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Worshippers celebrate birthday of Lord Krishna in Region 2

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Issue No. 2959

Friday, August 26, 2016

Reported Zika cases climb from 7 to 35

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PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Missing Ituni $5M

Former Region P5 10 REO sheds light on possible spending

… Ministry awaiting results on seven more suspected cases

Jagdeo blasts Govt over new tolls for Linden roads

Better Success rice farmer dead after domestic spat

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– sister in custody

Another P15 body found in Corentyne backdam Negotiation P9 with Govt was for “living wage” – GPSU

President meets with new UNDP team on biodiversity, new environment dept Page 10 From left: Advisor on Climate Change at the Ministry of the Presidency, Ndibi Schwiers-Ceres; Regional Technical Advisor of the REDD Programme, Marco Chiu; President David Granger; UNDP Resident Representative Mikiko Tanaka; Deputy UNDP Resident Representative Shabnam Mallick; and UNDP Programme Specialist Patrick Chesney

PNCR’s19th Biennial Congress opens Page 16

Pharmagate

Contract void of bond certification, space was for professional office Page 3

… Govt expenses exceed monthly rental of $12.5M

Amerindian lands distributed without P5 permission – Toshaos Improvement of prison conditions imminent with IDB funded survey – P10 Ramjattan China P16 continues to provide scholarships for Guyanese

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Better Success rice farmer dead after domestic spat – sister in custody

A

day which started off with bright sunshine turned out to be a gloomy one for the Lawrie family of Better Success in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) as they are currently mourning the death of Maxton Lawrie, 30.

Lawrie, a Better Success rice farmer lost his life during a family argument. Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the dead Lawrie came home around midnight August 24 2016, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and started to argue with his father Maxwell Lawrie. The argument escalated to where it is alleged that Lawrie cuffed his father’s right eye.

After assaulting his father, he then reportedly rushed to his sister’s room armed with a knife and knocked on her door. The sister, Stephney Lawrie,

Dead: Maxton Lawrie

opened her bedroom door and was confronted by her brother hurling expletives and remarks about her personal life – still armed with the knife.

Lawrie allegedly tried to hurt his sister with the knife but she pushed him away and he reportedly fell on the knife.

Lawrie suffered a stab

wound to his right side lower abdomen. He was rushed by family to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

After the incident, several persons gathered on the scene. The dead man’s wife is currently four months pregnant.

Information revealed that he was a habitual drinker and would usually misbehave with family.

On numerous occasions reports were made at the Anna Regina Police station.

Persons who converged on the scene related they heard loud screams emanating from the home.

Upon inquires they saw a stab wound on the rice farmer’s body.

Lawrie’s 24-year-old sister is presently in custody assisting with investigations.

(Indrawattie Natram)

Reported Zika cases climb from 7 to 35 … Ministry awaiting results on seven more suspected cases

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ublic Health Minister Dr George Norton has stated that there are 35 confirmed cases of Zika Virus in Guyana, which is a sig-

Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has sent back a report stating that there are 35 confirmed cases of the virus. However, he noted that they are re-testing

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

nificant leap from the initial seven.

Speaking to Guyana Times recently, Norton stated that the Caribbean

the results of some seven more cases before releasing a final report.

Previously, there were only seven reported cases of the virus in the country and the Health Ministry had embarked on an aggressive fogging exercise to combat its spread. The ministry has also been distributing treated mosquito nets to all health facilities, including private medical institutions.

The Zika Virus is transmitted by the Aides Aegypti mosquito, known to be aggressive daytime biters but also bite at nights.

Symptoms of the virus include: fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash and sometimes swelling of the limbs. In rare cases, persons may experience vomiting, abdominal pains and diarrhoea.

The virus can be passed on from a pregnant woman to her foetus, possibly resulting in certain brain defects. The virus has been linked specifically to a

brain deformity called microcephaly, which results in the abnormal smallness of the infants’ head. This disorder results in incomplete brain development.

Thus, the ministry has advocated that persons avoid getting pregnant during this time. And if they do, they do it at their own risk. The ministry had advised that all pregnant women attend each of the antenatal clinic dates and use mosquito nets.

There are as yet no vaccines for the virus; however, the symptoms are treated symptomatically.

Zika was first spotted in Berbice when a woman, 27, tested positive in January, 2016. The virus has since spread to other regions, predominately in Region Four.

Dr Norton also stated that the four pregnant women who were tested positive with the virus are all recovering. He revealed that three of the mothers had normal deliveries and their babies showed no signs of brain defects.

However, he stated that the hospital is still monitoring the development of the infants. The other mother aborted her baby in fear of abnormal childbirth.

Presently, Brazil is still reeling from the effects of a massive Zika outbreak, which resulted in hundreds of babies being born with microcephaly. The eruption of outbreaks in various countries has caused the World Health Organisation to declare the virus a global health emergency.

The WHO even convened emergency meetings to seek an end the spread.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 26 –12:00h-13:30h and Saturday, August 27 – 13:30h-15:00h.

Contract void of bond certification, space was for professional office

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 26 – 11:15h-12:45h and Saturday, August 27 – 12:45h-14:15h.

… Govt expenses exceed monthly rental of $12.5M

T

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected in the morning hours while sunshine is expected to prevail in the afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East South-easterly between 2.68 metre and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 11:06h and 23:34 reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.28 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 04:29h and 17:00h reaching minimum heights of 0.87 metre and 1.03 metres respectively.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016

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he drug bond scandal continues to blow up in Government’s face, with the contract now confirming that there is no proof that the Sussex Street Bond is compliant with international health and safety requirements and that the landlord would be receiving exceedingly generous benefits.

An unsigned contract (Agreement of Tenancy) between the Public Health Ministry and the controversial warehouse owned by Linden Holdings Inc was circulated to parliamentarians on Thursday.

Among the number of red flags contained in the document, the most alarming is that the parties involved agreed that the building would be used for a professional office as opposed to a drugs warehouse.

This would explain why the building, which critics and experts have since argued is not certified to properly store pharmaceuticals, is presently under renovation while simultaneously keeping drugs which will be distributed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and other public health agencies for usage by the public.

Government was adamant that the building is certified by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) for the storage of pharmaceutical supplies; however, the contract bears no such stipulation despite the criticalness of this bit of information.

Additionally, the released contract shows that the landlord will be benefiting greatly from this deal, particularly with provisions to hold the property for three years along with a 12-month notice of termination.

Exceeding expenses

The contract reveals that Government might have undervalued, whether deliberately or unintentionally, the expenses it will incur in renting the bond.

In addition to the $12.5 million monthly rent which will be paid to Linden Holdings Inc for usage of the building, the contract outlines that Government will pay the required Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Guyana Revenue Authority. Inclusive of VAT, the rent would total $14.5 million instead of the $12.5 million that Government was touting.

The contract stipulates also that Government would be responsible for paying utility bills to the Guyana Power and Light and Guyana Water Inc. While it was reported that Government made an upfront payment of $25 million to the company, it was demanded in the contract an advance of $37.5 million – representing two months’ rent in advance and one month’s rent as a security deposit.

NEW GPC

The building was for a professional office, not a bond

The Government also agreed to stand the expenses to maintain the building, including cleaning, regular and emergency repairs, the servicing of the air conditioning units, etc.

The contract stipulates that if Government fails to execute the functions within a stipulated timeframe, the landlord will take up the responsibility and all costs incurred will be recoverable from Government as if it were rent in arrears.

Corruption

Commenting on these revelations, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo charged that the deal is undoubtedly a blatant act of corruption on the part of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

“This scandalous corrupt act demonstrates the level of petulance, fickleness, lack of transparency and accountability, and irresponsible use of taxpayers’ money,” he expressed in a statement to the media late Thursday evening.

Just the day before, the former President alluded to a possible major cover-up within Cabinet, among a number of senior Government officials in relation to the drug bond deal.

He called for the contract to be terminated and that an external investigation be launched into the undertakings.

Further, Jagdeo asserted that Government is attempting to fool the public into believing they grabbed a better deal, when in reality, they are desperately trying to cover-up corruption.

“Which competent and responsible Cabinet would approve a contract of $12.5 million VAT exclusive ($14.5 million) for a 6000 square foot residential building versus $19 million VAT inclusive for a 70,000 square foot modern internationally certified pharmaceutical bond? Per square foot the Government is paying $2416 for a 6000 square foot building versus $271 for a 70,000 square foot fully equipped and certified pharmaceutical bond! This can only be seen as an act of corruption,” he stated.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had told the National Assembly that the fees charged by NEW GPC INC at $19.2 million a month to store the pharmaceuticals were too exorbitant.

Dr Norton also mislead the house when he indicated that Government had raked in exorbitant expenses by paying NEW GPC for the warehouse services.

However, it was revealed that NEW GPC never received any rent from the Government of Guyana for use of its state-of-the-art storage facility for over a decade.

Apology

Norton is expected to issue an apology to the Speaker of the National Assembly today.

But, Jagdeo contended that the “crocodile tears” is nothing but a media gimmick to garner sympathy from the public.

He also raised concerns about this apology coinciding with the People’s National Congress’ 19th Biennial Delegates Congress which begins today.

“Coinciding with this ‘mea culpa’, the Government has moved into full PR mode; Cabinet Ministers have jumped into the fray to cover up the stench of this corrupt act!” he stated.

The Opposition Leader also rejected sentiments expressed by AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan that the entire situation is a human error.

Linden Holdings Inc is a company whose majority shareholder is listed as Larry Singh.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Pump priming T

he economic policy of increased taxation that, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is engaging in, as a move to increase the revenue base of the country, would at this recessionary period of our economic growth, only lead to further stagnation and economic depression.

Instead, the Government should take a page from the United States (US), among other countries, during its times of recession, and engage in ‘pump priming’ to stimulate economic growth.

Not to be misconstrued, pump priming, as the name suggests is derived from the operation of older pumps whose valves had to be primed with liquid in order to function efficiently. However, the terminology was utilised

by US Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt to describe the need for government polices geared towards lifting their economy from the Great Depression.

It was also utilised in the financial crisis of 2007/2008 to reduce interest rates, increase government spending, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, in addition to dolling out tax rebates to the masses.

Pump priming is grounded in the Keynesian economic theory, which states that “government intervention within the economy, aimed at increasing aggregate demand, can result in a positive shift within the economy. This is based on the cyclic nature of money within an economy, in which one person’s spending directly relates to another person’s earnings, and that increase in earnings leads to a subsequent increase in spending.”

The subsequent increase in spending would then lead to increased profitability within the private sector - which is stagnant in Guyana at the moment - providing the necessary impetus for accelerated economic growth.

With respect to Guyana’s current economic standing, the mid-year economic report from the Ministry of Finance highlighted that for the first half of 2016, Guyana registered an overall GDP growth of just two per cent. Prompting Finance Minister Winston Jordan to revise downward his projections for the country’s annual economic growth from five per cent to four per cent, respectively.

The only industry that is responsible for this registered level of growth is mining which has, in the last couple of months, registered increased production within the area of gold. The other industries according to the report are in the negative as far as production and growth are concerned.

The government has increased public taxes in the form of licence fees of which there are now 140 increased cases. There is also the removal of tax exemptions traditionally used to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) - for investors, as well as removing tax exemptions from all capital equipment in the major productive sectors such as agriculture, forestry and mining, even though most of these sectors, with the exception of mining, registered negative growth. A clear indication that they need to be helped, and not burdened.

The spin-off effects of these implementations would invariably contribute to the already colossal unemployment rate of 25 per cent, reduction in the levels of production in the manufacturing sectors, in addition to further decelerating the growth of the economy because consumers would not have disposable income to spend.

In cases like this, when the economy has slowed, the unemployment levels are up and consumer spending is down due to businesses not making substantial profits, the government from an economic perspective is supposed to ‘prime’ the economy by decreasing taxes across the field, and increasing government spending, particularly in infrastructure.

This in turn would give consumers more disposable income, while government spending - on infrastructural projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydro project - would create jobs. In the case of the Hydro project, cheaper electricity would make foreign investment more attractive as rates become competitive comparative to other countries.

This would invariably lead to a reduction in the unemployment levels on two fronts, the infrastructural aspect and with the setting up of manufacturing sectors via attracted FDI. Government’s policy of increased taxation is best used when inflation is too high, above six per cent, as a tool to maintain the purchasing power of the currency and generate a broader tax revenue base since a high period of inflation would suggest that there is more money within the system than there is commodities to purchase.

Guyana’s inflation rate was recorded at 0.40 per cent in June of 2016. Essentially, a balance must be maintained between the increasing of taxes, to offset deficits, and the amount of money consumers have at their disposal.

One of Edinburgh's Zoo's king penguins has a special role: Sir Nils Olav is an honorary member of the King of Norway's Guard and gets to inspect the soldiers when they visit the Scottish capital (The Telegraph)

KA Juman-Yassin was only person on UG council in 1982 who voted against my dismissal Dear Editor, On Wednesday March 3, 1982, the University of Guyana Council terminated my appointment as a Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies. One man voted against my dismissal, KA Juman-Yassin. This Guyanese was courageous.

Thank you, Juman-Yassin.

You are an inspiration to me and my family. I thought of you, on and off, when I was kidnapped, blindfolded, interrogated and terrorized on February 9-14, 1984.

This unjust, undemocratic and unpatriotic act caused me irreparable personal and professional damage. Yet, there is no bitterness in my heart. It is sad, however, that working people in Guyana provide many of these folks with rewards and pensions.

Hereunder, are excerpts of the “Minutes of Adjourned Council Meeting held Wednesday March 3, 1982 in the Board Room, Administration Building, Turkeyen Campus.

PRESENT :Cdes. C. Baird, CCH, Pro Chancellor (Chairperson), G. Walcott, Vice Chancellor (AG.), D. Ainsworth, MP; L.T. Bowen, V. Burnham, E. Burrowes, N. Chaderpaul, W.A. Davidson, K. Denny, E.Gilbert, MP, H. Green, MP, J. Holder, AA, C. Jarvis, AA, L. Lewis, DSM, R. McKay, F. Mohamed, MP, A. Munroe, S.S. Narine, AA, MP, M. Parris, C. Philadelphia, B. Raghubir, DSM, L. Scotland, S.M. Shakoor, G.Sharma, J. Sinclair, G. Singh, S. Singh, K.A. Juman-Yassin, J. Yates, A. Yhap, AA, N. Younge and H.O. Brewester, Registrar/

Secretary (Ag.)…”

(After recommending that 29 students be asked to withdraw from the university because they did not do National Service, the Board dealt with my employment at UG). “…ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Under this item Cde. A. Munroe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, told the Board that he wished to raise a matter of vital importance in relation to the appointment (of) Paul Nehru Tennassee as a Research Fellow, Institute Development Studies.

He said that since Cde. Tennassee’s assumption of duty in January, 1982 information had come to hand which led to the conclusion that he was not (a) fit and proper person to continue in the employment of the University. He therefore proposed that Cde. Tennassee’s appointment be terminated under clause 3 of his contract and that he should be given (6) months salary in lieu of notice along with benefits to which he was entitled. He added that a cheque for the amount due should accompany the letter of termination.

