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Social Cohesion Plan 20172021 ready – Norton P9

…Ministry observes Social Cohesion Day today Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3207

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Closure of sugar estates

Rose Hall residents, businesses fear economic collapse Page 3

Govt Ministry unable to account for State assets – PS

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Fire guts unoccupied Diamond house

...neighbours report hearing explosion P2

Sale of Skeldon Sugar Factory would be cheap – Ramotar P5

Page 7

…blames development officers for mismanagement

President meets with top oil Page 3 stakeholders

Small, mediumscale mining

Int’l best practices P10 to evolve sector being identified – GGDMA

The CEO of HESS Corporation (the exploration company that holds a 30 per cent interest in ExxonMobil’s offshore drilling operations in the Stabroek Block), John Hess presented President David Granger with two model vehicles. In the 1960s, the company, in a goodwill gesture, began giving their customers these model toys during the holiday season

VAT on education

Protestors challenge President to public debate Page 2

Dataram’s reputed wife jailed for 9 P8 months

US border wall funding law

Guyana stands to lose millions – ex-Foreign Page 9 Affairs Minister

Cutlass- P2 wielding bandit caught after robbing neighbour Police P17 unearth illegal guns, ammo during exercises

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news

thursDAY, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VAT on education

Protestors challenge President to public debate

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lthough Government had defended the tax on private education, protesters are challenging officials to a one-on-one public debate on the issue, which has exploded into a grave national concern.

“Mr President Granger, I have a challenge for you today. I am inviting you to come out of your office, join us here on a Wednesday and have a public discourse with us right here outside of your Office. Let’s discuss this VAT on education. Let’s see what’s really stopping you from removing the VAT on education for us,” declared a student, Jonathan Yearwood, who has stood in almost every picketing line outside the various Government entities calling for the removal of the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education.

Government has maintained that this tax will remain but promised to review the measure for the 2018

National Budget.

But protestors are adamant in continuing their attempts to express displeasure against the policy, which has been described as backward. “(Ministers) have said that they’ve made millions of dollars from taxes throughout (last) year. I am saying it can be suspended and then revoked next year,” Yearwood stated.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had estimated that Government earned some $350 million annually from the tax.

Additionally, the student expressed disappointment with the withdrawing of the motion for the education tax to be repealed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.

The tabling of the motion would have sparked a debate at the highest decision-making forum in the country on the education tax.

It was expected that the

A group of protestors outside the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday

Alliance For Change (AFC) arm of the Government would have supported the motion in light of its public support of the movement against the tax.

Stakeholders continue to argue that the education tax will hurt economic development, force persons out of the private education sys-

Cutlass-wielding bandit caught after robbing neighbour

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olice in Berbice were able to catch a known criminal who led them into a swamp after he went into his neighbour’s house and robbed her of cash and jewellery using a cutlass.

The incident took place about 08:00h on Monday at Lot 126 Lord Street, Fort Ordinance, Canje, Berbice.

According to Lalita Kellawan, 55, she was in the kitchen of her home when her neighbour came through the door brandishing a cutlass.

She said the man grabbed her and choked her. At the time, her 90-year-old mother was in a wheelchair outside the house.

“Me see this person – me neighbour, me know he does thief, but Ah never thought he would ah do something so

Lalita Kellawan close. He just walk in with a cutlass and he vice me with the same hand with the cutlass.”

He threw the woman onto a bed while still holding her throat and demanded cash and other valuables. She

was then taken to the upper flat where she handed him a quantity of foreign currency, including US$90 and $4000 in local currency, along with a cellular phone.

Kellawan related that the jewellery was worth $190,000 and the cellular phone, $7000.

Police later arrested Clifton Ramsarran, known as “Witch”, who was recently released from prison for larceny.

According to reports, the man was in the vicinity of the Berbice Bridge when a patrol approached. He then exited the car in which he was travelling and headed into the bushes. He was soon after apprehended. The stolen items were recovered.

He is expected to be charged shortly.

tem and put pressure on an already burdened public sector.

The group of protestors

outside the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday was relatively small, but they affirmed that they rep-

resent hundreds of individuals who are affected by the policy.

They reminded that more than 15,000 persons had signed the petition against the tax which was submitted to Government.

Despite the small turnout, protestors said they would continue to stage picketing exercises every Wednesday outside the President’s office.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had explained that Government could afford to remove the education tax without significantly harming its revenue framework by slashing spending in unnecessary areas in order to maintain its desired revenue stream.

Fire guts unoccupied Diamond house ... neighbours report hearing explosion

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midmorning fire has gutted an unoccupied house at Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, but mystery surrounds the blaze, as relatives of the owner were reportedly informed by an unknown caller about the incident.

Reports are about 09:15h on Wednesday, neighbours saw smoke coming from the Lot 1819 Section C Diamond house. Firefighters arrived at the scene some 45 minutes later, but by then the inside of the house was significantly scorched. The blaze eventually caused millions of dollars in losses.

The owner of the flat concrete house was not available to speak to this publication, but relatives present, who were assessing the damage, explained that the house has been unoccupied for the past few weeks. A female relative indicated that she received a

Relatives of the owner at the scene moments after the blaze

call from a private number informing her that the house was burning down.

The family members added that they were unsure as to what could have caused the fire, and noted that they never had electrical issues when they lived there. Technicians from the Guyana Power and Light Inc were on site, inspecting the electricity meter and making other checks around the premises.

Neighbours who gathered recalled hearing explosions coming from inside the house before the roof went up in flames. Additionally, a gas bottle which appeared to be leaking was seen lying in a trench in front of the home, moments after firefighters had contained the blaze.

Members of the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force are conducting their investigations.

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 11 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, May 12 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 11 – 16:40h-18:10h and Friday, May 12 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloud cover can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East North-easterly to East South-easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 04:34h and 16:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.61 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:32h and 22:42h reaching minimum heights of 0.51 metre and 0.63 metre respectively.

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thursDAY, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Closure of sugar estates

Rose Hall residents, businesses fear economic collapse

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undreds of workers and businesses in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are fearful of an economic collapse following the announcement by Government of the closure of some sugar estates by year-end.

Workers are in a dilemma with regard to their future, and those who operate businesses within the estate have already reported that sales have dropped by almost 50 per cent.

Following the announcement made on Monday by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder about closing the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, that very day persons started to cut back on spending.

Those who operate businesses in the vicinity of the estates have reported that regular customers are now cutting back on spending, while hire car operators report that commuters are forecasting doom.

Some of the operators said they may be forced to operate in what would be more lucrative areas and nowhere will be profitable to operate their cars, but if the estate closes, most other businesses will have to downsize.

Meanwhile, others who operate in East Canje have forecast hard times. Andy Rohan, who sells vegetables from a car, told Guyana

Rose Hall Sugar Estate

Times on Wednesday, “Once the estate close, it means that me business done, because I depend on estate people.”

But the impact is more real for the workers, who depend on the wages they receive weekly. According to Budram Narine, the disposition of factory workers has changed, with most workers demotivated.

One businessman said, “We depend on the estate.

Once the estate close, it means me business done, because I depend on the estate people. I don’t know what will happen.”

Some argue that apart from the negative impact on the commercial sector, major retail businesses in the region will also feel the impact of the pending closure.

Guyana Times also spoke with several sugar workers on Wednesday who collectively expressed melancholy over the announcement, stating that they would now have to begin looking for alternative jobs.

One worker, Boodram Narine said he and his colleagues were not pleased with the plan to close the estate, because there were fewer job opportunities in Guyana owing to the slowing down of business.

Having worked for many years within the industry, Narine said it was sad that the Government would make such a move that has the potential to affect the employment of thousands.

Asked to describe the situation on the ground, the sugar workers said, “They

(workers) want know what they will do for a living and it will affect the business people, the community and the hire car.”

Another worker who asked not to be named told this publication that he was hopeful that the Government would rescind its decision, given the severe challenges that could result from the closure.

He said a protest was being organised, and he would urge not only workers, but Berbicians to come out in their numbers and support the protest, as he believes the closure would affect everyone in the community.

“This is the most terrible thing right now for everybody, because when it close down the people who got plenty children, what will happen to them? Without the estate, the situation in Guyana will be bad.”

Sugar workers attached to the Enmore Estate have also registered their distress over the financial challenges that they stand to face in the coming months.

The National Assembly was told that by the end of 2017, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will have only three estates in operation: Blairmont on the West Bank Berbice, AlbionRose Hall in East Berbice and the Uitvlugt-Wales estate in West Demerara.

President meets with top oil stakeholders

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resident David Granger on Wednesday met with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HESS Corporation, John Hess; the exploration company that holds a 30 per cent interest in ExxonMobil’s offshore drilling operations in the Stabroek Block. During their discussions, President Granger told the visiting delegation that while the country is eager to have oil production come on stream, this must be done in the context on Guyana’s ‘green’ development trajectory, and as such, protection of the environment is critical. “We are very concerned about the preservation of the environment…

We want the extractive industries to be developed in a sustainable way,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hess said the Corporation is investing billions of dollars in Guyana

and they are committed to ensuring that this is done in a transparent manner. “We are committed to your country. We are committed to being here… HESS is a longterm investor and we are very proud of the partnership with ExxonMobil and Nexen [Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited] as well…

We hope this development of Liza first and hopefully other prospects will transform your country and we will try to help you the best way we can to ensure that oil wealth is spent in the best way possible,” he said.

He also spoke of the importance which his company attaches to social responsibility and assured the Head of State that they stand ready to work with the Government to address priority areas. “We are ready to work together to help you

President David Granger emphasised environmental protection during discussions with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HESS Corporation, John Hess at State House along with other executives during the meeting on Wednesday

with your vision for the country to ensure that the oil treasure really becomes the people’s treasure,” he said.

The CEO was accompanied by the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President at ExxonMobil Exploration Corporation, Greg Hill; Country Manager Mike Cousins and outgo-

ing Country Manager at Esso Exploration and Production Guyana, Jeff Simons; and Exxon’s Public and Government Affairs Manager, Kimberly Brasington.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman was also present at the meeting, which was held at State House.

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thursDAY, may 11, 2017

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

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

The French Government

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he French presidential elections last week grabbed world attention primarily because it was seen as a sign of how extensive the move towards “populism” – read “right wing” sentiment –was in Europe, after the Brexit vote in Britain and the election of Donald Trump in the US. Now that Emmanuel Macron’s one-year-old En Marche! Party has defeated Marine Le Pen of the National Front (FN), the analysts will be generally consumed by the implications for EU unity and the terms of Britain’s exit as well as the facticity of Le Pen securing one-third of the French electorate’s support. The issues of immigration and European “identity” will not go away.

