Guyana Times Daily

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3092

Thursday, January 12, 2017

PRICE

GECOM chairmanship

Granger maintains Constitution previously breached Page 3

Fire guts West Demerara bond Page 7

Mother stabbed by daughter’s boyfriend

Masked bandits rob Berbice supermarket

Page 2

Page 9

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Local law school to be opened in 2018

P9

…as HWLS arrangement nears end

Guyana accredits Nepalese, P7 Iranian Ambassadors

Minister Norton reflects on Chinese contributions to nation P12 ― as Guyana observes inaugural Chinese Arrival Day Ituni’s deplorable school

Temporary arrangements made for P10 students to attend school

Police nab teen for P10 drinking spree murder Masked cutlass and gun brandishing bandits held customers hostage in a brazen robbery caught on CCTV footage at the Good Life Supermarket at Belvedere Village, Corentyne, Berbice as they terrorised and robbed the owners and customers

Govt jubilee plan

Middle, high-income earners main beneficiaries …received $590M write-offs Page 2

Sexual assault charge P8 dismissed against former Prisons Director

2 news

thursDAY, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt jubilee plan Mother Middle, high-income earners main beneficiaries stabbed by …received $590M write offs daughter’s T boyfriend

A

security guard is now in critical condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital after being stabbed by her daughter’s boyfriend.

Injured is Nivonne Aubrey Trim of Number 77 Village Housing Scheme, Corriverton, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who was stabbed to her chest and hand. Reports are the incident occurred on Monday evening in Corriverton, Berbice, when the woman tried to make peace between her 21-yearold daughter and her 48-year-old boyfriend.

Guyana Times was told that at about 19:30h, the man was drinking with

friends when he and his girlfriend got involved in an argument.

According to one eyewitness, Trim arrived on the scene and in her daughter’s defence tried to make peace between the feuding couple, when the man who was armed with a knife, stabbed her.

The man’s friends managed to take the knife away from him and Trim was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital because of the extent of her injuries.

Police have since arrested the man. (Andrew Carmichael)

he Jubilee payment plan, which was offered by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) under the aegis of the Communities Ministry, saw more than two thirds of beneficiaries being those persons that were allotted middle and high-income house lots.

This information has since been disclosed by CH&PA when it recently provided a breakdown of the entity’s performance over the past year.

According to the information released, a total of 2881 applicants benefited from the plan paying over to Government a total of $590 million during the course of March and May 2016 during which time the Administration made its offer available.

Only seven persons in the very low-income category benefited from the Jubilee payment plan.

Those persons were allotted house lots at a cost of some $59,000, while 215 persons in the low income categories at $92,000 per lot managed to benefit from the plant.

A total of 524 persons allotted house lots in the range of $150,000 and $200,000, considered by Government to be moderate income earners, benefited from the Jubilee plan.

Middle-income lots ranging from $500,000 to $1.2 million saw 1440 persons cashing in on the Jubilee payment plan.

The highest category of house lots awarded – in excess of $1.5 million – saw a total of 695 persons benefiting.

The almost 3000 persons cashing in on the offer benefited from a total discount of $590 million.

Government had also offered an additional subsidy

Department of Housing

towards home improvement and saw the programme offering beneficiaries a maximum of $50,000 in building materials, redeemable via vouchers, to effect approved improvement works to their existing basic building.

CH&PA has since indicated that the subsidy saw persons from across the country in each Region benefiting.

The information supplied by CH&PA has also revealed a dismal track record with regard to the expenditure of almost $6 billion, which was set aside to be spent from the CH&PA’s housing fund.

According to CH&PA’s records, a total of $5.8 billion was budgeted for the year 2016, with $5.2 billion of this sum identified to fund the infrastructural investments and housing construction programme.

However, as at December 2016, the total capital expenditure stood at $688.4 million, which represents 12 per cent of the total budgeted sum, while current expenditure was $414.2 million.

The entity’s current revenues for 2016 stood at a paltry $67.8 million.

The CH&PA reported too that there were no new housing areas developed, or upgrading works completed within existing areas, “since decisions to develop new areas or the prioritising of existing areas for upgrading ought to be informed through a process of feasibility assessments that is supported by current, comprehensive and accurate data/financial information for each housing area.”

The CH&PA said the field data collection exercises were completed in November, while the data entry and verification exercise was in progress.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the allocation of lands during the course of 2016, the CH&PA reported that only 2015 house lots were allocated, but that represented a more than 100 per cent increase over its target of 1000 allocations.

Two hundred and twenty-one regularised squatters received allocation letters, out of the target of 400 squatters.

As it relates to this year, the CH&PA is geared to fund its 2017 programme from the housing fund to

the tune of $8 billion.

Of that amount, some $2.3 billion has been earmarked to fund several of the projects that would have had to be rolled over from 2016.

Some $2.5 billion has also been set aside for the “consolidation of existing housing schemes to conduct feasibility study of existing housing scheme as requested by CH&PA Board prior to intervention, and the upgrading of roads, drains and structures in low-income, regularized squatting areas and other planned housing areas”.

According to the information supplied by the CH&PA, Government has set aside $1.6 billion to be utilised on the first phase of infrastructural development works and housing pilots, namely those for the townhouses, duplexes and single-flat houses.

Minister with direct responsibility for the sector, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson had recently contended, “2016 was not our best year…2017 cannot and will not be a repeat of 2016…We have a job to do – to provide decent, affordable housing for the Guyanese people.”

news

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THURSDAY, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 12 – a night retraction at 05:00h and 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, January 13 – 05:00h-06:30.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 12 – 15:30h-17:00 and Friday, January 13 – 16:00h-17:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout most of the day, while light rain showers can be expected in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 23 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 04:18h and 16:33h reaching maximum heights of 2.63 metres and 2.78 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:06h and 22:35h reaching minimum heights of 0.59 metre and 0.42 metre respectively.

wednesday, January 11, 2017

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GECOM chairmanship

Granger maintains Constitution previously breached A

s the back and forth continues on the nominations for Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) chairmanship, President David Granger has pledged to put an end to the breach of the Constitution, which saw persons without the qualifications of a Judge being appointed to the position.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, the Head of State pointed out that regardless of what obtained in the past, as current President of Guyana, it is his responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the Constitution will be followed.

He was at the time responding to Guyana Times when asked about his acceptance of a nomination for the GECOM chairmanship in 2000 by then Opposition Leader Hugh Desmond Hoyte without having the necessary qualifications of a Judge as required under the Constitution.

“My understanding is that at all material times, a member of the legal profession or several members of the legal profession were on the list but my acceptance of the nomination or my name being on the list does not necessarily mean that I must accept the six names which are submitted. So it doesn’t follow the law of what you would call the ‘non sequitur’ (a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement). The point is, even if the Constitution had been breached or if a nomination had been made in breach of the Constitution 10 or 20 years ago, there is no need to repeat it. That is not a precedent, I don’t accept that. I’m accepting now, as President, that the Constitution provisions must be applied,” the President stated.

Following the receipt of a letter from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo seeking clarification on his interpretation of the

President David Granger

Constitution’s requirements for the nominees of GECOM chairmanship, President Granger said he has already responded to the Opposition Leader and will continue to engage him on the matter.

The Head of State further posited that the issue is now being looked at within a legal framework, not within the framework of politics or personalities.

“This is a constitutional matter and I’ve cited the Constitution to (Jagdeo). I’m not playing politics, I’m serious about the appointment of Chairman of GECOM and the Constitution is very clear. Mr Jagdeo did write to me and he asked for some clarification,” the Head of State said.

He added, “Well as I said, it has now gone into the legal zone and we are going to ensure that he gets the legal clarification that he needs but in terms of names, I’m not in the business of naming names at this stage. I’m in the business of satisfying the constitutional requirement for the appointment so that is as much as I can say at this stage. The law will prevail and we will continue to engage the Leader of the Opposition as required under the Constitution. So I’ve not disengaged (him), I’ve examined his letter and a response will be sent.”

In response to the President’s rejection of his

first list of nominees and his consequent request for a second one, Jagdeo on Tuesday wrote the Head of State requesting an urgent meeting while asking that he elucidate his interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana, which deals with the requirements of the nominees to be submitted by the Opposition Leader.

The six nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader in December last year were retired Major General Norman McLean; Attorney and Political Analyst, Christopher Ram; former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo; Peace and Governance Consultant, Lawrence Lachmansingh; businesswoman, Rhyaan Shah; and Professor James Rose, none of whom President Granger noted has the qualifications of a Judge as required by the law.

The Head of State had outlined that the Constitution requires only persons who are Judges, qualified to be Judges, or former Judges of either a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court.

However, Jagdeo pointed out that his interpretation of the Constitution is that the requirements go beyond the qualifications of a Judge.

“I am obliged to inform Your Excellency that my interpretation of Article 161(2) is different, in so far as, it also provides for, in addition to the category of persons to whom you have referred, “or

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

any other fit and proper person,” Jagdeo penned in his January 10, 2017 letter to the President.

An extract of Article 161 reads, “Subject to the provision of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a Judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such Judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly”.

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thursday, January 12, 2017

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

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

Editorial

Diasporas and development

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t may, or may not, have been coincidental, but at the same time the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government announced plans to mobilise and engage the “Guyanese Diaspora” to aid in the development of Guyana, India was hosting its 14th “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” (PBD) – Overseas Indian Day. Launched in 2003, the 2017 iteration brought over 6000 delegates drawn from 64 countries to India’s IT capital, Bengaluru – which was so recently “Banglore”.

The emblematic “Diaspora” had been formed out of their dispersal of the Jewish people subsequent to their conquest thousands of years ago, when most had been driven into slavery to Babylon and Egypt. In more modern times, the process was not much different for several other “peoples”. Between the 16th and 19th century, two sets of “diasporas” were formed when millions of Africans were snatched from their native lands by Europeans and shipped to the “New World” as slaves – Africans and Europeans of several nationalities.

Following the abolition of slavery in the 19th century, Portuguese, Indians, Chinese and some other groups were shipped as “indentured labour”. The shipments of Indians and Chinese created two new Diasporas that become very significant because of their numbers. Intellectuals from people of African descent – from the USA, the West Indies and Africa – were the first to organise their Diaspora and launched the 1st Pan-African Congress in 1900.

When the 5th Pan-African Congress was held in Manchester in 1945 at the end of WWII, the individuals who were to become leaders in the struggle for independence – such as Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago and Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana – honed a common strategy for their countries, which included a strong development component.

As a matter of fact, several West Indian intellectuals, including George Padmore, repatriated themselves to the emerging independent countries in Africa, to assist in their development.

Walter Rodney, who had helped craft the agenda for the 7th Pan-African Congress, had evidently decided to return to Africa after the People’s National Congress Government targeted him in 1979.

The successive governments of post-Mao China much more self-consciously mobilised its Diaspora and very successfully tapped into the skills and resources in its drive for development starting in the 1980’s. In 1989, Non-Resident Indians (NRI’s) – who were mere mostly first generation immigrants to the USA – organised the “First Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin” (GOPIO) in New York City to bring together the Indian Diaspora.

But it exposed a new problematic – the descendants of those Indians who had been “exported” in the 19th and early 20th century to European colonies, were now part of secondary diasporas and had some different concerns from the NRI’s – particularly when it came to the “development” of India.

The NRI’s generally were focused on increasing their business contacts with India and within their community in the USA, while the “Girmityas” – those arising from the “agreement” of bound labour – were focused on the development of their “new” homelands, and in maintaining cultural links with India.

When the Government of India initiated the annual PBD in 2003, it attempted to accommodate both imperatives – the drive for India’s development by harnessing the skills and resources of its Diaspora and the desire for cultural contacts of the latter.

With the advent of the new Government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, a decision was made to host the event biennially, and to have preparatory structured meetings and discussions in New Delhi with representatives of the Diaspora on identified subject areas. PBD 2017 demonstrated the success of this new strategy when in the course of three days, the separate day for youths, and the sessions following the plenary gathering addressed by PM Modi allowed the entire Diaspora to express themselves both to each other and to the Government of India.

For Guyana, the experience of its delegates to PBD should be tapped to facilitate its own aspirations to tap into its Diaspora.

Giant panda cubs play with decorations during an event to celebrate China's Lunar New Year in a research base in Ya'an, Sichuan province, China (China Daily via REUTERS)

President must address 2nd requirement in Article 161(2) Dear Editor, Article 161(2) of the Constitution sets out the requirements for the person who is to be the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). By now, we know what those two requirements are, and I reiterate albeit, concisely: a Judge or any other fit and proper person.

The President and Attorney General have expounded much about the six candidates on the People’s Progressive Party’s list not being Judges. Fair enough.

But then, the President and Attorney General are very silent on the “fit and proper person” provision. This is where one has to be suspicious and question why this disregard for the second provision. Whenever a person is considered for any job anywhere, there are identifiable, measurable criteria that are used to assess the candidates’ suitability for the post. What is a criterion? Simply put, a criterion is a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided.

Therefore, when candidates are unsuccessful or rejected for the post, then we know that they did not meet the identified criteria.

Further, these identifiable criteria allows for an objective and transparent assessment that can be scrutinised and examined if a challenge is mounted.

And clearly, for such a critical and sensitive position as the GECOM Chairman, one expects that any Head of

State would want to ensure that the process is free from personal preferences, political interference and bias, and thus a list of criteria is jointly determined by both parties and used to assess the eligibility (or ineligibility) of the candidates. And if the first six names were proven ineligible against the identifiable criteria (both parties agreed upon), then the process moves on and a second list may be compiled.

So let us for argument sake say that the six candidates are disqualified on the grounds of criteria one; that is, they are not Judges, then we need to know what identifiable, measurable criteria disqualified them from being “fit and proper” as well.

After all, the Constitution does identify that the satisfaction of “fit and proper” is grounds for appointment of the Chairman.

If the President has rejected the list then he must address the second requirement of the Article and say on what grounds the candidates were not “fit and proper.” To do this, we the people need to know: • What constitutes “fit and proper”; • What measures/criteria he and his colleagues used to grade and determine the level of eligibility or ineligibility of each of these candidates. (And he must have some criteria in mind because he has rejected them. Then tell us what those criteria are that rendered them unsuitable.

Wouldn’t that be helpful in selecting new candidates if the case warrants it?)

• There must be a grading system based on a set of criteria in order to choose the best candidate.

The President must be reminded that Guyana is not managed like his personal home, where decisions made in that circle is immaterial to the nation. He is accountable to the nation and that requires an explanation on why he would choose to do or not something especially when it is a deviation from law and what is traditionally accepted and practiced when they were in Opposition. This is not an unreasonable requirement but one that has its genesis in law.

