paddy can’t pay, you got to pay operator, and [workers] to fetch your paddy,” noted Feroza Hussein.

“We need some help to go back into the field and

we need we money to…” was the call they echoed to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.

“Rice farmer ah feed this country and they supposed to stand up for [us]... we need help man, this can’t work out,” another woman shouted.

In a recent presentation to the National Assembly, shadow Finance Minister Irfaan Ali called for the removal of taxes and duties on fuel for the industry, and the removal of all taxes and duties on machinery, equipment and spares.

Though the PetroCaribe deal was due for expiration in November of 2015, Venezuela axed the rice deal months before the of-

ficial due date. However, Government had said in March that the Spanishspeaking nation may still be purchasing Guyana’s rice, but through neighbouring Suriname.

The PetroCaribe deal was sealed by then President Bharrat Jagdeo and late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Under this deal, Guyana was required to pay upfront a percentage of the cost of fuel acquired from Venezuela, with the balance, which was placed in the PetroCaribe Fund at the Bank of Guyana, being treated as a loan repayable over 23 years, with a twoyear grace period and two per cent interest.

8 news

thursDAY, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Essequibo smash-up

Driver slapped with 4 counts of causing death by dangerous driving

Eyew tness Feral...

N

T

Accused driver: Glenford Stephen

Dead: Gavin Lawrie

wenty-six-year-old Glensford Stephen, a father of two of Dartmouth Village, Essequibo Coast, was on Wednesday slapped with four counts of causing by dangerous driving when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on May 13, 2016, the defendant drove minibus BRR 3943, in a manner dangerous to

offence.

He pointed out to the Court that an additional eight persons were still hospitalised as a result of the accident. As such, Stephen was remanded to prison.

The case will continue on June 8, 2016.

According to reports about 23:00h on May 13, Stephen who was driving his minibus was heading south along the Richmond Public Road when he collid-

the public thereby causing the death of Gavin Lawrie, 19; Levon Grey, 45; Esan Cornette, 19 and Stefon Benn, 19.

The driver was represented by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, who requested that reasonable bail be granted to the defendant.

However, Police Prosecutor Khemraj Ramsewack objected to bail, citing the prevalence and the seriousness of the

Dead Esan Cornette

ed with a 212 blue car, PMM 5867, which was heading north. At the time of the accident, the minibus had 16 passengers while the car was driven by the deceased Gavin Lawrie, and had four passengers.

The accident has thus far claimed four lives.

...youths? o. Your Eyewitness isn’t talking about the lady who famously issued the “feral blast” heard all the way in Washington DC! He’s actually wondering about the nature of the five youths who bound, duct-taped, robbed and killed Prof Perry Mars in his home. A few years ago, when staid, proper London was overrun by marauding bands of youths – like the ones who snuffed out Mars’ life – the Home Secretary described them as a “feral underclass”.

They’ve got no ambitions beyond living in the fast lane with all the material appurtenances of the “in crowd” they see on the television. They don’t intend to work for the aforesaid bling, designer clothes and sports-star sneakers. That’d be infra dig. In fact, robbing others to bedeck themselves is part of the lifestyle and charm.

There’ll be all sorts of sociological, psychological and anthropological theories thrown out as to what “caused” these young people to do what they did. We already heard about one of the girls (17) thrown out of her home for “misbehaving” and being allowed to live with her boyfriend (16) at his home. With the permission of his mother!! What kind of mother allows two kids to set up house when neither of them’s working? How’d she expect them to get money for their food – much less the clothes and stuff?

Back in London, it was found that most of the young looters were repeat offenders – who’d been given “second chances” by the system. But how does the “system” expect them to change their ways when they’ve gotten no reorientation, no training and no motivation to change their lifestyle. It wasn’t as if there weren’t jobs. But the British youths refused them as too “low paying” – and were filled by Eastern European youths who’d arrived to make a living. The “feral youths” expected life to be handed to them on a platter, with a cherry on top!

What’s creating these feral youths here, is the same bleeding heart claptrap being peddled in Britain and elsewhere. The youths and others are OWED the good life. And they’ll, therefore, take it BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. These youths couldn’t care less that Professor Mars was a man who’d tried to understand his society and his people and tried to do what he could to help them. That he taught “Black Social and Political Thought” at University.

Even more ironic was that Perry Mars’ wife – Dr Joan Mars – had written one of those analyses explaining why young people like the five who killed her husband do what they do.

Her book piece was called “Postcolonial Policing and the Subculture of Violence in Guyana.”

...politicians While we have the “feral underclass”, it would appear we also have a “feral overclass” – some of the new politicians just plunked into office. They’re not as physically violent – but they’re just as amoral.

Now you’d think with all the “talk” they threw on the departed PPP worthies –- and that’s all it appears to be with not a soul even charged after 30 audits – the new kids on the block would’ve been a bit more circumspect with their shenanigans, nuh?

Take the US decorated hero of the gold-bushes girls – “I is” Broomes, now moved from Labour to Natural Resources. She was already cited for owning mining lands she’d leased to a major mining company. That’s not a conflict of interest? Folks gave her the benefit of the doubt.

Now it’s revealed – “revealed” – not “announced voluntarily” as the seemingly still-born Code of Conduct demands – that the Minister’s daughter, who’s a foreign student, was given a permit to operate the Minister’s gold dredge.

Still no conflict? Maybe the gold bush brings out the “feral” in people. ...City Hall Why’s Royston King so down on vendors? Your Eyewitness doesn’t mind him clearing up Stabroek Market Square. But can’t he fix up some of the empty stalls inside and “regularise” the vendors?

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

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9

THURSday, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

$114M recovered as No power struggle cracks down within PPP – Jagdeo GRA on smuggled goods … says Committee yet to decide on Congress

R

esponding to mounting concerns over the holding of the Party’s General Congress, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Central and Executive Member Bharrat Jagdeo has declared that he really does not care when it happens.

“Frankly speaking, if it’s held tomorrow or next year, I don’t care, it does not make a difference to me.

Whether it’s held tomorrow or next year, what will change?” Jagdeo remarked during a news conference on Wednesday at Freedom House, Robb Street.

According to the Party’s constitution, a General Congress is to be held this year during which Party members will be afforded the opportunity to discuss a number of issues as well as nominate and elect new leaders.

Much debate has erupted in the public domain over this event and an apparent clash among the Party leadership over the next presidential candidate.

But Jagdeo insisted that there is no such struggle within the Party.

“The whole issue about the PPP and the so-called internal problem, I believe that APNU [A Partnership for National Unity] and the coalition have taken such a hammering about their coalition and their partnership, that there are some

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

people who are interested, some people in the media, some directed by the Prime Minister…so they are trying to foment that there is something comparable…then they go…and try to make an issue where there is none,” he explained.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee had told media operatives that the Party’s Executive Committee would consider a date for the Congress, and afterwards, the Central Committee would discuss and determine the final date.

Rohee, a member of the Central Committee, said he did not want to pre-judge the decision taken by the Committee.

Nonetheless, he ex-

plained that the constitution of the Party stipulated that only the Central Committee could postpone the Congress.

“It doesn’t have to give any specific reasons why they are postponing the Congress…The members themselves would discuss among and determine whether they would hold it this year or not,” he stated.

However, Jagdeo disclosed that the Committee was yet to meet and discuss the matter.

In the meantime, the Opposition Leader noted that the PPP/Civic was working on developing its structure to include younger faces, more women and people of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Reports of a brewing power struggle within the PPP/C camp are nothing new.

The issue was resurrected recently after an article published in one of the local dailies stated that there was a rift among senior executive members over who should be the presidential candidate for the next General and Regional Elections.

The information was credited to a “source”; apparently, some members are rooting for former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali while others are backing former Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

The article also pointed out that former President and Opposition Leader Jagdeo has his mind set on serving a third term as President after former Chief Justice Ian Chang (ag) ruled that the two-term presidential term-limit was unconstitutional.

Asked about his plans for 2020 (when the next General and Regional Elections are slated to be held), Jagdeo said he would disclose those on a later date as he was yet to decide.

It is also rumoured that Rohee has presidential aspirations; however, when previously queried on this, the General Secretary declined to comment.

A

s the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues with its efforts to fight smuggling, its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) has managed to recoup over a hundred million dollars from un-customed goods, the revenue collection agency announced.

According to the Revenue collection body, some $114 million in revenues were recovered during anti-smuggling exercises over the past months.

“For the period January to April, 2016, LEID, through its planned activities, has been able to recoup in excess of one hundred and fourteen million dollars ($114,000,000). These exercises continue to unearth a significant quantity of commonly smuggled items, which include foreign imported chicken, mosquito coils that are banned and motor vehicles,” the GRA said in a statement Wednesday.

The Authority pointed out that several defaulters were identified for the first time, while there are several repeated offenders who were also netted in these exercises. The penalties levied against those repeat offenders are the payment of triple the value of the duties.

Moreover, the GRA announced an increase in similar exercises as the Regional Operations launched its countrywide compliance campaign.

“Even as LEID continues its operations, the Regional Operations has begun a countrywide compliance campaign with the aim of ensuring all businesses or persons who are required to pay taxes are complying with all necessary requirements in terms of licences etc,” the body noted.

Additionally, the GRA revealed that during the compliance campaign, a large number of businesses were discovered to be non-compliant. These business owners were informed of their shortcomings and officers from the Authority are expected to make follow-up visits to ensure that they have rectified their status.

Meanwhile, the compliance campaign is ongoing and persons are being encouraged to visit the GRA and get their relevant documentation in order.

The revenue collection agency also noted that in addition to the efforts of LEID and the Regional Operations, the Communication and Tax Advisory Services Division will also be continuing its public awareness campaign.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, may 19, 2016

News

PPP welcomes inquest into assassination of Satyadeo Sawh … Jagdeo says Police knew the killers

B

oth Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Clement Rohee welcome President David Granger’s commitment to establish a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2006 assassination of then Agriculture Minister Satyadeo “Sash” Sawh.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

On April 22, 2006, Sawh, his sister Phulmattie Persaud, his brother Rajpat Rai Sawh and security guard Curtis Robertson were killed by heavily armed men who invaded his La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara home.

Jagdeo, who was Head of

State at the time, had committed to seeking external assistance to aid in the investigation; however, this never materialised.

When questioned by media operatives on Wednesday, Jagdeo admitted that he had little recollection of how the matter panned out.

“I don’t recall all the details but no, we did not get all the help we wanted and the Police told me that they knew who the killers were and they do have statements from a few people and I hope those statements have not disappeared…,” the former Head of State said.

Jagdeo added that he has “no problem” with the inquest, however the Police should present all the information they had gathered during their investigation.

Just last week, the Opposition Party’s General Secretary had also supported the decision to launch an inquest. “Oh, we welcome it.

They’re in Government now, they’re free to open any investigation or set up any Board of Inquiry (BoI) or any Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigation any matter…,” Rohee stated.

During his weekly podcast, ‘The Public Interest’,

Former Agriculture Minister Satyadeo “Sash” Sawh

President Granger disclosed that a blood relative had approached him and appealed for an inquiry into Sawh’s murder.

He noted that a Commission of Inquiry will be launched in due course, as a part of a bigger investigation into a series of extrajudicial killings that plagued the nation.

In September last, Granger disclosed that moves were already afoot to ensure the requisite framework was in place to begin these investigations in the extrajudicial killings.

