Guyana Times Daily - February 5, 2016

President meets P15 with CARDI officials

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2758

Friday, February 5, 2016

PRICE

Wales Estate closure

Workers unite in countrywide strike

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Central P14 Counselling Body not yet ready – Roopnaraine

See stories on pages 3 and 15

Police crushed to death by moving truck Page 9

3 hospitalised after attempting suicide

State Minister meets Essequibo residents

Page 10

Page 2

Rice farmers complain of water woes

Miner slapped with narcotics trafficking P9 charge Man who accidentally shot cousin acquitted P8 Overseasbased P10 Guyanese dies 2 months after receiving burns

On Thursday, State Minister and Minister of the Presidency Joseph Harmon took his public day meetings to Essequibo, where he met and interacted with residents there about their concerns and needs. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who functions out of the Ministry of the Presidency

Bloody Thursday

2 security Page 9 guards shot by masked bandits

Man shot Page 7 during attempted Rose Hall robbery

Coldingen man stabbed to death by relative Page 7

5 US teens arrested for 2015 murder of Guyanese P10

2 news

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State Minister meets Essequibo residents

Rice farmers complain of water woes

Petro Bharahally

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

S

cores of rice farmers in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) vented their concerns over the current El Nino conditions and the insufficient supply of water to their fields, during a public day with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Prime

Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday.

The team that visited the region for the public day included Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix and Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Department Reginald Brotherson.

The “Meet the Public Day” was held at Perth Unity Park, Region Two. At the event, residents were able to interact with representatives from the Lands and Survey Commission, Guyana Registration Office, Guyana Revenue Authority, Housing and Citizenship Ministries and the Public Service Commission.

However, dominating the complaints were those from rice farmers who voiced their disgust over the poor drainage and irrigation system being provided by the Region Two administration. According to rice farm-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon listening to a resident’s concerns

ers during interviews with the media, they need proper drainage in the region or else they would lose their crop.

Large scale farmer Petro Bharahally said he hoped the team’s visit to the region would see the issues affecting rice farmers being ad-

dressed.

According to Bharahally, who hails from Maria’s Delight, on the Essequibo Coast, many canals in that area are silted up and despite several complaints made to the Region Two administration, nothing has been done to alleviate the

problem.

Bharahally, who owns 175 acres of rice lands, said the canals are low and silted up and this is preventing him from pumping water into his fields.

The rice farmer also said he has made several reports to the Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson and the Region Engineer Jafaun Permansingh, but to date, he is still awaiting for a machine to visit his area to desilt the canal.

“All I hearing is promises on promises. Last crop I got as low as $800 per bag of paddy, this needs to be addressed,” Bharahally said.

Meanwhile, another farmer from Dunkel Village, Essequibo Coast, Ishu Dyal said that 17 acres of his land has been damaged due to salt water from the Pomeroon River.

Dyal noted that he has

Ishu Dyal

through farming,” Dyal said.

Meanwhile, other farmers in villages such as Anna Regina, Richmond and Lima also complained about poor drainage and irrigation. They are calling on the Region Two administration to continue pumping 24 hours from the Dawa Pump

Persons that attended the meeting at Perth

12 acres planted with peas and other acres are cultivated with corn and melon. He stated that the current water situation in the region is “frustrating” and help is needed “urgently” to assist farmers.

“The water woes is crazy, I am fully getting water but it’s salty. It is no help, this is not healthy for my crops, my own way of survival is

Station and to ensure that the main access canal leading to essential rice lands are cleared. At the moment, several farmers complained that most of the drainage and irrigation structures are clogged and out of order.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said the main purpose of the visit was to interact with resident and listen to their concerns.

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 5 – 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, February 6 - 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 5 – 14:05h-15:35h and Saturday, February 6 – 14:55h-16:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Heavy to light rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, with light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected during the rest of the day. Partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:01h and 14:20h reaching maximum heights of 2.27 metres and 2.42 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:51h and 20:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.93 metres and 0.75 metre respectively.

Wales Factory, Estate closure

Workers unite in countrywide strike

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

W

orkers employed at the Wales Sugar Estate on Thursday stood unified as they took strike action against the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Government’s decision to close the factory which will affect hundreds of poor and ordinary Guyanese families.

Around 07:00h, hundreds of workers were seen gathered around the estate opting not to perform the day’s duties. Many cane cutters said that GuySuCo has given little explanation on severance pay packages.

Some workers said they were told that employees with longer service will most likely be transferred to Utivlugt.

Others said they were made aware that older workers would receive severance packages after termination of their services. Some decried the service pay measure, positing that they were unsure how they will provide for their families after that money ran out.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand said these measures, including strikes, will continue as the Union is firmly against the move of closure.

He however did not specify the length of this latest action.

Cane Cutter Anthony Thomas who described himself as a ‘family man’ blamed the closure on bad management and thieving. Thomas stated that if the estate indeed closes, he must be allocated his severance pay.

Christopher Ram engaging workers on Thursday

On the other hand, Vishnu Mohan said that he is mostly worried for his children and is against receiving severance pay. He and a group of gentlemen standing at the estate’s second entrance all demanded that operations at the estate continue.

“When you a tek severance and yo money done wah you ah do? Wah yo pickeney dem ah do? He stated that this closure means that he would have great difficulty in sending his children to school.

Mohamed Klaim Khan, a 49-year-old father of three, said that he agrees that the estate should not be closed as his entire family depends upon him.

“This a de only means of meh sustenance so far,” the cane cutter related. He also said that one of his children attends West Demerara Secondary and he does not know how he will be able to pay for lessons and transportation costs. Khan further posited that GuySuCo officials are yet to discuss a possible move to Utivlugt.

Joanna Bailey, a seller and mother of four from

Workers outside the Wales Sugar Estate

Patentia, also has a daughter attending the West Demerara Secondary and she is calling on the Government to look into her plight and that of the younger generation.

“I work two bucket for many years at the GuySuCo [Wales] Estate… I have a child who is in secondary school [who has] to write the CXC, SBA, assignment, lesson… and I would like the Government to look down on single parents – concern of the cry and the heart for the tomorrow young people [who] have no hope,” Bailey expressed.

Esau Hussein, 52, said he has been working with GuySuCo as a cane cutter since 1979 and has witnessed the hardships workers have faced in the past from closures in La Bonne Intention and Diamond.

“Me nah glad fo know wah gonna happen – it rough,” stated Hussein in a somber tone. He is calling on GuySuCo and the Government to “give Wales a second chance.”

Floyd King of Belle West, a father of two, stated that

some discussion was held regarding a preference to transfer to Uitvlugt or receive severance pay.

“Me an know yet wah I decide cause yo gah fo discuss it with yo family before you could mek de decision,” King related.

Two young men in the machinery section related to this publication that they were unsure whether they would be transferred to Uitvlugt.

Chartered Accountant and Transparency International Guyana Vice President, Christopher Ram, was on site engaging with the estate workers.

It was also reported that Claudis Charles of the Free and Easy Cane Farmer Society laid out a plan which stated that the farmers can manage the estate with “initial assistance” from the Government.

At the strike on Thursday, workers welcomed this proposal; with many noting that anything is better than the estate being closed which would hamper their livelihoods and the community.

Workers will march this evening from Patentia to the estate; while GAWU Branch Committee is planning other solidarity marches in Canals Number One and Two. Government announced the move to close the estate as a cost measure, saying that Wales will this year account for $1.9 billion in losses.

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friday, february 5, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

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

Editorial

Missing the message A

mid visions of green parks with relaxing areas for Georgetown’s residents, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is spending enormous amounts of taxpayers’ money in their push for a “green environment”.

The public service announcements and media coverage of areas set out as examples of this effort are readily available. No doubt it is a gesture worthy of accolades from all and sundry.

But are the capital city’s residents getting the message?

If one walks around the city – not only the public areas recently cleaned up by the M&CC – it appears that few are listening or concerned enough to make the effort to take part in the “Green City” initiative.

One of the many hindrances is the fact that many city residents have certain businesses in residential areas that are not designed to cope with the amount of solid waste and drainage infrastructure these businesses produce and require.

The result is overflowing garbage bins that are emptied once a week (if they are emptied more often, the private collectors carry that waste to unofficial dump sites) and polluted and blocked drains that allow rapid flooding. Both situations that impact the notion of a ‘green environment’.

In fact, in certain areas it would appear that residents haven’t even heard the message.

Some residents still collect and store garbage in residential communities, daily lighting polluting bonfires which threaten other residents’ health, along with damage to property nearby in these dry-weather days.

Others simply toss their trash onto the street or in nearby trenches, creating frequent stenches as the wind blows.

Despite the council’s declaration of zero tolerance toward these environmental delinquents, hardly much has been publicised about penalties for these individuals and businesses, and the practice continues without interference from Council.

What is M&CC’s plan for such persons? A systematic search for such delinquents is needed if the council truly means what it says about encouraging a green city. Sporadic visits to certain city businesses is not the answer.

Weeding a field and decorating it does not a green city make. What has happened to the public health inspector who regularly visits each home in a community to inspect premises for polluting and potential public health hazards? Is he/she part of the plan for promoting a green city?

Surely a green city does not only mean regularly weeded parks and stemming the “culture of littering”? Does part of the M&CC’s “Green City” initiative include competent and qualified building engineers who objectively look at future city planning and buildings to ensure they will be ecofriendly?

The East Street car park is not the best example of city planning with the notion of a “Green City” by any means.

Unless the Government and Council are serious about this project and address the many aspects of environmental protection, residents of Georgetown may never get the message they, Government and council, are attempting to convey, or the message may be confusing or mixed as only some aspects are given attention. Under such circumstances it is not hard to see that sooner or later, residents will ignore future messages, and revert to this apparent culture of ignoring the environment for their own profit or gain. The Council’s noble idea of reclaiming the “Garden City” is still a long way away; its citizens don’t seem to be getting the message.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton interacting with a patient of the West Demerara Regional Hospital Maternity Ward

Nagamootoo betrays sugar workers Dear Editor, As a fighter for sugar workers, rice farmers and the poor most of his life, Moses Nagamootoo has reversed course for perks of office and betrayed sugar workers. He endorses the closure of Wales Estate putting thousands on the breadline. He will not be forgiven. It is noted that neither GAWU nor the workers nor the community were consulted before the decision was taken by the PNC supported

by Nagamootoo and AFC to close down the estate.

Were AFC members consulted before the party MPs took the decision to support the closure of Wales?

Former sugar workers in the diaspora are taking note of the position of AFC leaders Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan and Charandass Persaud on the estate closure that will make them in history as traitors to sugar workers.

They all came from sugar and if they value the life of sugar workers, then they should reverse course on closure of the estate.

Few in the PPP strug-

gled more than my friend Naga for sugar workers, rice farmers and the working class in general. But I never thought the day would come that Mo, as some of us fondly called him, would be viewed by sugar workers (and rice farmers) as “a betrayer” following his endorsement of the closure of Wales where thousands earn their bread in ancillary activities tied to the estate.

It is not so long ago that Mo eloquently described several in the PPP as neemakharams for not doing enough to rescue sugar and support workers. He vociferously explained the definition of the word that was silently swept under the rug until he brought it back to vogue and relating it to the PPP leadership.

Today, sugar workers and the poor describe Nagamootoo as a maha neemakharam. A person should have a moral compass to live come hell or high water. Where is Mo’s moral compass? What does he stand for?

Yes, the PPP leadership has done him (Ralph Ramkarran, Ramjattan,

etc) wrongs. But that is not justification for Mo to betray sugar workers. The PPP also did wrongs to Ravi Dev, myself and several others. But we did not betray the working class.

A community tragedy beholds Wales if the estate is closed.

The fact that post-Jagan PPP did not pay much attention to Wales or sugar workers in general or that PPP did not pay heed to Mo’s exhortations of the neglect of the sugar base is not justifiable reason for Mo to rationalise his endorsement of closure of the estate. A life of misery will follow the closure of Wales.

Mo and the AFC should reconsider their support to close the estate and find a way to continue operations that will reduce losses and eventually turn into profitability.

The AFC, in particular, should reject the proposal to close Wales if it wants to remain relevant in the politics of Guyana. Naga, Ramjattan, Charandass and others have blithely ignored the reality of loss of political support in not

opposing Wales’s closure.

Their silence on the closure of Wales is deafening and they will pay dearly at the polls – but then again, they may not care because rigging is an option to stay in office.

Mo is reminded that it was only he in the PPP leadership and people like myself and Ravi Dev who stood up to PPP leadership when GAWU was threatened with de-recognition after the workers demanded greater benefits from the PPP and threatened strike action. It was Mo who described PPP and GAWU as “the handmaidens for the feared destruction of the sugar industry”.

It is now ironic that Mo has endorsed closure of Wales, sending thousands on the breadline.

And it is also ironic that sugar workers are viewing Mo as the handmaiden of the closure of Wales and the person who will be responsible for the death of community life in West Demerara.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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still In defence of Clinton Williams Students waiting on UG online

Dear Editor, Last Monday’s Kaieteur News carried a letter by T Sandiford which was critical of Clinton Williams’ leadership roles in two businesses and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). I am not in a position to comment on Williams’s performance as a business leader but I feel obliged to do so regarding his performance as Chairman of the BIT of which I was the Vice Chairman since mid2013.

In doing so I wish to remind readers that the success of any organisation is dependent on a number of factors and people in a variety of positions at several levels of the organisational hierarchy; the effectiveness of the chain of actors also vary depending on the na-

ture of the organisation with bureaucratic, governmentcontrolled organisations being more circuitous if not obscure than others.

Admittedly, smart leadership can cut through contextual constraints but sometimes, even the Jack Welches, Jock Campbells and Yesu Persauds of the world can falter at obstacles in their paths; their excellence emanate from their ability to turn these obstacles into challenges to be overcome.

The Board of Industrial Training is not a unitary outfit; it is comprised of Governmental nominees representing various interests with the prime focus being on articulating and overseeing governmental policies and objectives for

Industrial and Vocational training, the actual implementation of which is vested in the Chief Executive Officer and staff of the BIT, all of which/whom fall under the purview of the designated Permanent Secretary and Minister of Government.

I have had the pleasure of seeing for two years how Clinton Williams wisely operated within this maze in order to achieve improvements by and within the BIT, despite an apparent stubbornness against necessary change in attitude, approach and programmatic priorities.

