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GPF donates $2.5M in instruments to Scouts

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

Issue No. 3199

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

PRICE

GECOM chairmanship

Jagdeo submits 2nd list to President Page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

NEW GPC warns of ploy to malign, discredit company P5 Forensic audit P2 launched into drug procurement system

Palmyra Monument base collapse

Prominent artist blames contractors for shoddy work …regional authorities in the dark P10

Attorney and former Magistrate Oneidge Walrond Allicock

Justice BS Roy

Retired Justice William Ramlall

Challenges in P11 sugar industry can be fixed – Chand

Attorney Nadia Sagar

Attorney Kashir Khan

First Lady calls on citizens to report scholarship scams

Captain Gerald Gouveia

GPSU elections

Members reject Yarde's re-election

...results released without SOPs World Press Freedom Day

GPA bemoans Page 7 Govt’s rigid posture against media

Page 9

Attack on doctor

Plans to boost security at West Dem Hospital – REO

Page 2

…condemns continued interference in State media …victim says Police urged her to “drop” assault report

P13

Linden residents complain of garbage, drainage P12 issues May-June rains expected to be above normal – P12 Hydromet

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news

wednesDAY, may 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Attack on doctors

Plans to boost security at West Dem Hospital – REO …victim says Police urged her to “drop” assault report

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he Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) Administration is currently negotiating with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the opening of an outpost at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), according to Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dennis Jaikaran.

This comes one day after a doctor at that health institution was assaulted by a patient.

Jaikaran said the Administration was in the process of negotiating a deal with the Police Force to have regular patrols at both the Leonora Diagnostic Centre and the WDRH with the possibility of opening an outpost.

He noted that the assault of a doctor at the WDRH raised serious concerns about security at the Region’s hospital; hence, the reason for an outpost.

“With the (Police) Outpost,

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence meets with West Demerara Regional Hospital staff

we will be able to improve security at the hospitals and prevent future incidents. The Police would also be working with the security guards at the hospital,” he said.

Regional Health Officer, Dr Niall Utham told Guyana Times that the matter was being investigated and they met with the Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence on Tuesday.

Lawrence said she would oppress for legal action against those who recently as-

saulted West Dem Hospital staff and destroyed some of its property.

Lawrence made the disclosure on Tuesday during a meeting with doctors and nurses of the Region Three hospital at her Brickdam, Georgetown office.

“This matter will not just slide; I want the staff to feel safe and secure…their safety comes first,” Lawrence assured the team during the meeting with the distraught WDRH employees.

Dr Shonnette Jack, who worked on the evening of the assault, told Lawrence that verbal and physical attacks on WDRH staff by drunken and impatient patients and their families were routine on weekends and holidays.

During Sunday night’s physical altercation, Dr Jack said there were “10 persons fighting in the Emergency Room for about 25 minutes”.

She said during the melee, chairs were being hurled in the direction of the WDRH staff. Police ignored repeated calls for help, Dr Jack emphasised.

Forced to visit the station on her own, Dr Jack said Police refused to take her statement and later “tried to intimidate me to drop the story”.

“I am totally fed up and discouraged. It doesn’t feel good working anymore,” admitted young Dr Pooran Outar, who said he has “countless experi-

ences” being attacked by irate patients and their disgruntled families.

The assaults on WDRH staff are not confined to weekends or to the Emergency Room (ER), Medical Superintendent, Dr Bibi Jabar and Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Naail Uthman confirmed.

Minister Lawrence and a team will visit the embattled WDRH today to hold further discussions with the worried staff. Assistant

pected that security will be boosted for the WDRH staff.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 20:30h when a male, middle-aged patient arrived at the Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit complaining of pain in his left arm.

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

The disarranged room after the attack on Sunday evening

Regional Executive Officer (AREO) Jennifer FerreiraDouglas will also meet with the firm providing security for the WDRH and D Division (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) Commander Leslie James to raise the issue of Police’s non-response to calls for help from staff of the hospital.

As an interim measure, staff want proper locks on all of the hospital doors and a designated safe-place in the event that any future attacks become extremely life-threatening.

Following the visit by Minister Lawrence, it is ex-

The patient, in his drunken state, began hurling indecent language at the doctor and then proceeded to ‘chuck’ him. After which another patient observed the incident and intervened. Following the intervention, the relatives of the doctor’s assailant joined in and a scuffle ensued.

Security was unable to control the situation, and the Police were called in and the parties involved were all taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where statements were taken and the alleged assailant was sent for medical treatment at the Diamond hospital.

news

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wednesDAY, may 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, May 3 – 10:30h-12:00h and Thursday, May 4 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 3 – 09:55h-11:25h and Thursday, May 4 – 11:10h-12:40h.

GECOM chairmanship

Jagdeo submits 2nd list to President … Justice BS Roy, Capt Gouveia among new nominees

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the better part of the day, while light rain showers can be expected in the later afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 10:11h and 23:07h reaching maximum heights of 2.23 metres and 2.16 metres respectively.

Low Hide: 03:40h and 16:25h reaching minimum heights of 1.07 metres and 0.96 metre respectively.

saturDAY, April 29 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 08 12 21 22 25 LUCKY 3 7 2 6 Afternoon Draw

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Justice BS Roy

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday submitted a fresh list of six candidates to President David Granger for consideration for the appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The six names submitted are retired Justice of Appeal BS Roy, retired Justice William Ramlall, Attorney and former Magistrate Oneidge Walrond Allicock, Attorney Kashir Khan, Attorney Nadia Sagar and Captain Gerald Gouveia.

Some of the shortlisted individuals who declined the nomination are Madam Justice Desiree Bernard, Madam Justice Claudette Singh (ret’d) SC, Ralph Ramkarran SC, and attorneys Timothy Jonas and Ronald Burchsmith.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo reminded that it was not an easy task arriving at these six names given the restrictions outlined by President David Granger.

Granger’s conditions disqualify anyone engaged in any form of activism – gender, racial or religious; and persons affiliating with political parties.

Candidates, according to the President’s criteria, must be able to discharge his/her functions neutrally, between the two opposing parties, as he or she would have done in court between two opposing litigants. Here, the President

Attorney and former Magistrate Oneidge Walrond Allicock

Retired Justice William Ramlall

Attorney Kashir Khan

appears to be making it a requirement for the candidate to have practiced in a court.

dates having a legal background and of a neutral stance.

“It will be observed, that

Attorney Nadia Sagar

Captain Gerald Gouveia

Additionally, the person must be able to discharge the functions without fear or favour; will not allow any person or organisation to influence him or her to compromise his or her neutrality.

The President also said that person should have a general character of honesty, integrity, faithfulness and diligence in the discharge of their duty as Chairman of GECOM. The President had also noted that ideally, the candidate should be qualified to be a Judge of the High Court or an attorney for a minimum of seven years.

Jagdeo in the statement highlighted that the names submitted are in accordance to the President’s requirements of the candi-

in respect of the names which I submitted to the President, one is a former Judge of the Court of Appeal of Guyana; one is a former Judge of the High Court of Guyana; three are Attorneys-at-law with over 10 years of good standing at the Guyana Bar and one is a former Magistrate and therefore, qualify to be Judges of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in Guyana, in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana; and one is a former Captain of the Guyana Defence Force, a pilot, and a businessman and entrepreneur,” he explained.

President Granger had rejected Jagdeo’s first list of nominees, prompting a public discourse on

the interpretation of the Constitution of Guyana regarding the appointment of a GECOM Chairman.

Jagdeo had previously nominated Attorney Christopher Ram, conflict resolution specialist Lawrence Lachmansingh, retired Major General Norman McLean, business executive Ramesh Dookhoo, Indian rights activist Rhyaan Shah, and History Professor James Rose, but the President had declared that that list was not acceptable on the basis that it did not include anyone who was qualified to be a Judge.

The issue has sparked a national debate on the interpretation of Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana, with some contending that the President was right while others insist that he had erred.

Article 161 (2) states: “… the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a Judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such Judge, or any other fit and proper person…”

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin’s brother, Marcel had filed legal proceedings in the High Court to review the President’s eligibility criteria for the GECOM Chairmanship.

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wednesDAY, may 3, 2017

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

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

Press Freedom in Guyana

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oday is World Press Freedom Day. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an entity that campaigns for media freedom and the rights of Journalists, has indicated in its 2017 World Press Freedom Index that there have been significant setbacks in Guyana over the past year, although the Constitution guarantees free speech and the right to information.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, the Government’s Information Minister and media czar, responded with disappointment at the report, which places Guyana three places down from last year, with the observation that this is a country with ‘noticeable problems’.

The report asserted that “Although Guyana’s Constitution guarantees free speech and the right to information, officials often use its defamation laws, which provide for fines and up to two years in jail, to silence Opposition Journalists. The members of the media regulatory authority are appointed directly by the President.

This restricts the freedom of certain media outlets, which are denied licences. Journalists are subjected to harassment that takes the form of prosecutions, suspensions and intimidation.”

The World Press Freedom Index measures the level of media freedom in 180 countries, including the level of pluralism, media independence, and respect for the safety and freedom of Journalists. The 2017 Index takes account of violations that took place between January 1 and December 31, 2016.

This refutes the contention of Nagamootoo that the report is “… deeply flawed and undated…”, inferring that the Report was based on findings condemning the previous Administration.

The Report concludes that “Journalists are subjected to harassment, that takes the form of prosecutions, suspensions and intimidation”.

Nagamootoo adamantly rejected the Report.

But the Guyana Press Association (GPA) has had reason to chide the coalition Government on several instances for abuse of power in attempting to control and restrict press freedom in the country.

In August of 2015, the media reported Nagamootoo as saying that “State media should favour Government’s view” .

This was in response to a headline in the Guyana Chronicle, which read “Govt Blunders on Budget Estimates…violates laws assented to by President Granger”.

Reporters were relentless in questioning the evasive Prime Minister on the matter, and he eventually admitted that his statement was “triggered by a headline” he saw in the newspaper and he and the reporter had a conversation. “I was disappointed.

I was very disappointed. I didn’t think that it was an objective headline in the sum total of what transpired yesterday in the Parliament…it is a Government paper and I would expect that for a paper that it has a point of view that supports a Government perspective… is a Government newspaper…it is a fully supported established company of the State…one would expect that it would merit the views of Government.”

According to the GPA, the incident could have been viewed as a method of intimidation, which may have a dampening effect on press freedom.

The GPA again had occasion to chide Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan for a letter to the media, published April 3 in which he chastised editors, for what it concludes is a clear attempt to direct the editorial content of the State-owned newspaper.

His rebuke to the State-owned newspaper was precipitated by a front page article of the March 31 edition that gave front-page prominence to a story on oil instead of an activity conducted by his ministry.

However, the GPA contended “… in his letter, he even attempted to dictate the editorial direction of the newspaper!

His missive, which appeared only in the Guyana Chronicle, can only be interpreted as an attempt to drive fear into the editors and reporters of that newspaper with the sole aim of securing censorship and self-censorship.”

According to the GPA, a senior Government official is controlling editorial policies and content at the State newspaper: “Further, a senior Government Minister continues to dictate coverage of his office to the Editor-in-Chief and often has stories sent for his approval once it has to do with his office or the PNC, the main party in the governing coalition.”

The GPA indicated its awareness of the weekly meetings between the Prime Minister and senior executives of the State media, which continues to be used as a tool to dictate editorial content and to silence or trivialise Opposition views.

These actions run counter and, in fact, are in direct opposition to President David Granger’s repeated assertions that his Government will allow State newspaper, TV and radio to function as independent entities.

The Reporters Without Borders Freedom Index media report is deemed by Information Minister Nagamootoo as not based on credible sources, but the GPA, considered by media operatives to be an impartial body, contends otherwise.

The joy of success Photographer Carl Croker during one of his off beat moments caught up with some happy Red Cross students who were successful at their first aid exams on Tuesday and were not ashamed to show it as they jubilantly posed for a photo

European Union supports free and independent media Dear Editor, Today the European Union joins with Guyana and the rest of the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day. Free, diverse and independent media are indispensable to promoting and protecting democracy worldwide. A free press and freedom of expression are among the very same foundations of democracy, contribute to stable, inclusive, and resilient societies and can help defuse tensions and contain conflicts.

The EU supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which in-

cludes ensuring universal access to information and protection of freedom of expression.

Supporting independent, quality and ethical journalism is essential. By facilitating the free flow of quality and well-researched information on matters of public interest, and by acting as the “public’s watchdog”, independent media are the basis of a participatory democracy and a tool to make governments accountable for their actions.

The EU condemns the worldwide increase of threats and violations against journalists and

media professionals’ offline and in cyberspace. All states are expected to fulfil their global obligations to protect freedom of expression and the safety of journalists by providing a supportive legal environment and prosecuting all attacks against journalists. The EU consistently opposes – in bilateral contacts with third countries as well as in multilateral and regional fora – any legislation, regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of expression and takes concrete steps to prevent and respond to attacks against journalists and bloggers.

The EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline, adopted in 2014, (and their continued implementation), reaffirm the EU’s determination to promote freedom of opinion and of expression as rights to be exercised by everyone everywhere, based on the principles of equality, non-discrimination and universality, through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Dear Editor, When the Communities Minister announced that Local Government Elections would have been conducted on March 18 last year, I, like many other Guyanese considered it to be a historic occasion. Here we had the opportunity after 22 long years, to remove those tired, old, incompetent, mentally bankrupt and some very corrupt municipal officials who had long overstayed their welcome and replace them with young, energetic, honest, bright, caring Councillors to manage our towns and neighbourhoods of Guyana.

Remember the entire Local Government system was considered rotten and in dire need of rehabilitation to be made fully functional as we all believed that local government is about handing decision-making power to the people to enable them to efficiently and effectively

manage their communities.

We looked with anticipation to those younger candidates, and others, who entered the fray for the first time, as there is no better nursery for leadership than local government. It is in this arena that future leaders get the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the proverbial nuts and bolts of representative governance.

Alas! One year on, we have come to realise that this thinking was irrational as it failed on several grounds. If we look at Georgetown since those elections rather than getting better, things have instead gotten much worse.

The first sad reality was that the independent candidates who had the courage to enter the fray were forced to compete against the established political parties. This made their efforts next to impossible as they had to try to overcome the various parties’

well-oiled and well-funded machinery. Most of them failed resulting in quite a few of those same tired, dim, and crooked old Councillors returning to carry on their old ways. Just look at the ‘Fantastic Four’ and the bizarre Parking Meter Contract in Georgetown.

The second reality is that the new Georgetown City Council is just as ineffective and really just a talk shop just like the last one.

There is very little they can or are willing to do to reign in corrupt, lazy and inept officers who make rings around them and who clearly have political godfathers and godmothers above the Councillors and who cannot be touched. It is once again a place where “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”.

One senior municipal officer has moved from being totally bankrupt during the life of the last Council where his

car was seized and his home foreclosed upon by his bankers for non-payment to now just a year on, owning several homes and multiple luxury vehicles. Where are SARA and SOCU? The third reality is that this present City Council of Georgetown lacks the wherewithal to transform Georgetown into a superior place to live and work, and seem happy to just maintain its present status quo.

All in all, nothing has changed as citizens had hoped for with this new Council, as the Georgetown Municipality continues to be well known for financial mismanagement, rampant nepotism favouritism and, cronyism, clientelism which are all acceptable and expected ways of conducting municipal affairs and business at City Hall.

Yours faithfully, Ambassador Jernej Videtič Delegation of the European Union

M&CC simply ineffective

Sincerely, Mateo Phelephe

wednesDAY, May 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

MV Barima makes NEW GPC warns of ploy to ‘historic’ shortened trip malign, discredit company

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ong recognised as a forerunner in pharmaceutical manufacturing not only in Guyana but in the Caribbean, NEW GPC INC said it was cognisant of what seemed to be a determined ploy to malign and discredit the company as a manufacturer and pharmaceutical supplier.

The NEW GPC outlined this latest ‘ploy’ to discredit the company in a statement to the media on Tuesday.

On April 19, NEW GPC said it received a complaint from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) that there was an issue with paracetamol tablets which the company had supplied.

This stock was imported from another manufacturer who, when contacted by NEW GPC to respond to the complaint, communicated that there were no anomalies observed in its retention samples. The company made it clear that these batches were earlier recalled and subsequently replaced.

