Guyana Times Daily - February 8, 2016

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2761

Monday, February 8, 2016

PRICE

39,000 Guyanese applied for US visas in 2015 – Ambassador

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Walter Rodney CoI

Findings to be handed in today P2

Page 3

...over 4900 persons granted permanent resident status

5 injured in Essequibo, Debate begins La Grange accidents today Budget 2016

Page 7

Page 11

Minibus operators to pay $200 daily fee to use bus parks P12

Rice industry decline in 2015

$11B lost in revenue P10 – Irfaan Ali Suddie Public Road accident President David Granger meets the Ministers and Leaders of the Congregational Church on his arrival at the National Cultural Centre for the 208th anniversary celebration (see story on page 13)

Rural Salary increase Constable GECOM beaten in likely after revenge report submitted probes allegations assault – President LGE fraud at Union, Region 5

Public Service CoI

Page 2

Page 9

Page 9

ETI lecturer succumbs P8 to injuries – driver for court tomorrow

2 news

monday, february 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

LGE fraud at Union, Region 5

Walter Rodney CoI

GECOM probes Findings to be handed in today allegations

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

G

uyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield has launched a probe into allegations of Local Government Elections (LGE) fraud, at Union, Region 5 (MahaicaBerbice) Berbice.

Chairman of Guyana Elections Commission Dr Steve Surujbally told this publication on Sunday that reports were made to GECOM about an alleged fraud, from LGE candidates within that region. He said investigations are being carried out by the CEO before a decision could be determined.

Nineteen persons residing in the Union/Naarstigheid Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Region Five have written the GECOM seeking to have their names removed from the coalition’s List of Candidates for the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Following Nominations Day, the 19 persons, all of whom claim to be members of the People’s Progressive

Party/Civic (PPP/C), discovered that their names were submitted on the APNU/ AFC list.

According to PPP/C Union/Naarstigheid R e p r e s e n t a t i v e Rabindranauth Saywack, the petitioners were similarly lured into signing forms for “community works” but it was afterward realised that the signatures were actually used as backers for the APNU/AFC party.

As such the Union/ Naarstigheid NDC is appealing to GECOM to have their names removed from the APNU/AFC collation’s list of candidates.

Only recently, 40 persons from Williamsburg, Rose Hall, sent two petitions to inform GECOM that they were tricked into signing a document which made them candidates on the APNU/ AFC List for the upcoming LGE. This led to Lowenfield visiting the area anf rectifying the matter.

Subsequently, the APNU/AFC coalition removed the 40 names from in accordance with predeter-

mined procedures.

The police have since started an investigation to determine if the signatures were indeed fraudulently acquired.

Meanwhile at a press conference late last week, the GECOM CEO explained that after Nominations Day, there is a period prescribed by law whereby any defects determined in the List of Candidates submitted, the Returning Officers shall write the List Representative indicating the details of those defects.

The Parties will be given a chance to correct the mistakes and failure to do so within the stipulated timeframe would result in the List of Candidates becoming defective.

In the case of Rose Hall, Lowenfield explained that the matter was raised during the period of correction and therefore, it was resolved in time.

In the event defects are recognised after the period has elapsed, Lowenfield had previously indicated that it may require a “civil action” to effect results.

He then added that he will have to enquire with GECOM’s legal department to determine how to proceed with a case where persons are calling for a change even after the period of corrections’ deadline has passed.

Lowenfield explained that these are new elections being conducted under a new process and therefore there are new rules.

LGE are scheduled for March 18 in 71 Local Authority areas, including nine municipalities and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils – a total of 580 constituencies.

LGE were last held in 1994.

Dr Walter Rodney

S

even months after the investigation abruptly ended, Commissioners who were probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader Dr Walter Rodney will today present their findings to President David Granger.

The report will be handed over to the Head of State following several delays.

The report was initially expected to be handed over since November 2015; however, several hiccups had caused some postponements.

The three-member team comprising its Chairman Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Sir Richard Cheltenham, Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam returned to Guyana last Monday to put the finishing touches on the report. They had met with Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams.

Following that meeting,

Cheltenham had expressed concerns about the impact the premature ending of the hearing would have on the final report.

The new Administration upon its ascension to office, made a decision to discontinue the hearing, which was close to the end but which still had some pertinent witnesses to give evidence.

“The premature termination…. will mean, as I said earlier, the report will not be as thorough and it means, too, that insofar as there were some individuals who were critically commented on in the course of the evidence who did not get a chance to answer, we will be very disinclined to make critical findings of fact in relation to those who were criticised but who did not get the opportunity to answer those criticisms.”

Cheltenham had lamented.

Such individuals include former Crime Chief Cecil “Skip” Roberts, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader Rupert Roopnaraine and former People’s National Congress (PNC) leader Robert Corbin, who was also issued with a Salmon letter to appear before the Commission.

The Commission was set up to investigate who or what was responsible for the bomb blast that caused the death of Dr Rodney on June 13, 1980.

Since his death 34 years ago, the WPA has always maintained that it was the People’s National Congress (PNC) led then by former Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham that killed the political leader and scholar.

Evidence emanating

Walter Rodney CoI Chairman, Sir Richard Cheltenham

from the investigation has pointed in the direction of former army sergeant William Gregory Smith, who it was believed was used by the PNC Administration to manipulate a communication device that caused it to explode. Rodney died on the spot. Smith, who immediately fled Guyana to French Guiana, denied the allegations from afar and even coauthored a book with his older sister Ann Wagner to prove this. He died from cancer in French Guiana back in 2003.

While the People’s National Congress, the major partner in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, had maintained that the Inquiry was being used as a political stunt to tarnish its reputation, former President Donald Ramotar, under whose tenure as President the Commission was established, said it was done owing to the persistent requests by Rodney’s widow, Patricia, and their three children.

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Monday, february 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 8 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, February 9 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 8 – 16:35h-18:05h and Tuesday, February 9 – 17:00h-18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light and heavy rain showers are expected throughout the day. Partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:25h and 16:41h reaching maximum heights of 2.68 metres and 2.82 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:15h and 22:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.52 metres and 0.38 metre respectively.

39,000 Guyanese applied for US visas in 2015 – Ambassador …over 4900 persons granted permanent resident status

T

he boom in Guyana’s economy over the past years has been touted as one of the reasons for the increased issuance of nonimmigrant (visitors’) visas to the United States to Guyanese.

This is according to United States Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway.

Speaking with Guyana Times late last week during an exclusive interview, the Ambassador reckoned that the growth in this

The US Embassy in Georgetown

US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway

country’ financial system, could be one of the reasons Guyanese have been approaching the Embassy for non-immigrant visas.

According to Holloway, the number of visas processed has been increas-

ing over the last 10 years.

For 2015, a total of 39,000 Guyanese were interviewed for non-immigrant visas, and way more than half of that number received visas.

“So the word on the street is that nobody receives a visa or only 10 per cent receives a visa…that is not true,” he said, continuing that “the number has gone up”.

He said five years ago, the number of applicants was about 6000.

Therefore, for the numbers to leap from 6000 to close to 40,000, was incredible.

“And that makes sense because the Guyanese econ-

omy has grown over the last few years; people have more disposable income and now that 9/11 is way behind us, more people want to go visit the States and we encourage Guyanese who want to go to the United States legally, or who want to go study or to do business, we encourage that,” he told Guyana Times.

Providing more statistics, Holloway informed that for last month alone, the Embassy interviewed 7500 Guyanese – one per cent of the country’s population. More than half of those persons, he said, were issued with their visas.

Asked if there are

any instances of persons overstaying their time, Holloway said deportation has gone down significantly over the last couple of years.

“There are some people who … are turned down because they believe you might be going to work, we have not seen an increase in these incidences.”

Meanwhile, as it relates to the number receiving the immigrant or permanent visa, the Ambassador said this has been relatively stable over the last five years or so.

“It is somewhere between 4300 and 4900 every year. Last year was a little over 4900,” he said.

Assistant Police Commissioner recovering slowly – Traffic Chief

A

s s i s t a n t Commissioner of Police (Administration), Balram Persaud is said to be slowly recovering at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital. This is according to Traffic Chief Dion Moore.

Persaud is currently under observation at

the Hospital following an accident on the West Bank of Demerara close to the Demerara Harbour Bridge on Friday evening about 23:00h. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, who suffers from a heart condition, sustained at least six broken ribs in the accident.

Information reaching

Guyana Times revealed that at the time of the accident, Persaud, who was on leave, was heading to a Police function in the city when he allegedly lost control of his car and slammed into a utility pole.

An investigation into the accident is currently underway.

ACP Balram Persaud

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monday, february 8, 2016

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Editorial

Business and Jubilee Independence

I

n the Budget debate starting today, we hope our political leaders will take stock that this is the golden jubilee of Independence and reconsider the role of business to help deliver real independence. The political leaders of 1966, were, at best, equivocal about that role in our economy.

Accordingly, independence brought much experimentation with alternative means of economic development. When those failed rather disastrously, by 1989, the PNC conceded somewhat sheepishly that henceforth, “business would be the engine of growth”.

During the 23 years of PPP governance, we have had steady but not spectacular growth under this model, but unfortunately this has disappeared under the new APNU/ AFC Government. However, the example of sustained double-digit growth rates in a host of countries during that time offers hope that we, too, could extricate ourselves from the economic basement into which the PNC’s experiments had plunged us. Since 2008, however, the inbuilt cycles of the business-centred growth model delivered a prolonged slump in Europe and the US that has affected all countries, including Guyana.

It is now accepted that businesses face deeper and shorter cycles than ever before with each subsequent revolution accelerating. This introduces a heightened range of economic risks and degrees of complexity that our businesses and political directorate must grapple with if our growth rate is to be maintained much less increased. The most volatile external factor is technology and this is expected to be the primary driver of change in organisations over the next three to five years. Technological advancements have driven a sudden convergence of digital, mobile and social spheres, resulting in a new dynamic in stakeholder relationships by connecting customers, employees and partners in new ways to organisations and to each other.

Companies looking to operate in Guyana cannot be guaranteed long-term certainty or a high degree of predictability as Guyana offers unique challenges. APNU/AFC, along with its partners in the media, created a perception of Guyana as a risky destination for business. The tenuous legislative framework in our country, exemplified by the then Opposition’s refusal to follow the advice of even external neutral agencies and sign the Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill Amendments, is a case in point. Such uncertainty makes strategic business decisions difficult in Guyana.

If we are ever to be truly independent, we have to deliver the promises of 1966 to our citizens: to bring us to the level of the developed countries in standard of living, health and welfare. The lack of solid, modern infrastructure remains a significant barrier for Guyanese operations beyond socioeconomic and political complexities. Guyana’s required infrastructure capital since independence far exceeds the past and current spending. This substantial spending shortfall, which the Opposition has refused to accept, can only come from borrowing.

It kept harping on the absolute amounts to be borrowed, refusing to accept that the growing economy could service this higher level of debt. And that future higher income flows also help in that respect. Strategy is about making choices and is to be distinguished from short-term tactics.

The complex operating environment in which Guyanese companies operate results in choices that are difficult to make. This necessitates a deep understanding of the factors that influence profitability, as well as the factors affecting the company’s reputation and relationship with stakeholders.

Adopting a structured approach to making choices at a corporate and business unit level is necessary.

Poor strategy is often characterised by the failure to make choices and we can see this in the Government’s actions since last year. The closure of Wales is only the latest of a long list beginning with the killing of Amaila. Asking the right questions allows companies and the political class to successively focus on key aspects of our high-level and operational strategies which collectively form the basis for long-term strategic planning and short-term prioritisation.

The Government must allow businesses to deliver real Independence to Guyana.

Tapakuma Lake Primary at the Children’s Road march and float parade event on Saturday organised by the Department of Education in Region Two

PPP should have given the sugar land to workers to engage in private cane farming Dear Editor, Long before the European Union ended its preferential rate for sugar from Guyana (and other territories), Ravi Dev, me (Vishnu Bisram) others (not as a group but separately) analysed that sugar industry in Guyana would face a serious crisis unless reforms were undertaken to empower the working class over management and ownership of the land. Production was on the decline for varied reasons.

These outstanding thinkers individually recommended a workable solution that would have benefited GuySuCo, workers, GAWU, the PPP and the country – give the workers the land to engage in private cane farming to save the industry and spur economic growth.

The PPP support group in NY and others with close ties to its leadership were asked to intervene to help convince the leadership to accept and implement the advice and recommendation of granting the land to sugar workers for private cane farming. But it was to no avail as the PPP leadership rejected it feeling it knew what was best for its supporters. The socialist PPP did not want to create what Stalin called the new kulak class (pri-

vate property owners) – keep them in poverty depended on the state.

Well the party and everyone is now paying a dear price for not listening to social analysts who predicted the current events taking place affecting sugar workers and other PPP supporters.

As Dev had noted in his analysis of the sugar industry, production per unit was declining and manual labour was hard to find to work in the industry.

It was noted that private cane farming was far more productive than state owned farming although the state had better machinery; state production was subsidised and more mechanised than private peasant cane farming and yet private farming was more productive.

There were separator commendations by Dev, Bisram and others given to the leadership of the PPP and GAWU to give the sugar lands to the workers to grow cane under private ownership and for the state to manage the factories. It was determined that sugar workers under private management would be more productive working for themselves than for the socialist state.

The powers that be rejected the advice.

The PPP did not learn the lessons of history of what happened in Guyana between 1965 and 1992 and took no precaution against a recurrence. It did not pay heed to what happened in Trinidad where the sugar industry was closed down and the workers rendered “homeless, landless and jobless” because of the refusal of Basdeo Panday’s UNC to give the land to the sugar workers as recommended by the great social thinker Trevor Sudama and anti-corruption crusader Ramesh Maharaj.

The UNC was booted out of office.

That example was brought to the attention of the leadership of the PPP. But it remained stubborn, refusing to learn from experience and historical examples.

PPP leaders are not known to be exemplary political scientists and deep social thinkers like a Dev or Dr Baytoram Ramharack or Ramracha or other scholars. Now, PPP supporters and the country as a whole are suffering because of the blunder of the party leadership to take good workable advice on what to do with the sugar industry.

Instead, they send for Raj Singh to come and fire sugar workers and Dr Surujbally’s (Election

chief) wife leading to their loss of office.

The party felt it would never lose power and it did not want to lose its influence over the workers by rendering them “free” from government control by making them private cane farmers or kulaks.

Well the party and the sugar workers have now paid a hefty price.

The party is out of power because some sugar workers voted against it (2011 and 2015) with false promises from AFC. And the sugar workers are on course of becoming “homeless, jobless and property less” because the new PNC dominated government has initiated the closure of GuySuCo (starting with Wales) and will give the land to its financiers and supporters.

In short, the PPP and sugar workers have lost “guana and cutlass” because of the shortsightedness of the leadership of the PPP. Had the party listened to those who analysed politics and social phenomena correctly, sugar workers’ interests would have been protected today. PPP should have given the sugar land to workers to save the industry.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

MONday, february 8, 2016

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Racism and political favouritism Humanitarian investments are should be eradicated critical for global community Dear Editor, For decades I have been advocating racial harmony in the country of my birth, but my pleas were ignored both by the PPP and PNC administrations and it seems as if the new APNU/ AFC might not be different. It is like six for one and half a dozen for the other. I wonder what can be done to change this sad and worrying situation which is the bug-bear of the nation.

Growing up we were told that the British sowed the “divide and rule” seed and when Forbes Burnham broke away from the PPP and formed his own party in 1955, the racial divide was intensified despite a few window dressings in both parties.

In the 1960s Sydney King was deemed a racist and his call for partition between the Africans and the Indians was laughable and completely ignored.

Several years later I met him after he had changed his name to Eusi Kwayana.

I must say that he is an honest, fair-minded human being and he is concerned about the wellbeing of all especially the poor. He is far from being a racist.

It is the perception of some Afro-Guyanese that all Indo-Guyanese are PPP supporters and some IndoGuyanese feel that all AfroGuyanese are PNC diehards.

Professor David Hinds a few years ago in one of his columns penned I was a strong PPP supporter being

paid to propagate the Jagdeo administration. Maybe Dr Hinds does not know I write pro-bono for several media houses in the Caribbean.

Moreover, it is known that I was always antiPPP and a supporter to the PNC having worked for GBS Radio from the inception in October 1968 and Burnham’s law firm, Clarke Martin from the time it opened its doors.

I remember three decades ago an Antigua journalist accused Ricky Singh of being a racist and went so far to say that he (Ricky) would refuse to shake hand with a Black woman. I responded stating that Ricky’s wife was Afro-Guyanese.

President David Granger speaks of racial harmony, but we are still to see concrete evidence that his coalition government is moving in this direction. Most of the diplomats and important positions are being filled by Afros - this regime is doing the same that the PPP did two wrongs cannot make a right.

Efforts must be made to stop this party/race politics and choose qualified and unbiased persons to hold important positions. One would have thought since it is a coalition government, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo would have a say in trying to curb the imbalance which is so evident.