And while he is at it, the President must also explain the following: • His own nomination for the post of GECOM Chairman when he knew back then that he did not satisfy the very requirement he now holds on to; • Why the People’s National Congress (PNC), when it was in Opposition, supplied a list to the then PPP Government that did not comprise judges. Both the President and Basil Williams are holding on staunchly to the need for the candidate to be a Judge.

Then they need to tell us why in the past, they never supplied the names of Judges on their list.

• What deemed past GECOM Chairmen “fit and proper” in order to be on the

list which they previously submitted to the PPP. Might I remind the President and Attorney General that Dr Surujbally came from a list provided by the PNC. He is not a Judge and does not possess an ounce of legal training. He’s a veterinarian. The PNC knew he was not a Judge but yet they listed him and he was selected for the position.

The PNC is deviating from its own practices and interpretation of the Constitution and a very clear hypocrisy and double-standard is seen. This needs urgent clarity.

Every member of society, every group and every person need to demand answers from the President.

He is answerable to us the voters. He must address Article 161 (2) in its entirety and tell the nation why the six persons on the list did not satisfy “fit and proper”. Guyana is a democracy and this is how democracy works. If the President doesn’t feel he owes the nation any explanation, then he needs to tell us whether he sees Guyana as a democracy which warrants accountability and transparency, not just in financial matters but in every area of governance, or whether he has imposed dictatorship governance on this nation and so does not owe the nation any explanation. We need answers.

Yours faithfully, Daren Jaipaul

guyanatimesgy.com

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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

Latchmansingh is a true Norton’s statement on Red representation of Guyanese nation House issue must be lauded

Dear Editor, A Government cannot gerrymander for the purpose of helping the majority party in Parliament; a Government rules within a framework of a Constitution. Thus, what we are seeing today can see Steve Surujbally remaining in office for the next 10 years because clearly, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) cannot behave like mature parties that have the custody of the nation in their hands.

But the bigger portion of the blame must land on President David Granger’s desk. Why is he listening to Basil Williams? Why is he not consulting experienced people like Rex McKay, Miles Fitzpatrick and Robin Stoby on how to proceed with this Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) matter?

Article 161 (2) is easy reading: The Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person:“... OR ANY OTHER FIT AND PROPER PERSON, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition…..”

In a normal society with fair and progressive governments in place, the fit and proper test considers a few factors to arrive at fit and proper. These factors include: • Has the person been involved in any tax fraud or financial dubious transactions?

• Has been proven to be incompetent to the point that they have not managed an organisation and thus cannot be seen to manage the affairs of GECOM? • Does the person have political leanings from past actions that will import undue bias into their decision-making process while serving as Chairman of GECOM?

If one look at the six names, I am convinced beyond doubt one of them is lean, clean and aptly qualified for the position but was eliminated because of his race, notwithstanding that he is married to an Afro-Guyanese woman.

Christopher Ram ticked two boxes but is a political exposed person who has been extremely close to the Working People’s Alliance and the Alliance For Change and thus cannot be seen as unbiased politically and thus his elimination was just.

Ramesh Dookhoo, like Ram, also ticks two boxes but is a political instrument of the PPP and will not be able to make political sound and unbiased decisions and again I agree with President Granger to send this PPP supporter packing.

Rhyaan Shah, a hell of a strong woman who has strong and respected views, but I would also eliminate her for the image of being so pro-Indian to the point that she comes across as anti-black. A Rhyaan Shah Chairmanship will send shivers down the spines of the supporters of the PNC and can result in a political war if she is sitting as Chairman of GECOM and the PPP wins the 2020 elections.

James Rose should not even have been on that list since he was a PPP candidate.

Now the two candidates I really felt had a fighting chance were Norman McLean and Lawrence Latchmansingh.

Normal McLean ran the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in the days when the GDF was the GDF when it had over 10,000 men in uniform and he is close to both the PNC and the PPP and thus neither side could attack him as biased. However, on the question of financial dealings, I have many questions

surrounding him and I think there is still a pending court case against him. For this reason, I believe he should not be considered.

Now let us come to Lawrence Latchmansingh, a United Nations man all his life. He is married to an AfroGuyanese woman and has a wonderfully mixed family.

He is a true representation of the Guyanese nation. He is close to the Catholic Church and was always a peacemaker and never close to any one political party. Actually, through his work, he helped Guyana on major developmental issues over the years such as social cohesion, national unity and elections management. He is squeaky clean financially, ran many UN projects in the electoral arena all over the world all his life and is at peace with senior political leaders in both the PNC and the PPP. So why was Lawrence Latchmansingh not fit and proper Mr President? This situation clearly exposed the racism both overtly and covertly in the Granger cabal that runs the PNC today.

When this group has to revert to race, to justify their end of constructing a society of racial dominance, then Guyana is doomed. Even during Burnham’s time, the PNC was not this racist because people like Ramphal and Shabudeen got ahead because of their competence.

Why are the careers and economic ambitions of East Indians being crucified under the Granger cabal? This is a strategy that will have a clearly defined end – a bankrupt and broken Guyana.

Sincerely, Surujdai Lilmohan

Dear Editor, I recall when various communities (religious, trade unions, ethnic, youth etc) were invited to a conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) last year on April 26, 2016, as part of the rebirth of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), the then Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton made a presentation which was impressive as a humanist and one with vision for humanity.

Following the opening ceremony, the Minister had parliamentary responsibility to be the counsel for the cluster of the Islamic Group.

In this session, yet again the words he used and the energy that he exuded demonstrated a knack for social communication and national integrative skills.

In our cluster, I had mentioned that if I was nominated once more (since I was nominated in and I was the original nominee in early 2016), I would pursue an agenda of meeting and speaking with persons from the most remote areas, reaching out to people of all different ethnicities and religions. Subsequent to my statement, one particular Muslim member on behalf of a large Islamic Organisation (not the CIOG) stated that “Hindus have Hindus attending to Hindus, Christians have Christians attending to Christians, and we must have Muslims attending to Muslims.” In a state of shock, I let the individual know that when it comes to the ERC, clusters and preferences must cease to ex-

ist as it is a constitutional body which must represent the rights of all Guyanese.

The gentleman continued to argue his point assiduously. The now Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton intervened and stated very emphatically but eloquently that my points were correct and that a Commissioner to the ERC when elected by a cluster should and must represent all factions in society.

The voice of the Minister touched my heart as it did with many others, and I saw a deep care in him for this nation and I could see in his eyes a unique devotion for unity in Guyana.

On January 9, 2017, in a meeting with Minister Norton, he indicated his preference for one on one planned meetings. In my opinion, this was a good move to meet with the elected nominees in such a manner which showed his personality and also his familiarisation as a practitioner in medicine. He relayed to me that by doing this, he could see and understand those who are genuine cohesionists apart from those that are opportunists.

I complimented him for seeing persons via one on one scheduled meetings, as it was a good start and confirmed his humility as he was seeking advice on how to proceed.

Since his transfer to the Social Cohesion Ministry, Minister Norton has affirmed that this is not his field of expertise as he would have been in the medical field all his professional life. However, with my recent experience and from

what I would have known before, he has been practicing social cohesion all along.

Further, his statement on the Government’s actions to confiscate the lease on Red House must be lauded. It is obvious that such a comment coming from someone, especially a senior official of the governing party, will attract criticism and also, many will seek to embarrass him both privately and publicly. For this move, the Minister must be acknowledged. It takes guts to be a Social Cohesion Minister as it takes guts to make such statements.

I believe that there is too much hate that it being peddled by the political powerhouses in this country.

Once an activity or group of people (governmental or non-governmental) are involved in socially cohesive activities, yours truly and my partner and colleague, General Secretary of the Universal Peace Federation Guyana, Reverend Ronald McGarrell promise to work to create communities of unity right away; as the community can lead to unity as a work in progress. I call on the Government, the Opposition, those with political adherences, the Private Sector, civil society and all my brothers and sisters belonging to this blessed land; to please remember, Guyana first, ambition and power later.

Yours sincerely, Hajji Roshan Khan Universal Peace Federation-Guyana Chairman

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Foundation

Every home situation is different

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guyanatimesgy.com

y first grade daughter’s father and I do not live together and have extremely different parenting styles.”

• Conversation starter: How do teachers and office staff work with split families to provide an equitable approach in the best interest of the child?

Are we sending school communications to multiple addresses? Who do we call “first” when we communicate? ”We are a one-car family, and one parent does not have a driver’s licence. The other works all day which makes making friends difficult and scheduling meetings even harder.”

• Conversation starter: For families without transportation, how might a home-school partnership infuse a support system that meets these needs and/or offers a hybrid approach? Are we making other tools available for conferences when face-to-face just isn’t possible? ”We’re grandparents raising grandchildren.”

• Conversation starter: Today’s “parent” might mean aunt, uncle, neighbour, grandparent, cousin or other relative or family friend. It’s up to us educators to identify early who the caretakers are so that we can understand where we need to focus our efforts to engage them. ”We relocated from just a week before school started, and our kids are in a transitional state of mind, making them a little nervous and timid, but excited at the same time.”

• Conversation starter: How are new families immersed into the overall culture of your school? Is there a new family night? Consider a family mentor program made up of volunteer families that “take new families in” to show them the ropes, introduce them to others, and are always there to help with a question. ”I am a single mom. I am broke. I work three jobs so that I can put food on

the table for my kids. I want school to be our first priority, but really it is third or fourth on the list. We do the best we can.”

• Conversation starter: It’s hard for us educators to swallow, but for so many of our families who are living in poverty, attendance, school and homework not top priorities. Developing a strong relationship from the start with our families and asking, “What we can do to help out?” goes a long way in maintaining high expectations for all families, while differentiating where necessary.

Please plan for us

”We are working parents and wish

there were more opportunities to volunteer at night or on weekends.”

• Conversation starter: The school calendar hasn’t changed much over the years. Most of our events are held in the evening. When making the calendar for the upcoming year, consider bringing in a few local parent leaders to provide a varied approach with offerings in the morning, afternoon, evening and on weekends. This is where a home-school parent leadership group that represents your school families would really benefit the students and the partnership you are working to build. ”We totally want to help out, be at school events, in the classroom, etc, but we need notice to take off work, on the order of months, not days to weeks. As much notice as you can give, the better.”

• Conversation starter: Be proactive and offer a structure to the way you integrate parent volunteers. Come together with your teaching team and create a calendar of possible volunteer opportunities for parents. For example, if you are doing something like “Kidwriting” and your schedule is constant through the end of the school year, provide a signup Google Document in advance. This way, parents can see where they are needed and can plan in advance for their work schedules. Having parents volunteer in the classroom (even if it is not in a classroom where their kids are) helps parents and teachers further the partnership and build capacity for the curriculum and needs of children of a given age. (Excerpt from edutopia.com)

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xcessive praise will give children the message that obedience and good behaviour are optional.

It’s better to give your child the message that he is doing exactly what you expect, not something out of the ordinary. Children are programmed to meet your expectations. Sometimes all that is needed for you to break a negative cycle is to expect good behaviour. Treat them as if they really are going to choose right. When parents don’t expect obedience, they generally don’t get it.

Selective ignoring

To preserve parental sanity, in our large family we run a tight ship in certain situations. In other areas, we are more lax. We have learned to ignore smallies and concentrate on biggies. A smallie is a behaviour which is annoying but doesn’t harm humans, animals, or property, or which even if uncorrected does not lead to a biggie. These childish irresponsibility’s will self-correct with time and maturity. Ignoring helps shape children’s behaviour because your child respects the limits of a parent’s job description (eg, “I don’t do petty arguments”). One day two five-year-olds were playing in our front yard, and they got into a toy squabble. No one was getting hurt. They tried to drag my wife Martha into the ring. She simply said, “You kids are too big to act like this. That’s such a silly little toy to get upset about.

I’m not even going to waste my time getting involved.”

She walked away. The kids got the point and settled the problem themselves.

Ignoring undesirable behaviours works best if you readily acknowledge desirable ones. The ignored interrupter learns to enter adult conversations with “excuse me” once you reinforce the use of these polite addresses.

Ignore the misbehaviour, not the child.

Harmless behaviours fade both as your tolerance level widens and your reactions don’t reinforce the child’s behaviour. It’s helpful to gain practice in selective ignoring in the early years of a child’s life to prepare you for the challenges yet to come—accepting teenagers with their unconventional dress and hairstyles, loud music, and moody behaviours.

Help your child learn choices have consequences

Experiencing the consequences of their choices is one of the most effective ways to shape children’s behaviour because they can learn self-discipline. These lessons really last because they come from real life. Most success in life depends on making wise choices. Being able to think ahead about the positive or negative consequences of an action and choose accordingly is a skill we want our children to learn. (Excerpt from askdrsears.com)

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thursDAY, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana accredits Nepalese, Iranian Ambassadors P

resident David Granger has accepted the credentials from non-resident Ambassadors of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The two diplomats presented their Letters of Credence to the Guyanese

that in addition to many common values, Guyana and Nepal also share common vulnerabilities to the adverse effects of climate change, something which they can tackle together.

“Guyana, a low-lying coastal state, is susceptible to the effects of rising sea lev-

President David Granger shares a light moment with new Iranian Ambassador to Guyana, Mostafa Alaei

Head of State on Wednesday at his official residence, during which the furtherance of South-South relations was emphasised.

Having established diplomatic ties in June 1994, President Granger noted

els, floods, droughts and environmental hazards. Nepal, a land locked state, also faces increased climate induced threats. We are both rich in hydroelectric potential. Our two countries can learn from each other’s experience in

developing climate change adaptation plans and in promoting renewable energy development,” he posited.

The Head of State went on to note that as Guyana continues to push the development of a ‘green’ agenda, there is much that can be learnt from the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in the area of forest and natural assets conservation.

“We feel that there is much for Guyana to learn from your country in forest conservation and from the challenges in conserving our natural assets,” he stated, while extending support to the people of Nepal as they continue reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015.

Meanwhile, the newly accredited Nepalese Diplomat, Dr Arjun Kumar Karki, outlined the importance his country places on its relationship with Guyana. He noted that the values which form the bedrock of diplomatic ties between the two countries are multifaceted and encompass a broad spectrum of political, socio-economic, cultural and many more dimensions.

“We are optimistic that

Fire guts West Demerara bond

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fire early Wednesday morning completely razed a building which was converted into a storage bond at Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Reports are the fire started at about 06:30h at a Lot 21 East Patentia Housing Scheme building, which was recently converted into a bond. Guyana Times was told that mostly electronic items and cosmetics were stored in the bond.

