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Linden Town Council P12 employees to get 15% salary increase Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3043

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

PRICE

Hamilton Green to get Prime Minister’s pension, other benefits Page 3

need to Bandit shot, Police restore public killed by Police confidence in Berbice – PSC Page 14

Page 15

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Police probe sale of nurses’ exam papers …resitting deferred

P9

2016 salary increases

GPSU gives P12 Govt monthend ultimatum

PPP demands appointment of new judges P9

Sugar industry’s future

Govt won’t leave unions out of talks – Harmon P10

President David Granger (third row centre) joins the other Heads of the various delegations for a photo-op at the Twenty-Second Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Morocco

Opposition PPP/C to finally get its day in Parliament Page 11

GAWU warns of “sweetheart” deal for Skeldon Factory Page 7

…says maybe there is more in the mortar than the pestle

P16 Miner hospitalised after tractor topples

Kamarang man charged for murder P16

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wednesDAY, november 16, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, November 16 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, November 17 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, November 16 – 05:30h-07:00h and Thursday, November 17 – 06:20h-07:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light cloud cover early in the morning is expected to give way to heavy rain showers throughout the day, while light cloud cover is expected to return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 05:28h and 17:41h reaching maximum heights of 2.79 metres and 2.90 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:15h and 23:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.46 metre and 0.33 metre respectively.

Hamilton Green to get Prime Minister’s pension, other benefits

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he Government of Guyana through the Finance Ministry is preparing to approve a legislative package to give to Hamilton Green the pension, benefits and other amenities afforded to a former Prime Minister.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan is slated to move the Bill for a first reading when the House meets again on Monday, to deal primarily with Oppositionrelated matters.

According to the Order of Business set out for parliamentarians and approved by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, Minister Jordan will present to the House, on behalf of Government the “Prime Minister Hamilton Green Pension Bill”.

That Bill, according to the description in the Order Paper, will pave the way for an Act “to provide a pension, benefits and other facilities to Hamilton Green, Prime Minister from 1985 to 1992, to enable him to live in keeping with the high office he occupied”.

Green was the recent beneficiary of a package that had been moved at the municipal level until Government could put a more substantial one in place.

City Councillors recently voted in favour of a motion to have the services of the City Constabulary Department extended to Green.

That motion was moved

by Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen and seconded by Councillor Heston Bostwick at the Council’s most recent statutory meeting.

It was reported that until a package becomes available from Government, City Hall wants Green to benefit from the services of security guards at his residence.

Chase Green at the time had remarked the former mayor served for 20 years in a succession and his was a unique case.

Green served as Guyana’s Prime Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Desmond Hoyte’s administration, from August 6, 1985 to October 9, 1992.

Green was succeeded by

Former Prime Minister Hamilton Green

Samuel Hinds, who represented the Civic component of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) following elections in 1992 that saw that Party taking office under the leadership of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.

In March 1993, Green sued the PNC for violation of his constitutional rights when that party at its Congress voted to expel him from the party.

He subsequently went on to form the Good and Green Guyana (GGG) party and successfully contested the 1996 Local Government Elections where he secured the mayorship of Georgetown – which he held until 2016 due in large part to the extended hiatus in the hosting of Local Government Elections.

Green was successfully readmitted to the PNC during the mid-2000s after a successful petition by the party’s New York Branch.

The former Prime Minister and Mayor currently serves at the helm of the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CH&PA) — a position he was appointed to following the May 2015 electoral victory by the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

Green was also more recently bestowed with a National Award – the Order of Roraima –for his prolonged and sustained commitment to public service in Guyana.

High-speed Police chase

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Gunman ID’d as suspect in BM Soat shooting

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ne of the three men nabbed on Monday after a high-speed chase with Police, was positively identified as one of the bandits who shot and robbed BM Soat Auto Dealer, Rameez Mohamed.

This was confirmed by A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) Commander, Clifton Hicken, who told Guyana Times that investigations are ongoing and assured that more information will be revealed today.

In late October, 28-yearold Mohamed was exiting the establishment on Croal Street, Georgetown, when two men rode up on a motorcycle and shot him to the left leg. The perpetrators then escaped with an undisclosed sum of cash.

Mohamed was taken to a private hospital in the city,

East Coast Demerara; and Devon Chase, 30, of Hill Street, Albouystown. The third suspect refused to cooperate with Police.

A 9mm pistol and 10 live rounds of ammunition were

Shot: Rameez Mohamed while the Police launched an investigation.

Meanwhile, on Monday, after almost an hour of chasing a suspicious car with fake registration plates, the Police took three men, including an ex-Guyana Police Force (GPF) officer, into custody.

Two of the men were identified as Eloy Livan, 28, of Lot 47 Richards Town, Lusignan,

also found in the vehicle.

However, it is still uncertain whether the third suspect was identified and whether the perpetrator in the BM Soat shooting was among those identified.

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

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

Editorial

Anti-loitering campaign

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or many schoolchildren across Guyana, the closing bell does not necessarily mean that it is time to go home. For some, the after-school hours present the most dangerous time. One cannot deny that all manner of unsavoury things can occur when children and even teenagers are unsupervised. Mischief runs amok.

Sometimes that mischief manifests itself in nuisance behaviour such as loitering around bus parks and businesses (particularly in the Stabroek Market area). Often this behaviour escalates into delinquent or criminal acts.

A few months ago, the Education Ministry announced that as a result of a new initiative, Operation CARE (Collect, Advise, Respond and Educate), which has replaced other truancy campaigns, the truancy rate has decreased.

This is indeed commendable; according to the news, the Schools’ Welfare Department has been conducting the campaigns once a week in all regions and the campaigns are guided by monthly reports on students’ attendance.

While the initiative is focused primarily on Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Georgetown, it has proven effective in keeping children in school and ensuring that they are aware of the importance of attending.

Additionally, under the CARE programme, the Schools’ Welfare Department has also been conducting weekly checks of bus parks and market areas for students, who should be in school during the prescribed hours. But one has to wonder if there is a programme to deal with the growing problem of loitering after school hours.

There have been public calls for the Education Ministry to address this growing problem. While it may be on the extreme side to urge the Police Force to become involved and to arrest those found lingering after hours, many times such extreme actions are needed. Again, Facebook has become quite the popular medium for circulating footage of fights between schoolchildren, after school hours. The evidence is there for the world to see. There is also the likelihood that many of these children and young people are engaged in drug use and if not, they are exposed to persons who are using drugs.

A pass along Croal Street (in the vicinity of the Kitty Bus Park) will reveal just how serious and potentially dangerous the problem is. It is worth noting that this is an area frequented by Police Officers and yet, the area is filled with young persons, in their school uniforms, long after school is out. At this time, these young people should be either at home or gainfully occupied. The time has long since passed for the implementation of a strict, long-term anti-loitering campaign.

If this does not prove effective in keeping the young people off the streets then perhaps after-school programmes will keep them in school longer. It matters not what will work, but rather something must be done to ensure that our future generations are safeguarded against themselves. As it seems, we are already losing the fight.

The hours after school, between 3 pm and 6 pm, offer opportunities for juvenile crime, sexual activity, and other risky behaviours such as drug and alcohol use. Research and evaluation studies have shown that participation in afterschool programmes have a positive impact on juvenile crime and help reduce pregnancies, teen sex, and boys’ marijuana use (Goldschmidt, Huang, & Chinen, 2007; Philliber, Kaye, & Herrling, 2001; Philliber, Kaye, Herrling, & West, 2002).

While after-school programmes have the potential to impact a range of positive learning and development outcomes, there are certain requirements that need to be met in order to maximise this potential. For instance, access to and sustained participation in the programmes, quality programming and staffing and strong partnerships among the programme and other places where students are learning, such as their schools, their homes, and other community institutions have proven effective.

Research and evaluation studies have shown how complex a task it is to provide high-quality, effective support for youths and their families, but they also provide powerful evidence that after-school programmes do work when key factors are addressed. For the sake of our future generations, all involved parties need to act now.

A man dressed as the Sesame Street character Big Bird sits on a bench waiting to take pictures with people walking through Central Park in New York (Reuters)

Sugar: deliberate sabotage?

Dear Editor, It was with great shock that the news of the state of the Skeldon sugar factory and the estate generally was received. The Chairman of GuySuCo Board, Dr Clive Thomas, used words like ‘falling to pieces’ and ‘rusting’, etc. The state of the fields also seems to be bad, according to Dr Thomas.

How did this happen?

Why was this allowed to happen? These are the questions that keep coming to mind.

After all, on December 15, 2015, the CEO of GuySuCo, with great pride, reported that the industry had exceeded its target for 2015. The target was 30,594 tonnes of sugar.

The highest production since the commissioning of the factory in 2009 was in 2014 when it produced 35,890 tonnes of sugar. The average production from 2009 to 2014 was 30,521 tonnes.

On September 16, 2015, GuySuCo credited Skeldon, along with Albion, Rose Hall and Blairmont estates, for making ‘major contributions’ to allow GuySuCo to surpass its target.

On September 16, 2015, it was also reported that Skeldon had exported 1,184,000 kilowatt hours of electricity to GPL for the month; up to that point, it

had exported 24,184,000 kilowatt hours of electricity to the national grid, for the year 2015.

The good performance of the Skeldon factory was not a surprise for those that have been following developments in the sugar industry.

While it is true that Skeldon had/has problems, it is also true that a lot of work was done to correct them.

In passing, let me note that both GuySuCo and the media have been critical of the Chinese contractors for the problems at Skeldon.

This is not totally true. It is unfair to the Chinese!

The Skeldon factory was supposed to be like the Komati factory in South Africa. That was how it was supposed to be designed.

The Komati factory produces sugar at US10 cents per lb.

The design was flawed.

It was not the Chinese that did the design. It was Booker Tate. They designed the factory and they were the Project Manager as well.

It is for that reason that the board and management of GuySuCo, under the PPP/C Government, took Booker Tate to court for breach of contract.

By the end of the first crop in 2015, Skeldon was beginning to perform better.

The punt dumper, as well as the condensator tank, the bagasse carrier and co-generation were all fixed.

Its performance was so promising that the management and Government (APNU/AFC) tried to gain cheap credit from the work of the PPP/C Administration, crediting the good performance to ‘no political interference...’

When the APNU/AFC regime took power, it employed four highly paid consultants, costing tens of millions of dollars per year to assist in the operations of the Skeldon factory.

We are entitled to know what work they have been doing to allow such deterioration in such a short time.

