Guyana Times Daily - January 4, 2016

Local Government Elections

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Issue No. 2726

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, January 4, 2016

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As crime spirals

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Mother burnt alive, son battered Page 3

- in Bath Settlement bandits rampage

URP leader accuses M&CC of discrimination

Teen robbed of iPod in P8 GPHC’s ward

Chambers of Commerce a useful P9 means of representation – Gaskin

Page 11

– Mayor Green refutes allegations

President pledges monetary support for media training

Page 11

30 killed P12 on roads in Berbice in 2015 – including 7 drivers and 13 passengers

CJIA drug busts 2015

Security forces intercepted 191.6kg of P10 cocaine Sugar CoI report

No P10 recommendation for any estate closure – GAWU

– says Government cannot function without ‘truthful’ media

...says Govt taking different position from recommendation

President David Granger flocked by members of the media at the Media Brunch hosted on the lawns of State House on Sunday

BBCI toll decrease

CommutersPage 11 enjoying reduced fares

World oil prices for steep decline in 2016 Page 2

– bondholders up in the air

– but savings still withheld from consumers

Amaila Falls Hydro saga

Page 7

Govt flipflopping continues

“This Government can’t have clarity around numbers” – Jagdeo

Region 10 P16 crafting youth programmes

2 News

monday, january 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

World oil prices for steep decline in 2016 – but savings still withheld from consumers the purchasing of cheaper fuel by government, gas prices in Guyana remained monumentally high.

With projections of another suffering year for oil producers ahead, fuel providers around the world are gearing up to further lower their prices to pass on the benefits to consumers.

In fact, oil prices are expected to hover around US$38 a barrel in February.

This would reflect a drop from US$108 in just 18 months.

US$2/gal gas

Map showing gas prices throughout the world

T

he already record-low universal prices for crude oil is expected to plummet by another 30 per cent in 2016, a devastating blow for oil producers world-

wide but a priceless opportunity for consumers around the globe who are cashing in on huge savings.

Oil prices fell by 34 per cent in 2015, battered by

prolonged global oversupply and a slowdown in energyhungry China’s economy.

Even amid the prevailingly low oil prices last year which directly resulted in

Meanwhile, though the price has significantly fallen, the decline has not helped consumers in Guyana.

As would be expected, when crude oil prices slump on the international market, government would instruct the state-owned service station Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) to appropriately

lower its prices so Guyanese could benefit.

According to reports from ABE Channel 7 News, the average national price for gas is about US$2/gallon gas - the cheapest since 2009.

According to the Guyoil website, gas is being sold at $168 per litre. This would translate to approximately $672 per gallon - almost $200 higher than the average national price.

Economic impacts

The mid-year economic report released by the Finance Ministry, shows that government has been raking in mega-revenues as a result of the lowered international oil prices and by not passing on the savings to consumers and businesses.

The report explained

that although less fuel was imported, Guyoil made a profit of $1.7 billion as opposed to a loss of $0.9 billion in the comparable half-year of 2014.

This means Guyoil took in $2.6 billion that could have ended up in the pockets of Guyanese vehicle owners. This would have been pumped into the economy in consumer spending, creating a virtuous cycle as a stimulus for other business activities.

Though the government has made an obligatory gesture towards reducing gasoline prices, as did the previous administration, the reduction is nowhere near what is justified to get the economy going, especially amid Guyana’s current economic downfall.

$M owed to GAWU, Credit Union by Sugar Corporation By: Kristen Macklingam

T

he year 2015 was deemed a ‘dismal’ one for the thousands of sugar workers throughout the country where they were denied payments of both wage/salary increases and their hard earned Annual Production Incentive (API).

This is according to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) which stated it is holding steadfast to have these outstanding issues addressed with hopes that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will negotiate and make these payments as soon as possible.

President of GAWU Komal Chand at the union’s end-of-year media briefing on Thursday stated that coupled with these issues GuySuCo still owes millions of dollars to GAWU and its Credit Union.

He stated that to date the outstanding monies from the sugar corporation are approximately $300 million, which GuySuCo is supposed to remit to the union and GAWU’s Co-operative Credit Union Society Limited.

“The state corporation, which collected the large sums of money on behalf of the Union and Credit Union, failed to deliver same. While current deductions are being paid which we appreciate, it is expected that, within the first quarter of 2016 GuySuCo would settle the payments owed to the two workers’ bodies,” Chand stated.

Lack of attention by Social Protection Ministry

Meanwhile, he explained that the service being provided by the GAWU Credit

Union encountered major difficulties during 2015 due to the “lax attention” by the Social Protection Ministry.

“As a result, the audit of the financial records of the GAWU Co-operative Credit Union Society Limited, as is required by law, was not done. Thus the Credit Union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) could not be convened. This in turn affected the disbursement of dividends and interest rebate to members of the society,” the GAWU president posited.

He went on to say that the Credit Union Society was given assurance by the relevant authorities that the long-awaited audit would have commenced sometime in December 2015.

However, until the last day of December this was not done.

“Until now, no one has turned up to commence the audit. In this season of audits, we are wondering why this is so,” Chand said.

In light of the challenges GAWU faced in 2015 and the difficulties experienced while fighting for the workers’ rights, the union is of the view that the “2015 indicators” are not promising for the future.

“The working-class clearly will have to struggle on several fronts, among which are to protect their economic gains and rights, while simultaneously demanding improvement in their lives at all levels. As the year ends, the need for working class unity, militancy and organisation looms larger than ever… These challenges and onslaughts, we feel, will roll over into 2016,” the union’s president further noted. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

news

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monday, January 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 4 – 13:30h-15:00h and Tuesday, January 5 – 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 4 – 12:25h-13:55h and Tuesday, January 5 – 13:15h-14:45h.

Mother burnt alive, son battered – in Bath Settlement bandits rampage

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light rain showers can be expected late in the morning into the early afternoon, with sunny conditions otherwise. Clear to cloudy skies 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 4.92 metres and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 12:06h and 00:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.23 metres and 2.20 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 05:33h and 18:10h reaching minimum heights of 1.03 metres and 0.99 metre respectively.

A

mother was burnt to death and her son injured while their house was set ablaze at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, as bandits created havoc along WCB, in Region 5 (MahaicaBerbice) by breaking into several homes and robbing families between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Dead is Anita Baichan, 49, of Hope, WCB. According to a police statement, Baichan perished in a fire at her home about 02:30h on Sunday set by fleeing bandits.

Reports are that two men armed with cutlasses entered Baichan’s home and held up she and her son Moshim Khan, 28, demanding cash and valuables.

This newspaper was told $250,000 was handed over but they demanded jewellery and other valuables.

Some jewellery were also handed over.

Guyana Times understand that angry of not re-

Moshim Khan

two-storey house by taking off part of the grille in the lower flat.

According to Khan the bandits woke both him and his mother and demanded money and jewellery and were given cash and jewellery.

going to leff now and get the kero and match and that they gon bun down the house and bun we up. Me hear dem gone and dem go way with me bicycle…”

Immediately afterwards the sound of fire was heard and in desperation, Khan

Upon receipt, the intruders tied both Khan and mother with duct tape.

He said that the men stayed in the house for about two-and-a-half hours before setting the house ablaze with him and his mother bound inside.

According to him, both men were masked; one carried a cutlass and the other two knives.

According to Khan, who received two chops to his face, he was forced to suck one of the bandit’s toes as they tried to punish him for not telling them how they can get more valuables.

“They tell we that they

and his mother despite being bound tried to make it out of the bedroom.

“Me end up roll down the step by me head because ah deh tie up, and the door was just four feet away so

The debris from the fire

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ceiving anything further the bandits bound the duo’s hands, feet and mouth with duct tape and set the house on fire before escaping.

Khan managed to roll out of the building but subsequent efforts with assistance from neighbours, failed to save his mother. Khan, who was struck about his body with a cutlass, has since been hospitalised.

Speaking with Guyana Times from his hospital bed at Fort Wellington Hospital, Khan recalled the horrifying incident.

He said he was asleep when the men entered the

I try come out and try rubbing the duct tape on the concrete to cut it… by the time I get loose I couldn’t do nothing; Mummy dead,” he said with tears streaming.

Neighbours told this newspaper that they saw the house on fire and called the fire service.

Khan also was burnt to his leg.

Meanwhile, this newspaper was told the men are also suspect in several robberies that night. Another house, for which the occupants are overseas was also broken into.

According to one neighbour, she heard the sound of a door being broken and peeked and saw two men trying to gain entry. “My husband at work, that was about 1:30 this morning, and I call my husband but he working till at Blairmont. Is two lil fine boys…,” the resident, who asked to remain anonymous said.

When this publication visited the nearby house, there was evidence of forced entry to the lower and upper flats. Neighbours could not say if anything was missing. However, it was ransacked.

Meanwhile, a security guard at the Waterloo Nursery School also reported that two men fitting the same description entered the school compound at about 03:00h and demanded his bicycle. The men were armed with knives and did not harm the security guard after he complied with their demands.

In another incident in the area, two men also fitting the description went into another house at Bath and broke into a storage room and stole two bicycles.

Police have confirmed that there have been other robberies in Bath Settlement over the past week.

An investigation has since been launched into the incidents.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, january 4, 2016

Views Ice sculpture extraordinaire Editor(ag): Michael Younge Tel: 225-8697, 225-6695, 225-5634, 225-8696, 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Risks must be managed for development

D

ealing with risks has always been part and parcel of the human condition. We are forced to act in a world of uncertainty about whether an event – leading to good or bad outcomes – will occur. As David Hume pointed out centuries ago, we cannot even be absolutely sure that the sun will rise tomorrow even though it has done so for eons.

We can, however, believe that there is a very high probability that it will so rise because of our experience. So we measure risks in terms of probability and if we are prudent, we make efforts to reduce the probability of unfavourable outcomes to our actions and increase the favourable ones.

Risk management has always been integrally connected with survival strategies ever since early hunters figured out it was better for them to hunt in bands. In commerce, insurance was certainly a major innovation that acted to reduce the dangers of taking risks as was the decision by Governments to allow the formation of corporations as legal “bodies”. The latter allowed risks to be taken by individuals without their personal assets being threatened. Ever since the financial meltdown of 2008 in the developed countries, “Risk Management” has taken on a higher profile since it is now accepted that the crisis was precipitated by financial firms practising extremely loose credit risk management.

While those man-made risks have brought us low, newer ones such as global warming and older risks originating from the workings of Mother Nature continue to plague us. COP21 in Paris should have reminded us that the Caribbean is one of the most disaster-prone regions of the world. The “UN Development Report 2014” had chosen the theme “Risk and Opportunity: Managing risk for Development”; things have gotten worse since then. The issue of “risk” was placed at the centre of its efforts to stimulate development in the present era of doubt and uncertainty that pervade the global recovery efforts. We hope the APNU/AFC Government will study the document carefully and heed its advice. We might never be able to know the future, but we can reduce uncertainty about it.

As the report notes, there are “the missed development opportunities that arise when necessary risks are not taken”.

“Pursuing opportunities requires taking risks, but many people, especially the poor, are often reluctant to do so, because they fear the potential negative consequences.

Failure to act can trap people in poverty, leaving them vulnerable to negative shocks and even less able to pursue opportunities that would otherwise improve their wellbeing.”

With the world becoming ever more interlinked, leaders in every sphere of activity, but especially those at the helm of states cannot remain passive in the face of burgeoning risks.

They have to change from being “crisis fighters” to becoming “proactive and systematic risk managers”. In our own Caricom, while some countries such as Guyana were able to maintain healthy rates of growth in the last six years, most of the other members headed in the opposite direction because they refused to deal with risks posed by their macroeconomic fundamentals such as debt/GDP ratios.

Even after then President Bharrat Jagdeo offered to share the experience of Guyana, he was derided as offering “begging bowl” advice. This Government has even given short shrift to the pioneering role Jagdeo played in monetising our forests to deliver an income stream to mitigate our risks from climate change.

Maybe they will now take the same advice from the UN: “Protecting hard-won development gains by building resilience to risk is essential to achieving prosperity. That is true whether one is grappling with natural disasters, pandemics, financial crises, a wave of crime at the community level, or the severe illness of a household’s chief provider. Risk can never be completely eliminated. But people and institutions can build resilience to risk by applying a balanced approach that includes structural policy measures, community-based prevention, insurance, education, training, and effective regulation.”

A depiction of Kylo Ren at the Star Wars Ice Sculpture festival in Liege, Belgium (Photoshot/Wiktor Dabkowski/Telegraph)

The healing of Guyana and the NICIL scenario

Dear Editor, We in Guyana are on the verge of celebrating our 50th independence anniversary on May 26, 2016. The current political and economic environment holds great promise for us all. We need to set our sights on strengthening our economy for the benefit of all stakeholders and sidestep the mistakes made by our political leaders over the last sixty plus years. So much time has passed since April 27, 1953 and we as a country, with our abundant resources, have not kept pace with the economic development in other lesser endowed CARICOM territories.

Our history in politics has primarily been one of division. We continue to vote on the premise of race, disregarding merit and what is best for a country with the motto of one people, one nation and one destiny. In the past, the nature of our politics dictated that half of the country were stymied while the other half prospered, regardless of who controlled the executive. For decades we have attempted to walk forward as a country with one leg amputated. Let us cease hopping, but commence walking and running as a whole, in this manner we will achieve so much more.

We are at an opportune time to begin our long-awaited recovery. Let us take the gift of the present to bandage our wounds and heal.

Politics could be the most vicious and demanding of professions; each political party has to come up with promises to motivate their supporters and expand its base in its quest for power. However, after that authority is achieved, we must remember the vital original intention is not to simply have power, and to demonize members or supporters of other political parties, but to utilize power in an inclusive manner and to provide opportunities for as many Guyanese as possible. Of course we must pinpoint the errors of the past that bled corruption into the heart of our country, of course we must take corrective action to remedy these faults, not in a persecuting manner; but with the goal to harness and wield

the talents of all our people for the greater good of Guyana, regardless of party affiliation.

There comes a time when we have to consider what is best for the country, rather than the party. The time is now. Nearly fifty years have passed since we gained independence, now we must push forward towards completing new projects and completing projects we have already started.

With the APNU+AFC coalition holding the reins of power, it is time build on the good things that have taken us to where we are now; under the leadership of the Jagans, Burnham, Hoyte, Jagdeo, Ramotar, and now President Granger. I am not recommending some utopian system, I am all for the cut and thrust of politics, which requires a strong and vibrant opposition.

The third transformative elections in British Guiana/ Guyana history by my count, took place in 2015 with the forming of a coalition government; following on transformative elections in 1964 and 1992 elections. The 2011 elections in many ways exposed the need for APNU+AFC coalition; as without executive power, the Constitution of Guyana in its present form does not sufficiently diminish the power of a minority government over the majority that voted for the opposition parties.

In our beautiful Guyana we are at a point in our history where our political leaders can truly lead in the interest and for the benefit of all Guyanese.

Once we start going downhill, especially in our race-based culture, changing course is difficult and reversing course is almost impossible. However, we are still within striking distance of moving in the right direction to achieve many of the goals that have eluded us for over fifty years. It is with these thoughts in mind that I now ask for the ongoing ill-treatment of Winston Brassington to cease. The power to do so rests squarely on the shoulders of the President of Guyana, also, it will be very helpful if leaders of the current opposition focus their ideas and criticisms on issues that will rever-

berate in a manner beneficial to all Guyanese.

I will highlight why Winston should not be pilloried and condemned; his pivotal work in multiple areas, that on balance has resulted in significant value for Guyana. Many of the projects and privatization of state assets that NICIL was involved in: saved jobs, created employment, improved services to the public, increased returns to the Treasury with a positive multiplying factor leading to significant upside in real estate value, among other benefits. Whether it was in the bauxite industry, where we now have Bosai and Rusal or the major improvement in electrical services from GPL or the completion of the Berbice Bridge or the establishment of a Marriott in Guyana or the high market value received for the sale of government shares in GT&T, GNCB and NBIC; Winston Brassington played a central and positive role.

On the broad margins, we can scrutinize projects and privatizations that together number over two hundred and find imperfections; including preferential treatment and measures that go against the grain of good governance; however, the development of a country does not occur in a pristine vacuum.

We must enjoin ourselves to the present, and focus on what we can do now that will strengthen the platform for our future goals and objectives.

Across the globe, we have had amnesties for illegal immigrants, delinquent tax payers and prisoners, I appeal to our leaders to use this year of our fiftieth independence anniversary to have truce and thereby avoid continuing down a path of retributive politics. Not to say there is no basis for punitive action, just not now, not when we have this grand opportunity to enrich our political culture.

