Guyana Times Daily

Scotiabank supports documentary on suicide P13

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

Issue No. 3173

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

2% withholding tax will “eat up” cash flow – Jagdeo Page 3

$956M fraud

Bartica man released on $3M bail Page 8

Teacher finds student with grenade in school Page 7

GDF gets new equipment from Chinese Army Page 9

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Knife-toting bandit robs pensioner

P11

Removal of REO

Region 2 P10 contractors, residents continue protest

GPTWU takes GTT to court …seek to halt laying-off of 120 workers

P17

Used tyres ban in effect – GRA warns P11

Dataram’s reputed wife charged for smuggling contraband into prison P8

CLICO should compensate Guyana ahead of return – Jagdeo President David Granger, People’s Republic of China Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson during an inspection of some of the military equipment donated by the Chinese People's Liberation Army to the Guyana Defence Force at Coast Guard Ship Hinds, Ruimveldt on Monday (Dexter Ceres photo)

6 months after her disappearing

Berbice man charged for murdering Page wife 17

P9

17th Heads of Mission Conference

Small states can influence international relations Page 2 – President

Prison officer P11 slapped with narco trafficking charge

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TuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

17th Heads of Mission Conference

Small states can influence international relations − President P

resident David Granger has said that, despite their sometimes limited resources, small states can influence international relations.

According to the President, small states usually lack the economic, geographic and strategic powers to impose on other states their will in what he described as the contentious and confrontational amphitheater of international relations, and so must pursue their national interests through the practise of diplomacy in the international system.

D E F E N C E DIPLOMACY “Small states, notwithstanding (their) limitations, can seek to influence international relations in order to achieve (their) foreign policy objectives. Guyana’s involvement in the United Nations’ (UN) Mission in Haiti, which assisted in the restoration of democratic government in Haiti, and its generous assistance to Grenada in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in 2004

are examples of the country’s defense diplomacy”, the President posited.

He also said that the work of diplomats is impelled by the imperatives of their country’s national interests.

“The images on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown tell the tale of where out interests lie. The flying Coat of Arms of each Caribbean Community member state displayed there reminds that everyone knows that he/she is a citizen of a country, and that country is a constituent of the Caribbean Community”, the President declared.

He noted that the erection of the Caricom Secretariat, the embellishment of CARIFESTA Avenue with the flags and insignias of other states, the observance of Caricom Day as a national holiday in Guyana, and the construction of the Cubana Monument are all “expressive of the National interest -- to illustrate the state’s world view at the level of citizens, country and community”.

President David Granger addressing the opening ceremony of the 17th Heads of Mission Conference on Monday

“…the duty of the diplomats gathered here today (is) to care for our citizens, country and community.

The recognition of the importance of citizenship is vital to (the) national interest, since a country is made up of citizens -- persons recognised under the law as legal members of sovereign states, (who) are entitled to the protection of the state,” he said. “The right of every citizen is important wherever they are.”

The President said the protection of Guyana’s sovereignty is an essential element of Guyana’s diploma-

cy. He said Guyana lacks the economic strength to sanction other states, and the military capability to extend its power beyond its borders; but as the only English-speaking country in South America, Guyana can influence international relations both in the north and south by exploiting strategic advantages.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, in his speech, said foreign policy is an extension of national policy, which must have as its primary aim the overall development of the nation.

“This being the case, our

representatives must understand their roles and responsibilities,” he posited.

The foregoing remarks were made by President Granger and Minister Carl Greenidge at the opening ceremony of the 17th Heads of Mission Conference hosted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown. The forum, which will end on April 8, is being held under the theme “Advancing Guyana’s Diplomacy in the 21st Century.”

It will see discussions on a wide range of political and economic issues,

including the challenges and opportunities presented by the current complex but evolving international situation; the preservation of the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; economic diplomacy; the continuing role of the diaspora in national development; the role of foreign investment in the nation’s development; topical and urgent questions relating to the consequences of climate change; the effect of technology on modern diplomacy; and the multi-polar nature of modern international economic relations, among other issues.

In addition, Guyana’s foreign relations will be examined with a view to strengthening and expanding traditional relationships, and determining whether diplomatic representation in some areas ought to be decreased or expanded. Guyana’s membership of multilateral and regional institutions such as Caricom, MERCOSUR, UNASUR and CELAC will also be given extensive consideration.

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tuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, April 4 – 11:00h-12:30h and Wednesday, April 5 – 12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, April 4 – 10:10h-11:40h and Wednesday, April 5 – 11:40h-13:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Cloudy conditions followed by light rain showers in the late morning to early afternoon period, with sunshine in the late afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 10:29h and 23:29h reaching maximum heights of 2.23 metres and 2.14 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 16:45h reaching a minimum height of 0.97 metre.

SATURDAY, April 1, 2017

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MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017

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2% withholding tax “eating up” cash flow – Jagdeo A

s confusion surrounds the application of the 2 per cent withholding tax imposed by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and concerns grow over the devastating impacts this new fee will have on the business community locally, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, an economist by profession, told reporters on Monday that the withholding tax will eventually “eat up” the cash flows of businesses that are mandated to pay the charge.

The Parliamentary Opposition had argued against such a tax when the proposal was made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during the 2017 Budget Debates in January.

The withholding tax, meant to be deducted from every payment made to contractors by those who had contracted them and remitted to the Guyana Revenue Authority, was designed to broaden the tax base by bringing in the loop more avenues for taxes to be paid into the treasury.

But there is currently some confusion about how this measure is to be applied, and proper interpretations from the relevant authorities are not immediately forthcoming. Taxpayers are still confused as to whether the tax would be applied to all “contractors” in the traditional sense, or all transactions involving contracts.

“If it is on all contracts then it will be disastrous, because if you sell something, (for instance your motorcycle) then it will be disastrous,” the Opposition Leader reasoned.

He noted that even if it is just on contractors in the traditional sense of the word, then such a tax will still have negative impacts on the cash flows. “Even if it is the narrower definition -- only contractors and suppliers -- then it will still have a serious repercussion on businesses, and it will

panies receiving more than $500,000 for the supply of services, goods, materials, equipment or personnel in the furtherance of services.

The two per cent withheld for all contractors must be remitted to the GRA on a

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

eat into people’s cash flow,” he explained.

Jagdeo noted, too, that this measure is another in the line of administrative pressures being introduced by this government.

Questions regarding the application of this tax include whether the 2 per cent will be paid on the amount over $500,000 or the overall sum once the contract exceeds $500,000.

Businessmen have told this newspaper that this new measure will pave the way for lots of underground transactions to occur, resulting in an increase in tax evasion. Persons have also questioned whether this 2 per cent withholding tax is Government’s way of recouping the 2 per cent it removed from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

The GRA, in its only statement thus far on the matter, has said that the law which applies to payments to resident businesses, individuals and companies with written “contractual arrangements” is not applicable to regular day-to-day commercial activities involving the trade in goods and services. Consequently, payments such as those made

by rice millers to rice farmers for paddy purchased are not subject to the two per cent withholding tax.

However, the phrase “regular day-to-day” activities leaves much for interpretation, as the GRA cannot define what is not taxable by such ambiguous terms; because what is “day-to-day” for one firm may not be “day-to-day” for another.

The GRA had also explained that the withholding tax is applicable to non-resident disbursements and payments, noting that rates range from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, depending on the country of residence.

The 2 per cent withholding tax, which took effect on February 1, is applicable to individuals and com-

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

monthly basis, or within 30 days of making the payment to the contractor.

This publication understands that some Ministries have already begun deducting the two per cent withholding tax from money paid to suppliers.

However, this is not applicable to foreign trade companies, but, as per prevailing public opinion, rather serves as a discriminatory measure to local businesses.

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

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

The many faces of murder

W

ith the definition of taking lives with intent, how does one who has a highly-contagious disease that is a certain killer, such as HIV/ AIDS, who knowingly and deliberately infects others who are unaware of their ailment rate in this equation?

While one could empathise and sympathise with someone who is ill, especially with a life-threatening disease, one cannot condone – certainly one can scarcely forgive someone who deliberately infects another with a deadly disease.

Contracting HIV is in effect a death sentence, with lifestyle changes and proper medication with optimum care – later rather than sooner, but definitely one that heralds a contracted lifespan, with death imminent through unavoidable medical complications. One can only agonise over the unnecessary loss of lives.

However, there are umpteen cases – registered and unregistered, known and unknown, where innocent persons have been infected by persons whom they have trusted implicitly. Marital partners, for instance, have, in many instances, engaged in extramarital relationships without considering the consequences of their lust.

Although fully aware of the danger they can bring to their marital bed, they engage in normal conjugal relationships with their spouses.

Sometimes, in macabre irony, the one who infected his/her partner is saved for years from getting full-blown AIDS, long after the partner dies, and many times the guilty party accuse the innocent one of infecting them.

There are countless persons with such sad stories, with variations, but with the same outcome, all over the world.

Wikipedia reports that in many English-speaking countries, and in most of the states that have signed the European Convention of Human Rights, knowingly infecting others with HIV can lead to criminal prosecution.

In a 2004 survey of the latter group, the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS found that at least one prosecution had occurred in about half of these countries, and that in Finland, Sweden and Slovakia, about 0.5 per cent to one per cent of all people reported to be living with HIV/AIDS had been prosecuted for alleged intentional or "negligent" transmission of HIV. In many developing countries, such as Thailand, where the HIV/AIDS pandemic has been much more serious, laws regarding criminalisation of intentional transmission have been either weak or non-existent. From a global perspective, the US and Canada account for the vast majority of reported prosecutions.

In Guyana, there was a controversial motion (July 2010) that sought to amend laws in order to make persons criminally responsible for wilfully infecting others with HIV; as well as to allow for pertinent information to be used by prosecution, if so required; and for hospitals, clinics and such agencies that need relevant information that could help in the treatment of an infected person.

That motion also sought to have instituted a charge of attempted murder against any individual found to have knowingly endangered the life of another.

Murder One is defined as the taking of the life of another human being with intent. The unintentional loss of a life as a result of another’s actions can be deemed manslaughter, or Murder Two, by the institutions of the law.

Many lives are lost or compromised as direct and indirect consequences of deliberate and intentional actions of carriers of infectious, life-threatening diseases, whose actions are just as effective as if they had put a gun to the heads of their victims and blown their brains out, which may have been a merciful death. They are no lesser criminals than convicted killers and they should be prosecuted as the murderers they are.

President David Granger greets Sir Shridath Ramphal ahead of the opening ceremony of the 17th Heads of Mission Conference hosted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry at Pegasus Hotel

When will King be stopped?

Dear Editor, It is utterly incomprehensible how the Town Clerk of Georgetown, Royston King, after committing all of those blunders, could still be allowed to sit at his desk and continue to do his daily routines to the detriment of the well-being of the capital city and all of the citizens visiting and residing therein.

All over the public sector, and more so the private sector, administrators like him have been disciplined, have been removed from their posts and/or were given the pink slip for abuses of a far less serious nature than those that he has

committed and continues to commit. Why is this so? Does he have a godfather?

Let us examine the parking meter fiasco as one example of so many. His very signing of this appalling contract without the fiat of the Council should warrant his dismissal.

His senseless claim that the initiative was approved by the previous Council is laughable at best, as that approval would have expired with the life of the last Council coming to an end, if not acted upon during their tenure. But more worrying is the fact that he has so far failed to produce any documented evidence to support

this unsubstantiated claim.

His disregard of the orders of the Minister of Communities for the suspension of the parking meter contract should certainly result in him being fired.

The arrogance of the Fantastic Four is just simply unbelievable. For them to receive some twisted legal advice and to just decide that the minister’s advice is null and void is just simply bizarre. Mind you, this is the same minister who had to implement the by-laws in the first place to allow the project to be initiated. Does he not, to their minds, have the power to stop what he started? How ill-advised are these people?

The Town Clerk’s visit to Mexico and Panama with the rest of the Fantastic Four, without the knowledge and consent of the Council after signing the dubious contract, which incidentally they have refused to share with the council, is clearly impertinent and shows his belief and that of the other three that they are above the rest of the Councillors and, indeed, have little regard for them.

What more egregious act must he undertake to be stopped?

Dear Editor, When the APNU/AFC regime took power just 22 months ago, Guyana’s economy was by far the best in the region. The PPP/C Administration had done a tremendous amount of work, and the country was being referred to as an example of good management. In fact, it was an example not only for the Caribbean, but for the wider Latin American region as well.

Even when the PPP/C Administration lost the majority in Parliament, the economy continued to do well. This was a remarkable achievement, considering that the then Opposition APNU/AFC used its combined one-seat majority to try to halt progress in the country.

In the 22 months that the APNU/AFC has occupied the seat of power, without the same hindrance, this regime has thrown our country in reverse gear. Investors have lost confidence in the economy and are now very reluctant to go into new ventures.

Small producers are finding themselves more and more marginalised and driven out of business. The regime has introduced more than 200 tax measures since taking power.

No group of persons has been spared; even the housewives with a little kitchen garden and the jackass cart operators

are now being taxed.

The VAT, which while in opposition the APNU/AFC promised to reduce from 16 per cent to 10 per cent in the first hundred days, was only reduced to fourteen per cent at the beginning of 2017.

However, the regime added the VAT to the more than one hundred essential items that the PPP/C Administration had zero-rated. It has also put VAT on electricity and water. This has raised the cost of doing business and has reduced the disposable incomes of the ordinary persons in our society.

These measures, taking place at a time when unemployment is on the rise, are reducing the purchasing power of the masses of people. Sugar workers are being dismissed, many workers in forestry are on the breadline, and the private sector is relieving itself of staff due to the general economic slowdown that has taken place. All this is putting more pressure on the economy.

As purchasing power falls, less would be imported and less collected as customs duties -- an important source of revenue. The impact of these vindictive acts of this regime, which are political in nature and are aimed to punish sugar workers, will boomerang on the regime.

The addition of VAT on machinery and equipment in agriculture and mining would

eliminate a lot of small operators in this sector. That would send a lot of small operators bankrupt, or at a minimum force them to dismiss workers.

This is happening increasingly in agriculture, mining and retail services.

All these measures are stifling the economy and creating great hardships. This Government is not only destroying the economy with measures, but, along with other measures it is taking, is stifling hope.

The tax being put on school fees and the proposed increase in University fees have gone to damaging our human capital. These measures could see less children going to school.

Some would be forced to leave private schools and join the public schools. This means that more pressure would be put on the public schools.

Larger classes for teachers to manage could lead to the falling of standards in the delivery of education, which would be reflected in poor pass rates.

The closing, or drastically reducing of GuySuCo’s operations, along with the hundreds of other workers being put on the breadline, would also put a lot of pressure on our National Insurance Scheme. The amount of contributors to the Scheme would be drastically reduced on the one hand, while more and more persons will become el-

igible for NIS pensions. With not many areas for NIS to invest in, real danger exists that the Scheme could go into crisis. More workers could become destitute.

Allowing the City Council to introduce measures like parking meters would also serve as a disincentive to business.

The regime obviously has no viable plan to create jobs.

The statement by President Granger about people resorting to selling cook-up rice and plantain chips is a pathetic one coming from a President.

The rapid deterioration of the economy is reflected in the weakening of the Guyana dollar vis-a-vis the US dollar.

This will have major negative consequences on production and on cost-of-living in our country.

All of these negative occurrences are impacting on the regime’s popularity. As the regime loses support, it can resort to repression.

In less than two short years, a lot of the social, economic and political gains have come under great pressure.

The future looks extremely ominous.

The policies of the APNU regime are pushing the nation backwards. We are staring into the abyss.

With thanks, Riley Matthews

Staring into the abyss

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

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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

Politicising of the Judiciary Unity has vanished

Dear Editor, There is a massive politicising of the Judiciary ongoing in Guyana; and if not checked, Guyana would be the worse for it. Many of the legal luminaries, past and present, seem bent on making rulings that do not stand the judicial mustard test, but rather show political bias and philosophical partiality.

For instance, we have had the ruling that the presidential two-term constitutional enactment is now unconstitutional, and should not stand. This means that the only President who was legally restricted by the initial constitutional adjustment is now the only President who can benefit from the now adjudged unconstitutional adjustment.

