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Courts spreads Christmas cheer to GPHC’s paediatric ward

P14 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3058

Saturday, December 3, 2016

PRICE

President Granger must immediately withdraw offensive 2017 Budget – Opposition Leader Page 3

Woman crushed to death at Eccles, EBD Page 10

GEA joins the “green initiative” Page 16

– hinterland, riverine schools to benefit from solar powered systems

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Health Ministry discusses “AIDS free” P14 framework with partners

Opposition Leader P9 threatens legal action over GRA’s new powers

Bandits nabbed P9 during Fish Depot invasion 2017 National Budget

“Stop complaining and get busy!”

– Trotman tells GCCI P10

Royal Visit: His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales visited the Ministry of the Presidency for a brief meeting with President David Granger and other Government officials. Prince Harry is in Guyana on an official visit and proceeded to central Georgetown, where he paid his respects by laying a wreath at the Guyana Independence Arch. Prince Harry also visited Base Camp Ayanganna and the Commonwealth Graves in Georgetown, among other places. (see story on page 2)

GGDMA sees doom in Public Security Ministry to enforce 2017 National Budget protocol for - calls on Govt to re-examine measures to prevent Page 7 collapse of the industry

Page 9

Police donations

IAC launches annual toy drive for less fortunate children P16

– encourages donors to give generously

2 news

saturDAY, december 3, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

E

nding his tour of the Caribbean, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales on Friday touched down on local soil to a ceremonial ‘red carpet’ welcome, kicking off a three-day State visit.

Leading up to the arrival of the TransGuyana aircraft at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, the media, both local and foreign, were already positioned to capture the historic moment.

Also waiting to get a glimpse of the Prince were eager members of public and staff of the airport, who

the fifth in line of the British throne.

Ten minutes into the wait, the lights of the red and white beechcraft emerged from the cloudy skies and descended onto the taxiway. The door to the aircraft was opened and a female from the Prince’s convoy deplaned, walked towards the flag poles and handed over the Union Jack (The Royal Flag), which was immediately hoisted, signalling the presence of royalty.

Subsequently, a tall gentleman exited the aircraft, raising anxiety among those present – but it was

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge led the local envoy to welcome Prince Harry at the Eugene F Correia International Airport

slipped away from their regular routines. Braving heat under a mostly cloudy atmosphere, the well-decked out Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Band was also set to greet

not the Prince. The redbearded royal emerged in a navy blue suit and was officially welcomed by British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn and

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge. He then gracefully made his way down the red carpet and onto the podium, where he stood as the GDF Band played the two countries’ National Anthems.

Without hesitation, he was ushered to his vehicle and was about to head out of the airport, but stopped to greet a gathering of about 50 persons comprising of travellers and airport staff.

Cheers erupted as he exited the vehicle and approached the small crowd gathered to get a glimpse of him. He was offered and received bouquets before returning to the vehicle, which sped out of the compound, leaving those spellbound behind.

Escorted by the Police, Prince Harry was led to the Ministry of the President to pay a courtesy call on President David Granger, whom he had already met two days ago in Barbados.

Following a brief meeting between the two, the British Royal headed over to the Independence Arch on Brickdam, where he was again greeted by the GDF Band and more eager onlookers.

After taking the salute, he proceeded to the base of the arch, where he laid the floral tribute. He was then escorted to his vehicle but again stopped to acknowledge some of the locals gathered to witness the British hierarchy.

Prince Harry was then ushered off to the GDF Headquarters – Base Camp Ayangana – where he met with the top brass of the military and was given a brief

HRH Prince Harry of Wales arrived in Guyana on Friday for a three-day state visit

tour of the facility. He then made his way over to Rabbit Walk, Kingston, to pay respect at the Commonwealth War Graves. There, he was again greeted by the GDF Band and laid another wreath.

The fifth in line to the British throne had a brief interaction with High Commissioner Quinn and Colonel Nazrul Hussain of the Defence Force, both of whom accompanied the British royal to the various activities.

Following that, the Prince was taken to the Marriott Hotel, where he will be staying during his visit here. Later into Friday evening, Prince Harry was escorted to the British High Commissioner’s residence in Bel Air Gardens, Georgetown, for a reception, which culminated day one of the royal’s visit to Guyana.

Today, he will be travelling to the hinterland to visit

three locations. His first stop will be at the Amerindian Village of Surama, North Rupununi.

The Prince will receive an official welcome from villagers, around the gathering point of the village Totem Pole. His Royal Highness will also hear about traditional village life, and take a short trip to the village's Eco Lodge to see how the community is embracing eco-tourism.

He will then fly over to the Iwokrama Reserve, where he is scheduled to meet with rangers to learn about the work carried out there and how steps are being taken to protect this important forest. However, before arriving at the reserve, Prince Harry will briefly call into Fairview Village.

The Prince’s final tour destination will be at Guyana’s pride – the majestic Kaieteur Falls, which is the single largest free-fall water-

fall in the world, with a drop of 741 feet, making it nearly five times as high as Niagara Falls in Canada. He will embark on a short trek through the jungle to reach the falls with local guides, who will educate him on the local flora and fauna along the way. The waterfall visit will culminate day two of his visit.

On his final day in Guyana, Prince Harry will pay a visit to the Joshua House to see how vulnerable young children in Guyana, between the ages of 5 and 12, are supported.

His Royal Highness will tour the facility and meet both the children and staff who live and work at the facility. He will then have a brief engagement with First Lady Sandra Granger, after which he will head to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport for departure, and thus wrapping up a two-week tour of the Caribbean.

NEWS

3

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Demerara – Saturday, December 3 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, December 4 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Berbice – Saturday, December 3 – 06:15h-07:45h and Sunday, December 4 – 06:55h-08:25h.

President Granger must immediately withdraw offensive 2017 Budget – Opposition Leader

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, followed by clear to partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 0.89 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 06:33h and 18:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.49 metres and 2.58 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:06h and 12:19h reaching minimum heights of 0.59 metre and 0.76 metre.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is calling on President David Granger and Cabinet to withdraw the 2017 Budget in its entirety or at least not proceed with the offensive measures that were included as proposals when Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented the National Estimates for the upcoming fiscal year on Monday last.

Jagdeo met with the local media at the Leader of the Opposition Office on Church Street, Georgetown, on Friday and urged the Executive to pay heed to the numerous exhortations of civil society, labour, and the private sector, over the negative impacts of the many punitive measures instituted in Budget 2017.

In calling for the withdrawal of the budget in its current construct, the Opposition Leader pointed to measures such as the proposed imposition of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, water, educational and medical supplies.

Jagdeo used the occasion to seek to deflect blame from the Finance Minister saying, “This is not Winston Jordan budget it is the executive budget.”

According to Jagdeo, it would simply be unproductive going after the Finance Minister as bearing sole responsibility for what is presented in the Budget.

Jagdeo said it is Head of State, President David Granger, who bears full responsibility for the Budget

since it represents the collective will of the Cabinet Counsel of Ministers, which he leads.

The Opposition Leader said it is in this context that he has called for the withdrawal of the budget and points to the fact that since it is an early budget there is time to deliberate on the contentious matters with a view to making positive amendments.

Jagdeo said it is imperative of President Granger to listen to the concerns being expressed by stakeholders in society, and to “remove some of the most offensive, oppres-

tor and enhancing the welfare of ordinary people without implementing these draconian measures.”

According to Jagdeo, there is no paucity of ideas on the part of the PPP/C saying, “we have lots of ideas; we don’t have to resort to these extreme measures.”

The Opposition Leader has since suggested too that the measures outlined by the Finance Minister are in fact, not in keeping with the stated objectives of Head of State Granger – objectives that have since been replaced with provisions that are offensive and antithetical to stated objectives of the President.

Speaking specifically to some of the measures with which the PPP/C has objection, Jagdeo singled out the imposition of an Environment Tax which he juxtaposed with the President’s strategy of greening the economy.

Specific objections

According to the Opposition Leader, under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) – since Finance Minister Winston Jordan

sive measures that will devastate the lives of many poor people.”

Effects on productive sector

He suggested that the provisions in the Budget will also have a debilitating effect on Guyana’s productive sector; something he surmised could not have been the intention of the President.

The Opposition Leader said there is an urgent need to convene a forum at which the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will be happy to participate, in order to seek to avoid the draconian measures embedded in Budget 2017.

“We are prepared, if such a process is initiated to collaborate with Government, to share our ideas as to how we can achieve the objectives of growing our country, creating incentives for the private sec-

discarded as too narrow

by Government – Guyana earned monies from the sale of carbon.

Jagdeo observed that un-

President David Granger

der the current proposals, Government will not forego any revenue with its proposal of concessions on the import of things such as electric cars and charging stations since these are ideals yet to be realised TURN TO PAGE 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Use sport as the vehicle for social change

E

arlier this week a fitness centre, Seelall Persaud Fitness Centre, was commissioned in the compound of Felix Austin Police College, Eve Leary, with the objective to improve the health and wellbeing of the persons that use it as well as to boost the morale of lawmen.

The fitness centre is open to all members of the Guyana Police Force as well as all retired members. Those who have been dismissed from the Force or resign at an early time will not benefit from the centre.

According to Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, “In 2014 the Force’s management team, having considered that morale in the Force was extremely low, they decided on a range of initiatives to rebuild morale in the Force. The fitness centre was one of those initiatives dating back to 2014 that was realised at its commissioning on Wednesday, November 30.”

In addition the Commissioner stated that the completion of the facility was only possible because of the support of successive governments - the previous and current.

Nevertheless it was a welcomed initiative for the Guyana Police Force as it will encourage lawmen to keep their fitness intact and apart from that, they will be allowed to use the gym free of cost.

The driving force behind the initiative was the Finance Officer and Assistant Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, who recognised the need for such a facility to ensure that lawmen are at all times fit. According to Hoppie the total cost of the project is $27,279,579. However, the contract was initially signed in December 2014 to the tune of $21,064,597 and executed by contractors Navin and Sons Construction.

Building commenced in 2015 and concluded in the said year, according to the Finance Officer. The following is the breakdown of the contract. Preliminary works $361,000, Excavating $795,000, Super Structure work $12,114,405, plumbing, construction of sauna and acquisition of pumps $2,881,692, Electrical works including installation of AC units $2,369,350, painting and finishing touches $2,543,150 and further $6,215,000 was allocated in the 2016 budget to equip the fitness centre.

The building was commissioned by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan who made mention of the Government intentions in regards to the Force.

Minister Ramjattan said the facilities that are going to be offered to the Police Force are going to be expanding because the Government feels, that indeed, for the happiness of Guyana and its countrypeople there will require good, competent, healthy, fit policepeople.

He added that it is important for people to understand the need for a police force that is going to execute its function that it be fit.

Whether there are questions surrounding this initiative, it should do good for the force once utilised correctly.

However, similar initiatives should be implemented for sport so the youths or all our countrypeople could benefit.

For example, the Guyana Tennis Association fights to have its own facility to produce better players and host international tournaments. Or a high performance centre for various sport discipline to contribute to our people’s development locally and performance on the global stage. These among other initiatives could be of substance for our youths.

The GTA simply seek the land(s) so as to see its dream manifested. In the interim it uses Government facilities - the Racquet Centre and National Park or private facilities, mainly Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Recreational Facility.

Thus, these facilities are not always readily available to it.

The GTA aims for a minimum of a scholarship for its best players but with its own facility it is willing to strive further, like realising a world class player(s).

A high performance facility could also see improvement among our athletes to reckon with those on our international stage.

Apart from the facets of improved performance or producing world class performers, investment in sport could contribute to our countrypeople’s development - their social growth, discipline, health, fitness and other areas.

In the 2017 Budget there were increases in the sums offered to develop sport, it would be auspicious if at least one of the above areas is considered.

Sport unifies, brings gains and sustains health. Let us use sport as the vehicle for social change.

On Friday, December 2, Guyana joined with Caricom member states to honour the late President of Cuba, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, by having all national flags flown at half-mast. In photo, the Golden Arrowhead is flown at half-mast in Durban Park in honour of Castro

Why truth and politics cannot go together? (Pt 2) Dear Editor, So let us peel this statement on the Central Government Financial Operations to expose the “nitty gritty” of the threecard con game being played

by Guyana’s newly moulded executive artist. In 2017, the non-financial public sector is expected to record a deficit of $42.6 billion (5.6 per cent of GDP) in 2017 vs $30.4 billion (4.3 per cent of GDP) in 2016. This translates into a new need for cash of some $12.2 billion in 2017.

So while there will be a decrease in some taxes like income tax because of the increase in the tax threshold, there is a rapid expansion in VAT by almost G$10 billion because of the new punitive tax on electricity and water which will affect the poor and the working class the most and will also make many Guyanese businesses more uncompetitive. Then there will be an expansion of the socalled fuel tax (Excise Tax) by another G$5 billion. The Environmental Levy is back which is expected to rake in another G$1 billion and the taxes on the small man in

the form of miscellaneous taxes like penalties on the "horse-cart man" and such people are expected to rake in an additional G$300 million. So this budget is nothing else but “financial murderation” of the small man.