With the PPP/C in opposition as a vibrant and wellresourced political party and APNU+AFC holding the reins of power, we are at that fork in the road where we can make the right turn to accelerate the development of our country;

with confidence in the stableness of our political and democratic culture.

Of all the leaders we have had under British Guiana/ Guyana, I believe the current President is best suited to lead the healing of the wounds we have inflicted upon each other, both within political parties and against opponents of political parties. The patience President Granger showed when in opposition, his penchant for listening and his sense of fairness and justice was evident to not only his supporters, who were at times critical, but also was evident to supporters of the then ruling party and other opposition parties.

It is a given, that senior personnel changes across the political and state apparatus should occur when a new government takes office, this is necessary, however it does not have to be adjoined with unjust tactics.

There will never be a time when a change of government occurs and the new government cannot identify cronyism and corruption by the previous political administration. What we have to build are functioning institutions and systems, within the state machinery to mitigate such misdeeds. It is important to be better than our former self with each passing day.

While identifying and correcting previous mistakes is an imperative, we must avoid confrontational politics. The current opposition also has an important role to play in this process; grandstanding should be shunned. It will only lead to toe to toe and blow for blow politics that will result in a vicious and destructive climate that will undermine our political, social and economic progress. Competitive politics is necessary for the development of our democracy and country, however there are certain ethical codes that need to be embraced, requiring all political parties to avoid tribalism politics whenever and wherever possible.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

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Victim of racial discrimination Dear Editor, The United Republican Party, formed in 1985 when the Guyanese people called upon us in North America to help bring democracy to Guyana, feels there is racism against Indians and Amerindians in Guyana.

Today the APNU-AFC coalition government is showing is true colours after breaking its campaign promise of no political and racial victimisation. People trusted this coalition for its word, but it has broken almost all of its promises. Indians and Amerindians are being fired from their jobs on account of their race. They are also having their properties confiscated and are bullied by supporters of the ruling dispensation.

As leader of the URP, I have been victimised as a

person. I note that the mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green who has been trying to do a good job to clean up the messy city, has brought back the old ways of PNC dictatorship with a vengeance of racism. The city had leased a piece of land to me on back road on Mandela Ave in Georgetown to park my construction equipment.

The lease expires in 2016 with an option of renewal as stated in the contract.

I attempted last October to pay my yearly lease (renewal) and the city refused to accept the rental money, saying they would get back to me. Some three months later, I have not heard from the city. But lo and behold, I have since learned from my neighbour (who is black and who wanted the land while it was leased to me) mock-

ing me that he has gotten the lease for the land even before the lease was up or before I ended the arrangement with the city.

I should note that my machines were still on the leased land, which I spent millions of dollars to upgrade and develop to make fit for use. The city has not even had the decency to inform me that my lease will not be renewed or that it was given to someone else of the same ethnicity of the government. This piece of land was a swamp that I developed and now it is given to a party (ethnic) supporter. It was a useless piece of land that I developed.

No APNU or even PPP supporter developed it. It probably would have remained a swamp had I not developed it. I phoned the

Mayor, and asked him what happened to my lease. His response was I had not paid my lease rental. I explained to him that I went to pay the lease rent and that his office refused to accept my payment. He promised to call me after an investigation. I am still waiting to hear from him.

He has refused to take my calls, a complete opposition when his party was not controlling the central government. I believe that because I am not aligned with the government and I am with an opposition party (URP) that has been critical of the policies of this government and that I am Indian are the reasons for taking away the lease from me.

I am calling on the governments of US, Canada, UK and India and oth-

Freddie admits to lying in his columns Dear Editor, Columnist Freddie Kissoon has admitted (once again) that he lies in his columns (about events and on other people). Thanks Freddie for your confession – it cleans the soul for the New Year.

In referring to GPL’s poor service (January 1, 2016), he writes: “… Let me be bold and call my wife as a witness (on GPL’s slow response to wire sparks).

I would not cite my wife in a situation where I am lying …”. What is the need of penning that comment unless Freddie has had a history of lying? This is a case of “mouth open and truth flies out” about Freddie’s writings. In fact, it is well known and documented by so many writers that Freddie Kissoon has had a penchant for lying on people (whom he consider smarter than him or as competitors) to destroy their reputation. Is not surprising, therefore, Freddie Kissoon has no credibility or respect among decent Guyanese. Only those who have contempt and spite for Indians cite Freddie as a source.

Freddie made reference to the social theory of dictatorship by the respected Pakistani historian, economist and sociologist Hamza Alavi. Contrary to what Freddie wrote, Alavi was not a political scientist, and at any rate, Freddie claims there is no subject called political science (a discipline that Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Ramracha and Vishnu Bisram did doctoral studies). Alavi was a Marxist in the classical sense of the term belonging in the same league as Dr and Mrs Jagan; the Jagans, and indeed social science scholars, had enormous respect for him.

Alavi was well regarded unlike Freddie who lacks cred-

ibility and integrity.

Freddie claims he (Freddie) studied history.

Then, he should know that Alavi was an economist historian. Alavi studied at the prestigious London School of Economics. He wrote on economic revolution calling on the urban and rural peasants in Pakistan and in China to come together to stage a revolution against the bourgeois class. He taught sociology as Freddie seems to think. The Alavi’s theory (overdeveloped state) Freddie makes reference to has no application to GPL. Alavi wrote about coups and military dictatorship and not how companies were run, no relevance whatsoever to GPL. Alavi was explaining why Pakistan failed to develop as a result of the role of the state and peasant and landed class. Freddie’s reference to Alavi’s theory on the overdeveloped state has no relevance and very little application to explain Guyana’s lack of development and Freddie made no effort to explain its applica-

tion to Guyana.

The theory of the overdeveloped state was constructed in response to its antithesis, namely the agrarian state – both of which retarded development. It was a theory constructed specifically on Bangladesh and Pakistan right after the 1971 civil war. The concept can be applied to Guyana if the “overdeveloped Guyanese state” can be defined and in reference to an undeveloped Guyanese (rural agrarian) state. Freddie failed to do so. It clearly shows Freddie does not comprehend what he reads and does not understand how social theories are constructed and applied to development.

And smack out of nowhere, Freddie invokes “Nietzsche’s Übermensch” (as being needed in Guyana) without explaining the concept. Freddie does not understand the theory. He should attend the classes or read the works of my doctorate supervisor, the distinguished scholar, Stanley Aronowitz under whom I

studied Nietzsche’s writings.

Instead of lying on others and misstating what he reads, why doesn’t Freddie commit to volunteering his time to help change people in Guyana the way Dr Jagan did to bring change to the country? It will be so much better than maliciously lying and maligning characters. (Don’t you think Fred?)

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

er countries to take note of what is happening in Guyana. There is a repeat of racism that took place between 1965 and 1992 when the ABC countries closed their eyes to rampant racism.

History is repeating itself. APNU is PNC under a different guise; AFC is unwittingly playing the role of UF to get back at PPP. But it is just a matter of time before it is booted out of the government. All the pre-election predictions re-

garding APNU/AFC have come to pass. The country has been deceived with exchange rather than real change. Unless people speak up against racism now, we will be victims for 28 years as happened under the PNC. So far, everything is repeating itself exactly like what happened during the early 1960s.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bandhu President, URP

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monday, january 4, 2016

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By Stacy Hawkins Adams

H

appy New Year, Parents.

Days into 2016 means most of you have likely drafted a list of resolutions or goals to enhance your life in the year to come, and I wish you well.

As we all know, however, resolutions can be hard to keep, no matter how good our intentions.

Experts say it takes a minimum of 21 days for a new routine or practice to become a habit, and reaching that milestone can be daunting, especially for goals you’ve set in regard to your role as mom or dad.

Three weeks of parenting with new boundaries, new routines or a new mindset is bound to be fraught with false starts, setbacks or strain, depending on the age and development of your children, and with everything else going on in the world around you.

But don’t fret; keep going.

Focus on the rewards your dedication will yield, and as often as you can, act as if what you desire has already come to pass.

If you want your toddler to be less aggressive with a younger sibling, for example, set a good example by practising more patience with the toddler, and praise him as

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Foundation

soon as you notice a positive shift in his actions.

If you want your preteen to do a better job of tackling chores, consider placing reminders on a wall calendar that’s visible to all, and plan how you’ll reward her at the

end of a successful month, then a successful quarter.

If you want to improve your relationship with your teen, practise listening more intently, then surprise your teen days or weeks later with some tangible evidence that

you were paying attention.

If you encounter an issue or need for which you have little to no experience in navigating, find the courage to seek answers. Since parenting doesn’t come with a guidebook, it’s really OK to

read a few, or to ask wise and trusted relatives and friends for advice, or seek out the help of trained authorities.

Parenting coaches, guidance or family counsellors, books and numerous online resources exist that can

help you manage and enjoy the exciting, yet sometimes turbulent, years that come with raising your beloved offspring.

Do whatever will help you stay the course with your goals, and when you’re tempted to

question whether it takes all of this, glance across the room or pull out a picture and permit the smiles that greet you to serve as an answer.

Your kids are worth it.

May your 2016 parenting resolutions not only include

personally specific goals you’d like to achieve as the leader or co-leader of your family, but also some timeless aspirations that can strengthen the foundation of your family for years – even generations – to come.

May you resolve to be more present in the present, so that each moment and each day spent nurturing your children hold meaning.

May you resolve to appreciate the simple conversations as well as the significant – for the seemingly inconsequential chats can serve as building blocks for the big “life talks” you’ll need or will want to have throughout your parenting journey.

May you resolve to graciously accept occasional interruptions, when your children’s enthusiasm won’t let them wait until your personal phone call has ended or you’ve finished your workrelated email. Sometimes stopping midstream is the most treasured gift you can give.

And may all that you seek to achieve this year be wrapped in love – at a level and a depth that only a parent can willingly and tirelessly give.

Believe it or not, your children will notice and will someday be very grateful. (Richmond-Times Dispatch)

By Naomi Schaefer Riley

“I

f you’re raising young men, you’ve got to learn to say no.”

That was LeVonna Anderson, the founder of a private school Ethan Couch attended, talking to D Magazine earlier this year. Couch has been more commonly known as “affluenza boy” since a shrink testified that he could not be held responsible for the 2013 killing of four people because he’s a spoiled brat.

Couch was drunk when he drove 70 miles per hour in a 45 zone, ending the lives of four young men and women who had stopped to help a woman in a disabled car on the side of the road in Texas.

The psychiatrist testified that he couldn’t comprehend the consequences of his actions because, essentially, there had never been any consequences for his actions before.

His millionaire parents, Fred and Tonya, had given him everything he wanted for his entire childhood and never punished any wrongdoing. As if to prove the point, his mother let him skip a court mandated meeting with his probation officer last week, after he was seen on video violating his probation by drinking, and took him to Mexico.

We can lament the poor decision of the judge who let Ethan off scot-free, but this is less a story about our judicial system than it is about modern parenting. Ethan is a symbol of an era when parents lost their backbone.

As early as 2006, according to divorce proceedings, Tonya apparently called Ethan her “protector” and had moved his bed into her room. The notion that your child is your friend or your equal, let alone your protector, is something only a parent in the past few decades would believe. No amount of loneliness should make you want to sacrifice your son or daughter’s childhood. You are the protector. (New York Post) To be continueD

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monday, january 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Amaila Falls Hydro saga

Govt flip-flopping continues “This Government can’t have clarity around numbers” – Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he flip-flopping by the A partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Administration over the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project continues, as the Government continues to send mixed messages on the future of what is termed the largest single Private Sector investment in Guyana’s history and a project seen as one that can significantly move Guyana in the direction of green energy.

During the 2015 Budget debate last August, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had asserted it would be “criminal” to pursue the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, as it would be too costly a venture for the Government to embark upon.

But after pressure from the Norwegian Government, which has already signalled its support for the project under Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Jordan backpedalled on his statement and declared that the coalition never abandoned the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

“I hope that it is absolutely clear that contrary to reports that we have abandoned the project; that the project has always been on the burner,” he told the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Annual Dinner in November 2015.

IDB study has not been completed, declared that the project is not feasible under its current economic model.

“I want to make it very clear that the economic model as it currently stands is not feasible as I have said all the time. We have 69 hydro sites in the country; it (Amaila) is one that is feasible; the economic model is not feasible. The Ministry of Finance has said on so many occasions that numbers that are being bandied around did not make sense.

The Government has to put in extra money to buy down the interest, there is no sponsor willing to take the

An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

He had declared that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) agreed to fund a fresh feasibility study of the project and a determination will be made based on the outcome of that study which will be completed in March 2016.

However, the Public Infrastructure Ministry, while admitting that the

risk etc,” Patterson said at a news conference.

Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo during a news conference on Friday took the Government to task over its seemingly confusing position regarding the project.

“The confusion in the Government… first its criminal from finance, then fi-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

nance saying we going to asses it back, then Trotman saying something and now we have the latest episode from the Minister of Public Works (Public Infrastructure) and this is a project that can transform Guyana,” Jagdeo said.

“If after eight months in office, this Government can’t have clarity around number,s just numbers, then what are we to expect in the future?” Jagdeo questioned.

He noted that Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson is misinformed when he stated that the project will only go ahead if there is a private investor.

“This is a Private Sector project. The entire spending of the Government will be

limited; including the US$80 million that we are getting from Norway…our own money that we earn, maximum we will spend will be US$165 million. What this will do, this will trigger an US$850 million investment, the rest of the money comes from the Private Sector, the US$700million will come from the Private Sector, not from Government and they sell power to us at half the price that it costs us to generate the power,” Jagdeo explained.

On the issue of alternative hydropower sites, Jagdeo said while there are other sites available, they do not have the capacity to provide power for the entire country.

“I said to the Minister…

Moco Moco cost us US$3 million to do half a megawatt, that’s about US$6 million for one megawatt of installed capacity, Amaila is less than US$3 million for a megawatt of installed capacity and it (Moco Moco) can’t be a based load station, that’s half a megawatt it’s not even connected to the grid. You can’t have solar as base load; you can’t have the wind now as base load.

Tumatumari is too small and is not going to be connected to the grid. The only renewable source of energy that could become a base load for GPL is Hydropower and a major hydro and this one is far advances yet you

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

are seeing the whole reverse,” he reasoned.

The Amaila Project is the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The project was expected to deliver electricity to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden.

Guyana currently relies on imported fuel oil and diesel for its electricity generation, which is both expensive and carbon-intensive.

The Amaila Hydropower plant was expected to shift Guyana’s reliance on thermal generation to renewable energy, eliminate over 90 per cent of the country’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, and provide energy production for approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s population.

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monday, january 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Education Officer’s house burglarised – accused says he went to pick mangoes

A

man who appeared in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court to answer a charge of burglary told Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus that he did not know persons lived in the house which the police caught him red handed in.

Brandis McKenzie, 47, of Ordnance Fort Lands Housing Scheme, Berbice Region 6 (East BerbiceCorentyne) is accused of entering the dwelling-house of a Region 6 Education Officer Besnetre Baboolal

at Vryman’s Ervin Housing Scheme on Christmas Eve. The guard pleaded guilty to the charge, which stated that about 17:00h on December 22, Baboolal secured her home and left everything intact and on December 24, at about 04:30h she received a phone call informing her that someone was in her house.

The police were alerted and when they arrived they saw the accused coming out through a window with a plastic bag.

Police Persecutor Phillip Sherriff told the court that the accused was caught coming out of the house with a bag containing groceries.

In court on Thursday last, McKenzie said he was in the yard picking mangoes. “I saw two men run from the house and I went into the house and saw these things on the ground.

I didn’t know people lived there. Some of the things were packed on the ground and some on the step.”

Additionally, he told the court that he went into the house through a window which he saw the men existing. “Then I realize that someone living there. So I come out of the house with nothing in my hand, just the mangoes.”

Following McKenzie’s story, Magistrate IsaacsMarcus said she was forced to enter a not guilty plea and as such set bail at $50,000.

The case will continue on January 11.

Linden escapee died from fractured skull – PM

A

post-mortem on murder accused and Mackenzie Police Station lockups escapee Robin Thomas, 22, also known as Harry has revealed he died from a fractured skull, consistent with blunt force trauma to the head.

This was revealed by E Division Commander Calvin Brutus.

Thomas’s body was found “floating” on December 9, 2015 in the Demerara River in the vicinity of the West Watooka shore, Wismar, Linden, just two days after escaping the station lockups.