His was a refreshing style of democratic, participative and consensual leadership without which nothing would have been achieved.

Among the top achieve-

ments during my two years was a refocus on ‘hard’, basic “industrial” training as opposed to pressures for more marginal ‘soft’ training in things like “cosmetology, hairdressing, cooking, catering” etc.

Much work was also done in monitoring and streamlining the financial and business controls, including the disciplined reporting of same.

In concluding, let me clarify that I have no personal brief or interest in defending Williams, but I view an attack on his Chairmanship of the BIT as an extension, tenuous as it might be, to me and my colleagues on the Board; hence this letter.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

CCJ speaks out against delay in the justice system Dear Editor, The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has again spoken out against the delay by the Barbados judicial system in delivering decisions in a timely manner. But it is not only the Barbados courts are guilty about delays. The judges should remember that justice delayed is justice denied.

The CCJ used strong language on Wednesday in granting leave to appeal to four persons to quash their conviction for drug related offences and sentenced to lengthy prison term. The CCJ said there is a serious disappointment with the delay of the justice system and urged that steps be taken to remedy the situation.

The highest Court of the land also clarified the interpretation of a crucial statutory provision which had prior to the ruling never had been judicially ventilated. The CCJ ruled that “21 days after conviction” should be interpreted as “21 days after sentence” as the sentence ultimately entails a judicial determination of guilt.

The Guyana Courts are also being criticised for inordinate delay although there is a Time Limit Act requiring judgment to be delivered within thirty days.

In the Darnley v Reid matter decision was not delivered until 17 months after hearing was completed. There are several decisions yet to be given by the Guyana Court of Appeal including the libel action brought

by Bharat Jagdeo against columnist Freddie Kissoon and the 2011

Budget Decision where CJ Chang ruled that the then opposition cannot reduce the Budget, but can vote against the entire Budget.

The situation is not different in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC). Dominica is the only OECS state which has abolished appeals to the Privy Council and accepted the CCJ as the final court. Antigua and Barbuda will soon make a decision since a referendum is being put in place to pave the way for the regional court.

Decisions from the CCJ are binding in Guyana, Barbados,

Belize and Dominica, the four countries which so far accepted the regional court as final. In the other jurisdictions, ruling from the CCJ will be persuasive.

It is surprising that in the Eastern Caribbean justice is not dispensed with expeditiously although there are 17 High Court judges in the nine circuits as well as four Appellate judges.

Incidentally 80 per cent of them are females including the Chief Justice.

Twelve years ago the number of judges was far less than the present composition, but the Court docket was not as

Honouring Chanderpaul Dear Editor, We learned that despite being ‘forced’ to retire by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the Government of Guyana says it is exploring ways to honour a great son of the soil - Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

My suggestion is that

his photograph should be on one of our country paper currency ie the five thousand dollar or another denomination showing him stroking the ball graceful in his inimitable style to the boundary.

Yours faithfully, Rooplall Dudhnath

heavy.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

programmes to start

Dear Editor, I am pending you this letter with great concern over the starting of the online programmes offer at the University of Guyana. The University is offering online programmes in different programme areas. Some of these programmes have not started since last year. Many students paid their monies since the first semester of last year; also, many online students

have not received their grades for the first year.

The University of Guyana needs to communicate with students as to why the online programmes have not started as yet. Many students are frustrated and depressed over the issue.

Many calls were made to the student body also, which seems to be relaxed on the matter.

Concerned student

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Foundation

How to motivate your children to learn Tips for encouraging – You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink

BY ALAIN JEHLEN

T

hat dilemma has had teachers tearing their hair out since time immemorial. How can you get students to want to learn?

Some students arrive at your door already eager, but what about the others?

Hundreds of strategies have been tried and there’s no consensus on the right path.

But here are seven approaches recommended by accomplished teachers that you can try.

Build strong relationships “Let children know you genuinely care about them, that it’s not just a job that finishes at 15:00h,” says third-grade inclusion teacher Charlene Christopher of Norfolk, Virginia.

“If children like you, they’ll perform for you,” says Jim McNeil in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “Children know you can’t become too familiar with them, but let them see you as a human being.”

There’s no simple formula for getting your relationship with students right. “I’m respectful to my students,” says McNeil, “and in turn, they know that if they’re disrespectful, I’ll call them on it. Also, I use a lot of humour – that works for me.”

Tell them why it matters “Tell your children why you’re doing what you’re doing, especially if you’re assigning something repetitious and tedious.” says Michelle Wise Capen, an elementary teacher who’s now a curriculum coach in Lenoir, North Carolina.

“Even in kindergarten – a child

will work harder at his handwriting if you sit down and tell him he’s building up his finger muscle strength. Make sure they understand you’re not just bossing them around.”

Give them a voice and a choice Many schools suffer from curricula that prescribe in great detail what must be covered, but you usually can let students make some decisions

about what and how they learn.

They’ll work harder if they have a say. Oklahoma English teacher Kevin McDonald was teaching Othello to his AP students and his lower level class insisted on reading it. So he scrapped his plans for them.

The language was tough, but “it’s about jealousy, revenge, cultural bias. These White children from rural Oklahoma could identify with a Black Muslim from Italy who gets tricked.”

Make it fun That’s not just for elementary school. In Pennsylvania,

Jim McNeil had his seventhgrade students write their own obituaries. They could marry anyone they chose – many picked celebrities – but the exercise also got them thinking about where they had been and where they planned to go.

Make it relevant Los Angeles fifth-grade teacher Sharon Harrison takes her students to the grocery

store to see decimals in action.

The better you know each student, the better you can apply this strategy. Every September, Harrison surveys her students about their interests. Whenever possible, she writes those interests into her lesson plans, which can be as simple as using them in arithmetic word problems.

Make it real Plan lessons so that students accomplish something that matters to them. The National Writing Project, through which thousands of English teachers have im-

proved their practice, recommends writing for real audiences, such as newspaper editors, parents, or public officials.

History classes can build an exhibit on their neighbourhood’s history at a local community centre. Elementary school children can “publish” their own stories, complete with artwork, and read them to kindergarten students. In Phoenix, Arizona, Allan Cameron has led mostly low-income, immigrant high school students in national robot competitions. Many children have gone on to college and good careers. “[The robot competition] is a real task, not a worksheet,” says Cameron.

“We’re counting on them. If someone puts the wheels on wrong, we all lose.”

Use technology Renee Moore, who taught high school English in the Mississippi Delta, one of the poorest places in the country, says many students didn’t want their friends to know they were interested in school. But online, they were free of the peer pressure.

In 1994, she hooked up her class with a school in Soweto, South Africa. They discussed two novels, one South African and one American. “I had boys who wouldn’t let you know they had read a novel unless you pulled a shotgun on them and demanded an answer,” says Moore, “but they were excited about their correspondence with the Soweto children. They would show it to me privately.”

These days, it’s easier to use the Internet to get your students’ creative juices flowing. (nea.org)

children to read

BY JESSICA SNYDER

N

1.”Read me a story!” early every suggestion sent in by our tip-sters had this message at its core. Whether snuggled under the covers with peanut-butter sandwiches, or following along with a book on tape while on a road trip, reading together is a powerful tool in motivating your child to read.

2. Beyond books Our tip-sters were quick to point out that reading material comes in many different shapes and sizes, some of which may be more accessible to a new reader. Video games, magazines, and comic books all provide opportunities for reading practice.

Other suggestions for sneaking under a wary child’s reading radar include playing board games that involve written instructions, corresponding with a pen pal, and turning on the closed captioning on your television. To illustrate the practical side of reading, have your child help you with the grocery list, or leave reminder notes for your child to discover throughout the day.

3. Keep it fun, for everyone Another message that came through loud and clear was that if children are going to enjoy reading, the experience has to be enjoyable. As you read with your children, keep them involved by asking questions about the story, and let them fill in the blanks. You can also create activities related to the stories you’re reading. In one household, reading Little House on the Prairie prompted lively

games of “wagon-train” and discussions about life on the frontier. Another family likes to create mini-plays, acting out the stories they read. While her grandson “helps” in the garden, one grandmother spells words for him to write out using a muddy stick. Once the word is complete, the two of them sound it out together, wipe the word away, then move onto the next.

This reading game keeps her grandson occupied for hours.

4. “Look at what I did!”

Another successful approach to motivating your child is to use some sort of visible record of achievement. A chart or graph that marks the number of books a child has read gives him or her a sense of accomplishment. To spice it up a bit, choose a theme that goes along with your child’s interests. One example would be a Reading Olympics, where the child goes for the gold by reading a certain number of books.

A similar method can be used to help expose your child to the wide variety of genres available for exploration. Create a Bingo card or Passport where each space can be filled in by reading a mystery book, or a piece of non-fiction, to give a few examples. Once the goal has been reached, reward your child with something to celebrate his or her special achievement.

It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate – one-on-one time with a parent or teacher, or an ice cream cone are suggestions from our tip-sters – just something that lets your child know how proud you are of his or her accomplishment.

5. “I want that one!”

Reading should be a choice, not a chore. Make sure there are a variety of books, magazines, and other materials available for your child to choose from, wherever your child may be. Let your child’s interests guide his or her reading choices. While it’s fine to make suggestions, don’t force your conceptions of what your child should be reading onto your child. And, keep an eye on the reading level of the books your children choose. Let them stretch to the best of their ability, but be ready to help if they get discouraged.

6. Something to talk about Reading doesn’t have to stop when you put the book down.

Talk to your child about books you’ve read and books you think he or she might enjoy. Point out similarities between everyday events and stories you have recently read. If your child has a favourite author, help your child write him or her a letter. For a more structured discussion, consider joining, or starting, a parent/child book club.

7. Hey, children! What time is it?

Regardless of how motivated your child is, he or she will not read if there isn’t any time to do so. Carve time out of the busy day and dedicate it to reading, both together and on your own. By setting aside specific times, rather than trying to squeeze it in between soccer and dance lessons, you send the message that reading is an important activity, and something your child will enjoy. (readingrockets.org)

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friday, february 5, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Coldingen man stabbed Man shot during attempted to death by relative Rose Hall robbery

P

olice in C Division (East Coast Demerara) are on the hunt for an East Coast Demerara man, who fatally stabbed his brother-inlaw Wednesday night at Annandale during a confrontation.

Dead is Ramkarran Mohanlall, 33, of Lot 218 Track A, Coldingen, ECD. According to police reports, Mohanlall was involved in an argument with another man, during which he was stabbed about his body at about 22:45h.

Guyana Times understands that the injured father of five was rushed by relatives to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He reportedly sustained four stabs to his stomach, groin, arm and nose.

Speaking with Guyana Times Mohanlall’s wife Latchmie Singh, said her husband and her sister’s husband, the suspect Shafeek Mohamed, had an argument which stemmed from an old grievance.

She explained that she is staying at her mother’s house at Lot 116 Annandale since December last. The woman noted that her husband visits daily to take their children to school.

Singh recalled that on the night of the incident when her husband arrived, Mohamed, who resides in the bottom flat of the twostorey Annandale house, was outside of the gate. The two men then had a confrontation.

“They argued first and then they had two scuffles and on the last occasion, he (Mohamed) dealt him four

Dead: Ramkarran Mohanlall

stab wounds,” the woman stated. She noted that after seeing what transpired she rushed to her husband who had collapsed while her brother-in-law escaped.

Asked about the issue between the two men, Singh disclosed that about three years ago, Mohamed went to their Coldingen house and verbally abused her husband, prompting him to lodge a police report.

“My husband took the police to get him (Mohamed) and when the police arrived at the house, Shafeek was returning home. When the police told him to walk with his hands up and come forward, he walked towards the police with a knife as if he was going to attack the policeman. The policeman fired a shot at him, hitting his car so from that it led to this,” the grieving widow stated.

Singh added that since that incident, the two men were not on speaking terms and that Wednesday’s was the second time the two men had such a violent confrontation. She related to this

59-year-old charged with assault

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59-year-old man was refused bail on Thursday when he appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Orin October of Lot 55 Robb Street, Georgetown, pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which stated that on November 15, 2015, he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Troy Gibe.

The defendant stated that on the day in question, Gibe was in his car and threw something at his children.

He explained that he confronted Gibe about the incident and Gibe pushed him to the ground in front of his family. He added

that Gibe also directed racial remarks at him, and as such, he picked up a weapon and dealt Gibe several blows about his body.

Based on the defendant’s explanation, Magistrate McGusty changed his guilty plea to not guilty.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant was initially summoned to court on November 17, 2015 but failed to show up.

He added that an arrest warrant had to be issued for the defendant’s arrest which forced him to show up to court.

Bail was refused and the matter will continue on February 17.

newspaper that just before Christmas last year, Shafeek attacked her husband with a hockey club.

The woman recalled that her husband’s hands were wounded after he used them to bar the lashes. She noted that Mohanlall did not bother to file another police compliant because he did not want to prolong the dispute.

“But it didn’t seem like Shafeek wanted to stop, he just wanted to prove himself,” Singh said of Mohamed, whom she added is very violent and abusive.

After committing the act, Mohamed jumped into his car, taking the knife with him and sped off. He has not been seen nor heard from since.

Mohanlall leaves to mourn his wife and five children, ages ranging from nine to one-year-old.

P

olice in Berbice are investigating the shooting of a Rose Hall Town man in what is believed to be a failed robbery.

The incident occurs on Wednesday night at 21:58h; about 100 meters from the Rose Hall Police Outpost, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Police in a release said on Wednesday night, Saitanya Kishundyal, 21, of Rose Hall, Corentyne, was closing the gate to his residence when he was confronted by a man armed with a firearm. A scuffle ensued between Kishundyal and the bandit and he was shot to his abdomen. The assailant then escaped.

Kishundyal has been admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital as investigations continue.

Information reaching Guyana Times indicates that Kishundyal was returning to his Outpost and Third Street home after attending a religious function at Corriverton, some 30 miles away. Surveillance footage – which was seen by this publication – shows four persons entered Kishundyal’s yard and waited on him to arrive.

At 21:57h, his car was seen pulling into the driveway and he exited the vehicle before opening the gate to the yard.

