Guyana Times Daily

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

Issue No. 3107

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, January 28, 2017

PRICE

Parking meters to be removed from public schools environ

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Councillors blast Linden Mayor over live-stream of P2 statutory meeting Former Nigerian Judge appointed Consultant at Legal Affairs Ministry

Page 2

P17

…as burden continues on motorists

Bandit shot Tony Joseph dead during wanted to help of pureness attempted out of heart – PM robbery … sees “nothing wrong” with arrangement GuySuCo takeover

Page 5

Page 7

UN launches new development programme in Guyana

Patentia school shutdown

Classes to P17 resume in shift system next week

Warlock execution

Police in pursuit of 3 known criminals

P5

…intended target was questioned for recent AK47 find

Page 6

CJIA cocaine bust

Canadian teenager P8 remanded UN Country Representative Mikiko Tanaka and Finance Minister Winston Jordan sign on the UN MSDF Country Implementation Plan for Guyana on the Lawns of Parliament Building on Friday

Jagdeo pushes Govt to honour teachers’ multi-year agreement Page 3

Miner crushed to death by falling tree Page 7

Nagamootoo drops out of AFC’s leadership P7 race

...throws support behind Ramjattan’s “Third Term”

2 news

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Parking meters to be Councillors blast Linden Mayor over removed from public live-stream of statutory meeting schools environ A …as burden continues on motorists

T

he Mayor and City Council (M&CC), the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and Smart City Solutions have come to an amicable solution regarding the parking meter system, with a decision to have the meters removed from in front of public schools.

With that removal, a decision was also taken that there would be no more setting up of meters in front of public schools in the city.

These decisions were taken during a meeting between the three bodies on Thursday.

A joint press statement stated that after giving due and special consideration to the critical and fundamental role that teachers play in the education and development of the nation’s children, vehicle parking spaces immediately in front of the public schools will not be regulated for the purpose of metered parking.

The GTU had on Monday held a meeting with representatives from Smart City Solutions Incorporated (SCSI). The concern was over teachers being required to pay for parking in front of public schools.

GTU General Secretary Coretta Mc Donald had said that having a vehicle is not a luxury for some, but a necessity. Pointing to the fact that even teachers at the nursery school level drove, she stated that this was an unfair situation when teachers’ salaries have remained inadequate and the cost of living in Guyana was already high.

“You are rolling out parking meters in Guyana, what (they) take into consideration outside of having consultations with various entities?” she queried. “I’m not sure that this was well thought

The parking meter located in front of the Bishops’ High School

out,” McDonald stated following the Monday meeting with SCSI. Members of the GTU had also held a vigil on Tuesday evening, signalling their discontent with the parking meters. That vigil took the crowd to the residence of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is currently acting as President.

After a meeting with the protesters representatives, the Prime Minister later came out and addressed the crowd. He explained that while he did not have all the answers for them, he would raise the matter with Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. Meanwhile on Friday, GTU President Mark Lyte welcomed the decision to ease the burden off of teachers. “The Guyana Teachers’ Union is pleased to inform all its members that no teacher in the public school system will be required to pay for parking their vehicle while they teach the nation’s children. In fact, no other parking meter will be placed in front of schools.

Those schools where parking meters have been placed

already will see them being removed,” Lyte said on a Facebook message.

He continued by thanking the Mayor and City Council, along with Smart City Solutions for granting the request. The manner in which the parking meter contract, signed in November 2015, was arranged with National Parking Solutions/SCSI has attracted heavy scrutiny in the press.

Subsequently, the Finance Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers conducted reviews of the contract to determine its practicality and legality. One of the observations of the Finance Ministry had been that “the contract has given complete monopoly power to SCSI over parking within Georgetown. This control could lead to exploitation of consumers as SCSI has the power to change fees arbitrarily and determine zones.”

The fees amount to at least $200 an hour. The minimum time a motorist can purchase is 15 minutes.

Metered hours are Monday to Saturday, from 07:00h to 19:00h (7am to 7pm).

decision to test the possibilities of live streaming statutory meetings by Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland was met with unfavourable responses from Councillors within the municipality on Wednesday, with one storming out of the meeting and another threatening to leave.

The issue was brought to the attention of the Council by Councillor Lennox Gasper, who stood up some time into the meeting to express his dissatisfaction after learning that the meeting was being streamed live on social media site Facebook. This led to an uproar in the Council, as Councillors expressed shock and dissatisfaction over the incident, despite apologies by the Mayor, who noted that in fact the Council had already discussed the possibilities of going live with such meetings in 2017 and that the incident was just a test to ascertain if it would work. Later in the meeting, Councillor Leroy James, clearly upset, walked out after expressing his disapproval. Addressing the Council, Gasper maintained that the Council was unaware that it was being live streamed and referred to the action of the Mayor as disrespectful.

Gasper noted further that any decision of the Council with respect to broadcasting should be relayed to its Communication Committee, providing a means for the Chairman of that Committee to alert Councillors of the decision.

In response, however, Holland said a decision was made last November to commence streaming of meetings. He further indicated that he had made attempts to make the announcement earlier at Wednesday's statutory metting, but was not

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

Councillor Lennox Gasper

allowed to do so by Gasper.

He said a young man was actually testing to see if the streaming would work since the signal had been poor.

Gasper argued however, that the business of the Council is the public's business and in that sense, the Linden public, since matters discussed at statutory meetings are either directly or indirectly related to Lindeners and not the rest of the world.

He further stressed that even Parliament is usually broadcasted first to the people of Guyana.

A back and forth then ensued between the two which led to Gasper requesting that the Mayor put his phone down and the live stream be cut off by Holland, since he said that the events of the Council were still being streamed.

The Mayor in turn denied that he was still recording as he turned off his phone.

Councillor Deryck Collins then joined in to voice his concerns over the episode.

"If you want do something like that, tell the Council… Let us give you the consent… and if you're going to do a test, we ain't want it from you phone. Let everybody know what going on. This is not something for you," he stressed.

Councillors then noted that they had been caught off guard and felt violated as Holland further apologised, maintaining that it was a test and it is the right of the Council to provide an opportunity for every Lindener to view the happenings of the Council.

Councillor Leroy James, prior to leaving, also expressed dissatisfaction over the situation and urged the Mayor to apologise, noting that he felt as though he was spying.

Meanwhile, Councillor Keeran Williams said while there is nothing in the Municipal Council Act 28:01 to dictate whether one can go live to the world in terms of the internal happenings of the Council, the sad part was that the issue was discussed and the Council did make a decision. He said he prefers not to be part of the process where the Council makes a decision where any member goes against it, and that he was prepared to leave the meeting and any other meeting, should another issue of similar nature arise.

"I thought everyone remembered that we were going to go live, my apologies over this," Holland continued.

news

3

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, January 28 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, January 29 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Berbice – Saturday, January 28 – 16:30h-18:00h and Sunday, January 29 – 05:15h-06:45h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected in the morning, while cloud cover is expected in the afternoon evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 04:49h and 17:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.72 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 10:37h and 23:02h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.49 metre respectively.

wednesday, January 25, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS E

05

08 14

17

20

26

23 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 7 14 17 19

24

LUCKY 3 2 5 1

8

Afternoon Draw

7

0

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

1

5

8

12

17 18 21

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

Jagdeo pushes Govt to honour teachers’ multi-year agreement

I

n light of the recent vigil outside of the residences of President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, where members of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) gathered to voice their displeasure at various issues affecting teachers, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is calling on Government to act on the demands put forward by the Union.

In a statement on Friday, Jagdeo declared that the parliamentary Opposition supports the Teachers’ Union in its demand for a confirmation of an urgent meeting between the Union and Government.

Furthermore, he also urged Government to respect previous commitments made by the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government with the GTU under the Five-Year MultiYear Agreement. To this end, the Opposition Leader called for an urgent resolution to the teachers’ demands, including respect for the specific agreements concluded under the now expired multiyear agreement, including the duty-free concessions and treatment of the Whitley Council leave.

“The urgency of these issues cannot be over-emphasised. The delinquency of the Government with regards to these important issues affecting the teachers of this country is unacceptable,” Jagdeo posited.

Tuesday night’s vigil saw dozens of teachers turning up outside the Prime Minister’s home to air a host of issues that teachers are not happy with. The action organised by the GTU saw Union officials meeting briefly with Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who was acting President.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister assured the teachers that he would discuss their plights with Cabinet. In the meantime, he asked the GTU to submit a “structured presentation” on the issues they want Government to address.

“As a member of Cabinet and as Prime Minister, I cannot give an answer to all the

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

issues raised. I have said I will raised them with the relevant Ministers and what we can have is some engagement, to have discussions and dialogue. I don’t believe the answer is to turn our backs on you; you have issues and we have to listen. If we can’t solve these matters now, we should work together to find some solutions,” he told those gathered outside his home.

Meanwhile, prior to the meeting, GTU President Mark Lyte explained that when the 2015 agreement ended that year, a proposal was immediately submitted to Government and just over a year later, there has been no active effort to have another agreement, despite several discussions with the Education Ministry.

“The time is going and our teachers are affected. We have not had any increase in salary significantly, other than the imposed 10 and six per cent given to public servants. While we believe that teachers would have accepted the increases, it’s not the amount we initially wanted or negotiated for,” he pointed out.

The GTU President also spoke about benefits that are outstanding for teachers within that same multiyear agreement, including duty-free concessions, clothing allowances, out of town allowances, and station and hard line allowances.

According to Lyte, there is a list of teachers, some of whom have since retired, who were eligible between the periods 2008 to 2013 for

duty-free concessions, but are yet to receive same.

“We have not heard anything – it went back and forth between the Ministry of the Presidency and GTU and the Ministry of Education, and it’s now stalled somewhere at GRA. We are still saying that those teachers must be given their outstanding duty-free,” the Union Head asserted.

Moreover, he added too that a proposal was sent to the Education Ministry for teachers to have their ‘Whitley Council leave’ every three years, instead of four and for the payments to be given at a specific time.

“What we have is a willying, nilly disbursement of weekly council’s monies,” he stated.

Lyte also spoke about de-bunching, pointing out that the Education Minister

had signed onto this, saying a proposal was made to Cabinet for teachers to be paid de-bunching money between 2011 and 2015.

“Until now, none has been paid out and so we are out here saying, that we are unhappy. Our teachers are not happy and an unhappy teacher in the classroom is an unproductive teacher.

Unfortunately, our teachers are unhappy because of the meagre salaries they are receiving, because the fact that nobody seems to be concerned other than verbally saying teachers are important,” he noted.

The Union Head further addressed other matters affecting teachers, such as working conditions are some schools and the issue of promotions. On this note, Lyte called for the current Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to be dissolved, noting that this current body is further frustrating teachers.

Nevertheless, the Commission on Thursday invited the Union to a meeting, where the teachers’ representative body is expected to push for two sets of promotions this year. The meeting comes two months after the High Court ruled that the procedure used by the TSC to promote teachers was flawed and must be corrected.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, January 28, 2017

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

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

Business of Sport must be considered I

n today’s world, sport management is a multibilliondollar industry because of society's growing public interest in health, fitness and spectators’ sport. It also provides job opportunities for qualified and experienced professionals. The Caribbean, within recent times, can boast of being home to some of the most prestigious sporting events. For example, Football: 2001 FIFA Under-17 Men’s World CUP & 2010 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup; Cricket: 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 Cricket Tournament; and Car Racing: Barbados Festival of Speed. These examples are used to show diversity and continuous hosting within the past decade. Yet still, sports in the Caribbean is defined as leisure and recreation, rather, than a business which developing countries can use to diversify their economies.

But according to Parkhouse (2005), “the most recent research on the economic impact of sport identifies it as a $213 billion-a-year industry, making it the sixth largest industry in the United States.” (“The answer is,” Sports Business Journal, p23, December 1999).

Let’s examine the terms Sport Management, Sport Event Management and Total Quality Management.

Sport management is a broad industrious field which incorporates skills from corporate companies, such as business, marketing and accounting, whilst developing strategies pertaining to sport. Sports Events Management on the other hand, focuses on the delivery and execution of events via the use of sports. Whereas, Total Quality Management (TQM), is defined as a vague framework, which focuses on mutual co-operation with both internal and external stakeholders, to satisfy or exceed customers’ expectations by providing quality products and/or services.

Sporting and event organisations, whether in developed or developing countries, are faced with many unprecedented changes. These unprecedented or rapid changes, such as globalisation, increased competition, high technological cost and open international markets have created many challenges for sporting organisations.

Due to high competition and the globalisation ‘age’, Total Quality Management (TQM) has rapidly become a top priority for many organisations to improve products and services and, therefore, the need for standards, such as event quality, customers’ experience and delivery, have become critical to the success of these events. TQM and it principles have potential to become the standards, setting framework for bench-marking performances against industry standards, in order to satisfy both internal and external stakeholders.

Total quality management can either be implemented or steps should be taken towards its implementation for all organisations, private and public, in the manufacturing and service sectors. The success TQM was having in the manufacturing sector encouraged many service organisations, including sporting organisations and the hotel industry to adopt TQM in order to achieve competitive advantage whilst improving output through quality and setting standards. When its principles are applied to sport management, they encompass performance, reliability, availability and durability of service all for customer satisfaction and the implementation of TQM is critical to improving organisational performance and efficiency.