But for Guyanese, there is another element in the French elections that should be of interest – the structure of their government. Launched in 1958 by their towering – literally and figuratively - - President Charles de Gaulle, it has been defined as a “semi-presidential” system, in which there is a President in addition to a Prime Minister and a Cabinet, but with the former elected separately. This is a classification under which our system of governance also falls, but with some noteworthy differences.

Our system is rather unique, but is most like the “President-Parliamentary” system where the President appoints the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and the latter two can be removed at will by the former. Our President secures his post when his party obtains a majority or plurality – at the polls. France, on the other hand, has the “Premier-Presidential system” in which the Prime Minister and Cabinet are exclusively accountable to Parliament. The President, who is elected in a separate election as in the one just won by Macron, chooses the Prime Minister and Cabinet, but only the Parliament may remove them from office with a vote of no confidence.

The President does not have the right to dismiss the Prime Minister or the Cabinet.

In the Premier-Presidential system, which is in place in several other countries, such as Sri Lanka and Finland, when the President and his Prime Minister and Cabinet are from the same party, the system in effect works very similar to the President-Parliamentary system like ours. The President allocates as much power as he feels comfortable with to the Prime Minister.

However, if the President’s party does not have a majority in Parliament and the Prime Minister is from another party – as occurred in France in the 1980s, a system of “cohabitation” falls into place. The President is now possessed of specific defined state powers and the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament, is in charge of the other functions of Government. During “cohabitation” in France, by convention, the President is in charge of foreign affairs and defence policy. IN Finland, their Constitution explicitly allocates Foreign Policy to their President.

For many analysts, when the Cummingsburg Accord was negotiated between the AFC and APNU before the elections, it was assumed that the AFC-origin Prime Minister by being allowed to “chair” Cabinet and be responsible for domestic affairs would in effect function as in the French Premier-Presidential system. The subsequent “explanation” by President David Granger that this agreement could not be implemented, because there was “no constitutional stipulation” flies in the face of the French experience, that works very well by convention. In Guyana, before the 1992 elections, Dr Cheddi Jagan had suggested that the French semipresidential model might be suitable for Guyana with its divided polity and the need for a sharing of powers between the major parties.

In the coming months, elections for representatives to the French Parliament will be contested by all parties including the Socialists and the Republicans, which were the major parties before Macron launched his En Marche!! It is very likely that the Prime Minister might come from one of those parties and the “balance of powers” under the “cohabitation” doctrine will be tested.

Guyana should follow closely.

A taste testing and exhibition was held on Tuesday for five different varieties of Irish potatoes that were cultivated on trial at Santa Fe Mega Farm, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) through a partnership between the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the WUSC Caribbean (Guyana) Inc. The project was implemented by the Government of Canada funded PROPEL (Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages) PROJECT. In photo are Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Pierre Giroux and Deputy Project Director of World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, Munesh Persaud enjoying dishes prepared from Guyana grown potatoes

When will President Granger stop having confidence in City Hall?

Dear Editor, The frenzied eagerness and quick acceptance of a proposal to host the 51st Flag Raising Ceremony at the Stabroek Square by a senior administrative official of the Georgetown municipality and the almost immediate demand for $100 million to prepare the venue, is yet another pellucid display of the venality and ineptitude of the Council’s administration.

In the first instance, without having a comprehensive estimate prepared, without doing a strategic plan of the development of the area, and without even consulting the stakeholders including the vendors, taxi operators, and businesses in the area, like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, this official just nonchalantly came up with this round mammoth figure.

How funny!

Of course there would not have been any bidding or adherence to nation-

al tender procedures, but rather just like the parking meter scam, the works would have been handed to their favourite contractor, who is the ‘Francis or Jack of all trades’ and these hard earned taxpayer dollars would have disappeared into the pockets of a few.

When will the President stop having confidence in City Hall? When will decent, honest, visionary, and competent persons be placed to manage our city’s affairs? Persons who could come up with designs and proposals that would see the transformation of the downtown area, including relieving the traffic congestion, the vending problem, the crime infestation, the bellowing music carts, the three card tricksters and the general chaos of that area.

Thankfully the Government smelt the rat and stopped the Council’s officials from putting their hands into taxpayers’ pock-

ets and extracting a cool $100 million, by returning the ceremony to D’Urban Park. Indeed, in normal circumstances the idea of using the Stabroek Market area would not a bad one due to the historic nature of the area, the centrality of the location and the layout of the region which would have allowed the military to march up and down Brickdam before doing their tattoo display.

But thanks to the Georgetown City Council, the area is far from ideal for hosting any such activity. Embarrassingly the Stabroek Tower Clocks, which were to be fixed to usher in the Jubilee year, are still not working. All but a few of the bulbs that adorned the Market for last year’s special anniversary have blown and have not been replaced, vagrants have made several parts of this area their homes, there are several derelict or abandoned buildings in the

area such as the Old GNCB Headquarters and the building which was formerly a gas station, the Stelling and wharf area aback of the market is in tatters and a threat to life and limb. And yet the Council feels justified in wanting to just make some cosmetic improvements and then host the Country’s birthday bash.

All in all, much is left to be desired of the area and hosting such an event there would only give the Council another opportunity to create more hardship and confusion for the vendors, taxi and minibus operators, commuters, and shoppers.

The Council needs to permanently fix the area, and stop doing clean-up drives for special occasions, which only benefits the contractors who are improperly given the tasks of effecting these clean-up exercises.

Sincerely, Anu Bihari

Prosecution without evidence a violation of rights Dear Editor, With reference to the Anil Nandlall prosecution for alleged “theft” of law journals, the prosecuting attorney asked the Magistrate for time to gather evidence to support the charge against the former Attorney General. Is it not the law in Guyana that evidence must first be gathered supporting criminal conduct and then a charge filed? That is the law in democracies like the US, Canada, India, UK, etc. It is

the same worldwide.

How come Nandlall was first charged and then the prosecution is now seeking the evidence to support the charge. Nandlall is claiming the journals are his as part of a contract he signed with the Ramires Government. It is for the court to determine if the contract is legal and binding. Clearly, Nandlall acted in good faith believing that since he signed a binding contract, the journal belongs to him. The Government has to prove

that the contract was illegal and even if so proved, Nandlall cannot be charged because he did not knowingly “steal” the journals.

He claimed them on the belief they were his based on the contract.

Since the prosecutor stated in court he needed to gather evidence to substantiate the larceny charge, the Magistrate should have thrown out the charge when the prosecutor asked for time to gather evidence.

Nandlall may not be the

nicest bloke in Guyana. But like everyone else, he enjoys fundamental rights which are being violated by the Government in what is now clear is political vendetta and ethnic persecution.

Where are the reasoned voices of ambassadors of the ABC countries in this and other rights violations?

Only in Guyana are basic laws violated and the violators get away.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

thursDAY, May 11, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Sale of Skeldon Sugar Factory would be cheap – Ramotar

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hile admitting that the Skeldon Sugar Factory did not perform as anticipated in the initial stages of operation, former President Donald Ramotar believes it is an unwise decision to put the factory up for sale as it has shown some signs of improvement.

Ramotar told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview on Wednesday that the factory made significant improvements in 2015, meeting all its targets. However, he blames the lack of investment on the part of the coalition Government for the decline in recent performance output at the factory.

“It looks again as if there is a deliberate attempt to shut it down, maybe to get some people rich, because I understand that one of the persons looking into the privatisation of the factory is the

Former President Donald Ramotar

son-in-law of the present Prime Minister (Moses Nagamootoo),” Ramotar stated.

Ramotar, who at one time served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), told Guyana Times that because the coalition Government has been criticising the factory, it may

not attract the type of investment interest that they are looking for.

“To now go and sell it, I think it is going to be more of a giveaway. Because they (Government) themselves have badmouthed the factory so much, what would any foreign investor want to pay for it? So, obviously it’s going to be a giveaway and maybe for all kinds of kickbacks will be involved in this,” he added.

Commenting on the ‘white paper’ on the sugar industry, the former President who is also a trained economist said he views the new policy as one that is aimed at deliberately moving towards permanently shutting down the industry.

He said, “It is very clear that the Government’s only intention is to close down the industry and they are deliberately moving to shut the industry

Single parent slapped with multiple counts of assault, other charges

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single mother of two children, aged four months and two, who was previously before the courts appeared on Wednesday and was granted bail after she was slapped with multiple counts of assault and other charges.

Nikita Jordan, 46, a market vendor, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to her by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first charge stated

that on April 18 and April 26, 2017, she unlawfully assaulted Tiraji Harding and Claudine Benn respectively so as to cause actual bodily harm.

Also on April 18, she unlawfully and maliciously wounded Tiraji Harding.

On April 26, she also made use of abusive language to Claudine Benn.

Those charges were all read after the defendant also pleaded not guilty to a charge of damage to property.

However, the Court heard that she has not been making her court appearances.

On the damage to property charge, Magistrate Azore released the defendant on her own cognisance.

On the assault charges, Jordan was granted $7000 bail and on the other charges $5000 bail, a total of $12,000 in bail. She will return to court on May 11 for the damage to property charge and on May 29, 2017 for the other charges.

4 persons in custody for Uitvlugt murder

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our persons are in Police custody assisting with the investigations into the murder of 36-year-old Clinton Walks, according to D Division (West Demerara) Commander Leslie James.

The arrests were made on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Police continue their investigations. The suspects are said to be members of the community and are all related. They are currently in custody at the Leonora Police Station.

A post-mortem examination performed on Wednesday revealed that Walks died as a result of several chop wounds about his body.

The dead man’s sister, Junella Hall, told Guyana Times that they were receiving very little information from the Police about the investigations. She added that

they have to rely on hearsay to have some idea of what progress the authorities are making.

Hall had earlier stated that she was convinced her brother was murdered because he assisted the Police in their investigation of a robbery in the area. She said that the matter was before the courts and her now dead brother testified as an eyewitness.

Walks, of Lot 3 Bus Shed Street, Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, was discovered

on the Uitvlugt Access Road around 07:00h on Sunday with chop wounds to his back, left ear and abdomen.

He was known to the Police and was wanted for several break-ins committed in the village. Back in 2015, he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of break and enter and larceny.

