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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2981 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

September 18, 2016

GWI auditors investigate ‘Boss’ over abuse of authority

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Ombudsman dies after prolonged illness P10

Page 3

– ‘unjustly’ hires consultant at $1.1M monthly

MMC employee kills workmate during argument Page 7

2 killed in Unity accident

Page 17

Woman P8 busted with 51kg ganja, gun, ammo Brazilian P15 chopped to death at Purini Backdam Public servants to get arbitrary salary P9 increase next month Opposition P16 slams Govt over “anti-national” accusations

Miss Universe Guyana 2016 crowned Newly crowned Miss Universe Guyana Soyini Fraser flanked by first runner-up, Rafieya Husain (second from left), second runner-up, Ariella Basdeo (second from right), third runner-up Ashley John (right) and fourth runner-up Ayana Whitehead (Dexter Ceres photo)

Missing US$5M GT&T shares

NICIL to decide on public disclosures – Harmon Page 2

Wales Estate conversion

Consultations, assistance needed before rice cultivation – farmers P5

2 news

SunDAY, september 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Missing US$5M GT&T shares

NICIL to decide on public disclosures – Harmon

By Jeanna Pearson

A

s the mystery surrounding the missing GT&T shares continues to grow, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran has stated that the sale of shares is a case of a lack of transparency as he lobbies for the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to be pressed for answers.

Goolsarran recalled that NICIL sold the Government’s shareholding in GT&T – now rebranded GTT – for US$30 million of which US$25 million was received at the signing of the agreement. The outstanding money should have been paid by the end of December 2015. However, he stated that “this was not done. Minister Harmon went to China to investigate the matter.” Therefore, the former Auditor General

Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

NICIL’s Chairman, Dr Maurice Odle

suggested that the NICIL Board should be pressed to give an answer. However, Government spokesperson and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, did indicate that Harmon was able to recover documents which revealed that the monies were paid. This startling revelation caused

NICIL to issue a statement rejecting Government’s claims.

NICIL claimed that Guyana’s former Ambassador to China, David Dabydeen, had facilitated the US$5 million debt waiver with Datang, the Chinese company, on the grounds that it was not granted the

same minority protection rights enjoyed by NICIL (that is, two, instead of one, representatives on the GT&T Board of Directors). NICIL said that Hong Kong Golden Telecom Company (HKGT) also alleged that the decision to waive the US$5 million was contained in a side contract but they were unable to

verify the veracity of HKGT’s claim of waiver and had requested the assistance of the Government to corroborate the legitimacy of the company’s claim.

NICIL further contended that no payment of the outstanding US$5 million was ever received from the Chinese company. It’s disclosure added fuel to fire, resulting in former President Donald Ramotar responding that there was no side deal for a debt write-off.

“The issue is one of transparency. The sale of the shares should have been advertised. All future agreements of this nature should also be tabled in the National Assembly for scrutiny by legislators and the public at large,” Goolsarran asserted.

Asked for a comment on the issue late last week, Minster Harmon he said he had submitted his report to NICIL and it is in their hands to determine if they would want to disclose the findings in that report.

“NICIL has the responsibility to determine whether to further disclose it or not,” Harmon told Guyana Times.

However, NICIL’s Chairman, Dr Maurice Odle pointedly refuse to comment on the findings of the report, saying “I’m not prepared to answer any questions.”

He stated that the matter is currently “in the hands of international lawyers”.

When the US$25 million was paid, it was made by international wire instructions, from one bank to

another. The payment into NICIL’s bank account would have been easy to trace.

Meanwhile, at a press conference late last year, former Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington stated that efforts were afoot to recoup the monies.

Brassington had even defended selling the shares to the Chinese company, explaining that the share-offer was advertised more than 40 times locally and close to 30 times overseas. He added that Government had even written all the embassies and consulates and in the end, the highest offer received was US$7 million.

“We did consider the shares to be worth a lot more [than US$7M],” he said. So the sale of US$25 million upfront and US$5 million later was considered a good deal.

We had other options from the Chinese which offered less money upfront and more money later. However, the Privatisation Board and the Cabinet accepted the position that maximised the payment up front. It was a good price, we believe,” the former NICIL Head stated.

Government used the money collected from the sale to partly finance the construction of the Marriott Hotel.

Former CEO Brassington had disclosed that some US$15-US$20 million have been spent on building the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, by the State-owned Atlantic Hotels Inc.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, September 18 – 05:30h-07:00h and Monday, September 19 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, September 18 – 05:10h-06:40h and Monday, September 19 – 05:55h-07:25h .

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers with sunny interval can be expected in the morning and early afternoon hours, while sunny weather can be expected in the later afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East South-easterly and East North-easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 05:25h and 17:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.92 metres and 2.93 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:17h and 23:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.33 metre and 0.26 metres respectively.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

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GWI auditors investigate ‘Boss’ over abuse of authority – ‘unjustly’ hires consultant at $1.1M monthly

T

he Internal Audit Department of the Guyana Water Incorporated Inc has launched an investigation into an abuse of authority by the entity’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles.

The auditors have since recommended that many of the changes instituted

by Dr Van West-Charles be reversed.

The investigation was launched into the actions of Dr Van West-Charles after a litany of complaints and allegations had been lodged and these range through questionable employment practices, the suppression of internal audits, and retribution against senior employees, among a host of other infractions.

With regards the employment practices of the managing director, the entity’s Internal Audit Department (IAD) found that in instances there were no justification for consultants hired and that a position had in fact been created to facilitate the employment of an ‘unqualified' Lear Goring.

Goring – since fired – was employed as a Debt Recovery Manager but did not have the minimum qualifications for the post and was being paid monthly $263,000 in addition to a $20,000 allowance.

Staged dates

Another of the hired consultants that attracted the attention of GWI’s IAD was a Billing Consultant employed by Dr Van West-Charles, on a temporary contract with a monthly starting salary of $525,000.

Investigations by the Internal Auditors found that both the Billing Consultant and Goring reside at the same Stevedore Scheme, Georgetown, address, in addition to the fact that there was no justification for the employment of neither of the men.

GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles

With regards Goring the Auditors found that a correspondence addressed to the Chief Executive, dated October 15, 2015 sent by the Director of Human Resources is seen as justification for the approval of employing Goring; however, IAD believed this to be staged since the dates did not fall in ascending orders.

According to the internal audit, Goring’s application was dated on October 8, 2015; the interview was done on October 9, 2015; the contract of employment was dated October 10, 2015; and he signed as accepted on October 12, 2015.

It was found too that not only did Goring not possess any working experience as it related to Debt Recovery, but GWI’s organisational structure did not provide for a Debt Recovery Department nor support staff.

The position was effectively created by the GWI Managing Director Dr Van West-Charles for Goring.

$1.1M consultant

With regards Billing Consultant’s employment

by Dr Van West-Charles, his contract was further extended to June 30, 2016 for which no justification was given except for the mention of “Mr (name withheld) services are still

required.”

The position of Billing Consultant was found also not to be on the current organisational structure and was from the inception meant to be a temporary position since it was contracted.

He was originally employed in October 2015, days after GWI purportedly accepted Goring’s employment.

The Auditors had found too that there was no activity/consultancy report present in Billing Consultant’s file in order to determine if the objective and duties as outlined in the terms of reference were met.

The Billing Consultant was also employed by GWI under a separate contract to be paid $604,000 per month in addition to a cumulative $60,000 monthly allowance as, “Head, Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Monitoring Unit.”

This essentially means that Billing Consultant is in receipt of monthly remunerations of in excess of $1.1 million.

Another consultant contract was handed to another person at a salary of $512,000 despite the fact that the GWI’s Internal Auditors could find no records of certification to back up any qualifications claimed.

Another consultancy that gained the attention of GWI’s IAD was that of a security consultant whose position, earning him in excess of $700,000 monthly but was never advertised internally or externally.

Another ‘Security Officer’ – was also employed on contract by the managing director and earning in excess of $520,000 but the Auditors found that this position was not advertised, either internally or externally.

A number of other consultancies triggered by the actions of Dr Van WestCharles were also probed by the IAD which have since led in part to retribution being meted out to the department by the managing director.

Relocate auditors

According to internal communications seen by Guyana Times, Dr Van West-Charles in fact relocated the IAD to a DaSilva Street, Georgetown, location in order to make room for the ‘Debt Recovery Department.’

On February 1 last the employees of the Internal Audit Department were instructed to vacate their office space in two days.

The building was found to be unsuitable and the internal auditors have since been forced to use the canteen area at Shelterbelt and documents were exposed to the open after which “access to records and persons became very difficult.”

The internal auditors were also reportedly subjected to constant abuse by Dr Van West-Charles leading to an adverse effect on staff morale.

The verbal confrontations reportedly stemmed from queries and findings they would have raised relating to Debt Recovery, Commercial Services areas and Human Resources audit checks.

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guyana-times.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Saving sugar communities C

ontrary to their protestations, it is clear that the death knell for the sugar industry has been sounded by the authorities. It would appear that even its diversification into other agricultural products that would take advantage of its excellently drained and irrigated lands is not on the cards, since the sale of abandoned canefields continues unabated.

The venture into rice production at Wales appears to be a pale imitation of the Kayman Sankar venture into that crop at Blairmont some decades ago. The government would be well advised to consult with the head of that entity as to the reasons for the abandonment of that scheme.

But whether or not government would admit to the closure of sugar, the withdrawal pangs are already beginning to bite, especially at Wales and the surrounding communities such as Patentia. We should expect that the symptoms of the historic structural dysfunctions in the sugar industry - high suicide, alcoholism and domestic violence rates, intergenerational poverty, high dropout rates from educational institutions even at the primary levels etc - to increase.

What is to be done? Ironically, there has been a model that was already introduced in the early 1950s to confront those and other challenges and which produced significantly positive results until it was destroyed like so many things by the PNC government from 1964 onwards.

The institution at the centre of the project was the "community centre" (CC). One of these Centres was constructed in each of the sugar "estates" in the midst of the great housing schemes (12,000 homes in total) that were created when the sugar workers were removed from the "logees" starting in 1952.

Each CC had a modern, spacious central building that housed indoor sports such as table tennis, a well-stocked library, kitchen for cooking classes, wood crafting and other crafts, a cafeteria that sold refreshments to visitors and users. Movies and "newsreels" were shown at regular intervals to entertain and inform the community. The CC was appended to a very large playground on which cricket and football could be played.

In many instances there was a scout troop associated with the CC and which met weekly on the grounds. All of these facilities were utilised by the youths in the concurrent baby boom and helped to dissipate and direct their energies away from negative activities.

The CC's activities were coordinated by a trained and paid "Welfare Officer" who had a house in the CC's ground along with one for the groundsman for the field. The role of the Welfare Officer was crucial to the development of the community.

In each of the clubs that were organised to run the sports and other activities, the youth were introduced to the running of an organisation with a structure and based on rules. Roberts Rules of Order and the keeping of minutes and following up of decisions made, were eye openers. For most of them this training was to prove invaluable in their introduction to the world beyond the sugar fields and factory.

The libraries had youth and adult sections and debates on topical issues were organised by the staff, which attracted very appreciative audiences from the community who may not have been able to purchase newspapers to glean opinions on these issues.

On Sundays the "pavilion" was packed with spectators to the games being played between teams from other estates.

It is a great tragedy that these CC's have been practically abandoned.

In addition to resuscitating the old programmes under the aegis of a professional "Welfare Officer", it should not be difficult to add a Counselling Centre to the facility to cater to the psychological trauma from the identified ailments that we predicted above would increase.

The money that the government would now spend to relaunch the CC's would be infinitesimal compared to dealing with the effect of the pathologies if left unattended.

As part of International Coastal Clean-up Day, the Caribbean Youth Environment Network hosted a clean-up exercise between the Guyana Marriott Hotel and Camp Street Kingston Seawall area on Saturday. The exercise is intended to bring awareness to citizens to continue the good work of having a clean and green Guyana

Denying the Buxton conspiracy Dear Editor, Barrington Braithwaite has written a letter published in a daily tabloid that there was no Buxton conspiracy and that Ronald “Waddle” (sic) was never an author of the violence against Indian Guyanese that raged unchecked for two years and more.

His denial puts him in very good company. The Neo-Nazis in Germany say there was no Holocaust.

Braithwaite is probably a supporter of the African Reparation Project in which Africans are seeking financial compensation from

Europe – and from Guyana!

– for their forefathers’ pain and suffering. Braithwaite et al must add Africa to that list.

The great early 20thCentury black writer of the Harlem Renaissance, Zora Neale Hurston, bitterly complained that, “the white people held my people in slavery here in America. They had bought us, it is true, and exploited us. But the inescapable fact that stuck in my craw was: My people had sold me....My own people had exterminated whole nations and torn families apart for a profit before the strang-

ers got their chance at a cut.

It was a sobering thought. It impressed upon me the universal nature of greed.”

African kings were willing to provide a steady flow of captives, who they said were criminals or prisoners of war doomed for execution.

Many were not, but this did not prevent traders posing as philanthropists who were rescuing the Africans from death and offering them a better and more productive life – as slaves!

The African Reparations supporters are talking a whole lot about getting justice. True justice is never

blind and can never be lopsided. They must add Africa to their list in their demands for reparations. To deny any part of the truth would be an injustice to the other guilty parties.

Braithwaite and his compatriots are practised in the art of denial as in denying the Buxton conspiracy. But like Hitler’s Holocaust and the history of the African slave trade and all who were involved, the world knows the truth. They cannot hide behind lies and bluster.

Yours truly, Shanie Jagessar

Medalling at the Olympic Games Dear Editor, How bad do we need another medal at the Olympic Games? It depends on how much we are prepared to invest. When we invest big, you will get results.

Similar to business, you invest big, your returns are huge. Penning this independent message, it is with absolutely no affiliation to any Government office, sports body and I am solely responsible for my writings. I have absolutely no desire to sit on any sports committee neither do I have any political aspiration. I will state for the record that I do not possess any sports related title to my name, I have no journalistic training, but I simple write as an independent observer on the sidewalk. A suggested avenue as a start to be considered for the possible transformation

of sports is as follows: Guyana at this stage needs to have a forum with the following stakeholders all under one roof, in trying to establish how we can all contribute collectively to change the way our sport sectors are currently in shape. Namely, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), the Guyana Teacher’s Union, the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), the Private Sector, the tourism sector, the Education Ministry’s Department of Sport, the local arm of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA), international sports consultant, representatives from all other nine administrative regions apart from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), club representatives, coach-

es, the Opposition, an IAAF representative and any other sport related office.

Athletes/sport ambassadors needs to understand fully that a scholarship in no way means that when you jet off abroad, you just show up on a track for training.

You have to showcase balance with your academics.

They also need to understand that a training stint abroad in no way guarantees persons are going to pass the first round of any international meet. Are we prepared mentally for such a challenge?

I say to the general public at large, not to be ‘MISLED’ by the media or anyone that one can just show up and make it to the medal podium of any Olympic Games. There is a process of preparation that needs to be taken and perhaps

the GOA and the AAG can share or educate the public further.

I am not the type to just sit around when the Olympic Games are held and only focus on the athletes who are served with medals and listen to anthems played.