The talk about rusting parts, etc, suggests that no maintenance is being done at the factory.

We need to ask why?

Since the commissioning of the factory, the General Manager, Technical Services, has been tasked with the close monitoring of the factory. He submitted volumes of reports, none of which, up to May 2015, ever disclosed that the factory was ‘falling to pieces...’

Dr Thomas is reported to have said that not only the factory has problems, but the fields as well. This is a management issue.

It seems that the ne-

glect, or to use a stronger term, the running down of Skeldon is deliberate. It appears that there is a coincidence of views for different reasons by some persons in management, the Board and Government to destroy the sugar industry, Skeldon in particular.

Some of the managers clearly do not want to seek solutions. Their position for a while has been to close estates. The regime hates sugar workers and this is clearly an attempt to shut the industry down.

At the last two elections, they set out to deliberately fool them with the promise of a 20% increase.

Recall, too, that Dr Thomas said they are (at least for the time being) looking to keep Albion, Enmore, Blairmont and Utivlugt.

Nothing was said about Rose Hall, even though that estate is performing well.

Is this a signal that Rose Hall is on the chopping block?

From all the evidence before us, it is clear that this regime is moving to deliberately run down the industry to sell it or shut it.

This will be a worse disaster than the closing of the railways in the 1970s.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

guyana-times.com

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Foundation

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y the time you’ve tucked your children away in bed you’re usually ready for a well-earned rest! But before you plant that final kiss there’s one more thing you need to do: read a bedtime story.

The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics and Social Research and The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital all say both literacy and numeracy skills increase in children who are read to three to five times a week. Reading a bedtime story is a little like putting money into the bank and watching it grow. Here are five reasons you should be reading a story to your little one before turning out the light.

Applying to University

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1 – Build a stronger relationship

Reading a chapter before bed is awesome one-on-one time. There’s no email, housework or television to create a distraction: just the two of you escaping on some fantastical adventure together. The older your child grows, the harder it is to find distraction-free intimacy, so reading each night is a wonderful way to strengthen your bond and give the two of you something to be excited about together.

ue of right and wrong. You are teaching about the importance of kindness and why they should think about others. The best part is that these lessons are demonstrated in practical ways your child can understand, not as stern lectures from an adult.

4 – Fertilise their imagination

Exposing your child to language is proven to help expand their vocabulary. Your child will be introduced to new words and different ways to use the ones they already know. An increased vocabulary can improve confidence. Being bold with language has a positive social effect in children and your child will feel smart and confident when speaking both at home and in the classroom, eliminating potential frustration.

Escaping to new and fantastical worlds within the pages of their favourite book will help your child learn to use their imagination. Watch as the pages from a book come to life outside in the backyard, or in a carefully drawn crayon picture. Your child will learn to concentrate and listen closely to the descriptions you’re reading in order to re-create the images in their mind. This is a fundamental skill in being creative, one which you will appreciate each time you receive a homemade birthday card!

3 – Introduce morals

5 – It’s fun!

2 – Increase vocabulary

Children’s books love a good moral!

Rabbits get bullied by pink elephants, a cheeky duckling learns the value of honesty, and the list goes endlessly on. Each night you’re reading together, you’re teaching your child the val-

You might have forgotten just how much fun it was to read about Fantastic Mr Fox outwitting Farmer Boggis, Farmer Bunce, and Farmer Bean, but reading to your child each night will reintroduce you to all those

wonderful classics you enjoyed so much as a child. As an adult, your life is filled with important “adultish” thoughts, but going on an adventure with your child every night can be just as fun for you as it is for them.

Fun-time is always important for your child, but it’s important for you as well, so what better way to treat yourself than by becoming reacquainted with a few of your own childhood literary friends!

One of the most important jobs of a parent is to provide their children with the tools necessary to grow into a wonderful human being. Reading offers valuable educational, social and emotional learning tools that research has shown will provide your child a strong foundation to grow. Five minutes of reading a night can make a pretty big difference, for your child, and for you.

You can ask your school librarian for suggestions of books to check out from the school library or check with the children’s librarian at your local library for suggestions. Get a family library card. You can also find excellent books for children of all ages at Amazon.com. (Childdevelopmentinfo.com)

gain, I find myself compelled to write about school matters. But it is in my nature, as currently my occupation is that of a student.

Today, my primary focus is applying to university, since I am ravelled in the process myself at the moment.

Applying to university or just thinking about one’s future is a daunting taskAshley Anthony to say the least.

It’s a long, complicated and for most, an incredibly important process.

For many, like myself, we are looking to further our studies in the US, or Canada. To clear the air, this is not because I do not have pride in my country, or I do not wish to see it develop, but it’s because I simply cannot study what I would like to here. That being said, going through this process of applications, the most important bit of advice I can offer to younger students is start early.

If you’re looking to head to the US, understand that you’ll have to write the SATs and that these tests are written at a few specific times each year. Ensure you sign up for the one that will allow you to receive your grades in time to apply to your chosen universities. Be sure to check the requirements of these universities to determine if you’ll need to write the subject tests or the essay. Maybe even consider sitting the exam more than once so as to get your best possible grade.

Also, be sure to request your transcripts and letters of recommendation early, as well as projected grades (if you require them), since your school may take a long time to process and fulfil your requests. It would be unwise to request a transcript just two days before the deadline for application. You’ll be incredibly busy too, since you’ll most likely have to write essays for your application.

While this is just my small input, one thing you should do is try to learn as much about the process as you can. Talk to students studying abroad, studying here, and weigh the pros and cons. And if you can, even try speaking to a few professors too.

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wednesday, november 16, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

GAWU warns of "sweetheart" deal for Skeldon Factory … says maybe there is more in the mortar than the pestle

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he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) says it has been kept in the dark with regard the purported sale of the US$200 million modern Skeldon Sugar Factory and has in fact warned of a possible untoward deal at a giveaway price to a preferred buyer.

The Union sounded the alarm on Tuesday saying based on information available to it, “the ground is being fertilised to make a case for the sale of Skeldon at, quite possibly, a giveaway price and the workers and the public are not being adequately informed by the Chief Executive Officer, Errol Hanoman and/or the relevant Government official(s).”

GAWU has since pub-

licly voiced its objection to such a move. According to the Union, it “does not support the divestment of the Skeldon Factory and its rich and arable land – a part of our patrimony. Indeed, such an approach, we believe, most entail knowledgeable and responsible evaluators, consultations with the workers and their unions and, indeed, discussions involving the relevant agencies of the country.”

According to the Union representing sugar workers, “We see the move place the Skeldon factory on the chopping block will have negative repercussions for the industry and the country as a whole.”

It has since surmised that for the workers, the commu-

Skeldon Sugar Factory

nities, the cane farmers and others who are directly and indirectly linked to Skeldon Estate, such a decision would certainly place their employment and welfare grave risk.

“At this time, we emphasise our strong disagreement with the position mooted and strongly urge the Government and GuySuCo

to desist from such a course and instead to heed the credible and sincere views of the many Guyanese who have grave difficulties to support the selling out of the Estate.”

GAWU on Tuesday suggested that sugar workers and, no doubt, an alert public must have been taken aback and surprised to

learn, from media reports, that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Government are preparing the ground for the imminent sale of Skeldon Estate.

“The pattern we have been witnessing over the last year or so regarding the sugar industry is clearly continuing… The authorities seem bent on doing things and considering measures that are certainly not suitable for the well-being of the industry, the workers and the country.

Alternative and worthy proposals and ideas expressed by the Sugar Commission of Inquiry (CoI), trade unions, and other credible voices are simply shunned.”

The Union observed from news reports that the Corporation’s Board is ad-

vancing the sale, among other, “options” in addressing the sugar industry’s future.

GAWU said it wishes to point out that its representative on the Board is not aware of such a proposal being raised in at recent meetings, “neither has he been requested to express his view on these options… Apparently, the Board’s name is being used to illustrate that consultation is taking place and a democratic procedure is followed.”

GAWU said the move also raises the question whether other Board members are aware of what is being proposed in their name saying “most certainly, the workers of Skeldon and their Unions are left in the dark.”

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wednesday, november 16, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

The “threat”…

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…to national security

ou careful readers out there will notice your Eyewitness used “scare quotes” over “threat” in his caption. That doesn’t mean he’s necessarily doubting Prezzie and the authorities who assured that there was, in fact, such a “threat” - causing them to yank our men in green from their barracks to join our men in blue (khaki?) in the streets. He’s merely signalling that the word “threat” was the one actually used by the authorities.

Now cynics immediately snickered at what they considered to be a rather transparent ploy to distract the citizens huddled in fear at the unfolding crime wave.

The government, after all, to a large extent owes its incumbency to their assurance that if it’s one thing they knew, it was “security”. Their word. They pointed to the presence of all those be-medalled military advisers and ministers and heads of CoI’s as proof positive of their “security” bona fides. But yet, here crime is washing over the country like a tsunami, while the best the government could do is to issue a tsunami of statistics!

That didn’t do much for their image… not to mention the confidence of the huddled masses.

Even though they mightn’t actually be followers of Lenin, your Eyewitness can just see Prezzie hunkering down with his security brain trust (at Camp Ayanganna after a Cabinet meeting?) trying to answer Lenin’s seminal question, “What is to be done?” Ahhh… what would your Eyewitness give to’ve been a fly on THAT wall!! If the “threat” was the Venezuelans, he can just imagine the army brass raring to put into practice all that military might they displayed in Operation Greenheart! Your Eyewitness got tingles when he remembered the “lizard crawl” he learnt as a kid in school back in the eighties to take on the Venezuelan when they were rattling their sabres then. Not one spring cuirass!!

If the threat was armed gangs like during the “troubles” - which, Prezzie explained to Parliament, exploded full blown with no connection to politics, much less the PNC - then he can just hear ex-COP Felix promising to “head them off” as he did during the Agricola Massacre. But alas, it was most likely just the threat of another Prison Riot and burning of mattresses in the offing, since all that came out of the “red level” threat announcement was the joint forces raiding the jails and seizing cell phones and some “shivs”. That’s “jail-made knives” not the cricketer!

Remember Security Minister Ramjattan’s last visit to the Camp Street Jail? After he caved in to all their demands, they promised they’d be “good boys”!!!

…at the borders

The Security Minister was also in the news on the porous border issue which he claimed to have “solved” a couple of weeks ago at the Caribbean Basin Security meet with the US. At that time, he assured the nation that after his proposal, the US was going to deploy some “unmanned aircraft” - read “drones” - in Guyana, complete with their base, which would be a hundred miles from the border.

