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Issue No. 3148

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, March 10, 2017

PRICE

Pradoville 2 investigation

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Ramjattan, SOCU officials “sip wine” after arrest operations ANSA McAL sole-sourcing scandal

Georgetown Hospital could have saved over $300M

Page 3

$80 vat included

AK-47, M-70 rifles found in home of WCD businessman

SOCU exceeding mandate – former Attorney General …says body was designed to exclusively probe organised crimes under AML/CFT

P7

Page 9

Sugar workers, families protest Ministry of the Presidency, Parliament

– decry non-payment of severance, closure of estates

P10

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Parking meter burden

Protesters stage mock funeral for meters, City Hall & by-laws

Ituni Primary P11 rehabilitation almost complete

P2 Region 9 Assistant REO’s house searched for narcotics AK-47 smuggling

Corporal named in probe submitted medical, didn’t escape – Crime P15 Chief

Drama unfolded in the city Thursday as the parking meter protesters came out dressed as undertakers, carrying three makeshift coffins bearing representations of the parking meter, City Hall and the by-laws and contract, which were placed on the road. This is the sixth week of protests and they continue to draw a large crowd (Dexter Ceres photo)

President urges GDF to be prepared

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Page 13

Govt passes Hamilton Green Pension Bill Page 9

– says “foot soldiers” call threatens cohesion – despite strenuous objections from PPP

Police nab 2 nephews for P2 armed robbery of overseas-based Guyanese ... known character still at large – Police

2 News

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AK-47, M-70 rifles found in home of WCD businessman

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wo high powered rifles, an AK-47 and an M-70 rifle, were on Thursday afternoon discovered in the Meten-MeerZorg home of a 33-year-old businessman who operates a restaurant in that West Coast Demerara community. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed that the high powered rifles were found, but he could not confirm the calibers. He has, however, said that members of the Major Crime Unit have travelled to the area and are questioning the occupant of the house. He also said the weapons have been lodged at the CID Headquarters in Georgetown as investigations continue.

Guyana Times understands that, acting on information received, the police swooped down on the businessman’s house and conducted a search, unearthing the weapons inside duffer

bag, hidden under a commerical gas stove. A source has disclosed that from the condition of the weapons, they probably had not been used in a while. Based on reports gathered, the suspect might have been keeping the weapons for a known

drug dealer.

Meanwhile, the young man who was arrested on Thursday following the discovery of the high profile weapons will be interrogated and ultimately charged for illegal possession of firearms.

Police nab 2 nephews for armed robbery of overseas-based Guyanese …known character still at large – Police

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olice have taken two men into custody in connection with the robbery of Ganesh Loaknauth, an overseas-based Guyanese, hours after he arrived in Guyana.

However, in a twist, the two suspects are the nephews of Loaknauth. The third suspect remains on the run, but is reportedly known to Police as he has had previous brushes with the law.

Loaknauth had told Police that he recognised the voices of the attackers.

The overseas-based Guyanese on Wednesday was greeted by three armed men, one of whom, held a gun to his head as he exited his vehicle in the garage of his Lancaster Housing Scheme, Unity, East Coast Demerara home. Loaknauth, who is reportedly a businessman, was forced to enter his house in the company of the three men who quickly tore his suitcases away from him

and demanded cash and other valuables.

The traumatised businessman had told media operatives that he handed over everything they demanded, fearing that any hesitation would result in him losing his life.

The men had fled the scene with cash, jewellery and other valuables the man had in his possession.

He was relieved of close to US$3500, a wedding band, a quantity of clothing and sev-

eral pairs of footwear. The clothing and footwear were reportedly emptied from the suitcases.

Guyana Times understands that the money was the proceeds of the recent sale of a property Loaknauth owned. Loaknauth had told the investigating officers that though the faces of the three men were covered, he believed that two of the perpetrators were his own nephews. Investigations are continuing.

Region 9 Assistant REO’s house searched for narcotics

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olice in Lethem recently raided the house of the Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO), Althea Fitzpatrick in search of narcotics, acting upon information received.

Divisional and Branch Commander of F Division (Interior Locations), Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram confirmed for Guyana Times that the search was

conducted; however, the drugs were not found in her house.

Commander Budhram disclosed that a quantity of narcotics were found stashed somewhere “in the vicinity” of her house.

He explained that statements were taken, but no arrests were made.

According to the Commander, though the narcotics were discovered nearby, there is not enough evidence to implicate the AREO.

news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, March 10 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, March 11 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction at 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 10 – 14:55h-16:25h and Saturday, March 11 – 15:35h-17:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers in the early morning hours is expected to give way to light rain showers throughout the rest of the day and into the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 03:08h and 15:26h reaching maximum heights of 2.44 metres and 2.55 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:59h and 21:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.63 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

01

14 15

16

18

FREE TICKET

24 05 BONUS BALL

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 DAILY MILLIONS 01 11 15 24 25 LUCKY 3 5 7 7

1

2

7

Evening Draw

Afternoon Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 04

08 15

18 20 21

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

ANSA McAL sole-sourcing scandal

Georgetown Hospital could have saved over $300M

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wo local companies are confident they could have supplied “emergency drugs” to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for less than half of the total $606 million paid to Trinidadian firm ANSA McAL. After analysing the quotation involved in that transaction, the companies have said the Georgetown Hospital could have saved more than $300 million on this transaction alone, and there would have been added benefits to the economy from having some of the products manufactured right here in Guyana.

One local supplier also questioned how is it that ANSA McAL knew there was a shortage of these specific drugs, to be able to bring them in. Further, the supplier emphasised that ANSA McAL does not stock those specific drugs.

Management of the Georgetown Hospital has been accused of deliberating creating an emergency situation in order to sole source drugs from its preferred supplier. It has cancelled and delayed four out of its five public tenders within the last four months, thereby creating a situation wherein there was a massive shortage of pharmaceuticals.

When contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Hospital, Allan Johnson, refused to speak on the matter, and questions asked were repeatedly met with this answer: “No, thank you”.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who had a role in approving the awarding of the $606 million contract to the Trinidadian firm, also refused to speak to reporters on the issue. On the sidelines of a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, Lawrence told media operatives, “I am not for sale, and neither is my integrity.” The Minister has, however, promised to release a statement on the matter.

In a letter dated February 28, 2017, Johnson thanked the Minister for authorising the procurement of medical supplies from ANSA McAL

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

to the tune of $605,962,200, even though local firms could have supplied the same quantity and quality of drugs at better prices.

Cheaper prices

Questions are now being raised regarding why local firms which could have supplied the pharmaceuticals at cheaper prices had been sidelined. It raises the issue of motive and possible corruption, which is reminiscent of the earlier decision to rent a non-existent pharma warehouse.

In a Kaieteur News report, ANSA McAL claimed it had submitted a bid for the $606 million contract; but according to information received, on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, six companies, including ANSA McAL, had each submitted a bid in response to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s public tender for pharmaceuticals. In fact, the list of participating companies and their respective bid totals were published in KN on February 15.

Moreover, on the same day, Georgetown Public Hospital also requested quotations, not bids, for emergency supplies based on availability, after it had belatedly cancelled yet another tender for emergency supplies. There was therefore no bidding process for the emergency supplies, as is being alleged.

Given the magnitude of this transaction with ANSA

McAL, there is a strong possibility that it would impact the public tender/quantities which are still under consideration, and that must be of concern to the five other bidders.

Meanwhile another local company, NEW GPC, pointed out on Wednesday that it could have supplied many of the items instantaneously, since there is usually inventory on hand. In a worst-case scenario, the company said, the delay would have been less than a few days to get the products manufactured right here in Guyana.

“NEW GPC has surveyed some of the items it manufactures locally and some imported against ANSA McAL, and the company’s prices are significantly cheaper. NEW GPC’s prices could be independently confirmed by reviewing recent bid submissions to the Tender Board in 2016 and 2017,” the firm stated.

Additionally, NEW GPC has said that by utilising its established and reliable supply chain, it could have quicker supplied even the items to be imported; for instance, a Clindamycin injection, for which ANSA McAL’s price was 12 times that of the NEW GPC’s. For Diclofenac tablets, the NEW GPC has said, ANSA McAL’s price was 15 times its price; and for Clotrimazole cream, which is made locally, ANSA McAL’s price was as much as 23 times the New GPC’s price. From merely 16 of the 118 items surveyed, the Georgetown Hospital would have saved over G$100 million of taxpayers’ money had it purchased those items from the NEW GPC. The local manufacturing giant strongly believes its quotations are being deliberately excluded, or timed in such a manner as to facilitate ANSA McAL. “Case in point is the Georgetown Hospital’s recent purchase of Oxytocin (Item# 114) from ANSA McAL when NEW GPC had inventory on hand and offered it at what is now confirmed at a fraction of the price. In any case, what reason could there be for an

Georgetown Hospital CEO Allan Johnson

emergency purchase from ANSA McAL if NEW GPC was offering stock on hand at a better price? And what about other local suppliers?”

NEW GPC questioned.

NEW GPC also noted that in recent meetings with suppliers, Georgetown Public Hospital’s senior management insisted that they would seek out the lowest price to determine tender awards.

“Choosing to do business with ANSA McAL with these exorbitant prices is contrary to that publicly stated position and is tantamount to misleading the other bidders who were present,” NEW GPC said.

The company also highlighted that the Georgetown Public Hospital’s previous preference for cheapest prices created the opportunity for some importers to supply inferior products at the exclusion of locally manufactured items, and this most certainly had adverse consequences on patients.

NEW GPC also noted, with concern, the Georgetown Hospital’s recent removal of the 10 per cent preferential treatment.

“Which Guyanese company could realistically secure a contract from the Trinidad Government for US$3 million in pharmaceuticals; and moreover do this outside of public tender – and for the supply of products from extra regional sources, since ANSA McAL is not a manufacturer?” NEW GPC has asked.

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

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

Plight of rice farmers

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ice farmers from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) gathered outside of the Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday where they vented frustrations over the 2017 hikes, for a multitude of reasons. The Agriculture Ministry announced the increase of land rent from $3500 to $15,000 per acre, which represented a 600 per cent increase and land rates from $1000 to $7000. MMA had stated that the fee is implemented so that it can take care of drainage and irrigation. However, the resounding cry from the farmers remains the same; they simply cannot afford the increases, they have also pointed to the fact that if implemented, the increases will also impact negatively on future generations.

Those gathered acknowledged that they will now face the increase and many have lamented that it may be better for the Government to take back the lands as it is simply not feasible, particularly with the rising cost of living. Those affected are also claiming that the Agriculture Minister has repeatedly ignored their calls for dialogue.

Despite ongoing protests, Government has maintained that the increases for land rental and drainage and irrigation services, is not exorbitant. In fact they had justified the cumulative increases based on the monthly price per acre. Among the changes include new drainage and irrigation charges for profit to Rosignol village moving from $2500 per year to $8000 per year, representing a $5500 increase. Additionally, farm lands that fall in the Mahaicony/Abary Rice Development category will see farmers now paying $7000 over $1241 from last year’s fees. The cost per month of former amounts to $666 per month while the latter accrues $583.

These latest increases come against the backdrop of farmers receiving reduced earnings for their paddy following the end of the lucrative PetroCaribe (rice for oil) deal between Guyana and Venezuela. The deal, which saw rice farmers receiving premium prices for their produce, was cancelled by the Bolivarian Republic in 2015 amid increasing tensions between the two countries. Since then, many rice farmers, especially those in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica) have reiterated calls for Government to implement various subsidies, including fuel and heavyduty equipment, to assist them in remaining in the field to maintain their livelihood. The farmers made it known that while they are receiving $1300 for a bag of paddy, it was noted that manure amounts to $1000 per bag.

In the wake of the widespread protest action, Parliamentarian Dharamkumar Seeraj tabled a motion in the National Assembly to reverse increases. The motion stated that Guyana’s economy is in no significant way based on the contributions of the agriculture sector, which sustains the entire Guyanese population and provides economic activities and jobs for thousands of households and communities. Seeraj, who is also the General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), added that Government’s recent unilaterally imposed hike in land rent and other charges to farmers in the MMA/ADA has resulted in some instances in increases that are in excess of 600 per cent. It is now left for us to see what will come out of this and if the Government will heed the concerns of the Rice farmers.

Support for the farmers’ cause has been pouring in since announcement of the draconian charges in January.

The hike imposed on the farming population should be condemned in the strongest possible terms as farming is the main economic activity in the region; in fact it is unconscionable that the Government would want to put additional burdens on a segment of the population that has no other means of earning a livelihood apart from depending on agriculture. Government therefore has to curtail its high-handed approach in dealing with farmers whose concerns are genuine and legitimate as this decision will have repercussions that will reverberate.

Widows take part in Holi celebrations in the town of Vrindavan in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India (Reuters/Cathal McNaughton)

Desperate measures: a sign of things to come Dear Editor, The arrest of leading members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), including the daughter of the immediate past President, is an indication of the direction in which this People’s National Congressled A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) regime is taking Guyana.

The APNU and the AFC fell victim to their own propaganda. They hyped-up the talk about corruption while in Opposition, and even in Government that fooled a lot of people. The tragedy is that they began believing their own lies and convinced themselves of massive corruption.

That is why they spent hundreds of millions of dollars on forensic audits to find the corruption. Those audits, although specially selected and done by known PPP/C critics, found nothing to really substantiate their claims of massive corruption.

In the meantime, in just 22 months, they have behaved as if they were/are in a hurry to enrich themselves.

This is being done by very corrupt ways, even though some actions are legal.

They hiked their own salaries and allowances by huge amounts. Travelling abroad and even internally has become extremely profitable.

They also travel differently from the way the PPP/C Government officials did.

Millions are being spent on chartering planes. Moreover, the delegations have grown greatly.