Further, on April 25, another complaint was received from the

GPHC regarding the replacement batches of paracetamol amounting to 186,000 units or 186 bottles.

The NEW GPC said it immediately requested the GPHC to quarantine the tablets and the company subsequently initiated a recall.

The complaint was investigated on the same day and a response was provided to the Georgetown Public Hospital indicating that testing and inspection were conducted on retention samples for each of the batches and they were all found to be in compliance with the US Pharmacopoeia’s acceptable criteria for microbiological quality. Testing and inspection were also carried out on the raw materials and no problems were found.

The NEW GPC said it has since supplied an additional 80,000 units of paracetamol to the Hospital from new batches manufactured at the NEW GPC. “It should be noted that the Hospital also had an issue with Soda Lime supplied by NEW GPC and

upon investigation, it was found that the same product was also supplied to a local private hospital in February.

The local hospital when contacted indicated that they have no complaints with the Soda Lime, which was recently used last weekend,” the NEW GPC said.

The company said it wished to put on record that it has supplied pharmaceuticals manufactured locally and procured from reputable companies internationally to the Georgetown Hospital for decades without any major issue. “Suddenly, there are three complaints on three products from three different manufacturers within a matter of days,” the company observed.

The NEW GPC said it has also taken note that the Hospital has chosen to go to select media houses that have always been critical of the company with sensitive information which suggests a determined ploy to malign and discredit the company as a manufacturer and pharmaceutical supplier.

F

ollowing major rehabilitative upgrades, the MV Barima has significantly reduced its travel time, a move that has been deemed “historic” by the management of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD).

According to the General Manager of the T&HD (ag) Yurlander Haynes, the MV Barima made its maiden trip to the North West District on Friday last in an unprecedented 21 hours. Typically, the journey takes 30 to 40 hours, she said. The vessel returned to Georgetown on Wednesday, April 26.

The re-commissioning of the MV Barima means the residents of the North West District will have more frequent service – at least two trips each in Port Kaituma and Kumaka, Region One (Barima-Waini). Previously,

the Lady Northcote was making two trips to Kumaka and just one to Port Kaituma each month. Now, this number will increase and passengers will spend less time travelling.

The MV Barima was decommissioned in early March after being docked for rehabilitation since November 2015. It included the replacement and repair of underwater fittings, including the propellers and rudders; scraping and painting of the hull; installation of two main engines; painting of the interior and exterior of the ferry; installation of new seats for the passengers; and the upgrade of crew cabins. The ferry also benefited from improved safety thanks to 250 new life jackets and the addition of fire extinguishers. The project cost was $150.6 million.

APNU attack on GAWU disappointing

Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has noted the contents of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) column titled “PPP and GAWU’s scare tactics must be challenged”, which appeared in sections of the media on April 30.

At the outset, we were most disturbed by the innuendos which were lobbed at the GAWU seemingly in an attempt, which would be futile, to disparage and bring disrepute to our Union. This is a well-worn out tactic. We wish to advise the APNU and moreover all Guyanese that the GAWU as a trade union has always maintained its independence and possesses our own organisational structure. Our Union recognises that our diverse membership is supportive of the various political organisations in Guyana and has respected our members’ rights and choices.

The column points to the increase of the industry’s employment costs in the early 1990s, but fails for some reason to recall that massive devaluation of the Guyana dollar resulted in a substantial increase in the cost of living.

Is it that the APNU is saying that the sugar workers’ wages should have not been ad-

justed to offset the decline in their purchasing power?

Moreover, we cannot fail to recognise that the industry’s operations are largely labour intensive and, therefore, the employment costs relative to overall costs being what they are should not be surprising.

The APNU author then goes on to say that “…since 2001, the sugar industry wage bill has accounted for 63 per cent of total costs”.

We find the statement surprising since GuySuCo in its recent interaction with the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee disclosed that employment cost was 56 per cent of overall costs in 2015 of which six per cent accounted for the Senior Staffers. The column also said, unambiguously, that the State provided some $500 billion to the industry over the last 10 years. But, various press reports have advised that the Government provided about $48 billion to the industry. The two figures are vastly apart and the inflation of the sum by the author is perplexing. The sum quoted by the APNU column, we feel constrained to point out, has it been real, would be more than sufficient to allow the industry to diversify its product base and to ensure its sustainability and viability.

Interestingly too, we noted that the APNU pointed out that the industry can become successful producing “sugar, bagasse, ethanol and reuseable energy”. We agree with those familiar suggestions and wonder why steps are not being taken in this direction. The GAWU urges that our presentation to the Government of February 17, 2017 be examined in a critical and unbiased manner.

While the APNU talks about workers being leased lands, we see that as con-

tinuing talk and the basics are not in place to encourage workers to take up farming.

At Wales, we see no concerted efforts in this direction except for a meeting with a few workers offering them lands at the extreme end of the cultivation. The cost of land development is prohibitive and the costs of transportation would be high. Given the depression that has gripped the communities of Wales since closure, farming may not hold out such a grand promise. Can one blame the work-

ers for any show of reluctance?

The GAWU maintains that a diversified sugar industry harnessing the full potential of the cane plant and moving to a more wide-ranging product base offers the industry the best opportunities for its turnaround.

It is disappointing that the APNU has launched such a disturbing attack on our Union on the eve of Labour Day when workers are celebrating their gains and reflecting on their challenges.

More fittingly, we believe, it would have been a good opportunity to express best wishes to the working-people of Guyana, but maybe the spurious attack on our Union is reflective of the respect the APNU has for the Guyanese working-class and/or probably an attempt to really cover for a dismal performance seen in the sugar industry and in other areas too.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine GAWU General Secretary

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BY BRADLEY BUSCH

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eenagers think differently to grownups – they are more likely to take risks, be sleepy, misread emotions, give in to peer-pressure and lack self-control. Thanks to advances in technology, we have been able to peer inside the teenage brain and see more clearly how it works.

So what have we discovered?

And how can teachers use this information to help young people navigate the challenges of growing up and getting an education?

Teenagers take risks Let’s play a game. I will give you £5 for free. In a bag in front of you there are blue and red tokens. You don’t know how many tokens are blue and how many are red. If you draw out a blue token, you double your money. If you draw out a red, you lose your free £5. Would you do it?

This was essentially the question posed by researchers to teenage and adult participants. They found that when the odds of success aren’t known, teenagers are far more likely to gamble.

The authors of the review take pains to point out that “adolescents’ greater involvement than adults in risk-taking does not stem from ignorance, irrationality, delusions of invulnerability, or faulty calculations.” So where does it come from?

Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s TED talk on the subject has been viewed more than 1.7 million times.

Her research found that during adolescence, the prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain associated with selfregulation, conscious decision-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

making, memory, judgment and insight (among other things) – is still developing.

Teenagers, therefore, do not have the self-control to not take risks, even if they know something is risky.

Teaching tip: Teachers could tap into teenagers’ risky mindset to help them do better at school. Taking risks and choosing difficult tasks is one of the benefits associated with having a growth mindset.

If teachers guide this risky behaviour by encouraging pupils to take chances in a safe and secure environment, the students could challenge themselves more.

One of the biggest barriers to taking risks is a fear of failure. This can be overcome by facilitating an environment where students know mistakes won’t be mocked or criticised.

This resource looks at how we can help develop a growth mindset.

Teenagers struggle to get enough sleep During her teenage years, musician Adele almost got excluded from school for continually turning up late. She said: “I wasn’t doing anything.

I wasn’t bunking, I just couldn’t wake up.” But research shows that a good night’s rest is essential for learning: students who consistently get a good night’s sleep get better grades.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests that teenagers need more sleep (eight to 10 hours) than adults (seven to nine hours). Most adults start to get sleepy at about 22:00h. This is because there is an increase in the sleep hormone, melatonin, at around this time. But this increase happens later in

teenagers, meaning they don’t feel tired until later. As many students have to get up before 08:00h, this means there is insufficient time to get the necessary hours of sleep.

Teaching tip: Young people may not have enough time to get the sleep they need, but that does not absolve them of their sleep responsibilities.

Discuss the importance of sleeping well in class – try talking about common sleep mistakes and tips for getting a good night’s rest.

Teenagers can find it hard to read emotions Research carried out by Dr Deborah Yurgelun-Todd and others suggests that because the pre-frontal cortex is still developing, teenagers rely more on their limbic system (which acts more like an instinctive reaction) when reading emotions.

In a test, adults were shown a picture of a person’s face and had to choose whether the emotion expressed was fear, shock or anger. All the adults correctly identified the look of fear, whereas only about half of teenagers got the right answer.

One possible reason for this disparity is that a teenager’s limbic system is less accurate than an adult’s pre-frontal cortex. The limbic system also elicits an increased emotional response, so teenagers are more likely to misread an emotion and overact while doing so.

Teaching tip: There is no quick solution – time and patience are required. Be explicit and clear about what you mean and help students improve their self-awareness.

This is a helpful factsheet

about pupils’ meta-cognitive skills (the ability to analyse how you think). In class, you could get pupils to ask themselves these nine simple questions to help them on the road to self-awareness.

Teenagers have less self-control When working with teenagers, it can often feel as if they have no self-control whatsoever – if they think it, they say it (or do it). Research suggests that this reduced selfcontrol is most pronounced in heated situations (which is exactly when you need it).

This is not only down to the developing pre-frontal cortex (which is associated with impulse control), but also due to enhanced activity in the part of the brain that seeks out novelty and reward.

Teaching tip: Self-control can be improved but it is difficult. One option is to limit distractions during times when concentration and memory are needed and when tensions are running high, for example, during revision periods. Talk to your students about what distracts them (it is good idea to make students put their mobile phones away) and try to reduce these factors as much as you realistically can.

A final thought Being a teenager is hard.

You face life-altering exams at a time when your brain is going through huge changes. While they have a responsibility to manage their own behaviour, by understanding the changes and challenges they face, teachers can guide their practice to help them navigate this as happily and successfully as possible. (The Guardian)

The natural beauty of Guyana

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ollowing up perhaps, on my piece from last week on Earth Day, this week I shall focus on Guyana in particular, and how uniquely diverse our country is.

She is the seductress of South America, her curves of lush rainforests are a tease for tourists, and combined with the inviting cap of the populated coastal plain, the country is the definition of irresistible. However, Guyana is not your typical ‘vacation’ country; she does not have white, sandy beaches, dazzling coral reefs or even the characteristic sparkling blue Caribbean water.

Instead, Guyana can be seen as a timeless belle: eyes of Victorian style architecture, lips of wellpreserved monuments and heritage sites, and exquisite crowning jewels adorning her neck and head of flora Ashley Anthony and fauna. These flora and fauna are the main pull for tourists. But more than that, they are reflective of the environmental importance of our country. Our highland regions house one of the largest, if not the largest, untouched expanses of rainforest.

These trees provide the home for a staggering amount of biodiversity. Scientific reports indicate that there are more than 1200 vertebrate species; and over 8000 plant species (WRI, and International Tropical Timber Organisation, ITTO). Of these species, many are endemic to the region, and as of 2014, the international Union for Conservation of Nature categorised at 68 as being on the red list of threatened or vulnerable species.

But what is biodiversity, and why is it important?

Why should we care if we have eight species of lizards versus thirty? Biodiversity refers broadly to the variety of life on Earth. It can be studied at varying levels, for example on a small-scale of an ecosystem such as a pond to the scale of entire biomes, such as the artic tundra.

Ecosystems that are more diverse are often times more stable. Conservation is a process, which seeks to allow ecosystems to evolve naturally, as far as possible as if “untouched” by human interaction. Perhaps the most important reason for wanting to conserve biodiversity is that all species are interlinked. The interaction of species provides useful services such as pollination, water purification, generation of new soil, break down of toxic wastes, pest control and even moderation of weather extremes. The loss of one species, or even a particular genetic trait within a species can gravely affect an entire ecosystem, which could indirectly seriously affect humans. These effects can manifest as loss of variety of foods, or even shortages, as loss of species that are used in (or could potentially be used in) medicines, of species that protect the environment from natural disasters, for example mangroves and storms. There is also the argument that humans have the responsibility to be stewards and protectors of our environment.

So far as a country, we’ve been doing a good job on this front. Most of our forest is well conserved, and there are strict laws governing potential threats to out forest such as logging and mining. However, as a people, I think we rarely stop to appreciate the pristine beauty that our country boasts. One of the major reasons that biodiversity is encouraged is that there is aesthetic value in conserving a variety of plants and animals. Yet, we very rarely take the time to explore our own country and the variety of life upon it, and rather, when we have the time find ourselves upon sandy beaches elsewhere in the Caribbean or in snowy cities far away. It’s time that we encourage locals to get to know more of their own country. How many regions within Guyana have you visited? How many waterfalls?

Maybe for the next holiday, you could consider one right at home.

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wednesDAY, may 3, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Press Freedom Day

Forensic audit launched into GPA bemoans Govt’s rigid drug procurement system

posture against media T

…condemns continued interference in State media he Guyana Press Association (GPA) has bemoaned the Guyana Government’s increasingly rigid posture against sections of the media by refusing to concretely address several concerns.

In observance of World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated today, the GPA calls on the Government to “immediately desist” from carrying out certain actions that are inimical to press freedom and instead to subscribe to its promise of breaking with the past.

The Association also condemned the moves by some Government Ministers to steer the editorial content of the State media and once again voices its objection to the role of a senior Alliance For Change (AFC) member as the Chairman of the Board of the Chronicle newspaper.

“We continue to receive complaints of Government/ political interference in the work of taxpayers’ funded State-owned media… The continued presence of Mr Imran Khan, the Director of Public Information, as the Chairman of the Board of the Chronicle newspaper, sends a message of direct State control and runs count-

According to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Guyana dropped three places to number 60 on this year’s Index

er to public statements by the President that his executive will not undermine the professionalism of the State media,” GPA expressed.

Further, the GPA said it has received complaints that its members have been accosted by presidential public affairs personnel and pulled away although President David Granger had expressed a willingness to speak.

A similar situation was experienced by a Guyana Times reporter on April 21 at an Earth Day event whereby a presidential public affairs personnel aggressively pushed the microphone away as the journalist attempted to interview the Head of State.

“These actions taken together clearly send a damning message to the regional and international media community that Guyana and Guyanese media workers

need to take decisive action to arrest what could very well be the continuation of media repression by successive political directorates under the guise of repeated public declarations in support of press freedom,” the GPA stated.

Press freedom environment

The GPA emphasised that the Government needs to play a significant role in helping to shape the press freedom environment especially in an era of digital delivery of information on which people are increasingly dependent on, like conventional mass media, to make a wide array of decisions that affect their lives.

In this regard, the association called on President Granger to hold periodic press conferences of no less than one hour.

TURN TO PAGE 17

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mid growing concerns about the procurement process used to purchase drugs, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, a forensic audit with support from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) has been launched.

A statement from the Public Health Ministry on Tuesday said the forensic audit is also being conducted to address complaints into the quality of drugs, and allegations of shortage of drugs.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence who met with the PAHO/WHO team, which included Professor Jaime Espin Balbino of the Andalusian School of Public Health, Regional Health Ministry on Tuesday, admitted that the issues are widespread and require expert advice and attention.

“I found that it (the procurement process) was a bigger issue than I thought… I didn’t think it was as bad as I found it (but) this is the beginning of the process” of regularising operations in the wider health sector,” Lawrence said.

Although the current system allows for both internal and external audits, the Minister said an independent assessment is required to help plug all “existing gaps” and boost the system. Lawrence also reminded the audit is

meant not to interfere with those who hold responsibility for procurement.

But Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Collette Adams, wants the procurement process demystified.

Part of the de-mystification Cummings has called for, will entail overcoming some managerial and policy shortcomings, non-implementation of plans of action crafted by the Ministry.

Concerns were also raised about the scarcity of information from the public health sector which can impact negatively on the forensic audit efforts and shortage and hoarding of medication by patients.

While it has been generally agreed that Balbino is best suited to conduct the audit based on past experience in other countries, it was noted that the process may be unnerving.

Adams said immediate result recommendations and implementation should not be expected, since several consultations will have to be undertaken. It was also noted that while the goal is to modernise the Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, it must be accompanied by the financial backing and competent human resources.

Balbino said managers of the Guyanese public health sector must continue thinking long-term but remember that “more data, better advice,” Balbino said.

“You are doing well (but) you can improve,” Balbino told the MOPH and GPHC teams.