A large number of influential Indos, who fought to remove the PPP/C from office because of corruption, now have second thoughts

because they feel that only Afros are offered top positions in the administration. Even in the diaspora there is disunity in Guyana Associations in several states and territories.

A few years ago I was asked to intervene in the British Virgin Islands where the division between Indos and Afros was visible.

Over in the United States where President Barack Obama wants legislation for better immigration policies, a dialogue has started about immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900s deserve better than the new immigrant for the hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for better life.

The early immigrants did not see themselves as Irish-American, Italian/ American, or German/ American, but as Americans who stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

Using a cricket analogy – I am batting my last over and before my innings comes to a close I would like to see fair play and a harmonious relation between the two major races in Guyana.

I am prepared to spend the rest of my life to work towards this goal, but some friends and acquaintances feel I am dreaming.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

Detention of Orealla/Siparuta fishermen by Suriname’s military Dear Editor, The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on Friday 22 January received reports that nine residents of Orealla/Siparuta were arrested and taken into custody by Suriname’s military.

The men Armaan Edwards, Genovese Davair, Alistair Peneux, George Edwards, Ackley Felix, Bob Peneux, Rodrick Herman, Edward Herman and Clifton Edwards were engaged in subsistence fishing in the Corentyne River at the time. They were using hooks and lines and were in small boats and canoes.

Subsistence fishing is part of our Indigenous Peoples’ culture which has been practised for centuries. In the Amerindian Village of Orealla/Siparuta, subsistence fishing forms part of the Village life and economy. The Corentyne

River is the Village’s sole source of fresh fish.

The men were taken some thirty miles up-river to Apoera in Suriname where that country’s Military processed and later released them. Some had to paddle for hours to get back home.

The matter was immediately reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is engaging that ministry’s attention.

In the meanwhile, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs engaged the Toshao of Orealla/Siparuta David Henry and some of the affected fishers.

In the process Vice President Sydney Allicock was properly briefed on the issue. Allicock who is also the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs continues to engage the Toshao and remains in close contact with Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs

Carl Greenidge.

Sincerely, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs

Dear Editor, It took the heartbreaking image of a drowned toddler lying on a beach in Turkey to finally wake the world to a humanitarian crisis that has been long brewing. The desperate migration of thousands of Syrians into Greece and across Europe is but an example of a larger trend of people fleeing or being pushed from their homes to escape violent conflict, persecution, extreme poverty or diminishing economic viability.

In short, they are leaving to protect their lives and the lives of their families.

And they take huge risks to do so. Witness the Syrian migrants left to suffocate in a truck in Austria and the many victims of drowning, as refugees board rickety boats in Turkey or the North African coast for the harrowing journey across the Mediterranean Sea. For most of us too, our grandparents were victims of migration who suffered immensely from the vagaries of migration. We are witnessing a global level of migration not seen since the end of World War II, with nearly sixty million people displaced by war, persecution, disaster or extreme poverty.

The magnitude of this migration is beyond the resources of many of the receiving countries, and even for those like Lebanon who were initially hospitable to people from Iraq and Syria, the welcome is wearing out. The presence of so many may also exacerbate.

Obviously we must ramp up our international humanitarian response. There are a number of pressures acting as push factors that are fuelling this migration trend.Conflict is one of the most obvious. Economic inequality is another cause.

Migration is also spurred by changing climate that affects crop production and increases the frequency and severity of

natural disasters. Climate change disproportionately affects poor and marginalised people who lack the access to resources, information and decisionmaking power to adapt.

Although immigration is fuelling passionate debate in the western world over how welcoming we can afford to be, the reality is that a large amount of refugees resettle in the developing world. These countries are even less equipped to handle the influx, creating a situation many times more challenging than what we in the developed world face.

We also have international humanitarian non-governmental organisations that are doing their best to help. This is a crucial moment where addressing root causes of migration can begin to stem the tide. As a global community, we must find effective means of resolving the global and regional conflicts that are driving so many from their homelands. We must foster sustainable and scalable development to lift those who are migrating to escape extreme poverty and war.

And we must hold governments accountable to uphold the rule of law and create a space for civil society to flourish. This is not cost free and we have to be willing to devote hard-earned tax dollars, more private philanthropy, corporate re-

sources, and international and domestic political and policy attention. But it is a great investment.

We are at a moment in history in which a number of factors are contributing to people to be on the move.

The situation currently facing Greece affects Europe more broadly, and will inevitably affect us in this part of our world.

Increasing immigration is only a symptom of the larger challenges our world is facing, and the solution lies at the source, not at the national borders.

Smart and effective development requires getting ahead of this phenomenon, coordinating within and across regions, and combining diplomatic, humanitarian and market-based interventions.

The international community must address the push factors creating this situation, whether conflict, grinding poverty, or the worsening effects of a changing climate.

A humanitarian investment in the developing world is an investment in stability and security that is critical for the global community. My own grandparents were migrants to this country and the tales they told are not for those with a weak heart.

Yours faithfully, Rooplall Dudhnath

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monday, february 8, 2016

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Parenting for intelligence and success – educational psychology provides 18 ideas to help children thrive at school and life

By Dona Matthews, PhD

T

he American Psychological Association recently published a review of the top 20 principles from the psychological research, concepts with proven effectiveness in the teaching/learning process.

Eighteen of these principles apply to parenting for academic success and intellectual development, from the early years and right into college.

Model and teach a growth mindset.

Show your child that intelligence isn’t something she’s born with more or less of, but instead that ability develops over time, with opportunities to learn.

Welcome your failures and mistakes and hers as learning opportunities, showing the way to growth in every area.

Start with what your child knows now. All learning builds on prior knowledge. When helping your child acquire a new skill (from sweeping the floor to mastering mathematics), check out his current beliefs and abilities, and build on that. Start by addressing any misconceptions or bad habits, and help him figure out how to do it right, one small step at a time.

Each child’s developmental trajectory is unique. Contrary to popular misconception, children grow at different rates in different areas, and in different sequences. Give your child the challenges she needs and wants, no matter whether others see her as too old or too young for that learning or skill.

Learning happens in a context. Your child can’t automatically transfer his learning in one area (learning at school about the relative nutritional values of different foods, say) to another (like making healthy food choices), even if the application appears totally obvious to you. He can learn to apply his knowledge in one area to another, but he will need your help.

Practise, practise, practise. Even if your child learns very quickly, she’ll need to practise what she knows already if she’s going to get better.

Good practice habits include frequent assessments, practice problems, hands-on activities, and applying what she knows already to new contexts.

Provide clear, specific, and timely feedback. If you want to motivate your child to continue learning in an area he finds valuable and interesting, make sure he’s getting frequent and meaningful feedback about how he’s doing, whether that’s from you or from a teacher/mentor.

Foster selfr e g u l a t i o n .

Focused attention, organisation, selfcontrol, planning skills, and memory strategies are all important components of learning. You can teach these self-regulation skills by modelling them in your own life, and explaining what you’re doing (and why) to your child.

Nurture creativity. You can help your child acquire habits of mind that lead to creativity. These include welcoming alternative perspectives and solutions, encouraging him to analyse and advocate for his own ideas, seeing fresh new possibilities through his eyes, and helping him learn how to take sensible risks.

Encourage intrinsic motivators. Your child’s interest in learning will be sustained longer and her understandings will be deeper if she feels a personal desire to learn, rather than working for grades, rewards, awards, or approval. Help her discover her own enthusiasms, and support her in exploring them further, making sure you don’t take over. You want her to own

the learning experience.

Support mastery goals. Help your child experience the pleasure of persisting toward mastery –increasing his skills and knowledge as far as he can go – rather than achieving an endpoint of performance set by a teacher, parent, coach, or test. Learning for i t s own sake feels more

satisfying, a n d motivates much higher achievement in the end.

Communicate high expectations.

Demonstrate faith in your child’s ability to accomplish her own highest objectives by a positive attitude, and by providing her with the tools and support she needs to do that. She will achieve more if you believe she’s capable of it.

Set short-term, specific, and realistic goals. It’s great to have lofty long-term goals like making the world a better place, but in order to achieve them, your child needs help formulating shorter term goals

that are specific and realistic. As he experiences the satisfaction of realising manageable goals, he’ll be motivated and empowered to develop more challenging and larger goals.

Consider all relevant contexts and cultures. This includes home, classroom, school, neighbourhood, extended family, cultural and religious groups, local and national affiliations, media, and more. Be inclusive, and help her consider and come to terms with conflicting values and attitudes.

Interpersonal relationships are at the heart of all learning. Your child learns best when he knows that you care more about him – his hopes, dreams, preferences, and problems – than about his achievements. By being present to him with your whole heart, you enhance his ability to learn and achieve in the long run.

Overall well-being matters most. Learning, achievement, and happy productivity follow naturally from healthy selfesteem. To foster well-being: listen to your child’s concerns and enthusiasms, ensure lots of free unstructured play time, spend time outdoors, value do-nothing times, and encourage an attitude of gratitude.

Support good behaviour. In almost every case, a difficult child can learn to behave in socially acceptable ways.

Start by giving him a healthy dose of your full loving attention several times a day. Bathe him in your unconditional positive regard. Help him find what he wants to know more about or do better, and help him find ways to accomplish it.

Take it slowly. Be patient with yourself and with him.

Create a success-conducive culture in your home. By combining solid expectations, a nurturing attitude, and dependable support, you enhance your child’s ability to take on meaningful challenges. (psychologytoday.com)

Too busy to play?

Push back for healthy balance

– give children ample time for free play, nature, reflection, boredom, and imagination

By Dona Matthews, PhD

B

alance is one of the most important secrets for raising happily productive children.

It’s important to provide lots of stimulation, challenge, and learning for your children, but it’s just as important to ensure ample time for free play, nature, reflection, imagination, and even boredom. Here are six ideas you can implement starting today that will help you push back against overscheduling, and create a healthy balance.

Make time for play It’s through playing with other children in games of their own devising that children learn to make decisions wisely, manage their emotions, see things from others’ perspectives, sort out conflicts, and make friends.

Other benefits of unstructured playful exploration include better self-regulation, selfawareness, and collaboration skills; greater ownership of one’s own learning; and a freer imagination.

Free up your children’s time in whatever ways you can. Reduce the emphasis on organised sports, homework, lessons, and practice.

Encourage their curiosity, playfulness, sociability and deep desire to learn by assigning a top priority to playtime.

Go outside!

Time spent outdoors increases well-being in every area: psychological, physical, cognitive, and creative.

Time in nature expands the imagination; stimulates all the senses; frees the spirit; and makes a person calmer, more optimistic, healthier, and more creative. It enhances academic success by improving attention and focus. Children are calmer, more optimistic, healthier, more creative, and more successful at school when they spend time outdoors.

From the time he’s born, make sure your child gets some outdoor time every day, no matter the weather or your schedule. An hour outside every day is great, but even if it’s only 20 minutes, he’ll experience many benefits, including stress reduction and increased sense of well-being.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

TO BE CONTINUED

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monday, february 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Budget 2016

Debate begins today T

he National Assembly will become the hub of attention over the next few days as Parliamentarians from both sides of the house are expected to debilitate on the $230 billion Budget 2016 – the largest ever – presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan last week.

Jordan‘s Budget, the second presented within eight months is dubbed “Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence: The Good Life Beckons”. But while Government seemingly has moved in the direction to provide a “good life” for Guyanese, criticisms have already begun pouring in on the country’s financial plan.

Opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo said the Budget 2016 is anything but a good life for Guyanese.

He highlighted some areas where Government could have been a little more lenient and has called on the administration to humanise the budget by reversing and adjusting some of measures outlined in favour of policies and programmes that will directly benefit the poor and struggling masses, as well as emerging small-scale Guyanese businesses.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has labelled this year’s Budget a “taxation” budget even as she hinted that the debates will be “hot”.

She, along with several opposition Parliamentarians had met with Journalists last Wednesday, where their criticisms mounted over sections of the financial plan.

Based on their condemnation, it was obvious what particular areas would be debated during the course of this week.

The Party’s shadow Health Minister Dr Frank

Anthony had much to say about attention being given to maternal health in this year’s Budget, and was very concerned about Government backpedalling on its commitment to complete the maternity ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the promised increased number of staff in this area. These things have not been done.

He also mentioned the state of affairs within the health sector at it relates to the procurement of drugs and said that although some $6.5 billion has been allocated for the procurement of drugs, the country will continue to experience drug shortage.

Another issue raised by the Shadow Health Minister was the attention in the Budget for suicide. While Government will be mounting a Commission of Inquiry in the incidence of suicide, Anthony said there has not been any financial allocation to fund measures that experts have unearthed.

Speaking also at the press conference was Shadow Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who said Government was unaware of the direction it

EPA to take on enforcement role

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

T

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be restructured this year to offer better service and improve its efficiency. The agency will take on more of an enforcement role, according to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman. He explained that the agency in the past did not have the power to enforce regulations.

He added that officers of the EPA will be trained to become ‘enforcers’ and those from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will benefit from training in compliance and monitoring at the Mining School.

Minister Simona Broomes has been tasked with dealing with matters of compliance and enforcement, Minister Trotman stated in a Government Information Agency (GINA) report.

He added: “A new division is going to be created in the Ministry and Ms Broomes will be responsible for the creation and functioning of that division.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources is aiming to have all stakeholders in the sector operate within the laws and in a sustainable manner.

wants to take the masses of Guyanese children, since she has not seen any fruitful measure that indicates this.

She also questioned Government’s funding of the ‘Three Bs’ programme and the move by Government to remove the education voucher programme.

She also has concerns about Government’s move to politicized the education system and highlighted the painting of buses and boats to be used for student transportation in colours matching those used by the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition green and yellow as an example.

“It is offensive,” she said Shadow Minister of Social Protection Dr Vindhya Persaud was concerned about the absence of women’s programmes and financial aid for women.

She said the Child Protection Agency (CPA) continues to battle with staff shortage and the inadequate social workers at shelters in the Berbice, Region six (East Berbice-Corentyne) area.

She declared that the Budget lacks any consideration for the ordinary person.

Meanwhile, Pauline Sukhai, Shadow Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, also spoke of the absence of anything meaningful in the Budget for Amerindians and their communities.

Reduction in Guyanese deported from US – Ambassador

D

espite public views that a large number of Guyanese in the United States are still being deported, US Ambassador Perry Holloway has stated that this is not the case. In fact, he noted that the number has been reducing over recent years.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, the Ambassador said Guyanese deportation figures had never been as high as persons perceived. He noted that in any given year, it’s has been an average of 100 to 200 persons; however of recent the number has been leaning more on the lesser side.

“Over the last four years it has been going down. I have no explanations why it’s going down but it has been going down… I think people get the impression that thousands of Guyanese are being deported (but) I have gone back to about 10 years and I don’t think it was ever higher than 200,” he explained.

Ambassador Holloway added that currently the number of Guyanese being deported from the North American country is much closer to 100 on average per year.

According to records from the United States Department of Homeland Security, there has been a decreasing trend from 2008 to 2013 in the number of persons deported back to Guyana. Between that period a total of 1035 persons were deported here, 803 of whom were non-criminals.

Statistics on the US agency’s website shows that in 2008 some 508 persons were sent back, while 492 were deported in 2009.

The following year saw 428 Guyanese deported back to Guyana and 411 in 2011.

Approximately 360 persons were sent home in 2012 and another 292 the following year. These persons were deported on a criminal/noncriminal basis.

The figures for the succeeding years are not avail-

US Ambassador Perry Holloway

able on the website.

Moreover, the Ambassador went on to highlight that while some of the deportees are criminals not all of them are, contrary to popular belief. “Some people are just people who overstayed their visas or whatever the case maybe,” he stated.

Back in February last year, around 26 deportees from the United States arrived in Guyana after serving time for various crimes.

The convicted criminals came aboard a DC 9 World Atlantic flight.

According to procedures, after clearing immigration they were shuttled to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Eve Leary, where they were processed for release.

The United States has deported thousands of convicted criminals to the Caribbean annually since 1996, when Congress mandated that every non-citizen sentenced to a year or more in prison must be kicked out of the country upon release.

In all, the US is responsible for about three-quarters of the region’s returning criminal deportees, with the United Kingdom and Canada accounting for most of the other ex-cons arriving in the Caribbean.

It is a phenomenon that also afflicts many parts of Central America, where street gangs that grew out of Los Angeles spread to the region through massive deportations. Brutal and powerful, one such gang, the “Maras” are blamed for rampant violent crime, extortion and, more recently, acting as enforcers for drug cartels.

Some years ago, Caribbean governments had said that deportees were exacerbating crime in nations with high levels of violence. The US in attempting to defuse tensions had introduced a programme to help reintegrate deportees, but the programme coordinated by the International Organisation for Migration recorded moderate success and was scrapped.

Some Caribbean countries such as Guyana had also enacted laws, which gave lawmen the power to monitor criminal deportees.

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

8 news

monday, february 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Suddie Public Road accident

ETI lecturer succumbs to injuries – driver for court tomorrow

He was air-dashed from Suddie Public Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Reports are the father of three succumbed while receiving medical attention at GPHC. Meanwhile, the driver, 55, who has been in custody since the accident is likely to appear at Charity Magistrate’s Court today.