They have increased the bureaucracy by thousands of percentage points. This is even after they dismissed hundreds of person, both from the public service and contract workers, just because of their race or suspected political beliefs. The costs of government must have gone up tremendously.

This is in the midst of suspected massive corruption.

The drug bond which is costing taxpayers more than $14 million per month stores some packets of condoms and lubricants, while huge drug shortage exist in the whole health sector. The drug short-

age was a deliberate act to perpetrate this type of corruption.

The regime is now procuring drugs from their finances at hundreds of percentage points above what the PPP/C Administration used to do.

Tax revenue cases are being settled out of court leading to horrendous haemorrhaging from the Treasury.

Other cases too, brought by friends of the regime, are being settled just by a mere letter of intention to sue. In one case, more than a billion dollars was paid on that basis.

This, many feel, is paying off and receiving kick-backs.

It has been reported that now we are witnessing real corruption as Customs Officers are being pushed to raid businesses looking for uncustomised goods.

We are now being buried under a mountain of corruption.

Faced with a declining economy, a shortage of foreign currency and shortage of cash, the regime is getting desperate.

Huge amounts of new tax-

es are being imposed on our people. Included here are basic goods and essential services. Criminal taxes are placed on education, health, water, and electricity. Even persons planting kitchen gardens and making a living pushing carts or jackass carts are seeing taxes heaped upon them.

Now they have degenerated to using the State apparatus to pressure and harass political opponents and their families.

The arrests of March 7 and 8 mark the date that the regime crossed the rubicon of decency and further degenerated into undemocratic methods of governing.

The raid and arrests by SOCU has changed the nature of that body from what it was created for, fighting money-laundering, to now being a political tool of the regime to harass opponents of the regime and violate their human rights.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Is reduction of parking meter fees a discount or a loss leader?

Dear Editor, From a business point of view, the steep reduction of the parking meter fees by the Mayor and City Council can fall into either of two categories, namely a discount or a loss leader. Discounts are used to attract customers to purchase goods and services over a period of time. In the parking meter scenario, we can clas-

sify it as the purchase of a service by the persons desirous of utilising the parking facilities. Discounts are a reduction on the selling price of the service but it does not result in a financial lost. In other words, prices do not fall below the cost of the service and profits are realised.

If the M&CC and SCS are making a profit with the reduction from $500 to $100 it

makes this one of the best deals on the face of the planet. I cannot think of any investment in today’s competitive environment where a discount of five times the standard price still allows for profits.

On the other hand, businesses use what is called a loss leader. It is a reduced price, below cost that will attract customers. Businesses

absorb losses on the service to drive traffic to a location.

However, loss leaders cannot be sustained for an extended period of time, so the price is usually increased within a short time frame.

Editor, is the reduction of parking meter fees a discount or a loss leader?

Regards, M Craig

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

Kissoon blind to the needs Situation at New Amsterdam of ordinary Indian folks Secondary School

Dear Editor, Consumed by his narcissism, Frederick Kissoon knows no bounds in expressing disparagement to those who call for the dignity and expression of ‘Indianness’ or Indian culture. His March 7 column is a case in point where he lambasted Indian activists after they commemorated the 100th anniversary of the abolition of Indian indentureship.

Kissoon reserves his harshest diatribes for those who represent the Indian cause. Is it because a black rights activist (more than a decade ago) warned that only those who are black are entitled to criticise blacks? Are the regular maledictions a vainglorious attempt to retain his fans of a certain ilk to give him the daily pat on the back? Or is it more personal?

Whatever the case, the columnist proves habitually that he has no integrity or spine.

In a letter published in another section of the media in 2014, Kissoon, in a lengthy epistle, demonstrated his support for another letter writer on why Indians are too absorbed in Indian culture and why it was amiss to fall into the ecstasy of Indian music, such as Sonu Nigam’s indomitable “Kal Ho Na Ho”. As far as I know, the prolific writer has never mentioned such ‘impropriety’ of other ethnic cultures. Why has this columnist chosen only to fumigate on “these people” (quoting from that letter). Does Mr Kissoon have the guts to write against those who are caught in the euphoria of the dancehall artistes that frequent Guyana?

What does Frederick Kissoon know about Indians?

I shall never forget the occasion sitting next to the brother of a victim of the Lusignan massacre in that village in 2010. The event was

marked with the attendance of political, cultural, religious and community leaders. That gentleman expressed his sincere appreciation of the event to me after the function was over. He articulated how the occasion is helping him to cope with the slaughter of his brother and the other 10 victims. The service was punctuated by music, poetry and mini-sermons and other reflections by religious, cultural and political leaders which served as a balm to the troubled souls in that community.

Kissoon is too blind to the needs of ordinary Indian folks such as the families of the Lusignan victims. The columnist conceived that the event was a purely a political plot aimed at vote-getting.

Nothing could have been further from the truth. Speaking with the victims’ families and other villagers, they expressed that gathering and speaking about the event

helped in healing the wounds – wounds which are still open.

Unlike Kissoon, Ryhaan Shah feels with the Indians. I attended an event at Lusignan Community Centre a few years ago where Shah met many of the victims’ families.

Kissoon, on the other hand, is unable to cry for those of another ilk; pity.

With rants like that of Kissoon’s column, Indians (as well as other ethnic groups) ought to be more resolute and relentless in pursuing “Garv aur Izzat” – pride and dignity.

In countries such as America and Canada, those of Irish descent celebrate “Irish”; similarly, the Italians express pride of their Italian heritage. Like other cultures, Indian history, music, art, literature and people in Guyana are worthy of honour and distinction.

Respectfully, Devanand Bhagwan

Government actively preparing for the eventuality of oil spills, mishaps Dear Editor, The Natural Resources Ministry thanks Ms Melinda Janki for raising her very valid concerns in a Letter to the Editor entitled ‘Exxon’s environmental record does not bear scrutiny’ on March 8, 2017, and entitled ‘Not comfortable with the Minister’s assurance about oil spills’ in another section of the media on March 9.

Guyana is committed to advancing its green agenda; hence the preservation of the environment is foremost among any concerns in consideration of any economic or infrastructural activity.

As we embark on oil and gas exploration and production, these considerations take on a heightened relevance and it is for this reason that the Government is carefully and assiduously building the capacity of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and is working with private service providers who have expressed an interest in assisting with spill response.

The Government expects to be as prepared as can be at the time of “first oil” in a few years ahead.

While we recognise that there is no well, offshore or onshore, that is 100 per cent foolproof or spill-safe, we do not take lightly our obligation to ensure that we make our best effort at putting world class safeguards in place.

It is encouraging to see that Ms Janki believes ExxonMobil and its partners Hess and Nexen “must be made to carry out this oil venture in compliance with the law, using the best available technology, and with systems designed to protect, not damage, the environment.” This is the mandate given to the operators both by contract and by legislation.

We believe this is a standard that is achievable. It is for this reason that we are seeking the best knowledge on the subject of safety and environmental stewardship as we develop the sector.

Guyana is currently building local capacity at various levels in terms of its response to a spill. While it is a fact

that the operator is contractually obligated to be the first responder to a mishap, this in no way removes the obligation of the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana from taking all of the necessary measures to ensure that a national response can be triggered should the need arise.

As mentioned by the letter writer, national and regional agencies comprise the local Civil Defence Commission and the regional Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) – these can and will be activated as needed.We also expect to have bilateral arrangements with the Governments of the United States of America and Trinidad and Tobago whose scope will include capacity building in spill response and operational support in the event of a mishap.

Regarding Ms Janki’s concerns about the use of the oil funds for the preservation of the environment, we share her view and are working with the guidance of our overseas partners to craft a Sovereign

Wealth Fund that will ensure that not only the environment benefits from the revenues garnered from oil, but also the people of Guyana for now and generations to come.

Indeed, the Environmental Trust Fund established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act is expected to receive adequate deposits, from natural resources revenues, to be used to protect our precious biodiversity.

Yours faithfully, N Johann Earle

Dear Editor, It is with great concern that this letter is penned to highlight a few issues damaging to what was once the top secondary school in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The New Amsterdam Secondary School has now become a household name that brings distaste to the mouth and minds of parents, students, ex-student, the community and even teachers.

One issue that is destroying this wonderful institution is the relationship between the Headmaster and deputy Headmistress. They cannot find level ground to work together. Decisions made by the Headmaster, Board of Governors and even the Education Ministry’s Region Six branch are ‘thrown out’ by the Deputy Headmistress which leads to chaos and confusion throughout the school term. The relationship between the Deputy Headmistress and other teachers can be described as malicious. Teachers are now unhappy, uncomfortable, demotivated and disgust working in these conditions.

This highlights the second issue; the high rate of student transfer out of the school to schools lower than the present school. This is not only happening because of the issue highlighted but because the Deputy Headmistress shows favouritism among students and staff, and even among parents. The next reason for the high transfer rate is the amount of money solicited from students by the DHM on a regular basis. Lastly, there is no financial accountability in no aspect/projects of the school activity in and out of the region. We are pleading with the relevant authorities to fix this situation before only a shell of the school remains.

Yours sincerely, Patricia Gomes, Shane Williams, Gregory Smith (Concerned parents and associates)

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Foundation

– reading worked for these billionaires

By James Paine

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here’s a common bond that the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and billionaires share – and you can find it in your local library.

Never wanting to rest on their laurels, many billionaires are known to be voracious readers.

Think this is just a coincidence?

Over the past 30 years, Steve Siebold has interviewed 1200 of the richest people in the world. The one common thread, Siebold noticed, is that they bypassed tabloids and magazines for knowledge-enhancing books.

“Walk into a wealthy person’s home,” Siebold wrote in his book,<<<How Rich People Think>>>, “and one of the first things you’ll see is an extensive library of books they’ve used to educate themselves on how to become more successful.”

I’d like to introduce you to four wellknown billionaires – and one you may have never heard of – who credit their success to constantly reading.

Charlie Munger

While it’s been well-publicised that Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett spends as much as 80 per cent of his day reading, his right-hand man is also a bookworm. Charlie Munger, the Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, has a net worth of US$1.4 billion.

Munger jokes that he reads so much, his children think he’s “a book with a couple of legs sticking out.”

Many years ago, Munger explained to Kiplinger’s Steven Goldberg how he and Buffett place an emphasis on reading and continually learning: “Warren and I do more reading and thinking and less doing than most people in business. We do that because we like that kind of a life. But we’ve

turned that quirk into a positive outcome for ourselves. We both insist on a lot of time being available almost every day to just sit and think. That is very uncommon in American business. We read and think.”

Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, seems to operate on a different wavelength. It’s no shocker that he’s one of the most productive readers in the world – and always has been.

Growing up in South Africa, Musk was usually the smallest and youngest person in his class. He spent his team reading books obsessively, not just for pleasure, but also for knowledge. Musk described himself, in a Bloomberg interview, as a “bookwormy” kid.

Growing up, he would read as many as two books per day.

When asked how he learnt how to build rockets, Musk gives a simple answer: “I read books.”

Recommendations: Jim Cantrell, an aerospace consultant who became part of the founding team of SpaceX, said that Musk borrowed (but never returned) these four books while teaching himself about rocket science: Rocket Propulsion Elements by George P Sutton, Oscar Biblarz Fundamentals of Astrodynamics by Roger R Bate, Donald D Mueller, Jerry E White International Reference Guide to Space Launch Systems by S Isakowitz, J Hopkins, J Hopkins Jr Elements of Propulsion: Gas Turbines and Rockets by J Mattingly, H. von Ohain

Oprah Winfrey

As her book club shows, the former talk show host and magnanimous giver loves to read. Oprah credits reading for helping her move from a childhood

of poverty into a life of wealth. Reading inspired her to look beyond her meagre beginnings and start thinking about how the world could be changed.

“Books were my path to personal freedom,” Winfrey once said. “I learned to read at age three and soon discovered there was a whole world to conquer that went beyond our farm in Mississippi.”

Oprah passes on her love for reading through her book club. In its initial 15-year run, Oprah’s Book Club highlighted 70 of Oprah’s favourite reads.

Mark Zuckerberg

Every year, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg comes up with a New Year’s Resolution. Unlike most Americans, he actually sticks to it. One year, Zuckerberg took it upon himself to learn Mandarin. Last year, his goal was to read two books per month.

Zuckerberg completed the challenge, learning quite a bit from his diverse reading adventures.

“Reading has given me more perspective on a number of topics – from science to religion, from poverty to prosperity, from health to energy to social justice, from political philosophy to foreign policy, and from history to futuristic fiction. This challenge has been intellectually fulfilling, and I come away with a greater sense of hope and optimism that our society can make greater progress in all of these areas.”

If someone as busy as Zuckerberg can find the time to read two books per week, you should be able to do this, as well.

Gates still sees reading as his primary avenue to learning and understanding. He doesn’t use a tablet, either, preferring the feel of an actual printed book.

Gates loves reading so much, he even posts book reviews on his blog, Gates Notes.

A New York Times columnist asked Gates the role that reading plays in his life.

His response?

“It is one of the chief

ways that I learn, and has been since I was a kid. These days, I also get to visit interesting places, meet with scientists and watch a lot of lectures online. But reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.”

Recommendation: Business Adventures by John Brooks – the first book Buffett ever recommended to Gates (Excerpt from Inc)

….expert advice on persuading kids to put down their phone and pick up a book

O

ne of the questions frequently asked is how to entice children and young people away from screens and towards a book. Is limiting screen time the answer? That’s down to parents to decide; what we do know is that taking away the phone or iPad and replacing it with something that’s seen as being “good for you” is about as appealing and effective as taking away a gooey fudge brownie and putting a lettuce leaf in its place.

So how do you encourage a young person to read? The short answer is that find-

or reading underneath their desks because they just have to know what happens next.

