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Arrival celebrations begin in Region 2 P

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

Issue No. 3198

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

PRICE

Labour Day 2017

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Negative influence undermining trade unions' strength – GTUC

“Horse P7 Mouth” dies after mixing beverage with ecstasy

See stories on pages 10 & 11

…urges Govt to re-establish Labour Ministry …as Teixeira highlights failing sectors, major job losses Better P3 packages discussed at May Day meet with Granger …as President commits to labour movement

Labour Day 2017: Workers walking along Albert Street, Alberttown, Georgetown on Monday as they head to the National Park during the May Day march in observance of Labour Day (Carl Croker photo)

Jagdeo concludes hectic 3-day outreach to Essequibo Coast

…Press Association calls for more inclusive process P8

Page 9

Doctor attacked at West Dem Hospital Page 2

…Regional Administration should take responsibility – minister

Govt yet to consult GPA on broadcast regulations

1 feared dead after boat capsizes in Cuyuni River Page 2

Damaged Soda Lime already recalled, quarantined – NEW GPC Page 3

55 or nothing

GTU condemns increasing P7 teachers' retirement age

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news

TUESDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Doctor attacked at West Dem Hospital …Regional Administration should take responsibility – Minister

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he security concerns of doctors and hospital staffers were raised again following an attack by a drunken patient, on a doctor at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) on Sunday.

According to Police D Division (West Demerara and East Bank Essequibo) Commander Leslie James, the incident occurred around 20:30h when a male, middle-aged patient arrived at the Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit complaining of pain in his left arm.

He was then attended to by a male doctor, who informed him that he would require an x-ray and referred him to a private institution, since the service was not available at the time.

The patient, in his drunken state, began hurling indecent language at the doctor and then proceeded to ‘chuck’ him.

The disarranged room following the ordeal

James said another patient observed the incident and intervened. Following the intervention, the relatives of the doctor’s assailant joined in and a scuffle ensued. Security was unable to control the situation and the Police were called in.

The parties involved were all taken to the Vreeden-Hoop Police Station,

where statements were taken and the alleged assailant was sent for medical treatment. James added that the Police were still conducting their investigations and were awaiting a report from the Hospital on the extent of the damage to its property.

Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings on Monday told

Guyana Times that the issue had been brought to her attention and it would be dealt with by the Police. She added that it did bring the question of security for doctors into question, but said that that was the primary responsibility of the regional administrations and where the blame should fall.

Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber said that he was unaware of the incident, and efforts to contact Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran proved unsuccessful.

A source at the Hospital told this publication that the security guards were often overworked and underpaid. The source added that the institution required baton and armed guards, since this was not the first incident wherein doctors and hospital staffers have been assaulted.

1 feared dead after boat capsizes in Cuyuni River

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ne man is feared dead after the boat in which he was travelling capsized in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Sunday.

Several other persons survived the incident.

The details of the accident were not immediately known, but when contacted, F Division (Interior Locations) Commander Rabindranauth Budram confirmed that the accident did occur.

He told Guyana Times that Police in Bartica received the report on Monday morning, and a team was immediately dispatched to the area. He, however, noted that the area where the accident occurred was very rocky and the water was very low which made it difficult to gain access.

He related that Police ranks would travel up to a point and hope that the water level would rise in order to reach the area.

“We are not certain about the circumstances surrounding the incident… we don’t have all the details as yet, nor do we have the name of the person who is feared dead,” he told Guyana Times.

The Commander added that once the Police ranks reached the site, they were required to send a progress report. Around the corresponding period last year, Ivor Haynes, a father of two, drowned while his brotherin-law and nephew survived a boat mishap in the Cuyuni area.

It was reported that the now dead man, along with three other men, including the captain of the boat, was travelling along the Cuyuni River from the Arawak Creek when tragedy struck.

The engine of the boat reportedly failed and the boat eventually capsized. Based on reports, the now dead man was busy trying to save a metal detector which he bought for more than $1 million when he disappeared.

His nephew and brother-in-law allegedly jumped overboard and held onto a rock, and subsequently swam for three hours until they received assistance. They reportedly went back to the area to search for the missing man, but to no avail.

Haynes’ body was fished out of the river three days later.

Construction of Mental Health Institute moving apace – Minister Cummings

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onstruction of the National Mental Health Institute is expected to be completed later this year and once opened, the institution would see a quicker rehabilitation of patients suffering from mental illnesses, for reintegration into society so that they can lead healthy lives.

“What we want to do now is to ensure that persons are rehabilitated, where people can go back into society so they can have a relation with their families,” Junior Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings said.

She noted that the Ministry also planned to have the Psychiatric Ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital remodelled to better suit the needs of patients.

Dr Cummings said the Ministry’s Mental Health Unit was also working with patients and their families for faster reintegration. She further noted that the availability of beds at the Georgetown Hospital’s Psychiatric Ward was an issue, since the area was small and beds were limited. However, she said the Public Health Ministry was currently unaware of patients being turned away from the National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH) in Berbice, as has been reported.

That hospital has the capacity to house 240 patients, but is currently dilapidated. Former Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had promised to have the Hospital reconstructed, but to date, there has been no move made. However, Dr Cummings said she was aware that funds were set aside for the reconstruction of the institution, but she was

unsure of the progress made or the amount.

Several governmental and health organisations have condemned the state of the NPH and the delivery of mental health services in Guyana.

A 2008 World Health Organisation Mental Health Report stated that the NPH was “in substantial disrepair and significantly below the standard of facilities that provide for physical health care, raising concern about equitable treatment of the mentally ill. There are no standards, protocols, policies, or guidelines for the use of psychotropic medications; the assessment, treatment, monitoring, and ongoing evaluation of patients with mental disorders; the charting of patient information; or the maintenance of health records. There is little national mental health data available for mental health service monitoring and evaluation. As a consequence, datasets of sufficient quality are not available to inform service utilisation or to provide quality assurance for mental health care.”

However, the Government introduced the Mental Health Action Plan 2015-2020, which was said to be yielding results since Guyana dropped three spots on the world’s suicide index and was said to be making steady progress in the area of mental healthcare.

Currently, there are five psychiatrists in Guyana’s public healthcare system, and they have clinics throughout the country. They have also embarked on sensitisation campaigns, and have planned to go into schools to raise awareness and eradicate the stigma attached to mental health issues.

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tuesDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, May 2 – 09:30h-11:00h and Wednesday, May 3 – 10:30h-12:00h.

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The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, May 2 – 08:35h-10:05h and Wednesday, May 3 – 09:55h-11:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Rain showers sometimes accompanied by thunder can be expected throughout the day, while cloudy conditions and thundery showers are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 08:58h and 21:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.22 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:10h reaching a minimum height of 0.65 metre.

saturDAY, April 29 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

08

12 13

16

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28

14 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 04 15 16 22

23

LUCKY 3 3 0 4

3

Afternoon Draw

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7

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 04

07 11

Damaged Soda Lime already recalled, quarantined – NEW GPC

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

EW GPC INC has expressed concern at a statement issued by the Georgetown Public Hospital with respect to Soda Lime that was supplied to that institution.

The Hospital said on Monday that there were complaints from the theatre staff that the Soda Lime deteriorated from granular to powdered form, rendering it unsuitable for use with the ventilator used to help patients breathe while undergoing surgery. As such, the Hospital called for a recall of the product.

However, in a statement to the media on Monday, NEW GPC said that the product has already been recalled and quarantined. According to the pharmaceutical supplier, on April 19, 2017, NEW GPC received a notice from the Georgetown Public Hospital that 14 out of 24 bottles of Soda Lime 5kg, which it supplied on February 21, 2017 on a purchase order, were crushed and unsuitable for use.

“We immediately instituted a recall, took possession and quarantined the 14 bottles on the same day (April 19). We also immedi-

ately notified the Hospital that the product will be replaced from another source and have since repurchased it. The replacement batch is in transit by airfreight and should arrive in less than two weeks,” the NEW GPC said in a statement.

The company pointed out that it did not manufacture the item, but rather it was imported.

“Soda Lime comes in a granulated form, but can go bad if improperly stored or handled and will become crushed or powdered if the bottle is shaken,” the company stated. It also noted that the label contained in-

structions for proper storage and a clear warning to discontinue use of the product if the granules became crushed or powered.

While this is unusual, the NEW GPC noted, it can happen with sensitive products “such as Soda Lime for reasons mentioned above and hence the need for constant monitoring. It should be noted that NEW GPC followed standard protocol for incidents of this type.”

The Georgetown Public Hospital, however, did point out that it was the first such complaint about the product supplied.

Better packages discussed at May Day meet with Granger …as President commits to labour movement

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resident David Granger has underscored the significance of the labour movement’s yearly May Day observance, and has indicated that the APNU/AFC Administration is committed to the labour movement in Guyana.

The Head of State, who was treated at the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) on Monday, told Guyana Times he was indeed pleased to be part of this year’s May Day festivities.

GTU president, Mark Lyte, told this newspaper that the Guyanese Head of State met with members of the GTU at its Woolford Avenue Headquarters on Monday, and issues relating to the package proposals for teachers were discussed.

“Presently, we still have our outstanding proposal, and President Granger was here and this was raised with him; so we need to see some movement with that,” Lyte told <<Guyana Times>>.

The Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) has expressed hope that the nation’s teachers will reap the benefits of the GTU multi-year package proposals for salaries and additional benefits, which remain outstanding. The GTU president expressed that, once the pro-

President David Granger

posals are implemented, teachers can begin to garner the rewards before next year’s Labour Day celebrations. “[The] multi-year package allows for (payment of) the increases that we believe our teachers deserve, and the other non-salary benefits that will go a far way to ensure our members will enjoy a proper year. I hope that we can have that agreement signed off and the benefits can begin to roll off for our teachers,” he remarked.

According to the GTU President, some 400 teachers have participated in this year’s rally. “Despite the fact that the Guyana Teacher’s Union did not move all of its members from all of its regions, we still had a very significant turnout of over 400 persons (from Georgetown,

West Demerara and the East Coast). We believe that the trade union movement needs to reunite, so that we can be a stronger force; and I believe we have achieved that,” he noted.

Lyte welcomed the joint May Day Rally, and stressed that more needs to be done to push the labour movement forward.

“This observance is really significant, following up on last year, (when) all the trade unions joined in one major rally which set the tone for this year. It’s very significant, and I want to commend the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) (and) FITUG (Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana) for ensuring that this was possible. We member units of the various trade union bodies are supportive of this activity, and we wish the people across Guyana a

blessed May Day. “While we’re together, we will be able to move the hand of our employers to ensure that our needs are properly satisfied,” the GTU president added.

Guyana’s 2017 May Day observances began on Sunday last with a church service at the St Jamesthe-Less Anglican Church on David Street, Kitty, Georgetown. A wreath-laying and tribute ceremony to pay homage to the ‘father’ of the trade union movement, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, was later held at the forecourt of the Parliament Building.

International Worker’s Day, or Labour Day, which has roots in socialism, is held on the first day of May every year in most of the territories across the world.

May Day is often observed by the staging of rallies and demonstrations.

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tuesDAY, may 2, 2017

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On punishment and rehabilitation

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he prison population is getting younger every day, and even schoolchildren are committing some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, inclusive of physical attacks, oftentimes leading to murder. This newspaper, just yesterday, reported on an incident where a 16-year-old student was knifed to death by a 17-year-old school dropout during a concert at the Covent Garden Secondary School on the East Bank of Demerara. Unless this scourge is addressed with alacrity by the authorities, then one can visualise the ensuing horror that will catalyse this country into a conflagration of crime, which is already spiralling out of control.

With the extant rapidity of deceleration of the economy and punitive fiscal policies of the coalition Government, redundancies and skyrocketing unemployment, the consequences are beyond disastrous, with spending power constrained to bare essentials, where even the quality of nutritional intake is severely compromised.

Teenagers, who had become accustomed to the latest electronic gadgetry and brand-name apparel, are generally no longer being afforded these luxuries with the contraction of the real fiscal power of the family income.

Most of these young people who have been inculcated with a moral compass and consequently adhere to discipline will adjust accordingly, but it is the youths who have no guiding force or role model pointing them in the right direction who will most likely, as is already happening, find it preferable to pick up a weapon and try to extract quick riches from the unwary, even if they have to kill to obtain the spoils of their forays into criminality.

Very soon they become hardened criminals who have no compunction for their actions and often display no compassion for their victims, indiscriminately depriving them of their property, money, and lives without thinking of the devastation they wreak on the families, especially vulnerable dependents, such as elderly parents and children.

They perfect the art of escape after the execution of their crimes, so oftentimes when they are caught after a long career of theft and murder they are treated as ‘first-time offenders’, figuratively rapped on the knuckles by bleeding hearts Judges and Magistrates and sent to prey on society once again, with scant or no punishment.

Imprisonment, especially with hard labour, is meant to act as a deterrent to engagement in criminal activities in civil societies, and this should ideally work concurrently with rehabilitation to integrate prisoners into families, communities, and the general society at large. It is the general consensus that prisoners should be treated humanely. They were caught committing their crimes, while many criminals who have been getting away without discovery – including those leaders in the trade unions and political parties who have devised schemes to destroy public and private properties, among other anti-social activities, are enjoying their freedom and the largesse to be had from the Government’s various developmental programmes.

In this regard, kudos are in order for retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine, who – during his tenure – created synergies to make the prison system more aligned to rehabilitation rather than punishment; and he was open to ideas.

Appalled at the treatment of prisoners – as though they were animals rather than people caught in unfortunate circumstances, Erskine incorporated new programmes in the prison system to create a dynamic whereby prison was no longer somewhere merely to lock away people found guilty of aberrant behaviour, but where the inmates could be guided, directed, and encouraged to change their thinking and attitude into more positive, achievementoriented directions. That change was a work in progress throughout Erskine’s tenure as initially Officer-in-Charge of the Georgetown Prison, and then Director of Prisons.

The changes wrought by the forward, humanistic thinking of Dale Erskine were multi-faceted and transformational; and he did all these things with a quiet simplicity and understated leadership that would benefit prisoners for generations to come.

