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Issue No. 2979

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, September 16, 2016

Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

Teixeira’s complaint to Norwegians is “anti-national”– Harmon

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

SOCU P7 remains under Police – Cabinet says there will be no diversion

…but while in Opposition, Ramjattan also did same

Leonora man Man’s body mauled in deadly fished out of Berbice pit bull attack River Page 9

Page 2

City Hall runs on P10 laws, not friendship – Town Clerk

Aircraft found at Yupukari

Mexico’s Independence celebrations in Guyana Page 15 President David Granger and Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, Ivan Sierra cut the cake to celebrate Mexico’s 206th Independence Anniversary as the Ambassador’s wife, Norma de la Torre, First Lady Sandra Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon look on. The cocktail reception was held on Thursday evening at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown

P7 US registration fake

Teen P8 slapped with murder charge

GPSU wage/salary deadlock

Govt trying to fool public servants on proposed increase – Jagdeo Page 9

21-year-old Supenaam porter commits suicide P7 – succumbs days after ingesting poisonous substance

2 NEWS Leonora man mauled in Leguan man remanded for drug charge deadly pit bull attack V A FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), man was on Thursday morning found dead, suspected to have been viciously attacked by several pit bulls owned by a prominent businesswoman in the area.

The identity of the dead man is still unknown but Guyana Times understands that he was a destitute.

Two men who were also injured following a similar attack are Ramanand Bhikam of Stewartville Housing Scheme, and Wilbert Adams of Cornelia Ida, both of WCD. Based on reports, the now dead man was found at about 06:00h at Lot 190 Para Field, Leonora with several bite marks about his body.

The police were summoned and an investigation was launched.

Guyana Times understands that the brother of the businesswoman was taken into custody and is assist-

The yard from which the dogs escaped

ing with investigations. The woman, however, was reportedly hiding in the house.

Nevertheless, the two injured men were treated at the Leonora Cottage Hospital but only Bhikam was sent away. They have since given detailed statements to the Police about the attack.

Based on reports, Adams told detectives that he was

heading to work when he was attacked by the animals.

He works at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate and it was about 03:00h when the dogs attacked him. After being bitten, he managed to make his way to the hospital which in turn alerted ranks at the Leonora Police Station.

However, as Bhikam was heading home from work, he

was also attacked by the dogs that were on the road. Both men claimed they did not see the other man lying in the trench. It was until police arrived at the scene that the man’s body was discovered.

Guyana Times was told that the dogs would normally get out of the yard and attack people and other animals. Only recently, they killed several sheep and cows in the area but it is the first time, they actually attacked humans.

When contacted, Commander D Division, Leslie James confirmed that one person is in police custody. According to James, they are looking for the owner of the dogs since she reportedly disappeared following the discovery of the man’s body. He also related that ranks also found that the yard in which the dogs were kept were “not secured”. (Bhisham Mohamed)

ishal Masedas, 21, of Endeavour, Leguan Island, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) was on Wednesday remanded to prison for the possession of narcotic for the purpose of trafficking.

He made his appearance before magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate Court. The man initially pleaded guilty but due to his explanation a not guilty plea was recorded.

Masedas was arrested on September 11 at Enterprise, Leguan for being in possession of 48.2 grams of cannabis.

Acting on information police from Leguan visited Enterprise and spotted a speed boat from where the defendant threw a black bag into the river. Police retrieved the bag and a quan-

Vishal Masedas

tity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was discovered. He was told of the offence and arrested.

The unrepresented Masedas was remanded to prison until September 27, 2016.

Disaster averted…

GPL transformer catches afire

The GPL transformer burst into flames in front of GuyOil Gas Station on Regent Street

T

he services of the GuyOil Gas Station on Regent Street were brought to a stand-still as a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) transformer burst into flames on Thursday.

According to reports, the

fire started around noon in the vicinity of Regent and Wellington Street.

Ranks of the Guyana Fire Service were quickly on the scene and successfully contained and put out the fire.

Landlord, tenant charged with assault – landlord allegedly nailed windows and doors shut

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spat between a Linden landlord and a tenant landed them in court on Wednesday, charged with assault and disturbance. Both Tinesha Victor of 413 One Mile, Wismar, Linden, and her landlord Lesli Barrett, 37, a farmer of 592 Half Mile, Wismar, were granted bail when they appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Barrett was charged separately for disturbance of a tenant’s peaceable enjoyment and was granted $25,000 bail. It is alleged that on Sunday, September 11, Barrett nailed down the

windows and doors of the building being rented by Victor, without the tenant’s consent. He however pleaded not guilty.

It is also alleged that Barrett unlawfully assaulted Victor on the said date at her address.

He was granted $10,000 bail, in addition to being placed on a bond to keep the peace.

Victor was also cocharged with unlawfully assaulting Barrett on September 11 at One Mile, to which she pleaded not guilty.

The two are scheduled to appear in court on October 12.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 16 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, September 17 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 16 – 16:00h-17:30h and Saturday, September 17 – 16:40h-18:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to South South-easterly between 1.34 metre and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 04:01h and 16:22h reaching maximum heights of 2.79 metres and 2.83 metres respectively.

Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

Teixeira’s complaint to Norwegians is “anti-national” – Harmon

…but while in Opposition, Ramjattan also did same

T

hough his A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) can be deemed guilty of same, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of being unpatriotic, after the party, though the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, wrote the Norwegian Government complaining about being left in the dark when it comes to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Low Tide: 09:56h and 22:16h reaching minimum heights of 0.41 metre and 0.35 metres respectively.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

by the Norwegian company, NORCONSULT. The company has since requested more time to complete its report.

parency, and all of this is in the public domain,” he stated.

Anti-nationalistic

An artist’s impression of the US$850M Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

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(AFHP).

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira on August 24, 2016, wrote to Per F I Pharo, Director of the Government of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative, at the Norwegian Environment Ministry, expressing concerns of lack of inclusivity and transparency.

“Guyanese people were being sidelined in the implementation of the Guyana/ Norway Partnership agreement,” the letter stated.

Teixeira also pointed to the lack of progress on several fronts explaining that the new Government had usurped the functions of the stakeholder bodies that were established under the PPP administration to consult with the people, meet and make recommendations about the projects and general implementation of the partnership agreement.

“We feel that this (delay) in the Governance of the Guyana-Norway Partnership Agreement could damage Guyana’s prospects for a generally transformative shift to a low carbon green economy”, she warned in the letter.

Teixeira also lamented the need for the urgent shift to cleaner energy as she reminded Norway of the Opposition’s unmoved commitment towards supporting all initiatives in the agreement and the Amaila Falls in particular towards the achievement of this goal.

The Amaila Fall Review was called for repeatedly by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo after Government decided to put the project on hold because of concerns it had about both the economics and design of the project which was devised under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) tenure.

The review was to be done

However, Harmon, at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday described the PPP/C missive as anti-nationalistic. He explained that all information on the Amaila Falls review is in the public domain and that the Government provided full disclosure to the parliamentary Opposition members during in a Select Committee.

In this regard, the Minister of State said the move to take the matter to the Norwegian Government is against the country’s national interest.

“It is very fortunate that they’ve taken an antinational stance on this matter,” he stated.

Minister Harmon disclosed that Government is currently engaged with the Kingdom of Norway and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on the way forward for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP).

“It is clear that the decision which was taken was between the Government and the Kingdom of Norway, that they will set up an independent assessor to determine whether it is going anywhere… They (Norway) are still in the process of engaging finally the assessor, so it is not that there is no trans-

Hypocritical

However, critics have railed into Harmon and the Government, labelling them “hypocritical” for referring to the Opposition as anti-national when while in Opposition, the AFC, a major partner in the Government coalition did exactly the same thing, wrote to the Norwegian.

Back in December 24, 2014, AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan, now a Vice President and Public Security Minister in the coalition Government had dispatched a similar letter, also to Pharo expressing concerns that there might have been “fundamental breaches” of the Guyana-Norway forest protection agreement as it relates to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

At the time, Ramjattan, like Teixeira, was calling for the release of information. “… it is in the public interest of Norwegians and Guyanese to know what is happening…” Ramjattan said in his letter, referring to the Amaila project.

At the time, Ramjattan had said that the AFC was concerned that there may be violations and fundamental breaches of the NorwayGuyana Agreement, a fiveyear pact under which Guyana received up to US$250 million to keep its forest intact.

TURN TO PAGE 9

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guyana-times.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Rape is not equivalent to “deflowering”

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s Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing Child Protection Week under the theme “Children’s Safety and Security, Our Priority”, the haunting incidents of rape and sexual assault against women and girls continue to trouble this nation. The sad reality of this recently unfolded when a 21-year-old mother of one died following a sexual attack by a minibus driver.

So severe were her injuries that a child is now left motherless. In 2015, there were over 230 reports of rape, but only 36 persons were charged. Compounding this actuality is also the fact that there is a stark court backlog on tackling cases of sexual violence.

A recent United States Department report on human rights outlined that in Guyana, a high number of rape and sexual assaults are unreported to authorities, citing that this was most likely as a result of fear of stigma, a lack of confidence in authorities, retribution, or further violence.

As with any form of violence, sexual violence tears at the fabric of a country’s well-being. However, when the agency responsible for helping victims of rape describes this horrendous crime as mere “deflowering”, the sad unravelled truth of our country’s approach to this crime is evident. “Deflowering” means to deprive (a woman) of her virginity, but is that what rape is? Mere deflowering?

The Social Protection Ministry, in its statement on Guyana’s observances for Child Protection Week, stated that “incest and underage sexual activity in childhood (are) also of grave concern to the Childcare & Protection Agency (CPA), an arm of the Ministry. This deflowering of our children must stop.”

It is frighteningly obvious that the Social Protection Ministry needs a trained psychologist to educate its staff about the true meaning of rape, particularly child rape, which is not simply “deflowering” even if the victim was virginal. Rape is more than “deflowering”; rape is sexual abuse, a lifelong scar. The Ministry needs to also be enlightened that rape and other forms of sexual assault have traumatic psychological, emotional, physical, social, interpersonal, and financial impact on victims. According to a study conducted by Rape Victims Advocates (RVA), each survivor reacts to sexual assault in their own unique way. Personal style, culture, and context of the survivor’s life may affect these reactions.

Some victims may tell others right away what happened, others will wait weeks, months, or even years before discussing the assault, if they ever choose to do so.

Earlier this year, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence came in for much criticism after she made some unfortunate remarks and had a casual approach in defence of a man, who was charged for sexual molestation. The Minister, in defence of the man, was quoted by another section of the media as saying, “This is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason, I can’t tell you, because if I had a brother, even if there was an accusation, this is not how I would go about helping him.”

What was rather disappointing is that the alleged molester’s sister further alleged that she told the Minister that her brother needed to be jailed for his involvement, but Lawrence asked her not to pursue such actions.

Less than six months later, there is a statement issued by the Ministry the same Minister heads defining rape of children as simply “deflowering”.

The Social Protection Ministry is where victims of such a dreadful crime seek refuge not only for their physical well-being but also for justice. As such, if rape/sexual assault victims’ tragedy is seen as mere “deflowering” by this ministry, then where can they truly seek help? This time around, President David Granger needs to do much more than modestly ask the Minister for an explanation.

"Chanting",this Anil Roberts painting is currently on display at Castellani House as part of the Heritage Month exhibition. It depicts an Indigenous woman offering prayer to the great Makanaima

The price of integrity

Dear Editor, Integrity is defined as “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” Outside of the dictionary, integrity is keeping a promise. Integrity is holding yourself accountable for your actions. Integrity is following your conscience even when no one is watching.

Integrity is never having to look over your shoulder for anything you have done.

Integrity is authenticity. Of course, these are all great sentiments that frequently benefit others, but can they benefit you as well?

First and foremost, an absence of integrity can result in huge internal losses. When you sacrifice your code of ethics for personal gain or the easy route, you sacrifice the essence of your humanity. In an attempt to achieve success and comfort, you lose your sense of

self. What is the point of accomplishing your goals if you are not happy with who you are? At the end of the day, it is your actions that define you as a person, not wealth or titles. Thus, people with integrity have love and respect for themselves; they can be confident and proud of all that they do without needing others to validate them.

In addition, with integrity comes trust. Trust is imperative in many aspects, extending from career to personal life. From a professional standpoint, if your clients do not trust you, they will not do business with you. It is tempting to use deception in order to maximise earnings, but this method will only cause harm in the long run. For example, if you convince customers to buy your product through outrageous claims, at first you

may generate great profits.

However, when these customers start to see through the lies, they will never repurchase. Therefore, you eventually come out with losses and a damaged reputation, which scares away both future customers and future investors. By similar logic, if your employers do not trust you, they will not promote you or provide you with any high-level responsibilities; they may even fire you.

Further, the trust derived from integrity is a necessary trait for healthy personal relationships.

When your actions match your words and you are honest (sometimes painfully honest), the people you care about will be able to trust you with anything, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. When bonds are tested in difficult times, your friends will remain

loyal because they know that they can count on you.

However, if through a lack of integrity, you betray them, the relationships can be damaged and even irrevocably destroyed. No one wants that.

Overall, although integrity may seem impractical and difficult in this cutthroat world, it is the most honourable and gratifying way to live. You gain pride, confidence, willpower, and high self-esteem. You also gain the trust of everyone you associate with, whether professionally or personally. Most importantly, both yourself and the people in your life will love you for who you are rather than who you claim to be and for what you have done rather than what you have. Can you put a price on integrity?

Sincerely, Nicel Mohamed-Hinds

The Mayor and Councillors of the city ought to be ashamed of themselves Dear Editor, The mayor and councillors of the City of Georgetown ought to be ashamed of themselves for the eyesore they have created on the Merrimans Mall where they have placed a number of itinerant barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists and tattoo artists.