The CBI Book Clinic is designed for young people to talk to a Book Doctor about what they have loved reading, or if they’re not yet a reader, what their interests are. If they’ve reached the end of a brilliant series and they need some direction on where to go next, or if they haven’t picked up a book in years but they can tell us they love rugby, or zebras, or trains, or superheroes, the Book Doctor will write a prescription based on a 10-minute chat with them.

ing the right book for each young person is crucial. Join the library. Persist. Explore what’s out there with an open mind, give the child the information they need to make the choice themselves, and if you need some guidance, seek help from a great bookseller or librarian.

Let a young person loose in the library. Let them read whatever they want.

Let them read comics. Let them read books that might seem too young for them.

Ask them to talk to you about what they’re reading.

Read something yourself – a newspaper, a magazine; lead by example There’s nothing more powerful than speaking to young readers about what they love and finding a book for them that will have them sneaking under the covers with a torch after bedtime,

There’s something powerful about a recommendation that comes from someone whose enthusiasm for books is obvious, and who isn’t an adult in authority or with a role in the child’s education And what if your child can’t be persuaded? Why not look at ways to reach young people where they are: at school. Even with very limited resources, it’s possible to encourage a culture of reading in the classroom. When a child enjoys a book and recommends it to a friend, the power of that recommendation!

Other ideas? Read something yourself – a newspaper, a magazine; lead by example. Have books in the house if you can – library books, second-hand books, new books. (Excerpted from Irish Times)

Bill Gates

While Zuckerberg reading 24 books last year was impressive, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates more than doubles that. Gates, the world’s richest man, reads about 50 books per year – roughly one per week.

7 SOCU exceeding mandate – former Attorney General news

friDAY, march 10, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

…says body was designed to exclusively probe organised crimes under AML/CFT …actions were politically inspired

L

aunching investigations in allegations of misfeasance goes far beyond the mandate of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Persons who were instrumental in the establishment of the investigative arm of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation are fraught with concerns over the apparent misuse of the entity.

SOCU was established in 2014 on the recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and was intended to be a Police unit operating under the authority of the Police Commissioner but with a close relationship to the FIU. Head of the Presidential Secretariat at the time, Dr Roger Luncheon, had dis-

date.

The criminal activities outside of terrorism and money laundering which were outlined in the amendment were: participation in an organised criminal group and racketeering; trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling; sexual exploitation, including the sexual exploitation of children; illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; illicit arms and ammunition trafficking; corruption and bribery; fraud; counterfeiting and piracy of products; environmental crimes; murder; grievous bodily harm; kidnapping, illegal restraint and hostage taking; robbery or theft; smuggling; extortion; forgery; piracy; insider trading and market manipulation; tax evasion and gold smuggling.

But there was no indication that it was authorised to investigate the “misfeasance” which the foren-

by residents could never yield any causal nexus to the offences which the officers claim they were investigating.

“Hence, I am of the firm view that every single arrest was unlawful and the consequent detention amounted to false imprisonment and the deprivation of those people’s liberty, as guaranteed to them as a fundamental right and freedom by the Constitution of Guyana. In the context of the Government’s housing policy, the fact that these lands were sold and bought below the market value can never lend itself to the establishment of criminal liability,” he stated.

Radically transformed

Nandlall continued to point out that these exercises had nothing to do with law and the administration of justice.

He noted that SOCU was created for the exclu-

the PPP Government will be arrested and charged for Pradoville 2 shortly,” he outlined.

The parliamentarian noted too that SOCU was being funded out of the Ministry of the Presidency, as admitted by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon in the National Assembly.

He observed also that the Government has already made it clear that if or when these criminal charges are filed, they would be prosecuted by Special Prosecutors, whom the Government has already identified. Some are practising out of Attorney General Basil Williams’ former law office; some out of Harmon’s former law office; another is the brother of a Minister of Government; and another was on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) list of candidates for the 2015 General Elections.

“To compound this political incest, the Attorney General has boldly disclosed in the National Assembly during the 2017 Budget debates that one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) has been budgeted to hire Special Prosecutors to prosecute Pradoville 2. In this diabolic political plot, there is no role etched out for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions which the Constitution invests with the exclusive mandate to prosecute criminal offences,” Nandlall stated.

Harmon’s riposte

The Special Organised Crime Unit headquarters

closed that SOCU was tasked with investigating suspected financial transactions suggestive of money laundering and financing of terrorism.

Amid widespread concerns of SOCU exceeding its mandate following a high-speed chase in which two persons perished, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan introduced an amendment to the GPF’s Standing Order No 62, which concretised the expansion of SOCU’s man-

sic audit claimed had been committed by the allottees of Pradoville 2.

Criminal

In fact, legal luminaries have contended that the grounds upon which SOCU is conducting its investigations are not even criminal.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall explained, during his weekly column “The Unruly Horse”, that the purchase of house lots from the Government of Guyana at Pradoville 2

sive purpose of investigating organised crimes under AML/CFT, and Pradoville 2 had nothing to do with that law.

“Since this Government has assumed office, SOCU’s mandate has been transformed into something radically different.

It takes instruction directly from Ministers of the Government. In fact, it is Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who first announced two weeks ago that former Ministers of

However, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has defended the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government in the ongoing probe into Pradoville 2, by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), saying that the administration does not have its hand in the “independent” investigation.

Harmon’s defense was in response to claims made by the opposition People’s Progressive Party, that the investigation being carried out by the Special Organised Crime Unit into the misappropriation of state assets that is obtaining state lands at a cost way beneath

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

the market price, has been sanctioned by Government.

According to Harmon, the suggestion is an absurd one, since SOCU is an

Former President Donald Ramotar

arm of the Guyana Police Force and has been carrying out its functions under the laws of Guyana. He said it is the organisation’s duty to carry out its functions in a professional manner.

He assured that there has been no intervention by the Administration to influence the work of the Crime Unit.

“There is no political vendetta. SOCU was not established by this administration. It was established by the previous administration, organized by Dr. Roger Luncheon, (then Head of the Presidential Secretariat) in response to Guyana’s responsibility to the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation. “It is not something that we created; they are doing the work which they were created to do”, he told reporters on Wednesday.

Rebuttal

However, former President Donald Ramotar,

under whose tenure SOCU was established, also expressed major concerns over the new role of the entity.

“It is certainly not carrying out its functions. It is unfortunate that the executive is using SOCU to carry out harassment on its political opponents,” he said in an invited comment to the Guyana Times.

Over the last few days, SOCU has arrested and detained several former prominent government officials including former President and now Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, former Prime Minister and President Samuel Hinds, Dr Luncheon, former ministers Priya Manickchand, Irfaan Ali, Clement Rohee, and Jennifer Westford, among others in connection to their role in the Pradoville 2 scheme.

The reason these persons are being questioned is because they purchased property at the Sparendaam seawall area commonly known as “Pradoville II”.

The current Administration contends the transaction is a criminal act because of the belief that it was sold below market value.

But Nandlall had argued that subsidised housing has always been a part of the legacy of the People’s Progressive Party and that countless Guyanese have benefited from lands sold below market value.

“Every single house lot in this country was distributed way below the market price; $50,000 for a land in Mon Repos, $200,000 in Eccles, is that the value of the house lot? So let us not get carried away and become victims of the propaganda,” he pointed out.

8 news

friDAY, march 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Businessman on $400,000 bail for alleged $26M fraud Changing… was issued by the company, reportedly bounced and the vehicles were returned to the VC, upon notice.

The Attorney requested reasonable bail for his client, saying that Allen was not a flight risk and was willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

The prosecution ex-

Accused: Clinton Allen

B

usinessman and Chairman of Micro Business Developers and Consultant Incorporated, Clinton Allen was released on $400,000 bail when he faced the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday morning on fraud charges.

According to the charges, Allen had, between the period of December 2, 2016 and December 13, 2016, with intent to defraud, uttered one forged Republic Bank Managers cheque to

Virtual Complainant (VC) Jetandra Ram, in favour of Fantasy Auto Sales, for the purchase of six motor vehicles valued at $26.3 million.

The defendant denied the charge and entered a notguilty plea.

Defence Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that his client was married with seven children, and permanently resided in Better Hope South, East Coast Demerara. Adding that on the day of the incident, the cheque, which

pressed its willingness to make allowance for substantial bail, which was granted to the defendant in the sum of $400,000 by the Magistrate on the condition that he report every Friday to the Fraud Squad pending trial.

The matter was adjourned to March 27, 2017 for statements.

Essequibo fisherman on $75,000 bail for break and enter, larceny

T

wenty-two-year-old Deodat Sumsundar, a fisherman from Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast, was granted bail on Tuesday for break and enter.

He made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Sumsundar was charged with break and enter and larceny contrary to Section 229(a) of the Criminal

Offences Act Chapter 8:01, committed on Naina Narine.

It is alleged that on December 31,2016 at Walton Hall, he stole a quantity of GTT and Digicel phone cards valued $10,000; one Samsung cell phone valued $30,000, US$350 , and $30,000 cash, a total value of $140,000, property of Narine.

The accused was placed on $75,000 and the matter was postponed to March21.

W

…Public Servants’ attitude? ell, whaddya know! Minister of State, Joseph Harmon really thinks he can change the attitude of Guyana’s Public Servants??!!

Who does he think he is? Hercules about to start on the Augean Stables after the horses had been dropping doodoo for hundreds of years? If ever there was an oxymoron – you know…when you combine contradictory terms in a single expression – it’s the term “public servants”!! It’s almost as bad as “walking dead” – which is what Public Servants imitate when they deal with the public!!! Well, last weekend, Harmon held a retreat for the top tier of the Public Service and after lopping off some Permanent Secretaries’ heads, he demanded that Public Servants treat the public with respect. Said Harmon – “We are their servants. We are the Public Service. We are not public masters. We must understand that the people who come to you, come to our offices, are our masters. These are the people you were employed to serve … Treat the public with the courtesy and respect that they deserve as the masters of us.”

You could’ve knocked your Eyewitness over with a feather! But then he remembered some comments of Harmon’s boss – who just happens to be Prezzie – when a Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service was placed in his hands. Now, there’d been great expectations about salary increases when APNU/ AFC took over. Not surprisingly since the manifesto explicitly mentioned “significant” raises – and more to the point, this was THEIR Government, no? Hopes were shattered, however, when Prezzie said, “Many people expect there is going to be some bonanza. I hope they will discover that the bonanza will come from their own efforts. The bonanza will come when they work hard and do better than the next person. If they want to be lazy, they will get a lazy person’s remuneration.

If they work hard, they will be rewarded for their hard work.”

Well!!! But Prezzie mentioned three criteria by which this lot should be judged: impartiality/social responsibility, education and experience. Now your Eyewitness knows that the only way to get folks to change their ways is when those preaching change begin to practise the change. So, can you imagine your Ministers – who’re their bosses – beginning to treat the public like their masters and fill those criteria????

If you believe that then your Eyewitness has a bridge across the Essequibo River he wants to sell to you!

So, Dear Reader, when next you have to pick up your NIS cheque, or (God forbid!) ask about your house lot application, be grateful with the stare of disdain you usually get! At least they acknowledged your presence! …the GECOM chair So, the Opposition Leader will be submitting another list to Prezzie to fill the vacancy of GECOM’s Chair. From the very beginning, your Eyewitness had said the clause “or any other fit and proper person” actually meant any other person – not a judge – who had the QUALITIES of a judge. And evidently Prezzie has now come around to your Eyewitness’ position.

The problem, of course, will be whether he and the Opposition Leader agree on what those qualities are.

But we don’t have to guess about this. For over a decade the two sides couldn’t agree as to who were to be Chancellor or Chief Justice!!

Those positions are the emblematic ones as to what constitutes “judge-like” qualities, no? So, we’ll be back to square one. Your Eyewitness suggests one of the rejects take the matter to court to let a judge say who’s most like a judge!! They should at least be sober? …Hamilton Green’s style Trying to justify the special Bill in the name of Hamilton Green as a “Pension” Finance Minister Winston Jordan said the millions per month were to allow Green to live “as he was used to”. So this means he'll now start beating up protesters with batons again?

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

news

9

friDAY, march 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramjattan, SOCU officials “sip wine” after arrest operations

P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, along with top officials of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), congregated at a popular city café on the evening of the second day after former prominent Government officials were hauled in for questioning and in some cases, arrested and detained.

SOCU Head Sydney James; British Adviser to SOCU, Dr Sam Sittlington and Minister Ramjattan were seen clinking glasses in an extremely celebratory atmosphere in the dimly lit café on Wednesday evening.

Ramjattan confirmed to Guyana Times on Thursday that he and the SOCU officials were having some drinks at the popular spot,

British Advisor to SOCU, Dr Sam Sittlington

which usually is not opened to the public after dark.

According to Ramjattan, he went to “have a glass of wine” with the SOCU officials as they celebrated Dr Sittlington’s work here in Guyana.

The former Police investigator from Northern Ireland explained that he was only required to provide advice to SOCU for a few months.

This celebratory event comes on the heels of resounding cries that the Executive has been giving orders to SOCU to attack former Government officials as part of its witch-hunting exercise.

Just one week before SOCU arrested some of the former officials, Ramjattan had threatened charges against them.

Following the egregious arrest of former top Government officials by agents of SOCU of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Government issued a public statement, dismiss-

SOCU Head Sydney James

ing allegations that SOCU’s actions were in any way part of a political vendetta.

It stated that SOCU was operating independently and without any interference or direction. Meanwhile, in a statement issued Thursday, former Attorney General

Anil Nandlall questioned recent comments made

by Dr Sittlington, including whether or not he was operating under the auspices of the British High Commission in Guyana.

