Guyana Times Daily

Berbice P7 Criminal Assizes February session opens Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2756

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

PRICE

Budget 2016

Reverse some measures to benefit poorer Guyanese, businesses – Opposition Leader

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PPP members must face consequences of their actions – Jagdeo P10

Page 3

Pensioner found Pouderoyen dead, gagged, teen commits bound in home suicide As crime spirals out of control

Page 14

Page 14

Minibus bursts into flames on Eccles Public Road

Teacher P8 slapped with fraud charge First Lady to represent Guyana at UN meeting in NY P13

Page 9

Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday morning when this minibus suddenly caught fire on the Eccles, East Bank Demerara Public Road

Police destroy APNU/AFC rewarding campaign financiers over 800kg of marijuana Payback!

Page 7

– Minister's close friend Page 17 cashes in on wind farm deal

National cyclist jailed for drug P7 trafficking Blairmont workers stand with P11 Wales colleagues

Drugs P17 shortage in Region 3 continues

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wednesday, february 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Kitty man on remand for gun possession charges

Teachers’ Revolving Fund

Education Ministry delaying project – GTU A N ine years have passed since the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) proposed the Teachers’ Revolving Fund project and still there has been no confirmation from the Education Ministry on support for the project.

This was according to GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald, who in an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, explained that without the Ministry’s support, the Union would be unable to execute the project, which would benefit 20 teachers every year.

The Teachers’ Revolving Fund project is one that primarily focuses on providing teachers with the opportunity to construct houses through the system.

McDonald said that over the years the Union had been waiting for the

go-ahead, it was able to accumulate $200 million to fund the project, but complications within the system have obstructed it from depositing the money for the benefit of the teachers.

She explained that the system would work on a revolving mode, whereby every year 20 teachers from across the Regions would be selected to receive a grant of $2 million to facilitate their housing plans. The teachers are then required to repay this grant after a certain time to cater for the next batch of teachers to be chosen the following year.

However, in order to commence the project, validation was needed from the Education Ministry, but after a number of consultations between the two bodies, this was never given.

“The Ministry is saying

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

that GTU has to run the project, since they do not want to control it, but we don’t have personnel to control the project,” McDonald told this publication.

She related that she suggested to the Ministry that it assign a few persons to

work in the GTU to overlook the process and offer professional assistance.

Even so, the Union had “never been able to get it off the ground”.

Additionally, McDonald reported that the Union had encountered administrative issues with the bank since it was demanding an unreasonable interest on the $2 million.

“The rate of their interest was unfair to the teachers.

It’s not like it’s the bank’s money, it is the Union’s.

We are just giving them the money to administrate the distribution process,” she expounded.

McDonald added that if the project had been authenticated since the proposal was made in 2007, over 150 teachers would have been beneficiaries of the housing project.

Kitty resident was on Tuesday remanded to prison when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to gun possession charges.

Mark Calvan, 24, of Lot 272 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on January 28 in Georgetown, he had in his possession one .32 pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Also on the same day, he had in his possession three .32 live rounds of ammunition without being the owner of a firearm licence.

The defendant’s Attorney told the Court that Calvan was walking along Church and Cummings Streets with another person when Police saw them acting suspiciously.

He added that a Police Officer approached them and both men ran away. The lawyer claimed that the oth-

er man had the gun not his client, but he dropped it as they were running.

According to the lawyer, on that ground his client cannot be held as being in possession. As such, he requested bail for his client.

The prosecution objected to bail, stating that there was no special reason bail should be granted to the defendant. Prosecutor Deniro Jones explained that on the day in question, a Policeman approached the defendant, who started to run, but the Officer was able to catch up with him. The Officer discovered that the defendant was in possession of the gun and the ammunition after conducting a search of his person.

The Prosecutor also informed that the defendant gave a wrong address to the Police.

Magistrate McLennan remanded the defendant to prison. The matter will return to court on February 25.

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wednesday, february 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 3 – 13:30h-15:00h and Thursday, February 4 – 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 3 – 12:20h-13:50h and Thursday, February 4 – 13:20h-14:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected throughout the morning, with heavy to light rain showers throughout the rest of the day. Partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 00:14h reaching a maximum height of 2.21 metres.

Low Tide: 05:41h and 18:23h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 0.98 metre respectively.

Budget 2016

Reverse some measures to benefit poorer Guyanese, businesses – Opposition Leader

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has called on Government to humanise Budget 2016 by reversing and adjusting some of the measures outlined by Finance Minister Winston Jordan in favour of policies and programmes that will directly benefit the poor, masses and struggling, as well as emerging smallscale Guyanese businesses.

As a result, he called for the extension of the band on the importation of used vehicles from eight to 12 years; a move which he said would benefit the poor and working class.

Jagdeo was speaking with Journalists on Tuesday, where he discussed the impact of the 2016 National Budget, what it signals and means to the country. The country’s financial plan was read in the National Assembly last Friday by the Finance Minister.

The Opposition Leader said these simple things are bound to affect the poor in society. He spoke of the consequences of the ban on vehicles older than eight years, noting that persons who purchase these types of vehicles are general poor individuals and those in poor middle class.

“I spoke with some auto dealers who said that this decision will impact a large number of persons, particularly the poor people because most of the vehicles that come in the country now are over eight years old and there is a huge market on these vehicles”. Based on what was told to him, Jagdeo said many of the persons are even unable to pay the purchase price for these vehicles and have to take them on terms.

“I am asking the Minister of Finance and President Granger to extend this eightyear ban to 12 years so that that group of people can continue to drive their vehicles and not have the additional

ers in this regard.

“If the Amerindians have a shotgun in the interior it is not used for pleasure. Many times it is used as a tool to live,” he said, continuing “I want to urge the Government to cut the more than 150 licence fees increase by half”.

He said in his entire familiarity with budgets, in terms of licence fees, this is probably the largest, not only in numbers but in percentage.

Salaries

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

burden of finding over a million dollars more for acquisition,” the Opposition Leader said.

According to him, some of these measures have been announced in keeping with the concept of a green economy and less pollution. He said he has always managed to balance the country’s strong push for a green economy through the Low Carbon Development Strategy, with the need to improve people’s lifestyles and not make their lives more burdensome.

“In Guyana, the per capita emission is less than two tons and is not under any obligation to cut that.

The [Intended Nationally Determined Contributions] INDC submitted by this Government has no target to cut the per capita emission.

The US and other developed countries have per capita emission of over 20 tons”, he said, seeking to explain that these vehicles are no threat to the environment.

Jagdeo also urged Government to rethink its decision on the ban on used tyres.

“I can understand the need to get better tyres… I am in favour of withdrawing this ban on used tyres and instead strengthen the

Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to ensure that the quality of used tyres coming into the country is better”.

Other measures

Another issue the Opposition Leader highlighted was the increased prices placed on licences for firearms. He again urged Government to exempt Amerindians and the farm-

Jagdeo also spoke of Government’s announcement that it will be increasing the salaries of public servants, but instead will be awaiting the collective bargaining with workers unions. However, Jagdeo related that the Discipline Services does not engage in collective bargaining and while Government is awaiting discussions with Unions before salary increases, the Discipline Services will not fall under that heading. He suggested that the Discipline Services be given their salary increases. turn to page 11

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Editorial

Striking the balance

T

he debate as to whether corporal punishment should or should not be allowed in our homes and schools will certainly once again pick up steam in the coming weeks, as no other than President David Granger himself has brought the issue into the national domain where it could be analysed and discussed by the relevant stakeholders.

On his weekly telecast ‘The Public Interest’, President Granger was quoted in this newspaper as saying he believes that corporal punishment “hurts rather than helps” and that it is time to throw the archaic proverb “spare the rod and spoil the child” out the window. In his view, while it may have been helpful in the olden days in ensuring children are brought up with good morals, it is no longer effective and could be viewed more as a violent response to certain kinds of behaviour by our youth.

Citing a number of reasons for arriving at such a view, the President made a passionate call for the immediate ban on the use of physical punishment in disciplining children, indicating that such actions eventually contribute significantly to the high domestic violence rate in the country.

It must be noted that corporal punishment was a common feature in Guyana’s schools up until a few years ago when there were certain policy changes as to how, when and who should administer this method of punishment.

There is a view that for many years, corporal punishment as enforced with the whip, has been abused by persons administering it. Several incidents of teachers abusing this method of disciplinary action have been reported in the media and persons have used the opportunity to capitalise on these cases to argue for its abolition. Recently, Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine committed himself to doing whatever was necessary to ensure this practice is completely eradicated in schools.

No doubt the issue of corporal punishment is debatable.

Some groups advocate for the abolition of corporal punishment, arguing that it is damaging to children and a violation of children’s rights. These persons believe that corporal punishment can physically impair a child’s whole life and damage him/her psychologically by disturbing his mental balance. Proponents of this line of debate feel that parents and teachers should find alternative ways of enforcing disciplinary action and deal with children patiently, advising and guiding them in every sphere of life rather than “using the cane.” The question that should therefore be asked is; should corporal punishment be abolished simply because it has been “widely abused”?

Others argue in favour of retaining the right to use corporal punishment as a form of disciplining children. For example, not so long ago, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) had opined that the abolition of corporal punishment may prove to be disastrous for teachers as there are many hostile children in their classrooms. The Union had suggested that the move to ban corporal punishment should be put on hold until the Education Ministry introduces an alternative method of disciplining children who fall out of line.

That said, we believe that what needs to be examined in the discussions, is the distinction between corporal punishment and physical abuse, and the relationship between corporal punishment and discipline. For example, the degree of physical punishment that a parent or teacher can use with a child is subject to legal regulation in some countries. In some countries, corporal punishment by a parent or teacher is lawful, providing that it is carried out for the purpose of correction, control or discipline, and that it is “reasonable” having regard to the age of the child, the method of punishment, the child’s capacity for reasoning, and the harm caused to the child. Corporal punishment that results in bruising, marking or other injury lasting longer than a 24-hour period may be deemed to be “unreasonable” and thus classified as physical abuse.

For us in Guyana, we believe that considering all the concerns for and against using physical punishment to discipline our children, the challenge for many will be striking the balance between when to use the whip and when to use other forms of corrective measures to get the desired results.

A breathtaking overhead shot of the Demerara River and new Diamond Housing Scheme, Region Four from the window of a domestic flight (Antonio Mendonca)

Both races are ethnically oriented Dear Editor, Reference is made to Mr Freddie Kissoon’s “Ralph Ramkarran sends a message to black people” (KN January 18). Is the message correctly stated by Freddie and will Africans heed it?

Freddie’s writings lack objectivity and penetrating analysis for someone, who claims to have two degrees in Guyanese history (by studying German Philosophy).

There are several inaccuracies and flaws in this analysis, giving the impression it does not come from an expert on the subject but from someone who is a simpleton lacking understanding of Guyanese complex ethnic politics.

The analysis is very superficial and lacks accuracy, objectivity, balance, depth and supporting evidence to give it meaningful substance and consideration.

It is ethnically and politically biased and it will undoubtedly be dismissed by those to whom the advice has been directed. The fact is that both races are ethnic oriented and that has been the problem of the nation hurting development.

Guyana’s politics is “ethnic” as indeed is the politics of virtually all multi-ethnic nations, including the US and the UK. Freddie has not shown reasons why the People’s National Congress (PNC) should not re-nominate its African leader David Granger or pass the baton to Joe Harmon (who has shown great skill in running the Government now on behalf of the PNC/A Partnership for National Unity). Harmon is adept at running the Government on behalf of PNC supporters.

So why should they not support him?

The PNC, like the People’s Progressive Party

(PPP), the Alliance For Change (AFC), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the Democratic Labour Movement, etc, in the past, chose ethnic leaders and there is no evidence that the elite of these parties will do otherwise in the near future.

It is political naivety to conclude otherwise.

Freddie welcomes Ramkarran’s exposure of the inner workings of the PPP because Freddie looks for every piece of info to slam the Party. Ramkarran must be applauded for his balanced, objective commentaries and his expose of the PPP. The country needs a similar expose of the PNC but no one from that party has been willing to come forward to educate the nation about its shenanigans.

It is an irony that Freddie praises Ramkarran, given that Freddie has repeatedly slammed Ramkarran for being a member of the PPP and or supporting the Party in elections prior to 2015.

When will Freddie emulate Ramkarran-like writing qualities of professionalism, balance and objectivity?

Freddie stated that “Jagdeo circumvented democratic voting and handpicked Ramotar as the Presidential Candidate”. But the PNC also “rigged” the voting to prevent Indo-Guyanese Winston Murray from becoming leader and Presidential Candidate.

Yet he did not critique the PNC for its chicanery and undemocratic leadership elections.

Freddie chastised Professor Henry Jeffrey for not writing on his “ethnic experiences” when he was with the PPP. But Jeffrey also served the PNC and Freddie did not urge him to pen about “ethnic experiences” in that party and

Government. Freddie has not called on other former PNC Ministers to write about their experiences in the PNC. Freddie said the “PPP opted for an Indian (leader) facing an African from the PNC… didn’t matter if it was Samotar, Manotar or Abbatoir”. It is insulting to refer to Indians as “Abbatoir”. It exposes Freddie’s mindset about Indians using derogatory descriptions of them; he dares not derogate Africans.

Africans have always opted for an African leader but Freddie did not criticise them.

Freddie stated, and I agree, that the 2020 poll should be “about issues, not ethnicities”. But that will not happen in a deeply divided ethnic society.

Nothing is being done by the current APNU/AFC regime to unite the nation or bring about ethnic healing after a bitter election campaign last May. They are not appealing to Indian voters.

Instead, people are being fired from their jobs on account of ethnicity and political affiliation. That feeling is further fuelled by the closure of Wales Estate and the statement of PNC Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland that “rice is not Government’s business”, which will force Indians to seek cover in the PPP. Freddie wrote: “blacks should avoid the pitfalls that allowed the PPP to reduce Indians to slavery”. So how does he explain Africans voting for PNC (and rejecting WPA, another African party, in 1992 after 28 years of abuses)? Is that not slavelike behavioural tendency?

How does he explain the African support for the PNC after the brutal murder of the WPA great leader, Dr

Walter Rodney? And how does he explain Africans and the PNC rejecting the Indian Winston Murray after Hoyte’s death as the successor when Murray was the most credible in the party and the one to attract Indian support?

For the record, Indians defected from the PPP in 2011 denying their party a majority. And they voted to oust the PPP from office in 2015. Africans are yet to vote against the PNC (except the aberration in 2006 when the Dick Morris poll showed AFC winning and returning to the PNC in 2011 when another Dick poll showed PNC winning).

Freddie wrote that WPA will not support any APNU candidate based on ethnicity. But it did so in 2011 and in 2015.

Freddie wrote “Indians and the PPP played the ethnic game and it gave them 23 years of power but little progress in Berbice”.

Africans and PNC also played the same ethnic game and it gave 28 years of dictatorship and economic malaise not seen in any other country; analysts say the country’s economy regressed to feudal times during that period. In spite of the terrible governance of the PNC, including food bans, and a murderous rampage, Africans stuck with it and refused to cross over to the PPP or support Rodney’s WPA. The ethnic orientation of the parties and their supporters are a fact of political life. A solution is needed to overcome ethnic voting – power sharing among the races is the only option.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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wednesday, february 3, 2016

Wales sugar factory closure rotten stink Dear Editor, The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) closure of the Wales sugar factory is rotten stink and contaminates not only the sugar belt but the entire country. It’s bad for the industry, worse for the West Bank Demerara communities and worst for the workers. It’s a sucker punch to the workingclass community of small businesses, cane farmers and workers, and is the first step in the closure of the estate that would have a devastating, long-lasting socio-economic impact.

The Guyanese Solidarity Movement-NY(GSM-NY) is convinced that such a retrogressive measure can only emanate from an uncaring leadership, intent on flaunting its arrogance regardless of the consequences.