I crave to listen and learn about the adversities some athletes would face in getting to the World Stage...

The Independent Olympic Athletes, who marches under the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) white flag are such people I make reference towards.

I urge those in authority to make an effort to listen to those stories and only then we will understand that the journey/adventure is not only about medals.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

NEWS

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wales Estate conversion

Consultations, assistance needed before rice cultivation – farmers

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

By Shemuel Fanfair

W

ith less than four months before the closure of sugar operations at Wales Estate, West Bank Demerara, cane farmers have expressed concern over a lack of consultations on the future of the entity. This comes in light of the surprise announcement by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) that it intends to convert some 485 acres of lands at Wales Estate into rice cultivation, another industry which has seen challenges with the collapsed guaranteed markets.

On Saturday, Guyana Times spoke with several

farmers, some of who only found out about the conversion plans through the media. The farmers are of the view that Government through its relevant agencies should provide monetary and infrastructural expertise to assist them in the transition from sugarcane cultivation to rice. Previously, the farmers had stated an unwillingness to transfer their produce to Uitvlugt Estate, which is located on the West Coast of Demerara, citing cost factors, distance and infrastructural inadequacies on the route. When the shutdown was disclosed earlier this year; La Retraite, West Bank Demerara cane farmer Roger Caryll said he was making preparation to cultivate permanent crops such as mangoes and citrus. He however noted on Saturday that he must now drop these plans as the estate announced the supposed rice conversion.

Caryll expressed scepticism over the entire transition, citing that even at this point, he was not engaged in any consultations.

“Up to now, dem an tell we nothing yet, they never come to we and sit down with we [and] dialogue… we want

One farmer told Guyana Times that a combine can cost as much as $40 million

to see them,” the farmer noted, adding that from the consultations farmers can also offer meaningful recommendations on other diversified industries.

He appealed for Government’s assistance for farmers to embark on the new venture.

“If the Government come in and help we with finance [we can] go into the rice business… you got to plough down all them cane field, then you have to level, it’s a lot of work,” he noted.

Caryll added that the transition to rice requires heavy financial investment.

He noted that since this crop is new to them, farmers would have to purchase seed paddy, water pumps, tires, a

combine, and specified tires for the tractors.

Meanwhile, La Grange farmer Mohamed Khan, who has been into sugar cane cultivation for almost 40 years, signalled his intention to transition to rice cultivation. Khan however noted his fears over the change, pointing out that cane is more durable and weather-resistant that rice. He also stated that rice is a time sensitive crop and explained that rice farmers have been forced to cut their crops early due to the recent unsettling weather which has pounded rains on various parts of the coastland.

“You plant cane one time and it grow 15-20 years but rice has to be done on a reg-

ular basis… when you don’t cut [rice] in time, you incur losses… cane is much more feasible for us,” Khan noted.

The veteran farmer stated he will plant 20 acres next year but will be cautious on any expansion beyond that amount, given the reduced prices which farmers have been receiving. Since the collapse of the Venezuela rice deal, farmers are receiving between $1800-$2200 per bag of paddy. Several millers have citied financial difficulties as justifications for not paying balances owed to farmers.

These concerns have made one farmer so cautious about the move that he plans to assess the transition before opting to engage in rice cultivations. Cane farmer, Mootooveren told Guyana Times when sugar operations at Wales cease, he will sit out one year before he joins the industry. The farmer further vented his frustration over having invested some $7 million in the sugar industry, only to sell off or “scrap” many of his farming equipment.

“Wa de use? Nobody nah gone wan buy da,” Mootooveren stated, in refer-

ence to his trailers and other equipment.

The general consensus for farmers attached to the Wales Estate is that they cannot afford the cost factor to transport their canes to Uitvlugt. Many also expressed that farmers alone should not bear all of the investments to convert their lands for rice cultivation, in addition to bearing the brunt of purchasing all the requisite farming equipment.

Some are also waiting to see if GuySuCo will assist with proving equipment for rice cultivation.

One farmer explained that a combine can run up to as much as $40 million, while a stakeholder stressed that lending agencies may be hesitant to assist farmers in rice cultivation due to the uncertainty of the sector. Meanwhile, residents of Wales have noted an upsurge in armed and unarmed robberies in the community, with many fearing that this will increase once the estate closes its doors.

Before the rice conversion announcement came, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had expressed that the estate would be converted into dairy manufacturing.

Witness Protection Bill with AG – Ramjattan … to be fine-tuned by Cabinet

gramme can be implemented, there is much more work to be done. He added that another factor that needs to be considered is financing of the programme.

“What the Witness Protection Plan will do too, (is it) will require a lot of finances because some of these witnesses you will have to put in Trinidad and far off places be-

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

orks on the much anticipated Witness Protection legislation are ongoing, according to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan.

He recently told reporters that the Witness Protection Bill is currently at the Attorney General (AG) Chambers for review; however, he noted that Cabinet is yet to examine the draft document.

“It has to be fine-tuned by us in Cabinet and then the recommendations we will make in relation to that bill will go back to the drafts person, (Chief Parliamentary Counsel Cecil) Durjohn and then be brought to the National Assembly; but that’s the state where it is at presently.”

According to Ramjattan, while there has been many calls for the process to be fast-tracked so that the pro-

W

cause they might not be safe in Guyana and that will be a very expensive exercise,” the Public Security Minister explained.

Nevertheless, Ramjattan went on to say that the Witness Protection Programme has long been seen as very important, despite claims that it is being pushed because of the white collar crime that the fo-

rensic audits have exposed.

He explained that people inside of narcotic offences have been claiming that they wanted protection because they feel those involved in the drug trade network can kill or harm them. He even noted that while he has no evidence to this effect, he believes that there have been some deaths in the past relating to the nar-

cotics trade.

In the meantime, the Public Security Minister is encouraging persons with information that can solve any crime to come forward. He said the only assurance that can be given at this point is that they will protect and ensure the safety of witnesses.

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SunDAY, september 18, 2016

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guyana-times.com

Foundation

The 5 R’s of motivation and alcohol abuse

“Alcoholism is a devastating, potentially fatal disease. The primary symptom of having it is telling everyone – including yourself – that you are not an alcoholic.” - Herbert L Gravitz & Julie D Bowden

I

Anu Dev

n school, we’re taught that an important aspect of taking a patient’s history is asking about whether they smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. And then we’re expected to quantify the person’s cigarette or alcohol use. How much? How often? When did you first start? And invariably most people try to lowball their usage.

It’s only after a bit of careful prodding that the truth comes out – or at least something close enough to the truth.

While the legality of alcohol in our culture might not suggest it – cigarettes and alcohol are two of the most potent psychoactive substances. So not surprisingly, we’ve been taught about our role as doctors i n

counselling patients to quit smoking or to reduce their alcohol intake.

This past rotation in family medicine, we learnt about the five A’s of intervention and the five R’s of motivation. I am sure that each of us, even if we are not doctors, will encounter persons who abuse alcohol and this approach can prove useful.

In trying to motivate a patient to make a change in their behaviour, it’s important to explain to them how the change is relevant to them personally, to talk about the risks of their current behaviour, to educate the patient about the potential rewards of change, and to address possible roadblocks they might encounter while trying to change.

And the final R is repetition – doctors should try to respectfully repeat the five R’s each visit to try to motivate their patient to make the changes to live a healthier life.

Let’s take alcohol abuse as an example where the five R’s can be used to motivate a person to cut down on their drinking.

In terms of relevancy to the person, there should be a discussion about how cutting down their alcohol consumption would directly impact their

life – it could save them money, improve their quality of life, and if they’re pregnant, it would increase their chances of having a healthy baby. Each person is different, and there will be different issues that are relevant to them and it is important for their doctor to discuss those issues with them in a respectful, non-confrontational manner. Maybe friends can be more casual...but certainly not confrontational!

In terms of risks, there are long-term and short-term risks of alcohol abuse. In the shortterm, risks include disruption of sleep, blackouts and a whole host of others. In the long-term, all that assault on your liver can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and eventually death. Alcohol abuse is one of the most common causes of pancreatitis which comes along with its own range of complications. And then there are all of the emotion risks that come along with alcohol abuse. Longterm over-consumption of alcohol can significantly increase your risk for depression. And I’m sure by now, especially in a country with one of the highest suicide-rates in the world, we’re well aware of the link between depression and suicide. The discussion of risks isn’t meant to be a scaretactic, it’s supposed to be a frank discussion where the abuser is made aware of the risks and where their perception of those risks is explored.

In terms of rewards, there are

all of the health rewards – add on more than a couple of years to your lifespan. And of course, then there’s all of that money that you can save. And for each patient, there are specific areas where their alcohol abuse is causing a problem, so there should be a discussion about how those problems might be ameliorated by cutting down the drinking.

And of course, change is never easy – if it was, they probably wouldn’t have had to come up with five R’s to motivate people.

But that brings us to the fourth R: roadblocks. There should be a discussion with the person about possible hurdles they’ll have to face on the road to change and the patient and doctor should come up with strategies on how to handle those problems when they arise. They may suffer withdrawal symptoms, or they may live in an environment that encourages their alcohol abuse.

The final R is repetition. As I mentioned before, doctors should try to respectfully repeat the 5 R’s each visit to try to motivate their patient to make then changes to live a healthier life. Concerned friends and family members should also do the same.

Alcohol abuse is a problem in our country. With alcohol, and I suppose most things in life, moderation is key. Our health professionals have a duty to their patients to motivate them to make the changes towards moderation.

And so do we as ordinary citizens.

The evidence on teen behaviours

A

t one time or another, we have all heard someone say, “Children these days…” in the lofty tone that suggests children from generations past were better behaved, more responsible and less troubled than today’s youth. Maybe you’ve even said something similar yourself; I know that I have.

What you may find surprising is that today’s youth are not making more bad decisions than prior generations.

The Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System is a US representative survey of teenagers in Grades Nine through Twelve that tracks a variety of behaviours including risky decisions that can lead to unintentional injuries, risky sexual behaviour, alcohol and drug use, tobacco use, unhealthy diets and inadequate physical activity.

It also monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma among teens.

The US Centres for Disease Control has been conducting the survey since 1991. At this point, we have data that show how youth behaviour has changed over the past 23 years. You might find the results surprising. I know I did! Here’s a run-down of what we know: * Fewer children are smoking. In 2013, only 41 per cent of children have tried smoking (even one puff) – down from 70 per cent in 1991.

And 16 per cent considered themselves smokers, down from 28 per cent. * Fewer children are drinking. In 2013, 66 per cent of children said they had tried alcohol – down from 82 per cent in 1991. And 21 per cent had five drinks or more in a row, down from 31 per cent in 1991. * Children take more safety precautions than they used to. In 2013, children were significantly more likely to wear a bike helmet, wear a seatbelt, and avoid driving with someone who has been drinking alcohol compared to 1991.

* Violent behaviour has decreased. In 2013, 18 per cent of children report carrying a weapon – down from 26 per cent in 1991. And 25 per cent report being in a physical fight in the last year – down from 43 per cent in 1991. * More children are smoking marijuana. Forty-one per cent report trying it and 23 per cent report using it regularly – both increases since 1991. Cocaine use among teens peaked in 2001 and is now back to 1991 levels of approximately five per cent. * More children were obese and overweight in 2013 compared to 1991. * A slightly lower percentage of children are having sex (47 per cent in 2013 compared to 54 per cent in 1991.) But in 2013, children were less likely to have sex before the age of 13 and more likely to use a condom or another form of birth control. * The percentage of teens who have attempted suicide has remained steady at about seven per cent since 1991. But significantly fewer teens report seriously considering suicide.

“The times have changed, but much about the processes of growing up has not,” explained Janis Whitlock, a research scientist in the Bronfenbrenner Centre for Transnational Research and Director of the Cornell Research Programme on Self-Injury and Recovery.

“Adolescence will always be a time of increased risktaking, though the particular nature of the risks taken will always reflect contemporary preferences and trends.”

The bottom line: Today’s teens aren’t doing so badly.

In contrast to 25 years ago, although they are more likely to be obese and more likely to use marijuana, they are less likely to abuse alcohol, engage in violent behaviour and smoke.

They’re also more likely to take safety precautions, including practicing safe sex. This is good news – public health prevention efforts seem to be paying off!

(Psychologytoday.com)

NEWS

7

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

MMC employee kills workmate during argument ― another shot to the shoulder

A

security guard of the MMC Security Service shot and killed a colleague on Saturday after he reportedly made ill statements about his daughter. The shooting occurred at about 08:30h at the MMC Head Office at Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is Herbert Verwayne, 36, of Lot 710 Block 8, Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo. However, another colleague, Keon White, who was shot to his left hand during the incident was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana Times understands that the shooter was arrested and is assisting police in their investigations.

Investigations so far have revealed that the now dead man was in the company of several other employees when the suspect armed with a shotgun approached and accused him of making ill statements about his daughter. In rage, he discharged a shot, hitting the

Dead: Herbert Verwayne

man to his neck.

Investigations have been launched into the shooting by both the MMC Security Service and the Guyana Police Force.

However, Eslyn Gibbons, mother of the dead father of five, told the media Saturday that she was at home when she received the awful news and immediately rushed to the hospital.

“I live in town so after I get the call I went across at the hospital and his wife had to travel from Tuschen but we all meet up there.”

The devastated mother

explained that her son went to work on Friday evening and would have been relived at 07:00h on Saturday.

She noted that he was already changed into civilian clothing and was talking with colleagues when the man walked up to him and requested that he “freeze”.

She explained that she was told those around him thought he was joking.

“He then start cuss and telling my son that he f***ing with his family and pulled the trigger. When I went to see my son, his neck was damage…he could a shoot he anywhere else, but why he neck?” she questioned.

Based on reports the family received, the man was shot at about 07:00h but was taken to the hospital until 08:10h. The mother is claiming that when they took him to the hospital, the doctor did his best to save his life but his condition was too critical.

She last saw her son on Friday when he drove past her but would have spoken

GWI auditors investigate...

With regards interference of Dr Van West-Charles into the operations of the Internal Audit Department, this publication has seen internal correspondences which point to allegations that on various occasions, Dr Van West-Charles had stated that he was very uncomfortable about the reporting lines and authority of the Audit Manager and staff.

The managing director reportedly instituted a system for the Internal

Auditors where, “we started to experience lengthy delays to get records timely, limited access to people and information from auditors.”

All requests were made to be channelled through Dr Van West-Charles, who also “requested that he be kept informed on every stage of an audit and would like to screen the Auditees responses before same was disclosed to the IA staff.”

Suppress Audits

According to the corre-

FROM PAGE 3

spondences seen, “The environment became similar to the one created by the previous Chief Executive (CE)…Found to be very hostile most of the times but we tried as much as possible to suppress and work around it.”

The IAD has since recommended an urgent review of GWI’s policies and procedures at all operational areas to reflect modern practices and the structural changes recently made.

The MMC Head Office at Happy Acres

to him on Thursday.

She recalled him telling her that he wanted to leave the job since he had issues with one of his colleagues but she talked him out of it.

He was employed as a driver at the security firm. The woman is crying out for justice and for the security firm to carry out a thorough investigation.