It is alleged that he drove car PHH 2629 in a dangerous manner injuring Kassinauth. The accident

Hot air...

T

The damaged motorcycle

occurred at about 08:30h just in front of the Suddie Hospital entrance.

Reports are Kassinauth was riding motorcycle CH 4646 along the Suddie roadway when a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction turned across the road, him resulting in the collision. The dead man has been a lecturer for more than 12 years.

His body is expected to return on the Coast by Tuesday while the Police are continuing their investigations.

Dead: Crisnauth Kassinauth BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

C

h r i s n a u t h Kassinauth, 54, of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital late Saturday evening.

Kassinauth, a Technical Drawing lecturer at the Essequibo Technical Institute, was involved in a collision Saturday morning on the Suddie Public Road.

The car that injured Kassinauth

French nationals remanded on assault charges

T

wo French nationals were remanded to prison by Magistrate Clive Nurse last week after they were charged for unlawfully assaulting each other.

They are Ashley Mansfield, 21, and Dima Gordon, 23, both of Cayenne,

French Guiana and Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden.

They both appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges.

The Prosecution informed the court that Mansfield wounded Gordon to his left hand with a knife on February 2 at about 13:20h

Eyew tness

at Central Amelia’s Ward. As a result of the injuries he was examined by a doctor at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) and a medical certificate issued.

Magistrate Nurse after hearing the facts presented by the Prosecution ordered a probation report.

When asked by Magistrate Nurse if she knew that her actions could result in jail time, Mansfield whom the court heard is presently unemployed responded in the positive.

The matter was adjourned to March 16.

Meanwhile, Gordon was counter-charged with assaulting Mansfield at the same place and date, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Gordon will make his next court appearance on February 9.

Alleged narco trafficker remanded

A

man who hails from Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, was remanded to prison Wednesday after being charged for being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The accused Carl Simmons, 28, a mechanic of Lot 6062 Amelia’s Ward was allegedly caught with 463 grammes of cannabis sativa in his possession, at Oronoque Drive, Retrieve, Mackenzie, on January 1.

Simmons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him by Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The court heard that the accused has previous brushes with the law. The case will continue on March 1.

...on wind farm

here’s a whole lot of hot air blowing from Lloyd Singh, the fella who financed the new AFC headquarters according to Khemraj Ramjattan. Ramjattan allowed as to how there are no ulterior motives and he and Lloydie are just “good friends”. But when Finance Minister Jordan laid his Budget in Parliament, he let on the Government was considering a proposal to have power supplied to GPL by a Wind Power generating company. Turned out the majority shareholder was no other than good old Lloyd Singh!!

As the Opposition Leader whose constitutional duty is to keep the Government on the straight and narrow, former President Jagdeo opined that in view of Ramjattan’s admission of the “close friendship”, the prospective deal appeared to be “incestuous”. And maybe to prove it ain’t so, there ought to be some “public bidding” on the deal.

Well, well, well! How dare he suggest that!! Don’t “friends” buy $60M buildings and give them to political parties every day of the year? What a cynic is this Jagdeo!

Yesterday, Lloydie expanded on the “Wind Farm” he’s hocking. Your Eyewitness quotes the Muckraker so he won’t be accused of doing a “muckraker” on Lloydie: “Singh said that he is now renegotiating the price with the new government. “We are in discussion about lines agreement, interconnection agreement, power purchase agreement and an MOU. We are also renewing our environmental permit.”

Now if Lloydie is “renegotiating” all of these things – what the heck’s he accepting from the previous proposal the Government had been presented with by investors Lloydie says he’s bought out? The paper on which it was written? Lloydie wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants the sweet from the previous contract – the govt had considered it ...but wants all the terms redone in his favour.

Take the price at which he wants to sell the power to GPL. Back in 2010 when the original contract was written up, they’d asked for US 10.5 cents per Kilowatt hour (pkwH).

Lloydie now wants 12 US cents (yesterday the printer’s devil made it come out as 28 cents) EVEN THOUGH OIL PRICE IS NOW LESS THAN HALF IT WAS BACK THEN!!! (US$71/ barrel) And to make matters worse, wind power generating costs have come down from the US 1 or 2 cents in 2010.

Now don’t get your Eyewitness wrong. With COP21’s decision to push “renewables” in power generation, there’s no question we’ll have to explore solar, wind, ocean tides... and let’s not forget Hydro!

But if just building the ROAD to Amaila was dubbed “incestuous” by LLOYDIE’s best friend, Ramjattan, shouldn’t we have open bidding when Lloydie’s going for the whole hog?

...on agreement

Lloydie’s also speaking with a forked tongue: the original wind power contract from a Curaçao fella was never signed, sealed and delivered. As late as 2014, PM Sam Hinds - with responsibility for the Energy Sector - commended the Wind Farm initiative but pointed out (in the Stabber News) : “the wind farm needed to be studied fully: very detailed studies had begun which would have taken account of, amongst other things, the additional costs that GPL would have incurred to maintain stability in the grid. For example, the cost of maintaining a number of spinning reserves to meet the rising and falling of the varying speed of the wind which would have had to be discounted against the savings in heavy fuel oil purchases (avoided costs).”

So the US 12 cents per KWH Lloydie’s demanding isn’t all GPL will be forking out. “Stability in the grid” means having backup generators and fuel to run them for when the wind isn’t pushing the turbines at full speed.

Even LLOYDIE’s spewing of hot air won’t be constant!

...and Budget

Today, the Budget Debate begins. Let’s hope the Speaker doesn’t continue his blatantly partisan rulings.

Surely they have SOME confidence with Nagamootoo as “head of government business”!!

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

news

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monday, february 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Rural Constable beaten in revenge assault

Public Service CoI

Salary increase likely after report submitted – President A

G

overnment is awaiting the completion of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the Public Service to conclude negotiations with the respective trade unions before making an announcement on salary increases for Public Sector workers and members of the Disciplined Services.

This is according to President David Granger, who was at the time being interviewed by media operatives during a recent airing of his weekly telecast “The Public Interest”.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced during the 2016 National Budget presentation that the much-anticipated salary increases for Public Servants would have to wait since Government was in the process of dis-

President David Granger

cussing the matter with the various trade unions.

Shedding more light on the process, President Granger reminded that Government had launched a CoI into the Public Service to inquire into, report on

and make recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment process, remuneration, conditions and other matters pertaining to the personnel employed in the Guyana Public Service.

The Commission, which is headed by Professor Harold Lutchman, would take into consideration the remuneration packages and working conditions of both public servants and Disciplined Services ranks.

The President explained that the CoI report ought to be submitted before July.

The CoI hearings commenced September last.

Government will then review the report, conclude discussions with the trade unions, and then make an announcement on whether there will be any changes in the salary structure.

Private Sector, GRA to discuss implementation of FATCA

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and private sector entities will be meeting to discuss the implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

The meeting is scheduled to take place at GRA Headquarters, Camp Street on February 16.

In a public notice, the GRA is calling on all private sector entities to submit names of representatives to attend the meeting to discuss matters in relation to the implementation of FATCA. FATCA is a United States federal law that was enacted in March 2010 with the intent to enforce the requirement for United States citizens (including those living outside the US) to file yearly reports on their non-US financial accounts to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN).

Its enforcement was part of the country’s efforts to

thwart tax evasion in an effort to raise revenue.

During his Budget presentation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan indicated that Guyana can adopt either of two FATCA models: Model 1 Reciprocal Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) or Model 2 the Non-reciprocal version.

Model 1 calls for reciprocal exchange of information. It is generally available only to jurisdictions that meet two requirements. The country must have in place protections and practices

with the United States.

On the other hand, Model 2 provides only for a country reporting to the US. Simply put, any Foreign Financial Institution entering into an arrangement with the USIRS would be referred to as a Participating Foreign Financial Institution (PFFI).

PFFIs (local banks, credit unions and insurance companies) will be required to examine their existing accounts to determine who will be considered as US citizens, identify such new ac-

GRA and Private Sector entities will be meeting to discuss the implementation of FATCA

that are determined by the US Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to be sufficiently robust to ensure that the exchanged information remains confidential and is used solely for tax purposes and the country must have in place a tax treaty or a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with the US. Jordan indicated that Guyana will be moving to sign the FATCA Model 1

count holders, provide annual reports on them, and withhold payments to account holders who refuse to disclose relevant data.

PFFI which do not enter into an agreement with the USIRS will be considered Non-participating Foreign Financial Institutions (NPFFIs) and therefore, PFFIs will be expected to refuse to conduct business with NPFFIs.

Community Policing Group’s Rural Constable (RC) has been hospitalised after he was attacked in an act of revenge while on duty.

RC Paul Waterman, of Block A Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, was rendered unconscious after he received blows to his face and neck from a man armed with a large piece of wood.

According to Tuschen CPG Chairman Shaheed Ahmad, on Saturday evening, he and several other Constables, including Waterman, were on patrol duty when they were called to respond to a domestic dispute. Ahmad explained that they were returning to the CPG Outpost at approximately 18:30h when they encountered a group of men, who were drinking alcohol.

He explained that most of the men were known to them as they were repeat offenders with matters such as larceny and other petty crimes committed in the area.

“One of the young men who is known to us as (name withheld) called out for Waterman saying ‘you lock me up two years ago fuh marijuana’,” the Chairman recalled. He stated that the young man’s father was

Some of the injuries received

by RC Paul Waterman

present at the moment, and upon hearing his son’s utterance, proceeded to hold Waterman in a vice-like grip and allowed his son to inflict the blows. Ahmad added that Waterman fell unconscious and they sought assistance from the other men to take him to receive medical attention. He recalled that one of the men identified himself as a cadet, and when he requested his help to arrest the assailant, the man refused saying “this man should dead”. He stated that the injured man was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where they were informed that he sus-

tained serious injuries to his head after the doctors admitted him. The Constable will not be able to serve for the next two months due to the extent of his injuries.

Meanwhile, Chairman Ahmad is calling on the Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan to address the growing concerns of the CPGs. He explained that the Divisional Commander and his Deputy have been cooperating fully with the body to maintain security measures within the Tuschen area; however, in their absence, the lower ranks do not liaise with them. He alleged that when the CPG would arrest persons, these ranks, who are currently sharing the CPG Outpost, would release them without filing a report. This, he stated, is just one of the many issues that the group is facing. As such, he is requesting a meeting with either Minister Ramjattan or Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud. In 2015 after taking office, Ramjattan had announced that a decision was taken to divert resources from the CPGs to the Guyana Police Force, stating that the two entities were competing for resources.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 8, 2016

News

Rice industry decline in 2015

$11B lost in revenue – Irfaan Ali scale farmers. In other cases, Ali said farmers had to seek an extension on their mortgages because they cannot make the premium initially agreed upon.

The Member of Parliament explained that these challenges resulted in many businesses being affected by the reduced demand in goods and services which is owed to the fact that consumers have less spending power.

“These businesses have now started to send employ-

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

T

he economy lost approximately $11 billion in revenue from rice production last year and critics continue to blame government’s casual attitude adopted towards the rice sector for this undesirable outcome.

Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Nizam Hassan disclosed that the country’s rice exports increased by 6 per cent during the period January to October 2015 as compared with the corresponding period for the previous year.

However, the earnings from the exports declined owing to the loss of the lucrative Venezuelan rice market.

In 2014, almost 30 per cent of the rice exported went to Venezuela, for which Guyana received a higher-than-above world market prices.

Critics are contending that government’s policy towards rice, its inability to secure lucrative markets and its bad diplomacy with Venezuela caused the rice sector workers much dis-

ers lose their jobs, it means that they can no longer provide the social services for their children, that is, better health care, better and higher education, etc example, parents have been saying to me that they cannot send their children to University of Guyana now because they cannot afford it. Yes, I know the student loan is available but I am not referring to this but they need money for housing, food, books, transportation, etc,” he said.

Consequently, Ali is call-

A comparative illustration of the revenues earned from rice production in the years 2014 and 2015

tress and setbacks in their financial arrangements.

Six of the ten administrative regions rely on the rice sector.

The economy in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is heavily dependent on rice and the performance of the industry will more often than not directly impact the welfare and standard of living there.

Region Two has a population of approximately 46,800 – a considerable amount of people whose livelihoods are reliant on the rice industry.

Therefore, when House

Speaker Dr Barton Scotland declared that Parliament will not allow a debate on a Motion addressing concerns of the rice sector because “rice is not government’s business”, umbrage was taken by a large cross-section of society.

During an interview Opposition Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali resolved not to let the issue be brushed under the carpet: “The Government continues to argue that rice is not government business. This is a pugnacious and unpalatable position. Rice is an

integral part of our agriculture and a livelihood for many Guyanese.”

Referring to Region Two’s economy, Ali reasoned that if the Speaker’s pronouncement is to be validated, then it means government is not concerned with the livelihoods of the 46,810 persons residing along the Essequibo Coast.

Ali said residents in Region Two, particularly farmers, are facing dire consequences as a result of the troubles in the rice sector.

He said some farmers, especially small ones cannot afford to go back to the farms, and instead were forced to rent their lands to large

$11B lost in revenue from rice production decline in 2015

ees on early retirement and in some instances lay off works. This is fact,” Ali exclaimed.

The parliamentarian posited that the chain of events will directly impact the lives of families.

“When fathers and moth-

ing on the government to intervene and assist the rice farmers. He suggested that government hand out stimulus packages to the rice farmers, remove or relax duty on imports, reduce tax on exports, and/or secure lucrative rice markets.

Mashramani 2016

Region 10 Children’s Costume Competition concludes

T

A group performs in the masquerade segment

wo more exciting days were had in the Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Children’s Costume Competition in Linden on Thursday and Friday, with cultural presentations by students of the nursery, primary and secondary levels.

The presentations came on the heels of the Calypso and dramatic poetry segments held at the Lichas Hall in Linden, a week ago.

Things got off to a fantastic start at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground on Thursday as Deputy Education Officer (Primary)

Shivon Greene Brewster declared the event, which was presented through the Region’s Department of Education, officially open.

The performances continued under the theme “Celebration of Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty”.

On a decorative stage, students from across the Region performed in various categories, including physical and costume displays as well as masquerade and dance. The physical display segment included a new addition this year – the jump rope category (group and

freestyle), which was judged on team work, transition, appropriate dress and creativity, among other areas.

Costume displays lit the stage as the nursery and primary schools presented their colourful creativity.

As customary, the masquerade segment did not fail to entice the audience.

Similar activities were held on Friday in the secondary schools segment at the same venue. The activities saw students being awarded trophies for being successful in various categories.

monday, february 8, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Cabinet responsible for Wales 2 critical after horrific Estate closure – President Essequibo accident

President David Granger

By Devina Samaroo

P

resident David Granger disclosed that Cabinet was responsible for the closure of Wales Sugar Estate; however this distinctly contradicts utterances from other officials who previously insisted that the decision was taken at the level of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board.

The inconsistencies in the statement caused much concern since government had taken a position to wait until it received the GuySuCo Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report before making a decision on the future of Sugar.

However, the CoI report recommended against the closure of any sugar factory at this time, in light of the current economic climate.

After outrage sparked following the “premature” announcement of the Wales Estate closure, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder at a post-cabinet press briefing on January 20 stated that the decision to close the Wales Estate was one taken by the GuySuCo Board and was contained in its Budget and Action Plan 2016.

It was explained that Holder was “at pains” to inform Cabinet of the Board’s

decision.

However, during the recent airing of the TV programme Public Interest, President Granger disclosed that Cabinet was responsible for the Wales closure.

“Yes, a decision has been taken to close Wales and it’s a decision that Cabinet has been responsible for,” he stated.

When one of the journalists on the panel sought clarity on the President’s statement, asking if the decision was Cabinet’s or GuySuCo Board’s, Granger repeatedly stated: “Cabinet was responsible”.

In furthering commenting on the situation, Granger said it was the right decision to shut down Wales and that in the fullness of time, it will be showed.

Asked whether he thought the announcement was mishandled, the President responded in the negative.

“I don’t believe the government mishandled it… I believe enough information was in the public domain and that the public ought to have been aware of the fact that serious decision were going to be implemented,” he said.

However, the Agriculture Minister admitted that the announcement of the Wales closure was premature.

“What happened…

Guyana Times – I don’t know how they got wind of discussions going on at management level and Board level at GuySuCo, they published something… and immediately the thing went viral… so you can’t say it’s not true, because the discussions are going on. This whole thing came out prematurely and that is the unfortunate part of it and people are asking questions of GuySuCo that they really haven’t got all the answers for… management is playing catch-up now,” Holder had explained, noting that government was not ready to make the an-

T

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

nouncement until every detail was finalised.

Meanwhile, President Granger believes that government officials should reach out to the public and explain its reasons for closing Wales Estate.

“I am aware the Ministry of Agriculture himself was present at a press conference… where he explained to the public about the reasons for the closure of that particular industry… I am not aware that he did not go on the ground at Wales but this is something that could be rectified; but I agree that the workers should be engaged by state officials, face to face,” he said.