He said, “I note that Mr Sam Sittlington has taken the liberty of making statements which have political underpinnings, and seems to be functioning as part of the operations of SOCU.” “As a result, I now question his role in the law enforcement process of Guyana. Is he operating under the auspices of the British High Commissioner in Guyana?

If so, then one will have to assume that there is some linkage between his actions and the British Government. This must be

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

clarified by the British High Commissioner,” Nandlall added. Guyana Times tried unsuccessfully to reach the UK High Commissioner to clarify this matter; this publication will follow up the issue.

Govt passes Hamilton Green Pension Bill

– despite stronge objections from PPP

W

hile protesting sugar workers stood and listened to the live stream outside of the National Assembly on Thursday, debate raged in the House for and against former Prime Minister Hamilton Green's Pension Bill.

After the second reading of the Bill got underway on Thursday, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) argued strenuously against the Bill, which would grant Green the benefits accorded to a President. However, their entreaties and votes against the Bill was to no avail, as it was passed by the Government majority.

According to Opposition parliamentarian Anil Nandlall, the pension which the Government was “using” the Parliament to accord to Green is intended to serve as political patronage and cronyism. He blasted the Government for pushing through the Bill at a time of economic slowdown and reduced fiscal space.

“On what basis is Mr Green getting the benefits and facilities of a former President? He has never been a Head of State. Minister (Jordan) quoted some law which dealt with Heads of

Former Prime Hamilton Green

Minister

State. We cannot make laws to suit the idiosyncrasies of individuals,” Nandlall argued.

“Today we are told that there is no fiscal space for GuySuCo (and) sugar worker salaries. We are told that there is no fiscal space to allow for VAT exemptions for our students in private schools. We don't have fiscal space for that, but we have fiscal space to pay millions of dollars a year, in an unprincipled way, (this pension).”

The former Attorney General quoted Article 149 of the Constitution of Guyana, which prescribes that no law will be formed which is discriminatory in nature.

Opposition Anil Nandlall

Parliamentarian

“This law discriminates against every single pensioner in this country. This law uses a different formula for a calculation of the pension.

This Bill (bestows) a pension absolutely unconnected with his last held salary.”

Nandlall argued that any package given to the former Prime Minister must be able to stand up to any examination based on merit.

PPP Member of Parliament Gail Teixeira, proposed an ex-gratia payment, one done out of moral responsibility rather than a legal requirement, to Green.

She made it clear, however, that the PPP would never

support the Bill.

“Pay him the ex-gratia award. We won't even question how much you pay him.

But this Bill is out of order and must be withdrawn,” Texieira said. On the Government side, Finance Minister Winston

Jordan argued for the merits of Green getting the benefits.

Jordan, who brought the Bill to the floor, noted that Green was one of the longest serving Prime Ministers in Guyana's history.

He expressed surprise that

Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI) and Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) were opposed to the Bill. Williams claimed that their commentary focused on personalities.

TURN TO PAGE 16

10 news

friDAY, march 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Estate closures

Sugar workers, families protest Ministry of the Presidency, Parliament – decry non-payment of severance, closure of estates

A

fter months of demonstrations and repeated expressions of frustration, sugar workers and their families on Thursday staged protest exercises at the Ministry of the Presidency and at Parliament Buildings, calling for the President and Agriculture Minister to immediately address their concerns.

Sugar workers attached to the defunct Wales Estate and the soon-to-be-closed Enmore Estate stood united in their condemnation of Government’s reported intention to keep only three estates operational. The protestors were standing in solidarity with the many Wales sugar workers who have reportedly been denied their severance packages since December 2016.

“We need we money!

Dem close Wales Estate and is high time!” one sugar worker shouted.

A nearby protestor refuted the claim of the Agriculture Ministry, which has stated that all sugar workers who desired severance payment have already been paid off. Some protestors have said that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder should come and face them, while other demon-

“Don’t close sugar estates but pay us our severance”. Workers and their family members stood united on Thursday

strators have decried management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Errol Hanoman.

“When them was opposition they said the CEO getting too much money a month, [but] when them take Parliament them bring back the same CEO for run the same corporation.

They dig one hole to full a next hole!” a protestor from Enmore Estate exclaimed.

He also expressed that the Enmore workers will “feel the same way” once that factory is closed. It has been alleged that that estate may cease operating at the end of this year.

“Them give us a white paper at the Ministry of Agriculture, and de white

paper mark that them gon close Enmore Estate after harvesting crop 2017,” a demonstrator explained.

Another protestor lamented the treatment meted out to sugar workers, and called for senior government officials to be removed.

“Dem nah raise nobody money! Dem a punish de people dem! They all for themselves; and Harmon (Minister of State) and Nagamootoo (Prime Minister) must go, just like how dem a close de estates,” the man expressed.

Families struggling

Relatives of the Sugar workers told Guyana Times of the steep challenges they have been facing since the estate cased operating last

year.

“My husband working at Wales Sugar Estate, and since last year he is not working; and I have five children to (send) to school.

Where I gon get this money from? We asking the President to intervene in our matter,” Salima Bacchus told this newspaper.

“My children going to school. I have to pack four bags in the morning alone.

The (Education) Ministry sending raffle, [but] how can I find $4000 for raffle when I can’t pack their bag in the morning?” another mother highlighted.

Other wives, who also brought their offspring to the protest, told Guyana Times that their families’ savings are being depleted and they are struggling to make ends meet.

“We need we children to get education! The people must get work! Right now my husband is out of a job, I out of a job, I have a baby to look to milk, to get porridge stuff. Everything!” another mother of four noted.

Meanwhile, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President, Komal Chand, has described Agriculture Minister Noel Holder’s handling of the sector as heart-

less, and noted that the workers are becoming desperate.

“He said every worker got their severance pay. He must come here and reiterate that, because he is living in a dreamland…I am certain that he’s heartless; I

(TESPA). A protestor led a small prayer session, calling on Devine Powers to inspire President David Granger and other Government officials to reverse the closure of estates. The protest later moved to Parliament Buildings, so that members

This protester sought divine intervention for the President to reverse the decision to close the estates

want to know how he’s living without a heart. [But] while I don’t want to be personal, that man doesn’t know the reality,” the union leader noted. GAWU reiterated that the Corporation is “demanding” for workers to take up work at Uitvlugt Estate, which is some 22 miles away from Wales.

It was explained that this is not in keeping with the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act

of the National Assembly could hear the cries of the sugar workers as they entered the law making house.

Government closed Wales Estate based on billions of dollars it accrued in losses over the years. It was at high-level sugar consultations last year with GuySuCo the union and the Opposition that Government disclosed that only three estates would be kept operational.

news

11

friDAY, march 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

S RAIGHT R

Ituni Primary rehabilitation almost complete

When will Team Granger deliver on the State Development Bank?

O

n Friday, February 24, 2017, Naitram, a well-known community organiser on the Essequibo Coast and Chairman of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association, reminded Agriculture Minister Noel Holder of the unkept promise made by the Granger Administration to establish a State Development Bank (SDB). To nail the exact promise made in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) manifesto clearly stated on page 26 that once it wins government, it plans to: 1. “Restore agriculture to its former vibrant self” – NOT DONE. 2. “Re-establishing an Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank to meet the financing needs of the agricultural sector” – AGAIN NOT DONE. In response, the Minister was quoted in the press as saying, “the Government is looking into the matter and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is doing a survey to see if such a bank is feasible”. Really? Another review?

I am truly appalled at this penchant by the Granger Government to more studies. This situation at hand demands action, but the Granger team seems to have a dogmatic fixation with bureaucratic bologna. In 2011, the AFC did extensive work on this matter and much of that work is still available. Plus, the People’s National Congress (PNC) had a long history with GAIBANK. Why are these thought sets not being leveraged for economic development? Why are we paying Clive Thomas as a Presidential Advisor, if not to conceptualise and conceive big ideas?

Couldn’t the CDB study run parallel to the incubation of this bank? Why this cupidity with the diktats of the big foreign banks? Why not dig deep within the core competence of your own people to connect their energies with a vision of delivering on indigenous outcomes for starters? The CDB can always come in at their pace to join the homegrown efforts.

This is what separates Guyana from progressive countries in the “Political South” like Rwanda that grew at some 6.5 per cent in 2016. Paul Kagame (a former military commander), their leader, has an implementable vision (vision 2020), which he is actively progressing. Every month he delivers something new for his people that has a direct impact on new economic activity and new jobs. This is not rocket science.

The world is entering the new post-2016 era of the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals include poverty eradication, education for all, inclusive economic growth, full employment, reduced inequality, and so on. Institutions like a State Development Bank are critical to making these socioeconomic goals achievable. The role of an SDB in promoting long-term development is even more vital today to help the APNU/AFC/ WPA Government out of its own self-created economic austerity.

No one can dispute that GAIBANK played a fundamental role in part-financing projects that were difficult to fund. But those projects created new jobs and added value to the economy every single day. The adverse lessons can be learned so that they are not repeated today. But this is a big idea and if we observe the track record of the Granger Administration over the last 22 months, they buckle under the weight of executing big ideas.

They can talk a good talk but when it comes to programme managing the big ideas, these chaps are still “cutting teeth” and creeping.

In January 2017, the stock of idle financial assets across the banking system was some G$333 billion, double what it was a decade ago (see chart below). Right now these funds are all under-performing. Even if half of these funds are put to work to leverage new projects with new foreign partners with their foreign capital, it can trigger a new stream of capital inflows, which can be an economic bonanza for Guyana.

It is all about how the deal is financially structured and the role the SDB will play in mitigating the risks. In fact, collaboration with established financial institutions to co-finance, harder to finance project while at the same time diversifying the risk will create important synergies. The end game is to allow for greater collaboration on these new syndicated financial instruments.

When will the Granger Administration snap out of this policy malaise and embrace all of our people in a plan to take the nation out of this anti-developmental cul-de-sac in which it finds itself today?

Please feel free to share your comments at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

ehabilitative works to the Howell Wilson Primary School, also referred to as the Ituni Primary is almost complete, with members of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) breathing a sigh of relief.

The Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) school had been in dire need of repairs which prompted the PTA to stage protest actions against the school’s deplorable condition on the first day of the school’s reopening back in January. During the protest which lasted for a few days, parents had voiced concerns over malfunctioning and limited washroom facilities and lack of potable water as well as faulty infrastructure. They noted that their requests for upgrades to the school’s sanitary block had gone unanswered for years, as they pointed out that only one toilet facility was in use and served both male and female students.

Additionally, it was noted

Rehabilitation works are almost complete at the Ituni Primary

that the school’s corridors were in a deplorable state and only one of the school’s staircases was functional.

The school had remained closed as parents vowed not to send their children back to the location unless the issues are dealt with. This prompted officials from the Department of Education to visit the school as they engaged in discussions with teachers and parents of affected students.

Presently contractors are

administering the final touches of repairs to the wooden school and are expected to wrap up soon. The school has also been repainted.

A parent told this publication that the repairs are moving along “perfectly” and she was “very much pleased” with the results. The students, who had to be relocated to spaces in and around the school compound will be able to utilise the school upon completion of rehabilitation works. Until such

time, temporary arrangements remain in place which allows for Grades Five and Six students to be housed at the school’s library inside the compound, while Grades Three and Four are being housed at the Ituni Small Loggers Association (ISLA) building and Grades One and Two resuming normal classes inside of their former classrooms. The arrangements continue to be in place until the completion of repairs.

12news

friDAY, march 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 7 community benefits from $1M Jubilee grant

T

he village of Dogg Point, in Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) , is investing in the development of its youths through the provision of the Presidential and Jubilee grants by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.

The recent allocation of $1 million in a Jubilee grant was used to purchase sewing equipment and materials, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release said.

According to Councillor Carlotta Hopkinson, the youths who participated in the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service Programme (HEYS) are us-

Councillor for Dogg Point, Region Seven, Carlotta Hopkinson

ing the equipment to sew school uniforms.

Last year, $280 million

was allocated to the Ministry to aid 212 indigenous communities to facilitate projects to benefit residents.

“What they had thought about after the HEYS programme was finished is to continue by taking in orders, so as to bring in an income, not to sell the material, but to use up the material,” Hopkinson stated.

The Councillor explained that “people will come in, see what type of uniform they have to get sew, say when you want it, come in, do your measurement, say what style and then you come and collect it at a period of time”.

She noted that the invest-

ment in the youths have thus far been fruitful, adding that the monies acquired from the initiative would go towards purchasing more machines and improving the business, the release added.

Hopkinson said that both boys and girls have found an interest in the initiative.

She noted that the monies that the village was expected to receive in 2017 through the anticipated Presidential Grant would go towards expanding the building the youths were presently using.

This will be done to accommodate more persons, and for the storing of their equipment and materials.

Just the facts on Indentureship Event

I

thought long and hard about replying to Mr Freddie Kissoon’s polemic “If Guyana cannot confront people like Ryhaan Shah and Ravi Dev, it will explode”, (KN 3-7-17) to correct some of his claims. The article repeats views the author has expressed so many times before, I doubt it will have any effect on his conclusions, but I hope he will at least check their premises.

He claimed the End of Indian Immigration event at the Cultural Centre was “funded by some businessmen who accumulated vast wealth from Bharrat Jagdeo’s oligarchic rule”. This claim formed the basis of much Ravi Dev of his polemic, such as me serving the said “oligarchs’ interest” by riling up Indians, etc. However, the event “Garv aur Izzat”/Pride and Dignity”, hosted by an ad-hoc 18-member group GIIAA, was funded by the Social Cohesion Ministry and the Indian High Commission. Both these two institutions are to be commended.

