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GFC promotes use of lesser used timber species in Guyana P13

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

Issue No. 3212

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

PRICE

Unemployment, burdensome taxes mark APNU/AFC’s 2nd year in Govt

Page 3

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana P11 crafting strategy to stamp out illegal fishing

…executive profligacy exposed – Jagdeo

Mysterious fire guts Berbice house Page 7

$80 vat included

Lethem man dies after falling from moving truck Page 2

$550M cocaine bust

P7

2 remain in custody, hunt continues for 3 others

Soldier charged for killing Sophia bread vendor P2

Rural, interior workers not adequately represented – report P10 Ruimveldt man nabbed with gun, P10 ammo

Guyana-Chile begin strengthening mission in mining sector Page 11

GECOM chairmanship

Miriela Santana, a geologist from Sernageomin, presents President David Granger with a publication containing information on Chile's mining sector. They are flanked by (from left) Project Manager of the visiting team, Dr Juan Pablo Lacassie; and geologists Laura Mateo Rio and Jaime Barrera

$4B drug donation

Ministry flouts local regulations – MoPH source

Page 12

… raises suspicion about Guyana being used as dumping ground … tax write off, national formulary needs questioned

Opposition’s list meets Govt’s criteria – GS P9

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news

TuesDAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Soldier charged for killing Sophia bread vendor

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Private attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was on Monday charged for the murder of Andre Alexander, also called “Bread Man”, who was shot dead during a robbery in C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown just over a week ago.

Private Shaquille Grant, 20, of 345 Section B Turkeyen, appeared before Magistrate Zamillia Ally-Seepersaud at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution’s case contended that on May 5, at C Field, Sophia, Grant murdered Alexander. The accused was remanded to prison and would return to court on June 8.

Alexander, of Lot 394 C Field, succumbed to a single gunshot wound to his chest which he sustained during the robbery at his place of business on May 5. It was reported that the now dead man, along with his wife, was at his bread stand when two men on

Remanded: Shaquille Grant

Dead: Andre Alexander

a CG motorcycle rode up and ordered three loaves of bread, paying with a $5000 note.

Alexander was reportedly in the process of making change when the pillion rider whipped out a gun and demanded that the father of two hand over the cash. Alexander reportedly put up a fight and in retaliation, the suspect discharged two rounds, one of which struck the vendor to the chest. The men then relieved the man of an undis-

closed sum of cash and escaped. They also took the bread.

Residents rushed to the scene and found the man lying in a pool of blood. He was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.

Days after the shooting incident, the Police acted on information and went to Plum Park, Sophia where Grant was arrested. His accomplice is still on the run.

Lethem man dies after falling from moving truck

A

porter of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is now dead after he fell from a moving truck on Sunday night.

Dead is Dinesh Ramcharran, 26, of Tabatinga, Lethem.

According to reports, Ramcharran fell to his death around 18:30h, as he was journeying to Central Rupununi’s Kumu trail from Lethem.

This publication understands that Ramcharran was sitting on the cab of the truck when he fell off as the driver was manoeuvring through rough terrain.

The driver stopped to check on the porter after some time had passed without any sign Ramcharran was still on the truck, and realised that the porter was

missing.

A search was launched and the now dead man’s motionless body was found lying on the trail some distance away.

He was then rushed to the Lethem Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The 23-year-old driver has been taken into custody at the Lethem Police Station.

This newspaper was told that a breathalyser test was done on the driver, which showed that his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.

Ramcharran’s body is presently at the Lethem Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

An investigation has been launched into the incident.

Men charged for La Penitence shooting, chopping ….after row over marijuana escalates

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olin Daly and Rayon Jonas of Mandela Avenue, Georgetown on Monday found themselves arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman in the aftermath of an alleged row over drugs, during which Jonas sustained severe chops

to his right arm after allegedly firing gunshots at Daly.

According to the Prosecution’s case, Daly is alleged to have inflicted grievous bodily harm on the person of Jonas on May 8, 2017 at East La Penitence, Georgetown, but he has denied this charge.

Defence Counsel Darren Wade, in a bail application, said his client, Daly, is 23 years old; resides at East La Penitence, Georgetown; has been in Police custody since last Monday; and is currently unable to seek much-needed medical attention.

The Prosecutor contended that the two men were engaged in an argument when Jonas fired shots in the direction of Daly, hitting him in the right arm. Daly then armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Jonas several chops to the right hand.

Daly was placed on $60,000 bail without objection from the prosecutor, and his matter was adjourned to June 12.

Jonas, on the other hand, was charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Daly with intent to maim, disfigure, dis-

able, or cause grievous bodily harm to Daly’s person.

With his arm in a cast, Jonas pleaded not guilty to this offence; and Defence Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat contended that there are no eyewitnesses to implicate his client in the shooting. He submitted that the teen does not even own a gun.

Charging that the allegation stemmed from an ongoing feud between the two parties, Fung-A-Fat accused Daly of holding a grievance against his client. He therefore requested bail in those special circumstances, to enable his client to seek medical attention for his severely injured limb.

However, Jonas was denied bail, and this promoted his lawyer to question the basis on which Magistrate Latchman had refused to grant bail. He argued that Jonas’s arm was “barely being held together” in the cast, while Daly had suffered a mere bullet graze to his arm from the alleged shooting.

The parties are expected to return to court on June 12.

Mason remanded for robbing Qualfon employees

D

ays after gunmen intercepted a Qualfon minibus and robbed several employees, one of the suspects was on Monday morning hauled before the Court of Magistrate Judy Latchman, charged with the offence.

Appearing before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in a dishevelled state was Quincy Clarke, a 29-year-old mason of West La Penitence, Georgetown, who was slapped with 11 counts of robbery under arms. It is alleged that on May 12 at North East La Penitence, Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, the accused robbed the occupants of the Qualfon motor vehicle.

Clarke denied all charges read to him by the Magistrate, claiming that he had no knowledge of the incident.

The court heard that Clarke was a father of one, who was seasonally employed as a mason and block-maker, with no pending or previous matters before the courts.

Accused: Quincy Clarke

The Prosecutor objected to bail based on the seriousness and gravity of the offence and the fact that a gun was used to commit the crime. Moreover, the accused reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime under caution, according to the Prosecution’s case.

The investigating officer told the court that other charges of a similar nature will follow shortly.

Bail was refused and the man was remanded to prison. Clarke returns to court on June 12.

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, May 16 – 08:30h-10:00h and Wednesday, May 17 – 09:00h-10:30h.

Unemployment, burdensome taxes mark APNU/AFC’s 2nd year in Govt

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

…executive profligacy exposed – Jagdeo

Tuesday, May 16 – 07:10h-08:40h and Wednesday, May 17 – 08:00h-09:30h.

By: Devina Samaroo

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Sunny conditions in the early morning followed by heavy rain showers to light rain showers can be expected, while partly cloudy skies and light rain showers can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:32h and 20:08h reaching maximum heights of 2.45 metres and 2.30 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 13:37h reaching a minimum height of 0.77 metre.

A

n anniversary is often a time to celebrate one’s positive achievements, but thus cannot be said of the APNU/AFC coalition Administration. This, at least, is according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who has expressed confidence that the “entire country” agrees with his conviction.

Those who are uncertain about this conviction are urged to ask themselves one simple question, according to the Opposition Leader: “People just have to look and ask whether their lives were better two years ago. Or has it changed for the worse?” he posited during a press conference hosted at the Office of the

other things.

But the Opposition Leader has ridiculed the “achievements sheet”, contending that the Government has done nothing to foster the promised “good life for all”. He asserted that reality would illustrate that unemployment, heavy tax burdens, less disposable income, an unattractive investment climate and executive profligacy are the order of the day.

“If I had to candidly characterise this Government, I’d say that is has been a masterpiece of incompetence. We have a cabinet that is constantly in a mess. Confusion and disarray characterise most of (its) actions,” he surmised.

False achievements

pointed to the exorbitant salary increases the ministers have awarded themselves just a few months after arriving in executive office; their increased travel allowances; unnecessary spending on furniture and vehicles; and the use of private jets for luxurious travels in noting that while Government ministers are enjoying the good life, ordinary people have been losing their jobs and struggling to make ends meet.

He also pointed to the laying off of Barama workers, persons in retail employment, Amerindians who were directly employed with the Government, and to the plight of workers in the sugar belt in advising that Guyanese should brace themselves for more hardships, as another

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

with the reforms it envisages for the sugar industry.

“They tabled a white paper on the sugar industry, and how is this an achievement? That they tabled a white paper which will result in close to 10,000 people losing their job?” he questioned.

Taxes

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DAILY MILLIONS 05 10 15 17 26 LUCKY 3 7 6 4 Afternoon Draw

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Flashback: President David Granger after being sworn in as the 8th Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on May 16, 2015

Leader of the Opposition at Church Street on Monday.

In recognition of its second anniversary in Government this year, the APNU/AFC Administration has placed full page advertisements in three of the four local dailies, boasting about some of its achievements; which include: “lower electricity rates”, “less blackouts”, “press freedom restored”, “VAT reduced to 14%”, “land rental fees restructured”, “8060 laptops provided to teachers”, among

Jagdeo believes the APNU/AFC list of accomplishments is riddled with false achievements. He highlighted that within two years of APNU/AFC rule, Guyanese have witnessed an unprecedented attack on the judiciary; divisive actions; discrimination on the basis of race and politics; a precipitous decline in almost every economic sector; “fat fowling” in the executive; and (perennial) profligacy and greed.

The former President

10,000 persons are expected to hit the breadline once the full impact of the new tax regime takes force and Government perseveres

Jagdeo said anyone who boasts of increasing the tax burden on the nation as an achievement needs to be sent to the “mad house”.

Government has removed the long list of VAT zero-rated items to the VAT-exempt category, which means that employers will have to pay the input VAT but cannot claim refunds. This increased tax burden will naturally be passed on to consumers, Jagdeo explained.

Regarding the restoration of press freedom, Jagdeo argued that such a claim is erroneous, as Guyana dropped three places on the Global Press Freedom Index.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017

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Social cohesion not a contrived phenomenon

S

ocial Cohesion is defined as the willingness of members of a society to cooperate with each other in order to survive and prosper. It is a mechanism by which societal constructs reject exclusion and marginalization, and formulate for inclusionary dynamics strategies that create a sense of belonging, and promote as well trust between diverse groupings within communities.

At the inaugural sensitisation meeting for regional and municipal councillors of Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10), hosted by the ?Social Cohesion Ministry on May 4, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, posited that in order for Guyana to truly achieve solidarity, every individual must put aside their biases and embrace diversity.

Minister Norton asserted, “We know that [Social Cohesion] is a process… It’s going to take some time before we achieve it; but our vision is for a unified Guyana where our diversities – whether it is age, sex, political [affiliation], whatever it is – are embraced (and) we learn to accept them; where our conflicts are resolved; where networks and collaboration with stakeholders are strengthened… equity is promoted in our society, and the decision-making process results in equal opportunities and benefits to all of us in the society.”

The prerequisites of social cohesion is enshrined in Article 13 of the Constitution, which states that “the principal objective of the system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their wellbeing”.

However, despite the Government’s ostensible implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Social Cohesion 2017-2021, the Administration’s policymaking decisions and strategies seem converse to these ideals, resulting in several protest actions being staged by disgruntled groups of citizens. Notably, the Amerindians protesting the imposition of what they deem an unacceptable CoI, which they claim was established clandestinely, with no prior consultation with Amerindian rights groups, including the representative NTC; as well as the sugar workers across the land, who are threatened with loss of jobs and the consequences that would ensue from such a unilateral decision, taken on the word of one man – Government advisor Clive Thomas, who is on record as having always advocated the closure of the sugar industry.

Various actions taken by the Granger-led coalition government suggest witch-hunting of a certain community, especially in the business sector, and of PPPC leaders and supporters.

All these do not bode well for social cohesion in Guyana, because social cohesion is not a contrived dynamic.

Many of the coalition government’s actions since assuming office are counter-productive to healing wounds and bridging divides in the nation; and everyday occurrences imposed and decisions made, regardless of the negative impacts to lives and the deterioration in lifestyles, divide rather than unite the people of this nation.

At grassroots level, Guyanese live among, and interact with, each other very well. The rich diversities of our various ethnic and cultural compositions meld in a unique acculturation, mainly in rural areas.

The Government should take heed of the traumas it is inflicting on the nation through its insensitive actions, which are negatively impacting entire communities; because, upon attaining government, it automatically assumed a mandate to treat all Guyanese with equity and justice, which is the foundation that will build social cohesion in the nation.

False, lofty, implausible promises and empty rhetoric eventually build distrust and widen rifts between people and within society at large; thus rendering it impossible to achieve the ideals of our national motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn's installation called "Support" is seen on Ca' Sagredo palace during the 57th La Biennale of Venice, in Venice, Italy (REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini)

City Constabulary must shed its ‘Market Constable’ & ‘Sardine Police’ persona Dear Editor, With the Georgetown City Constabulary getting ready to celebrate the major milestone of the 180th anniversary of its existence, one can only feel a sense of deep disappointment when one looks at its record of achievements.

A visit to its training complex in Water Street alone would reveal the degenerate mentality of the administration of the Council. The roof is leaking everywhere, most if not all of the window panes are missing. The dormitories are just a jumbled mess of old mangled bed frames

and some grimy old mattresses; the training rooms are bereft of furnishings and educational materials; the archives are shuttered, with all of the precious archival material left to rot; and no one is servicing the stores.

Indeed, the place is all but abandoned.

What has happened to the plans made two years ago to rehabilitate the facility and place emphasis on recruitment and training?

Plans were announced for a Basic Recruitment Course, and refresher training for serving members to be done quarterly. What about plans

to contact the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to assist in several areas? And for training to be done through the Public Service Ministry at the Critchlow Labour College and overseas? Were these just pipe dreams or part of a “carrot and stick” approach?

Does the Council have a Human Resources Manager?

And if so, what is she or he doing? Why are the young bright officers of the City Constabulary not being given a chance to move up the ladder now that some of the older, and more corrupt,

ones have left? Why are they being penalised for speaking up and speaking out?

The City Constabulary has to move from its present ‘Market Constable’ & ‘Sardine Police’ persona to that of a modern law enforcement agency, engaging in a broad spectrum of work, including key functions such as crime prevention, protecting property, and limiting civil and social disorder.

This is 2017, not 1837 when the Constabulary was established.