Notably, Guyana Times had asked the Agriculture Minister if government officials will be engaging the people of Wales but he stated that the administration is trying to keep out of politics and will therefore leave such engagements to be handled

by GuySuCo. Moreover, the President assured that there will be no privatisation of GuySuCo without national consultation and that it is highly unlikely that any other sugar estates will be closed.

The Wales Sugar Estate will be closed at the end of the second crop this year.

wo men are currently battling for their lives in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Suddie Public Hospital after they were involved in a head-on motorcycle collision on Sunday.

Rice farmer Ganesh Lall, 36, of Lima Sands and Lakeram Lall, 28, of Lot 44 Anna Regina Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast are listed as critical.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 15:00h on Sunday at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) Chinese Lock entrance.

Information is that Ganesh Lall was riding

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton with local and international consultants at the launch

T

he primary healthcare sector will now be further enhanced given the launching of the second edition of the Standard Treatment Guidelines on Friday through a collaborative effort of the United States Agency for International Development (USAIDS)

T

The badly damaged car

The driver is presently in police custody.

alerted other public-spirited citizens who rushed the duo to hospital where they underwent emergency surgeries. They both suffered extensive head injuries, as well as broken arms and feet.

According to a Police source it appears that both men are unlicensed motorists. The incident is the second motorcycle accident in the region for the year.

On Saturday, Crisnauth Cassinauth, 48, of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, lost his life after his motorcycle collided with a car on the Suddie Public Road.

Standard Treatment Guidelines launched

La Grange accident leaves 3 hospitalised hree persons are now hospitalised as a result of an accident on the La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara on Sunday morning.

Speaking with this publication a resident in the area explained that a loud noise was heard, which led several persons to investigate what was occurring. The resident said that upon arriving he saw a badly damaged silver Carina car partly submerged in the trench. Public spirited citizens assisted in getting the injured persons out and transported them to hospital.

Traffic Chief Deon Moore when contracted told this newspaper that the three passengers of the vehicle are currently hospitalised. He said the injured persons are listed as serious but stable at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

motorcycle CE 1061 when he collided with Lakeram Lall riding motorcycle PFF 7071.

Ganesh was heading to his Lima Sands home, and as he approached the junction he collided with Lakeram. It was indicated that the junction can be hazardous as it is difficult for oncoming traffic to notice oncoming traffic.

After hearing the collision, a rice farmer on a nearby field rushed to the scene where he discovered the unconscious men several feet from their motorcycles with blood oozing from their bodies. Both seemed in critical condition. He immediately

Details surrounding the accident are still sketchy as investigations are ongoing.

and the Public Health Ministry.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton expressed his delight and eagerness in embracing the new document as part of the health sector in Guyana. It, he said, will provide a standard approach to the management of diseases among other benefits.

“I am very happy because I think this is a power work which is very accurate. Most of all, it is also going to be very useful for us and the doctors have access to it free of cost.”

According to Norton, the organisations have been working on the document for a while and had managed to have it printed and presented on Friday during a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel.

He revealed that the document includes information on a series of sicknesses which all doctors should be knowledgeable about in order to promptly react to medical cases.

Additionally, it deals

with common emergencies, trauma, diseases and disorders according to the body systems.

“It involves a number of treatments to the respiratory system, air, nose, throat, eye conditions, cardiovascular, gastro and a whole lot more.” Norton told this publication.

This document, he said, will help to guide the procurement of medicine and its availability at various health facilities will help prevent unnecessary stocking of medicine which will significantly decrease wastage.

He informed that most importantly the document stressed the importance of using the generic names of medicine instead of the brand names. This, he said, will go a long way in developing the sector.

Dr Norton further reiterated that he believed that this new development would be beneficial to Guyana in a number of ways, helping the health sector to see expansion in the near future.

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monday, february 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

El Niño conditions

Farmers, hinterland areas suffering R esidents of Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) as well as rice farmers in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) are being severely affected by the prevailing dry weather which is having dire effects on their livelihoods.

According to a release from the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, there has been little or no rainfall in the Rupununi over the last sixteen weeks and as a result ponds have dried up

Rice farmer Ruth Semple

and shallow hand-dug wells are low on water while some have dried up. In some places even the rivers have dried up due to zero rainfall.

While assistance is being rendered to drought-affected areas, this is barely sufficient for residents. As such, they have been forced to undertake strenuous measures to ensure they have enough water to meet their basic needs.

In areas such as the South Pakaraimas, Yorong Peru, Paipang, Taushida, Tiger Pond and Rukumuta that are experiencing grave difficulty, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) along

The rice lands have now become dry and cracked as a result of the drought

with Karasabai have been transporting tanks of water to offer communities relief.

Meanwhile, the South Central area has been without rainfall for at least thirteen weeks, resulting in the Rupununi River being partially dried up. As such, measures have been taken by the villages of Baitoon and Shulinab to monitor the water levels in their wells, and water from the river is being used to supplement the scarce well water.

“The Deep South villages of Shea, Aishalton, Karaudanawa and Achiwuib are carefully monitoring their agricultural crops. The village leaders have placed priority on the health and education sectors it terms of the water distribution plan,” the release stated.

In the interim, in the North Rupununi area the situation is somewhat more favourable as Rupununi River still has a fair level of water. However, at Rewa and Crash Water crossings, the water has dried up. As such, in this area, the health and education sectors are given top priority in the water distribution plan.

In the Central Rupununi district, the situation is said to be considerably better as the water in the wells are still adequate for the village needs. Despite this the situation is still worrisome as there is a threat to the sur-

vival of agricultural crops.

The Kumu and Moco-Moco creeks are fast drying up while the Kumu falls has already run dry, and as a countermeasure the Villages of Nappi, Kumu, Mokomoko, Simonie, and Marcanata are rationing their water supplies.

Region Five

Meanwhile, the drought has been hampering the activities of rice farmers in Region Five. It was related that during the second rice crop last year, in excess of 103,000 acres were cultivated in the region; however, the lack of water has prevented farmers from cultivating all of their rice fields this crop while at the same time incurring additional expenses to acquire water.

Some farmers have accepted they would make a loss this crop but need advice on the way forward, so as to reduce this loss.

“Should I pump the water and plant the rice? Because ah already put the fertilizer and just waiting on water. If I ain’t do it now ah can’t plant till next crop, and then ah gon got to put fertilizer again,” one farmer told Guyana Times after realising he could not get advice from the Regional Administration as that body was not furnished with the relevant information.

Other farmers are ex-

pressing fear, as their livelihoods remain at stake. Ruth Semple, a rice and cash crop farmer, related that during the last crop she cultivated 120 acres of rice at Blairmont and about ten acres of cash crop at Gelderland, Ithaca.

However, she revealed that thus far, only 40 acres are under rice for the current crop. “This is because we don’t have the water, and the only source of water we have there is from the heritage, the estate [the Guyana Sugar Corporation] block off the water. We have a Koker there that Sam Hinds put down so that the estate will have to give us water... That is the only source of the water,” she stated while expressing her plight.

Semple disclosed that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has refused to give them water in assistance. She stated that GuySuCo has justified their actions by saying that their water supply is needed to take care of the cane fields.

She related that there is a drainage canal that the estate uses to send its wastewater to the river, adding, “I started using it but now they stopped us and now the estate is using it back.

Now we need the water because we already plough and throw manure and don’t have water.”

However, the reality is GuySuCo is utilising its waste water to fill canals so that punts can transport cane to the factory.

According to Semple, she is desperately in need of water to plant 70 acres and has already spent over $500,000 to prepare and fertilise the land: “It is like 110 bags of manure on the ground already, and is $5500 for one bag, and is only 40 acres we could plant. If GuySuCo allows us to take the drainage water, that will assist big time,” she posited.

Minibus operators to pay $200 daily fee to use bus parks

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inibus operators in Georgetown will now have to pay a daily fee of $200 to use bus parks as the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has launched a payment system for operators in an effort of maintaining and beautifying the environs.

M&CC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Debra Lewis (Ag) on Sunday told Guyana Times that a meeting was held with operators of public transportation to make a decision on payments for this venture. Lewis explained that 95 per cent of the operators were in agreement of the decision.

The final decision made was each operator would pay $200 each day as a contribution for this venture.

“This project would be

started in phases, for each public transportation park within the city. Collection of payments would begin on Monday for public transportation operators, in the vicinity of Stabroek Market and Demico House” she noted.

Weekly meetings will be

conducted to accommodate room for alternate changes, if this payment is not feasible enough.

The implementation of this payment system by M&CC came with much criticisms, citing it as totally unfair to them, who related they have to pay addition-

al fees to enter University of Guyana to transport students.

Recently M&CC resuscitated its Traffic Management Unit along with its bicycle patrol to restore efficiency, order and an easy flow of traffic around the city.

THE CLOSURE OF WALES: Are there alternatives? (Part 1)

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attended the panel discussion last Friday at Moray House on the topic, “The Closure of Wales Estate. Are there alternatives?”. It was very informative, to say the least. A veritable “who’s who” of the movers and shakers of sugar were in attendance – save (officially) the members of Cabinet and GuySuCo’s Board which had made the unilateral decision to close the Estate at the end of this year. The overwhelming consensus of the panel and the audience was that the decision should be reversed.

I made one comment and asked one question which encapsulated my views on the subject which I will expand on now. My comment was that the Administration was going to great pains to transport Wales farmers’ cane and workers to Uitvlugt, but to what end? Just as the canal to bring Versailles’ cane when that estate was shuttered back in the 1970s never fulfilled its purpose and died stillborn, so would the billion-dollar projected road in the backlands. Then again if, as the figures showed, cane production per acre at Wales was pitiful and even the farmers’ better performance couldn’t bring Wales to anywhere near respectability, what would change by taking the farmers’ canes to Uitvlugt?

Sadly, my home estate’s cane production is even more pathetic than Wales – and for the same reason: neglect of the field operations, no field supervision and field labour.

What was going to reduce costs when the logistics of getting Wales cane was only going to add massive fixed and variable costs to Uitvlugt’s bottom line?

My question to Mr Vic Oudit, the Chairman of GuySuCo between 1993 and 2004, was why neither the Corporation nor the then PPP Government had pursued the registration of our Demerara Brown Crystals under the WTO’s “Geographical Indications” regime. He passed the question to the Chair of the panel, Mr Ralph Ramkarran, who evidently was the Corporation’s lawyer on the issue. As Mr Oudit eruditely pointed out, Mr Ramkarran confused the Geographical Indications issue with that of the futile move to register “Demerara Gold” as a trademark and time ran out.

My comment on the movement of canes to Uitvlugt was the additional costs were simply going to exacerbate the historically higher costs of sugar production of the Demerara Plantations. These were due to unsuitable Type 3 soils and higher rainfall in Demerara that demanded greater inputs and labour. Even in the glory days of Bookers and abundant field labour we were at least 8 US cents higher than Berbice’s cost per pound.

And this was the reason for our focus on “Geographical Indications” in the 1990s and early 2000s. Article 22(1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) defined the latter as “indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a Member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributed to its geographic origin”.

Initially utilised only for wines, it was extended to include other foodstuffs: “Florida” for oranges, “Idaho” for potatoes, “Washington State” for apples, etc. So why not “Demerara Sugar” for brown sugar from Demerara, Guyana, for which we were the authentic product? This would give us a premium price for our unrefined Demerara brown sugar and justify the continuation of the Demerara Plantations which always had to be “cross subsidised” by the Berbice operations.

The answer to why neither GuySuCo nor the Government pursued Geographical Indications was Booker Tate was managing the Industry and advising Government. They were paid for marketing our production to the European refineries – why would they cut their nose to push Demerara Brown Sugar? But this was the only reason that could justify producing higher cost sugar in Demerara in the long term.

Apart from producing 100,000 tonnes per year in a new Skeldon Factory at 8 US cents per pound and continue cross subsidising Demerara production.

The sad reality is that latter plan did not work out and we must make a decision on Demerara sugar production, not just at Wales. However, we do not agree with the Government’s plan as announced.

(To be continued tomorrow)

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monday, February 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Congregational Church must embrace original role of communitarianism – President Granger tells audience at 208th anniversary celebrations

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resident David Granger has called on the Congregational Church of Guyana to continue leading efforts to rebuild communities and villages through education, social services and leadership.

The Head of State was speaking at the 208th anniversary celebrations of the Guyana Congregational Union (GCU), held on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) under the theme “GCU on the move, creating the right image”.

Granger told the gathering that the Congregational Church has been the midwife of community life and worship for many Christians in villages for over 200 years and has a longstanding record of stewardship.

“I have been impressed by the extent and expanse of the congregations from Albion to Zoar in Plaisance – what I called the ‘A to Z’ of churches.

The Congregational Church has been the light of Christianity in Guyana.

Congregationalists have given light to communi-

ties for over two centuries,” President Granger said.

Congregationalism pioneered religious education for the enslaved populations of Guiana, establishing schools to teach the poor, forging strong ties with rural communities and villages and always working in the interest of the less fortunate, he said.

“This nation is eternally indebted to Congregationalism for the role it played in education, both during and after the dark age of enslavement….

Congregationalism was integrated into the communities in which they ministered. Churches were more than houses of worship; they were classrooms of learning; they were community centres…

Congregationalism and communitarians in Guyana are inseparable,” the President said.

To this end, the President said, as Guyana prepares to host Local Government Elections and to celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary, dubbed “The Year of the Renaissance”, it

President David Granger among the audience at the 208th anniversary celebrations of the Congregational Church at the National Cultural Centre

is an opportune time for the Church and Guyana to reclaim the spirit of community solidarity – communitarianism – which characterised the Church’s early work.

“The Congregationalists in Guyana have had 200 years of experience in working with people and with communities. It was the Congregationalists who courageously carried Christ’s gospel to the victims of the

The greatest tragedy is not death but to live without a purpose – inspirational leader tells GPF

greatest crime against humanity over two centuries ago. Their descendants look to the Church, once again, to continue this holy task – to become beacons of hope for our communities, to help dispel despondency, to develop strong communities and to develop our country. Congregationalists are urged to renew the Covenant of 1808 to confront the challenges of this new century and of this new era in Guyana’s history,” President Granger told the audience.

The President said the Administration would strengthen community cohesion, community develop-

ment, community policing and community schooling, all in the interest of building a stronger, more united society.

“I believe in communitarianism. I established, for the first time in Guyana, a Ministry of Communities.

I proclaimed, for the first time, a National Day of Villages on 7th November every year as a reflection not only of the past role, but also of the future prospect for community development.

I promised, and will ensure, that 40 days and 40 nights from now, communities will be re-democratised after a dark episode of dictatorial domination. I promised and I will ensure that Local Government Elections, which have been obstructed for nearly two decades, will be conducted. Citizens will be re-empowered to manage their municipalities, neighbourhoods and villages once again,” he said.

The Head of State pointed out that too frequently communities were affected by serious social problems: anaemic economies; dysfunctional families; crime and misdemeanours; infrastructural damage, decay and deterioration; insecurity; interpersonal violence; alcoholism and drug abuse; depopulation; youth unemployment and poverty, and

work must urgently begin to address these issues.

“Some communities have become mere dormitories where people go home to sleep at night and depart early the next day to go to work somewhere else.

Communities throughout Guyana today need a renaissance, renewal and restoration. Communities are where most of our people live. They need a collaborative effort of the State, religious and Non-Governmental Organisations to remedy the disease of despair.

The Government, however, cannot repair the damage alone,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Chair of the GCU, Pastor Oslen Small, in giving an overview and history of the Church, pointed out that it was the President, who was also a historian, who provided the information that was needed to put together the overall history of the Church in Guyana. He said that the Church’s beginnings date back to 1808 when John Wray, from the London Missionary Society (LMS), arrived in Guiana, which was then ruled by the Dutch. By 1883, the British Congregational Union of Guiana was formed. Today, it has Churches in almost all 10 Regions of the country.

New health centre at Bath to serve over 4000 residents

Dr Astell Collins engages GPF ranks

By Devina Samaroo

I

nspirational leader Dr Astell Collins continues to make significant strides in his “Be the One” (BD1) leadership seminars across the country, this time around encouraging Guyana Police Force (GPF) officers not to live meaningless lives without purpose.

Dr Collins facilitated his BD1 leadership seminar with Cadet Officers and also addressed the highest ranks and most senior officers, encouraging them to serve the Guyanese public with fervour and vehemence.

“The greatest tragedy is not death but to live a life without a purpose,” Dr Collins told the group of keen listeners, quoting the late Dr Myles Munroe.

Dr Collins also advocated for national unity and in the process outlined how Guyanese were more alike than unalike.

He also took them on

a journey of self-discovery where he educated them about the importance of selfworth and self-value.

“We must become people of value because only a person of value can add value,” he stated.

The youth ambassador has been in partnership with the GPF for over two years.

The relationship was established after Dr Collins met with Senior Superintendent Paul Williams and training sessions were arranged.