And the Judge who made the ruling is believed to have been a supporter of the President (or the party of the President) who now stands to benefit from the said ruling.

In an effort to mitigate the effects of judicial rulings that are beneficial to the PPP, the Coalition Leader

and current President, using age as the barometer, proceeded to send the Judge on leave and into retirement. The quandary that this action created is that the President politically inserted himself into matters of the Judiciary so as to prevent the Judiciary from behaving politically.

Neither of these should have happened. The preferred symbol of the justice system – at least the one used in the USA – is a blindfolded lady with a balanced scale in her hand. The imagery is blatant, and says in clear tones that justice should be both blind and evenly balanced.

However, what we have long had in Guyana is a precipitous corrupting of the judicial system by those who wheeled political and financial clout.

It was long believed that both the former acting Chief Justice and the former acting Chancellor were in the corner of the former Government. Many say that the only reason that they could not have been made substantive was because the

leader of the then opposition (Mr. David Granger), would not have sanctioned their judicial and administrative elevations.

And there seems to be some support for the claims of political biases, in light of the rulings made by both of these jurists in their parting days in office. In the final acts of both the Chief Justice and the Chancellor, two significant rulings were made, both of which favoured Mr Jagdeo, and by extension the PPP. First, Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that there is no constitutionality to term limits, so he scrapped the two-term presidential term limit clause. This he did just as he was leaving office.

Then recently − also as he was about to demit office − Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, upheld Justice Ian Chang’s ruling on the negation of the presidential term limit. And further, Justice Singh threw out the race-baiting charge that was brought against Mr Bharrat Jagdeo.

Since those judgments, some have argued that pol-

itics − or at least party preference − must have played a role in those rulings.

The United Republican Party (URP) is therefore heartened by the latest significant ruling by the newly appointed acting Chief Justice, Madam Yonette Cummings-Edwards. In the matter of the Red House vs the Lands and Surveys (and the President), she has ruled that the local courts do have jurisdiction to hear a matter. So, for the first time since the 80s, a sitting President will be subject to the law courts in Guyana.

This means that a Judge appointed by the current administration has looked at the law, interpreted it on its merit, and ruled against the very President who appointed her. This single act speaks volumes, as it pours cold water on the previous perceived political judgments. It also sets a healthy precedent for all her subordinate jurists to follow.

Sincerely, Pastor Wendell Jeffrey

Voters disagree with President on GECOM Chairman Dear Editor, In opinion (NACTA) surveys I conducted last month and earlier, a large majority of voters disagreed with the position (interpretation of the relevant clause of the constitution) of President David Granger and his Government that only “a judge or someone qualified to be a judge” can be appointed as Chairman (Chairwoman) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Voters noted that the constitution makes room for any “fit and proper person”, not only judges, to be appointed as chair, and expressed fear of planned election rigging as a probable reason for the President rejecting outright the list of nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader for appointment of a Chair. They said that the President and the Government seemed to want as GECOM Chair an appointee who would facilitate election rigging, as had taken place between 1966 and 1992 to keep the then incumbent PNC in office.

Voters felt that the President should have made an appointment of chair from the original list of six nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader (Dr. Jagdeo). They noted that at least one of the nominees is a lawyer and is

thus qualified to be a judge, meeting the President’s own requirement, and yet he was not appointed; perhaps because of his fierce independence from the Government.

They likewise pointed to another nominee who has considerable experience in the election area and served as an election observer. They also pointed out that none of the GECOM chairs (since introduction of the so-called Carter Formula in 1991) had been a judge or been qualified to be a judge.

They noted that David Granger, himself not a judge, had his name put forward to become Chairman of GECOM. Thus the requirement that the GECOM Chair be a judge or be qualified to be a judge does not hold water, and violates the spirit of the Constitution.

Of the voters interviewed, almost everyone supportive of the PPP and AFC, and the minor parties like URP, JFA, etc. felt the Government wanted to appoint someone who would assist the coalition to win re-election through electoral fraud. Most supporters of the PNC toe the line of their party leadership -- that Bharrat Jagdeo did not submit an appropriate list of nominees from which the President could make an appointment as Chair. However, many

PNC supporters disagreed with the President that only a judge can be chair; they said that any fit and proper person outside of the judicial and legal arenas could meet the criteria to be GECOM Chair.

A majority of voters felt the President was setting the stage to make a unilateral appointment (reject-

ing the Opposition nominees) of a judge. This, they said, would violate the spirit of the Carter Formula, which calls for an appointee to be selected from a list of nominees submitted by the Opposition.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in New York last year made all Guyanese proud. Such unity was never experienced before. Afroand Indo-Guyanese from Queens and Brooklyn celebrated together in unity. It was a proud moment for Guyanese, although the administration had been changed.

The 50th Anniversary Committee NY is a model for national unity. All major black and Indian leaders were part of it. Mr. Rickford Burke, the chairman, whom Indians perceive as hardcore PNC, earned our respect.

The vice chairman, Attorney Rhonda Binda, is a darling of the Queens Guyanese community.

I attended the launch of this committee in Queens.

The chemistry seemed genuine. The committee’s performance was exemplary. It hosted events in all communities. I attended the launch, symposium, cricket and parade in Brooklyn.

This year, something very bad has happened: unity has vanished. A little group of about 10 Guyanese from Brooklyn has decided to put on separate Independence anniversary events although the diverse Committee has a diverse, multicultural celebration planned. The private group is mimicking the Committee’s 2017 celebration planned. They’re using the Committee’s strategy to promote their events for the exact same dates the committee has decided upon. No Indians are involved in the activities of this group. We don’t know these people. We never saw them working in the Guyanese community.

Someone forwarded me

a letter from this group.

They claim they organised the APNU victory march in Brooklyn in 2015. If this is true, no Indian or those who promote unity should support or attend their events.

Their email also announced that President Granger would attend their celebration this year. Their Facebook also claims that Guyana’s New York Consul General told them that have official permission to hold their events.

Queens Guyanese are waiting to see if President Granger would abandon the diverse committee to support this private money-making venture.

A group named NAR, which we believe is the New York PNC group, sent out an email attacking the Committee’s 2017 Independence celebration. Old leopards cannot lose their stripes. But if President Granger wants unity, he wouldn’t condone these unpatriotic traitors, who are unhappy because Indians are on the committee. The committee chairman, who is a PNC member, has not enough fortitude to expose this group and stop the racial division it has created.

Where is the Consul General and Ambassador in Washington while the flames of division and racism burn? If the committee’s events are impeded and the forces of darkness and division and not put down, the Queens Guyanese will have their own celebration. This would further divide the Guyanese diaspora.

Sincerely, D Singh Richmond Hill, Queens

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Foundation 2 Part

By JE Ormrod

M

otivation determines which consequences are reinforcing and punishing. The more learners are motivated to achieve academic success, the more they will be proud of an A and upset by a low grade.

The more learners want to be accepted and respected by peers, the more they will value membership in the “in” group and be distressed by the ridicule of classmates. To a teenage boy uninterested in athletics, making or not making the school football team is no big deal, but to a teen whose life revolves around football, making or not making the team may be a consequence of monumental importance.

Motivation often enhances performance. Because of the other effects just identified – goal-directed behaviour, effort and energy, initiation and persistence, cognitive processing, and the impact of consequences – motivation often leads to improved performance.

As you might guess, then, students who are most motivated to learn and excel in classroom activities tend to be our highest achievers. Conversely, students who have little interest in academic achievement are at high risk for dropping out before they graduate from high school.

Extrinsic versus intrinsic motivation Not all forms of motivation have exactly the same effects on human learning and performance. Consider these two students in an advanced high school writing class: Sheryl doesn’t enjoy writing and is taking the class for only one reason: Earning an A or B in the class will help her earn a scholarship at State University, where she desperately wants to go.

Shannon has always liked to write.

The class will help her get a scholarship at State University, but in addition, Shannon truly wants to become a better writer.

She sees its usefulness for her future profession as a journalist. Besides, she’s learning many new techniques for making what she writes more vivid and engaging.

Sheryl exhibits extrinsic motivation: She is motivated by factors external to herself and unrelated to the task she is performing. Learners who are extrinsically motivated may want the good grades, money, or recognition that particular activities and accomplishments bring.

Essentially, they are motivated to perform

a task as a means to an end, not as an end in itself.

In contrast, Shannon exhibits intrinsic motivation: She is motivated by factors within herself and inherent in the task she is performing. Learners who are intrinsically motivated may engage in an activity because it gives them pleasure, helps them develop a skill they think is important, or seems to be the ethically and morally right thing to do. Some learners with high levels of intrinsic motivation become so focused on and absorbed in an activity that they lose track of time and completely ignore other tasks – a phenomenon known as flow.

Learners are most likely to show the beneficial effects of motivation when

and college admission, causing them to focus their efforts on earning high grade point averages. Furthermore, they become more cognitively able to set and strive for long-term goals, and they begin to evaluate school subjects in terms of their relevance to such goals, rather than in terms of any intrinsic appeal. In addition, students may grow increasingly impatient with the overly structured, repetitive, and boring activities that they often encounter at school.

Extrinsic motivation is not necessarily a bad thing, however; often learners are simultaneously motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. For example, although Shannon enjoys her writing course, she also knows that a good grade

Part two

By Annie Murphy Paul

F

or older students, the media multitasking habit extends into the classroom. While most middle and high school students don’t have the opportunity to text, email, and surf the Internet during class, studies show the practice is nearly universal among students in college and professional school. One large survey found that 80 per cent of college students admit to texting during class; 15 per cent say they send 11 or more texts in a single class period.

During the first meeting of his courses, Rosen makes a practice of calling on a student who is busy with his phone. “I ask him, ‘What was on the slide I just showed to the class?’ The student always pulls a blank,” Rosen reports. “Young people have a wildly inflated idea of how many things they can attend to at once, and this demonstration helps drive the point home: If you’re paying attention to your phone, you’re not paying attention to what’s going on in class.” Other professors have taken a more surreptitious approach, installing electronic spyware or planting human observers to record whether students are taking notes on their laptops or using them for other, unauthorised purposes.

Policing Internet use Such steps may seem excessive, even paranoid: After all, isn’t technology increasingly becoming an intentional part of classroom activities and homework assignments? Educators are using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter as well as social sites created just for schools, such as Edmodo, to communicate with students, take class polls, assign homework, and have students collaborate on projects. But researchers are concerned about the use of laptops, tablets, cell phones, and other technology for purposes quite apart from schoolwork. Now that these devices have been admitted into classrooms and study spaces, it has proven difficult to police the line

they are intrinsically motivated to engage in classroom activities. Intrinsically motivated learners tackle assigned tasks willingly and are eager to learn classroom material, more likely to process information in effective ways (eg, by engaging in meaningful learning), and more likely to achieve at high levels. In contrast, extrinsically motivated learners may have to be enticed or prodded, may process information only superficially, and are often interested in performing only easy tasks and meeting minimal classroom requirements.

In the early elementary grades, students are often eager and excited to learn new things at school. But sometime between Grades 3 and 9, their intrinsic motivation to learn and master school subject matter declines. This decline is probably the result of several factors. As students get older, they are increasingly reminded of the importance of good grades (extrinsic motivators) for promotion, graduation,

will help her get a scholarship at State U. Furthermore, good grades and other external rewards for high achievement may confirm for Shannon that she is mastering school subject matter. And over the course of time, extrinsic motivation may gradually move inward.

In some instances, extrinsic motivation – perhaps in the form of extrinsic reinforcers for academic achievement or productive behaviour – may be the only thing that can get students on the road to successful classroom learning and productive behaviour. Yet intrinsic motivation is ultimately what will sustain students over the long run. It will encourage them to make sense of and apply what they are studying and will increase the odds that they will continue to read and learn about writing, science, history, and other academic subject matter long after they have left their formal education behind. (www.education.com)

between their approved and illicit use by students.

In the study involving spyware, for example, two professors of business administration at the University of Vermont found that “students engage in substantial multitasking behaviour with their laptops and have non course-related software applications open and active about 42 per cent of the time.” The professors, James Kraushaar and David Novak, obtained students’ permission before installing the monitoring software on their computers – so, as in Rosen’s study, the students were engaging in flagrant multitasking even though they knew their actions were being recorded.

Another study, carried out at St John’s University in New York, used human observers stationed at the back of the classroom to record the technological activities of law students. The spies reported that 58 per cent of second- and third-year law students who had laptops in class were using them for “non-class purposes” more than half the time. (First-year students were far more likely to use their computers for taking notes, although an observer did note one first-year student texting just 17 minutes into her very first class—the beginning of her law school career.)

Can the brain multitask?

Texting, emailing, and posting on Facebook and other social media sites are by far the most common digital activities students undertake while learning, according to Rosen. That’s a problem, because these operations are actually quite mentally complex, and they draw on the same mental resources – using language, parsing meaning – demanded by schoolwork.

David Meyer, a psychology professor at the University of Michigan who’s studied the effects of divided attention on learning, takes a firm line on the brain’s ability to multitask: “Under most conditions, the brain simply cannot do two complex tasks at the same time. It can happen only when the two tasks are both very simple and when they don’t compete with each other for the same mental resources.

An example would be folding laundry and listening to the weather report on the radio. That’s fine. But listening to a lecture while texting, or doing homework and being on Facebook—each of these tasks is very demanding, and each of them uses the same area of the brain, the prefrontal cortex.”

Young people think they can perform two challenging tasks at once, Meyer acknowledges, but “they are deluded,” he declares. It’s difficult for anyone to properly evaluate how well his or her own mental processes are operating, he points out, because most of these processes are unconscious. And, Meyer adds, “there’s nothing magical about the brains of so-called ‘digital natives’ that keeps them from suffering the inefficiencies of multitasking. They may like to do it, they may even be addicted to it, but there’s no getting around the fact that it’s far better to focus on one task from start to finish.” (ww2.kqed.org)

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tuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo questions Teacher finds student AG’s credibility to with grenade in school remain in office

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ressure is rising for the current administration to take immediate action against its legal advisor, Attorney General Basil Williams, over his attitude towards a High Court Judge, Justice Franklin Holder, on March 23.

During a news conference on Monday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo suggested that President David Granger should do another Cabinet reshuffle and place Williams in the Social Cohesion Ministry – where a previous minister who was involved in a major scandal was reassigned.

“It’s the President that has to discipline him. The President can do so by removing him from office, or do what they have done before -- to reshuffle (him) to another ministry, maybe the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Attorney General Basil Williams

They can do various things,” he stated.

The former President emphasised that the behaviour exhibited by Williams − not just during the court case, but during his attempts afterwards to twist reality and cast blame elsewhere − was unbecoming of the State’s Minister of Justice and of a person who is a Senior Counsel.

“He’s the person representing the State,” Jagdeo said. “He has to do so with decorum and respect befitting of the office (he holds).”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Jagdeo also criticised all attempts being made by “sycophants” of the Government to paint the picture that the Attorney General was “an angel” in the court proceedings involving trade unionist Carvil Duncan, where his predecessor Anil Nandlall was the defence attorney.

“We’re living in a country where people can take reality -- even written words and facts -- and convert (it) into something else,” he lamented. He was referring to the State newspapers’ attempts to portray the Attorney General as an innocent bystander.

Jagdeo also referred to the employees of the AG’s Chambers who had written letters confirming Williams’s version of the event.

Justice Holder has since complained to the Chancellor of the Judiciary about the Attorney General’s “disrespectful” and “egregious” behaviour in his courtroom, and has called for an apology in an open court. However, Williams has since responded, saying, “I don’t know about apology”.

Reports are that Williams had declared he can “say whatever I want to say wherever I want to say it”, and had gone on to utter what many believe is a subtle death threat, to the effect that “the last magistrate” who had told him what to do “was later found dead”.

Jagdeo, former President of Guyana and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has reiterated that a Police investigation must be launched into that Attorney General’s statement, and has expressed support for the actions taken by Justice Holder, noting that “he did the right thing”.

He has also declared that the matter should not only be treated as an issue of contempt of court; but against the backdrop of all the blunders Williams has made and the current low level of his credibility, his remaining in the office of the Attorney General should be re-examined.