Sincerely, Jermain Johnson

Poor attempt to salvage an unimpressive, disastrous ‘Mayorship’ Dear Editor, On a local newscast of April 27, 2017, the Mayor of Georgetown said she received complaints from vendors that City Constables were extorting moneys from them; something that she is totally against.

What hypocrisy!

She is well aware that this

criminal activity has been a fixture of the City Constabulary during her entire tenure as a City Councillor. What she also knows and is not saying, is that it is a criminal network that includes many senior Constabulary personnel.

A certain notorious

senior officer who is on pre-retirement leave and who now works as a taxi driver at the Demerara Harbour Bridge comes by the Fire Service (Old Coop Bank area every Friday night) and collects money from those vendors.

This activity is facilitated by two ranks from

Stabroek Outpost. One has to take what this Mayor say with a pinch of salt.

Her belated attack on City Constables is simply a poor attempt to salvage her tarnished, unimpressive and disastrous ‘Mayorship’.

Sincerely, Joel Alexander

tuesDAY, May 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

PPP supports conscience vote Symbol of authority must be returned to decriminalise marijuana

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has reiterated that the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) supports the decriminalisation of marijuana, but he noted that the Party does not have enough research on the topic to make a definitive pronouncement.

Responding to questions about the decriminalisation of hemp (a variety of cannabis sativa), Jagdeo addressed the issue of marijuana and said the PPP would support the decriminalisation of the drug in small quantities for private use.

“We campaigned on this. We said that the PPP will look at decriminalising small quantities, and it is in our manifesto…We will allow a conscious vote on the part of our MPs; those who want to support it can support, and

those who don’t want to, well, they are allowed (to dissent)…,” he explained during a press conference on Monday.

Jagdeo said this decision was triggered in light of cases in which persons are being sentenced to serve lengthy jail time for using weed.

“Somebody has a tiny bit or they have one cigarette, one marijuana cigarette, and they get sentenced to three years… You have big traffickers who have a lot of money and they have good legal representation and they don’t even get any jail time,” he outlined.

The Opposition Leader explained, “What we are saying is that if you find people with extremely small quantities for personal use -- not trafficking -- then you should find alternative sentencing.”

Alternative sentencing

could include community work or rehabilitation centres, according to Jagdeo.

Parliamentarian Michael Carrington’s draft legislation to relax the penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use has been pending for more than one year now.

Former AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes, with the help of Attorney Mark Waldron, compiled a draft Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2015, which seeks to soften the penalties for marijuana possession.

The draft stipulates that persons who are found in possession of the drug for personal use would be required to pay a fine of $10,000 or perform community service for a period of time.

While the decrimi-

nalisation/legalisation of marijuana movement is gaining much momentum worldwide, President David Granger had cautioned against buying into practices being embarked upon by developed countries that have the requisite framework in place to support such legislative reforms.

President Granger made it clear that such reforms are not a current concern of the Government; and, on a more personal note, he declared that he would not subscribe to the usage of marijuana.

“This is not something that is a preoccupation of the Administration at the present time… (and) I would not counsel the use of marijuana by young people or anybody,” he firmly stated during an interview on ‘The Public Interest’ back in May, 2016.

The future is youth!

Dear Editor, Let me start by saying I am a 22-year-old female (university graduate) of African descent who voted for APNU/AFC. May 15, 2017 marked two years since the Granger Administration has been in power. In this regard, I wish to speak as a representative of the youth of Guyana and say we feel betrayed and disappointed.

It is becoming quite clear that the APNU/AFC Government has a political vendetta against the previous Administration. The Government is so busy trying to get back at and get even with the PPP/C that it does not care who or how many get affected as collateral damage. We see it play out each day which only leaves the poor and working-class Guyanese disenfranchised.

The APNU/AFC campaigned on jobs for youths, yet all the Government seems to be doing is re-employing retirees they feel were strong PNC supporters. Just about every position is filled by an ancient person with antiquated ideas, while young, talented, creative, innovative, intelligent minds sit at home sending countless application letters to no avail.

Since we are on the issue of unemployment; I wonder if the Granger Administration really wants to go down in history as the Government that put thousands of hardworking Guyanese out of a job by closing down GuySuCo. The Guyana Sugar Corporation is the largest employer in Guyana and the Caribbean.

It has in its employ approximately 17,000 Guyanese and is one of the few companies in Guyana that offers more than a monthly salary.

Staff can benefit from free health care for themselves, spouses and children; a pension plan that allows for free health care even after one has retired and survivors benefits for spouses and dependants after employees’ passing. All this and more the Government seems eager to take away by pulling the plug on GuySuCo. This leaves me to wonder again; is it because of our newfound oil potential…

This cannot be since less than two years ago crude oil was plunging to less than US$30 per barrel. Or is the real motive to hurt Indians, since it is a well-known fact that most cane cutters are of Indian descent.

Another questionable

move is the 14 per cent VAT on private education. How does adding VAT to tuition cause delinquent taxpayers to stop evading taxes?

It does not. In fact, that is even more money they will not be paying towards taxes, because schools that are not registered will still increase their tuition. It is the general view that mostly Indians can afford to send their children to private schools. In an effort to get at them, hence the in-

crease? but what about the many black families that struggle to send their children to these same schools just so that they can have similar opportunities. Do not get me wrong; I’m not saying this is the only reason why this is wrong.

This Government needs to do better or this will surely be their first and only term.

Disappointed, P Younge

to village leaders – Minister Allicock

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overnment will be working with indigenous community leaders across the country to restore the office of the toshao as the symbol of authority in indigenous communities.

Addressing residents of Bethany during a recent ministerial outreach in Region Two, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, made the foregoing revelation and declared: “Years ago, when you go into a community, when a toshao speak, it is because he would have already consulted with his/her people and they have given him the authority to say what has to be done…

And anytime anyone goes to that community, they go to the Toshao first, because in those days they had the symbol of authority, and that we want to bring back,” Minister Allicock explained.

He said this is provided for in the rubric of the Amerindian Act under Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), hence the ministry is sharing the idea with indigenous communities.

Using the National Assembly as an example, where the members of Parliament have to bow to Speaker of the National Assembly if leaving the chamber while a session is ongoing, Minister Allicock said: “Law and order and respect must be restored (in indigenous communities). It is time the young people especially respect their elders.”

Over the past years, indigenous communities have

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

been complaining about persons entering therein without seeking permission of the village council or consulting with the toshao of the village. There are also instances when contractors and engineers enter a particular community and started doing works without informing the village council.

According to the Amerindian Act of 2006, an individual entering a particular Amerindian community must be given the permission of the Village Council to do so. The Village Council, then, has the right to offer or refuse that person entry into the village.

However, the Act further states that if a person is on official business of the Government, that person does not need permission from the toshao or village council to enter a village, but must, notwithstanding, inform the village council of the nature of his/her visit. (GINA)

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Adolescents, parents, and the power of self-esteem

By Carl Pickhardt, PhD

T

he question was: “Is the concept of ‘self-esteem’ a psychologically useful one?”

My answer was: “I don’t know about the utility of that concept in research psychology (first put into use by psychologist William James in the early 20th Century), but in applied psychology where I practice, with parents and adolescents, the concept can be serviceable indeed.

A working definition I use, some examples of the power of self-esteem, and caution for parents, all follow.

for myself.”) As a filter, low or negative self-esteem can take the blame for mistreatment (“I deserve the bad I get!”), and as a motivator it can limit what one wants to achieve (“For someone like me, just getting by is good enough.”) As a filter, high or positive self-esteem can reject mistreatment (“No one should be allowed to do that to me!”), and as a motivator can propose goals that actualise dreams (“I am

oped. Thus the young athlete, for whom excelling in the sport totally self-defines that young person, becomes bereft when serious injury ends a promising athletic career. Now the adolescent has no other pillars of self-esteem to rely on and so feels at an incapacitating loss. Or consider the perfectionist adolescent who has no tolerance for mistakes and gets furious

years of adolescence. For a young person to accomplish the twin goals of adolescence, acquiring a fitting identity and functional independence at journey’s end, life changes and challenges to self-esteem must be faced each stage of the adolescent way. She or he must continually redefine who they are and constantly re-evaluate

Adolescent self-esteem

Self-esteem creates a very powerful mindset that not only can filter life experience (“How I perceive what is happening to me”), but can also motivate behaviour (“What I want to do

tle and self-evaluation can be cruelly empty of positive worth.

Finally, for both adolescent and parental self-esteem, it generally works better to credit effort more than outcome because the first is under one’s control, while the second is often not. So the parent explains: "Even though you and I can't always achieve what we want, we can always feel good about ourselves for continuing to try." (Excerpt from

psychologytoday.com)

Parental self-esteem

Definition of self-esteem

One possible definition of self-esteem is treating it as two words compounded into one. Separate them, and the meaning of the larger term becomes clear. Self is a descriptive concept: by what specific characteristics do I identify who I am? Esteem is an evaluative concept: by what criteria do I judge the worth of who I am? Selfesteem has to do with how a person describes and evaluates her or his definition of self.

make positive self-perception and resourceful motivation harder, not easier, to maintain.

Thus parents should continually monitor their adolescent’s self-esteem.

Is it sufficiently broadly based? Is it more positive than critical? Getting stuck in a narrow definition and hurtful evaluation can be dangerous. At worst, in cases of depression, addiction, self-harming, or victimization, self-definition can whither to inadequately lit-

worth doing the best I can!”)

I believe a helpful goal of parents when it comes to influencing the growth of adolescent self-esteem is to encourage the young person to define themselves broadly and evaluate themselves kindly.

A too narrow definition can be costly when only one pillar of self-esteem has been meaningfully devel-

at themselves when one inevitably occurs, Berating and punishing themselves in harshest terms makes recovery that much more difficult to accomplish.

Better to define one’s 'self’ broadly and evaluate one’s ‘self’ kindly.

Of course, self-esteem is not a constant, but can rise and fall with the ups and downs of life, particularly during the transformative

how they are doing in the process.

At each challenging adolescent stage – when separating from childhood (913), when forming a family of friends(13-15), when acting more grown up (1518), and when stepping off more on one's own (18-23), it’s easy for a young person to get discouraged, narrow self-definition (pull back) and negatively self-evaluate (punish), both of which

On their side, parents need to beware the self-esteem trap that is set for them. Parenting is a high-investment activity. They give an enormous amount of time, energy, resources, and caring to support and nurture a child’s growing up. It is often a self-sacrificial activity where parents are setting their needs and wants aside for the sake of the beloved child. With so much parental giving inevitably comes some expectation of return –- for example, that the child reflects well and on parents and turns out well for them at the end, however they define “well”.

Here is where parents can attach significant self-esteem to how the child acts and performs to affirm all the efforts that they make. “I partly define myself as parent of my child’ and I partly judge myself by how my child grows.”

In certain high aspiration and competitive parenting sub-cultures, there is a very common, very loaded question that adults can ask: “How is your child doing?” Wonders the parent questioned: “Compared to what and compared to who?” A parent whose self-esteem rests on the shoulders of their adolescent can really feel put on the performance spot. "The better or worse my teenager does compared with peers, the better or worse I feel about myself." Best not to contaminate your parenting with social competition.

Appreciate the vulnerability of the parental position. If they define themselves too much as parent at the expense of other personal definition, that can be one side of the problem. “Parenting is all I do and am, and sometimes that feels not enough!” And if they buy into the equation, parent = child, they can run into the self-evaluation side of the problem.

The equation can be interpreted to suggest that performance of the child is a measure of performance by the adult: “How my child is doing shows how I am doing as a parent.” This is why parents don't declare, "We're proud of how you did" when the young person does well. Rather than congratulating themselves in this way, they place the credit where it belongs and simply say, "Good for you!"

Of course, unlike little children, adolescents can be hard on parental self-esteem. Typically, children who are still in the age of looking up to parents, tend to be more supportive of parental self-esteem with honest admiration and appreciation. Contrast this to more unappreciative adolescents who can be inclined to look down on the job parents do with criticism and complaints. "I don't get a lot of compliments from my teenager. Mostly I am taken for granted."

To maintain healthy self-esteem, parents need to define themselves broadly and evaluate themselves kindly.

To prevent a self-esteem crash, parents of adolescents can benefit from having other meaningful definitions outside of the parenting role. Also, when riding the ups and downs of their teenager's growth, to maintain adequate perspective they might remember this. Good parents have good children who will sometimes make bad choices in the normal trial and error process of adolescent growth. A bad choice doesn’t mean the teenager is bad or that the parenting is bad. It simply means that a bad choice or choices have occurred. Now there is new learning to be gained and hopefully better choices to be found, both of which can strengthen self-esteem.

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

$550M cocaine bust

Mysterious fire guts East 2 remain in custody, hunt Bank Berbice house continues for 3 others

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afternoon, acting head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, Michael Atherly, told Guyana Times that the three men have not presented themselves to the drug enforcement unit for questioning. He noted that CANU would, in due course, issue wanted bulletins for the three men, but is currently gathered information with respect to the operations.

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Tazim Gafoor

Nazim Gafoor

ace car driver Nazim Gafoor, son of wanted West Coast Demerara businessman Tazim Gafoor, remains -- with Hakeem Mohamed -- in custody of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in relation to the recent Gy$550M drug bust made at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo.

Guyana Times has been informed that CANU’s application to the High Court to further detain these two men has been met with success. It is believed that this duo is withholding information in regard to the drug bust.

The porters and driver of a lorry involved in transporting the lumber were released on Monday evening, since it has been established that they had only been contracted to transport the consignment of lumber.

Guyana Times has been told that CANU is still seeking to apprehend ace rider Stephen Vieira; Winsor Forest businessman Tazim Gafoor, and sawmill owner, Narine Lall. Contacted late Monday

Narine Lall

Recap

On Friday last, members of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) swooped down on a lumber yard at Lot 227 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo and conducted a search on a truck that was laden with several pallets of 1x6 dressed lumber, being prepared for export to the United States.

Several boards were randomly drilled during the search, and a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine was discovered.

The truck at reference was escorted to CANU

Headquarters, where the lumber was further examined and it was established that each of the compromised boards had a dugout cavity with vacuum sealed plastic packets containing cocaine pasted therein. A total of 84.986 kilograms of cocaine, which has a street value of Gy$550 million, was discovered. Four workers at the lumber yard at the time were taken into police custody, where they remained throughout the weekend assisting with the investigations.

Meanwhile, further investigations by the CANU ranks have led to the arrest of popular race car driver Nazim Gafoor and Haleem Mohamed.