Dr Collins said he was also in partnership with A (Georgetown) Division Commander Clifton Hicken whereby he engages with the youths who reside in that Division.

Contacted for a comment, Dr Collins said he believed fundamentally that focus should be placed on who “we are as a person” rather than “how we lead”.

“I want to transform followers into leaders and leaders into agents of change,”

he said.

Dr Collins related that after one of his sessions with the Police groups, a young officer approached him and exclaimed that it was the best seminar he had ever attended.

“He said it was significant because of the racial divide that exists between our nation’s two major ethnic groups. He said I was somehow dismantling the superficial barriers that have been erected and utilised by our political players,” Dr Collins recalled.

The motivational speaker said he wanted to engage more youths and create more opportunities for them by advancing the spirit of volunteering.

“My aspiration is to cultivate a culture of compassion in our nation where there is more collaboration and greater consideration for the essence of our collective humanity,” he stated.

The newly-commissioned health centre at Bath, West Coast Berbice

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esidents of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, will soon benefit from the services of a newly-commissioned health centre there.

The health centre, which was commissioned by Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, was funded by the Government of Guyana through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to the tune of $32 million. It will soon be fully operational.

Minister Norton is of the hope that once the health centre is fully functional, maternal deaths will be brought to a minimum.

The Minister explained that

many times maternal deaths happen because patients arrive too late at a health institution. “If you have the centre in the village, the chances of getting that person coming to the clinic are so much easier than if they have to travel long distances,” he stated.

The Minister is confident that when the health facility is fully equipped, residents will enjoy quality health services. “I am also certain, that the operationalisation of this facility will contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality, as we work towards meeting our sustainable development goal,” the Minister is quoted by the Government Information Agency (GINA)

as saying.

In addition, Minister Norton noted that he was confident that the health centre would also provide jobs for residents of the Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) community. He posited that once the centre was providing quality health services, more than 4000 people would seek its services.

BNTF Project Manager Michael Singh said that he was pleased to be handing over the health centre to the residents of West Berbice.

Singh stated, “Today, we are very happy that we could hand over this facility so that it could come into full use and the residents of Region Five, and even further could benefit from this.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 8, 2016

Regional

Cuba signs agreement with Haiti agrees on France to monitor air quality transitional government

President Michel Martelly and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Cholzer Chancy worked on the last-minute deal

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oliticians in Haiti have signed a last-minute agreement to install a transitional government that keeps the country from plunging into an immediate power vacuum Under the new agreement, Parliament will elect an interim president for a four-month term.

President Michel Martelly’s five-year term comes to an end on Sunday.

A run-off vote to replace him was postponed last month because of fears of violence and

allegations of fraud.

The agreement is to be signed by the Presidents of both chambers of Parliament.

Prime Minister Evans Paul will remain in the post until Parliament agrees on his replacement.

Haiti’s runoff election is now scheduled for April 24.

The new President is due to be sworn in on May 14.

The agreement gives the troubled Caribbean nation an opportunity for a fresh start, after more than a year of political instability and violence.

But the situation remains delicate, warned Martelly.

“We have to stay vigilant because certain people disagree with this accord,” he said.

On Friday, protesters beat a man to death in the capital, Port-au-Prince, in a clash with ex-soldiers.

Martelly is constitutionally barred from seeking reelection, but has thrown his weight behind Jovenel Moise, a banana exporter who won the first round of the presidential election in November.

But the result has been contested by the Opposition challenger, Jude Celestin.

He accused the electoral authorities of favouring Moise and threatened to pull out from the runoff vote.

Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council has postponed the vote three times.

Whoever replaces Martelly will face a daunting task.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

It was devastated by a powerful earthquake in 2010 and its economy still relies heavily on foreign aid. (BBC News)

GraceKennedy Money Services expands into Turks & Caicos Islands

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raceKennedy Money Services (GKMS), a member of the GraceKennedy Group and authorised agent of Western Union, is expanding operations into the Turks and Caicos Islands.

With this new market, GraceKennedy now serves as Western Union’s agent in 11 countries across the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and

Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, and the most recent addition, the Cayman Islands — which saw four service centres opened in November 2015..

“This expansion is aligned with GraceKennedy’s strategic vision of becoming a Global Consumer Group delivering long-term consumer and shareholder value, through brand building and innovative solutions in food and financial services, provided by highly

skilled and motivated people,” said GraceKennedy Group CEO, Don Wehby.

“With two and a half decades of expertise in the money services industry, we look forward to meeting the needs of customers in the Turks & Caicos Islands.”

Chief Executive Officer of GKMS Michelle Allen said the company would also continue its investment in robust compliance systems, which are critical to its business. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

T

he Government of Cuba has signed a cooperation agreement with France to increase the island’s capacity to monitor air quality.

Earlier this week, representatives from Cuba’s Meteorology Institute of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment signed a letter of intention with the French Environment SA Company that will be responsible for the construction and production of the equipment linked with atmospheric contamination.

The instrument will be-

gin cooperation on locating equipment in Cuba for an experimental phase said Celso Pazos, General Director of Cuba’s Meteorology Institute.

Pazos explained that the French company will offer the equipment and the technical counselling, and Cuba will play its role by have equipment installed in the Institution and the national meteorological service.

An academic exercise will also be done between both parties with the objective of analysing the feasibility of later increasing the equipment in Cuba to moni-

tor air quality.

According to Pazos, the importance of the agreement is related to the Cuban Government’s political will to protect the environment.

He noted that although Cuba’s contribution to global warming is low, the island is focused on reducing emissions and controlling contamination.

He said the agreement was an important step as it would increase the island’s capacity in measuring the quality of air and taking steps in favour of reducing contamination. (Excerpt from CMC)

Brazil Carnival: Party goes on despite Zika threat

Mosquito net costumes have been popular in Recife’s carnival

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illions of people across Brazil have joined the first day of the annual carnival festivities despite concerns about the outbreak of the Zika Virus.

In Recife, the city most affected by the mosquitoborne disease, more than one million people in colourful costumes have been partying.

In Rio de Janeiro, huge crowds of revellers have filled the city centre to celebrate.

The Virus has been

linked to a surge of brain malformations in newborn babies.

The Health Ministry and local authorities have been handing out leaflets alerting residents and tourists to the risks of Zika.

Over a million visitors are expected in Rio de Janeiro for the carnival celebrations, which end on Wednesday morning.

This is the first test of whether fear of contamination by the Zika Virus may scare tourists from the

Olympics the city will host in August and September, says the BBC’s Julia Carneiro.

Brazilian authorities and the International Olympic Committee have pointed out that the Games will be held during the Southern Hemisphere winter, when conditions for the proliferation of the mosquito that spreads the Virus will be less favourable.

Fumigation to try to eliminate the Aedes aegypti, which also carries the Dengue and Chikungunya viruses, are continuing in many Brazilian cities during carnival.

Some 220,000 troops will launch a big clean-up operation next week to eliminate puddles of stagnant water where the mosquitoes breed.

President Dilma Rousseff has urged all Brazilians to join the effort.

More than 20 countries in the Americas have been affected by the Zika Virus outbreak. Brazil has been the worst hit country. (BBC News)

Barbados aims to boost exports to Region and beyond Bermuda Government rights plan for foreigners sparks Opposition protest

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ndustry Minister Donville Inniss has said Barbados needed to increase its export of goods and services to the rest of the world, and the Caribbean Region was the best starting point.

He said it was the largest export market for Barbados and the one that offered the greatest potential.

Inniss was speaking at a press conference at the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), following a fiveday Caribbean Community (Caricom) trade mission aimed at generating increased exports to St Lucia, Grenada and Guyana.

The latest statistics show that from January to September 2015, Barbados exported approximately BDS$259 million (US$129.5 million) in goods to the Region. Minister Inniss said that on the current trajectory,

A

Industry Minister Donville Inniss says the Caribbean offers the best potential for export of Barbadian goods and services

the figure for 2016 could reach BDS$285 million (US$142.5 million).

“Many Barbadians might certainly not appreciate the volume of goods that we export in the Region, and whilst these figures might seem significant, we didn’t get there just by sitting here in Barbados and believing others will buy what

we produce…That is why the Board and management at the BIDC took the decision that we really need to go into the marketplace with those companies and service providers that we know are export ready, and to do so in a manner that will build strong linkages and relations with our partners in the other islands.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Government plan to give more security to foreigners has sparked a protest from the Opposition Progressive Labour Party (PLP).

Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy unveiled new proposals on Friday under which long-term residents would be given increased rights to apply for permanent residency and Bermudian citizenship.

The move will allow residents who have lived on the island for 20 years to gain status, while those resident for 15 years will be entitled to permanent residency.

Citizenship would give foreigners the right to vote in general elections in this British Overseas Territory which has a population of

65,000.

Only those foreigners without status who were registered to vote before 1976 have been able to cast a ballot in subsequent elections.

Fahy described the policy as “the right thing to do”, dismissing suggestions that the changes were “anti-Bermudian” or would take jobs away from Bermudians.

But the announcement prompted an angry response from PLP Member of Parliament Walton Brown, who took to social media to accuse the One Bermuda Alliance Government of “losing its mind”, and claimed it had shown contempt for Bermudians “reminiscent of the racist policies of the 1960s”.

Fahy said amending the

Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956 to incorporate the new provisions would bring Bermuda in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, generate revenue and help to address the decreasing work population.

“There is nothing antiBermudian about helping our family, friends and our neighbour,” Fahy said. “The people we are talking about represent every class, race, ethnicity and national origin.”

Under the proposed changes, residents who have lived in Bermuda for 20 years will also need to be Commonwealth citizens, of good character and not convicted of criminal offences to apply for status. (Excerpt from CMC)

MONday, february 8, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

UN Security Council vows new sanctions Somali jet suspect “checked in on after N Korea’s rocket launch

T

he United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket.

After an urgent meeting in New York, the Council said it would soon adopt a new sanctions resolution in response.

Pyongyang said it fired the rocket to place a satellite in orbit – but critics believe the real purpose was to test a ballistic missile.

Sunday’s launch comes weeks after North Korea held a fourth nuclear test – both acts violate UN resolutions.

Speaking after the closeddoor talks, Venezuela’s UN envoy Rafael Ramirez, the current Council President, said: “The members of the Security Council strongly condemn this launch.”

Pyongyang said it fired the rocket to place a satellite in orbit – but critics believe the real purpose was to test a ballistic missile

He called it “a serious violation of the Security Council resolution”.

US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said Washington would now “ensure that the Security

Council imposes serious consequences” on Pyongyang.

“There can be no business as usual,” she said, adding that “we’ll come up with something tough”.

Power’s words were

echoed by Japanese envoy Motohide Yoshikawa, who said sanctions must be strengthened.

“The existing sanctions have not stopped North Korea from developing nuclear weapons,” he said.

The Council meeting was requested by South Korea, Japan and the United States.

The launch of the rocket was hailed by North Korean media as a “fascinating vapour... trailing in the clear and blue sky in spring of February on the threshold of the Day of the Shining Star”.

A statement said a new Earth observation satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, had successfully been put into orbit less than 10 minutes after lift-off from the Sohae space centre in North Phyongan province. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

China’s currency reserves US elections 2016: Rubio assailed by Republican rivals plunged in January

S

enator Marco Rubio was attacked by several Republican rivals for the party’s nomination to run for the White House, in a fractious TV debate.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie tore into Rubio, a rising force in the polls, as inexperienced and scripted.

The Florida Senator, also assailed by Donald Trump and Jeb Bush, fought back by attacking President Barack Obama.

The debate in New Hampshire comes four days before the state picks its presidential nominee in each party.

Several of the seven Republicans on stage have staked much on this state, and the pressure seemed to provoke several points

of conflict.

One of the testiest moments at the debate in Manchester was when Christie lambasted Rubio.

“You have not been involved in a consequential decision, where you had to be held accountable; you just simply haven’t,” said Christie.

He accused the Florida Senator of “truancy” by missing Senate votes and said his eloquent speeches were ineffective in improving the life of a single American.

But Rubio, who was a strong third in the Iowa vote last Monday, attacked him for not immediately returning to New Jersey from the campaign trail during the recent snowstorm. (Excerpt from BBC News)

C

hina’s foreign currency reserves plunged

by US$99.5 billion in January, the People’s Bank of China reported.

China has been running down its vast foreign currency reserves in an attempt to boost the value of its own currency and stem a flow of funds overseas.

At US$3.23 trillion, China still has the world’s biggest reserve of foreign currency holdings.

But that has declined

by US$420 billion over six months and stands at the lowest level since May 2012.

“While the remaining reserves still represent a substantial war chest, the mathematics around this rapid pace of depletion in recent months is simply unsustainable for any length of time,” said Rajiv Biswas, Asia

Pacific Chief Economist, IHS Global Insight.

The Chinese authorities fear a rapid devaluation of their currency, as it could destabilise the economy.

Many Chinese businesses hold debt in dollars and managing those debts with a severely weakened yuan could cause problems and some companies to fail.

So China has been trying to engineer an ordered devaluation of the yuan, but that is proving hard to deliver.

Investors have been trying to pull funds out of investments priced in yuan and speculators have been betting on further falls in the currency.

To stabilise the situation China has been selling dollars and buying yuan. (Excerpt

I

El Niño, which strictly refers to the surface warming of the eastern and central Pacific Basin, has had a knock-on effect across much of the world

Erasmus said.

The drought is costing South African farmers more than an estimated US$600 million in lost crops. While

the Government says it will be spending US$19 million on assisting farmers, it also suggested that farmers should start adapting to

T

he suspected suicide bomber who blew himself up aboard a Somali airliner on a flight from Mogadishu to Djibouti was meant to board a Turkish Airlines flight, the head of Daallo Airlines told Al Jazeera.

The explosion ripped a one-metre hole in the side of the Daallo Airlines jet on Tuesday, after which the suspect was reportedly sucked out of the decompressed cabin.

The 74 passengers aboard the flight were originally checked in with Turkish Airlines, which flies to Somalia three times per week, Mohamed Ibrahim Yasin Olad, Daallo Airlines chief told Al Jazeera on Sunday.

“They were not our passengers. Turkish Airlines cancelled its flight from Mogadishu that morning because their incoming flight

from Djibouti could not come to Mogadishu because of what they said was strong wind,” Olad said.

“They requested we carry the passengers on their behalf to Djibouti where they would continue their journey on a Turkish Airlines flight,” Olad added.

“Turkish Airlines have not been in contact with us since the incident happened.

You can say they are trying to distance themselves from the incident.” Olad said.

Turkish Airlines suspended its flights to Somalia on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera contacted Turkish Airlines for comment but so far did not get a response.

Olad said Daallo Airlines, Djibouti’s national carrier, was working with the Somali Government and security officials at the airport on steps needed to avoid similar incidents in the future. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

More pulled out alive after Taiwan quake, about 120 people still trapped

from BBC News)

South African farmers devastated

by El Niño drought t is being described as the worst drought to have hit South Africa in 20 years.

Five out of the country’s nine provinces have been declared disaster zones as dry conditions triggered by the El Niño weather pattern continue to devastate the country.

Borrie Erasmus, a farmer whose family has worked and lived on the same land in the Free State Province for the past five decades, told Al Jazeera he had not seen anything like it.

“On our farm, there has never been a time that there has not been any maize in December. We could not even try planting seeds. It has been drier than ever,”

Turkish Airlines”

changing weather patterns.

“We can’t continue relying only on dry agriculture,” Senzeni Zokwana, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, told Al Jazeera.

“We need to put more funding so that we can build our capacity to put most of our production on irrigation which will mean new dams, which will mean new infrastructure.”

Al Jazeera weather presenter Richard Angwin says El Niño, which strictly refers to the surface warming of the eastern and central Pacific Basin, has had a knock-on effect across much of the world.

This phenomenon was particularly strong in 2015.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

At least 23 people are known to have died in the quake, which struck about 04:00h on Saturday

R

escuers in Taiwan pulled more people alive from a collapsed apartment tower on Sunday, a day after a strong earthquake shook the island, and kept searching for about 120 people still believed trapped in the ruins of the building.

Those found alive include a 20-year-old identified by Taiwan media as Huang Kuang-wei and another man in his 20s surnamed Kuo, who was able to walk out from the rubble, supported by rescuers. Both were sent to hospital.

Firefighters, Police, soldiers and volunteers combed through the ruins, some using their hands, watched anxiously by dozens of the victims’ family members who wore thick jackets, woollen hats and scarves on a chilly morning.

“She’s not answering my phone calls ... I am trying to hold my emotions and stay strong. I’ll do that until I find her,” said a woman surnamed Chang, 42, waiting to hear from her 24-year-old daughter who lived on the fifth floor of the complex.

“Nothing matters but to get her out. The lady living across the hallway was rescued yesterday. I know they will find her, but I have also planned for the worst. It’s been more than 20 hours now.”

At least 23 people are known to have died in the quake, which struck about 04:00h on Saturday, at the beginning of a Lunar New Year holiday, including 16 found in the collapsed Wei-guan Golden Dragon Building in the southern city of Tainan. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16 news

monday, february 8, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

Guyanese share their views about the ban on used tyres Winston Fraser – Linden

“I just bought four new (used) tyres last week. While coming from Georgetown last Wednesday one of them finished already. I didn’t realise it was dry rotting.