After your Eyewitness pointed out some obstacles in his pie-in-the-sky proposal - even the US can’t support such a programme on its Mexican border because of costs, Ramjattan seemed to’ve backed off.

Asked about guns shipped across our borders, he now mentioned some “Police outposts” along the borders. Now he knows we can’t even fill our quota of Policemen for our coastal needs… how’s he “gonna” (his favourite Americanism!!) get them into the jungle. Since he obviously reads your Eyewitness, why’s he avoiding the proposal to deploy our soldiers to do the job they’re mandated and trained to do?

Like protecting our borders?

…to electoral stability

Now that Steve Surujbally’s signalled that the politicians won’t have him to kick around every five years, there’ll be weeping and waiting and gnashing of teeth!

Let’s see them agree on his replacement!!

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

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wednesday, november 16, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police probe sale of PPP demands appointment nurses’ exam papers of new judges

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… resitting deferred

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he countrywide re-sitting of the Professional Nursing Programme Student’s Examination was placed on hold until Police wrap up its investigation into the allegation that the papers were sold to students beforehand.

Nursing students recently protested over the Guyana Nursing Council’s (GNC) decision for them to retake the final exam after it was discovered that the papers were compromised.

Highly annoyed by the turn of events, some of the nursing students attached to the New Amsterdam Nursing School took to the streets to express dissatisfaction in suffering the consequences of a few others.

“We are unhappy of a decision to punish an entire

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

country for the mistakes of a few. On top of that, the papers for the examination are being printed by the Council; it means that it was leaked from the Council, so we are annoyed because we don’t know why we should be punished for something that occurred in their organisation,” one of the nurses said.

Some of the protesting nursing students

Additionally, they argued that the time for a re-sit is too short since they were not given adequate time to prepare for another examination.

However, intervention by the Public Health Ministry on Monday saw this decision being deferred until Police complete their probe into the alleged breach.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, told media operatives on Tuesday that the Ministry’s Health Policy Committee met with the Nursing Council and other stakeholders to discuss the matter when it was decided that a re-sitting of the examination should be contingent to the findings of the investigation.

Dr Norton explained that if the extent of which the papers were leaked was major, then most likely students will have to retake the exam but if it was to a minimal level, then alternatives would be explored to grade the budding nurses.

He said proposals have been made for the coursework of the students throughout their three years be used to determine their success as an alternative to rewriting the exam.

However, if it comes down to having to retake the examination, the Minister said a decision will have to be made regarding which organisation will spearhead the initiative.

He explained that if the Nursing Council is found to be greatly corrupt, then an independent body will have to set the papers, while efforts will be made to revamp the GNC. Asked about possible penalties for those found culpable, the Minister said that is up to the courts to decide.

He also did not say definitively if students found guilty of purchasing the exam papers will be punished. When prompted, the Minister said “you can only buy if you are being sold.” Dr Norton empathised with the nursing students and asked them to be patient while the matter is being resolved.

He emphasised that it is of utmost importance that the problem is solved in a timely manner since the nursing sector is always in need of young professionals.

Some 250 nursing students stand to be affected by the decisions made in relation to this matter. (Devina Samaroo)

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is calling on the David Granger-led Administration to address the shortage of judges in the judiciary now.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, during a news conference on Monday, expressed concerns over the shortage of judges which he said is affecting the administration of justice to the detriment of the citizens.

“We are aware that there are dire shortages of judges in the judicial system,” he stated.

Reports indicate that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) made recommendations to the President for the appointment of several judges to the High Court and the Court of Appeal several months ago.

However, to date, no such appointment has been made.

“The retirement of Chief Justice Ian

Chang SC has created quite a void in the judicial system. He was replaced by the Honourable Justice of Appeal, Mrs Yonette Cummings-Edwards, thereby leaving the Court of Appeal, a three-member Court,

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

with only two judges. Every time the Court of Appeal sits, a Judge from the High Court is required to leave all of his/her cases in the High Court to go to the Court of Appeal.

The consequences are chaotic in the High Court,” he stressed.

Rohee also highlighted that the work of the crucial constitutional and Administrative Law Court is severely affected by this situation.

This is a specialised Court which was established to exclusively hear and determine, with dispatch, allegations of the citizens’ of constitutional violations and abuse of power by the Executive branch and by public officers.

“In the circumstances, we call upon President David Granger to swiftly act upon the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission as he is obliged to do under the Constitution of Guyana,” Rohee urged.

He pointed out that under President Ramotar’s Administration the complement of the judges of the High Court was increased from 12 to 20, specifically, to avoid the problems currently affecting the administration of justice.

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News

Sugar industry’s future

Govt won’t leave unions out of talks – Harmon

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inister of State, Joseph Harmon has assured stakeholders that the workers’ unions representing the labour force of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will not be left in the dark during Government’s deliberations on the future of the ailing sugar industry.

The cash-strapped and highly-indebted sector has been at the centre of controversy for a number of years, with many advocating for its closure, while some argue that the sugar company just needs restructuring to turn things around.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition was strongly against the previous Administration’s continuous multibillion-dollar bailouts for GuySuCo; however, now in Government, it continues to do same until it arrives at a decision about the future of the industry.

Government already launched a Commission of

Inquiry (CoI) into the state of GuySuCo and the sugar industry, and is in the process of implementing some of the recommendations made in the CoI report.

Additionally, a Cabinet subcommittee is currently considering the options in relation to the future of GuySuCo, including the possibility of shutting down the entire industry. The Committee is expected to submit its report by mid-November outlining what approach should be adopted.

During the most recent post-Cabinet press briefing, the Minister of State disclosed that the Government was committed to working with the workers’ unions – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE).

“The sugar unions are a part of the stakeholders in this matter and we welcome any in-

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

put from the unions in dealing with these issues,” he said.

He also encouraged the unions to make contact with the Government, rather than jumping to the media when they have issues to resolve, noting that more progress would be made in the first instance.

“We consider the unions to be a very, very important stakeholder in the industry and we would never leave them out of the considerations about

the future of sugar in this country,” Harmon said.

The unions have criticised the Government and GuySuCo for not involving them in consultations regarding critical decisions made which will affect the welfare of the workers, as was the case with the Wales Sugar Estate.

Meanwhile, Harmon had outlined that the worst option was to maintain the status quo, that is to do nothing and allow the Corporation to go along as it is, since there would be serious implications for the national treasury, which may incur the cost of some $18.6 billion in 2017 and another $21.4 billion in 2018, if nothing changes.

GuySuCo already has an excess of $80 billion in debt, notwithstanding the fact that only recently, the cashstrapped entity was asked to repay a loan of almost $4 billion, which it received from Central Government as part of its $12 billion subsidy last year.

Draining the swamp

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atiricus was back at the Back Street Bar, which was all abuzz with the impassioned discussions on the American elections. As he sauntered towards to his usual spot at the rear, he spied Bungi and Hari already ensconced with beers in hand.

“Hey fellas,” Satiricus said effusively. “How come y’all so early?”

“Yuh know abee grine aff, right Sato?” asked Bungi, as he signalled for a beer for Satiricus. “Dem na gat mo’ cane in de backdam.”

“Yeah… yeah… I know,” said Satiricus with a grin. “I don’t hear the factory whistle any more. Thank God… I can now get some sleep in the morning.”

“So Sato,” began Hari as he took a long pull at his beer, “Now that Trump is in, you think he’ll keep his promise to ‘drain the swamp’ in Washington?”

“Drain de swamp?” interjected Bungi with a puzzled look. “When abee drain dem field dat dem swamp in de backdam, abee does ketch plenty fish!”

“It’s just an American expression, Bungi,” Hari explained. “In Florida, they used to drain swamps to kill mosquito that cause malaria.”

“So you ‘drain the swamp’ to get rid of parasites,” grinned Satiricus. “And this is what Trump promised to do to all the parasites in Washington.”

“The problem with Trump,” said Hari “is he sees all immigrants as parasites that should be deported when the swamp is drained.”

“But wha mek ayou only a talk ‘bout ‘Merica?” said Bungi. “Me t’ink dem shoulda drain de swamp in Jargetong laang now!”

“So who are some of the local parasites you’d like to be gone?” enquired Satiricus, as he signalled for another beer.

“All twenty-seven a dem Ministah!” announced Bungi.

“Man you’re not messin’ around!” said Hari. “What did they do?”

“Da de prablem,” announced Bungi firmly. “Dem na do waan blasted t’ing and dem suck abee blood wid dem 50 per cent raise!”

“Why Bungi!” exclaimed Satiricus. “That is the definition of parasite!”

“Let’s drink to that!” Said Hari.

Bottles were clinked all around.

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Opposition PPP/C to finally get its day in Parliament – wants full disclosure on D’Urban Park, Parking Meter Projects

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he 65 members of the National Assembly are expected to on Monday turn their attention to the business that has been promulgated by the political Opposition – this is after the Opposition business had been hijacked by Government during the recent sitting.

On that occasion, the leader of the Government’s business in the House had moved a motion – in keeping with the Standing Orders – to have Government’s business take precedence, namely a debate, to approve the policies that had been outlined by Head of State David Granger when he addressed the House on its return from its 2016 annual recess.

According to the Order Paper for Monday’s sitting, “By an Agreement between the Government and Opposition, with the approval of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Private Members’ Business shall be given precedence at the sitting on 21st November 2016.”

On that occasion, Chairperson of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Irfaan Ali, is slated to move a motion on the Parking Meter Project being implemented in the capital city – Georgetown.

Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will be looking to garner Government’s support to have the National Assembly call on the Auditor General to immediately conduct a forensic audit into the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), including the parking meter contract.

Parliament Building

Ali contends, “There are many legal hurdles and protocols to address, including the yet unresolved critical issue of whether the Mayor and City Council have authority over public roads such as Regent Street, Water Street and Avenue of the Republic.”

He has observed in his proposed motion that “the Government of Guyana – through the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communities and the Ministry of Legal Affairs – has reviewed the parking meter contract and has found that the contract may have violated tender procedures; that the contract is too much in favour of the parking meter party and that the cost is burdensome.”

Meanwhile, former Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill is also expected to seek the House’s approval for an inquiry into the multimillion-dollar D’Urban Park Project.

Edghill, in his motion on behalf of the PPP/C, is looking to have Government come clean on the finances and others aspects in the development of the project.

