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Issue No. 3141

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, March 3, 2017

PRICE

VAT on private education necessary to broaden tax base – Jordan ... Govt unmoved by students’ burden

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

New Petroleum Commission Bill for National Assembly P16

Page 1

M&CC going after businesses with under valued properties Page 15

Rice farmers call for tax exemption on agricultural machinery

Page Page 13 11

No need for full disclosure of Guyana-Exxon Mobil contract - Trotman P14

Drug procurement probe

Parking meter burden

Health Ministry’s PS removed P14

“City Hall must budge” – protesters

…Judge rejects Town Clerk’s application

Rio nightclub killing

Former P8 Policeman slapped with murder charge

Inclement weather did not stop members of the public along with the Movement Against Parking Meters who took to the streets of Georgetown on Thursday to decry the additional burden City Hall has imposed on citizens with the implementation of paid parking in the city (Marceano Narine photo)

Govt moves to close more sugar estates Page

…as workers decry hardships 3&7

…Jagdeo cautions Govt on catastrophic repercussions

Page 9 &15

Guyana- P16 Venezuela controversy for schools’ curriculum New wells P16 for Diamond, Sparendaam, Sophia by August

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news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 3 – 08:30h-10:00h and Saturday, March 4 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 3 – 07:30h-09:00h and Saturday, March 4 – 08:00h-09:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly between 3.12 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 07:49h and 20:18h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.58 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:23h and 13:48h reaching minimum heights of 0.56 metres and 0.53 metres respectively.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

02

10 12

16

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FREE TICKET

26

5 BONUS BALL

DAILY MILLIONS 04 06 13 16 LUCKY 3 3 7 8 Afternoon Draw

21 3

3

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Sugar estates’ closure

Jagdeo cautions Govt on catastrophic repercussions …decisions affecting Govt supporters also - GAWU General Secretary

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s Government moves forward with its plans to only keep the Albion, Uitvlugt and Blairmont estates functioning while abandoning the others, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has reminded them of the devastating social and economic impacts that thousands would face as a result of the closures.

At the meeting at State House with President David Granger on Wednesday evening, Jagdeo reminded that “sugar is not a corporation but an industry”, adding that the closure of estates would have “catastrophic repercussions”, not only among sugar workers and their surrounding communities but across the entire economy. The Opposition Leader asserted that with the correct policies, fiscal space could be made for continued assistance to the sugar industry until it re-

“What we know is we have to get rid of Skeldon – Skeldon is a hole that we can’t come out of,” Agriculture Minister Noel Holder covered from its current problems.

Accompanying the Opposition Leader at the meeting was former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall while the Government side included Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and current Attorney General and

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, SC. Many issues were raised and discussions over the fallout of estate closures were extensive.

At the end of December 2016, Government, through dialogue with stakeholders, had first stated its intention to shut down Enmore, the Rose Hall factory and to privatise the Skeldon plant.

Documents that Government tendered revealed that there would be divestment of Skeldon. In fact, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder told Guyana Times on Wednesday that Government wanted Skeldon out of its remit.

“What we know is we have to get rid of Skeldon – Skeldon is a hole that we can’t come out of,” Holder had told this newspaper.

GAWU lashes out

But the workers’ representative body, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has voiced heavy criticisms of the coalition Government for moving forward with plans to close estates. In an interview with this newspaper on Thursday, GAWU

General Secretary Seepaul Narine questioned whether the Government had any vision for the country.

“We don’t agree with it and we had made our presentation to the Government, explaining why we don’t agree…the people running this country don’t have any vision for the people who they govern over, because they have not done any social impact studies,” Narine strongly stated.

He lamented the shaky future of thousands of workers and their families.

“You’re talking about closing three estates with approximate 5000 people

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

minimum and then in the case of Wales, that’s already gone and you’re talking about 1700 people. It’s a significant amount of people whose future is at limbo because of the Government’s decision.”

There is no alternative [and] that’s the hurtful part of it, the GAWU official stressed. Narine explained that GAWU was against the moves Government was making.

“We see the direction

President David Granger

that Government is going is absolutely wrong; they are walking in the dark with no candle, so they can’t see what direction they are going in. If you’re going to close estates and put people on the breadline, you need to say what alternatives you have for them,” he reiterated.

Narine had a bleak outlook for the future of the sugar industry in Guyana.

“The Administration fails to understand that the decisions they are making are hurting their own people,” Narine stressed.

Government ceased sugar operations at the Wales Estate in December 2016, citing cost as the main factor for closure. Hundreds of workers, albeit reluctantly, transferred their service to the Uitvlugt Estate while hundreds more opted for severance packages.

Several others are still demanding severance, but the Agriculture Ministry contends that all workers who requested severance were paid. The workers’ representative organisation said that the Ministry’s disclosure was misleading.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

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FRIDAY, march 3, 2017

Views Celebrating 100 years of Abolition of Indentureship

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

World Wildlife Day

G

uyana is a truly unspoilt and a relatively undiscovered paradise; this is one of the primary reasons that the destination was rebranded “Guyana – South America Undiscovered”. One of the destination’s greatest assets is its abundant flora and fauna, in fact, the country has become known as the land of the giants; it is home to several of the world’s largest species of animals, including the highest number of fish and bat (90) species for any area this size; the freshwater fish – Arapaima; the Giant Otter; the world's largest pit viper – the Bushmaster; the Giant River Turtle; the Black Caiman; the Jaguar; South America's largest bat – the False Vampire Bat; the Harpy Eagle and the Anaconda.

The abundant wildlife continues to lure scientists, filmmakers and adventure seekers and have resulted in the production of countless documentaries and publications. Guyana, through its rich biodiversity and intact rainforest, was an inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Lost World”, and John Gimlette’s BBC production “Lost Land of the Jaguars” among many others. In fact with growing global concerns about climate change, Guyana possesses one of the most unique protected area systems on Earth – Iwokrama. The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated in some of the world's most species -rich rainforest. Wildlife that is regularly seen includes the red howler monkeys, spider monkeys, capuchins, mannekins, macaws, toucans, parrots, hawks, tannegers, trogans, puff birds, labaria snakes and butterflies.

The Iwokrama Forest's ecosystem is located at the juncture of Amazonian and Guianan flora and fauna. As a result, it contains high species richness and several species of animals that are threatened or extinct across most of their former geographic ranges, like the giant anteater. Of note, Guyana has an impressive list of over 800 species of birds and the Iwokrama Forest can boast to being home to about 500 species. With further studies, this list is expected to exceed 600 species.

Then there is Mount Roraima, which is believed to have inspired the setting for Doyle’s 1912 classic “The Lost World”, where prehistoric creatures survived on a plateau. It certainly fits the bill. Defended by seemingly impenetrable 400 metrehigh cliffs, the flat summit of Mt Roraima is home to many species found nowhere else on Earth. These endemic plants and animals have developed to be truly out of this world. Sitting on the border of Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil, Mt Roraima is part of the Pakaraima chain of flat-topped mountains, known locally as tepui.

In fact, around 35 per cent of the species on Mt Roraima are endemic, such as the Roraima bush toad. And 70 per cent of those found on South America’s tepuis exist only on these plateaus. Other species are like living fossils, almost identical to plants and animals that are now extinct in the rest of the world. For millions of years, life has been existing completely independently on these mist-shrouded mountaintops, away from the prying eyes of civilisation.

Iwokrama and Mt Roraima are just two examples of areas where wildlife thrives and where it is also protected. With regard to wildlife, Guyana is abundantly blessed and there is much to celebrate, particularly as World Wildlife Day comes around.

Entrepreneurs too have long seen opportunities in Guyana for ecotourism and, more recently, the importance of forests in efforts to combat climate change has also been recognised.

World Wildlife Day 2017 will be celebrated under the theme “Listen to the Young Voices.” As to the significance of the chosen theme, the United Nations pointed out that given that almost one quarter of the world’s population is aged between 10 and 24, vigorous efforts need to be made to encourage young people, as the future leaders and decision makers of the world, to act at both local and global levels to protect endangered wildlife.

This year’s observation aims to encourage young people around the world to rally together to address ongoing major threats to wildlife, including habitat change, over-exploitation or illicit trafficking. Youths are the agents of change. Governments, law makers, enforcement officers, and officials across every region are scaling up their efforts to protect wildlife. Our country is celebrated internationally for our rich biodiversity; therefore, the responsibility rests with each of us to protect or wildlife and their habitats. We all have a role to play. Our collective conservation actions can be the difference between a species surviving or disappearing.

The High Commission of India hosted a dinner on Thursday evening to kick start the calendar of activities in commemoration of the 100 years of the abolition of Indian Indentureship in Guyana. The event, hosted at Aagman Indian Restaurant, was attended by members of Parliament, as well as significant figures and cultural curators of Indo-Guyanese society. While delivering the feature remarks, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo highlighted the importance of honouring the past and expressed his anticipation for the activities which are to follow (Marceano Narine photo)

Guyana Times responds to MotP’s

call for the withdrawal of our editorial published on March 2, 2017

T

he President's position on the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman in his own words is as follows: “I don’t have a candidate in mind. I have a qualification in mind. I want someone who satisfies the constitutional requirement.” He further stated, however, that “the

Constitution is clear that once the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list of persons, who are not unacceptable, I will have to make a choice, but I will choose someone who is acceptable to both sides and who the general public is satisfied with.”

Since the President insists that only a judge "satis-

fies the constitutional requirement" (in the singular), our reading of the President's position is that "a list of persons, who are not unacceptable" to him can only be satisfied by a list of Judges submitted by the Opposition. However, the Opposition is on record as disagreeing fundamentally and irrevocably with

the President's interpretation of the “qualifications" (plural).

As such, because the probability of the President’s demand being satisfied is so infinitesimal to "satisfy both sides", we contend it supports our statement that the President "will appoint his own Chairman".

Whatever happened to the call for racial unity?

Dear Editor, The APNU/PNC/AFC government needs to be reminded that it is the ability and responsibility of Government to provide an atmosphere free of inequality and social exclusion in the face of pervasive racial inequality rattling the Indo-Guyanese community.

Despite the fact that IndoGuyanese outnumber AfroGuyanese by 15%, IndoGuyanese are given far less access to life’s opportunities – jobs, scholarships etc than Afro-Guyanese. Sadly, Government deliberately fuels this problem. Flagrantly, Government allows AfroGuyanese to soak up near-

ly every opportunity. Such pervasive racial inequality can only thrive under an obtuse and dysfunctional Government that disrespects its people. No matter how you cut it, racial inequality is ugly. Racial inequality stifles innovation, and it stifles development. It potently generates high levels of inefficiency, and exacerbates the suicide crisis, to say the least.

Strong evidence and a compelling rationale corroborate how Government destroys social cohesion (racial unity) and foments racial division – through racial inequality.

Overwhelming evidence supports the fact that IndoGuyanese face profound so-

cial exclusion under the leadership of the APNU/PNC/ AFC government. First case in point: the workforce in the public sector approaches near racial homogeneity with roughly over 80% AfroGuyanese. Second case in point: the Bertram Collins Public Service College boasts a staff exclusively of AfroGuyanese. Third case in point: top jobs are reserved almost exclusively for AfroGuyanese. Fourth case in point: Government even diverts millions of tax payers’ dollars to fund clandestine scholarships almost exclusively for Afro-Guyanese.

Afro-Guyanese Cabinet members even enjoy full sal-

aries and full scholarships.

This is corruption. Fifth case in point: the historic Jubilee celebration became an Afrocentric event.

Sixth case in point: the Cheddi Jagan Research Center (CJRC) was even cowed by Government in an expulsion attempt. The CJRC is about President Jagan, an Indo-Guyanese.

Racial inequality plaguing the Indo-Guyanese community is undisputed, and represents a growing trend.

Sadly, Government’s actions are destructive to social cohesion. We need to be cognizant of the fact that social cohesion is indispensable to moving this country forward. continued on PAGE 5

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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

Insensitive, outlandish comments More attention must be paid Dear Editor, I read with keen interest the article carried in the state owned newspaper captioned "Cops nabbed trying to steal AK-47", and immediately my thoughts ran on the President and his reaction when that criminal was killed by a licensed firearm holder. In that incident, the President came out swinging, stating emphatically that all licences for private firearm use would be reviewed with the view that some, or most of them, would be revoked immediately.

In fact, he went on to elaborate that in his view many of the gun crimes committed were done by criminal elements, who got these weapons from licensed firearm holders, a clear case of "guns for hire." The nation was shocked, literally petrified by that statement; because, in all the cases in

crimes involving illegal gun possession, where criminals were caught, in not one instance was it found to be the firearm of a licensed holder.

But we were not totally befuddled by his utterances, because the President is known for these wild, unsubstantiated statements, which usually come back to haunt him. The above incident is a case in point.

Why would a president be so overly concerned when a criminal is gotten rid of? Why? I am of the opinion that President Granger knows fully well that there were corrupt elements within the Force, and as a cover up, he was trying vainly to turn our gaze the other way. Mr. Granger was living in denial that many of these gun crimes were orchestrated from right within the Police Force. Therefore, it would be interesting to

know what his position is at this present time.