Walks had lived alone and had never married nor had any children. He will be buried today.

down. They are making no attempts to revive the industry at all. All their measures and actions are designed to shut it down.”

Ramotar also questioned the Government’s motive behind this move to commence downsizing the industry, opining that it may be because “the sugar industry workers support the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).”

Regardless of the circumstances, the former President said that the PPP will continue to offer its support in whatever way it can, to those affected by the impending closure of the sugar industry.

“The workers can be assured that we will continue to fight for their rights and continue to defend their interests. I have no doubt

about that. But right now we need not only the sugar workers, but the whole country. Sugar is not affecting just sugar workers, but this thing will have a big impact on our entire country,” he stated.

The former Head of State insists that sugar still plays an important role in Guyana’s development and contributes to Government revenues, as it remains a large earner of foreign currency.

Meanwhile, in providing view on the white paper, former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali said the new policy direction taken by the coalition Government provides a historical perspective of the challenges facing GuySuCo, which are known to all.

“The proposed solution

seems to be limited to “cost cutting measures”. There is hardly any focus on revenue enhancing measures,” he pinpointed.

Ali said it is unfortunate that even though the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into GuySuCo which was prepared by Professor Clive Thomas presented several potential options, the white paper did not elaborate on the economic feasibility of any. He said it did not offer any impact assessment as well.

The former Minister noted that the Government failed to answer several pertinent questions in relation to the impact communities will have following the closure of the sugar estates and whether it will cause the rural communities to sink deeper into poverty due to the loss of income.

Importantly too, Ali said the Government must state how the sugar estate closures will impact the foreign exchange earnings and the exchange rate, and whether there will be any more loses of foreign exchange that can possibly create greater instability in the foreign exchange market.

Government, he said, must also disclose the cost to maintain the drainage and irrigation system.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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Foundation (Part 2)

BY STEPHANIE DOLGOFF

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Step 1: Play reporter

ometimes children will make generic claims, like “The teacher’s mean to me.” You want to find out what that means. Try to get as much detail as possible. Ask, “What exactly did she say? What was happening in the class when she said it?” (You might want to inquire casually, so your child doesn’t clam up or exaggerate.) “Mean” might mean “She makes me do my work,” in which case you could explain that the teacher is trying to show the kind of behaviour you need to have at school; after all, some things are very reasonable under the circumstances, but they may not seem that way to a six-year-old. The idea is not so much to uncover “the truth” of what went down, but to get a more concrete sense of what your child is seeing.

Step 2: Play advocate

Tell your child that you’re going to write down what she’s saying so you can go have a conversation with the teacher.

(Give her a chance to elaborate on her story –it’s hard for children to remember every detail.) “Let the child understand that you, her teacher, and the principal are partners working to help make school a great experience for her,” says Jan Harp Domene, a mother of three and President of the National Parent Teacher Association. This serves several purposes: Your child knows that you care about what’s happening, that her concerns are going to be heard, but also that you’re not just going to march in and “fix” a problem. Domene advises saying something like “Mom and Dad are going to talk to the teacher to find out why you feel this way” – not “why the teacher did this.” “It’s your child’s feelings you’re dealing with. Until you talk to the teacher, you don’t have the whole picture,” says Domene. You might also be able to give your older child some tools to handle the situation herself. Suggest options, such as approaching the teacher after class and pointing out, for instance, that she doesn’t think she gets called on very often. Sometimes the teacher may not be aware of how your child feels.

Step 3: Play the diplomat

If you decide you need to speak with the teacher, set up a time (not at dropoff or pickup), and go in as someone seek-

ing help in solving a problem. Using inclusive language is important, says Susan Etheredge, associate professor of education and child study at Smith College. Say something like “I’m coming to you with a problem I don’t completely understand, but I’m hoping together we can best figure out Mark’s concern.” Here’s where you explain what your child told you and when, using his words as often as possible.

“This de-escalates the situation,” says Etheredge. You’re not saying “Mark says you do this.” Instead, you’re saying “I need help understanding what’s bugging Mark.” Whatever you do, assume innocence all around. Your child may well have done something to annoy the teacher, who may have reacted with, well, annoyance. “I have seen some parents absolutely assume that their child would never do anything wrong, and when you do that, the chances really dwindle for a successful school year,” says Domene. “We need to realise that children are children and we love them, but they also can say stuff that may not be entirely true.”

Despite your light touch, the teacher might feel criticised – some people are sensitive, particularly beleaguered, tired and underpaid educators who do occasionally deal with parents who are a little overzealous on behalf of their perfect little angels. Do your best to reassure her that you’re not blaming her. “You don’t want her to get defensive, because then you’re in a hole and you’re starting from behind,” says Etheredge. If she rears up, just stay calm and keep repeating that you’re simply trying to understand what’s going on.

Ideally, the teacher will shed light on why your child feels as he does, and you can have a mutually informative conversation that will help her teach your child most effectively. If your child says the teacher “never” calls on him, when you talk to her she might tell you that your son often knows the answers, but she’s trying to give the shier children a chance.

Or the teacher may not have done anything at all.

Maybe the teacher is a grump, and your child is taking it personally.

Getting a firsthand taste of how the teacher communicates may illuminate the situation. Then you can talk to your child about how some people are not as smiley or are maybe less patient than the other adults in his life, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like him, says Domene.

A pleasant face-to-face helps in other ways: The teacher will see you as an ally and be more likely to confide in you, of course. But if the teacher is, let’s say, better suited to another line of work, you’re sending her a signal that you’re paying attention and are involved.

If the teacher is, in fact, singling out your child, a little I’m-onto-you might be enough to get her to lay off. (Excerpt from

BY DERRICK MEADOR

T

he best teachers are capable of maximising the learning potential of every student in their class.

They understand that the key to unlocking student potential is by developing positive, respectful relationships with their students beginning on the first day of the school year. Building a trusting relationship with your students can be both challenging and time consuming. Great teachers become masters at it in time.

They will tell you that developing solid relationships with your students is paramount in fostering academic success.

It is essential that you earn your students’ trust early on in the year. A trusting classroom with mutual respect is a thriving classroom complete with active, engaging learning opportunities. Some teachers are more natural at building and sustaining positive relationships with their students than others. However, most teachers can overcome a deficiency in this area by implementing a few simple strategies into their classroom on a daily basis.

Provide structure

Most kids respond positively to having structure in their classroom. It makes them feel safe and leads to increased learning. Teachers who lack structure not only lose valuable instructional time but often never gain the respect of their students. It is essential that teach-

Parenting.com)

ers set the tone early by establishing clear expectations and practicing class procedures. It is equally critical that students see that you follow through when boundaries are overstepped. Finally, a structured classroom is one with minimal downtime. Each day should be loaded with engaging learning activities with little to no downtime.

Teach with enthusiasm and passion

Students will respond positively when a teacher is enthusiastic and passionate about the content they are teaching. Excitement is contagious! When a teacher introduces new content enthusiastically, students will buy in. They will get just as excited as the teacher, thus translating to increased learning. Exuberance will rub off on the students in your classroom when you are passionate about the content you teach. If you are not excited, why should your students be excited?

Have a positive attitude

Everyone has terrible days including teachers. We all go through personal trials that can be difficult to handle. It is essential that your personal issues do not interfere with your ability to teach. Teachers should approach their class each day with a positive attitude.

Positivity is transcending. If the teacher is positive, the students will generally be positive. Who likes to be around someone that is always negative? Students will in time have resentment for a teacher who is always negative. However, they will run through a wall for a teacher is positive and continuously offering praise. (www.

thoughtco.com)

TO BE CONTINUED

7 Govt Ministry unable to account for State assets – PS news

thursDAY, may 11, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

… blames development officers for mismanagement

T

he Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry is unable to properly account for all of its assets and resources distributed across the regions, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, as a result of lapses in the procurement, fiscal management and accountability laws and obligatory regulations – a situation that has reached alarming proportions.

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary, Alfred King made the startling disclosure when he was joined

by Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sidney Allicock and Minster within the Ministry, Valerie Gariddo-Lowe for the opening of a two-day meeting of the Ministry’s Community Development Officers (CDO).

He told the CDOs gathered at Moray House, they also contribute to the mismanagement in the system. Pointing out the situation recently unearthed at the Ministry, through its various mechanism and outlying offices and unit, the Permanent Secretary said it has been failing to accurately account for resources that have been distributed.

According to King, re-

Permanent Secretary Alfred King

cent queries were undertaken by the Ministry that focuses on compliance with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and Guyana Procurement Laws among other standards.

In making the disclosure, King said it was “only two days I was spending over three and half hours trying to not ramble but go through thoroughly, what is the assessment of the Ministry’s performance by the FMA standard by the Stores Regulation standard, by the Procurement Act standards and what we found is quite alarming in some cases.”

According to the recently appointed Permanent

Secretary, “there are queries as it relates to the Ministry not being able to account accurately and efficiently for the distribution of its assets and resources to support the community’s work.”

He lamented this to be a most distressing, since on further investigations it was discovered that there are several gaps existing in the system, in addition to other breakdowns in the governance mechanisms.

“What we found was that there were gaps as it relates to people who should be involved and persons who should be taking action to correct those deficiencies.”

King said the Ministry has since taken cognisance of the existing gaps in the Indigenous Affairs Ministry’s operations. He highlighted too, “lots of parallel operations… things are happening and people are operating in silos when in fact we should be operating at one Ministry.”

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary used the occasion of the twoday meet to challenge the CDOs in the formulation of strategies on the way forwards, to bring to fore and address the sore issues plaguing the Ministry such as outstanding liabilities.

Bella Dam mother of 3 commits suicide

A

West Bank Demerara (WBD) mother of three has ended her life by consuming an unknown poisonous substance on Tuesday. The dead woman was identified as 34-yearold Amanda Neshaw of Lot 125 Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, WBD. Based on information received, the woman had been suffering from an ailment for some three months and hence, opted to end her life. Guyana Times was told that sometime in the afternoon hours, screams emanated from the two-storey family home when relatives discovered the woman’s life-

less body.When this publication visited the home on Wednesday, Neshaw’s husband was comforting a toddler, believed to be the youngest of the woman’s three children. He declined to disclose details of the suicide, and the woman’s mother informed this newspaper that her only daughter was a good person who never wanted her story publicised. Neighbours described Neshaw as quiet and helpful.She leaves to mourn her husband, three children, parents, sibling and other relatives.

A post-mortem is expected to be performed on the

Dead: Amanda Neshaw

woman’s body on Friday.