At the time of the fire, two vehicles were parked in the yard – one of which bore no registration plates. Both vehicles were torched by the fire.

This publication understands the building belonged to Roopnarine Satnarine, who is the proprietor of Body Line Beauty World and Price Buster Trading in America Street, Georgetown.

When this publication arrived at the scene, fire service ranks were attempting to contain the blaze while Police investigators were on site gathering information. A next door neighbour, Fredrick Williams, who was shaken by the ordeal, recalled that he was preparing

Fire Service rank battling to contain the early morning blaze

meals just as the event unfolded.

“I was in the kitchen preparing meals when my dog kept barking. When I followed the dog and it go to the side of the building... when I looked across I basically saw smoke across in the nieghbour’s yard and I ran out to the road and alarmed everybody else,” Williams noted.

He told Guyana Times that he then contacted the Fire Service which responded quickly and managed to contain the blaze.

Williams, however, suffered some losses as his house was also scorched by the flames.

“The whole one side get torched, a few things burned

inside like the curtains and the black [water] tank. My loss is not so great but thank God for the good job of the Fire Service at the end of the day because if they weren’t here, I wouldn’t have a building,” expressed Williams on the verge of tears.

Meanwhile, this newspaper was also informed that Satnarine’s bond was subjected to three robbery attacks prior to Wednesday morning’s fire. Information received also stated that Police recently held three persons in connection with the robberies.

Police and Fire Service investigations are continuing.

President David Granger along with newly accredited Nepalese Ambassador, Dr Arjun Kumar Karki and his wife

Nepal and Guyana will be able to take our relationship to a new height. The bonds that we build will be based on trust and mutual benefit that are consistent with our potentials and the aspirations of our people,” the Diplomat stated.

Dr Karki added that his country looks forward to having enhanced cooperation and support in areas of development challenges, eradication of poverty and South-South cooperation.

Iranian Ambassador

On the other hand, after submitting his credentials, new Iranian Ambassador to Guyana, Mostafa Alaei, also outlined that both Guyana and Iran have great potential to be realised in a wide

spectrum of political, international and economic affairs.

“Both countries possess vast resources of particular and specific importance, in different forms needed for development. They are complimentary to each other…

There are many areas within which both countries can support each other and combine their efforts to advance common interests within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations. In this context, both Governments, in our view, possess capacities and capabilities to even harness their abilities in the interest of South to South Cooperation,” Alaei posited.

Moreover, President Granger in brief remarks outlined that the appoint-

ment of the new Iranian Ambassador will serve as a catalyst for the enhancement of relations between the two countries.

“There exists several possibilities for us to expand our cooperation, especially in the fields of agriculture, food production technology and hydro-electrical energy generation, thus expanding the existing capacity and furthering South-South cooperation,” President Granger noted.

The Head of State went on to say that more can be done to take advantage of the opportunities to bring the two countries and its peoples together. He added too that with both countries committed to a low carbon, low emission trajectory of development, the renewed diplomatic ties emphasise the protection of their environment, the preservation of their biodiversity, the provision of eco-tourism and eco-educational services and the promotion of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation, especially with Guyana establishing a ‘green’ state.

Ambassador Alaei, who replaces Ambassador Hojattolah Soltani, will be based in neighbouring Caracas, Venezuela.

(Vahnu Manikchand)

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News

thursDAY, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Sexual assault charge dismissed against former Prisons Director

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ormer Director of Prisons, Welton Trotz was on Wednesday elated when Magistrate Fabayo Azore found him not guilty of a sexual assault charge brought against him.

Trotz appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, and heard his fate in a private session.

The case which alleged that Trotz sexually assaulted a female Prison Officer was first brought before the court in October

2015.

In court on Wednesday, the Magistrate ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegation and, as such, dismissed the case.

With a huge smile, Trotz walked out of the courtroom and in a brief interview with the media, he related that he was happy that the charges were dismissed and thanked the judicial system in Guyana for its fairness.

He relayed that he was

Welton Trotz

not guilty of the offence and was sure that the truth of the matter would be uncovered.

“Even if they ask me to resume my former position, I would say no because how can you work amongst people who do not trust you,” he told the media.

In 2015, Trotz was slapped with the charge after Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan relieved him of his position following an investigation into the incident.

One house…

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…for all Presidents?

t’s been said in one of the holy books: “there are many rooms in my father’s mansion”. But then they were referring to Heaven, which, if it contains the billions who’d been “saved”, obviously had to be very commodious! Some feel, however, that the “many rooms” reference was an allusion to the “father’s mansion” being able to accommodate many – possibly conflicting – points of view.

Evidently, speaking from this latter perspective on this Red House saga that’s threatening to tear the body politics apart, Prezzie pronounced that the structure has “many rooms” and should be able to hold the papers of Burnham and Jagan. Not so incidentally, let’s get distracted with chatter about the papers of “all the Presidents”, dear reader. This is about “Jagan and Burnham”, OK? Seems that in the negotiations about the “peppercorn” lease on Red House, while the PPP’s side had proposed the lease could be reduced from 99 years and the rent increased, the PNC had countered with the “many Presidents” gambit as their Solomonic offer. While no one got back to the PPP on their offer, the PPP lost no time on pronouncing judgment on the PNC’s: “To associate Red House with Burnham, Hoyte and perhaps later Granger would be a historical misnomer and contrary to the progressive anti-colonial and anti-imperialist ideas, thoughts and memories associated with Cheddi Jagan.”

THIS phrasing of the “rooms of Red House” argument advancing the incommensurability of Jagan and Burnham’s “ideas” didn’t go down with the Government. Said Prezzie: “It is not a question of law…it is not a question about right, this is the mentality which is driving the battle of Kamana Court – somebody is accusing persons who do not belong to one party of contamination. I find that offensive!”

Now, while the PPP’s language was rather pointed, was it so “disrespectful” as to cause Prezzie to summarily throw the PPP out on their ears from Red House – and consequently, also throwing down a gauntlet to them? After all, the phraseology is rather redolent of the vocabulary of Jagan in his heyday –but that’s the whole point, isn’t it? Jagan and Burnham never saw eye to eye on ideology: remember them accusing each of being “Bolsheviks and Mensheviks”?

In fact, when Prezzie took pains to label Red House, “Kamana Court” (really??!!) he conceded the identification of “Red” House with the “red” Jagan! While the colour of the house might’ve been serendipitous for the PPP, would Burnham really want his papers to be cheek and jowl with red Cheddi’s?

Burnham had a royalist bent.

Your Eyewitness thinks he’d prefer a “Purple House”. That was his colour – the colour of kings!

…and two chambers

Speaking about Burnham, your Eyewitness is rather taken aback by the lack of subtlety displayed by the PNC (yes, PNC) in the ongoing Red House and Pradoville 2 capers. When going after his opponents, Burnham’s guiding precept was, “there are many ways to skin a cat”. And you don’t use the one that gratuitously exposes your hand. Yet hot on the heels of bouncers with “Ministry of the Presidency” tags defacing Red House, comes the announcement that the Special Prosecutors for the Pradoville pursuit are all from the Chambers of two top Government Ministers!!

The Founder Leader would’ve never been this obvious. Especially when that pesky PPP fella, Nandlall, had been educating the nation on the legalities in Special Prosecutors’ appointment. To wit – while Special Prosecutors can be appointed – it must be by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

And if, as in this case, there’s a conflict of interest, the Director recuses herself, then the appointment’s done by the DPP’s office.

But NEVER, NEVER should’ve THEY come from the chambers of Government Ministers!! Subtlety, fellas, subtlety!

…one flock

The reticence by the two self-professed “Jaganites” in the Government has been dubbed by wags as the “Silence of the sheep”.

But surely even those unfortunate souls bleated as the scalpel was wielded?

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

9 Local law school to be opened in 2018 …as HWLS arrangement nears end G news

Masked bandits rob Berbice supermarket

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wo armed bandits who beat and robbed the owners of a Corentyne, Berbice supermarket on Tuesday night were caught on camera carrying out the robbery.

Reports are about 20:30h, two masked men entered “Good Life” Supermarket situated at Belvedere Village, Corentyne.

This newspaper was told that one of the men was wearing a hooded shirt, with a handkerchief on his face and the other wore a helmet with a handkerchief around his face to conceal his identity.

At the time of the robbery, three Chinese nationals, who operate the supermarket, were on the premises. Four customers were also in the supermarket when the bandits entered.

Once inside, the men ensured that the door was locked and then proceeded to strike the owners with gun butts and cutlasses.

The four customers were not spared. This publication was told that the gunmen escaped with a customer’s cellular phone, more than $100,000 from the cash register along with $300,000, which was stashed away.

The men spent close to 10 minutes in the building.

Following the robbery, the men escaped on a motorcycle.

After the gunmen left, the victims raised an alarm.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that at the time of the robbery, traffic ranks were next door making a purchase. However, the ranks were unable to help the victims, although they managed to contact their counterparts on mobile patrol.

B (Berbice) Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam told this publication that several persons have been arrested as the Police follow leads.

Investigations are continuing.

(Andrew Carmichael)

THURSDAY, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

uyanese law students will no longer have the opportunity to pursue their Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad and Tobago as the agreement with the Council of Legal Education to facilitate this arrangement comes to an end next year.

However a law school, to be named the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas (JHLSA), will soon be established locally to accommodate students desirous of furthering their studies in the field of law.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) and Law College of the Americas (LCA) to open a law school in Guyana, hopefully by 2018.

The undertaking will be in the form of a public private partnership, with Government holding 30 per cent interest and the private partners 70 per cent.

Regarding financing, the Attorney General said Government’s contribution will primarily be to provide the land needed for the development of the school.

The law school will be operating under the Council of Legal Education and will therefore be open to students all across the Region.

The campus will most likely be at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown but other loca-

Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

UG Deputy VC, Dr Barbara Reynolds

UCC Executive Chancellor, Professor Dennis Gayle

tions are being explored. The school is expected to accommodate up to 400 students.

The Minister guaranteed that the costs for studying at the local law school will be significantly less than what students paid at Hugh Wooding and other law schools in the Region.

It was pointed out that the cost would be incredibly cheaper given that students factored in living expenses in addition to their tuition when they were studying abroad.

The Attorney General assured that the law school will be accredited and its programme recognised throughout the Region.

Assurances were also given that the lecturers contracted will be of high standards to ensure that the students are offered quality legal education.

It is also the vision of the partners involved for the school to go beyond training students to be called to the bar.

Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana

(UG), Dr Barbara Reynolds expressed hopes that the law school will broaden the horizons for students studying law.

“I think it is time that we engaged in studying other areas of the law that are so essential to our national development agenda and our regional development agenda.

I hope the law school goes beyond just getting people out with an LEC to be admitted to the bar to go not just on Croal Street, Church Street, etcetera, to stand before the courts as noble as it is to do so,” she stated.

Dr Reynolds stressed that there is not sufficient study of the law from an academic perspective as opposed to a practical perspective. The UG will be working closely with the Government on this venture.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who was present during the signing of the MoU, underscored the importance of this watershed moment in the advancement of education in Guyana.

He emphasised that education is the backbone to development and if education fails, then everything else will fail.

UCC Executive Chancellor, Professor Dennis Gayle, during his remarks at the simple ceremony, alluded to the benefits Guyanese students will reap from the initiative.

“This partnership will surely help to bridge the significant gap between the demand for legal education in the Region and the provision for such education. One of the advantages of the new JOF Haynes Law School is that it will increase access to more students to have the opportunity to study given the challenge of space availability and the very long waiting list that we have observed in the provision for legal education in the Region,” he explained.

Before any physical construction gets underway, a feasibility study will have to be conducted to determine the best route of implementing this project.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

News

Police nab teen Ituni’s deplorable school for drinking Temporary arrangements made for spree murder students to attend school

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fter two days on the run, the Police have arrested the 16-year-old boy who reportedly stabbed a labourer to death at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), on Monday during a drinking spree.

Dead is 37-year-old Kawal Shivnauth, also called “Rupee”, of Wine Bush, Leonora. The teenage suspect was reportedly hiding in Matthew’s Ridge, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), where he resides and was preparing to travel further into the interior when the Police swooped down on him.

Reports are the now dead man was stabbed in the heart and also sustained slashes to his lower abdomen and hand.

It was reported that Shivnauth and the suspect were consuming alcohol when an argument ensued between them after the teenager accused the now dead man of “troubling” his sister. During the argument, Shivnauth collected a bottle and struck the teenager to his forehead.

The teenager reportedly walked away but after he realised that he was bleeding, he confronted Shivnauth and it was at this time, he whipped out a knife and stabbed him. The injured man was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital

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Dead: Kawall Shivnauth

where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At the scene, persons related that the teenager was new to the community and was never involved in fights with anyone. One man reported that he was running along the sea dam when he heard an argument and upon checking, he saw the two men arguing. The argument, he recounted, was about the now dead man troubling the suspect’s sister.

He said soon after, the argument escalated. It was Shivnauth who threw the first blow and after the young man realised he was injured, he stabbed the victim and ran from the scene, the eyewitness related.

However, Police acting on information received, contacted their colleagues in Matthew’s Ridge and the teenager was arrested. He is expected to be charged with murder.

arents of the Ituni Primary School in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are appealing to President David Granger to intervene and assist with regard to several complaints, which have led to protest action and a delay in the reopening of the school on Monday.

The school, which houses over a hundred students, remained closed on Wednesday, as parents continued with

Teachers Association (PTA) on Wednesday, signalling an end to three days of protest action.

A member of the school’s PTA, Kim Edwards told Guyana Times that contractors are also expected to visit the school where the issues of malfunctioning and limited washroom facilities, lack of potable water and faulty infrastructure were reported.

Officials from the Department of Education visited the school on Tuesday and Wednesday,

Parents and students protesting the deplorable conditions at the Ituni Primary School One and Two will resume normal classes inside their former classrooms. According to Edwards, parents are left to decide if they will send their children back to the building; however, the teachers are willing to facilitate the temporary arrangement.

Parents pleased with decision

A section of the deplorable Primary School their protest action. However, this newspaper understands that a decision was eventually arrived at, to facilitate temporary housing arrangements for affected students, who would now be given the opportunity to attend school. The agreement was made between the Region’s Department of Education and the Ituni Primary Parent-

and engaged in discussion with teachers and parents of affected students.