Guyana is reeling from the onslaught of gun-related crimes, and to have heard the President of this country making a statement like that was very callous and cold. He was insensitive to the plight of the ordinary citizens of a traumatized, crime infested country. In it all, he was in essence castigating the victim and tacitly praising the perpetrator – a very reprehensible thing to do. No wonder criminals were emboldened by that statement, and criminal activity soared.

I would advise Mr. Granger, who is a historian, to do some research before he makes such insensitive and outlandish comments again.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Whatever happened to the...

FROM PAGE 4

Racial inequality within the Indo-Guyanese community is nothing new.

Indo-Guyanese have experienced such a problem under the Forbes Burnham Administration.

Forbes Burnham even invented the infamous PNC card as a means through which he selectively allowed Afro-Guyanese access to jobs, housing, scholarships etc. Of course, IndoGuyanese were marginalized.

Obviously, Forbes Burnham lacked empathy. He relied heavily on dysfunction, such as racial inequality, to secure power; and this spurred fundamental problems that haunt us to this day. He instigated racism. He motivated racebased voting. He soured race relations. He ignited the suicide crisis. He triggered mass emigration. And he activated the crime situation. Today, the Granger government glaringly rules this country like Forbes Burnham, and I do not see why any Guyanese would want to return such a destructive and divisive Government to power.

The strong link between racial inequality and racial division can be mapped by exploiting the five dimensions of social cohesion. Such dimensions are instruments widely used to assess cohesiveness between and within populations, and are constructed with diametrically opposite variables which describe emotions or which trigger them.

Such dimensions can be divided into a positive cluster (belonging, inclusion, involvement, recognition and legitimacy) and a negative cluster (isolation, exclusion, non-involvement, rejection and illegitimacy). In cohesive populations, nearly everyone holds emotions within the same cluster. This means that they stand in solidarity. As expected, a broad racial split is evident between Indo-Guyanese

and Afro-Guyanese when the problem of racial inequality in this country is mapped to such dimensions. Why? Racial inequality hurts Indo-Guyanese.

Indo-Guyanese are unable to put food on their tables, and this triggers emotions along the negative cluster.

However, Government curry favours with Afro-Guyanese, and this drives emotions along the positive cluster. Such disparity in emotions drives racial rifts which detonate social cohesion. This is exactly the situation in this country, and can be confirmed through a survey.

With that said, glaringly Government burdens the social cohesion process through its reliance on a Machiavellian approach to secure power, but shamelessly pretends to be an advocate for social cohesion and a warrior against racism.

Government pledged that the much-hyped oil industry would generate opportunities for all Guyanese. Not a single Guyanese should believe this lie. This is deceit for political power. Indo-Guyanese will never get a fair chance under this Government. When in Opposition, Government promised a good life for all.

Today, Indo-Guyanese face marginalization. Also, when in Opposition, Government issued a clarion call for racial unity. Today we know that such a call was an outright scam for votes. Likewise, oil production will never equilibrate racial inequality.

Editor, think about it: racial inequality persists because Government is the architect of such a problem. In fact, Government uses racial inequality as a strategy to tilt the racial dynamics in its favour to secure power; and in doing so, it pushes IndoGuyanese into suicide or emigration, and destroys the social cohesion process. This is irrefutable, and it is dead

wrong. Government needs to pivot. We deserve a fair chance at life. Education, empathy, trust and mutual respect will normalize racial inequality, not oil. Indeed, mutual respect fosters trust, and it is an index of social cohesion. Trust bonds communities and brings them together. Amid such madness and dysfunction, we yearn to move this country forward; and this can only be realized under a government that is willing to rule for all its people. I stand convinced that the APNU/ PNC/AFC government is not the one.

Yours faithfully, Annie Baliram

to Smart City Solutions

Dear Editor, I wish to wholly commend the Movement Against the Parking Meters (MAPM) and other interest groups for their principled stand and genuine concern for transparency and fairness, and for lawfulness becoming a hallmark within the Georgetown Municipality; but I do believe that they are overlooking a few very serious elements in this whole melee, for which attention ought to be paid. For one thing, with our current focus on money laundering and the prevention of other financial crimes being perpetuated in our country, the Guyanese popu-

lace ought to be made aware, with the provision of evidential material, of where Smart City Solutions – a company of recent vintage – got the ten million United States Dollars it claims to be investing into the parking meters’ project here. For another, the citizens ought to be regaled with details of how this US$ 10 million is being spent; as, to date, all we have seen are a few second or third hand parking meters installed, some signs, some wheel clamps, some road markings, and some meter maids running around the place. This could in no way be close to ten million US bucks.

And for yet another thing: with the recent revelation that a key player from the contractor’s side has a criminal record in the US, it is important that character assessments be done of all of the major players of Smart City Solutions and their affiliated companies. The risk of the city becoming unwittingly ensnared in international financial crimes is too great.

No stone must be left unturned on getting to the bottom of this nefarious deal; and a deal it certainly is.

Best regards, Sambu Jacobus

Choosing the Chairman of GECOM

Dear Editor, I noticed that Dr. Surujbally, in his parting shot, has joined a few minds who feel that the Guyana Constitution seems to proffer a judge to be selected as the Chairman of GECOM. Dr Surujbally posits, and has been quoted as saying, “It tells me that the focus of the framers was in fact to have a judge here.”

The architects of the process include a living President; and his representatives – including Dr. Pastor – are still around, so we do not have to guess what was the meaning of ‘fit and proper’ when it was proposed. We can reach out to Jimmy Carter and the Carter Center for clarity on this matter. The framers of the article in the Constitution are also still alive: Ralph Ramkarran, Raphael Trotman, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, and many of us who participated in the constitution reform process that saw these words entrenched in the Constitution. We don’t have to guess what was intended.

Finally, the players in selecting every Chairman since Rudy Collins are still around.

Many members of the PNC/ PNCR/PNCR1G are still around. Many members of the WPA, like Rupert, participated in the process and are still around. The WPA nominees for the list in the past were Doodnauth Singh and Steve Surujbally. I am still around, TUF nominees to the list in the past included Edward Hopkinson and Major General (rtd.) Joe Singh. “Fit and proper person” has always referred to any person who was not

a judge or qualified to so be.

We have been served well by “fit and proper persons” who were not judges or qualified to so be. Rudy Collins, Edward Hopkinson, Major General (rtd.) Joe Singh, and Dr. Steve Surujbally – four out of five have been so chosen.

Steve’s final words should have been, “Thanks to all for the confidence and the honour to serve my country in this most important position in our democratic process.”

Sincerely, Manzoor Nadir

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Foundation

s the ‘syndrome’ would have us believe, middle children are unambitious, lack social skills and feel neglected.

Typically, firstborns are overachievers, the youngest child is most looked-after as the baby of the family, and where does that leave the middle child? Nowhere, that’s where.

“In short, [middle child syndrome] is where the older child gets all the awards, the younger gets all the love, and the middle gets nothing,” according to Urban Dictionary.

Middle children are unloved, permanently question their identity, misbehave to get attention and are just crying out to be noticed and appreciated by their parents.

Hi, I’m Rachel, and I’m a middle child.

A lifetime of neglection (am I being melodramatic?) can have negative consequences on a forgotten child, but despite my lamentations, I actually believe being a middle child has made me stronger and generally more prepared for life.

“Although middles are neglected, both by parents and researchers, they actually benefit from this in the long run,” says psychologist Lynne Griffin, who claims middle children are more empathetic, think outside the box and feel less pressure to conform.

Being a middle child has made me independent, having never felt like I could depend on my neglectful parents. OK, that’s not true. I can depend on my parents, but still. I’m independent.

Understandably, the first time a parent goes through a rite of passage with one of their children, it’s a big deal, and the last time too. No one cares about the middle kids though.

Naturally, everyone was very excited when my brother graduated from university, but when I told my parents my degree results, they said: “Well, you were always going to get a 2:1,” and were severely lacking in enthusiasm for my graduation.

What’s a middle child got to do to make her parents

– mi proud!?

Sorry, 24 years of built-up emotion are coming out.

Those years of hardship have given me an array of essential life skills though.

We middle children don’t need to be micro-managed – just leave us be and we’ll get on with it. We’ll probably do an awesome job of it too because we work really hard.

Yes, because middle children generally do have to do more to get noticed, we are driven, ambitious fighters, always striving to be better and achieve more.

What’s more, we’re outgoing, having realised early on that we need to be vocal in order to be noticed. And anyone who knows me will confirm that I am nothing if not outgoing and vocal.

But these skills have helped me be bold in many aspects of my life.

A lot of middle children learn to be excellent negotiators.

Whether consciously or not, parents often favour the oldest and youngest children, so we middle children have had to come up with other ways to get what we want and make our voices heard.

According to Dr Griffin, middle children are “more willing to compromise and so they can argue successfully.” So bear that in mind next time you try and pick a fight with one of us.

As a middle child, it’s actually in my nature to avoid conflict though – most middles try not to rock the boat because in sibling trios, it’s all too common for the oldest and youngest to team up against the middle one. (Woe is us!)

But this means we get on well with everyone. We’re great at a party, we middle kids. Go on, invite us. You’ll see.

And d’you know what, Mum and Dad, when I’m Queen of the World, you’ll see too. (Joking. Love you, parents. Please don’t stop taking me out for lunches) All things considered though, maybe we middle children should be thanking our parents – thank you for the neglect, for ignoring us, for never making us feel special – because the struggle of being a middle child has, coincidentally, made us more awesome after all. (The Independent)

Continued from Thursday

By David M Allen, MD

I

f you instantly replace any items lost by your child, your child will continue to lose things.

If you do nothing when your children disrespect you, or if you just whine and scream at them about it, they think you need them to be disrespectful, so they will continue to be.

If you look uncomfortable getting pres-

ents on holidays and birthdays, your children won’t give you any, or will give you thoughtless gifts. (If you then question them about it, they will get angry or passive aggressive, and may start giving you things, but looking as if they are only doing so because you asked, not because they care about you).

If you seem to get a kick out of a child’s misbehaviour, they will continue to misbehave, no matter what else you say about it.

If you set a low bar in your expectations for your child (academically, for example), they may meet the bar, but they will not exceed it.

If you compulsively pay more attention to your children’s needs than you do to those of your spouse, they will make gallant efforts to

regulate the amount of intimacy you have in your marriage by inserting themselves between the two of you.

Last – and this is perhaps the most pernicious of all – if you constantly give in to your children’s demands out of guilt, but then get angry at them because they are too demanding, then they will fear for your mental stability. In response, they will try to regulate your emotions like a thermostat: If you start to get

too angry, they will try to make you feel guilty, but if you start to feel too guilty, they will try to make you feel royally angry.

Key point: Whenever you try to stop doing any of these things after having done them for a long time, expect a negative reaction. Things will get worse before they get better. This is because you will be confusing your children. They thought they had you all figured out, and suddenly you are not performing to their expectations. Therefore, their behaviour will get even worse in order to see if you really mean what you say and will continue to act in the new way.

Their behaviour will, however, almost always eventually get better if you stay the course.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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Govt moves to close more sugar estates …as workers decry hardships

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s Government considers its options moving forward in regard to the cash strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), more estates are expected to be closed.

This was confirmed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday.

Asked whether Government would be closing any more estates going forward, Harmon said, “Well, there are proposals with respect to diversification; and in the diversification plan, there is a proposal to that effect.”

While the Cabinet Secretary opted not to go into details about how many estates would be closed, recent reports have revealed that Government is looking to privatise most of the estates within the cash scrapped industry, leaving only about three of them in operation.

White Paper On the other hand, the State Minister noted that during Tuesday’s Ministerial Conference on GuySuCo, it was disclosed that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has drafted a White Paper on GuySuCo’s future using the proposals advanced during consultations with the Opposition, Trade Unions and other workers’ representative bodies. A White Paper is an informational document issued by Governments to

State Minister Joseph Harmon

promote or highlight the features of a solution, product or service.

According to Harmon, the draft document, which is expected to be laid in the National Assembly in the near future, deals with the findings of the Commission of Inquiry that was held into the sugar industry, as well as proposals made by the sugar corporation. It also contains submissions made during the consultations with stakeholders and those by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

The White Paper, the Minister added, also looks at issues confronting Government in making a decision on the future of GuySuCo. Those include the recovery of drainage and irrigation charges from the National Drainage and Irrigation

Authority (NDIA); the transfer of Health Centres and the recovery of costs to Government; the fate of the Skeldon Estate; diversification of leased lands; and, most importantly, the interests of workers and their families.

Workers and families Minister Harmon has reiterated that whatever decision is taken by Government would factor in the interests of the workers and their families on the forefront.

“First and foremost will be the welfare of the workers and the families of those workers in whatever we do with respect to the sugar industry. The welfare of the workers and their families is of primary concern. The other economic concerns and so on will of course be dealt with, but the workers’ interests is at the forefront of whatever policies we are going to embrace with respect to the industry,” he promised.

This position, which has been repeated several times by top Government officials since 2015, comes in light of continuous protest actions taken by hundreds of Wales, West Bank Demerara cane cutters over the non-payment of severance benefits.