PM Moses Nagamootoo, Minister George Norton, Min Cathy Hughes, and Min Jaipaul Sharma, from the Government benches, were also at the event, as was Adrian Anamayah representing the Opposition Leader. The PM and Min Norton also spoke, to an audience that included the US Ambassador and the British HC, among others. Hardly the local Indian sans cullotte, to be exhorted to revolution.

Another claim was “ninety per cent of the Guyanese economy is in the hands of Guyanese Indian business people”, I would like to know the source of this titbit, since I am sure Mr Kissoon wouldn’t have made it up, even if it does seem outlandish.

He then claims there are “no exclusive Amerindian, African, Chinese or European school in Guyana, but there is a huge Hindu school at Cornelia Ida owned and operated by a Hindu priest, Aksharananda”. But in so doing, he is comparing apples and oranges – national origin with the Hindu religion.

There are numerous Christian Schools, and even a Bahai one, for instance.

Mr Kissoon claims when I asked “Indians to rise up”, I “didn’t distinguish the ordinary Indian folks like me and hundreds of thousands like us who have nothing and got nothing under Jagdeo and Ramotar”. Yet the Chron criticised me for talking about Wales workers – which I did – who I think qualify as “ordinary Indian folks”. The Chronicle, however, parsed my statement for not talking about “African Wales workers”. You just cannot please some people.

Mr Kissoon also ignored the wider context of my presentation where, according to one report, I “explained that during indentureship, Indian protests against the planters’ exploitation were actually protests against the British colonial state which underwrote sugar interests. The killings of 1939 at Plantation Leonora led to a widening of the franchise in 1947 by the Moyne Commission and the Enmore killings in 1948 to the struggle for independence and democracy.

Their descendants, therefore, had a responsibility to protect democracy.

“The essence of democracy must be nourished through protest and through the populace, who have earned and fought for their freedom, to guard their freedom jealously.

Today, we will do our foreparents the greatest honour to maintain our garv (our pride) and our izzat (our dignity) if we were to take our responsibility, take that inheritance and to rise up and do what is necessary to protect what we have built.”

Lastly, Mr Kissoon says, “Unfortunately, Black leaders did not urge Black Guyanese to do what Dev is instilling in Indians to do.” Meaning rise up and protect what they built? He really insults stalwarts, who I respect for their fidelity to the cause like David Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye, Eric Philips, et al.

He would remember he wrote a series of articles about a friend of his he dubbed the “Wild Man”, who instigated the violence emanating from Buxton for an African Resistance to overthrow the State between 2002 and 2008. On the “Black Youths” killed during that period, I would also remind him that I called at the Square of the Revolution at the Rule of Law march, for an inquiry into the then endemic violence.

But, sadly, I also had to remind that audience Indians had also been killed.

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friDAY, march 10, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Parking meter burden

Protesters stage mock funeral for meters, City Hall & by-laws

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t was a mass bereavement of sorts as persistent protesters in Georgetown continued their demonstration against the parking meter project on Thursday.

The "Water Street Mourners" have now coined themselves a new designation – "undertakers" – as they once again led the parking meter protest in front of City Hall. This is the sixth straight demonstration organised by the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) in response to the secretive manner in which the contract was signed between City Hall and Mexican company Smart City Solutions Inc (SCSI) and the subsequent rollout which attracted widespread controversy.

At Thursday afternoon’s protest, the ‘mourners’ were clad in black and walked around on Regent Street holding replicas of a tombstone decorated in the colours of the parking meters, an open casket carrying the by-laws and another casket with a replica of City Hall inside. All the while, melodrama was on full display as the mourners expressed great melancholy with wailing sounds amid faux tears and screams, noting that "the city has died."

The turnout was sizeable and the protesters reiterated calls for the complete revocation of the parking meter contract. Some protesters, as highlighted on one of the placards, called on President David Granger to embody the traits of his namesake, King David, highlighting that the Head of

Mohendra Arjune, the civilian that challenged the legality of the parking meter project. This effectively cleared the way for paid parking to continue in the city pending the outcome of the matter. At the hearing, Justice Brassington Reynolds had explained that while the proceedings could act as a ‘stay’, it did not extend to the executive or-

Save us from the burdens

State could save them from the “burden” of the parking meters.

“I would like to ask President David Granger to be like David in the Bible and free the people of Guyana from this oppression; it’s too burdensome…please listen to the people, we are the ones that voted for you and put you in power so you have to listen to us,” protester “Tiffany” told this publication.

Businessman Stanley McIntosh told Guyana Times that the demonstrations would continue until the project folded.

“I think these people will stay out here until these people pack it up back, put them in the containers they bring it in and send it back to Mexico or wherever it came from,” he expressed.

“Guyanese people cannot afford now to pay this type of parking…a car is not a luxury for some people, it’s a necessity,” the businessman added.

Another demonstrator, Mohamed Rahaman decried the high cost of living in the country.

“A man got three or four children; he got to come to work in Georgetown, [because] there are no jobs or work in the countryside, [but] you got pay to work, pay to eat, pay to shop, what is the reason?” the man queried.

As the mock funeral continued, the “undertakers” laid the replicas on the ground and began to re-enact emotional scenes from a funeral. Mourners sprayed perfume around the coffins, which held markings such as “SCS Contract” and “by-laws” and flowers were thrown around the tombstone shaped as a parking meter. Councillor Junior Garrett, who was one of the four that signed the contract, arrived in the midst of the re-enactment. When MAPM protesters attempted to solicit comments from the official, he told them that they should “speak to the court” and calmly walked away into City Hall’s compound.

It was Monday that the High Court denied the application for a stay of execution filed

by Attorney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran, who represented

der of the parking meter contract. The stay had been intended to put a pause on the parking meter contract. This would have allowed motorists to park without having to pay.

At last week’s protest, retired international commodities dealer Quinn Anderson had called for international donor agencies from the

European Union, United States and Canada to withhold their funding until a more transparent project was rolled out. Demonstrators had pranced to the Dave Martins ballad “Postpone”, which highlighted many of the noted burdensome measures meted out to the public. (Shemuel Fanfair)

14 News

friDAY, march 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt to launch CoI into titling of State lands G

overnment on Wednesday announced that it would soon be launching a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to enquire, examine and make recommendations to resolve all the issues and uncertainties surrounding land titling.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon made the announcement while addressing the opening ceremony of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Workshop at the Pegasus Hotel.

The workshop, the first of three to be held, has as part of its intended outputs, the development of a Land Degradation Neutrality Programme (LDNP) for Guyana. It will also determine the scope, implementation mechanisms and financial arrangements associated with the development of a country work programme, as well as the creation of public awareness programmes.

Harmon said land degradation represented one of the biggest environmental challenges of all time. This concept, he said, of which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by one or a combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land addressed this issue that affected the entire planet and should be the concern of all.

According to Harmon, the Commission, which should be announced by President David Granger shortly, will seek to resolve all the issues and uncertainties surrounding the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands acquired by free Africans and Amerindian land titling claims.

According to a report conducted by the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) almost one-third of the indigenous villages in Regions

One (Barima-Waini) and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have no legal land rights, while only one community out of 29 titled Amerindian villages considered its title to be adequate for its people.

The report provided detailed evidence of land rights violations and land conflicts affecting indigenous peoples in Regions One and Two. The authors of the report conducted surveys on the land rights situation of 35 indigenous villages and communities in Region One and seven villages in Region Two. It discovered that twothirds of titled villages highlighted that settlements and homesteads are also left outside their titled land.

Nevertheless, the report made a series of grassroots proposals for action to address indigenous peoples’ land claims and grievances with specific recommendations for Village Councils and the National Toshaos Council, the Government of Guyana and international agencies.

In 2011, the APA was tasked by its members to conduct a participatory study on the land rights situation facing indigenous communities. The aim was to help Village Councils advance their land claims and to provide information for national projects and initiatives that address indigenous peoples’ lands and forests.

It was highlighted that weak land governance and flawed boundary survey practices, along with discriminatory national laws on land and resource ownership, often prevent satisfactory and fair land titling for indigenous communities.

Minister Harmon, who is the National Political Focal Point in Guyana for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said while the country is fortunate that

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon interacting with Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission Commissioner Trevor Benn, marine conservation activist Annette Arjoon-Martins and another participant

land degradation was not in the critical advanced stage, as in many other countries, the opportunity has presented itself for Guyana to pursue a preventative and proactive programme instead of a treatment approach.

According to the GLSC, land degradation is characterised by the reduction and

loss of the biological and economic productive capacity of land. It is a global phenomenon, with often-immediate detrimental impacts at the local level, caused by human activities and exacerbated by natural processes such as climate change.

“We are aware of such occurrences as improper farm-

ing practices; improper mining practices and salt-water intrusion that all contribute to the reduction and loss of land productivity and quality. The establishment of a land degradation neutrality programme for Guyana under the auspices of the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention

to Combat Desertification is, therefore, most welcomed,” Minister Harmon said.

He noted that the issue represented one of the biggest environmental challenges in the world and Guyana takes seriously its responsibility to the international community as a country located at the centre of the Guiana Shield.

Guyana’s commitment to the preservation and promotion of a healthy global environment was first demonstrated in 1989 with the establishment of Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation, in collaboration with the Commonwealth.

Subsequently, Guyana ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in September 1997 and since that time, the country has been actively involved internationally in matters related to the protection of the environment.

SOCU questions Kwame McCoy

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ormer Director of the National Communications Network (NCN), Kwame McCoy was on Thursday questioned by operatives of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in relation to their probe into Pradoville 2.

McCoy, who was in the company of his lawyer, Mark Conway, said he was asked questions pertaining to the relocation of the NCN transmitting tower in Sparendaam – where the housing scheme was developed.

“They wanted to know about my role in this entire saga of the Pradoville 2, specifically as it relates to me as a Director and my role on the NCN Board, which would have at some point been responsible for the relocation of the Sparendaam

Kwame McCoy being questioned by media operatives

tower,” he told reporters after exiting the SOCU headquarters on Camp Street.

The transmission tower was eventually relocated to Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara prior to the land being used for the

housing development.

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also faced questions in relation to his role in the removal of the transmitting tower.

Hinds, after exiting SOCU headquarters on

Wednesday, explained to the media that the transmission tower was removed to facilitate the Ogle Airport Expansion project.

Former NCN Board Chairman, Dr Nanda Gopaul was also questioned on Wednesday. When asked by the media, he said he was unaware of decisions relating to the removal of the tower.

So far, SOCU has questioned former President Bharrat Jagdeo; former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon; former Education Minister Priya Manickchand; former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee; former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali and former Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, among others.

friDAY, march 10, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

AK-47 smuggling

Corporal named in probe submitted medical, didn’t escape – Crime Chief

H

ours after the Guyana Police Force had confirmed that one of its ranks who had been fingered in the attempt to smuggle an AK-47 rifle out of Police Headquarters had escaped from custody last weekend, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum, clarified that the Corporal had not escape.

Blanhum told the Guyana Times on Thursday evening that Corporal 18404 Shevon Marks, who had been confined at the Brickdam Police Station, had left the premises after submitting a medical certificate for 14 days’ sick leave.

The Crime Chief said the document, obtained after the corporal had reportedly been examined by a medical doctor, was presented to him by the attorney for Marks, and that in due course he would respond “appropriately” to the corporal’s lawyer.

In a statement issued earlier in the day, the Police

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

Force had said that the subordinate officer had disappeared since Sunday night, but the matter was officially reported to Police Headquarters only at about 15:00h on Wednesday. It noted that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) had been directed to launch an investigation into the incident, and assured

that this particular case was not being treated differently from other cases wherein members of the Force are alleged to have committed grave offences.

Marks is said to be the brother of the tattoo artiste who has been charged and remanded to prison for the murder of domestic worker Leelawattie Mohamed, who was gunned down in her Tain, Corentyne home last month. The corporal was reportedly under the radar of several senior officers; his driving in and out of the TSU compound in various heavily tinted motor cars had given rise to suspicions that his character was shady.

The Police are continuing their investigations into the smuggling of the weapon, and it is expected that several others will be implicated.

The subordinate officer has been among five police ranks, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ASP) attached to the Tactical Services Unit

Abram Zuil man wanted for 2014 fatal accident

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he Guyana Police Force is seeking the public’s assistance to locate an Essequibo Coast man who is wanted for questioning into a fatal accident.

Nicholas Singh, 21, of Lot 15 Abram Zuil, Essequibo Coast, was reportedly the driver of the motor car which collided with the vehicle driven by 30-year-old Chandanie Dass of Taymouth Manor, Essequibo, on August 2, 2014 on Annandale Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Both Singh

and Dass were in critical condition following the accident, but the 30-year-old subsequently succumbed.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Singh is asked to contact the Police on 771-4012, 7715004, 771-4222, 227-2272, 227-2349, 225-6411, 2258196, 225-2227, 225-0575, 911 or at the nearest Police Station.The Police assured that all information would be treated with the strictest confidence.

Wanted: Nicholas Singh

(TSU), who were taken into custody last week after a civilian was caught attempting to leave the Police compound with an AK-47 rifle Wednesday last.

These ranks had been placed under close arrest, and after the 72 hours of their detention had expired, they were put on open arrest, while the civilian remains in police custody as investigations continue.

Investigators have since taken approached the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice in regard to the way forward.

The Crime Chief further told this newspaper on Thursday that the DPP has returned the file. However, he did not know what advice was given, since he is yet to review the file at the time.

Reports are that a civilian vehicle was allowed into the compound last Tuesday evening without being searched.

The vehicle reportedly

The AK-47 persons tried to smuggle out of the Police headquarters

stayed throughout the evening, and when it was leaving the compound the following morning, the vehicle was searched and the weapon was discovered. After the

discovery of the weapon, the mobile phone belonging to the driver was checked and proved that several calls had been made to the ASP. Based on that information, the senior police rank was questioned and placed under close arrest. The very ASP, this newspaper was told, has been fingered in several unprofessional and shady situations. In fact, he was interdicted from duty several years ago following the murder of Dweive Kant Ramdass in the Essequibo River. Ramdass was reportedly robbed of millions.

