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Carifesta XIII P5 launched in Barbados

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3166

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

GRA demanding 2% withholding guyanatimesgy.com

…law discriminates against local companies …has potential to be a broad-based tax

Page 2

Foreign exchange crisis

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Welder killed in Berbice accident P11

Barama’s P16 1.6M-hectare concession to be distributed in April Guyanese man gunned down in Maryland P17

Govt needs to stimulate export sectors – Ali Page 3

Fuel tanks explode at Noble House Seafoods Page 7

Oil and Gas Conference

“Think critically of use of oil revenues” – US envoy admonishes Page 12

… Guyana at crossroads of transformation

Air ServicesP16 plane crashlands at CJIA Charity Health Centre hit by drug shortage

P9

Govt under P7 pressure to reverse ban on used tyres

Policy-makers discuss way forward for P10 Region’s sugar industry PPP calls for Police probe into AG’s “threats” P9

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tuesDAY, march 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GRA demanding 2% withholding tax Illegal fuel

…law discriminates against local companies …has potential to be a broad-based tax

T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is demanding that individuals and companies who are receiving more than $500,000 for the supply of services, goods, materials, equipment or personnel in the furtherance of services deduct a two per cent withholding tax and remit same to the tax authority.

This tax will be given as a tax credit when the individual or company files the requisite income/corporate tax return.

This newspaper was told that while contractors typically meant those engaged in construction and similar activities, this new imposition seems to expand on that definition to include just about anyone doing just about anything.

Some ministries have already begun deducting the

The two per cent withheld for all contractors must be remitted to the GRA on a monthly basis or within 30 days of making the payment to the contractor

two per cent withholding tax on monies paid to its suppliers.

According to a prominent businessman, if that is the intended application, then individuals and companies will have to follow suit and deduct two per cent on all types of bills includ-

ing electricity bills, fuel purchases, salaries and wages, purchases of raw materials and so on once the amount is over $500,000 and the supplier is a resident individual or corporation.

“If this is what was intended, it will be a tax most bizarre and will spell fur-

ther doom for entrepreneurs and businesses in Guyana,” one businessman expressed to Guyana Times.

According to the GRA website, the two per cent withheld for all contractors must be remitted to the GRA on a monthly basis or within 30 days of making the payment to the contractor.

The website also explained that where any deduction and remittance have not been made by the person liable, the person not making the deductions of withholding tax will be held liable for the amounts outstanding.

These new measures came into effect February 1, 2017. However this is not applicable to foreign trade companies but rather serves as a discriminatory measure to local businesses.

boat explodes at Moruca

The fuel boat on fire at Moruca

A

boat transporting fuel from the Venezuelan border into Guyana’s waters went up in flames on Saturday, causing police to launch an investigation into the illegal fuel trade.

Based on reports received, the boat exploded at about 16:00h in the vicinity of Gteen Island at Moruca, North West District. No one was reportedly injured in the explosion, but on all accounts, safety procedures had not been followed.

The captain of the boat, Lindo (only name given), explained that the boat was moored and he was some distance away when he heard a loud explosion. As he looked around, he said, he saw the entire boat in flames.

He told police that the boat was already loaded and was due to travel to other locations. He, however, did not reveal the name of the owner of the boat.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Bus conductor remanded on robbery charge

A

Route 47 minibus conductor was on Monday hauled before Magistrate Judy Latchman for an alleged robbery executed on November 2 last year.

It is alleged that Sherwin Cansanally while being armed with a knife at Cummings Street, Georgetown, robbed Delicia Barnes Dickson of two golden chains valued $120,000.

Cansanally, who was represented by Attorney Jed Vasconcellos, resides in

South Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown with his two children, along with his nephew and mother.

In a bail application, the Attorney told the court that his client was a bus conductor of eight years and was well known around the bus parks. He added that his client was the sole breadwinner of the family.

Vasconcellos bashed the grounds of the charge, relating that his client was only picked up last Thursday at the bus park and taken to a Police Station where no ID parade was conducted prior to charging him.

He requested reasonable bail for the defendant in light of the lengthy time lapse between the alleged commission of the crime and the actual arrest.

Bail was objected to by the prosecution, given the seriousness and gravity of the charge, the penalty attached and the fact that a weapon was used to execute the felony.

The presiding Magistrate refused bail on this note and the man was remanded to prison to the dismay of his family.

The bus conductor is expected to make his next appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on April 10.

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tuesDAY, march 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 28 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, March 29 –05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 28 – 16:30h- 18:00h and Wednesday, March 29 –17:10h-18:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers followed by heavy to light rain showers throughout the day. Cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 04:45h and 17:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.87 metres and 2.90 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:39h and 22:58h reaching minimum heights of 0.31 metre and 0.34 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

01

10 15

19

20

21

28 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 02 07 08 11 LUCKY 3 4 7 2 Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

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Govt needs to stimulate export sectors – Ali

P

umping foreign currency into the market will not solve the crisis facing the local economy, according to economist Irfaan Ali. The Opposition Member of Parliament said in order to address the problem in the long run, Government must implement policies which stimulate export sectors that generate foreign revenue.

He said the recent move by the Bank of Guyana to intervene in the foreign exchange market validated the position that the foreign exchange market was not clearing.

“It took some time for the Bank of Guyana and Minister of Finance (Winston Jordan) to accept the bitter reality that businesses are unable to access foreign currency and were placed in queues when they approached the cambios. However, as the good book says ‘confession is always good for the soul’,” Ali said in a statement to Guyana Times.

However, the MP, who is also Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament, said while intervention by the central bank would address the prevailing market imbalances, it could only serve to provide temporary ease.

“This measure cannot and should not be treated as a permanent or long-term solution to the turbulence in the foreign exchange market.

A permanent solution requires measures that would ultimately increase the supply of foreign currency as well as reduce pressures on the demand for foreign currency,” he explained.

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Foreign exchange crisis

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Ali pointed out that the foreign exchange market, referred to as the cambio system, was established in the early 1990s after the adoption of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP).

In this market, buyers and sellers can trade foreign currencies at market determined prices in accordance with Dealers in Foreign Currency Licensing Act, No

19, of 1989.

According to the Act, cambios are permitted to buy, hold and sell foreign currency, and are also allowed to determine the buying and selling rates and display these prices in a prominent position at their business places. The only restriction for cambios is they are not allowed to borrow, lend and accept deposits. Given the legal framework governing the trade in foreign currencies, market prices are expected to be determined by demand and supply conditions.

Therefore, Ali argued that the action by the Bank of Guyana to directly control the bid-ask spread (that is, the difference between the buying rate and the selling rate) and force cambios to trade (buy and/or sell) and hold currency could, therefore, be regarded as a subtle form of bullyism and was certainly illegal.

He explained that the supply of foreign currency is derived primarily from the export of our major commodities, namely rice, sugar, bauxite, gold, and timber. The other major sources of foreign currency include: workers’ remittances, shortterm inflows, Foreign Direct Investments, long-term foreign loans and grants.

Poor performance

Based on the 2017 Budget speech, the foreign currency earnings from every major export, except gold, declined during 2016.

The poor performance of the key export sectors may be linked directly to the actions of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, he noted.

“For instance, upon assuming office, the coalition disbanded the Petro-Caribe deal which provided a guaranteed market for rice at preferential prices. To date, the same Government has failed to find alternative markets or re-negotiate the Petro-Caribe deal to help the rice sector. The forestry sector, on the other hand, witnessed sharp decline because

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali of the deliberate efforts of the coalition Government to expel some export companies,” he stated.

Moreover, the economist predicted that the decline in export revenue from key sectors was likely to persist in 2017 and beyond. He noted that this was due to the decreased investment in the key export sectors given the unfavourable business climate and onerous taxes that increase the operating cost of export businesses.

Demand

Meanwhile, the demand for foreign currency is driven by imports, Ali highlighted.

Available forecasts suggest that imports will increase further over the next five years by an annual average of 6.8 per cent. It, therefore, means the demand for foreign currency will increase in the near future.

But given the contraction in supply of foreign currency and demand pressures, the market participants anticipate continued shortage of foreign currency.

“Consequently, they will buy and hold rather than

dispose the foreign currency they acquire. This practice is only rational and not necessarily driven by any evil or devious intentions,” Ali explained.

“The market is experiencing excess demand for foreign currency, that is, the demand for foreign currency is outstripping the supply. This is evidenced by the continuous complaints from members of the Private Sector that they’re unable to access foreign currency and are placed in queues,” he stated.

Ali said at best, any injection of foreign currency by the central bank may only serve to partially satisfy the demand by those currently waiting in the queues to settle outstanding payments.

However, he said such an injection would not address the fundamental supply problem in the market and would hardly discourage the market participants from buying and holding.

“This behaviour will persist until the market participants are confident that supply of foreign currency will improve to satisfy their demands. In other words, like rational investors, the market participants will buy and hold foreign currency once the export sector – which is responsible for the supply of foreign currency – continues to limp along to the graveyard,” he stated.

Ali reiterated that the prevailing crisis in the market, therefore, could not be addressed by merely pumping foreign currency in the market.

He reasserted that the only viable solution was to stimulate the export sectors.

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tuesDAY, march 28, 2017

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

Govt must rethink policies

T

he most recent report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after a visit here by a high-level team from that institution has once again vindicated the position of various stakeholders that the economy is in tatters and the coalition Government must act with haste if it were to lessen the impact its policy decisions, taken over the past months, would have on the masses.

The IMF, in its 2017 Concluding Statement detailing its findings on Guyana’s economic outlook, as part of its annual consultations under Article IV of the Articles of Agreement governing borrowing, noted that Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was uneven, buoyed by the new gold mines, while the non-mining sector saw a contraction.

The economic indicators are not very promising, and experts are predicting that the situation will even get worse if the necessary corrective actions are not taken immediately. So far, we have seen very little effort by the Government to stimulate growth in the economy. Instead, it has chosen to increase the burden on major sectors with a slew of tax measures and other policies that constrict their potential for growth.

The IMF statement referred to above has confirmed that the Government slavishly followed the recommendations of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) on extending the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime to crucial sectors, without regard to the social impact on citizens. In fact, we are witnessing almost daily the implementation of certain policies that hurt businesses and increase hardship on the average citizen.

Additionally, in the last year, there have been no major announcements regarding Foreign Direct Investments in Guyana, or any major job creation initiatives. The IMF has projected real economic growth of 3.5 per cent driven by an increase in public investment and a recovery in rice production.

However, as stated before, most of the major sectors are declining, including rice, which recently saw one of the major players closing its doors after being in operation for 25 years.

Additionally, the increased borrowing by the Government has been a major point of concern, particularly over the last few months. The IMF has said that the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to reach 61 per cent of GDP by 2019 and has recommended fiscal adjustments. However, Government continues to “bank on oil money”, as local authorities have informed the IMF that once oil production starts, the debt-toGDP ratio will decrease.

The IMF has also noted the recent “increase in exchange rate flexibility”; however, Government has failed to acknowledge that there is a problem and advance measures to address the issue.

Most importantly, on the issue of the impending closure of more sugar estates, the IMF has reiterated previous calls from various stakeholders for careful decisions to be made about the future of the industry. Considering the fact that no economic and social impact assessments were carried out, the Government is being accused of basing its decisions regarding the future of the industry purely on politics. In this regard, the IMF has warned the Government to be “mindful of the large social impact” and the need “to protect those affected” by the process of change in the industry. Everyone knows that no matter how the authorities try to spin the issue, the resulting impact on individuals and communities would be quite significant and, perhaps, it would take decades before they fully recovered.

We had said before that the Government and GuySuCo’s management should have engaged in serious consultations with all stakeholders and do the necessary impact assessments before making such decisions. After all, this is people’s livelihoods that will be affected and they deserve to be fully engaged on what matters to them.

It could be recalled that in 2016, the IMF staff had urged the authorities to adopt a restructuring plan for the sector that will improve cost efficiency, productivity, and alternative revenue streams, drawing upon the reforms proposed by the Commission of Inquiry. At the time, the delegation had said that the scope and pace of reform should take into account social implications. This aspect was certainly ignored by the powers that be. We urge the Government to stop being in denial regarding the current crisis facing the country and rethink its policies in the interest of everyone.

A number of local and International companies are taking part in the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) first Oil and Gas Conference and Exposition at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) is one such company. In photo, patrons interacting with staff of the bank at the conference on Sunday evening (Carl Croker photo)

Is Mr Basil Williams above the law?

Dear Editor, I read with shock the threats made to Justice Holder by the AG, Mr. Basil Williams. Had it been an ordinary citizen like my-

self, that person making the threat would have been lost away in prison. Had it been Anil Nandlall who had issued those threats, it would have been on the front page

of the local media. It is evident that Guyana has re-entered the Burnham era.

Many opponents of the Government will either be imprisoned or killed.

Guyana got the change that was asked for. I am smiling every day.

Yours truly, Allan Robert Gates

I need your help, Mr President Dear Editor, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the President for being the only President in our country’s history to clearly outline the requirements for someone to fill the vacant position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Bravo, Mr President!

Now that you have done that, can you now let us know what is/are the requirement(s) for someone holding the position of a Minister of the Government? It would appear to me that most of the persons currently serving as Ministers may not be

able to confirm with your standard. Some of them are total failures and an embarrassment to our Government and people.

While you are at that, Mr. President, it would be helpful if you can also let us know what qualities a person must possess to respectively be President and

Prime Minister of our country. My gut feeling is that the current holders are not qualified to hold those positions.

I need your help, Mr President.

Sincerely, Charles Sugrim

Anarchy rules: Do as I say, or else!

Dear Editor, The shadow of the former PNC regime looms over Guyana’s Judiciary, as it does over the entire country.

Only those who lived through the PNC era of terror could visualize the ramifications of the implied and very real threat to members of Guyana’s Judiciary by erstwhile Attorney-General, Basil Williams. The professionalism of the Chief Justice (Ag) was underestimated by AG Basil Williams when he uttered the implied threat, “We put she deh, she gat to rule fu we”, intimating that because the PNC-led government was instrumental in her appointment, she would in turn abdicate her professional responsibilities

to her mandate in favour to loyalty to the Government that appointed her. Her impartial decisions in court anent Red House and other issues have allayed the concerns of all those who were fearful that she would have been influenced by the considerations as adumbrated by the Attorney-General.

Judges should be considered above the fray, and not subjected to the accusations, hostile voice tonalities and/or threats by anyone while adjudicating on matters being tried before them in a court of law; as was displayed by Justice Holder as he presided over a matter filed against the State by the Chairman of the Public Service Commission,

a member of the Judicial Service Commission and a member of the Police Service Commission – unconscionable acts that so unsettled Justice Holder that he walked immediately off the bench without adjourning the proceedings.

Given the fact that Mr. Basil Williams, in his position as Attorney-General, is the guardian of the law in Guyana and should act with absolute circumspection within this mandate, he should be called upon to account for his utterances and unwarranted attack on Justice Holder.

His outburst to Justice Holder, which is being justifiably construed as a threat on the Judge’s life, should

immediately be addressed by the President, if the current Government is to hang on to any shred of credibility.

In any other democracy, an Attorney-General who issues a death threat to a sitting Judge would be removed from his office forthwith.

We are watching closely and carefully, since other parties were present in the courtroom and witnessed this infamous altercation on that fateful day.

The nation awaits the outcome of this travesty being played out in the justice system in Guyana.

Regards, Bishop Juan Edghill MP

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News

Carifesta XIII launched in Barbados

I

t was yet another colourful display when the Government of Barbados launched Carifesta XIII on Monday, with a live broadcast of the occasion.

The event was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Barbados has set aside Bds$6 million for the hosting of the regional cultural arts festival later this year, August 17-27.

Some 3000 artistes are expected to attend Carifesta from 15 countries, while interest had been generated in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Cuba.

The Carifesta Secretariat has already been established, with a logo and jingle created, while the website had gone live, CMC reported.

Under the theme, “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves”, Barbados is hoping to hope the best Carifesta yet. In addition to the Grand Market, there will be a number of entertainment events at various venues across the island “where the extensive talent of this region will be showcased”, the Barbados Culture, Sports and Youth Ministry was quoted in local

media as earlier saying.