Why all this financial pressure? So that the new political FAT CATS can spend US$500 a night at boutique hotels when they visit overseas as if they are some African dictator? Check the 2017 Budget carefully, there is enough evidence to expose an executive travel budget of some G$1 billion for 2017.

It is clear that these greedy politicians do not care if they have to borrow more to feed their gluttonous desires because the Minister clearly outlined that he is prepared to pay some G$1.5 billion more in interest payment for the national debts in 2017 compared to 2016. There is no end to this financial insanity. The growth rate is plummeting, but we are paying more interest on the debt and we continue to borrow more and more to what end? Economic bankruptcy?

But I question the depth of economic knowledge of President Granger since even Burnham would not have allowed such a budget to fly.

Why is he not seeking more advice from his economic advisor Dr Clive Thomas? Look, I have challenged Clive on his work on GuySuCo because clearly he is not a businessman or a business strategist, but if there was any job Clive was born for, it was to be an Economic Presidential Advisor. He is a very talented economist who is a million times more skilled than the Minister in structuring an economy. So why is his mind not being tapped more on the economic front by the President?

It was Christopher Ram who skilfully advised us that Dr Ashni Singh should structure a budget of around G$175 billion in 2013. Ram was correct then.

Since then, nothing significant has happened in the Guyanese economy to cause any Minister of Finance to want to bolt on G$75 billion in additional expenditures without a clear roadmap of how we can create rapid economic growth.

So it is either the

Minister is playing politics with the economy or is guessing his way through this entire process. Both of these options will result in Guyana rapidly advancing to a state of economic bankruptcy.

Some commentators will say to me “same old PNC” but I continue to reject that comment. I still think that Carl Greenidge would have been a greater asset to the Granger administration as the Minister of Finance. He has the experience at conceiving pro-growth economic models as we saw in 19901992. So the PNC does have talent in its ranks just like the PPP. But this PNC talent is being stifled because of human insecurities and petty small men with small minds who continue to put self first, instead of Guyana.

Unless we change course and personnel at the very top in the Ministry of Finance, the small man must baton down himself for tough times ahead as the clueless continue to be given the baton to lead on the economic front.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

Draconian budgetary measures

Dear Editor, When the Finance Minister in his 2017 Budget presentation announced that electricity and water bills will attract 14 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on the consumption of more than $10,000 and $1500, respectively, from the first dollar, all jaws, rich, poor and the in-between, dropped. It came as a bombshell. It was an unexpected tax, taking into consideration the current government’s much-touted talk

of improving the quality of life of all Guyanese.

How could the quality of life improve when the two most basic necessities of any home; electricity and water, are being heavily taxed? The Prime Minister and Finance Minister, in their post-budget press conference, disclosed that their statistics show that 80 per cent of the consuming public consumes less than $10,000 of electricity per month, as such the implemented VAT will only

affect the remaining 20 per cent, who presumably are the more affable of society.

By this disclosure, it is then implied that this government is advocating that the 80% consumers who consumes less than $10,000 per month should never aspire to move above their current level of life, where electricity and its use are concerned.

This 80 per cent should not dream of having that additional TV in their home, never dream of having even an

8000 BTU air-conditioning or microwave unit, and never should hope of having a small fridge in their kitchen.

At the same press conference, the two government officials stated that the imposition of the tax on electricity is to encourage conservation.

Are they advocating that citizens should take all their lights off in the night when bandits are marauding each and every village in this country?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016

5

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

PPP and rural support Dear Editor, In my recent travel around Guyana in October to supervise an opinion survey, especially in outlying communities away from Georgetown, traditional supporters of the PPP complained they hardly see their Members of Parliament and even some in the leadership (Central Committee and Executive Committee) of the party.

They noted that only a handful among the leadership like Bharrat Jagdeo, Irfaan Ali, and Anil Nandlall visit them routinely. Shyam Nokta also makes a presence at times.

But in some communities, even these towering figures don’t visit their traditional supporters. They are taken for a ride by politicians from both sides of the aisle. But they are angry with the PPP for neglecting them and not providing them with equitable amount of resources that were given to the urban areas (PNC supporters).

The rural voters said this

was one of the reasons why the PPP lost support in 2011 and in 2015 causing it initially its majority and then its subsequent loss of office. Traditional PPP supporters love Jagdeo who they say tries to find time to meet with them to discuss their grievances and who sympathise. They have no doubt that if a free and fair elections were held, Jagdeo would win a comfortable majority.

In Essequibo, PPP supporters said they have seen me more often over the last five years than Donald Ramotar or the PPP MP for Essequibo. They also note that I visited them more than Ramotar did during his Presidency. They note that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo visited them more often in 16 months than Ramotar did during his entire Presidency. But they are disappointed in Nagamootoo for failing to honour promises made to them.

And they also complain that when the PPP was in of-

fice and its ministers visited Essequibo, they spent most of their time with the "Big Shots," ignoring the common person. This cost them voter support. Essequibians say they see Jagdeo, Irfaan Alli and Shyam Nokta regulalrly and are grateful to them for visiting and holding constructive meetings.

Jagdeo also makes his presence felt in Berbice, Region Five, East Demerara and West Demerara and other hard-core areas of the party's base.

He is not bogged down in Georgetown like other PPP MPs and most of the leadership. He grounds with the people, trying to relate to their problems unlike some party MPs who have hardly visited the base since the party was ousted from office by the Americans.

Many Berbicians don’t even know who is their MP and the same holds true of MPs from rural and the hinterland areas. The problem with rural or hinterland MPs is they are relocated in or living in Georgetown and

they don't find time to visit their constituents or supporters. They don't even lobby for resources for their constituents.

Because they live in town, they are more concerned about resources for their town community. So rural and hinterland areas get neglected. And that is one reason why rural areas lag behind urban areas in every socioeconomic indicator and in development.

The leadership of the PPP should find time to visit with their traditional supporters so as to galvanise them into action and to consolidate their base. Jagdeo or Ali alone can't do it by themselves. They need support. Failing that, the party will find itself in the same situation it did in 2011 and 2015.

Supporters also say the party should choose youth in its internal elections in its leadership committees and party positions.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Draconian budgetary...

Or should citizens use kerosene lamps instead?

How could the poor afford solar panels to substitute for GPL power? If one wants to see conservation at its best, pass the government houses in the night on Main Street, Georgetown. It’s as bright as Times Square, New York; not on solar power, but from GPL. Has anyone considered the domino effect of having 14 per cent VAT imposed on electricity? The cost of manufacturing local goods and the retail prices in stores and shops for even zero-rated items will all be increased, and these increases will be passed onto the consumers, because most manufacturing entities and all shops and stores source electrici-

ty from the national grid. In actual fact, the overall cost of living will be increased by 14 per cent. Where is the, not only economics, but simple commonsense in the formulators of this budget?

Editor, I find it extremely distasteful for the current government to make heavy emphasis on the increase in the pensioners’ pay. The increase is $800; yes 800 Guyana dollars. It is $26 per day. Try giving a vagrant $26 and see if he will accept it. Contrast the pensioners’ $800 per month increase or total $19,000 per month pension to the government’s parliamentary lobbying to pay another pensioner, who is close to them, $1,750,000 per month, and visualise the government’s perception of

equality.

If the government is sincerely desirous of improving the quality of life of all Guyanese, then their thinking and perceptions have to change. They need to manage with reality and develop a more caring approach. The draconian budgetary measures on the imposition of VAT on electricity and water, and removal of VAT exemptions from several basic foods such as milk, flourbased products and medications which were all previously VAT exempted, does not exhibit even an iota of care by this government.

It’s shameless for the gov-

FROM PAGE 4

ernment to raise revenue to meet its expenses by pressuring the poor through taxes, rather than initiating avenues for foreign direct investment, stimulating investments by the local private sector, and encouraging entrepreneurship to generate growth and expansion in the economy.

The government is hiding behind too much statistics which are obscuring them from reality; from crime statistics to now statistics on power and water consumption.

Yours Sincerely, Selwyn Narinedatt

Guyanese are too accommodating and helping Dear Editor, Guyanese are known to be hospitable and helping people.

Long before Independence we have been helpful to our neighbours in the Caribbean islands where hundreds if not thousands were attracted to the then British Guiana where they worked and earned comfortable lives for their families.

The government was also kind to other governments. I recall that Forbes Burnham was very helpful to his colleagues in his region in terms of advice and other assistance. It is understood that he even paid the salaries of public servants in St Vincent and the Grenadines when the then Prime Minister, the late Milton Cato called upon him to bail him out of his plight.

Guyana also accommodated scores of students from the Caribbean by providing free education at the University of Guyana.

Unlike nationals of other countries the rank and file Guyanese are kind and generous people. Last May, President David Granger bestowed the Order of Roraima (OR), the second highest award to his Barbadian counterpart, Freundel Stuart when he visited Georgetown for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Co-operative Republic and the Guyanese leader and the First Lady journeyed to Bridgetown earlier this week for that country's golden jubilee. I had expected that Prime Minister Stuart would have reciprocated in offering a knighthood or any other national award to Brigadier

Granger, but unfortunately he did not. Instead he made kind remarks when.

“The warmth and the hospitality and the generosity of Guyana can be unbounded" Guyana played a role in the Barbados celebrations with the Guyana Defence Force wowing the crowd gathered at the National Monument event with a spectacular fireworks display.

In addition to the GDF paratroopers, supported by the Air Corps were also to display their skill but unfortunately it had to be rescheduled because of heavy rains. A total of 25 GDF members participated in the celebrations in Barbados.

I do not think that Barbados sent any army officers to Georgetown or any entertainers, or in any way tried to enhance the Georgetown celebrations.

At this stage I am forced to state that the Barbados government is not too kind to Guyanese and Jamaicans.

The Immigration officials treat them with gross disrespect when they seek entry into that country.

In fact they constantly violate the Treaty of Chaguaramas in denying some of them entry. One complaint reached to the Caribbean Court of Justice and the Court awarded damages to Shanique Myrie for being humiliated and manhandled.

Statistics show that 2128 Guyanese nationals and 1485 Jamaicans were refused entry into Barbados between 2007 and last year.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

6

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

'Reboot' your brain

How to become

a

and refresh your

more efficient student

BY ANDREW JENSEN

W

hether you’re in high school or college, it’s important to be a good student. The actions you take while still in school not only help to solidify habits that could stick with you for the rest of your life, but they could also directly affect the outcome of your future in terms of your resume and job prospects. Follow the tips below to help you become a more efficient – and therefore a better and more productive – student:

1. Learn to prioritise

Prioritisation is a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your life. As a student, you’re constantly bombarded with assignments, due dates, and upcoming exams, but in all honesty, some obligations are more important than others. The 10 page paper that comprises 25 per cent of your grade, for example, is much more important than a routine history homework assignment that may or may not even be collected. In order to help prioritise your responsibilities, it is helpful to make todo lists containing every task that needs to be completed within a certain period of time. Once you’ve established exactly what needs to be done, rank those duties according to importance (due date, weighted grade, etc).

Resist the urge to complete the easiest tasks first. Part of prioritising means recognising it will benefit you much more to tackle the most important assignments first.

2. Stay organised

Organisation is an essential element of efficiency, and, although it may initially be time-consuming to organise your notes and computer files, in the long-term, it will benefit you immensely to do so. What’s more, you can take heart knowing that maintaining organisation is much easier than the first step of initiating it. Dividers, three ring binders, and hole punchers can do you a world of good in terms of helping you keep assignments and notes in their proper place.

Not only will this help you by allowing you to immediately locate items when they are due, but when it comes time to study for exams, all the information you need to succeed will be readily accessible and easy to decipher.

3. Do not procrastinate

Procrastination is one of the world’s biggest productivity and efficiency busters.

By giving in to procrastination, not only do you risk failing to complete assignments on time, but you also risk stressing yourself to the point where your workload becomes overwhelming. If you resist the urge to put assignments off until the not-so-distant future, you guarantee that you will be able to remain calm, even in the face of looming deadlines. Also, if you learn to overcome procrastination, you’ll soon learn that most assignments are not nearly as daunting as you’d anticipated, and, by starting early a n d slowly completing assignments piece-bypiece, you’ll probably discover that the vast majority of

your schoolwork is really quite manageable.