CANU, in a release, has said that Vieira is listed on the shipping documents as the representative of Naraine Lall, who is the shipper of the consignment. Searches for Vieira and the two others have proved futile, and it is believed that Lall is out of the jurisdiction. The trio was, up to news time, still at large. No charges have yet been filed.

olice have launched an investigation into a mysterious fire, which engulfed a house in the Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice during the late hours of Sunday evening. No one was at home at the time of the blaze.

Guyana Times understands that the fire began in the bedroom of the one-storey concrete house around 22:30h. Reports indicated that persons nearby noticed the blaze and contacted the Fire Service.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that they heard an explosion from inside of the building which captured their attention and thus prompted awareness of the blaze.

The Guyana Fire Service

Fire completely scorched all the household items

damaged significantly on the inside, and the roof was burnt completely, leaving millions in losses.

Investigations into the fire are ongoing.

One of the bedrooms

was praised for its prompt response to the blaze.

However, this newspaper was told that the house was

Only on Wednesday last, another fire at an unoccupied house in Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank

Demerara, had gutted the building, but mystery also surrounded that blaze as a female relative was reportedly informed by an unknown caller on the phone about the incident.

The family members had noted that they were unsure as to what could have caused the fire, and added that they never had electrical issues when they lived there.

Similar to the Glasgow fire, neighbours who had gathered recalled hearing explosions coming from inside the house before the roof went up in flames. Additionally, a gas bottle which appeared to be leaking was seen lying in a trench in front of the home, moments after firefighters had contained the blaze.

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Issano shopkeeper on bail for attempting to bribe Police

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rnest Trotman, proprietor of an interior mining shop, was on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of attempting to bribe a Police Officer following a narcotics bust at his business premises at Issano Backdam, Mazaruni River, Region Seven.

The 39-year-old businessman of Zeelugt, East

Bank Essequibo is alleged to have, on May 9, 2017 at the Issano Police Station, corruptly offered Alex Vaughn one ounce of raw gold as inducement to forbear charging one Wayne Stuart for trafficking in narcotics.

Represented by Attorney Latchmie Rahamat, Trotman pleaded not guilty to the charge; and

Rahamat related that Police had found a quantity of narcotics on her client’s business premises during a raid conducted by officials some time before the alleged incident. She said Trotman had gone from Zeelugt to Issano to investigate the drug find when he was arrested by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) upon his arrival.

She said the accused was

searched, and declared to a Policeman a quantity of gold and some cash, among other valuables which he lodged at the station.

She described the accused as a gold miner with no previous brushes with the law; having a fixed place of abode, and thereby not a flight risk.

Trotman was placed on $150,000 bail, and the case has been reset for May 25.

Pomona teenager charged for smoking ‘weed’

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sixteen-year-old resident of the Pomona Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast was on Monday arraigned before Charity Magistrate Sunil Scarce on a charge detailing that he had been caught smoking cannabis (weed).

The court heard that during a police patrol on May 14, the teenager was caught smoking the illegal substance, was told of the offence, and was subsequently arrested.

The teen pleaded not guilty to the charge, and his attorney, Haimraj

Ramsewack, told the court that his client is a first time offender and was not a flight risk.

Being under-age, he was released into the care of his father. The matter will be called again on May 22 at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

Alberttown shooting

Accused to know fate soon T

he High Court trial of Lawrence Wayne, a licensed firearm holder who shot dead a suspected bandit at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown, Georgetown in August 2014 is nearing its conclusion and his innocence or guilt will soon be determined.

On Monday, the prosecution closed its case, which contended that Wayne pursued and shot Dexter Lindo after an alleged robbery was carried out on his business place, Wayne Beverage Paradise, at Merriman Mall.

Reports are Lindo was shot three times in the vicinity of a shop and died just days later while a patient at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital.

Wayne, who briefly addressed the court in an unsworn statement in the jury’s presence on Monday, confirmed what he told

Accused: Lawrence Wayne

Police in an ordinary statement, highlighting events that led to the shooting.

“I rely on the statement that I gave to the Police,” the accused told presiding Judge, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow. The Judge, thereafter announced, that closing addresses from both the prosecution and defence

would be heard by the jury today. In the coming hours, Justice Barlow will sum up the case before the 12-member jury can deliberate and return a verdict. A no-case submission on behalf of the defence was overruled earlier in the trial.

According to the statement the murder accused had given Police, on the day in question, he shot the now deceased man during a confrontation, which had occurred after a robbery was carried out on his business place.

According to the accused’s version of events, he received a phone call from someone that armed men had entered and robbed his stall at the Merriman Mall.

He later told Police that as he arrived at the scene, the men were fleeing into a waiting vehicle. Police were also told that he pursued the men

in his own vehicle and met up with them at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown. It was there that he confronted one of the men and told him to “freeze!”

The accused also alleged that the suspected bandit pulled a gun from his waist, but he opened fire which led to Lindo being shot. Lindo, then 26, had resided at Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown.

Police had recovered an unlicensed .32 Beretta Pistol, with four matching rounds, which was reportedly in the possession of Lindo at the time of the confrontation with Wayne. About 20 witnesses testified during the trial.

Wayne is represented by Attorneys Stanley Moore and Maxwell McKay while the State’s case is presented

by Prosecutors Shawnette Austin, Tamica Clarke, and Mandell Moore.

What’s missing…

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…in the "accomplishments"

ometimes what’s missing is even more important than what’s present. That’s what struck your Eyewitness when he perused the 125 “accomplishments” the PM’s Shill compiled to ward off criticisms about the coalition being a “do-nothing” government. Now when you come down to it… what exactly was it the folks who voted the coalition into office wanted? OK…not to just throw out the PPP because of ethnic sentiments (APNU) or revenge (Nagamootoo and Ramjattan in the AFC).

We’re talking about real bread-and-butter issues – like …well…bread and butter, for which one needs money to buy to keep body and soul together. Your Eyewitness is talking about jobs…jobs that’ll allow folks to work for THEIR money to maintain their dignity and not depend on handouts on breadlines. And that’s where the Shill went mute: not even a squeak about creating businesses that’d employ people.

Instead, we hear about relaunching the National Service and the Cadet Corps and suchlike, to herd another generation into a dependency syndrome mentality.

Rather than, say, closing down the sugar industry and talking vaguely about ‘leasing the land’ to workers, why couldn’t the Government identify some specific crop, provide the seed money, and identify markets?? Or launch some new industries like the Eastern Tigers??

Don’t they remember what the Japanese Government did when the Mazda rotary engine gamble went bust?? They didn’t just wring their hands and launched National Services to sop up the unemployed.

They identified a strategic global need for oil tankers – occasioned by OPEC’s new monopoly and got Mazda into the business of building tankers. That didn’t mean Mazda went out of the car business – but they got a breather that was a win-win for them and the country.

Japanese got jobs, and Japan benefited.

But your Eyewitness will tell you why this government isn’t going to move in that direction to create jobs – apart from having to find sinecures for all those army veterans who just can’t cut it in business.

And apart from not appreciating that SOMEONE has to make profits – and get rich in the process – in a capitalist economy.

Thing is, most of those who have the background to run successful businesses aren’t going to roll over and play dead like back in the first PNC turn at the wheel. The modern liberalised world offers more options for capital – which after all, is the very definition of “fungible”.

Have you noticed some of them already starting to move out?? But back to where we started – what’s missing.

The PM’s Shill – like most of his cohorts – having never even run a cake shop, is absolutely clueless about what it takes to MAKE money.

All they can do is spend it!!

…in rice

One of the “accomplishments” the Shill claimed was to have secured “New markets for rice”. And once again this government exposes its total ignorance of what makes a “market” for a person who produces goods to sell. A market is one in which you MAKE A PROFIT!! To break it even finer for the know-nothing government – you have to sell your goods at a higher price than what you produced it for.

A market isn’t one where you make a loss…that’s DUMPING!! Could the Shill tell the nation which market they opened up where rice farmers and millers are making a profit?? Was it the one his boss Nagamootoo promised also two years ago he “secured” in Mexico??

Could he tell the nation how many tonnes of rice or paddy have been shipped to Mexico??

Your Eyewitness will spare him the effort. Zilch!!

Nada!! Zero!! While bull-sh*t may help grow rice as manure, it doesn’t create markets!!

…in the new GECOM list??

One of the nominees for the GECOM Chair by the Opposition Leader confessed he doesn’t think Prezzie will select anyone from the second list.

Of course, he won’t! That special female ex-Judge wasn’t on it!!

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

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM chairmanship

Opposition’s list meets Govt’s criteria – Jagdeo O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is claiming that the new list of nominees for the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has met the criteria that President David Granger, and by extension the Government, had requested.

Jagdeo told a media conference on Monday that if the President rejects the most recent list submitted, he would have to submit another list. However, he feels it would be extremely unreasonable for the President to reject this list, especially since he had made a “huge effort” to meet the criteria that the President himself had set up, and he has, as far as possible, met those criteria. “…which I pointed out

review the list carefully.

“It took me some time to get the list together, and so I guess it’s only fair, if the President wants to examine the names carefully, and then he should have some time too. I am not too bothered about the timeframe, but I hope he gets back to me shortly,” Jagdeo added.

On Tuesday, May2, Jagdeo submitted a new list of persons for consideration as the next chairperson of GECOM. The six nominees are: Justice of Appeal BS Roy (ret’d); Justice William Ramlal (ret’d); Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, attorney-at-law and a former magistrate; Kashir Khan, attorney-at-law; Nadia Sagar, attorney-at-law; and Gerald Gouveia.

Prior to the submission of this new list, Jagdeo’s

executive Ramesh Dookhoo; Indian Rights Activist Rhyaan Shah, and History Professor James Rose.

The Opposition has contended that the President’s rejection of the names on ground that the persons did not meet the constitutional requirements was “wholly untenable”, and it would explore options at its disposal, including moving to the Courts, to challenge the president’s decision.

Both sides have been very vocal on the issue, with the President stating that what obtained in the past was a mistake, and the right way was now being chartered: while the Opposition has posited that Government could be looking to unilaterally appoint someone who would be beneficial to the APNU/AFC co-

Captain Gerald Gouveia

Attorney Nadia Sagar

Attorney Kashir Khan

to him is not provided in the Constitution. As you saw on the list, you have a number of people who will meet all the criteria the President himself set,” he opined.

It has been two weeks since Jagdeo submitted that list, and there has been no word from the President on the process to appoint the new GECOM chairman.

The Opposition Leader said he has no problem with the President taking his time to

first list was rejected by the President, who claimed that the six nominees were not qualified according to constitutional requirements.

The Opposition’s first batch of rejected nominees had included Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist Lawrence Lachmansingh; Attorneyat-Law and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; Major General (rt’d) Norman McLean; Business

alition, especially in the runup to the 2020 elections.

Jagdeo has repeatedly warned that if the President opts to unilaterally name someone outside of the list of nominees, the decision will be challenged in the High Court.

Former GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally officially demitted office on November 30, 2016 after 15 years of incumbency.

Justice BS Roy

Attorney and former Magistrate Oneidge Walrond Allicock

Retired Justice William Ramlall

Red House case

AG makes submissions, Nandlall to reply

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he legal proceedings concerning the Red House lease challenge at the High Court resumed on Monday before acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC. Government’s representative, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams has made submissions, in writing to the presiding Judge. Now that these submissions have been rendered, his predecessor, Anil Nandlall, who is representing the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc (CJRC), has until May 29 to reply.

The challenge was filed by the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc against the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. It disputes the State’s decision to revoke the Red House lease after its occupant, the CJRC, was given mere days to remove from the premises.

In February, the Attorney General had presented arguments that supported his claim that the court had no jurisdiction over the case,

Red House

since the lease was revoked

by President David Granger.

Williams had noted that no civil action could be brought against the Head of State if he executes the functions of his office, under Article 182 of the Constitution.

However, Attorney Nandlall argued that the AG’s contentions were without merit, deeply flawed and frivolous. Nevertheless, Williams had also expressed that the Red House lease was invalid and, therefore, could not be pleaded in any court of justice, further arguing that the case should be thrown out, because the applicants, at that time, failed to make full and frank disclosures before the court. It was, however, later determined that

the court had jurisdiction to hear the matter as per the ruling of then acting Chief Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards. Nandlall had earlier this year accused the AG of pressuring the then acting Chief Justice, by signifying on several occasions that the President has a special interest in the Red House proceedings. In December last year, President Granger gave the occupant of the Red House, the CJRC, 48 hours to clear the premises. In response, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had labelled the President’s decision “unconscionable and vindictive”.

The acting Chief Justice adjourned the matter to June 29 for reports.

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017

News

Rural, interior workers not adequately represented – social cohesion report

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ith trade unions renewing their calls for the re-establishment of the Labour Ministry, the Social Cohesion Strategic Plan finds that workers in the interior and rural areas are not adequately represented and as such, they are underpaid and overworked.

The report identified mining and logging workers, out-of-school youths, domestic and unskilled workers and Indigenous peoples in the interior and rural coastal areas as the most disadvantaged when it comes to employment.

It stated that these workers are the ones who have inadequate access to jobs and if they do find secure employment, they are, most of the times, “not adequately paid for work done and experience discrimination in the workplace”.

“Consultations in the interior regions identified Indigenous persons as experiencing discrimination in the workplace such as those in mining, logging, the hospitality sector, farm hands,” the report added.

It further identifies the Social Cohesion Ministry as the advocacy ministry for responsive labour and social protection agencies and mechanisms.

Under the former People’s Progressive Party/

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton presenting the Social Cohesion Strategy 2017-2021 report to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Civic (PPP/C) Government, there was a ministry solely dedicated to deal with the issues of labour. However, when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government took office in 2015, it scrapped that ministry and introduced the Social Protection Ministry equipped with a labour department.

The move was disapproved of by trade unions, and they have since been calling on the Government for the re-introduction of the Labour Ministry rather than a department to deal with the issues.

The call was renewed

by Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) General Secretary Lincoln Lewis

Ruimveldt man nabbed with gun, ammo

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West Ruimveldt, Georgetown man was on Monday nabbed with an illegal gun with 14 live rounds of matching ammunition.

Police arrested the 20-year-old man about 05:00h at Ruimveldt Public Road while he was in a hire car and found the gun,

which was tucked in his waistband.

Police Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan said that Police Officers, acting on information, swooped down on the vehicle and intercepted the man.

Investigations are continuing.

at the united trade unions’ May Day rally. Lewis said a Labour Ministry was important for shaping and executing labour policies that affect all Guyanese workers — past, present and potential.

