Guyana Times Daily - April 2, 2016

New Anna Regina Mayor, Councillors sworn-in P10

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

Issue No. 2814

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, April 2, 2016

PRICE

Charlestown man gunned down execution style Page 19

Meten-Meer-Zorg 5 injured as GPHC ambulance slams supermarket into minibus robbed Page 7

Page 7

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

18 Operation P8 Room technicians added to health sector

Joshua House given a facelift

by British P19 Royal Navy Miner refused bail on P8 possession charge Scores of NDC Councillors take oath P17 across country

Chase-Green elected new Georgetown Mayor Page 3

Resignation calls…

Aunty Volda offers “No P7 comment” Rape accused charged again for robbery P11

… AFC’s Sherod Duncan follows as Deputy New blood! On Friday, a new Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green (centre in green) and Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan (first from left) along with 28 Councillors were elected to serve on the Georgetown City Council after this year’s historic Local Government Elections during a simple ceremony at City Hall. Also in photo is Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan (first from right) (Marceano Narine photo)

CPGs to get US$3M for training Page 2

Scores of ‘campaign supporters’ appointed advisers – Harmon Page 9 – Opposition roasts Govt over secrecy

Child sex molestation charges...

APNU/AFC did not ask me to resign – embattled Georgetown Page Councillor 3 ... PNC GS differs, says integrity demanded it

Family P7 concerned as Diamond man goes missing

2 NEWS

saturDAY, APRIL 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

CPGs to get US$3M for training

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

W

ith an aim of developing and reconfiguring Community Policing in Guyana, Government has committed some US$3 million to carry out a series of trainings in CPGs across the country.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan made the disclosure on Friday at a press conference held in his Brickdam Office, where representatives of CPGs from across the country gathered to begin the month to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Community Policing in Guyana.

According to Ramjattan, training will be given to Community Police particularly for them to be better community elders for the purpose of solving the crime situation in their respective communities. That, he ex-

plained, will be a component of the Citizens’ Security Sector Strengthening Programme.

“Outlayed there will be $3 million. We are going to go into the communities to do a number of things including awareness campaigns, workshops, family-oriented activities, establishment of community action councils, training in community assessments, cross-cultural awareness, rapid impact project”, he said.

According to the minister, Government is of the belief that the training could help the youth in communities to be “job ready”, entrepreneurial, receive counselling and skills training. He said it would also prepare officers with the capacity to understand where persons might be headed. And those who are going in the wrong direction make early inter-

vention to stop it.

Ramjattan said during the course of the 40th Anniversary celebration, Government hopes that members of community groups and liaison officers could begin a deliberation as to what was said by President David Granger, during his address to the Annual Police Conference earlier this month where he underscored that safe communities are at the core of safe countries.

According to Ramjattan, the President made some “telling points” in relation to policing groups and asked the question if Community Policing intends to be a parallel political force under the control of an elected Minister or part of a professional police force under the command of a Commissioner of Police?

“The Head of State had said that what was needed was comprehension of role and compliance with the national law, and not necessarily contrivances of an organisation”.

The minister said it was important that everyone sees the organisation being more directly involved at the community level, solving crimes but also helping in the preparation of solutions to those crimes, getting to the root causes and not just being an enforcement organ-

isation.

“And for that reason, government is going to be addressing risks associated with interpersonal violence and bringing those experts to communities so that they could understand what are the causes of interpersonal violence so that they could get to the root of it so that

will be problems. When there is disequilibrium of the balance of community relations, there will be problems, so we want to develop and reconfigure those other aspects so that we could have better communities, so we could have a safer country.

The membership of the

Policing, Domestic Violence, and Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Fire-fighting, Road Safety, first Aid, suicide awareness, interpersonal violence and communication.

He said during that period, there was an increase in the membership of the Policing Groups. The provision of additional uniforms

Community Policing Group currently consists of 263 groups with a membership of 5194. During the period of June to December the CPGs conducted some 255 vehicular patrols, 138 motorcycle patrols, 150 bicycle patrols, 243 foot patrols, 50 boat patrols, and 13 ATV Patrols.

38 arrests ranging from murder to domestic violence.

According to Ramjattan, over the years CPG’s have been exposed to training in a number of areas including

, vehicles and equipment to all community Policing Groups and introduction of training programms for liaison officers and elections of new National and divisional community policing executives.

The CPG was established in April 1976. This year, the anniversary is being commemorated under the theme, Community policing building public trust, social cohesion and embracing youth empowerment.

Some members of the CPG

they could become society’s elders within their communities”, he said.

“How we could have better parenting, conflict resolution, support economic inclusion by vocational and remedial education and a number of other things that could help solve the crime situation at the root level because when the economic situation is bad, crime increases all the time”.

He said when the social norms are in disarray, there

Cuba ready for establishment of regional Special Needs Centre here

C

uban Ambassador to Guyana Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante is optimistic that the longawaited training centre for children, adolescents and young adults with special educational needs associated with disabilities, will soon see its establishment.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, the Ambassador noted his enthusiasm for the development of the project.

“We are very enthusiastic to work with the authorities of Guyana because we are just pushing and working very hard to announce in this year of the 50th Independence of Guyana

that this regional effort for this project will be developed,” he observed.

Marchante explained that in the first year of establishment, there will be 10 specialists who have been working on similar projects in Cuba; while in the second year, this number will increase to 12 individuals. The Ambassador further stated that at the beginning of the project, there will be periodical assessments while at the end, it will be decided how it should continue.

To this end, he observed that the project’s main objectives which will see the training of local and regional persons who will work with

Cuban Ambassador Julio Cesar Gonzalez Marchante

the special educational individuals. The Ambassador related that these trained specialists will attain the necessary qualifications to eventually assume operations from the Cuban specialists in future.

“It is considered that in the future, some members from Caricom (Caribbean Community) will come to the country (Guyana) to also receive this preparation to work,” the Cuban Ambassador further posited.

“I believe that it will be a very good project because of the human character of this project… specialists will work very closely with persons with disabilities,” he observed.

He commended the work of the National Commission on Disability but noted that

there can be improvements in the area of registering more persons.

Ambassador Marchante noted that the relevant institutions such as the Education Ministry and the Public Health Ministry must all work together “to identify all the persons who have not been properly registered”.

The final purpose of this project is to give all the preparations to these persons [with disabilities] to be happy personally, in the family and in the context of the society,” he emphasised.

It has been explained that this project would integrate theoretical and methodological issues to guide good practices based on educational attention strategies and methodologies that in-

volved different educational agents, such as special education teachers, schools and institutions.

It was in February that Government announced work was moving apace for the establishment of the training centre. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had disclosed that Cabinet had given the green light to conclude a cooperation and technical assistance agreement between the Caribbean Community, Cuba’s Education Ministry and the local Foreign Affairs Ministry. Trotman had noted that the agreement will pave the way for the establishment of the training centre.

The project was birthed at the Fourth Caricom/Cuba Summit held in Trinidad and Tobago in 2011 and at the 15th meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations held in Suriname in 2012. At this forum, Guyana agreed to undertake the lead role in the creation of the centre.

The Government at that time established an oversight committee which comprised representatives from the Caricom Secretariat and the Ministries of Public Health, Education, Human Services and Social Security,

as well as the National Commission on Disability.

In an interview with Guyana Times back in 2014, Cuban Ambassador Marchante had stated that the special needs centre formed part of a total of nine projects proposed by Cuba that could potentially benefit Caricom countries once they saw them as necessary.

He opined that such a project could benefit Guyana tremendously since many Caribbean countries have expressed the challenges they face in dealing with youth living with disabilities and their ability to access specialised education.

The Cuban Ambassador said the centre in Guyana would be designed and piloted after the Latin American Reference Centre for Special Education in Cuba. The Centre there is one of the regional and international entities that provide quality education to children and youth with special needs.

The publication had also reported in 2014 that the centre would take approximately two years, four months to be completed and made functional, once it followed the five-stage implementation and conceptualisation plan proposed by Cuba.

news

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saturDAY, april 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, April 2 – 13:00h-14:30h and Sunday, April 3 – 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Chase-Green elected new Georgetown Mayor … AFC’s Sherod Duncan follows as Deputy

Saturday, April 2 – 12:10h-13:40h and Sunday, April 3 – 13:10h-14:40h.

T

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy to light rain showers with thunderstorms can be expected throughout the better part of the day, while sunny intervals can be expected in the later afternoon.

Partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly between 4.91 metres and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 12:17h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 05:44h and 18:27h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 0.91 metre respectively.

he A Partnership for National Unity’s Patricia Chase-Green and Alliance for Change’s Sherod Duncan on Friday took their seats as Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of the Georgetown City Council, moments after the new 30-member council was sworn-in.

Former Deputy Mayor Chase-Green took up the mantle as head of the Council after an unchallenged nomination.

Chase-Green, member of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was nominated to the post by Oscar Clarke, and seconded

by Alfred Mentore.

She immediately took hold of the meeting and carried out the election of the deputy Mayor, but not before she expressed gratitude: “I would like to say thank you to God, thanks to the team that worked with

forward: “This is no longer a campaign; we represent the citizens of Georgetown and represent them well and bring to reality the change that they expect from us. I am looking forward to a better working relation among the councillors, a different tone and so on with the public, with our vendors... I am really looking forward to some great things with this council. Like everybody else, I am eager to get to work.”

Both Chase-Green and Duncan made significant wins in their respective constituencies.

Chase-Green was unchallenged in constituency 12.

Meanwhile, the 30 Councillors took their Oath of Office before Town Clerk Royston King.

Among them were Tamashwar Budhoo, Carolyn Caesar, Malcolm Ferreira, Junior Garret, Akeem Peter, James Samuels, Trichina Richards

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan being sworn-in

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me particularly the people of Georgetown that supported me during elections, the party that had faith and confidence in me, and supported me” she said.

Meanwhile, Alliance for Change (AFC) Sherod Duncan moments later took up the seat subordinate to Chase-Green as he too had an unchallenged nomination.

Speaking to the media following his ascension to deputy mayor, Duncan shared his plans on the way

and Salima Hinds, among others.

Meanwhile, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has promised government’s full support to the Mayor and Council of the city of Georgetown, but stressed that the posts open new avenues for the new leaders to serve.

“This ascension to office represents an opportunity for them to serve the residents of the respective constituencies as well as the residents of the city of

Newly elected Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Green takes her seat as head of the Council

Georgetown as a whole”. He said government remains committed to the task of rendering its full support to the upward movement of central government.

According to him, the swearing-in of the two new leaders along with the fresh 30-member council represents a rehabilitation of a “damaged system”, which existed for over two decades under the previous People’s

Progressive Party administration.

He said never again will Guyana go through such a lengthy period before another Local Government Election is held.

“As long as APNU+AFC is in control the elections will be held, and that is in the next three years. It is a pledge and commitment that is being given by President Granger”.

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Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

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

Editorial

Conformity to Occupational Health and Safety

G

uyana is joining the rest of the world in observing Occupational Health and Safety Month under the theme “Workplace Stress: A Collective Challenge.”

Creditably, even as this is being observed, the Department of Labour in the Social Protection Ministry has also announced that it will be increasing workplace inspections countrywide.

This is to ensure employers are adhering to the labour laws and are in full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations.

Guyana’s OHS laws have developed significantly over the years with continuous amendments over time that sought to improve the conditions of workers.

Globally, the fight for better workplace environment and laws to protect workers was not approved and presented itself on a platter but rather achieved through struggles of trade unions and worker rights activists who championed the workers’ cause. These struggles have resulted in a more safe and healthy workplaces.

Nonetheless, OSH is still a burning issue globally as the new struggle is now to have employers comply with the laws.

This is a major issue, especially in countries like Guyana, where there needs to be more policing of employers to ensure conformity with the law.

The ILO in its most recent report titled, “World Employment Social Outlook,” stated that global economic slowdown that occurred in 2015 is likely to have a delayed impact on labour markets in 2016, resulting in a rise in unemployment levels, particularly in emerging economies.

Based on the most recent growth projections, global unemployment is expected to rise by nearly 2.3 million in 2016 and by a further 1.1 million in 2017.

Emerging economies are expected to see an increase in unemployment of 2.4 million in 2016. This highlights the great probability that more persons will cling to their jobs and may be more prone to accept default of employers with respect to the OHS laws. As such more frequent workplace inspections are necessary.

In Guyana, the most high-risk sectors of OHS flouters are the agriculture, construction and mining industries. The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the death of miner Trenton Sebastian who died when a mining pit collapsed at Mahdia some two weeks ago pointed out that the lack of job opportunities in Guyana has led to many persons ‘running high risk’ in the mining industry.

As a matter of fact Major General (ret’d) Joseph Singh, in heading the Inquiry and tasked with investigating the incident, stated that from the findings there is a great need for educating miners on the dangers they face in the sector.

It is necessary that everyone involved in these critical industries - agriculture, construction, mining - be certified and actively engaged in basic health and safety training on an annual basis. As such managers within these industries must have clear and certified Occupational Health and Safety qualifications.

Workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses cost the countries large amounts of lost revenues yearly, Guyana being no different. As such while economics can support decisionmaking, effective management and policing of employers’ conformity to the Occupational Health and Safety (Guyana) Act is critical since it encompasses the protection of both the rights and health of workers.

As such as Guyana observes OSH this year, the Labour Department within the Social Protection Ministry should seek to actively inspect workplaces to ensure enforcement of the OHS laws of Guyana.

Additionally, employers should also be enlightened on health and safety requirements at the workplace. Those flouting this most important piece of legislation should therefore face the brunt of the law with no room for discretion. The struggle for this particular area has been a hard fought fight and as such in this advancing world, Guyana should not allow its workers’ rights to be disregarded.

Welcomed transformation!

An artist's impression of the Kitty Market which is currently under construction in the City of Georgetown. The impression depicts the side and aerial view of the market

These forensic audits Dear Editor, I have been seeing the numerous reports in the Media about these forensic audits that were commissioned by the APNU/AFC government.

What have appeared thus far, point to findings that are highly questionable and more akin to a motive of causing public embarrassment rather than professionals doing their work within the code of conduct of their profession.

I have mentioned before that Accountants are governed by a Law and there is code of conduct that these legally approved professionals abide by. Leaks and public disclosures are not part of the code.

The right of taking into account the response of those persons in the entities being investigated is sacrosanct and certainly the principle of Natural Justice dictates that persons who are

accused be given the right to reply.

Hot on the heels of (never legally registered) Anand Goolsarran’s prejudiced findings, come those of Nigel Hinds who makes a lot of noise about the tendering process and competitive bidding yet he accepts forensic audits which were never tendered, but assigned by his friends in the APNU/AFC government. Talk about double standards, wow.

What a shame on President Granger, his Cabinet and his Government that the high standards of principles in government that they preached during the campaign, have been tossed out the window.

President Granger and his opposition colleagues in the last Parliament passed many resolutions with their one-seat majority and they extolled, expounded and ex-

acted about the sanctity of the National Assembly, and the will of the representatives of the people.

There is a sacred process of dealing with Audits of the State’s resources in our country and that is via the Public Accounts Committee.

Here when the Auditor General presents his report, the leaders of the accounting units that are reported on by the AG, they get the chance of confronting their accuser in the highest forum of the land. The Auditor General is never the investigator and the judge.

A Committee comprising representatives from Government and Opposition gives the person(s) a hearing with respect to the findings and opinions of the Auditor General.

These forensic audits are plastered about in the public via carefully orchestrated leaks and leakage of find-

ings that are contentious.

For what purpose? Witchhunting? Settling scores?

Political optics?

President Granger should send these forensic audits to the Parliament - the Public Accounts Committee. Give those who have been accused of wrong doings the opportunity to answer to the highest forum of the land.