The forensic audit is expected to provide the roadmap for the future to remove the existing “vast deficiencies in knowledge and manpower” which currently hamstring both institutions.

Since the beginning of the year, reports have been surfacing of a massive drug shortage in the public health system.

Earlier this year, the Public Health Ministry introduced a new system for procuring of drugs and medical supplies with the aim of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the drug supply chain in the country.

This was accompanied by several changes in the bidding documents which were intended to create a more level playing field among competitors. Following the massive shortage of drugs in the country, the then Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton admitted that the change in the procurement system is probably the likely cause for the drug shortages being experienced.

8 news Man shot to leg by Police charged, remanded T wednesdAY, may 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

he man who was shot in his leg late last month by Police Officers was on Tuesday remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh.

Mark Moseley, of Lot 94 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, had the charges brought against him read when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on April 28, 2017 at Robb Street, Georgetown, while being armed with a knife, he robbed Jamelle Azeez of $1000.

The second charge stated that on the same day at the City Constabulary, Regent Street, Georgetown, the defendant behaved disorderly so as to cause an of-

Mark Moseley being escorted by Police at the Magistrates’ Courts

ficer to discharge a round at him.

Moseley’s Attorney made a bail application, noting that her client is a father of two young children.

She also highlighted

that currently the defendant was seeking medical attention owing to the gunshot wound to his foot and, as such, was not a flight risk. However, the Police Prosecutor objected to bail being granted disclosing to

the Magistrate that the defendant has been charged with similar offences.

The most recent of those was on March 3, when he was charged with simple larceny.

The Prosecutor disclosed that the matter was dismissed after the Virtual Complainant (VC) failed to offer evidence.

He also revealed to the court that Moseley was known to the Police for “creating havoc” by way of robberies. He informed that the defendant frequently travelled to Suriname and that made him a flight risk.

Magistrate Singh denied bail, telling Moseley that she remembered him from previous charges. He will return to court on May 29.

“Bag snatcher” remanded to prison A man dubbed the “bag snatcher” by the woman he robbed was on Tuesday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with two counts of robbery under arms.

Glenn Eastman, 42, of

Lot 21 Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was before Magistrate Annette Singh, who read the charges to him.

The first charge brought against him stated that on April 27, 2017 at Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara, while in the com-

pany of another and armed, he robbed Kishana Henry of one handbag valued $4000, a pair of sneakers valued $16,000 and other items with a total value of $51,200.

The final charge stated that on April 25, at the same location while armed with

a dangerous weapon, he robbed Lashana Nandram of items valued $21,000.

Eastman denied both of the charges and pleaded not guilty.

The court was informed that on April 27, Henry and the defendant were both travelling in a minibus when the defendant exited the bus at Middle Street.

The man reportedly whipped out a knife and brandished it at the woman, before grabbing her bag and escaping.

However, two days later, he was apprehended

by Police after the Virtual Complainant (VC) pointed him out. As such, he was arrested and charged with the offence.

After his arrest, it was discovered that a report was filed against him for the second offence for which he was now charged.

The VC told the court that the man was known for snatching bags in the area.

Bail was denied and the defendant was remanded to prison, to reappear on May 29.

Hold strain…

A …for the “Good Life”

s promised, your Eyewitness turned up in support of Labour (in capital!) on Monday. He listened to all the speeches to the labourers (lower case!) but he must confess he was struck speechless by the speech of Raphael Trotman. Trotman represented the President – and your Eyewitness was struck by the anomaly of the President being CONSTITUTIONALLY given an OFFICIAL representative – a PRIME Minister and yet Nagamootoo was nowhere to be seen!

Your Eyewitness knows there’s the Nassau Codicil to the Cummingsburg Accord and all that …but you’d think they’d keep up the forms, no? After all, if there’s ANYONE in the PNC-led Government who looks like a member of the WORKING CLASS, it’s Nagamootoo!!

And if there’s anyone who looks like he’s NOT a member of the working class, it’s Raphael Trotman.

Trotman has all the characteristics of the fellas who took Massa’s side back in the day. Fellas who looked like Nagamootoo!! Might’ve even suggested how many lashes of the cat-o-nine tails should be administered!!

Anyhow, with workers facing the sharpest downturns in the economy since Burnham wreaked havoc back in the seventies, Trotman had the chutzpah to give this “assurance” to them: “THE DISCOMFORT WE FEEL TODAY WILL GIVE WAY TO PLEASURE TOMORROW”!!! Can you believe this load of horse manure?? What the heck is this “WE” business?? What discomfort is Trotman feeling after his 50 per cent bump in salary, new duty-free SUV, housing, electricity, entertainment, telephone, and travel allowances?? Is he signalling he needs another bump up?? Jeez!! Can he EVER appreciate how the 1700 fired sugar workers are feeling with no jobs in sight?

Or 5000 more of them facing the axe? Or Government workers not getting their “substantial” raises??

And what will deliver the “pleasure” tomorrow?? What else??? Oil of course!!! Back in the day after “Old pirates, yes, they rob I; Sold I to the merchant ships,” the successors of the pirates also promised the slaves “pleasure tomorrow”. If they slaved like the slaves they were, behaved themselves (no rebellions, please!!) and “bear strain”, then they’d get their pleasure. In “heaven”.

Since no one had actually survived this “heaven” to report on it, the veracity of the assertion had to be taken with faith. Not to mention also with a handful of salt!! But Trotman was on a roll on Labour Day…and it was just too much for your Eyewitness.

He went home to the sound of Brother Bob crooning into his ears from his phone, and wished his fellow workers would hear: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our mind.”

…on foreign currency

After cussing out the Private Sector for being “alarmists”, the Government had to concede they’ve had to step in to help with needed foreign currency.

Did Jordan really think the economy could be run with smoke and mirrors? If he’d just stop bobbing and weaving and listen for a while he might just understand how this thing works.

If you want to buy something from abroad – “imports” Mr Jordan – you have to pay with that country’s currency – or in most instances – with US greenbacks, that’s now the unofficial world currency.

And how do you get these foreign currencies or greenbacks? Simple: you sell stuff you produce to foreign countries – “exports” they’re called, Mr Jordan.

If, as your Eyewitness has pointed out, you’re not selling stuff cause the Government’s ineptitude caused the economy’s collapse. And only gold’s bringing in foreign currency – which all goes to the Government – then where the heck businesses will get foreign currency from excepting from the Government??

It ain’t rocket science, Mr Jordan!

…on Greenheart

After two years, the Government still has us holding strain on the ban on greenheart exports to the UK. Shouldn’t we have had a forestry team accompany Prezzie when he visited the Queen?

Greenheart exports for oil access!!

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

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wednesDAY, may 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPSU elections

Members reject Yarde’s re-election …results released with SOPs

Team Change at the press conference on Tuesday evening. From left: Gordon Nestor, Karen Van Sluytman, Jermaine Hermanstyne, Sandrene Abrams, presidential candidate Gregory Gaspar, Unata DeFreitas, Beatrice Austin, Ruth Howard and Shelfraa Torrington

H

e has been at the helm of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) for a staggering 30 years. But some members of the Union have had enough and have called for public servants to reject any continuation of the 72-year-old Patrick Yarde’s presidency at GPSU. On Tuesday, the GPSU released what it referred to as the results of its General Elections for office bearers.

It showed Yarde as having received 1024 votes, while Gaspar, who was named twice, received a total of 1318. The document was signed by Elections Officer Herman DeSouza.

However, the release took members of the Union by surprise and a faction calling itself “Team Change” called a press conference

on Tuesday evening at the Demerara Cricket Ground.

While there was no indication or declaration in the election results release that Yarde or anyone was the official winner, the group’s concern was prompted by an article appearing on a local online news website, which had declared Yarde the winner.

Once there, the members questioned the credibility of the release and the fact that the boxes were still being guarded and have not been opened. In fact, members related that they have been sleeping at the GPSU headquarters.

According to union member Jermaine Hermanstyne, it would “be a miracle” for the official results to declare Yarde as the winner. He stated that based

on the numbers which the group had in its possession, Yarde’s most vocal rival, Gregory Gaspar was leading.

“And there is no way that the out-of-town votes, taking into consideration our people calling and telling us the numbers and the voting population, could turn around the numbers. It makes no sense and it defies logic,” Hermanstyne said.

According to vice presidential contender Gordon Nestor, there is no document such as a statement of polls or a voters list that would validate a Patrick Yarde victory.

“Mathematically, it is impossible that Patrick Yarde and his crew can come up with the balance of votes outside of Georgetown.

Three quarters of the public

service lies within the urban areas of Georgetown. I don’t know who did the Maths, but it’s totally impossible.”

Contentious election

There was drama at the GPSU elections on Saturday as Police had to be called in over the refusal of election officials to provide the voters list to supporters of Gaspar and other members.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Elections Officer Herman DeSouza, Gaspar had complained that the list was requested on April 23, 26, 27, 28 and 29, but was never provided.

In the letter, he also complained about ballot boxes being delivered without the elections or assistant elections officers present.

The letter also raised the issue of no statement of polls for outlying regions such as Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) being made available to members.

Gaspar had also expressed concern about the

condition in which some of the boxes arrived. In his letter, Gaspar referenced a Region Three ballot box which he stated was allegedly tampered with. He said that allegations that votes from non-eligible voters were placed in the box should be reviewed before finalising the elections.

He stated that in one case four ballot boxes from Linden, Region 10 arrived with three seals broken.

Gaspar related that he approached the Elections Officer earlier, but was told that they were given three seals for each box.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, may 3, 2017

News

Palmyra Monument base collapse

Prominent artist blames contractors for shoddy work … regional authorities in the dark

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rominent national artist, Philbert Gajadhar, who along with Winslow Craig designed the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra, Corentyne is blaming the contractors for the recent collapse.

Gajadhar told Guyana Times on Tuesday, that the design was not in keeping with what was originally agreed on during the initial phase of the project design.

“In our design concept, the base was not supposed to be that high. It was supposed to be about eight to nine feet. So that thing was done too high,” the artist argued.

Two Saturdays ago, Gajadhar was contacted by the Education Ministry and asked to meet with the contractors. The meeting was expected to take place at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The artist said it was explained that the contractors were having some problems regarding how to place the monument on the base and were looking to get advice from them.

That meeting never materialised but according to Gajadhar, he and his colleague visited the site.

Construction has ceased at the site

“We went and we looked at it and I told them that what they were building there cannot accommodate our plans, our designs and the placement of the figures and so on,” he explained.

Another meeting was promised in which the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Gale Rigobert, was expected to attend. However, this meeting has not yet been finalised.

Nevertheless, Gajadhar is of the opinion that if he and his colleague were consulted by the new Government then the current situation would not be happening. “We were not involved. We were left out totally,” he lamented.

Region in dark

Meanwhile, regional offi-

cials who met on Tuesday to discuss projects in the region said no information has been provided to the body with regards to the monument’s construction.

One day after the structure collapsed, the contracting company, Alternative Contracting Enterprises, revealed that an engineer from India was expected to visit the project site and advise on the way forward.

However, the next day workers were seen digging at the base but provided no information. When this publication visited the project site on Tuesday, there was no work taking place.

A new contractor and two employees were later seen at the site. They claimed their only duty was to construct

a fence, which was separate from the job of the contractor to construct the base for the monument.

However, Guyana Times understands that the contract was given to Alternative Contracting Enterprises as the company was not the lowest bidder.

The $97 million project includes the construction of a base for a three-ton monument depicting six persons (four adults and two children). The six-foot statue depicting six bronze figures of three men, two women and a child illustrates Indians in their everyday life.

The monument was built at the tune of $35 million in India has been in Guyana since May 2016.

In March 2017, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo along with the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, V Mahalingam unveiled a signboard depicting the artist’s impression of the monument. The base collapsed on April 25 as workers were sand filling the structure. Since then, a number of Government agencies have distanced themselves from the project. The Prime Minister’s office had promised to issue a statement on the matter.

Labour pains

Dear Diary, Dis is Rum Jhaat again. Me sarry fuh badda yuh, but me na gat no-bady fuh talk to. An’ imagine, dis a Labour Day an’ me wear wan me red shut! Laang ago dem use fuh BEG me fuh mek speech. And afta, dem use fuh gi’e abee Bush Rum an’ Bunjal Duck. Yes…me an’ Nagga Man and all dem bais. But dis year, me gat fuh knack daaroo all by me self.

(Excuse me, Dear Diary. Me had fuh tek wan drink.)

Me know yuh waan fuh know wha’ happen, right Dear Diary? Me guh tell yuh. Is all beca’se me t’ink me too smart. Me Daady always use fuh tell me, “All smart fly does end up in cow backside” but me na bin believe am. Now me in cow backside.

Me bin deh good, good in me KFC party when de Pee-an-See aks abee fuh jine up wid dem fuh t’row out de PPCEE. Me tell dem if abee do da, abee guh tu’n “dead meat”! But Trat Man seh if abee bring in Nagga Man, abee nah guh tu’n “dead meat”.

(Excuse me Dear Diary, me gat fuh tek wan nex’ drink.)

An’ yuh know wha’ me had fuh do fuh bring in Nagga Man, right Dear Diary? You rememba how me wet yuh up wid me eye-wata when me tell yuh? Me had fuh mek ‘e leadah…

Me mek am leadah and look wha’ happen – NONE abee na get invite fuh ta’k pan de stage. All two abee tu’n dead meat.

And yuh know de mos’ hu’tful part, Dear Diary?? Trat Man get invite fuh ta’k.

wednesDAY, may 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Challenges in sugar industry can be fixed – Chand T

he challenges being faced in the local sugar industry are not insurmountable and its success will redound to the benefit of the Guyanese economy and assure the employment of thousands of Guyanese.

This is the firm view of Komal Chand, who holds the dual role of Vice President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

Chand told workers at the recent May Day rally that it was disheartening to see the Government adamantly pressing ahead with its plan to minimise the industry and not recognising the consequences that it could create in Guyana.

He claims that plans being made for the industry are not in sync with the utterances of Government.

“The sad and disturbing reality, at this time, is that the Government seems intent on pushing thousands of ordinary, hardworking, decent Guyanese into a life of desperation and possibly depravity,” he said.

Chand maintains that Government should not pursue plans to rationalise

the industry, as it may only add to the serious economic issues currently facing the country.

To substantiate his argument, the FITUG official said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had recently advised Government to be “mindful of the large social impact” .

“FITUG shares the view that the industry can be turned around and be made viable and sustainable. We hold that the industry has possibilities for its sustenance and success,” he declared.

With a capable management and new innovative measures, Chand said the industry could make a significant turnaround, once Government remained committed to the task of keeping it open.

He said, “FITUG asks again how the State-owned GuySuCo knowing of the grim consequences can realistically condemn thousands to such misery and hardship.”

Impoverished state

In addressing some of the issues being faced in the local economy, Chand said the authorities should take measures to stop the economic decline, prevent the drop in citizens’ living

vocate for its all-round enhancement,” Chand told a large audience at the National Park on Monday.

A draft white paper on the sugar industry’s future was submitted by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder to Cabinet for its consideration on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Cabinet discussed the proposals and subsequently granted its approval for the document to be laid in the National Assembly.

FITUG Vice President and GAWU President, Komal Chand

standards, save workers’ jobs, stimulate our economy and put our country back on the track of development.

“We urge that the executive rescinds those measures which are pushing many Guyanese into an impoverished state and which are badly hurting the people, especially the poor and working people of our country,” he lamented.

Another issue of concern to FITUG was the Police denying GAWU permission to conduct a public march, which has been described as “an affront to freedom of expression”.

“We need to unitedly raise our voices when it is jeopardised, even as we ad-

The white paper follows a process of overhauling of the industry, which includes a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and the subsequent setting-up of a special Task Force to look at options on the way forward for the sugar company.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan in his presentation of the 2017 Budget had indicated the status quo of the sugar in-

dustry could neither be sustained nor maintained.

According to him, as currently structured, the industry would require Government’s support to the tune of $18.6 billion and $21.4 billion for the years 2017 and 2018 respectively.

The Minister had explained that based on the CoI, it was concluded that any money injected into the sugar industry in its current state was money wasted.

Child rapist beaten by prison inmates

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man who was recently convicted for allegedly raping a child is now nursing injuries at the Georgetown Prison infirmary following a severe beating by inmates.

Alvin Rudder, who was jailed for 10 years by a 12-member jury at the High Court, is said to now be a patient at the infirmary.