However, President David Granger believes the labour portfolio is appropriately placed under the Social Protection Ministry, which covers a broad area.

Efforts to contact Social Protection Minister Amna Ally for a comment on the findings highlighted in the report proved futile.

Citizens’ safety, security

The report also highlighted that citizens do not feel safe in their communities owing to a number of factors ranging from lack of health services to growing incidents of murder and robberies.

“The feedback on recent examples where the Police have responded promptly and dealt with criminal activity in the neighbourhood or community can only be described as deeply troubling. In most of the consultations, irrespective of whether they were in urban, coastal, rural, or interior communities, par-

ticipants reflected deep disappointment with the lack of, or limited, response of the Police to criminal activity in their neighbourhoods or communities,” it informed.

The lack of, or late, Police response is a troubling indication of a serious area of deficit in the promotion of the social cohesion agenda in Guyana, according to the report. However, during the consultation period, it was found that the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) were more effective than the Police and there was a call for those groups to be formed in communities where they do not exist.

“There is much work to be done in advocacy for legislation and action to address some of the more concerning deficits in the ways citizens experience safety and security, such as the way law enforcement officers are, allegedly, not responding appropriately to the rights and expectations of citizens; and the functioning of the courts with respect to the perceived lack of severity of custodial sentences to deter offenders. The Ministry of Social Cohesion may also have a role in advocating for better equipment, provisioning, and training of Police Officers in human rights, interpersonal relations, and cultural sensitivity, especially for such officers posted to interior regions and communities with Amerindian populations,” it recommended.

The Social Cohesion Strategy 2017-2021 was presented to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo by Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton for consideration at the Social Cohesion Day celebration on Thursday last.

More than 50% of Indians did not receive their return passages or land

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wo weeks ago, in this space, I mapped out the circumstances in which Indians were denied unclaimed remittances and their entitled return passages during indenture and beyond in then British Guiana. I will now show, with evidence, how return passages were denied to Indians in the two decades following indenture. I chose this period because Indians were very much on their own trying to find a niche in their new environment, and what they needed most to form stable communities were, in my opinion, the delivery of promised financial obligations and responsibilities from the colonial state. This did not happen.

What is also important to understand is that the policy of exchanging return passages for land grants in British Guiana began in 1880, stalled in 1882, Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine was revived in 1897, and stopped in 1903. What this means is that Indians were given land for their return passage in only a few years. In another column, I will provide information on how many Indians received land, how much and where. For now, only a small percentage of Indians received a small amount of land in a small period of time, which is contrary to common perception in adversarial sections of Guyana. Indians did not get off the ships and received land.

By 1924, Indian indenture was officially abolished, but Indians had, through signed contracts, reserved their rights to return to India; meaning that their paid return passage of about £10 or $48, to which they had contributed about a third of the cost, were there to be used, if so desired. This option closed after 1955 when the last ship, Insurgent, left British Guiana for India.

Now, in 1924, the total population in British Guiana was around 300,000, and the Indian population was 124,967, which was a gradual increase of about a few thousands from previous years; and was largely due to more registered marriages, fewer deaths, more births, and less out-migration. Of the total India population of 124,976, about 68,351 were living off the estates, which meant that they had bought land on their own terms, or they had exchanged their return passages for a piece of land to settle before 1903, or they were squatting. There is no question about this.

What is of interest is that 56, 616 Indians out of the total population of 124,967 were still residing on the estates. I contend, as the record shows, that out of the 56,616, about 17,331 were children; who obviously were not in a position to make individual decisions. However, about 40,000 adult Indians were able to dictate their own course. Those Indians were waiting to use their return passage, since the option to exchange return passages for land ceased to exist in 1903.

To see if they actually used up their return passages, I examined the Indian population again in 1936, about ten years later. If they had used up their return passages, it would have meant that fewer of them would have been living on the estates and the Indian population would have been much lower, even with new births, since they would have returned to India. The following is what I found.

The Indian population in 1936 was 126,426, which was an increase of a few thousands from 1924, due again to fewer deaths (2,973) and more births (4,856). About 57,125 Indians were living on the estates, and this number comprised 39,686 adults and 17,439 children. The finding is that about 40,000 were still living on the estates, and they had not used up their return passages.

My argument is that those 40,000 Indians, with about 18,000 dependents -- which was about half of the Indian population in British Guiana in the 1930s -- did not receive their return passages.

To put it up front, one of two Indians who remained in British Guiana was denied his/her return passage. If we were to do a calculation, we would have to multiply 40,000 by 48, which brings us to the figure of $1,920,000.

What is also of concern is those Indians who died in British Guiana but were entitled to return passages. What happened with the financial aspect of their return passages? I thought the money was supposed to be handed over to the surviving families in British Guiana or India.

Moreover, this argument is based on a few years; and obviously, the value shown above is much higher today -- in the billions of dollars. A professional calculation is forthcoming using various modern models.

Let me say that my argument for unclaimed remittances and return passages is based on an attempt to right a historical wrong, and bring to the Guyanese public issues that have plagued the Indian community for some time, but have remained closeted. Moreover, my call is in tandem with what is going on right now in Guyana.

There is a conflated Commission of Inquiry on Amerindian and African land rights. Strangely, Indian land concerns and rights are not included, giving the impression that Indians had benefited from the colonial and modern state more than any other ethnic group.

If we are going to investigate history with perhaps the intention to divide up Guyana, I argue that Indians should have a say as well.

Am I asking for too much? Isn’t it appropriate to bring up these issues now, rather than later? (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu)

tuesDAY, may 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Guyana crafting strategy to stamp out illegal fishing – aimed at meeting 2009 FAO agreement

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takeholders in the local fisheries sector have commenced working towards producing a national strategy and action plan that is aimed at preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Guyana.

With assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), these stakeholders commenced participating in a five-day workshop on Monday to discuss the challenges and successes of the industry, with the intention of creating a strategy that will help to fight IUU fishing.

In addressing the opening of the workshop, Chief Fisheries Officer attached to the Agriculture Ministry, Denzil Roberts said the action plan was also being created in keeping with a 2009

Chief Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Denzil Roberts

FAO agreement, to which Guyana was one of the signatories.

The purpose of this agreement is to enhance monitoring and assessment capabilities at the national, regional and global levels,

with emphasis given to creating appropriate fleet records and to addressing the issue of fleet mobility – a key issue to controlling both fishing capacity and IUU fishing.

In providing further details of the agreement, Roberts said, “It gives you the right to deny entry to a ship that is suspected of fishing illegally, and with a network you can communicate with other countries.

So, basically, you can have a ship that’s out there that is fully loaded with fish and it cannot land the catch, because it was done illegally.”

Roberts notes, however, that the local Fisheries Act does not cater for the new FAO concept to tackle illegal fishing and in order to make it enforceable, Guyana will now need to develop a road-

Guyana-Chile begin strengthening mission in mining sector

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visiting four-member team of geologists from the Chilean technical agency Sernageomin on Monday paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at State House.

In Guyana to conduct technical geological surveys and field work to assess the conditions within Guyana’s mining sector, this visiting team comprises Project Manager Dr Juan Pablo Lacassie, Jaime Barrera, Laura Mateo Rio and Mariela Santana.

The team’s presence in Guyana and the research they will conduct would significantly help to contribute to the overall improvement of the sustainable development of the country’s extractive industries sector.

In meeting this team, President Granger told them, “[We are] looking toward not only the technical means of extracting minerals, but also (establishment of) the regulatory framework. Of course [we must consider] the protection of the environment, to which both President Bachelet and I are deeply committed.”

He added that the engagement will serve both countries well, and is likely to be a precursor to future collaboration in other areas.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman told the team that Government’s policy in regard to the extractive sector stands on four pillars: sustainable use of the environment, better management of land resources, geological surveys, and mining safety.

“While your efforts will be focused on geological surveys and assistance, we have no doubt that you will continue to guide us in the other three areas, so that we lift those areas of focus,” he

Miriela Santana, a geologist from Sernageomin, presents President David Granger with a publication containing information on Chile's mining sector. They are flanked by (from left) Project Manager of the visiting team, Dr Juan Pablo Lacassie and geologists Laura Mateo Rio and Jaime Barrera

said.

Chilean Ambassador Claudio Rachel Rojas declared that this project is just one of many that will see the relationship between Guyana and Chile being strengthened as the two countries move step by step in working to develop their futures.

Previous engagements

the team’s visit comes as a result of previous engagements between Guyana and Chile, which began in July last year when President Granger met with President Michelle Bachelet of Chile on the sidelines of the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Guyana. The two leaders had discussed a range of bilateral issues, including how Guyana could learn from Chile’s sound regulatory framework for the mining sector.

Those discussions continued in October, during President David Granger’s first State Visit to Chile, when Guyana received commitments of support for col-

laboration in the areas of trade, capacity-building in telecommunications, and geological mapping in the field of mining and environmental management.

With regard to mining, Chile had offered to provide technical assistance for geological mapping, which would allow for a scientific determination of the location of mineral wealth deposits in Guyana; and had invited Guyana to provide project proposals in the area of Geological and Metallogenic mapping and Petrographic studies.

Later in the year, the project will see 12 members from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) visiting Chile to observe mining operations there. President Granger has referred to Chile as an ideal partner in this area, given that that country has one of the most successful mining enterprises in the world. He has also highlighted the need for achieving a healthy balance between the effective management of Guyana’s renewable resources and preserving the environment.

map to determine the steps that should be taken to address the issue.

He pointed out that the control of excess fishing capacity and IUU fishing required a much greater harmonisation of management strategies and policies between the main levels of fishery management: the fishery sector and industry segments.

“So, basically, it has to be collaborative effort among all of us. We all know that inter-agency cooperation is not always easy, so what we will try to do is developing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) so that we can work together and try to make it one unified stance against IUU fishing.”

The Chief Fisheries Officer said the application of the measures set out in the agreement would also contribute to enhanced regional and international cooperation.

Government has put several measures in place to help reduce IUU. These include the by-catch reduction devices, installing vessel monitoring systems and the establishment of a sea bob working group.

Vessel Monitoring

Systems (VMS) have also been installed on trawlers to allow traceability to give an alert on possible IUU fishing activities.

The Fisheries Department has also joined with the seabob industry and applied for Marine Stewardship Council Certification (MSc).

The MSc certification is a

sure that the quantity of fish caught and discarded is reduced, thereby balancing the ocean’s ecosystem in keeping with efforts to emphasise aquaculture and to maintain a viable fisheries sector.

Stakeholders from the various departments, including the Port Police and the Maritime Administration,

Participants at the workshop which began on Monday at the Regency Suite

well-recognised eco-label that proves that a country has adopted sustainable fishing practices.

This has seen the installation of by-catch reduction devices on trawlers to en-

were present for the opening of the workshop. It comes to an end on Friday.

The workshop is being facilitated by two FAO representatives: Christina Leria and Joao Neves.

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

$4B drug donation

Ministry flouts local regulations – MoPH source … raises suspicion about Guyana being used as dumping ground … tax write-off, national formulary needs questioned

T

he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) bypassed local regulations in granting approval to a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) called the Guyana Medical Relief (GMR) to donate some $4 billion worth of drugs to Guyana, a source says.

As a result, the quality of the pharmaceuticals is now being questioned as the regulatory oversight body was not afforded the opportunity to scrutinise the various manufacturers from which the drugs were sourced.

A new system for the importation of drugs was recently introduced whereby all importers were obligated to submit their dossiers to a regional regulatory hub that would review and recommend whether the pharmaceuticals were safe for importation.

Guyana Times understands that commercial importers as well as NGOs are both subjected to the same checks and balances in the interest of public health.

According to the MoPH source, “These are pub-

lic health issues to ensure the drugs are safe and efficacious and of the requisite quality. Suppose the NGO brings in substandard drugs?”

The recommendation from the regional entity would subsequently be sent to the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) of Guyana, which would then approve the drugs for importation.

With regard to the NGO, this procedure was not followed, this newspaper was told.

However, this publication understands that in its absence, the MoPH can apply for a waiver on behalf of the NGO, but this too was not done in this case.

Therefore, the $4 billion in drugs which were donated to the MoPH were not checked and approved by the country’s chief regulatory body.

Proposal

Following reports of drug shortages in Guyana, the GMR said it approached the MoPH with a proposal to provide assistance.

Chan said the list was sent to a larger charity organisation called Direct Relief, which has a network of manufacturers that would supply the drugs.

“After that, we flew it in because these were some stuff that had limited dates on them and so they needed to be used and distributed ASAP,” he stated, noting that the drugs arrived on April 20, 2017.

Tax write-off

Cost

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

The GMR is a Los Angeles, California-based NGO that has been providing support to the local health sector through various donations over the years.

The NGO’s Chief Operations Officer (COO), Sharir Chan told this newspaper that he met with a team from the Ministry’s procurement department and they accepted his proposal and provided a list of all the drugs they needed.

Chan also noted that this transaction cost the Government only the transportation cost to move the drugs from the airport to the storage bonds.

The drugs included asthma medication, Albuterol Sulfate, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, simvastatin, niacin, carvedilol, amlodipine, lovastatin, azithromycin, glipizide, Lisinopril, and metformin.

Furthermore, when asked, Chan indicated that he had no interaction with personnel from the GAFDD. “Everything went through with the Ministry of (Public) Health…But we

GMR COO Sharir Chan

are aware of the drug formulary and I think that the drug formulary is in line with Caricom. But we don’t go through Food and Drug, we go through the Ministry of (Public) Health,” he explained.

Efforts to contact the Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence and the Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings for comments and clarifications on the issue proved futile.

However, the source at the Public Health Ministry questioned the donation pointing to the fact that such a large gift gave rise to suspicion.

According to the source, $4B in donation is twice the yearly budget of the Ministry. Additionally, the source noted that some of the drugs supplied have short expiry date, highlighting the fact that Guyana is being used as a dumping ground for a large corporation. But more suspiciously, the source noted, is the fact that the Ministry maybe colluding to have the company gain a large tax write off in the United States. The source added that when large companies make significant donation to developing countries, itself and parent company, in return applies for taxwrite off in the home country.

Additionally, the source pointed to the fact that proper assessment needs to be carried out to determine whether or not the drugs donated is part of the national formulary.

news

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tuesDAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GFC promotes use of lesser used timber species in Guyana T

he Natural Resources Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), on Monday hosted a public awareness session to promote the use of Lesser Used Species (LUS) of timber found in Guyana.