In the footage, Kishundyal was seen driving under his house and as he opened the door to exit, a lone gunman approached him from behind and during a three-seconds scuffle, a shot was fired. Three other men were immediately seen running out of the

yard along with the gunman.

Kishundyal was shot in the abdomen and attempted to pursue the fleeing men but did not venture pass the opened gate. He later returned holding his abdomen and threw himself onto a bench.

It is believed that Kishundyal was being targeted by bandits to be used as a pawn to get his parents to open the door to the house.

Meanwhile, neighbours say the Police responded within minutes of the shooting. They say the officers were not called but responded after hearing the gunshot. The matter is being investigated. Up to press time, Kishundyal’s condition was given as serious.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man who accidentally shot cousin acquitted I

n a courtroom filled with relatives and friends, a tearful Seelall Parbu breathed a sigh of relief when the 12-member jury read their not guilty verdict in a manslaughter charge against him on Thursday.

Parbu, a 52-year-old businessman, was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the High Court on a charge which stated that on November 13, 2011, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, he discharged a loaded firearm, hitting Permaul Rampersaud, resulting in his demise.

The trial commenced on January 26 and Parbu was represented by Attorney Glen Hanoman while the State was represented by Attorneys Shawnette Austin and Tamieka Clarke.

According to reports, on the night in question, the deceased, the accused and other relatives were returning from a popular night club after having drinks.

Rampersaud, who was 24 years old at the time of the incident, was seated in the front passenger seat while Parbu, a licensed firearm holder, was seated in the rear along with two others. The defendant reportedly took out his firearm to secure it when he reportedly accidentally discharged it, hitting the deceased twice.

The injured man was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A total of 11 witnesses were called to give testimony, some being officers involved in the investigation of the case and others being those who were present when the report was made to Police Constable Melissa Gilkes, who was stationed at the Police Outpost in the Georgetown Public Hospital compound on the night of the

incident.

Gilkes in her testimony recalled that on November 14, 2011, at about 01:00h, she was on duty when she received information that led her to visit the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit of the medical facility. She stated that when she arrived at the Unit, she observed the deceased lying motionless on a bed with what appeared to be two gunshot wounds – one on the centre of his back and the other on his right arm.

She explained that she enquired as to who had brought the man to the hospital and based on the information she received, she contacted Sheik Rampersaud who was outside A&E Unit.

Based on his explanation of events, she testified that she then contacted Parbu, who was in the compound at the time. She stated that when she told him of the allegation – that he shot Rampersaud – he replied, “Officer, I was securing my firearm in motor car 6928 when it accidentally went off and hit Permaul while I was sitting in the backseat with Mark Parsram and Dewar Dabadin.” She further revealed that she arrested Parbu and upon his arrest, he handed over his .32 Taurus Pistol, a magazine which contained seven live rounds and one spent shell. She further gave testimony that Parbu opted not to give a written statement. Constable Gilkes also explained that she took the other men who were present at the time of the shooting into custody. She identified the men as Mark Parsram, Dewar Dabadin, Ryan Bacchus and Sheik Rampersaud, adding that the motorcar in which the incident occurred was confiscated.

Meanwhile, the defen-

dant in his testimony told the court that he recalls a struggle between himself and another man who was in the car at time, who he identified as Dewar Dabadin.

According to Parbu, he cannot recollect much from the night of the incident except for what he was told by Dabadin. However, Parbu later explained that he gave a statement to an officer, telling him that he remembered being handled by Dabadin while securing his firearm and hearing the explosion from the gunshot.

He further explained that after telling the officer of this memory, the officer called Dabadin and told him of this allegation, adding that Dabadin acted nervously and took a while to answer before denying the allegation.

Before ending his testimony, Parbu addressed the Judge and jury on the entire incident. Tearfully, he said: “You know up to this moment, it remains a mystery to me on the death of my nephew Permaul Rampersaud, and it leaves a great sadness until this day. My closest relationship has always been the Rampersaud family,” he stated, adding that he lived next to the family for over 33 years. “Your Honour, in all my years, I have never stood before anyone in an argument that would lead to animosity or bad relations. The death of Permaul Rampersaud created a scar in my life that would be there forever,” Parbu stated, choking on his words.

On Thursday, before the jury went into deliberation, Justice Barlow guided them on the case at hand. She explained to them that they must rely on the evidence and witnesses presented in court when making their decision, reminding that anything heard or read of the

case outside of the court room must not be taken into consideration. “Do not speculate,” Barlow stated, adding that the evidence presented is about quality and not quantity. She reminded them that none of the witnesses could say how or when the bullet hit the deceased, but spoke of the explosion. As such, she stated that it must be considered whether or not any of the witnesses had reason to lie, further citing the fact that Dabadin had spoken of the firearm being retrieved from a pouch while the defendant had testified that the weapon was taken out of his right pants pocket moments before the incident. It was also recollected that during his testimony, Dabadin stated that the defendant was ‘high’ at the time of the incident, meaning he was quite aware of his surroundings and actions, while in the initial statement provided, Dabadin had said that the accused was drunk, hence another individual had to drive his car.

After their first deliberation, the jury returned with the request of being refreshed on certain evidence and testimonies. After hearing explanations of the elements of an accidental killing as well as certain ballistic terminologies, they returned to the deliberation room. Upon their return, they revealed their not guilty verdict which freed the man of the charge.

Before discharging him, Justice Barlow advised him to use his second chance well.

She told him that on the next occasion that he finds himself in the company of younger men, he should encourage them to use their time more meaningfully, instead of using it for excessive socialising which involves the intake of alcohol.

Eyew tness Who’ll bat...

T

...for VAT?

hings are getting curiouser and curiouser by the minute with the economics of this Government. When in Opposition, APNU and AFC had made trenchant criticisms of the PPP administration for the “draconian” and “cruel” rate at which they’d fixed VAT back in 2007.

Since it was a tax on expenditure, “it hit the working class the hardest. To the PPP fat cats, 16 per cent of anything was a joke”, they cried.

To get elected, they promised – as one of the top three “TOP 20 promises” in their Manifesto – to “Immediately implement a phased reduction of VAT and the removal of VAT from food and other essential items.” No equivocation there, eh? Not like the promise immediately above it, “SIGNIFICANT salary increases for government workers, including nurses, teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education; security personnel; and civil servants on the traditional payroll.”

That gave the Government some wriggle room. Who says some people don’t think five per cent is “significant”?

And don’t answer “the incumbent Ministers and Vice Presidents who gave themselves a 50 per cent raise!”

Those aren’t “people” – they’re LEADERS. And we can’t be judging LEADERS with the same yardstick we use for the common man, can we? That would be downright common!!

Anyhow! back to VAT. With the unequivocal promise to chop the 16 per cent “burden” on the small man, how did the Government justify not even reducing it by .00000001 per cent seven months down the road?? Well our admirable Finance Minister just explained it all. It’s not as “straightforward” as they’d thought, he said. Seems they didn’t realise if they cut this largest source of income coming into the treasury, they mightn’t have “revenues to develop the country”.

Really??!! A Finance Minister not knowing if you collect less money you’ll be forced to spend less? Well, you have to understand Jordan was trained during the Burnham days when they solved that particular conundrum by simply running the money printing presses overtime!! Another reason might be they’d claimed all the money the PPP had squirrelled away would be enough to practically do away with VAT!!

Now your Eyewitness isn’t surprised the Government was talking through its hat on VAT... that’s their default setting on so many issues. Audits, audits everywhere... yet not a penny to spend! But he was kinda hoping all those “representatives of the working class” who were being shafted by VAT would’ve been making some noises. Maybe even coming out into the streets in front of Parliament for a stroll comes the budget debate next week? Well, we won’t be holding our breaths.

But at least someone will be batting to reduce VAT – the PPP! And don’t you say a word!!!

...for Nagamootoo?

Poor Nagamootoo. Here he’s pushing 70 and still trying to figure out why he never really amounted to anything in the PPP. And he’s still pointing fingers after all these years.

He obviously doesn’t realise when he points his index finger at others, he’s pointing three at himself. And he should begin to do some retrospection.

For the longest while, he’d been cussing Ralph Ramkattan for “standing in his way” to be leader of the PPP with the passing of Jagan. He swore Jagan had promised him the title at some meeting in the Rupununi... but no one else heard. Then it was Jagdeo denying him his birthright... after the man’d been selected by the party hierarchy! Then during the elections he said it was because he was a “curly haired Madrasee”!

And now the man says he “couldn’t get up” in the PPP because he wasn’t Hindu but a Christian!!

Nagamootoo should look at the man in the mirror for his mediocrity.

...for gas prices?

Just like with VAT, this Government isn’t going to pass on low gas prices to ordinary people. How else would they be able to pay those mega salaries, purchase those SUVs and fix those houses?

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police crushed to death 2 security guards shot by masked bandits by moving truck

Dead: Police Constable 22380 Ray Simon

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man is in custody as police investigate the death of one of their colleagues. Dead is Constable 22380 Ray Simon who at the time of his death was attached to the Whim Police Station, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Reports are that Simon, 27, was crushed by the rear wheel of a lorry which he had just stepped off of. The incident occurred at about 19:00h on Tuesday along the Corentyne Highway at the entrance to the Whim Police Station.

Police in a release said Simon was hitching a ride in a vehicle on his way to Whim Station. The police said the vehicle did not stop at Whim when Simon jumped off resulting in him losing his balance. He fell on the roadway and was run over by the rear wheel of the said vehicle. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Port Mourant Hospital.

According to one eyewitness, at the time of the accident, there was a

heavy downpour and visibility was poor. The eyewitness said he was traveling west along the highway when the lorry in front of him stopped and several men ran out of it. “As soon as it stop these men run out and run towards me and they had a man on the road lying in the carriageway.”

According to the eyewitness when the man was picked up there was blood oozing from his head which appeared to be crushed.

According to the driver of the lorry Neezam Khan, Simon joined the vehicle at Liverpool, two villages away. “I stopped at the gap that I am supposed to stop for the Albion workers at Liverpool and persons join the lorry; that is workers.”

Khan who disclosed he has been driving more than 21 years, said he was a short distance from his last stop when the incident occurred. “The officer like he think that I gon stop at the police station entrance, but is not there, the stop is more up, and he jump off. The rain was pouring. I hear the workers shouting, ‘Hold! A man fall off the lorry.’ So like he catch at the back when he jump from the front step, because ah see when the red thing fall from the rear view mirror.”

Khan said after stopping the vehicle, he rushed out of it and saw Simon lying a short distance away.

Simon of Mahaica, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) had been attached to the Whim Police Station for the past three years. According to Constable Wright, he

The scene of the early morning attack

Lorry driver, Neezam Khan

and Simon had been very good friends from the days that they were in training school.

When approached by this publication on Thursday morning, Constable Wright was unaware that his friend had died. He remained speechless after being told.

“He always gives me good advice, the last thing he told me was that he was going to the gym and we will talk in the morning,” Wright said in a sad tone.

Meanwhile, Officer in charge of traffic in the division, Deputy Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud told reporters that the driver is in custody assisting with investigations. However he noted that several persons on the lorry have provided police with statements which substantiate the story related by the driver.

He added that as the matter stands there is no evidence proving the driver was in the wrong, however, the investigations are continuing.

Miner slapped with narcotics trafficking charge

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father of two slapped with possession of narcotics charge appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Ron Morris, 31, of Lot 107 North Haslington, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on February 2, 2016 at Kamarang, CuyuniMazaruni backland, he had in his possession 453 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Morris’s attorney Darren Wade requested bail, stating that on the day in question, a plane arrived at Kamarang landing with cargo bearing the names Ron Morris and oth-

ers particularly Troy Hope.

When the plane was discharged police searched the cargo and found boxes bearing the names Ron Morris and Troy Hope.

The attorney stated that his client was asleep at his camp in the back dam when he was contacted by police and asked about the boxes with his name. He added that his client indicated ownership of the boxes named Ron Morris but not the boxes named Troy Hope.

He further added that Troy Hope is not known to his client.

The boxes were searched and the cannabis was found in a box named Troy Hope which Morris denied ownership of but

was subsequently arrested and charged.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that there is no special reason based on facts why the defendant should be granted bail.

He said the facts state that the boxes named Troy Hope was claimed by Ron Morris as he told police ranks that ‘Yes, I got weed’ and tried to bargain with the officers.

He added that the officers examined the boxes and discovered six plastic parcels containing the substance and arrested Morris.

The matter was adjourned for March 21 to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

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wo security guards attached to the Movie Town construction site are now nursing gunshots wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital after they were attacked by two gunmen in the wee hours of Thursday.

Injured are Stanley Browne, 50, of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and David Barrow, 53, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to information, the two men were on duty at the construction site, at Pattensen, ECD, when

they were confronted by two bandits and immediately retaliated.

Guyana Times understands there was an exchange of gunfire during which the two guards were shot and injured. Brown was struck to his right foot and Barrow to his left foot.

The injured men were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they underwent surgeries and are said to be in a stable condition.

When this publication visited that scene, there were blood stains on the carpet in the guard hut. While a number of persons were on the scene, no one was forthcoming with a comment in relation to the shootout.

An investigation has been launched into the incident but no one was arrested.

Fisherman freed of robbery charges

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ichard Bourne, 43, of Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was on Thursday freed of an accusation of robbery under arms when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It was alleged that on November 9, 2015, at Charlotte Street, Georgetown, he robbed Loaknarine Shaw, the Virtual Complainant (VC), of a gold and silver band, $47,000 cash and a silver chain; a total value of $117,000.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones had told the court that on the day in question, the VC was about to enter a motorcar when the defendant approached from behind and held him up at knifepoint, demanding the articles. After relieving the VC of the items, the defendant made good his escape, the Prosecutor said.

During his escape, he reportedly dropped the band, which was recovered, the Prosecutor told the court. A report was made and the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged.

The defendant, however, denied the allegations and stated that none of the articles were found in his possession.

On Thursday when the matter returned to court, Magistrate McLennan stated that based on evidence received by the court, the court found several inconsistencies in the VC’s story and stated that the VC was not a credible witness.