According to the Ministry, plans are being made for two super concerts, three signal events and nightly performances from the various country delegations.

Many of the venues, including some schools, are currently at various stages of refurbishment in preparation for the festival, last hosted in Barbados in 1981.

Barbados Culture Minister Stephen Lashley is urging local businesses to use the Festival as an opportunity to showcase their services and their goods to the

AFC has lost its support

Dear Editor, In my conversations with Guyanese voters in travels around Guyana over the last several months, I found that the AFC has lost its credibility and virtually all of its support in its coalition arrangement with the PNC (APNU=PNC as the other parties in the coalition have no support).

The population had much faith and confidence in the AFC to lead the country away from poor governance. Instead, the AFC has been seen as contributing to, and aligning itself with, the worst form of governance since independence in 1966.

The political goodwill that people had for the AFC has been completely frittered away because of the party’s inability or unwillingness to rein in the PNC from its corrupt acts and dictatorial ways. Many describe the party's behaviour as opportunistic and unworthy of continued support.

AFC supporters complain about the AFC endorsing and supporting the PNC-led coalition regime's policy of terminating workers, many of whom supported the AFC;

and of victimizing those who are perceived as PPP supporters, while at the same time protecting PNC supporters.

As found in surveys and obtained from so many conversations with people from all walks of life, those who supported the AFC in 2006, 2011 and 2015 (in coalition with the PNC) spoke of how the leadership has failed to deliver on promises and carry out the Cummingsburg Agreement. They say the party has betrayed them by entering into a coalition with the PNC and by failing to force the PNC to honour its commitments in the Cummingsburg Accord -sharing political power and office.

If an election were held now and the AFC were to contest as a separate entity, it would be hard-pressed to win a seat. However, many of those (former PPPites) who supported the AFC are not returning to the PPP. They say they will not vote for the PPP unless the party completely reforms and sheds some of the characters in its leadership. Some of the former AFC support-

ers say they will support the URP or some new political movement, because they can't bring themselves to return to the PPP that ill-treated them. Those PNCites who crossed over to the AFC have returned to the PNC, with a small number saying they would stay out of another election unless there is a new political party that is worthy of their support.

For the AFC to redeem itself and recover lost support, it would have to take a tough line against the PNC, withdrawing support for policies of the PNC that have been hurting its supporters and the nation at large.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

world.

“I hope you’ve thought a lot about the creative sector.

There are many opportunities, within the Carifesta experience…I want you to factor in how business and entrepreneurs will respond to the opportunity of Carifesta,” Lashley recently said.

“This event is not just another Carifesta, it focuses on the empowerment of men and women through the creation of business ideas that can be transformed into products and services the rest of the world wants,” the Culture Minister noted.

Commission on Disability to upscale services

T

he National Commission on Disability is scaling up efforts to ensure Guyana’s disabled population can be reintegrated into society. Aging and Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) remain factors of concern for this segment of the population Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services in Guyana, Ariane Mangar, said that the commission is spreading awareness to all age groups so that persons may become less prone to developing a disability.

Mangar noted that as persons’ age, the possibility of having a disability increases.

“We will have stroke, we will have chronic back pain, we will have diabetes, hypertension all these things, co-morbidities that come with aging.” Mangar said.

Disability and Rehabilitative Services Director Ariane Mangar

Mangar added that in the twenty first century there has been an increase in a number of chronic conditions and multi-morbidity cases as a result of the worldwide aging population.

Using data, Mangar ex-

plained that the world population aged 60 and older is expected to double by the year 2050. She noted that the prevalence of NCDs increased by 18 percent over last ten years and continues to increase.

Disability and rehabilitative services come under the purview of the Ministry of Public Health. This year the programme received a budgetary allocation of $375M. The money will be used mainly for training health workers in this field of work.

Meanwhile, more awareness programmes are scheduled to take place countrywide educating and informing persons on how to practice healthier lifestyles to prevent instances and the spread of NonCommunicable Diseases which can cause disability.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Why family hurt is so painful – 4 reasons why family hurt can be more painful than hurt from others

By Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, PhD

N

ot only does it feel especially painful when our family members hurt us, but it actually is more painful than when our friends hurt us. According to Anita Vangelisti, a professor of communication at the University of Texas at Austin, hurt is a feeling of emotional injury which can be caused by communication. Family hurt is especially painful for a couple of reasons.

We hold cultural beliefs that our family members will be there for us unconditionally. This makes us feel, for better or worse, that we are tied to one another involuntarily. When someone you are so committed to says or does something to hurt you, it is perceived as worse than when someone you are less committed to does the same thing.

Shared history gives our siblings an unending supply of embarrassing childhood moments to use for making fun of us. Light-hearted teasing can quickly cross a line into hurtful communication.

Family members tend to depend on each other for all sorts of things including support, advice, and money, among others. We also tend to be emotionally invested in one another, making hurt more painful than in other, less emotionally dependent relationships.

We tend to distance ourselves less from family members when they hurt us compared to our friends. For example, a few years ago my brother was supposed to pick me up from the airport after a week-long work conference. He had been staying at my house watching my dogs. He was two hours late to the airport, and because it was a late flight this

meant I was standing outside of security until 2 am waiting for him. When I got home he had rearranged all my furniture and the window on my car (which I let him borrow for the week) was no longer working. If a friend did this, I would seriously question our friendship, and I would definitely never ask them to house sit or pick me up from the airport again. But because

it was my brother I had all but forgotten about it by the next week.

Vangelisti and her colleagues identified aspects of hurtful family environments which include aggression, lack of affection, neglect, and violence.

Aggression is typified by behaviours such as belittling, dominating and insulting communication,

criticism, lying, arguing, controlling, ganging up on family members, and stress.

Lack of affection is the absence of verbal affirmations of love, physical affection, encouragement, and spending time together.

Neglect includes ignoring or not paying attention to one another and not feeling comfortable around some family members.

Violence encompasses phys-

ical harm and sexual abuse.

Vangelisti’s study found that people who experienced family environments that were aggressive, lacking in affection, and neglectful were the most dissatisfied with their family relationships.

Recent research takes family hurt and distancing to another level. Kristina M Scharp, a research professor and colleague of mine at Utah State University, and I have new research out this month in the Annals of the Interpersonal Communication Association describing how family distancing works in regard to the “black sheep” of the family and family estrangement, two chronically stressful outcomes that are fairly common in families.

We advocate that sometimes distancing is a healthy solution to toxic family relationships marked by abuse and neglect. Family members who are able to sustain distance from one another are frequently questioned about their family status and encouraged to mend their relationships, even if they are unhealthy. This questioning can be very painful and likely comes from societal beliefs about the importance of family and the idea that families are forever.

Family hurt varies greatly from teasing each other about childhood memories to psychological abuse from parent to child. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

Strategies for developing

self-control

– the elements of enduring and sustained change (Part 2)

By Shahram Heshmat, PhD

Willpower

Willpower represents strength or psychological energy that one uses to resist other temptations in order to work toward one’s goal. Selfcontrol depends on a limited resource that operates like a strength or energy. People consume this resource when they exert self-control. Thus, having only one goal makes self-control more successful than when people have two or more conflicting goals. As Plato’s counselled: “Do one thing and do it well.”

Avoiding temptation

Avoiding temptation requires anticipating situations where unwanted de-

sires might emerge and taking proactive steps to ensure that one doesn’t succumb to the problematic desire. For example, avoiding exposure to tempting situations can include making unhealthy foods less visible, such as keeping one’s home free of unhealthy but tempting foods.

The why & how mindsets

“Why” questions encourage long-term thinking, or desirability of pursuing an action. In contrast, “How” questions bring the mind down to the present and consider the goal’s attainability or feasibility. From a distant perspective one sees the forest, but from a near perspective one sees trees.

Thus, distance impairs our ability to identify specific details of the choice. As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. When we decide on a diet, we do so because of its attractive outcomes to us. However, there are also low-level details associated with this task such as going to gym, avoiding our favourite snack, and so on. The Why questions can benefit people to keep going on maintaining a new hab-

it (eg, daily exercise or diet).

As Friedrich Nietzsche remarked, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”

Self-control as a pattern of behaviour

While the physical independence of today and tomorrow is real enough, the fact remains that actions today affect actions tomorrow.

Professor Howard Rachlin argues that self-control comes from choosing “patterns” of behaviour over time rather than individual “acts”. The decision to stop smoking is in effect a decision to begin a pattern of behaviour. To smoke the cigarette tonight is to fail to perceive the connection be-

tween tonight’s act and the pattern of acts over many nights and days. Not smoking tonight makes it easier not to smoke tomorrow and not smoking tomorrow makes it easier not to smoke the next day, and so on.

Automated goals

Goal pursuits can be enhanced by a simple planning strategy: making Ifthen plans that connect a certain triggering situation with a concrete behaviour. For example, “if I order something for dinner at a restaurant, then I will choose a vegetarian meal; “if people mistreat me, then I will take a deep breath and count to 10.” Repeated practice strengthens the association between the specific situational cues and intended response. Forming if-then plans can help to outsource behavioural control to the environment to prevent willpower depletion. And the person is now on automatic pilot – the planned action will be triggered directly by the specified cue. Thus, when people are stressed or distracted, they can fall back on good habits. (Excerpt from

psychologytoday.com)

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tuesDAY, march 28, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Fuel tanks explode at Noble House Seafoods

Firefighters try to contain the blaze at Noble House Seafoods

F

uel tanks exploded at the Noble House Seafoods at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Monday at approximately 13:45hrs, when workers were refuelling a boat, and the pandemonium that ensued could have resulted in massive destruction.

Fortunately, fire-fighters vigorously battled the blaze, and were successful in bringing a dangerous situation under control.

Guyana Times understands that while the boat was being refuelled, a spark ignited a flame that quickly erupted into a fire, causing panic among workers. Two employees who were in the vicinity of the fuel tank area raised an alarm, and company employees were all safely evacuated.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Winston McGregor told the media that company workers were using trawlers to transfer the fuel from the tanks to the boat when a valve in one of the pumps flew open. It came into contact with a fuel pump and caused the spark that erupted into a fire, which spread quickly.

“Our preliminary investigation revealed that they were transferring fuel from one of the tanks to the trawlers (when) a valve in the pump flew open (and) caused the fuel to come into contact

with the pump, which ignited (a fire that) spread”, he explained; adding that the workers who were refuelling the boat became afraid and ran, leaving the valve open.

“The person that was pumping became afraid and ran and left the pump, and the valve (was already) open, so there was a continuous flow of fuel throughout the fire-fighting operations.

After we brought the fire under control, we were able to control the tank, and then completely extinguish the fire,” Mc Gregor detailed.

He applauded the work of the fire fighters, and thanked the company’s employees for their cooperation in evacuating the building.

This publication was also able to speak with Divisional Officer of the Guyana Fire

Service, Colin Sparman, who was on scene. He relayed that the blaze could’ve been worse, but the Fire Service was able to fight it strategically.

“When we received the call, immediately we dispatched the West Ruimveldt Fire Service and two fire trucks from Central Fire Station, one with the capacity to hold 2000 gallons of water,” he detailed.

Because of the magnitude of the fire and the materials involved, the fire-fighters had to use foam to battle the fire. This, Sparman revealed, “suppressed the fire and prevented the oxygen from penetrating (the foam), which aided in us battling the blaze successfully.”

Miraculously, no one was injured during this blaze.

Govt under pressure to reverse ban on used tyres

A

s April 1 approaches − the date for the ban on used tyres to take effect − stakeholders have intensified their calls for Government to reverse its decision in this regard.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has joined scores of stakeholders in rejecting Government’s plan to ultimately ban the employment of used tyres on Guyana’s roads. The party rationalises that such a move would visit dire consequences on vehicle owners, businesses, and even the entire economy.

“The PPP stands in solidarity with the hundreds of businessmen and thousands of ordinary Guyanese who are being devastated by the unreasonable and unnecessary decision to ban the importation of used tyres,” the Party said on Monday.

The PPP noted that businesses engaged in the sale of used tyres across the country are already closing their operations, putting a large number of persons out of employment and placing their families on the breadline.

The Party noted, too, that thousands of vehicle owners who cannot afford to buy brand-new tyres are forced to purchase used tyres to keep their vehicles operable.

“These include taxi and minibus operators. If these drivers are forced to park their vehicles, many persons (would) be without a job, and the impact

it (would) have on the cost of public transportation (would) be massive and (would) affect thousands of Guyanese,” the PPP has warned.

The positives

The used tyre industry reportedly provides jobs for

mobile phones while driving.

However, the group has said it understands Government’s concerns regarding used tyres, and has suggested that the Bureau of Statistics develop a mechanism to recognize the good sets of used tyres from

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that Government would restrict the importation of used tyres effective from April 1

approximately 5,000 persons, and contributes in excess of $100 million in revenue.

Just a few days ago, a relatively new organization called the Guyana Used Tyres Association (GUTA) explained that as many as 5,000 persons are at risk of becoming jobless if the ban on used tyres should take effect.

The organisation’s Public Relations Consultant has called on the authorities to provide statistics to prove that used tyres contribute to road accidents.

His contention is that more accidents are caused by speeding, alcohol consumption and inattentiveness, especially by drivers using

those that are substandard.

The GUTA suggested that if the ban is instituted, there would be “significant increase of wear-tyre use” on the country’s roads, and the high cost of new tyres would force drivers to continue using their current tyres for longer periods.

Using Government’s logic, the group says, incidents of road accidents would increase.

Smuggling

The possibility of tyres being smuggling into this country and the cost of public transportation being increased were also raised by President of the Guyana Minibus Association, Eon Andrews. turn to page 11

news

7

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Fuel tanks explode at Noble House Seafoods

Firefighters try to contain the blaze at Noble House Seafoods

F

uel tanks exploded at the Noble House Seafoods at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Monday at approximately 13:45hrs, when workers were refuelling a boat, and the pandemonium that ensued could have resulted in massive destruction.

Fortunately, fire-fighters vigorously battled the blaze, and were successful in bringing a dangerous situation under control.

Guyana Times understands that while the boat was being refuelled, a spark ignited a flame that quickly erupted into a fire, causing panic among workers. Two employees who were in the vicinity of the fuel tank area raised an alarm, and company employees were all safely evacuated.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Winston McGregor told the media that company workers were using trawlers to transfer the fuel from the tanks to the boat when a valve in one of the pumps flew open. It came into contact with a fuel pump and caused the spark that erupted into a fire, which spread quickly.

“Our preliminary investigation revealed that they were transferring fuel from one of the tanks to the trawlers (when) a valve in the pump flew open (and) caused the fuel to come into contact

with the pump, which ignited (a fire that) spread”, he explained; adding that the workers who were refuelling the boat became afraid and ran, leaving the valve open.

“The person that was pumping became afraid and ran and left the pump, and the valve (was already) open, so there was a continuous flow of fuel throughout the fire-fighting operations.

After we brought the fire under control, we were able to control the tank, and then completely extinguish the fire,” Mc Gregor detailed.

He applauded the work of the fire fighters, and thanked the company’s employees for their cooperation in evacuating the building.

This publication was also able to speak with Divisional Officer of the Guyana Fire

Service, Colin Sparman, who was on scene. He relayed that the blaze could’ve been worse, but the Fire Service was able to fight it strategically.

“When we received the call, immediately we dispatched the West Ruimveldt Fire Service and two fire trucks from Central Fire Station, one with the capacity to hold 2000 gallons of water,” he detailed.

Because of the magnitude of the fire and the materials involved, the fire-fighters had to use foam to battle the fire. This, Sparman revealed, “suppressed the fire and prevented the oxygen from penetrating (the foam), which aided in us battling the blaze successfully.”

Miraculously, no one was injured during this blaze.

Govt under pressure to reverse used tyres ban

A

s April 1 approaches − the date for the ban on used tyres to take effect − stakeholders have intensified their calls for Government to reverse its decision in this regard.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has joined scores of stakeholders in rejecting Government’s plan to ultimately ban the employment of used tyres on Guyana’s roads. The party rationalises that such a move would visit dire consequences on vehicle owners, businesses, and even the entire economy.