4. Become a better note taker

You can’t avoid going to class forever, but by becoming a better note taker, you serve to maximise the time you already spend in the classroom, thereby making you much more efficient as a student. One great way to become a better note taker is to actually complete the assigned reading before coming to class. By doing so, you arrive prepared to have what you’ve already learned through the book reinforced by your professor, so when it comes time to study for exams, you’ll have a definite advantage over your cramming classmates. Another way to become a better note taker is to never, ever write in complete sentences. This all-too-common mistake is very time-consuming, meaning that students who write in complete sentences risk missing important information while they’re busy copying down a previous point.

in

5. Make every second count

This tip is meant to encourage you to do an honest evaluation of your lifestyle and assess exactly how your time is spent. If you’re like most students, you probably spend a large amount of time on tasks that are truly very meaningless, such as social networking, watching television, playing video games, or mindlessly surfing the internet. Once you’ve identified your productivity busters, however, it’s quite simple to reduce the amount of time you waste on them each day. Although taking breaks from schoolwork is extremely important for reducing stress, improving your mood, and giving your brain a chance to recharge, if you spend too much time avoiding your work, you risk getting nothing done. One great way to avoid wasting too much time on unimportant activities is to set a concrete limit on the amount of time you allow yourself to devote to these activities each day. Once you’ve reached that limit, you should step away from the timewaster, and reassign your attention to something more important. Or these activities could also be used as rewards for meeting certain milestones.

For example, if you write three pages of next week’s paper, you get to reward yourself with 20 extra minutes of Facebook later on.

Of course, there’s nothing actually holding you to these limitations, but if you can exercise enough will power to hold yourself accountable, you will surely develop into a much better student.

Although socialisation and other forms of amusement are definitely important, most students need an occasional reminder that, as students, their primary job is to ensure that they are making the most out of their education. In order to become a better and more productive student, you need to learn how to organise and prioritise. Eliminating time-wasters and learning how to overcome procrastination are also extremely important.

Finally, implementing better note-taking practices can greatly improve your efficiency in the classroom, thereby improving your overall performance as a student.

minutes

or less

By STEPHANIE VOZZA

E

ver wish you could hit the reset button on your brain the way you do when you reboot your computer? Marissa Vicario, a New York-based certified health and wellness coach, says it’s not only possible; it should be a regular part of your day.

“As an entrepreneur, it’s important to take care of yourself,” she says. “If you aren’t at your best, the people you serve and the people who work for you can’t be at their best either.”

Vicario suggests building specific moments into your day to step away and clear your mind. Here are five quick things you can do to refresh your focus:

1. Take a walk outside

When you sit still, your body systems are at rest, says Vicario. Moving your body helps wake up your mitochondria, the part of your cells that generate energy.

She says taking a brisk walk several times per week can make

an should have 60 ounces of water a day, or about eight 8-ounce glasses. If the taste bores you, add mint leaves or slices of lemon, orange, lime or cucumbers.

3. Breathe in or diffuse lemon essential oil

Keep a small bottle of lemon essential oil at your desk, suggests Vicario, and inhale it from the bottle or add a drop to a cotton ball. This will naturally refocus your mind.

“Citrus or spicy scents stimulate the nervous system and reenergize you,” says Vicario. Eucalyptus and rosemary can also have a similar effect.

4. Eat something healthy

A healthy snack can stabilise blood sugar, stave off hunger pangs and assist with healthy brain function.

Vicario suggests keeping trail mix, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in your desk. Other healthy snacks include a piece of whole grain toast

with av-

(www.andrewjensen.net)

your mitochondria double in size, which helps the body produce more energy. The combination of fresh air and exercise also stimulates blood flow to the brain so you can re-gain clarity and focus.

“If you’re stuck on a problem or are having difficulty thinking creatively, getting up and walking around can give you a completely different perspective,” says Vicario. And if you can’t get outside for a walk, do a lap or two around the office or even stretch at your desk. Just moving your body helps.

2. Drink a glass of water

Most Americans are chronically dehydrated, says Vicario, and studies show dehydration can slow down brain function. “If you find you’re lacking focus, taking a break for a glass of water can perk you up just like watering a plant,” she says.

Vicario suggests drinking in ounces half your body weight each day. For example, a 120-pound wom-

ocado, celery sticks and nut butter.

“The snack should have protein and carbohydrates, which will help balance your blood sugar,” she says. Foods that are high in sugar will cause a quick spike and drop in your blood sugar. This will create a cycle of feeling energised and then tired, which is draining over the course of the day.

5. Take a nap

When you’re your own boss, a quick nap is something you can schedule into your day. A 20-minute nap provides significant benefits for improved alertness and performance, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

While research shows that it can refresh the mind and boost creativity, you shouldn’t let yourself snooze longer.

“If you sleep longer than 20 minutes, you’ll wake up groggy,” says Vicario. “If you are constantly needing a nap, though, it’s time to get more sleep at night.” (www.entrepreneur.com)

NEWS

7

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GGDMA sees doom in 2017 National Budget

calls on Govt to re-examine measures to prevent collapse of industry

T

he Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has joined the flurry of critics of the proposed $250 billion 2017 National Budget, presented last Monday by Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

The Miners Association, along with the Guyana Women Miners Association (GWMA), called on Government to re-examine measures placed in the budget to ensure that the local Gold and Diamond Mining Industry does not collapse.

It said the 2017 National Budget, along with the previously proposed three per cent reduction in the gold board price for gold and the removal of concessions to the sector, can only lead to lower declarations and a decline in the sector that would take the economy into a negative spiral.

“We would like to congratulate all the hard-working small- and medium-scale miners, without whose effort

GGDMA President Terrence Adams

the country would have undoubtedly recorded negative growth. Despite the removal of our concessions, gold kept Guyana moving, when all other sectors have slowed down,” the Association said in a statement.

The Association also said however, that it is saddened that the 2017 Budget has no good news for miners.

“Despite championing the valiant efforts of miners,

the Minister of Finance in the 2017 Budget has brought proposed measures that will hasten the sector’s decline.

Already, despite the high declaration figures, there are clear signs of decline,” the GGDMA said.

It said the declarations this year were propped up by the two international companies, which contributed onethird of the gold won.

“Our figures indicate that local mining was down. The Minister himself has recognised that there has been a significant slowdown in investment in the mining sector. In the budget speech, the minister recognised the threats the industry will face in 2017 and stated: ‘The threat of gold prices declining in 2017, combined with rising oil prices and global issues such as de-risking and climate change, will pose a major risk to our economy that will demand enlightened management.’ We are shocked that despite this statement, no measures have

President Granger must...

He noted on the other hand, that billions of dollars will in fact be collected from the people of Guyana through the Environmental Tax. Companies will have to pass on the additional expense to the families of this country, according to the Opposition Leader.

“The people of this country will now have to pay for the so called greening of the economy and it has become a revenue raising measure on the backs of people,” Jagdeo said, as against the concept of earning money through the sale of forest and carbonrelated services.

The Opposition Leader pointed too to the seeming double standards by Government with regards its push towards and more ICT-driven economy, yet it institutes a tax on the data service to be used.

Jagdeo noted that no ICT strategy or knowledge based industry that is based on the closing of the digital divide and creating new low carbon opportunities could be sustained on expensive bandwidth: “What Government has just done is to push up the cost of bandwidth to peo-

ple.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Justin Nedd, had a day earlier cautioned that the move

by Government will see that telephone company having to pass on the additional charges to consumers with conservative early estimates placing that figure at just over $1.2 billion.

“So how could you close the digital divide, how could you operate or say you want to support a knowledgebased industry and then levy a tax on the platform that drives this industry which is cheap data,” the former President said.

According to Jagdeo, the 2017 Budget is replete with instances where there is case to be made for reconsideration of the proposed provisions.

Mining sector

Speaking of amendments related to the mining sector, Jagdeo lamented the proposal to no longer pay a two per cent tax in addition to royalties as final payments.

With the proposals, small- and medium-scale miners will now be required

FROM PAGE 3

to have the entirety of their income be subjected to income or corporation taxes, as Jagdeo questioned how such measures could be helpful to the small- and medium-scale miners.

He used the occasion to also lament the new requirements on the part of the Guyana Revenue Authority to require all businesses to maintain records.

Similar to sentiments expressed a day earlier by the Private Sector Commission, the former President said the new requirement could see thousands of persons being unable to satisfy the requirements.

According to Jagdeo, this would mean that thousands of Guyanese could be sent to jail for six months at a time or be made to pay punitive fines of $200,000.

He said the move could affect miners and small business owners across the country – a provision that should be removed: “Many thousands of Guyanese across the country could end up in jail…That signal is a wrong signal and should be replaced...I believe those provisions should be removed from the Act.”

been placed to help the industry regain its footing.”

Compliance challenges

The GGDMA said the 2017 Budget affects it in several ways. It went on to say that for some 30 years miners have been paying their taxes at the source and that there was no need to file additional taxes: “Now we are given the few remaining days of 2016 to completely realign the sector. A sector that, because of its reactive nature and remoteness of operation, has cash culture.”

Hardships

The organisation said that while Government has forecasted a 35 per cent growth in the sector in 2016, careful examination will show that there has been a slowdown in the local small- and mediumscale operations. This, it said, is because of the hardships the sector has been facing.

These include the removal of several concessions from the industry. It said despite the Minister’s utterances, none of these have been returned.

“The sector in 2015 did

Gold mining operations

According to the mining body, the sector is dominated by non-accountants and persons who are more familiar with machines than with books.

“We cannot see how the Government of Guyana expects compliance in such a short time. The cultural norms of the sector prevent us from adjusting to this new measure overnight. We cannot be placed on the same level of compliance with coastal based business, which have ready access to non-cash financial instruments. This move will target the compliant larger miners and force the small miners (who contribute the bulk of gold production) underground.

Guyana will lose in the longterm and our associations will be powerless to convince them to become compliant outside of their capacity. We urge the Minister to rethink this strategy. We remind the minster of his statement “one, one dutty build dam”.

The men who are supplying the ‘one, one dutty’ cannot, overnight, comply with your requirements,” it said.

not have to pay VAT on heavy-duty equipment, matting, spares and other material used directly in the gold mining sector. In 2016 VAT was required on heavy-duty vehicles and a phased removal of all other concessions was implemented. We cannot do more with less,” the GGDMA lamented.

The GGDMA and the GWMO hopes Government understands clearly that without the restoration of concessions, the gold mining sector will see a decline rather than growth.

“If the concessions are not restored there will be a definite contraction of production. We will find it difficult

to replace aging vehicles (an excavator has a lifespan of three to five years in the interior). The sector will see additional downtime due to additional costs for quality equipment and fuel. The sector will see higher costs for start-up and upkeep due to additional VAT on items previously acquired at concessionary rates. This downturn will see a significant spillover effect that will affect every sector of the Guyanese economy. There will be a fall in production and spending all around. This will make 2017 a very dismal year, one which we feel the government will not be able to tax itself out of.”

It said it is obvious the Finance Minister has not been properly briefed about what transpires in the gold and diamond mining areas of Guyana, since, if he did, he would understand that additional pressures do not help the industry.

“We are therefore extending an invitation to the Minister of Finance and the head of the GRA to accompany the GGDMA and the GWMO on a familiarisation visit to mining areas. This is an open invitation and we remain willing to facilitate the Minister at his convenience,” the body stated.

“We are calling on our sector Minister, Raphael Trotman, to make urgent and strong representation for the sector and to vehemently object to any measure that would lead to contraction of the sector. This is the opportunity for the Minister to demonstrate that he truly understands mining and the culture and pressures miners face. The 2017 Budget in its current form spells doom.

The mining sector will decline without help.”

8

NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS

Prisoner to be charged Elderly for disturbing Linden woman before the court proceedings

A

prisoner is expected to be charged for disturbing the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, following a violent outburst in the prisoners holding cell.

The prisoner, Andrew Ward, in a desperate attempt loudly rocked the

door of the holding cell, situated in the lower flat of the building, while court was still in session.

Presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse, who was forced to pause the court proceedings, noted that the charge will be instituted against the prisoner, while he ap-

pealed to ranks to have the Police Commander have another officer guard the prisoners holding cell.

Shortly after there was yet another outburst by a prisoner of unsound mind, this time with a series of expletives.

Man before the courts on dangerous driving charge

A

nother man who refused to adhere to the laws of the road was made to stand before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged with dangerous driving.

Orwin Seagan, 25, pleaded not guilty to the charge

after it was read to him.

The charge alleged that on November 25, 2016, at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he drove minibus BPP 7545 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby endangering the lives of pedestrians.

However, a second charge filed against him states that

on the same day at the same location, he had passengers in his vehicle that were over the permitted limit.

The prosecution had no objections to bail and this was granted at $25,000.

The defendant will return to court on December 20.

Father of 2 charged with stealing cellphone

A

father of two who snatch a woman’s cell phone was brought before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Dwayne McCalman, 34, of 429 Cane Grove Gardens, East Bank Demerara (EBD),

pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

That charge stated that on November 25, at Grove, EBD, he stole one Samsung Galaxy S5 cell phone valued $113,200, property of Trichell Cox. Bail was not objected to

by the Prosecution as the defendant has no previous convictions and noted that this is the first offence of this nature the man has been implicated in.

Bail was granted at $60,000 and he is to return on December 5, 2016.

court for failure to pay rent

A

n elderly woman was made to answer to Magistrate Faith McGusty as to the reason for her failing to pay a binding agreement which she entered into with her Landlord.

Ellen DeFraitas answered to the charge, telling the Magistrate that she was guilty of owing Paula Bess a considerable amount of money, since May of this year.