The Dean, Faculty of Social Science, inquired into the reasons for such a proposal at this point of the agenda and felt that the decision to terminate someone’s appointment so abruptly should not be taken lightly. He called on Cde Munroe to put forward reasons to support his proposal since from the information gleaned from Cde Tennessee’s curriculum vitae it would seem that there was no academic reason for the proposal. He opined

that such reasons would assist the University in its recruitment decisions. He reminded the Council also of the point of view of the Academic Board which sometime previously had urged that when a person’s contract was being terminated at short notice, some explanation should be given.

The response of some members of the Board was that the Academic Board had no authority over appointments or dismissals and its opinion could be disregarded. They further argued that in matters of this nature the less said the better and no reason should be advanced.

Cde. Juman-Yassin voiced his disagreement and said that such an abrupt termination of anyone’s service could greatly affect his future prospects.

He advanced the argument that Council as the body being asked to make the decision was entitled to hear the reasons for the proposal so that it could be satisfied about the objectivity of its decision. He stated that he would be hard pressed to support a proposal without hearing the rationale that led to its presentation.

The majority of the members however insisted that no reasons should be advanced and called on the Pro-Chancellor to put Cde. Munroe’s motion to the vote. The Pro-Chancellor cautioned the Council that the matter was a serious one. However, since there seemed to be a general demand for the motion to be put, she called on members to indicate their support or otherwise of the motion.

In the vote that followed,

twenty-six (26) members supported the motion, one (1) member voted against, there was one (1) abstention and one (1) member did not vote.

The Registrar (ag) was advised to dispatch the letter of termination the next day (4th March) and to seek legal advice on the formulation of the letter.

The Dean, Faculty of Social Science, then told Council that his Faculty would view the decision seriously since it placed them in a rather invidious position. He hoped that at a later stage Council would see the wisdom of offering reasons for its decision.

There being no other business the meeting ended at 17.55 hours.”

Eusi Kwayana told me that my father was the first school teacher who responded to his letter inviting teachers on the Corentyne to join the independence struggle. I witnessed with my mother, when I was six-years-old, the invading British soldiers occupy our store (under Dr Lachmansingh’s house in James Street), and later went to our home in search of my father and subversive literature. I met Forbes Burnham in 1969 at his office in Parliament Building.

He listened to me explain my views on how the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean should be mobilized and organized to assert their true independence. He then leaned back on his chair, slightly touched his little beard and said to me “idealism, idealism, pure idealism.”

Yours faithfully, Paul Nehru Tennassee

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

guyana-times.com

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News

Missing Ituni $5M Amerindian lands Former Region 10 REO sheds distributed without permission – Toshaos light on possible spending

BY Utamu Belle

F

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes

M

any Indigenous leaders have expressed disdain over the fact that their lands were distributed for mining operations without their knowledge.

Many have also vented frustrations over environmental damage, coupled with rampant illegal mining, in their communities, which they said are affect-

place [with] no documents shown…[the miners] are polluting the waterways which we use actually everyday to go and fish; and it’s filling up the river,” he noted.

John Andrew, Tosaho from Micobe Village in Region Eight, said his entire land was “mapped out” for mining, without the coun-

the relevant stakeholders to address their concerns.

Speaking directly to the Micobe Toshao, the Natural Resources Minister explained that the team that was dispatched to the community is in the process of preparing a report. He stated that while Government is “committed” to addressing the problems that come

A section of the National Toshaos Conference on Wednesday

ing their livelihoods.

These revelations occurred during sessions held on the third day of the National Toshao Council (NTC) Conference, where it was echoed that villagers are met with “disrespect” due to the lack of consultations.

One Toshao from Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) voiced concern over the large quantity of land being granted for small-scale mining, making special reference to a concession awarded for mining which is due to expire till 2017.

“Our land is over 80 per cent covered with medium-scale mining concessions…this (referring to a concession) shall remain enforced until 25th June, 2017,” the Toshao explained.

He further noted that other miners are also conducting operations without the necessary documentation; and appealed to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to address these matters.

“There are miners who working all over, just claiming that, that is their

cil’s permission. He also lamented the disrespectful manner in which villagers are treated.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman was called on to provide explanations as to why leaders were not consulted before the lands were distributed.

“Mining our lands and water without permission makes it difficult for us, the Village Council, to oversee that these miners apply best practices,” the Toshao noted.

“The residents of Micobe Village are still awaiting an update on an investigation on a map that carries a GGMC logo showing an entire mining block, showing our entire land covered by mining blocks which we are not aware of or never gave permission,” the Indigenous leader revealed.

He noted too that leaders should be updated on the findings of a team that recently visited the area on a fact-finding mission.

Responding to the myriad of issues raised, Trotman told the Indigenous heads that there would have been additional meetings with

before it, he cautioned that “solutions may not always be immediate.”

One Toshao from Marudi Mountain spoke of the dire impact the extractive sector is having on his community. He pondered the steps which Government will take to reduce the environmental impact by small and illegal miners, an issue which has been plaguing the community for some time.

In April, stakeholders approved and signed an agreement aimed at charting the course forward for mining in the Marudi Mountains in Region Nine; this would have likely resolved “the conflict that had escalated between large-scale mining company Romanex, miners, and several communities in South Rupununi,” last year.

Late last month, however, many Toshaos in the area revealed that many tenets of the agreement were being violated.

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the situation “had worsened” after the agreement was signed.

ormer Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Henry Rodney has shed new light on what may have happened to the $5 million from a social account of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in 2011, derived from the sale of scrap iron by residents of Ituni.

During an interview with this newspaper, Rodney who served as REO from 2004 to 2012 recalled that a deposit of just about $2 million was made into the fund during his tenure. He said at the time there was an economic fund of the RDC in which the then Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, was the custodian.

He explained that generally, government accounts would be authorised by the finance secretary, the funds of which the REO becomes custodian. Rodney noted however that this fund was something different, noting that it was considered a "holding" fund under an economic fund of the RDC. He recalled that between 2004-2005 the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)would have handed over a check of about $2 million to the RDC for holding.

Rodney said that there had been previous deposits before he took office.

"Records would have shown that they made previous deposits, amounting to 4 point something, nearly $5 million but not in my time.

Whenever apparently they sell these scrap iron, they deposit into the Region, this economic fund to be used for the benefit of the community", he said.

The former REO added that the account also held other monies such as flood relief, which the diaspora would have contributed to, activities from the Ituni guest house, among other things. Rodney pointed out that funds from the guest house went into the account which was eventually repaired and handed over to the community for management.

He said since it was the belief that Central Government did not provide funding for certain community activities, the RDC had authorised utilisation of approximately $3 million from the holding fund to clear a road which had been blocked by residents in 2012.

He further said the regional chairman was the only person who could authorise such utilisation, to which he was also the main signatory. As REO, Rodney said he only had access to the information, but it was the chairman's authority to

Former REO Henry Rodney

determine how the money could be used.

"Monies were used to repair the guest house and the guest house was handed over to the community for management...I know also that there was some blocking of the road and the RDC had intervened and...RDC would have taken some money from that fund to do internal work in the community...the RDC had authorised the utilisation of near to $3 million for work on that road," Rodney disclosed.

He recalled also that just over half a million dollars was used to repair the guest house and its maintenance.

Rodney stated further that the RDC in that time would also utilise money from the fund to award gifts to the region's top achiever students since such funds were not provided by the state, citing that there had been records of all of the transactions.

Those records, he noted, would have shown that previous deposits had been made around the period of 2003. He said while he is not aware of all the details, a lot of the money was utilised on the Ituni/Kwakwani roadway repairs.

"If you look at the records, you would see that while the money might not have been strictly used directly in keeping with the scrap iron (sale), activities of Region 10, some would have been used for."

The money, considered as "missing" has been the centre of controversy at the RDC for several years, and previous Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, had even set up a committee in 2013 to probe the missing money after the residents of Ituni had requested it in an effort to carry out developmental activities.

However, the committee had failed to locate the cash. While the Committee was not able to solve the case completely, it discovered that a sum of $1.2 million was the final withdrawal made at the end of (December 31) 2011 by an employee of the RDC. No official explanation could be given as to how the sum was spent.

Recently RDC councillors had made calls to Regional Chairman Renis Morian to have the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) investigate what happened to the money; however Morian said it was not his remit and that NICIL should conduct a probe.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

Page

BY ERICA REISCHER

H

ere’s a scene I witnessed a few years ago. A father came to pick up his daughter after a day of camp. She was happily playing with her friends when he arrived. When he told her it was time to go, she replied: “I don’t want to go yet. I’m having fun.” Her dad responded: “But you’ve been here all day. You’ve had enough.” She got upset and protested again that she wasn’t ready to go. This exchange went back and forth until eventually the father sternly took his daughter’s arm and walked her to the car.

It seemed like the child wouldn’t listen to reason.

They had to go and she was digging in. But what the dad didn’t realise was that reasoning often doesn’t work with children unless you respect their reality.

Respecting our children’s reality means letting them feel, think, and experience things in a different way than we do. It sounds easy – until you discover that it’s different from your own.

That’s when many parents turn to threats, force, and ordering children around.

One of the best ways to build a bridge between your reality and the child’s is through empathy

When we practice empathy with our children, we show respect for their feelings and their unique experience of the world. Practicing empathy shows that we are really listening, and that we understand (or at least are trying to understand) their point of view. Empathy pos-

guyana-times.com

Foundation itively harnesses the power of emotions, which can easily overtake reasoning.

This is why empathy often works when reasoning fails. (Strictly speaking, the term empathy means actually feeling what someone else is feeling, in contrast to sympathy, which means understanding someone else’s feelings. I am using the term empathy here more loosely, to mean focusing on feelings, either through compassion, sympathy, or empathy.)

Not respecting our chil-

dren’s reality is something we are generally unaware of doing. We really have to pay attention to notice the ways in which we unintentionally disregard or question their feelings and perspective.

A more skilful way for the dad to handle that situation would have been to practice empathy right from the start. When the daughter said she didn’t want to go, the father might have responded: “Sweetie, I can see you’re having a lot of fun and you really don’t want to go yet (empathy). I’m sorry about that. At the same time, we are meeting Mom for dinner and it wouldn’t be nice manners to be late (reason). Please say good-bye to your friends and go get your things (request).”

Here’s a second example of how we unintentionally fail to respect our children’s reality and how doing so can create conflict when our goal is just the opposite: a first-grader doing his math homework is struggling. He gets frustrated and says, “I can’t do this.” Many wellmeaning parents respond with something like this: “Yes, you can, sweetie. Here, let me show you.”

By telling him that he really can do the problem he is struggling with, you are in-

tending to motivate him to keep trying. Although your intentions are good, you are essentially telling him he is wrong about his experience; you are arguing with his reality.

Paradoxically, this type of response makes some children even more likely to hold on to their belief that they cannot do it: “No, I can’t!” Now the situation has unfortunately escalated from frustration with homework to frustration/anger/ sadness at not being understood.

A more skilful way to respond in this instance would be, again, to start with empathy. “Honey, I can see you’re struggling with this and it feels really hard right now.

How about a hug? Okay,

show me where you’re feeling stuck with this; let’s see if we can come up with some other ways of approaching this problem. I can see this math is tricky for you right now. At the same time, I believe that you can figure it out.”

In this example, note the important, but subtle, distinction in saying, “I believe you can do it” instead of “You can do it.” In the first, you are stating your opinion; in the second, you are stating something as a fact that argues with your child’s experience.

Skilful parenting involves watching for opportunities to reflect and show empathy for the different ways in which your child experiences the world.

If you want to voice your disagreement, try doing so in a way that also acknowledges the validity of their way of seeing things, instead of stating it as a fact. Compare these two hypothetical responses to a child’s statement, “This park is no fun. I don’t like it.”

The second response allows for a difference of opinion, while the first one suggests there is only one right answer (yours).

Similarly, if your child is upset about something, respecting her reality would mean that instead of saying “Don’t cry” or “Everything’s fine” (both of which don’t acknowledge her experience at the moment) you might say, “You’re feeling upset right now.”

Let your children have their feelings and perspective, even if you don’t understand or agree with them.

And then try reason. (time.com)

A

ll of us worry about our children learning to control their emotions. After all, it’s emotions that so often get us off track and into trouble. And of course we need to just say ‘No’ sometimes.

Children can’t run into the street, throw their food at each other, or pee on their baby brother. But setting limits on children’s behaviour doesn’t mean we need to set limits on what they feel.

In fact, you can’t actually keep your child from getting upset, whether you “allow” it or not. Telling your child not to cry won’t keep him from being upset; it will just give him the message that there’s something scary or shameful about his emotions, so he’d better try to stuff them. Unfortunately, when humans repress emotion, those emotions are no longer under conscious control.

So they pop out un-regulated, when your child lashes out or acts out.

It’s that dysregulation that scares us, when our child seems completely out of control. But children don’t get dysregulated because we “allow” their emotions. They get dysregulated when they need to express an emotion but feel they “can’t.” So, instead, they “act (it) out.”

So denying emotion or making ourselves wrong for having emotions doesn’t help us control them. Here’s how a child actually learns to control his emotions:

1. We model healthy emotional self-management by resisting our own little “tantrums” such as yelling

Instead, we take a parent time-out to calm ourselves down. If our child is too young for us to leave the room, we do as much processing at other times as we can, so we can stay

more calm while we’re with our children. After all, children learn from us.

When we yell, they learn to yell. When we speak respectfully, they learn to speak respectfully. Every time you model in front of your child how to stop yourself from acting when you’re angry, your child is learning emotional regulation. (Most of us are still working on this!)

2. We prioritise a deep nurturing connection

Babies learn to soothe their upsets by being soothed by their parents.

But even older children need to feel connected to us or they can’t regulate themselves emotionally. When we notice our child getting dysregulated, the most important thing we can do is try to reconnect. When kids feel that we’re delighted with them, they WANT to cooperate – so that happy, fun connection eliminates most “misbehaviour.”

3. We accept our child’s feelings, even when they’re inconvenient (as feelings often are)

(“Oh, Sweetie, I know that’s disappointing... I’m so sorry things didn’t work out the way you wanted.)

When empathy becomes our “go to” response, our child learns that emotions may not feel good, but they’re not dangerous, so she accepts and processes them as they come up, instead of stuffing them, where they get uglier. She knows someone understands, which makes her feel just a bit better, so she’s more likely to cooperate. She doesn’t have to yell to be heard. And when our support helps her learn that she can live through bad feelings and the sun comes out the next day, she begins to develop resilience. (www.ahaparenting.com) TO BE CONTINUED

NEWS

7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Jagdeo blasts Govt over Controversy over Guyanese new tolls for Linden roads fishermen detained in Suriname D being addressed – Trotman 7 months later

o not be surprised if traffic into the mining town decreases and the cost of transportation increases, along with the cost of living within Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and its surrounding environs, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo indicated.