“The PPP stands in solidarity with the hundreds of businessmen and thousands of ordinary Guyanese who are being devastated by the unreasonable and unnecessary decision to ban the importation of used tyres,” the Party said on Monday.

The PPP noted that businesses engaged in the sale of used tyres across the country are already closing their operations, putting a large number of persons out of employment and placing their families on the breadline.

The Party noted, too, that thousands of vehicle owners who cannot afford to buy brand-new tyres are forced to purchase used tyres to keep their vehicles operable.

“These include taxi and minibus operators. If these drivers are forced to park their vehicles, many persons (would) be without a job, and the impact

it (would) have on the cost of public transportation (would) be massive and (would) affect thousands of Guyanese,” the PPP has warned.

The positives

The used tyre industry reportedly provides jobs for

mobile phones while driving.

However, the group has said it understands Government’s concerns regarding used tyres, and has suggested that the Bureau of Statistics develop a mechanism to recognize the good sets of used tyres from

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that Government would restrict the importation of used tyres effective from April 1

approximately 5,000 persons, and contributes in excess of $100 million in revenue.

Just a few days ago, a relatively new organization called the Guyana Used Tyres Association (GUTA) explained that as many as 5,000 persons are at risk of becoming jobless if the ban on used tyres should take effect.

The organisation’s Public Relations Consultant has called on the authorities to provide statistics to prove that used tyres contribute to road accidents.

His contention is that more accidents are caused by speeding, alcohol consumption and inattentiveness, especially by drivers using

those that are substandard.

The GUTA suggested that if the ban is instituted, there would be “significant increase of wear-tyre use” on the country’s roads, and the high cost of new tyres would force drivers to continue using their current tyres for longer periods.

Using Government’s logic, the group says, incidents of road accidents would increase.

Smuggling

The possibility of tyres being smuggling into this country and the cost of public transportation being increased were also raised by President of the Guyana Minibus Association, Eon Andrews. turn to page 11

8 news

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Transgender duo on $100,000 bail …after arguing inhumanity, cruelty of remanding them T

wo commercial sex workers turned the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts into a fashion runway on Monday afternoon, expertly modelling their way out of the prisoners’ chute into the Police outpost while wearing shackles on their feet and hands.

Akeem Pyle and Gabrielle Rowe were jointly charged and taken before city Magistrate Judy Latchman for allegedly robbing Anthony Amos of $30,000 on March 25, 2017 at South Road, Georgetown.

Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-A-Fat made three bail applications after the first and second was denied.

During his bail application, the lawyer told the court that Pyle was a 24-year-old commercial dancer of Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, while his co-defendant is a commercial sex worker, permanent-

Akeem Pyle and Gabrielle Rowe

ly residing in Alberttown, Georgetown.

Fung-A-Fat pleaded with the Magistrate to grant his clients bail in a reasonable sum, deeming remand to be an inhumane and cruel act, as this would expose the duo to rape and abuse by inmates at the Camp Street Prison.

According to the prosecution, Pyle and Rowe entered a passing motor car in which the VC was a fellow passenger, and subse-

quently choked and robbed him. The accused individuals were then reportedly driven to Brickdam Police Station where they were charged with the present offence.

Magistrate Latchman adjourned the hearing to 13:30h after she asked the Prosecutor whether any facility existed to accommodate the duo in their present state, which guaranteed them protection as well as those around them.

Responding in the affirmative, the Prosecutor stated that the prison infirmary may be an ideal place in light of the situation, causing the Magistrate to leave the bench for a second time while enquiries were being made.

A few minutes later, the Magistrate reentered the courtroom and was told of the available status of the prison infirmary, with the Prosecutor mentioning a “special place” at the Lusignan Prison as an alternative.

An obviously disgusted Latchman deemed these places unfit for accommodation, declaring that she was not aware of any illness the two accused suffered as to cause them to be placed in an infirmary and she had no knowledge of a “special place” at the Lusignan Prison, leaving her with no choice but to release them on $100,000 bail each.

The matter stands adjourned to April 10.

“Piggy” freed of 2008 rape, robbery charges

C

arlos Wesley Payne, called “Piggy”, who had been on trial at the Demerara High Court for rape committed during the course of a robbery committed on three nurses at the Wismar Hospital in Linden, Region 10, on September 11, 2008, walked out of court a free man on Monday, after a 12-member jury had deliberated for more than an hour and had unanimously found him not guilty of the charges.

The Prosecution, represented by State prosecutors Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna

Hardy, had contended that Payne had forced his way into the hospital in the wee hours of the day in question, and had ordered three nurses to hand over jewellery, cellphones and other belongings before taking them to the back of the hospital, where he ordered them to lie down before he allegedly raped one of them.

But Payne, who conducted his own defence throughout the trial, denied that he was ever at the hospital on the day in question. He also complained about the

amount of time he had spent behind bars.

The former accused had been arrested and placed into custody just days after he had allegedly committed the illegal acts.

Moments after he was freed, trial judge, Justice Navindra Singh, reminded him of his criminal history.

On Wednesday last, Payne had demanded that Police ranks outside his holding cell give him a bottle of Mackeson, telling them that he needed to cool his head.

Carlos Wesley Payne, called “Piggy,” walked free after he was cleared of rape and robbery charges

West Dem man’s rape trial starts today

A

12-member mixed jury was on Monday empanelled to hear the High Court case involving Alvin Rudder, a man accused of twice engaging in sexual activity with a child − a family member − at a village in West Demerara between July 1 and 31, 2013.

Charged in December 2013, the accused is currently on bail for the alleged offences.

The trial starts this morning, and the State is being represented by State Prosecutor Siand Dhurjohn.

The case is being heard before Justice Navindra Singh at the current criminal session of the Demerara High Court.

Free pass…

T …on pharma decision

he AFC, via its leader Raphael Trotman, has announced that everything is hunky-dory with the party on the role Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence played in bypassing the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to hand out a $605 million sole-sourced pharma contract to ANSA McAL. In the meantime, the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) -- which the AFC had fought the PPP tooth and nail to establish, and which is finally in place -- hasn’t even completed the investigation which it’s legally mandated to do, and had already started to do!

And what was the source of the AFC giving a carte blanche to the Minister of Public Health? Well, just that Mr Trotman knew Ms Lawrence for 25 years, and feels she’s a pillar of the community and all that!!

Imagine that!! What else would ANYONE expect Trotman to say about a 25-year-old friendship? The man is loyal to his friends! Remember him picking his “friend” Chantelle Smith over foot soldier Gomattie Singh for an AFC MP seat?? He said his friend Ms Smith needed a job!!

Guess he feels his friend Lawrence also does!

Well, now we know why the Cabinet sub-committee that “investigated” Ms Lawrence’s predecessor on the rental of the Pharma warehouse let him off with a rap on the knuckles, and the exorbitant rental is still in place.

Trotman was chair of that sub-committee!

But it’s really outrageous for a full-fledged member of the coalition -- with 40% of the seats in Cabinet -- to subvert the integrity of the investigative process as the AFC has done. No matter what Mrs. Corbin - as Chair of the PPC -- announces after this investigation is complete, it’ll be tainted by Trotman’s affirmation of faith in Lawrence.

The point of the matter isn’t the motive of Ms Lawrence for her lapse. As a lawyer, Trotman would know that “intent” and “motive” are two different standards to judge misfeasance; the former focuses on the EFFECT of the action. The bottom line is that Ms Lawrence deliberately broke the rules on Procurement, which resulted in gross enrichment to ANSA McAL to the tune of $300M, which came from the pockets of the Guyanese taxpayers.

This is worse than what the Government and SOCU are claiming in their Pradoville II hunt. There, the supposed gains are “opportunity cost”; that is: what the lands COULD have been sold for. Here, the New GPC was ready, willing and able to supply the pharma for half the price. What Trotman’s doing -- plain and simple -- is trying to subvert the course of justice.

But that is par for the course with this PNC-led coalition. Isn’t it?

…on UG’s VC fringes

Newly-minted VC Ivelaw Griffith -- fresh from his fund-raising trip to the US with his personal posse, where they put in a plum and pulled out a (dirty) thumb -- had promised that, from his requested mega $5B budget, he’d give staff a big salary increase. They were grossly underpaid, he said. But after getting his budgetary request, he refused to even meet with the staff! So they struck.

Responding to their demand for just a 15% raise in salary, the VC pointed to all the “perks” they enjoy. They were being unreasonable with their salary request, he said. So what happened to the budget? Well, the VC now has to pay for new positions created: Deputy VC of Academic Engagement; a Deputy VC for Planning and International Engagement; a Deputy VC of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement; a Chief of Staff in the ViceChancellery within the Vice-Chancellor’s Cabinet; and a new Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives!

And they have super salaries, plus all the perks of the regular staff!

…on oil

So here we are, waiting for the oil to start flowing and the good times to roll. And now the PNC-led coalition announces it’ll launch a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Last time they got a windfall (sugar), all Guyana got hydro!!

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

news

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tuesDAY, march 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP calls for Police probe into AG’s “threats” D

ays after Attorney General Basil Williams threatened to sue media houses for “falsely” reporting that he threatened to kill a judge, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C), one of the leading political groupings in the country, is calling on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to launch an investigation into the allegations.

Despite the Attorney General’s pleas of innocence, the PPP insists the matter warrants an extensive probe as it believes the threats should not be viewed in isolation but in conjunction with other incidents where the Government has attempted to subvert independent offices.

“We call upon the Guyana Police Force to immediately launch an investigation into this matter and this investigation must include the death of the Magistrate to whom the statement refers,” the Party said in a statement on Monday.

Williams, on March 24, refuted reports that he had made death threats against Justice Franklin Holder the previous day during a High Court case against trade unionist Carvil Duncan.

Reports indicate that the Attorney General yelled, “the last Magistrate who did that to me was later found dead...” following a heated exchange with the High Court Judge over the recording of the day’s proceedings.

The Attorney General, during his press conference, admitted to using those words but contended that his statement was taken out of context.

Williams said he was relating a story about a magistrate who had incorrectly interpreted a statement he had made.

But the PPP believes Williams’ reported actions

Attorney General Basil Williams

are part of a wider policy of the Government to denude independent constitutional agencies of their institutional and functional auton-

omy, to malign and assault the holders of these offices and to emasculate them, so that they act in a manner in which the government wishes them to act and not in accordance with their constitutional and lawful mandate.

“Over the last 22 months, we have witnessed incontrovertible evidence of attempts to undermine the independence of the Judiciary,” the PPP said.

The Party cited the purported sidelining of the conventional GPF by the political directorate who chose to use the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to carry out politically driven investigations.

The PPP also listed the

verbal assault by Finance Minister Winston Jordan upon the Auditor General because of the latter's criticism of the Minister's misuse of the Contingency and Consolidated Funds as another issue.

Additionally, the PPP reminded of the “infamous” meeting with Carvil Duncan, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, who is also a member of the Police Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission, at the Ministry of the Presidency where Duncan was offered "a package" to resign, with the President saying that he wants "no more blood on his carpet" and when Duncan refused, a tribunal was established to hound him out

of office.

The PPP highlighted, in support of its perception, “the President’s unconstitutional refusal to act upon recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission to elevate two Puisne Judges to the Court of Appeal and the appointment of two Judges to the High Court, although these recommendations were made since February 2016; the failure to swear in the two Judges who have been appointed … [to act] as Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary, respectively; the scurrilous attack on the former Chancellor of the Judiciary by the Attorney General in the State-owned

newspaper; the Attorney General's repeated public accusations that the Judiciary is ruling against the Executive and his consequent contention that by so doing, the Judiciary is encroaching upon the province of the Executive and the Legislature; the Attorney General's repeated but irrelevant use of the name of the President during the hearing of cases, with the clear intention of intimidating the Judges; and the Attorney General's constant criticism of Judges in and out of court and in the press when they rule against him”.

“Although this incident was witnessed by over a dozen persons, including the Judge himself and a reporter from the Chronicle Newspaper and while Williams admits to the words being said by him, he barefacedly and clumsily tries to change the context and inject more words, as he attempts to justify what is clearly unjustifiable,” the PPP noted.

Efforts to contact Justice Holder on Monday for a comment proved futile.

According to reports, the Judiciary plans to write the President on the matter.

In the meantime, the PPP is urging the Judiciary to maintain its independence and not buckle under pressure.

“We assure our Judges and Magistrates that we will continue to work fervently to ensure that they are able to perform the functions of their office with dignity and in an atmosphere free from intimidation and fear. We remind the Judiciary that they are perhaps the most significant pillar to prevent our country from sliding back to a state of authoritarianism and political dictatorship,” the Party emphasised.

Charity Health Centre hit by drug shortage

T

hose seeking public health services at the Charity Health Centre in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have complained that the shortage of essential drugs at the centre is saddling them with an extra economic burden.

Patients complained that on numerous occasions when they visit the Health Centre, they are given prescriptions to purchase medication privately, but most of them say they are not able to afford this extra expense.

Children predominantly are affected by this shortage. When Regional Health Officer Afarah Khan and a team of Regional councillors recently visited the Charity Health Centre, the doctor in charge reported that there were shortages of drugs primarily for infants. The doctor reported that Panadol

syrup and other baby medications were not in supply at the centre, and patients normally return to the centre in worse condition than they had been in previous visits, thus the situation needs to be remedied soonest.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Region’s Health and Sanitation Committee, Arnold Adams, has reported that a major drugs shortage exists at the Suddie Public Hospital, thus that institution is unable to supply the Charity Health Centre with drugs. Adams said numerous unsuccessful requests were made to have the situation rectified, and he is calling on the Public Health Ministry to intervene and have drugs supplied to the Suddie Public Hospital in a timely manner, since residents are suffering and cannot afford to purchase overthe-counter medications.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017

News

Policymakers discuss way forward for Region’s sugar industry Village life T he ability of the regional sugar industry to survive after the removal of production quotas in the European Union (EU) on September 30 will depend on improved competitiveness and pragmatic diversification options, according to a Caricom Secretariat official.

The end of the EU’s quota management system for sugar is expected to lead to a fall in prices towards the international sugar price and a decrease in sugar imports from the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, with particular impact on Caribbean producers.

During an address at the opening of a Regional Policy Workshop in Kingston, Jamaica, recently that examined the Caribbean Sugar Industry Post-2017, Caricom Secretariat Programme Manager (Agriculture and Industry) Nisa Surujbally spoke of the challenges facing the Region.

“We have witnessed major structural changes in the operations of our sugar industries, including the exit from sugar production of two member states, Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts and Nevis. Nevertheless, we are mindful of the vital role and contribution of the sugar sectors to the economies of Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica. Survivability of these industries, after the removal of production quotas in the EU on September 30, 2017, will – in no small measure – be a function of improved competitiveness, securing more remunerative markets, value addition, an

enabling policy regime within the Caricom Single Market and Economy, and, not lastly, practical and pragmatic diversification options.

“I say this as a technical official while being acutely aware of the emotional associations we have with our Region’s oldest economic sector. This industry is responsible for us being here and

new market realities and the policy options available to both industry and regional Governments.

The sessions focused on an outlook of the global sugar market and sugar prices; the 2017 EU sugar reform and short-term threats to the Caribbean sugar industry; access to new markets and opportunities; increasing

has coloured our history from colonisation to slavery to indentureship and to independence. It is not an easy time!

Now is crunch time,” she told the gathering.

The workshop was convened by the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) and hosted at JAMPRO with the advice and support of The Caribbean Council, the Caricom Secretariat, and JAMPRO. It was funded by the EU, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, ASR Group, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The workshop brought together industry leaders and policymakers to inform and facilitate an indepth discussion of how the Caribbean sugar industry now needed to adapt to the

productivity and competitiveness; managing the politics of transforming sugar industries; and adapting to climate change.

There were also panel discussions that explored the trade and tariff policy options that are open to Caribbean policymakers, as well as the policy measures that they could adopt to support a viable sugar industry.