One of the programmes he set in motion was the identification and employment of a skilled bank of prisoners who were at least risk of escaping or engaging in additional criminal activities; and this has proven to be a success over the years.

The prisoners are thus enabled to earn an income, part of which provides for his/her own needs; the needs of relatives, including young children left defenceless as their mothers struggle to take care of their prerequisites for survival; and some saved for their own upkeep upon their release, because the world knows that for a person with a prison record finding employment is a difficult feat.

However, there are those who are considered beyond human redemption, because they have become so hardened in their hearts that opportunities for atonement and salvation are wasted on them and society is better served by locking them up for the longest possible time and, upon their release, keeping them under secret surveillance until the protective services are completely assured of their restored sense of right and wrong, and their intention to continue to adhere to the laws of the land.

St Joseph High School’s Junior Queen, Shameeza Baksh (fourth from left) and Senior Queen, Devya Singh (yellow dress) surrounded by the runners up were crowned Sunday night at the National Cultural Centre as part of the School’s Pageant

Still waiting on good governance

Dear Editor, In a few days’ time, it will be two years since His Excellency David Granger was elected President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. He promised Guyanese that, with his APNU/AFC Government, he would improve their everyday lives and meet their basic needs.

The evidence so far suggests otherwise, as the President and his Ministers have been making many trips abroad at taxpayers’ expense, rather than concentrate on the mandate they have been given to solve the many problems facing the nation.

For example, the President stated recently that he “has no intention of shutting down the sugar industry”; yet, since taking office, nearly 1,800 sugar workers have lost their jobs, and several processing

facilities have ceased operating. GuySuCo is financially bankrupt, and the APNU/ AFC Government has no strategy for its consolidation and diversification, in order to make it again viable.

Instead of seriously fulfilling his mandate to govern competently and solve the nation’s many problems, President Granger seems to take every opportunity to escape his duties by making expensive overseas trips at taxpayers’ expense, under the pretext that they are in the national interest. His recent State Visits, using chartered aircraft and being accompanied by an entourage of who’s who, attests to this; as nothing of significance was accomplished.

This should be of great concern to all Guyanese, as The Bahamas is a group of islands that have no economic benefit to offer Guyana,

except sand and sunshine; while Great Britain cannot make any trade deal or investment in Guyana without approval from the European Union.

So what has President Granger really achieved from his latest expensive ‘wild goose’ overseas trips?

He should level with the Guyanese people and let them know.

Finally, it is ironic that President Granger and the APNU/AFC Government are spending millions of scarce dollars on useless overseas trips while, in an attempt to raise revenue, they have imposed a hefty tax on private education and education materials. The local public school system is a dismal failure, as its teachers badly need training, infrastructure is falling apart, and resources are lacking for basic teaching materials. It is un-

der this dark educational cloud that concerned parents have scraped together whatever little resources they have to give their children the opportunity for a quality education, to acquire the knowledge and skills which would enable them to progress in a rapidly changing environment. The APNU/AFC Government, instead of imposing a crippling tax burden on private education, should have set up standards and monitor that these are met. After all, the Minister of Education, like I do, knows fully well that had it not been for private education in our early life, we probably would still be struggling to make a living planting rice and/or grazing cows in the lowlands of the Mahaica River.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

Old people at the mercy of NIS Melanie Office

Dear Editor, The Melanie Office of the National Insurance Scheme is a torture chamber. Don't take my word for it; ask your old relatives who have to go to that office for service, and you will hear horror stories.

Senior citizens -- who have served this nation and are now entitled to NIS benefits -- experience the royal run-around at this office.

They are made to feel as if they have committed an offence by trying to get what they have earned.

I concede that the full re-

cord of many applicants may not be at the NIS data base, but there must be a humane manner to communicate this to applicants, and there must be some form of guidance to shepherd the applicant through the process.

But the conduct of many NIS staffers leaves the unmistakeable impression that they will not become pensioners. Maybe they would not live long enough!

My letter is an appeal to President Granger and the subject minister to plant decoys at the NIS offic-

es, so that these esteemed leaders can have an idea of the tragedy to which many are exposed. And while they are at it, put decoys at all Government offices: Registry of Births and Deaths, police stations, CH&PA, etc.

Maybe SOCU can be helpful in pulling in those Government employees who frustrate us out of our rightful benefits as senior citizens.

On the other hand, our benefits mean nothing to overlords; we are now have-

beens, and are of no consequence. Recovering state assets provides greater fun and mileage.

I think the time has come for senior citizens to voice their concerns, and the media should provide that encouragement. We did not give of our labour to be treated as society's discards by those who think they will never get old.

We demand respect, and we demand our just benefits.

Sincerely, Pensioner

guyanatimesgy.com

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Recall Chanderpaul for final Test Entire Cabinet should be charged for criminal wastage of taxpayers' money Dear Editor, I have been charged for stealing books, the subscriptions for which were paid for by the Government of Guyana -- which I specifically requested as a condition of my service as Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, and which was granted by the President of the Republic of Guyana. The market value of these books is about $420,000.

Sometime in the mid1980s, the then Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr Keith Massiah, was offered the position of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs by President Desmond Hoyte, upon his retirement as Chancellor. Chancellor Massiah indicated his willingness to accept the appointment only if he would enjoy the same remuneration package which he enjoyed as Chancellor. This package was more than double what a Minister was paid at the time.

Mr. Desmond Hoyte granted that request. Mr Massiah was appointed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, and was paid that remuneration package for several years, until that administration lost the 1992 elections. The total sum paid even then would have run into millions of dollars.

Should Mr Keith Massiah now not be charged with larceny?

The coalition Government, as a collective, sat at a Cabinet meeting and made a decision to pay themselves a 50% increase in salary as part of

their contract of service. The incredible rationale was that they were earning this level of income prior to their appointment. I challenge anyone of them, publicly, to prove that they were earning this level of income. This increase in salary is a recurring monthly expenditure on the Treasury that runs into millions per month and hundreds of millions annually.

Should each of them not be charged with obtaining money by fraud or by false pretenses?

Additionally, at the same Cabinet meeting, Moses Nagamootoo demanded that the Prime Minister's salary, as a matter of principle, must be higher than that of the Attorney General’s. As a result, his salary was increased by a further few hundred thousand dollars to make it higher than the Attorney General's.

Again, this became part of his contract for service. I challenge the Prime Minister to show that he was earning $1.7 million per month prior to his appointment. Again, this is a monthly recurring expenditure that is costing taxpayers over $20 million annually.

Should the Prime Minister not be charged for obtaining money by fraud?

On top of this astronomical increase in salaries, I am aware that the Government is renting residential premises in which ministers reside at an average monthly rental of between $500,000 and $1 million. This is costing the treasury millions of dollars annually. These rentals are obvi-

ously part of these ministers' contract of service. Should they not be charged with some fraudulent offence as well?

Two ministers are currently on scholarships; this must be part of their contract of service. These two scholarships are costing taxpayers approximately $7 million. Should charges not be filed here too?

By a Cabinet decision, this Government rents from a party crony a house in Albouystown for $14 million per month, to use as a drug bond; when a property of similar size and condition and located in the same neighbourhood can be rented for $150,000 per month; and when they refused the same square footage of space offered to them in writing at the New GPC Storage Bond, a worldclass storage facility for pharmaceuticals, at a rental of $1.3 million per month. Taxpayers continue to pay this $14 million in rent monthly.

Why should the entire Cabinet not be charged for this criminal wastage of taxpayers' money?

As President David Granger said to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo recently, "I recognise that Governments change and the shoe is on the other foot."

Clearly, his Attorney General does not understand this reality.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP Attorney-at-Law

Dear Editor, As a West Indian watching IPL cricket in India, questions and comments inevitably arise among fans about the poor state of West Indies cricket. It has hit rock bottom. Indian fans query why Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has been doing so well in first class cricket, is not in the Test team to strengthen its performance and give the team a fighting chance in so many matches it needlessly lost.

Chanders, Indian fans say, could have helped to save several matches recently lost, as he did throughout his career for Guyana, West Indies and other teams.

Indians recognize and salute talent, and Chanders has great cricketing ability, even at this late age of 42.

Chanders is in the heart of every Indian sports enthusiast. In fact, India worships Chanders as a hero, although he is not playing for India. Indians see Chanders as a great cricketer. His achievement, they note, is a glaring example of his being a legendary cricketer, as he has set or broken so many batting records. They give him a lot of respect.

Indians feel Chanders should not have been discarded.

Ironically, fans in the West Indies feel Chanders, or Tiger, as they call him, has been a victim of race. They feel there is no better batsman in the West Indies currently, given his consistent performance.

Chanders is a legend.

You can’t read his batting stats any other way. You can’t watch him play and

Near-misses on the Essequibo River Dear Editor, In wake of the recent near-miss on the Essequibo River, I feel compelled to speak out about another near-miss on the Essequibo River that could have been very much worse. This one occurred on December 12, 2016 several miles from Bartica.

A boatload of us was returning from a day trip to the Essequibo Islands, a package that was offered by a local tour guide from Georgetown. We left the last location (Kyk-Over-Al) after 16:30h and were on our way back to Parika when, just about 15 minutes into the trip, the boat started to tilt on the rear, as it was taking in water.

The passengers became so afraid that terrified is the word to describe it. There we were in open seas, it was practically getting dark, river traffic was coming to a halt for the day, and the boat (a fibre glass boat) was taking in water rapidly and was beginning to show signs that it would sink, as it was leaning backwards.

I saw death before me as the water started to fill the boat from the back. It was in a very peculiar position now in the water, as we had slowed down. Panicking passengers seated in the rear started to use receptacles to bail water from the boat, as the pump that was also supposed to help pump the excess water out the flooding boat was not working properly. It was of little help.

Finally, a passing Parikabound speedboat pulled up alongside us, but a lady and her baby were the only ones they could have carried across. They eventually made off to Parika with the hope they would get help for us.

The boat was nearly filled with water in the back when we found a landing and got out. Some people there were very kind to us as we waited for the trip planner to leave with their (the people’s) boat to go get help a few landings away. It was pitch dark now as we waited, and waited and waited. I was supposed to have been on my way home to Berbice by then. The plan-

ner was not returning with help.

Phone signal was poor to non-existent. The people whose landing we pulled up on were serving coffee and drinks, but all I could think about was getting out of there and safely back to land.

Finally, more than an hour and a half later, help came and we were ferried to Parika, we arrived after 21:00hrs in moonlight.

It was a near-death experience I would never like to relive, and I have not spoken out until now; but I no longer can hold my peace, since something needs to be done to improve the standards of this operation along this river. The company refunded some cash to many pas-

sengers after this horrible incident. One of these days, some group might not be so lucky. The Government must intervene to ensure safety of passengers who travel along this river on a daily basis.

Patrols need to be done.

Help points should be established along this lonely stretch of river from Parika to Bartica.

That could have been a disaster in which more than 15 persons would have died.

I am thankful I came out alive. How many more stores like these happen on these rivers but are never heard of or told?

Sincerely, Leon Suseran

think any differently. He served Guyana and the region with pride and dignity.

He has had a super career for the region. His service will always be remembered.

It has been tough to replace him; and, without him, West Indies has had to work so hard in Tests, losing so many matches. But the West Indies Board does not think so, and so the Board has unceremoniously dumped Chanders.

The legendary batsman has set many records which testify to his greatness. So much has depended on his broad shoulders in so many matches. He has, so many times, rescued Guyana and West Indies. But the WI Board does not care about performance or ranking of the team, or their own reputation.

Chanders has made immense contribution to Guyana as well. He has set many records for Windies, which prove his greatness; and whenever he played, he did so with heart and commitment. He was not intimidated by pace or bouncers or the swears from opponents.

He played with his head on.

And for all of that, no thank you has been given to Chanders for his continuous support to Guyana

or the region’s cricket. The Government of Guyana has let down Chanders by not speaking up for him and making a case why he should be given an honourable exit like Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Clarke or Jacques Kallis had received from their respective countries.

Tiger deserved better.

The WI Board has demoted this legend. The West Indies Board has turned Tiger into a ghost, although his fitness has been so extraordinary that he can still play for another year or more.

The WI Board needs to immediately reverse course and recall the batting legend, as is being advised even by fans from as far away India. Clearly, by his performance, Chanders is not a man who is tired of playing. He continues to demonstrate grit and determination to play for country and region. And he has excelled in county cricket in UK. The WI Board should give him a final role, if not as a player, then as a player manager; so that the youngsters can benefit from the treasure of his experience.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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Foundation

– these 10 free or low-cost apps turn learning Maths into a game

By Monica Burns

F

rom content consumption to content creation, there are many ways to use mobile devices with students. They can create how-to videos for authentic audiences, explain their thinking through screencasting, or use scannable technology in the Maths classroom, for example. Mobile devices can also be used to help students practise foundational Maths skills and build their Maths fluency. You might decide to use an app on this list as part of an intervention plan or add it to a newsletter for families.

In order for students to tackle the multistep word problems they’ll be asked to solve as early as elementary school, they need to have mastered addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts. If they can answer 4 + 12, 15 - 5, 9 x 7, and 18 ÷ 3 quickly and accurately, students can focus on reading word problems to figure out what those questions are asking them to do and apply their knowledge to real-world situations. There are tons of fun apps that help children build their Maths fluency through games and manipulatives. Check out some of these fantastic Maths tools available as mobile apps (for iOS or Android) and web apps (for any web browser).

Operation Math (iOS US$2.99, Android US$1.99).

This app turns your students into spies who travel around the world on different missions. Kids can choose which operations they want to practice as they make their way through the app.

Number Frames (free for iOS, Chrome, and other web browsers). The Maths Learning Centre has lots of great resources for students, including interactive Maths tools to help students practice skills. With this tool, students explore the relationships between numbers as they represent each operation with virtual manipulatives. This free app gives kids the space to build a foundation that makes Maths fluency practice most meaningful.

Sushi Monster (iOS free). Scholastic’s app offers children multiplication and addition problems.

They have to reach a target number by picking the correct factors and addends listed on different pieces of sushi.

Quick Math Arithmetic & Times Tables (iOS US$1.99). With this app, kids answer traditional skill-and-drill questions—but they don’t have to enter answers using a keypad. Instead, they can write the answer anywhere on the screen of their device, and the app reads their handwriting and records their response.

