Binder1

Girl Guides moves to Region 6 to develop guiding P16

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3144

Monday, March 6, 2017

PRICE

20th death anniversary of Dr Cheddi Jagan

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Jagdeo calls on supporters to be ‘foot soldiers’

Region 6 drug shortage preposterous P7 – APNU Councillor

Page 9

...says only PPP stands between Govt and corruption

Inset: The Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo pays homage to Dr Cheddi Jagan

Efforts underway to market Rupununi as tourism destination P17

ECD missing sisters found

P8

Major shakeup at Govt Ministries P17 The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of its founder and Father of the Nation, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Since his death in 1997, the life and works of this iconic Guyanese who served as the nation’s third Executive President, has been celebrated annually with thousands flocking the Babu Jaan Crematorium, Corentyne, Berbice. In photo, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds interacting with the crowd (Andrew Carmichael photo)

Govt considering GuySuCo lands for housing project – Harmon

― many Guyanese affected

Guyana-Venezuela border issue

The Bahamas stands in “utter rock solid solidarity” with Guyana P10

Page 12

Fire in Richmond Hill, NY rips through businesses, homes

– as Permanent Secretaries reassigned

– countries to develop areas of cooperation following State visit

Page 16 Estate closures

Decision lacks transparency – economist P3

... says “incompetence” of decision-makers caused downfall of sugar

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 6 – 11:00h-12:30h and Tuesday, March 7 – 12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, March 4 – 08:00h-09:30h and Sunday, March 5 – 09:00h-10:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions, interrupted by heavy to light rain showers in the late morning to early afternoon hours, can be expected. Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.81 metres.

10:49h and 23:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.28 metres and 2.17 metres respectively.

04:15h and 17:04h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 0.93 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2017

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SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2017

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Estate closures

Decision lacks transparency – economist

…says “incompetence” of decision-makers caused downfall of sugar

T

he recent announcement by Government that more sugar estates will be closed has been described as a move which lacks transparency by economist Sasenarine Singh, who believes that the downfall of the sugar industry is as a result of the incompetence of decision-makers.

Last week, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon admitted that more estates would be shut down as Government moved to finalise its options with regard to the future of the sugar industry. “Well, there are proposals with respect to diversification; and in the diversification plan, there is a proposal to that effect,” the State Minister told reporters at the post-Cabinet press briefing.

However, Singh point-

a trimmed [Guyana Sugar Corporation] GuySuCo operations. The focus all along should have been on cutting out the fat from the industry – the non-value added cost, not kill the goose all together to get rid of the fat,” he stated.

Singh added that if this move reflected the reality in the minds of the decision-makers in the Cabinet of Guyana, then Tuesday ,February 28, 2017, would be “a date which will live in infamy” in the Cooperative Republic, he said, paraphrasing Roosevelt.

Moreover, the economist believes that the treatment of the Skeldon Estate reveals the deficiency of proper management capabilities at the helm of GuySuCo. He noted that the reason given for the recent aban-

The Skeldon Sugar Factory

ed out that the premise upon which such a decision was taken was “totally non-transparent” and lacked “a comprehensive understanding of the social impact on rural Guyana”.

The economist explained that if the intention was to reduce the drag on the fiscal performance of the economy, then the first thing any skilful policymaker would have done was conduct a full-blown Socioeconomic Impact Assessment (SIA) on different options available to Government.

“No one has priced in the loss of the sugar earnings on the national reserves. No one has priced in the social cost and drain on the social security system because of

donment of the first crop at Skeldon – that the co-generation plant was unsafe to operate was nothing but a lame excuse. He pointed out that the situation exposed a deep deficiency in the project planning and engineering skills in GuySuCo, laying the blame at the feet of co-Chief Executive Officer Errol Hanoman, whom Singh said should be fired forthwith for “gross negligence and incompetence”.

“Did the senior team at GuySuCo in 2016 not developed a project plan for Skeldon for the first crop? Did they not identified and inspected their assets at Skeldon (their pool of available technicians, their equipment, the field

Economist Sasenarine Singh

are scheduled for reaping during the first crop of 2017 and most importantly the factory)? From that assessment, any skilled executive will then clear know what they can do and what they cannot do,” the economist posited.

Losses

He went on to question who would take responsibility for the losses in the field since some 4000 acres of mature cane was now left to dry in the field. This, he noted, is a permanent loss of some $2 billion.

“So, you see these decisions cannot be made lightly, because they result in billions of dollars in opportunity losses, which then translate into socio-economic deprivation in the local area – the Upper Corentyne. So when the local businesses would have expected a bump in their financial transaction in the first half of the year, they must settle for a season of “beri-beri”. Who is going to feed, clothe and pay the mortgage for the sugar families of the upper Corentyne now?” he argued.

Nevertheless, when it comes to saving the Skeldon Estate, Singh is of the opinion that “boat done gone a falls”. He explained that back in May 2015, he was convinced without a shadow of doubt that the situation was recoverable, but this was not so anymore because of the high level of executive incompetence and bungled decision-making at the highest levels within GuySuCo for years now – not only under Hanoman but Raj Singh

as well, who was ‘doubly worst’.

Moreover, the economist outlined that he was advised that the decision was made to sell the entire operations at Skeldon and that the son-in-law of a senior Government official was eligible for a finder’s fee of US$1 million if he could structure a deal for the Skeldon Estate with the co-generation plant.

“I was also reliably advised that as a precondition, investors want the balance sheet assigned to the Skeldon Estate to be stripped of the US$200 million debt that funded the factory. But anyone involved in any business acquisition will know that the valuation of a business is three-fold – the future cash flows, the expected rate of returns and the net asset value of the balance sheet. Everyone is focused on the fact that the factory is a mess, but no one is focusing on the intangible losses,” he posited.

According to Singh, if the debt for the factory is extricated from the deal, then the people of Guyana will get pennies on the dollar when this deal is done, with limited access to the future cash flows, most of which will be shipped out of the country for the investor, and the equity built up will all be owned by the investor.

To this end, the economist noted that it was imperative that deal or no deal, Skeldon should be formed into its own joint stock company and listed on the Guyana stock exchange. This way, he added, Government would be able to sell 75 per cent of the shares to private shareholders, not just the international investors, but to local companies such as Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) or anyone else who can afford to buy the shares.

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

Cheddi Jagan and the new PPP

Y

esterday was the 20th anniversary of the death of Dr Cheddi Jagan, founder of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and undoubtedly, the founder of modern politics of Guyana. Before him, politics was dominated by reformist-minded individuals who sought to influence the Legislative Council, which was controlled by the Governor, his ex-officio members and those whom he nominated. These politicians in the main tended to “go along to get along”.

Some may say Cheddi Jagan was the right man, at the right place, at the right time. With the expansion of the franchise in 1947 after the recommendations of the 1938-39 Moyne Commission had been quarantined by WWII, Jagan won a seat to the Legislative Council where he introduced a new vocabulary to politics. Earlier that year, he had helped morph an informal discussion group on topics of the day into the “Political Action Committee”, which helped in his election drive.

The vocabulary he and other members of the discussion honed was based on the tenets of MarxismLeninism, and focused on addressing the oppressive conditions on the sugar plantations and other work sites.

He, therefore, was proposing radical root and branch change, rather than the mild reforms of his predecessors.

Jagan had been studying dentistry in the US up to 1943 and was aware of the fundamental changes WWII had unleashed that would shake up the old imperial system under which Guyana had been ruled for centuries.

When the Waddington Commission in 1951 recommended the universal franchise for the next elections in 1953, the PPP had been launched in 1950 to take advantage of the new mass politics that had been unfurled. Jagan’s leadership of the PPP at the 1953 elections garnered all 18 seats, but the radical nature of their rhetoric rattled Britain’s PM, Winston Churchill, who removed the government after a mere 133 days.

We can fast forward through his period of “marking time” from 1953 to 1957, when he was returned to office until he was removed once again in 1964 for the same Marxist radicalism that had earned him his ouster in 1953. Interestingly, he saw his removal as placing “The West on Trial”, which was the name of his autobiography and political activism. He was to be in the wilderness for 28 years as his rival and one-time colleague, Forbes Burnham routinely rigged elections.

While it is a mark of his determination that he kept the PPP intact, but transformed into an orthodox Marxist-Leninist party, many have wondered at what cost. In 1992, he had to jettison all the substantive aspects of that ideology under the “conditionalities” of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) “Structural Adjustment Programme”. These were supposed to pull Guyana out of the financial and social morass into which the previous People’s National Congress (PNC) regime had plunged it. The neo-liberal tenets of that programme unleashed fundamental changes in governance and the economy that are still in place even as the developed world’s economy plunged into a financial crisis in 2008 because of contradictions of the model. Jagan passed away in 1997, before the economy was effectively stabilised.

That task fell to Jagan’s successors and much of the credit for removing a paralysing debt burden and then producing consistent rates of growth exceeding regional peers has to be given to Bharrat Jagdeo who was President for 12 of the 23 years the PPP was in office.

Now again out of office, the new leadership of the Party, who happens to be led by the same experienced Bharrat Jagdeo, have signalled the need to abandon doctrinaire ideological “isms”. They have stressed the need to focus on development without losing sight of Guyana’s reality that the majority of the populace remains poor.

As one new leader suggested, “Wealth creation is critical for economic transformation, but must simultaneously improve the stock of the poor and working class whilst reducing the gap of inequality.”

While the goal is in consonance with Dr Jagan’s vision, the methodology is refreshingly pragmatic.

This colourful rangoli design was on display at the National Cultural Centre on Friday evening, during the launch of the activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship in Guyana

Public should support call to combat racism at CXC Dear Editor, I applaud Dr Kumar Mahabir (GT Feb 28) for exposing racism against Indians in the Literature Syllabus of CXC. Mahabir himself is a terrific writer, with several books to his name, and is an exceptional Professor of English and Anthropology. Mahabir provided incontrovertible evidence to support what a few of us have been complaining about for over 25 years -Indian writers and poets are not fairly represented in the syllabus of literature which Caribbean students are proscribed to study at the CXC and CAPE levels.

Worse, Indians are ridiculed, belittled and marginalized in CXC literature, and even in Caricom itself.

Indians are also not fairly represented in the Caricom Secretariat and the CXC Secretariat itself, based in Barbados. Indians are also not fairly represented in the subject committees that prepare examination questions in all subjects, or in the grading of students’ exams.

Ditto Amerindians, who are also marginalised.

CXC is an entity of Caricom. Can you imagine that no Caricom government, or even its Secretary General, finds it prudent to see that CXC fairly represents all ethnic groups?

No government! Neither has the SG condemned the CXC for its racist policy, nor demanded ethnic inclusion in all aspects of the operations

of that regional educational entity. Neither Cambridge nor Oxford nor London has ever marginalized Indians the way CXC has done.

Can you imagine that the greatest writer of fiction or the novel as history, Dr VS Naipaul – a Nobel Laureate and a Caricom son of Indian extraction – is not included in the list of works of some 35 writers prescribed for study by CXC? Naipaul’s works are studied in every university around the globe, even in Germany and France. Complaints have been made about the exclusion of outstanding Indian writers in CXC, but these have not been addressed.

Who responds to Indian complaints demanding equality and fairness? Who cares, except a few of us, who expose Caribbean racism?

I approached the PPP and UNC governments about the marginalization of Indians in the curriculum of several disciplines at CXC and at UWI and UG. Those governments were not interested in problems and challenges facing the Indian community. They would prefer not to hear about Indian issues, except when they are in opposition – to use Indians as a rallying cry for support.

When in government, they neglect Indians. “How it guh look if we raise these issues about marginalization of Indians?” they asked. My response was it looked fine, as the govern-

ment would be correcting a history of racism perpetrated against Indians. Indian leaders always worry what non-Indians would think about their actions, even when those actions correct a history of injustices against Indians. African parties or governments had or have no problems addressing issues impacting their supporters.

Just look at the actions and policies of the PNC government – ethnic nationalism and neglect of Indians. So why should Indian leaders or parties have a problem addressing complaints of racism being perpetrated against Indians?

I remember that, over a decade ago, a prominent Indian activist wanted his children to write Common Entrance at age nine; they and some others were seen as exceptionally bright and their teachers felt they were ready for CE. The Minister initially objected and denied the request of the parent and recommendation of teachers. When I approached the Minister on the matter, he asked, “How it guh look if (I) allowed Indians to take the exam at that age?” My answer was it looked fine - allow any talented, gifted student, regardless of ethnicity, to take the exam at any age below the maximum. The Indian kids were eventually given permission, and they excelled, enrolling in high school at a tender age and obtaining more than fifteen

subjects at age 14. One was a Caribbean scholar passing the most subjects at CXC and CAPE. Both enrolled at universities at age 15.

In another case, I approached the PPP and UNC governments about including Rhyaan Shah’s books as well as works of others – like Mahadai Das, Sasenarine Persaud, Ramabai Espinet, Bal Naipaul, David Dabydeen, Lakshmi Persaud – in the syllabus of CXC, but there was no support from PPP figures; they gave words of comfort, but took no action. Historian Pat Dial knows about the gallant effort I and others have made to win over political figures to endorse corrective measures of marginalization of Indians at CXC. Sat Maharaj of SDMS in Trinidad was supportive, but not PPP and UNC- bane of Indian community. Rupert Roopnaraine has been approached to address the racism and marginalization of Indians in CXC. Request was made to petition CXC to include Indian writers in readings.

Legal recourse against CXC and Caricom is being pondered. This could lead to billions of dollars in compensation being paid out to correct racism against Indians and Amerindians. The public should support efforts to combat racism at CXC. Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

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

Kumar has successfully Closer monitoring of spun his own web school vendors needed Dear Editor, On Monday, 27th February 2017, about eleven children from the Uitvlugt Secondary School were rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital at various periods throughout the day, after the children started experiencing bouts of vomiting. Upon investigation, one vendor was fingered, because the children had purchased eatables from her.

Tests were supposedly conducted on the various items she has for sale, and her home was inspected to determine the conditions under which she prepares the articles for sale at the school. The tests conducted determined that the sour she has for the various types of chips she sells was responsible for the children vomiting, and she was debarred from selling at the school until further notice.

To my knowledge, only her place was inspected after that disaster. Those in authority, who are vested with the responsibility, are supposed to carry out random checks at the places of preparation and selling of eatables, especially where vendors at schools are concerned; because, over the years, many children from various schools have experienced similar unpleasant incidents. Guyana has many people who are being paid to do particular jobs, and only when a disaster strikes do those persons react and attempt to do their jobs.