Surujbally gave the assurance of the Secretariat’s continued support to the sugar industry of Caricom, through its active participation in the dialogue and framing of the policy options for decision-makers. The Caricom Secretariat has a longstanding relationship with the SAC, which established in the 1930s. SAC is an accred-

ited organisation at meetings of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED,) and has regularly brought recommendations to the Ministers of Agriculture and Trade for decision-making.

The Secretariat, Surujbally pointed out, also participates in SAC meetings, and through this close association has facilitated the regional sugar industry in resolving several matters.

SAC Chairman Karl James said “with our exports still focused on EU markets, the Caribbean sugar industry faces a period of instability and change, and must urgently adapt in order to meet the challenge of competing with other sugar-producing nations worldwide which have lower production costs or in a global market heavily distorted by trade barriers and Government support.

The prospect of the exit of the United Kingdom from the EU further adds to the uncertainty ahead.”

He said the focus must be on identifying the practical next steps that the industry and Governments could take as priority measures to reinvigorate the sugar sector and provide it with the means to prosper and grow in the 21st Century.

“We look forward to taking forward with our partners in Government the policy recommendations from this important workshop to give the sugar industry in the Caribbean a positive future.”

Welder remanded for chopping stepson

A

Parika, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) welder is now remanded following a family dispute which resulted in him chopping his stepson on March 19, 2017 at Aranka Landing in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

It is alleged that Suraj Singh unlawfully and maliciously wounded Eon Lewis, who came to his mother’s defence during a heated argument between the accused and his reputed wife.

According to reports, the man had attempted to chop his reputed wife, but his stepson intervened and received the injuries instead.

The prosecution objected to bail and the man was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan until April 6, 2017.

The case will continue at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

in Berbice

B

erbice Indians go to bed early, and get out of bed early.

Until recently, there was no such thing as an alarm clock; the people relied on their natural environment to wake them up to start the day. The first sign that it was time to wake up occurred when the roosters started crowing at four o’clock in the morning, and the second was when the sun’s heat hit the zinc-roofed houses with no mercy.

To this day, everyone -- especially housewives -knows it is time to get up and begin the routine of sweeping, cleaning, washing and cooking before the younger ones get up. In most cases, the men Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine would get up a bit later, around ‘dayclean’.

I do not know the origin of this tradition, but suspect it has to do with Indian customs, according to the Laws of Manu -- that emphasize wifely duties and the rhythm of plantation life, where things start early to beat the ‘bloody’ and ‘blasted’ heat, as so often heard in domestic village parlance. Little surprise, then, when females are matched out to males through an elaborate Indian wedding ceremony, the former know that their family and village expect them to carry on the hybrid tradition of wifely duties and plantation life. This expectation becomes more serious with the birth of successive children, sometimes as many as from ten to fifteen.

More and more children born to the family is seen as a sign of wealth in the presence of poverty. In some ways, the female's fate is sealed as soon as she is married.

A typical day for village housewives is preparing food for the family without modern facilities, like stove and refrigerator, although this practice has become a thing of the past in many households. Cooking takes place on a mudbaked fireside, fed and fuelled with chopped limbs of dried wood. Cooking on firesides demands some skills, like how to regulate the flow of heat to avoid burning the food, but most challenging is the ability to dodge the clump of smoke which sometimes careens into the cook’s face. To be on the safe side, the cook would have to get her face out of the way first, and then mess with the burning firewood.

Though village life is safe and secure through the common purpose of family obligations that may set the tone for a decent existence, the unpleasant truth is that flare-ups do occur when one partner, mostly the male, does not have a full grasp of what it takes to be a family man.

Husbands believe that family duties lie essentially outside of the home -- to bring home the beacon, to use the common US cliché. Domestic responsibility, including childrearing, is not seen as a man thing to do. Roles and functions of the family are perceived and performed from the lenses of different perspectives, which may sort themselves out amidst ups and downs. This sort of a family dynamic does not exist only in fairy tales, but occurs also in the real world.

There is no urgent need here to offer a perfect spin as to what a functional family should be; except to say that a reasonable, right-thinking man would agree that a marriage, and whatever comes with it, is a shared responsibility.

If disputed, I argue that husbands in this camp are out to safeguard their own narrow self-interests, which does not bode well as a model for young men.

While we may never know exactly what happens in the privacy of village homes, it is no secret that the use of alcohol has caused enormous problems, such as domestic violence, suicides, and road accidents. The gravity of this problem can be gauged by what happens in the public space, typically under the bottom houses, in the rum shops, and under shady trees. In these environments, alcohol consumption is not only a pastime, but a way of life that would take twists and turns intermixed with silence, loudness and happiness, followed by sadness in a single morning, or afternoon, or anytime in one day. I have seen men disclose and discuss their entire lives in one of these regular meet-ups, stagger out of the rum shops, walk on the road, and sing this: Oh my darlin’, roses are red, violets are blue, I love you, but why did you leave me?

If someone asks me to, in one sentence, describe village life in Berbice, I would say what Banwarie said, “Bear your chafe, buddy, bear your chafe.” (lomarsh.roopnarine@ jsums.edu)

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Welder killed in Berbice accident

I

rshed Mamood became the latest road fatality when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a car on the Springlands Public Road in Upper Corentyne, East Berbice on Sunday at about 21:00h.

The 20-year-old welder of Lot 51, Number 77 Housing Scheme, Corriverton had reportedly been hanging out with his girlfriend, Rishma Ramdatt, at the Sukhpaul Service Station in Springlands, but rode out to meet someone at the same time that motor car PNN 7736 attempted to turn into the gas station, thus the

car and motorcycle collided. Mahmood, who had left his helmet on a bench at the gas station, was thrown into the air, and landed some 30 feet away.

This newspaper understands that the driver of the car abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene, but ranks of the Springlands Police Station intercepted a car along the Corentyne Highway on Monday morning and arrested the suspect. Investigators later found out that the car involved in the accident on Sunday belongs to a car rental company.

The suspect, 31-yearold Jomeshwar Brijlall of Number 61 Village, Upper Corentyne, told investigators that he was on his way to the police station when they arrested him. Giving investigators details of the accident, he said he was turning the car into the gas station while another vehicle was passing, and as it passed he attempted to pull into the gas station when the collision occurred.

Brijlall claimed that the vehicle which passed had Dead: Irshed Mamood

Govt under pressure...

from page 7

“Guyanese are very innovative persons, and if we are not careful and persons cannot afford to buy those tryes but they need (them), you can have a smuggling culture that is going to develop, whether through the borders or by boats,” he reasoned.

Andrews noted that if the maintenance and other costs associated with operating a vehicle should increase, some bus operators may be forced to discontinue their operations, rendering them jobless.

In April 2016, hundreds of concerned stakeholders had signed a petition to persuade Government to rescind its decision to ban the importation of used tyres into the country, but the measure was allowed to move forward.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan has announced that Government would restrict the importation of used tyres effective from April 1, 2017.

Vehicle ban

In addition to the ban

on used tyres, the People’s Progressive Party is calling on this Administration, which it says has developed a reputation of employing anti-business policies, to review the ban on vehicles that are 8 years old and older.

The Party argues that this measure deprives the ordinary working people of opportunity to own a vehicle.

A protest against both bans is scheduled to take place outside of State House today.

prevented him from seeing what was behind.

Rishma Ramdatt, said she was right there and saw her boyfriend die on the road. She said the car drove across the road and into the path of the motorcyclist, making it impossible for him to avoid the accident.

However, an eyewitness told this publication that Mamood was speeding at the time.

Ramdatt had moved in with Mamood six days pri-

or to his death. The couple was expected to get married on April 30.

The dead man’s mother, Violet Kanhai, said his neck might have been broken after he had been thrown through the air for 30 feet.

The only mark on the body, she said, was on the neck.

The motorbike was purchased three months ago.

This is the second motorbike Mamood had owned.

Police are investigating the accident, while the driver remains in custody.

12 news

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil and Gas Conference

“Think critically of use of oil revenues”– US envoy admonishes

… Guyana at crossroads of transformation

T

he United States Government is encouraging Guyana to give careful consideration to the ways it will invest the revenues that will develop from its promising oil and gas sector.

The admonition was given

by Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Terry Steers-Gonzalez on Sunday evening, as he addressed stakeholders and other participants during the opening of the first oil and gas conference hosted by the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA). The event was held at the Marriott International hotel, Georgetown.

Steers-Gonzalez was exploring the very prospect of the Liza oil find in Guyana’s waters and what the revenues garnered could do for the country’s economy and its citizens.

“The confirmed reserves guarantee the revenue to al-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

low it to develop industries and infrastructure and to create a broad-based economy with true value added, which means jobs and prosperity, if done right,” Steers-Gonzalez said.

The US diplomat said the revenue would also mean that Guyana would have

enough money to allow it to fund activities that would see it becoming even greener than it already was. He said it would also be critical to think strategically now of ways to invest the revenues that would develop diverse industries, physical infrastructure, citizen security, quality education and health services. According to him, these are areas that will create significant job numbers.

He said recent estimates confirmed that offshore oil deposits may be as large as 1.6 billion recoverable barrels of oil, with additional resources yet to be quantified.

Estimates, he said continue, to change; each time growing larger and with the growth of the numbers, so do the expectations of citizens here.

According to him, legislation and regulations that protect Guyana’s interest and promote transparent resource management at all levels are

One of the exhibitors, Trinidadian company Quintana Sales & Services Ltd at the Conference

key components to success.

“The list of important legislations is vast and spans across the spectrum from a petroleum act to regulation to a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), licences and fees for the new industry and occupational health and safety standards,” the envoy said, noting that not just the Government but the people have an opportunity to define the future, which starts with a carefully calculated plan of action formed from the collaboration of all stakeholders that targets job creation, investment and long-term revenue management. Speaking on the economic prospects of the sector, the diplomat noted that overall Guyana’s economy has been doing well and was projected to continue along this path.

“The view from the United States from this exciting industry for Guyana is that the Private Sector will play an integral role in sharing the responsibility of shaping the future of the company as the

country continues to develop new industries and the regulatory structures that will govern them, (and) the role of citizens and stakeholders will grow in scope and importance.”

He said Guyana was at the crossroads of a transfor-

ration” and 2017 “the year of implementation”.

He said experts were retained and were currently assessing ExxonMobil’s and other operators’ applications for production and exploration licences.

“Further, we are considering a proposal from one of the world’s leading offshore supply companies to establish a world-class base at Crab Island, Berbice, and are examining the possibility of utilising some of the available natural gas from the Liza field for energy generation as we transition to renewables.”

Government is also addressing the viability of a refinery or refineries in Guyana.

The conference, held under the theme, “The initiation of transformative industry,

Farfan & Mendes Ltd Group of Companies

mation.

Meanwhile, addressing the forum, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said Government dubbed 2016 as “the year for prepa-

sought to improve knowledge and understanding of the opportunities that the oil and gas sector holds for Guyana’s economy.

news

13

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Arrest warrant issued for Port Mourant Overseer A

n arrest warrant has been issued for the overseer attached to the Johns-Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), after she failed to make an

on August 15, 2016 at the Johns-Port Mourant NDC office.

Magistrate Charlyn Artiga ordered that the Overseer be allowed to go on $10,000 bail when she is

NDC and the Region Six Democratic Council to act.

The protesters demanded that the Overseer be sent on administrative leave.

Vendors at the market have for months com-

Reporters on the picket line

appearance at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday after being charged with assault.

The Overseer, Boodmattie Ramnarine is before the court for allegedly assaulting a Guyana Times and TVG reporter causing actual bodily harm

arrested.

The case will come up again on April 11.

Meanwhile, following the adjournment of the court case, reporters in the region and vendors picketed the Whim Police Station against media harassment and the failure of the

plained of harassment and, as such, joined the protest calling for the removal of the Overseer.

Both the NDC and the Regional Administration have failed to address the issue after it was reported to the RDC back in August.

Deputy Regional

Verdict looms in carnal knowledge case

J

osiah Baptiste, who was implicated for child sexual activity almost a decade ago, will soon know his fate. Now that the State has rested its case, the Prosecution will make its closing address before the 12-member jury today at the High Court in Georgetown.

The Defence team, which comprises Folia Richards and Maxwell McKay, will also present its closing address before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

Baptiste, reportedly a 31-year-old pastor, is accused of carnally knowing a girl who was said to be 6 years old at the time. The incident is alleged to have occurred in a community in Greater Georgetown sometime between June 1 and 30, 2007.

According to the particulars of the case, Baptiste

was alone at home with the young child when he called her into a room and engaged her in sexual penetration.

The child is alleged to have told her mother what had happened, but the mother had not taken the child’s assertion seriously. However, after another family member had reportedly become aware of what had transpired, the accused was taken into police custody, and later charged in February 2009.

A total of 11 witnesses testified throughout the course of the trial. Justice Barlow is expected to sum up the case on Wednesday morning before the jury can determine whether or not Baptiste is innocent or guilty.

State Prosecutor Shawnette Austin led the State’s case, and was assisted by fellow prosecutors Mandell Moore and Tamica Clarke.

Executive Officer (DREO) Claude Henry was asked to investigate the alleged assault on the reporter back in October last year and had failed to carry out the order of the RDC. The DREO’s reluctance to investigate the alleged physical attack is being viewed by the reporters as an attack on press freedom by the RDC. The reporters who all operate out of Berbice and represent all of the major media houses in Guyana are calling for protection as they investigate allegations of corruption at the JohnsPort Mourant NDC. According to one reporter, the NDC has received in excess of $8 million in revenue over the past year and

NDC Overseer Boodmattie Ramnarine

has only inserted one drainage tube in the community, while claiming that there is no money to carry out works. The reporters say it has now become unsafe for them to attempt to investigate the NDC when they

use an average of $1000 daily travelling to cover the NDC. Councillors attached to the NDC have reported that the Chairman has put a muzzle on them, making it an offence for them to approach the media on issues affecting the Johns-Port Mourant NDC. Meanwhile, the media is also seeking to have the reporter away from the work arena while the matter is before the court.

Vendors attached to the Port Mourant Market have provided information which suggests witness tampering in the matter. Some vendors are witnesses in the matter currently before the court.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017

Regional

Venezuela seeks to stymie OAS Eastern Caribbean branded a transit point meeting, vows “severe” response for drug traffickers V T

enezuela called on Monday for the suspension of an Organisation of American States (OAS) meeting intended to air regional concerns over the nation’s economic crisis and democratic standards.

The Washingtonbased OAS is due to debate Venezuela today after its Secretary General, Luis Almagro, said the country should be suspended from the regional bloc if it does not hold elections.

Last week, 14 nations urged elections and freedom of jailed opponents of President Nicolás Maduro’s socialist Government, turning up the pressure after au-

Venezuela’s Supreme Court President Maikel Moreno talks to the media during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela on March 27, 2017

thorities thwarted a referendum on him last year and postponed local polls.

Maduro, the 54-year-old successor to Hugo Chávez,

says the OAS is a pawn of hostile US policy. His Government said in a statement that the proposed meeting broke the bloc’s

rules and should be cancelled. “If this illegal, unilateral, deviant and biased behaviour in favour of violent extremists in Venezuela continues, we will proceed with severity and firmness,” the statement read.

Venezuela’s suspension from the OAS would not have any major financial implications for the crisis-hit nation, but would be a symbolic defeat the ruling Socialist Party is keen to avoid.

Visiting the OAS on the eve of the debate, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez lashed out at Almagro and accused him of a campaign to destroy Venezuela. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

he Eastern Caribbean has been branded a “transit point for drug traffickers going to the United States and Europe” by the US State Department.

The Department’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), released this month, claims that the Eastern Caribbean hosts abundant transhipment points for illicit narcotics, primarily from Venezuela destined for North American, European and domestic Caribbean markets.

According to the report, marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug within the Region and many

of the homicides in the seven countries occur as a result of turf wars between factions fighting for control of drug distribution.

The report named St Vincent as a primary source for cannabis in the Eastern Caribbean.

Data provided to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicates that during the first nine months of last year, drug seizures in the Eastern Caribbean totalled 196.65 metric tonnes of marijuana and 1103.8 kg of cocaine, along with 159 drug trafficking-related arrests. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Jailed Vybz Kartel Tribe gets compensation for plane to get chance to crash over Amazon forest appeal for freedom

A

fter serving three years of their life sentences, Vybz Kartel and his co-convicts are set to make an all-out bid for their freedom in another six months.