Guyana is listed by the World Health Organisation as one of the countries with the highest suicide rate.

“I want to see you come up with a plan for us to reduce all those liabilities that we have out there.”

Debts

Bemoaning the point, the Permanent Secretary pointed to the Ministry’s solicitation of the services in various communities, such as with the Uniform Assistance Programme where persons are employed to construct the garments.

“After a year and two sometimes we still owe the people out there…We op-

erate an annual budget, that is a financial year from January to December and therefore we should not be talking about operationalising the previous year’s budget for five and six months into a new year, something is fundamentally wrong with that and must be changed.”

Lamenting other woes being experienced by the Ministry and departments such as the CDO’s, King pointed to the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) with some 1800 persons enlisted across the country –many of whom

have since begun complaining.

He regaled the objectives of the project which could ultimately lead youth employment and self-empowerment King chided the CDOs saying “if you are out there and you not part of this whole process of trying to empower young people then you are not really with the Ministry.”

King was adamant the CDOs should take a more proactive role in engaging the HEYS and similar programmes targeting hinterland regions. turn to page 18

8 news

thursdAY, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Dataram’s reputed wife jailed for 9 months

A

njanie Boodnarine, the reputed wife of Barry Dataram, was on Wednesday sentenced to spend the next nine months in prison for attempting to smuggle illegal items into the Mazaruni Prison.

The 21-year-old mother of two made another court appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court where her trial was ongoing for a charge of attempting to smuggle prohibited items to her husband, who is presently serving an eight-year sentence at the Mazaruni Prison.

The charge against her alleged that in March 2017,

Boodnarine attempted to smuggle cigarettes in a popular snack packet.

This is not the first times Boodnarine is before the courts. She was previously found not guilty of carrying out a similar act.

Additionally, Boodnarine, along with Dataram were arrested in 2016 by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks after a Police raid was conducted on a house at Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The search led to the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine stuffed in frozen seafood.

The couple, along with

Anjanie Boodnarine

two others, were arraigned and charged with the offence. Dataram was found

guilty of the offence and the charge against Boodnarine and the others was dismissed. Before the decision was handed down by the court, the couple had left for Suriname but was later captured and extradited to Guyana.

Dataram took full responsibility for the possession charges, leading to Boodnarine being acquitted. He was jailed for eight years. Boodnarine later had a conspiracy charged filed against her dismissed.

She is still currently before the court for an immigration offence.

Narco trafficking lands teen in prison

A

teenager of Westminster, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was on Wednesday sent to the Camp Street Prison after he was denied bail for allegedly trafficking 793 grams of cannabis.

Mark Gravesande, 18, of 4036 Westminister, Parfaite Harmonie, made his appearance before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge when it was read to him. It alleged that on March 8, 2017, at Lombard and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, he was found to be in possession of 793 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

In his explanation to the court, Gravesande told the Magistrate that on the day of his arrest, he was walking along Hadfield Street when he was approached by a man whom he knows only as Jermaine and given a black plastic bag containing items to deliver to another.

However, he added that he placed the black plastic in a bag that he was carrying and was on his way to

Mark Gravesande

deliver the item when he was approached by Police Officers and searched.

The item was found on him; he was arrested and charged with the offence.

The teen said that he explained to the Police what had occurred but was however still charged.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being granted based on the seriousness of the offence, the nature of the charge and the prevalence of the offence.

Magistrate Azore refused bail. Gravesande was remanded to prison and is scheduled to reappear before Magistrate Azore on May 31.

Mo’ Money…

T

…for VC? he VC the PNC Govt hired is something else, isn’t he?? A Government supporter had dubbed the economy under the PPP as a “donkey cart” economy in which some folks want to live in a “Cadillac lifestyle”. Well, if the economy has imploded under the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government, what’s it now??

A push cart economy?? But from the looks of things, the UG VC looks like he’s determined to splurge on a Rolls Royce lifestyle!!

And here it is, Griffith was a member of the Young SOCIALIST Movement, back in the (Burnham) day!! If only the founder leader could see what’s happened to his co-op socialist dream!! Or is it the then small man (Griffith) has decided he’s the “real man” now that he’s returned from “Foreign”?? Don’t forget he was eased out from Fort Valley State University in Georgia after, “Moody’s Investor Service reduced the University’s bond rating, citing its declining enrolment, weak operating performance and minimal resources.”

Your Eyewitness doesn’t have to remind y’all (couldn’t quite get rid of that Georgia drawl!!) about the VC’s “fundraising trip to NY last year with a party (Boy, was it a party!!) of 13?? He spent $30 million and brought back $3 million. But hey!! It’s the thought that matters, no?? So what if the senior staff’s marching in the sun and rain demanding a raise – without tying it to a raise in student fees??

Anyhow you can’t say Griffith isn’t very open about his big-spending ways. After the UG Council nixed his plans to rent the four-storey white elephant at the corner of Camp and Lamaha at $6 million PER MONTH, the man just thumbed his nose at them!! He’s taken out full page ads in two of the dailies – setting back UG at least $200,000 – announcing the opening of “THE SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP & BUSINESS INNOVATION (SEBI) for the 2017-2018 Academic Year!!

Now what’s going on here? Your Eyewitness knows UG’s autonomous and all that. But is the VC also autonomous?? He doesn’t have to get the approval of the Council for his harebrained schemes??

Something’s certainly rotten in the state of Tertiary Education. Now your Eyewitness has no problem with the idea of a Business School…But it cannot be opened on the whim of the VC - even if he has a CABINET!!

You think this is a spoof?? Just Google it and there with pictures and all, you’ll find the CABINET: -Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Engagement; Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Planning and International Engagement; Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement; Registrar; Director, University of Guyana Berbice Campus; Director of Strategic Initiatives; Chief of Stall and finally (whew!!)

Personnel officer!!

…for pomp and extravaganzas Your Eyewitness is kinda flummoxed at the excuses the Government partisans are coming up with to defend its economic performance. Or lack thereof!!

Businessmen are holding back on generating revenues to spite the Government!! They used to berate the PPP for blaming the weather for poor production. They’re now mum about the first crop plunge in production??

And let’s not discuss the six sisters that were the mainstays of the economy.

But that’s the people’s income side. The Government doesn’t care a hoot about that – they can boast about collecting $5 billion more in taxes in two months!! So what if taxes are sucking an already desiccated economy drier. What about the expenditure? This where it gets real surreal. Any little old lady selling sweeties on the street corner would tell them if their income’s dropping – cut spending.

But not this lot!!

Heard about the preparations for Independence 50+1?? Yep!! Now that we collected the last $5billion for SUGAR, look how fast it’ll go on the extravaganzas!!

…in forex??

Some good news from the BoG big wig – the demand for foreign exchange – which was threatening to drive the exchange rate through the sky – is over.

So how come your Eyewitness still can’t buy a US$100 from his bank??

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

news

9

thursDAY, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Social Cohesion Plan 2017 US border wall funding law Guyana stands to lose millions -2021 ready – Norton …Ministry observes Social Cohesion Day today

T

he 2017-2021 Strategic Plan for the Social Cohesion Ministry will be presented to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo today as the Ministry observes its second annual Social Cohesion Day. “The aim is to allow Guyanese to reflect on the path taken since 2015 in pursuit of social cohesion and to be able to envision a socially cohesive country…the programme has been designed to bring together a cross-section of Guyanese to observe the celebration of some aspect of our diversity such as culture, religion, language, age and geographical background,” Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton said.

He added that the Prime Minister would be presented with the recently-completed strategic plan for the Ministry.

The plan was formulated with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

When asked about some of the highlights of the plan, Minister Norton related that one of the major suggestions was sensitisation and education on the workings of the Ministry. “First of all, we have to deal with sensitisation and education of

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

the vision and of the mission of the Ministry…we have actually started doing that and they (citizens) have been calling us in the different villages and regions,” he said.

He noted that the response from citizens, particularly the youths, have been commendable with a renewed call for the outreaches to extend to more villages.

“It’s a new ministry; our expertise in the area is very limited: while we do have persons competent, well qualified, their numbers are limited. Our budgetary allocation we hope we can improve on,” Norton explained.

In the 2017 Budget, the Social Cohesion Ministry was allocated $90.1 mil-

lion for the execution of its mandate.

“There are provisions in the strategic plan to deal with the issue of more resources, but that is much more of a national governmental decision and you can bet that I will advocate for much more of that and make certain that we do bring to reality the objectives of our ministry,” he added.

He noted that the challenges of the Ministry were not only within the constraints of administration and resources, but also the thinking of the populace. “For instance, we have got the fight against old stigmas; for example, persons with different sexual orientation, we finding that you have people in the villages saying that while they do not have anything against it, they would not support it, but when we go down in the discussion looking at it from a personal point of view, then more and more persons are becoming aware,” he related.

However, the Minister noted that the Ministry was making headway in the fight against those stigmas and promoting cohesiveness.

The Social Cohesion Ministry was established after the May 2015 elections.

– ex-Foreign Affairs Minister

BY SAMUEL SUKHNANDAN

G

uyanese dependent on foreign financial support have reasons to fear that the United States (US) congress may make an amendment to the US Electronic Fund Transfer Act to impose a fee for remittance transfers to certain foreign countries, South of the US, including Guyana.

The bill, which is titled Border Wall Funding Act of 2017 (HR 1813), has already been introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Rogers, of Alabama's 3rd Congressional District.

In introducing the Bill on March 30, 2017, Rogers claimed that remittances are normally used by illegal immigrants to move money from the US to their home countries.

In order to put a restriction on this, Rogers said the Bill will seek to allow for a two per cent fee charged on individuals sending money to recipients in 42 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In providing his interpretation of the issue, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey told Guyana

Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey

Times during an interview, that if successful, the Bill will cause severe problems not only in Guyana, but the wider Caribbean and Latin American region.

“In the case of Guyana, we can lose somewhere between $25-40 million and that’s a lot of money for a small country for ours,” Dr Jeffrey stated, explaining that regardless of the circumstances, people will find other means by which to send finances to their home country.

The former Minister pointed out; however, that there are mechanisms in which the matter could be discussed with the US before any such laws are

passed.

Dr Jeffrey made reference to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Trade and Investment Agreement with the US, explaining that through that agreement, the Caribbean has been recognised as small and vulnerable economies, and the need for the Region to be given special treatment is reinforced.