Number Line (free for iOS, Chrome, and other web browsers). This mobile and web app is perfect for helping students model their thinking as they explore different operations.

Pet Bingo by Duck Duck Moose (iOS US$1.99, Android US$1.99). In this game, children answer addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division questions and place their answers on a bingo board. The app is full of colourful cartoon characters and offers visual models to help students understand each problem.

Meerkat Math HD (iOS US$1.99). This adventure app asks students to complete different races using Maths facts. In

order to make their meerkat avatar run and jump fast enough to be a winner, they have to answer each question quickly and correctly.

1 0 m o n k e y s Multiplication (iOS US$1.99, Android free).

Kids can practice multiplication facts with this animated app. The goal is to help monkeys trapped in a tree escape by answering a set of questions correctly. This app is broken down into different times tables and includes a reference chart so kids can review facts.

Math Vs Zombies (iOS US$4.99, Android free).

This silly app asks children to add, subtract, multiply, or divide one- and two-digit numbers. Students need to answer each question correctly in order to zap the zombies back into humans.

YodelOh Math Mountain (iOS US$2.99, Android US$1.99). A virtual take on a traditional carnival game, this app helps children practice all four operations. They have to work quickly so that the yodeller doesn’t fall from the top of the mountain.

Whether I’m leading a professional development session or having a casual conversation with a fellow educator, I often use the phrase “tasks before apps”. As you explore the tools on this list, make sure you’ve identified your learning objectives and think about which tools will help students achieve those goals. (Edutopia.org)

(CONTINUED)

How to start

Here are some tips on how to begin teaching the 1-2-3 process:

Introduce the idea

Start the conversation by using the examples above and show your child the children’ article Organise, Focus, Get It Done. Read it together and ask for reactions. Will it be easy or hard? Is he or she already doing some of it? Is there something he or she would like to get better at?

Get buy-in

Brainstorm about what might be easier or better if your child was more organised and focused.

Maybe homework would get done faster, there would be more play time, and there would be less nagging about chores. Then there’s the added bonus of your child feeling proud and you being proud, too.

Set expectations

Be clear, in a kind way, that you expect your children to work on these skills and that you’ll be there to help along the way.

Make a plan

Decide on one thing to focus on first. You can come up with three things and let your child choose one. Or if homework or a particular chore has been a problem, that’s the natural place to begin.

Get comfortable in your role For the best results, you’ll want to be a low-key coach. You can ask questions that will help children get on track and stay there. But use these questions to prompt their thought process about what needs to be done.

Praise progress, but don’t go overboard. The self-satisfaction children will feel will be a more powerful motivator. Also, be sure to ask your child’s opinion of how things are going so far.

Start thinking in questions

Though you might not realise it, every time you take on a task, you ask yourself questions and then answer them with thoughts and actions. If you want to unload groceries from the car, you ask yourself: Q: Did I get them all out of the trunk?

A: No. I’ll go get the rest.

Q: Did I close the trunk?

A: Yes. Q: Where’s the milk and ice cream? I need to put them away first.

A: Done. Now, what’s next?

Encourage children to start seeing tasks as a series of questions and answers. Suggest that they ask these questions out loud and then answer them.

These questions are the ones you hope will eventually live inside a child’s head. And with practice, they’ll learn to ask them without being prompted.

Work together to come up with questions that need to be asked so the chosen task can be completed. You might even jot them down on index cards.

Start by asking the questions and having your child answer. Later, transfer responsibility for the questions from you to your child.

Things to remember

It will take time to teach children how to break down tasks into steps. It also will take time for them to learn how to apply these skills to what needs to be done. Sometimes, it will seem simpler just to do it for them. It certainly would take less time.

But the trouble is that children don’t learn how to be independent and successful if their parents swoop in every time a situation is challenging or complex.

Here’s why it’s worth your time and effort: Children learn new skills that they’ll need – how to pour a bowl of cereal, tie shoes, match clothes, complete a homework assignment.

They’ll develop a sense of independence. Children who dress themselves at age four feel like big children. It’s a good feeling that will deepen over time as they learn to do even more without help. From these good feelings, children begin to form a belief about themselves – “I can do it.”

Your firm but kind expectations that your children should start tackling certain jobs on their own send a strong message. You reinforce their independence and encourage them to accept a certain level of responsibility. Children learn that others will set expectations and that they can meet them.

This kind of teaching can be a very loving gesture. You’re taking the time to show your children how to do something – with interest, patience, love, kindness, and their best interests at heart.

This will make children feel cared for and loved. Think of it as filling up a child’s toolbox with crucial life tools. (kidshealth.org)

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tuesDAY, may 2, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

55 or nothing

GTU condemns increasing teachers’ retirement age

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he recently-submitted findings and accompanying recommendations of the extensive Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education sector were “outside the parameters” of a key stakeholder, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU). As such, the organisation has stated its outright condemnation of the proposal to increase teachers’ retirement age from 55 to 60, and possibly to 65.

GTU President Mark Lyte affirmed the organisation’s strong stance on the sidelines of the May Day celebrations on Monday, explaining that teachers should not be forced to retire in their 60s.

In the interview with Guyana Times, Lyte even suggested that GTU was not part of the consultations which eventually recommended increasing the retirement age.

“As a union we observed that a copy of the work done by the committee of the CoI was presented to the Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine…

GTU wants to make it categorically clear that we were not part and parcel of that

particular commission, Mr Caesar [COI Chairman Ed Caesar], I heard, said that GTU was part of that, so I want to make it clear to the nation that it wasn’t seen fit at that time for GTU to be a

The GTU President, however, contends that with prevailing challenges that teachers face, many might not make it to 65, should the Education Ministry move forward with the proposals.

“Fifty-five is a good age to retire…”

GTU President Mark Lyte is against moving the retirement age part of that, so whatever they came up with is outside of the parameters of GTU,” Lyte pointed out.

Late last week at a presentation ceremony, Caesar was quoted as saying that it was being recommended “quietly” that the age of retirement should be “improved” from 55 to 60, while noting that categories of workers who acquire “the 33 and one-third years” of service could still retire at 55.

“But we are going further, if they can produce annually a clean bill of health they can go to 65, that is for consideration by the Ministry of Education and its departments,” Caesar had also noted.

“The Union continues to emphasise that we believe that 55 is a good age for retirement, because you have to be a teacher to understand the challenges that go on in the school system and having a teacher work until 60, I’m afraid that we may not have a lot of people surviving that time,” Lyte told this publication.

“We are saying that if it is to be consensual that a person mandatorily retires at 55, you can extended your time to 60 or 65…depending on your own volition. We don’t believe that teachers should be forced to retire at 60 or 65…we do not agree with what was recommended by the Commission,” Lyte

“Horse Mouth” dies after mixing beverage with ecstasy

A

popular local singer in the mining town of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) died on Saturday after he reportedly drank a mixture of suspected ecstasy and stout.

The dead man has been identified as Cartlon Daniels, also called “Horse Mouth” or “Epic Horse”, 25, of Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

While information remains sketchy as to what transpired, Guyana Times understands that the local singer was liming with a few friends as the mining town celebrated its annual “Linden Town Week”, which

Dead: Cartlon Daniels

ended on Monday.

However, Daniels report-

edly mixed the tablet with the stout and consumed the mixture unbeknownst to his friends.

As the group of men continued their drinking spree, his friends reportedly saw Daniels tilting and thought he had got “high”. After some time, they realised that something was amiss after seeing froth coming from his mouth. He was immediately taken to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) and was admitted, but succumbed one day after.

The body is at the LHC awaiting a post-mortem examination.

further stressed.

He also noted that there were provisions in the country’s Constitution on the retirement age, adding that reforms needed to be undertaken before any extension could be implemented.

“The Constitution speaks to age of retirement, so there has to be reforms in order to address that and GTU is sounding it early before the consultation process begins that we will not support the extension of the age,” the GTU President added.

The Preliminary Report into the state of the education sector was handed over to Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine on Friday last, and the final report is expected to be handed over in the next two weeks, according to the Commission.

GTU President Mark Lyte

The CoI Chairman had highlighted that there were 98 consultations countrywide with contributions from all stakeholders, adding that the Commission found that there was need for greater collaboration between the regional

education departments and the regional administrations to determine the educational needs of the particular region.

Government had launched an inquiry into the education system in April last year with the stated aim of gathering “evidential bases” for the revision, upgrading, and extension of the system.

The CoI set up to conduct this probe would have held hearings across the country with parents, guardians, teachers, religious leaders, unions and the Private Sector on their perception of the state of the education system, as well as recommendations for its enhancement. These series of engagements stretched into late November, with the CoI having a number of extensions.

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tuesdAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt yet to consult GPA on broadcast regulations – Press Association calls for more inclusive process

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he Guyana Press Association (GPA) is the foremost representative body of media workers in Guyana, including those in broadcast media. Despite this, the GPA is yet to be consulted about the broadcast legislation being formulated.

According to GPA Executive Member Nazima Raghubir, the Association is concerned about how far formulation of broadcast regulation has progressed without any consultations with it. The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has been involved in the process, with the Board recently completing recommendations and providing them to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

The Association is of the view that regulators should be consulting with the body that has represented the local press for decades.

“We are very concerned about the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, which has handed over some (advice) to the Prime Minister and the Guyana Press Association has not been consulted,” the veteran journalist said in a recent interview.

She stated that there were no indications of who the people consulted were, outside of the regulators themselves.

“But it is a surprise that they are handing over (recommendations) and they have not consulted the only press body that has been representing media workers in the country for 75 years.

“So, I don’t know how it is possible that they could be putting together regulations on broadcasting and not consult with the Guyana Press Association,” Raghubir added.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who is the Minister of Information, received the advice on the broadcasting regulations on

April 24. The handing-over of the document took place at the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of the Presidency.

Nagamootoo had said that the new regulations would be taken to the National Assembly.

According to sections of the media, the Prime Minister had also stated that the regulations would guide the operations of the Authority and the decisions it would make regarding broadcasters.

He also stated that he would have conducted consultations with the GNBA on drafting a subsidiary law for the regulations of the broadcasting spectrum in Guyana.

According to the reports, the Prime Minister had sought the advice of the GNBA Board on what it deemed “important issues that should form the regulations”.

The PM made reference to members who were on the previous Board that had started to work on the regulations.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) parliamentarian Bibi Shaddick was sworn in as a board member for the GNBA on Friday by the Prime Minister. Shaddick is a former Chairperson of the GNBA and was chosen by the Opposition because of her familiarity with the Authority.

However, Shaddick’s appointment was the source of contention after the Opposition had submitted her as a candidate, because of delays. These delays were ostensibly because the Minister of Information had to get the signature of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on documents paving the way for her appointment.

GNBA’s Board is now made up of its Chairman, Leslie Sobers; Shaddick; Dr Rovin Deodat; Scheherazade Ishoof Khan; Jocelyn Josiah; Aretha Campbell; and Joel

Edmonds. Operational from February 1, this Board is expected to serve for two years.

The previous Board of Directors comprised Leonard Craig, Anthony Vieira, Vic Insanally, Abiola Wong-

Inniss, Jocelyn Josiah, and Ameena Gafoor. Craig resigned on December 16, after a public fallout with other Board members.The GPA is, therefore, not reflected in the Board’s composition.

‘Oldest human’ dies in Indonesia aged ‘146’

Mbah Ghoto (Fajar Sodiq image)

T

he Indonesian man who claimed to be 146 years old - the longest living human ever – has died in his village in Central Java.

According to his papers, Sodimedjo, also known as Mbah Ghoto (Grandpa Ghoto), was born in December 1870.

But Indonesia only started recording births in 1900 – and there have been mistakes before. Yet officials told the BBC his papers were valid, based on documents he provided and interviews with him.

He was taken to hospital on April 12 because of deteriorating health. Six days later, he insisted on checking out to return home.

“Since he came back from the hospital, he only ate spoonfuls of porridge and drank very little,” his grandson Suyanto told the BBC. “It only lasted a couple of days. From that moment on to his death, he refused to eat and drink.”

Patience and love

When asked about the secret of his longevity, Mbah

Ghoto told the BBC last year that patience was key and that he had “a long life because I have people that love me looking after me”.

A heavy smoker until the end, he outlived four wives, 10 siblings, and all his children.

In his village, he was a local hero famous for telling great stories about the wars against Japan and the Dutch colonisers.

Grandson Suyanto said his grandfather was buried on Monday morning in a local cemetery plot he bought several years ago.

A tombstone that had sat beside his house for many years was placed above the grave.

“He didn’t ask much.

Before he died, he just wanted us, his family, to let him go,” his grandson said.

If independently verified, his age would make Grandpa Ghoto older than French centenarian Jeanne Calment, who was 122 when she died, and is considered the longest living human in recorded history.

The Con…

S

….on Cummingsburg o here it was that on Labour Day, before he headed off to what he knew would be a desultory trek through Georgetown -- no labour of love! -- your Eyewitness glanced at the headlines. The AFC had set up a committee to “review” the Cummingsburg Accord -the “Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee” (CARC) -- but yet insisted it “reaffirms APNU+AFC Coalition is strong and cohesive”.

If the coalition’s so cohesive, why the heck “review” it? You don’t fix something if it ain’t broken; do you??

Well, the AFC NEC (don’t you just love the way these fellas love their acronyms?? “NEC” is National Executive Committee!) explained that they’re looking “to strengthening, updating and broadening the agreement as we look towards upcoming elections in two and three years’ time.”

Yeah, right!! If that ain’t a crock of doody, your Eyewitness doesn’t know what is!!

Now the essence of the Cummingsburg Accord was that AFC’s Nagamootoo would become the PM in what would be a “shared Executive structure” with David Granger, who’d be president in case they won the elections. The “sharing” was key, since they acknowledged the country was ethnically divided, and if there were to be any development and justice in Guyana, there would have to be real inclusion of all ethnic groups in Government. The AFC was going to bring in 11% Indians into the coalition with the overwhelmingly African-based APNU. The Accord therefore specifically spelled out -so there would be no ambiguity in this key “power sharing” agreement -- the power of the Prime Minister.