Based on this, the Magistrate gave the defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismissed all charges against him.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

News

3 hospitalised 5 US teens arrested for 2015 murder of Guyanese after F attempting suicide

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hree young Essequibians are currently patients at the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) after they attempted to take their lives by consuming a quantity of poisonous substances in separate incidents.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, one of the individuals is a 20-year-old from Jacklow, Pomeroon. She was rushed to the medical facility on Thursday evening after she consumed a mixture of gramoxone and weed medicine. Reports are that the 20-year-old had a heated argument with her cousin after which she consumed the poison. She was subsequently discovered by family members and rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, in another incident, a teenager from the Amerindian community of Akawini was rushed to the same hospital on

Wednesday after he attempted to end his life. The 19-year-old had an argument with his parents and subsequently ingested a quantity of a poisonous substance.

The third person hospitalised is another 19-yearold from Charity, who also attempted to end his life.

This newspaper understands that the teen reportedly told relatives that he was having relationship issues.

All three youngsters are said to be in critical condition at the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital. Only recently, five persons were hospitalised at Suddie Public Hospital after making attempts on their own lives. Three of those persons have since passed away, while the remaining two survived. Thus far, Region Two has recorded the highest rate of suicide in the country with more than six reported deaths for 2016.

ive teenagers have been arrested and Police are searching for a sixth suspect in the shooting death of an aspiring filmmaker found dead last year along a road in Lithonia, Georgia, USA. The 27-year-old Guyanese man, Leevon Daniels, was found dead with gunshot wounds on May 6, 2015, along the roadway in the Georgia community.

According to reports, Lithonia Police announced on Tuesday that they have arrested the five teens and

identified another teen in connection with the case. That sixth suspect is 16 years old.

It was reported that on the night of May 6, 2015, the suspects approached Daniels who was close to a sports bar and demanded his cellphone.

In return, Daniels then threw his phone at the group and attempted to escape when he was shot by one of the men. Roosevelt Smith, the Chief of Police, called the killing “senseless.”

Dead: Leevon Daniels

Bus park stabbing

Prosecution to rest case today

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he Prosecution team conducting the trial into the murder of Gavin Fifee, a bus driver, who was stabbed to death at the Plaisance Bus Park, is expected to close their case today before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury at the High Court.

Orin Jerrick, an Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara resident, accused of committing the murder on July 31, 2014, was committed to stand trial at the High Court after a prima facie case had been estab-

lished before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

According to reports, about 05:45h on the day of the incident, Fifee was loading his minibus at the Plaisance Bus Park when the accused began urinating on the wheel of the vehicle. When Fifee confronted the man, an argument ensued, at which it is alleged Jerrick pulled out a knife and stabbed him to the upper right chest. Fifee was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by publicspirited citizens. He succumbed on the operating table.

On Wednesday, the Court heard testimonies of five witnesses who were presented by State Prosecutors Narissa Leander and Michael Shahoud and cross-examined by Defence Counsels Nigel Hughes and Peter Hugh.

The first witness to take the stand was the mother of the deceased followed by Inspector Philip Bowman who was responsible for carrying out the investigations.

Bowman testified that after his arrest, the defendant in a statement claimed that he did not commit the act, claiming that he was attacked by the now deceased with a cutlass and received several injuries as a result.

Bowman further related that he had taken the defendant to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was examined by a doctor who treated his injuries and sent him away.

The Court also heard testimony of Inspector Denise Small who conducted the identification (ID) parade when the suspect was taken into custody. She related that the ID parade took place at the Golden Grove Police Station.

She explained that two eyewitnesses, Keisha Bruce and Georgina Dawson were given the opportunity to identify the perpetrator, adding that only Dawson picked out the suspect. Subsequent to the Inspector, two other eyewitnesses were called to the stand – J Eiffel and Dawson.

At Thursday’s sitting, the Court heard the tes-

timonies of two more witnesses, a Police who was one of the first Officers that responded to the report of the stabbing as well as an eyewitness who was in the minibus at the time of the stabbing.

The officer testified to being present at the time of the defendant’s arrest and being involved in the investigations. Meanwhile, the female eyewitness related that on the day of the stabbing, she had an encounter with the suspect who she later identified as the defendant in the matter. She stated that while she was sitting in the second row near to a window, the defendant approached her and began to speak to her; however, his utterances were inaudible.

She related that the man appeared intoxicated and as such she closed the window and he moved, later adding that she recalled seeing the deceased and defendant involved in a scuffle. he case continues today and the Prosecutors are expected to close their presentation.

Overseas-based Guyanese dies two months after receiving burns

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Guyanese man who received third degree burns about the body succumbed to his injuries two months after arsonists set fire to his family home in East Flatbush, USA. The dead man has been identified as Jermain Simon, 38, father of one of Lot E 26th Street, Clarendon Road.

According to information, Simon was taken off life support and passed away Tuesday last following a two-month coma.

It was reported that Kevin Nurse who was in the apartment when the fire erupted told the media that Simon collapsed in a

Dead: Jermain Simon

hallway after rescuing his daughter from the flames.

Simon had just thrown the girl, 7, into Nurse’s arms through a second floor window when he turned back to pull Fanta Adams from her burning bedroom, reports stated.

Firefighters subsequently found the two together in the corridor lying unconscious.

Simon collapsed in a hallway after rescuing his daughter from the flames, a witness said. Adams, 23, suffered burns on 90 per cent of her body and died the day after the blaze.

Police initially took one of the building’s first floor residents into custody for questioning about the arson but later released him.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Port Kaituma dredge owner allegedly cheating miners – workers want help in recovering millions in wages

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emoving Junior Minister within the Social Protection Ministry Simona Broomes and placing her in another Ministry is probably the sole reason why a dredge owner operating in Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), may be getting off so easily after allegedly scamming his employees.

The miners, five in total, are hoping that the new system that they now have to face at the Labour Department of the Social

Protection Ministry would work for them so that they would finally be able to get the monies owed to them by their employer.

On Tuesday, Noel Sambach of Corentyne, Berbice, and Elvis Critchlow of Friendship, East Bank of Demerara, brought their cries to Guyana Times. They said they are only two of the five men that were under the employ of dredge owner Elvis Cameron who allegedly currently owes them millions of dollars for work

carried out over a period of months in 2015.

The other men are Wilgress Critchlow of Essequibo, Mark Blake who lives on the West Bank of Demerara and Ovid Albert of Bartica, Region Seven (Cayuni-Mazaruni).

The other three men have already begun seeking work elsewhere since their families need their financial support.

But Sambach and Critchlow said they are not giving up so easily. In fact,

they are sending a call out to President David Granger himself to intervene in what they said is a bullish undertaking by the dredge owner.

According to Sambach, he began working with Cameron in April of 2015.

He stopped working with the dredge owner in September of that same year. Sambach said until now, he has not received any payment from Cameron for the five months he provided service.

“The last time I was in the bush, we came out and

CELAC adopts Caricom’s reparation call

CELAC Heads at the meeting last week in Ecuador

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he Community of Latin and American States (CELAC) Parliamentary group has adopted the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) call for reparations for native genocide and the enslavement of African people in the Caribbean through the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

The call for its adoption came through presentation from St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Speaker of the House of Assembly Jomo Thomas during a meeting last week in which legislators from 17 countries met in Quito, Ecuador, to formalise the operation of a parliamentary network across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Thomas, who is the Chairman of the Reparations Commission for SVG, said Caricom has agreed on the call for reparatory justice and urged CELAC parliamentarians to join the cause.

The final call for the motion, which was adopted by the parliamentary group, was drafted and submitted by Deputy Speaker of the House Senator Carlos James.

The last issue that was brought to the fore regarding reparation was the pronouncement by British Prime Minister David Cameron late last year during his visit to Jamaica where he met with that country’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller. She had pressed him on issues of the massive slave trade, which is said to have left

Caribbean countries in severe debt.

But instead of dealing with the issue directly, Cameron reportedly told the Jamaican leader, who along with 13 other Caribbean leaders had approved a 10 point plan to seek reparations from the former slave owners that the countries should move ahead and forget about reparations.

Caribbean leaders in 2014 had approved a 10-point plan to seek reparations from the former slaveowning states of Europe.

These include those countries providing diplomatic help to persuade countries such as Ghana and Ethiopia, to offer citizenship to the children of people from the Caribbean who “return” to Africa; devising a developmental strategy to help improve the lives of poor communities in the Caribbean still devastated by the aftereffects of slavery, supporting cultural exchanges between the Caribbean and West Africa to help Caribbean people of African descent rebuild their sense of history and identity; supporting literacy drives designed to improve education levels that are still low in many Caribbean communities; and providing medical assistance to the Region that is struggling from high levels of chronic diseases such as hypertension and Type Two Diabetes that the Caricom Reparations Commission links to the fallout from slavery.

It has been reported that

if the European powers fail to publicly apologies and refuse to come to the negotiating table, the Caricom Nations will file a lawsuit against them at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The Caribbean countries said European governments in addition to being responsible for conducting slavery and genocide, also imposed 100 years of racial apartheid and suffering of freed slaves and the survivors of genocide.

Slavery ended throughout the Caribbean in the 1800s in the wake of slave revolts, and left many of the region’s plantation economies in tatters. Caribbean leaders have said the Region continues to suffer from the effects of slavery today.

Governments in the Caribbean have estimated that reparations for the slave trade could cost trillions of dollars and some have floated the idea of debt relief.

It is reported that some 46,000 British slave-owners, including a distant relative of Cameron’s, were among those compensated at current-day equivalent of £17 billion (US$36 billion) for “loss of human property” after the country emancipated its slaves in 1833.

The issues of slavery and reparations have reverberated in the United States in recent years as well. Ta-Nehisi Coates, a journalist for the Atlantic and recent “genius” grant winner, wrote an influential article in 2014 making the case for reparations.

went back for some parts.

My wife called him and said Mr Elvis, if you know you do not have money to pay my husband (because we have three children – two going to school and one disable), turn back my husband and send him out”. According to Sambach, Cameron was upset over the call and expressed this to him. “He tell me that how as soon as we reach out the backdam, he will send the money to my family,” to which Sambach agreed. However Cameron never fulfilled his promise. Sambach said his wife had since been using up the money in their bank account to support the family but this has dried up.

Glendon Critchlow, a father of one, said his child is very sick at this point, and has demanded his money from the dredge owner.

He said the miners have been running to the labour department since last year. And while there was some headway being made by former Junior Minister of Social Protection Simona Broomes, things have fallen apart since her removal.

“Ms Broomes tried her utmost best to help us out.

She sent the Police to bring

Elvis out”. The dredge owner reportedly promised to pay the men, but instead showed up with a lawyer saying that he has no money to pay.

“Christmas come, we don’t know what name Christmas, new years, we don’t know what name new years”. The men said when they returned to the labour office, they were informed that Broomes had left and they would have to deal with Minister Volda Lawrence herself. “When we go to she, she give us a letter to collect one box of salt biscuit, this was around Christmas time”.

“If she is the head of the labour office, how can she treat people that way?” they questioned. According to Sambach, at the time the letter was given to uplift the biscuits from a city supermarket; he did not have his identification (ID) card in his possession. He said he was told to go to Berbice, get his ID card and return to Georgetown for the biscuits.

“Since Ms Broomes left the office, we are not getting any justice,” Samabch said.

Sambach said Cameron owes him some $1.6 million while $2.383 is owed to Critchlow.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Repackaged 2016 Budget”

Sukhai to Govt: Prove you are better!

– says provisions not enough for Amerindians By: Devina Samaroo

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ormer Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai blasted Government for replicating outdated courses of action for indigenous communities’ development and consequently challenged the administration to live up to their promise and prove they are better than their predecessor.

Following the presentation of Budget 2016, Government became the subject of trenchant criticisms from the

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition over what they claimed to be a budget dominated by repackaged programmes and policies that were developed under their tenure over the last 23 years.

Speaking on the issue of hinterland development, Sukhai underlined that practically every programme outlined in the Budget were initiatives already embarked upon by the previous administration.

“It is 2016, where is the additional investment that was

promised to revolutionise the hinterland? If you claim to be better than the PPP/Civic then you must better their record when you are in the driving seat,” the former Amerindian Affairs Minister pronounced during a recent media conference that was held at Freedom House.

HEYS vs CSO

Sukhai reminded that the “youth engagement” initiative, the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS), is basically a different verFormer Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai

sion of the squashed Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) programme which was ongoing for years.

“There is no new initiative.

There is nothing new,” the parliamentarian pointed out.

The scrapping of the YEAP resulted in close to 2000 young Amerindians Community Support Officers (CSOs) becoming jobless. Government had halted the programme because they believed the CSOs operations were political.

The HEYS programme was meant to replace the PPP/C initiative and provide alternative employment for the 1972 jobless youths but Sukhai disclosed that the substitute project is yet to push off and hundreds of indigenous youths continue to suffer.

“After eight months of disbanding the CSO programme, they were only able to generate 30 young men and women, at a minimum, in two communities in the vast hinterland: Paramakatoi and Bamboo Creek… and now to estimate that there will be 1000 engage-

ment with the young people in 2016, it is far from believing. If you cannot, in eight months, generate and kick-off your alternative to the CSO project and you can only manage to muster 30 people, then how many can you in 12 months, be able to address and deal with 1000 young people,” she reasoned.

While on the issue of youth engagement, Sukhai disclosed that over 3000 Amerindian students are yet to receive their uniform and schoolbooks from Central Government.

“It is alarming, and I want to question why this slothfulness is taking place with respect to delivery of service,” Sukhai questioned.

The PPP/C Parliamentarian also called out the 3B’s programme which she concluded what nothing but a repackaging of existing initiatives.

“We’ve provided uniform to our indigenous community and the children, we’ve provided $10,000 to families to assist with respect to ensuring each child received support and no excuse for not being able to send children to school.

There was breakfast, snack and hot meals… so it’s repackaging and renaming as usual like they’ve done with respect to the Indigenous Affairs Ministry,” she said.

Land protection and community development Sukhai noted that government earmarked monies for Amerindian land protection and land rights initiatives but emphasised that the former administration had already been making significant strides in this regard.

“We’ve done that, we’ve been there proactively pursuing this, we’ve had achieve-

ments that are known in terms of figures and in terms of monies spent,” she posited as she continued to challenge the government to come up with new initiatives for hinterland development.

She explained that the PPP/C had committed some US$10.6 million towards advancing the land rights of Amerindians and increasing and expanding land ownership of indigenous people.