The man leaves to mourn five children, wife, mother and siblings. A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on Monday.

(Bhisham Mohamed)

8

NEWS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Woman busted with 51kg ganja, gun, ammo

A

n East La Penitence, Georgetown, woman was taken into Police custody following the discovery of an unlicensed firearm, two rounds of matching ammunition and a quantity of ganja.

Reports are that Police acting on information searched the woman’s premises at Powis Street, East La Penitence on Friday where the items were

unearthed.

Police in a release confirmed that a .38 revolver with two matching rounds of ammunition along with 51 kilograms of ganja was found. She was arrested and is assisting with investigations. Charges are expected to be laid shortly.

Only on Tuesday last, three men were arrested after the vehicle they were trav-

elling in was intercepted with 4409 grams of cannabis during a Police operation along the No 51 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

Guyana Times understands that one of the men resides at Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, another at Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, and the third is from Betsy Ground, Canje, Berbice.

Based on reports, the men were heading to Springlands in a grey Toyota 212 car bearing registration plate PRR 654 when Police stopped them at a roadblock.

Upon realising the men acting suspicious, the Police requested to search the vehicle during which the marijuana was found in five separate plastic bags in the trunk.

Witness Protection Bill with...

Furthermore, Ramjattan outlined that as citizens, persons have a duty to speak out when they know of evidence that wrongdoings were committed.

“It is the first duty of citizenship… but sometimes these things are harder than I think and people are sensitive to things like what could happen to them, they get scared but that’s some of them. There are others who come forward and I’m proud of them but we just have to persuade and plead with persons in the meanwhile because right now we are doing all that we can to have the legislation in place,” he noted.

In November last year,

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had revealed that the bill was before a parliamentary subcommittee and that it was approved for submission to the National Assembly. However, the Bill is yet to be presented to the House as additional works are still to be done.

It was noted that key witnesses testifying before the courts of Guyana would have been guaranteed protection by the State, if Parliament had approved the passage of the Witness Protection Bill 2015.

But while the draft legislation is being ironed out, concerns have been expressed that the delay in its passage is hin-

dering the local justice system.

In fact, during a recent interview with Guyana Times, retired former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, pointed out that the lack of such legislation is affecting the success rate of convictions, pointing out that witnesses are reluctant to give evidence in high profile cases as they are often fearful for their lives. “[The Justice system is] affected a lot; you have a lot of dismissals of a lot of cases, people are afraid to come forward, in the event that if they give evidence and somebody [is not convicted], the convict will get at them,” Kennard stressed.

He added that in years past,

FROM PAGE 5

there were very few persons freed from high profile cases.

“People must feel secure that they are being protected because we are having only 30 percewnt of convictions. When I was a young prosecutor, [about] two persons [would] get off per session; people were not intimidated, they would go forward,” Justice Kennard noted, adding that a proliferation of armed weapons is all the reason more to have the legislation passed.

“Crime is on the increase, everybody getting guns so people [have] to be protected and I’m sure that Mr Ramjattan would ensure [its implementation],” Justice Kennard further pointed out.

Eyew tness

Deflowering...

I

...Social Protection

t used to be called the "Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security". But President David Granger decided to change that "Social Security" bit. Not because it coulda been confused with "Social Security" of the US... which is just to dole out a kind of national pension to its elderly – but because of a government's duty to guaranteed the "security" of those of the less fortunate in society. He created a separate Ministry - "Social Protection".

Get that? SOCIAL PROTECTION. That is, to move from just passively providing security to actively taking action to PROTECT those citizens from forces threatening the less fortunate due to their circumstance. This was certainly a welcome move...but a year and a half later, we can safely conclude when he placed it in the hands of old time PNC MP, Volda Lawrence, Prezzie made a huge mistake.

Two actions have defined the unsuitability of Lawrence for the position and both have to do with the PROTECTION of probably the most vulnerable segment of our society – young girls. If women are by and large vulnerable to the degradations of males – physical, sexual, verbal, or whatever – then multiply that vulnerability a thousand fold for the young girl.

She epitomises the new concept of "intersectional" oppression. Physically, she's weaker, sexually she's seen as more "desirable" than the older woman who may have "spunks" and verbally she's not experienced to exchange barbs: "sticks and stones and words" do maim her.

The first incident concerned allegations against a serial abuser of young girls that demonstrated at a minimum, a predator pedophile might be at work.

The Child Protection Agency was involved so the facts would've been available to Minister Lawrence. But she insisted in defending this individual to run for a City Council seat because he was a "good PNC worker". Party uber alles! When the man's sister insisted he should be put away, Lawrence chided the woman for "finking" on her brother. Lawrence, drawing more than half a million a month to PROTECT young girls from such men – wouldn't have done that! Several groups including Red Thread protested without success for her removal.

And now comes her approval – by her silence – of a press release from her agency bemoaning incest and rape of young girls, and dubs it "deflowering"!! Can you believe this!! Dirty old men justify their rape of young girls – and its STATUTORY rape once the girl is under 16 – by calling it by this euphemism. On the other hand, President Obama's poet laureate Rita Dove likened it to the lord of Hell, Hades, seizing young Persephone and dragging her there.

Which is where Lawrence may just be consigned.

...the rule of law

One of the biggest disappointments with this APNU/ AFC has being its willingness to play fast and loose with the "rule of law". And in case you've (with good cause) forgotten what this is all about because of its being honoured more often than not in the breach, let's give you a refresher. Law is what stands between us in society and our cousins running around in the jungle where might is right.

But that law must be applied to all in society without fear or favour – or all hell breaks loose and anarchy returns. This is worse than the jungle's – because we're much more devious and venal than those "animals".

And this brings us to what the government's doing to Carvil Duncan. The fella's before the court to determine whether in fact he broke the law. So far so good.

But up comes the government and forms a "tribunal" to determine whether he's "fit" to head the Public Service Commission.

Hey! Doesn't the rule of law say that depends FIRST on whether he's found guilty?

...inter-ethnic cooperation

But there's a reason why Duncan's being picked on.

It's a message to all African Guyanese not to break the silence.

And you thought only the Mafia practiced "omertà"!

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

NEWS

9

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Public servants to get arbitrary salary increase next month

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has rejected Government’s final offer of a one per cent to 10 per cent and as it contemplates its next move.

The administration has decided to go ahead and arbitrarily make the payments to public servants from next month. This was confirmed on Friday by Finance Minister Winston Jordan who said that the directive has been made to make the retroactive payments from next month.

This will mean that public servants will on their October pay-cheques be receiving their increases for that month, in addition to the bulk accumulated amount retroactive to January 2016.

Minister Jordan made the disclosure as he engaged the media corps and insisted that it was all Government could sustainably afford at the time.

He used the opportunity to also respond to critics that had pointed to the billions the administration said it had found outside of the Consolidated Fund that could have been used to pay public servants a livable wage.

According to Minister Jordan, that money was in

fact used to make a one-off payment to public servants last year.

He said a one-off payment was all that could have been made at the time, since the monies were not part of any recurrent revenues.

Speaking on the retroactive increases to be paid in the coming month, Minister Jordan was quick to point out that there has been an improvement “on what used to take place in the past.”

He explained that while the salary increases used to be paid retroactive to January of any given year, it was in the past tabulated based on the salary a person was receiving at the end of the previous year.

“So if you weren’t on the (pay)roll on December 31 of the previous year you would not have enjoyed the benefit of any salary increase for the current year…We have tried as hard as possible not to allow that to happen,” said Minister Jordan.

He told the media, “if you came on, on or before August 31 of this year you will enjoy the salary increase….The salary increases will be in the October salaries, so there are a number of improvements there that perhaps people don’t know about.”

Sustainability/impact

Speaking directly about the sustainability of salary increases in light of the demands and what has in fact been offered and now arbitrarily paid out, Minister Jordan dismissed the notion that the wage bill will be hiked to the point where Government could not maintain it.

As it relates to Government’s offer which it is proceeding to effect, Minister Jordan said, “based on our

Consolidated Fund, we used some of those monies to make the pay the one-off payment that you had in December.”

The Finance Minister was

adamant that “every increase that we make has to be sustained for the next year and the next year and the next year…has to be sustained.”

He said too that persons must also be cautious in their thinking that any growth in revenues can be put towards increased salaries.

Illegal plane at Yupukari

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

projection of revenue and so on, it will be sustained.”

The Finance Minister was unable to provide a figure on what the total impact of the payout will be on the government wages bill since government is responsible for paying those also not considered traditional public servants, namely ranks of the disciplined services and a range of semi-autonomous agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority, among others.

Jordan vs Jagdeo

Jordan also used the opportunity to respond to exhortations fielded by former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Jordan said Jagdeo has claimed, “we were saying all these accounts were being held off line….we could take those and make the payments of the salary increase.”

He was at the time making reference to the numerous accounts holding billions of dollars that were not being held in the Consolidated Fund when the coalition A partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) took office in May 2015.

According to Jordan, “we did say that we found monies in various accounts and we transferred them to the

Aircraft previously seen circling the area – residents …investigations ongoing as nothing “concrete found”

The abandoned twin-engine Cessna aircraft found just off the Yupukari Airstrip on Tuesday last

A

s local investigations continues into the illegal aircraft found at the Yupukari Airstrip, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), residents have told investigators that the aircraft was seen circling the community days before it was found abandoned.

Based on reports from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the discovery was made following information received by a joint service patrol, including ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), on September 13.

The following day, ranks from the GDF and GPF visited the area and conducted a search, during which the twin engine Cessna Aircraft was discov-

ered.

Subsequently, a team of investigators from the GDF, GPF, the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was deployed from Georgetown to conduct investigations.

A statement from the Ministry of Presidency disclosed that over the past two days investigators have been conducting assessment of the abandoned aircraft to gather evidence that will assist in uncovering the circumstances under which the aircraft came to be abandoned at that location.

In fact, a team of high level officials visited the area on Saturday led by Head of

CANU, James Singh, and GCAA officials. The team ventured into the area to further assess the aircraft for damages and capabilities to make recommendations on what should be done with it. Guyana Times was told by sources on site, that a leak was discovered in the fuel tank. This, investigators believe, may have caused the aircraft to land in Guyana.

However, during interviews with nearby residents, investigators were told that the abandoned aircraft had been sighted circling the area on numerous occasions.

Moreover, the residents, a number of whom shared information they deemed ‘suspicious activity’, further reported the presence of motorcycles frequently at midnight in the area. To this end, CANU officials are seeking to determine whether the aircraft may have any links to the narcotics trade.

Additionally during a search of the aircraft, several pieces of communication equipment were discovered and have been confiscated to be further examined for any potential leads.

TURN TO PAGE 13

10 NEWS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Ombudsman dies after prolonged illness

O

mbudsman, Retired Justice Winston Moore, died on Friday after a two-year period of prolonged illness.

In January 2014, Moore was sworn in as Ombudsman – a constitutional position that had been vacant since 2005.

An Ombudsman exam-

ines complaints by members of the public who feel that they have been unfairly treated by public bodies.

President David Granger, in a message of condolence, expressed heartfelt sympathy to his wife Viera Moore and children Nichole, Gary, Gavin and Kevin, as well as oth-

er family members and friends.

Justice Moore began his legal career as an Attorney in 1983. In 1998, he was appointed High Court Judge.

In 2007, Justice Moore served as the Judge Advocate for Guyana Defence Force.

Retired Justice Winston Moore

Real time surveillance on stream to tackle crime – CSSP manager

M

anager of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) Clement Henry on Friday announced that the Public Security Ministry will soon be enhancing its surveillance programme to fight crime.

Henry stated that the Ministry was invited on a trip to China in quest to secure smart city technology for the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme.

It was in China that the Ministry observed innovative ways to upgrade Guyana’s surveillance system and further develop the Smart City Project, which has been identified as one of the CSSP’s initiatives under the US$15 million loan.

“When the loan was written and the plan was developed for the utilisation of those resources, we had envisioned at that time to just develop a patrol management system,” he said, but added that Minister Kemraj Ramjattan came on board and it was decided that the programme be expanded beyond what they imagined and move toward setting up a smart city programme: “We accepted the vision and we engaged the Ministry of Public Telecommunications

Manager of CSSP, Clement Henry

since they would have had the internet backbone and coming out of that engagement is developing a strong partnership activity.”

Henry asserted that the ministry has recognised that there are many issues that relate to public security which require high levels of collaboration and a holistic approach from government. He said that on the quest to upgrade surveillance, the ministry is eyeing real-time surveillance systems, and an improved data and command centre.

“We would require a data

centre and a command centre…we saw the benefits of implementing a unified data centre and a unified command centre,” he noted, adding that they have taken the decision to engage the ministry to develop a technical working group, “so that we can advance the implementation of our integrated management and patrol system.”

With the instigation of the technical group, Henry stated, “We would be able to get better surveillance, real-time analysis and response,” along with improved traffic man-

agement where mobile units would be able to access the data centre.

Additionally, with the improved quality and quantity of data available and the policy analysis, the ministry, through its Guyana Police Force would be able to respond faster to emergency and non-emergency situations.

Henry stated that the ministry therefore was very pleased with the “possibility of this partnership” with the Public Telecommunications Ministry and China.

When the Smart City Project was launched, Ramjattan had stated that the surveillance technology would enhance law enforcement effectiveness by providing up-to-date information, and supporting the development of proactive operational strategies and intelligenceled tactics.

Local law enforcement officials have been able to use footage from surveillance cameras around the city to assist in investigations into criminal activities; however many persons are critical, stating that the cameras are inferior.

The US$15 million loan is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Incontinent nut

S

atiricus couldn't believe his eyes. There in black and white was the claim that the most intellectual man in Guyana was nuts! And of all places it was made in a court and by a man who was a lawyer. He retired to his assignation at the Back Street Bar still seething.

"It's jealously!" he exclaimed to his friend Cappo, the cane cutter who had beaten him to the drink and was already seated. "It's pure and simple jealously!"

They were ensconced – as was their custom for years – at their back seats, just as they had sat in class during their primary school days. Cappo had always been the class clown.

"Sato, me shore a jalasy!" he said mildly as he took a sip of beer. ""But a who yuh ah täk 'bout?"

"Didn't you read about it?" he demanded. "That twobit lawyer, Han No Man, claimed Kiss-Soon is "nuts"!"

"Na, me na read da," Cappo confessed. "Me read de laa-ya seh Kissoon "incontinent". Da wan prappa big word and me look am up in me data dickshanary. 'E mean Kiss Soon cyaan hold in 'e sh*t" Sayiricus eye goggled and he looked at Cappo carefully to see if he was pulling his leg. He decided not and said, "The lawyer said Kiss-Soon was "incompetent"...which means that Kiss-Soon is nuts!"

"Wha' mek 'e seh suh?" Cappo replied innocently.

"Well, yuh know Kiss-Soon is the biggest intellectual in the world," said Satiricus who was still agitated. "And Han No Man couldn't put his question in an intellectual way that Kissoon could understand them!"

"Gi'e me wan example na?" said Cappo quietly and he continued sipping his beer.