The event, which was hosted at the GFC Multiplex in Kingston, Georgetown, was aimed at educating stakeholders on the existence and benefits of LUS, while encouraging the integration of these unconventional choices into both the local and international markets.

Delivering the feature address at the public awareness session, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman highlighted the significance of Guyana’s forestry sector.

“Guyana is international-

ly recognised as a source of legally sourced and sustainably managed forest produce. Our prime commercial timbers are internationally renowned for their durability, density, decorative and aesthetically pleasing characteristics.”

However, he went on to say, “It is also factual that although Guyana possesses an excess of 1000 tree species, there is an overreliance on using about 30 traditional commercial species only.”

As such, Trotman noted that the Government was currently reviewing several building policies, which will facilitate the use of the lesser known local lumber, not only to minimise the cost of construction but as an effort to add value to Guyanese timber.

Also speaking at the

A display of some of the lesser used species of timber in Guyana

LUS session was the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) President Shyam Nokta, who indicated that there has been a decline in the forestry sector in the recent years. With that, Nokta highlighted the benefits of incorporating LUS into

the market.

“From an economic standpoint, it makes sense. It will help to widen the options that are present to markets and to make use of a wider range of available timber species,” Nokta pointed out.

Moreover, the GMSA

President noted, “From an environmental standpoint, it will help to reduce the pressures on species that currently enjoy high demand in the markets and thereby allow for fewer threatened or vulnerable species.” This, he stated, will enhance and protect the standing forests that exist in Guyana.

The speakers all highlighted that owing to challenges such as lack of information, strategy and unwillingness on the public’s behalf, these LUS have been unable to thrive despite their compatibility, especially when compared to the traditional choices. As such, the session on Monday served to design and implement an action plan, which will see successful integration of the wide variety of Guyanese timber in the in-

ternational market. It also forged collaborations with the Government and other public, as well as private, stakeholders to ensure that the vision of expanding the timber varieties used in construction in Guyana is realised.

Among the LUS which were promoted at the event were Fukadi, Dalli and Wadara, which can be used for furniture, interior and exterior designs and light carpentry. Additionally, there were Limonaballi, Burada and Morabukea used for heavy construction and Darina, Dakamaballi and Wamara, perfect for flooring and wall panelling. These are to be incorporated with top species such as Greenheart and mora which are popular exports from Guyana.

Rising Sun accident

Licence of minibus driver suspended

A

The accident scene

minibus driver who, on May 5 last, was involved in a three-vehicle smashup on the Rising Sun public road, West Coast Berbice

has had his driver’s licence suspended pending the outcome of this matter in court.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs

Unemployment, burdensome...

FROM PAGE 3

He also referred to the Executive’s seeming support for ministerial interference in the State media, as has been highlighted by the Guyana Press Association (GPA) on a number of occasions. Government has listed establishment of the Lands Commission of Inquiry (CoI) as an achievement, but Jagdeo said this cannot be the case when the entire Amerindian community is against such a move.

He, moreover, noted that the achievement regarding laptop distribution to teachers cannot be credited to this administration, as it was the Peoples Progressive Party Government that acquired the devices.

According to the Opposition Leader, the Government’s list of achievement screams desperation. And further allud-

ing to the legacy of the coalition government, Jagdeo cited the collapse of the $97M monument at Palmyra, East Coast Berbice; the fully funded multi-million-dollar scholarships handed to Government ministers; increases in land rentals; the pardoning of prisoners; new taxes on mining, education, medical services, domestic flights; and the ban on used tyres, among other things, Jagdeo surmised that, within two years of being in office, the APNU/AFC had “failed miserably to meet the expectations of the people of Guyana; failed to keep its promises; and is clueless about where we are going in terms of development.”

Jagdeo says he is lamenting the additional damage which would be visited on the country under another three years of APNU/AFC rule.

Shalimar Ali-Hack, has recommended this course of action, and the Police Traffic Department implemented same on Monday.

Traffic Chief Dion Moore told Guyana Times that the accident involved three dozen persons, including schoolchildren, five of whom were left nursing injuries. In that accident, eight children were hospitalised with broken bones and lacerations to their bodies.

“We have since investigated, the matter and five children are still hospitalised. The action (licence suspension) was taken based on the recommendation from the DPP’s Office,” he explained.

Moore promised that the Police Traffic Department would apply this new approach (licence suspension) for any serious accident.

“So not only in cases where persons would have caused the death of someone, but as long as a driver is involved in an accident and we find that they were driving in a carless manner, we will take the same approach to forward the file to the appropriate authority in an effort to have their licence suspended pending the outcome of their charge,” he

explained.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announced two weeks ago that drivers who are on trial for charges such as causing death and dangerous driving would have their licences suspended pending the outcome of the court case.

One of the actions which Ramjattan said would tackle the recklessness and carelessness on the roadways is the suspension of the licences of those errant drivers who are on trial for those charges.

“I have started the process: that if you are charged with causing death by dangerous driving, that we are now going to -- under the Section where the Minister has the power -- to disqualify those charged during the period of awaiting their trial from driving. So we do a period of suspension,” he explained.

The Public Security Minister opined that he is certain this move would have a positive effect on the behaviour of road users, particularly drivers.

“The policy now is that once you’re charged with dangerous driving, you will be disqualified -- and I think rightfully so -during that period and up until your trial… It will take you off the road. It is a penalty in a sense, but it is in accordance with the law… And even if you’re acquitted, well, then too bad,” Ramjattan noted.

The Public Security Minister pointed out that while the law allows magistrates to disqualify drivers who are convicted of the charges they faced, it is often not done. He noted that the laws may have to be amended to make this a

compulsory imposition.

We might have to start making mandatory (that), for purposes of causing death by dangerous driving convictions, (the penalty is) disqualification…

Although disqualification is a penalty that could

be inflicted; normally, if someone is found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving, magistrates would give a fine and/or a sentence of imprisonment, but then no disqualification after the imprisonment,” the minister stated.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, may 16, 2017

Regional

Antigua PM scraps gun factory deal amid public pressure

A

plan to allow a gun manufacturer to set up shop in Antigua and Barbuda has been scrapped after public outcry.

Just hours after he had sought to defend the plan to set up a gun assembly plant in the twin-island nation, Prime Minister Gaston Browne issued a statement saying the decision was never ratified by Cabinet and that he himself had reservations about it.

His backtracking sparked questions from the Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) about whether he was being totally honest about the proposed deal.

On Saturday, after a letter from the proposed investor to a Minister seeking assistance with legislation for the plant was leaked on

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

a programme on local radio station Observer Radio, Browne called in and sought to clarify that the gun manufacturers would be operating within the Special Economic Zone, and would, therefore, be prohibited

from distributing or selling handguns on the domestic market.

“These guns will be strictly for exportation and will be governed by regulations which will be taken to Parliament. So I just want

to make that abundantly clear,” he said.

“There will be proper systems in place and it will be governed by legal regulations, and administrative practices [will be] put in place so they are not offered for sale in the domestic market.”

However, his comments were followed by criticism from members of the public who called in on the programme.

In a statement issued subsequently, in which he announced that negotiations on the proposed investment have ceased, Browne stated that only an informal undertaking was given to an Italian hand gun manufacturer to establish a hand gun factory in the Special Economic Zone.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Award-winning Mexican reporter killed

A

ward-winning Mexican journalist Javier Valdez has been shot dead in the north-western state of Sinaloa.

He was killed when unidentified attackers opened fire on his car in the city of Culiacan where Valdez was working, the RioDoce website reports.

Valdez, 50, received the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in 2011 for his coverage of drug trafficking.

He is the fifth journalist to be killed in Mexico this year.

After his colleague Miroslava

Breach was shot dead in March, Valdez was quoted as saying “No to silence” and “Let them kill us all”. Like Valdez, Breach had reported on organised crime, drug-trafficking and corruption. At the time, the CPJ said 38 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992. (BBC News)

More Cubans slowly gaining online access

It is now a common sight to see people sitting with their laptops or phones in parks and public plazas

W

hile much of the rest of the world has had the Internet for about 20 years, for most Cubans it is only something their relatives overseas talk about.

A few years ago it was installed in public plazas; then, a few months ago

as part of a pilot scheme, in a few private residences in the capital Havana.

According to the BBC News, there are now more than 240 public access wi-fi spots dotted around the country and the price for an hour of Internet access, while still expensive by in-

38-year-old man was murdered and another injured in a shooting at KFC’s St Helena outlet on Saturday night.

According to reports, the shooting took place around 10:30h while the fast food franchise’s branch at St Helena Junction was filled with customers.

Eyewitnesses told Police that two men entered the restaurant and walked towards a customer, who was standing in the line waiting to place his order.

One of the men drew a gun and fired several shots in the customer’s direction.

Their intended victim, who was later identified as Akino Suya, of Building Five, Maloney Gardens, Arouca, was shot in his head, while another customer, who was not identified by Police, was hit by a stray bullet.

The two men then ran out of the restaurant and into a getaway vehicle that was parked a short distance away.

Suya succumbed to his injury on

ternational standards, has dropped by more than half, to US$1.50 for an hour.

It is now a common sight to see people sitting with their laptops or phones in parks and public plazas connecting with their families abroad via video-chat technology.

In the latest development, the state telecommunications company, Etecsa, has installed Internet connections in around 2000 homes in the capital’s colonial district, Old Havana, as part of a two-month pilot scheme.

However, there is also a lingering official distrust of unfettered Internet access.

Whether stemming from an ill-advised USAID-run programme intended to undermine the Castro Government via a text message-based form of “Cuban Twitter” called ZunZuneo or a broader suspicion of social media as a tool of dissent, the authorities have traditionally been wary of the net. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T: Man executed in fast food outlet A

the scene and was pronounced dead on the scene by a District Medical Officer (DMO). The other victim was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope where he was treated and warded for observations.

Police said his wound was deemed nonlife threatening.

The incident was captured by the restaurant’s CCTV camera system and Police were reviewing the recording in an effort to identify Suya’s attackers.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Venezuela’s Health Minister sacked after revealing sharp rise in infant and maternal deaths

V

enezuela has fired Health Minister Antonieta Caporale after her department released statistics revealing a shocking increase in infant and maternal mortality.

Vice Minister of Hospitals Luis Lopez has been appointed to take her place, according to State media.

In the first figures released in two years, the Caporale-led Health Ministry said that the number of women dying in childbirth was up by 65 per cent, while child deaths were up 30 per cent. There has also been a jump in illnesses such as diphtheria and malaria.

The figures are a reflection of the country’s deep economic crisis, which the Opposition attributes to Government mismanagement.

In turn, President Nicolás Maduro maintains that the health crisis is caused by medicines being hoarded to encourage a coup against him.

Meanwhile, Venezuelans

are grappling with acute shortages of everything from food to drugs and essential medical supplies.

A recent survey found that three-quarters of Venezuelans say their health has deteriorated and that they are eating less than two meals a day. Many report losing an average of around 19 pounds.

In the health sector, many doctors have emigrated. A leading pharmaceutical association has said around 85 per cent of medicines are in short supply.

In February, health care workers staged a protest in Caracas against Maduro’s Government, the lack of medicines and low salaries.

Last week, Dr Julio Castro, an infectious disease specialist and a critic of the government’s health policies, told Reuters news agency: “The striking part is the turmoil in almost all categories that this bulletin addresses, with particularly significant increases in the infant and maternal health categories.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

St Kitts-Nevis passports deactivated for fugitive economic citizens

T

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris

he Government of St Kitts and Nevis has deactivated the passports belonging to the two economic citizens alleged to have defrauded State institutions in China out of US$100 million.

“They don’t have a St Kitts and Nevis passport on which they could travel,” Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris disclosed during his press conference last week.

“So they have no legitimate passport for St Kitts and Nevis,” Harris added.

During last week, Harris informed the public that the St Kitts-Nevis Government is actively investigating the matter surrounding the economic citizens of Chinese descent, who applied for and obtained St Kitts and Nevis citizenship in 2013 during the tenure of the Denzil Douglas regime and have been living in the Federation since 2014.

The former Douglas regime had granted them St Kitts and Nevis passports with their country of origin concealed.

This dubious practice by the former regime of issuing passports without the country of birth field may very well have been a factor in the Canadian Government’s decision to revoke the visa-free status of citizens of St Kitts and Nevis, effective November 22, 2014.

The announcement by Canada at the time cited “concerns about the issuance of passports and identity management practices within its [St Kitts and Nevis] citizenship by investment programme”.

According to records provided by the Canadian Bank Note [the company that produces passports for most of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states, including St Kitts and Nevis], 15,197 regular passports, 91 diplomatic and 39 official passports were issued without the country of birth field under the Denzil Douglas regime. The total (15,327 passports) amounts to almost 30 per cent of the country’s population. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

tuesdAY, may 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Global cyber-attack slows, hunt on for hackers

C

yber security researchers have found technical clues they said could link North Korea with the global WannaCry “ransomware” cyber-attack that has infected more than 300,000 machines in 150 countries since Friday.

Symantec and Kaspersky Lab said on Monday some code in an earlier version of the WannaCry software had also appeared in programmes used by the Lazarus Group, which researchers from many companies have identified as a North Korea-run hacking operation.

“This is the best clue we have seen to date as to the origins of WannaCry,” Kaspersky Lab researcher Kurt Baumgartner told Reuters.

Both firms said it was too early to tell whether North

15

US and European security officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity that it was still too early to say who might be behind the attacks, but they did not rule out North Korea as a suspect

Korea was involved in the attacks, which slowed to a crawl on Monday, but have

already become one of the fastest-spreading extortion campaigns on record.

The cyber companies’ research will be closely followed by law enforcement agencies around the world, including Washington, where US President Donald Trump’s homeland security adviser said on Monday that both foreign nations and cyber criminals were possible culprits.

The two companies said they needed to study the code more and asked for others to help with the analysis.

Hackers do reuse code from other operations, so even copied lines fall well short of proof.

US and European security officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity that it was still too early to say who might be behind the attacks, but they did not rule out North Korea as a suspect. (Excerpt from Reuters)

France’s Macron calls for “historic reconstruction” of Europe

F

rance’s new President, Emmanuel Macron, has called for a “historic reconstruction” of Europe, saying it is “the only reaction” to fight populism.

Speaking in Berlin on the first full day of his presidency, he was joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

She said the pair had a “joint conviction” that they needed to “deepen the European Union”.

Both said they would work together more closely on defence, eurozone reform and reducing bureaucracy.