The former Junior Finance Minister is looking to have full disclosure on the names of the individuals and the private organisation, which were in charge of this project from its inception, to the April takeover by the Public Infrastructure Ministry, the donors and their contributions in cash and/or kind who contributed to the initial phase and completion of the Jubilee D’Urban Park Development Project.

The list of contractors and the process of procurement used to secure those engaged and the budgeted and actual costs for every phase of the project completed and a projected final cost for the overall project among other queries.

The Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira is also expected to move a motion named and related to the report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service.

Teixeira is looking to have the members of the House call on Government to have the contents of the report be placed on the order paper, in order to facilitate a debate on its contents and recommendations.

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2016 salary increases

GPSU gives Govt month-end ultimatum

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aving already rejected the Government’s proposed ‘interim’ payout of salary increases for 2016 at a differentiated rate of one to 10 per cent, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) wants the Administration to return to the bargaining table by month-end.

This position was adumbrated by the GPSU on Tuesday, as it indicated that it wanted Government to immediately and clearly address its position on the agreed mechanism for addressing the deadlocked negotiations on wages and salaries.

The GPSU is adamant that it is in Government’s own interest and the interest of all Guyanese that the issue of the emoluments of the nation’s Public Servants be treated with the level of urgency and importance

which it deserves.

“There is, even at this time, manifest evidence that demands are being made of Public Servants and the Public Service that are inconsistent with the rewards that they are being offered,” the GPSU stated.

According to the public missive issued by the GPSU, it is both disappointed and concerned over the fact that the Government’s negotiators do not appear to attach the deserved level of urgency in dealing with the aforementioned issues in a fair and reasonable manner.

“We believe that this posture ignores the continuing anguish and frustration of Public Servants and sends a message that might even raise questions about the extent to which any serious value is placed on the contribution that Public Servants make.”

It said too of equal im-

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

President David Granger

portance, “the GPSU ponders the seeming dichotomy between the publicly articulated desire on the part of the Government of Guyana for meaningful and comprehensive public service reform, on the one hand, and the seeming disposition of indifference to hastening the pace of the ensuing negotiations on wages, salaries and allowances, among other things, in the other.”

According to the GPSU, “it should be made clear that it is not realistic to anticipate a qualitatively enhanced Public Service in circumstances where little corresponding attention is being paid to adequately incentivising Public Servants to rise to challenges that are being set them.”

The Union said it had been its expectation that the negotiations between

itself and the Government of Guyana would have, by now, realised much more than an ‘unreasonable and unacceptable’ wages and salaries offer and that “we would have at least arrived at a point where the talks would have resulted in some measure of seasonal satisfaction… That, regrettably, has not been the case.”

The Union said it was on record as having clearly stated its rejection of the 2016 wages and salaries increase offer made by the Government and deemed the payout made in October 2016, to have been an interim measure.

“As a consequence, the Union called for the speedy return to the negotiating table to address with alacrity the remaining issues on the agenda, including allowanc-

es, de-bunching, increments and other conditions of services for Public Servants.”

The GPSU noted too that it was the expectation of Public Servants that the appropriate mechanism for ensuring continuity in the wages and salaries negotiations would be effected with due haste and there would be an early return to the negotiating table in order for the various other unfinished items to be dealt with.

It was observed that while there have been exchanges of correspondence between the Union and the Government of Guyana on the matter over the past several weeks, it is the view of the Union that the Government is not attaching to these matters the merited level of urgency and importance.

Linden Town Council employees to get 15% salary increase

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inden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) employees will soon benefit from a 15 per cent increase in salary.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland made this announcement during an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, where he disclosed that the salary increase will be effective across the Board and will be applicable from this month.

Several employees have expressed enthusiasm over the development, since over the years the municipality has had difficulty in paying staff, many of which are paid below the minimum wage. Holland said too that the Council will also have to re-examine the increase, come next month.

"For the first time in many years, Council is going to have a raise of salary, from this month. We're going to re-visit this as well in December, because it's not where it should be and we're not fully satisfied. We want our workers to get what they duly deserve. So we'll relook it come December," the Linden Mayor stated.

He also acknowledged that many workers within the municipality are underpaid, with some taking home a mere $35,000 and $38,000 per month, while others, he noted, take home just over $50,000.

"The majority of our workers are under the minimum wage… which is ridiculous. So we throw in a 15 per cent, which will take not all the workers, but a lot of the workers over the minimum wage. That's what we can afford at the moment.

Come December we're going to try and ensure that each and every one of our workers

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

are at the minimum wage level at least by next year," Holland stated.

Holland explained that the increase was made possible through a collective effort. He added that the Council has also tightened up on excessive and unwarranted spending within the municipality as a means of saving and increasing its income.

“Coupled with the fact that we have the toll booth and we're looking to deal with the bridge toll. We've done the amnesty (rates and taxes) and we've extended it to December. When we put together these factors, we were able to do a small increase," he added.

Furthermore, the Mayor commended the Council on working to attain the increase, adding that there has not been any difficulty in paying employees’ salaries since it took up office, apart from a few days delay in payment for Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) workers.

"Every month, our core workers have had their salaries and I think it's commendable on the part of the Council. It's a great achievement for us," he said.

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7 arrested in Number 70 ‘body on road’ death S

even persons were on Tuesday taken into custody as Police probe the death of 26-year-old Fayez Narinedat of Number 70 Village, Corentyne.

On November 1, 2016, the carpenter’s body was discovered lying on the road with marks of violence.

The body of Fayez Narinedat as it was found on the road

Dead: Fayez Narinedat

The body was discovered at about 03:45h at a scene which appeared to be that of a hit-and-run accident. Divisional Commander Kevin Adonis has said the matter is being considered a homicide; however, following an autopsy conducted by forensic Pathologist, Dr Nehal Singh, it was revealed that Narinedat suffered a frac-

tured skull and spine among other injuries. Dr Singh’s findings revealed that the father of two was not hit while in a standing position, Police had been looking for evidence to support the theory of a road accident.

However last week, Guyana Times reported that family members of the dead man were calling for a proper investigation after circulating flyers which gave a detailed account of what may have transpired, prior to the discovery of the body.

The information was purportedly given by an eyewitness who has since gone into hiding, fearing for his life.

The alleged eyewitness claims that Narindat was at a party hosted by an overseas-based Guyanese at

Number 70 Village, the evening before.

Family members had reportedly called for an investigating team from Georgetown to handle the matter. Three days ago, one of the persons named as a suspect, reportedly assaulted the man who allegedly produced the flyer. There are reports that the matter was reported to the Police and the response was not satisfactory.

On Tuesday, a team consisting of members of the Major Crime Unit visited Berbice and met with a few persons at Number 70 Village before making the arrest.

All of those arrested are persons who were reportedly named in the flyer.

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wednesday, NOVEMber 16, 2016

News

Bandit shot, killed by Police in Berbice A

n unidentified male who reportedly drew a loaded firearm at Police ranks responding to a report of larceny of sheep, was fatally shot by one of

the ranks with a service revolver, at about 06:20h on Wednesday morning, in a farm house at Mount Sinai, which is one of the suburbs of New Amsterdam, Berbice,

Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Police said the man drew a loaded firearm at the rank who shot him.

Guyana Times under-

The farmhouse at Mount Sinai

stands that the dead man, called “Blackie�, lived on the Essequibo Coast. He is reported to have been farming marijuana 40 miles up the Berbice River for several months and would normally visit New Amsterdam to sell his product. Persons could only confirm that he has an East Indian girlfriend who lives in Georgetown.

According to the Police, three Police ranks, one armed with a service weapon, proceeded to a location at Lochaber Village, West Canje.

The ranks then proceeded towards the entrance of the farm house and were immediately confronted by a male, who rushed into the house, armed himself with a handgun and attempted to shoot the armed Policeman, who followed closely behind him.

During the confrontation, the rank discharged his firearm several times at

the suspect, who fell. The man was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Illegal gun found

An unlicensed silver coloured Taurus pistol and six live matching rounds were retrieved. Several articles were discovered during a search of the house, including a Plum cellphone, two silver finger rings, one silver chain, one compact laptop computer, and other electronic gadgets. The first four items were positively identified by one Ravendra Bipram, 27, of Anchorville, Port Mourant, Berbice, as his property.

He was allegedly robbed at gunpoint about 19:30h on November 11, 2016, at Smithfield Access Road, New Amsterdam, by a male fitting the description of the deceased who brandished and discharged a round in his di-

rection from a silver handgun.

Police say the house is allegedly owned by a known convict who lives at Mount Sinai, New Amsterdam.

Guyana Times observed that the one room farm house was equipped with a bed, and a clothes line which hung above the bed; on it were several pieces of clothing. There was also a kerosene stove in the building. A pair of male sneakers was next to the bed.

On the verandah lay a pair of jeans. According to the Police, following the discovery of the firearm and electronic gadgets, a team of officers went to the Mount Sinai residence and arrested a 28-year-old male from Sand Hills, Berbice River, after an unlicensed Taurus pistol with 10 live matching rounds was found on his person. The house was searched and one laptop computer, seven cellular phones, a pair of binoculars, two motor cycles, a motor car and a lighting plant were also found and taken into custody. The owner was not at home, the Police said.

However, a source told this publication that the Police also removed in excess of $300,000. According to one resident, officers on the scene did have what appeared to be a quantity of cash while at the back door of the building.

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wednesday, November 16, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

News

Police need to restore Dataram, Boodnarine charged with illegal possession of firearm public confidence – PSC

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C

onvicted drug lord Barry Dataram and his reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine were again before the courts on Tuesday morning, this time charged with illegal firearm possession.

They were escorted to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts under heavy Police guard as they made an appearance before Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer the joint charge.

Both Dataram and Boodnarine pleaded not guilty to the charge; however, since the duo had another pending drug charge, the matter was deferred to another date.

It is alleged that on April 16, 2015, at Diamond Housing Scheme, they had in their possession 180 .223 rounds of live ammunition without being holders of a firearm licence.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford-Thompson, made an application for a date for the commencement of

Anjanie Boodnarine

Barry Dataram

the trial, which was granted.

Meanwhile, Dataram is currently serving an eightyear sentence for four different charges. These charges include cocaine trafficking, forgery, attempting to evade penalty and departing Guyana without the consent of an immigration officer.

Both Dataram and Boodnarine fled the country before sentencing was handed down on the cocaine matter, leading to the other charges.