This was the “proof of the pudding” of the PNC-led APNU’s good faith: “The Prime Minister SHALL have responsibility for: Domestic Affairs and Chairing the Cabinet; Recommending Ministerial Appointments and providing the organisational structures of Ministries for the approval of the President; Appointing heads of Agencies and non-constitutional commissions; domestic security.”

Now, the question is: WHICH ONE OF THESE POWERS WAS ACTUALLY CONFERED ON PM NAGAMOOTOO??

Does Nagamootoo have “responsibility for Domestic Affairs?? Not in this life!! Strike one!! Does Nagamootoo chair Cabinet?? Well, your Eyewitness understands he has a “chair” to sit - but it’s not THE CHAIR!! Strike 2!!

Did he recommend “Ministerial Appointments”??

It’s been revealed that the appointment of three of the Ministers everyone thought were recommended by him on behalf of the AFC -- Dominic Gaskin, Raphael Trotman and Noel Holder -- was actually done unilaterally by the President!! Strike 3!! Has PM Nagamootoo recommend the heads of Agencies, like Clive Thomas for SARA? Your Eyewitness thought not!! Strike 4!!

But hold it! Nagamootoo was already out with strike 3!!

So what’s CARC gonna do? Just give us CACC: Cummingsburg Accord Conmen Committee!

…on the Judiciary Your Eyewitness knows he’s being going on and on about the need for the Judiciary’s independence to be maintained. The present onslaught launched by this Government as soon as it acceded to office isn’t a coincidence. The Executive knows that, with all the talk about “separation of powers” protecting the rule of law to save us from sliding back into a Burnham-like dictatorship, they control the Legislature absolutely. So, it’s all left to the Judiciary.

How can the Judiciary be controlled? Right off the bat, there’s the appointment by the Executive - and this has been a done deal. So, what if “acting” has now become endemic? After all, even after 50 years at the bar, a lawyer’s still said to be “practising”!! Then there’s pressure. Right now, the pressure is coming from Basil Williams, who’s determined to cow the Judiciary with his rude and crude threats. The Judiciary must be allowed to work without pressure - and certainly not from the Executive.

The two (ag) heads of the Judiciary will signal what’s ahead for Guyana when they pronounce on the matter of Justice Holder. …on Anil If Art 172 (3) says MP’s shall enjoy freedom from arrest for any “civil debt” during parliamentary sessions, isn’t it pure spite to make what’s a civil debt (at worse) criminal?

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

9 Jagdeo concludes hectic 3-day outreach to Essequibo Coast O news

tuesDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Progressive Party (PPP), yesterday concluded a very hectic but successful three-day outreach to

the Essequibo Coast (Region Two), where he met with hundreds of residents in several communities and listened to their concerns.

During the outreach, Jagdeo went to several areas,

including Aurora, Middlesex, Adventure, Onderneeming, Johanna Cecilia, Golden Fleece, Reliance, Lima and Charity. He was accompanied by Party Central Committee members Drs

Frank Anthony and Vindhya Persaud, and Anand Persaud; and Members of Parliament (MPs) Yvonne Pearson and Cornel Damon, the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Representative.

On Sunday, the Opposition Leader held a special meeting with businessmen, farmers and market vendors, among other persons.

Before returning to

Below are a few scenes from Jagdeoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final day of visiting Region Two, on Monday

Georgetown on Monday, the Opposition Leader met with scores of residents and vendors at the Charity market, among whom were speedboat operators and hire car drivers, among other persons.

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tuesDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Labour Day 2017

Hard decisions will have to be made – Govt

…as Teixeira highlights failing sectors, major job losses

G

overnment used the opportunity at Monday’s May Day rally to remind workers that certain “hard” decisions would have to be taken in the sugar industry given its unprofitability.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman reminded those gathered at the rally that the coalition Government had invested $32 billion in the industry over the past 21 months. This money was used mainly to subsidise wages for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Trotman said, “The time has come for change” and “a failing organ cannot be treated with an aspirin”. He asserted, “It is now necessary for some difficult decisions to be made.”

The Minister’s statement was prompted by statements made by Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand, who spoke about the uncertain future of the sugar industry.

Shifting his attention to the state of the trade union movement, Trotman told workers that unions had a strategic and integral role to play and they must make themselves available for nation building.

He said too that the Government was prepared to commit to a new order where policies, relationships, and interactions between stakehold-

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

ers were better aligned.

“We simply cannot fail to prepare and we simply cannot fail to cooperate and draw closer to each other. The choice is ours and to Government, the actions we have to take are self-evident,” he added.

Investment in the country’s human resource capacity has been optimum, Trotman said. According to him, in 2015, 1540 youths were trained as tradesmen and artisans and in 2016, that number was increased by three per cent to 1593.

“All of this is being done to ensure that there is always available an adequate supply of well-trained, well-equipped and well-disciplined workers to oversee our industries,” he added.

Mention was also made of plans to establish an industrial tribunal, whose functions would include the speedy resolution of industrial differences resulting in justice for workers, trade unions, employers,

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

and even Government itself.

“We are convinced that with such machinery in place, many employers and employing companies would be unable to deliberately protract differences to the detriment of workers and trade unions alike. The combined effects of these initiatives have certainly positively impacted the lives of the nation’s workforce,” he observed.

The Minister said with more women joining the labour force, particularly in areas which were previously dominated by men, trade unions have to prepare and align themselves to better treat with issues of gender discrimination and sexual harassment, among others.

He took umbrage at Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira’s statement, which chastised the Government over several positions taken with regard to workers’ rights and the management of the economy generally.

Teixeira, who spoke about the failing sectors of the economy and major job losses, was disturbed by a small crowd of supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC).

“We, in the parliamentary Opposition, recognise that it is the toil, sweat and sacrifices of our workers that are responsible for whatever achievements we have made and successes we have enjoyed as a country and as a people. We further recognise that it is our workers that will be responsible for catapulting us to whatever heights we attain in the future,” Teixeira told the gathering. She, however, acknowledges that the observances this year are characterised by greater signs of unity in the trade union movement, a development that can only bode well for the workers and the country.

“We need to continue to be outspoken in calling for the real issues to be addressed – it is the economy; it is job creation not job contraction; it is economic expansion and diversification, not closures and chasing away investors.

People want to work and live in dignity, to plan their lives and their future with some level of certainty, to save and build their own homes, buy cars and send their children to whichever school they want,” Teixeira declared.

She was also blunt in her declaration that “every productive sector is on the decline”. “In the sugar industry, estates are being closed and thousands are being dismissed; in the rice sector, they are no new markets and no competitive price for paddy; in the mining sector, small and medium scale miners can no longer afford the cost of production; in the forestry sector, they are no markets for logs; in the commercial sector, there is a drastic decline in trade and commerce,” Teixeira pointed out.

She noted that the government’s capital programmes for 2015 and 2016, including loan portfolios, under-performed embarrassingly and therefore failed to generate economic activity and provide jobs. The most recent example is the Sheriff Street expansion roadway where only 1 % of a US$30M loan was disbursed in the last year.

“There are no new investments except the Smart City Solutions which brought us the corrupt and controversial parking meters contract (and) the deteriorating economic circumstances are leading to the devaluation of currency and increase in the cost of imports,” she stated.

At the same time, she said additional burdens have been placed on the workers’ backs, and, in fact, on all Guyanese, with the introduction of taxation on previously zero rated untaxed essential goods and services; the introduction of next taxes; significant increases in other taxes and government fees.

Indian Arrival Day, May 5: May I ask for a moment of silence, please?

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hank you for sharing a moment of silence with me, for those Indians who left India every year from 1838 to 1917 and never arrived in British Guiana; for those Indians who arrived, worked and died on the pitiful plantations; and for those Indians who died on their journey back to India. I am hoping that, on May 5, a whistle would be sounded throughout this land, or at least where Indians first landed, to signal the solemn memories of Indians.

This year, 2017, marks one hundred and seventy-nine years of Indian presence in Guyana. Of an estimated 238,909 brought to British Guiana, 165,000 stayed; 75,000 returned, and 8,000 returned to British Guiana for the second time under contract.

Using conservative estimates, at least 30,000 perished during indentureship, including in the sea voyage; the floating prison known as the Kala Pani. Women Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine comprised about 25 percent of the immigrants, while an estimated 70 percent were low caste Hindus, 16 percent were Muslims, and about 8 percent were Madrassis, South Indians.

An estimated 10 percent of the immigrants had unsound minds but made it through the indentured immigration gates in India; this percentage tripled every passing year during indentureship, and every year on the return journey. Insanity, vagrancy and begging were common features during indentureship, but were never addressed seriously.

Undoubtedly, Indian Arrival Day means many different things to different people; but the usual is the celebration of history, sacrifice, and achievements alongside challenges of recognition and survival in a race-driven, multi-ethnic Guyana. For me, Indian Arrival Day means all the above, but one more blood-boiling feeling; that is, the compensation for wrongs my ancestors endured during indentureship.

My hope here is that the national Government of Guyana, the Indian and British High Commissioners in Guyana, as well as the members in the conflated Commission of Inquiry on Land Rights would pay attention. It is simply absurd to conclude that the Indian indenture system was smooth sailing. Indians, too, are looking into ways to right a historical wrong, some of which I will address here and in upcoming columns. Our concerns must be heard in order to embrace social cohesion. This is not only an option, but an unavoidable reality. Many wrongs occurred during the indentureship period. One is that, when Indians left their homeland, they signed contracts that guaranteed their savings or remittances or movable properties would be sent to their heirs should they die in British Guiana. This regulation was not carried out, as expected. According to colonial officials, the above regulation was not carried out because the names of the payees in India and British Guiana were often misspelled, and heirs were difficult to trace because of death or migration. That might have been the case, but the point remains that unclaimed remittances belonged to indentured servants and the descendants of indentured servants, and not to the colonial government. I will repeat this statement as long as I am breathing.

The colonial records show, for example, in the early 1880s in British Guiana, 81 heirs were not traced and 46 were not identified, which meant about £5000 went back to the colonial bank. Interestingly, too, is that at any time during indentureship, more heirs were not traced or identified. I would argue -- based on available statistics so far on British Guiana only -- that an estimated £80,000 went unclaimed; which is equivalent to at least about half of a million pounds, excluding interest, in modern times. This is a conservative estimate, and if Trinidad, Suriname and other islands that received indentured Indians are included, the figure would obviously be substantially higher, in the millions of dollars.

I am also concerned about the breach of contract in regard to return passages. One clause in the contract Indians signed in India to labour in British Guiana stated that they would be given a free return passage to their homes in India when their contracts expired.

By the 1880s, time-expired indentured servants had to contribute to the cost of their return passages. Males contributed one-third of the cost, while females contributed a quarter. The cost of one return passage was £10 or $48. It is important to understand that indentured servants were making 24 cent per day, and, in reality, their contribution to the cost of their return passage was equivalent to their yearly earnings.

The situation is worse when considering that about a quarter of the returnees went back with no savings at all, but they had to contribute to the cost of their return passage. Moreover, many intending returnees signed up to go back to India, but when the time came, many simply abandoned the idea of returning. Their return passages were not returned to them. What happened to their return passages? In an attempt to prune cost and avoid the financial obligation of the return passage, the colonial authorities encouraged Indians to settle in British Guiana in lieu of their return passages. Five to ten acres of land were given them for £10. While the lands given were problem-oriented: infertile, poor drainage, far from Indian communities, and so forth, some Indians accepted land, but others gave up their return passages but never received land, a double-loss.

To be continued (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

11 Negative influence undermining trade unions’ strength – GTUC news

tuesDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…urges Govt to re-establish Labour Ministry

right to struggle, and to demand and ensure that all their achievements are safeguarded.

“We, the workers, must remain constant, regardless

GTUC President Coretta McDonald

G

eneral Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, in delivering another candid address at this year’s May Day Rally held at the National Park on Monday, urged Government to re-establish the Labour Ministry and restore collective bargaining in its entirety.

Lewis said that ministry is important for shaping and executing labour policies that affect all Guyanese workers -- past, present and potential.

The veteran trade unionist also called on President David Granger to restore collective bargaining in the public sector, and return the agency shop to public service unions.

“Our unified voices are today raised, calling for these changes to be manifest…Trust that these requests today will not be a challenge for the President, given his stated commitment…,” Lewis remarked.

Making reference to the outstanding matters between the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union, the GTUC official urged the Government to take strident action to have both parties come to an amicable

GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis

resolution.

“This is the longest running struggle where foreign force is being allowed to threaten the nation’s sovereignty when the laws so protect its citizens,” he lamented.

While acknowledging that the trade union movement does not exist in isolation but functions in an environment of politicians, Lewis said the movement must, at no time, be easily influenced by these individuals. He said, “We must, to a great extent, resist some of the negative influences that do not serve our best interest, and which seek to undermine the strength of the union and our ability to organize as a force for change.”

Safeguard achievements In demonstrating his resolve to continue speaking the truth, Lewis accused politicians from both sides of the divide of trying to advance the positions of labour only when they are in opposition; and then turn their backs on labour and go to great lengths in efforts to destroy the strength and organising capabilities of labour when in government.

“Those who find us as not relevant today are the same ones that would have found us relevant yesteryear; and the cycle continues as politi-

cal seasons change,” he added.

Speaking on the issue of unity, the GTUC General Secretary said the trade union movement must be constant in its purpose, even as he urged union leaders to pursue unity regardless of who is in or out of power.

“We want unity when it comes to respecting our rights, the pursuit of good governance, the good of the trade union principles as against the good of the politicians; and we must remember the political good is not necessarily the trade union good,” he added.

Lewis urged workers to follow in the footsteps of those who have led the way for the establishment of trade union movements in Guyana, the Caribbean and around the world. He said unionists must not be timid in their commitment, but must stand up for their rights as Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow had done.

“History has proven (that) management/employer does not give you anything willingly, and this entails whether it is government or private sector; we have to fight for it,” he opined.