An Appeal Court judge recently gave the green light for the convicted murderers to launch their appeal.

Kartel, born Adidja Palmer; Shawn “Storm” Campbell; Andre St John and Kahira Jones were all convicted on March 13, 2014 of murdering Clive “Lizard” Williams on August 16, 2011.

Thomas Tavares-Finson, Attorney for Kartel, described the development as an “important step in the appeal process”.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, he said: “It’s the first but critical step in the appeal process. A single judge, Justice Frank Williams, has read all the papers from the trial and determined that there

are grounds on which an appeal could be allowed, so he has given the green light to proceed. We will move on to a full appeal in September.

It is a limited victory, but an important moral victory for my client, as it reinforces the notion in his mind that justice will be served and he will be acquitted.”

During the lengthy murder trial, the Crown argued that the popular dancehall artiste and the others all participated in the beating death of Williams over two missing firearms belonging to the deejay.

After the 11-member jury found them guilty, Justice Lennox Campbell ordered that Kartel serve 35 years in prison, with hard labour, before he becomes eligible for parole.

Campbell and Jones were to serve 25 years before becoming eligible for parole, while St John was to become eligible after serving 30 years of his sentence.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

O

ne of Brazil’s top airlines, Gol, has agreed to pay US$1.3 million to an indigenous tribe in compensation for the damage caused by a 2006 plane crash.

A Gol aircraft on a commercial flight collided with a private jet in mid-air in September 2006, in the skies above the Caiapó indigenous reserve.

The Caiapó tribe refused to go back to the area where the debris fell.

They say it is now polluted and cursed with the presence of the dead.

Their dwellings and a health centre set up by Brazil’s indigenous agency, Funai, had to be rebuilt elsewhere in the reserve, a Caiapó chief told Globo tele-

Caiapó chief Raoni Metuktire

vision.

The two planes were travelling in opposite directions when they collided over an area of the Amazon forest in the state of Mato Grosso.

The Embraer Legacy 600

private jet, which was travelling to the United States, managed to fly to a nearby airport and land safely.

But the Gol Boeing 7378EH aircraft crashed in the middle of the reserve, killing all 154 people onboard.

A Brazilian Government inquiry concluded that there had been errors both by the two American pilots on the Legacy jet and air traffic control in Brazil.

Two years ago, tribe leaders sought help from Funai to ask for compensation, Globo TV reported.

The airline and tribe leaders came to an out-ofcourt agreement, which was signed by the Caiapó at a ceremony earlier this month.

The Caiapó chief is Raoni Metuktire, who became famous when he travelled around the world with British rock star Sting in the late 1980s to highlight the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.(Excerpt from BBC News)

Brazil shuts 3 more meat processing plants in bribery scandal

B

razil’s Agriculture Ministry said Monday that it had ordered three more food processing facilities to suspend production amid

an investigation into alleged corruption of inspectors and unsanitary conditions in the world’s biggest meat producer.

That brings to six

the number of food processing plants that have been ordered closed by Brazilian authorities.

A total of 21 plants are included in a Police

investigation, and are not allowed to export any product, though they are still able to produce for the domestic market.

(Reuters)

Bed crisis at Bermuda’s Trinidad-born Nicki Minaj sets record for most Top 100 Billboard hits main hospital

B

ermudian authorities are feverishly searching for answers to remedy an unfolding crisis at the main King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

All beds in the emergency department are occupied, the new acute care wing is full and only absolute emergencies are being handled, Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Hospital Board (BHB) Venetta Symonds has revealed.

“There are no patient beds right now at the hospital,” she said, adding that

while every effort was being made to rectify the problem, the hospital was dealing with a “crisis”.

Symonds warned Bermudians to brace for the impact while appealing to citizens to be patient and help to alleviate the problem where possible.

“First of all, if you are an outpatient and looking to have a surgical procedure in the next week or so, you might get a call saying that your surgical procedure has been postponed,” she said.

Stating that “every sin-

gle bed matters right now”, Symonds added: “We all need to work together to make sure our hospital can accommodate you.”

She did not identify the source of the problem, but acknowledged that the hospital has been experiencing “increases in capacity within the last couple of months”.

“Yes, there are a lot of respiratory illnesses right now, but there are a multitude of factors that are making it difficult for BHB to empty beds. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

T

rinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj has surpassed Aretha Franklin on the Billboard Charts to become the woman with the most Hot 100 Hits in any genre.

Aretha Franklin held onto that record for the last 40 years, until earlier this month when Minaj tied with her at 73 hits with her feature on Gucci Mane’s “Make Love” single.

She dropped three new singles “No Frauds”; “Regret in Your Tears” and “Changed It” with her label mates Lil Wayne and Drake,

which charted at No 14, 61 and 71 respectively, pushing her to 76 hits.

Most of Minaj’s hits are due mostly to being featured vocal on a song as opposed to being the lead like Franklin did. But lead vocal or not, the hits still count.

Minaj took to Instagram to show her gratitude and thank her fans: “Man, I tell ya…God said he ain’t done showing off yet.

Lol. Walked off stage to find out history was made yet again today… To my fans: I *** love you guys more than I’ll ever be able to put into

words.”

Minaj has 13 top 10s under belt, with her song “Anaconda” peeking at No 2. However, she has never achieved the number 1 spot on the Billboard chart.

Her first entry on the top 100 was as a feature on Lil Wayne’s “Knockout” and her first leading hit was “Your Love” which peaked at No 14.

Minaj has hinted at dropping her fourth studio album when she was featured on Major Lazer’s track “Run Up”. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

US leads boycott of UN talks Russian Opposition Leader jailed for 15 days on nuclear weapons ban

T

he United States, Britain and France are among almost 40 countries boycotting talks on a nuclear weapons ban treaty at the United Nations, according to Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the world body.

With none of the participants – more than 100 countries – at Monday’s talks belonging to the group of states that possess nuclear weapons, the talks were doomed to failure.

According to Haley, the countries skipping the discussions “would love to have a ban on nuclear weapons, but in this day and time we can’t honestly say we can protect our people by allowing bad actors to have them and those of

US Ambassador Nikki Haley spoke in a group of about 20 envoys from US allies who are boycotting the talks [Don Emmert/AFP]

us that are good trying to keep peace and safety not to have them.”

Speaking as the debate at the UN headquarters in New York got under way, Haley also mentioned North Korea, which has recently has carried out missile tests

that violate UN resolutions.

“We have to be realistic.

Is there anyone who thinks that North Korea would ban nuclear weapons?” Haley said. “North Korea would be the one cheering and all of us and the people we represent would be the ones at

risk.”

Haley spoke in a group of about 20 ambassadors from US allies who did not join the negotiations, including Britain, France, South Korea, Turkey and a number of countries from eastern Europe.

The Ambassadors of Russia and China were notably absent, but both major nuclear powers are also sitting out the talks.

Britain’s UN Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said: “The UK is not attending the negotiations on a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons because we do not believe that those negotiations will lead to effective progress on global nuclear disarmament.” (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

Meat crackdown in India’s Uttar Pradesh

I

ndia’s most populous state is running out of meat, as tens of thousands of meat sellers across Uttar Pradesh close in protest over a government crackdown on slaughterhouses operating without licences or adequate paperwork.

After the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in Uttar Pradesh earlier

this month on the back of a resounding electoral victory, the Government began cracking down on illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops.

The new chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, is a strong supporter of laws protecting cows, which are revered by devout Hindus, and has publicly opposed beef consumption.

The slaughter of cows and the consumption of beef are taboo for most Hindus. Their slaughter is barred by law in most Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh.

“All the illegal operations in slaughterhouses should end now,” Adityanath said on Sunday at a rally in his hometown of Gorakhpur, where he is

also the high priest of the Gorakhnath Math, a religious order based in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

“The majority of the slaughterhouses and meat shops are running without licences and Government approval. I know, in the name of buffalo, cows are being slaughtered in many abattoirs. This should end.”

R

ussian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 15 days in prison after being detained at a major Opposition protest that he had organised.

A Moscow court issued the verdict on Monday against Navalny for resisting Police orders on Sunday when he walked to the protest in the Russian capital.

Navalny, 40, posted a selfie on Twitter from the courtroom, saying: “A time will come when we’ll put them on trial too – and that time it will be fair.”

“Even the slightest illusion of fair justice is absent here,” Navalny said on Monday at the defendant’s bench, complaining about the Judge striking down one motion after another.

“Yesterday’s events have shown that quite a large number of voters in Russia support the programme of

a candidate who stands for fighting corruption. These people demand political representation – and I strive to be their political representative.”

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Russia on Sunday in the biggest show of defiance since the 2011-2012 anti-government protests.

The Kremlin has dismissed the Opposition as a Westernised urban elite disconnected from the issues faced by the poor in Russia’s far-flung regions.

But Sunday’s protests included demonstrations in the areas which typically produce a high vote for President Vladimir Putin, from Siberia’s Chita to Dagestan’s Makhachkala.

Putin’s spokesman on Monday criticised the organisers for allegedly inciting illegal acts. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Schoolchildren killed in Japanese avalanche

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trump’s son-in-law to be questioned over alleged Trump-Russia ties

P

resident Donald Trump’s son-inlaw and aide, Jared Kushner, will be questioned by a US committee investigating alleged ties between the Trump team and Moscow.

Kushner has volunteered to speak to the Senate Intelligence Committee, the White House said.

It is examining Russia’s alleged interference in last year’s election.

The US intelligence community believes alleged Russian hacking during the presidential election

Jared Kushner

was done to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. Russia denied the allegations and President Trump has branded

the story “fake news”.

There are two congressional investigations into the issue, plus an FBI one.

The Senate committee wants to question him about two meetings he allegedly arranged with senior Russians, officials told the New York Times.

But staff of Kushner, who was a senior adviser to Mr Trump during the election campaign, have said that so far his offer to be questioned has not been answered.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said that Kushner has not invoked executive privilege, and will testify because his job with the campaign was to be a “conduit to leaders”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Cyclone Debbie: Thousands flee as Australia braces for monster storm

N

o r t h e a s t Australia is bracing itself for the arrival of a “monster” cyclone expected to bring waves of up to 8 metres (26 feet) to the Queensland coast.

Cyclone Debbie, which has been upgraded to a Category Four storm, is carrying winds of up to 250 kilometres per hour (155 mph).

Thousands of people have already been evacuated and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has urged residents to act immediately.

The storm is expected to reach the coast of Queensland on Tuesday.

“If you have received an official evacuation order, you and your family must leave home immediately,” Turnbull said, adding that people should seek shelter “on higher ground”.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the emergency evacuation order was “probably the largest ever” for the north-eastern state, and warned people to charge their phones as structural damage and power outages were likely. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Queensland prepares for imminent arrival of Cyclone Debbie

Rescue workers have tried to negotiate the snow-covered slopes

S

even Japanese high school students and their teacher have been killed in an avalanche at a ski resort.

The avalanche occurred early on Monday near Nasu in Tochigi prefecture, 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Tokyo.

Another 40 people, mostly students, were hurt, including two who were in a critical condition, reports said. The victims were part of a 70-strong group from several schools who were on a three-day mountain climbing training trip.

Dozens of troops were involved in rescue efforts, amid bad weather and heavy snowfall.

“All the people have been carried down from the mountain and they are now being transported to hospital,” a prefecture official told AFP news agency.

Officials said the eight

victims had no vital signs.

In Japan, rescue officials wait for a doctor at a hospital to pronounce victims dead instead of doing it at the scene.The region had received heavy snow over the past two days and avalanche warnings had been in effect.

“We have avalanche incidents once or twice a year around here, but haven’t had anything this big,” a fire department official told Reuters news agency.

Another official told Reuters that there would be an investigation into why the group were out during an avalanche alert.

The area around the town of Nasu has several ski resorts, but these had closed for the season. The area had seen more than 30 centimetres of fresh snow since Sunday and recent warm weather had further raised the avalanche risk. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

16 News Barama’s 1.6M-hectare Rehabilitation of Arthur Chung Conference Center on schedule concession to be A distributed in April tuesDAY, march 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

T

he Natural Resources Ministry is expected to begin, in April, distributing the forest concessions that were given up

by Malaysian company Barama Company Limited.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has said that 17 Expressions of Interest have been received for the 1.6M hectares of land previously under Barama control.

“We are in the process of reviewing (those expressions), and will be in a position to start allocating in April,” Trotman said.

Last October, Barama

Natural Resources Raphael Trotman

Minister

announced that it would not renew its concession agreement after its expiry

date of October 15, 2016.

The lands were then reverted to the State.

Trotman dismissed recent claims by the Private Sector Commission, which appeared in the local media, that concessions were not being given out. The minister noted that the statements were inaccurate.

“We had to have a period of advertisement, a period of analysing the responses; and we will be redistributing later this year,” Trotman explained. He pointed out that 70 concessions were last December given out to small loggers throughout the country.

team of Government officials headed by Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes was recently taken on a tour of rehabilitation works ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC).

The Engineer from the Public Infrastructure Ministry who has oversight of the works ongoing and the team of engineers from the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation guided the Minister and her team around the premises.

The Minister and her team were able to see the new foundations, sub-structures and bases that will gird every building in this complex. Additional damage had been discovered when the badly cracked perimeter flooring was raised; and now the sewage network also has to be replaced, along with the plumbing, several walls, stairs and flooring.

The Minister was, however, assured that the original configuration of the Centre will

Minister Cathy Hughes along with other officials examining carpet colours during the tour of the conference centre

remain.

The Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) was closed on December 1, 2016 to facilitate major rehabilitation that is expected to last for between 18 and 24 months. Funded entirely by the Government of the

People’s Republic of China, the complex was constructed between 2004 and 2006; and this rehabilitation, which was written into the 2004 agreement, is being funded entirely by grant aid.

The Conference Center was a gift to Guyana.

Air Services plane crash lands at CJIA CH&PA seeks to prioritise A

training flight belonging to the Air Services Limited (ASL) on Monday afternoon crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, EBD. According to reports, only a pilot and his trainee were on board the flight at

the time, and neither person was injured, but the flight Cessna 172, with registration number 8R-AFS, received minor damage in that its landing gear was slightly damaged.

This publication was told by airport officials that fire fighters at the CJIA were prompt in their

safety efforts and in taking control of the situation. Contacted by Guyana Times, ASL Director Annette Arjune-Martins told this publication, “It was a hard landing, as the pilot is being trained,” and added that the incident was a minor one.

planning function

S

eeking to give prominence to its planning role and functions which, over the years, have been neglected and overshadowed by the exegeses of its housing function, The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is hosting its first National Planning Forum – a two-day affair -- at the Regency Hotel in Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Under the theme “Planning in Guyana and the Role of the Central Housing and Planning Authority”, this forum has brought together staff of the CH&PA and stakeholders involved in the planning process and planning permit to increase awareness about the role and functions of the CH&PA with respect to planning, and to deepen collaboration among the stakeholders.

Attendees at this forum include representatives of the Local Democratic Organs and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Water incorporated (GWI), and the ministries of Public Infrastructure, Education and Public Security.

Upon conclusion of this forum, strategies would be developed to address some of the issues plaguing the planning system in Guyana.

Addressing the opening of the session this morning were Minister within the Ministry of Communities,

Stakeholders involved in the planning process

with responsibility for housing, Mrs Valerie AdamsPatterson; and staff of the CH&PA, including the Chief Development Planner, Germene Stewart.

In her address, Minister Adams-Patterson acknowledged that the current state of planning in Guyana is “not at the desired level, when compared to other developed countries.”

She pointed to a number of challenges that have contributed to this state of affairs, including the lack of awareness and understanding of planning, the lack of capacity at the local level to meaningfully address planning issues, the overlapping functions of the regulatory institutions, and weak collaboration among institutions.

Noting the effects of these challenges and how they are manifested in breaches of planning regulations and building by-

laws, encumbrances and nuisances in neighbourhoods, squatting and desecration of the environment, the minister explained that the National Planning Forum is a start in the process of recognising the pivotal role planning plays in addressing these issues, and the critical role of the CHPA in the process of planning.