Boodnarine, of Lot 79 Patentia, West Bank Demerara, remains on remand for the charges of forgery and departing Guyana without the consent of an immigration officer.

The two will return to court on November 25, 2016.

Body found on Lamaha Street

The bloated body of an unidentified man was discovered on Tuesday

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olice were called to Lamaha Street, Alberttown, on Tuesday afternoon, after the body of a man was seen lying close to a gutter in the area.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the bloated body of the man was discovered at around 12:30h by a passerby.

The body has not yet been

identified but persons in the community claim that the man is a known vagrant, who would be seen in the area from time to time. Based on the condition of the body at the time of the discovery, the Police said the man seems to have died within the last few hours. The circumstances surrounding the man’s demise is now being investigated.

GAWU warns of "sweetheart"...

FROM PAGE 7

GAWU also used the opportunity to decry purported moves made by the Corporation to engage the Wärtsilä group purportedly in relation to the factory’s cogeneration plant.

According to the GAWU missive, “it is bewildering as to why GuySuCo would engage Wärtsilä especially since its known area is power generation and we are unaware of any track record of its credible knowledge with respect to sugar factories and thus its conclusion are open to be questioned.”

The Union observed too that the public is now being told that as much as $12 billion is required to bring the estate up to speed and suggested “clearly this is an astronomically overstated

sum… It would be interesting to learn of the breakdown of this big sum.”

Responding to media reports that the GuySuCo Board has already begun talks with prospective buyers, GAWU sought to query, “Is it a case that there are buyers or just a buyer.”

The Union contends that “it is also puzzling that the Skeldon factory now described as a ticking time bomb and requiring an astounding sum to be put right, yet is attracting interested purchaser/s so eager to talk…

Maybe there is more in the mortar than the pestle.”

The Union believes that transparency is certainly lacking even in this case involving the newest and costliest sugar factory.

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has urged the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to up its stance in ensuring that public confidence is restored and maintained.

PSC executive member Gerry Gouveia said that the PSC was pleased with the recent Police statistics which show a decline in criminal activities; however, he said while that was good, it does not edge out the importance of public confidence in the Police.

Gouveia was raising his views during the presentation of the Force’s security plans for the Christmas season.

He said he can recall the period when the Force was booming with public confidence, however, according to him that is currently at a low end.

“I don’t think the statistics is going to change that, what is going to change that is this plan that I heard that was unveiled to do with the Policing

plans for Christmas. I am a big advocate against having the Army in crime fighting in urban areas, but I certainly believe that in a small country like ours, there is a place for the Army, when the time is right and I think the time is now,” Gouveia told senior Police officials, which included Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

Gouveia said the Army needs to now join with the Police and increase the presence of armed patrols on the streets, especially in areas where the statistics reveal a high prevalence of crime.

“In business communities we are hearing all kinds of conspiracy theories happening with guns and gangs,” he said, continuing that when people lack confidence in the Police Force; they begin taking matters into their own hands.

“Right now I know that people are developing Whatsapp groups and they themselves

are taking out pictures of people and circulating it. I had about 10 pictures on my phone of alleged (criminals). And I’m wondering why they are not sending it to the Police.”

He said the Police need to take that into consideration.

He said that while the statistics are good, restoring public confidence is the main thing.

He also turned his attention to citizens themselves, saying that each person must also play their part by helping the Force.

“Citizens got to get involved in hunting you… And in that sense I want to say that we have been helping the Police Force at all levels”.

Gouveia, who is also CEO of Roraima Group of Companies, offered to provide one hour free airborne surveillance time to the Police Force each month. He said he hopes other citizens could also help the Police in getting their job done.

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Miner hospitalised after Ramsammy’s Ruminations As crime spirals tractor topples APNU/AFC blames

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wenty-three-year-old Navindra Budhai, of Supenaam on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) narrowly escaped death after the tractor he was travelling on toppled and pinned him to the ground for hours.

The incident occurred almost two weeks ago around 20:00h at Buckhall.

everyone else but themselves

A Budhai sustained several injuries

Kamarang man charged for murder

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Kamarang, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) resident appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman on a charge of murder.

The charge against Presley Abrahams stated that between November 1 and 2, he murdered Dexter Edwards at Kamarang vil-

lage.

Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman, who represented the defendant, told the court that his client signed a caution statement, but Police edited the statement unbeknownst to his client.

Abrahams was remanded to prison. The case will continue on November 25 before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Recounting the horrific ordeal, Budhai said that on Diwali night, his life changed forever. He explained that he, along with the driver of the tractor, were going uphill along a rocky path when tragedy stuck.

The man said that before he realised what was happening, he was pinned under the tractor and in immense pain. As a result, Budhai suffered a displaced hip and remains a patient at the Suddie Public Hospital.

The 23-year-old further explained that he screamed for help and the driver along with another man as-

The injured 23-yearold Navindra Budhai

sisted him. He was rushed out of the area to the Suddie Public Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to his left foot.

Budhai said he cannot yet come to grips with the situation and he is hoping that he would be able to walk properly again. The miner takes care of his parents and usually ventures to the backdam to earn a livelihood. Guyana Times is unaware if the matter was officially reported to the Police. Budhai is expected to spend another week at the medical facility.

sk anyone and they will tell you that crime is spiralling out of control. In every region, in every village, citizens are worried, living in fear.

They see it with their own eyes and too often, too many families feel the pain of murders, robberies, beatings and rapes. I know the Police have consistently Dr Leslie Ramsammy maintained that crime is down compared to last year or whatever is another convenient baseline. Even as we read and experience daily another gruesome crime somewhere in Guyana and another family’s experience of being beaten and robbed, the Police provide us with statistics to prove their point that crime is down. Depending on who is speaking and when, APNU/AFC tells the nation crime is down and crime is up, conflating an appalling arrogance with a sinking feeling that confusion reigns in the ranks of government.

The economy is sinking, unemployment is rising, sugar is collapsing, rice is undergoing its worst period in more than twenty years, but every citizen will tell you that crime is our most urgent business right now. Spiralling crime has reached emergency proportion, while the government is confused and often MIA (missing in action). When they do appear, APNU/AFC simply reverts to the old and tested mantra - blame Jagdeo, Ramotar and the PPP. As crime plagues our everyday lives everywhere in Guyana, citizens are increasingly despondent that David Granger, his Public Security Minister and his Cabinet are lost at sea, clueless and worse, uncaring. Fudging the statistics is not a plan, is not a remedy. Fudging the statistics keep ordinary citizens fearfully awake at nights, even if it guarantees that APNU/ AFC leaders blissfully sleep the nights away.

President Granger, in an obvious appeal to his supporters, announced this past week that crime in Guyana right now is of a special kind - it is organised to make his government look bad. In an insensitive perversion of the truth, he has sought to make himself and his APNU/AFC colleagues the victims of crime and ordinary citizens, the actual victims, become merely collateral damage. Notice how citizens are always mere collateral damage for APNU/AFC. So the family which just lost everything they own because of a brutal robbery is not the victim. The criminals did not commit a crime against the family; they were merrily trying to make APNU/AFC look bad.

Granger alluded to some form of centrally organised chaos designed to embarrass the government. He knows much about centrally organised violence to embarrass and destabilize a Government. As a historian and a leader of the People's National Congress, he is well-aware of the centrally organised thuggery in the early 1960s that eventually led to the PPP being driven out of office and the PNC initiated the dictatorship that lasted almost three decades in Guyana. He is well aware of the centrally directed crime waves in the 2002-2006 period that was designed to overthrow the PPP government. That centrally organised criminality involved elements in the army and the Police, persons who are now an integral part of the APNU/AFC leadership. No doubt he has not forgotten the centrally directed violence in Linden when APNU/AFC organised protests against the proposed increase of electricity rates.

Adding to the lame excuse from the APNU/AFC, the Minister of Public Security, who seems to be in "never never" land most of the time, bemoans the lack of resources to Police the border. I am hopeful that Ramjattan has not forgotten that he, his boss, David Granger, and colleagues like Basil Williams, Winston Felix, Nagamootoo, Greenidge, and many others voted against a trafficking of illegal weapons bill when they were in opposition. They deliberately blocked the PPP government from taking more effective actions to control the entry of illegal weapons into our country. At the time they saw benefits in not having the resources to better manage entry of illegal weapons in our country. Ramjattan should be ashamed and apologise to the people of Guyana, not shed crocodile tears.

The amount of time and resources the APNU/AFC has spent on going after the PPP leadership, rather than focusing on the challenges our people face, is disgustingly reinforcing the stereotype prevalent in developed countries that we are nothing but a banana republic, where tyrants and dictators humiliate and lock up their opponents. Granger and APNU/ AFC have played up to this stereotype perfectly and almost two years into their administration, they are still preoccupied, spending time and resources on locking up their opponents.

The problem is while they fiddle, the country is held hostage by criminals who feel emboldened because they see a friendly government, a government on their side. (Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com)

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Bartica Massacre trial

Gunmen broke safes, stole firearms from Police Station

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s the Bartica Massacre trial continued on Tuesday at the High Court, two Police witnesses testified that the gang broke safes and padlocks at the Bartica Police Station during the February 17, 2008 ordeal and made off with several weapons and matching ammunition.

Among the weapons reportedly stolen from the safes were six FN rifles with 274 rounds; two .30 US carbine guns with 120 rounds; two 12-gauge shotguns along with 12 cartridges; four .38 revolvers with 39 rounds; and 10 FN maximums, all property of the Guyana Police Force. The 12-member jury also heard that the bandits stole $55,000 in bail money and $10,450 in learner drivers’ fees.

Police Sergeant Gavin Marshall and Retired Sergeant Cheryl Hill testified that the day before the brutal massacre at Bartica, they witnessed that a wooden ‘strong box’ and one metal safe had been secured by use of tower bolts and one padlock each, before they handed over the shift to other ranks at the Bartica Police Station. Sergeant Hill had handed over to Corporal Zaheer Zakir, who was murdered by the criminal gang.

Marshall had travelled to Georgetown, while Sergeant Hill was stationed at a pavilion between Third and Fourth Avenue, Bartica at the time of the attack. She testified that while the gun-

Terror and mayhem: Mark Williams, Dennis “Anaconda” Williams and Roger Simon are the three standing trial for the Bartica Massacre

men commenced their attack around 21:40h, she and two other ranks were too afraid to return to the station. The retired policewoman added that she stayed put for hours, because she felt that it was unsafe to proceed on foot.