Reports are unclear as to what caused the beating.

However, the matter is being investigated.

Rudder was handed the 10-year sentence by Justice Navindra Singh after the

Convicted: Alvin Rudder

jury members found him guilty on a first count of rape

and not guilty on the second count.

He was found guilty on the first count after the jury voted 11-1 he was guilty, and not guilty on the second count 10 to 2.

Rudder was unrepresented by legal counsel and maintained his innocence, telling the Judge, “Your Honour, I never did it. I don’t know anything about it.” The charge against him stated that on April 9, 2012 and between July 1 and 31, 2013, he engaged in sexual activity with a minor, who is a family member.

12 news

wednesDAY, may 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden residents complain of garbage, drainage issues R esidents of the Constabulary Compound and Industrial area in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) highlighted several issues affecting them during a recent ministerial outreach to the community.

Among numerous issues, residents complained about garbage woes and improper drainage in these areas during a discourse with Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings. They explained how they were affected by clogged drains and flooding.

Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, who was also part of the outreach, acknowledged that the garbage issue was a major concern in the community.

“The Town Council needs its own garbage truck and another tractor to assist in satisfying all the needs related to garbage collection,” he noted. Community officials, who were also present, made recommendations for an increase in monetary allocations, as well as the need for more vehicles to assist with cleaning and clearing as they also stressed the lack of proper tools.

A resident also voiced concerns over what he described as the tardy actions of some Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP) workers in the execution of their duties.

However, the Minister urged residents to be self-suf-

ficient and work towards maintaining their immediate environs. She noted also that there was need for proper garbage collection in an effort to move away from the habit of slashing and burning. Municipal Councillor Wainwright Bethune told those present that the garbage situation in Linden was a very complex one.

“The rate at which we are disposing is far slower than the way garbage is being generated. Our equipment to dispose the garbage, we’re limping along. It’s a very difficult situation. So what we are advising residents is, rather than the indiscriminate dumping in your area, you can dump at one location and what we’ll do is go to that area and try to clean it…,” he suggested, while stressing the need for more skip bins.

Shedding more light on the situation, District Community Development Officer Byron Kendall said Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) work was now only being conducted twice a year, and he was still fighting to have a partnership with CIIP to conduct a monthly programme. “…since Government change, everything change.

So it’s not like before…I understand that most persons in Linden depend mainly on the D&I and CIIP, but the D&I programme, we are waiting on Mr Flatts to make a decision,” Kendall said.

Residents also noted that

Some residents at the outreach

there were large trees in their communities obscuring the

view and posing a threat, which they recommended for

trimming.

Bethune, however, outlined that trees were left at the Constabulary Compound area to prevent soil erosion, which would occur during inclement weather, since the soil was not “compact”. He said there were plans to clean the Constabulary and Five Corner areas following the Linden Town Week, but noted that it would be done in a prioritised manner.

A resident also highlighted issues with sewerage in the Constabulary Compound area caused by a “communal septic tank”, noting the pun-

gent odour. A former worker said the system was designed in a sluice format.

“Residents took it upon themselves to build their own septic tanks, but some residents still use the sluice system, which I think is the right thing to do, because the drainage is not designed to take off no sewerage water,” he said, pointing out that foreign materials flushed into the system may also be a contributing factor.

Minister Cummings promised to make representations on behalf of residents where necessary.

May-June rains expected to be above normal – Hydromet

T

he May-June rainy season in Guyana has commenced and rainfall through this period is expected to be above normal. Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings is advising that the necessary precautionary measures be taken as the season unfolds.

Above normal rainfall can result in severe flooding along the coastline, affecting major economic activities, especially in Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

However, Cummings indicated that even though the rainy period will be extended to the end of July, there has not been a specified time

frame for above normal precipitation.

“We don’t have specific dates per say in terms of what days might have extreme rainfall. That would require continuous monitoring which the National Weather Watch does. Based on this mandate however, what we are expecting for this rainfall season is above normal rainfall which means that the rainfall quantities that we are expecting are above the long-term average or the 30-year average, so we are expecting a wet season or more above average in terms of the amount of rainfall that we would have,” Dr Cummings said.

The necessary stakeholders including the Public Health and Public Infrastructure Ministries, as

Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings

well as the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), have been furnished with the necessary data and information needed to effectively address flooding. The

information is provided, and it is left up to the relevant authorities to make the necessary interventions.

“On Friday (April 28) we held the National Climate Outlook Forum where we shared our seasonal forecast with our major stakeholders across the country, so I believe all stakeholders are up-to-date with regard to what we are expecting for the rainfall season this year,” Dr Cummings added.

The Hydrometeorological Service of the Agriculture Ministry is mandated to observe, archive and understand Guyana’s weather and climate patterns providing meteorological and hydrological services in support of Guyana’s national needs and international obligations.

13 Coalition minority calls for review of VAT on education news

wednesDAY, May 3, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

– wants committee set up to review private schools

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n what it calls the “Linden declaration”, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has decided to lobby its coalition partner in central government for the removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education in 2018.

The party also wants a committee to be set up to review private schools.

However, the AFC wants the removal of the tax measure on private education to take effect in 2018. This comes in the wake of a recently-filed motion by the Opposition to have the VAT repealed with immediate effect. That motion is scheduled to be debated at the May 8 sitting of the National Assembly.

The party did explain why it wanted to seek a delayed removal of the tax. According to the AFC in a statement, Budget 2017 had a significant deficit. In addition to citing economic hardships throughout the hemisphere, the party claimed that the reduction of VAT from 16 to 14 per cent resulted in a net revenue loss of $10 billion.

“The Alliance For Change is cognisant and understanding of the difficult challenges faced by the APNU/AFC coalition Government in raising revenue to meet the national capital and current expenditures for 2017 at a time when there are difficult economic situations throughout the hemisphere,” the party said.

It stated that while the measure could have seen wider consultations, unpopular tax measures were sometimes necessary to meet

revenue targets.

“The party has listened to those who have been affected by this measure. Having thoroughly reviewed all perspectives and extensively deliberated on the matter, the party accepts that education is a social good and, in ideal circumstances, tuition ought not to attract VAT. “The party recognises that the measure of instituting Value Added Tax on private education tuition has been unpopular and has created some unexpected challenges for some parents of children and adult students attending private educational institutions,” the AFC added.

However, it expressed the view that the status of private schools required review. It thus called on the Government of Guyana to set up a task force to look into the matter in advance of the presentation of the Budget 2018 estimates.

In addition to weeks of protests in front of major Government buildings, parents had protested in front of AFC headquarters on April 24. Protesters had expressed the hope that the AFC could convince the Government to remove VAT from private school fees.

The parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had submitted a motion to the Clerk of the National Assembly calling for the revocation of VAT on education. This came as parents continue to protest the tax imposition.

The motion is being moved

First Lady calls on citizens to report scholarship scams

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irst Lady Sandra Granger is calling on the citizens of Guyana to be aware and alert of an ongoing scholarship fraud.

The First Lady’s office on Tuesday said it has received reports that residents of Georgetown as well as other parts of Guyana have of recent been receiving calls and text messages where money is being requesting for scholarship opportunities.

As such, Mrs Granger is now calling on citizens to be alert and aware of the scam, noting that no such programme currently exists. The First Lady in a statement said “should anyone receive any such request, they should

immediately report it to the nearest Police station so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice”.

Earlier this month, the Natural Resources Ministry had to send out a statement warning citizens of fake oil and gas courses that were being advertised.

The statement indicated that there has been a noticeable increase in institutions of learning offering courses in oil and gas education.

However, the Ministry cautioned interested persons to beware of such courses as some were fake.

The Ministry urged persons to make careful checks before investing in such educational pursuits.

The latest protest against the VAT measure by former Education Minister Priya Manickchand. In the motion, Manickchand calls for the immediate revocation of the 14 per cent tax on private education.

The particulars of the motion state that the impact of the onerous budgetary measures has caused great consternation and anxiety for parents and students and the future of students’ rights to access education of their choice, inclusive of private education, as provided for in

the Constitution.

It is expected that the AFC will be put to the test when the time comes to vote on the motion to remove VAT, since it has expressed support to the frustrated citizens who have to pay the tax on education.

Hypocrisy

Meanwhile, veteran politician and former Government Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has slammed the AFC for its “sheer hypocrisy”

on the controversial issue of VAT on education.

According to him, the AFC has been resolute in its support for VAT on education. “Every time it counts, and their votes mattered, they voted 100 per cent in favour with President Granger, the Minister of Finance and APNU,” he charged.

“With public resentment and rejection at a high, AFC is seeking a way to speak on both sides of their faces. It is abhorrent and it is sheer hy-

pocrisy. But they have one chance to redeem themselves – unequivocally support the PPP’s motion in Parliament to rescind the 14 per cent VAT on education. No “ands, if or buts”. Are the AFC MPs and Cabinet Members hypocrites? If the cap fits, they must wear it,” Dr Ramsammy posited.

He noted that with universal public outrage against VAT on education, “AFC is twirling in the wind, twisting like the American pretzel to find a way out of this political quagmire.” He further noted that the AFC voted for VAT on education not once, not twice, not three times, but at least four times.

“The AFC voted for approval of the budget estimates at Cabinet before Budget 2017 reached Parliament.

When they did so, they knowingly — willingly, without reservation — approved 14 per cent VAT on education,” Dr Ramsammy declared.

Meanwhile, the anti-VAT on education protests are scheduled to continue Thursday in front of the Ministry of the Presidency.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, may 3, 2017

Regional

Venezuela’s President Maduro OCR, Facebook in calls for new constituent body historic partnership

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mid continuing anti-government protests, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has called for a new Constitution.

Speaking at a May Day rally, Maduro said a new Constitution was needed “to restore peace” and stop the Opposition from carrying out a “coup d’etat”.

He decreed that a citizens’ assembly be convened to write the new document.

Opposition leaders said the move was aimed at neutralising the Oppositionled legislature, the National Assembly.

Speaking to thousands

President Nicolás Maduro signed a decree to convene a citizens assembly

of his supporters, President Maduro said he would use his presidential power to convene a constituent assembly. He later issued a decree to that

effect.

Under the existing Constitution, “the people of Venezuela” can “convene a constituent assembly with

truck before torching them and no one was injured, authorities said. Burning buses is a common form of protest and intimidation carried out by gangs in Brazil.

Police said that rival gangs engaged in fire fights early Tuesday and officers responded. By mid-afternoon, at least 40 suspects were de-

tained and more than 30 guns confiscated in the Cidade Alta slum.

At least three Police Officers suffered light injuries. There was no immediate word on injuries among suspects or bystanders in the shantytown amid the fighting between gangs and Police.

Violence has increased in

the aim of transforming the State, creating a new legal framework and writing a new Constitution”.

Maduro said that as president he was invoking that power in the name of the Venezuelan people. Venezuela is embroiled in a deep economic and political crisis. Over the past four weeks, there have been almost daily protests by those who blame President Maduro for the dire state of Venezuela’s economy and who want him gone from power.

Almost 30 people have been killed in protest-related violence since the beginning of April. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Drug gangs suspected of burning buses, truck in Rio de Janeiro

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uspected drug gang members burned at least seven commuter buses and a tractor trailer on major highways in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, apparently in response to Police raids in slums controlled by the criminals.

The suspects ordered all the people off the bus and

Rio since the 2016 Olympics.

Rio’s debt-laden state Government does not have the funds to maintain what many security experts considered a successful Police programme to push gangs out of slums and setting up permanent posts to keep them out.

(Reuters)

for missing children

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amaica wrote another chapter in regional history on Monday with the launch of a partnership between the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR) and Facebook that will see Ananda Alerts being sent to the news feed of local users of the immensely popular social media platform to help locate missing children. Emily Vacher, former Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent and current director of trust and safety at Facebook, who was present at the launch of the partnership held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Kingston, lauded Jamaica for being the first Caribbean country to launch an emergency missing child alert system on the social networking service.

“When Facebook receives

an alert from OCR, within 15 minutes that alert will be prepared and disseminated to the public. When you see this missing child alert it pops up as Active Ananda Alert that will have the picture of the missing child and a brief description. When you click ‘learn more’ it will take you off Facebook to the page prepared by the Global Missing Children Network, where you will see the age, height, weight, last clothing seen in, and a description of the vehicle or licence plate number if all that was witnessed.”

To further illustrate the relevance of the partnership, Vacher told the stories of two separate children who were abducted and recovered through Amber Alerts on Facebook. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Plastic-eating caterpillar could hold key to tackling plastic pollution

New emails show Clinton Foundation-State Dept Haiti links

Then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves to joint, international, interagency and non-governmental organisation representatives participating in Continuing Promise 2009 as Navy Captain Robert G Lineberry Jr, Commodore of USNS Comfort, gives her a tour through one of two medical sites his crew set up to treat Haiti’s poorest residents, April 16, 2009

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ashington-based watchdog group, Judicial Watch, on Tuesday released 894

pages of new US State Department documents, including previously unreleased email exchanges be-

tween former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s staff and Clinton Foundation officials following the massive earthquake in Haiti in 2010.

On January 17, 2010, five days after the earthquake, former Bill Clinton aide Justin Cooper emailed Hillary Clinton’s then-deputy Chiefs-of-Staff, Jake Sullivan and Huma Abedin, to ask if they can do a conference call to discuss Haiti.

Clinton Foundation officials Laura Graham and Doug Band are also provided the call-in information for the conference call.

Author Peter Schweizer later described in his book “Clinton Cash” how hun-

dreds of millions of dollars in US taxpayer-funded reconstruction contracts for Haiti flowed through the Clinton Foundation during Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state.

According to minutes of a January 27, 2010, meeting between senior State Department staff, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents uncovered “at least a couple pedophiles” attempting to adopt children in Haiti following the earthquake.

The State Department was reportedly working with the Haitian government to expedite adoptions and removal to the United States of Haitian orphans. (Excerpt from

Caribbean News Now)

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lastic waste fouls the ocean, poisons marine life, defaces the environment and clogs gutters and landfills; sticking around for years without breaking down and with no viable solution in sight.

That was until the recent discovery that a caterpillar commercially bred for fishing bait has the ability

Amazon attack: Gamela tribe Curaçao gets new Govt after election shot, stabbed and mutilated win for 1st-time party leader

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uman rights groups in Brazil have called on the Government to increase protection for Indigenous people after a tribe was attacked. Members of the Gamela tribe suffered gunshot wounds, stabbings and amputations in a land rights dispute in the Amazon state of Maranhao.

Reports say the attackers were farmers and landowners. There has been a rise in such assaults across Brazil, with the perpetrators rarely caught. Human rights groups say proposed Government cuts in the budgets of environmental enforcement agencies will worsen the situation.

According to reports, the Gamela tribal camp was surrounded by farmers and landowners armed with clubs, guns and knives.

Several tribespeople were shot and stabbed – and at least two had their hands hacked off with machetes.

The severely wounded victims, who numbered at least a dozen, were taken to hospital in the state capital, Sao Luis. The impoverished and violent Northeastern state of Maranhao is at the forefront of the fight against illegal deforestation and encroachment on Indigenous lands, the BBC’s Wyre Davies says.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

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t appears Eugene Rhuggenaath could be Curaçao ’s next Prime Minister, after his liberal Party for the Restructured Antilles (PAR) won six of the 21 seats up for grabs in last week’s election.

The other 15 seats were split between the other 10 parties competing in last Friday’s poll, including five going to the populist Movement for the Future of Curaçao (MFK) of former Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte.

It was the first time that Rhuggenaath, a former Minister of Economic Development, had participated in an election as party leader.

Governor Lucille George-Wout has started consultations aimed at the formation of a new Cabinet. Talks will be held today and tomorrow with the leaders of all political parties that won seats in Parliament.

For the first time since it was established in 1948, the National People’s Party (PNP) failed to win any seats. (Caribbean360)

With Eugene Rhuggenaath at the helm for the first time, his party won six of the seats up for grabs in last Friday’s election

to biodegrade polyethylene: one of the toughest and most used plastics in the form of store and supermarket shopping bags.

The wax worm, the larvae of the greater wax moth, is a menace to beehives across Europe, where it lives as a parasite in bee colonies.

Wax moths lay their eggs inside hives where the worms hatch and grow on beeswax.