“We are looking at that right now to ensure that once we get going, every death that is reported we get to investigate,” he had stated.

Later, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had revealed that Government may even reopen cold cases.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, during an interview with Guyana Times in September last, had confirmed that a Cold Case Unit would be established, sometime this year.

But while Government is bent on launching inquiries into several deaths as far back as the 2000, the PPP/C parliamentary Opposition had raised concerns about

the time period earmarked for investigations.

Jagdeo had accused the Government of being selective, for its own reasons.

Former President Donald Ramotar, in an invited comment in September, had also indicated that the investigations should not stop at the year 2000.

“If the Government is serious about this probe, they must go as far back as the 1970s and they must probe all of the high-profile and ordinary extrajudicial killings,” he stated Reports indicate that if the time period is pended, the Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, who was implicated in one of the

high-profile murder cases in the 1990s, could find himself facing the courts in relation to the death of Kerry France.

Also, an investigation could be launched into the death of Monica Reece if the probe’s timeframe is widened.

Reece, who was a 19-yearold security guard, became known to all Guyanese after her body was dumped from a speeding pickup in the vicinity of the Geddes Grant building (now Courts) on Main Street, Georgetown on April 9, 1993.

More than a decade after the incident, the crime remains unsolved.

Police Constable to be charged with Sisters Village fatal accident

T

he Police Constable who is allegedly responsible for causing the death of 10-year-old Devin Sealey on the Sister’s Village Public Road, West Bank Demerara, is expected to make his first court appearance today at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.

The Police rank was charged with driving under the influence and causing death by dangerous driving.

Both charges stemmed from the fatal accident which occurred on Sunday last.

Ten-year-old Sealey of Lot 904 Sister’s Village, WBD, was reportedly struck by the Policeman who was driving his motorcar bearing registration number PLL 222. According to reports, the Police rank was highly intoxicated and would have lost control of his motorcar while negotiating a turn in the vicinity of the Wales

Dead: Devin Sealey

Police Station.

As a result, he slammed into a park motorcar with registration plates PGG 5099, then struck the lad before coming to a halt after colliding with a utility pole.

The child reportedly was flung into the air and landed on the roadway. From the

impact and the fall, Sealey would have suffered broken arms and legs among other injuries.

He was picked up and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The Policeman however, would have also received injuries and was admitted a patient at the said hospital.

He was discharged on Tuesday and based on information reaching this newspaper, he would have given his colleagues a detailed statement about the fateful night.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination performed of the lad’s body proved that he died from multiple injuries. The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Ezikiel Funeral Home, Vreed-en-Hoop, WBD.

Premature baby of 'braindead' 17-year-old succumbs ... doctors lose hope in teen’s recovery – Dr Norton

T

he 28-week-old premature baby delivered by a 17-year-old girl via Cesarean Section at the Georgetown Public Hospital has died, while doctors have given up hope of the critically-ill teenager of surviving, health authorities have confirmed.

The baby passed away on Wednesday, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton confirmed. Meanwhile, Dr Norton, said that the teenager who is brain-dead, remains on life support, but doctors at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), have lost hope she will recover from the damage caused by the pregnancy.

“It is just a question of time before she starts

to reject the life support machine,” Dr Norton told Guyana Times on Wednesday.

However, he explained that due to the absence of legislation in Guyana where the plug of the life support machine can be pulled, the teen will have to endure the phase leading up to her passing.

According to the Minister, the doctors have already met with the young woman’s family and informed them of the casualties surrounding her medical condition and what they can expect.

During a recent interview with the teen’s mother, she had explained that she was told by doctors that the cause of her daughter’s con-

dition was due to an ailment she was born with, known as Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AMV), which is the connection of a vein to a weak cell in the brain.

As the child grows older, the chances of succumbing to the ailment also increased, since any slight pressure could cause the vein to rupture, leading to haemorrhaging and stroke.

The woman said that after the teen became pregnant and would constantly vomit, the cell broke and the bleeding began. The teen then experienced a stroke on the right side of her body 28 weeks into the pregnancy. However, an emergency Caesarean (C-Section) was done to save the teen’s unborn child.

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thursDAY, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

GAWU supports cash-strapped GuySuCo bailout A

s the cash woes of the sugar industry deepen, calls for another bailout to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) have been made by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

In an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, President of GAWU Komal Chand said the fact that GuySuCo is a State-run enterprise; he is in agreement for Government to appropriate additional funds to provide assistance to the struggling company.

Chand suggested that bearing in mind the size and importance of the industry, it should not be allowed to fail. “[The union is] very much supportive of the Government assisting the ailing sugar industry which we all agree is too big to fail.

The industry is owned by the State – the Government having all the shares of the industry” “We are calling on the Government to assist the industry as is required from

GAWU President Komal Chand

time to time [and] we also wish to remind the public that the industry in the better days [did] make a contribution to the treasury [especially from 1976 to 1996] when $ 60 billion was made available through the sugar levy,” Chand noted.

While the GAWU President declined to comment on the impact of the near 30,000 tonnes shortfall in the sugar industry’s most recent crop, he observed that the second crop is on target.

“We understand from the Chairman that the second crop will be on target,” the GAWU President noted in reference to the 159,243 tonnes as projected

by GuySuCo for the second crop.

After a review of the first crop for 2016, the Sugar Corporation announced that it experienced a shortfall of 29.3 per cent with actual production of 56,825 tonnes compared with a budget of 80,270 tonnes. While GuySuCo stated that an audit is underway, it also advised that it is not expected that the final figure would “vary significantly”.

The Sugar Corporation attributed the short fall to the El Niño weather conditions which it said “severely dried out the canes” which led to constrained cane growth and reduced sugar content.

“The shortfall is bound to have significant financial implications for an already cash-strapped industry. It would therefore necessitate management considering further strategies for re-or-

Newly-constructed Wismar road ends at REO’s residence

would look in to addressing the deplorable state of the town’s thoroughfares.

The deplorable state of the raod

R

esidents of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) say they want answers as to who made a decision to end the area’s access road in front of the home of

was only allocated the construction of 10 roads, so Block 22 was “fortunate to have one”.

Many residents are questioning the authenticity of the Council since the road has ended just at the

The completed section of the roadway

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Gavin Clarke.

Residents say they have waited years for a “proper” road and now that it has been constructed, it is only benefiting a selected few.

One resident Owen DeSouza disclosed he have contacted the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian who told him Region 10

residence of the REO. “I think he just push for this road so it could accommodate him. You don’t see is right where he live the road end?” one resident queried.

The road was constructed shortly after First Lady Sandra Granger visited the community and reassured the residents that she

ganisation of the industry with a view of making the Corporation a viable business entity,” a statement from GuySuCo added.

Chairman of GuySuCo, Dr Clive Thomas has reportedly opined that the Corporation would need another bailout, as over 60 per cent of its allocations were utilised. According to reports, the Chairman is of the

view that the Corporation has no other choice than to appeal for a new bail-out While Dr Thomas did not specify exactly how much funds are being sought, Government has not publicly consented to another bail-out for the cashstrapped industry. It was only on Friday last that sugar workers attached to the Wales Estate were set to en-

gage in protest action after GuySuCo was late in issuing salaries. Guyana Times learnt that after workers made these threats, the Sugar Corporation hurriedly procured the funds to issue payments.

In January, central government transferred to GuySuCo, some $9 billion to assist in its operations.

12 news

THURSDay, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Ogle Airport renaming

Arjoon-Martins, Gouveia accused of breaking oath

A

s the war of words continues over the recently-renamed Ogle International Airport to the Eugene F Correia International Airport (EFCIA), President and Vice President of the National Air Transport Association (NATA), Annette ArjoonMartins and Captain Gerry Gouveia, are being criticised by the Airport’s management for dishonouring an

Officer (CEO) of the Ogle Airport Inc (OAI), Anthony Meckdeci described as “thoroughly disgraceful” the decision by Arjoon-Martins and Gouveia, who he said “continuously and repeatedly dishonoured and violated their undertaking in a calculated and deliberate attempt, through the media to mount a publicity campaign obviously designed to prejudice the review undertaken

President and Vice President of the National Air Transport Association Annette Arjoon-Martins and Captain Gerry Gouveia

oath taken to stay clear of any announcements through the media during the course of a ministerial review of the facility’s operations.

Both Gouveia and Arjoon-Martins have accused Chairman of Ogle Airport Inc, Michael Correia, of manipulating the Airport shares and running the facility as if it was his private business.

However, in a strongly-worded statement on Tuesday, Chief Executive

by the Ministry”.

Meckdeci explained that in November 2015, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson met with the Executive of NATA where a number of issues regarding the Airport’s operations were raised.

The following day, Patterson discussed these concerns with the management of the transport facility and announced his decision to commission an independent legal review of

the Ogle Lease Agreement.

According to the CEO, Patterson subsequently wrote to Correia on December 29, 2015, confirming that his Ministry had commenced the review to “aid in the clarification of the rights and obligations of the parties to the Agreement and form the basis of determining the way forward as regards to the proper implementation of the Agreement”.

Meckdeci said Patterson had asked both OAI and NATA officials to desist to make public comments until the review was completed.

“Ms Arjoon-Martins’ most recent letter published in the media on 13th May is particularly offensive because it clearly sets out to comment on and prejudice the substantive matter which remains before the court.”

Mekdeci also accused Arjoon-Martins of misrepresent and prejudice the review by claiming that the Minister had started the process of remedial action such as the review of the Master Lease between the Government and the Airport.

“The Minister has given no such indication. The Minister has not undertaken to remedy anything. He has undertaken, without bias, to review the Lease Agreement with Ogle Airport Inc,” the CEO said.

Airport expansion

Meckdeci

said

while

Arjoon-Martins’ Air Services Ltd and Gouveia’s Roraima Airways Ltd started off as equal shareholders, they were unwilling to share in the investment obligation of the Agreement, preferring, instead, to invest their money in their own facilities at the airport.

He said contrary to the claims of manipulating the shareholding of Ogle Airport Inc, Michael Correia’s Trans Guyana Airways chose to meet the greater burden of the financial obligations imposed by the Lease Agreement, while the other companies reneged on those obligations.

“The truth is, as Mr Correia pointed out in his presentation at the naming of the airport on Monday last, there would be no international airport today at Ogle, if Mr Correia did not honour his investment obligation and put in his money. Those operators who complain today, largely because they resent the increased regulatory requirements of operating on an International Airport, would be operating at a much greater cost and making less profit if they were operating out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport,” he said.

He said irrespective of the shareholdings in the Airport, the decisions of the Board of OAI have always been by consensus.

The Board, over the past 15 years, has always been elected at Annual General Meetings by one person exercising one vote, and not by the majority shareholder exercising its right to vote its shares.

Mabaruma Mayor functioning despite court order

D

espite a High Court order quashing his appointment, Rupert Henry Smith continues to execute the functions of Mayor, reports reaching Guyana Times suggest.

After Communities Minister Ronald Bulkhan named Smith as the Mayor of Mabaruma – a community where the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) gained equal number of seats – the PPP/C moved to the High Court to challenge the Minister’s action which violated the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01.

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

Justice Diana Insanally heard the matter and nullified Bulkhan’s appointment.

However, Regional Chairperson of Region One (Barima-Waini) Sarah Browne told Guyana Times that Smith continues to occupy the Mayor’s Office. She said residents of Mabaruma are concerned as Smith is going into communities to engage them on issues.