According to information the body of Thomas, whose last known address was Lot 120 West Front Road, La Penitence, Georgetown was positively identified

by Linden Police by his fingerprints on Monday.

Investigators believe he was lashed on the head and thrown overboard. Brutus said fingerprints were taken and Thomas was positively identified through record database.

He had escaped along with Stafrai Alexander, 32, also known as Anthony Williams of 130 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown who remains at

large.

The two were suspects held in relation to the murder and robbery of Linden businesswoman Shevon Gordon, 45, on April 4 at her Block 22, Wismar home.

The duo had managed to escape from lawful custody where they were being held overnight. According to information reaching this newspaper, both of the accused had arrived at the Mackenzie Police Station on December 7 and were due to appear before magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on December 8 for the continuation of their trial.

The two are believed to have escaped after drilling a hole inside the concrete walls within the lockups.

Gordon the businesswoman who operated a beverage stand at the LindenGeorgetown minibus park, was gunned down outside her home as she was about to enter with her husband and son.

She was shot dead after one of two men opened fire after they were met with resistance to their robbery. Gordon subsequently died at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) where she was admitted.

Teen robbed of iPod in GPHC’s ward

A

mother is now debating the safety of her son after he was relieved of his iPod at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Saturday.

According to the mother, Shubana Tulsieram, her son who is a patient was robbed and threatened by a man who posed as a friend of the nurses in the hospital.

Tulsieram told this publication her son, 14, related that a man went into his room and told him the nurses had sent to inform him they would come shortly to administer morphine.

However, instead of leaving the room after delivering the message, the man remained by the teen’s bedside asking to borrow soap.

He then bombarded the teen to lend him his Ipod so that he could play a game.

The teen refused to loan his IPod and subsequently the unknown man proceeded to place a scissors to his neck and demanded the gadget or he get hurt.

“My son said that man put the scissors to his neck and said if you raise an alarm I will stab you up. My son couldn’t fight

the man or tell him no,” Tulsieram commented.

Scared for his life, the young man who suffers from nephrotic syndrome had no alternative but to give up the gadget to the thief who presumably then made his way out of the building.

Tulsieram expressed her discomfort towards the situation and at how easy it was to gain access to her son’s room.

“I could’ve lost my child.

The situation could’ve been worst; my son could’ve gotten stabbed. This place is not safe” the mother remarked.

What is more absurd is that the nurses, doctors and security were all unaware of what was transpiring in the teen’s room.

Tulsieram had expected the staff to be more vigilant so as to prevent incidents as such from occurring.

“I don’t know how they allowed that man to go upstairs, I came for visiting time and I had to wait until 11am. I heard that the man told the security that he was going upstairs to see a friend,” Tulsieram argued.

The matter was reported to the hospital’s outpost, and it has been confirmed that the man was an ex-employee of the hospital and is known by the nurses and security.

Tulsieram reported that she was told by the supervisor that the matter is currently being investigated by the police.

“They told me they are looking into the matter.

One nurse is familiar with the man but she is not on duty today.”

Both mother and son are peeved about the situation which they believe could have been avoided had there been more security measure in place to safeguard the patients.

Eyew tness Swooping…

I …and guilt

n the new year, it appears that “guilt by innuendo” has been taken to a new low: “guilt by swooping”. Promising to “bring to justice” various and sundry members of the PPP for all sorts of crimes and malfeasances while they were in office, the APNU/AFC coalition launched dozens of audits to “find the evidence”.

Now you’d think after years of hurling these accusations and “calling all sorts of names” in the gutter press, getting the evidence – including smoking guns – would be a cinch.

Well, seven months and $133 million later (and counting), Guyana’s no closer to nailing even a solitary “evildoer”.

But we certainly have had a field day with slandering reputations – with more dirt thrown at PPP people by the Chronic and the Muckraker than it took to construct the Hope Canal.

In the one “audit” where some details percolated into the public realm – NICIL – the manner in which this occurred revealed more about the vendetta behind these actions than the perpetrators thought it would. Firstly, if the audit were on the up-and-up, why did the auditor have to be leaking info on a daily basis about an ongoing inquiry? He now denies this, but did the cat get his tongue before?

Then came the leak of the entire “audit” – which it turned out, didn’t even take into account the riposte by the man who was being haunted and hounded for years – NICIL’s CEO Brassington. Even those cowards in pointed white caps who lynched folks in the American South for years allowed the latter to utter some “last words”.

But unable to find even a shred of evidence of the ”wrongdoings” that were trumpeted about for so long, the hunters ended 2015 and begun the new one with “swooping” on the offices of officers of the Administration’s autonomous agencies in the middle of the night. The implication is clear – the accused haven’t only been committing crimes for years, but they’ve been cleverly hiding the evidence!

Hence the need to “swoop” and locate the “scoop” before they’re removed from the premises. But have you even heard of anything more ludicrous or stupid? If someone was clever enough to hide evidence from a fella who swears up and down the breadth of the land he’s the best auditor God (or the auditing profession) ever created – why would they leave the said evidence lying around and needing to be snucked out at night?

But we know all of this has nothing to do with “evidence” or – God forbid! – “due process”, don’t we?

What it has to do with is pandering to the baser instincts of our citizenry who’re easier persuaded of “malfeasances” than rectitude.

But “time longer than twine”, isn’t it?

…and demon liquor

This Eyewitness finds no joy in saying “I told you so” to Ramjattan, the man in charge of administering the law on “rum drinking”. OK…We all know he should be ashamed of himself for justifying his 2am curfew on bars serving liquor as necessary for “lowering the crime rate”. What a dope!

But everyone also knows Guyanese drink too much… and appreciated that at last the authorities were insisting that a law on the books for a hundred years be observed.

They’d hoped “noise nuisance” – the cause of “noise induced hearing loss” (NIHL) – would be next.

But showing all the fortitude of a wet noodle, Ramjattan issued a proclamation that it was “Rum till I die” for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. And “Rum till I die” it was…four and counting.

All young men, who’d been assured by the Minister of National Security that in this period it was OK to drink to stupefaction.

And let the chips (and chops) fall where they may.

…and double standards

What reason could the Government possibly offer for keeping its newly-appointed CEO on the job after such damning evidence of possible malfeasance?

Increasing blackouts?

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

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monday, january 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Chambers of Commerce a useful means of representation – Gaskin

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

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usiness Minister Dominic Gaskin has said a functional Chamber of Commerce is a useful means of representation for any region to move forward with its economic challenges.

Gaskin made this declaration during a recent meeting with the business community in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). He was at the time responding to a question by popular businessman and AFC Councillor Samad Baksh about the functions of the Chamber of Commerce in the Region. The businessman who is part-owner of Imam Bacchus and Sons Limited said he cannot recall the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce doing anything for the business community in the past; and questioned if there is such Chamber in the Region.

Gaskin in responding said once there is a strong representation from a particular commerce chamber then that region can be progressive; pleading with

the business sector to resuscitate the “Essequibo Chamber of Commerce”. “ The Chamber of Commerce is a strong tool of representation once the right people are elected to serve, they can advocate for things to jump start the economy once it’s a strong body” Gaskin noted.

He further explained that there are a lot of benefits that chambers can bring to a region especially to the business community. As such he encouraged businesspersons from the community to revive the chamber in an effort to take the economy forward.

The chamber in the region has been inactive for several years.

At the meeting Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt also called for a functional chamber; one that will advocate for progress in the economy.

Ramdatt said he strongly believes that if there is a body to represent the plight and interest of the people in Region Two then the region can move forward.

At the moment the economy in the Region is very slow mainly because the rice farmers were not given a fair price from millers so this is having a negative effect on the economy.

Many vendors from Charity and Anna Regina markets had complained bitterly during the Christmas season of slow business. They contended that there are more sellers than buyers and persons were not shopping.

Vendors are fearful of having stocks remaining on their shelves after the New Year due to slow sales. Vendors related that 2015 has been the most challenging year for them in terms of sales.

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monday, january 4, 2016

News Sugar CoI report

CJIA drug busts 2015

Security forces intercepted No recommendation for any estate closure – GAWU 191.6kg of cocaine ...says Govt taking different position from recommendation T he Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Corporation has disclosed that 2015 saw the interception of 191.6 kilograms of cocaine at the airport.

According to CJIA Commercial and Administrative Manager Dursatty Doodnauth, this quantity represents an increase in the amount of drugs detected for the corresponding period in 2014, which totalled 185 kilograms.

She was addressing journalists during a media conference at the time. The most prevalent methods recorded in these instances included trafficking in checked luggage, including carry-ons and false sides, ingestion and in the packaging of milk and food items.

According to Doodnauth, these interceptions were due to heightened security measures put in place at the airport.

“During 2015, a number of audits and inspections were conducted. Amongst them were visits from the Transportation Security

By Kristen Macklingam

I CJIA disclosed that security forces had intercepted a total of 191.6 kilograms of cocaine at the airport in 2015

Administration (TSA) in January 2015 and Transport Canada from March 30 to April 2, 2015. During TSA’s visit, a few areas were identified in CJIA for improvement and these were subsequently rectified while, during Transport Canada’s visit, a team audited the security protocols of the various air carriers which ply the Guyana – Canada route as well as the passenger and luggage screening procedures of CJIA,” the manager stated.

It was further related that Transport Canada was satisfied with the security measures implemented.

One of the measures in-

cluded the addition of the Aviation Security Division ranks, which took the staff count up to 75 at the beginning of the year, inclusive of supervisory staff.

Additionally, it was divulged that current staffing stands at 84 employees and these ranks comprise of approximately 80 per cent airport security, who work along with the special constabulary officers at key areas such as screening points.

It was also revealed that investments were made in a number of areas, including narcotics X-Ray emergency; security awareness training; self-defence training, and screeners training.

n light of the Government announcing that there will be a merging of the Wales and Uitvlugt Sugar Estates, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has maintained that such a statement implies that one of the two factories is to be closed.

GAWU President Komal Chand on Thursday posited that the recent declaration made by State Minister Joseph Harmon about sugar canes from the Wales Estate being ground at the Uitvlugt Estate gave the impression that the Wales Sugar Factory would be closed.

According to Chand, after reviewing and examining the “high-cost” sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report, the Union has found that no such recommendation had been included in the voluminous report.

In fact, to the contrary, the CoI requested a study be done regarding the operation of the two West Demerara Estates, he said.

“I think I recognise among the recommendations that no estate will be closed, but Minister Harmon did mention…the canes would all be taken to Uitvlugt. So here you have a recommendation that no estate would be closed. We consider an estate as a factory and the cane lands.

Here you saw that they have taken a different position from the recommendation,” Chand posited.

The GAWU President reminded that in 1978

GAWU President Komal Chand

when the Versailles, West Coast Demerara Sugar Factory was closed, many workers lost their jobs, their only source of income.

“The then Administrative Manager, who presently functions in a “prominent position” on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board, assured the cultivation workers of Versailles and Schoonord Estate that the canes would be transported via the newly dug waterway linking Versailles and Leonora estates. That waterway never served its purpose, and all the workers lost their jobs at the Vieira-owned estate,” he recalled.

With regard to the present-day situation, it was pointed out that to pursue the closure of the Wales factory without an objective study is fraught with “risks”, two obvious ones being the “threat of ruin to scores of cane farmers”, and the loss of field and factory jobs.

Chand added that the

Union would “have to get the definite position of the Government on all these matters”.

Meanwhile, in relation to the release of the sugar CoI report, GAWU has been able to glean that privatisation and lease of cane lands have been prominently expressed.

“Similar recommendations have been made before. That direction holds the promise of many troubles, especially for the workers, and even for our economy. GAWU reiterates its objection to this approach,” the Union’s President stated.

Guyana Times understands that GAWU in its presentation to the Commission had pointed out that the country has already passed through the era where privatisation was existent.

“For the workers, that era was painful, bloody, brutal and ruthless, and the industry gave us several martyrs out of the many struggles that took place.

We do not need to go back to that time. We have come a long way with sugar, and it is an integral part of our country’s history,” GAWU said.

According to Chand, the Union is confident that the sugar industry can rise again from its present difficulties without having to be “sold off”.

“Indeed, if private owners can make it a success, why can’t the State owners do likewise? It is a part of strengthening our economic independence.” (kristenm@guyanatimesgy. com)

Alleged rum thieves remanded

T

hree juveniles have been remanded for breaking and entering a New Amsterdam home and stealing a quantity of foreign liquor.

The trio of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, along with an adult are accused of breaking into the home Devon Campbell of Lot 47 Stanleytown, NA, between December 26 and 27 and stealing three bottles of rum, one pair of slippers, and one bottle perfume all being the property of Campbell and all totalling $213,000.

The juveniles along

with Jim Shultz, 29, of Lot 46 Stanleytown, were refused bail when they appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

According to Police Persecutor Phillip Sherriff, the teenagers and Campbell are related.

On the day in question after Campbell secured his home and went out, they broke in, stole the articles, and then sold them.

Shultz, the court was told, did not break into the house but was approached

by the youths who gave him one of the rums to sell.

Shultz told the court he sold the rum and handed the money over to the teenagers.

According to Sherriff, all four are also suspects in two other break-in matters which the police are investigating.

He requested that they be remanded pending the investigation into the other matters.

They were all remanded to prison.

The case will continue on January 18.

monday, january 4, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

President pledges monetary URP leader accuses M&CC of support for media training – says Government cannot function discrimination without ‘truthful’ media

– Mayor Green refutes allegations

URP President Vishnu Bandhu

L

eader of the United Republican Party (URP) Vishnu Bhandu is accusing the Mayor and City Council of discrimination.

In a statement, the URP leader stated that the Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, “who has been trying to do a good job to clean up the messy city, has brought back the old ways of PNC dictatorship with a vengeance of racism”.

Bandhu’s allegations come in light of a lease for a piece of land from the city which has not been renewed and was reportedly given to someone else. The land is said to be located on “backroad” of Mandela Avenue and is used to park Bandhu’s construction equipment.

According to the party leader, the lease for the land will expire this year and states as an imbedded clause that there is an op-

tion of renewal. However, according to Bandhu in October 2015, he attempted to pay his yearly lease, but the city refused to accept his money, citing they would make contact with him at a later date.

He is claiming that now, three months after not hearing from the city, he has learnt that the land was being leased to his neighbour, who had always wanted the piece of land.

The URP president stated that he was never informed by the city that his lease would not be renewed.

Bandhu further stated: “This piece of land was a swamp that I developed and now it is given to a party supporter. No APNU or even PPP supporter developed it.

It probably would have remained a swamp had I not developed it”.

Bandhu revealed that he has since made contact with Mayor Hamilton Green to enquire about the reason for him losing his lease and he was told that he had not paid his lease rental, so the land was taken away.

“I explained to him that I went to pay the lease rent and that his office refused to accept my payment,” Bandhu said and was told by the Mayor that an investigation into the matter will be launched.

The party leader further alleged: “I believe that because I am not aligned with the government and I am with an opposition party (URP) that has been critical

A section of the media on Sunday with President David Granger on the lawns of State House at the media brunch Mayor Hamilton Green

of the policies of this government and that I am Indian are the reasons for taking away the lease from me.”

However, Mayor Green on Sunday during a telephone interview told Guyana Times that Bandhu’s allegations of discrimination from him and the council is “complete absurdity”. The mayor stated that he had indeed told the party leader that an investigation into the matter would be launched as he was unaware about how the ‘mix-up’ occurred. Green added that he is also very disappointed in the accusations made

by Bandhu as he had always considered him a friend.

The Mayor further stated, ‘when there is no case, persons cling to the idea of racism which I believe is very sad, and needs immediate changing.”

He noted that the investigation is still ongoing into the ‘mix-up’. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

P

resident David Granger pledged financial support from the Government to the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to host rigorous training initiatives for media operatives in an effort to build capacity within the media fraternity and to lift the standards of journalism in the country.

The President made this announcement to members of the media at a Media Brunch hosted on the lawns of State House on Sunday.

He indicated that there are no strings attached to the monetary support offered.

“The State is not going to become involved in journalism. It will provide the platform on which young journalists can learn their profession...,” he stated, noting he intends to have these seminars hosted at least once per quarter.

He lamented the state of the reporting profession in Guyana as he explained that journalists should be held to

the highest standards just as any other profession in the world.

In that regard, he underscored the need for rigorous training for media personnel in order for them to evolve into more credible journalists au fait with the ethics of the profession, who would seek to uncover the truth and report factual stories that would comprehensively inform their readers of current affairs.

The President posited that government cannot function without a “truthful media”, and on that note urged media operatives to be accurate in their reporting even when they are being critical of the administration: “I am committed to the media because I believe that as a government we couldn’t afford to be without the media; truthful media, even aggressive media.”