When one passes along Church Street or North Road, very close to a fast food tent called ‘The Jerk Hut’ which should not have

been there either, one cannot help but notice how close in proximity it is to ‘Barbers Row’ from where hair and nail clippings are flying, grimy footbath water is lying in pools, etc.

But it is the appearance of Barbers Row that is most shocking. There itinerant vendors were provided with some cheap and flimsy tents that are all now broken, faded and in a dreadful state, having not withstood the vagaries of the

weather.

In order to keep things together and to protect themselves from the rain these vendors had to bring in pallets and old pieces of wood, old plastic sheets, pieces of metal, etc.

Without proper infrastructure like plumbing, vendors sometimes resort to using flying toilets, which are just plastic bags filled with hair, finger and toe nails, cotton pads, etc, that can be tossed into the

canal.

This area is just hazardous on an environmental level and should be immediately shut down by the City’s Medical Officer of Health.

For persons who do not know what the term ‘Slumming’ means, then they can just go to the Merrimans Mall Barbers Row for an education.

Sincerely, Sean Moniz

guyana-times.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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

Theft of VAT and NIS Amerindians and others Dear Editor, VAT is a very important component of revenue collection in Guyana. It is vital to the economy where the Government can use it to pay our public servants and fund state projects. There is an urgent need for Guyanese to be educated and informed of the value of paying their taxes and the responsibility we all have in honouring that commitment.

It has been observed that many local businesses have two or three financial books, and in some instances, more than one cash register. For many years they have robbed this nation of much needed funds through accounting malpractices.

Many have shared the experience of when they go to buy goods from some stores and producers and are asked, “vat or no vat?” My response will always be to charge me the VAT, and this should be the attitude of all citizens.

Many businesses inclusive of Security Services have been blatantly involved in the theft of VAT. Further, the ones that practise this fraud are not afraid of being in the tendering system as they feel protected. While others are completely avoiding payments, others pay a minimum of the VAT to the GRA and defraud the state of a significant portion. Some are treating the remittance of VAT, Income Tax and PAYE deductions as if it is a donation or charitable contribution to the Government and nation.

Theft of VAT is a major criminal offence. In other countries, persons are jailed and given stiff charges. For example, the IRS in the United States and the Tax authority in Canada investigate and monitor effectively the criminals that avoid tax payments.

There is an urgent need for the law to be properly outlined so that abusers can be found and properly prosecuted. Sadly, tax evasion is an unpatriotic reality in our nation and I will strongly charge all citizens to honour tax payments as we all desire better police services, more efficient hospitals; more roads and highways, the best educators. This can greatly be achieved through equipping the Government with adequate revenue.

VAT and Income Tax It is known that before elections a few years ago, a security service forged a GRA and an NIS compliance document and was never prosecuted. All that happened to that particular company was that they were refused any contracts for the Regional Security Contract for that year. The following year, that company was somehow able to secure government contracts in all ten administrative regions because this company claims a close relationship with government officials; then the owner would tender below costs as the NIS, PAYE

and VAT theft would enrich him. The same individual was arrested for the theft of 100 laptops that was stored in his private residence. He was charged and the matter was highlighted locally and internationally, he boasted that nothing would come out of it and so said, so done Following such an award, the company’s leader boasted about being un-prosecutable and that he was a “party-man”. I strongly believe that people involved in such activities must be prosecuted by the law. They must not feel above the law but as a subordinate to its authority.

Another security company never paid their NIS, VAT and PAYE taxes. It was made insolvent by the former Commissioner General.

Mechanisms should be set whereby a system must know the amount of money that is to be collected and alongside that, the amount of money that has been paid and importantly, that which is outstanding (as it relates to VAT).

For example, if I have a contract for 100 security guards, the NIS must be properly accounted for and paid in full and the NIS must know if I’m cheating the system, especially if it is a government contract, each contract mentions the number of security personnel.

NIS/Fines Companies are continuing to steal from their workers/citizens of this country in order to fatten and enrich themselves. They have been drinking the blood of the working class, and have been robbing this country of resources it so desperately needs. It is my view that the NIS laws are far too weak and lenient. In many cases, these acts are not labelled as criminal offences.

They must be made criminal offences! The law must bite!

The law must sting!

Just recently, it was discovered that some of the largest rice farmers and millers in Essequibo never paid PAYE and NIS, creating a massive social and financial crisis in the country.

Bankruptcies or ‘planned bankruptcies’ should never prevent the white-collared criminal from remitting PAYE taxes and National Insurance as they were collected from employees on be-

half of the country and the NIS authority.

Further, a trade union was allowed to open a security service in order to privatise security guards of the Government, while receiving clearance to operate for seven years. This organisation also never paid Income Tax and NIS, costing the state to lose billions of dollars. In the end the company went insolvent. I was told by someone very close to the previous Government that “next to God, is a raise”.

The legal entities in Guyana must take note of such asininity and insanity.

One way to ensure this happens is to have private criminal lawsuits levied, and not just the civil lawsuits.

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) would have published names before of NIS evaders but this is simply not enough. GRA should move to publish their photographs in the media and exposing these cases at length to the public.

There is a case of this company that is being operated by someone allegedly returned to Guyana by the US authorities. Workers had starkly complained and protested at the NIS, of that individual’s failure in covering them but nothing was ever done. Later, he would mock such employees asking them: ‘what have you achieved?’ I call for companies which fail to pay NIS, to be blacklisted for about 3-5 years by the government and its various arms. This has to be made serious, so that we can give the ‘good life’ to all Guyanese.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

should discuss their “state”

Dear Editor, As we observe the annual Amerindian Heritage Month, the leaders of the indigenous people should use it to take stock of the wellbeing of the Amerindian people by reflecting on their “state of being” similar to how AfricanGuyanese gathered last month for a weeklong conference focusing on the “state of African communities”.

Indo-Guyanese leaders (and the far flung diaspora) are planning to hold a similar parley in March on the state of the Indians modelled after the African conference of August.

Chinese-Guyanese as well as Portuguese-Guyanese and those Guyanese of other “nationalities” and their Diasporas should also plan and organise similar conclaves to celebrate their great contributions to our nation.

The leaders of all African groups came together in August to discuss the “state of the African-Guyanese”. They were united in that goal with a clear agenda and mission, and they were addressed by the de facto leader of the African people President David Granger.

I applaud the African people for putting aside their differences and coming together to discuss issues, achievements and challenges facing their people. Indians and other groups need to take a page out of that convention and the leadership of the African people.

No amount of differences (religious, political, tribal, etc) prevented the Africans from uniting under one umbrella to take stock of their communities and to celebrate achievements, as well as to address problems and challenges. They buried their differences and united in this mission to plan and organise

for the betterment of African people.

Never have Indians come together, except under the leadership of the British Guiana East Indian Association, which was decimated and emaciated by Dr Jagan, to build the (multi-racial) PPP. Indians need to put aside their differences and come together and discuss their state of being.

The African leaders are/ were not bashful on making demands on the state for their people and on projecting their ‘Africanness’.

President Granger himself, in addressing the African community leaders, urged Africans to unite and make demands on the state for the betterment of the African people. He committed to address their demands and concerns.

Since Indian political leaders, when in office hardly addressed the needs and concerns of Indians, they should look to Granger’s leadership for doing things for his people as an illustration.

The African PNC/AFC government funded programmes of the African convention in August as it did during the 28 years it was in office.

In contrast, Indians were turned away when they ap-

proached the PPP/C administration for funds on Indian events; even requests for funding for anti-suicide and alcoholism were scoffed at by Indian leaders.

Since the PNC/AFC coalition funded African programmes, one expects it will fund Indian programmes on “the state” of Indians. The Amerindian political leaders should urge their people to make demands on the state.

The Amerindian Guyanese diaspora has been doing well abroad and should assist in organising a convention to address serious issues facing their people, including stereotyping by non-Amerindian politicians who are only using the indigenous people for their votes. The Amerindians have contributed significantly to the cultural and economic development of our nation and have taught us a lot on basic survival. But some of their stories have not been told or documented and their role in various facets of life has been marginalised. A conference on the state (as well as history) of the Amerindian communities is long overdue and the Amerindian leaders and politicians should come together and plan one.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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BY PAM MYERS

H

omework presents a challenge for all parents. However, if your child has learning disabilities, it can require extra thought and attention. The good news is that with a strategic approach, you and your child can achieve homework success.

Clear communication with the teacher

It’s important that assigned homework is clear and appropriate for the student. If the homework is too difficult or too easy, it can cause challenges at home. If the homework assignment is unclear, then it makes things frustrating for children and adults. It’s important for parents and teachers to work together to monitor homework assignments and their completion.

guyana-times.com

Foundation is true for children with learning disabilities. It’s important that they know what’s expected of them and that they have a designated study time. Try to make sure that a parent or a tutor is available during the study time to monitor the child and to step in and help if necessary.

Organisation

One of the challenges for many children with

with completed homework, blank marks for days that homework was not completed, and a checkmark if the homework was done but late. This type of system can also alert parents to potential issues. For example, if you notice that your child has had late homework three days in a row, you know that something’s not working.

Make it fun

Structure

Children in general need structured time for homework. The same learning disabilities is getting and staying organised.

They may struggle to create systems. Checklists, homework notebooks, and other systems can help a child write down the necessary information for each assignment. They need to learn to document the details as well as when the assignment is due. If you have a designated homework area, consider creating an environment that is organised to support your learner. It might include

learning tools like calculators, pencils, and file organisers colour coded for each subject.

Teach self-monitoring

Your child isn’t going to always have someone available to create systems for them or hold them accountable. They need to learn to manage these responsibilities themselves.

Create an accountability chart that helps them stay on track. The chart might give stars for days

When possible, make homework something that your child doesn’t dread.

Provide snacks, allow them to listen to music (if it isn’t distracting), and let them take breaks. If your child has a positive attitude about homework, it can reduce their resistance and potential struggle.

The most important homework strategy for parents with children who have learning disabilities is to have an open line of communication with the child’s teachers. When parents and teachers work together to create appropriate homework, children benefit. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

BY KENNETH GINSBURG

H

aving a child is like having your heart on the outside of your body. Parenthood has made you experience both love and vulnerability like you never imagined. Everything within you wants to both nurture and shield your child.

The greatest challenge of parenting may be that nurturing your child in a way that prepares her to thrive means you have to sometimes shut down your instinct to shield her from ev-

ery pain or challenge.

Remember: * If you want your child to be able to learn to pick himself up, he must first fall down. * If you want your child to become a problem-solver, he must first have problems. * If you want your child to learn to reach for support, she must sometimes feel vulnerable. * If you want your child to become empathetic, she must experience some emotional pain. * If you want your child to experience joy to the fullest, she must also know that sometimes life holds sadness.

So how do you know when to protect and when to

allow her to experience the full consequences of life?

I genuinely wish I had an easy answer, but I don’t know your child or your circumstances. At its simplest, you should ask yourself whether safety or morality is at stake.

Does it compromise my child’s safety?

Remember that a few literal or figurative bumps and bruises are great teachers.

But if safety may be seriously compromised, then you must protect at all costs.

Does this situation offend my sense of morality?

It is your job to raise a child with a strong sense of morality and commitment to justice. If your child is straying into territory that just feels wrong, she must be protected from making a mistake she will deeply regret or that will affect others’ well-being.

It’s easy to imagine that we are doing our best job as parents when our children seem trouble-free. In fact, we may best protect our children when we allow them to experience vulnerability while we remain a constant source of love and security. (psychologytoday.com)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SOCU remains under Police US registration fake Aircraft found at Yupukari

... Cabinet says no diversion

F

Legal Affairs Minister and AG Basil Williams

ollowing back and forth as to whether the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) should be removed from under the purview of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Cabinet has made it clear that there will be no diversion.

This position was reenforced on Thursday by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who told a postCabinet media briefing that SOCU will remain under the GPF. “The matter did come up and it was clear in Cabinet there was no diversion and it is clear that the SOCU is a unit of the Guyana Police Force and is under the superintendence of the Guyana Police Force... It will always be and remains a unit of the Guyana Police Force,” Harmon declared.

Over the past weeks, there have been conflicting positions from Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on the unit.

The Attorney General had previously declared that SOCU should be removed from under the Police Force and become independent in order to focus more on its core functions of policing the new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

“SOCU as you know is a creature of the AML/CFT re-

gime. It was created under the AML/CFT legislation.

It is important for us, and SOCU has been very busy, very up and about, and it is very important for Guyana that SOCU actually performs its core functions, the functions related to AML/ CFT and that it is not burdened with other police work,” Williams had stated.

However, Ramjattan in response had posited that while he is willing to limit the responsibilities of SOCU to probe financial crimes, he is opposed to separating it from the Police Force.

“We are going to listen to the voices of the opposition too and if they feel that, OK, if this thing is long or if another person in Cabinet feels that it is not the appropriate thing, well fine we are going to narrow it down back,” he subsequently remarked.

Nevertheless, the two government ministers had met and discussed their opposing stance, eventually agreeing to have further talks on moving forward with the mandate of the unit.

Asked by Guyana Times when the talks will commence, the Public Security Minister said on Wednesday that he will soon be engaging his colleague Minister of Legal Affairs to discuss the powers entrusted to SOCU and the range of investigations the unit should carry out.

“Myself and Mr Basil Williams will meet on that and we will talk about it, I suppose when parliament resumes, but I could pick up the phone and call him anytime. However, I would want to have some time to go through it with him as he had indicated that we should narrow it down back.

That’s fine, I can see with him if that’s his position,” Ramjattan stated.

Government and the Opposition had been bickering over the past months on the mandate of SOCU, which the PPP said is being used to drive political motives and is conducting operations outside of its purview.

However, asked whether he will consider suggestions by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Minister Ramjattan declared that he has always had an open-door policy with the Opposition.