There are many challenges, such as funding, legacy and workforce which are associated with the delivery of a major event. Having taken it all into consideration, if serious then the business of sport may be the way to a healthy, happy and lucrative future.

Nursery schools in Georgetown jumpstarted the Mashramani celebrations 2017 on Friday at the National Cultural Centre with their presentations in dramatic poetry, dance, calypso and costume display. In photo: These little ladies displayed Guyana’s flag and heritage as they partook in the festivities (Carl Croker photo)

Leadership needs to be held accountable Dear Editor, The recent flooding and the appearance of sinkholes in the capital, brings into question the robustness of the decision-making process in Parliament. Is it possible that the history of how Georgetown was established is being neglected?

Can it be that such fragility and beauty of a place established below sea level is forgotten now that drilling for riches is still the order of the day?

Wasteful spending with no regard to the basics and an inability to maintain and upkeep what has already been established creates ever more chaos.

Great weakness in the ability to secure law and order in such a close-knit community is astonishing.

For such levels of ineptness to exist means that the focus on what is important for longevity and continued stability has been forgotten due to the blindness

that greed offers. A good lesson is to be learned from the balata bleeding that occurred in our recent history. Countries with foresight continue to be able to do so today, while those with a thirst for riches at any cost can only look at what was, as in the case of Guyana.

For many years the people have suffered from flooding and it was always said that money was needed to fix it. Much has been gained over the decades,

and yet having working pumps and a cleaned canal system that is dependable is not achievable to date. How much more evident must it be to the populace that the leadership has to be held accountable for their negligence to our future, as it has been seen on so many levels even in this current decade?

Sincerely, Jamil Changlee

Why Raphael Trotman is the better leader

Dear Editor, Over the past weeks, co-founder of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman, was asked of the AFC membership to take up, once again, the challenge for Party leadership, in which he considered and gladly accepted.

We are all aware of Raphael Trotman’s ap-

proach in the way he deals with situations by displaying more tolerance, therefore that type of leadership approach is needed at this political juncture in our country. So it is for this reason that the membership believes that racial healing and social cohesion can be accomplished in Mr Trotman’s leader-

ship.

Mr Khemraj Ramjattan and Mr Moses Nagamootoo will not be the best suited as leaders to negotiate national unity.

While Raphael Trotman was Speaker of the National Assembly and having to deal with the one-seat majority the APNU and the AFC had

in Parliament, while the PPP/C minority government was in Office, 20122015; he had displayed a great degree of fairness and balance in his judgment.

Yours truly, Pradeep Bachan AFC Region Five Activist

Drivers unilaterally raise fare Dear Editor, I live in Meadow Bank and work in Georgetown. I travel everyday using the

short drop cars that operate from the East Bank Demerara car park. I realised that some of these car

drivers has raised the fare from $60 to $80 and $100 to go Meadow Bank. I am asking the relevant author-

ities to look into this raise.

Sincerely, Mohan Persaud

saturday, January 28, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Tony Joseph wanted to help out of pureness of heart – PM … sees “nothing wrong” with arrangement

P

rime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo on Friday announced that his son-in-law Tony Joseph sought to assist to find investors for the cash-strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) out of the pureness of his heart.

Nagamootoo’s son-in-law, Tony Joseph, a businessman, is currently encouraging investors to meet with Government officials to deliberate on possible plans for the local industry, in keeping with the coalition’s intentions to either privatise or diversify the sugar company.

The Prime Minister told the media on Friday that indeed he had made the suggestion to his son-in-law to liaise with potential investors for GuySuCo. “He just listened to the Prime Minister in India saying bring some investors to help the crippled sugar industry and he did… I met him in Delhi (India) where there was a Rotary club meeting, I met him with the High Commissioner, he went there on his own business and I met with all the business people. He asked me to go to a dinner and everyone wants to come to Guyana… they want to even form a Guyana/New Delhi Friendship Society and I said, ‘listen Tony, get a list of all who wants to invest in Guyana, coordinate with our High Commissioner and see if you can make contact (with Ministries)’,” Nagamootoo explained.

But the Prime Minister believes there is nothing amiss about such an arrangement, insisting that his son-in-law embarked upon this venture out of the pureness of his heart.

“This issue is not about the Prime Minister’s sonin-law. This issue is about a businessman, a credi-

5

Tony Joseph

ble successful businessman who has decided that he will bring investors to Guyana wherever he can find them.

He’s a Guyanese, he is a Berbician and he wants to help Guyana,” Nagamootoo told Guyana Times when questioned about the swirling conflict of interest and nepotism concerns on the matter.

In fact, Nagamootoo expressed that the entire nation should thank his sonin-law for the interest he has demonstrated in helping the country’s ailing sugar industry.

“The nation should thank him… in fact I am so proud of him,” Nagamootoo expressed.

Representatives of Srinath Ispat Limited, an India-based company with extensive knowledge of the sugar industry, are expected in Guyana this week to have dialogue with Government on potential investments in GuySuCo. The Agriculture Ministry last week announced that the delegation would be led

by President of Integrated Casetech Consultants PV T LTD, Rajesh Kumar Agarwal and Managing Director of Sunrise Holdings, Tony Joseph. They would visit the country’s major sugar estates before meeting with

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

several key Government officials, including the Prime Minister.

The businessman is married to Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s daughter Angela, something which Government failed to disclose when it made the announcement.

Joseph currently heads a freight forwarding company, Joseph Pack-n-Ship in Muscatine, Iowa. Back in October 2015, Prime Minister Nagamootoo had participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Joseph Pack-N-Ship.

Meanwhile, Government continues to entertain such interest from investors as it faces major decisions on the future of the local sugar in-

dustry.

To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Trinidadian company D Rampersad and Company Limited (DRCL) for the undertaking of a feasibility study. The agreement will see the company likely to rake in major benefits from the Guyana Government, including favourable tax incentives for the development of an integrated sugarcane processing facility at the Skeldon Sugar Estate.

The Skeldon Sugar Factory, which is located on the estate, alone is worth US$200 million, so the total value of the Estate would amount to billions.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes that Government’s talks about wanting consultations with stakeholders are perfunctory.

According to the former President, Government seems to already have preconceived ideas about the future of the sugar industry and the consultations they are requesting are just smokescreens.

This, he said, is evident when the Government requested a meeting with the Opposition Leader and the workers unions only after it entered into a MoU with the Trinidadian firm.

Warlock execution

Police in pursuit of 3 known criminals … intended target was questioned for recent AK47 find

H

ours after the gunning down of Arcade clothes vendor, Andrew Fraser, 30, of Lot 565 East La Penitence, Georgetown in Warlock, the Police are yet to make an arrest, but a manhunt was launched for three men in connection with the fatal shooting.

This was according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who further stated that the three men are known characters to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). He added that based on information provided and the identities of the men were made known, the Police conducted several searches in various areas but came up empty handed.

The now dead clothes vendor, who was due to leave the country today, was reportedly caught in the crossfire but was not the intended target.

The target was reportedly Timothy St Hill, of Diamond, East Bank Demerara. After the shooting incident, the gunmen entered a dark coloured Toyota Carina 212 motor car and fled the scene.

At the scene on Friday, a resident who asked to remain anonymous, told Guyana Times that he was sitting on a bench in his shop when he heard the sounds of gunshots and upon investigating,

Dead: Andrew Gavin Fraser

he saw two men shooting towards a nearby shop. One, he noted, was a “rasta fella” but due to the darkness, he could not have seen their faces.

Upon seeing this, he ran for cover. He accused the Police of being involved in the shooting. “The Police was right on the corner liming and wait when the people start do the shooting… after the shooting, de man them turn left and then they turn right and play like they come to the scene so I itate that the Police know what going on with the shooting,” he explained.

He is maintaining that the gunmen are known to the Police. The man claimed that since he has been operating his shop, he witnessed two others being gunned down in similar fashion.

TURN TO PAGE 6

6 news

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

UN launches new development $28B lawsuit programme in Guyana Finance Minister supports

T

he United Nations (UN) on Friday launched a new programme in Guyana, which supports the achievement of national development priorities across the Caribbean.

This new initiative is called the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDF) and it replaces the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

The 2017-2021 MSDF defines how the agencies, funds and programmes of the UN will pool their comparative advantages within a single strategic framework that aligns with, and supports the overarching strategic goals of the Caribbean’s governments and key stakeholders.

Guyana is the first country in the Caribbean to launch this programme, which provides a platform for countries to access the global expertise and experience of the UN System at both the country and sub-regional levels.

UN Country Representative Mikiko Tanaka explained that the programme will be executed on the basis of four pillars, being “an inclusive, equitable and prosperous Guyana; a safe cohesive and just Guyana; a healthy Guyana; and a sustainable and resilient Guyana.”

Tanaka explained that part of the initiative would focus on the challenges facing the most disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised groups of people and find ways to enable them access to opportunities and services to expand and fulfil their life’s potential and to lead a life of dig-

fight against Banks DIH

F

UN Country Representative Mikiko Tanaka and Finance Minister Winston Jordan sign on the UN MSDF Country Implementation Plan for Guyana on the Lawns of Parliament Building

nity.

These groups include families living in poverty; adolescents and single mothers; disadvantaged children and youth; Indigenous people; persons living with HIV/AIDS; disabled persons, elderlies; the LGBT; victims of abuse, violence and trafficking.

The starting budget of the programme is pegged at US$197.9 million and covers the entire Caribbean, where 18 territories will benefit.

Unlike the previous programme, this new model will work together with regional organisations like the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to tackle common regional issues.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who signed onto the programme on behalf of the Government, explained how Guyana stands to benefit.

“The Cooperative Republic of Guyana will be poised to reap the benefits of the combined ideas, skills, capacities and institutional experiences to be

provided by the UN family and the Caribbean region,” he explained.

The Finance Minister acknowledged that the overall goal of this development framework is to provide Member States with the requisite tools, partnerships and resources needed to achieve national and sub-regional priorities in an inclusive and equitable manner.

In the case of Guyana, he noted that President David Granger has identified some SDGs which it deems to be most critical to create the enabling environment to achieve the social and economic development.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, speaking in the capacity of acting President, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between Guyana and international organisations such as the UN. Nagamootoo also pledged his Government’s commitment to work with the UN to deliver results for all the people of Guyana.

inance Minister Winston Jordan will also be supporting all efforts against beverage giant Banks DIH Limited, which recently slapped the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) with a multibillion-dollar lawsuit, claiming overpayment in taxes and calling for equitable treatment, as was given to its competitor, the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

“We will litigate it to its depth,” the Minister stated.

The Finance Minister declined to comment further on this striking development, noting that the matter is currently engaging the attention of the court.

Just a few days ago, Attorney General Basil Williams declared that Banks DIH will be fighting a lost cause against the country’s tax authority, guaranteed that all efforts will be exhausted to ensure not a dime comes out of the public purse to refund the beverage giant, which has filed a $28 billion lawsuit against the GRA to be given the same preferential treatment as DDL. DDL, last year, benefited from a whopping $3.8 billion tax write-off, following over 15 years of litigation with the GRA over its tax payments.

In 2002, a legal chal-

Banks DIH Limited

this appeal on the ground that the Commissioner

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

General had used a wrong

Police in pursuit...

FROM PAGE 5

“Is people in the hood just envy the people in the hood how they does move… everybody in the hood does live in love… is boys from outside the hood want break up the love we does be living in so they come and shoot up and kill innocent people… that man (Fraser) don’t do nobody nothing. He don’t look in anybody direction.

Nothing,” he stated.

In addition, the eyewitness stated that Fraser was shot at least five times, but recalled seeing one bullet wound to his neck and that might have been the fatal wound. After the gunmen fled the scene, Fraser reportedly took two hard breaths and stopped breathing.

The man noted that as they placed the injured Fraser in the car, he was already dead. Also injured during the crossfire was Stanley Abrams of North East La Penitence, Georgetown. He sustained at least two bullet wounds to his body and was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. His condition is listed as stable.

Meanwhile, at the East Ruimveldt Outpost, Dawn Sampson, mother of Timothy St Hill, admitted that her son was the intended target.

She noted that her nephew was at the “right place at the right time” but he was not the one who was supposed to be killed. “Meh nephew was drinking he porridge and mining he business when they shoot he up,” she noted.

She is also of the belief that senior Police ranks are involved in the shooting incident. Her son, St Hill, was only recently charged for entering Guyana illegally from Suriname. St Hill was also fingered in the Rio Night Club shooting incident sometime back.

His mother however, claimed that the Police had recently accused her son of being connected with the guns and ammunition that were found during a raid at John Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. He was arrested but was released after the 72-hour detention period had elapsed.

Sampson noted that she is a woman of God and no

weapon formed against her and her son shall prosper, hence her son is alive today.

She described members of the Police Force as wicked, claiming that they are bent on implicating her son for crimes he did not commit.

The mother of the dead man, on the night of the shooting, recalled enquiring about his flight, after which he took a shower and told her that he was going on the road to get something to eat.

His intention, she noted, after eating was to collect a suitcase from his boss.

“As I went to bathe, I hear ‘bow! bow!’ but I didn’t take it as nothing, but soon after meh other son run home and say ‘mommy! mommy!