The auditors and authors of these forensic reports will have their chance of defending their conclusions and findings. Let the PAC give its recommendation. This is democracy; this is decency; this is the principle you publicly preached, President, since you became a politician.

Editor, thanks for your kind consideration in publishing my views.

Sincerely, Manzoor Nadir

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Why is City Hall making Enhance security for the City more congested? jubilee celebrations Dear Editor, For as long as I can remember, the shoulder of Orange Walk east of the Bourda Market and close to Regent Street, was always kept for parking to facilitate shopping in that facility but more importantly it was used by the stall holders to offload their goods particularly meat. And this was before we had a fraction of the vehicular traffic that we

have now fighting for the same very limited space.

Regrettably, the current administration of the Council, in their voracity for money, has completely ignored the need by the stallholders and the need by shoppers to park their vehicles at a reasonable and safe distance from the market and has decided to erect a mini shopping mall in this area, on the shoulder of the

road and has given the spaces out to their friends without any public consultation or offer of the spaces to interested individuals.

Why this has been allowed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service one would never know, but this is another unwise decision by the Council that is based on cor-

ruption, favouritism and profiteering.

The Government of Guyana should take a look at this poor decision that is further congesting our capital and have it broken down the same way City Hall breaks down unauthorised buildings in the city, Regards, Mark Roopan

The Bourda Cemetery needs urgent work Dear Editor, Though I cannot be considered a taphonomist by any stretch of the imagination, I have always had an abiding interest in the Bourda Cemetery which is an eighteenth-century graveyard formerly known as “Bourda’s Walk”, and which is the oldest cemetery in Georgetown, the only surviving plantation cemetery in the city, and therefore a facility that must be considered a national landmark and treated accordingly.

I would wish to give some applause to City Hall for weeding and clearing this cemetery and for painting the fence. That cemetery was in a deplorable state for many years which is a statement of what the surrounding community values.

However this is merely the beginning and therefore it’s

my hope the Council does not think that weeding and painting the fence was all that was necessary at this graveyard and therefore it is mission accomplished.

Cemeteries all over the world lure visitors with a combination of natural beauty, ornate tombstones and crypts, notable residents, and vivid history. Bourda should be no different.

Many prominent people from Guyana’s colonial era are buried in Bourda cemetery, including William Booker, John Croal (the first Mayor of Georgetown), John Patoir and Peter Rose.

However the current condition of the tombs there can only be described as shocking and appalling. Most if not all are desecrated to the point that they are broken into pieces whilst some are a mere pile

of loose bricks.

This is due to the gratuitous and purposeless destruction by vandals over the years aided by the humid tropical climate and an army of variegated insects.

To add insult to injury, there have been several attempts to obliterate this facility over the years, including proposals to embark on the construction of a road through this cemetery, the use of the site for housing vendors, for building a shopping mall there and even a garden.

Hopefully this municipal administration does not get any ideas of converting it into another money making venture as they seem less concerned about heritage and more about making a dollar.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned however, there is an injunction in place

that was granted by the court, and the other fact is that the Mayor and City Council does not own this particular burial ground, but under the statutes it only has custodial responsibilities in relation to it.

In the interest of preserving the capital’s patrimony nevertheless I would like to suggest that the Council does two things. One immediately hold public consultations and discussions to glean from the citizens their views on how the facility should be preserved moving forward, and two commence rehabilitating the space in a way which retains its original purpose, and at the same time provides a pleasant environment and historical information for citizens, children and tourists alike.

Sincerely, Riley Matthews

Judah Kenyon rules roost at 2016 Rupununi rodeo Dear Editor, Judah Kenyon has emerged King of the just concluded 2016 Rupununi Rodeo when the curtain came down on an eventful two days of action Sunday evening at the Rupununi Ranchers Rodeo Ground in Lethem, Region Nine 9 (Upper TAKATU/Upper Essequibo).

King Kenyon grabbed the most coveted crown after carting off four of the evening top prizes up for grabs.

Among the other winners were Point Ranches Bull Riding champion Eon Jacobus, Bareback Bronco Corine Peters, Wild Cow Milking Paul St Hill, Steer Roping Nicodemas from Dadanawa Ranch, Calf Roping Odis Peters, Best Dressed male Vaqueros Antonio Andrews and Best dressed female Vaqueros Alice Atkinson.

The events which for the most part were held under floodlights saw the thousands in attendance given their money’s worth with the chills and thrills organisers had promised as they took fans on the “The Wild Side.”

The two days of activities began immediately following a spectacle through the streets of Lethem when va-

queros were all decked out in their cowboy and cowgirl attire carrying flags, with Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock leading the parade and proudly displaying a flag with Guyana’s 50th Anniversary Logo.

The ride begun at the Lethem Airstrip and concluded at the Rodeo Ground.

Meanwhile, job creation, participation in activities that boosts economic development and recognising the unwavering commitment by ranchers and vaquero’s alike were the sentiments expressed by Minister Allicock when he declared the event opened Saturday afternoon.

He added that his ministry is committed to working with organisers to ensure the annual activity continues to be a success story, and was inspired and has pledged a personal donation of $100,000 towards the hosting the 2017 Rodeo activities.

Minister Allicock also handed over a cheque to the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA) in to boost the local cattle industry, thus making it more viable.

He said the support is necessary since for too long workers in the cattle indus-

try were not given the much needed recognition for their contributions and were unable to enjoy the celebration after hard work.

Regional Chairman Brian Allicock in welcoming everyone who came out to support this year’s activity, commended organisers for putting together such a well-planned and eventful weekend of action.

He added that such an activity once successfully hosted augers well for any economy given the fact that support is not only forthcoming from Guyana alone but internationally as well.

Among other dignitaries in attendance was Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe who successfully completed the most adventurous 2016 Pakaraimas Mountain Safari.

Among the days added attractions was a ten-man military display by members of the Harpy Eagle Parachute Club.

The paratroopers were led by Veteran Jumper Lieutenant Lloyd Souvenir, with the youngest Paratrooper being Sergeant Chris Corbin, 27, who has been in the business for almost ten years.

Two of the jumpers proudly landed to safety as they carried the Golden Arrow Head after which there was a military display as one flag was handed over to the Indigenous Affairs Minister.

Also witnessing the handing over were Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Ministerial Advisor Mervin Williams.

Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Golden Jubilee Minitotem Pole was also on display at the activity and those in attendance were given the opportunity to view this creative piece of art carved by artist Foster Simon of Saint Cuthberts Mission.

The Totem Pole which is deemed a symbol of Guyanese Unity came to being after consultations with representatives from the ten administrative regions, local artist and staff, where the spirit of the Makonaima was used as the overarching concept.

Makonaima is believed to be the creator of life and the Great spirit which sustains life, the spirit from which things emanate according to Indigenous beliefs.

Regards, Rodeo Committee

Dear Editor, Guyanese nationals residing in the United States who plan to travel home for the celebration of our nation’s Golden Jubilee of Independence in May 2016 have been calling our Committee to express concern about the crime situation. This angst derives from the daily deluge of news stories on violent crimes in Guyana; particularly robberies, felonious assaults and homicides.

Over 24,000 nationals from the US alone, plan to travel home around the period of the Jubilee celebrations. This will be a tremendous economic boost.

However, media reports create the perception that crime is pervasive and unrestrained. This is engendering fear and deterring travel to Guyana.

The Committee is aware of efforts by government to combat crime. We have

noted that to date effective crime fighting strategies have been implemented yielding significant results.

Consequently, crime is on the decline. However, this information is not filtering out to the Diaspora.

The Committee is therefore urging government to disseminate information on its successes in crime fighting and prevention. The government should also swiftly adumbrate intended measures to assure public safety during Jubilee celebrations. This would guarantee overseas nationals that the government is seriously addressing the issue and that Guyana is safe to visit.

Moreover, we recommend that Overseas Missions be equipped to disseminate this information.

Regards, New York 50th Committee

We need to restore order to the City Dear Editor, In the press recently there have been reports that Guyanese nationals residing in the United States who plan to travel home for the celebration of the nation’s Golden Jubilee of Independence in May 2016 are expressing concerns about crime here.

The reports go on to say that over twenty-five thousand nationals from the US alone, plan to travel home around the period of the Jubilee celebrations, but that media reports create the perception that crime is pervasive and unrestrained in Guyana.

It is clear that the Guyana Police Force and the Georgetown City Police Department have their work cut out for them, not only beefing up their presence around the hotels nightclubs, shopping district, other entertainment venues, famous landmarks and popular watering holes, but with the bed and breakfast programme these visitors will also be residing in the suburban residential areas which will need added protection. One bad experience can put a damper on the entire celebration.

But, just as importantly there is a lot to be desired of the Georgetown City Council as they fail to prepare to receive these visitors, including eradicating the mosquito infestation in the city as the month of May

the weather will be wetter and hotter than usual in our tropical city, providing a more hospitable climate for the mosquito.

There is need for some control to be exercised over the chaotic minibus and public transportation situation in the city, where touts will be harassing potential passengers pulling and tugging at them every which way.

Will these visitors be confronted with roadside barbers, manicurists and pedicurists? With roadside food vendors who are not being regulated or certified as food handlers? Will they be bombarded by these music carts booming pirated CD’s?

And just as importantly will they encounter the omnipresence of junkies, beggars and pavement dwellers? I hope something can be done in time for our 50th.

And what is being done about the cattle and other stray animals? Will the visitors have to encounter and navigate around them?

There persons are not accustomed to meandering around animals in the city.

Will there be three card trick men on the pavement waiting to cheat them out of their money?

The question is will City Hall get their act together in time for the Golden Jubilee?

Yours truly, Nadine Jerrick

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BY SEAN GROVER, LCSW

Y

ou want your children to feel empowered. You tell them to speak up, be assertive and reach for their dreams.

But what happens when you give your children too much power? What happens when empowerment turns into entitlement?

Empowered children have a strong sense of self; they have passions, hobbies and ambitions. Sounds great, right? In contrast, entitled children remain dependent, bossy and perpetually unsatisfied. What kind of child will you produce?

The outcome lies in your leadership.

To avoid being too permissive and causing your little darling to morph into a little monster, consider these six key points:

1. Give your children what they need, not everything they want

Showering gifts on your children may feel good to you, but children develop an unhealthy sense of entitlement when there are no limits on their wants. Free stuff is okay now and then, but too much free stuff always backfires. The more children are given, the less they appreciate, and the more they demand. When it comes to gifts and rewards, moderation is best. A few meaningful items have more meaning than an endless bounty of plenty.

2. Never let your children ‘diss’ you

I am routinely shocked

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation by the way children speak to their parents. In my office, I see children yell, curse and even hit their parents.

Nothing destroys the peace of a household more than parents who let their children get away with such shenanigans. No child wants a parent he or she can push around. Children who talk down to their parents suffer from low self-esteem, poor peer relations and depression. So if your child disses you regularly, don’t be wishy-washy. Put a stop to it. Be firm about behaviours that are unacceptable and strive to create a culture of mutual respect in your family.

ing them from it.

4. Encourage your children to pay their own way

Unearned privileges and rewards deprive children of self-confidence. Desire is a great jumping off point for ambition and creativity.

Encourage your children to get what they want on their

ger problems in the future by teaching your children that negative behaviours get them what they want – and that’s the last message that you want to send. Grow a backbone, don’t be afraid to be unpopular. In the end, your children will appreciate and respect you more for it.

Y

our child is quick to fault others for... well, everything. If he gets a bad mark in class, he says it’s because a friend wouldn’t stop talking to him. And when you see his muddy shoe prints all over the carpet, he claims they’re the dog’s!

“Children this age don’t understand that everybody makes mistakes,” says Kate Roberts, PhD, a Psychologist.

“Blaming somebody is simply their way to avoid disapproval and negative consequences.”

These smart tips will help your child go from “It wasn’t me!” to learning to be accountable for his actions.

3. Don’t be a “fix everything parent”

“Fix everything parents” are the hardworking superheroes of parenting, willing to do anything for their child in a heartbeat. However, they have a terrible habit of swooping in and saving their children from frustrating situations. By doing so, they keep their children dependent, rob them of growth opportunities and create gaps in their emotional development. Children with “fix everything parents” don’t think twice about bossing or manipulating them. It’s better to teach your children how to work through frustration and come up with their own solutions. Don’t save the day! Remember, frustration is the fossil fuel that drives maturity.

Helping your children work through frustration is far more emboldening than sav-

BY TAMEKIA REECE

own. Help them to set goals and work toward achieving them, the process fuels their hunger to succeed and fosters a healthy self-reliance.

5. Don’t be afraid to be unpopular

Being a good parent requires making unpopular decisions now and then. If you surrender to temper tantrums or avoid conflicts to purchase peace, you’re setting the stage for big-

6. Fortify your leadership

When children rule the roost, no one benefits.

Parenting requires strong leadership. The more confident that you are in your choices, the more your children will respect you.

Children who respect parents develop a strong foundation for self-respect, they make mindful decisions and demonstrate greater thoughtfulness in relationships. (parenting.com)

Connect the dots Help your child make the link between what he does and what happens by pointing out real-life examples, suggests Rachel Robertson, Director of Education and development at Bright Horizons Family Solutions in Watertown, Massachusetts.

For instance, you could say, “Because you studied hard, you got an A on your spelling test” or “Since you jumped in a puddle, your shoes are soggy.”

You can ask him to think of a cause or an effect for certain situations. One could be, “Mom overslept on Tuesday,”

and he has to come up with a possible consequence. Expect some wacky responses (“Mom overslept, so she had to go to work in her pajamas!”), but just roll with it. The more experience he gets identifying causes and effects, the easier it will be for him to work through this inner dialogue before and after his own actions.

Make honesty easy If you want your child to come to you with the truth (or admit to it when asked), try to keep your cool when expressing your dissatisfaction about her poor behaviour, suggests Philip Dembo, PhD, author of The Real Purpose of Parenting: The Book You Wish Your Parents Read. Being calm and approachable makes it easier – and more likely – that she’ll fess up in the future.

Let her know everyone makes mistakes and what matters most is that she’s truthful, learns from the situation, and tries to right her wrongs.

Then, discuss what she could have done differently, how she can make it better, and any consequences. Don’t forget to praise her honesty if she owned up to her actions.

Stick to the rules Sure, we all allow some things to slide on occasion.

But if you often let your child’s adorable face, charming ways, or pitiful pleading persuade you not to enforce punishment, your child learns that he doesn’t have to take the rules seriously and can convince you to go easy on him. To be accountable, he needs to learn to accept the consequences of his words, actions, and decisions, and the only way he’ll do so is if you’re consistent with rules and discipline, says Dr Dembo.

Keep track of progress To help the lesson stick, turn it into a challenge. Tell your child that she’ll begin the week with five points, and each time she makes an excuse or tries to place blame on others, she loses one. Use a chart on the fridge or a dry-erase board hung on her bedroom door to keep track.

If she can make it through the week without getting to zero, reward her improved behaviour with a trip to the park or an extra 30 minutes before bed one night. Though her points may dwindle at first, this chart will remind her to be conscious of what she does and says so she’ll be less likely to pass the buck next time. (parents.com)

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saturDAY, APRIL 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Meten-Meer-Zorg supermarket robbed

Resignation calls…

Aunty Volda offers T “No comment” S ocial Protection Minister Volda Lawrence has stubbornly refused to address the nation on mounting concerns about her adeptness to hold public office and to champion the protection of children’s rights, apparently for fear that her statement will be blown out of context.

Drilled by reporters Thursday for a comment in response to the expressions of no-confidence in her genuineness as Social Protection Minister and the calls for her resignation, Minister Lawrence made it clear that she will not be offering any comment to the media on the matter.

She then muttered that her reason for being silent is because the media always finds a way to take simple statements out of context and twist them to their inkling.