“Everything we do, we listen to the views of the Opposition because we would like to ensure that their views are heard; that’s what genuine democracies and genuine democrats are made of, they listen to the voices. There aren’t anything that would have been said by the PPP that I have not taken into consideration,” he posited.

To this end, the Public Security Minister went on to outline some of the instances where he would have sought and implemented recommendations from the Opposition on draft key policy papers.

He noted that the comments of former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, was incorporated in the final drafts of the Trafficking in Persons Master Plan and the Drugs Master Plan Strategy.

Additionally, he stated that Dr Frank Anthony was contacted on the Juvenile Justice Bill, on which he made some recommendations.

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ays after a Joint Services patrol discovered an illegal aircraft at the Yupukari Airstrip, in Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo), local investigators are saying that the United States registration number on the aircraft is fake.

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

Updating the media on the probe, the Minister noted that the aircraft bore US registration N-767-Z; however, when checks were made with the US authorities as to the owner of the aircraft, it was revealed that the registration was bogus.

“That registration is a US registration, however, subsequent checks by the team from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), (Guyana) Civil Aviation Authority, CANU (Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit) and the Guyana Police Force, it was discovered that that registration is a bogus registration. There is another aircraft flying (Wednesday) in the United States of America with the same registration

number,” Harmon disclosed.

Based on reports received from the GDF, the discovery was made following information received by a Joint Service patrol on Tuesday, September 13. The following day, ranks from the Defence and Police Forces visited the area sometime around 09:50h and conducted a search, during which the twin engine Cessna aircraft was discovered.

Subsequently, a team of investigators from the GDF, GPF and CANU was deployed to the area to conduct investigations. According to Harmon, the aircraft was found hidden in the bushes.

“It was off of the airstrip itself and there seemed to have been some kind of a camouflage kind-of net that was thrown over it and it was partly in the bushes,” the Minister stated.

He went on to say that while he cannot divulge much information since the probe is ongoing at the site, it appears as though the aircraft has been there for a few days.

However, the Minister noted that it could not have been there longer because the Joint

Service patrols monitor the North and South Rupununi on a regular basis and is in touch with the residents of the communities in these areas.

“So they are in touch with the villages and with the communities and that connection of information from the community to joint services is working well for the defence and security of our borders,” the Minister of State outlined.

Nevertheless, Harmon stated the team there is examining the aircraft to determine whether any cargo was brought into the country on the aircraft. “They are checking on that and as soon as we have information that we can release, we will let you have that information,” he assured.

The discovery of the aircraft at the active airstrip has spurred suspicions of narcotics trafficking, which is prevalent in Guyana’s hinterland region. In fact, Minister Harmon had disclosed that that area is under regular and constant surveillance following an incident in the past whereby a nearby airstrip was used by an aircraft that was connected to the illegal drug trade.

21-year-old Supenaam porter commits suicide

– succumbs days after ingesting poisonous substance

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ubrey Evans, 21, of Supenaam Village, Essequibo Coast, Region 2 (PomeroonSupenaam) ended his life by consuming a poisonous substance. Evans, a porter was seen vomiting around 08:00h on September 12 at his home. Neighbours in anguish called his sister Alana John to immediately visit her brother.

According to reports when the sister arrived, brother Aubrey was observed vomiting a ‘whitish’ substance. When questioned, he admitted to ingesting poison. She rushed him to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was admitted. He survived for two days.

It is yet unsure why he wanted to end his life. He was living alone at the time of his death since his parents died years ago.

Deceased: Aubrey Evans

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

IN THE COURTS Teen slapped with Venezuelans fined for illegal entry murder charge

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A

drian John, 19, of Gold Mine, Matthews Ridge, Region One (BarimaWaini) appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of murder.

It is alleged that on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Perseverance Backdam, he murdered Mervile Williams.

The teenager was not allowed to enter a plea in the indictable matter. The matter was transferred to the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s

Adrian John

Court where the defendant will appear on October 3, 2016.

Man gets bail for fraud charge

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man appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday to answer to a fraudulent conversion charge.

It was alleged that during April 2015 at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) Kenneth Da Silva, 33, of 297 Onderneeming, Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, WBD, being entrusted with a generator valued

$28,000 belonging to Prakash Shacharran, used the article for his own benefit. When asked to respond to the fraud allegation, Da Silva entered a not guilty plea.

Presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse then granted the defendant $25,000 bail and ordered Da Silva to next appear in court on October 7 when statements and fixtures will be entered.

wo female Venezuelans were on Thursday fined $20,000 each for entering Guyana illegally after they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Flagner Lagabani, 27, and Leslie Abrigo, 18, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on July 23, 2016, at Charity, Essequibo, they entered by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer The prosecution’s case stated that the duo travelled to Guyana by a small boat and did not go to an immigration office to gain permission to enter the country. They were seen on September 13, 2016 in Linden by police ranks and were unable to produce documents to verify their legal status in Guyana. As such, they were arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters and later charge.

Lagabani told the court

that she came to Guyana in search of her smaller sister who was being abused while Abrigo said both of them were abused and badly beaten in Guyana.

Abrigo added that they have made several reports to the Police Station in Linden but all their complaints were ignored since police ranks never penned any of their complaints neither collected statements from them.

She further stated that if she had known that it was illegal to enter Guyana by boat through the Essequibo River she would have never come to Guyana.

Chief Magistrate McLennan ordered an immediate investigation into the defendants’ claims. The unrepresented duo was fined $20,000 each or failure to pay the fine will result into four months imprisonment. The duo will be escorted to the nearest port of exit after paying their fine or serving sentence.

Eyew tness Keeping the bathwater ...

I ... and throwing out BaiShanLin

t’s becoming clearer every day that this government and its representatives don’t have the foggiest notion about what it takes to develop the economy in a practical and realistic manner. Some of them may’ve read a few books or had a few plans thrown at them by some foreigners...but when it comes to the nitty gritty, they’re lost out in the deep seas.

Take their take on BaiShanLin and its operations in Guyana. Sure the company came in, promising the moon and the stars and hasn’t delivered them as yet.

But what’s so strange about that when it comes to how business is done in a free market economy? In the first incarnation, the PNC nationalised the economy and ran it into the ground...but didn’t they learn from that what NOT to do?

Didn’t they learn from that the cardinal rule for the business owner is “Buy low and sell high?” And that the cardinal rule for customers is “Buyers Beware!”

That this rule is more familiar in its Latin formulation – “Caveat Emptor” – should let you dear readers know how long ago folks figured out the orientation of the businessman. But obviously, this government had its head buried in books or some more unsavoury place.

Haven’t all of us heard about the “robber barons” who built America to what it was in the 19th Century? Think Vanderbilt and Rockefeller. Today, they define “high society in the US”, but they didn’t become filthy rich through giving away charity. That came much later!

In the case of BaiShanLin...it’s a Chinese company operating in forestry. Why didn’t the Government institute rules and ensure they were followed?

We’ll tell you why...because there are a dozen other countries that understand there will have to be some egg shells broken before the omelette of growth and development is ready. Didn’t we all hear about the hardships of South Koreans while they were building their industrial empire? Right now, aren’t we bombarded daily by the tales of “slavery” at Foxconn that makes the iPhones in China?

But interestingly, after the experience in other countries, the Chinese Government developed a comprehensive set of rules that foreign Governments can apply to Chinese companies in the forestry sector.

All our government had to do was insist these rules were followed. And then see the investors walk away.

There’s a lot of loose talk about “giving away” the country – but only when it comes to Chinese and Indian companies. Somehow companies from the States and Europe get a free pass.

Is ExxonMobil really gonna “do the right thing”?

...with the Private Sector warning

We also see the same “no-nothing” attitude being applied against the local business community by the Government in general – and the AG in particular recently. All the Private Sector said was the SARU Bill the Government’s pushing represents a clear and present danger for business and the economy. But they weren’t just “throwing shade”. They spelt out what they meant, chapter and verse.

The PSC pointed out the Government doesn’t know what its assets are or were – so how the heck can they find what they don’t know about. The Bill consequently gives SARU the right to go off on fishing expeditions to harass anyone they want to – without any evidence. The other problem is that the laws will be ex-post facto...which goes against all that the rule of law stands for. Lastly, the Bill gives the Director of SARU more powers than all the law enforcement heads COMBINED!!

Does this government even have a glimmer of what this will do to anyone thinking of investing here?

...Sooba

There’s the old saying – “Be careful you get what you wish for”. For years, vendors around Georgetown were mobilised by King to harass Sooba.

Now that King is in and Sooba is out...what say they now?

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

GPSU wage/salary deadlock

Government trying to fool public servants on proposed increase – Jagdeo

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overnment’s proposed salary increase to public workers is really not the 10 per cent it is selling to the public, but four per cent less.

Former President and now Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo said on Wednesday that Government was attempting to fool the masses with its proposal.

“The actual increase is not 10 per cent; they want the 10 per cent to be stuck in people’s head – it is just over six per cent. So, it is totally unacceptable,” he told Guyana Times in an invited comment.

He said what made the situation even more “egregious” was the fact it was the same people who took the huge increase for themselves of 50 to over 100 per cent using two explanations: they took the increases to avoid being corrupt and to make themselves more efficient.

“Now if you’re saying that a Minister’s salary has to move from $580,000 to close to $1 million to make him less corrupt, what you are saying to the public servants who are taking home about $100,000 per month is that you can steal until you get to a million dollars a month or not be efficient, because that is the reasoning they use for

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the Ministers…What we find is a lot of confusion and hypocrisy on the part of this government,” Jagdeo blasted.

Government and the GPSU are still at a standstill on salary increase negotiations. While Government maintains that it will not budge from its 10 per cent offer, the GPSU has been holding out and has even suggested that the two parties meet again for more talks.

President David Granger has, however, said that there was nothing more that could be offered at this time.

On Tuesday, political commentator, Dr David Hinds said Government’s 10 per cent salary increase offer was very

much inadequate, considering the social, political and economic factors involved.

“For example, 10 per cent of 60,000 is $6000; there is not much more a woman with two or three children can do with that. Public servants, like all categories of workers, deserve a living wage.

The Government’s explanation that that’s all they can afford is not good enough.

What Government can afford is based on what Government prioritises,” Dr Hinds told Guyana Times in an invited comment.

Hinds questioned whether Government has made public servants’ wages a priority.

“Of course, there are times when different categories of workers or different policy initiatives must be prioritised, but I have not heard of plausible reasons why public servant wages should not be given a look-in at this point.

I say this even after taking into consideration that the Government did give the public servants a raise during its first year in office.

When one takes into consideration that the majority of public servants come from the Government’s constituency, it is even more puzzling that it is not more forthcoming,” he posited.

Retrieve man granted bail, placed on bond for assault

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man who hails from Retrieve, Linden, was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 after pleading not guilty to a charge of assault. The accused, 31-year-old Devon Bess of 166 Banyuballi Street,

Retrieve, Mackenzie, Linden, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him. It is alleged that he assaulted Kandacy English on August 6, 2016,

at 27 Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward. The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge was also placed on a bond to keep the peace.

He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on November 22.

Man’s body fished out of Berbice River

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oud screams came from the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling on Thursday as the body of a 25-year-old block maker was removed from the Berbice River.

Elroy Lewis, of Lot 72 Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice, plunged into the muddy river on Wednesday afternoon and soon after, disappeared under the water.

He had left home on Tuesday for a fishing trip. Lewis and four others – Javid Mohammed, Noel DeCuna, Ramnarine Mangroo and Rambally Chand – went to Ithaca, West Bank Berbice where they spent several hours.

Mohammed was the captain of the boat the men were using. He told investigators that they were on their way home when Chand, Lewis and Mangroo undressed and plunged into the water. Lewis, who was considered an excellent swimmer, was heard calling for help and soon after disappeared beneath the murky water.

The four other men are currently in custody, assisting the Police with the investigations.

Elroy’s body was discovered floating in the vicinity of Stanleytown and was taken to the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling where it was handed over to Police.

Elroy Lewis

Initial investigations indicate there were no marks of violence on the body; however, an autopsy will be performed.

Family members are of the view that foul play was responsible for Lewis’s death.

The investigation continues.

Teixeira’s complaint to...

Ramjattan had claimed that the then Government was not making much informational available and that a number of criteria were not met under the agreement.

The AFC leader had said that at the time he was writing Pharo “in the public interest of Norwegians and Guyanese”.

“I do so in the firm knowledge that it is in the public interest of Norwegians and Guyanese to know what is happening between Norway and IDB especially so when firstly, our National Assembly has been undemocratically prorogued with the consequence that it will not

be in session so as to permit our parliamentarians to call on our Ministers to account and explain; and, secondly, when our Guyanese Commissioner of Information, one Mr Charles Ramson SC, will be so haplessly helpless in providing same,” Ramjattan said.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project is the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. Amaila was expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that is affordable and was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s domestic energy needs while removing

FROM PAGE 3

dependency on fossil fuels.

The Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Plant was expected to have a 165MW (installed capacity) hydropower generation facility that will be located in Westcentral Guyana, approximately 250km South-west of Georgetown.

However, the project hit a dead end when the APNU and AFC used their one seat majority while in Opposition to vote against budgetary allocations for the project.

The main developer, Sithe Global pulled out of the project and stated that it would have only continued if there was national consensus.

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news

friday, september 16, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Presidential Tribunal to City Hall runs on laws, not friendship – Town Clerk determine Carvil Duncan’s fate a silent protest in the midst of the statutory meeting, calling for King to be booted.

Marks held up two placards which said, “Royston King must go!” and “Has Royston taken up from where Sooba left off?” as the Mayor and other councillors were discussing city matters.

She stated that she decided to protest because of the Town Clerk’s decision to have vendors from

his own and did not even inform councillors of his decision. Marks emphasised that King is “not a person that should be trusted.”