According to the facts of the matter, the defendant failed to pay the agreed amount; that is $18,000 per month, as per the term of the agreement made.

As such, the total amount owed since May of this year had accumulated to $127,000.

The elderly woman explained that she had no means of getting the money, but added she will pay the total amount owed by December 19.

As such, the matter will return to Courts Eight and Nine of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on December 19 at which time the total amount owed should be paid off.

2 females robbed at gunpoint in Cummings Lodge

T

wo women were on Thursday evening attacked and relieved of their handbags containing cash and other valuables at Cummings Lodge, Georgetown. The incident occurred at about 20:30h.

Information reaching Guyana Time revealed that Sawarie Harolall and Canisa Bownauth were visiting a relative at Cummings Lodge, and upon exiting their vehicle, a silver-coloured Toyota car pulled up and an armed bandit exited. He brandished a firearm at the women and relieved them of their handbags.

A relative, who witnessed the incident on his CCTV, armed himself with his licensed firearm and fired several rounds at the bandit, who hastily rejoined the vehicle and made good his escape.

Detectives are currently reviewing the CCTV footage in effort to identify the suspect.

No arrest has yet been made.

Pie in the sky...

I

...delusion or scam?

f you dig a hole and use the dirt to try to fill another much bigger hole, have you really achieved anything? While, as you know, your Eyewitness is a very practical guy and not given to philosophical navel gazing, this is the thought that flashed into his head when he read of Finance Minister Winston Jordan's boast that "6000 jobs" will be created with the investment that'll pour into our country next year through Go-Invest!!

Can you believe it? If this isn't at best delusional or at worse, jerking off the electorate, what is? Here it is this Government hasn't only refused to stimulate the economy in a meaningful way, but has made policy decisions that'll throw thousands of persons from the sugar and rice industries into the streets and now talks about "creating" 6000 jobs? So what do those jobless persons do? Are they the ones that'll be getting the "1327 jobs in Agriculture"?

Are they going to be retrained in one year?

This is the same kind of theoretical BS that's seen governments in two of the most developed countries in the world - the US and the UK - turned upside and their political leaders flushed down the sewer like used toilet paper. For years they'd convince their electorate that "outsourcing" was the logical extension of the "free trade" dogma that brought them unbelievable prosperity since the post-1780 industrial revolution.

They didn't bother to mention that "free trade" only benefitted them during those long two hundred years, because they'd sucked raw materials from the colonies they'd conquered and done all the manufacturing "at home".

Now while "outsourcing" might be the logical conclusion of "free trade" it's finally unmasked that the profits basically went to a tiny 1%...and the rest made do with what trickled down. Now the trickling down's going into the pockets of peasants in China and the Far East!

So in Guyana, the PNC-led Coalition's trying to convince us that increased taxation is good for us, since in any case we'll be getting jobs. But have you noticed even THEY couldn't bring themselves to say the jobs will be created by their taxation binge? They're counting on "FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT" (FDI). Since we NEVER got those numbers of jobs from comparable FDI during the PPP years (if we did, there'd be no 27% unemployment problem!) maybe GoInvest needs a forensic audit?

Be as it may...it'll be an interesting test of "ethnic loyalties" when 2020 rolls around, after the economy crashes and burns like in the first PNC Government's rule.

Will they still get their constituency's 42% vote like in 1992?

..."prudence" Another unbelievable announcement by Finance Minister Jordan was that in his budget he was practicing "prudence in public financial management". Prudence? Is he thinking about that girl named "Prudence" in his "Financial Management Unit"? If he is, then he'd better perish the thought right now. The child's dating a big hulking bouncer from South...and he's not going to allow any "popish" behaviour!!

But is it possible he's not thinking about any sweet young t'ing like that fella over at the GRA? Naah! He couldn't possibly speculate that what he's done with the national income and expenditure statement we call a "Budget" displayed "prudence" - as in "showing care and thought", could he?? Or did he show "care" to've "thought" of ways to pi55 of everyone in the country?

In the history of horrible budgets - and the one by Carl Greenidge in 1980 when he confessed the country was bankrupt, comes to mind - nothing has come even remotely close to Jordan's.

Somebody better send a "sweet chariot" to send him home!

...on City tax arrears The city's owed $16 billion in rates and taxes from all the services they've provided to its fair citizenry. After their amnesty, they announced they "raked in" $42 million.

Shouldn't that be "scraped up"??

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

NEWS

9

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Opposition Leader threatens legal action over GRA’s new powers

T

he coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government could very well find itself before the courts shortly, if it insists on going ahead with granting the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) with extended powers, namely to garnish money from the private accounts of citizens and the prevention of persons from leaving the country should they be indebted to the tax authority.

The warning was sounded by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, when he met on Friday with members of the local media corps at his Church Street office to offer a post budget analysis.

Jagdeo told media operatives if Government is unwilling to heed the calls of the Opposition to withdraw certain proposals in the Budget,

particularly as it relates to the GRA, then the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will have no choice but the challenge the matter in court given the voting strength of the Government in the National Assembly which could see it approving its own budget without amendments.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan in his budget presentation on Monday last spoke to a range of measures including permitting the Revenue Authority to prevent persons from leaving the country should they be found to be indebted to the tax authority, in addition to the GRA accessing the private bank accounts of individuals in order to garnish monies it believed it is owed.

Jordan at the time said, “The provisions of section 102 of the Income Tax Act

GRA Headquarters, Camp Street

Chapter 81:01 will be revised to provide authority to the GRA to garnish funds from bank accounts held by taxpayers who have outstanding tax arrears. This provision would assist to improve compliance with demands issued by the GRA

Bandits nabbed during fish depot invasion

O

ne bandit was shot while another was apprehended and a third made good his escape following a robbery at the “Wild Caught Fresh Fish Depot” at Meadow Bank, Georgetown, in the wee hours of Friday.

One of the men was shot to both of his legs by Police who responded to the report of a robbery on the fish depot at about 00:45h. The other was found hiding in the ceiling of the premises by the lawmen.

According to information, the injured bandit is a 40-year-old from Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo.

He is presently under Police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The second is said to be a 25-year-old who resides at 5th Avenue, Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. The Police have retrieved an unlicensed 9mm pistol and eight live rounds in the possession of one of the bandits.

At the scene on Friday morning, an eyewitness explained that he was about to head to the front of the building when he heard a scream from the supervisor, Shane Robin and as he looked around, he saw one of the bandits running towards the bushes with a bag he had collected from the two others who were already in

One of the bandits who was apprehended while hiding in the ceiling

the building. Robin was reportedly gun butted and had to receive medical attention.

He immediately raised an alarm and the security guard rushed to the scene and quickly contacted the Police who arrived within minutes.

An employee who asked to remain anonymous, told Guyana Times that she was at home when she received a phone call from the supervisor informing her that the building was robbed and that the men were still in the building.

She explained that when she arrived, the Police had already shot one of the robbers and they were trying to get the other who was hiding in the ceiling. After some time, the Police managed to apprehend him.

The employee further explained that the men gained entry into the building by climbing through a window: “The window was grilled but the men loose off the grill and entered… They then made their way to the office area and broke one of the doors to get into a supply room,” she noted.

She explained that from all indications, they were trying to get the safe out of the boss’s office. The safe was already out of the office but they could not open it.

“After they realise the Police arrived, they left it in the passageway and went into hiding.”

She commended the Police for responding promptly. The woman also told Guyana Times that the 25-year-old bandit is known to them since he is a regular visitor for the establishment. She also confirmed that the bandit who escaped carted off a camera, DVR, radio set, a quantity of fish glue and other articles.

The Police have dusted the area for fingerprints as they continue their investigations.

Public Security Ministry to enforce protocol for Police donations

T

he Public Security Ministry will examine new protocols for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to receive donations so that professionalism is not compromised.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan made this pronouncement on Wednesday at the Ministry on Brickdam, where he pledged to examine establishing protocols that stipulate that donations to the GPF be made through the Ministry, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The current operational protocol states that donations to the GPF must be made to the Commissioner of Police.

Minister Ramjattan noted that this protocol will be enforced in the meantime so that Police officers’ professionalism is not compromised.

Donations by businesses often help to meet an immediate need of Police Stations and officers, Minister Ramjattan noted. “Indeed there are times when the Police and/or the CPGs (Community Policing Groups)… require the assistance of businessmen and

there are genuine businessmen who give without wanting anything in return, and who will never compromise the professionalism of the Police Force,” the minister pointed out.

However, he emphasised that donations received from businesses do not guarantee any protection if they break the law. “We do not want to see businessmen giving and expecting that they, having committed a crime, will now see that CPG group or Police Force compromising the investigation thereafter,” Minister Ramjattan said.

for outstanding payments.”

Challenge in court

According to Jagdeo, the matter of the garnishing of funds from taxpayers’ private bank accounts in something that the PPP/C will challenge in court if the Administration insists on moving ahead as proposed.

“There are things we can challenge,” Jagdeo said but was quick to point out that the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, water, educational and medial supplies in something that the political Opposition would be unable to challenge in court since it is a policy decision that the Government will use its slim one seat majority to pursue.

Jagdeo was adamant too that the proposal by Government to remove the courts from the process is what poses the problem.

He noted too that simi-

larly, Government’s proposal to prevent persons from leaving the country is something that could also be challenged since the proposal in itself represents a breach of a person’s constitutionally protected rights.

He was speaking to the right to freedom of movement and used the occasion to recall that Government had last year attempted to institute a similar measure on University of Guyana students that had defaulted on their loans.

According to the Opposition Leader, he was happy to see that Government did not follow through on its threat but cautioned that it was looking to institute a similar regime under its new proposal.

The Opposition Leader was adamant that Government should not really need the Opposition’s input on the budget on simple things like whether to charge VAT on education and medical supplies.

“They don’t need the PPP to tell them not to tax educational services,” Jagdeo said, as he expressed similar sentiments on the Government’s proposal to place VAT on medicines and a doctor’s visit.

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) had also come out in condemnation of the Government’s proposal to garnish taxes from citizen’s private accounts as well as the prevention of persons believed

to be indebted to the GRA to be prevented from leaving the country.

Accessing accounts

Expanding on the proposal to empower the GRA to access the private accounts of taxpayers, Executive Member of the PSC described it as tantamount to a violation of civil liberties.

Expanding on the issue, Chairperson of the PSCs Financial and Economic Services Committee Ramesh Persaud on Thursday reminded that the GRA currently holds the power to access a taxpayer’s bank account to garnish funds it is owed but this is done through a court order. Government has proposed to remove the courts from the process.

Persaud reminded that previously, it is the court that decided on the propriety of GRA’s access to an account in addition to determining the amount to be recovered.

Under Government’s proposal, it is the GRA which will decide how much it is owed. This is dangerous, according to Persaud, who is adamant the GRA should not be able to do the work of the judiciary.

“Why is GRA dodging the judiciary, do they not have confidence in judiciary? Why is GRA not willing to go to court?” Persaud questioned.

The official was unyielding in his position “if the court is slow, fix the court. Don’t get a short cut mechanism.”

10

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, december 3, 2016

News

2017 National Budget Woman crushed to death at Eccles, EBD “Stop complaining and get

busy!” – Trotman tells GCCI

G

The woman’s body lying on the roadway

A

woman was on Friday afternoon crushed to death by a motor lorry along the Haags Bosch Dump Site Road, Eccles, East Bank Demerara. The unfortunate incident occurred at about 14:00h.

The woman of mixed race is yet to be identified but Guyana Times understands her husband works in an interior location.

Based on information received, the woman who was clad in a pair of blue jeans and a white blouse was heading towards the East Bank Highway when she came into contact with the rear wheel of the motor lorry, which bore registration number GPP 1637.

While some persons at the scene refused to divulge information, a few related that the driver of the truck was on his mobile phone and did not see the woman who was on the left hand side of the road.

She had just exited Norton Street and walked onto the main access road when the accident occurred.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, the woman’s body was covered while one slipper was in close proximity of the body and the other was under the motor lorry. Soon after, crime scene experts arrived and

The truck that was involved in the accident

started their investigations.

During their investigation, they searched the woman’s belongings with the hope of making a positive identification but no form of ID was in her bag.

The driver of the truck, Lloyd Williams, who was still traumatised by the accident, explained that he was heading out of the Haags Bosch dumpsite and stopped at a small snackette to collect a spoon. “When I pulled off, the same man who gave me the spoon shout hold! hold! hold!

And then is when I see the woman on the road through the mirror,” he noted.

Williams also related that when he came out of the truck, he was told the woman was caught in the back wheel of the truck. She reportedly spun several times

and then dropped onto the roadway after which the wheels ran over her. The driver is however holding out that the woman was on her mobile phone as she exited a nearby street.

However, after the accident occurred, he advised those who rushed to the scene to collect her phone and dial the last number she called, noting that in that way, they will be able to know her identity. But persons at the scene told Guyana Times that they attempted to do so, but the phone was locked.