Then the other one, it came with a nail inside of it so I had to plug it on the first day I get it. So you see, I would be glad if I could start using new tyres, it would be more safe for me and my passengers.

That’s the best thing they could do for me right now.”

Alwin Whyte – Bus Conductor (Diamond)

“It is going to be real pressure especially poor people that have vehicle and have to take care of their kids to go to school, and they have their household needs that they have to maintain and to buy a tyre for $20,000 or so, it won’t be profitable for anybody with a vehicle because when you check the taxes you does have to be paying on parts for vehicle (alone), it sum up to them amount of money. As we working a 42 route, we getting $100 and $80 that is the two fare, and the distance from Georgetown to Grove, I would average, like eight miles and just to get that amount, it can’t pay off …it is unreasonable and pressure.”

Kumar Persaud – Driver (Riverstown, Essequibo Coast)

Currently, used tyres are selling for $4000 to $6000 for cars, an increase in this price would definitely lead to confusion for drivers. Daily, we don’t work for this kind of money and raising the cost would mean an extra burden on us. I can only support this if the tyres are being retailed at a cheap cost; driving work is very slow at the moment also.”

“I will only support the Government on this initiative if the new tyres are being sold at the same cost as we were purchasing the reconditioned tyres. It will be hard on us ‘cause work is not steady now and the little money you receive on the road is for your family’s survival.

If the Government reduced the cost on the tyres, then yes it will be a good thing: everyone want to drive in comfort.”

Rollin Tappin – Linden

Troy Somerset – Bus Driver (Georgetown)

“It’s a good thing to set high standards especially when it comes to the tyres you buy, but in bringing new tyres, there needs to be serious enforcement

by Government with regard to enforcement on warranty so as to safeguard our consumers. Failure to do this will have serious effect on consumers since this is lacking within our business sector. The other aspect is our socioeconomic reality: on the grounds where many persons may find it difficult to purchase new tyres and that may lead to contraband and in some cases more corrupt practices. I would prefer to see a phased process, but importantly Guyana needs a starting point.”

Alwin Greene – Bus Driver (Lodge, Georgetown)

“I just personally feel that it is time that we should be able to divert from using second-hand tyres and start bringing in fresh tyres, because if we put on brand new tyres on our car… I mean it will be more expensive yes, but if you buy a used tyre for like $7000 and a brand new tyre for $15,000, it is better to make the sacrifice and add a $7000 more and get a brand new tyre so that it could be able to last for a longer period of time…And if a used tyre give you up to six months, I’m sure that a brand new tyre might be able to give you almost two and a half to three years. So, I think that it is a good move, a reasonable good move, but it just that it will take a little time and things could be put together in the right way...”

Kelvin Benn – Bus Driver (Georgetown)

“I think this decision will affect me as an owner because the current price for a new tyre is somewhere around $17,000 and with lower VAT, it might be anything around $10,000. If you buy four brand new tyres, you have to cater for emergencies like those mornings when wake up and reach your vehicle ‘on jack’ because a thief man could carry away four brand new tyres and sell them and we lost. Also, if you give a driver your bus to drive and he fall in a hole and bend the tyre then how can we afford to buy a brand new one? I think the Government should leave the system as it is because at times it is hard to find even $4000 to buy a used tyre much less new ones, so what will happen? We can’t go to the tyre shop and trust tyres…”

Doodnauth Singh – Driver (Columbia, Essequibo Coast)

“I was amazed having learnt about the Government move to ban all used tyres. Honestly, it’s a good initiative, but personally I can’t afford same: I am a driver and every day you have to hustle.

When you have to purchase tyres at a higher cost, then it won’t be profitable; however, if the used tyres are sold at the same cost of the new tyres, then I would support.”

“I don’t have a problem with these systems that the Government inventing, they just got into office and we understand that, but this decision come out too soon and in such a short notice… they should have told us before and make this change in next three or four years’ time because we can’t submit to all these things they trying to do now. They have to realise that we are just ‘a small man’ hustling on the street to get a living and this change will be hard on us…

The Government need to give us a little more time because this is real rough… we can’t deal with new tyre...”

Mohamed Khan – Consumer (Georgetown) “I think that it would affect businesses a lot: it is the only source of income and it would just cut your business completely down because that is the only thing some people are depending on – used tyres. The new tyres are always available, but it don’t sell as much as the used ones because people in society can’t afford it…

You could get a used tyre for $3000 and a new tyre (the least) you could pick that up for is $12,000 so that’s four used tyres you can get for the price one. The problem with the new tyre is that most of the brands are manufactured in China and those are inferior tyres, but the used ones are mostly Japanese brand which are stronger than the new tyres manufactured with low quality. So, instead of banning the used tyres, the Government should ban a certain quality in the used tyres and maintain a certain standard.

Used tyres are dominating the world right now it is not only in Guyana… and even if you put on a new tyre, the road in Guyana is so poor that you would have to change it within a week.”

“I really think that the Government move to ban used tyre is not a bad thing, but what will happen to people that operate minibus? To purchase new tyre to work the road would be a strain on us… Come on, we have a family and we have bills to pay, so it is unfair to the poor people, and the thing is that they just ‘come off’ just like that saying that you must use new tyre, but this will be very expensive and costly and the tax will be lowered for a period of time and then eventually it is going to raise… The Government came to this conclusion without doing a survey to see whether it is the tyre causing all the accidents or speeding, and if is the speeding then why not raise the speeding ticket?

We are not in any minister position to afford new tyres; when the man who made this announcement was in the Opposition, he used to buy the same used tyre just as everybody and now he’s in the Government. Their duty is to consult with the people and see their needs not because you are (in Parliament) now, means that new tyres must come on the street immediately… take a look around and see how many things are currently facing bus operators. It is ‘we’, the low-class people, supported this new Government and these are the things that you’re gonna do to us?, I voted for a change and we get a chain in the bus park and then the change came with new tyre and a parking fee, so I just don’t understand where we getting…”

Dorian Parris – Driver (Linden)

Abdool Whahid – Driver (Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast)

Imran Ally – Taxi Driver (Diamond) “I just think that the Government should have still stuck with the foreign used tyres, because it will be too expensive for taxi drivers and poor people…”

Robert Green – Linden “I always believe in brand new, everlasting, durable things. Used tyres have less life since they have been used already. While it might be better for the poor man, as a taxi driver, I would recommend that you purchase brand new tyres. It may be more costly, but more durable and you get value for your money. The used tyres just serve for a limited amount of time, but I consider the new ones as best for the job. I normally buy used tyres because the new ones are more expensive, but if we can get a little cutback on the cost, it will be good. I would prefer that.”

Rohan Singh – Hire Car Driver (Corentyne) “I want to know how many of the fatal accidents in Berbice cause because of a tyre. I usually follow the news, and the Traffic Chief say that is speed and drunk driving cause all the deaths in Berbice last year. So, who the Government trying to fool?

If they want to put certain people out of business, they should come clean an say so. They have to pay more emphasis on drunk drivers. All that they doing is ensuring that drivers will have better tyres to speed more on the roads. You will see that this year, there will be more people dying on the road this year.

Come back to me for a comment at the end of the year.”

17

news

monday, february 8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Education sector CoI

"I am not surprised that there has been no CoI as yet" – Manickchand T

he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that should have been launched months ago into the education sector as part of Government’s strategic plan to enhance the level of education and which is still in the process of being established, has raised much contention within the previous Government.

Former Minister of Education Priya Manickchand on Friday last told Guyana Times she is “definitely not surprised” that government has not yet established the CoI but she had been “looking forward” to having it launched.

Two days ago, months after the declaration was made that a Commission of Inquiry was being launched into the education system, the Ministry of Education said it is still in the process of constituting this commission, even after the appointment of the CoI was approved by cabinet since August 2015.

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand

This prompted the former Education Minister to lash out at Government pointing out that under the previous administration the sector had been competent enough to completely evolve the way education is being delivered to schools across Guyana despite assertions from the current

Government that it was in a crisis and was in need of immediate reformation.

Manickchand underscored the prime achievements her Government had been able to accomplish over their years of serving the country, doing the best the country could with the resources available and reaping tangibly good results from those efforts.

“The statistics that were available to them did not matter to them. The fact that we had achieved universal primary education, had moved access to secondary education from 30% to about 70%... the fact the we had moved trained teachers from about 40% to 72%... the fact that we had changed the physical landscape of the system from dilapidated to far improved, the fact that our schools were retaining 2000 more students than in previous years indicating far less drop outs… the fact that our national and regional results were the best they had

Region 10 completes Plan of Action for Regional Development – 4 more Regions to benefit

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

ever been,” Manickchand passionately revealed.

She informed this publication that all the current Government’s programmes and plans for the sector this year have been plagiarised from the PPP/C’s plans and programmes, which is a ‘loud admission’ that they deceived the nation when they said both that the system was in a predicament and that they had more effective strategies and an-

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry monitoring situation

Part of the audience that attended the Plan of Action for Regional Development round table discussions

T

the swearing-in ceremony of Regional Chairpersons following the 2015 General and Regional Elections, charged them to create PARDs. The lessons learnt whilst crafting Region 10’s PARD will be used to the benefit of the other regions across Guyana. According to the Minister, Budget 2016 caters for the completion of PARDs for two additional Regions.

He noted that the Ministry is committed to ensuring that this is achieved and wants to begin crafting PARDs for two more Regions.

For the benefit of the other Regions, Regional Chairman Rennis Morian made a presentation on Region 10’s PARD, after which he shared that he is confident the successful implementation of PARD will position Region 10 as the new frontier of development. He noted that the sustainability of PARD depends on residents and its financing depends on the Region, Central Government and the private sector.

He noted that the PARD is a working document that caters for long-term devel-

pects of the education system.

“Through the CoI we will know what exactly has to be done in the education sector because we’ll have an idea of what needs to be done” Roopnaraine informed.

He reported that the ministry has a number of ideas to reform the sector but these cannot be implemented until the CoI shows what each region/ school needs to further build and enhance the manner in which education is delivered across Guyana.

In October 2015 Roopnaraine had stated that there had been a delay since the ministry was still in the process of appointing persons to head the probe.

He had intended to have nine persons being commissioners of the panel but at that time there had only been five confirmed persons, and he was in the course of contacting and confirming four others.

However, it would appear these four persons were not confirmed, thereby causing the CoI to be lagging this long.

Detention of Amerindian fishermen

T

he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10, Upper Demerara Berbice, on Friday successfully completed its Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD) and discussions are underway to identify the implementation arrangements necessary to bring the PARD to fruition.

While, this is a significant development for Region 10, it is a major accomplishment for Guyana’s local governance system and democratic process. It took Guyana 35 years to honour Article 77 of the Constitution which states: “The development programme of each region shall be integrated into the national development plans, and the Government shall allocate funds to each region to enable it to implement its development programme.”

Delivering remarks at the second Roundtable Discussion on PARD on Friday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan recalled that President David Granger at

swers.

Manickchand reported that the previous administration is perplexed over the reason why the government has not yet accomplished anything significant in the education sector as they had initially vowed to do prior to the May 2015 elections.

“Is it because education does not enjoy a priority place on the agenda of the APNU/AFC? Or is it because they have found, as they always knew, that the system is the best it has ever been and could be at this stage?” she questioned.

On Thursday last, during an interview with Guyana Times, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine had said that the Commission is being ‘constituted.’ He explained that the CoI is essential since it will analyse the problems within the school system and the ministry will be able to use this information to formulate plans on dealing with the adversities faced.

This analysis will be obtained through consultations with parents, students and teachers on various as-

opment. Its estimated cost of implementation is $22.62 billion and would require additional skilled staff, institutional strengthening, and a lot of hard work.

Those in attendance at the roundtable session included Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, Regional Chairpersons, Regional Executive Officers, Permanent Secretary Emil Mc Garrell, Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore, Director of Budget of the Ministry of Finance Sonya Roopnauth, among other staff of the Ministry of Communities.

The main aim of Region 10’s PARD is “Enhanced EnvironmentallySustainable Economic and Social Development in Region 10.” To this end, systems have to be put in place to enhance the welfare of the population; increase diversification of the regional economy, enhance environmental sustainability, and improve regional planning and administration.

he Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry said it continued to engage the Toshao of Orealla/ Siparuta on the Corentyne River as investigations continued into the detention of nine fishermen from the adjoining villages in neighbouring Suriname.

The men were detained in the Dutch-speaking country, but were later released.

According to a release from the Ministry, on January 22, it received reports that nine residents of Orealla/Siparuta were arrested and taken into custody by Suriname’s military.

The men – Armaan Edwards, Genovese Davair, Alistair Peneux, George Edwards, Ackley Felix, Bob Peneux, Rodrick Herman,

Edward Herman and Clifton Edwards – were engaged in subsistence fishing in the Corentyne River at the time.

The Ministry said the men were using hooks and lines and were in small boats and canoes.

“Subsistence fishing is part of our indigenous peoples’ culture which has been practised for centuries. In the Amerindian Village of Orealla/Siparuta, subsistence fishing forms part of the Village life and economy.

The Corentyne River is the Village’s sole source of fresh fish,” the release said.

According to the statement, the men were taken some 30 miles upriver to Apoera in Suriname where that country’s military processed and later released

them.

“Some had to paddle for hours to get back home. The matter was immediately reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is engaging that Ministry’s attention.”

In the meantime, the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry engaged the Toshao of Orealla/Siparuta, David Henry and some of the affected fishers.

In the process, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister and Vice President Sydney Allicock was properly briefed on the issue.

Allicock continue to engage the Toshao and remains in close contact with Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge.

India: Cancer survivor brings joy to destitute children

M

ark Rego is a popular pub quiz master in the southern Indian city of Bangalore.

He is the life of the party, dancing and joking with patrons as he takes them through his questions.

But he is more than an energetic quiz master.

Rego was diagnosed with cancer seven years ago, an incident that, according to him, changed his entire outlook on life.

“I made a bargain with God,” he told the BBC. Wanting to make a difference in people’s lives, he now helps raise funds for a number of charities that work with underprivileged children, orphans and cancer patients.

According to Rego, “giving away your spare money” is not really charity.

He spends a lot of time at the Jeevarathni Foundation – a home for destitute chil-

dren in Hosur, near the border between the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

As we drive into the lovely old colonial farmhouse where the foundation is located, the children come running out to the playground.

They are mostly from poor backgrounds, some are orphans and others have parents who are unable to take care of them. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 8, 2016

ARCHIE

You should do things for yourself, not for others, today.

(March 21- Not everyone will be impressed April 19) or will recognise your talents. If you support the underdog or a cause, you will feel good about your accomplishments and attract positive attention.

ARIES

Concentrate on romance, TAURUS travel or something you en(April 20- joy doing. Participate in acMay 20) tivities that inspire you to use your skills in new ways. New beginnings await you.

dilbert

Set a price for what you GEMINI (May 21- have to offer. Working for June 20) nothing will not pay the bills or build confidence. You deserve to be paid what you are worth. Consider starting your own business.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Check out your alternatives. A different environment or life choice will motivate you to take on projects that allow you to use your imagination. Romance is encouraged.

A partnership will allow LEO you to concentrate on what (July 23you do best. Negotiate your Aug. 22) terms and get what you want in writing. A change will do you good. Face your fears head-on.

If you take inventory of VIRGO your life, you will realise how (Aug. 23much it holds. An assertive, Sept. 22) wilful approach to getting what you want will lead to satisfaction and new goals.

Calvin and Hobbes

Observe what others say LIBRA (Sept. 23- and do, but don’t let on how Oct. 23) you feel or what your plans are until you have everything in place. Trust in yourself, and follow through with your objectives.

SUDOKU

Recognise what you are SCORPIO up against. Don’t let an emo(Oct. 24Nov. 22) tional reaction lead to an argument. Discord will curtail your freedom and stifle your chance to bring about positive change.

Plan to do something that SAGITTARIUS is entertaining and exciting (Nov. 23- and that will capture your Dec. 21) imagination and lead to an interesting project or pastime.

Don’t give in to negativity or peer pressure.

SATURDAY'S WORD – RUBEOLA

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Not everyone will like CAPRICORN your ideas or agree with what (Dec. 22- you plan to do. Walk away Jan. 19) from those who complain, and surround yourself with positive, upbeat doers willing to give you a helping hand.

Take action and do what AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- you can to get back in shape.

Feb. 19) Your physical and mental states will determine how well you will do and what you will accomplish.

You will feel alienated if PISCES (Feb. 20- you don’t share your thoughts March 20) and feelings with loved ones.

Be honest and find out where you stand. A healthy sense of compromise will lead to balanced relationships.

monday, february 8, 2016

Arsenal back in title race with win at Bournemouth

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey in action with Bournemouth’s Harry Arter

A

(Reuters photo)

rsenal re-established themselves as serious contenders for their first Premier League title since 2004 with a comfortable 2-0 victory at lowly Bournemouth on Sunday.