In light of these added expenses to the general public, he noted that these outcomes are inevitable and will only result in the continued hardship of the ordinary man to sustain a livelihood.

During a news conference on Wednesday at the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Headquarters Freedom House, Jagdeo strongly criticised the Government for imposing yet another burdensome fee as he struggled to comprehend the rationale of Government’s decision.

“This will bring hardships to the people of Linden, why would you want to do something like that. People will minimise passing through there… it would mean probably higher fares, it would mean more increase in cost of living because goods that they take over will cost more. Why would you want to do that now,” he pondered.

Jagdeo remarked that this is yet another of the many counterproductive policies of the Government which only resulted in additional suffering for the Guyanese public.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has approved the payment of 18 different categories of tolls to be paid to the Linden Town Council (LTC) for the use of its roads.

The resolution was approved by Minister Bulkan last Thursday and the information has since been officially gazetted.

The by-laws introduced by Minister Bulkan not only impose the need for the payment of the tolls, but creates offences should this new regime be breached.

According to the by-laws, “Every vehicle specified in the schedule shall stop at a paying point at the toll station and the owner or person in charge of the vehicle shall pay in the full corresponding toll for the vehicle to the toll col-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

lector in local currency.”

Under the newly approved by-laws, the Council, subject to the approval of the Minister, will be able to amend the schedule to add or remove categories of vehicles to be included.

The tolls to be charged under the by-laws will not exclude persons living in Linden, though there is accommodation.

According to the gazetted by-laws, the affected vehicles that are registered in the name of a person living in Linden shall pay a toll determined by the Council twice a year in January and July.

Vehicles which had been identified to attract a toll, but

are transporting essential supplies for the Government, shall be exempted by the Council from the payment of each toll upon notification and certification by the Regional Democratic Council of the vehicle to the Council.

Meanwhile, offences for the refusal of the payment of tolls have been created under the by-laws for breach of the payment of tolls and also makes provision for the detention of the vehicle of a delinquent road user.

According to the by-laws, in addition to the penalties imposed for refusing to pay, “the toll collector, in the event that a toll demanded is not honoured, may impound the vehicle and release the vehicle after the sum has been paid in full.”

Additionally, the toll collector or the designated officer may release information to the Council or Town Constabulary on any vehicle in respect of number plate, colour, make, type or model, or in respect of any person passing through the toll station and the information shall be confidential, according to the by-laws.

Reports indicate that the municipality will cash in on approximately $3 million monthly from the payment of these tolls.

Car with goods for sale

$2000

Minibuses with goods for sale

$2800

Small canters with goods for sale

$3000

Large canters with goods for sale

$4000

Lumber trucks with boards

$4000

20-foot containers

$5000

Pick-Ups and 4x4s with materials

$3000

Trailers with boards

$4000

Trucks with scrap iron

$5000

Timber trucks with logs

$5000

Trailers with logs

$5000

Bedford trucks

$4800

40-foot containers

$7000

Trucks with road building materials

$5000

Trucks with fuel

$5000

Fuel tankers

$5800

Haulers

$5000

Haulers with machines

$7000

I

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

n seeking to address the concerns of an ongoing river dispute which had led to the detention of several Indigenous fishermen in the Orealla environs, President of Guyana David Granger recently met his Surinamese counterpart Dési Bouterse to discuss, among other issues, the territorial spat.

This was revealed by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman at the National Toshao Conference (NTC) on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

The revelations were disclosed after Orealla Toshao, David Henry, expressed fear over the actions by tje Suriname military, who earlier this year, detained nine fishermen from the Orealla/ Siparuta district whilst the fishermen had been plying their trade in the Corentyne River, their only means of sustenance.

“If the Suriname [military] do more seriously, we will suffer,” the Toshao stated. He then asked the Natural Resources Minister to explain Government’s position on the river dispute and its plans to ensure the

Surinamese President Dési Bouterse

safety of the Amerindian fishermen.

In response, Minister Trotman opined that this dispute is a matter which has “besieged Guyana” for some time, noting that Government, through many avenues, is advocating for the issue to be resolved. He informed that the Surinamese patrols are still continuing.

“We are quite aware of presence of Surinamese patrols on the river [and] the President himself is intricately and actively involved…[Granger] recently met with the President of Suriname and the matter is on the agenda,” Trotman noted. He added that the Public Security Ministry is involved while pointing out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actually “handling” the issue.

It was in January this year that reports surfaced of the detention, with the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry later announcing that it had commenced investigations on the matter involving the Dutch-speaking country.

The nine men who had been detained in Suriname were later released. The

men – Armaan Edwards, Genovese Davair, Alistair Peneux, George Edwards, Ackley Felix, Bob Peneux, Rodrick Herman, Edward Herman and Clifton Edwards – had claimed that they had been engaged in subsistence fishing in the Corentyne River at the time of their detention.

The Ministry in a release had noted that the men were using hooks and lines and were in small boats and canoes. According to the statement, the men had been taken some 30 miles upriver to Apoera in Suriname where that country’s military had processed and later released them.

“Some had to paddle for hours to get back home. The matter was immediately reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is engaging that Ministry’s attention,” the ministry had stated.

That incident was not the first of its kind. In 2000, Suriname gunboats removed a Canadian oil drilling company which had been given permission by the Guyana Government to search for oil in the Corentyne.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

IN THE COURTS Woman busted with cocaine in mouth remanded

T

wenty-one-year-old Ariel Singh of 71 Alexander Street, Kitty, Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after she was allegedly caught with cocaine in her mouth by police ranks.

The woman pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on August 23, 2016 at Alexander Street,

Ariel Singh

Kitty, Georgetown, she had in her possession 4 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution’s case stated that police ranks, conducting a routine search in the Kitty area, saw the defendant acting in a suspicious manner and decided to search her.

However, before the ranks could begin their search, they witnessed Singh

place a whitish substance which was hidden in a plastic, in her mouth.

The ranks immediately instructed the defendant to open her mouth thereby revealing the substance.

Investigations were conducted and the defendant was arrested and subsequently charged.

The defendant was refused bail and will return to court on September 26, 2016.

Man remanded on robbery with violence charges

D

evon Anderson, 27, of Lot 21 Murphy Street, Good Intent, West Bank Demerara, was remanded to prison on allegations of robbery with violence. In his appearance at the Wales Magistrate Court

on Thursday, the defendant pled not guilty to the charges which stated that on August 20, 2016, at Long Pond, Sisters Village, he robbed Carol Paul of valuables amounting to $5,260.

An additional charge fur-

ther stated that on the same day at the Wales Market, he robbed Bibi Rameshpaul of six gold rings valued $200,000. Anderson also entered a not guilty plea on this charge.

The court heard that

Anderson has several matters of a similar nature at the Wales Police Station and as such bail was refused.

The defendant will make his next court appearance on September 16.

PI into Courtney Crum-Ewing's murder continues

T

he preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing continued on Thursday before Magistrate Judy Latchman, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Former Policewoman Delecia Brown, who served as a constable at Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Brickdam Police

Station, took the stand.

She was able to identify the photographs that she took at the crime scene, along with the spent shells. The testimony the witness provided was tendered and admitted as evidence to the PI. Brown also told the court that she had received training in Crime Scene Investigation; photography and fingerprint examination.

Devon Bowen, a Police constable, also took the stand as he had witnessed the post-mortem examination on Crum-Ewing.

It was reported that the bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once

to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The Police in a statement had stated that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body.

It was reported that the killer(s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing.

The case will continue on September 9, 2016.

Girl fined $100,000 for bird smuggling

A

young woman was fined $100,000 for attempting to smuggle 21 animals through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on a flight bound to John F Kenedy International Airport, when she appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Sadik Rodney pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at CJIA without the necessary permit she attempted to smuggle 21 “Towa Towa” birds.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Rodney was chosen for a random search at the CJIA where she was found to be in

possession of the animals in a black shoulder bag.

The unrepresented defendant explained that she collected the bag from her uncle upon travelling and did not check the bag. It is upon interception at CJIA that she became aware of its content.

She was cautioned by the magistrate to never col-

lect items from anyone without knowing what the items are, to which she replied she will never accept anything from anybody upon travelling again.

Magistrate Singh informed the defendant that failure to pay the fine would result into five months imprisonment.

Eyew tness Ironies..

Y

...in oil

our Eyewitness thinks it was Eric Williams, the erudite PM of T&T - and not so incidentally an Oxford-Trained historian - who first pointed out the irony that something as “sweet as sugar” could leave such a bitter legacy. Perhaps if he were more of an orthodox Marxist, he would’ve attributed it to the inextricable unity in “pair of opposites”!!

With Guyana inching its way to becoming an oil producing country, there are fears we could see another irony unfolding: something producing so much energy as oil, could lead to lethargy and even stagnation of our economy. And these are quite valid concerns - because the stagnation could produce even darker outcomes.

When oil was being pumped from Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries in the decades after WWI and literally fuelling the spectacular development drive in the West, no one thought about the “stagnation” of the oil producing countries. Hey!! They were only Arabs and natives, right? What’d THEY need development for? The leaders should be satisfied with the pennies to the barrel they were getting for the billions of barrels of oil shipped.

Living the high life in London was good enough for them.

Even after the oil producers launched OPEC in the early 1970s to belatedly initiate their “development”, not much happened. It’s only today with oil starting to run out that “diversification” of their economy’s being taken seriously.

Will it be a question of being “too little too late”?? But it was after oil was discovered in the North Sea, also in the 1970s that the irony of oil flowing like water - at a solid price - could lead to a stagnation in an already developed economy. It was called “Dutch Disease” because the effects were more pronounced there.

There, the oil revenues weren’t plunked into new industries – upstream or downstream in oil or into completely new businesses – or a Sovereign Wealth Fund for investment that’d bring dividends when the oil ran out. The “easy” money was just spent as it came in, raised standards of living while the average Joe and Josephine didn’t have to do much with their businesses. The motto was “Let the hood times roll!!” So a deformed economy where the oil revenues locomotive weren’t enough to pull the entire economic train was created: Dutch Disease!

Over in Nigeria, the Disease occurred because of corruption. Billions were siphoned off into off-shore bank accounts of politicians and once again new industries weren’t funded to employ the average poor citizen of the country.

And that’s why we should be concerned not only about “local content” - but also of a lack of a strategic plan to diversify our economy.

...in “disciplining”

It can’t get richer than this - Minister of Public Health George Norton going after GHPC’s CEO Michael Khan like a bulldog to “discipline” the latter for an alleged “infraction”!! The same Norton, a senior MINISTER of the Government who repeatedly LIED to Parliament - the forum in the land where the laws are made to keep the rest of US on the straight and narrow - saddles us with an unnecessary $450 MILLION DEBT, receives a slap on the wrist from his Cabinet buddies, yet he insists on crucifying Khan for possibly misinterpreting the income tax laws of Guyana on $4M income??!!

And it’s not even within the remit of Norton to discipline Khan in the first place! Even the GHPC’s audit Norton’s using to go after Khan, specified that action on its recommendations is the responsibility of GHPC’s BOARD. And this body has pronounced that Khan should remain as CEO!!

Maybe Prezzie should now appoint a group of Khan’s colleagues to “investigate” and make recommendations?

Like it was for Norton!

...of tinting

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan inadvertently revealed the irony as to why the campaign to control “tinting” of vehicles has failed.

Permission’s at the discretion of the Minister, who wears rose coloured glasses!!

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

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Negotiation with Govt was for “living wage” – GPSU T he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) said its engagement with the Government in the wages, salaries and allowances negotiation had a clear goal of seeking out a “a living wage” for public servants, solutions of the de-bunching issue within scales, and addressing the matter of the adequacy of allowances paid to public officers.

The two parties are still at a standstill following Government’s announcement on Wednesday that the negotiation had come to an end and that the GPSU is yet to accept a 10 per cent increase offer. The public servants’ representative said the issue has to be discussed at its General Council meeting.

“Prior to the start of the negotiations it had been agreed at the level of the union, that, first, an appropriate stage having been reached, our members would be briefed on the unfolding negotiations. It had also been agreed that the position of the Government of Guyana would be put to the General Council of the Union with a

view to having it arrive at a determination as to whether that position met with the expectations of the union’s members in the context of the mandate set the negotiating team,” GPSU said in a statement on Thursday evening.

It said during the initial period of the discussions, Government’s negotiating team made two offers commencing at the base at 5.5 per cent. They then increased that by .5 to six per cent. The union’s negotiating team rejected both proposals.

“The union requested detailed information on several aspects of Government’s revenue and expenditure.

Up to this time, these have not been provided. Even in the absence of the requested information the Union proceeded to finalise its own proposals. These were presented on August 9, 2016,” the GPSU statement outlined.

Government on Wednesday evening issued a public statement reiterating that its “proposal took into consideration the fundamen-

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

tal need for a restructured public service which included the adjustment of scales for wages and salaries; the implementation of a merit increment system; and a resolution of the issue of debunching.”

According to the missive released by Reginald Brotherson, head of the Government’s negotiating team, “GPSU agreed to consider Government’s final offer and indicated that a response will be forthcoming after a meeting of its General

Council.”

The negotiations were conducted within a twomonth period from June 22, 2016 to August 24, 2016.

The initial proposal of the GPSU was for a 40 per cent across the board increase for public servants, but this was subsequently adjusted to 25 per cent. The union had also demanded that allowances be included in the negotiations.

Government responded by proposing that persons earning less than $100,000 be paid a 10 per cent increase while persons earning above $1 million would only get a one per cent increase.

The union in its statement listed it wages, salaries and allowances proposals over a three-year period from 2016 to 2018.

For the period of 2016, the GPSU proposed that “effective January 1, 2016, a flat increase of seven thousand, five hundred dollars ($7500) per month added to the salary at December 31, 2015 of each person employed in the public service as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of

each of bands one to 14 of the schedule of salary in the public service” in addition to “a 25 per cent increase across the board to the salary of each person employed in the public service as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of bands one to 14 of the schedule of salary in the public service.”

With respect to 2017, GPSU proposed “a flat increase of seven thousand dollars ($7000) per month added to the salary at December 31, 2016 of each person employed in the public service as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of bands one to 14 of the schedule of salary in the public service” in addition to “a 20 per cent increase across the board to the salary as at December 2016 of each person employed in the public service as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of bands one to 14 of the schedule of salary in the public service.”

While for the third year of 2018, it was proposed by the GPSU that “a flat in-

crease of nine thousand dollars ($9000) per month added to the salary at December 31, 2017 of each person employed in the public service as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of bands one to 14 of the schedule of salary in the public service” in addition to “a 20 per cent increase across the board to the salary as at December 2017 of each person employed in the public service as well as to the amount payable at the minimum and maximum of each of bands one to 14 of the schedule of salary in the public service” The union body also outlined that in respect of each of three years there “shall be an additional increase to cover the inflation as determined by the Bureau of Statistics.”

