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Issue No. 2871

Monday, May 30, 2016

Private enterprise and the public more corrupt than Government – President Granger

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Hinds decries state of education P9 sector

Page 3

GWI forensic audit

Over $89M in advances outstanding

Page 7

Corentyne piracy attacks…

Prime suspect confesses to throwing fishermen overboard, Page 3 still missing 8

– men were tied to anchors, search continues

Indian Arrival Expo celebrates Indian culture and heritage

Some Public Servants not receiving P17 gratuity Public health sector needs to utilise technology to improve P2 services – Dr Cummings

Improved road, state-of-theart waterfront facilities, P13 street lights for Region 2 – Patterson

Patrons eagerly going through the many books on display

Deep-water harbour still Page on the 11 cards – Granger ... location still to be decided

Outstanding property taxes

City Hall moving to auction off defaulting properties – King Page 2

Pandemonium breaks out at Banks P2 Beer Fest

2 news

MONDAY, may 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Pandemonium breaks out City Hall moving to auction off at Banks Beer Fest defaulting properties – King Outstanding property taxes

T

he Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) said Saturday it was engaging the courts for the requisite legal permission to begin parate execution or auctioning of properties on which huge amounts of taxes are owed.

This is according to Town Clerk Royston King, who noted that the municipality is owed some $2 billion in property taxes. It was able to prosecute some defaulters, so far winning some $300 million, which will be paid over to the municipality.

However, King complained that to date, these payments have not been forthcoming, despite warnings of parate execution against persons and business’ names being publicised.

He said that since the court passed judgment for the municipality to receive payment, with its permission, the Council will com-

Town Clerk Royston King

mence the sale of properties belonging to delinquent taxpayers.

This legal process, King explained, will allow the municipality to auction off the property and recover the money it is owed.

He, however, noted that the municipality was still

open to working with all taxpayers against whom judgment was passed.

“The Council is asking that these persons make contact with the body in relation to repayment since any possible amicable resolution is best preferred by the municipality,” King appealed.

Meanwhile, he blamed the recent delay in payment of salaries to Council workers and the meeting of other financial obligations on “a combination of factors” including the “non-payment of rates by certain corporations”.

The Town Clerk noted that there were some businesses which were still paying meagre sums, since they were housed in properties which were once residential.

According to King, years of disregard for even this civic obligation would have resulted in a build-up of funds owed to the municipality.

Patrons enjoying themselves before the incident occured

B

anks Beer Fest turned into a frightful event for hundreds of patrons as pandemonium broke out during the concert at the providence stadium, injuring more than 30 persons early Sunday morning.

Around 03:00h Sunday, an alarming sound surfaced at the Providence Stadium followed by patrons running to the back of the concert, scattering from a fight that erupted between two patrons. Many others were almost trampled as they fell, while more than

30 persons suffered cuts and bruises.

The pandemonium broke out while dancehall artiste Vanessa Bling was performing one of her top songs “Everything fi hold him.” The resulting disruption stopped her performance immediately.

According to a Police source, no gunshots were fired but two people who had a misunderstanding began throwing bottles, resulting in people rushing from the scene.

Many injured patrons opted to go to the nearby Diamond Diagnostic Centre where they were treated, while some visited City hospitals.

In keeping with Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan’s relaxing of the

2am curfew, the concert which was slated to end at 4am was ordered shut down shortly after 3am because of the incident.

The performance of highly anticipated artiste Busy Signal that arrived the day before the concert was sorely missed because of the resulting pandemonium.

The concert featured Konshens, Vanessa Bling, Cecile, Benjai, Ravi B and the Karma Band, Michelle Big Red King, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson, Adrian Dutchin and First Born.

The Fest was held in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport and was exclusively sponsored by giant beverage company Banks DIH.

Public health sector needs to utilise technology to improve services – Dr Cummings

M

Dr Karen Cummings

inister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings emphasized the need to utilize technology in the Public Health Sector.

The minister noted, establishing effective telemedicine in regional health services will improve the provision of health care services. Cummings explained there is a need to establish good communication systems among medical personnel, working in the vast hinterland of Guyana.

Dr Cummings reiterated the importance of having good communication system within the health department. “You want to ensure that they have good commu-

nication system, cell phones and so forth, in case they encounter any difficulties they can relate with their seniors so they can have correct diagnoses being made,” added Dr. Cummings The Public health Ministry is seeking to use technology as a part of their progression. Dr Cummings noted, there is a need for the creation and inter-linking of computerised database systems in the health sector.

She further added, this database would encourage evidence-based practices.

Dr Cummings disclosed, “We definitely want to ensure that whatever we say it’s backed up by evidence, and so we want to work on that,” According to Government Information Agency (GINA), the junior minister disclosed that the ministry did encounter successes and challenges since they took office in one year. Dr Cummings said the sector had a “positive” first year despite the challenges it faced.

Dr. Cummings reflected, “the ministry have performed creditably, we have modest successes, but sustainable. We have done well as we strive to offer Guyanese the best quality of health care we can. It’s a work in progress. ”

news

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monDAY, may 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, May 30 – 12:00h-13:30h and Tuesday, May 31 – 13:00h-14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, May 30 – 11:05h-12:35h and Tuesday, May 31 – 12:15h-13:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to heavy rain showers sometimes accompanied by thunder can be expected throughout the day.

Cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres per second and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 11:18h and 23:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.35 metres and 2.41 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 04:47h and 17:22h reaching minimum heights of 0.91 metre and 0.82 metre respectively.

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Private enterprise and the public more corrupt than Government – President Granger

P

resident David Granger, in an effort to exculpate his Government, has said that corruption in Guyana was more rampant outside of Government and as such, the usual anti-corruption critics of his Government should focus more on the Private Sector and nonState organisations, where he believed the scourge was raging.

He said the real contributors to corruption were those who committed crimes of tax evasion, smuggling, narcotics trafficking, trafficking in persons and money laundering, none of which really emanate from within Government, but rather, benefit the Private Sector, offshore banks and tax havens.

“It is my view that corruption in Guyana is most widespread outside of Government,” the President declared on Saturday evening while addressing the launch of former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran’s book “Governance, Transparency and Accountability.”

He cautioned Guyanese against believing that corruption was confined to law enforcement agents and public servants, adding that while persons must remain vigilant against the abuse of power by the Government, they must also look at “the abuse of trust by the Private Sector”.

Granger said that his Government remained committed to eradicating corruption, but stressed the need for the Private Sector

and other non-State players to help fight the scourge.

“We also need the support of the Private Sector to remove corruption in the Private Sector among businessmen, among smugglers, traffickers, gun-runners, money launderers so maybe criticising the Government does not ensure the absence of corruption,” Granger said.

He added that often critics overlook the real culprits in corruption, such as gold and diamond smugglers, conspirators of importers, exporters of illegal drugs, builders of fuel smuggling vessels, back-trackers and those who dodge National Insurance Scheme and Income Tax payments.

The President believes that the practice of good governance, transparency and accountability are more than the antidote for corruption in Government.

“They are also a remedy for ridding the disease of corruption in the Private Sector, in professional organisations, in civil society and also in international organisations,” he stated.

The Guyanese leader said that while institutions such as the Public Procurement Commission, Integrity Commission and the Public Service Commission would help in the fight against corruption, they would also protect the country from being relegated to a rogue state.

Granger said he was interested in good governance, accountability and transparency, effective government policy, a regulato-

President David Granger

ry framework, political stability and a representative democracy.

He said corruption weakened enforcement of the law, democratic values, accountability, transparency, public trust in governance and institutions of government.

Despite these assertions by the Head of State, his one-year-old Government has already had its fair share of corruption allegations levelled against it, including from the United States Department of State.

In April 2016, the US Department of State said that corruption continued to be among the leading human rights problems facing Guyana.

“There remained a widespread public perception of corruption involving officials at all levels, including the Police and the judiciary,” the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015, released by the Department, said.

It noted, however, that the Government responded to the report, but did not elaborate.

The report also stated that while the law required public officials to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission, the Commission has not been constituted.

It added that the law set out both criminal and administrative sanctions for nondisclosure to the Commission by public officials, but, no such publication or convictions occurred during the year.

Closer to home, local anti-corruption body, Transparency Institute (Guyana) Inc (TIGI) went on public record as criticising the Administration, citing Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes for conflict of interest.

Broomes was accused of conflict of interest because of her significant mining interests, while having ministerial oversight of the mining sector.

She has since denied any wrongdoing.

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mondAY, may 30, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Seating contretemps T

he dust is beginning to settle from the distasteful incident of the Leader of the Opposition and other MPs from the PPP not being seated at the flag raising ceremony at the Jubilee Independence ceremony. But unfortunately clarity has still not been achieved five days after the contretemps by which time those in charge of the government should have been able to gather the facts and offer a definitive statement that would bring closure to this most unfortunate development.

That the independence of Guyana was born in an atmosphere of division and strife back in the 1960s cannot be undone. That much of what followed did not lend itself to a healing and bridging of those divisions is also generally undisputed. And it should not be surprising that paramount in the minds of most Guyanese as they prepared to reflect on and commemorate the 50th anniversary of that occasion was for the present leaders to signal the nation that the next 50 years would be different.

The Minister in charge of the celebrations had herself promised such a focus.

The Jubilee Celebrations was not an impromptu affair. Last December Minister of Culture Nicolette Henry indicated a comprehensive plan had been crafted by the administration which would “create public and private sector partnerships critical for uniting the country.” She urged that the occasion be used to commit to a more enlightened path and a greater sense of urgency, as Guyana is shifted in a new direction for those who are now children and those who are not yet born: “In this fresh approach, we are going to be more strategic in our long-term planning, systematic in our actions, and more sensitive in our relationships.”

We fast forward to the central activity around which all others revolved: the raising of the Golden Arrowhead in resonance of that inaugural event of May 26, 1966. It is undisputed by all parties involved that the Opposition Leader conveyed to the Minister in charge of the event that his party would be participating in the State Ceremony and would be represented by its MPs. At this juncture the Minister and her team should have referred to the Protocol Code that is central to the running of any event organised by any government or bureaucracy.

Even if the Minister had not explicitly promised that her administration was working with a “fresh approach” for “uniting the country”, seating arrangements for the Opposition that represent 49 per cent of the country would have had to have been discussed and accommodations made. This means there should have been 64 seats reserved, since each invited MP was to be allowed one guest. It is standard operating procedure that such accommodations would have been confirmed with the group invited. This was done.

As such, it is irrelevant for the Minister to claim the Opposition Leader and his MPs arrived ten minutes late.

In an occasion where there are over 20,000 individuals converging on a location it should have been factored into the “strategic plan” that some persons would be late. But this excuse is moot since visual evidence indicates the seats in the VIP stand identified was already filled before their stipulated time of arrival.

It is ironic there have been persistent attempts to imply the Opposition party was “petty” to depart the flag raising ceremony, since that ceremony itself was a symbolic act meant to convey the idea of nationhood, and the act of not providing seating accommodations conveyed the opposite. One is as significant as the other. Some observers, not associated with either political party, have noted the lack of inclusion of the traditional supporters of the Opposition PPP - both as participants and spectators in each of the events organised by the government apart from the Flag raising ceremony.

The government should offer an unqualified apology to the Opposition PPP since one is responsible for acts of omission as much as acts of commission.

Massive turnout at D’Urban Park for Christian prayer session to mark 50th Anniversary

I had good hopes for this new Government, but now I don’t have any Dear Editor, I was not present in Guyana to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Independence from Britain. However, I read the newspaper of the President’s speech which was divulged to the urban population and which was broadcasted throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

I read the speech and was frustrated. It lacked empiricism and class unable to infiltrate the understanding of our people to make them have goose bumps. It lacked diction, flair, style and the oratorical posture of a Burnham taste.

The President has failed to recognize the input of the Opposition in his speech and also lacked the respect of the opposition presence, not catering for seating accommodation among the political invitees.

The President has failed to show respect for the Indian community by not providing them with transportation, security, and encouragement. If you are serious about promoting social cohesion then you have made a mess of helping people to collaborate and making hearts combine.

This was the opportune occasion to bind hearts together by having discourses, and jokes to foster relationships. This would have prepared them to listen

to your advice and future promulgation. Your disposition was readily seen when you walked with your group of Ministers to be seated.

The best idea should have been showing the nation an example of togetherness by marching with the opposition hand in hand to the specified seats.

You have failed to show the togetherness and oneness you are preaching about to the nation, rather you have relegated and demoralized the opposition to show your pomposity.

I thought you were a better President than Burnham. You had the opportunity to demonstrate collegiality but stood like a colossus. A better way would have been both leaders and top hierarchy sit near to the podium with featured speeches given by you the leader of the government and secondary the leader of the opposition.

This would have been a better way of showing oneness with the different views of leaders. But you took all, not leaving a bite for your opposition colleague.

Burnham showed his intention of collaboration by recognizing Dr Cheddi Jagan when the sugar industry was nationalized.

It was vividly clear that your main aim was to disrespect the opposition, because it was assumed by you and your colleagues

that they have engineered the restraining of the IndoGuyanese both externally and internally to grace the occasion. If that is true, I am dissatisfied with the Opposition that this great milestone should have been graced by all races and should have been caressed by all Guyanese.

It would have been a good idea to encourage collaboration of all racial-ethnic groups.

I feel that if the PPP/C’s presence had been appreciated and welcomed, we would have been very near to collaboration. President Granger’s speech would have been different and would have encouraged the views of Opposition Leader. They have messed up big time. There is still need to discuss well in advance before highlighting events.

I feel that the APNU/ AFC took all the plaudits of organizing and making it look as though the APNU/AFC has really put Guyana on the road to economic development.

The President deliberately forgot to elaborate the inputs of the PPP/C to the economic, social, educational, and cultural sectors of the countries’ economy. How Guyana from despondency rose to recognition in the Caribbean by defeating all the local problems and focused on becoming a recognized nation? The effort the Opposition, made in hous-

ing and feeding the nation.

The President also failed to recognize the Father of the Nation Dr Cheddi Jagan, the superstar of Guyana and his relentless struggles for the political independence of Guyana.

His problems in the struggle for Guyanese independence are embedded in the hearts of all Guyanese.

Forbes Burnham, Deguiar, and Critchlow would have some credence in the struggle for independence, and some useful strategies they implemented in their reign.

What you have done instead is an insensitive display of the distortion of history, made people to guess their significance.

This does not speak well of a man who is qualified in the field of History.