The Granger/ Nagamootoo Administration

has failed the people of the West Bank of Demerara, and Guyanese as a whole, by adopting the worst available option – the factory closure – and rejecting the many offers of assistance. A far better option is a partnership with workers and cane farmers. Another alternative is to accept the offer of the Opposition to assist in this situation and/ or the offer of the Indian Government, negotiated by former President Donald Ramotar. It should be noted that the recommendation of its own appointed Commission of Inquiry was ignored. We insist that workers must have a say in decisions about their future.

The arbitrary, ill-conceived decision on the estate closure must be rejected outright. Agriculture is Guyana’s engine of growth and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future. Manufacturing, service, and the other sectors

have yet to achieve significant importance. In the national interest, agriculture must be protected and promoted. Rice and sugar are the most competitive agricultural enterprises in the sector and prudent management will ensure their expansion and diversification.

The Granger/Nagamootoo Administration has strangled the entire rice industry. It should not be allowed to strip away the sugar industry. Farmers and workers must unite and struggle to protect their interests.

We urge all Guyanese to insist that the Government rescind the closure decision and create one that would take the interest of all the stakeholders into consideration. We challenge Government to create a stimulus plan to transform and diversify the industry and restore it to its former importance for the workers and the economy.

Sugar is national pat-

rimony and the appropriate forum for discussion of major policy matters is the National Assembly. We therefore strongly believe that a decision as important as the closure of the Wales factory should be debated there. We fully support the call for a debate in Parliament on the issue.

The silence of the “guardians of democracy” is revealing.

We commend the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union for its leadership in this battle to save the livelihood of the workers and extend solidarity and support to the workers and Unions in the industry.

We urge Guyanese everywhere to stand up for Guyana, for workers at Wales Estate and for democracy. The stakeholders must have a say.

Sincerely, Guyanese Solidarity Movement-NY

Food importers must ensure compliance with the prescribed standards

Dear Editor, The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) wishes to advice and alert the general public and importers of food that during the month of January, four containers with evaporated milk, condensed milk and/ or sweetened condensed milk were refused entry into Guyana.

These milk products were refused entry because they are non-complaint with the prescribed standard for evaporated milk, condensed milk and/or sweetened condense milk, as found in Regulations 13 & 14 Division # (5) of the Food and Drug Regulations 1977 and the International Food Standard Codex STD for milk fat products (CODEX STAN 280-1973) Codex Alimentarius. In all cases, milk fat was substituted with various forms of vegetable fat.

This action was made possible because of unprecedented support and cooperation received from the Guyana Revenue Authority (Customs Department).

Brands refused entry were Best Liat Sweetened Condensed Milk; Global Sweetened Condensed Milk and Tastu Evaporated Creamer.

According to the prescribed standard, evaporated milk shall contain no less than 25.0 per cent milk solids and 7.5 per cent milk fat, while condensed milk or sweetened condensed milk shall contain no less than 28.0 per cent milk solids and 8.0 per cent milk fat.

The Department is advising food importers to ensure that when importing milk for release for sale on our local market, they must be in compliance with the prescribed standards of our

Food and Drug Regulation or that of the International Food Standard Codex Alimentarius.

Sincerely yours, Marlan Cole

Director Food and Drug Department

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Water problems at Fitzburg Dear Editor, As announced by the BBC worldwide news that due to global warming, the earth will experience the long dry season, described as the El Niño.

Now in Guyana, we are experiencing the drought season. Farmers living in Champagne, Mahaicony River, East Coast Demerara, are now crying for help from the Government. With these long dry seasons, their rice fields will have a shortage of irrigation water for their crops.

In Port Kaituma, North West District, especially in the village of Fitzburg, residence have been suffering for almost a year, with residences receiving no water even though every day the community’s water pump is pumping water from the Creek of Kaituma River.

The residence of Port Kaituma and the residents of Fitzburg complained to the Government through the GWA agency about their plight, to the water contractor Ragobeer and to his boss Mr Steve, but nothing have been done to rectify the problem.

A report from the water pump operator stated that the pipeline somewhere at the junction of the community playground was damaged, and the previous time the pipeline was damaged,

repair works took a very long time. By the time the repair works commenced, the mud on the road (due to rainfall at the time) got inside the pipeline and the workmen repaired the same broken pipeline by joined it without checking or cleaning the mud that was within the pipe.

Now when they water pump is working, the water cannot pass over that area which was previously broken. That is why people beyond that area cannot receive water.

We also complained to the assistant Regional Executive Officer and Member of Parliament Richard Allen but no available decision for rectification of the pipeline has been made. If they are aware of the problems, why don’t the proper authorities cut the affected mud-filled pipelines so that the problem can be resolved?

We, the concerned residence, really want to relay this message to the proper authorities so that they will look after the problems in our village.

Respectfully yours, Counsellor E T Cadorna Interim Management Committee/ Neighbourhood Democratic Council

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wednesday, february 3, 2016

Page

Foundation

7 surprising insights about how genius happens – where and how you live affect your smarts and creativity

By Susan K Perry, PhD

G

enius, as much as the word is overused today, can be held to mean the ability to make leaps of innovation.

Rejecting older theories that said genius is a product of genetics alone, author Eric Weiner explains why living in a place and time that encourages the flourishing of genius is necessary too.

Weiner, a former foreign correspondent for NPR, wrote The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World’s Most Creative Places, from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley, to satisfy his curiosity as to why certain places and historical eras were more likely to produce large clusters of geniuses. And, of course, to learn what we, today, might do to make our own places more genius-friendly.

For the purposes of this book, Weiner uses the word genius to mean the highest form of creativity. To qualify as a genius, you need to make leaps of innovation, as in designing something entirely new that is also surprising and useful. Weiner quotes the philosopher Schopenhauer: “Talent hits

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a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see.”

He explores in depth, with self-deprecating humour and in smoothly flowing prose, six historic areas where genius flourished, and one current one. Nearly all are cities: Ancient Athens, Hangzhou, Florence, Edinburgh, Calcutta, Vienna, and Silicon Valley.

This is not an academic text, but rather a reading experience filled with surprising detail, nuanced digressions, and quite a few take-aways for those who would like to enhance their own or their kids’ environment. For example:

The 7 insights

1. Smart people avoid specialisation, as specialisation makes for less creativity.

2. Some ambient noise (70 decibels) is better for creativity than absolute silence, studies have found.

3. Geniuses are prolific.

They have more good and bad ideas than nongeniuses. The art of discernment is what makes the difference.

4. While walking is when we do our best thinking 5. Tension, not necessity, is the mother of all invention. We need something to push against.

A dispro6. portionately large number of geniuses were immigrants or refugees.

Risk and 7. creative genius are inseparable. Some have risked their lives, others their reputation.

Finally, to increase the chances of a genius cluster forming in your own city or office or home, encourage disorder (to shake up the status quo); diversity (of people and viewpoints), and discernment (which is accomplished by having a lot of ideas and tossing the bad ones). (psychologytoday.com)

How to best help your children to thrive

– the challenge and lifelong benefit of authenticity

By Neal Mayerson, PhD, VIA Institute Chairman

O

ur birth marks the beginning of a lifelong tension between our personal self-expression and the challenge of meeting the demands/wishes of others. Often, the expectations of others is at odds with our authentic self.

In these moments, which occur repeatedly, you resolve the tension in one of two ways: 1) Be authentic and express yourself genuinely to others. This comes with the risk of sacrificing your positive relationships with others.

OR 2) Conform to the expectations of others. This might mean to suppress who you are and follow the wishes of your parents, friends, teachers, and employer, whose acceptance and admiration probably matter to you. This comes with the risk of sacrificing your authenticity.

For those of us who are fortunate, we are not confronted often with such dilemmas.

For too many others, however, their life experience is largely and often one which values conformity to others’ expectations over the authentic unfolding of one’s self. For these people, their inner voice re-

treats into the distance and becomes nothing more than a faint whisper. They lose their inner compass for navigating life. Their “suc-

cess” in life becomes wholly dependent on others’ opinions, and values lose their influence. Life becomes a stormy, uneven experience and successes do not bring a deep sense of fulfilment.

The positive potential of life becomes squandered.

These concepts are important for all of us, but perhaps most critical is the role many of us play with young people. As a parent, teacher, coach, or mentor, you can have a substantial impact on the life trajectories of your students.

You can nurture and support authentic self-expression.

You can take an interest in who each of your students

are – their individuality.

You can help each of them become more keenly aware of themselves and create home, classroom, work, or school cultures where the emphasis is on what’s strong as opposed to what’s wrong.

You can help each student become an expert in using their unique profile of strengths to achieve personally meaningful and fulfilling success.

In so doing, you will send them out into the world with a value-based compass that they can use forever as they navigate the journey of life.

And, as you do this, you will be modelling a positive and nurturing approach to parents as well.

I recall a conversation with a 14 year old student at a school that had implemented a VIA character strengths programme.

When I asked about the impact of the programme, he said, “The way I see myself and others has changed forever.” His teachers gave him the gift of a set of lenses through which he could see the goodness and positive qualities that reside in him and in others. It was a gift that will never stop giving.

You can give that gift to your students and change the course of their lives for the better! And that gift will ripple through each of your students’ lives creating a tsunami of positive impact in the world. (psychologytoday.com)

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wednesday, february 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Berbice Criminal Assizes Police destroy over 800kg February session opens of marijuana

The synchronicity of the Police Officers was the highlight of the parade

Justice Roxanne George taking the salute alongside Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Christopher Griffith

T

he February session of the 2016 Berbice Criminal Assizes was officially opened on Tuesday with the traditional parade and march past outside the High Court on Esplanade Road, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), following the closure of the October session last Tuesday.

The session will be presided over by Justice Franklyn Holder.

A total of 36 cases are listed to be heard during the February 2016 session.

There are no females awaiting trial at the Berbice Assizes, but there are 31 men waiting to stand tri-

al for the capital offence of murder, three for sexual penetration and one for carnal knowledge.

Following the traditional parade and march past, Justice Roxanne George took the salute and then inspected the parade.

Of the 36 cases listed for trial, four persons have indicated their willingness to plead guilty to the offence for which they are indicted. The four, all of whom are accused of murder, are Omar Bacchus, 23; Navin Sugrim, 25; Roy Lewis, 36 and Charles Goodluck, 64.

The criminal session will not have its first trial until February 9, when the presid-

ing judge will be available.

Meanwhile, in addressing the jury panel, Justice George explained the importance of jury duty to the criminal justice system in Guyana.

“Jury duties are for civil society in most of the …

Commonwealth countries in the world.”

She warned that employers should not demand of workers who are serving on a panel that they report for work after finishing at the court.

“Jury service is part of your secular work. Don’t let anyone approach you in relation to a matter if you have been chosen to serve on the panel.”

Attorney-at-Law Natasha Backer will represent the State and prosecute on its behalf during the session.

Ranks emptying a barrel containing marijuana into the incinerator

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he Guyana Police Force on Tuesday destroyed millions of dollar worth of marijuana that were previously seized by narcotics ranks and used as evidence in court.

Guyana Times was told that over 800 kilograms of cannabis sativa (marijuana) was destroyed at the incinerator nicknamed “Ole Smokie” on Princes Street, Georgetown.

According to Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker in a press release, these narcotics “resulted from seizures and were exhibits in court cases that have been completed.”

At the destruction site, a canter filled with haversacks, handbags, rice bags,

barrels, suitcases, buckets and even clothing were dumped into the incinerator by ranks of the Force’s Narcotic Branch.

Back in December at the Force’s Year-in-Review press conference, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had disclosed that a total of 854,146 kilograms of cannabis were seized during the course of 2015. Of that amount, some 849,619 kilograms were destroyed in 19 fields of cultivation covering an estimated area of 51.5 acres.

According to the Police Commissioner, some 584 offenders have since been charged with related offences. Meanwhile, Police ranks continue to intercept persons with marijuana in

their possession and several such cases have passed through the court since the year began.

However, one of the Police’s major find for 2016 was last Saturday.

Ranks were conducting a drug eradication operation in the Onderneeming Backdam, Essequibo Coast, during which they found and destroyed a two-acre size field with cannabis plants under cultivation.

Additionally, the field contained some 4200 plants at an average height of 30 centimetres. An abandoned camp with 100 kilograms of dried marijuana was also found. Both the field and the camp were destroyed by the Police. There have been no arrests thus far.

National cyclist jailed for drug trafficking A former national cyclist on Tuesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a drug possession charge.

Kwame Cumberbatch, 26, of Lot 54 Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between January 28 and 29, 2016, he had in his possession 194 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the Court that on the day in question about 05:30h, the defendant was an

outgoing passenger at the Ogle Airport on a Liat flight bound for Barbados.

The Prosecutor said that ranks from the Narcotics Branch were carrying out a routine search exercise and searched the defendant since he was acting suspiciously.

The ranks found hidden in the defendant’s underwear 46 pellets wrapped in a ziplock bag.

The defendant was told of the offence, cautioned and arrested. He later admitted ownership of the drug and told the ranks that he had also ingested a quantity of pellets.

He was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where on January 30, 2016, he excreted 16 pellets containing cocaine.

In a plea of mitigation, defence counsel Charlene Fung-A-Fat told the Court that her client was a national cyclist, who took an opportunity to try to help his family. She urged the Court to have leniency in sentencing her client, requesting the minimum penalty.

Magistrate McLennan fined the defendant $873,000, which is the street value of the drug, and sentenced him to three years in prison.

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wednesday, february 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Essequibo woman on fraud charges gets bail

A

n Essequibo Coast woman who was slapped with two fraud related charges was released on $75,000 bail when she appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Forty-eight-year-old Vadewattie Lall, also known as “Vidya”, of Lot 26 Reliance, Essequibo Coast, was on Tuesday charged

with obtaining money by false pretence and for fraudulent misappropriation.

The charge stated that between October 1 and 30, 2014, at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, with intent to defraud, she obtain from Rosaline Ramdass $65,000 by false pretence, giving the impression that she was in possession of land.

The other charge stated that between January and

February 2015, at Bush Lot, being solely entrusted by Rosaline Ramdass with one gold band valued $150,000, in order to retain safe custody and return same to Rosaline Ramdass, she fraudulently convert same to her personal use and benefit.

The accused was represented by Attorney Haimraj Rajkumar. In his application for bail, the Attorney

told the court that his client is not a flight risk, pointed out that she has a permanent place of residence and gave an undertaking that she will attend her trial.

However, Police Prosecutor Hemraj Ramsewack objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence. She was nonetheless placed on $75,000.

The case will continue on March 8.

Man fined $75,000 for gun butting

A

security guard on Tuesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of wounding.

Timothy Warden, 27, of Apartment 6 Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on January 28, 2016, at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded

Keon Yapp.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the Court that on the day in question about 15:45h, the Virtual Complainant (VC) was driving his car when it collided with another car, which resulted in an argument between the VC and the driver of the other car.

The defendant, along with a colleague and a traffic Police rank, approached the VC, who was at the time cursing and requested that he stopped cursing, but he

did not.

According to the Prosecutor, the traffic Police cautioned the VC that if he did not stop, he would be taken to the police station.

However, the Policeman’s warning annoyed the VC, who started towards the colleague of the defendant reaching for his gun that was around his waist.

The defendant saw this and pushed the VC to prevent him from getting to the gun.

The VC attempted to as-

sault the defendant, who took out his gun and gun butted him to his head.

As a result of the injuries sustained, the VC was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received four stitches to the left side of his head.

The defendant, when given a chance to speak, told the Court that he was only trying to protect himself.

Magistrate McLennan fined him $75,000, with an alternative sentence of six months in prison.

Teacher slapped with fraud charge

A

21-year-old Suddie Primary School teacher Rajesh Singh was on Tuesday granted bail for obtaining money by false pretence.

Singh appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on December 16, 2015 at Pomona Housing Scheme, with intent to defraud, he obtained from Baiwattie Persaud the sum of $270,000 by falsely pretending that Yovindra Persaud and Nandram Persaud stole his gold chain and band valued

$270,000, knowing same to be false.