The two-month long collective bargaining process concluded on Thursday without a definite agreement in place, leaving the door open to a unilateral increases

by Government should the unions continue to reject the proposals.

New certificate requirement for steel importers – GRA

A

ll importers of steel and steel products will now be required to submit Mill Test Certificates from the manufacturer of the products along with their customs declarations.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday, outlining that this is one of the many measures to protect the State’s revenue.

In a recent review on the classification declared by importers on steel and steel products imported into Guyana, the GRA recognised that the Harmonised System (HS) classification cannot be correctly determined without the Mill Test Certificate.

According to the Tax Authority, the Mill Test Certificate shows the proportion of the elements contained in the steel imported,

thus the need for the certificate to accompany each shipment of steel in accordance with the provisions of Section 233 (1) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.

The GRA emphasised that the Mill Test Certificate must relate to the specific consignment in the declaration (invoices, bills of lading, quantities, specifications, etc) and can be facilitated by the supplier who would be able to obtain the certificate from the manufacturer.

The body underscored that this new requirement is in keeping with the Common External Tariff (CET) which also makes provisions for products of ‘non-alloy’ steel that attract a 10 per cent customs duty.

The GRA explained that usually, most declarations submitted by importers label the product being imported as ‘alloy’ steel which attracts five per cent cus-

The GRA advised importers that if the required Mill Test Certificate is not submitted with the customs declaration, then the importer will be requested to deposit at the rate determined by GRA pending submission of the certificate

toms duty.

However, the Mill Test Certificate accompanying a shipment would assist in clearing up any anomalies as the certified classification will be verified by GRA’s Entry Processing Unit, with guidance from GRA’s Harmonised System

Classification Committee (HSCC).

The classification determined by the HSCC will be used to process and clear the consignments.

Furthermore, the GRA advised importers that if the required Mill Test Certificate is not submitted

with the customs declaration, then the importer will be requested to deposit at the rate determined by GRA pending submission of the certificate.

Should the HSCC determine a different classification afterward upon examination of further doc-

umentation presented, a notice of demand will be issued to the importer under Section 17 (2) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01 for payment of the additional taxes.

The Revenue Authority also noted that importers have the option of presenting their case to the Customs Tariff Tribunal for a determination should they challenge the classification after depositing the duties requested by the GRA. The GRA noted that in order to reduce the delay in processing time and clearance of the goods, importers can apply to the HSCC in advance for classification decisions on their imports to confirm whether they have used the correct Classifications.

The HSCC can be contacted at GRA through its Secretary, Reshma Budhram or at classification@gra.gov.gy.

10

guyana-times.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

News

Improvement of prison conditions imminent with IDB funded survey – Ramjattan

The Camp Street Prison

P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has stated that the results from the recently announced prisons survey will be used to design rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes for inmates.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Ramjattan stated that from the information gathered, they can glean and discern certain characteristics so that programmes and services can be developed.

“I want a science-based, evidence-based set of information that would tell me what should be the strategies and plans. A lot of time its adhocracy and to get out of that requires a very comprehensive survey that is going to be far more informative as to why they (inmates) did what they did and how it is they are paying the penalties,” he stated.

According to Ramjattan, the survey will be wideranging and would gather information on the lives of prisoners prior to incarceration, during imprisonment, and those of repeat offenders.

“We are going to seek information as to the background of each one of the inmates who are going to answer the questionnaires.

Some might not want to answer the questionnaire but we want to get down to understanding from whence they came, what were their circumstances, what were the parenting they came from so that we can get a complete picture of these inmates and their background,” the Minister outlined.

He went on to say that this will help to make better assessments on how to plug programmes – whether it’s at the homes, domestic level or community level and also what can be done in relation to their education level.

The survey, which is being funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) under its Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), will commence in September.

It will be conducted by an Argentine University in collaboration with the University of Guyana.

The role of UG would be to capture the data, while the Tres de Febrero

University of Argentina will be responsible for analysing the data and preparing and compiling the report. They will also overlook the implementation of the survey by the University of Guyana.

The data capturing period is slated to last some six weeks with a preliminary report expected by the end of November. The final report is expected at the end of April 2017. The final report will generate intellectual presentations on the conditions of the prisons and will make recommendations.

A 2015, United States, State Department Report on Human Rights had indicated that rehabilitation programmes within the local prison services did not adequately address the needs of prisoners. Overcrowding and the harsh conditions faced by inmates were also highlighted by the report.

More recently, a Commission of Inquiry into the prison riots of March 3, which resulted in the deaths of 17 inmates, pointed out overcrowding and inadequate facilities as some of the shortcomings of the system.

Police yet to seek advice in Tucville shooting

T

he Guyana Police Force is yet to seek advice on whether to institute charges against the Tucville, Georgetown, man who opened fire on a car that pulled up in front of his gate, killing one person and injuring another.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, acting Crime Chief Hugh Jessemy explained that the investigation in the matter is ongoing and that the Police are awaiting the results of the post-mortem examination before they seek advice on whether to charge the suspect.

Meanwhile, the woman who was also injured in the shooting is still hospitalised.

On Tuesday, sometime around 21:00h, 24-year-old Colin Perriera of Barr Street, Kitty, was in a motor car which was being driven by his colleague, Gailall Chacon, 20, of Port Kaituma, when they drove onto the bridge of a Tucville house in an attempt to reverse.

However, as they were about to reverse off of the bridge, the car was riddled with bullets by the own-

Dead: Colin Malcolm Perriera

er of the property, causing Perriera to sustain three gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen while Chacon was shot to her abdomen.

Based on reports received, the shooter, who has since been taken into Police custody, allegedly claimed that he thought the occupants of the heavily tinted car were going to commit a robbery on his property; hence he opened fire on the vehicle.

The shooter told investigators that he was in the yard when he saw the vehicle and whipped out his firearm and discharged several rounds as the car drove onto his bridge.

However, it was reported that Perriera managed to exit the car and ran to safety but the businessman kept discharging rounds at him.

He eventually collapsed in front of a house a short distance away.

A teenager, who was standing where the man collapsed, explained that after the man dropped to the roadway, he called out for help and told them that someone else was also shot.

“He said that he was shot so we called 911 but like after 20 minutes a Police vehicle pull up and they take them to the hospital… he was still alive when the vehicle left but they pronounce he dead at the hospital”.

According to the teen, while waiting for the Police, several persons went to the car where they saw the young lady lying in a pool of blood. She too was rushed to the hospital where she remains a patient.

President meets with new UNDP team on biodiversity, new environment dept

President David Granger conversing with UNDP Resident Representative Mikiko Tanaka

P

resident David Granger on Thursday met with a technical team from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss the management of Guyana’s biodiversity wealth within the Government’s ‘green’ agenda, in addition to establishing a new department of environment.

The meeting which was held at the Ministry of the Presidency was led by new UNDP Resident Representative, Mikiko Tanaka and included UNDP’s Policy Specialist, Finance, Massimiliano Riva and

Regional Technical Advisor of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) Programme, Marco Chiu.

The meeting was in response to a request made by the President to the UNDP for the provision of technical assistance for the creation of a holistic strategy that encompasses the country’s forests, wildlife and other natural resources as the Government moves to further its green agenda.

“The low carbon development strategy in my view is too narrow. We need to go back to the drawing board

to develop something that takes into account coastal zone management, wildlife protection, our biodiversity,” President Granger said.

Additionally, the team over the course of the next few days, will be discussing with a Guyanese delegation, the establishment of a department of environment. President Granger explained that there is need to separate biodiversity protection and management from the extractive industries, both of which currently fall under the purview of the Natural Resources Ministry.

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News

AFC pushing for amendment PNCR VC race It’s time for youths to take of narcotics law

leadership in PNCR – Bond

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he Alliance For Change (AFC) party remains committed to seeing the removal from Guyana’s laws jail time for persons found in possession of small amounts of marijuana.

AFC leader and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, on Wednesday reiterated that his party is in full support of the amendment, which has been tabled by AFC Member of Parliament Michael Carrington.

The Public Security Minister was at the time speaking to members of the media.

“We support Michael Carrington’s amendment…

I can say for the AFC members that it’s fully supported,” he said.

The Second Vice President did note that he was not able to state the position of the majority partner in the governing coalition – the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on the matter.

“I think you can direct your question there to the APNU members,” Ramjattan stated.

Only last week, President David Granger, who is also the leader of the APNU, told reporters on the weekly televised programme ‘The Public Interest’, that Cabinet is yet to actively consider the decriminalisation of marijuana.

He explained, “We are still in discussions and a definitive answer will not be given until Cabinet has a chance to look at it and… when the matter comes before us, we would want to have a good debate on whether a person should be sent to jail, given custodial sentence for being in possession of such a small quantity of marijuana that it is clear it is for personal use and not for trafficking,”.

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President David Granger

The amendment bill is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly when Parliament comes out of recess in October, and when that happens, the Opposition parliamentarians will be allowed to vote based on their conscience and not necessarily on a party position.

This is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who on Wednesday expressed the view that the jail term should be removed. Jagdeo posited that there should be an alternative for custodial sentences for possession of such small amounts of marijuana.

“I think too many of our young people – you know these boys in the city or in the villages take one smoke and they’re imprisoned for three years. We can use our prisons space for more serious crimes,” the Opposition Leader noted.

The decriminalisation/ legalisation of marijuana movement is gaining much momentum worldwide and while other countries have taken steps to decriminalise and legalise the drug, the local debate on the issue went as far as the drafting of a “Ganja Bill” with proposed

AFC leader and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

amendments to the narcotics law, which currently imposes a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum sentence of five years on narcotics traffickers.

The proposed legislation, the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2015, was drafted by AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes, with the help of Attorney Mark Waldron, and seeks to soften the penalties for marijuana possession.

The draft stipulates that persons who are found in possession of the drug for personal use will be required to pay a fine of $10,000 or to perform community service for a period of time instead of serving jail time.

Given that the local prison system is suffering from overcrowding, this situation is further compounded largely by individuals on remand or incarcerated for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Critics have argued that it would be in the best interest to introduce the decriminalisation legislation to deal with that problem. TURN TO PAGE 12

ttorney James Bond believes now is the time for youths to take a more dominant role in the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and it is for this reason he will be contesting the Vice Chairmanship, during the party’s 19th Biennial Delegates Congress, which opened today at Congress place, Sophia, Georgetown.

Bond, armed with his “Vision 2020”, told Guyana Times that youths must begin the process of preparation to take over the political reigns in the very near future, thus the impetus for his candidacy.

“I believe that the Vice Chair position (in the PNCR) is the ideal position for a young person to start saying, you know what, we are ready to assume some form of leadership role within the party… So I believe that in the party hierarchy, I believe there is a place for a young person,” Bond said.

The young Attorney is confident of a victory, arguing that he enjoys the support of the youths within the PNC who, he noted, encouraged him to contest. Bond remarked that “even before accepting, it was young persons who said, you know what James go-ahead and accept. we will support you.”

Bond added that while nationally, youths remain the most dominant demographic, there is still not enough representation in the body politic and as such, he is urging youths to get involved in the process now, with the focus being on the country’s next General and

London has declined his nomination.

Harmon pulls out of race

Attorney James Bond

Regional Elections set for 2020.

“I think now is the ideal time for young people in all political parties to begin to position themselves... not only the PNC. Most of the persons in Government right now and in Opposition… at some point they would say they have had enough of public politics. So I believe in all the political parties, that young people should start contesting, making their presence felt,” the young politician declared.

The others contesting the Vice Chairpersons positions are Volda Lawrence, Dr George Norton, Beni Rayman, Clement Corlette, Aubrey Norton, Dawn Hastings, Christopher Jones and Winston Felix who have all been nominated. Corlette and Felix have told the party of their intention to contest for the post.

Ronald Bulkan, Larry London and Annette Ferguson have been nominated for the post of Treasurer; however,

Meanwhile, State Minister Joseph Harmon, who was also nominated for the position has indicated a disinterest in running for the position of PNCR Vice Chairman.

In a statement from the Office of the Minister of State on Thursday, he explained that his current portfolio is too demanding for him to juggle the tasks that comes with the position of PNCR Vice Chairman.

Nonetheless, he said he remains “humbled” by those who nominated him to contest the position.

The Returning Officer is former Assistant Police Commissioner and Attorney Michael Somersall.

Already, President David Granger has been returned as party leader unopposed and Basil Williams as Chairman unopposed.

Bond had in 2011 contested the PNCR’s Presidential Candidacy but managed to only muster 13 votes. The candidacy was won by current President of Guyana, David Granger.

The congress which runs from August 26-28, is expected to see some 500 persons in attendance, with representatives from each of the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

As leader of the party, Granger will make his maiden address to the congress since being elected President last year.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

2 busted with 2 arrested over gun find cocaine in Kitty

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wo persons were arrested on Thursday after they were intercepted in Georgetown with a quantity of cocaine.

According to Police reports, at about 13:00h, Police ranks received information which they acted upon and in doing so, they intercepted a motor car on Duncan Street,

Kitty, Georgetown.

A search was then conducted on the two persons and on the vehicle during which a bag containing 5466 grams of suspected cocaine was found in the car. the office subsequently arrested both the driver and the occupant of the vehicle who are assisting with the investigations.

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anks of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday arrested two persons after they unearthed an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in a vehicle they were travelling in.

Police Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan, disclosed that the interception occurred sometime around 14:40h.

It was reported that Police ranks acting on information, intercepted a motor car on the Golden Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, conducted a search and found a 12 gauge single barrel shotgun.

The driver of the vehicle and an occupant have since been taken into Police custody.

WBD man on bail for negligent use of fire

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ichard Singh, 28, of 82 Two Brothers, Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara, was on Thursday placed on $25,000 bail following a charge of neg-

ligent use of fire.

It was alleged that on March 10, 2016, at Canal Number One Polder, the fire he lit caused the damage of property belonging to Steve

Narine.

At his appearance before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate Court, the field labourer entered a not guilty plea and was granted

AFC pushing for amendment...

Many analysts have argued that the legalisation of marijuana is catching on because countries have realised that they can make money through the generation of huge financial revenues.

Contentions are that the legalisation of marijuana

will also cut a big slice out of the business of organised crime. On the downside, there may be an increase in health-related issues caused by excessive marijuana use.

There will also be multiple expensive court cases where marijuana usage is challenged and there will be

bail privilege.

The defendant told the court that he has no prior offences, and will make his next court appearance set for September 19.

FROM PAGE 11

appeals to these cases if they are lost, all of which will prove to be expensive.

Only recently at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on International Drug Policy, in which Guyana participated, Canadian Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott an-

nounced the country’s plans to introduce legislation in the spring of 2017 that would fully legalise adult cannabis consumption.

In the Caribbean, Jamaica took the first step towards decriminalising the drug back in 2015.

Roots of Competition

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n Guyana, the question of an equitable distribution of economic goods has always loomed large in the minds of the populace. This should not be surprising in light of Guyana’s origin as a colony founded on slave and indentured labour.