The aim of the President was to mesmerize the people to see his politics as different from the rest of leaders in Guyana. But he has failed and distorted the history of Guyana which reflects his ineptitude to divulge correct knowledge of Guyanese History.

How can a President behave like that to foster social cohesion in the society? He is cutting his own party and does not know it. I had good hopes for this new government, but now I don’t have any.

Yours truly, Harold Deo Ontario, Canada

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monDAY, may 30, 2016

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Government must act in the best interest of the mining industry Dear Editor, As the allegations of conflict of interest remains constant, as a mining advocate, I call for the immediate resignation of embattled Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes.

Again these allegations raise serious questions about the Minister’s ability to carry out her duties and functions in an impartial manner.

An application for permission to mine on March 4, 2016, bearing the name Simona Broomes is very much a bare-faced and presumptuous act by a serving Government Minister and speak of a deep appetite to accumulate of wealth while holding the office of a Minister of Government.

It’s clear that the minister has lied to Guyanese and to the media to say that it is her daughter’s business when in fact evidence suggest that it is hers. When the first allegations of conflict of interest arose with her mining claims at 14 Miles, Issano, which is being rented to Troy Resources, an Australian mining company in the said area, Minister Broomes said that she had done nothing wrong.

Raphael Trotman, Minister of Natural Resources said that his Ministry and Government is seeking legal opinions on Minister Broomes’ conflict of interest claims.

Why is the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the custodian of the mining industry in Guyana, remaining silent on the allegations against the minister?

It was a colossal mistake and ill-advised decision to put Broomes in the Ministry of Natural Resources given her affiliations and experience in the industry, knowing that Broomes has both opponents and friends alike in the industry, making it difficult for her to function impartially.

Putting Broomes in the Natural Resources Ministry is like putting her in her alley. She knows it well.

I call on the government to act in the best interest of the mining industry. Broomes’ Government promised to address corruption in all its forms and ways but what we are witnessing is the “same game of the former government different players of the new government”. Same game, different players.

There is no need for a legal opinion on conflict of interest unless it is convenient for the beneficiary, in this case, Broomes.

Mining remains private investment. The Guyana Government only facilitates mining. What is a serving Government Minister now applying for mining permission for? One has to now think beyond Minister Broomes to wonder if she is

being used by other person or persons higher than her with vested mining interest. Broomes’ past glory as a trafficking in persons hero cannot excuse her present guilt.

I call on “Papa D” as to say Papa David, His Excellency, to act. If he don’t, then he owes the former government ministers an apology. The reason being the same game is being played now in his administration and mirrors that of some of the allegations of former government officials.

I personally as a mining advocate, have received many complaints and allegations against Broomes ever since she was placed in the Natural Resources Ministry of which persons are afraid to come forward and speak out for fear of victimization.

The Gold and Diamond Miners Association must not be intimidated by Broomes or the Government but continue to speak out boldly.

As leaders and head of organizations, be it religion, civic or political, there comes a time when we have to make painful decisions.

In this case, papa D as the Head of the Government, this is one of those times he must act.

Yours truly, Sherwyn Delano Downer Mining advocate

City Hall needs to stop scaring poor property owners through deceitful methods

Dear Editor, There is a reign of terror being unleashed by the Georgetown City Council, which somehow has not yet come to the full realization of the citizenry of our capital.

Recently there has been the rounding up of vendors, and dispatching of them to a space that is inadequate, inappropriate and off the beaten track where little business shall be done, then there was the demolition of the Dread Shop and adjacent buildings.

But the most horrible and most recent scare tactic and fear mongering to come from Royston King and his cabal is the announcement in the press that as part of an intense campaign to collect revenues owed to the Municipality, they are moving to seize and sell properties of defaulting rates and taxpayers.

This is merely an act to scare poor people who are struggling to make ends meet, to rush and borrow money to pay their outstanding rates so that King and his friends can continue to spend lavishly on things that are non-essential but from which they will benefit.

The entire hierarchy of the council knows that such actions would be virtually impossible for them to carry out, as the laws were

changed28 years ago and that is why they have not been selling people’s properties for decades now. It is clear that this is another PR stunt where they are merely trying to terrorize and intimidate persons to pay them.

There are some wealthy individuals and companies that are consistent tax defaulters. Why have they not seized their properties or exposed them by publishing their names? It is because they cannot. There are legal implications and the Council knows it. Under the current law, the City Council cannot just simply put on sale the properties of those who refuse to pay their rates/and taxes.

The parate execution that they are referring to is a levy on defaulting properties according to law, but is a rather tedious and complicated issue, and would not allow the Council to just rush off and sell someone’s property even if they are in arrears.

In 1988 when Hamilton Green was Prime Minister and leader of the government side in parliament they crippled parate execution with the passage of two Bills; the Municipal and District Councils Act (no 17/1988) and the Local Government Amendment Act (no 18/1988). What in fact the two amendments intended

to accomplish and have accomplished is the prevention of land sharks; buying at a nominal price at parate execution and later selling to make a huge profit.

Royston King and his legal team know that, but are simply trying to hoodwink citizens into rushing down to City Hall and paying up.

The Town Clerk needs to stop scaring these poor property owners through such deceitful methods.

Yours truly, Amber Valentine

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monday, may 30, 2016

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guyana-times.com

Foundation

Television and academic performance

Is your child ready for his How to develop good TV habits or her own email account? in children

A

re you a parent? If you are, your child may be using the Internet, if they aren’t already doing so. While most children start out just using the Internet for school research projects, there comes a point in time when most children want to start socialising with their friends online.

When this point in time comes, your child may ask to have their own email address, but are they ready?

When it comes to determining if your child is ready for their own email address, you have the final say, as the parent. With that said, there are a number of important factors that you will first want to take into consideration. A few of these factors are highlighted below.

Your child’s age should be taken into consideration, when trying to decide if you should give them their own email account.

When your child has their own email account, you need to set rules. If a stranger hap-

pens to get their email address and emails them, do you trust your child to ignore the message? Will they abide by your rules to do so?

If you d o not

think so, mayb e

email address with you for now.

What your child intends to use their own email address for is also important.

If your child is using online chat rooms, they may want to have an email address to give out to those who they meet online. As nice as this sounds, it is important to remember that some Internet predators target chat rooms looking for children. That is why caution is advised.

Make sure that your child only i n tends to use their email account to communicate with those that they

know, like rela t iv e s o r

your child should just share an

friends at school.

If you pay for Internet,

you’re likely get free email accounts from your Internet Service Provider.

It may be best to give your child one of these email addresses, as opposed to other free ones, like Hotmail or Yahoo.

Why? Because you will typically find that email addresses provided by Internet Service Providers get less junk mail. This reduces the chances of your child getting scamming emails or adult themed emails.

Also, if you do decide to let your child have their own email address, you will want to help them set it up. What many parents do not realise is just how revealing an email address can be. For starters, make sure that your child chooses an email address that does not include their full name.

Next, you may be required to fill out a profile. There are many free email programmes, like Hotmail and Yahoo, that ask you to do so.

Some of this information, like your child’s name, may be published. So use your best judgment or create a nickname for your child to use instead.

As you can see, there are both a number of pros and cons to giving your child their own email address, especially if they are still relatively young in age. If you do make the decision, however, there are some steps that you will want to take to protect your child. Also, just make sure that you use your best judgment. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

Self-regulating

In this method, complete trust is placed on your child and his ability to manage himself. The amount of will and determination to succeed in school and the desire for self-improvement will usually surface if this technique is used. The child is given freedom, within reasonable limits, as to the amount of time he spends watching TV. This can be empowering to most children, giving them greater freedom and trust in themselves. Some will exploit this opportunity and subsequently get poor marks in school.

When this happens, parents must allow their child to face-up to the consequences, whether it means attending a tutoring class, making extra credit assignments, or in a worst case scenario, repeating a grade. This can be a major turning point in the mindset of hard-to-manage children. When they experience bad results because of their own actions and know that the responsibility of cleaning up the mess is entirely their own, they will begin to experience an internal desire for positive change that will carry on throughout their lives.

Making it a family affair

TV time can be made into a family social activity. Setting time every week, such as Saturday night, in which the entire family watches TV together can be a great way to bond. Watching TV with loved ones becomes a wonderful shared experience, sharply contrasting to

(Continued from Saturday)

the dull loneliness felt when watching TV alone. This method also gives children a weekly family bonding time to look forward to during the long school days, and makes solo TV watching less appealing.

Using software and products

There are various software and products on the market that can auto-regulate the TV and shut it off when a certain time limit is met, thus saving parents tremendous time and effort from manual regulation. Some products use a token system, similar to an arcade game, in which the child inserts a token whenever he wants to watch TV. The token activates the TV, and after a set amount of time, automatically shuts it off. Another token would then be needed to turn it back on. Parents can then decide to give the child a set amount of tokens per week.

This places the responsibility of using the tokens accordingly in the child’s hands and teaches him the value of proper budgeting. These products can be very efficient and clear-cut, limiting the chances of the child watching TV behind the parents back. The downside is the expense: some products cost more than US$100, but the average is about US$50 to 60. If the parents can afford it, it would be a worthwhile investment.

Disconnecting

A more primitive, but nonetheless effective, solution would be to disconnect the cable or TV signal during times when TV viewing is not allowed. With modern screens and cable providers available, parents can easily figure out how to temporarily disable the signal without their child having the ability to turn it back on. The downside to this method is the possibility of creating negative emotions between children and parents. Children might feel that he is not trustworthy enough to be left alone with the TV. However, the advantage of disconnecting is that he would have to find more productive forms of entertainment, such as reading books or socialising with friends.

Television can have a profound effect on growth and development during the formative years. Developing good TV habits will improve relationships with friends, academic performance, and overall wellbeing. It is up to the parent to help their children control their academic and social future by teaching them how to use the TV in moderation. It is one habit that we should not take lightly. Our children’s future depends on it. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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monday, may 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

NAACIE head inadvertently Over $89M in advances left off National Awardees list outstanding G GWI forensic audit

T

he Forensic Audit into the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has revealed that there is some $89 million in advances that are still outstanding and the company has made no efforts to recover these over the years.

The Audit conducted by Chartered Accountants Ram and McRae found that as at December 31, 2015, two advances were paid to the tune of $89,324,312 for supply of materials, but those supplies were not forthcoming.

“C&N Trading Company Limited was advanced on August 31, 2011 $8,775,000 for the supply of transformers, which were never supplied. GWI took the company to Court and obtained judgment in its favour. The execution of the judgment could not have been done and the money is still to be recovered,” the auditors highlighted.

The second occasion cited was where Lynwill International Trading Ltd was advanced in December 2011 $4,930,681 for the supply of chlorine gas, which was never supplied. The matter is before the Court.

“These are clear evidences that proper due diligence was not done before funds were advanced to companies that could not or were never in a position to deliver the goods,” the auditors opined.

They said that based on the fact that judgment had been awarded in favour of GWI and the first advance

could not be recovered, it is also likely that the other advance may not be recovered after four years.

The auditors said they have investigated other advances, including “Staff Advances for Site Visits” and noted that the company’s policies on advances were not followed and are still not being followed.

Breaches

by CEO

Meanwhile, turning their attention to the actions of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GWI, Shaik Baksh, the auditors accused him of overstepping his authority.

The auditors stated that the CEO was misusing his position while at the helm of the utility.

“It appears that the CEO used his position to override policies and procedures and overstepped his authority with or without the approval of the BoD (Board of Directors),” the report stated.

It pointed to one occasion when Baksh unilater-

ally decided to take control of a vehicle PPP 9050, purchased for use by the Project Manager Georgetown Sanitation Programme and decided to use it for his personal purpose without the consent of the board.

In May 2015, Baksh’s son crashed and wrote off the said vehicle while driving along the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. At the time the GWI CEO was out of the country.

The report also cited Baksh for taking advances for trips that did not materialize, claims for medical expenses despite not being entitled to same based on his contract, as well as collecting a monthly rent to live in his own house located at Lot 16 Ixora Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara Baksh also received $120,000 per month that included electricity; entertainment allowance of $70,000, and a duty allowance of $30,000.

The auditors recommended that the newly-appointed GWI Board of Directors review Baksh’s contract to determine whether benefits paid were consistent with his contract of employment and if there are overpayments, these should be pursued and recovered.

The audit examined a number of other areas, including non-revenue water, company assets, tariff increases as well as award of contracts

eneral Secretary of the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) Union Kenneth Joseph was accidentally left off the list of National Awardees which was issued Wednesday last.

This is according to an advertisement published in the local dailies by the Ministry of the Presidency.

The notice states that the NAACIE Head will be invested with the insignia of the Golden Arrow of Achievement at a ceremony

NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph

sometime later this year.

President David Granger

awarded individuals for outstanding performances at the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations at D’Urban Park on Wednesday last.

Some awardees included: Speaker of the National Assembly Barton Scotland, Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Audrey Waddel, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana Harold Lutchman, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Former Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, among others.

Minimum wages need to be raised – Minister Scott

M

inister with Responsibility for Labour Keith Scott has admitted the need for minimum wage to be raised, but said government can only do as much with what it has available.

The minister, speaking to Guyana Times on Friday explained that the current state of the economy has somehow influenced the state of affairs as it relates to salary increases and more particularly the raising of the minimum wage for public servants.

“We are cognizant that we need to go up, but we can only go as far as the size of the pie allows us”, he noted.

Scott said it is important to note that at the end

of the day the country’s economy cannot be compared to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of other developed countries like the United States of America (USA).

He said government is aware wages have to be increased, and it is for this reason that the mining industry has undertaken a survey to re-examine the role of the sector and its contribution to the economy.

He said however government, over its one year in office, has been able to make some progress in this regard: “It’s not just wages, but the living standards of our people. We have been making life easier for the pensioner and children, providing them

with buses, bicycles and boats”, Scott noted.

He said government is hoping that with the offset of oil and other industries, things will begin looking up for all Guyanese.

Meanwhile, the minister acknowledged that investors have already indicated their interest in Guyana, and this is another positive for the economy.

Asked about government’s plan to lower the unemployment rate in Guyana, Scott said things are in the pipeline to help in this regard. He said government has accepted that Guyana has unemployment and the rate needs to come down.

8 news

monDAY, may 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Corentyne piracy attacks

Prime suspect confesses to throwing fishermen overboard, 3 still missing – men were tied to anchors, search continues

Eyew tness

Unity...