Moreover, government also budgeted some $1.4 billion for capital works for hinterland development but the former Amerindian Affairs Minister exclaimed that the amount is completely inadequate.

“Three-quarters of Guyana’s landmass, home of the indigenous people... and $1.4 billion in capital works for more than 187 communities. That was a budget figure which the PPP/C spent in the year of 2013… now is 2016, which is the additional investment?” she demanded to know.

Sukhai also criticised government for failing to kickstart a single Community Development Project (CDP) in over eight months.

The former Minister’s long line of condemnations ended with her urging government to take seriously the development of the indigenous people.

She reminded that the PPP/C has a legacy of success in propelling and transforming the village economies, acquiring investments in grants for Amerindian villages, improving services within the hinterland areas in water supply and access to education and health services.

West Dem NICU reopened

The NICU at the West Demerara Regional Hospital

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he Public Health Ministry in collaboration with Guyana Help the Kids Foundation, on Thursday officially reopened the West Demerara Regional Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to assist with the reduction of infant mortality rate.

The unit is expected to administer specialised treatment to ill or premature born infants delivered at the hospital.

Regional Health Officer, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Dr Shawn Bancroft stated that this is the first step of advancing health care within the regional hospital. Due to the

complexity during the birth process, specially trained nurses along with specialised services will be offered in this unit. Health facilities and services offered within the hospital are improved, and of high quality.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton explained that the reopening of the NICU will allow pregnant mothers to benefit from specialised health care within the region, instead of travelling long distances to access the required treatment. He noted that over the years, neonatal mortality rate within the country has reduced greatly.

Dr Norton stated too that the Health Ministry is com-

mitted to ensuring health care is delivered to all citizens for the sustainable development goal towards the enhancement of pre- and post-natal programmes and services within the country.

The Minister noted that specially trained doctors and nurses would be stationed to administer better care within this area.

Coordinator of Guyana Help the Kids Foundation Aruna Ferrier said the registered Canadian charity is committed in extending continuous and consistent support to reduce the level of neonatal mortality rate, within the public health care system in Guyana.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 9 water Charity Secondary School shortage critical student, 14, stabbed – Chairman

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

– several wells completely “dried up”

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he water supply within Region Nine, (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), is severely affected by the El Niño weather condition greatly impacting the country.

Region Nine’s Regional Chairman Brian Allicock describes the situation as a “serious crisis” as water wells across the region have dried up.

He told this publication that five wells have completely dried up.

Allicock affirmed that every village within the region is experiencing water shortage, and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is trying its very best to get a grip on the situation. He disclosed that the council has so far sent water pumps into various parts of the region accompanied by 450 gallon tanks, which the group is hoping will greatly assist individuals in the community for some time.

Additionally, the chairman noted that the region has garnered the assistance of a religious humanitarian group, who were placed in North Rupununi and has commenced digging wells.

He said the group which hails from Region One (Barima-Waini) plans to dig some 15 wells within the region.

“In the meantime, we have gotten quotations for the rigs to drill the wells and the solar systems to pump the water,” Allicock shared.

In some areas, he mentioned, some persons are required to obtain water from more than a kilometre away from the village. In attempts to provide a solution for this predicament, the RDC have sent more than 1000 foot of pipe lines with pumps and tanks into the community.

Allicock stated that though this may not be able to deliver water to individual homes, persons can propel water to a certain distance, so that they can receive water for everyday use with less labour.

He added also that a team is currently present in South Pakaraima, setting up systems and casting reservoirs which had broken, so that people in the village can once again receive water.

He noted that these reservoirs “gravity feeds” through pipes to homes in various communities.

Another issue highlighted by the Regional Chairman is the loss of livestock throughout the region, as persons have to reserve

Regional Chairman Brian Allicock

water for themselves and cannot provide as well for the animals.

“We are hoping that we can get an excavator to go down south to excavate ponds for the animals in the community” Allicock mentioned.

When questioned about further assistance provided to the region, the Chairman stated that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is playing a great role in assisting the Region.

Though he neglected to share how assistance was provided by these entities, Allicock mentioned that the Office of the President along with the Indigenous Affairs Ministry are also helping the region.

The Chairman also disclosed that further meetings are planned with the Indigenous Affairs Ministry in the near future.

On Wednesday, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) reported that there has been a marked decrease in the level of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC). As such, GWI has reduced services to Georgetown customers via the Shelter Belt Water Treatment Facility from 22:00h.

A statement from the water company asked customers to store water and ensure that water for food preparation, brushing of teeth, etc is stored in tightly covered containers to avoid contamination.

“Citizens were also asked to check all internal plumbing for leaks (including toilet cisterns, taps, etc); reduce the amount of times in which you wash your car, equipment, etc with water supplied by GWI; desist from washing concrete surfaces (such as your yard or bridge) with water provided by GWI and immediately install ‘float-valves’ in water tanks to prevent overflows.”

A

Charity Secondary School student, 14, was reportedly stabbed to the left of his neck while in his classroom and despite the nature of the incident, his parents were not informed until the child reached home.

Reports are that the teen was stabbed on January 30 at about 13:00h.

Speaking with this newspaper, the teen’s mother, Halimoon Rasheed said after her son was stabbed, the head teacher placed him in a classroom alone instead of rushing him to the hospital which is 10 minutes from the school.

The distraught mother said when her son reached her and showed his neck she rushed him to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital where he received four stitches to his neck. She said the doctors advised her to report the matter to the police, which she did at the

The teenager was stabbed to the right side of his neck

Charity Police Station.

The mother further related that she was unsure what weapon was used on her son but said she was saddened, having learnt that her child was left to bleed for several

hours in a classroom.

“The teachers failed to execute their job, they should have called me. I am living right in Charity; this is sad and unprofessional, this matter could have been dealt with differently,” the woman lamented.

The mother said she went to the Department of Education and lodged a complaint. The mother said the child who attacked her son also threatened him again and only last week another student was attacked by the same child. She also questioned why students are allowed to enter the school with sharp objects.

Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer, Baramadai Seepersaud said she is aware of the matter and a thorough investigation will be conducted. Seepersaud however said the teacher should have informed the injured child’s parents or take him to hospital following the incident.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

News

Central Counselling Body not yet ready – Roopnaraine

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ducation Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine on Thursday shared that the Central Counselling Body (CCB) now needs a few months before becoming operational, even though he had recently stated the body would have been ready within a matter of days.

The formation of a CCB was announced by the Education Minister last year, to see the implementation of trained counsellors in every school across Guyana.

The minister said work has already begun on amendments for the legislation for the provision of counsellors in schools, as it is something he feels very strongly about.

On Thursday the minister said that now corporal punishment is completely out of schools, school counsellors are needed now more than ever, especially to curb to recent spike in suicides among Guyana’s young people.

When asked where these persons would be chosen from to take up such delicate positions, the minister said Guyana has a large number of people who are graduating in Social Work and Sociology

Guyana to get more US backing as it turns 50

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

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Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

from the University of Guyana and the content of their academic qualifications is what will equip them to counsel Guyana’s youth.

“My view is that we should give them training and counselling and enhance the counselling capacity in all schools in Guyana… what we have to concentrate on is a high quality of counselling” Roopnaraine stated.

The Central Counselling Body, he noted, will be responsible for training counsellors and devising programmes for them, equipping them to go into schools. The body will be housed at the of-

fice of the Education Ministry and will be monitoring activities of the trained counsellors within the schools.

The Education Minister admitted that he wished that body could have been established sooner, but unprepared counsellors will serve no purpose to students.

He shared that the programme will soon be implemented in some twenty schools within a few months after he believes all is well.

According to Dr Roopnaraine, a major deterrent to this project is that most schools do not have the space required for a confidential counselling office. Reports are that the minister stated that all new schools built will have a space for private counselling, and the Ministry is currently looking at existing schools to see how best they can provide space for the counsellors.

hile Guyana moves to celebrate 50 years of independence in May this year, the United States of America (USA) will also be joining in the celebration, not only for the commemoration of Guyana’s golden Jubilee, but also for the US’ 50 years of diplomatic relations with this country.

US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway on Thursday reminded that the US has had a longstanding relationship with Guyana and promised that his country will continue the relationship to assist in the further development of this country.

He was speaking to Guyana Times in an exclusive interview at his Young and Duke Street, Kingston office on Thursday.

“The United States is one of the first countries to recognise Guyana as an independent country. We have always been focused on democracy and governance, particularly because Guyana was and still remains a relatively small country and so we will continue to focus on democracy and governance, but its democracy and governance in the senses of processes and transparency and anti corruption efforts, efficiency etc,” he told this publication.

The Ambassador said democracy and governance will continue to be high on the US’ list, even as he congratulated the country for its level of maturity despite its young developing status.

“Guyana continues to

President David Granger greets US Ambassador Perry Holloway at a recent engagement

be more and more mature.

You had a successful national election, it was non violent. It was largely viewed internationally as free and fair. The transition of power was fairly smooth; you will now have Local Government Elections for the first time after more than 21 years and all that bodes well for democracy in Guyana, but we will continue to focus on democracy.”

Holloway spoke to the presence of the USAID programme in Guyana and explained that it will be focusing on the youth and women and the many underrepresented groups that have not voted in local elections.

The Ambassador also made mention of the President Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) HIV/AIDS programme that has been ongoing in Guyana for several years. He said while the funding has been going down over the years, it is still significant, meeting about $5 million each year.

“Guyana has a good new story to tell as the number of incidence rate has gone down, the number of people that are infected have gone down”. He said if Guyana continues to work with its international partners, including the United Nation (UN), it will be able to turn the tide, “where there will not be any epidemic in Guyana.

The tide has been turned,” he said.

Holloway said the US will also be focusing on the petroleum sector, particularly because Guyana has proven to have significant oil off its coast. He said over the course of the next 12 months, both Government and the ExxonMobil, the USbased oil exploration company that made the discovery, will be able to determine the quality and significant quantity of the oil present there.

“The question is how much, when could it be taken out of the ground, at what rate and how long will it last. I think most of those questions will be answered when ExxonMobil begins its assessment phase. They have already completed the exploratory phase and the Government here will be able to have a better idea about that”.

Holloway said the US is also focusing on the petroleum sector because it wants Guyana; a developing country, to do things the right way.

He has joined with other economists to urge Government not to let down its guard and be infected by the “Dutch disease”, but to be wise enough to secure the economic future of its people.

“There are lots of countries that have taken their oil well and have the ramp in corruption, ramp in inflation, sometimes called Dutch disease, and all sorts of other social ailments have occurred. So we are hoping that Guyana will not do that but will find a way to create a Sovereign Wealth Fund or rainy day fund that they will set budget priorities so that the money is spent transparently and in consultation with the people and the Opposition”.

“Guyana really does not have a significant history of oil so there is no geologists, petroleum engineers, aluminum under water welders.

So we will be sending persons to the United States to study things related to the petroleum industry. We are interested in trade fair two way trade, while oil is related to that, we are constantly looking for ways for US products to come to Guyana and ways through which Guyana can transport its products to the US,” he said.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FRBRUARY 5, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

East Demerara, Berbice estates protest Wales shut down The aggravated sugar workers at the East Demerara Estate were adamant that they will continue the protest action until Government and the Head of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) reveal a detailed plan on what they have in store for the workers at Wales who will be transferred to Uitvlugt as well as those will be given severance packages.

Massive turn out at solidarty protest at Skeldon

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cores of sugar workers from factories across the country joined in solidarity with those at the Wales Estate to protest against the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government’s plan to shut down the Wales Factory.

Nearly two dozen sugar workers from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, who are attached to the Enmore Estate, braved the rain early Thursday morning to show support of their West Demerara colleagues, most of whom will be put on the breadline when the factory closes at the end of the year.

The visibly angry workers pointed out that Government had taken this drastic decision without providing alternatives for all 1700 workers attached to the Wales Estate.

They added that not only the workers would be affected but their families and the communities as well.

“You gone close an estate and have no alternatives for 1700 workers and their fami-

lies. Then you have 774 cane farmers who have a thousand odd workers with them, where they gone find jobs for them people this,” one man stated.

Another protestor pointed out that during the 2015

lihood of some hundreds of workers at Wales.

“The President in his campaign said look I walk the length and breadth of this country and poor people are suffering but look what we facing now, they just drop

On the other hand, over at Berbice approximately 1500 sugar workers attached estates across the region on Thursday also joined the countrywide strike in solidarity with their colleagues at the Wales Estate, who may soon be on the breadline following government’s announcement to close that estate.

The workers closed the four Berbice estates; Blairmount, Rosehall, Albion and Skeldon to send a signal

Berbice strike

ing the largest response from workers. NAACIE got its biggest response at Skeldon where 250 of its workers came out.

However, the bulk of the workers who braved the early morning rain and shouted anti-Wales closure slogans while displaying placards came from the GAWU support base and represented three times that of which was under NAACIE band.

At Rosehall, there were about 260 workers representing both unions who also braved the rain to show their solidarity for their Wales colleague.

At Blairmount about 150 employees came out to demonstrate but those on strike were more than double that number. At Alboin, almost all of the workers were on strike in what was considered the best-supported strike at that estate in recent years.

Last week the Coalition

that Government will reverse its decision to close the Wales Estate.

The worker along with their union, are calling on Government to reverse its decision to close the Wales estate.

GAWU’s Berbice Regional Supervisor, Harvey Tambron told Guyana Times that the union will carry the fight to government hoping for a reversal of the decision.

Ravindra Lawrence of NAACIE told this publication that the workers at Rosehall and Skeldon are very concerned about the decision made by the government as it relates to the Wales Estate.

This, he said, is so because the Rosehall Estate has been underperforming and there have been rumors that government may want to close that estate.

He noted that since its inception when in opposition members of the now government had suggested closing the Skeldon Factory which

to the government that shutting down the Wales estate will come at a price and that there is unity amongst sugar workers despite the estate under the fall under.

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) both called out their workers with the Skeldon Factory receiv-

Government announced its intention to close the Wales Sugar Estate. While it has not said what will become of the cane fields, workers attached to the four Berbice estates of Blairmount, Rosehall, Albion and Skeldon are very concerned knowing that any day they can hear that the estate which they work with will be closed. As they join in solidarity with their colleagues at Wales, they are still hoping

they called a white elephant.