King however opted not to respond to Marks’ allegations. “She doesn’t warrant a response. All I will say is let the public judge.”

Vendors had complained that King, along with City Constabulary officers, had turned up and ordered them to remove their stalls, goods

I

…will investigate his misbehaviour, inability to function as PSC Chairman

Town Clerk Royston King

n light of a silent protest staged by a councillor on Tuesday for Town Clerk Royston King to be removed, King is resolute that he has done no wrong, and will continue to manage law and order in the city.

“As long as I am Town Clerk the laws will be adhered to in order to manage the city effectively and to develop sustainability,” King said in an interview with Guyana Times.

He stated that his duties and responsibilities are clearly laid out in the Municipality Act so he will continue to “run the city on laws and not on compromise and friendship”.

On Tuesday, the Councillor of Constituency Six Andrea Marks convened

Embattled PSC Chairman,Carvil Duncan

Chairperson Justice Roxanne George takes the Oath of Office before Head of State President David Granger

ead of State President David Granger on Thursday appointed a threemember Tribunal to investigate and recommend whether Carvil Duncan, chairman of the Public Service Commission, ought to be removed from office for his inability to discharge his function in that office and/or for misbehaviour.

The Commissioners were sworn in at the Rupununi Room of the Ministry of the Presidency and comprise, Chairperson Justice Roxanne George, Justice Winston Patterson and Attorney Robert

Ramcharran.

Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan, Ministers Joseph Harmon, Basil Williams and Volda Lawrence, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh and Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, among others.

The Tribunal following its swearing-in was instructed to begin its work immediately with the chairperson taking appropriate steps to ensure its work is completed on or before end October.

In delivering the charge to the Commissioners, President Granger pointed out that the activity is indicative of Government’s commitment to following due process and the Constitution of Guyana.

“It represents the commitment of this administration to due process,” President Granger said, even as he reminded of government’s obligation to address matters of importance brought to its attention.

He did caution however, that in addressing its obligation there must not be “hasty, arbitrary or whimsical and that we follow the Constitution both in the spirit and the letter.”

The President outlined too that the work of the Tribunal should be seen by the public that Guyana is a country that operates within

H City Hall

the Bourda Market, around Robb Street, cease selling without any prior notice.

“He has to go because he is lying too much and he is making the same mistake over and over,” she said, noting that King acted on

and vehicles from the area.

The vendors griped that they had suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses due to the oppressive inconvenience, since most of their merchandises are perishables.

the confines of the law.

Duncan had been under pressure to step down from the Constitutional body ever since he was charged and placed before the courts over an alleged theft of monies from the Guyana Power and Light.

He was placed on $1 million bail in February last after he had appeared in the Magistrates Court charged with larceny and he pleaded not guilty.

Police alleged that on March 31, 2015 at Georgetown, he stole $984,900, property of GPL. It is alleged that he conspired with GPL’s then Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Aeshwar Deonarine to steal $984,900, and that he conspired with Deonarine to commit a felony, namely, he conspired to steal $27,757,500, property of the utility company.

Duncan had been written to by Government in March to show cause why the Tribunal should not be established to determine his fate on the Constitutional body—the PSC—but he never responded.

Duncan sits as chairman of the Public Service Commission; member of the Police Service Commission and member of the Judicial Service Commission.

He was informed that the actions taken was in view of the offences for which he has been charged.

news

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friday, september 16, 2016 | guyana-times.com

to resuscitate prosecutors' Public Works projects Police training programme implementation slow T – facing challenges with engineers, contractors

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

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he Public Infrastructure Ministry has been facing some major setbacks, which have delayed the implementation of several projects.

The most significant of these are the lack of adequate engineers and heavy workload on the available contractors. Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said although the Ministry has the capacity to execute its projects, it was in fact finding it somewhat difficult to recruit qualified engineers. He said it was a matter that would be addressed.

Further, with regard to contractors, the Minister said, while there was no limit to how much a contractor could bid, there was in fact a limit to how much work can be executed.

“That obviously impacts on our delivery schedule, because obviously each project that you do in the Ministry, you would have to assign an engineer to it,” he told journalists at his office.

Nonetheless, Patterson said his Ministry was seeking to have the projects rolled out before the year came to an end. He reported that there were several foreign funded projects that to date have not been moving as fast as the Ministry had anticipated.

These include the Power Utility Upgrade Project (PUP), under the European Union/ Inter-American Development Bank (EU/ IDB), which was budgeted for some $2 billion.

“Unfortunately, a mere five per cent of that money was expended, primarily Lot A, where works are still being evaluated,” he said, and was hopeful there would be no objections from the agencies, including the EU/IDB and Cabinet.

The second largest project, the Minister reported, is the East Bank of Berbice road where some $1.4 billion was budgeted for.

According to him, tenders are out for the project; however, the Ministry is awaiting no-objections from the relevant bodies. The continuation of the East Coast highway, being funded by the China Exim bank, is also seeing some major setbacks. Patterson said too that he was unable to give a timeline as to when the project would commence and the amount that would be expended.

The fourth largest project is the West Bank Demerara highway, a US$2 million project that is currently 40 per cent completed.

Of the $24.28 billion set aside for capital works, $11 billion has, so far, been expended, representing some 45 per cent. There remains $13 billion. Also, a mere five per cent of the $2 billion worth of projects being funded by the EU and the IDB has been spent. In all, about $5 billion worth of foreign-funded projects are facing setbacks.

Meanwhile, Patterson said in preparation for the 2017 budget, his team on Wednesday met with the Finance Ministry, defending its proposed expenditures for the new year, including works in the hinterland areas and improvement of “urban spaces”.

he Guyana Police Force will be upping the ante in its efforts to have Police prosecutors effectively trained. As such, there are plans to resuscitate the training programme that was dismantled some three years ago.

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine on Wednesday said training for prosecutors is being addressed.

“We have the commitment of a very important key international body to help us resuscitate the one-

year prosecutor’s course, which we had back in 1996 but ceased three years ago,” Ramnarine said. The programme is usually run in collaboration with the University of Guyana and the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Ramnarine said the Force has already supplied the relevant information to the body.

“We recognised that in order to build capacity, we have to play our role in the prosecution of cases so that

our prosecutors could be better prepared.” The training programme, which runs for one-year, will commence in 2017, Ramnarine promised.

“Apart from that, our prosecutors are engaged somewhat full-time at the DPP Chambers and are doing a really good job. So it is in the pipeline, and we jumped at the opportunity to supply the information,” Ramnarine said, speaking about its contact with the international training body.

Bulkan to issue statement on Van West-Charles' fuel licence

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inister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, under whose remit the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) falls, will be issuing a statement soon on the corporation’s boss Richard Van West-Charles being granted licence to import and store fuel.

This was disclosed on Thursday by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet briefing with the media. He stated that Bulkan is “dealing with those matters” and will make a statement shortly.

The GWI Chief Executive Officer, Richard Van West-Charles, a prominent supporter of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, and son-

GWI Chief Executive Officer Richard Van West-Charles

in-law of the late Forbes Burnham was granted a licence to import/wholesale and store fuel in November 2015 by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). The licence is valid until 2025 and was issued under the name

Atlantic Fuel Inc. Van West-Charles, along with Lear Solomon Goring, Andron Alphonso and Ronaldo Alphonso are all directors of the company which is located at Lot 16 Sublot ‘A’ Mudlot, Kingston, Georgetown. However, there is no storage bond for fuel at the location.

Earlier this year, Government scrapped a similar licence that was granted to China Zhonghao Inc under the previous Administration. That licence was dated to expire in January 2025 but was cancelled after Government alleged that an audit showed that the company only had a conditional license.

Meanwhile, the GWI’s boss has insisted that his licence does not pose a conflict of interest.

12 News

friDay, september 16, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Sunken dredge in Mazaruni River puts children, miners at risk − residents call for authorities to take action

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The sunken dredge in the Mazaruni River

esidents of Upper Mazaruni are concerned that if a sunken dredge in the Mazaruni River is not removed it will lead to grave harm for those traversing the river.

The dredge, owned by Crown Mining Supplies at Piremap Falls, sank, result-

ing in the water rising significantly within the last week.

The residents complained that with the rapidly rising water, boat operators are being forced to navigate their boats over rocks alongside the channel, to get much needed supplies to their workers and children that

are stranded in the upper Mazaruni area.

The villagers stated that the situation is a “disaster waiting to happen”, as the water may recede at any time and force these boat operators to take even more chances.

They argued that the

company is doing nothing to remedy the problem. “There has been no apology, no information, no relief, nothing” one resident complained.

The concerned resident stated that on three separate occasions where dredges of the same size sank at that very falls, the owners, mostly Brazillians, would remove it within three days. The residents contend that this particular company seems to be above the law as there is no urgency on its part to remove this dredge.

They are worried about whether miners, Indigenous people, school children, boat operators, who have all suffered financial losses would be compensated for the great inconvenience.

They also questioned what the relevant authorities were doing to address the matter.

Representation of interests

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fter the Forum of African Guyanese by Cuffy 250, some Guyanese expressed alarm at the frank speech on expectations in an ethnically divided society. They insist that only "multiracial" politics can work for Guyana.

But what is a “multi-racial” party? Is it one in which the leaders are drawn from all or most of the various racial/ ethnic blocs that constitute Ravi Dev our polity? Is it one that has members drawn from all the various groups? Do the proportions have to roughly mirror the population or will any assorted agglomeration do like with APNU/AFC? Or does it mean that the interests of all the groups must be expressly articulated and represented? Should those interests be subsumed under some notion of a “national” interest? Who defines that “national” interest? And so on.

In Guyana, all of the parties before ROAR claimed that they were “multi-racial”. They took special pains to have individuals from all the major race groups in their executive and courted votes from across the spectrum. They constructed “national” manifestos. Yet when it came to elections, the majority of the people invariably voted for one of the two major parties, which were firmly identified with specific ethnic blocs – the PPP with Indians and the PNC with Africans. Some assert that the WPA was the only authentic multiracial party. This, of course, begs the question posed above as to what is an “authentic multi-racial” party.

The question harks back to the roots of what constitutes “representation” in our “representative democracy”. The favoured approach, from both the old Liberal and Marxist ideologies was the “representation of ideas”. That is, once the interests of the group are articulated, then anyone could “speak” for the group. By constructing “national” platforms in personnel and content, both the PPP and the PNC claimed to be capable of speaking for “all”. Yet, based on the results of election after election, it is obvious that there was some way the people were getting signals as to which party better represented their interests – which turned out to be racial/ ethnic every time.

These ethnic signals were encapsulated in the ethnic identity of the top leader of the party and conveyed during the “bottom house” meetings and by the use of code words that the people understood. Our insertion into Guyanese politics occurred in the immediate pre-1992 years, by that time the Indians saw the PPP as capable of winning on its own in a “free and fair” election and the Africans had no faith that a possible vengeful PPP would protect their interests. Both sides returned to huddling under their own perceived tent. And here we have remained – with some cracks last year.

In 1992, as articulated in our 1990 paper, “For a New Political Culture”, we proposed "Shared Governance" and eventually, Federalism, to share power in the country equitably. Our theory predicted ethnic violence, which unfortunately came to pass, with its increased polarisation.

So, how do we arrive at “multi-racial” politics that can involve all the groups to their satisfaction?

We thought it was self-evident that the parties that the various groups selected via their votes should come together and work on a programme that combined their several platforms. We still believe that this is the way to begin and then work towards a federal approach, which would need the trust engendered during a period of working together.

But there remains the evident distaste by the major political parties to acknowledge that they are “ethnic” parties.

The greatest irony is that this acknowledgement, coupled with the acceptance to work together, would result in the formation of a “multi-racial” government, which, after all, is what the goal of all their politics is supposedly all about. The “multiracial” party was supposed to only be a way-station to the “multi-racial” government, wasn’t it?

But the distaste for acknowledging that one has an ethnic party goes deeper than mere opportunism in some.

A multiracial/multi-ethnic party must explicitly articulate the interests of the several constituent groups it purports to represent. This is done, as in the Democratic Party in the US, by having specific “caucuses” for African and Hispanic voters.

It is now conceded that in addition to the old “representation of ideas”, there is the need for “representation by presence” especially for those who have been excluded or have experienced unique situations.

NEWS

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friday, september 16, 2016 | guyana-times.com

European Bank explores investment Chief Magistrate warns of “free opportunities in Guyana ride” seekers from interior − as Granger makes pitch on behalf of Small, Medium Enterprises

President David Granger (third from left) and Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma (second from left) along with the European Delegation

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delegation from the European Investment Bank (EIB) is currently on a fact-finding mission in Guyana to explore investment opportunities, including the setting up of a development bank.

The delegation led by EIB Vice President, Pim van Ballekom, met with Head of State President Granger and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Speaking with the local media, Ballekom said that President Granger made a pitch on behalf of government for possible investments in a number of projects related to infrastructure and access to financing by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

It was noted that while the local banking sector is strong, there is a reluctance to make available finances to SMEs, something Ballekom said is not uncommon across the world.

He said it is recognised that this poses a problem and the EIB will be looking to see how it could assist the local banking sector to make the process easier.

Ballekom used the opportunity to point out that there is no quota in terms of the amount of money that can be made available to Guyana since it is the quality of the project that will determine whether the bank will go ahead and make any investments.

“There is no quota, there is

no amount fixed for a country or sector, we are looking into possibilities and if it is a good project we are going ahead… the quality of the project decides if we go ahead.”

He said too that since there is a gap of more than a decade since the EIB funded any project locally, it could very well take up to six months before any actual financing could be released to be invested.

Ballekom explained that this is not dissimilar with banks across the world since a recurrent client would be able to access the finances during a shorter space of time.