Following the end of sugar operations at Wales Estate last year, the sugar workers were told that they would be transferred to Uitvlugt Estate. However, many of the workers are de-

Wales Estate workers protesting non-payment of severance benefits

manding that they be paid severance on the basis that they cannot be compelled to travel 22 miles from their point of origin.

“The industry ah bully we! But they want we to work but we [don’t want to work at Uitvlugt]; we want money. We want the Agriculture Minister and Moses Nagamootoo, we want (President David) Granger – all ah dem – to intervene in this matter,” Neil Mosely, an estate employee with 25 years of service in the industry, explained during one of the protest actions last month.

The Agriculture Ministry had contended that all workers who had opted to take

severance payment have already been paid, something which GAWU deems misleading as the workers hold out that they must be paid.

The closure of the estate has directly affected hundreds of workers and farmers, and thousands of persons in Wales and surrounding communities indirectly. Among those affected are sugar workers and their families, and the local economies of several lower WBD communities, including Patentia, Vriesland, Wales, Goed Intent, Sisters & Bellvue.

“Since the second week in December, we nah work nowhere and we nah get no money! We deserve we mon-

ey now!” protesters claimed during one of the protest actions taken last month.

During an interview with this newspaper last week, Patentia-based Hindu Priest Surendra Tiwari, who has been in practice for the last eight years, described the future outlook for the surrounding communities as “grim”.

He highlighted the numerous challenges villagers and the business community have encountered as sugar processing came to a halt on December 31 last, with many of them being forced to seek alternative forms of employment to sustain their livelihoods.

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friDAY, march 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Assault case involving transgender dismissed

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physical assault case involving transgender woman Ronnel Trotman, commonly known as “Petronella”, and Jamal Johnson was on Wednesday morning dismissed by city Magistrate Dylon Bess.

The case was highlighted in the media after Trotman was barred from the courtroom and asked to dress as his birth sex to attend court.

In court on Thursday, the Magistrate requested that his courtroom to be cleared as the Virtual Complainant (VC), Trotman, was making his entrance. The VC was barred again as he did not comply with the rules of the court.

Ronnel Trotman, known as Petronella

Speaking to members of the media, Trotman stated that he was upset by the Magistrate’s decision, relating that he was not allowed inside the court for a public hearing.

This move by the Magistrate was deemed unconstitutional by Attorneyat-Law Arif Bulkan, who represented the interest of Trotman.

The Attorney recently led an appeal case at the Court of Appeal, brought by a transgender woman associated with several Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights groups in Guyana, seeking clarification on a ruling made by then acting Chief Justice Ian Chang in 2013, which declared that cross-dressing was legal unless it was done for an “improper purpose”, the latter phrase being ambiguous.

The case was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which found that it could not elucidate what the term meant, since Parliament had failed to define same.

Subsequent to the dismissal, Bulkan had stated that the decision of the Court of Appeal allows for case-by-case interpretation from Magistrates, with regard to what constitutes an “improper purpose”.

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and Guyana Trans United (GTU) are expected take their cross-dressing case to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Rio nightclub killing

Former Policeman slapped with murder charge

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35-year-old former Policeman accused of murdering a 19-yearold teen outside the popular Rio nightclub during an argument was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that Lloyd Roberts on September 26, 2016 at Queenstown, Georgetown, unlawfully murdered Ryan Sergeant during an argument reportedly stem-

ming from a gambling spree at the nightclub.

The accused, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, stood unrepresented in the prisoners dock, but related to the court that he had retained an attorney, who had failed to make an appearance, when questioned by the Magistrate about his legal representation. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that some 31 witnesses would be called before the court to testify upon commencement of the

Accused: Former Policeman Lloyd Roberts

Preliminary Inquiry.

Sergeant, also of North Ruimveldt, was shot once to the jaw during an exchange of gunfire, which had commenced in the nightclub and ended outside. Subsequent to the shootout, the now deceased was picked up by his ‘gang members’ and dropped off at the Woodlands Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The matter was adjourned to March 10 when Roberts was expected to return to court.

What’s the scoop…

T

…on sugar workers’ salaries? alk about trying to influence the jury!! Knowing their cold-blooded decision to amputate four sugar estates and hock it to private interests for a song will cause widespread outrage, the Government claims sugar workers EARN ON AN AVERAGE $200,000 per month!! They emphasised this was FOUR TIMES THE MINIMUM WAGE!!! They’re pitching this to their Government worker supporters, of course, to show how the PPP was having sugar workers live high off the hog.

But of course, it’s all hogwash! To show how ridiculous the statement is, your Eyewitness has one question for the Government and all the gullible folks who’ll believe their assertion. IF SUGAR WORKERS ARE EARNING SO MUCH MONEY, WHY AREN’T ALL THOSE MINIMUM WAGE FOLKS LINING UP TO BECOME SUGAR WORKERS SINCE YEAR IN, YEAR OUT, GUYSUCO CAN’T GET BETTER THAN A 60 PER CENT ATTENDANCE??

Especially the “working poor” as some in Government service are called. Don’t they want to haul in the big bucks?

The truth, of course, is it just ain’t so. DURING THE CROP some cane cutters do in fact take home fat paychecks. But this is dependent on the tonnage of cane they cut and load onto punts under a brutal sun.

If a fella is willing to work like they did back in the days of slavery, he might make even more than that. But at what cost? There’s a reason why very few male ex-sugar workers live to collect their pensions. Cane cutters are paid by the ton – no work, no money! But that’s the job requirement that drives away all minimum wagers!

They’d like to rake in that dough while lolling around in air conditioned offices.

But during the “out of crop” seasons – and we must remember cane cutters are employed for only half the year – they take home zilch! And who has the discipline to keep half their wages for the lean months? Especially when Income Tax was deducted during the months of fat as if that was their pay all year long. Very few of them ever file adjusted returns at the end of the year to claim overpayments of taxes!

What these egghead consultants, who’re drawing millions in salaries obviously did was to take the total “wage bill” of GuySuCo and divide it by the number of employees! Are these people for real? Even they had to note the mega salaries of admin managers. Did they consider the salaries of the other top heavy managers?

What about the staff at HQ…and all the other “central expenses” that get lumped into “wages”.

Just shows you why GuySuCo’s gone backwards and to the dogs! …on Steve’s qualifications They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Personally, your Eyewitness isn’t too big on puddings but he’ll accept the wisdom of the vox populii, on the methodology for deciding on a good GECOM Chairman.

Steve Surujbally’s been a good Chairman – that he’s pi55ed off folks from both sides of the divide is prima facie evidence of that!

So rather than arguing like the Churchmen of yore about how many angels can stand on the head of a pin, shouldn’t the powers-that-be look at the evidence? Are we still stuck in the pre-Galilean era? Was the Honourable AG’s tortured and tortuous exegesis of “and”, “or” and “other” anything but sophistry and casuistry?

Steve Surujbally wasn’t a judge but he had “judge like” qualities. Meaning he had the requisite knowledge as Chair to weigh arguments put forward by his fractious Commissioners – and the patience to allow the evidence (votes) to come in.

His refusal to suffer fools, helped – but may not be necessary! Let’s get it on!! …on KN’s drug bust silence?

The biggest drug bust since 1999 – worth over US$100 million!! – involving Guyanese takes place and the Muckraker is silent two days in a row? What’s going on?

Now we hear a local vessel was also involved…Oh dear!

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

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friDAY, march 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Parking meter burden

“City Hall must budge!”

Fire destroys house at East Canje

– protesters continue to demand revocation of contract

A

s the anti-parking demonstrations continue, protesters are once again demanding that City Hall revoke the contract, which is seen as burdensome and, according to many, has adversely affected business in the city since its implementation.

The protest, now the fifth in a row, was organised by The Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) group, which was formed in response to the public outcry over the parking meter project.

On Thursday, the Water Street Mourners returned and led the march to a timely Dave Martins ballad, “Postpone”, which highlighted many of the noted

a push-cart vendor, calls on the relevant authorities to rescind the contract, which was signed by three members of the City Council and Town Clerk Royston King with Smart City Solutions Inc (SCSI).

Political commentator Ramon Gaskin said the Mayor and City Council must respond to the protest actions.

“They’re not budging yet and because of that, we have to keep up the pressure and keep up the struggle until they remove from this country,” Gaskin stressed.

Another protester called on donor agencies from the European Union, United States and Canada to with-

The Water Street Mourners led the march to Dave Martins’ song “Postpone”

burdensome measures meted out to the public. The song, which was played by

hold their funding until a more transparent process was rolled out, highlighting

A

The wooden cottage which was destroyed by the blaze

The protesters returned for a fifth week running, calling for the contract to be rescinded

the secretive nature of City Hall’s contract with SCSI. A young worker, who identified herself as “Tiffany”, called on President David Granger to look into the protesters’ concerns.

“I would like the President to know that we are talking directly to him…I would like him to intervene because it’s affecting the entire Guyana and we don’t like it; we don’t want it. It’s sad enough that we already have to pay VAT (Value Added Tax) on light, water, the majority of zero-rated items; we have to pay VAT on school fees, it’s so much,” “Tiffany” noted.

Others reiterated their concerns over the booting of vehicles; local actor Chris Gopaul told this pub-

lication that “no one walks around with $9000” for it to be paid over in fines to City Hall. Veteran human rights activist Denise Dias, who also pointed to the burdensome fees, stressed that “no one on earth” conducts transactions in just 15 minutes, which is the shortest time available for paid parking in the city.

The parking meters rolled out to much criticism on January 24, and the protest against it continues.

n unoccupied one bedroom wooden building situated close to the home of popular Attorney-atlaw Mursalene Bacchus at the eastern end of the Canje Bridge in Region 6 (East Berbice- Corentyne) went up in flames shortly after 13:30h on Wednesday, but swift response from the residents of Sheet Anchor prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings.

Seidel Bepa, who operates a vegetable stall a few houses away from the fire-ravaged building, told the Guyana Times that her mother reported smelling smoke and the two ventured into the street to investigate. “By the time I come out the hammock I see the fire above the house, so I did not hesitate; and I run by Mr. Bacchus and call for his wife, ‘Aunty Pam! Aunty Pam! Fire!

Cuffy dem house on fire! Call the Fire Service!’ ” The woman related that she then went into the Bacchus yard and removed sheets

which were hung under the house. “The fire was big and I say it gon ketch by the time she come down. The Fire Service take a time to come, but dem boys really fight down the fire – the Sheet Anchor boys dem; they start throwing water, so the fire din get to raise higher than that,” Bepa said.

Two units from the New Amsterdam Fire Service responded, along with a unit from the Rose Hall Sugar Estate. Damages to Bacchus’s house were limited to two windows, but sections of the building were also scorched.

Moments after the blaze, members of the Guyana Power and Light were seen replacing damaged wires to the Bacchus home. This publication understands that one of the residents of the destroyed house was recently released from a juvenile correctional facility.

It is not clear who owns that building, but several members of a family residing both local and overseas claim ownership.

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friDAY, march 3, 2017

News

McCoy fined $20,000 for assaulting Benschop

…larceny, damage to property charges dismissed

P

opular political commentator Kwame McCoy was on Thursday fined $20,000 with an alternative of one month’s imprisonment after city magistrate Anette Singh found him guilty of unlawfully assaulting political activist Mark Benschop.

The magistrate, in her ruling, dismissed two other charges – alleged larceny and damage to property – stating that she does not believe the evidence of Benschop in those matters.

During his testimony to the court via Skype,

Kwame McCoy

Mark Benschop

Benschop, who is in the United States, claimed that subsequent to the in-

cident, which occurred at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara in

2011, he had travelled to Georgetown to make a report at the Brickdam Police Station.

The court was told that, at the time of the incident, the VC was filming a Diamond House Scheme house which he claimed belonged to McCoy. McCoy, in his testimony to the court on Wednesday, denied ownership of the house, stating that he arrived at the Diamond property and was told that Benschop had an altercation with two of the workers there, after they retaliated when he allegedly put a camera in their faces.

McCoy related that Benschop could not identify the workers with whom he had the alleged altercation, thus he had made him the scapegoat.

Speaking to members of the media outside the courtroom, McCoy said he remains innocent in the matter, and claimed the allegations were fabricated for political effect. He said he was not present at the house in Diamond Housing Scheme where the alleged assault took place.

McCoy was charged with the offences, and was released by Magistrate Leron Daly in April of last year after he entered a not guilty plea to the charges.

Bail was granted in the total sum of $275,000 – $200,000 for damage to property, $50,000 for simple larceny, and $25,000 for the charge of unlawful assault.

Known character wanted for Top Cop’s brother’s murder

A

s investigations continue into the stabbing death of the brother of Police Commissioner Seeall Persaud, the suspect has been identified as a known character to the police.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told the Guyana Times that the suspect had previously been charged and placed before the courts, and he noted that all efforts are being made to apprehend him. He explained that based on information gathered, the suspect and his accomplice are being sought.

Haymant Persaud, 51, of Affiance, Essequibo Coast, was stabbed to death on February 19 in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market Area. At the time of his death, the man’s identity was unknown. It was only after the Police had issued a notice on Sunday last, seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the body, that Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud realised that the dead man was his younger brother. The Top Cop then positively identified the body at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary.