Editor, I’ve stated in previous letters I have penned that many vendors are not aware of the ingredients in some of the items they are selling (example: pork extract in Jell-O, among other things); nor are they aware of the expiry dates of some of those items; nor do they even consider that the things they prepare for consumption have a limited shelf

life. Their principal objective it to make a profit, and they many go ‘the extra mile’ to get more profit whilst saving on expenses. One of the main ways they employ to make the profit they seek is by purchasing items at a cheaper cost; and one main way to achieve this is by ‘purchasing’ items from thieves, mainly junkies, who are in the habit of raiding people’s fruit trees or obtaining their items from dumpsites, roadways etc.

Many vendors do not care, neither do they ask from whence ‘the seller’ has obtained the articles; because those articles are extremely cheap, many vendors would buy them, because the possibility exists that they would make a huge profit.

Many persons plant trees and wait patiently to reap the fruits, only to wake up one morning to see the trees empty. They might not have even had a chance to taste one fruit from the crop. This makes people angry, because “you spend time behind your plants, and you cannot get to reap/taste from it.” That is why when some thieves are caught they are beaten mercilessly, even though many people would say that when a thief has been caught he/she should be taken to the police.

Some police men and women say that thieving is petty crime, and the police have other serious matters to investigate; but when a thief has been caught, the justice meted out might not please the authorities. Many people now resort to their own ways of dealing with thieves; and I’ve heard many saying that they have poisoned the fruits on their trees in order that they might catch the culprit(s) who are stealing their fruits. The main way to poison such fruits is to inject some sort of poison

into some of the fruits. Many people also spray some sort of chemicals on their plants to keep pests away; and if someone were to steal those fruits, they wouldn’t know or care about the spray. And whoever purchases those fruits is unaware that they have purchased fruits that have been sprayed or injected with dangerous chemicals.

I’ve seen people boiling sour in aluminum pots, and when the boiling has been completed, they leave the sour in the pots (sometimes open) for days, just reheating same and taking out daily the amount they need. I’ve heard that leaving food in aluminum pots for long periods is dangerous. It’s not dangerous to use aluminum pots, but if you leave food in them for long periods, the situation could be dangerous.

Adults might look at someone’s appearance, or the vending environment, before purchasing something to eat, but school children are not so cautious/observant. Thus, as a parent, I advise my children; but I cannot deter them from what they want, and vendors should give consideration to people’s children’s health and stop the nonsense they are practising.

If a thorough investigation were carried out after any similar incident, I’m quite sure it would be revealed that many vendors purchase items coming mainly from illegal sources. Thus vendors should be more thoroughly monitored; because, for too long, this nonsense has been happening.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

Dear Editor, The retirement of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the public announcement in this regard has occasioned another flurry about the Commission in the media. Joining that flurry was one Mr Neil Kumar, who made three assertions among others.

He asserted that: (1) “the election results were by law supposed to be verified by the Information Technology tabulation and the corresponding manual tabulation. However, none of this was done”. (2) “Guyanese must now demand that GECOM tell us how many fake SOPs were discovered.

This information must come forward so that we could know the specific areas and the Presiding Officers that were involved in the rigging of the 2015 elections”; and (3) “The former Chairman and the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Election Commission should be held responsible for their actions in allowing fake SOPs to infiltrate the system”.

The first observation I wish to make is that whoever attempted to corrupt the system with fake Statements of Poll did so on the heels of Mr Boodhoo and the Commission’s misappropriation of a Linden Constituency seat in 2006.

An Alliance For Change (AFC) seat was appropriated to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and

Mr Boodhoo attempted to pass off a fictitious result in 2011 (he sought to allocate the one-seat majority to the PPP/C rather than to the Opposition, to which it rightfully belonged). The fake Statements of Poll in 2015 continued the corrupt trend of 2006 and 2011.

Of interest is that the now vocal Kumar and his comrades-in-arms were deafening in their silence in 2006 and 2011. That attitude defies any claim that their interest is in free and fair elections. It clearly shows that their singular concern is being declared the winner at all cost. That contention is further fortified by Kumar’s three concerns. The fact of the matter is that GECOM’s IT Division, which was fully operational in 2006 and 2011 when electoral fraud was perpetrated and attempted on the respective occasions, was shut down in 2015 when it was discovered that fake statements had found their way into the system and into the IT unit for the tabulation of the results. What nails Kumar’s fabrication is that in addition to the manual calculations, the CEO resorted to other computers for the purpose of computing the results, as required by law; and in so doing, met the legal requirement which Kumar falsely or maliciously claims was not met.

By requesting information on which Statements of Poll were faked as the ba-

sis for identifying the “specific areas and the Presiding Officers that were involved in the rigging of the 2015 elections”, it is logical to conclude that Kumar knows at which stage in the process the fakes had entered the system, although his party would have collected statements at every polling station and did not challenge any of the statements used for tabulating the results at the district counting centres; yet he concludes that they were from specific polling stations.

If the statements entered the system at the points that Kumar contended that they did, how could he accuse Surujbally and Lowenfield of actions that allowed the infiltration; which by his contention took place at polling places where neither Surujbally nor Lowenfield was present, and where neither was in direct control.

Let it be known that the discovery of fakes was done at the Central Command Centre after the statements would have been included in the tabulation of the IT unit.

Kumar has successfully spun his own web, which in turn has entrapped him and exposed his fabrications which he purports to be the truth. He, however, seems to be a stranger to the truth.

Yours truly, Vincent Alexander GECOM Commissioner

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Foundation

– breaking free from the vicious cycle of worry and failure

By David Ludden, PhD

I

n his autobiography, psychologist SS Stevens (1974) relates how he spent his undergraduate years at Stanford assiduously avoiding Maths and sciences classes.

He enjoyed the humanities, especially philosophy, writing, and debating. However, as senior year rolled around, he realised his liberal arts education had taught him “to talk about anything, but to do nothing” (p 402). So he signed up for some freshman science classes and made a successful application to Harvard Medical School. But when he got there, he was daunted by the Maths requirement, so his adviser recommended he switch to psychology.

Wandering through the psychology building, Stevens happened upon a middleaged man crunching numbers by hand and plotting the results on a graph. He said the data fit a power function, but Stevens responded that he didn’t know much Maths.

The man looked at him sternly and said: “The only way to get over an inferiority complex about Mathematics is to learn some” (p 404).That man, as it turned out, was the famous psychologist BF Skinner.

Stevens took Skinner’s advice to heart and learned some Maths. He then went on to have an illustrious career in psychology, first as a graduate student and later as a professor at Harvard. And every one of his contributions to psychology, from his “theory of scales” to what is now known as Steven’s power law, are all mathematically based.

If you find yourself getting tense just thinking about Maths, you’re not

alone. Many people suffer from Maths anxiety. And until recently, most people could find jobs that didn’t require any sort of Maths beyond basic arithmetic. But in the technologically driven 21st century, higher-level Maths skills are becoming increasingly important.

To learn more about the Maths anxiety-performance relationship, University

Thailand exhibited high Maths anxiety and fairly low Maths scores.

What’s not clear from these data, however, is what comes first. Does Maths anxiety lead to lower performance, or does difficulty in learning Maths lead to anxiety? One piece of the puzzle may be a cluster of seven school systems that don’t follow the trend, in that they are the highest ranked in

out, these seven locations are highly competitive, with large numbers of students vying for a very limited number of seats at national universities.

So, at least in this case, Maths anxiety may be due more to competition than performance.

Despite all the handwringing about why Americans can’t do Maths, the United States compares fairly

of Chicago psychologist Alana Foley led a team of international researchers who looked at Mathematics education in 64 countries.

They measured average Maths performance and average reported Maths anxiety for each country, and they found, as expected, that there’s a tendency for Maths performance to go up when Maths anxiety goes down. For example, students in Switzerland reported low Maths anxiety, and their Maths scores were fairly high.

By comparison, students in

terms of Maths performance, and yet their students also report high levels of Maths anxiety. In other words, it’s possible for students to feel anxious about a Maths test and still do well on it.

In case you’re wondering, these top seven are all in East Asia. Students in Shanghai, China scored the highest of all 64 locations, but their level of anxiety was also higher than in the United States. The rest of the top seven were: Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. As Foley and her colleagues point

well with other countries. For example, Maths performance is similar in the US and the Russian Federation, but Russian students experience a lot more Maths anxiety.

In fact, Americans report a lot less Maths anxiety than you’d expect from looking at the trend line in the data.

By comparison, Canadian students perform better at Maths but experience higherthan-expected anxiety.

In the end, the researchers conclude that the Maths performance-anxiety relationship is bidirectional.

That is, poor performance can lead to anxiety, and anxiety can lead to poor performance, thus creating a vicious circle.

So the question then becomes how to help students break free of the performanceanxiety vortex. Or better still, how do we help them avoid the trap all together?

Foley and colleagues report on several studies in India and the United States that suggest Maths anxiety is learnt – not from personal experience but from parents and teachers. The Indian study found that when parents with high Maths anxiety tried to help their children with their homework, they unintentionally conveyed the idea that Maths is difficult and anxiety-provoking. The American study found that the level of Maths anxiety firstgraders reported depended on how Maths-phobic their teacher was. In other words, children read the subtle body cues of their elders to determine whether Maths is something to fear –or to feel good about.

Other research has looked at the cognitive reappraisal of emotions. For example, research participants scored better on a GRE Maths test when they first read about a supposed study showing that anxiety improves performance. Also, when students are allowed to write out or discuss their Maths anxiety first, they tend to do better on the test. In brief, people generally are no longer overwhelmed by their anxieties once they understand these feelings are normal and that they can be controlled.

I suspect the lacklustre performance of Maths students in the United States is due, at least in part, to the way it’s taught. I remember being bored to tears in my high school algebra and geometry classes, and like SS Stevens I assiduously avoided Maths courses in college.

I also I fell into psychology late in my graduate career.

But once I’d decided to be a student of human behaviour, I learned the statistics, calculus, and computer programming I needed to do my research.

You might think Skinner was being smug when he told Stevens to go learn a little Maths. But if you think he must have been one of those nerds who always found Maths easy, you’re wrong.

Like Stevens, Skinner came to psychology late, only after a failed career as a novelist.

And it was only then that he learnt the Maths he needed to analyse his data.

Just like any other skill, you can learn to do Maths if you need to use it. Instead of telling our kids (and ourselves) that Maths is hard, we need to show them how relevant these skills are in the high-tech lives they’re living.

(Psychologytoday.com)

Teenagers and their quest to find themselves Your teen may be asking, “Who am I and do I love myself?”

By Gregory L Jantz PhD

T

eens have an uncanny ability to wake up one morning and be intensely interested in things they never knew existed before, let alone cared anything about. This is a natural outgrowth of their ongoing search to these questions in their lives: Who am I? Do I love who I am? Who are you? Who am I to them?

As their allegiances shift, so do their interests.

As they begin to perceive themselves as unique (in other words, separate from you) individuals, the whole world opens up to them.

Perversely, one of their first stops along their journey can be one of the many places you’ve warned them not to go.

This searching could — and does — mean all sorts of behaviours, but it also encompasses values, attitudes, and opinions.

One sure way for your teen to prove independence is to find a way to push against those things you’ve expressed value in over the years.

Teens are also adept at sensing and reacting against hypocrisy. Few things are as irritating to them as someone who pontificates publicly about one thing but does the opposite in private. Or people who demand teens follow one set of rules while giving themselves a pass. Teens aren’t necessarily thrilled with rules, but they truly dislike double standards.

They are reacting against a visceral realisation of the vast amount of unfairness in the world; there’s so much of it they can do nothing about, so they tend to be militant about the stuff they think can do something about, such as commenting and reacting against your hypocrisy.

When you couple this emergent sense of mission with personal realignment, together with the adolescent desire for peer connection and a systemic rejection of parental status quo, it’s not strange that teens would regularly take up the banner of all sorts of causes and groups. Some of these causes can be more benign than others. It’s one thing to become part of the group at school collecting blankets and shoes for the homeless; it’s another thing to feel a connection to the disaffected within the drug culture. It’s one thing to demand equal treatment under school policy for different demographic groups; it’s another to join a gang. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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monDAY, march 6, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Parking meter burden

Ali calls for forensic audit into M&CC, metering contract

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n light of the ongoing public outrage over the controversial parking meter project, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali is expected to move a motion in the National Assembly this week seeking to have a forensic audit conducted into the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the metered parking contract.

According to Ali, in his motion, the M&CC, represented by Mayor Patricia Chase Green and Town Clerk Royston King, entered into a contractual agreement with a company (Smart City Solutions) for the installation of parking meters in Georgetown, without holding public consultations with national stakeholders or the citizens of the city. “…The citizens of Georgetown and those who drive into and must traverse through the capital to reach other areas of the country have appealed to the Mayor and City Council to abandon this parking meter project because of the financial hardships it will inflict upon the people,” Ali said in the document to be

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

tabled this Thursday.

He went on to point out that the Government, through the Ministries of Finance, Communities and Legal Affairs, has reviewed the parking meter contract and found that the contract may have violated tender procedures, was too much in favour of the parking meter company and the cost was burdensome. Despite these findings as well as public opposition, Ali said the Mayor and some Councillors have been adamant that the project would proceed.

The Opposition parliamentarian went on to outline in the motion that the

company contracted to implement the project has been proceeding full steam ahead with its implementation plan, with aggressive promotion, importation of equipment and the hiring of staff.

He added too that there were many legal hurdles and protocols to address, including the yet-unresolved critical issue of whether the Mayor and City Council have authority over public roads such as Regent Street, Water Street and Avenue of the Republic, as well as other legal issues involved with granting policing authority to a private company.

With the Alliance For Change (AFC), the minority party which formed the coalition Government, and the Deputy Mayor having publicly stated their opposition to the parking meter project, Ali wants the National Assembly to call on the “Auditor General of Guyana to immediately conduct a forensic audit into the Georgetown Municipal Council, including the parking meter contract”.

Even as citizens continue to protest against and boycott metered parking

Citizens protesting the parking meter project outside City Hall

in Georgetown, the M&CC last week received its first instalment of profits from the project.