“If a single enzyme is responsible for this chemical process, its reproduction on a large scale using biotechnological methods should be achievable,” said Paolo Bombelli, first author of the study, which was published on Monday in the journal Current Biology.

“This discovery could be an important tool for helping to get rid of the polyethylene plastic waste accumulated in landfill sites and oceans.” Polyethylene is largely used in packaging, with around a trillion plastic bags used worldwide every year. It is generally highly resistant to breaking down, and even when it does the smaller pieces choke up ecosystems without degrading, taking a heavy environmental toll. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

wednesDAY, may 3, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Syria war: Many dead in IS attack UNESCO passes Jerusalem resolution critical of Israel on displaced people’s camp

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NESCO’s executive board has passed a resolution that criticises Israel’s actions in occupied Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, with Palestinian leaders hailing the move as a “step forward” and a “victory for international law”.

The resolution, which describes Jerusalem as “occupied” and declares Israel’s sovereignty over the city “null and void”, was backed by 22 countries, a UNESCO spokes-

There are several camps for refugees and displaced people along Syria’s border with Iraq

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ore than 30 civilians and Kurdishled fighters have been killed in an attack by Islamic State (IS) militants near Syria’s north-eastern border with Iraq.

They targeted a makeshift camp for displaced Syrians and Iraqi refugees at Rajm al-Salibi, near the town of Shaddadi in Hassakeh province.

The militants also clashed with members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stationed at a nearby

checkpoint.

IS said the attack was one of several targeting “apostates” around Shaddadi.

The jihadist group is coming under mounting pressure in northern Syria from the SDF’s Kurdish and Arab fighters, who are supported by the US, and from pro-government forces in neighbouring Iraq.

The SDF has driven IS militants out of much of Hassakeh and is close to taking control of the strategically important Euphrates

River Valley town of Tabqa.

It will soon launch an offensive to retake the city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the “caliphate” proclaimed by IS after the fall of the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UKbased monitoring group, reports that at least five IS suicide bombers blew themselves up outside and inside the camp at Rajm al-Salibi, east of Shaddadi, at dawn on Tuesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US, China talk firmer UN response to North Korea’s missiles – diplomats

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he United States is negotiating with China on a possible stronger UN Security Council response – such as sanctions –to North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches, which the 15-member body normally condemns in a statement, diplomats said.

It was not immediately clear how open Beijing might be to new sanctions.

The council has traditionally boosted sanctions in response to North Korea’s five nuclear tests and two longrange rocket launches.

Sanctions were first im-

posed on Pyongyang in 2006.

North Korea has in the past year stepped up its missile tests, firing dozens of various types of rockets, according to South Korea. The most recent test, which failed, came on Friday following a UN Security Council meeting on North Korea, chaired

by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

“The cumulative actions of the DPRK (North Korea) since their last nuclear test compel us to look at a range of measures that would apply pressure,” said a spokesman for the US Permanent Mission to the United

Nations on Tuesday.

Tillerson on Friday urged the Security Council to act before North Korea does.

The Trump Administration has been aggressively pressing Beijing to rein in its ally and neighbor North Korea, warning that all options were on the table if Pyongyang persists with its nuclear and missile development.

But China has said military threats would not help the situation and has accused the United States of fuelling tensions on the Korean Peninsula. (Excerpt from Reuters)

man said on Tuesday. The United States, Germany, Italy and seven other board members voted against it.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki welcomed the result of the vote, saying that the world had chosen to “stand on the side of what is right in the face of [Israel’s] injustice, occupation and its illegitimate policies.

The resolution was submitted by Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Sudan. It calls

Egypt violence: 3 Police killed in Cairo attack

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uspected militants have killed three Police Officers and wounded five others in an attack in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, the Interior Ministry says. The assailants, riding in two vehicles, opened fire on a security convoy on the main ring road in the Nasr City area.

No group has yet said it was behind the attack, which occurred on Monday night.

However, jihadist militants have killed hundreds of Police and soldiers since the military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013. Last month, President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi declared a state of emergency after at least 45 people were killed in suicide bomb attacks on two Coptic Christian churches in Tanta and Alexandria.

So-called Islamic State

Hundreds of Police Officers and soldiers have been killed by jihadist militants since 2013

said a local affiliate had carried out the bombings.

Hours before Monday’s attack, the UN High Commissioner for human rights questioned the measures being taken by Egypt’s Gvernment to combat jihadism. Zeid Raad Al Hussein condemned April’s church bombings, but told a news conference in Geneva that the “state of emergency, the

I

erating between two border posts on the de facto frontier known as the line of control in the remote Himalayan region.

“In an unsoldierly act by the Pak Army the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated,” it said, warning of an “appropriate response”.

The Pakistani Army denied responsibility for the cross-border attack, and said the mutilation claims were false. “Pakistan Army is a

highly professional force and shall never disrespect a soldier, even Indian,” it said.

India’s Defence Finister, Arun Jaitley, said the incident was “the handiwork of a neighbouring nation”.

In a separate event later in the day, suspected militants opened fire on a bank van carrying cash about 45 miles (70km) South of Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar, killing everybody on board, Police said. (Excerpt from

The Guardian)

massive number of detentions, reports of torture and continued arbitrary arrests - all of this we believe facilitates radicalisation in prisons”, according to Reuters news agency.

Human rights activists say more than 1000 people, most of them Morsi supporters, have been killed and tens of thousands arrested in the crackdown. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

China to launch Wikipedia rival in 2018

Kashmir attacks: Indian soldiers mutilated, Police shot dead

ndia’s security forces have suffered a double blow in Kashmir, with five Police Officers shot dead in a bank raid and two soldiers killed in an attack on the border with Pakistan.

Early on Monday, the Indian army accused Pakistan of killing two of its soldiers and mutilating their bodies in an “unprovoked” rocket and mortar attack in the disputed border region.

The Army said Pakistani troops attacked a patrol op-

on Israel, as the “occupying power”, to cease “persistent excavations, tunneling, works and projects in East Jerusalem”, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future state. It reaffirms “the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls for the three monotheistic religions”, while accusing Israel of taking actions that have “altered, or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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Wikipedia is available in China, but some of its content is blocked

hina is to launch an online version of its national encyclopaedia next year, to compete with Wikipedia. Officials said more than 20,000 people had been hired to work on the project, which will feature 300,000 entries at about 1,000 words each.

Unlike Wikipedia, it will be created by selected scholars from state-run universities rather than being openly editable by volunteers.

Wikipedia is available in China, but some of its content it blocked. The Encyclopaedia of China “is not a book, but a Great Wall of culture”, Yang Muzhi, the editor-in-chief of the project, who chairs the Book and Periodicals Distribution Association of China, said in an update earlier in April.

Yang – who has listed Wikipedia as a competitor – also said China was facing international pressure

to produce its own platform to guide “the public and society”.

The Encyclopaedia of China was first published in 1993, in paper form, with the support of scholars, and released a second edition in 2012.

But critics said the government-funded works omitted or distorted some entries for political purposes. The idea for an online version was approved in 2011, but work on it began only recently. It will take the state into direct competition with local companies that have launched their own online encyclopaedias – such as Baidu and Qihu 360, as well as the largest platform, Wikipedia.

Currently, users on the mainland can read some Wikipedia content, but searches for sensitive topics such as the Dalai Lama and President Xi Jinping are blocked. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

WednesDAY, may 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPF donates $2.5M in instruments to Scouts

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday donated several musical instruments to the E Division (LindenKwakwani) Scouts, which were valued a total of $2.5 million.

A similar donation is set to be made to the Scouts of G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) in the coming week.

Among the instruments donated are one bass drum, two snare drums, two trombones, one tenor saxophone, one alto saxophone, two Bb clarinets, two trumpets, two flutes along with accessories for the instruments such as cleaning kits, oil, straps, and sticks.

Handing over the instruments to the Scouts on Tuesday was Woman Assistant Commissioner of Police and Second-inCommand of the Force’s

Administration,

Maxine

Charmaine Stuart and sev-

Assistant Commissioner Maxine Graham making the donation to Senior Superintendent Fizal Karimbaksh in the presence of Director of Music, Superintendent Charmaine Stuart

Graham, as well as Senior Superintendent Fizal Karimbaksh, who has direct responsibility for the Scouts in that division. The Director of Music, Superintendent

eral members of E Division Scout Group were also present at the occasion.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Assistant Commissioner Graham

urged the Scouts to take care of the instruments and to make full use of equipment. The Woman Assistant Commissioner also indicated that training would be provided to the Scouts on a weekly basis, by ranks of the GPF Bandroom so that they could be fully “au fait” with how to use the instruments.

Moreover, Senior S u p e r i n t e n d e n t Karimbaksh thanked the Force on behalf of the Scouts for the generous donation. Karimbaksh pointed out that this donation would assist in increasing the talent available within the Force. The Commander went on to say that this donation would eliminate the need for Scouts to travel long distances to perform at events given that skilled ranks would now be present at the Division in Linden.

CCPA to unite children with their biological families – under new project

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he Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) has embarked on a project that could see several children returned to their biological families.

Director of the CCCPA, Ann Greene, explained that the project is aimed at reviewing the status of children in ‘residential care facilities to determine whether they are eligible to return home.

“The children that could be returned to their biological families will be returned to them. We’re also looking to see the progress that the families have made so that we can return the children; we’re not going to return a child to a family or a situation where we have removed

them from and nothing has changed,” Greene explained.

The project is a collaborative effort with UNICEF and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Blossom Incorporated.

Greene noted that the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

She noted that the staff at CCPA already has a packed work programme, therefore the project will primarily be executed by members of Blossom Incorporated.

“The staff case loads are so high, and I can’t put more load on the staff, so we’re doing it with an NGO that will be helping us to do all the reviews of the children in the residential care institutions.

There are about 600 plus

Director of the CCPA, Ann Greene

children in residential care institutions. The project has commenced already,” Green

explained.

Additionally, the CCPA Director stated that efforts are intensifying to register and licence daycare facilities in Georgetown. She posited that CCPA is currently working with the Guyana Fire Service to conduct fire drill exercises with the small number of those daycare facilities in Essequibo to get them registered and licenced. The Agency will soon commence similar work in Linden so all daycare facilities in Guyana can be registered and licenced.

Greene said the Agency will continue to work with communities, families and teenage mothers to better protect and care for children.

School concert stabbing

2 held for teen’s murder T

wo suspects are now in custody as investigations continue into the murder of a 16-year-old Convent Garden Secondary School student.

Police A Division (Georgetown- East Bank) Commander Marlon Chapman on Tuesday told Guyana Times that the suspects were being interrogated with respect to the murder.

The dead teen, Brian Charles Yearwood, of Lot 69 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was fatally stabbed in the region of his chest, allegedly by a 17-year-old resident of Kaneville, EBD. The incident occurred in the compound of the Covent Garden Nursery School, EBD, after the lad had gone to attend a concert at the Covent Garden Secondary School.

Dead: Brian Charles Yearwood

Initial Police reports had disclosed that a policeman who had attended the concert with a relative responded immediately to the incident, and with the assistance of other persons, had rushed Yearwood to the Diamond hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is said to be at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. Guyana Times was told that Police recovered the suspected murder weapon at the home of one of the suspects.

When this publication visited the dead boy’s family, his grieving mother, Beverley, related that she was told that her son was sitting on a bench with a few other boys, and another group of boys sitting opposite them were teasing them. She said that the boys with whom Brian was sitting subsequently got up and moved away, but Brian remained.

Upon seeing Brian alone, the mother added, the other group of boys went over to his bench and began teasing him as well. She added that she was not told exactly what happened after

– whether or not her son had retaliated and angered the group of boys. She then claimed that the group began pelting him with bottles and so he escaped.

“He got away from them and run up to the guard hut. There were some teachers standing there, so he run and he stop in front of the teachers, maybe he was thinking that he was safe.

But in the presence of the teachers, these boys just run up and one of them stab him. He plunge the knife into my son’s heart and pull it out. Brian then run from there and he fall down at the fence,” the grieving mother informed this publication.

Yearwood was a former Central High School student and had only transferred to the Covent Garden Secondary School in September last year.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations APNU/AFC’s mind -boggling contortions, hideous lies to fool people

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contortionist is an artiste who is able to bend his body in ways that seem impossible.

It is an art of exquisite beauty, mind boggling at times. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) seems very determined to be a CONTORTIONIST Government, except their version of the contortionist Dr Leslie Ramsammy is ugly, vulgar and despicable.

Their contortion of the truth is hideous, intended only to fool people. APNU/AFC as a coalition Government is guilty, as well as APNU and AFC in their own right, twisting like an American pretzel to confuse people and distort the truth.

On Monday, Guyana observed Labour Day. APNU/AFC preached to workers that Government sees labour from the perspective of “bread and justice”. But the mind-boggling contortions by APNU/AFC cannot hide that workers in Guyana have been denied both “bread and justice”. Workers were promised double digit pay increases, 20 per cent and above in the first 100 days of the Government. After more than 700 days, such pay increases appear to be fool’s gold.

The APNU/AFC justified their broken promise to workers by first telling workers that they inherited a bankrupt Treasury, but then the Cabinet turned around and gave themselves between 50 to 100 per cent pay increases and increasing all their allowances. They then informed the workers that they must be patient since the APNU/AFC must invest in infrastructure first. Now they tell workers that their failure to keep the promise of 20 per cent and more pay increases for sugar workers and public servants is because doing so would make the budget deficit too large. Incidentally the deficit is now the official reason for the increase in more than 200 taxes and VAT on education, water and electricity.

Sugar workers have not received a wage increase in two successive years – 2015 and 2016, this with a backdrop that APNU/AFC promised them during the election campaign a minimum of 20 per cent increase. It appears on Labour Day 2017 that sugar workers will for the third successive year be denied a wage increase. The same sugar workers in 2015 had the lowest rate for their annual production incentive since the API was introduced in 1946 and was totally denied their API in 2016. The API seems lost for 2017 also. Many sugar workers at Wales who lost their jobs when Wales was closed have been denied their legal right of a severance payment. Meanwhile, more than 2000 sugar workers have already lost their jobs and after 2017, another 8000 are likely to be unemployed. If this is their version of the contortionist, it is despicable.

They closed Wales Sugar Estate, no ands, ifs or buts. They are in the process of closing Enmore/LBI and Rose Hall Sugar Estates. Skeldon Sugar Estate is essentially closed, perhaps to give it away in a sweetheart deal. They claimed Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt will remain open, but they also hinted that Uitvlugt is iffy. This rapid downsizing and degrading of the sugar industry in Guyana have occurred in less than two years and does fit an APNU’s declaration in 2014 that sugar ought to be closed. But their contortionist exhibition try to change the narrative insisting sometimes that sugar was being re-engineered, at other times being consolidated (Granger’s version) and yet other times being diversified. Which one is it?

Even as APNU/AFC is in a spin with their vulgar contortions involving workers, the sugar industry, the rice industry, the economy as a whole, spiraling crime, rampant corruption, they are caught in another web of lies involving the construction of the monument to honour the arrival of Indians in Guyana, the first Indian immigrants in the Western Hemisphere. After the collapse of the structure to house the monument, APNU/AFC sought to link the contract to the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Regional Democratic Council. It was a lie. It was an APNU/AFC contract. Caught with their deceit, they tried to distant themselves by pretending they did not know who was responsible for the contract. Some pointed to the Public Infrastructure Ministry which denied it was in charge. It turns out it is the Education Ministry. Why is it the country must jump hoops to find out which Ministry was in charge of this contract. We still do not know who is the contractor or the engineer.

I suspect if I had the luxury of space, I will fill the allotted number of pages this newspaper is allowed for today with examples of vulgar contortions and still be left with many examples that space will not allow us to describe. Actually, this is just the tip of the iceberg. If I were to begin writing about their twisting and spinning the facts on VAT on education, the parking meter fiasco, the GPHC $606 million contract or the $15 million per month warehouse rental, we surely will have space for nothing else in today’s paper and yet all of this still represent the tip of the iceberg.

news

17

wednesDAY, may 3, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police, Hope for the Nation DDL Head elected Foundation host medical outreach Chairman of regional rum industry grouping O R – in Onderneeming

epresentatives of the regional rum industry that met in Barbados last week elected a new Chairman to lead the grouping.

The new Chairman is Komal Samaroo, head of regional conglomerate Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) group of companies, producer of the well-known El Dorado brand of premium rums.

The industry was meeting to address a series of challenges being experienced in both the local and export markets.