He suggested that Caricom member states, including Guyana, use that mechanism to address the issue before it comes into effect. But if that doesn’t bear fruit, Dr Jeffrey said Guyana also has the advantage of joining the wider region to advance its interest and ensure that its concerns are heard.

“I have had a look at the statements made by Caricom, but they are all generalised statements where it says, it will have a Region-wide stance on the issue,” he added.

While recognising that this Bill has the potential to cause Guyana to lose investment, Dr Jeffrey told Guyana Times it is a “complicated matter” which should be looked at and addressed collectively. turn to page 10

10 news

thursDAY, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Small, medium-scale mining

Int’l best practices to evolve sector being identified – GGDMA

I

n an effort to help small- and medium-scale mining operators manage their businesses in a more efficient and effective manner, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is seeking ways to introduce best international practices which can evolve the industry.

Mining in Guyana can be grouped into three broad stages – prospecting, production and closure/remediation, and focusing on development within each stage can potentially improve the efficiency and effectiveness of mining operations and, therefore, increase productivity and profitability.

But the GGDMA recognises that it is the norm for many miners to neglect the first and last stage of mining and focus on the production or second stage.

Hence, it noted that without proper prospecting, most miners normally operate on a ‘hit and miss system’ as they often proceed to mine in a haphazard manner, which would then lead to financial ruination very quickly.

The GGDMA explained that conducting some amount of basic geological exploration could help to greatly improve prospects for a positive outcome.

The Association also recommended that miners upgrade from using sluice boxes in their operations.

“Almost all small- and medium-scale miners in Guyana use a sluice box as their sole recovery equipment. A sluice can only recover gold which is free or not bonded to other minerals “(Free gold)’. Additionally, the recovery is very poor; sluice

Workers in a local mine

boxes recover about 40 per cent of the gravity recoverable gold; hence, 60 per cent of the gold mined is lost in the tailing produced,” the GGDMA noted.

The Association said there were a number of technologies that have much higher gold recoveries.

“Centrifugal separators such as Falcons and Knelsons and/or pulsating jigs for example are seen as the next technological step for the small- and medium-scale miner.

“This equipment can replace or be incorporated with the sluice box; however, as mentioned before, the applicability of equipment should be determined based upon the nature of the gold ore and the physical nature (shape and grain size distribution) of the gold itself,” the body stated.

For a green economy, the GGDMA said, the application of more efficient recovery technology is the way forward for the final stage of mining.

Currently, a major obstacle in remediation is that with the current recovery technique used 60 per cent of the gold remains within the tailings.

Therefore, the potential to

rework old mined lands with newer, more efficient recovery technologies is imminent. The GGDMA said remediation was, therefore, primarily tied to improving mineral processing and recovery techniques and maximum utilisation of the resource.

“After which, once an area has been mined out, there should be a central land use plan developed based upon the land owners or land use objectives,” the Association added.

It said it saw its role as being critical to the development of small- and medium-scale miners in Guyana and announced that it was currently reviewing several position statements for adaptation.

“These statements constitute the core principles for mining companies and national mining associations which are members of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). In previous correspondence with the ICMM, the GGDMA noted that the mining industry of Guyana could acquire strong support in applying sustainable development principles to mining,” the mining body said.

The GGDMA further said

it also committed to supporting decisions made on the basis of valid data and sound science, key tenets of the ICMM. “The GGDMA recognises that the small- and medium-scale mining industry must evolve and adapt in response to changing circumstances,” it noted.

As a result, the GGDMA said it has been purposely engaged in a number of initiatives, in response to rising challenges for the benefit of its members and to civil society, and at large for the stakeholders in the small- and medium-scale mining industry in Guyana.

These initiatives include identifying global best practices

in mineral exploration, mineral processing with special emphasis on improved mercury, free gold recovery, technologies and techniques, and remediation of mined-out lands. Best practices are sought based on what is appropriate, adaptable and most cost-effective for the geographical and geological environments in which our small- and medium-scale miners operate in Guyana.

In this effort, the GGDMA had and still have collaborative partnership arrangements with international agencies such as the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB); World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas;

Conservation International (CI) and through CI, arrangements with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

The Association has undertaken the task of investigating and identifying global best practices, which would be applicable to Guyana, in partnership with local and international agencies.

In this context, applicability will be determined via pilot facility where the identified best practices can be first applied, tested and proven, and then be used to demonstrate and to teach Guyanese miners.

Guyana stands to lose...

While Government has not made any statements on the issue nor provided an analysis of the possible impact it might have on the country’s economy, Dr Jeffrey is urging the Government to work to ensure that they do.

He thinks also that Guyana should press for activation of the Caricom council and work within it.

Different perspective

Guyana Times also spoke with a Guyana-born financial analyst who had a different opinion on the issue.

Sasenarine Singh claimed that the tax will ensure that millennial who are now having better jobs than their parents, will divert their money away from the remittance trade into “actual bricks and

mortar investments in the Guyanese Diaspora.”

According to Singh, the proposed tax will make the decision easier for those in the Diaspora who do not want to work in the black market, to not send money to Guyana.

“The United States where the biggest Guyanese Diaspora communities reside, is still recovering from the economic slump, although 2017 will be a good year for the US economy. So the Guyanese community who has delayed investments in the new cars and new houses are making that investment in larger numbers in 2017, leaving less for the relatives in the motherland,” he added.

Besides these issues, hundreds of Guyanese still de-

from page 9

pend on remittances for their upkeep.

Remittances contributed to 11.2 per cent of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product in 2016, a decline from 14 per cent in 2015. This was a result mainly because net current transfers decreased by 23.1 per cent or US$95 million over 2016 reflected a drastic reduction of workers remittance from abroad into Guyana.

Guyana is just a drop in the global remittance trade which in 2016 was pegged at US$441,000 million; Guyana received in 2016 only US$320 million of that amount.

The largest destination for remittances from the US is Mexico, which Pew Research estimates was equal to US$24 billion in 2015.

THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

his Mother’s Day, give her a gift she will cherish. The only place that does that best is King’s Jewellery World!

They have made a name for themselves in Guyana over the years and are known for providing the best there is in the jewellery industry. However, they have so much more to offer! With designer handbags and sunglasses at affordable prices, King’s Jewellery World can make any woman feel special, especially the one that most deserves it.

We all know that your mother is beautiful in her own way, with no make-up needed, but sometimes a woman just needs a night to glam up and the right make-up to do it.

At King’s, they stock E.L.F. brand, which is great for any type of skin.

Husbands! Get your wives the perfect couple’s gift! Get her a watch to match yours. With brands such as Guess, Fossil, Bvlgari and more, you can find exactly what your woman wants and needs.

Don’t wait. Shop today at 141 Quamina Street, 176 Middle Street, the Timehri Airport and the Giftland Mall.

12

Mother's Day SHOPPING GUIDE

thursday, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mother's Day SHOPPING GUIDE 13 thursday, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

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Mother's Day SHOPPING GUIDE

thursday, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mother's Day SHOPPING GUIDE 15 thursday, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

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Mother's Day SHOPPING GUIDE

thursday, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mother's Day SHOPPING GUIDE 17 thursday, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

18 news

thursdAY, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Assassination allegation

If all goes well…

Onions, potatoes to be produced Police to resend case file on large scale locally to legal advisor today

O

I

f all goes as planned, onions and potatoes will be produced on a large scale in Guyana, according to Deputy Project Director of World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, Munesh Persaud.

“Tasting is believing…,” were the words of Persaud as he declared that the result of the trial project in Guyana hints to a promising future for the large-scale production of onion and potatoes on local soil.

Persaud was speaking at a Taste Testing Event hosted

by WUSC and Government of Canada Funded PROPEL (Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages) project in collaboration with the Guyana Marketing Corporation, on Wednesday afternoon at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Canadian High Commissioner, Pierre Giroux, is optimistic that the economy of Guyana can be diversified while ensuring food security, as he commended the success of the local onion and potato cultivation in a keynote address at the ‘taste testing’ event where dishes were prepared with local production (of onions and potatoes) and attended by representatives of the Agriculture and Finance Ministries, members of the Private Sector and staff of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) among other patrons.

Country Coordinator of PROPEL, Marissa Lowden, in her opening remarks highlighted the success of the implementation as she welcomed the gathering to savour the “taste of success”.

Persaud said the aim of the event was to seek the feedback of the “real Guyanese” given the vitality of the response of the market. Persaud emphasised that Jamaica’s large-scale cultivation plays an important role in mobilising capital

Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux speaking to the audience on Wednesday

(in the agricultural sector) as they produce 80 per cent of potatoes consumed by the populace.

He further added that Jamaican officials are eager to meet with Guyanese to impart/dispense knowledge in this regard and the sister country is reportedly eager to establish a partnership with Guyana for the exportation of locally grown produce to the country (Jamaica).

The High Commissioner of Canada made reference to Guyana’s ridiculously high 2015 onion import bill, saying that the implementation of such a project substitutes the utilisation of these monies for other purposes. He pointed out that that project serves to diversify the economy and alter the monoculture history of agriculture. Giroux concluded that the next stage, now that the cultivation of these crops has become a reality, is to increase the scale of production and market as he encouraged partnerships between Government and the Private Sector.

Apologising for the absence of Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, was Ida SealeyAdams, General Manager of Guyana Marketing Corporation, who disclosed the Ministry’s enthusiasm to partner with WUSC Caribbean. Feedback sheets were provided at cocktail ta-

bles for persons to critique and assess the taste, texture and overall preparation of the dishes. Areas chosen for cultivation include Ibini in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo)spanning several villages from Annai in the North to Aishalton in Deep South Rupununi and Kato in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Targeting implementation in five Caribbean countries – Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, and St Lucia – PROPEL works with Private Sector buyers, producers and Governments to support small- to medium-scale producers in the Caribbean. The organisation seeks to work with processors and related businesses to increase the supply of agricultural products – particularly fresh produce – to high value markets (supermarkets, hotels and traders) including exporters and importers, in and around the Caribbean.

nce again, investigators probing the alleged assassination plot against President David Granger will be resending the case file to the Guyana Police Force’s Legal Advisor with the hope that she finally pronounces on the matter this time.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum, told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the file will be resent to the Legal Advisor sometime today.

Further probed about the investigation, Blanhum opted not to divulge any other details on the matter.

Since first submitting the case file to the Force’s legal mind for advice almost three weeks ago, it has been returned to investigators on each occasion, with instructions for further work to be done. These included holding a confrontation between the complainant and an alleged witness, as well as obtaining phone records of the parties fingered in the probe.