Meanwhile, workers have questioned the decision by government t to close the Wales Estate bearing in mind that the recommendation to close the estate was not made by the Commission of Enquiry into GuySuCo a commission which was set up by the government to investigate the sugar industry.

Rose Hall workers on the protest line

elections campaign, the APNU+AFC coalition had promised better lives for sugar workers but the Government is now taking away the live-

them hand from the industry. Moses (Nagamootoo) come from this industry and he should not trouble any estate,” he stated.

President meets with CARDI officials

President David Granger is flanked by (from left), Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Barton Clarke and Technical Services Manager, Francis Asiedu, at the Ministry of the Presidency

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resident David Granger, in his capacity as Caribbean Community (Caricom) Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Agriculture, met with officials from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) to discuss his vision for Caribbean agriculture.

CARDI’s Executive Director, Barton Clarke, Technical Services Manager, Francis Asiedu and Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture,

Noel Holder attended the meeting, which was held at the Ministry of the Presidency.

In a brief comment after the meeting, Clarke said that discussions focused on CARDI’s role in agriculture in the Region and whether or not it is effectively fulfilling that role in its current programme of operation.

“We spoke of what is necessary in order to be able to crystalise very clearly what is Caribbean agriculture; what is the role of CARDI [and] what is the engagement that we are going to

have with the political directorate of the Caribbean under the leadership of the President of Guyana, toward elucidating and facilitating of [the] said role,” Clarke said.

The meeting also discussed the Caricom Strategic Plan for Regional Development 2015-2019 of which agriculture is a significant component. This is the Region’s first ever strategic plan on agriculture. It was approved in July 2014 at the 35th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.

Sugar workers from Enmore showing support for Wales colleagues

Man arrested for “ganja” following tip off

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s the Guyana Police Force continues with its drug enforcement activities, ranks in ‘D’ Division (West Demerara) busted a man with a quantity of marijuana in his possession.

According to Police

Public Relations Officer, Ivelaw Whittaker, acting on information received, ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch conducted a search on a man at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.

During the search, the officers unearthed a quanti-

ty of leaves, seeds and stems in his possession. The narcotics weighed a total of 255 grams of marijuana.

The suspect was arrested and taken into police custody, where he is assisting with further investigations.

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 10 RDC fraud investigations

Blank, signed contracts unearthed

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nvestigations into fraudulent activities at the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council have revealed that there were a number of blank contracts signed by contractors executing works in the region.

The revelation was made

by Regional Chairman Renis Morian on Thursday during a Works Committee report at the region’s monthly statutory meeting.

Morian said during the recently completed investigations, several blank contracts were discovered, with contractors’ signatures attached, and as such, he highlighted four recommendations for the Committee in moving forward.

In relaying those recommendations to the Council, he further stated that in the future, works contracts, more importantly, must have the signature of the Senior Superintendent of Works.

“During the investigation which was going on, a num-

Region 10 Regional Chairman Renis Morian

ber of signatories are on the contracts... the second recommendation is that the Public Works Department must not hold blank contracts signed by contractors... this was discovered during the investigation, where there were blank contracts which were already signed, which means somebody in the Works Department could have now written in all of the stuff and then at some time say that works was satisfactory com-

pleted,” he said.

The third recommendation related by Morian is for the Works Department to furnish the Works Committee with a programme of visits so that visits would not be haphazard. Meanwhile, he stated that the fourth recommendation is for the Clerk of Works to be present at ongoing project sites as well as for personnel to execute drawings of structures to be constructed.

The Regional Chairman noted that a number of contracts are executed without drawings which have proven to be problematic to the Council.

“Too much of our works are being executed and not even the contractors have a clue as to how it’s coming or going but when you get drawings along with the quantity and description of work, you get an idea as to what is to happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Councillor Douglas Gittens suggested for a three dimensional rep-

resentation of final building structures to be erected.

However, Councillor Charles Sampson said the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Gavin Clarke should be held accountable if the recommendations are not upheld, noting that they should be a part of standard practice. He also made calls for an architect to be present at the Regional level to supervise capital works, since he noted that there are buildings which are being constructed for commercial purposes.

As a result, some officers of the RDC are being sent on administrative leave, pending investigations of fraud at the Council, and two technical officers were promised to the Council to assist as outlined by the Council.

Irregularities within the Works Department, including the discovery of false payment vouchers prompted investigations last month, as the REO made the revelation of several money-related discrepancies which involved the RDC employees and contract workers.

Auditors from the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) as well as the Police were then summoned to investigate. Presently, the Council is awaiting a decision after investigations are completed.

LHC dental chair nonoperable

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indeners in need of dental assistance were disappointed this week after learning that the dental chair at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) is non-operational.

The dental office at the hospital, situated in Mackenzie, is one most frequented by the community.

However, patients were left to seek alternative attention Wednesday since no work could be executed by dental staff due to issues with the chair.

According to a senior health official of the LHC, technicians from Georgetown would usually carry out maintenance works to the chair every three months, however the official could not say for certain when they would return.

Some who sought dental assistance Wednesday expressed discomfort after being sent away without receiving the required attention. It is the hope of the general public, especially those seeking the relevant attention in the community, that swift movement be taken to have the dental chair operational again so as to avoid further inconvenience.

Sugar: a personal view

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ales Estate has placed sugar in the hot seat. Since my return to Guyana, I took the problematic of sugar very seriously. How could I have done otherwise?

Even though I had done the “American dream” thing – with the house in the suburb and the two cars in the garage since 1979 – it never crossed my mind not to return to the sugar plantation from where I’d come. It was what had shaped my thinking and instilled values that stood the test of time – even in corporate America.

In 1989, I was jailed and beaten by the police for the first (and only) time in my life after I’d participated in a sugarworker – march against the “ten-to-one” devaluation by Hoyte back in 1989.

With the grandparents who raised me having toiled for more than a century between them in the sugar industry – but collecting grand pensions of $6 in total – my sense of social justice did not need much honing. And I knew the industry literally from the inside – while my corporate experience in the textile industry in the States, offered me a view from the outside. My fellow villagers mostly worked in the sugar industry and were like every other group anywhere – with the same distribution of intelligence etc. But because of the lack of opportunities some of the smartest people I knew laboured in the fields and factories.

The point I want to make is that these “ordinary” workers knew more about sugar than most of the managers who lorded it over them. Even as a “force ripe” stripling on the periphery of the street corner “gaff”, you learnt more about the industry than if you had attended a graduate course on sugar management. So when I began commenting on the problems of sugar after 1989 (“The ‘estate’ is still a plantation” etc...) I was bringing to bear this insider knowledge along with the challenges traditional industries (textile manufacturing in the US; sugar here) were facing in an emerging new global order.

If one goes back to my early proposals, they were all based on the premise that sugar would eventually have to be phased out in our country. For one, as the son and grandson of sugar workers, I knew that every member of that fraternity considered it their personal failure if a child of their’s ended up in the cane fields. Especially in Demerara, I knew that there would be labour problems when the economy improved and there was alternative employment.

When this factor was combined with the longer wet season in Demerara and its poorer soils, it did not take a rocket scientist to suggest that these lands be diversified out of sugar. I proposed they be transferred in 15 acre plots to sugar workers for their sweat equity. They could then supply the factories that would process the higher value crops that would be substituted. The phenomenally installed drainage and irrigated systems would not have been wasted. We still believe that this is the way to go in Demerara.... but it must be planned.

At the time, I opposed the construction of a new factory at Skeldon: not because I felt it would not perform (who could know this?) but because I believed that for one quarter of the expenditure, we could expand Albion and Rose Hall (as had also been proposed), and consolidate the operations of the others until the Demerara plantations were phased out. I felt we would have been able to maintain production at 350,000 tonnes until we were in a position to make a decision in Berbice.

Working with a US company that had traditional textile mills (from spinning to weaving) I saw early on what pressures from low-cost foreign producers could do to higher cost producers even as the latter furiously modernised. Workers preferred to move to the “newer” industries. There was only so much even textile lobbyists could do: I never expected the EU to honour the Lome Protocol “in perpetuity”.

So we are now in a bigger fix than before. This is no time for finger pointing. Those that are in charge of the industry will have to have the fortitude to take a hard look around and make some hard decisions. Take it from one who still lives in the shadow of a sugar factory chimney “black dust” and all.

guyanatimesgy.com

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s plans move apace for the hosting of the Miss Global International 2016 in Mauritius, Guyana will be unveiling its representative to the pageant on February 20 at the Guyana Marriott, Kingston. The delegate was selected by the Miss Global Guyana Committee during a screening process.

The delegate selected is no stranger to Guyanese and is known for her melodious vocals. This is the first international pageant in which she will take

Prince JP

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Omardath Maharaj

ll roads will lead to the Belle West ground, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on February 13 for the second edition of Chutney Bacchanal.

The first edition was off the hook, and this year is expected to be bigger and better. For the first time since his return to local shores, Prince JP will be performing live, along with the “Fowl Cock Man” Omardath Maharaj, out of Trinidad and Tobago.

Also making an appearance at the show will be Princess Halima and

part and from all indications, she will be creating some buzz on the international scene.

She will be taking over from reigning Miss Global Guyana, Alicia Bess who represented Guyana at the international stage of the pageant in Trinidad and Tobago and would have secured a second runner-up spot, with Miss Australia as the crowned queen and Miss Jamaica as the first runner-up.

Bess will he handing over her crown

Princess Halima

Granny Ivelaw

Granny Ivelaw, along with the Dax New Generation

to the selected one and without a doubt would offer her advice as the newly crowned local queen embarks on a journey with the hope of winning the title.

The coronation will see several performances as well as fashion displays by several well known designers in the fashion industry.

After the crowning, the queen will meet and greet guests at an elegant cocktail ceremony. Tickets for the event will be released shortly.

Rajesh Dubraj Band, featuring Sexy Vanie, Queen B, Mighty Perai and Rajesh Dubraj. There will also be several dancers to add some excitement on the night of the show.

Tickets for the event cost $800 in advance and $1500 at the gate. VIP tickets will be available at a cost of $2000. Tickets will be available at Saffo Bar, Belle West, WBD. Music will be provided by Power Sonic and 71 Sound.

Showtime is 20:00h. The event is promoted by Raju in collaboration with Epic Entertainment and is sponsored by Banks Beer.

Peter Ram

Barbados. The two are no strangers to Guyana and have performed with energy.

The Gravity Lounge will also see the likes of the Boom Deejays including Gully Rass and Deejay Shizzle.

Early bird tickets cost $2000 and more at the door. Ticket holders will also have a chance to win airline tickets for Barbados Crop Over, 2016.

Tickets will be available at Gravity Lounge, Electronics City and Oasis Café. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar and be part of the biggest soca junkie party – one that you really don’t want to miss…

C

alling all soca junkies!!! The Gravity Lounge will explode on February 20 when it hosts the first event Mashramani party titled “Soca for Life” and it is a must! Be there and enjoy the excitement.

The event will see Barbados Soca Monarch and Road March King Peter Ram making his first appearance in Guyana for the year along with Leadpipe and Saddis also out of

Leadpipe and Saddis

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, february 5, 2016

T

he Mobile Wizard 10/10 softball cricket tournament, organised by The Guyana Softball League (GSL), will culminate with the semifinals and final at the Tuschen ground, East Bank Essequibo this Sunday. The tournament will also see chutney singer Pooran Seeraj, who is known for his hit tunes “Every day ah drinkin meh run”, “Chutney Daggering” and “Sonia Gyal” performing live for the spectators, along with Tristar Innovations band.

The organisers have planned a packed programme which is billed as the best cricket show on the West Demerara area and aims to ensure that patrons gain in every way as they set the stage for GSL finals.

The teams will take to the middle of the field for the first game – a Masters’ game between West Coast and East Bank Demerara, followed by the female match be-

Miss Love (West Coast) trading.

The games will have Emcee Nazim Hussain keeping the spectators

Pooran Seeraj tween Linden and Georgetown.

The two semifinals will then bowl off and end with the finals.

The one ball manto will also be a feature in between the games and which goes for a top prize worth $60,000, compliments of

N

T

he artistes performing at this year’s Chutney Monarch will have another week to get their acts in order, since the competition which was initially scheduled for February 6 has been shifted to Friday, February 12.

The venue remains the same as was advertised – the parking lot of the Synthetic Track, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

The event will see upcoming chutney artistes vying for the title and over $1 million in cash and prizes.

As usual, the artistes con-

testing for the title will be backed by the Shakti Strings Orchestra; the official band of the competition.

This year, the person to beat is the reigning Chutney Monarch, Roger Hinds who is ready and waiting to belch out his tune.

The other competitors are Pooran Seeraj, Haresh Singh, Bunty Singh, Shelly G, Halima Khan, Colin Freeman, Sasnarine Hitnarine, Yogeta Kellawan, Savitree Lee, Bonita Seenarine, along with Chris Ken and Satish Udiram out of the United States.

Aamir Khan

ineteen-year-old T’Shanna Odica Cort, also called “Tish” was born at the Suddie Public Hospital, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) to Grantley Cort and Wanda Cort. She grew up in Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast with her siblings, Tiffany Philander, Grantley Cort jr and Kiea Douglas.

She described her childhood as “exciting” because she never procrastinated on anything she found fascinating.

She attended the Adventure Nursery School then the Suddie Primary where she wrote the National Grade Six Assessment and was rewarded a place at the Aurora Secondary School.

At the age of 13 in 2010, she entered the “Cellink Kid Stage” competition. That competition was the breakthrough and the beginning of her musical journey.

At the end of that competition, she emerged as a finalist and that motivated me to strive harder. Three years later, she entered the GTT jingle and song competition.

To her, it was the best musical experience ever. While she did not make it as winner, she made it to the last round after which she got an opportunity to perform a jingle at Kross Kolor Records. While there, she met Burchmore Simon who became the driving force to further her career in music.

“I must say I was very happy to meet him, nevertheless he gave me some words of encouragement and on my next visit asked me if I would be interested to represent the company at the junior competition, words can’t explain how excited I was that day.

It was like I saw my future before my eyes and so, I took the opportunity and ever since then I have been blossoming fairly well”, the songstress stated.

For the period, she has been around, her experience has been intriguing

informed of the scores along with other segments of the programme, and he will also be asking patrons questions, as they give away various prizes.