He was represented by Attorney Latchmin Dindyal, who told the Court that his client was a teacher by profession and had a permanent address at Perseverance Village. In his bail application, the lawyer informed the

Court that Singh lived with his parents at Perseverance.

Prosecutor Hemraj Ramsewack objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. Bail was nonetheless granted in the sum of $60,000. The case will continue on February 18.

Labourer slapped with burglary charge

A

36-year-old labourer of Onderneeming Village, Essequibo Coast, was on Tuesday granted bail when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court

charged for burglary.

Gopal Baljodha was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on January 18, 2016, at Suddie Housing Scheme, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Patricia

Pilgrim.

Police Prosecutor Hemraj Ramsewack objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant had similar matters before the court and if granted bail, may want to interfere with the witnesses.

Bail was, however, granted in the sum of $100,000 on the condition that Baljodha report to the Suddie Police Station every Wednesday and Saturday at 09:00h.

The case will continue on February 18.

Eyew tness Second Hand F ...economy

inance Minister Winston Jordan's the man of the moment...and he's revelling in it. Why no? It's not every day your back room number-cruncher gets to chart the course of an entire nation. Your Eyewitness' working assumption is the new Government couldn't well bring back Carl Greenidge in the position – with him being so closely identified with the PNC's destruction of the economy back in the day. So Jordan – from the same days – but hidden away as a "technocrat", was the next best thing.

The budget he presented has the mark of a back room numbers cruncher all over it. There isn't a single project mentioned that has the potential to play a transformative role in an economy – that even Jordan concedes – has gone belly up. That budget could've only come from a person who's looking at the forest and not just counting up individual trees.

Someone who understands that in generating economic growth, as in love, "nothing ventured; nothing gained". It's a quality that successful entrepreneurs have: they can smell opportunities when everyone sees only problems and challenges and are willing to take the risk to seize those opportunities. Mr Jordan might be a very good numbers cruncher but now is not the time for focusing only on the "little picture".

Take his take on what he calls the "second hand economy" he wants us to exit. He was talking about used tyres and used cars. On the former, he plans to only allow the importation of new tyres. But has he thought through this executive decision? Who told him you only get three months from a used tyre? Somebody's been gypping him!! Your humble Eyewitness – who only buys used tyres – has been tooling away for the last two years on his last two pairs!

Does Jordan know in China, tyre dealers are asked "how much money" they want to spend on "new tyres"?

Meaning, some of the new tyres won't even last half the lifespan of some decent "brand name" used tyres? Your Eyewitness insists on Pirelli. Will Jordan have the bureau of standards rate the new tyres? If they don't last the promised mileage, will consumers get refunds like on batteries?

And the same for cars. So how do we get out of being a "second hand economy" when we're still allowing in EIGHT-YEAR OLD CARS? Is "old" necessarily bad? Why don't we introduce mandatory emissions to control all those smoke pots on the road?

But this is just a recycling of the old Burnhamite "banning" mentality...Ban rather than first produce substitutes.

Why not focus on developing the economy, so we can then all AFFORD new cars?

...SUVs?

From the above, its clear that the Government wants to steer us to consume in a certain direction. Here, newer cars and tyres. But the proposals don't just stop there – they also want us to buy cars and other vehicles with smaller engines. Presumably to help us consume less gas – and not so incidentally spew out less pollution into our beleaguered atmosphere. All well and good. Even commendable, given our desire to "go green"!

But your Eyewitness has a thought. He appreciates the removal of the 45 per cent excise taxes on cars below 1500cc being removed completely – this will give a lot of folks an incentive to go small. But shouldn't they have made the same deal for the President, the four Vice Presidents, the 27 Ministers, all the Permanent Secretaries, and the other HUNDREDS OF HIGH officials to be offered the same incentive? Why given them a TOTAL TAX break on 4500cc SUV's that drink gas even when they're parked?

Or are small cars only for the small man? And woman.

...or second class

While some of the cars imported might've been old and second hand, they made a lot of ordinary folks feel they were not second class. They were buying them with their own money and not wearing second hand, handme-downs.

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

news

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wednesday, february 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Minibus bursts into flames on Eccles Public Road

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andemonium broke out on the Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara, Tuesday morning after a minibus burst into flames.

Guyana Times understands that the Route 45 minibus, bearing registration number BJJ 1801, was heading south on the East Bank Road when the front seat burst into flames about 09:45h. No one was hurt in the incident.

At the time, there were three occupants of the vehicle: the owner, his father and the driver. This newspaper was told that the men were

on their way to the mechanic when the incident occurred.

The owner explained to Guyana Times that the minibus recently came out from the repair shop, but was not working properly and as such, he decided to take it back for another check. He did not say what problems the vehicle was experiencing.

However, the man recalled that while approaching the traffic light at Eccles, the front middle seat suddenly burst into flames and they immediately rushed out of the bus.

Persons around the area rushed out after noticing the

The remains of the vehicle after the fire was put out

smoke, but were unable to render any assistance since the blaze quickly engulfed the vehicle. One man who

worked nearby related to this publication that he saw smoke coming from the vehicle so he went out to investi-

gate.

“I come and look over the road, then is when I see the fire in the bus… it start in the front and then it spread all over. Them people lucky that it ain’t blow up with them inside ‘cause it look like the bus overheat or something,” he stated.

When this newspaper arrived at the scene, the fire was raging sending thick dark smoke into the air as persons gathered around to witness the movie-like scene. At one point, there was a loud explosion, and some bystanders opined it was the gas tank exploding,

while others said it was the bus wheel blowing out.

The fire caused traffic congestion on both the eastern and western carriageways as passersby slowed their vehicles to get a glimpse of the burning vehicle.

The owner stood on the other side of the road and watched helplessly as the vehicle was completely destroyed.

When the Fire Service arrived, the firefighters immediately got into action and within a matter of minutes they were able to put out the blaze.

Junior Communities Minister addresses Lindeners’ land issues

T

Junior Communities Minister Valarie Adams-Patterson

he conference room of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) was packed to capacity on Tuesday, following a followup visit by Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams-Patterson to address issues regarding land titles. Scores of Lindeners, some of which huddled outside the conference room due to the large crowd inside, remained standing due to a

promise by the Minister that she would attend to all seeking assistance.

The visit to the Linden community, in region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) came on the heels of a meeting by the Minister with residents two weeks ago to address the issue of a backlog of applicants for land titles. During the visit on Tuesday, Adams-Patterson sought to engage and ad-

dress Lindeners, some of whom had applied for lands and were in receipt of their letters but no land allocation.

Others who came to see the Minister revealed that they were awaiting allocations and or titles. It was observed that some applicants were awaiting allocations after being in receipt of letters which date back to as far as the early 90’s.

Similarly, the Minister had indicated during her former visit with residents, that there were many land issues in Region 10 which needed to be addressed. She said many persons were reporting that they had signed up for their house lots but never received an allocation.

Additionally, she said there were a number of persons with double allocations. Patterson said also that there is also a high demand for low-cost housing, such as in the case of core houses.

She stated that based on the report from the Housing Ministry, Linden is the only

Remanded prisoners disrupt Linden court proceedings

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agistrate Clive Nurse was forced to adjourn court proceedings at the Linden Magistrate’s Court for a short while on Tuesday, following the disorderly conduct of a Linden trio who were remanded to prison.

Following the presiding Magistrate’s decision to further remand armed robbery accused Khalil Mustopha, of Lot 364 Half Mile, Wismar; 23-year-old Nicoli Cameron of 28 Blueberry Hill and Half Mile, Wismar and Dexter McAlmont also called “Donkey” of Lot 123 Block 22, Wismar, the handcuffed trio who then returned to the prisoners’ holding area became annoyed and began shouting slanderous remarks at prison officers, disrupting the proceedings of the Court in the process.

The officers who proceeded to escort the trio outside to the prisoners’ transport vehicle were further assaulted verbally and

threatened by the prisoners. Attempts to secure prisoners in the vehicle were met with great resistance, as the prisoners repeatedly kicked the doors open when the officers attempted to have them secured, even kicking a uniformed prison officer in the process. The Court was, therefore, forced to call a recess owing to the commotion as curious onlookers watched on in awe.

The commotion may result in additional charges for the prisoners.

The trio are part of a larger group charged in connection with the robbery under arms committed on Marlon Bissoon along the Mabura access road on December 8 last.

It is alleged that they robbed Bissoon of his cellular phone valued $37,000 and $35,000 in cash on the said date while being armed with a gun.

Additionally, it is alleged that they robbed Bissoon of a motor lorry valued $12 million, 34,000

gallons of diesel valued $2,396,300, 100 gallons of gasoline valued $75,000, a quantity of spare parts valued $270,000, 45 gallons of hydraulic fuel valued $164,720, 23 gallons of radiator coolant valued $94,480, a quantity of beverages valued $103,700 and two ladders valued $120,000. The items are the property of Ryan Perreira.

It is also alleged that on the same date along the Mabura access road, the defendants robbed Shawn Kishan of his cellular phone valued $22,000, a TM Bedford truck valued $12 million, 16,500 litres of fuel valued $2 million and $36,000 in cash.

They are also charged, along with others, for the robbery committed against Lakram Shuslachan, who was robbed of his gold band valued $37,000 on the same date and at the same place.

They are scheduled to make their next court appearance on February 24.

area which has an “occupied 100 per cent” status, as compared to areas where houses were allocated but remained unoccupied after a year and

a half or two years.

Given the fact that there is a backlog of applicants for land, the Minister said those would have to be cleared be-

fore moving forward to new applicants. She disclosed that there was a backlog of some 25,000 applications in the system.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, february 3, 2016

News

PPP members must face consequences of their actions – Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has pronounced on the charges brought against his Member of Parliament (MP) and former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford, stressing that members must face the consequences of their actions.

Westford and her then Personnel Officer, Margaret Cummings were on Monday placed on $4.8 million bail each when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face 24 charges of larceny by a public servant.

The charges stated that between August 23, 2011 and April 28, 2015, in Georgetown while being employed as public servants by the Government of Guyana, they stole $639,420,000, monies that they received in virtue of their employment.

Police Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru told the Court that Westford acted in her capacity of Minister and signed a number of memorandums for the total sum of $639,420,000 and sent them to the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, who in turn approved them.

Questioned about this on Tuesday, the Opposition Leader maintained that Party members who break the law must face the consequences.

“As it unfolds, let me make it clear, people have to submit. Once it is not a witch hunt and there are real issues and the investigations are done professionally, then any member of the PPP who has to face the courts for any wrongdoing, they have to face the conse-

quences,” he told Journalists at Freedom House.

Jagdeo said at some point in time, the former Minister would have to face officials from the Party to give an explanation, but for now, he did not wish to tamper with her defence or prejudice her case. “We have already asked that that be done.”

Further, Jagdeo said his Party was prepared to work with any organisation outside the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), which he said has not been professional and neutral in its work.

“You have the head of SARU every week saying who should be locked up.

How could anyone have any confidence that SARU will be working impartially. This is why we cannot cooperate with a SARU, but we will – if there are other agencies under the State that are under our laws, designed and mandated to investigate any acts of illegality, then those agencies will see cooperation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Court was told that the cheques issued by Westford were allegedly made out for the purpose of financing various activities of the Public Service Ministry across the 10 Administrative Regions; however, an investigation revealed that those events never took place, nor were there any documents to show how the money was spent.

Friends and favour

S

Former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford

The Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence as well as the quantum. He further made reference to the former Minister’s status in society, stating that there was a high likelihood of witness tampering if she was released on bail and it was also unlikely that the duo would return to Court.

One of the defendants’ seven Attorneys objected to the Prosecutor’s statement, saying that his clients denied all of the allegations.

He said the Prosecutor was making his statements based on hearsay, and reprimanded him for instigating bias in the Court. He further stated that his clients were currently facing several charges in Court Five, and have been attending all of the sessions and have been fully cooperative with the investigators.

Based on the Attorney’s response, the Magistrate granted the defendants bail in the sum of $200,000 for each charge.

atiricus is a sucker for humility and sacrifice. And that's why he teared up so copiously at the gala opening of the new KFC building. The old KFC building had fallen into disrepair (and disrepute) with cockroaches in the ovens and granny sugar in the cupboards. What to do? All the big ones had been elevated to High Office and were busy doing what people in High Offices do.

No...not only get high! They have all sorts of "line responsibilities", doled out by Pressie. Rum Jhaat, leader of the KFC, for instance, had been kept busy issuing proclamations to keep you and me safe. Like that one that nailed the crime spiral: "Hear yee! Hear yee" Rum Jhaat had trumpeted, "Let all inns and taverns cease from serving any spiritous libations after 2am!"

Nagga Man, the other "big one" in the KFC, had become the Prime Moocher, but was kept so busy flying here, there and everywhere, he didn't even have time to berate errant reporters at the Chronic any more. That he left to his waterboy, Shillo the Shill to rewrite headlines for errant reporters at the Chronic and not annoy Nagga Man. And that explained why Rum Jhaat gave a shout out to his old buddy Loud Singer – from far back as when he, the Jhaat had been imprisoned inside the PPCEE. "Ladies and gentlemen," the Jhaat had cried out in delight, "let's give it up for Loud Singer." When people – including Pressie – started to look around wondering who the heck was "Loud Singer", the Jhaat continued, "Hey, Loudy my man, stand up and let everyone see you!"

Ignoring the wince on Pressie's face, Rum Jhaat continued. "When we were down and out, and the House of KFC was falling down, it was Loud Singer who'd said to me, "Jhaat ole buddy, I'm gonna build you a new House... just you wait and see. And I want nothing in return. That's what friendship is all about." And the tears started to cascade down Satiricus' cheeks.

But Rum Jhaat wasn't done. "Now I expect some people gonna say GPL gonna buy power from Loud Singer wind farm for twice what it cost GPL because of this bribe gift.

And also Loud Singer gonna get big contracts to sell drugs to the Big Hospital.

But they don't know friends don't look for payback.

Like the favour I did for my friend Feather Loud and didn't take a blind cent." By this time, Satiricus was sobbing like a baby. Fitfully.

Public facilities to cater for differentlyabled, elderly – Minister Harmon

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ersons with disabilities and the elderly are to be guaranteed some access to public facilities as Budget 2016 caters to their needs.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in an invited comment, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that persons who were physically challenged could be assured that infrastructure would be put in place for their convenience.

“In the Budget, the Minister (of Finance) has actually allocated significant funds for these stellings, and wharfs and also focus has been placed on facilities for those persons who require help, the elderly, ramps for those persons who are disabled. So apart from spending money on public infrastructure, this is spending money with a human face, it focuses on the hundreds of human beings that have to utilise these facilities.”

The wharfs and stellings countrywide have been

A differently-abled Guyanese utilising a wheelchair ramp at Parliament Building

neglected, according to Minister Harmon. “We have to clean up the broken-down infrastructure which we took over, which we inherited from the PPP after 23 years – a lot of our stellings and wharfs where people have to travel. I myself have campaigned against the broken wharfs between Vreeden-Hoop and Georgetown, the speedboat ramps there; I have campaigned about the

one at Parika where hundreds of people have to travel every day.”

With a view to improving stellings and wharfs, the Government has started preparations to access the United Kingdom-Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (CIF), to upgrade and reconstruct several facilities in Georgetown, Parika, Port Kaituma, Kumaka and Bartica, among other areas. (GINA excerpt)

wednesday, february 3, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Blairmont workers stand with Wales colleagues

By Andrew Carmichael

W

orkers attached to the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s Blairmont Estate on Monday staged a picketing exercise outside the Estate’s Administrative Office in solidarity with their colleagues at the Wales Estate, who may soon be on the breadline following Government’s announcement to close that Estate.

The workers and their Union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), are calling on Government to reverse its decision to close the Wales Estate.

GAWU's Berbice Regional Supervisor, Harvey Tambron told Guyana Times that the decision by Government to close the Wales Estate came as a shock to the Union.