Based on reports reaching Guyana Times, a woman suspected to be involved in the stabbing death of Persaud had been arrested, but was released, since at that time the Police did not know the identity of the man. It is believed that the younger Persaud, who had apparently returned from the interior, was sporting in the vicinity of Stabroek Market and was spending money lavishly. The female suspect, who was close by, joined in the drinking

Dead: Haymant Persaud

spree, after which Persaud was reportedly lured to the washroom area at Stabroek Square, where he was attacked by two men, who attempted to relieve him of his money and other valuables.

The now dead man reportedly put up a fight, but was stabbed by one of the men, who brandished a knife.

Several people in the area reportedly witnessed the stabbing incident, and believe the female suspect had set up the robbery.

Further, Guyana Times was told that after the stabbing, public-spirited citizens ran to the Guyana Fire Service for assistance in taking the injured man to the hospital, but the ranks on duty at the time refused to give assistance. The ranks reportedly went to the scene, and after realising that Persaud was dead, they left the scene.

The ambulance service was then contacted, and the man was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead on arrival.

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friDAY, march 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

S RAIGHT R

Rice farmers call for tax exemption on agricultural machinery

with Sase Singh

The right approach requires the right attitude?

L

ast week we brought out the important point that it makes business sense for Guyana to build its own oil refinery in a public-private arrangement. At an oil price of US$52 per barrel, Guyana can be a partial beneficiary in the profit of US$5.62 per barrel. This deal becomes very bankable when one considers that all of the associated processing and distribution cost are fully paid for by the consumer at the pump.

But what really does an oil refinery do for Guyana? It adds energy to the process of industrialisation. I have been advised that our contractual share of the oil will be about 20,000 barrels/day (bpd) from the Liza deposit. That is enough oil to drive a new refining industry in Guyana that will satisfy more than 85 per cent of the local appetite for petroleum products, with the excess production exported.

Because of this one decision, the minimum net cash inflow of foreign currency that will be made available to Guyana for alternative developmental needs will be around US$470 million per year.

All of the indicators point to a modular 30,000 bpd oil refinery with a capital investment of some US$0.7 billion.

In a well-structured public-private partnership, the refining pure profit adds up to some US$7.8 billion over a 20-year period, which can easily reward all the investors for their risks. When the full investment cost of the refinery is deducted (50/50 joint venture), the Treasury will easily rake in new streams of revenue. Plus I have not even started to talk about all the new jobs and other spin-off business opportunities associated with this investment.

As a point aside, why would Suriname doubled its oil refining capacity to 15,000 bpd in 2016? The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and thus I am quite surprised that the Granger Administration has not to date incubated any new discussions with investors on the Crab Island Refinery Project. Selling our crude to EXXON or to Petrotrin to be refined in Trinidad will be one of the dumbest decisions every. All we will be doing is shipping away billions from Guyana in new job prospects, scuttling a chance to further industrialise the nation, destroying new private business opportunities and most importantly, ruining instances to create new public wealth.

In reference to other private business opportunities, let us consider that this investment can kick off a whole new petrochemical industry, which can easily create over 1500 new well-paying jobs. Singapore has no exploitable oil reserves, but yet they have a booming petrochemical industry. Today, that country is a leader in the production of synthetic fibres, plastics, solvents, and paints. It is all about an attitude of mind. At independence in a shaky economic situation, the Singaporean leaders centrally planned for rapid industrialisation. Their plan was always to use other people’s raw materials to create new jobs and wealth. The outcome was an absolute economic success. Today the earning per citizen in Singapore is 11 times more when compared to Guyana. Juxtapose that with 1960 when both of these countries had almost the same GDP per capita and one would realise again it is all about an attitude of mind.

Some may say that the colonial masters kept Guyana back. But history will illustrate that the colonial masters also tried the same game with the Singaporeans. What is materially different was the reaction to the colonial masters.

Our leaders at independence proposed a totally bogus idea called ‘cooperative republicanism’; that saw themselves as victims of the cold war and walked around with a mentality that reflected a sense of entitlement and deserving of repatriation. The Lee Kwan Yew Team broke down all barriers to ensure that they contribute to the unleashing of the full potential of their people irrespective of their social status. They walked around clear in their head that no one owes them anything. Again, it is an attitude of mind!

When any Government of Guyana steer investors toward completing big ideas like an oil refinery, only then do they have the moral, ethical and evidential authority to grant themselves a GRADE “A”.

Please feel free to share your comments at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

ice farmers living in the agricultural district of Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) are requesting tax exemptions on all agricultural machinery, saying that Value Added Tax (VAT) being charged on the equipment was an extra burden to the industry.

Many of the rice farmers spoke out at a recent meeting held with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder at Anna Regina. One rice farmer from Maria Delight, Mohammed (only name given) said that extra taxes were creating frustrations within the industry. He explained that the rice industry was bombarded with many taxes and as such, requested for duty-free waivers on all agricultural machinery.

Mohammed said that farmers were already faced with tonnes of challenges complemented by high rates and taxes on their lands and it was wise for

A rice farmer making a request for tax exemptions on agricultural equipment during a recent meeting with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

the Government of Guyana, along with the Agriculture Ministry to consider this request. Other farmers said that the increase of VAT on agricultural machinery would result in them spending more per crop hence less profit. "We are face with so many challenges, including flooding, pumping of water, poor drainage, loans at the banks, high taxes on lands, now we have to pay more VAT. Where we are real-

ly heading to?” the farmer questioned.

A large-scale farmer also said that he had to spend more to purchase a tractor and a combine harvester since the heavy prices created through the VAT system were creating burden on rice farmers. Large-scale farmers have requested theMinister to assist in helping farmers with duty-free Waivers and to implement a system to assist the indus-

try.

In responding, Minister Holder said that VAT has to be charged so that all infrastructure, such as roads, could be built for the benefit of residents.

However, Permanent Secretary for the Agriculture Ministry, George Jervis said that VAT was exempted only in special circumstances and if a farmer wished to receive duty-free concessions, then he or she would have to go through GO-Invest then the Agriculture Ministry.

Jervis said the system has changed and now GOInvest was handling the duty-free programme; however, the Ministry can make recommendations on behalf of rice farmers. Currently, rice farmers are busy preparing for the rice harvesting period and over the past few days, a large amount of water has accumulated in their fields, hence they were forced to pump water.

(Indrawattie Natram)

12news

friDAY, march 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden hire car park to be relocated … illegal vendors to be removed – LM&TC

C

ome March 20, hire cars in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) plying the Linden to Georgetown route will be relocated to the Georgetown minibus park on Republic Avenue, Mackenzie. This is according to representatives of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC).

Presently, the hire car drivers are occupying the parking space at Coop Crescent, Mackenzie, Linden, which is being shared with those plying the route in and around Linden.

Last week, Deputy Town Clerk Orleena Obermuller,

The first “Indians”

T

The minibus park in Linden

who was also acting in the capacity of Town Clerk, said the Council will be engaging in consultations with

the Minibus and Hire car Association, prior to the relocation on March 20.

Deputy Mayor Waneka

Arindell also noted that illegal vendors who occupy the Linden-Georgetown bus park will be relocated.

onight, the inaugural event kicking off a month-long series of activities to mark the “100th Anniversary of the End of Indian Indentureship” kicks off at the National Cultural Centre at 19:00h (7pm). A historic THIRTEEN groups from the Indian Guyanese Community have come together to host the joint event.

It is reminiscent of the struggle in the Indian Parliament during 1916 to pass a resolution calling upon the British Parliament to end indentureship, when the sparring factions of the Indian National Congress – the “Radicals” and the “Moderates” together with the departed Muslim League – joined hands on the issue. On March 12, 1917, Governor General of India, Hardinge ordered the Ravi Dev immediate cessation of all recruitment and shipping of Indian indentured labour. Except for a few hundred returnees over the next four years, when the official end of indentureship ended on January 1, 1920, with all contracts expiring then, that was it for indentured labourers.

Congress had picked up the issue because over in Natal, South Africa, the whites – especially the Afrikaans section – insisted on treating ALL persons from India as second class – indentured and non-indentured – and not having rights accorded to whites. This infuriated professional Indians like Gandhi who had been hired as an attorney by some wealthy Gujarati merchants who had freely emigrated as “citizens” of the British Empire with all the rights and privileges of such status. Or so they thought.

After being thrown off the first-class section of a train in favour of a white, Gandhi began to make common cause with the indentureds of Natal and brought their ill-treatment to the attention of the head of the Moderate faction of the INC – Gokhale. The status of indentured Indians in the colonies thus helped to awaken the Indian elite to the hypocrisy of British pretences of full citizenship for her colonial subjects, after a period of “tutelage”. The issue also helped to bring together not only the ideological factions of Congress but the regional blocks that were even more entrenched.

In Guyana, on the other hand, by the turn of the century, that lesson had long been imbibed by the immigrants whose indenturship had expired and had decided to remain in Guyana: they were all defined as “Indians” and were treated uniformly with contempt by the authorities and others in the society. The divisions of regions (10 per cent were from Madras Presidency in the South and the remainder from United Provinces in the North); caste (the net cast by recruiters had brought a representative sample of North India) and religion (also representative of North India between Hindu and Muslim) had become attenuated.

The hardships of the two-month long passage from India had combined with the “total institution” of the plantation to create a new identity which was affirmed by the census category of “East Indians. But it was not just an external designation – combined with profound “internal” changes” that served to solidify their “Indian” group identity ahead of an analogous process in India.

Mandirs and Masjids had been built from as early as 1870, but especially with the Hindus who were less uniform and rigorous with their practices, there were many “adaptations” such as weekly “satsanghs” on their one day off on Sundays with a “Pandit” functioning much as Christian priests did. “Creole English”, learnt from the ex-slaves who remained on the plantations, had become the dominant lingua franca. Women had become more equal with men in the home than in India, since they earned wages like the former outside of the home.

Christian proselytisation did not have much success by the end of Indentureship – but a beachhead had been formed that would widen rapidly with the increased exposure to western education which was conducted solely in Churchrun schools. That education had produced the first medical doctor and lawyer and while the urban segment was a mere 7000 compared to more than one hundred thousand in the rural areas, at least half of the latter were living outside the “loges” surrounding the sugar factory.

In 1916, members of their incipient elite launched the “British Guiana East Indian Association” to secure their interests. This was the beginning of the use of their new group identity to solidify their place in their new country.

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friDAY, march 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GCCI hosts 2-day financial forum

T

he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Thursday morning commenced a two-day finance forum at the Pegasus Hotel with special focus on accessing finance for small and growing businesses.

Agenda of the forum, which concludes today (Friday), includes presentations on credit factors which hinder transactions in Guyana, and identification of the available opportunities to improve such transactions.

In his opening address, GCCI’s Junior Vice President Nicholas Boyer pointed to some of the problems associated with small businesses accessing finance. He outlined that the forum would take on a “constructive approach” towards guiding stakeholders to the growth opportunities.

GCCI’s Junior Vice President Nicholas Boyer addressing the gathering with other panellists at the head table

Presentations were also made by bank representatives, and participants were allowed to respond during feedback sessions. Jan Sheltinga of the Canadian High Commission explained that financial grants are available to be accessed through developmental programmes in Caribbean territories.

“An integral part of

Canada’s strategy for the Caribbean is that we currently have a $600 million development programme [which] started in 2012 and is going until 2020,” the Counsellor for Development Cooperation at the consulate explained.

Representative of the Republic Bank Guyana Limited, Jewsaun Edmonson, presented specifically on credit con-

straints. He noted that, quite often, customers have difficulty in separating business finances from their personal finances.

“They would usually dip in to their living expenses and take it from their business, and you find that they run into problems,” the representative noted.

An exhibition of products from small business owners will round off today’s session. Besides the aforementioned attendees, representatives from Scotiabank, the Small Business Bureau and the Guyana Marketing

A section of the stakeholders at Thursday’s session

Corporation were all slated to make presentations at the two-day forum. The

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1889.

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friDAY, march 3, 2017

News

VAT on private education necessary to broaden tax base – Jordan ... Govt unmoved by students’ burden

W

hile the cries over the addition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education continue to permeate the air, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said the move has nothing to do with targeting institutions but broadening the country’s tax base.

The move has been deemed an unfair one by parents of students attending private institutions, but Jordan said those very institutions could work out a system to assist poor students with the increases.

He said there was no link between the imposition of the 14 per cent tax and the non-cooperation of private schools to pay their share of taxes. The rationale behind the tax on private tuition, however, is founded on the need to broaden the country’s tax base, and to help fund the country’s expenditure shortfall seen in the 2017 $250 billion budget.

According to the unmoved Jordan, Government is committed to the education of all Guyanese, whether it is accessed privately or from the public schools.

However, for the poor stu-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

dents attending private institutions, parents could approach the school or the school, the parents, so that a system could be worked out to lessen the burden the tax measure may place upon them.