Merkel said the EU depended on France being strong, and that she and Macron had a “joint conviction that we are not only going to deal with the British exit from the European Union, but we also need to deepen the EU”.

She also made her most

positive comments yet about eurozone reforms mooted by Macron, saying it may be possible to change EU treaties as would be required to enact them.“From the German point of view, it’s possible to change the treaty if it makes sense,” she said. “I would be ready to do this, but first we will work on what we want to reform.”

There was a warm welcome for the new French President both from Merkel and – unusually – a crowd singing and dancing outside the chancellory.

In part that’s because Berlin is overwhelmingly relieved that it’s not Marine Le Pen walking up the red carpet. But it’s also because, in Macron, Merkel has a counterpart with whom she shares a desire to reshape the European Union following Britain’s departure. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US says Assad using crematorium World leaders sign deal at China’s to hide mass killings New Silk Road summit

T

he United States has accused the Syrian Government of installing a crematorium in a military prison in order to destroy the remains of thousands of murdered prisoners.

Stuart Jones, acting Assistant Secretary for the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, gave reporters satellite pictures apparently showing snow melting on the roof of the facility.

“Beginning in 2013, the Syrian regime modified a building within the Saydnaya complex to support what we believe is a crematorium,” he

said, referring to a military jail north of Damascus.

“Although the regime’s many atrocities are well documented, we believe that the building of a crematorium is an effort to cover up the extent of the mass murders taking place in Saydnaya.”

Jones said the information came from credible humanitarian agencies and from the US “intelligence community” and that as many as 50 people per day are thought to be hanged at Saydnaya.

He did not give an official estimate for the total number killed, but cited an Amnesty

International report that between 5000 and 11,000 had died between 2011 and 2015 in the prison.

President Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian Government, he alleged, had detained between 65,000 and 117,000 people over the same period.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said later in the day that the “Assad regime has sunk to a new level of depravity”.

Spicer said the Government in Damascus had done so “with seemingly unconditional support from Russia and Iran”. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

C

hina’s President Xi Jinping has urged world leaders to reject protectionism and embrace globalisation.

His call came on the final day of a two-day forum in Beijing promoting the New Silk Road trade project, China’s bold plan to create new trading routes across parts of the developing world.

But in a setback to that effort, some European Union representatives are refusing to sign a communiqué marking the end of the summit.

They want it to contain guarantees about allowing free tenders for all the associ-

China’s President Xi Jinping has urged world leaders to reject protectionism and embrace globalisation

ated infrastructure projects.

Among those attending the summit was Russian President Vladimir Putin,

who described Sunday’s missile test by North Korea as “counterproductive and dangerous”. (Al Jazeera)

Indian law does not allow terminations after 20 weeks unless the woman’s life is in danger

gender testing.

In recent months, India’s Supreme Court has received several petitions, some from women who were raped, wanting to terminate pregnancies after 20 weeks. The court has always referred the matter to medical experts.

In the latest case in Rohtak town in Haryana state, doctors from the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) met to discuss the family’s request to allow the child to have an abortion.

They confirmed the girl’s pregnancy.

“The Police and the authorities will now take the report to the court which can order whether the child can undergo an abortion,” Dr Ashok Chauhan, medical superintendent at PGIMS, told the BBC. He said the case for a termination was “borderline”.

South Africa court to rule on India: 10-year-old child rape Zuma confidence vote victim in abortion plea

The court is hearing the case for a secret ballot in the no-confidence motion against President Jacob Zuma amid allegations of intimidation of MPs

S

outh Africa’s top court is debating whether legislators can cast secret ballots in a no-confidence vote on President Jacob Zuma as hundreds protest in Johannesburg demanding his removal.

Zuma, who has been implicated in a series of corruption scandals, has survived similar votes in the Parliament in the past.

Baleka Mbete, Parliament Speaker and a senior official of Zuma’s African National Congress (ANC), said she had no powers to agree to a secret ballot.

The ANC holds a majority in Parliament.

The Opposition believes

the latest motion will have better prospects if it is conducted in secret.

Dali Mpofu, a lawyer representing the Opposition United Democratic Movement party, told the Constitutional Court in televised proceedings that the speaker had an “obligation to arrange for a private ballot”.

Richard Calland, a member of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC), told Al Jazeera the Opposition was lobbying for a secret ballot because ANC legislators were under pressure to vote in Zuma’s favour.

“They [the Opposition] believe, as do many of us, that

some of the backbench men of the ANC would not be able to exercise a free will when voting on this matter because they all fear for their jobs, fear for their future,” he said.

“Therefore, the secret ballot is necessary to protect them and the Constitution.”

Thousands of South Africans have staged protests in recent weeks demanding Zuma’s resignation, and Opposition parties, religious groups and civil society activists have joined forces against him.

The protests began when Zuma dismissed Pravin Gordhan, his widely respected finance minister. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A

panel of doctors has met in India to discuss the case of a 10-year-old rape victim who is seeking an abortion.

The girl was repeatedly raped by her stepfather and is due to give birth in about four months, Police in the northern town of Rohtak told the BBC. He has been arrested and detained pending a full Police investigation.

Indian law does not allow terminations after 20 weeks unless the woman’s life is in danger. The girl’s request for an abortion is for the courts to decide.

The tough law was introduced to fight India’s skewed gender ratio. A deep-seated cultural preference for sons has led to millions of female foetuses being aborted over the years by pregnant women after undergoing foetal

(Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

tuesdAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Military-style flag-raising ceremony Hugo Chávez Centre, the Palms to receive for independence anniversary

T

he Director of National Events, Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey Bess, on Monday announced a week of events slated for Guyana’s 51st independence anniversary celebration, with the high point, the flag-raising ceremony at the controversial D’Urban Park.

“Slated for D’Urban Park on the 25th May, commencing from approximately 22:30hrs, there will be a military flag-raising activity commonly known as flag raising,” he said.

The week of activities kicks off from May 21 and runs until the 27th.

It includes the launching of Youth Week-under the theme, “Inspiring our youths, celebrating our achievements”; an award ceremony to honour those who were born on May 26, 1966 along with sponsors and contributors that supported the 50th anniversary celebration last year; a fine art exhibition; a housing expo and a farmers’ market.

The flag-raising ceremony at D’Urban Park on May 25 is billed to include a cultural display aimed at showcasing Guyana’s rich cultural diversity. Lieutenant Colonel Bess highlighted that printed flyers and flash cards would also be distributed to sensitise the populace on the Administration’s green state agenda.

Director of National Events, Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey Bess

is also aimed at providing youth farmers with an avenue to showcase their entrepreneurial knowledge.

Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael said the department has confirmed the participation of some 56 organisations that will help youths in their career choices, employment and even provide scholarship opportunities. She added that some of the organisations will be equipped to hire on the spot as well as provide assistance to youths seeking employment in various sectors.

Minister with responsibility for culture, Nicolette Henry informed that the

that although she was yet to receive the final cost attached to hosting the event, she was very certain that the overall bill would be minimal.

There were reports that the Stabroek Market Square was selected as the venue to host the flag-raising ceremony, but it was never confirmed. However, the Minister clarified that they indeed considered the area, but no final decision was made.

As usual, the Police presence at the venue will be beefed up and they are advising that there will be no parking allowed on

S

The farmers’ market billed for D’Urban Park will be providing fresh and processed agricultural produce, as well as livestock. It

Administration planned to undertake an extravagant independence celebration every five years. She added

its rollout.

Some of the upgraded features are iris/facial recognition – a security feature that uses your eyes or face to unlock the phone; infinity display – a larger screen is created by expanding to the edges of the phone; Bixby

Vision – point your camera at an object and the phone finds it online; Samsung Dex – which allows you to connect your phone to a monitor, keyboard and mouse to use as a desktop computer; and it’s selfie-friendly – snap photos with one simple touch.

In addition to these exceptional features, major upgrades were made to the processor, cameras and other hardware components.

STARR Computer currently has both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, along with accessories, in stock.

DDL conducts Health Fair for employees

D

she said.

Alves said the Public Health Minister would like to remind the students that their patients come first, that they were critical to providing high-quality care with desirable outcomes, and there must be a comprehensive approach to effective patient care.

Further, Alves noted that Minister Lawrence would like to encourage the students to always continue to learn and keep abreast with the new techniques and technologies that would improve the quality of patient care.

GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Johnson, in his encouraging words to the students, urged them to revise constantly and excel in their training. Johnson said for a majority of the students in the course, “this is a second chance”, and he hoped that they would make use of it. The CEO told the students that “they will be successful in their training” which will help improve the health sector.

Programme Coordinator Doneth Mingo said the programme was designed to prepare Patient Care Assistants to perform basic nursing skills under the supervision of a

Homestretch Avenue between Vlissengen Road and east of D’Urban Park during the flag-raising event.

STARR Computer staffers pose with the new Samsung phones

emerara Distillers Limited and Subsidiaries, in collaboration with the Guyana Business Coalition on Health Awareness (GBCHA) recently held a health fair at DDL’s Diamond Complex under the theme “Non-communicable disease screening: let’s talk”.

The purpose of the health fair was to speak with employees, about non-commu-

F

ifty females and one male are undergoing training under the Patient Care Assistant Training Programme.

This is the 11th batch of trainees under the programme. The participants were selected from Regions Three, Four and Five to undergo the six-month training.

At the formal launch of the programme which is in its seventh week, Chairperson of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Board, Kesaundra Alves read Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence’s charge to participants. Alves said that as Patient Care Assistants, the participants upon graduation would provide direct and/or indirect care, including medical assessment, treatment, counselling and psychological assistance.

According to the Minister’s charge, this training is of significant importance to the Division of Health Sciences in the Public Health Ministry and the health facilities to which the students would be assigned. She said, “the need for trained Patient Care Assistants has, therefore, become imperative and it is to

The Guyana Defence Force at D’Urban Park on May 25, 2016 for Guyana’s 50th anniversary celebration

STARR launches Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

TARR Computer, Samsung’s Authorised Store in Guyana, has launched the long-awaited Samsung S8/S8+. Packed with new and exciting features, this smartphone, Samsung predicts, will surpass all previous models in

capacity boost

nicable diseases, and to offer an understanding of how these diseases can be prevented and treated. At the health fair, employees who needed help from medical professionals were referred as appropriate.

During the day’s activities which commenced at 09:30h and concluded at 15:30h, more than two hundred (200) employees were

tested in the areas of: cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI).

There were also three classroom presentations on Coping Mechanisms for stress and related issues and Food and Nutrition thus promoting healthy eating habits and lifestyles.

The Company’s Human Resources Director,

Moneeta Singh-Bird, expressed appreciation to the GBCHA, Compassionate VCT services, the Ministry of Health’s Food Policy Division and the Mental Health Department for their contribution toward the success of the health fair.

She said that the company will continue to have such programmes conducted, in the future.

Students who are being trained in the Patient Care Assistant Training Programme

this end that this training programme has been implemented to fill the existing gaps as quickly as possible.”

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Alves said the students who would be sent to the Hugo Chávez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration would have to interact with indigent persons who had no fixed place of abode, the less fortunate and homeless who may be in need of medical assessment and treatment, counselling and psychological assistance to enable them to become disciplined and productive members of society.

She further explained to the students that at the Palms Geriatric Home, they would be providing care for the elderly who need more careful attention as they advance in age.

Some patients may demand even more care depending on their health status, to assist with daily living activities, observing and charting changes in their health or behaviour, and helping with hygiene and cleanliness.

Alves urged that kindness always be extended. “There may be instances when you may be called to perform extra duties; do not make it an issue, but respond with compassion; your intervention may just be the response that eases the patients’ state of mind,”

professional nurse. She said there was space in the world of nursing for nurses who were less qualified and needed less training.

GINA spoke with some of the students who are being trained. Sherry Ann ToneyCort said, “I have been working at the Palms for 10 years, and I have now been given the opportunity to be trained in what I love doing. I am very thankful to God for this opportunity. Thus far, the programme has been wonderful and very informative.”

Marcus Fraser stated, “Thus far I have enjoyed the programme; I have some important lessons such as testing vitals and most of all, being confidential when it comes to the patient, which is very important.”

Osvena Chung said, “I have been working at the Palms for six years and I am hoping that this programme will help me improve my work ethics and show us what we are missing when caring for patients.”

Colene Deonarine stated, “I have been working at the Palms for six years and I hope that this training will teach me how to deal with mentally-ill patients because we have a lot to deal with. Caring for these persons is something that I like very much and I want to improve myself when caring of them.”

news

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tuesdAY, may 16, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Child Care Agency pilots Youth Innovation Fund community groups along programme set for May 22 launch Linden/Soesdyke Highway Y

T

he Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) has been working to establish partnerships at the grassroots level, to prevent child abuse and promote child well-being.

Director of the CPA, Ann Greene, said community groups have since been established in the Timehri, Yarakabra and Kuru Kuru, communities along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

Greene pointed out that the agency is working in several communities, but the groups are being piloted in the three areas previously mentioned, before moving on to other communities.

She added that getting the communities in the outlying districts onboard is easier than getting onboard communities in far-flung hinterland communities.

However, the CPA is still working “to have all communities buy into the programme,” and eventually all will benefit.

It is necessary for the

Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene

CPA to work with community groups across Guyana to reduce the risk factors for abuse and to increase the protective factors, the CPA director explained.

She highlighted that risk factors “are the things that will create vulnerability for children. A single parent home is a risk factor, because money and time (are) always in short supply in a single parent home, especially since the parent has to go out and

work and then return to look after the children.”

Other risk factors include parents with mental health issues, substance abuse, poverty, early teenage parenthood, and domestic violence.

The protective factors would help to eradicate the risk factors. Greene pointed out that the protective, affordable, high-quality day care centres; training programmes and rehabilitation for parents; teen empowerment programmes and mental health services would come out from the community support networks.

She said, “That is why we introduced the community watch groups, because that is a community support network that will aid in addressing child abuse.

The agency is also collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health, faith-based organisations, and Early Childhood Development Centres to assist families, especially those with mental health issues.

oung people across Guyana will soon benefit from the Youth Innovation Fund (YIF), which is set to be launched on May 22 at Umana Yana.

This programme will serve as an opportunity to help harness the creative ideas of young people.

The $50 million YIF programme was introduced in the 2017 National Budget.

Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael said the high unemployment rates among youths spurred the creation of the project. It aims to push youths toward entrepreneurship.