Y

Missing: Dhanpaul Rampaul

P

olice have been able to obtain a confession statement from one of the five suspects in custody which implicates the captain and other crew members of a boat that is suspected to be involved in piracy.

Berbice Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam told Guyana Times that the three missing men were tied to anchors and then thrown overboard.

The detailed information on what transpired after the pirates had thrown the captain of a fishing boat into the ocean indicated that the four crew members were held captive and led to two other boats to steal their catch. At the end, the pirates threw Hemchand Sookdeo, 45, and the others into the water after beating him. Sookdeo’s body was found by other fishermen as they were pulling up their seine.

The three other crew members are still missing.

They are Dochan Sukra, 54, called “Butcher”, of Number 55 Village; Dhanpaul Rampaul, of Number

Missing: Dochan Sukra

Missing: Munish Churman

The boat on which the victims left shore

67 Village and Munish Churman, 26, called “Boyo”, of Number 60 Village.

On Friday night, five pirates carried out attacks on three boats in the Corentyne River. During the first attack, the hapless captain, Seepersaud Persaud, 43, of Corriverton, was thrown overboard five miles offshore but was rescued by other fishermen after swimming for three hours.

The following morning, Persaud was brought ashore and reported what transpired while he was on board.

During the second attack, the pirates sailed up

alongside a fishing boat with a captain and crew of four and took away their fish and glue valued in excess of $800,000. The pirates then damaged the boat engine. Before leaving they threw gasoline into the vessel and threatened to set it ablaze, but had a change of heart and left the crew and captain stranded, going on to attack the third boat. On this occasion, they did the same thing but made no threats.

Both crews were rescued and brought to shore on Saturday night. They were unharmed. The boat which

Rescued: Captain Seepersaud Persaud

the missing men left shore on was discovered drifting on Sunday morning in the vicinity of Number 52 Village.

Meanwhile, when the pirates returned to shore, they allegedly sold the fish to one of the owners of a boat which they had attacked the night before.

Police later arrested five men. According to the Commander, the confession statement which was given to the Police indicates that the captain of the pirate boat was the ring leader, but all of the others are being implicated. He said following the revelation by one of the suspects, the Police got assistance from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to conduct a search at sea for the missing men.

Assistant Commissioner Amsterdam said the Police were continuing their investigation. The husband of the person who the suspected piracy boat was registered to was also questioned by the Police. In the past, he has been a suspect in piracy attacks.

...when?

our Eyewitness thinks it might be safe to come out of the bushes he’s been beating around and talk a bit about the “unity” or lack thereof - now that some of our “returning Guyanese” have pointed it out. It did take a kid who didn’t know better to blurt out the Emperor was stark, raving nekked, didn’t it?

And ditto for the overseas Guyanese - especially from Stateside. THEY know the sky doesn’t fall and hit them over the head when they discuss things like “race” and “exclusion” and such like.

Here our political leaders have taught us well... we should only let down our hair on “race” under the bottom houses. And there we can be as nasty as we want to be... or, more accurately, how nasty the politicians want us to be. In Guyana since Independence we only know the “politics of tokenism” because that’s all we’ve been exposed to by our leaders. Quick now who was the leader of the PPP or the PNC outside their “traditional base” that >>>EVER<<< stood a realistic chance of becoming leader?

And you noticed how your Eyewitness used the euphemism “traditional base”? Unfortunately he too is a product of years of socialisation that plunges him into a catatonic seizure if he were to speak of “PPP’s Indians” or “PNC’s Africans”. Well, our Overseas Guyanese did point out they might as well’ve been watching shows in Dominica or St Vincent - which don’t have no 40% Indians.

One fella wondered whether the AFC was supposed to’ve provided the token Indian support couldn’t have arranged for some variety in the audience - if not on the stage. The dissing of the Opposition Leader and his MPs was excused as the result of “poor planning”. Did this “poor planning” permeate >>>EVERY<<< official event? Naaah! Even before the festivities kicked off for real, Henry Jeffrey bucked the local “race” censorship and asked whether this was “Jubilee Celebrations or an African Fest”.

Well, on this “unity question” your Eyewitness has to echo that Jewish rabbi of old and plead, “If not now, when?” If there’s any hope for mankind - not just us in Mudland - we have to believe we’re rational creatures, nuh? So can someone please say what’s rational about excluding half your population and still boast about having a “national” event?

Look, your Eyewitness knows there ain’t no easy answers. But surely, even for their own self-interest in getting re-elected, shouldn’t the government reach across the divide? It’s not enough to say “we told everybody to come”.

In a small society like ours, “everybody” has already been bombarded with ads showing how the wind’s blowing.

...and equality

Frankly, your Eyewitness believes one of the problems with this goal of “unity” is because it’s been trumped by the goal of “equality”. In today’s world you dare NOT tell someone they’re not equal to you. Even if you’ve been lifting weights for the last decade and the other fella’s the archetypal “97 pound weakling” who’s been lifting beers to his lips during that time. You get to be the guard at the Bank’s front door, and if the other fella’s of a different race, he’ll immediately scream, “Discrimination!!!” And wipe out any hope of “unity” with you after he starts casting dark looks your way.

So with everybody demanding “equality” and expecting it to be their birthright... we’re doomed unless we change our thinking. At some deep philosophical or religious or mystical level we may all be equal... but in this world we’re in... there’s no real “equality”. What we should insist on is “equality of opportunity”.

But “equality of results” - which is what we demand - depends on what we put out.

...or unanimity

Another reason why “unity” might be so elusive is ‘cause we think it’s equivalent to “unanimity”. But we’re not produced by cookie cutters are we?

Even Chairman Mao said, “Let a thousand flowers bloom”!

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

news

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monday, may 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Linden garbage collection Hinds decry state of education sector system in “crisis” – Mayor P

I

n the mining town of Linden with a population of approximately 70,000, the garbage collection system is in a “crisis”, as the entire population is being served with one tractor, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland said.

For several months, residents of Linden have been complaining persistently about the build-up of garbage at their homes. Each week, on the scheduled day of garbage collection, residents would have their garbage ready to be collected, but each time the garbage trucks would fail to show up.

Holland, speaking with <<<Guyana Times>>> disclosed that “currently we have no garbage trucks, we have one, but it is old and is unable to climb the hills so it is of no use. We have one tractor that we are using to service the town but that can only do a little”.

One resident from the Block 22 community, Dawn Benjamin said, “You know how long these garbage here, every week I am waiting for the garbage truck to come, but they are not coming.”

Residents of One Mile area have echoed similar

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

sentiments.

The Mayor said, “We have mechanics working to repair the truck for the past weeks, but they haven’t completed their work as yet. The truck is okay, but it is the hydraulics opening part for the garbage that is not working.”

He remains uncertain when the truck will be functional again and able to serve residents.

Some residents have resorted to the private company, Cevon’s Waste Management. According to residents, not everyone can afford to pay to dispose of their garbage.

One Lindener said, “I am a pensioner; I already have light bill, water bill and tele-

phone bill. I cannot afford to pay garbage bill now with the little pension I receiving. What money will I pay garbage bill with now? The Government raises the little pension but then they take it all back with the water bill, because I never used to pay water bill.”

Despite the fact many residents have welcomed the private garbage company, the Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) is not pleased with the company’s presence accusing it of “illegal disposal”.

Recently, residents of the Wisroc area have complained about Cevon’s Waste dumping garbage at the community’s watershed area. They disclosed that they were afraid that the water would become polluted and unsafe to use.

In earlier reports, Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who had spoken on the matter, disclosed that they wanted to promote a green environment and to do such, they would have to put garbage disposal management under a separate programme. Morian noted the garbage disposal system would have to be looked into comprehensively.

olitical commentator and educator, Dr David Hinds has lamented the state of Guyana’s education sector, stressing that after a year in Government, the new Administration still has a lot of work to do.

Speaking to Guyana Times recently, Hinds, a University Professor, said there was no doubt that the education sector in Guyana was in bad shape.

He said while he applauded Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and some of the initiatives the Ministry has taken, he still believed that the question of illiteracy in society and the underpreparedness of young people in school required more than “bringing back music”.

“It is more of a fundamental issue,” Dr Hinds said, noting that the WPA has always spoken of a “state of emergency” in the education sector, meaning that “shock treatment” should be administered to the sector.

“So, in the final analysis, I would give the Government more of a mixed review.

More positive than negative, but still feel that some of the negatives... [it] could have been signalled what it would do about them,” he noted.

The Education Minister has always maintained that the education sector was indeed in need of reform.

This need, he said, had led to the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry, which upon completion, it is hoped, would give the much needed answers and order that would take the sector

University Professor, Dr David Hinds

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

forward.

Dr Roopnaraine did say that the reform would not happen overnight as it required time to be implemented and enforced.

“Based on everything we hear in the Commission, based on the audit findings we have on our desks, based on all of these things, we will be able to design an education reform process in the key areas that need to be addressed,” the Minister had said recently.

Dr Roopnaraine pointed out that the education reform process could not be designed out of ideas but experiences and evidence, which would be gathered through the Inquiry.

“We can’t design an educational reform process out of our heads. That’s something, I think, that really has to be based on the experience of people and the evidence that the Commission of Inquiry gets,” he stated.

However, the Minister pointed out that the Commission did not have a narrow focus. Dr Roopnaraine reiterated his dissatisfaction with the fact that the schools and classrooms were almost exclu-

sively devoted to academic instruction, noting that he wanted to see far more rounded education in the schools.

“So, all of this will encompass the Inquiry. To what extent we believe that bringing music back into the school will produce a more rounded child, to what extent we believe that enhancing physical education and encouraging sports is going to result in a better educated person,” he pointed out.

Another phenomenon that needs to be addressed, the Minister had stated, is the gender imbalance in the school system.

“The young women are really outstripping the boys… by really quite a large margin. I think this is a problem for sociologists. I think we need to subject it [to] serious investigations and as I say, we must not run away with the idea that this is only affecting us here in Guyana.

This is a global and regional phenomenon and we need to look at it in all its dimensions. It’s a complex issue and certainly one that deserves a lot of attention,” Dr Roopnaraine had declared.

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guyana-times.com

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

News

receives handcrafted Indian Arrival Expo celebrates President wooden Coat of Arms Indian culture and heritage

T

Gupti Jyotish gives a demonstration on the art of pottery

he rich cultural heritage of East Indians was celebrated on Sunday, May 29 when the Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS) held the annual Indian Arrival Expo at the Leonora Synthetic Track’s parking lot, West Coast Demerara (WCD) to bring Arrival Month celebrations to an end.

The exhibition and cultural show was attended by a large number of persons who flocked the venue to take an opportunity to participate in the games, enjoy the food and view the cultural presentations that were made. At the event, a number of cultural items were on display including clothes, musical instruments and creative arts, such as pottery and henna.

There was also a yoga and medical booth on site which saw visitors being given advice on how to maintain both

their physical and mental health. The cultural show featured a number of dances and songs which were handed down from East Indian ancestors.

Gupti Jyotish, a potter who hails from Wakenaam in the Essequibo River, was one of the many exhibitors at the Expo. He was on site giving pottery demonstrations, the art of which he revealed was passed down from his great great-grandfather who came too Guyana from India.

“I have been doing this for 32 years now. This trade come from India…my great great-grandfather who came from India, and he trained my great-grandfather who trained my grandfather. And the trade was passed on to me. It is a tradition which I passed down to my daughter,” he stated.

Jyotish related that he was skilled in making all

forms of clay pots, but specialised in diyas which he would make to order.

Another artist, Mr Bheepat, of Uitvlug Pasture, West Coast Demerara, explained that he has been making murtis since he was a child. “Me born and grow up in this. Meh father used to make this since he was six years old and that’s about 40 years now,” he shared.

He said his father was taught the art form by his grandfather, an indentured immigrant from India who came to Guyana seeking work. His father maintained the tradition and turned it into a small business. “Everything we make is hand carved,” he boasted.

drawing, so eventually to do henna, I saw patterns and practised it. I’ve been doing this for over six years. I do henna for special occasions, especially weddings,” she related.

Shanta Ranglall, a member of the event’s Steering Committee, previously explained that while the event was traditionally held to coincide with Arrival Day observed on May 5, the Committee chose to host the Expo on May 29 to end the month of celebration. “The month of May is known as the Indian Arrival Heritage Month, so we chose May 29, to just close the curtain down and end it with the Indian Arrival Expo,” she stated.

Henna artists were also present to display the East Indian body art

Savitree Singh, a henna artist, explained that her trade was self-taught as she was very fond of drawing and was fascinated by the East Indian body art. “I liked

Public Relations Officer of the Committee, Shri Ram Talmakund related that preparations for the event were not “quite easy”; however, he was pleased with the results.

Jonathan and Brenda Locke (not pictured) presented the President with the veneered Coat of Arms

P

resident David Granger has been presented with a large, handmade replica of the Coat of Arms of Guyana by overseasbased Guyanese Jonathan and Brenda Locke, a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

The elaborate emblem, made from veneered wood which has undergone a special process to extend its longevity, was handed over by the Lockes during a courtesy call last Friday on the Head of State.

President Granger commended the Lockes on their fine creation and encouraged them to explore the local market and the available business opportunities. He also advised them to discuss with the Business Ministry ways in which the skill set can be taught to young people, who are interested in this type of artistic work.

A Guyanese by birth, Mr Locke said that the project was a labour of love, which he

had worked on during his leisure time over the last eight years. He was impressed by the President’s receptiveness.

“My love for Guyana is so strong that I wanted to do something for Guyana.

In New York, I made the flag of Guyana out of wood and it now adorns the wall in the Guyana Consulate. The Coat of Arms is more elaborate… I was just dying to get it here and present it, hopefully, to the President,” he remarked.

“Having met with the President, I am excited about the future of Guyana. He seemed very open-minded, very realistic about what the situation is and I am totally excited about what is coming for Guyana. It’s more than I could have expected. I expected just thanks for it, but talking about the possibility of meeting with the Minister of Business and teaching the kids how to make fine furniture is way more than I expected.”

monDAY, may 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

Deep-water harbour still on the cards – President Granger

... location still to be decided

P

resident David Granger has promised that the project to see a deep-water harbour being established in Guyana is still on the cards and could become a reality as soon as funding is available and logistics worked out.

Speaking to Guyana Times Friday, the Head of State said Government is currently examining the possible location for the project.