“There is the argument that a number of poor children attend these private schools…let’s say it holds water…I ask my question… should that then be a basis of removing tax or should we find a creative way of getting around that?… Schools could isolate those poor students and work with the parents and say, ‘I know you are poor and you are paying

with your ($100 and $20) maybe you carry X per cent of it and we will carry the Y bulk per cent of it’, or they can carry all,” Jordan said.

Godfrey Statia said the revenue body has looked at the schools and has since been demanding their returns.

Win-win

Jordan said he was unaware of the tax status of the private schools until his team began the process.

Since the announcement of VAT on school fees, stakeholders have come out condemning the move, with many parents crying out against the additional burden placed on them.

In fact, persons took to outside the GRA Office on Camp Street, Georgetown calling for the removal of the 14 per cent tax on private education.

Organiser of the protest, businessman Roshan Khan stated that while expecting a larger crowd, he was not fazed by the comparatively low turnout. Khan demanded that the Government immediately reverse the VAT charge on education and issue an apology to the country. Other persons on the picket line had similar cries and called on the Administration to act swiftly to reverse the measures.

He noted that the measure was not a burden for the schools. According to him, it’s a “win-win for everybody” except for those who have been avoiding paying their taxes.

According to the Finance Minister, to remove a tax – which Government had carefully thought out and which will bring income in excess of $350 million – is to request that the Administration look at other areas at a time when it has already indicated that it will be borrowing some $38 billion to cushion the economy.

“It’s not that we have a fully financed budget from our taxes ...either we upturn our economic programme which will have effects or we continue on this path and do whatever adjustments we will require so we can all co-exist,” he said.

Jordan revealed that of the private schools operating in Guyana, 57 per cent

Protest

Some of the protesters outside GRA last Tuesday

are currently registered with the Guyana Revenue Agency (GRA), 20 per cent of those schools are recognised by the Education Ministry and 10 per cent of those institutions are not-for-profit organisations, while 14 per cent are registered as profit-making organisations. He noted also that 26 per cent of those institutions were registered for and were already applying the VAT for some services and sale of zero rated items. Jordan said both categories of registrants provide educational services at competitive rates, and tuition fees range between $144,000 and $300,000. In many cases, he said, the fees payable to the schools ex-

Drug procurement probe

Health Ministry’s PS removed

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lmost two months after receiving the report following a probe at the Public Health Ministry which recommended, among other things, that several senior officials at the Ministry be removed or fired, Government has finally heeded the recommendation and removed Permanent Secretary Trevor Thomas, from his post.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon told media operatives at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday that based on recommendations made from the probe that was conducted into the disclosure of information, mismanagement and malpractices within the procurement process of pharmaceuticals at the Ministry, Thomas’ service was terminated as of March 1, 2017.

However, Harmon noted that Thomas will remain within the Public Sector with the chance of him be positioned at another State agency. Asked where Thomas will be placed next, Harmon said, “I can’t tell you that right now but I know that his services as the Permanent Secretary has been terminated.”

In the meantime, deputy Permanent Secretary at

State Minister Joseph Harmon

the Public Health Ministry Colette Adams has been bumped up to acting PS until a substantive replacement is found. Adams was among the officials within the Ministry against whom recommendations of discipline were made.

Nevertheless, Harmon pointed out that over the coming days, there will be a major overhaul of Permanent Secretaries at the various Government Ministries.

According to Harmon, there are some other consequential recommendations that were made, and Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence has already taken actions on some of these.

“She has gone around to

Former Public Trevor Thomas

Health

PS

some of the units where procurement is taking place and actually seen for herself what is happening and therefore, you can expect some radical changes taking place where those things are concerned.”

The Board of Inquiry (BoI), led by retired Assistant Police Commissioner Winston Cosbert, had made some 21 recommendations, which it said aims “to increase transparency and improve efficiency and effectiveness in the procurement of pharmaceuticals,” at the Public Health Ministry.

The probe was triggered by allegations of staffers from the Public Health Ministry passing inside information to bidders seeking

lucrative drug procurement contracts.

The Bol accused Thomas of being “willfully evasive and deceptive” during his testimony. “He made inconsistent and deceptive statements during his testimony. The Board finds that the inconsistencies were sufficiently material to affect the truthfulness and accuracy of his testimony,” the report outlines while adding that, “The Permanent Secretary, Mr Trevor Thomas, should be removed from the Ministry of Public Health due to his inability to effectively carry out the mandate of the Ministry.”

According to the BoI report, the former Permanent Secretary was approached by an accountant attached to the Ministry’s Materials Management Unit, with proof that another employee was giving insider information to a bidder, but he failed to act on it. The BoI did not find sufficient, his explanation as to why there was no investigation into the matter or informed the subject Minister. Moreover, the BoI recommended that Permanent Secretaries should not be on the evaluating committee for their respective Ministries.

ceed those charged by the University of Guyana.

According to Jordan, prior to the 2017 budget, educational services enjoyed zero-rated status, which enabled the institutions registered being refunded over $150 million in VAT. This tax, he said, was already being charged to the users of these services, thereby allowing the institutions to benefit, since the refunds were not passed on to the students in reduced fees.

Meanwhile, the GRA will be moving swiftly, targeting the more than 40 private schools that remain non-compliant, many for as long as 2012. GRA Commissioner General

No need for full disclosure of Guyana-ExxonMobil contract – Trotman

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hile the economic prospects of the oil and gas sector in Guyana seem bright on every side, Guyana can ‘hold its tongue’ just a little while longer, until there are actual tangible resources on hand.

This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who said on Thursday that there was no need for Guyana to be making full disclosures about its oil and gas or the 50/50 contract it has with US oil and gas giant ExxonMobil.

Trotman was addressing members of the local press during a media breakfast at the Herdmanston Lodge. Along with him was Exxon’s Country Manager Jeff Simmons. The current administration had inherited from the former administration a contract which was signed in 1999. Trotman said Government took a decision to examine the legal document, but avoided reopening it in its entirety for negotiations.

It is possible, however, for the contract to be updated so that future arrangements could go hand-in-hand with what is happening in the industry.

“We did not want it to go abroad. Guyana is a place where we didn’t respect the sanctity of contracts entered into, and we thought it best to preserve what we have found.

Natural Resources Raphael Trotman

Minister

It was not altogether a bad contract... full disclosure will not be to the national benefit or interest”, he told journalists. According to the Natural Resources Minister, there is absolutely no need for Guyana to be making noise about its oil find, as that could have consequences at this stage.

“I am saying don’t let’s go out there shouting with the interest of full disclosure.

Everything we say and do as a government is being recorded, and will be used against us.

We are prepared to share the salient features of the contract, which is a 50/50 partnership production share agreement; which means that Exxon and its partners will share 50 percent among themselves and the Government of Guyana will share a 50 percent”, he said. continued On PAGE 15

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News

M&CC going after businesses Parking meter challenge with undervalued properties Judge rejects Town

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he cash strapped Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is going after those businesses which it said are underpaying rates and taxes, since the valuation of their properties have not been updated following renovation works.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Municipality, Debra Lewis, in a statement on Thursday, said that despite the completion of their buildings several years ago – which includes construction of new buildings, extensions to existing ones, and change of use from residential to commercial - several businesses continue to pay the same residential rates to the council.

“The Mayor and City Council has written to the Valuation Department of the Ministry of Finance, seeking its assistance to get a number of corporations and businesses to comply with property rates’ by-laws and regulations, to make their proper contribution to the city of Georgetown,” Lewis stated.

According to the PRO, this move would allow the Council to collect its correct amount of property rates from these businesses.

Lewis pointed out that this action on the part of businesses creates a deficit which, when coupled with the neglect of other property owners to fulfill their civic responsibility, continue to impede and restrict the ability of council to deliver municipal services to local communities and the city as a whole.

Among the services the Municipality is responsible for are the maintenance of 160 miles of roads; maintenance of 800 miles of concrete and earthen drains, including construction and maintenance of hundreds of culverts; maintenance of 12 outfall channels and sluices; maintenance of all parapets,

Clerk’s application ... ruling set for Monday

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reserves and thoroughfares within council area; maintenance and servicing of all bridges, footpaths and other sidewalks; collection and disposal of all waste generated (350 tons daily); and street lighting.

The City Council is thus urging all property owners to settle their accounts with the City Treasurer’s Department, and support the municipality in its effort to make Georgetown a clean, green, safe and healthy city for all.

The M&CC had last year announced plans to recoup from defaulting taxpayers billions owed in rates and taxes. Recoup plans included taking such persons to court. Additionally, the Council had devised a number of payment plans and negotiation systems to provide a reasonable breakdown of sums which would otherwise be strenuous, especially to low-income earners, all in order to encourage the payment of taxes.

Some of the businesses that the M&CC will be going after in regard to the payment of rates and taxes of undervalued buildings are: The New Building Society Limited, Caricom General Insurance, Full Works Motor Stores, Best

Buy Pharmacy, May’s Shopping Centre, Ashley Fashion, Shoppers Paradise, Chetson’s, Oceanic Trading Company, Torginol Paint/ Continental Agencies Ltd, US Wireless and Gift, Riaz Computer Centre, Young Photo Studio, Gabriella’s Trading Wholesale and Retail, Guyana Oil Co. Ltd, GBTI, Bounty Supermarket, Full Worth’s Curtain Store, Rong Xin Mao Trading, Yong Quiang, Super Star Trading, Julius Variety Store, R. Bassoo and Sons Ltd, among other businesses.

Notably, the City Council is currently engaged in a court battle with the New Building Society Limited (NBS) over the highly controversial Parking Meter Project which many city businesses and citizens have objected to and have called for its scrapping. NBS took the M&CC to court, challenging the placement of parking meters outside its Avenue of the Republic Office.

High Court judge Justice Brassington Reynolds has since ordered respondents in the matter, Town Clerk Royston King and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, to present arguments as to why the Parking Meter Project should not be rescinded.

he legality of the Parking Meter Project in the capital city is now imminent as Justice Brassington Reynolds on Thursday ruled against an application made by Attorney Roger Yearwood on behalf of Town Clerk Royston King, which contested the High Court’s jurisdiction in the case against the parking meters in Georgetown. Defence Counsel Yearwood had argued earlier this week that Guyana’s court system inherited crown office rules from Britain in 1906 which state that court has no jurisdiction over prerogative writs. But in handing down his ruling on Thursday at the High Court, Justice Reynolds observed that the then acting Chief Justice, Yonnette CummingsEdwards’ determination that a 1966 Independence order gave the Supreme Court of Judicature all the powers over jurisdiction in British Guiana.

“It has jurisdiction to maintain applications for prerogative writs in the courts,” the Judge noted.

As the court case proceeded with the challenge brought to it by Mohendra Arjune against the legality of the Parking Meter Project, a new application was then tendered by Arjune’s Attorney Komal Ramkarran to have the paid parking initiative placed on hold while the project is under judicial review. Ramkarran explained that the Order Nisi granted by the then acting Chief Justice stated that the project be halted until the Mayor or Town Clerk pro-

City Town Clerk Royston King

vided the requisite response.

As such, Counsel called for a ‘stay’ on the paid parking initiative, whereby a pause will be placed on the Parking Meter Contract so that motorists will not be charged or fined. However, Attorney Yearwood countered that the Order Nisi does not facilitate “interim or interlocutory relief,” while reiterating that the case followed crown-side proceedings and not civil proceedings.

Justice Reynolds then placed before the court the option for the two parties to have a discussion to provide relief to the citizens pending the outcome of the ruling by High Court or whether they would prefer to cancel the initiative.

In response, Attorney for Smart City Solutions, Stephen Fraser posited that the relief for the period would be allowed for Mohendra Arjune, only as he is the lone complainant.

Justice Reynolds indicated that on Monday afternoon he will make a ruling on whether or not a ‘stay’ will be granted. Earlier this

Jeff Sessions recuses himself from Russia inquiry amid calls for resignation

No need for full disclosure of... J FROM PAGE 14

According to Trotman, Guyana has no army that could withstand an aggressive force, neither does it have an air force or navy.

“If we go about everything we have, we are proceeding this year in a very delicate way. We are possibly (heading) into a (mediation) process with a Good Officer appointed by new United Nations Secretary General, and if by the end of November there is no likelihood of a settlement, we are headed to a juridical settlement of a longstanding claim. This is all we have. We have waited for 50 years for something to tell us that this is ours”, the Minister said.

He added: “We are already wealthy; we are going to be wealthy. We have no

reason to go right now and expose all our business to the world when we don’t even have the resources actually in hand. Let’s get things in our hand, then we can go out and shout what we have”.

Meanwhile, Trotman said Government expects an influx of foreigners, with the first wave most likely being from the Caribbean. He said there has been a reference to Trinidad, with Prime Minister Keith Rowley recently meeting with President Granger and himself, along with some other ministers, and (making) some case for Trinidad’s content to be in the Guyanese economy. According to Trotman, Government proposes to formalize that arrangement at a

state-to-state level.

“There was a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed, (but it) expired in 2015, and there is a high level meeting that is to be convened in Trinidad later this month. Out of that is to flow collaborations in education and agriculture, business opportunities, and oil and gas”, he said The Minister said Government is concerned, and is pushing for Guyanese to be employed in the process leading up to oil production, although much of it requires specialised training.