The Council said on Wednesday that it has collected its 20 per cent takings from the gross earnings of Smart City Solutions on the parking meters. It noted too that the money received has been earmarked to do certain civil works, including upgrading existing Council roads and constructing new ones, developing sidewalks and pavements for pedestrians, cleaning and sustaining drains and canals related to roads, bridges and footpaths and the imple-

mentation of a city transport system particularly for children and senior citizens.

Despite a series of concessions on the parking fees that were announced some two weeks ago, there continues to be widespread boycotting of the project, with many drivers continuing to park outside of the metered zones.

Meanwhile, protest action against the project continues almost weekly in front of City Hall, with demonstrators calling for the project to be scrapped.

This is in light of businesses experiencing reduced sales ever since the intro-

duction of metered parking in January.

In addition to several officials calling for the project to be scrapped, several organisations have also joined the calls, including the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition and more recently, the AFC. Guyanese disapproval of the initiative is such that at least two legal suits have been filed, one by citizens and the other by a commercial bank, challenging the implementation of the project. Both matters are currently engaging the High Court’s attention.

Region 6 drug shortage preposterous – APNU Councillor

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n A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) has criticised the Administration for its mismanagement of the Region’s health care system, which he said was currently at its worst.

Addressing the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday, Councillor Samuel T Fraser expressed concern over the shortage of essential drugs and other medical supplies at the New Amsterdam Hospital. He explained that while there were shortages under the previous Administration, the situation has worsened considerably.

Fraser also highlighted that the same supplier who supplied the New Amsterdam Hospital with pharmaceuticals also supplied a local pharmacist, and was responsible for making the orders for the purchase of drugs for the Hospital.

“It is disgusting; it is preposterous,” he blurted out.

“Comrade Chairman, the pharmacist’s drug store is well established, one of the best in New Amsterdam, and our pharmacy ain’t got drugs… You cannot blame the Director [of Health Services], you cannot blame the CEO [Chief Executive Officer]. The lab equipment is rundown and needs refurbishing. I know for a fact the Minister said that they are about to refurbish the labs. What I want to do here

Vindhya Persaud acknowledged that there seemed to be a problem with the procurement of drugs at the institution. “The issue of drug shortages was raised by patients, notable in chronic Non-Communicable Diseases like diabetes and hypertension as well as other medication for thyroids…

What we have noticed is that

Regional Chairman David Armogan

Region 6 APNU Councillor Samuel T Fraser

is to get her to treat it with urgency, because no blood work can be done there at the moment and that has been going on for months,” Fraser outlined.

Regional Chairman David Armogan explained that the Hospital had a system, which was run by a Director and a CEO, who must be held accountable for any inefficiency at the hospital, just as he and the Regional Executive Officer (REO) would be accountable if there were managerial deficiencies in the Region and not the store’s clerk.

Armogan said given the facts, if anyone should be replaced, it should be the CEO and the Health Services Director. “I do not think it is fair to look at a low-lever officer and cast blame.

There are people who are in high responsible positions; they have to take the blame if the lab is not working. It is very easy to cast blame

on low-level officers. Your statement seems to be incriminating the man. You can’t prove that the man is taking drugs from the hospital.”

He noted that the issue raised was one of a chronic and serious shortage of drugs which was indeed preposterous.

Members of the Social Services Parliamentary Sectoral Committee, who visited the New Amsterdam Hospital on Thursday, discovered that drug shortages at the health institution continued to be a sore issue. Committee members, as well as hospital staff, related that while some drugs were delivered to the facility, the system of transferring drugs from the Materials Management Unit (MMU) to the health facility left loopholes for discrepancies; hence, the shortages.

Chairperson of the Social Services Committee, Dr

there seems to be some difficulty between demand and supply, and procurement.”

The Parliamentary Committee on Social Services exercises the responsibility to examine all policies and administration for each sector, to determine whether the execution of Government policy is in agreement with

the principles of good governance, and in the best interest of the nation. Members of the Committee who visited the New Amsterdam Hospital included Members of Parliament Vishwa Mahadeo, Alister Charlie, John Adams and Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe.

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monDAY, march 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

ECD missing sisters found – 1 in custody

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wo teenage sisters of Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) – 18-year-old Nimoutie Hiralall (aka Nikita) and 17-year-old Tresha Hiralall (aka Alia) – who had gone missing from their parents’ home on the night of Wednesday last, have been found.

On the night of their disappearance, the girls were reportedly playing dominoes with their brother, Alex Harilall, who was called away to run an errand for their mother. Upon his return, he discovered the teens had disappeared, and duly informed his parents. The parents, Chandanie Hiralall (aka

Shanta) and Deoraj Hiralall (aka Sunil), called the homes of neighbours and other relatives, but no one had seen the girls. The teens reportedly have no cellular phones, so their parents had no way to contact them.

A report was subsequently made at the Enmore Police Station after the search for the teens had proved futile.

Police officers found the girls on Friday last at Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD). They were reportedly being detained against their will, and Police have confirmed that a male suspect is in custody.

The Guyana Times how-

Profits…

Nimoutie Hiralall and Tresha Hiralall

ever understands that the younger teen had previously been found at the home of her alleged boyfriend who resides in Annandale. She had allegedly run away for two

days, and it was only after someone had reported seeing her that she was found and returned home.

Investigators are said to be questioning the suspect.

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…and the Hezekiah doctrine

our Eyewitness has been around the block – and then some. So, he’s not easily fazed, especially by politicians in the age of Trump. But this Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has him thrown for a loop. Discussing the revenues he believes will flow our way from the Exxon’s Stabroek field, he revealed he was operating under the tenets of the Hezekiah doctrine.

What was that, you asked, Dear Reader? Well, your Eyewitness also did a double take…and was forced to google. Seems Hezekiah was a Biblical King who showed off his wealth to a Babylonian ambassador and was warned by the prophet Isaiah. Stimulating Babylonians’ greed wasn’t a good move: even “the children you will beget will be taken to be eunuchs,” said Isaiah.

Now Trotman, deathly afraid of our children becoming eunuchs of some foreign invader, refused to reveal the terms of our oil contract with Exxon since the untold wealth exposed would make some unnamed foreign invader unleash his legions against us. Hezekiah’s doctrine! While the Minister – as befits a man trained in International Relations – didn’t openly name the new Babylonians he just happened to mention the imminence of a possible settlement of the Venezuelan border controversy by the UN or the World Court.

Now your Eyewitness would’ve thought with Venezuelans pumping out oil over the last five decades they’d have a pretty good idea of what we’d be making since the Minister had already revealed that Guyana was getting a 50 per cent share of revenues – after development costs and extraction costs are deducted!

The only thing they don’t have to determine our share of the profits is the price we’d be getting four years hence.

So it would appear Trotman’s figured this out – and it’s back in the US$100+ range – since he’s predicting wealth to make an invasion a cert if the details of the contract is revealed!! Thing is… if Trotman has an algorithm to figure out oil prices, Guyana doesn’t even need oil. Just plunk down our reserves on oil futures!!

And then again, we’re talking about Exxon’s 50 per cent also being threatened by the Hezekiah doctrine.

Their immediate past CEO just happens to be the Secretary of State of the greatest power on Planet Earth, whose president is just rubbing his hands in glee and muttering, “Make my day, Maduro!!” So exactly what is Trotman hiding under the fake Hezekiah Doctrine?

But back to the question of counting our “oil wealth”. Does Trotman know Exxon just plunked down US$6 BILLION to enter the shale-oil business – that can make profits at US$30??

And that the coming shale glut will temper any price rise his algorithm might’ve projected?

…and private education

Some folks are still trying to square the circle of the Government slapping VAT on private education. One excuse is that private schools are making money hand over fist? Well, as your Eyewitness said before – tax the schools on their profits! And if they were granted “tax free” status, then as with all the other tax concessions that are being stripped from businesses, do the same with private schools that are essentially businesses.

The apologists take the public for fools. The VAT isn’t going to come from the schools – they’ll be merely collecting it from the students and passing it on to the Government. So let’s cut all the BS! What’s really going on was revealed in the very first outburst by the Finance Minister: those who can afford to send their kids to private schools can afford to pay the VAT for the Government.

This betrays the envious reflex of this Government’s functionaries towards those they think have money.

Think parking meters, SARU, etc…etc..

…from sugar

When all is said and done, the Government’s going to sell off the estates – and they’re not going to give it away to cronies.

So are the workers getting their 60 per cent profit sharing?

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

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monDAY, march 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo calls on supporters to be ‘foot soldiers’ …says only PPP stands between Govt and corruption “Government did not spend too much money on the Skeldon Sugar Factory, if we spent too much on sugar how is it that in 2015 and 2016 the Gold Board lost $27 billion. That is more than the entire cost of the entire Skeldon factory and Banks DIH is suing the Government for $28 billion because of a decision they made to give DDL some tax write-offs.”

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ormer President and current Opposition Leader Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has called on supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to become foot soldiers in an effort to make the party the strongest ever.

On Sunday, as he addressed close to seven thousand supporters gathered at the Babu Jaan Monument Site on the Corentyne in East Berbice for the annual wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 20th

ministration is sending clear signals that it wants to drive fear into the working class and, to a lesser extent, the business community as well as certain ethnic communities.

Outlining the current administration’s dismal performance, particularly in regard to the ongoing efforts to close more sugar estates, Jagdeo said President Granger has made it clear that Government will not spend money on the sugar industry.

“The President has made it clear: ‘I don’t want sugar on the books’. So now that he has said that, in spite of all that they are arguing about, they have to now close some estates, like they are planning (to do) at Rose Hall and Enmore and several of the cultivations. They have to do this because the President doesn’t want to spend a cent on sugar, although sugar only needs transitional help, be-

Former President Donald Ramotar pays tribute to Dr Jagan

death anniversary of the late President Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan, the Opposition leader predicted that the PPPC would be returned to power at the next General Elections slated for 2020. As such, he urged supporters to strive towards strengthening the party, since the current ad-

cause it could turn around in the future,” Jagdeo stated.

He also questioned the Government’s unwillingness to save thousands of jobs, and the rationale behind such a move. “Government did not spend too much money on the Skeldon Sugar Factory.

If we (had) spent too much on

sugar, how is it that in 2015 and 2016, the Gold Board lost $27B?” Jagdeo asked. “That is more that the entire cost of the entire Skeldon Factory;

of the repressive nature of this Government (and) the ‘Burnhamite’ tools that they are using. Why is it that sugar workers who, when they

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds lays a wreath at the memorial

and Banks DIH is suing the Government for $28B because of a decision they made to give DDL some tax write offs.

The lawsuit alone will cost us more than the cost for the entire Skeldon Factory. How can they find physical space for those reasons and they can’t find physical space to help the sugar industry?”

Alluding to the role of the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA), Jagdeo asserted that the agency is now acting in an unconstitutional way.

Making mention of an incident on Friday during which members of SARA visited a businessman and asked him to produce certain documents, the Opposition Leader said SARA is now doing the work that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) should be doing.

“Why is it that SARA will take a businessman into the Office of the President compound when it has no legal authority to do so? The reason is simple: they want to drive fear in the business community. These businessmen, if they dare to take a stand in this country, they must be afraid

now go on strike – which is a routine thing provided for by law – they are told that, ‘If you continue to do this, we will shut down the factory’? It is with the aim of driving fear into the hearts and minds of sugar workers, so that they would become less militant, they would not want to take protest action, because if they do there will be consequences.

“Why is it that after putting the Value Added Tax [VAT] on private education and on educational material – and there is a petition and protest about it – the President says, ‘Their people are tax dodgers’?”

Jagdeo also pointed to intimidatory tactics being employed against members of the judiciary. “When the rulings

of Judges and Magistrates go against the Government, the Attorney General uses the Chronicle newspaper and launches an attack on them.

So no Judge, no independent body, will in the future want to take a decision against the Government, because they would be subjected to an assault (by) this Government; because they are fearful that it will harm them in their upliftment,” Jagdeo said.

He said Government is also trying to drive fear in the mining sector. Explaining that in his opinion what Government has done is split the mining movement, the Opposition Leader said Government’s second move would be to go after the large

ty supporters must defend democracy at all cost; and on that score, he called on them to become foot soldiers.

Since his death in 1997, the life and works of the iconic Dr. Jagan, who served as this nation’s 3rd Executive President, have been celebrated annually, with thousands making the pilgrimage in his remembrance to the Babu Jaan Crematorium at Port Mourant on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice.

Born on March 22, 1918, Dr. Jagan died on March 06, 1997. Over the years, the month of March has been dedicated to remember and reflect on the invaluable contributions he has made to the development of Guyana and

“Why is it that SARA will take a businessman into the Office of the President compound when it has no legal authority to do so? The reason is simple; they want to drive fear in the business community. These businessmen if they fear to take a stand in this country, they must be afraid of the repressive nature of this government, the ‘Burnhamite’ tools that they are using.”

miners; so the small miners have become fearful that Government would come after them, demanding large sums of money in taxes.

Addressing the way forward, Jagdeo urged supporters of the PPP to accept all those who are returning to the party. “It is the Cheddi Jagan way!” he said. According to the Opposition Leader, par-

Guyanese.

Also addressing the gathering were Hydar Ally, former President Donald Ramotar, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, representatives of the People’s Youth Organisation, the youth wing of the PPP (PYO), and the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO).

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, march 6, 2017

News

Guyana-Venezuela border issue

The Bahamas stands in “utter rock solid solidarity” with Guyana – countries to develop areas of cooperation following State visit

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rime Minister Perry Christie of The Bahamas has reiterated emphatic and unequivocal support for Guyana in its border controversy with Venezuela, and has supported President David Granger’s call for closer synergies and cooperation between The Bahamas and Guyana in the areas of tourism, industry and agriculture.

At a State Dinner held at the Hilton Hotel and hosted

by Governor-General Dame Marguerite Pindling in honour of President Granger’s official visit to that country, The Bahamian Head of State, in addressing attendees at the event, made the above remarks, according to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, and added: “We stand in complete and ut-

President David Granger speaking at the State Dinner at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau

ter rock solid solidarity with our brothers from Guyana in their international dispute with their neighbour Venezuela. We have worked with them through Caricom [Caribbean Community] as much as is possible to foster an imitable and equita-

ble resolution to their dispute, and we will continue to lend our best offices in this regard.”

Pointing out that Guyana and The Bahamas share a historically long and productive relationship – which started with the close friend-

ship between Guyana’s former President, H.E. Forbes Burnham, and founding Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Sir Lynden Pindling – Prime Minister Christie said there are significant areas in which cooperation between the two states is possible.