A first win in four games took them level on points with secondplaced Tottenham Hotspur, their bitter local rivals who have a superior goal difference.

After more than five hours without a league goal, Arsenal scored two in little more than

a minute midway through the first half by Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsene Wenger’s team are still five points behind leaders Leicester City but play at home to them next Sunday.

It was their first league win since Jan 2, since when they had played two goalless draws and lost 1-0 to Chelsea.

“It was a must-win game for us today,” Wenger told BBC Sport.

“Leicester have made a big impression in the last week after their results. They suddenly become the favourite in the Premier League and it makes our game (next week) a big game.”

Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey was heavily involved in both goals.

In the 23rd minute he crossed for Olivier Giroud to head down and give Ozil the opportunity to score.

Bournemouth had not recovered before Ramsey sent OxladeChamberlain through to score his first league goal since September 2014 -- and first away from home -- with an angled drive.

Former Arsenal youth team striker Benik Afobe could make no impression against his old club and was substituted before two late saves from Petr Cech preserved the visitors’ clean sheet.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe felt Arsenal should have had midfielder Mathieu Flamini sent off early in the game for a tackle on Dan Gosling that brought only a yellow card.

“I thought it was a red card,” he told Sky Sports.

“I haven’t seen it again but it looked two-footed and potentially off the floor. It wasn’t a difficult decision.”

Bournemouth, playing their first season in the Premier league, remain 15th, five points above the relegation places. (Reuters Sport)

Mourinho says he will be back soon

J

ose Mourinho, sacked as manager of Chelsea in December seven months after winning the Premier League title, has said he is not enjoying his time out of work and will soon be back in management.

He did not comment directly on media reports that have heavily linked him with Louis Van Gaal’s job at Manchester United.

But he did say that his family will remain in London and that he liked the competitiveness of English football.

“For sure, I will be back soon,” the Portugese told GQ magazine in an interview published on its website (www.gq-magazine. co.uk). It did not say when the interview took place. “(London) is an amazing place to live and for the family to be together,” said Mourinho.

“As a professional, I am ready to move,” added the former Real Madrid coach.

“I need competition every week. In Spain I was at an amazing club but I had four matches a

Jose Mourinho

year – Barcelona v Real Madrid, Real Madrid v Barcelona.”

Mourinho, who also won the league with Chelsea in his first two seasons there from 2004 to 2006, suggested that he deliberately created “instability” among players once they won trophies, to avoid any complacency.

“If you are in a club that wins, if you want to win again you have

to create instability in the winners,” added the Portuguese, fired by Chelsea after a run of poor form by the champions.

“You have to make them doubt, you have to buy new players, you have to make them feel not in their comfort zone.

“There is a normal tendency to go to your comfort zone.

If you don’t react, if you believe that just because you won in one year that you are going to win again, it’s very difficult.”

He said of his current unemployment, “I am not enjoying it.

To be fully happy I need everything, so I go back to football. I think it’s my natural habitat.”

Meanwhile Van Gaal told reporters that stories linking Mourinho with his job were hurtful to him and his family.

“The last two months have been very difficult for my wife, my kids, my grandchildren and my friends,” he said.

“I do not believe there is already a relationship between Jose Mourinho and Manchester United.” (Reuters Sport)

19

Defense powers Broncos to Super Bowl 50 win

Peyton Manning makes a hand off during Super Bowl 50

D

on’t say quarterback Peyton Manning didn’t tell you exactly how the Denver Broncos would win Super Bowl 50.

Manning said, over and over throughout Super Bowl week, that no matter how his right arm felt, no matter how his left foot felt, it has been the Broncos’ bruise-inflicting, quarterback-rattling defense “that got us here, let’s just make that clear.’’

And much like the rest of their season, Manning had just enough left in his 39-year-old body to keep things in order on offense and give the Broncos’ defense room to stomp, flex and rumble to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 in Levi’s Stadium.

The win is the Broncos’ third Super Bowl win -- it was the team’s record-tying eighth trip -- and ultimately fulfilled a promise Broncos general manager John Elway made to Manning in 2012.

Elway told Manning he would do “everything in my power,’’ to help him close out his career with a championship. That everything included giving the Broncos the kind of defense Manning has never had in tow.

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has said the Broncos cornerbacks are the best he’s had in his almost four decades worth of work in the NFL. They are the kind of defensive backs the pass-rushers love because they give them the time they need to get home. Phillips has consistently described Von Miller as “special.’’

From the moment Miller arrived in Denver with the second pick of the 2011 draft, his coveted ability to turn speed to power, power to speed has been on display. But when DeMarcus Ware arrived in free agency in 2014 it transitioned Miller from gifted athlete to fullblown football hell raiser with the drive, the moves and down-to-down determination to lead a defense to a Super Bowl win.

All of those practice conversations, all of the Wednesday com-

petitions when Ware, pass-rusher royalty in the 100-sack club, would constantly push Miller to make more plays than he did that day, and the next one, and all of the days that followed.

Miller showed big-moment impact with his sack and forced fumble that led to the Broncos’ first quarter touchdown. He later beat Panthers right tackle Mike Remmers with a move Miller didn’t have early in his career -- the spin back inside when a tackle tried to push him out wide.

And he put the exclamation point on it when he knocked the ball free from Cam Newton in the game’s final minutes, showing enough power and leverage to hold Remmers off with one arm and knock the ball out -- left-handed -- with the other.

That play led to the Broncos’ first offensive touchdown of the game -- with 3:08 to play -- and gave the Broncos a 24-10 lead when C.J. Andersonplowed over Panthers’ Pro Bowl linebacker Luke Kuechly to power in for the score.

The Broncos had seven sacks and pressured Newton a seasonhigh 18 times.

Phillips said he often works back from Miller in the pass rush plan. Even if Miller doesn’t get a sack, the attention offenses must pay him has allowed the Broncos to unleash a diversity in the pass rush that has powered the defense.

As Phillips has said: “Von Miller has beat his guy almost every play this season ... when they put other guys over there to help, then we can do some things.’’ It’s why 13 different players had at least one sack for the Broncos in the regular season.

And why when the Panthers tried to add a tight end, move a player to unbalance their front Sunday, the Broncos still generated pressure on Newton.

In the end Manning was right, the Broncos defense was why the Broncos played for the Lombardi Trophy and certainly why they hoisted it. And they made that perfectly clear. (ESPN)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 8, 2016

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016…

Pant ton fires India into semi-finals Sports: a gateway away from suicide S

By Treiston Joseph

Rishabh Pant pulls during his brisk ton

R

ishabh Pant continued his fine run of form in the Under-19 World Cup, slamming his third successive fifty-plus score to guide India into the semifinals following a 197run win against Namibia.

Pant, who had blasted the fastest U-19 international half-century during the win against Nepal, scored 111 off 96 balls with 14 fours and two sixes, powering his team to a mammoth 349 for 6.

India, opting to bat, did not make the best of starts, though, as the captain Ishan Kishan was dismissed for 6 in the third over. However, Pant and Anmolpreet Singh led a recovery, put up 103 runs for the second wicket. Pant added a further 62 for the third wicket with Sarfaraz Khan before falling in the 29th over. Still, Namibia

failed to dry up the runs, as Sarfaraz (76), Armaan Jaffer (64) and Mahipal Lomror (41*) all chipped in with handy knocks to lift the team past the 300-run mark. Fritz Coetzee was the pick of Namibia’s bowlers, taking 3 for 78, but went at more than seven an over, as did four other players.

Namibia began their huge run-chase promisingly, as the openers SJ Loftie-Eaton and Niko Davin razed 59 inside 10 overs.

However, the dismissal of Davin opened the floodgates, as the team went on to lose wickets at regular intervals, eventually getting bowled out for 152.

Left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar shone with figures of 3 for 25, while Anmolpreet snared 3 for 27; Namibia were dismissed in 39 overs.

SCOREBOARD India Under-19s innings RR Pant† c van Lingen b Rautenbach 111 Ishan Kishan* c & b Coetzee 6 Anmolpreet Singh c Rautenbach b Davin 41 SN Khan c Louwrens b Coetzee 76 Armaan Jaffer c Louwrens b 64 Coetzee MK Lomror not out 41 Washington Sundar c Rautenbach b Loftie-Eaton 1 MJ Dagar not out 0 Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 1) 9 Total (6 wickets; 50 overs) 349 Did not bat: Avesh Khan, RR Batham, KK Ahmed Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-121, 3-183, 4-281, 5-318, 6-322 Bowling: F Coetzee 10-1-783, M van Lingen 10-0-42-0, C Brits 2-0-26-0, SJ Loftie-Eaton 10-0-71-1, N Davin 5-0-381, F Rautenbach 4-0-32-1

(Cricinfo)

Namibia Under-19s SJ Loftie-Eaton b Washington 22 Sundar 33 N Davin b Batham ZE Green*† c Khan b Washington Sundar 27 L Louwrens c Avesh Khan b Dagar 5 E van Wyk c †Pant b Dagar 1 J Linde c †Pant b Anmolpreet Singh 25 C Brits c Khan b Dagar 3 F Rautenbach c Dagar b Anmolpreet Singh 8 M van Lingen c & b Anmolpreet Singh 9 7 F Coetzee b Ahmed 3 W van Wyk not out Extras (lb 5, w 3, nb 1) 9 Total (all out; 39 overs) 152 Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-80, 3-89, 4-94, 5-96, 6-105, 7-118, 8-128, 9-145, 10-152 Bowling: Avesh Khan 5-1-210, KK Ahmed 6-0-31-1, MJ Dagar 10-3-25-3, RR Batham 2-0-9-1, Washington Sundar 6-0-27-2, Anmolpreet Singh 7-0-27-3, MK Lomror 3-0-7-0.

Barca three points clear, Valencia lose again

B

arcelona cruised to a 2-0 win at Levante and regained their three-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday while Gary Neville’s Valencia lost again.

Champions Barcelona, with Luis Suarez scoring his 36th goal of the season, equalled a club record 28 matches unbeaten set in the 2010/11 season under Pep Guardiola. They have won 23 and drawn five.

Valencia, in contrast, lost 1-0 at Real Betis to extend their winless run to 12 matches and nine under Neville.

Bottom team Levante might have snatched at least a deserved point with better finishing against Barca, in lackadaisical mood after their 7-0 demolition of Valencia in the King’s Cup on Wednesday.

“We pressed them and caused them difficulties and danger but quality told in the end,” winger Jose Luis Morales told reporters.

“They have extraordi-

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and Levante’s David Navarro in action. (Reuters photo)

nary players. We bet on trying to cause damage in the first half but Barca wear you out.”

Levante central defender David Navarro gave Barca a fortunate lead in the 21st minute when he turned an Andres Iniesta cross meant for Lionel Messi into his own net.

The visitors had to wait until the second minute of

added time to make the result safe when Suarez finished off a fast counter-attack with his 20th Liga goal as Levante tried to snatch an equaliser and were caught off guard.

Barcelona, with a game in hand, have 54 points to Atletico’s 51 after a 3-1 win over Eibar on Saturday.

Real Madrid, third with 47, were away to Granada in

the late kickoff.

Barca might have been a goal up after two minutes when Messi had the ball in the net from Iniesta’s pass into the box but it was overruled for offside – a harsh decision as television replays showed.

Levante had a chance when Morales raced down the left into the box to hit a low shot that came back off the far post with Claudio Bravo beaten.

Striker Ruben Castro scored the only goal in Seville four minutes into the second half as Betis ended a nine-match winless run in the league dating back to a victory at Levante in November.

Valencia finished the match with 10 men after left back Jose Luis Gaya was sent off for bringing down Belgian loan signing Charly Musonda in the 85th minute.

Neville’s team slipped to 13th in the standings, one place below Betis with both on 25 points. (Reuters Sport)

ince the start of the year an epidemic has hit Guyana and a sad one at that; suicide.

Now while suicide has always been somewhat of a problem in the Land of Many Waters, the 2016 year has been highlighted with over 12 cases of suicide which has sparked numerous campaigns to Treiston Joseph bring awareness to the selfinflicted crime.

In addition, since the year began most of those committing the heinous act are under the age of 30 with at least half of those victims being under the age of 23, a troubling yet alarming statistic.

It begs one to wonder why such youthful persons with possible loads of potential will bring such harm upon themselves and their families.

This is where I will introduce my thesis; sports is an avenue to combat suicide.

One of the first things I remember doing as a kid besides watching cartoons is playing sports, more specifically cricket which happens to be the first love of every young person growing up more times than not.

It did not matter where when or how, as a kid you just wanted to play sports and while my love for sport grew into a passion for athletics, what I really took away while reminiscing on my childhood in an attempt to trace signs of any suicidal thoughts is that at a young age, especially in the teenage years where hormones are usually raging is the fact that once you are involved in a sporting activity, you really did not think much about anything else other than being ultra-competitive in the sport you are playing .

Sports is definitely a great release for stress and anger and it also allows one to clear the mind off all other thoughts that might be negative.

This is where the government comes in; while we cannot stop someone from committing suicide we definitely can give them avenues to release their depression and or negativity.

Seemingly, with no active plan to spread sport by the previous government as well as the newly installed regime, an action plan to have sport not just in schools but also in communities should be created.

Yes, the government have assisted various sporting associations in carrying sports to schools but the question remains how effective have these programmes been?

There has been a lot of talk about a youth policy by the new government along with its implementation but I humbly ask where all the talks about a sports policy are?

In addition, it is my view that sport is not extensively pushed in communities in order to get young people involved which is an indictment since sports is a form of empowerment for an individual.

I am definitely not a fan of the move to put sport under the Ministry of Education, to me it hampers the sport ministry or in this case the Department of Sport from being fully independent and pro-active.

With suicide on the rise, it could have been and still is a perfect opportunity for the Department of Sport to really engage communities in order to spread that aspect of a sport policy if there is one. It is a must that we give the youths of Guyana that opportunity to really flourish and one of those avenues should be sport.

Sometimes not every issue can be tackled, psychologically, sociologically, politically or even economically.

Maybe if a little more emphasis is placed on the overall development of sport it would not just help this nation from an economic standpoint but also from a social standpoint.

Thus empowering youths which in my estimation would translate into less suicide cases.

Simply put sport is a tool to curb our social ills, so use it!

YELLOW PAGES monday, february 8, 2016

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By Treiston Joseph

W

hile not a stellar day on the track, Upper Demerara’s Chantoba Bright took centre stage in the long jump pit when the Athletics Association of Guyana held its second development meet of the year at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary on Sunday.

Bright is definitely becoming one of the top female long jumpers in the country especially after a brilliant 5.61 metre effort on Sunday. The next best jump was University of Guyana’s Fiona Mentis with a leap of 4.13 metres.

Meanwhile the Hooper sisters dominated the triple jump event with the bigger of the two sisters Natrena Hooper looking in brilliant form with a leap of 12.53 metres to win the event ahead of little sister Natricia out of Running Brave Athletics Club who produced a leap of 11.69 metres. Bright finished third in the event with a jump of 11.55 metres.

Natrena was also dominant on the track running the fastest women’s 100 metres time of the day in 12.3s to top her Guyana Defence Force (GDF) compatriot Aniqah Powley who clocked 12.6s.

Natrena also ran the sec-

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

Chantoba Bright

ond fastest 200 metres of the day clocking 25.4s to finish behind Running Brave’s Avon Samuels who clocked a speedy 25.0s.

Samuels also won the women’s 400 metres in 57.0s to finish ahead of Natricia who ran 58.6s.

World Championship representative Andrea Foster ran a cool 800 metres in a time of 2:24.8s while Claudrice McKoy breezed to an easy 1500 metres win in a time of 5:06.0s.

Switching to the male side of the development meet, Police’s Linton Mentis was the sprinter in form with a 100 metres time of 10.5s.

UG’s Emanuel Archibald

also had a good day out jumping away with the long jump event with a leap of 6.75 metres while finishing second in the triple jump with a leap of 13.44 metres.

GDF’s Damon Williams had the winning jump with a leap of 13.65 metres.

Eion Rodney ran the fastest 400 metres of the day, clocking 49.7s to top Kareem Purch who clocked 50.2s.

Winston Dummett finished second in a time of 50.7s.

Devon Barrington also seemed to be in some amount of form early in the season with an 800 metres run of 1:58.6s while Matthew McKenzie had the best 1500 metres with a time of 4:20.2s.

Julio Sinclair was a man among boys throwing away the men’s shot put with a throw of 13.05 metres while national javelin record holder Leslain Baird got his first bit of competition of the season with a throw of 55.85 metres in the men’s javelin.

Cleveland Thomas ran away with the men’s 5000 metres with a time of 16:31.8s, topping Winston Missinger who clocked 17:54.5s.

Action in the 2016 AAG season will continue on February 14 with another track and field meet at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

Amelia’s Ward Jets banned and fined by LABA

T

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21 Bright, Hooper impress at 2nd development meet sports

he Amelia’s Ward Jets have been fined $20,000 by the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) for forfeiting their game against Retrieve Raiders on December 28 when the two teams were contesting a semifinal game in the LABA Malta Supreme Christmas tournament.