According to Tambron, the workers at the Blairmont Sugar Estate are very concerned because 1700 workers are likely to be on the breadline should Government go ahead with its plan.

He said not only would the sugar workers be affected but the entire community.

GuySuCo has for years been providing the major drainage and irrigation systems for all communities around sugar plantations.

Tambron explained that the workers at the Wales Estate, like their counterparts at other estates, only know to use cutlasses and work around the sugar estate.

He reasoned that with scores of people graduating each year who could not find jobs, the closure of the Wales Estate would further increase Guyana’s high unemployment rate now.

Blairmont sugar workers protesting in solidarity with their Wales colleagues

The Union representative argued that the decision to close the Estate did not come from GuySuCo but from Government.

The Wales Estate was already making plans for the next few years, having ploughed 1400 acres of land for fresh cane cultivation.

Of that figure, 800 acres had already been planted which would guarantee 10 more years of sugar production.

Also, in preparation for the next decade of sugar production at the Wales Estate, all of the kokers were desilted and the outfall channels cleared.

Workers have also questioned the decision by Government given that the recommendation to close the Estate was not made by the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo, which was set up by the Administration to investigate the sugar industry.

Recently appearing on the televised programme “GuySuCo Round Up”, GuySuCo Technical Services General Manager Yusuf Abdul and Agriculture Services General Manager Raymond Sangster claimed that the fields at Wales were

in a deplorable state. Abdul added that the factory and machines were old.

Tambron is questioning their authority to make such a statement when he was the one in charge of the fields for years.

As it relates to the statement made by Abdul, Tambron noted that he was in charge of the estate and never did anything to rectify the situation.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, while on the campaign trail leading up to the May General and Regional Elections, had told supporters that should the Coalition win the polls, it would seek to close the sugar estates in Guyana, an allegation the Coalition denied.

Then on May 5 last year, at an Arrival Day ceremony held at Highbury, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the coalition’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo said that the sugar estates should be owned by the sugar workers for them to do what they wanted: whether it was to rear fish or cattle, or build houses.

Last week, the coalition

Reverse some measures... from page 3

Tax compliance

Meanwhile, with the recent announcement by the Finance Minister that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be enforcing stringent measures to ensure tax compliance, Jagdeo said the GRA does not have the capacity to deal with these now.

During his budget presentation last Friday, Jordan announced that Government, through the GRA, will be taking every step to go after delinquent taxpayers, to ensure that they become compliant with the law.

The stringent measures will be meted out to persons applying for firearm licences and licences to carry out trade and businesses. These persons, he said, will have to be up to date in their tax payments.

But Jagdeo said Government is implement-

ing these new policies at a time when the financial organisation is marred by controversy, when there is no substantive Commissioner General or acting Commissioner General.

More than that, Jagdeo related that the organisation does not have the facilities to undertake the new policies at this time.

“It has limited capabilities to do audits of offending tax payers, particularly large tax payers. It has not been able to go after many of them because of the limited capacity to do all of that. How will it be with this large number of people, who will now have to come to the GRA office to seek tax compliance,” the Opposition Leader questioned.

He said this new policy could bring in about 70,000 persons who will have to seek out tax compliance.

“Just imagine 70,000 persons showing up to GRA

in addition to what they have during the course of the year and assuming 50,000 of them have not submitted their returns for the past seven years, that is another 350,000 applications going into GRA”.

Jagdeo said any right thinking person would know that the GRA does not have the capacity to do this.

He said it would become a bottleneck for business and create opportunities for greater corruption and didn’t think that it would significantly impact revenue collection.

“If GRA does not have the capability to go after the big ones to do the audit, how will they have the capability to go after the farmer who has five acres or the taxi drivers”. Said he does not know how it will bring in taxes. What he was sure about was that it was going to be an administrative nightmare.

Government announced its intention to close the Wales Sugar Estate. While it has not said what would become of the cane fields, workers attached to the four Berbice

estates of Blairmont, Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon were very concerned knowing that any day they could hear that their Estates would be closed.

As they protest in solidarity with their colleagues at Wales, they are still hoping that Government will reverse its decision to close that Estate.

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news

wednESday, february 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Banks Berbice AGM

Berbice reclaims Chairman’s Keeping it real Bernie Sanders Trophy for outstanding sales and Donald Trump “I for President T

am convinced that about half of what that separates the successful entrepreneurs from non-successful entrepreneurs is pure perseverance.”

These sentiments were expressed by Banks DIH Berbice Manager Reginald Mathews. His comments came shortly after receiving the ‘Chairman’s Award’ for being the most successful area manager in the company during 2015.

During last year, the Berbice operation sold $2.5 billion which represents an increase of nine per cent over the previous year’s

sales.

“We have grown from 1,601,120 units to 1,668,912 units; an increase of 67,792 units,” Mathews boasted as he addressed shareholders in Berbice during the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in New Amsterdam on Sunday.

This is the 14th time the Berbice branch has won the Chairman’s Award which it relinquished last year.

Matthews noted that the success of the Berbice operations came against a backdrop of stagnated growth in the local economy.

“The world economy has dipped as a result of many

A section of the audience at the Berbice AGM

Berbice Manager Reginald Mathews

variables, such as fluctuating oil prices, disputes among countries and rising impact of terrorism in many first world countries, has affected trade. This has had a ripple effect on our economy, more so affected the purchasing power of our people.”

The Area Manager told the AGM that the New Amsterdam Qik Serv recorded a one per cent increase in 2015, moving from $98,100,000 to $102,600,000.

“Banks Berbice has a dynamic team of workers that persevere beyond the call of duty, and as Manager, my job is not to be easy on peo-

ple but to make them better,” the Champion Manager said.

Chairman Clifford Reis in addressing the AGM said that 2015 was a difficult year for the company, as business countrywide was adversely affected by the staging of 2015 General and Regional Elections.

The real impact on the business community came in the post-election period, the Chairman told shareholders. He said following the staging of the elections, which brought about a change in Administration, “the sad reality was that the economic climate changes and we experienced an increase in criminal activity in the country… Both of which impact on the business community has not yet caught up with the changed programme.”

Notwithstanding those facts, Reis said the company had a successful year and recorded an after-tax profit of $2.569 billion for 2015, which represents a 13 per cent increase when compared to 2014, for which the company had declared $2.265 billion.

Speaking about the Berbice operations, Reis said profits from the Berbice operations represents 11 per cent of company’s overall profits. “So there is a tremendous amount of revenue being earned in this Berbice area and all of it is because of ‘Regi’ [Reginald Matthews],” he said to a thunderous applause.

“Now you can see when they won the Chairman’s trophy. He said Mathews lived up to a commitment he made to the company to increase Berbice sales and also to increase soft drink sales. In 2015, soft drink sales in Berbice were increased by 10,000 cases. In Berbice, beer also had an increase over the previous year by 40,000 cases.”

Meanwhile, speaking of Citizen’s Bank Berbice, which opened its door 18 months ago, the Chairman disclosed that there are 1786 accounts in the Berbice branch. It has a combined balance of $216 million in savings.

Since opening in Berbice, Citizen’s Bank has loaned $25 million, Reis “I want to see this Bank grow, not for any personal reasons but because it is owned by Guyanese and it must develop.”

The company also made financial donations to two schools for the further development of those institutions.

This is an annual feature for the company. This year, the schools chooses were Beladrom Secondary from West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Trinity Street Nursery of New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

his is an interesting year for anyone following the national elections in the US. While there are currently two major candidates on the Democratic side, three candidates have a fair chance of winning the nomination from the Republican Party. It’s an interesting year because both political parties have nontraditional and unusual candidates in the mix. The two notable candidates vying for the Democratic Party recognition are Bernie Sanders and Hillary Dr Baytoram Ramharack Clinton, while on the Republican side they are Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

The two non-traditional candidates that stand out are Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. Their political ideology are miles apart. Donald Trump is a billionaire and anyone familiar with the name “Trump” will know that the wealthy New Yorker made a fortune in the real estate business. Based on his popularity from a TV reality show called ‘The Apprentice’, Mr Trump is well known to the American public as a celebrity. There is no question about his skills as a very shrewd businessman turned politician, as well as his ability to manipulate the media. Trump has been very outspoken.

He seized the affections of disillusioned conservatives around the country with his bombastic comments. Trump emerged as the number two candidate in the Iowa caucuses. He is the unlikely candidate who has baffled every media outlet with his rise in the polls and his ability to continue to gain traction. He has promised to build a wall between Mexico and the US to prevent the migration of drug traffickers, criminals and illegal immigrants crossing the border into the US. He is on record as stating that he will round up all illegal immigrants in the US (some estimates put them at 12 million) and forcefully deport them to Mexico. He has assured his followers that the Mexican Government will pay for the cost of the wall he plans to build if and when he is elected as President.

Aside from comments about Mexicans, which are based on his xenophobic fears and racial prejudices, pointing to the terrorist shootings in California and Paris, Trump tells his supporters that he wants to prevent all Muslims from entering the US. When pressed on this point, he said that this would be a temporary action “until we figure out what the heck is going on”. Trump was also referring to the wave of Syrian refugees after the Obama Administration announced it would allow a number of refugees to resettle in the US. Trump railed and rallied against this idea, using every moment to send out “twitter messages” denouncing the proposal.

Conservative Americans believe that Trump may indeed “make America great” again. However, Trump has so far not offered any specific plans as to how he will regain (assuming it’s been lost) American’s greatness. His outlandish remarks regarding Muslims led the British Parliament to instigate a debate whether to let Trump into the country or not (like the British have a lot of time to waste!). It will be interesting to see how this plays out should Trump become the next President. Would Britain cut off relations with its longstanding ally because of Trump? Not a chance. Trump needs a majority of support from naturalised immigrants, women and moderates to win an election against his Democratic challenger.

This is a tall order for him. The Republican Party is the smaller of the two parties, and Trump has already alienated a lot of mainstream Republicans.

Bernie Sanders, a Senator from the state of Vermont represents a new but growing political phenomenon, particularly among a younger generation of Americans. At the time of writing this piece, the Iowa caucus showed a close race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Sanders is a Democratic Socialist (so was Jamaica’s former Prime Minister Michael Manley). Sanders believe that the wealthy class has to be placed in check and he supports a transfer of wealth from the super rich to the poor. His calls for universal Medicare and free university education would put the US on par with some other European countries. But these programmes are expensive. If elected, how does Sanders plan to cover the cost of his redistribution programme? And, how does he get the American Congress, particularly sitting Republicans, many of whom already believed that President Obama has taken the US too far to the left, to support such a radical programme? Well, Sanders is encouraging his supporters to wage a peaceful revolution from the bottom. Quite a novel idea in America, but one not unusual when we consider the emergence of populist movements around the world.

Both, Trump and Sanders are candidates who are challenging American mainstream politics. American history has shown that candidates outside the mainstream have little chance of being elected to the office of the Presidency. In addition, candidates tend to adopt more moderate positions as they move closer towards the National Convention.

Trump, despite his demagoguery, self-inflated political style and alarmist positions, will change the way Americans view politics forever. Bernie Sanders, on the other hand, has made it more acceptable for a younger generation to consider “socialism” (with a small “s”) as an alternative economic plan to the capitalist model that has led the US to become a powerful world player. Americans wait with baited breadth to see who will emerge as the Democratic and Republican challengers. Given political history, both of these candidates are unelectable. But strange things can happen in politics.

Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com.

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wednesday, February 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

First Lady to represent Miner on bail Guyana at UN meeting in NY for robbery

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irst Lady Sandra Granger on Tuesday met with a UNAIDS team to discuss ways of engaging Heads of Governments on reducing inequalities, which affect women, girls and adolescents, to inform Guyana’s agenda for the upcoming high-level United Nations meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York.

The team, which was led by Dr Edward Greene, UN Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean; Dr Martin Oudiit, UNAIDS Country Director; and Dereck Springer, Director PANCAP Coordinating Unit, met with Mrs Granger at the Office of the First Lady. The UN high-level meeting is scheduled for June 8-10.

Dr Greene, according to a Ministry of the Presidency statement, said that discussions with the First Lady centred on gender equality and identifying ways to engage other Heads of Governments on issues related to combating adolescent and teenage pregnancies and violence against women.

“Our agenda was really looking at how we can contribute towards the reduction of the inequalities which affect, especially women and girls in Guyana. The First Lady is going to be champion. I think she has

under arms

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First Lady Sandra Granger is flanked by Dr Martin Oudiit, UNAIDS Country Director (left); Dr Edward Greene, UN Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean and Dereck Springer, Director of PANCAP Coordinating Unit (right) following their meeting on Tuesday

the knowledge and passion and also a vision of how she would like to see the relationship not only between women and girls, [but] women and men, and girls and boys. I think it’s a perspective that we need to assist the First Lady in promoting and as we go towards the UN high-level meeting in New York. I think Guyana will be well represented by the First Lady,” Dr Greene said.

The upcoming meeting seeks to chart a course for the HIV/AIDS response beyond 2015, towards achieving the objective of ending

the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The high-level meeting will comprise plenary meetings and five thematic panel discussions, which will include opportunities for civil society participation. The opening plenary meeting will feature statements by the President of the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary General, the Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a person openly living with HIV and an eminent person actively engaged in the response to HIV/AIDS.

Zika Virus

Partnership established to thwart spread

W

ith the recent affirmation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the Zika virus is now regarded as a public health emergency of international concern, Guyana has taken a step in intensifying its capability of preventing the virus from becoming rampant in Guyana.

This new strategic plan by the Public Health Ministry, along with officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, saw them having consultations with regional and international stakeholders during a conference on Tuesday, during which collaborative efforts to tackle the virus were instigated. The stakeholders furthermore pledged to be in continuous support to Guyana in averting any further case of the virus.

Among the officials at the conference were UNICEF Representative to Guyana and Suriname Marianne Flach; Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Audrey Jardine-Waddell; Deputy Head of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy Sabinie Popoff; and Programme Manager of the Health Sector Development at Caricom, Dr Rudolph Cummings, who were all determined to effectively work along with Guyana in executing preventative measures against the virus.

UNICEF Representative to Guyana and Suriname Marianne Flach

Speaking at the conference, Director of Vector Control Services, Horace Cox informed that new approaches will be undertaken including advanced surveillance at the ports of entry and public education materials being dispensed to persons departing the country.

Additionally, Cox reiterated the importance of persons adhering to advisories issued by the Public Health Ministry and other pertinent organisations.

Further, he reminded the public that wearing longsleeved clothing, using recommended insect repellants, coils and candles and controlling the breeding spaces of mosquitoes can help in the

Programme Manager of the Health Sector Development at Caricom, Dr Rudolph Cummings

prevention of the spread of the virus.

The Ministry has also been efficiently doing its part in controlling the situation by carrying out fogging campaigns in the various regions; distributing treated nets to pregnant women and doing house to house activities to impart knowledge of the virus to the public.

So far, Guyana has only recorded one case of the virus even though the country was listed as one where the virus is a pandemic. However, the victim is said to be recovering in her home and samples sent to Trinidad this week will hopefully prove that she is clear of the virus.

miner was on Tuesday placed on $250,000 bail when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court slapped with robbery under arms charges.

It is alleged that Jevon Scott, of Lot 721 One Mile, Wismar, Linden, along with others, while being armed with a gun, robbed Lakram Shuslachan of a gold band valued $37,000, on October 3, 2015. The incident is alleged to have occurred along the Mabura access road, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The second allegation against Scott is that he, on the same date and at the same place, while being with others, robbed Shawn Kishan of his Samsung cellular phone valued $22,000, $36,000 in cash, a Bedford truck valued $12 million, and 16,500 litres of fuel valued $2 million, property of Julius Ferreira. Several other Lindeners have been arrested and brought before the courts in relation to the incident.

The case was adjourned until March 1 by presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, february 3, 2016

News

Pensioner found dead, gagged, bound in home P olice investigators are probing the murder of a 63-year-old man who was bound and gagged at his Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) home on Tuesday morning.