“I wish to adopt the view of President Granger: that our region should explore synergies with the product of sun, sand and sea on the one hand, and the wonder of flora, fauna and waterfalls of the continent on which stands Guyana, Suriname and Belize. The President has articulated the differences that exist between our countries, and the strength of the differences; and (the possibilities that exist in) being able to capture that as we market our region.

“I pointed out to the business community at Grand Bahama that Guyana’s close cooperation should be a particular interest of the business community here in The Bahamas, and I encourage exploration in this regard.

The idea is to explore and establish contacts and synergies in as many areas as possible between our countries; and that (development should be) of mutual benefit,” he said.

Collaboration

President Granger, who was accompanied on this State Visit by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, pointed out that while Guyana has abundant resources, The Bahamas has the capital and the knowledge, having become an economic leader in the region. He added that it is through cooperation that the region can build on its strengths to further diversify the small economies of the region. The Guyanese Head of State noted particularly that Guyana and The Bahamas have the opportunity to deepen cooperation to better meet the challenges faced by their respective citizens, the release added.

“There is no blue in the Guyana flag. There is no green in the Bahamas flag; and that means a lot. It means that, together, we can combine our different talents to create that holistic image of the Caribbean. We believe that we have a world class biodiversity tourism product. We came here yesterday to learn from The Bahamas about how to sell that product, because you have done remarkably well in selling your tourism product to the world.

“Guyana also has extensive lands suitable for agricultural development. In fact, I don’t say so boastfully, [but] we are 15 times the size of The Bahamas. It means that we see ourselves

as the hinterland of the Caribbean. Belize, Guyana and Suriname together are bigger than Germany, (and) we are bigger than Japan.

But we are one region, and if we realise our strength, if we recognise how powerful we are, we will move together much more quickly, and (journey) much further along the road of development. So we have come here not only to learn, but also to sell some of our agricultural produce,” President Granger said.

Regional cooperation

Speaking on wider regional cooperation, President Granger said that despite the Caribbean region’s early history of conflict and the vast sea space that separates is-

tion, Prime Minister Christie said Guyana has been a leader in that regard, and he acknowledged the country’s role in ensuring regional integration. He added that it is fitting that President Granger is visiting The Bahamas as the sitting Chairman of Caricom.

The fact that the Bahamian health and educational sectors have been bolstered by a large number of Guyanese teachers was not lost on Prime Minister Christie. He noted that his country has been a beneficiary of immigrants who have benefited from significant investments in their training in their home country.

Dame Pindling, in remarks, also referred to this

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin sharing a light moment with Prime Minister Perry Christie of The Bahamas

land states and those on the mainland, Caricom states have managed to create a unique community and a zone of peace. He noted that despite the relatively small size of the countries that make up Caricom, when those states speak with one voice, it forces the world to listen.

He added that The Bahamas is an example to the rest of the region on how small states can advance economically.

Declaring that the region is stronger as a unified block, President Granger said that if this strength is recognized, the states of the region would be (travelling) much faster and further along the road to development.

“Guyana and Bahamas are integral members of the Caribbean Community. The Bahamas is the northernmost English speaking country in our community and Guyana is the southernmost English speaking country. We therefore view this visit as an opportunity to strengthen our ties; ties which embrace the entire region. We are one Caribbean family. We are convinced that it is only by deepening regional cooperation that we can find solutions to our common challenges. We are small countries, but we want to ensure that all of our citizens enjoy a good life,” he said.

Leadership

Also speaking on the importance of regional coopera-

fact, saying that Guyana has developed significant expertise in health and education training, and that expertise has assisted tremendously in the development of those services in The Bahamas. She also spoke of the importance of President Granger’s State Visit.

“This visit is so important to the continuation of the close relationship between Guyana and The Bahamas because, among other things, it provides the opportunity to discuss issues that affect us both, many of which have regional and global implications. Notwithstanding that our world is increasingly interconnected, nothing can replace face-to-face exchange about issues that matter to both countries. Strong cooperation and sharing the knowledge of crucial areas for increasing prosperity and security for both our people and our close cooperation will enhance our relationship,” she said.

Bahamian Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell emphasised this point, noting that the visit is “an example of visible support, and the people get to see who our neighbours and friends are, and get to understand the countries in region with which we operate.”

The State Dinner was attended by Ministers of Government, State Officials, members of the business community and Guyanese living in The Bahamas.

MonDAY, march 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

MMA/ADA rent hike

Seeraj to table motion to reverse increases

Linden 2017 Mashramani celebrations a lively spectacle

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Revellers took to the streets to display their colourful costumes

Rice farmers protesting the increases

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idespread protest action continues against the gargantuan hike in lease fees and other charges for land controlled by the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) will be tabling a motion to have the increases reversed.

past year – will be additionally hit with the imposition of these increased fees,” the Opposition MP posited. He added that rice farmers in the MMA/ADA will now have to pay land rent of $15,000 per acre – increased from $3,500 in 2016 – besides drainage and irrigation charges.

Seeraj desires that “the National Assembly call on Government to immediately reverse these new increases

Dharamkumar Seeraj

According to the Order Paper for Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Parliamentarian Dharamkumar Seeraj will be moving that motion. The motion states that Guyana’s economy is in no significant way based on the contributions of the agriculture sector, which sustains the entire Guyanese population and provides economic activities and jobs for thousands of households and communities.

Seeraj, also the General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), added that Government’s recent unilaterally imposed hike in land rent and other charges to farmers in the MMA/ADA has resulted in some instances in increases that are in excess of 600 per cent. “…the rice farmers and the rice industry in particular – which have been under severe duress over the

of fees for land, drainage and other services for the MMA farmers, in the best interest of the nation.”

The draconian hikes in rates and other charges now see rice farmers in the project area being commanded to pay $15,000 per acre – a major increase from the $3500 applicable for land rent and drainage and irrigation charges just last year. Cattle and other crops’ farmers are also now forced to pay $3900, a morethan 100 per cent increase on the previous fee.

Contending that they cannot afford to pay the increases, rice farmers have staged several protest actions to oppose the new charges. The RPA has urged the farmers to resist this draconian increase and show solidarity in the call for the reversal of this decision, which was taken without any consultation with farmers, their association, or any other stakeholder.

Support for the farmers’ cause has been pouring in since announcement of the draconian charges in January. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had condemned the hike imposed on the farming population.

He pointed out that farming is the main economic activity in the Region, and declared himself at a loss to understand why Government would want to put additional burdens on a segment of the population that has no other means of earning a livelihood apart from depending on agriculture.

Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) Chairman Vickchand Ramphal has said that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder erred by not consulting with stakeholders before making a decision. “At the RDC, we are in solidarity with the farmers of this Region. This proposed increase, if implemented, will only create hardship among our people. This process should be done with consultation with our people. We should meet with them first and listen to what they have to say, and then decide on whether we should increase or not. I am of the view – and I am with the farmers – that there should not be any increase in land rentals or D&I charges,” the Regional Chairman told the protesters a few weeks ago.

his year’s Mashramani celebrations in the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) community of Linden was deemed a success by many

see, which were ably supported by revellers. The participants and party trucks made their way from the Mackenzie shore, across the MackenzieWismar Bridge and on to

event was “better than last year” with regard to participation. Standing out and actively participating this year was the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC). As customary,

One of the party trucks along the costume parade route in Linden on Sunday

who were fortunate enough to be part of the lively spectacle.

Hundreds lined the streets on Sunday to get a glimpse of the numerous costumes on display by revellers, as the community hosted its leg of the Mashramani celebrations.

While the annual event originated in Linden, it is observed in the community a week after the grand celebrations in Georgetown.

Several flamboyant floats were on display for all to

the Bayroc Community Centre Ground, where the costume parade culminated in a grand party.

Access and Stag party trucks kept the revellers entertained as they made their way along the route in the sunny atmosphere.

Several spectators told this publication that this year’s

the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was also represented in the costume display. At sundown, the curtains came down on the float parade at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground; however, this signalled the start of the evening’s festivities.

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monDAY, march 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt considering GuySuCo lands for housing project – Harmon

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

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s Government embarks on its massive housing drive, it is looking to utilise the acres of land owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) that are no longer being used, as the industry is being restructured.

This was disclosed by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at last Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

“One of the options that is available is for us to look at lands that had been used

by GuySuCo that are no longer being planted with cane – for us to utilise those lands as well for housing and other forms of development,” he told reporters.

Moreover, the State Minister indicated that the Administration would also

be moving to repossess those large plots of lands granted to developers under the previous Administration which have not been in use.

“Since we took office, I believe we had served notices to the owners of these lands and asked them, basically in relation to the contracts which they had, to activate the terms and conditions of those contracts.

Once the time had expired and nothing was done significantly, then Government will enter into negotiations with these persons with a view of repossessing these lands for better use by the community… We believe it is not right for large plots of land to be lying idle while we are basically trying our best all-around to find lands

for people,” he stated.

Harmon noted, however, that any repossession would have to be done via due process. He added too that Government has learnt that some developers, who were given large tracts of lands to develop housing estates, were actually subdividing the lands then selling them as house lots at costs that were several times the value they paid for them.

This practice, the Minister said, is something that Government will be looking into as well.

Meanwhile, with Government embarking on several major housing projects, it is pushing the use of more local materials and contractors when doing construction work. Harmon told reporters that Guyana imported many foreign species of lumber when the country had a wide variety here to choose from. “…We want to encourage the use of the woods that we have here in Guyana…

There are also some proposals to relook at the production of clay bricks and many of these things which really made us self-sufficient in some way; we’ll have to review these things, because we can’t just continue buying these products from abroad when in fact we have the facilities right here to do it,” Harmon posited.

Concessions

To this end, the State Minister noted that Government would be introducing tax concessions to encourage the use of local materials. He went on to say that the thrust of the coalition Government was to not only provide house lots to Guyanese but to build houses to form communities, which would be the focus of its housing drive.

On the other hand, he added that the new housing project would be a partnership initiative with the Private Sector, the details of which would be included in a White Paper to be presented to the National Assembly.

This Paper, the Minister said, will include the method of construction, which

will focus more on indigenous materials and local contractors; the method of payment per unit, mortgages for recipients and criteria for allocation, and included also the issue of self-help programmes.

The document will also address squatting as Government promises to regularise the practice throughout the various regions in Guyana.

Moreover, the State Minister explained that the construction of duplexes and townhouses project which the Communities Ministry was embarking on would commence in the second quarter of this year in April. Government recognises that housing was one of the major issues affecting Guyanese and in order to address the issue, Harmon

said the housing drive was being fast-tracked.

Last September, the Communities Ministry disclosed that the construction of duplexes and townhouses, targeting Public Sector employees, youths and low-income earners, would be undertaken in order to push the development of local housing.

These housing units will be constructed in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) at a total cost of $5 billion, with each unit costing $5.4 million.

Ministers laud senior judicial appointments

S

everal female Ministers of Government have welcomed the appointment of women to the two highest positions in the Judiciary.

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards was appointed acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and Justice Roxane George, SC, acting Chief Justice.

The appointment of Justices Cummings-

Edwards and George to the highest judicial offices in Guyana marks the first time that women have been appointed to head the judiciary. Justice George is also the daughter of former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Kenneth George, who retired in 1995.

According to a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Public Telecommunications

Minister Cathy Hughes said it was a great day for Guyana to witness such an appointment; it meant that women were breaking the barriers, she said. “It’s a great day when we have women holding such prestigious positions. March 8 is International Women’s Day and this is just to show women that we are breaking the barriers,” Hughes said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

news

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monDAY, march 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Abolition of Indian indentureship

Commemoration tribute to strength of forefathers ― Granger

Closure of sugar estates, parking meter burden should have been avoided ― Ali

(Second from left) Indian High Commissioner V Mahalingam; President David Granger; a young guest; Ravi Dev and his wife; Ryhaan Shah; Dr Seeta Shah-Roth; Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton at a Mela organised in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship in Guyana

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uyana continues to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship with another grand cultural showcase on Sunday evening.

Hundreds flooded the Lenora stadium as Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS), partnered with the Guyana Indian Indentureship Abolition Association (IIAA), to honour the roots of our Indian ancestry while celebrating the strides made by not only

The cultural evening focused on unity and diversity with the participation of representatives from each of the three major religious groups. The presentations were directed towards growth with emphasis on the significant accomplishments made by IndoGuyanese when compared to the devastating state in which they were brought.

Their contributions to the well diversified society in the form of culture, economic practices and social

a common space on the basis of mutual respect. We celebrate the contributions of persons of Indian ancestry to the development of our country,” the Head of State said.

the single ethnic group, but Guyana as a nation.

The Mela utilised various cultural platforms to highlight the transition which began with the coming of the East Indians as indentured servants to their evolution as a significant fraction of modern Guyanese society. The well-organised pieces were crafted to recognise the inhumanity of the indentureship era and to commemorate the ending of this oppressive scheme.

Through music, dance, fashion and delicacies, the forefathers of IndoGuyanese society were honoured and their sacrifices celebrated for forging a civilisation which their descendants were able to inherit.

development were highlighted and celebrated.

This event was attended by several noteworthy figures such as the Head of State, President David Granger, who was delighted to be in attendance at this event which acknowledges a great part of our country’s history.

The President, in his remarks, deemed the affair a timely tribute to the strength and resilience of our forefathers, and further noted it was a fitting foundation on which a more cohesive nation can emerge.

“The abolition of Indian indentured immigration bequeathed a rich legacy of resilience, of the retention of cultural values and of the recognition of the need to live together in a shared,

President David Granger delivering the feature address at the Mela

ising of the night’s activities and thanked the Disciplined Forces for adding to the festivities with an outstanding air show and display of fireworks.

He provided a historical summary of the horrors of

Ministers laud...

Chief Justice (ag), Justice Roxane George

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali delivering remarks at the Commemorative Mela

Joining the festivities was Opposition People’s Progressive Party Member Irfaan Ali, who pointed out that the late Cheddi Jagan was a descendant of this callous system but exemplified the evolution by contributing significantly to the development of the nation. He, however, expressed disappointment in the existing disunity, despite the strides made over the past 100 years.

Ali also alluded to the recent closure of sugar estates and the parking meter burden as shortcomings which should have been avoided given the growth from plantocracy to democracy.

Meanwhile, Head of HSS, Ravi Dev acknowledged the youths for their dedication in the organ-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said: “It is well-deserved! They have worked hard to achieve these positions.” The Minister said she was elated that President David Granger valued women and recognised their contributions to the development of the country. “Young women and girls can now look to them as role models,” Lawrence said.