“We are looking at the entire Public Infrastructure networks; and it is certainly still on the cards. We are currently looking at the highway from Linden to Lethem... a deep-water harbour is a logical destination for that highway because it is meant to bring goods from Lethem. So the actual location has not been determined, but once the highway is funded, we will be able to announce what the destination will be”, the Head of State told Guyana Times.

Back in early 2015, before the General and Regional Elections, the then Government had indicated that a Chinese company was moving ahead to carry out its own feasibility study for the possible location of a deep-water harbour at the mouth of the Berbice River.

The then government had advised that if a deep-water port on a BOOT (Build,

Own, Operate and Transfer) basis was to appear to be feasible, it would proceed by

ing, environmental, social and financial studies required to prepare the road-

there have been talks about the vast economic potential and opportunities that

way of an open invitation for proposals.

In 2013 however, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had approved a US$1.5 million to fund a study to prepare a road link to Brazil and a deep-water port project to be financed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP). The funding was expected to cover all engineer-

link and deep-water port project for eventual financing through a public/private partnership, according to the IDB. The study by the Chinese company was said to be a follow-up on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered between the Government of Guyana and the company.

Throughout the years,

would be made available with a deep-water port in operation.

Already, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the idea, saying the county, though not as developed as Demerara, is ready for the significant transformation that would accompany a deep-water harbour.

Deep-water harbours are

essential points of transit for incoming people and goods.

Primarily, deep-water harbours are fundamental to the movement of exports and imports of a country.

The Port of Shanghai, in China, which started off as a small port of transit, is now the highest volume port in the world and receives approximately 30 million 20foot equivalent units per year.

In the Caribbean, the Port of Bridgetown in Barbados has immensely increased trade activities in the island and drastically boosted the tourism sector.

Barbados’ deep-water harbour now acts as a home port for many of the Britishbased Cruise Ship lines operating in the Caribbean region, directly impacting the tourism sector and ultimately the economy, owing to the revenue generated from tourists who are willing to spend.

In putting things into perspective, CGX Energy Inc Co-Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine had explained that a deep-water harbour in Guyana can actually take the strain off oil exploration companies which depend on the Port of Chaguaramas as the primary source of raw materials for their operations.

The Port of Chaguaramas

is some 450 miles from Guyana.

If this economic activity is transferred to a closer port – in Berbice, it can significantly cut the expenses endured by these oil giants.

Also, with the availability of a cheaper option, it may likely attract more exploration companies to search for the oil in Guyana’s waters, which can further contribute to the economic development of the country.

Former President Donald Ramotar had repeatedly spoken about the expansion of the Panama Canal and how this project will soon start to impact the economic activities in Guyana.

The Panama Canal Expansion Project is intended to double the capacity of the Panama Canal by creating a new lane of traffic and allowing more and larger ships to transit.

Industry experts believe that the expansion of the Panama Canal will open a new phase for the transshipment in the Caribbean.

If Guyana is not up to par with the rest of the countries in the Caribbean, it is possible that the international economic activities will dwindle due to the fact that the country does not have the port to facilitate the new phase for trans-shipment of more and larger ships.

12 news

monDay, may 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Scenes at Indian Arrival Expo

news

Construction works on Patentia bridge ongoing

Workmen at Patentia on Saturday at the new structure

The previous bridge

A Hymac clearing the canal to facilitate rehabilitation

By Shemuel Fanfair

R

esidents of Patentia, West Bank Demerara, are overjoyed with the commencement of repairs the main access bridge leading into the Patentia Housing Scheme.

This bridge was deteriorating and deplorable state for well over a year.

According to information, works began some three weeks ago but were briefly stalled. So far the construction team has uprooted the dilapidated wood structure and are replacing it with concrete, which is now the bridge of choice.

When Guyana Times visited the area Saturday morning, inhabitants explained that they are indeed glad for the return of the bridge which was originally built in the 1940s.

Vendors in the nearby Patentia Market are temporarily relocated to facilitate the construction – a move

which they had no objection to.

“We don’t mind, as long as we getting de bridge back,” one smiling female vendor told this newspaper.

The rehabilitation follows a series of reports highlighted in this newspaper which emphasised the growing concerns residents had over the deteriorating state of the decades-old structure.

According to reports, initial damage was caused by a loaded truck traversing the bridge over a year ago. In January this year, one resident stated that continued use was what contributed to the decline of the area’s main transit point.

At that time, residents, sellers and school children continued to use the bridge in spite of its deterioration.

It was also claimed by many in the area that one of the sellers in the vicinity had fallen while using the bridge sometime late last year.

A red cloth warning vehi-

cle owners of a damaged section of the bridge was then placed.

Residents had also expressed frustrations over a nearby substitute bridge not being equipped to withstand the weight of heavy-loaded drink and gas trucks which must service shops in the housing scheme.

Local Pandit and Justice of the Peace, Chandreeca Persaud had made continued complaints to both the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to no avail.

When this publication contacted former chairman of Toevlugt-Patentia NDC Roy Benett in January, he stated that the NDC was aware of the condition of the access bridge but emphasised that the responsibility for the bridge rests with the RDC. Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Regional Chairman Julius Faerber when contacted some days later confirmed that the structure indeed falls under the RDC and he expressed hope that the funds would be procured from Government.

“We were trying at the regional level to see if we could have garnered some funding to have that bridge repaired. After the General and Regional Elections, we were told that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government will make some funding available to have that bridge repaired under the new budget in 2015.”

He however related that the project was not included in the 2015 Budget but was referred to the 2016 Budget.

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monDay, may 30, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Improved road, state-of-the-art waterfront facilities, street lights for Region 2 – Patterson By: Indrawattie Natram

P

ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has promised residents of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) better infrastructure, noting that poor infrastructure in any given area can stymie development. Patterson was at the time speaking at the Flag Raising Ceremony held on Wednesday 25 May by the Region Two administration to commemorate the country’s Independence Jubilee.

During his address, the minister said last year his ministry constructed, rehabilitated and maintained roads across the country, adding that 8500 meters of roads were completed within the region with over $146 million expended in projects.

For this year residents in region two will continue to see development along the roadway, citing that in the 2016 Budget $2.6B was allocated for roadworks and Region Two will receive a slice of the pie. For bridges he noted nearly $294 million will be provided for rehabilitation and repairs.

Through improved roadways there will be an expansion of farm-to-market access with the aim of stimulating microfarms and small-scale agro-processing.

“Better roadways and bridges mean increased commercial activities, which in turn will lead to greater income and financial security for the people of Region Two” the minister said.

Emphasis will also be placed on reducing road fatalities through the installation of traffic lights, street lights, road markings and signage.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and the Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt taking the salute

In addition, Patterson noted that government’s focus will be on improving the connection among Essequibo Coast and riverine areas…

Government is therefore looking towards upgrading stellings (wharves) to facilitate the new vessels.

According to the minister, preparations are already in train not only to upgrade but reconstruct facilities throughout the country. For Region Two a state-of-the-art waterfront facility will be established in Supenaam.

The project will focus on broadwalks; modernized ramps for ferries and water taxis; a dockyard for yachts and recreational areas. The project he said will generate income through tourism for the region as well as create spin-off economic opportunities for small businesses.

The residents and current users will be given first option to jobs and concessions for the project, Patterson said.

New river transport vessels

Patterson highlighted that his government in addressing the connection issues of the riverine areas will be providing new river transport vessels. According

to him, government has recognized how much adequate river transport networks stymies the development of the Coast and its people.

The minister explained that a major focus is needed to improve the ferry services as well as to upgrade the aging fleet. He said the current vessels are approaching the end of their usefulness and government is working to acquire new vessels.

“The complaints of the ferry services offering in Essequibo have not fallen on deaf ears, the people of Essequibo have felt neglected for too long but today, as we prepare to usher in 50 years of Independence, I declare that Essequibo will earn the respect and prestige it so deserves” Patterson explained to loud applause.

The Public Infrastructure Minister said even before Guyana attained Independence in 1966, Essequibo had a rich history from the Dutch producing a large percentage of Guyana’s rice. He implored regional officials to work together in unity in moving the Region forward.

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guyana-times.com

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

Regional

Rio de Janeiro Police Peru's Fujimori seen scour slums for suspects winning presidential in girl's gang rape election next week – poll

R

io de Janeiro Police swarmed two slums on Sunday searching for suspects in the alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old Brazilian girl who said more than 30 men assaulted her, a case that shocked the nation set to host the Olympics in August.

More than 70 officers used helicopters, armoured vehicles and dogs to enter the slums, but there was no word if any suspects had been captured in the operation.

In the five days since a video of the rape was posted by an alleged perpetrator on Twitter and set off a wave of outrage, Police have brought in five persons for questioning and made no arrests.

Police said there are all the indications that the gang rape occurred on May 21, but they could not yet confirm how many took part.

Over the weekend, women and men marched in sev-

P

eruvian presidential contender Keiko Fujimori is seen beating rival Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the June 5 run-off election, according to an Ipsos poll released on Sunday, consolidating the lead she had gained in recent weeks.

Demonstrators attend a protest against rape and violence against women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 27, 2016

eral cities to demand justice and decry sexism in Brazilian culture. A woman on the Supreme Court lashed out at a pervasive macho culture that permits such barbaric acts.

"Each and every woman is a victim," Justice Carmen Lucia said in a written statement. "Our bodies are tormented, our souls are trashed. That is what these criminals think and do, and they must quickly be held

accountable."

The case adds to mounting concerns about security in Rio and political breakdown in Brazil as the city and country prepare for South America's first Olympics starting August 5.

Both the suspended Dilma Rousseff, the first woman elected President in Brazil, and interim President Michel Temer repudiated the act. (Excerpt from

Fujimori, the 40-year-old daughter of imprisoned expresident Alberto Fujimori, was seen garnering 45.9 per cent of votes, according to the poll published in local newspaper El Comercio.

Kuczynski, a 77-year-old former World Bank econo-

mist who narrowly moved onto the second-round election after coming in second to Fujimori ahead of a leftist rival, is seen getting 40.6 per cent of votes.

The Ipsos survey of 1815 people has a 2.3 point margin of error up or down and was taken between May 26 and 27. Some 13.5 per cent of voters were still undecided or planned to cast a spoiled ballot.

Fujimori was seen winning 53.1 per cent of valid votes, which does not include blank or spoiled votes, compared to Kuczynski's 46.9 per cent.

Fujimori has solidified her lead despite a scandal involving a top aide. The senior aide resigned from her centre-right party in a bid to calm an uproar following media reports that linked the two to money laundering, accusations that both have denied.

Fujimori and Kuczynski are scheduled to face off Sunday night in the last televised debate before voters head to the ballot box.

In 2011, Fujimori lost her first presidential bid to President Ollanta Humala, who cannot run again this year because of term limits.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Tropical Storm Bonnie the 2nd storm of Atlantic Hurricane Season

Reuters)

Venezuelan Government 'holds talks' with Opposition

A

group of former Presidents has held secret meetings in the Dominican Republic with Venezuelan officials and Government opponents in an attempt to mediate the South American nation's political standoff, an Opposition Leader has confirmed.

Jesus Torrealba, executive secretary of the Opposition alliance, confirmed on Saturday that the meetings, which were initiated under the auspices of the Union of South American Nations, or UNASUR, took place.

But he said there was no face-to-face encounter, and instead the two sides exchanged messages through

the ex-presidents.

The OPEC nation is suffering a severe recession due to low oil prices and a collapsing socialist economic model.

President Nicolás Maduro is locked in a standoff with Congress after the Opposition won a sweeping legislative majority last year.

Government-backed newspaper Ciudad Caracas described the encounter as an "exploratory meeting for the start of dialogue", adding that the meeting included ex-leaders of Spain, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Rodriguez retweeted State-run broadcaster Telesur saying the

Government had met with the Opposition.

A Foreign Ministry official, however, declined to comment.

The head of Venezuela's MUD Opposition coalition tweeted: "There is no 'Opposition-Government' meeting in the Dominican.

Representatives of the coalition are attending a meeting with (the ex-Presidents)."

Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who is leading the recall push, said in an interview this week that dialogue would simply allow the Government to buy time and that the only way to resolve the crisis was through a vote. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bonnie developed less than a week before the official June 1 start of the 2016 season

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ropical Storm Bonnie became the second named tropical system of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Saturday evening, posing no threat to the Caribbean. But hours later, it weakened to a depression.

The tropical depression made landfall in the southeastern US state of South Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour as of Sunday morn-

ing – five miles per hour less than when the National Hurricane Centre in Miami named it a storm in an update.

It is expected to slowly weaken even further tomorrow, eventually degenerating to a remnant low.

Bonnie developed less than a week before the official June 1 start of the 2016 season. It followed another outof-season system – Hurricane Alex – which formed in

January in the north-eastern Atlantic and moved through the Azores before weakening.

The season ends on November 30.

The forecast released last month by the climatology team at Colorado State University points to a total of 12 named storms, 5 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. That is very close to the long-term average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes.

(Caribbean360)

St Lucian PM confident Jamaica: Lisa Hanna of victory in upcoming to run for PNP VP post General Election A S

fter weeks of speculation, outspoken Member of Parliament for St Ann South Eastern and chairman of Region One, Lisa Hanna, has announced her intentions to run for Vice President of the People’s National Party (PNP).

Hanna, in an Instagram post Sunday, said that she wanted to help build a party that gives their group membership "real" ownership and benefits.

“I want to build a party that practises a build-up politics, rather than a 'tear down, cut throat, stab you in the back politics'," Hanna said.

Other reasons she gave for her decision to offer herself as Vice President included her desire for a party that is accountable and transparent to the delegates as well as other Jamaicans. (Jamaica Observer)

t Lucian Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony is confident of victory at the upcoming polls.

Lisa Hanna greets a party member

After filing his nomination papers on Saturday, Anthony declared that his ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) is confident and ready for the June 6 General Election.

“The machinery is in place, we know we can and we will and we will not be intimidated. We will conduct ourselves peacefully, but what ultimately matters is the ballot box,” Dr Anthony said.

The Prime Minister, who represents the constituency of Vieux Fort South, said he believed the people would express their confidence in him.

“We have had a wonderful relationship,”

he asserted.

Anthony said he and his team were well organised and prepared to go.

At the same time, he explained that he took all of his opponents seriously, no matter who they are.

Questioned on the matter of term limits for Prime Ministers, Anthony noted that it was an old issue.

He recalled having said in the past that the democratic process must not be frustrated.

“It is not for individuals to decide how many terms we should have.”