Browne further explained that on numerous occasions, Government officials visited the town and addressed Smith as the Mayor of Mabaruma even though this is not his designation.

“Most recently, Member of Parliament Christopher Jones paid a visit here and he addressed Smith as the Mayor even as this is not so... Also it is important to note that when Smith is interacting with the public asking them of their issues, he is referring to himself as the Mayor,” she remarked.

Rupert Henry Smith Reports further suggest Smith is continuing to execute other duties in the capacity of Mayor.

The court also ruled that the Minister’s decision to appoint chairpersons of five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) where the APNU/AFC and the PPP/C received equal number of seats was also conflicted the Local Government Act Chapter 28:02, thus, those appointments were quashed.

Section 28(6) of the Local Government Act “provides that, if there is no election of Chairman on account of an equality of votes cast by the Councillors present, “the overseer shall immediately fix a day within the last 10 days of the year for the election” by the registered voters, for the election of a Chairman from the Councillors receiving the equal votes. This election must be held in the same manner provided for the election of village Councillors.”

The contentious NDCs are Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen (eight seats each), Industry/ Plaisance (nine each), Woodlands/Farm (eight seats each), Woodlands/Bel Air (four seats each) Gilbralter/ Fyrish (nine seats each) and Macedonia/Joppa (six seats each).

This publication was unsuccessful in contacting Minister Bulkhan for a comment as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

NEWS

13

thursDay, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Inaugural Police Day set for this Saturday

A

s the country gears up for its Jubilee celebrations, the Guyana Police Force will be hosting its inaugural Police Day this weekend.

The event, which is set for this Saturday at D’Urban Park, will run from 15:00h to 18:00h and will see a host of performances from Police ranks.

According to Coordinator of the event, A Division Commander Clifton Hicken, the Force did not want to be left out of the 50th anniversary celebrations hence it is hosting the first-ever cultural extravaganza.

“We recognised that many organisations are doing some type of entertainment for the Jubilee celebrations and we felt that we don’t want to only provide security for these events, but we want to also sell the Force in what we are doing,” he remarked at a press conference on Wednesday.

The Commander explained that the event will be a short one since the ranks will have to resume their respective postings to continue providing security.

First-ever Police Day set for this Saturday at D’Urban Park

Among the items on the programme for Police Day are mounted displays, tactical displays, SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) displays, canine displays and gymnastics along with a performance from the Police Band which is coming with new and exciting routines.

There will also be an exhibition to educate the public about the various units within the Force, social works and even displays from youths who have benefited from the Force’s Social Crime Prevention Initiative.

Staff Officer

(Administration), Senior Superintendent Maxine Graham disclosed that 25 youths from each Police Division will have respective booths on display at the exhibition. “We find that having engaged youths in our Social Crime Prevention Programme, there has been a decrease in crime; as such, we are pushing them more into this initiative,” Graham stated.

Another area that the Force is looking to highlight to the public during the event is its partnership with North America-based

company, Zara Group, in establishing a series of computer centres across the country to teach children free of cost.

Information Technology (IT) Specialist within the Police Force, Deputy Superintendent of Police Shivpersaud Bacchus disclosed that since the establishment of the company’s first computer centre in Berbice back in 2012, some 1556 persons (civilians as well as police officers) have been trained.

The centre in Essequibo, which was established in 2013, has thus far trained 715 persons and in Georgetown, another 786 have been trained to date.

Bacchus explained that not only do the centre offers basic computer training but also advanced technical training such as PC repairs, PC networking, and programme design among others.

The Police Force is encouraging members of the public to turn up for the event this Saturday and be amazed by the talents of the ranks. Admission is free.

Linden senior citizens honoured at annual luncheon Officer (PRO) Vidya Sanichara was also present along with customer care and sales representatives to offer support to the programme and mingle with the seniors. She noted that the company, as part sponsor of the event for the sixth year, had provided a mone-

Some of the seniors who were honoured

S

enior citizens of Linden were honoured at an annual luncheon, which was held at the Egbert Benjamin Hall in the community on Wednesday.

The activity, which is hosted as part of the Linden Town Week (LTW) calendar of activities, was organised by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) and Vybz Entertainment Inc, in collaboration with the Linden Dream Team (LDT), Digicel and other corporate sponsors.

The event saw the seniors, decked out in fine clothing, being pampered,

entertained and awarded tokens. Present at the event were representatives of various organisations, including Digicel and LDT, who also volunteered their services and made donations as well as assisted in moving the programme along.

LDT Chairman Marlyn Waterton, who was in attendance, said her group was pleased to be associated with the event and donated 250 bags to the seniors. She said the elderly people were the ones who have paved the way for others and, as such, it felt good giving back.

Digicel Public Relations

tary donation in an effort to assist.

Also present at the event were Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Chairman Renis Morian, Prime Minister Representative Vladimir Glasgow and Linden Town Clerk Jenella Bowen.

International Museum Day observed in Guyana

T

One of the exhibits at the National Museum

he Guyana National Museum joined with the rest of the world to celebrate International Museum Day in collaboration with Walter Rodney Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Amerindian Heritage.

The event was celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating our rich legacy, Guyanese culture and identity, a look back at the good old days”.

At the National Museum, Guyana’s rich craft and history are on display as there are several booths showcasing Amerindian craftsmanship including beadwork, scrap mats and hammocks.

Administrator of the museum, Tamika Boatswain pointed out that folklore played a major part in Guyana’s history and, as such, much of the country’s cultural history was also on

display.

“What would this exhibition be without our folklore?” she said, adding that at booth one could see images of the Bacoo, Ole Higue and many more folk characters.

The exhibition also featured a children’s booth which displayed several children’s games such as hopscotch, sal out and the Chinese jump game.

Also, surprisingly, an unlit fireside was visible along with pots and other kitchen utensils. In addition, ancient pressing combs were on display along with charcoal irons.

Boatswain is encouraging the public to be part of International Museum Day by visiting the exhibits at the Guyana’s National Museum.

The exhibition, which began on Wednesday, will conclude on June 15.

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guyana-times.com

thursday, may 19, 2016

News

Wales factory to be Digicel launches costumes converted into dairy for 50th jubilee celebrations products, fruit juices processing facility

W

hile many Wales, West Bank Demerara sugar workers are yet to decide on whether they want to be transferred to the Uitvlugt Estate on the West Coast of Demerara, others are battling to receive severance packages; the Government announced on Wednesday that the Wales Sugar Estate is to be converted to into a factory that will process dairy products and fruit juices, among other products. This is according to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder who noted that Government is examining the feasibility of converting the factory.

“We can see the land being used for dairy production and we can see some land being made available to people in the area so that they could farm and provide milk, provide fruit juices, provide things of that nature, and we would want to see that replicated in other estates,” Holder is quoted by the Government Information Agency as saying.

He pointed out that reorganisation of Wales will “create opportunities for local farmers”. Holder explained that since the lands will no longer be used for sugar cane cultivation, it will be allocated for cattle rearing and cultivation of myriad of crops to sustain the operations of the juice plant.

Holder also stated that the current Administration has “rationalised the Wales situation” by way of combining Wales and Uitvlugt so that “the Uitvlugt factory can now work at 100 per cent efficiency”.

Uitvlugt was said to be currently operating at 50 per cent productivity. It was opined that the conversion of the Wales factory will play a major role in the rebranding of the sugar company to make it viable. “[This decision presents] an opportunity to convert the estate into a model for other areas within the sugar industry’s diversification,” the Agriculture Minister noted.

Earlier this year, the Government pointed out that finances were “simply not available” to divert funds from the other estates to keep Wales afloat as this would “seriously jeopardise” the future of the other estates. As such, the Administration maintained that the decision to close the Wales Estate is final.

All the while, sugar workers and their families have been protesting the closure of the entity, with many opting to receive their severance packages, since transferring to Uitvlugt would be impractical with many citing distance and safety concerns for their families.

In late March, 106 work-

ers attached to the Wales estate gave GuySuCo their one month’s notice of their intention to receive severance and there were promised that they would be paid on May 6. GuySuCo maintains that a court order blocking them from dismissing or redeploying sugar workers is responsible for the non-payment.

GAWU President Komal Chand however told Guyana Times that sugar workers received letters from GuySuCo stating that they would in fact receive their severance payment and confirmed that “nothing in the injunction” bars the Sugar Corporation from paying severance.

“We are saying that in no way the court order restrict GuySuCo to settle with those workers who they have indicated that they will receive their severance… there was an agreement between the workers and GuySuCo and that agreement was reached before the injunction was [granted]… Workers are hoping that GuySuCo will see the wisdom in keeping with its written commitment to them,” Chand told this publication on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, this publication has learnt that workers will picket the Sugar Corporation if they are not paid their severance packages soon.

Sugar operations at Wales will cease by yearend.

Cuban fined $20,000 for overstaying in Guyana

C

uban Lewis Hernandez Rosales was on Wednesday fined $20,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for overstaying his time in Guyana.

The charge against Rosales stated that he failed to comply with the conditions under which his permit was granted for him to stay in Guyana. That permit allowed him to stay in Guyana from March 30 to April 29. However, he was arrested on May 16.

Lewis Hernandez Rosales

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that the Cuban national came to Guyana via the Cheddi

Jagan International Airport (CJIA). He said the Police, acting on information, had gone to Charlotte Street, Georgetown where the national resided and was employed as a “computer person”. He was asked to produce his passport, and it was discovered that his permit had expired.Rosales pleaded guilty to the charge through an interpreter, and told the Court that he came to Guyana to work.

Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving three weeks in prison before deportation.

“

T

he Phantom of the Arts from which we came” themed costumes were on Wednesday revealed to spectators and participants by Digicel for its float parade on May 26.

The event, held at the Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) included stage performances by local singers, who will also be representing Digicel in the float parade scheduled for Independence Day, May 26.

The costumes were revealed by designer Olympia Small-Sonaram who described her creations as class, dance and entertainment. She noted that it has everything to do with the arts of Guyana; from talent of our arts to dancers. This year has “a little bit more fabric, stuff you are not really accustomed to but you will love it,” Small-Sonaram said.

Speaking at the event,

Designer Olympia Small-Sonaram

Digicel’s Director of Marketing, Jacqueline James enlightened the hyped crowd that there will be 500 costumes available to individuals who are interested in participating in the float parade as part of the Digicel Band.

“Five hundred costumes

are up for grabs. It is easy to get, all you have to do is have an active 4G plan with Digicel, whether it be weekly or monthly. Once you have the active plan, just send a text message to the number given stating male or female and you will be informed on what happens next.”

In an interview with Guyana Times, the Marketing Director indicated that Digicel is excited to be part of such a memorable moment in Guyana’s history and is proud to be a part of the 50th celebrations.

She noted that the preparations are going according to plans and in the celebration of the 50th, we can only go bigger and better.

She also pointed out that there is a lot to look forward to this year and fans can expect something totally different with a lot of excitement.

Father of 2 jailed for drug possession

A

father of two was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after city Magistrate Judy Latchman found him guilty of a drug trafficking charge on Wednesday.

Lloyd Sadloo, 34, of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was caught

by Police with 1.452kg (3.2 lbs) of cannabis (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on October 20, 2015 at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

According to Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, Police ranks attached to the Narcotics Branch of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) were on patrol when they noticed Sadloo and others acting in a suspicious manner while in a car.