“Young people will put up their proposals in terms of what idea they may have that might be able to foster development in their community, your school or by extension Guyana. We are hoping that they bring forward these proposals and these

Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael

proposals, of course, will be selected by a panel through the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport,” the Youth Director was quoted as saying in a Government Information Agency (GINA) report. The YIF will be accessible across all the re-

gions. Carmichael highlighted that the Ministry’s representatives will be stationed in each region to assist participants with their proposals.

The Youth Director said she was optimistic that there would be a large number of applications from young people. However, she said the Ministry has not decided on the number of persons who will be selected for the programme.

Minister within the Education Ministry Nicolette Henry said that in keeping with the Government’s ‘green agenda’, the programme will focus on solutions for the reduction of fossil fuel usage and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

According to the GINA report, the programme has an out-of-school and in-school component.

Trump disclosed secrets to Russia – Washington Post “Jim Jones” star dies at 68 U

Boothe won an Emmy for portraying Jim Jones in CBS’ TV movie “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones”

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owers Boothe, who won an Emmy for portraying Jim Jones and was well known for playing villains, has died aged 68.

The character actor, who also appeared in films like “Sin City” and “Tombstone” and TV shows including “Deadwood” and “Agents of SHIELD”, died Sunday morning of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles.

His rep told The Hollywood Reporter that a private service will be held in Boothe's home state of Texas, with a memorial celebration under consideration as well. Donations can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which honours the nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.

His friend, actor Beau Bridges, tweeted the news Sunday afternoon.

Boothe, who grew up on a farm in the Lone Star State, began his acting career in the theatre, featuring in a number of Shakespearean productions including Henry IV. He made his Broadway debut in the late 1970s in Lone Star & Pvt Wars.

In 1980, Boothe won an Emmy for lead actor in a limited series or special for playing Peoples Temple cult leader Jim Jones in CBS' “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones”. He won the award during an actors strike and chose to cross the picket line to accept his trophy, saying, "This may be either the bravest moment of my career or the dumbest."

Boothe also was nominated for two ensemble SAG Awards, first in 1996 alongside the cast of “Nixon” and then again in 2007 with the cast of “Deadwood”.

Boothe gained a reputation for playing villains with memorable roles in the action film “Sudden Death” (1995); Bill Paxton's “Frailty” (2001) and as the nefarious Senator Roark in “Sin City” (2005).

Perhaps his most famous villain role was Cy Tolliver, the ruthless saloon owner on HBO's “Deadwood”.

More recently, Boothe took on the role of Gideon Malick as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, debuting the role in 2012's “The Avengers” and reprising it on

ABC's “Agents of SHIELD”.

He portrayed Alexander Haig in “Nixon” (1995) and a sheriff in another Oliver Stone film, “U Turn” (1997), and was unforgettable as the wicked gunman Curly Bill Brocius in “Tombstone” (1993).

nited States President Donald Trump disclosed highly classified information to the Russian Foreign Minister during their meeting last week, potentially jeopardising a source of intelligence about ISIL, The Washington Post reported on Monday, citing current and former US officials.

The newspaper said the information Trump relayed to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak had been provided by a US partner through a highly sensitive intelligence-sharing arrangement.

The partner had not given Washington permission to share the material with Moscow, and Trump's decision to do so risks cooperation from an ally that has access to the inner workings of Islamic State of Iraq and the

He also played Connie Britton's father, industrialist and former mayor Lamar Wyatt, on “Nashville”, and portrayed Noah Daniels, the Vice President and then the US President, on “24”. (The

Hollywood Reporter)

closures, Trump's national security adviser, HR McMaster, who participated in the meeting, said no intelligence sources or methods were discussed that were not already known publicly, the Post reported.

"This story is false.

The President only discussed the common threats that both countries faced," said Dina Powell, deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy.

US officials have told Reuters news agency that US agencies are in the process of drawing up plans to expand a ban on passengers carrying laptop computers onto US-bound flights from several countries in conflict zones because of new intelligence about how armed groups are refining techniques for installing bombs in laptops. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UN Security Council condemns North Korea missile test

T

Powers Boothe

Levant, the Post said, citing unnamed officials.

During his Oval Office meeting with Lavrov and Kislyak, Trump went offscript and began describing details about an ISIL threat related to the use of laptop computers on aircraft, the officials said.

While discussing classified matters with an adversary would be illegal for most people, the President has broad authority to declassify government secrets, making it unlikely that Trump's disclosures broke the law, the Post said.

Trump's meeting with Lavrov and Kislyak at the White House came a day after he fired FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the agency's investigation into possible links between Trump's presidential campaign and Moscow.

Asked about the dis-

he United Nations Security Council has unanimously condemned North Korea's latest missile test and warned of new sanctions.

In a statement, the 15-member Council demanded that Pyongyang conduct no further such tests.

North Korea earlier said the missile it had tested on Sunday was a new type of rocket capable of carrying a large nuclear warhead.

The missile travelled some 700 kilometres (435 miles), reaching an altitude of 2000km and landing in the sea west of Japan.

North Korea said it was

a test of the abilities of a "newly developed ballistic rocket".

South Korea's military said it could not yet verify the North's claims.

But it said Pyongyang's missiles did appear to be able to leave and re-enter the atmosphere, which is crucial to developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports. In the statement on Monday, the UN Security Council stressed on the importance of North Korea "immediately showing sincere commitment to denuclearization through concrete action".

Pyongyang should "conduct no further nuclear and ballistic missile tests", it said.

The Council has imposed six sets of sanctions against the North since 2006.

Earlier on Monday, North Korea's KCNA State news agency said the test of a "newly developed mid/ long-range strategic ballistic rocket, Hwasong-12" had gone to plan.

"The test-fire aimed at verifying the tactical and technological specifications of the newly developed ballistic rocket capable of carrying a large-size heavy nuclear warhead," it said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, may 16, 2017

ARCHIE

Personal improvements will make you feel like a mil(March 21- lion bucks, as long as you April 19) make alterations based on your needs, not on someone else’s directives. Do what brings you joy.

ARIES

Set up a meeting or call on TAURUS an expert if it will help you get (April 20- off the fence and make a deciMay 20) sion regarding a financial, professional or health matter.

dilbert

Emotional interference GEMINI (May 21- can lead to poor choices.

June 20) Know exactly what you are taking on before you say yes.

An unexpected change will force you to rethink your next move.

Put your unique touch on whatever you do. Don’t over(June 21- spend or create complicaJuly 22) tions that will make it difficult to finish what you start.

Simplicity is your best bet.

CANCER

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Listen to your peers or whoever is in charge in order to make better choices regarding how to move forward without interference.

Staying within set boundaries will be necessary.

Business trips, educational VIRGO (Aug. 23- pursuits and networking will Sept. 22) all play a role in helping you get ahead. You’ll face someone looking for a fight. Don’t engage in petty disputes.

Keep a steady pace movLIBRA ing in a direction that holds (Sept. 23Oct. 23) your interest and inspires you to live, learn and forge into the future with enthusiasm.

Looking back will hold you back.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Keep your emotions in SCORPIO check. Don’t let anyone take (Oct. 24advantage of you or manipuNov. 22) late you into taking on something you don’t want to do.

Problems with a peer will need careful monitoring.

Listen carefully. Refuse SAGITTARIUS to let anyone lead you astray.

(Nov. 23- Call the shots and question Dec. 21) anything that sounds fishy.

Personal, physical and home improvements are featured and favored.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Rely on how you handled CAPRICORN unpredictable situations in (Dec. 22- the past to help you deal with Jan. 19) confusion and concerns you face in the present. Don’t give in to peer pressure.

Don’t let confusion set in AQUARIUS when trying to figure out what (Jan. 20to do next. If you ask someone Feb. 19) you trust to offer his or her expertise and knowledge, you’ll be triumphant.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Ask for help and call in PISCES favors.

Listen to good advice (Feb. 20March 20) and avoid senseless arguments. Take control and turn any negative you face into a positive. Embrace the truth.

tuesDAY, May 16, 2017

19

Ashes on the line in Joshua, Klitschko

pay dispute – Warner set for possible rematch in October A

A

dispute between Australia’s players and Cricket Australia could threaten the forthcoming Ashes series, says David Warner.

Vice-captain David Warner has warned Australia could be left without a team for the Ashes if a pay dispute is not resolved.

A plan set out in March

by Cricket Australia (CA) proposed wage rises for male and female players but also saw the withdrawal of an obligation for them to share a portion of their revenue with athletes.

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) rejected the proposal in April, branding the suggestions “a ‘win’ for cricket administrators but a ‘loss’ for cricket”.

Several players, including Shane Watson, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson, tweeted their support for the ACA’s stance following the publication of what is allegedly an e-mail from CA chief executive James Sutherland stating players whose contracts expire this year will not have them renewed.

And Warner says players would be prepared to sit out

Australia’s Vice Captain David Warner

the forthcoming home Ashes series against England if they are unable to alter CA’s plans.

“If it gets to the extreme, they might not have a team for the Ashes,” Warner told The Age. “I really hope they can come to an agreement... we don’t really want to see this panning out like that where we don’t have a team, we don’t have cricket in the Australian summer.

“It is up to CA to deal with the ACA. It’s obviously in their hands.

“We thought something along the lines of this might happen...it’s not come as a

shock, but more the fact it has come so early.

“We won’t buckle at all, we are standing together and very strong, and as you can see from all the people that have spoken so far, we are all on the same wavelength and are sticking together.

“We want a fair share and the revenue-sharing model is what we want, so we are going to stick together until we get that. We are not going to shy away; we are just going to stick together.”

The first Ashes Test gets under way in Brisbane on November 23. (Sportsmax)

rematch between unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko could take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in October.

Briton Joshua stopped Klitschko at Wembley last month to add the WBA world heavyweight title to his IBF crown.

Wales’ rugby union team will play at the Principality Stadium for most Saturdays in November and December, but 28 October could be a potential date.

“Talks are ongoing over venues,” said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua’s thrilling win over Ukrainian Klitschko was watched by a post-war record crowd of 90,000 at Wembley.

Staging a rematch outdoors could be difficult in the autumn, but the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium’s retractable roof could make it a viable option.

Hearn has said he believes a rematch “will go ahead” - even if it casts doubt over whether Joshua, 27, can retain his IBF title.

The IBF has named Kubrat Pulev as a manda-

I couldn’t have asked for more

T

he stellar careers of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan drew to a dramatic close on the final day of Pakistan’s Test win over West Indies.

Misbah-ul-Haq reflected on a fitting end to a remarkable career after Pakistan recorded a thrilling victory over West Indies in the third Test.

Captain Misbah and veteran batsman Younis Khan both ended their illustrious playing stints on Sunday as the tourists sealed a dramatic 101-run victory to secure a 2-1 series triumph.

The result was sealed in the penultimate over when Shannon Gabriel, partnering centurion Roston Chase, gave his wicket away to Hasan Ali. “Whatever success I got throughout my career, to end like that, I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Misbah, who made 75 Test appearances, scoring 5222 runs.

“I would like to thank my family: my mother, my sisters, and especially to my wife Uzma who supported me and was always there.

The stellar Test careers of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan came to an end on Sunday

“This series was only for her because I could have finished in Australia. She just convinced me and the fans that I have to come. And this team, too, most of these players [said], ‘You don’t have to end like that. You have to go winning and performing well’.

“I’m happy with what I’ve had in this career. What a finish, I couldn’t have asked more than that.

“Really happy for this team, all the guys here, the way they gave me and Younis send-offs.

“And special thanks to

Younis, very best of luck in his future life. It was a very fine journey with him in the middle, sharing a lot of partnerships, and I loved every moment of that.

“In the history books, my name will come with him and he’s a legend. He’s a top performer for Pakistan: 34 centuries, 10,000 runs, broke a lot of records.

“I had 15 hundredpartnerships with him and that’s something special to me that my name will come with his and be remembered in

tory challenger, and says a fight with the Bulgarian must be next for Joshua.

As such, the IBF appears obliged to strip Joshua should he opt for a return fight with Klitschko, but Hearn has indicated he will put in a mandatory exception request.

If Joshua were to fight at the Principality Stadium, it would be the fourth time Wales’ national stadium has staged boxing.

Welsh legend Joe Calzaghe beat Mikkel Kessler in front of an estimated 50,000 fans at what was then named the

Anthony Joshua’s win over Wladimir Klitschko was his 19th by knockout in 19 professional bouts

Martyn Phillips, chief executive of both the Principality Stadium and Welsh Rugby Union, has previously said the governing body is “in conversations with various boxing promoters”.

The stadium has hosted speedway, rugby league, football and boxing, and Phillips says talks are continuing with the NFL.

Millennium Stadium in November 2007.

Calzaghe also headlined a bill against Peter Manfredo Jr in April 2007.

The first major show at the stadium did not feature a Welsh fighter in the main event, with heavyweights Danny Williams and Matt Skelton headlining a bill also featuring Amir Khan.

(BBC)

Hamilton hopes battle with Vettel – Misbah emulates Djokovic and Federer

history.”

Chase, whose heroic effort came in a losing cause, described his century as the “toughest” of his three so far, having dug deep during his 239-ball knock to try to salvage a draw.

“I wouldn’t say it’s up there with the other two, but a century is a century,” he said. “We ended up losing the match, but this one was the hardest for me.

“The others were more fluent and the conditions were a lot easier but this one was really tough for me. The pitch was a slower one, you couldn’t play a lot of shots, the outfield was very slow and the bowlers really put the ball in good areas. This one was the toughest out of my few so far.

“I thought it was a fighting effort. It’s sad to see that it didn’t mean much in the end because we lost the match, but I thought the guys showed a lot of guts and effort not only today but in the whole match. “[We] even put ourselves in the chance of, maybe not winning but, at least drawing the series.” (Sportsmax)

A

fter moving back to within six points of Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton hopes the battle for F1 supremacy can become a great rivalry.

Lewis Hamilton wants to emulate tennis legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in his burgeoning Formula One title fight with Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari star Vettel jumped pole-sitter Hamilton off the line at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, but Mercedes’ strategy helped Hamilton take first place back from the German to cut the gap at the top of the standings to six points. With seven drivers’ titles between them, the pair have never been engaged in such an intense battle as they are in 2017. Both men have regularly spoken of their delight at how the battle between them is shaping up, and Hamilton hopes it could go down in history like other great rivalries.

“What I loved about the race with Sebastian is... I love tennis and I love watching Federer and Djokovic in the final and what I really admire is consistency,” he said.

“I admire their concentration and how they are so awesome and stay at the limit. I felt I had that battle on Sunday.”