He said for new clients, time between the proposal and the release of finances will be determined in large part on the riskiness of the investment.

The team will also be meeting with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and other stakeholders before leaving Guyana on Saturday.

The EIB’s last active presence locally was in 2000 when it had assisted at the time with finances for smalland micro-enterprises.

The visit follows meetings in Suriname, where further discussions had taken place with Surinamese officials.

Ballekom ahead of his visit here had stated: “We are looking forward to discussions about future support in particular for projects in both the public and private sectors in Guyana. With

our diverse sector experience supporting projects across the world, we can bring technical and practical expertise to this region. We have already been in contact with the Guyanese government concerning projects in the renewable energy, transport and private sector development sectors and hope that our visit would help to kickstart further investments in Guyana soon.”

Speaking on the EIB’s visit Head of the EU Delegation in Guyana Ambassador Jernej Videti? had also said: “Investment and financing opportunities will doubtless be most welcome, both in private sector development and in light of Guyana’s Green Development Strategy. This is an opportune time for Guyana to diversify its economy and prepare for the future.”

The EIB support would complement existing EU cooperation with Guyana and help deepen the longstanding political and economic ties between Guyana and the EU, according to Ambassador Videti?

The EIB is the largest multilateral public bank in the world and 10 per cent of its lending targets investments outside of the European Union. It is owned directly by the 28 European Union states.

In Guyana, the EIB has provided a total of €26 million for projects in forestry, mining, water, and private sector development.

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hief Magistrate Ann McLennan is cautioning law enforcement officers based in Hinterland locations of persons who are committing crimes with the motive of having a “free ride” to Georgetown.

The Chief Magistrate made this comment on Thursday, indicating to the court room that often time persons dwelling in the interior would disobey the law in order to appear before the courts in Georgetown and would then request to have cases dismissed when they are called up.

These persons want free rides to Georgetown, she pointed out. The Chief Magistrate added that in most of these cases, the persons involved are those who are from the coastland who went to work in the interior.

To this end, McLennan ordered the police prosecutor to serve the ‘F’ Division (Interior locations) Commander Rabindranauth Budhram a notice of what is occurring before the courts.

Courts in the hinterland are in session every two weeks as such cases, in which the accused are in custody pass the 72 hour detention period, are brought to Georgetown to be heard before a city magistrate.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan

According to the Chief Magistrate, these persons are misusing the State’s resources since the cost to transport criminal offenders to the city is $25,000 per person.

Magistrate McLennan’s comments were made in light of a couple who was brought before her on a counter charger of unlawfully wounding, requesting a case dismissal. She pointed out that the couple was brought to the City in the state’s custody, noting that their transportation cost racked up to some $50,000.

Enrico Joeseph, 32, of Lot 47 Cummings Lodge,

Greater Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on September 13, 2016, at Aranka Landing, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Janet Gravesande.

Meanwhile, 35-yearold Gravesande of Lot 711 Plantation Desk, Vreeden-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), pleaded not guilty to the counter charge which stated that she also unlawfully and maliciously wounded Joeseph on the same day and at the same location.

According to the prosecution case, on the day in question the couple had a misunderstanding which resulted in a laceration of the index finger of Gravesande and a visible laceration of 4cm on Joeseph’s head.

The couple begged the court for a case dismissal since they claimed it was only a misunderstanding that occurred between them. They further told the court that they are both shop owners and would like to get back to their shops since they have no one to attend to their businesses.

Chief Magistrate dismissed the matters against the couple and placed them on a bond to keep the peace for the next 12 months.

14 NEWS

friday, september 16, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Rose Hall Town Week

Rose Hall Town should become commercial capital of Region 6 – President Granger

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resident David Granger is urging business persons to invest more in Rose Hall Town so that it becomes the commercial capital of Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

He made this call on Wednesday afternoon as he addressed the gathering at the opening of the town’s 46th anniversary two-week activity programme. The anniversary is being observed under the theme, ‘Proud of our past, optimistic of our future’.

The town is currently one of the major shopping centres in the region, with many visiting the town for merchandise, which they retail in other parts of the country.

The Head of State noted that the 57 persons who purchased the village of Rose Hall which at that time was called Number Nine, made a bold move which many

President David Granger addressing the audience

benefit from today. The purchase was made in 1842; four years after the villagers came out of emancipation.

The town has three commercial banks and several insurance companies, as well as numerous businesses and industries. The President also wants it to become the industrial centre in Region Six (East

Blueberry Hill resident acquitted of narcotics charge

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ason Douglas of 127 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, on Wednesday walked out of the Linden Magistrate’s Court a free man, after he was found not guilty of a narcotics trafficking charge.

Douglas was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of traf-

ficking. It was alleged that on March 2, 2015, he had 15 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession for trafficking at D’Anjou Hill, Christiansburg, Wismar, Linden.

However after perusing the evidence presented to court, Magistrate Nurse declared that the charge be dismissed.

Berbice-Corentyne).

There is an industrial site in the town which has not been utilised since its establishment 15 years ago.

President Granger said that although the town has been thriving with regards to commercial activity, more emphasis should be placed on education. He said the community is being affected by a high rate of unemployment.

“If people go to school and educate themselves they are more than likely to find jobs and not be idle and end up committing suicide,” the Head of State said.

Mayor of the town Vijay Kumar Ramu said he was not satisfied with the progress that country’s smallest town has made over the past 46 years. He added that he will not be able to give the residents all that they desire but will do his best to serve them.

Ramu urged the President to intervene since it has been months since the municipality has been waiting on the Communities Ministry to give approval for the Rose hall Town Council to spend its own money, to purchase a part for the repair of the Council’s garbage trailer.

He noted said that the current situation has made it very difficult for the municipality to manage solid waste in the town.

While the President did not address the issue when he made his address,

Some of those gathered at the opening of Rose Hall’s 46th anniversary two-week activity programme

Regional Chairman David Armogan urged residents in town to take care of their garbage as they celebrate.

He noted that the Communities Ministry is currently having consultations in relation to the management of solid waste countrywide.

During the programme, the top National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA)

and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) 2016 students in the town received a trip to Arrow Point Resort, while the best Science student from the University of Guyana Berbice Campus, who is from the town, received a trip to the USA from Travel Span.

The town’s anniversary programme is a collab-

orative effort between the Town Council and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

The municipality also presented single parent Onika Melville with $25,000 to assist her in her efforts in ensuring that all of her children attend school; a move which was applauded by residents.

The town’s top cyclist received $50,000 to assist him in the sport.

Over the next few days, the programme of activities will continue; there will be a medical outreach at St Francis Community Developers auditorium, an exhibition on the town’s history and on Saturday there will be a steel band exhibition sponsored by the Police steel orchestra.

A day of sports will be held on Sunday at the Area H ground, and on Monday there will be an inter-school Spelling Bee completion. On Tuesday, there is to a book launch about the town’s history.

Unanimous decision

Region 2 RDC calls for Social Protection Ministry to reconsider requirement for pensioners

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fter listening to the pains Amerindian elders are have to endure to uplift their pension, councillors of Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) unanimously voted for the Ministry of Social Protection to give special considerations to Region Two pensioners.

The new requirement by the Ministry of Social Protection for pensioners to provide a birth certificate is creating much distress.

Many of the elderly are unable to travel far distances to verify their information.

On Tuesday at the Council’s statutory meet-

time for the RDC to take a stand on the issue. Coonjah in moving the motion said that most of the pensioners are very old and face

PPP\C councillor Omesh Odit said that source document for some elders is a very strict requirement. As such he also called on the Ministry to rescind such a position. Another PPP\C councillor, Brian Basil, and Chairman of the Hinterland Committee of the Region said Toshaos have also called for a waiver of the requirements.

After a vote councillors from both Government and Opposition agreed for the RDC to write the Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, to reconsider the position on same especially for those pensioners living

difficulties in getting to a Justice of Peace Officer (JP).

She further stressed that the RDC is dissatisfied with the actions of the Ministry of Social Protection for pensioners to get a new National Identification Card for the purpose of collecting future pensions.

in Region Two and the farflung Pomeroon district.

Prior to the motion that was moved by the RDC, scores of pensioners had expressed frustrations with the decision that is of grave humbug to them. They outlined that there were no consultations before arriving at such decision.

Regional Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah

Region 2 RDC meeting

ing, councillors unanimously agreed for the Ministry to revoke the decision especially for pensioners in Region Two. Head of the RDC, Nandranie Coonjah, currently holding the seat for Devanand Ramdatt, said pensioners are complaining bitterly, and that it was

friday, september 16, 2016

guyana-times.com

Mexico’s Independence celebrations in Guyana A

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News

Linden man found guilty of simple larceny − Magistrate orders probation report Linden man accused of simple larceny was found guilty of the offence by Magistrate Clive Nurse when he made an appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The defendant, Miguel Andrews, 18, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that between December 30 and 31, 2015, he stole a Samsung Galaxy cellular phone valued $40,000 and an amplifier valued $85,000.

The incident allegedly occurred at 139 Lower Kara Kara, MacKenzie, Linden.

The items are the property of Nial Loimer.

Andrews was previously granted bail in the sum of $40,000. However, when the case was called on Wednesday, Magistrate Nurse indicated that the prosecution had established sufficient evidence to support its case against the defendant. He also noted several inconsistencies regarding

the defendant’s evidence.

Asked by Magistrate Nurse to present a reason why the court should be lenient with him, the defendant denied committing the act, while noting that he has a wife, children and his mother to support.

A probation report on the defendant was ordered by Magistrate Nurse which is to be presented on September 27, when the defendant is scheduled to make his next court appearance.

Brazil’s Lula says charges aimed at stopping him running again A section of the gathering at the reception of the 206th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Mexico

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uyana and Mexico toasted to the prosperity of the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two countries on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

In observance of the 206th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Mexico, both President David Granger and Mexican Ambassador Ivan Sierra reflected on the strong cooperation of the countries over the years and they pledged to further enhance these relations.

The Mexican Ambassador highlighted some of the areas where the two countries will continue to work to develop. He disclosed that the two states will definitely move ahead to make progress in security, climate change and food security.

Meanwhile, President Granger expressed heartfelt

congratulations to Mexico on the achievement of this important milestone. He noted that though the two countries are distinctly different, they share some common values that contribute to strong diplomatic relations.

Granger further expressed that Guyana and Mexico have demonstrated that a small South American State and a large North American State are capable of finding common ground to enjoy mutual benefits in their relations.

The Guyanese President went on to say that both countries share common values such as mutual respect for each other’s territory integrity and sovereignty, their foreign affairs; respect for treaties and international laws as well as the maintenance of international peace and security.

Moreover, Granger ad-

mired the Spanish-speaking nation’s efforts in sustainable development especially in areas of renewable energy.

In this regard, the Head of State said Guyana can benefit a lot from Mexico’s successful adaptations to renewable energy sources in its plan to achieve a green economy.

Meanwhile, the auspicious event featured the symbolic cake-cutting between the Guyanese President and the Mexican Ambassador.

Some of the dignitaries at the event included Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Ministers Joseph Harmon, Catherine Hughes, David Patterson, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, among others, including the diplomatic community.

Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters after giving a press conference in São Paulo, Brazil, September 15, 2016

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razil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday he was ready to cooperate with prosecutors because he had committed no crime and called charges against him “pure fiction” aimed at stopping him running again.

Lula cried and laughed at the first press conference since he was charged

on Wednesday with corruption and money laundering for allegedly receiving bribes disguised as favours from an engineering company implicated in the massive Petrobras graft scandal.

In an hour-long speech, Lula repeatedly insisted that he was innocent and had nothing to do with a kickback scheme centred at Brazil’s State-oil giant

Petrobras.

“If they prove I was corrupt, I will turn myself in and be a prisoner,” Lula said.

Federal prosecutors accused Lula on Wednesday of being the “maximum commander” of the Petrobras corruption scheme, and charged the former President, his wife, and several others with money laundering and corruption.

(Excerpt from Reuters and Al Jazeera)

China launches 2nd trial space station

Hindus prepare to observe Pitri Paksh

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he Viraat Sabhaa (Guyana) would like to remind all that Pitri Paksh will commence on Saturday 17 September, 2016 after the occasion of Purnima is observed. The observance of Pitri Paksh will last for 14 days (Saturday 17 – Friday 30, September), which occurs in the dark half of the moon. Hindus worldwide secure this special period to reflect on their link with God, the original source, the body noted in a press release.

The scriptural injunctions of the Hindus highlighted many instances of great personalities using the occasion for self-analysis and reflection. Pitri Paksh creates the opportunity to make ablutions on behalf of all departed souls. It is a time also when assessment is made on the contribution of those who have recently departed as well as our forebears. Special prayers were

created by highly evolved souls (saints) to establish the occasion. During this period, the Bhakta or aspirant will make offerings with (Pinda) rice balls, Tilanjali and black till water, milk and honey. The devotee will face south while making the offering. The south is considered to be the abode of the manes or departed. While it is prescribed that sons take precedence in the observance, any person can use the occasion for reflection.

It must be noted that Pitri Paksh does not inhibit regular prayers or sandhya but add to whatever is already established. Indeed it is not the most appropriate time to indulge in major ceremonies such as sanscaars, consecrations of Murtis or regular Puja.

The period is earmarked to dedicate prayers and to add to the significant contributions of those who have gone beyond. In the Shree

Mad Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna made a statement to Lord Shree Krishna: “With the preponderance of vice, Krsna, the women of the family become corrupt; and with the corruption of women, O descendant of Vrsni, there ensues and intermixture of castes.

Progeny owing to promiscuity damns the destroyers of the race as well as the race itself. Deprived of the offerings of rice and water (Sraaddha, Tarpana, etc) the manes of their race also fall.

Through these evils bringing about an intermixture of castes, the age-long caste traditions and family customs of the killers of kinsmen get extinct, which leads to the total destruction of the Human Civilization.”