There will be lots of child-friendly games as well as the ring games where children can win lots of prizes. T-shirts will be given away randomly at the gate, compliments of Mobile Wizard. The music side will see Slingerz Family along with Hi five and 71 Sounds system accompanying the games.

Granny Ivelaw and the dancers will be performing in between games to ensure maximum entertainment is achieved.

The chutney show begins at 18:00h, with chutney sensation

Pooran Seeraj along with Pamela London and other artistes performing live on stage, accompanied by the Tristar Innovations Band.

The Tristar band which originates from Cornelia Ida has a wealth of experienced entertainers who will certainly woo the crowd.

The likes of Ravi Persaud, Kamla Rampersaud, Aamir Khan and a host of others know how to hype the crowd as they have been around for a long time. Emcee Nazim Hussain has been doing his thing for many years and is the best and will certainly boost the program.

The show is expected to last until 02:00h, with patrons enjoying lots of activities to occupy their time.

Parking and security will be provided. Remember the event is on Sunday, February 7 at the Tuschen Community Centre ground.

thus far since she is learning the pros and cons of the music industry and at the same time doing what she loves.

So far, Cort has recorded three songs; two of which are calypsos – “Ansa Me” and “I Have Hope”. The other is from the “Christmas with Us” album called ‘Mama’s Wish”. The response has been great.

She has a passion for calypso, noting that it is more or less a commentary which give singers an opportunity to sing about issued affecting people in a country.

Cort is one of the young calypsonians who will be performing for the title of the Junior Calypso Monarch at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening.

Actually, she participated in the competition last year and has the experience hence; she is hoping to take the crown to both her home town and label.

The young artiste says her inspiration was and still is her late aunt who believed that she would become a singer and enter into the music industry.

Her advice to young people who want to be a part of the music industry is to grab every giving opportunity

to showcase their talent and move towards it with a positive mentally. “However, they should also listen to people with experience because the industry has its challenges,” she added.

As a young ambitious young woman, some of her major successes were acquiring excellent grades at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and being a finalist at both the Cellink Kid Stage and the Gtt Jingle and Song competitions.

Apart from singing, she enjoys cooking and interacting with the children within her community. On a lighter note, her favourite colour is pink and loves to eat dhall and rice with salted fish.

guyanatimesgy.com

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friDAY, february 5, 2016

Bob Marley

Charmaine Blackman

ll preparations are in place at the Pegasus poolside for the musical extravaganza to usher in the birth anniversary of music legend, Bob Marley while at the same time highlighting 50 years of Guyanese music.

Under the ‘Reggae Fever’ banner, the music event will see performances by the veteran Yoruba Singers, Royal Band, Charmaine Blackman, Prince Ally and many others.

The event kicks off at 19:00h with tickets

available at the Pegasus Front Desk at a cost of $2000.

The programme will be officiated by Ras Leon Saul who will also perform a rendition of one of Bob Marley’s songs. Music for the event will be provided by Sparta Sound.

“Reggae Fever” has been endorsed by Golden Jubilee Commemoration Committee and is just a taste of what is to come for the nation’s 50th independence anniversary in May.

T

he Hits and Jams family has introduced a new feature on their calendar of events titled “Bottle and Lime” which will be held on the last Sunday of every month. The first was held on January 31 which saw an overwhelming response.

The event will encourage you and your friends to bring a bottle or bottles and lime on the beach.

The lime starts from 12:00h and admission is only $1000. There’s no limit to how

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many bottles patrons can bring.

Please be advised that no coolers, buckets, chaser or ice will be allowed to enter HJ Water World, as well as no food, firearms and sharp objects. The Rock Restaurant will be fully stocked with everything you may need.

Keep it locked to Boom Radio Station and HJTV for more details on what you can expect on Bottle and Lime Sundays.

Peters Hall Hindu Temple

eters Hall, a small village located approximately 6.4 kilometers South of the capital city, lies between Providence and Bagotstown on the East Bank of Demerara. Small yet populated, this village comprises persons from several ethnic groups and from all age groups. The average day for the people of this community is a busy one. Housewives spend a busy day cooking and cleaning for their families while most men are selfemployed.

Children in the community spend weekends playing a good game of cricket in the streets or spend time with their friends. People in this community live in unity.

Demerara Harbour Bridge

Peters Hall Mosque

Guyana Water Authority

Peters Hall Primary School

The community

Small, yet independent, the community comprises of several streets, with houses of different styles and several business entities. One of the oldest buildings houses the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the community, located on the eastern side of the main road, while the 6074 foot floating Demerara Harbour Bridge is located on the western side of the road. The Guyana Water Authority office can be found a few doors away.

The popular A to Z pharmacy along with Anand Dental Lab and Clinic are in close proximity, on the western side of the main road.

The primary school is located in the middle of the

Eccles/ Ramsburg NDC

village. Villagers have easy access to several mini super marts in the community which sell almost every item needed. Residents and passersby readily stop at fast food snackettes in the village to purchase delicacies of their choice. After a good catch, fish vendors ride through the streets on bicycles blowing seashells to alert villagers of their presence.

Religious life

Religion plays an important part in the lives of residents in the community. Hindu life is highly appreciated by residents, as most attend the Peters Hall Mandir. Muslims in the community attend the Peters Hall Mosque while a smaller group makes up the Christian faith.

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friday, February 5, 2016

CPL unwavering on player education

By Avenash Ramzan

“M

assively important” is how Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (Hero CPL), Pete Russell, has described the need to be watchful with regards to the issue of matchfixing and spot-fixing in the league.

Russell, during an exclusive interview with this news entity this week, revealed that CPL has invested heavily through the AntiCorruption and Security

Unit (ACSU) to ensure the tournament maintains a high level of “integrity.”

His comment on the issue was sought following the inclusion of the Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir in the Player Draft slated for February 11 in Barbados.

Now cleared to play again, the three players were banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for spot-fixing in 2010.

“It’s massively important to us [avoiding match-fixing and spot-fixing]. I mean we

spend a huge amount of money with ACSU, which is the ICC’s anti-corruption unit.

Now that part of our tournament is something that we spend a lot of long hours discussing because integrity is everything in sport.

“You see now the problems that tennis has now had, cricket is well documented. So for us, it’s absolutely vital,” Russell explained.

The COO further stated that CPL will continue to play its part in ensuring players are properly educat-

ed and informed on what is required of them, and to recognise situations that could potentially compromise the integrity of the game.

“It’s about education...education with the players. Our point is that it doesn’t matter how much the players heard the discussion and the points the ACSU make, they have to hear them again...it has to get through because it’s a very real issue,” he stressed.

Russell continued, “As for the players entering the draft, at the end of the day the ICC has given them their

bans and they’re now clear again to play cricket, and we can’t ban them from entering the draft. It’s up to the teams whether they select them.

Will they select them? Let’s see; but for them entering the draft we have no problem with that.”

In 2010, Butt, Asif and Amir were charged for taking illegal money in return for arranging deliberate noballs during the Lord’s Test against England.

In February 2011, the ICC banned all three players- Butts for 10 years, five of

which were suspended, Asif for seven years, two of which were suspended, and Amir for five years.

Their bans were lifted in September 2015, and they have since featured in Pakistan domestic competitions.

Of the three, only Amir has returned to the national side.

The Pakistan Super League started on Thursday, and again only Amir was selected.

Amir and Asif are fast bowlers, while Butt is an opening batsman. Meanwhile, CPL 2016 will be held from June 29 to August 7.

Former Windies pacer praises WI U-19s “game awareness” F

ormer Trinidad and Tobago, and West Indies, fast bowler Tony Gray has thrown his support towards the West Indies Under-19 team, after their ‘controversial’ tworun win over Zimbabwe in their ICC (International Cricket Council) Under-19 World Cup Group C game at Chittagong, Bangladesh yesterday.

Pace bowler Kemo Paul, with the first ball of the final over (Zimbabwe were on 224/9 pursuing a target of 227) did not deliver but, instead, was aware of the Mankad rule (running out a batsman who is backing up) and broke the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Richard Ngarava’s bat was on the line and, he was ruled out upon review from the television umpire Tim Robinson.

The Mankad rule, which was named after Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad, was brought back into the ICC Playing Conditions in 2011, and it states, “the bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing, to attempt to run out the non-striker.

Gray, during a telephone interview yesterday, remarked, “It’s unfortunate that they criticise young men who are adhering to the laws of the game. The laws of the game must come in to play.

That rule has been reviewed recently and (the ICC) allowed it to be a part of the international game.” He added, “(Paul) was only adhering to the laws of the game and I must compliment him on being aware, first of all, of the rules and then being in the moment and aware of what’s

nick balls behind and mark their crease, I have seen guys pick up catches and claim them.” On the flip side, ex-New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming post-

ed, “this is not a good look, absolutely disgraceful behaviour”, England’s One Day International (ODI) and T20 skipper Eoin Morgan tweeted, “disgraceful behaviour

in the U19 CWC. WI should be embarrassed!!” and former Australia cricketer Tom Moody commented, “saddened to see that winning . comes down to this!”

(Windies Cricket)

Letter to the Sports Editor Tony Gray

going on out there.

So there was game awareness.

“If international commentators want to criticise Under-19 players for adhering and embracing the laws of the game, I will have a serious problem with that and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) should make mention and be supportive of the young man in this case.”

Dismissals like these are rare and they do raise debate about the spirit of the game.

Gray related an incident involving his fast bowling teammate Courtney Walsh and number 11 batsman Saleem Jaffar during a 1987 World Cup meeting between the West Indies and hosts Pakistan in Lahore.

“I witnessed Walsh allowing (Jaffar) to (return) to his crease, and he was far down the wicket. He had an opportunity to run him out and he didn’t.” Gray continued, “(Walsh) was offered a diamond ring at an award function but we lost that game and we didn’t do too well in that World Cup. I think it’s unfortunate that if you have laws of the game and (the youngsters) adhere to the laws of the game, we cannot criticise them.” Gray’s

Kemo Paul

ex-TT and WI fast bowling partner Ian Bishop was one of the commentators of the game, which was aired live on ESPN. In a post-game debate involving himself and former pacers Dominic Cork (England) and Mpumelelo “Pommie” Mbangwa (Zimbabwe), and Bishop said, “it’s probably not something I would have done but I have to leave all the emotions aside.

Bishop further stated, “it is in the law books and people talk about the spirit of the game. A batsman backing up a couple of feet down the track, off the last ball, to win the game. Is that within the spirit of the game? If the law is there, that was within the law.” On social media network Twitter, the issue sparked heated debate, involving a number of present and past international cricketers.

TT and West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard wrote, “what’s all the fuss.... that’s why there are rules and regulations! Well done guys.

Some may agree some may not!!” while ex-Windies fast bowler Tino Best posted, “I have seen guys

Bunbury pleased with visit to Guyana

Dear Guyanese in Guyana and the diaspora, I have never been more proud to be Guyanese than I am today, a mere few weeks removed from my two week, homecoming tour of our native land.

The outpouring of love and support from my country men, women, girls and boys was overwhelming and humbling.

As my team and I travelled across the country, conducting good will youth football clinics and engaging fellow Guyanese in the public and private sectors, I was struck not only by the beauty, passion and intelligence of our people, but also by the tremendous potential of our small nation to be great.

The pursuit of greatness requires courage, resources, persistence and leadership. As the founder and principal of the Alex Bunbury Sports, Academics & Resorts Academies (ABSAA), I am committed to leading and executing ABSAA’s bold vision to become a respected leader in building and managing iconic, eco-friendly, state-ofthe-art ABSAA facilities in underserved regions of the world, starting with our beautiful native land of Guyana. ABSAAGuyana will comprise a landmark site and 2 to 5 satellite sites, constructed in phases

over a 5 to 12 year period at a total estimated cost of USD $120 million. ABSAA-Guyana is projected to create a minimum of 4000 new jobs for Guyanese.

ABSAA-Guyana will educate and empower our young Guyanese boys and girls to be productive, caring and innovative citizens in the game of life.

ABSAA Guyana will be the premiere destination for tourists and professional athletes, as well as sports, entertainment, and business events.

ABSAA-Guyana will undoubtedly help make Guyana great! I would like to emphasize that ABSAA-Guyana cannot succeed without the support of Guyanese and the government of Guyana. I would also like to emphasize that the ABSAA-Guyana financial model requires no financial investment from the government of Guyana; only an official written approval and co-signature.

I have presented the ABSAA-Guyana concept binder and architectural renderings to the government of Guyana for review. I have also requested a written letter of agreement in principle of the ABSAA-Guyana project concept (as outlined in the binder) from the government.

Upon receipt of this agree-

ment in principle, ABSAA will hire a team of experienced business consultants to conduct extensive project-related research in Guyana in collaboration with local stakeholders, and complete a comprehensive business plan in three (3) months.

The ABSAA-Guyana business plan will include a feasibility study and both will be presented to the government of Guyana for review, negotiation, final approval and co-signature.

Assuming the timely achievement of these benchmarks, my team and I hope to break ground on the iconic ABSAA Guyana facilities by February, 2017.

Finally, I would like to apologize to the people and government of Guyana for an erroneous report published a few days ago in the Orlando Sentinel and subsequently in the local news, which falsely stated that the government had agreed to finance the ABSAA project to the tune of USD $300 million. This report has since been retracted and the retraction has been published in both the Orlando Sentinel and Guyanese media.

Let us all work together by God’s grace to make Guyana great, Alex Bunbury

SPORTS

YELLOW PAGES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY5, 2016

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ICC anounces review of 2014 restructuring T he ICC has announced it will carry out a complete constitutional review of the changes brought about by the “Big Three” takeover in 2014. Moves have already begun to dismantle the system of governance proposed by the BCCI, ECB and CA two years ago, with confirmation of the expected change to make the ICC chairman an independent position.

The outcomes from the ICC board meeting on Wednesday also included removing permanent positions for India, England and Australia on the Executive Committee and the Financial & Commercial Affairs Committee - the ICC’s two most powerful forums.

In a statement, the ICC said the board had “agreed to carry out a complete review of the 2014 resolutions and constitutional changes with a view to establishing governance, finance, corporate and cricketing structures that are appropriate and effective for the strategic role and function of the ICC and all of its members”.