"Well the lawyer asked Kiss-Soon if he saw the man who threw the miasmic substance at him and KissSoon asked him back whether he was using the word "see" in an "epistemological" or "ontological" sense," reported Satiricus.

"Raas Budday!" Cappo exclaimed. "Me bin t'ink eider yuh see de man or yuh na see de man!"

"That's because you're not an intellectual, Cappo," said Satiricus firmly, "As Kiss-Soon said, “There are dimensions of the truth. I am educated, sir.”

"Yes da adda big in-chu-lek-chwal pan Channel 6 bin seh suh too," said Cappo. "Ev'ry story gat t'ree side. Me side...you side and de adda side! He and KissSoon shou'd täk to mattie!"

NEWS

11

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Brexit will not affect lending to Caribbean – EIB Vice President

Berbice River taxis time change

Minister Ferguson to meet NA hire car drivers W … no moves yet to further reduce Berbice Bridge tolls

B

Hire car drivers picketing the T&HD office in NA

erbice taxi drivers can expect some relief after Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson pledged to meet with them to address their concerns over the amended operating hours of the water taxies.

From September 1, the speedboat service began operating from 06:00h until 09:00h and then again from 14:30h until 18:00h.

Previously, the service operated between 06:00h and 18:00h.

The taxi drivers, operating from the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling, have complained that the change in the operating hours will severely affect their trade since it will limit the frequency of passengers who normally utilise their services after disembarking the boats.

Minister Ferguson told a recent news conference that she intends to address these concerns to ensure everyone “enjoys a piece of the pie”.

“In the past, we have received complaints from minibus operators about not getting a share in the pie because of the timings. So we took a conscious decision to have the timings rescheduled,” she explained, noting that the move to reschedule the operating hours was done to facilitate the bus drivers.

But now, taxi drivers seem to be affected by this

tence long before river taxies came into operations,” Ferguson explained.

However, the Minister pledged her commitment to resolve the issue but she noted that decision may not be in favour of all stakeholders.

BBCI shareholders

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson

shift.

“They are now complaining of now being able to get a daily bread. So I am expected to meet with them so we can have that addressed,” she stated.

Nonetheless, the Minister indicated that the hire car operators are just being difficult since they had previously operated under similar circumstances without complaint.

“Prior to the river taxies coming into operations, the Transport and Harbours department (T&HD) had a pontoon providing services and the time for the operations were between six in the morning to about 9:30 and then it resumed its operations from about two in the afternoon to five. So, it’s not a case whereby Government, or the Ministry, of the management of TH&D wants to take bread out of persons’ mouth. Those were in exis-

Meanwhile, close to 10 months after the reduction of the Berbice River Bridge tolls, Government on Wednesday said is yet to hold talks with shareholders on the further decrease in the fares.

Government had indicated that it would work towards continuing the lowering of tolls, with January 1, 2016 being the first move.

However, Minister Ferguson disclosed that no progress has been made in this regard.

After months of debate and negotiations between Government and the company, Government reduced fares to cross the Berbice Bridge by granting a $40 million subsidy to the Bridge Company.

Government prior to its ascension to office had promised a toll reduction, but seemingly did not take into consideration the numerous legal and other issues involving such a move.

As such, there was much debate between the Bridge Company, its shareholders and the Government over the issue.

ith the European Investment Bank (EIB) set on rekindling bilateral relations with Guyana by investing in some major projects here, there are some concerns of its financial capability in light of the fallout between the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) following June’s historic vote on the ‘Brexit’ referendum.

On June 23, 51.9 per cent of the UK voted to leave the economic trade bloc. This was despite a 48.1 per cent vote from London, Scotland and Northern Ireland, who were backing to stay within EU. Since then, there have been many uncertainties about the future relation between the UK and Guyana and consequently the EU and Guyana. However, both UK and EU officials here have assured that this will not affect relations with Guyana nor the Caribbean region.

This assurance was reiterated by Vice President of EIB responsible for lending in the Caribbean, Pim van Ballekom, who told the local media during a press briefing on Friday that there will be no difference in the money that is available for lending by EIB to the Caribbean as a result of the UK’s intention to leave the EU. “We don’t have specific amounts available for specific countries or regions or projects or sectors. We are looking to the quality of the project and if it’s in answer to our balance sheet, then we will put it in our balance

EIB Vice President Pim van Ballekom

sheet.”

Having pointed out that the UK’s exit from the EU would result in less money being available for lending by the bank, Ballekom explained that the EIB has other shareholders and is eager to pick up those shares.

He added too that the bank finances itself on the capital market so in that sense, it will not be a problem.

Nevertheless, he noted that EIB is very saddened with the possible loss of a major shareholder but stated that there are other investors that it can capitalise on: “It’s always a pity to lose a strong shareholder, that is for sure, but we will continue to do business and that is the purpose of the bank. But I’m pretty sure that there are other member states who are willing to pick up the shares.”

On this note, the VP recalled in the 1990s, where 10 member states joined the EU and at that time, their

economies were quite small.

He however pointed out that those economies have done quite well since then and their economic shares in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the EU are now comparable to the era surrounding the 1990s.

“So I could imagine that those countries are interested to pick up more shares,” he added.

Moreover, Ballekom outlined that there is no certainly about what is going to happen in the near future as it relates to Brexit, having regards to the fact that the UK is a shadow of the European Investment Bank: “I’m told, but I’m not a politician, that the negotiations on Brexit could take two or three years before an ultimate agreement is signed and I don’t know if our political leaders will decide that the UK has to sell their shares…if they are obliged to sell then we will go to length to United Kingdom via a mandate,” the banking executive declared.

To this end, Ballekom outlined that there is expected to be some sort of an arrangement with the UK to continue lending to the EU economy, not as a member state but as a third country: “But let’s see what happens, up to now it’s pure speculation what is going to happen but it will not influence our commitment or activities in the Caribbean.”

Furthermore, the VP highlighted that the EIB also lends to non-EU members like Guyana as well as to Turkey, where it has a portfolio of $2.5 billion a year.

12 NEWS Toll booth will not cause hardship to Lindeners – Mayor L SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

inden Mayor Carwyn Holland said he is 50 per cent pleased and 50 per cent displeased with progress in the mining town so far, while he also acknowledged that developmental works are in progress.

During a recent Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) public update, Holland said projects such as the return of the Kara Kara toll booth at Mackenzie, Linden, were sought after in an effort to assist with the offsetting of expenses incurred by the cash strapped municipality over the years.

He assured residents that the toll booth was designed to bring relief to the township of Linden and persons who are using the roads of Linden, especially those coming from out of town and those who are coming into Linden to transport their logs.

“With these big trucks that would cause some amount of damage and stress to our roads... we have to recover in some way. For instance, there is no way the municipality should be made to pay millions of dollars in repairs within the township and we receive nothing in return, which has been the thing going on in our town for many years... Where we’re receiving let’s say one per cent and we are paying out 99 per cent. We cannot survive in such a way nor

repair of roads. He said too that the Council is in such a bad shape that it cannot afford fuel for its vehicles to conduct its work or equipment to carry out those works.

He said, “We are currently looking to put an end to the garbage disposal situation in the community and we’ve been trying to do this.

We don’t have the finances, as the township would know that the municipality inherited a debt of over 200 million dollars and we’ve been working to get rid of that so

Mayor Carwyn Holland

in such a manner,” he outlined.

Holland assured that Lindeners will not be heavily taxed from the toll booth, but rather will be required to make a small contribution twice a year, upon further consultations with local businesses and the Linden Chamber of Industry Commerce and Development.

He said, “It’s a way of giving back to the community for these businesses.

It’s the vehicles that are out of town coming into Linden with day to day heavy-duty vehicles and vehicles that are coming in to the township to sell goods. Persons in Linden have been complaining for many years that the trucks would just come to Linden... and sell and leave, but they have to give something back to the community. So those are the vehicles

we will be targeting and not the Lindeners, so we don’t expect any rise in costs or any hardships on the township.”

Additionally, the Mayor revealed that while the municipality is also plagued with garbage disposal woes, it is currently working to correct the situation, noting that it was the recipient of a tractor which is presently being utilised in the community.

He said the municipality is looking to have everyone on board, noting that the return of the toll booth is important at the moment since the earnings of the municipality is extremely low, as compared to its output and expenditure.

With these challenges, Holland said it is difficult for the administration to take on projects such as its daycare centre and the

that we can offset expenses and raise salaries for our workers. We’re looking to do more within the community. So we decided to go after things that would bring finances into the community, such as the return of the toll booth, which was taken away from us under the previous regime,” the Mayor said.

He pointed out that in the quest to move Linden from a township to a city, there is need to develop infrastructure and for Private sector and Government

to buy into plans and programmes being undertaken by the Council.

He disclosed that the municipality is looking at twinning with other parts of the world, including Newark, United States, Paraguay, Peru and China, as well as port development with Brazil, with municipal support from various other cities.

The Mayor is calling on the residents to lend their full support towards efforts aimed at the overall improvement of the town.

MoU to be inked for ICT network expansion ...Chinese technology giant to do feasibility assessment

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes (second from right) addressing the media

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he Government’s US$32 million Information and Communications Technology (ICT) network will be extended to areas within the coastline, following a feasibility assessment

by Chinese technology giant, Huawei.

According to Permanent Secretary of the Public Telecommunications Ministry, Floyd Levi the areas identified for expansion include Bartica, Linden, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Annai and Lethem.

The announcement of expansion came after a Guyanese delegation headed by Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes, visited the company in Shanghai, China, to secure the long-term capability of Guyana’s telecommunications networks, and to obtain technical aid and training capacity.

In 2010, the Government secured a US$32 million loan from the China Exim Bank to build an E-Government network that was installed along the coastline of Guyana.

The existing network consists of a fibre optic system in Georgetown, and a 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network that spans from Skeldon, Berbice to Charity, Essequibo Coast.

It provides internet access to schools and government

ministries on the coastline.

Levi admitted that there are several shortcomings in the layout of the ICT network, particularly the unavailability of the severely damaged fibre optic cable.

This cable was expected to have been laid subterraneous along the Linden to Lethem corridor, and should have had the capacity to provide Internet services to all hinterland communities in most administrative regions.

“We asked Huawei to consider doing an assessment to expand on our network reach since it is limited to the Coastline and does not offer services to citizens south of Diamond…We don’t get to Bartica, we don’t get to Linden, Timehri, Annai or Lethem.”

He said too that they have also asked the company to provide training for Guyana’s ICT engineers and technicians since only four engineers were trained to operate the cable when the network was built.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that once the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed in the next two weeks, the assessment will commence immediately.

Through the assessment process they would be able to infer which would be the best technological method for the expansion. They are however actively pursuing satellite technology for re-

mote areas since it is evident that it is more practical.

Towards this end, the ministry has sent out expressions of interest to local satellite providers who have since accepted their requests to provide estimates for those areas.

The ministry is also engaging the Chinese company to build a second data centre technology outside of Georgetown. “…maybe at a location in Kuru Kuru, Linden or Lethem,” he said.

Huawei, which is China’s multinational networking and Telecommunications Equipment and Services Company, was the company that constructed the network in Guyana. It is reputed to be the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer in the world, having overtaken Ericsson in 2012; it also built the national ICT networks in Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Panama.

Hughes, on the other hand, stated that Guyana’s problems cannot be solved in a traditional way and it is crucial for the establishment of a strong telecommunications sector: “What is exciting is that with the use of existing technology we have the capacity and also the opportunity to truly connect, transform and innovate.”

NEWS

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Guyana’s real Amerindian woman seeks more market for casareep “third force” BY: Indrawattie Natram

By Ryhaan Shah

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he idea of a “third force” that would act as a balance of power between the two major political parties, the PPP and PNC, is still being floated as the best way to help us transcend ethnic politics and graduate to a national issue-based agenda.

The feeling is that this would introduce the kind of political maturity needed for progress.

However, despite the appearance of several new political parties over the years and the emergence of two coalition governments formed by the PNC with one respective “third force”, the UF and now Ryhaan Shah the AFC, the “third force” idea has failed to deliver.

The Burnham Government’s coalition with the UF lasted little over two years and, despite all the protestations from the AFC leadership, it is evident that the current coalition is in tatters. In both instances, it appears that the PNC simply used the “third force” to leverage itself into power.

The emergence of the WPA under the leadership of Dr Walter Rodney did present a formidable third force alternative to the Burnham dictatorship and what was seen as an ineffectual PPP opposition and we all know how tragically that story ended.

The unresolved issues arising from Guyana’s recent political history continue to paralyse the electorate into the tried and true patterns of ethnic voting, so, while third force parties come and go, the two behemoths are still standing.

Notwithstanding the continued efforts to break this mould, there has always been a third force at work in Guyana’s politics. We know them as the ABC countries: America, Britain and Canada.

Canada might not have much standing as a world power but they have a keen interest in Guyana’s domestic affairs since they provide much aid to the country and continue to welcome Guyanese immigrants to their shores.

More than any political group, it is this third force that continues to determine Guyana’s political fate. In every sense, colonialism never ended; it just changed colours to suit our supposedly independent status. Our dependence on aid and the goodwill of the world powers make us vulnerable to their interests. We are hardly in charge of our destiny.

The story of how Premier Cheddi Jagan was ousted from office in the 1960s through CIA-funded violence is well documented as is the resultant destruction from near three decades of a PNC dictatorship. But that was just so much collateral damage in the West’s Cold War with Russia.

The US did invest much in restoring democracy to Guyana in 1992 after the Cold War ended and we must hope that America and its allies would not want to squander that investment and the gains made by having Guyana slide back into economic stagnation and even more political turmoil.

It is no secret that the US and its allies helped forge the current alliance between the PNC and AFC. That they worked to create the partnership certainly gave them a vested interest in the Coalition’s success at the polls and many still hold the results of the last general elections suspect.

However, the diplomatic community must be disappointed, as is every single Guyanese, with the conduct of the Coalition Government as we all watch the serial corruptions unfold and the economy grind to a halt. They cannot be at all happy with this outcome.

The PPP/C in its 23-year reign did, however, give everyone good reason to want change. They had become arrogant and were seen as corrupt, and it was probably out of a bloated sense of inviolability that they felt untouchable. Their infamous “feral blast” probably sealed their fate.

For the sake of their future success, the PPP/C must throw off the gauche and even uncouth behaviour that marred their past efforts at diplomacy and seek some guidance in gaining good diplomatic skills.

Practising the art of diplomacy is not weakness and any good government must be able to walk the fine line between honouring Guyana’s sovereignty and being cognizant of the interests of the diplomatic community especially if Guyana is to benefit from both Western and Asian investments.

In Guyana’s racially divided state, it is probably good to have a third force in effect that would help check the excesses of power of any one side.

Whereas the ABC countries were openly critical of the PPP/C Administration, the Granger Government’s continued bumbling incompetence and wanton wastage of state funds have drawn no fire although any assurances of their continuance in government would surely have been reassessed by now.

Given this scenario, the PPP/C must be aware that their diplomatic skills – or lack thereof - could well determine their future.

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

A

mother of five formerly of Pomeroon Region Two River, (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is seeking more markets for her casareep, which is branded under ‘Pomeroon Cassava Casreep’ bottled by Denis Campbell.