The ranks ordered the men to stop, but they sped away, which led to a chase along the East Bank Demerara road. A mobile MMC Security Service patrol also pursued the men,

but the driver lost control causing the vehicle to overturn.

Warning shots were fired at the men by Police Officers, who stopped the vehicle they were travelling in. When the Police searched the vehicle, the illegal drug was found in a bag on the floor next to Sadloo. The men were apprehended and the vehicle was impounded.

Sadloo was called on to lead his own defence before Magistrate Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He chose to give an unsworn statement and denied ownership of the drug.

He also denied telling Police Officers “is three pound of weed I just buy”.

Prosecutor Hunt submitted that a prima facie case had been made out against Sadloo. Hunt argued that all elements of the offence were proven, after relying on evidence given by Police Officers. He pointed out that the prosecution’s evidence was never challenged by the

defence.

The Prosecutor asked the Court to rely on the oral statement Sadloo made at the time Police busted him with the prohibited substance.

The Magistrate told the Court that after reviewing the evidence throughout the trial, she was satisfied that Sadloo had knowledge of the drug. She said that she was also satisfied that he was in control of the drug and that he possessed it for the purpose of trafficking.

As such, the Court found him guilty as charged for the offence. In mitigation, Sadloo told the Court that he has two girl children. He also disclosed that he was convicted before for illegal firearm and ammunition possession.

Having considered all mitigating factors, the quantum of the drug and the need to prevent others from contemplating the offence, the Magistrate sentenced Sadloo to four years in jail.

thursDAY, may 19, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

Nigerian schoolgirl rescued after Protests greet senior Chinese 2 years as Boko Haram captive leader in Hong Kong

A

The teen has been reunited with her family [Al Jazeera]

Nigerian teenager kidnapped by Boko Haram more than two years ago has been rescued, the first of more than 200 girls seized in a raid on their school in Chibok town to return from captivity in the insurgents’ forest lair, officials said on Wednesday.

Soldiers working together with a civilian vigilante

group rescued the girl and her four-month old baby near Damboa in the remote northeast, army spokesman Sani Usman said. They also detained a “suspected Boko Haram terrorist” called Mohammed Hayatu who claimed to be the girl’s husband, he added.

“Preliminary investigation shows that she is indeed one of the abducted

Chibok School girls abducted by Boko Haram terrorists on 14th April 2014 in Chibok,” Usman said in a statement.

Activists named her as Amina Ali Darsha Nkeki.

They quoted her saying that her schoolmates were still in the Sambisa forest, Boko Haram’s biggest stronghold in the remote north.

Boko Haram captured a total of 276 girls from their school in Chibok, northeast Nigeria, in April 2014, part of a seven-year-old insurgency to set up an Islamic state in the north which has killed some 15,000 people and displaced more than two million.

Dozens of the girls escaped in the initial melee in 2014, but more than 200 remained unaccounted for.

Parents had accused former President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s leader at the time of the mass kidnap, of not doing enough to track them down and bring them home. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A

high-level Chinese Government official has addressed an economic summit in Hong Kong amid calls for greater autonomy for the former British colony or even independence from the mainland.

Thousands of Police Officers were deployed across Hong Kong on Wednesday to keep protesters demanding free elections at bay as Zhang Dejiang spoke at a conference on Beijing’s One Belt, One Road initiative.

The initiative is a plan for a new Silk Road and economic belt spreading from western China to Central Asia and Europe.

Zhang Dejiang, who is head of China’s Parliament and the point person on Hong Kong and Macau affairs, arrived on Tuesday for a rare visit.

He has pledged to listen to residents’ concerns about the special administrative region’s relationship with China.

Protesters are demanding free elections

Hong Kong media reports said up to 6000 Police Officers would be deployed for Zhang’s three-day visit.

Plainclothes and uniformed Police were on alert close to parts of the Asian financial centre that were crippled by pro-democracy protests in late 2014.

Those protests presented China with one of its greatest political challenges in decades.

On Wednesday, protesters chanted for Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying to step down, while others held up a black banner calling for an end to dictatorial rule and to “stop interfering with Hong Kong affairs”.

One small group of protesters burned a portrait of Zhang and chanted “Zhang Dejiang get the hell out of Hong Kong”. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

India eyes oil-for-drugs Hot weather, winds fuel Hundreds buried deal with Venezuela to fire near Alberta oil sands under Sri Lankan recoup pharma cash mudslides H

The Indian Trade Ministry had proposed a payment mechanism that would allow Venezuela to repay some of the amount owed with oil

I

ndian officials say they have proposed an oil-fordrugs barter plan with cash-strapped Venezuela to recoup millions of dollars in payments owed to some of India’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

Several of India’s generics producers, led by the country’s second-largest player Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, bet heavily on Venezuela as they sought emerging market alternatives to slower-growing economies such as the United States.

But the unravelling of Venezuela’s socialist economy amid a fall in oil prices has triggered triple-digit inflation and a full-blown political and financial crisis. Unable to pay its bills, the country is facing severe shortages of even basic supplies such as food, water and medicines.

Dr Reddy’s wrote off US$65 million in the March quarter, which it said was almost all the money it was owed from Venezuela. Rival Glenmark Pharmaceuticals

Inc, another major investor, says it is due US$45 million.

“The situation in Venezuela is very precarious ... the Government knows it needs to do something about the medicine shortage, that’s why it is willing to discuss such a deal,” one Indian official told Reuters. “At this point, even if our companies get back five or 10 per cent of the payment they are owed, they would be satisfied.”

Venezuela’s Health Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Like pharmaceutical companies globally – which used to enjoy a preferential exchange rate in Venezuela – Indian producers have been left badly stung by the collapse of the Bolivar currency.

The Indian officials, who could not be named as they are not allowed to speak to the media, said the Trade Ministry had proposed a payment mechanism that would allow Venezuela to repay some of the amount owed with oil. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ot and dry weather and strong winds were expected to push a massive wildfire burning near Fort McMurray, Alberta eastward on Wednesday, threatening facilities and work camps in Canada’s prized oil sands region.

The fire, which began early this month, forced the evacuation of thousands of workers on Tuesday, prolonging a shutdown that has cut Canadian oil output by a million barrels a day. It destroyed a 665-room lodge for oil sands workers, then blazed eastward toward other camps. The fire earlier in the month incinerated parts of Fort McMurray and forced the evacuation of the western Canadian city’s roughly 90,000 residents.

The fire is expected to expand in all directions on Wednesday, said wildfire information officer Travis

Fairweather, but it is mainly moving to the east and slightly north, in the direction of Suncor and Syncrude facilities.

“It’s going to be another hot and dry and windy day today, but we’re hoping it might start tempering off at the end of the day here, and we might start seeing some of this rain either tomorrow or Friday,” Fairweather said.

The fire has grown to 422,000 hectares (1.04 million acres), Fairweather said.

No communities are in the fire’s immediate path.

Reached early on Wednesday, Syncrude spokesman Will Gibson said the company’s facilities were intact.

Syncrude is majority owned

by Suncor. “The fire sits south of our lease with a series of current and former tailings facilities that form a natural fire break,” Gibson said in an email. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A

t least 37 people have been killed and nearly 220,000 displaced by landslides which crashed into at least three villages in Aranayaka, in the central hills of Sri Lanka, following torrential rains.

A Government official who is part of the rescue efforts told Al Jazeera on Wednesday from Kegalle district, about 72 kilometres from the capital Colombo, that one village, Siripura, was buried 40 feet under the mud.

Villagers recalled hearing and seeing the torrents of muddy water, tree branches, and debris crashing down around their homes late on Tuesday.

“I heard a huge sound like a plane crashing into the Earth,” AG Kamala, 52,

who had just returned to her house in Siripura when the landslides hit the area.

“I opened my door. I could not believe my eyes, as I saw something like a huge fireball rolling down the mountain and again a huge sound,” she told the Associated Press news agency.

The Disaster Management Centre reported over 350,000 people were affected by the landslides.

About 220 families were reported missing, the Sri Lankan Red Cross said in a statement.

The Army was called out to help with the rescue effort.

Officials could not give the village populations, but each typically includes about 1000-1500 residents.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Philippine Communists welcome unofficial Cabinet offer

C

ommunist rebel leaders have welcome a possible offer from the Philippines’ presumptive President-elect of four Cabinet posts.

The party said on Wednesday that an alliance would need to be based on principles such as social justice and national sovereignty, including an end to the presence of US troops.

Rodrigo Duterte, who won the May 9 presidential election by a landslide according to an unofficial count, has said he will probably offer the Communist Party of the Philippines Cabinet positions in agrarian reform, environment, social welfare and labour.

“The CPP and the revolutionary forces welcome the possibility of joining presumptive President Duterte in an alliance government, whether in the form of assigning Cabinet po-

Any major political concessions are likely to be complicated [File: Keith Bacongco/Reuters]

sitions to the CPP or its endorsees or some other more radical form of unity government which the maverick new President might be open to consider,” the party said in a statement.

Al Jazeera’s Marga Ortigas, reporting from the capital Manila, said the party would hand Duterte a list of people that it believed were acceptable.

Duterte was also looking into the possibility of releasing all 500 political prisoners, she said.

“This is something Philippine Communists are very happy to see,” she said.

American troops have no permanent bases in the country, but hold regular joint exercises and have backed Philippine troops battling Abu Sayyaf fighters in the south.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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thursday, may 19, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Telesha DeNobrega – perky, persistent, patient W

ith a mischievous glint in her eyes and a smile on her lips, young entrepreneur Telesha DeNobrega leaps off the page, holding your attention.

It’s not every day that you get the chance to go into business with your best friend and have the courage to grab the opportunity with both hands, but DeNobrega, the T in the dynamic duo of AT Investments, did and now anchors the thriving business she is growing along with her business partner and ‘bestie’ Amrita Rivas.

DeNobrega, a former St Mary’s High School student, said it was always her desire from a very young age – knowing that she had much to offer “especially in the field of customer service” – to own her

own business. “I was driven by my need to be independent and to have my own field of staff, not just to work for me, but people I can influence and who’d be proud to say “I have the best boss in the world”.”

While DeNobrega was still deciding on what field of business to get involved in, Rivas was preparing to launch her own business. “I had a great opportunity to see the services offered in the said [immigration] field, and time after time I would hear her say ‘I need a business partner’, and I grasped this opportunity to become the desired entrepreneur I wanted to.”

Good partnerships like good marriages require compatibility and complementary qualities, and a best friend definitely means automatic

Business News

Gold sees moderate selling pressure

G

old prices are moderately lower, pressured by just-released Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes that were deemed to favour the hawkish camp on US monetary policy. A higher US dollar index was also a bearish element for the precious metals markets.

June Comex gold futures were last down US$9.30 an ounce at US$1267.60. July Comex silver was last down US$0.200 at US$17.05 an ounce.

World stock markets were mostly weaker overnight, partly on continued worries about the health of

China’s economy, which is the world’s second-largest.

There was also continuing trepidation regarding the future path of US monetary policy.

Technically, June gold futures closed near midrange. The gold bulls have the firm overall near-term technical advantage. Gold bulls’ next upside nearterm price breakout objective is to produce a close above solid technical resistance at the May high of US$1306.00.

Bears’ next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at US$1250.00. (Kitco)

compatibility, but friendships do not often survive business relationships. However, DeNobrega’s bond with Rivas has amplified their four-yearold business and vice versa.

