Guyana Times Daily

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

Issue No. 2801

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Poor voter turnout mars ‘historic’ LGE poll See stories on pages 10, 11 & 12

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana to ship over 11,300 tonnes of rice to Panama P18

– Independents, big political parties claim victory ahead of official results

Prisoners move protest over poor meals, P8 treatment to social media

CH&PA flays Kaieteur News for misleading articles P2

Police seize over 4kg of marijuana P16 US/Cuba relations President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger along with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita Nagamootoo shows their inked fingers after casting their votes in the historic Local Government Elections. Also in composite photo are voters who also exercised their democratic franchise on Friday

Gunmen rob Wales Estate official, family held at gunpoint Guns and PPP/C leads in ammunition recovered Regions 2, 6 at Soesdyke – APNU/AFC to control LGE preliminary results

NA Council

– ganja destroyed during eradication exercise

Page 2

Govt welcomes continued restoration P16 of ties

PPP/C crafting plan to win over key P3 APNU/AFC strongholds – Jagdeo

2 news

saturDAY, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

CH&PA flays Kaieteur News for misleading articles

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he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) said “it is high time” that perspective be given to a series of “ad hoc” articles published by the controversial tabloid newspaper – the Kaieteur News.

In a media statement, the agency noted with great con-

cern, the various reports appearing in the Kaieteur News, which peddles nothing but misinformation.

In an article published on February 28, it was alleged that the former Finance Director Taslim Baksh “disappeared since the May 11, 2015 General and Regional

Elections”; however, the CH&PA is making it clear that this is not the case.

According to the Housing Authority, Baksh was in fact on active duty for the period May–September 2015 until he resigned with effect from October 5, 2015.

The same article also al-

Former Finance Director of CH&PA Taslim Baksh leged that the Chief Executive Office Myrna Pitt never explained his absence to the new Board of Directors but the CH&PA pointed out that the matter was discussed at several meetings.

Secondly, in an article dated March 13, the media outlet accused the Deputy Head of proceeding on leave and leaving outstanding requests for documentation pending. The CH&PA is making it clear however that the information

which was requested was indeed made available for submission to the Land Allocation Committee.

Additionally, the Kaieteur News published on March 16 an article which stated that the Deputy Head is being accused of refusing to submit information that was requested and that subject Minister Valerie Adams-Patterson was accused of being focused on the launch of the 50th anniversary deal for applicants.

The CH&PA is contending that this is far from the truth.

On March 17, the newspaper published once again that the CH&PA senior officials refuse to provide information – a claim the entity is outright rejecting.

The body highlighted that since May 2015; a comprehensive document was prepared for the incoming Ministers and was subsequently submitted.

According to the statement, the document included a situational analysis; the composition, organisation

structure, departments and functions, and programmes of the CH&PA. It also included information on the Government Guyana/Inter-American of Development Bank Second Low Income Settlements Programme; key ongoing projects; the remigrant scheme; 1000 homes perseverance project; East Bank housing developments; East CoastEast Bank Road Link; the Georgetown Seawall Project initiative and the re-development of the Stabroek Market Square.

According to the CH&PA, the report was compiled to ensure the incoming Ministers would have the requisite data available on the status of the entity. The CH&PA is maintaining that information is always readily available upon the Board of Directors’ request.

“At no time did any senior officer refuse to submit the requested information – that is simply not true,” the agency asserted.

Guns and ammunition recovered at Soesdyke – ganja destroyed during eradication exercise

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he Police Narcotics Branch on Friday destroyed several acres of marijuana plants as well as dried marijuana during an eradication exercise at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

According to reports the police destroyed about 3000

marijuana plants ranging from 1 to four feet in height.

They also destroyed 40.9 kilograms of dried marijuana.

In addition, an unlicensed .9mm Smith and Wesson pistol and 13 matching rounds of ammunition were found. The ranks also unearthed an

unlicensed 12 gauge shotgun with four marching cartridges. During the operation a camp was also demolished.

A man at the location at the time of the operation was arrested and is in police custody as investigations are continuing.

news

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saturDAY, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, March 19 – 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, March 20 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

PPP/C crafting plan to win over key APNU/AFC strongholds – Jagdeo

By Ahreefa Bacchus

Berbice – Saturday, March 19 – 13:45h-15:15h and Sunday, March 20 – 14:30h-16:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 6.26 metres per second.

High Tide: 01:50h and 14:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.20 metres and 2.29 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:43h and 20:12h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 0.88 metre respectively.

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has their eyes set on gaining the support of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) strongholds. This was revealed by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo who said his Party will be engaging in campaigns to garner support from the coalition strongholds, particularly Linden and New Amsterdam.

Jagdeo made this revelation while responding to the media on the Party’s plans to consolidate its traditional supporters. “Consolidation will be important, first of all. We have always worked in areas where we did not receive votes traditionally. So there is no hidden agenda here.

Everyone knows where the bulk of the support of the two parties comes from APNU and the PPP, a significant amount of our support comes from rural folks and Indo-Guyanese but we have always worked in places like Linden and other places,” Jagdeo explained.

The former president related that at one point, the PPP/C had seen a significant increase of supporters in Linden, however, due to failure to continue their political work in the area that support later retracted.

This, he affirmed, will be addressed and the Party will be increas-

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo

ing their effort to garner support from Lindeners. “Our votes moved from two per cent in Linden, Region Ten in 1992 to 24 per cent in 2006. One in four persons in that region voted PPP in 2006.

Then it fell back to around 17 per cent in the last two elections. So I think we neglected to continue the momentum that we had. So we intend to resume work once we, first of all consolidate the base, to working in areas that traditionally did not vote for us because we have seen significant successes in those votes,” he stated.

“I think that we did not do enough work in places like New Amsterdam, Georgetown and Linden in the last several years. We should have done much more work in those areas, not civil works or Government works but political work,” Jagdeo posited.

Further, he opined that the PPP/C had transformed the infrastructure of Linden, despite the fact that they did not receive support from the electorate in that area. “If you look at progress in Linden and how we approached it, I have more of a history of working in Linden than many of those who are in Parliament representing the APNU supporters. Sometimes you do a lot of civil works but if you don’t follow up with the political work you don’t get the sort of benefit,” he stated.

Jagdeo added it has been noted that residents of Linden were misled into thinking that the PPP/C, while in Government, only invested in projects which benefited Indo-Guyanese. He stated that as such, the PPP/C will be resuming their campaign to gain these supporters.

“We need to consolidate our base, but we need to work hard in APNUcontrolled areas to explain to people that our policies are good for everyone. They had nothing to fear in the past with us being in power and they have nothing to fear with us resuming power. We value their support and that work starts next week,” he affirmed.

Gunmen rob Wales Estate official, family held at gunpoint

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Wales Sugar Estate senior official and his family are traumatised after gunmen stormed their premises and robbed them of cash and valuables.

Guyana Times understands that between 03:0004:00h the West Bank Demerara (WBD) man along with his wife and children were held at gun point.

According to reports, one of the gunmen tied the hands and feet of the couple and their two children aged five and six while they robbed them.

Reports also state that investigators are still trying to determine the number of perpetrators who were involved in this crime. It has also been said that the possibility of this act being retaliation to the closing of the Wales Sugar

Estate is not being ruled out.

“We are not ruling anything out; it could have been a robbery or it could be that people are upset with the closure and blaming the se-

nior ones at the Estate for it. We are still investigating, so it would not be prudent to speculate at this time.

Thankfully nobody was physically harmed during this or-

deal,” an officer stated.

This publication further learnt that over the last few years, a string of young men have been committing these crimes.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, march 19, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Crime in Berbice O

ver the past few months, there has been a sharp increase in crime in both Regions Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and even though the authorities in those Regions are not admitting it, they have failed the community in ensuring that citizens are getting the kind of protection they deserve.

Bandits are creating havoc in Berbice villages and citizens have expressed a deep sense of fear that they could be pounced upon at any time. We have seen the most brazen attacks over the past few weeks which have left many citizens wondering when the authorities would be able to get a firm grip and arrest the situation once and for all.

For example, following several armed robberies at Port Mourant, Ankerville and Hampshire Squatting Area last week, the police were dared last Sunday as two armed men went into a home situated just opposite the Albion Police Station and carried out a robbery where cash and jewellery were stolen from a family. It should be noted that even though the police station is just across the road, the bandits managed to escape.

There were many similar instances of the police being located not very far from where the crime is taking place, but yet the bandits managed to escape. And while this may be happening more of recent in Berbice, a similar situation exists in other areas of the country.

Certainly, the statistics are worrying and underscore the need for urgent action by the Ministry of Public Security and the relevant law enforcement agencies. For example, in 2015, there were 24 murders committed compared with 20 during the previous year, robbery under arms showed a 25 per cent increase, moving from 60 in 2014 to 85 in 2015.

Also, robbery with violence showed a steep increase, moving from eight in 2014 to 19 last year. Further, there were 41 reports of rape in Berbice in 2015 compared with 23 the previous year.

We are almost at the end of the first quarter in 2016, and the situation does not look as if it is improving, especially as it relates to the number of armed robberies taking place. It could be recalled that not so long ago, the SWAT Unit was deployed to Berbice to dismantle gangs that were known to be responsible for some of the criminal activities in the county. From all indications, since the SWAT Unit’s deployment to the county, there were some successes as it helped the Berbice Police deal with several high-profile cases. Many arrests were made and the perpetrators were taken before the courts.

However, not long after the gangs were dismantled, the authorities made a decision to recall the SWAT Unit.

Perhaps the authorities may want to consider having a more permanent presence of such a crime fighting mechanism, even on a reduced scale to address the changing dynamic of crime.

A point to note too is that the GPF has resource and manpower limitations that inhibit their ability to deter or respond to criminal activity in a timely manner. Even in the occasions when police officers respond to a crime scene, victims are asked to go to the nearest police station to file a report.

We urge the Government to revisit the issue of the increasing crime rate in the regions, and take the necessary action that will hopefully result in peace and order in the various communities. Government must provide the resources needed to fight crime, such as more patrol vehicles, manpower and so on.

Additionally, there is dire need for the police to step up efforts as it relates to more intelligence-led policing. Building better community relations will certainly go a far way in helping them to be successful in this regard. At present, the general perception is that confidence in the GPF is low due to the public’s perception of ineffectiveness and corruption in some cases.

There were quite a few inquiries into the crime situation in Guyana and the recommendations coming out of those commissions are too numerous to mention. No need to rehash them at this point. It is well known what needs to be done.

An Atlantic Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia) washed up on the shores behind the Marriott Hotel, Kingston Georgetown (Marceano

Narine photo)

Jagdeo will win a free and fair election Dear Editor, In my travels around Guyana this month, it was generally felt that if a free and fair election were held, former President Bharrat Jagdeo would easily win the elections and return as President. Even most businesspeople feel Jagdeo would win a general election hands down once it is free and fair. But almost all of them feel the next general elections will not be free and fair as the US is opposed to the return of the PPP/C to office. They are of the view that the ABC countries, particularly the US, do not want the PPP/C to rule Guyana again unless it is completely reformed.

Most of the business community, as indeed every PPP/C supporter, feels the PPP/C won last May’s general elections but that the Embassies of the ABC countries, particularly led by the US Embassy, engineered the outcome to re-

move the PPP/C from office because of its anti-American and anti-UK posture. They felt the outcome was predetermined and that is why there was no recounting of votes including in the regional seat where the PPP/C lost by one vote and there were some 50 spoilt votes that would have benefited PPP/C. It is not clear if Jagdeo can run for another term as President, having already served more than two terms.

He was initially constitutionally barred from seeking a third five-year term in 2011. But the Chief Justice, late last year, has ruled that the amendment to the Burnham constitution barring more than two consecutive Presidential terms is unconstitutional without a referendum.

The referendum of July 1978 creating the Burnham constitution was rigged, rendering the constitution itself illegal. But neither the

PPP/C nor PNC (APNU) has shown any willingness to dump the constitution. The APNU-AFC coalition says it plans to appeal the CJ’s ruling and is also opposed to a referendum to approve the changes to the Burnham constitution.

The Burnham constitution is extremely unpopular, and any referendum to approve it is likely to fail miserably. Thus, both the PPP and PNC, joined by newcomer AFC, are opposed to any referendum that will curb the power of the executive.

Jagdeo is the preferred candidate by almost every PPP/C supporter, but several of them did say they do not think the US would allow a free and fair elections in Guyana that would lead to the return of Jagdeo as President or the PPP/C in office.

They do feel a reformed PPP/C, without what they describe as “Stalinists” who

have been abusing the US diplomats, is likely to neutralise the US on Gecom holding a free and fair election in Guyana. Supporters of the PPP/C and the business community feel Jagdeo wants to reform the PPP/C to make it electable but that “the Stalinists” are opposed to change and are hurting the party’s chances at the next general elections.

Unless the party is reformed with the hard core elements going into retirement, it has virtually no chance at the next elections which a majority of the population feel will be rigged to keep out the PPP/C from office. People do not feel the US or UK will object to rigging as happened between 1966 and 1992; the US, UK and Canada closed their eyes to election riggings and human rights abuses during that period.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

GECOM’s advertisement has no errors

Dear Editor, Alfred Bhulai’s correspondence in another section of the media on March 18, 2016, titled “Gecom Ad contains errors”, is one of the many examples of the rhetoric articulated around Local Government Elections (LGE).

It is a clear indication of wholesome democracy and the freedom of expression in our society. Whether accurate of inaccurate, it is important for all to listen to the varying viewpoints and

observations. It is equally important for us to provide guidance where there is misconception.

In his letter, Bhulai referred to a full page Public Awareness message issued by the Guyana Elections Commission, which contained an animated sketch of the voting process, supported by text, explaining the steps for balloting.

He pointed out that “Panel 3 in the illustration shows the left hand being checked. (A two-handed,

full-figured person is drawn in other panels)”. This point speaks to the composition of images and layout of the artwork, in lieu of actual content on the voting process.

Panel three, which contains the image of the hands, as pointed out, has the text which states “Your fingers are checked for ink or stain”it does not say your left hand is checked.

The text that the artwork supports in this advertisement, clearly explains what a voter is required to

do at the Polling Station.

Moreover, the animation in the advertisement cannot stand alone to convey the message.

It required the written component, which accurately guides the average reader. While Bhulai has his differences with the artwork provided, there are no errors in the information given.

Sincerely, Tamara Rodney Public Relations Officer

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, march 19, 2016

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

Disruption at Rose Hall Estate Dear Editor, The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has encountered a very unfortunate situation at the Rose Hall Estate. About 06:00h on March 18, approximately 735 of our cane harvesters struck, they were demanding an explanation from the estate’s management as to the reason for them not being offered work on Monday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

The reason for them not being offered work was due to the fact that on Mondays, the Rose Hall factory undergoes statutory maintenance. It is important to note, that sugar production is a rigorous continuous process, therefore, if one

shift strikes, it affects the entire production process.

Since the beginning of the crop, the President of GAWU has been on record as stating that the Union’s General Council has sanctioned a strike every Tuesday within the industry. Notwithstanding, in an effort to minimise the deterioration of canes burnt and to reduce possible losses resulting from these strikes, the Corporation has been taking relevant precautionary measures.