The dead man has been identified as Ramroop Rameshwar of Parika Sea Dam, EBE. His body was discovered in his home sometime around 06:30h by neighbours.

Guyana Times understands that neighbours made the gruesome discovery after they observed the front door of his house open and went inside to check on him.

The man was found lying on the floor in front of the door with his hands and feet tied behind his back and his mouth gagged. He also had blood oozing from his mouth and nose.

One of the Rameshwar’s neighbours told this news-

The house at Parika Sea Dam in which Ramroop Rameshwar’s body was found

paper that on Monday night, she heard the man screaming but did not take it seriously since he usually behaved in that manner.

“Last night, we heard him hollering “help”, “murder” but we didn’t know

what was happening because it’s a usual thing he does do, sometimes he does talk to his self. So last night when he hollering “help”, I say probably he gone with he usually thing and throwing down things so we didn’t

take it on,” the woman stated.

She added that it was until the next morning that they realised something was amiss when they saw his door open. She said that they called out to him but there was no answer and so she alerted the other neigh-

bours to go check on him.

Meanwhile, another neighbor, whose name was given as Nanda, told this publication that after she heard that something happened to Rameshwar, whom they called “Ole Man”, she went into the house. “Me go up and me see “Ole Man” lie down on he back and he two hands tie up, he two feet tie. Them tie he up with the hammock rope and he had a cloth over he mouth too,” she recalled.

The woman said that she then went to the Police station to get the Police and after sometime, they came and confirmed that the man was dead.

The neighbours said that they did not see anyone strange in the area on Monday night, noting that they never expected that someone would go into the small village and kill one of their own.

On the other hand,

Guyana Times was told that the man would usually go around telling people that he has gold to sell.

However, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told this newspaper that while investigators were told that the man had a quantity of jewellary, nothing of the sort was found in the small wooden house.

Blanhum further stated that the Police could not say whether the incident was a robbery or if it was ransacked since the house was “unkept”.

The 63-year-old Rameshwar has been living there for several years and was living alone after he separated from his wife.

He has a son who stays in Essequibo.

His body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination. No arrest has been made as investigations continue.

Pouderoyen teen commits suicide

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West Demerara family was plunged into mourning after an 18-year-old took his life over the weekend.

Dead is Kelvin Sukhram called “George” of Lot 82 Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

Guyana Times understands that the young man consumed seven carbon tablets on Saturday evening and succumbed the following day while receiving medical attention at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

The young man’s mother, Susan, related that she was unsure what may have prompted her son to take such a drastic step.

She said that she was not aware of any problems the young man might have had.

According to the woman, she was in Berbice and returned home on Saturday. When she came home, her daughters told her that the young man said he had something to tell her.

“They said that he get something to tell me and when he tell me is either two things – is either I put he out and he gone know what to do to his self. I said whatever he tell me, I will listen to what he gah say,” she stated.

The grieving woman noted that just before 22:00h, the young man came home and repeatedly called out to her, so she went to him and he began crying. The young man then hugged her and asked her to forgive him for all the wrong things he had

Dead: Kelvin Sukhram

done (drinking alcohol regularly, coming home late and drunk, and quarrelling with her).

The teenager then told his mother that he had drunk seven carbon tablets, but she did not believe him until he threw up and was rolling on the floor crying out in pain. The woman said that they gave him raw eggs to drink and he “brought up” the tablets, but three of them were already melted to tiny pieces.

She added that they then got a car and rushed him to the hospital, where she was told that there was a 50/50 chance of his survival. She further recalled that the following day, she went to the hospital in the morning and bathed her son and cleaned his bed.

She noted that the teenager was in a lot of pain and had lost his eyesight.

“I go hold he and he said “Mommy, me nah see” and open he eyes big and tell hold and I go and hug,” the woman recalled sobbing.

She said that after the vis-

iting hour was up, she left with a heavy heart and went home. While she was at home, a Police Officer showed up and told her to change as she had to go with him. By this time, she said her husband and son came in and their faces had changed.

“So I tell them to tell me if me son dead and I start cry out, but them nah say nothing, then me get a phone call and the person say he dead,” the bereaved mother stated.

According to the woman, she was told that her son might have had issues with an individual named “Chris” and that young man had called her home on Saturday night while her son had “taken in”.

She said that he said the two of them were drinking and had an argument, but he left Sukhram alone. The woman recalled too that “Chris” had even gone to the hospital and visited her son, but left without saying anything to him or her.

wednesday, february 3, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

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Around the World

Syrian Opposition says Aleppo assault imperils talks

S

yria’s main Opposition bloc has given warning that attacks by Government forces in Aleppo Province could stand in the way of the peace talks under way in Geneva.

The Syrian Government launched a major offensive from the north of Aleppo and captured several strategically important towns on Monday.

The warning was sounded by the Higher Negotiations Committee (HNC), which sent a 17-strong Opposition team, including three rebel leaders, to the Swiss city on Saturday.

HNC spokesman Salim al-Muslet said the Opposition was waiting for reaction to happenings in Aleppo and other provinces.

“It is important for us to see the lift of the sieges on these children starving to death,” she said.

“Since last night, big massacres have taken place in Syria and nobody is doing or saying anything.

Residents carry banners and Opposition flags as they march during a protest in Aleppo

“We do not know if the international community is completely blind or they do not want to do anything. We are here to know if they are keen to do anything – then we are waiting for them.”

The team condemned the offensive, saying that it showed President Bashar al-Assad’s Government was not committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US election 2016: White House race moves to New Hampshire

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epublicans and Democrats vying for their party’s ticket for November’s US presidential election have been arriving in New Hampshire ahead of the next vote.

Monday’s caucuses in Iowa were won by Senator Ted Cruz for the Republicans and Hillary Clinton for the Democrats.

Cruz prevailed despite trailing in opinion polls, while Clinton beat Senator Bernie Sanders by just 0.2 per cent.

New Hampshire is seen as a quite different challenge for the parties.

The state’s more moderate and less religious electorate may prove a tougher nut for Cruz to crack in the pri-

maries it is due to hold on February 9.

Donald Trump, long the frontrunner in the Republican contest, is expected to do much better than in Iowa, which held the nation’s first vote.

On the Democrat side, Sanders is seen as having a home advantage in New Hampshire over Clinton, being a senator of the neighbouring state of Vermont.

The state-by-state voting will culminate in conventions in July, at which the two parties will confirm their choice of candidate to succeed Barack Obama, the Democratic President who is standing down after two terms in office.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Zimbabwe’s Chief Prosecutor Zika emergency underscores charged over Mugabe bomb plot case case for global cooperation

The press gathered as Attorney General Johannes Tomana arrived at court

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imbabwe’s Chief Prosecutor has been charged with obstructing the course of justice after allegedly dropping charges against people accused of plotting to bomb the President’s dairy.

Four Army Officers also appeared at the magistrate’s court in the capital, Harare charged with treason.

Attorney General

Johannes Tomana denies the charges. He was brought to court in the back of a Police pick-up truck.

The milk production plant is run by President Robert Mugabe’s wife, Grace.

The Prosecutor told the court that the four Army Officers were allegedly caught with firearms and sought to get bombs de-

signed to blow up the dairy, reports the BBC’s Brian Hungwe from the capital.

Our correspondent adds that the court was told the four had formed a political party called Zimbabwe People Front and had set up a military training camp.

Tomana is accused of dropping charges against two of the four Army Officers. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The WHO is able to declare a global health emergency when a situation is regarded as serious, unusual or unexpected

T

he World Health Organisation’s declaration of a global health emergency in response to a growing number of birth defects or microcephalic babies in Brazil means that its 194 member states must now work together to investigate the cause of the problem.

This is the fourth global health emergency declared

by the WHO since the system was established in 2005, and is a way for the United Nations’ health body to force its members to act in the interests of global public health.

“There are two major questions that need to be answered,” Edward Wright, a senior lecturer in medical microbiology at the University of Westminster,

told Al Jazeera.

“Why is the outbreak in Brazil so big, and is the possible link between Zika infection and microcephaly real?”

He said the declaration on Monday would open the way for these questions to be answered. “It releases funds [and] releases resources so that people can study and answer these questions.”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Venezuela ex-Ministers seek probe Indian Minister calls for mandatory into US$300B in lost oil revenue foetal gender tests

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wo former Cabinet Ministers under late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez are seeking an investigation to trace the fate of some US$300 billion allegedly embezzled during the past decade through a complex currency control system.

Hector Navarro, who ran five Ministries under Chávez ‘s rule, will ask a State ethics

council to review the operations of the 13-year-old exchange control mechanism that Opposition Leaders have described as a “corruption machine”.

Navarro and Jorge Giordani, a former Finance Minister who was Chávez’s closest economic adviser during his 14-year rule, have made calculations showing the Government cannot account for how it spent nearly a

third of the US$1 trillion that entered its coffers in the past decade.

“A gang was created that was only interested in getting their hands on financial resources, on (the country’s) oil revenue,” Navarro, who helped found the ruling Socialist Party, but was expelled in 2014, said in an interview with Reuters.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Russia slaps travel ban on 5 US officials

R

ussia’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday it had introduced a travel ban on five law-enforcement officials from the United States in retaliation for a similar action

by Washington.

The United States imposed sanctions on Monday on five Russian officials it accused of human rights abuses, includ-

ing four it said were involved in the 2009 death in prison of a corruption-fighting Russian lawyer.

Criticising US President Barack Obama’s Administration’s decision to add more people to the “Magnitsky list”, “which has been for a long time used for unreasonable accusations against Russian of-

ficials”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Washington’s recent move “strikes a blow at bilateral relations”.

“The US continues to destroy [these relations’] grounds, regularly spreading false information against Russia,” the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Department said in a statement on Tuesday. (Reuters and RT)

India had 940 women for every 1000 men, according to the last official census published in 2011 [EPA]

I

ndia’s children’s minister has called for mandatory tests to determine the sex of an unborn child in an effort to counter high levels of female foeticide.

But women’s rights activists have described her suggestion as “shocking” and say legalising the tests would only increase the problem. Male babies are preferred in some regions of India, and abortions are sometimes carried out if families discover the sex is female. A 2011 study in the British medical journal The Lancet found

that as many as 12 million girls had been aborted in the past three decades in India.

Maneka Gandhi, the Women and Child Development Minister, said in a speech on Monday that recording the sex of a foetus from the start of pregnancy and then monitoring its progress would be more effective than banning prenatal sex tests.

The tests are officially illegal in India in a policy designed to stop unborn girls being aborted by parents who would prefer a boy. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 news

wednesday, february 3, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

Police upkeep Social Crime Ramsammy’s Ruminations Shocking sloth of the Prevention Programme Public Health Ministry

Second E Division ranks of the Mabura Police Outpost and children of Mabura Primary School

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s part of ongoing efforts to further strengthen relations with the public, the Guyana Police Force has been making significant development in this regard through community outreach activities under its Social Crime Prevention Programme.

The programme places great emphasis on the empowerment of youths and as such, during the month of January, a number of activities were held in the various policing Divisions.

In A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken visited the Alberttown, Queenstown and North Sophia Police Youth Clubs, where he interacted with

Police Youth Club where a presentation on suicide was given.

Further, motivational sessions on leadership, teamwork and public speaking were held with youths attached to the Timehri and Yarrowkabra Youth Clubs.

In addition, a seven aside Futsal competition among teams from Police Youth Clubs in the Division was held at the Police Sports Club ground.

Meanwhile, in E Division (Linden-Kwakwani), ranks of the Mabura Police Outpost in collaboration with resi-

Members of A Division Police youth clubs

the youths and offered them words of encouragement and advice.

Commander Hicken was accompanied by Pastor

Ewarth Williams who is attached to the Force’s COPS and Faith Community Network and visited the Agricola Chosen Generation

dents of the community, conducted repairs to the fence of the Mabura Primary School, with support from members of the business community.

Additionally, the library at the Mackenzie Police Station was given a boost through a donation of educational books and magazines by businesswoman Janice Moore-Mc Calmont of J&C Renaissance.

Over at the G Division (Essequibo Coast and Island), the divisional administration held an award ceremony for students of Police Youth Clubs who had excelled academically and in sports during 2015, where they were presented with trophies in recognition of their achievement.

A presentation on leadership and suicide prevention, facilitated by the Police was given by Dr Astell Collins of the Youth Initiatives Department, Ministry of the Presidency, to Police ranks, members of the Guyana Defence Force, Community Policing Groups and the general public at the Richard Faikal Police College, Suddie, Essequibo Coast, on January 20.

Moreover, Police ranks met and held discussions with members of the community and the Cotton Field Secondary School Parent/ Teacher’s Association on January 21, where issues discussed included suicide, violence and substance abuse in schools.

In addition, on Monday last, the Police in B Division (Berbice) established another youth group which was launched at Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice which also involves students of the Edinburgh Primary School.

in dealing with Zika

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ven though the dangers are clearly evident, Zika continues not to be on Guyana’s public health agenda. Guyana Times addressed this subject several weeks ago in an editorial. In the face of a serious public health threat and even with a local case of Zika, the Public Health Ministry seems impervious to the great dangers Zika poses. Indeed, they seem to have not learnt from Brazil and Colombia, which in six months, have gone from a Zika epidemic to a Zika endemic.

I was shocked that the Public Health Minister was Dr Leslie Ramsammy so pleased in announcing there is no further Zika case in Guyana. I had expected that the Minister would have warned Guyanese about the dangers and announced an emergency strategy to combat Zika. But we continue to treat Zika with no urgency and a nonchalance that frightens me. The Minister seems unaware that four out of five people with Zika have no symptoms. Most of those who do become ill typically have mild symptoms, such as a low fever, rash, joint pain, pink eye and headaches. How then do we know that we have only one case?

The Ministry needs to assure us that an effective surveillance for Zika is in place.

The truth is that there is a perfect storm brewing in Guyana, as in other countries of the Americas. There is a widespread presence of the mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, a rich human reservoir carrying the Zika virus in at least 23 countries, and, in addition, other serious vector borne diseases like dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya that are endemic in ecologies ranging from the Amazon rainforest to posh Caribbean resorts to Andean villages to Mexico City. Including surveillance for Zika, we need a war against Aedes aegypti. The Ministry does not seem to grasp this obvious blueprint.

Contrast Guyana’s response with that of Trinidad and Tobago which has not yet recorded any case of Zika, but which declared a public health emergency as they seek to prevent Zika from spreading in that twin-island State. Trinidad and Tobago has done the right thing. Guyana is not on the ball and its sloth in recognising the dangers put all citizens at risk. In the face of a global public health emergency, Guyana’s 2016 budget ignored Zika.

This is even more chilling and shocking since next door neighbours like Brazil and Colombia are battling epidemics not only of Zika, but the simultaneous surge in microcephaly, a brain disease afflicting children, and where the incidence rate of this debilitating condition in children has increased by more than 50 times the normal rate. El Salvador meanwhile, has urged women to defer getting pregnant and the US is warning its citizens about travelling to countries with Zika, including Guyana.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the spread of the Zika virus as a public health emergency. The WHO in its 70 years of existence has declared a public health emergency only three times before: the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009, which incidentally occurred when I was President of the WHO; the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014; and a resurgence of polio in Syria and other countries in 2014. The WHO never declared a public health emergency with other viruses, such as MERS, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. So you can imagine how serious the spread of Zika really is.

Ever since its appearance on Easter Islands in Chile in April 2015, the warning signs were present and some of us alerted the public to this possibility. I do believe that the regional and global authorities have been late in recognising the danger. But it is still time for national and regional responses to reduce and eliminate the Zika threat.

The prospect of a disease never previously seen in the Western hemisphere taking hold permanently, and endangering thousands of babies every year, is chilling. Control efforts, like spraying insecticides, covering standing water, aggressive urban mosquito abatement programmes and distribution and usage of long-lasting impregnated bed nets are needed to reduce human infections. This is what the Minister and the 2016 Budget needed to address. It is not about whether we have Zika yet; it is about stopping it before it becomes endemic.