“This is the Minister of Justice; the Attorney General; the Leader of the Bar, and a Senior Counsel.

That is the difference here,

President David Granger

and so it has to be dealt with in the judicial system -- the disciplining of him. And the President, the Executive, has to look into this matter too,” he stated.

Jagdeo said he views this entire development as yet another attempt by the Attorney General to influence the Judiciary -- a claim Williams continues to deny.

“They have been using the Chronicle in particular to destroy reputations of members of the Judiciary; carrying out an agenda,” Jagdeo charged.

Timehri Primary School

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lasses at the Timehri Primary School on the East Bank of Demerara were abruptly suspended on Monday afternoon after a grenade was found in the possession of a Grade Five pupil.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that a teacher noticed the child playing with the explosive device, which she subsequently inspected and concluded tentatively was indeed a “real” grenade.

She, nevertheless, had doubts and as such, took the device to the head teacher of the school who thought that it was a toy grenade.

Not satisfied with the opinion of the head teacher, the teacher went to another colleague, who after examining the item was similarly convinced that it was a genuine grenade, given its weight and appearance.

This prompted the teach-

er in question to contact the Police, who confirmed that the “toy” grenade was, in fact, real. This caused pandemonium in the school, and the children were seen rushing out of the building. A source told this publication that the child who was playing with the explosive device was taken to the Timehri Police Station and his relatives were contacted.

Up to late Monday afternoon, the head teacher

and the parents, along with the child, were being questioned. Attempts to make contact with an education official proved futile. Calls to Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine’s phone went unanswered.

Also, attempts to contact Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum proved futile.

When contacted, ranks at the Timehri Police Station told Guyana Times that they could not divulge any information on the find.

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tuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS $956M fraud

Bartica man released on $3M bail T he gold dealer who defrauded a local bank of a total of $956 million was on Monday slapped with six counts of fraud.

Saddiqi Rasul, the owner of SSS Minerals Trading Inc, who was accused of committing fraud at the local commercial bank made his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he denied the charges.

The prosecution is contending that Rasul changed six cheques for a total of $956 million at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) between March 21 and 24, 2017. The cheques were in the sums of $290 million, $96 million, $138 million, $89 million, $298 million and $45 million.

The incident became public on Thursday last and within a few hours, the suspect turned himself in to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in the company of his lawyer.

At the court on Monday, his lawyer, Sandil Kissoon,

Saddiqi Rasul making his way to the prisoners’ holding dock after the charges were read

in a bail application, accused the Bank of negligence while noting that the Bank’s Manager did not follow protocol, a prerequisite of the Bank’s policy. The Bank’s Manager, however, is still on the run.

On the other hand, Prosecutor Arvin Moore, in his objection to bail, informed the Court that the

suspect may tamper with evidence and witnesses.

Moore also noted that Rasul has a pending case for a similar offence.

Rasul, a known fraudster, is believed to have robbed and conned several gold dealers of hundreds of millions of dollars. He presently has several lawsuits hanging over his head from

clients that he took money from to purchase gold, but instead, fraudulently converted it to his own use.

Since his arrest, members of the Major Crime Unit of the CID swopped down on several of the suspect’s offices and houses where they conducted searches, but came up empty-handed.

The fraud was pulled off at GBTI’S office at Bartica.

Based on reports received, Rasul deposited the money in cheques into his bank account at GBTI. The cheques were, however, from Citizens’ Bank, but the manager of GBTI went ahead and effect payment without the cheques being cleared.

Guyana Times understands that several close associates of the suspect have arrested and have been assisting Police as the probe intensifies. One of those arrested is a worker at the office at Charity, Essequibo.

Rasul will make his next court appearance on April 21 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Dataram’s reputed wife charged for smuggling contraband into prison T

he reputed wife of Barry Dataram was on Monday arraigned on a charge of smuggling prohibited items into the Mazaruni Prison, where her spouse is currently serving time having been jailed for trafficking narcotics.

Anjanie Boodnarine waltzed into the compound of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, just weeks after she walked out a free woman, following the dismissal of

the last of a string of charges which were initiated against her.

The charge stated that Boodnarine on March 31, 2017, took 14 packs of cigarettes to her reputed husband at Mazaruni Penitentiary.

According to reports, the contraband was concealed in cheese stick packets.

The 21-year-old mother of two was granted $150,000 bail. The case will continue on April 20.

Too late…

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…shall be the (WPA) cry

ld people say that if you play with puppies, you’ll get bitten by fleas. By the look of interplay between the PNC and its erstwhile “partners” in APNU and the coalition government, it’s clear that when you play with an OLD dog with “dutty tricks”, you get eaten up and swallowed whole by the dog itself!

Not long after the coalition slipped into office, there were rumblings by Dr David Hinds about lack of “consultations” between the WPA and the PNC under the APNU umbrella. He’s since been sporadically making this complaint to no avail, and in fact has now become like the proverbial Guyanese “blow-blow”. This weekend, he again filed his complaint in the press - and once again, your Eyewitness predicts he’ll be ignored like the fly on the back of a thick-skinned elephant.

Now, why is this so? First and foremost, we have to examine what exactly is the WPA. While it can’t be equated with the other ½ man parties that also coalesced to form APNU, its members really have no leverage to demand any greater say than the members of those other parties!

The 1992 elections proved the WPA had no mass support, and wasn’t even a “party” anymore. In fact, it officially ceased to be one at about 2005, when its members balked at becoming part of a “Third Force” to form a wedge between the PPP and PNC. At that time, their sole MP, Sheila Holder, helped to launch the AFC, and the WPA wasn’t even a rump - just a bunch of individuals with a reputation for solid activism, earned in the seventies and eighties.

Their most solid political asset was their principled stand against the PNC back in the day - and this they sold rather cheaply when they went into the APNU coalition with just one Minister in the Cabinet - the aged Rupert Roopnaraine. The PNC played the old game of co-opting several other members, most notably Ogunseye and Thomas, as “advisers” - with the latter also getting some serious positions in SARA and GUYSUCO in the twilight of his long career.

As such, Hinds isn’t even a voice in the wilderness crying, “Make ye way for the coming of the Rodneyite revolution!” As an avowed self-declared supporter of the Government, he confessed he’s criticised by the old WPA constituency for criticising “we own”. But even if the WPA wasn’t caught in the politics of patronage in a common electoral base, the disequilibrium of size that has also emasculated the AFC would’ve been their fate.

In a divided polity like Guyana’s, the wages of a small party coalescing with either of the two “big ones” is certain asphyxiation!

…for turn around?

Anjanie Boodnarine

Back in the 1960s, when we were being destabilised to ensure the Jagan-led PPP government’s removal because of their equivocation as to which side of the iron curtain they stood, the CIA was the point man for the Americans. Their mullings on matters Guyanese are out there on the World Wide Web now that their files have been declassified. Their assessment of the then leaders -- like Jagan and Burnham -- should give pause to the pillow talk of the present lot, who may be in the arms of one big brother or another.

One interesting prediction in one of those files -made by the then U.S. Ambassador -- was that Guyana’s political trajectory would follow the African South Saharan countries more than that of our Latin American neighbours. Now, considering this prediction was made almost 50 years ago, you’ve got to hand it to the analytical prowess of the U.S. diplomats!

And it’s for this reason that your <<Eyewitness>> isn’t too sanguine about the coming oil “boom” getting us out from being Haiti’s neighbour at the bottom of the barrel!

…for US IDB funds

Historically, the IDB’s been the largest donor of development funding in our post-independence era.

Expect that to head south -- literally and figuratively -now that Trump’s nixed the U.S. contribution.

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

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tuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

CLICO should compensate Guyana ahead of return – Jagdeo

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ollowing CLICO’s expression of interest in returning to Guyana, the Government is being urged to take a cautious approach with the negotiations in order to ensure the country is compensated for the losses endured when the regional insurance giant collapsed some eight years ago.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who skilfully orchestrated a payout to policyholders without dipping too much into the treasury when CLICO Guyana went bankrupt, is calling on the Government to abandon its “over the counter” approach when engaging with CLICO officials.

“We always welcome investors in this country, but we cannot deal with the CLICO matter anecdotal-

ly. It seems as though the Minister is dealing with CLICO anecdotally and wants to score political points,” Jagdeo said when asked by Guyana Times during a news conference on Monday.

The Opposition Leader explained that Government should hold CLICO to its word and ensure the compa-

ny compensated the nation for the billions in losses it suffered when its operations blew up in 2009.

Lawrence Duprey, Chairman of CL Financial, the parent company of CLICO, recently visited Finance Minister Winston Jordan to discuss the possibility of CLICO’s return to Guyana.

GDF gets new equipment from Chinese Army

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Some of the equipment gifted to the GDF by the PLA

he People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China on Monday gifted the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) some 31 pieces of machinery to boost its land, air and sea defence.

Army Chief Patrick West said the gesture by the Chinese Government has bolstered the already robust relationship between the two entities.

“I can say without reservations that the Guyana Defence Force was the recipient of land, air and seas’ resources. It also received valuable training, which added value to our human capital, thereby improving our capabilities of fulfilling our role.”

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun said this year marked the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He said no matter how international relations changed around the world, the relationship his country has with Guyana has been developing constantly.

“The People’s Liberation Army of China and the

Guyana Defence Force have also enjoyed ever-growing and friendly relations with constant high-level visits, regular officer exchanges and operation between the two armies. Our militaries’ mutual trust increase continuously.”

He said the PLA stood ready to continue the relationship.

According to the Ambassador, China’s army has for many years been providing military aid and training to the GDF which has in fact improved the relationship and capacity of the Force.

Attending the handing-over ceremony, President David Granger said it symbolised the friendship between the two countries which, although thousands of miles apart, were nonetheless close in commitment to international peace and security. The equipment will be used for the protection of the country, he noted.

The Head of State said the GDF was entrusted with the protection of the country’s patrimony. The Force, however, faces a number of

challenges in safeguarding the country’s airspace, land borders, marine resources and rivers. He said Guyana, although a small state, had incomparable national assets.

According to President Granger, Guyana’s infrastructural development is of top priority. As such, the technical corps of the GDF must be strengthened for it to perform effectively to contribute to national development by protecting the territory and preventing transnational crime.

He said national defence enabled and ensured public security by guaranteeing safety for citizens, by providing assurances to investors and visitors, and by contributing to an enabling environment for investment.

Among the machinery handed over to the GDF are motor graders, wheeled excavators, wheeled loaders, vibratory loaders, wheeled dozers, field ambulances, electric crushers, and air compressors.

Training in the use of the machinery will be provided

by Chinese officials.

A statement from the Finance Ministry said Duprey also wished to apologise to Guyanese for the consequences they bore as a result of CLICO’s collapse.

According to the Minister, Duprey also said that CL Financial would try to make amends for the approximately US$40 million debt owed mainly to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

CLICO failed across the Region, and many policyholders in other Caribbean States were unable to receive their monies at face value.

In Guyana’s case, the Government of the day made a commitment to return every depositor’s monies at face value.

Jagdeo reminded that at the time, when he was President of Guyana, the Government had seized local properties from CLICO in Guyana to help pay policyholders, after it became clear that the regional insurance giant was in dire financial problems and was unable to return monies to all its depositors.

Reports indicate that some 7744 policyholders were paid a total of $4.1 billion.

Jagdeo also reminded that the Guyana Government received a $15

CL Financial Lawrence Duprey

Chairman

million grant from Trinidad and Tobago to assist with the repayment.

The Opposition Leader said if Duprey wanted to return to Guyana, he must honour his commitments to make amends by compensating the Government and the policyholders.

“The $15 million grant has to be recovered, because that did not come in from CLICO. If you look at loss of income over the years, they can’t only settle the outstanding principal sums but also the lost income that people would have suffered because of the collapse,” he explained.

Jagdeo said if Government took this approach, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) would support the return of CLICO. CLICO Guyana had approximately $6.9 billion invested in the regional insurance company when it collapsed in 2009. Among the local investments was $5.2 billion by NIS. NIS, over the years, has been experiencing a situation where its annual expenses began outstripping its revenue – a state of affairs compounded by the billions it had invested in CLICO for a number of years.

To this end, Government in September last year announced that it would be absorbing the $5.2 billion NIS loss incurred when CLICO Guyana crumbled. The “lifeline” monies are to be paid in tranches over a 20-year period. Minister Jordan had stated at the signing of the agreement to effect this decision that the monies would be returned to Government should the country recover the debt from the company.

In addition, CLICO’s liquidator, Dr Gobind Ganga, at the time, had provided an update on the payments being made to policyholders, noting that while a significant amount has been recovered and paid over, the company still had weighty liabilities to honour – almost $6 billion.

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tuesDAY, april 4, 2017

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Life without parole for killer of Guyanese man

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Manhattan, New York Judge on Monday sentenced career criminal Tyrone Howard to life without the possibility of parole for the 2015 slaying of NYPD Detective Randolph Holder.

Howard, who has a long history of drug arrests and long-time links to a housing gang in East Harlem, was convicted early last month of the shooting.

The slain detective’s father would not say the name of his son’s killer, instead calling him a “miscreant”. It’s the first time the public has heard from Randolph Holder Sr. “He should be sent away and never see the light of day,” Holder Sr said.

“Unfortunately, he’ll see the sun through the bars” of the prison windows.

Guyanese NYPD Detective Randolph Holder

Holder, who migrated to the US from Guyana, and his partner were responding to Police calls in October 2015 of shots fired

in the vicinity of a housing project in East Harlem, the area they patrolled as plainclothes officers. When responding, they quickly encountered a man who had allegedly fired the shots and also stolen a bicycle. The NYPD said that the man wheeled around, firing one shot directly in the Detective’s head.

Holder came from a family of law enforcement officers. The 33-year-old was promoted posthumously to Detective by the NYPD. After the Police shooting, many, including New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, came forward, saying Howard should already have been locked up, instead of given drug-treatment options for his past crimes.

Holder’s commanding

officer, Deputy Inspector Reymundo Mundo described the night of the shooting, how he and his officers responded to the calls of shots fired and officer down. He instructed the officers in his command to “hug the trees” for cover, not knowing what they would encounter running toward a gunfight. Shots could be heard coming over the radio calls and eventually, they would find the mortally wounded Holder.

Pat Lynch of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association spoke after Howard was found guilty of aggravated murder and other charges early in March, saying it was the right verdict. He led the contingent of officers showing support on Monday. (PIXX11NEWS)

Removal of REO

Region 2 contractors, residents continue protest

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ontractors, residents and trench cleaners on the Essequibo coast who were owed three months’ pay have continued their protest for the removal of the Region’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson.

Armed with placards, they continued their demonstration on Monday in front of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and explained to the media that they would not stop until fairness was displayed at the REO’s office.

They continued to argue that the current REO was unfair in the way he awarded contracts, and also questioned his competence and perceived lack of knowledge to lead the Region forward.

Heading the protest was a contractor, Prince Holder,

who accused the REO of being involved in corrupt practices, alleging that he was awarding contracts to his friends only. Holder said that trench cleaners who were owed some three months ago for works done have still not been paid.

According to the contractor, he is happy that persons are coming out to vent their frustration about the REO and the current system within the regional administration.

The protesters chanted “REO must go, Rupert must go” and marched along the public road on the Essequibo coast. Other placards read “Please, Mr President, we cannot bear this anymore – get rid of REO”, “From friends to foe”, and “REO is determining who eat or who starve”.

One of the protesters, Vincent Collins, said the protest came about af-

Protesters in front of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building in Region Two on Monday

ter contractors realised that there was a selective allocation of contracts within the Region. Collins said the REO lacked knowledge on the procurement procedures within the Regional Tender Board and said systems needed to be put into place.

He, however, said that the protest was not political and it was aimed at pro-

tecting and safeguarding the people of Essequibo.

On Monday, there was no counter-protest from supporters of Hopkinson. The protesters remain adamant that they are suffering at the hands of the REO, who displays a lackadaisical and high-handed attitude in the regional system. (Indrawattie Natram)

Amerindians’ challenges and contributions: an enigma of survival

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ne peculiarity of Guyanese history is that we know very little of our cultural heritage before the arrival of Europeans in 1492. What we know of ourselves in that historical period are accounts of Europeans, because our Amerindians did not leave much written record of themselves and the environment they lived in. Do not be confused, however, by the spurious argument that Europeans discovered Guyana.