This programme of strike action has been led by GAWU’s Central and Local officers and is continuing to deplete production targets denying workers the opportunity to achieve the week-

ly production incentive that they would normally earn.

This morning the workers and the GAWU’s Central and Local officers breached the normal Industrial Relations Protocol and Practices by escalating the protest action and taking it into the estate’s compound.

A few workers, behaving in an unruly manner, proceeded to enter the Administrative building accompanied by their Union representatives and carried out actions which were inappropriate and of great cause for concern.

This breach of the Industrial Relations Protocols and Practices has raised the question of what are the real motives of GAWU,

since the higher the productivity of the workforce, the greater the benefits for all stakeholders, including GAWU. Prior to the strike on Tuesday, March 9, the estate management was in regular contact with GAWU’s Field Secretary and workers’ representatives to develop a clear understanding of the Union’s intentions in order to proceed with better planning. The estate management was informed that there will be no strike, hence; management proceeded to commence the production process, only to experience severe losses when the strike was called.

The Corporation has concluded that the workers

at Rose Hall Estate is being severely misled, they have heeded the Union’s call on March 15, 2016 and proceeded on strike; but at the same time, are demanding work to be made available for seven days, illogical as this may be.

The Corporation is once again imploring its employees to think of their families and the communities which are depending on the viability of the industry and to allow good sense to prevail by encouraging GAWU to make smarter decisions on matters relating to their livelihood.

GuySuCo has since written GAWU expressing its disappointment on the conduct of its Officers that led

Consultation is best for communities Dear Editor, It was very nice for several rice farmers including myself from Huis’t Dieren in Region Two to be consulted at a public forum on the way forward in relation to the bad state of a concrete base koker with wooden walls in a dual purpose trench alongside the school dam in the backlands there.

During two meetings earlier in this month with a week apart from each other the first one was with the Regional Vice Chairman and a representative from the Drainage and Irrigation Department and the other with top officials including the Regional engineer.

On both occasions, a unanimous decision was

taken for the old koker to be condemned and replaced with a new one at a site which was identified some 15 feet frontward.

The engineer and his team took measurements for the works to be done with a clear indication to show that some progress was being made much to the satisfaction of the farmers.

But on last Monday (2014-03-14) out of sheer shock and surprise, this plan was shattered when two individuals whose names were given as Nateram and Showkat Ally made an onthe-spot inspection of the defective koker for only repairs to be effected.

The designation of Nateram was given as a con-

sultant of the Ministry of Agriculture while Ally holds the position of Chairman of the Goodhope/Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

A disturbing aspect here is that the two of them did not have any discussion with the farmers whose interest was at stakes with questions being raised as to what criteria was used.

The farmers did not find favour for repair works to be done while contending that a new koker will serve a better purpose and would be most lasting to save taxpayers money from being wasted.

From our own knowledge the old koker has been in existence for 20 odd years now

in a 24 feet wide trench with eight feet depth and for the years of decay has outlived its usefulness.

Could it be that the stance taken by Nateram and Ally is linked to any form of corruption somewhere along the line?

What is quite manifest is that there seems to be too many bosses within the

Region making a fool and a mess of the farmers’ affairs which is most unacceptable when better needs to be done to foster better relationship to bring about further development.

Yours faithfully, Abdool Kamal and others

the group of striking workers’ to invade the estate’s compound and administrative offices.

Despite this aggressive action, the estate management has agreed to meet with a Union’s delegation on Friday, March 18, providing there is full resumption.

Sincerely, Public Relations Unit

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, march 19, 2016

News

PPP/C leads in Regions 2, 6

Internet parental controls:

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Why you should use them

LGE preliminary results

– APNU/AFC to control NA Council he results shown below are figures (number of votes) gathered

by Guyana Times up to press time on Friday night. These results are not final since coverage could not be given to all of the polling stations in the various constituencies and municipalities across the country.

Nevertheless, the preliminary figures show that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidates are leading in most of the constituencies in Georgetown.

Below are some of the results from the various polling stations in the constituencies.

GEORGETOWN - Constituency 14 (South Ruimveldt Park-Ruimveldt) Sir Leon Residence:

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 129 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 33 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 20 ClayonHalley (Youth For Local Government) – 5

South Ruimveldt Secondary School:

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 269 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 135 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 40

Ruimveldt Daycare Centre:

Sherod Duncan (APNU+AFC) – 269

Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 135 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 40

Dynasty Night Club:

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 26 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 9 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 5

Roxanne Burnham Nursery:

Abigail Brower (Youths For Local Government) – 6 Linden Hinds (Team Legacy) – 5 RolstonAlkins (Team Benschop) – 4

REGION SIX (East Berbice-Corentyne) NEW AMSTERDAM

APNU/AFC – 3872 PPP/C – 1224

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 158 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 53 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 23 Juliet Julian (Independent Candidate) – 19

APNU/AFC secured 12 seats while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won two seats at that municipality

Constituency 12 (Tucville-North Ruimveldt)

APNU/AFC won one constituency, while the PPP/C secured five. The remaining constituency was tied between the PPP/C and an independent candidate with 166 votes each.

Meanwhile, of the 16 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the PPP/C won 15 while the APNU/AFC won one.

Municipal Health Centre:

Patricia Chase-Greene (APNU/AFC) – 110 Linden Hinds (Team Legacy) – 42 RolstonAlkins (Team Benschop) – 1

Polly’s Nursery School:

Patricia Chase-Greene (APNU/AFC) – 373 Linden Hinds (Team Legacy) – 25 RolstonAlkins (Team Benschop) – 21 Abigail Brower (Youths For Local Government) – 9

Turning Point:

Patricia Chase-Greene (APNU/AFC) – 138

ROSE HALL

APNU/AFC – 564 PPP/C – 922

REGION TWO (PomeroonSupenaam)

The PPP/C has managed to attract a large percentage of votes in the Annanadle/ Riverstown NDC in Region Two. The area has nine constituencies. According to the Statements of Poll (SOPs) posted in the area, the PPP won Airy Hall, Riverstown, Adventure, Suddie and

Maria Lodge with overwhelming support.

The Party won the Suddie constituency by one vote. Moving down to the district of Perservance, in the NDC area, 214 persons casted their votes – 210 for the PPP/C and four for APNU/ AFC. At Golden Fleece (Constituency Four), there were two polling stations; 210 persons voted for the PPP/C and 19 for APNU/AFC at one while at the other, 204 voted for PPP/C and 15 for APNU/AFC. The PPP/C also won in the Johanna Cecelia area. At Cullen, 158 persons exercised their franchise for PPP/C and 13 for APNU/ AFC.

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re you the parent of a teenager or a younger child who uses the Internet? If you are, is your computer and the Internet protected with parental controls? If not, this is something that you will want to do. Although many children are able to use the Internet without running into any problems, like online harassment or communicating with an online predator, are you really willing to take the chance? If not, you should use paren tal controls.

BARTICA, REGION SEVEN (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Constituency Seven (TumeringMongrippo East)

in parental controls, they do make it easy for to find addons, many of which are free.

Even if you must purchase a parental control programme for your child, you should know that they costs are more than worth it.

Unfortunately, many parents do not install parental controls, as they believe it will limit their own use of the Internet. Just because you want your child to avoid websites that have crude language or violent themes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t want to view them.

But, did

Baptiste’s Residence:

Deborah Browne (APNU/ AFC) – 231 Troy Thornhill (BIGA) – 72 Bisnauth Kanhai (PPP/C) – 54

Constituency Eight (Tumering – Mongrippo West) Byderabo Resource Centre:

Hazel Allicock (APNU/ AFC) – 331 David Drepaul (PPP/C) –131 Carol Eliott (BIGA) – 52

y o u k n o w that most

One of the many reasons why you should set parental controls is because you can protect your child when they are online.

Although parental controls come in a number of different formats, most allow you to block websites that you don’t want your child to view. This means that if you don’t want your child to use MySpace or other social networking websites you can easily block them.

Another reason you should have working parental controls on your child’s computer is because they are easy to install. Most parental controls are self-explanatory. This means that even if you don’t know how to use a computer, you can still get protection set. For example, if your computer uses Internet Explorer, all you need to do is open a new window and select “Internet Options”, from the heading of “Tools”. There, you will find a tab that is labelled “Content”, and here is where you can set your parental controls.

In addition being easy to install, parental controls are also often easy to find. In fact, many are also free. If you use Internet Explorer, as previously stated, parental controls are already built in.

Another popular Internet browser is that of FireFox. Although FireFox does not have built-

Internet controls for parents can be used on shared family computers? This is because they let you set up a password to override any websites that you would like to access.

Since parental controls are often free or very affordable, easy to install, and a great way to keep children safe, you should use them. However, before you get a false sense of confidence, there are some important things that you should know. First, know that many teenagers are computer smart. Your teen may actually know how to get around parental controls, even if they don’t know your password. That is why you will occasionally want to check the computer.

If you block a website, like MySpace.com, occasionally check it to make sure that it is still blocked.

Speaking of having a password, be sure not to give this password to your child. If they need to gain access to a website that was accidentally blocked, like for a school research project, you will want to use the password yourself to unblock the website, even just temporarily. As nice and as mature as your child is, there are some who go through great lengths to be able to socialise online with other Internet users. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

To be continued

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, march 19, 2016

News

PPP/C leads in Regions 2, 6

Internet parental controls:

T

Why you should use them

LGE preliminary results

– APNU/AFC to control NA Council he results shown below are figures (number of votes) gathered by Guyana Times up to press time on Friday night.

These results are not final since coverage could not be given to all of the polling stations in the various constituencies and municipalities across the country.

Nevertheless, the preliminary figures show that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidates are leading in most of the constituencies in Georgetown. Below are some of the results from the various polling stations in the constituencies.

GEORGETOWN - Constituency 14 (South Ruimveldt Park-Ruimveldt) Sir Leon Residence:

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 129 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 33 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 20 ClayonHalley (Youth For Local Government) – 5

South Ruimveldt Secondary School:

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 269 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 135 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 40

Ruimveldt Daycare Centre: Sherod

Duncan

(APNU+AFC) – 269 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 135 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 40

Dynasty Night Club:

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 26 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 9 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 5

Roxanne Burnham Nursery:

Sherod Duncan (APNU/ AFC) – 158 Mark Benschop (Team Benschop) – 53 Saiku Andrew (Team Legacy) – 23 Juliet Julian (Independent Candidate) – 19

Constituency 12 (Tucville-North Ruimveldt) Municipal Health Centre:

Patricia Chase-Greene (APNU/AFC) – 110 Linden Hinds (Team Legacy) – 42 RolstonAlkins (Team Benschop) – 1

Polly’s Nursery School:

Patricia Chase-Greene (APNU/AFC) – 373 Linden Hinds (Team Legacy) – 25 RolstonAlkins (Team Benschop) – 21 Abigail Brower (Youths For Local Government) – 9

Turning Point:

Patricia

Chase-Greene

(APNU/AFC) – 138 Abigail Brower (Youths For Local Government) – 6 Linden Hinds (Team Legacy) – 5 RolstonAlkins (Team Benschop) – 4

NEW AMSTERDAM

APNU/AFC – 3872 PPP/C – 1224

APNU/AFC secured 12 seats while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won two seats at that municipality

ROSE HALL

APNU/AFC – 564 PPP/C – 922 APNU/AFC won one constituency, while the PPP/C secured five. The remaining constituency was tied between the PPP/C and an independent candidate with 166 votes each.

Meanwhile, of the 16 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the PPP/C won 15 while the APNU/ AFC won one.

REGION TWO (PomeroonSupenaam)

The PPP/C has managed to attract a large percentage of votes in the Annanadle/Riverstown NDC in Region Two. The area has nine constituencies. According to the Statements of Poll (SOPs) posted in the area, the PPP won Airy Hall, Riverstown, Adventure, Suddie and Maria Lodge with overwhelming support.

The Party won the Suddie constituency by one vote. Moving down to the district of Perservance, in the NDC area, 214 persons casted their votes – 210 for the PPP/C and four for APNU/AFC. At Golden Fleece (Constituency Four), there were two polling stations; 210 persons voted for the PPP/C and 19 for APNU/ AFC at one while at the other, 204 voted for PPP/C and 15 for APNU/AFC. The PPP/C also won in the Johanna Cecelia area. At Cullen, 158 persons exercised their franchise for PPP/C and 13 for APNU/ AFC.

BARTICA, REGION SEVEN (CuyuniMazaruni) Constituency Seven (TumeringMongrippo East)

A

re you the parent of a teenager or a younger child who uses the Internet? If you are, is your computer and the Internet protected with parental controls? If not, this is something that you will want to do. Although many children are able to use the Internet without running into any problems, like online harassment or communicating with an online predator, are you really willing to take the chance? If not, you should use paren tal controls.

in parental controls, they do make it easy for to find addons, many of which are free.

Even if you must purchase a parental control programme for your child, you should know that they costs are more than worth it.

Unfortunately, many parents do not install parental controls, as they believe it will limit their own use of the Internet. Just because you want your child to avoid websites that have crude language or violent themes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t want to view them.

But, did

Baptiste’s Residence:

Deborah Browne (APNU/AFC) – 231 Troy Thornhill (BIGA) – 72 Bisnauth Kanhai (PPP/C) – 54

Constituency Eight (Tumering – Mongrippo West) Byderabo Resource Centre:

Hazel Allicock (APNU/ AFC) – 331 David Drepaul (PPP/C) –131 Carol Eliott (BIGA) – 52

y o u k n o w that most

One of the many reasons why you should set parental controls is because you can protect your child when they are online.

Although parental controls come in a number of different formats, most allow you to block websites that you don’t want your child to view. This means that if you don’t want your child to use MySpace or other social networking websites you can easily block them.

Another reason you should have working parental controls on your child’s computer is because they are easy to install. Most parental controls are self-explanatory. This means that even if you don’t know how to use a computer, you can still get protection set. For example, if your computer uses Internet Explorer, all you need to do is open a new window and select “Internet Options”, from the heading of “Tools”. There, you will find a tab that is labelled “Content”, and here is where you can set your parental controls.

In addition being easy to install, parental controls are also often easy to find. In fact, many are also free. If you use Internet Explorer, as previously stated, parental controls are already built in.

Another popular Internet browser is that of FireFox. Although FireFox does not have built-

Internet controls for parents can be used on shared family computers? This is because they let you set up a password to override any websites that you would like to access.

Since parental controls are often free or very affordable, easy to install, and a great way to keep children safe, you should use them. However, before you get a false sense of confidence, there are some important things that you should know. First, know that many teenagers are computer smart. Your teen may actually know how to get around parental controls, even if they don’t know your password. That is why you will occasionally want to check the computer.

If you block a website, like MySpace.com, occasionally check it to make sure that it is still blocked.

Speaking of having a password, be sure not to give this password to your child. If they need to gain access to a website that was accidentally blocked, like for a school research project, you will want to use the password yourself to unblock the website, even just temporarily. As nice and as mature as your child is, there are some who go through great lengths to be able to socialise online with other Internet users. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

To be continued

8 news

saturDAY, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

CoI into prison unrest

Prisoners move protest over poor meals, treatment to social media

T

he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the recent unrests at the Georgetown Prison continued on Friday with another prisoner taking the stand before the three-member panel.