The Head of State added that he does not intend to head an administration that is not open to criticism.

Outlining his hopes for the year, the President expressed the wish for a stronger relationship between government and media: “I hope that the relationship between the State and the media will be further developed based on mutual respect.”

The media brunch was for years regarded as a tradition by past presidents.

The event was attended by several ministers of government including Prime Minister Moses Nagamoootoo, State Minister Joseph Harmon, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence and Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes.

BBCI toll decrease

Commuters enjoying reduced fares – bondholders up in the air

A

fter months of debates and negotiations between Government and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI), drivers traversing the West Coast Berbice (WCB) to East Berbice Corentyne route are now able to enjoy the toll reduction.

Chairman of BBCI Omadat Samaroo on Sunday confirmed with Guyana Times that the tolls were reduced at the stroke of midnight on January 1, minutes after government’s subsidy “kicked in”.

Government, prior to its ascension to office, had promised a toll reduction but seemingly did not take into consideration the numerous legal and other issues

involving such a move. As such there was much debate between the bridge company, its shareholders and the Government over the issue.

In August 2015, the BBCI had rejected government’s offer of financial subsidies to cover the loss in tolls, arguing that it could be plunged into bankruptcy since the reduction was insufficient to offset its debts.

As a result, it requested that government extend the concession period from 21 to 50 years or increase the tolls by 55 per cent before it implemented the new fare structure. But government refused, claiming the requests were wholly unacceptable.

This back-and-forth

After months of debate and negotiations between Government and the BBCI, drivers are now able to enjoy the toll reduction

continued until BBCI announced it will accept government’s $40 million subsidy offer.

Speaking to Guyana Times Samaroo said that everything is on track and is optimistic about the future of

this new development.

“Everything is running smoothly to date. We have no hiccups. We made sure that everything was implemented smoothly and everything is running smoothly”, he told this publication.

He explained that the bridge company has received portions of the first tranche of the subsidy and “will receive the other portion early this year. According to him, the BBCI is required to every quarter-month, present a projection for the traffic and following that “we will be paid”.

Last week, the two parties sealed the pact, agreeing that the Bridge Company will accept $31 million, the first tranche of the $40 million subsidy. The agreement was signed between BBCI’s Chairman and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson.

Government had strongly advocated for the reduction of the Bridge tolls, claiming

that the fees were too burdensome on the already financially strained households in Berbice.

Prior to reaching the agreement, bondholders of BBCI were asked to accept the lowering of interest rates and the significant extension of the repayment period on their investment in order to facilitate the reduction of tolls. This would have resulted in bondholders suffering losses on their multimilliondollar investment.

The new bridge toll has seen private and hire cars along with minibuses now paying $1900 compared to the $2200 they were required to pay to cross the bridge.

Other types of vehicles are given ten per cent off.

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monday, january 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

30 killed on roads in Berbice in 2015

New Psychiatric Hospital proposed to IDB

– including 7 drivers and 13 passengers

In 2015, there was a total of 321 reported accidents and in 2014, there were 307

T

hirty persons were killed on the roads in Berbice last year, compared to 29 road deaths in Berbice during 2014.

Seven drivers, three motorcyclists, eight passengers in private vehicles, five using public vehicles, four pedestrians and three pedal cyclists died in 22 fatal accidents. In 2014, there were 26 fatal accidents on the roads in Berbice. Over the past 10 years, a total of 306 persons have died on the roads in Berbice and almost 1000 were seriously injured and were now invalids.

Officer-in-Charge of Traffic – B Division, Assistant Police Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud, in reviewing 2015, said all of the fatal accidents were as a result of speeding, while 10 were proved to also be alcohol related. In 2015, the Berbice Traffic Department was tough on persons who were found Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and placed 694 drivers before the courts for the offence.

In 2014, 172 persons were charged for the same offence.

“It is my opinion that the fines for Driving Under the Influence should be increased from $7500 to about $50,000. Yes, the law says that the Magistrate can suspend one’s driving licence if they appear before a Magistrate for a second time on that offence. I don’t want to say that the officers on the road not honest, but although almost close to 700 persons were prosecuted in 2015, there is not a single

occasion where a person appeared for a second [time] and had their licences suspended. I would hope that it is that the first time served as a deterrent,” the Assistant Police Superintendent said.

Speaking of the 13 passengers who were killed, Persaud said all passengers needed to speak out whenever they were in a vehicle and it was speeding. “If they had spoken to the driver and told him that he or she was going too fast, their lives might have been saved.”

In 2015, there was a total of 321 reported accidents and in 2014, there were 307.

Serious accidents numbered 69; minor accidents, 102 and accidents where vehicles were damaged, 128 in 2015, compared to 70, 98 and 115 respectively in 2014.

Persaud said despite the slight decrease in serious accidents, they were a major concern to the Department.

He appealed to all drivers to practise defensive driving and not to use alcohol if they were going to drive.

“Defensive driving is driving to save life, time and money despite the conditions present and the actions of other drivers. The conditions always present are the road surface, traffic, lighting and weather. Always anticipate that the other driver will do the wrong thing and you must be in a position to take evasive actions,” the concerned Assistant Superintendent said.

November was the deadliest month with seven deaths on the roads from five accidents. According to

Persaud, pedal cyclists continue to use the road in a careless manner. “Many of them use the road as though they are riding in the backdam and their cycles have no lights, bells nor brakes.

They continue to have cycles which are not fit for the road despite the campaigns we had where we were picking up cycles which were not proper.”

Persaud also lashed out against pedestrians who also use the roads carelessly, noting that on many occasions some cross the road in front of moving vehicles.

The traffic boss also noted that in the Division, a high percentage of all accidents caused were as a result of persons overtaking improperly, driving too close behind a moving vehicle, and pulling out of a stationary position heedless to traffic.

The figures indicate that there was seven per cent increase in all reported accidents in Berbice last year as against the figures for the previous year. “I am not satisfied with the figures. I am concerned over the way all categories of road users use the roads. This year, we will increase and intensify our awareness programmes which will be done through the radio and television, hold seminars for drivers, distribute flyers and our lectures to schools will resume,” the Berbice traffic chief said.

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The Psychiatric Hospital in Fort Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton said he recently engaged the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on the feasibility of rebuilding the Psychiatric Hospital in Fort Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Dr Norton told media operatives at his yearend press conference on December 31 that he personally thought the psychiatric facility should be knocked down and rebuilt from scratch.

“That is what I want funding to do,” the Minister disclosed, noting that he was already in discussions with the IDB about this prospect.

He added that if the efforts to funding failed, his Ministry would advocate for monies to be allocated in the National Budget for this undertaking on a long-term basis.

Dr Norton said he envisioned the facility meeting international standards whereby patients could actually be rehabilitated and not just placed there to be

forgotten. His vision includes the need for better security, enhanced facilities and amenities, improved systems, and better quality treatment.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

In the short-term, Dr Norton said minor works would be done this year to improve the facility.

The psychiatric facility is in appalling condition and has reportedly been in that state for a number of years.

According to the Region Six Health Committee Chairman Haseef Yusuf, the condition of the institution is inhumane and both patients and employees continue to struggle.

The Health Committee Chairman had pointed out that the hospital had poor and sub-standard supplies; an inoperable canteen; an acute shortage of basic items in the kitchen; leaky roofs; no fans in the ward; a shortage of beds; dysfunctional washrooms; and a deplorable laundry facility, including shortage of clotheslines.

Additionally, there are issues such as having a huge unfenced gas tank next to the kitchen, lengthy delays in processing purchase orders, constant flooding of the compound.

The Minister recognised the problems and sympathised with the major discomfort endured by the staff and patients.

However, he noted that the major rehabilitative works can only be completed once Government solicited enough funding.

Lima pump to be commissioned soon – Regional Chairman raises concerns over security, surroundings

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

T

housands of rice farmers and residents living in Anna Regina, Hampton Court and Lima in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will soon benefit from improved drainage and irrigation, with the installation of a new pump at Lima.

The project was started almost two years ago under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration after several rice farmers complained over poor drainage and severe flooding, especially during the rainy season.

The Agriculture Ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), had collaborated and a state-of-the-art pump station was constructed to house the high-capacity pump at Lima.

Region Two Chairman

Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt

Devanand Ramdatt, along with a RDC Councillor; representatives from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and an Engineer from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) visited the site on Tuesday. A test run of the newly installed pump was done in the

presence of the team from Samaroo’s Investment.

According to Ramdatt, the project is aimed at enhancing adequate drainage and irrigation and commenced under the previous PPP/C Administration. He however raised concerns over the security of the pump. According to him, the office of the Regional Chairman was never provided with any details regarding the project; no bill of quantities in particular.

The Chairman further explained that although the pump will be commissioned soon, there are some areas that still require urgent attention.

Outlining some of the issues, Ramdatt said there needs to be a total enhancement of the fence surrounding the pump and the sea defence dam. He is of the view that attention needs to be given to the sea defence

dam to prevent erosion, as water is released via the pump into the Atlantic Ocean. He also recommended that excavation and revetment works be done to the trench leading to the pump. The staffing and operational aspects should also be considered earliest, Ramdatt said, so that the pump can become functional.

The Chairman concluded that if these areas are addressed, it will compliment a meaningful project that was initiated by the PPP/C Government; one that will help transform the agriculture sector in Region Two. The multimillion-dollar contract was awarded to Samaroo’s Investment from Hampton Court. The pump when installed will push approximately five cubic metres of water per second water.

news

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monday, january 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

2015 Police promotions deferral

New Demerara Harbour Bridge

‘Blame game’ between Police Force, Police Service Commission

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) are now at loggerheads over the recent decision of putting a hold on police promotions for 2015.

The ‘blame game’ has begun with Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud saying the PSC, in deferring the promotions, has acted in a manner which supports what the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee had urged at a recent media conference.

However, the PSC, not taking such accusations or insinuations lightly about political or any form of outside interference has stated that the reason for the promotions being put on hold lies with the GPF. The PSC in a statement said it had recognised there was no submission of a promotion list at the end of November 2015, and during its statutory meeting it was decided that a letter would be penned to Police Commissioner querying if there were promotions slated for 2015.

However, it was not until December 11 that Commissioner Persaud forwarded recommendations for the promotions, the PSC stated.

Guyana Times under-

stands that at a special meeting the PSC observed many “inconsistencies” on the list provided and after careful consideration the PSC sought more time to scrutinize the information.

One major discrepancy the PSC noted, was that several ranks who had been recommended for promo-

tion did not pass the “Appropriate Qualifying Examination (AQE) in keeping with Chapter 16.01 of the Police Act. The commission maintains that it is only fair that its members have time to guarantee that a suitable promotion list is endorsed.

It also urged that the Police Commissioner should desist from making such statements which are deemed “malicious” and “derogatory” in relation to the promotion of Inspectors,

Officers and the way the PSC functions.

However, the GPF in a release stated that the PSC had written Commissioner Persaud sometime in October 2015 requesting personal files of Officers, Inspectors and Sergeants.

According to the GPF, the PSC never asked for recommendations for the promotions until December and this was acted upon in a timely manner.

Guyana Times further understands that in January 2015 the Police Commissioner had written the chairman of the PSC asking for information pertaining to the criteria used by the commission to promote GPF ranks.

This was to provide guidance in submitting recommendations for promotions but to date no response has been received in this regard, the police stated.

The GPF further explained that it was for this reason that a list was not ‘volunteered’ by the force to the PSC for promotion until it had been requested.

“The GPF is also asking the PSC to clarify to the public which section of the Police Act states that promotion is dependent on a rank passing the AQE,” the release also said.

NPTAB to shortlist tender for feasibility study

T

he National P r o c u r e m e n t and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) is currently examining a list of potential companies to conduct a feasibility study building a new Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).

Some 22 companies locally and around the world have submitted expressions of interest to conduct the study and design, and ultimately construct, the new bridge. Public Infrastructure Ministry Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn disclosed that the Ministry has already evaluated the tenders and handed over the list to NPTAB for processing. “(The tenders) have been sent off to NPTAB for the short-listing of qualified tenders,” the Chief Works Officer stated.

On December 8, NPTAB opened the bids from seven European and four Chinese companies which signalled their interests. Several other overseas companies have applied for the contract, some in partnership with local firms.

These are Politechnica

Demerara Harbour Bridge General Manager Rawlston Adams

bidders include China Harbour Engineering (CHEC); China Railway First Group; Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Communications, Planning, Design and Research, and China Shandong International Economic and Technology Competition Group Limited. India-based Rites Limited also took a shot at the bidding process.

VIKAR Enterprises of Trinidad and Tobago, CTE in association with NV Rustwijk and Rustwijk of Suriname, WSP Caribbean Limited from Trinidad and the Guyana-based Stunning Nisi Inc. NMN Group of

Hit-and-run accident

Victim demands Police locate culpable driver

A bed-ridden Michael Phillips at home

A

n electrician is counting his lucky stars that he is still alive following a hit-and-run accident, but is seeking the help of the public and the Police to find the driver of the vehicle which has left him helpless for the past two weeks.

Michael Phillips, of Lot 1572 South Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, said his life has not been the same since the December 21 accident which has since left him dependent on family members. He is angry that the Police are still unable to assist him in finding the perpetrator although a photograph and the license plate number have been given to them.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the 37-year-old man recalled that on December 21 he was riding along the Aubrey Barker Road on his motorcycle, when he was struck by the car which sped away and left him helpless on the road.

“This man hit me from the middle. Me and he were on the same side and he hit me because he was trying to turn in the street,” Philips told the publication from his bed.

He explained that he was left on the road in an unconscious state, but was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public-spirited persons. It was not until he regained consciousness that his family was informed of what occurred.

According to Phillips, he was told that the driver, who left the scene after the incident, reportedly returned shortly afterwards. It was then that his photograph and licence number were taken by eyewitnesses.

He said that subsequently his wife reported the incident to the Police and the errant driver offered to pay her for the injuries received by Phillips as a means of settling the matter. However, according to Phillips, his wife refused the offer, saying that she could not accept without the consent of her husband.

He related that a few days later, he received a phone call from a man who identified himself as a Police Officer and a friend of the driver and said that he was offering the injured man $100,000 to settle the matter.

But Phillips said he refused the offer and has not since heard from the “Policeman”.

The man, who is currently bed-ridden, told Guyana Times that his family members have been receiving the “royal run-around from the East La Penitence Police Station”, while the perpetrator continues to walk free.

Phillips is scheduled for at least two more surgeries for injuries received to his leg. He also suffered a dislocated shoulder.

He is calling on the Police and the public to find the man who has left him in grave distress.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge

Ingeneria Architecture of Italy in association with Marcelle Gaskin and Associates of Guyana, Howson Consulting Engineers of the United Kingdom, COWI of Denmark, IPRO Consulting from Germany, Egis of France, and Mott Mc Donald of the United Kingdom in association with SRK Engineering and Consulting.

Also bidding for the contract was Netherland-based Ballast Nedam, known for its work in neighbouring Suriname and countries around the world. A few years ago, the company was selected to build the Berbice River Bridge; however, the agreement was later cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Chinese

Canada in association with CEMCO of Guyana also expressed interest in conducting the feasibility study for the new bridge.

They were also joined

by Sener of South Africa, Japan-based Stantec in association with Pedelta, Proficenter from Brazil, Stuart Consulting Group along with Rahmad and Associates from the United States and CBCL Ltd from Nova Scotia, Canada.

Floating at 1.25 miles, the Bridge is a strategic link between the East and West Bank of Demerara.

The structure was opened in July 1978 with the expectation of lasting only 10 years.

However, some 37 years after, it is still floating.

The Bridge facilitates ap-

proximately 9000 vehicles on a daily basis. In fact, as of December 22, 2015, a total of 3,316,811 vehicles transited across the bridge.

This represented a 4.8 per cent increase over 2014, according to Bridge General Manager Rawlston Adams.

In his year-end report, Adams further disclosed that marine traffic saw a minor increase in 2015 and this was despite a reduction in the retraction time, from 55 minutes to 50 minutes.

This was done in collaboration with shipping agencies and river pilots.

As it relates to finances, the General Manager reported that as of December 22, vehicular revenues stood at $481 million, reflecting a 4.2 per cent increase over 2014. However, the overall income declined from $533 million in 2014 to $519 million in 2015.

“So we have seen an increase in our vehicle revenues (tolls); we’ve seen an increase in our vehicle numbers but overall revenues went down because of contractual works that we do with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure,” Adams stated, adding that this situation was compounded by the late passage of the 2015 Budget.