Lorleen Boston and father Denis Campbell, 54, had started the business almost a year ago selling casareep, oranges and various tree barks.

Standing in the sweltering heat at the Anna Regina Market, Boston said that she would like to source more markets for her casareep. Currently business is slow due to the inability to access profitable and steady market. The mother vends daily at the Anna Regina old market. When asked what makes her casareep different from the other agro-processors, she said the ‘thickness’, ‘flavour’ and ‘spices’.

Lorleen Boston and her father Denis Campbell standing in front of her stall

“This casareep is different, the juice is boiled until it is reduced by half in volume, to the consistency of molasses; it is just as thick.”

She told Guyana Times that it is her desire to see her business prosper with more markets through better packaging and her cassreep reaching more housewives. She related that when she gets busy

with her children and schooling, her aunt usually assists her in boiling the casareep.

She also related that when there is a high demand for casareep she employs persons from the Amerindian community of Manwarine. The vendor also disclosed she sources casareep from other persons who manufacture it.

“You see many Amerindian

women are mostly home, they have nothing to do but they make casareep, they don’t have the time to sell, so I also assist those women in selling their casareep,” Boston added.

The mother said that she started the business so she could be more independent and provide better for her children: “I want to be self-sufficient, independent and earn my own money; and I can only do this if I start my own business.”

She awakens as early as 04:00h every morning to catch an early bus to reach market on time to sell her casareep.

The family is presently living at Charity Squatting area.

Her father told this newspaper he assists his daughter in the labelling process. The father of six explained that the small bottle sells for $500 and the large $1500. Gallon quantities are also available based on ‘order’.

Aircraft previously seen...

Meanwhile, Chief-of-Staff of the GDF Brigadier Mark Phillips, told this newspaper on Friday that while the team is working ardently to solve the mystery of the abandoned twin-engine Cessna Aircraft, noting concrete has been discovered.

“We haven’t found anything concrete so far… but we are looking for anything that will tell us if any cargo was brought in on the aircraft or to lead us to anyone who has a link to it.”

On the other hand, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said

that while government is yet to receive a full report on what would have transpired over the last few days, President David Granger and his Government are committed to ensuring that a full investigation is completed.

On Thursday, Harmon had told the media that the aircraft bore US registration N-767-Z, however, when checks were made with US authorities, it was revealed that the registration was bogus.

“That registration is a US registration, however, subse-

quent checks by the team from the Guyana Defence Force, Civil Aviation Authority, CANU, and the Guyana Police Force, it was discovered that that registration is a bogus registration. There is another aircraft flying onto (Wednesday) in the United States of America with the same registration number,” Harmon had stated.

Furthermore, the Minister of State had disclosed that the aircraft was found hidden in the bushes. “It was off of the airstrip itself and there seemed to have been some kind of a

FROM PAGE 9

camouflage, kind-of net that was thrown over it and it was partly in the bushes.”

Harmon went on to say that while he cannot divulge much information since the probe is ongoing, it appears as though the aircraft has been there quite a few days. However, the Minister noted that it could not have been there longer because the joint service patrols monitor the North and South Rupununi on a regular basis and is in touch with residents of the communities in these areas.

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SunDAY, september 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Berbice Bridge Company repaying NIS loan

… as GM welcomes presence on Board of Directors

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he Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has been making its payments to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) on the Subordinated Loan stock that has been issued.

This was confirmed by NIS General Manager, Doreen Nelson, who was on Friday responding to media operatives on returns being had on the entity’s investments.

The NIS General Manager had at the time witnessed an agreement being inked by Government, meant to see the repayment of $5.6 billion that had been invested by NIS in the Colonial Life Insurance Company Limited (CLICO) but had become impaired when the company was ordered liquidated.

On the matter of the financial position of NIS and its returns on its various investments, Nelson said that this was a matter being engaged by the entity’s Finance and Investment Committee.

She did seek to point out that BBCI has been making good on its pay-

NIS General Manager Doreen Nelson

ments with regards a subordinated loan stock but regards dividends being paid on its shares owned – BBCI has

been experiencing financial straits.

She nonetheless welcomed the greater presence that the company has been able to secure in recent times.

“We’ve been able to have a presence now on the Board for the bridge and they are looking into matters that have to do with the bridge,” Nelson said.

With regards the repayments, Nelson told media operatives, “I know in relation to subordinated loan stock, we have been receiving our payment.”

She said the company has been finding it challenging with regards dividends to be paid on its ordinary shares.

The ownership structure of BBCI is made up of ordinary share capital of $400 million owned by private investors and preference shares of $950 million owned by NIS. The holders of the ordinary shares, are NIS, Queens Atlantic Inc and Secure International Finance Company, Hand-in-Hand and Demerara Contractors (owned by Demerara Distillers Limited [DDL]).

Younge’s Take Trumping Donald Trump

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ovember 8 will be a very important day in the history of not only modern American politics but the history of developing countries around the globe.

It will be remembered as the day when millions of Americans send a clear message to the world about the type of politics they endorse and the qualities that one must possess in order to lead one of the most polarised yet fluid democracies in the world.

The results of this election will no doubt set moral and ethical standards for the future generations of young people who aspire to create positive socioeconomic change, remove Michael Younge barriers and shatter prejudices and stereotypes related to race and sex, and create a space in the globe where equality and religious tolerance abound.

So important is this election that we could witness the emergence of a new world agenda and school of thought that either promotes hate or love; tyranny or democracy; racial equality or race inequity; higher levels of religious tolerance and respect amongst diverse peoples or higher levels of race scepticism and untrustworthiness; development fuelled by a homogeneous American populace or a multiethnic and multidiverse populace standing tall on the principles of adult suffrage, affection and warmth as well as human rights.

What is most remarkable is that the choice this time round for a person to replace Barack Obama in the Oval Office is simple.

Or is it?

There are those who would like to make the masses in the American society and by extension the world believe that there are two persons that could be chosen to unite the country and deliver on campaign goals aimed at tightening immigration policies, dealing with veterans and the continued presence of US troops overseas, especially in parts of the Middle East, curbing unemployment and undereducation and reducing graft, among other things. That is not true.

There is only one choice and that individual is Hillary Clinton.

Despite the continued hysteria, which I believe is misplaced by the way, over her handling of classified information via her private email address while serving as Secretary of State when compared to Republican candidate Donald Trump, she is an angel.

Trump over the past year even proved that he could not be trusted and is unfit to be the next president of such a powerful country in global affairs. Can you imagine what Trump’s legacy would have been like and what his impact on world affairs would feel like? Also think about the damage most of his policies related to immigration could have on small-state economies like ours in South America and other developing countries such as Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil in Latin America.

I have never seen a politician test the fate, patience and tolerance of a voting populace like Trump has over these past few months. It was controversy after controversy and drama after drama, yet his theatrical skills succeeded in blinding the populace into believing that a Trump presidency could actually deliver a better tomorrow.

What is far more dangerous is that sections of the American media are engaged in deceitful tactics aimed at normalising flamboyant rants and outbreaks as well as his racist chatter.

Gatekeepers cannot allow this to happen as there must be no more politicians of his kind creeping up and seeking to rule on the basis of white supremacy, the colour of their hair, wealth, creed or religion.

The US needs a stronger sober-minded and lesser dramatic person to continue the work started by President Obama and I dare say Bill Clinton too. It needs a leader who is just and a poster boy/girl for ethnic and social justice, human rights, equality, ending racism in all forms and a lesser brutish yet reworked immigration policy.

America is great not because its people have a monopoly on wealth or technology when compared to other countries in the world. It is great because it provides people from any part of the globe with the opportunity to live a dream, the American dream.

This is a dream characterised and most times pursued by Third World immigrants, lower casts of people in various locales, vulnerable groups and those seeking to leave their mark on the world.

I cannot see how the same levels of respect and optimism for American culture, politics and ideals can continue to obtain under a Trump presidency given all the disrespectful, shady and morally wrong things he has said and done as well as continue to say and do during his elections campaign.

On November 8, Americans must unite to give him a taste of his own high-drama show “The Apprentice”. He must not be given a free pass or keys to the most powerful position in the world.

They must Trump Donald Trump and he must forever remember the words “you’re fired” from politics unless you reform, reorganise and rebuild your platform to reflect modern day norms, mores and paradigms.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Brazilian chopped Woman busted with large to death at Purini quantity of ammo Backdam

By: Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal

Young people and self-harm

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here are many issues and ailments that plague today’s society and many of those occurrences are happening under the radar. There are various institutions that will go to great lengths to play down or cover up anything that may be perceived as untoward happenings in an effort to appear respectable, but the truth is, the problems that young people are facing here in Guyana and the world over are unfortunately not just a passing fad and they will not go away if ignored.

When you witness an institution; namely schools, bringing in intervention or education about what may be a taboo subject, it is not to say they are experiencing it more than any other, it is to say they care more about providing their students with the support they need than they do about their reputation. I for one applaud them and implore that they make it a regular occurrence.

If we are honest, most parents or family members have heard stories of certain goings on in most of our schools. Maybe it is not talked about openly or dealt with accordingly but we know it’s there. The point is, young people from all walks of life experience difficulties and they are searching their souls for a way forward, a way to cope or a way to fit in. With this can come issues and problems. Poor judgment, experimentation and misunderstanding naturally lead them to make mistakes that can adversely affect them and their development.

It is not a weakness to address issues that your students present. We are well aware that money and prestige do not eliminate ill-informed choices and poor behaviour. The same problems that face the teenager travelling on a bus to a low achieving school face the teenager in an expensive car on his way to a high achieving private school. If we take our responsibility as parents, carers and teachers seriously, the bottom line is to identify, educate and reduce the problems and the pain our children will feel no matter how it affects reputation or standing.

One issue that has been recognised for a long time now but seems to have moved out of what has been described as its “fad stage” is self-harm. People harm themselves in many ways, including cutting or burning, pulling out hair, hitting their bodies against something, drinking heavily or taking excessive amounts of drugs. People of all ages, gender, religious beliefs and culture self-harm. It reflects an inability to cope with emotional pressure – not poor parenting or schooling.

There are many reasons why people self-harm and the meaning for each person is unique but it is very often a way of dealing with very difficult thoughts and feelings and are often kept secret. This makes it extremely difficult to accurately formulate statistics regarding the practice and more importantly, to talk to as many young people as possible about the dangers, other ways of expressing themselves and alternative coping mechanisms.

There are however, some young people who do not keep it quiet; they can become involved in groups, searching for understanding and they expose the practice to be like others, to be recognised and to feel a sense of belonging. Either way, this cannot be dismissed as a fad and needs tackling.

It needs to be recognised that self-harm is used as a coping strategy towards any emotional burden or upset they may be experiencing or have experienced in the past. It is, generally, not a sign of suicidal tendencies but that is not to say that people who self-harm do not go on to have suicidal thoughts or behaviour. More likely it is used to turn emotional pain into physical pain so it is was easier to cope with and brings a sense of temporary relief to the sufferer.

Schools are the perfect forum to reach mass amounts of young people and with support, they should strive to make mental health intervention and prevention part of their curriculum. Talking about issues and educating both students and teachers can greatly reduce the incidents and can also open communications for those struggling to cope. Educating parents to look for danger signs and ways of supporting their children will also go a long way in dealing with this issue.

It is almost impossible to eliminate the stresses and apprehensions the uncertainties and worries from life. Young people are bombarded with so many issues these days they can be confused and scared. We need to offer them successful ways of coping with those difficulties, and we need to raise our own levels of understanding to find successful ways to do this.

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Lamaha Street, Georgetown, resident is expected to make her court appearance on Monday (tomorrow) after she was caught with 69 live rounds of ammunition during a Police operation on Friday evening.

Reports are that the Police received a tip and went to the woman’s home where they conducted a search and found the ammunition.

Guyana Times understands the ammunition

ranged from .32 to 9mm bullets. The woman was arrested and is presently assisting with the investigations.

The Police recently revealed that a total of 46 firearms were seized from January to August 20: 23 pistols, 13 revolvers and 10 shotguns.

The highest number of seizures was recorded in A Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) with 20 seizures, while F Division (interior locations) followed with 12.

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Brazilian man was chopped to death during an altercation with another man at Sourie Backdam, Puruni, Region Seven on Friday evening.

The dead man has been identified as 47-year-old Helio Batista Xavier Neves.

According to reports, an argument ensued between the now dead miner and another man over the disappearance of some parts belonging to an excavator. The argument quickly turned into a scuffle during which

the suspect armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Neves several blows to the body.

The Brazilian sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect has since fled the scene. The Police were summoned and a manhunt has been launched for the suspect.

Police have recorded some 91 murders so far this year.

16 news

SunDAY, september 18, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Opposition slams Govt over “anti-national” accusations

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pposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has fired back at Minister of State Joseph Harmon for accusing the Party of taking an anti-national stance for expressing concerns to the Norwegian Government, complaining about being left in the dark when it comes to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP).

The Party defended its patriotism to the country and outlined several instances where the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have spearheaded actions which did not serve the best interest of the country.

“It appears that the Minister is suffering from a mental lapse, or, alternatively, the Minister is assuming that the Guyanese public have a short memory span,” the Opposition said in a statement.

The PPP/C reminded that it was the APNU and AFC, who persistently attempted to stymie the country’s development throughout the life of the ninth Parliament.

In fact, it noted that only recently, the Government

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

took an anti-national stance when its Finance Minister Winston Jordan declared that it would be “a downright criminal act of deception were we to proceed with Amaila Falls.”

In retrospect, the Party reminded the Government that they had used their one-seat majority to defeat the legislation on two occasions, resulting in the prevention of the AFHP from proceeding.

Additional, the Party highlighted that the APNU and AFC had used their power to defeat the AML/ CFT (Amendment Bill) on one occasion and held it ran-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

som on another in a select committee, causing Guyana to be put on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as a noncompliant jurisdiction.

Also, the PPP/C noted that the cutting of three annual budgets by some $90 billion is another testimony that the current coalition Government is starkly myopic by labelling another as anti-nationalistic.

The Opposition reminded too that the AFC had generated a petition to the Norwegian Government on March 24, 2011, to withhold over US$30 million to Guyana under the partner-

ship agreement.

Moreover, it rejected Harmon’s claims that there has been full disclosure on the AFHP. “First of all, how could the Minister say there was full disclosure when he had recently publicly stated, in response to the Leader of the Opposition, that the Government did not have any documents with regard to the AFHP? Secondly, a check of the minutes as well as media recordings and coverage of the July 20, 2016 meeting of the Committee where Minister Harmon appeared with his 10-member team proves that there was no disclosure as claimed.

The focus was not on the AFHP,” the statement outlined.

In fact, the Opposition pointed out that on being questioned by the Chairman of the Committee as to why the Government was not using the significant available funds for the imple-

mentation of the AFHP and instead focusing on small projects, Minister Harmon reiterated Government’s position that it was considering alternative sources of energy such as hydro (small, medium and large-scale) and solar and wind.

“In doing so, he contradicts his colleague, Minister Trotman who told the media, as reported by the Stabroek News on April 25, 2016, that the ‘fact based analysis and report on Amaila Falls will be finished by the end of this year, having only reached an agreement- Guyana, IBD and Norway- on the terms of reference two weeks ago!’,” the statement noted.