Inmate Owen Belfield testified before the Commission, recalling the events of March 2 and 3, that led to the deadly fire on the latter day resulting in the death of 17 prisoners

Inmate Carl Brown showing a little piece of Banga Mary fish given in one of the meals

and injuring several others including prison officers.

However, the most startling fact during Belfied’s testimony came out under cross-examination when he

admitted to posing for a photo while incarcerated. The photo was taken by another inmate and was posted on social media website – Facebook.

Attorney Selwyn Pieters, representing the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Police Force, questioned the witness about the controversial photo. In his response, Belfield admitted to the Commission that he once posed for a photo with another inmate, Collis Collison, while incarcerated at Camp Street penitentiary.

“It was just one time sir,” the inmate informed the Commission.

A browse of the Facebook account of Collison revealed several photos posted on January 25, 2016 with groups of inmates in what is assumed to be the Capital A Division, which was completely damaged during the March 3 fire.

In one of the three posts made on January 25, Collision said “look how much youth dea a jail house them never wan we Fe dea a road.” Another post on the same day states “A.T.M tha money team mad ras sick na f*** one in a dem head.”

Meanwhile, on another inmate’s page – Carl Browne – there were several posts expressing the dissatisfaction of prisoners about

Eyew tness

Ennui...

U

One of the group photos posted on the Facebook timeline of an inmate

the treatment meted out to them particularly as it relates to the quality of food they were receiving at the jail house.

Brown took to Facebook in a post as recent as Friday in which he voiced his concerns. “Today (Friday) pan top midday lunch now Being serve curry potato and fry fish banga mary. Carl Browne hold the pan top with 2 thin slices of Potato, as set of wheels rice and a little piece of banga mary fish tail,” he complained in the post.

In fact, the man posited that this kind of treatment of prisoners is “…total disrespect to humanity. Inmates need proper meals and a proper diet.”

Another post on Wednesday said “Today midday pan top for lunch eggplant with chicken stew you can’t really see the chicken in the stew. Lol then this is improvement in meals. So imagine what inmates got before this massacre issue, they say we are getting better meals.”

Additionally, on March 16 Brown posted a photograph with a young man whom he said was shot in his eyes with pellets and was denied proper treatment.

“Prisoner Anand Ramsood who was shot by pellets and having one in his left eye was taken to the hospital today but with negative result since the doctor wanted to admitted him to operate (to) extract the pellet but the officer that took him to the (hospital) didn’t take him with his x-ray,” the post on Wednesday read.

A further scroll of Brown’s Facebook account showed another post on February 27, which states, “I thank GOD for life to see another day under adverse conditions. I prayer that GOD open the heart and trust understanding of President David Granger to know that he has a man in prison by violations and grant me my Right to freedom.”

During the inquiry proceedings on Friday, Belfield admitted to the Commission that the photograph he posed for was taken with a cell phone, thus confirming that prisoners are in possession of the contraband item.

However, the prisoner said he was unaware that the photo was posted on the social media website.

This disturbing disclosure has brought to light the ongoing conflicting evidence given to the Commission of Inquiry. Some prisoners testified that they have seen, and in some cases used, cell phones belonging to other inmates; while others claim that they have never seen any inmate with the mobile device.

...at LGE

sed to be, the fear was “suppose you threw a party and nobody came?” After yesterday, it’ll be “suppose you hold an election and no one voted?”

During the past few weeks everyone conceded turnouts in LGE’s are generally low... but no one expected it to be THIS low. In some jurisdictions they make voting compulsory... maybe we ought to go that route?

But upon reflection, the snarky tone isn’t fair to the Guyanese electorate. After all they haven’t experienced an LGE for almost a quarter of a century - and social acts like voting have to be inculcated with practice, over time.

And even with those old enough to’ve voted in 1994... that facility would have atrophied over the generational span.

If Lamarck thought “organs not in use tend to degenerate”, imagine what happens to socially imparted habits?

And that’s the problem for our entire democratic culture, isn’t it? During the British days, we “natives” were told we just weren’t ready for the weighty task of making democratic decisions. Never mind right after slavery, exslaves founded the Village Movement and ran their affairs in totally democratic fashion. While we were being tutored, our rulers had to do double duty and do what was best for us. Like stymieing the Village Movement that was too “radical”. They asked questions like why should their taxes clean the sugar plantations’ canals and not theirs? Such upstarts! Ruling was a dirty, thankless job, but somebody (responsible) had to do it, no?

During the PNC’s 28 years at the helm of state, they also thought the small man really didn’t know what it took to be the “real man” to run his own affairs. His destiny had to be “moulded” since he didn’t know what was good for him. So all the village councils were disbanded and absorbed into “Neighbourhood Democratic Councils”.

Can you believe in some instances villages strung along the public road for five to nine miles being called a “neighbourhood”? Well the villagers didn’t... but what did they know? But the bottom line was ordinary folks got nothing out of “local government” for more than 30 years... and just saw it as a boondoggle for local Caesars.

So after years of struggle between our two political mountains they produced the framework for the present LGE. The populace might be forgiven for giving it a great, big yawn. They’re suffering from “ennui - a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement”.

But your Eyewitness isn’t so jaded. He’s at least looking out to see the promised “new dawn” of LGE from this morning. Will his street be asphalted, at last?

...over for WI cricket?

The massive blowout of England by the WI team in their ICC T-20 World Cup match has local fans over the top. It almost made us (yes...”us”. Your Eyewitness is what the English call a “cricket tragic”...he lives and dies with the fortunes of the WI team.) forget for a while, the devastation and humiliation the WICB wrought in our once proud cricketing record.

And yes, your Eyewitness is laying the blame squarely at the feet of the WICB. Going back to the pretensions of the British, the WICB inherited and maintained the worse sense of entitlement of the old colonial Boards.

The players were supposed to simply doff their caps to the Board who would make all decisions about who could play and how, where and against whom their cricket was going to be played.

This confounded nonsense must stop. Even while revelling at the chance of the WI going all the way, we must back the Caricom Committee to reconstitute the WICB!

...at government sell out

During the elections campaign, we know the mega millions Glen “Mohan” Lall’s “Funding a United Candidate for Opposition Presidency” (FUCOP) pumped into the coalition had to be repaid.

But are radio and TV licences now legal tender?

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

saturDay, march 19, 2016

LGE 2016

Youth participation vibrant on the East Coast

By Devina Samaroo

Y

oung people appeared to have dominated the scene at the Local Government Elections (LGE) within the various constituencies along the East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The general turnout was relatively poor but young adults went out in fairly large numbers – outweighing the elderly population – to cast their ballots at the first LGE since 1994.

The younger generation

working with young people.

I am from the community and I know what needs to be done for the development of the community,” he posited.

The young candidate explained that he intends to establish a youth arm of the NDC in order to get young people more involved in the decision-making process and community advocacy works impacting the progress of the area.

“We just want all the voices of the young people to contribute to the development of the community,” he

A group of young people heading into a polling station in Mon Repos

Also very enthused by the entire process was a young couple from Mon Repos who turned out at polling station with their little daughter to cast their ballots.

They were rather impressed by the quick pace in which it took for them to finish voting.

Young lads from the Buxton area were also very jolly as they exited the various polling stations in their

Tiffany Williams

seemed adamant to take part in the process and have their voices heard.

In fact, a large number of candidates running in the various constituencies are younger than 30 years.

A young doctor, Zaman Shaw, is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate for Constituency Two of the Better Hope/La Bonne Intention Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) who has quite a vision for youth involvement in community development.

“Our Party has always recognised the importance of involving young people and so my being here is just to participate in that process and offer my services to my community. I have been

stated.

Guyana Times/Evening News General Editor Michael Younge also took time off from his busy schedule to exercise his franchise in his hometown of Better Hope.

During a brief interview with this newspaper, this first-time voter underscored the importance of youth participation in the local government electoral process.

“I am very excited that I have an opportunity like a lot of young people across this country to play a part in the development of my country. I believe as a young person this is the least that I can do at this point in time given that this election is very historic,” he expressed.

fecting their community.

“We have drainage problems and I know the roads are terrible so we need to put people in place that will actually address these problems,” Tiffany Williams stated.

Her colleague also expressed similar sentiments.

Notwithstanding, the East Coast Demerara experienced poor voter turnout.

A number of residents

PPP/C Candidate Zaman Shaw

NDC. Over in the Sparendaam/ Plaisance district, two young girls expressed their hopes for a better community following these elections.

Proudly displaying their inked fingers, the girls highlighted some of the issues af-

actually expected more persons to flock the polling stations.

According to several residents, many persons work within Georgetown and therefore might not go the extra mile to take time off to go to vote.

news

9

| guyanatimesGY.com

PPP against Govt increased Georgetown tax proposal

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is concerned over the haphazard manner in which the coalition Government is making decisions in relation to the increase of taxes in the city, and is opposing plans for the increase.

These sentiments were raised on Friday by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who explained that he along with the Party is concerned about the decisions being taken by government on tax policies in the city.

He stated that Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has revealed that plans are underway to increase rates and taxes in the city, which will bring hardships to citizens. “I’m worried about the taxation policy. I’m worried about the possibilities, based on the signals we’ve seen from Bulkan in the Parliament when he spoke about increased valuation on properties in the city, and that these communities have to be self-sustaining, that they plan to raise rates and taxes in the city,” he stated.

Jagdeo vowed that if the PPP wins control of Georgetown, they will ensure this decision is reversed. “If the PPP wins the City we will not do so. We will oppose any increase in bringing any further hardships on people. We know that they plan to put in parking and a whole lot of other revenue measures that we think some might be necessary for the City but the way it is being done… it is being done in a haphazard manner,” he declared.

Jagdeo also raised the issue of amnesty being granted to delinquent taxpayers, insisting that it is not being done in an inclusive manner. “We had always insisted in the past that should they have an amnesty, they should publish the guidelines for the amnesty to one, if you owe $5 million you get

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo 25 per cent write-off, another example is if you owe $10 million you’ll get 20 per cent written off and the rest you pay off. They have written off to what I think is over a billion dollars with no guidelines. And it is all negotiated in the private offices of the City Council. They could have done it in the past but they never did it because they had to follow guidelines, the minister insisted,” he explained.

He opined that these actions can be detrimental to the sustenance of Georgetown, as it depletes the money available for developmental works to be done.

“They wrote off billions of dollars and that is where some of the money for cleaning up the city is coming from.

After that they correct all of the arrears it means all of the receivables would be gone.

How do you, if you’re spending over 80 per cent of your revenue on yourselves basically staffing the city council, how do you then sustain services in the future and continue the clean up without direct Government injection?”

Jagdeo questioned.

He continued, saying: “They spent, we believe by now $800 million, and there has not been a single tender for any of the services, or any of those contracts in the city.

Not one tender in the newspaper, so I’m concerned.”

10

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDay, march 19, 2016

News

Calm atmosphere prevails as Essequibians casts their votes

– low voter turnout, first-time voters share experience

By Indrawattie Natram

A

s voters across the country participate in the much anticipated Local Government Elections (LGE), those in Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), turned up and casted their votes, noting that the process was simple and the accomplishment swift.

For first-time voters their obvious interest was

A family happily exercised their franchise

Poor voter turnout

First-time LGE voter Parmanand Singh

hyped as most turned up at the open of polls at 06:00h to cast their votes.

On the Essequibo Coast, ballots were transported at 03:00h to the various polling stations escorted by representatives from the contesting parties within the district.

While the few that voted showed excitement to take part in the process, there was a disappointing turnout at the polls on the Essequibo Coast. At the opening of polls there were no more than a handful of persons at many polling stations. As the day progressed, political parties representatives were transporting persons to vote at the various polling stations.

Meanwhile, first-time voters were very optimistic and related that they “voted like a boss.” According to Amitab Sookdeo who voted in the Annandale/ Riverstown district, he was very eager to vote and was looking forward to March 18 with enthusiasm. Sookdeo said the process was very smooth and straightforward.

Joining him, another first-timer, Naresh Lall said he was somewhat “nervous” but with the correct guidance from the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) staff he was able to vote easily.

Early birds

Another young voter Nikita Joseph said she was at her polling station as early as 05:00h. Joseph said she confidently went through the process which she described as “easy and a new experience.”

At Golden Fleece polling station voters showed up as early as 04:00h.

Elderly Ishardai Ramnarine, 73, who was accompanied by her husband and her walking stick to the polling station, said she was happy to have exercised her democratic right. She said she was ex-

cited about the elections.

Another pensioner, Elsie, 80, who wheelchaired her way to her Suddie Polling station said she knew her vote was important and as so she braved the weather to cast her vote.

Elsie said she voted at the last LGE in 1994 so she knew what she had to do.

Up to midday, the atmosphere was very calm with a meagre amount filtering into the polling stations.

The voter turnout on the Essequibo Coast was described by many as “disappointing” and “low”.

Ishardai Ramnarine and her husband visited the polls early

High spirits prevail despite low voter turnout

A

fter casting his ballot on Monday morning at the Roxanne Burnham Nursery school, Sherod Duncan, contender for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition is optimistic of his and his party’s victory.

Duncan, who is competing in this year’s Local Government Elections (LGE) for the chance to be elected to the Georgetown’s City Council as a Councillor for Constituency 14, told the media that his confidence throughout the elections remains high.

Duncan said he noticed that there was low voter turnout at the polling station, but added that this did not deter his enthusiasm about being victorious

Team Legacy’s Saiku Andrews shows his inked finger

for this reason he is sure of positive results.

Duncan commended the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) team for the work they

Lead contender of the APNU/AFC Sherod Duncan indicating that he cast his ballot

at the polls.

“The beautiful thing about the system is that the person with the highest votes in the first-past-thepost system wins, irrespective of if there is a high or low voter turnout,” Duncan related.

Either way, he said not only himself, but all party’s candidates are optimistic about being victorious.

According to Duncan, the party has “rounded up” its supporters to vote early and

conducted throughout the course of the elections, informing that he has witnessed “smooth and efficient” management by those monitoring the voting.

During the course of the elections, Duncan dominated the LGE debates with his “fresh approach” to managing the city. This year’s elections has seen the participation of 83 contenders competing on a constituency basis.

Team Legacy

Meanwhile, in spite of low voter turnout at the Roxanne Burnham Nursery school, which is one of the polling stations for Constituency 14, Team Legacy’s frontrunner, Saiku Andrews remained firm in his confidence for victory.

This, he said, while speaking with the media at the polling station after casting his ballot. Andrews noted that he had been observant and noticed that there was a poor turnout but nonetheless, he will not allow this to reduce his optimism.

Andrews, who is rivalling for the position of a Councillor within the South Ruimveldt Park/Ruimveldt Industrial Estate area, shared the same thoughts as the other candidates as that polling station, commenting on his party’s victory which he believes is assured.

Additionally, he lauded GECOM’s staff for the smooth flow of voting and their attentiveness to the day’s proceedings.