Meanwhile, the driver of the motor lorry who is employed with Chung Noble Establishment for the past year-and-a-half was taken into Police custody as they continue their investigations.

overnment spokesperson Raphael Trotman on Thursday chastised the private sector and the nation for complaining about the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity and water as revealed in the 2017 National Budget presentation and invited them to “get busy”.

Trotman stated that Government would prefer to live in a country where there are no complaints since Guyana has a lot to be grateful for. He stated that Guyana can look at “the glass half empty and forget that VAT has been lowered by two per cent and that corporate taxes have been lowered or they can choose to complain and do nothing.”

“The government of Guyana would prefer that we live in a country of no complaints…however we invite you to get busy. We have things to be grateful for…” he remarked.

Trotman indicated that while he is not unmindful of the fact that the country’s economy is dipping, the nation needs to come to grip with this reality.

“I am not unmindful of the fact that our economy is performing below our expectations. There are two fundamental realities about this finding…firstly, it has to change and secondly, we are going to have be a part of this change,” he said, high-

Government spokesperson Raphael Trotman

lighting that it was predicted that countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean economy would drop to –0.6 percent and 1.6 in 2017, Guyana is doing better.

“The World has slowed down…Guyana has slowed down. This is an incontrovertible fact that we must accept whether we are in Government, whether we are in Opposition, whether we are in private sector or civil society, we can choose to find a scapegoat and to point fingers or we can look beyond the horizon for what is coming,” he said.

The population has expressed alarm that the same hand the Government extended to reduce VAT they have used to introduce VAT on electricity and water.

Meanwhile the private sector has expressed concerns that the Government plans on eliminating all zero-rated

items from taxes and make them exempt.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan during his Budget presentation announced an expansion on the list of exempt items and an elimination of all zero-rated items, excepting those relating to exports and manufacturing inputs. The exempt items include things like bread, flour, unprocessed wheat, toilet tissues in rolls, vegetable seeds, paddy, onions, garlic, potatoes and split peas, among other things.

However, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Vishnu Doerga called on Government to reconsider its proposal of the removal of zero-rated items. He stated that while the GCCI is still analysing the presentation, it is their opinion that Government has to avoid adding and increasing taxes that directly impact the cost of living in Guyana.

“One such example is the removal of the zero-rated items,” he said, noting that he is urging Government to reconsider this move.

“Small businesses can recover VAT and businesses will ensure that they still make a profit but the consumers cannot. Consumers will have to live with the higher prices of their products and services. We want for our people to afford commodities and services,” he said.

Minibus driver shot during ECD robbery

A

minibus driver is now nursing a gunshot wound after he was shot during a robbery at Liliendaal Public Road, Georgetown, on Thursday evening.

Investigations revealed that Marvin Hooper, 39, of Shirley Field Ridley Square, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown was at the Shell Service Station at Ogle, ECD, making a purchase

when he was approached by three men who requested to be taken up the East Coast.

He complied and while in the vicinity of the Ocean View Conference Centre, they demanded that he hand over all his valuables, having brandished their handguns.

According to Police in a release, the driver handed over his cell phone and an undisclosed sum of cash,

and was instructed to exit his vehicle, to which he refused and was shot to his back, after which the bandits made good their escape.

The driver was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public spirited citizens where he is awaiting surgery but is said to be in a stable condition. Police are continuing their investigations.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016

News

Former President calls out Govt for Health Ministry discusses “AIDS Free” “deception” on environmental tax framework with partners F T

ormer President Donald Ramotar on Friday lashed out at the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) for what it said is its deceptiveness in relation to the environmental tax.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, during his 2017 Budget presentation, announced that Government will be reintroducing the Environmental Tax on plastic bottles.

Ramotar said the fact that Government is reimposing it once more shows it’s “vindictiveness and the practice of deception that it has engaged in”. He said it also shows that for them, Guyana is not a priority.

“What is most important to them is power, not the development of the country, but to lord it over the people and enrich themselves”, Ramotar said.

He said the tax was imposed on soft drinks in plastic bottles that were being imported several years ago.

According to Ramotar, that move had the effect of en-

Former President Donald Ramotar

couraging companies that were importing these items to produce the bottles here, which would be more cost effective, rather than importing them.

At the same time, it resulted in protection for local manufacturers.

He said one of the companies, Rudisa Beverages, had taken the then PPP/C Government to court for what it described as a discriminatory tax that violated the Caricom Treaty on trade. The company won the case in Guyana’s courts on the Government appealed

and the matter was taken to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Ramotar said at this point, the PPP/C and Rudisa had agreed that they would remove the discrimination and reduce the tax from $10 to $5 per bottle, but applied it to all the companies, including the local companies.

The company was willing to drop the case and the CCJ agreed to give us time to settle the matter.

He said settling the matter entailed going to the Parliament to change the law.

“The whole situation was explained to the then Opposition, the APNU/ AFC. Their support was needed to pass the bill to amend the law. Recall that together, they had a one-seat majority in the National Assembly. They knew if this was not passed, it would have cost the Guyana Government more than $1 billion.”

Ramotar said the then combined opposition voted against the amendment imposed by Finance Minister Ashni Singh. That therefore

left the CCJ no choice but to rule in favour of Rudisa Beverages, awarding them more than G$1 billion. The actual figure was US$6.2 million.

“By then, the Government changed and it was the APNU/AFC regime that had to pay that amount. It was poetic justice in a way because it resulted from their selfishness and anti-national position. It is our taxpayers that had to pay that settlement.”

According to Ramotar, now, in less than two years of the regime, the tax had been reinstated.

“Only now, they are making it onerous on our manufacturers.

Instead of the $5 proposed by the PPP/C, they have imposed $10”.

The former Head of State said this will only serve to discourage production as it penalises the local manufacturers. He said the new move is another measure in the budget that would discourage production, as it pressures the local producers.

Courts spreads Christmas cheer to GPHC’s paediatric ward

P

atients of the paediatric ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) were the recipients of presents as Courts Guyana Incorporated brought them goodies on Friday.

Over 30 children and toddlers received gifts from Santa Claus and other cartoon characters, including Dora, Mickey and Mini Mouse, Spiderman and Cinderella. Courts also presented the department

he super fast-track framework for ending AIDS among children, adolescents and young women by 2020 was under discussion on Thursday, when Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, met with representatives of UNAIDS and the President Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Martin Oditt and PEPFAR Coordinator of the Caribbean Regional Programme, Dr Jennifer Walsh, met with the Minister in his Brickdam office to discuss the framework under the theme “Start Free. Stay Free.

AIDS Free.”

The framework sets ambitious targets that are critical to reaching both the 90-90-90 targets and supporting countries to control, and ultimately end their AIDS epidemics.

Among those targets are reaching and sustaining 95 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV with lifelong HIV treatment by 2018, and reducing the number of new HIV infections among adolescents and young women to less than 100,000 by 2020.

The UNAIDS and

Man, son released from hospital following ECD accident

T A young boy collecting a present from Santa Claus and other Courts Guyana Inc staff

with fans, a microwave, and

kettles,

the

Government

Director of Operations at Courts, John Standaloft handing over presents to the GPHC

Information Agency (GINA) reported.

GPHC’s Public Relations Officer, Mitzy Campbell said the hospital was very appreciative of the annual gesture from Courts. “Every year they call us, and we look forward to next year.”

Campbell noted that the gifts and the presence of Santa and the cartoon characters, “really helped raise the children’s spirits.”

Courts Director of Operations, John Standaloft, said that he looks forward to the tradition since, “this is very personal for me.” The director noted that it is a worthwhile gesture and, “the joy on the children’s faces almost brings tears to my eyes.”

PEPFAR representatives met with Minister Norton to discuss the adaptation of the framework to the national context with focus on key actions needed in Guyana.

This was done in order to help the framework partners ensure that their actions and investments are aligned with the country’s needs and priorities in order to accelerate action and achieve results.

Minister Norton said he is in full agreement with the framework, since it has been proven to be effective. He pointed out that the Public Health Ministry will support the implementation of the framework so that every child starts life HIV-free, adolescent girls and young women remain HIV-free and every child, adolescent and adult is given treatment as soon as they are diagnosed with HIV. The Public Health Minister acknowledged that the framework is going to cost the Government more, but it has no intention of shying away from its responsibility of ensuring that the 90-90-90 target is met.

he 33-year-old man and his six-year-old son who were struck down by a motor car on Thursday evening while they were on a bicycle, were discharged from hospital and are said to be recovering speedily.

This is according to the man’s wife, Trisha Barjol, who relayed to Guyana Times that her husband, Alim Mohamed, sustained “a burst head” while her son’s leg was swollen as a result of the accident.

Even though the accident was not a fatal one, Mohamed has been cautioned by doctors not to return to work until approximately 21 days.

This, according to Barjol, will no doubt cause the family to struggle financially for a while. She is however, grateful that both her husband and her son are recovering.

Mohamed is a labourer, while Barjol works at the Shell Gas Station in Ogle, on the East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Details relating to the driver of the motor car remain sketchy, but Mohamed’s wife informed this publication that the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident along with her husband are expected to report to the Beterverwagting Police Station at 10:00h tomorrow.

This newspaper had reported that on Thursday night, Mohamed, of lot 25 Le Resouvenir, ECD, was travelling from his motherin-law’s home in La Bonne Intention, ECD, where he had picked up his six-yearold son on his bicycle.

Baljor relayed that she was informed via a phone call that her husband and son had been struck down by a motor car, while she was at work.

Mohamed and his son were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public spirited persons at approximately 19:00h; however, at 23:33h last night, they were still waiting to receive treatment and a CAT scan.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016

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News

Minister Roopnaraine 1 hospitalised after Berbice triple vehicular accident stable after brief P ‘fainting spell’

E

ducation Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine suffered a brief “fainting spell” while in attendance at a reception held in honour of the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales to Guyana.

At the event, which was held at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Bel Air Gardens, Georgetown, several Government officials, including Government Ministers were among the guests.

According to a brief statement on the incident, Director of Public Information Imran Khan explained that during the outdoor event, Dr Roopnaraine

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

experienced a brief episode of syncope (commonly referred to as a fainting spell).

He noted that the episode was brought on by the fact that the conditions were hot and also because the Minister was at the time dehydrated.

“Medical attention was rendered to Dr Roopnaraine immediately and he was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dr Roopnaraine is stable, conscious and alert and receiving treatment for dehydration,” the statement detailed.

Moreover, Khan disclosed that the Education Minister, who has experienced several bouts of illnesses over the past year, is expected to be discharged subsequently.

Security guard shot in botched robbery

The unlicensed firearm and ammunition that were dropped by the bandit

A

security guard has been hospitalised after he was shot by an armed bandit during a botched robbery along the East Bank Demerara Highway.

Police investigations have revealed that the victim, Lionel Nixon, was in his company car along

with another, heading to Georgetown, when the incident occurred.

It was reported that while the car was at Peters Hall, EBD, stuck in slowmoving traffic, the bandit approached the vehicle in which Nixon was in the front passenger seat. The perpetrator subsequently

discharged a round at the vehicle, shattering the front windscreen and injuring Nixon to his upper left leg.

The driver of the vehicle in which Nixon was in, Joseph Ferria, who was also armed with a licensed handgun, immediately shot at the bandit. This caused the bandit to panic and in a bid to escape dropped his 9mm Beretta pistol along with sixteen live matching rounds.

The bandit fled the scene on a waiting CG motorcycle, escaping in a northerly direction. Nixon was rushed to a private hospital where he was admitted to undergo surgery.

Meanwhile, detectives have recovered one spent shell at the scene and are continuing their investigations.

olice in Berbice have launched an investigation into an apparent attempt to cover-up evidence by a traffic constable after a three-car collision on the East Bank Berbice main access road on Thursday evening.

The accident occurred at about 20:30 after a speeding car slammed into two parked vehicles and two bicycles. According to reports, the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Eyewitnesses explained that after the collision the driver told them that it was his birthday. However, his drivers’ licence showed December 11 as his birthday.

One of the passengers of the speeding car said that shortly before the impact, the car was moving at 140 KPH. The accident occurred at Edinburg. Bhiro Ragbeer, driver of one of the parked cars, explained that he had just exited his vehicle and was about to enter a shop when he noticed a car heading towards him at a fast rate.

According to Ragbeer, the car was swaying on the road and he was forced to make a dash to safety.

He escaped with just a minor injury to his foot as the vehicle slammed into the parked car, sending it into another. Meanwhile, Maxwell Semple, the driver of the second parked car which was hit, said he did not see what happened but heard the impact.

When Police arrived, Semple said he and Ragbeer were ordered to remove their vehicles and take them to the police station. He is alleging that the female constable did not make any markings on the road nor did she take any measurements when the or-

The driver of the speeding car was taken into custody on Friday afternoon

der was made.

Both drivers contend that the driver of the speeding car appeared to be under the influence, however no Breathalyzer test was conducted at the scene. Semple heads the East Bank Berbice Hire Car Association.

alcohol.