Gavin get shoot’,” she noted.

As she rushed to the scene, she saw her son’s motionless body being placed in a vehicle to be taken to the hospital.

The young man was described as a pleasant individual who was hard working and caring. He leaves to mourn his parents and siblings.

Demerara Distillers Limited

lenge was launched by DDL against the GRA over its assessment by the Commissioner General of consumption taxes owed by that company in a sum exceeding $1 billion, for the period January 2001 to September 2002.

It was eventually quashed by the High Court on February 1, 2005. The GRA appealed that decision in the Court of Appeal.

On July 31, 2008, the Court of Appeal dismissed

formula for the calculation of the consumption taxes.

The Court prescribed a formula to be used.

In 2009, the Commissioner General, utilising the court-recommended formula, assessed DDL’s consumption tax liabilities for the period 2001-2007 (since after 2007 Consumption Tax was abolished with the introduction of Value Added Tax). The newly assessed liability of DDL for that period was some $5.3 billion.

Again, DDL filed legal proceedings challenging this assessment.

According to the records, the GRA then retained an external Senior Counsel and was steadfastly defending this challenge when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition assumed office.

Instead of continuing to defend Government’s case against DDL, the beverage company was granted a $3.8 billion tax write-off, having only to pay $1.5 billion.

Therefore, after about 15 years of litigation, with DDL having the use of several billion dollars of State funds, interest-free, the APNU/AFC Government settled for $1.5 billion.

Banks DIH, in December 2016, filed legal proceedings against the Attorney General and the GRA, claiming over $28 billion in repayments in light of the $3.8 billion tax write-off granted to its competitor, DDL. DIH paid some $12.8 billion in taxes over the period 2001 to 2006. But in light of the DDL tax write-off last year, the beverage giant calculated that it should have only paid some $3 billion.

The company argued that the Government would be “unjustly enriched” if it retained approximately $9 billion (the difference between the paid amount in taxes and the net figure Banks DIH estimated it should have paid).

In this regard, Banks DIH claims that it is entitled to some $9 billion, plus 10 per cent interest compounded over the period 2001 to 2006, resulting in a total of some $28 billion after taking into account the settlement figure payable

by DDL of $1.5 billion.

The GRA, in a statement on Wednesday, said it will respect the court’s jurisdiction by not litigating issues of law in the public domain.

news

7

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bandit shot dead during attemted robbery O

ne of two motorcycle bandits who attempted to rob a businessman on Friday afternoon, was shot dead in the vicinity of the Mc Doom Service Station, Greater Georgetown.

The dead man has been identified Gary Koster, 38, of Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara. The incident occurred at about 14:40h on the western carriage way along the East Bank Road, opposite the Shell Gas Station in Mc Doom.

According to reports

told that two men on a black and grey CG motorcycle, CH 2167, had trailed a 48-year-old businessman of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, and were about to attack him, but he pulled out his licenced .32 Taurus revolver and fired shots at the bandits.

One of the bullets struck Koster to his left side temple and the other to the back of his neck, killing him almost instantly, while his accomplice fled the scene on foot, heading South along the Mc Doom Public Road before disappearing. Eyewitnesses,

Dead: Gary Koster

reaching Guyana Times, the suspect was reportedly shot twice as the licenced firearm holder discharged at least five shots in the direction of the bandits.

This newspaper was

who asked to remain anonymous, related to this newspaper that the now dead bandit was fingered in several armed robberies in the area.

Meanwhile, the Police were summoned to the

back.

According to a Police release, one 9mm and three .32 spent shells were found at the scene by detectives. The truck was examined and a

The motorcycle which was used by the bandits to pounce on the businessman

scene and transported the dead man to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. ‘A’ Division Commander (Georgetown/ East Bank Demerara), Clifton Hicken, was at the scene and based on initial reports obtained by the Police, he told reporters there that the businessman, who owns a supermarket and bar in Annai, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), was about to conduct business at the Shell Gas Station.

On the other hand, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told this publication on Friday evening that further reports indicate that the businessman was in a canter truck, bearing registration number GTT 5907, that was being driven by another male,

when they stopped in front the gas station, on the western carriage way, to allow vehicles coming out of Rome Access Road, called “Fishery Road”, to cross over to the eastern side.

At this point, the Crime Chief related that two suspects rode up alongside the truck and the pillion rider got off of the motorcycle and approached the businessman. The suspect, later identified as Koster, reportedly reached for a gun and dealt the businessman a cuff to his face before discharging a round at the occupants in the vehicle.

In retaliation, the businessman whipped out his licenced weapon and opened fire at the suspects, hitting the 38-year-old man to the back of his neck and on his

bullet hole was seen on the left side windscreen.

Meanwhile, the motorcycle was impounded by the Police as they hunt for the second suspect.

Miner crushed to death by falling tree

A

miner was on Thursday crushed to death by a fallen tree in the Tassawini Barama Area, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini). The dead man has been identified as 25-year-old Noland Calvan of Grant Perseverance, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Reports are Calvan and others were clearing a plot of land with a water jet during which he drilled the trunk of a tree and within moments it came crashing down, pinning him in the process.

His colleagues went to his assistance and he was pulled from under the tree and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He reportedly sustained broken bones and severe head injuries.

The dead man’s cousin,

Wayne Calvan told Guyana Times that the now dead man worked with Chabhinauth Singh, also known as “Sanjay” of Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo, for quite some time.

He related that the incident occurred approximately three miles from the Tasaweni Landing and was sure it was the hit to the head that caused his cousin’s demise.

Further, he stated that the man was pinned for some time as the workers attempted to remove the tree which was about 15 inches in circumference. After he was pulled, his cousin was bleeding profusely through his nose and ears.

The dead man’s body is at the Suddie Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Nagamootoo drops out of AFC’s leadership race ...throws support behind Ramjattan’s “Third Term”

A

lliance For Change (AFC) Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo claims he is not interested in occupying any leadership position but noted that he will be happy to continue serving as a national Executive Member of the political party.

He also indicated support of incumbent AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan running for a third term, despite such an action being considered a breach in the party’s constitution.

In the same breath, Nagamootoo expressed desires of seeing younger AFC members taking up the leadership roles in the party.

According to the outgoing Vice Chairman, this is one of the main reasons why he will not be contesting for any senior positions within the AFC, despite having been nominated.

The AFC’s National Executive Conference (NEC) opens today at the Vreeden-Hoop Secondary School, where there is expected to be a major shakeup in the party’s leadership structure.

Nagamootoo’s withdrawal from the race leaves the door open for either Ramjattan or AFC co-Founder Raphael Trotman to grab the highest leadership position in the party.

It also gives Ramjattan, Trotman and Executive Member Catherine Hughes

Outgoing AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo

Incumbent AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Co-Founder Raphael Trotman

a wider chance of winning the position of AFC Chairman.

Minister image has weight so I withdrew myself and allow the meeting to take place

terpreted.

“Big boy”

Nagamootoo told media operatives on Friday that he wants to “come out of narrow partisan politics at the leadership level” but supporters want him to remain in the AFC top positions.

“I didn’t go to the meeting where my region made nominations… I sent channa and I sent snacks that they asked me to send, they asked me to help out, and my wife and I who are delegates of Region Four didn’t go. I don’t want to place myself in a position where one can say I was lobbying delegates. My mere self as Prime Minister, the Prime

Executive Member Catherine Hughes

“There was a misinterpretation of what I said which was I’d

tinue to give some guidance to the party. So that was interpreted to mean that Prime Minister was walking away from the party and then it had its own negative response that Prime Minister now is a ‘big boy and he ain got time for the party’… I don’t want that, that was never my intention. I want to continue to be like a guru and help to bring this party up,” he stated.

Constitution

without my presence,” he explained.

But he said his decline to contest for the top spots in the AFC was misin-

b e availa b l e to serve in the Executive Committee as an ordinary member for where I can con-

Nagamootoo also indicated that there is nothing irregular or inappropriate with the incumbent leader running for a third term, despite such a practice is advised against in the AFC’s constitution.

“My interpretation is it

is not mandatory. It says it ought to as far as possible and so if the party decides this is not the moment it ought to take place then a decision would be made and the leadership had already signalled its intention that it will not see this as mandatory and compulsory,” he stated.

He further explained that the word the AFC constitution requires a “creative and political interpretation”.

“I wouldn’t disagree with Mr Trotman, as a founder of the party. As much as possible isn’t a term that says it must happen. So there is again a lot of room for interpretation and I’m not going to shut out any interpretation. I don’t have a dogmatic approach to this issue,” he stated.

Trotman, who played a role in the design of the AFC constitution, had expressed that the leadership position should be rotated in keeping with the spirit of the party’s laws.

New blood

Despite supporting a third consecutive term for the incumbent leader, Nagamootoo said he wants the younger AFC members to take up senior positions within the party.

“I want to see fresh blood in the leadership, even if it’s incremental, one at a time,” he explained.

8 news

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

CJIA cocaine bust

Canadian teenager remanded Another…

T P he 19-year-old who was on Tuesday busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with a large quantity of cocaine, was on Friday remanded to prison after she appeared before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Anastasia La Rose of Canada denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her.

It is alleged that on January 25, 2017, at the CJIA, she had in her possession 4.178 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

In court on Friday,

Attorney Glenn Hanoman told the court that currently, his client suffers from a medical condition both physically and mentally, which makes her more persuasive and he petitioned for bail on those grounds.

However, bail was objected to by the prosecution, which told the court that the teen has no fixed local address and would prove to be a flight risk.

Bail was refused and La Rose is scheduled to make

her next Court appearance on February 13.

Reports are La Rose was arrested after the cocaine was noticed in her luggage when it was passing through the scanner at the airport.

According to reports, ranks of the narcotics branch stationed at the airport arrested the woman, who was on a flight headed to Toronto, Canada.

She was found with four parcels of what was suspected to be cocaine in her suitcase.

The parcels were confiscated and weighed, and amounted to 4178 grams, as such, she was arrested and taken into custody.

Pensioner jailed for 3 years

… found guilty for causing death by dangerous driving

A

three-year prison sentence was handed down to 58-year-old Andrew Arthur on Friday

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, for causing the death of a motorcyclist due to dangerous driving.

Arthur appeared before the Magistrate earlier this month and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on March 6, 2016, the elderly driver was speeding along the Houston Access Road, East Bank Demerara, when he collided with the motorcyclist.

The injured man was rushed to a city hospital where he was treated and discharged, but later collapsed and died.

The accused explained to

the court at the last hearing that on the day in question, he was on his way to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to pick up his family when the motorcycle collided with his vehicle. He was then arrested and later released on $40,000 bail.

Sometime thereafter, he was asked to report to the Ruimveldt Police Station where he was informed of the motorcyclist’s death.

The Magistrate stated that the court is satisfied to the extent, based on the testimony of the eyewitness and the prosecution’s evidence, the manner in which the accused drove fell way below that of a competent driver. Additionally, the post-mortem results re-

Andrew Arthur

vealed that the victim’s death was a direct result of the injuries and a novus actus interveniens (a new intervening act which breaks the causal link) case could not be established.

The court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Arthur was responsible for the death of the cyclist and the Chief Magistrate found him guilty.

Taxi driver on $800,000 bail for causing death by dangerous driving

A

taxi driver who resides in Kitty, Georgetown, was on Friday released on $800,000 bail when he appeared before

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at Georgetown Magistrates' Courts to answer to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

It is alleged that Noel Defreitas, on January 24, 2017, was driving at a fast rate, dangerous to the public, along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, and subsequently collided with pedestrian Maurice Nurse.

Nurse later succumbed to his injuries. The accused denied the charge.

According to the prosecution’s case, Nurse was walking along the public road when he was struck by the speeding driver.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence and the fact that a life was lost as a result of the accused’s negligent actions.

Defence Attorney

Patrice Henry stated that his client is a 54-yearold father of two who has diabetes. He requested bail for his client on the grounds that Defrietas is not a flight risk and had cooperated with the Police investigation from the inception. The Attorney further requested a post-mortem of the deceased to determine whether the accused’s action was the sole cause of Nurse’s demise.

Despite the prosecution’s objection, bail was granted and Defreitas’ driver’s licence was suspended until the conclusion of the trial. The matter will continue on February 13 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

…two bites the dust ressie’s firing of retired Justice Cecil Kennard as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) seems to be one more move in his inexorable drive for total control over the State - especially in Law and Order. There’s no question the Chair of the PCA’s appointed by the President but there’s no limit on the incumbent’s tenure. In this case, like with the Justices of the US Supreme Court, he can remain in office until he dies - or choses to retire.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan told the Press Pressie had given Kennard the boot. The reason given was his “age” - he’s nearing 80 - same as Clive Thomas!! They couldn’t get Kennard on the basis of the criteria stipulated in the Statute - he must be a Judge.

This man was a CJ for a decade!! Maybe he can even be the Chair of GECOM!! Now if this firing isn’t a clear case of discrimination on the basis of age, what is? While not a sexy as discrimination on the basis of race, ageism is just as illegal. And we expect Kennard to draw a line in the sand on this one.