Instead, they revealed to the world the existence of a place named Guiana - a land of waters - that was inhabited for many centuries by people unlike themselves.

Few will disagree that the Amerindians are the first inhabitants of Guyana. The Amerindians, however, are also transplanted people, like any Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine other Guyanese ethnic group.

This is acceptable only if you agree with the diffusion theory that the ancestors of Amerindians are thought to have crossed the Bering Straits (Ice Bridge) about 20,000 years ago, dispersed gradually throughout North and South America (Guyana included) and migrated from the Orinoco and northern Amazon Basin to the Caribbean about 10,000 years ago.

Their disposition before the arrival of Europeans into their interior domicile can be described as accommodating, rather than conquering, nature and life, although there were bouts of warfare among the many different Amerindian groups. Their disposition after the arrival of Europeans can be described as one of resistance against foreign intrusion, and pressing for the resurgence of their own way of life.

The Europeans saw the Amerindian rainforest territory as a place and opportunity for trading in dyes, and later establishing plantation colonisation schemes. The European scheme failed due largely to Amerindian resistance to slavery, the inhospitable interior terrain, and tropical diseases. The Europeans, mainly Dutch and British, abandoned their interior operations and moved to the Atlantic coastlands, where they developed large-scale plantations. Unlike their brothers and sisters in the Caribbean islands, where they suffered a genocide through the encomienda slave system, the Amerindians in Guyana were inadvertently “saved” when the Europeans shifted their colonising interests from the interior to the coastlands. African slaves were imported to provide labour for European plantations.

Robert H. Schomburgh, in 1840, placed the Amerindian population to be around 7000 in 1839, although this figure was disputed by other researchers as being too small or large by a few thousand. The Guyana Population Census in 2002 recorded the Amerindian population around 68,675, about 9.2 per cent of the 751,223 overall Guyanese population. Interestingly, Amerindians are certainly a minority within the overall Guyanese population, but a numerical majority in the vast interior region.

In modern times, the Amerindians have been engaged in an endless struggle to receive land titles, better social services, and to be treated as humans; to be free from environmental degradation, and to stop the encroachment of various diseases in their communities. They are Guyana’s second-class citizens, although there have been some improvements from their deepseated poverty and backwardness in the past decade.

In spite of these bad chapters, there are some bright pages to be recorded about Amerindian history in Guyana, namely their contributions. Their mere survival is a contribution to human diversity that Guyanese should be proud of. Historically, they helped their enslavers to survive in a foreign land by sharing their knowledge of tropical cultivation, the use of various plants, such as cassava, cotton, maize (corn) and other indigenous plants, not only for consumption but also for medicinal purposes. These practices are still prevalent in Guyana.

Guyanese are not shy to speak about pepper pot, the cassava bread, cassava balls, and cassareep which have graced our homes; but I am not sure if we have stopped for a moment to think that they are Amerindian contributions to Guyana’s culinary make-up.

Their linguistic input in Guyana’s everyday lexicon is also often overlooked. Canoe, hammock, hurricane, tobacco, to list a few, are Amerindian words we use almost every day. I am surprised that the Amerindian word for gold did not make it to the list of words we use today in Guyana, since it was gold coupled with glory and God that prompted Europeans to come to Guyana.

The preservation of their rainforest environment is by far one of their finest contributions to Guyana and the world at a time when environmental sustainability takes a secondary place to unscrupulous economic gains.

I conclude by saying their main challenge and concern is the failure of the modern nation-state system to recognize their indigenous and grassroots system, as is evidenced by the clarion call of The National Toshaos Council (NTC) to have the current regime establish a separate commission to deal with land rights of the indigenous peoples, rather than conflate it with the African Guyanese internal land reparation movement. What a national ethnic shame! (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu)

tuesDAY, april 4, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Used tyres ban Knife-toting bandit robs pensioner A in effect – GRA warns

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has sought to remind the general public, particularly tyre importers, dealers, resellers, and retailers, about its restriction on the importation of used tyres.

The GRA said this restriction applied to used tyres on motor vehicles including motor cars; vans; Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs); pick-ups; buses and other similar vehicles. The revenue body added that control mechanisms were in place to ensure that the correct procedures were followed when applying the law.

In a statement on Monday, the GRA said the restriction on used tyres was effective from Saturday, April 1, 2017 in accordance with Part II of the Second Schedule to the Customs Act (List of Restricted Imports).

As it relates to tyre imports which are presented separately from the motor vehicles, only new tyres will be allowed. When the used tyres are presented with the vehicles, they can be allowed entry with the vehicles once the tyres have a minimum tyre depth of 6mm.

The GRA’s control mechanisms include stringent risk management practices, enforcement checks, inventories, and Customs examinations at the wharves, ports of

entry, and premises. These measures are aimed at protecting revenues and ensuring that laws are not compromised. They are intended to mitigate the likelihood of attempts to submit false declarations to the GRA and to evade taxes and smuggle used tyres.

In the lead-up to the effective date for the restriction, the GRA held several discussions, including meetings with the Guyana National Bureau of Statistics (GNBS) on the most effective means of implementation. It also reminded that Customs duties on new tyres have been reduced from 30 per cent to 15 per cent, while the VAT has been reduced from 16 per cent to 14 per cent. This measure took effect from February 1, 2017 and is in keeping with the promotion of a green economy and the protection of the

environment.

In an effort to ensure that there is a smooth implementation of the measures, the GRA said it would allow a phase-in period of one month ending on April 30, 2017.

During this period, tyres on the used vehicles will be allowed entry once the vehicles were purchased and shipped prior to April 1, 2017. After the phase-in period, importers of used tyres on vehicles not adhering to the stipulated standards after the extension will be fined $10,000 (car, van, minibus) and $15,000 (pickup and SUV) per tyre inclusive of spare, not in conformity with the specifications.

It should be noted that the restriction does not apply to tyres for trucks, lorries, vehicles used in the agricultural and industrial sectors, and special purpose vehicles.

n elderly woman of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD) has been left traumatised following an encounter with a knife-toting bandit who had broken into her home.

Speaking with this newspaper, Chan Ramsamooge said she awoke at about 23:45h on Sunday after hearing a loud noise in the bottom flat of her home.

Upon inspection, she saw a man in her kitchen with a knife in his hands. Ordering her not to raise an alarm, the man said, “Don’t move, and don’t scream!”

Ramsamooge told Guyana Times that she managed to flee from the house and seek refuge at a neighbour’s house, from where the Police were con-

The broken window through which the bandit entered Chan Ramsamooge’s home

tacted.

Public-spirited persons, upon learning of her predicament, went in search of the lone bandit and gave chase, but he made good his escape with the woman’s laptop among other valuables.

When the Police arrived on the scene, eyewitnesses told them that they knew

who the bandit was, alleging that he resides at Bella Dam, West Bank Demerara and is a known drug user in that area. The man had reportedly gained access into the woman’s house through a window which he broke.

The Police are hunting for the suspect as investigations continue.

Prison officer slapped with narco trafficking charge

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prison officer was on Monday released on $150,000 bail after denying a charge of smuggling a prohibited drug into the premises of the Camp Street Prison when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It is alleged that Stephan Sobers on March

28, 2017 smuggled 138 grams of cannabis into the penitentiary.

In a bail application, the court heard that Sobers was 23 years old and lived on the East Bank of Essequibo.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore made no objection to bail.

Prosecutor Moore told the court that the prison officer

has lodged his travel documents with Police.

Bail was granted in the sum of $150,000, and Sobers was ordered to report every Friday to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 09:00 h.

The matter will continue on April 24 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

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tuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTT officials meet with Essequibo Chambers of Commerce C

hief Executive Officer of the GTT, Justin Nedd, has assured members of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce (ECC) that quality Internet and improved services will be given to residents and the business community in Region Two. Speaking at a special stakeholder meeting held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Anna Regina, Nedd said he had heard the many complaints faced by residents and the business community, and is assuring that the company would do everything in its capacity and within its resources to have the issues resolved.

Nedd said his team is willing to assist the ECC in whatever way possible, but businesses need to realise that GTT, as a telecommunications company, has many challenges. He, however, said that only recently the company launched

its LTE service within the region, which is affording persons the ability to surf, stream and communicate much faster.

Nedd also shed some information on the heavy taxes that have been imposed by the Government on the company, explaining that, at the end of the day, GTT is in the business for business and to make a profit.

It was also explained that Essequibo is paying the cheapest rates for Internet wireless services, although the company has to invest millions to dispatch same.

This meeting was organised by the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to raise concerns with the telephone company in relation to the poor landline services and intermittent Internet being provided in Region 2. The GTT CEO and team visited one week after the request was made by the ECC for an audience to voice their con-

GTT officials met with Essequibo Chambers of Commerce

cerns.

President of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce (ECC), Daleep Singh, although having raising several concerns with the GTT at the meeting -including the poor quality of Internet and landline services, limited Internet access, data cap, and giving businesses a rate reduction -- congratulated the compa-

ny for launching the highspeed Internet and boasted that his ‘point of sale’ is now made easier.

He had, however, explained that while the service is faster than the ‘Atlantic Service’, there is still need for improvement, because businesses are suffering. He had also called on the company to examine the issues raised at the meeting,

and rectify same in a prompt manner.

Singh said that the ECC will, in the future, be doing constant follow-ups with the company on the issues raised.

Nedd promised to support the ECC in whatever way possible, and to follow up on the areas that were receiving poor services. He also noted that the landline

service is an obsolete one in the company, but said the company still pursues same because of its policies.

Region Two Chairman, Daveanand Ramdatt, who was at the meeting, thanked the GTT officials for visiting the region promptly upon request, and said he was happy that the ECC and the company had met, since it was important that that partnership be extended, and he expressed the desire for both parties to work in close collaboration.

He also said he was never aware of the taxes that the company pays to the Government, but said the RDC would continue to aggressively approach utility companies for the benefit of the people, once their services are poor.

The GTT team that visited Region 2 included Public Relations Officer Allison Parker and Chief Commercial Officer Carlos Mendoza.

(Indrawattie Natram)

First Lady opens 2nd ‘Care Occupational Safety Month kick for the Elderly’ workshop starts with awareness walk …urges young women to take advantage

F

irst Lady Sandra Granger has opened the second certified ‘Care for the Elderly’ Workshop -- at the Social Protection Ministry’s boardroom on Lamaha Street in Georgetown.

On Monday, charging the 34 participants to take full advantage of the opportunities presented, the First Lady noted that while caring for the elderly is a skill that can boost their income and afford them economic independence, they must also see the opportunity as a means of bolstering the care and treatment provided to one of the vulnerable groups in society.

Noting that senior citizens make up a significant number of Guyana’s population, the First Lady told participants it is important that their care is of a high standard.

The workshop, being funded by the Ministry of Social Protection in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, will run for five days and will focus on areas such as what is caregiving; identifying the types of seniors’ needs; cleansing and wound cleaning; moving and positioning; dealing with health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and other types of mental health; stress management; abuse of seniors; identifying and dealing with the types of strokes; diabetes care and management; feeding of seniors, and dental care and hygiene.

From left: Venus Smart, Public Health Nurse; Ismay Griffith, Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Facilitator, First Lady Sandra Granger; Gender Consultant at the Social Protection Ministry, Hazel Halley-Burnett; Yvonne Smith of the Office of the First Lady; and Diego Alphonso, Head of the Men’s Affairs Bureau, pose with participants of the workshop

The workshop is also intended to help the caregivers to understand their roles, responsibilities and relationships with the client, and the confidential nature of that role.

Gender Consultant Hazel Halley-Burnett of the Social Protection Ministry said the initiative by the First Lady must be commended, as there is a need for this type of training in Guyana.

“The initiative behind this training was the sole idea of the First Lady, and we need to commend her for this initiative and her ability to put things together.

This is the second of a series of trainings that have been planned.

We have been able to learn from the first, and we have to pack a lot into one week. The elderly population in Guyana is a significant one, and if

we try to provide the kind of care that they need, then we would have given them something to look forward to. We want to create avenues for them to come together and socialise and still give of themselves,” she said.

Workshop participants have been drawn from various organisations and communities, including the Women Across Differences (WAD) and the Buxton/ Friendship and Mahaica and Lusignan communities.

At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate of completion and will have the opportunity to move on to other certified courses, such as First Aid Training at the Guyana Red Cross Society. They will also be placed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for a one-day practical exercise.

T

he National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH), along with the Social Protection Ministry, hosted an awareness walk to commence the commemoration of National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Month, which is celebrated in April.

Scores of workers attached to various Government Ministries, trade unions as well as private and public entities participated in the walk, which commenced at the Bank of Guyana and ended at D’Urban Park with various fitness challenges and activities.

The walk was held to raise awareness of the need to optimise strategies to ensure safety in the workplace. It was also aimed at celebrating the worldwide labour force while highlighting the importance of workers’ well-being to increased productivity.

Speaking at the event was NACOSH Chairman Andrew Garnett, who expressed delight over the great turnout to the walk and explained the need for occupational safety and health in the workplace.

Garnett stated at the event, “We are joining workers worldwide in paying tribute to workers who have been putting their backs to the production wheel and been producing in a very effective and efficient way over the years.”

The NACOSH Chairman further alluded to the World Health Organisation’s definition of health, pointing

Some of the workers from various Government Ministries, trade unions, and Private Sector organisations at the walk

out that it went beyond the absence of disease or infirmity to include physical, social and mental well-being.

He noted that the walk aided the enhancement of those extended concerns.

Also joining the walk were several Government Ministers who shared their views on OSH. Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes highlighted the importance of safety in the workplace, especially in Guyana, given the long history of accidents.

“It is not just theory; we got to put this into practice.

And as employees in companies and Ministries, each and every one of us has a responsibility to promote safety and health standards and procedures,” stated Hughes.

She went on to say, “It means that if you see something that could be a potential threat to any of your workers, any of your colleagues or friends, you have a responsibility to say we got a problem and most importantly, to make sure we act on it and we change.”

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Minister within the Social Protection Ministry

with responsibility for labour, Keith Scott echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that fewer accidents in the workplace would increase productivity and, inherently, boost the economy.

The safety and health walk provided a platform for proposals to improve efforts and promote safety within workplaces. NACOSH indicated that an aggressive and comprehensive programme was in the pipeline to prevent the culture of, and minimise, work-related accidents and diseases. Engaging stakeholders, resuscitating the Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee and empowering management and non-management workers are among the Council’s objectives for these initiatives.

A series of activities is in store for the month of April as the commemoration of the National Occupational Safety and Health Month continues in keeping with the theme, “Optimise the collection and use of Occupational Safety and Health data”. April 28 is the official day of OSH for which a commemorative ceremony is planned.

News

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tuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Bulkan interferes in State media reports

C

ommunities Minister Ronald Bulkan has joined his colleague in attempting to interfere with, and direct, the editorial decisions made by the State newspaper, the Guyana Chronicle.

In this alarming development, the APNU politician criticised the editor for “downplaying” an article regarding the work of his ministry, and submitted that the story should have been the newspaper’s first lead.

In a passionate letter to the editor, published in the State newspaper on April 3, Bulkan condemned the newspaper for not giving enough prominence to the article on the swearing in of mayors and deputy mayors.

“Your front page is dominated by the headline: “More Oil”, and was followed by a full-page story on page three.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

I wish to suggest that your emphasis and message are totally misplaced,” the minister penned in his missive.

Bulkan also expressed concern that the article on mayors was “relegated” to

page eight, while the oil story was featured on page three.

“I suggest, therefore, that your public duty would have been better served by switching the aforementioned articles,” Bulkan stated in his missive.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has come under fire for attempting to influence the State media by reportedly scolding a journalist attached to the Guyana Chronicle, and for insisting that his office should review all headlines before publication.

Nagamootoo had reprimanded the reporter for publishing in the newspaper an article which he (Nagamootoo) thought was unfavourable to the Government. The story, published on August 25, 2015, was headlined “Govt blunders on Budget Estimates…

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

violates laws assented to by President Granger”.