The lessons of Chikungunya completely eluded us. In the summer of 2014, Chikungunya was almost exclusively found in equatorial Africa, South-east Asia, and China, but by the summer of 2015, the US Centre for Disease Control identified human cases of the mosquito-carried disease all over the Americas. Almost overnight, in the span of less than two years, Chikungunya has gone from an obscure tropical disease to a global phenomenon.

The geographic and human spread of Zika has been even faster than was seen with Chikungunya, with most of the identified cases in 23 countries and territories of the Americas occurring since late November 2015.

When will we start the war against Aedes aegypti? The war against this mosquito is a war against Zika, dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya.

Please send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com

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wednesday, february 3, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Payback!

APNU/AFC rewarding campaign financiers – Minister's close friend cashes in on windfarm deal

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source close to the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government on Tuesday revealed that a plan has been hatched among the coalition’s partners that would see the financers of their 2015 election campaign being rewarded significantly over the next five years.

“There is a deliberate plan that will see our party rewarding those who have stood by us while we were in Opposition, funded us and given us the financial encouragement to fight the PPP. I see nothing wrong with that. Though I am not intricately involved, I know that we will be giving them contracts once they qualify and would be signing certain key deals and agreements with our people,” the source said.

Guyana Times also understands that the coalition has agreed on a list of businesses and individuals who are to be treated with preference whenever public funds are to be spent and disbursed.

“The PPP did and so I guess that’s politics. I haven’t seen the list, but all Ministers know this is the general understanding,” the source explained.

President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

State Minister Joseph Harmon did not return calls placed by this newspaper to their mobile phones for a comment on the information received. The calls went unanswered despite several attempts on Tuesday.

‘Big-up’ for Lloyd

But comments made by Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan at the launch of one of the coalition parties’ headquarters in Kitty on Saturday appear to validate the information leaked by the source.

Vice President Ramjattan admitted to the gathering at the event that the developer of the Hope Estate Wind Farm

Project with whom the new Government has quietly entered in to an agreement had in fact financed the acquisition of the multimillion-dollar AFC headquarters in Kitty, Georgetown.

Ramjattan, during the commissioning of the building on Saturday, singled out businessman Lloyd Singh, who, he said, played a major role in the acquisition and subsequent renovation of the building.

“I want to single out a personal friend of mine and from a long, long time since PPP/C days: Lloyd Singh.

We were looking for a building and, of course, Lloyd indicated that “Khemraj I know y’all got to get a building, I know of something”. And of course, the advance payment on it…

“Hey buddy, you don’t bother with that, we got to make this thing work”. He upped the front-up monies and today we’ve gotten that building… thank you so much, Lloyd,” Ramjattan told the gathering, which included President David Granger, diplomats and several Government Ministers.

Singh is the principal of Guyana Wind Farm Inc (GWFI), the company which is investing US$50 million in the development of a wind farm to generate electricity at Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara.

Despite no public adver-

Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

tisements or tender, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson in October 2015, months after the new Government took office, announced that Cabinet had given the go-ahead for the project.

He had also announced that the Public Infrastructure Ministry was to proceed with its due diligence with regard to the proposal, with a view of concretizing the deal.

Opposition response

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo took the Government to task over what many view as a clear

case of “payback” to one of the AFC financiers.

He quoted Ramjattan’s admission that indeed Singh was one of the party’s financiers and a close friend of his for many years, describing it as an “incestuous relationship”.

“I have heard like you have heard and I have seen it reported that Mr Lloyd Singh is the developer of this project, I have seen that reported. I have heard the Minister of Finance in the Budget speech indicate that they are negotiating a power purchase agreement with this company to supply 25 megawatts of power costing US$50 million and that the price of the power purchase agreement will be just under half of U 28 cents per kilowatt hour, so I am assuming about US1314 cents per kilowatt hour, so these are information we are gleaning from public statements, but look at the difference with Amaila,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said that “we have had lots of controversy around Amaila, around the road, but one thing we can claim is that it went to a public tender and the lowest bidder won the contract… the Amaila project was tendered internationally and Blackstone and International Group selected the contractor which is China Rail… look at the

Lloyd Singh

different approach: now we are hearing from the press that the Government is negotiating with this company – no public process,” Jagdeo said.

He explained that the Amaila project was more economical than this project, whereby power would have been generated at a cost of about 10 US cents per kilowatt.

This is not the first occasion that the Government has found itself in the midst of a conflict of interest and payback situations.

There are many cases where APNU/AFC candidates and supporters were placed in key public servant positions for which they are not qualified, replacing professionals.

Drugs shortage in Region Government donates 3 continues $40,000 to school choir

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atients across various locations in the country continue to face stumbling blocks as access to some basic forms of medical care remains limited, especially at publiclyrun health institutions. For some time, Guyana Times has been highlighting the issue of drug shortage in many hospitals and health centres.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Regional Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Julius Faerber said the shortage is still affecting the district’s healthcare services.

“There are many health centres, the hospital, the diagnostic centre, do not have some of the basic drugs that is required.” Some drugs which the region is in dire need of include panadol, aspirin, captopril and iodine.

Panadol and aspirin are used to relieve mild to moderate pain, whereas captopril is used for blood pressure patients. It was related that patients have voiced numerous complaints over having to purchase these and other drugs which

Regional Chairman Julius Faerber

should be available.

“I was calling on the Government through the RDC (Regional Democratic Council) to ensure that this year’s budget is given adequate funding so that we can have medical supplies being bought for Region Three.”

Faerber emphasised that the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dennis Jaikarran, is not updating him on matters in the region, especially those related to health.

“He does everything by himself. All the dialogue is done between me and

the RHO [Regional Health Officer] of which I am the Chairman of the Health Committee… it’s from that standpoint I am getting all my information,” Faerber posited.

The Chairman also claims he communicates to the REO through written letters as Jaikarran refuses to speak to him and has not been attending RDC meetings.

On January 29, the Regional Chairman explained that REO Jaikarran returned $49.1 million to the treasury under the region’s health programme.

This was a fraction of the $600 million that was refunded to central government by health officials in the 10 administrative regions.

Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry Trevor Thomas had rationalised this measure as a means for the Ministry to procure medical drugs for the various centres which were not able to do so by December 2015.

Estimates for 2016 are awaiting approval from the Budget Debates by members in the National Assembly.

Aurdell Glasgow handing over the cheque to the lead singer of the Den Amstel Primary School Choir, Shania Miller

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inister of State Joseph Harmon and Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Nigel Hughes, on Tuesday donated over $40,000 to the Den Amstel Primary School Choir to help offset expenses for their participation in Region Three’s (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Republic Day celebrations.

C o m m u n i t y Development Field Officer to the Ministry of the Presidency Aurdell Glasgow presented the cheque to the

choir’s lead singer Shania Miller, on the Minister’s behalf, since Minister Harmon holds constituency responsibility for Region Three.

Guyana’s Mashramani celebrations this year are expected to be mild in a bid to make way for the grand jubilee celebrations in May; however, Minister Harmon and AFC Executive and Attorney Nigel Hughes are making moves to ensure that the Den Amstel Primary School choir is equipped

for their performance in the Region Three Annual Mashramani Competition.

The cost of the uniforms for the 20-member choir totalled GY$40,000.

The Region Three Annual Mashramani Competition was slated for Tuesday, February 2, and the Den Amstel Primary School has a record of often placing first or second.

The Den Amstel Primary Choir has historically been a top performer in this category of the programme.

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wednesday, february 3, 2016

ARCHIE

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CANCER

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wednesday, february 3, 2016

19

GABF names clubs for Annandale Secondary is East ‘Road to Mecca’ III GCB/BANKS DIH LTD/DIGICEL NSSCL

Coast Demerara Champions − Lower Corentyne Secondary, Parika Secondary also victorious

The Annandale Secondary School squad strike a pose after the championship win

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nnandale Secondary defeated Cummings Lodge Secondary to win the East Coast Demerara Zone while Lower Corentyne Secondary and Parika Secondary also recorded victories in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd’s Coco Cola and Rainforest Water along with Digicel.

According to a press release, At Enterprise ground, Annandale Secondary, who were inserted to bat managed to reach 151/9 in 30 overs. Damuka Ngquindo top scored with 30. Bowling for Cummings Lodge Secondary, Hemraj Mohabir took 3/21 while there were two wickets each for Andrew McCurdy, Naranjan Ori and

Prakash Debidyal.

In reply, Cummings Lodge Secondary lost wickets at regular interval and was eventually folded for 115 in 19.2 overs. Reaz Mohamed top scored with 27 while Prakash Debidyal and Hemraj Mohabir each made 21. Tameshwar Motiram had terrific figures of 5/26 off 6 tidy overs and Tyrese Assanah claimed 4/24.

At Port Mourant ground, Lower Corentyne Secondary got the better of Manchester Secondary by seven wickets.

Batting first, Manchester Secondary, won the toss and chose to bat; they were shot out for a meagre 88 in 19.1 overs. Junior Sinclair returned excellent figures of 5/27 while Keith Simpson supported well with 3/17 bowling for Lower Corentyne Secondary.

In reply, Lower Corentyne Secondary made light work of the small target reaching 89/3 in 17 overs.

Junior Sinclair showed his all-round ability by returning with the bat to make 36. Ramesh Kasinauth contributed 19 not out. Bowling for Manchester Secondary, Godwyn McDonald had tidy figures of 3/5.

Over at Parika, the home team crushed Vergenoegen High by 108. Batting first, Parika Secondary amassed 188/6 in 25 overs. Azim Mohomed struck 44 while Wazim Mohamed and Devendra Drahaled contributed 28 and 21 respectively. Bowling for Vergenoegen High, Kennard Paul took 2/26.

In reply Vergenoegen High was dismissed for 80 in the 14th over. Bowling for Parika Secondary, Wazim Mohamed bagged 3/9, Junior Albert 3/10 and Azim Mohamed had 2/22.

Matches continue tomorrow, 3rd February, 2016.

East Coast Zone Champion, Annandale Secondary, faces Mahaica/Mahaicony Champion, Hope Secondary, at Enterprise ground in an Inter-Zone matchup. In the East Bank Essequibo Zone, Parika Secondary meets Wakeenam Secondary at Parika Salem ground. In the Corentyne Zone, Port Mourant battles Lower Corentyne Secondary in the first semi-final at the Port Mourant ground and Skeldon Line Path Secondary challenges Corentyne Comprehensive in the other semi-final at Albion ground.

− Defending champs Pacesetters named as number one seed

Flashback: Last year’s winners Pacesetters pose with their championship trophy

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he Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has released the names of the 16 clubs that will participate in the third instalment of the ‘Road to Mecca’ National Club Basketball Championships slated for March at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The teams were named at a meeting on Saturday evening with the top eight teams from last year’s championships being the automatic qualifiers.

The other eight clubs were selected based on performances from their various sub-association tournaments.

The ‘Road to Mecca’ tournament will be done using a knockout format, which will give all teams a chance to make a run at the coveted title.

In addition, the championship will carry even

more meaning since the tournament will be done as part of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations.

Defending champions, Pacesetters enters the tournament as the number one ranked team with the runners-up, Colts ranked number two. Linden’s Retrieve Raiders and Victory Valley Royals take the number three and four spots on the rankings respectively.

The 2014 Champions, Ravens are ranked number five with Linden’s Half Mile Bulls rated sixth.

Plaisance Guardians comes in at number seven while Pepsi Sonics rounds off the top eight clubs in the 2016 National Basketball Club Championships.

Meanwhile, Linden’s Amelia’s Ward Jets comes in ranked number nine while the University of Guyana Trojans is ranked tenth.

Georgetown’s Republic

Bank Nets are listed as 11th; Smithfield Rockers and New Amsterdam Warriors are the two Berbice teams and are ranked 12th and 13th in the competition.

Linden’s Bankers Trust Falcons and Block 22 Flames are ranked 14th and 15th while Georgetown Eagles completes the 16 teams. Kaieteur Sport was told that the tournament will be launched this month where further details on the draw will be disclosed.

But given the rankings of teams, each club will already know who they will play in the Round-of 16, which is the first round before the Super Eight or quarterfinal. This means that the clubs have enough time to prepare for the Championships in March, as opposed to awaiting the planned launch before they can commence preparations.

Narine gets all clear from match referee

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unil Narine’s bowling action has received clearance from the man who was responsible for monitoring him over the weekend.

In fact, Michael Ragoonath who was match referee for both matches in which Queen’s Park were involved over the weekend, said he received no negative reports from any of the umpires who officiated when Narine bowled on the weekend. “I stood as match referee for both games and the

only way I can act is if a bowler is reported by the onfield umpires.

“Sunil played in both games and the umpires did not report anything to me.

What I did was to video tape his bowling to have a look at it and when we sat down and viewed the footage, we found him to be well within the limits allowed for bending of the arm.”

Narine was reported for illegal bowling action against Sri Lanka in November when he repre-

sented the West Indies in the limited overs series in that country. He was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) from bowling but has been allowed to work on his action by the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) in their domestic league.

Despite this, Narine was selected on the West Indies squad for the World T20 which starts in India in March. However, he must undergo a number of test at

Loughborough in England before he is cleared to play in the tournament. At the moment he is working with bowling coach Carl Crowe who has extended his stint with Narine until Friday.

Manager of Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) Jeffrey Guillen revealed yesterday that the club extended the Crowe’s stay until Friday.

“We thought that the more attention Sunil gets at this time was crucial before he flies off for his test, so he will continue his work with

Crowe.”

Guillen was also at the grounds to watch Narine in action. “On the weekend he looked good and is bowling quite well. The issue I think would not be passing the test but getting ready for the World T20, which is major. We are confident that he would be ready but at the moment his ambition is to get past the test, which he should take in about two or three weeks time.”

On Saturday, national coaches Gus Logie and

Kelvin Williams made the trek to Wilson Road in Penal, to see Narine in action against Clarke Road in the domestic 50 overs tournament. His coach at QPCC, David Furlonge said that the coaches were all happy with what they saw of him and was particularly pleased with his progress as his spell went on.

The West Indies get their campaign on the way on March 16, when they face England in Mumbai. (Windies Cricket)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, february 3, 2016

RHT Gizmos and Gadgets crowned Telenec Inc champions

A. Ally & Sons Inter-secondary school U-17 cricket

Guyana Jaguars 3-day practice match − Fudadin, Chandrika, Foo highlight first day

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Champions Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets pose with their trophy

n perfect condition for cricket, Rose Hall Town (RHT) Gizmos and Gadgets defeated neighbours and arch rival Albion Cricket Club in the final of the 2015 Telenec Inc First Division, 50-over cricket competition last Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex.

The competition was sponsored by Bobby Deonarine and Tom Gruntzel of Tenelec Inc. of Washington, U.S.A. Taking first strike after winning the toss, Rose Hall Town opening pair of former national youth player Khemraj Mahadeo and former Berbice youth player Michael Hicks failed to roll back the years with both going early to Josiah Dhanai for five and four runs respectively.

Berbice senior wicketkeeper/batsman Jason Sinclair also went cheaply for eight, bowled by national youth all-rounder Balchand Baldeo. Former senior national wicketkeeper/batsman Delbert Hicks started to look good, but fell to national T20 star Jonathan Foo for 18 with his team reeling at 39-4.

West Indies middle-order batsman Assad Fudadin and former West Indies senior one day player Royston Crandon attempted operation recovery. However, Albion had other ideas with Baldeo accounting for Fudadin caught at slips for 24.

National all-rounder Rajiv Ivan joined Crandon and together the steadied the ship for Rose Hall Town, putting on 48 for the sixth wicket before Crandon was caught behind off West

Indies left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul for 24.

Ivan rallied with the tail and was eventually run out on the last ball of the innings for a magnificent 71.

Senior Inter-county player Collis Butts chipped in with 18 as Rose Hall Town finished on 180-9 off their allot-

Foo went caught on the longon boundary off Butts for 11.