Last week, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine told this newspaper that although the phone records were submitted to the legal advisor, she returned the file requesting some clarification on a few other issues.

This publication understands that the stories submitted by the complainant and the alleged witness, who was supposed to corroborate the assassination plot, do not coincide; hence, the Legal Advisor had previously advised that a confrontation be held to make certain clarifications.

During that confrontation, this newspaper was told that

The man who claimed two local businessmen hired him to assassinate President David Granger

the alleged ‘witness’ told investigators that the complainant had contacted him and offered him a sum of money to give a statement to the Police claiming that he was present when the two businessmen contacted him (complainant) to assassinate the President.

According to sources, the complainant had only made the monetary offer after he informed the Police of the assassination plot. The statements from the confrontation were submitted to the Legal Advisor on Wednesday morning.

Furthermore, this publication was previously told that the complainant allegedly owes some businessmen, whom he accused, in excess of $8 million.

Independent investigations revealed that the man failed to repay the money and was confronted by his creditors. Based on his inability to repay the

money and more so, out of fear of what the men are capable of doing, he allegedly levelled the allegation against the businessmen.

About two weeks ago, the Crime Chief had disclosed that investigators made certain recommendations based on their findings during the probe.

However, he never expounded on this. Nevertheless, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, had previously explained that the Legal Advisor would have to determine whether there is substance to the allegation or if it is just a ploy to create mischief and based on her findings, the Police will take the appropriate actions.The Top Cop had pointed out that if the allegation is indeed true, the guilty parties involved could be charged for treason, but if it was a mischievous act, the person who made the allegation could be charged for providing false information to the Police.

Shortly after Minister of State Joseph Harmon broke the news of the investigations into an alleged assassination plot against the Head of State, the complainant, a well-known barber of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared on a local private television station to relate his story.In that interview, the barber revealed that he was offered $7 million and given a “long black gun” by a businessman to carry out the job of assassinating the President, but he had declined the offer.Reports indicate that he subsequently filed a complaint with the Police, prompting the investigation which has been ongoing for over three weeks.

Police unearth illegal guns, ammo during exercises

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have recovered two unlicensed firearms, along with matching ammunition and a quantity of cannabis, in three

home of a logger and conducted a search of the two-storey structure as well as a bond that was in the yard.

During the search, which was done in the presence of

the roadway in a bid to escape Police on patrol duty.

According to reports, around 09:30h on Tuesday, ranks on a motorcycle were patrolling on Vlissengen Road

Subsequent attempts by the ranks to apprehend the suspects were futile. The weapon and ammunition have since been lodged, as investigations are ongoing.

Govt Ministry unable to... from page 7

“You are supposed to be ensuring that you help to coordinate and manage the mobilisation for these young people for monthly payments of their stipends, we are still getting reports that we are taking too long to get out there, that’s difficult to conceptualise if we know that we have ongoing presence on the ground,” according to King.

He said “you can understand how frustrating it can be from time to time when we get these types of reports.” King was adamant during his interaction with the CDOs “If you don’t like what you do, best thing is to get out of it.”

Relationships

Speaking to the importance of the CDOs and their relationship to the Ministry, King at the onset announced that the meetings will no longer be held annually.

“You are regular staff and this should be statutory engagements where you are given policy directives,” in addition to performance reviews and evaluations.

King said the meetings will in future be held with a quarterly arrangement “where you work closely with all the units in the Ministry to execute their works.”

C o m m u n i t y Development Officers attached to the Ministry are posted with the majority being located in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) while one officer is tasked with responsibility for the coastal Amerindian communities.

The meeting was organised by the Ministry’s Department of Community Development and Governance.

The weapon that was tossed by the bandits The illegal gun and ammo found at the logger’s home in Linden

separate exercises.

The most recent exercise saw ranks in E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) recovering an unlicensed firearm, along with matching ammunition, during a raid conducted at the home of an Amelia’s Ward, Linden resident.

Acting on information received, around 02:00h on Wednesday, the ranks went to the Phase Two, Amelia’s Ward

the 41-year-old owner, an unlicensed .32 Magnum Taurus Pistol and 25 live matching rounds were found hidden at separate locations.

The logger was subsequently arrested. He is currently being processed for court.

Meanwhile, ranks in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) are on the hunt for two suspects who tossed an illegal firearm onto

when they observed the suspects proceeding in front of them on a CG motorcycle that was missing the rear registration number plate.

The ranks ordered the suspects to stop, but instead of so doing so, the pillion rider quickly took out a firearm from his waist and tossed it onto the parapet before the rider sped away.

The weapon was retrieved and discovered to be a .380 pistol loaded with five live rounds.

Also on Tuesday, ranks of a Police mobile patrol at 58 Miles Mabura, Upper Demerara River, stopped and searched a motor car and its occupants. During the search, one of the occupants was found with a parcel containing 250 grams of cannabis, concealed on his person. The 54-year-old miner, who hails from Victory Valley, Linden, was arrested and taken into Police custody.

He is expected to be charged soon.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, may 11, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

19

ARCHIE

A discussion with an expert will be enlightening and (March 21- will enrich your life and help April 19) you make better choices regarding how and where you live. Romance is encouraged.

ARIES

Use your intuitive insight TAURUS to guide you on a quest to find (April 20- information that will help you May 20) make better choices regarding your relationships and help you determine your vocational goals.

dilbert

Set the mood and let your GEMINI flirtatious personality take (May 21charge.

Sparring with someJune 20) one you find mentally and physically stimulating will result in a romantic moment.

Follow your heart.

Refuse to let the past interfere in your personal life.

(June 21- People you reconnect with at July 22) an event or reunion will lead you astray. Be true to yourself and those you love.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Look at your options and consider how your decision will affect others. A dispute will surface if someone you live or work with isn’t given equal say.

Concentrate on improveVIRGO ments to your health and (Aug. 23Sept. 22) well-being. Trying a new look or starting a diet or fitness regimen will give you the push you need to forge ahead.

Don’t let confusion set LIBRA in.

Look at your options and (Sept. 23make the best choice for you.

Oct. 23) Romance is on the rise and will improve your life.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

SCORPIO Indulge in a creative outlet (Oct. 24- that brings you joy. A youngNov. 22) ster’s comment or special plans with someone you love will push you to spruce up your appearance.

Emotions will rise to the SAGITTARIUS surface and should be chan(Nov. 23- neled into making positive Dec. 21) changes at home or plans with a loved one. A family outing or romantic getaway is prompted.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Deal with personal relaCAPRICORN tionships attentively. You’ll (Dec. 22- get a clear picture of someJan. 19) one’s character by the reaction you receive. Know when to move forward and when to back away.

Listen carefully and reAQUARIUS frain from letting emotions (Jan. 20influence an important deFeb. 19) cision you make regarding a friend, relative or loved one.

Act on facts, not assumptions, to avoid a dispute and regret.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES Discuss, negotiate and set(Feb. 20- tle any unfinished business March 20) you have let linger. Knowing that you have everything in order will relieve stress and give you the opportunity to start something new.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, may 11, 2017

Independence Darts Cup

Gujarat Lions v Delhi Daredevils…

Iyer’s 96 stun

slated for May 26-28

Lions in 196 chase

S

hreyas Iyer laid the foundation for Delhi Daredevils’ victory over Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League with a career-best 96.

After a career-best 96 from Shreyas Iyer Delhi Daredevils needed successive boundaries from Amit Mishra in the final over to get past Gujarat Lions with two wickets t o spare.

Victory sees Delhi climb above their opponents in the Indian Premier League points table, but both knew before the toss their chances of reaching the knockout stages were already gone.

Iyer’s impressive knock proved decisive but Delhi needed the experience of Mishra to guide them to a third win in four games, a run they will hope to continue in the final two matches.

Gujarat l o s t Dwayne S m i t h Shreyas Iyer

(8) and Suresh Raina (6) cheaply early on but Ishan Kishan (34) and Dinesh Karthik (40) ably supported Aaron Finch in setting a competitive total.

Finch has struggled to fire for the Lions but he was in good nick on Wednesday with a superb 69 off just 39 balls, an innings that included six boundaries and four maximums.

A total of 196 looked to be a competitive one and Delhi stuttered early on as Sanju Samson (10) and Rishabh Pant (4) were dis-

missed cheaply, the latter paying the price for not grounding his bat as he was r u n out b y

Raina.

Unfortunately for the Lions a second win on the trot was not forthcoming as Iyer played a starring role in the middle order - the 22-year-old exceeding his previous T20 best by 10 runs.

Despite Iyer’s resistance, wickets continued to fall but a quickfire 24 from Pat Cummins brought them to within touching distance of victory.

Cummins holed out to Smith in the deep in the penultimate over and when Iyer was cleaned up by Basil Thampi (1-43) with four balls remaining it looked like Gujarat could snatch the win.

However, Mishra came to Delhi’s rescue with a boundary through mid-wicket and another at fine leg - although the winning run came courtesy of a mis-field in the deep.

T

o p Regional and local aimers are expected to do battle here as the Guyana Darts Association (GDA) prepares for a major breakthrough competition, the Independence International Darts Tournament, which is slated to be held from Friday ,May 26 to Sunday, May 28.

More than 70 competitors from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica will vie for cash incentives and trophies in four categories, male and female singles, Luck of the Draw and Mix Nation.

Among those competing will be local and Caribbean Darts male single and mix champion Sudesh Fitzgerald. He will come up against familiar opponents as well as emerging talent, who will be aiming to make a n impact ahead of t h e Caribbean Darts Championship which will be held in 2018.

The initiative is the brainchild of new President

Sheik Yaseen, who had taken up the post merely five weeks ago. Yaseen is encouraging all local players to participate in the event because it has been a while since a tournament of this magnitude has been hosted locally. The President indicated that subsequent to this tournament players will be heading to either Japan or Germany to compete in an international tournament.

He expressed that his association would like to make an impact during the hosting of the event in order to bid to host the 2018 Caribbean Darts Championship.

So far 36 local players have registered for the tournament while 14 from Trinidad have confirmed their participation.

However, there are uncertainties regarding the numbers of participants from Barbados and Jamaica.

The GDA approached several individuals and businesses for sponsorship to host a successful tournament and there have already been positive indications from Top Brandz through its Corona Beer product, Dr. Terrence Joseph, Rooster Coconut Water and R. Ganesh Mining among others.