The Minister explained that the outcome of the forum should see improvement in coordination and collaboration among all institutions involved in the land-use planning process.

Importantly, she said the forum is expected to result in collaboration between the CH&PA and the Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) being significantly enhanced, so that these entities would be better positioned to address violations in their districts.

news

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tuesDAY, march 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyanese man Govt committed to gender equality – Ally gunned down S in Maryland A Guyanese man was on Sunday found dead with a bullet wound to his head in the hallway of his Camden College Park, Maryland, USA home.

Dead is 36-year-old Rawle Farley, formerly of Linden, Guyana. Based on reports by WUSA9, the man was heard screaming about 16:00h on Sunday, soon after his body was found in the hallway of the apartment complex.

Neighbours recalled reporting the incident to the Police who responded and upon checking, they found the man in a pool of blood on the floor. Neighbours are now concerned about their safety in the building since in 2008, another man was shot and killed during a break and enter.

Homicide detectives are working with the theory

Dead: Rawle Farley

that the man was executed in an apparent hit, given the way he was killed and more so, the location where he met his demise.

Farley had been living in the US for several years.

He first stayed in New York before taking up residency in Maryland. He was the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Lock and Door Solutions.

ocial Protection Minister, Amna Ally, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensure gender equality.

She said the Government will continue to collaborate to facilitate progression and empowerment of women entrepreneurs.

The Minister made this statement at the Women in Business Expo at the Pegasus Hotel, over the weekend.

Ally explained that women who are managing to juggle a hectic family life, academic studies and managing their own businesses are inspirations to families friends, employees and younger women.

“Therefore, supporting these women is pivotal not only by allowing women to realise their dream and securing the future of their businesses but by also contributing in making, the economic power house it is capable of becoming,” Ally said.

The Minister of Social Protection noted that research has proven that

A local exhibitor displaying her locally made accessories

cultural and institutional barriers still exist within societies which impede women from achieving their full potential in terms of gender equality.

She added that in this regard, efforts must intensify to ensure that no talent, idea or effort of women is wasted because they come from a woman rather than a man.

The minister noted that women rights group around the globe have constantly highlighted that if women are healthy and educated, their family will thrive.

If they have a chance to work and earn as the men of their families, they will thrive and when families thrive, communities and nations will thrive.

Further, the Minister pointed out that many of the products displayed at the exposition are of high quality. She lauded the Sonia Noel for Creative Arts Foundation and Women Association for Sustainable Development for the initiative and urged participants to continue to support the objective.

“The work that groups

such as the Sonia Noel Foundation are doing gives confidence that we can achieve sustainable development. Women are not the only ones who will benefit. The women led businesses existing today are fundamental to the success of long-term economic plans,” Minister Ally concluded.

Meanwhile, Executive Director and founder of Sonia Noel for Creative Arts Foundation, Sonia Noel, said when the Women in Business Expo started last year she saw the possibility of it becoming a success. She added that it is a success but without relationships, it would not have been possible.

The Women in Business Expo is a platform for women entrepreneurs to develop their business and business ideas. There were over 50 women entrepreneurs from rural and urban communities who showcased their products ranging from cuisine, handicraft, and fashion to real estate services among others.

Bus service for Lethem’s students

C

ommunities in Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo will now benefit from a timely initiative of the Lethem Mayor and Town Council to provide transportation services to hundreds of students there.

The council purchased a 32-seater bus at the cost of $9M after recognizing the plight of families within the communities.

The 32-seater bus began its inaugural route on Thursday and transported the students to school free of cost on Thursday and Friday. The payment system took effect as of Monday, March 27, 2017.

The bus will provide service to six schools within the municipality including the St Ignatius Secondary School, two primary schools and three nursery schools.

Each child will be required to pay $1,000 per week (200 per day) and teachers will also benefit from the transportation service as well.

Lethem Mayor, Carlton Beckles said that a second bus will also be purchased in the coming months to address the many concerns as it relates to transportation.

Beckles disclosed that council has a responsibility to parents to ensure that

children have the necessary transportation service to attend school.

He noted that although many hinterland communities across the country benefited from President David Granger school-bus initiative, Lethem has so far not been a recipient.

“So from the municipality we have purchased this bus to get the children to school at an extremely reduced fare,” Beckles remarked.

In addition to providing much-needed financial relief to the parents in the communities, the bus service is intended to be of economic benefit to the municipality.

The newly commissioned 32-seater bus

Guyana’s 2013-2020 national NCD blueprint a model for best practices

T

he 2013-2020 national NCD blueprint for the health sector called the ‘Integrated Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases in Guyana’ is modelled after existing best practices from regional, hemispheric and global approaches.

This is according to Minister within the Public Health (MOPH), Dr Karen Cummings who on Monday met with Dr Beverley Barnett, consultant to PAHO/WHO said her visit is part of a wider initiative to undertake “a qualitative analysis” of the NCD strategies of four Caricom states.

Guyana is the first country to be visited by Dr Barnett under the regional plan. She is also scheduled to hold similar discussions with Barbados, Jamaica and St Kitts/Nevis.

Monday’s talks were part of “a deeper analysis” with Dr Cummings were to elicit her perspective on Guyana’s NCD multi-sectoral plan, Barnett said.

The plan notes that Guyana will pursue a

Health-in-All-Policies (HiAP) approach which envisions “strong leadership and political will”. It encourages civic and private sectors participation while simultaneously challenging them to embrace the new approaches to combating NCDs which are also called chronic diseases.

The 4 main types of chronic diseases are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease [COPD] and asthma) and diabetes. Ageing, unplanned urbanisation and the popularisation of unhealthy lifestyles help fuel NCDs. Use of tobacco, lack of physical activities, unhealthy diet and abusing alcohol increase the risk of NCDs which disproportionately affect low and middle-income countries. Global statistics show that some 75 percent of all deaths from NCDs occur in low and middle-income countries.

That is why Barnett’s visit is so timely since Guyana

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings along with Dr Beverley Barnett, consultant to PAHO/WHO and Ministry staff during the meeting on Monday

has reached the half-way point in its programme implementation.

Prioritising their efforts in the sector “will be the key to implementing the NCDs strategy successfully. This will help individual countries better allocate human and financial resources and determine the best courses of action” to support their vision she said.

Establishing priority will also “greatly assist individu-

al territories make timely interventions” to benefit their populations according to the consultant to PAHO/WHO. In addition, Barnett suggested the MOPH establish partnerships with individual local sectors, its development partners and civil society for the success of the NCD strategy.

In his Foreword, former Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsarran, noted that NCDs have “emerged

as a new frontier in the fight to improve health globally.

The increase in such diseases means that they are now responsible for more deaths globally than all other causes combined.”

“The new Guyana NCD Strategic Plan will position our Nation to mount an effective, sustainable response,” Ramsarran said.

The country’s NCD strategy is built on five planks: Risk factor reduc-

tion and Health Promotion; Integrated Disease Management and Patient self-management Education; Programme Management; Surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation and Public Policy, Advocacy and Communication, according to Dr Kavita Singh, MOPH Chronic Disease Director.

Singh described the seven-year plan as “very comprehensive (and) if implemented accordingly will provide optimum health care and risk factor reduction” for its beneficiaries.

Dr Cummings likes the strategy and like Singh also emphasized the issue of implementation which she indicated will most likely include a redirection of human and financial resources “without losses where gains are made”.

Probing questions by Dr Barnett should assist Guyana with identifying its strategy’s strengths and weaknesses, spotting any existing gap and helping to generating recommendations to improve the MOPH 7-year NCD guide.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017

ARCHIE

Do your best to stabilize your personal and profession(March 21- al positions. Gather informaApril 19) tion and look at all sides of a situation before you form or present your opinion.

ARIES

Good things will happen TAURUS if you lend a helping hand.

(April 20- Positive actions will bring May 20) greater opportunity. It’s up to you to contribute if you want to make improvements. Don’t sit back.

dilbert

You’ll be pulled in severGEMINI al different directions. It’s (May 21up to you to find out exactly June 20) what transpired before you make a move. Trust, integrity and moral concerns should be your motivations.

Stick to what you do best.

Work behind the scenes in (June 21- preparation for what you July 22) want to present. Don’t let anyone pressure you to make a move prematurely.

CANCER

Peanuts

Don’t get angry, get moving.

LEO Make choices that will bene(July 23fit you. Take charge and show Aug. 22) your leadership ability. The more confidence you possess, the greater stability you will acquire.

Calvin and Hobbes

Look at an offer from all anVIRGO gles before you move forward.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22) If something sounds too good to be true, take a step back.

Don’t succumb to high-pressure tactics.

Be realistic and refuse LIBRA to let anyone lure you into a (Sept. 23heated debate. Overreaction Oct. 23) and indulgence will be costly and will cause you to miss out on a great opportunity.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Enforce any ideas you have SCORPIO that will encourage productiv(Oct. 24ity. Offering an incentive or Nov. 22) joining forces with someone you find inspiring will help you reach your goals.

You’ve got all the right SAGITTARIUS moves to get what you want (Nov. 23- when you want it. Put your Dec. 21) agenda in place and bring about changes that will secure your position and enhance your reputation.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

You’ll feel pressured by CAPRICORN what others do or say. Taking (Dec. 22care of home and family matJan. 19) ters should be your prime concern. Compensate for delays while traveling or dealing with institutions.

Let the past be your guide AQUARIUS to a brighter future. The expe(Jan. 20rience you have gathered will Feb. 19) help you find alternatives to the way you have been handling your finances.

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

Good things are heading PISCES your way, but so is your ten(Feb. 20dency toward excess. Control March 20) your spending and rein in your indulgent behavior.

TUESDAY, march 28, 2017

India close in

Tait hangs up the boots after 15 years

after Australia collapse A ustralia’s batsmen froze in the spotlight of the opportunity to press for a series-sealing victory over India, leaving the hosts needing a mere 87 to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on day four in Dharamsala.

The surprise for the hosts and source of regret for the visitors was that wickets to pace, not spin, dictated the course of the day.

Starting their second innings 32 runs behind, Australia lost David Warner, Steven Smith and Matt Renshaw while still in deficit and were ultimately rounded up for a measly 137. Only Glenn Maxwell offered any prolonged resistance, the rest stuck in quicksand against Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Umesh and Bhuvneshwar in particular made a mighty impact, making the new ball kick, jump and jag in such a way that Warner and Renshaw were utterly spooked, while Smith’s series ended with an attempt to assert himself that ended with a misjudged pull shot and scattered stumps.

Ashwin and Jadeja were then left to separate Maxwell and Peter Handscomb before mopping up the rest.

Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha had earlier put together a priceless partnership to push India into the lead before Australia struck in the minutes before lunch. As had been the case in Ranchi, India’s seventhwicket stand was a thorn in Australian sides, lifting the hosts from an overnight deficit of 52 to an advantage of 18 before the visitors were able to find a wicket. Jadeja’s innings maintained his up surge not only as the world’s No. 1 ranked bowler, but also as a batting talent.

He had solid support from Saha, who was fortunate to still be at the crease given Matt Renshaw’s drop off the bowling of Cummins on the second evening. It was ultimately Cummins who ended the stand by coaxing Jadeja to drag onto the stumps, before also claiming Saha with a spiteful bouncer that the wicketkeeper gloved into the outstretched right hand of Steven Smith at second slip.

These wickets feel either side of O’Keefe finding some turn in his first over of the session to defeat Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with Smith claiming the catch. He had refrained from using O’Keefe while Jadeja was at the crease, a measure of the respect Australia had for the

left-hander’s potential to score quickly.

Australia thought they had a wicket with the first ball of the morning, when Cummins angled across Jadeja and there was a noise as the ball passed the bat. The umpire Marais Erasmus raised his finger

by Ajinkya Rahane after being effectively neutralised.

However in the final few minutes of the session, Ashwin found Handscomb’s outside edge with an offbreak that jumped without turning, then Shaun Marsh - beset by a back injury - bunted lamely to short

path towards the stumps.

Cummins and Wade then tried to steady the innings, but became trapped into scorelessness in a way that meant the Australian lead did not appreciably grow relative to the time they spent at the crease. So when Cummins fell to Jadeja, the lead was still well short of 100, and it remained there through the swift dismissals of O’Keefe and Lyon.

Finally Wade showed more intent in Hazlewood’s Shaun Tait clocked 161.1 kmph against England in 2010 company, until the paceman ustralia fast bowler Shaun Tait has announced his retirement was deceived twice by Ashwin. from cricket at the age of 34. Tait called time on a 15-year The first occasion seemingly career at the competitive level, with his last match coming for to a catch at second slip, but replays showed M Vijay had the Hobart Hurricanes against the Sydney Thunder in the 2016-17 grounded the ball and so the Big Bash League.

Tait, whose last appearance for Australia came in a T20 players returned to the middle international against India in Sydney early last year - after a call-up to for another two balls, this time international cricket after five years - played three Tests, 35 ODIs and to see the umpire Ian Gould’s 21 T20Is for Australia. finger raised for an lbw.

“I honestly wanted to play a couple more years, whether it was Vijay and KL Rahul were left over in the UK or here,” Tait told cricket.com.au. “I knew it was going with six overs to the close. They to be difficult getting older to compete with the young blokes. I’m 34 negotiated them with a level years old and I suppose when you’re not contributing on the field as of comfort that underlined much as you’d like to, it’s time to finish up.” not only how well Umesh and Tait made his international debut against England in Nottingham Bhuvneshwar had bowled, but during the 2005 Ashes, where his pace, bounce and swing earned also how Smith’s Australians him three wickets in England’s first innings. While he played just two had squandered the sort of more Tests, his ODI career had a few highlights, including the 2007 chance they had been fighting World Cup, where Tait played an integral role in Australia’s triumph, to have all series. snaring 23 wickets in 11 matches to finish joint-second on the The four-Test series is tied tournament charts. In all, Tait ended his ODI career with 62 wickets at 1-1. (ESPNcricinfo) at 23.56. His strike rate of 27.20 is the second-best among Australia bowlers with at least 50 ODI wickets, behind Mitchell Starc.

Tait was recognised as one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, and clocked 161.1 kmph against England in 2010, which is among the fastest balls ever bowled in international cricket. The downside of his brutal pace, however, was a career strewn with injuries.

18 Ashwin Tait called time on his first-class career in 2009 and his ODI career GJ Maxwell lbw b Ashwin 45 in 2011, after Australia’s World Cup quarter-final exit. He enjoyed some success as a T20 specialist, playing in leagues around the SE Marsh c Pujara b Jadeja 1 world. However, his latest Big Bash season was marred by dwindling MS Wade† not out 25 form. Tait missed parts of the tournament due to an elbow problem PJ Cummins c Rahane b Jadeja 12 that has troubled him for over a decade. And in the four matches he SNJ O’Keefe c Pujara b Jadeja 0 played, he conceded runs at 12.48 an over.

NM Lyon c Vijay b Yadav 0 “I didn’t know it was going to be as difficult as it was this year JR Hazlewood lbw b Ashwin 0 [with the Hurricanes],” Tait said. “Pretty much getting left out of the Extras (b-4, lb-1) 5 side or not being able to play because of my elbow, either way there’s Total (all out; 53.5 overs) 137 no point going on with it. I knew during the Big Bash that I was going Fall of wickets 1-10 (Warner, to finish up. The elbow has pretty much gone off a cliff now, it’s done 3.1 ov), 2-31 (Smith, 8.3 and dusted. ov), 3-31 (Renshaw, 9.2 “It would have been nice to play another year maybe, but there’s ov), 4-87 (Handscomb, 24.3 no point getting more surgery and play when I’m 35 when I’m ov), 5-92 (Marsh, 25.3 ov), probably not up to it anymore. If I was still performing really well, I’d 6-106 (Maxwell, 32.3 ov), 7-121 (Cummins, 47.4 ov), probably do it [have surgery and keep playing]. But I just wasn’t. The 8-121 (O’Keefe, 49.2 ov), game’s getting quicker and better and I’m getting slower and a bit 9-122 (Lyon, 50.3 ov), 10older. It’s that simple.”