As a non-settler European colony, the Guyanese economy was structured to produce primary products in agriculture and mining at the cheapest Ravi Dev possible labour cost, for export to the metropolis countries.

There, the goods would be manufactured for resale to the very same labourers in the colonies, at a huge profit by the designated agents of the Imperial power. In a word, we were "underdeveloped" – a structural condition – rather than undeveloped which suggests, at worst, a benign neglect.

The movement for the abolition of slavery and the agitation (in Guyana and in India) for humane working conditions for the indentured labourers left a legacy of sensitivity to the exploitation – economic and otherwise - of labour. In fact, the trade union movement, conceptualised to agitate for economic justice on behalf of workers was launched by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow in Guyana as far back as 1919, long before political parties appeared on the scene.

The ethnic organisations formed not long after by mostly middle-class elements, were also concerned about the economic status and progress of their members. The nascent Indian middle-class had a greater number of members from the world of business than the more established African/ Mulatto Middle-class that had sought improvement of their lot through education for jobs in government services and the professions.

The historical development of the colony, by and large, led to ethnic economic specialisation and this was to have farreaching consequences. Within a decade of the abolition of slavery, the majority of Africans left the plantation and were channelled into becoming an urbanised workforce of lower civil service clerks, messengers, transport workers, dock workers, shop assistants, artisans, masons etc. The unbroken wave of internal migration, continuing to the present, soon created a large African urban underclass that could be used to depress urban wages. Many Africans went into the hinterland to prospect for gold and opened up a new industry. Those Africans who remained on the sugar plantations constituted the major of factory workers who were then locationally separated from the mostly Indian field workers.

When the bauxite industry was developed following WWI, the workers recruited were primarily Africans. The Portuguese and Chinese, small in numbers, also gravitated to the urban centres directly after serving their indenture contracts, with some remaining as shopkeepers in the newly formed villages. The majority of Indians, even after Indentureship, remained on the plantations or formed rural settlements near the plantations – focusing primarily on rice and vegetable cultivation and cattle rearing.

Economic competition was sustained with the rural-tomigration continuing as a constant feature of the colony’s development, since the towns were promoted as the centre of “civilised” life and higher standards of living. This rural African migration precipitated severe contradictions in Georgetown as the newer arrivals depressed wages – producing an African underclass that grew sharply as economic opportunities stagnated. The early success of the Portuguese migrants in business, which squeezed out many Coloured/African entrepreneurs, led to several African–Portuguese riots, notably in 1848, 1856 and 1888.

On the sugar plantations, the interminable flood of new immigrants depressed plantation wages. Contrary to what some ideologues in the present are preaching, there was no significant economic competition between Indians and Africans in the 19th Century.

It was the beginning of the movement of Indians into the elite, urban-centred occupations after the end of Indentureship in 1917 however, that precipitated the greatest stresses in the society – some of which are still to be resolved.

The Indians, building on their successes in rice, cattle rearing and petty retailing began to open businesses in Georgetown by the 1920s and also to enter the independent professions of medicine and law. These were very highly prized occupations in colonial society that helped to define status and when some Indians began to percolate into the Civil Service by the 1930s, the Coloured/African elite began to feel threatened.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Region 10's top CSEC Worshippers celebrate birthday performer hails from of Lord Krishna in Region 2 Mackenzie High

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Asher Marks

his year’s top student at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations from Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice), Asher Marks, is grateful for his success, crediting his achievement to hard work, dedication and the drive to succeed.

The Mackenzie High School (MHS) student who hails from Amelia's Ward, Linden, dreams of becoming a qualified accountant.

Marks, who was a student of Form 5 Business, made it to the top of the Region's charts, with seven Grade One's and four Grade Two’s, managing to secure a total of 45 points.

He obtained Grade 1 passes in English Language A, Mathematics, Principles of Business, Principles of Accounts, Economics, Office Administration, and Physical Education and Sports, while he attained Grade 2 passes in Social Studies, Information Technology, Integrated Science and Caribbean

History.

In an interview with Guyana Times Marks explained that the road to success was not an easy one.

He recalled the numerous challenges and sacrifices made in order for him to be successful.

Despite the challenges, he attended extra lessons and aimed high. Marks expressed gratitude to God and the dedicated teachers at his school, who he explained played major roles in his achievement.

The top student’s advice to future CSEC students is to put in the extra effort, be dedicated and aim high in order to achieve. He will be attending Sixth Form at the MHS come September.

According to information out of the Department of Education, other Region 10 top performers were Risa Retemeyer (2nd) also of MHS with 44 points, Sheralyn Vangenderen (3rd) of MHS with 42 points, Tiffany Thomas (3rd) of MHS with 42 points, Yohancey Rogers (5th) of the Christiansburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) with 41 points, Caleah Barker (6th) of MHS with 40 points, Tracia Hutson (6th) of MHS with 40 points, Daicia Caesar (6th) of MHS with 40 points, Myranda Johnny (9th) of MHS with 39 points and Malcolm James (10th) of the CWSS with 38 points.

This newspaper also spoke with Retemeyer with six Grade One’s, inclusive of 3 distinctions, four Grade Two’s and one Grade 3. The 16-year-old student, who also hails from Amelia's Ward, was a stu-

Resa Retemeyer

dent of Form 5 Agriculture Science.

Retemeyer also noted that her journey was not an easy one, but explained that she was able to succeed nevertheless. She expressed thanks to God, and her family who sacrificed a lot in order for her to achieve.

"I can recall time and time again going into my bed late from doing SBAs and even falling asleep sometimes in class which is not good but that is to show the extreme lengths that I went through to finish my stuff and it was very tiring.

But I must say that the sacrifices made paid off in the end", she noted.

She advises future CSEC students to study hard, make sacrifices and put aside all distractions in order to achieve their goals.

Come September, Retemeyer will be continuing her education at the Sixth Form level at the MHS. She aspires to pursue a career in forensic science.

Devotees of Golden Fleece Mandir observing Krishna Jayanti By: Indrawattie Natram

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undreds of Hindus in Region Two ( P o m e r o o n Supenaam) on Thursday observed the auspicious festival of Shri Krishna Jayanti (birthday of Lord Krishna) with congregational worship. The observances were held in accordance with the August 25 date outlined by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha calendar.

Hindus throughout the Essequibo Coast visited their temples, offered flowers and prayers, singing religious songs, giving reverence to Lord Krishna, who is a significant God in Hinduism.

Lord Krishna is worshipped as the eighth incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna is also worshipped as a supreme god in his own right by numerous sects around the world.

Special pujas were held in temples. Morning services were conducted at Golden Fleece Mandir, Zorg, Johanna Ceclia, Cotton Field, and Anna Regina.

Poojas and rituals were held at midnight at some temples to coincide with the time of Krishna’s birth.

Persons also fasted for 24-hours in recognition of the auspicious day.

Many recited the mantra ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya,’ while at vari-

ous temples, stories of Lord Krishna were shared.

Krishna the Hindu God, used his incarnation to explain to his followers the great teachings of the Upanishads. He was a flute player and a lover of music.

The festival is observed on the eighth day after the full moon in the month of Shravan (August /September). Although the festival is celebrated worldwide, Shri Krishna Jayanti is not celebrated on the same day in all parts of World and this is due to the various regional calendars and the varying calculations in the time of the birth of Krishna.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

News

East Coast to Dataram, reputed wife and benefit from $850M 2 friends appear in court T drainage project Self-confessed drug lord cocaine trial

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ommunities along the East Coast Demerara will benefit from the $850 million drainage project being executed under the Flood Risk Management Programme funded by the Government of Guyana and the International Development Association (IDA), an agency of the World Bank.

According to the Government Information and Agency (GINA) the drainage project will introduce the construction and installation of pump stations in the villages of Buxton/Vigilance, Enmore/ Hope and Lusignan shortly.

This drainage project is highlighted to be a component of the East Demerara Water Conservancy’s (EDWC) adaptation project, whose objective is stated by its website to “reduce the vulnerability of catastrophic flooding in the Guyana low-lying area that is currently threatened by sea level rise resulting from global climate change, by guiding a comprehensive upgrading of the EDWC and lowland drainage system, aimed at increasing discharge capaci-

Acting CEO of NDIA, Fredericks Flatts

ty and improving water level management.”

According to GINA, acting Chief Executive Officer of National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Fredericks Flatts, the Flood Risk Management Programme is a four-component project and stemmed from pre-feasibility studies done under the Conservancy Adaptation project.

Flatts highlighted that the completion of the $850 million project is expected to take 39 months, with nine months dedicated to the in-

stallation and construction of the pump stations and the other 30 months for the earthworks of the EDWC. The objectives of the Flood Risk Management Project are to upgrade critical sections of the EDWC dams and canals; significantly improve the drainage capacity in priority areas along the ECD; and increase the institutional capacity by implementation of damsafety measures and practices, including the installation of instruments to monitor hydrometeorological data.

he trial of self-confessed drug lord and businessman Barry Dataram, his reputed wife and their two friends continued on Thursday before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Dataram, also known as “Mogotani” or Kevin Dataram, of 13 Vriesland, West Bank Demerara (WBD); his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, 19, of 79 Patentia Housing Scheme, WBD; Komal Charran, 20, of 265 Belle West, WBD; and Trevor Gouveia of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, were all charged for allegedly having 129.23 kilograms of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking on April 16, 2015, at 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Television news reporter Travis Chase and his video operator were today excluded as witnesses for the prosecution after they were told

by Magistrate Latchman that they are no longer needed as witnesses.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor Kunyo Sandyford-Thompson had appeal to Magistrate Latchman to summon TV reporter Chase and his video operator to the witness stand to testify in court. This

was done in light of an exclusive interview with HGPTV’s Chase in February, Dataram admitted his own involvement in the drug trade, but added that he had never been convicted for a criminal offence.

Officer Roy Murray who was a part of the investigations of Dataram’s case took the witness stand as he was cross examined by defence attorney Glen Hanoman who wanted to establish how Murray gained access to the premises where the drugs were discovered.

Murray explained that CANU officer Andrew Yarde was in possession of a bunch of keys that he used to gain access to the premises in the presence of Dataram which was the day after the discovery of the drugs.

Murray was asked by Hanoman if he is an investigator and somebody is willing to confess, if a written statement would not be made immediately? In response Murray replied that he is not an investigator. At this point, Hanoman concluded his cross examination.

At a previous court hearing Yarde testified that 428 parcels of plastic wraps with suspected cocaine were seized from Dataram’s home at Diamond, EBD. He added that the sus-

pected drug was in a white refrigerator which was taken by him to CANU Headquarters, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, in a CANU vehicle.

He continued that he did not have to dig to find the alleged narcotics, it was in plain view.

He also told the court that he was not in possession of a search warrant when he went to Dataram’s home.

According to him, the drugs were found after he acted on information. The CANU officer noted, however, that he would not reveal the identity of the person who tipped him off.

Vishwamint Ramnarine, the landlord, in his testimony told the court that he rented his two-storey premises to Dataram in 2013 until the incident. He said that Dataram told him his name was ‘Kevin Dataram’ and produced documents to that effect.

Under questioning by Hanoman, the witness told the court that a neighbour also had keys to the premises.

He however pointed out that this was prior to him renting his house to Dataram.

Dataram, Boodnarine, Charran and Gouveia will all make their next appearance before Magistrate Latchman on Friday, September 9, 2016 as the trial continues.

UG announces major overhaul of administration T

he University of Guyana (UG) on Wednesday announced a major overhaul of its administration; a decision it said would further strengthen the operation of the country’s top tertiary institution.

Following a meeting with the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) of UG, a decision was taken to make the changes, which included a few promotions and shifting around of staff.

The new administrative team, it is said, will be strengthened with the establishment of an Office of Strategic Initiatives - an adjunct to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor to undertake institutional strengthening, project management, and allied services.

According to the university, current Programme Officer in the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Karen Wishart, has been promoted, and will become the first occupant of the newly established position of Chief of Staff in the ViceChancellery. The promotion, it said, coincides with the renaming of the Senior Administrative Group to the Vice-Chancellor’s Cabinet, which would include the Deputy Vice Chancellors, Registrar, Bursar, Human

Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith

Resources Director, Director of the Berbice Campus and the Legal Officer and the Chief of Staff.

Another notable aspect of the “Griffith Plan” is the re-designation of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences as a full-fledged Faculty with a Dean.

According to ViceChancellor Ivelaw Griffith, in addition to the “superior teaching and research already being done by that unit”, elevating it to a Faculty enhances its respectability and the prospects for more grants and consulting contracts by the academic staff there.

UG said the F&GPC also endorsed the ViceChancellor’s bold and alltime-high budget request to the Government of G$5.2 billion for financial year 2017. The university is seeking G$3.0 billion for recurrent expenditure and G$2.2 billion for capital works.

The priorities of the administration is focused on increasing salaries for academic and non-academic staff, the provision of basic supplies and facilities that have been undermining efficiency and morale for years, campus security, and improving several of the facilities that negatively impact health and safety, as well as security.

The new buildings proposed by the Griffith administration, includes a new library and an academic complex to house the Business School, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Also approved at the Monday night meeting was the purchase of a badly-needed student centre.

Using existing resources from the Learning Resource funds, the Vice-Chancellor plans to have the student centre operational during the upcoming semester.

The public reporting on the milestone F&GPC meeting is the second time that UG is issuing a public statement following the deliberations of the F&GPC and reflects the importance the relatively new ViceChancellor places on transparency.

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News

Another body found in Rusal workers to receive tax exempted overtime Corentyne backdam

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he body of a fisherman was on Wednesday afternoon discovered in a pound in the backlands of Number 68 Village, Corentyne, and family members believe he was sexually assaulted before being killed.

The dead man has been identified as Havan Chandarpaul, age 28, a fisherman of Number 68 Village, Corentyne. His body was discovered at about 16:30h in a pond about half a mile into the backdam.

In a release, the Police said initial investigations revealed that the deceased left home on Monday, August 22, at about 20:00h for an unknown destination and never returned. A missing persons report was made on August 24, and a search was subsequently launched.

Havan Chandarpaul’s body was found floating face upward in a pond with marks of violence on his body. A suspect is in custody assisting with the investigation, the release added.

Reports are that two boys taking their sheep home from the backdam discovered the body and reported it to his parents.

The dead man’s mother, Seerani Chandarpaul, said he left home on Monday dressed in a blue shirt, white pants, and white cap. When he was found, he was only wearing his underpants.

An uncle of the dead man, Mahendranauth Doolchand,

Dead: Havan Chandarpaul

told Guyana Times that the body bore marks of violence.

According to Doolchand, there was a laceration on the right side of the head and two on the left side.

He said the back also carried a similar wound while his right shoulder seemed to have been fractured. The veins to each of his ankles were severed and his hands were bound behind his back, Doolchand said.

He said there were marks on the body to suggest that he was also sexually assaulted.

Meanwhile, an autopsy conducted on the body on Thursday by forensic Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan revealed Chandarpaul died as a result of shock and hemorrhage as a result of a fractured skull.