The ASP, who was a cadet officer at that time, and other ranks were accused of stealing the undisclosed sum of money, which they had confiscated. During the trial, however, no evidence was given against the Police ranks; thus they were reinstated into the Guyana Police Force.

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friDAY, March 10, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

President urges GDF to be prepared – says “foot soldiers” call threatens cohesion

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elivering the feature address on Thursday at the Annual GDF Officers’ Conference at Base Camp Ayanganna in the city, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, called on members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to be vigilant against mass actions.

This charge comes days after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo urged Guyanese on Sunday last to be “foot soldiers” in order to uphold the country’s democracy, when he addressed the 20th observance of President Cheddi Jagan’s death anniversary, held at the Babu Jaan Crematorium site at Port Mourant on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice.

Having recognised that ef-

Commander-in-Chief President David Granger and Chief-of-Staff of GDF Brigadier Patrick West along with other Government officials and senior officers of the military at the opening of the Annual Officers’ Conference on Thursday

forts of the army have resulted in the reduction of domestic and transnational crimes, the Head of State pointed out that the recent calls in regard to foot soldiers can potential-

ly threaten the country’s cohesion.

“Threats might arise, however, from elements who wish to undermine internal security. Reckless remarks about

an uprising and the provocative calls for the mobilisation of foot soldiers have the potential to rip apart the fragile fabric of cohesion that we enjoy,” the President outlined.

To this end, he reminded the army men and women of the Defence Act, which charges the military with the defence and maintenance of order in the country, and any other such duties that are defined by the Defence Board.

“This implies that the Force must be constantly in a state of readiness to deploy troops effectively and on short notice; to conduct operations, by day or by night, in heavy weather or terrain in any part of the country, to meet any emergency,” the Commander in Chief asserted.

The Opposition Leader has posited that there is need for supporters of the PPP to become foot soldiers of that party since, according to him, the current administration is sending clear signals that it

wants to drive fear into the working class and, to a lesser extent, the business community. This fear, he said, the Government is also trying to drive into certain ethnic communities.

“Many of our supporters are worried. But how do you address it? People are looking to the People’s Progressive Party for leadership in this country. So then we must offer the leadership, and we cannot offer the leadership if we are fearful ourselves.

We are the only party that stands between this corrupt Government and dictatorship… Don’t be intimidated, it can’t disappear all of us.

This is a different era, and we have to respond by doing a number of things,” Jagdeo had told supporters at Babu Jaan.

CJIA expansion

2012 fatal stabbing

T

admitted into evidence

New terminal building to Alleged confession be completed by mid-year he Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) new terminal building is expected to be completed by midyear, as foundation works are moving apace.

This is according to a release from the Airport, which states that the new building is being constructed in close vicinity to the existing terminal building.

Further, the runway extension is some 56 per cent complete.

Deadline for the US$150 million project is December 31, 2017.

Upon completion, the runway would be extended from 2270 meters to 3360 meters to accommodate aircraft up to B747-400; aircraft would navigate on Turning Pads at the runway ends instead of using a parallel taxiway; a new remote apron would be constructed

O

The new terminal building is expected to be completed by midyear

to accommodate aircraft up to B747-400; two boarding bridges would be installed and major renovations to the

existing terminal building, which would transformed into the Departure Building.

Govt passes Hamilton...

FROM PAGE 9

Jordan also defended the fact that the Bill is in Green’s name. He made comparisons with former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who he pointed out enjoys a President’s pension having briefly served in that capacity.

Jordan noted that the principle of upholding Green’s rights to a pension “trumped” any subjective opposition. The Finance Minister emphasised that Green would be getting seven-eighths of the Prime Minister’s salary.

Attorney General Basil Williams also supported his colleague, arguing in favour of the Bill on the grounds that Green has served in Guyana for decades in capacities ranging from Prime Minister to Ministers.

Notwithstanding the strenuous arguments, the Opposition was defeat-

ed and the Bill was passed in the house. The Bill provides for Green to receive all benefits provided for by the Former President (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2015.

The value of these benefits are an annual pension of $20.5 million, other benefits to the value of $3.1 million annually, two vehicles provided and maintained by the State, and two first-class annual airfares provided by the State.

Additionally, the former Prime Minister also qualifies for an ex-parliamentarian pension, together with whatever benefits accrue from his period as Mayor of Georgetown.

The Bill was passed on the same day sugar workers protested for their severance pay. Their protest took them from the Ministry of the Presidency to outside

Parliament.

In addition, there was also a mass protest outside of City Hall over the Parking Meter Project recently implemented in the city. The project has been opposed by the populace from the outset, as there are contentions over the transparency of the contract and the arbitrarily determined rates.

There have also been weekly protests against the Value Added Tax (VAT) which was implemented on private education. Despite reports emerging just as the protests got underway that the VAT would be reversed, President David Granger later declared that it would remain.

In the 2017 National Budget, the average old age pensioner received an increase of $800, raising their earnings from $18,200 monthly to $19,000.

ne day after pleading not guilty to the 2012 murder of Rayaad Khan, who was fatally stabbed to his chest with a broken glass bottle after an altercation, the police Caution Statement (CS) of the accused, Christopher DaSilva, was tendered and admitted into evidence.

As the High Court trial of DaSilva continued on Thursday, police witness Hubert Henry read to the jury the statement which the murdered accused was said to have signed in 2012.

According to the police evidence, DaSilva reportedly indicated that “Riyaad”, the deceased, had slapped him, the accused, before he, DaSilva, had picked up a bottle and committed the act.

“I take it then bore he,” the CS added, further noting that he had then thrown the bottle away before fleeing the scene.

The defence, led by

Christopher DaSilva is standing trial for murder

Attorney Maxwell McKay, however argues that the young man did not know to what he was signing.

The Prosecution, led by Siand Dhurjon and assisted

by Tuanna Hardy, contends that the stabbing occurred at about 20:00h on June 28, 2012 at 17th Avenue, Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. According to the post mortem examination, Khan, then 17, had died

Riyaad Khan died in June 2012

from shock and hemorrhage due to a single stab wound to the chest. The alleged perpetrator, DaSilva, was 18 at the time of his arrest.

What had reportedly sparked the incident was an argument the two young men had reportedly had over the attention DaSilva’s girlfriend was paying Khan.

The matter is being heard by Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.

Horace James appointed head of NICIL

T

he Board of Directors of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) on Thursday confirmed Horace James, who has been performing the duties of Officer in Charge of the organisation, since the departure of the former head.

A missive from the government agency said that over the past few months, the technical and management skills and the experience of 14 external and internal candidates were evaluated by both the Board and independent assessors, and James emerged as the most suitable.

New Head of NICIL Horace James

James is a United Kingdom (UK)-trained engineer and from 2003 to 2015, served as the Head

of the Linmine Secretariat and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linden Electricity Company (LEC) Meanwhile, Emmet Alves, who was performing the duties of head of the Linmine Secretariat since January 2016, has been confirmed in that position, with effect from March 1, 2017. Alves, NICIL said, is a University of Guyana and Russia-trained mining engineer and since 2003, has been responsible for executing and managing a number of Linmine engineering and environmental projects, including the MackenzieWismar Bridge.

friday, march 10, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Orlando Octave

50 SHADES DARKER FOR PC TONIGHT

A Gully Ras

ll roads will lead to Palm Court on Main Street Georgetown tonight for one of the most intriguing parties. Called “Black Swag, 2017- 50 Shades Darker”, it is the ultimate birthday party of Sean Major out of Publik, and the night will be epic.

The event will, for the first time in Guyana, feature Trinidad and Tobago’s young soca sensation Orlando Octave, who goes by the name “D Original Rude Boy”. Known for his singles “Disconnected” and “Darkie”, he has also released two albums, “Riddim 868” and “Class”.

Octave began singing when he was 3, and entered the Junior Soca Monarch competition when he was 11. Although he did not win, he joined his first tour shortly after. In 2012, he launched a brand of condoms called “Play Wit It”.

Growing up in Rio Claro, Trinidad and Tobago, this rising star’s first audience was his family. He now performs alongside Lyrikal, also out of the twin-island republic. Apart from D Original Rude Boy’s live performance, several deejays will be in the house to make sure patrons have a grand time. These include Deejay Energy, Gully Ras, Selector Diamond and Blax B. Ladies who are dressed in black will be admitted free of charge, and there will be Heineken specials all night long. Lights and sounds will be provided by Cloud 9, when the action gets underway from 21:00h.

WE’RE GOING

COLOUR

FESTIVAL @ PC ON SUNDAY

S

ections of the Guyanese populace will on Sunday be celebrating Holi, whether at home in their communities or at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, where the annual Inspire Inc. will be running things with their Phagwah Mela.

After all the colourful abrack and abeer topped with powder, it is expected that the party will continue at Guyana’s premier party spot, Palm Court on Main Street, Georgetown, where the Colour Festival is expected to run riot with scintillating performances from reigning International Chutney Soca Monarchs Ravi B and Omardath Maraj out of Trinidad. Fresh from Carnival action in the twin-island republic, the duo is ready to dish out a j’ouvert style Phagwah filled with fun and excitement for their adoring fans.

Their hit songs ‘Budget’ and ‘Ramsingh Sharma’ will be booming through the speakers of the party spot come this Sunday.

The due will, in addition, be spilling other hits from the past to complement those from the present; and adding vibes to the party will be several popular deejays who are determined to see the dance floor well occupied all night long. Team MMR’s WR Reaz and Selector Andy will also be in the house, to make sure patrons have an unforgettable experience.

Tickets for the event cost 2000, which entitle patrons to free Phagwah powder.

Team MMR

LIVE

CONCEPT PARTY for March 25 at SVT

T

he South View Tavern in the Georgetown ward of South Ruimveldt will definitely come alive on March 25 for the first ever “We’re going Live” concept party promoted by Quest International alongside SVT. The event will create the right atmosphere to go live on facebook and other social media.

It is normal in society to take selfies and post them on social media, but on the night of the event, there will be more reasons to take those selfies, since patrons will be in the right party atmosphere to do so. Many are already getting in a craze about the party, which is expected to be off the hook, with some of the best deejays to set patrons in the party atmosphere.

The selectors are working on the best list of music, to make sure that the party caters for all present. Tickets to ‘We’re’re Live” cost $1000 and are available at the venue or from the organisers. The action starts at 18:00h.

This is one concept party that you don’t wanna miss.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, march 10, 2017

h for Monday at Rose Hall Community Centre

for HJ Water World on Sunday

A

Golden Om

G

olden Om’s Phagwah Mela and Bazaar for Monday at Rose Hall Community Centre The Golden Om Dharmic Youth Organization will be involved in a number of activities leading up to Phagwah Day, which will be celebrated on Monday, March 13.

Its Phagwah Mela and Bazaar will be held on Saturday at the Rose Hall Community Centre (welfare) ground in East Canje, Berbice from 15:00h. Anticipated to be a breathtaking programme, there will be featured finalists and top performers of recent and previously held Emerging Voices competition, among whom would be Karamchand Sugrim, Tejyas Singh and Aamir Khan. The very enthralling Guyanese singer Sadhna Outar is slated to perform, as are other local Guyanese artistes.

The Golden Om Dharmic Dance Group would also be performing a number of spectacular dances choreographed by its talented and vibrant dancers, and a dramatic piece is to be staged by its skillful youths.

Moreover, a katahar curry competition will have participants cooking on spot to be judged for quality.

Numerous food stalls will be selling delicious finger licking traditional sweet meats, and besides face painting and mehendi booths, there will be a wide variety of games and Phagwah items available.

The Golden Om Dharmic Youth Organization looks forward to receiving generous support for this event as holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated.

s Guyanese prepare to celebrate Phagwah on Sunday and Monday, Hits and Jams Entertainment is all set and ready for Wet Fete 2017, to be held at its premier venue, HJ Water World at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

This, the company’s signature event, has drawn huge crowds over the years.

Wet Fete will see special sprinklers being installed for those who want to keep wet all day long. In addition, water guns and colours will be distributed to make the event even more exciting. The rides and pools would also be available during the course of the day.

The

action will commence at 10:00h and will run until sometime in the evening. Admission to the event is free before 14:00h, but costs $1000 afterwards. While there will be no live performances, the Boom Deejays, including DJ Shizzle, Deejay Energy, Gully Ras and Selector Diamond, will be in the house to make sure the vibes continue throughout the day. In addition, there will be lots to eat and drink from the several food courts in the complex.

Patrons are urged to come dressed as comfortable as possible, since this event will be a Phagwah to remember.

Inspire Inc to host 5th Annual Phagwah Mela at National Stadium Team MMR 2

DJ competition Carlvin Burnett

Lisa Punch

Ishara Dance Shakti Strings

C

ome Sunday, March 12, the parking area of the Guyana National Stadium is expected to be packed to capacity as Inspire Incorporated hosts its 5th Annual Phagwah Mela with special focus on the 100th Year of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship.

Inevitably, the event would be one of the biggest to be held around the country, as people from all walks of life are expected to gather at the venue to partake in the festivities of Holi. There will be an abundance of water, colourful powder and abeer at the event, to guarantee patrons have the best time of their lives.

Sprinkles would be set up, food stalls would be in place; and already, the artistes are rearing to begin their performance.

This year, the entertainment group will be concentrating on promoting local artistes, and from all indications, those slated to perform will undoubtedly mesmerize the patrons.

Those slated to perform are the members of the Shakti Strings Band, including Steven Ramphall, Aamir Khan, Roger Bowen and the master on the Key Boards, Avenash Roopchand. In addition, former GTT Jingle and Song Competition Finalist Carlvin Burnette and members of the Heatwaves Band are expected to grace the event for the first time.