Guyana Times had made previous attempts to contact the minister for a response to

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

these concerns but to no avail.

Often times, the phone call would be forwarded to the minister’s assistant who always stated that the minister was unavailable.

President David Granger had proffered that he will be seeking an explanation from

the minister regarding the situation; however the public is yet to hear any official response from government.

Recently, several rights groups and social activists during a peaceful picketing exercise expressed that the prolonged silence from government is actually doing more harm than good.

Lawrence came under fire after she sought to defend accused child molester Winston Harding – who was a candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) in the recently-concluded Local Government Elections.

“This is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason, I can’t tell you because if I had a brother, even if there was an accusation, this is not how I would go about helping him,” Lawrence is reported to have stated.

he owner of People’s Choice Supermarket is now counting his losses after his business was broken into in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Harry Singh who has been operating the family business for five years said he is still in dismay as the details of the robbery remain sketchy.

According to the man, the bandits made off with over $400,000 worth of groceries and car products.

It is understood the thieves pried open steel windows to get into the supermarket, ransacking the interior.

Speaking with Guyana Times Singh said a friend of his father had spotted two men on different occasions carrying weighted baskets and acting suspicious.

Singh said that out of curiosity the man begun questioning one of the thieves who dropped the basket and fled the scene.

Upon checking the items, the man realised that it was

Missing: Gregory Sanmoogan

him off so he could conduct his business. To date Sanmoogan has not made contact with his family and has not been seen by anyone who knows him.

A relative of the missing man is said to have told INews that he had to visit his lawyer in Georgetown then go to the

bank to conduct business.

Following this he was supposed to pay the family’s bills and then return home.

His daughter, whose name was not given to the online publication stated that her family made contact with their masjid, notifying the Islamic ‘family’ that they could not locate her father.

“He has a phone and we called it but it kept ringing out. We haven’t heard from him and nobody has seen him and everyone is worried. We are trying to deal with this and praying and hoping that he comes back safely,” the distraught daughter said.

According to her, Sanmoogan left home clad in grey Islamic attire and had on a pair of sandals.

Anyone having any information concerning the missing man are being asked to contact his family on phone 651-9170, 216-3263, 685-8521 or the nearest police station.

the report as a joke but still cannot come to grips that someone would have raided his business in this manner.

“Being April fool’s Day, I thought somebody was playing a prank on me. I didn’t expect this kind of loss; I thought it was something smaller.

These thieves took off with all the expensive items I sell.”

After the check was made at the supermarket, a report was made to the Lenora Police Station and ranks arrived to investigate.

They however came up empty handed, as there were no visible clues or anything that lead to the perpetrators.

Finger prints were also checked for but Singh said it appeared the thieves had used gloves.

Further investigations are continuing.

Though a huge loss for Singh, he said he is grateful there was no one present at the scene at the time because that might have resulted in a different scenario.

5 injured as GPHC ambulance slams into minibus

Family concerned as F Diamond man goes missing T

hree days have passed since the family of Gregory Sanmoogan, 56, a tailor has heard from him after he left home on Tuesday morning to visit a friend at the Diamond Police Station, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Guyana Times understands that Sanmoogan had to conduct business in the city during the course of the said day.

However, according to reports, before he travelled to Georgetown Sanmoogan went to the police station where a friend/member of the Masjid he attends was detained for questioning into an on-going matter.

Another friend from the Masjidis said to have collected him from his Great Diamond, EBD, home and taken him to the Diamond Police Station to visit their “brother”.

Sometime after, the tailor’s friend is said to have taken him to the city and dropped

taken from Singh’s supermarket.

The distressed businessman said he received information through his father, approximately three hours after the incident, informing him that his supermarket had been broken into.

Singh said he was no way prepared for what he saw when he turned up right after receiving the report.

He noted that computers, processors and other electronics which the supermarket utilises had been ripped and stacked in corners with the seeming intent of being carried away.

In addition, food items, car equipment, cosmetics and other items were removed with others packed in baskets and bags, presumably to be fetched away.

However, they were unable to do so since they were spotted by the man who had reported the information to Singh.

Singh said he had taken

ive staffers of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) are now being medically attended at their workplace after the ambulance they were in while on duty slammed into a minibus Friday afternoon.

Guyana Times understands that two attendants, two nurses and the driver of the ambulance

(PSS 654) were injured while they were transporting a patient from GPH to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.

A source told the online publication that the patient escaped major injuries and “is safe”.

The accident is said to have occurred at Camp and

Lamaha Streets, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, passengers of the minibus are reported to have sustained injuries as well, with one woman suffering a broken arm.

Others sustained injuries about their bodies, mainly to their heads and faces.

Investigations are on-going into the matter.

8 news 18 Operation Room technicians added to health sector saturDAY, APRIL 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton and GPH staff along with the 5th batch of graduates of the Operating Room Technican Training Programme

T

he capacity of the health sector has been enhanced by 18 new Operating Room Technicians for hospitals across the country.

The technicians are the fifth batch to graduate from an Operating Room Technician Training Programme held by the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The graduation ceremony was held Friday.

The 18 graduands are from GPH, West Demerara Regional Hospital, Davis Memorial Hospital, Georgetown Medical Centre, St Joseph Mercy Hospital, and Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

The training lasted one year during which the graduands underwent rigorous

training in areas of Infection Control, Code of Conduct in the Operating Room, Care and Knowledge of Operating Room equipment and instruments, and Confidentiality of patient information.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton told the technicians that they should apply the knowledge and skills gained during their months of training and of preceptorship to the best of their ability. He reminded them that their role is primarily to ensure the efficient functioning of the operating rooms, noting that it should not be taken lightly.

“As Operating Room Technicians, you contribute significantly towards ensuring that patients have the best quality pre- and post-

operative care. The support you provide to patients and the assistance you provide to surgeons intraoperatively allows for improved outcomes and overall recovery of patients,” the Minister stated.

Moreover, Dr Norton pointed out that it would be remiss not to stress the importance of honesty in execution of their duties, since dishonesty can cost the life of a patient.

“Honesty is a very important trait in Operating Room technicians who have to maintain confidentiality of patient information.

Dishonesty in the Public Health care system will not be tolerated and healthcare professionals will be dealt with condignly if they are found guilty of such,” he warned.

The Public Health Minister noted that the wealth of any nation is its people’s health, therefore, he told the graduands it is of significant importance that they work in tandem with other healthcare workers to ensure the delivery of the best quality of healthcare services.

He also encouraged the technicians to expand their knowledge by grasping other training opportunities in future. The minister outlined that furthering medical education is very important for those in the field since there are always new interventions in medicine.

“It’s something that I advocate for every time I have the opportunity to do so. The Ministry of Public Health has over the years proven its commitment to supporting persons who pursue continuing medical education, through training programmes such as this one,” he stated.

Dr Norton commended GPH’s Medical and Nursing Staff for sustaining this programme over the past five years and training approximately 67 Operating Room Technicians thus far.

Miner refused bail on possession charge

A

miner was refused pretrial liberty when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with possession of narcotics.

Orand Alfred, 47, of Lot 155 Tabatinga, Lethem, denied that he on March 29 had 9½ grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Representing the accused Attorney Jerome Khan pleaded for his client to be released on bail since on the day in question police came and conducted a search on the defendant’s premises and his person.

Khan pointed out that the drug was found in his client yard over a fence and not on Alfred while multiple people reside at the home.

Police prosecutor Deniro Jones successfully opposed bail, citing the gravity attached to such charges.

According to Jones the narcotic was found in the accused back yard under some dry bushes, which ranks unearthed in Alfred’s presence.

Magistrate McLennan remanded the father of six and transferred the matter to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for May 30.

Eyew tness

Clueless...

F

...or malicious?

or quite a while – in fact from the very beginning of their reign – your Eyewitness’ been saying this government is clueless when it comes to stimulating business. But then he remembered an old bit of wisdom from one of the Bond movies he saw in his dissolute youth.

The first time something anomalous happens, you can dismiss it as “happenstance”. The next time? Dismiss it as “coincidence”. But if it rears its head a third time... then you better check out whether it’s “enemy action”.

So we come now to what triggered the thought – the government’s surreptitious move on VAT for heavy duty machinery used in Agriculture. It’s not like the government doesn’t know the sector’s in a crisis mode while still the largest employer and contributor to the economy. Let’s take rice as the largest agricultural generator of foreign revenues.

Right after taking office, APNU/AFC did absolutely NOTHING about the Venezuelan market which was our largest – absorbing some 200,000 tonnes at a price far in excess of world market price. It was in effect a barter arrangement which also gave us a break on oil prices and repayment terms. All round positive, yes?

Well evidently the new coalition government didn’t think so. They went on a full court press against the Maduro government for evoking the Border Controversy.

But APNU/AFC knew Maduro’s gambit was so as not to be outflanked by the Opposition breathing down his neck in the domestic economic meltdown. An Opposition backed by the US which had sworn to remove the successors of Chávez.

So when our government just twiddled its thumbs and did nothing to save the rice contract, this could’ve been dismissed as “happenstance”. Prices for rice and paddy plunged by almost half... taking it even below the cost of production. Asked to kick in the “Rice Stabilisation Plan” the coalition had promised during the election campaign, the government responded that rice farmers were “on their own” when it came to prices. So we chalk THAT up to “coincidence”?

And then came this sneaky reinstatement of VAT on equipment farmers need to cut production costs to survive.

What else can we call THAT if not “enemy action”? And the question arises as to why would the government see the agriculture sector in general – and rice in particular – as a candidate for destruction?

Was it because rice farmers didn’t vote for them? But at least some of those 4700 votes by which the APNU/AFC coalition pipped the PPP/C, came from rice farmers who fell for the wiles of the AFC, no?

And this is why we don’t think it’s about being “clueless”.

It all about “malice”.

...on social media

The police arrested a woman and her son for posting a threatening message to President Granger on Facebook.

If the police are consistent, half the people on Facebook should be placed behind bars. Whether we like it or not, social media has become the medium for everyone with thumbs and a smart phone to “mouth off” on any subject under the sun. Including against anyone who might’ve rubbed them the wrong way.

The question the police should ask before they round up folks for mass incarceration is whether the threat is credible. From the context, did the police really think the woman was serious? Isn’t this how millions of folks express their frustration – but just simmer? The pertinent question the US Supreme Court of the US ruled on a “Facebook” threat by an incarcerated man to his wife was, “did he really intend to harm her”.

This subjective test is pretty hard to prove... and in the instant case, impossible.

Let the woman go!

...on gender

The workings of the law are inscrutable. At least to this Eyewitness. Take this magistrate who rules that females can show up in court in men’s clothing while males can’t do the same in female clothing.

So what would he say to a Scotsman in kilts?

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

news

9

saturDAY, APRIL 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Scores of ‘campaign supporters’ appointed advisers – Harmon – Opposition roasts Govt over secrecy

President David Granger

M

inister of State Joseph Harmon has broken his silence over his decision to appoint businessman and financier of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Brian Tiwari as Ministerial Adviser on Business Development.

Harmon, being criticised by many including members of his own government, has now revealed that his action was above-board, since Tiwari is among scores of other “campaign supporters” who have also received similar “instruments” that were signed by him.

“We have issued several instruments like these to persons both from the APNU and the AFC side… I have signed it for many persons who have helped us in the campaign and those who have the capacity to help us further,” he told at least one local media house.

Honorific

Harmon is also maintaining that the title of Ministerial Adviser bestowed upon Tiwari

and other “campaign supporters” was merely “honorific titles”.

“These are what you call honorific titles and this has nothing to do with a person getting or drawing down any particular benefit from the government,” he said.

Tiwari’s instrument of appointment was issued on January 19, 2016 and bore the signature of Harmon, but that appointment was only made public last week when the local media began reporting on it.

Notably, Tiwari was on Harmon’s delegation which recently returned from a state business trip to China Tiwari was expected to provide advisory services to Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, but Gaskin said he was never aware of the appointment and only learnt of it when the media broke the news.

Similarly, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said he was never aware of Tiwari’s appointment.

President David Granger confirmed Thursday that he has “personally rescinded” Tiwari’s appointment, since there is no need for such an adviser.

President Granger during the recording of his weekly television programme – ‘the Public Interest’, said Tiwari’s appointment was not done by government, suggesting that it was a unilateral decision.

While the president did not state if he was aware of the appointment, he clarified that the businessman is not performing any function on behalf of the Administration. “I certain-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

ly don’t have any need for him in that role and that’s why it was rescinded,” he told reporters during the interview.

Secrecy

Meanwhile, Chief Whip of the Parliamentary Opposition,

Gail Teixeira lambasted the coalition government over Tiwari and other ministerial advisers’ appointment, which she said, honorific or not, are shrouded in secrecy, a seemingly known trait of the 10-month-old government.

Teixeira told a news conference at her People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Headquarters on Thursday that, even if the post is honorific, there must be full disclosure, including the terms and conditions of those appointed.

“This habit of the government, which appears to be a growing habit of not telling people anything, is a very dangerous pattern emerging and the government needs to correct itself,” she advised.

Teixeira again raised questions over the number of ministerial and presidential advisors

Businessman Brian Tiwari

appointed since the coalition took office in May 2015, a question which came up during the 2016 Budget Debates, but remains largely unanswered.

“The advisors are not honorific. They come with monies, they have diplomatic passports,” she revealed, adding that if the advisors are paid and what benefits are accorded them are facts kept secret.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

Late 2015, the government appointed close to 30 persons in the United States and Canada as Advisers on Diaspora Affairs.

The opposition had pressed for the Terms of Reference (ToR), as well as the names of these advisers, but they were never provided by the administration.

2000 more ranks needed for Police Force

T

he strength of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is short by over 2000, and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan is making additional pleas for persons to come on board.

“The strength of the Police Force is between four and five thousand. We are two thousand policemen short because of a number of constraints including them not wanting to because of low salaries and other things. But we will be urging members to encourage persons to join the police force”, Ramajattan said, continuing that the force has

an establishment strength of over 6800, however, “we are short”.

As it stands now, the strength of the Community Policing Group, remains higher than the Police Force itself. Asked if he felt that the growing number of persons in Community Policing takes away from the human and other resources from the force itself, Ramjattan responded in the negative.

“I do not see it taking away resources from the police. As a matter of fact, I am seeing it as ancillary and supplemental to the police force, because

they are not paid a salary and a lot of persons with the CPG have their own jobs and professional lives that keep them employed. And it is good to have persons who are financially independent to be part of the force”.

Ramjattan said there have been resources from the state that have been granted like vehicles and gears, “because sometimes a government has to help out because people are taking the risk day and night.

Because we see that they have made arrests and have supplemented the police force in making those arrests”, he said

The minister said community policing establishes partnerships between the police and the public and it must be emphasised that problemsolving should be one of the basic core.

“There is a direction we must go that raises the root causes of crime that can be helped at the community level. So the training of community policing members will require money, too. And so if they decide to do some work on the ground we have to give them some money, all of that are part of this important business of policing”

10

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, april 2, 2016

News

New Anna Regina Mayor, Councillors sworn in BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) which dominates the Anna Regina Town Council in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will be controlling the areas within the township (Three Friends- Walton Hall including Lima Sands).

At a simple yet memorable swearing-in ceremony held Friday at the Town Council, Former Deputy Mayor Rabindranauth Mohan was sworn in as the new Mayor while Dharshan Persaud former Sports and Youth Officer was named as Deputy.

Both PPP\C representatives vowed to work with the communities and councillors to enhance development. For the coalition government, two councillors Mark Mc Lean and Hakim Khan were sworn-in on the council by Town Clerk Diane Chritchlow.

Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, the new mayor said he will be working with residents and councillors to generate rev-

Right to left: Rabindranauth Mohan, Darshan Persaud

enues that will be used to keep the town clean and address the other issues since he believes in inclusive governance.