Upon her return after 04:00h the next morning, Hill testified, the broken box and the six-foot high metal safe that she saw may have been broken off by gunfire. “I did not see the arms or ammunition in the wood cupboard nor the money in the safe,” the Sergeant explained.

Meanwhile, the court also heard that two .32 revolvers along with 10 rounds which belonged to RK’s Security Service was also kept at the Police Station.

Under cross-examination, Sergeant Marshall revealed that nothing was untoward with RK’s arms and ammunition being lodged at the station, saying “it was okay” for this to have oc-

curred.

In his recollection of events, Marshall further noted that at 21:50h, while at home on that fateful night, he saw a newsflash on television about the terror at Bartica.

He reported to the Tactical Services Unit at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary before he was transported back to Bartica around 02:00h the next day, and recalled seeing the lifeless bodies of murdered Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne, as well as the five men who were shot dead at the ferry stelling.

“I saw Lance Corporal Zaheer and Constable Fredericks lying almost close to each other with what appeared to be gunshot wounds,” Marshall noted, adding that he had submitted a statement to Police which noted all that he had witnessed.

Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Michael Sutton, who

testified earlier on Tuesday, said that he too was afraid of leaving his living quarters after hearing what he described as “several explosions”. ASP Sutton, then Inspector Sutton, also noted that after he armed himself with his firearm, he was about to leave his room when he heard footsteps coming from the barrack room, heard gunshots and then someone shouted: “Let us kill them”.

Sutton explained that some time later he heard someone say: “Let’s go.”

After this, the ASP not-

ed there was silence for a few minutes, then he heard the engine of a Police vehicle, a Land Rover, turn over and the said vehicle left the station. Asked by Defence Counsel Roger Yearwood just how he could say that this was indeed the vehicle that was used, Sutton stated that he knew the sound of the vehicle, as there was only one Land Rover in Bartica.

He said that the bandits went “deeper into the village” and carried out more attacks. He too recalled seeing the motionless bodies of the murdered Police Officers.

Meanwhile, Edward Thomas, brother of Derrick Thomas, who was killed in the attack, also took the stand to testify that he identified his slain sibling and witnessed the Post-Mortem Examination on his body.

Mark Williams, Dennis “Anaconda” Williams and Roger Simon are the three accused standing trial for the attack. Two others, Celbert Reece and Michael Caesar, both pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The matter continues before Justice Roxanne George this morning.

Bandit shot, killed...

Meanwhile, 74-yearold Patrick Baljit told this newspaper that his grandson, Yuganand Baljit, had been operating a livestock farm at Industry, situated 10 miles up the Canje River. According to the senior Baljit, on Saturday evening, three masked men armed with two firearms, went to the farm and tied

up the guard then put a gag over his face before putting him to lie in a hammock.

The men took away 29 sheep worth close to $1 million and left.

The matter was reported to the Police on Sunday.

According to Baljit, they received information that the sheep were discharged from a boat at Vryheid and tak-

FROM PAGE 14

en in a canter to the location where the man was shot and killed on Tuesday morning.

Reports are that the owner identified 12 of the sheep which were in a pen at Mount Sinai as being his. Police say this was before the Police approached the house and the man was shot.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, november 16, 2016

ARCHIE

Plan a vacation or family gathering. Connecting (March 21- with old friends will change April 19) the way you view someone or something. An educational pursuit will lead to new beginnings.

ARIES

Taking positive action will TAURUS be the best way to impress a (April 20- loved one. Don’t get discourMay 20) aged if someone doesn’t honor a promise. Take care of your responsibilities on your own.

dilbert

Bring about change if GEMINI something isn’t working out (May 21June 20) the way you want. Don’t let anyone confuse you with misinformation or vague body language. When in doubt, ask.

You need to keep your emotions in check. If you want (June 21- to express your feelings, do July 22) so with actions. Make a loved one feel special with kindness, not by spending in order to win favors.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Socializing with business associates will require insight and restraint. You don’t want to give anyone you work with the upper hand. Friendly but cautious action will help you stay on top.

Problems will surface if you VIRGO don’t address emotional situ(Aug. 23Sept. 22) ations directly. Hemming and hawing will make matters worse. If you love someone, you need to listen to and console him or her, and offer good advice.

Calvin and Hobbes

Taking short trips or lookLIBRA ing for information that will (Sept. 23help you get ahead are faOct. 23) vored. Don’t let the actions of others deter you from making headway. Avoid people who tend to be overindulgent

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Don’t let an emotional inSCORPIO cident catch you off-guard.

(Oct. 24Someone will use dishonest Nov. 22) tactics to get you to indulge in something questionable. Don’t get angry when you can find a peaceful solution.

An unusual offer will inSAGITTARIUS terest you. Whether it has to (Nov. 23- do with business or personal Dec. 21) interests, participation will be your ticket to controlling a situation that can affect your future.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Someone will try to limCAPRICORN it your chance to advance.

(Dec. 22Avoid dealing with instituJan. 19) tions or people who put too many demands on you. Trust in your abilities instead of relying on others.

Have fun with the people AQUARIUS you love the most. Dealing (Jan. 20with children will be enlightFeb. 19) ening as well as informative.

Mix the old with the new, and strive to reach your goals.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES Be realistic when dis(Feb. 20- cussing what you want to March 20) do. Listen to others’ suggestions and advice. Bring about change that will not only benefit you, but those you care about as well.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

19

Uncertainties creep in Venues, athletes ready for ― after Australia’s 5th consecutive defeat

Nationals ― GTU President

Steven Smith was playing a lone hand until he was eighth out against Australia on the fourth day

A

ngry, embarrassed, frustrated, disappointed, upset, hurting. These were the words synonymous with Steven Smith’s Australians in the aftermath of defeat to South Africa in Hobart. Another, resilient, is not.

Smith cut a bewildered and downtrodden figure as he sorted through the wreckage of a humiliating fifth Test match defeat in succession, the national side’s first innings loss at home since the fateful Ashes summer of 2010-11. Clearly angry with the performances of his players, he suggested it may be time for widespread personnel changes.

“I am embarrassed to be sitting here to be perfectly honest with you,” Smith said.

“Too many times we have lost wickets in clumps, 8 for 30 today, 10 for 85 in the first innings, and you are not winning any games of cricket when are you doing that. And it is happening way too consistently for my liking.

“We are not being resilient, we are not willing to tough it out and get through tough periods and the longer you spend out there things get easier, albeit the wicket was doing quite a bit and it was hard. But, the boys have got to start being a bit tougher and getting in a grind and getting in a contest and try to build a few partnerships because right now it is not good enough.”

Asked directly about the tenure of the national team coach Darren Lehmann, who signed a contract extension in August to take him through to 2019, Smith was adamant in his support. “I think he’s been terrific over a long period of time,” he said. “It’s not his fault we’re not playing well, it’s up to us to go out there and do the job. He does everything he can for us in training and preparation.

“We prepare well, it’s just at the moment when we get out in the middle we’re not executing our skills well enough and not handling the pressures of international cricket well enough. As a playing group that has to change, and from my point of view I have absolutely no problem with anything Darren is doing at the moment.”

Smith was less effusive in his words about the way the selection panel was operating, declining to answer the question of whether he was getting the teams he desired. “It’s obviously talked about and I do talk to the selectors quite a bit and in the end it is up to them to pick the team that they think best,” he said. “I have got to back their job and go out there and support our guys and do whatever we can to win cricket matches but obviously we’re not doing that and it is not working.”

With the knowledge that Australia are currently mired in the sort of slump that costs careers, Smith admitted that all manner of issues, from selection and schedules to the personnel in and around the team and at Cricket Australia would all be under heavy scrutiny.

“Yeah, it is not working,” Smith said when asked if the time had come to rip up existing plans and start over. “So, obviously on the back of five losses there is going to be a lot talked about in regards to selection and

things like that. And we’ve got to start finding a way to turn things around.

“Whether the ball is seaming or spinning or swinging we don’t have an answer at the moment. We are not resilient enough, we are not digging in enough, we are not having the pride in our wicket, we’re just not being resilient enough and something has got to change. We have got to play a lot better than we have been if we are going to beat any opposition around the world at the moment.”

Smith agreed that the present batting rut suggested the team had not earned the right to play with the sort of flair and aggression usually associated with Australian

Steven Smith looks pitiful facing the media after leading his team to their fifth consecutive defeat

cricket. In conditions conducive to bowlers but far from impossible, he said that the players in the team had to think more keenly about their approach.

“I think that depends on conditions, if the wickets are flat and there is nothing happening fine you can play aggressively and positively,” he said. “But if there is anything in the wicket: spin, swing, seam, at the moment we are not adapting well enough, we are not willing to grind it out and spend enough time out in the middle to be positive.

“It comes down to that resilience and having a good defence, at the moment our defence is being challenged and it hasn’t been good enough. You can play that positive brand once you get in and things get easier, but we have got to be willing to do the hard yards to be in a position where we can be positive and drive the game.”

Looking more widely around Australian cricket, Smith said he wanted to see more evidence of hungry batsmen in domestic cricket. “There’s some guys there that are scoring some big runs on occasions and then probably not being as consistent as they would like to put their names up there,” he said. “That’s what I mean when I say no one is really jumping out of the pack and getting big hundreds or three hundreds in a row.

“At the moment what we’ve got going on is not working so it might be about getting some younger guys in and getting some experience at this level, you never know, guys might really step up to the plate and step up to the level of international cricket.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Flashback! Linden District 10 celebrates its Championship win of the 55th National Schools Championships

T

he opening of the 56th Ministry of Education (MoE), Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships is just five days away and everything is on track for the hosting of the event.

According to President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, all the venues and athletes are ready and rearing for next week’s championships.

At the launching of Nationals, it was revealed that there will be the usual 15 districts on board however, Region eight was not registered at the time and has since make good of their registration, allowing in excess of 1500 athletes to participate from across the 15 districts.

As per norm, the athletes will be housed in the ‘game villages’ which established by using schools from Woolford Avenue, i.e.

Richard Ishmeal Secondary, North Georgetown Secondary, North Georgetown Primary, Stella Maris Primary and Tutorial High School.

However, the venues will see cycling moving away from the National Stadium, Providence, to the National Park, Thomas Lands while swimming will be at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal and Track and Field remaining at Providence.

Lyte said that “the GTU has already been engaged with discussions with the management of the venues” and believes that “every-

thing is set and it will be a successful championships.”