The Viraat Sabhaa (Guyana) encourages full participation on the occasion.

China’s space lab Tiangong 2 blasted off from the Gobi desert

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hina has launched a second experimental space station, as it looks to have a crewed outpost by 2022.

The Tiangong 2 blasted off just after 22:00h local time on Thursday from the Gobi desert.

Next month, two astronauts will go to the station to conduct research.

Beijing has made space exploration a national pri-

ority and is the third country, after the Soviet Union and the US, to launch people into space.

The mission follows the launch of the Tiangong 1 prototype in 2011, a smaller but also operational model.

It is an experimental space laboratory which is part of the preparation for a permanently manned station that Beijing wants

to have circling around the globe sometime around 2020.

Translated as Heavenly Palace 2 it is about 15m long and can have other missions dock with it.

The astronauts that will come on board next month are to spend a full month up there – a longer period of time than possible on Tiangong 1. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 News

friDay, september 16, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Security guard Good Hope Nursery School flooded, bat infestation giving on $30,000 bail for stealing tiles children and teachers rashes − teachers forced to work under inhumane conditions C

lasses at both the Good Hope Primary and Nursery schools in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) had to commence later than usual on Thursday morning, as teachers were forced to mop and bail water out from the schools classrooms. At the Good Hope Nursery, students had to be shifted around to other classrooms because sections were flooded, due to a leaky roof.

The school’s Headmistress (ag), Neelmattie Sarju, lamented that the roof at the nursery school is leaking, the washrooms are out of order and children and teachers are suffering from skin infections and rashes due to a severe bat infestation.

Parents who have children attending the nursery school informed <<<Guyana Times>>> that the conditions continue to exist although reports have been made to officials at the Department of Education and the Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson.

On Thursday the nursery school was severely affected and when <<<Guyana Times>>> visited, teachers were seen working beyond their call of duties.

Teachers and parents

A of both nursery and primary schools are calling for prompt action by the Region Two administration to fix their schools. If the rains continue, teachers explained the schools would be forced to close its doors.

During the visit, this newspaper caught up with acting Regional Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Councillor Arnold Adams, who were on site inspecting the schools. Coonjah said the purpose of her visit was to verify the complaints she received from teachers and parents.

She said it is saddening to see teachers and children having to work and learn un-

der such conditions, explaining that the Vice Chairman of the Good Hope/Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Arnold Adams, forwarded her reports on the bat infestations and other teething issues affecting the schools.

The Chairperson subsequently spoke with the region’s Engineer and labourers that were constructing fences to plant palm trees in the township of Anna Regina were deployed to the schools to assist in plumbing.

Coonjah said like Good Hope Primary and Nursery schools, several other schools throughout Region Two are also having issues and need urgent maintenance works.

This newspaper was also reliably informed that the Flora Nursery, located at Darthmouth, is presently closed due to lack of toilet facilities. The children attending that school had to be relocated. Additionally, the Wakapoa Dormitory is incomplete and cannot accommodate students, and there are reports of substandard works done. This was revealed at the Regional Democratic Council’s most recent statutory meeting.

The new Aurora Primary School is also incomplete and closed.

Efforts to contact the Regional Education Officer, Baramadai Seepersaud on the issues proved futile.

guard attached to Home Safe Security was on Thursday granted pre-trial liberty in the sum of $30,000, when she appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a simple larceny charge.

Rhonda Benjamin, also a cook at the Central Police Station, of Lot 125 Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice, was not required to plea to the indictable charge which alleged that between August 17 and 23, 2016, she stole 230 floor tiles valued $66,060 and eight sacks of tin set valued $10,672, being property of Rafeek Kassim.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Philip Sherriff told the court Benjamin was a guard performing duties at Fort Ordnance Primary School where the alleged incident occurred.

It was reported that after the tiles were discovered missing, Kassim received information and went to Benjamin’s home where she observed similar tiles on the

floor of the guard’s home.

Benjamin had promised to pay for the tiles but the following day, she refused to answer her phone and as such a report was made to the Police. However, during a visit to the home, Police did not find tiles on the floor but the alerted ranks found a quantity of the broken and whole tiles in the back yard.

After listening to the facts of the case, the Magistrate granted Benjamin bail and told her to return to court on September 30.

The stolen tiles were part of construction material at Fort Ordnance Primary School.

Cascon Engineering was contracted by the Civil Defence Commission to develop the school into a deserter centre.

The $13 million project includes the rehabilitation of the main building, the rehabilitation of a bridge and construction of a new bridge, the upgrade of the kitchen and the construction of a new sanitary block and rehabilitation to the old one.

guyana-times.com

Ariella Basdeo

Ashley Cameron

Ashley John

Meleisa Defreitas

friday, september 16, 2016

Soyini Fraser

Odessa Grogan

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n less than 48 hours, a new Miss Guyana Universe will be crowned and from all indications, the 14 delegates are ready for a ‘show down’ when the pageant is hosted on Saturday evening in the Grand Ball Room of the Marriott Hotel, in Kingston, Georgetown.

The delegates competed in the preliminary competitions on Tuesday evening and the judges are in the process of tabulating the scores to be added to the others on pageant night.

On the evening of September 17, the delegates will compete in introduction, evening wear, swim wear, intelligence and the final question.

Nevertheless, after the preliminary competition, there are undoubtedly a few delegates to look out for. One will definitely be former Miss Guyana World, Rafieya Husain who placed in the top 10 in the international pageant. Then there is Soyini Fraser who is the former Miss United Nations and would have also won several local pageants including Miss Jamzone International.

The other person to keep an eye on is Ashley John who has no pageant experience but has been creating quite a stir with her beauty, charm and intelligence.

Xamiera Kippins who wowed the judges and patrons at the preliminary competition is also likely to be names in the top five. And finally, Ayana Whitehead is a strong contender for the title. She has a wealth of experience in pageantry and can create an upset on pageant night.

All the delegates are prepared for the final announcement and have all promised to respect the judges’ decision. Tickets for the grand coronation cost $15,000 for VIP and $10,000 for general admission.

Rafieya Husain

Iman Jaisingh

Aysya Kelley

Xamiera Kippins

Denisha Rogers

Malika Russell

Keleisha Kelly

Ayana Whitehead

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guyana-times.com

friday, september 16, 2016

7 Bebe Asha Shaw Platform: Domestic violence Age: 21 Hobbies: Dancing, making jokes, likes adventures Aspiration : to become a bank manager

Emily Emon Platform: Violence against women Age: 22 Hobbies: Reading, dancing, interacting, playing sports Occupation: Cashier

Ester Fiedtkou Platform: Child abuse Age: 15 Hobbies: Dancing, reading, interacting with new people Occupation: Student

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even young ladies will vie for the title of Miss Leo Club 2016 when the pageant is hosted on Saturday, September 24 at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground. The seven beauties are Bebe Asha Shaw, Rajshri Mansaram, Emily Emmon, Rehana Bridgemohan, Esther Fiedtkou, Louisian Marslow and Malesha Deonarin.

They will compete in introduction, cultural wear, talent, evening gown and intelligence segments. The delegates have commenced training and it is anticipated that the competition will be of high standard.

Tickets for the pageant are presently on sale and can be uplifted from the delegates and committee members.

Music will be provided by Prem’s Mega Sound System along with a live band from Georgetown.

Louisiana Marslow Platform: Juvenile delinquency Age: 16 Hobbies: Going to church, reading, listening to music Aspiration: to become a midwife

Malesha Deonarine Platform: Teen dating violence Age: 18 Hobbies: Reading, dancing Aspiration: to become a teacher

Rajshri Mansaram Platform: Suicide Age: 21 Hobbies: Reading, helping the less fortunate children Occupation: Administrative Assistant

F

T

he final 15 finalists were unveiled at the Giftland Mall on Tuesday last in the presence of judges, contestants and special invitees. They are dance groups ‘Now U C Me’ and ‘Euphoria’; dancers – 10-year-old Asiraf Mohamed and Robert Wall; ‘Behold the Jury’ band; mixed group w/violin, ‘Safe’; speed painter Winston Alexander; opera singer Kimberly Samuels; and singers Lutchman Singh, Shamar Ramsammy, Wayne Errol Frank, Trevaun Selman, Kellon Rover, Delisha Wright and Ronald Chan Yen. In addition to the Final 15 individuals and groups, the three ‘Wild Card’ contestants are Rogeria Michael, Conor Holder and Jamal La Rose. These Wild Card contestants will be competing on September 27 after being coached by the judges that chose them as their Wild Card selection.

Alana Seebaran chose

Rihanna Bridgemohan Platform: Child labour Age: 18 Hobbies: Making new friends, reading, enjoying the outdoors Aspiration: to become a nurse

Rogeria Michael, Russel Lancaster chose Conor Holder and Christian Sobers chose Jamal La Rose.

For this competition, the public will be able to vote via Facebook as the performances will be aired live on E-Networks’ ‘The Spotlight’ Facebook page.

During the next two weeks, videos of the judges mentoring the contestants will be released on social media so that the public is

engaged during the process.

The first challenge for all contestants – including the Wild Card contestants – will be staged today at the Regent Street parking lot, opposite Foot Steps Mega Store from 15:00h.

The challenge is called “Busking on the Streets”, which entails the contestants performing for anyone who is walking by the location. The public will be involved in the judging process and this challenge

will be used for a later episode during the Spotlight Season.

The general public is invited to witness the performances with free admission. The Spotlight season will premiere on Wednesday, October 5 from 20:00h on E-Networks Channel 1 and will be aired every Wednesday.

Other channels such as NTN Berbice and RCA in Essequibo will be airing the 10 episodes as well.

ounder of Team MMR, WR Reaz and one of the best selectors on local shores, Selector Andy, have arrived in the United States of America ahead of Chutney Glow billed for this Saturday at the Golden Terrace Banquet Hall, Richmond, NY. Speaking with the duo, they indicated that they have been warmly received by the Guyanese Diaspora and are ready to hit the stage on Saturday evening. Upon arrival, the due took the opportunity to visit several well known West Indian radio stations in the Queens area.

They are expected to make several other appearances at private parties and will also tour the Manhattan area.

Chutney Glow will feature some of the best in the chutney business, including Guyana’s own Terry Gajraj, Adrian Dutchin, Deeraj, Bunty Singh and others.

Also performing at the event will be well known singing sensations Anant Hansraj, Omesh, New York’s Angel Caribbean Band and many others.

With less than 48 hours to show time, Team MMR members are hyped and ready to perform for members of the Guyanese Diaspora. The event dubbed “All White” affair is promoted by Save Abee Foundation. Doors to the venue opens at 19:00h and showtime is 20:00h.

friDAY, september 16, 2016

guyana-times.com

S

tyle Mission turned out just as it was proposed to be – a great evening of resplendent style from 20 designers, an invigorating auction, scintillating talent and a tingling feeling that everyone was giving to a worthy cause.

In a two-hour presentation chocked full of amazing creative energy, the Oasis at the Pegasus Hotel was aglow as the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts hosted a distinctive charity fashion show fundraiser, under the masterful creative direction of the Caribbean’s fashion guru, the inimitable Richard Young.

The production flowed effortlessly as the first fashion capsule rolled out, with young designers Audrey Callender, Candacy Mc Lean and Tandica Favourite.

Everyone knew from the onset that Style Mission was going to be a show of high calibre.

The collections were aptly titled Blue Ivy, Sunkissed and Shades, with models executed professionally, having undergone the rigourous training of the taskmaster runway coach, Young, himself. Indeed, a fine start.

A most gracious host, in the person of Tamara Rodney, daughter of one of

the recipients of the charity, Henry Rodney, coursed us marvellously through the evening, particularly after her captivating spoken word monologue that roused the audience to their feet in brotherly solidarity. Not to be over-shadowed, the ladies-duet of Esther Ndubueze and Joy Alabi heightened the frater-

nal consciousness with their rendition of ‘Lean on me’.

There was certainly joy, a teary eye and a contemplative ponder, even, as this performing arts feature climaxed, acknowledging our

sense of humanity, before resuming the fashion element.

Fashion Capsule Two was a dynamic mix of senior designers Paula Evans and Sonia Noel, and newer designers Stephen Validum, Abeni Sullivan and Crystal Lam. From the exquisite couture of Stephen Validum to

the eclectic silhouettes of Abeni Sullivan, the spanking fashion story of Lindener, Crystal Lam, the breathing textile art of Paula Evans and the trendy male resortwear of Sonia Noel mens-

w e a r .

This was proof of the pudding that S t y l e Mission was making a mark as an exceptional showcase of fashion talent in the country.

As Noel took her curtain call at the end of her menswear collection, she proceeded to highlight the work of the SNFCA and the ongoing

mission to service the creative arts and connect with the society, at large, through empowering all within its reach.

She kicked off the Dutch auction which raised over one hundred thousand dollars, after bidding was complete. A Sonia Noel signature piece, a cherished pair of earrings from King’s Jewellery World and paintings from Devina Deputron were auctioned off.

The fashion pendu-

19

lum swung in another direction as patrons witnessed Surinamese designer Chantale Flood, newcomer Shevaun Abel, Indigenous accessories of Debra Mathias, cutting edge designer Clint Cordis and veteran Paul Burnette creating quite a unique admixture of design talent in this penultimate fashion capsule.

In the fourth and final fashion capsule, Surinamese Christel Nirk’s classic lines gave way to modern, bohemian silhouettes of Isaiah Luther and Nelsion Nurse’s versatile and exotic craftsmanship – swimwear to evening wear – made way for the ultimate crescendo of Sonia Noel’s multi-dimensional women’s wear, to bring the show to an end.