The Opposition highlighted too that Minister Harmon appeared to be unaware that Trotman had announced on September 14, 2016 that, NORCONSULT, the company, had asked for more time and that both the Government of Guyana and

Government of Norway had agreed to the request for the extension of time.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira on August 24, 2016, wrote to Per F I Pharo, Director of the Government of Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative, at the Norwegian Environment Ministry, expressing concerns of lack of inclusivity and transparency.

The Amaila Fall Review was called for repeatedly by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo after Government decided to put the project on hold because of concerns it had about both the economics and design of the project which was devised under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) tenure.

The review was to be done by the Norwegian company, NORCONSULT. The company has since requested more time to complete its report.

100 educational institutions connected with high-speed Internet

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ead of the E-Government Unit, Floyd Levi, on Friday announced that 100 educational institutions were connected with highspeed Internet at the beginning of the new school term, while the free laptop project for teachers will commence in two weeks.

Levi stated that every secondary school in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has been connected to the E-Government 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) network which extends from Skeldon, Berbice to Charity, Essequibo Coast.

Additionally, he indicated that schools in Georgetown

and on the coastline have been connected to the fibreoptic network which wraps the city. The network system has expanded even to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) offices in the respective regions.

“At this point in time, those are using high-speed Internet access via the

E-Government Network,” he said, noting that at the establishment of the Unit, they were focused on Government agencies, particularly those based in the city, allowing them to connect their branch offices outside of Georgetown.

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ANNA'S

2 killed in Unity accident

Guyanese are people with resolve and conviction Anna Correia

T

homas Jefferson once said “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny”. He couldn’t be more right, and Guyanese, like the many South Americans who were victims of oppressive regimes, are Anna Correia exemplary in standing against exactions committed by the Government.

Under Burnham’s Police State, public demonstrations became the vector through which dissatisfaction of the people was voiced. Masses gathered against their oppressor and were met with open handed violence in the streets.

For almost 28 years, the People’s National Congress (PNC) under Burnham and Hotye suppressed democratic and civil rights, controlling right down to who ate what and who had educational privileges. It took the US almost three decades before it shamefully admitted the monstrosity it had engendered when Kennedy opened the door of power to Burnham in 1966.

But Guyanese are people with conviction, and despite the psychological and physical violence perpetrated against people of all ethnic, social and religious backgrounds who dared to oppose Burnham and later Hoyte, in 1992 their resolve transformed into the fall of the PNC. Guyana’s first free and fair election proved Jefferson’s words right. Even today, the PNC cowers in the shadow without of its past failures, without the votes of a coalition.

Now that it finally heads a coalition Government, cutting the grass under Alliance For Change (AFC) leaders who were nothing more than vote catchers, the PNC has an opportunity to make amends for the wrongs committed against the people, such as consecutive rigging of elections and ethnic discrimination.

However, in just one year of government, inexperience of new leaders cobbled with the incompetence of former servants of the Burnhamite era such as Carl Greenidge, has engulfed the population in a morose atmosphere of stagnation. Unfortunately, the first to suffer from the economic decline and harsh social and agricultural policy reforms are the small woman and man. The farmer is no exception and when a farmer suffers, the entire country eventually does.

The Guyanese farmer was perhaps the first to feel the cruelty of the coalition’s backwardness but before long, the harshness of this regime caught up with the working poor.

An Amerindian resident of Kuru Kururu spoke out against this social injustice last week, when she pointed out that as a 68-year-old pensioner who cares for a grown disabled son, she can barely survive in the community.

The Arawak woman who spoke on behalf of a congregation living in the community located along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, vented that her electricity and water subsidies were slashed to zero and that she receives no assistance for her son. She has no other source of income except a meagre pension and in order to make ends meet she was forced to find alternative sources of electricity. She spoke for her 11 grandchildren attending primary school, who no longer benefit from the $10,000 school vouchers which were removed by the Granger regime shortly after it grabbed the reins of power. She complained of the deplorable conditions of her environment which encourages banditry, and lashed out against the ethnic and political discrimination against Amerindians allegedly perpetrated by a PNC favoured CDC. She spoke with conviction and resolve – a resolve she would transform into action come 2020.

Inspirational and moving narratives like hers can be easily heard throughout Guyana as I pen this column. But perhaps Amerindians who do not live on the traditional communal lands feel the Government’s prejudicial hand more than the others.

Guyanese people are a people of conviction and resolve, but more importantly, we are endearing and driven by hope.

The year 2020 is our new focus and we will again prevail over the tyrants of social injustice.

Send comments to sundayarrow@gmail.com

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Dead: Kelvin Cort

Dead: Jennifer Grant

Injured: Jamcey Grant

ess than one week after acting Top Cop David Ramnarine urged motorists to exercise caution when driving, another two persons were on Friday evening killed and five others injured after a two-vehicle collision at Unity, East Coast Demerara.

Dead are businessman Kelvin Cort, 26, of Fyrish, Corentyne; and Jennifer Grant, 39, of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice.

Those injured are Grant’s daughter Jamcey Grant, 18, a student of New Amsterdam Technical Institute; Petal Thom, 35; Fayola Thom, 38; and 16-year-old Mark Thom.

According to reports, Cort, who was driving a motorcar bearing registration plates PFF 6778, was heading to Berbice when a pickup with registration number GMM 426, which was heading in the opposite direction, reportedly swerved into his path. As a result of the impact, the car reportedly toppled several times before coming to a halt. The occupants of the car were pulled from the wreckage by public spir-

ited citizens and were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where Cort and Grant succumbed while receiving medical attention. The others were admitted and are all in an unconscious state. Grant, a mother of four, was a custodial employee attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Guyana Times was told that Cort was hired to pick up his cousin, Petal Thom, two of her sisters and two of their children from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, as they were returning from vacation. According to Cort’s sister, Tanisha Cort, she received information about the accident and rushed to the GPHC. She noted that when she arrived, she was told that her aunt had already passed and was allowed to remove her personal valuables. However, she was not allowed into the room where her brother was and later learnt of his demise.

“It was too much for me to take to go and see him,” she said.

Grant’s mother, Ivy Thom, said she learnt of the fatal ac-

cident via a telephone call.

This newspaper was told that the now deceased Jennifer Grant was the eldest of five siblings and the sole breadwinner for the family, as her husband is unable to work after an accident. Her mother described her as quite person, while colleagues who were also present described her as a “hardworking” and “jovial” individual.

Meanwhile, Cort’s mother, Carol Cort, told Guyana Times that drivers who operate at night need to be more courteous and she called for “stiffer penalties” to be instituted against reckless road users.

According to the woman, many drivers do not dip their head lights at night in the presence of oncoming vehicles.

“I think the Police should look into things like this; they should have programmes to teach drivers how to conduct themselves… everybody now is in a hurry; they are boring, they are squeezing, and at the end of it, lives are lost; nobody reaching where they want to go. Because my son did not

Injured: Fayola Thom

Injured: Petal Thom

reach home and it is hard.

The only thing I have received from him is his belt… When you look at it, they lock-up the people, charge them and when you look, the same people are back on the road doing the same thing and worst because they pay a little money and that is not right; money can’t give life,” the grieving mother said.

Cort leaves to mourn six siblings and parents while Grant leaves to mourn four children, a husband, parents and four siblings. Meanwhile, the Police in a release said the driver of the pickup is in Police custody assisting with investigations. (Andrew Carmichael)

Overloaded contractors, limited resources hinder timely execution – Patterson

…to address problem with Private Sector

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s contractors continue to rake in contracts in abundance, considered significantly beyond their resource capacity, national projects continue to move at a snail’s pace or be stalled.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson at a recent news conference said this is a grave situation that requires urgent attention if the country is to move forward smoothly infrastructure wise.

In fact, he plans to meet with the private sector to conduct extensive discussions on this matter with the hopes of arriving at an amicable solution which will be beneficial to both parties.

“There are contractors and individuals complaining about the award of contracts, several contracts awarded since June, the contractors received mobilisation but no physical presence is there on site…in contacting them, they (the contractors) would say they have challenges, that they have more than one contract and they have limited resources…yet they continue to bid,” Patterson explained, noting that these circumstances have been in

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

existence for decades and could be the reason the infrastructural works in the country developed a reputation for progressing slowly.

Patterson noted however that finding a solution will definitely be challenging since it is in the contractor’s best interest to pursue as many contracts as possible and since there is no law that limits how many one entity can bid for: “We have to address this problem and I intend to meet the private sector.”

When prompted, Patterson explained that the ministry cannot cancel the

contract if the contractors still have a period in which they can complete the project.

“When I call the contractors and engineers in, they said we will finish, we still have a month-and-a-half.

Obviously you can’t terminate until a contractual issue has been breached,” he stated.

Patterson just recently announced that the ministry has been facing major setbacks which have resulted in delays in the implementation of several projects.

He reported that there are several foreign funded projects, that to date have not been moving as fast as the ministry had anticipated.

These include the PUP, under the European Union/Inter-American Development Bank (EU/ IDB), which was budgeted for some $2 billion.

The second largest project is the East Bank Berbice road where some $1.4 billion is budgeted.

According to the minister, tenders are out for the project; however, the ministry is awaiting the ‘no-objection’ from the relevant bod-

ies. The continuation of the East Coast highway, funded by the China Exim bank, is also undergoing some major setbacks.

He said too that he was unable to give a timeline as to when the project will commence and the amount that will be expended.

The fourth largest project is the West Bank Demerara highway, a US$2 million project that is currently 40 per cent completed.

Another major reason for the setback of these projects is the inadequacy of engineers under the employ of the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

Patterson informed there is a major difficulty in hiring qualified engineers. He noted that even graduate engineers seem uninterested in working with the ministry owing to the inadequate remuneration package.

Particularly, the minister noted that the difficulty lies in getting engineers to work in the hinterland.

He lamented that engineers are unwilling to work in those areas despite the fact that housing, transportation and other expenses are provided by the State.

18 NEWS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Potential sites for onshore oil, “We are stronger when we gas industry base identified act together” – First Lady

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everal locations across the coastline have been identified for the proposed oil and gas industry onshore support base as the Public Infrastructure Ministry wraps up a screening evaluation of sites.

A report to this effect is expected to be presented to the Cabinet oil and gas subcommittee shortly. The committee, which focuses on matters concerning Guyana’s fledgling oil and gas industry, comprises of Ministries of Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure, Business, and Finance.

Several locations were examined along the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Coast, and the top two ranked sites were identified.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry in a statement on Saturday, said it will recommend that extensive studies be conducted on the top ranked locations before a final decision is made. No mention was made of those two sites.

Nevertheless, in light of a restricted timeframe, it is expected that a final recommendation will be made

shortly. Among the requirements for the onshore base and infrastructure are: access for ocean going vessels and favorable ocean conditions; good transportation links with easy road access to Georgetown, its facilities, amenities and the international airports at Timehri and Ogle; short commuting time to urban centres for workers and short sailing transit times to offshore fields.

Additionally, the site is required to have a flat topography to minimise construction costs; large vacant areas to allow future unrestricted expansion, and availability of power, water, waste disposal and ICT infrastructure.

The government is proposing, in association with the private sector, to construct an onshore base and associated infrastructure in order to support and serve the fledgling offshore oil and gas sector.

The recent world class offshore oil discovery by ExxonMobil has launched Guyana’s hydrocarbon industry. Guyana’s potential

rests on the discovery of the Liza-1 and Liza-2 wells, located some 120 miles off our shore in 5500 feet of water.

The remote location and deep water will likely mean that the selected development will consist of subsea wells connected to a Floating Production Storage and Offtake vessel (FPSO) and shuttle tankers, which make for complex logistics.

First oil is anticipated on or before 2020, with all of the production facilities being fabricated overseas, installed and supported by large foreign-based contractors and vessels.

However, as the development progresses into the operational phase, it is anticipated the operators will require the local economy to provide an increasing percentage of these services.

It is this demand, coupled with the desire of the government to expand and diversify their economy and provide much needed employment, which is driving the government to pursue the development of an onshore base and associated infrastructure.

irst Lady, Sandra Granger was, on Saturday, joined

by Sita Nagamootoo, wife of the Prime Minister at the Second Annual Women’s Conference of the Church of the Living God International Guyana, where they both urged the women to stand in solidarity to make a difference in the society. The event, which was held under the theme “The Gathering”, was hosted at the Trinity Methodist Church’s Outreach Centre on High and Leopold Streets in Georgetown.

“I believe that the time is right for women to gather; to plan and strategise, how together, they will overcome the challenges they face; how together, they can seize the opportunities opening before them and how together, they can develop and lay the foundations for a strong nation that they can pass on with pride to their children and grandchildren. We are stronger when we act together. Our voices are louder and we can be assured of the support of our sisters,” the First Lady said.

Mrs Granger remarked that women continue to bear the brunt of the responsibilities for childcare and the management of their households in a society that is plagued by social ills such as domestic violence, trafficking in

A section of the women who gathered at the Trinity Methodist Church Outreach Centre for the second annual Women’s Conference of the Church of the Living God International Guyana

persons, child labour and teenage pregnancy.

“Single mothers have the burden of caring for their children, while holding down a job to pay the bills that that have to be paid… Why should our children, mainly girls, but a few boys as well, be treated as commodities to be trafficked? Why should our young people choose to commit suicide?

Why should our seniors feel abandoned? Why are our children dropping out of school when education is the key to mobility and success?” she questioned.

The First Lady implored the women to ensure that their children are educated and to capitalise on the measures that the Government has put in place to provide every child with access to a quality ed-

ucation. Meanwhile, Mrs Nagamootoo echoed the First Lady’s remarks. “I was told that we are here to strengthen our purpose.

So I hope that each one of us understands what is our purpose. I also know that when we gather together and we pray together we will be more powerful and we can make things happen,” she said.

Pastor Doreen Hutchinson said the conference aimed at empowering women with the hope of giving them selfconfidence. The congregation was led through worship ministry by visiting Bishop Fern McLean of the Church of the Living God International Canada, who led the conference in a powerful service and called on the women to be united in purpose.

25 persons injured in NYC explosion

100 educational P institutions connected...

Notably, two weeks ago, the Unit announced that it had completed installing equipment to connect computer laboratories at all secondary schools and the technical institution in East and West Berbice and East and West Demerara.

The Unit is slated to carry out installation in six schools in Essequibo before linking far-flung areas. This technological advancement drive is a fundamental part of the Education Ministry’s five-year strategic plan – it is an initiative centred on the operation of the damaged fibre-optic cable that the previous Government had ‘landed’ from neighbouring Brazil.

The cable was supposed to have been laid sub-terraneously along the Linden to Lethem corridor, then along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway to connect with the fibre-optic Internet network in the city.

Because of the cable’s ill-fate, Internet connection for schools and public service agencies in inland

and hinterland communities will now take longer than anticipated by the Education Ministry. But the Public Telecommunications Ministry, through the E-Government Unit, is determined to help.

Nevertheless, Public Telecommunications Minster expressed optimism about the impact technology is having on the education sector, touting that it might just become the catalysis for the transformation of Guyana.