The Jets have also been banned for three months, however, should the Jets fail to pay their fine or play before the three months is up, the club could risk being suspended for one year.

According to a press release, a hearing convened January 12 that saw a fivemember committee in attendance laying down the verdict.

The committee comprised of Chairman Eze Wilson, a Vice President of LABA, Danica BarkerChase, Assistant Secretary of LABA Victor Wright, Public Relations Officer of the Upper Demerara Football Association, Collie Hercules and Robert Byass, a former national basketball player.

LABA’S Secretary Joseph Chapman presented the case on behalf of the association and a report was also done by referee Ashton Angel Jr and for the Jets their Coach Kevin Joseph and captain Parrish Cadogan.

The release goes as follows; the recommendation from LABA’s Disciplinary Committee headed by Eze Wilson, which returned a

guilty verdict on the part of the Jets for refusing to continue their game after a brief interruption of rain had caused a delay with eight mins 23 secs left in the second quarter with the Raiders ahead 21-7, was upheld by the association.

The Jets had bluntly refused to take the court when ordered to do by the game officials, claiming that the conditions were not favourable and their concern of the players’ safety.

In the report to the association from the Disciplinary Committee it stated in part that Game Commissioner Joseph Chapman brought the charge under the LABA Internal Regulations/Rules/ Bye Laws section 4 (a) and 4(b) which states that Clubs/ Teams who: (a) Disturb the normal development of the game may be liable to a fine of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) (b) Forfeit a game by refusing to participate in and/ or complete a scheduled game may be eliminated from the tournament and liable to a fine of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000). Besides they may be sanctioned with further suspension and fines by the LABA. It was noted that Coach Joseph had concurred with the testimony of the two game officials, Angel Jr. and Chapman, but Joseph in defence argued that the team did not consider the playing court fit for play and would

not subject its players to possible injury given their assessment of the conditions.

According to the findings, the Disciplinary Committee referred to the procedure after cessation of rainfall where there was consultation, and queried why neither party suggested additional time to allow for further evaporation of moisture. The referee having regard to the state of the playing surface after the initial stoppage deemed the surface safe to play and did not seek to consult with the teams.

Chapman argued further, that in any event the referee is the final arbiter on the suitability of the surface for play.

The release continued that the Jets had the opportunity and right to protest to the Game Commissioner given the circumstances, but failed to do so. The LABA Internal Regulations/Rules/ Bye Laws Section 5 under Rights of Commissioners, in part, states that the Dame Commissioner has full authority to resolve any problems that may arise between the organizers, teams and referees.

Meanwhile, the Bankers Trust Falcons who failed to play their final two games in the same tournament were fined $12,000 by the LABA Executive. Both clubs were given fourteen days to pay their fines from whence they would have received their letters with the decisions.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 8, 2016

GFF/Stag Elite League…

Dover bemoans the loss of experienced players to Alpha’s first half woes in league – “When there is a mass exodus of players, you will be affected” few lapses defensively”.

He further added “now we have worked diligently on the defensive organisation, we have also increased, the number of defensive players who can cover the chances and we hope now we can see consistent performances in these games to come”.

By Akeem Greene

T

he headline “Alpha United ‘Hammers’ their opponents” would have been a constant feature when Alpha took to the field over the years; but in recent time, they face an uphill battle to have the same competitive edge they once had.

Coach of Alpha United, Wayne Dover, has expressed his concern over the loss of several seasoned players at the start of the first half of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ Stag Elite League but expressed joy over the return of these players for the league finale.

“When there is a mass exodus of players, you will be affected because some of the better players migrated from, your ranks and if you are getting young players who have not been exposed and experienced but now we are getting the tried and test players returning to our fold we should get some level of consistency”, Dover explained.

The Coach would have been making reference to the five Slingerz FC players, namely defenders Colin Nelson, Joshua Browne and Solomon Austin; midfielder Dwain Jacobs and forward Anthony `Awo’ Abrams were transferred to arch rivals Alpha “The Hammer” United during the January

Transition period

Daniel Lanferman (No.11) will be a vital player upfront if Alpha is to surge to the top of the table

transfer period.

At the end of the League Genesis, Alpha would have played fourteen games, won seven; lost two and drew five. It meant they ended on 26 points which puts them in third place; two points shy of first place Slingerz FC. It was not as bad as it seemed for Alpha as their strike man Daniel Lanferman finished the League Genesis as the

highest goal scorer with 10 goals. The team made it to the genesis final but fell to Slingerz in a game which they held the lead into the second half.

In retrospect to their performances, Coach Dover revealed that “one of the things we saw is a lack of consistency in the performances in the games that we played and we failed to convert the many chances created and there were a

The team has undergone some major changes which saw an influx of youth being added to the squad, which could be a correlation to their fall in performances as the much needed ingredient of experience was lacking.

“In a transition, they will always be inconsistency with the play, because it is new players coming in, it is new ideas being thought to them and they will need a period of time of time to jell together and play in a consistent manner” Dover commented.

Dover who is also the Assistant Coach to the Golden Jaguars, expressed some amount of dissatisfaction in which the Executive officials of the club handled the team during transitional period.

“We have been given a short period, when I say we, it is the fact that our Executive would have given us this situation and still want results; we told our Executive that if we are go-

ing to go through his transition we will need time for the guys to jell and become a force but they [Executive] were result oriented”, Dover explained.

He added “so because of that fact, we had had to look at it from an angle that we not getting consistent results in terms of win loss and draw”.

Rivalry between Alpha United and Slingerz FC

Arguably one of the most highly anticipated matches in local football, which sometimes gives the sense of “Clash of the heavyweights”, is match that most often or not produces scintillating action.

Dover in full recognition of the rivalry said “Slingerz has born and they created this competitive situation by building a very strong team; the challenge has increased from teams just competing in a game to a team competing for Championship honor now”.

Questioned as to why Slingerz why Slingerz would usually pip Alpha the Coach responded by saying “we had players who would have probably meet a stage in their career, where they might not have that intensity to work as they used to do, and to my assessment that has played a part because when a young team is there and they start to

Wayne Dover

build, and they are hungry for success, there is no stopping them and we see that in Slingerz effort”.

In recognition that his unit is going through a rebuilding phase, Dover asserted that the younger players find it difficult to play to the level of competition that Slingerz presents.

“For us we try to go through a transition of younger players to see how they could compete with the level of competition Slingerz started to provide for us and we saw over that period that they are not at that level to initiate the championship status we once had but we look at the situation and we decided we need to make some signing we once held over the years”, Dover lamented. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

GCA’s 1st Division, 2-day cricket…

Singh’s all-round effort spearheads GNIC to win over UG

– GDF beat Police by 9 wickets

By Akeem Greene

G

ajanand Singh was the star of GINIC’s 10-wicket win over the University of Guyana (UG) in the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA) first division, two-day competition on Sunday.

Playing at the Maltenoes Sports Club ground, GNIC resuming on 200-5 eventually were bowled out for 249.

Jermaine Grovnsor resuming on his overnight of 16 eventually fell for 28.

Gajanan Sooknanan chipped in with 16 while Chairman of National Selectors Rayon Griffith made 10 before he was bowled by pacer Lloyd George.

Left-arm spinner Damien Vantull who grabbed 4-66 and seamer Ray Newton 3-27 were the pick of the bowlers for UG.

UG facing a deficit of 82 were restricted in the most shocking manner to 89-9 since one of their players did not take the field due to a reported illness.

Leon Williams top scored with 41 and the only other batsman to reach double figures was George with an attacking 21.

Singh who scored 95 on the first day returned to take 5-38 with his off-spin while Grovnsor and Sooknanan took one wicket a piece.

Needing just eight for victory GNIC got there with much ease.

Scores: (UG 167 and 899; GNIC 249 and 10-0) Over at the Guyana Defense Force Ground (GDF), the home team defeated Police Sports Club in a nail biting encounter.

Police who resumed on 80-1 with Sherwin McPherson on 62, who just

Randy Lindore

added to two to his overnight score, saw Police being bowled out for 171.

Michael Corbin (28), Kenton Grumble (26) and Kevin Leitch (20) all got starts but failed to carry-on.

Medium pacer Jeremiah Harris took 3-10 as off-spinner Iswar Singh 2-21 and Orlando Tanner 2-17 gave support.

With a lead of 179, GDF enforced the follow-on and Police put up a much more robust showing with the bat.

Leitch made an even century from 84 balls with fourteen fours and four sixes.

He shared a 96-run 5th wicket partnership with Captain Rockey Hutson (18).

Steven Harris who made a valiant 23 not out formed 22-run 8th wicket partnership with Jason McCalmont which frustrated the Soldiers victory push.

They were eventually bowled out for 202, as off-spinner Randy Lindore wrecked the Police batting with 7-59.

Kevin Ramdeen who scored 153 on the first day chipped in 2-45.

It left an enticing chase of 24 from 18 deliveries by the Soldiers.

It went down to the last over with 8 needed of 6. The

Gajanand Singh

first ball by pacer Stephan Harris was top edged over third-man for 6 off the bat of Romario Shepherd which in-

evitably sealed the win.

Shepherd ended on 12*.

Scores: (GDF 350-5 and 24-1; Police 171 and 202)

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 8, 2016

GFF/Stag Elite League…

Fruta Conquerors seeking more partnerships to tackle financial burdens

By Akeem Greene

“U

nless we find a way to support clubs being conscious of the cost associated with carrying a league, we are going to make that journey for the clubs very perilous”.

Those were the words of President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde on Saturday at a press briefing on the start Stag Elite League Finale.

However, the Tucville based football club of Fruta Conquerors has been threading on thin waters to keep up with the financial burden of the league.

Hence it has forced the club to form as many partnerships with the corporate community.

Such is explained to Guyana Times Sport by Secretary of the Club Daniel Thomas, “It’s a big challenge right now, at the moment what we are trying to work out a sponsorship package with our main company that is the Guyana Beverage Company [Busta]; we trying to get another big company to offset the financial cost to run the Elite programme but it is not just the Elite league as our club also has several youth development levels and that requires money; we try to give the coaches a stipend, since we have about for coaches within our set up”.

Despite the league hosting an abundance of benefits for football in Guyana, the unrelenting truth which many administrators seem to shy away from is the financially implications.

Daniel Thomas

Thomas revealed that “I have been trying to meet out to other business companies and encourage them to use their brand on our uniform; it’s all a part of marketing”.

He added “what the clubs got to is do what we did, since we have written a number of companies seeking sponsorship; not because we have a major company on board, means the will be taking care of all aspect of the programme for the club”.

An idea circulating by the some pundits of the game is that the GFF should become more financially involved at the club level but the logical reality is that the clubs have to find ways of seeking sponsors to aid their participation in the league.

The Fruta Conquerors Secretary is of the view that GFF can give some financial assistance.

“Well I have already ap-

proached them [GFF] on that, they may not be able to do it statutorily in terms of the laws may require but I’m quite certain the GFF could find a way to make loans or grants available to clubs… they say wherever there is a will there is a way and I would hope they can find a way to help clubs”, Thomas said.

In addition he stated “ we are not saying that clubs should not be self sufficient but in such an environment where a lot of the players come from homes where they are challenged financially, from implementing a club fee for players to play every month, a lot of players cannot find that money..the executives of the of clubs need to be proactive and try fund raisers but you still need the added support from the companies to off -set those costs”.

The Secretary also mentioned that the club is about to kick-off a female arm of the club, which will need funding as well.

Development of the Club

The Club ground is an extremely large area and has avenues for further development which should then see the production of even more talented players.

“We hoping not just the company gets involve but the Government as well to help us develop more, we are one of the few or the only community grounds in Georgetown that have been able to maintain the environment the way it is but is has a cost attached to it”, the club secretary posited.

23

Rookie Shivraj wins memorial golf tourney

I

From left: Brian Hackett, M. Solomon for Robert Hanoman, Mahesh Shivraj and Patrick Prashad

t was Brian Hackett’s delight that he did his late friend Prabudial Ramdial proud when scores indicated that he was in the lead for the tournament Saturday afternoon until the last scores came in.

However, Mahesh Shivraj, only known for bringing a second place in the Courts tournament of Saturday October 24, 2015, emerged with a fantastic net that made him the undisputed winner of the Vish Trading tournament.

In fact, in that Courts tournament, Hackett, as well as Maurice Solomon and Bholawram Deo, had tied for fourth, and since then it appeared that Shivraj was

bent on challenging the experience and skills of these seasoned players.

Winners of Saturday’s competition were Mahesh Shivraj (net 59, gross 86); Brian Hackett (64/86); and Club Vice-president Patrick Prashad (68/77). Prashad also won the best gross with 77, while Nearest-to-the-Pin was won by Robert Hanoman, scoring some three feet short of a hole-in-one.

Shivraj, who has been playing golf at Lusignan for less than a year now, said, “I played a fairly good game; most of my balls were on the fairway all the time, just a few went off. In addition, my chipping was excellent, the good chipping meant that

distance to putt was small so I finished each hole well.”

Past president Brian Hackett, in expressing gratitude on behalf of Vish Trading Inc. of Area “D”, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, indicated that, “Vish is delighted to continue annual sponsorship of a golf tournament in honour and memory of the late Prabudial Ramdial.”

In addition to the day’s tournament sponsorship, an after-play round of drinks for the golfers was in effect from Vish. Vish Trading Inc. has been in the machinery supply business for many years, and recently has expanded to include quarrying.

GRFU/GTT 15s League…

Caribs, Hornets rule the weekend

(akeemg@guyanatiemsgy.com)

Milo U-20 School Football Tournament…

North Georgetown impress with 8-1 drubbing of Brickdam Secondary

N

orth Georgetown put an 8-1 hammering on a helpless Brickdam Secondary School on Sunday when action in Round Two of the Milo Under-20 School football tournament continued at the Ministry of Education ground.

With no shortage of action in the fast paced match Nehemiah Gomes led the way for the Woolford Avenue based school with a quadruple in the 18th, 27th, 29th and 58th minutes.

Rayon Bailey in the 15th, Daniel Nedd in the

34th, Osafa Mattheson in the 38th and Rueben Miller in the 50th were the other scorers for North Georgetown. Rawle Williams scored a consolation goal for Brickdam in the 70th minute of play.

Meanwhile in game one of the day, North Ruimveldt topped Houston Secondary 4-1 with Matthew Harrison leading the way with a double in the 15th and 37th minutes. Ashaish Alleyne and Tyrese Rowley scored a goal apiece in the 13th and 48th minutes respectively.

Houston’s lone goal came

from Denzil Heywood in the 25th minute.

Lodge Secondary continued their rough start to the tournament with a 1-1 draw against St Joseph High School.

St Joseph put the former champs on the back foot with a Stephan Isaacs goal in the 25th minute only to have Shamar Smith equalise in the 39th minute as the game played out to a stalemate.

The final match of the day saw Queens College gaining a walkover win against Morgan Learning Centre. (Treiston Joseph)

O’Neil Charles’ scores another try for the Caribs to the displeasure of the Wolves

By Treiston Joseph

T

he Yamaha Caribs and the Pepsi Hornets recorded wins in the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)/Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) 15s League over the weekend when action continued at the National Park rugby field.

On Saturday it was the Hornets running a demolishing derby on the Police Falcons with an 84-nil beating.

Despite five new players joining the young Falcons squad, the Police men simply could not stop the power, strength and speed of the Hornets.

Blaise Bailey led the way

with his speed on the wing for the Hornets to score four tries. Captain Elwin Chase and Rickford Cummings were also unstoppable scoring three tries each while Mark Bollers had two tries of his own to trample over Falcons.

Jose Felicien and Peabo Hamilton also recorded a try each while Leon Greaves and Cummings then chipped in with five and two conversions respectively to complete Hornets’ huge win.

Meanwhile, the Caribs used some veteran experience along with youth exuberance to pull off a close win against the University of Guyana (UG) Wolves on Sunday that ended 31-25.

O’Neil Charles opened the game with two quick tries to put the Wolves on the back foot.

Nevertheless the Wolves would answer with tries from Godfrey Broomes, Trevon Selman (two), Osei McKenzie and Robert Skeete.

However, UG simply did not have enough to overcome the Caribs who saw tries

by Captain Akeem Fraser, Jomokie Davis, Andrew Jarvis and three conversions by vocal leader, Theodore Henry earning them their first win of the league.

The league continues on Saturday with at the same venue with the Wolves taking on the Hornets.

monday, february 8, 2016

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

GRFU/GTT 15s League…

Caribs, Hornets rule the weekend

Captain Akeem Fraser finds himself in the end zone to record a try for the Caribs

Defense powers Broncos to Super Bowl 50 win Pg 19

The winning Broncos team celebrate their championship win

Bright, Hooper impress at North Georgetown impress 2nd development meet with 8-1 drubbing of Milo U-20 School Football Tournament…

Brickdam Secondary

Pg 23 Some of the action during Round 2 of the tournament

Action during the boy’s under-18 200 metres

Pg 21

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