However, the Albion lads were determined with national senior player Gudakesh Motie and Permaul joining forces and putting pressure on the opposition, until Motie was needlessly run out for 22 at 136-7.

ed with the Berbice Cricket Board and was impressed with the media coverage the competition got.

When speaking on behalf of the board, she said that the board is always grateful to Bobby Deonarine and Tom Gruntzel of Tenelec Inc., U.S.A. She added that Tenelec Inc. is the board’s

Winning captain Shawn Perriera receive the trophy and cash incentives from Imtiaz Bacchus in the presence of BCB officials, Angela Haniff and Vicky Bharosay

ted 50 overs. Dhanai, Baldeo and Foo finished with two wickets each.

Albion started well with former Guyana youth players, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Baldeo, batting superbly to put on 53 for the first wicket. Baldeo was then caught and bowled

by Ivan for an ominous looking 33.

Surujnarine followed, caught behind off former national youth all-rounder Shawn Perriera for 15.

Albion then lost quick wickets, reaching 95-6 in the 31st over when the prolific

With Motie gone so were the hopes of his team, as they lost their last three wickets for six runs to finish 39 runs short of their target. Butts, the son of former West Indies off-spinner Clyde Butts, spun webs around the Albion batsmen, finishing with 5-35 to share the Man-of-the-Match incentive with Ivan.

At the presentation which followed, Angela Haniff spoke on behalf of the sponsor as well as the Berbice Cricket Board.

She said that Tenelec Inc. is pleased to be associat-

biggest sponsor and coupled with sponsorship of the Under-15 tournament, the company has contributed significantly to the overall success of Berbice cricket. She also thanked Albion Estate for hosting the game and the print and electronic media for excellent coverage off all BCB cricket.

Rose Hall Town skipper Shawn Perreira collected a beautiful trophy and $100,000 for their efforts, while Runner-up Albion also received a trophy and cash incentives.

Assad Fudadin

By Avenash Ramzan

A

ssad Fudadin and Rajendra Chandrika were among the runs, and Jonathon Foo was impressive with the ball on Tuesday when the Guyana Jaguars three-day warmup game commenced at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

At stumps on a sun drenched day, Vishaul Singh XI, batting first against Robin Bacchus XI, closed on 280-6 from 90 overs.

The innings was built on a fantastic second wicket partnership of 192 between Fudadin, who completed a hundred, and Chandrika, who missed out on his by 14 runs.

Fudadin and young Tagenarine Chanderpaul opened the batting for Vishaul Singh XI, before the latter was caught by wicketkeeper Kemol Savoury off the bowling of seamer Paul Wintz for 10 at 27-1.

Chandrika, who was playing his first game since the second Test against Australia late last year, joined the in-form Fudadin and the pair proceeded to dominate the opposition bowling.

When the right-handed Chandrika was dismissed for a fine 86 (192 balls, 8x4s, 1x6), Vishaul Singh XI had reached 219-2. Chandrika was caught by Sherfane Rutherford off the bowling

off Wintz.

Fudadin brought up his fifty off 79 balls with seven boundaries and his 100 from 126 balls, inclusive of 14 fours and three sixes.

However, once the partnership was broken, Robin Bacchus XI made significant inroads into the middle order, with Foo being the chief architect.

The off-spinner removed Vishaul Singh for 17 at 2593 and had Raymon Reifer caught and bowled for one at 263-4, before leg-spinner Steven Sankar accounted for Kevon Boodie without scoring, caught at slip by Foo at 266-5.

Four runs later, Foo was again in the action, as he lured a set Fudadin into the drive, the batsman only succeeding in finding Wintz at cover.

Fudadin’s 145 spanned 218 deliveries, and included 17 fours and three maximums.

Anthony Bramble (12) and Veerasammy Permaul (02) were the not out batsmen at stumps.

Bowling for Bacchus XI, Foo ended the day with 3-31 off 22 overs, Wintz 2-33 off 12 and Sankar 1-10 off four.

The game forms part of preparations for the Guyana Jaguars ahead of the resumption of the Professional Cricket League Regional Four-day competition next week.

GCB acquires 3 lawn mowers to assist in ground maintenance

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has acquired three John Deer motorised lawn mowers to assist in the development and maintenance of pitch squares and grounds in a number of area associations.

According to a press release, this aspect of development is perceived as critical in the GCB’s lateral cricket development structure, which encompasses the human resource empowerment (such as players, coaches, tutors, scorers,

umpires Match Referees and other cricket personnel), facility development (such as club structures, nets, pitches and grounds) and the meaningful interaction processes between the two – human resource personnel of established facilities.

The GCB has conducted a countrywide ground assessment and analysis, and found the upkeep of grounds to a highly suitable standard to be a major challenge to ground authorities, with one of the main

GCB officials pose with the newly acquired lawn mowers

reasons the being inaccessibility of appropriate equipment.

It has been observed over the years that the needed regular maintenance of a number of facility grounds posed a challenge, especially during the period where sponsorship was not as readily available as in the years of West Indies dominance of world cricket.

The lawn movers which will be used to upgrade and maintain a number of area association grounds, are expected to add value to both

the visible appearance of pitch squares and outfields and to outfields’ cricket effectiveness.

As a result, the GCB has endeavor to undertake the responsibility of assisting area associations to upgrade and maintain their facility outfields. In this regard, the GCB remains committed to overall development of cricket in Guyana; continues to seek new measures in assisting its affiliates to promote cricket at the highest of standards.

sports

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Salaman Butt (centre) and Mohammad Asif (right) ready for CPL

S

a l m a n Butt and Mohammad Asif, who recently returned to competitive cricket after serving five-year bans for spot-fixing, have been registered for the Caribbean Premier League’s player draft, which will take place on February 11. The spotfixing bans on Butt and Asif were lifted in September, and they made their comebacks in Pakistan’s domestic cricket in January.

Mohammad Amir, the other player banned for spot-

fixing in the Lord’s Test of 2010, made his Pakistan comeback during their recent tour of New Zealand. His name is also on the CPL draft list.

Pakistan will be the most represented overseas nationality at the CPL draft, with 37 players including Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik. There will be 34 South African players in the draft, including Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir and Vernon Philander, 23

Australians, including Brad Haddin, Michael Hussey, Chris Lynn and Shaun Tait, and 20 Sri Lankans, including Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga, Lahiru Thirimanne and Ajantha Mendis.

New Zealand will be represented by 11 players, among whom are Grant Elliott, Colin Munro and Nathan McCullum, and Bangladesh by seven including Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. Outside the Testplaying countries, the draft will also include players from Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland and USA. In all, 289 players - 157 from West Indies and 132 from overseas - have been registered for the draft. This total does not include the six players - Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara, Shane Watson, and one other name set to be revealed ahead of the draft - who will take one ‘marquee’ spot in each of the six CPL teams. Of the 157 West Indians, 16 have been retained by their teams ahead of the draft. (Cricinfo)

CPL announces record applications...

Muhammad Asif, Hammad Azam, Zulfiqar Babar, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Mohammed Hafeez, Muhammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Junaid Khan, Shahzaib Hassan Khan, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Shaoib Malik (Tridents, 2015), Saqlain Mushtaq, Rana Naveed, Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Sami, Asad Shafiq, Ahmad Shahzad, Sohail Tanveer (Zouks 2014 & Patriots 2015), Misbah-ulHaq (Zouks 2013 & Tridents 2015), Tofeeq Umer, Imad Wasim SCOTLAND (2): Majid Haq, Safyann Sharif AFRICA SOUTH (34): Qaasim Adams, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, Henry Davids (Zouks, 2014 and 2015), Marchant de Lange (Warriors, 2015), Cameron Delport (Red Steel, 2015), Dean Elgar, Herschelle Gibbs (Zouks, 2013), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Christiaan Jonker, Eddie Leie (Zouks, 2015), Sisanda Magala, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Robin Petersen (Tridents, 2015), Dwaine Pretorius, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi (Patriots, 2015), Mthokozisi Shezi, Jon Jon Smuts, Imran Tahir, Hendrik Erasmus Van Der Dussen, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Morne Van Wyk, Stjaan Van Zyl, Hardus Viljoen, David Weise, Khaya Zondo SRI LANKA (20): Dushmantha Chameera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga (Amazon Warriors 2013), Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis (Tridents 2015), Dilshan Munaweera (Tridents 2015), Thisara

Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Gihan Rupasinghe, Prasanna Seekkuge, Sachithra Senanayake, Dasun Shanaka, Kaushal Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kithuruwan Vithanage Danial USA (10): Ahmed**, Timory Allen**, Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan**, Alex Amsterdam**, Thomas “Boomer” Collins, Akeem Dodson**, Muhammad Ghous**, Timil Patel**, Hammad Shahid**, Steven Taylor** (Tridents, 2015) WEST INDIES – drafted in 2015 (67): Justin (Patriots), Athanaze Samuel Badree (Red Steel), Christopher Barnwell (Warriors), Ronsford Beaton (Warriors), Sulieman Benn (Red Steel), David Bernard Jnr (Tallawahs), Tino Best (Zouks), Devendra Bishoo (Warriors), Jermaine Blackwood (Tallawahs), Nkrumah Bonner (Tallawahs), Carlos Brathwaite (Patriots), Darren Bravo (Red Steel), Dwayne Bravo (Red Steel), Jonathan Carter (Tridents), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Warriors), Johnson Charles (Zouks), Kevon Cooper (Red Steel), Kyle Corbin (Tridents, 2015), Sheldon Cotterell (Patriots), Miguel Cummins (Hawksbills 2014 and Red Steel 2015), Derrone Davis (Red Steel), Narsingh Deaonarine (Warriors and Tallawahs), Mark Deyal (Red Steel, WI U19), Shane Dowrich (Patriots), Rayad Emrit (Tridents), Fidel Edwards (Red Steel and Zouks), Andre Fletcher (Zouks), Assad Fudadin (Warriors), Shannon Gabriel (Red Steel 2013-14 and Zouks 2015), Chris Gayle (Tallawahs), Trevon Griffith (Warriors), Shai Hope (Tridents), Akeal Hosein (Tridents), Delorn Johnson (Zouks), Keddy

from back page

Lesporis (Zouks), Evin Lewis (Patriots), Ramaal Lewis (Tallawahs, WI U19), Horace Miller (Tallawahs), Nikita Miller (Tallawahs), Jason Mohammed (Red Steel), Sunil Narine (Red Steel), Ashley Nurse (Tridents), William Perkins (Tridents 2014 and Red Steel 2015), Verasammy Permaul (Warriors), Orlando Peters (Hawksbills 2014 and Patriots 2015), Kieron Pollard (Tridents), Nicholas Pooran (Red Steel 2013 and Patriots 2015), Gidron Pope (Zouks, WI U19), Denesh Ramdin (Warriors), Ravi Rampaul (Tridents), Raymon Reifer (Patriots, Tridents), Kemar Roach (Zouks, 2015), Andre Russell (Tallawahs), Darren Sammy (Zouks), Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie (Warriors, Tallawahs), Javon Sarles (Red Steel), Liam Sebastien (Zouks), Lendl Simmons (Warriors), Dwayne Smith (Tridents), Navin Stewart (Warriors 2014 and Tridents 2015), Jacques Taylor (Patriots), Jerome Taylor (Tallawahs), Devon Thomas (Patriots), Chadwick Walton (Tallawahs), Jomel Warrican (Patriots), Tonito Willett (Patriots), Paul Wintz (Warriors) ZIMBABWE (3): Elton Chigumbura (Tridents 2014), Graeme Cremer, Hamilton Masakadza Editor’s note: *This total excludes the six “marquee” players; Faf du Plessis (South Africa), Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum (both New Zealand), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) and Shane Watson (Australia), with the final name to be announced ahead of the Player Draft. **Denotes ICC Americas squad members

22 ICC U-19 World Cup Shiv blasts WICB, says Windies pull off nail-biter to advance he was forced to ‘retire’ to quarterfinals S W guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, february 3, 2016

h i v n a r i n e Chanderpaul has insisted he has not retired from domestic cricket and intends to resume playing for Guyana within a couple of weeks.

In an episode that sheds light on the sometimes toxic relationship between the West Indies Cricket Board and Caribbean players, Chanderpaul has expressed resentment at being obliged to announce his international retirement in order to gain a No Objection Certificate to play in the Masters Champions League currently taking place in the UAE. Chanderpaul, 41, has not played international cricket since May 2015 and was omitted from the list of contracted WICB players in December.

“I was given a No Objection Certificate by WICB with a clause in it that I retire on the 23rd,” Chanderpaul told ESPNcricinfo. “If I didn’t announce my retirement they would have taken it back.

“I have spoken to Guyana already. I know the chairman wants me to go back and play.

“They have a game against Trinidad starting on February 12. Then Barbados, then Windward Islands, Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Those are games that I’ve talked to them already about going back to play. I’ve not retired from first-class matches. I’ve retired from international games.

“I wasn’t being picked

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

to play for West Indies anymore and there was nothing else for me to do. So I decided I would come out here to the UAE and play some cricket.”

While Chanderpaul earns a modest fee per match for representing Guyana, it is dwarfed by the rewards on offer - around $30,000 for just over two weeks involvement - with the MCL. “I don’t have a contract with anybody. No local boards; no West Indies board. I’ve been playing for Guyana because the coach and chairman saw the value of having me around as a player. They pay me a match fee and I play and try and help the young fellas as much as I can.

“Anything is possible in life. You can go into retirement; you can come out of retirement. It is my choice.

I’m definitely still hungry to play. It’s something I’ve done most of my life. There is still passion and hunger to play.”

Criticising the “brute

force and ignorance” of unspecified former players, Chanderpaul is currently enjoying the stress free - and lucrative - environment provided by the MCL. Irritation lingers, however, at the manner in which his international ‘retirement’ was handled, with no recognition given to his illustrious record for the West Indies or the fact that he is contracted neither to the board or Guyana.

“You can’t [chose the way you go]; not with those guys,” he said. “It’s the way we’re being treated. It’s still going on and it’s not changing. We’re being treated like that and worse sometimes.

That’s how it goes.

“Some of the past players had better times in their career. They don’t want to change. They want to stay the same way; have the same attitude.

“But you can’t bring the same thing to the table every time because you’re not going to go anywhere. We’re not going forward. We’re just going down. They’re creating some problems.

“As much as you’re saying we have past players, they are the ones who are creating the problem because they have their ways - their old ways - and there’s brute force and ignorance and they’re still carrying it around and still expecting things to go the same way.

“You feel much better just coming out here to play [in the MCL]; without all the stress, without all the other stuff that’s going on.” (Cricinfo)

Fernandes finishes second in Canada’s twin events

By Avenash Ramzan

G

uyana’s squash sensation Nicolette Fernandes has started 2016 in fine style, advancing to the final of back-toback competitions in Canada, but stumbling at the last hurdle, finishing runner-up on both occasions.

The 32-year-old, who is currently ranked number 24 in the world, finished second best to England’s Victoria Lust in the Granite Open in Toronto, a competition that took place on January 18-22.

Fernandes, who was seeded sixth in the tournament, lost in straight sets to fourth seed Lust, who chalked up scores of 11-6, 11-2, and 11-4 in the 45-minute game.

The Guyanese had advanced to the final on the back of a gritty performance in the quarter-finals, where she defeated Deon Saffery of Wales in a five-set thriller, which lasted 77 minutes, by far the longest match of the tournament.

Saffery, who had to compete in the qualifiers to enter the main draw, took the opening two set 11-8, 11-9,

before Fernandes stormed back to win the next two sets 11-7, 11-3. With all to play for in the final set, Fernandes churned out an 11-9 scoreline to book her place in the final.

Prior to that, Fernandes had defeated New Zealand’s Amanda Landers- Murphy 12-10, 11-1, 16-14 in a hardfought contest in the first round.

Fernandes.

Whitlock copped the title with a straight-set win, winning 11-8, 11-7, and 11-4.