Mohan is presently supervisor for the Guyana Rice Producer’s Association and has served as Deputy Mayor since 1994 on the same council.

Mohan explained that he has no intention of raising taxes.

Mohan was born at Reliance Village, Essequibo Coast and has participated most of his life in politi-

cal work for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

During 1989 he served as party organizer in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) and later ventured to Region Two to render assistance to the party.

The newly elected councillors from the PPP/C are Haimant Boodram, Rookmin Parsram, Hazrul Bacchus, Herman Persaud, Roslyn Thomson, Reyaad Khan, Bibi Husman, Dawood Khan, Bibi Briglall, Loaknaught Rooplall and Darshan Pershad.

Residents outraged over constant power outages, low voltage

R

esidents in several areas across the country are expressing outrage over the constant power outages, as well as long periods of low voltage. Over the last few days, areas along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), East Coast of Demerara (ECD), West Bank of Demerara (WBD), West Coast of Demerara (WCD) and Georgetown, have experienced prolonged hours of power outages, much to the discomfort of residents. This inconvenient occurrence comes at a time when the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has promised that the company would be providing a massive 20 per cent decrease in the net rates for supply of electricity across all tariff categories, which took effect on Friday, April 1.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Anand Tiwari who is a resident of Enterprise, ECD, explained that he is extremely dissatisfied with the current situation as he is deeply affected by the constant power outages.

“The frequency of them is ridiculous. A definite grand decline in the already shoddy power GPL spews out.

I’d have thought someone would’ve already sued them already for electrical damages. These outages cut into my work and entertainment

time too much for me to not be angry,” he stated, adding that thus far, they have not been provided with a reason for these outages.

On the East Bank of Demerara, the situation is seemingly returning to normal as the power outages have ceased; however, residents are still dissatisfied as they are experiencing frequent instances of low voltage. One resident described the power supply “like fairy lights, every few seconds is on and off”, while another related that she has to keep her electrical appliances unplugged in fear of them being damaged.

Meanwhile, in Parfaite Harmonie and Canal Number One, WBD, residents are still being direly affected by the outages.

Jennifer Singh, a resident of Parfaite Harmonie, related that when there is not an outage, the voltage is unstable. “Thursday was terrible. All day we had blackout, and then the power returned late in the afternoon only to cut off again in the night. It’s unbearable,” the woman stated. She explained that over the course of the week, the outages have been experienced daily and as a result, groceries and food items have spoilt.

“I would understand if they were doing maintenance for a day or two, causing the

blackouts but for an entire week? It is unacceptable,” the frustrated resident related.

In Canal Number One Polder, a shopkeeper revealed that she experienced great losses to her business as products that needed to remain refrigerated, such as meat and ice-cream were spoiled and had to be thrown out. She also related that they were not informed of these outages beforehand as to make preparations, nor were they informed of the reason for them.

One resident of Uitvlugt, on the West Coast, explained that the area is experiencing the outages as well, though not as frequent as other areas. Singh (only name given) stated that the outages do not occur frequently, but the instances of drops in the voltage received happen almost daily.

“Is naa everyday thing fuh we get the blackout but the low voltage is almost every day,” the man explained.

These residents are calling on GPL to address the situation urgently as it has inconvenienced them and caused them losses.

Efforts to contact the power company to seek answers in relation to the constant power outages proved futile, as calls to the hotline number provided went unanswered.

MARAD training boat operators on safe practices

I

Boat operators of Mabaruma during the training exercise of Tuesday

n an effort to ensure that safe practices are observed when traversing on the country’s waterways, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Tuesday hosted a training session with boat operators of Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini).

A team from the Maritime Administration Department travelled to Mabaruma, in Region One, to conduct training in safe boating practices with boat operators in that community.

“Some of the topics covered in the training were navigation rules of the road,

emergencies from boating operations, and hazards associated with boating operations,” a release from MARAD stated.

A representative of the MARAD explained that the Maritime Department had embarked on an enhanced safety campaign in 2015 which involved the training of boat operators on safe boating practices throughout Guyana, and those operators who completed the training were certified in their respective areas of operation.

It was further related that this session saw the op-

erators being issued with Certificates of Competency.

The certificates, it was added, will pave the way for them to operate safely on Mabaruma’s waterways.

“Boat operators in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have since completed training and MARAD will continue with its training for operators in the Port Kaituma, Morucca areas, and in other regions of the country. The objective is to ensure that all vessels are operating with relevant licences, and that safe practices are upheld on the country’s waterways,” the representative stated.

saturDay, APRIL 2, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Govt meets Chinese Kurt Wynter is New Amsterdam’s new Mayor company over T outstanding US$5M on GTT shares

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

G

uyana could soon receive the US$5 million outstanding payment it is owed by a Chinese company which bought the government’s 20 per cent shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) Company.

This was after Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Legal Counsel at National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Natalia Seepersaud, visited China and held discussions with Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group over the outstanding payment for the shares bought from NICIL in 2012 for some US$30 million.

This deal was done by the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, but only US$25 million was paid.

The Ministry of the Presidency (MTP) in a statement Friday said that Minister Harmon, upon his return reported that investigations and enquiries conducted by the Guyanese delegation were highly successful.

“The team’s report will be submitted to the Board of Directors of NICIL for deliberations, after which, a

full statement on this matter will be issued,” the statement said.

Harmon was also accompanied by Head Project Coordination of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Fitzroy Corlette and Supervisor David Hermonstine, along with the representative of the Chinese companies in Guyana, Clinton Williams, who participated in negotiations with NUTECH, a Chinese security scanning equipment supplier, for the acquisition of container and baggage scanners.

“The acquisition of security scanners by the GRA is aimed at strengthening air, land and sea port security and to help in the fight against the trafficking of illegal drugs,” the statement added.

According to the ministry’s statement, the GRA team and NUTECH both expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the negotiations.

NUTECH is recognised as one of the world’s top providers of security scanning equipment. The company produces scanners that are used to effectively prevent the trafficking of contraband such as explosives, narcotics and radioactive substances.

he newly installed council of New Amsterdam on Friday elected what would be its 65th Mayor. Kurt Wynter is the Mayor with his deputy being Winifred Haywood who was part of the previous council that served for 21 years.

After the 14-person council was installed, Wynter was elected to serve as successor of the longest-serving Mayor Claude Henry.

In his inaugural speech, Wynter said he will work with the citizens towards the restoration on the town to make it a beautiful, progressive and safe place to live, a place that can be called home and that all can be proud of.

“We face many struggles to restore out economic vitality. Our roads, bridges, street lights and drainage all need serous work. Our infrastructure programmes for our children and our seniors all require particular attention, but we must face them together,” the Mayor, 37, told the packed council chamber.

He said it is now time to look towards the restoration of the town and to implement programmes which meet the needs of citizens.

Wynter said he is looking forward to work with all councillors and thanked them for the confidence they showed in him as he referred to New Amsterdam as the best town in Guyana.

Meanwhile, the others who were sworn-in as councillors of the Municipality on Friday are Leroy Grant, Sheeana Lambert, Polliann Shultz, George Tucker, Patrica Lynch, Eusi Smith, William Moore, Angelique Springer, Buster Wright, Elijah Timmers and Sewdat Singh.

Twelve of the councillors are from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) slate while Timmers and

Rape accused charged again for robbery

I

t was an intense battle outside of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for Police Officers as they struggled to transport an accused rapist into the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, this time charged with robbery.

Samuel George, 27, of Lot A East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the charge which read that on March 28, 2016 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he robbed Evelyn Peters of one mobile phone valued $5000 and $18,000 cash.

Police Prosecutor Deniro

Samuel George

Jones objected to bail due to the gravity of the offense

and due to the fact that the accused has a pending matter in court, that of the rape of a 61-year-old woman.

It was chaos in the courtroom as the defendant threw himself to the ground screaming “not guilty, I didn’t do it’. He claimed that he is being falsely accused of the crime as he was out of the country.

He screamed for President Granger to lend his assistance in proving his innocence.

As a result of his behaviour, Magistrate McLennan remanded him to prison.

He will make his next court appearance on April 14.

New Mayor Kurt Wynter and Deputy Mayor Winifred Haywood

Singh were elected from the People’s Progressing Party/ Civic (PPP/C) list.

Embattled Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence who also attended the swearing-in, told the new councillors never to forget that they are there to serve.

“You have taken a position where the persons whom you are expected to serve are challenged by many issues; social issues, moral issues, economic issues and you have said to the persons residing in this Municipality that you can bring your experience, knowledge, to impact the issues which prevail.”

According to Lawrence, the main objective of each councillor should be to positively address the issues con-

fronting the town and make it the best town in Guyana: “There are those who have started the race before you, it is now time for you to take that baton and run with it; run with patience and run with the knowledge that you don’t know it all and that there are persons within the community whom you can draw from.”

Region Six Chairman David Armogan who lives in New Amsterdam said he will be looking forward to receive service from the new council as any other citizen would. However he noted that as Regional Chairman he will provide whatever assistance he can and through the Regional Administration will be done for the other two municipalities and 16 Neighbourhood Democratic

Councils in the region.

“One of the reasons you decided to contest the Local Government Elections was improving the municipality. Development is always a work in progress. There will never be a hundred per cent satisfaction; you will never be able to please the residents one hundred per cent but the more you can help and the more you can give, and the better persons lives will become, then you would have contributed significantly to the development of the town,” Armogan said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Claude Henry the outgoing mayor said he was pleased to be part of history and took the opportunity to provide a bit of advice to the new council. Henry served as Mayor of the town from 2002 until the last day of March 2016.

12 news

saturDay, APRIL 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Sugar workers receiving API payments CPA GS pays courtesy call on S Opposition Leader

CPA Secretary General Akbar Khan and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo met on Friday

S

ecretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Akbar Khan, made a courtesy call on Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at his office on Friday.

During the visit, the two discussed parliamentary related matters among other issues. The CPA is an Associated Organisation of the Commonwealth which links members of national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments and legislatures across the Commonwealth.

A CPA delegation,

head by Khan, is currently in Guyana and conducted a two-day Post-Election Seminar for local parliamentarians. The seminar wrapped up on Friday.

Khan, an overseasbased Guyanese, was appointed Secretary General in October last year after he was recommended to the 61st General Assembly by the Association’s International Executive Committee, which is made up of representatives of the nine regions of the CPA. He is the 7th SG of the Association.

ugar workers across the Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice estates received their 2015 Annual Production Incentives (API). This comes after months of deliberations with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), after which the situation was declared as “deadlocked”.

Guyana Times understands that while payments for the most part went smoothly, there were reports that some workers attached to the factory at Wales were denied their API payments. An official close to the Estate revealed that these workers did not meet qualifications according to the criteria which the Sugar Corporation had set out.

This publication has also learnt that the workers who apparently failed to qualify for API had previously received HWP (Holiday with Pay). It was explained that workers who receive the Holiday with Pay incentive, are also entitled to receive Annual Production Incentive.

Attempts to contact GAWU’s President Komal Chand proved futile.

However, this newspaper has gathered that GAWU and estate officials launched an investigation into the alleged non-payments.

GAWU has been in discussions with GuySuCo since November 2015 on API payments. The workers were initially promised API payments in December last year but this was postponed to March 2016, to facilitate discussion between the sugar company and GAWU. The GAWU has called the payments of 2.72 days pay insignificant.

The Union said it vehemently opposes such an “unjust” payment. According to the Union in statement released last week, during the meetings, GuySuCo took an uncompromising stand on its proposal to award a day’s pay as API for every 85,000 tonnes of sugar produced.

Hence, in the deadlock circum-

stance, GuySuCo will now go ahead with the API payments of 2.72 days pay for the 231,145 tonnes of sugar produced in 2015.

Over the last several months, GAWU has engaged sugar workers in a series of strike actions to advocate for an increase on API payments, an increase on 2015 wages and to stand in solidarity against the proposed closure of the Wales Sugar Estate.

So far, the Sugar Corporation has not budged as the 2015 API payments remained the same and there were no increases to 2015 wages. GuySuCo is yet to officially disclose to the Union its plans for Wales after the estate closes by year end.

Bandits rob West Coast Demerara Post Office

B

andits carried out a brazen robbery on the Meten-MeerZorg Post office between Thursday evening and Friday morning carting off a sum of $579,918.

According to information, the time the bandits struck the post office is still sketchy, but it was con-

firmed that they took the large sum of cash. In addition, the bandits took a quantity of postage stamps.

Speaking with Guyana Times Friday, D Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell cited that they had not ascertained the time the robbery occurred.

He said the report of the robbery was only made after staff turned up to commence

work and they observed the building had been broken into.

The report was then forwarded, after which ranks promptly arrived at the scene in search of clues that would lead to the perpetrators.

Mantell disclosed that they have apprehended a few persons suspected to be involved in the robbery.

Up to yesterday after-

noon, these persons were still being grilled by authorities.

It should be noted that at post offices across Guyana, during this period of the month, pensioners are scheduled to receive their monthly allowance.

It is however uncertain whether this has hindered the process for the collection of pension at the post office.

Charge of possession dismissed against security guard

A

security guard walked free when a charge of illegal gun possession was dismissed against him in Court Five of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Gordon Mars, 34, of David Street, Subryanville, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and pleaded not guilty to the offense which alleged

that on March 6, 2015 on James and Curtis Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, Mars had a .32 pistol along with 11 matching rounds of ammunition in his possession, while not being the holder of a gun licence.

The Prosecution’s facts stated that a police patrol which was in receipt of information that Mars was in possession of an unlicensed fire-

arm, went to Albouystown and searched him. The search allegedly revealed the firearm and ammunition in his right side pocket.

Police Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru said Mars at the time of the search told officers that he was a licensed firearm holder.

However, an investigation was carried which revealed that this was false.

Attorney Peter Hugh who represented the accused said his facts about the discovery of the weapon and ammunition differed from that presented by the prosecution.

Hugh claimed that at the time of his client’s arrest, he was in the company of a group of persons and that the firearm was found some distance away on a grass parapet.

Magistrate Azore told the court that the prosecution was unable to prove their case and as such dismissed the matter.

News

13

saturDay, APRIL 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C saddened APNU/AFC did not ask me to resign by passing of – embattled Georgetown Councillor Clyde Roopchand Child sex molestation charges…

... PNC GS differs, says integrity demanded it

By Alexis Rodney

C

ontroversial A Partnership for National Unity / Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) member Winston Harding, who has been accused of molesting a minor and who his party had withdrew its support from, was on Friday swornin as a City Councillor.

Harding was among the 30-member council who took their Oath of Office before Town Clerk Royston King.

He made this headway although a string of allegations were laid against him of sexually molesting a minor years ago. Calls have been made for his removal and that of his fellow party member and current Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence who openly supported him.

When approached by the media following his appointment on Friday, Harding said he would not be resigning. He maintained that he had no intention of stepping down, although various groups and organisations have requested that he do so.

President Granger and the People’s National Congress are still to make an official pronouncement on the matter but which now seems settled.

Harding contested and was successful in the recently held Local Government Election; after word got out that he had sexually abused

Winston Radcliffe Trevor Harding being sworn-in as a Councillor

a minor, his party had soon after pulled its support from him.

Clarke differs

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Oscar Clarke, whose party Harding belongs to, told another section of the media that had he been in Harding’s position, he would have resigned from the post.

“I would resign! You know why I would have resigned? I would have resigned because in my heart of hearts, I know that the accusation against me is one I should not put myself forward,” he told an Online News agency Friday He said it is up to Harding to give “this a lot of thought”. Is he going to be

able to get the support of the people out there that he is serving? How are they going to look at him?” he asked.