Her affection for her business partner and commitment to their business reverberate in her words.

Being in business, the 29-year-old has learnt, means being open to taking risks and losing some. “It is much more than a means of survival, but, more so, providing quality services and building a ‘good name’. As a result, “patience, dedication and perseverance have taken a deeper root in me”, she revealed.

“When I think about success, hard work and dedication come to mind, after which success is the product.”

M

icrosoft is pulling out of the “feature” phones business.

But its Nokia-branded handsets – which are powered by the Series 30+ operating system, making them less powerful than its Lumia Windows phones – will continue to live on.

The division that makes them has been acquired by HMD Global, a new private equity-backed firm, and

Buying

T

he overseer of a US$4 billion US Department of Justice fund for victims of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme said he expected to recommend payouts for at least 25,280 claimants with nearly US$4 billion in fraud losses.

Richard Breeden, special master of the Madoff Victim Fund, said in an update on his website this week that his office was “substantially” finished with the initial claims re-

Fixed as at May 11, 2016 Calculated at 94% purity

USD

$1272.90

$160.70

Gross

$245,790

$205.98

$208.44

Net

$228,585

$232.29

$235.26

GBP

$299.56

$303.34

CAN

$158.86

USD EURO

reorganisation last year, it was clear the feature phone business was an unwanted extra and Microsoft most likely took the first good offer to take the business off its hands.

“While the feature phone market is declining, shipments were still in excess of 400 million units in 2015.

The Nokia brand is very strong in certain markets too and HMD will probably

target these emerging markets.”

Microsoft is being paid US$350 million for the deal, which includes the Taiwanese firm Foxconn taking ownership of a feature phone factory in Hanoi.

About 4500 workers will switch companies as part of the arrangement, with the deal due to be completed before the end of the year. (BBC

News)

More than 25,000 Madoff victims now eligible for US$4B fund

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board Selling

Foxconn subsidiary FIH Mobile.

Nokia said it had signed a 10-year deal for them to continue using its name.

“Feature phones were never a core part of Microsoft’s strategic aim behind the purchase of Nokia’s devices business,” commented Ian Fogg from the IHS Technology research team.

“Following the Microsoft

view process, having analysed 63,580 claims covering US$67.8 billion of alleged losses.

While there is no timetable for payouts, the announcement suggests that many Madoff victims may soon see the end of their 7-1/2-year wait to recoup at least some losses.

Madoff’s fraud was uncovered in December 2008. The swindler, now 78, pleaded guilty three months later, and is serving a 150-year prison

term for running what federal prosecutors called a US$64.8 billion Ponzi scheme.

“It sounds like it is good news for claimants,” said Daniel Krasner, a partner at Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz in New York, whose clients have submitted dozens of claims to Breeden. “They could end up with a significant portion of their claims.” (Reuters)

Investors’ Guide

Cambio Rates Cur

For the bubbly DeNobrega, the biggest hurdle has been “the ‘win-lose’: the losing that comes with winning and dealing with challenging clients”. “Happy clients = happy

cialist Dr Linda Wallace and Anna McCoy, a “hope reformer, a certified life and business solutions coach, and the founder of Woman Act Now, an organisation empowering women to learn, launch and live their dreams through affordable coaching”. In reflecting on her vision for AT Investments, the Georgetown native who now resides in Liliendaal said: “Like Amrita, [I would like to]… see the business not only blossom, but to have our services reach the ends of Guyana and if possible Guyanese abroad. Also, be a company that would in turn help small businesses.” That is a mission well worth fighting for!

Contact: 185 Charlotte and King Streets, Maraj Building, Room C10 I 615-5633

Microsoft sells Nokia feature phones business

Market statistics Bank of Guyana

Telesha DeNobrega

Telesha! My clients’ satisfaction is my daily motivation.”

She added that determination and patience were the most essential traits of an entrepreneur. Having a plan and setting goals were also a MUST and working towards them. DeNobrega’s most unexpected yet salient advice to aspiring business owners was to avoid “toxic people”, as she highlighted that her biggest influence was Dyani Tijero – her pastor’s wife, for her wisdom, humility, graciousness and readiness to give advice.

“Young entrepreneurs need as much financial support, experienced mentors and publicity they can possibly acquire in starting up a business,” she further declared.

And who would be her dream mentors? Empowerment spe-

Indicators as on May 11, 2016 Indicators Crude Oil

US$ per barrel

Change %

+3.40

$48.31

Price

USD

Change %

Rough Rice

$267.19/ton

London Sugar

$477.25/ton

0.00 +3.07

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1260.20

$1261.20

Low/High

$1268.50

$1276.90

Change

+2.20

-0.017%

Business Concept – Prototype Pre-production model of a product, engineered for full service test. Changes based on test results are incorporated into the prototype which undergoes the same tests again. On achieving the desired results, the product is approved for volume production. (Business Dictionary)

Investors’ Guide: Bank shares buoy Wall Street as Fed signals possible June hike

W

all Street closed flat on Wednesday after a volatile session, supported by bank shares, as the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s April meeting signalled a potential interest rate increase in the near term.

Officials from the US central bank said it would be appropriate to raise interest rates in June if economic data points to stronger second-quarter growth as well as firming inflation and employment, according to the minutes.

Following the release of the minutes, traders were projecting a 34 per cent chance the Fed would raise rates in June, up from 15 per cent on Tuesday, according to the CME FedWatch tool. For July, traders see a more than 50 per cent chance of rates rising.

“It did catch the market by surprise,” said Bucky Hellwig, Senior Vice President at

BB&T Wealth Management in Birmingham, Alabama.

“The discussion going forward will be, is the economy strong enough to take another rate hike, how do the markets respond between now and the June meeting.”

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 3.36 points, or 0.02 per cent, to 17,526.62, the S&P 500 gained 0.42 points, or 0.02 per cent, to 2047.63, and the Nasdaq Composite added 23.39 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 4739.12.

The S&P and Dow, which had been solidly higher ahead of the minutes, turned negative after their release before recovering somewhat.

Financials, seen benefiting in a rising rate environment, were the best-performing sector, closing up 1.9 per cent for their best single-day session in a month. JPMorgan gained 3.9 per cent and Bank of America rose 4.9 per cent.

Utilities, a high-dividendpaying group that tend to be sold when the expectation of higher rates increases, were the biggest laggards as seven of the 10 sectors ended in the red.

Fed policymakers said recent data made them more confident inflation was rising toward the Fed’s two per cent target, and they were less concerned about a global economic slowdown, according to the minutes of the April 26-27 meeting. The Fed increased rates in December for the first time in nearly a decade.

“I think it is high time that the Federal Reserve starts to normalise policy. We’ve tried this for seven years; let’s try something new,” said Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist with Wells Capital Management in Minneapolis.

“I really think markets are going to be OK with this.” (Reuters)

17

news

thurSDAY, may 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Public service CoI

Contraband found at Camp Street Prison

Police to request records from Contract workers to be phone companies – Hicken integrated into permanent public service – Harmon – report handed over to Opposition Leader, House Speaker

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo receives a copy of the CoI report from Minister of State Joseph Harmon

M

inister of State Joseph Harmon said Government is currently in the process of streamlining contract workers to fit them into the permanent structure of the public service.

He was at the time speaking to journalists following the handing over of the final report of the investigation into the public service to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.

According to Harmon, Government has decided to go this route based on recommendations coming out of the recent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service.

Harmon told journalists that more than 100 persons who were employed on a contractual basis are now part of the regular public service. According to him, Government is also working to ensure that no significant hiccups are experienced with the change.

Just recently, chartered accounting firm Ram and McRae pointed out that too much strain was being placed on the public coffers with the employment of contracted workers. It made the significant finding following the delivery of this year’s national budget.

The firm noted the Ministry of the Presidency’s increase in contract employees from 298 in 2015 to 505 in 2016, as well as an increase in the cost of wages and salaries for contract employees from $142 million to $798 million.

The firm pointed to the significant increases in the item which showed the allocation to the Office of the Prime Minister, with the cost of wages and salaries for contracted employees

rising from $21 million to $82 million.

It also addressed the Ministry of Public Infrastructure which saw an increase from $9 million to $51 million in a particular programme and $182 million to $533 million under its Public Works Programme.

The firm had said that the practice was “not healthy” for the country and placed a strain on Article 38 of the Constitution which requires the public service to be free from political influence.

Meanwhile, following discussions at Cabinet level on Tuesday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Wednesday presented copies of the final report of the Inquiry into the public service to House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

Government in September 2015 established the three-member Commission to investigate, report on, and make recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment process, remuneration and conditions of service for public servants. The Commission was also expected to determine measures to improve the efficiency of the public service and have a detailed examination of how salaries and wages are determined and allocated.

According to Harmon, Cabinet is now expected to consider the recommendations made by the Commission after which a pronouncement will be made.

The Minister said copies of the report will also be delivered to the President of the Guyana Public Service Union, the Trade

Union Congress and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana.

Minister Harmon on behalf of the Government of Guyana and President David Granger expressed gratitude to the Public Service CoI Commissioners.

Considering the Terms of Reference set out by President Granger, Harmon said he believes an “excellent” job was done. Harmon also spoke of Government’s plans to establish the Public Service Staff College.

“We’ve started to interview persons for the college and have identified the staff for the college – it’s just now a question of having the actual location and we’re working on that,” the Minister stated.

The Public Service Staff College campus will be at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD). It will commence operations when infrastructural works on the buildings are completed and all equipment acquired.

According to Harmon, the Staff College is an important component of Government’s reform of the public service.

F

The contraband found during the Joint Services raid at the Camp Street Prison over the weekend

ollowing the discovery of several contraband items at the Georgetown Prisons over the past weekend, Police investigators are looking to have the 40 plus cellphones that were seized analysed.

This was disclosed by Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Clifton Hicken, who told reporters on Wednesday that investigations are ongoing into the major prison bust, which comes just over two months after the March prison riots that resulted in the death of 17 inmates.

According to the Commander, the 44 seized cellphones are with investigators, who are sorting them out to be sent for examination. However, he explained that there are protocols that have to be obtained in such cases.

“We will request for certain information, via the hierarchy of the Force, from the companies. The company will then send the information requested, after following their process

of course, and we will complete the investigations from there,” Hicken stated.

He noted that after the investigation is completed and advice is sought then the information gathered will be released to the public.

On Monday, the Guyana Police Force reported that several contraband items were found in the Camp Street penitentiary during a Joint Services raid; an exercise called “Operation Restore Order”.

The search, which was conducted in the main prison cell blocks, resulted in the seizure of 44 mobile phones, over 150 improvised weapons, scissors, a quantity of marijuana and tattoo machines, among other items.

The Fire Service was on standby in case of any possible disturbance. Back in March, it was a similar search exercise which prompted inmates to start a series of fires in the Division A cell block, the last of which claimed the lives of 17 prisoners and injuring several others on March 3.

The incident sparked much public outraged and concerns about the security at the facility, as many questioned how the prisoners were able to start the fire, especially since there was a search in the block on March 2 during which several contraband items were seized including 19 cellular phones.

A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the unrest was ordered and during the proceedings, several prisoners testified of their fellow inmates (no names given) being in possession of cellphones, marijuana and in some cases “prison-made cutlasses”. In fact, one inmate had even admitted to posing for a photograph which was posted on a social media website.