This is a perfect case to illustrate discrimination on the basis of ageism. Fact of the matter grounds fordismissal must be related to job performance and even Ramjattan praised Justice Kennard’s job performance. There’s no backlog to speak of in the PCA with over 800 complaints investigated last year! And the chairman travelling regularly to the regions to hear complaints.

He recently requested and received more investigators and announced that he;d be decentralising the office this year. What more do they want from the man? He’s shown no signs of slowing down - just like the Justices of the US Supreme Court. As Pressie has so comprehensively summarised the qualities a Judge brings to his office, Justice Kennard has always shown “intelligence, impartiality and integrity” in the PCA. What more does he want?

But Justice Kennard wasn’t the only ex-judge facing the axe - the Chronic announced Justice Prem Persaud, the indefatigable Chair of the Public Utilities Commission, has also been given the boot. Ageism strikes again!! Even more than Justice Kennard, Justice Persaud’s exploits were highlighted in the press - since invariably he did what he was supposed to do - stand up to the Goliath Utilities so that justice was done for the long-suffering Guyanese public.

It’s clear exemplary job performance doesn’t guarantee job security in Guyana key institutions.

But a thought just struck your Eyewitness - the three justices on the firing line are all Indian Guyanese. Just coincidence? …humiliation for Ramjattan No, your Eyewitness isn’t talking about Nagamootoo - who Ramjattan wooed to bring into the AFC and even stepped aside as its Presidential candidate - and who’s now gunning for his job. Ingratitude’s a badge of honour in politics! It’s the double humiliation the Chronic reported that when Ramjattan played messenger boy on the firing of Justice Kennard from the PCA, they insisted the latter department was in his portfolio!

Now if this is so - did he recommend the firing of the Chairman? If he was so au fait with the work of the Chairman and the PCA to be so effusive in his praise, was he even asked? Or has he so accepted his role as a rubber stamp, he rolled over and played dead? Imagine the new British Security Advisor won’t be working with him on the $17B Reform project of the security sector but will be over at Ministry of the Presidency!

There’s the adaptation of the old homily - first they took away his authority over immigration…then…(you know the rest!) …betrayal of their constituency Trotman, disengenously claims there’s nothing Govt can do about City Hall’s venality on the parking scam.

What about insisting before signing the bylaws, they can only enter into contracts (Art 230) AFTER open bidding Art 231 (1)!

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

guyanatimesgy.com | saturday, January 28, 2017

What’s Inside:

PAGE 10

PAGE 11

PAGE 15

10

GREETINGS

Intelligence, Courage, Kindness & Integrity

O

n the occasion of the 2017 Lunar New Year, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Guyana, I’d like to extend my sincere greetings and best wishes to Chinese nationals and overseas Chinese living in Guyana and to the people of Guyana. The year 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. In our tradition, the rooster symbolises intelligence, courage, kindness and integrity. I wish you a happy Lunar New Year, happy family life, booming business and all the best in the year of the Rooster!

The year 2016 has been a significant year for the continuous development of the China-Guyana relationship with frequent high-level visits, a productive year for cooperation on the economy, trade, health and many other areas and also a fruitful year for the educational and cultural exchanges between China and Guyana.

These fully testify that deepening mutual understanding and promoting the China-Guyana friendship have become our common wishes.

Just weeks ago, HE President David Granger designated January 12th as Chinese Arrival Day, recognising significant contributions Chinese have made to the growth and development of Guyana. I wish to express my appreciation for this designation Chinese Ambassador to Guyana which acknowledges the long-lasting friendship and mutually-benCui Jianchun eficial cooperation between our two peoples.

As we look forward, China and Guyana will commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2017, and it will be a milestone in the bilateral relationship between our two countries. Forty-five years may be a brief moment in human history, but they mark a significant development of our relations. Over the past 45 years, the two countries have been achieving new accomplishments continuously with concerted efforts. This could not have been possible without the support and hard work from our two governments and peoples. We will take this opportunity to organise a series of activities to celebrate this significant moment, in the hope of further enhancing our bilateral relations.

In the coming New Year, in the spirit of mutual respect and common development, China will continuously strengthen the different levels of exchanges with Guyana, actively develop economic and commercial cooperation, consistently promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and work hard to explore cooperation in new frontiers. The Chinese Embassy in Guyana will remain relentless in its efforts to push forward the bilateral exchange and cooperation between the two countries. It is my firm belief that with the joint efforts of the governments and peoples of China and Guyana, the bilateral relationship will be further consolidated and developed.

Happy Lunar New Year!

C

hinese across the world are celebrating the commencement of the Chinese New Year of the Fire Rooster, which commences today and concludes on February 15, 2018.

This is an auspicious time, which revolves around reunion, harmony and ensuring good luck for the coming year. Some may wonder what significance the Chinese New Year has in Guyana.

The Chinese population in Guyana, though small in comparison to other ethnic groups, is no less important. On January 12, we celebrated 164 years since the arrival of Chinese in Guyana, and I used the opportunity to stress the invaluable contributions made by the Chinese in Guyana over this period.

Our Chinese brothers and sisters have become fully integrated into the Guyanese Society, and have brought with them their rich culture. The occasion of the Chinese New Year is an opportune for all Guyanese to participate in the celebration of that culture.

It is a time when the rich culture of the Chinese is showcased through dance, food, traditional practices and so much more. While it is important to preserve the Chinese culture, it is equally important that we ensure that Chinese have the same Social Cohesion Minister, opportunities for upward mobility as other ethnic groups.

Dr George Norton The Chinese New Year celebration is deeply rooted in the value of family, with Chinese families gathering for a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve at each other’s homes, and cleaning their houses to sweep away bad fortune on New Year’s Day. Forging and reinforcing strong families is a major part of the progressive process of Social Cohesion.

As such, I wish to take this opportunity to urge all Guyanese to emulate such strong family values as embraced by our Chinese brothers and sisters.

This is the year of the Fire Rooster, which is described as trustworthy, responsible, hardworking, resourceful, courageous, and talented. These are admirable attributes we should all emulate as a people.

I take this opportunity to wish all of our Chinese brothers and sisters a lucky and prosperous coming year in which they are able to fulfil all of their dreams.

Let us continue to work toward a Socially Cohesive society where diversities are embraced, conflicts resolved, networks and collaboration with stakeholders strengthened, equity promoted and decision making processes result in equal opportunities and benefits to all.

Zhōngguó xīnnián kuàilè - Happy Chinese New Year!

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

11

Spring Festival Legend

Spring Festival, also called “GuoNian”, is on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar. In ancient China, a monster named “Nian” lived in the forest, but once every year, he came out and attacked people at night. It is said the monster was afraid of the colour red, fire and explosions. Therefore, people began to set off firecrackers and hang up red lanterns to scare the monster away.

Various Traditions and Customs

W

Typical Spring Festival Food

Animals and Celebrating Spring. Now the tradition of pasting New Year paintings is still kept in rural China, while it is seldom followed in cities.

Red Lanterns

Spring Roll

It was first eaten on the fourth day of February in Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). Fresh vegetables or ingredients in spring time are wrapped inside and people eat it to welcome a new spring. Now it has also become a dessert in some places in the reunion dinner, which contain people’s wish to welcome a new start.

Glutinous Rice Cake

Glutinous New Year Cake was originally used to worship the gods and ancestors during this festival. In the south of China, it is customary to make and eat it during the happy event. The Chinese pronunciation of the Cake (Niangao) has a homophonous meaning of ‘increasingly prosperous year after year’, which gives people new hope. The cake is made of glutinous rice powder and can be cooked by frying, steaming, stir-frying or boiling.

Su Cuisine- Steamed xiaolongbao served in a traditional steaming basket

Dumpling

Hot Pot

Hot pot is a necessary dish in some places in China.

Eating hot pot makes people feel warm and the atmosphere is very kind. The red colour indicates that the following year would be booming.

The Chinese dumpling now enjoys worldwide popularity.

Its history can be traced back to South and North Dynasty (420 –589). It was very popular to eat dumplings during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) in North China. Dumplings are often eaten at midnight. This kind of tradition has a meaning of changing of years, because “jiao” has the meaning of changing. There are two other reasons to eat dumplings: the dumpling’s shape resembles the Chinese tael, which hopes to bring in wealth and treasures in the new year. The second reason is that the dumplings have stuffing, in which people often put auspicious materials. In some places, people even put a clean coin into the dumplings, because they think the one who eats the coin will become wealthier.

Traditional Decorative Arts Spring Festival Couplets

Chinese red lanterns have a long history, and they have become a well-known symbol of China Towns worldwide.

The most common Chinese lanterns are red, oval shape, and decorated with red or golden tassels. The earliest Chinese lanterns were created for practical use in the house as entrance-way lighting, but they eventually became highly ornamental especially at grand celebrations. Red lanterns during Spring Festival are hung everywhere, along the street and at home, to bring a happy and harmonious atmosphere.

Celebration Activities

Fish

Paper-cut for window decoration

“T

he Spring Couplet” is a special form of literature in China. It is composed of two antithetical sentences on both sides of the door and a horizontal scroll bearing an inscription, usually an auspicious phrase, above the gate. The sentence pasting on the right side of the door is called the first line of the couplet and the one on the left the second line. On the eve of the Spring Festival, every household will paste on doors a spring couplet written on red paper to give a happy and prosperous atmosphere to the festival. In the past, the Chinese usually wrote their own spring couplet with a brush, while nowadays it is common for people to buy the printed spring couplet in the market.

Sweeping the Dust ust” is homophonic with “chen”(尘) in Chinese, which means old and past. In this way, “sweeping the dust” before the Spring Festival means a thorough cleaning of houses to sweep away bad luck in the past year. This custom shows a good wish of putting away old things to welcome a new life.

“D

Staying up the whole night on New Year’s Eve

Paper-cuts and the Character “Fu”

New Year Reunion Dinner

The New Year reunion dinner is very large and sumptuous and includes meat and fish, as well as all kinds of vegetables. Fish, of course, is the essential food. Sweet food is also necessary in the wishing of a luscious life in the new year. The number of dishes is also important. The number is always six, eight, ten or twelve, which means smooth, getting prosperous and perfect. Now more and more people choose to have the reunion dinner in restaurants instead of cooking it themselves.

Rice Dumpling

Since the Song Dynasty (960–1279), people have had

Paper-cuts, usually with auspicious patterns, create the happy and prosperous atmosphere of the Festival and express the good wishes of Chinese people looking forward to a good life. In addition to pasting paper-cuts on windows, it is common for Chinese to paste the character “fu(福)”, on walls, doors and doorposts around the houses. “Fu” shows people’s yearning towards a good life. Some people even invert the character “fu” to signify that blessings have arrived because “inverted” is a homonym for “arrive” in Chinese. Now many kinds of paper-cuts and “fu” characters can be seen in the market before the Festival.

New Year Prints

The custom of pasting New Year Prints originated from the tradition of placing Door Gods on the external doors of houses. With the creation of board carvings, New Year paintings cover a wide range of subjects. The most famous ones are Door Gods, Surplus Year after Year, Three Gods of Blessing, An Abundant Harvest of Crops, Thriving Domestic

Guessing riddles written on lanterns is China's traditional custom for the Lantern Festival

The tradition of staying up late to welcome the New Year originated from an interesting folk tale. In ancient China, there lived a monster named Year, who was very ferocious.

Year always went out from its burrow on New Year’s Eve to devour people. Therefore, on every New Year’s Eve, every household would have supper together. After dinner, no one dared to go to sleep and all the family members would sit together, chatting and emboldening each other. Gradually the habit of staying up late on New Year’s Eve was formed.

Thus in China, “celebrating the Spring Festival” is also called “passing over the year (guo nian)”. turn to page 12

guyanatimesgy.com | saturday, January 28, 2017

TRADITIONS

Fish is an indispensable dish at the reunion dinner, because Chinese people give it many kinds of meanings. Fish has its Chinese pronunciation as ‘Yu’, which means having more than just a basic need each year. In southern China, some people just eat the middle part of the fish on the New Year’s Eve, leaving the head and tail for the next day to symbolise completeness. In China, there is a blessing speech “Nian Nian You Yu”, which means “May you have surpluses and bountiful harvests every year”.

The lantern of the god of wealth

Intelligence, Courage, Kindness & Integrity

hen we mention Chinese Spring Festival Food, dumplings, fish and a reunion dinner may come to mind; however, these are not the only foods associated with New Year. Every dish has its symbolism deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Different kinds of food have different meanings, which express people’s good wishes for a new year.

the custom of eating rice dumplings (Yuanxiao) during the Lantern Festival. Now Yuanxiao are eaten on the morning of the first day of Chinese Spring Festival in the southern part.

But for most places, it is eaten during the Lantern Festival (January 15 of the first lunar month), because the round shape is the symbol of family reunion.

12

CHINESE ZODIAC

Intelligence, Courage, Kindness & Integrity

2

017 is the Year of the Rooster according to Chinese zodiac. Chinese zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao, Sheng in Chinese is “birth”, and Xiao means “resemblance”. The Year of Rooster starts from January 28, 2017 (Lunar New Year) and lasts to Feb. 15, 2018.