The trade union veteran also called on workers to remain constant in the recognition that theirs is a

of who is in or out of power. We have to keep our voices united and resolutely on course. We have to keep our eyes on the prize. The politicians don’t grant us any fa-

vours. You elected them and they are entrusted with the responsibility to work for all, not only the elites at the top,” he ended. turn to page 17

12 Labour Day March 2017

tuesDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyana

Labour Day March 2017

2, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Photos by Dexter Ceres and Carl Croker

13

14

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESdAY, may 2, 2017

Regional

Shootout leaves 8 dead near Venezuela’s Maduro proposes new congress Mexico’s Los Cabos tourist hub during May Day clashes A shootout near the Mexican beach resort of Los Cabos early on Monday between suspected gang members and navy forces has left eight dead, including one soldier.

The incident took place before dawn on the out-

skirts of San Jose del Cabo, about 20 miles (30 kilometres) northeast of the area’s main tourist hub of Cabo San Lucas.

Security forces later recovered unspecified drugs, vehicles, communications equipment, military-issued

weapons and uniforms, the navy said in a statement.

Western Baja California Sur state, popular with international tourists and ex-pats, has seen growing gangland violence over the last several months. (Reuters)

Millions of Cubans gather for traditional May Day parades

M Demonstrators clash with riot Police on an armoured car during a rally against Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, May 1, 2017

V

enezuela’s socialist President Nicolás Maduro announced on Monday a vote for a new popular assembly with the capacity to rewrite the Constitution, but foes said it was an attempt to cling to power amid major protests.

“I don’t want a civil war,” Maduro told a May Day rally of supporters in downtown Caracas, while elsewhere across the city security forces fired tear gas at youths hurling stones and petrol bombs after Opposition marches were blocked.

Maduro has triggered an article of the Constitution that allows for the reformation of all public powers, as his predecessor Hugo Chávez did in 1999 soon after winning office in the

South American nation.

“I convoke the original constituent power to achieve the peace needed by the Republic, defeat the fascist coup, and let the sovereign people impose peace, harmony, and true national dialogue,” Maduro told red-shirted supporters.

Opponents feared a vote on whether to create the Assembly could give extra weight to pro-Government workers’ groups and be manipulated in Maduro’s favour. They said it was another attempt to sideline the current Opposition-led National Assembly and keep the unpopular Maduro in office amid a bruising recession and unrest that has led to 29 deaths in the last month.

“Faced with the dictator’s announcement of the constitutional fraud of the constituent assembly, people should go to the street and disobey such craziness,” Opposition Leader Henrique Capriles said.

More than 400 people have been injured and hundreds more arrested since the unrest began in early April.

While Maduro alleges a US-backed coup plot, foes say he has wrecked the economy and become a tyrant.

Meanwhile, Maduro has ordered a 60 per cent increase in the country’s minimum wage, effective from Monday, the BBC reported.

Including food subsidies, the worst-paid workers will now take home about 200,000 bolivars a month – less than US$50 at the black market rate.

The pay rise is the third this year from Maduro, and aims to benefit Government workers and the military.

(Excerpt from Reuters and BBC News)

illions of Cubans gathered on Monday for the traditional May Day parades. Cuban President Raul Castro presided over the huge May Day march at Havana’s Revolution Square, along with Communist Party Politburo members.

President Castro was accompanied by leaders of grassroots organisations, and some 1690 representatives from 349 workers unions from 89 countries, and other Cuban groups.

The main May Day speech was delivered by Ulises Gilarte, Secretary General of the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC in Spanish) who expressed Cuba’s support of embattled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Cuban President Raul Castro presided over the huge May Day march at Havana’s Revolution Square

He said Cuba supports Maduro’s Government in its fight to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty, independence and the values of the Bolivarian Revolution.

Gilarte also demanded the immediate lifting of the over 50-year long US embargo of Cuba.

He said there was a very complex international situation and the challenges and dangers for Latin America and the Caribbean were growing; therefore, more unity among the people of the Region was needed. (Caribbean News Now)

T&T contractors threatened by extortionists

C

ontractors working on a culvert on the Beetham Highway in Trinidad were forced to abandon the site last Friday night after people went on the project and threatened them and tried to extort money from

them.

The contractors working on the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Nidco) and Ministry of Works and Transport project returned to the site on Saturday only after they were accompanied by a heavy contingent of armed Police Officers.

Works Minister Rohan Sinanan confirmed the con-

manding money from them.

He said, however, he did not know if that was the case with the Beetham contractors. He said since Police Officers were stationed at the Beetham site, however, the contractors had comfortably resumed work.

“We intend to maintain the Police presence.”

Sinanan said Police Officers were present during

Workmen involved in construction of a culvert on Beetham Highway continue work on Sunday after contractors were forced to abandon the jobsite on Friday night. Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said the contractors were threatened by “certain elements” who also tried to extort money from the contractors

tractors left the site and were wondering if they should return.

“We had this incident on Friday night which would have left the contractor and his staff wondering whether they wanted to go back on the site.”

Sinanan said the Ministry had been getting complaints from contractors working on projects in different areas about “certain elements” de-

the Friday night incident, but not in the quantum they were in now.

“We gave the contractor and workers the assurance the Ministry of National Security will deal with security matters.

“They felt very comfortable based on what they saw and went back out yesterday evening (Saturday) to complete the job.” (Excerpt from Trinidad

Guardian)

tuesDAY, may 2, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

On May Day, workers of the Trump opens door to North world unite and protest Korea meeting as Pyongyang hints tests to continue

U

Balloons of French Trade Union CGT float over the traditional May Day labour union march in Paris, France, May 1, 2017

E

uropeans took to the streets on Monday, celebrating the international workers’ holiday of May Day with an assortment of rallies and demonstrations, which in France turned violent as protesters threw petrol bombs at Police.

One Paris Police Officer was seriously burnt and two others injured in confrontations with protesters.

In Turkey, Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up demonstrations and arrested hundreds.

A small group of Italian demonstrators clashed

with Police as they tried to break through a Police barrier in the northern city of Turin. The spokesman for Belgium’s Workers Party was knifed in the leg at a rally in Liege.

Elsewhere, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma abruptly left a rally he was due to address as workers booed him and fights broke out between his supporters and opponents.

In the United States, unions and activists planned protests against US President Donald Trump.

In Paris, protesters threw petrol bombs and makeshift

missiles at Police, injuring at least three officers.

Television showed Police Officers trying to shake out flames from their riot gear and clouds of tear gas enveloping the streets around the Bastille monument.

The clashes foreshadowed the approaching confrontation between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, the two winners of the first round of France’s presidential election. They will meet in a second-round vote on Sunday, and each verbally attacked the other at May Day rallies.

S President Donald Trump on Monday opened the door to meeting North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, saying he would be honoured to meet the young leader under the right circumstances, even as Pyongyang suggested it would continue its nuclear weapons tests.

“If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honoured to do it,” Trump told Bloomberg News, comments that drew criticism in Washington.

“Under the right circumstances I would meet with him,” Trump said.

Trump did not say what conditions would need to be met for any such meeting to occur or when it could happen, but the White House later said North Korea would need to meet many conditions before a meeting could be contemplated. “Clearly conditions are not there right now,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

“I don’t see this happening anytime soon,” Spicer added.

Trump, who took office in January, had said during his presidential campaign he would be willing to meet with Kim.

His Administration has since said North Korea must agree to abandon its nuclear and missile programmes and has sought to pressure Pyongyang economically and diplomatically while insisting that military options remain “on the table.”

On Friday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the United Nations Security Council that Washington would not negotiate with North Korea. US Vice President Mike Pence, earlier on Monday, said Trump had made clear “that the era of strategic patience is over”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Hamas accepts Palestinian state with 1967 borders

(Excerpt from Reuters)

San Diego pool party gunman called ex-girlfriend during attack

P

olice say a man called his ex-girlfriend on the phone as he shot seven people at a pool party on Sunday.

Peter Selis, 49, was depressed about the break-up and did not target his victims, who were black and Hispanic.

“These victims were just in his presence at the wrong place at the wrong time,” said San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, ruling out race as a factor in the at-

tack.

Selis killed one and injured six others before being shot dead by Police.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting about 18:00 local time at the upmarket La Jolla Crossroads apartments.

Selis was sitting beside the pool, which was in the same apartment complex where he lived.

From his lounge chair he began opening fire on the group, say Police. After

shooting two people, he placed a call to his ex-girlfriend.

“It is apparent that Selis wanted his ex-girlfriend to listen in as he carried out his rampage,” said Zimmerman.

Selis, who has no known criminal history, continued to speak as he fired on the crowd while they scrambled to flee the pool area.

A Police helicopter observed him reloading his .45 calibre handgun while still inside the pool area.

Blast hits Toronto financial district, may be due to transformer

A

n explosion rocked Toronto’s financial district on Monday afternoon, prompting the Police to close off a section of the downtown area as heavy smoke billowed out of sewer grates.

Toronto’s fire chief told CBC’s French-language channel that the blast may have been caused by a power transformer explosion.

Heavy smoke was pouring out of sewer grates at the corner of King and Bay Street, in the heart of the city’s financial core, according to a Reuters witness.

A Toronto Police spokeswoman said there were no injuries reported, and Police and fire trucks were on the scene.

The blast occurred at eve-

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal speaking to reporters in Doha [Naseem Mohammed Bny Huthil/Reuters]

H

amas has presented a new political document that accepts the formation of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, without recognising the statehood of Israel, and says that the conflict in Palestine is not a religious one.

The positions were made official on Monday in Qatar’s capital, Doha, by Khaled Meshaal, the leader-in-exile of the Palestinian group that runs the besieged Gaza Strip.

“We shall not waive an inch of the Palestinian home soil, no matter what the recent pressures are and no matter how long the occupation,” Meshaal told reporters as he revealed the document to the public after two years of work.

“Hamas rejects any idea except liberating the home soil entirely and completely, although it does not necessarily mean we recognise the Zionist entity or give up any of our Palestinian rights.”

While Hamas’ 1988 founding charter called for the takeover of all of mandate Palestine, including present-day Israel, the new document says it will accept the 1967 borders as the basis for a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital and refugees back to their homes.

The 1967 borders refer to those that existed before the war in which Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Malta PM calls snap general election

M Smoke rises as Police block off an intersection in the financial district after reports of a loud blast and heavy smoke could be seen in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 1, 2017

ning rush hour and trains were bypassing King St subway due to the investigation

while streetcars were being diverted from the area. (Reuters)

alta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has called a snap general election for June 3, a year before his term ends.

The Opposition has been calling for his resignation over allegations that his wife owned an offshore company in Panama.

Muscat and his wife, Michelle, deny the claims.

A magisterial inquiry is under way.

He said “truth is on my side”, but that he wanted to protect Malta from un-

certainty.

The current scandal erupted earlier this month when the blogger Daphne Caruna Galizia made the claims, which she based on documents from the so-called Panama Papers, a leak of millions of files from the offshore law firm Mossack Fonseca.

“Everybody knows about the attacks made in the past few days on me and my family. I have nothing to fear because truth is on my side and I am clean,” Muscat said on

Monday.

“My duty, however, is not just to protect myself but also to safeguard my country... We cannot allow uncertainty to slow the rhythm of Malta’s economic miracle,” he said.

The country is enjoying record low unemployment and economic growth of more than 3.5 per cent.

But anti-corruption protesters took to the streets against Muscat’s Government last week.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

16

TUESDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

A

What the people say about

I SAY...

The crime rate

mid a crime wave that seems to be spiralling out of control, with citizens in every village and region worried and living in fear, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has maintained that the crime rate is down. In fact, the GPF only recently declared that there was a decrease in the rate of serious crimes of nine per cent. We asked a few members of the public if they agreed with the GPF and their views are as follows:

Alesia Paul

“Well, I don’t believe those statistics at all. How can I – with all the crimes that we are seeing more and more every day? The Guyana Police Force is saying that, but what we are seeing is something very different. I think that crime is actually on the increase, especially serious crimes. That is just my opinion though.”

Sharaz Aswin

Marvin Joseph

“Is there an actual decrease in the serious crime rate? Yes, statistics may prove so, but in actuality a decrease in serious crime does not mean an end to serious crimes. Perpetrators are now finding cunning ways to commit these crimes which have such harrowing effects; they can take the place of all serious crimes.”

Well there are less murders compare to the previous years but we cannot run from the fact that simple larceny is taking place every day. So even though the Police are saying that serious crimes are on the decrease, I think that other small crimes are taking its place.

Inez Dundas

“In light of the spiralling crime situation in Guyana, that is very good news and good work on the part of the Government and the Guyana Police Force (GPF). I, however, believe that there can be improvements if the good works are continued by the Police Force, along with much needed cooperation of citizens.”

Maimouna Mohamed

“Nine per cent is a lot. If you ask me, I would say that the Police should be praised and one thing they have to do is to get rid of all those Police Officers who does be on the road taking bribe because that is criminal activity too.”

Tkeisha Waaldijk

“It is a lot of propaganda to fool the people into thinking

Lashawna Williams

Maple Martinez

“I was not aware of any such announcement, but if that’s the case, it is both a positive and an interesting development, because, as a citizen, I’ll like to feel and know that I’m safe. The decrease is just the beginning of the journey as we have a long way to go. With this start, we can expect tremendous improvements in the future.

Nine per cent may not seem like a lot, but I think we’ve come a far way from the days when you open the daily papers just to see that someone got robbed or killed.

Suvendra Koomal

“The Guyana Police Force has announced a nine per cent decrease in the crime rate in Guyana. However, with the high number of crime-

related activities occurring in past weeks, it has led me to doubt the validity of the GPF’s claims. The country seems to be having an increase in crime in recent times and I believe it is due to the fact that GPF’s claim is only targeted to crimes that are reported. Unreported criminal activities, however, are neglected and many of these include crimes such as petty theft, abuse, teen violence, child pornography, etc. This is because the people have lost confidence in the justice system of Guyana and, in turn, choose to handle matters themselves or just leave it as it is. So, the claims made by the GPF should be reviewed and amended so that the public can know the truth.

Candacie Holder

“If you were to look at what happened last year, the crime was high when the year started and then it dropped, so I think it’s the same thing happening this year. But I must say, the Police is doing a good job. They are catching plenty criminals. I know we already get a lot of murders for this year, but most of them getting solved. However, I expect the crime rate to go back up due to sugar estates being closed down and persons being out of jobs. The Police will have to do plenty work.”