He said Government is working to boost capacity at the University and at technical levels.

week, Justice Reynolds had refused a request to issue a temporary order which would have disallowed the Mexican company, Smart City Solutions from continuing the parking meter system in the Capital.

These preliminary challenges follow an order nisi of certiorari which was granted to quash the decision of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown to enter the agreement with Smart City Solutions Inc by the former acting Chief Justice.

On February 16, the court temporarily halted the project but parking meter operatives continue to boot motor vehicles. The order had prohibited the respondents from making “any amendments thereto for the establishment of parking meters in Georgetown with (SCSI) and all acts and things thereafter which flowed from that decision.”

It had also revoked “the decision of the Mayor and Councillors and anyone acting by or through them or under their directions or instructions or on their behalf to exempt persons or categories of persons from paying fees for parking in the City of Georgetown and being subject to penalties for parking in Georgetown.”

Legal minds had noted that if the City continued to boot vehicles, this would be contempt of court. However, Attorney for City Council, Yearwood had argued that the City Council must not be given less than 30 days prior to the instituting of proceedings.

eff Sessions announced that he would recuse himself from investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election, after a day of drama surrounding two meetings he held with the Russian ambassador last year.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, amid mounting calls for his resignation on Thursday, the Attorney General insisted he’d done nothing wrong in testifying to Congress and claimed it was “totally false” to suggest he had met with “Russian operatives” about Donald Trump’s election campaign.

However, after meeting with justice department officials, he said Thursday he would be stepping back

Attorney General Jeff Sessions

from the case. “I have now decided to recuse myself,” because, he said, his staff had said his involvement with the Trump campaign presented a possible conflict of interest.

The announcement came as Sessions faced

growing pressure from both Republicans and Democrats to resign as attorney general, amid claims that he “lied under oath” after it was disclosed that he twice spoke with the Russian ambassador to the United States during the presidential campaign last year, in apparent contradiction to his testimony to Congress.

While the senior Democrats spoke of resignation and possible perjury charges, Republicans were also beginning to break ranks – stopping short of resignation calls but agreeing that Sessions must step back and recuse himself from any involvement in the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

16 news Guyana-Venezuela New Petroleum Commission Bill for National Assembly controversy for schools’ curriculum M friDAY, march 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

inister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, will shortly table in the National Assembly the Petroleum Commission Bill that would outline the regulations that govern the newly established Petroleum Commission.

On Thursday, he briefed members of the media on the developments in the oil and gas sector as part of a national outreach programme, the Government Information Agency (GINA) has said in a release.

Establishment of a new regulatory agency would relieve the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) of responsibility in this regard. “We need to reorient our minds towards

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he Government has agreed to incorporate relevant information on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy into the public schools’ curriculum.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said the decision was made at the Ministerial Conference which was held on February 28.

“It was agreed that the information relevant to this issue will be disseminated so that the nation can be sensitised about the controversy, especially with regard to Guyana’s position,” Minister Harmon said.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and a team

from that Ministry had made a presentation on the 50- year standing controversy at the ministerial conference.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres announced last month the appointment of a Norwegian diplomat as his Personal Representative in the Good Offices Process on this border controversy. The UN has utilised the Good Offices Process since 1990 in an effort to resolve the matter.

The UN Secretary General has decided to give the process one more year with strengthened mediation. If the matter is not resolved by the end of that year, the UN Secretary General will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement.

President David Granger has welcomed the appointment of the Good Officer, and has pledged that Guyana will abide by the Process, but has added that he would continue to advocate for a juridical settlement.

Guyana and Venezuela have turned to the UN to resolve the controversy through the signing of the Geneva Agreement of 17 February 1966. This decision was reached after Venezuela contended that the Arbitral Award of 1899 regarding the frontier between Venezuela and what is now Guyana is null and void.

Venezuela’s claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s land mass has escalated over the years, with various shows of aggression and harassment.

Stray animals on Region 2 roadways endangering lives – residents

Motorists and road users are forced to dodge stray animals roaming the roadways in Region Two

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otorists and other affected road users in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are complaining bitterly about the increase in stray animals congesting the Coastland, encroaching the roadways and endangering lives. They claim there has been an upsurge in the

number of stray animals of recent, and are therefore calling on the Commander of Police ‘G’ Division to intervene and have the animals caught and placed in an enclosed area.

‘The animals are a nuisance! They are everywhere, making it difficult for us drivers. Something

needs to be done; it’s not safe,” one driver lamented.

Several accidents have in the past been caused by animals roaming the roadways; and drivers and residents are also pleading with the Regional authorities to keep the animals off the road, particularly at nights.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

petroleum, which is a completely different form of mining; and so the idea is that we would move in tandem with the rest of the world and have a separate regu-

latory agency,” Trotman explained.

Trotman said the Bill has already been extensively shared with stakeholders, including the Opposition; and the Ministry of Natural Resources has been “working overtime” to create and upgrade legislation to govern the emerging oil and gas sector.

The Commonwealth Secretariat had, in December, drafted a Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill for the country, and Minister Trotman has said that that Bill is now with the Minister of Finance, since “it is a financial matter”. The Ministry has also drafted a Local Content Policy, GINA added.

New wells for Diamond, Sparendaam, Sophia by August

GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles; De Ruiter Doringen Managing Director Frans Heinis and Rook South-American BV Managing Director Martin Bloemscheer and other representatives of the three companies pose with a copy of the signed contract for the construction of the wells at Diamond, Sparendaam and Sophia

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ew wells are to be drilled at Diamond, Sparendaam and

Sophia.

They should provide improved water quality and services to the residents in these areas.

A contract to the tune of 552,855 euros was on Thursday signed between the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Dutch firms of De Ruiter Doringen and Rook SouthAmerican BV for the construction of the wells.

The signing took place in the boardroom of GWI, Vlissengen Road and Church Street, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release.

Signing the contract were GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles; De Ruiter Doringen Managing Director Frans Heinis and Rook South-American BV Managing Director Martin Bloemscheer and other representatives of GWI. The three wells are to be completed within a 12- week period commencing June 1 and will be constructed employing drilling technologies new to Guyana that would significantly increase their yield and efficiency.

Dr West-Charles explained that this was necessary to meet the demand for the service from communities such

as Diamond and Sophia that have large populations.

The agreement provides for De Ruiter Doringen to drill the wells and for Rook South-American BV to develop them.

The contract also covers onsite training for GWI engineers and local contractors. Dr West-Charles explained that this was to ensure an increase in local technical capacity.

“We recognise that there is a need for Guyanese contractors to be updated on well drilling technologies and so; one of the things that we shall be doing in every step of the way is to ensure that Guyanese contractors are exposed to the new drilling techniques, while at the same time GWI will also be seeking to ensure that it has in-house capability,” Dr Van West-Charles said.

About a dozen local contractors and GWI engineers are set to benefit under the agreement.

Since last year, the water company initiated the process of familiarising its staff with the new approaches to well drilling. Dr Van West- Charles recalled that in 2016, a number of employees from GWI attended a special well drilling workshop in the United States of America that focused on several areas, including the drilling of new wells and the

geology of well development.

Another group of GWI staff will be undertaking the training this year, GWI’s Managing Director said.

In the construction of the wells, De Ruiter Doringen will be advancing the tried and tested reverse circulation drilling technology.

Managing Director Heinis explained that the company has been using the technology for over 50 years in the Netherland and for over 10 years in Suriname.

He said that since the soil conditions in these countries were similar to those of Guyana, the drilling technique should be easily applied here.

The reverse circulation well drilling system is used for large diameter wells on loose alluvial soils. It consists of returning the drilled material and flushing medium to the surface inside the drill pipes.

Meanwhile, the Rook South-American BV Managing Director said that the company was happy to work with GWI on the infrastructure and operational service improvement, which he assured, would result in “increased capacity and reduced cost” to the water company. “It is good that the local contractors can benefit from this as well,” Bloemscheer said.

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s Guyana Times Entertainment continues to feature the delegates vying for the title of Miss Region Three Culture 2017, billed for April 1 in the parking lot of Leonora Synthetic Track, West Coast Demerara, this week’s focus is placed on Marcia Clarke.

Beautiful, dedicated, and optimistic are just a few words that can amply describe 22-year-old Marcia Clarke, who was born on October 9, 1994. She is a final year student at the Georgetown School of Nursing where she is pursuing a diploma.

She is a former student of

Platform: Racism

Gavin Mendonca

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(Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) beauty attained 10 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate. Her hobbies include dancing, interacting with new people and watching television.

Her platform for the Miss Region Three Pageant is racism, since she believes that this issue affects not only the human resources of the country but also the economical aspect tremendously.

Nachgana Academy of Dance

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, march 3, 2017

The 16 delegates competing for the title of Miss St Joseph High School junior and senior titles were on Saturday last sashed in the foyer of the educational institution. The pageant is billed for April 30 at the National Cultural Centre

“J’Ouvert Morning Wet Fete and Soca Party”

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onia Noel continues to celebrate her two decades in fashion in fine style. At the debut of the Western menu at the recently opened New Thriving Restaurant at Providence, East Bank Demerara, Noel along with other designers presented tantalising pieces that exuded hints of comfort, style and sassiness.

The New Thriving Restaurant opened its second unit above the Massy Supermarket, at Providence, to a very large reception a few weeks ago. As part of their marketing strategy, they will be showcasing various side events monthly as a means of entertaining and giving back to customers. The ambiance created is unlike any on the local scene.

The Guyanese fashion icon presented her elegant casual collection of versatile caftan tops and chic colourful skirts, combining them with her signature lattice fittings. The blend of bright eye-catching colours and stylish cuts makes it perfect for a fun afternoon into a smart and fashionable evening switch.

Displaying unique Indigenous pieces, Vanda Allicock did not disappoint. She showcased her one of a kind tie-dye, batik, and hand painted pieces, varying in colour and size. Vanda recently made her debut on the national fashion stage at last year’s Guyana Fashion Week along other Indigenous designers.

Closing off the evening were the enticing swimsuits b y Meleesa Payne, a former Miss Guyana Universe and model. The former beauty queen presented

for Saturday at Buxton

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ll roads will lead to the Buxton Community Centre Ground, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), on Saturday evening for the first ever “J’Ouvert Morning Wet Fete and Soca Party”. Taking on a carnival-like twist, patrons are bound to have a blast as they revel into Sunday morning for the 5th annual Mash Tramp.

Colours, water and music will be in galore as the organisers plan the most anticipated event on the ECD. On Saturday evening, the vibes will commence with several top deejays, including Gully Ras, Deejay Akelo, Selector Face, Seen Up and Deejay Energy. With the talented line-up, they are bound to set the tone for the evening with the latest soca music booming through the speakers of the music systems.

But the vibes will get even better when Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo and Super Ray One Man Band take to the stage. Primo, who is known for his energetic performances, will leave no stone unturned and will deliver to please his audience. Also known for this versatility, Super Ray will conquer on that evening with his new tracks.

This will pave the way for the 5th annual Buxton/Foulis Mash and Soca Bacchanal on Sunday when the vibes continue.

Four top sounds; two-one man bands and other live performances are expected to keep the energy going into Sunday evening.

The events are promoted

by Father Moey and Devine Starz in collaboration with the Region Four Regional Democratic Council. Music, lighting and stage will be provided by Crown Vibes Entertainment.

hints of her Dark A n g e l collection which she says is swimwear for women with a f l a r e representing the strength of our women.

The head pieces were designed by award winning costume designers Nelsion Nurse and Deborah Mathias.

There was also an awe-inspiring display of accessories, bags and belts by Sonia Noel and very unique and creative necklaces by Shonta Noel, daughter of the fashion icon; all of which can be found at the newly opened Makin Style Boutique, top floor of the Courtyard Mall on Robb Street.

‘Entertainment with a difference’ will be a month feature at New Thriving Providence.

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Selector Face

celebrating 22 years in entertainment with birthday bash

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onsidered one of the veterans in the music and entertainment industry locally, Serettee McAllister, more popularly known as “Selector Face” is celebrating 22 years in the entertainment industry.

His musical career began in 1995 with the Artical Professional Sound System at the tender age of 16. He played with Artical for four years before joining Stereo Sonic sound system in November of 1999.

McAllister worked with Stereo Sonic for 11 years; touring Guyana, the Caribbean and French Guiana. During this period he started his radio career while pursuing courses in Communication and Radio and Electrical Repairs at the Critchlow Labour College and the Government Technical Institute respectively. In 2010, McAllister parted ways with Stereo Sonic for personal reasons and later joined the Slingerz Family. This move saw a giant leap in his musical career.

He started his own radio programmes which expanded his musical audience to places such as the USA, London, Northern Ireland and farther afield. After five years with Slingerz Family, McAllister teamed up with Negus McFarlane, popularly known as “Seen Up”; a professional union he considers ‘perfect musical chemistry’.

The two decided to form their own brand and venture off by themselves. They have since been doing excellently with the support from other DJs, sound owners and corporate Guyana.