With effect from Friday, Grades Five and Six are expected to be housed at the school’s library situated inside the compound, while Grades Three and Four will be housed at the Ituni Small Loggers Association (ISLA) building from Monday and Grades

Speaking on behalf of the PTA, Edwards said parents were happy with the decision to house some of the students temporarily as well as the interaction with regional education officials.

“Parents are satisfied with the agreement, that the officials came. They came out to the teachers first and then they spoke to the parents.

Everybody is well pleased with the decision, well pleased that the officials helped us. We’re happy that when the contractors come, they will do their

work and everything will be safe,” she noted.

On Monday, protesting parents had observed that their requests for an upgrade of the school’s sanitary block have gone unanswered for years, as they pointed out that currently, only one toilet, which was in deplorable condition, was functional and it served both male and female students. Additionally, it was noted that the school’s corridors were in a haphazard state and only one of the school’s staircases was useable.

Edwards stated that officials visited the school once and had advised them to block off the school’s problematic staircase, which had been done; but the pressure remained for repairs to be done to the remaining staircases. Sections of the building are presently falling apart, making it unsafe for students.

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Linden woman fined for throwing missiles at neighbour

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Resilience…

In the face of adversity

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have long understood the power of resilience and the necessity to develop such in our young people, but the speech given by Michelle Obama, one of her last addresses as First Lady, was so poignant that it refreshed my recognition of the true worth of the characteristic.

Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal Michelle highlighted the difference between young people who had been overly sheltered, had maintained academic success in high school and had financial stability, with those less financially fortunate, those who had suffered setbacks in their lives, those who had experienced real disappointments and failures. The difference was their ability to pick themselves up and continue fighting in the face of inevitable adversity; the difference is resilience.

It is second nature to protect our children from harm, to shield them from pain and safeguard their future. Most of us would go to great lengths to ensure it. It is without doubt one of the most important parts of our job as parents. It is equally our job to provide them with the tools that will allow them to survive and flourish out there in the real world. Unfortunately, it can be rather a cruel world and the reality is that without the right tools, they are set up for more heartbreak and pain than we attempt to shield them from in the first place.

One thing we are sure of is, if nature takes its normal course, we will not be around for the duration of our children’s lives. Even when we are around, it is the order of life that our children will grow and move on to a more independent life of their own. When the inevitable happens, what will you be sending them off with?

Of course many of us hope to be able to give them a financial start that will support them on their journey. We would hope that we have provided them with an education or training for employment. But true worth comes if we have supported them to make their way successfully in the face of a loss of finances, loss of employment, a diversion off the road to their goals; if we have nurtured and developed their ability to rise up again after a fall.

Resilience is necessary for the development of healthy, adaptable young people. It’s what enables children to emerge from challenging experiences with a positive sense of themselves and their futures, allowing them to better face disappointment, learn from failure, cope with loss, and adapt to change.

This road begins with children’s supportive relationships with parents, teachers, and other caring adults; relationships which become sources of strength when working through stressful situations and painful emotions. We can continue to cultivate this by strengthening our children’s belief in themselves, encouraging them to define themselves as capable and competent in their thought process when faced with obstacles and promoting an approach to life that views obstacles as a critical part of success.

Still further we can nurture positive attitudes, optimism and the ability to regulate emotions. By encouraging children to move towards goals beyond themselves and overcoming pain and grief by perceiving bad times as a temporary state, we instil a mindset for growth. Ultimately, allowing your children the opportunity to face adversity and ensuring they are not only exposed to the best possible outcomes, you are giving them the chance to experience reality.

And what of those young people who have learned resilience in the hardest of ways? Those who have struggled through the worst situations alone, not as part of any measured plan from parents hoping to develop strength, but part of sheer survival in the face of parents who were part of the problem. Those of you who have suffered, do not let that be a recurring pattern of your life trajectory. Do not allow adversity to define you. It is not necessary that your childhood should continue to cloud your future, but rather that the experiences have shaped a strong individual who can face adversity, who can change track when necessary, who can rise above disappointment and who can find their way.

Resilient young people feel a sense of control over their own destinies. They know they can reach out to others for support when needed, and they readily take initiative to solve problems. Helping children think about and consider various paths through adversity fosters an attitude that can be transferred to all aspects of their lives. Wrapping our children in cotton wool may be tempting, but if you want to do your job as parents, prepare them and prepare them well to get back up and keep going.

Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) woman was on Tuesday fined

by Magistrate Clive Nurse for assaulting and throwing missiles at another woman. Vanessa Albert, 49, of Lot 696 Blueberry

Hill Squatting Area, Wismar, Linden, was found guilty of the offence when she appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The court heard that Albert committed the offences against the Virtual Complainant (VC),

who is her neighbour on July 15, 2016. However, when Magistrate Nurse asked why the court should not hand down the maximum penalty for the offences, the defendant vehemently denied committing the offenc-

es. She was fined $20,000 for assault and $5000 for throwing missiles at the VC. Failure to pay the fines will result in default sentences of a week and four weeks in prison respectively.

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thursDAY, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister Norton reflects on Chinese contributions to nation ― as Guyana observes inaugural Chinese Arrival Day

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ith Guyana observing its first Chinese Arrival Day today, newly appointment Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton has reflected on the contributions of one of the country’s six peoples, while urging greater unity among Guyanese.

This observance of the 164th anniversary of the arrival of the Chinese was announced earlier this month

by President David Granger and according to Minister Norton, it was a significant move given the substantial contributions the Chinese have made to the country since their arrival on January 12, 1853. Norton noted that it is vital that these contributions be acknowledged in order to ensure that a unified country is fostered while preserving the Chinese culture.

During the entire period 1853 to 1879, a total of 13,541 diverse Chinese landed in Guyana, bringing with them various religions, different languages and varying beliefs, he added. The Social Cohesion Minister continued that the Chinese came as the smallest group of indentured labourers and were distributed to the sugar plantations in the three counties of Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo. Fortunately, he noted, families were kept together in the distribution.

“Engrained neatly in the fabric of the Guyanese society are contributions

by Chinese that include

the tasty cuisine that continues to be popular in Guyana and which is talked about in many other countries; folklore and the language which continues to be spoken by natives and is even taught here at the Confucius Institute.

The Chinese were astute businessmen who operated grocery stores and were druggists, butchers, hucksters, cart and boat cab owners, barbers and laundrymen, among other things. Their contribution to commerce can still be seen today with various businesses across the country,” the Minister outlined.

He reminded too of the contributions that the Chinese made to the development of sport in Guyana, mentioning the Chinese Sports Club, now known as the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC).

Dr Norton recalled that among the sporting disciplines of the club were cricket, tennis, basketball and hockey, noting that the club shone in the latter sport back in 1961 when eight of its members were selected to tour with the national hockey team which won the first and only Quadrangular Hockey Tournament among British Guiana, Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados. The club went on to have the leading hockey team in Guyana, winning all the hockey tournaments in 1974, he added.

Furthermore, the Social Cohesion Minister remarked that the Chinese

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

have been fully integrated into the Guyanese society and have been able to excel in virtually every area, including in academia, the legal and medical fields. He mentioned some notable Guyanese Chinese which include the first President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the late Arthur Chung; former Chief Justice Ian Chang; entrepreneur Stanley Ming; General Surgeon, Dr Wallace Lee, and Mathematician Claude Lee. “Chinese, like all other ethnic groups in Guyana, must be recognised for their sterling contributions and must be integrally involved in every aspect of building our beautiful country.

Guyana is commonly referred to as the land of six peoples, owing to our rich ethnic diversity, but we must remember that we are one people, in one nation,

working towards one destiny. As we celebrate the arrival of Chinese in Guyana, let us use this time to reflect on our rich diversity and pledge to work together to foster and promote social cohesion,” urged Dr Norton.

According to the newly appointed Social Cohesion Minister, his Ministry has a vision of a unified Guyana where diversities are embraced, conflicts are resolved, networks and collaboration with stakeholders strengthened and decisionmaking processes result in equal opportunities and benefits to all.

He noted that his Government will continue

to work towards creating enabling environments to forge and reinforce strong family, community, national values and relationships, in order to enhance and sustain socio-economic, cultural and spiritual well-being as well as enriched livelihoods for all.

“While I may have only recently assumed office as the Minister of Social Cohesion, I wish to take this opportunity to assure all Guyanese that I will ensure that the Ministry fulfils its mandate and that we build a socially cohesive society. However, we cannot do this alone, and we have engaged and will continue

to engage Guyanese in order to foster and promote social cohesion. Persons must be cognisant that this is a continuous process and social cohesion will not be attained overnight,” he posited.

On this note, Minister Norton asked that there continue to be cooperation in order to build a Guyana where all Guyanese, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, geographic location, cultural beliefs, ability or socio-economic backgrounds have the best life possible, as he extended Chinese Arrival Day greetings to all of Guyana.

Policeman slapped with intent to commit felony charge

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armadan Sookdeo, the Policeman who was beaten after he allegedly attempted to rob a house, was on Wednesday granted $75,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 24-year-old of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on January 8, 2017, he entered the dwelling of Nankissoor Arjune with intent to commit a felony.

His Attorney told the court that his client was drunk on the night of the

Parmadan Sookdeo

incident and mistook the house, which he entered, for that of a friend.

He relayed that his client who has only been stationed at Timehri Police

Station for two months now was not familiar with the area and made a mistake.

The prosecution had no objections to bail. The case will continue on January 19.

Reports are the owner of the house heard strange noises coming from the upper flat of the building and upon investigating found the Policeman in the house. The Policeman was outnumbered by the family and neighbours who tied him up and sent for the Police. When ranks from Timehri Police Station arrived at the scene, they identified the man as one of their own.

news

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thursDAY, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bartica Massacre trial

8 years later

Ex-Police ID gang members “Frenchie” slapped …recalls seeing accused on night of attack

A

s the Bartica Massacre trial at the High Court continues, former Policeman Carl Methuram testified that he identified two of the co-accused who carried out the February 17, 2008 attack.

Taking the stand on Wednesday afternoon, the witness pointed out that on June 18, 2008, he went to an identification (ID) parade at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters where he picked out the fifth person in the line-up. At Wednesday’s court session, this individual was pointed out as Mark “Royden” Williams.

Methuram further told the court that on November 9, 2008, he attended a second ID parade where he picked out the “number 7 individual”, who was identified as Dennis Williams.

The witness noted that it was Inspector Lord who conducted these parades and he further testified that he had not known the senior rank before then.

Recounting the events of the February 2008 attack, the former Policeman told the jury that on that fateful night, he had seen the two Williams in addition to several other gang members. Methuram said that at the time, he was visiting relatives and had subsequently received a call from the Officer in Charge at the Bartica Police Station. On his way there, he heard “rapid gunfire” and he stopped some 250 meters away and hid.

He further told the court that he saw a man in front of the station who was dark in complexion, muscular and appeared to have about 200 pounds. This man was said

The three accused heading to court for the afternoon session on Wednesday

to have “low cut hair” on his head with no facial hair, and was armed with an AK-47.

The ex-Policeman also told the court that he saw two other men at the entrance to the station and one of these men, who was armed with an AK-47, was said to be five feet, eight inches; Amerindian looking; slim with a long face and had worn a toque with “rasta dread” at the side.

Methuram further claimed that on the northern side of the Bartica Station, he saw someone else walking east to west who was also armed.

The court then heard that the former Policeman waited 15-25 minutes before he proceeded in the direction of the station. Around this time, he assisted several persons to take taxis to go to the hospital.

According to Methuram, when he finally arrived at the Police Station, he shouted: “Police! Police!” but no one answered. He recalled that the Enquiries

Department was “messed up”, with everything ransacked.

He also told the court that he saw a bulletproof vest on the eastern door and he picked it up. The witness stated that he also noticed that the lock to the “strong box” was lashed off and there was no firearm inside.

However, there was a shotgun in the box on the ground outside.

From this box, he also retrieved 12 cartridges and left the station. Outside, he noticed several other injured persons.

Under cross-examination

by Mark Williams’ defence counsel, Roger Yearwood, Methuram denied that he was ever dismissed for being part of a “Phantom Squad”.

The witness revealed that he left the Guyana Police Force (GPF) less than a year after the Bartica incident, but stressed that he was not indicted from duties at the time of his resignation.

As Yearwood contin-

ued his cross-examination, the witness could not recall when he gave statements to Police regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the Attorney suggested to Methuram that on the ID parade, he was told to point out Mark Williams.

“That is not true,” the former Policeman told the court.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old former gang member Dwane Williams, called “Small Friend”, concluded being cross-examined during the morning session of the trial.

It was suggested that young Williams was “instructed”

by Police rank “Reid” to give evidence against the co-accused which he denied.

The young ex-gang member told the court that the first time he ever saw coaccused Roger Simon was when he had given evidence in a Preliminary Inquiry in the lower court. Dwane Williams added that Roger Simon was not among the group that went to Bartica and carried out the attack.

On that fateful night, gunmen stormed Bartica and attacked the police station and several other areas in the community. Twelve persons were killed, including three Policemen. The trial continues at the High Court today.

with murder charge

C

harles “Frenchie” Chapman, who was caught after eight years on the run, on Wednesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with

Dead: Savitrie Arjune

Murder accused: Charles “Frenchie” Chapman

murder.

The 61-year-old, of Corentyne, Berbice, is accused of killing his reputed wife, Savitrie Arjune on March 12, 2009 at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The man was remanded to prison until February 3.

Reports are at the time of the incident, Chapman was a minibus operator. It is alleged that on March 12, 2009 about 06:15h, Arjune, called “Savi”, who was 34 at the time, was heading to work when she was ambushed

and stabbed multiple times a short distance from where she lived.

Reports are that the mother of two was in the vicinity of Rum Shop Road and the EBD Public Road when Chapman, who was allegedly hiding near his bus, pounced and stabbed her repeatedly.

The woman collapsed and died on the spot and a postmortem examination revealed that she sustained a stab wound to her heart.

Persons who knew the couple had told the media then that the woman had endured eight years of abuse before the killing.

When captured, the defendant was sporting a heavy beard. He was said to be living with a friend for the past three years in Corentyne, Berbice where he was a farmer.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

Regional

Sean Penn’s latest Haiti Colombia seized record benefit raises record US$37M 378 tonnes of cocaine in 2016, murders down E

very year, celebrities come out in force to see and be seen at Academy award-winning actor Sean Penn’s annual J/P Haitian Relief Organisation (HRO) fundraising gala Help Haiti Home.

This year was no exception apart from a record US$37 million raked in – a far cry from last year’s US$7 million – as well as a name change from Help Haiti Home to Haiti Rising to reflect the country’s progress.