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally said she was pleased to know that women were finally being recognised for their contributions. “It is a result of hard work, experience, professionalism and dedication that landed them the well-deserved positions,” Ally said, adding that she was confident that they would contribute towards the further advancement of Guyana’s judicial system.

“All of Guyana ought to be proud of the milestone realised by our Judiciary on account of the simultaneous recent elevation of two of our

outstanding female legal luminaries. I truly believe that the honour bestowed on these two distinguished women, simultaneously, will resonate beyond the confines of the judicial system and find its way into the consciousness of our womenfolk as a whole. If it is true that women have long broken through the proverbial glass ceiling as far as elevation of high office is concerned, the simultaneous occupation of these two exalted positions in the judicial system by two women is an accomplishment which, in all likelihood, is not emulated anywhere else in the world,” Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, Simona Broomes said.

Minister Broomes said that she believed that the elevation of two female Judges to these positions was a reflection of the determination of the Administration to enrich the lives and enhance the profiles of Guyanese women, and the beginning of the opening up of new avenues of opportunity under this Administration.

While extending best wishes to the women Judges, Minister within the Public Health Miwnistry, Dr Karen Cummings said that one of the primary goals of the Administration was to promote gender equality and women empowerment and propel women to occupy significant and decisive roles in the social, cultural and economic sectors of Guyana.

“They are highly trained and professional and competent individuals. The education of… women and girls is one of the best investments that a developing country like ours can make in its fu-

the indentureship system, and stressed the importance of commemorating the momentous 100th anniversary of the end of the exploitation of Indian nationals as servants on West Indian plantations.

from page 12

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

ture. The education of females is a key driver to economic growth and overall development. Education and training opportunities when completed must be coupled with equal employment opportunities. Therefore, the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC Government is pleased to fulfil its mandate of equal employment opportunities of our highly skilled and qualified women within our society by the appointment of Justice Yonette Cummings as acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Justice Roxane George as acting Chief Justice,” Dr Cummings said.

Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson, adding her voice to the accolades, said: “As a woman, I am happy to see that women are stepping up to the plate and for too long, the Judiciary was being gov-

erned by male dominates so, with two females actually being promoted to the acting post at the same time really says a lot.”

Ferguson is optimistic that the women will make Guyana proud, as they set out their goals and objectives of enhancing the country’s judicial system.

Minister within the Communities Ministry, Dawn Hastings-Williams said she was happy that women were being given the opportunity to serve in senior positions, and it not only fell in line with the 2030 sustainable goals but it also gave younger women the motivation to do great.

Prior to her appointment, Justice CummingsEdwards acted as the Chief Justice. Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, officially demitted office on February 23, 2017, paving the way for the new appointments.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, march 6, 2017

Regional

Mexico opens legal aid centres Brazil: Prosecutor plans to investigate Ministers, to fight US deportations

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exico has opened legal aid centres at consulates in 50 US cities, in a move designed to protect its citizens from tougher immigration enforcement.

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray reaffirmed concerns about the human rights of Mexicans in the US. But migrant defence centres would not “promote illegality”, he said.

Mexico is worried about the impact that guidelines issued last month by President Donald Trump will have on the lives of its citizens.

Trump ordered feder-

Migrants suspected of any offence, including traffic violations, will be targeted for deportation

al agents to join local Police and immigration officers to enforce deportation procedures.

Millions of Mexicans who have lived in the US for many years are suddenly facing the prospect of fight-

ing a lengthy and costly legal battle against deportation.

The new defence centres will provide free legal assistance for Mexican citizens who feel that their rights in the US are being threatened.

Bilateral relations have reached its lowest point in decades.

A week after being sworn in January, Trump reaffirmed his intention to build a wall along his country’s southern border, which extends for 3200km (2000 miles). He insisted that Mexico would have to bear the cost of the proposed wall.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Trinidad: Lobbyists 25 arrests in 1 month recruited at TT$16M under Operation Clean price tag for 2 years Sweep – J’can Police

I

n October 2016, the Trinidad and Tobago Government entered into a US$2.4 million (over TT$16 million) agreement with lobbyist organisation – the Group DC – to provide lobbying services for this country.

This is according to documents found on the US Department of Justice website.

Lobbying groups are often used by Governments around the world and has been used by T&T even before independence in 1962.

The issue of a lobbying group being paid to arrange a call from US President Donald Trump to Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley was aired in February in regional and local media, with both Rowley and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young denying the claim.

In a newspaper report, Young was quoted as say-

ing there was “absolutely no truth” to the report that T&T paid anyone nor was there any lobbying with anyone in order for the conversation to take place between Rowley and Trump.

Before the US elections were contested on November 4, T&T had already secured the services of lobbying organisation The Group DC. Under the agreement between the Government and the lobbyist group, The Group DC is expected to promote investments from the US into T&T, to further the macroeconomic objectives of the Government of T&T, and to improve the bilateral relations between T&T and the US, and identifying key individuals to improve these relations.

The group is also contracted to assist in initiating and sustaining relationships between the Government and US Members of Congress.

(Excerpt from Trinidad

Guardian)

T

he Jamaica Constabulary Force Sunday reported that a total of 25 people have been arrested and charged in Clarendon and St Catherine over a onemonth period under its Operation Clean Sweep.

The figures were recorded between February 3 and March 4.

The focus of ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ is to apprehend extortionists and wanted men, the organisation said in a release from its Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) this afternoon.

It is also aimed at enforcing anti-vending laws and detecting and prosecuting for breaches of the Dangerous Drug, Road Traffic and Firearms Acts, the release added.

Of the number of people arrested and charged, 22

were from the St Catherine North police division, which includes Spanish Town and Portmore.

Meanwhile, 56 traffic tickets were issued in Clarendon and another 77 in St Catherine North. This is in addition to 391 vehicles searched in both areas.

The Police also revealed that 10 offensive weapons were seized in Clarendon while only five were found in St Catherine North, in addition to 11 rounds of ammunition.

The Police are asking members of the public to continue to assist in creating safer communities by reporting criminal or suspicious activities, those harbouring criminals and illegal firearms to the nearest police station, the 119 emergency number, Crime Stop at 311 or via the StayAlert app. (Jamaica Observer)

Odebrecht could abandon all projects in Peru within 6 months – President

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razilian construction company Odebrecht, which has admitted to paying bribes in 12 Latin American countries, can leave behind all its ongoing projects in Peru within six months, the Andean country’s President said in an interview published Sunday.

President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, speaking to local newspaper La Republica, said the Government was hoping to minimise the damage to ongoing public works projects that could stem from Odebrecht’s exit.

“It’s a complicated matter because it’s a very large company that has various projects under way in Peru and, of course, there should be a gradual exit,”

Peru’s President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski

Kuczynski said.

Odebrecht, which has been active in Peruvian infrastructure, energy, irrigation and industrial proj-

ects for nearly four decades, is being investigated for a massive corruption scandal that has ensnared the past three administrations.

Asked how long it could take Odebrecht to leave behind all its ongoing projects in the country, Kuczynski said, “I would say six months, perhaps less.”

Kuczynski, an ex-banker who took office last year, had previously expressed his wish for Latin America’s largest construction company to leave Peru and pay at least 90 million soles (US$27.45 million) to settle the graft case.

Odebrecht admitted late last year that it had paid bribes totalling US$29 million in Peru between 2005 and 2014. In the past decade, the company had been awarded contracts worth some US$12 billion in Peru.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Senators for graft – source

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razil’s top prosecutor will seek authorisation from the Supreme Court as soon as this week to investigate senior Ministers in President Michel Temer’s Cabinet and Senators from his PMDB party for corruption, a source familiar with the situation said on Sunday.

Folha de S Paulo newspaper reported on Sunday that the request by Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot will include Presidential Chief of Staff Eliseu Padilha and Wellington Moreira Franco, the Minister in charge of a major infrastructure and privatisation programme.

According to the paper, Janot is also considering whether to include Temer himself in the request.

The source confirmed the thrust of the Folha report but did not name the Ministers and Senators involved in the request, which is based on recent plea bargain deals by 77 employees

of Brazil’s largest construction group Odebrecht SA. The source, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said Prosecutors will also ask the Supreme Court to make public the content of the executives’ depositions, which are under seal.

Odebrecht – which agreed to pay a record US$3.5 billion to Brazilian, Swiss and US authorities to settle bribery charges in December – is at the heart of a sprawling investigation into illegal political payments by firms in return for contracts with Brazilian State oil company Petrobras.

The statements by Odebrecht executives are expected to further tarnish the image of Temer’s Government, which is already struggling with rock-bottom ratings as it seeks to pass austerity measures aimed at curbing Brazil’s massive budget deficit. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Turks and Caicos toddler gets critical diabetic care in Cayman Islands

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Lakeisha Wilson with her daughter Ala’a

two-year-old toddler from the Turks and Caicos Islands has a new lease on life after receiving critical diabetic treatment at a Cayman hospital.

Bahamian Lakeisha Wilson, who works as a nutritionist in a Turks and Caicos Islands hospital, travelled to Health City Cayman Islands, a Joint Commission Internationalaccredited facility, to meet with a paediatric endocrinologist who could treat her daughter Ala’a, who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (InsulinDependent Diabetes).

Health City Cayman Islands is home to the only paediatric endocrinologist permanently based in the Caribbean.

Two-year-old Ala’a had been experiencing abnormal blood sugar levels (high and low) and with no diabetic specialists for children in Turks and Caicos, urgent care was sought at the regional tertiary care hospital just an hour away from Miami.

Arriving in the Cayman Islands for the first time, Wilson was apprehensive.

However, she said her fears subsided immediately as she was impressed with the ambiance of the hospital as well as the warmth of the staff.

Health City’s Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist Dr Deepa Subramonian said controlling the potentially life-threatening condition was really challenging.

When the toddler came to the hospital her blood sugar levels were out of control with frequent lows and highs, she observed.

Dr Deepa, as she is referred to, adjusted Ala’a’s insulin regimen according to her specific needs and she subsequently responded well to the treatment. The doctor also recommended the use of an insulin pump (small doses of insulin are programmed to be released continuously at specific intervals) with continuous glucose monitoring rather than the pin prick and glucometer method used to adjust the doses of insulin administered. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

monDAY, march 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Trump wire-tap claim denied by ex-intelligence chief

T

he Director of National Intelligence at the time of the US election has denied there was any wire-tapping of Donald Trump or his campaign.

James Clapper also told NBC that he knew of no court order to allow monitoring of Trump Tower in New York.

Trump had accused President Barack Obama of ordering the wire-tap, but offered no evidence.

Trump says an inquiry into alleged Russian interference should also probe potential abuse of executive power.

James Clapper, who left his post when Trump took office on January 20, told NBC’s Meet the Press: “There was no such wire-tap activity mounted against the

Ex-intelligence chief James Clapper says he “can deny” that Donald Trump’s phones were tapped

President-elect at the time, as a candidate, or against his campaign.”

He said that as intelligence director he would have known about any “court order on something like this.

Absolutely, I can deny it”.

But he added: “I can’t

China to strengthen defences, no word on budget

C

hina pledged more support for its military on Sunday including strengthening maritime and air defences as it takes steps to safeguard its sovereignty, but in a highly unusual move did not give spending figures for 2017 despite promises of transparency.

Parliament's spokeswoman, Fu Ying, said on Saturday defence spending for this year would rise about seven per cent, accounting for about 1.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product - the same level as the last few years.

However, the actual defence spending target for this year was not included in the country's budget released at the opening of Parliament's annual session on Sunday, as it has been in previous years.

"We will support efforts to deepen the reform of national defence and the

armed forces, with the aim of building a solid defence and strong armed forces that are commensurate with China's international standing and are suited to our national security and development interests," the Government said in a budget report.

It did not elaborate.

State news agency Xinhua also did not report the figure. The Defence Ministry and Parliament's spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

China has repeatedly said its defence spending is transparent and it was not clear why defence numbers were not released.

Last year, with the economy slowing, the defence budget recorded its lowest increase in six years, at 7.6 per cent, the first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit increases. (Excerpt from Reuters)

speak for other authorised entities in the Government or a state or local entity.”

Some media reports had suggested a warrant was sought from the foreign intelligence surveillance court (Fisa) in order to monitor members of the Trump team

suspected of irregular contacts with Russian officials.

Trump’s Press Secretary said the President would not comment further, despite calls for him to back up his claims with evidence Clapper’s comments appear to contradict the reports, which said that a warrant was at first turned down, but then approved in October.

Under Fisa, wire-tapping can only be approved if there is probable cause to believe that the target of the surveillance is an agent of a foreign power. Obama could not lawfully have ordered such a warrant.

In his interview, Clapper also said that no evidence had been found of collusion between the Trump team and the Russian Government. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Over 40,000 displaced from Mosul in week as Iraqi forces near old city

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ore than 40,000 people have been displaced in the last week from the Iraqi city of Mosul, where U.-backed forces launched a fresh push towards the Islamic State-held old city centre on Sunday and closed in on the main Government complex.

The pace of displacement has accelerated in recent days as fighting approaches the most densely populated parts of western Mosul, and aid agencies have expressed concern that camps to accommodate people fleeing the city are almost full.

The International Organisation for Migration’s Mosul Displacement Tracking Matrix showed the number of people uprooted since the start of the offensive in October exceeded 206,000 on Sunday, up from 164,000

on February 26.

That number may still rise sharply. The United Nations last month warned that more than 400,000 people, more than half the remaining population in western Mosul, could be displaced.

Iraqi forces captured the eastern side of Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting and launched their attack on the districts that lie west of the Tigris River on February 19.

Defeating Islamic State in Mosul would crush the Iraqi wing of the caliphate declared by the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in 2014, over parts of Iraq and Syria.

Baghdadi proclaimed the caliphate from Mosul’s grand Nuri mosque, in the old city centre which is still under his followers’ control. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Seattle Police hunt man who shot Sikh amid hate crime fears

P

olice in Seattle are hunting for an attacker who shot a Sikh man and told him to "go back to your own country".

The gunman approached the 39-year-old victim – a US national of Indian origin – outside his house in the Kent suburb.

The pair spoke briefly before gunman shot the victim in the arm, Police said.

The attacker was described as white, 6ft tall (182 cm) and stocky.

The attack has prompted fresh outcry in India following a deadly gun attack on two Indians in Kansas last month.