The party under which Andrews is competing is looking to reform forgotten communities, developing them to become sustainable and advanced for full human’s potential.

saturDay, march 19, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

President predicts “decisive victory” as he casts ballot at historic LGE

By Devina Samaroo

P

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger display their inked fingers after casting their ballots in the Local Government Elections 2016

resident David Granger was the first to cast his ballot at the Enterprise Primary School early Friday morning in the Local Government Elections (LGEs), the first since 1994.

He was highly optimistic that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition will emerge victorious in almost all of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities across Guyana.

In fact, the President anticipated “decisive” victories in those areas his government recently granted the prestigious township status.

“APNU/AFC is the co-

Mark Benschop confident about party’s victory

T

urning up at the Roxanna Burnham Nursery School on Friday morning to cast his vote, leader of the Team Benschop party, Mark Benschop, is optimistic of his victory and that of his party.

Benschop, who is contesting the Local Government Elections (LGE) under the slogan, “We win, you win” told the media after voting that his confidence is soaring high about the party’s ability to triumph in this year’s LGE. The social activist, who also competed in last year’s General and Regional Election, is now contesting for a position on the Council within Constituency 14. He said he is “excited” about the return and results of the LGE. “I’m excited about victory. Confident about victory, confident about the majority, confident about the landslide,” he told Guyana Times after voting.

Addressing the issue of low voter turnout at that polling station, the party’s leader said despite “these odds”, he remains firm in the fact that his party will be leading in every represented constituency.

“Low voters turnout, large voters turnout, still a victory for Team Benschop. I have accepted it.”

However, Benschop believes that in future elections, there should be more exposure of what the procedures are and this in turn will

Leader of Team Benschop, Mark Benschop after casting his vote

encourage more persons to be a part of the voting process, thus resulting in better turnout.

He also expressed his elation that the LGE has returned after 22 years.

Over the months, the Team Benschop party, represented by the orange umbrella, had been on a mission to garner as much advocates as possible.

These included intense campaigns and programmes targeting the constituencies where the party’s candidates are contesting.

During the campaigning, Benschop had assured persons that voting for him would be a win for them also, since he and his party are geared at transforming Georgetown into a city – safe and health for productive lives.

Outgoing Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Greene wants the new M&CC to continue to restore the Capital City

alition party that brought township to those communities. All three of them are old communities, Mabaruma, Bartica and Lethem and this is something we promised since 2011. I campaigned in all three and they (people) are very happy that it is the coalition that brought township status to them and I think there will be a good turnout and I think the coalition will have a decisive victory in all three,” he stated.

The Head of State took pride in being able to restore local democracy to

Guyanese so they can finally take charge of their communities and was not at all discouraged by the initial poor turnout at the polling station in his constituency – Constituency Nine Lodge/ Meadow Brook, Durban Backlands.

“We were able to deliver to the Guyanese people after one year in Office something that they craved for the last 19 years so I feel very happy and satisfied,” he stated.

The President was accompanied by First Lady Sandra Granger, who underscored the significance of women participating in the process.

“I think women are smart enough to know when they cast their ballot today that they are going to have a say in their own local communities by being able to speak directly to their representatives,” she expressed.

Shortly after, female independent candidate Mia Richie turned up at the polling station to cast her ballot.

“We received amazing feedback during our campaigns and I am confident of a positive outcome,” she stated.

Outgoing Georgetown

Mayor Hamilton Greene, who also voted at that polling place, expressed hopes that the new Mayor and

Independent Candidate Mia Richie

City Council will continue the work to restore the capital city.

“I hope that these elections produce some young people to take care of the management of the city so that we can move forward.

At last democracy has been emancipated by the holding of Local Government Elections. It’s a good day for me and I leave graciously and hope that someone will take over the mantle to continue the restoration of Georgetown,” he stated.

12 news

saturday, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Poor voter turnout Voter turnout poor in mars ‘historic’ Region 6 – PM LGE poll

T

he much anticipated Local Government Elections (LGE) – the first since 1994 – was undeniably marred by poor voter turnout, with a majority of Guyanese indicating no interest in exercising their franchise while others simply did not grasp the purpose and importance of heading to the polls.

Since the opening of polls at 06:00h to its closing at 18:00h, Guyanese trickled into the various polling stations to cast their vote.

This “historic” event lacked vigour and excitement. There was absolutely no life in the eyes of the eager voters who headed out to the polls to “reclaim control of their communities”.

LGE 1994 saw a general voting participation of 47.91 per cent; however there are currently no statistics available with regards to the performance of LGE 2016.

But from all indications, there were without doubt only a few Guyanese gracing the polling stations in these supposedly momentous elections.

In fact, polling day staff were often spotted lazing around since there really was not any crowd to deal with.

Some residents believe many citizens failed to turn up because of their commitments at work.

According to one resident on the East Coast Demerara, many persons residing along the coastland work in the Capital City and therefore will not bother to make the time to vote.

Some persons expressed that many Guyanese who are eligible to vote are completely unaware of the importance of these elections and consequently decided not to cast their ballot.

The miniscule turnout was compounded by reports indicating that substantial amounts of voters were denied the opportunity to vote.

Reports suggest that residents from certain areas could not locate their correct polling stations whereas in some cases, there was allegedly no nearby polling place available.

Attempts to contact GECOM officials on the mat-

ter proved futile as all calls to their phones went unanswered.

In the lead-up to LGE, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Parliamentary Opposition raised heaping concerns about the process: the Government’s readiness for the elections and the Election body’s preparedness to host it.

The Party was particularly concerned about a repeat of the General and Regional Elections 2015 where fake statements of polls were infiltrated into GECOM’s machinery and where there were a number of discrepancies plaguing the process which was designed to be transparent.

Moreover GECOM’s voter education campaign is another feature of the LGE which received tons of criticisms from all sections of society.

Critics contended that the campaigns commenced too late, that it failed to spur excitement among Guyanese, especially the first-time voters who had no clue about the process.

LGE 2016

Poor turnout reported in Region 5 S ome residents in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Friday cast blame on the new A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government, for the very poor turnout to the polls on Friday.

The residents said they were “deeply frustrated” at the way things have turned out, from a Government they had voted for in the General and Regional Elections less than a year ago.

“People are frustrated man… you cannot develop a nation and put people under stress,” a resident, who wished not to be named told Guyana Times on Thursday. He said he had the opportunity and time to vote in the first Local Government Elections in 22 years, but opted not to, because of his “frustrated feeling”.

Another resident from West Coast Berbice said “we used to get contracts, we used to get work, things slow down real bad for us here man”. He made a comparison with the United States, noting that the new President was able to make a turnaround for the people there. “Look when Obama took over America, it was real stress, recession and all of that, but the man used to make sure the na-

Regional Chairman Vivekanand Ramphal

tion eat, survive and going well… we are not supposed to be like this,” he said, before marching off.

Like other polling places across the country, polls were opened promptly at 06:00h. However, the process at the polling stations had been slow according to officials.

Regional Chairman Vivekananda Ramphal told Guyana Times that the process had been smooth in his area. “Voters are coming out but not in large numbers,” he had told this publication. He was at the time overseeing the process at six polling places.

There was hope that things would have picked up a little later on, however, this did not happened.

Travelling along, through Mahaicony, the sit-

uation was the same. This publication was however able to speak with a few voters who expressed hope after casting their votes.

“It talks about empowerment… We hear that this election will give you the ability to have a say in your community about development... so yes I am very excited about this,” said Curtis Clake.

“First of all, I would like to see everyone in the community work as a team.

There’s a lot of stuff that we need to do, there’s a lot of work… we are talking about a green Guyana. We have a lot of youth that are picking up stuff like drugs... we need to get sporting facilities and other educational things for the youth for them to find a skill, another resident told Guyana Times.

Over at Belladrum, on the West Coast of Berbice, voters said that they were hoping for change in their community. They believed that if local community members would take on that responsibility, then things would be easily done.

Meanwhile, while the process has been slow in those areas, polling agents at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, and Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, said there was a significant turnout by voters in those areas.

P

The Berbice Educational Institute was used as a polling station but it was desolate most of the day

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has blamed the absence of Local Government Elections (LGE) for over 22 years for the low voter turnout on Friday.

Speaking with reporters in New Amsterdam, the Prime Minister who visited polling stations in Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Coast Berbice, New Amsterdam and on the Corentyne, said there was very poor voter turnout in the areas visited.

“It is my task to report that the turnout at the Local Government Elections will be very low… we know that not having Local Government Elections now for 19 years is what is going to impact on the response of people because many persons, young people, they are not infused with this whole idea about local government. They don’t know what it is, how it works, how it will affect their lives, how it

will provide jobs for them or meaningful engagement; life skills,” Nagamootoo said.

He is of the view that if LGEs, constitutionally due every three years, are held according to the stipulated time, then more persons would have shown an interest in going to the polls.

Region 6 votes

Meanwhile, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), candidates were disappointed with the low voter turnout.

A total of 79,137 voters were listed to cast ballots in the three towns of New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton, along with 16 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

Voting was expected to take place in 324 constituencies but the voter turnout was reportedly less than 30 per cent.

Several candidates told Guyana Times that the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM) had not captured the attention of its audience with the advertisements placed in newspapers and on television.

“If you ask most people, especially the young ones, you will see they don’t understand the importance of Local Government Elections… I think GECOM was not as effective as it ought to,” said Patricia Lynch, who was contesting one of the constituencies in New Amsterdam.

The need for more education to be provided for voters was the expression many shared with this publication.

Meanwhile, several residents of East Canje said they did not know who were the candidates contesting in their constituency.

Along some villages on the Corentyne, the lack of voter education was evident.

Many were of the view that they were casting ballots for national elections.

LGE 2016

Gouveia blames candidates for low voter turnout

H

ead of the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) Observer Mission, Captain Gerald Gouveia has bemoaned the poor voter turnout at Friday’s Local Government Elections (LGE).

Gouveia in an interview with Guyana Times said one difficulty voters complained about was the fact that there was no one at the bottom of the ballot papers for them to vote for, but it simply meant that there were no individual contestants.

“The turnout was very, very low. That is what we getting across the country,” Gouveia said.

Asked what in his view may have been responsible for this poor turnout, Gouveia said poor efforts on the part of candidates in mobilising their supporters to go out and vote.

“I think the candidates did a very poor job. I think in my view GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) did a lot of work to enhance public knowledge and public education. I don’t think the pub-

lic paid a lot of attention and I don’t think that political parties and candidates really did the amount of work to mobilise their supporters to go to the polls so I put a lot of it in the laps of the candidates and political parties,” Gouveia said.

Gouveia ruled out a public holiday as one of the factors responsible for the low turnout, noting that employees were allowed to cast their ballot, despite having to work.

“People were giving their staff time off to go and vote if they wanted to. I don’t think a public holiday was necessary and I don’t think it would have made difference,” he posited.

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally was quoted in sections of the media, sharing similar sentiments as Gouveia, noting that it was not an obligation of GECOM, but political parties, organisations and candidates to mobilize their supporters to get out and vote.

“Those who want to be

elected should have gone and canvassed to their supporters and their people,” he was quoted as saying.

Incident free

Meanwhile the PSC official noted that voting went smooth throughout the day, save for a few minor glitches which were readily ironed out.

“It was incident-free in a general sense; we have had no major reported anomalies or issues. We have had two incidents reported by the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) and when we investigated it, we were told that it was resolved in a satisfactory way to the PPP,” he stated.

Gouveia was in high praise for the GECOM Staff who he said displayed a high level of professionalism throughout the process, noting that some 507,633 persons were registered to vote in the 71 Local Authority Areas, but based on reports from across the country, voter turnout was below 50 per cent.

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saturDAY, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Local Government Elections 2016

14 NEWS

saturday, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Lindeners vote in historic LGE

– process dubbed as “smooth” by many

BY UTAMU BELLE

L

indeners on Friday joined with the rest of the country in exercising their democratic right to vote at the Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Checks around the community at a number of polling places shortly after the polls opened at 6:00h revealed few trickling in to cast their ballots. Persons of varying ages were involved in the voting process, however, the elderly appeared to be more involved.

Political Parties and Voluntary Groups were among those also seen voting and observing the process.

Sean Arthur, a young man in his 20s, explained how happy he was to be given the opportunity to vote for the first time, noting too that the process was a very smooth one, which he enjoyed and fully understood.

“It was smooth, quick. I had fun with it. For the General Elections I would normally spend more time though. I would come out since before 6 to avoid the lines but today wasn’t that sort of thing. I just came at the normal time and it was just in, out, and that was it”, he related.

Arthur said he was fully educated on the process due to television ads and neighbourhood campaigns.

There were few instances of minor hiccups as some who turned out to vote did not find

A gentleman being assisted by his wife and APNU/AFC MP Jermaine Figueroa as he goes to cast his ballot

their names on the list. A man who turned up at the Wisroc Nursery polling place complained of not finding his name on the Official List of Electors (OLE), which was posted outside the building.

He explained to this newspaper that he voted at the same location over the years for the General Elections but he had difficulty in understanding this, however he was told by GECOM to wait a while, so they could doublecheck.

“I got me ID card everything, but they tell me that me name ain’t on that list. They telling me hold on but I gon go home cause I ain’t able run all about”, he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, the man’s son, who had accompanied him, explained too that his father would usually vote at the same location. On the contrary however, he voted at the location without any delays. He noted that the process was a simple one, regarding it with similarities to General and Regional

Elections.

“It was normal and simple. I didn’t have no problems because I come early and everything go through normal… anytime voting come round again I gon vote. Is my rights”, he said.

This newspaper caught up with A Partnership for

was the second person to cast his vote at the Wisroc Nursery polling station. He stated his belief in the Coalition securing maximum votes, especially at that particular polling station.

“I see a number of persons have not yet come out, but we are going to encourage them to come out by providing transportation to assist in the process”, he said.

Joel Stewart who voted at the Wisburg Primary also explained that the process was quite simple.

APNU Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira said he was happy with the process, more so since he was a first-time voter.

“This is the first time a lot of people are participating in Local Government Elections

Residents wait their turn to check for their names on the list

National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Constituency 8 candidate Derron John soon after he casted his vote and he expressed satisfaction with the process. John indicated he is a first time LGE voter and he

as this was denied since 22 years ago. I too was also denied the opportunity in my teens, my twenties and now I’m in my thirties I feel happy that I can make a contribution in determining who the representative is going to be for my Constituency. That is real power to the people to be given the choice to elect their community representatives”, he noted.

Elizabeth Gulliver, 57, explained that it was the first time she was afforded the opportunity to vote at LGEs, noting that she encountered no problems and was “comfortable” with how the process was executed. She recalled that the process of electing a Mayor was “quite different” years ago.

Linden 2025 Candidate Denton Osborne observed: “The voting process was very simple, it was very smooth this morning. Of course it started out really slow. Throughout the country, we heard experts and other Government Officials saying that they expect, maybe a low turn-out because Local Government Elections does not generate the same kind of excitement as the General and Regional Elections, but we, Linden 2025 are very hopeful that we will have a voice.”

Ambassadors For Progress Norris King was also spotted observing the process at the Linden Foundation Secondary Polling Station.

While some Lindeners remained hopeful for the return of Local Democracy and exercised their right to vote, others opted not to do so for various reasons, which some outlined to Guyana Times.