Some of the major works completed during the year include the fabrication of 70 buoys, installation of three transoms and a new generator.

Additionally, there was the installation of a Data Transmission Link to wirelessly link the Bridge and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary.

This project enables the CID to access the cameras at the Bridge to aid in investigations.

Going forward in 2016, DHB has listed among its plans: servicing pontoons, changing sheave and shackles, and connecting posts, fabricating buoy wire ropes and rehabilitating the hydraulic system.

In addition, by late February, the DHB will be replacing two large pontoons at the retractor span.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, January 4, 2016

Regional

Haiti poll date set after being delayed on fraud charge

H

aitian President Michel Martelly has announced that a postponed presidential runoff vote will be held more than two weeks late, on January 17.

Martelly said he received two letters from Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council warning that to fulfil the constitutional mandate of inaugurating a new president on February 7, the runoff should be held by January 17 at the latest.

On Friday, Martelly – who is constitutionally barred from running for reelection – called on Haitians “to vote en masse, like they should, for the person who

Opposition Candidate Jude Celestin came in second in Haiti’s last round of elections [Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters]

best represents them.”

The Council earlier postponed the December 27 presidential runoff to al-

low a five-member commission to address allegations of multiple voting and ballot tampering.

The Opposition is demanding an independent review of the late October first round of voting which it insists was rigged in favour of Government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise. Its candidate, Jude Celestin, came in second.

The first round of elections took place on October 25 and involved 54 candidates.

International observers, led by the Organisation of American States (OAS), which monitors elections across Latin America, acknowledged some voting irregularities, but had initially sanctioned the first round of voting. (Al Jazeera)

Bloomberg gives Jamaica kudos for 80% stock market “surge” in 2015

J

amaica’s stock market had a better year than any other across the globe, says Bloomberg News. In fact, the gains on the Jamaica Stock Exchange were the most of the 92 markets tracked by Bloomberg.

In fact, writes Ezra Fieser on Bloomberg’s website, foreign acquisitions,

stronger investor safeguards and a rebounding economy helped the Jamaica Stock Exchange surge more than 80 per cent in 2015.

With economic growth forecast to accelerate for a third straight year, reaching 1.4 per cent in 2015 according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg, Jamaica is slowly emerging from recession

while struggling with one of the world’s highest debt burdens.

The Government has restructured local bonds twice since 2010, accepting an International Monetary Fund-led financing package in 2013.

Roughly US$700,000 a day in securities were traded in the first 11 months of

the year, according to exchange figures, up nearly 40 per cent from last year.

As for the coming year, Finance Minister Peter Phillips has said that Government’s stakes in the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica and power generation and electricity distribution companies may be sold off. (Caribbean360)

Cybercrime on the rise in TT

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security expert at a Trinidad commercial bank says skimming attacks like the one which occurred on December 28 will happen again because ATMs are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals who are using increasingly sophisticated high-tech methods to empty the accounts of bank customers.

“It is not a matter of if but when skimming attacks will happen again,” said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of his job, “ATMs are under siege more than ever from skimming. Skimming, where ATM thieves steal PIN and account numbers using remote devices, is increasing dramatically and is becoming a high-tech art that’s hard to detect.”

The expert said one of the commercial banks targeted in the recent skimming attack has already stepped up its security drive by identifying high-risk ATMs and deploying additional security to monitor those locations.

He told the Sunday Guardian skimming was not new and had been around for at least 10 years, but the technology involved was getting better every year.

While the recent skim attack was initially reported to have affected customers at RBC, customers at Scotiabank and Republic Bank Limited also reported that their accounts were emptied of funds.

Skimming is the act of obtaining information from a debit or credit card with a card reader device. (Excerpt from

Trinidad Guardian)

Mexican Mayor killed less than a day after taking office

Dominicans urged to take serious precautions against Zika Virus

D

ominicans have been warned to take serious precautions against the mosquito-borne Zika Virus.

The warning has come from Environmental Health Officer Morrison McPherson, who pointed out that the virus is getting closer to Dominica as the neighbouring island of Martinique has become the latest country in the Region to report confirmed cases.

“Let us not wait until we are affected by these diseases, it might be too costly to take care of it,” McPherson said during recent radio interview.

“The pain that you experience and sometimes in rare cases, God forbid it, can

Zika is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe illness requiring hospitalisation is uncommon.

Symptoms of the Zika Virus include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes

lead to death. That is what we do not want to happen.”

The virus is spread by the Aedis egypti mosquito and McPherson noted that measures must be taken to prevent breeding of the in-

sect.

“Let us take in front and prevent these animals responsible from getting the right content that they need in order to breed and increase their population.”

McPherson explained that when the population of the mosquito increases, it also increases the risk of the spread of diseases.

Another warning came from Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Scotland who said the disease could have a serious effect on pregnant women.

“Zika is almost mild but in terms of women, that is the other complication because it is mild, you can have the disease and do not know, but it can affect your foetus ….” he explained.

“These vectors are deadly, dangerous and we need to continue to manage our containers around Dominica.”

(Excerpt from CMC)

Crop Over earmarked for improvements

L

egislation is coming that could change the face of this year’s Crop Over festival with some new features to celebrate Barbados’ 50th anniversary of Independence.

Culture Minister Stephen Lashley said his Ministry was proposing to earmark certain areas in Barbados as Crop Over zones such as along the Spring Garden Highway.

“Crop Over has grown to

such a huge international festival that we need to have special legislation to govern [it]. . . . We know, for example, that after people go out and have their parties or other events, they want to get to somewhere that is opened 24 hours and I would like to see Spring Garden opened for 24 hours, but we are constrained by the liquor licence legislation and other restrictions as it relate to music,” Lashley said.

(Nationnews)

Culture Minister Stephen Lashley

Cartels seeking to control communities and towns have often targeted local officials and mayors in Mexico [EPA]

T

he Mayor of a city south of Mexico’s capital was shot to death less than a day after taking office, officials said.

Gunmen opened fire on Mayor Gisela Mota on Saturday at her house in the city of Temixco, said the Government of Morelos state, where Temixco is located.

Two presumed assailants were killed and three others detained following a pursuit, said Morelos Security Commissioner Jesus Alberto Capella. He said the suspects fired on federal Police and soldiers from a vehicle.

On his Twitter account, Morelos Governor Graco Ramirez attributed Mota’s killing to organised crime, without citing a particular drug cartel or gang.

Cartels seeking to control communities and towns have often targeted local officials and mayors in Mexico.

Mota’s leftist Democratic Revolution Party released a statement describing her as “a strong and brave woman who on taking office as mayor, declared that her fight against crime would be frontal and direct”.

Temixco is a city of about 100,000 people neighbouring Cuernavaca, a resort and industrial city which has been suffering kidnappings and extortion linked to organised crime groups.

Though Cuernavaca is the capital of Morelos, Temixco is the seat of several State institutions including the Public Security Commission, which coordinates State and local Police forces. Morelos also neighbours drug cartel-plagued Guerrero state.

Mota, who had been a federal congresswoman in her early thirties, was sworn into office on New Year’s Day. She was killed the following day. (Excerpt from Reuters)

monday, January 4, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Indian consulate in Afghanistan attacked Saudi Arabia cuts diplomatic ties with Iran T he Indian consulate in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif has come under attack.

The spokesman for the Local Governor told Reuters news agency that armed men tried to enter the consulate compound on Sunday night.

Explosions and gunfire could be heard from the vicinity of the compound as a

S

audi Arabia has announced it is severing diplomatic ties with Iran following Saturday’s attack on its Embassy in Tehran during protests against executions in the kingdom.

Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, made the announcement on Sunday, while the Foreign Ministry said it was asking the Iranian diplomatic mission to leave the kingdom within 48 hours.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry also announced that the staff of its diplomatic mission had been evacuated and were on their way back to the kingdom.

Later reports said the flight carrying the Saudi embassy staff had landed in Dubai in the UAE. Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry announced on Saturday the execution of 47 people on terrorism charges, including a con-

There were also demonstrations in Bahrain and other countries [BBC News]

victed al-Qaeda leader and a Shia religious leader.

Many of the men executed had been linked to attacks in Saudi Arabia between 2003 and 2006, blamed on al-Qaeda.

Four of those executed were said to be Shia.

Nimr al-Nimr, the Shia leader, was accused of inciting violence and leading anti-Government protests in the country’s east in 2011. He was convicted of sedition, disobedience and bearing arms.

He did not deny the political charges against him, but said he never carried weapons or called for violence.

Nimr spent more than a decade studying theology in predominantly Shia Iran.

His execution prompted demonstrations in a number of countries, with protesters breaking into the Saudi embassy in Tehran late on Saturday night and starting fires. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Donald Trump defends Muslim ban call after al-Shabab film

D

onald Trump has again defended his call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States after it was used in a propaganda video

by Somali militant group alShabab.

The Republican presidential hopeful said people had praised his courage in truthfully highlighting a “problem” that others preferred to ignore.

“Now people are getting involved” in the issue, he told CBS News.

Trump’s call, after a shooting in the US, has been

widely condemned.

Other Republicans, the White House, and the British Prime Minister David Cameron were highly critical of the comments, which followed the San Bernardino massacre, in which 14 people died.

Democratic presidential candidate and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Trump’s rhetoric was turning him into the “best recruiter” for the Islamic State militant group.

A propaganda video

by Al-Shabab, al-Qaeda’s

Somali affiliate, used a clip of Trump repeating his call at a campaign rally last month.

During an appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation programme, shown on Sunday, Trump was questioned over how his comments had been framed by al-Shabab as an incentive for Muslims to join holy war.

“Look, there’s a problem,” he said. “I bring it up.

Other people have called and say you have guts to bring it up because frankly it’s true and nobody wants to get involved. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Vietnam says China landed plane on disputed island

V

ietnam has accused China of violating its sovereignty by landing a plane on an airstrip on an artificial island in a contested part of the South China Sea. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said on Saturday the airfield had been “built illegally” on Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly archipelago, in territory that was “part of Vietnam’s Spratlys”.

China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the complaint, arguing that the flight was a matter “completely within China’s sovereignty”, the State news agency Xinhua reported.

Hua Chunying, the Ministry’s spokesperson, said the country used a civil aircraft to conduct the flight to test whether the airfield facilities meet civil-aviation

China has been asserting its control in the South China Sea by reclaiming land to build islands [File:Reuters]

standards.

The United States said it was concerned that the flight had exacerbated tensions.

The US has criticised China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea and worries that China plans to use them for military purposes, even though China says it has no hostile intent.

Hanoi’s Foreign Ministry said Vietnam handed a protest note to China’s Embassy

and asked China not to repeat the action.

It called the flight “a serious infringement of the sovereignty of Vietnam on the Spratly archipelago”.

China claims almost all the South China Sea, which is believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas, and through which about US$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year, and has been building up facilities on the islands it controls.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

group of gunmen were said to have taken position inside a building and opened fire on the consulate.

All Indian consular staff were safe, the Indian Consul-General confirmed.

Al Jazeera’s Qais Azimy, reporting from Kabul, said some casualties had been reported, but initial details were scarce.

“It’s not the first time an Indian diplomatic

post has been attacked in Afghanistan. A couple of years ago, the Indian Embassy in Kabul was attacked,” he said.

Sunday’s attack came as Indian security forces were still trying to suppress an assault on an air base near the border with Pakistan that has killed at least seven military personnel and wounded 20 others. (Al Jazeera)

Merkel’s Bavarian allies reignite refugee row with call for cap

G

erman Chancellor Angela Merkel’s allies in Bavaria stepped up criticism of her open-door refugee policy on Sunday, with their leader demanding a cap of 200,000 migrants a year, about a fifth of last year’s level.

Merkel faces splits in her conservative bloc and coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) over her insistence that Germany can cope with the refugee crisis as towns struggle to house migrants, many having fled war in the Middle East and Africa.

Horst Seehofer, the combative leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) in Bavaria, where most migrants arriving via the Balkans enter Germany, told Bild am Sonntag it was possible to integrate up to 200,000 asylum seekers and refugees

Bavarian Prime Minister and head of the Christian Social Union (CSU) Horst Seehofer talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to a meeting of German State leaders to discuss the migrant crisis, in Berlin, Germany, December 3

a year.

“Anything more than that, I think is too much,” he told the paper. “The central goal for 2016 must be to limit the number of migrants. We are at the moment a long way from this goal.”

Seehofer hosts Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron at a meeting of his CSU party this week in the remote resort of Wildbad Kreuth and refugees will be a big topic. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Independent takes lead in C African presidential race – partial results

I

ndependent candidate Faustin Archange Touadera took a commanding lead in the Central African Republic’s presidential race on Sunday, garnering more than 23 per cent of the vote with a quarter of the ballots counted, electoral officials said.

The former Prime Minister and Maths Professor was considered an outsider in the field of 30 candidates vying in the election seen as vital to restoring stability after years of unrest in the former French colony.

Touadera, who served as Prime Minister under longtime leader Francois Bozize from 2008 until 2013, scored more than 120,000 votes, the elections authority’s rapporteur Julius Ngouade Baba said.

His closest rival for the

Central African Presidential Candidate Faustin Archange Touadera

top job, Anicet Georges Dologuele, also a former Prime Minister, has scored just over 68,500 votes, while Desire Kolingba, son of a former President, has under 40,000 votes.

The results confirm early indications of Touadera’s lead in the closely watched vote. A likely second round is set for January 31.

One of the world’s poorest countries, with a histo-

ry of coups and rebellions, Central African Republic was plunged into fierce sectarian unrest in 2013 after Bozize was ousted by a mainly Muslim rebel alliance.

Thousands of people were killed and around one in 10 fled their homes in attacks by rogue rebels on remote villages and brutal reprisals

by Christian militia against Muslim communities. (Excerpt from AFP)

Operation to flush out Indian air base attackers continues

S

ecurity forces battled into Sunday evening to secure an air base near the border with Pakistan, a day after a militant attack that has killed seven military personnel and wounded another 20.

As night fell, it was unclear whether two or more militants were still at large after Saturday’s pre-dawn raid on the Pathankot air base in Punjab. Four attackers have been confirmed killed.

“The area cannot be de-

clared fully sanitised,” Air Marshal Anil Khosla told a news briefing in New Delhi.

Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi told reporters he hoped the two believed still to be at large would be “neutralised” overnight. Without recovering their bodies, they could not be confirmed dead.

That contradicted earlier statements by Home Ministry and Army officials who, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the two holdouts had been killed.

The attack by gunmen disguised as soldiers came a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in an effort to revive talks between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Officials said the attack bore the hallmarks of previous suspected assaults

by Pakistan-based militant groups, underscoring the fragility of recent efforts to revive bilateral talks between the often uneasy neighbours.(Excerpt from

Reuters)

16 news

monday, january 4, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

Local Government Elections

UG’s Medical School

Nominations Day Dr Norton confident of is January 26! reaccreditation by June G

roups keen on contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) on March 18 are required to present their Lists of Candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nominations Day, January 26.

On that day, each participating party must submit their List of Candidates to the respective returning officers in the 71 local government organs.

These groups can include political parties, voluntary organisations, and individual candidates who wish to run for leadership for their respective municipalities or neighbourhood democratic councils.

LGE Nominations Day slightly differs from the Nominations Day activities for a General and Regional Elections: Each of the local government organs will have its returning officer stationed at a prime location where all groups desirous of participating will submit their relevant documents.

GECOM Deputy Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud told Guyana Times Sunday that the names and offices of each returning officer is recorded in the National Gazette and widely published.

However, Persaud said GECOM is yet to decide on the location for parties contesting the LGE in

GECOM Deputy Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud

Georgetown to make their submission.

Meanwhile, all parties desirous of participating are required by law to submit a symbol for approval by GECOM before Nominations Day. Applications for symbols, which must include printed and electronic versions, must be submitted to GECOM no later than January 5. This stage is critical as failure to do so could result in disqualification.

GECOM explained that any List of Candidates submitted by any groups on Nomination Day without the required pre-approved symbol, will be deemed defective and the defaulting party would be deemed ineligible from contesting the LGE. Guyana has 585 constituencies within the 71 organs, and as such, this

means that there will be 585 ballot papers for each constituency. In the General and Regional Elections, only 10 ballot papers were required.

The newly elected local leaders will have power to make decisions that affect citizens living within the respective municipalities and NDCs; therefore it is critical that each eligible person cast a vote when the time arrives.

United Republic Party (URP) President Vishnu Bandhu had cautioned citizens against voting for a political party. He instead encouraged persons to vote for non-political groups, which he said, re in a better position than the traditional parties to put up the most suitable candidates for councillor positions that will genuinely represent the needs of the people.