“It is an incredible feed for us. It is the possibilities of bridging the divides and limitation we have especially in the area of education,” she said, adding that connecting schools can really become the transformation “we talked about and we hoped for”.

“For developing countries like Guyana that are dealing with several financial challenges, it really can change the way we do a lot of things,” said Hughes.

While the aim is to make certain that Internet con-

FROM PAGE 16

nection is available crosscountry, the Ministry affirmed that the driving force behind the project, and the reason why it was integrated in secondary schools, is to ensure that systems which will be implemented by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in 2017, can be accommodated by students sitting the examination in 2017. School-Based Assessments (SBA) for the next Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination and much of student’s reading materials are only being made available in e-libraries.

The Ministry stated that the inter-connectivity programme is progressing well and the ultimate objective is to have every single public entity connected to the national ICT network.

Also they are actively working to ensure that teachers are given their laptops as promised by the coalition Administration.

olice and firefighters are at the scene of a possible explosion in New York City, and authorities say 25 people suffered minor injuries.

Police spokesman J. Peter Donald said on Twitter that the possible explosion happened at about 20:30 hrs Saturday on West 23rd Street in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. He says several people were taken to hospitals with injuries. The Fire Department tweeted that none of the injuries appear to be lifethreatening.

No detail about the extent of damage was immediately available.

Chris Gonzalez, visiting from Dallas, was hav-

The scene in Manhattan, New York

ing dinner with friends at a restaurant. The 26-yearold says she heard and felt a blast. She said the restaurant went quiet.

Witnesses say FBI and Homeland Security officials are also at the scene.

The reports of a possible blast come hours after a pipe bomb exploded in Seaside Park, New Jersey, shortly before thousands of runners participated in a charity 5K race to benefit Marines and sailors. (Yahoo

news)

Simpson Miller returned as Head of PNP

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eople's National Party President Portia Simpson Miller on Saturday returned to the helm of the 78-year-old party, defeating presidential hopeful Dr Karl Blythe in what could only be described as a landslide victory.

She received overwhelming support from the

majority of delegates from the regional leadership and the arms and affiliates of the party despite resistance and calls for her to step down after the PNP lost the general election earlier this year.

Simpson Miller, who has been resolute in her stance that since being at the helm of the party she has consis-

tently led a process of renewal of the organisation , bringing in 17 new candidates for the 2007 election, 22 in 2011, and 19 in 2016, received 2,471 votes to Blythe's 198.

Meanwhile Dr Fenton Ferguson, Angela Brown Burke and Noel Arscott have all retained their vicepresident posts. (Jamaica Observer)

guyana-times.com

sundAY, september 18, 2016

Bayern recovers to beat Ingolstadt B ayern Munich continued their 100% winning start under Carlo Ancelotti by coming from behind to beat Ingolstadt 3-1 in the Bundesliga's Bavarian derby.

Dario Lezcano became the first player to score against Bayern in competitive football this season, slotting Mathew Leckie's pass under Manuel Neuer.

But Robert Lewandowski equalised quickly with a chip, and Xabi Alonso drilled a second after half-time.

Rafinha sealed the win when he drove in his first goal since 2013.

Ancelotti is the first Bayern coach to start his reign with six straight wins since Otto Rehhagel in 1995.

His team have won their first three Bundesliga matches, in addition to one game each in the German Cup and the Champions League - and they beat Borussia Dortmund to secure the German Super Cup. But this was arguably the most difficult of the

matches that Ancelotti has faced at Bayern, with Neuer making two vital saves from Leckie and substitute Lukas Hinterseer missing a great second-half chance for the visitors before the win was finally ensured.

Photo: Bayern Munich Caption: Manuel Neuer saved this first-half shot from Mathew Leckie, but made an even better save from the Australian after half-time

One-Day Cup

Warwickshire thrash Surrey in Lord's final

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arwickshire made short work of claiming the ninth Lord's triumph in their history with an eight-wicket One-Day Cup final destruction of Surrey.

Surrey were bowled out by the Bears for just 136 as they suffered a second successive Lord's cup final defeat.

England's Chris Woakes, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Ateeq Javid and Jeetan Patel all took two wickets in a team effort. Jonathan Trott then made an unbeaten 82 as Warwickshire knocked off the runs in the 31st over.

It was one of the most one-sided Lord's finals there has been - there have only ever been three lower firstinnings scores and Surrey never looked like making Lord's history with the lowest first-innings score to win a final. That mark remains the 168 set by Sussex, which

Man-of-the-Match Jonathan Trott has scored three centuries and two half centuries for Warwickshire in the One-Day Cup this season

Worcestershire failed to reach, in the very first oneday final in 1963.

The Bears' only mildly scary moment came when their first wicket fell on 45.

As it was, after Sam Hain's dismissal to a reverse sweep, the only other batsman to fall was captain Ian Bell, who failed to add to his

previous Lord's final scores of 65 not out, 54, 107 and 81, making only 17 this time.

It was Warwickshire's first one-day knockout triumph since beating Somerset here in the 2010 CB40 Trophy, although, as the Birmingham Bears, they did win the T20 at Edgbaston in 2014.

19

Lewis Hamilton only third as Nico Rosberg on Singapore Grand Prix pole position

Hamilton's preparations were hampered with problems in practice at the picturesque circuit, where the action takes place late at night

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ico Rosberg took a stunning pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton was demoted to third by Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Hamilton was a massive 0.704 seconds slower than Rosberg after a difficult qualifying session, befitting what has been a troubled weekend throughout.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took fourth ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

The Finn's team-mate Sebastian Vettel will start last after a technical problem as Jenson Button starts 13th.

Rosberg's was a remarkable performance - he has surely never been as supe-

rior to Hamilton when both have been gunning for pole.

For his part, Hamilton has looked out of sorts all weekend, missing half of the second practice session on Friday because of a technical problem and struggling to get a good lap in before that.

He failed again to do a qualifying simulation lap in Saturday's final practice session, locking his brakes heavily and going straight on at Turn Seven.

First qualifying went better for Hamilton - he was fourth quickest, 0.15secs quicker than Rosberg but the German was faster in the second session, again on the first runs in the top 10 shoot-out and then he made a mistake on the entry to

Turn One on his final lap.

It was in some ways reminiscent of Hamilton's weekend at the European Grand Prix in Baku in June, when he crashed out of qualifying and lined up 10th.

However, it later emerged that his car may have had a problem - Mercedes' data was showing it was producing less aerodynamic downforce than Rosberg's, which would explain the lack of grip.

At least this time he starts close to the front, but unless Rosberg makes a poor start - a Mercedes weakness at times this season - Hamilton will find it difficult to beat his teammate, whom he leads by two points in the championship.

(BBC SPORT)

Politics informing questions over WICB management − lawyer

Pooran, Powell to play T naturally − Braithwaite

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UBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Captain of the West Indies T20 team Carlos Brathwaite wants new recruits Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell to play their normal game during their series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Powell, a 23 year old batsman from Jamaica and Pooran a 20 year old wicketkeeper batsman from Trinidad and Tobago, were drafted into the regional T20 setup after excelling in the 2016 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

West Indies arrived here Thursday for their three-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan, starting next week Friday.

“Go there, express yourselves, continue to be exciting and eventually win games for the West Indies,” Brathwaite told the players.

“It’s a big task to represent the West Indies, and away from home is probably a little easier because you don’t have family in the stands with that extra pressure”.

Powell scored 228 runs in 13 matches for Tallawahs in this year’s CPL. Pooran, who played for the Barbados Tridents, scored 217 runs in 10 matches at 27.12 and a strike rate of 197.27 and was also responsible for eight dismissals behind the stumps.

“You’re just surrounded by your team-mates and it’s a good team to be in at the moment,” said Brathwaite.

“So it’s just about going there and continuing to do the things that they did to get themselves here and do it for longer periods – it’s a higher stage, more pressure, but I’m sure they can continue with it and do well.”

West Indies start the series as favourites, after beat-

ing power house India onenil in a two match series in United States last month and especially after reclaiming the T20 World Cup six months ago.

The players were involved in a light gym and pool session on Thursday and were scheduled to have their first full training session at the ICC Academy on Friday.

“The selectors were very big in ensuring that some young players are blooded and rubbed shoulders with some of the best T20 players in the world so we can continue our legacy of being dominant in this format, and those were two of the guys who fit the bill at this point in time,” he added.

The T20Is between West Indies and Pakistan will be followed by a three-match ODI series and a threeTests series.

ony Astaphan, the West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) legal counsel, believes those calling for a forensic audit of the organisation, are playing politics.

According to Astaphan, who spoke on DBS Radio on Thursday, the calls, bearing in mind the positions the persons making the calls have held, were inexplicable.

"The reason why the West Indies Cricket Board is seriously aggravated by this outburst, is the fact that the board has both internal and external auditors and they are not the same firm,” said Astaphan.

“And significant amount of monies are being paid for the various auditing being done by these firms and for these allegations to be made by [former] officials of the West Indies Cricket Board who know and must know … of the forensic safeguards and accounting safeguards that are in place at the West Indies Cricket Board, these things are just shocking," he added.

To add fuel to the fire, Astaphan has gone on to suggest that the former presidents, Ken Gordon and Pat Rousseau, must be puppets for some government head or another.

“You get the impression these fellas are dancing to the tune being sung by some prime minister or somebody else, I don’t know. You don’t expect these sort of statements from men like that,” said the attorney.

Astaphan has become involved in the issue after the WICB sought advice, based on what it saw, as potentially defamatory statemennts.

Yesterday the WICB said the calls for a forensic audit were without basis and sug-

gested that there were illicit or conduct unbecoming involved in the way the board handled its affairs.

Astaphan agrees with the WICB's stance, saying: “It carries the implication or the implied allegation or the innuendo or this thing of some sort of misconduct or skulduggery or the possible misuse of West Indies Cricket Board funds for personal use.”

The lawyer has called the turn of events, 'regrettable' and has also vowed to "look at it very carefully to see whether there is any basis for any form of legal action and what the options of the board are.”

20

guyana-times.com

sundAY, september 18, 2016

Guyana moves up 10 places in FIFA rankings

Jaguars Franchise League

Lower Corentyne hammers Upper Demerara/East Bank inside 2 days − Khan captures 12 in match

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The Guyana Jaguars

uyana has moved 10 places up the FIFA Men’s world rankings to one hundred and eighteenth (118th) place even as the Senior Men’s National team prepares for the Third rung of the Caribbean Football Union 2016 Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup in October, 2016.

This ranking reflects the September release of the international standings and signals the progress made

since the new executive has been at the helm of the Guyana Football Federation football (GFF).

President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, expressed his delight at the news. “This is indeed a proud moment for Guyana as a Football nation and a defining moment for a group of young men that I admire and respect dearly. They have sacrificed enormously and yet much more is being asked

of them on the eve of what will surely be their greatest achievement. To the coaching staff, the employees of the Secretariat and the Executive Committee, congratulation and may God keep us all.”

Guyana’s next international engagement in the Caribbean Football Union’s 2016 Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup against Suriname on October 8, followed by Jamaica in October 11, 2016.

Rio Paralympics 2016

Iranian Para-cyclist dies following crash

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n Iranian Paracyclist has died after a crash during the men's C4-5 road race at the Rio Paralympics.

The International Paralympic Committee said Bahman Golbarnezhad, 48, suffered cardiac arrest after the incident on a "mountainous stretch" of circuit.

"The ambulance then diverted to the nearby Unimed Rio Hospital in Barra where he passed away soon after arrival," a statement added.

Golbarnezhad also competed at the London Paralympics in 2012.

An investigation into the circumstances of the accident has been launched.

The Iranian flag has

Bahman Golbarnezhad - here competing on the track in 2012 crashed during the C4-5 road race on Saturday

been lowered to half-mast in the Paralympic Village and a period of silence will be observed during Sunday's closing ceremony.

Golbarnezhad's death is

the first in-competition fatality at a summer/winter Olympics or Paralympics since Danish cyclist Knud Enemark Jensen in the 100km team time trial at the 1960 Rome Games.

quickly with a chip, and Xabi Alonso drilled a second after half-time.

Rafinha sealed the win when he drove in his first goal since 2013.

Ancelotti is the first Bayern coach to start his reign with six straight wins since Otto Rehhagel in 1995.

His team have won their first three Bundesliga matches, in addition to one game each in the German Cup and the Champions

League - and they beat Borussia Dortmund to secure the German Super Cup. But this was arguably the most difficult of the matches that Ancelotti has faced at Bayern, with Neuer making two vital saves from Leckie and substitute Lukas Hinterseer missing a great second-half chance for the visitors before the win was finally ensured.

espite a scintillating knock by Guyana’s under 19 player Sherfane Rutherford which saw him register his first century of the League, his team Upper Demerara/ East Bank still lost by an innings and 38 runs on the second day of their clash against Lower Corentyne.

Played at the Lusignan Sports Club ground, Rutherford belted six fours and ten sixes in an entertaining innings of 106, but it went in vain as only Danny Narayan (33) of the other batsmen showed any resistance against the Lower Corentyne’s bowlers.

Lower Corentyne prevailed champions of the match after an overall lacklustre performance by their opponents which enable them with an easy win.

Resuming the day on their overnight score of 227/7, Lower Corentyne went on to make 339 with Devon Clements finishing on 92 not out (7x4) and (6x6). Seon Hetmyer added 20 more to his overnight score of 51 before he was dismissed for 71. Bowling for East Bank Demerara, Steven Jacobs had 3/59, Ryan Shun took 2/16 and Sherfane Rutherford claimed 2/31.

East Bank in their second innings facing a deficit of 234 could only make 196 with Rutherford being the standout batsman while Narayan supported.

Kassim Khan followed up his first innings five wicket haul with another five wicket haul as he claimed 7/25 to finish with match figures of 12/62. He now has impressive figures of 33 wickets after four matches. Jonathan Foo had 2/30.

The win took Lower Corentyne to their fourth successive victory and they will now extend their lead over second place West

Sherfane Rutherford

Kassim Khan

Danny Narayan

Devon Clements

Demerara who is yet to have play in this fourth round due to wet outfields at Tuschen.

At the Enterprise Community Development Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara resuming on their overnight score of 294/6 went on to make 346 all out. Amir Khan only added five to his overnight score of 39. Vivian Albert made 21.

Bowling for West Berbice, Collis Butts claimed 6/98 in his first match of the competition while Andre Dutchin took 2/72.

In reply, West Berbice could only get to 160 before they were dismissed.

Sherwin McPherson top scored with 39 while Leon Andrews supported with28.

Paul Wintz was the pick of the bowlers for East Coast

Demerara with 4/27 while Chandrapaul Hemraj had 2/22.

West Berbice in their second innings after being asked to follow on are nine without loss.

At the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda, play was called off without a ball being bowled for the second consecutive day in the match between Georgetown and Essequibo.

At the Tuschen Ground, play was called off without a ball being bowled for the second consecutive day in the match between West Demerara and Upper Corentyne.

Play continues tomorrow at Tuschen, Bourda and Enterprise.