Some complained of not being properly informed on the process, explaining that they did not know how to vote and what the LGE process entailed. Others expressed no confidence in prospective candidates and as such refused to be involved in the voting process.

Holi, Chutney and Rum

N

ext Wednesday, hopefully recovered from the shock of voting in Local Government Elections for the first time in 22 years, Guyanese will be celebrating Phagwah or Holi. Among the numerous “Parbs” (usually translated as “festivals”) that punctuate the Hindu calendar, Holi most closely fits the English connotation of "a joyous celebration".

Originating in hoary antiquity, Holi broadcasts the unabashed pleasure experienced by the early Hindus at the onset of spring and the end of winter. It is not for nothing that wherever there are the four seasons, winter represents death; spring life. Who does not celebrate life over death?

Maintaining the Bhojpuri culture brought over from North India, lusty chowtaals are sung by competing teams to the driving beats of the dholak (hand-drum) and the signature Jaals (cymbals). Over the years, the chowtaals began disappearing and Bollywood “filmi” tunes, centred on Holi would be played. Today there will still be unbridled revelry with the dousing of all and sundry with water and abeer; the smearing of coloured powder and the sharing of delectable sweetmeats. All done in the spirit of bonhomie and good cheer.

In Guyana and T&T, however, the festivities will spill over the following day; but literally in a different sprit. That will be the “sport day” and the rum will flow in quantities that rival the water unleashed on Holi Day. The filmi songs will now be replaced by Chutney – more precisely Chutney rum songs. The introduction of rum and its celebration in song, even in a putatively religious festival, demands explanation.

Rum, not a feature of northern rural India, was deliberately introduced to the indentured Indians as a means of immiserisation and control on the sugar plantations in the Caribbean. The specific reaction to alcohol is socially constructed and in the case of Indians, they expressed their frustrations with plantation life by venting their anger violently on each other. Violence – especially against wives and children – and alcoholism became a feature of Indian plantation life that continues into the present.

The Chutney phenomenon, grounded in the earthy Bhojpuri peasant folk songs about their lives and foibles was catapulted from the local weddings and other social/ religious occasions by recordings from Surinamese Ramdeo Chaitoe in the 50s and Dropatie in the 60s that circulated widely among Indians in the Caribbean.

In 1970, Sundar Popo of T&T set the genre on its present course when he released “Nana and Nanie”.

Retaining the central beat of the dholak and dhantal, Popo introduced the modern synthesiser but more pertinently, a Creole idiom on a topical subject. It was not by accident Popo mentioned that “Nana drinkin’ white rum and Nani drinkin’ wine”: it acknowledged the prevalence of alcohol in the Indian community.

It was the beginning of a gradual, inexorable commodification of what had originally been the natural, spontaneous expression of peasants to their social conditions. So we see ditty “Oh Manninja, oh Maninja”, expresses the despair of the housewife dealing with rising prices and falling wages, transformed into a product that is sold to propel a party culture. The mention of rum as a feature of Indian social life in Chutney to its active glorification not coincidently occurred by the new millennium when Chutney had moved into the national arena in T&T where the national culture is defined by Carnival and its attendant party culture.

We cannot be surprised at the marrying of this transformation of the function of folk music to the promotion of alcohol – they are both now at the service of entrepreneurs determined to commodify and profit from all aspects of life. Over the last decade, there has been a heated debate in the Indian communities of Guyana and T&T over the impact of rum songs beginning in earnest in 2002 when Trinidadian Adesh Samaroo belted out his “Rum Till I die”. From a single performance at a carnival event.

Returning to the licentiousness that will typify next Thursday in almost every Hindu home, I remind them that the most famous incident of Hindu drunkenness resulted in the tribe of Krishna – the Yadavs – exterminating themselves by their own hands. This may yet be the consequence of the commodification of our culture and even religion.

Holi Re!!!

saturDAY, march 19, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

News

LGE 2016…

EBD politicians optimistic about LGE but raise concerns Sporadic voting in North/South A Ruimveldt district s citizens across the country embarked on casting their votes in the Local Government Elections (LGE), Guyana Times caught up with some of the politicians on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to get their reactions to the historic polls.

At the Success Elementary School in Eccles, EBD, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee; Opposition parliamentarian Jennifer Westford; and Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, weighed in on the voting process after casting their votes.

Rohee told reporters that persons are coming out to vote because they are energised and enthusiastic about the process. He pointed out that after the polls close at 18:00h, he hopes that the same order and straight-

or to that and the impending events.

“Those are the two areas that one have to pay attention to; so we have done our best to ensure that whatever the concerns and reservations we have prior to (Friday) were addressed.

We’re not fully satisfied that all were addressed, it needs to be continued after the Local Government Elections

U

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee after casting his vote

Opposition MP Jennifer Westford moments after she cast her vote

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton displays his inked finger after exercising his franchise

forward process follows.

However, he noted that the elections focus is not really on what obtains during the voting but what happens pri-

because these issues and concerns are relevant to all elections,” he stated.

Moreover, Rohee also expressed concerns about the

quality of ink used. “I’m not very satisfied with the quality of the ink… it’s not as strong as it ought to be,” he stated.

Meanwhile, PPP/C Member of Parliament Jennifer Westford told reporters moments after emerging from the polling station that the process was smooth and orderly, but noted that there should be an indication as to which polling station persons ought to go.

“My only problem is that they should have a sign to say which (alphabetical) grouping is at which polling

LGE 2016

Lindeners with disability, elderly refuse to be left behind

V

oters with walking and vision disabilities in yesterday’s Local Government Elections (LGEs) in Linden refused to be left behind, as a number of them were assisted to various polling places in the community. Also joining in the process were the elderly.

Lennox Gulliver was one such voter who was assisted by his wife Elizabeth to the polling place at the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School at Wismar. Guyana Times also came across others, for example, a woman with a walking stick at Blueberry Hill, Wismar, assisted by her grandson in getting to her polling place.

She related that she is visually impaired, but that does not prevent her from participating in the democratic process. A number of persons also assisted by allowing their vehicles to be used for transporting the elderly to reach their polling places.

On the Mackenzie shore, an elderly man from Retrieve was seen being assisted by his wife who opted to vote first, then return to take him to the polling station at Mackenzie High School.

“We’re not making any jokes about voting so I went out first and then I came back for him”, she indicated.

Lennox Gulliver who is visually impaired turned up to cast his vote with the assistance of his wife

stations… because it’s a very long stairway and persons who are not that fit might not be able to go up and come down one stairway then go up another stair like I had to do,” she remarked.

She noted that there was quite a turnout at some of the polling stations in the area, something which she is pleased about.

On the other, Guyana Times also caught up with Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton moments after he cast his ballot in Eccles. He too noted that this was his first time voting in Local Government Elections.

“I like that everything is going calm and everybody knows what they have to do… This is actually my first time voting at Local Government Elections but I think it’s good we have it now and I’m looking forward to voting again in the next three years time,” he said.

The Minister noted that while there was a poor turnout at the opening of polls, he is sure this will not remain the same throughout the day.

nlike the enthusiastic rush that occurred at the General Elections in May 2015, it was a belowpar turnout at the majority of the polling stations in the North/South Ruimveldt district.

Guyana Times spoke to some voters, who were reluctant to be photographed or give their full names. Many of them said they have to attend work but still wanted to cast their vote.

A voter Tonya said: “It was easy but I have to work, and leaving early is difficult but I had to support my party.”

Leading up to the Local Government Elections (LGEs), calls were made by the various interest parties to have the day be made a National Holiday but that idea was shot-down by the governing party.

Another voter Tony said: “I was a bit confused, a lot of people came and told me to vote for them but when I saw the ballot, their names were not there, so I was a bit confused”.

The general sense of the day was gloomy as persons trickled in throughout the day to cast their ballot to elect council members after some 22 years. In fact at one polling station in the North Ruimveldt area, at 07:00h, there were six ballots cast.

This publication spoke to Team Benschop’s candidate, Royston Alkins who is contesting the First-Past-thePost aspect of the elections

Royston Alkins

in Constituency 12 (North Ruimveldt/Guyhoc-Lamaha) who expressed pleasure in the transparency in the process.

“Generally pleased, I don’t have any quarrels about the polling station, however I do hope it’s a fair process and fairness is the end result of this day”, Alkins said.

The Team Benschop candidate, whose major competitor in his constituency is current Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, strongly believes that he and his party will be victorious today.

The late afternoon period saw an influx of voters that were not the youth as compared to the General Elections as it was more of the elderly citizens who came to exercise their franchise.

The last Local Government Elections was held in 1994.

In this historic event, persons are expected to cast their votes in sixty-one constituencies and nine municipalities.

16 NEWS

saturDAY, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

US/Cuba relations

El Niño conditions

5 rice famers Govt welcomes continued Region getting temporary relief restoration of ties T F

By Alexis Rodney

oreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge is of the view that while the improved relation between the United States and Cuba will do much for the people of the Spanish-speaking nation, much will also be had for the region as whole.

He said the move is “politically welcomed”. He was at the time speaking to local journalists on Friday.

According to Greenidge, from the very beginning of the spat between the two countries decades ago, Guyana has always been calling for closer relations between the US and Cuba.

“So the fact that the US and Cuba have cleared the path that will enable a closer relationship is politically welcomed. That would mean that dialogue, which is very important amongst us in a region with so many challenges and which is also facing a world with some wild challenges, one cannot overestimate the value of greater dialogue and closer relation between the countries and the wider region”, he said. mproved prosperity on Cuba’s part is something that the region can benefit from because Cuba is potentially a very important player in the region. It is already politically significant in some spheres there are nature players as reflected in technical assistance as already reflected especially in the medical field”, he said and noting that Cuba is a major “doable” tourist destination and a place where technical skills are very high.

“In those circumstances, improved collaboration with

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

the US will enable the region to integrate with positive benefits for all the players. To the extent that the political dialogue facilitates greater economic corporation, greater technical assistance, Guyana stands to benefit from that enhancement with the relationship with the US”, he said.

United States President Barrack Obama, will on Sunday become the first president to visit the Cold War foe in close to 90 years.

He will hold talks on Monday with Cuban President Raul Castro, followed by a joint press event and a state dinner.

Obama plans to lay out his vision for the US-Cuba relations in a major speech during the historic visit to Havana aimed at making his opening to America’s former Cold War foe “irreversible,” the White House said Wednesday.

Previewing Obama’s three-day trip, US deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes expressed hope that Tuesday’s scheduled “speech to the Cuban people” would be broadcast throughout the island and

said Cuba’s Communist government had not raised any objections to doing so.

Obama’s meeting with Cuban dissidents on Tuesday will include prominent activists of his own choosing, Rhodes said.

Despite Cuban leaders’ view of such meetings as interference in the island’s internal affairs, Rhodes said there was no reason to believe the government would block any invitees from participating.

Cuba and the United States restored diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015, which had been severed in 1961 during the Cold War. US diplomatic representation in Cuba is handled by the United States Embassy in Havana, and there is a similar Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC. The United States, however, continues to maintain its commercial, economic, and financial embargo, which makes it illegal for US corporations to do business with Cuba.

Although President Obama has called for the ending of the embargo, US law requires congressional approval to end the embargo.

Police seize over 4kg of marijuana

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday made two interceptions, during which over four kilograms of marijuana was found.

According to Police reports, on Thursday ranks conducted a search on the baggage of a man at the 70K Checkpoint in Essequibo, during which they unearthed

a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems.

The man was arrested and taken into custody, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to three kilograms.

The suspect remains in police custody, assisting with investigations. Meanwhile, ranks in the G Division were on foot patrol along the Guyana/ Brazil Bridge at Takatu,

Lethem, on Thursday when they observed a man in possession of a bag, acting in a suspicious manner.

As the officers approached him, he threw the bag away and began running. They were unable to apprehend the man but managed to retrieve the bag which contained 1 kilogram 600 grams of marijuana.

GLDA safely disposes of confiscated sheep

I

n keeping with its mandate to promote greater efficiency in the livestock industry and provide enhanced services in livestock husbandry and health, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) disposed of a flock of sheep that was categorised as improper and posed a hazard to other animals.

When the animals were discovered, a team from

the GLDA quickly confiscated the animals and safely housed them until it was appropriate for them to be disposed.

The animals were held in a quarantined area at the Lenora Police Station to avoid exposure and contamination of other animals.

The CEO of GLDA, Nigel Cumberbatch, stated that persons are being cautioned against illegal and

unregulated livestock practices, as it not only threatens the health of other animals, but also the health of humans that would use the meat of these animals for consumption.

A total of six animals were given a combination of sedatives and general anaesthesia after which the bodies were incinerated at the GLDA veterinary service laboratory incinerator to ensure proper disposal.

he prevailing dry weather conditions linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon continue to threaten the livelihoods of farmers in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and elsewhere.

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal related to Guyana Times on Thursday that while rice farmers have obtained relief with access to water, many acreages of cash-crops have perished.

Ramphal stated: “Some farmers are receiving water presently, that is because most of those at the front there is not in much need and so the water is flowing down there [for farmers further away from the access canal].” “The conflict that existed there is no longer… farmers on the other side are receiving water,” explained Ramphal. This was in relation to previous reports that many farmers whose fields are closer to the front of the canal were “bullying the system” and “refused” to allow other farmers to get water.

Ramphal also noted on Thursday that the farmers who have lost crops are “seeking subsidies from the Government to go back in the field.

“We will lobby for the farmers at the Regional level,” the Regional Chairman pointed out. He further noted that many of the region’s cash-crops are dying.

“I spoke to about five farmers from the De Hoop

Vickchand Ramphal

area, who said that they would have already lost their crops – about four acres,” explained the Chairman.

To this end, Ramphal opined that the Regional Democratic Council’s budget does not provide for giving farmers that level of relief and noted that it is central Government which would need to make interventions.

It was reported on March 3 that rice farmers were still waiting to get water onto their rice lands. Ramphal had said the project to provide relief was not being properly supervised by the Mahaica Mahaicony AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA).

“MMA is not managing and supervising the structure properly so all the farmers can get water,” Ramphal emphasised.

He had also related that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was in “constant contact” with the

Agriculture Ministry’s agency to curb the plight of the rice farmers.

It was in February that reports surfaced of the farmers in the areas closer to the main canal who were blocking the water flow to allow more water onto their fields.

This deprivation of water was said to have caused many acres to perish.

The MMA-ADA then implemented a system where farmers would be allowed to pump water for two days and also issued warnings to ensure that farmers allowed water in the canals to flow freely.

The Region Five Chairman had also told Guyana Times on February 23 that he had encouraged farmers to cooperate so there is equitable distribution of water into the farmlands. Ramphal had explained back in January that the dry weather patterns had made the availability of fresh water scarce and stated that the Kaliserabo canal, a main source, was “clogged with weeds.” While an excavator was at that time deployed to remedy this situation, Ramphal had opined that excavation of the said canal would have taken several months to complete.

Rice cultivation is the main economic activity in the Mahaicony/Mahaica area. The ongoing crisis continues to threaten over 17,000 acres under cultivation.

Corentyne Police Officer accused of kidnapping

P

olice in Berbice are investigating a report of kidnapping of a Corentyne cattle farmer.