Some local celebrities graced the stage – Mondale Smith, Feliz Robertson, Sonia Yarde, Aliya Wong (Miss Talented Teen 2016) – adding to the show’s lustre. Noel was very pleased by the response and boasts of the strong line-up in store for GFW. The mission was certainly achieved; style and sales, auction and fundraising, and the professional run of a high calibre event. Style Mission was an unmitigated success.

J

ovinski Thorne is a 17-year-old performer attached to the Kross Kolor Records label. He is what we can describe as the new breed of performers emerging from this beautiful land Guyana and continues the rich tradition of artistes such as Adrian Dutchin, Mystic, et al.

Jovinski started singing at the early age of six and his exceptional talent was endorsed by his parents and that endorsement continues to this day. It is this early interest that saw his mother taking him to view live shows in Guyana and through which Jovinski got familiar with the performances of popular Guyanese artistes, further cementing Jovinski’s destiny.

When he first joined KKR, it was on the advice of Jumo Primo who advised his mother that if she wanted her son to have the best foundation and to develop into a successful artiste, Kross Kolor Records was the place to do it. She took his advice and Jovinski became a part of the KKR family at the age of 10.

From then on, there has been no turning back. In 2010 he won the inaugural GT&T Cell Link Kids Stage competition and established himself as a bright emerging star from that competition, and has blazed a trail through appearances across Guyana including the main stage at the Golden Jubilee festival held at the Guyana National Stadium.

From 2010 to the present, Jovinski has been able to refine his craft under the watchful eyes of the KKR team. Over the years while going through his voice change, he has developed into a multi-instrumentalist who has learnt to play keyboards and guitar and has penned four songs so far, one of which is his official debut single “Trend Setter” – a mixture of well-crafted lyrics, interwoven with dancehall and R&B overtones to make what producer Burchmore Simon describes as Tropical RNB. Jovinski enjoys listening to music, composing songs, creating rhythm tracks and interacting with people. Like most young artistes he keeps arrest with fashion trends and being on social media. He continues to work on his composition and instrumental skills and at the same time learning to produce in the Studios of KKR. Along with his label, a debut album is in the works but for now he is setting the trend as one of Guyana’s emerging talented young artiste.

Jovinski Thorne

A

ll roads will lead to Bell West Community Centre ground for the second annual “Bell West Big Night and Vehicle Sound Off” billed for Saturday, October 15. The event was not held on September 15 as was inadvertently printed.

However, the event will feature several attractions, including a sound clash among the top music systems on the Westside including, Big Life Sound and Power Sonic.

The vehicles registered to participate in the vehicle sound off will compete in four categories. These are Mini Extreme Car, Extreme Car, Mini Extreme Bus and Canal Number Two sound off. The event is expected to be off the hook with several side attractions including mouth watering Bar-be-que and games.

Admission to the event is $200 with Bar-be-que being sold for $1000. Bell West Big Night and Vehicle Sound off is promoted by Hype Entertainment. Those who wish to register for the vehicle sound off can contact Selector Juggie on telephone number 643-6628.

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

prep for CMBC BVA names 26 for IGG trials Bikers with 10-lap race

T

he Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) has selected 26 players to participate in trials ahead of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) games scheduled to be held in Guyana from October 20-24.

The trials, which will be conducted by the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF)

will see 15 males and 11 females vying for spots on the national teams for the competition.

Two of the top Berbice teams in Port Mourant Training Center (PMTC) and 3 Doors Strikers will represent the BVA in the InterAssociation Championships which will be used to se-

lect the top two teams from Guyana who will participate in the GVF/Tradewinds Tanker International Club Tournament scheduled for November 2016 in Guyana.

The male players named are:- Samuel Fraser, Lezon Khan, Vickram Nandram, Marcellious Hector, Jermain Munroe, Klondyke Rodney, Ravi Rampertab, Kellon Bruce Leitch, Andy Rohoman, Paul Welcome, Joel Junior Cort, Joel Hughes, Renaldo Bobb, Samuel Seecharran and Damion Al Ahmad.

The female players are :-Candacy Mentore, Stephani Lewis, Amesha Mohabir, Shameza Penuex, Telisha Williams, Ala Mohabir, Jessica Adrian, Sheliza Edwards, Krystal Paddy, Philana Simpson and Darshanie Pooran.

A Ally & Sons Basketball tournament

NA Warriors down Rose Hall Town Jammers

N

ew Amsterdam (NA) Warriors produced to telling performance to defeat Rose Hall Town Jammers 40-34 in the A. Ally & Sons Basketball tournament in Berbice.

Playing at the Rose Hall Court, Quesi Mickle racked up a game high 13 points while Shamar France added 10 points.

For Rose Hall Town Jammers, Michael King scored eight points and Kedon Emmanuel six points. NA Warriors earned three points.

The first period was all about the hosts who outscored the visitors 10-2.

The comeback commenced in the second quarter with the visitors marginally outscoring the home

E

xciting mountain bike racing returns to the National Park this Sunday which the Guyana’s two-man team of Jude Bentley and Keon ‘Duracell’ Thomas will use as the final tune up for Caribbean Mountain Bike Championships.

Just Monday last the previous 10-lap mountain bike race was held at this venue where Thomas copped the top honours. It is expected that second placed, Paul Denobrega and third placed Oziah ‘Gold Teeth’ McAulley will be looking to even the score, while Julio Melville and Raul Leal should pose serious competition.

This weekend’s event is sponsored by Ray’s Auto Sales of Sheriff Street, Price Smart Variety Store of Sophia, Team Evolution, Y&K Investments/ Pawnshop of Regent Street and Shay Chase (BMF).

Thomas and Bentley will both be heading to repre-

Jude Bentley

sent Guyana at the upcoming CBMC 2016 hosted in St. Maarten on September 25 on the Bellevue trail.

The course has been described as a hard packed single track with some rocky and root sections, steep climbs with some technical descents, passages and bridges.

In St Marteen, the Elite

Men will cover a distance of 5 Laps each being 6 km.

Elite Women and Junior Men will do 4 Laps while the Junior Women will cover 3 Laps.

There will be a 198M Elevation per Lap. This Sunday’s event in the national park is open to all cyclists with the action pedaling off from 09:30h.

WICB, Simmons never saw eye to eye – Muirhead

T

side 9-8 to reduce the deficit entering the halftime break.

The visitors carried their momentum into the pivotal third quarter, scoring 16 points while restricting their opponents to 11 points to pull within two points (27-29) heading into the final period.

NA Warriors completed

the comeback in the fourth period, recording 13 points while restricting the hosts to a paltry five points and earning three points for the win.

The action will continue on Sunday with Ithaca Hardliners opposing NA Warriors at the NA Basketball court from 16:00h.

he West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has claimed that the sacking of head coach Phil Simmons was due to accumulation of various differences in opinion.

Simmons, who won the World T20 title with the regional team earlier this year, was relieved of his duties on Wednesday, with the WICB citing “differences in culture and strategic approach.”

During his tenure the coach was at odds with the WICB and particularly the panel of selectors. The coach had stated having the best players available for selection as a priority of his term.

Simmons found himself on the wrong side of the administration, indefinitely suspended in December of last year after alleging outside

Phil Simmons (left) and Michael Muirhead

interference in the selection process. The coach was later reinstated.

“I think he himself had ideas for a different strategic approach, notwithstanding one already having been approved and adopted by the board. I don’t think he was aligned with that. The other thing was the work culture was a little different. It was how we do business, how

we execute things. It was an organisational culture.

It was not the difference in ethnic culture as has been pointed out elsewhere,” outgoing WICB CEO Michael Muirhead was reported as saying. Joel Garner will take charge of team for the upcoming series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (Sportsmax)

Starc in hospital with shin laceration

A

ustralia are hopeful that key fast bowler Mitchell Starc will be fit for the start of the home summer despite suffering a deep laceration to his left shin during a training mishap on Thursday.

Starc collided with some training equipment during Australia’s practice session at Hurstville Oval in Sydney on Thursday and was taken by ambulance to St George Hospital, where he underwent surgery and received approximately 30 stitches.

He will remain in hospital for the next few days and will use an extension brace in the coming weeks until his stitches are removed.

However, Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer, Dr John Orchard, who was at the ground and accompanied Starc to hospital, said that unless Starc suffered any complications he would hopefully remain on track to play Australia’s first Test of the summer.

Australia’s selectors had

Mitchell Starc in pain after suffering an injury at Australia’s training session on Thursday

already announced that Starc would be rested from the ODI tour of South Africa, which starts later this month, in an effort to ensure he was fresh for the home Tests against South Africa and Pakistan.

The first Test, against South Africa at the WACA, is still seven weeks away. “Mitchell was taken to St George hospital in an ambulance this afternoon suffering a deep laceration to his left shin after colliding with some training equipment,” Dr Orchard said. “Fortunately there were no bone fractures or

tendon damage to his leg and he underwent surgery this afternoon to clean the wound and received approximately 30 stitches.

“He will remain in hospital for the next few days to minimise movement to his leg and will use an extension brace for the next two to three weeks until his stitches are removed. At this stage, barring any complications, we are hopeful he is on track to play at the start of the Australian summer.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

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21

SPORTS

Dhaniram, Gobin score big in Canada

BY RAVI MADHOLALL IN TORONTO

F

ormer Guyana Firstclass player Sunil Dhaniram hit a splendid 113 for Our Own Sports Club on Sunday in the continuation of the 2016 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) over-40, 20-overs competition in Toronto.

And in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) open 20-over tournament, an ex-Guyana Under-19 batsman Troy Gobin carved out an attractive, unbeaten 100 for the victorious Rebels Sports Club against Wakenaam on Saturday.

Dhaniram, who also attired in the Canadian colours, struck seven fours and three mighty sixes to see defending champion Our Own Sports Club getting the better of Redco by 42 runs.

His team has now advanced to the semi-final stage which is scheduled for Sunday when they clash with nemesis Guyana Sports Club, a side Our Own has defeated on four occasions,

Sunil Dhaniram

Troy Gobin

historically in finals too.

Our Own will not only have the service of the Berbician Dhaniram, but they will have Gobin too along with former Guyana batsman Zaheer Haniff, ex-Essequibo senior Intercounty skipper Jaimini Singh and Canada’s 2003 and 2007 World Cup batsman Desmond Chumney.

In an invited comment from Our Own’s skipper Bobby Parasnauth, the veteran former Demerara inter-county softball captain expressed profound confidence of his team retaining the championship for an unprecedented five years in

succession.

“I [am] very confident our team will emerge as the champion again; Guyana Sports Club has always shown us fight over the years in the finals but I know playing against them now at the semi-final should be even more competitive,” Parasnauth related.

In the other semis fixture, Hustlers will collide with Impac and that engagement is promising to be very riveted as well. According to president of the OMSCC, Azeem Khan, these two “A” Division clashes should be very exciting and they have got to thank them for their

beginning at 18:00h.

G-Square Cavaliers team will come from; Heera Sukhram (Captain), Chandrika Ragnauth, Jagarnauth Manbode (wicketkeeper), Kamal Khan, Satnarine Sahadeo, Bheesham Bhagpattie, Lokram Narine, Ghansham Samwaru, Mahendra Dindial, Tulsie Sahadeo, Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, Tamesh Persaud and Tameshwar Persaud Floodlights squad; Ricky Deonarain (Captain), Reyaz Hussein, Khalid Baksh, Anil Beharry, Dharam Persaud, Rakesh Arjune, Patrick Khan,

Travis Dowlin, Surendra Nauth, Lloyd Rooplall, Christopher Barnwell, Lalta Gainda, Yusuf Unos and Romeo Deonarain.

This match is sponsored by Factory Price of King Street,

continued participation.

“I think we are definitely in for a treat on Sunday; these two teams have some talented players and over the years they have been entertaining,” the Canadianbased Guyanese Khan declared.

In the “B” Division, Royal and All-Stars will do battle while Ramblers facing off with Miracles.

Meanwhile, President of the OSCL, Albert Ramcharran recently declared that no team from his League is going to participate at the forthcoming Guyana Cup 6.

Ramcharran informed that financial constraint is the core reason while he also revealed that the unavailability of players has contributed significantly too.

An OSCL team did feature in the prominent softball ‘Mini World Cup’ under the captaincy of their current vice-president Terry Mathura several years ago.

OMSCC is also tentative to take part given the fact they are reportedly experiencing similar circumstances.

Dowlin, Barnwell in line for Floodlights debut F

ormer international players, Travis Dowlin and Christopher Barnwell have been named in a 14man Floodlights squad to play the feature match against the visiting G-Square Cavaliers from Wakenaam on Saturday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown Georgetown.

Dowlin and Barnwell are both members of DCC and will line up with the seasoned softball cricketers namely captain Ricky Deonarain, Dharam Persaud and Lloyd Rooplall in the 20 overs a-side match

Travis Dowlin

Georgetown through proprietor Tulsie Sahadeo who will also be part of the action where he will suit up for G-Square Cavaliers.

Floodlights, more known for their exploits in the softball arena are very competitive in the hardball category and will next play the Guyana Media XI at a date to be announced.

Admission is free and there will be food and drink n sale as well as musical entertainment.

Badri Prasad Memorial T20

Good Success, SS Jaguars in winners row

G

ood Success and Sans Souci Jaguars recorded victories when the Badri Prasad Memorial T20 tournament commenced last Sunday in Wakenaam.

In the first game, Good Success defeated Zeelandia by 109 runs at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground. Batting first Good Success posted a challenging 201-9 with Charles Benjamin blasting four fours and four sixes in 71 while Gurnauth Khemraj made 24 and Shazaam Mohamed 22.

Jaspaul Gangaram took 2-30.

Zeelandia nev-

Nokta Moses

Nazeer Mohamed

er threatened the target and were bundled out for 92 in 15 overs. Navishaul Pooran made 36 and Ajay Ghansam 25 with Nazeer Mohamed picking up 3-7

and Khemraj 3-14.