The inquiry was wrapped up last week and the panel, led by Justice James Patterson, and which includes former Director of Prisons Dale Erskine and human rights activist Merle Mendonca, has until May 31 to submit their findings.

Good Hope man seriously injured in WCD accident

A

Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man has sustained serious injuries after the car in which he was travelling ended up in a canal at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD), in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Injured is David Williams of Good Hope, ECD, while

Shelly Allen and Michelle Caesar escaped unhurt.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 03:00h when the silver Toyota Primo motorcar was travelling to Georgetown from Parika after dropping off workers who are working on the D’urban Park Project.

Guyana Times was told that a sand truck, which was

travelling in the opposite direction, attempted to overtake another vehicle and ended up in the path of the car.

Allen, who was driving the car at the time, swerved to avoid a collision and in the process lost control and ended up in the canal.

The truck driver did not stop to render assistance but

rather drove away.

Speaking with this publication, Allen explained that after running into the canal, she along with Caesar were able to come out of the vehicle to seek help as Williams was trapped in the partially submerged car.

She explained that two vehicles were passing at the time and stopped to lend assistance. “A man in a 4-runner vehicle and another man on a motorcycle stopped to help us out”. The persons assisted Allen and Caesar in getting Williams out of the vehicle.

Williams sustained head injuries as a result of the accident and is being treated at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

“Something has to be done about these sand trucks man, look how many accidents are being caused by them, especially late at night. When they are approaching you with those huge lights, it is impossible for a driver to see anything,” she complained.

According to the occupants, they would be unable to identify the driver of the truck that caused the accident. The Police are currently investigating the matter.

18

guyana-timesgy.com

thursday, may 19, 2016

ARCHIE

ARIES

Attend functions that offer

(March 21- a wealth of information that April 19) will help you make crucial de-

cisions about your future. A change in direction will lead to a higher income.

Try something new. Travel TAURUS somewhere you’ve never been (April 20- before. Break new ground May 20) and seek out people who have something to offer you. A progressive attitude will lead to opportunity.

dilbert

Don’t let your imaginaGEMINI (May 21- tion run wild. Realism will June 20) be required to avoid a loss or being taken for granted.

Partnerships will need an adjustment if you want them to work Search for creative people CANCER who offer positivity and en(June 21- couragement in order to be July 22) inspired. A few of your ideas could be turned into something spectacular. Romantic activities are encouraged.

Peanuts

Don’t let anyone ruin your LEO day or plans. It’s OK to be un(July 23Aug. 22) usual or to do things differently. Boost your energy and show everyone exactly what you have to offer.

Calvin and Hobbes

Your ability to see the big VIRGO picture and to formulate the (Aug. 23best way to move forward or to Sept. 22) bring about change will give you the edge. Networking will build confidence.

You’ll be inspired to make LIBRA (Sept. 23- personal changes. A short trip Oct. 23) or a chance meeting that offers an unusual experience will help build enthusiasm and the courage to pursue your dreams.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – COMPUNCTION (COMPUNCTION: kum-PUNGK-shun: A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt.)

Average mark 35 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 56 or more words in COMPUNCTION? The list will be published Saturday.

Make yourself accountSAGITTARIUS able for any misunderstand(Nov. 23- ing you are a part of. It’s imDec. 21) portant to get your facts right before sharing information.

Make personal improvements and avoid gossip.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – SELENIUM

seem seen seine semi senile sine slim slime slue

slum smile else enisle ensile ensue lees lenis lens lues lu-

men lune lien lieu lime limn line numen isle menu

mien mile mine minus muesli mule muse muslin

Follow your desires and SCORPIO don’t shy away from doing (Oct. 24- things your way. An emotionNov. 22) al encounter will lead to an interesting discussion and plans with someone special. Romance will improve your life.

Consider an addition to CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- your home or a project that Jan. 19) will bring in extra cash. Make love a priority and personal gains your goal.

solution for Last Published Puzzle Make a point to learn AQUARIUS something new. Diversifying (Jan. 20your skills will help you jump Feb. 19) into a higher earning bracket.

A secret is best kept that way for now.

Don’t worry about somePISCES (Feb. 20- one causing a fuss or trying March 20) to pick a fight. Concentrate on helping people who are accommodating and grateful. A personal pick-me-up will do you good.

thursDAY, may 19, 2016

RCB up to second after another Kohli ton

Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle celebrate the latter’s fifty with the champion dance

V

irat Kohli has been vaulting the standard of T20 batting this IPL. He was twitchy after heavy rain delayed the start of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s final league fixture at home against Kings XI Punjab by nearly two hours. Not even the apprehensions of having to bat with nine stitches on his left hand because of a split webbing could stop him from scoring his fourth century in nine innings. He also topped the IPL run charts during the course of his 50-ball 113 that powered Royal Challengers to an 82run win via the DuckworthLewis method. A seventh win delivered in the most emphatic fashion helped them jump from fifth to second on the points table.

Chris Gayle was in his groove too, bashing 73 in a 147-run opening stand that floored Kings XI, who conceded 211 for 3 after opting to bowl in a 15-over shoot-

out. Kohli was the first to reach his half-century off 28 balls when he whipped Axar Patel to long-on. Four legitimate balls later, Gayle swiped the left-arm spinner over midwicket for six and raced to his half-century off 29 balls. The two then got together to unfurl the champion jig.

Kings XI could have snapped that had Axar effected a direct hit from backward point to run Kohli out on 10. Kohli utilised the lifeline to drive the innings by middling everything: whether it was lofting a full ball inside-out over cover or carving a wide yorker in the gap between backward point and short third man.

He reached his hundred off 47 balls when he whiplashed Sandeep Sharma for four between deep midwicket and long-on.

Kohli celebrated the landmark by pointing to his injured left hand repeatedly before pumping his fists.

The only occasion he showed apparent discomfort was when he ran in from longoff and caught Axar for 13 in the eighth over of Kings XI’s chase.

Kohli set the tone with slapped fours of Sandeep before Gayle went 6,6,4 against Kyle Abbott in the fourth over. KC Cariappa, who replaced Anureet Singh, struggled to grip the ball, and his assortment of legbreaks, offbreaks, sliders and even a seam-up that clocked 134kph, was clouted for 55 in his three overs to leave M Vijay searching for answers.

Axar wasn’t spared either, Gayle taking him for three leg-side sixes in four balls before holing out to the same bowler at the end of the 11th over. Four balls later, Abbott had AB de Villiers dragging on for a duck. KL Rahul lent the finishing touches with a cameo laced with a de Villiers-like reverse flick after Kohli’s dismissal in the penultimate over.

S Aravind removed Kings XI’s openers early and then legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, made light work of the middle order with career-best T20 figures of 4 for 25. Kings XI limped past 100 in the 12th over before rain returned at the end of the 14th to force an end to a lop-sided contest.

Royal Challengers are one of the three teams in the playoffs race to have a positive net rate (+0.93), and a win in their final match against Delhi Daredevils in Raipur on Sunday could confirm their place in the final four. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Sevilla 3 – 1 Liverpool

Coke double secures a Europa League Three Peat

Sevilla are Europa Champions for the third consecutive year

J

urgen Klopp was left lamenting yet another final reverse as the Madrid-born midfielder put the Reds to the sword after the interval, with Gameiro also on target Sevilla staged a remarkable second half comeback to blow Liverpool out of the water and claim their third successive Europa League, as Coke netted twice to seal a 3-1 victory in Basel.

Unai Emery’s men, outplayed in the first half, responded with an emphatic second 45 minutes to leave Liverpool reeling and condemn Jurgen Klopp to a fifth-straight defeat in a major final.

Liverpool, who had dispatched Villarreal so impressively in the second leg of the semi-final, were the better side in the first half and deservedly took the lead when Daniel Sturridge curled in a superb finish from the edge of the area.

Bolt weighs in on Olympic doping scandal P

RAGUE - Usain Bolt said Wednesday the announcement of positive retesting of samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics is “really bad news.”

The Jamaican great says “for me, it’s rough, it’s rough in the sport. Something that’s been tarnishing the sport for years.”

Bolt was speaking to reporters in Prague on Wednesday, a day after the International Olympic Committee announced that 31 athletes were caught and could be barred from com-

The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt

peting in the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Bolt still says the agen-

cies like WADA “are doing a very good job of cleaning up the sport. They’ve proven

19

that anybody who has cheated, they’re going to catch.”

Bolt will run the 100 meters at the Golden Spike meet in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava on Friday, his first race in Europe ahead of the Rio Games.

The world’s fastest man has avoided accusations of doping during his illustrious career, largely due to his demonstrable genetic gifts.

One of the few rivals to his dominance in the sport in recent years, Justin Gatlin, has been suspended twice for doping. (CBS)

But Sevilla, who came from behind to beat Dnipro in last year’s final, responded seconds after half-time with Kevin Gameiro’s 29th goal of the season, before Coke capped a fine team move to put the holders ahead.

Klopp, whose side also lost the League Cup final to Manchester City in February, introduced Divock Origi in a bid to find a response but Coke struck a crucial blow 20 minutes from time, steering the ball beyond Simon Mignolet from close range despite Liverpool’s appeals for offside.

Liverpool produced a memorable comeback against AC Milan to win their last European trophy in 2005, but there was to be no repeat of those Istanbul heroics as Sevilla became the first team to win Europe’s secondary competition three years running and ensured a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Sevilla started with more control and Gameiro got his first sight of goal, hooking a bicycle kick narrowly wide of the near post following a corner, but Sturridge produced a moment of magic to open the scoring 10 minutes before the break.

Philippe Coutinho found Sturridge on the edge of the area and the England striker bent a sublime finish beyond Soria with the outside of his left foot.

Lovren thought he had made it 2-0 with a towering header four minutes later, but the assistant referee flagged for offside after Sturridge had stuck out a foot to intercept the ball.

The Liga side would have been glad to go into the break just a goal behind but they produced a fine response just 17 seconds into the second half. Mariano skipped easily past the challenge of former Sevilla fullback Alberto Moreno and squared across goal for Gameiro, who tapped into an unguarded net.

Sevilla, suddenly buoyant, missed two great chances to take the lead through Gameiro before the hour mark. The Frenchman was first denied by a fine block tackle from Kolo Toure after racing in behind the Liverpool back line, before he scuffed a volley straight at Mignolet after Steven N’Zonzi’s header found him completely unmarked six yards out.

Yet just as Sevilla looked as though they might rue those misses, Coke stepped up to put his side in control.

A fine passing move involving Ever Banega and Vitolo saw Sevilla slice through the heart of Liverpool’s midfield, and when the ball broke to Coke, he rifled a first-time shot into Mignolet’s bottomright corner.

And Coke put the holders on the brink of an historic win six minutes later, squeezing a shot in off Mignolet from the right of the six-yard box after the ball had deflected off Coutinho and into the Sevilla captain’s path.

Liverpool pushed for a repeat of the dramatic comeback which saw them oust Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals, but Sevilla held on to lift the trophy in front of their vociferous supporters.

20

guyana-times.com

thursDAY, may 19, 2016

GABF to stage two days T&H sail away with 8-over tape ball title of trials next weekend

GABF’s President Nigel Hinds

P

resident of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GAFB), Nigel Hinds indicated that “the GABF will hold two days of trials (selection minicamp) on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 2016, to shortlist players to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC)Under 16 Young men and Women Championships slated for July 2-17, 2016.”