The PNC head said he would not utter anything to Harding about him stepping down. “I personally would not ask him. I tell you, I leave it to people’s conscience. He doesn’t do anything to me and he wouldn’t prevent me from doing what I have to do in this council,” he told the media outfit.

Following mounting pressure from the public and other stakeholders, the APNU/AFC coalition was forced to withdraw its support from the embattled candidate, who it was said, had faced multiple charges of child molestation.

Harding, who was never convicted for the alleged

sexual offences, was listed as the party’s representative for Georgetown’s Constituency 13 (East and West Ruimveldt) in the March poll.

The party in a release had said that as a result of the alleged behaviour of Harding and the pattern of accusations over the years, his candidature could not be supported.

The coalition also posited that the party is “firmly against all forms of abuse especially the abuse of women, children and the elderly. The Partnership takes seriously all allegations of abuse that are made against its members and supporters. In our 2015 manifesto, we clearly state and affirm that the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act must at all times be enforced without compromise or exception… APNU is cognisant of the fact that Mr Harding has not been convicted of any offence, but the gravity and nature of the accusations cannot be ignored or condoned”.

The coalition’s withdrawal of the embattled candidate however, did not affect his performance as many persons in his constituency supported him at the polls.

T

he People’s Progressive Party has expressed grief at the passing of former Chief Planner of the Ministry of Finance, Clyde Roopchand.

In a statement the party said it believes his passing is a remarkable loss for Guyana since his conduct in society during his years of service have impacted the country’s development.

In addition, his societal figure as a mentor to those who sought his wisdom and advice will leave a major sad note in the lives he touched.

The party cited that being diligent and of sound knowledge, he can be credited for his invaluable contribution to the building of Guyana into an advanced nation.

“His passion and commitment to advance the country and the welfare of its people, is undisputed.”

His work for Guyana’s development had not only been local, but he had represented on an international scale with much devotion and eagerness.

For this reason, the party believes that Guyana has undeniably lost a significant member of society whose name will live on in the country’s history.

“Guyana has indeed lost a stalwart and a true son. The best tribute would be to ensure that his contributions are not forgotten and the impeccable standards he set, be emu-

Clyde Roopchand

lated.” the party advises.

PPP/C extended condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Roopchand, reminding them to continue to upkeep strength even in their time of grief.

“Our Party wishes to extend its deepest condolences to his immediate family and relatives, his friends and colleagues. We trust that his family remains strong in this time of profound grief.”

Roopchand passed away on March 30 in New York, USA. His death struck Guyana, with many politicians offering sympathy to his family and friends.

These included President David Granger, former President Bharat Jagdeo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, among others.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDay, april 2, 2016

News

Carwyn Holland elected new Mayor of Linden A

new municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council ( LM&TC ) was officially put in place on Friday as the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors were officially sworn by taking the oath of office.

Lindener Carwyn Holland was elected Mayor while Waneka Arrendell was elected Deputy Mayor.

Councillors of the new municipality include Devin Sears, Keeran Williams, Wainewright Bethune, Eleze Benjamin, Rawl Friday, Collin Anderson, Fern Mckoy, Nikeza Noel, Deryck Collins, Neola Rogers, Derron John, Leroy James, Lennox Gasper and Loma Mosely.

Members of the newly elected Council were also presented with Certificates of Election.

Addressing members of the Council and wellwishers, Holland said he was humbled to be elected, while expressing thanks to President David Granger for what he referred to as the return of local democracy to the people of Guyana, with the recent hosting of Local

The newly elected Linden Town Council

Government Elections. He said the spirit of local democracy is the expansion of freedom, while he outlined plans to work collaboratively with Central Government.

“The trajectory for Linden’s development must include all of the following: stimulating the economy to create jobs; encouraging entrepreneurship; inviting and enticing investors; strengthening Linden’s education system; enhancing Linden’s health sector; youth empow-

erment through skills training and incentives for the self-employed and entrepreneurial youths; restructuring and enhancing public infrastructure; reviving and showcasing Linden’s rich heritage and making Linden the number one tourist destination in Guyana; exposing and supporting local talents in sport, arts and culture”, he noted.

Holland stated that Linden must lead other towns in the development

El Niño

Region 1 water shortage continues – crops, animals affected in Region 9

E

ven with the return of rains in many parts of the coastland, many residents in Region One (Barima-Waini) lack adequate potable water. The continuing dry weather has been attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Region One Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley told Guyana Times on Thursday that residents of the region have not acquired relief in re-gaining water in their taps as has been reported.

“Currently at the Wanaina Pump station, we are having water problems; communities such as Bumbury Hill Amerindian Village, Hosororo stretch and so forth, are not getting water currently, that’s due to the dry spell actually happening right now,” Ashley told this newspaper.

The Chairman further noted that in Barabina, Mabaruma and Wanaina, the levels of water at these three pools have dropped, which is also causing problems for inhabitants. To this end, he observed that the situation is being assessed by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

“They (GWI) have been monitoring what is happening but the water levels in the pools have dropped significantly,” he emphasised. Ashley stressed that the Regional Democratic Council is undertaking col-

Region One Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley

laborative efforts with the water utility and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to remedy the situation.

“We have been working along with GWI and CDC to get things in place,” the Chairman posited.

These dry conditions have persisted across the country since August 2015, following months of intense rainfall. Ashley had previously explained that many farmers were unable to get relief and the dry weather condition has adversely affected many of the region’s crops.

Relief but in small amounts

It was only on Thursday that Guyana Times reported that severe drought conditions in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo)

were continuing. Region Nine Regional Chairman Brian Allicock informed this newspaper that residents there are now able to acquire water for domestic purposes but only in a small amount.

He noted that the region’s food supply has been affected, since main crops have started to dwindle due to the dry weather patterns.

Farmers have been forced to transport animals over vast distances to source appropriate water supply. Allicock pointed out that GWI has undertaken well drilling activities to source water.

The Region Nine Chairman had also noted that the water company has been finding feasible solutions to garner short, medium and long-term relief for the affected residents.

The Ministries of Agriculture, Indigenous People’s Affairs, Public Health, and Communities, among many other orgainsations, have been collaborating to battle the crisis.

Only recently President David Granger set up a taskforce comprising a number of Ministries and organisations with the responsibility of spearheading strategies to combat the drought.

This not only includes Regions One and Nine, but other regions across Guyana that have been facing similar conditions due to the prolonged dry conditions.

of Guyana, while extending the message of togetherness in strengthening the bauxite mining town. The newly elected Mayor further outlined the Council’s plans to build Linden’s status from a town to a ‘city’.

Establishing the fact that the Mayor and Town Council are servant leaders of the people, Holland told those who gathered inside the conference room of the municipality that Linden will be great again. He said the Council has plans to strengthen and stimulate Linden’s economy and education system, while creating jobs and creating youth empowerment.

“Linden can be great

again. Our town was renowned for possessing the best in resources, a wealth of assets that drew many to the mining town. However, disparities in our economic structure have created deep cleavages of despair, in which the most vulnerable continue to suffer and the disadvantageous feel ignored. Youth motivation and ambition are at an all time low, provoked by years of marginalisation by the previous Administration. The dawning of a new era cannot ignore the need for comprehensive restructuring and strengthening in Linden’s business, and by extension, manufacturing, education, health, sport and tourism sectors”, he emphasised.

The newly elected Mayor also thanked the leaders who came before him and lead the past Town Councils. With a promise to build on progress, he pledged to lead the town further up the path of development to new horizons, while continuing to praise the return of democracy.

“The spread of local democracy to communities like Linden is the expansion of freedom and freedom in all of Guyana. It has provided the town of Linden with the functional autonomy to plan and pursue its own unique path of development. This will be done in collaboration and cooperation with stra-

Newly elected Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

tegic stakeholders, including the central government, the Regional Democratic Council, the business community, foreign investors and most importantly, the people of Linden. For development to happen, the people of Linden must buy into the idea. It is the people of Linden who will ultimately decide what the development priorities of this town will be.”

Meanwhile, newly elected Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell indicated that she was elated and humbly accepts the position of being elected to serve in the post.

Arindell also outlined plans to work hard to take the Linden community to the next level.

Region 5 RDC still to receive monies from 2016 Budget

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

T

he slothfulness of the 2016 budgetary allocations continues to render hardships to the lives of the people of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). This is the view of Regional Vice Chairman Rion Peters who stated on Thursday that it has been over a month since the region could receive the benefits from this year’s approved sums.

“The people of this region still continue to experience the hardship of dealing with infrastructure that needs repair and the lack of improved services, some of which were catered for in the region’s 2016 Budget,” Peters noted.

The Vice Chairman also

pointed out that agricultural activities are of vital importance to the livelihood of the people in Region Five and noted that the maintenance and improvement of the region’s agriculture infrastructure are needed.

To this end, Peters posited that it is important for the Regional Executive Officer to “strategically and swiftly implement” the region’s work programme to bring relief to residents of this region.

He further opined that Region Five over the years has been one of the leading regions as it relates to the implementation and execution of its work programme.

He observed that it was necessary that the people of this region begin to benefit from the resources that were allocated to them by the Parliament of Guyana, so that they too “can enjoy a good life” which was promised by officials of the Government.

The Vice Chairman also decried the process for “the advertisement of the Regions 2016 work programme”. Peters noted that many contractors are awaiting the renewal of their compliances. It was alleged that some of the region’s contactors are affiliated with the current Administration, and

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

as such, “delaying tactics [are] been used to accommodate those contactors”.

In February, Government passed a $230 billion National Budget after a series of fiery debates and gruelling questions with the political Opposition.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan championed the budget which fell under the theme ‘Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence… the Good Life Beckons’ while the Opposition deemed it as “anti-poor” and “repackaged”.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the budget “lacks the accompanying measures to realise this theme.”

saturDAY, april 2, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

India Kolkata flyover Obama at nuclear summit: ‘Madmen’ threaten global security collapse: Hope

B

arack Obama used his final nuclear security summit to deliver the stark warning that “madmen” could kill and injure hundreds of thousands of innocent people using only plutonium the size of an apple.

“The danger of a terrorist group obtaining and using a nuclear weapon is one of the greatest threats to global security,” said Obama, convening the meeting of more than 50 world leaders in Washington on Friday.

Obama argued that since the first such summit six years ago, the world has measurably reduced the risk of nuclear terrorism by taking “concrete, tangible steps”. He praised Argentina, Switzerland and

US President Barack Obama issued warnings to leaders but says that since the first summit six years ago, the world has taken ‘concrete, tangible steps’ to reduce nuclear terrorism (source: motherjones.com)

Uzbekistan for ditching stockpiles of highly enriched

uranium.

But while

no

terror-

ists has yet gained possession of a “dirty bomb” made of radioactive materials, Obama said, such terrorists pose a persistent and evolving threat. Al-Qaida has long sought nuclear materials, he said, while individuals involved in the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels, both claimed by Islamic State, videotaped a senior manager who works at Belgian nuclear facility.

Isis has used chemical weapons, including mustard gas, in Syria and Iraq.

“There is no doubt that if these madmen ever got their hands on a nuclear bomb or nuclear material they most certainly would use it to kill as many innocent people as possible,” Obama said. (Excerpt

from The Guardian)

fading for survivors

H

opes of finding more survivors trapped under a collapsed flyover are fading in the Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta). Rescuers have worked through the night in the Girish Park area, where the bypass was under construction when it collapsed suddenly on Thursday afternoon.

At least 24 people were killed and scores injured.

The 2km-long (1.2 mile) flyover started construction in 2009 and missed several deadlines for completion.

Police have opened a case of culpable homicide against the company in charge of the construction, IVRCL. Reports say five of the firm’s officials have been detained for questioning and its headquarters in

the southern Indian city of Hyderabad have been sealed off.

The company said it would co-operate with investigators. However one of its senior officials said in a news conference that the collapse had been “an act of god” as the company had a good safety record.

Officials said more than 90 people have been rescued, some of whom are in hospital in a critical condition.

“Many of the people rescued have been seriously injured,” police chief Ajay Tyagi told the Reuters news agency. “Many could still be buried below the debris.” It is not clear how many people may be still trapped under the debris. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Kenya honours Muslim teacher who died saving Christians Pakistan honour

S

alah Farah, a Muslim teacher who died shielding Christians during a bus attack in Kenya, has been posthumously honoured for his act of courage.

Farah was shot after refusing to be separated from Christian passengers during an al-Shabab attack on a bus travelling from Mandera to Nairobi in December 2015.

He later succumbed to his wounds, leaving behind four young children aged between two and 10, and a pregnant wife. On Thursday, Farah was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya by President Uhuru Kenyatta “in recognition of his remarkable act of valour”.

The award is given by the President to acclaim “dis-

tinguished and outstanding services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities”.

“He died defending people who he did not know.

This is because he believed in their right to freedom of worship and he knew that every single life - irrespective of faith – is sacred,” Kenyatta said during the State of Nation address in

Parliament.

“He is a powerful symbol of our country’s ambition to attain the full expression of secure and cohesive nationhood, and he is a costly reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our freedoms.

“I want to tell his children that their father’s sacrifice will never be forgotten – and will be long admired.”

killings on the rise, report reveals

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Security audit of Jamaica Govt websites ordered after increase in cyber attacks

J

amaica’s Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr Andrew Wheatley has ordered security audits for the websites of all Government Ministries, departments and agencies to determine their level of exposure to cyber attacks.

It comes on the heels of what Dr Wheatley said was an increase in attacks on several government sites over the past two years. “As a Government, we must be more proactive in our approach to mitigating these cyber threats,” he said.

“Accordingly, I have requested that a comprehensive audit and assessment plan be prepared and im-

mediately implemented to determine the vulnerability levels of all Government websites, so that the appro-

priate measures may be implemented to address any and all existing gaps.”

The Government, through the Office of the Chief Information Officer, has also formulated minimum security guidelines for adoption by all ministries, departments and agencies, Dr Wheatley added.

A public/private partnership between Government and members of the financial sector and other stakeholders will also see a cyber security public awareness programme being launched soon.(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Protests mount before EU-Turkey migrant deal takes effect

M

igrants protested on a Greek island and rights groups raised legal objections on Friday three days before a disputed EU deal to return rejected asylum seekers from Greece to Turkey was due to go into action, with neither side completely ready.

Hundreds of migrants and refugees on the island of Chios tore through a razor

wire fence surrounding their holding center and set off for the port in protest against planned deportation, police said. Police did not immediately intervene.

Clashes broke out at the site late on Thursday, during which windows were smashed and 10 people were injured lightly, a Police official said. Some 300 women and children broke out of

the camp on Friday carrying their belongings.

“They say that they don’t want to go back to Turkey and that they are afraid for their safety after yesterday’s clashes between migrants in the hot spot,” a police official said, using the EU term for registration centers that have become detention camps.

The tension on Chios raised the possibility of resis-

tance when the EU-Turkey plan to send back all migrants and refugees who have reached the Greek islands since March 20 goes into effect from Monday.

Although arrivals have slowed, more than 1,900 people have crossed from Turkey to Greece so far this week and a total of 5,622 have been registered since March 20. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

More women in Pakistan are demanding an end to gender-related violence

N

early 1100 women were killed in Pakistan last year by relatives who believed they had dishonoured their families, the country’s independent Human Rights Commission says.

In its annual report the commission said 900 more women suffered sexual violence and nearly 800 took, or tried to take, their own lives.

In 2014 about 1000 women died in honour-related attacks and 869 in 2013.

Correspondents say a large number of such crimes go unreported in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said there is no place in Islam for killing in the name of family honour.

“The predominant causes of these killings in 2015 were domestic disputes, alleged illicit relations and exercising the right of choice in marriage,” the report said.