To understand Sheng Xiao in Chinese culture, the first thing we need to know is the method that was used in ancient China to chronicle years by Stems and Branches in the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar system, which was already perfect over 3000 years ago during Xia Dynasty, is based on a unique combination of astronomy and geography through observing and exploring the movement of the moon.

Ancient Chinese people observed that there are 12 full moons within one year, so they invented a measurement by two sets of signs in a certain sequence–Heavenly

Stems and Earthly Branches. There are 10 Heavenly Stems, namely Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui. There are 12 Earthly Branches, which are Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai. Combining one Heavenly Stem with one Earthly Branch in succession will give JiaZi, Yi Chou, Bing Yin… and so on until to the sixtieth, GuiHai, to make up a circle of 60 years, which is generally known as “Sixty JiaZi”.

The traditional Chinese philosophy believes that the relations between heaven and human beings should conform to each other and all lives in the nature are

thought to be naturally associated. Hence, 12 animals that are close to human life are cited to match 12 Earthly Branches, which are the origin of 12 zodiac.

These 12 zodiac signs are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.The selection and sequence of the 12 animals are based upon each animal’s character and living habits. When counting years, people use one Earthly Branch to match one fixed zodiac animal,such as, Zi is rat, and Chou is ox…

When calculating years, for example, a year with Earthly Branch “You”, such as “Yi You”, “Ding You” and so on, will be

called the rooster years, and those born in the rooster years will belong to the rooster. Later, persons who are born in years of certain animals are thought to have similar characters with that animal. For example, those born in rooster years will resemble roosters.

Although China has adopted the Gregorian calendar in common with most other countries in the world for official and business purposes, the lunar calendar continues to define the dates of traditional festivals and is used for horoscopes.

The Chinese zodiac signs are also used in cultures other than Chinese. They usually appear on Korean New Year and Japanese New Year’s cards and stamps.

The United States Postal Service and those of several other countries issue a “Year of the” postage stamp each year to honour Chinese heritage.

How to Calculate Your Animal Sign Mathematically?

A person’s animal sign is determined by their birth year. Divide your year of birth by 12 and read about the remainder. Each remainder corresponds to an animal sign.

0: Monkey 1: Rooster 2: Dog 3: Pig For example, if you were born in 1983 4: Rat 5: Ox 6: Tiger 7: Rabbit 1983/12=165.25- the remainder is 3 (.25 rounded) 3 corresponds to Pig, so your sign is the Pig 10: Horse 11: Sheep 8: Dragon 9: Snake

Zodiac Year of Birth, Is It an Unlucky Year?

O

ne’s zodiac year of birth, also called Ben Ming Nian in Chinese, refers to years sharing the same Chinese zodiac sign with one’s birth year. In other words, when people are at the ages of 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and even 84, they are actually experiencing their zodiac year of birth. One person may go through seven to eight zodiac years in a lifetime.

In folklore, it is a very popular superstition that people’s zodiac year of birth is unlucky. Generally speaking, there are just more and greater changes in the birth year than in other years, and people are likely to suffer misfortune and adversity such as disease, financial loss, extramarital affairs and disputes with others.

However, Ben Ming Nian is not always ominous, for people are also offered challenges and opportunities. If they can take advantage of them, they will make great accomplishments.

A change to one’s fate to ensure the predomination of good fortune requires both effort and a firm belief.

from page 11

Setting off firecrackers

The firecracker is a unique product in China. In ancient China, the sound of burning bamboo tubes was used to scare away wild animals and evil spirits. With the invention of gunpowder, the “firecracker” is used to foster a joyful atmosphere. The first thing every Chinese household does is to set off firecrackers and fireworks, which are meant to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new.

Paying New Year Calls and Giving Red Packet

On the first day of the Chinese lunar year, everybody puts on their best clothes and pays ceremonial calls on their relatives and friends, wishing them all the luck in the coming year.

Juniors will greet seniors, wishing them health and longevity, while seniors will give juniors red packet as lucky money. When friends meet, they will wish each other happiness and prosperity with a big smile.

Temple Fair

Temple fairs, usually held outside temples, are a kind of folk custom in China. During the Spring Festival, temple fairs are one of the most important activities, in which there are such performances as acrobatics and Wushu, numerous kinds of local snacks and many kinds of things for everyday life. In recent years, the temple fair has become a place for people to appreciate traditional art and experience traditional life.

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

The Fujian Hakka people hold the grand dragon parade for celebrating the Spring Festival

13

Legend has it that the process of decocting herbs was invented by Yi Yin, a renowned Prime Minister

guyanatimesgy.com | saturday, January 28, 2017

MEDICINE

acknowledged that traditional Chinese medicine has many criti c s .

Their criticisms, she said, must also be addressed if traditional Chinese medicine is to perform a legitimate role as an integrated part of a health system. Some critics dismiss the entirety of this ancient art as nothing but pseudoscience, or "snake oil" medicine. They argue that the differences between East and West can never be reconciled. To this end, she pointed to the need for regulation.

Evidence is mounting that diet, exercise, no tobacco, limited alcohol, and stress reduction can do a better job of preventing or delaying the onset of heart disease than most drugs and surgical procedures. Here, traditional Chinese medicine excels. It pioneered interventions like healthy and balanced diets, exercise, herbal remedies, and ways to reduce everyday stress.

She suggested that countries, like Singapore, aiming to integrate the best from traditional and modern medicine, would do well to look not only at the many differences between traditional and modern medicine. Instead, they should look at those areas where both converge to help tackle the unique health challenges of the 21st century. The fact that the 11th revision of the International Classification o f Diseases, which is overseen by WHO, contains a chapter on traditional medicine is significant.

The chapter sets out diagnostic categories based on traditional medicine conditions which originated in ancient China and are now commonly used in China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore.

Particular attention is being given to testing of the chapter in integrated healthcare settings in target countries where both traditional and Western medicine are practiced. This innovation, she stressed, also bodes well for the modernisation of traditional Chinese medicine as a contribution to universal health coverage that can be sustained, despite rising healthcare costs.

Intelligence, Courage, Kindness & Integrity

T

he evolution of traditional Chinese medicine closely followed the development of Chinese society, economy, science and culture. Traditional Chinese medicine developed over a long period, starting more than 5000 years ago, during the Neolithic Age. The use of traditional medicine has been instrumental in enabling the Chinese to combat disease, promote health and achieve prosperity for many millennia.

One important aspect was the use of herbal decoctions, which are a type of traditional Chinese remedy made by boiling various substances, primarily herbs, in water to extract the medicinal properties. Legend has it that the process of decocting herbs was invented by Yi Yin, a renowned Prime Minister said to have lived during the King Tang reign of the Shang Dynasty (c.16th Century BC). He was said to be an excellent chef who also had a deep understanding of medicine. It is said that Yi Yin invented the first medicinal decoctions by simmering together several culinary flavourings such as cinnamon, ginger, licorice, jujube and peony. Although the story of Yi Yin is just a legend, the invention of herbal decoctions was an historical inevitability. Herbal decoctions represent the merging of medical and technological progress, and the emergence of the practice greatly accelerated the development of traditional Chinese medicine. There are many other aspects to traditiona l Chinese medicine. Commonly used herbs include ginseng, ginkg o , mushrooms, cinnamon, ginger, and licorice. In her keynote address at the International Conference on the Modernisation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, held last year in Singapore, the Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Margaret Chan outlined that every country in the world, including advanced nations, needs to be concerned about the sustainability of its health services; however, even the richest countries in the world cannot afford new treatments for common conditions like cancer and hepatitis C that cost from US$50,000 to US$150,000 per patient per year, a trend that is the opposite of sustainable development.

Faced with this dilemma, and most especially the costs of treating lifestyle-related chronic diseases, Dr Chan said that many experts see a need to shift the model for health service delivery away from a strictly biomedical model, focused on individual diseases, towards a more holistic approach. This is an approach that stresses prevention as well as cure, offers integrated services that address the multiple determinants of health, and asks people to take more responsibility for their own health. One of the recommended ways to reduce the burden on health services i s through the use of traditional Chinese medicine.

The forum, she opined, presented the perfect opportunity to give traditional medicine an evidence-based place within a healthcare system where mainstream modern medicine dominates. Participants were able to examine China’s experiences in clinics and hospitals, where traditional and modern medicine offer integrated services, in health services and policy research, and the use of biomedical knowledge to modernise traditional Chinese medicine.

The WHO Director General, however,

14

C

hinese people are believed to have enjoyed tea drinking for more than 4000 years.

Legend has it that Yan Di, one of the three rulers in ancient times, tasted all kinds of herbs to find medical cures. One day, as he was being poisoned by some herb he had ingested, a drop of water from a tea tree dripped into his mouth and he was saved. For a long time, tea was used as herbal medicine. Nowadays, the drinking of tea has coloured Chinese people’s daily life, and given rise to the institution of tea houses which are approximate equivalents of Western cafes for the common people.

Tea drinking is a leisurely lifestyle and mind-

CUSTOMS & RELATIONS

Intelligence, Courage, Kindness & Integrity

Landscape for tea plants in Yunnan by Wang Mu

How to Select Tea The selection of tea is an art in itself.There are four basic steps: Observe. Good or fresh tea has a green luster in a tight shape, but poor tea is loose and dull. The leaves should be dry enough to make a rustling noise in the palm.

Smell. The fragrance should be pure without a charred taste or acid smell. Good tea, especially fresh tea, has a natural aroma like orchids or jasmine while poor tea smells stale.

Taste. You can taste the leaves by chewing them careful-

ly. Good tea leaves have a fresh mellowness. You can also infuse some to see if the leaves extend smoothly and sink slowly to the bottom.

Good tea liquor is emerald green or golden.

It has a tint of bitterness with a lasting sweet aftertaste. Stale liquor is malodorous and dark brown.

See the infused tea leaves.

The infused leaves should be even without impurity.

Steps of the Chinese Tea Ceremony The tea ceremony may seem complicated after seeing that so many tools are required and sometimes some optional ones are also used. The traditional tea ceremony isn’t at all complicated and the steps to complete it are actually logical and simple. A nicely organised tea ceremony has a duration of 20 to 25 minutes.

1.Warm the teapot and heat the cups. To easily achieve this, the performer of the ceremony needs to heat the water in a kettle and then place the teapot in the hot water together with the cups. After a few minutes ,the tea pot and the cups must be removed from the warm water.

2. Appreciate the tea. During this step, the tea is passed around for participants to examine and admire its appearance, aroma and quality.

C

3. The actual preparing of the tea. The amount of tea and water will vary depending on the type of tea, its quality, and the size of the teapot but generally one teaspoon of tea leaves for every three quarters of a cup of water will suffice.

4. Pour hot water into the teapot until it overflows. After pouring the water,the performer scoops away bubbles and tea leaves and put the lid on the teapot.

5. Pour and drain the water from teapot into serving cups. The performer begins placing the tea cups upside down on top of the snifter cups, a ritual act said to bring prosperity and happiness. After which the performer grabs the cups and flips them so the snifter is inverted into the tea cup while removing the snifter to release the

hina and Guyana will commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relationship this year, which is considered a milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. During this period, the two countries have fostered strengthened cooperation and have achieved new accomplishments.

China is the second largest trading partner of Latin America and the Caribbean, which is also a major destination for outbound Chinese investment, second only to Asia. China’s direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean has exceeded US$150 billion.

According to a draft Policy paper by the Chinese Government, China sees itself as bringing development opportunities to the rest of the world.

It is estimated that in the next five years, China will import US$8 trillion of goods, invest US$750 billion overseas, and Chinese tourists will make 700 million outbound visits. All this will present an even bigger market, more capital, a greater variety of products and more valuable cooperation opportunities to countries around the world, including Guyana.

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Tea Sets Chinese people attach great importance to what kind of tea set they use. They believe that the tea set affects the flavour and experience of the tea, and different materials have their unique usages.

A good tea set makes a good collector’s item, because it embodies the beauty of ancient Chinese sculptures, paintings and colours. At the same time, it’s an ideal carrier of culture. In terms of the material, tea sets can be divided into seven types: Pottery Tea Sets – The Best Tools for Brewing Tea; Porcelain Tea Sets – the Most Widely Used Tea Sets; Lacquer Tea Sets – the Most Artistic Tea Sets; Glass Tea Sets – the Best Way to Enjoy Brewing Tea; Metal Tea Sets – In Fashion 2000

While enjoying deep diplomatic relations, China and Guyana hold similar views and have consistently echoed and supported each other’s positions, be it on key international issues such as UN reform, climate change, sustainable development, regional integration and cooperation between China and the Caribbean.

Guyana is the largest Caribbean country and one of the only two Caricom countries located on the South American continent. To the south of Guyana is Brazil, the largest economy in South America, also a member of BRICS countries. To the north is the whole Caribbean Basin toward the North American continent.

So geographically and culturally, Guyana plays a strategic role in bridging South America with the Caribbean and further north. This unique advantage, now becoming even more valuable due to the rising trade protectionism, can take off in service of Guyana’s economic development goal. The countries share in the benefits of the tremendous volume of goods, people and services which flow between South America and the Caribbean,

set. It’s great fun to get together drinking tea and appreciating tea sets. Tea is compared to personal character in China. Its fragrance is not aggressive; it is pleasant, low-key and lasting. A friendship between gentlemen is also like a cup of tea.