The victim, who was able to escape, has since named a Police Officer attached to the Number 51 Police Station as his kidnapper and investigators have found the farmer’s bicycle at the officer’s home.

The cattle farmer of Number 58 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) says that he was taken hostage by two men, one of whom is a traffic rank.

Devendra Hoopchand, also called “Bob”, said on Tuesday evening he was at the Number 58 Middle Walk taking his cattle home when he saw the light of a car approaching. As the car got closer, he discovered that it was a white 212 Toyota.

“When I look inside, I notice this Police from traffic [name given] and another man. I ain’t know the other man.”

He said he heard a voice asking what he was doing there at that hour, but did not answer. “They ask me

if I thieving cow, an still I din answer. Then [the traffic rank] tell me if I ain’t hear Sergeant [name given] talking to me. So I tell he that is me cow,” Hoopchand related.

Not wanting any trouble on his way home, the farmer used the Number 57 Middle Walk and as he got to the Corentyne Highway, he noticed the said vehicle along with the officers.

Again he was approached. This time they asked him whether he was following them to which he said no. “[The traffic rank] then tell me lea we go to the Station and I ask him for what, and he tell me put my bicycle in the trunk.”

According to Hoopchand, on the way to the Number 51 Police Station, at Number 56 Village, the traffic rank, who was the driver on this occasion, turned into the Middle Walk and he asked him where he was going. “Then he turn and tell me if I want he open me mouth and put something inside and kill me… When we reach about one village

length going down in the backdam, I see the vehicle start slowing down, and I ain’t wait fo it stop, I open the door and jump out and run in the bush.”

He explained that he was able to get to the house of a businessman and report the incident. According to Hoopchand, the businessman took him to the Number 51 Police Station the following day. “When we go to the Station to make a report, I see [the traffic rank], and he telling me, ‘sorry bout last night’.”

Meanwhile, newlyappointed Commander of B Division (Berbice), Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam said the matter was being investigated and hence he could not comment.

This publication understands that following the report at the Number 51 Police Station, ranks went to the home of an officer attached to the Traffic Department of the Number 51 Police Station where they discovered a bicycle belonging to Hoopchand.

17

news

saturDAY, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

WBD voters decry closure of Wales Estate – low turnout recorded in Region 3

Linden Town Week 2016 to be officially launched today

By Shemuel Fanfair And Kizzy Coleman

E

ven though the 2016 Local Government Elections (LGE) have been deemed historic, many West Bank Demerara (WBD) polling places saw a trickling of voters exercising their franchise. Some echoed their optimism over casting their ballots, while others decried the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate.

Some 15 minutes after the opening of polls at the Patentia Secondary School, a couple; Mr and Mrs Bisnauth, arrived and cast their ballots. Speaking with Guyana Times after voting, they related that they are hopeful that the elected representatives “will do something better” to effect changes in their community.

At Good Intent, the scene was somewhat similar, with only about four persons in

Belle West voters standing in line to exercise their franchise

ple around, a lot of them are disappointed with Government’s rash move… being a community man, I’ve heard a lot of sugar workers not interested in voting because they feel they’re livelihoods at stake,” expressed Lilliah.

Meanwhile, with re-

The L’ Aventure Secondary School was one of the polling stations in Canal Number One

the voting line at one polling station and six at another.

Eighty-six-year-old James Gent, who arrived on bicycle, was the first to vote at the Sisters Nursery School and he explained that he is happy to see the return of these polls after so many years.

In the community of Belle West, near Canal Number Two Polder, the scene was quite different as around 15 persons where standing in line with many others waiting around the school’s environs to cast their ballots. Young Simon Hing, 18, who voted for the first time, told this publication that he is hoping to see a reversal of the decision to close the Wales Sugar Estate, while driver Mohan Prashad who also voted at the same location expressed similar sentiments.

“The entire West Bank depends on the Wales Sugar Estate. People carry their produce to the market, if they close it, they wouldn’t have a market. When they close the estate, what people gan do, plant greens; how much body gan plant greens, how much body gan eat; who gan buy, who gan sell?” Prashad questioned.

This view was also shared by Wales worker Manduram Lilliah who posited that many sugar workers decided against participating in this year’s LGEs. “Listening to peo-

spect to the low voter turnout, many residents across the West Bank expressed the view that because they had to go to work and the fatigue of having to rush home to vote, may have been the cause for the low voter turnout.

This view was echoed

by Ramphal Mansukh at Kawall Primary School in Canal Number Two Polder and Kimarashai Garib, a nurse who voted at La Grange, WBD. Though turnout was viewed as “desolate” by one Pouderoyen resident, others from the area expressed satisfaction in casting their ballots.

“I feel good as a Guyanese I have a right to exercise my franchise,” stated Yonette Nedd.

Low voter turnout was also noted at Nismes, La Grange, Kawall Primary in Canals Numbers One and Two and at L’Heureuse Aventure.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast of Demerara and the East Bank of Essequibo, there was a significantly low turnout of voters. This, residents reiterated, is due to the fact that the day was not declared a holiday.

Guyana Times visited several polling stations on the West Coast of Demerara and the East Bank of Essequibo and that were little or no voters present.

At the Parika Nursery

School, there were two voters at the opening of polls while at another in close proximity, there were 10 voters at 07:00h. At that polling station, there were 954 voters registered to vote there.

“I really expected more from the people of this community because we have to elect someone to have a say, to fight for our rights but most people are not really interested in voting,” Bibi Sheneeza Khan said, while expressing her disappointment at the turnout.

At Tuschen, another major populated community, the atmosphere was no different. Speaking with the publication, a resident of Tuschen, Geeta Persaud said she voted as she sees the need for improvements in her community.

“I voted because I want to see a better community, I would like to see a childfriendly community where our children can feel comfortable to go out and play in the afternoons like in times

Fatchmahamad Mohammed after casting his vote

past. In this constituency, we have a problem with flood and soon as the rain falls, the water rises in the drains and everyone is affected.

For some persons, the water raises in their houses, this is very disturbing and that is a problem that we have been having for years now,” she remarked.

The response at Zeelugt and Leonora were also very poor as not many turned out to support the elections.

Another major area that saw a disappointing voter response was Windsor Forest.

Again, some expressed dismay that the day was not declared a holiday.

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Linden Town Week organisers, Vybz Entertainment Group

rganisers of the annual Linden Town Week (LTW) are gearing up to have the event officially launched in the town on Saturday March 19. Vybz Entertainment Incorporated (Vybz Ent Inc) in association with the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) will be hosting yet another year of the signature event from May 15 to 25. Today’s official launching ceremony will take place at the Linden/ Georgetown minibus park commencing at 16:00h.

The event will see remarks by Vybz Ent Inc Chairman Devin Sears, a Regional Democratic

Council (RDC) representative, Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) representative and Government officials, cushioned by the release of the LTW Jingle, revelation of the LTW 2016 theme and cultural items.

The launch is four-fold, with a press briefing, ceremony, mingle and entertainment into the night along with stage performances and fete.

The Linden Town Week is an annual celebration of the town’s birth anniversary. This year it will be celebrating 46 years; however according to Vybz Ent Inc, unorthodoxly it has been shifted to the period of Guyana’s 50th Independence

Celebration for accommodation purposes.

This marks a significant year in history as the town will observe 20 years of the LTW observances and 100 years of bauxite, all of which have contributed to the socio and economic development of the town.

Vybz Ent Inc said it expects that the scale of economic stimulation, marketing, advertising and sale of products, in estimation will double due to the large influx of tourist and visitors.

It is on this basis that the organising body has collaborated with major sponsors and stakeholders to launch LTW 2016.

18 NEWS

SATURday, march 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana to ship over 11,300 tonnes of rice to Panama

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o ensure that the livelihoods of rice farmers are not lost, the Agriculture Ministry has been steadfast in its quest to locate rice markets regionally and internationally.

To this end, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on Friday received a courtesy call from representatives of the Institute of Agricultural Marketing out of Panama City.

During the successful phase of discussions, the Panamanian company announced its commitment to importing an increased quota of rice from Guyana. This will see over 11,300 tonnes of rice being shipped to the Spanish-speaking country over the next three months.

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) during the initial phase of negotiations shipped approximately 7500 tonnes of rice to Panama. The increase in quota will significantly assist rice farmers countrywide.

The Agriculture Minister in welcoming the delegation lauded the Panamanian Government for its continued confidence in Guyana’s economy and particularly, the rice industry.

“Our Government is extremely pleased that you (Panama) are happy with the services we (GRDB) have been supplying since the commencement of our relationship...

I would like to assure you that the GRDB will continue to provide the same excellent and professional service to your

File photo: Rice shipment being loaded at a city wharf

Government,” he said.

The Agriculture Minister expressed satisfaction on behalf of the Government of Guyana, while underscoring the importance of Guyana accessing new rice markets.

“Government no longer buys produce or set prices.

In the past, price control led to the destruction of agriculture in Guyana. As such, the Ministry of Agriculture is taking the value-chain approach and wants farmers to be a part of this,” he said.

Minister Holder is assuring those involved in the rice industry that all is not lost with the loss of the Venezuelan market, adding that Guyana is doing business with other nations on a larger scale.

General Manager of the GRDB Nizam Hassan, noted that such a move will auger well for the industry and production. He added that opportunities appear

to loom large for Guyana’s rice industry, as enhanced efforts will be made by the Board to ensure that additional markets are secured.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GRDB, Claude Housty, in an invited comment stated that efforts have been identified at the level of the Board to ensure that research and development is accelerated.

Pointing to the success of the industry, Housty stated that this year, enhanced efforts will be placed on the Burma Rice Research Station, to ensure it applies more sophisticated technology in its research mandate.

During the three-day visit, the delegation was exposed to visits to farms, and mills across the rice growing regions of Guyana. Meetings were also held with the Chairman of the Millers Association and millers.

Nagamootoo lauds smooth LGE process – Nandlall calls LGE “historic”

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rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo lauded the voting process of the Local Government Elections (LGE) after casting his ballot on Friday.

At approximately 08:45h, Nagamootoo along with wife Sita Nagamootoo casted their ballots at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown polling station.

With just media representatives present, Nagamootoo declared that he was pleased with the simple process while noting that it was a “fantastic” day for Guyana.

“This in the 50th year of our Independence, the

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo with his wife Sita Nagamootoo display their inked fingers after voting on Friday

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall displays his inked finger after voting

Golden Jubilee… independence isn’t worth all that we thought it should be worth because if you don’t translate the power of the people to the grassroots then you have a vacuum, you have a chasm, you have

LGE 2016

GECOM Commissioner highlights minor glitches

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ocal Government Elections (LGE) Day had some minor issues that left voters slightly frustrated.

Guyana Times caught

up with Commissioner of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Sase Gunraj in Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) as he was conducting his dele-

Sase Gunraj

gated checks at the various polling stations across the country.

During a brief interview, Gunraj highlighted several minor issues he recognised during the voting process.

Some of these were in relation to the quality of ink and the absence of several pages from the lists of voters outside of the polling stations.

He explained that in

some areas, the voters list would have the front or back pages missing, therefore when voters showed up to cast their ballots, they were unable to identify their names on the document.

Nonetheless, he said the situation was quickly rectified.

On the other hand, some residents grew frustrated after visiting several polling stations within their constituency, only to be told that their names are not on either of the lists available.

According to one elderly woman from the Better Hope/La Bonne Intention Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), she travelled to three polling stations before she actually arrived at the correct voting centre.

In some cases, voters were discouraged and decided against casting a ballot.

not really translated your independence into full political power,” Nagamootoo stated.

Meanwhile former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall was seen exercising his franchise

at the Redeemer Primary School in Campbellville, Georgetown.

Nandlall had high praise for the LGE and pointed out its importance to the Guyanese public, “it is indeed a historic exercise for many reasons but more importantly it gives the country an opportunity once again to elect its leaders at the level of the local authority. In other words it is giving governance to the people to manage the affairs of their community in an independent and autonomous way without interference from Central Government,” Nandlall explained.

Nevertheless, poor turnouts were noticeable at a few city polling stations during Friday’s LGE.

Region 3 El Niño

Conflicting views expressed by administration on state of drought

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he regional administration of Region Three continues to provide conflicting reports on the state the current El Nino conditions in the region.

These conflicting views can be owed to the ongoing dispute that exists between the region’s Regional Executive Officer, Dennis Jaikaran and Regional Chairman, Julius Faeber.

Due to the constant disagreements between the two on the management of the region, there is a lack of cooperation.

When this newspaper contracted REO Jaikaran for an update of the region’s current status in relation to drought, he reported that there are “no longer any vast effects” by the dry weather and that the region is seeing significant improvements.

He noted that “it is safe” that the region has recovered from the drought, which has been going for months.

In relation to the rice crops which had been facing the devastating brunt, Jaikaran informed that persons have started to reap but some are still receiving water from the

conservancy to preserve the crop life.

Even so, he said that the rice crop has been begun to see evident improvements over the course of the past few weeks.

The “improvements” were credited to the establishment of the drought committee which meets regularly to evaluate the situation in the region and from those, pioneer short and long terms plans.

It should be noted however, that the Chairman Faeber has reportedly been excluded from these meetings and has no engagements Jaikaran on plans that the committee sets up to address the drought.

Meanwhile, Faeber cited that though he hasn’t gotten any new reports from the relevant bodies on the state, he knows that it hasn’t improved.

The Chairman informed that the drought remains the same, or it has even gotten to that point where it can be deemed as worst.

Additionally, he said that there is a shortage of water as the conservancy’s level continues to reduce due to the dry weather and the utilisation by GuySuCo.

saturDAY, march 19, 2016

19

charge FIFA announces new UEFA Man Utd, sponsorship deal, Liverpool over says more on the way crowd trouble

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IFA president Gianni Infantino said a wind of change was blowing through soccer's scandal-plagued world governing body after announcing a sponsorship deal with China's Wanda Group on Friday.

FIFA has been battered by a series of scandals and the deal, which runs until 2030 and includes the next four World Cups, came one day after the Swiss-based federation announced a $122 million (84 million pounds) loss for 2015, its first deficit since 2002.

The deal could help Infantino, elected last month to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, fulfil ambitious promises of greater funding for FIFA's 209 member associations which he made during his campaign.

FIFA has been thrown into turmoil in the last year with criminal investigations underway into the sport in the United States, where several dozen former soccer officials have been indicted, and Switzerland.

Blatter has been banned by the federation's own ethics committee for six years after being engulfed by the scandal.

"I cannot change the past but I can influence the future and make sure we will face all the challenges," said Infantino after chairing his first executive committee meeting.

Wanda Group, China's largest commercial property

company, last year bought a 20 percent stake in Spanish club Atletico Madrid and Blatter's nephew Philippe Blatter is chief executive of its subsidiary Wanda Sports Holding.

“I’m very aware of the potential situations that can exist when you have partners who may have subsidiaries, who have other commercial relationships as well," said Infantino.

“In these circumstances, it’s even more important to do the right thing and to make sure that the contracts that you sign are really checked and we make sure that they are compliant with the highest standard."

On Tuesday, FIFA applied to United States authorities for tens of millions of dollars in compensation from ex-officials indicted there, a move Infantino said marked a change in attitude.