According to the dead man’s mother, there are two suspects. One she gave as an alleged drug dealer, known only as “Tariq” (only name

given) who lives in the community and the other a married woman, whose son, she said, was in a relationship with Chandarpaul.

The grieving mother said she suspects “Tariq” is involved in the murder of her son.

According to her, over the past two months, her son received numerous threats to his life from the accused. She referred to him as a drug retailer who her son recently stole three ducks from. On Tuesday, the matter was settled when she paid “Tariq” $25,000 in open court.

According to the mother of two, her now dead son was a frequent user of narcotics but never purchased from “Tariq”, something he was not pleased with.

Following the discovery, Police went in search of the suspect and found him at a gambling shop. He and all those present were taken into custody.

Most of those detained were subsequently released.

Police also took into custody the married woman’s son with whom the now dead man reportedly shared a relationship with.

In December 2011, Chandrapaul was charged and placed before the court after being suspected to be part of a notorious pirate gang. One year later, he was released from prison.

Police continue to investigate his death. (Andrew Carmichael)

Italy earthquake: Aftershocks hamper rescue efforts

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undreds of aftershocks have rocked devastated areas of central Italy, hampering search efforts after a deadly earthquake. A strong tremor with magnitude 4.3 struck on Thursday afternoon, sending rescuers fleeing from already fragile buildings.

About 5000 rescue workers are combing through rubble for survivors using heavy machinery or bare hands. At least 250 people are now known to have died after Wednesday's quake.

The 6.2-magnitude quake hit at 03:36 (01:36 GMT), 100km (65 miles) North-East of Rome in mountainous central Italy.

More than 300 people have been treated in hospital and dozens are believed to be trapped under rubble.

Worst affected are the towns of Amatrice, Arquata, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto. The towns are usually sparsely populated but have been swelled by tourists visiting for summer, making estimates for the

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry, Keith Scott, engaging officials from BCGI

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he long awaited tax exempted overtime for workers attached to the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) will soon be realised, following intervention by the Social Protection Ministry’s Labour Department.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence made the announcement at a meeting with Junior Minister Keith Scott, Chief Labour Office Charles Ogle and BCGI officials on Thursday at the Ministry’s Brickdam office.

The meeting was a response to concerns raised by stakeholders when both Ministers Lawrence and Scott visited the Bauxite Company to inspect the working conditions under which the workers were exposed.

Upon returning to Georgetown, Minister Lawrence met with Finance Minister Winston Jordan to discuss the tax exempted overtime. “I did meet with the Minister of Finance…

the workers will be given the tax exemption on overtime,” she said during the meeting.

According to an article from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the workers noted that their greatest concern was not being afforded the opportunity to have a union of their choice.

But BCGI Senior Safety Officer Linden Prince remarked that management was never approached by employees for Union representation, nonetheless, after discussions, the company committed to provide workers the opportunity to have a union of their choice.

Other concerns raised over the past several years included workers being compelled to complete tasks without the company having the necessary equipment to do the job; staff working for in excess of five years and receiving no raise in pay; staff reporting sick, receiving pay eight hours for a three-day period but upon resumption, money is

deducted from their salary; poor ventilation in office areas; and no occupational safety and health representatives or committee, among several other issues.

In response to the issues raised, BCGI’s management said the Company has no knowledge of workers being compelled to complete tasks without the company having the necessary equipment to do the job.

The company’s management said wages and salary increases are provided annually to all regular employees and contractors; however the Social Protection team advised that the company correct any actions that are detrimental to the occupational health and safety of the workers.

Moreover, Minister Lawrence emphasised the need for the company to work together with the Government to ensure that both the Company and employees are protected under Guyana’s law.

2-year-old boy killed ‘execution style’ downtown Kingston

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Some rescuers have been using their bare hands to sift through debris

precise number missing difficult.

At least three Britons died in the quake, a local official in Amatrice told the BBC. The hunt for survivors continued throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday. With many buildings unsafe, some people

were forced to sleep in their cars or in tents.

Search teams have asked locals to disable their wi-fi passwords to help efforts.

The Italian Red Cross says residents' home networks can assist with communications during the search for survivors. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he shocking execution-style killing of a toddler on Luke Lane in downtown Kingston, on Tuesday night, has left residents in the community in fear and outrage.

According to relatives, two-year-old Demario Whyte was shot in his head at point-blank range by the gunman after his injured father left him at the gate while trying to escape the gunman’s bullet.

The boy along with his father and uncle were shot after gunmen drove into the community and started firing on the corner where the men were sitting around 20:30h.

The child’s father was reportedly shot twice in his foot and once in the stomach while his brother was shot in the face. Both men are said to be in stable condition at the Kingston Public Hospital.

Yesterday, when the

Two-year-old Demario Whyte

Jamaica Observer visited the community the grief was obvious as residents stared into space while others openly shed tears and expressed anger at the gunman’s heartless behaviour.

The area was also lined with pieces of black cloth

indicating that the community was in mourning. The toddlers’ grandaunt, who identified herself only as Taneisha, told the Observer that she, relatives and neighbours were on the road when a black car drove up.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

China continues to provide scholarships to Guyanese

A

t a reception on Wednesday evening, the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana announced at a gathering organised for the media and Police who recently returned from China, that scholarships are continuously being offered to dozens of Guyanese to study in China in various fields.

According to Ambassador Zhang Limin, 10 to 20 scholarships are offered to Guyanese students on a yearly basis. He however noted that some Guyanese, who would have gotten medical scholarships, choose not to return home to give back to the country, which results in hindrance of the country’s development.

“Many students who go to China to study medicine, after their graduation, they seldom come back to Guyana. They choose to go

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin

to the United States and further their career,” Limin said through his translator.

Limin further expressed his expectations that those who would have benefit-

ted from the scholarships, offered by the Chinese Government previously as well as the ones who will take advantage of the opportunity in the future, would return to Guyana and share their knowledge, in an effort to impact the country’s development.

At the reception, the Director of Government Information Agency (GINA) vBeverly Alert spoke about her journey to China, highlighting the significant development of the large country, adding that the training proved to be beneficial to her field in the media.

“Movies never revealed the full magnitude of China.

The highways that link all the people in China from the most heartfelt regions to the centre of Beijing. It took us three hours to travel to Beijing, and it would take six to seven days to travel

by road. That was amazing.

What we found totally fascinating was the landscaping, the trees, the flowers, especially the roses. Through this the media officials were able to develop an understanding of why China is advancing in the world of communications.”

Also speaking at the reception was Prime Minister of Guyana Moses Nagamootoo, who expressed appreciation towards the progressive relationship with the People’s Republic of China and Guyana.

Nagamootoo highlighted that China has influenced many of the leaders and policies in Guyana’s transformation to a better country.

He also stated that it was as recent as Tuesday that another batch of Guyanese was approved to attend an ICT seminar, as China is leading in this regards.

PNCR’s19th Biennial Congress opens

T

he 19th Biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) opens today at Congress Place Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Head of State and PNCR Leader, David Granger, is set to address the delegates.

The Congress, which will run throughout the weekend, will focus on developing a ‘green’ Guyana.

Today, the Congress will be opened to the public; however, there are sessions to

be held during the following days which will be opened only to party members, who

will deliberate on a number of issues including the party’s next leaders.

General Secretary Oscar Clarke, revealed last Wednesday that President Granger had been nominated as Leader of the party while Basil Williams, Robert Corbin, Volda Lawrence and Lurlene Nestor were all nominated for the post of Chairperson.

The duration of the party’s Congress will see over 500 delegates and several hundred observers coming together from the 10 administrative regions, North America and the United Kingdom.

Last week, workmen were seen outside of the venue conducting drainage works, a landscape overhaul and laying steel for a new concrete bridge.

Abuse of power by leaders tearing Amerindians apart – Allicock

I

ndigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock on Monday urged the Amerindian people not be divided by “ruthless” leaders in their communities.

Stating that the indigenous peoples are already taxed with numerous challenges, Allicock underlined, during the National Toshaos Conference, that the villages continue to struggle with division.

Allicock stated that some of the leaders have been abusing their powers “ruthlessly” and imposing strange penalties.

He indicated that he has received information that leaders would expel councillors from meetings for disagreeing with a Toshao, or threatening them with dismissal.

According to the Indigenous Peoples’ Minister, disrespect by some Toshaos for the citizens of their villages is alarming. “We cannot continue to operate in this manner if we are going to move forward,” he noted, adding that: “There are some leaders who seek to use their elected offices to their own self-interest, much to the frustration of villagers… Expelling councillors from meetings for disagreeing with a Toshao, threatening councillors with dismissal, making arbitrary decisions and entering into agreements to exploit village resources without Council or village approval cannot be allowed to continue”.

Allicock asserted therefore that his Ministry would be working with them to ensure that all the leaders abide by the law: “As a ministry, we are going to work with you to ensure that all leaders abide by the law; it is my hope that when I do, those who thrive on causing division will not seek mileage from my actions.”

“I, myself, when complaints come, pass it on to the

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

relevant Ministry and they take action, only to find out that most of the times it is the Toshaos who would have given permission without the knowledge of the Council and this is embarrassing. We need to desist from that sort of practice, you are a Toshao, you are a leader for your people, and consultation is needed, it is the first step to a decision,” he added.

Allicock also emphasised that the same people who elected their leaders show scant regard for those leaders as they manage the day-to-day affairs of the villages. Thus, he charged the Amerindian community to: “work together as a team.”

“We each have a role to play in bringing the good life to all. Let us regard that role with pride and urgency, let us deliver on our obligations. If we need assistance in that regard, we must request it without delay; if we recognise that we are unable to deliver in our respective manner, we must do the honourable thing in the best interest of our indigenous people” he posited.

He urged them to deal with their matters traditionally, by sitting around the fire and talking to the elders. “Are there problems to be solved?

Yes. Let us council by the fire with the elders,” he said.

guyana-times.com

Name: Iman Jaisingh Age: 20 Height: 5’6” Weight: 120lbs Occupation: Student Education: Third year college student Talent/skills: Drawing and singing Interesting facts: I have lived in Guyana, Barbados, and the US. I currently play rugby for my school.

Academic honours/leadership Positions: High school honours

T

Community Service Experience: Shippensburg University Foundation Hilton Auction Goal/ambition: To gain success honestly and respectably to provide for my family.

Previous pageant experience: 2014 Miss Teen Pennsylvania, US, located in the city of Harrisburg. I competed in the evening gown competition as well as interviews, and group dance.

What places have you travelled to?

Italy, The Dominican Republic, St Thomas, St Maarten, St Kitts, Puerto Rico What primary message or concern would you advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016? I would like to promote mental health, because it is an everyday problem around the world.

Why should you be Miss Universe Guyana 2016? I should be Miss Universe Guyana because while I was born in Guyana I have had the opportunity to see different parts of the world, and I think that gives me an extra insight. I will represent Guyana proudly and try to inform as many people as I can about our beautiful country.

he 21st edition of Naya Zamana, titled “Lost in Time” will be held this Saturday at the National Cultural Centre where patrons are expected to be blown away.

This theatrical adventure features a superb blend of cutting edge choreography, chartbusting music and superb acting that brings the exciting storyline to life. Naya Zamana 21 encompasses comedy, romance, thrills, spills and a gamut of emotions.

Aryan Masi and Travez Piaralall will take the audience on a unique adventure on stage that will keep them entertained and curious to see how it all turns out in the end.

Brand new sets and fabulous costumes by Trishala Persaud add the right touch to every act. The more than 70 strong cast of dancers and actors –who have been trained at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra and are from all across the country – provide the perfect complement to the main cast of Farzaana Khan, Indhira Harry, Nirmala Persaud and Travez Piaralall along with Aryan Masi and Rahul

Name: Denisha Rogers Age: 23 Height: 5’6” Weight: 120 Occupation: Recipitionist/ Phelebotomist at Radiosurgery New York, Doctors office Education: Bachelor’s in Biology; EKG/Phlebotomy certificate Talent/skills: Dancer, stylist Interesting facts: I started a bow-tie line in 2010. I am the first in my family to graduate college. I

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

laugh when I am nervous. I can’t remain upset for more than a second, I can’t hold grudges.

Academic honours/ leadership positions: I assist the doctor (radiation oncologist) in surgery and also in the operation room and consultation room. I was on the dean’s list.

Academic/community/ professional associations or Clubs: I was in MESC (Medgar Evers Science club) and now I am a planner/advisor in the church youth group.

Community service experience: Breast Cancer walk and also volunteered in the South Bronx feeding the poor with The Relief Bus. Goal/ambition: My goal is to be a Doctor specialising in radiation oncology. My main goal is to be a humanitarian giving back to the world.

Previous pageant experience: I have no pageant experience but I am ready to take the necessary training for the job!

What places have you travelled to? I have traveled to Jamaica and Canada.

Ravichandran, who join the cast from Canada.

Aryan is currently based in India where he is doing short films and TV commercials and making small appearances in Bollywood films.

This year, they team up to give the audience a wonderful performance. Rahul Ravichandran of Canada is trained in numerous dance styles including hip hop, ballet, jazz, Bollywood and the South Indian dance style of Gaana.

He has been part of numerous competi-

What primary message or concern would you advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016?

The primary message and concern that I would advocate as Miss Universe Guyana 2016 is mentorship because so many young children and young people are miss guided and lack mentorship. Having a mentor gives you a greater over view and understanding of your purpose.

Mentorship will incorporate children, young women, young men and also the less fortunate.

Why should you be Miss Universe Guyana 2016?

Even though I understand that representing Miss Universe Guyana will be a big step from my everyday life, I believe I should be Miss Universe Guyana 2016 because I encompass the definition, that beauty is skin deep and it radiates through in how you make others feel and how you impact their lives even with something as small as a smile. In a world that lacks love, I have always felt I had an outpouring of love to give that could change a nation, I am very selfless.

tions including Canada’s Got Talent. In Naya Zamana 21, the audience will get to enjoy Rahul in several avatars.

A must see for all, Naya Zamana continues to lead the way for family entertainment and raises the bar each year in production.

Many fans who attend without fail every year always remark on how much it is like looking at a film on stage. The cast are of the hope that this year, persons who have never attended will make “Lost in Time”, a first time experience and that after a memorable night, they will return year after year.

The production is further enhanced by excellent lighting from Cloud Nine Inc. The National Cultural Centre has advised that the air conditioning is fully operational in all parts of the theatre.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has hosted this production for 20 years and continues to provide a positive platform for young people to develop their skills and talent and express themselves in creative ways. Direction, choreography and script have been done

by Dr Vindhya Persaud.

Tickets cost $3500, $3000 and $2000 and are available at Bhagwan’s on Water Street; Red Mango, Robb Street; the National Cultural Centre; all E-Networks locations, including the Giftland Mall; and Mon Repos Malls and the Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar or call 2276181.

18

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

By Bhisham Mohamed

A

n 18-member Guyanese delegation travelled half way around to world to China for the 2016 Seminar for Media Officials and Journalists of Guyana.