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj says she has spoken to the father of the man shot in Seattle, Washington, and that the victim is recovering in hospital after sustaining non life-threatening injuries.

At a news conference on Sunday, Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas told reporters the attack was "a crime of opportunity".

The assailant reportedly wore a mask covering the lower half of his face.

Police have contacted the FBI and other law enforcement about the shooting, which may be treated as a hate crime.

A Police investigator searches the scene of the shooting

A prominent US Sikh group, the Sikh Coalition, has called for precisely that.

In a statement, the group said: "While we appreciate

the efforts of state and local officials to respond to attacks like this, we need our national leaders to make hate crime prevention a top priority." (Excerpt from BBC News)

French conservatives in disarray as Fillon clings on

F

rance's conservatives appeared to be at war with themselves less than 50 days from the presidential election as Francois

Netanyahu to meet Putin, says Iran seeks permanent foothold in Syria

P

rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday to voice opposition to what the Israeli leader charged were Iran's attempts to establish a permanent military foothold in Syria.

"In the framework of a (future peace agreement) or without one, Iran is attempting to base itself permanently in Syria – either through a military presence on the ground or a naval presence – and also through a gradual attempt to open a front against us on the Golan Heights," Netanyahu told his Cabinet in public remarks on Sunday.

15

Fillon clung on to his struggling, scandal-tainted campaign and senior party members fought to oust him as their candidate.

In a drama-filled day, Fillon delivered a defiant speech to thousands of grassroots supporters in central Paris on Sunday, telling them that they would not be robbed of victory.

But pressure mounted for him to stand aside, and yet another poll showed him on course to be knocked out of the election in the April 23 first round, leaving centrist Emmanuel Macron favourite to win a May 7 runoff against far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Once the frontrunner, Fillon is mired in a scandal

over hundreds of thousands of euros of public money he paid his wife to be his parliamentary assistant. He denies allegations she did little work for the money, but suffered a serious blow last week when he learnt he could be placed under formal investigation for misuse of public funds. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Pilot of crashed Syrian jet rescued in Turkey

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (file photo)

"I will express to President Putin Israel's vigorous opposition to this possibility," he said.

Iran, Israel's arch-enemy, has been Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's staunchest backer and has provided militia fighters to

help him.

Russia, also Assad's ally, is seen as holding the balance of power in achieving a deal on Syria's future. In Geneva on Friday, the first United Nations-led Syria peace talks in a year ended without a breakthrough.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

he pilot of a Syrian military aircraft that crashed near the border between Syria and Turkey has been found alive and taken to a hospital, officials say.

The Syrian pilot ejected before the crash, in southern Turkey. He has some spinal fractures but is not in a critical condition, reports say.

It is unclear what caused the crash.

An Islamist group which is fighting Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said the plane had been shot down, but the Syrian Government has not confirmed it.

Wreckage thought to be from the Syrian jet was found in southern Turkey

A Syrian army source had said earlier the air force had lost contact with a fighter jet on a mission near the border, according to the country's state TV.

The pilot was found exhausted after a nine-hour search, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reports. He was taken to a hospital in Hatay province.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

MONDAY, march 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Fire in Richmond Hill, NY rips through businesses, homes - Many Guyanese affected

A fire tore through a row of buildings in Queens late Saturday, destroying at least eight homes (Alex Rud/For New York Daily News)

A

fast-moving inferno tore through a row of buildings in Queens, New York late Saturday, destroying at least eight homes and leaving dozens of people homeless.

According to reports, five people, including two firefighters, were injured as the massive fire ripped through a row of businesses. One was taken to an area hospital, and two others refused medical attention. A 60-year-old woman was taken to Jamaica Hospital for minor smoke inhalation, Police said.

The fire started late Saturday at an Ace Caribbean Market on Liberty Street in Richmond Hill and quickly ravaged 13 buildings, the Fire Department of the City New York (FDNY) said. Eight of the buildings were severely

burnt, fire officials said.

The seven-alarm fire started just before 23:00h in a store on the first floor of a row of two-storey buildings on Liberty Avenue near 111th Street in Richmond Hill, Queens, the FDNY

said.

More than 200 firefighters responded to battle the blaze, which quickly spread from the store to a dozen second-floor apartments, officials said. FDNY Chief of Department James

Leonard was on the scene, and described the dramatic moment a firefighter was forced to jump from a second-floor window after rapidly spreading flames trapped him in an apartment.

“We were looking for trapped people on the second floor when conditions rapidly deteriorated and one of our members from Ladder 143 got cut off, and he was trapped up there and needed to jump out of the second-floor window,” Leonard said. “And fortunately he’s OK, with only minor injuries.”

Extreme temperatures and strong winds contributed to the rapid spread of the fire through the row of 13 buildings, according to Leonard. “You can feel the wind right now, it’s very cold, very windy, and that definitely contributed to the spread of the fire,” he said.

Hundreds of firefight-

ers battled the seven-alarm fire near late Saturday, the FDNY said. Fighting the blaze was also complicated by the buildings’ location — under an elevated A train

fire, four of them completely collapsed in the back, the FDNY said. The Red Cross was called in to find shelter for the dozens of people left homeless by the blaze.

More than 200 firefighters responded to the massive blaze (Bruce Cotler for New York Daily News)

Displaced residents gather in a restaurant across from the scene (Marc A Hermann for New York Daily News)

station.

Smoke eaters battled the frigid cold and flames and were still working to get the fire under control early Sunday. Eight buildings were destroyed by the

“It’s a shame they lost their houses, lost the buildings, but if we don’t have loss of life, that’s the most important thing,” Leonard said.

(Excerpts from Daily News and Eyewitness News)

Girl Guides moves to Region 6 to develop guiding more girls and young women in country to experience what it meant to be part of the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Movement.

According to C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commissioner of the Guyana Girl Guides

Guides and Girl Scouts’ (WAGGGS) strategy – Connect, Grow, Impact.

In 2016, we celebrated the meaningful connections we share as a movement, and now it’s time to grow.”

The event in Berbice served as a platform to in-

movement. The day’s event included the Exhibition – which showcased the history, fascinating features and appealing programmes and activities of guiding – and the Cultural Festival – which included performances from the inviting units

songs and games.

Units participating in the day’s activity were: the new units from Berbice – Leeds Primary, Rose Hall Estate Primary, St Aloysius Primary, Tagore Memorial, All Saints Primary, East Canje Secondary and from

Girls from one of the new units in Berbice

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he Guyana Girl Guides Association (GGGA) celebrated World Thinking Day 2017 with an Exhibition and Cultural Festival on Saturday in New Amsterdam, Berbice, with the aim of developing guiding in the Ancient County.

The event in Berbice was also momentous since guiding started in Berbice in 1922.

Celebrated annual-

ly on February 22, World Thinking Day (WTD) is a day of international friendship, speaking out on issues that affect girls and young women, and fundraising for 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world.

The theme this year was “Let’s Grow”; it encouraged associations around the world to grow their World Thinking Day celebrations, as well as to invite

The participants enjoying the Cultural Festival at the event in New Amsterdam

Association, Schemel Patrick, “this year’s theme is designed to fit with the World Association of Girl

teract and share with the new guiding units in Berbice as the local association seeks to grow the national

all focused on the theme of “Let’s Grow”.

The performances consisted of poems, dances,

Georgetown, Buxton, Anns Grove, Plaisance, Tutorial, Pavilion, Sophia and West Demerara.

news

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monDAY, march 6, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Major shake-up at Govt Ministries ― as Permanent Secretaries reassigned

State Minister Joseph Harmon addressing Ministries’ staffers at the closing ceremony of the three-day retreat and workshop on Sunday

W

ith the aim of ensuring efficiency and accountability in the public service sector, Government has announced a series of reassignments of Permanent Secretaries (PS).

This announcement was made by Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Sunday at the closing ceremony of a three-day retreat and workshop for top management employees of Ministries, Agencies and Departments of the Government, held at Splashmins Eco Park. The reassignments will affect the Ministries of Agriculture; Education; Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs; Legal Affairs; Public Health; and the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Harmon, who was particularly disappointed with budgeted spending, said these changes became effective from March 1.

The reassignment is as follows: Joylyn Nestor Burrowes has taken up the post of acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture

(MoA), replacing George Jervis who, along with MoA Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) Prema Roopnarine, has been asked to proceed on leave.

Collette Adams will now serve as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, following the removal of former Permanent Secretary Trevor Thomas. Following a recent probe into mismanagement and malpractices obtaining in the process governing the procurement of pharmaceuticals at the Public Health Ministry, it was recommended that Thomas be fired and Adams be “censured and disciplined” for neglecting her duties.

Former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Delma Nedd, will now function as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs; while Alfred King, who was previously Permanent Secretary of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, will now serve in the same capacity at the Ministry of

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

Vibert Welch, who served in that capacity at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, has now been moved to the Ministry of Education; and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Melissa Tucker, will now function as the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Former Head of the Works Services Group of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn, has been elevated to the position of Permanent Secretary of that Ministry.

Moreover, Marlyn Stephens

Service Commission.

The Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Social Protection, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Business, Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Public Service, and the Ministry of Public Telecommunications all remain unchanged.

According to Harmon, changes in the public service sector are critical to the provision of improved services to citizens. He referred to the performance of the Ministries during 2016, when less than 50 per cent

pletion rate was miserably low. Some claimed that they were new in the work, some weren’t sure what was expected, and some were just ambivalent about the consequences of not doing things at the right time. So our performance last year was not good, and we have to do better this year.

“You have to provide a service to the people, and the State gives you a budget to do so; but if at the end of the year you can only show 15, 20 or 30 per cent completion, then something is wrong. We will have to make changes.”

Directly addressing the

continue to provide training, where necessary, to ensure their improved performance.

“When you are a public servant, a Permanent Secretary, you have the capacity to function in any Ministry of the Government, because your training is standard. We have invested in training of public servants. We have invested in training at the level of Permanent Secretaries. We are investing at the level of entrants into the public service, and we are investing in training for persons in the middle tier. So we are spending quite a large sum

Permanent Secretaries and Heads of the various Departments paying keen attention as Minister Harmon discussed Permanent Secretaries’ responsibilities

of the Public Service Commission has now been assigned as Secretary to the Public/Police Service Commission, and Sophia Hunte is now the acting Secretary of the Teaching

of budgetary allocations were spent at mid-year.

Minister Harmon said, “Last year, in our performance as Ministries, our public sector infrastructure programme, the com-

Permanent Secretaries who were a part of the workshop, Minister Harmon said it is expected that they would be able to continue functioning in their new offices. He added that Government would

of money in training people; training Guyanese to function at the level that is expected of them. Once you are given that training, much is required (of you),” he said.

Efforts underway to market Rupununi as tourism destination

T

he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and Visit Rupununi last week launched the presentation of Rupununi folders in an effort to promote and market the area as a tourism destination.

In brief remarks at the launch at the GTA boardroom, Sophia Exhibition Site, the Agency’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh said the Rupununi folders were one of many marketing initiatives that the GTA and Visit Rupununi would be working on together to ensure tourism development, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release.

“These (Rupununi folders) are major marketing tools that the Guyana Tourism Authority will be

The Visit Rupununi team and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh display the Rupununi folders

using, as well, when we go to trade shows abroad, locally and even events here

in Guyana, and it is a key tool for visiting Rupununi,” Haralsingh explained.

The GTA Director highlighted that the partnership achieved with Visit

Rupununi helped, “in the areas of marketing of new products and product development, joint ventures in community meetings and scoping, especially in training and capacity building”.

He noted that the Agency was involved in tour guide training for North Rupununi residents, and hoped to implement boat captain training soon. The GTA Director urged the public to visit the Rupununi to attend the various activities scheduled.

Visit Rupununi’s Tourism Coordinator, Candace Phillips said that the production of the folders was a “labour of love”, since the collaborative pieces exhibit the key areas of the Rupununi. She noted that the folders provided

information on accommodation, tour operators and titled Amerindian villages.

Phillips expressed gratitude that the GTA published the first prints of the Rupununi folders since it minimised the cost of the printing materials.

Visit Rupununi was established in 2015 to develop international and local tourism through capacity building of communities and tourism service providers to market the destination, raising awareness within local communities and supporting the establishment of tourism services to provide quality, diversified and safe tourism and conserve the nature-based, traditional heritage of the Rupununi.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, march 6, 2017

ARCHIE

Listen to emotional pleas when dealing with domestic is(March 21- sues. If someone isn’t happy, April 19) you need to do your best to find solutions that suit everyone involved. Choose intelligence over physical confrontations.

ARIES

Share your concerns as TAURUS well as your findings and pos(April 20- sible solutions with whoever is May 20) in charge. Getting along and working in conjunction with others will be more impressive than trying to take charge.

dilbert

An emotional incident at GEMINI work or with someone you (May 21June 20) thought you could rely on will fester. You are best off being frank about the way you feel before it affects your productivity Aim for advancement when it comes to work and (June 21- your reputation, and take conJuly 22) trol of your life. Don’t give in to bullies or people who are bad influences.

CANCER

Peanuts

Don’t divulge secret inforLEO mation about you or anyone (July 23else. Your focus should be on Aug. 22) self-improvement and learning all you can to ensure that you are up to date with the latest trends.

Rely on your intuition VIRGO (Aug. 23- when it comes to investments, Sept. 22) joint ventures or other people’s affairs. Ask questions and take action based on facts, not assumptions.

Calvin and Hobbes

Keep your life and everyLIBRA thing you do simple, affordable (Sept. 23and respectful of the people Oct. 23) around you. Tolerance and diplomacy are encouraged. Keep your family or close friends in mind when making decisions.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Travel less and refrain from SAGITTARIUS sharing personal data. Someone (Nov. 23- will be looking for a way to maDec. 21) nipulate or coerce you into spending money or revealing secret information. Protect your assets and possessions.

TODAY’S WORD — REMANDS (REMANDS: rih-MANDS: Sends or orders back.)

Average mark 36 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 45 or more words in REMANDS? The list will be published on tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — DWELLERS

deer dele dell drew dwell weed weld welder well

were elder else ewer leer lees lewd lewder reed

reel resell seed seer sell seller sere sewed sewer

sled slew swell

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Share your thoughts and SCORPIO ask questions. Getting along (Oct. 24with people who can make Nov. 22) your life easier will help you get a firm hold on your financial future.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Limitations will set in if CAPRICORN you don’t abide by the rules (Dec. 22or show detailed accounts of Jan. 19) your transactions. Be strict and rigorous regarding a pending deal, tax return or personal request.