Participants will pay a fee of US$15 to enter each category. In the Mixed Nation category the top three finishers will walk

Luiz Ramirez Merlano (left) and Sudesh Fitzgerald were outstanding for Guyana at the Caribbean Darts Championship last year and they are expected to do well at the Independence International Tournament

away with US$600, US$300 and US$150 respectively. Meanwhile the Luck of the Draw winner will take home 50% of the pool, second place will earn 25% while the other 25% will be shared between third and fourth place.

In the individual categories $100 will go to the players with the most 100 points, highest check out,

shortest games and most 180 points.

The GDA is seeking the use of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to host the event, however, that location is yet to be confirmed.

Battle will start at 18:00h on the first two days of the tournament and at 13:00h on the final day.

Regal Sports Softball…

Archrivals Regal Masters, Mike’s Wellman set for epic clash

SCOREBOARD Gujarat Lions innings (20 overs maximum) D Smith run out (Mishra/ Mohammed Shami) 8 Ishan Kishanc Khan b Mishra 34 6 S Raina* b Cummins D Karthik† c Anderson b 40 Brathwaite A Finch b Mohammed Shami 69 R Jadeja not out 13 J Faulkner not out 14 Extras (lb 7, w 4) 11 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 195 Did not bat: DS Kulkarni, PJ Sangwan, Basil Thampi, Ankit Soni Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Smith, 3.1 ov), 2-46 (Raina, 5.5 ov), 3-56 (Ishan Kishan, 6.3 ov), 4-148 (Karthik, 16.1 ov), 5-180 (Finch, 18.3 ov) 4-0-30-0, Bowling: Khan Mohammed Shami 4-0-36-1 (2w), Cummins 4-0-38-1, Mishra 2-0-27-1, Brathwaite 4-0-38-1 (1w), Anderson 2-0-19-0 (1w)

Delhi Daredevils innings (target: 196 runs from 20 overs) S Samson b Sangwan 10 K Nair c Smith b Faulkner 30 R Pant† run out (Raina) 4 S Iyer b Basil Thampi 96 M Samuels run out (Jadeja) 1 C Anderson run out (Jadeja) 6 C Brathwaite c & b Kulkarni 11 P Cummins c Smith b Faulkner 24 Mohammed Shami not out 4 8 A Mishra not out Extras (lb 2, w 1) 3 Total (8 wickets; 19.4 overs) 197 Did not bat: Z Khan* Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Samson, 1.3 ov), 2-15 (Pant, 1.5 ov), 3-72 (Nair, 7.3 ov), 4-92 (Samuels, 9.6 ov), 5-104 (Anderson, 11.4 ov), 6-121 (Brathwaite, 13.5 ov), 7-182 (Cummins, 18.2 ov), 8-189 (Iyer, 19.2 ov) Bowling: Kulkarni 4-0-301, Sangwan 3-0-35-1, Basil Thampi 3.4-0-43-1 (1w), Smith 1-0-17-0, Jadeja 4-031-0, Faulkner 4-0-39-2

Everest Cricket Club Ground is the venue for the feature battle of the Regal Sports Softball Tourney between archrivals Regal Masters and Mike’s Wellman

T

he clash between archrivals Regal Masters and Mike’s Wellman is slated to be the feature event when Regal Sports Softball Tournament continues on Sunday at several venues in the City.

The two teams will meet

in a heated battle on pitch one from 12:00h at Everest Cricket Club Ground following the first match on that pitch between Savage and Regal Masters, which gets underway at 10:00h.

On pitch two, Regal Allstars will play four matches in a packed day.

Their first with Farm at 09:00h, then at 11:00h they will face Success, followed by a battle against Mosiah XI at13:00h and at 15:00h they will face Brickery XI. Meanwhile, across at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Ground, on pitch one Mike’s Wellman will

battle Amazon at 09:00hrs and HS Masters will play Amazon at 11:00h.

On pitch two, De Hoop will face Queenstown at 09:00h, at 11:00h De Hoop will entertain Brickery and at 13:00h Queenstown will match skills with Rockaway.

21

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KEY CUTTing

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NOTICE APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER’S CERTIFICATE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE MONEY LENDERS ACT. I, CEDRIC JOEL WEEKS OF LOT 8 DEN AMSTEL, WEST COAST DEMERARA, GUYANA IS HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE THAT I HAVE APPLIED TO THE MAGISTRATE OF THE GEORGETOWN MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT FOR A CERTIFICATE UNDER THE MONEY LENDERS ACT, AUTHORIZING THE GRANT TO ME OF A MONEY LENDER’S LICENCE TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF A MONEY LENDER UNDER THE TITLE OF CEDRIC’S PAWNSHOP AT LOT Y PUBLIC ROAD, BLANKENBURG, WEST COAST DEMERARA, GUYANA. NOTICE OF ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT FORTHWITH TO THE CLERK OF COURT GEORGETOWN MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT AND A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SUBSCRIBER. CEDRIC JOEL WEEKS (APPLICANT). DATED AT GEORGETOWN, DEMERARA, THIS DAY MAY 4, 2017.

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thursdAY, may 11, 2017

McRae swimming for Not taking Barbados for gold in Azerbaijan granted – Gonsalves Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’….

By Akeem Greene

L

egendary basketballer Michael Jordan said “Obstacles don’t stop you, if you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it”.

If there is one local athlete who is fighting his way back to the top of the ladder it is talented National swimmer Earlando McRae who returned after some three years in the hiatus.

McRae was and could possibly still be one of the country’s brightest prospects in the pool but commitments to both family and work took him away from a sport he deeply loves.

His dive back into the waters had an immediate impact as only last month at the Dolphin Inter-club meet held at the National Aquatic Centre, McRae was in ominous form winning a perfect four races in as many.

Now he faces a bigger test when he participates at the Islamic Solidarity Games, being held in Baku, Azerbaijan from May 12 -22.

Guyana Times Sport spoke to the athlete exclusively prior to his departure on Tuesday, where he expressed his intention to produce his best at the Games for his country.

“Every time I leave the country I always aim high and try my best with the eyes always being on gold,” he bluntly stated.

McRae represented Guyana at the FINA World Championships in 2013 held in Barcelona, Spain and as a 19-year-old he swam at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, and he plans to bank on those experiences at the upcoming event.

In terms of the changes he made to his technique,

Getting it right! Captain Ryan Gonsalves hard at work practising his penalty kicks under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Kenneth Grant Stuart (blue top) at the National Park on Wednesday (Akeem Greene photo)

T

Earlando McRae (left) along with Coach Stephanie Fraser and Andrew Fowler prior to departure to Azerbaijan

he explained that he has ceased competing in butterfly to give more focus to his favoured breaststroke along with the backstroke and freestyle.

In Baku, the 28-yearold will be participating in the 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, and 50m and 100m Freestyle and is looking forward to do well in the breaststroke especially.

But was it easy for the swimmer to go length and breadth of the pool again?

The answer lies with the support of his Ocra Swim Club Coach Sean Baksh.

“He [Baksh] has been my number one coach since I moved from Dorado, he knows how to get me back in shape”, McRae revaled.

The swimmer went on to say, “Everything is going so far, it was not an easy comeback but so far I am feeling it; 6-7 years ago I was real-

ly good, the speed and everything was there but now I’m feeling close to it again”.

The Level three coach in giving his assessment of McRae’s return felt that he can do well at the Games by lowering some of his personal bests. More so, the coach confidently stated that McRae can qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with hard work and dedication.

If he qualifies for the Games, it will possibly be his final chapter in a career that began at the age of 13.

“I looking forward to do well, I am looking at 2020 Olympic Games and after that I will consider retiring and leave it for my kids,” he disclosed.

McRae is joined by fellow World Champion Swimmer Andrew Fowler and Coach Stephanie Fraser in Baku.

NACAC rejects world-record wipe proposal

T

he North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) has rejected a proposal by the European Athletics Council, recommending the wiping of world records set before 2005.

Head of European Athletics Arne Hansen made the proposal recently calling it “revolutionary”.

“Not just because most world and European records will have to be replaced but because we want to change the concept of a record and raise the standards for recognition to a point where everyone can be confident that everything is fair and above board,” he said.

But NACAC president, Victor Lopez, is not having it and has called on the IAAF not to include the proposal on the agenda of the IAAF Council Meeting in London.

“As the Area Representative

NACAC President Victor Lopez

and President of NACAC, I am calling for the IAAF not to entertain such a proposal in the upcoming IAAF Council Meeting in London as that will take away the positive media attention from the great World Championships that London

will be delivering with Usain Bolt saying goodbye to the most significant career of any sprinter in the history of our sport,” said Lopez.

“After discussion with our Council, the NACAC AA position is that this is just one IAAF Area proposal to create a new set of European records, but at this point there is no plan by the IAAF to reset world records. If and when any such proposal is on the table at the level of the IAAF, we will ensure that the interest of the athletes who hold bona fide records and whose status as clean athletes is well established will be protected,” he added.

As an alternative, Lopez proposes that the IAAF Integrity Unit work alongside the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to ensure that clean athletes are protected. (Sportsmax)

he National Rugby team, ‘Green Machine’ will battle Barbados on Saturday at the Garrison Savannah in their first match of the 2017 Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’ Championship.

In 2016, Guyana dominated the match against the Bajans with the scores ending 48-17 to prolong the misery for the Islanders against Guyana but captain Ryan Gonsalves said they will not be carless less and overconfident against their opponents.

“We are not taking Barbados for granted they have not beaten us in years and we are working hard enough to ensure it remains that way”, he stated while to speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday after a training session in the National Park.

At that session Gonsalves was placing great emphasis on his penalty kicks which he feels is critical in any 15s match.

“The more penalties you can get going to goal and making it would be very crucial; some 15s games we don’t score tries but penalty kicks win games”.

He added, “ it has been almost a year so I’m trying to get my riddim back between now and Saturday; unfortunately the rain flooded the ground so I didn’t get to practice so today [Wednesday] is my first day at it”.

Commenting on the squad composition and synergy among the players considering the amount of playing time they have gotten, he felt the senior guys will come good and bring the success required.

“We have a few new faces, we were hoping to have few Under-19s, but didn’t they make the cut but they are always knocking at the door; We are trying to get the team together and getting back into 15s mode it is not easy because of the physicality but the coaches and senior players know what is need for victory”, he explained.

One of those newcomers is Ahmed Issacs who plays for Lindenwood University in Missouri and the front

row is enthusiastic about making a mark with the team.

“I am really enjoying playing with the guys I play

at one of the top universities in America and I’m having fun with the guys here and really looking forward to the game against Barbados”.