La Liga

Barcelona returns to Bayern recovers to beat Ingolstadt winning ways at Leganes

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ayern Munich continued their 100% winning start under Carlo Ancelotti by coming from behind to beat Ingolstadt 3-1 in the Bundesliga's Bavarian derby.

Dario Lezcano became the first player to score against Bayern in competitive football this season, slotting Mathew Leckie's pass under Manuel Neuer.

But Robert Lewandowski equalised

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arcelona returned to winning ways in La Liga as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez marked their league returns with goals against newly promoted Leganes in a match which ended 5-1.

Messi and Suarez were rested from the starting XI as Barca suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Alaves last week.

Both started on Saturday, with Messi tapping home before setting up Suarez, and Neymar made it 3-0.

Messi's penalty and Rafinha's fine finish stretched Barca's lead before Gabriel's superb freekick for Leganes.

The win moved Barcelona level on points with Real Madrid, who are away to Espanyol on Sunday.

Leganes frustrated the visitors for 15 minutes before Messi broke the deadlock with a tap-in after a Suarez assist.

The Argentine returned the favour for Suarez to double the lead from close range before Neymar rolled home

the third after Messi and Suarez had combined shortly before the interval.

Messi made it five goals in two games from the penalty spot after Neymar was fouled by Unai Bustinza.

There were still 26 minutes of normal time remaining when Rafinha found the top left-hand corner with a curling effort.

Yet Leganes were not finished and their fans celebrated wildly a historic first home goal in La Liga, a sublime free-kick by Gabriel. (BBC

SPORT)

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21

Heritage Games

Debutants Santa Aratak through to semi-finals − Georgetown Indigenous Female disqualified

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Part of the male volleyball play-offs at Everest Sports Club ground between Wyaka (Region Two) and Orealla/Siparuta in red trousers

A

n aggressive unbeaten 55 from Evelyn Baker led Santa Aratak of Region Three to a convincing six-wicket victory over the experienced Region Two United on day two of Heritage Games which is being held at the Everest Sports Club ground, Camp Road Georgetown.

Set 77 to win from eight overs, the debutants got home with five balls to spare after being reduced to 37/4 in the fifth over. The burly Baker hit three sixes and four fours as runs along the ground was difficult due to the wet and heavy outfield.

Their more experienced opponents, Region Two United made a challenging 76/3 from their eight overs to set up the nail biting game.

The victory means that Santa Aratak will move on to today’s semi-final where they will meet St Cuthbert’s of Region Four. St Cuthbert’s booked their spot in the final-four stage when they defeated Orealla/Siparuta by 16 runs in a high scoring opening match. Pakuri as the region our settlement was known, batted first and

made 87/2 from eight overs before restricting their opponents from Region Six to 71/4 from their allotment of eight overs.

Laluni of Region Four will play Moraiokobai of Region Five in the other semi-final. Moraiokobai seled their demo-final spot with a nine wicket trashing of Region One in a one sided match. Region One batted first and were limited to 45/4 from eight overs while their region five counterparts raced home with nine wickets in the bag after reaching 46/2 from 6.1 overs. Laluni drew the bye to the next round after Wiruni Warriors of Region 10 failed to show up for their fixture.

In the male category, Santa Aratak male team did not fear so well as they went down to Madhia of Region Eight by 10 wickets. Madhia joins Matakai of Port Kaituma Region One and Laluni in the next stage.

Pork Kaituma (PK) defeated St Cuthbert’s by the narrowest margin of one wicket with three balls to spare.

St Cuthbert’s made 51/5 to which PK struggled to 52/9

from 7.3 overs.

Laluni beat Orealla/ Spiaruta by 47 runs after posting an imposing 103/3 from eight overs. Orealla/ Spiaruta, more known for their football skills were then limited to 56/6 to make a good account of themselves.

Meanwhile, Georgetown Indigenous Female team has been disqualified for fielding ineligible players in their game on day one against Mabaruma. In that regard, Mabaruma (Region 1) has been awarded the game and will meet Culvert City of Central Rupununi (Region 9) in semi-final one while North Rupununi will meet Paruima (Region 7) in semi-final two to be played from 08:30h today.

The volleyball champions will be crowned later this afternoon after teams from across the regions were in the preliminaries on day two.

Archery made it’s official debut at Heritage Games and will have the finals from 15:00 also on day three today also at Everest.

IGG Athletic trials on today at Leonora

T

he National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara will be a hive of activity today, as the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) hosts the trials for the Inter Guiana Games (IGG), which will be held in Guyana from October 20-24.

It is understood that in excess of 250 athletes will be via for one of the 28 spots (14 male and 14 female) on the team. For athletes to past the eligibility test, they must be under the age of 20 and still attending an education institution.

The Inter-Guiana Games is an event between Guyana, Suriname and French

Several Guyana’s young track stars will have a chance to stake a claim for a spot on the IGG team

Guiana that began in 1967.

The Games usually involve competition in basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, chess, athletics, swimming, and table tennis.

The games which were

last held in 2014, will see participation from Guyana and Suriname, as French Guiana will be unable to field a team due to financial constrain.

22 Holder reprimanded, will GFF Women’s Development League... retain captaincy − report Matches kick-off today in Linden and St Ignatius J T guyana-times.com

sundAY, september 18, 2016

ason Holder is expected to retain his position as captain of the West Indies Test team for the upcoming series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, according to media reports in Trinidad.

However, Holder has been reprimanded and given notice that he could be stripped of his position if he continues to underperform, a report in the Trinidad Guardian has suggested.

There was widespread speculation that the Barbadian all-rounder would lose his job in the days leading up to last weekend’s meeting of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in Dominica.

However, the Guardian, without citing sources, has reported that Holder was given “a serious dressing down” by chairman of selectors Courtney Browne.

The Guardian has reported that a note was passed to the board of directors during the weekend meeting, stating that the selection chairman had a “frank talk” with Holder, concerning his form in the longer format of the game and whether he war-

Courtney Browne

Jason Holder

rants selection outside of being captain.

The Guardian has reported that the selection panel is not yet convinced that Holder should be removed as leader of the Test team and that he runs the risk of being removed as captain if he fails to produce during the Pakistan series.

Holder, who replaced wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin a year ago, became the second youngest Test captain of all time for the West Indies and the 15th youngest of all time for any Test nation.

However, he is yet to lead West Indies in a winning series, losing two nil to Sri Lanka, two-nil to Australia and by a similar margin to India.

Holder, 24, has captained the team for nine matches, winning none, losing six, with three ending in draws.

West Indies start their tour with a warm-up game against Emirates Cricket Board XI at the ICC Academy next Tuesday before meeting Pakistan in the opening T20 International three days later at the Dubai International Stadium. (CMC)

he Women’s Development League under the aegis of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the National Association For Women’s Football (NAWF) will kickoff today in Linden and St. Ignatius In Linden, Kwakwani Strikers vs N.A Warriors at 16:00hrs and Demerara Queens vs. Kuru Kuru Warriors at 17:00hrs At St. Ignatius Village, Region 9, St. Ignatius FC will match up against Shulinab FC and Snatchers FC will play Paiwomak FC beginning at 17:30hrs.

Districts One is scheduled to begin their League participation on September 24 due, in part, to logistical challenges being experienced.

The two-month league will realize the participation of thirteen (13) clubs drawn from three-geographically

designated districts: District One – North East District comprising Georgetown, West Demerara, Essequibo and Bartica Regional Football Associations.

District Two – North West District comprising Berbice, East Demerara, East Bank and the Upper Demerara Football

GCA/NBS 2nd Division

Tournament continues to be hampered by rain

Malteenoes cricket programme to resume C on Monday

Standing are two national players, Paul Wintz (L) and Steven Jacobs (R), who were motivational speakers at the MSC summer clinic

E

arlier this year the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) reintroduced its youth programme which started as a success and continue that way until there was a break due to persistent rain and the club’s summer cricket clinic. However, that time has passed and it is now the time for the resumption of the programme.

The programme started on March 14 and dozens of young aspiring cricketers joined the club to participate in it. The initiative was to reintroduce the youth programme and get the youth team to be more competitive as it was recently between the years of 2000-2006.

MSC is known for producing talented young players and in 1987 seven of its youth player journeyed to

Jamaica with the Guyana under-19 team. More recently in 2003 and 2004 there were eight and seven players respectively in the Demerara under-15 team from MSC. In 2004 the Steven Jacobs led MSC under-15 team was unbeatable as they won the NBIC national under-15 tournament defeating Berbice team Tucber Park in the finals.

Its glory days continued for some while but due to rehabilitation work at the ground some of the youths relocate to other grounds.

Now the executives of the club is taking it upon themselves to ensure the programme is a part of its annual agenda.

The programme will be two days per week, Mondays and Fridays, for children 17 and under, and it will get go-

ing at 16:00 hours each day.

If a child possesses the talent to participate at a higher level he will be introduced to the senior net sessions.

The club is not about sport only but the social development of our youths as seen early this week with one of our members, Carlyle Collins, who graduated from the Bournemouth University.

The former Queen’s College student and MSC all-rounder did a BSc (Hons) Forensic Science. He obtained first class honors (which is equivalent to a distinction).

Therefore you guardians need to get your children involved with MSC as it provides a home away from home and is the pathway to many great things to come for your children.

Associations and District Three – Rupununi Regional Football Association The Women’s Development League is designed to facilitate competitive women’s football participation, create public awareness of the sport and to expand the players’ pool.

ricket fanatics within the city will have to wait today, weather permitting to catch some action in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ New Building Society second division 40 overs tournament after all three matches were postponed on Saturday due to rain.

Three matches were scheduled for Saturday while two are set for today.

However, it seems as only one game will be afforded play this weekend and it is the encounter featuring Police Sports Club and Sophia.

Saturday was predicted to be very competitive as Police was to host Everest Cricket Club, GYO was at home to Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) and Guyana National Industrial

Kevin Leitch

Corporation (GNIC) were to open their campaign at MSC. However, that was not the case as all three matches was postponed before game time after heavy downpour in the city on Saturday morning.

Some of the country’s top and emerging cricket-

ers were to feature in those matches but unfortunately they will have to wait longer before they get an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Today’s match between Ace Warriors and Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) at GYO has already been put off while Police will clash with minnows Sophia is still on.

Police will be spearheaded by in form all-rounder Kevin Leitch and have a good chance of repeating last week’s success against another minnow. Or Sophia could apply a team effort and upset the Lawmen as they had done on previous occasions to major teams in this competition.

The tournament is hosted by the GCA but sponsored by the New Building Society.

Dorado trio to participate in Maracas Bay Open Water Swim

Soroya Simmons (left), Daniel Scott and Alex Winter

D

orado Swim Club Daniel Scott, Alex Winter and Soroya Simmons will participate in the Subway Maracas Open Water Classic today in Trinidad and Tobago. The

swimmers are entering the competition on the heels of the trio taking all the medal positions in the Sawaki Barticato-Riversview Open Water last Sunday. In that event, Scott finished first, Simmons

second and Alex third. Winter and Scott will have their first attempt at swimming in such an event in sea conditions in the men’s 2,650m event.

Soroya who placed third last year in the 2,650m swim, will try the 5k. Last Sunday, in choppy, brackish waters, with a strong current which forced some of the swimmers to actually swim approximately 4 km, Scott ended the 2.5 km race in a time of 57:05.78, Simmons 54:06.74 and Winter 57:05.78. Based on the recent performances, the trio will have strong chance to press for spot on the podium.

guyana-times.com

sundAY, september 18, 2016

23

GSSF elated to participate in Heritage Games P

resident of the Federation, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon speaking on behalf of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) expressed delight at the opportunity to participate in the Indigenous Heritage Games 2016.

She opined that “anyone with a modicum of intelligence will recognise that the term “sport shooting” is not restricted to the bang bang of firearms being discharged: it embraces all sporting events which involve the launching or shooting of projectiles at targets. This expansive concept of sport shooting was given tangible expression on July 31, 2015 when the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation was accredited as a permanent member of the prestigious World Archery Federation.”

She went on to point out that significantly, Archery has been emerging as a sport involving the participation of indigenous people across the globe.

Canada will host the World Indigenous Peoples’ Games in 2017.

In neighbouring Brazil,

a trio of youngsters with only a few years training went head-to-head with the country’s elite, attempting to become Brazil’s first indigenous Olympic athletes.

The young Brazilians did not make it to the Olympics but the pilot project aimed at capitalizing on traditional indigenous skills was vindicated.

And here in Guyana she pointed out that the obvious area of traditional indigenous skill which ought to be transported to the national and Olympic level is Archery.

She went on to state that historically, members of our indigenous communities employed archery for hunting. “Our association with archery was reflected in our primary insignia of statehood ….

Our national flag is fondly and familiarly referred to as “the Golden….

Arrowhead!”

Persaud-McKinnon pointed out to the gathering that the good news is that the International Archery bodies have assured the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation of their commitment to the promotion of Archery sport

Jhagroo family dart title up for grabs

T

he time is here and this afternoon it will be big showdown at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Pavilion as top aimers vie for the Jhagroo family of the United States of America dart title.

The event comes in the light of a packed season of aiming as the Guyana Dart Association (GDA) tries to intensify competition to better its players and is predicted to be tough encounter among Guyana’s best.

This tournament will be open to all financial members of the GDA and a number of cash prizes will be up for grabs.

It will be a league tournament featuring Open, Doubles and a Team tournament; while a luck of the Draw will also be played only if time permits.

Registration will commence at 13:30h and games will start at 14:00h.

Some of Guyana’s top dart players namely; Sudesh Fitzgerald, Luis Merlano, Marvin Yaw, Lallchand Rambharose, Nicholas Seetaram, Adrian

Sudesh Fitzgerald

Damon, Terence Joseph, Mary Correia, Jaswantie Hiralall, Victorine Chandro and Melissa Smartt are expected to participate in the competition.

Fitzgerald won the last single tournament held under the GDA umbrella as well as the luck of the draw which he did with Adrian Damon earlier this month. He will be looking to continue his mastery as Guyana’s top dart player while his competitors must find a way to stop him on Sunday.

shooting in this country.

The Federation can see members of our indigenous communities, the natural inheritors of the sport of Archery, coming forward as Team Guyana to bring home that elusive Gold Medal at the Olympics! Indeed, she went on to say that she can feel it in her bone that the future world champions were standing right there in the audience.

She stated that the selection process starts as early as Saturday afternoon right there on the grounds with the Archery Qualification Exercise.

The Finals Archery Competition will be on Sunday from 3-5p.m.

Also speaking at the Opening Ceremony was the Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones.

Chairman of the National Toshao Council, Joel Fredericks (left) and other male archers take aim in the preliminary archery competition

The Honourable Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous.

Peoples’ Affairs delivered

her Feature Address to the competitors and fans gathered and formally declared the Games open.

The Guyana Sport

Shooting Federation extends best wishes for a productive weekend of activities.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

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

guyana-times.com

GSSF elated to participate in Heritage Games

Page 23

Minister within the Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe takes perfect aim to officially begin archery at Heritage Games 2016. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon looks on in admiration

Heritage Games

Page 21

Debutants Santa Aratak through to semi-finals − Georgetown Indigenous Female disqualified

Evelyn Baker hit the winning run to see Santa Aratak through to the semi-finals

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