He said when he asked the officer for the corresponding print out from the machine he was told that the machine was malfunctioning and could not generate a printout.

However, the Superintendent explained that in such cases the Duty Officer should request that one is brought from West Berbice or the Corentyne.

However, this was not done.

The matter was referred as minor because the driver was treated at the hospital and sent away.

Meanwhile, the driver of the speeding car, Paul Holder, 25, of Pilot Street New Amsterdam said he suffered a blowout and lost control of the vehicle.

One of the passengers Jermaine August, 28, of Edingburg was treated at the New Amsterdam Hospital

The car that collided with the other two vehicles

Officer in charge of traffic Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud told Guyana Times that the Police had not reported the matter as a minor accident until it was reported to him by a civilian. He said the officer claimed to have carried out a Breathalyzer test on the driver at New Amsterdam and it recorded zero per cent

for a fractured arm, and later discharged. Last year he was also a patient of the same hospital after a vehicular accident left one dead.

The driver of the speeding car was taken into custody on Friday afternoon.

Superintendent Persaud noted that the accident was an act of recklessness.

PPP reflects on life of Fidel Castro

Guard tied up, taped to hammock during robbery

A

security guard was bound and strapped to a hammock with duct tape by bandits who broke into a storeroom owned

by East Coast Berbice (ECB) farmer, Rohan Hanoman.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, shortly after midnight on Thursday three men confronted the guard, Suresh Narine, 70, also called "Manko" of Guava Bush, Albion, Berbice. The man related that the men attacked him, covering his mouth with their hands before duct

taping his mouth.

He recalled that his hands were tied together and then he was put to lie in a hammock, which the men also duct taped.

Narine added that the men then proceeded to break into a storeroom.

He explained that the thieves seemed to have known what they were after since they did not spend more than two minutes inside.

The bandits took six water blowers valued at some $700,000. The water blowers

are used by rice farmers to distribute fertiliser and manure manually.

The guard noted that some time after the perpetrators went away, he managed to free himself and rushed to a nearby house to raise an alarm, before returning to the premises and contacting the owner to inform him of what had transpired.

The matter was since reported to the Police and an investigation has been launched. No arrests have been made thus far.

Former President Donald Ramotar giving a presentation as the Party reflected on the life of former Cuban Leader Fidel Castro

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Wednesday evening held a night of reflection on the life of Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz. The revolutionary Cuban leader died on Friday, November 25, 2016, at age 90.

He built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States and defied, for five decades, US efforts to topple him. reflection, hostThe ed by the PPP, was held at Red House in Kingston,

Georgetown, and was attended by several members of the party, as well as members of the diplomatic corp, including Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio César González Marchante.

During the event, presentations were made by former Presidents, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee also made a contribution.

Fidel Castro governed the Republic of Cuba for 47 years

as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2006 (de jure until 2008). Politically a Marxist– Leninist and Cuban nationalist, he also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from 1961 until 2011.

Under his Administration, Cuba became a one-partysocialist state; industry and business were nationalised, and state socialist reforms were implemented throughout society.

16 NEWS NEW GPC INC cops GEA joins the “green initiative” hinterland, riverine schools to GCCI innovation -benefit from solar power systems award T SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A NEW GPC staff (left) receives the award from a GCCI representative (Dexter Ceres photo)

N

EW GPC INC on Thursday evening received the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) award for innovation at its 127th Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony.

NEW GPC was presented with the award for innovation for its breakthrough achievements in technology, processes, marketing campaigns and development. GCCI President Vishnu Doerga stated that the Chamber is happy to recognise and celebrate with the winning companies that excelled for 2016.

It was highlighted that the NEW GPC’s success has impacted positively on the quality of products, services, customer satisfaction, process efficiencies, employee satisfaction and company or product image.

Meanwhile, Doerga stat-

ed that the GCCI has placed a lot of emphasis on developing their capacity but they are now shifting focus ever so slightly to develop infrastructure. “We are developing proposals for funding for the rebuilding of our secretariat to double the available space to better serve our membership and wider Private Sector as mandated in our Constitution,” he said.

Doerga stated that this year, they are set to achieve a record financial surplus which will be channelled into the development of the building, adding that their aim is to create a condusive environment.

He stated that the GCCI has a total of 45 companies as members while several remain lined up in December.

Last year the GCCI had only 32 businesses on their membership list.

IAC launches annual toy drive for less fortunate children

– encourages donors to give generously

T

he holiday season will bring joy to the hearts of many youth as the Indian Action Committee has launched its First Annual Toy Drive for the less fortunate children. The programme got underway on November 21 and will run until December 13, 2016. The IAC is urging donors to give generously towards this worthy cause.

Persons desirous of making donations can do so at the IAC office located at 1762 Railway Embankment, Cummings Lodge, Georgetown, from 09:00h to 17h, Monday to Friday, or contact the IAC on telephone

number 222-5163 for further details.

“The goal of the IAC is to provide toys for at least 300 underprivileged children of all ethnicities. These toys will be distributed to the less fortunate children at the IAC’s annual Christmas party which will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2016,” the body announced.

The IAC noted that it has partnered with Gafoors Houston Complex, Ashmins Trading, and Sachi which will each have one marked box at their locations where persons can place donated toys.

he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has joined in the country’s “green initiative” and has installed solar power systems to four schools in the hinterland communities, including the 58 Miles Primary School, along the Mabura Road in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); Abrams Creek Primary School, Warapana River in Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region Two; Dredge Creek Primary School also in Region Two; and Hackney Primary School, Pomeroon River, Region Two. The project was executed to a tune of $2 million.

GEA Engineer Leon DeSouza disclosed: “A total of 300 students and teachers combined will benefit from the installations and… all installations were done in accordance with the National Electric Code.

Additionally, teachers at each school were trained to operate and monitor the systems.”

The GEA on Thursday stated through a release that at 58 Miles Primary School, which has a population of 43 students, the engineers oversaw the installation of a solar photovoltaic system with a 140 watt (W) solar panel, a 10 amp charge controller, a 200 amp-hour

Engineers of the Guyana Energy Agency conducting installations at one of the schools

battery and a 600 watt pure sine wave inverter.

Headteacher Thompson (only name given), acknowledged that the school has electricity for the first time and pointed to the fact that her pupils were previously disadvantaged since they could not access the Education Ministry’s Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) programme.

Meanwhile, Abrams Creek Primary School, with 57 students, has a system which is expected to produce “213 kWh of energy annually, while the lamps are expected to consume 88 kWh of energy annually if operated for eight hours per day for 365 days.” The GEA engineers constructed the system in such a way that the remaining energy will sup-

ply the IRI equipment, a television set and a laptop computer. These students will also have access to the Ministry’s IRI programme.

It was explained that the Dredge Creek Primary with its 90-student population which has never had electricity; its system is expected to produce 426 kWh of energy annually.

“The lamps are expected to consume 88 kWh of energy annually if operated for eight hours per day for 365 days, and the remaining energy will supply the IRI equipment, including a television set, two small fans and a desktop computer with a small printer,” the GEA explained.

Meanwhile, Hackney Primary School previously had a solar power system which provided elec-

tricity from 2008-2011, but its system had become defunct. Headteacher Verna Jack explained that the batteries were the first components that were damaged, followed by the charge controller due to a short circuit of the electric cables.

The GEA continues to be propelled by the vision of ensuring that reliable energy is provided to all in Guyana within an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable framework; with increasing consideration of renewable energy sources. The Energy Agency will continue to facilitate such interventions as part of its community outreach with the aim of aiding in the realisation of a green Guyana.

BBCI hosts annual Christmas tree light up

T

he Berbice Bridge Company Inc on Thursday hosted its annual Christmas tree lighting up and invited children from nearby communities, along with staff and their families.

The BBCI commenced commercial operations on 24 December 2008, and started an internal Christmas tree lighting up from 2009 until 2012 with its employees only. However in 2013 the company hosted a grand Christmas tree lighting. The public was invited and toys were distributed. The company then decided to incorporate the grand Christmas tree lighting up in its calendar of activities.

During this year’s lighting up Chief Executive

Officer Omadat Samaroo gave a brief history of Christmas Tree lighting up which is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and Christmas is a widely observed holiday, celebrated on 25 December by billions of people around the world. Christmas is a time for giving and reaching out to family, friends, and others in need which is a priority for BBCI. He reminded that the Berbice River Bridge was commissioned on December 23, 2008, by the former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

On that day all categories of vehicles were allowed to transit the Bridge free of charge for 24 hours.

He expressed gratitude to the attendees and ex-

Employees and special guests at the Christmas tree celebration

The BBCI Christmas tree all aglow

tended best wishes for the Christmas Season.

During the course of the event the children and invitees were given ice cream, a toy and a party bag. Three senior citizens from the Rosignol/D’ Edward area were given hampers. At the end of the official ceremony, everyone proceeded to the lawns where they witnessed the lighting up of the Christmas tree.

In the past the company sponsored many events that benefited the communities both on the eastern and western ends of the Berbice River Bridge.

For this year the company has so far received 83 public relation requests and managed to approve 70.

news

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saturday, december 3, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prince Harry walking the red carpet shortly after landing at the Eugene F Correia International Airport on Friday

Day one of Prince Harry's visit culminated with a reception at the British High Commissioner's residence, where he met once again with President Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger

Prince Harry examining one of the headstones at the site of the Commonwealth War Graves

Prince Harry interacting with Chief-of-Staff Brigadier George Lewis, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips and retired Major General Joe Singh at the GDF Headquarters on Friday

The Prince of Wales accompanied by British High Commissioner Greg Quinn checking out the Commonwealth War Graves, where he paid his respects to those who lost their lives during the two World Wars and the pre-Independence period

His Royal Highness laying a wreath at the Independence Arch shortly after meeting with President David Granger and several other Ministers of Government

Among the activities planned was a visit to the Guyana Defence Force’s Headquarters – Base Camp Ayangana, where the Prince signed the Army’s visitors book

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, december 3, 2016

ARCHIE

Do your best to help those in need, but not at the ex(March 21- pense of falling short where April 19) your responsibilities are concerned. Learn from past mistakes and do what’s best for you first.

ARIES

Studying, researching and TAURUS exploring different ways to ap(April 20- proach something you want to May 20) do will be informative. Don’t let time constraints stress you out. Uncertainty is a warning that you need to be careful.

dilbert

Jump into action and do GEMINI all you can before someone (May 21June 20) faults you for not contributing enough or falling short on a promise you made. Take care of your responsibilities first and foremost.

Spend some time taking care of the responsibilities you (June 21- signed up for, or you will end July 22) up in a dispute with a loved one. Strive for equality in your relationships.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

If you put passion behind your actions, you will get a positive response. Get involved in activities that will allow you to show off your skills and endurance.

Don’t let anyone put unreVIRGO alistic demands on you. Get (Aug. 23Sept. 22) your responsibilities out of the way and pursue the projects and people that make you feel good. A unusual offer can be expected.

Calvin and Hobbes

A change at home or withLIBRA in a relationship is likely to (Sept. 23cause uncertainty. Don’t make Oct. 23) assumptions, overreact or let someone take advantage of you.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

The past can be a wonderSCORPIO ful teacher when it comes to (Oct. 24how to handle a certain chalNov. 22) lenge. Draw on the information you’ve gathered and the friends you feel can contribute, and pursue a creative outlet.

Look at every option careSAGITTARIUS fully. Sticking to a guide(Nov. 23- line will help you avoid overDec. 21) reaching and overspending.

Balance will be required to offset temptation. Enforce change for the right reasons.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Build on an old idea that CAPRICORN fits current trends. You have (Dec. 22the opportunity to increase Jan. 19) your earning potential if you live within your means and work toward a long-term goal.

Avoid being pushed in one AQUARIUS direction or another. Having (Jan. 20too many options can be conFeb. 19) fusing, but if you keep your goal in sight and your strategy in mind, success will follow.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES If you step up and take (Feb. 20- charge, you will make a differMarch 20) ence. Follow your heart and don’t let the actions of others alter your path. Romance is highlighted.

guyanatimesgy.com

New Formula 1 World Champ, Rosberg retires W

orld champion Nico Rosberg has announced he has retired from Formula 1 with immediate effect.

The 31-year-old German won his first world title on Sunday, beating Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton by finishing second in the final race in Abu Dhabi.

"I have climbed my mountain, I am on the peak, so this feels right," Rosberg said.

Rosberg won nine of this season's 21 grands prix, beating three-time champion Hamilton by five points.

"For 25 years in racing, it has been my dream, my 'one thing', to become Formula 1 world champion," he added.

"Through the hard work, the pain, the sacrifices, this has been my target.

And now I've made it."

The son of Finnish 1982 world champion Keke, Rosberg made his F1 debut for Williams at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2006, finishing seventh.

And when asked if there was any chance of a return, Rosberg added: "No definitely not. End of story. Done."

Hamilton, who had beaten Rosberg to the title in the previous two seasons, said: "He has a family he wants to focus on, and F1 takes so much from you.

"It is definitely going to be strange and it will be sad to not have him in the team next year."