Ahead of the June 6 GENERAL ELECTION, the advance poll that allows Election Day workers, Police and fire personnel will take place on June 3. (CMC)

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

UN: More than 700 Police recommend indicting Netanyahu's wife â&#x20AC;&#x201C; reports refugees feared drowned off Italy I

The UN refugee agency says hundreds of people may have died in three separate shipwrecks in recent days

T

he United Nations refugee agency said more than 700 refugees may have drowned in three Mediterranean Sea shipwrecks south of Italy in the last few days.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Geneva, William Spindler, a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman for Europe, said there had been a spate of incidents in the Mediterranean last week.

"The first one was Wednesday, which was widely reported. A boat capsized, carrying about 600 people. Some of those people are still missing," Spindler

said.

"Then there was a second incident on Thursday and a third one on Friday. In total, we fear that in these three incidents more than 700 people are missing, presumed drowned.

"There is a number of boats at the moment trying to make their way from Libya to Italy and several rescue operations are ongoing."

Spindler said more needed to be done to stop refugees from taking to the sea in small boats.

"It is very difficult to prevent people from doing this.

In our view, what needs to be done is to offer legal alterna-

tives to the most vulnerable refugees to travel to Europe.

The reason why people are undertaking these dangerous journeys is because they have no choice," he said.

Carlotta Sami, a spokeswoman for UNHCR, told the Associated Press news agency by phone an estimated 100 people were missing from a smugglers' boat that capsized on Wednesday.

She said about 550 others were missing from the boat that sank on Thursday.

Refugees said that boat, which was carrying about 670 people, did not have an engine and was being towed by another smuggling boat before it capsized. (Excerpt from Al

A

petrators.

A Delhi Deputy Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh, however, dismissed the recent spate of attacks targeting Africans as racially motivated, insisting the violent crimes were "isolated incidents" and not racist in nature.

Singh said on Sunday that there was "no element of racism" following

Thursday's attacks when six Africans were beaten across New Delhi's Mehrauli neighbourhood.

"It's not as if there's a public movement against African nationals," he told NDTV, a privately run Indian TV channel, before adding that the attacks happened "at different locations, at different times and for different reasons." (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

5 UN soldiers killed in central Mali attack F

ive United Nations peacekeepers were killed and one other seriously injured in an ambush in central Mali on Sunday, the United Nations said.

A convoy of soldiers in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was attacked 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of SevarĂŠ, the UN said.

The nationalities of the soldiers were not released and so far no group had taken responsibility for the attack.

It comes 10 days after five MINUSMA peacekeepers from Chad were killed in an ambush in the northern region of Kidal. Two

The suspicions relate to Sara Netanyahu's alleged misuse of State funds to pay a caregiver for her ailing father before his death; the hiring of an electrician who did not meet the requirements of a government tender; and for opulent meals.

The Prime Minister denied the allegations in a Facebook post. "In the Police statement there was no recommendation to bring Mrs Netanyahu to trial. In contrast to reports, Mrs Netanyahu did not commit any crime."

The investigation was prompted by a Government auditor's findings and by

information provided by a former chief custodian at the official residence. In February, he won damages for emotional distress after a labour court found that Mrs Netanyahu had repeatedly scolded him and other household staff.

In a separate report by the State auditor on Tuesday, the Prime Minister was criticised over free air tickets that he and his family received for travel abroad when he was Finance Minister more than a decade ago.

No criminal charges have been brought in that investigation. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Family of driver killed in US drone strike files case

Jazeera)

India makes arrests after spate of attacks on Africans t least five Indians accused of assaulting Africans in New Delhi have been arrested after African diplomats urged the Indian Government to ensure the safety of their nationals living in the country.

India's Interior Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday condemned the attacks and asked the city Police to take strict action against the per-

sraeli Police have recommended bringing criminal charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife on suspicion of misuse of State funds and inflated household spending, Israeli media have said.

Police said in a statement on Sunday that they had concluded an investigation and had presented their findings to prosecutors, who would decide what action to take.

The statement offered few details, but reports in all of Israel's main media outlets said Police had recommended that charges be brought.

Mohammad Azam's family members say they are seeking justice after the father of four was killed along with the Taliban leader

T

he family of the driver killed in a US drone strike that targeted Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor have registered a case against US officials seeking murder charges.

The case, filed by the family of Mohammad Azam who was killed last week along with Mansoor in the Pakistani town of Ahmad Wal near Afghan border, said the father of four was innocent.

US officials described the car's driver as a "second male combatant", but according to Pakistani security officials he was a chauf-

feur named Mohammad Azam who worked for the Al Habib rental company based out of Quetta, the region's main city.

"US officials whose name I do not know accepted the responsibility in media for this incident, so I want justice and request legal action against those responsible for it," Mohammad Qasim, Azam's brother, said in a Police report, a copy of which was seen by the AFP news agency.

"My brother was innocent and he was very poor who has left behind four small children and he was

the lone bread earner in the family," he added.

Local Police and Administration officials on Sunday confirmed charges had been filed, but declined to comment on what steps authorities would take to pursue the case, if any.

The identity of the US officials involved in the drone strike is unknown, and it is unclear if the charges will relate to those who ordered the attack or the US servicemen who carried it out.

Drones have been a major part of President Barack Obama's campaign against armed groups in Pakistan.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

French Government to stand firm on labour reform

T

he French Government will stand by its labour reform plans, it said on Sunday, while resuming talks with unions in an effort to end widespread protests before the country MINUSMA and French forces have been stationed in northern Mali hosts the Euro 2016 soccer tournament next month. for three years The hardline CGT union days ago, five Malian sol- humanity under internahas organised street prodiers were killed near the tional law". tests, train strikes and retown of Gao. MINUSMA and French finery blockades to pressure "I condemn in the stron- forces have been stathe Government to scrap gest terms this despicable tioned in northern Mali plans that would make it crime," said MINUSMA for three years since sepaeasier for companies to hire head Mahamat Saleh ratists joined jihadists to and fire workers.

Annadif, adding that it seize the region from the French Prime Minister constituted "crimes against Government in Bamako.

(Excerpt from Reuters) Manuel Valls was quoted

as saying on Sunday that he was determined not to join a long list of politicians who have conceded defeat to protesters.

"If we gave in to the street and to CGT because we were obsessed over the short term by 2017 (presidential elections), we would lose everything," Valls told French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

In the mid-1990s Prime Minister Alain Juppe triggered France's worst unrest in decades because he would not budge on pension reform, but he eventually backed down after weeks of

industrial action and protests.

The dispute has sent Valls' approval rating to 24 per cent, its lowest since he became Prime Minister, according to a poll conducted by BVA for Orange et iTELE. Juppe resigned as Prime Minister in 1996 after his rating dropped below 25 per cent.

The Government is under pressure to find a solution to the latest stand-off before the June 10 start of the Euro 2016 tournament, which the CGT has threatened to disrupt. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

VOX POPULI

I SAY...

What the people say about

Guyana in the next 50 years Devin Sears (Linden)

Madavi Persaud (Essequibo Coast)

“First of all, one could appreciate where Guyana would have come from as a people over the past 50 years. We’ve struggled for Independence, we got it. There is racial divide, unrest – several things didn’t go right for us over the last 50 years, but somehow we managed to stick through and fight for what we have. Heading into the fifty, we see people appreciating Guyana for what it is. With the country going forward, I think a lot of the foundation has already been laid...There’s lots of room for improvement, but the foundation has already been laid. I personally believe that in the next 50 years Guyana will rise to be one of the powerhouses in the Caribbean. Of all the Caribbean States, Guyana will be one of the leading ones, economically, tourism wise. We will see skyscrapers going up, better motorways, better traffic systems in place. I believe in the next 50 years, with the amount of wealth Guyana will be generating from oil, it will be a powerhouse to reckon with. But I must warn that with sudden wealth comes great responsibility and accountability.”

“I envision Guyana’s education system to be blooming with technological advancement in the next 50th years with children afforded more opportunities with the establishment of high-tech laboratories. Guyana needs to have a prudent financial system so that persons can afford a better life and this can be done if there is a reduction of taxes. I also see a vast improvement in the health system with more specialised doctors in various fields being placed at the different health facilities, but all this can only happen if our leaders work together for the betterment of all Guyanese. I also wish to see an improvement in the housing sector with more persons affording house lots and an expansion of the Private Sector where persons can get employment and an increase in wages and salaries will be good.

Guyana is a beautiful place and its people are known throughout the world for their hospitality.”

Stefan Tappin (Linden)

“Where do I see Guyana in 50 years? I see Guyana as a much better place with a higher standard of living.

Poverty and crime levels down with a higher percentage of the population being educated. Better economy, infrastructure, healthcare system and better management of our resources.”

Safina Latchman (Georgetown)

“I would really like to see Guyana at the point where the standard of living meaning material goods and necessities for the average public servant to survive on comfortably.

In addition, the country should be able to have a progressive government with politicians who have a plan to take care of the problems faced by the nation.”

Melrose Henry (Capoey)

Anastasia Amin (Georgetown)

“Well, if things continue the way it is going and at the rate at which it is going, we would definitely be worse than Haiti, but on the optimistic side, if the oil industry materialised, only then we should be able to be a developed country.

That would have to be under better administration, of course, because even if we find billions of barrels of oil and it’s not managed property it would be like casting pearls to swine.”

“As a proud Guyanese citizen in the next 50 years I want to see a Guyana that is more productive.

A Guyana where all six nations unite as one to work towards the betterment of our country. I want to see a Guyana that utilises the creative potential of our youths.

After all, we are the future of this country and in the next 50 years, it is up to us to build a bigger, better Guyana.”

Michelle Singh (Georgetown)

WR Reaz (Georgetown)

“I would like to see the country in 50 years being more progressed and united where people share more love among society. The Government and all should be able to work under the common grounds to develop sectors so that more jobs become available and everyone is given an equal playing field in the various sectors. The country should be developed so that it is better for every citizen.”

“In the next 50 years, it would be a joy to see the country develop in the aspects of offering better educational structures, more job employment opportunities. Seeing a more advanced and greener environment where all Guyanese can have a better future is what the country should be aiming at becoming over the next 50 years.”

Carlene Samuel (Georgetown)

“It has too often been said that Guyana has “potential”. Thus, in the next 50 years, I would like to see Guyana finally meet her full potential. Guyana has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources that we, the citizens, have yet to tap into. I believe that it is the duty and responsibility of every Guyanese, locally and in the Diaspora, to build our nation. For our centenary, I would like Guyana to be economically secure and become, once again, the “Bread Basket of the Caribbean”. However, we can only achieve this through collaborative development of God’s gifts to us – natural resources.”

China Wanda City theme park opens in a battle with Disney

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hina's richest man has opened a massive entertainment complex to compete with US giant Disney.

"Wanda City", in south-eastern city Nanchang, features rides, shopping centres and an aquarium, and cost more than US$3 billion.

Its owner, Wang Jianlin, said he wanted to move away from western imports and to establish a global brand based on Chinese culture.

Disney is planning to open its own theme park in Shanghai next month.

The new entertainment complex includes an US$800 million China-themed park filled

with twirling "porcelain teacup rides" and bamboo forests, as well as a huge indoor shopping mall, and what is claimed to be the world's largest ocean park.

Wang's Wanda property group has also invested heavily in the film and cinema business.

It has indicated it wants to fend off Disney in the Chinese market and become a global entertainment brand.

In remarks at Saturday's opening ceremony, Wang did not mention Disney by name, but said that after millennia of Chinese cultural domination, the country was lacking confidence in its own culture.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

17

NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Goolsarran launches book Construction works wrapping “Governance, Transparency up at Umana Yana and Accountability”

I

Stage area of the Umana Yana

From left: Anand Goolsarran, Dr Clive Thomas, President David Granger and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

T

Goolsaran’s new book

he book “Governance, Transparency and Accountability” by Anand Goolsarran was officially launched Saturday at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

Notable attendees included President David Granger, Vice-President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, as well as head of State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), Dr Clive Thomas, and Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) president Troy Thomas, who all congratulated Goolsarran on an outstanding publication.

Goolsarran praised his family and friends for helping in creating what can be termed a “gem”.

“One of the most experienced men, a man who tries to educate Guyanese to deliver a

better Guyana” were the sentiments expressed by economist Dr Clive Thomas about the launching of Governance, Transparency and Accountability. Dr Thomas also wrote the Foreword to the book.

The publication provides a comprehensive knowledge of what can be attributed to the ways in which matters of governance, transparency and accountability are treated in Guyana.

According to President Granger: “It seems easy to write every week but it must be difficult, and I must join with other heads in congratulating Mr Goolsaran on his consistency.”

The President went on to note that he, as Head of State is particularly interested in good governance and this

book emphasizes effective government policy, regulatory framework and political stability. He also noted that corruption collides with all of these areas.

“Corruption is not two crooked cops at Stabreok Market, corruption is far more; these are the crimes by persons who own vessels to smuggle in billions into the country. I could remember former President Jagdeo talking of billions being lost due to smuggling” the President outlined. book identifies The the first literature of the Guyanese treatment to its institutions and mechanisms involved in the forces of accountability and governance in order to improve the life for all Guyanese.

The book also speaks of a wide range of issues including the Budget, procurement, City Hall, salary increases and Parliamentary decisions, to name few.

It is no surprise Ramjattan labelled the book as a historical piece that can be referenced in future to see how best the government of the day dealt with the situation.

Goolsarran has been a key figure in the area of accountability and governance, having served as Auditor General of Guyana.

n three days, the Umana Yana’s restoration is expected to be completed. This is according to contractor, Maliki James, who spoke to Guyana Times on Saturday.

The internal works were completed, leaving a polished floor, stage and bar area, and walls of the structure lined with spindles.

The contractor on site told this publication that the last step is the drainage in front of the monument which will be completed within three days.

“We’ve finished the inside already, the flooring, borders along the walls, stage, the bar. We just have to finish up the drains, and as you can see, we’ve already started,” James said.

James highlighted that the current construction team took up the job to complete the Umana Yana some two months ago, but though the completion date was extended, he is happy to have the structure restored.

Some 17 months after it was destroyed by fire, construction had commenced at a cost of $60.7 million.

The cultural edifice was burnt to the ground in September 2014, after a fire said to be electrical in origin, engulfed one of our nation’s

most famous landmarks.

The Umana Yana built in 1972, was a historic structure and appears on the cover of several magazines and publications.

It was erected for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Georgetown.