“The party apparatchiks do not know what is best for the communities. Thus, the major parties should allow voters to control their own destinies under community civic-minded groups,” Bandhu had stated.

Meanwhile, the two major political parties - the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition – have both reported steady progress in their preparations for the polls.

main problem that caused the loss of accreditation was the lack of place for the students to engage in practical work.

The former Minister noted that during his period in office, the Ministry had brought in individuals from Canada to analyse the situ-

curriculum has already been completed and submitted to the Public Health Ministry.

With respect to the medical facility that is to be constructed for the students to conduct practical work, Minister Norton stated that the building plan has already been sketched and the

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

P

ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton is confident of the University of Guyana School of Medicine (UGSM) regaining accreditation by June this year.

In 2009, the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP) accredited the UGSM from 2009 to 2012, when it was scheduled to be reviewed.

In July 2015, the medical school lost its full accreditation after the institution missed the deadline for submitting a report on the school’s progress to the CAAM-HP and a visit from the accreditation body revealed that a number of recommendations to improve the institution were not adhered to.

Former Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran had told Guyana Times that the

The University of Guyana

ation and give advice, after the CAAM-HP had given a list of tasks that needed to be completed for the institution to become accredited.

On Thursday, Dr Norton told reporters that the tasks required for the institution to regain its accreditation have been completed. He noted that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Public Health, UGSM, and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for funding of the school. Also a draft of a new

Ministry has received a donation from a corporate citizen for the funding of said building.

It is believed that the accreditation board will be visiting Guyana in March, and these three tasks were the main undertaking that had to be completed by CAAMHP’s return.

The Minister remains confident that UGSM will regain its accreditation no later than this year, and promises that his Ministry intends to keep it that way.

Poison Control Centres operational by midyear – CMO Region 10 crafting youth programmes

T

he Poison Control Centres, which are to be established by Government in keeping with its strategic plan to address the issue of suicide, are slated to be operational by mid-2016, according to Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud.

He was at the time addressing journalists at the Public Health Ministry’s end-of-the-year press conference at the Public Health Ministry on Brickdam.

Dr Shamdeo said Government was in the process of identifying the spaces for these facilities in Georgetown, Berbice and Essequibo.

Funding for the undertaking will come from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board and will include the procurement of the communication equipment, training for relevant operators and other necessity items.

A Poison Control Centre is a medical facility that is able to provide immediate, free and expert treatment, advice and assistance over the telephone in case of ex-

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

posure to poisonous or hazardous substances.

Considering Guyana’s high rate of suicide, the CMO had explained that the operations of such centres across the country can help curb the issue, or at least, reduce the number of successful suicides by providing immediate life-saving information for suicide attempts.

Reports indicated that suicide attempts make up a significant percentage of intentional overdoses and tend to utilise more Poison Control Centre resources

than any other type of call.

Additionally, a Poison Control Centre also provides life-saving information for medication errors, chemical spills, occupational exposures, product misuse, drug interactions and pet poisoning.

According to reports, Poison Control Centres provide excellent service and savings. Recent research shows that every dollar invested in the US poison centre system saves US$13.39 in health care costs and productivity.

In fact, more than 72 per cent of poison exposure cases are managed simply by phone, greatly reducing the need for costly emergency room and doctor visits.

In addition, the establishment of Poison Control Centres in Guyana could create job opportunities for many persons.

The American Association of Poison Control Centres manages a 24-hour hotline which is continuously staffed by pharmacists, physicians, nurses and poison information specialists.

T

he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is presently looking at a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the social capabilities of youths in the Region.

Two such initiatives are the implementation of a School Cadet programme and a “Youth Greening” project. Regional Chairman Renis Morian said he has engaged the Office of the President and other interested parties in an effort to have these programmes come on stream in Linden and other parts of Region 10.

School Cadet Programme

Approximately 300 students of secondary schools across the mining town of Linden are set to benefit from the implementation of the School Cadet Programme organised by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) through the Second Infantry Battalion (RES).

The GDF, through the RES, will be working closely with the RDC of Region 10, as it

pare students for a positive adult life, fostering self-confidence, loyalty, initiative and being of service to others. Additionally, school administrations and ParentTeacher Associations are expected to be fully committed to the Programme in order for it to be a successful one.

“Youth Greening” Project

Region 10 Regional Chairman Renis Morian

moves towards the development stage of the programme. The aim of the School Cadet Programme is to train and prepare a wide cross-section of young people to positively impact communities, while building valuable personal attributes. Under the programme, the skills of the students will be developed using military themes based upon the ethos of the GDF. The level of training to be carried out is expected to pre-

The regional administration is also working on a “Youth Greening Project” in collaboration with the Office of the President, according to the Regional Chairman, which will see the planting of approximately 300 citrus fruit trees across Region 10.

Morian said that it was expected that youths from other parts of the Region would come on board with the project and those involved will be given a stipend.

“This programme will also be extended to Kwakwani, Ituni, Moblissa, Bamia, Rockstone and Muritaro, down the river,” the Region 10 Chairman related.

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news

monday, january 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

GuySuCo’s management

Hanoman, Bhim contracts renewed while instructions were sent to the members of the board to tender their resignations.

The termination of Dr Singh came in 2015, a statement issued by the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

“On the directive of Cabinet, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder issued the letter of dismissal to Dr Singh and it takes immediate effect. In addition, members of GuySuCo’s Board of Directors have been instructed to send in letters of resignation with immediate effect,” the statement added.

GuySuCo CEO Errol Hanoman (left) and Finance Director Paul Bhim By: Kristen Macklingam

T

wo former Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Errol Hanoman and Paul Bhim who were retained by the APNU/AFC administration in June last year will remain at the helm of GuySuCo. Hanoman will continue to function as CEO, a position which he had held at GuySuCo in 2009-2010, and Bhim retains his post as Finance Director.

Bhim was elevated after Hanoman’s departure until he was replaced by Dr Rajendra Singh in early 2014. Singh was then sacked by the government in June 2015.

According to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, during a telephone interview with Guyana Times Sunday, the contracts for Hanoman and Bhim came to an end as at December 2015.

He said that as a result of the duo managing the sugar entity “exceptionally well” and with their extensive knowledge of the sugar industry their contracts

have been renewed.

“Government is retaining them… we have done that already. Their initial contracts came to an end at the end of December… and they have already been renewed,” Holder posited.

Hanoman and Bhim had been retained by the administration almost seven months ago when former GuySuCo CEO Raj Singh was asked by Holder to tender his resignation.

Shortly after their appointment on GuySuCo’s Interim Management Committee set up by the coalition government, Holder had commended the men for “doing a good job” thus far.

Initially, it was expected that the IMC which oversees the corporation would have done so for at least six months.

Prior to the APNU/AFC coalition gaining power in May 2015 it heavily criticised both Hanoman and Bhim for their “inability to turn around the industry and lower the debt.”

It is important to note that in June last year, the termination of Dr Raj Singh was with immediate effect

Linden New Year’s babies

LHC Public Relations Officer Reycia Nedd with a new mother, as nurses look on

B

abies born on New Year’s day at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) were on Saturday honoured by the hospital’s administration, with the donation of several gifts to the new mothers in the maternity ward.

Cove and John Ashram ushers in New Year – with prayers for family Former CEO of GuySuCo, Dr Rajendra Singh

The Board was chaired by former Government Minister Shaik Baksh and included: Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of the Board of Directors Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); Dr Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman, Board of Directors, Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director, Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) and Geeta Singh-Knight, and Dr Raj Singh who sat on the Board as ex-officio members. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Cove and John Ashram offers prayers

M

embers of the Cove and John Ashram

Rihanna’s earnings fall 50 per cent in 2015

B

arbadian superstar Rihanna ranks No 10 on Forbes’ annual list of the top-earning women in music. Rihanna, who is 27, earned US$26 million in 2015, about half of what she earned the year before.

Citing the reasons for Rihanna’s lower earnings, Forbes said that after seven albums in eight years through 2012, Rihanna has gone quite some time without a full-length release, and she only played nine dates during the magazine’s scoring period, which by the way, runs from the middle of 2014 to the middle of 2015 —resulting in a lower-thanusual finish on the top earners’ list.

Barbadian superstar Rihanna

Meanwhile, Katy Perry is No 1 on Forbes’ 2015 list of the highest earning wom-

The mothers were Nekeita Lorrimer who gave birth to the first baby, Ronella Bovell at 05:02h. Gwendolyn Phillips who gave birth to Kamani Alder at 15:20h, and Joy Daw who gave birth to baby Andy Winter at 23:33h.

en in music.

Thanks to her Prismatic World Tour, which included 126 shows during Forbes’ scoring period, and deals with Coty, Claire’s and Cover Girl, Perry, 31, earned an estimated US$135 million from June 1, 2014, to June 1, 2015, to clinch the No. 1 spot.

In the No 2 position is Taylor Swift, 25, who earned an estimated US$80 million following the launch of her widely successful pop album “1989” in October 2014, which has sold more than 3.6 million copies to date.

The iconic five-member band Fleetwood Mac is in third position, qualifying because they have two fe-

male members, Stevie Nicks and the returning Christine McVie. The band earned an estimated US$59.5 million, mainly from touring, clinching the No. 3 spot.

Lady Gaga landed in the No 4 spot with US$59 million, comprised of her 66 shows during the scoring period and deals with fashion house Versace, Mac cosmetics and profits from her Fame fragrance.

And rounding out the top five is Beyoncé with US$54.5 million, courtesy of her On the Run Tour with hubby Jay Z. That tour grossed over $100 million during 19 show dates in North America. (Caribbean 360)

(Guyana Sevashram Sangha) on Sunday ushered in 2016 with special prayers for families.

The families flocked around their individual “kund” and chanting commenced after which Swami Shivashankara na nda ji Maharaj spoke on peace and unity.

According to Swami Shivashankara na nda ji Maharaj, the only way one can remove obstacles and negativity from one’s path is with prayers, which are the simplest thing to do. The spiritual leader said the Gaytri Mantra is very powerful and chanting it 108 times fostered peace, unity, harmony and togetherness.

Swami Maharaj also used the opportunity to congratulate all the

families who took time off to partake in special prayers at the Ashram.

“We have to join and spread the awareness of peace, love and unity. Let there always be unity; with unity comes progress,” the Swami said.

The spiritual leader explained the importance of the Gaytri Mantra and its auspiciousness. The mantra is “Om bhur bhuwah swah tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yonah prachodayat”, which means “We meditate on the glorious light of the most adorable lord who created this universe, may he guide us along the right path”.

The Ashram is urging leaders from the various mandirs to sit together and continue to do hawan for further elevation of the Hindu culture.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

Monday, January 4, 2016

ARCHIE

Speak up, but don’t let anger dictate your words. A dip(March 21- lomatic, intelligent approach April 19) will bring better results.

Make personal improvements instead of trying to change others.

ARIES

Focus on the highest peak.

TAURUS It’s up to you to live up to the (April 20- standards you set. Don’t worMay 20) ry about opposition. Listen to complaints and offer incentives to deter further setbacks.

dilbert

Don’t let anyone interfere GEMINI (May 21- in your life. False information June 20) will lead to bad assumptions that will get you into trouble.

Get the facts before making a move.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

You should take part in interesting events and activities in order to find a new outlet for your stress. A partnership with a new acquaintance looks promising.

Your ability to adapt readLEO ily to whatever is going on (July 23around you will attract atAug. 22) tention from someone who shares your interests. Love is on the rise, but emotions will be difficult to control.

Calvin and Hobbes

What are you waiting for?

VIRGO Good things will transpire if (Aug. 23you are willing to take the Sept. 22) initiative and go after your goals. Network, set up meetings and get the ball rolling.

Your intellectual outlook LIBRA (Sept. 23- will help you overcome any Oct. 23) adversity you face. A day trip or time spent with someone who understands your needs will lead to positive change.

SUDOKU

Focus on home, famiSCORPIO ly and necessary upgrades.

(Oct. 24Emotional matters will surNov. 22) face. An innovative approach to solving personal problems will help you avoid a spat.

Be careful when dealing SAGITTARIUS with colleagues or people who (Nov. 23- can hurt your reputation or Dec. 21) cause you grief. Listen carefully and question anything that raises doubt or confusion.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

It’s time to present and CAPRICORN promote your skills, pursuits (Dec. 22- and desires. Don’t be swayed Jan. 19) by someone using emotional manipulation to get a piece of your action. Protect your assets.

It’s up to you to bring AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- about change. If you wait for Feb. 19) someone else to make the first move, you’ll end up being left behind. Focus on forward motion and personal gain.

Participate in events that PISCES (Feb. 20- will bring you in contact with March 20) like-minded people. You’ll benefit if you collaborate to reach a shared goal. Don’t let relatives or friends put unrealistic demands on you.

monday, january 4, 2016

19

NBA roundup…

Kings rout Suns D

eMarcus Cousins scored 32 points in his first game since saying a “dark cloud” was hovering above his team and the Sacramento Kings blitzed the Phoenix Suns in the second half for a 142-

ed 21 points in the Kings’ highest-scoring game of the season. Cousins, who spoke out Wednesday after the Kings dropped a 115-110 decision to the Philadelphia 76ers, made 11 of 15 shots from the field, grabbed

Paul George

119 victory on Saturday in Sacramento, Calif.

Darren Collison add-

nine rebounds and had two steals as Sacramento ended a three-game losing streak.

enth in the last eight games, and their 13th in the last 15. The Hornets suffered their third straight loss and have now lost six of their last eight.

Oklahoma City spent much of the night at the free-throw line, finishing 30 of 37.

Brandon Knight scored 23 points for Phoenix, which saw its longest losing streak since the 201011 season grow to eight.

Nets 100, Celtics 97

Brook Lopez scored nine of his season-high 30 points during a decisive fourth quarter and Joe Johnson added 20 points in Brooklyn’s win in Boston.

The Nets won for the second time in the past five games and overcame the loss of Jarrett Jack to a right knee sprain in the third quarter.

The Celtics have lost two in a row after winning the previous four. Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 24 points. Avery Bradley left the game in the second quarter with a bruised hip and did not return.

Cavaliers 104, Magic 79

LeBron James scored 29 points and Kevin Love had 10 points and 13 rebounds

Pacers 94, Pistons 82

DeMarcus Cousins

in Cleveland’s victory over Orlando, their 13th consecutive win in the series.

Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 12 rebounds and Kyrie Irving scored 13 points for the Cavs, who have won their last three games.

The Magic have dropped consecutive games by double figures for the first time

this season.

Thunder 109, Hornets 90

Kevin Durant had his ninth double-double of the season with 29 points and 11 rebounds, and Oklahoma beat Charlotte in a matchup of teams headed in opposite directions.

The Thunder won their fourth straight, their sev-

Paul George poured in a game-high 32 points and scored his team’s last 21 points as Indiana pulled away for the win.

The power forward, who struggled with his shot for 3 1/2 quarters and committed seven turnovers, also grabbed 14 rebounds.

George Hill supplied 18 points and backcourt partner Monta Ellis added 14 for the Pacers.

George and Pistons small forward Marcus Morris got into a shoving match as the game ended and had to be separated.

(KSPR)

Windies suffer familiar collapse as Australia end day 1 in control F

or the first time in the series, West Indies batted on the opening morning of a Test. For the second time in the series, Kraigg Brathwaite fell just short of a century. And for the third time in the series, Australia went to stumps on day one on top, this time with West Indies at 6 for 207. Nathan Lyon led the attack with two wickets on a challenging day for the West Indies batsmen, who had to sit through two lengthy rain delays.

Despite the wet weather Australia had no trouble with over rates: Lyon sent down 32 and Steve O’Keefe raced through 14, meaning that only 15 were lost to the rain. Australia had opted for two specialist spinners at the SCG for the first time in ten years and the evidence on day one suggested it was a wise move, as there was plenty of turn and bounce, and between them they picked up three wickets.

As has been the case throughout the series, West Indies relied too heavily on one batsman. This time it was not Darren Bravo but Brathwaite, who was a picture of concentration in compiling 85 around meal

Marlon Samuels was run-out just before rain brought play to a halt. (AFP photo)

breaks and rain delays. He had fallen for 94 in the second innings in Hobart and had the chance to push on for a hundred this time, but instead tried to dab a cut past slip off Lyon and succeeded only in gloving to Steven Smith.