Fernandes had earlier blazed through to the final, winning all her games in straight sets. In the first round, she toppled Canada’s Anika Alexander 11-2, 11-2, 11-6, before beating Cyrielle Peltier of France 11-4, 11-5,

est Indies stormed into the quarter final of the Under-19 World Cup with a dramatic two run win over Zimbabwe amid controversy over a disputed run-out at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong here Tuesday.

The Caribbean’s side victory stunned a crestfallen Zimbabwe and is being overshadowed by what is known as the “Mankad” controversy.

Windies pacer Keemo Paul broke the stumps and appealed for a run-out against non-striker, Richard Ngarava at the start of the final over of the innings.

Ngarava, whose bat appeared to be on the line as the bails came off, was given out after the umpires referred the situation to video review.

“Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties,”declared the West Indies captain, Shimron Hetmyer “We’ve seen this in cricket before. It’s probably not in the spirit of the game, but we’re happy to have won.”

A blazing half century from Shamar Springer and a destructive four wicket haul from Alzarri Joseph highlighted the West Indies victory which at one stage seemed beyond their reach.

Springer top scored with 61 from 69 balls smashing seven fours and two sixes as Zimbabwe, who chose to field, restricted West Indies to 226 for nine from 50 overs.

Springer and Tevin Imlach, who scored 31, compiled 45 runs for the fourth wicket to help rebuild the innings which slipped to 97 for the loss of three wickets.

Imlach struck three fours in a patient and stubborn knock in which he also shared an opening stand of 42 with Gidron Pope who gathered 30.

A fiery spell from pacer Alzarri Joseph, four for 30, rocked the Zimbabwe top or-

der reducing them to 97 for the loss of three wickets.

However opener Shaun Snyder with a top score of 52 and middle order batsmen Adam Keefe chimed in with 43 as Zimbabwe appeared to be coasting to their target nicely placed at 209 for six with five overs remaining.

But when Springer returned to break a 62 run stand between Keefe and Wesley Madhevere in the 45th over the tide turned in favour of the West Indies.

Springer, who picked up two for 16 and was named man-of-the-match, trapped Keefe lbw, and then bowled Madhevere for 21 while Rugare Magarira was run out for a duck to leave the last pair needing 10 more for victory.

The young Zimbabwe cricketers inched within

SCOREBOARD West Indies Under-19 G Pope LBW Magarira 30 T Imlach+ c Murray b Madhevere 31 K Carty c Murray bMadhevere 8 S Hetmyer* run out (Matigimu) 17 S Springer st Murray b Ives 61 J Goolie run out (Mashinge/ Magarira) 12 K Paul c & b Mavuta 14 M Frew LBW Magarira 7 R John not out 16 A Joseph c & b Magarira 0 O Smith not out 16 Total: 226/9 (50 Overs) Extras: (lb 1, w 10, nb 3) 14 Fall of Wickets: 1-42 (Pope, 5.6 ov), 2-55 (Carty, 10.1 ov), 3-85 (Hetmyer, 15.3 ov), 4-130 (Imlach, 25.6 ov), 5-164 (Springer, 33.2 ov), 6-171 (Goolie, 34.6 ov), 7-188 (Paul, 38.6 ov), 8-191 (Frew, 40.3 ov), 9-191 (Joseph, 40.4 ov).

Zimbabwe Under-19 Bowling: Ngarava 5-0-41-0 (3nb,2w), Mashinge 5-0-26-0 (2w), Magarira 10-1-28-3 (1w),Madhevere 10-0-48-2, Matigimu 6-0-33-0, Mavuta 10-0-34-1 (4w), Ives 4-0-15-1.

A few days later, the England-based Fernandes was back in action, competing in the Winnipeg Winter Club Open from January 2831. The final was a showdown between the top two seedsnumber one Emily Whitlock of England and number two

12-10 in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, Fernandes defeated Canada’s Hollie Naughton 11-5, 11-3, 11-6. Prior to the two tournaments, Fernandes was ranked 28 in the world. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy. com)

Zimbabwe Under-19 (Target; 227) S Snyder LBW Pope 52 B Sly b Joseph 5 R Murray+ b Joseph 4 J Ives c Goolie b Frew 37 WT Mashinge c †Imlach b Joseph 23 A Keefe LBW Springer 43 B Mavuta* c Imlach b Joseph 1 W Madhevere b Springer 21 K Matigimu not out 10 R Magarira run out (Hetmyer) 0 R Ngarava run out (Paul) 1 Total: 224 All Out (49 Overs) Extras: (b 4, lb 8, w 14, nb 1) 27 Fall of Wickets: 1-36 (Sly, 6.1 ov), 2-46 (Murray, 8.1 ov), 3-97 (Snyder, 19.5 ov), 4-143 (Mashinge, 32.1 ov), 5-145 (Ives, 33.6 ov), 6-147 (Mavuta, 34.6 ov), 7-209 (Keefe, 44.4 ov), 8-217 (Madhevere, 46.6 ov), 9-217 (Magarira, 47.4 ov), 10-224 (Ngarava, 48.6 ov).

West Indies Under-19 Bowling: Joseph 10-1-30-4 (1nb, 2w), John 3-0-22-0 (1w), Smith 3-024-0 (2w), Goolie 10-2-300(1w), Pope 8-0-38-1, Frew 5-0-20-1(1w), Paul 6-1-320(2w), Springer 4-0-16-2(1w).

Cahill keen to stay at Chelsea after ‘positive’ talks

U

Gary Cahill

Guyana’s squash sensation Nicolette Fernandes copped the runner-up spot in both the Winnipeg Winter Club Open and the Granite Open in Canada

three runs of victory, only to have their plans spoiled when Paul removed the bails.

“We got so close, no comment about it. I don’t have anything to say right now,” said the Zimbabwe captain, Brandon Mavuta.

“No comment.”

Although the dismissal was within the rules of the game departures of this kind tend to revive debate about sportsmanship.

Mankadding was named after the Indian player Vinoo Mankad, who removed the bails to claim a run-out against a non-striker in Australia in 1947.

Two years ago, Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake ran out Jos Buttler of England in similar fashion during a one-day international at Edgbaston. (Windies Cricket)

nsettled Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has held “positive” talks with interim manager Guus Hiddink about his future and said he was keen to stay at the club.

A source close to the player told Reuters last week that the 30-year-old centre back feared he might miss out on this year’s European Championship if he was not playing more regularly.

The England vice-captain has played more than 170 games for Chelsea but has made only 12 league appearances this season as Kurt Zouma and John Terry have become preferred starters.

The frustration was such that the player, who signed a new four-year contract in December, felt he might have to leave.

“I did have a good chat

with him, he was very approachable and it was beneficial, very positive. Obviously I want to be at the club. I signed a four-year contract a couple of months ago so that shows I want to be here,” Cahill told the club’s website (www.chelseafc.com).

“But ultimately, I feel like I need to play football matches. I’ve always been that way; it’s always been in my make-up to play a high percentage of games. I realise sometimes things go well, sometimes they don’t, but it’s very important for me to play football matches.”

Chelsea, who are 13th in the standings but unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, will look to continue their climb up the league when they face 10th-placed Watford on Wednesday.

(Reuters Sport)

guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, february 3, 2016

23

Blairmont Blazers lift Roy Fredericks’ memorial trophy

H

The Blairmont Blazers showcase their trophies

ost club Blairmont Blazers defeated D’Edward Warriors by five wickets in a rainaffected final of the Roy Fredericks memorial cricket competition on Sunday last.

The final was slated to be a 15-over per side affair, but rain intervened with D’Edward on 72-6 after 12.3 overs. After the rain subsided, the two teams agreed for Blairmont to chase 73 off 9.3

overs, a target which they achieved with five wickets down and nine deliveries to spare.

D’Edward Warriors, inserted to bat, raced to 29 off the first three overs with openers Lakeraj Sookraj and Altaf Khan going great guns, but once both were dismissed in quick succession, the innings went into decline.

Kevon Jawahir and

Waqar Hassan finished with two wickets each.

Chasing a revised target, Blairmont Blazers lost opener Nick Ramsaroop run out at 6-1, before Jawahir (27) and Mahendra Singh (18) added 40 for the second wicket. At 65-3, Blairmont Blazers were cruising to victory; however, Devendra Lalsa claimed two quick wickets to bring his team back into contention.

D’Edward Warriors aspirations of victory was shortlived, as Javid Karim and Zameer Inshan got Blairmont Blazers over the line with nine balls remaining.

Earlier in the day, the two teams had qualified for the final, following easy wins in the ‘semi-finals.’

Below are the summarised scores from the games.

D’Edward Warriors defeated Cotton Tree Die Hard by 11 runs. D’Edward Warriors 143-4 in 15 overs (Ritesh Brijlall 42*, Devindra Lalsa 34) Cotton Tree Die Hard 132-9 in 15 overs (Nashad Gafoor 41, B. Persaud 43, Ritesh Brijlall 5-9).

Blairmont Blazers defeated Bath Underdogs by five wickets. Bath Underdogs 74-8 in 12 overs (Avishkar Sewkarran 32, Waqar Hassan 3-18, Shabeer Baksh 2-14, Kevon Jawahir 2-15) Blairmont Blazers 75-5 (Nick Ramsaroop 40*, Permanand Ramdhan 19).

At the presentation ceremony which followed, Blairmont Blazers lifted the Roy Fredericks memorial cup, while Bath Underdogs were adjudged the most discipline team.

Ritesh Brijlall copped the player of the semi-final award and most runs prize, while Waqar Hassan was named best bowler of the

Kevon Jawahir (right) receives his Man-of-the-Final award

day. Nick Ramsaroop was the Man-of-the-Match in the other semi-final, while Mahendra copped the Playof-the-Day and best catch, and Kevon Jawahir took home the Man-of-the-Final accolade.

The day’s activities were sponsored by Banks DIH Limited, Anil Lalsa

Construction Services, Big Yard Car Wash, A&A General Store, Basil and Son’s, Rosignol Mall and Big B’s- Baksh Restaurant.

All proceeds from the day’s event will go towards the management and development of the Blairmont Cricket Club.

CPL announces record applications for CPL Player Draft 2016

A

record number of local and international stars have been officially registered for the HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Player Draft which takes place on 11 February in Barbados.

Commenting on this year’s record list of applicants both in the West Indies and across the world, Director of International Cricket for CPL, Tom Moody said: “Some of the leading names in world cricket have signalled their intentions to join the biggest party in sport at the CPL, so this year’s competition is sure to be our most exciting to date.

“Outside of our ‘marquee’ players, there are international players of the highest standard including a host of World champions, and a myriad of players who continue to entertain and enrich the global game.

“It is without doubt our most competitive roster and it is exciting to see such a high standard across the established and emerging nations around the world. That players from 14 nations have entered the Draft illustrates the global reach of the CPL, and with a sizable increase in the West Indies contingent which is up by over one-fifth this year, it is clear that the T20 game is growing from strength to strength.”

Amongst the list of West Indies talent who are in the frame for the six franchises this year are stars of the calibre of Chris Gayle (a winner

of the inaugural competition with Jamaica Tallawahs back in 2013), West Indies World T20 captain Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons.

Darren and Dwayne Bravo are set to join the number one ranked T20 international bowler Samuel Badree, as well as Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard, who was such a driving force in Barbados reaching last year’s final before being edged by eventual winners Trinidad & Tobago.

To supplement the outstanding pool of local talent on display, some of the biggest names in international cricket will bid to join the five marquee players - Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara and Shane Watson - who were confirmed last week.

Amongst the assembled overseas stars is a 34-strong South African contingent headed by prolific top order batsman Hashim Amla, legspinner Imran Tahir and fast bowler Morne Morkel.

There is sure to be a strong Pakistan presence in the tournament, which takes place from the end of June until the beginning of August, with one of the stars of last year’s CPL for Barbados Shoaib Malik included amongst a plethora of big names including Shahid Afridi, Misbah-Ul-Haq (who has played in both St Lucia and Barbados to date) and left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz.

Across the conti-

nents, there will be seven Bangladesh (including Shakib Al Hasan who is one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket), while there will also be seven Afghanistan players which is indicative of their recent rise in the shortest format of the game. Sri Lanka, currently ranked third in the T20 team rankings, will have 20 representatives in the frame including legends Tillakaratne Dilshan and

cluding the likes of Nathan McCullum.

Of the current ICC World T20 player rankings, nine of the top 20 batsmen could be set to feature in this summer’s CPL: du Plessis (fourth place), Guptill (fifth), Gayle (seventh), Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza (eighth), Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad (ninth), Dilshan (13th), Brendon McCullum (15th), Watson (17th) and

Andre Russell

Lasith Malinga will be looking to join their compatriot Sangakkara.

There will be 23 players from Australia in the Draft, including a blend of experience in Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge and Michael Hussey allied to a crop of up-andcoming talent, and a further 11 New Zealanders, in-

Umar Akmal (18th).

Four of the top five bowlers in the T20 rankings are also in the frame with the list headed by West Indian leg-spinner Badree, Afridi (third), Sachithra Senanayake (fourth) and Graeme Cremer (fifth), with Malinga (seventh) and Tahir (ninth) also amongst the

leading lights in contention.

With coveted spots up for grabs from the ICC Americas region, there is sure to be a lot of interest across North America as players from Canada (seven) and the USA (10), who recently competed in the Nagico Super 50 competition, all aim to book one of the six coveted places.

England (two), Ireland (two), Scotland (two) and Netherlands (one) will be the European representatives hoping to secure a place in the CPL. Sixteen of the 157 West Indies players to register have already been retained ahead of the draft, leaving 141 eligible for selection on draft day. This is 25 more than the 116 who vied for spots at last year’s Draft and represents a 22% increase.

Coupled with an 18% increase in international player registration, this is further illustration of the CPL’s growing stature as one of the foremost tournaments in T20 cricket. (CPLt20.com) Players Registered for 2016 CPL Draft*: AFGHANISTAN (7): Mangal, Nawroz Mohammad Nabi, Zadran Najibullah, Mohammad Shahzad, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohamad Asghar Stanikzai, Shapoor Zadran AUSTRALIA (23): Tom Beaton, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Doug Bollinger, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk (Hawksbills 2014), Cameron Gannon, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hodge (Warriors 2015),

Brad Hogg (Hawksbills 2014), Michael Hussey, Ben Laughlin (Hawksbills 2014), Tim Ludeman, Chris Lynn (Tallawahs 2015), Tim Paine, Jimmy Pearson, Nathan Reardon, Ben Rohrer, Alex Ross, Shaun Tait, Jonathan Wells, Adam Zampa B A N G L A D E S H (7): Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Keyes, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar CANADA (7): Navneet Dhaliwal**, Nikhil Dutta (Patriots, 2015), Jeremy Gordon**, Ruvindu Gunesekera**, Nitish Kumar**, Hamza Tariq**, Srimantha Wijeyeratne** ENGLAND (2): Azeem Rafiq, Owais Shah (Tallawahs 2014) IRELAND (2): George Dockrell, Kevin O’Brien (Red Steel 2013 & 2014) NETHERLANDS (1): Mudassar Bukhari NEW ZEALAND (11): Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Anton Cevcich, Grant Elliott, Roneel Hira, Nathan McCullum (Zouks, 2015), Colin Munro, Tarun Nethula, Ish Sodhi, Ben Wheeler, George Worker PAKISTAN (37): Ehsan Adil, Shahid Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmad, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal (Hawksbills 2013), Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal (Amazon Warriors 2015), Fawad Alam, Anwar Ali, Azhar Ali, Umar Amin, Mohammed Amir, turn to page 21

wednesday, february 3, 2016

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

CPL announces record applications for CPL Player Draft 2016 Pg 23

Chris Gayle

Michael Hussey

Shiv blasts WICB, says he was forced to ‘retire’

Samuel Badree

Shahid Afridi

ICC U-19 World Cup Pg 22

Windies pull off nail-biter to advance to quarterfinals Pg 22

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