Held at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills and timed to coincide with the Golden Globe Awards and the resulting influx of some of the brightest stars in the entertainment galaxy, the gala saw Penn reprise his role as a champion of human rights and social action.

Glitterazi in the crowd included Leonardo DiCaprio (who donated US$125,000 in exchange for custom artwork

by Ed Ruscha), Courtney

C

Held at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills and timed to coincide with the Golden Globe Awards and the resulting influx of some of the brightest stars in the entertainment galaxy, the gala saw Penn reprise his role as a champion of human rights and social action

Love (who bid US$50,000 for Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour dress), Pamela Anderson, Jeffrey Tambor, Ed Norton, Nick Jonas, and Patricia Arquette.

The record US$37 million that was committed to

J/P HRO and their initiatives in Haiti came from benefactors including the Government of France, The Parker Foundation, and The World Bank, along with proceeds from the live auction.

Founded by Penn in the

wake of the 2010 earthquake that ravaged Haiti, J/P HRO has worked to provide emergency medical care, food and shelter, and other essential aid to the impoverished Caribbean nation. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Chile worried about ‘bat plague’ J’can-born woman appointed to Pennsylvania Commission as more appear in homes

C

hile’s health authorities have warned people to be wary of an increasing number of bats appearing in homes across the country. The Institute for Public Health said it had been sent 70 bats within the first week of January, three of which tested positive for rabies.

It said that while bats are active in spring and summer, there seemed to be more this January due to a heat wave. Health officials said their presence in houses was “potentially risky”.

There are 11 species of bats in Chile, some of which live very close to humans, the Institute of Health said in a statement [in Spanish] on its website.

In 1996, a seven-year-

old boy died in the city of Rancagua after contracting rabies from a bat bite.

The most recent case of rabies in a human in Chile was in 2013, but that time the young man survived.

Veronica Yung of the rabies department at the Institute for Public Health advised people who found bats inside their homes to contact the authorities so that the animals can be caught and sent for testing.

If they test negative, they are released in an appropriate environment. Yung said that in cases in which the authorities were unavailable, people should use thick latex gloves and attempt to catch the animals under a container without touching them. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

Jamaica-born woman was recently appointed to the State of Pennsylvania’s Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) by Governor Tom Wolf.

Michelle Tulloch-Neil, a graduate of Holy Child Hood High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Temple University and a Master’s of Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary.

News Americas Now reported that she is currently the senior victim/witness advocate in the Juvenile Court Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

The Commission, chaired

by Josh Shapiro, initiates, validates and financially supports justice related pro-

grams in Pennsylvania’s justice system. PCCD’s efforts help to protect and support crime victims, enhance law enforcement and to empower communities through collaboration.

The Commission also works on advocating for safe schools, provides technological and information-sharing tools and launches evidence-based innovative programmes.

In 2011, Neil received “The 2011 Excellence in Victim Services Award” from the Honorable R Seth Williams, District Attorney of Philadelphia. In 2013, she received the “2013 Volunteer Award” from Team JamaicaBickle-Philadelphia and serves as treasurer of Team Jamaica Bickle-Philadelphia.

(Jamaica Observer)

olombia’s armed forces seized a record 378.3 tonnes of cocaine in 2016, nearly 50 per cent more than the year before, while murder were down by four per cent, Defence Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said on Wednesday.

Homicides fell to 12,252 last year, Villegas told journalists, as the Government signed a peace deal with the Marxist Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels. Attacks on infrastructure were also down.

Colombia, once infamous as the home of violent drug cartels, is one of the world’s top producers of cocaine.

The United Nations has said the country could produce up to 646 tonnes of the narcotic each year.

Both leftist guerrilla groups and right-wing paramilitary gangs have filled their coffers with money

from the drug trade. “In the fight against narcotics trafficking there has been more efficient and organised work by law enforcement, with more interdiction on our two oceans and more intelligence provided to other countries,” Villegas said.

Last year the Government of President Juan Manuel Santos inked a peace deal with the FARC in a bid to end 52 years of war that has killed more than 220,000 people. Under the agreement, the FARC is required to share knowledge about drug production and trafficking routes with officials. The deal led to a 55 per cent reduction in guerrilla attacks, though smaller rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN) is still active. Attacks against electrical towers, oil infrastructure, roadways and bridges were down 51 per cent. (Excerpt from Reuters)

PAHO warns of tobacco epidemic in the Caribbean

T

he Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr Carissa Etienne, has warned about what she described as the tobacco epidemic in the Americas, including the Caribbean, saying that though the devastating health effects of tobacco use are well known, tobacco’s negative repercussions extend well beyond the obvious health outcomes.

“Tobacco consumption creates a significant economic burden on societies because of both the high costs of health care and the associated lost productivity,” said the Dominican-born Etienne, writing in the Pan

American Journal of Public Health.

“In addition, tobacco use contributes to health inequalities and exacerbates poverty within and between countries, through the diversion of resources away from food and other essential needs, as well as through foregone income,” she added.

Etienne said these and other adverse consequences of the tobacco epidemic disproportionately affect lowand middle-income countries, where more than 80 per cent of the world’s smokers now live, including 127 million, in the Region of the Americas. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica prepared for new Brazil gang ‘declares war’ on rivals in funk song arbitration law − Chuck

J

amaica’s Justice Minister, Delroy Chuck said the country is prepared for the advent of the new Arbitration Bill, with the launch of the Mona International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (MICAM) in November.

“The launch of this centre will ensure that once the Bill is passed, there will already be an established and modernised venue to host arbitration disputes,” Chuck said.

He noted that MICAM will also be conducting several training programmes geared towards ensuring that Jamaica has a credible and well-trained cadre of arbitrators, who will join the illustrious panel of arbitrators that already exist worldwide.

Jamaica’s Justice Minister Delroy Chuck

“Arbitration can be a game changer in the settlement of commercial domestic disputes and a major source of foreign-exchange earnings from the settlement of international trade

disputes,” Chuck said.

The Minister was opening the debate on the Arbitration Bill in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The legislation, which will repeal the Arbitration Act of 1900, seeks to provide an effective non-judicial mechanism for settling disputes between contracting parties.

It is based on the provisions of the Model Law published by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and will operate in conjunction with the provisions of the Arbitration (Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Awards) Act as well as the Investment Disputes Awards (Enforcement) Act. (Jamaica Observer)

A

Brazilian criminal gang suspected of instigating a deadly riot in a prison in the northern city of Manaus on January 1 has used a funk song to ‘declare war’ on its rivals.

In the song attributed to the Familia do Norte (FDN) gang, a man gives details of the killings and says that “the war has only just started”.

It goes on to threaten members of rival gang First Capital Command (PCC).

The song was shared on social media in the days following the riot. Investigators have said that they believe that the riot was triggered by members of the Familia do Norte gang. The song, entitled “Funk about the FDN’s massacre”, also appears to back up investigators’ suspicions that the Familia do

Fifty-six inmates were killed in the riot at the Anisio Jobim jail in Manaus

Norte was acting on the behest of another gang, the Red Command, when they attacked the PCC. Until recently, the Red Command and the PCC were abiding by a truce, which allowed each gang to control drug trafficking routes in certain regions of Brazil.

But security experts who monitor gang activity think

that the truce crumbled in 2016 as the PCC tried to expand its operations into the north of Brazil. In its lyrics, the funk song praises a new alliance between the Familia do Norte gang and the Red Command. It also refers to the rupture of “the friendship” between the Red Command and the PCC. (Excerpt from BBC News)

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Trump says he will Air pollution causes 1.2M ‘leave business’ to deaths in India annually; focus on presidency Delhi worst off – Greenpeace

D

elhi tops the list of 20 most polluted cities in the country where 1.2 million deaths take place every year due to air pollution, according to a Greenpeace India report published today.

It also claimed that none of the 168 cities it assessed complies with air quality standards prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the report, 1.2 million deaths take place every year in India due to Donald Trump has announced he will be leaving his business “in total”

P

resident-elect Donald Trump has announced he is to leave his business empire to focus on the presidency and avoid perceived conflicts of interest.

Trump gave few details but said he would expand on his plans at a press conference next month. He has previously dismissed concerns over potential conflicts between his businesses and the presidency.

Meanwhile, former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin confirmed he had been picked as Treasury Secretary.

Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross has been chosen for Commerce Secretary.

Trump meanwhile focused on his plans to distance himself from his business in

a series of four tweets released over 20 minutes.

Trump noted there is no legal requirement to liquidate assets but past US presidents have set aside their business dealings. His rivals have raised repeated concerns this may cause problems in the coming months.

The property tycoon is said to be currently worth US$3.7 billion (£3 billion) by Forbes magazine, with more than 500 different enterprises in his business empire.

Trump, who takes office on January 20, had previously indicated to the New York Times that he was considering separating his two areas of responsibility but was confident he could run both “perfectly”.

He has also previous-

ly suggested he could hand over his sprawling business interests to his three eldest children – Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr, who already hold roles within his empire.

Later on Wednesday, Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller told Fox News’ Fox & Friends that the President-elect is “completely getting out of the business” and “handing it over to the family”.

Miller added the midDecember news conference allows Trump time to work out the details of breaking away from his business empire.

When he takes office, Trump will be in charge of appointing the administrator of the GSA. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Obama speech: Democracy needs you, says outgoing President

After eight years in office, Barack Obama has just given his final speech as President of the United States of America

P

resident Barack Obama has called on Americans to defend their democracy in his farewell speech in Chicago.

“By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place” than it was eight years ago when he took office, he told thousands of supporters.

But he warned “democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted”.

He implored Americans of all backgrounds to consider things from each other’s point of view, saying “we have to pay attention and

listen”.

The country’s first black President, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a message of hope and change. His successor, Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of Obama’s signature policies.

He will be sworn into office on January 20.

Raucous chants of “four more years” from the crowd were brushed aside by the President. “I can’t do that,” he said with a smile.

US Presidents are limited to two terms by the Constitution.

“No, no, no, no no,” he

said, when the crowd booed the prospect of Mr Trump replacing him.

Striking an upbeat tone, Obama said that the peaceful transfer of power between Presidents was a “hallmark” of American democracy.

But, he outlined three threats to American democracy – economic inequality, racial divisions and the retreat of different segments of society into “bubbles”, where opinions are not based on “some common baseline of facts”.

“If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try to talk with one in real life,” he said to laughter and applause. In his closing remarks he said he had one final request for Americans as President: “I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change – but in yours.” In choosing Chicago, Obama had earlier said he wanted to return to “where it all started” for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House. (Excerpt from BBC News)

air pollution, which is only a “fraction less” than that caused by tobacco usage, and three per cent of the GDP is lost due to air pollution.

The report said that only a “few” cities in southern India comply with air quality standards prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and pinpointed fossil fuels as one of the “main culprits” for the deteriorating air quality across the country.

“The top 20 most polluted

cities have PM 10 levels between 268 µg/m3 and 168 µg/ m3 for the year 2015. While, Delhi tops the list with 268 µg/m3, it is followed closely

by Ghaziabad, Allahabad, and Bareli in Uttar Pradesh; Faridabad in Haryana; Jharia in Jharkhand; Alwar in Rajasthan; Ranchi, Kusunda and Bastacola in Jharkhand; Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh; and Patna in Bihar with PM10 levels ranging from 258 µg/m3to 200 µg/m3,” the report titled ‘Airpocalypse’ said. (Excerpt from

Hindustan Times)

World’s largest peatland with vast carbon-storage capacity found in Congo

S

cientists have discovered the world’s largest tropical peatland in the remote Congo swamps, estimated to store the equivalent of three year’s worth of the world’s total fossil fuel emissions.

Researchers mapped the Cuvette Centrale peatlands in the central Congo basin and found they cover 145,500 sq km – an area larger than England. The swamps could lock in 30 billion tonnes of carbon that was previously not known to exist, making the region one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth.

The UK-Congolese research team, co-led by Prof Simon Lewis and Dr Greta Dargie, from the University of Leeds and University College London, first discovered the swamps five years ago. Their research, published in Nature on Wednesday, combined

The remote Cuvette Centrale peatlands in the central Congo basin is one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth

three year’s worth of peat analysis with satellite data to estimate that the Congo basin peatlands store the equivalent of nearly 30 per cent of the world’s tropical peatland carbon.

Peat is an organic wetland soil made from partdecomposed plant debris, more commonly found in cool environments, such as

northern Russia, Europe and Canada. Healthy peatlands act as carbon sinks, removing carbon from the atmosphere through plant growth. Further decomposition of the peat is prevented by its waterlogged environment, locking up carbon. Year-round waterlogging is needed for peat to form in the tropics. (Excerpt

from The Guardian)

Knights of Malta defy pope’s investigation into sacking of top member

T

he order of the Knights of Malta has refused to cooperate with a Vatican investigation ordered

by Pope Francis, in the latest twist of a public spat between two of the world’s oldest institutions.

All members of the ancient Roman Catholic order, which now runs charities, hospitals and disaster relief in 120 countries, swear allegiance to the pope.

However, its leaders have been locked in a legal tussle with the Holy See since one of its top knights was sacked in the chivalric equivalent of a boardroom showdown.

Grand Master Matthew Festing fired Grand Chancellor Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, accusing him of allowing the use of condoms in Myanmar when he ran Malteser International, the order’s humanitarian aid agency. Pope Francis effectively came to von

The row is being seen as a sign of anger among Catholic traditionalists who view Francis as too progressive Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty

Boeselager’s defence, urging dialogue to resolve the internal dispute and appointing a five-member committee to investigate the circumstances of his December 6 ousting.

The order, which last month told the pope the ouster was an internal affair, raised the stakes late on Tuesday with a bold statement rejecting the Vatican investigation as illegitimate.

“Considering the legal irrelevance of this group and of its findings relating to the legal structure of the Order of Malta, the Order has decided that it should not cooperate with it,” a statement on its website said. It also instructed members not to “directly or indirectly” contradict the official position if they talk to Vatican investigators. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16

thursday, january 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

“Plant Boy” defies parents to start up business at tender age A

t the tender age of nine, with the desire to earn his own money to purchase items he needed for school, Raghuraj Persaud started a business against his parents’ wishes, even lashes on his back could not get him to desist.

He raised and sold plants, but the demands of the small business to which he was giving 100 per cent of his out-of-school time meant there was no time for school work.

His mother, a high school teacher, and his father, at that time a salesman, were stern and against the business, but the young determined boy would get away to collect soil and old buckets and tins for his business.

Credit must still be given to his mother; Miss Bheena, who assisted with selling the plants on Saturdays.