Monday the competition opens with Cycling, Swimming and a 10K road race running simultaneously before the opening ceremony at the National Stadium the following day.

Lyte explained that the ever dependent police presence will once again be at the venues as well as the game village.

Fourteen time winners, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (Linden) District 10 are the defending champions but 14 time champions as well, North Georgetown will have blood in their eyes as they look to dethrone the District 10 and once again be the most successful District in the Championships.

GFF President disappointed...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

It continued: “Slingerz FC is contesting the inclusion of two teams to the league in breach of the Guyana Football Federation Constitution based on Art. 9:1 and Art. 10:1B and Art. 10:2.The method used (hand pick) is unacceptable when there are other teams with club licensing. This single handed approach is not football.”

CONCACAF however, had sided with the GFF. Citing article 36.2 it said any agreement that may have been signed last year is not binding. Even though it does not have jurisdiction over the matter CONCACAF is of the view that the GFF is well within its remit to make the necessary changes that will allow for changes to be made to the league.

“Based on the author-

ity granted by the cited article, the GFF Executive Committee is to issue the GFF Elite League Regulations (and of any other competition organized by the GFF). It must be specified that although the GFF Executive Committee may consult its stakeholders with respect to the content of the regulations, such regulations are to be issued by the sole authority of the committee and based on the powers conferred by the GFF Constitution. In this respect, the Regulations do not constitute a “binding contract” between the Federation and the clubs participating in the league.”

Forde meantime, said he does not understand why the clubs would be against expansion of the league but conceded that a common

Wayne Forde, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), has expressed his disappointment at four of the top clubs pulling out of this year’s STAG Elite League that is set to begin on November 20

ground has to be found for the benefit of the players.

“We can’t have those players being out of activity for that long,” he said.

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Trinidad reclaim CMRC ― Guyana finish 3rd

A

t the end of four legs of highly competitive racing in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC), Trinidad and Tobago were officially crowned the 2016 country champions on Monday evening at the Marriott Hotel.

Trinidad, who lost the title last year by eight points to Guyana, recorded a whopping 1481.5 points, outscoring the second place Barbados by 793 points.

Barbados tally at the end of the four rounds was 688.5 while Guyana finished in third on 648.5; Jamaica (492) Cayman Islands (60) and CAMS/USA rounded-off

the points standings.

However, in the twowheel category, Guyana soared to the top of the table accumulating 647 points with Trinidad being their closest challenge on 169 points.

On the individual side, Barbadian Mark Thompson was adjudged the best driver in Group two, accumulating 177 points while Trinidadians Marc Gill (141) and Luke Bhola trailed in second and third respectively; Guyana’s Shan Seejatan was in fourth with 107 points.

In Group three, Trinidadian Paul Vieira soared above the rest with

225 points while local boy Danny Persaud (120) clocked second place ahead of Ronald Worthman (105) and Nazim Gafoor (87).

In the main attraction group, Barbadian Mark Maloney scored 173.5 points to win the group four (2WD) ahead of Trinidadian Franklyn Boodhram (147) and Jamaica’s Peter Rae (108); Persaud (60 points) in sixth and Mohan Rangasammy (51 points) in seventh were also some local drivers who placed respectably.

In the group four (4WD) Jamaica’s Doug Gore and his Audi TTR gave him his third title as was able to

score 163 points dethroning Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey was able to finish in second place on 50 points as his Mitsubishi EVO finally came good on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit, allowing him to win two races.

For the Super stock (600cc) Matthew Vieira led the table with 178 points to win his first CMRC title. Matthew, who did not, had the best of outings on Sunday, preformed credibly in the other three legs which were held in Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados, which was good enough for him to secure the crown.

2015 champion Elliot Vieira finished in second 147

The respective group winners L-R Doug Gore; Matthew Vieira; Paul Vieira; Mark Thompson; partially hidden is Kurt Thompson, who collected on behalf of Mark Maloney

Champion boy! Matthew Vieira shows off his trophy while being flanked by his father Mark, mother Sadika and sister Emma

points while Stephen Vieira, who led the championship for the early rounds finished in third.

Moto America Champion Byrce Prince settled for fourth on 75 points as he led a clean sweep on Sunday riding for Team Mohammed’s Enterprise.

Prince along British Rider, Matt Truelove have signaled their intention to tour to the four countries next year once the schedule does not conflict with their professional riding in America and England respectively.

Meanwhile, speaking at the presentation ceremony, President of the Guyana Motor Racing Sports Club Raj Boodhoo revealed that the races were a huge success for Guyana and that he is eagerly looking forward to next year, with the hope that more Guyanese riders and drivers tour so the country can regain the championship.

Boodhoo was also extremely grateful for all the support of sponsors and the support staff at the sports club in making the races a success once more.

GFF President disappointed by withdrawal of teams from Elite League

T

he disaffected clubs – Slingerz FC, Alpha United, Pele FC and Georgetown Football Club, had until last Friday to register for the league that this season will see two additional teams and increased prize money for the teams and players involved.

They failed to do so, which means the league will go ahead without them for this season, something that does not sit well with the GFF president.

“It is unfortunate and ultimately. It will be the players that will suffer,” Forde said. The impasse between the clubs and the GFF, stems from an agreement signed between the parties at the start of the inaugural season in 2015. The clubs claim the GFF does not have the right to change the regulations, among other things, allow for expansion without consulting with them.

In a letter from Slingerz FC, published in the media in Guyana, the club pointed

to several reasons, included disrespect shown by the GFF and the suspension of its owner, Javed Ali, for its decision to boycott the competition. “The Slingerz FC will like to take this opportunity to officially inform you and the Guyana Football Federation of our decision to withdraw until our request for arbitration is addressed,” the club stated in part.

“The changes to the original format without consultation and agreement after we had already budgeted and contracted players, based on the original format, Rules and Relegation. The Club seriously objects to the reduction of non-nationals (foreign players) from five (5) to three (3) which was done after the transfer window period and after Slingerz FC had already retained its five (5) foreign players from the first season. The reduction of first place prize money from Eight Million to Six Million.”CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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The fisheries department was adjudged winner of the March past ahead of the Guyana Rice Development Board

T

he sun was out in all its brilliance and so too were the staff of the different agencies affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture, which hosted its annual Inter-Agency Sport Finals 2016 at the National Park Tarmac last Friday.

Staff put aside their tools of trade for one final time in 2016 and exhibited their sporting prowess and athleticism, much to the delight of a very vocal crowd, who were loud in support of their respective agencies.

Action got underway with the March Pass observed by Director of Sport Christopher Jones, and though only two agencies- the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Fisheries Departmentwere represented, t h e y

over contest, GRDB benefitted from 41 extras on their way to 106-7. They were in danger of a lower score had it not been for a quick-fire 20 not out from Walcott, 18 from opener Travis Fung and 13 from G. Ramnauth.

Kawall Mangal picked up 3-7; Bisham Singh (210) and Beecham (2-15) for NAREI, who could only muster 68 in reply, as they lost by 38 runs. Ryan Sukhna was the lone batsman into double-figures with 12 as extras contributed 16.

Bowling for GRDB, Nirman Bahadur was the pick of the bowlers with 3-12; Tyrone English picked up 2-4, while there was one each

was again amongst the wickets with 2-10, while there was one apiece for Walcott, English and Fung.

GRDB then raced to the target, completing the victory in 6.4 overs with just two wickets down. After Bahadur went without scoring, Fung and English took the attack to the bowlers with a partnership of 70 to effectively seal the match.

While Fung was the aggressor, blasting three sixes and a four in 36, English was more content on rotating the strike, before he unleashed two sixes and a four in the seventh over to finish the game. English ended on 22 not out, while extras were again a healthy 22.

For

a wicket, while GRDB (173) had disposed of Fisheries/ Pesticides (75) by 98 runs with Fung making a 50 off 13 balls.

In the other disciplines, Hydromet defeated GSA in the football final; Head Office won the domino competition; and GSA got the better of GRDB in the volleyball and basketball finals. The cards competition was won by GLDA, while the March Pass was won by Fisheries.

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were well coordinated in their display.

Jones, in declaring the event open, said the day of sport is apt at this moment, as it falls neatly into the government’s plan to foster social cohesion in Guyana. He added that the current administration will continue to invest in the development of sport, highlighting the significant role it can play in nation building.

Immediately after the Director’s brief address, the fun began with the lone semi-final of the cricket competition between GRDB and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

Batting first in the 10-

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder (centre) presenting the winning trophy to the cricket champions, the Guyana Rice Development Board

for Walcott, Ramnauth and Fung.

In the final, GRDB faced Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), who had drawn the bye to the championship game. Deciding to bat first upon winning the toss, GSA put together 88-7 by the time the overs expired.

A. Narine (16), S. Franklin (14) and C. Fraser (12) were the leading scorers, while extras were 19.

Bowling for GRDB, Bahadur

the win, GRDB cricket team received a beautiful trophy and medals, while GSA and NAREI had to settle for the runner-up prizes. While Fung was named Man-ofthe-Series and Highest RunScorer, Bahadur emerged as the bowler with the most wickets.

In the preliminary cricket matches, NAREI (148) had defeated Hydromet/ New GMC (126) by 22 runs with Kumar Bishundial making 58 runs and taking

Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder and Permanent Secretary George Jarvis.

The Ministry of Agriculture would like to thank all and sundry who participated in some way to make the activity a success. Special mention is being made of the New GMC and GLDA for donating extra prizes Gratitude is also being expressed to NAREI, MMA, Pesticides, GSA, Hydromet, NDIA, Fisheries, GRDB, GuySuCo for their involvement in this year’s activity. The sport finals brought the curtains down on Agriculture Month 2016, which was held under the theme: “Exploring new production frontiers: in pursuit of climate resilience.”

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Samuels banking on positives Jaguars take from Scorpions' opening defeat campaign on the road A ― Shepherd replaces Hooper S WICB/ PCL Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament 2016/17...

ubsequent to an impressive start to the Digicel Regional Four Day Tournament 2016/17 where they hammered Jamaica Scorpions by 181 runs, reigning champions, Guyana Jaguars, departed yesterday to compete in two away games.

First the Jaguars will clash with Leeward Islands Hurricanes from November 18 - 21 at Warner Park in St. Kitts before moving to the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia to face the Windward Islands Volcanoes from November 25 - 28.

The defending Champs overcame a frustrating evening session after rain accounted for more than a session play on the final day to hand Scorpions a heavy defeat. Since the event inaugurated in 2014 the Jaguars have loss one of the 21

games they played and it was a collective effort from the team in their latest victory.