According to a statement from the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA), the export-oriented regional rum industry earns in excess of US$550 million in foreign exchange every year, but also depends on healthy local markets as its base. According to Samaroo, rum companies rely on the profitability in their local market to be able to finance entry into export markets, which are highly competitive and where regional producers are up against global spirits giants.

According to WIRSPA,

DDL Head Komal Samaroo has been elected the new Chairman of WIRSPA

the regional brands continue to face an uphill battle against these companies, several of whom may be benefiting from substantial subsidies provided through the United States tax system, which provides them with ‘cover-over’ payments.

These payments are tax rebates given back to producers in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico when they sell rum into the US. “Increasingly”, says Samaroo, “we’re seeing brands entering our lo-

cal markets which benefit from these subsidies and are selling well below what we would consider to be expected costs. So not only are we up against subsidised brands in the export markets, but these brands are now entering local markets as well.”

Minister of International Business, Industry and Commerce for Barbados, Donville Inniss said at a function to taste the authentic rums of the grouping that “it goes against the WTO [World Trade Organisation] practices and it is just fundamentally wrong, because you are taxing our rum coming in from the Caribbean at exorbitant rates to subsidise others and that really and truly does not help our economic growth and development”.

In thanking his colleagues for the trust placed in him to lead the group, Samaroo said that it was a mark of maturity for the industry that leadership changes occurred within the context of continuity and thanked the previous Chairman, Dr Frank Ward, for his stewardship of the organisation over the past 10 years.

fficers attached to Police G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands), along with members of Hope for the Nation Foundation, hosted a medical outreach on Saturday, in the village of Onderneeming Sandpit on the Essequibo Coast.

More than 400 persons, including babies, benefited from this charitable venture.

The day’s activity included the offering of medical examinations and assistance to those present at the outreach, as well as the distribution of clothing and food materials to villagers of the Onderneeming Sandpit area.

Leading the medical team was Doctor Sinclair Quasi, who said his team was particularly targeting persons suffering from hypertension and diabetes. The team consisted of a number of doctors, nurses and paramedics who offered medical examinations, diagnosis and advice to those present on Saturday, with the more serious cases given referrals to the Suddie Public Hospital.

Speaking at the event was Police Commander Stephen Mansell, who expressed delight in the partnership with the Hope for the Nation Foundation to assist this community. The Commander indicated that the Onderneeming community was selected, owing to its vulnerability and the need for such medical assistance. Hope for the Nation

Scores of residents gathered at the outreach

Foundation Secretary Otillo Pereira was also present at the event and noted that the non-profitable organisation was aiming to aid those communities that were most in need. As such, the organisation was pleased to partner with the Guyana Police Force in this effort to assist residents of Essequibo.

Pereira noted that the Foundation has partnered with Cross International from Florida in order to ensure the continuation of similar charitable initiatives. The Hope for the Nation Foundation, which is one year old, has made valuable donations to several Ministries in Guyana with the most recent being a donation of over $40 million to the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry. The Public Health Ministry and the Social Protection Ministry have also benefited from the works of this organisation.

The medical outreach and distribution of materials to residents of the Onderneeming area is in keeping with the Guyana Police Force’s efforts to improve its relationship with communities within the Division. Given the success

of this one-day outreach programme, the organisers of the event are set to explore further partnerships to expand and continue such efforts. As such, similar initiatives are currently in the pipeline to reassure the residents that they can rely on the Force to ensure their protection and safety. With that, the outreach will be adapted as a pilot project with the feeding programme to be established as a continuous venture.

Moreover, persons present at the outreach were offered the opportunity to register for a skills training programme to tackle cases of unemployment prevalent within the region.

Available at the outreach were application forms to enrol either at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) or at Zara Police Training Centre, where residents will benefit from computerised training and capacity development.

The beneficiaries of this initiative were expressive in their appreciation to the Guyana Police Force and the Hope for the Nation Foundation for their kind gesture and much-needed assistance.

Massy hosts Health, GPA bemoans Govt’s...

Wellness Fair

FROM PAGE 7

A section of residents and schoolchildren at the Health and Wellness Fair

M

assy Distribution (Guyana) Inc partnered with a group of organisations to host a Health and Wellness Fair on Friday last. The event was conducted at the company’s locations at Montrose and Land of Plenty on the East Coast of Demerara and Essequibo Coast respectively.

The Health and Wellness Fair was held in observance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work while at the same time in keeping with the company’s ‘Being a Force for Good – Creating Value, Transforming Life’ initiative. The company also hosted a 3K Fitness Walk across the Canje Bridge which was held on Sunday, April 23 in commemoration of this event.

The event targeted employees and their families as well as customers and the immediate residents and businesses with in the communities. At the Fair, over 420 persons, including two hundred school children, benefited from the free services provided. These services included skin care consultations, dental and eye care examinations and referrals, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, as well as information on sexual and reproductive health.

Adults present on Friday were also afforded the opportunity to donate blood to The National Blood Transfusion Services.

Among the group of organisations included in this collaboration were agencies such as the Cheddi Jagan

Dental Centre, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS), and Optique Vision Care, as well as others.

Massy Distribution and Massy Trading are distributing arms of Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Massy (Guyana) Ltd. The company is one of several entities that was recently awarded by the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH), for ensuring its’ employees are working in an environment free of hazards and risks. As such, this fair was yet another initiative in accordance with Massy’s Occupation Safety and Health strides.

“While we do appreciate the fact that he is not averse to speaking with the media on the sidelines of public events or during his ‘Public Interest’ programme, the GPA believes that accountability to the Guyanese people will be best served through press conferences at which he can be questioned in detail about his Government’s policies and programmes.”

The Association also called on the President to advise the media in advance of his overseas engagements to allow media houses the opportunity to plan or decide whether they would like to cover those visits at their own expense.

RSF report

According to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Guyana dropped three places down at number 60 on this year’s Index; and according to its commentary on press freedom in the country: “Journalists are subjected to harassment that takes the form of prosecutions, suspensions and intimidation.”

RSF also pointed out that members of the media regulatory authority are appointed directly by the President, and this restricts the free-

dom of certain media outlets, which are denied licences.

However, Government has since disregarded the report, noting that it was “deeply flawed.”

Government’s statement on the issue noted that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who has portfolio responsibility for information, is unaware that the RSF has conducted any survey or inquiry into press freedom in Guyana, and questions whether its findings were based on credible sources.

However, the GPA had announced that it will be submitting a report to the RSF about its concerns regarding Government’s interference in State media.

Moreover, the Administration has pointed to two recent cases of unjust suspension of State media employees which were robustly condemned by senior Government officials, and has said that both matters were addressed to the satisfaction of the affected employees.

The statement was referring to the last year suspension of National Communications Network (NCN) Sport Editor Jocelle Archibald-Hawke and the removal of journalist Natasha Smith from anchoring duties because of her pregnancy.

However, the GPA had only recently condemned Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan for attempting to drive fear into the State media when he wrote a letter expressing disappointment over the placement of articles in the Chronicle Newspaper.

The Prime Minister had also come under fire from various bodies for his perceived attempts to influence and/or intimidate reporters attached to the State media when he expressed disapproval of an article’s headline.

Meanwhile, in its World Press Freedom Day message, the GPA also underscored the importance of a strong judiciary in the protection and promotion of free media as part of the promotion of a healthy democracy in which ordinary people and decision-makers alike can share competing ideas, constructive criticisms and suggestions for nation- building.

The GPA also emphasised the importance of fact-checking and verification of relevant and authentic sources material before dissemination on social media.

The theme of this year’s observance is “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, may 3, 2017

ARCHIE

You’ll learn a lot if you observe, ask experts and do (March 21- your research. Signing up for April 19) a course that will increase your earning power will work out well. Travel and educational pursuits are favored.

ARIES

You can avoid an emotionTAURUS al encounter if you stick close (April 20- to the people you know and May 20) trust. If someone challenges you, take a pass until you feel fully prepared to win.

dilbert

An opportunity will unGEMINI fold if you attend a network(May 21ing function. Don’t be shy; June 20) express your thoughts and present your ideas. A partnership or proposal looks promising.

Show some forgiveness.

No one is perfect, including (June 21- you. An empathetic gesture July 22) will encourage a solution that benefits everyone. Work as a team player and enjoy the friendships that develop.

CANCER

Peanuts

Positive change is heading LEO your way, so don’t stifle it by (July 23- thinking that you don’t have Aug. 22) to participate in order to take advantage of an opportunity.

Be ready to take action.

Calvin and Hobbes

Consider home improveVIRGO ments carefully. Don’t take (Aug. 23Sept. 22) on responsibilities that will weigh you down financially.

Do your research and try to do some work on your own before hiring outside help.

Express your feelings and LIBRA share your ideas and concerns (Sept. 23with someone who is as emOct. 23) pathetic as you are. Together, you can make a difference if you form a strong alliance.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

An opportunity to advance SCORPIO is within reach. Don’t hesitate (Oct. 24to express interest and share Nov. 22) your qualifications and insight into a project. Your knowledge will be appreciated.

You’ll gain experience if SAGITTARIUS you sign up for a course, at(Nov. 23- tend a conference or put more Dec. 21) effort into networking and honing your skills. Someone will take notice if you share your ideas.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Someone will disagree CAPRICORN with you regarding domes(Dec. 22- tic issues or your chosen lifeJan. 19) style. Look at alternatives, but don’t make a change for the wrong reason. You are responsible for your happiness.

Avoid getting into an emoAQUARIUS tional dispute with someone (Jan. 20who tends to be stubborn.

Feb. 19) Go about your business and put your time and effort into self-improvement, not into trying to change others.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Look for alternative ways PISCES to use your skills, knowledge (Feb. 20and experience.

Being able to March 20) diversify will help you take advantage of a broader range of professional opportunities.

wednesDAY, May 3, 2017

Delhi upset Sunrisers

Nadal beats Thiem in Barcelona Open

in clinical chase

A

young Delhi Daredevils line-up caused a huge upset in the VIVO IPL 2017 when they defeated defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets on Tuesday night. Given to chase 186, the Delhi Daredevils top-order came out firing, got their team off to a blazing start, before the middle order completed the job. DD got across the finish line in the 20th over, and as a result lifted themselves from the floor of the tournament standings.

Karun Nair and Sanju Samson played out Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s first over watchfully. But first ball of the second over, Samson dismissed Mohammed Siraj over the ropes at long-on to set the wheels rolling.

The opening partnership was broken at the start of the fifth over when Samson (24 from 19 balls) didn’t pick a slower delivery from Siraj and holed out to ShikharDhawan on the cover boundary.

Karun continued to be aggressive, as he collected a cover drive boundary off S i r a j and then feasted on

Moises Henriques – hitting the Australian for two fours and a six in the sixth over.

DD 62-1 after six overs.

Karun perished in the eighth over; DD’s stand-in captain had made 39 from 20 balls, aided with five boundaries and two sixes.

Rishabh Pant (34 from 20 balls) and ShreyasIyer added 37 runs in the next four overs and helped keep a check on the required runrate before the former was cleaned up by a yorker from Siraj. Shreyas carried on to make 33, before he attempted to be cheeky and his upper cut landed down the throat of short thirdman.

C o r e y Anderson, who walked out to bat at number five, t u r n e d up the heat at

and

Shikhar Dhawan again v i d -

y e t p r o ed their t e a m with a solid start; the pair added in excess of 50 before the former was cleaned up by a toe-crusher from Mohammad Shami.

Dhawan (28 from 17 balls) showed plenty of urgency at the start before he top-edged A m i t Mishra’s second delivery and was caught at the squareleg boundary. Shami returned a couple of quiet overs lat-

er,

t h e business e n d , striking three massive sixes, and ensured there were no further twists in the chase.

Anderson struck the winning runs and finished on 41, and he had the company of Chris Morris (15 not out from 7 balls) on the walk back to the dressing room after the job was accomplished.

Rashid Khan (4-0-240) was SRH’s best bowler, while Siraj (2-41), Kaul (1-38) and Bhuvneshwar (1-33) accounted for the four wickets. The fifth bowler’s quota of overs – shared between Henriques and Yuvraj – cost SRH 52 runs in 3.1 overs.

Earlier in the evening, the SRH opening pair of David Warner (30 from 21 balls)

Corey Anderson plays a coverdrive

and forced Kane Williamson into top-edging a pull shot. SRH 92-3 after 11.4 overs.

Yuvraj Singh and Moises Henriques got together at that stage and stitched togeth-

19

er SRH’s best fourth wicket partnership; the pair added 93 runs in 8.2 overs, the bulk of the runs coming from Yuvraj’s willow.

Henriques made a use-

ful contribution at the other end; the Australian made 25 from 18 balls. SRH had added 52 runs in the final three overs, and eventually finished at 185-3.

For the home side, Shami (236) and Mishra (123) were the wicket-takers, while Jayant Yadav only conceded 26 runs in his four overs.

Rabada had a forgettable day on the

R

afael Nadal swept aside Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-4 6-1 to claim his 10th Barcelona Open title.

The Spaniard - who became the first man in the Open era to win the same event 10 times at last week’s Monte Carlo Masters - did not drop a set this week.

Nadal, 30, has now won 10 consecutive matches and is aiming for his 10th French Open title next month.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Aljaz Bedene had his 16-match winning run ended by Lucas Pouille in the Hungarian Open final.

The former world number one played all of his matches on the renamed Rafa Nadal court at the Real Tennis Club, and needed just 90 minutes to finish off

“But then I started playing at a very high level and Dominic probably started making a few more mistakes.”

British number four Bedene was beaten 6-2 6-1

by French top seed Pouille, who secured his second ATP Tour title.

The world number 14 broke the Briton’s first service game, and three further breaks in the second set secured a straightforward victory.

Bedene, 27, was ranked outside the top 100 at the beginning of March but has climbed to world number 68 and will move higher still on Monday.

His streak of 16 straight wins includes back-to-back titles on the second-tier ATP Challenger Tour earlier this

Yuvraj Singh plays a dismissive flick shot

field, conceding 59 runs in his four overs – the most he had conceded in a T20 match.

(IPLT20)

SCOREBOARD Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (20 overs maximum) DA Warner* b Mohammed Shami 30 S Dhawan c Iyer b Mishra 28 KS Williamson c Morris b Mohammed Shami 24 Yuvraj Singh not out 70 MC Henriques not out 25 Extras (lb-5, w-2, nb-1) 8 Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 185 Did not bat DJ Hooda, NV Ojha†, B Kumar, Rashid Khan, S Kaul, Mohammed Siraj Fall of wickets 1-53 (Warner, 5.2 ov), 2-75 (Dhawan, 8.2 ov), 3-92 (Williamson, 11.4 ov) Bowling J Yadav 4-0-26-0, K Rabada 4-0-59-0 (nb-1), CH Morris 4-0-36-0, Mohammed Shami 4-0-36-2 (w-1), A Mishra 4-0-23-1 (w-1)

Delhi Daredevils innings (target: 186 runs from 20 overs) SV Samson c Dhawan b Mohammed Siraj 24 KK Nair* c Kumar b Kaul 39 RR Pant† b Mohammed Siraj 34 SS Iyer c Mohammed Siraj b Kumar 33 CJ Anderson not out 41 CH Morris not out 15 Extras (lb-1, w-2) 3 Total (4 wickets; 19.1 overs) 189 Did not bat AD Mathews, J Yadav, K Rabada, A Mishra, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets 1-40 (Samson, 4.1 ov), 2-72 (Nair, 7.4 ov), 3-109 (Pant, 11.4 ov), 4-148 (Iyer, 15.6 ov) Bowling B Kumar 4-0-331, Mohammed Siraj 4-0-412, S Kaul 4-0-38-1 (w-1), MC Henriques 2.1-0- 36-0 (w-1), Rashid Khan 4-0-24-0, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-16-0

Rafael Nadal has now won 71 tour titles in his career

Thiem.

World number nine Thiem beat world number one Andy Murray in the semi-finals and claimed the first break point of the contest.

However, Nadal broke serve in the 10th game and claimed the first set, before breaking twice in a row in the second to clinch the title on his favourite clay surface.

He was only broken twice in his 47 service games throughout the week.

“It was a close first set and a good quality of tennis - anything could have happened,” said Nadal.

month.

But his unbeaten run was finally ended as Pouille won in just 64 minutes.

“I’m a little disappointed because I had problems with my finger and felt uncomfortable hitting my shots,” Bedene said.