Nagamootoo was seen engaging the reporter on the sidelines of a parliamentary sitting, where he expressed disappointment at the sto-

ry’s headline. “I was disappointed, very disappointed.

I didn’t think it was an objective headline on the sum total of what transpired in Parliament,” he told reporters subsequently.

Following the contentious front page headline, Nagamootoo’s Office had declared that it would be approving all headlines before publication.

The Prime Minister was also criticised in 2016 by the US State Department over his 2015 attempt to suppress freedom of the press, particularly in the State media.

“In August (2015), the Prime Minister issued a directive that all headlines in the state-owned print media be first scrutinised and approved by his office before they are published. The directive was a response to a headline criticising the

Government. The Prime Minister also serves as minister of information,” the US State Department’s report had noted.

In response to a Guyana Times article on the report, the Department of Public Information (DPI) of the Office of the Prime Minister, while not making direct reference to the report, had said Government was repudiating, “in the strongest terms, irresponsible allegations repeated in the media alleging censorship in state media.”

But the Guyana Press Association (GPA) had also noted, with concern, the reports of Nagamootoo’s interaction with the Guyana Chronicle reporter, and had said the incident could be viewed as a method of intimidation, which may have a dampening effect on press freedom.

Scotia Vision Achiever LivePitch 2017 competition launched

GCCI President Indar Deodat with Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani, LivePitch 2016 winner Ria Bryan, and ActionCOACH for the competition, Vishnu Doerga

S

cotiabank Guyana in partnership with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday launched the 2017 edition of the Scotiabank Vision Achiever LivePitch Business Plan Competition.

The Vision Achiever LivePtich competition is an initiative geared towards promoting entrepreneurship.

The competition started some three years ago and

over the years, the format has evolved from a simple business plan competition to one which requires the entrants to pitch their business ideas via videos and on television, in addition to preparing a business plan.

The competition is open to persons 18 years of age and older, those that are interested in starting a business as well as persons who already own small businesses and are seeking to expand.

To participate, persons are required to record a one-minute video pitch of their business idea and send it to Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani at Jennifer.cipriani@scotiabank.com.

Some registrants will also be able to use the facilities of Scotia and GCCI to record their pitch.

Those videos will then be uploaded to facebook for the public to have their say via their votes.

Lions Club, Gafson host Annual Speech Craft programme

Gafson Chairman Sattar Gafoor along with facilitators and participants of the Speech Craft programme

T

he Lions Club of Central Demerara has collaborated with the Gafson Toastmasters Club to host the Annual Speech Craft programme for students from schools along the East Bank of Demerara.

The speech programme aims to teach student to excel in public speaking, a skill which is lacking among Guyana’s youths.

The training lasted for eight weeks and students were given the opportunity

to learn about the art of effective public speaking.

Customarily, it would take a member 12-18 months to learn the art of public speaking; however, the collaboration of the two clubs enabled the programme to be fast paced with the intensive course structured for maximum exposure to the Toastmasters experience.

At the end of the training, each student was required to practice what they learnt by delivering prepared speech-

es on topics of their choice.

The Speech Craft programme allows experienced Toastmasters to present the fundamentals of public speaking to non-members as well. The mission of the club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which each individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.

Following the voting, five finalists will be chosen; the five will be required to pitch their business ideas on television where they will be judged and a winner will be chosen.

The winner of the competition will be awarded $500,000 and the runner up $250,000 in startup accounts and will also benefit from ActionCOACH business training.

Speaking at the launch,

GCCI President Indar Deodat said that the partnership with Scotia was to ensure that there was a continued and sustainable programme which focused on micro businesses.

Deodat added that it was the aim of GCCI to continue to build partnerships that would enable them to lend their support towards advocating for the growth of small businesses.

Cipriani, in her brief re-

marks, encouraged those with a drive to start a business to apply.

Ria Bryan of Pulse Privilege, a clothing business and the 2016 winner of the competition, said that the experience was one she would never forget and encouraged all who were interested to “bring it”.

Registration for the competition will end on April 21, 2017.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, april 4, 2017

Regional

Ecuador election: Colombia declares Fraud alleged as emergency after landslide protesters scuffle C A olombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has declared an "economic, social and ecological emergency" as the first victims of the Mocoa landslide were laid to rest.

Santos said the Government was also putting 40,000 million pesos (US$13.9 million) towards "addressing humanitarian priorities".

At the same time, the first funerals were taking place of the 262 victims killed in Saturday's landslide.

But the hunt still continues for any survivors.

The Red Cross told news agency AFP they were still within the 72-hour window where they would hope to find people alive.

However, hopes were

Survivors of Saturday's landslide have begun to bury their loved ones

fading among residents still desperate to find family members swept away in the torrent of mud, rocks and debris which struck the south-western town of 40,000 early on Saturday.

The flood came after a

Mexico newspaper stops printing after reporter shot dead

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regional newspaper in Mexico says the violence against Journalists and the lack of punishment for those responsible is forcing it to stop printing.

In an editorial, Norte de Ciudad Juarez said Sunday's print edition would be its last.

Its editor said the digital version would also be closed "soon".

Miroslava Breach, a journalist who worked for the paper in Chihuahua city, was shot dead last month.

She was one of three journalists killed in Mexico in March.

Breach had reported extensively on the links between organised crime and politicians in Chihuahua state for Norte de Ciudad Juarez and for La Jornada, a national newspaper based in Mexico City.

She was shot eight

times in her car outside her home in the state capital, Chihuahua.

One of her children was in the vehicle but was not hurt.

The gunmen left a note saying: "For being a loudmouth."

Oscar Cantu, editor of Norte de Ciudad Juarez, said (in Spanish): "There are neither the guarantees nor the security to exercise critical, counterbalanced journalism."

"Everything in life has a beginning and an end, and a price to pay, and if the price is life, I am not prepared for any more of my collaborators to pay it, nor am I prepared to pay it either."

Thirty-five journalists have been murdered in Mexico because of their work since 1992, and a quarter of those were also tortured, the Committee to Protect Journalists says. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

night of extremely heavy rain, which raised the water levels of the Mocoa River and three tributaries, sweeping away entire neighbourhoods.

Ercy Lopez, 39, who survived by hanging on to a

tree, said people were still searching for her daughter Diana Vanesa, 22, but told AFP: "The hopes of finding her alive are slim now."

Those who remain are now awaiting the arrival of humanitarian assistance.

El Espectador (in Spanish) reported there was at least 40 tonnes of emergency humanitarian assistance on its way to the town, including 2000 food kits and 1000 tents.

Meanwhile, President Santos said 7000 blankets and 6000 mats had just been delivered, according to El Pais (in Spanish).

On Sunday, Colombia's FARC rebel group offered to help rebuild the town, but their involvement has yet to be approved by the Government. (Excerpt from BBC News)

row has erupted over Ecuador's presidential elections after early results indicate a victory for the incumbent party's candidate.

With more than 98 per cent of the votes counted, Lenin Moreno of the Socialist Party had won 51.15 per cent and his challenger Guillermo Lasso 48.85 per cent of the votes.

Lasso has demanded a recount, arguing electoral fraud was used to grant victory to his rival.

He has also called on his supporters to take to the streets in protest.

Three exit polls had earlier predicted a win for Lasso, a conservative former banker, prompting celebrations by him and his supporters.

At 17:00h local time (22:00 GMT) Lasso, waving an Ecuadorean flag, took to the stage in a hotel in his hometown of Guayaquil to tell his backers that "a new Ecuador" had been born.

He tweeted a picture of the celebrations with the words: "Democracy has won, FREEDOM has won in Ecuador."

But just hours later, when Ecuador's National Electoral Council announced that preliminary results gave Moreno a narrow lead over Lasso, the latter cried foul.

He tweeted that "we're not stupid, nor are the Ecuadorean people" and called on them to "peacefully defend their votes". (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Scattered protests in Venezuela, OAS delays crisis debate V e n e z u e l a ' s Opposition sought to keep pressure on President Nicolás Maduro with scattered protests on Monday, but there was relief for the socialist Government when the Organisation of American States (OAS) delayed a debate on the crisis.

One group of protesters tried to block a major Caracas highway and another dropped a pile of straw in front of court offices to protest at the Judiciary's controversial takeover last week of the Opposition-led Congress' responsibilities.

Though the top tribunal rowed back on that decision, which was condemned globally and led to unrest, the Opposition is pushing to remove the Judges responsible.

Opposition supporters run as they block a highway during a protest against Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro's Government in Caracas, Venezuela, April 3, 2017

One Opposition lawmaker, Juan Requesens of the Justice First party who is often at the forefront of protests, suffered a gash in the head after being hit by a stone during a fracas outside the public ombuds-

man's office, witnesses said.

Protesters had taken live chickens there to symbolise cowardice, but were confronted by Government supporters.

The OAS debate on Venezuela was called at the

weekend by 20 countries concerned about democratic erosion in Venezuela under Maduro, who replaced socialist firebrand Hugo Chávez in 2013.

A spokesman first said it was cancelled, but then the 34-nation bloc began a session in the afternoon to discuss whether or not the Venezuela debate would go ahead.

The initial suspension, as Maduro's leftist ally Bolivia takes the bloc's presidency, was a "win for Venezuela", one Latin American diplomat told Reuters.

But some members were unhappy. Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray blamed Bolivia for the "unilateral" and "arbitrary" delay of the debate over Venezuela. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cloud of suspicion hangs over Pilots’ union wants LIAT management gone death of Trinidad soldier

Q

uestions are being raised and a call for an investigation has been made along with a threat of legal action, following the death of a Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) soldier.

Warrant Officer Omar Samaroo, 47, was found slumped in a dormitory at Camp Cumuto, Wallerfield with a gunshot wound to the head last Tuesday, and died hours later at hospital.

His death was ruled a

Officer Omar Samaroo (Trinidad Express photo)

suicide. But some people are not so sure that is what it was, and Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge says he intends to take legal action if the TTDF does not investigate the circumstances surrounding Samaroo’s death.

In a letter to Chief-ofDefence Staff, Brigadier General Rodney Smart and copied to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, Sturge said Samaroo’s death was suspicious, based on his in-

juries – which he claimed included broken ribs – and how he was found.

He said the public and Samaroo’s family had a right to know whether there was any wrongdoing in his death.

However, the TTDF has called on Sturge and other members of the public to desist from making “false and unsubstantiated remarks” about Samaroo’s tragic massing and allow his friends and family members to grieve in peace. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

A

mid reports of industrial unrest and late salaries, the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) has called on LIAT’s shareholder Governments to get rid of the current management.

At the same time, the pilots’ union sought to make it clear it had nothing to do with any industrial unrest which LIAT’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Julie ReiferJones said Sunday had led to several flight delays and cancellations.

“We are not involved at all.

As a matter of fact, we continue to pledge to the Caribbean

people that we are currently going above and beyond the call of duty to get the airline running at optimal levels, even to the extent of not having meal breaks and working 11-hour shifts. We have already worked almost an extra week without pay,” LIALPA said in a statement issued on the heels of the release in which Reifer-Jones was quoted.

However, LIALPA added, that state of affairs is not sustainable and it will not stand idly by and watch the airline’s financial health plummet to the point workers can’t get salaries on time. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

tuesDAY, april 4, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Trump’s Supreme Court pick Neil 11 killed in suspected suicide bombing on Russian metro train Gorsuch faces Senate showdown

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blast in a St Petersburg train carriage on Monday that killed 11 people and injured 45 was carried out by a suspected suicide bomber with ties to radical Islamists, Russia’s Interfax news agency cited a law enforcement source as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was in the city when the blast struck, visited the scene of the explosion late on Monday night and laid a bunch of red flowers at a makeshift shrine to the victims.

Witnesses said they saw passengers who were bloodied and burned spilling out of the train, whose door was buckled by the force of the explosion, and lying on a platform while smoke filled the station.

Russia has in the past experienced bomb attacks carried out by Islamist rebels from Russia’s North Caucasus region. The rebellion there has been largely crushed, but Russia’s mil-

D

emocrats have enough votes to use a tactic called a filibuster to thwart President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.

Four more Senate Democrats said they would use the procedural roadblock on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch, giving the party the 41 votes they need.

Republicans may then

A train carriage, damaged by the explosion, is seen at Tekhnologicheskiy institut metro station in St Petersburg, Russia, April 3, 2017

itary intervention in Syria has now made it a potential target for Islamic State attacks, security experts say.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Officials said they were treating the blast as an act of terrorism, but there was no official confirmation of any link to Islamist radicals.

Earlier, Russian media had broadcast closed circuit television footage of a bearded man they said was being sought by Police as a sus-

pect. But Interfax reported that the man had come forward and been eliminated from inquiries.

The news agency, quoting an unnamed law enforcement source, said that human remains examined at the scene suggested that the blast had been carried out by a suicide bomber. It said the Police had identified a suspect with links to radical Islamist groups banned in Russia. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US set to clash with Russia, China over UN meeting on human rights

T

he United States set up on Monday a likely showdown with Russia and China later in April over its plans to hold a United Nations Security Council meeting on human rights, an issue that Moscow and Beijing oppose being broadly discussed by the 15-member body.

The United States is Council President for April.

At a closed-door council meeting on Monday to agree on the Council’s work for the month, the proposed April 18 meeting on human rights

and its ties to conflict was left off the calendar.

“It will be a broad debate, not intended to single out any countries, but more just to talk about the topic and how that relates to conflict and if there are things that we can be doing going forward,” US Ambassador Nikki Haley told UN member states on Monday.

The United States accuses the Geneva-based Human Rights Council of being biased against Israel. Haley also said that she was unsure that the body served

any value “except for this that sit on it that protect themselves.”

If Haley cannot reach agreement with Russia and China on a tighter focus and pushes ahead with the meeting, then Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Petr Iliichev said Moscow would call for a rare procedural vote to block the move.

A procedural vote needs nine votes to pass. Vetoes cannot be cast by Russia, China, the United States, France or Britain. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Clean-up underway across flood-hit eastern Australia

Floodwaters were expected to peak at around nine metres in Rockhampton on Wednesday [AFP]

T

he clean-up operation has got under way across eastern Australia after the passage of Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Despite drier conditions over the weekend, flood waters remained high,

but they are now starting to recede.

Residents and business owners have been returning to thick mud, piles of debris and ruined property. While the worst of the weather is over, with Cyclone

Debbie moving out to sea on Saturday, the daunting task facing those affected is just beginning.

The flood-ravaged people of northern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland have also been faced with raw sewage, rats and snakes.

Military and emergency personnel continued to work to restore essential services such as water and electricity in affected towns, where hundreds of homes have been deemed uninhabitable.

The Insurance Council of Australia has estimated the damage bill could reach Aus$1 billion (US$770 million), as people braved mudcaked streets to begin clearing out homes and shops, with mountains of ruined possessions piled on pavements. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

resort to the so-called “nuclear option”, changing the rules to ram through their nominee.

The nomination went through committee on Monday.

The stage is now set for a showdown on Friday when it goes to the full Senate.

The standoff could leave Congress even more plagued by bitter gridlock.

Many Democrats say Gorsuch has shown he is too prone to favouring corporations to earn their support.

Republicans control the Senate chamber by 52 to 48, but need 60 votes to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

But changing the rules means they can overcome the obstruction without 60 votes. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Somali pirates hijack Indian commercial ship

Somalis have been angered recently by foreign fishermen flooding into their waters [File: Mohamed Dahir/AFP]

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irates have hijacked an Indian commercial ship off the coast of Somalia, the second attack in weeks after years of inactivity by pirates, industry and security sources said.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which coordinates the management of all merchant ships and yachts in the Gulf of Aden area, said on Monday it had received information that a vessel en

route to Bosasso from Dubai had been hijacked “in the vicinity of Socotra (Island)”.

A spokesman said UKMTO was unable to confirm the location of the vessel, which he identified as Al Kausar, or what had taken place, and that investigations were ongoing.

“We understand Somali pirates hijacked a commercial Indian ship and [it is heading] towards Somalian shores,” Abdirizak Mohamed

Dirir, a former director of the anti-piracy agency in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, told Reuters news agency.