Don’t overspend on perAQUARIUS sonal items that seem too (Jan. 20good to be true. Be smart and Feb. 19) choose to put your energy into getting fit and eating well.

PISCES Explore your creative (Feb. 20- dreams and express the way March 20) you feel and what you want to pursue. Take control instead of letting someone else rule your world. Participate and educate.

MONDAY, march 6, 2017

19

Mahadeo is still Bravo free to Guyana’s fittest man! play in IPL E

The fittest group in Guyana pose with organisers and sponsors

By Romario Samaroo

A

fter winning the title in 2016, Cross fit 592’s Dillon Mahadeo has once again won the title of Guyana’s fittest man as he demolished the competition on Sunday at the National Park in the third edition of the Kares Engineering Fitness Challenge 2017.

After ranking eighth at the end of the first event, Mahadeo, rallied by his huge fan base, leap frogged his opponents to win the title with a total of 462 points after five events. Along with the title, he won a trophy sponsored by Wings Investments, a trip for two to Baganara, a gift certificate from Giftland, a deep tissue massage from Cathy Paul, a hamper from Massy Industries as well as a whopping $250,000 compliments of Kares Engineering.

Mahadeo, speaking with the media, said it was a

great feeling to win again, but acknowledged the challenges of the heat, noting these were some of the hottest conditions he has participated under as well as the sterling competition, which was the highlight of the day.

Charlie Walker-Yhap trailed Mahadeo with 410 points to take second and $150,000 and hampers and certificates, while Anis Ade Thomas copped third with 397 points, a trophy and $100,000.

In the female division, Semanica Duke dominated the competition with 490 points, winning $250,000, trophies, hampers and certificates. Delice Adonis (470 points) is the second fittest woman in Guyana, while Christine Rahaman (445 points) was ranked third.

The pair received $150,000 and $100,000 respectively as well as trips, certificates and hampers.

Paul optimistic about...

Though the cricketer would have played threeday games for Guyana at the youth level and List A cricket for the regional youth side, the rigors of First-class cricket are completely different but this, in no way, is viewed as daunting for the player.

“I’m ready, I have been training hard, going to the gym, eating healthy and I’m 100% fit and I’m just ready to go show what I can do,” Paul confidently stated.

He added, “Super50 is a shorter tournament, you have to acquire runs more

quickly, but in the four-day you can be more circumspect, leave alone more balls and play the situation accordingly.”

With success coming at a rapid rate for the right-handed batsman, he was quizzed if he expected such senior recognition to occur so quickly.

He responded stating, “Starting out playing cricket from a young age and getting recognised I expected this, I have been training and working hard for this and I’m ready to go out there and show the selectors

Meanwhile, Cross fit 592 was adjudged the best team with a mass total of 1268 points. They received gifts and a trophy, while Elite Sports came in second (1250 points) and Fitness Paradise rounded off the top three.

Also, all of the officials, judges and coordinators of the event were awarded and presented with prizes and gifts.

However, after a day of gruelling competition, it was quite disappointing to have a shadow cast over the presentation, with blackout affecting the presentation of awards to athletes who had flourished in the blistering heat The organisers noted that the event has grown tremendously over the past three years, having moved from a first prize payout of $50,000 to being one of the highest paying competitions in the country.

continued from page 23

what I can and produce for them having faith in me”.

The right-arm medium pacer is most appreciative of the support of his father and mother, David Paul and Rita Hendricks, along with “Mr Safraz and the guys and V/Net Communications, the people of Saxacalli, Mr Nazir Khan and others who know themselves”. Paul and the rest of the Guyana Jaguars team are expected to leave these shores on Tuesday for their top-of-the table clash at Sabina Park beginning on Friday.

mbattled West Indies batsman Darren Bravo will be free to take part in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) having received clearance from Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The 28-year-old is currently suspended from international and regional cricket after an argument with CWI boss Dave Cameron last year.

After being selected for the Kolkata Knight Riders two weeks ago it was feared that the player would not be able to take part in the tournament as the body would refuse to sign a Non Objection Certificate (NOC) due to his current suspension.

Newly appointed CWI CEO Johnny Graves has, however, been quick to dismiss the suggestion.

“We’re not going to be withholding NOCs,” Graves told Espncricinfo. “There’s no future in that.”

The website also quoted the CEO as saying that the NOC for Bravo was signed “within five minutes of receiving it.”

The player was pulled from the tour of Zimbabwe last year after calling CWI president Dave Cameron an id-

iot via social media platform Twitter and subsequently refusing to issue an apology.

Bravo had taken offense to Cameron’s assertions that he was de-

servedly given a C grade retainer contract for a lack of performance.

The player has not featured for the West Indies since and also missed out on the recent Regional Super50 tournament. (Sportsmax)

Dates changed for 3 regional 4-day matches

T

he West Indies Cricket Board has announced that it has approved a change of dates for three upcoming matches in the Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament, due to a clash of dates with international fixtures.

The sixth round match between Barbados Pride and Leeward Islands Hurricanes will now start a day later, from Saturday, March 11 to Tuesday, March 14 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

This is due to the staging of the third ONEINDIG One-day International between West Indies and England on Thursday, March 9, at the same venue.

Also, the eighth round match between Barbados Pride and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force

will be played over a five-day period at Kensington Oval.

The two sides will contest the first three days from Thursday, March 23 to Saturday, March 25, before

taking a rest day on Sunday, March 26, to accommodate the first Twenty20 International between West Indies and Pakistan at the same venue, and returning to conclude the match on Monday, March 27. Finally, the ninth round match between Guyana Jaguars and Leeward Islands Hurricanes has now been moved to Friday, April 21 to Monday, April 24, but will still be played at the Guyana National Stadium.

This is due to the staging of three One-day Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan on April 7, 9 and 11 at the same venue.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONDAY, march 6, 2017

Lewis backs table tennis team to succeed at Islamic Games Idi Lewis

By Akeem Greene

T

he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has grouped together a talented 18athlete contingent for the May 1222 Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku,

Chelsea Edghill

Azerbaijan and coach of the five-member table tennis team, Idi Lewis is of the firm belief that the unit will do well based on their previous exploits at international tournaments.

Junior

Olympian Chelsea Edghill, Trenance Lowe, current National C h a m p i o n Christopher Franklin along with Nigel Bryan, Natile Cummings and Joel Alleyne form a team that can give Guyana medals at the event and Lewis is most certain of this pos-

sibility.

“I’m very confident the team will do well, especially the girls. We have had them together for a number of years, and we were able to expose them to some of the highest level of competitions in table tennis,” the player turned coach explained.

Both Edghill and Lowe would have been exposed to numerous Caribbean and Central America competitions, with Edghill attending the Junior Olympics in China in 2014. Experience is one asset of the racket-wheelers.

Lewis is not discounting the impact the men’s team can have since Franklin would have attended the Games before and reached the quarter-finals.

“We will be depending heavily for the guidance of Christopher Franklin since he is the only player on the men’s team to actually play high level of competition such as World Champions; he is also the only person to

CONCACAF President impressed with progress of football in Guyana F IFA Vice-President and Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football President Victor Montagliani will visit Guyana between the March 13-15 and has praised the new leadership of the Guyana Football Federation for the progress it has made so far in moving football forward.

The CONCACAF delegation will follow hot on the heels of FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development for the Caribbean and Africa Veron Mosengo-Omba, who spent two days in Georgetown last month to show support for the work of the GFF and to meet with government.

“As part of our One CONCACAF vision, it’s important to visit and encourage our member associations,” CONCACAF President Montagliani said in a press release by the GFF. “To that end, I look forward to my visit to Guyana, a federation that has shown significant progress in developing the game at all levels over the last year through its leadership”, he added.

play the Games before and reach to the quarterfinals losing to eventual runner-up from Egypt,” the former national player stated.

The Games will also prove to be an opportunity for some members to gain international exposure and a way for some to face stiff competition ahead of the Caribbean championships.

The coach explained, “As for exposure, Nigel and Joel are getting to see this level of exposure and it is interesting to see how they [will] adapt to the level of exposure and the level of competition and this also can be used to get them ready for the Caribbean championships which coming up in a few months.”

A surprising omission from the squad is the talented Shemar Britton, but Lewis explained that he (Britton) was initially included but due to the clash with Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) and the event, he will no longer

attend; however, his presence will be missed.

In preparation, the coach disclosed that the focus will be on mental training and a lot of tactical play and match readiness.

Meanwhile, Lewis was questioned on his viewpoint on the direction the sport is heading in Guyana, and he responded in the most affirmative way that it is progressing at an impressive rate.

Precisely he stated, “I think we are

already going in the right direction in terms of the schools’ programme, so congrats to Godfrey Munroe [Guyana Table Tennis Association President] and the NSC [National Sports

Commission] for putting together such a programme, I think the faster we get it up and running, it will be better for the sport and will bring mass participating which will improve the talent pool.”

Christopher Franklin

Good Success SC receives V Net kits

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani

Montagliani was elected as CONCACAF President in May 2016, with a mandate to reform football across the

region.

“We are delighted that CONCACAF President Montagliani is coming to Guyana,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“The Guyana Football Federation is fully committed to working with CONCACAF to reform and develop football, both at home and regionally.”

Guyana is one of the 41 member associations of CONCACAF, which is responsible for competitions, governance and football development in the region, as part of FIFA’s global structure for the administration of football.

Captain of Good Success SC, Imran Khan (fourth from left) receives the donation from CEO of V Net Communications, Safraz Sheriffudeen (third from right) in the presence of GSSC members

V

Net Communications of Delph Street, Campbellville continued its support for sports when it presented a quantity of cricket uniforms to the Good Success Sports (GSSC) Club of Wakenaam.

At the presentation ceremony, which was held Sunday at V Net Communications office in Delph Street, Secretary of the GSSC Nazeer Mohamed expressed gratitude to the entity for its support. He said that V Net Communications has always been supportive to the club and its input is

very much appreciated once again.

Mohamed added that uniforms are not that easy to obtain and this partnership further cements their relationship with V Net Communications. He stated that such gestures will help to motivate the younger members of the club and will encourage the youths in the club to remain committed.

Chief Executive Officer of V Net Communications, Safraz Sheriffudeen said that the company will continue to support sports in

Wakenaam and hopes that its contribution will help to promote the game on the island. Sheriffudeen added that he is impressed with the talent of the youths in Wakenaam. Plans are in the making to stage another tournament there.

Both Mohamed and Sheriffudeen congratulated Keemo Paul on his selection to the Guyana senior team to oppose Jamaica Scorpions in the Regional four-day tournament. In Wakenaam, Paul plays a lot of his cricket in Wakenaam for the Good Success team.

YELLOW PAGES

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MONdAY, March 6, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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21

Rebel Tennis Club Championship…

Suban continues on winning path A

sif Suban edged a close game from the left hander, Surendra Khayyam 6-4, 6-4 as action in the Rebel Tennis Club (RTC) Championship proceeded with exciting matches over the weekend.

Harry Panday’s court has provided a haven of tennis enthusiasm. It was a gruelling two hours between the two competitors. The pendulum of momentum swung back and forth with many deuce games. Khayyam quickly took the lead in the first set 2-0.

Suban found calmness and competitiveness to level and secured the first set. The two players traded breaks in the first six games before Suban held and broke to secure the win.

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Anthony Downes

Cristy Campbell played a solid match against Fiona Bushell to book a spot in the semifinal against Grace McCalman. Bushell, who has a consistent and flat striking style, fell to Campbell 6-0, 6-0. Despite the score, Bushell took her game to Campbell, but with great composure Campbell saved all five break points and took six of the 11 break

Meusa wins Trophy Stall FIDERapid W

endell Meusa was crowned the champion at the end of the day when the Guyana Chess Federation hosted the

chances on Bushell’s serves.

Men’s number one seed, Anthony Downes outgunned Philbert Clarke in 28 minutes.

Downes surrendered just six points in the first set. Clarke was on the verge of making things interesting in the second set when he raced to 40-0 lead, but Downes was in no mood to extend his stay on court, he quickly ended the match 6-0, 6-0.

Benjettan Osborne, who has made his mark in the top five of the Men’s singles, had rallied to beat Harry Panday in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 and secured a place in the quarterfinals. This is the second time the two have faced each other in the past month and the tactical game of both players were heightened. Osborne, who appeared shaky in the first set, managed to break Panday in the sixth game to take a one-break lead for 4-2.

Panday consistently rallied to return the favour by breaking at love to go back on serve.

It was evident after the changeover that Osborne was not going to relax. Sensing Panday’s determination to make this match competitive, Osborne turned up the heat and went on to win eight of the last nine games to secure the match.

Al Razick of Canada moved into the round of 16 after Raymond Callendar of the USA failed to show up for his match. Play will continue this weekend at the Harry Panday Court.

Trophy Stall Sponsored oneday FIDE Rapid Chess tournament on Saturday.

The event was hosted at the National Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands. Meusa remained undefeated after the seven rounds of the Swiss system.

This event marked the beginning of the Chess Federation’s season that set the tone of the rest of the year as the Federation is expected to host their Annual General Meeting soon.

Meusa was challenged by Anthony Drayton in a thrilling clash that saw Drayton suffer his only loss and end the tournament on six points.

Third place went to Chino Chung who secured five points but the key contest was the five-way deadlock of Saeed Ali, Maria Varona-Thomas, Joshua Gopaul, Davion Mars and Andre Jagnandan on four

Wendell Meusa

points.

Six players were also locked on three points including Waveney and Mellisha Johnson, Sophia and Joshua Singh as well as Akili Theophil and Jayden Taylor.

Rashad Hussain secured 2.5 points and siah McAlman had one point.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

mondAY, march 6, 2017

Western Tigers are new

Limacol Football champions -Winners Connection settle for 3rd

A

fter an intense battle on Saturday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda, Western Tigers edged Guyana Police Force FC 1-0 to win the second annual Petra-organised Limacol Round-robin Knockout Football Tournament.

The hard-fought victory was orchestrated via a stunning free-kick from Collin Nelson in the 19th minute. Just on the outskirts

of the penalty area, Nelson whipped his right foot around the ball and sailed it into the top right-hand corner of the net, just dipping under the cross-bar to send the massive crowd into frenzy.

The lawmen tried desperately to equalise but they failed to finish the sprightful chances they created in the first half.