Isaacs said.

In adapting to different to the Green Machine playing style, Isaacs disclosed that he is more than capable, “ in America we play hard rugby but I know that down here we play a bit more sevens style so I will be looking to pass the ball and run around rather than just over the opponents”.

The Green Machine is the current runner up to Mexico in the Regional RAN XV Championships as well as Current RAN VII Caribbean Champions and will be using these games in attempt to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. (Akeem Greene)

New addition Ahmed Isaacs

2017 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Fifteens (15s) Championship NATIONAL SENIOR MEN SQUAD Players Ser

Position

Surname

First Name

1

Loose Head

Tyrell

Jason

2

Hooker

Crawford

Allain

3

Tight Head

McArthur

Rondell

4

Lock

Schroeder

Dwayne

5

Lock

David

Kevon

6

Blindside

Angus

Jamal

7

Openside

Staglon

Richard

8

No. 8

Adams

Vallon

9

Scrum Half

Gonsalves

Ryan

10

Outside Half

Hamilton

Peabo

11

Wing

Corbin

Avery

12

Center

Mayers

Ronald

13

Center

Braithwaite

Troyton

14

Wing

King

Patrick

15

Full back

Rahaman

Joseph

16

Front Row

Kitt

Cyon

17

Front Row

Issacs

Ahmed

18

Res

David

Toby

19

Res

McKenzie

Osie

20

Res

Broomes

Godfrey

21

Res

Phillips

Sean

22

Res

Cummings

Rickford

23

Res

Bailey

Blaize

Non-travelling reserves Crawford Elton Wills Kevin James Akino

Officials Elwane Chase- Team Manager Kenneth Grant- Stuart-Head Coach

Oslen Olivierre- Assistant Coach Captain- Ryan Gonsalves Vice-Captain- Richard Staglon

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, may 11, 2017

23

Brighto Paints presents the Q Mobile Cup Test Series …

P

Azhar, Babar shine on gloomy 1st day

akistan eased into their comfort zone in the evening session of a truncated day’s play in Roseau. They played as they like to - slow, solid, unremarkable - scoring at a run rate around 2.50 throughout the day, ending on 169 for 2 in 69 overs. Azhar Ali and Babar Azam looked settled for most parts, much more so than one would have expected after their team was thrust in to bat under gloomy skies. The late wicket of Babar gave West Indies something to cling to on at the end of a long day.

After the brighter evening skies allowed for an extended final session, Azhar and Babar resumed their dominance, but the lengthy break seemed to have taken much of the intensity out of the game. The scoring rate dropped and there was a palpable lull in proceedings as Pakistan inched along in conditions that looked to have improved for batting.

There was a slice of luck for Babar soon after play resumed, a perfect legspinner from Devendra Bishoo taking his outside edge on 28, only for Dowrich to put down a straightforward.

Excitement elsewhere was in precious little supply as Azhar brought up his half-century soon after and Pakistan hit cruise control.

There was a massive

Azhar Ali struck seven fours and two sixes in his 219-ball vigil on a truncated opening day © AFP

scare for the West Indies early on in the session, with their ace bowler Shannon Gabriel heading off the field with a niggle. Much to their relief, however, he was able to make his way back soon after, and, despite remaining wicketless, was the pick of the bowlers, wielding an aura of control over proceedings that his fellow bowlers couldn’t quite match.

But it was Alzarri Joseph who provided the breakthrough towards the end of the day, with a fifth stump line that Babar couldn’t quite decide whether to leave or play. He did neither in the end, and his bat

jutted out indecisively. The ball caught the outside edge and carried through to slip, but not before he had scored 55 in a 120-run partnership that had put his side in a position of authority.

That heralded the most memorable moment of the day, as the West Indies players formed a guard of honour to allow Pakistan’s next batsmen to pass through.

Younis Khan strode in to respectful, almost reverent applause from the Dominica crowd before shaking Jason Holder’s hand as a way of thanks, and then drawing him in with a warm embrace.

With the niceties out of the

way, West Indies brought their best bowler Gabriel back into the attack, knowing Younis’ wicket could put an entirely different spin on proceedings. Pakistan’s most prolific runscorer, however, stood firm, living to bat yet another day.

The first session, to borrow from a football cliché, was one of two halves with Pakistan scoring freely after the first hour, during which they managed just 19 runs in 13 overs for the loss of Shan Masood. The cloudy weather resembled much of the first Test, and Azhar Ali and Masood, replacing the ill Ahmed Shehzad, started

Johnson selected to represent Guyana at CONCACAF TARP

G

ladwyn Johnson will participate in the CONCACAF Targeted Advanced Referee Programme (TARP) scheduled for Dallas, Texas from May 11 – 14, 2017.

Johnson, who is a FIFA referee, will be Guyana’s representative and he will be among nine participating referees; four of which will be from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) region including Cuba, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Johnson, in an invited comment said: “It’s a blessing for me to be a part of this prestigious course and to be around all the top assessors, instructors and referees in CONCACAF. It’s always a great learning experience towards better thing to come. Upon my return, I will share the information acquired with my fellow referees so that our standard of refereeing i n Guyana would improve.”

The elite referee, who has been a referee for six years and is in his first year as a FIFA referee added that his participation in the TARP is a “great achievement” for him and is thank-

ful to God, CONCACAF, the Guyana Football Federation

FIFA referee Galdwyn Johnson

(GFF), his employers at the Guyana Sugar Corporation – GuySuCo (Blairmont Estate), his wife and family

for the support provided.

“We have the potential here. Persons need to commit themselves to the programme, said Stanley Lancaster, Head of GFF’s Refereeing Department.

“When given the opportunity, they need to showcase their skills and true potential so that they can be recognized because CONCACAF and FIFA are continuously looking for talent that the Caribbean possesses.

Based on information received, they have seen that potential in Gladwyn, hence the reason for his selection,” Lancaster added.

Asked about the impact Johnson’s participation will have on the national programme, Lancaster said: “This will definitely be a boost to the local programme as it should serve as encouragement to other national referees. Gladwyn, in his first year as a FIFA referee as of January 2017, has already participated in three appointments and now is in this course – what we term as CONCACAF World Cup – the Gold Cup seminar, followed by the Gold Cup in June. So, it’s a plus for the

local officials once they look at it in a positive way to see that this step can be accomplished by anyone.”

It requires commitment, adaptation to the training, reading, interpreting and applying the knowledge and maintaining a high level of fitness,” Lancaster added.

The course will focus on physical fitness testing, practical and technical training and classroom and field sessions, including video tests.

The physical fitness testing is a requirement for FIFA World Cup referee participation.

According to CONCACAF, the TARP will be conducted simultaneously with the CONCACAF 2017 Gold Cup Pre-Tournament Referees Course and though participants will most likely not be match officials of the named tournament, they will participate in the group phase of the tournament and serve as fourth officials and replacement referees as required.

tentatively against the late swing of Gabriel and Joseph.

As the pair pounded away at the Pakistan side they had skittled for 81 less than a week earlier, the scoring rate wasn’t of as much importance as the wickets column.

With the bowlers on top, it was surprising to see Holder introduce part-time offspinner Roston Chase into the attack as early as the ninth over. What was even more unexpected was the prodigious turn and bounce Chase extracted, beating the left-handed Masood’s bat almost every ball.

Masood’s eventual dismissal was entirely in keeping with the events leading up to it, as he finally edged an offbreak that carried low to Jason Holder at second slip.

The run rate picked up sharply after the drinks interval, with Chase, who didn’t concede a run in his first three overs, lofted for two sixes off consecutive overs by Azhar.

With the left-hand batsman gone, Chase found himself unable to take advantage of the footmarks created by the fast bowlers, and his potency rapidly decreased.

By the time lunch was called, the tables had been turned almost completely, with the West Indies on the

defensive as Pakistan tried to stamp their authority on a session they might have been dreading by the drinks break.

The rest of the day continued in much the same fashion, though with rain expected across the remaining four days of the Test, Pakistan will have to speed up their run rate if they are to prevail in a Test that would give them their first ever series win in the Caribbean. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Pakistan 1st innings Azhar Ali not out 85 Shan Masood c Holder b Chase 9 Babar Azam c Powell b Joseph 55 not Younis Khan out 10 Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 2, nb 3) 10 Total (2 wickets; 69 overs) 169 To bat: Misbah-ul-Haq*, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Shan Masood, 12.4 ov), 2-139 (Babar Azam, 54.2 ov) Bowling: ST Gabriel 19-6-32-0 (3nb, 1w), AS Joseph 14-4-391, RL Chase 10-3-271, JO Holder 14-4-30-0 (1w), D Bishoo 12-0-36-0 West Indies team: KC Brathwaite, KOA Powell, SO Hetmyer, SD Hope, RL Chase, VA Singh, SO Dowrich†, JO Holder*, D Bishoo, AS Joseph, ST Gabriel

Gayle highlights importance of investment

A

s inches closer to the end of a long career West Indian batting star Chris Gayle has highlighted the need for proper investments.

Gayle, who owns the Triple Century sports bar in Jamaica and has investment in several other real estate entities, recently became a brand ambassador of attitude.com, an alterChris Gayle native fashion apparel brand. way of endorsements. The “We have to carefully inplayer, however, recently vest our money because you came off a dismal season in work hard for the money you the Indian Premier League earn… Sometimes you make (IPL) for Royal Challengers profits, and the other time Bangalore, which could imlosses,” Gayle said. pact his future earning po“It is not that all things tential. in life work out perfectly, “I have done some investso you have to be always on ments... I have opened up a guard and prepare oneself Triple Century 333 Sports for any eventuality,” he said.

Bar and a restaurant back The 37-year-old one of in Jamaica... I have also the highest paid players invested in a bit of real esin world cricket has an estate... had built my house timated yearly income of before IPL, though I have $US7.5m, with $US4.5m not spent so much time begarnered from various T20 cause of travelling around leagues around the world; the world,” he said. (Sportsmax) another $US3m comes by

THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s’….

Not taking Barbados for granted – Gonsalves Pg 22

Pg 23 Pg 22

McRae swimming for gold in Azerbaijan

The national ruggers going their through paces at a practice session on Wednesday in the National Park

Earlando McRae is planning on using all of his experience to bring glory to his country

Brighto Paints presents the Q Mobile Cup Test Series …

Pg 23

Azhar, Babar shine on gloomy 1st day Shan Masood edged Roston Chase to Jason Holder Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks Latouche Photography

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