"FIFA is moving from the defence to the attack and it must be clear to everyone who abuses FIFA and abuses football to enrich themselves that they will not only be excluded from football but you will have to give the money back," said Infantino.

CURRENT CRISIS

FIFA has struggled to find new sponsors since the current crisis erupted in May and has failed to replace top-tier partners Sony and Emirates after their deals expired at the end of 2014.

Despite its recent trou-

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The logo of Wanda Plaza is seen in Shanghai

bles, FIFA on Thursday revised its forecast revenue for the 2015-18 cycle upwards from $5 billion to $5.65 billion.

FIFA sources have said the federation faces a shortfall of about $500 million in its predictions if it fails to reach the targets set for sponsorship revenue.

"I have to say that the wind has changed now," Infantino said. "The relationship with the partners is one of my key priorities.

"I will restore the trust in FIFA and this means we will attract new partners, new sponsors and there will be some more positive news to announce in the coming weeks in this respect."

"2015 is in the past, the figures for 2016 will look very different."

Infantino said he had also identified ways of saving up to $200 million a year, including potential restitution payments.

"We have financial chal-

lenges but we will overcome them quite easily," he added.

Infantino was also confident of overcoming opposition from European clubs for his to plans to increase the World Cup from 32 teams to 40.

"When I put something in my head, I can be quite convincing so I will try to convince everyone including the European Club Association (ECA) of the merit of my arguments," he said.

"Probably the half of the last 15 years of my life has been spent discussing with clubs, arguing with clubs, debating with clubs, and in the end always, always agreeing," Infantino added.

The ECA represents over 200 clubs including all the major ones such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea. (Reuters Sport)

NBA Roundup…

Spurs stay perfect at home

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aMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points apiece to lead five San Antonio players in double figures as the Spurs turned a tight game into a runaway with a dominating third quarter and beat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-100 on Thursday to remain unbeaten at home.

San Antonio led by two points at halftime but separated from the Trail Blazers in the third quarter, scoring the first 10 points and open-

ing as much as a 19-point lead. Leonard, who was limited to six points in the first half when he took three shots, scored 11 points in the Spurs' uprising and the quarter ended with San Antonio holding a 95-78 advantage to make the final period all but academic.

The Spurs (58-10) are 34-0 at the AT&T Center and have also won a franchise-best 43 straight regular-season games at home since a loss to Cleveland in March of last season.

Jazz 103, Suns 69 Rookie Trey Lyles scored 17 points off the bench and Utah won its fourth straight game.

Bucks 96, Grizzlies 86 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 15 points and Greg Monroe added 14 as Milwaukee extended Memphis' losing streak to four games with a victory at the Bradley Center.

Hawks 116, Nuggets 98 Six victories in seven games has defending Southeast Division cham-

Kawhi Leonard

pion Atlanta back in first place. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 21 points in his first start to lead eight doublefigure scorers as the Hawks defeated Denver.

uropean football body UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United and Liverpool on Friday after fans clashed and threw objects during a Europa League tie at Old Trafford.

UEFA said in a statement that Manchester United faced charges of crowd disturbances, blocked stairways and the throwing of objects by supporters at Thursday's match.

Liverpool, who progressed to the quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate after Philippe Coutinho cancelled out Anthony Martial's penalty opener to secure a 1-1 draw in the second leg, faced more charges.

They were listed as illicit chants, the setting off of fireworks, throwing of objects, crowd disturbances and a late kick-off.

The case will be heard by UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body on May 19.

A handful of Liverpool fans sitting in the top tier of the East Stand, among the home supporters, unfurled a

including eight Manchester United players as the 'Busby Babes' flew home from a European Cup tie in Belgrade.

Police and stewards were forced to form a human shield to separate the two sets of supporters and Greater Manchester Police confirmed making five arrests and said they were investigating a "handful of concerning incidents".

"The policing operation for the Manchester United v Liverpool match has now come to an end and towards the end of the game there were a handful of concerning incidents which are currently being investigated," Superintendent Jim Liggett, match commander for the tie, told British media.

"We have made a total of five arrests."

Fans also lit flares shortly after Coutinho equalised at the end of the first half.

In the first-leg at Anfield, Liverpool's 2-0 victory was marred by a section of United supporters chanting about the Hillsborough

Liverpool fans with a flare (Reuters Sport)

banner in the dying minutes of the game, sparking clashes in which punches were thrown and a seat hurled.

Liverpool fans in the lower tier of the stand began chanting "Munich" in a reference to the 1958 air disaster that killed 23 people Hornets 109, Heat 106 Kemba Walker had 21 points, seven assists and seven rebounds as Charlotte rallied from a 15-point firsthalf deficit to defeat Miami at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Bulls 118, Nets 102 Doug McDermott scored 25 points off the bench and Chicago pulled away for a victory over Brooklyn.

Raptors 101, Pacers 94 (OT) Kyle Lowry and DeMar

stadium disaster, when 96 Liverpool fans died following a crush of bodies at an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989.

United avoided a UEFA sanction as the match officials did not mention the incident in their match report.

(Reuters Sport)

DeRozan scored 28 points apiece and Toronto pulled away from Indiana in overtime.

Wizards 99, 76ers 94 John Wall had 16 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds while Marcus Thornton scored 18 points as Washington stayed afloat for a potential playoff berth following a victory over Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center. (Bakersfield Californian)

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guyanatimesGY.com

saturDAY, march 19, 2016

ICC T20 World Cup…

Powell runs lifetime Root takes England to best at World Indoors record WT20 chase A

E

Moeen Ali celebrates with Adil Rashid after taking England home (Getty Images)

ngland completed the second-highest successful chase in T20 internationals and the highest in World T20 history to keep their campaign alive.

They held their nerve chasing 230, thanks to a blistering start from Jason Roy and a clinical innings from Joe Root that ripped South Africa's attack apart and undid their batsmen's efforts.

Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy all scored half-centuries in a line-up that included AB de Villiers at No. 3 and South Africa would have thought they had enough. Instead, they were left to rue the three overs between 10 and 13, bowled by Adil Rashid

South Africa donated 20. An England line-up whose approach is built on aggression punished them for that.

Given the magnitude of their task, England showed intent from the first ball.

Jason Roy swung hard at Kagiso Rabada and took 21 runs of the opening over the most Rabada has conceded in an over in this format.

Alex Hales treated Dale Steyn with equal disdain.

He sent the first three balls for four, all flicks on the leg side, although he should have been dismissed off the first. Kyle Abbott was at short fine leg and could not hold on. Roy had even less respect for Steyn. He fin-

SCOREBOARD South Africa innings HM Amla lbw b Ali 58 Q de Kock† c Hales b Ali 52 AB de Villiers c Morgan b Rasid 16 F du Plessis* c Roy b Willey 17 JP Duminy not out 54 DA Miller not out 28 Extras (b 2, w ) 4 Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) 229 Did not bat: CH Morris, KJ Abbott, DW Steyn, K Rabada, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-96, 2-114, 3-133, 4-169 Bowling: DJ Willey 4-0-40-1, RJW Topley 2-0-33-0, MM Ali 4-0-34-2, CJ Jordan 3-0-49-0, BA Stokes 2-0-23-0, AU Rashid 4-0-35-1, JE Root 1-0-13 0.

and Moeen Ali, when South Africa could not find the boundary and scored just 14 runs. Before that, they were 125 for 2; after it, 139 for 3 and it was the difference between a score under 250 and one greater than. In the end, South Africa needed the latter.

On a night when no one wanted to be a bowler, the England seamers' scattergun approach was nullified

by South Africa's overcompensation in bowling too straight, as well as some ill discipline. While England only gave away two wides,

England innings JJ Roy c †de Kock b Abbott 43 AD Hales lbw b Abbott 17 BA Stokes c Morris b Rabada 15 JE Root c Miller b Rabada 83 View dismissal EJG Morgan* 12 b Duminy View dismissal JC Buttler† st †de Kock b Imran Tahir 21 MM Ali not out 8 View dismissal CJ Jordan c Duminy b Abbott 5 View dismissal DJ Willey run out (Miller/de Villiers) 0 AU Rashid not out 0 26 Extras (lb 6, w 20) Total (8 wickets; 19.4 overs) 230 Did not bat: RJW Topley Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-71, 3-87, 4-111, 5-186, 6-219, 7-229, 8-229 Bowling: K Rabada 4-0-502, DW Steyn 2-0-35-0, KJ Abbott 3.4-0-41-3, Imran Tahir 4-0-28-1, JP Duminy 3-0-311, CH Morris 3-0-39-0.

ished the over with 10 runs off two balls to take England to 44 after two overs, the most runs off 12 balls in a T20. It was also Steyn's most expensive T20I over England were running away with it but Abbott made up for his earlier blunder when he had Hales rapped on the pads in front of middle and leg to strike the first blow.

Ben Stokes was promoted to No. 3, Roy kept going and South Africa had to turn to death bowling strategies in the Powerplay. Abbott searched for the yorker and

found it but when he missed Roy ramped him for six over de Kock's head. Roy tried to do it again but skied it and de Kock took the catch, ending his contribution at 43 from 16 balls.

When Stokes hit a Rabada full toss to the deep square leg boundary, it was advantage South Africa.

Although England had more runs than South Africa had after six overs - 89 to 83 they had already lost three wickets.

Imran Tahir was introduced in the seventh over and immediately quietened things down. His opening over cost seven runs without a boundary and, having seen England's spinners have a similar impact, Faf du Plessis gambled with bringing on Duminy. It paid off as Duminy worked in tandem with Tahir and snaffled Eoin Morgan, who chopped on, to keep the advantage with South Africa at the halfway point. After 10 overs South Africa were 125 for 2; England 118 for 4.

But the brakes were slammed on South Africa's innings then when Rashid and Moeen kept du Plessis and Duminy quiet. In the same period, South Africa used Chris Morris, Duminy and Steyn and the effect was entirely the opposite.

England scored 42 runs in those three overs, Morris bowled short balls to his detriment, Root and Jos Buttler finally decided to take on Duminy and Steyn could not scare England into a mistake. The advantage swung. After 13 overs, England were 160 for 4 and the required rate had been dragged down from over 11 to 10.

South Africa still had Tahir and he went on to become the only bowler not to concede a boundary on the night, and to remove Buttler, but he lacked support. Morris was South Africa's weak link and gave Root the full toss that saw him bring up fifty off 30 balls. His was the slowest half-century of the night, after de Kock's came up off 21 balls, Amla's off 25 and Duminy's 26, but it was the one that mattered most.

(Cricinfo)

safa Powell ran a new Jamaican national record, lifetime best and the fourth fastest 60-m ever when he won his heat in 6.44 seconds in the morning session of the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Oregon Convention Centre in Portland.

Powell, who is known for his bullet-like starts, got out of the blocks early and powered away from the field to win easily.

He says he has more in the tank for the other two races later today.

“My legs are feeling great,” he told OBSERVER ONLINE, “I was quite comfortable. I was just focusing on my technique, not focusing on anyone else or any time, just to get the finish line.”

The former 100m World Record holder said he is pre-

Asafa Powell

pared for the semi-final and finals later today.

“I will just come back and repeat the same thing over and over later,” Powell said.

“I am fit and doing a lot of background work; I am preparing for the outdoors, so I have a lot left in my legs and I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.”

Powell is the only Jamaican in the event as neither Kevaughn Rattray nor Odean Skeen, who were named in the team, were declared on the starting list.

Meanwhile, the evergreen Kim Collins, who will be 40 next month, also advanced after winning his heat in 6.56 seconds. (Jamaica Observer)

Ambrose doesn't mind Windies underdog tag

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est Indies bowling coach Curtly Ambrose has no problem with the team being written off as contenders for the ICC World T20 trophy, insisting it will only serve as a further source for motivation.

The Windies got off to a fast start to the competition, following a convincing sixwicket win over England, which was highlighted by a Chris Gayle onslaught in pursuit of a competitive 182.

“It’s always nice to get off to a winning start, it builds confidence and we are here to win this tournament. We will do the best that we can,”

Ambrose said.

With the Windies missing several key players, the likes of Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons and bothered by the threat of strike action ahead of the tournament, it is others like world number-one India and Australia, who have been cast in the role of favourites.

“Of course other people don’t think that we can (win) and that suits us well.

We are the underdogs and we have nothing to lose and when we come out winners, they will all be happy to change the tune,” said Ambrose.

The West Indies will

Curtly Ambrose

hunt for a second straight win when they tackle Sri Lanka on Sunday. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Taylor thrilled with tight Windies bowling W

est Indies Women’s captain Stafanie Taylor has expressed delight with the team’s bowling, which saw it escape from a tight situation against Pakistan at Chepauk on Wednesday.

The regional team had their backs to the wall after a poor batting performance left the situation looking dire at 103 all-out.

Led by economical bowling, particularly from Anisa Mohammed who took 3-25, the Windies dismissed Sri Lanka for 99.

“Before we came out to bowl, we said to each other that if it was hard to make runs for us, it should be harder for them (Pakistan) as we’re stronger and faster. Pakistanis love to run hard, so we knew we had to be on our toes right through the chase, and we did well in the end,” Taylor said.

“At no point did we feel

Stafanie Taylor

we were out. I know my bowlers well, and if they could land the ball in the right areas, we could always push them back, which we did. We were probably 10 runs short, but they bowled well, and always do against

us. Although we did bat badly, these things happen, and we’ll come out stronger here on,” She added.

The West Indies team will next face Bangladesh on Sunday. (Digicel Sportmax)

21

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WICB/PCL 4-day Cricket…

saturDAY, MARCH 19 2016

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Hetmyer’s spectacular 107 propels Jaguars to 297-4

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Rajendra Chandrika

By Akeem Greene

W

est Indies Under-19 Captain Shimron Hetymer was undoubtedly, the star of the day as he entertained the sprinkling of spectators with an attractive 107 of 135 balls to lead the Guyana Jaguars to 297-4 against Jamaican Scorpions in their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) 4-day match at the National Stadium, Providence on Friday.

Hetmyer hammered 15 fours and one six in an entertaining inning which spanned 163 minutes at the crease that propelled the Jaguars to a strong position on day one.

With the loss of Nikita Miller, combined by a string of drop catches, there was certainly no sting in the Scorpions attack.

Openers Rajendra Chandrika and Tagenarine Chanderpaul batted smartly to take the Jaguars to 73 without loss at lunch with Chandrika on 50 and Chanderpaul on 19.

Chandrika was dropped at second slip by John Campbell when he was on four then Denis Bulli became another culprit when he put down the Test opener on seven in the same position.

As the right handed batsman continued to ride his luck, he was put down yet again when on 22 by wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas but the experienced player took heed to his chances and became more compact in his shot selection and played some exquisite shots through the cover region to bring up his ninth First-class half-century off 85 balls, hitting nine fours.

The second over after lunch saw leg-spinner Damien Jacobs trapping

Chanderpaul leg before for a dogged 21, after putting on 80 for the first wicket.

Hetmyer was next to the crease and opened his account with a six, followed by a four off Jacobs.

Hetmyer then brought up the team’s 100 when he powerfully pulled pacer Gavon Brown through midwicket for four, in the 39th over.