In the day’s second game, defending champions Sans Souci Jaguars overcame Sans Souci by 131 runs. Sans Souci

Jaguars took first strike and rattled up an imposing 230-6. Nokta Moses slammed seven fours and four maximums in a robust 57 while Olwyn Paton got 48 (4x4; 3x6) and Zameer Zaman 32. Reon Venture claimed 2-24.

Sans Souci were skittled for 99 in 15.1 overs in response. Seon Venture hit 30 as Paton returned to grab 4-15 and skipper Siddique Mohamed 2-10.

The competition continues on Sunday with Sans Souci playing Noitgedacht Sports Club at 09:00h at the Wakenaan Community Centre.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Sarwan labels Roger Harper as motivator behind his success

BY AKEEM GREENE

G

uyana’s son of the soil and distinguished West Indian Cricketer Ramnaresh ‘Ronnie’ Sarwan closed 13 years of international cricket on Thursday when he officially announced his retirement from international and regional cricket.

Sarwan, was speaking at a specially arranged retirement ceremony at his alma mater Stella Maris Primary where his cricketing career began around 1990.

The proud Stella Maris boy rolled back the years as a school boy who wanted to play cricket. He mentioned Mr Headley who was his first unofficial coach who gave him the break to play school’s cricket.

The classy right-handed batsman, who donned the maroon colours on 87 Tests and 181 One Day Internationals (ODIs), where he averaged above 40, scoring 20 centuries in both formats combined, highlighted the pivotal role former West Indian great Roger Harper had on his career.

“The persons that mould-

ed my technique and career was Roger Harper because being able to play in the West indies A team at age 17 and have him as a Guyanese and someone who would have played for West Indies for a long time, I think I was very fortunate in 1997 when I made my debut”, the former West Indies Captain said while speaking at his alma mater, Stella Maris Primary School.

Sarwan is the youngest West Indian player to debut in First-Class cricket at the age of 15 years when he played against Barbados in 1996 at Albion. The Wakenaam born cricketer began playing cricket at the tender age of 10 years when he played under 12 cricket for Stella Maris, explained that Harper was more than helpful in nurturing him from regional to international cricket.

“It was a smooth transition due to the fact that he was the coach during that whole period, so it was someone that I knew and someone who knows me very well inside-out and moulded me basically from when I was 17 to 23 and that technique he thought me remained

Ramnaresh Sarwan receives a plaque from former Stella Maris Primary School Head Mistress Natalie Arthur

with me throughout my entire career,” the 36 year-old said.

However, the all-rounder Harper, was not the only person to have instrumental impact on Sarwan’s career, as former West Indies Captain Carl Hooper, was the first person who told the player that he would play for the West Indies.

“Carl Hooper was the first person who told me that I would play interna-

GHB in preparation mood for magnificent DMW Hockey Festival

tional cricket when I meet him at the age of 14 at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and from then I took cricket seriously,” the classy batsman stated.

Speaking on his overall career he said, it was not just a straight road, it had its bumps and curves but it’s been an amazing journey”.

Meanwhile, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, speaking in the presence of

District Education Office of the Ministry of Education Adrian Eglin, several past teachers and administrators of the school and pupils thanked the former student for his contribution to cricket.

Jones in his address said, “A name like Ramnaresh Sarwan could never retire, maybe he could from active cricket but by virtue from what he would have done, there are perhaps

thousands of Guyanese who would want to emulate him and we are sure that he won’t fade into the dark but he would continue to make an impact on the development to cricket and particularly the younger ones.”

Former head mistress of the Primary school during Ronnie’s time at the school, Natalie Arthur said that the under-12 team was started by then Prime Minister Hamilton Green. Arthur went on to say that there are budding cricketers at the school and would hope that Sarwan’s performances inspires other cricketers despite his career came to an abrupt ending.

The occasion was nostalgic with former team mate sharing some memories of school cricket while current teachers and students of the Woolford Avenue school performed dramatic and acrostic poems.

Before leaving, Sarwan donated cricket equipment to the school’s cricket team while the institution presented him with a plaque and a specially made cake showing their appreciation for his efforts.

Indigenous Heritage Sport begins today – traditional games to be key attraction

President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Philip Fernandes

BY ROMARIO SAMAROO

T

he Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is preparing for the largest Indoor Hockey Festival to date as the annual Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival draws near Billed for November 2427, it is expected that this year will be the largest tournament in the Caribbean for the sport, having attracted so far, teams from North American and the wider Caribbean.

President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes briefed Guyana Times Sport on the expectations of the Festival stressing on the tournament’s significance. “This is one of the main events on our calendar for the year because it attracts international teams from across the world and even regional clubs. In the past the tournament has attract-

ed teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, USA, Canada and a few from Jamaica,” the Hockey Board President stated, adding, “The tournament looks exciting this year, we have had good responses from teams from North America and Trinidad and Tobago and we are expecting one of the most rewarding festival.”

While Fernandes was reluctant to mention the names of the teams, he assured this publication that top class teams from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Canada and the United States of America are definitely on board.

Fernandes further mentioned that the event will be hosted at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, which has become the home of Indoor Hockey locally, and while it may have a few obstacles, the authorities are working to

remedy those.

“We are using the National Gymnasium.

There are a few things we need to correct with it, the floor is not as smooth as it once was, also our side boards and other minor things but it is a good facility and it will host a good tournament,” Fernandes said The Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival will witness teams vying for over US$7,500 in cash and other prizes.

The tournament will have competitions in three categories; male open, female open and the over35 years old. Participating open teams are expected to pay US$400 entrance fee while the over 35 team will pay US$200.

In the 11th edition of the festival, Hikers men and the GCC ladies were crowned champions having outplayed over 14 teams.

Preparations for Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Sports underway at the Everest Ground

I

ndigenous Heritage Month reaches the height of festivities today when the annual Heritage Sport begin at the Everest Cricket Ground, Carifesta Avenue with the official opening ceremony which includes the symbolic march past of athletes at 09:00h.

For the first time the event will be officially three days long as opposed to two days in previous years and one day when the games on the coastland first started.

This year over 570 athletes drawn from across all 10 regions across the country will turn out for the one of the most anticipated events for the month of celebration.

After the opening ceremony, which will be declared open by the honourable Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sidney Allicock the fun moves into the day reserved for ‘tradi-

tional’ games.

The traditional sports billed for competition and exhibition are fire wood bursting, fire lighting, archery, lime and spoon, ‘gam’, tuma pot eating, Piwari drinking, turtle tug-o-war and wrestling.

As the event progresses into days two and three, the events will move over to more accustomed sports such as Football, volleyball and cricket. In football, defending male champions Central Rupununi of Region number nine will be looking for their fourth consecutive title but will be challenged by traditional power house Region one, Orealla of Region six and Region seven. The coastal ladies representing Region four will look for a repeat of last year triumph but will get stiff competition from Regions seven, nine and six.

Teams from regions two

and four are expecting to give a good account of themselves in cricket in both male and female categories while Regions nine and six are traditional power houses in volleyball.

Swimming will be done at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal on Saturday with open and age group swimming with swimmers from the 10 regions once again in action.

Also on Saturday will be the play-offs in volleyball, cricket, football and archery at Everest Sports Club ground while Sunday is reserved for the championship matches in all sport and the presentation ceremony. The Surama cultural group and the Calibros band will provide entertainment on all three days.

Once again, Digicel has renewed their dedication to the annual event, sponsoring it for the 11th year.

23

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Jaguars Franchise League

Top-of-the table clash highlights round 4 L

eaders Lower Corentyne and second placed West Demerara will clash from today as the Jaguars Franchise League three day competition enters the halfway stage.

Currently the leaders are ahead of West Demerara by 10.8 points and stand a strong chance to go well ahead with a win in this game. For the table toppers, discarded national player Jonathan Foo has another opportunity to stake his claim for a recall to the senior team set up.

He is already well ahead on the runs list and could extend that lead since he loves playing spin bowling, which is in abundance in the West Demerara team. Apart from Foo,

there are Gajanand Singh, Surujnarine Kandasammy and Devon Clements in the Lower Corentyne side and they could all contribute to a fourth successive win for their team.

Like the last round, the Corentyne side will miss the service of its marquee bowler Veerasammy Permaul but still have some quality bowlers like Kassim Khan in its repertoire.

Meanwhile, since rebounding from a first round loss to East Coast, West Demerara has performed outstandingly to win two consecutive games.

Their achievements are due to a complete team effort as Travis Persaud, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymond Reifer, Sarfraz Esau, Ashkaya Persaud or

Johnathan Foo

Teams

Raymon Reifer

Mat

Outright Win

are; Georgetown playing Essequibo at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Upper Demerara/East Bank taking on Lower Corentyne at the Lusignan ground and East Coast Demerara battling with West Berbice at the Enterprise ground, East Coast Demerara. The Points Standing after the third round of matches is demonstrated in the table below.

Romario Shepherd have contributed with bat or ball.

Reifer has a ton to his name and was outstanding with the ball so lots will be expected of him against the table leaders.

It is predicted to be an exhilarating game which would be played at the Tuschen ground.

The other matches in the fourth round

Tie

No Outright Winner

Batting Bonus

Lose

Bowling Bonus

Fast Bowling wickets

Total Points

Lower Corentyne

3

36

-

-

-

6

9

.8

52.8

West Demerara

3

24

-

-

1

7

9

2.0

42

East Coast Demerara

3

24

-

3

-

1

7

.5

35.5

Essequibo

3

12

-

3

1

-

6

.1

21.1

Georgetown

3

-

-

6

1

1

9

.8

16.8

West Berbice

3

-

-

3

2

1

9

.5

14.5

Upper Corentyne

3

-

-

3

2

1

9

.7

13.7

Upper Demerara/ East Bank

3

-

-

6

1

-

6

.7

12.7

My goal was always to win - Sarwan were supportive during his career.

In total Sarwan scored 15 tons, with five coming against England, Four against South Africa, two each against Australia and Bangladesh and one each against India and Sri Lanka.

Though he never favoured playing against a specific team he said his toughest challenges were against away against Australia and Sri Lanka. Those are indeed tough challenges since it is difficult to beat Australia at home and even worse against Sri Lanka as the Australians could attest from their recent tour there.

Australia’s pacer Glenn

Ramnaresh Sarwan

A

s he called time on his professional career yesterday morning at his alma mater Stella Maris Primary School, former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan says his legacy is to be remembered as a team player since his goal was always to win.

“My goal was always to win, if we were in a position that seem impossible I felt that once I was at the crease it was possible still.

All I want to be remembered for is a team person.

The other stuff that people say, or wanting to judge me that will always happen, it will forever happen. With me, with other players but for me to leave a mark as a team person that’s my sole concern. I’ve never seen myself as a selfish person and I hate selfish people…..I do hope that I have leave that impact with the players I’ve played with for both Guyana and the Regional team,” said Sarwan when questioned on what mark he would have left on the game.

Sarwan played 21 years of professional cricket while he spent 13 years occupied on the international arena.

During his international career he rated his high points as his first innings half century on debut against Pakistan, his 105 against Australia to help West Indies record the highest successful run chase in Test history and his personal best of 291 against England in 2009.

Indeed his debut knock was remarkable facing legendary Pakistani bowlers like Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Saqlin Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed at 19 years of age. His knock against Australia to date remains fresh in cricket fanatics’ memories as West Indies clinched to victory from the jaws of defeat in an unexpected occasion. The West Indies run chase of 418 remains the recored for the highest successful run chase in Test cricket. His personal best knock was against England in a year where he himself said he was at his best due to his level of maturity.

However, there were not always bright days for Sarwan who hails from Wakenaam as he revealed his lowest points were his first tour of Australia where

he was ‘baptized’ and other issues that he refused to talk about due to the occasion.

When questioned if satisfied with his contribution to Guyana and West Indies Cricket, Sarwan said to the abrupt end to his West Indies career he thinks he had more cricket left in him but unfortunately things happen and you have to move on. In terms of Guyana he said he thinks he has a lot to offer, especially to the younger players but that is not without having knowledge about the challenges in Guyana’s cricket.

The 36 year old said he would not rule out getting involved in administrative duties in relation to the game since it is where his heart lies, but he is only going to participate in something that he could succeed in.

In terms of his batting partnerships with West Indies’ greats, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sarwan said the former would socialize more and help you to analyze the game in the moment while the latter was more conservative, but both

McGrath and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitaran are the most two difficult bowlers to bat because the former makes you think you are never in and could get out at any time while the latter had lots of variation and he spins the ball, he was very challenging.

Sarwan played 87 Test matches for the West Indies between May 2000 and June 2011. He scored 5,842 runs with 15 centuries, a highest score of 291 against England and an average of 40.1 He made his ODI debut in July 2000 against England and played a total of 181 matches to score 5,804 runs at an Ave of

42.60 with five hundreds.

He played 220 FirstClass matches and made 33 centuries at an Average of 38.52 and holds the record for the youngest West Indian player to play FirstClass Cricket which he did at 15 years-old, playing for Guyana against Barbados at the Albion Community Centre ground in Berbice.

Sarwan finished as Guyana’s third highest run scorer in Test cricket behind Rohan Kanhai who also scored 15 centuries and Clive Lloyd, who scored 19 centuries. Meanwhile he finished eleventh on the West Indies all-time list in terms of runs and centuries.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Sports is no longer our game, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our business

Pg 22

Ramnaresh Sarwan, in the presence of Director of Sport Christopher Jones and teacher and pupils of Stella Maris Primary, his alma mater, makes a donation of cricket equipment

Sarwan labels Roger Harper as motivator behind his success

Retired West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan is presented with a special cake from Teacher Lorenza Hernandez in the presence of (from left) Sean Devers, Adrian Elgin, Christopher Jones, Natalie Arthur and Deputy Head Teacher Ms Singh

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