Shashank Manohar, the BCCI president who is also currently serving as ICC chairman, signalled his intention to roll back the changes overseen by his predecessor N Srinivasan in an interview last year, when he referred to “the three major countries bullying the ICC”. Manohar will now head the five-man steering group set up to conduct the review, with an aim of putting forward recommendations at the ICC’s annual conference in June.

Alongside Manohar on the steering group will be ECB president Giles Clarke, in his role as chairman of the F&CA Committee. Clarke was one of the architects of the ICC revamp - which resulted in a greater share of revenue for the three main boards - and had been expected to

Shashank Manohar

run for the position of chairman. The rest of the group will comprise heads of the ICC’s Governance Review Committee, Executive Committee and Associate/ Affiliate Member group: Nazmul Hassan, David Peever and Imran Khawaja respectively.

The introduction of an independent chairman was intended to “avoid any potential conflicts of interest and to follow best practice principles of good governance”. The ICC’s next chairman, to be elected later this year, will no longer be able to hold a position on their home board, as Srinivasan and subsequently Manohar did.

Candidates to succeed Manohar must have served as an ICC director.

The chairman will be able to serve for a maximum of three two-year terms.

Manohar said the board had agreed on a need for greater transparency and would reinstate the practice of Full Member boards presenting their audited accounts to the ICC on an annual basis. Three of the board’s four annual meetings will now take place outside of the UAE, where the ICC is headquartered, with the Annual Conference set to be held in Edinburgh from June 27 to July 2.

“We had very purposeful and positive meetings, and the decisions taken clearly

reflect that we collectively want to improve the governance in a transparent manner, not only of the ICC but also the Member Boards,” Manohar said. “This, in turn, will enhance the image and quality of the sport.

No Member of the ICC is bigger than the other and I am determined to make a meaningful contribution in this regard with support of all the Members.”

Other areas addressed during the board meeting in Dubai included an update on the cricket’s potential viability as an Olympic sport, which concluded that further work was required; and the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Oversight Group, which includes former India batsman Rahul Dravid, to annually review strategies to fight corruption.

The ICC has also reinstated Sri Lanka Cricket’s full membership. SLC had been stripped of its voting rights at the ICC table in April last year, when the ICC took a dim view of a politically appointed board in Sri Lanka. That board was dissolved and elections held early in January. The ICC also said “SLC is now entitled to full funding”, after having kept payments due to SLC in escrow last year.

The USA Cricket Association remains suspended, although the ICC has approved development and high-performance projects for 2016, to be funded from a “special projects” budget.

A change has been made to the qualification process for the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, with the highest-placed Associate team from the ongoing tournament in Bangladesh being given an automatic spot, alongside the ten-Test playing nations. The remaining five sides will qualify through the regional qualifying tournaments. (Cricinfo)

UDFA Division-1 to resume Sunday T

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he Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Division One League championship is set to resume after one month when the points’ leaders Topp XX take on the might of the GT Beer year end championship Federal Winners Connection in the second game of a double header at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

That match-up between Topp XX and Winners Connection is set for 20:30h but will be preceded

by Eagles United against Milerock from 18:30h.

Topp XX will enter the game as the points’ leaders having secured 10 points thus far as against Winners Connection who are third on seven points;

a position they share with Milerock.

The Milerock team will face Eagles United who have four points to be at the bottom of the table along with Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Blueberry Hill and Net Rockers.

Silver Shattas are second in the points’ standings with nine points while

Botafago have six points to be in fourth spot and Hi Stars follow on five points.

There will also be action in the league next Wednesday with two more matches are set for the MSC ground with Blueberry Hill and Hi Stars clashing in the first game and the other is between Net Rockers and Amelia’s Ward Panthers.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

GCB/BANKS DIH/DIGICEL NSSCL

Chase Academy trounce Charlestown Secondary

C

hase Academy led by Dwayne Dick’s mesmerising spell of bowling trounced Charlestown Secondary by 10 wickets while Legaun Secondary, Annandale Secondary and Skeldon Line Path Secondary also recorded comfortable victories when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored

by Banks DIH Ltd’s Coco Cola and Rainforest Water along with Digicel continued across the country.

At Everest, Chase Academy blew away Charlestown Secondary behind Dick’s superb figures of 6/8 off six enthralling overs.

Batting first, Charlestown Secondary made a paltry 52 in 16.5 overs.

Chase Academy, who needed to get 53 for victory in as little overs as possible to help boost their net run rate, did so by rocketing to 55 in just 5.5 overs behind West Indies Under-15 selectee Joshua Persaud’s swashbuckling 44 not out which came off only 16 balls.

This margin of victory helped Chase Academy to finish with a net run rate of -0.338 which was enough to top the three-team Georgetown Zone after they along with St Joseph’s High and Charlestown Secondary all finished with one win and one lost after two games each.

St Joseph’s High finished second with a net run rate of -0.856 while Charlestown Secondary was third with a net run rate of -1.581. This means that Chase Academy would now progress to the next stage of the competition.

Over at Parika, Legaun Secondary eased past Parika Salem Secondary by seven wickets. Parika Salem Secondary was asked to take first strike but could only put up 83 runs on the board before they were dismissed in the 17th over. The only batsman to offer any resistance was Wazim Mohamed who made 25 Bowling for Legaun Secondary, Junior Bezindre claimed 4/13, Mark Rankin had 3/17 and Malcolm Caesars took 2/14.

In reply, Leguan Secondary got to their target in 14.1 overs while only losing four wickets in the process.

Mark Rankin made 27 not out. Bowling for Parika Salem Secondary, Wazim Mohamed had 3/19.

At Enterprise, Annandale Secondary got the better of Hope Secondary by five wickets in their Inter-Zone clash.

Batting first, Hope Secondary, who is the Mahaica Zone champions, was bowled out for 101 in 25.3 overs.

Denzil Wilson made 22 not out. Bowling for Annandale Secondary; Tyrese Assanah bagged 4/21, Chandrapaul Ramraj had 3/14 and Ayube

Sammy took 2/24.

Annandale Secondary in reply finished on 102/5 in 18 overs. Saif Samaroo hit 24 and Mike Persaud made 20.

Bowling for Hope Secondary; Gopaul Applesammy took 3/32.

Meanwhile, at Skeldon Community Centre ground, Skeldon Line Path Secondary defeated Tagore Memorial Secondary by 41 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, Skeldon Line Path Secondary made 158 all out off 26.3 overs.

Alex Burnette top scored with 24. Bowling for Tagore Memorial Secondary; Mukesh Shivpersaud had 4/44 while Alex February claimed 3-14 and Andy Rohoman took 2/24.

Tagore Memorial Secondary in reply fell short of their target managing only 117 all out in 26 overs.

Alex February was again among the runs as he made 46. Bowling for Skeldon Line Path Secondary, Afseer Hussain was the pick of the bowlers with 3/21 while Navin Chatterpaul took 3/27.

The competition continues today when Chase Academy takes on Annandale Secondary in a GeorgetownEast Coast Demerara InterZone clash at Everest ground.

In the Essequibo Zone, Leguan Secondary plays Wakeenam Zone winner, Essequibo Islands Secondary, at the Wakeenam Community Centre ground.

Guyana Jaguars 3-day practice match

Motie, Hemraj star on final day

By Akeem Greene

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eft-arm orthodox spinner, Gudakesh Motie bagged 5-57 while middle order batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj made 54 to highlight the final day’s play on a rain affected Thursday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Bourda.

Bacchus XI resuming on 115-4 with Hemraj on 37 and Devendra Bishoo on 02 capitulated to 191 all out with Motie leading with his impressive five-for.

He received ample support from fellow left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul with 3-40 and fast bowler Keon Joseph with 2-35.

It was not all gloomy for Bacchus XI as Hemraj picked up his fluency from the previous day to bring up his half century but soon fell to Motie for 54 after facing 119 balls and spending 120 minutes at the crease. His knock was inclusive of five fours and two sixes.

Anthony Adams batting at number 10 made 29 and wicketkeeper/batsman Kemol Savoury made 28.

Vishaul Singh’s XI with a lead of 193 saw openers Tagnarine Chanderpaul and Rajendra Chandrika putting on 40 for the first wicket when Chandrika was

Chanderpaul Hemraj

bowled by fast bowler Raun Johnson for 29.

The incoming Kevon Boodie soon fell to Bishoo for 10, followed by Chanderpaul for a well played 35 to leave the score at 85-3.

Bishoo, who was extracting good turn and bounce was in full flow as he bowled Raymond Reifer for 11 then had Vishaul Singh (12) out leg before to a delivery he should have been playing forward to.

The pair of Permaul (11*)

and Anthony Bramble (15*) seized the fall of wickets when the play was brought to a close with the team on 130-5. Bishoo led the way with 4- 33.

Table toppers Guyana Jaguars will now turn their attention to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force when they resume play in the WICB/ Professional Cricket League (PCL) 4-day Competition at the Providence National Stadium on Friday February 12.

NAMILCO gifts Fruta Conquers traveling kit

NAMILCO makes the presentation to the top football club

N

ational Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) on Thursday handed over a set of balls and uniforms to club Secretary Daniel Thomas at the ground in Tucville.

Fruta Conquers who arguably have the largest football club in the country continues to attract major corporate support from the business community in Guyana.

Fitzroy MacLeod, Finance

Director of NAMILCO in his brief remarks spoke highly of the club as he expressed that the club has a shared vision of the company and is known for its accountability.

Affeeze Khan, Public Relations Officer of the milling company spoke of how pleased his company is to be partnering with the club and looks forward to fruitful partnership.

Club Secretary, Daniel

Thomas was most ecstatic as the equipment will go an extremely far way in helping the club and most importantly the players.

The balls and uniforms will aid the team in their participation in the Guyana Football Federation/ Stag Elite Football League which is scheduled to resume on Friday February 12 at the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) ground.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Raiders, Bulls to engage in grudge match this Saturday

BVA holds successful outreach in Orealla

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here will be no love lost on Saturday when the recent Malta Supreme Open Christmas basketball champions Half Mile Bulls take on the challenge from Retrieve Raiders for $60,000.

The gauntlet has been thrown down between the two Linden based squads.

Retrieve Raiders who have been the consistent top club in the mining town were ousted from their pedestal at the conclusion of the Malta Supreme Christmas Tournament.

The result of the tournament caused the Half Mile Bulls to be ranked as the best club Dwayne Roberts in Linden which obvihope that this time around ously does not sit well their overall game will be with the Raiders squad.

Bulls with their run and displayed and run the Bulls gun style of play will have to the ground.

The Raiders seem conthe advantage in the open fident that they can prove court because of their youth and ability to sink the three that they are the better squad especially with the ball.

However, the Raider Road to Mecca tournament have the advantage in the approaching in next month.

The grudge match will be half court especially once their versatile forward the second game of a double Dwayne Roberts is in the header set for Saturday evening at the Mackenzie hard zone.

Most fans feel that the court where action will tip Bulls have the measure of off from 19:00h with an unthe Raiders now once they der-19 match set to get the can keep Roberts out of the ball rolling. game, but the Raiders will

23

Force Eleven A won the female category

O

ver the last weekend, the Berbice V o l l e y b a l l Association (BVA) held what was described as a tremendously successful two-day outreach to Orealla, which is located 56 miles up the Corentyne River and is only accessible by watercraft.

A 56-member contingent consisting of one female team, five male teams, referees and other officials upon arriving at Orealla after embarking on the MV Anna Maria was warmly greeted by volleyball enthusiasts, among them Toshao David Henry, who, in his welcoming remarks, described the visit as historic and pledged to make the occasion an unforgettable one.

BVA President Levi Nedd in his remarks outlined the purpose of the outreach, emphasising that the BVA was there to identify new talent (male & female) at all levels (Under-15, Under-19, Under-23 & Senior) and to select three teams of female players to represent Berbice at different levels, plus update the locals on FIVB rules, offici-

ating etc.

Immediately after the speeches and introductions, the Toshao served the first ball to commence two exhibition matches.

In the first match, a combined team of OreallaSiparuta females defeated Black Birds of Corentyne, while in the second match, PMTC1 defeated a combined Orealla-Siparuta male team. Thereafter, seven female teams (six from Orealla-Siparuta) and 12 male teams (seven from Orealla-Siparuta) were engaged in a series of preliminary matches that were played on a round- robin basis in two zones and the winners and runners-up in the zones clashed to determine the semifinalists.

The female final was won

by Force Eleven A, who defeated Force Eleven B in straight sets, 15-10, 154. The male final was won

by PMTC 1, who defeated Three Doors Strikers in straight sets, 20-13, and 2007.

Exhibition matches were also played by Under-15 and Under-19 players to allow

officials to identify new talent.

At the presentation ceremony held after the matches, Nedd thanked the Toshao, council members of Orealla and Siparuta, the players, officials and the hundreds of spectators who witnessed the exciting an competitive matches. He said the outreach was a tremendous success and the BVA will endeavour to hold more coaching sessions, competitions and training for officials on a regular basis.

He also made special mention of coordinator Keshan Persaud, who was the backbone for the organising of the outreach.

As part of the outreach,

Brankley Devair; Orealla Schools- received by Neave Rankin; and Siparuta Schools - received by Shermilla Williams.

Several players also received medals and trophies for outstanding performances and they were: Veral FelixUnder-15 Male; Romalo RodriguesUnder-19 Male; Rhonda Felix of Siparuta Female; Fazeema Alpin of Reggae Female; Rachel Mc Intosh of Force Eleven Female; Karen Lowe of Falcons Female; Orpha Kalestro of Black Birds Female; Ronetta Alpen-Under-19 Female; Shaliza Edwards -Under-19 Female; and Lee EdwardsFalcons Male.

Fair Play awards were

PMTC 1 took top honours in the male competition

donations of volleyballs and nets were made to the following: Orealla Councilreceived by Sport Officer Thesius Henry; Siparuta Community-received by

presented to the following veteran players: Susan Peneux and Carmen Vandenburgh (Females) and Lloyd Peneux and David Henry (Males)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

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

Hero CPL 2016…

CPL unwavering on player education Pg 20

From left: Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt

Guyana Jaguars 3-day practice match…

Motie, Hemraj star on final day

BVA holds successful outreach in Orealla

Pg 23 Pg 22

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