Somali pirates hijacked an oil tanker last month, the first commandeering of a vessel since 2012, but released it after a fight with the Puntland marine force.

Somalis have been angered recently by foreign fishermen flooding into their waters, some of whom have been given licences to fish there by the Somali Government.

Graeme GibbonBrooks of UK-based Dryad Maritime Security said industry sources had told him the Indian vessel was en route to Bosasso from Dubai when it was hijacked on Saturday.

The pirates were on board and were taking the ship and its 11 crew members to Eyl in Puntland, he said.

Gibbon-Brooks told AP news agency on Monday that the hijackers wanted a ransom for the crew. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

Graphene-based sieve turns seawater into drinking water

A

United Kingdombased team of researchers has created a graphene-based sieve capable of removing salt from seawater.

The sought-after development could aid the millions of people without ready access to clean drinking water.

The promising graphene oxide sieve could be highly efficient at filtering salts, and will now be tested against existing desalination membranes.

It has previously been difficult to manufacture graphene-based barriers on an industrial scale.

Reporting their results in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, scientists from the University of Manchester, led by Dr Rahul Nair, shows how they solved some of the challenges by using a chemical de-

Artwork: Graphene-based membranes hold huge promise in desalination

rivative called graphene oxide.

Isolated and characterised by a University of Manchester-led team in 2004, graphene comprises a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal

lattice. Its unusual properties, such as extraordinary tensile strength and electrical conductivity, have earmarked it as one of the most promising materials for future applications. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 News

tuesDAY, april 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Scotiabank supports documentary on suicide

S

cotiabank has joined the fight against the suicide epidemic in Guyana by throwing its support behind a locally-produced documentary entitled “Kiskadee’s Shadow”.

The Bank recently donated $250,000 towards the project, which explores the causes of Guyana’s suicide rate, currently the highest in the world. By creating awareness of the contributing factors and prevention, as well as the impact on family, friends and the community, it is expected that the film will help change attitudes to suicide, which is falsely seen by many as the only solution to problems.

This is the Bank’s second contribution in two months towards projects aimed at reducing the rate of suicide in Guyana.

Several weeks ago, Scotiabank presented the Guyana Foundation with

– the Eighth Manifestation of Devi Durga

S

Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani, presents the cheque to Rotary Club of Georgetown President Lisa Foster in the presence of Rotarian Roger Harper, Co-Director Dan Honnegar and Executive Producer Kevin Daby

US$36,000 to be used for the Zorg Sunrise Centre, Essequibo Coast. The money is the first tranche of a two-year commitment totalling US$72,000 and it will be used to sustain the work of the Sunrise Centre which includes counselling and skills-training for members of the public.

The film’s other major sponsors are Grand Coastal Hotel and the Rotary Club of Georgetown.

A three-member film crew has been in Guyana recording footage over the past six months and they are currently editing the film for an expected release around the end of May 2017.

2 key agencies merged under Public Telecommunications Ministry

T

he Public Telecommunications Ministry has announced the 100 per cent merger of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and the e-Government Project Execution Unit. The reconstituted entity, with immediate effect, will be referred to as the National Data Management Authority (NDMA).

The NDMA’s most critical objectives are to modernise Government and public services to vastly improve their efficiencies, and ensure that all citizens of Guyana are included in this process, from Region One to Region 10. Within this framework, the NDMA has established an IT Technical Working Group (TWG) that comprises the Heads of all Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Departments in Ministries and agencies within the Public Sector.

The Chairman is Floyd Levi and the General Manager is Francis

Simmons. The Executive Committee comprises Dr Marcia Thomas, Clement Henry and Lenandlar Singh.

The Public Telecommunications Ministry on Monday stated that it recognised that Government’s national development agenda could only be realised through an ICT-based ecosystem that (1) efficiently delivers Government’s services; (2) ensures citizen engagement and participation; and (3) enhances the administration of Government. It is also intended to build and strengthen national competitiveness on the business front.

“The national ICT agenda would be best executed by this appropriately structured body with a legislative mandate,” the new NDMA Chairman said. “This new organisation must be agile, innovative and very responsive to our citizens’ increasingly sophisticated demands for better ICT services, as well as the rapidly chang-

ing dynamics of ICT in the world.”

Previously, the e-Government Project Execution Unit and the National Data Management Authority existed with identical mandates under Programme 332 of the Public Telecommunications Ministry. For greater expediency, Minister Cathy Hughes consequently decided to rationalise these mandates and proposed to Cabinet the merger of the two entities under the NDMA Act of 1983. By Cabinet decision, the e-Government Project Execution Unit was brought under the aegis of the NDMA and its 1983 Act. The Public Telecommunications Ministry is responsible for Internet governance, creation of digital skills and entrepreneurship, e-Government, postal services and telecommunications.

The Ministry also holds some responsibility for cybersecurity.

pellbind, mesmerizing whitish look of Durga is Mahagauri. Goddess Mahagauri is eighth form of Devi Durga and one of the graceful Goddesses among Nav Durga. She is majestically worshiped on eighth day of Navratri pooja.

Her complexion is completely white, and thus she is revered with name ‘Gauri’. Her beauty glows like gleam of white Pearl. She denotes peace and endurance. She is represented with four arms seated on a Vrishabha (bull). Her upper left hand holds Trishul (trident), lower right hand carries Damru (hand drum) and other two hands are in different Mudras (positions).

It is believed that this manifestation is of Parvati when she did hard penance to obtain her Shiva due to which her body color turned dark.

When Lord Shiva accepted her great devotion he washed her body with pure Ganga water that made her body completely Gour (white).

And this way, she became prominent with name ‘Gauri’ and consort of Mahadev.

Worshipping G o d d e s s Mahagauri during eighth day of Navratra is immensely fruitful.

With her grace, the entire dirt and dark scrum of soul get washed. She cleans dregs from heart of her worshippers and makes them pious. Offering invocation to this almighty makes worshipper sacred.

Ashtami poojan is considered as Maha Pooja during Navratri. This auspicious day is vivaciously celebrated with whole of heart and

devotion inclined toward Devi Mahagauri. During Ashwin Shukla Ashtami, the Mahagauri Pooja is performed.

Goddess Mahagauri pooja is accomplished with worship of both Goddesses Gauri and Shankar (Lord

Shiva). Adherence toward Mahagauri is truly advantageous. Her worshippers are never returned with empty hands from asylum of Goddess Gauri. Grand worship, donations, customs and rituals are performed during Ashtami of Navratri

Pooja to delight this deity.

Variety of blessed foods are also offered to this Goddess. On the sacred occasion of Ashtami Pooja, Kanya Pooja (feeding of little girls) are also done to please Goddesses of Navdurga. Nine little girls are invited at home of worshippers and are fed varieties of delicious sweet dishes. Devotees pay the best homage to nine little girls considering them nine forms of Navdurga.

This ritual accomplishes their pooja and gives blessings of Nav Durga.

By heartily worshipping this Goddess, previous sins and influence of wrong deeds of worshippers are vanished. With her blessing, her devotees achieve the divine perfection of Universe.

She influences mankind toward path of truth and purity, observing fast and worshipping Goddess Mahagauri on the eight day of Navratri Pooja is immensely fruitful, especially for unmarried girls and married woman. Worshipping her, unmarried girls get desired husband and married women enjoy peaceful, harmonious and long married life. Show your dedication, true devotion, and a d herence toward glorified Goddess Mahagauri and achieve divine happiness in life.

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu, Maa Mahagauri Rupena Sansthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namaha Meaning: The Goddess who is omnipresent as the divine Devi Mahagauri, I now to Her again and again.

Linden schools benefit from OCC’s awareness sessions

L

earning about climate change was made simple and fun for students of various schools in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), as the Office of Climate Change (OCC) within the Ministry of the Presidency took its climate change awareness outreach initiative to the community.

The countrywide outreach is being conducted in partnership with Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) Guyana.

Students of the Mackenzie Primary School and the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) were beneficiaries of the interactive learning sessions on Friday. The interactions centred on climate change, its causes and effects as well as students’ role in fighting the effects.

Communications Specialist within the OCC, Yasmin Bowman explained that the objective was basically to spread awareness.

"We've been going around to a number of schools,

The team interacts with students at the Linden Technical Institute

both primary and secondary schools so far. And

we've been bringing climate change awareness to young

people...We want to talk to you about flooding, droughts.

We want to talk to you about climate change in general...

We want to learn from you too", she told students.

CYEN Guyana volunteer Nicholas Imhoff, who formed part of the team, explained that already primary and secondary schools in Georgetown and Berbice have benefited and the team also hoped to go to Essequibo as well as to engage nursery schools across the country next. He said the team was

simply trying to shine the light on climate change and to get students involved in the fight against its negative impacts. Imhoff noted that students in Linden were very enthusiastic during the sessions and the feedback has been great. During the interactive sessions, students were awarded prizes, including flash drives and T- shirts for their active participation.

The LTI was the first technical institute in Guyana to benefit from the awareness session so far.

17 GPTWU takes GTT to court news

tuesDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

6 months after her disappearing

Berbice man charged …seek to halt laying-off of 120 workers T for murdering wife A

n apparently remorseless Sunildat Balack, also called ‘Red Man’, was on Monday arraigned before Whim Magistrate Charlene Artiga for murder allegedly committed on his wife Wilwantie Balack, also called ‘Darling’, at sometime between September 6, 2016 and March 31, 2017.

The 44-year-old Corentyne farmer allegedly killed his wife six months ago and buried her body in a 4-foot grave situated about 120 metres aback their Mibicuri North, Black Bush Polder home in East Berbice. The skeletal remains of the 39-year-old mother of three were dug out of that shallow grave last Friday.

Balack was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him, and the court was told that this was not the first time he was appearing before a magistrate. He had previously been charged with assaulting 21-yearold Uma-Davie Nathoo with whom he shared a relationship, and had been placed on a six-month

Dead: Wilwantie Balack

Accused: Sunildat Balack

bond to keep the peace after Nathoo had told the court that she did not wish to provide any evidence against him.

Magistrate Artiga remanded Ballack until May 2, and transferred the case to the Mibicuri Magistrate’s Court.

Family members had been on the hunt for Wilwantie Balack ever since her disappearance, but had always come up empty handed.

Her 21-year-old daughter, Dharshni Davi Balack, said her father, Sunildat Balack, had given her and

her siblings conflicting reports about the whereabouts of their mother, telling them that she was in the USA while telling others that she was at different parts of the country.

However, suspicions grew after the suspect had taken a 21-year-old woman to live with him and the woman was seen wearing their mother’s wedding band.

A confession statement that Police secured from the suspect led them to the eight-month-old grave of Wilwantie Balack.

he Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers’ Union (GPTWU) has filed a petition in court seeking to restrain the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) from proceeding with plans to lay off some 120 employees.

This latest course of action, according to GPTWU President Harold Shepherd, is based on the company’s decision not to adhere to procedural imperatives as outlined in the laws of Guyana.

Shepherd told a news conference on Monday at the GPTWU head office at East Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, that the petition was filed in the Supreme Court on March 15, 2017, by attorneys Justice Stanley Moore and Maxwell McKay. Shepherd maintains that the union is not against the company wanting to restructure its operations, but it is adamant that this should be done in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement between the two parties, and within the confines of the labour laws of Guyana.

“The company’s action to proceed with its redundancy exercise without first or at all consulting with the union is a clear violation of the Collective Labour Agreement and Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act

Number 19 of 1997,” the union President explained.

The union is contending that the affected employees were not given adequate notice and that GTT did not inform the union of the number of workers to be affected, and the period over which such termination is likely to be carried out.

Instead, the GPTWU explained that workers were issued letters without prior notice and left in shock and severe distress.

General Secretary of the GPTWU, Eslyn Harris, said the affected employees should have been coached and counseled before they were issued with letters informing them that they will be layed off, and not after the fact.

Besides trying to avert the company’s plans, the GPTWU is also seeking damages against GTT for failing to comply with its statutory obligations.

Shepherd said that the union is not prepared to accept a two percent increase for two years on behalf of GTT employees.

The union, according to him, was forced to request arbitration in an effort to resolve this dispute. Several meetings were held at the bilateral and conciliatory levels.

GPTWU also stated that GTT did not attend a

scheduled meeting with the Department of Labour at the Social Protection Ministry.

“The arbitration route is the only process that the union is prepared to take in an effort to bring a resolution to the dispute,” Shepherd argued.

Meanwhile, GPTWU said it is also concerned that GTT’s move to make 120 employees redundant is aimed at creating positions to place contract employees.

“The company is outfitted with a large number of contract workers who are continuously employed executing work within the bargaining unit. This is not only against the Collective Labour Agreement, but it also flies in the face of what the law prescribes.”

GTT’s take

GTT on the other hand, has said that positions are becoming redundant.

The company announced in February of this year, that it will be laying off workers over the next 12 months as part of a restructuring programme for its operations.

The telecommunications company said the changes are aimed at aligning GTT with the new environment in which it provides services.

The court case will continue on April 6.

Withney Robertson Kato residents want full utilisation crowned Miss Region 3 of school when completed

N

A

proposal by the Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) Administration to expand the range of educational classes to be offered at the Kato Secondary School is with the Government. The school is yet to be completed.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rafel Downes said the proposal catered for adult education and inhouse training for teachers stationed within Kato and the sub-region.

Downes explained that the proposal came about following meetings with parents, teachers and community leaders.

The meetings highlighted the need to boost the capacity of the educational stakeholders so as to improve the academic performance of students in the sub-region.

Downes explained that in response, the Region Eight Administration completed and submitted to the Government, a proposal for adult education to be offered to parents and other stakeholders. It was proposed that the school could be used as the venue for the classes.

“This is essential in helping to reverse the academic performance of the students in the sub-region as the parents would help with the students’ homework,” Downes explained.

The sub-region has a below-average academic per-

The Kato Secondary School

formance especially in the areas of Mathematics and English.

The proposal also addresses in-service training for the teachers that would develop their capacity to teach more efficiently and effectively and in a wider range of subjects. Downes observed that the in-service teachers’ training would be cheaper than having the teachers travel to the coastland for training.

The REO explained that when teachers leave for training, the result is not only a disruption in the family life of the teachers but the functionality of the education institution where the teacher works. The institution, which already struggles from a shortage of teachers, must now function with one less teacher, Downes explained.

He said the proposal was with the Ministries of Education and Finance.

The proposal for the classes for adults and teachers was raised during a

recent meeting in Kato between Government Ministers and the Region Eight Regional Democratic Councillors and administration. Present at that meeting were Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan; Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton and Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe.

Construction of the Kato Secondary School started under the previous Administration, but was not completed.

It is envisaged that the school would be self-sufficient with solar energy and agricultural projects being considered.

The solar energy project would be expected to support students studying for their examinations and completing assignments and provide electricity for all classrooms.

The agricultural project would supplement the food supply for students living in the dormitory.

ineteen-year-old Withney Loshanna Robertson was on Saturday night transformed into a modern-day Cinderella, thus it was small wonder that she was crowned the new Miss Region Three at this year’s cultural pageant held at the Leonora National Stadium, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Robertson was also able to capture the ‘best gown award’ with her N. Murray-designed outfit.

Organised by the Region Three (3) Pageant Organisation, the event saw eight beautiful young women in the persons of Geetanjali Ashley Nauth, Sonia Cummings, Kasherell Tiffany Payne, Anicia Williams, Marcia Clarke, Olancia Howard, Sonia Harris and Withney Loshanna Robertson competing for the coveted crown in the evening wear, talent, swimwear and intelligence segments.

Before the pageant commenced, each delegate had to choose a platform, and, in the time leading up to the pageant, had to promote that platform.

Robertson’s platform was environmental protection, and she said she chose that platform because “the environment protects us and we should protect it”. According to this stunning young beauty, Guyanese are too lackadaisical towards the environment, which is another reason for her choosing this platform, since she wanted to bring about awareness on protecting the environment.

Withney Robertson poses with first runner-up Ashley Nauth and designer Naomi Murray (at centre)

The aspiring nurse, who hails from the village of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was a standout throughout the pageant. She graced the stage with her confidence, rocking a purple suede mermaid gown with royal blue sequined applique and embellishments designed by the super-talented Naomi Murray of N. Murray Designs.