Tea tasting has its cultural meaning. Tea and tea wares should match surrounding elements such as breeze, bright moon, pines, bamboo, plums and snow. With a cup of tea in hand, enjoying the green leaves in a white porcelain cup, you will feel peace.

Fame, wealth and other earthly concerns are far away. It is the symbol of elegance. All these show the ultimate goal of Chinese culture: the harmonious unity of human beings with nature.

Celadon porcelain

Years Ago; Enamel Tea Sets – the Most Durable Tea Sets and Wood and Bamboo Tea Sets – the Cheapest Tea Sets.

tea into the tea cups. The tea isn’t drunk, but poured into the bowl.

6. The actual brewing of the tea. Usually for the oolong tea which in general is used for this kind of ceremony,the brewing time starts from 20 to 50 seconds. Then the tea is poured into serving cups.

7. The actual tea drinking. Tea drinkers cradle the cup with both hands and enjoy the tea’s aroma before taking a sip. The cup should be drunk in three sips. The first sip needs to be a small sip, the second sip is the largest, main sip, and the third sip is meant to enjoy the aftertaste and empty the cup. After everyone has finished the first round of tea, a number of subsequent rounds of tea can be made, among which the second brewing yields the most delicious taste.

via Guyana, only when certain infrastructure bottlenecks of land and sea transportation can be overcome, namely, when the highway and deepwater harbour projects are initiated. In pursuing connectivity of this magnitude, supporting industries like energy and telecommunication also need to be expanded and upgraded.

Over the years, Guyana has seen tangible benefits in a number of areas, particularly health, infrastructure and information technology. The most recent projects include the Smart Guyana Project by Huawei Technologies and a multimilliondollar contract with China’s Exim Bank for the construction of roads in West Demerara.

Right after Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his state visits to Ecuador, Peru and Chile in 2015, the Chinese government issued its second Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Policy Paper aims at summarising the development experience and elaborating on new ideas, proposals and initiatives in guiding China’s cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean in various areas for the future.

Chinese Contributions Literature - Trevelyan A Sue-A-Quan T

Trevelyan A Sue-A-Quan and his family (Photo from RootsWeb - Ancestry.com)

Senior Research Engineer at the Coal Science Research Center. He spent five years there and in 1984 returned to Canada with his wife and son, both acquired in Beijing. They now make their home in Vancouver.

The interest in Trev's family history came from a curiosity about the circumstances that caused his great-grandfather to leave his native land. Almost 20 years after obtaining a copy of his ancestor's contract of indenture, Trev has applied his training in analytical research to compile a comprehensive account of the experiences of the first Chinese immigrants in Guyana.

Cane Reapers is the story of the Chinese who were procured to replace the emancipated

slaves on the sugar plantations of Guyana (then British Guiana).

Following China's defeat by Britain in the Opium Wars in the 1840s, the European powers, Spain in particular, began a recruitment drive to obtain Chinese labourers for their colonies. This was executed using all manner of methods ranging from subtle inducement to kidnapping. Numerous abuses arose from this trade in human cargo and Britain later set up local emigration depots aimed at enlisting willing emigrants, with some degree of success. Between 1853 and 1879, a total of 13,541 indentured labourers arrived in British Guiana from China, but by 1900 the resident Chinese population was down to 3000 mainly because only 15 per cent of the Chinese immigrants were females. The Chinese endured many tribulations both in the journey and after arrival in the new land. In the process of assimilation into Western culture, some

Other Guyanese authors include Meiling Jin, who wrote The Song of the Boatwoman and Other Stories, and established novelist Janice Lowe Shinebourne of Chinese and Indian extraction who wrote the novel Chinese Women.

Entertainment

V

ivian Lee was a wellknown Guyanese entrepreneur in the world of entertainment, advertising, and broadcasting, who passed away on August 16, 2012 in Richmond, BC. He was the son of Lee Yew, an immigrant from Canton, China and the former Adelaide DeFreitas.

As a creative entrepreneur, Lee was involved in television, promoting stage shows, advertisement, songwriting and radio

Excerpts from an interview with Vivian Lee published on othersounds. com

Trev Sue-A-Quan is the author of Cane Reapers, Cane Ripples and Cane Rovers

Politics A

rthur Chung (January 10, 1918-June 23, 2008) was the first President of Guyana from 1970 to 1980.

He was the first ethnic Chinese (Hakka) Head of State in a nonAsian country. He was awarded Guyana's highest national award, the Order of Excellence.

Chung was born at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara.

He was educated at Windsor Forest, Blankenburg and Modern High Schools. Before civic service, Chung was an apprentice surveyor and sworn land surveyor. In the early 1940s, Chung entered the Middle Temple of London, England and qualified as a barrister in 1947.

President Arthur Chung

He returned to Guyana and was later appointed an acting magistrate. In 1954, he became a magistrate and in 1960, a senior magistrate. He also served as Registrar of Deeds and of the Supreme Court. He then became a puisne judge and finally

an Appeal Court Judge in 1963.

When Guyana became a republic under the leadership of Forbes Burnham in 1970, the National Assembly elected Chung as the country's first President.

He held the position of President from March 17, 1970 to October 6, 1980 when a constitutional revision transformed the presidency into an executive position and Burnham succeeded Chung as President.

Chung was married in 1954 to Doreen Pamela Ng-SeeQuan, with whom he had one daughter and one son.

Excerpt from the Guyana Graphic online

Visit of HE President Arthur Chung – Guyana’s first President to the People’s Republic of China.

During the visit, he met with former President Hua Guofeng and Vice Premier Li Xiannian

guyanatimesgy.com | saturday, January 28, 2017

CONTRIBUTIONS

Guyanese entrepreneur Vivian Lee

as early as the late 1940s. He owned a record shop and ran the Ace Records label based in the capital of Georgetown. Lee was also a master on the soccer field and played for the Guyanese National Team.

Even though Lee, born in 1919, wasn’t the first Guyanese in the record business, he left his mark on many parts of national culture.

Singer Johnny Braff, who also had some success away from home, was the main artist at Ace Records. In 1966, Guyana obtained independence from Britain and as any experienced producer would do, Lee released a Johnny Braff album with the celebratory songs. Ace Records released around 50 titles spread out between 78’s, 45’s and albums.

Lee was also behind one of the first Guyanese movies entitled “If Wishes Were Horses”, featuring comedian Habeeb Khan. Both GEMS and Ace Records managed to record original material by legendary calypso artistes Lord Melody and Mighty Sparrow.

unique names have evolved for Chinese families, creating both a mystery and a topic of fascination for their descendants and for genealogists.

Cane Ripples is an integrated work that expresses the joy and pains experienced by a vital sector of Guyanese society during the 20th century. . . It uses oral histories, personal recollections, photographs, and archival materials to illuminate an important aspect of Guyana’s complex history. . . We can see the names and the faces that influenced Guyana’s social, economic, political, cultural, and scientific life. Contributors take us into their homes, share family histories, and tell us about the creation of some of Guyana’s most successful institutions and enterprises . . . Dr. Trev Sue-A-Quan must be congratulated for a most valuable and accessible contribution.

Cane Rovers is the third book in the series describing the experiences of the Chinese associated with Guyana. It is a collection of stories describing the experiences of the Chinese-Guyana as migrants to other countries.

Intelligence, Courage, Kindness & Integrity

revelyan A Sue-AQuan was born in November 1943 in Georgetown, Guyana.

He is the great-grandson of an indentured labourer who had embarked with his wife and son aboard the ship Corona at Canton. They arrived at Georgetown in February 1874 after 78 days at sea. The family was assigned to La Grange sugar cane plantation on the West Bank of the Demerara River. Many of the Chinese immigrants and their second generation descendants became shopkeepers, including Soo Sam-kuan, the author's grandfather. In the process of cultural assimilation his name became transformed into Henry Sue-A-Quan, thus initiating the distinctive family surname.

Trev Sue-A-Quan's generation was the one that typified the transition from shopkeeping to professions based on higher education. His brother and sister both graduated from Edinburgh, Scotland and became chief surgeon and mathematician/ computer specialist, respectively. Trev attended Queen's College in Georgetown and attained BSc and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, England. He immigrated to Canada in 1969, but then pursued a career opportunity with a major oil company in Chicago, where he was engaged in research in petroleum processing and fossil fuel utilisation. Eight years later, Trev headed East – to Beijing, China, becoming

15

16

Chinese Contributions

- Sports

from page 15

PARTNERSHIPS

Intelligence, Courage, Kindness & Integrity

T

he name Jonathan Foo will not be unknown to many as he would have been the talk of the Region seven years ago, as he helped Guyana snatch victory in the nail-biting final of the inaugural Caribbean T20 against Barbados, hitting a 17-ball 42 under immense pressure.

But other than his cricketing exploits, there is much more to Foo, as he is one of the rare breed of West Indies cricketers with Chinese heritage.

Born to Derrick and Marry Foo on September 11, 1990, with his father being of Chinese descent, and his mother East Indian, Foo is one of three children.

The former JC Chandisingh Secondary student, with quite an appetite for chicken curry, is hopeful that soon he would have children of his own.

The 26-year-old, who spent most of his life in Albion, said: “It is an area where I had everything in the community; the cricket and school were not far apart.”

In terms of his career on the field, the righthanded batsman has played for Guyana from the Under-15 stage, and is currently a part of the national team at the ongoing West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Super50 in Barbados and Antigua.

After missing out on selection in 2014, the all-rounder worked his way back into the team, improving on his fitness and most importantly, scoring runs in the domestic competitions.

He revealed, “I’m happy to be back in the team.

I have been working hard especially in the threeday competition, been working hard on my batting and I was expecting to be in the one-day team, so I’m going to keep working hard on my fitness.”

The Berbician added, “I think I’m fully matured now. I have not played for Guyana a while, but I have a clue on what is going on with my batting and personal game.”

It was his teammates who helped the player back on the road to the national team: “The guys at Albion such as [Veerasammy] Permaul, [Anthony] Bramble, [Devendra] Bishoo, [Gudakesh] Motie and manager Vemen Walter really kept me going, I was out from playing for Guyana for a while and I was really down so they keep encouraging me to score runs as one day I will be playing again for Guyana.”

Commenting on his improvement in fitness and form in the three-day league, he said, “Actually I’m very pleased with my fitness; over the years, I have been unfit and I’m really pleased with it now and in the three-day I started well, scoring two centuries but after that I got allot of 30s and 40s so I will learn from that and get better.”

Having played three List A games and being a part of the victorious Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2016 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Foo’s main goal is to “play for the team no matter what the situation”, making the most of it to cement his spot.

Remaining focused and fit will be among the key areas Foo will need to address if he is going to resurrect his senior career

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

17

saturDAY, janUARY 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former Nigerian Judge appointed consultant at Legal Affairs Ministry

Patentia school shutdown

Classes to resume on shift system next week T H

ours after a protest by students and teachers erupted at the Patentia Secondary School on Thursday, tensions have eased as classes are expected to resume next week. The protest was held to voice concerns over the deplorable state of the school, which has been operating under bat infested conditions for several months now.

On a visit to the area on Friday, Guyana Times was informed that a suspension of classes continued.

Further inquiries revealed that later on Thursday, an Education Ministry official visited the institution and met with the school’s administration where it was determined that classes will resume on Monday. However, students at the school will attend classes under a shift system until the Education Ministry rectifies the situation.

Early Thursday morning, the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) padlocked the gates of the school and a

Students at the Patentia Secondary School protesting on Thursday

protest followed, with many students complaining about the unsanitary environment under which they were receiving their education.

“We need a proper environment,” one parent had stated, while another voiced concerns over the deplorable state of the washrooms.

“The toilet don’t flush, it don’t work, it always dirty,” a young man remarked.

Guyana Times was told of a myriad of other issues plaguing the institution, in-

cluding stagnant water under the wooden section of the school, over flowing garbage and a lack of updated textbooks; these all hamper the delivery of education. According to reports, the Education Ministry was informed of the bat situation over a year ago and the roof was torn down, but the bats returned. This newspaper was also told that Grade Nine students were especially affected by the conditions and the stench.

Additionally, work was done by the Education Ministry to remove termites, but this situation has not improved as the insects have returned.

One parent, who is familiar with the school, informed this publication that the bat waste has affected the students, many of whom have suffered from skin rashes and asthma like conditions, which have prevented them from attending classes.

Bartica massacre trial

Closing arguments slated for next week

A

s the Bartica massacre trial nears its end, closing arguments will next week be heard by the prosecution and the defence. Following the presentations, the judge will sum up the case before the 12-member jury can decide on guilt or innocence.

Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, Dennis “Anaconda” Williams and Roger Simon, better known as “Goat Man”, are the three standing accused for the February 17, 2008 massacre at Bartica, where 12 persons including three Policemen were slaughtered. Two other accused, Clebert Reece and Michael Caesar pled guilty to manslaughter late last year and were sentenced to 420 and 1080 years respectively. Caesar’s sentence carried more years as he admitted involvement in the January 2008 massacre at Lusignan, on the East Coast of Demerara.

At Friday’s court session, co-accused Dennis Williams continued a campaign of his refusal to attend court. His co-defendants were present at the trial.