Thereafter, it served as a VIP Lounge and recreation centre. It was a permanent and much admired part of Georgetown’s landscape.

and it stands at 16.78 metres, made from thatched allibanna and manicole palm leaves, and wallaba posts lashed together with mukru, turu and nibbi vines, all of which are found in Guyana’s interior.

Back in 2015 the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry facilitated the sodturning ceremony for the reconstruction of the heritage site.

“It was historic in 1972 when the Umana Yana, 55 feet in height, was built for a visiting foreign delegation as a conference centre; and it was a total disaster and a sad day in 2014 Heritage Month, on the ninth of September, that this building was burnt down due to electrical problems,” Garrido-Lowe had told the gathering.

She reminded that the first Umana Yana was built without nails by the Wai-Wai nation, adding that “once again the Wai-

Construction works being done on drainage in front of the Umana Yana

Fashioned like the Wai Wai benabs or shelters found deep in Guyana’s interior, it occupies an area of 460 square metres. This makes the Yana the largest structure of its kind in Guyana.

Wais will be constructing the new Umana Yana, supported by the village of Moraikobai and the people of St Cuthbert’s who will be providing the materials.”

Emptying of hospital septic tanks in Region 6

“Something doesn’t smell Some Public Servants not right” – RDC Chairman receiving gratuity $

C

leaners working in governmental institutions (schools, hospitals, etc) are calling on the relevant authorities to look into the current injustice they claim they are being faced with.

Information provided to Guyana Times revealed there are a number of cleaners and other government workers who are not being made permanent staff for undisclosed reasons.

As such, they are not entitled to gratuity payments every six months unless granted permanency or until retirement.

This is due to the fact that no money is paid to the temporary workers at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

According to information, $60,000 is to be giv-

en to each worker every six months to facilitate those payments but this is not being complied with, nor are the workers being given any valid reason for the nonpayment.

The workers who this publication spoke with claimed that consultation was had with those responsible for awarding these monies but no assurance was given to them whether the current issue is going to be rectified.

Further reports stated that some workers, especially those working in health institutions, are not receiving their gratuity but those that are mostly affected are the cleaners working in educational institutions.

Speaking with this publication, a cleaner at an educational facility, who

wished to remain anonymous, revealed that she has been working as a ‘temporary’ worker for almost two years and did not receive any gratuity.

She said she was not aware of the arrangements but only recently found out.

Upon enquires, she was told there is no gratuity being given. She carried out further investigations but met with the same response.

“If we are not being paid our gratuity, then something is fishy because it is something we are entitled to as we are not getting NIS, what is going on? We need to know”.

The workers are calling for intervention as soon as possible.

This publication tried to contact the Education Minister but was unsuccessful in doing so.

2.1 million have been paid to empty 18 septic tanks in two hospitals of Region Six, (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

Region Six Councillor Hafeez Yusuf mentioned that arrangements for emptying the septic tanks in Berbice were entered under emergency conditions.

This information was confirmed by Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman David Armogan.

Armogan stated: “18 septic tanks were arranged to be emptied. Among that, 10 of those tanks belonged to the Fort Canje Mental Hospital and eight septic tanks were from the New Amsterdam Public Hospital” Armogan indicated that the ten tanks of the Fort Canje Hospital were cleaned manually for the sum of $700,000 while the eight at New Amsterdam Hospital were cleaned for $1.4 million.

Region 6 Chairman David Armogan

This information breaks down to $70,000 (done manually) per tank for the ten at Fort Canje and $175,000 for the eight in New Amsterdam.

However, when this newspaper contacted other contractors, the highest quotation received for the emptying of septic tanks anywhere in the Country was $60,000.

When asked about the contract, Armogan insisted

there was no contract actually, just a Berbician contractor, Kurtwright Thomas who was organized to do the job.

“No contract was signed.

They said he was called in under emergency works and bill was paid. This is a clear violation of the procurement act because no one should begin works without a contract” The RDC Chairman said he doesn’t see how it is possible and he was never informed about the need for the septic tanks to be emptied, only having learned of it recently.

He outlined that this may only be possible if the management neglected to notice that these septic tanks were filled; however corruption is not ruled out.

“It doesn’t make sense to me and it only came to my attention three days ago and that is what we are investigating right now” Armogan said.

18

guyana-times.com

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

ARCHIE

ARIES

Adjust your resume to

(March 21- suit the current job market.

April 19) A business opportunity will

have negatives and positives attached to it. Don’t settle for anything less than fair.

Romance is highlighted.

Keep your intentions a TAURUS secret. Use the information (April 20- you gather from colleagues May 20) to your advantage in order to profit from an unusual opportunity.

DILBERT

Problems will arise if you GEMINI donate too freely to individu(May 21June 20) als, organisations or causes.

You are best off taking care of yourself, your family and your financial future.

Share your ideas and CANCER feelings, and make unusual (June 21- changes to the way you live July 22) or make your money. Don’t be afraid to do things differently.

PEANUTS

Put a little adventure in LEO (July 23- your life. A change to your Aug. 22) status or position will inspire you to try something new.

Discipline will help you fend off bad influences.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Don’t expect things to go VIRGO according to plan. If you are (Aug. 23ready for the unexpected, you Sept. 22) will be able to deal with life’s slings and arrows quickly and efficiently. Don’t let love lead you to make bad choices.

You are either a doer or a LIBRA (Sept. 23- spectator. Make up your mind Oct. 23) instead of sitting on the fence.

Don’t wait for someone else to take charge. Make a difference by making a move.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD –DRAGNET

Use your emotional enSAGITTARIUS ergy to make adjustments to (Nov. 23- the way or where you live. A Dec. 21) change at home will prompt you to strive for more independence. Don’t let friends limit or pressure you.

(DRAGNET: DRAG-net: A system of coordinated procedures to catch wanted persons.)

Average mark 38 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 50 or more words in DRAGNET? The list will be published tomorrow.

sake sale seal sear sepal skep slake slap spar spare spark

SATURDAY’S WORD – SPARKLE

speak spear pale paler pare park parse peak peal pear pearl

perk plea praseaper apse asker rake ralerase rasp real reap kale

kelp lake lapse lark lase laser leak leap earl

Personal matters will take SCORPIO an unusual but beneficial (Oct. 24turn that will allow you the Nov. 22) freedom to live the way you want. An emotional matter can be put to rest.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Observe other people’s CAPRICORN mistakes and learn from (Dec. 22them. Protect your home, asJan. 19) sets and possessions. Walk away from unstable people and products that promise the impossible. Use brainpower to advance.

Someone from your past AQUARIUS will offer you sound advice.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) Your heart will tell you one thing, but your head something else. Concentrate on personal improvement, home and family.

Being attentive will pay off PISCES (Feb. 20- and keep you out of trouble.

March 20) Show an interest and listen to complaints. What you learn will help you avoid being put in a vulnerable position.

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

Sunrisers Hyderabad are IPL Champions 2016 I n a match fitting of a tournament final, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers by eight runs to be crowned champions of VIVO IPL 2016. After setting the home side a target of 209, Sunrisers Hyderabad believed in themselves – this despite Chris Gayle helping RCB to a sensational start.

And when the opportunity presented itself, SRH took control and slammed the door on their opponents, restricting them to 200-7, and came up triumphant.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, rode on blitzes from captain David Warner and Ben Cutting to post their highest ever total to date.

Warner took the RCB bowlers to the cleaners in the first half of the innings, while Cutting put the home team bowlers to the sword at the back end.

Warner didn’t get too much strike in the first couple of overs. He teed off in the third over when he picked up consecutive boundaries off Sreenath Arvind – one through cover and the next one through midwicket. In the fifth over, he got stuck into compatriot Shane Watson, hitting him for a six over cover and a four through point.

SRH added 19 in the fifth over and a further 13 in the sixth over to finish the Powerplay period on a high.

Warner signed off that period of play by hitting the last ball of the sixth over for a six over long-on; SRH were 59-0 at that point. Though Warner lost the company of his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (28 from 25 balls) in the following over, he stuck to his methods and continued to punish the RCB bowlers; he deposited an Iqbal Abdullah delivery over long on in the eighth over, and carted Yuzvendra Chahal for two boundaries in the ninth over to bring up his half-century.

In the fourteenth over, against the run of play, Warner was dismissed; he threw his bat at a wide delivery from Arvind, but didn’t get enough body behind the shot and ended up offering Abdullah a simple catch at short thirdman. The SRH captain, who had earlier equalled the record for the fastest half-century in an IPL Final – was dismissed for 69, made from 38 balls and decorated with eight fours and three sixes.

Yuvraj (38 from 23 balls) collected four boundaries and two sixes with some clean hitting; however, he too was dismissed in the seventeenth over when he tamely drove the cover.

Ben Cutting applied the finishing touches and helped his team finish with a flourish; he scored 39 from 15 balls, studded with three boundaries and four sixes.

SCOREBOARD Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (20 overs maximum) DA Warner* c Iqbal Abdulla b Aravind 69 S Dhawan c Jordan Chahal 28 MC Henriques c Chahal b Jordan 4 Yuvraj Singh c Watson b Jordan 38 DJ Hooda c Kohli b Aravind 3 BCJ Cutting not out 39 NV Ojha† run out (Watson) 7 Bipul Sharma c Chahal b Jordan 5 B Kumar not out 1 Extras: (b-1, lb-2, w-11) 14 Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 208 Did not bat: BB Sran, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Dhawan, 6.4 ov), 2-97 (Henriques, 9.5 ov), 3-125 (Warner, 13.3 ov), 4-147 (Hooda, 15.6 ov), 5-148 (Yuvraj Singh, 16.1 ov), 6-158 (Ojha, 17.1 ov), 7-174 (Bipul Sharma, 18.4 ov) Bowling: S Aravind 4-030-2, CH Gayle 3-0-24-0 (w-2), SR Watson 4-0-610 (w-2), YS Chahal 4-0-351, Iqbal Abdulla 1-0-10-0, CJ Jordan 4-0-45-3 (w-2)

Royal Challengers Bangalore innings (target: 209 runs from 20 overs) CH Gayle c Bipul Sharma b Cutting 76 V Kohli* b Sran 54 AB de Villiers c Henriques b Bipul Sharma 5 KL Rahul† b Cutting 11 SR Watson c Henriques b Mustafizur Rahman 11 Sachin Baby not out 18 STR Binny run out (Hooda/†Ojha) 9 CJ Jordan run out (†Ojha) 3 Iqbal Abdulla not out 4 9 Extras: (lb-5, w-4) Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 200 Did not bat: S Aravind, YS Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Gayle, 10.3 ov), 2-140 (Kohli, 12.5 ov), 3-148 (de Villiers, 13.5 ov), 4-160 (Rahul, 15.3 ov), 5-164 (Watson, 16.3 ov), 6-180 (Binny, 18.1 ov), 7-194 (Jordan, 19.3 ov) Bowling: B Kumar 4-0-25-0 (w-1), BB Sran 3-0-41-1 (w2), BCJ Cutting 4-0-35-2 (w-1), Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-371, MC Henriques 3-0-40-0, Bipul Sharma 2-0-17-1

Man of the Match in the VIVO IPL Final 2016, Ben Cutting of Sunrisers Hyderabad blasted 39 runs from 15 balls with 3 boundaries and 4 maximums

He was especially severe on Watson who came on to bowl the final over of the innings; he carved away the first ball of the final over through cover, hit the second delivery out of the stadium and then put away the third ball for a six over midwicket. He signed off in style too, hitting the final ball of the innings into the stands at long-off. SRH scored 12, 16 and 24 in the final three overs to finish at – 208-7 – their highest total posted in IPL Finals.

The opening partnership of 63 was the biggest of the innings, while Cutting and Bipul Sharma added 34 in the final 1.2 overs.

For RCB, Chris Jordan, despite not being at his best, was the most successful bowler; he returned with figures of 4-0-45-3.The left-arm quick Arvind was impressive and returned with figures of 4-0-30-2. The leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the only other wicket-taker. The experienced Shane Watson had a forgettable outing, conceding 61 runs in his four overs. Though their catching was good, RCB were rusty in the field; they conceded 11 runs through wides and also gave away a few runs on the field by means of misfields or unnecessary overthrows.

RCB’s chase was a part of two halves. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli laid the perfect platform for a humongous chase by adding 114 runs in 10.3 overs. Such was Gayle’s dominance in the partnership that even an in-form Kohli was consigned to being a spectator. Gayle was magnificent on the night; he hit three boundaries and drilled five sixes and raced to a 25ball half-century. He continued his big-hitting and

carried on to 76 - his highest score of the season – before he became Ben Cutting’s first victim. The Jamaican attempted to heave across the line, but the ball came of the toe of the bat and carried to deep thirdman where Bipul Sharma held on to a sharp catch. The left-hander took a special liking for Barinder Sran, Cutting and Moises Henriques, against whom he scored at a strike-rate in excess of 200.

Kohli, who had only contributed 32 runs in the 114run opening stand, accelerated after Gayle’s dismissal and brought up his half-century in the 13th over; he got to the milestone in style when he smashed Sran for a six over wide long off. Three balls later though, he dragged the ball back onto his stumps. Kohli, dismissed for 54 - made from 35 balls and decorated with five boundaries and two sixes, became the highest rungetter in the IPL during the course of his innings.

A series of dismissals thereafter – which included the wickets of AB de Villiers, KL Rahul and Shane Watson - derailed all the good work done by the opening pair.

RCB finished their twenty overs at 200-7. To put things in perspective, RCB were 7 runs ahead of where SRH were after 19 overs; where SRH had added 24 runs in the final over, RCB only managed to score 9 and eventually fell short by ten runs.

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Cutting picked up two wickets – including that of the dangerous Chris Gayle – to cap of a wonderful evening.

Sran, Mustafizur Rahman and Bipul Sharma all chipped in with a wicket each.

19

Lewis Hamilton wins epic Monaco Grand Prix over Daniel Ricciardo

L

ewis Hamilton took a superb victory in a close battle with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo in a thrilling Monaco Grand Prix to re-ignite his title campaign.

Hamilton's first win this year cut his deficit to Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who finished seventh, to 24 points.

The world champion benefited from a slow pit stop for Ricciardo but also from his own brave call to delay a tyre change on a drying track until he could go straight to slick tyres.

He then had to defend from Ricciardo for 45 laps to win.

It was a masterclass of defensive driving that at times recalled McLaren's Ayrton Senna holding off the faster Williams of Nigel Mansell in the closing stages of this race in 1992, a battle that has gone down in Formula 1 folklore.