As a team, Selector Face and Seen Up have secured three tours to the USA, one to London and they are currently in negotiations for a Canada tour this year.

Come March 11, 2017, Selector Face will be celebrating his birth night and musical career at the National Gymnasium tarmac. This event promises to be a night of musical explosion with the likes of DJ Energy, Gully Ras and Selector Diamond. Sound systems include Stereo Sonic, Pier One, Royalti Vybez, Afrikan Vybz and Determine Immortal Sound. Admission is $1000.

Come out and celebrate not only his birth night but celebrate music!

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(Amanda Richards photo)

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elissa “Vanilla” Roberts has copped the Road March title for the sixth year with her tune “Mash Up de Place”. With the absence of the Carib Soca Monarch competition, Vanilla released her tune in time for the Mashramani Season and it has undoubtedly taken local airwaves by storm.

The local artistes revelled with the Natural Resources Ministry on Mashramani Day which would have also copped the titles for best king and queen costumes. The elated song bird thanked a number of persons who have been supportive of her work over the past years.

“Mash up de Place” was written and produced by Burchmore Simon out of Kross Kolors records and was recorded in house. Vanilla credits the efforts of Hits and Jams for helping the song to catapult to popularity, and admitted that this is the first time she has received such avid support for her music from the company and she looks forward to their continued support.

Guyana Times Entertainment extends congratulations to Vanilla and wishes her every success in the future.

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has a number of activities planned in the lead up to Phagwah or Holi, which will be celebrated on Monday, March 13.

Commencing this evening, the Rama Krishna Dharmic Sabha Mandir in Barr Street Kitty, Georgetown, will be hosting its annual evening of Holi melodies – Holi Sangam. This will start at 19:00h.

On Saturday, March 4, the annual Phagwah Mela and Bazaar will be held at the Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown from 16:00h.

The highlight of this event will be a spectacular stage programme which will feature finalists and top performers of the recently held Emerging Voices competition, and outstanding Guyanese singers Rekha Singh, Sookrane Bookdhoo, Mona Gowkarran and Ganindra backed by the Dax New Generation Band. The Dharmic Nritya Sangh of Naya Zamana fame will be presenting several new and exciting dances choreographed

by Dr Vindhya Persaud. There will also be a special dramatic presentation written and directed by Travez Piaralall.

In addition to fabulous entertainment, there will be delicious local, traditional and authentic Indian foods, mehendi, games and great shopping deals. Tickets cost $800 with children under 10 being given free admission. The event is supported by Digicel, ICEE, NTN, Rent-a-tent, E-Networks and GBTI. Chowtaal Samelan, an initiative of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, is also being held in the Sabha’s Praants countrywide.

Chowtaal gols or groups from Mandirs in each region will converge at the various venues to share in spirited singing reflective of the festival. There will also be beautiful Phagwah melodies and pulsating tassa drumming.

On Sunday, March 5, Chowtaal Samelan will be held at the Number 3 Vishnu Mandir, Berbice, at 10:00h; Enmore Hope West Mandir, East Coast Demerara at 10:00h; Lesbeholden Dharmic

Mandir, Black Bush Polder, Berbice at 11:00h; Bushlot Vishnu Mandir, Central Corentyne at 11:00h; and at the residence of Mrs Dookie’s – opposite the Soesdyke Mandir, on the East Bank of Demerara at 18:00h.

In addition, the West Coast Demerara Praant’s Dharmic Naujawaan will present Naujawaan Utsav 2, their Hindu youth concert, at the Ocean View Mandir Compound, West Coast Demerara on Sunday, March 5.

The programme will feature songs, dances and dramatic performances from youths across Guyana. Admission is free.

On March 9, the East Berbice Praant’s will host their Chowtaal Samelan at the Reliance Abandon Mandir beginning at 18:00h.

On Saturday, March 11, the East Berbice Praant’s Golden Om Dharmic Youths will present its Phagwah Mela and Katahar Curry Competition at the Rose Hall Estate Welfare Ground in Canje, beginning at 15:00h. There will be an exciting stage programme which includes an enactment of the story of Bhakta Prahalad, songs and dances along with a number of Holi related activities.

Admission to this event will be $200. Holika Dahan – the Burning of Holika – will be observed by mandirs countrywide on Sunday, March 12. Phagwah or Holi will be celebrated on Monday, March 13 and will be commemorated with the annual Holi Utsav at the Everest Cricket Club Ground at 16:00h.

In addition to scintillating performances by top Guyanese singers, the Dharmic Nritya Sangh, Dax New Generation Band and a cultural group from Trinidad, there will also be powder giveaways, countdowns, colour throws, dance instructions for the crowd, food stalls and other exciting activities at this family event.

Holi Utsav will also be held at the Bath Community Centre Ground on March 13, beginning at 16:00h. In addition, the Essequibo Praant will host its Phagwah Mela at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground at 14:30h on Phagwah Day.

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he first event on the calendar of events for new elected President of Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Ramez Mohamed will to the host the highly anticipated “Reaction” Dragz meet on March 19 at the South Dakota Circuit.

Yearly drag race meets has become a custom of the motor racing fraternity and this year the eagerness the burn tyre and be the fastest on the “straight away” is already brewing among the racers.

Mohamed in speaking to this publication on Thursday stated, “We are expecting a big tournament, I meet with the drivers and they are fascinated with the new system that we have put in place and they are eager to race” The President further disclosed that over 100 participants inclusive of the Surinamese are set to battle for supremacy in the various categories and this event is

just a tip of the iceberg since they are aiming to stage an international drag race meet later this year.

Mohamed assure that the international drag strip and launch pad will be completed in time for the event.

As it regards the comfort and safety of spectators, it was explained that the club is in the process of erecting stands in the infield to allow a more relaxed view of the racing.

The GMR&SC head is urging persons to race in a secure and controlled environment and urged to those who may want have a try at the event to attend since they will have all the necessary emergency services present.

Up to $50,000 will be a stake for the fastest bus with free runs beginning from 09:00 hrs followed by qualifying at 10:00 hrs and the knock-out rounds from 11:00 hrs.

These two Nissan GTRs are dubbed the fastest cars in Guyana

England in West Indies...

Old rivalries renewed as Stokes prepares to face his demons

Holder seeks consistency as West Indies attempt fresh start

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fter the rigours of a winter in the subcontinent - and with little to show for their efforts following grueling losses in all three formats against India - a spring sojourn in the Caribbean, three ODIs in the course of a fortnight on tour, has the distinct flavour of a rest cure. Nothing, however, is quite that straightforward for one-day cricket at the moment, as West Indies’ absence from this year’s grand jamboree amply testifies.

Could it be that West Indies’ failure to qualify for this summer’s Champions Trophy is the wake-up call that cricket in the Caribbean has long needed? This time last year, of course, they were beating England in thrilling fashion in the final of the World T20, but that emotional triumph was achieved, quite literally, in spite of the WICB, which remains defiantly at loggerheads with so many of its star players, as epitomised by its failure to select the man of that match, Marlon Samuels, for these three games.

But at the same time, the cosy assurances that West Indies cricket would forever be invited to the sport’s biggest gatherings has been shattered, and already their new coach, Australia’s Stuart Law, has admitted that qualification for the 2019 World Cup is the team’s over-riding priority.

They are currently ranked at No. 9 in the world,

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One of the oldest rivalries in the sport is set to be renewed today in Antigua

one place outside the automatic slots, and it’s fair to say that West Indies’ record against England in the coming six months will make or break their ambitions. They have these three games, plus five more in the summer, ahead of September’s qualification cut-off, and there’s no time like the present to get their late push up and running.

And what of England, the renaissance team of world white-ball cricket? Their stunning coming of age since the 2015 World Cup has been dissected ad nauseam but, two years down the line, Eoin Morgan’s men can no longer get away with surprising people with their potential. In particular, despite their fighting efforts in a historically heavy-scoring ODI series in India, their ambitions faltered because

of the shortcomings of their bowling attack. These three matches - plus five more against Ireland and South Africa in May - will be critical to their fine-tuning process.

They go into the series with a glut of absentees. David Willey, Mark Wood, Jake Ball and Reece Topley are among the seamers who might have been expected to press their claims in these three games, but injury has struck them all down and instead the stage is set for the likes of Liam Plunkett, Steven Finn and Tom Curran - newly inducted into the squad after a hefty journey from the heart of Sri Lanka.

Kieran Powell, back in West Indies’ one-day squad for the first time in three years, could pick up where he left off by facing England

in an ODI at Antigua, just as he did on his last appearance in March 2014. If selected, he is likely to open the batting with Evin Lewis, who cemented his claim to a top-order berth with 148 in a thrilling run-chase against Sri Lanka in November.

West Indies Squad: Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell.

England Squad: Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Eoin Morgan(c), Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Steven Finn, Tom Curran (Crinfo)

West Indies Captain Jason Holder

ith a new coach and director of cricket in place, Jason Holder is seeking consistency from the West Indies.

Jason Holder has called on West Indies to make his life as captain easier amid a “clean slate” for the team.

West Indies host England in a three-match one-day international series, which begins on Friday in Antigua, and serves as the first challenge for new coach Stuart Law, who replaced Phil Simmons in January.

A host of West Indies stars, including the likes of Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels, are missing from the ODI squad - that trio all having starred in the ICC World Twenty20 triumph last year.

The absence of many of the big names is largely down to a spat with Cricket West Indies - which new director of cricket Jimmy Adams is working to fix.

And Holder, who insists he is happy with the team he has at his disposal for the series, believes the arrival of Law and Adams gives the Windies a fresh start.

Holder said: “It feels as though it’s a clean slate, we’ve got quite a few changes in our administrative part, it’s just a situation for us players to adapt to it, get accustomed to the new coach, new director of cricket. It’s important for us just to deal with cricket, that’s the only thing we can control.

“Our main thing is to be more consistent than we have been in the past, I think once we do that we can be moving in the right direction.”

Holder is also the Test captain but is enjoying the strain of being the skipper in two formats, saying of his tenure: “It’s been interesting, I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been tough. If I didn’t enjoy it, I probably wouldn’t be doing it.

“I feel as though I’m probably the right person to do it, I’ve been supported well by my team-mates and once we continue to be consistent as a side it will make my job a lot easier.”

The Windies did not qualify for the Champions Trophy in June, but Holder thinks their absence could actually aid the side’s development.

“We’re not in the Champions Trophy, it gives us more time to reflect, more time to get things in order moving forward, we look obviously towards the World Cup,” he added.

“We need to qualify for the World Cup and it’s our goal to qualify for the World Cup, we have to take it stage by stage, our first engagement is England.” (Sportsmax)

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GCF’s Irshad Mohamed receives one of the trophies from Emma Sunich Hussain (daughter of Ramesh Sunich)

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he Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), in collaboration with title sponsors Trophy Stall, is set to host the first-ever Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) Rapid one-day tournament come Saturday.

This event will be held at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, and will consist of seven rounds with the opener beginning at 13:00h.

Registration begins at 12:00h with a registration fee of $1000 for seniors and $500 for juniors being charged.

Trophy Stall, which has supported the

sport for a number of years, has once again committed to the efforts of the GCF, providing sponsorship, including trophies and prizes, among other things.

A number of big names in the sport are expected to be on show, including the brother/sister pair of Saeed and Sheriffa Ali, as well as Wendell Meusa, Maria Thomas, Robert Nato, Taffin Khan, Anthony Drayton, Jessica and Jennifer Clementson to name a few.

For more information players can contact Irshad Mohamed on 664-1650 or Ronuel Greenidge on 657-7543.

NSC Mashramani badminton resumes today

– Ramdhani, Mangra, Ali shine on day one

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Avinash Odit defeating Javed Rahaman in a thrilling three-setter

ith the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA)/National Sports Commission (NSC) Mashramani Badminton Tournament set to resume action today, day one was, as expected, a highly competitive start to the tourney.

Playing at the usual venue – the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, the Tournament saw competition in the Men’s and Ladies Open Singles which were played on Wednesday and set to conclude today.

In the first round of the Open Men’s Singles, Marlon Chung defeated Lakshman Das 21-9, 21-15 while Darrell Carpenay defeated Tyrese Jeffrey 21-14, 9-21, 2115, as Gokarn Ramdhani defeated Sekhar Mallampati 21-13, 21-10.

That category went on to the quarter-finals, which saw Nicholas Ali defeating Marlon Chung 21-14, 21-6; Jonathan Mangra defeating Gokarn Ramdhani 21-11, 21-7 and Avinash Odit defeating Javed Rahamann 26-

24, 16-21, 21-19 in a thrilling three-setter.

Meanwhile, in the Open Ladies Singles Round-Robin, Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Ayanna Watson 21-9, 21-11 before going on to defeat Emelia Ramdhani 21-12, 21-12, while Greer Jackson defeated Pricilla Moore 21-10, 21-8 and Emelia Ramdhani 21-11, 2110. Moore returned to defeat Ayanna Watson 21-15, 21-10.

Today, spectators will see the action resuming with the remaining quarter-final match between Ronald Chang Yuen and Darrel Carpenay and the semi-finals and finals.