Chief Prison Officer Roddy

Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”; Dennis “Anaconda” Williams; and Roger “Goat Man” Simon will likely know their fate next month

Denhart informed the court that Williams while being informed by prison officers of his obligation to attend his trial, has indicated that he is not attending court. In fact, Williams has even stated that presiding Judge, Justice Roxane George, SC can proceed with the trial in his absence.

He first missed Wednesday’s trial and has since discharged his lawyer, Defence Counsel, Shapier Hussain.

On Thursday, Hussain was reassigned to his client even though “all

communication” has broken down between the two.

“I appear in protest,” he told the court on Thursday.

Additionally on Thursday, co-accused Roger Simon continued the trend of his fellow defendants where he too denied that he was involved in the massacre at Bartica. In an unsworn statement, the murder accused noted that he was at a mining camp at Cornfield Backdam, 14 Mile, Potaro, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) at the night of the deadly attack.

“My worship, I am in jail

eight years, nine months for something punishing for something I know nothing about; I…was nowhere around Bartica at all at all at all,” he testified.

Simon had further claimed that it was February 18, 2008 that he received word of the Bartica massacre. The jury heard that he left the area to check on his children at Bartica one to two days after.

However, when owner of the mining operation, Bryan Chase was cross-examined by the prosecution, he explained that Simon left two hours after hearing about the incident on the February 18.

Although Simon was from Bartica, Chase denied that they were friends and rejected any assertion that the two being friends was reason for him to offer evidence.

With the end of Chase’s testimony on Thursday afternoon, the defence rested its case following the conclusion of the State’s case. The three men along with others were part of the infamous Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins gang that allegedly carried out attacks at various locations.

he Attorney General’s Chambers and Legal Affairs Ministry has appointed former Nigerian Judge, Justice Abdullahi Zuru, as a consultant in the Parliamentary Drafting Division of the Ministry.

Justice Zuru is an expert legislative drafter and even worked on the 2010 revised Laws of Guyana, by correcting errors and omissions made.

A national of Nigeria, Justice Zuru completed both his secondary and university education there and then graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, LLB (Hons). In 1978, he was called to the Nigerian Bar and enrolled as a Barrister and Advocate of Nigeria.

In 1981, Justice Zuru proceeded to the University of Ottawa and obtained a Diploma in Legislative Drafting in 1982. Following that, in 1983, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Legislation (LLM) from the same University and was admitted to the Canadian Bar. On his return to Nigeria in 1984, Justice Zuru was appointed Secretary to the Law Reform Commission, Sokoto State, Nigeria. In 1990, he was promoted to

Justice Abdullahi Zuru

the post of Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Sokoto State, Nigeria.

In 1992, Justice Abdullahi Zuru was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Then in 1998, the Government of Zanzibar, Tanzania recruited him as its pioneer Chairman of the Law Reform Commission.

During his tenure, the entire laws of Zanzibar were revised.

Justice Zuru subsequently moved to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat as a Legislative Drafting and Law Revision Consultant to the Member States of the organisation.

Upper flat of Republic Park house gutted by fire

A

The house in Republic Park where the fire took place

fire of unknown origin on Friday completely gutted the inside of the upper flat of a two-storey Republic Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) building.

The Lot 461 Phase Two Republic Park home is owned by an overseas-based Guyanese but was rented to a mother of two.

The family, according to residents, only moved into the neighbourhood about three weeks ago.

This publication was told that persons in the neighbourhood smelt something burning and upon investigating, realised smoke was emanating from the wooden ceiling of one of the rooms of

the home.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was called to the scene and their fast response contributed to the lower flat of the building being saved.

This publication understands that some construction workers assisted fire fighters in extinguishing the fire.

Additionally, fire fighters were forced to break the door of the house since no one was at home at the time of the incident.

It is still unknown how the fire started.

Officials of the Guyana Fire Service have launched an investigation into the incident.

18

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

19

saturday, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

20

saturDAY, January 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

sports

YELLOW PAGES

21

SATURday, january 28, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS

optician

“Conferences & Retreats – Full Service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities. Aracari Resort WBD – 264 2946 Alex Wayne”

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 4446376, Corriverton: 339-3536, MetenMeer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

“Weddings & Anniversaries: Rental or Full Service: Banquet Hall & Catering.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264 2946 Alex Wayne” “Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbor Bridge) – All Modern Amenities – Rates from $25. Phone 264 2946-8”

Business Opportunity Businessman interested in restarting a profitable venture. Need approximately $10 Million for 2 years, Lucrative Returns Safe. Email: businessopportunity12@yahoo.com or businessopportunity@yahoo.com.

Mobile: 641-7074 Complete package, key cutting machine plus 1000 blank keys:.Price: $450,000. Vers Realty: To Rent Office Space & Store Front, 17 Brickdam & Smyth Street, Stabroek, Georgetown Guyana. Tel: 223-1217 Or 600-5759

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

Driving School Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION REGISTER - learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard and train your voice NOW OR in the Summer. Call 225-1151/ 657-8404 Learn to Play Music at Foundation7: Call NOW: 225-1151/6578404

FOR SALE PPP SERIES TOYOTA PREMIO FOR SALE, WITH A/C, ALARMS AND MUSIC SYSTEM FULLY FUNCTIONAL. CONTACT: 6552867 Powerline Battery Water/wholesale. 1 litre and 0.5 litre sizes. Tel: 680-3863 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 226-5053.

flowers

health Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 MondaysSaturdays 9am-3pm. Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com FOR YOUR HEALTH AND BEAUTY: Natural Choice Chai (Tea) & Moringa Powder, keep yourself healthy and beautiful from the inside out! Add Natural Choice products to your health foods today! Ask for it at your local supermarket. Now available at Flambouyant Supermarkets in Diamond and Eccles, all DSL Cash & Carry branches, The Guyana Shop (GMC) at Robb & Alexander Sts, Bourda, Medi Care Pharmacy in South Ruimveldt, (Royal Castle Building), Ram’s Supermarket at Vreed-En-Hoop and Sangeeta Supermarket in Linden.

LAND for sale Land for sale. 1.5 Acres WBD. Close to Plantation Walk, Vreed-En-Hoop. Call: 658-0115 Plot of land used to cultivate RICE, Plantation Better Hope, Essequibo Coast. Size 33.14 Acres. Tel: 625-1514

prIVATE INVESTIGATION SERVICES: polygraph testing, cheating spouse, background checks, criminal investigations, private investigations, security survey – risk analysis, due diligence, bodyguard service, security consultancy, any other worldwide services. Contact Central Advisory Service – email: internationallpi1@ yahoo.com. Tel : 592-630-4041

property for sale ONE 2-STOREY, RECENTLY, RENOVATED PROPERTY – CONCRETE AND WOODEN STRUCTURE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BACK, SUB – LOT KITTY. EACH LEVEL HAS 2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATHROOM, KITCHEN, DINING / LIVING ROOM. $28M NEGOTIABLE. CONTACT. TEL 693-0003 (DURING BUSINESS HOURS) PROPERTY FOR SALE IN ENTERPRISE SCHEME. 1 LARGE FAMILY HOME, 4 BEDROOM, FULLY GRILLED, 2-CAR GARAGE, RESERVOIR, OVERHEAD TANKS AND WATER FILTRATION, ETC. CALL/ WHATSAPP NAVIN: 1-347-517-7432 Two buildings on lot at 180 Charlotte Street. L 20 x W 30. Contact Tel: 6247341, 227-6817, 226-5183. Price Neg.

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. Mon Repos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park: $20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp & Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence (land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmonie (land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521

immigration

GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc.

Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks.

Get your extra key today.

SALON / SPA “COSMETOLOGY – FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000.

Aracari Salon & Spa, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927”

services Technician – specializes in repairing and servicing to washing machines, pressure pumps, refridgerators, exercising machines, treadmills, stove/ranges, dryers, ovens, pressure washers, solar systems, water heaters. Tel: 673-9283 PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE. CERTIFICATE TRAINING COURSE IN JANUARY 2017. REGISTER NOW AND GET 50% DISCOUNTFOR CHRISTMAS UP TO 31ST DECEMBER. CALL: 6948322 OR 671-9603 House plans & estimates, weeding of grass & spraying done within 48hrs.

Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464 Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

spirituality Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653 Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now.

Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anew-life@live.com

SPIRITUAL HEALING: REMOVE BLOCKAGE , VOODOO, HEXCURSE, BLACK MAGIC, SPELL, BUSINESS, UPLIFTMENT, PREGNANCY, LOVE & MARRIAGE PROBLEMS, CLEARANCE ETC. Contact: 612-1975, 683-5228

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO LET UNFURNISHED BOTTOM FLAT – 2 BEDROOMS, BATHROOM, KITCHENETTE, DINING/LIVING ROOM, PRE-PAID METER. QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD – KITTY. NO CHILDREN. NO PETS. SUITABLE FOR STUDENTS OR SINGLE WORKING PERSONS. $55,000 PER MONTH. 2 MONTHS SECURITY DEPOSIT. RENT CONTRACT FOR 6 – 12 MONTHS. CONTACT 693-0003 (DURING BUSINESS HOURS)

VACANCY ONE ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTION / MANAGER TO WORK AT CLUB PURPLEHEART ON THE ESSEQUIBO COAST. MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN SAID FIELD. ACCOMODATION AND ATTRACTIVE SALARY OFFERED. CONTACT – 226-9768 HOUSEKEEPER – 624-0033 CUSTOMER/SALES ASSISTANT – 624- 0033 PUMP ATTENDANT – 680-3863 DRIVER/COMPANY – 680-3863

FAST GROWING FOOD DISTRIBUTION COMPANY SEEKING A BOOK KEEPER / INVENTORY CLERK, EXPERIENCE AND POLICE CLEARANCE NEEDED CALL FOR INTERVIEW 231-8344, 223-1027 OR 223-1034

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST TOYOTA COASTER BUS EXCELLENT CONDITION PRICE: $1.95 MILLION CONTACT: 266-3173-6 PPP SERIES TOYOTA PREMIO FOR SALE, WITH A/C, ALARMS AND MUSIC SYSTEM FULLY FUNCTIONABLE CONTACT: 655-2867 1 TOYOTA ALLION 2004 MODEL TEL: 681-3004

WANTED SALES GIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL, BRASSONIC Bldg. (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST, GEORGETOWN. 231-7101

L

ancashire have become the latest county to raid South African cricket by signing Dane Vilas, the wicketkeeperbatsman, in a double Kolpak swoop which has also seen them shore up their batting strength by signing the veteran West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Vilas flew 600 miles to Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth as a late substitute in a Test against England at the start of 2016. Roughly a year later, at 31, he will fly around 5,000 miles to Manchester on a two-year Kolpak deal which realistically will bring his brief South Africa career to an end.

He is the seventh South African player to take that option as expectations grow that Brexit might bring an end to the arrangement which exists under EU employment law.

Kyle Abbott (Hampshire), Hardus Viljoen (Derbyshire), Simon Harmer (Essex), Rilee Rossouw (Hampshire) and David Wiese and Stiaan van Zyl (Sussex) have also signed Kolpak deals, although opening batsmen Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook have stayed loyal to South Africa by signing overseas player deals with Somerset and Durham respectively.

Not many 42-year-olds would win a county cricket deal, even in a winter when Kolpak signings have again flooded into the game, but Chanderpaul retains an appetite for batting and has a pragmatic, safetyconscious style which might have been designed to offset the passage of time.

Any burst of regional pride which met Glen Chapple’s progress through the ranks to become Lancashire’s head coach earlier this month will be tempered, for a while at least, by the decision to stock up with overseas reinforcements in an attempt to safeguard their future in Division One of the County Championship.

Lancashire only became

Shivnarine Chanderpaul had a stint at Lancashire in 2010

sure of safety on the final day of the season when results went their way after they had suffered a heavy defeat against Warwickshire.

Reeling from the enforced retirement of Tom Smith, they will plead that they have also had to contend with the loss in recent seasons of two further South African batsmen, Alviro Petersen and Ashwell Prince.

Luis Reece has also been allowed to join Derbyshire.

Their batting is likely to be further compromised by the loss of one of their homegrown products, Haseeb Hameed, to England for the second half of the summer.

Chanderpaul renews acquaintances with Lancashire after a spell at the county in 2010. Only Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis have played more Tests than Chanderpaul, who joins Lancashire on a one-year contract.

Chapple said: “He knows what it takes to be successful and there is no doubt that he will have a positive effect on our squad. The talented squad at Lancashire is very young and Shivnarine will bring a healthy level of experience to help guide them.

“Whilst Shivnarine will undoubtedly have an important role to play on the field, his role off the field will be of huge importance to our young players. He’s one of the most experienced international cricketers in the history of the game and it will be a fantastic opportunity for our players to learn from him, in all aspects of the game.”

Vilas can be expected to make more of an impact in the limited-overs formats, with Chanderpaul unlikely to figure often in T20.

Chapple said, “Signing a player of Dane’s undoubted calibre and experience is a great boost. His aggressive batting style will see him as an important part of our T20 and one-day sides in 2017, as well as in four-day cricket.”

The veteran West Indian batsman is currently with the Guyana Jaguars franchise in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Super 50 in Barbados where he cracked an attractive 101 against the Jamaica Scorpions in his match of the tournament. However, his innings failed to take the Jaguars over the rope, falling to their second consecutive defeat.