Interest grew and many customers found ways of

increasing their plant collection by the same means Persaud used – planting seeds and stem cuttings, so this was not good for his small customer base.

The young entrepreneur then placed more emphasis on selling soil at $1000 per bag. He shared the formula, but asked that it not be dis-

closed. “Without any fertiliser house plants will flourish [with this special soil]…”

Meanwhile, Miss Bheena butting in noted that the money from the business was being saved and should have been used to pay for Persaud’s CXC exams but that was not done and the money remained in the

Business News

New year, same old downgrade news for Barbados

L

ess than two weeks into 2017, Barbados has been hit by another ratings downgrade.

Concerned that Government continues to finance the country’s high debt and deficit through the printing of money, the Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS) Tuesday lowered its ratings on the US$300 million debt issue of the Barbados Government and foreign and local currency

rating by one notch. The ratings move from CariBBB+ and CariA- respectively, to CariBBB and CariBBB+.

The regional rating agency said in a release issued that the action was taken based on available public information, as the Freundel Stuart Administration had failed to meet its requests for its regular onsite annual surveillance meetings.

A negative outlook has also been assigned to the ratings.

“The downward adjustment of Barbados’ ratings and the negative outlook assigned are driven by concerns over the continued high fiscal deficit and increasing debt burden, which is being financed by the printing of money, creating a challenge for maintaining the fixed exchange rate, and by the delay in several tourism related foreign direct investments (FDI) projects which may temper economic growth,” CariCRIS said. (Caribbean360.com)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Calculated at 94% purity, January 11, 2017

Selling

USD

$1187.55

GBP

$249.69

$252.87

Gross

$229,488

CAN

$155.64

$157.45

$205.98

$208.44

Net

$213,424

USD

$ 216.53

$219.32

EURO

Indicators as on January 11, 2017 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$53.64

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$211.64/ton

London Sugar

$536.40/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

-2.42 Change %

-0.72 0.00 USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1193.50

$1194.50

Low/High

$1176.70

$1199.40

Change

+2.40

+0.20%

Business Concept – Investment 1. Money committed or property acquired for future income.

2. Two main classes of investment are (1) Fixed income investment such as bonds, fixed deposits, preference shares, and (2) Variable income investment such as business ownership (equities), or property ownership. In economics, investment means creation of capital or goods capable of producing other goods or services. Expenditure on education and health is recognised as an investment in human capital, and research and development in intellectual capital. Return on investment (ROI) is a key measure of an organisation’s performance. (Business Dictionary)

bank.

When Persaud was ready to leave high school, he had in excess of $200,000 in an account. “Money from the account was used to purchase school clothes and footwear through high school.”

Sadly, the business ended when Persaud left to attend the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA). Two years later, he was back and soon started attending the University of Guyana at the Berbice Campus.

But the plant business died because of the lack of the availability of fresh water. The only water available was salt water from the river and it killed the plants.

For Persaud, the next step – going into farming was the only way he could tell himself that he was still doing the business in agriculture and so a little farm was started.

Now, rice, citrus, fruits and cash crops are planted on the farm, which is part of Persaud’s Agro Supply –a concept which was hatched while he was at the GSA. It has now made him the agrochemical dealer on the East Bank of Berbice.

The objective was to provide information and products for farmers in that part of the country. “Market research was done in this farming area and I found that persons had to travel to New Amsterdam to get chemicals for their animals and plants.”

He said having those chemicals available closer to the farmers and at a cheaper cost would result in him grabbing all of the agrochemicals business from East Bank Berbice. “When I started the business, then I realized how cheap chemicals are, so now most farmers on the East Bank are benefiting from lower prices.”

However, to start the new business meant making an investment with funds which were not available, or so he thought. His mother then gave him his bank

ate to bring animals to his farm but he had no money. “I bought cows without any money. I was coming home from school this day in New Amsterdam this day and I saw this man carrying these cows to the pound and the owner was at the back. I asked that man if he would sell the cows that he would not have to worry about them going into people’s yards. But I had no money! I told the man and he decided to sell me them, even though I had no money…” Now Persaud is one of the largest cattle farmers on

book with his earning from his days of selling plants and soil, and Persaud was able to construct a building with the necessary specifications and stock most of the chemicals which are frequently used by farmers in the rice industry and cash crop farming.

As Persaud continued to evolve as an agri-entrepreneur, he decided that a farm without animals was no farm – so he was desper-

the East Bank.

All of Persaud’s businesses are flourishing. His rice fields produced an average of 38 bags of paddy per acre last year, which is much higher than the national average.

All because he was not deterred by the lashes on his back intended to stop his plant business.

Contact: 658-8052/6239257; varush_persaud@ yahoo.com

Investors’ Guide

Wall Street ends choppy session higher, health lags on Trump comments

U

S stocks ended higher after a choppy day on Wednesday as energy and technology gains countered a drop in healthcare stocks after President-elect Donald Trump said pharmaceutical companies were “getting away with murder” by charging high prices.

The Nasdaq ended the day with another record closing high after falling as much as 0.5 per cent following Trump’s first formal news conference since the November 8 election.

The S&P 500 healthcare index ended the session down one per cent after falling as much as 1.9 per cent earlier in the day and the Nasdaq biotechnology index sank 2.96 per cent, ending a six-day winning streak for both indexes.

“When somebody that high profile says something that negative, people do not want to invest in it. They view the sector as uninvestible, and withdraw their money,” Brad Loncar, manager of the Loncar Cancer

Immunotherapy ETF. However, the sector’s pain eased as the session wore on as money managers noted that Trump gave no new specific details on his healthcare proposals, according to Michael Scanlon, portfolio manager at Manulife Asset Management in Boston.

He cited the beginning of fourth-quarter earnings season on Friday and Trump’s inauguration as President on January 20 as reasons for investor caution.

“Portfolio managers have every reason in the world to sit on their hands,” said Scanlon. “You put those two factors together and I don’t think you’re going to see much movement in the market until maybe we get some fireworks on Friday with earnings.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 98.75 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 19,954.28, the S&P 500 gained 6.42 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 2275.32 and the Nasdaq Composite added 11.83 points, or 0.21 per cent,

to 5563.65.Eight of the 11 major S&P sectors ended the day higher. Energy stocks ended 1.2 per cent higher as crude oil prices rose.

The S&P’s technology index ended up 0.7 per cent, boosted most by Microsoft Corp, Facebook Inc and Apple Inc. The biggest drag on the S&P’s healthcare sector was Bristol-Meyers Squibb’s with a 5.3 per cent decline, after news that Merck & Co leapfrogged its rivals in the race to combine immunotherapy with other drugs as a treatment for lung cancer. The next-biggest weights on the sector included Johnson & Johnson, with a 1.2 per cent drop and Abbvie with a 3.6 per cent decline.

Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a 2.20-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.22-to-1 ratio favoured advancers.

The S&P 500 posted 20 new 52-week highs and two new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 99 new highs and 18 new lows. (Reuters)

17

news

thursday, january 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New communitybased programme Trump condemns spy agency 'leaks' to tackle domestic P violence

T

he Social Protection Ministry will be embarking on a community based development programme to encourage victims of domestic violence to speak out. Manager of the Sexual and Domestic Violence Unit in the ministry, Akilah Doris, said the new programme will empower victims to overcome their fear about speaking out against abuse.

Doris noted that domestic violence has always been a pressing issue in Guyana.

She pointed out that the Sexual and Domestic Violence Unit has recognised that members of the community are usually the first responders to many social issues in their communities.

“We want to be able to equip community individuals with the necessary skills, with the necessary knowledge, with the necessary tools so that they can respond to domestic violence and we want to empower them in the process to take ownership, take a stand against all forms of violence,” Doris said.

Doris noted that domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse, to violence and undermining the victim’s self-worth or selfesteem. She said the Ministry, through collaborative efforts with international and local organisations will eradicate this social ill.

“We recognised that the work of eradicating all forms of violence and in

Sexual and Domestic Violence Unit Manager Akilah Doris

particular domestic violence and sexual violence must be done in collaborative efforts.

We would have embarked on several initiatives to start t h i s rela-

tionship going where we invite our partners to come on board and persons who may have a general interest. Also, we have engaged

other Ministries to get this initiative going,” Doris explained.

The Manager for the Sexual and Domestic Violence Unit noted that ending domestic violence will not happen overnight but the programme is a start.

Doris related that in 2016, the National Task Force for Domestic Violence was launched after which several protocols for medical practitioners, police officers and prosecutors among others were signed.

Doris explained that the Task Force is needed since there are no mechanisms in place for partners to follow guidelines on how to respond to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

The unit will also embark on training their partners which include members of the Guyana Police Force among others.

resident-elect Donald Trump has accused US intelligence agencies of leaking allegations that Russia has compromising material on him.

"That's something that Nazi Germany would have done," he said.

He was replying to unsubstantiated allegations that his election team colluded with Russia and there were salacious videos of his private life.

Intelligence agencies considered the claims relevant enough to brief both Trump and President Obama last week.

Trump also said for the first time that he accepted Russia was behind hacking attacks that took place during the presidential campaign.

The press conference was scheduled in order for Trump to give details about his business affairs but was dominated by the allegations of compromising material.

Trump said the information "should have never been written and certainly should never have been released".

"It's all fake news, it's phoney stuff, it didn't happen," he said, adding that "sick people" had "put that crap together... it's an absolute disgrace".

Trump said he could not talk about what he had heard in last week's intelligence agency briefing but said there had been "many witnesses" there and that it would be a "tremendous blot" on the reputation of intelligence agencies if they had been responsible for leaking the details.

He added later in the briefing: "I think it was disgraceful - disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false

and fake out. I think it's a disgrace... and that's something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do."

In response White House spokesman Josh Earnest said it was "deeply misguided for anybody, at any level, to question the integrity and motives of the patriots" in the nation's intelligence agencies.

'Pile of garbage'

A 35-page dossier of allegations has been published in full on Buzzfeed and reported by CNN. Trump called Buzzfeed a "failing pile of garbage" and accused CNN of "going out of their way to build it up".

He refused to take a CNN reporter's question at the press conference. CNN later defended its decision to publish what it called "carefully sourced reporting", saying it was "vastly different from

Buzzfeed".

The allegations claim Russia has damaging information about the presidentelect's business interests, and salacious video evidence of his private life, including claims of using prostitutes at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow. Denying any such claims, Trump said that as a high-profile person he was extremely cautious about all that he did when travelling abroad.

Russia also strongly denied the allegations.

Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said they were "pulp fiction" and a "clear attempt to damage relations".

The president-elect was also asked about the hacking scandal that dominated the US election campaign, with US spy agencies concluding Russia was behind the hacking of Democratic Party emails. (Excerpt from BBC news)

Nations to partner with UK university for new MBA programme

The School of the Nations

A

As the countdown to Mashramani 2017 begins, Digicel Guyana has once again embarked in its annual fitness programme to ensure revellers are fit to take to the streets on February 23

new Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme is in the process of being approved by the University of Bedfordshire for Nations University, Guyana.

It offers four different specialisations, including one focusing on Oil and Gas Management.

The University of Bedfordshire is one of the top universities in Britain with over 23,000 students from more than 120 countries.

The Directors of Nations, Dr Brian and Pamela O’Toole, recently returned from a four-week trip to North America and United Kingdom meeting with a series of universities to consolidate existing partnerships and introduce new programmes locally.

Nations is also in consultation with an agency in

USA that offers individualised training programmes for children with special needs. Nations is planning to bring this programme to Guyana to offer individualised help to both children with learning difficulties and, at the other end of the continuum, gifted children who are looking for fresh challenges.

Meanwhile, on February 17, Nations will host an Education Fair at its location in Georgetown. A number of universities from the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean will present an overview of the courses they offer.

Some of the offshore medical schools in Georgetown will also be attending. The Art School of the University of Miami, Humber College from Canada and the ACCA headquarters in Trinidad have already confirmed their participation.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

ARCHIE

Keep your life simple and dedicate your time to get(March 21- ting things done behind the April 19) scenes. Presenting your ideas before you are ready will lead to interference.

ARIES

A move or change of scenery TAURUS will open your mind and spur (April 20- you to try new things. A finanMay 20) cial opportunity will tempt you.

Call in favors and request assistance from those who’ve given you good advice in the past.

dilbert

Involvements with chilGEMINI dren, temptations and oth(May 21June 20) er people’s problems will all have to be handled cautiously.

Moderation and simplicity will be required. Protect your position, finances and reputation.

Shed some light on what you have in mind with re(June 21- gard to professional strategy.

July 22) Be creative and step outside your comfort zone in order to make a lasting impression.

Romance is highlighted.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Appeal to those who are heading in the same direction as you. Step into a leadership position. Offer a comprehensive plan that will bring about popular change.

You can only do so much.

VIRGO Size up whatever situation (Aug. 23Sept. 22) you face and offer solid advice but don’t feel the need to take over or you may end up being blamed for interfering.

Calvin and Hobbes

Put in the hours and see LIBRA what you can accomplish. Less (Sept. 23talk and more action will help Oct. 23) you avoid trouble and controversy that could hinder your efforts and success.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Use your energy and enSCORPIO thusiasm to do what you feel (Oct. 24is worthwhile. Aim to improve Nov. 22) your stamina by engaging in fitness activities or something that will improve your awareness and intelligence.

You’ll have difficulty manSAGITTARIUS aging your money. Don’t let (Nov. 23temptation or a get-rich-quick Dec. 21) scheme lead to a loss. If you want change, you need to do something to cut your costs instead of incurring more debt.

YESTERDAY'S

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Share your thoughts with CAPRICORN your professional and person(Dec. 22al partners.

It’s important to Jan. 19) align your thoughts or plans to fit everyone’s needs before making a decision or move that will affect others.

Keep an open mind, but AQUARIUS don’t feel you have to donate (Jan. 20to a cause or pay for others.

Feb. 19) Listen and make suggestions, but protect your assets, possessions and financial future.

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

Steer clear of emotionPISCES (Feb. 20- al spending, overindulgent March 20) people and deals that are too good to be true. Instead, you should pursue an idea, dream or venture that is cost-efficient and helpful.

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Talks under way to set up

declares himself one of the

GREATEST OF ALL TIME

A

fter being crowned 2016’s top star twice in recent months, Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is one of the greatest footballers ever.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes his bulging trophy haul is proof that he is one of the greatest footballers of all time.

The Real Madrid and Portugal star, on Monday, added The Best FIFA Men’s Player award for 2016 to the Ballon d’Or that he won last month, capping a stellar 12 months with club and country.