Robertson distinguished herself from the other delegates during the talent segment when she performed her piece, “Emancipated Woman”, written by Marva Langevine.

The aim of Emancipated Woman is to empower women to live up to their full potential. According to Robertson, “The poem wasn’t just for my Afro-women, but (for) all women -- on how they should emancipate themselves from anything negative, and they should stick to their true self”.

When announced the winner, the crowd favourite was stunned, but quickly recovered and gracefully took to

centre stage to be crowned.

Geetanjali Ashley Nauth was crowned first runner-up, beating Anicia Williams into second runner-up position.

Ashley lit up the stage with a golden sequined body conned evening gown with trail and black beaded French lace; while Anicia Williams glowed like a jewel in her laced coral gown that had an elaborate trail and black rose details.

This is the first time that Naomi Murray has designed for a pageant, and she was also responsible for designing five of the other exquisite gowns, which allowed the delegates to grace the stage looking their best. From the designing talent she displayed at this pageant, it is clear that she belongs in the big league.

Other awards were given to the remaining delegates, with Marcia Clarke being awarded for having the best smile in the pageant.

The event concluded with a lively performance by upcoming Jamaican artiste Savage.

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tuesDAY, April 4, 2017

ARCHIE

If you desire change, you need to start within. Look (March 21- for a simple alternative rathApril 19) er than make a big splash.

Excess of any kind will be detrimental.

ARIES

You will get a push from TAURUS someone anxious to see you (April 20- make a decision or move.

May 20) Don’t act hastily when dealing with personal or professional matters. Protect against emotional misunderstandings.

dilbert

When dealing with investGEMINI ments, negotiations and se(May 21- cretive matters, you need to June 20) slow down, tame your emotions and avoid making an impulsive move you will live to regret. Information offered to you should not be underrated.

You’ll be led astray by someone from your past. Don’t (June 21- trust someone with your cash, July 22) ideas or valuable possessions.

Common sense will help eliminate loss.

CANCER

Peanuts

Aim to be original. Don’t LEO let the words or actions of oth(July 23ers disrupt your plans. Follow Aug. 22) through with your intentions.

It’s what you do, not what you say, that will have the biggest impact.

Calvin and Hobbes

Call in old debts. Don’t put VIRGO up with anyone trying to sep(Aug. 23Sept. 22) arate you from your money. If changes are required, find an efficient way to move forward.

Stick to a set budget.

Observe how others treat LIBRA you and look over any con(Sept. 23tracts you have with individOct. 23) uals that are falling short of your expectations. Living beyond your means will catch up with you.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Taking part in challenging SCORPIO activities will be gratifying, (Oct. 24but old injuries must be treatNov. 22) ed cautiously. Know your limitations and win without jeopardizing your health.

Overpaying to compenSAGITTARIUS sate for someone else’s mis(Nov. 23- take should not be considered.

Dec. 21) Offer suggestions, but don’t try to fix things on your own. Make changes based on what will make you happy. Protect your assets.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Refuse to get involved in CAPRICORN situations that go against (Dec. 22the way you do business. If Jan. 19) you don’t like the way things are being done, walk away or change the format.

If you work hard and stick AQUARIUS to your plan, what you accom(Jan. 20plish will be yours and yours Feb. 19) alone. Don’t share personal information. An unexpected bill will set you back.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

You’ve got the right idea, PISCES (Feb. 20- so don’t let anyone mess with March 20) your plans. Avoid people showing signs of indulgence or unpredictable behavior.

Protect the people you love.

tuesDAY, aPRIL 4, 2017

19

Miami Open 2017…

Federer’s good form continues … takes care of Nadal in straight sets

Roger Federer has won 19 of his 20 matches this season

R

oger Federer overcame long-term rival Rafael Nadal to win the Miami Open for the third time and continue his remarkable start to the season.

The 35-year-old built on January’s Australian Open win and his March Indian Wells success with a convincing 6-3 6-4 win over the Spaniard.

The pair shared 10 break points in the opening set, with Federer the only man to take one to crucially move 5-3 up.

He exuded control throughout, breaking at 4-4 in the second and serving out.

A sweeping backhand down the line in the final game summed up the confidence which poured from the champion from start to finish as he moved to an 11-match winning streak and improved his record to 19 wins and just one defeat in 2017.

A sweeping backhand down the line in the final game summed up the confidence

which poured from the champion from start to finish as he moved to an 11-match winning streak and improved his record to 19 wins and just one defeat in 2017.

A fourth straight win over Nadal - his longest winning streak in their 13-year professional rivalry - also makes Federer the oldest winner of the Miami Open.

He looked cool and calm throughout and his dominance this year is perhaps all the more remarkable given he took six months off through the second half of the 2016 season to recover from a knee injury.

“The dream continues,” he said after the win. “It’s been a fabulous couple of weeks.

What a start to the year, thank you to my team and all who have supported me, especially in my more difficult challenging times last year.”

Federer triumphed in his first tournament after the lay-off, beating Nadal in five sets at the Australian Open, but this time around, the Spaniard rarely looked like he would land a first Miami title in what was his fifth final.

When the pair shared their first ever meeting here in 2004, only Federer held a Grand Slam title. They have now amassed 32 in total and like so often in the past, they contested each point with ferocity, making the two breaks of serve Federer secured critical.

“It’s disappointing that every time in my career I have stood here I get the smaller trophy,” said Nadal. “It’s been a very good two weeks for me. Even if I lost for the third time this year to Roger it’s a good start, playing three finals.”

Nadal - who also lost to American Sam

US$300,000 player contract is peanuts — Shastri

F

ormer team director Ravi Shastri has issued heavy criticism of the recently revised payment structure for India’s cricketers.

Two weeks ago, the Supreme Courtappointed Committee of Administrators that now runs the BCCI had doubled the Grade A contracts from INR 1 crore to INR 2 crore (USD 300,000 approx). However, it was later learnt that the hike did not meet the player’s demands. Shastri felt similarly underwhelmed. “Two crore is nothing, Two crore is peanuts,” he told reporters in Mumbai.

The major point of contention centred around the current method of Ravi Shastri felt the US$300,000 that Grade A revenue sharing. The board receives contracted India players like MS Dhoni receive were not up to the mark © Associated Press a lion’s share of its income through television rights and 70% of it goes to the grade contracts should be massive. I know it has state associations. Additionally, the players were been increased by double but there is room for not pleased that their salaries were lower than [more]. counterparts in Australia and England. Sources “An ‘A’ grade cricketer like Pujara should get suggested that Joe Root and Steven Smith were a massive amount where he is not bothered paid INR 8 crore to INR 12 crore. In comparison, whether he plays IPL or not. In fact, he will be the Grade A contracted players in the Indian happy, he can say ‘I will play two months of team - Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, county cricket’.”

Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, M Vijay and MS There had been no changes to India’s retainer Dhoni - were on INR 2 crore retainers. contracts since 2010. The first steps to the “The grade contracts of a Test player should current revisions were taken earlier this month be the highest.” Shastri said. “Pujara should be when head coach Anil Kumble met with the CoA the highest, on par with the top players. Your A on behalf of the players. (ESPNcricinfo)

Querrey in the Mexican Open final this year - failed to take two break points in the opening game of the match at Crandon Park Tennis Center and defended two successfully to level at 2-2.

Though the first six games of the second

air after defending a second break point to take the game - showcasing belief he could yet disturb Federer’s seemingly unflappable rhythm.

But at 4-4, a Federer backhand barely crossed the net after hitting the tape, forcing

Crandon Park Tennis Center was the place to be for the grand final

set went with serve, Federer always held more comfortably. He forced a first break point at 3-3, only for Nadal to expertly read a cross-court effort with the pair exposed at the net.

Nadal’s consequent fist pump evoked memories of see-saw exchanges they have shared over the years and he punched the

Nadal to race forward and desperately flick the ball back, leaving his end of the court exposed for the 18-time Grand Slam winner to deliver a telling lob.

It gave him the chance to serve out the win and Nadal went long moments later, ensuring Federer’s stellar start to the year continued. (BBC Sport)

Arsenal would sell Sanchez to Chelsea, claims Merson

P

aul Merson thinks Arsenal fans should prepare themselves for seeing star man Alexis Sanchez in a Chelsea shirt next season.

Arsenal would be willing to sell Alexis Sanchez to Chelsea if they received an offer of around £50million, according to Paul Merson.

Sanchez is out of contract in 2018 and talks over a renewal are on hold until the end of the season.

If the Chile international cannot be convinced to extend, former Arsenal star Merson does not think Chelsea’s status as a rival club would stop Arsene Wenger from selling, given he would be desperate to avoid losing him for nothing the following year.

He feels the 2012 sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United when he had one year left on his contract is a sign of what is likely to happen at the end of this season.

And Merson believes Sanchez’s arrival at Stamford Bridge would give Chelsea an impressive replacement if Eden Hazard is sold to Real Madrid, as reports in Spain have suggested is a possibility.

“I think Sanchez will leave this summer,” Merson said to Sporting Life.

“I don’t think Arsenal will finish in the top four and if they don’t finish in the top four then I don’t see him staying.

“I know the way Arsenal work so there is no way they will let Sanchez leave for nothing if they can get £50m for him in the summer.

“They will have no qualms in selling him to Chelsea. Arsenal will have no choice - if Chelsea are the team that are prepared to pay £50m then Arsenal won’t let him see his contract out.

Alexis Sanchez

“People say, ‘Oh well, they won’t sell to Chelsea’, but they sold Robin van Persie to Manchester United so they won’t be fussed about that.

“I definitely think Sanchez could be a Chelsea player next season. He is a world-class footballer so he would fit in at Chelsea.

“People say he is not the same player but he will get you a lot more goals than Hazard. If they can sign Sanchez for £50m and get £100m for Hazard then I think that is good business.”

Merson believes Arsenal only have themselves to blame for the Sanchez situation, while Mesut Ozil is another key player with just over a year left to run on his deal.

“It is terrible how Arsenal can let a player of that talent [Sanchez] run the years down on his contract,” he said.

“There’s about eight of the players with contracts running down and I find it extraordinary that they are in this situation.

“Because of everything going on with Arsene Wenger, I think they have just forgotten about the players.” (Sportsmax)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, april 4, 2017

Boyce/Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day…

Jude Bike Shop hops on board for cycle race J

ude Bike Shop handed over its sponsorship on Monday to the Boyce and Jefford Organisation for its upcoming Relay Festival and Family Fun Day on April 30 at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary where cycling will be introduced this year.

The sponsorship will go toward the exciting Devil Takes the Hind’s Most race for males that has a total purse of $50,000 with $25,000 going to the winner, $15,000 for second place and $10,000 for third place. Replicas will accompany the cash prizes.

The race is expected to attract some of the top male cyclists locally. Proprietor of Jude Bike Shop and former national cyclist, who once competed at the Commonwealth Games in Australia, Jude Bentley, said he is happy to give back to the sport.

Digicel committed to West Indies cricket

In addition to the anticipated main cycle event, at least one other race is expected, preferably for females, but if there are not enough females to compete, the organisers have confirmed that there will be another male race. The second Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day is slated for April 30 and will feature 10 relay events, softball cricket, Jude Bentley (left) hands over their sponsorship to Claude football and a domino comBennett of Boyce & Jefford Committee at the Robb Street location petition. of the Bicycle Store

Regal Sport Softball Tournament 2017…

Regal Masters beat Success, romp to commanding victory

— Fazleem scores big ton West Indies’ Captain, Jason Holder and Pakistan’s Tour Operations Manager, Shaid Aslam receive SIM cards from Digicel’s Communication Manager Vidya Sanichara

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igicel representatives in Guyana met the West Indies and Pakistan teams upon arrival in at the Cheddie Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Monday ahead of the Brighto Paints presents Q Mobile One-Day International series, where they presented the players and management with local SIM cards.

Digicel’s Communication Manager, Vidya Sanichara in addressing the gathering stated that the company will continue to West Indies cricket as it synonymous with Caribbean culture. “We will always support West Indies cricket because we know cricket is something in the Caribbean that goes hand in hand and we have always been behind cricket and we have never regretted it so that it why we will continue throwing put weight behind cricket,” Sanichara disclosed.

More so, the telecommunications giant will have numerous promotions and com-

petitions to get fans to rally around the West Indies before and on match days. Most in particular will be the ‘fan of the match’ which will be awarded to the spectator who has the “most outrageous” cricket attire.

Sanichara also encouraged fans to visit the company’s social media pages and stores to have a chance of winning tickets for the matches.

The first ODI is slated for Friday April 7 while the second and third are scheduled for Sunday April 9 and Tuesday April 11 respectively; all matches will be played in the day commencing at 09:30h.

Tickets for the matches cost $4,000 for Red and Green Stands, $3,000 for the Orange and $2,000 for the grass mound.

Tickets can be bought at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Regent Road Office any day between the hours of 09:00h and 19:00h.

US, T&T in high-altitude World Cup qualifier

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rinidad and Tobago have a tough task getting off the floor of their CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Hexagonal group but that could get worse.

The United States, who they play on June 8, have decided to take the Soca Warriors to Colarado, 5,223 feet above sea level.

The Game US Soccer announced, will be played in Commerce City, home of the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer side.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors have The move by Bruce had limited success at high altitude Arena’s side seems incrediSeven times the T&T best result T&T have had. bly calculated, as Trinidad side have played against There is a duality to the and Tobago have found the Costa Rica at high altitude, United States’ ploy, howevgoing tough playing at high conceding 18 goals and scor- er, as they play in Mexico altitude. ing one, at heights less than City following their excurIn fact, in 52 years of they will face in Colorado. sion against T&T and it World Cup qualifiers, T&T The three times that they would behove them to find are yet to earn a point at have played at even higher a way to negate the hosts’ high altitude. altitude, a 2-1 defeat is the advantage at high altitude.

(Sportsmax)

I

t was a classic case of taking candy from Success XI overcame AJ Hustlers by a baby last Sunday when the action seven wickets. AJ Hustlers took first continued in the Regal Sport Softball strike and scored 93 all out in 14.2 overs.

Tournament as Fazleem Mohamed Hiradeo Jailall made 44 as Diaram who blasted a fine century to help Ramnauth picked up 3-13, Greg Regal Masters defeated Success Singh 3-14 and Dindial Lakhan Masters easily by 83 runs at GNIC 3-15. Success XI replied with Sports Club ground, Woolford 94-3 in eight overs. Wasim Avenue, Georgetown.

Haslim scored 39 not out.

Mohamed clobbered nine fours Led by a fine century by Sachin and seven sixes in scoring 104 to Ramsarran, Farm beat Good guide Regal Masters to 222-3, batHope by 178 runs. Ramsarran ting first at GNIC SC. Mohamed struck 138 and got valuable supshared in a first wicket stand of port from Rajesh Reddy who hit 156 with Eon Abel who struck a cameo 80 as Farm posted 247three fours and seven six3 in 15 overs, taking first strike. es in a rapid 79 while Ryan Singh took 2-20. Good Rudolph Baker conHope were sent packing for 69 tributed 22 as the in 10 overs in reply. Anand assault continued Sooknarine bagged 5-15 and down the order.

Suraj Budhu 2-0.

With a dauntAt Carifesta Sports ing task ahead Complex, Ariel Masters in the run chase, defeated Mike’s Wellman Success Masters by six runs. Batting were bowled out first, Ariel scored 239-8. for 139 in 16.1 overs Fazal Ali slammed 94, with Rafman Ali scorDharmendra Mohabir ing 38 and Mark Fung made 34 and Surendra 26. Abdool Samad had Kumar 23; Wayne 2-11, Mohamed came Jones had 2-17 and back with the ball to Hardat Heeranandan pick up 2-15 while 2-44.

Mahendra Hardyal Mike’s Wellman 2-42 was also among responded with the wickets.

233-9.

Greg In their second match, De Franca Success Masters reboundcracked ed to beat Amazon Warriors 56 and by 57 runs. Batting first Nandram Success Masters managed 179-9 with Trevor Emmanuel making 33 and Rajesh Baljit 30 while K. Persaud had 2-22 and Rudolph Pereira 2-24 were in the wickets’ column.