The race started behind the safety car on a soaking track and victory hinged on a decision, after discussion between driver and team, not to switch to 'intermediate' wet tyres, as a step between the full wets on which everyone had started the race and the untreaded slicks.

He was the only driver to do that and the decision ensured he moved into the lead after starting third behind Ricciardo and Rosberg.

Mercedes said the decision was a joint one between driver and pit wall.

When the race started on lap eight, Ricciardo quickly built a huge lead as Rosberg struggled in the difficult conditions, for which Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said was due to not being able to generate the correct tyre temperature.

On lap 16, by which time Ricciardo was 13.1 seconds in front, Mercedes ordered the German to let Hamilton by, realising that otherwise the race would be lost, and the Briton quickly pulled away at more than two seconds a lap.

"I'm kind of lost for words," said Hamilton. "I prayed for a day like this and it came through, so I feel truly blessed.

"That was the longest run. It was crazy how long it was, to understand how much wheel spin you were allowed, because you don't know how long the tyres are going to go.

"Daniel drove phenomenally all weekend and it

was a lot of pressure. I'm sure he's not too happy but he should proud of the way he drove."

Hamilton could only cut two seconds from Ricciardo's advantage until Red Bull's decision to fit intermediate tyres to Ricciardo's car on lap 23 gave Hamilton the lead.

The Australian quickly closed back in as Hamilton hung on despite his rapidly deteriorating 'extreme' wet tyres, making his sole pit stop on lap 31 and choosing the softest ultra-soft tyres.

Ricciardo stopped on the very next lap - choosing the slightly harder super-softs -and would have re-taken the lead but for the fact that he was delayed in the pits because Red Bull did not have his tyres ready.

Agonisingly for Ricciardo, Hamilton passed him as he came out of the pits to rejoin the race.

Hamilton had some scary moments as Ricciardo attacked for the rest of the race, none more so than on lap 37, following a restart after one of many virtual safety car period, this one for a heavy crash for the second Red Bull of Max Verstappen.

It was the third crash in two days on a chastening weekend for the Dutchman, who won in Spain on his debut for Red Bull last time out.

As racing resumed, Ricciardo was right with Hamilton as they sped through the tunnel and Hamilton went too deep into the chicane, bouncing over the kerbs.

Ricciardo began to move alongside on the outside as they left the corner, but Hamilton gave him a squeeze and Ricciardo had to back off, uttering an expletive over the radio.

The incident was investigated by the stewards but no further action was taken.

The lead ebbed and flowed throughout the rest of the race but Hamilton did just enough, eking out his tyre life, to hold on for his 44th career victory, and undoubtedly one of his greatest.

He cut loose a little in the last 10 laps, setting fastest laps and building a bigger lead, to emphasise his control over the race.

The rain returned in the final three minutes of a race that ran to just under the two-hour time limit but to no ill effect.

(BBC Sport)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

Cricket and Independence

Clive Hubert Lloyd

W

Clive Lloyd and Prince Philip at the 1975 World Cup final

est Indies most successful captain is Clive Hubert Lloyd As the Cricket and Independence feature reaches the closing phase today we zoom in on the only West Indian Captain to win a 50-Over World Cup tournament, Clive Lloyd. And for good measure he did it twice.

Lloyd rose quickly through the ranks of youth cricket in his native Guyana, appearing regularly for the powerful Demerara team, who had previously enjoyed the services of his illustrious cousin, Lance Gibbs. He played for the national side in 1964 but was dropped after an indifferent game against Jamaica and failed to distinguish himself against the touring Australians the following year.

It seemed Lloyd might struggle to establish himself in top-class cricket when he was dismissed by Sobers for a duck in his first Shell Shield innings, against Barbados in 1966. But a second innings century against the bowling of Sobers and Charlie Griffith allayed any doubts, while 194 against Jamaica in the next match at Kingston, confirmed his potential.

He was selected to tour India in 1996-7, and immediately proved his worth with 82 and 78 not out in his first Test at Bombay, sharing in a match-winning century stand with Sobers in the second innings; and followed that up with hundreds against the Prime Minister's XI in Delhi and Cleyton at Colombo.

Lloyd was one of the star batsmen when England visited the Caribbean in 1967-8, hitting timely centuries in the Tests at Port of Spain and Bridgetown in what turned out to be a trying series for the hosts. He began well in Australia in 1968-9, scoring a hundred in the opening Test at Brisbane before his form dipped with the rest of the side.

He lifted himself in the short series in England in 1969 - the first year he appeared for Lancashire - scoring a rapid 70 in the Lord's Test and an exhilarating double century against Glamorgan at Swansea.

The retirement of Butcher and Nurse put the batting spotlight on Lloyd, something he did not appear to relish as he struggled to repeat his overseas success in three consecutive home series. Indeed, his undistinguished showing against the New Zealanders in 1972 meant that his inclusion to meet the touring Australians the following year was widely criticised.

But Lloyd answered the critics when he slammed 178 - with one six and 24 fours - on his home ground in the fourth Test in Georgetown, adding a record 187 for the fourth wicket with his compatriot

Kanhai.

Lloyd confirmed his revival with a vintage summer in England in 1973, averaging over 60 in the three-match Test series.

Indeed, he has always thrived in England and was a central figure in Lancashire's renaissance in the early 1970s, including helping them to win the Gillette Cup four times in the first half of the decade, as he collected a record eight man-of-the-match awards. He was appointed captain of the county in 1981.

Despite his usual success against England, fate did not smile on him when they visited the Caribbean in 1973-4 but, nonetheless, he was appointed captain for the trip to India and Pakistan later that year.

The responsibility seemed to bring added consistency to his batting, as he made 14 of his 19 Test hundreds as skipper. His first came in the first Test at Bangalore, as he crashed 163 runs, sharing a double-century stand with Greenidge for the fourth wicket. He completed a superb series with a career-best 242 not out in the final match at Bombay, sharing in another double-century stand, this time with Deryck Murray.

Altogether, Lloyd scored 636 runs (79.50) in the series, which was decisive in helping West Indies to win the rubber as, in two Tests they lost, Lloyd failed with the bat.

He was in match-winning form in the first World Cup final in 1975, as his century secured the trophy for the West Indies; but he faced a far stiffer test against the same opponents, Australia, over an extended period `Down Under' in 1975-6.

Despite enduring a drubbing at the hands of their hosts, Lloyd excelled with the bat, hammering 149 in the second Test at Perth and 102 and 91 not out in the two matches played in Melbourne, to make him the most successful touring batsman.

And, despite the intense disappointment felt at the time, Lloyd had learnt a vital lesson in Australia: catches win matches, but so do fast bowlers. By the time India toured the Caribbean in 19756, Roberts and Holding, supported by Julien, provided Lloyd with a penetrating pace attack. This, together with the batting, including Lloyd's 19th Test hundred in his 50th Test in the opening match at Bridgetown, overwhelmed the tourists, despite an unexpected win in the final Test in Trinidad, after Lloyd had misjudged the declaration.

Lloyd's pace bowlers - now joined by Daniel and Holder - enjoyed unprecedented success in England later that year and,

on the only occasion that the batting faltered, in the first innings of the Lord's Test, Lloyd lifted them with 50, and then crashed another half-century off the demoralised English attack in the final match at The Oval.

Altogether, he scored over 1 000 firstclass runs on that tour, including another unbeaten double-century off Glamorgan, this time in just two hours, to equal the record for the fastest double hundred in first-class cricket.

Lloyd scored an impressive century against the touring Pakistanis in the first Test at Bridgetown in 1977; and continued in this rich vein against the Australians the following year, before pulling out of the rubber to join Kerry Packer's world series cricket.

It was a significant step; for this was the first time that an incumbent West Indies captain had resigned and there was no guarantee he would ever play Test cricket again, far less be re-appointed to the captaincy.

However, his gifts as a batsman and captain were such that when the rift had healed, he was the natural choice to take over again. He confirmed the wisdom of his re-appointment, leading West Indies to success in the 1979 World Cup and then secured their first series win in Australia immediately afterwards.

The success of the West Indies continued unabated. They predictably overwhelmed England in 1980, as the Guyanese lifted his team with 101 not out in front of his adopted `home' crowd in the third Test at Old Trafford. Lloyd never scored less than 50 in the return rubber in the Caribbean. His series average of 76 was almost 100 short of his Shield average of 172.50 for that year.

Then he hit a match-winning 77 notout in the third Test against Australia in the short series of 1981-2, to level the series and end premature talk of West Indies tumble from the top of world cricket.

During these years, however, Lloyd's success was not all at international level and in 1983 he led Guyana to a unique double success in the Shell Shield and Geddes Grant-Harrison Line Trophy, before returning to the international arena to hit two hundreds against the touring Indians, and ease West Indies to a 2-0 victory in the series.

Known as the `Super Cat' for his feline prowess in the covers, Lloyd and his team then enacted a savage revenge over the Indians in India after they had been defeated by them in the World Cup in midsummer - an event Lloyd rates as his biggest disappointment.

Like injured lions, the West Indies stalked their prey, winning the one-day series 5-0 and the Test series 3-0, as Lloyd topped the batting averages in the Tests

with 82.66, helped by another two centuries.

The West Indies machine seemed unstoppable: they defeated Australia decisively in the Caribbean at the beginning of 1984 and romped to their third succes-

Full name: Clive Hubert Lloyd Born: 31 Aug 1944, Queenstown, Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana Batting: Left-hand batsman Bowling: Right-arm medium pace Relations: Cousin: LR Gibbs Teams: Guyana (FC: 1964-1983); Guyana (ListA: 1973-1983); West Indies (Test: 1966-1984); West Indies (ODI: 1973-1985); Lancashire (FC: 19681986); Lancashire (List A: 1969-1986); All teams Demerara Cricket Club, Queenstown, Club: Georgetown School: Chatham High School, Georgetown Indian Cricket Cricketer of the Year: 1967 Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 1971 Clive Lloyd was the one of the most successful Test captains of all time. He led the West Indies in a record 74 matches, including 26 successive games without defeat, and to a record 36 victories.

Besides his remarkable leadership qualities, Lloyd was also one of the West Indies' greatest batsmen only Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Vivian Richards had higher Test aggregates (up to 1999) - and a world class fielder. He held more catches for the West Indies than anyone apart from Sobers, Richards, Greenidge and wicketkeepers, Deryck Murray and Jeff Dujon (up to 1999).

sive victory in England, as they defeated the home country five matches to nil later that year.

Then came Lloyd's opportunity to set the record straight in Australia after his team's mauling almost a decade earlier. The Guyanese left nothing to chance, thrashing 114 runs in the second Test at Brisbane to give his side a 2-0 lead in the five-match series; he scored 78 at Adelaide and wrapped up a gratifying campaign with a masterful 72 on a difficult wicket at Sydney.

In recognition of his services to cricket, Lloyd was awarded the Order of Australia at the end of that tour, and also received the second highest honour in his native Guyana, the Order of Roraima.

Now, at last, having completed a record-breaking 11 consecutive Test victories with the win in the third match at Adelaide, Lloyd could retire a satisfied man. So, what was the secret of his success, Joel Garner, one of Lloyd's regular match-winners, argued that "Worrell inspired his men, Sobers led mainly by example and Lloyd combined the best features of both."

That is probably an accurate assessment of his approach, but Lloyd himself revealed perhaps the most crucial ingredient when he wrote, just before his retirement, "the most important requirement for a successful captain is respect. I have been fortunate that my players have respected me as a man and a cricketer and consequently as a skipper." (Guyana Chronicle, April 1999).

In 2011, Lloyd was retained by the Government of Guyana to head the Interim Management Committee, which

was installed by the Guyana government to replace the Guyana Cricket Board for a limited time. The Guyana Cricket Board was in the midst of an administrative crisis, caused in part by suspect elections of its executive officers.

YELLOW PAGES MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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Sri Lanka’s batsmen find their fight

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England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Chester-le-Street, 3rd day

21

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Lahiru Thirimanne was bowled by a beauty from Moeen Ali

Lanka needing 88 more to make England bat again.

Mahela Jayawardene, one of the players Sri Lanka are trying to learn to live without, talked of setting little targets and trying to make small gains after three consecutive innings that had not crossed 120 - the first time since 1958 that had happened to a Test side. In that regard, removing the match situation for a moment, Sri Lanka's second innings was a considerable success. In the first three innings of the series they had totalled 311 for 30, so 310 for 5 represented a heartening reversal.

Silva and Mathews added 82 in 21 overs either side of tea as Silva battled against the quicks and Mathews took on Moeen Ali in one of the better contests of the series to date. That partnership was then bettered as Sri Lanka's highest for the series by Chandimal and Milinda Siriwardana as they added an unbroken 87 to the close.

Both Silva and Mathews fell short of the three figures that would have been a significant tick for Sri Lanka, Silva getting into a tangle against Steven Finn and Mathews receiving a superb delivery from James Anderson whose series haul was 15 wickets at 8.06 by the end of the day. Three of the second-innings wickets involved catches for Jonny Bairstow, taking his series tally to 16 which was one

Sri Lanka were batting a second time after less than four overs of the morning, but they immediately made a better fist of things as England's successes came at a trickle rather than a surge. Chris Woakes put in an impressive first spell and he broke the opening stand when Dimuth Karunaratne edged to second slip. Shortly after lunch Anderson responded to being taken for three boundaries in five balls by producing a beauty which ended Kusal Mendis' feisty 22-ball 26. There was a change in the batting order as Lahiru Thirimanne, who had started the day at the crease, was promoted to No. 4 but again he could not break through the teens when he received a lovely delivery from Moeen which straightened from around the wicket to take off stump.

Moeen was removed from the attack straight after that wicket, to be replaced by Finn who remained the least convincing of England's bowlers as he laboured for rhythm - there could be an tricky decision for the selectors to make on his home ground at Lord's for the third Test - although in his post-tea spell that accounted for Silva he showed improvement.

Silva had been resolute as he brought up a 111-ball half-century. He had one iffy moment on 16 when he drove at Woakes and edged wide of Joe Root at second slip; the absence

next ball was beaten by an unplayable delivery which prompted Alastair Cook to mistakenly review. As he settled, Mathews started to show more intent, three times clubbing Moeen over mid-off before tea.

That contest continued after the interval and Mathews could have been stumped for 36 when he missed a wider delivery but Bairstow was unable to gather a tough take.