Ronaldo ended the year with Champions League and Euro 2016 winner’s medals, as well as one for the Club World Cup, prompting a string of year-end accolades.

Despite an era-defining row over his or Lionel Messi’s dominance of the period that they have shared, Ronaldo’s legacy as one of the game’s greats has long been secured, a fact not lost on him.

“I have no doubt that I am already a part of football’s history,” he told FIFA’s official website.

“This has always been my major goal, since I started playing: not only to become a player, but to

be a star and to constantly strive to be the best.

“And I did it: the trophies speak for themselves – both the titles, the individual awards, and the records.

“It is a source of great pride and it motivates me to keep on working the same way I have been doing so far.”

Reflecting on a glittering year with club and country, Ronaldo said: “I have said it a few times: this has probably been the best year of my career.

“Having won the trophy with the national team obviously plays a big part in it as it was a first for Portugal and this makes 2016 a very special year.

“But there is also Real Madrid winning the Champions League and then the Club World Cup to finish the year in the best possible manner. “It was a spectacular year; a truly special one. I have no doubt that it has been my best since I have started to play football.”

WAR OF WORDS

continues between PCB, FICA

T

Pakistan has been a no-go for international teams since an attack in 2009 on the Sri Lanka cricket team

he war of words continues between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) with the later defending its decision to warn international players against travelling to Pakistan based on a recent report.

Earlier this week FICA circulated a memo to players and players’ associations warning of “an extremely elevated” security threat in Pakistan declaring that “an acceptable level of participant security and safety cannot be expected or guaranteed.”

The PCB were quick to issue a report

that called the statement as “careless and cavalier” and questioned the credibility of the report which it labeled “a sweeping negative statement about the security situation” from “thousands of miles away.”

In response to the PCB’s claim about being able to name one credible source, the FICA pointed that advice was received from Eastern Star International (ESI), a firm that has provided advice to the ECB, CA, NZC and the ICC among others and who recently gave the goahead for England’s tour of Bangladesh.

FICA’s response has come in light

19

of the PCB announcing that the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) would be held in Lahore this year, and the possibility of the West Indies playing a couple of T20 internationals in the country in March. Pakistan has been a no-go for international teams since an attack in 2009 on the Sri Lanka cricket team. The last full member team to tour the region was Zimbabwe in 2015.

On that occasion a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device outside of the stadium in Lahore ahead of the second ODI series, killing himself and a policeman.

PacquiaoBrook

fight

M

a n n y Pacquiao is set to face Jeff Horn in April, and a bout against Kell Brook could be next for the Filipino in 2017.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that talks have begun regarding a

was i n talks over setting up a date for Brook and Pacquiao to go head to head.

Kell Brook

potential fight between Manny Pacquiao and Kell Brook later this year.

Pacquiao, whose professional career has spanned 22 years, is due to defend his WBO world welterweight title against Australia’s Jeff Horn in April.

Brook is scheduled for a mandatory defence of his IBF welterweight belt against Errol Spence Jr at some stage this year, while an all-British affair

w i t h Amir Khan appears a genuine possibility.

But speaking on Wednesday, Hearn confirmed he

“I have been speaking with Bob Arum about a Kell Brook versus Manny Pacquiao fight,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

“We are ready to go with that right now, but I think they like the idea of fighting Horn first, so we will now try and work for an autumn fight.

“Obviously our priority is the big British fight with Amir and we also have the Errol Spence Jr f i g h t .

Either w a y , Kell’s future will b e

mapped out in the next month.”

Manny Pacquiao

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

THURsDAY, january 12, 2017

GFF sheds light on Alpha and Slingerz Chanderpaul, non-participation in Club Championship Crandon hit

C

ONCACAF has informed the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on January 9 last that Alpha United FC and Slingerz FC will not be allowed to participate in the 2017 Caribbean Club Championship since the

football body, CONCACAF ruled that because the clubs are not in good standing with the GFF, in accordance with Section 111 art.

L, of the Caribbean Cup Championship Regulations, and “with the aim of properly safeguarding the in-

this development began when Alpha United FC and Slingerz FC, along with two other clubs, objected to the expansion of the Elite League. Subsequently, the GFF engaged in extensive consultations and negotiations with the clubs in

Slingerz FC (orange and black) and Alpha United FC played their hearts and souls out in season one of the Elite League but will not feature in the Caribbean Club Championships

Regional Body has deemed that the clubs are not in good standing with the GFF. Both Clubs, by virtue of being the top two placefinishers in the Season One of the Elite League, qualified to participate in the Championship.

However, according to a press release from the local

tegrity, smooth operation and running of the competition, (we inform you that) Alpha United Football Club and Slingerz Football Club are not eligible to participate in the 2017 edition of the Caribbean Club Championship.”

The release further stated that, the genesis of

question in an effort to address their concerns. These consultations proved futile and the GFF reached out to CONCACAF who then provided comprehensive constitutional guidance that confirm the GFF’s authority to “draw up regulations governing the conditions of participation and staging of

competitions organized by the Federation.” This interpretation by CONCACAF, sent to the Clubs on November 24, 2016, was acknowledged by the clubs but not contested.

The Clubs, in the said letter of November 24, 2016, were formally notified that their actions would affect their standing with the GFF. In pursuance of the GFF’s statutory obligation, CONCACAF was then formally informed on December 13, 2016, that four clubs had withdrawn their participation in Season two of the Elite League. This then led to CONCACAF on January 9 advising the GFF that Alpha United FC and Slingerz FC were ineligible to participate in the 2017 edition of the Caribbean Cup Championship and directing that the Clubs be so informed. This the GFF did on January 10.

The GFF is particularly saddened by this turn of events as, ultimately, it is the players who are most affected. However, we encourage the clubs to recognize the need for their players to participate in active football. The release ends by stating that, the GFF remains ready to guide and support the process.

Stag

Nations Cup resumes on Sunday at Grove

F

ollowing unprecedented rainfall during last Christmas season, organizers of the Stag Nations Cup knock-out football championships were forced to put a halt to proceedings at the crucial round of 16 stage.

However, the weather has improved and the action will resume on Sunday with the final two round-of-16 matches.

Teams from five associations (Berbice, East Demerara, Georgetown, East Bank and West Demerara) affiliated to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) have been battling each other from December 14, when action got underway, for a place in the final with a top prize of 2 Million dollars at stake.

Second place attracts 1 Million dollars while third place will get $500,000 and fourth, $300,000.

On Sunday evening, Grove Hi Tech will play New Amsterdam United in the feature match at 20:00h with Den Amstel matching skills with Ann’s Grove in the curtain raiser, the respective winners booking the final two quarter final spots.

Already through to the quarters are Western Tigers who have booked a date with Pouderoyen; Santos which will tangle with Uitvlugt Warriors; Police which will battle the winner of the Grove Hi Tech/New Amsterdam United clash and Riddim Squad which will oppose the winner of the Ann's Grove/Den Amstel match-up.

Teams walking the plank are Mahaicony Thunderhawks, Flamingo, Golden Stars, Young Achievers, Northern Rangers, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Cougars, Rosignol United, Herstelling Raiders and Mahaica Determinators.

Northern Rangers and Young Achievers had a heated contest at Leonora but unfortunately both teams were knocked out

STAG Nations Cup 2016/17

Final round-of-16 matches - Sunday January 15, 2016 Mt Teams Time 11. Ann’s Grove vs Den Amstel 18:00h 12. Grove Hi Tech vs NA United

20:00h 13.

14.

Quarter Finals - Sunday January 22, 2016 Santos vs Uitvlugt Warriors 18:00h Western Tigers vs Pouderoyen 20:00h

15.

16.

Quarter Finals - Wednesday January 25, 2016 Riddim Squad vs Winner of 11 19:00h Police vs Winner of 12 21:00h

Semi Finals - Sunday January 29, 2016 Third Place – Sunday February 5, 2016 Final “ “

Venue Grove Com Center Gr.

“ Leonora “ GDF

50s in warmup match

I

n preparation for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Super 50 which begins later this month, the Guyana Jaguars held their first practice match at Providence on Wednesday. In the match, Tagenarine Chandperpaul and Royston Crandon hit contrasting half centuries to pilot Vishaul Singh’s XI to a comfortable 49-run win over Leon Johnson’s XI on Wednesday at the National Stadium.

Singh’s XI which compromised of several members of the squad which did not make the touring party for the Super50 as opposed to Johnson’s XI, batted first and scored 259 all out on the foundation of a solid 56 from Chanderpaul and an attacking 52 from Crandon.

The chase for 260 got underway in haste with the opening pair of Assad Fudadin and Shimron Hetmyer going shot for shot but the moment was quelled as Hetmyer had to leave the field in the fifth over with what looked to be cramps with the score on 23 without loss.

Fudadin continued to bat with confidence, off-spinner Eon Hopper over cover for six then over long-on; Skipper Johnson also looked assured at the crease capitalizing on any bad balls delivered. Fudadin became the first wicket to fall at 72-1, when has given out out leg before to Hopper for a run-a-ball 40 (4x4s; 1x6), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (06) did not last long at the crease, as he was outfoxed by the off-spin of Jonathon Foo. Christopher Barnwell and Johnson began the repair work, with smart batting.

Barnwell was especially severe on pacer Romario Shepherd, stylishly hitting him over cover for four then inflicting a powerful pull for another boundary. However, Shepherd got some reward as Johnson hit straight to midoff, falling for a well-played 46 (4x4s), to leave his side 137-3 in the 31st over.

Just as the free-flowing Barnwell was beginning to look ominous, he fell via the run-out route for 44 (5x4s; 1x6) from 54 balls and wickets began falling at regular intervals. Only Raymon Reifer (23) and Anthony Bramble (19) offered any resistance as Gudakesh Motie and company ripped through the lower-order.

Motie led with 4-35, while Shepherd, Foo and Hopper all picked up a wicket each to bowl out the opposition for 210 in 46.4 overs.

Earlier Singh’s XI batting first got off to a solid start with openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Rajendra Chandrika posting 72 in 16 overs when the off-spin of Steven Jacobs trapped Chandrika leg before for 32 (4x4s).

Chanderpaul Hemraj came to the crease and quickly showcased a positive approach with some nicely timed shots.

The left-hander carried the team to 100 when Jacobs induced a false stoke for him to fall for 25 (2x4; 1x6).

A double strike occurred with the score on a 100 as Jonathan Foo was run out without facing a ball.

Skipper Vishaul Singh came and along with Chanderpaul steadied the innings with good rotation of the strike.

The young Chanderpaul who reached his half century from 71 balls, hitting three fours and one six, eventually fell for 56 with the score now 140-4.

Singh and all-rounder Royston Crandon began trying to add some impetus to the innings when leg-spin of Bishoo bowled Singh for 40 (1x6).

All-rounders Sherfane Rutherford (15) and Romario Shepherd (12) helped the innings past the 200-mark but when Crandon fell for 43-ball 52 (2x4s; 2x6s), so did the rest of the innings, as they were bowled out in 49.5 overs.

Left-spinner Veerasammy Permaul led with 3-47 from nine overs while Jacobs and Bishoo took 2-31 and 2-45 respectively from their 10 overs.

The next scheduled practice match is on Friday at same venue from 09:00h.

“

GDF TBD TBD

Assad Fudadin hits out against Eon Hopper during the practice match on Wednesday at the National Stadium

21

sports

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members on 1st anniversary

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dream can become true, that is if you really want it to.

However, the dream becoming a reality depends on the dreamer.

In January 2016, one of Guyana’s greatest cricketers brought his dream to fruition by opening the state-ofthe-art gym, Fitness53 Inc., at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, commonly called ‘Ronnie’ built his dream from the ground up, literally.

Although it took some time to complete, it can now be described as a landmark for some, but for ‘Ronnie’ it is his way of showing his appreciation to Guyanese.

Today, Fitness53 Inc. celebrates its first anniversary.

The celebration started on Tuesday with a raffle, where 30 members who were ran-

domly selected via a computerized draw, won prizes ranging from free passes for one month, to gym clothing.

Later in the week, the staff and some gym members will be feeding the children of an orphanage in Georgetown.

To date, the gym has close to 2,500 registered members with an average of 200 persons attending daily. “From 05:00h to 21:00h, there is a constant flow of fitness enthusiasts. Some come for a one hour work out, while others come for as much as three hours. Some come in the mornings and back again in the evenings.

A few members come and work out, have a shower, hot or cold, then go to work. As long as you are a member you have unlimited access to the facility,” Manager of the facility, Darlene Harris, said.

There are schedule classes for Zumba, Spin, Aerobics, Abs and what the gym calls Cardio/Step Fusion.

There are both male and female trainers/ instructors, who are highly skilled with many years of experience. From 17:00h to 22:00h, a Nutritionist is on site for consultations. The Health Bar provides smoothies, shakes, salads and other canned/bottled beverages.

“For the New Year the gym hopes to bring in Rowing Machines, have the Sauna up and running and get a masseuse or masseur on board. ‘Ronnie’, his family and staff will like to wish all of Guyana a happy and prosperous New Year and say to you make your own dreams become true,” Harris concluded.

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hief Operations Officer (COO) for the Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) Vernon Springer has lauded a decision by the Hurricanes Franchise to acquire two additional players out of Trinidad and Tobago for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Super50 competition starting later this month.

The Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Springer confirmed, have acquired all-rounder Kevon Cooper, along with his Queen’s Park Cricket Club teammate Akeal Hosein.

The duo joins fellow Trinidadian and Queen’s Park Cricket Club’s Daron Cruickshank and veteran West Indies and Jamaica batsman, Marlon Samuels, as four players joining the sub-regional squad for the tournament.

Leeward Islands had also named Guyanese fast bowler Ronsford Beaten in the line-up but he has been named in the Guyana Jaguars squad.

The move has drawn some public criticism with concerns that the spots should have been allocated to players within the Leeward Islands but Springer, during an interview on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, disagreed.

“All of these players who are participating are eligible to play for the West Indies cricket team. So if Jojo is from Jamaica and he doesn’t get selected by the Jamaica squad and he wants to go to the Scorpions, the Hurricanes or to the Volcanoes and the opportunity arises for him there then that is what it is going to be; because the mission for these guys is to play cricket. If you don’t play in this tournament, you cannot get selected for the West Indies team,” he said. (Antigua Observer) Kevon Cooper

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

ShaquilleWilliams Visually impaired cricketers F

By Delvon Mc Ewan

at UWI

ormer national junior captain Shaquille Williams is fulfilling two dreams simultaneously as he reads to do this year. Focus more on his game and for his Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and work towards making the CCC team next Financing at the University of West Indies season.

The Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) playCave Hill Campus in Barbados as well as er, who was a former U-15 and U-17 skipper, develop his cricket skills with hope of playsaid his game has develop since he started ing at the Regional First Class level.

Williams departed local shores in training at UWI but there is still room for September, 2014, on a scholarship which improvement. The all-rounder, who is bats in the middle and lower order and bowls offered him an opporoff-spin, has done tunity to equip himself some technical with a degree and play work on his batcricket. ting but seldom Prior to his deparbowls in the UWI ture, the second year team. student was among Although his the top local players cricket is moving contesting for a place ahead, Williams in the national limited said he is equalover squad. ly enthusiastic He is currentabout his studly a member of the ies. He is by no elite team (top team) means in a rush at UWI, where he is to return home also vying to play at to try and break the Regional level as into the Guyana part of the Combined Jaguars team, Campuses and but if he is fortuColleges (CCC) team. nate enough to be However, he believes Shaquille Williams (right) with South given an opporAfrican spinner Imran Tahir he narrowly missed tunity he will acout on selection for cept. this year Super50 Subsequent to tournament but will completion of his bachelor’s degree, the 22 be working hard to make the team in the year old will immediately seek to enter the near future. master’s programme in his area of study According to Williams, he was optimistic of playing in this year’s Super 50 tour- before returning home.

To date CCC have already given Williams nament but the selectors had other plans. opportunities to play warm up matches Nevertheless, he sees disappointments as a against West Indies and English County means to change dissatisfactions into a possides Hamsphire and Nottinghamshire. itive energy, which is exactly what he plans

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he most competitive tapeball cricket action in Guyana is no doubt found at the National Cultural Centre tarmac in Georgetown, simply referred to as the tarmac. Many current and past national and club cricketers were brought up playing, what can be described as tough cricket, on the tarmac in the afternoons or on weekends. After a slow down for various reasons, the action is slowly picking up and a big competition is set for January month end.

Base Promotion and Tarmac Squad have joined forces for the one-day tapeball extravaganza which will see 11 aside teams battling for trophies, cash and bragging rights. In the preliminary matches, each team will have a maximum of seven overs to bat while the final will be 10 overs a-side.

The competition which is open to all teams will see standard International Cricket Council (ICC) rules being applied except for LBW and leg byes.

Each team is required to pay an entrance fee of $7,000 upon registration

on LI BO M of attending World Cup G

anesh Singh, Leroy Phillips and Kevin Douglas are the Guyanese named in the West Indies Blind team for the Blind Cricket World Cup in India.

However, their plight is finance which has been the struggle ever since blind cricket was introduced in Guyana.

According to Singh, who along with Phillips will play in the B1 category, the local association has received support from the National Sport Commission (NSC) covering the cost of their tickets from Guyana to the United States of America but the expenses for the remainder of their journey which stands at G$1.1 million remains in limbo. “We’re still not sure if we’re going because we have acquired the tickets to travel from here to New York from the National Sports Commission, but we are still awaiting words from the Ministry of Sport, the Honourable Nicolette Henry about the tickets from New York to India because each territorial board were required to cover the airfare for their players to go to India. With the local hosting agency there being the Indian association, covering meals, accommodation and transport. So basically we’re still in limbo as it regards our travel to India” detailed Singh.

Singh said the situation is frustrating because it has been the same for 10 years; “We’ve been going through this process for the past 10 years since we started blind cricket. It is frustrating and it is something that we have grown accustomed to, but it is almost crunch time and it is not like travelling to the Caribbean where you can just get a flight at ease. This is to India and as it gets closer flights will not be available and prices will go up significantly.”

The tournament will attract 12 teams and retired India batting genius Rahul Dravid is the patron for this edition.

Phillips said they have been practicing and preparing entirely for the tournament and since it is his first he is

looking forward for a big tournament but he would like to encourage persons who are capable of supporting them through this process to come on board.

Meanwhile, President of the Blind Cricket Association, Cecil Morris, acknowledged what blind cricket has to offer thus he made a special appeal to the public. “I’ve been in blind cricket since the inception and I know what it can do. Therefore, I am making

call t h e G u ya n a Society for the Blind on 2264496.

The following is a list of players and officials who will travel from the West Indies to India to participate in the second T20 world cup of cricket for the blind.

B1-Anthony CumminsBarbados, Jason Ricketts and Marlon Cole – Jamaica, Ganesh

West Indies Visually Impaired Cricketers (left-right) Leroy Phillips, Kevin Douglas and Ganesh Singh

a special appeal to everyone to make this possible.”

Phillips and Singh are members of the B1 unit which comprise of five members who are totally blind. If they missed the tour then it would be impossible for the West Indies team to participate because they must field at least four B1 players. Kevin Douglas will play in the B3 category which is for partially sighted players.

Phillips and Singh agreed that it is critical for them to get to India and they are asking for the kind support of the public.

Teams are scheduled to arrive in Delhi, India on January 28 with competition expected to get underway on the 31st, West Indies will play host and World Champions India in their opening match. The opening ceremony will take place on Monday 30 January in Delhi India and the final is set for February 12.

Persons interested in contributing to the cause can

Singh and Leroy Phillips – Guyana.

The B2 category are those with limited vision who may still require assistance.

B2-Ricardo Manning, Mark Goddard, and Kci Ward Ryan – Barbados, Gregory Stewart, Caneel Graham, Alvin James – Jamaica.

B 3 category are those players with enough vision to move around independently.

B3-Haldene Forde – Barbados, Dennol Shim, LoShane Myles, Mark Sweeney – Jamaica and Kevin Douglas – Guyana.

Management team: Stevenson Evelyn Manager, Glendon Coke, Coach, Carrison Henry, Physio.

In addition, Bhawani Persad will also be in India to undertake the following: Attend the annual general meeting of WBC LTD as a delegate representing the WICCBVI board.

Ronaldo out of Madrid squad for Sevilla clash

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Brian Griffith

which must be done on or before Friday January 27. To register, call organizer Brian Griffith on 676-5218.

The sponsors for the day’s activity are Guinness Bar on Joseph Pollydore Street and Grill Kings on Mandela Avenue.

ristiano Ronaldo will be rested for Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey trip to Sevilla, with Luka Modric left out of the squad, too. Zinedine Zidane has opted to rest Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric for Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey encounter with Sevilla.

Ronaldo also missed the first leg of the round of 16 tie, with Madrid cruising to a 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu without their star attacker. He then returned to the starting XI for

the 5-0 win over Granada at the weekend, but will be allowed to sit out Thursday’s clash again. Modric, meanwhile, has featured for the full 90 minutes in Madrid’s first two games of 2017, but Zidane does not need the Croatia international at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The capital side will also be without the services of James Rodriguez in this week’s return.

The former Monaco star netted twice in the first leg, but is unavailable due to injury.

“James felt something in his calf again and we will not take any risks,” Zidane explained.

“I think it is only a small thing, but we are always careful.

We still have a lot of games left to play. We will see how his situation evolves, but we will not risk him.”

Isco will also miss the trip to Sevilla due to a minor problem, while Pepe and Gareth Bale remain unavailable, too. Sergio Ramos, Lucas Vazquez and Mateo Kovacic all return.

(Sportsmax)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, january 12, 2017

GFF being strategic on players’ exposure to foreign teams

GFF aiding in Lanferman’s recovery

W

ith a wealth of young talented football players in Guyana, the governing federation will be implementing a strategic approach in which they allow these players to be exposed to foreign teams, this is according to President of the GFF Wayne Forde.

Forde spoke to the media and explained, “The Technical Director [Ian Greenwood] has what he terms an exit strategy for players, his vision is that we need to do a bit more and his concern is that we don’t want to expose players to teams that the likelihood of them making the cut is remote.” Forde is of the view that these players should be exposed to teams that they have a realistic chance of being signed.

“It is better to expose players to teams that are likely to make the cut, he [Technical Director] is deliberate in how we identify these players and how we expose these players and it needs to be a structured programme” he stated.

However, the President will not stop private citizens

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GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood; Mark Wronge, GFF President Wayne Forde, and Akeem Bollers

who wish to provide opportunities for player signings but the process must go hand in hand with the vision of the Technical Director.

Recently, Mark Wronge and Akeem Bollers, managed to gain acceptance to participate in a student athlete soccer tryout in South Carolina and Louisiana, United States of America, on January 21 and February 18-19 respectively. This tryout is part of

a process to achieve a student athlete scholarship.

The tryout will be held at the Anderson University Athletic Campus (South Carolina) and Mike Getman Soccer Camp (Louisiana).

Bollers is from Cougars FC and Wronge plays for Rosignol United FC and both are expected to depart on January 17, 2017.

This opportunity was made possible through

ReelaSmc and done on invitation. ReellaSmc is a nonprofit organization based in Lawrenceville Georgia. The purpose of the organization is to offer opportunities for student athletes to try-out for academic/sports scholarships in the USA. Fruta Conquerors’ Jeremy Garrett is also another young player who managed to gain the attention of top Portuguese club, Sporting Clube de Portugal.

West Indies to play Pakistan in 3 ODIs at Providence

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nternational cricket made a return to Guyana at the National Stadium at Providence in June 2016 after an absence of three years when South Africa and West Indies played the match of the opening leg of a Tri-Series that also involved eventual winners, Australia. This year, international cricket is slated to be played in Guyana once again after the West Indies and Pakistan Cricket Boards have agreed to play three Tests, three One-Day-Internationals and two Twenty20 matches in the Caribbean from Monday, March 27 to Monday, May 15.

The series is scheduled to start in the twin-island of Trinidad and Tobago and end in Dominica.

The Twenty20 matches are scheduled for TT; the three ODIs in Guyana, then the teams will then travel to Jamaica, Barbados and Dominica for each of the Test matches.

Manager of Operations, WICB, Roland Holder thinks this series will offer the home team an additional opportunity in the busy cricket year “to

23

he Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has made a monetary contribution to injured national and Alpha United FC player Delon Lanferman on Tuesday January 10, 2017.

This donation was done by the President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, to the player at the Boardroom of the GFF in Section ‘K’ Campbellville, Georgetown.

According to the sister of the injured player who accompanied him to the Federation, Marcia Lanferman, she is happy for the donation. “I feel thankful for the donation because it will help him a lot with medication…” She related that while her brother has been discharged from the hospital and his condition is listed as stable, he is experiencing high temperature at night and thus he will visit a private medical institution for further analysis. She is however thankful that no major body part

was damaged during the attack, which occurred on December 31, duration an altercation with another in Stabroek Square and is hopeful for a speedy and complete recovery to enable the young footballer to return to the game he loves.

She is also hopeful for the swift arrest of the perpetrator. Forde, in brief comments, expressed the Federation’s pleasure to be of assistance to the footballer and extended best wishes for a speedy recovery on behalf of the football fraternity. He expressed hope that the player receives the necessary support from his colleagues and the fraternity in his recovery process.

According to press reports, Lanferman was accused of throwing a firecracker at a man on Old Year’s Night when the accuser violently retaliated by stabbing him. He was hospitalized but later released.

Under-fire Saintfeit quits as T&T national coach

Tom Saintfeit

Darren Sammy led West Indies to sweet victory against Pakistan at Providence in May 2011

improve its ranking. Any series against Pakistan always poses an interesting contest for the West Indies.”

Both teams met in a threetest series in Dubai last October, Pakistan won that series 2-1.

When Pakistan had a full tour of the Caribbean it was in

Schedule •

Friday, March 31

1st T20

•

Sunday, April 2

2nd T20

•

Friday, April 7

1st ODI

•

Sunday, April 9

2nd ODI

•

Tuesday, April 11

3rd ODI

•

Saturday, April 15

3-Day Match

•

Friday, April 22

1st Test

•

Sunday April 30

2nd Test

•

Wednesday, May 10

3rd Test

2011 when they lost the lone T20 International, won the five match ODI Series 3-2 and shared the two-match Test series 1-1.

The first Test of the series was played at Providence which was the last taste of Test cricket in Guyana. In that lowscoring match, West Indies won by 40 runs with Devendra Queen’s Park Oval Bishoo making an Queen’s Park Oval impressive debut with four wickets in Guyana National Stadium Pakistan’s first innings Guyana National Stadium and scores of 15 not out and 24 when the Guyana National Stadium West indies batted.

Trelawny Stadium Pakistan off-spinner Sabina Park Saeed Ajmal picked up 11 wickets in the Kensington Oval match but it was West Windsor Park Indies captain, Darren

Sammy who was named Man of the Match for picking up five wickets in Pakistan’s second innings bowling them out for 178 chasing 219 to win.

Pakistan and West Indies renewed their rivalry in the Caribbean two years later when the two teams played five ODI’s and two T20’s. In the opening ODI at Providence, West Indies were blown away for 98 chasing 224/9 made by Pakistan to lose by 126 runs. West Indies rebounded to win the second ODI also at Providence by 37 runs with Sunil Narine picking up 4 for 26.

Pakistan eventually won the series 3-1 with one match ending in a tie while they swept the host in the two T20’s that were played in Jamaica.

U

nder pressure Tom Saintfeit has quit as coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national team after less than a month in charge.

Saintfeit, who replaced longtime coach Stephen Hart in December of last year, had a brief but rocky stint in charge of the twinisland republic, punctuated by its failure to advance from the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers last week.

A unit coached by Saintfeit failed to register a win in the three-team qualifier group, and were eliminated after suffering home losses to Suriname (2-1) and Haiti (4-3).

The coach’s reign began in unglamorous fashion following a 2-1 friendly loss to Nicaragua in a two-leg tie.

The team won the second match 3-1.

The tenure of the coach was, however, also marred by several high profile disputes with national players.

Saintfeit sent home Daneil Cyrus and Jomal Williams for arriving at the team’s training camp late, ahead of the qualifiers, with Joevin Jones and Kevin Molino also excluded from the squad for what the coach described as a lack of interest.

The job was Saintfiet’s eighth job as national coach in eight years. He previously coached the national teams of Namibia (2008-2010), Zimbabwe (2010), Ethiopia (2011), Yemen (2012-2013), Malawi (2013), Togo (20152016) and Bangladesh (2016).

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

West Indies to play Pakistan in 3 ODIs at Providence Pg 20

When West Indies and Pakistan last played at Providence in front of a packed house in 2013

Pg 22

Visually impaired cricketers in limbo on attending World Cup From left: Leroy Phillips and Ganesh Singh with Cecil Morris at the Guyana Society for the Blind

Pg 23

GFF aiding in Lanferman’s recovery

Delon Lanferman receives a timely donation from GFF President Wayne Forde

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