Rumour is that Former Miss World Guyana, Lisa Punch, would also be performing. As usual, the members of the Ishara Dance Group will be performing several pieces. The party will get hotter as Team MMR takes the party hype to another level among the crowd. There are also expected to be several surprise acts that will thrill the audience. Admission to the event is absolutely free.

Upon entry into the venue, persons will be given free powder and abrack.

for April 1 in Berbice

“N

o Retreat, No Surrender” The ‘baddest’ and most versatile deejays and selectors in Berbice are preparing to participate in what has already been deemed in certain circles to be one of the most slaughtering deejay faceoffs ever to be held in the Ancient County.

Called “No Retreat, No Surrender”, the competition will see the winner enjoying bragging rights for a year besides getting the winner’s trophy and $100,000 in cash. The action is slated to be held on April 1 at the Sheer’s Night Club in New Amsterdam.

Those slated to compete are DJ Alkapone, DJ Unruly, DJ Dauren, DJ Von Hype and Shrimpy, DJ Hotskull, DJ Versatile, DJ Delly Ranks and Selector Thunda. The winner of this competition would automatically be qualified for the “Art of War” 2017 clash, which will be held in Georgetown.

Come April 1, patrons will be entertained by some early juggling from High Range Sounds, with Guess Deejays Dellon and Charlie.

No Retreat, No Surrender will be emceed by David Hype. Tickets for the event cost $1000 and are available at Candy Shop, Pitt Street, New Amsterdam.

friDAY, march 10, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

T

he Anna Regina Community Centre ground will come ablaze with entertainment fire on March 13, when the biggest ever Phagwah mela to be held in the Cinderella County is hosted by the Essequibo Praant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, in collaboration with the Premaul Family of the United States of America.

Apart from unforgettable live performances from Chutney doyens Ravi D, Denis Tatpaul, Amanda D, and Sandra Benie, the mela will also feature classical dance pieces by leading dance troupes Dharmic Swarswattie Dance Academy and Khandiya.

The artistes will be backed in their scintillating performances by Sangeet Rhythmn Band, assisted by the Amir Baksh sound system.

Free seven curries along with special treats and powder will be given to those in attendance. According to sponsor of the event, Premaul Singh, he looks forward every year for the event to be staged, and is happy to return home to threat his fellow Essequibians for the festive season of Holi.

The phagwah mela is a yearly anticipated event. The festival of Phagwah is celebrated in the Hindu month of “Phalgun”. The burning of holika dhaan will be done on the evening of March 12. The festival signifies the triumph of Good over Evil.

A

2017 title

s the Guyana Times Entertainment continues to feature delegates vying for the title of Miss Region Three Culture 2017, billed for April 1 in the Parking Lot of the Leonora Synthetic Track on the West Coast of Demerara, this week’s focus is placed on Withney Loshanna Robertson.

The 19-year-old Withney claims she in fortunate to be residing in Region Three, which has been bisected by the Essequibo River. She believes the Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara region comprises historic communities, beautiful nature resorts, and seemingly endless farmlands.

This Region Three beauty is presently pursuing a career in nursing, and enjoys volunteering to empower youths. She also has a passion for the environment, and for modelling, and politics to some extent. She is hopeful of being crowned Miss Region Three Culture when the pageant is hosted on April 1 in the Parking Lot of the Synthetic Track.

The event will not only see the nine delegates competing in several segments, but will also have live performance by Jamaican Dance Hall Artiste Savage.

19

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, march 10, 2017

Golden Jaguars Red ball drama climb to 131 in returns to centre stage FIFA world rankings W

T

The national team in action

he Guyana Men’s National Team, Golden Jaguars has climbed five places to 131 in the FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Ranking, according to the latest figures released on Thursday.

Guyana remains 18th out of the 41 CONCACAF footballing nations, and 9th out of 25 national teams in the Caribbean Football Union.

“We look forward to the opportunity to drive Guyana’s senior men’s team towards the top 100 this year, as the Guyana Football Federation plans to organise several international friendly matches in 2017,” said GFF President Wayne Forde release by the Federation.

The FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking, introduced in 1992, assesses national teams based on their performance in matches over a four-year period with a weighting towards more recent and more significant matches.

Hall says Hero CPL Draft can help “launch” players’ careers M ichael Hall, Tournament Director of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), believes that there are opportunities for players from across the West Indies and beyond to follow the lead of Rovman Powell and launch their careers on the international stage when the Player Draft for the 2017 campaign is decided on Friday, 10 March (tomorrow).

With the likes of R o v m a n Powell and Nicolas Pooran blazing a trail in 2016 and following on from the path paved by the likes of Carlos Brathwaite, D w a y n e Bravo, Jason Mohammed and Daren S a m m y a m o n g s t many others since the tournament’s inception back in 2013, Michael Hall believes that opportunity can knock for players to emerge and

break through in front of a large global audience.

Looking ahead to the Player Draft for the fifth instalment of the biggest party in sport, which will be shown live on the Hero CPL’s Facebook channel from 10am (Barbados time) on Friday morning, Hall explained that there was significant interest by established internationals and emerging players from the likes of Afghanistan, Australia, New Z e a l a n d , Pakistan, S o u t h Africa, Sri L a n k a and the UK to register for the biggest party in sport. “ T h i s year teams have been allowed to retain as many players as they wanted from the previous squads last year.

“A good portion of the teams are already in place.

The rule was changed this year because the players

Michael Hall

were under three-year contracts. The interest has been extremely high and there is an increased number of players from Afghanistan who have entered the Draft.

A lot of registration from West Indian players this year, which is no different from the previous years.

“The interest is extremely high and I think that the younger West Indian players have seen people like Rovman Powell who emerged as a star player in last year’s CPL. They’re all throwing their hats into the ring to see if a team will take a chance on them and if they get picked up it can be a chance to launch their own careers.”

hite balls, coloured kit and dark sightscreens will be replaced by red balls, white flannels and light-coloured sightscreens, as the second half of the Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament begins on Friday.

Following the lengthy break for the Christmas/ New Year’s holidays, plus the Regional Super50 Tournament, the six franchises get down to the business end of the season, as they seek regional supremacy in this format of the game.

A top-of-the-table clash between front-runners Jamaica Scorpions and defending champions Guyana Jaguars at Sabina Park will be the feature attraction, but the other two contests also promise plenty intrigue.

Windward Islands Volcanoes face Trinidad & Tobago at the Grenada National Stadium and Barbados Pride, the newly-minted Regional Super50 champions, host Leeward Islands Hurricanes in a match starting on Saturday at Kensington Oval. Squads:

Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force

(AT THE NATIONAL CRICKET STADIUM, GRENADA) WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES (from): Liam Sebastien (captain), Kyle Mayers (vice-captain), Sunil

Ambris, Gian Benjamin, Roland Cato, Taryk Gabriel, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Sherman Lewis, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyron Theophile

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force

(from): Kyle Hope (captain), Isaiah Rajah, Jeremy Solozano, Jyd Goolie, Nicholas Alexis, Anderson Phillip, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Yannick Cariah, Khary Pierre, Bryan Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Marlon Richards UMPIRES: Deighton Butler, Jonathan Blades (Barbados) MATCH REFEREE: Carlyle Felix RESERVE UMPIRE: Roger David

Jamaica Scorpions vs Guyana Jaguars

(AT SABINA PARK, JAMAICA) JAMAICA SCORPIONS (from): Nikita Miller (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Derval Green, Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Reynard Leveridge, Andre McCarthy, Paul Palmer Jr, Jerome Taylor, Devon Thomas, Shacaya Thomas, Chadwick Walton

GUYANA JAGUARS

(from): Leon Johnson (captain), Anthony Bramble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika,

FRANCHISES

PTS

M W

1. Jamaica Scorpions

67.6 5

2. Guyana Jaguars

Shimron Hetmyer, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Vishaul Singh UMPIRES: Verdayne Smith, Joel Wilson (Trinidad & Tobago) MATCH REFEREE: Denovan Hayles RESERVE UMPIRE: Athol Hamilton

Barbados Pride vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes

(AT KENSINGTON OVAL, BARBADOS) BARBADOS PRIDE (from): Kevin Stoute (captain), Anthony Alleyne, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Omar Phillips, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES (from): Kieran Powell (captain), Rahkeem Cornwall (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Jason Campbell, Kaecy Carty, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Jeremiah Louis, Jermaine Otto, Gavin Tonge, Hayden Walsh Jr. UMPIRES: Leslie Reifer Jr, Graham Lloyd (England) MATCH REFEREE: Stephen Proverbs RESERVE UMPIRE: Kevin Sisnett Points table:

L

T

I

A

DP MR

BAT BOWL PB

3

1

0

1

0

0

0

10

15

3.6

64.6 5

2

1

0

2

0

0

0

12

15

7.6

3. Barbados Pride

47.2 5

1

0

0

4

0

0

0

7

10

6.2

4. Windwards Volcanoes

41.6 5

1

2

0

2

0

0

0

3

14

6.6

5. Leewards Hurricanes

39.4 5

1

2

0

2

0

0

0

5

12

4.4

6. T&T Red Force

35.6 5

1

3

0

1

0

0

0

4

12

4.6

Darts action on today at MSC T

he Guyana Darts Association will host its Men’s and Female single competition today at the Maltenoes Sports Club (MSC) starting from 19:00 hrs.

Some of the names in the fraternity are expected to be on show, as Sudesh Fitzgerald will face some competition from the likes of Sherwin Greene, Miguel Malcom and Lallchand Rambarose while the female action, Shondell Hinds should be leading the charge for title honours.

Prizes and trophies will be awarded to the top three placed performers.

The organisers expressed great appreci-

Sudesh Fitzgerald

ation for the support of Andies Electrical, National Trust Alliance and Quality

Products distribution along with Sheik Yassin.

YELLOW PAGES

sports

fridAY, March 10, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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21

Regal softball set for

March 19 bowl-off

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VACANCY

A number of venues will be used to host the Regal Sports Softball Tournament

L

eading the way with softball action, Regal Sports will be once again bringing softball cricket competition in the form of the Regal Sport Softball Tournament.

The Tournament is expected to commence on March 19, and will be using several venues across the capital city of Georgetown.

The Tournament sponsor, located on Seaforth Street, Campbellville, has indicated that the matches

would be contested in categories such as open and over-45. The open category will see the softball stars going head to head in a 15-over-a-side contest using supreme ‘bumper’ balls, but the over-45s will be playing in a 20-over match using the white softballs.

The games are set to begin from 09:30h daily with preliminary matches set for Everest Cricket Club, GNIC Sports Club and the Demerara Cricket Club.

Admission is free.

The winning teams in each category will take home a trophy and $100,000, while second place will settle for a trophy and $25,000.

Regal Sports, which is a member of the Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, sells sports equipment and has, for years been, promoting the development of softball as well as young athletes across the country in several sporting disciplines.

2nd WBC card for Guyana

Boxing will return to

Giftland Mall

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Boxing at the Giftland Mall venue

T

he second World Boxing Council (WBC) youth and amateur programme for the Caribbean and Central America is heading to Guyana in exactly one month.

The date is set for April 9 when boxers will take to the squared circle at the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown in order to prove their worth.

Seven bouts are carded for the night of action – three will be amateur fights and four will be pro.

While the three amateur matches are yet to be decid-

ed, the first pro fight will see Anson Greene of Guyana taking on Charwick Eswick out of Barbados. Greene has not seen much fighting since his debut, but his name will be remembered for his knockout victory over super middleweight champion Derek Richmond. Eswick has toured Guyana before, coming here only last year for a bout in which he was victorious. These two boxers will clash it out for four rounds in the catchweight category.

In the second pro fight, Imran “Magic” Khan will go toe to toe with the skills and

flair of Keeve Alicock for six rounds in the lightweight division. Khan will take to the ring after his memorable fight with Quincy Gomes back in 2016, and will be looking to put his career back on track, while Alicock will certainly be confident heading into the fight.

Meanwhile, in the super middleweight class, Edmond deClue will match gloves with Winston Pompey before the main fight in the flyweight division between Dexter Marks of Guyana and Venezuela’s Lewis “Alberto” Requena.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

FRIdAY, march 10, 2017

Hero Caribbean Premier League …

Guptill retained by Amazon Warriors - player draft on today in Barbados hrs today on Hero CPL’s Facebook page.

2017 ‘MARQUEE’ PLAYERS: Martin Guptill (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Lasith Malinga (St. Lucia Stars), Brendon McCullum (Trinbago Knight Riders), Chris Morris (St Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Kumar Sangakkara (Jamaica Tallawahs), Kane Williamson (Barbados Tridents)

Lasith Malinga is expected to turn out for the St Lucia Stars this season

A

head of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Player Draft in Barbados on Friday morning, which will be shown live on the Hero CPL’s Facebook page, the tournament organisers are delighted to announce the list of ‘marquee’ names for the fifth edition of the biggest party in sport.

With Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara aiming to win his third Hero CPL title with Jamaica Tallawahs, Guyana Amazon Warriors have retained Black Caps opening batsman Martin Guptil for the fifth consecutive campaign. Fellow New Zealander Brendon McCullum will also line up once more for Trinbago Knight R i d e r s ,

meaning that in all there are three new faces from last year’s player roster.

Sri Lanka speedster Lasith Malinga needs little introduction for Hero CPL fans and he will feature this year for the St. Lucia Stars having previously represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Last year he was recruited by Jamaica Tallawahs but withdrew through injury ahead of the start of the tournament.