137 (Hazlewood, 53.5 ov) Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “In his prime, Shaun Bowling B Kumar 7-1was the world’s fastest bowlers. It was incredibly exciting to watch 27-1, UT Yadav 10-3-29him full flight bursting through the defences of the game’s best 3, Kuldeep Yadav 5-0-23batsmen. Unfortunately, injuries restricted Shaun at certain stages 0, RA Jadeja 18-7-24-3, R and he certainly didn’t play as much as he would have liked.”

Ashwin 13.5-4-29-3 Tait said he was not leaving cricket entirely behind, but would like to remain involved in some capacity. “It’s emotional, there’s no India 2nd innings doubt about that,” he said. “The first time when you know you’re (target: 106 runs) going to retire, you look back to when you first started. It seems like 13 KL Rahul not out it was yesterday, but it has been 15 years now. It’s probably a cliché M Vijay not out 6 that a lot of guys say, but just being with the lads [is what I’ll miss the Extras 0 most]. Being with your team-mates, having a beer with your team19 Total (0 wickets; 6 overs) mates in the change rooms, going away on a trip somewhere to To bat CA Pujara, AM Rahane*, wherever it might be.

KK Nair, R Ashwin, WP “You don’t want to be away from home all the time, but Saha†, RA Jadeja, B Kumar, sometimes it’s nice to go to India or the UK for a tournament. That’s Kuldeep Yadav, UT Yadav always one of the perks of cricket, travelling to these parts of the Bowling PJ Cummins 3-1world, which I’ll miss a bit. I don’t want to close cricket off, that’s for 14-0, JR Hazlewood 2-0-5sure. It’d be nice to continue on in cricket somehow.” (ESPNcricinfo) 0, SNJ O’Keefe 1-1-0-0

A

Ravindra Jadeja raises his bat after completing fifty runs

instantly, but Jadeja reviewed just as fast. Replays showed the bat had brushed his back pad rather than the ball, the decision reversed.

Not for the first time, Cummins took it upon himself to generate something, and did so by going around the wicket to Jadeja after he had hooked a pair of short balls in his previous over. Jadeja’s middle stump was knocked back, and he was soon to be joined by Bhuvneshwar and then Saha.

Kuldeep Yadav added a pesky few runs with the last man Umesh before Nathan Lyon returned to the bowling crease. He had Kuldeep caught at deep backward square leg on the sweep with his first ball.

That gave Lyon a deserved fivewicket haul, and left the touring batsmen to contemplate the best way to build a lead.

They would have expected a few difficult overs from the pacemen but not the fusillade fired down by Bhuvneshwar and Umesh that did for Warner, Smith and Renshaw.

Smith seemed intent on domination, sending his first ball to the boundary behind square leg then lining up Bhuvneshwar’s short and full deliveries. But his attempt to carry on brought a miscalculation and an ugly drag onto the stumps - Smith finished the series with a laudable 499 runs but the sense of an unfinished last innings.

For a time, Handscomb and Maxwell appeared capable of forging a major stand. Maxwell was the aggressor and Handscomb the accumulator, and the left-arm wristspin of Kuldeep was withdrawn

leg.

Maxwell loomed as the key to Australia’s chances when the evening session began, and after Wade evaded an early lbw appeal and referral, Maxwell was given out to Ashwin when he tucked his bat behind his pad. The review showed umpire’s call for both impact with the pad and projected

SCOREBOARD Stumps - Day 3 Australia 1st innings 300 India 1st innings (Overnight 248/6) KL Rahul c Warner b Cummins 60 M Vijay c †Wade b Hazlewood 11 CA Pujara c Handscomb b Lyon 57 AM Rahane* c Smith b Lyon 46 KK Nair c †Wade b Lyon 5 R Ashwin lbw b Lyon 30 WP Saha† c Smith b Cummins 31 RA Jadeja b Cummins 63 B Kumar c Smith b O’Keefe 0 Kuldeep Yadav c Hazlewood b Lyon 7 2 UT Yadav not out Extras (b-4, lb-11, w-5) 20 Total (all out; 118.1 overs) 332 Fall of wickets 1-21 (Vijay, 10.2 ov), 2-108 (Rahul, 40.2 ov), 3-157 (Pujara, 60.6 ov), 4-167 (Nair, 64.4 ov), 5-216 (Rahane, 78.6 ov), 6-221 (Ashwin, 82.1 ov), 7-317 (Jadeja, 112.1 ov), 8-318 (Kumar, 113.5 ov), 9-318 (Saha, 114.1 ov), 10-332 (Kuldeep Yadav, 118.1 ov) Bowling JR Hazlewood 25-851-1, PJ Cummins 30-8-94-3 (w-1), NM Lyon 34.1-592-5, SNJ O’Keefe 27-4-751, GJ Maxwell 2-0-5-0 Australia 2nd innings MT Renshaw c †Saha b Yadav 8 DA Warner c †Saha b Yadav 6 SPD Smith* b Kumar 17 PSP Handscomb c Rahane b

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, march 28, 2017

Vettel beats Hamilton to win Australian Grand Prix F

errari’s Sebastian Vettel beat Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in a straight fight as Formula 1’s new era started at the Australian Grand Prix.

Vettel’s first win since the Singapore GP in September 2015 was final proof Mercedes’ domination is over after the introduction of faster cars.

Hamilton started in pole but Vettel had an advantage on pace and tyre wear.

The German pressured Mercedes into an early pit stop and benefited when Hamilton was held up by Max Verstappen.

Ferrari were simply quicker

could pass him.

Hamilton returned to the track 1.7 seconds behind Verstappen. He soon caught him and was told by his engineer Peter Bonnington: “This is race-critical - you need to pass Verstappen.”

Hamilton replied: “I don’t know how you expect me to do that.”

Sure enough, Hamilton was quickly on Verstappen’s tail but could not pass for four laps.

Vettel stopped on lap 23 and rejoined right in front of the Red Bull and Hamilton, fended off Verstappen’s challenge into Turn Three and disappeared off

Ferrari’s pace was not exactly unexpected - the red cars had looked competitive in pre-season testing and Vettel qualified less than 0.3 seconds behind Hamilton.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said on Saturday evening that his team faced “a hell of a fight” this season - and they are right in it following Vettel’s imposing victory.

Mercedes accepted that the Ferrari was simply a faster race car on Sunday something that was clear from Vettel’s ability to stick close to Hamilton in the opening laps despite the turbulent air from

to its essence than the tyremanaging era of the previous six years.

Home hero Daniel Ricciardo had a turbulent afternoon. The Australian’s Red Bull stopped on the way to the grid.

It was returned and Red Bull were able to get it going again, but not before the race was two laps old. Ricciardo was sent back out and told “to have some fun” but the car stopped

for good after about 30 laps.

Britain’s Jolyon Palmer also had a difficult weekend, starting from the back after a troubled qualifying and suffering brake problems before an early retirement.

Fernando Alonso looked poised to rescue a surprise point for a McLaren-Honda team that came to the race in disarray after reliability and performance problems

with the Japanese company’s engine.

But while running in 10th place and holding off Force India’s Esteban Ocon, which had been behind for a long period, the Spaniard’s car suffered what he suspected was a suspension problem.

He was passed by Ocon and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg in one go and then was told to retire the car. (BBC Sport)

Miami Open 2017

Nadal celebrates

1000th

tour match in style The crucial moment for Ferrari as Vettel managed to get ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton leaving the pits

in Melbourne and the world champions were forced into a position where they had to make a decision that did not work out.

Mercedes were telling Hamilton he needed to up his pace to build a gap before his pit stop. The Briton was complaining his tyres were going off and he had no more pace.

Mercedes had the choice of leaving him out and risking Vettel passing him by and stopping earlier, or bringing him in and hoping Red Bull’s Verstappen would stop soon afterwards or that Hamilton

into the distance.

By the time Verstappen stopped himself on lap 25, Vettel was nearly six seconds up the road.

Hamilton could keep pace but no more, and found himself being caught by teammate Valtteri Bottas, who had struggled in the first stint, dropping back 10 seconds in 17 laps, but closed in on the former world champion in the second stint to finish just 1.2 seconds behind. This was because Mercedes had turned down Hamilton’s engine once they realised he was not going to catch Vettel.

the Mercedes costing him aerodynamic downforce.

The leaders might have made only one pit stop, which some might not like, but the intensity of the fights created by cars that test drivers to their limits for the first time in years made for a compelling afternoon.

However, the suggestion from this race is that a corollary of the quicker cars may well be that racing is harder.

As FIA president Jean Todt said before the race in a media briefing, this may have been a price the sport had to pay to return it to a position closer

Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" Football…

NA Kings crowned new Berbice Champions

The winning New Amsterdam Kings and the various officials and representatives after the final

N

ew Amsterdam Kings were crowned the new champions of the Berbice zone Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Football which concluded on Sunday evening.

Playing at the New Amsterdam Stelling tarmac, Javon DeSantos 13th minute goal helped Kings defeat East Bank Gunners 1-0 in the riveting final and cop the coveted championship trophy and the $400,000 first place prize while the runner-ups received $150,000.

In the third place play-off between Mahaicony and Outsiders, the latter won 2-0 due to a Ryan October double. October etched his name on the score sheet in the 21st and 23rd minute to hand his hand his team $100,000 while Mahaicony had to settle for $75000. Meanwhile, in the semi-final

matches, DeSantos once again was the difference between the two sides when he scored in the 22nd minute against Outsiders.

In the other match, the trio of Joseph Giddings, Ronaldo August and Andrew McCalman had successful conversions in the 1st, 5th and 23rd minutes respectively to seal a comprehensive win for Gunners over Mahaicony.

Having completed legs in Georgetown, West Demerara/East Bank Zone and now Berbice, the exciting tournament is expected to be featured on the East Coast of Demerara, and Linden next. The Bartica Zone is still in the pipeline since an official of the company explained that on previous occasions, the organizing body would coordinate the stated teams that play in the National Championships.

— Britain’s Konta advances to rd of 16

B

ritain’s Johanna Konta rediscovered her best form as she thrashed Pauline Parmentier of France in straight sets to reach round four at the Miami Open.

Konta, seeded 10th, took charge from midway through the first set to win 6-4 6-0 in 63 minutes.

She next faces Lara Arruabarrena in the last 16 after the Spaniard upset eighth seed Madison Keys 7-5 7-5.

Rafael Nadal celebrated his 1,000th Tour match with a 0-6 6-2 6-3 victory over German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

In the men’s doubles, Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares beat Paolo Lorenzi and Joao Sousa 6-0 6-3 in round two.

Konta, 25, had struggled for form since reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals in January, and had needed two hours and 40 minutes to beat qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich in her opening match in Miami.

In less windy conditions on Sunday, the British number one found the rhythm on both serve and return that has seen her rise dramatically up the rankings in the last two years.

“I’m happy to have come through that,” Konta said.

“Although the scoreline doesn’t show it in the second set, I still had to work hard within every single point. I really tried hard not to take my foot off the gas and stay focused on what I wanted to achieve.”

The first six games went with serve as Parmentier’s big serve kept her in touch, but when Konta converted her third break point for a 4-3 lead it sparked a brilliant burst of form from the Briton.

Konta dropped just five

points in the second set, and only seven points on serve in the entire match, as she powered through.

She is now one win from at least matching last year’s run to the quarter-finals, where she lost to Victoria Azarenka.

World number one Angelique Kerber came back from a break down in each set to beat American Shelby Rogers 6-4 7-5.

Tour matches - a group led

by American Jimmy Connors (1,535).

“One thousand matches is a lot of matches. Obviously that’s good news because that says I am having a long career,” said 14-time Grand Slam champion Nadal.

“During a lot of years, I heard that I’m going to have a short career, so it’s something important for me. I remember

Johanna Konta also reached the quarter-finals in Miami last year

The German will next play Japanese qualifier Risa Ozaki, after the world number 87 saw off Kerber’s compatriot Julia Goerges 7-6 (7-5) 6-3.

World number 31 Kohlschreiber was superb as he took his first set against Spaniard Nadal to love in just 21 minutes.

It was the first time Nadal had failed to win a game in the first set of an ATP Tour match since 2008 but the 30-yearold produced a typically gutsy comeback to claim his 822nd career victory.

He becomes the 11th player to compete in 1,000

the first match very well because it was at home in Mallorca. It was my first victory on the ATP and was a great feeling.”

In the men’s singles, second seed Kei Nishikori of Japan beat Spanish 25th seed Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (7-2) 6-7 (5-7) 6-1.

Canada’s third seed Milos Raonic withdrew before his match against American Jared Donaldson with a recurrence of a hamstring injury, saying: “It was not possible to compete today without putting myself at significant risk.” (BBC Sport)

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Harold “Top Gun” Hopkinson (centre) poses with other top shots and competitors of the GuyanaNRA Smallbore .22 Precision Pistol Shoot

S

easoned campaigner Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson and Jamaine Braithwaite emerged as the best senior and junior shooters when the 2017 season of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Smallbore Section commenced on Saturday last at the Tactical Services Unit Range of eh Guyana Police Force.

The .22 Precision Pistol shoot saw competitors taking on each other in three stages of shooting from 5m to 15m.

When all was over and the scores were tallied, veteran marksman Harold Hopkinson did not allow his age to be a deterrent as he racked up 231 points out of a possible 250 to take the top spot in the senior competition while ruling the roost among the juniors was Jamaine Braithwaite who managed 217 points.

Following are the full results:

Senior Category Name Points

Position

Harold Hopkinson 231 4Vs

1st

Surujbali Persaud 205 3Vs

2nd

Joshua Ramlakhan 187 3Vs

3rd

Junior Category

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Jamaine Braithwaite 217 5Vs

1st

Randy Barnwell 205 1V

2nd

Erwin Chapman 194 2Vs

3rd

Meanwhile, Hopkinson and Rajiv Latchana are slated to compete at the Amazon Shoot set for Suriname from March 31st.

Team Lashley & Todd win Golf Scrabble

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21

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 35

F

ormer Guyana Open Champion Imran Khan driving off the 15th tee as part of a Sunday’s Scramble held by the new executive of the Lusignan Golf Club. The competition was won by Mark Lashley and Gavin Todd (net combined 61).

Second place went to Khan and Troy Cadogan (63) and third to Aleem Hussain and Richard Haniff (66).

(LGC)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

TUESdAY, march 28, 2017

GFF/ Guyana vs Martinique International Friendly

Game on!

G

— Golden Jaguars ready for French invasion

uyana’s Senior National Football team, the Golden Jaguars will face a challenging opponent in that of Martinique this evening at the McKenzie Sports Club (MSC), Ground and despite the 30-man squad not having a lengthy encampment, interim head coach Wayne Dover feels that the players are ready for what is expected to be absorbing contest.

“Many of these players are in season, time has not been a factor regards to training; they have done it before and can even a boat session the day before would have been good enough for these guys,” Dover confidently stated.

The coach did not want to disclose his possible XI for tonight’s match as a way of hopefully preventing any possible strategies the opposition may develop.

However, he revealed that the players have increased their situational awareness and they will be approaching the men from the insular region of France who have qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup with caution in the early minutes before imposing their will to bring the desired result for the fans.

Addressing pitch concern issues, Dover noted that most of the players would have played at the venue before

Interim Head Coach Wayne Dover

CWI/Digicel Regional 4-day…

Carty’s hundred fails to save Hurricanes

Keacy Carty

A

maiden first-class hundred from West Indies Under-19 World Cup hero Kacey Carty failed to stop Windward Islands Volcanoes from a seven-wicket victory over Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Regional 4-Day Tournament on Monday.

The 20-year-old St. Maarten-born Carty struck 103 to add substance to a Hurricanes second innings total of 351 before the Volcanoes successfully chased 52 for victory on the final day of the eighth round match at Warner Park.

The result meant the Volcanoes earned 20.8 points and completed the season double over the Hurricanes, whose season aggregate increased by a mere 3.4 points.

Carty was the Playerof-the-Match winner in the Final, when the Windies Under-19s lifted the ICC Youth World Cup last year in Bangladesh.