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said

saturday, DECember 3, 2016

19

UFC champion issued a boxing licence to reignite Mayweather talk

the news took him "completely by surprise".

"This is a brave decision by Nico and a testament to the strength of his character," he added.

"The clarity of his judgement meant I accepted his decision straight away when he told me.

"We now have to consider options and we will start to look at it on Monday."

Rosberg raced in 206 grands prix, winning 23 and finishing on the podium 57 times.

Nico Rosberg's decision to announce his retirement from Formula 1 just five days after clinching his first world title is a major shock - but perhaps it should not be.

The German put everything into this season, as he explained in his statement on Friday. The pressure of those last few races was plain to see in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, in the way it peeled off him by degrees in the hours after the race.

While thinking about how hard winning that title was, doubtless his thoughts were also about what it would take to beat Lewis Hamilton to it again. He clearly felt that at the age of 31, with a young daughter, he was not prepared to make those sacrifices again.

All in all, it is a classy move from a classy man. (BBC Sport)

U

FC champion Conor McGregor has moved closer to a possible fight with five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather after securing a boxing licence.

The Irish fighter became the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first dual division champion in November.

McGregor, 28, has said he wants $100m to meet Mayweather, who has previously played down the prospects of a fight.

The licence has been granted by the California State Athletic Commission, allowing him to box in the US state.

McGregor's trainer John Kavanagh has said he would "put a few quid on [a Mayweather fight] next year".

He added: "Is it getting any close? I don't know, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me that it's going to happen."

Leonard Ellerbe, chief executive of Mayweather Promotions, told ESPN the fight could not take place as McGregor is under contract to the UFC.

McGregor is the first UFC fighter to hold two titles simultaneously

"He got a boxing licence.

Congratulations to him," said Ellerbe.

"Conor McGregor can say anything he wants to but he has a boss and his name is [UFC president] Dana White."

McGregor beat Eddie Alvarez last month to win to win the lightweight championship, to add his featherweight title, though he has since relinquished that belt.

After the Alvarez victory, he demanded a stake in the ownership of UFC. (BBC)

Beaton bags 2 on BPL debut D

haka Dynamites ensured a first-place finish in the league phase of the BPL with a sixwicket win over Chittagong Vikings.

They stretched their points tally to 16, opening up a four-point lead over Chittagong, whose five-match winning streak they also snapped.

Dhaka's chase of 135 got a little complicated in the 13th over when Kumar Sangakkara was run out by Zakir Hasan's direct hit from long-off, after he made a run-a-ball 35. It left them 83 for four, but Andre Russell settled the chase with three sixes in an unbeaten 18-ball 31. He was well supported by Alauddin Babu, who finished not out on 33 as the pair shared an unbroken 52-run fifth-wicket partnership.

With Chittagong sent in to bat, Tamim Iqbal struck his third consecutive fifty in the space of six days, and became only the fourth batsman to make five fifties in a single BPL season. Shamsur Rahman's six fifties in 2013 remains the record. In this innings, Tamim ended up scoring 55 per cent of Chittagong's total of 134.

Chittagong lost wickets quickly either side of an 86-run fourth wicket stand between Tamim and Shoaib Malik. Chris Gayle was the first to go, top edging Russell to extra-cover in the fourth over.

Anamul Haque also top-edged a slog in the next

Andre Russell struck early to dismiss Chris Gayle

over, with wicketkeeper Sangakkara completing the catch.

Tamim and Malik came together after Jahurul Islam holed out at long-on in the eighth over, They played within themselves for a while before Tamim renewed his big hitting. He struck three sixes and six fours in his 59-ball 74. Malik contributed 33 off 25 balls with a four and a six.

Both were caught in the deep off successive deliveries before Mohammad Nabi joined them in the dugout, out for a two-ball duck.

For Dhaka, Dwayne Bravo took three wickets while Russell picked up one. Ronsford Beaton took two wickets on his BPL debut Meanwhile, Comilla Victorians continued their late charge in the BPL by beating Khulna Titans by five wickets in Mirpur.

Marlon Samuels struck a match-winning, unbeaten 69 off 57 balls that included eight fours, to help Comilla register their third consecutive win.

After Ahmed Shehzad fell in the first over,

Samuels added 49 runs for the second wicket with Imrul Kayes. However, Kayes and Khalid Latif fell in quick succession, which prompted Mashrafe Mortaza to promote himself to keep Comilla in check with the asking rate.

He hammered three sixes in his 11-ball 20, before Samuels and Liton Das added the last 42 runs to complete the win. Samuels hit the winning runs with eight balls to spare.

After opting to bowl, Mashrafe was Comilla’s best bowler. Coming off a short run up, he removed Abdul Mazid with his first ball. Mashrafe then dismissed Hasanuzzaman, who made 29 off 26 balls with two fours and a six. Mashrafe finished with 3 for 16 from his four overs. Mohammad Sharif, Mohammad Saifuddin and Rashid Khan also picked up a wicket each. For Khulna, Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 40 off 38 balls took them to a competitive score after another slow start. ( ESPN Cricinfo)

20

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saturday, DECember 3, 2016

Bolt takes another IAAF World record

N

ine-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt has won the IAAF male Athlete of the Year award for a record sixth time.

Ethiopia's Almaz Ayana, who broke the 10,000m world record by over 14 seconds in winning Olympic gold in Rio this summer, won the female award.

Bolt, 30, sealed the 'triple triple' in Rio, winning his third Olympic title in each of the 100m, 200m and 4x100m.

"It's definitely a big deal," said the Jamaican of the award he also won in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Bolt will retire next year, following the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.

He added: "When you get to be athlete of the year it means that all the hard work has paid off, so if I can win it for a sixth year means as much as the first one."

Ayana, meanwhile, broke a record set 23 years earlier when she clocked 29 minutes 17.45 seconds in Rio. The 25-year-old also won 5,000m bronze, and won the Diamond Race.

Canada's Andre de Grasse, the 22-year-old who won 200m silver and 100m bronze in Rio, was named male rising star, while Olympic heptathlon champion Nafissatou Thiam, 22, won the female award.

Harry Marra won the IAAF Coaching Achievement Award after guiding Ashton Eaton to a second Olympic decathlon gold and Brianne Theisen Eaton to heptathlon bronze. (BBC Sport)

Agard, Hinds, Williams to headline cycling awards T

his Sunday at Bunkers 81, Lime and Hadfield Streets the top cyclists for the 2016 will be honored at their annual awards ceremony.

The competition amongst the wheelsmen is forever on the rise on the local circuit but it was a select few who dominated the competition throughout the season.

In the open category, Orville Hinds raced away from the pack to be the best senior rider on points standing having amassed a total of 198 points during the season inclusive of 11 home wins. The Gillette evolution rider was closely trailed by team mate, Michael Anthony with 169 points including seven wins.

Twenty year old Linden Bauxhall Flyer’s rider, Shaquel Agard, who also the National Three-Stage winner is expected to be crowned third overall with 160 points inclusive of three wins. Raul Leal of Evolution is in fourth with 154 points and seven wins while Evolution team mate Marlon Williams is in 5th.

Meanwhile, in the Masters Under 45 category, Team Cocos Junior Niles blazed the competition with 142 points inclusive of a

Bess rates 2016 a ‘success story’ Darcy Beckles the first time we captured a silver medal.”

The success was not only based on the usual names such as Devon Davis, Kerwin Clarke, among others but rather the stepping up of some fairly new faces who did not disappoint, particularly, Yannick Grimes who won silver in Sports World Classic and bronze at Darcy Beckles, Emmerson Campbell who got silver at CAC and an eye on the future from the Novice Champion coming out of Berbice, Faroud Mohamed.

Female Cyclist of the year Claire Fraser-Gree

mind blowing 17 wins. Niles is followed by Carlton Wheeler’s Jaikarran Sukhai with 52 points and Roraima’s Warren McKay in that order.

On the other hand, We Stand United took command of the Junior division with Raphael Leung leading the way 118 points inclusive of 11 wins and Berbician Andrew Hicks, who is the National Schools’ Cycling champion with 107 points inclusive of eight wins. Team Evolution’s Christopher Cornelius is expected to round off the awardees in that category with 84 points.

Agard is also deemed to be the most improved cyclist of 2016 while Christopher Griffith is also another improved cyclist to be honored. Claire Fraser-Green will be named 2016 female cyclist of the year while Christine Matheson is judged runner up as Withney Poyer is the 2016 improved female cyclist.

Raymond Newton is the Outstandind Masters’ Over 45 cyclist, Keon Thomas is the outstanding mountain bike cyclist of the year and Geron Williams is the Outstanding Cyclist in International races.

Outstanding Cyclist in International Races Geron Williams

Usain Bolt and Almaz Ayana pick up their awards from Prince Albert of Monaco (far left) and IAAF president Lord Sebastian Coe (far right)

Funding

GABBFF President Kevon Bess

By Romario Samaroo

T

he curtains came down on the 2016 season of bodybuilding in Guyana but it is being rated as very memorable for many for years to come. One such individual who is proud of the achievements made

by Guyana as it relates to bodybuilding is President of the Guyana Amateur Body building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF), Kevon Bess.

Bess, who sat down with Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview, had expressed the notion that Guyana has had a marvelous run in the sport on overseas shores and with Stage of Champions capping off the season on local shores, it was a dream year.

With roughly six major events for the 2016 season, the year has been by far the most successful run for the locals in recent memory and the GABFF president was not shy to highlight the hard work and dedication the athletes have put in to continue to put Guyana on the map and wave the Golden Arrowhead high.

“Beginning with the local Novice competition and then the seniors’ competition not to mention the sports world classic in Trinidad, the Darcy Beckles classic in Barbados and the Central American and Caribbean Championships (CAC) Guyana would have performed exceptionally well.” Bess said while going on to mention that in his opinion the biggest accomplishment of 2016 would be the CAC team in Dominica Republic where for the first time, we were able to bring home a tally of five medals, composing of one bronze, two silver and two gold, even at

However, it was not all bed of roses but the usual problem of funding remains a challenge. Nevertheless, corporate Guyana has been doing their best and according to Bess he is of the opinion that “in 2016 we have been showing corporate Guyana what bodybuilding is doing for the Golden Arrowhead, so I think in 2017 we will continue with our fund raisers while approaching corporate Guyana for support.”

Bess reiterated the fact that “not only corporate Guyana but the government of the day should see what we are doing for the Golden Arrowhead and throw their support behind the sport in 2017 so that we could continue to fly the flag.”

Looking to the future, Guyana has the opportunity to fit their latest competition, Stage of Champions, into mainstream programming as a capping off of the season event and actually utilize it to have all the athletes from the Caribbean come and perform as champions and overtime maybe in the next five to 10 year become the premier event which will in turn do well for sporting tourism in Guyana.

Judges development

Meanwhile, not only has Guyana expanded its pool of world class athletes but also the number of world rated judges has been at the pinnacle of the sport in 2016 and Bess explained that “there are already plans to streamline six more judges.”

At the last competition, two of the judges and the head of the judges committee which is autonomous, have their own systems but they have agreed among themselves to attend next CAC in Mexico providing funding is available. This has stemmed from Franklin Brisport-Luke taking the first jump and heading to CAC this year to qualify himself, consequently this will expand our arsenal of judges. The 2017 season will open with the Novice competition.

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Smalta Girls’ Pee-Wee Football Tournament 2016

Fireworks expected today at MOE ground T

he excitement continues this weekend in the third annual Petra Organisation/ Smalta Girls Pee-Wee Schools Football Championships at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The first of eight matches will kick off at 10:00h with defending champions St. Stephen’s Primary taking on opening day winner St. Margaret’s Primary. Both teams will look to continue their winning ways and press claim as early favourites for the title.

Former Champions, Stella Maris will look to rebound from defeat when they take on St. Angela’s Primary who is also looking for their first taste of victory after drawing their opening game against F.E. Pollard who will take on Enterprise Primary.

Last week’s opening fixtures saw 16 goals

being scored with three coming from Enterprise and today another goal rush is expected.

The teams will once again be in action tomorrow at the same venue with eight more round robin matches. From 10:00h.

At the end of the group stage of matches, the top two finishers from each group will progress to the quarterfinals.

The remaining eight teams will faceoff for positions 9th to 16th until the tourney ends on December 17.

Trophies will be awarded to all 16 teams, while medals will be awarded to the top two finishers. On the individual side, accolades will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player, the Highest Goal Scorer and the Best Goalkeeper.

fixtures

MATCH #

TIME

TEAMS

9

10:00 hrs

St. Stephen’s Primary vs St. Margaret’s Primary

10

10:00 hrs

Tucville Primary vs Redeemer Primary

11

10:45 hrs

West Ruimveldt Primary vs Smith’s Memorial Primary

12

10:45 hrs

North Georgetown Primary vs Winfer Garden’s Primary

13

11:30 hrs

St. Gabriel’s Primary vs St. Agnes Primary

14

11:30 hrs

F.E. Pollard Primary vs Enterprise Primary

15

12:15 hrs

Stella Maris Primary vs St. Angela’s Primary

16

12:15 hrs

St. Pius Primary vs South Ruimveldt Primary

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Plantain and Cheese taking to MSC hard court

T

he 3rd annual New Era Entertainment Cell Smart Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal tournament continues tonight with a number to big names taking to the McKenzie Sports Club hard court, Linden.