The attacking left-handed batsman continued to look positive, as he offered a chance to the visitors when he was put down at mid-off by Andre McCarty off the bowling of Jacobs on 30.

After that erratic shot, the young batsman chose his scoring shots much more smarty as he raised the team’s 150 when he came down the pitch and spanked Jacobs straight back for four.

Chandrika, who looked busier at the crease after lunch, fell for 76, to a soft dismal when he offered a return catch to Jacobs, who was bowling extremely well from the Southern end.

Chandrika faced 216 balls and caressed thirteen balls to the boundary; it brought an end to a fluent 77-run second wicket partnership.

The wicket by no means stemmed the scoring as Hetmyer continued to bat positively to reach his maiden First-class halfcentury off 66 balls, hitting seven fours and one six.

After his fifty, the Under-19 World Cup winner began picking off singles on a more consistent basis as he put the big shots away to lead the Jaguars to 182-2 at tea with his score at 68 and Captain Leon Johnson on 09.

The pair of Hetmyer and Johnson continued to rotate the strike and hit the boundaries at will; saw

the Jaguars reaching 200 in the 68th over, when the captain hit left-arm chinaman Bulli for six over the mid-wicket region.

The next boundary was certainly one to remember as Hetmyer rocked back and slap the ball disdainfully through the backward point for four.

Hetmyer, who before this match, played six matches with a top score of 47, brought up his maiden First-class hundred with an on-drive to midon which was misfield and the batsman scampered through for three.

His flamboyant innings saw him hit 14 fours and one six, facing 127 balls, as the home side was now well placed at 235-2 in the 77th over.

Hetmyer added one more four to his tally, before he played lazily to a well-flighted delivery from Jermaine Blackwood and lost his off-stump on 107.

The wicket signaled the end of 86-run third wicket partnership with Johnson as Guyana were now 243-3 in the 80th over.

Jaguars’ two leading run-scorers this season in the captain and Vishaul Singh were now at the crease and the inform Johnson continued to bat merrily throughout the afternoon playing some spanking cuts.

Singh (23), who was dropped at slip by Campbell, soon after had his off-stumped uprooted by the left-arm pacer Brown, leaving alone a de-

SCOREBOARD Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings R. Chandrika c&b Jacobs 76 T. Chanderpaul lbw Jacobs 21 S. Hetmyer b Blackwood 107 L. Johnson* 58 not out V. Singh b Brown 22 D. Bishoo 01 not out To bat: R. Reifer, A. Bramble+, C. Barnwell, V. Permaul, G. Motie.

Extras: (w1, nb8, b1, lb2) 12 Total (4wkts, 93overs) 297 Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-157, 3-243, 4-286 Bowling: Dawes 9-122-0, Brown 15-2-58-1, Thomas12-3-30-, Jacobs 26-6-63-2, Bulli 10-1-52-0, McCarthy 3-0-11-, Campbell 16-0-50-0, Blackwood 2-0-8-1

livery.

The skipper eased two down to third-man to bring up fifth half-century of the season and 28th overall at First-class level, striking two fours and one six.

Not out batsmen at close of play, Johnson (58) and Devendra Bishoo (01) will look ensure their side bat once in search of an outright victory when day two begins today from 10:00hrs.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

saturDAY, march 19, 2016

United still trust home-made Young Warriors recipe to revive fortunes Mash Cup 2016 slated for Sunday T – Sukhpaul Business Enterprise on board

A

ll preparations are in place and a huge crowd is expected to converge at the picturesque Cumberland Cricket Ground in the East Canje area for the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) annual fundraiser, Mash Cup 2016.

The tournament which was slated for February 23 but was postponed is now set for Sunday at the Cumberland Ground.

As sponsors continue to show confidence in the work of the club and the popularity of this tournament, Sukhpaul Business Enterprise, owner of Shell Gas Station and Auto Same, New Amsterdam is the latest to come on board.

At the presentation held recently, Steven Profitt, employee attached to the New Amsterdam Branch said that his company is again pleased to be associated with this event and is impressed with the way it has been organised over the years.

His company is also happy that proceeds from this event will go towards the development of the youths in the community. Profitt took the opportunity to congratulate the club for producing the first World Cup under-19 winning captain in young batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer who successfully led West Indies under-19 team to World Cup glory in Bangladesh.

Collecting the sponsorship cheque on behalf of the club, club coach Hubern Evans thanked Sukhpaul Business Enterprise for coming on board once again.

The YWCC is extremely thankful wish to the following sponsors for their

Steven Profitt from Sukhpaul Business Enterprise hands over trophy to club coach Hubern Evans.

support thus far: ANSA McAL, Ashiek and Sons Motor Supplies and Auto Sale, Massy Distribution, Roshan Satar Supermarket, A Ally and Sons Showroom, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Memorex, NBS Ltd, J'S Printery, Vickram Jewellery, Sham Beer Garden, Mr Mortimer George, Attorney at Law Murseline Bacchus, RHYY&SC, A Mahabir and Sons, Regional Democratic Council, Region No 6, Mundal Satar, Jim Bacchus Travel Service, Kris Jagdeo Construction Services, Kascon Engineering Service, Anirudh Ramcharitar Construction, Extreme Trucking Service, Price is Right, N Hamid and Sons, Zai Permaul, Suresh Auto Sale and Wash Bay, Altabh Khan of Silver Lining Establishment, Massy

Industries, Balram Shane, Hand in Hand Insurance Company and Office Express.

This event will form part of Guyana's 50th Independence Anniversary celebration with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club's facilities and day to day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the No 19 to Gangaram area.

The draw for the first round was done and is as follows, Canefield vs Gangaram, YWCC vs Seawell, Buski vs Canje Pathfinders, No 19 'A' vs No 19 'B', Betsy Ground vs Goed Bananen Land, Rose Hall Estate vs No 7.

Incentives with the value of over $100,000.00 will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes.

his season's Manchester United highlights reel is hardly vintage but Marcus Rashford's cameo contribution to it offers a glimpse of more entertaining times ahead.

United's established names and big-money signings have laboured under the much-maligned Louis van Gaal with Thursday's Europa League defeat by Liverpool the latest low.

But in Rashford, Cameron BorthwickJackson, Jesse Lingard, Will Keane and James Wilson to name but a few, there is evidence that the club's famed Academy production line is still in working order.

Injuries to first-teamers may have forced Van Gaal's hand to some extent, but United's new generation have shown promise when called upon -- particularly 18-year-old Rashford who marked his debut with two goals against Danish club FC Midtjylland and a few days later scored another brace against Arsenal.

Nicky Butt, part of the class of 92' along with David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, was recently promoted to Academy Director and the former midfielder says the recipe for United's success is still home-grown.

After 280 million pounds spent by Van Gaal for no visible improvement, it is a sound philosophy.

"United have always been very proud of their record of youth development," Butt, who benefited from former manager Alex Ferguson's passion for blooding young players, said at the club's Carrington training ground this week.

"It's a massive part of the club's history."

TRUSTING YOUNGSTERS

Man Utd will be looking to get back to winning ways at home

Local rivals Manchester City's state-of-the-art Academy means United have to work harder to attract the best young talent, however Butt is confident United's track record of trusting youngsters still holds sway.

"People were saying our academy is in a mess, that we've fallen behind City, yes, they're facilities are incredible, amazing, but this place is not too shoddy, is it?," Butt said.

"No one else can touch our club for our pathway for the players to come through.

"We've put things in place over the last six months and are confident that in a year we'll be up there with the best. Ultimately, the aim is to provide top-class players for Manchester United who can go on to win the Champions League."

Times may have changed since the likes of Butt and Ryan Giggs were cleaning mud off the boots of the seasoned professionals as part of their footballing education.

"You don't really want your top young players climbing over the rood to retrieve balls" -- but knows the danger of producing Academy 'robots' with little intuition,"

Butt said.

Great United winger George Best learned his skills dribbling a tennis ball around parked cars on the streets of Belfast.

These days of health and safety overload is a challenge for Academies, meaning a little creativity is required.

Head of Performance Tony Strudwick recently introduced gymnastics to the club's nine-year-olds with British Olympic athlete Beth Tweddle taking the sessions.

"We've also got plans to develop climbing areas, we want to create an environment of controlled chaos where players can start to express themselves," he told Reuters.

"You look at the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, they were instinctive athletes, gymnasts. Nani grew up doing back somersaults on the beach.

"It's a big challenge for all academies. You don't want automatons. We have to do things differently. Make them strong enough so they don't break.

"Nicky's appointment was great for the club," he added.

"The future is bright and we have some real young dynamic kids here." (Reuters Sport)

Interestingly enough, the Ravens and the Pacesetters are the last two champions of the tournament which is in its third year.

Both squads will have a bit of a chip on their shoulders since neither have lived up to their respective repetitions. Action is set for a 19:00h start.

Road to Mecca III…

Raiders, Colts to battle in Linden versus Georgetown final tonight

By Treiston joseph

The Road to Mecca III National Club Basketball Championships will conclude tonight when Linden’s Retrieve Raiders meets Georgetown’s Colts Basketball Club at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in a much anticipated rivalry clash.

Two contrasting teams in terms of style of play, will definitely bring some excitement for the final of the Road to Mecca final.

Retrieve Raiders known for their slower pace to the game as well as their postplay will have to combat the

high octane Colts team that can light it up from the outside.

Nevertheless, the edge might go to the Colts that can also slow the game down, throw the ball into the post.

Raiders will need their veteran duo of Dwayne Roberts and Neil Marks to be on point for the final if they are to have a chance of winning.

The Raiders’ inside play will need to be crisp in order to generate outside shots for their shoots that will need some room to fire away.

However, Colts will rely on their plethora of guards

in Shelroy Thomas, Dave Causway and Stanton Rose to provide the bulk of their offence.

Thomas and Rose’s slashing ability as well as three point stroke will make it difficult for the Raiders to defend especially once both guards find range from downtown.

Shane Webster will also be critical to Colts’ success with his post-game and the Raiders will need to shut down Webster’s offensive game to eliminate the Colts’ best pivot man.

Defence will be key to the final and a physical game should be expected by

Shelroy Thomas in action

the fans.

Meanwhile, the Dynas Ravens and last year’s champs Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters will battle for third.

guyanatimesGY.com

saturDAY, march 19, 2016

23

DCB U-19 Inter-Association 2016…

West Demerara Lodge, Chase to create history maul East Bank in Milo football final today – Georgetown outplay East Coast

D

efending champions, West Demerara mauled East Bank by 136 runs while Georgetown outplayed East Coast in the second round of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-19 Inter-Association Cricket on Friday.

Over at the Wales Community Centre ground, West Demerara took first strike and compiled a huge 277 before being bowled out in the 49th over. Malcom Hubbard slammed a breathtaking 130, decorated with 13 boundaries and five maximums. Ronaldo Renee and Travis Persaud were also among the runs with 42 and 40 respectively. Bowling for East Bank, Irshad Ali and Christian Husband accounted for three wickets each.

East Bank did not threaten the target at any point; they kept loosing wickets regularly and eventually folded for 141 in the 44th over. Their main contributors were Mark Ramsammy with 36 and Abel Bacchus with 26. Shamar DeSouza and Richie Looknauth strangled the batsmen, capturing 4/26 and 3/25 respectively. Keshram Seyoden did some damage with the ball as well; he took 2/19.

This is West Demerara second win; they held off Georgetown by 28 runs in an exciting first round contest at Wales Community Centre ground. The home team bowled out Georgetown for 165 after Malcom Hubbard

(46) and Ronaldo Renee (45) saw them to 193 despite Ronaldo Alimohamed and Darshan Persaud good work with the ball, grabbing 4/36 and 3/22 respectively.

Chasing a getable target, Georgetown succumbed to the boys from the west.

Travis Persaud led the attack with 3/40 and was supported well by DeSouza and Seyoden who took two wickets each.

Georgetown rebounded well and outplayed East Coast in the second round by seven wickets at DCC ground today. East Coast batted first and posted 189/8 with Bhaskar Yadram topscoring with an even 50.

Ramnarine Chatura contributed 39 and Vishwanauth Ramlakhan 28. Bowling for Georgetown, Alimohamed took 3/29 and Darshan Persaud 2/20.

In reply, Georgetown eased to 190/3 with Raymond Perez and Sherfane Rutherford leading the chase with 74 and 62 respectively. Rajpaul Gopaul took 2/20 with the ball for East Coast.

East Coast, who defeated East Bank in their first round encounter, would be looking to deprive West Demerara of retaining their title when they clash at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club in the third and final round on Saturday, March 19.And Georgetown who would host a winless East Bank team at DCC, would want the boys from the East

ECCC/SPR 40 overs Cricket….

Enmore defeat Lusignan A by 97 runs E nmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) defeated Lusignan ‘A’ by 97 runs on Sunday in the East Coast Cricket Committee (ECCC)/ SPR Enterprise 40 overs competition.

Playing at the Lusignan ground, Enmore batted first and were bowled out for 177 from 39.2 overs.

Vickram Sukhai led the scores with 37 as Gavin Moriah (31) and Navindra Gobin (35) made extremely useful contributions.

Ferron Kadir was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-35 from 7.2 overs and supported by Emran Khan 3-24 from allotment of 8 overs.

In response, Lusiganan A were bowled out for 80 in 21.4 overs as Christopher

Gavin Moriah

Surat with 3-17, Satesh Jainarine 3-9, Nandram Ganesh- 2-23 (six overs) and Moriah- 2-27, all combined to lead the destruction of Lusignan.

By Treiston Joseph

L

Malcolm Hubbard

to win to give them a chance to win the tournament on net run rate.

odge Secondary and Chase Academy will play for the chance to create a bit of history when the final of the Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament is contested today at the Ministry of Education ground.

With both squads having two completely different journeys to the final, both squads are linked by one common trait; they were both champions and will have the chance to be the only team in the short history of the Milo school tournament to win multiple titles.

Chase, the defending champs will have a chance

to go for back-to-back titles and their dominant campaign thus far with their exclamation 6-nil win over South Ruimveldt in the semifinal suggest that they are the clear favourites.

Chase has displayed a great team chemistry throughout the tournament with no team being able to top the squad throughout the tournament.

Lodge on the other hand who has struggled and scratched their way to the final but will aim to do what no team has done so far in the tournament; defeat Chase Academy.

A feat once accomplished will earn them their second title in three years.

Their inability to score goals have been masked by their stellar defence that has gotten them to the game of games.

However, if they cannot score against Chase then they might just have to kiss their title hope goodbye.

The final will be the testing ground of two deserving finalists that carved their road to the championship game as they both can write their own bit of history in the Georgetown based tournament with the final set to begin from 18:00h.

Meanwhile the third place will also be played between South Ruimveldt and Queen’s College from 16:00h.

saturDAY, march 19, 2016

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

Road to Mecca III…

Raiders, Colts to battle in Linden versus Georgetown final tonight

Pg 22 Dwayne Roberts goes up for an easy bucket during his semifinal match against former champs, Pacesetters

WICB/PCL 4-day Cricket…

Lodge, Chase to create history in Milo football final today

Hetmyer’s Pg 21 spectacular 107 propels Jaguars to 297-4

Pg 23 Action during the tournament will culminate with a match-up between two titans

Shimron Hetmyer

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