Jenica Ferguson

“The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has lost the trust of the majority of the country’s population due to rampant

crime and the many unsolved cases. The Police Force has stated a nine per cent decrease in serious crimes; however, with the continuous misconduct and erred ways of high-ranking officers within the Force, persons are beginning to question the statistics provided by the GPF. Corruption within the GPF is widely perceived as commonplace, Police Officers are reportedly being paid under the table by criminal elements and/or either working alongside them.

Therefore, to some sections of society, the statistics provided by the Police Force seem to be a flawed one.

that the country is safe when the reality is quite the opposite to that being experienced by citizens. Every day, you are hearing the news of some tragic murder or robbery. I personally don’t feel as though crime is an issue that has decreased in any significant way, and it should not be taken lightly as citizens are scared and are subjected to horrors constantly. They need to get the Police Force more active, and more vigilant.

These thugs and gangsters need to fear the law and they don’t.

They feel as though this county is a ball field and they could take advantage of whoever they please. The Police can hardly be relied upon in emergencies and they consider that safe?”

“After hearing about the nine per cent decrease in crime, I had a relief. Although I’m not sure of the nine per cent reported decrease, I would say that from what I’ve seen there have been some sort of improvement with the Police Force in regards to their investigations and carrying out of arrests. With this being said, I hope they continue to improve and be efficient in the Force to ensure the safety of the nation.”

Marissa Foster

“It is safe to say that Guyana is not as modern as we should be in every way possible, but that’s okay since we are still a developing country. However, the fact

that we have such a high rate of criminal activities for a country, whose population is less than one million is somewhat bothersome to me. There have been reports of the rates declining, and I’m certainly happy to hear that. Despite the fact that crimes are still being reported, I’d still hold unto the fact that change doesn’t happen overnight. I applaud the law enforcement officers for their work towards the betterment of Guyana and its people. However, Policemen and women should be aware that the safety of every citizen of this country is in their hands and, as such, a greater effort should be made to make sure that the rate actually does go down and that people see the change – not hear about it.”

news

17

tuesDAY, may 2, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Arrival celebrations Education Ministry needs school designing unit begin in Region 2 – CoI Prelim Report

T

The La Grange Primary School has no provisions for persons living with disabilities to enter

T

Participants showcasing influences of Indian culture through dance

he Indian Action Committee (IAC) hosted, on Sunday, a Grand Cultural Mela and Family Fun Day in Essequibo, to commence the celebrations in honour of the 179th Anniversary of Indian Arrival to Guyana.

The Ann Regina Community Centre Ground, where activities were held, was sparsely populated this year, as a marked decline in participation was noted for what was once a highly anticipated annual showcase.

The event highlighted the arrival and presence of East Indians to the West Indies, while at the same time celebrated the many influences which the immigrant labourers have had on the development of Guyana.

The night featured a series of music performances (both live and cultural recordings), as well as dances and historical recollections passed on from the Indian ancestors.

Government officials and other public figures who were present at the Mela offered brief remarks, some reflecting on tales of indentureship while others congratulated and celebrated the strides made by Guyanese to ensure the development of an inclusive, multicultural nation.

Delivering the feature address at this event on behalf

of President Granger was Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who commended the IAC for their showcase of the rich cultural diversity and expression of local talent.

The Minister also reminisced on the time of oppression under the indentureship system, and reminded Guyanese that the Government is committed to their vision of an inclusive society that celebrates members of all ethnicities and religions.

Bulkhan, further, pointed out that under APNU/AFC governance, much of the racial segregation that has hindered progress by the lack of unity in the past will be erased; and there is a promise of better days ahead.

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, alluded to the strength of the Indian forefathers and the growth of the country since the coming of the Indians. Ramdatt said, “We (Indians) are known to be a very strong people. We have been through many struggles in our history, but I urge you all to be strong.”

He also lamented the current deplorable state of the rice industry, especially given that many Region Two residents are dependent on this industry for their livelihood.

Negative influence ...

Meanwhile, Coretta McDonald, who delivered her maiden speech as president of the GTUC, focused her address on the need for greater unity within the trade union movement; the need for labour unions to strengthen the base of that movement; and the need to continue to look out for workers’ interests.

McDonald said, “Too many times we push workers under the bus…and union business is no secret to members”. She also said she is “tired of the divide that politicians seek to create between us.”

Active engagement

Addressing the gathering on Monday also, president of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

(GAWU), Komal Chand, said conditions today call for the active engagement of workers in trade union activities.

Chand expressed concerns over the nation’s economic fortunes and the growing recognition that the economy is in a tailspin. He said official statistics indicate that nearly all of our productive sectors are seeing declining performances, and foreign exchange inflows are falling.

“In such situations, the working people and their families are the hardest hit victims.

They experience, nowadays, increases often times steeped in the cost-of-living. There is the shuttering of businesses or the reduction of business activity, which have brought on retrenchments,” he remarked.

Nonetheless, he encourage his audience to be strong, and to use their religious and cultural beliefs to inspire them to continue making strides.

Ramdatt said, “Despite the small audience, I urge you to celebrate. We have worked hard to build this country. It (the celebration of the 179th Anniversary of Indian Arrival) should bring to us a new way of thinking, so that we (would) be proud of our history and our culture. (It should make us) work not only to building our villages, our families and this region, but by extension to build a better and brighter Guyana.”

The Indian Action Committee, formerly known as the Indian Arrival Committee, has for years hosted such grand cultural melas to celebrate the arrival of the East Indian Immigrant labourers to the shores of the then British Guiana 179 years ago.

This year is the 14th showcase of this mela in Anna Regina.

The committee is set to stage yet another mela in Berbice, as the Albion Sports Complex gears up to host this event on Friday, May 5, Indian Arrival Day. Other similar commemorative events would also be hosted throughout the country, including the annual signature festivities that are staged in Georgetown.

from page 11

Addressing the state of the sugar industry, the GAWU leader said the challenges the industry faces are not insurmountable, and sugar’s success will redound to the benefit of the local economy. He deemed it heartening that officials of the Government have given assurances that the industry will not die, but he said the plans in place for the industry indicate the total opposite. This May Day Rally and March was attended by several important figures, including former President, Donald Ramotar; former President and Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green; ministers of Government, and past and present trade union leaders.

here is a great need for the Education Ministry to be equipped with a unit solely responsible for the designing of schools, particularly in the hinterland regions, according to the Preliminary Report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) launched into the education sector.

“We must allow ourselves to understand where schools should be built; just ask the people, ask the communities...we have schools in the Berbice River, for example, that have five, eight and ten students,” CoI Chairman Ed Caesar informed.

The Commissioners found that schools were being designed and constructed without the input of community members and quite often, they did not satisfy the needs of the community. Caesar added that there should also be a programme in every administrative region responsible for the rehabilitation and repairs of schools.

“If there is no such programme, then where are we

going? We must also look at our dormitories; some of them are in need of repairs and we must also look at who occupies the dormitories,” he stated.

Caesar informed that the Commissioners found that there were some dormitories housing persons who were not in the education sector and giving them preferential treatment. He added that the teachers were then subjected to poor living conditions with the expectation of being able to deliver quality teaching to their students.

“We have teachers in the hinterland wanting to be housed, and we can’t house them because of other people occupying the dormitories,” he noted.

Caesar also informed that the Commission found that there were schools being constructed and being moved without being gazetted, hence making them non-existent.

“We are constructing building, we moving schools so to speak and renaming schools without the schools being ga-

zetted and pay sheets are being written for these schools that really don't exist.”

The Report also recommends that schools be constructed with provisions for persons with disabilities.

“Infrastructure is critical and we must not build any schools that don't allow the challenged to enter. Our schools must be able to accommodate someone who is on crutches or a wheelchair or can’t see properly,” Caesar said.

Most of the schools in Guyana are built either two or three stories high with no wheelchair ramps or any other provisions for the incapacitated. The Commission noted that there should be provisions made for a student or teacher who may have injured their leg or even a parent who is wheelchair bound.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine ordered the CoI to determine the state of the education sector. The final report of the CoI is expected to be handed over in the next two to three weeks.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, may 2, 2017

ARCHIE

Have some fun. Going on a shopping spree or getting to(March 21- gether with friends will imApril 19) prove your day. A romantic gesture will turn out to be more entertaining than expected.

ARIES

Don’t let the little things TAURUS get to you. If someone tries to (April 20- make you feel guilty, don’t feel May 20) obliged to play along. Look at what you can accomplish and make it happen.

dilbert

A healthy sense of comGEMINI promise will lead to accom(May 21plishment.

Personal improveJune 20) ments will enhance your love life. Share your feelings and engage in romantic interactions with someone special.

It’s in your best interest to put greater emphasis on per(June 21- sonal change instead of tryJuly 22) ing to change someone else. A relationship will suffer if you are inconsistent or mercurial.

CANCER

Peanuts

A personal pick-me-up will LEO do you good. Find something (July 23- you enjoy doing and ask a good Aug. 22) friend to join you. The experience you share and things you learn will be enlightening.

Calvin and Hobbes

Take better care of your VIRGO appearance and how you pres(Aug. 23Sept. 22) ent yourself to others. Looks and attitude can make a difference when you are trying to get ahead.

You’ll enjoy the benefits LIBRA that go along with being pop(Sept. 23ular.

Don’t let it go to your Oct. 23) head. Give back as much as, if not more than, what you receive from others.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

You’ll have to think outside SCORPIO the box if you want to avoid (Oct. 24an emotional scene. Be creNov. 22) ative and initiate plans that will please everyone. Leaving someone out will lead to trouble.

Put more time, money and SAGITTARIUS energy into improving your (Nov. 23- home environment and personDec. 21) al relationships. A little effort and attention will make a difference to the way your life unfolds. Romance is highlighted.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Be careful about your emoCAPRICORN tions when dealing with part(Dec. 22- nerships. Whether an arrangeJan. 19) ment is business, financial or personal, you cannot let your feelings dictate what you should or shouldn’t do. Practice integrity and be responsible.

Personal gains should be AQUARIUS your top priority. Whether it’s (Jan. 20a mental, physical or emotionFeb. 19) al change you want to make, this is a good day to start the process.

Self-improvement will help you excel.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Take better care of your PISCES health and physical well-being.

(Feb. 20A little exercise and a nutriMarch 20) tious diet will help you be more productive. Trust your instincts when dealing with friends, youngsters or a loved one.

tuesDAY, May 2, 2017

M

ercedes driver Valtteri Bottas secured his maiden Formula 1 victory by holding off a late charge from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in the Russian Grand Prix.

Bottas jumped Vettel and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen at the start from his third position on the grid and dominated until the closing stages, when Vettel used a late pit stop to close up and pressure the Finn.

The four-time champion got to within a second and a half of Bottas with 10 laps to go but the Finn responded and kept Vettel at arm’s length for the rest of the race.

Bottas’ team-mate Lewis Hamilton capped a difficult weekend with a race to forget and finished only fourth behind Raikkonen.

Hamilton slipped to 13 points behind Vettel in the championship, with Bottas now only 10 adrift of the British three-time champion.

But Hamilton had reason to be grateful for Bottas’

S

kipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with an unbeaten 56 to guide Mumbai Indians to a five-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a thrilling encounter at the Wankhede Stadium.

The victory sealed in the last over propelled Mumbai to the top of the table and assured them of a playoff berth. On the other hand, RCB’s eight loss of IPL 10 ended their playoff hopes.

After electing to bat first, RCB, who once again left out Chris Gayle, managed to post 1628 courtesy Ab de Villiers’ 43 from 27 balls and late-order flourish from Pawan Negi (35 from 25).

In what would should have been a comfortable chase, the home team were once again stretched till the end before Rohit ensured they did not succumb to another narrow defeat like one against RPS. After Parthiv Patel was dismissed off the first ball by Aniket Choudhary, Jos Buttler and Nitish Rana put on 61 runs stand for the second wicket before Negi picked both wickets. Walking out to bat in the eight over, Rohit

Holding off Ferrari

Mercedes had a memorable day on the track

accomplished performance - without it, Vettel’s lead would be 20 points and edging towards a clear win.

The race confirmed Ferrari’s position as a match for Mercedes and the seesaw nature of the close competition between the two teams in what promises to be a very tightly contested title fight.

Ferrari took their first front-row lock-out for nine years on Saturday as Mercedes struggled to get the best out of the ultra-soft tyres on a single qualifying lap.

Much depended on the start in a race that was going to feature just a single

was cautious to begin with and hit his first four only on the eight ball that he faced.

He was soon joined by Pollard but the big man could

last only 13 balls. It was Yuzvendra Chahal, who lured him with a loopy delivery and Pollard was caught at the boundary by Travid Head.

Bottas’ peach of a start

SCOREBOARD Royal Challengers Bangalore innings (20 overs maximum) V Kohli* c RG Sharma b McClenaghan 20 Mandeep Singh c HH Pandya b KV Sharma 17 TM Head c HH Pandya b KH Pandya 12 AB de Villiers c Bumrah b KH Pandya 43 KM Jadhav† c Pollard b McClenaghan 28 SR Watson b Bumrah 3 P Negi c Pollard b McClenaghan 35 AF Milne not out 0 S Aravind run out (†Patel) 0 Extras:(lb-2, w-2) 4 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 162 Did not bat: A Choudhary, YS Chahal Fall of wickets 1-31 (Mandeep Singh, 3.4 ov), 2-40 (Kohli, 5.1 ov), 3-85 (Head, 10.3 ov), 4-102 (de Villiers, 12.2 ov), 5-108 (Watson, 13.4 ov), 6-162 (Negi, 19.4 ov), 7-162 (Jadhav, 19.5 ov), 8-162 (Aravind, 19.6 ov) Bowling: MJ McClenaghan 4-0-

34-3, SL Malinga 4-0-31-0, HH Pandya 1-0-5-0, KV Sharma 3-023-1(w-1), JJ Bumrah 4-0-331, KH Pandya 4-0-34-2 (w-1) Mumbai Indians innings (target: 163 runs from 20 overs) PA Patel† c Chahal b Choudhary 0 JC Buttler c Head b Negi 33 N Rana c Head b Negi 27 RG Sharma* not out 56 17 KA Pollard c Head b Chahal KH Pandya retired hurt 2 KV Sharma c Milne b Watson 9 HH Pandya not out 14 Extras (lb-2, w-5) 7 Total (5 wickets; 19.5 overs) 165 Did not bat: MJ McClenaghan, SL Malinga, JJ Bumrah Fall of wickets 1-0 (Patel, 0.1 ov), 2-61 (Buttler, 7.3 ov), 3-70 (Rana, 9.2 ov), 4-98 (Pollard, 12.6 ov), 4-101* (KH Pandya, retired not out, 13.3 ov), 5-130 (KV Sharma, 16.3 ov) Bowling: A Choudhary 4-0-321 (w-1), YS Chahal 4-0-36-1 (w1), AF Milne 2-0-29-0 (w-1), S Aravind2-0-21-0, SR Watson 3.50-28-1 (w-1), P Negi 4-0-17-2

pit stop for the frontrunners, and Bottas made a flier.