Most of the 1096 victims were shot, the report said, but attacks with acid were also common. Among the cases highlighted in the report are a man who shot dead his two sisters in Sargodha, Punjab, because he believed they had “bad character” and three teenage girls killed by their male cousin for “dishonouring” their family in Pakpattan, Punjab.

The report said that 88 men were also the victims of honour killings last year. In February, Punjab, the country’s largest province, passed a landmark law criminalising all forms of violence against women.

However, more than 30 religious groups, including all the mainstream Islamic political parties, have threatened to launch protests if the law is not repealed. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

16 NEWS IMC Vice Chairman becomes Corriverton’s Mayor A saturDAY, april 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

member of the former Corriverton Interim M a n a g e m e n t Committee (IMC), has been elected to serve as Mayor of the town.

Ganesh Gangadin, the new Mayor-elect of Corriverton, was elected on Friday, shortly after a new 16-member Council was installed to govern the municipality of Corriverton. Also elected to serve on Friday was Krishnand Jaichand as Deputy Mayor-elect.

According to Gangadin, he was encouraged by his peers and other residents to participate in the just concluded Local Government Elections as a Civic member of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

His immediate plans for the town are a compressive review of its solid waste management programme and tweak it to have the desired result, which is to have a clean town. To embark on a town-wide cleanup exercise, Gangadin said it would include all open spaces, the removal of bulk waste, and removal of derelict vehicles from street corners and roadways.

“I also have as part of my immediate plans to remove spoils and overburden from our parapets across the municipality and to clean and make available to our residents all of the abandon play grounds and rec-

Mayor Ganesh Gangadin

reational area.”

Speaking on issues, the Mayor-elect said solid

Deputy Mayor Krishnand Jaichand

waste management, street maintenance, drainage and the high rate of unemploy-

ment in the community are some of his major concerns.

“I also want to look at

the expansion of our market, the development of our seafront especially in the vicinity of the 79 market and the constructions of a jetty or mini wharf to accommodate residents from Orealla, farmers and small-scale loggers from the Upper Corentyne River,” Gangadin said.

Also included in plans for the town under the new Mayor are the installation of flood lights at Line Path and Scottsburg playgrounds, the installation of fire hydrants in the town and the upgrading of all streets to asphaltic surfaces, which can accommodate larger and heavier ve-

hicles.

“I feel confident that I can execute the responsibilities as Mayor because of my work experience. I managed big Private Sector companies, both local and international,” he stated confidently.

Meanwhile, the other Councillors who were elected are Sheik Mahmood, Pradeep Ketwaroo, Bebi Rambarran, Dhan Ramdass, Inderjit Arjoon, Deonarain Singh, Saif Ivan, Premchan Pooran, Winston Roberts, Evertt Hearewood, Shameer Alfred, Latchmee RamnarineEdward, Sabitree Ally and Jamna Persaud Ghamandi.

Bygeval Secondary awarded National Science Fair winner

R

egion Five (MahaicaBerbice) copped this year’s winning title as the Ministry of Education presented the National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair and the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge.

Bygeval Secondary reigned supreme and were handsomely awarded for achieving the feet.

The school had also placed first at the Regional Science fair in the environmental category. At an awards ceremony held on

the third and final day of the National Science fair held in Linden, the top achievers and participating schools were awarded handsomely for their incredible efforts.

The three top schools were Bygeval Secondary, Uitvlugt Secondary and Abrahmsville Secondary.

The winning school received a Caribbean Science Foundation computerized mobile science and technology centre system, six CXC approved Science kits (three for Biology, two for Chemistry and another for

Physics), a trophy, an award certificate and US$1000.

Additionally, each member of the team received a camera and a smart watch.

The supervising teacher received a Tablet, while the

President David Granger said the National Science Fair has been an inspiring experience expanding over the quarter of a century.

“These exhibitions, from the creative genius of our

with bountiful resources and some of our most important necessities can only be produced through some form of science. Science, the Head of State noted is also needed for energy gen-

team leader and supervising teacher received an all expenses paid seven days trip to Flourida for an ambassadors programme in July.

They will represent Guyana at the Regional level where they will have the opportunity to win up to US$5000 for their school.

Meanwhile, the first runner up position went to Abrahmsville Seconday school, which received a Caribbean Science Foundation computerized mobile science and technology centre system, four CXC approved Science kits (two for Biology, one for Chemistry and another for Physics), a certificate and one thousand US dollars.

Second runner up position went to Uitvlugt Secondary school which was rewarded with a US$1000, a certificate and 10 CXC approved Science kits (five for Biology, two for Chemistry and three for physics). The school’s presentation was based on supporting the ban on Styrofoam in Guyana.

In delivering remarks to mark the occasion of the awards held at the venue of the Linden Foundation Secondary, Guest Speaker,

students, they assure us... that our country’s future will be guided by a generation of fine minds, and they assure us constantly that the future of this country would be in safe hands.

Schools participation in this fair and the demonstration of the inventive projects are expressions of our young people’s interest and imagination. It is one more step towards innovation education.

This fair however, must not be seen as an end in itself and I do hope that the prize winners don’t go away with the feeling that they have just achieved some great accomplishment in life. This is merely a means to an end. It is a path that we should persue beyond the walls of our classrooms.

It should lead us into the communities and into the country-side where children live, work and play.

The models of the projects on display should be shared with the wider society, so that the practical applications would not be completely lost but add value to people’s lives”.

President Granger said Guyana is a beautiful land

eration, the management of solid waste and creating green communities and green economies. He said Guyana needs an education of innovation for satisfying these essentials.

The Head of State also emphasised the need for scientists, miners, architects, medical doctors and technologists, noting that Guyana’s needs as a nation is limitless. Therefore, President Granger said it is important that young people are educated and encouraged to be inventive and innovative. As such, he noted that they must be provided with the opportunities to develop practical solutions to physical challenges.

“We encourage our young people therefore to undertake studies in STEM. But STEM should not be mistaken simply as an acronym for four different subjects... but STEM provides a physical approach to teaching.

Called on teachers to embrace STEM, adding that it allows them to teach the four subjects in an integrated and cohesive manner”, he noted.

17

news

saturDAY, april 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Scores of NDC Councillors take oath across country BCIC calls for ence of Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman in addition to scores of residents and government officials.

Mabaruma also swore-in its new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

An inaugural meeting at the New Amsterdam Town Council saw Kirk Wynter be-

Councillors took the Oath of Office before Town Clerk Sharon Alexander and in the presence of Deputy Regional Executive Officer Claude Henry and Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence.

In the town of Corriverton, Ganesh Gangadin has been elected Mayor, while Krishand Jaichand is Deputy

Bartica's new Mayor Glifford Marshall

F

ollowing the October announcement of three new towns, Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem, on Friday new mayors were elected.

Carlton Beckles was elected to serve as the Mayor of Lethem while Maxine Welch, 19, has been elected as the Deputy Mayor.

The ceremony took place at the Amerindian Hostel Compound, Georgetown.

After being elected, Welch noted that she will not disap-

point her fellow councillors since she is ready to serve despite her youthful age.

Glifford Marshall was also sworn-in Friday as Mayor of Bartica while Kamal Persaud was elected as Deputy Mayor.

Marshall and Persaud were sworn-in by assistant Town Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council Sherry Jerrick along with the 16 other councillors.

The ceremony took place at the Bartica Community Centre ground in the pres-

Lethem's new Mayor Carlton Beckles and Deputy Mayor Maxine Ann Welch

ing sworn-in as Mayor of New Amsterdam and Deputy Mayor is Winifred Haywood.

Twelve APNU/AFC Councillors, along with two People’s Progressive Party

Mayor.

The new Mayor is confident his team of committed councillors will provide resolute service to the people of Corriverton.

maximum penalty for counterfeit agents

T

he Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) is expected to launch an investigation into reports of counterfeit currency being in circulation in the Berbice area, and is calling for the conviction of persons found guilty of circulating fake bills.

This was indicated by BCIC President Rajnauth Ramroop, who indicated that it is important to assess whether members of the Chamber were victims of the alleged scandal involving the circulation of counterfeit $1000 bills by an excavator operator.

Police on the Corentyne, in Berbice, on Wednesday arrested a man following the seizure of what is believed to be a machine used to make counterfeit money.

The Police reportedly raided a house at Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and discovered the machine, along with chemicals and paper used

40 cases completed in January Demerara Assizes

T

he backlog in Demerara has been reduced as 40 cases were disposed off during the January 2016 Demerara Criminal Assizes.

The session commenced on January 12 with a total of 184 cases listed and concluded on Friday after the Gaol Delivery was done by Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry along with Justice Navindra Singh and Justice Jo-Ann Barlow presided over the assizes.

Of the 40 matters disposed of, 33 were presented in the High Court and seven were nolle prosequi by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Of these 33 presented in the Demerara High Court, seven were for Murder, three for Rape, three for Carnal Knowledge of Girl under 15 years, four for Rape of a Child under 16 years, four for Manslaughter, eight for Attempt to Commit Murder, three for Sexual Activity with a Child Family Member and one for Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent .

There were eight convictions, 12 formal verdicts of not guilty, nine not guilty verdicts by jury, two guilty pleas and one hung jury. In one case the accused was remanded to prison because he was in breach of the conditions of his bail and he is awaiting trial.

Justice Singh completed 17 matters. In one of four murder cases, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Manslaughter and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Another murder case resulted in the accused being sentenced to 88 years after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. The accused in the third matter was sentenced to 28 years after the jury returned a majority verdict in proportion of 11 guilty to one not guilty on the lesser offence of Manslaughter. While in the other case, the judge upheld a no case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The State has appealed this matter.

In three separate cases for the offence of Rape, the victims testified in Court that they did not wish to proceed with the ev-

idence against the accused and as such the judge directed the jury to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

There were two matters of Rape of a Child under 16 years, both accused were each sentenced to 25 years after the respective juries were unanimous with guilty verdicts.

In one of the three cases of Attempt to Commit Murder, the complainant offered no evidence against the accused. The second matter resulted with the accused pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of Wounding with Intent and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. The accused in the third trial was sentenced to 15 years after he was found guilty by a majority verdict of 10 guilty to 2 not guilty.

In one of the three matters of Sexual Activity with a Child Family Member, the complainant indicated to the Court that she did not wish to proceed with the evidence against the accused. The accused in the third case was remanded to prison pending his trial in April because he was in breach of the conditions of his bail.

In the two cases of Manslaughter, the accused were both acquitted consequent upon the judge directing the jury to return formal verdicts of not guilty due to insufficient evidence.

Meanwhile, Justice Barlow completed eight matters. There were two matters of Carnal Knowledge of Girl under 15 years, in which one of the accused, facing three counts, being acquitted after the jury returned a majority verdict of 10 not guilty to two guilty. The trial for the other matter was aborted after the Court learnt that the accused had died before the verdict was given.

The accused in a case of Manslaughter was acquitted by a unanimous jury verdict of not guilty.

Of the four matters of Attempt to Commit Murder, one accused was freed after the two complainants testified that they did not wish to offer any evidence. In another trial, the accused, who was indicted with Wounding With Intent and Discharging a Loaded Firearm

with Intent, was found guilty by a majority verdict in proportion 10 guilty to two not guilty on the second count of Wounding With Intent and was sentenced to eight years.

The third case of Attempt to commit Murder with an alternative count of wounding with Intent, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty on the alternative count and the accused was sentenced to ten years. The accused in the fourth trial was acquitted by a unanimous jury verdict.

Justice Barlow heard one Murder case which resulted in the accused being acquitted by a unanimous verdict by the jury.

On the other hand, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry completed eight matters. In four separate matters of Carnal Knowledge of a Girl under 15 years, one for Murder, one for Rape of a Child under 16 years and another one for Manslaughter, the accused were all acquitted after the respective juries returned verdicts of not guilty.

In one case of Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent, the victim testified that she no longer wanted to proceed with the matter. Then a Murder case ended with a hung jury causing the accused to be remanded to prison for a new trial. An accused of a Rape of a child under 16 years was acquitted after the victim informed the court that she did not wish to proceed with the matter.

In the case for Attempt to commit Murder with the alternative count of causing Grievous Bodily Harm the jury returned a majority not guilty verdict of 11 to 1 for the offence of Attempt to Commit Murder but guilty of the alternative count of Causing Grievous Bodily Harm. The accused was sentenced to seven years.

Of the seven matters nolle prosequi by the DPP, five of them were for Buggery, Carnal Knowledge of Girl under 15 years, Sexual Activity with a Child by Abusing a Position of Trust, and Rape of a child Under 16 years because the complainants in written statements indicated they no longer wished to proceed with their matters.

The other two matters were

for Murder with the two accused burnt in the fire at the Georgetown Prisons during the riots in March 2016.

The Demerara April Assizes will commence Tuesday, April 5 with 163 cases listed. Justice Singh, Justice Barlow and

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry will continue to sit.

During the months of January to March, seven matters were disposed of in the Court of Appeal while three matters were done in the Demerara Full Court.

to make counterfeit money, as well as a stash of counterfeit notes.

The man, believed to be the mastermind of the illegal operation, was arrested and is currently in custody assisting with investigations. It was reported that a large quantity of crushed counterfeit money was hidden in a corner of the house.

The Police made the crackdown after several business persons in Corriverton and nearby communities made reports of the circulation of counterfeit thousand dollar Guyana currency notes. It was also indicated that counterfeit notes had also turned up at commercial banks in the community.

“I have to do some checks with my members to see if any of them were targeted, or if they received any such notes,” he stated. Ramroop added that he is hoping businesses were not largely affected, adding that he hopes law enforcement prosecute all parties responsible for the circulation of the fake bills.

“The person or persons caught with the machine should be dealt with severely by the law because that is serious business and I am quite certain that the law enforcement and authorities will take the necessary steps to make it deterrence to anybody who is considering going down that road,” he stated.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, April 2, 2016

ARCHIE

Take part in a cause you believe in. Be the driving force be(March 21- hind a project. You can bring April 19) about change and make a difference. A chance meeting will help you advance.

ARIES

Don't let your emotions get

dilbert

TAURUS in the way of practical thought (April 20- and application. Gather inforMay 20) mation and make a concentrated effort to act based on facts instead of assumptions. Don't let disappointment ruin your plans.

Make a personal change that GEMINI (May 21- will boost your confidence. Sign up for a course or check out difJune 20)

ferent philosophies or cultures.

Trust your own judgment, not someone else's.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Check out an innovative way to cut your overhead, but don't be fooled by a scheme that promises the impossible. Rely on your own means and methods to bring about change.

Your emotions will lead to LEO personal change. Follow your (July 23heart and take action based Aug. 22) on what you discover. Put your needs first.

Get to better know and unVIRGO derstand the people who mean (Aug. 23the most to you. You will gain Sept. 22) a lot if you are sensitive to the needs of others.

Calvin and Hobbes

If you explore your feelings, LIBRA (Sept. 23- you will come to realize what Oct. 23) you need in your life or recognize the changes you must make in order to find happiness. The truth lies within.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – REACTS

Average mark 24 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in REACTS? The list will be published tomorrow.

THURSDAY’S WORD – AUTOGIRO outgo gait gaur girt goat gout grit grout

guar guitar iota ragout ratio riot root rout

bring you closer to a loved one.

Home improvements will add to your comfort.

Get involved in activities SAGITTARIUS that put your energy to good (Nov. 23- use. You'll avoid an emotional Dec. 21) altercation with someone looking for answers if you are too busy to discuss such matters.

(REACTS: re-AKTS: Responds to something in a particular way.)

argot auto taro tiro toga tour trig trio

An emotional dilemma will SCORPIO pass quickly if you are compas(Oct. 24sionate. A romantic gesture will Nov. 22)

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Memories will push you to CAPRICORN reconnect with someone you (Dec. 22- used to enjoy spending time Jan. 19) with. Attending a reunion will help put your life in perspective and allow you to appreciate what you have.