Amazon Warriors were then knocked over for 122 all out in 17 overs in reply. A. Bacchus hit 35, R. Narine 20 and D. Singh 13 Samlall 40. as Rafman Ali bagged 3-15 Kumar captured 5-45 Fazleem Mohamed and Baljit 2-29. and R. Kumar 2-20.

At DCC, Mosiah XI Savage beat HS beat Queenstown Masjid by one wicket. Masters by six runs. Savage took first Queenstown Masjid took first strike and turn at the crease and got to 178-8. Troy scored 110-5 off their allocation of 15 overs. Ramsawyack hit 57 and Ramo Malone made Abid Haniff made 45 and Imran Ally 32. 23; R. Khan had 4-26. HS Masters respondMosiah XI responded with 112-9 in 9.2 overs. ed with 172-9. N. Badassie and R. Ramdeen Saheed Khan made 38, Ravin Bhagwandin made 51 and 46 respectively. Unnis Yusuf 28 and Doodnauth Shaw 23. snared 4-27.

YELLOW PAGES

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Support pouring in for GCB Diamond anniversary raffle

— SPR Enterprises sponsors 6th prize

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he Guyana Cricket Board recently announced the launch of its grand fund raising 75th Anniversary Raffle in aid of youth and female cricket development. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was officially formed in 1943 will next year, celebrate the milestone which is usually referred to as the Diamond Anniversary.

Approval for the raffle has already been received from the relevant authorities and tickets would go on sale during the One Day International (ODI) on

can either obtain a visa on his/her own or the GCB and the sponsor may be flexible to agree to a transfer of the ticket to a relative or friend of the ticket holder.

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Classified Ads

Marketing Manager of the Guyana Cricket Board, Raj Singh, receiving the sixth prize of one Acer Laptop from Manager of SPR Enterprise, Tracy Seepersaud

$5+VAT per word

Call: 223-7230 Ext 35

Friday.

Raffle tickets have been priced very inexpensively at just $200 p e r ticket and very conveniently in books of 25 for an even $5,000. each. The final drawing is set for April 7, 2018.

The controllers for the raffle are GBC executives; Anand Kalladeen, Raj Singh & Anand Sanasie. There would be eight very attractive prizes to be raffled out at the final drawing.

The first and second prizes take care of your transportation woes, as awesome motor car would be up for grabs while a stylish motorcycle is the second prize. The 3rd prize is a return ticket to New York for which there is a condition attached.

The round trip does not include a visa but it is anticipated that the ticket holder

two to Kaieteur and the eight prize is a day trip for 2 to o n e of our most exotic resorts, Arrow point resort, which is sponsored Arrowpoint Tours, a member of the Roraima Group of Companies.

Tickets would be on sale at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence during the 3 ODIs involving West Indies and Pakistan which will be followed by a consolation drawing during the 3rd ODI on Tuesday April 11.

There would be other consolation drawings in August during the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and then again in December.

Tickets will also be on sale at outlets around the country and from any executive member of the GCB.

22 Chefette, Tridents

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, april 4, 2017

HSS/Annual Hanumaan 10/10 Cricket Tournament

announce multiyear partnership

takes championships — Dr Chung is MVP

Key members at the significant ceremony include Jason Harper (back row, extreme right), Kieron Pollard (back row, second from right) and Shamar Springer (back row, extreme left)

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he Tridents, Pride of Barbados and Chefette Restaurants, an indigenous familyowned Barbadian brand, on Monday announced a multiyear sponsorship of the T20 franchise, which competes in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The partnership will help Chefette and the Tridents fan bases share the passion for the game through marquee in game events with iconic Chefette marketing at Kensington Oval and cricket themed promotions in restaurants nationwide.

Chefette and the Tridents will extend their engagement with the launch of digital and social marketing outreaches that showcase match highlights, individual player performances and those “can’t miss’ mo-

ments from the Tridents participation in the 2017 tournament.

Ryan Haloute, Chefette’s Managing Director, stated “We are very honoured to partner with the local Barbados Tridents Cricket Team to be the official Quick Service Restaurant Sponsor.

During the local matches being played at Kensington Oval in August and in our Restaurants we will be launching exciting cricket promotions to our customers.”

Chefette will be featured prominently on the Tridents match day uniform and will appear in online advertising and media platforms.

Chefette is the most recognised national brand in the restaurant service industry and we’re excited they’ve decided to join in a partner-

ship with the Tridents franchise, said Jason Harper, Chief Executive Officer of the Tridents Pride of Barbados Franchise. “With Chefette as a partner, the Tridents will deliver best in class content and experiences for our fans in stadium and in the Chefette restaurants nationwide.”

The Tridents, Pride of Barbados franchise is captained by international T20 star Kieron Pollard, participates in the six-team Hero CPL. Chefette Restaurants is the largest restaurant chain in Barbados, presently operating 14 Quick Service Restaurants, consisting of 13 Pizza Locations, 2 BBQ Barns (fast casual Restaurants, 10 DriveThrus and 8 MEGA playgrounds). (CPLT20)

The symbol of supremacy in the annual Hanumaan 10/10 tournament goes to Team Mahabir, with MVP Dr R Chung on the left

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he Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS) ran off their third Annual Hanumaan 10/10 Cricket Tournament last Sunday, April 3 at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground in front of an enthusiastic crowd of West Coast Demerara cricket enthusiasts. The three teams that ended up in the finals after the elimination rounds were Ramadoot (White); Mahabir (Red) and Hanumanta (Blue). After three exciting matches, Team Mahabir won the nail-biting final match off the last ball against the runner-ups Team Hanumanta by eight runs.

Under balmy conditions, Team Mahabir lost the toss in the first game against Team Ramadoot and were sent in to bat. They piled on 57 runs, which proved too much for Ramadoot at their turn at the crease.

Team Ramadoot then went on to face Team Hanumanta, and, unfortunately, also lost this match sending Team Hanumanta to face Team Mahabir in the final match.

Team Mahabir, led by Dr Rowhan Chung, scored a quickfire 69 runs which Team Hanumanta looked set to beat when they had to make 13 runs in the last six balls. Tight bowling by

Akshaya Persaud; however, conceded only five runs and Team Mahabir emerged overall winner to take the Trophy.

Dr Chung was later named Man of the Match and Man of the Series, while Suraj Singh copped the best bowler award and Navendra Latchman the best batsman.

At the awards ceremony, short talks were offered on the role of Lord Hanuman as an example for youths to imitate and also the use of cricket to instil discipline and team spirit in youths.

The HSS organisers are already promising that next year’s tournament will be bigger and better.

Declou is “bringing something different”

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ocked and Loaded will now be held on April 23 after it was originally scheduled for April 9, but despite this, one of the professional carded fighters Edmond Declou is not bothered by the adjustment in date and remains focused on the prize.

Declou made this discloser to Guyana Times Sport when the rescheduling was announced at the same venue where the event is slated for, the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

When asked if this push back would affect his preparation, Declou responded by saying “definitely not. I [am] always prepared even if the fight change it don’t really matter if the date change or not I going there to get the job done 100%.”

Despite being out of the ring over the last two years, Declou indicated that he has

not been inactive and will bring something new when he steps in the ring.

While “It has been over 2 years I haven’t been in the ring so I was inactive but I was staying fit in the gym all the time so I just want to encourage the public to come out and see me, see Edmond Declou perform once again and bring something different to the ring this time.”

Declou will enter the squared circle against a familiar foe, Winston Pompey for six rounds. The two have met each other twice in the ring with the first being deemed a technical draw while in the second Declou was victorious.

According to President of the GBBC, Peter Abdool the move in the date was to facilitate the inclusion of the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights.

“MMA has been extremely successful in the last few

Edmond Declou

years; it has rivaled and in some instances surpassed boxing in its popularity.

It has not come here for the want of not trying because there are gentlemen

here who have been trying very, very hard to bring it to Guyana. Because our platform has been set up and our card has been set up, I was approached by Mike [Michael] Singh and introduced to Jason and in point of fact what had happened was for the first time we have an absolutely unique opportunity to bring MMA to Guyana as part of this fight. Consequently to facilitate this happening we have moved the card from April 9 to April 23,” Abdool said.

While the local boxers were training for the Locked and Loaded card, it had significant implications.

Abdool said “You would recall the event was meant to be two things, an amateur programme which was intended to facilitate the launching of the WBC amateur programme in Guyana and as such a singularly important event in itself. The

professional programme involved the likes of Dexter Marques. While our boxers have been training and all has been going well we have been the beneficiary of I would say a bit of luck that we could not afford to pass up.”

In listing the order of events of the night the GBBC President informed the gathering that “there will be the launch of the WBC amateur tournament which will supplement amateur boxing in Guyana and their amateur fights and then the professional fights and then for the first time MMA fight.”

The event will see the three amateur fights for the local boxers clashing before the MMA fighters take to the ring and finally the three professional fights with admission remaining the same set at $1,000 general admission and $2,000 ringside.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, april 4, 2017

23

West Indies vs Pakistan Brighto Paints presents the Q Mobile ODI Series

Teams touch down for critical showdown Akeem Greene

W by

est Indies and Pakistan OneDay International teams arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri at around 14:00h on Monday to a warm welcome by corporate sponsor Digicel and representatives of the Guyana Cricket Board; (GCB) Vice-President Fizul Bacchus and Treasurer Anand Kalladeen.

The arrival is ahead of the three-match series which begins on Friday at the National Stadium, Providence and both camps have placed high importance on winning since they are in a battle for direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup which will be held in England.

On the current International Cricket Council (ICC) 50-over team rankings, of the twelve ranked teams Pakistan are in eighth place with a 89 ranking points while the Caribbean side are in ninth with 84 ranking points.

Only the top eight teams at this year’s September 30 cut-date will gain automatic qualification into the main draw. West Indies have al-

— Holder places high emphasis on World Cup qualification ready missed the upcoming Champions Trophy in England due to their current ranking.

In this regard, West Indies Captain Jason Holder felt the series is quite significant considering where they languish in the rankings which makes a positive start is vital.

“I’m sure it will be a good series, both teams have lots to play for; we obviously need to get ahead on our point standings in terms of the ICC rankings, it is just a situation where we need to start the series well and get out ahead, it is a short series so I think the quicker we start well, is the better off we will be,” said the captain who has failed to win a bilateral 50-over series since his appointment in 2014.

He added, “the game is very crucial, we just need to play each game as it comes; we need to start the series well and once we do that we can put Pakistan under pressure.”

Just last month, the home side were whitewashed by England in the three-match series, which sees the Barbadian

Indies tour of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E), Pakistan won the series 3-0.

It is the first Pakistan tour of the West Indies since 2013 – when Pakistan won a five-match ODI series 3-1.

West Indies squad reads: Jason Holder

Hassan praises West Indies captain Jason Holder

duo of Kraigg and Carlos Braithwaite being omitted from the current 13-man squad, a squad which the skipper believes “has what it takes to beat Pakistan if they play good cricket.”

When Pakistan toured the Caribbean in 2013, leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took career best figures of 7 for 12 at Providence, routing the home side for paltry total. The team returns with another nemesis wrist spinner Shadab Khan.

During the recently concluded four-match Twenty20 series which they lost 3-1, the teenager who made his debut in the first

match ended the series with 10 wickets, at economy rate of below five and caused serious trouble for the batsmen.

The Barbadian in commenting on the possible impact of the spinner disclosed, “He has caused some trouble in the T20 series, it is a new format, we have some fresh faces coming for the first time, it is important that they see him and we have some video footage of him and it is important that everyone comes up with their personal plan on how they are going to play him.”

When the two teams met in an ODI series on West

Pakistan unfazed about possible change in conditions at Providence by

Akeem Greene

P

akistan’s fielding coach Steve Rixon is confident that his team will combat any possible change in conditions at the National Stadium, Providence when they face the West Indies in a three-match One-Day International Series beginning on Friday.

Since cricket began playing at the facility in March 2007, the he pitch was the topic of much criticism for being too slow and low. However, four of the six pitches located on the square of the cricket field were re-laid and the curators have voiced that it will offer much pace and bonce.

If this comes to fruition, it will be a vast change from what the team experienced during the 2013 tour, where both sides’ spinners wreaked havoc in the two matches.

“To us whether it bounces or is slow, it is not going to make much difference; we cater for both, we played against both and very well, we don’t have any problems whether it is turning or has little bounce in the wicket so bring it on whichever way,” the Australian confidently stated.

When the two sides played last year in the

Pakistan fielding coach Steve Rixon addressing the local media upon arrival in Guyana

United Arab Emirates, Pakistan steamrolled the West Indies 3-0 and so far on this tour, they have the more confident team geared to win any series.

For the continued success over the Caribbean side, the coach felt that his side have just handled conditions better. “We played our conditions very well, the guys have played well and the conditions served up here we have enjoyed and we played quite well; the one day cricket too won’t be any different and to win after the UAE was not quite a surprise, it was certainly a learning curve for the West Indies boys and they will come back stronger,” Rixon contended.

While the management

(Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton.

is confident, the series holds key in their qualification for the 2019 World Cup where they are precariously ranked at eighth place on 89 rating points just five ahead of West Indies.

Pakistan have already lost 1-4 this year in an away series to Australia and will be looking to bounce back under new captain Sarfraz Ahmed who will be using the series as preparation for September’s Champions Trophy in England.

“It has been a major concern for us since the start of our tour and our major focus is on the one-day game; it is something we have not played well over the years and it is something we are looking at heading into the champions trophy,”

the fielding coach explained.

He added, “We have set our targets on this one day series for the moment, we were 9th when we first started so we got ourselves in a better position, we have to continue to play well and get ourselves ready for the championship trophy.”

Meanwhile, West Indies have stated that they will have an aggressive approach to leg-spinner Shadab Khan who has troubled them in the T20 series.

In response, Rixon urged the home side to bring it on, adding that “they [West Indies] have got some fine batsmen, we saw that with [Evin] Lewis the other day, a lot of the guys have been improving over the years; it is exciting time for West Indies cricket, so I would like to think if they continue playing the cricket that Caribbean produces it will be the right way to go.”

Pakistan Squad reads: Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Zakir, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain & wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Fahim Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Asghar.

commitment of rural riders

N

National Cycling Coach, the evergreen Hassan Mohammed

ational Cycling Coach, Hassan Mohammed has sung loud praises for the efforts made by out of town riders who consistently show up to races.

Speaking to those in attendance of the 7th Annual Powerade road race on the West Bank Demerara, Hassan extended gratitude to “those cyclist that came from Berbice, just imagine they were here from 06:30h for this race this morning [Sunday morning]” for their continued efforts.

Trojan/PSL which is based in the ancient county has brought a number of wheelsmen who continue to be a dominant force in the racing world such as Jason Cameron who won the junior’s division and Curtis Dey who placed third in the same category. Cameron finished 5th overall in that race.

Also, We Stand United rider, Andrew Hicks who resides in Berbice finished 7th having been consistently in the first pack over the last few months alongside Romello Crawford from the same county. Surprisingly, the lone female rider of the day, Deance Welch is also from Berbice.

Not only did the Berbicians receive the acknowledgement, but so did those from the mining town, Linden.

With the likes of Silvio Innis, Shaquel Agard and Orville Hinds all of whom have been in aid of developing the sport. The likes of those from East Coast of Demerara and even in Georgetown were all complimented by the man who organizes almost all the cycling meets as he pointed out riders come from Mahaicony and far regions.

“I thank those from Linden, East Coast and Georgetown and all those who participated in the accident free race,” Hassan said.

The man behind the scenes even went on to thank the sponsors, Powerade, a brand from one of the largest local companies in Guyana, Banks DIH for their corporate responsibility of helping to develop local sports, especially cycling.

The annual Powerade Road Race concluded last Sunday with local cyclists completing a distance of approximately 50 miles along the roadways of West Demerara. Jamaul John emerged the overall winner when he stopped the clock in a time of one hour, 57 minutes and 16 seconds.

Next on the calendar of events for the cyclists is the sixth annual Bakers Memorial Road race organized by Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycling Club which takes place this Sunday along the Linden Highway.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

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— Holder places high emphasis on World Cup qualification — Pakistan unfazed about possible change in conditions at Providence

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