After these divisions are completed, the Tournament will then see competition in the Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 Boys and Girls Singles on Saturday at the same venue from 10:00h to 14:00h The GBA expressed sincere thanks to Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and the NSC for making this tournament possible.

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fridAY, march 3, 2017

CPL committed to youth development – aiming to develop a cricketer from the hinterland

By Akeem Greene

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017 will feature the fifth edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the one the major aims still remains to harness young talents.

CPL’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Pete Russell in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport on Thursday explained that the management of the league is still committed to development of cricket across the region and it is evident in the investment they are making.

“We are very aware of our commitment to development across the region, we put US$360,000 a year into the WICB[now Cricket West Indies], to help them develop the game, they put that into the four-day game from a financial prospective we are doing our bit”, Russell revealed.

However, the CPL Executive further revealed that the league does not want to limit their investment to finances but rather have a direct impact on the nurturing of young talents.

“We want to do more, what we are looking to do in Guyana is a good example, we very much want to take the game into the Hinterland, my big thing is to try and find a future Test cricketer that comes from the jungle; it is

all about how we can develop the game in these regions, it is a great opportunity for us and we will be looking to initiatives to bring all these guys closer to the game”, he further explained.

These illustri-

ous goals of the “Biggest

Party in Sport” cannot alone be the burden of the body as Russell felt partnership with government and local boards are critical.

While being satisfied with overall progress of unearthing new talents Russell still believes more can be done but is buoyed by the impact young Ravmon Powell has on West Indies cricket. The Jamaica Tallawahs all-rounder catapulted unto the world scene after reaping success in CPL 2016 and has now earned an Indian Premier League contract, in addition to playing for the West Indies.

Currently, the leagues promote each franchise to have under-19 players apart of the training squads and last year players from the wining West Indies under-19 were bought by franchises.

The COO is looking ahead to scout players from the local club system and integrate them into the league with the aim of producing a West Indies cricketer.

He stated “if we can create that conveyor belt of talent, where we are spotting the guys in the junior leagues or club

Shimron Hetmyer is one talented player that can use the CPL as a launch-pad for an already blossoming career (Marceano Narine photo)

20th CBJ Memorial rides off Sunday

cricket and bring them into CPL and then march them through the ranks then that’s deemed a success, what we have do generally is get persons back interested in the grass root level but is going to take time, and it has to be done in conjunction with WICB, governments and local cricket boards”.

Quizzed on whether the league would take the bold move to ensure that under-23 players start in the playing XI, Russell responded saying that though it is a possibility in the future, it has its risks.

He explained that, “you have to remember it is a harsh world in the professional sport and one thing you don’t want to do is put that pressure on a young kid who potentially has to play every game and is not in the best of form but the team coaches have not shied-away from selecting the under19 players and that his how it supposed to be”.

The Hero CPL is set to take place from August 1 to September 9, with the player draft slated for March 10 in Barbados.

Jialing supports GFF with 250cc bike for lucky football patron

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ycling action resumes this Sunday when the riders converge in the Ancient County of Berbice for the Hassan Mohammed-organised Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycling road race.

The race is expected to pedal off from 09:00h from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) headquarters in New Amsterdam, as officials from the Party will start the race and the wheelsmen will make their way to Number 51 Village, Corentyne and return to finish at Port Mourant.

At Babu Jaan, the first three juniors, the first three veterans, the first three mountain bikers and the first over-60 riders will receive prizes f r o m will look to once Andrew Hicks won the last road race in Berbice memagain take advanbers of the Party end of this race as a number of top tage of the home sponsored by cyclists have seen much success in conditions. sports enthusiasts.

Linden Bauxite Flyers’ Shaquel According to National Cycling the race-filled two months of 2017 Agard has gradually improved his Coach Hassan Mohamed, what is so far.

In the spotlight is number performance so far, having had a important for the riders to take one ranked cyclist, Team Coco’s slow start early in the season but note of is that there will be transHamza Eastman, who had a three- winning the last race prior to this. portation provided for those derace winning streak in February He will also be looking to add this sirous of heading to Berbice from as well as his club mates Jamal race to his winnings.

Georgetown. They are asked to asJohn and Stephano “Sunny” The defending champion is semble in front of the PPP headHusbands.

Marlon “Fishy” Williams, who won quarters, Freedom House on Robb Team Evolution’s Paul the senior category of the event in Street, Lacytown by 05:00h.

DeNobrega, who started the sea- a time of two hours, 15 minutes, The Coach added that this son well, will be looking to main- 10 seconds while Raphael Leung year the categories in contention tain good form as well as his club won the Juniors; Junior Niles, are Seniors, Juniors, Mountain partners. the Veterans; Whitney Poyer, the Bikers, Veterans, Females and We Stand United rider Andrew Females; Richard Charles, the Over-60.

Hicks is one to watch, having won It will be interesting to see the first leg of the previous three- Mountain Bike race and Monty who will take home the title at the stage meet held in Berbice, and Paris, the Over-60.

Representatives from the GFF and Jialing strike a pose with the 250cc bike that a lucky fan will collect at the end of the competition

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utomobile Power Products (Jialing) is offering a brandnew red motorcycle to one lucky patron when action resumes this weekend in Elite League football with a double-header at the Tucville Ground, Georgetown.

After the conclusion of the first half of the tournament in December, the top four teams will clash in what is dubbed a League Leaders Knockout competition.

A simple media briefing was held Thursday at the distributor of the Jialing line’s location at Charlotte and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown, where Marketing Manager Romel Richmond explained that the motorcycle – a brand new Jialing 250cc, popularly known as the GY-5 bike – was superbly built with inverted shocks, and several other outstanding features.

“What I can tell you is that this powerhouse was superbly built with inverted shocks which offer that support and proper stabilisation, and aluminium rims, which make the bike altogether a quality product. Additionally, with its 250cc engine, that winner will be sure of getting to his or her destination on time,” Richmond stated.

He further stated that his company was pleased to be associated with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), which is responsible for running off the competition.

Points leaders Guyana Defence Force will face runner-up Fruta Conquerors in the feature match, while third-place Victoria Kings will come up against fourth-place Buxton United in the opening game. The winners will meet in the final on March 12, after the losers clash in the third-place playoff. The second half of the League proper will kick off on March 19, and it is during this period that spectators will become eligible to enter the Patron Prize promotion.

Richmond further stated that patrons become eligible to enter the competition by placing their half-ticket stubs into a box located at the match venues. Persons must be 18 years and older to be eligible to claim the prize, and the winner must be present at the venue on the night of the drawing to receive same.

Players and employees of Automobile Power Products are not eligible to enter the competition. As part of the Patron Prize, the company will cover the cost of registration, fitness, road licence, number plate and helmet, as well as the first servicing of the bike.

Meanwhile, Competition Director Ian Alves gave a review of what had taken place, and promised that the remainder of the competition was expected to be exciting as well.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

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Russell heartened at high quality players for CPL draft

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58 players are enlisted for will also be hoping to tour England for 3 Tests, this year’s Hero Caribbean make their tournament 5 ODIs and one T20 with bows. the 3 Test matches coinPremier League (CPL) draft The draft is set to ciding with eh duration which will take place on March 10 in Barbados and according to Chief take a different ap- of CPL from August 1 to Operating Officer Pete Russell in proach this year with September 9. However an exclusive interview with this teams already retaining Russell feels this is no publication, the number of interplayers whom they will part will diminish the local disclose in the coming strength of teams. national starts present in the draft days.

“If you look at the is most heartening for CPL. “Each team is al- Test players very few are “I think it is biggest draft we have in terms of players that have lowed to retain as many aligned with the CPL, it is registered , we have big base of players as they like , al- not going to have a masinternational players that have signed up and some high quality players so that is a big endorseCPL’s Chief Operating ment for us and that will be a big Officer Pete Russell thing for the local players” Russell posited.

There will be 28 players from Australia lot f teams have rein the draft, an increase of six from the tain allot of their 2016 campaign, including a blend of expe- core players so this rience in Brad Haddin, Ben Hilfenhaus and this year it will be Brad Hogg allied to a crop of up-and-com- different sine there ing talent which includes leg-spinner Adam will not be purZampa who was a star for Guyana Amazon chasing from slot Warriors in the 2016 season. A further 17 1 straight down to New Zealanders, including the likes of 17”, the COO exCorey Anderson, Grant Elliott and Jimmy plained.

Neesham, are also in the mix.

High-profile England have four players and includ- transfers of Chris ed is T20 specialist fast bowler Tymal Mills, Gayle (Jamaica who made his T20 international debut for Tallawahs to St. English left-arm seamer Tymal Mills was of the top buys in the Indian Premier League and could attract a high price in the CPL as & Nevis England against Sri Lanka last summer, Kitts well and and is an eye-catching addition amongst the Patriots) contenders who will be aiming to secure a Dwayne Smith al cricket but you will always have a movesive effect, we ment of players” the COO stated. place in the Hero CPL for the first time.

(Guyana Amazon talked long Pakistan will have the highest represen- Warriors to Looking ahead in terms of the staging and hard about of CPL, Russell explained that the managetation in the draft after increasing last year’s Barbados Tridents) it for us mov- ment will continue to invest in dates which tally from 38 players to 46. Meanwhile, have already been Corey Anderson well known for this destructive ing the window reduce the possibility of clashing with interAfghanistan’s rise in the shortest format of confirmed. the game sees Rashid Khan and Mohammad More so, West batting and all-round capabilities could start a bidding when there is national cricket. no internationNabi named in a five-strong contingent who Indies are set to war at the draft

Law sets sights on West Indies’ World Cup qualification The new West Indies coach Stuart Law has said his main aim is to make sure the team qualifies directly for the 2019 World Cup. Currently ranked No. 9 by the ICC, West Indies have to improve their position by at least one spot before the September 30 deadline.

The top eight ODI sides, including hosts England, on the cut-off date gain automatic entry into the showpiece event while the bottom four will have to go through the rigours of a qualifying competi- While there has been much joy in the T20 format for West Indies, they have had a slump in the ODI format tion, where ten contendThere is considerable disappoint- those, we can get through to qualify ers fight for only two spots. ment in West Indies at missing out for the World Cup. That’s probably West Indies’ quest begins with the on the Champions Trophy. They had the bigger one to worry about.” first of three ODIs at home against won the tournament in 2004 but now, Law is confident of the men under England on March 3. Then they take for the first time ever, they will not be his charge - “We’ve got power. We’ve on their nearest competition on the part of it. Several issues - prominent got extreme power. Match that with a rankings table - Pakistan at No. 8 among them the spat between the bit of technique as well, we’re looking in April over three matches, which WICB and their biggest match-win- pretty good.” - and that helps because could prove decisive to which of the ners - have meant the one-day team, he is only into his second month on two teams end up in the top eight. unlike its counterpart in T20s, is the job and there are other challengWest Indies also have the cushion rarely at full strength. These con- es to navigate as well. of five more 50-over matches against cerns, however, are being addressed “For me, it’s about seeing how it England in the UK before September with the help of Jimmy Adams, the all operates,” Law said “Learning 30. While winning as much as possiformer captain and the new director the different cultures from the differble would be the priority of any interof cricket in West Indies. ent islands and how to address peonational cricket team, Law knows it “It’s a great little tournament, ple and how to get the best out of the is especially important for his. the Champions Trophy, the mini young kids is probably the most im“The main aim is to qualify for the World Cup and to not be there proba- portant thing for me now. I’m not gonext World Cup, the 50-over World bly isn’t where you want to be,” Law ing to focus on becoming No. 1 in the Cup, so these one-day games are exsaid. “You want to be in every sin- world at this stage. I’m focusing on tremely important to us,” he said. “So gle one of those tournaments but it building a culture, building a work that’s our main focus really at this is what it is. We’ve just got to make ethic in the dressing room that will stage. I know we have Pakistan comsure we have our heads screwed on put the little brick in place so that ing for T20s, Tests and one-dayers as for the one-day tournaments we play they can become the best they can well but the one-day series probably in upcoming tours and if we can win be.” (Cricinfo) will take paramount importance.”

Lions Club to host 2-day dominoes tournament

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he Lions Club of Bel Air, in collaboration with Beepat & Son (Supligen Brand), will be holding a TwoDay Fund Raising Dominoes Tournament on the lawns of the Lions Club of Bel Air, Georgetown March 25-26.

The competition consists of mixed teams representing the Lions coming up against teams from the Georgetown Dominoes Association.

Thirty-two teams are ex-

pected to participate in the tournament, with 20 of them already confirmed.

These are: Killers Boys, Masters, All Season, Thunders, F&H Supremes, Frankies, Spartans, Transport, Police, Upper Level, Scramblers, GGMC, Strikers, Impressers, Lions A, Lions B, Freddie’s 6, NIS, Sheriff Street Swagga and Ray’s One Stop.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

CPL committed to youth development – aiming to develop a cricketer from the hinterland

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CEO Damien O’Donohoe interacting with some aspiring cricketers at the launch in Trinidad and Tobago last year

GMR&SC

to ignite season with

“Reaction” Dragz

race meet

– over 100 drivers slated to participate Pg 20 Rondell Daby’s powerful Toyota Supra will attract the crowds yet again

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