Guyana will be hosting the CBC Under 16 Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

The trial allows individuals who are not identified on the provisional list, to join the mini-camp as a walkon or on the recommendation of any affiliated club, coach or any representative of the Guyana Basketball Federation.

Trials which will commence on Saturday, May 28 at the Cliff Anderson Sports

Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown will be from 9:00 – 12:00 Hrs for the Under 16 young women and from 12:00 - 15:00 Hrs for the young men.

On Sunday, May 29 trials will continue at the same time for both Under 16 women and men.

The players selected after consultation with Youth Basketball Guyana are: Young men: Yannick Tappin, Shamar Anderson, Kevlon Codogan, Leon Benjamin and Stephon Duncan of Mackenzie High, Kelmar Carmichael, Shamar France and Kevin Wiggins of New Amsterdam Multilateral, Kwesi Roberts and Anthony Yansen of St. Roses High, Andrew Johnson and Nigel Bowen of Plaisance Secondary, Roydon Glasgow of The Bishops’ High School, Kadeem Dover, Isaiah Hintzen, Isaiah David, Keith Adams and Robin Flatts of Kwakwani Secondary, Akeem Crandon, Kareem Boyl and Kenmon Roberts of President’s College, Jordan Alphonso, Jahleel Young, Josiah Daniels, Shamar Atwell and Jether Harris of Marian Academy, Zion Gray and Johnny Griffin of Tutorial High and Jamal Persaud of North Georgetown Secondary School.

Young women: Onika Rogers of Kwakwani Secondary, Daniela King and Odecia Duke of Plaisance

Secondary, Jada Mohan, Jahrier Young, Kellian Savers and Georgiana Vyphuis of Marian Academy, Tandika Bouyea, Annlesa Barker and Shaiana Barth of New Amsterdam Multilateral, Kesann Charles, Navalli Pineiro and Jayla Jones of The Bishops’ High School, Ashley Khan of St. Roses, Demelza Nicholas, Annalisa Barclay, Claudia Garraway and Destiny Mc Donald of President’s College.

The trial process includes initial trials, training sessions, (large and small groups) and exhibition games. The GABF stated that “they are extremely pleased to be involved with the student athletes of Guyana in preparing for the challenges of international basketball at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation U16 Championships, being hosted in Guyana.”

The coaches Identified are Lugard Mohan (U16 Head Coach, Men), Abdullah Hamid (Head Coach, U16 Women).

The other coaches chosen are Ann Gordon, Mark Agard, Kevin Joseph, Kirk Fraser, Junior Hercules, Kevin Bonnet, Wayne Hinds, Willon Cameron, Julian Haynes and Dane Kendall.

The GABF has also enlisted USA-based Coaching Consultant, Larry Davis.

Stag Elite League continues tomorrow at Leonora

Hubert Pedro has scored 9 goals for Fruta Conquerors in the second half of the season

L

eonora’s track and field facility will see a double header tomorrow evening (May 20th) when the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) take on the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at 19:00 hrs and Fruta Conquerors battle Pele FC at 21:00 hrs in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Stag Elite League Finale.

Pele FC will be looking to secure their spot in the top four spot with a victory over the in-form Fruta Conquerors with just two

games remaining in the Stag Elite League Finale. Pele currently sits in fourth position with seventeen points (17) from twelve games with five victories two draws and five defeats and are level on points with Guyana Defence Force who have one game remaining.

Pele’s leading goal scorer; Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson with six goals in this half of the season, will be looking to march his side into the top four and book a playoff spot. However, Fruta Conquerors will not be easily dismantled; they have only lost twice this season with both defeats coming at the hands of points leaders; Slingers FC. Conquerors star man, Hubert Pedro who scored last Sunday while representing Guyana in the international friendly against Canada, has nine goals in the Stag Elite League Finale season and will most definitely be aiming to add to his tally against a feisty Pele side.

Fruta Conquerors are second in the table with thirty one (31) points with one game remaining as the sea-

Captain of Transport & Harbours Team, Keion Morris (left) receiving the winning trophy from tournament organizer James Lewis

Elroy Fernandes scored 52 runs which was the highest individual score of the tournament

s part of the 50th Independence (Golden Jubilee) celebrations, sports organizer, James ‘Kool’ Lewis successfully hosted the Trophy Stall work place super 8 overs tape ball knockout cricket competition Sunday last, May 15 on the National Cultural Center tarmac.

Eight (8) teams took part in the event; Guyana Energy Authority (GEA), Transport and Harbours (T&H), the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL), Forestry Commission, Demerara Bank Ltd (DBL), Namilco, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Felix Austin Police Training College.

In the first match DBL defeated GUYOIL while Transport and Harbours knocked out GEA. Meanwhile, Namilco got the better of EPA and the Felix Austin Police Training College defeated the Forestry Commission to

That innings knock turned out to be the tournament’s highest individual score.

In the grand final, Transport and Harbour continued their dominance when they chased down 73 runs posted by Namlico without the loss of a wicket. Namilco took the crease first scoring 73 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. T. Hector finished with 28 runs for Namlico. Transport and Harbor were then sent in to bat as they cruised to victory scoring 75 runs in 7.4 overs without loss. Sheldon Chapman posted 39 runs while Deamon Whitney scored 36 runs for the winning side.

Transport and Harbours team received medals and a trophy from the Trophy Stall. The man of the match in the final was Sheldon Chapman who also received a prize.

James Lewis has indicated that the next competition will be on May 29, 2016.

A

advance to the semi-finals.

Transport and Harbor faced off against DBL in the first semi-final match of which they came out victorious. The bankers batted first posting 48 runs in their 8 overs. Transport and Harbour then cruised to victory in 6 overs scoring 51 runs to complete the chase and book a place in the finals. Sheldon Chapman led his team to victory scoring 24 runs for T&H while K. Chanderpaul topped scored for DBL with 22 runs.

The other semi-finals saw Namilco defeating Felix Austin Police Training College by 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare. The police training college batted first putting up a total of 67 runs for 6 wickets with Jason McCalmont scoring 38 runs.

Namilco then went about the run chase and got there in 7.4 overs finishing on 69 for 5 wickets. Namilco captain, Elroy Fernandes led the way with a breezy 52.

Albouystown wins “A” Division Futsal

GFC’s Curtez Kellman

son comes to a conclusion.

On the other hand GFC who currently sit at the bottom of the table with one point are hoping to end their season on a high against GDF. A win will mark GFC’s first victory in the second half of the season. GFC’s up and coming seventeen year old star Curtez Kellman, who was recently called up to the national side has been one of GFC’s bright spots amid a difficult season as they look to improve for the future.

Captain of the Albouystown Male Team receiving the Champion Trophy from Attorney-at-Law James Bond

O

n Saturday May 14, 2016, thirteen Police Youth Clubs competed in the Annual “A” Division (Georgetown/ East Bank Demerara) 10 a side football competition which was held at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.

The Under-14 knockout competition which catered for both boys and girls was a part of “A” Division’s Golden Jubilee celebration.

At the conclusion of the competition, in the male category, Albouystown placed first followed by the Golden Grove/Diamond Young Achievers and East Ruimveldt, in that order.

In the female category, Tiger Bay Trend Changers emerged winners followed

by Grove Kaleidoscope and Central Georgetown.

Trophies were awarded to the top three teams in each category and each play-

er was awarded a medal.

Special trophy awards were made to the Golden Grove/Diamond Young Achievers Youth Club for being the most disciplined team and Miss Alleya Allen who was adjudged the most valuable female player as well as the female who scored the most goals.

The competition was well attended and saw over five hundred children attending.

21

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The golden speed machine! Gafoor’s reconstructed Mazda Miata

By Akeem Greene

G

uyanese race car driver Nazim Gafoor is eager to face the new challenge of the Group three category in the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) 2016 after making a switch from the Group two.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday, Gafoor explained that he has made some changes to his car to make it more suited for the category.

“I was in group two before but I choose to go to group three because the car is better suited there. Additionally, we did an engine swap and the car is now powered by a 13B Mazda rotary engine,” Gafoor explained.

The former Drag racer revealed that he plans to give his best in the new category amidst the stiff competition.

“It’s a big challenge, and I will give it 100%, so once my car is going good, I think I will be right up at the top.” said Gafoor.

Gaffor who has been in race car driving for about three years now expects to put his Mazda Miata to the test at a track that will be challenging.

The driver said, “I had enough practice here but no race experience with this new set up, the track is different in Jamaica, it’s faster, with much more corners so that is bit of a challenge but I just have to be prepared to give my best.”

The young driver who is sponsored by Grand Sports Automotive Sales and Services expects a tough contest even from his own countrymen but being determined to win will be vital.

“There are a lot of drivers who have determination and skill so I would certainly have to be more determined than them, but a lot of times it comes down to luck”, Gafoor posited.

Team Guyana Wings Out

“We are leaving tonight [Wednesday] when we reach we will rest and then hopefully get our cars early and hit the track to start practic-

Nazim Gafoor

ing and see the changes that have to be made, because the suspensions would have to be set to suit the track because of the huge difference from South Dakota.” Gafoor revealed to this publication.

He added, “It’s pretty sad we don’t have a lot of cars going but I think we have some good drivers and once everybody performs to their best we will give a challenge as we did for the past two years.”

The Guyanese contingent for the SeaBoard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) left these shores on Wednesday destined for Jamaica for the first leg of the Champions which will be held at the Jamwest Circuit on May 21 and 22.

Guyana are the reigning overall champions and will want to defend their title as will two-time CMRC Group Four Champion Driver Kristian Jeffrey who is set to lead the pack of drivers in his Mitsubishi Evolution.

Kristain will be backed his father and veteran driver Kevin Jeffrey (Group 4), Rameez Mohammed (Group 3), Danny Persaud (Group 3 and 4), Mohan Rangasammy (Group 4) and Gafoor.

In the bikers category, defending Champion Elliot Vieira along with his cousins Stephen and Matthew Vieira will join forces with Leroy Cort and together will look secure valuable points for Guyana.

After the Jamaican leg, the racers will turn their attention to the Wallerfield circuit in Trinidad and Tobago, followed by the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados and then the final leg at the local South Dakota Circuit. (akeemg@

guyanatimesgy.com)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

thursDAY, may 18, 2016

No place for Gayle, DJ Bravo, Sammy as West Indies name Tickets go on sale from Monday T Tri Nation series squad WICB Tri-Nation Series

T

he West Indies Selection Panel today named the 14man squad for the first four matches of the upcoming Tri Nation One-Day International Series. The squad includes two players who are yet to play in ODIs for the West Indies.

These are: off-spinner Ashley Nurse, who was a member of the West Indies team which won the ICC World T20 last month; and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who has played 16 Test matches. The Tri Series will feature West Indies, South Africa and Australia and all matches will be day/night.

The series starts in at the Guyana National Stadium (June 3-7), then moves to Warner Park, St Kitts (June 11-15); and concludes at Kensington Oval, Barbados (June 19-26).

The series will also mark the return to West Indies duties for Trinidad & Tobago duo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine.

Pollard last wore the maroon in ODI in October 2014 when the West Indies abandoned the tour to India while Narine last played ODI’s for the Windies in November 2015 before being reported for a suspected bowling action.

The full squad is expected to assemble in Barbados for a period of encampment before the series bowls off in Guyana.