He has struggled to make a huge leap from junior to senior cricket, but he collected nine fours and four sixes

in his 178-ball knock spanning just under four hours to lead a show of defiance for the Hurricanes and suggest he may just now be coming to terms.

Jahmar Hamilton and Rahkeem Cornwall made 43 apiece, but discarded West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford snapped up 6-114 from 34.4 overs, finishing the match with figures of 12-192, to bowl the Volcanoes into a winning position.

The Hurricanes resuming from their overnight total of 105 for two reached 222 for four at lunch with Carty in sight of his milestone.

Montcin Hodge showed great restraint during the morning period and shared 84 for the third wicket with Carty before he was caught at forward short leg off Shillingford and Nkrumah Bonner was caught at cover off Liam Sebastien’s off-spin in the final hour before the interval.

After lunch, Delorn Johnson dropped Carty, on 85, at mid-wicket off

Sherman Lewis, clearing the way for the young batsman to proceed to his hundred which arrived when he added insult to injury by crashing the same bowler through cover for his last boundary to reach the landmark.

Kyle Mayers soon had Carty caught at mid-wicket to end the young batsman’s fourth wicket stand of 67 with Jahmar Hamilton, whose dismissal triggered a decline that saw the Hurricanes lost their last five wickets for 55 in 51 balls.

Tyrone Theophile batted with carefree abandon to hasten the Volcanoes to the finish line, but Cornwall grabbed 3-23 from 7.4 overs with his off-spin to make them wobble a bit.

The Volcanoes host fellow eighth-round winners Jamaica Scorpions in the next round at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St. Vincent, starting on April 7, but the Hurricanes will be sidelined for that weekend, due to three One-day Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan being played at the Guyana National Stadium, pushing back their scheduled ninth round match against Guyana Jaguars until April 21 at the same venue.

The Hurricanes face Trinidad & Tobago Red Force next time they take the field on April 14 at this venue for what was originally scheduled to be the final round. (CMC)

Captain Samuel Cox

and the preparations they are doing will on provide for a better match.

Commenting on his elevation to head coach, Dover stated, “It has been a position that I worked in two to three occasions, and it’s a challenge and I look forward and will always take up to help the forward movement of Guyana Football.”

Meanwhile, Captain Samuel Cox expressed his elation over being able to

represent his country, adding that there is a positive vibe among the players. “Any opportunity I have is a privilege to represent the country, there is a good buzz around the camp and it can only be positive that we want to take the Golden Jaguars to another level,” the defender stated.

The defender added that the game is an emotional one for him considering that his grandmother has died recently but he plans on remaining focus on the task at hand, giving a 100% to ensure Guyana gets the win.

There are 13 overseas players on the roster and they will be meeting a team that lost 1-2 on Sunday to Barbados.

Action gets underway at 20:00h; admission to the venue is $1,500. The Guyana Football Federation is urging fans to show patriotism and support for the Golden Jaguars by wearing yellow.

Golden Jaguars squad reads: Goal keepers: Akel Clarke (Trinidad & Tobago), Andrew Durant (Trinidad & Tobago), Jonathon Copeland (Guyana); Defenders: Adrian Butters (Canada), Christopher

Bourne (England), Kester Jacobs (Guyana), Quincy Adams (Suriname), Samuel Cox (England), Solomon Austin (Guyana), Delroy Ferdinand (Guyana),Travis Henry (Guyana), Shamar Smith (Guyana), Mid-fielders: Brandon Beresford (USA), Clive Nobrega (Guyana), Daniel Wilson (Suriname), Eusi Phillips (Guyana), Kelsey Benjamin (Trinidad & Tobago), Trayon Bobb (Guyana), Vurlon Mills r (Trinidad & Tobago), Warren Creavalle (USA), Curtis Kellman (Guyana), Job Ceasar (Guyana), Ryan Hackett (Guyana); Forwards: Shaquille (Canada), Pernell Schultz (Guyana), Marcel Barrington (England), Olvis Mitchell (Guyana), Ralph Parris (Guyana), Delon Lanferman (Guyana) and Eon Alleyne (Guyana).

Technical staff: Rawle Adams (Team Manager), Wayne Dover (Head Coach), Charles Pollard (Assistant Coach), Anson Ambrose (Physical Trainer), Eon DeVeira (Goalkeeper Coach), Denzil Hernandez (Physio),Trevor Burnett (Kit Manager). (Akeem Greene)

GHB Under-18/2nd Division Outdoor Hockey League…

GCC school SJH, Saints

I

n perfect conditions for outdoor hockey on Sunday, GCC whipped Saints in the Under-18 Girls category as one of the premier matches in the Guyana Hockey Board’s (GHB) Under-18/second Division Outdoor League which was played at the St. Stanislaus College Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Rising to the occasion was regular leaders of the GCC Under-18 unit, Abosaide Cadogan and Alana Cheung who both contributed two goals each in the stunning victory. Cadogan scored in just the 6th minute of play while Sarah Klautky followed her team mate to score the second goal for GCC three minutes later, ending the first half with GCC leading 2-0.

Cadogan and Cheung returned to the field after the interval with the same vigor that earned her team their third and fourth goals in the 24th and 37th minute. Makada Harding also scored in the 37th minute, ending the match 6-0.

The GCC Boys U-18 team shared the same success as their female counterparts, destroying the other school team in the competition, St. Joseph High (SJH) by the same margin. This time, it was

GCC’s Kareem McKenzie (No 4) escapes with the ball as Rahim Oliver (centre) holds off the St Joseph High school defender

Kareem McKenzie continues to have a fantastic run in his last four matches. McKenzie, who is also the captain of the unit, scored five goals with the first coming in the first minute of play. He would then score in the 7th and 10th minute as Rahim Oliver worked past the SJH defense to score in the 28th minute. McKenzie capped off a good run with two more goals coming in the 29th and 35th minutes.

The SJH girls fended a bit better than their school mates and managed a draw against a strong Hikers team. Jeanelle Fredericks scored in the 7th minute to immediately put Hikers on the back foot but

only for a short while with Annalisa Singh securing the equalizer in the last minute of the first half. Both teams were unable to register another goal in the second half.

Saints boys did well in their match against Old Fort, winning 4-1. Edmond Chinan had a superb run with a hat trick of goals for his school while Nicholas Nervais contributing the other goal.

Sharan James was the only scorer for Old Fort.

Over in the 2nd division category, Saints also enjoyed success, defeating Hikers by a 4-1 margin and Old Fort suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of GCC B team.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

23

More international Jaguars snatch draw football possible from jaws of defeat for Linden – Forde P

CWI/ PCL Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament 2016-17

Raymon Reifer

R

aymon Reifer was the main architect of leaders and defending champions Guyana Jaguars escaping with a draw against Barbados Pride in the Regional 4-Day Tournament on Monday.

Reifer, the Barbadosborn, left-handed all-rounder, led tail-end resistance with an unbeaten 35 following Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s second half-century of the match, as the Jaguars, were bowled out for 322 in their second innings just over an hour after tea on the final day of the eighth round match at Kensington Oval.

He then returned to grab 4-49 from six overs to leave the Pride’s victory chase in shambles, as the home team stumbled to 75 for five, leaving them 18 short of the target.

The result meant that the Pride earned 11.8 points, moving to 99.2 for the season, but remain 7.6 behind the Jaguars, whose tally for the match was a meagre 3.6.

Chanderpaul and fellow left-hander Vishaul Singh fell before lunch for the Jaguars, following-on with a first innings deficit of 230 and resuming on 119 for three following the rest day to allow the first Twenty20 International between West

28

Indies and Pakistan at the same venue.

The pair defied the rest day to add 91 for the fourth wicket to add some resistance for the Guyanese before Chanderpaul was caught at extra cover off Roston Chase’s off-spin for 63 which followed up his obdurate, even 50 in the first innings, and Singh was caught at short midwicket off Jomel Warrican, as the Jaguars reached 186 for five at lunch.

After the interval, Anthony Bramble joined Reifer and they put on 51 for the sixth wicket to further frustrate the Pride before three wickets – all to West Indies fast bowler Miguel Cummins – fell in the space of 29 balls and left the Jaguars 235 for eight at tea – and just five runs in the black.

Anthony Bramble was bowled off the inside edge for 30 before Romario Shepherd and Devendra Bishoo were both caught behind for one and two respectively, flirting with short, rising deliveries from Cummins.

Tail-end defiance from Reifer, Clinton Pestano with 38 and Gudakesh Motie with 29 however, extended the Jaguars’ innings into the final hour.

The Pride, having 12 overs to complete the job, started briskly before Reifer started the procession to and from the pavilion, when he had left-handed opener Anthony Alleyne caught at long-on for 12.

He added the cheap scalps

of Kevin Stoute and Ashley Nurse, as well as Shai Hope for the top score of 35, and Shepherd removed Shane Dowrich for one, as the Pride’s threat fizzled out.

The Pride host Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the following round, starting on April 7, but the Jaguars will be sidelined for that weekend, due to three One-day Internationals between West Indies and

Pakistan being played at the Guyana National Stadium, pushing back their scheduled ninth round match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes until April 21 at the same venue.

The Jaguars face Windward Islands Volcanoes next time they take the field on April 15 on home soil for what was originally scheduled to be the final round. (Windiescricket)

SCOREBOARD Barbados Pride 1st innings 480-3 decl Guyana Jaguars 1st innings 250 Guyana Jaguars 2nd innings (119-3 Overnight f/o) S Hetmyer c (sub) Greaves b Nurse 28 R Chandrika c & b Warrican 23 L Johnson c wkpr Dowrich b Nurse 16 V Singh c Brathwaite b Warrican 37 S Chanderpaul c Warrican b Chase 63 R Reifer not out 35 A Bramble b Cummins 30 R Shepherd c wkpr Dowrich b Cummins 1 D Bishoo c wkpr Dowrich b Cummins 2 C Pestano c Alleyne b Chase 38 G Motie c Nurse b Warrican 29 Extras (b-7, lb-3, w-1, nb-9) 20 Total (All out, 119.2 overs) 322 FOW: 1-44, 2-70, 3-78, 4-169, 5-179, 6-230, 7-232, 8-235, 9-290, 10-322

Bowling M Cummins 22-357-3 (nb-7), R Chase 37-1571-2, K Harding 5-1-19-0 (nb2), A Nurse 21-2-69-2 (w-1), J Warrican 22.2-3-63-3, K Stoute 11-6-32-0, K Brathwaite 1-0-1-0 Barbados Pride 2nd innings (Target 93) S Hope c Bishoo b Reifer 35 A Alleyne c Chandrika b Reifer 12 K Stoute c wkpr Bramble b Reifer 1 A Nurse c Chandrika b Reifer 1 S Dowrich c wkpr Bramble b Shepherd 1 R Chase not out 19 S Brooks not out 1 Extras (w-4, nb-1) 5 Total (For 5 wickets, 12 overs) 75 FOW: 1-34, 2-35, 3-37, 4-40, 5-71 Did not bat K Brathwaite, M Cummins, J Warrican, K Harding Bowling R Reifer 6-0-49-4 (nb1), R Shepherd 6-0-26-1 (w-4) Player of the Match: S Hope (Pride) Point: Pride 11.1 Jaguars 3.6

successful at CSKA March grading

The graduating class along with their grading examiner Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-A-Tai (seated left), Instructor Eric Hing (seated centre) and Kenrick Cheeks (seated right)

T

wenty eight (28) youngsters graduated with flying colours and elevated themselves up the rankings when the Central Shotokan Karate-Do Association held their first grading at the Georgetown Cricket Club on March 9.

The students were graded by Shuseki Shihan Frank Woon-ATai, a ninth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, and is the chief instructor of the International Karate Daigaku, President of the Caribbean Karate College, Chief instructor and Chairman of the Guyana Karate College, and Chairman of IKD Canada and IKD Guyana.

Reaching their 1st Kyu, were the duo of Cayla Richards and Ruel Norton, who were both part of the first batch of students under the instructions of Eric Hing, a third Dan black belt holder.

The pair will be aiming for their 1st Dan (black belts) at the next grading by the end of June.

Saidah Bradford and Aniyah Couchman moved up to 2nd Kyu from 3rd Kyu while Kyle Couchman, Shane Sargent and Ayden

Doris were elevated to 3rd Kyu from 4th Kyu. Savitha Singh, Che Talbot, Reibi Smith, Keron Persaud and Damel Cameron passed their grading to reach 4th Kyu after being placed at 5th Kyu in their previous grading.

Moving up were Lataliya Norton and Jerimiah Low into the 5th Kyu classification from 6th Kyu. From 8th Kyu to 7th Kyu were Raphael Ali, Lucas Alencar, Jemacy Holder, Mortimer Duke and Kellon Beharry while Nicholas Alencar, Nathaniel Singh and Daniel James jumped two rankings into 6th Kyu. Also moving two ranks up were Uthan Henry, Gabriel Lewis, Jelani Armstrong, Shaka October, Chad and Aiden Lovell as they moved from 10th into 8th Kyu. At the end of the grading, Sensei Hing was delighted with the success of the class, particularly highlighting the discipline and dedication the children have shown. He encouraged all of the students to continue to strive for excellence.

resident of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde made a declaration on Monday while speaking at a press conference ahead of tonight’s match between Guyana and Martinique that more international fixtures will be played in Linden town once the community can show overwhelming support at the match.

“I issued a challenge to the Linden Community and the challenge I laid out to them is that if we can have an atmosphere similar to the one we have come so accustomed to when we look at the Barclay’s Premier League, the other inter-

Banks DIH Public Relations Officer Troy Peters

national friendlies that I have lined up, at least two more will go to Linden,” the President revealed.

From a financial point of view, Forde believes Linden is one of the ultimate venues to host international football in Guyana.

The Linden Community presents to the Guyana Football Federation the best financial opportunities in bringing off a big game, the cost for the venue is low, the logistics is low, marketing the game is low became we are talking about a community with a decent population and if you can get a third of the population into a venue, it is a big win for us,” the GFF boss explained.

He added, “we have seen evidence of a decline of football attendance in Georgetown and some of the other venues and even though playing the game of football is our main priority, we have to do this in an economical way and we simply cannot continue to incur in excess of $3M to take a game to a venue and don’t have a single chance of recovering that money.”

Commenting on the restoration work done on the facility, Forde stated that community has responded well and there has been lots of preparation work since “we will do everything in our power to bring prominence of football back to Linden as part of our overall strategy

GFF President Wayne Forde

of the GFF.” On the holistic view of football in Guyana, the President posited that “the goal of the executive is to bring back the prominence to the Golden Jaguars brand and we cannot keep doing that by simply participating in regional tournaments.”

Adding that “It’s not just a brand it is doing things that can influence the quality of play as well as if they can play against high class opponents; If they can do this, Guyana can be seen a force to reckon with in CONCACAF and CFU [Caribbean Football Union] and higher in the not so distant future.”

Forde disclosed that Guyana will be playing on all their international dates and for the lesser opponents, they will be using a full locally based squad but said they will air on the side of caution, stating, “we do not want to put the brand to be slaughtered…because we are arranging agreement’s for the national team and companies want to be associated with success.”

Supporting the move of Football in Linden is Banks DIH Limited under their GT Beer brand and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Troy Peters said that they are very much excited over returning to a community where they launched the beer which has garnered support.

“Linden is one our main towns and the support base for football is very strong, we look forward to an exciting match and we urge the fans to come out; we are pleased to be associated with the GFF for this venture and we look forward to me more relations as we look to push Football in Guyana as we have seen the game grow from strength to strength,” Peters stated.

In the distant past, the mining down had its fair share of international football at the McKenzie Sports Club Ground with the last exposure being May 19, 2011, when Guyana defeated Barbados 1-0.

Tonight, football returns to the MSC with Guyana Golden Jaguars tackling Martinique from 20:00h.

Admission is $1,500.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

GFF/ Guyana vs Martinique International Friendly

— Golden Jaguars ready for French invasion Top: The Golden Jaguars squad along with technical staff and Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde at the Signature Inn Hotel, Queenstown prior to their departure for a practice session at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden. Bottom: The Martinique team upon arrival at the Eugene F Correia International Airport on Monday

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