Late in the half, Cleon Forrester had a chance to

extend the lead after gaining control of a loose ball in the box but his left-foot shot sent it inches wide of the target.

Police had an invigorating second half as they continued their pursuit of the critical equaliser. One of the best possible chances came in the 65th minute when Junior Gordon missed a simple shot on goal from the left side.

From there on, the star

duo of Dwain Jacobs and Quincy Holder attempted to run rampant at the Tigers’ defence, but steely defending by Linden Pickett and company ensured there was no change in the outcome of the match.

For their battling effort, the West Ruimveldt unit won $500,000 and the championship trophy while the lawmen received $300,000 and their accolade.

Meanwhile, the third

Stunner! Collin Nelson’s free-kick made the difference between the two finalists (Marceano Narine photo)

Cedric Hunte (left) and Keon Seares kept Winners Connection in the match with their goal apiece

place play-off between Santos and Winners Connection had many more thrills as that match was decided by penalty kicks after the scores were locked at 2-2, with Winners Connection eventually winning 5-3 from the spot kicks.

Earlier, Keon Seares in the 27th minute had put the Linden-based unit ahead, but Santos found their equaliser in the 77th minute via an Orin Yard goal.

Santos then took the lead in the 83rd due to Keith Caines’s breach, but Cedric

Hunte levelled the scores in the 85th minute.

Winners Connection won $200,000 while Santos took $100,000 and the corresponding title.

At the post match presentation the organisers expressed great appreciation for the their sponsors such Limacol, Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand; Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals and the patrons who attend the matches over the duration of the exciting tournament.

National U-17s win Queen’s College sink 4 fair play award into St George’s High - Garrett, Ritch make tournament’s best XI Petra/Milo School’s U-18 Football…

Q

ueen’s College had a delightful outing on Sunday afternoon at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, as they defeated St George’s High 4-0 in the Petra Organised Milo Under-18 School’s Football Championships.

Kevin Wills with a double orchestrated the thumping victory, netting in the 47th and 63rd minute while an own goal in the 22nd and

Jonathan Connelly's conversion in the 45th minute added to the rout.

Mae’s Secondary were also on the winning side with their 5-3 result over Tutorial High as Yevdistir Persaud scored twice (23rd and

48th) to lead his team’s top performance. Akeem Hutson (7th minute), Darshan Persaud (11th) and Diego Britton (65th) were the other three players to etch their names on the score-

sheet, while for the opposition, Steve Stanton (26th) Monty Tyrell (48th) and Travis Hercules (56th) gave their side a glimmer of hope.

Similarly, Dolphin Secondary defeated Central High 2-0 with Beres Parkinson and Levi Vancooten making the difference; Parkinson netted in the 4th while Vancooten scored in the 31st.

Meanwhile, N o r t h Georgetown and School of the Nations played to a goalless draw.

Thirty-two secondary schools are competing for the $500,000 first prize, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, that goes towards a school project.

The championship will continue this weekend at the same venue with more exciting action.

It was another day of attritional battles at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue (Marceano Narine photo)

T

he “Flour Power” Guyana Under-17 Boys’ National Team won the Fair Play Award at the International Tournoi Paul Chillan in Martinique over the weekend. In addition, Jeremy Garrett and Raushan Ritch were selected in the tournament’s best XI. The Guyana Football Federation’s Technical Department had worked with the players on team discipline and behaviour during the squad’s intensive camp preparations for the competition, with a special emphasis on the duties of representing Guyana, on and off the pitch.

“This team has been a great advertisement for Guyana and its football this week, with each player behaving like an ambassador for the country and for the sport,” said GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood.

“We have worked hard together on building a squad that is extremely competitive on the field of play, but that also performs with great respect for the rules, the match officials and the opposition. The boys have also behaved impeccably off

US-based Progressive Youths' attacking midfielder Joshua Ferreira (U-17 Captain) collecting the Fair Play Award

of the pitch in Martinique.”

The Fair Play Award is given to the squad that stands out for its good behaviour and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Fruta Conquerors’ versatile defender/midfielder Garrett and full-back Ritch were outstanding throughout the tournament, alongside eye-catching displays from US-based Progressive Youths' attacking midfielder and Captain Joshua Ferreira, Milerock goalkeeper Jonathan Copeland and 14-year-old Paiomak Warriors winger Orvil Daniels.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the way this talented Under-17 group of players has behaved and performed over the last couple of weeks, both in Martinique and during their training camp in Berbice,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“The tremendous victory against Haiti – currently top among Caribbean Football Union nations in the FIFA men’s rankings – will send a strong signal to the region that Guyana is developing players and teams capable of competing with the very best the Caribbean has to offer.”

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

Root, Woakes steer England to series victory E

ngland survived a midinnings wobble to beat West Indies by four wickets in the second oneday international and win the series with a match to spare.

Liam Plunkett took 3-32 as West Indies, despite 50 from Jason Mohammed, were bowled out for 225 in 47.5 overs.

Jason Roy (52) put England on top but home spinners Ashley Nurse (3-34) and Devendra Bishoo (2-43) hit back.

However, Joe Root (90) and Chris Woakes (68) put on an unbeaten 102 to see England home with 10 balls left.

Batsmen needed to play patiently on a slow wicket at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium - the same one used in the first match on Friday - but

only new Test captain Root and all-rounder Woakes really mastered the conditions.

Root’s typically composed innings, which featured just three boundaries in 127 deliveries, and Woakes’ more adventurous 83-ball knock guided England to an 11th win out of their last 12 completed ODIs against West Indies.

Root was named man of the match but Woakes was perhaps equally deserving of the award having also recorded figures of 0-26 from eight accurate overs with the ball.

Eoin Morgan’s team, who won the first match by 45 runs, will seek to make it 3-0 in the final match in Barbados on Thursday.

England’s reply got off to a poor start when Sam Billings,

facing his first ball and the second of the innings, was caught at first slip.

Roy was almost out to a sensational diving catch by Carlos Brathwaite and then survived a close review for caught behind.

The Surrey opener brought up his ninth ODI fifty from 46 balls, before off-spinner Nurse had him caught on the boundary for the first of his three wickets.

After a shaky start Root started to find the gaps but West Indies’ slow bowlers brought their side back into the match with four wickets for 16 runs.

Morgan, who made a century in the first ODI, fell leg before for seven, Ben Stokes was caught behind for one, Jos Buttler departed for a seven-

Agard wins Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycle race

The respective winners and officials at the prize giving ceremony

S

haquel Agard in a time of two hours, six minutes and fifty-four seconds (2:06:54) won the first stage of the 20th Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycle road race and in the process erased Marlon “Fishie” Williams’s 2016 2:15:10 record.

Agurd approached the finish line with Alanzo Ambrose and proved he is by far the better as both men got off their seats for a 200-meter sprint to the finish line, but after the first 50 meters, Ambrose was forced to settle for second place.

Third place went to Hamza Eastman ahead of Paul De Nobrega, Orville Hinds and Michael Anthony in that order.

Ambrose was part of a group of six riders who broke away when the riders were sent off from outside Freedom House at Main and Charlotte Streets in New Amsterdam. It was Hinds who made the bold move and started the attack after the riders had completed 15 miles of the race.

Agard and Eastman followed and took with them more than a dozen other riders on operation ‘catch back’. It took them ten miles of thoughtful tactical riding before

the mission was completed just as the leaders were about to turn around at Number Fiftyone Village.

The earlier leaders were sent to the back of the peloton with only Ambrose being able to maintain the blistering 40-kilometers per hour speed in the hot Corentyne sun.

However, the riders were benefiting from wind assistance as they made their way towards the finish line.

With the last four miles left in the race the top six had already been decided as no one seemed capable enough to make a late challenge.

Agard, Ambrose, Eastman, De Nobrega and Hinds all had a chance until the two pulled away. After what was eventually a casual finish, there was stiff competition for the third position. De Nobrega made the first jump with the finish line in sight. He was followed

by Eastman who came from behind to pass De Nobrega just on the finish line.

Meanwhile, the first junior to cross the finish line was Curtis Day. Second place went to Marcus Kieles.

The veterans saw Junior Niles who has taken part in

all 20 editions of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial as the winner as he successfully defended his title. Second place went to Ivan Jackman with Syborne Farnandes taking the other available place.

The Veterans rode from the starting point in New Amsterdam to Adventure on the Corentyne before turning around to finish at Port Mourant in front of the street leading to the house where the late Dr Cheddi Jagan grew up.

Also doing the same route were the females and Mountain Bike riders. The winner in the Mountain Bike category was Shane Bourne, with Nicholas Alphanso second and Julio Melville third, while the first female to cross the finish line was Deance Welch ahead of Shineika Texeier.

The event was organised by National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohammed.

Thirty-five cyclists took part in this year’s event.

Meanwhile, this is the first year that the race will be completed in three stages.

Stage two will pedal off on Sunday from Vreed-en-Hoop in Region Three. (Andrew Carmichael)

23

Chris Woakes and Joe Root saw England home ©Getty Images

ball duck and Moeen Ali was bowled for three.

Root and Woakes’ sensible stand regained control, although Woakes - who hit five fours and two sixes - was dropped on the boundary on 42 and then again on 58.

After being invited to bowl first, pace bowler Steven Finn took two wickets and became the third-fastest Englishman to reach 100 one-day international wickets.

He reached the feat in his 65th match, with only Darren Gough and Stuart Broad getting there faster (both taking 62).

Making the most of some uneven bounce, Finn surprised left-handers Evin Lewis and Kieran Powell to create easy catches.

Stokes then had Shai Hope caught behind but jarred his finger when he made a mess of a high but simple chance to dismiss Kraigg Brathwaite.

Brathwaite looked dangerous but departed for 42 after being stumped off Moeen. Mohammed, though, played fluently on the way to his second ODI half-century.

But having reached it from 71 balls by pulling Stokes high over midwicket for six, he chipped a routine catch to Adil Rashid at mid-on off Plunkett.

Plunkett did the trick again, with another variation slower

delivery, when Jonathan Carter (39) skied a catch to Rashid.

Rashid held his third successive catch when he took a swirling caught-and-bowled after Jason Holder became the next to mistime an attempted big shot.

Then Carlos Brathwaite fell to an excellent catch on the long-on boundary by Billings, and Plunkett bowled Nurse as the innings ending tamely with the last three wickets falling for six runs. (BBCSPORT)

SCOREBOARD West Indies innings (50 overs maximum) K Brathwaite st †Buttler b Ali 42 E Lewis c Billings b Finn 8 9 K Powell c & b Finn S Hope† c †Buttler b Stokes 16 J Mohammed c Rashid b Plunkett 50 J Carter c Rashid b Plunkett 39 J Holder* c & b Rashid 15 C Brathwaite c Billings b Rashid 23 A Nurse b Plunkett 13 D Bishoo not out 0 S Gabriel run out (†Buttler) 1 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 6) 9 Total (all out; 47.5 overs) 225 Fall of wickets 1-11 (Lewis, 2.4 ov), 2-21 (Powell, 6.3 ov), 3-46 (Hope, 13.3 ov), 4-118 (KC Brathwaite, 29.4 ov), 5-159 (Mohammed, 36.2 ov), 6-173 (Carter, 38.5 ov), 7-199 (Holder, 44.1 ov), 8-219 (CR Brathwaite, 46.3 ov), 9-224 (Nurse, 47.2 ov), 10-225 (Gabriel, 47.5 ov) Bowling: Finn 8-1-382, Woakes 8-1-26-0, Plunkett 7.5-32-3 (2w), Stokes 5-0-29-1

9-0(1w), Rashid 53-2 (3w), Ali 10-0-44-1 England innings (target: 226 runs from 50 overs) J Roy c C Brathwaite b Nurse 52 S Billings c Powell b Gabriel 0 J Root not out 90 E Morgan* lbw b Nurse 7 B Stokes c †Hope b Bishoo 1 J Buttler† c †Hope b Bishoo 0 M Ali b Nurse 3 C Woakes not out 68 Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5 Total (6 wickets; 48.2 overs)226 Did not bat: AU Rashid, LE Plunkett, ST Finn Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Billings, 0.2 ov), 2-87 (Roy, 14.6 ov), 3-108 (Morgan, 20.1 ov), 4-113 (Stokes, 21.5 ov), 5-117 (Buttler, 23.2 ov), 6-124 (Ali, 24.6 ov) Bowling: Gabriel 3-0-17-1, Holder 10-0-46-0, C Brathwaite 4-0-38-0, Bishoo 10-0-43-2 (3w), Nurse 10-0-34-3 (1w), Mohammed 4-015-0, Brathwaite 5.2-02-0-10-0 22-0, Carter

Paul optimistic about success at 4-day level

By Akeem Greene

A

t the age of 19, Keemo Mandela Angus Paul is making giant leaps in regional cricket with consistent performances which have allowed him to earn a place for the first time in the Guyana Jaguars 4-day squad for their upcoming match against Jamaica Scorpions in the regional tournament.

The talented all-rounder who hails from the village of Saxacalli, Essequibo River, has donned national colours at all age ranges for the youth level and most memorably in the role of Vice Captain for the West Indies Under-19 team at the 2016 Youth World Cup, he hit the winning run in the thrilling final against India.

Since then Paul has entered Cricket Guyana Inc’s Academy Programme and has visibly improved his game tremendously.

At the recent Regional Super50, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player outfitted for the West Indies Under-19s where he made 139 runs from 11 innings, including a highest of 72 against English county side, Kent Spitfire, while he took 12 wickets with his medium-pace. In an interview with Guyana Times Sport on Sunday, Paul was adamant that the opportunity was huge for him and he plans to use it to further his career.

“I must thank the selectors for showing faith in me and putting me in the four-day squad; it is an overwhelming feeling, a very good feeling , this is a very big opportunity for me to play alongside senior players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson, guys that you look up to,” Paul expressed.

He added, “I will try to gain as much possible knowledge from these guys and definitely try to improve my game; I’m just looking to grab this opportunity with both possible hands and make it count and try to be consistent as possible”. continued on page 19

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

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

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Western Tigers are new Limacol Football champions - Winners Connection settle for 3rd

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Champions! Western Tigers' players and fans are all smiles as the team collect their championship trophy from Financial Manager of NEW GPC INC, Dwayne Lovel in the presence of Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and Co-Director of Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca (Dexter Ceres photo)

Root, Woakes steer England to series victory West Indies spinners gave their team a glimmer of hope, but Joe Root and Chris Woakes sealed the series win

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