A home improvement project AQUARIUS will add to your popularity. Put (Jan. 20your plans in motion using your Feb. 19) skills and talents. Make your good idea a vibrant reality.

Put in a call to someone PISCES (Feb. 20- who can shed light on a situMarch 20) ation you don't fully understand. Knowing what's expected of you will help you make a decision. Personal growth will transpire.

NEWS

19

saturday, april 2, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Bar Association says Joshua House given a facelift no new laws needed to

by British Royal Navy protect LGBT community C

Former Chief Justice Ian Chang

P

resident of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) Christopher Ram is of the opinion that it is not necessary for the existing equal protection laws to be altered to explicitly provide protection for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Friday, he observed that non-discrimination of persons is already guaranteed in Guyana’s Constitution.

“I have looked at the Constitution of Guyana which guarantees equal protection and non discrimination so if you were to take those together and you were to take this matter to the court, I believe it would not be impossible to persuade the court,” he noted.

He explained that there is no need for immediate reforms on the matter.

When asked about the calls from interest groups to adjust laws based on complaints that many LGBT face discrimination due to their lifestyle choices, Ram pointed out that indeed, the laws can adjusted but further emphasised that this was not necessary.

“Yes you can do that… but the point I am making is that I do not think it is necessary

to reinforce the laws by making explicit provision,” the Bar Association President posited.

Ram related that the LBGT community is covered by normal human rights international treaties and reiterated that these views are shared

by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

With regards to the recent transgender person who was born male but was banned from appearing in court in preferred female attire, the GBA President emphasised that access to the courts is a right.

“I think there are all protections in the law; I thought Justice Chang’s decision on this matter is fairly clear, that once you don’t do it for an improper purpose… what is an improper purpose? A person going to the courts hardly be considered an improper purpose, in fact, you have a right of access to the court,” Ram posited.

In a statement issued by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) on Thursday, it was noted that, “Transgender persons in Guyana face grave levels of discrimination, harassment and humiliation and social exclusion in their daily lives.”

“It is the duty of judges to respect a person’s gender identity, consistent with the Constitution of Guyana which guarantees that “the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection and benefit of the law, universal principles of equality and non-discrimination under international law and regional and international standards of judicial conduct,” the release further added.

SASOD further noted that the repeated refusal of Magistrates to allow transgendered persons to appear in court consistent with their gender identity “undermines their dignity and guaranteed rights to non-discrimination and equality before the law”.

Guyana Bar Association President Christopher Ram

In September 2013, then Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that cross-dressing was not illegal, as long as it was not used for “an improper purpose”.

However, cross-dressing remains prohibited under Guyana’s laws which were drawn from the pre-Independence era in 1966 when Great Britain ruled the country.

rew members of the British Royal Navy Vessel, HMS Mersey, which departed Guyana Friday after being docked for four days, spent the greater part of their stay in Guyana volunteering at the Joshua House, an orphanage in Georgetown, where they were involved in cleaning up and repainting the interior of the orphanage.

The walls of Joshua House were covered in graffiti, most of which were profanities and vulgar images, but after efforts of the naval officers, the walls are now beautifully painted in a light turquoise, giving the House a cheerful and bright look. The crew split into two teams, and interchanged during the two days of repainting. During this time, the sailors met and interacted with some residents of the orphanage. The children were quite excited to be among the crew and flocked them while they were painting.

Sub Lieutenant David King related that while it was a small gesture, the

The Royal Navy sailors repainting Joshua House

service demonstrates that the United Kingdom can be very beneficial to Guyana in terms of offering assistance in any way possible: “It’s just part of what we can do to help out. The Royal Navy is here to show that we can do things to help out Guyana and this is a very smooth gesture of the help our government is willing to offer and the help the Royal Navy is willing to offer.”

Guyanese heads Commonwealth Parliamentary Association F

or the first time in its 105 years of existence, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is headed by a Guyanese. The 7th Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is Guyanese, Akbar Khan.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an Associated Organisation of the Commonwealth which links members of national, state, provincial and territorial parliaments and legislatures across the Commonwealth.

The Guyanese Secretary General was appointed in October last year after he was recommended to the 61st General Assembly by the Association’s International Executive Committee which is made up of representatives of the nine regions of the CPA. At the opening of the CPA Post Election Seminar yesterday at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston Georgetown, the Secretary General recounted his boyhood days in Guyana.

“Eventhough I left Guyana when I was a young boy, I have very happy childhood memories of living on Brickdam, not

so far away from this building and visiting beautiful places in the interior such as Berbice, Essequibo and other lovely wonders of the world such as the Kaieteur Falls which can only be found here in Guyana. One of the feelings of coming back to Guyana is feeling the beautiful hospitality and the lushful city of Georgetown and I am happy to be here on my first overseas tour as Secretary General.

“Like so many Guyanese raised and living in the diaspora the feeling that you can take the boy of Guyana but not Guyana out of the boy res-

Charlestown man gunned down execution style

A

C h a r l e s t o w n , Georgetown, man was gunned down late Friday evening, execution style. The incident occurred sometime around 21:30h in Charlestown.

The dead man has been identified as Walton Taylor, also known as “Tuffy”.

According to reports reaching <<<Guyana Times>>>, the man was sitting on the corners of Adelaide and Sussex

Streets, Charlestown, when two men rode up on a CG motorcycle and opened fire on him.

It was reported that Taylor’s body was riddled with bullets. The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed while receiving treatment.

When contacted on Friday night, Commander of A Division (Georgetown) Clifton

The British Royal Navy team arrived in Guyana on Tuesday and was mainly involved in training with the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guards in several areas of maritime security and counter-narcotics exercises; however, they took time off to tour Georgetown and determine in what capacity they could have offered assistance.

Hicken told this newspaper that investigators were on the scene gathering information on the shooting.

Hicken said initial reports revealed that the man was sitting on the corner of the road when the gunmen discharged several rounds in his direction before escaping. He could not confirm how many perpetrators they were and how many shots were fired. However, the Commander noted that

“Tuffy” sustained multiple gunshot injuries.

Meanwhile, at the Georgetown Public Hospital, family members and neighbours gathered as the news spread of the shooting. One of the dead man’s relatives related to this publication that the man’s death may be linked to the recent killing of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) member earlier this week. However, the man opted not to divulge

further details.

Kevon Payne, 22, also known as “Lil Boy” and “Scar”, a Lance Corporal attached to the GDF Coast Guard, who resided at Lot 36 Sussex Street, Charlestown, was shot at least five times on Tuesday evening at the corners of Lyng and Sussex Streets. From reports received, two men on a CG Motorcycle rode up and opened fire on Payne.

onates very strongly with me and it is an enormous personal and professional privilege to be here,” Khan said.

Secretary General Akbar Khan is a Barrister-atLaw and an Attorney-atLaw. He was admitted to the English Bar in 1990 and the New York Bar (USA) in 2000. He has held senior positions at the UK foreign Office and at the Commonwealth Secretariat, specializing in International Law. Khan was congratulated by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other officials on his appointment.

The Secretary General of the CPA is now among the many Guyanese who have done exceedingly well in the diaspora taking up key and critical positions at international agencies and organisations.

These include former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Sir Shridath Ramphal, the first female Chief Justice then first female judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Madam Judge Desiree Bernard and Justice at the International Court of Justice, Mohammed Shahabuddin to name a few.

20 England flying high ahead of 'dream' final W guyanatimesGY.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016

the moment that their campaign was kick-started - they chased 230 in a contest that could have effectively eliminated them there and then.

Root, however, insisted they had had no great epiphany on that remarkable night. Merely, they have stuck to their commitment to free-flowing, fearless cricket, and have reaped the rewards that have come from each new victory.

"We have stayed true to what we believe in as a side and the way we want to play cricket," Root said. "That has been the most important thing for us, to ensure we did not go away from how we wanted to play and approach our cricket, and having that self-belief in each other meant we could get that win against South Africa and build confidence from that point onwards.

"The best thing is that everyone has contributed in some shape or form, which is always nice going into a final. If things aren't going quite to plan, there are other guys you could call upon who might not normally do that job."

As for England's approach going into the final, Root said that they would be watching back the highlights of the match that they had missed while airborne.

And when they have done so, they will doubtless note the manner of West Indies' victory, which was achieved with batting tactics markedly different from their own.

hile West Indies and India were getting down to the nitty-gritty in a fascinating semi-final in Mumbai, England's cricketers were cruising at altitude over the plains of Uttar Pradesh, oblivious to the swings in fortune that would ultimately decide the identity of their opponents in Sunday night's World T20 final.

It wasn't until England touched down at Kolkata airport and switched on their phones, after a twohour flight from Delhi that had begun late in India's Virat Kohli-powered innings, that they were able to track the final swings of Andre Russell's bat that brought their campaign fullcircle.

England, whose steady - even stealthy - progress through the gears has resulted in four wins on the bounce and a sense of serene optimism, must now overcome the only team to have got the better of them if they are to be crowned the World T20 champions for the second time in the competition's nine-year history.

"We knew they [India] were on course for a big score when we set off and there was about an over and a bit left when we landed," said Joe Root, whose tally of 195 runs in five innings is second only to Kohli for the Super 10s stage of the competition onwards.

"They must have played really well to get over the line, but we know how

strong West Indies are as a side and we are going to have to play well to beat them as we've had to play well to beat everyone so far."

England's team will remain broadly the same, with Liam Plunkett's displacement of Reece Topley the only anticipated change from the side that lined up at the Wankhede last month for their opening match of the tournament. However, the confidence and competence of England's batsmen and bowlers are light years removed from the tentative pathfinders who ended up being walloped by the broadest of Chris Gayle's bats.

And now, having had a day to digest the implications of their thrilling victory over New Zealand in Delhi, Root says England can't wait to take centre stage at India's most venerated venue.

"You can't beat it," he said. "You dream of these opportunities as a kid to play a World Cup final. Every time over the past couple of days I've looked round the dressing room or the lads on the bus, they have just been smiling, so I think everyone is excited and can't wait to get out there on Sunday."

In keeping with most of the squad, Root has never before played a match at Eden Gardens - notably, 10 of the England players in this tournament had never played a single international fixture in the country.

However, Root was 12th man during one of England's

Pollard smashes hundred in massive Queens Park win

Warne blasts Letter to the Australian selectors Sports Editor for latest T20 failure How is the GCC A Ground “infamous”?

K

ieron Pollard has returned from injury with a bang.

The West Indies allrounder, who is missing from the team in the final of the ICC World T20 because of a knee injury that had not healed in time, slammed an unbeaten 110 to help lead Queen’s Park to a 251-run victory over Tableland in the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) 50-over competition on Wednesday.

The West Indies T20 star smashed 10 towering sixes and seven fours off 55 balls and he and Jeremy Solozano, 148, propelled Queen’s Park to 378 for six.

Solozano, the left-handed opener, went more than a run-a-ball, smashing 21 balls to the boundary in his 137-ball knock.

Tableland never got close to the victory target as Kharry Pierre, 4-41, and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, 3-24, skittled out the visitors for 127 in 35 overs. (Digicel Sportsmax)

ustralian spin great Shane Warne has blamed his country's latest World Twenty20 failure on selectors, criticising the decision to tinker with the lineup and not playing Aaron Finch and John Hastings in matches.

Australia were knocked out in pool play after losing to India on Sunday after a brilliant unbeaten knock of 82 by the ICC's top-ranked Twenty20 batsman Virat Kohli secured a famous victory by the hosts in Mohali.

Finch, ranked second on the list, had formed a destructive partnership with David Warner, according to Warne, but the duo did not open together in four matches in India as Australia's wait for a first Twenty 20 title goes on.

"Our selection was wrong... we messed around with it too much rather than sticking with what's been a proven formula," the 46-year-old told cricket.com. au. on Thursday.

"Because we had so much talent in our team and so much skill, they thought

Joe Root and Jos Buttler celebrate sealing England's semi-final victory over New Zealand photo)

most remarkable Test wins in recent memory - the seven-wicket victory in 2012-13 that enabled Alastair Cook's men to claim the series 2-1.

With that nugget of reconnaissance under his belt, he said he was unfazed by the prospect of fronting up for the final.

"Every game here so far has been rocking, so let's hope it will be on Sunday," he said. Though it was put to him that the mood in the city may be a touch muted, following the tragic collapse of a flyover in Kolkata this week, Root - who had been unaware of the news - hoped that his team could help to revive a few spirits.

"India's a fantastic coun-

'it doesn't matter what the combinations are we're still going to do OK'."

Shane Watson started ahead of Finch in the opening loss to New Zealand and win over Bangladesh, but the former skipper returned to open with Usman Khawaja for the win over Pakistan and India defeat with Warner coming in at three.

Warne, who took 708 test wickets with his leg-spin and another 70 in Twenty20 internationals, could not understand why Australia had split up an opening pair that had helped win the 50-over World Cup on home soil last year.

"It upset the balance of the team," he said. "Those two guys had been batting together for a long time.

They have done well in Twenty20, they've done well in one-day cricket. Suddenly they got split up.

"That Finch-Warner partnership, it's an intimidatory factor before a ball was bowled and people would have worried about Finch and Warner."

try, I'm sure there'll be plenty of support at this wonderful ground," he said. "We want to make sure that it's a very entertaining spectacle and that we're on the right side of that on Sunday."

The other factor that is likely to impact on the atmosphere is, of course, India's absence from the final itself.

The likelihood is that this is good news for England the prospect of performing in front of a pumped-up and partisan crowd might well have given the hosts that added sense of belief. Root, understandably, argued otherwise.

"I don't think it matters," he said. "If you are going to win the World Cup you have

(AFP

to be the best team through the tournament. If we are going to win we are going to have to beat the side that beat us, but otherwise we would have had to have beaten India on home soil, so it's irrelevant who we play.

"It's about doing our stuff in practice leading up to it, then going out there and put on a really strong performance and doing everything we can to get over the line."

That "stuff" that England have been doing has been serving them well enough so far, for the extent to which they have confounded most pre-tournament predictions is startling. Their record run chase against South Africa in Mumbai is cited as

(Cricinfo)

Warne said he also thought Hastings should

Shane Warne

have started ahead of seamer Josh Hazlewood, who took one wicket for a combined 64 runs in the matches against India and Pakistan.

"Hastings is a better option in a Twenty20 game because of his yorkers," he said.

"He's just about the best we have. We were one-dimensional by not playing Hastings all the time." (Reuters

Sport)

Dear Editor, I draw your attention to article on page 23 in today's edition (online) under the caption GCB inter-county U-17 tournament and in particular to the reference to the "infamous Georgetown Cricket Club Ground (GCC)" and the accompanying picture of Javid Karim cover drive during his innings at the same ground.

Someone needs to explain why and since when the Bourda Cricket Ground is considered infamous. Last time I checked the word infamous is an adjective that means something or someone that is well known for some bad quality, notorious, disreputable, etc.

So, some explanation is needed. Secondly the photograph is supposed to be of Karim playing a shot during his

innings at the same ground.

Certainly this is an error and cannot be the Bourda Cricket ground as we all know. The fence, overgrown weeds and coconut trees in the background tells me that it is most likely a village Cricket ground or somewhere in country area.

Sincerely, Mohamed Z. Rahaman Laurel, Maryland Editor’s note: Guyana Times Sport apologises for the use of the word “infamous” to describe the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) which is world popular with West Indian cricketing history. The word to use should have been “famous” and it was an egregious misconception of the meaning of the word for which Guyana Times Sport once again apologises for.

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21 Simmons warns Windies are more than Gayle sports

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Lendl Simmons

M

an of the moment Lendl Simmons said West Indies have an array of match-winners and are not reliant on Chris Gayle.