FULL SQUAD Jason Holder (Captain) Sulieman Benn Carlos Brathwaite Darren Bravo Jonathan Carter Johnson Charles Andre Fletcher Shannon Gabriel

Sunil Narine Ashley Nurse Kieron Pollard Denesh Ramdin Marlon Samuels Jerome Taylor

Team Management Rawl Lewis (Team Manager) Phillip Simmons (Head Coach Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach) Roddy Estwick (Assistant Coach) Andre Coley (Assistant Coach) C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist) Ronald Rogers (Strength and Conditioning Coach) Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist) Philip Spooner (Media Manager) Dexter Augustus (Analyst)

icket sales for the Guyana leg of the upcoming Tri-Nation Series which involves West Indies, South Africa and Australia will commence on Monday, May 23 at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) office on Regent Road.

Tickets are expected to cost $4,000 for the Red and Green Stands; $3,000 for Orange Stand and $2,000 for Grass Mound.

In addition to the GCB office as a ticketing location, it is expected that the National Stadium will also be used in the coming days; patrons wishing to purchase online can do by visiting www.kyazoonga.com.

The matches slated for Guyana will be played on Friday June 3, where West Indies play South Africa, followed West Indies versus Australia on Sunday June 5 and finally the two visiting teams will play each other on Tuesday June 7.

After the first round of matches in Guyana, the

tournament will head to Warner Park in St Kitts and Nevis for three more games and will conclude in Barbados with the final round of three matches and the grand final at the Kensington Oval on June 26. All 10 matches in the series will Day/Night affairs and are scheduled to bowl-off at 13:00hrs. This is the first time that a full series of matches will be played under lights in the Caribbean.

The three high profile matches at Providence are expected to mark the return of International cricket to Guyana after an absence of three years.

The last One Day International (ODI) that was played in the land of many waters was in July 2013 when West Indies beat the touring Pakistan by 37 runs in the second One Day International in the fivematch rubber.

The Australians are currently ranked number one on the International Cricket

Council (ICC) ODI rankings; the South Africans are in third while the West Indies are in eight place.

In the terms of the teams, the West Indies are expected to name their squad for the series in the coming days while two visiting team’s squads are already announced.

Australia Squad : Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

South Africa Squad : AB de Villiers (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi

Jamaican Ruggers ready to take GFF signs five-year attack to “Green Machine” MoU with Namilco

Antonio Baker

By Akeem Greene

T

he Jamaican National Rugby team has expressed confidence in being able to produce an offensive display to quell the exuberance of their Guyanese counterparts, popularly called the “Green Machine,” when the two sides clash on Saturday at the National Park Ruby field, Georgetown.

When the Guyana Time Sport spoke to visiting captain, Hubert Thomas on Wednesday after their arrival, he expressed confidence in being able to tactically outplay the local ruggers to secure a much needed win in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship South Zone Division as apart the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

“We upgraded our scrum for this game, the last game against Trinidad my scrum didn’t work properly so we came with a total-

ly different game plan and hope that the guys come and work,” the captain said.

Hubert highlighted that the key to their success is making sure they (Jamaicans) stick to their game plan and not be over-run by the fierceness of the Guyanese.

“What we need to do is stick to the game plan and do what we do best, play our game, play the Jamaican game; if we try and divert and play the Guyanese game then we might suffer a defeat but if we stick to our game, we have a pretty good chance,” Hubert explained.

Antonio Baker, who plays second row props, expects a tough battle due to the physical style that Guyana plays with but still believes his side can inflict a defeat.

Baker said, “we heard that Guyana was a physical team and that they are really fit so what we looking to do is to nullify their physicality with our speed; I noticed that the field was kind of small so it going to be a very physical game and if the scrum come to work then the box will be there, so we will be trading hits all day.”

A great component of the local “Green Machine” is their swift style of play and break-away that occur by their wingers but Baker posited that Jamaicans also have several quick men.

“The small field means the plays will be closer so that will kind of nullify their speed, and Jamaicans are known to be fast, we have Usain Bolt, so we are fast also, we have fast wingers; when we went to Trinidad, we saw some weakness in the team so we upgraded that to have a more balanced team now and will be expecting a better performance from the team this trip,” the strongly built Baker explained.

– Youth tournament to be the focal point

T

Hubert Thomas

The Jamaican Ruggers are confident they can rebound from their 38-14 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago in their opening round match as another defeat means their hopes of qualifying for the Word Cup will be shattered.

In this regard, Baker said, “as Jamaicans we are those people who go out there and grind and I think what is important that we remember that the game has already gone and we just need to look forward because if we lose this game, we are out, so have to just put the loss behind us and do what we have to do to move on to the next round.”

The match on Saturday will see Guyana starting as favourites after their 48 to 17 win against Barbados last month at the same venue but the Jamaicans will be desperate for a good showing to preserve their World Cup Qualifying campaign.

Scrum off is at 16:00hrs (akeemg@guy-

anatimesgy.com)

he National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) has signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for the development of youth football in Guyana.

This signing was held at the NAMILCO office on Monday May 9, 2016 by Mr. Wayne Forde, President of the GFF and Mr. Bert Sukhai, Managing Director of NAMILCO. GFF stated in a release that this initiative will see the execution of the GFF-NAMILCO IntraAssociation Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Football League, scheduled for kick-off in May 2016. This signing, however, is part of a broader approach adopted by the Executive Committee of the GFF to address the issue of lack of long-term sponsorship for programmes and will involve engaging the business community to broker deals.

The objectives of this approach are listed as; 1. To enable each Association to play consistent developmental football at these very critical U13, U15, U17 & U19 levels.

2. To bring stability to the sponsorship environment by removing unhealthy competition among businesses within the developmental football programs 3. To ensure that tournaments overlap between Executive termlimits so that football is not disrupted by political transition.

4. To create a structured national scouting programme and an academy training format that enable each Association to develop the strongest possible Association squad at every developmental level.

5. To ultimately produce national teams that are a true reflection of the nine associations.

GFF’s President; Wayne Forde

Each Association will organize an intra-Association league within the scope of the rules and age limits set out by the GFF. Coaches that have been trained to function as Youth Development Officers will be deployed to each Association to work along with the appointed Association coach and together they will scout/ select the best players. These players will be entered into the academy training programme and will train together once a week under the guidance of the Youth Development Officer and the Association’s coach.

Each quarter the nine Association teams will be brought together to play a two-day tournament during which a scouting panel, led by the national youth coach for that level and the Youth Development Officers, will identify the players for the national team. These initiatives will position Guyana as a formidable football nation within the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and the wider football world. GFF is confident that in another four years Guyana will be exporting players to professional leagues throughout the world.

guyana-times.com

thursDAY, may 19, 2016

23

India Test Hetmyer, Joseph in WICB President’s XI squad series hopefuls to face Proteas at Queen’s Park Oval assemble for High S Performance camp T JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies Under-19 players Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph have been named in the 13-man WICB President’s XI squad, announced by the WICB Selection Panel.

The team will face South Africa in a day/night 50-over match at Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday, May 29 from 13:00 Hrs. Hetmyer was the captain and Joseph the leading fast bowler in the West Indies Under-19 team which won the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in February.

The WICB President’s XI will be led by Test opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite. The squad also includes left-hander Evin Lewis, who was a member of the West Indies team, which won the ICC

Leon Johnson sweeps while John Campbell looks on (WICB Photo)

West Indies Head Coach, Phil Simmons (right) working with Rajendra Chandrika on batting techniques

B

RIDGETOWN, Barbados – West Indies head coach, Phil Simmons has assembled a group of 14 players in a one-week high performance camp focusing on batting and spin bowling. The players, some of whom have played at the international level, have been invited to attend as West Indies look ahead to the upcoming Test match schedule.

The training sessions, which started last weekend, are being conducted under the guidance of the Head Coach, at the West Indies High Performance Centre at the 3Ws Oval.

Simmons said: “The camp is specifically for batsmen and spin bowlers. At this stage, we want the batsmen to focus on getting better against the slow bowlers.

We want bowlers to look at ways to improve their art of spin bowling. In the coming months we will have Test matches against India and Pakistan – two higher ranked teams – so we know we will face a lot of spin and we will play against players who are good players of spin.

So this camp is planned with those factors in mind.”

Simmons added: “The list of players for this camp

does not mean that they have already been selected to play the Test matches. The squads for the India and Pakistan matches will be named at a later date. We have chosen players to work on certain specific areas and to have a closer look at their techniques and skill sets, as we look to prepare for what is ahead of us.”

West Indies are due to play four Tests against India in July and August in the Caribbean and three Tests away to Pakistan in September and October.

Another camp, for the West Indies squad for the Tri Nation 50-over series will be held later this month. The players for that camp will be named in the coming days.

LIST OF PLAYERS: Kraigg Brathwaite Rajendra Chandrika Shai Hope Jermaine Blackwood Shane Dowrich Leon Johnson Vishal Singh Roston Chase Shamarh Brooks John Campbell Imran Khan Gudekesh Moti-Kanhai Damion Jacobs Jomel Warrican

(WICB)

World T20 in India last month.

Several other players with international experience have also been selected: batsmen Jermaine Blackwood, and Jason Mohammed; wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich; left-arm spinner Nikita Miller; and allrounder Rayad Emrit.

Hetmyer who is the lone Guyanese in the squad has played three List A matches for the West Indies Under 19 in the Nagico Super 50 tournament 2015 where he scored an even half century on debut against Trinidad & Tobago in Tobago. He is averaging 24.66 runs per innings and has matured in his level of play.

The Proteas are using the match as part of their preparations for the upcoming Tri Nation ODI Series, which also features

West Indies and Australia.

FULL SQUAD Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain) Shimron Hetmyer Jermaine Blackwood Damion Jacobs Shane Dowrich Jason Mohammed Evin Lewis Alzarri Joseph Jon Russ Jaggesar Andre McCarthy Nikita Miller Rayad Emrit Delorn Johnson

Team Management Graeme West (Manager/ Coach) Vasbert Drakes (Coach) Oba Gulston (Physiotherapist) Zephyrinus Nicholas (Strength and Conditioning Trainer) MATCH SCHEDULE

Friday June 3: West Indies vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium Sunday June 5: West Indies vs Australia – Guyana National Stadium Tuesday June 7: Australia vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium Saturday June 11: South Africa vs Australia – Warner Park Monday June 13: West Indies vs Australia – Warner Park Wednesday June 15: West Indies vs South Africa – Warner Park Sunday June 19: Australia vs South Africa – Kensington Oval Tuesday June 21: West Indies vs Australia – Kensington Oval Friday June 24: West Indies vs South Africa – Kensington Oval Sunday June 26: The Final – Kensington Oval

thursdAY, May 19, 2016

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

No place for Gayle, DJ Bravo, Sammy as West Indies name Tri Nation series squad

Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine are included in the West Indies ODI Squad for the Tri Nations Series involving Australia and South Africa

Pg 22

Jamaican Ruggers Hetmyer, ready to take attack Joseph to “Green Machine” in WICB President’s XI squad to face Proteas at Queen’s Park Oval

Pg 23

Pg 22

Part of the Jamaican contingent, from left Antonio Baker, Captain Hubert Thomas and Jermaine Daley

Shimron Hetmyer is the lone Guyanese in the WICB President’s XI squad to play against South Africa at the Queen’s park Oval

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