It was a disappointing end for Brathwaite, who earlier had put on 91 for the second wicket with Bravo, the first time in the series West Indies had found a half-century stand between two of their top six. They came together after opener Shai Hope, in for the in-

jured Rajendra Chandrika, edged behind for 9 off a Josh Hazlewood delivery that nipped away off the seam.

When Brathwaite and Bravo lifted West Indies to 1 for 92 at lunch it seemed the batsmen were backing up Jason Holder’s decision to bat first after calling correctly at the toss. However, soon after lunch Bravo fell for 33, having added just one to his score, when he hooked a quick, short delivery from James Pattinson to Usman Khawaja, who ran in from deep square leg to take the chance low to the ground.

West Indies had lost their most in-form scorer and now had their most outof-form batsman, Marlon Samuels, at the crease with Brathwaite. It did not end well. Samuels continued his wretched tour by contriving to run himself out, pushing a Lyon delivery straight to point and calling for a single that wasn’t there; both he and Brathwaite stopped mid-pitch, Brathwaite fell over in his desperate attempt to turn around, and the throw to Samuels’ end found him well short.

To add to the frustra-

tion, it turned out to be the last ball before a long rain delay. When play finally resumed, Jermaine Blackwood managed 10 before he misjudged Lyon and left a ball that turned in and kissed the very top of off stump, the type of delivery that has been an impressive part of Lyon’s armoury this year. At 4 for 131, West Indies were in trouble.

It became 5 for 158 when Brathwaite departed after a second rain delay, and 6 for 159 when Jason Holder fell for 1. O’Keefe, playing the second Test of his career, claimed his first home Test wicket when Holder squirted one off the inside edge that was brilliantly snapped up at short leg by Joe Burns, who snared the ball low down in his right hand, proving that he has improved significantly under the helmet since the start of the summer.

Australia were dreaming of a quick finish as the evening grew near, but the West Indies lower order has shown some batting fight in this series, and Carlos Brathwaite was keen to rage against the dying of the light. His second ball was lofted down the ground for

six off O’Keefe, and he ended up plundering two sixes and four fours off O’Keefe as he moved to an unbeaten 35 from 35 balls at stumps.

Denesh Ramdin was on 23, having fought through 72 deliveries.

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st innings KC Brathwaite c Smith b Lyon 85 SD Hope c †Nevill b Hazlewood 9 DM Bravo c Khawaja b Pattinson 33 MN Samuels run out 4 (Hazlewood/†Nevill) J Blackwood b Lyon 10 D Ramdin† not out 24 JO Holder* c Burns b O’Keefe 1 CR Brathwaite not out 43 Extras: (b 5, lb 1, nb 1) 7 Total: (6 wickets; 79 overs) 216 To bat: KAJ Roach, JE Taylor, JA Warrican Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-104, 3-115, 4-131, 5-158, 6-159 Bowling: JR Hazlewood 12-2-351, JL Pattinson 13-2-41-1, NM Lyon 34-12-74-2, MR Marsh 4-115-0, SNJ O’Keefe 16-5-45-1.

Australia team: DA Warner, JA Burns, UT Khawaja, SPD Smith*, AC Voges, MR Marsh, PM Nevill†, SNJ O’Keefe, JL Pattinson, JR Hazlewood, NM Lyon.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, january 4, 2016

Stokes record and Bairstow’s ton tramples South Africa T

his was joy, utter joy, no matter where your loyalties lie: a feat to stir the youthful, cheer the sick and bring reveries from the old. Ben Stokes bludgeoned one of the great attacking Test innings - the second fastest double century in Test history - on the second day of the second Test in Cape Town and those who were there to see it must have been enriched by the experience.

When it was all over, shortly before England’s declaration at 629 for 6, a

the stumps and complete a run out as Stokes jogged towards the bowler’s end, by then entirely sated. England declared two balls later once Jonny Bairstow’s 150 - an emotional maiden Test hundred that will receive limited recognition - had been gathered in.

South Africa will resume the third day 488 adrift with eight wickets intact after enduring an extraordinary batting assault. England struck their second-highest partnership in Test history, 399 in 59 overs, with Bairstow,

Regionalism would foster greater development of athletes

By Akeem Greene

W

SCOREBOARD England 1st innings AN Cook* c Morris b Rabada 27 AD Hales c de Villiers b Morkel 60 NRD Compton c Bavuma b Rabada 45 JE Root c †de Kock b Morris 50 JWA Taylor c †de Kock b Rabada 0 BA Stokes run out (de Villiers) 258 JM Bairstow† not out 150 MM Ali not out 0 Extras: (b 12, lb 6, w 13, nb 8) 39 Total: (6 wickets dec; 125.5 overs; 582 mins) 629 Did not bat: SCJ Broad, JM Anderson, ST Finn Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-129, 3-167, 4-167, 5-223, 6-622 Bowling: M Morkel 29-5-1141, CH Morris 28-3-150-1, K

humungous total they could not have remotely imagined at start of play, Stokes’ demolition job had brought 258 from 198 balls with 30 fours and 11 sixes. Freckled of complexion and brawny of stroke, he wielded his bat like a wrecking ball, razing South Africa’s attack to the ground.

Even his dismissal summed up South Africa’s broken state of mind. Stokes heaved at Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers dropped the skier at mid-on - AB of all people - but he steadied himself to throw down

Rabada 29.5-2-175-3, DL Piedt 25-5-112-0, S van Zyl 100-43-0, D Elgar 4-0-17-0.

South Africa 1st innings D Elgar c Compton b Stokes 44 S van Zyl run out (Compton/†Bairstow) 4 HM Amla* not out 64 AB de Villiers not out 25 Extras: (lb 2, w 2) 4 Total: (2 wickets; 43 overs) 141 To bat: Q de Kock†, T Bavuma, F du Plessis, DL Piedt, CH Morris, K Rabada, M Morkel Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-85 Bowling: JM Anderson 9-224-0, SCJ Broad 9-2-32-0, MM Ali 9-1-30-0, ST Finn 9-1-30-0, JE Root 1-0-30, BA Stokes 6-1-20-1.

no slouch himself, playing an intelligent subordinate role. England made 312 for 1 off 38.5 overs in the day.

Statistics underlining the achievement jostled for attention. It was once-in-alifetime, jaw-dropping stuff with virtually every delivery from a disorientated South Africa attack seemingly ripe for slaughter. There was little of the resourcefulness worthy of the No.1-ranked side in the world.

Stokes played with untrammelled power as blue skies shone over Table Mountain and 12,000 cheer-

Ben Stokes lit up the second morning at Newlands (Getty Images)

ing England supporters revelled in every moment. It was a stupendous achievement, a day to treasure, the time-honoured rhythms of Test cricket giving way to something more murderous.

Barely anything threatened Stokes’ immense sense of feelgood. On 138, a six against the offspinner Dane Piedt barely cleared the outstretched hands of van Zyl, who significantly was a yard off the boundary at long off.

On 197, Chris Morris almost yorked him, perhaps to the bowler’s surprise.

And he pottered around for, oh, all of a few seconds before he pulled Morne Morkel through midwicket to reach 200.

When the ball comes onto the bat, and cricket is a simple game, Stokes’ destructive power knows few bounds. This was only his third Test hundred, to follow equally exciting affairs against Australia - including Mitchell Johnson at his fiercest - in Perth and New Zealand at Lord’s, and there have been malfunctions along the way, but it was an innings that spoke volumes

about the importance of the combative allrounder, able to balance a side and change a game in an instance with bat or ball.

His mind was entirely uncluttered, his physique more demoralising by the minute. His backlift was huge and flowing. Shot selection became entirely a matter of where he would hit the ball - most often down the ground, to off side and leg - because he rarely defended and left only deliveries that were virtually too wide to reach. He powered up and let the shots flow.

Newlands was at its most seductive for batsmen and Stokes took a golden opportunity at face value. He is not the sort to see fears where none exist. South Africa lacked the waspish pace of Dale Steyn, or the Cape Town nous of Vernon Philander and those asked to fill the roles had no solution. Half-an-hour before tea on the second day, England were impregnable, hoping that the pitch would break up along with South African minds. (Cricinfo)

Narine retained by KKR despite ICC ban

U

nder-fire West Indies offspinner Sunil Narine has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming Indian Premier League season despite currently being banned from bowling in international cricket.

The 27-year-old Narine, a key member of KKR’s squad over the last several seasons, was banned by the International Cricket Council last November after his action was found to be illegal.

He had been reported by umpires following the third One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Pallekele earlier that month.

Despite this, KKR have opted to retain the Trinidadian ahead of the new IPL season, which runs from April 9 to May 23.

This is against the backdrop of a move by the West Indies Cricket Board to bar Narine from playing in the domestic one-day championship

permission from the WICB.

Franchises retain 5 WI players

Sunil Narine

set to bowl off Thursday.

In announcing Narine’s suspension last November, the ICC said the player would be banned from bowling in all domestic tournaments internationally but would be allowed to play in Caribbean events, with

Narine is one of five West Indies players to be retained by their franchises for the new season.

He is joined by all-rounder Andre Russell, who will again suit up for KKR, while champions Mumbai Indians have also retained the pair of Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons.

Big-hitting opener Chris Gayle has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore, but West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy had no such luck as he was dumped by the franchise.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo will turn out for Rajkot, one of two new franchises debuting in the new season.

Rajkot, along with Pune, replaces the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. (Jamaica Gleaner)

hile it is admirable that we forge partnerships with countries outside the Caribbean and there are undoubtedly a large surplus of financial gains, the core values of a partnership is lagging due to the great cultural differences.

Regionalism is the consciousness of and loyalty to a distinct region with a homogeneous population.

Every Caribbean country has a unique bond that history Akeem Greene has revealed and by forging partnerships, they can have a greater impact on the development of sports. The thrust of the concept is using more of the Caribbean resources to develop athletes from the various sport disciplines. For example, in track and field, Jamaica is widely known to be one of the best countries in the world.

It has the likes of seasoned sprinters such as Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Shelly-Ann Fraser, and Asafa Powell. These sprinters’ reputations speak for themselves as they have captured many Olympic and World titles over the last decade.

A glaring result of the development of Jamaica’s dominance in the world of track and field is the rise of upcoming sprinting sensations Warren Weir and Kemar Bailey-Cole among others. Bolt is coached by a Jamaican, Glen Mills, who also coaches Blake and other upcoming athletes who are beginning to become successful.

Jamaican is 2479 kilometres away and yet we have not benefited from any of their expertise in athletics.

Local athletes are sent farther afield such as the United States and Canada to conditions that are totally unfamiliar and the unfortunate reality is that tracking their growth becomes difficult.

With a system such as Caricom which promotes greater fusion of Caribbean resources, it seems strange that Guyana, a country which has an abundance of talented sportsmen and women, is failing to capitalise on its close neighbours’ achievements.

Financially, it is far less burdensome having a sportsman or sportswoman partake in a training stint, whether short or lengthy, in a Caribbean country and the hassle to travel to and from Guyana is eased. Athletes are closer to their families and most importantly, adapting to the prevailing conditions becomes easy. In 2014, when Stephan James was granted a scholarship to ASA College in New York, USA, amid all the excitement, James said “the coldness, I’m not fitting too good with that, it’s hard”. Chavez Ageday, who also was the beneficiary of a scholarship, said: “Everything is going good, but this weather is crazy. I am getting accustomed to it as the days go by.”

One certainly cannot discredit the benefits of being able to train in America, but these struggles that these athletes have to go through so early in their careers can be avoided to some degree. Albeit, the inevitable will occur and they will be faced with such struggles in their careers, but why send them so far when the perception is that there is better training closer to home?

The questions that critics may ask are, if these Caribbean countries are providing these opportunities and if they are, at what cost? But Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has offered sports scholarships to China for Chinese athletes to come and train and also to give guidance to administrators. So, clearly, there is an avenue for the exchange of athletes at least, but Governments will have to be the ones to initiate these discussions. It might also bring more corporate support onboard, since many of the large business entities have branches across the various Caribbean countries and this now opens the doors for the sports personalities becoming brand ambassadors.

Only recently, Level Two Table Tennis Coach Linden Johnson stated that they would be looking to forge greater partnerships with neighbouring territories by inviting more foreign players to tournaments to give more exposure to local players and develop better relations.

The only notable sport that sees a constant sharing of players is cricket. The current Professional Cricket League system implemented by the West Indies Cricket Board has already materialised improvements. The foreign players in the various territorial teams are learning under different training regimes, while being afforded a luxury of comfort owing to close ties with teammates.

By no means is the idea being postulated to abandon relations with countries outside the Caribbean; that would only amount to the regression of sports but it is being asked that we look at each of the tiny states of the Caribbean and see where there can be an exchange sportsmen and women across the various disciplines.

Let’s think of a young Jason Yaw getting to run shoulder to shoulder with some of Jamaica’s top track stars, or a Hannibal Gaskin being able to get insight from Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic Bronze Medal Swimmer George Bovell. Making these possibilities come to life will see sports moving forward.

YELLOW PAGES monday, january 4, 2016

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Lloyd calls on international support for Windies cricket

W

est Indies legend Clive Lloyd has made a passionate plea for the international powers to offer more assistance to West Indies cricket.

Lloyd, the captain of the all-conquering team of the 1970s and ’80s, is chairman of selectors and is with the team in Australia for the ongoing Frank Worrell trophy series.

Speaking on a wide range of topics, he argued that the game in the Caribbean was in need of resources to aid with development and progression, and called on the world governing body, the International Cricket Council, to act on its behalf.

“To run cricket you have to have quite a lot of money.

We’re not as wealthy as the other countries. We did well in the ’70s and ’80s because we were coming as champions and if you’re coming as champions you can demand something,” the 71-year-old Lloyd told reporters here Friday.

“So now if you’re not champions you don’t get things thrown at you and unfortunately we need things thrown our way so we’re able to compete with the bigger countries.”

He continued: “People must realise where West Indies is concerned, we have a plethora of islands … we can’t drive anywhere … we have to fly everywhere. To fly from Guyana to Jamaica takes four to five hours. And each island has different cultures.

“So we need to have more money to help us because, don’t forget, when we play our cricket it is high season and hotel rates are very exorbitant. We’re not as

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Clive Lloyd

wealthy as the other countries.”

Lloyd has been hailed as the architect of one of the greatest periods of sporting dominance when West Indies dominated world cricket.

That era stemmed from a defeat to Australia in 197576, after which the regional side ruled the cricket world for 20 years. During that period, they won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979 under Loyd’s captaincy.

Also a former team manager, Lloyd said the present side in Australia had the potential to become a matchwinning outfit but needed to gain more experience in foreign conditions.

“If a team comes to any country, they should be able to play enough warm-up games to get accustomed to the conditions. We’ve travelled 12,000 miles and it’s different here,” Lloyd pointed out.

“We had jetlag, there’s the heat, the hardness of the grounds, it’s just getting accustomed to a lot of things and two four-day games would probably have put us

in good stead.

“It showed in the last game at the MCG we batted fairly well on a pretty good Test pitch, so I’m sure the guys will give a good account of themselves in the long run. But it will take some time to build a Test team.

“We have to try to look to build a team that’s going to stand us in good stead for the future.”

Lloyd was also quick to hail the work of newly appointed Test captain Jason Holder. He said the 24-yearold had shown great character in handling the pressure of the tour.

“Jason continues to do a great job both on and off the field. He knew what it would be like before he took the job and he has handled himself very well on this tour,” Lloyd said.

“There has been a lot of pressure on him, but we saw how he bowled and especially the way he batted in the last match. That demonstrated his mettle. He’s mature beyond his years and will continue to do well for us.” (CMC)

Australia PM Turnbull hails the “magic” of West Indies

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sports

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he West Indies team were hailed as “favourites” among Australians as they were specially honoured guests at an afternoon function hosted

by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on New Year’s Day. In brief remarks, Turnbull referenced the rich cricketing history between West Indies and Australia, one of the highlights being the famous tied Test which formed part of the unforget-

table 1960-61 series.

“There is a certain aura, a magic, a charisma about the West Indies cricketers that is really unique and Australians relate to it,” he told the audience.

“The affection and respect between the West Indies and Australia was symbolised by the Frank Worrell Trophy. We welcome the West Indies team to Australia and we are absolutely delighted to have

them here.”

Both teams signed shirts and interacted with guests at the official residence.

West Indies are on the final leg of their three-Test tour of Australia, and face off with the hosts in the last Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting Sunday.