The team was led by Director of

managed.

The stay in China entailed lectures; visiting radio, television and newspapers companies; and more excitingly, site seeing. For some of us, being away from home and the Guyanese cuisine posed some

At the entrance to the Heritage Village, Yunnan

the Government Information Agency, Beverly Alert and comprised media officials from both the State-owned and the private media landscape of Guyana.

With a population of 1.3 billion people and 25 minority groups, China is definitely leading the way in technology and is now bracing itself for the 5G network in the near future.

Known as the country with the fastest growing economy, China’s media fraternity is gradually shifting from analog to digital and it is predicted that very soon, new media will take over.

During the three-week stint in the country that is almost 16,000 miles away from the Land of Many Waters, media operatives had the opportunity to meet new people, some who later became friends. Obviously, there was a language barrier but with the assistance of Project Manager Kevin Wang and his Assistant Stacie we

challenges.

In the conference rooms, several key note people in the media fraternity made presentations on cutting edge technology that is available in China; something we could not compare with Guyana since we are struggling with 4G. We have had the opportunity to visit the Yunnan Radio Museum which showed us where radio stations have come from and where they want to be in the modern era.

One of the highlights of the trip is the bonding of the participants from the various media houses. Although media personnel represented various companies, they laughed, talked and enjoy themselves as a family. Waking up early and rapping at the doors of my colleagues every morning was fun… Julia, fretted every morning and a few others as well…

Another aspect that must be highlighted is the visit to

The Guyanese delegation at Stone Forest

heritage village in the Yunnan Province where we were drawn into the deep culture of the minorities.

From music to the artifacts and crafts – it all made our trip to the village a memorable one. There I had the privilege of riding an elephant.

For me, the visit to Stone Forest and climbing the Great Wall of China will be cast in memories until my last breath. Although I climbed a short distance, it will be enough to tell my children and children’s children.

I remember climbing and panting for breath and as I moved upwards, my knees started to wobble but seeing my colleagues, Vindi, Mac and Breenka in front of me, I was determined to reach the first stop on the Great. Coming down was much easier since I felt as if I was flying.

Our final site visit before we returned to our country was the Forbidden City in Beijing – the city which was controlled by an emperor Riding an elephant at the Heritage Village

who had more that 50 concubines. It was indeed a fascinating site that is undoubtedly another major tourist attraction.

Another highlight of our stay in Kunming was having the opportunity to tantalise our taste buds with traditional Chinese food. I recalled after eating the first meal, I was ill for the next two days but promised from then on, not to try anything new unless it had chicken.

Eating different cuisines was a treat; one that saw my colleagues eating practically everything that was placed on the table – even if it meant eating frog legs.

As for shopping, it was an experience of a life time. We were introduced to the Silk Market and were taught to bargain for the best prices.

Although some of us are still of the belief that some were robbed, others struck a few great deals.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

guyana-times.com

19

GODSU G

uyanese fashion icon Sonia Noel’s US summer tour is winding down as her popular “Conversation and Clothing” brand was featured in several states.

Noel also collaborated with two other accomplished Guyanese – Rosalind McClymont and hat Designer Marcus Killikelly – to launch NEXUS, an evening of Style and Narrative. Her hectic schedule did not stop her from engaging in other non-fashion oriented endeavor.

Earlier this year she enrolled in the John Maxwell online university for the leadership programme.

John C Maxwell is the number one New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker who has sold Sonia Noel receiving her certificate In 2014 he was identified as more than 25 million the number one leader in business books in 50 languages.

by the American Management Association and the most influ-

ential leadership expert in the world by Business Insider and Inc Magazine.

He has also been voted the top leadership professional in the world on LeadershipGurus.net for six consecutive years.

However, the international certification programme was for three days in Orlando, Florida, USA, with over 3400 participates from around the world.

“It was a great feeling walking through the hall seeing the Guyana flag added to the lineup because of my participation. The programme has added value to me and I can’t wait to share”, Noel stated.

The fashion icon noted that it was challenging completing the course but it was well worth it in the end, because of the level of training provided by Maxwell. Immediately after the course, Noel was on a flight to Washington, DC, for another engagement.

Earlier this year, she did a number of interviews with the board of Global Oved Dei Seminary and University (GODSU) in the United States.

She was however, recommended for an honorary doctorate. Grammy award winning singer Kelly Price also received an honorary doctorate from the university.

“As I received my award for Doctor of Philosophy in Humane Letters, I reflected to the little girl in Bartica that had many dreams and she is realising them through God’s grace. These accolades were given to me but they are for the young girl or boys who are afraid to dream and think big,” she lamented.

She thanked the Almighty, her family and the people who believe in her vision and assisted in this journey, especially Mr Mohamed of Mohamed’s Enterprise for his constant support.

In addition, she thanked the media in Guyana, the Caribbean and further afield.

FROM PAGE 18

C

ome this evening, five Disc Jockeys will take to the stage in Digicel’s “Bring the Beat” deejay competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

From a total of over 100 participants, it is now down

to the final five who will clash for the title of best deejay and more so, a year of bragging rights.

During the semi-final round, held in Linden last Friday, 10 contestants competed and attempted to

hype the crowd with a playlist dating back to the 90s.

After intense competition, the judges all agreed that only five will make it to the finals.

Those selected are Jefferson Meusa (DJ Spotlight), Travis Hart (DJ Vybz), Keston Tyrell (Selector Keston), Shequille Sparman (Selector Shaqq) and Brian Joseph (DJ Bentley).

The dynamic “Bring the Beat” summer DJ competition was launched by Digicel in July, where contestants were given one week to reg-

ister.

According to Digicel’s Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James at the launch, the competition was planned to target young aspiring Deejays, both male and female, who are familiar with Serato and Virtual DJ, as it will allow them to show their versatility, mixing skills, microphone skills and perform the music, not just play it.

The winners will walk away with a Pioneer DJ console and over $1 million in cash and other gift items.

The Silk Market is basically where tourists gathered to shop. The six-storey building has everything ranging from furniture to jewellery and clothing as well as craft.

Shopping can be exhausting but some of my colleagues “shopped till they dropped”.

Shopping tea is another story… Before we purchase, we were given samples to taste but more importantly, we were told of the benefits.

To me, those are some the most precious memories I will keep and share with those who intend to travel to China.

To date, as I am back home, I could imaging our Project Manager and his Assistant telling us ‘make sure you take all your belongings”, Yes, whenever we went out, before leaving the bus, we heard that phrase.

Commander Kevin and his Assistant, Stacie became a part of our Guyanese family… and while they would have taught us some Chinese words, they also leant some from us especially the famous one, “Noiiiiigeellll”.

20

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

Bolt inks lifetime deal with Digicel U

sain Bolt on Thursday inked a lifetime agreement with Digicel Caribbean Ltd, making the living legend, world record holder and the world’s fastest man, their Chief Speed Officer (CSO).

With his unprecedented “three-peat” at the Olympic Games in Rio, Usain has taken his rightful place in the annals of history and sealed his position as the greatest athlete ever.

The unique “job for life” comes in tandem with the agreement of a lifetime partnership between Digicel and Bolt – an honour only a very small number of the absolute greatest athletes in the world have ever achieved – and a first for Digicel.

Digicel has been a proud sponsor of Bolt since 2004 - when he was fresh out of high school. Fast forward 12 years and 21 major championship victories, Usain continues to entertain the world with his lightning bolt speed and captivating personality.

In his role as Digicel CSO, Usain will get up close and personal with Digicel customers in a number of ways from both a commercial and community point of view and will continue to inspire, motivate and captivate customers and fans across the globe for many years to come.

The innovative new partnership will see Usain bringing his unique understanding of speed to customers via Digicel products, networks and marketing and partnership initiatives - and to aspiring youth athletes via speed camps, motivational and mentorship sessions. Digicel will also support Usain in his passion for giving back by bringing technology solutions to young people that will help them develop and grow.

And to ensure that customers get to celebrate his lifetime contract with him, Digicel will reward one lucky customer in each country with a free lifetime postpaid contract via a social media competition to be run across its markets worldwide.

Peter Lloyd, Director of Marketing for Digicel Group, said; “We are honoured to be turning our twelve year relationship with Usain into a lifelong relationship. Our relationship with Usain transcends sport – he is a unique human being who inspires millions of people across the world. We take pride in having been the first to offer superfast LTE and fiber to the home services in our markets across the globe and to be delivering a truly cutting edge communications and entertainment experience to our customers. As

we will be together forever.

As Digicel CSO, I am opening a new chapter and will be making it my mission to ensure that speed stays at the top of the agenda.”

About Digicel Group

our Chief Speed Officer, we expect Usain to challenge us constantly to deliver awesome experiences to our customers be it from a product, service or community perspective.”

In accepting the new role and his lifetime contract, Usain said; “I’m very humbled. It’s been an amazing journey with Digicel – they have been there for me since I was 17 years old and now

Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific.

After 15 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League.

In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of grassroots NRL programs, women’s business initiatives and the Amicale soccer team in Vanuatu.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and

Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

About Usain Bolt

Arguably the most naturally gifted athlete the world has ever seen, Usain St Leo Bolt, created history at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio when he achieved the ‘Triple Triple’, three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. Usain’s journey to worldwide stardom started at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where he won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, all in world record times. He followed this up with three gold medals in the same events at the 2012 Olympic Games in London to write his name in the history books as the world’s fastest man. Then one day before his 30th birthday, he completed the same triple at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio to cement his legacy as a legend in world sport.

In addition to his nine Olympic Games gold medals, Usain won eleven World T&F Championships titles. He completed the 100m, 200m and 4x100m sweeps at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, 2013 World Championships in Moscow and 2015 World Championships in Beijing. He won the 200m and 4x100m at the World Championships in Daegu in 2011.

Dilshan to retire from ODIs and T20Is

T

ilkarantne Dilshan has confirmed he will play his final ODI in Dambulla on Sunday, the third of the series against Australia, and his last T20 international in Colombo on September 9.

His retirement comes in the wake of significant pressure from Sri Lanka’s selectors. Dilshan’s own performance has been outstanding over the past few years - he averages 49.18 in ODIs since the start of 2013, and had his most successful ODI year in 2015, when he scored 1207 runs at an average of 52.47. But with Angelo Mathews and the selectors now seeking to build a team for the 2019 World Cup, Dilshan was persuaded to retire. He had also been Sri Lanka’s top scorer in this year’s World T20 campaign, and remains, at

39, one of the team’s best fielders.

Dilshan had missed the England tour earlier this year due to personal reasons, and was seen in discussion with chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya ahead of the ODI series against Australia. He is understood to have expressed a reluctance to retire, but having scored 22 and 10 in the first two matches, has since changed his mind.

Sri Lanka already have opening batsmen vying for his place. Both Kusal Perera and Danushka Gunathilaka have opened the batting in this series, and Dhananjaya de Silva, who has so far batted down the order in ODIs, has opened the batting for his club through the most recent domestic season.

Dilshan was a late bloomer at the top lev-

Tilkarantne Dilshan

el. Having batted largely in the lower middle order for almost a decade since his debut in 1999, he blossomed as a limited-overs batsman when he became a consistent opener in 2009. Dilshan scored 1000 or more ODI runs in

a calendar year four times since being sent permanently up the order, and never failed to amass fewer than 800 runs between 2009 and 2015. He was the fourth Sri Lanka batsman, after Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela

Jayawardene, to cross 10,000 ODI runs.

He has also been one of the premier T20 players over the past six years.

Dilshan top-scored in the 2009 World T20, where Sri Lanka made the final, before going on to become the second-highest runscorer overall in T20 internationals - playing in two more World T20 finals, one of which his team won. He is one of a handful of batsmen to have hit centuries in all three formats. The sole T20 hundred came in 2011 against Australia in Pallekele - a favourite venue at which he will appear one more time, in the first T20 of the two-match series.

Once promoted to the top of the order, Dilshan became reputed for the dynamism he brought to the opening role. In addition to

the cover drives and pull shots - all hit with a rapid swing of the bat - Dilshan was also an innovator of the lap scoop, and began to regularly slog-sweep medium-pace bowlers. He alone plays the shot colloquially known as the ‘Dilscoop’, in which a length ball is uniquely deflected over the keeper, rather than over short fine leg.

Dilshan captained Sri Lanka across formats between May 2010 and January 2012, and though their first Test win under him came against South Africa at the tail end of that period, the team had endured a lull during his leadership. He has, however, been an effective bowler in the limited-overs format. His offspin has brought him 106 ODI wickets at an average of 44.84.

(Cricinfo)

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uyana Cricket Board (GCB) newly formed Jaguars Franchise League is set to bowl-off today with four matches scheduled between Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo and Young Warriors ground in Berbice.

In those matches, powerhouse Georgetown will face East Bank at Everest Cricket Club Ground, East Coast will tackle West Demerara at Enterprise Community Development Centre Ground, West Berbice versus Upper Corentyne at Young Warriors Ground and Lower Corentyne will clash with Essequibo at Tuschen Ground. All matches are expected to start at 09:30 hours The Jaguars Three Day League replaces the Senior Inter County tournament and features over 100 of our local cricketers. This league will be followed by the WICB PCL league which runs from November to March 2017.

The following are the contracted players and the management officials that have been allocated as fol-

low: Upper Corentyne: Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Assad Fudadin, Clinton Pestano, Coach – Winston Smith, Manager/ Assistant Coach – Delbert Hicks.

Lower Corentyne: Veerasammy Permaul, Surujnarine Kandasammy, Raun Johnson, Coach – Julian Moore, Manager/ Assistant Coach – Andre Percival.

West Berbice: Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Coach – Adrian Amsterdam, Manager/ Assistant Coach – David Black.

East Coast Demerara: Rajendra Chandrika, Paul Wintz, Steven Sankar, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Coach – Esuan Crandon, Manager/ Assistant Coach – Jitlal Jowharilall.

Georgetown: Leon Joseph, Christopher Barnwell, Robin Bacchus, Dexter Solomon, Coach – Colin Stuart, Manager/ Assistant Coach – Garvin Nedd.

East Bank/Upper

Demerara: Vishaul Singh, Trevon Griffith, Steven Jacobs, Sherfane Rutherford, Tevin Imlach, Coach – Clive Grimmond, Manager/Assistant Coach – Rohan Sarjoo.

West Demerara: Raymon Reifer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Akshaya Persaud, Romario Shepherd, Kemol Savory, Coach – Rayon Griffith, Manager/Assistant Coach – Dhanpaul.

Essequibo: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ronsford Beaton, Keemo Paul, Kevon Boodie, Anthony Adams, Coach – Michael Franco, Manager/ Assistant Coach – Forbes Daniels.

According to the executives of the GCB at the launch of the League last week, the tournament promises to be more competitive than the inter-county tournament and will expose more cricketers.

Former West Indies under-19 player Gajanand Singh is expected to be one of players making a return to vie for a return to the national team.