The Finn made a peach of a getaway, quickly drawing alongside Vettel on the outside on the long run down to the first chicane and out-braking the Ferrari around the outside.

From there, Bottas edged into the distance, building a five-second lead by lap 19.

In the next over (14th), Krunal Pandya was retired hurt and MI Karn Sharma ahead of Hardik Pandya. With 59 required from six overs, Rohit hit Chaudhary for two delightful boundaries in the 15th over without taking any risks. Shane Watson bowled a tight 17th over, which included Karn’s wicket.

MI needed 30 from when Choudhary conceded a wide off his sixth ball and the next ball dispatched for a six

by Hardik that brought the equation down to 18 from 12. Rohit then hit a six in the penultimate over bowled by Sreenath Aravind and also brought up his fifty in the over.

The home team needed seven runs in the final over and got over the line when Rohit struck a four on the fifth ball.

It was a memorable outing for Rohit who completed 4000 IPL runs to go with his Man of the Match prize.

Earlier, injured Harbhajan Singh’s replacement Karn was give the ball in the fourth over and he dismissed Mandeep Singh as RCB yet again tried a new opening combination.

Earlier in the over, captain

Vettel brought the gap down to three seconds as Bottas negotiated traffic in the next eight laps before the Mercedes driver made his pit stop on lap 27, and Ferrari decided to use a different strategy to put Vettel back in the fight.

The German waited another seven laps before his stop on lap 34, the idea being to have fresher tyres on which he could push harder and hopefully pressure Bottas over the remaining 18 laps.

Vettel rejoined just under five seconds behind the Mercedes and immediately began to eat into the gap.

A mistake by Bottas on lap 38, running wide at Turn 13 and flat-spotting his right-front tyre, reduced the gap to 2.8secs.

With two laps to go, Vettel was less than a second behind and had the use of the DRS overtaking aid, but Bottas, negotiating traffic, also had use of the DRS on the main straight at the

Virat Kohli had hit Karn for a six and he followed it up with another maximum in the next over of Jasprit Bumrah.

However, the dashing b a t s m a n perished in the sixth over as Mitchell McClenaghan picked the big wicket with a slower off cutter. de Villiers then announced in arrival in style with a four and a six and built a crucial 45-run partnership with Travis Head before Krunal struck to remove the latter in the 11th over.

The left-arm spinner then dealt a double blow as he got rid of de Villiers for the fourth time in four innings.

RCB then struggled to get going as MI bounced back before Negi’s three sixes in the end helped them cross the 160-run mark.

(IPLT20)

19

start of the last lap and had just enough pace to hold him off.

Hamilton all at sea

While his team-mate took a well-deserved win in only his fourth race for Mercedes since replacing world champion Nico Rosberg, Hamilton was largely anonymous.

He, too, made a good start, but he had to back out of an attempt to sneak past Raikkonen at the first corner and stayed fourth on the first lap.

He was immediately in trouble with high temperatures in his car - a problem that was also afflicting Bottas, who was able to manage it better because he was not following another car.

Hamilton tracked Raikkonen within two or three seconds for most of the first stint but lost ground due to a later pit stop and trailed in more than 20 seconds behind the Ferrari. (BBC Sport)

Rohit Sharma had a shot filled match winning innings against RCB

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

TUESDAY, may 2, 2017

Stokes’ maiden century Walters floors helps RPS tame Lions CWI/Women’s Super50 Regional Tournament 2017

Barbados, T&T win again

F

elicia Walters followed up a typically resolute half-century with a penetrative spell to earn the Player-of-the-Match award and spur Trinidad & Tobago to a 21run victory over Barbados to retain the Women’s Regional Super50 title on Sunday.

Walters grabbed 3-25 from her allotted 10 overs, as Barbados were bowled out for 143 in 45.5 overs in the Grand Final of the Tournament at the Arnos Vale Sports

Complex.

Fellow spinner Karishma Ramharack grabbed 2-10 from 8.5 overs and longstanding West Indies Women’s off-spinner Anisa Mohammed collected 2-36 from nine overs, as the Barbadians lost their last eight wickets for 73.

Kyshona Knight and Windies Women’s teammate Deandra Dottin led the way for Barbados with 32 apiece, Charlene Taitt made 24 and Shamilia Connell added 20.

Earlier, Walters hit the top score of 53 from 140 balls to anchor T&T to 164 all out in 46 overs, after they were sent in to bat.

Fellow opener Reniece Boyce scored 29 and T&T captain Merissa Aguilleira, the former Windies Women’s captain, notched 20.

Leg-spinner Keila Elliot was the pick of the Barbadian bowlers with 4-47 from her 10 overs, Dottin picked up 3-41 from nine overs and Hayley Matthews, later named the Player-of-the-Tournament, grabbed 2-17 from 10 overs. (Windiescricket)

Felicia Walters (file photo)

60 officials to be trained ahead of SA Junior Championships

The participants with International Technical Official (ITO) Giovanni Cardona

T

he month of June will be a historic one for Guyana as they are set to host the South American Junior Championships, at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, from June 3 to 4.

In this regard the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) in partnership with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will be training 60 officials.

The training is being administered by International Technical Official (ITO), Giovanni Cardona of Columbia. Cardona commented that the initial group is very good since it is persons with experience.

The training began last Wednesday and 30 participants took part of their exams and another batch is expected to begin classes on May 4 lasts for five days when a l l 60 participants will take their written exams.

With athletes from over 10 countries expected to take part in the Championships, this will be the first time that an international event of such magnitude would be held in Guyana.

The South American Junior Championships is a biennial event at which junior athletes (Under-20) from all across South America participate in athletic events. The last Championships which was held in Ecuador, involved 245 athletes from 11 nations.

Ben Stokes of Rising Pune Supergiant plays the reverse sweep to good effect

B

en Stokes almost single-handedly helped Rising Pune Supergiant to their sixth win of VIVO IPL 2017 on Monday night.

Visitors Gujarat Lions scored 161 batting first and had the hosts in all kinds of strife at 10 for 3, before Stokes took control of the chase, scored his maiden T20 century and powered his team past the finish line. Courtesy Stokes’ clean-hitting, RPS chased down the runs with five wickets in hand, getting over the line with one ball to spare.

RPS were rocked early in the run-chase when Pradeep Sangwan and Basil Thampi struck thrice in the first nine deliveries. Stokes, who returned to the RPS XI having recovered from the injury that forced him to miss the last two matches, was slow to begin with; but when he decided to go hard, there was no stopping him.

He began with timing the ball – as against muscling it; his first authoritative stroke was a straight driven boundary off Sangwan in the third over. In the following over, Thampi’s short delivery was swatted away to the midwicket boundary.

Sangwan came in for more punishment in the fifth over when Stokes collected a six over fine-leg, and in the following over James Faulkner was cut away to the point boundary.

Though RPS lost the wicket of the consistent Rahul Tripathi in the sixth over – the opener involved in a misunderstanding with Stokes and sacrificing his wicket – the hosts had established some momentum. MS Dhoni, who walked in to bat at number six, began slowly, playing extremely watchfully, particularly against the spinners. He and Stokes got on with the job of setting the innings back on track; they added 76 runs in 10.4 overs in what would be RPS’ highest fifth wicket stand.

There were several periods of quiet in the partnership between Stokes and Dhoni – though both batsmen kept the strike ticking over. But when Stokes decided to go, he gave the ball an absolute hiding, and sent the ball some distance into

the stands. Jadeja was hit for successive sixes in the tenth over – the second one a mammoth six over midwicket, while Dwayne Smith conceded a six and a four in the sixteenth.

The fifth wicket partnership was broken in the seventeenth over when Dhoni (26 from 33 balls) threw the kitchen sink at a wide de-

the Gujarat Lions started on overdrive mode before their innings fell apart in the middle overs. Ishan Kishan (31 from 24 balls) and Brendon McCullum (45 from 27 balls) added 55 before their partnership was broken off the last ball of the powerplay.

Thereafter, only Dinesh Karthik – batting at number six – made a noteworthy con-

SCOREBOARD Gujarat Lions innings (20 overs maximum) Ishan Kishan c Washington Sundar b Imran Tahir 31 BB McCullum c Rahane b Thakur 45 SK Raina* run out (Rahane/†Dhoni) 8 AJ Finch c & b Imran Tahir 13 DR Smith b Imran Tahir 0 KD Karthik†run out (†Dhoni) 29 RA Jadeja c Unadkat b Christian 19 JP Faulkner c Tiwary b Unadkat 6 PJ Sangwan c Tripathi b Unadkat 1 Basil Thampi not out 2 Ankit Soni b Unadkat 0 Extras (lb-5, w-2) 7 Total (all out; 19.5 overs) 161 Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Ishan Kishan, 5.6 ov), 2-71 (Raina, 7.6 ov), 3-94 (Finch, 9.5 ov), 4-94 (Smith, 9.6 ov), 5-109 (McCullum, 11.5 ov), 6-135 (Jadeja, 14.6 ov), 7-146 (Faulkner, 17.2 ov), 8-148 (Sangwan, 17.5 ov), 9-161 (Karthik, 19.4 ov), 10161 (Ankit Soni, 19.5 ov) Bowling : JD Unadkat 3.50-29-3, Washington Sundar

livery from Thampi, but hit it straight down the throat of Brendon McCullum at long-off. That’s when Stokes turned up the heat; he was particularly harsh on Thampi, who he hit for a four in the seventeenth over and two sixes in the nineteenth over.

RPS needed 8 from the final over. Despite struggling with cramps, Stokes creamed the first ball of the final over through covers to bring up his maiden T20 century. Daniel Christian completed the job in style, hitting the penultimate ball of the innings over square-leg.

RPS had won with one ball to spare; Stokes remained unbeaten on 103, made from 63 balls and studded with 7 fours and 6 sixes.

Earlier in the evening,

2-0-12-0, BA Stokes 4-0-360, Imran Tahir 4-0-27-3, SN Thakur 3-0-25-1 (w-1), DT Christian 3-0-27-1 (w-1) Rising Pune Supergiant innings (target: 162 runs from 20 overs) AM Rahane lbw b Sangwan 4 View dismissal RA Tripathi run out (Finch) 6 SPD Smith* c Ankit Soni b Sangwan 4 MK Tiwary lbw b Basil Thampi 0 BA Stokes not out 103 MS Dhoni† c McCullum b Basil Thampi 26 DT Christian not out 17 Extras (lb-3, w-4) 7 Total (5 wickets; 19.5 overs) 167 Did not bat: Washington Sundar, JD Unadkat, SN Thakur, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets 1-4 (Rahane, 0.4 ov), 2-8 (Smith, 0.6 ov), 3-10 (Tiwary, 1.3 ov), 4-42 (Tripathi, 5.3 ov), 5-118 (Dhoni, 16.1 ov) Bowling : PJ Sangwan 4-038-2 (w-1), Basil Thampi 4-0-35-2 (w-1), JP Faulkner 2.5-0-30-0, Ankit Soni 4-016-0 (w-1), RA Jadeja 2-0-190, DR Smith 3-0-26-0 (w-1)

tribution to the innings; the Lions wicket-keeper made 29 before he was ninth batsman out in the final over.

The Lions were 94 for 2 after 9.4 overs, but lost their remaining 8 wickets for 67 runs to be dismissed for 161 – with one ball remaining in their allotted quota of 20 overs.

For RPS, their performance on the field was a first – it was the first time that they had dismissed their opponents. Imran Tahir (3-27) applied the skids with three wickets in the middle overs, even picking up wickets of successive deliveries, while Jaydev Unadkat picked up three lower order wickets. Shardul Thakur (1-25) and Daniel Christian (1-27) also chipped in with timely strikes. (IPLT20)

21

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TUESdAY, may 2, 2017

Consistency helping Reifer reap rewards

By Akeem Greene

K

en Doherty coined the idea that “The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit” and one sportsman who can undoubtedly thick all of those boxes is Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Raymon Anton Reifer.

The Barbadian-born was drafted by the franchise in 2014 when Cricket West Indies (CWI) created a Professional Cricket League (PCL) for their regional four-day and 50- over competitions.

Since joining the Guyana Jaguars at the introduction of franchise cricket, the Jaguars franchise has won three consecutive titles under the astute leadership of Leon Johnson. Was it just coincidence? Or did the man from St. Lucy held his own with bat and ball?

The answers lie in the stats.

Each year his performances have increased tremendously.

In the 2014/2015 season he scored 227 runs from seven matches and took eight wickets; in the 2015/2016 season the left handed player scored 292 runs and took 22 wickets from 10 matches and his 2016/2017 was the best where he accumulated 445 runs at average of 37.08 and took 36 wickets with a best of 6-74 in one innings during the course of his 10 matches.

His tally with the bat was the third highest for the Jaguars this season only behind Shivnarine Chanderpaul (662) and Shimron Hetmyer (496). With the “cherry” in hand, his penetrating leftarm medium-pace made him the team’s second leading wicket taker behind left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (41 wickets); he was also the only seam bowler in the top eight for the league’s overall stats.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times Sport the player revealed that “ It is good to contribute to a wining cause with my performances, when I

Forward project completely over to FIFA – Forde

– works to begin early June Raymon Reifer’s gutsy batting has saved the Jaguars on numerous occasions

play I try to perform so as to get the team in a winning position but I have moved from stride to side since I came to Guyana.”