(ESPNcricinfo)

After several practice matches paying as 15s, the focus now returns to the 7s with the Hong Kong Sevens in mind

W

ith the highly anticipated Hong Kong Sevens Series just around the corner, the Green Machine will host their first of several trials for selection this afternoon at the National Park Rugby Field from 15:30h.

Those vying for places are Rondel MacArthur, Avery Corbin, Rockford Cummings, Sean Phillips, Ryan Gonsalves, Peabo Hamilton, Godfrey Broomes, Claudius Butts, Patrick King, Dwayne Schroeder and Elwin Chase, Jamal Angus, Osei McKenzie, Lancelot Adonis, O’Neil Charles, Ryan Dey, Troyton Braithwaite, Kevon David, Akeem

Fraser, Akieno James, Daniel DeAbreu, Kevin Wills, Lloyd Anderson, Rashad Butcher, Glenroy Poole, Quacy Kendall, Kesto Mars and Michael Barrow.

The Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens series will take place from April 7 to 9 and the Green Machine will be picking their best 12 from the players available both locally and overseas.

The start of the local rugby season was delayed due to the extended rainy weather but the players were in preparation mood over the past two weeks with a series of warm up friendly games in the National Park.

22

Football referees to suit up with

By Romario Samaroo

A

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, january 28, 2017

n exciting chapter of football has dawned upon the local fraternity when NEW GPC INC provided local referees with brand new kits compliments of Xcite.

At a simple presentation ceremony on Friday at the NEW GPC Head Office located at Farm, East Bank Demerara the referees affiliated to the Guyana Football Referees Council received a number of sporting kits.

The Xcite branded kits include tops, trousers and socks for the officials of the beautiful game.

Xcite is one of the leading pharmaceuticals in the long line of products produced by NEW GPC. President of the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC), Dion Inniss, said the sterling contribution by this particular company is one which has been an integral part to the efficient running of the council for over a decade, as he extends gratitude for the gesture.

This is not the first time, NEW GPC has contributed to this organization, “I want to thank the management straight of the bat for this very generous donation in terms of football, NEW GPC has been a great friend of Football, particularly referees, we have had very generous donations from this company both financially and in gears and I really want to shower them with praise,” Innis said.

He went on to say that, “Many felt that since the

company sponsors the Amazon Warriors in cricket, they would have forgotten the other sports, but this is not the case as the company continues to make integral donations to other sports, especially football having been with us through thick and thin.”

“While many businesses are complaining about a downturn in the economy,” Innis said, “this has not stopped NEW GPC from making a generous donation to us of some high quality gear” that the referees will wear as soon as today.

Meanwhile, NEW GPC Marketing International Sales Associate Elizabeth Ram, noted that the company will continue to associate itself with sports in the future and is proud to be partners with the GFRC. Speaking on behalf of the management and board of the company, Ram said “We are very pleased to be on board with the GFRC and you can look forward for us being there for you in the future.”

Innis urged other companies to follow the footsteps of NEW GPC and support sports stating that “The gold standard NEW GPC has carried for many years in really contributing to the development of sport in a very tangible way as we look forward to many more years of partnership.”

NEW GPC has over 200 products and is the largest pharmaceutical company in the Caribbean, being involved in sports at various levels particularly cricket, football and most recently basketball.

GABF League Championships 2017…

Guardians too strong for Pacesetters & Eagles

T

he Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association continued the hype of the League Championships 2017 on Thursday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue with both Guardians team demolishing their opponents as three more exciting matches concluded.

In the first match of the night, Plaisance Guardians U-23 made light work of Pacesetters U-23 thanks to Anton Fileen (12 points), Terrence Daniels (16 points) and Jared Sears (13 points) who steered their team with an 80-53 victory.

In the first period, Guardians were on another level as they amassed 22 points, 15 points more than their opponents. The second half was no different as the score line read 42-16 at half time.

The interval worked for the Pacesetters who scored 13 points in the third period but the Guardians maintained a sizeable lead after the third quarter which ended 48-29. Pacesetters

needed a big final period to secure a victory that seemed unlikely, but having registered their best quarter with 24 points, they succumbed to the pressure put on by Guardians as they again scored 19 points to comfortably win the match.

In the second match, the growing crowd at CASH saw the University of Guyana Trojans suffering defeat at the hands of Bounty Colts in the senior match of the night. Shelroy Thomas led the troops with a match high 29 points as his team raced away to a 69-55 win. Akeem Kanhai tried to save his team with a 17point game.

Colts took the first period comfortably 11-5 and extended that lead by two more points in a high scoring second period.

The third period saw both teams evenly matched with 16 points in that quarter but Colts were still eight points ahead. UG rolled over in the final quarter to surrender the game, going down 21-15 to lose by 14 points.

Nikkoli Smith, 27 points and

three assists and Kwame Fox, 20 points stunned a depleted Eagles senior team as Plaisance Guardians trashed them 108-67.

The contest got off to a flying start with both teams scoring double figures but still the Guardians were leading by 13 points and continued that momentum throughout the match. The second half saw Eagles slip further behind with an 18-23 second quarter but the Eagles were completely shot out of the match as Guardians registered a massive 33-point period, extending the lead further to 32 points, a gap far out of redemption for Eagles.

Eagles were unable to reduce the deficit by scoring just 16 points, but Guardians sunk 25 points to sail home and cap off a good night for the club.

Three more games are expected to be played at the same venue on Sunday as Colts clash with Pacesetters and Eagles play Guardians in the Under-23 contests and Ravens taking on Nets in the open category.

GVF President John Flores

T

he Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will be holding their awards and presentation ceremony today at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground beginning at 14:00h.

A number of players and clubs that performed outstanding throughout the year will be recognised.

Awards are expected to be presented to outstanding performers in the Under-15,

Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Under-23 second division and senior categories. Junior and open females will also be awarded.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) President John Flores are expected to be in attendance.

A special award will be given to businessman, Deonarine Balram (Shane) of Rose Hall Town.

is new West Indies – 2-year contract begins February 15

T

he West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has appointed Australian, Stuart Law as Head Coach for the West Indies Senior Men’s Team.

In a career spanning almost 30 years as a professional coach and player, Stuart was the batting coach for the Australian men’s team to Sri Lanka in 2016. Before that he was part of the coaching staff for Bangladesh Under 19, Queensland Bulls, Brisbane Heat and had stints as High Performance Coach for Cricket Australia and head coach for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh senior teams.

In his role as Head Coach his core functions will include improved team results while providing leadership to players and team management. He completes the senior technical team headed by newly-appointed Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams and Chairman of Selectors, Courtney Browne.

His professional playing career was over a ten-year period where he played in one Test for Australia and 54 one-day-internationals. He had a successful first class tenure with Queensland, Essex, Lancashire and Derbyshire.

Stuart is touted as the most successful captain in Australia’s domestic cricket with five first class and two one day titles and additionally scoring the

most runs at that level – 27,080 in 367 matches.

Stuart has the distinction as being named one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1998 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007.

Stuart is happy to be a part of the West Indies set up at this time.

“I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to what I think is an interesting time for West Indies. I think this assignment has come at an important time of my career.”

Outgoing Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus who sat as part of the selection panel says, “We are delighted to welcome Stuart to West Indies Cricket, he comes at an exciting and critical time in the development of the WI men’s team, with the emergence of some outstanding young talent, as seen in the most recent test series against Pakistan. He has great experience and breadth of knowledge as a player and coach and his cross-cultural experience and winning attitude will be key assets in the development of the team. “ Stuart’s appointment becomes effective Wednesday, February 15 and he has a two-year contract.

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, january 28, 2017

23

Petra/Limacol round-robin knock-out Football

– Linden teams invade GFC tonight

W

estern Tigers is the first team to register a victory in the second annual Petra/Limacol round-robin knock-out football tournament when they fought their way to a 2-1 win over New Amsterdam United on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda, while the second match of the double header, saw Santos FC drawing 1-1 with Ann’s Grove United.

Watched in front of sizeable crowd, Western Tigers who were touted as the favorites prior to the match certainly had to work hard to walk away with that tag, as in the early exchanges it was any team’s match to control.

A lapse in defence by the Berbice unit allowed for the Tigers to go one ahead in the 3rd minute with an own goal.

The nimble Joshua Britton then added, the match winning goal in the 9th minute slotting home from the right side inside the penalty area.

There was still much more action in the first half as striker Jamal Butts kept the Tigers on their heels with some solos runs but an opportunity

at revival came when Quinn Hazel reduced the deficit in the 36th minute.

Surprisingly, the second half proved to be rather dull as neither side were able to mount any precision-like attacks on their opponent.

Joshua Britton

Meanwhile, the second fixture between Santos and Ann’s Grove certainly brought the crowd to life from the blow of the whistle as both sides went at each other in the riveting encounter.

The talented Job Caesar along with compatriots, Keith Canes and Orlando Ricketts had the game going at a fast pace.

The East Coast unit had a response of their own, via the attack of Oswald Duke and Ryan Searles but despite both sides’ efforts to break the deadlock, the score remained the same at half-time.

The game changing goal occurred in the 66th minute when Canines scored and it seemed smooth sailing for Santos as they looked to secure their position.

In keeping, with the trills the match produced throughout the night Ann’s Grove managed to find an equalizer in injury time (90+1) when Trevor Lewis gave away an own goal and his team’s three points.

Tonight the final matches of round one will pit Linden’s Winners Connection against Grove HiTech from 18:30h then another Linden side in defending champions Milerock will tackle Northern Rangers from 20:30h at the aforementioned venue.

England name 14 for Caribbean ODIs

Western Tigers (yellow and black) and New Amsterdam United players engaged in a tussle for ball possession

The top teams complete for a $500,000 first place prize while second to third will receive $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively.

In addition, the top teams in the groups will be rewarded $100,000, $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000.

Other than title sponsors Limacol, the organisers have also managed to gain the support of Bank DIH under their GT Beer brand, Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall.

Admission to the venue is $500.

England are wrapping up their tour of India

E

ngland National Cricket Selectors have named the following 14-man squad for the tour of the Caribbean, where they will contest a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against West Indies starting in March in Antigua.

England ODI squad; Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) captain, Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), David Willey (Yorkshire) and Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

The squad remains unchanged from the side that finished the recent ODI series in India.

James Whitaker, National Selector, said: “There is a huge emphasis on white-ball cricket during the first half of 2017, as we continue our preparation ahead of this summer’s ICC Champions Trophy tournament in England.

“We felt it was important to keep faith with the squad that competed during the recent tour of India. The current group of players are making excellent progress under the captaincy of Eoin Morgan and head coach Trevor Bayliss and the tour of the Caribbean will enable the team to test themselves in different conditions against a competitive side in the West Indies.”

England will arrive in St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday 22 February before playing two warm-up matches at Warner Park on Saturday 25 February and Monday 27 February.

England fixtures in West Indies

Warm-up match (50 overs): WICB President’s XI v England XI, Saturday February 25, 2017, Warner Park, St. Kitts & Nevis (09:30h) Warm-up match (50 overs): WICB President’s XI v England XI, Monday February 27, 2017, Warner Park, St. Kitts & Nevis (09:30h) First ODI: West Indies v England, Friday March 3, 2017, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua (09:30h) Second ODI: West Indies v England, Sunday March 5, 2017, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua (09:30h) Third ODI: West Indies v England, Thursday March 9, 2017, Kensington Oval, Barbados (9:30h). (windiescricket.com)

Loushana Toussaint receiving the award for most improved female player at the GCB Annual Award Ceremony from Minister with responsibility for Sport, Nicolette Henry

T

hirty Three players from the county of Demerara were shortlisted to participate in two trial matches to select the Demerara team for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Women’s Inter-County tournament.

The trial matches are scheduled for Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the Everest Cricket Club ground and it is expected to start at 8:00h each day.

Among those called to the trials are GCB Most Improved female player for 2016 Loushana Toussaint and several other players with national experience.

Angalie Mohabir, Ashley Singh, Cassie Charles, Chitra

Mohabir, Grace Ishrilall, Gai Singh, Shamika Edwards, Tishawn Ward, Sapria Sahadeo, Solendid Hodge, Mantana Cambridge, Nafeza Persaud, Gayanamattie Sawh, Chandraoutie Ramkissoon, Jessica Orford, Sabita Persaud, Yogeeta Balkishun, Mandy Mangru, Latoya Smith, Leana Harris, Hema Singh, Keisha Fraser, Loushana Toussaint, Hasena Mohamed, SherryAnn-Fraser, Abigail Scott, Amanda Persaud, Shelly Balkishun, Akaze Thompson, Odessa Oneil, Keysia Schultz, Letisha Jordon and Cynthia Rampersaud.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Football referees to suit up with Xcite kits

Pg 22

Marketing International Sales Associate of NEW GPC Elizabeth Ram (second from right) makes the presentation to GRFC President Dion Inniss while Human Resources Manager of NEW GPC Fay Smartt-Scott, Female Coach Odessa Caleb and Head Referee Stanley Lancaster

Petra/Limacol round-robin knock-out Football

Western Tigers claw to first win Pg 23

– Linden teams invade GFC tonight GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.