They lost the opening game in Hobart by an innings and 212 runs and the second in Melbourne by 177 runs. (CMC)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, january 4, 2016

Table and lawn tennis to be added to school curriculum

By Akeem Greene

I

n keeping with the Government’s move to have sports re-introduced into the school curriculum, table and lawn tennis will be implemented in the curriculum during the course of this month.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones in speaking to <<<Guyana Times Sport>>>, revealed that “as of January 2016, the first two disciplines of lawn tennis and table tennis will be implemented in the school system”.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) will be working closely with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to get the two disciplines functioning effectively in the school system.

As it regards the framework of how the two disciplines will be implemented, Jones explained that proposals on how the associations could reach the length and breadth of the country had

Director of Christopher Jones

Sport,

to be submitted, along with their strategic development plan for lawn and table tennis.

Based on the discussions which were had with the GOA and the associations, the Director explained that “the first project will run for six months and is financed by the GOA, where after the Government of Guyana will continue after the time”.

However, Jones has bemoaned the fact that more associations have not come on board to further expand the various sport disciplines in the school system. “We were hopeful that there were more associations who could have submitted their strategic development plans; having submitted those plans, we could have looked at it and see how it can be implemented in the school system over the next five years,” the Director said.

Only recently, Minister within the Education Ministry with responsibility for sport, Nicolette Henry announced that the Government was aiming to reintroduce sports to the school curriculum. In addition, the rehabilitation of grounds will be high on the agenda of the Government as it forms part of the component to reintroduce sport into the school curriculum, according to Henry. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)

Shemar Britton, a unique talent in the table tennis arena

By Akeem Greene

T

he name Shemar Britton should not be new to many as he is a constant standout performer for Guyana whenever he picks up a racket.

At the age of 18, Britton has numerous coveted titles, both locally and internationally, and is primed for continued success considering his determined work ethic.

When Guyana Times Sport spoke to Britton during his usual training at the Gymnasium, he revealed that he still has much to improve on if he is to progress to greater heights in the sport. In fact, the former Queen’s College student, who is now a Lower Sixth Student at the Bishops’ High School, believes in the next two years, he can become a greater force to reckon with.

“I have improvements to be made: while I can compete at a high level regionally, or at South America, but when it comes to Europe, I still lag. I’m not on the same level with guys at the same age; I think if I give myself two years, I can bridge that gap,” Britton said.

He added that “I think everyone in Guyana knows my backhand has to improve; so hopefully in 2016, the problems won’t be talked about as much”.

Most students who play sports and have to concentrate on academics at the same time agreed it is extremely difficult. However,

Lady Jags encamped for CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers in February

G

Members of the training staff pose for a picture

uyana’s national women’s team better known as the Lady Jags are currently encamped in Toronto, Canada ahead of their CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier Tournament set for February in Houston and Frisco, Texas.

Guyana were placed in Group B of the tournament, along with Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, while World Champions USA head the so-called “Group of Death” that also includes rivals Mexico, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica.

The Lady Jags will play their first game of the tournament against Canada on February 11 at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Texas.

Head Coach Mark Rodrigues will be aided by assistant Clement Browne, Goalkeeping Coach Richard Reynolds and Technical Director Claude Bolton in Toronto in hopes of getting the Lady Jags in the best shape possible for the tournament.

According to Rodrigues, via a press release, “the girls quickly responded to playing together again and gelling as a unit”.

Rodrigues highlighted that the new players in the team “fitted in well” and he was hoping that the coaching staff “achieved what we needed in terms of tactics.

Each day will be an advancement on the prior day’s sessions”.

It will be only the second meeting between Guyana and Canada with the first being at the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The World Cup champions USA will face Costa Rica to open the eightteam CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The United States has won the past three tournaments that determine the Olympic representatives from CONCACAF, and went on to win the gold medal in the last three Olympics.

The top two finishers earn Olympic berths.

The schedule

Wednesday, February 10 – Toyota Stadium 6 pm (5 pm) Puerto Rico vs Mexico; 8:30pm (7:30pm) USA vs Costa Rica Thursday, February 11 – BBVA Compass Stadium 6 pm (5 pm) Guatemala vs Trinidad & Tobago; 8:30 pm (7:30pm) Canada vs Guyana Saturday, February 13 – Toyota Stadium 1:30 pm (12:30 pm) Costa Rica vs Puerto Rico; 4 pm (3 pm) Mexico vs USA Sunday, February 14 – BBVA Compass Stadium 1:30 pm (12:30 pm) Guyana vs Guatemala; 4 pm (3 pm) Trinidad & Tobago vs Canada Monday, February 15 – Toyota Stadium 6 pm (5 pm) Mexico vs Costa Rica; 8:30 pm (7:30 pm) USA vs Puerto Rico Tuesday, February 16 – BBVA Compass Stadium 6 pm (5 pm) Trinidad & Tobago vs Guyana; 8:30 pm (7:30 pm) Canada vs Guatemala Friday, February 19 – BBVA Compass Stadium 5:30 pm (4:30 pm) 1B vs 2A; 8:30 pm (7:30 pm) 1A vs 2B Sunday, February 21 – BBVA Compass Stadium 5 pm (4 pm) Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

Player must share blame for Windies decline – Roberts

F

Shemar Britton

Britton has devised a plan to keep training. “I make sure I have four playing days where I can train for an hour or two, it is not ideal but I need to keep training,” the national player said.

At the National Sports Commission (NSC) table tennis tournament in February, Britton was a standout. In the men’s single category, Britton defeated Nigel Bryan 12-10, 11-6, 11-7, 17-19, 9-11, 11-3 (4-2). In the men’s semi-finals, Britton got the better of Kyle Edghill 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 (4-1). At the “play to conquer” table tennis tournament, he captured both the Boys’ Under-18 and Under-21 Open. Just recently, he was a part of the national team that re-

turned with three gold and two bronze medals from the North American Team Championships.

Britton admirably pointed out the trouble that the sport faces. “The only problem we have is that we don’t have proper financial support from the business community, so it’s a little struggle getting funds for tours.”

He happily alluded to the perks that come with being a table tennis player as he gets to travel the world and get much exposure.

For a player who has the skill level Britton expresses, much credit has to be given to the work his coach has put in. Coach of the Malteenoes Table Tennis Club, Idi Lewis is the man behind Britton’s rise to the

ormer West Indies all-rounder Andy Roberts insists the players must take some responsibility for the regional team’s malaise despite the majority of fingers being pointed at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

All eyes have been turned sharply on once unbeatable West Indies team currently on a disastrous tour of Australia. In two Test so far the regional team has not only lost, but for the most part failed to compete.

The WICB under pressure in recent months,

top.

“Idi changed my table tennis career,” the player stated. In recollection of his journey with the Coach, Britton said: “My first national team, I was on the verge of making the national team, [but] I could not beat these guys, Kyle [Edghill] and Elishaba [Johnson] for death of me. But Idi took me under his wings and transformed me into a player not trying to make the Guyana team, but a player who is

Andy Roberts

following a out in India, also faced tions they be

player walkin 2014, have recommendadisbanded fol-

now leading the men’s crop of the Guyana team.”

Coach Lewis was not short of words as he explained the reason why Britton was such a dominant force in the table tennis arena. “He is a natural talent, as he runs, plays football, cricket; he does a lot.”

Lewis pointed out that Britton’s work ethic was extremely good and he was extremely determined. “If he comes to the Club, you will

lowing an independently funded assessment report.

Roberts, however, believes some of the attention must be focused on the pitch.

“I am going to not lay the blame totally on the Board, but I will lay the blame on the feet of the players, because the players have to take up responsibility to develop their cricket, so that they can have positive results,” Roberts said.

“You don’t have to win, all you have to do (is) to compete, but at the moment we (West Indies) are not competing, definitely not competing,” he added. (Digicel

Sportsmax)

see him working for four hours or so on the table,” he said. “He learns quickly: if you tell him something, you see in a couple of seconds he learns and is putting it into practice, so I think that combination made him rise to the top so quickly,” With continuous coaching and Britton’s hard-working mentality, the possibilities are endless for where he can take Guyana’s table tennis. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, january 4, 2016

Forde ready for football’s ‘uphill’ challenge in 2016 G

uyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde is of the belief that he, along with his newly installed executive, can lead Guyana’s football to prominence despite it being somewhat of an uphill task.

Forde, who described 2015 as one of the most challenging in the sport’s history for Guyana, commended the Normalisation Committee (NC) for the job done in 2015 amid all the chaos.

“The earlier part of 2015 saw situations that overlapped from 2014 where there were not a lot of football being played. Good enough, the NC was able to pick things up and the Stag Elite League is a marked improvement and shift away from the start/ stop operation we had in local football over the past couple of years” Forde highlighted.

Forde, the former Fruta Conquerors Football Club President, was adamant that 2015’s biggest milestones were the implementation of the eight-team Stag Elite League and the establishment of CONCACAF Club Licensing (the biggest achievement).

According to a press release, in January of 2015, FIFA, in collaboration with CONCACAF, informed its member associations about the implementation of the FIFA Club Licensing System in CONCACAF that introduced a set of minimum criteria into national and continental competitions from 2015 and 2016, respectively.

In Guyana, under the guidance of Technical Director Claude Bolton, CONCACAF licensing was implemented, with CONCACAF Club Licensing Manager Andres Portabella and FIFA Consultant

potential for the players are zoned in on.”

International campaign

GFF President Wayne Forde

Michael Gandler hosting a seminar for the 11 clubs who had met the criteria.

Of the 11 teams, Alpha United, Slingerz FC, Fruta Conquerors, Buxton United, Monedderlust, Pele FC, Georgetown Football Club (GFC) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were the teams named to participate in the two-part Stag Elite League.

“I think the Club Licensing programme could be considered as one of more significant achievements, as we all know, in every country in the world, football really starts at the club level. If we could get clubs functioning on all levels, then you’re likely to get players coming out from that environment...into our national programme where you don’t have to spend a lot of time and resources developing,” Forde said.

Looking ahead, Forde is of the opinion that “2016 will see a more consistent trend once the technical director gets his programme rolled out. I think ... the emphasis needs to be on football from every youth level mainly the focus on the U-15, because that is where the identification and the talent and the

Ramson shines in win over Bangladesh in LCWC

H

aving missed their first match as a result of flight delays, the Guyanese contingent representing the West Indies Lawyers Team put in a strong showing in the Commonwealth XI Team to secure a nail-biting victory over the Bangladesh Lawyers Team at the University of Queensland Ground in Brisbane, Australia.

The Bangladesh team won the toss and batted first, making 179 all out in 34.4 overs. The Commonwealth XI, captained by Sanjeev Datadin, started the pursuit nicely with an opening partnership of 59 from T Ramroop and M Singh from India,

before Singh retired hurt.

Charles Ramson Jr came to the crease batting at number three and saw three wickets fall in the same over from mediumpace bowling by Z Moosa, who ended up with five wickets from his sevenover spell.

Dinesh from Sri Lanka joined Ramson at the square and the pair put on a 93-run partnership before the wickets started to tumble again. Ramson held the tail together to secure the victory, hitting the winning runs.

The Commonwealth XI Team won the match with two wickets to spare.

Ramson finished the match on 77 not out from 75 balls.

Both Guyana’s senior male and female national teams were actively involved in international campaigning in 2015, with the men participating in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the women vying for a spot at this year’s Olympic Games in Brazil. Of the two, only the women saw some amount of success.

Guyana’s World Cup hopes were ended by St Vincent and the Grenadines, but Coach Mark Rodrigues was able to lead his Lady Jags to the final stage of qualification that will determine who will be CONCACAF’s representatives at the Rio Olympics.

“Our international campaign didn’t went as well as I trust all involved could’ve planned, but hopefully in 2016, with some of the work we’re going to be focusing on, we’re hoping to change some of that,” the GFF President said.

Nonetheless, Forde added, that in 2016, “I want to see a more vibrant senior men’s and senior female programme; we want to see a consistent league arrangement through the country, a continued emphasis on coaches and managers’ education.

We also want to see the emphasis also being placed on building capacity among the functioning managers within the sport of football.”

23

LABA/Malta Supreme Christmas Basketball tournament

Bulls tarnish Raiders’ undefeated record to claim title

W

ith the Retrieve Raiders aiming to remain perfect in order to claim the title of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA)/ Malta Supreme Christmas Basketball tournament, Half Mile Bulls had other plans.

Beaten once, in the tournament by the Raiders, Bulls exacted revenge to claim the championship with a comfortable 64-47 win, putting a blemish on the Raiders’ close-to-perfect run in the championship that concluded on Saturday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

National shooting guard Terron Welch had a good all-round performance, as the raging Bulls showed their zest and skills to overrun the experienced Raiders.

The Raiders stole the first quarter 10-7, based on the performances of two of their better players in current national player Keon Cameron and past national player Dwayne “Brown Suga” Roberts who had 10 points in the first half.

Despite the Bulls’ strong play in the second quarter with their perimeter heavy attack, the Raiders remained ahead by one point 25-24 when lemon time came.

Banks DIH officials meet the players before the final

The Bulls would come out in the second half with a number of double-teams on Roberts who was a low post beast for the Raiders.

Their defensive strategy on Roberts would allow the young Bulls squad to up the tempo of the game with a number of fast break points to open up a 46-37 lead by the end of the third period.

The Raiders failed to respond to the Bulls’ scoring spurt and were handsomely beaten by the end of the game.

Welch had a great game, scoring 16 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one blocked shot, while Michael Turner netted the game’s top score

of 17 points, collected seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Travis Dryden was a rebounding machine with 15 boards, 11 points, five assists and one steal as the young core led the Bulls in a balanced effort.

Banks Malta Supreme Manager Clayton McKenzie, Banks DIH’s Linden Branch Manager Shondel Easton and LABA President Larry Simon were introduced to the teams before the final, while the presentation of the various cash incentives and prizes will be done later this week. In the supporting Under-19 game, the West beat the East 5245.

T20 player exodus has forced Windies to rebuild: Lloyd

S

election chief Clive Lloyd believes the exodus of players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons to the lucrative Twenty20 circuit has definitely had a negative impact on the development of the West Indies Test side.

The legendary former West Indies

um and we now have to fill that.”

He continued: “People might say that we’re not a top-class side but some of these guys [in the current squad] have only played four Test matches and we can’t bring anybody from home because they’ll be just as raw, or young.”

While West Indies have been locked in the current three-Test series against Australia, Gayle, Simmons and Russell have all been campaigning in the Big Bash League here for various franchises.

Former Test and one-day captain Darren Sammy and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo are both also involved

Chris Gayle

captain said the absence of such players had left the Caribbean side with a vacuum and forced authorities in the region to undertake a rebuilding process.

“You can’t fault them (players who have turned to T20s),” Lloyd told a media conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground here Friday.

“The money that is being paid in these shorter games, it’s obvious that players are looking towards their future. And unfortunately we’re missing out, all those guys who we groomed have now left so we’re left with a vacu-

Lendl Simmons

in the Big Bash after having retired from the longer format of the game.

Lloyd, who oversaw one of the most successful periods of West Indies cricket in the late 1970s and early 80s, said some of these players would have

Andre Russell

played key roles in the touring Test side.

“That’s the situation we have, we have guys like Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Bravo and these fellas, they’ve retired from the longer form of the game,” he explained.

“I think somebody like Russell — surely we would have had a chat with him — but he has a problem with his knee and he’s just playing one-day cricket. Lendl Simmons too would have been a nice guy to have in the middle there because he’s an opener, he plays spin very well, he would have fitted in fine with our batting.

“But he’s not involved, so we’ve got to look somewhere else. It’s a bit of a sad situation but I’m sure that our cricket will get better.”

West Indies have struggled on tour so far, losing both Tests by significant margins. They went down by an innings and 212 runs in the Hobart opener before crashing to a 177-run loss in Melbourne last week. (CMC)

Monday, January 4, 2016

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

Windies suffer familiar collapse as Australia end day 1 in control Pg 19

Nathan Lyon celebrates a wicket with his team-mates (Associated Press)

Kraigg Brathwaite targets the leg side (Getty Images)

Lady Jags encamped Bulls tarnish Raiders’ for CONCACAF Olympic undefeated record Qualifiers in February LABA/Malta Supreme Christmas Basketball tournament

to claim title

Pg 23

Pg 22

The Lady Jags during a training session in Canada

G

The Half Mile Bulls celebrate their win with officials of LABA and Banks DIH

uyana’s national women’s team better known as the Lady Jags are currently encamped in Toronto, Canada ahead of their CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier Tournament set for February in Houston and

Frisco, Texas.

Guyana were placed in Group B of the tournament, along with Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, while World Champions USA head the so-called “Group of Death” that also

includes rivals Mexico, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica.

The Lady Jags will play their first game of the tournament against Canada on February 11 at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Texas.

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