Lendl Simmons said West Indies have proved they are no “one-man show” as they prepare to face England in the World Twenty20 final on Sunday.

Chris Gayle blew England away with a brutal unbeaten century when the two sides met at Wankhede Stadium in their first game of the tournament last month.

The destructive opening batsman has managed just

nine runs in two innings since that six-wicket win for the Windies, but his teammates have shown they are capable of performing on the big stage.

Johnson Charles (52) and Andre Russell (43 not out) played key roles in Thursday’s semi-final win over hosts India, but Simmons’ 82 not out from only 51 balls proved to be crucial as he took advantage of good fortune to silence a partisan crowd.

“I think England will certainly be aware that it is not a one-man show in this team,” said Simmons.

“Chris Gayle didn’t get

off [against India] but we still managed to get over the line.

“That was a big total and seeing that he didn’t perform and we were still able to put up a fight and win the game with balls to spare shows a lot of character from our players.”

Simmons took the man of the match award in a dramatic semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday after only being called up this week following an injury to Andre Fletcher, who starred in the win over Sri Lanka in the absence of the injured Gayle. (Digicel Sportsmax)

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots announce 2016 CPL fixtures – Deputy Prime Minister Richards welcomes return of CPL

T

he St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have announced their fixtures for the forthcoming 2016 HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign and will open their season with a clash against twice runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors on Thursday, 30 June.

The Patriots, who have been bolstered by West Indies favourites Lendl Simmons and world number-one ranked bowler Samuel Badree, as well as South Africa’s World T20 captain Faf du Plessis, will take on four opponents over six days in a combination of day and night time games that is sure to attract a large following to the 8,000 capacity Warner Park.

Welcoming the announcement, Hon. Shawn K Richards, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth & Sports said: “The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture extends congratulations to CPL CEO Damien O'Donohoe and the CPL team for the outstanding 2014-15 CPL tournament which was successfully hosted on the warm and friendly shores of the Federation of St Kitts-Nevis.

“We remain committed to advocating and establishing what we plan to be a lasting legacy of cricket engrained in the socio-economic development and culture of our

federation, as we welcome the anticipations of excitement of the Hero 2016 CPL tournament.

“While we embrace the obvious gains of tourism, marketing and investment promotion of our Federation, through these internationally televised games and the massive influx of cricket loyalists that are intrinsic to the CPL tournament, our vision of a mature cricket industry impacting the holistic development of our twin-island nation, with particular resource to youth social and entrepreneurial development, retains the greatest priority.

“We embrace the St Kitts-Nevis Patriots as cricket ambassadors to the federation and seek to greater facilitate their ascension to the seat of CPL Tournament championship in this 2016 series. Our enthusiastic Patriots fans, ongoing facility upgrades of the Warner Park Cricket Stadium and nearby practice rounds will continue to enable a supportive, smooth and entertaining fourth edition CPL T20 party in 2016.

“I trust that nationals and visitors alike remain engaged, entertained and even inspired by the activities of the 2016 CPL in St KittsNevis, and to enjoy our St Kitts-Nevis Patriots’ domination of the tournament's matches in a peaceful and

festive environment.”

Richie Berridge, Chief Operating Officer of the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, added: “We are delighted to confirm our fixture schedule for the forthcoming CPL campaign. By announcing our schedule today, it will enable all of our key stakeholders, particularly our squad and management, loyal supporters and partners, to plan accordingly.

“With our most competitive roster now assembled, we are also looking forward to welcoming some of the best West Indies and international talent to St Kitts & Nevis in the opening week of CPL 2016. On behalf of the Patriots I would finally like to thank our government partners for their support over the last few months.

Their commitment and appreciation of the significant role that CPL contributes economically, which enables us to market the game and strive for excellence.”

The remaining fixtures will be confirmed over the coming weeks and tickets will then go on sale from www.cplt20.com St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Fixtures (all times local): 30 June – Guyana Amazon Warriors (8pm), 2 July – Jamaica Tallawahs (12 Midday), 3 July – Zouks (4pm), 5 July - Barbados Tridents (7pm). (CPL release)

22 'Imagine if the Windies had brains' – Coach Simmons responds to criticism C GUYANATIMESGY.COM

saturDAY, APRIL 2, 2016

laims the West Indies have "no brains" irked coach Phil Simmons, who lauded the team after booking a place in the World Twenty20 final.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons hit out at suggestions his team lack brains following their seven-wicket victory over India in the World Twenty20 semi-final.

The Windies produced a spectacular chase after Virat Kohli had propelled India to 192 in Mumbai, with Lendl Simmons' scoring 82 off 51 balls in his tournament debut helping to set up a date with England in Sunday's final.

Ahead of the meeting with the hosts and pre-

tournament favourites, Simmons' men had been criticised for a lack of intelligence.

Clearly disagreeing with the comment, coach Simmons struck back.

"Awesome display by this group [of] men with no brains, imagine if we had some," he posted on his official Twitter account.

Windies captain Darren Sammy highlighted the performances of the Under-19 side, who won the U19 World Cup in February, and the women's team, who also made the World T20 final in India, as a measure of the strength of cricket in the region.

"Look, it's a big step.

We came here on a mission, we were inspired by the Under-19s boys earlier this year, and the ladies did brilliantly to win… and now we have two West Indian teams in the finals and I know that means a lot to the Caribbean people," he told Sky Sports.

"Especially the men's side have been going through a lot. We all know what happened just before the tournament, and we still feel it's this West Indies team and this coaching staff versus everybody else."

Big-hitting left-hander Chris Gayle has been unable to reproduce a similar display to his brilliant

47-ball hundred against England in their Super 10 opener, but Sammy feels the quality throughout the team ensures there is no pressure on the 36-yearold.

"We said it even before the tournament started: everybody said Chris is under pressure, but I said then that yes, Chris is our best player but we have 15 match-winners in this squad," he added.

"Games are won when players take responsibility, and [Johnson] Charles, [Lendl] Simmons and [Andre] Russell took that responsibility against a very good Indian team." (Digicel Sportsmax)

Phil Simmons

Golden Jaguars Bolt: Rio 2016 will 'definitely to face Curaçao be my last Olympics' on June 1 S A s the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Scotiabank Caribbean Men’s Cup Championship enters its second round, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars, who are in Group Three, will face Curacao on June 1 in Guyana and the United States Virgin Islands on June 7 in that country.

In Round One of the tournament Guyana had topped Group Five after defeating Anguilla 7 - 0 and Puerto Rico 1 – 0 in Guyana and Puerto Rico respectively.

The Second Round commences on June 1 and in addition to the Guyana match, the other matches to be played on that day

are: Grenada vs Puerto Rico at the Grenada National Stadium; Martinique vs Guadeloupe at Stade Pierre Aliker (Martinique); French Guiana vs Bermuda at the Stade Dr Edmard Lama (French Guiana) and St. Kitts & Nevis vs Suriname at the Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts).

Round Three is scheduled for October 3 – 9 and will consist of four groups, each with three countries.

Thereafter the Fifth Place playoff will be held from November 7 – 15 and the Finals in May 2017. The top three of this tournament will qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

ix-time gold medalist Usain Bolt of Jamaica said the Rio Olympics will be his final Summer Games.

The 29-year-old Bolt, the only man to win the 100 meters and 200 meters in back-to-back Olympics, said "it'll definitely be my last Olympics."

"It's going to be hard to go four more years for me, to keep the motivation that I want, especially if I accomplish what I want to in Rio," Bolt said, according to French news agency AFP. Bolt previously said he plans to compete at the 2017 world championships in London and retire after that. He acknowledged to The Daily Mail in 2015 that his sponsorship commitments have forced him to continue sprinting until next year, saying "my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year, to 2017 and London."

The Jamaican sprint star first established himself as the world's fastest man at the Beijing Olympics, where he set world records and

won gold in the 100, 200 and 400-meter relay. He followed his Beijing triple haul by defending his three Olympic gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012.

Bolt has said he wants to separate himself from history even more by winning Olympic gold in the 100 and 200 three times in a row.

Also, he still wants to break 19 seconds in the 200.

"My biggest dream at the Olympics is to win three gold medals again," Bolt said Monday. "That's my focus, that's what I want, and that's what I'm aiming for because that's my goal and that's my dream."

Bolt's main competitor in Rio this year will be Justin Gatlin, a 34-yearold American who won the 100-meter gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and has twice been banned for doping.

To prep for Rio, Bolt said he will participate in the Diamond League's Anniversary Games meet in London on July 22. He didn't specify which races he'd run.

Carifta team meets with Alfred King Persaud’s 5-18 puts Canje T

he recently returned Carifta team that had a 5-medal haul at the just concluded Carifta Games in Grenada had a chance to meet and greet with Permanent Secretary Alfred King at his head office on Main Street.

The 16-man squad along with the President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson shared a light moment with Permanent Secretary Alfred King as he was able to meet the squad and the medalists.

King in his remarks urged the athletes to continue along their paths to success highlighting that there are no shortcuts to achieving success.

King further noted that the government will assist

teams once there is a progressive development plan to aid in future Olympians.

Hutson in his remarks thanked King and by extension the Department of Sport for their support but noted that the Association will need more assistance.

In addition Hutson labeled the Carifta squad as future Olympians stressing that investing in the athletes is key if they are to ultimately succeed.

The squad returned with five medals with Andrea Foster picking up two bronze medals in the girl’s under-20 800 and 1500 metres, Chantoba bright with two silver medals in the girl’s under-18 long and triple jump and Natricia Hooper with silver in the girl’s under-20 triple jump.

Usain Bolt

(ESPN)

Secondary into quarter-finals C anje Secondary School has become the first school to reach the quarter-finals of the Dalchand Rambharose Inter-Secondary School Under-15, Two-innings cricket competition in Berbice. In their final Zone D preliminary match, they took first innings points from Berbice High School to end on top of that zone with 12 points.

In the match, which ended in a draw and was played at the Cumberland ground, Berbice High School chose to bat first and had an opening stand of 20 between Jason Rishiram

Javon Persaud

(10) and Joel Campbell (07). However, off-spinners Javon Persaud and Anthony Williams reduced them to 21-3.

Abdul Ramsammy and Robert Suntgolam then put on a valuable 43 for the fourth wicket after which Persaud struck again, removing Suntgolam for 11 at 64-4. Ramsammy continued and he and Ajay Nadisan took the score to 105 after which Ramsammy went for 37.

Berbice High did not get any further, losing their last five wickets without scoring a run, ending on 105 all out in their first in-

nings. Persaud ended with 5-18 from seven overs.

When Canje Secondary replied, they lost an early wicket with only 11 runs on the board, but Berbice Under-15 batsmen Carl Gilgeous and Zeynul Ramsammy put on 70 for the second wicket after which Ramsammy went for 30.

Gilgeous went on to score 43, which was largely responsible for Canje Secondary reaching 1065 after which the match was called off. Bowling for Berbice High, Devin Moses took 2-30.

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, APRIL 2, 2016

23

New route for Sunday’s Powerade road race T

he customary route for cycling road races in West Demerara will be changed for this Sunday’s fifth annual Powerade cycling meeting organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed.

The change came about due to ongoing road works in certain parts of West Demerara, Mohamed informed this publication on Friday.

The 45-mile race will start in front of Wales Police Station as per normal, but instead of proceeding to Bushy Park, Parika, and returning to Schoonard for the finish, it will take a different course

Andrew Hicks

come Sunday.

Set to pedal off at 08:00h,

the race will proceed to Schoonard, turn left into the newly built access road to La Parfaite Harmonie, turn at the junction on the same road, proceed back to the Schoonard public road, thence to Leonora, where the riders will make the final turn and head to the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish.

Team Gillette Evolution’s Raul Leal is the defending champion, having won last year’s event in a time of one hour, 55 minutes, 44.81 seconds (01h: 55m: 44.81s).

Other winners from 2015 are Andrew Hicks in the Junior

Raul Leal

category, Junior Niles in the Veterans Under-50, Keon

Thomas in the Mountain Bikes division and Johnny Cravalle in the Veterans Over-60.

Eight prime prizes will be up for grabs during the course of the race, while the first six finishers in the Open division will be rewarded.

There will also be incentives for the top three riders in the Junior, Veteran, Mountain Bike and Female categories, as well as the first Over-60 cyclist to cross the finish line.

Banks DIH Limited is the distributor of Powerade and the company’s Outdoor Events Manager, Mortimer Stewart, is expected to be on hand to assist in the presen-

Hassan Mohamed

tation of prizes at the conclusion. (Avenash Ramzan)

Dozens graduate from Easter swim camp – Director of Sport promises expansion of programme to other regions

swimming- to teach as much children as possible the life skill,” Persaud indicated.

Apart from being involved in the sport for recre-

Some of the participants watch on eagerly as their colleagues perform a demonstration in the pool

By Avenash Ramzan

O

ver 100 young boys and girls on Friday morning graduated from the annual Easter swimming programme, coordinated by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the National Sports Commission.

The two-week course, which was held at the Colgrain Pool on Camp Street, was geared to instill in the participants the fundamentals of the sport.

A total of 120 youngsters, 75 of whom were females, were engaged in the programme, which was conducted by the Cuban coach Isabel Maria Cousa Fals and who was ably assisted by a component bunch of local instructors.

Delivering feature remarks at the closing, Director of Sport Christopher Jones lauded the young boys and girls for engaging in the two weeks of activity.

He also called on parents and guardians to ensure the young ones continue to grow in the sport, by making a concerted effort to have them enrolled in clubs.

“If you would recall when we met here a few weeks ago, I had the children recite that song “I’m a promise, I’m a possibility.” And it wasn’t done by mistake; in fact, it was done to lead up to this day because of the fact that they would have made a statement, a declaration if you will that they are a promise and they are a possibility. And you would have been given the opportunity to see that promise and that possibility in your children throughout these two weeks,” Jones told the gathering.

He continued, “Now essentially we need a commitment from you the parents and guardians that after seeing that promise and that possibility you will now give your children every opportunity to ensure that they live out that possibility of being a national swimmer.”

Jones added that while the programme catered for youths in Regions Three and Four, the National Sports Commission will work to ensure it is spread across the 10 regions, as early as next year.

“It is the plan of the National Sports Commission to expand the swimming programme to every region where there is a swimming pool available, and of course those children in those regions will have the opportunity like yours had during this past two weeks to demonstrate their ability and capacity to swim. So rest assured, if any of you have relatives and friends in the outlying regions, that the swimming programme will be extended to those regions, as early as next year,” Jones promised.

Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), Ivan Persaud, also made a call for parents to continue to support their offspring in an effort to help grow the sport.

Also the father of a national swimmer, Persaud spoke of the tremendous sacrifice that is needed to create champions, adding that parents must be committed to the process of development from an early age.

“We need you more than you even need us, because one of our objectives in the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association is to increase participation of children in

ational or fitness purposes, Persaud said parents should also aim to have their children compete for club and country, with the ultimate

goal being an Olympic swimming medal.

The camp catered for youths aged 6-11. A second and much larger camp will

be held in August where aspiring swimmers between ages six and 16 will be accommodated. (aramzan@ guyanatimesgy.com)

saturDAY, APRIL 2, 2016

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

Carifta team meets with Alfred King Pg 22

The Carifta team pose with Alfred King during their courtesy call at the Department of Sport office on Main Street

Golden Jaguars to face Curaçao on June 1

Dozens graduate from Easter swim camp Pg 23

– Director of Sport promises expansion of programme to other regions

Pg 22

Flashback! The Golden Jaguars players after their 7-0 drubbing of Anguilla last month at Providence

Director of Sport Christopher Jones and GASA President Ivan Persaud (both seated) observe as some participants prepare to showcase what they would have learnt at the two-week camp

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