“I wasn’t close to the level I should be at to beat Lucas, but he was playing really well. It was like everything went in for him.”

Elsewhere, in Morocco Open qualifying on the women’s tour, British number four Tara Moore lost 6-1 6-2 to fiancee Conny Perrin. (BBC Sport)

20 School Champs Lower Corentyne honoured

by RHTY&SC

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednESDAY, may 3, 2017

– CEO disappointed with reward given to the team

P

layers and management of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School, the champions of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League, were truly honoured by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) for their success during the tournament.

“The Patron, Management and Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club are very proud of each other and it is a pleasure to honour you on your historic achievement on being crowned National School Cricket Champions.

ers, Manager and Team scorer present at the RHTY&SC 27th Annual Awards Ceremony received a souvenir trophy and champions medals while a large championship Trophy was presented to the School.

The long serving Secretary/CEO hailed the National Champions as heroes and role-models who fully deserve their success. Nine of the National Champions are products of the RHTY&SC Cricket Development programme and this makes it even more special, Foster stated.

Foster, who attended the school for two years advised

Members of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School pose with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

I know of the hard work and efforts that the entire team placed in this victory and as such we want you to have special memories of this moment forever”. Those were the words of Rose Hall Town Youth and RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster as he spoke to the Management and Members of 2017 National Cricket Champions, the Lower Corentyne Secondary School.

Foster expressed disappointment that the team only received an average size Winner’s trophy while no medal or individual trophy was given to members of the team. The former Chairman of the BCB Special Events Committee stated that few persons have the privilege of being national Champions and with no monetary prizes given to either players nor the school, the least that should have been done is to give the players a lifetime souvenir. Each of the play-

the youths to use the National Championship as an inspiration to greater success in life and to be focused on their studies in school as education is the foundation to a good life. He also informed the massive audience that filled the ST. Francis Community Developers Hall to capacity, that the RHTY&SC would always support the school to fulfil its mandate. The RHTY&SC, M.S between 1991 to 1992, spearheaded the restoration of the LCSS by raising over $4M under the Patronage of late Guyana’s President Hugh Desmond Hoyte.

The honouring of the team was done by the Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermiade, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Metro females and Gizmos & Gadgets Under 21 and First Division Cricket teams

Cristiano Ronaldo hat trick carries Real Madrid in semi-final 1st leg

C

ristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick in his second It was very nearly 2-0 a minute later, but Oblak made straight Champions League game as Real Madrid a superb diving save to deny Raphael Varane’s header swept aside city rivals Atletico 3-0 at the Bernabeu in following a corner. the first leg of their semifinal on Tuesday night.

One of Atletico’s few chances to equalise came soon Ronaldo had taken his tally after as Kevin Gameiro was played in on goal and tried of European goals to 100 in the to take a touch around Keylor Navas, but the Madrid quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich, goalkeeper got a hand to the ball to cut out the play. which included a second-leg treble, Madrid continued to control matters as Luka and was once more the man for Modric fired inches wide on 24 minutes and the big occasion to put the holders Benzema’s audacious overhead attempt also fell on within touching distance of the final the wrong side of the post. again.

The game settled down significantly after that Real Madrid dominated the point, with scoring chances at a premium, while early proceedings, outshooting the Nacho came on for Real Madrid at half-time after visitors 11-0 in the opening half-hour Carvajal appeared to pick up an injury. as Ronaldo headed home in the 10th minute, The second half started equally slow, and Real before he lashed home a second midway Madrid didn’t take a shot until Ronaldo doubled through the second half and completed his their lead in the 73rd minute. treble five minutes from time.

Benzema shrugged off a challenge from Ronaldo became the first player to record Atletico’s Diego Godin and the ball came to three career hat tricks in the Champions League Ronaldo, who was tackled by Felipe Luis, only knockout stage, while he also went level with for the ball to come back off the Portugal Lionel Messi with his seventh treble in the star’s body and he slammed home his competition as a whole. second goal of the night on the half-volley.

The hosts’ first scoring opportunity came And Ronaldo soon made it three in the seventh minute as Dani Carvajal danced following a counter-attack.

Lucas into the box and saw his shot saved back into Vazquez did well to get in round the back and Cristiano Ronaldo the middle by Jan Oblak, though Karim Benzema’s find Ronaldo, who had time to take a touch and send follow-up shot was blocked.

Oblak the wrong way.

But Madrid were in front three minutes later as Casemiro Atletico, eliminated by Real the past three seasons, rarely chopped a cross into the ground, and as it bounced up Ronaldo threatened and now have it all to do at the Vicente Calderon next rose highest to head into the net.

Wednesday night. (ESPNFC)

Checkmate

C

hess is a very popular game worldwide although it is not promoted much in Guyana, this column is dedicated to educate and inform anyone interested in the game.

What is chess?

Many of you know it to be just a board game or something similar checkers. Chess is a 2 player board game with the main objective to capture your opponents King.

History The most commonly held belief is that chess originated in India, where it was called Chaturanga, which appears to have been invented in the 6th century AD. Although this is commonly believed, it is thought that Persians created a more modern version of the game after Jessica Clementson the Indians. In fact, the oldest known chess pieces have been found in excavations of ancient Persian territories.

Chess eventually spread westward to Europe and eastward as far as Japan, spawning variants as it went.

The entrance of chess into Europe, notably, is marked by a massive improvement in the powers of the queen.

Benefits?

Chess is proven beneficial to everyone. How? Well simply put, chess teaches you strategy- how to think ahead, improves your memory, promotes brain growth, increases your problem solving skills. These skills can be very useful to any age group. Another question you may ask is how can chess do all of that? The answer is simple, since chess is a strategy game it requires us to think ahead, plan and execute your decisions.

Board & Pieces This is a board with 64 little squares with half of them being black and the other being white. They are divided into rows and columns: the rows are numbers 1-8 and the columns are lettered a-h. Simple enough right? There are a few ways to make sure you set up the board correctly is that the white square is always to your right, ensure the white Queen on on the white square likewise for the black. Now onto the pieces, this is where it gets a little complex since there are six (6) different pieces which can move in 6 different positions.

1. The Pawns can only move forward one space at a time with the exception of two spaces on their first move only.

Pawns can only capture the enemy’s piece diagonally.

2. The Knight is the only piece that can jump over any piece on the board and only in a L shape.

3. The Bishop moves along the vacant diagonals in a straight line of the board. Since there are two bishops, one controls the black squares and the other with the white squares.

4. The Rook moves in a straight line either front, back, left or right.

5. The Queen: This is the most powerful piece in the entire game, she is allowed to move in any direction with the exception of the Knight.

6. The king: The most important piece of the game- his majesty can only move one space at a time in any given direction.

In the next article we will learn about the Special Moves in chess as well as the Notation.

YELLOW PAGES

21

wednesday, may 3, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

CAR RENTALS

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

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

Tel: 225-5034

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

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

FOR SALE KITTENS FOR ADOPTION. 4 BEAUTIFUL MULTI-COLOURED KITTENS UP FOR ADOPTION APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS OF AGE, PREFEREBLY IN PAIRS PLEASE CALL DR PERRY 667-0887 1 HONDA PC 50 KE 1 MODEL, 1 HONDA 125.5 GENTS MOTORCYCLE. PLEASE CALL 667-0887 FOR DETAILS. 1 SAMSUNG CAMCORDER WITH TRIPOD 58G. 667-0887 FOR DETAILS. CLAY ROOF TILES 2500 SQ FT. NO REASONABLE OFFER WILL BE REFUSED. TELEPHONE: 686-7120 MX 2000, 1500, 1000 AMP, 4 BASS, 4 MID, 4 HORNS, 4 TWEETERS, MIXER, JUGGLER CABLES AND 1 JACCUZZI; ALL FOR SALE. CONTACT: 253-3070 OR 6542732 WATER PUMP TO PUMP WATER INTO RICE FIELDS WITH DRIVE SHAFT AND TWENTY FOOT CANVAS TO CONVEY WATER; CAGE WHEEL FOR JOHN DEERE TRACTOR 5090; STEERING RACK FOR TUNDRA 2000 SERIES; FUEL PUMP FOR TOYOTA HILUX 1 KD – FTV ENGINE; SET OF 6 INJECTORS FOR DAF 6-CYLINDER DIESEL ENGINE. CONTACT: 220-1630, 638-1829.

Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 226-5053.

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

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and

optician Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 2750322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

health Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-6901824 Mondays-Saturdays 9am3pm. Email; healthworldhc@ gmail.com FOR YOUR HEALTH AND BEAUTY: Natural Choice Chai (Tea) & Moringa Powder, keep yourself healthy and beautiful from the inside out! Add Natural Choice products to your health foods today! Ask for it at your local supermarket. Now available at Flambouyant Supermarkets in Diamond and Eccles, all DSL Cash & Carry branches, The Guyana Shop (GMC) at Robb & Alexander Sts, Bourda, Medi Care Pharmacy in South Ruimveldt, (Royal Castle Building), Ram’s Supermarket at Vreed-En-Hoop and Sangeeta Supermarket in Linden.

LAND for sale HOUSE AND LAND FOR SALE. LOCATED AT PARFAIT HARMONIE WEST BANK DEMERARA, 25X60 SQ FT. 6 ROOMS UPSTAIRS:4 BEDROOMS , 1 MASTER BEDROOM, 1 TOILET AND BATH, LAUNDRY ROOM, KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM UPSTAIRS AS WELL. HAS A BACK AND FRONT VERANDAH. 2 BEDROOMS DOWNSTAIRS, TOILET AND BATH, KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM AND AN ACTIVE GROCERY BUSINESS. LOCATED 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE DEMERARA HARBOUR BRIDGE, 14.5 NEGOTIABLE, CONTACT: 656-7590 Eccles – 5.5 million, Providence – $5.5 million, Farm - $3.5 million, Serious contacts only: 697-6769.

1.5 Acre for housing development W.B.D. Tel: 658-0115 Plot of land used to cultivate RICE, Plantation Better Hope, Essequibo Coast. Size 33.14 Acres. Tel: 625-1514

property for sale TWO (2) PROPERTIES IN DOWDING STREET KITTY FRONT LOT – 2 STOREY 1 FAMILY WOODEN BUILDING, UPPER 3 BEDROOMS; LOWER - KITCHEN, DINING, LIVING, TOILET AND BATH,

FULLY SECURED. BACKLOT – 2 STOREY 2 FAMILY CONCRETE AND WOODEN BUILDING, UPPER THREE BEDROOMS ( 1 FULLY SELF CONTAINED; LOWER – 3 BEDROOMS, FULLY SECURED, OPEN CONCEPT BATHS, OVERHEAD TANKS. VACANT POSSESSION GUARANTEED. CALL: 227-6769, SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY. Property for sale at Patentia Housing Scheme Wales, West Bank Demerara. A two flat building, well painted, upper flat 3 bedroom, 1 verandah, 1 inside step, 1 outside step, top flat greenheart, bottom flat concrete, 1 living room, dining room, kitchen, inside toilet and bathroom, inside sink with cupboard, place to sit, two tents outside, along with two black tanks. Price Negotiable.

Contact: 610-8963 6 bedrooms Parfait Harmonie, $17M negotiable – 656-7590, 663-3602 Two storey building. Four bedrooms upstairs, Three downstairs.

Transported property. 27 Austin St. Campbellville. Call: 624-4668 Subryanville Property for Sale.

44 Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown. $45m or best offer.

Contact - Mortimer: 625-7669 or Richard: 624-1154 PROPERTY FOR SALE IN ENTERPRISE SCHEME. 1 LARGE FAMILY HOME, 4 BEDROOM, FULLY GRILLED, 2-CAR GARAGE, RESERVOIR, OVERHEAD TANKS AND WATER FILTRATION, ETC. CALL/WHATSAPewwP NAVIN: 1-347517-7432 Two buildings on lot at 180 Charlotte Street. L 20 x W 30. Contact Tel: 6247341, 227-6817, 226-5183. Price Neg. Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. Mon Repos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park: $20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp & Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence (land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmonie (land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521 GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

services TFA Video Production. Video recording of weddings, birthdays, advertisements, conferences, digital photography. Call: 6842999/624-4668 Technician – specializes in repairing and servicing to washing machines, pressure pumps, refridgerators, exercising machines, treadmills, stove/ranges, dryers, ovens, pressure washers, solar systems, water heaters.

Tel: 673-9283 PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE. CERTIFICATE TRAINING COURSE IN JANUARY 2017.

REGISTER NOW AND GET 50% DISCOUNTFOR CHRISTMAS UP TO 31ST DECEMBER. CALL: 6948322 OR 671-9603 Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

spirituality & ASTROLOGY TWO TIMES GOLD MEDALIST ASTROLOGER AND SPIRITUALIST FROM INDIA; IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS AND NOT GETTING SOLUTIONS FROM ANY ASTROLOGERS, ONCE MEET PANDIT GANESH TO GET ACCURATE REASONS, FOR ALL KINDS OF SPIRITUAL AND FAMILY PROBLEMS PANDIT SOLVES, ALSO PROBLEMS RELATED TO STRESS, LOVE OR FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, FAMILY ARGUMENTS AND GETTING LOVED ONES BACK, HUSBAND AND WIFE PROBLEMS, HEALTH PROBLEMS, REMOVAL OF BLACK MAGIC, EVIL SPIRITS, VOODOO, WITCH CRAFT, BLOCKAGES, SPELLS ETC. LOCATION: LIGHT STREET BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD STREET, ALBERTTOWN OPPOSITE THE GTT TOWER 600-0926 1. STAR ASTROLOGY AND PSYCHIC READER FROM: INDIA. ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED MEETING ASTROLOGERS AND NOT GETTING SOLUTIONS? THEN ONCE MEET INDIAN MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUALIST. 2. MASTER GURU RAGHVENDRA. YOUR PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH COURT CASE, LOVE, EDUCATION, SICKNESS, MONEY, EVIL PROBLEM, BLOCKAGES IN

LIFE AND MUCH MORE. FOR ALL YOUR PROBLEMS HE HAS THE SOLUTIONS, HE SPECIALIZES IN REMOVING BLACK MAGIC, EVIL SPIRITS, VOODOO, OBEAH, WITCH CRAFT AND GIVES YOU LIFE LONG PROTECTION. 3. CONTACT: - 6305073, 600-4096, ADDRESS: LOT 62 MON REPOS (NEXT TO THE MALL) E.C.D 1. SHIVA PARAVATHI ASTROLOGER FROM: INDIA. ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED MEETING ASTROLOGERS AND NOT GETTING SOLUTIONS? THEN ONCE MEET INDIAN MOST POWERFUL SPIRITUALIST. 2.

PRIEST NARASIMHA. YOUR PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH COURT CASE, LOVE, EDUCATION, SICKNESS, MONEY, EVIL PROBLEM, BLOCKAGES IN LIFE AND MUCH MORE. FOR ALL YOUR PROBLEMS HE HAS THE SOLUTIONS, HE SPECIALIZES IN REMOVING BLACK MAGIC, EVIL SPIRIT, VOODOO, OBEAH, WITCH CRAFT AND GIVES YOU LIFE LONG PROTECTION. 3. CONTACT: 6827439, 650-0700. ADDRESS: LOT 12 GT&T STREET ANNA REGINA ESSEQUIBO COAST (OPPOSITE GT&T OFFICE) WORLD FAMOUS INDIAN PALMIST AND SPIRITUALISTT ASTROLOGER, AT EAST BANK GROVE. MEET HIM ONCE FOR ACCURATE PREDICTIONS, FIXING PROBLEMS LIKE HEALTH AND STRESS, ENEMIES, JEALOUSY, RELATIONSHIPS, FININCIALS AND GET LOVED ONES BACK. HE CAN HANDLE AND REMOVE BLACK MAGIC, VOODOO, OBEAH, WITCHCRAFT. FOR BETTER RESULTS, CONTACT 664-2505 OR 609-4493. LOCATED AT 150 TIME SQUARE STREET, NORTHWEST GROVE, EAST BANK DEMERARA. THE MOST POWERFUL ASTROLOGER AND SPIRTUALIST FROM INDIA. If you are having problems, he has the solutions. He solves problems related to love, relationships, happiness, financial, family arguments, getting lover back, husband and wife problems, removal of black magic, evil spirits, voodoo, witchcraft, blockages. Location: Light Street, Alberttown, between 2nd and 3rd Streets, Opposite the GTT Tower. Telephone number: 652-4444 / 600-0926 Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653 Surinamese spiritualist.

Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 2236834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 3225738, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 6210552 now. Email: anew-life@ live.com SPIRITUAL HEALING: REMOVE BLOCKAGES, VOODOO, HEXCURSE, BLACK MAGIC, SPELL, BUSINESS, UPLIFTMENT, PREGNANCY, LOVE & MARRIAGE PROBLEMS, CLEARANCE, ETC. Contact: 612-1975, 683-5228

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

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

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

TO LET APARTMENT TO RENT. 2 BEDROOMS (APARTMENT B) LOCATED AT BEST LINE OPPOSITE THE BAKE SHOP. PRICE: - $ 40,000. 668-0032 – D.SINGH, 615-5646 NEVILLE OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT 12x12 SQUARE FEET, WELL GRILLED WINDOWS AND DOORS, LIGHT, WATER, WASHROOM AND PARKING FACILITIES AVAILABLE. LOT 60 BRICKDAM TELE: 226-1836 1 TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENT, FULLY AIR CONDITIONED, PARKING AVAILABLE LOCATED AT WILLIAM STREET, CAMPBELLVILLE , CONTACT 618-6623 FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES. Two-bedroom back house upper flat situated at at 64 Seaforth St. Campbellville $50,000 per month.

Telephone: 227-1293. No pets Three storey 75ft’ x 30 ft. building/bond, Open floors, 2 offices, 2 washrooms, driveways. 25 B Princess Street, Charlestown. Tel : 223-0654/225-0605

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WANTED Applications are invited for One Evening Tutor for Grade 9 Student.

• Must be a CPCE Graduate or currently attending University of Guyana. • Experienced in Science Subjects.

• Two recent references required.

Interested persons are advised to send applications to: jobrecruiter7860@gmail.com

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22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Guyanese complete wednESdAY, may 3, 2017

Suriname 10K clean sweep

– Josiah-Tanner extends winning streak

O

nce again the Guyanese made their nation proud in Suriname where they dominated almost every cate-

gory in the annual Telesur 10k run which was staged in Parimarbo on Monday.

In the Open category, it was a photo finish as

Running Brave club mates Cleveland Thomas and Winston Messingher made a dash to the finish line to secure first and second.

The fantastic four! From left: Cleveland Thomas, Euleen Josiah-Tanner, Ashanti Scott and Winston Messingher after their successful outing in Parimarbo last Sunday

Thomas, who finished second last year crossed the line first in a time of 34 minutes 19 seconds and one millisecond while Messingher who has also moved up a position as well to second after finishing third the last three times he entered the race, finished just a millisecond behind his countryman.

Also in the mix was Guyana Defence Force’s Thyson Bentick who copped seventh position in his category and ninth position overall in a time of 38 minutes and six seconds.

According to Messingher, the race was more difficult than he expected but nevertheless noted that he was fitter than the previous times.

He went on to tell this publication that the event was an eye opener and despite his late start to his training season, it sets the pace for his career as well as his 2017 season with a lot more races heading his way, especial-

N

igel Bryan who is currently preparing for the fourth Islamic solidarity Games in Azerbaijan, thrashed Elishaba Johnson by three games to one to win the main event of the Linden Table Tennis Open Championship at the Linden Town Week.

A sizable crowd in the auditorium of the McKenzie High School was treated to a show of dominance as Bryan convincingly beat Johnson 11-8, 11-7 and 113. Johnson however put up a futile resistance as he won the penultimate game 11-7.

Winners at the Linden Table Tennis Open Championship and GTTA President Godfrey Munroe (far right) at the conclusion of the championships

ly another 10k run in Nickerie, Suriname on May, 13.

Meanwhile, United States-based Guyanese, Euleen Josiah-Tanner extended her dominating run in the 35 years and older senior female category to four consecutive victories. Josiah-Tanner took just 40 minutes and 29 seconds to record her win as well as finish 14th overall.

Ashanti Scott, also of GDF was the winner of the senior female category but 25th overall in a time of 45 minutes and 51 seconds.

The race attracted over 300 participants.

According to President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, while this is a bit early for the 10K season, it is nice to see these guys performing so well early and waving the Guyana flag high. (Romario Samaroo)

United States-based Guyanese Euleen JosiahTanner extended her winning streak to four in this event

The highly anticipated Linden Male Open Final was won by Maurice Cummings who outlasted Shavin Greene in a grueling contest to win three games to Greene’s two. Cummings earned the Title of Linden’s male Champion and bragging rights for the year.

In other matchups Elishaba Johnson won the B-Class Open Final against Nicholas Romain while the dominant Priscilla Greaves won four straight matchups to take the Girls’ 18-and-under title.

Meanwhile, the Under 13 Open Category Krystian

Sahadeo defeated 9-yearold Dhanesh Persaud to take the trophy. However, Persaud showed remarkable class to bounce back in the C-Class Final.

The Masters Category winner, Vernon Rodrigues rolled back the years to claim the top prize in that category.

The two-day event was organized by the Linden Table Tennis Steering Committee under the name “Rebirth” since it represents the timely return of organized table tennis to the mining town after a few years’ absence.

Cold Fusion off to winning start

T

he recently formed Cold Fusion Cricket Club of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, made an auspicious start in their first-ever competitive cricket match, trashing Everest Cricket Club in their own backyard in a feature tape ball match, played last weekend at the Camp Road, Georgetown venue.

The 20/20 Under-17 game, which replaced the original 40-over encounter due to inclement weather, saw Cold Fusion winning the toss and inserting their opponents.

Everest could only muster 108 all out in 13.2 overs

with Hemant Dilip being the main scorer with 22 while extras were a healthy 40.

Chitram Persaud claimed four for 13 and received excellent support from Kenny Holder (three for 17) and Vishal Prashad (three for 15).

Cold Fusion achieved the required total in 14.3 overs with Trevin Mohabir leading the way with an attractive 53 while Sanjay Charrandeen made 16.

Ariel Tilku was Everest’s best bowler with three for 15.

Among those in attendance were several members of Cold Fusion senior

The victorious Cold Fusion Under-17 following their victory at Everest Cricket Club

team while its president Bhudnarine Persaud was also at the presentation ceremony to greet his players on the resounding victory on their debut performance.

Meanwhile, Persaud is expressing sincere thanks to those individuals and entities who played a great part in acquiring gears for the club. Among those are New York-based former Guyana Under-19 player Shameer “Joey” Sadloo, Freddie Madray. Canadianbased Guyanese Narchand “Archie” Mohan, Cricket Zone and Millat Sporting Goods.

23 Blazers win Blairmont Cup Reload title guyanatimesgy.com

wednESDAY, may 3, 2017

Brighto Paints presents West Indies vs Pakistan Q Mobile Test Series…

WI 40-1 after

Pakistan collapse – Misbah falls for 99, Azhar strokes 105

I

t must be maddening to be a West Indies fan.

In yet another case of one step forward and two back, West Indies squandered much of the momentum they had gained during the second session, allowing Pakistan’s lower order to make sizeable contributions on a pitch that is expected to get tougher to bat on in the second innings.

West Indies had Pakistan seven down for a lead of 17 at tea. But any hopes of bowling them out swiftly after the interval were dismissed by wayward bowling.

They gave away no less than three sets of byes that went down the leg side for four runs which, in the context, were such a gift they might as well have had a bow on them. That, combined with erratic lines, allowed Pakistan to get streaky runs that included a gem from Yasir Shah.

With the pitch visibly deteriorating, every one of those extra 64 runs after tea was a dagger to West Indies’ chances of a victory. But Gabriel and Holder showed composure and desire to keep chipping away, ensuring Pakistan’s lead hadn’t become unassailable. Even so, the post-tea sloppiness undid much of their good work earlier.

After Pakistan had spent the first session ticking along at just over two runs per over in a manner that might be have been considered conservative in the 1970s, they snapped back into 2017 mode in the afternoon, scoring 103 in the session.

The captain Misbah-ulHaq was responsible for the injection of pace into the innings. He looked good for a hundred but fell agonisingly short again, on 99. What followed was a manic 20 minutes in which Pakistan went from 316 for 4 to ending the session at 329 for 7.

After Misbah had looked serenely untroubled all session, it was a mind game, a review that’s as tactical as could be, that appeared to disturb that famously unflappable mind. With Misbah on 99, looking like he’d finally get the hundred he has been due this series, he was struck on the back leg by his opposite number Jason Holder. It was never going to be lbw (too high), but West Indies went for the review anyway.

It was so obviously not out everyone appeared to be having a laugh, and that light-hearted moment meant Misbah’s concentration temporarily took its leave. The next ball from Holder reared up from outside off stump, getting Misbah stuck in an awkward position from which he appeared to neither play nor leave.

The pitch decided to be wicket he deserved as one naughty at the most inop- that spun past the opener’s portune of times for Misbah, bat took a faint outside edge, the ball rearing up, smash- breaking a 98-run partnering into his glove and bal- ship that took over 42 overs looning into the air. Shai to accumulate.

Hope at gully can’t have takMisbah, though, continen an easier catch in his life. ued to play in the liberatMisbah’s dismissal came ed mood he found himself in as a big boost for West after lunch, sweeping well Indies, and it was palpa- and even bringing out the ble. Shannon Gabriel re- reverse sweep to neutralise turned to the attack and had the spinners’ leg-stump Sarfraz Ahmed, who looked line. The runs began to flow like he had come out with freely, 67 coming off the 15 the intention to score quick- overs the spin bowlers operly, edging an attempted cover drive to slip. The very next over, Jason Holder skidded one through that struck Asad Shafiq on the front pad playing across the line, and the umpire sent him on his way. This meant a session that Pakistan had utterly dominated suddenly turned into one West Indies would end up being happier with.

The run rate had picked up as soon as the session began, with Pakistan looking a lot more comfortable as spin operated from both ends. The shackles were broken when Misbah swung free Azhar Ali brings out the salute after to play his favour- reaching his 13th Test Century ite shot - a six over long-on - and suddenly, the batsmen were wo- ated in tandem for. Pakistan ken from their stupor. were by that point ticking Azhar brought up his off the milestones, the 300, 13th Test hundred soon af- the 50-partnership between ter, with a cut past backward Asad Shafiq and Misbah, point for four. However, and then going past West Devendra Bishoo was begin- Indies first-innings total. ning to find his range on the However, by the time the surface, and beat Azhar Ali’s session had ended, it was bat from around the wicket the one that got away - by on more than one occasion. one run yet again - that was Eight overs in, he got the likely to remain memorable.

(ESPNCRICINFO)

SCOREBOARD West Indies first Innings 312 Pakistan 1st innings (Overnight 172/3) Azhar Ali c †Dowrich b Bishoo 105 Ahmed Shehzad c Hope b Bishoo 70 Babar Azam c & b Gabriel 0 Younis Khan c Gabriel b Bishoo 0 Misbah-ul-Haq* c Hope b Holder 99 Asad Shafiq lbw b Holder 15 Sarfraz Ahmed† c Powell b Gabriel 9 Shadab Khan c Chase b Gabriel 16 Mohammad Amir c Hope b Holder 10 Yasir Shah c †Dowrich b Gabriel 24 Mohammad Abbas not out 1 Extras (b-16, lb-16, nb-12) 44 Total (all out; 140 overs) 393 Fall of wickets 1-155 (Ahmed Shehzad, 55.5 ov), 2-156 (Babar Azam, 56.2 ov), 3-161 (Younis Khan, 59.4 ov), 4-259 (Azhar Ali, 101.6 ov), 5-316 (Misbah-ulHaq, 120.2 ov), 6-325 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 123.5 ov), 7-329

Blairmont Blazers played consistently to be crowned champions last Sunday at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground

B

lairmont Floodlight Cup Reload was deemed a success by the executives.

Although there were heavy rainfall throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning with good drainage and with high quality covers the games started 11:00h.

Matches were reduced to eight overs a side from 10 and there were lots to cheer for at the beautiful Blairmont Community Centre ground on Sunday.

There was a good turnout of spectators who were also entertained and informed with ball by ball coverage by international commentator Inderjeet Persaud and deejay Hakeem.

The ground was electric with spectators using their air-horns to contribute to the excitement at every boundary or wicket. There was a spectator, Arshad Khan supporting the Cold Fusion team that left everyone at the ground in awe when he took a one handed catch and was instantly rewarded with $10,000 compliments of the Blairmont Cricket Club. Ten teams started the competition but it was the host and Cotton Tree Die hard that played the final under lights.

After being inserted Blairmont Blazers posted 96/2 from eight overs with opening batsman Martin Singh hitting 54 not out from 26 deliveries (6X4 4x3). Parmanand Ramdhan and Nick Ramsaroop contributed 13 each.

The pick of the bowlers was Pooran Persaud taking 1-23. Cotton Tree Die Hard (CTDH) started the chase very aggressively were 32/0 after 2 overs. Waqar Hassan (3-24) and Kassim Khan (2-12) restricted CTDH to 55/5 after the seventh over. Pooran Persaud blasting 31 off 16 (4x4; 2x6), after his dismissal in the 5th over Cotton Tree never seem to recover and were eventually restricted to 64/5. Blazers took the honours with the 32-run victory.

Martin Singh (Blazers) made a sweep of the prizes including Man of the Match in Final, Player of the Tournament and batsman hitting the most sixes. Kassim Khan (Blazers) pick up the most wickets (5 scalps) from 3 matches and R. Seecharran (Kendell’s Union) had the best bowler of an over picking up 4wkts for 4 runs. In the Domino Competition, first place went to Gold followed

by Fine Ants and Royals. The king Domino was won by Ken from Blairmont Settlement.

The club will like to thank all participating teams; Bushlot, Number 48 Challengers, Kendell’s Union, Cotton Tree Die Hard, D’Edward SC, Albion SC, Cold Fusion, Omesh XI, Young and Restless and Blairmont Blazers as well as the spectators and sponsors for their contributions to making the event a successful one.

Essequibians reign at Bath Settlement Grasstrack K

enrick Spellen riding under the banner of R & Ganesh Mining Enterprise took the Champion rider of the day with 60 points in a keenly contested second round of the

Coordinator for the races, Ravindra Dallip said that Essequibo was well represented by the Spellen’s brother in Bath Settlement.

He said that another rider Fiyaz Kassim unfortunate-

(Asad Shafiq, 124.6 ov), 8-354 (Mohammad Amir, 132.1 ov), 9-384 (Shadab Khan, 137.6 ov), 10-393 (Yasir Shah, 139.6 ov) Bowling: ST Gabriel 32-6-81-4 (nb-9), AS Joseph 19-5-48-0, RL Chase 19-2-74-0 (nb-1), JO Holder 29-11-42-3 (nb-2), D Bishoo 41-11-116-3 West Indies 2nd innings KC Brathwaite not out 8 KOA Powell c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Abbas 6 SO Hetmyer not out 22 Extras (b-4) 4 40 Total (1 wicket; 14 overs) To bat: SD Hope, VA Singh, RL Chase, SO Dowrich†, JO Holder*, D Bishoo, AS Joseph, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets 1-8 (Powell, 1.4 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 4-27-0, Mohammad Abbas 5-1-14-1, Yasir Shah 3-16-0, Shadab 2-0-9-0

The Spellen Brothers with sponsor Ramchand Ganesh

2017 Grasstrack National championship held on April 30 at Bath Settlement West Coast Berbice.

Spellen was followed closely by Junior Dasilva with 50 points and Stephen Nobrega 30.

ly did not take to the starting line due to the inclement weather hinting that more dominance was possible.

Dalip said that in the Novice races, Essequibo copped two second place finishes and one third while

in the professional races they secured one first place finish, two second place finishes and one third.

They were duly awarded trophies.

Dalip said that he was impressed with the support given by Berbicians during the races and said that R and G mining Enterprise have pledged their support in boosting grass track.

Other races of similar nature will be organized throughout Guyana where the champion will compete.

Presently at Middlesex Dalip said a grasstrack ground is being developed to promote the game.

The Spellen brothers were proudly sponsored by Ramanand Ganesh Mining Enterprise and the riders expressed their gratitude towards the mining company for the support. Kennard Spellen rode a RM 125 Dirt bike in the Pro race and Kenrick Spellen handled a Yamaha, YNZ 125 dirt bike in the novice races.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

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