With the action running for the weekend, there will be the hosting of six more exciting matches as the tournament continues and judging from the hype of last weekend’s, it is expected to have fans flocking the stands to witness the action.

In the first match of the night, fans will see Spikeland, who has had a dream start to their competition with Keiron Cammorn and Andre Chester but will face serious skills from new comers, Customs

The action continues tonight at the MSC Hard Court Linden

while Ballers will go up against Silver Bullets while plantain and cheese with the likes of the Daw brothers, Dawin Keto and Keron Lio who will play East Side Jammers.

In the final match of the night, Coomacka United will play Town Cars who have already sent a warning to their opponents. Already fans have seen Clarence ‘Shark’ Huggins decimate his opponents as Good Fellas advance to the next round.

While there will be competitive games, it is also likely to feature exhibition matches including a female clash that is in the pipeline.

The first prize is $400,000 along with trophies and replicas, up by $100,000 from last year. The second placed team will claim $150,000 and trophy, third $75,000 and trophy and fourth place will collect a trophy. Other prizes are on offer for the MVP, Best goalkeeper and Best young player.

The competition runs today and continues on December 9, 10, 17, 23 and 26 the grand finale. The organisers are promising an exciting and entertaining tournament with side attractions and are encouraging all to come out and support as the team put their best on the court to claim the prize money on offer.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturday, december 3, 2016

GLTA season finale Persaud, Yadram shortlisted in West Indies begins today U-19 training squad

W

icket keeper batsman Joshua Persaud and batting allrounder Bhaskar Yadram are the two Guyanese named to participate in a West Indies u-19 training camp scheduled for December 9 through to 20.

Persaud plays for the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and

w a s part of the West Indies U-17 team that tour the United Kingdom last year. At 16 years and seven months he was the youngest player in Guyana U-19 team in St. Vincent in August.

Yadram is also 16 years old, he is usually an opening batsman but this year was used in the middle and lower order by Guyana. A decision that worked in his favour. He hails

from Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara where he also plays most of his cricket at the community club and also represents Everest Cricket Club in Georgetown and the Rose Hall Town U-19 team.

According to WICB Project Officer, Rawl Lewis “this initial camp is to prepare a team for the Regional Super50 as was done the last two years and there will also be a pre-tournament camp for the final team, January 17 – 21.”

Lewis added that “a comprehensive programme has been developed for the 2018 World Cup preparation which started with the regional under 17 and 19 tournaments over the summer. The 23-month programme will include a mini-series between the reigning champions and New Zealand (threematch series) in January 2018, just be-

Shihan Yassim promoted to ‘Hanshi’/’Sokeship’

Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim

S

hihan Abdool Nazim Yassim was promoted to Hanshi following the Guyana All-Styles Martial Arts Federation accreditation ceremony at the New Thriving Restaurant on Sunday.

The Founder and Director of the Guyana International Kyo-Kushin-Kai Martial Arts

Academy (GIKMAA), f o r m e r ly the Little Diamond Martial Arts Academy was the 3rd of 10 persons who were promoted to KuDan (9th Dan Black Belt) with the title ‘Hanshi’ (Grandmaster) of the SHIN-KAI-RYU system of martial arts, a system that he had created almost 12 years ago.

Shihan Yassim was also awarded the ‘Sokeship’ (Founder) title. These promotions and awards came in light of him serving in

the martial arts world for over 25 years, and almost 10 years as a 7th Dan Black Belt Shihan, both in Guyana and Suriname.

Shihan Yassim now holds Black Belt ranks in a number of martial arts systems, namely 3rd Dan Black Belt in Karate-do; 4th Dan Black Belt ‘Junior Master’ Shinkaido Personal Combat System; 7th Dan Black Belt ‘Shihan’ Kyo-Kushin-Kai; and 9th Dan Black Belt ‘Hanshi’ Shin-Kai-Ryu. At the accreditation ceremony, Shihan Yassim also promoted Nowieldath Khedoe of Suriname to the 7th Dan Black Belt and also awarded him an ‘A’ Level Coaching Certificate.

In Guyana, S h i h a n

Yassim is the authorised representative of the Universal Martial Arts Association (UMAA), the KyoKushin-Kai Schools of Karate Union Worldwide (KSKUW) and the World Martial Arts Brotherhood Federation (WMAABF).

In the company of his wife, Black Belt students and loved ones, the new Sokeship/Hanshi enjoyed his moment of glory as he marched into history, promising to continue his work in the martial arts world. He is now looking forward to the 10th Dan level in the next 25 years.

fore the World Cup.” The World Cup is scheduled for New Zealand, January 12 – February 4, 2018.

The full squad reads: Keagan Simmonds, Kirstan Kallicharan, Cephas Cooper, Navin Bidaisee, Matthew Patrick, Te-Shawn Alleyne (Trinidad and Tobago), Johann Jeremiah, Emmanuel Stewart, Johnnel Eugene, Daneal Dupigny and Alick Athanaze (Windward Islands), Jerellius Louis, Javier Spence and Kian Pemberton (Leewards Islands), Joshua Persaud and Bhaskar Yadram (Guyana) and Jeavor Royal from Jamaica, Nyeem Young, Joshua Bishop and Shian Brathwaite (Barbados).

Dwain Gill, Anthony Gray, Graeme West, Khevyn Williams and Zephyrinus Nicholas are members of the management team who will be in charge of operations during the ten days. The team will be supported by WICB staff Lewis and Senior Player Relations Officer, Ayana Cooper.

The primary focus of the camp is physical assessment and preparation, but will include life skill sessions and mental preparation.

Devi Sunich of Trophy Stall hands over the symbols of Doubles supremacy to GLTA executives, Secretary Oswin Coggins and Junior Participation Chair Grace McCalman

T

oday tennis players from the six active tennis clubs in Guyana will serve off their quest to be a 2016 Trophy Stall Doubles Champion from 9:00h at the National Racquet Centre.

Trophy Stall Doubles has established itself as the premier doubles tournament of the calendar year with seven years running. It is the only exclusive doubles tournament on the Guyana Tennis Association’s (GLTA’s) calendar and is an opportunity for seasoned doubles players to take part in one of the most intense forms of the game, which entails a battle of skills, power and speedy hand work at the net.

The categories to be contested are Men’s Doubles, Ladies Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Men’s Over 35 Doubles, Men’s Over 45 Doubles and Novice Medley Doubles.

Proprietor of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich reflected on the support his business received from the tennis community for many years and reinforced his commitment to the development of tennis having seen consistent effort from the association to keep the sport alive. But he expressed concern for the continuous absence of proper state of the art facilities for more tournaments local and international and to attract more coaches and players.

This year will once again showcase high drama as players contend in the last tournament of the year to finish the season strong in hopes of securing their spot at the top of the player ranking table.

Guinness Greatest of the Street Futsal Tournament…

Up Like 7 stuns Alexander Village

− Bullies rough up Howes Street

T

he 6th edition of the Guinness Greatness of the Streets continued on Thursday night with eight breathtaking games at the Demerara Park tarmac which saw stern competition from crowd likely underdogs with half of the matches being decided from the penalty spot.

In the first match of the night, Alexander Village played with blood, sweat and ignorance to draw their match with Up Like 7, two goals apiece but were edged out of the super 16 going down 3-2 on sudden death from the spot.

Gerald King had marked his name early for the Alexander Village side who took the lead in the 3rd minute (3’). Mark Carrega quickly replied four minutes later to level the match.

Dwayne Lowe, in the 18’ then sent Up Like 7 into the slim lead only to have Kevin Gordon (20’) equalize for the villagers.

Nkosie Barker’s goal in the 26’ was enough for North Ruimveldt needle Jamoon Drive 1-0 while Alboystown A and Upsetters played scoreless in fulltime where Albouystown won 2-0 on penalty kicks.

Similarly, North East La Penitance MATCH #

TIME

The crowd was very involved in the griping action which adds to the drama

and Island All-Stars B played to a draw where the All-Stars B lost on penalty kicks 2-0 and West Back Road defeated Albouystown B 2-1 in the sudden death kicks following a nil-nil draw in full time.

Broad Street Bullies took advantage of Howes Street A in the most crowd entertaining match of the night where they won convincingly 3-0.

Lennox Cort and Rock Gravesande scored a minute a part (6’ and 7’) to ensure their side retained an unassailable lead before Devon Johnson sunk the final blow in the 17’. Back Circle also defeated East Front road 1-0

TEAMS

17

19:00 hrs

Camp Street Street All Stars vs Stevedaore

18

19:30 hrs

Festival City vs Up Like Seven

19

20:00 hrs

North Riumveldt vs West Back Road

20

20:30 hrs

Leopold Street vs North East La Pentance

21

21:00 hrs

Back Circle vs Tucville

22

21:30 hrs

Bent Street vs Broad Street Ballers

23

22:00 hrs

Sparta Boss vs Channel 9

24

22:30 hrs

Queen Street Tiger Bay vs Alboystown A

thanks to Jermin Beckles who scored in the 7’.

In the final contest, Stevedore piped West Front Road 1-2 to advance to the super 16 round robin stage.Dorwin filter scored in the 17’ for Stevedore before Michael Pedro replied in the 28’ but Keifer Brandt’s goal a few seconds later was enough to send West Front Road packing.

The teams that will now compete in the super 16 round robin stage are Up Like 7, North Ruimveldt, Albouystown-A, Broad Street Bullies, North East La Penitence, West Back Road, Stevedore, Back Circle, Sparta Boss, Queen Street Tiger Bay, Camp Street All-Stars, Bent Street, Leopold Street, Festival City Warriors, Tucville and Channel-9 Warriors.

The games continue tonight at the Burnham Court with the round robin action from 19:00h.

The teams will all be vying for over one million dollars in cash and prizes with the first team taking home $500,000 while second, third and fourth will cart off with $200,000, $150,000 and $75,000 respectively.

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, december 3, 2016

GCA/ Noble House Seafoods 2nd division

Quarterfinals start today

−Everest, MYO, GDF & Police host matches

T

he Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ Noble House Seafood second division two day competition has reached the quarter final stage and four competitive matches are scheduled for venues across the city over the next two days, starting today.

In quarter final one, Police Sports Club will host Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) at Police ground, Eve Leary.

The host in recent years has been among the top contenders in GCA’s cricket and as recent as three years ago they won the inaugural Carib Beer T20 first division finals. Since then there has been an improved level of competition from the lawmen which got them to this stage. Their team will include the in form all-rounder Kelvin Leitch and Stephen Harris.

MSC on the other hand, dominated most GCA cricket from 2004 to 2009

Jeremiah Harris

but fell off terribly subsequently. It is now the ideal time for them to maximize on their quarterfinal berth and pave way to reach the summit. Kefa Naughton and Floyd Rollins are expected to lead MSC’s batting.

In quarterfinal two, strong contenders and host Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will face off against Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC).

The military

Joshua Persaud

squad is the more experience of the two and will feature several former national youth players, led

by Jeremiah Harris. GNIC which in contrast consists of current junior players Joshua Persaud, Kurt Lovell, Stephon Campbelle and others will be riding high.

In the third quarterfinal, favourites and powerhouse of GCA’s cricket,

Javed Rasheed

eagerly anticipating this match.

Last but not least, quarterfinal four features last year’s finalist Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Muslim Youth Organization (MYO),

Ashmead Nedd

Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will clash with Everest Cricket Club. DCC has dominated cricket in the city at almost every level in the last seven years and this time around is not expected to be different.

Like GNIC, DCC comprises of a barrage of talented national youth players, namely Sachin Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Raymond Perez, Ashmead Nedd and others. They will start as favourites today although

Kelvin Leitch

they are the visitors. The Queenstown unit also disposed of Everest earlier this year in the GCA forty over second division competition.

Everest will be no gateway for DCC and with a strong composition which consist of technically sound batsmen and quality spinners, this match is expected to be the best of the quarterfinals. The Carifesta Avenue side’s leading players Khemraj Ramdeen and Javed Rasheed must be

Kefa Naughton

who has been playing fierce cricket recently.

This match is slated for MYO ground in Woolford Avenue.

TSC’s unit includes the like of Kevin Ross, Charwayne Mcpherson and

Charwayne McPherson

Shawn Massiah while MYO is expected to field former national under-15 player Safraz Esau, Richard Latiff and Shahid Gittens.

All matches are set to get underway at 10:30h.

Richard Latiff

23

saturday, december 3, 2016

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GCA/ Noble House Seafoods 2nd division

Quarterfinals start today − Everest, MYO, GDF & Police host matches Pg 23

Everest Cricket Club’s Dwayne Pereira sends down a delivery during practice for their crucial quarter final today at home

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