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West Indies can go past India in team T20I rankings

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wo-time ICC World Twenty20 champions West Indies can leapfrog second-ranked India in the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings when they go head-to-head in a two-match series in Lauderhill, Florida, USA, on 27 and 28 August.

India is currently placed on 128 points, four points behind table leader New Zealand, while third-ranked West Indies is on 122 points.

Led by new captain Carlos Brathwaite, who had smashed four consecutive sixes to wrap up this year’s ICC World Twenty20 final against England in Kolkata, the West Indies will move to second place on 127 points with a 2-0 win and push India to third place on 124 points.

However, a 2-0 win for India, captain by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will help it join number-one ranked New Zealand on 132 points but the Asian side will be ranked second when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point. In this scenario, the West Indies will slip to fourth position with 118 points, one point behind South Africa.

A 1-1 series draw will keep India ahead on 128 points with West Indies on 123 points.

The individual performances in the series will also be keenly watched with a player from either side lead-

After winning the World T20 in March, the West Indies will now look to become the World number one ranked side

ing the player rankings for batsmen and bowlers.

India’s Test captain Virat Kohli heads the player rankings for T20 batsmen with 837 points. With Australia’s Aaron Finch only 34 points behind, Kohli will be looking to consolidate his position at the top.

Rohit Sharma is the nexthighest ranked India batsman in 23rd position, while Dhoni, who had led India to victory in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 title in 2007, is in 50th position but the likelihood of getting more batting opportunities could see him rise in the ranks.

For the West Indies, bighitting opener Chris Gayle (eighth) and experienced batsman Marlon Samuels (17th) will be looking to move up the ranks with Lendl Simmons (31st), Dwayne Bravo (37th) and Andre Fletcher (48th)

also trying to climb the ladder.

The West Indies has two slow bowlers up in the table as top-ranked leg-spinner Samuel Badree and fourthranked off-spinner Sunil Narine will be out to garner points with medium-pacer Dwayne Bravo (39th) the next best on the list.

For India, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is in second position in the player rankings for bowlers after a creditable show in Zimbabwe a few months ago when India won the T20I series 2-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin is the other India bowler inside the top 10 in seventh position, while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja is in 19th spot.

Marlon Samuels is the best-ranked all-rounder from either side at fifth position.

(ICC)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

“This is my time!”– Gonsalves

By Romario Samaroo

Guyanese boxer Dexter Gonsalves, 27, has stated that DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley, 42, United States boxer has had his time and it is his (Gonsalves) time to reach the top when the two meet at the main event of “Bad Intentions” at Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, East Cost Demerara, on Saturday.

Gonsalves sent a message to the Corley Camp stating, “Chop Chop, you had your time and this is my time” as they prepare to match gloves for the World Boxing Council’s Fecarbox title.

Gonsalves has had seven knockout wins in his eleven fights to date and will be looking to add Corley to the list after their 12-round.

On the other side of the table, Corley extended his gratitude to the organisers and his opponent for accepting to fight him, noting that he “is a dangerous fighter, no fighter is willing to fight me because when they see my résumé and who I have been in the ring with, they are afraid.”

‘Chop Chop’ has been in the ring 75 times with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Miguel Cotto, having won 48 of those fights including 28 knockouts.

Gonsalves has been in the gym putting in extra hours preparing for the big fight while his counterpart has stated that he is always

From left - front row: Tommy Galindo, DeMarcus Corley, Devin Ramnauth, Roy Beepat, Peter Abdool, Dexter Gonsalves, Aleem Hussain. Seated in the back are Imran Khan, Anthony Narine, Keeve Alicock and Quincy Gomes

training and pointed out that he has already fought one Guyanese, Iwan Azore, and won.

Gonsalves, however, acknowledged Corley’s experience, saying, “Corley has fought some of the best fighters but has never been in the ring with a real Guyanese who is hungry to reach the top.”

Both fighters have indicated that this match will be the stepping stone they need on their way to the WBC championship which is in possession of Jorge Linares of Venezuela.

When Guyana Times Sport met with Coley, the former WBO champion pointed out that he is aware of the age difference

between the two, but said he has the experience that Gonsalves does not. Corley added, “Gonsalves does have the height advantage, but a lot of fighters have height but do not know how to use it, and come Saturday fans will see if the hometown boy can take a punch.”

In the other fights of the night, one of the most anticipated will be what has been dubbed a ‘grudge match’ between Imran ‘Magic’ Khan and Quincy ‘Glittering’ Gomes.

These two fighters met at Caribbean Knockdown where Gomes had emerged victorious after six rounds and is looking to end the match with a first-round knockout.

camp for both children and adults at the GBTI Tennis Courts located opposite the Diamond Hospital. The camp had one of the largest number since its beginning, with persons young and old

from all walks of life. There were a great atmosphere of light moments mixed with some hard work.The sessions were absolutely free to the public and were held daily from 15:00hrs to

But Khan felt the match result was questionable, pointing out several mistakes he made and promising to better them this time around.

President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Peter Abdool, highlighted that these boxers are all part of the NexGen Global Promotions team and wanted to know who will win the fight but both fighters asserted, they both have blood in their eyes and the desire to win.

A next match-up between NexGen Global Promotion boxers will see Anthony Narine making his debut against Keeve Allicock, who has a knockout on his mind.

Narine said he is set to

Dexter Gonsalves and DeMarcus Corley with the WBC Fecarbox title

make a good first impression and ready for anything Alicock can throw at him, while Alicock, who comes from a family of boxers, has his eyes set on the bigger picture and see this as a must-win fight on his way to the top.

Berbician Kesley George is expected to have the crowd on their toes when he matches gloves in a four-round super middleweight clash with Barbadian Charwin

Estwick, who is currently on a winning streak.

In the middleweight category, Mark Austin will look to stop the mighty Jamaican Michael Gardener in his tracks.

‘Bad Intentions’ is slated for August 27 at the Giftland Office Max Mall, Lilliendaal, East Coast Demerara. Admission costs $3000 (ringside) and $1000 (general admission).

Diamond tennis camp unites community L ast weekend the Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA) in collaboration with sponsor, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), started its free tennis summer

President of GTLA, Jamal Goodluck with participants and coaches at the Diamond Camp

18:00hrs and will progress for another two consecutive weekends.

Guyana over the years has steadily made strides to regain its once top ranked position among the leading Caribbean countries for the game of tennis and bringing it back to the days of regularly hosting and winning famous regional tournaments such as the Brandon Cup. There is greater push to encourage communities to be active and build that closeness around the sport.

President Jamal Goodluck at the opening ceremony expressed the joy he felt at the gathering of over 50 persons. He thanked the bank who was represented by the Manager, Surendra Samdass for their many

years of continuing the tradition and providing an opportunity for children to discover their abilities. As he noted, “you never know where the next Serena or Nadal will come from.”

Therefore, the tennis camps increase awareness of the sport as the association aims to increase participation and foster volunteerism, which will undoubtedly build Guyana as a nation while promoting a sport that is both fun and invigorating. One need not to know to play tennis, since there are competent coaches that engage children and adults in the basic of the game and provide fun activities that give a good physical workout. The most anticipated activity, the mini

competitions, provided the public with an opportunity to put their skills to the test as they simultaneously had fun in the competitions of playing against each other. There will be a competition at the end of the camp which seeks to involve beginners and provide a space for the community to interact.

The Guyana Lawn Tennis Association thanks GBTI for facilitating this summer program offered

by GLTA and coach Andre Erskine. If anyone is interested in playing Tennis or joining the Guyana Tennis association, please contactguyanatennis@gmail. com or look for Guyana Lawn Tennis Association on Facebook.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

23

Trinidadian contingent arrives for Boyce/Jefford Classic VII T he Trinidad and Tobago contingent that will be competing in this weekend’s Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic VII arrived in Guyana yesterday. The four athletes and the manager were very are optimistic about putting on a show in Linden.

The 2015 International Men’s 800m Runner-up, Ashton Gill is the most experienced on the team and will lead them into the competition. “He’ll win that race this year for sure,” Manager, Kelvin Nancoo asserted yesterday.

Gill and now United States of America-based

Joanna Rogers

Kevin Bayley had an epic showdown last year for the 800m title with Bayley using is bottom end speed to win. Bayley arrived in Guyana from the US earli-

er this week and is hoping to defend his title.

The other athletes on the Trinidadian team include, Recardo Prescott, who will also compete in the 800m with Trinidad looking for a top two finish against the local middle distance athletes at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden.

Shikyla Walcott will compete in the 100m and 200m Women’s races with the 200m earmarked as an International event as well.

Joanna Rogers races in the 1500m against Grenadian Kenisha Pascal, along with other top local middle distance queens.

The Jamaican contin-

Ashton Gill

gent arrived in Guyana last night while the oth-

er athletes are expected in Guyana today.

There are eight international events that carry a total purse of US$500 each with US$250 for the winner, US$150,000 for second place and US$100 for third, which amounts to US$4000, which will be handed out on the day.

In addition, the Champion Male and Female athletes will pocket $50,000 each while the Media and Masters races also have a similar $50,000 prize.

Trophies will be given to the top four clubs, while medals will be given to all athletes placing 1-3; the total prize money for the clubs amount to $2M with the winner running away with $1 million.

Director of Sport hands over flood lamps for MSC ground

D

irector of Sports, Christopher Jones came through on a promise to Linden Community when he formally handed over to the Region yesterday 15 Flood Lamps and 10 Bulbs that will be erected at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) facility to support the existing fixtures.

Jones had committed to providing lights for the facility in a meeting with the MSC management, and the Boyce/Jefford Committee last month, stating that such developmental initiatives were an important facet of the work of the Ministry’s of Education Department of Sports.

The initiative was facilitated under the Ground Enhancement Project and

Illumination! Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (left) hands over one of 15 flood lamps that will be erected at the MSC ground to Regional Executive Officer, Region 10, Gavin Clarke on Thursday. Also in photo are Colin Boyce, MSC President Avery Trim and Edison Jefford share the moment in Linden

delivered to the Region that’s now the conduit for the project. The 1000W

Quad Voltage Metal Halide Flood Fixture and 1000W E40 Metal Halide Lamp

Good to go! Christopher Jones (right) and Chairman of the Boyce/Jefford Committee, Colin Boyce inspect the upgraded MSC ground

Bulbs will be erected in time for this weekend Boyce & Jefford Track and Field Classic VII at the MSC facility. The Lamps and Bulbs

cost $1,798,000 of a $2M grant under the project.

Regional Executive Officer, Region 10, Gavin Clarke received the items

yesterday on behalf of the Linden community. MSC President, Avery Trim had welcomed the collaborative efforts that is seeing a much-improved and developed facility.

“We are appreciative of these kind sentiments, and we will continue to work to get this venue up to the level that we know it to be,” Trim had said. He said that MSC is upbeat about sports within the community and it is only fair that they have a proper facility. The facility was a hive of activity yesterday with works ongoing on repainting the stands, along with several other corrective and renovation works. The outlook of the ground was fully grassed and flat with just the marking and final rolling to be done.

RHTY&SC Town Week

Guyana Baseball League

Roraima Airways Inc and JR Engineering Solution on board as official sponsors

Mark Gafur to manage all national teams in 2017

R

oraima Airways of Georgetown and JR Engineering Solutions of New Amsterdam have become the latest cooperate entity to support the efforts of the Cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club to host a memorable Town Week in observance of the 46th Anniversary of Rose Hall Town.

The teams have arranged an impressive list of activities to be hosted between the 14th to 25th of September and which included a Career and Business Fair, Medical Outreach, Day of Sports, Launching of Booklet on history of Rose Hall Town, Opening of a Family Recreational Park, Public Exhibition, Launching of a Television Documentary on Rose Hall Town, Tourism Poster, Honouring of Outstanding Students and Senior Citizens, Rose Hall Cuisine Competition and Massive March Past and Opening Ceremony.

Roraima Airways INC and Captain Gerry

RHTY&SC, M.S Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster

Gouveia have donated two trips to the Arrow Point Resort for the top Grade Six and Best CSEC Student from Rose Hall Town for the Year 2016. The prize would be for the students, one parent each and would be handed over by a representative of the company during the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday September 14.

Meanwhile the Club also received a financial contribution from JR Engineering Solution towards the construction of the HD Hoyte Memorial

Family Recreational Park which would be formally declared open on September 23rd. The park would include the construction of a Benab, Slides, Seesaws, Swings and Flower Garden among others and forms part of the Club’s and the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division Say No to Drugs, Crime and Suicide Programme.

Club Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster who is the coordinator of the Town Week celebrations expressed his gratitude to Captain Gerry Gouveia, Roraima Airways and JR Engineering Solutions for their support.

He stated that the RHTYSC, M.S would work towards making the prize an annual one for the best Grade 6 and CSEC Students from Rose Hall Town. The cricket teams organising the Town Week are the Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermiade, Metro Female and Gizmos & Gadgets Under 21 and First Division teams.

T

he Guyana Baseball League is proud to announce that Mr. Mark Gafur has accepted an offer to manage all national baseball teams in 2017, Mark who’s playing career included time in the Minor leagues has been coaching baseball for twenty years and lists the Florida Marlins and the prestigious Harvard University among institutions he has worked with to develop players.

Mark is a long serving Vice-President of the GBL and was asked to fill the role of International manager following the GBL’s initial foray into international competition at Baseball Canada’s Women’s 21U Invitational.

President of the GBL Robin Singh expressed his gratitude to Gafur and said “it became obvious during the tournament in Halifax that our technical work was not up to the standard required, Mark has that knowledge and the experience imparting it to players, we are overjoyed that he has been able to find time in his schedule to commit to managing our international teams and also to running

Mark Gafur

coaching education courses in Guyana in the near future” The GBL will be competing in various tournaments around the world in 2017 in various divisions, the men’s team will be heading to Florida in December to prepare for International competition beginning 2017, and players will be recruited from Guyana and the Diaspora.

In Guyana, Open tryouts days are slated for the September 3 and 11 at the

Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Bourda. Players are asked to wear appropriate sport clothing, no other equipment is necessary.

Open tryout daily schedule of events include Catch Play, Timed 60 yard sprints, Infield/Outfield Fielding Drills and Batting Practice.

The GBL urges all male players avail themselves of this opportunity to participate in this exciting sport.

For Further information Contact the GBL: admin@ baseballguyana.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

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

Pg 23

Trinidadian contingent arrives for Boyce/Jefford Classic VII The 2015 International Men’s 800m Runner-Up, Ashton Gill, Shikyla Walcott, Joanna Rogers, and Recardo Prescott with Manager, Kelvin Nancoo in background, shortly after arriving in Guyana to compete in this weekend’s Boyce/Jefford Classic VII

Jaguars Franchise League bowls off today — top players to vie for spot on national team

Pg 21

The three-day league will pave the way for some of the younger talents in the country to press for a spot in the senior national team

“This is my time!”– Gonsalves

Pg 22 Dexter “Cobra” Gonsalves will fight DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley in 12 rounds for the WBC Fecarbox belt

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