Moving from the slow nature of Providence’s pitch to faster tracks at Warner Park and the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium the Guyanese selectors in a calculated move opted for a pacer instead of a spinner for the tour. Hence, the very impressive Romario Shepherd replaces Eon Hooper.

Hooper had replaced Devendra Bishoo who was called up for West Indies tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

The off-spinner went wicketless against the Scorpions but bowled economical and showed good signs for the future.

The full squad reads: Rajendra Chandrika, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul

Romario Sherpherd

Singh (Vice Captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph and Christopher Barnwell, Esuan Crandon (Coach), Rayon Griffith (Assistant Coach/ Manager) and Ernesto Campo Gonzalez (Physiotherapist).

Points table at the end of the first round of PCL matches FRANCHISES

PTS

M

W

L

T

I

A

DP MR

Bat

Bwl

PB

1

T&T Red Force

18

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

3

2

2

Guyana Jaguars

17.8

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

3

0.8

3

Leewards Hurricanes

8.8

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

2

3

0.8

4

Barbados Pride

6

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

1

1

5

Jamaica Scorpions

4.8

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

3

0.8

6

Windwards Volcanoes

4

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

1

ccording to Jamaica Scorpions Coach, Robert Samuels, his new look team which faced the Guyana Jaguars at Providence in the opening round of the Digicel Regional Four Day Tournament possess a lot of energy and showed some positives.

With these signs of progressiveness Samuels, who featured in his first game as senior coach in the opening clash, said he will use it to come up with the right composition to compete in upcoming matches.

Prior to the start of the season the former West Indies player hinted at an improved performance from the Scorpions this time around since they have not fructify in recent years. However, his quest did not receive the start he wanted but he is adamant he will take the positives from the match against the Jaguars to reach his destination.

“What I can take from this match is the fact that we came to play the defending champions, two year running, so we know we were coming for a hard fight.

We took this game down to the wire, basically we lost this game with five overs to go, yeah, we got some help from the rain today (the final day of play) but throughout the four days we had a lot of energy, we bowled well, we fielded well, we had a bit of collapse in the first innings but second innings we went out there and we batted 70 odd over for 140 odd runs because we know today (last day) we had to put our heads down and bat and the guys went out and did exactly that. So positives from this game is; I wanted to put a team out on the field first and foremost and I did just that and hopefully for the rest of the season I could put a team on the field and we can compete.”

Although the Scorpions are fielding a relatively new team, Samuels, said there is camaraderie within the camp and with Nikita Miller, a player who is an exemplary leader, at the helm, he is getting the

support of the players and once the mood within the team is good there will be better coming out of the camp.

Adding to the positives from this match, the coach said in recent years the Scorpions have failed to get batting points and they did so in this match (versus Jaguars) and notably they gained fast bowling points in Guyana.

A keen section of his objective is to ensure his team fast bowling improve as well as better partnership from his

Robert Samuels

John Campbell

opening batsmen, two facets he believes could do a great lot to the manifestation of his goal.

Trevon Griffith and John Campbell open the batting for the Scorpions in their first match they recorded partnership of 73 in the first innings and two in the second innings. Campbell scored a half century in the first innings and has been Jamaica’s leading opener in the 2015/16 season and was recently on tour with the West Indies A. However, Griffith, who is a Guyanese, has played nine matches to date and has only recorded a solitary half century. He missed out on the entire last season but according to Samuels, has been impressive prior to the start of the tournament.

“His work ethic is very high, he is a fit young man and the fact that he has broken into the Scorpions’ side shows that he has developed somewhat.

He didn’t play last season, this year he started so he has shown improvement. He started well in both innings but later on he got himself out. His starts are good but when he gets in he need to calm himself and keep going”, Samuels detailed.

Griffith was naturally an aggressive batsman but over the years that has changed and his coach does not believe that aggression is his downfall but more like lack of concentration.

Jamaica Scorpions next Assignment is at home against the Windward Volcanoes.

Johnson elated with Jaguars’ performance

O

n Monday the Guyana Jaguars found themselves on familiar hunting grounds, they defeated Jamaica Scorpions by 181 runs to win their opening match of the Regional Four Day first class season. Subsequent to their victory skipper of the team Leon Johnson said he is elated with his team’s performance.

According to Johnson the start was good but he is somewhat disappointed with the first innings score as he believe they should have made a score of 350 plus. “The start has been good, just a bit disappointed with our first innings score. Thought we set ourselves well at 220-2 and with our batting, should have gotten 350 plus, but overall I’m happy we batted well in both innings and that’s a positive for us. The wicket here at Providence gets difficult as the game progress and we still manage to put 2384 declared on the board in the second innings.”

The West Indies player commended his bowlers for

sticking to the plan and was particularly impressed by fast bowler Keon Joseph, who was hostile and maintained control throughout the match as he ended with four wickets.

Guyana will now face the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in St. Kitts at Warner Park on a surface that is faster than the one at Providence. The last time the two teams met the match ended in a draw, one of the few draws the Jaguars have been involved in. the Hurricanes have also fielded a fairly stronger team in the first match than they did for the previous two seasons so it is expected to be an exciting match between the two sides.

Johnson is not writing off the host, who he believes has always fielded good players but have failed to win matches.

However, he is banking on his team to execute well to have a favourable outcome.

According to the 29 year old left handed batsman, his main focus remains to be an exemplary leader and an area

Leon Johnson

where he could do such, is by scoring runs.

Like last year he would like to finish among the top run getters, but believe it is a process that follows hard work and consistency.

The Professional Cricket League is in its third year, the Jaguars have won the League in its first two years under Johnson’s leadership and is on a journey to complete an unprecedented three peat.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

23

Applying the basics could work in middleweight clash ― an exemplary Holder could solve problems

L

ast time West Indies played in Zimbabwe was in November 2007, some nine years ago.

It was a bilateral five match One Day International (ODI) series which ended in favour of the visitors.

The outcome then was somewhat obvious for the visitors, who rebounded to win the series 3-1 after a surprise defeat in the first match.

However, in that West Indies team there were familiar faces like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, the late Runako Morton and player of that series Jerome Taylor among other popular names.

Nine years later none of those players made the trip back to the Southern African nation although some are still playing at the international level. And it is an inexperience West Indies

In the absence of the familiar players, Rovman Powell is expected to bring enthusiasm to the West Indies side

side that will play Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the trination series. So inexperience that their most experience player, captain Jason Holder, has just 45 ODIs to his name.

Nevertheless, the team is not short on talent and possess the players to at least make it to the finals of the three nation series. But first they must play quality cricket in the initial stages to get to the finals or if fortunate enough, to the summit.

Their first assignment begins today against a Sri Lanka team that won the opening match of the series against the host but is also going through a transitional period like the other two teams.

The West Indies players have not played much at the senior level together and it is relatively new conditions for most if not all of them.

However, applying the basics could do a great lot for the West Indies. If batting first, their batsmen need to

bat 50 overs to give the bowlers a chance while if they bowl first the bowlers must contain the opposition batsmen to give their batsmen a chance. Catches need to be taken since fielding could be decisive in games.

Unlike other matches at the helm, Holder does not have the support of players more senior than himself so he has to be exemplary in everything he does.

It could be a case of applying the basics, hard work and consistency that could eventually work in West Indies’ favour.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be aiming to score their second win and if they play the way they did against Zimbabwe then it should be imminent. Their batting is in its post Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tilerkaratne Dilshan era but it has shown promise with the likes of Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva and

Shane Dowrich and Shanon Gabriel were going through some catching drills ahead of today’s opener

Kusal Mendis. Their bowling department is the most experience in the series and comprise of quality fast medium in the likes of Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Kulasekara. It also includes some exciting

new comers, who have already shown promise on the international stage.

Today’s encounter promises to be an exhilarating encounter but Sri Lanka will enter as favourites not to write off the Caribbean side.

West Indies-Jason Holder, Kraig Braithwaite, Carlos Braithwaite, Johnathan Carter, Jonson Charles, Sulieman Benn, Devendra Bishoo, Ashley Nurse, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Rovman Powell, Evin Lewis, Miguel Cummins, Shanon Gabriel and Jason Mohammed. Sri LankaDhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga (capt), Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Asela Gunaratne, Sachith Pathirana, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan and Jeffery Vandersay.

Atlantic Marine Supplies sponsors “Stage of Champions”

Atlantic Marine Supplies’ Emily Singh proudly hands over the sponsorship cheque to organiser of the event Videsh Sookram

F

ollowing a simple handing over ceremony at the Atlantic Marine Supplies Incorporated’s Lot ‘C’ Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara location, the company joins a long list of sponsors to be a part of the inaugural ‘Stage of Champions’ mega event which will be held at the Theatre Guild on November 19, with many incentives on offer.

According to organizer of the international fixture, Videsh Sookram, it is a privilege to have the boat dealing company come on board and show their support to the sport.

‘Stage of Champions’ will feature local musclemen and women who will battle with fitness enthusiasts from Suriname and Barbados in the categories of Bodybuilding, Men’s physique and Ms. Bikini.

The organizer revealed that the athletes are expected to be entering the country from Thursday.

A whopping $250,000 will go to the bodybuilding champion while the Men’s Physique champion and Ms. Bikini champion will pocket $100,000 apiece. The second and third place overall finishers in the bodybuilding event will take home $150,000 and $100,000 each.

Sookram, who is also the Organizing Secretary of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) also disclosed that the ‘Stage of Champions’ is expected to commence at 19:00h with admission listed at $2,000 per person.

The door is not closed to potential sponsors or athletes who may contact Sookram on telephone number 649-9446 for more information.

Among the sponsors on board to date are Fitness Express, Extra Energy Drink, Farfan and Mendes, Vinu’s Shoe Box, Life Gym, Status Hotel, Space Gym, Print For Less, 65eight Concept Store and QC Designer Boutique and Bumper to Bumper Services. The show is sanctioned by the GABBFF and the Central Americana and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (CACBFF) and will feature male and female competitors on stage for the one night extravaganza.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016

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

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pg 20

Trinidad reclaim CMRC

− Guyana finish 3rd

The victorious Trinidad and Tobago team collect their trophy from Seaboard Marine's Peter Perune

WICB/PCL Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament 2016/17...

Pg 22

Jaguars take campaign on the road ― Shepherd replaces Hooper Defending champions Guyana Jaguars prior to departure for St Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday

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