With a distinctive slingshot action and an arsenal of devastating deliveries in his armory, the 33-year-old, who recently claimed six wickets in a T20i series against Australia, will be lining out for the re-named St. Lucia Stars in a format where he has claimed 84 victims in 65 internationals to date.

Chris Morris will join Chris Gayle at the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots and has been a mainstay in South Africa’s limited overs side of late. The towering bowling all-rounder has featured 12 times for the

Proteas in T20 internationals to date and has claimed 18 wickets, and averages a healthy 17.66 with the bat.

His career stats show that in 124 T20 matches he has taken 152 wickets at an economy rate of 7.57 and he averages 24.73 as a powerful lower order batsman. The 29-yearold Pretorian has also played in two Test matches and 23 One-Day Internationals so far.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will make his tournament bow having been recruited by the Barbados Tridents.

Williamson, 26, is one of the world’s leading top order batsmen across all three formats and is currently ranked third in the

International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I rankings having scored 916 runs in 39 internationals to date, at a strike rate of 122.81.

The full squad lists for all six franchises will be announced from 10:00

Chris Morris' all-round skills will be a great asset for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Meanwhile, Australian Shane Watson made his Hero CPL bow in 2016 and was one of the leading lights as the ‘marquee’ signing for the St. Lucia franchise as they reached their highest ever finish in the Play-Offs.

In an exclusive interview, the highly decorated all-rounder, who is hoping to feature once more in the 2017 campaign, spoke positively about his experience.

“As an Australian player it is always one of the place you love to go, watching the tours on the televisions and always a tough place to be able to play for the Aussies, especially with the quality of the West Indian teams.

Now having a chance to play for the (Hero) CPL and playing for one of the franchises and be based in St. Lucia was a really special time. To really feel like a local even though, I am not as cool as the locals, and being embraced as a local was an awesome experience. “(Daren) Sammy is a very charismatic guy. A strong leader says things that needs to be said at the right time and on the field he absorbs pressure very well, great decision making under pressure which we have all seen for the West Indies as well. The Draft is always an exciting time it is the unknown, it is not knowing where you going to go and who picks you up at that moment and time can change the direction of your life.

“Whether it’s the people and team that you go into and be around but also the opportunity of going into hopefully a great environment as well which can hopefully get the best out of you. Now with the Twenty 20 tournaments around the world it can really be a launching pad and change the direction of your life. It certainly is an exciting period more than an anxious period because you never know what is around the corner.”

HERO CPL ROLL OF HONOUR: Jamaica Tallawahs (2013), Barbados Tridents (2014), Trinbago Knight Riders (formerly Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, 2015), Jamaica Tallawahs (2016)

24 teams to

play in Petra Futsal Championships

- kick-off set for Monday at National Gymnasium

Members of the Petra Organisation Futsal Launch party (from left): Referee Coordinator Wayne Griffith, Co-Director Troy Mendonca, Finance Director Clifford Jones and Troy Lambert, as well as Manager of the defending champions, Bent Street

P

etra Organisation continues to pave the way for football development as on Tuesday evening they launched their second Futsal Championship yesterday at Brandsville Hotel Conference room, Campbellville.

The event will feature 24 teams and commences on Monday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The winner of the tournament is set to pocket $400,000 and the championship trophy while the second, third and fourth place finishers will collect $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively and the correspondingly accolade.

Petra Organization CoDirector Troy Mendonca during brief remarks

thanked the National Sports Commission (NSC) for making the venue accessible, noting “Our organization has set ourselves certain mandates which are to assist in the resuscitation of the sport in the school system and other areas that we see fit”.

He further added “We will continue to run programs that we set out on a yearly basis and this is one of them. We are going ahead because this is one of our core events”.

Asked if title sponsor is expected to come onboard with the tournament, he added that the organization is currently in the process of engaging possible title sponsors.

The first round of matches will be an elimination round, with the resulting 12 teams being di-

vided into three groups of four. The competing teams are defending champion Bent Street, Sparta Boss, North Ruimveldt, Tiger Bay, Albouystown, Tucville, Festival City, Campbellville, Sophia, Back Circle, Stevedore Housing Scheme, West Back Road, West Front Road, Leopold Street, , Hustlers, North East La Penitence, Alexander Village, Channel-9 Warriors, Broad Street Bullies, Agricola Champion Boys, Kitty, Globe Yard, Showstoppers and Camp Street All-Stars.

Upon the conclusion of the round-robin stage, the top two finishers and the best two third ranked teams from the respective groups will progress to the quarterfinal phase.

The event is slated to conclude on April 15th.

Edward "Screw" Richmond football…

Wisburg capture title with 2-0 win over Mackenzie high

W

isburg Secondary grabbed another championship when they dispatched Mackenzie High by a 2-0 score line to cop the 2016 Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Linden Secondary Schools Under 18 football championship Monday at the Mackenzie sports Club ground.

The final which had to be postponed due to several unforeseen circumstances including unfavourable weather and the passing of Coordinator James Craig final was played and Wisburg emerged victorious through goals from Joel Isaacs and Brentley Allicock. .While the timing of the goals were unavailable the organiser ensure that wall the prizes promised were handed at the end of the game which was preceded by the third place playoff game between Linden Technical Institute, who came out winners against former champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary by the penalty route 5-4.

Both teams had failed to score in regulation time.

Senior Physical Education officer for Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) L i n d l e y Langhorne said the Education department was pleased to be associated with the tournament and was committed to this relationship continuing for the betterment of the sport and youths in the region.

Meanwhile, Christianburg Wismar Secondary (Multi) School rebounded from the defeat for third place in the conclusion of the 2016 tournament on Monday to score a resounding 6-0 win over Harmony as the 2017 ‘Screw’ Richmond tournament kicked off on Wednesday at the MSC ground .John Regis (20th) minute), Omar Williams in the 25th and 36th minutes, Brewley Allicock in the 30th, Terrence Williams the 58th and Andy Major (67th minute) were the scorers for the winners.

The other game on Wednesday saw Linden Foundation Secondary and Linden Technical institute play to a nil all draw.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

23

Whitewash complete!

- England crush West Indies by 186 runs

E

ngland wrapped up a 3-0 win over West Indies to underline their dominance of the oneday international series.

Centuries from Alex Hales and Joe Root followed by a dismal West Indies batting display saw England secure a one-day international series whitewash in commanding fashion.

The tourists won the third and final match by 186 runs to underscore their dominance of the series, with Hales (110) making the most of his recall to the side following a broken hand.

Fellow centurion Root survived two early dropped catches en route to his 101, which contributed significantly to the tourists’ impressive 328 all out after 50 overs in Bridgetown.

As for the hosts – who were skittled for 142 in response – it was a limp dis-

SCOREBOARD

play with bat and ball, as even the young Alzarri Joseph’s four wickets came from a fairly costly set of 10 overs, which saw him concede 76 runs.

There was also concern for Evin Lewis, who injured himself in a fall just beyond the boundary rope while fielding. He was able to return to bat, but was out on the third legal ball without troubling the scores.

Only Jonathan Carter (46) and Joseph (22 not out) emerged from the Windies innings with any degree of credit, as England’s bowlers shared the wickets around.

Hales scored briskly, with nine fours and five maximums from his 107ball knock, while Test captain Root was similarly destructive – needing 108 deliveries for his ton, 10 of which were sent to the boundary.

That 192-run pairing

England innings (50 overs maximum) J Roy c Holder b Joseph 17 A Hales c Nurse b Joseph110 J Root c CR Brathwaite b 101 Joseph J Buttler† b Holder 7 E Morgan*b Nurse 11 B Stokes c KC Brathwaite b Holder 34 M Ali c & b Joseph 0 C Woakes c Bishoo b Holder13 L Plunkett run out (Bishoo/†Hope) 11 A Rashid run out (KC Brathwaite/†Hope) 9

S Finn not out 2 Extras(b 1, lb 3, w 8, nb 1) 13 Total (all out; 50 overs) 328 Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Roy, 5.5 ov), 2-219 (Hales, 36.2 ov), 3-232 (Buttler, 37.4 ov), 4-249 (Morgan, 41.1 ov), 5-263 (Root, 42.4 ov), 6-264 (Ali, 42.6 ov), 7-304 (Woakes, 47.3 ov), 8-304 (Stokes, 47.4 ov), 9-317 (Rashid, 49.2 ov), 10-328 (Plunkett, 49.6 ov) Bowling : Holder 10-1-41-3 (2w), Joseph 10-0-764 (1nb, 2w), Bishoo 5-0-44-0 (1w), C Brathwaite 10-0-56-0 (3w), Nurse 8-0-57-1, Carter 4-0-28-0,

K Brathwaite

3-0-22-0

West Indies innings (target: 329 runs from 50 overs) K Powell c Hales b Finn 6 E Lewis c & b Woakes 0 K Brathwaite c Hales b Woakes 5 S Hope† c Root b Plunkett 16 J Mohammed b Plunkett 10 J Carter c Stokes b Finn 46 J Holder* c †Buttler b Plunkett 0 C Brathwaite lbw b Stokes 7 A Nurse c Plunkett b Woakes 6 D Bishoo c Roy b Rashid 10 A Joseph not out 22 Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 9) 14 Total (all out; 39.2 overs) 142 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Powell, 0.3 ov), 2-8 (Lewis, 1.3 ov), 3-13 (KC Brathwaite, 3.4 ov), 4-32 (Mohammed, 12.1 ov), 5-45 (Hope, 16.2 ov), 6-45 (Holder, 16.3 ov), 7-75 (CR Brathwaite, 25.1 ov), 8-87 (Nurse, 28.2 ov), 9-113 (Carter, 35.3 ov), 10142 (Bishoo, 39.2 ov) Bowling: Finn 10-1-35-2 (2w), Woakes 8-1-16-3 (2w), Stokes 7-2-27-1 (4w), Plunkett 8-2-27-3 (1w), Ali 5-0-27-0, Rashid 1.2-0-5-1

BVA U-19 off to Goodwill International Tournament

The BVA team departed for Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday

T

he Under-19 volleyball squad from the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) left the shores of Guyana on Thursday for Trinidad and Tobago, where they would be participating in the Goodwill International Tournament, which is expected to begin today and conclude on Monday.

The squad is expected to return on Tuesday.

The 16-man team will be under the leadership of BVA President, former National Captain and present National Coach Levi Nedd.

Nedd will serve as manager/ coach.

The rest of the squad comprises Renaldo Bobb, Laurenzo David, Simon Seecharran, Videshwar Mangroo,

Renaldo Griffith, Kevin Todd, Khemraj Chatterpaul, Andy Rohoman, Komal Toolsie, Montel Denny, Jamol Bourne, Kellon Leitch, Diamyon Al Ahmad, Kellon Singh and Renaldo Persaud.

The BVA is undertaking the encounter as a result of an invitation by the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation (TTVF). While in Trinidad, the BVA U-19 team is expected to participate in matches against teams from the twin-island republic and Barbados.

The BVA team have won the tournament on all three occasions that they have participated. The Volleyball Association will also be using the competition for preparation for the upcoming Inter-Guiana Games. Guyana are

the defending champions.

Most of the players are students of the GuySuCo Training Centre, Port Mourant. GuySuCo continues to demonstrate the will to survive despite many constraints as it churns out a number of successful young academics and athletes. The all-round ability of the students puts them in good stead for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, which will easily enable them to be accepted for work in the Caribbean.

The BVA is thankful to Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and the St Francis Community Developers.

led England to 219-1, with Jason Roy having managed only 17, but a flurry of wickets in the final 13 overs was in-

sufficient to stop them putting up an imposing score.

It was a target the Windies never looked likely to chase down and the hosts were treading water at 13-3, which became 45-6 when Liam Plunkett (3-27) accounted for Shai Hope (16) and Jason Holder (0) in consecutive balls in the 17th over.

A modest bit of lower-order resistance from Devendra Bishoo (10) and Joseph failed to paper over any of the glaring cracks as the Windies suffered a chastening loss to close a forgettable series for them. (Sportsmax)

12th Diamond Mineral Water 11-race meet set for Saturday

J

udging from the races organised by National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed, the intensity is expected to be in full flow when the top local cyclists contend for the top spot in the 12th edition of the Diamond Mineral Water 11race programme this Saturday.

The riders will return to circuit racing after a few road races as the inner circuit of the National Park, Thomas Lands will be transformed into their battleground.

The day of racing will pedal off from 09:00h with riders contesting the BMX boys and girls among other races before the main event, the featured 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race.

The last time the wheelsmen met in this event, it was Orville Hinds who won the feature event in a time of one hour, 19 minutes and 58 seconds.

Hinds had been riding for Team Evolution on that outing, but this year he will be heading into the race unattached.

Hinds has not had the best of starts to his cycling season after being unable to secure an outstanding performance, but, nevertheless, he remains in contention for a title repeat.

Among the contests within the contest will be the battle between Team Coco’s Hamza

Orville Hinds is the defending champion

Eastman and Linden Bauxite Flyers’ Shaquel Agard for the number one spot in the country.

Eastman, who currently holds the top spot, has already had a hat-trick of wins while Agard is entering the race on a two-race winning streak. A win could secure either of these riders the top spot.

Raphael Leung won the Juniors division last year, while Junior Niles was the leading Veteran Under-50 rider and Keon Thomas was the top Mountain Bike rider. Representatives of Demerara Distillers Limited, including marketing boss Larry Wills, are expected to witness the races and later assist in the presentation of prizes.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Guptill retained

by Amazon Warriors

Pg 22

Martin Guptill had a brief but impacting stay with the Guyana Amazon Warriors last season

Pg 20

Golden Jaguars climb to 131 in FIFA world rankings The national team have seen an improvement in performances over the last year

Pg 23

Whitewash complete!

- England crush West Indies by 186 runs England's victorious cricketers pose with the series trophy after thrashing the West Indies to win the series 3-0

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