He went to his combative half-century from 63 balls and also brought out a reverse sweep against Moeen: Mathews would finish with 46 runs off the 46 deliveries he faced from the spinner.

With a century in sight, the ball to dismiss him came after a grubber had shot past his off stump but it was also another magnificent piece of skill from Anderson.

With the wicket of Mathews, England sniffed the chance of another threeday finish but Sri Lanka did not fold. Chandimal finally found his feet and followed Mathews' lead by taking on Moeen while Siriwardana avoided a pair and played some pleasing strokes in the closing stages. The pair could stride off content in the evening sunlight. After Headingley and the first two days here it was hard for things to get much worse for Sri Lanka, but the fact they have managed to make things considerably better can leave them in good heart. (ESPN Cricinfo)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

Persaud, Rodrigues, Winston Missigher takes Golden Mile in 4:33 Simmons stand W out on final day GASA Independence Long Course meet...

BY AKEEM GREENE

A

leka Persaud, Antonio Rodrigues and Soroya Simmons were certainly three of the standout swimmers on the final day of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Long course Independence Swim Meet at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

All three swimmers powered their way to three gold meads from the respective events which they competed. Rodrigues swimming in the 15-17 category held-off the usually dominant Jamal Skeete in his victory bid.

A big test came in the 100M freestyle, as both Rodrigues and Skeete were going stride for stride on the first half of the race but after the turn, Rodrigues seemed to be the more aggressive of the two, as he slowly began creating distance between himself and Skeete to win the race in a time of 1:01.12.

Skeete finished second in 1:04.48; Andrew Jordon placed third, with his time being 1:08.37.

Rodrigues also won the 100M Butterfly in a time of 1:12.44 and the 200M Individual Medley in a time of 2:37.81.

Young Aleka Persaud was simply unstoppable in the girls 9-10 category as she distanced herself from the

Soroya Simmons

pack with some fast times.

In the 200M Individual Medley she clocked a time of 3:05.30, while the second place finisher, Patrice Mahaica recorded a time of 3:19.34 and Antonia Dey in third with her time being 3:24.36.

Her dominance was also displayed in the 100 M freestyle outshining Mahaica once more with a 1:15.93 recorded time. Mahaica efforts saw her clocking 1:21.57 and Dey 1:23.40 for third; Persaud also took first in the 100M butterfly in a time of 1:30.38.

An intriguing battle ensued in the boys 18 and over 100M freestyle as Guyana Police Force swimmer Deon Primus gave National Swimmer Traumaine Cole a stern test. From dive-off the

two swimmers seemed to be in sync with their respective strokes, as no clear leader could be identified.

It certainly was the skill and experience that gave Cole the edge, as the completion of the first 50M; Cole did the “back-flip” on the wall while Primus had to turn and touch by hand which decreased his momentum, giving Cole the lead.

However, the little lead that Cole had did not give any amount of comfort since the Police force swimmer eventually cut the lead and looked once more in control but with just 10 meters to go, he seemed to be out of gas, as Cole pipped him for the win in a time of 1:04.96.

Primus clocked 1:07.29 while third place finisher Lindore Barkoye also of the Police Force, recorded a time of 1:13.36.

The experienced Soroya Simmons also stood-out with three wins, coming from the 400M Freestyle (5:15.62), 200M Individual Medley (2:51.58) and 100M Freestyle (1:09.43).

The event was held as the selection criteria for the upcoming Goodwill games which will be held in St. Lucia in August 2016, where 40 swimmers from Guyana are expected to compete. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

inston Missigher continued his dominance in road racing by blazing the field to capture the inaugural Professional Key Shop and Windjammer Hotel & Cuisine sponsored “Golden Mile” road race 2016.

The race which coincided with Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence celebrations ran off yesterday at16:40 hrs outside of the 704 Sports Bar and proceeded west along Lamaha Street then south into the eastern carriageway of Carmichael Street and finished in front of the Professional Key Shop/Oasis Café building.

Under cool conditions, ideal for running Missigher outpaced the 50 other competitors to complete the one mile course in 4 minutes and 33 seconds comfortably ahead second place finisher Cleveland Thomas (4:37). Missigher described the race as being very hard “the race started very hard which didn’t suit me since I’m nursing a slight hamstring injury and I prefer to build then run hard,” said Missigher.

The event was well at-

tended and participants were recognized in various categories. Phillip Beckels (80 years) and Carmilita James-Wright were recognized as the eldest male and

Berbice Cricket Board Independence T20 Cup postponed

GLTA partners with D GBTI for Independence Jubilee Open T

he Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) has partnered with the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) once more for the annual GBTI Open Tennis Tournament which is scheduled to serve-off on June 3.

In keeping with the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the tournament has now being branded the GBTI Independence Jubilee Open and is expected to be one of the biggest tournaments thus far.

The Bank expressed its pleasure to be the sponsor of the tournament one more and were noted saying, “over the years, a constant rise in the quality of the world of sport of Tennis and we are proud to be associated with the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association in this regard.

According to a release by the bank, it was stated, “we are urging every-

The impressive Winston Missigher about to cross the line

female competitors while 10 year old Kcaysha MedasKing who resides in the United States of America received a trophy for being the youngest runner.

Eighteen year old Anfernee Headecker (4:45) won the male junior category crossing the line third overall while sixteen year old Claudrice Mckoy (5:39) was the first female to cross the line coming in nineteenth overall.

Surinamese Guillermo Udenhout (5:05) was the first male master to cross the line and C. Phillips won the female masters category in 6 minutes and 45 seconds.

Organizers of the event Kwame Rigby and Carey Griffith described the event as successful and promised to not only make the event an annual one but to have similar events on a more regular basis especially on national holidays while hinting at the upcoming emancipation day.

A pleased President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, (AAG) Aubrey Hutson who was present at the event assisted with the presentation of prizes.

ue to persistent rainfall in Berbice over the last few weeks, the organizers of the annual Guyana Independence T20 Cup are forced to postpone the event which was slated to be played at the Rose Hall Community Center Ground on Sunday May 29, 2016. This cricket extravaganza is a fundraiser jointly organised by the Berbice Cricket Board and the Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Development Association and will now be played at a new date and venue to be announced. This family event forms part of the calendar of

events of the region to celebrate our Country's 50th Independence Anniversary.

Funds raised from this event will be donated to the Bal Nivas of Babu John, Port Mourant, orphanages and schools with the remainder to be shared by the two organisations. It will be an action pack 5 overs a side, white balls, colour clothing and will involve the top first division teams in Berbice. The teams expected to take part for prizes of over $200,000.00 are Upper Corentyne, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Albion Community

Center, Young Warriors Cricket Club, Tucber Park, Blairmont, Police and West Berbice.

The winning team is expected to pocket $100,000, the runner up $50,000 while the man of the match will collect $10,000. Trophies will also be up for grabs.

The organizers would like to thank our sponsors for their support over the years and advised that the letters seeking sponsorship for the 2016 tournament is still valid.

A number of other side attractions are expected to form a part of the programme.

Omar Adams places 3rd at Barbados Invitational N

Marketing Manager Pamela Binda (left) and GLTA’s President Jamal Goodluck

one to support the Guyana Tennis Association by making every effort to attend the matches”.

Newly elected President of the GLTA Jamal

Goodluck, Junior Chair Grace McCalman and Tournament Chair Robert Bostwick were present to receive the cheque on behalf of the association.

ational Swimmer Omar Adams clocked a time of 2:30.87 to place third in the Open 200M Butterfly at the Aquatic Centre Invitational in Barbados on Saturday.

The Dorado Speed Swim Club Swimmer, who is representing the Guyana Amateur Association (GASA) was outdone by the speed of 15-year old

Omar Adams

Luis-Sebastian Weekes who clocked a time of 2:17.44 to win the race while second place went to Nkosi Dunwood in time of 2:27.19.

The event which is an approved Qualifier for the Olympic Games, Rio- Brazil in August of this year, has another Guyanese in Andrew Flower attending on behalf of his local club Dolphin Swim Club.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

Umpire Sukhdeo laid to rest

Local umpires served as pall bearers for the late Guyanand Sukhdeo at the Good Hope Crematorium

H

undreds of people including cricket umpires, Guyana Cricket Board executives, relatives and friends bid farewell to umpire Guyanand Sukhdeo yesterday in dramatic style.

Sukhdeo who passed away on Wednesday after suffering from renal failure was cremated yesterday at Good Hope crematorium, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Umpire Sukhdeo was a member of the West Indies

Cricket Board “B” Panel of umpires and served on the executive of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council and the Demerara Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association.

He officiated in several Regional age- group tournaments and served as fourth umpire in Regional First Class and Caribbean Premier League matches.

Sukhdeo was also listed to officiate in the upcoming Regional Age-Group tournaments in 2016.

Sukhdeo who played for the Gandhi Youth Organisation as an opening batman started his umpiring career in 2003. He went on the represent Demerara and was called to national senior trials. He served the Ministry of Education and the people of Guyana as a teacher of the Supply Primary School.

First Class umpire Nandkumar Shivsankar spoke highly of Sukhdeo, stating that he was a dedicated umpire who was always willing to assist his younger colleagues. He added that the entire umpiring fraternity in the Caribbean regretted his passing and his services will surely be missed. The West Indies Cricket Umpires Association expressed condolences on his passing stating he was an asset.

Umpire D. Somwaru and International cricket Commentator Inderjeet Persaud also paid tributes to the forty year old at the well-attended funeral service held at Chelsea Park in Mahaica, ECD. Umpire Suhkdeo, who had an accident when he was 10 years old that resulted in the removal of one of his kidneys perished to renal failure at the tender age for 40 years old. He leaves to mourn his wide and his two children.

23

Rookie Alexander Rossi wins 100th running of Indy 500

A

lexander Rossi said he had "no idea" how he managed to win the 100th edition of the Indianapolis 500.

Rookie Alexander Rossi took the lead as drivers in front of him pitted with about four laps to go to win the 100th edition of the Indianapolis 500 on his debut in the famous race on Sunday.

Californian Rossi and his Andretti Autosport team gambled by staying on the track for the last 36 laps on one tank of fuel.

His number 98 Honda ran out of gas right after the chequered flag dropped.

“I’m out of fuel, guys,” Rossi, who needed a tow to

get to Victory Circle, told his crew.

Rossi began the day in 11th position on the Indy 500 starting grid and in 17th place in the IndyCar point standings. His best finish prior to winning the Indy 500 was 10th place in the Indianapolis Grand Prix on the Indy Motor Speedway’s road course a fortnight ago.

“I have no idea how we pulled that off," Rossi said in his post-race interview with ABC. The race featured 55 lead changes, second-most to the 68 in 2013, the Indy Star revealed.

Rossi’s Andretti Autosport team-mate Carlos Munoz finished sec-

ond.

Josef Newgarden came in third, ahead of Tony Kanaan and Charlie Kimball, who finished in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Three-time champion Helio Castroneves finished in 11th and two-time champion Juan Pablo Montoya was last.

"Montoya’s bid for backto-back Indy 500 victories ended when he lost control and crashed his Team Penske Chevrolet on the 64th lap.

Castroneves was in fourth place on lap 161 when he was clipped by JR Hildebrand and sustained damage around his left rear wheel. (SportsMax)

Alexander Rossi

Rio Olympics 2016

Djokovic says cancellation unthinkable C

ancelling this summer's Olympic Games in Rio because of concerns over the Zika virus would be "unthinkable", says Novak Djokovic.

The world number one hopes to compete for Serbia in Brazil.

Djokovic, 29, said: "For the moment I'm planning to play.

Nothing is changing. But let's see what happens."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has played down fears over the spread of the virus, which is linked to severe birth defects.

Senior WHO official Bruce Aylward told the BBC risk assessment plans were in place, and reiterated there was no need to delay the Games, which are scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro from 5-21 August.

More than 100 leading scientists had earlier written to the WHO suggesting new findings about Zika - which is transmitted via mosquitoes - had made it "unethical" for the Games to go ahead as planned.

Djokovic, speaking at the French Open in Paris after he had beaten Britain's Aljaz Bedene on Saturday, said that he would like more information about the impact of the virus in Brazil.

The three-time Wimbledon champion, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, added: "Somebody has passed me the information that a significant

Serena Williams is a four-time Olympic champion

amount of scientists have come up with a statement that it's not safe.

"Honestly, I don't know what to think any more. I need to get informed more so I can speak more in detail about it.

"Many athletes and people have already planned in advance and so many people have already planned their trips and accommodation in Rio. "Of course, we have to have common sense that health is the most important thing for anybody that is there.

"But we should not only think about people coming to Rio. How about those people living there? I think we have to look from different perspectives in order to make a right conclusion."

Women's world number one Serena Williams, 34, told BBC Sport: "It's something that's been on my mind. I'm really just going to have to go super-protected maybe, and I don't know."

The WHO's advice is that pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika virus transmis-

sion, including Rio de Janeiro.

It also advises to make all efforts to protect against mosquito bites and to practise safe sex.

Zika infection in pregnant women is thought to be a cause of the birth defect microcephaly and other serious brain abnormalities in babies.

Brazil's authorities have confirmed more than 1,400 cases of microcephaly, a condition which affects the development of the brain and reduces the size of the head.

A number of potential competitors, across a range of sports, have voiced their concern about the Zika situation in Rio and their possible participation in the Games.

Golfers Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett and Shane Lowry are among them, with Fiji's Vijay Singh and Australians Adam Scott and Marc Leishman already having pulled out.

McIlroy said there is going to be "a point in the next couple of years" where he and fiancee Erica Stoll may think about starting a family.

"Right now, I'm ready to go but I don't want anything to affect that," he said.

Lowry, a possible team-mate of McIlroy, said: "Obviously I really want to go but there is a decision to be made."

Olympic bronze medallist gymnast Kristian Thomas told BBC Sport: "We were over there in February for a training camp and we followed all the advice from the doctors, the BOA (British Olympic Association) and British Gymnastics and we were all fine.

"I think we've just got to make sure we're on top of this and following the guidelines, make sure we're protecting ourselves and each other and, as long as we do that, I'm sure we'll be absolutely fine."

(BBC Sport)

MONDAY, MAY 30, 2016

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

Sunrisers Hyderabad are IPL Champions 2016

Pg 19 Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrate the win during the final of the Vivo IPL 2016

Pg 22

Winston Missigher takes Golden Mile in 4:33 Some of the Golden Mile winners with their prizes

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