He added, “In everything I do, I try to be consistent, I try to sick to the basics and enjoy my cricket a lot more and also a lot more gym work which helps my consistency.”

The 25 year old has made his First-Class debut in 2011 playing for the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and despite his exploits he is yet to wear national colours for his native Barbados.

However, the Barbados Pride has faced the sword of Reifer twice in the last two seasons when he singlehandedly carried the Jaguars to safety from the jaws of defeat.

This year at the Kensington Oval, the left-hander helped his team pull off a miraculous draw, making a gutsy 35 from 175 balls (223 minutes) in the second innings to take time out of the game after they were asked to follow-on 230 runs behind.

In the Pride’s chase of 93 late on day four he wreaked havoc with 4 for 49 from six overs to keep his team’s championships honours intact after the match ended in a draw.

Those performances

resulted in him being selected to the West Indies President’s XI for tour matches against England and Pakistan where he held his own.

Arguably now headlights of the regional selectors, the player is not thinking too far ahead, added the focus must remain with produces the consistent performances.

“To be honest my job is to perform to the best of my ability and everything will take care of itself and not to get carried away thinking about playing for West Indies; obviously the goal is to play for West Indies when it comes, it comes,” he stated.

In reflecting on the Jaguars’ success he explained, “We have been playing good cricket over the three years and even though we have been in tough positions we have managed to come out with a victory or draw in majority of the games and it is us just creating winning habits for the dressing room atmosphere.”

With the season now concluded and the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on the horizon where he will be playing for the Barbados Tridents, the player is happy for the rest but was adamant that he soon will be returning to intense training.

GFF President Wayne Forde, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Minister Nicolette Henry at the turning of the sod at Providence in April

P

resident of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde on Friday announced that the next course of action in the FIFA Forward project is “completely up to FIFA right now.”

“So FIFA is doing their part we have done our part as you guys may have heard before it is completely up to FIFA right now to get things going so they understand how important it is to get that project up and running,” Forde stated.

Forde made this statement at the GFF Headquarters, Campbellville in response to questions surrounding the development of Guyana’s first Goal Project and comes on the heels of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s visit to Guyana only last month.

Also, the GFF boss confirmed that there is no change in the expected deadline for the commencement of works at the site which is located at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

“The schedule we have is between the first and second week of June, that’s where the projection is pointing so we are still hopeful we can meet that schedule,” Forde stated.

According to the man at the helm of local football, there is also no change in the contractors who have already been identified but there “are still a few things that are being considered and worked on.” While he could not speak definitely on the issue, he reiterated the importance and readiness the GFF is stressing on to get the project up and running.

Under the Normalisation Committee, the GFF and the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council signed an agreement that saw the local governing body for the sport receiving a 30-year lease for the 8.5 acres Providence Community Centre Ground.

In 2015, construction firm, Dwain Ferdinand and Home Designs and Engineering Associates

inked the contract to begin the preparatory work for the project while international Contractors, Greenfield have been identified for the installation of the artificial turf.

The Head of the international football body went on to commend Forde, saying that “Wayne is doing a good job with his team; they are thinking big, they are dreaming big, but what is most important is that they are putting it in practice, they are acting and that is important for the Region and that is why we are proud to be here and be helping.”

“Let me just say at the outset here that I’m extremely happy to be here in Guyana today with you for this important ceremony, which will actually, I’m convinced will change the landscape of football in this country but not only football, it will contribute a great lot to the whole society because we know about the values of football, what football can move,” Infantino stated.

GHB/Farfan & Mendes, Woodpecker Products 1st Division Outdoor Hockey League…

Pizza Hut GCC take down Shooting Stars 12-0

Pizza Hut GCC’s Corina Moller (blue) played her part in handing Old Fort Shooting Stars the heaviest defeat of the league so far

D

espite the inclement weather, Pizza Hut GCC and their male counterparts, Bounty GCC

were able to secure massive victories on their home ground, Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda on Sunday.

In the first division outdoor league which is sponsored

by Farfan & Mendes and Woodpecker Products and organised by the Guyana Hockey Board, Pizza Hut GCC tore into Old Fort Shooting Stars to secure the hammering of the season in a 12-0 smashing.

Talismanic 18 year old, Aliyah Gordon gave Pizza Hut ladies the early control with a conversion as early as the 5th minute which was closely followed by Sonia Jardine and Kerensa Fernandes who scored back to back goals in the 11th and 12th minutes respectively.

Tricia Fiedtkou took over 10 minutes later before Fernandes secured her second. Marzana Fiedtkou scored at the brink of half-time while Corina Moller marked her name on the scoresheet four minutes after the resumption. Jardine scored her second goal in the 37th minute as Marzana added to

– Bounty GCC turn back Saints

Action between Bounty GCC and Saints (File Photo)

the Old Fort woes in the 39th minute.

By then Gordon returned to blast two more goals before Fernandes sealed the deal with a final goal just one minute before the close of play.

Meanwhile in the Men’s Division, Kevin Spencer was once again in the mix and leading from the front with a

double strike to take Bounty GCC to a 3-0 win over Saints.

The scorecard did not reflect the intensity shown by the Saints men but they managed to play superbly to fend off an attacking GCC while on multiple occasions Saints were in striking zone.

After a scoreless first period, Mark Sergeant was the first to

get GCC on the board with a goal in the 35th minute before Spencer closed off proceedings in the 38th and 43rd minutes.

There were two games scheduled for Monday but were postponed due to the flooding that was caused by heavy rain. The action will resume on Friday with teams and venue still to be decided.

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, may 2, 2017

Brighto Paints presents West Indies vs Pakistan Q Mobile Test Series

23

Bishoo leads WI fightback on sloppy day – Azhar Ali holding firm on 81*

T

here was no knockout punch today, more gradual asphyxiation. As genuine moments of excitement and drama came few and far between, Pakistan, quietly and ruthlessly, wrapped the West Indies in a bear-hug and slowly squeezed the

Ahmed Shehzad made 70, having been gifted three lives - but Pakistan were efficient enough to capitalise on those mistakes, and end day two in a commanding position.

West Indies eventually perked up halfway into final session,

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st innings (Overnight 286/6) KC Brathwaite c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Amir 9 KOA Powell lbw b Mohammad Amir 38 SO Hetmyer c Azhar Ali 1 b Mohammad Abbas SD Hope c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Yasir Shah 5 RL Chase c Younis Khan b Mohammad Amir 131 VA Singh c Younis Khan b Mohammad Abbas 3 SO Dowrich† c Younis Khan b Shadab Khan 29 JO Holder* c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Abbas 58 D Bishoo c Yasir Shah b Mohammad Abbas 14 AS Joseph b Yasir Shah 8 ST Gabriel not out 0 16 Extras (b-4, lb-10, w-2) Total (all out; 98.5 overs) 312 Fall of wickets 1-12 (Brathwaite, 4.5 ov), 2-13 (Hetmyer, 5.3 ov), 3-37 (Hope, 16.1 ov), 4-102 (Powell, 32.4 ov), 5-107 (Singh,

life out of them. There was some exceptionally generous bowling -

35.4 ov), 6-154 (Dowrich, 49.6 ov), 7-286 (Holder, 89.3 ov), 8-286 (Chase, 90.3 ov), 9-312 (Bishoo, 97.1 ov), 10312 (Joseph, 98.5 ov) Bowling Mohammad Amir 26-5-65-3, Mohammad Abbas 23-6-56-4 (w-2), Yasir Shah 25.5-2-83-2, Shadab Khan 23-390-1, Azhar Ali 1-0-4-0 Pakistan 1st innings Azhar Ali not out 81 Ahmed Shehzad c Hope b Bishoo 70 Babar Azam c & b Gabriel 0 Younis Khan c Gabriel b Bishoo 0 Misbah-ul-Haq* not out 7 Extras (b-2, lb-3, nb-9) 14 Total (3 wickets; 69 overs) 172 To bat Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Abbas Fall of wickets 1-155 (Ahmed Shehzad, 55.5 ov), 2-156 (Babar Azam, 56.2 ov), 3-161 (Younis Khan, 59.4 ov) Bowling ST Gabriel 163-45-1 (nb-8), AS Joseph 11-3-24-0, RL Chase 11-137-0 (nb-1), JO Holder 10-6-80, D Bishoo 21-8-53-2

taking three wickets for six runs to send Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq

back into their shell. But with an opening batsman not out on 81, alongside a captain who loves a firefight, there was a lot of work left to do for Jason Holder's men.

For now, though, they can be relieved they were even able to take wickets. Devendra Bishoo extracted an outside edge from Shehzad to have him caught at slip with the score at 155. The Pakistan batsman had enjoyed a charmed life; he had a catch dropped as early as the third over, and was dismissed twice off deliveries that turned out to be no-balls. Shannon Gabriel was the first culprit, Roston Chase was the other. Shehzad made the most of it, but the question of whether he has returned to form is very much up for debate. He went through periods in his innings where runscoring almost screeched to a halt; at one point, he made three off 59 balls.

West Indies were buoyant when they followed up Shehzad's wicket with those of Babar Azam and Younis Khan, the heirapparent and the master. You would have to search far and wide to find a Younis dismissal off a poorer delivery than the one that felled him for a duck in Bridgetown. Bishoo bowled a classic long hop, and the batsman gave it the whack it was begging for, only he picked out short midwicket. Azhar and Misbah then went into power down mode, scoring 11 runs off their 58ball partnership, ensuring there was no further damage.

The day had begun with a

GuyanaNRA Smallbore Section .22 Precision Pistol Shoot …

Azhar Ali backs away to cut during his dogged innings on day 2 at the Kensington Oval

couple of West Indian wickets that were mirror images of each other.

Holder attempted leave when a shot should have been played, and Chase attempted a shot when the ball was better off being left.

But the effect of their dismissals was the same; it wrenched all the momentum the home side had built up over a painstaking 132-run partnership, putting them back to the place they are so dreadfully familiar with: square one.

A breezy partnership between Alzarri Joseph and Bishoo ensured the West Indies made it past 300 but the optimism with which they had begun the day had long since evaporated. Mohammad Abbas -

the most successful bowler today - got rid of Bishoo soon after. Yasir Shah cleaned up Joseph next over, and West Indies found themselves shot out for 312.

The Pakistan openers then consolidated their position of strength, although the cricket they played to get there fell some way short of attractive. Azhar and Shehzad combined for a century partnership, buying themselves precious time after coming in for sharp criticism for their lack of runs in the first Test. Some of their watchfulness was down to disciplined bowling from the West Indian quicks, although it was noteworthy that the sustained

pressure never really felt like spilling over into a wicket.

The hosts could have done better to exploit a rapidly wearing pitch. There were balls that Azhar and Shehzad had to dig out from ankle-height, while the footmarks outside the off stump gave wings to the offbreaks pitching into them.

The abrasiveness of the surface impacted the ball too, scuffing it up so badly that it had to be changed twice. Even so, Pakistan found ways to hang on, and though it wasn't always pretty, it certainly was pretty effective.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Harry re-elected as Mocha Champs FC President – EBDFA President makes timely donation

Ramlakhan, Dundas shoot to top Mocha Champ FC new executive body: seated from left, Noel Harry, Olive Harrison, Natasha Forris, Bernetta Ann Baker. Standing from left: Lindon Harrison (TD); Walter Giles (Equipment & Field Director); Herman Prince (VP); Seenauth Ramsahai (Committee Member) and Tyshawn Forris (Club Captain)

F

The top marksmen in the senior and junior categories after their outstanding performances

J

The top marksmen in the senior and junior categories after their outstanding performances

oshua Ramlakhan improved from his second place position in the previous competition as he shot his way to the top spot when the Smallbore Section of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) held its second .22 Precision Pistil Shoot for the year at the Tactical Services Unit Range last Saturday.

Attracting another large turnout of shooters, the senior shooters competed at the 7, 10 and 15 meter distances whilst the juniors tested

each other at 5, 7 and 10 meters.

Ramlakhan edged Azaad Hassan for the top spot by a single point, 214 to 213 with the third place going to Randy Sarjoo who amassed 211 points.

Dundas took the junior category with 208 points ahead of Clayton Charles who managed 202 with the third place taken by Randy Barnwell one point back on 201. Barnwell had ended second in the previous competition.

ollowing years of not having a full executive committee to chart the way forward for the many youths in the village of Mocha on the East Bank of Demerera, members of the Mocha Champs Football Club (MCFC) on Sunday elected a new executive committee at the Mocha Arcadia Community Centre.

Long standing member and president, Noel Harry was retained to lead the club which has been one of the oldest members of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) and winners of the first association senior league.

Vice President is Herman Prince while Olive Harrison will serve as Secretary while Bernetta Ann Baker has taken on responsibilities as Treasurer. Technical Director is Lindon Harrison with Walter Giles the Equipment and Field Director. The three Committee Members are Seenauth Ramsahai, Abeeva Kurt and Natasha Forris.

The elections were conducted by EBFA

President Franklin Wilson who challenged to new body to work collectively towards bringing back Mocha Champs to the high standards they once achieved in the past.

Wilson also encouraged the Harry and his team to focus their energies on development of the youth players as this is the focus of the association. Wilson took the opportunity to present 10 footballs to the club to assist in their preparation of teams.

Harry expressed gratitude to the members for their confidence in him and promised that he will do his best along with the executive members to bring back the club to its former glory days with the help of the parents and community members.

The new body is expected to meet today to work on a programme for the club as well as putting systems in place for participation in the association’s Ralph Green sponsored Under-11 League which is expected to kick off shortly.

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

TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Brighto Paints presents West Indies vs Pakistan Q Mobile Test Series

Bishoo leads WI fightback on sloppy day

Pg 23

– Azhar Ali holding firm on 81*

Devendra Bishoo grabbed two wickets late on day 2 to trigger a mini collapse for the visitors at Kensington Oval

Pg 22

Forward project Consistency helping completely over Reifer reap rewards to FIFA – Forde Pg 22

Raymon Reifer has enjoyed the best First Class season of his promising career this year

– works to begin early June

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