Hamilton and Vettel banged wheels after the Mercedes man emerged from the pits alongside the red car.

Vettel would stay ahead, but the Silver Arrow charged past soon after - Vettel describing the Mercedes as “like a train”.

“If it had gone in a different direction, it would have been different,” Hamilton said.

“If he had hit me in turn one and won the race I’m not going to be happy. It was aggressive but I was still able to remain in the fight and avoid it, ultimately I was able to avoid a collision.

“But I love a tough fight and I love a challenge. He was respectful and still that respect stayed the same at the end. On Sunday he was angry, he said he was angry, he drove a fantastic race but I can understand how he feels.

“We are never going to be happy finishing second. If he finished second and was happy, I would be concerned.”

(Sportsmax)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, may 16, 2017

Mumbai Indians v Rising Pune Supergiant, IPL Qualifier 1…

Advantage Mumbai as Rising Pune miss key players R

ising Pune have done the double against Mumbai this season, winning by seven wickets at home thanks to breezy fifties from Ajinkya Rahane and Steven Smith, and by three runs at the Wankhede, where Ben Stokes bowled a critical spell full of clever slower balls.

Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Lasith Malinga. Each of them has played in at least ten matches in the business end of the IPL - playoffs, semi-finals, finals. That is a whole lot of experience. All five have won two IPL titles each for Mumbai Indians, and all five could be part of their lineup on Tuesday.

Rising Pune Supergiant have never been involved in a playoff. One way or another, Tuesday will be either their second-last or third-last game as an IPL franchise. Barring MS Dhoni, who has been involved in 17 playoff and knockout games for Chennai Super Kings, their most experienced post-season player is Rajat Bhatia, who has played all of four such games, for Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders.

This is Twenty20 cricket, however, and it isn’t clear how much of a difference all that experience - or lack thereof - will make. It could

Captain Steve Smith will want to lead from the front

mean something, though. Particularly because Rising Pune will be playing at the Wankhede Stadium, and even more so because they will be without Ben Stokes and Imran Tahir, arguably their two most important players this season.

Both have left to join their international sides ahead of South Africa’s ODI series in England, and while Adam Zampa is a roughly like-for-like replacement for Tahir - if not yet in experience and big-match know-how - the ques-

Keiron Pollard will have a huge role to play today

tion of how to replace Stokes, who is genuinely two players in one, will preoccupy Rising Pune endlessly until the start of the Qualifier.

Regardless, Rising Pune’s spectacular rise up the table - they won eight of their last 10 games - to finish the league stage in second place was down to the work of more than just two men, with Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith, Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar and Jaydev Unadkat making particularly critical contributions.

Rising Pune, therefore, should retain most of their sense of self-worth, even without Stokes and Tahir. But Mumbai, who have no such worries apart from the loss of Jos Buttler, also to international duty, will start as clear favourites, on home turf, with most of their big names in excellent form.

Dhoni has not batted at No. 4 since April 26, but Rising Pune might want to consider playing him there against Mumbai. Dhoni has batted at No. 4 four times this season, and scored 119 runs at an average of 39.66 and a strike rate of 146.91. He has done far worse at Nos. 5 and 6, however, scoring 121 runs in nine innings at an average of 17.28 and a strike rate of 93.07.

He has excellent numbers in IPL playoffs and knockout matches, moreover, scoring 397 runs in 14 innings at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 139.78 - both are improvements on his overall IPL figures. He has done particularly well against Mumbai in playoffs and knockout games, scoring 154 runs in five innings at 51.33, with two half-centuries, and a strike rate of 163.82.

The teams have met four times, with Rising Pune winning three matches and losing one.

(Cricinfo)

We "showed a lot of guts"

‒ Roston Chase W

est Indies all-rounder Roston Chase called his fighting century on the final day of the series against Pakistan the “toughest” of his career, after he ran out of partners with only one more over to see out a draw in Roseau.

He was left unbeaten on 101, his third Test century, when Yasir Shah bowled Shannon Gabriel with the last ball of the penultimate over of the Test.

“I wouldn’t say it’s up there with the other two but a century is a century,” Chase said after the match.

“We ended up losing the match but this one was the hardest for me. The others were more fluent and the conditions were a lot easier but this one was really tough for me. The pitch was a slower one, you couldn’t play a lot of shots, the outfield was very slow and the bowlers really put the ball in good areas. This one was the All-rounder Roston Chase the pillar of West Indies’ strength with toughest out of my few so far. the bat in hand especially “I thought it was a fighting effort. It’s sad to see that it easier for me to play the other bowlers.” didn’t mean much in the end because we lost Chase’s hundred was not chanceless the match but I thought the guys showed a though. He was dropped twice by the debulot of guts and effort not only today but in tant Hasan Ali, and then Mohammad Abbas the whole match. [We] even put ourselves had him caught in the slips on 92 but rein the chance of, maybe not winning but, at plays showed the bowler had overstepped. least drawing the series.”

He was cheered on by the crowd in Roseau.

Chase recalled how Yasir had dismissed “It’s always good to hear people calling him in three out of six innings in the UAE your name,” Chase said. “So many guys are last year, when and he had averaged 22.50 asking me if I’m actually from Dominica. I in the three Tests. In this series, Chase was was always a big fan of the drums, so I love out to Yasir twice in six innings but the bats- the drums and I love the Dominican fans.” man said he had found a way to counter the With 403 runs in six innings, Chase finlegspinner. ished the series on top of the run-scorers’ “I didn’t really do that well in Dubai, so list, averaging 100.75 with two centuries after that series I came home and worked on and two half-centuries. No other batsman some of the things that I thought brought my made more than 300. shortfall in Dubai,” Chase said. “Especially “Even though I’m always a confident guy, Yasir Shah got the better of me a lot and this it does [add] a lot to see that I average a 100 was mainly because he was tying me down in the series against a quality attack,” he and then I was just falling to a bad shot be- said. “I’m not going to let it get to my head cause of the pressure. and I’m going to go back home and the next “When I went back home, something I Test series is England, so hopefully I should really tried to work on was my sweep shot be there. I’ll go and look at some footage of because that would put him off a little and the English guys and see what weaknesschange up the field and give me a little bit es they have, what I’ll be looking to exploit more scoring options. I thought that really and see if that can work. Work hard on those was the key, seeing that he was there all se- weaknesses so that I can put up some good ries, so once I got through him it was a little performances in that series as well.” (Cricinfo)

Caribbean Club Championships…

A

Mills’ San Juan Jabloteh blank Racing

strike from the prolific Nathan Lewis and an own goal propelled San Juan Jabloteh ( a team which Guyanese striker Vurlon Mills is playing for) to a 2-0 win over Racing FC in the opening match in the final round of the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Club Championships in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

The ‘home side’ improved to four straight wins in this year’s competition after they stopped the Haitian unit to top Group B after the first round of matches.

Lewis, who scored a team high four goals in the first

round of the competition, put San Juan up 1-0 in the 50th minute. Racing’s problems were compounded when Joseph Mitchelson scored in his own net to put his side in a 2-0 hole from which they could not emerge.

Today, Racing FC will take on Jamaica’s Portmore FC. The Jamaicans will take on the group leaders on Thursday, May 18.

Starting line-ups

San Juan Jabloteh team are all smiles with Vurlon Mills (second from right standing )

San Juan Jabloteh: Javon Sample; Akeem Benjamin, Elijah Manners, Keithy Simpson, Damian Williams, Kion Joseph, Jairo Lomabrdo Escobar, Vurlon

Mills, Jevon Morris, Adrian Reid, Nathan Lewis.

Head Coach: Keith Jeffrey Racing FC: Maurisseau Bergeot; Laurent Estenio, Joseph Mitchelson, Fleurancier Marckenley, Paul Danshley, Valcourt Ojulesse, Guillaume Stevenson Clarck Nathanael, Louissaint Kervenson, Charles Bendy, Daniel Jamesley, Senatus Ernso Ralph J. Head Coach: Philippe Giuliano

YELLOW PAGES tuesday, may 16, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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21

Discarded Bravo won’t shun T20 contracts for Windies ODI call

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The talented all-rounder last played ODI cricket in 2014

O

ut of favour ODI allrounder Dwayne Bravo has vowed to never give up the security of lucrative Twenty20 contracts to try and represent the West Indies in other formats of the game.

Despite being considered as one of the best all-rounders in the game Bravo has not played for the Windies One Day International (ODI) team since 2014.

Currently the system requires that players who wish to take part in a particular format of the game for the West Indies also take part in the regional competition.

Bravo, who previously captained the team, however, admitted to already having paid a heavy price in the current set-up and a reluctance to repeat the mistake.

“I am available for T20 selection, it’s the only format in which I am available for selection. So if selected for T20s, I will play. I will always have the

Federer to miss French Open

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passion and the drive to play for West Indies. I am only limited in being able to play one format and those are things that I don’t have control over,” Bravo said.

“I am not going to give up the contracts that I have around the world to come back and play in the domestic tournament,” he said. “I did it already and I got burned. I am not going to allow the same mistake to happen again. I gave up half of my contract in BBL in 2015 to come and play and make myself eligible for selection for the World Cup and the Sri Lanka tour, but I was not selected.

“Playing in those tournaments doesn’t guarantee you selection. It makes you available but it doesn’t guarantee selection. I am past the stage where I will give up certain amount of money on my contract and make myself available without any guarantee.” (Sportsmax)

Roger Federer won the Miami Open at the start of April

E

ighteen-time major winner Roger Federer will sit out the French Open and the rest of the claycourt season.

The 35-year-old, fifth in the world rankings, says he made the decision in an attempt to continue playing on the ATP Tour “for many years to come”.

The Swiss added he will now prepare for the grass and hard-court seasons, which begin in June.

“I need to recognise that scheduling will be the key to my longevity,” he said.

“Thus, my team and I concluded that playing just one event on clay was not in the best interest of my tennis and physical preparation for the remainder of the season.

“I will miss the French

fans, who have always been so supportive and I look forward to seeing them at Roland Garros next year.”

Federer missed last year’s French Open through injury - the first time he did not compete in Paris since his debut in 1999.

He won the tournament for the only time in 2009 and is a four-time runner-up.

Federer has won three titles so far this season, including the Australian Open his first Grand Slam success in five years.

He also claimed the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March and, two weeks later, won the Miami Open.

The French Open begins on 28 May. (BBC)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesdAY, may 16, 2017

2nd Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Boxing…

Guyana cop 6 golds, 2 silvers in brutal title defence Top performers at the “Nuff Cuff” Caribbean Schoolboys/Junior Boxing Championship

By Michelangelo Jacobus

I

n front of a small but vociferous crowd at the National Gymnasium on Sunday night, Guyana’s junior boxers produced some of their best performances to reign supreme on the final night of the “Nuff Cuff” Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Boxing Championships.

Guyana retained the overall title with six gold medals, two silvers while Trinidad and Tobago claimed four gold and four silver medals.

In the first international bout, the 60Kg Youth final, Guyana’s Ryan Albert went

pound-for-pound with his opponent Kareem Boyce of St Lucia in the opening rounds. The two were battling for dear life when Albert seized an opening and landed a couple of hefty left hooks and right crosses to leave Boyce reeling in the opening minutes of the third round. Albert was adjudged the winner after Boyce received three standing eight counts.

In

the highly anticipated matchup between Blessing Waldropt (T&T) and Shaquille Wright who represented Guyana in the 57kg Juniors final, there was an upset as Wright handed Waldropt a TKO in the second round.

Waldropt who was touted by his coaches as a top contender for the gold medal simply could not handle the energy and the fistic fury of Wright as he pummeled his way to the gold.

Brian Harris came up against Dario Cheeseman in the final matchup of the night in the 75kg Junior final and treated the crowd to a round and some of good boxing as he utilised his quick feet and fists to good effect.

The Guyanese junior pugilist showed remarkable skill and timing to land solid blows to the chin of Cheeseman as well as a number of body shots. After three standing eight counts the referee adjudged Harris the winner in the second round via TKO to give Guyana their third gold medal of the night.

Earlier, Donte Powlette

of Barbados was dominating Jamaican Rushwan McKinney in their 81kg Youth final when a couple of missed punches caused him (Powlette) to injure himself which meant McKinney was adjudged the winner.

In one of the more exciting encounters Denzil Massey (T&T) went back and forth with Tevin Brewster (Barbados) as they fought all of their three rounds, it was a close contest as both boxers were cautious only attacking at the most opportune of moments, eventually Denzil Massey was adjudged the winner via split decision to

take the gold in the 63kg Youth final.

Nathan Ferrari of St Lucia showed that he is one to look for in the future as he totally outclassed his Jamaican opponent Daniel Hylton to win unanimously in their 64Kg Youth Final.

Adjudged Best Youth Performer, Trinidadian Nickell Joseph deservedly stopped Jerone Enniss (Jamaica) in the third round of their 75kg Youth final as he connected with repeated uppercuts and jabs to condemn the Jamaican to three standing eight counts on his way to taking the gold medal.

Ninvalle calls for more Pepsi renews partnership ‘tangible’support with RHTY&SC cricket teams from NSC, GOA

T

P

resident of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Steve Ninvalle highlighted the importance of developing boxing at a young level at the conclusion of the 2nd Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Boxing Championship on Sunday at the National Gymnasium but to do this it would mean investment is needed.

Nivalle speaking to media operatives pointed out that the injection of resources is much needed for the development of sports as he explained that “one cannot expect to harvest sugar-cane if there is no planting done”.

He went unto say “I would want to urge the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to see that since we have submitted our four year plan we can see tangible results in the near future; when I say tangible results I mean that if we have submitted those plans we can be called in to see exactly where it is that the assistance will come from.”

This comes after the GABA presented its four year plan to the GOA in January as they seek to have their boxers properly prepared to secure a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The plan details the course that would lead to a strategic development of the sport and the addition of at least another Olympic medal

GABA President Steve Ninvalle

for Guyana.

Ninvalle felt that in order for the young boxers to improve they must come against opponents of good quality.

“The plans for next year is to go further afield, although we have the Caribbean, in order for us to push the development of this, we would want to see teams from the United States coming into this tournament, that is the only way we are going to go from where we are to where we want to go.”

He congratulated his executives, sponsors and those who made it possible to make the event a success; he concluded by expressing hope that next year will bring an even better tournament and continued development in the sport.

The GABA had won the “most improved sports association” at the 2016 National Sports Awards while Boxing Coach Seabert Blake won male coach-of-the year.

he highly successful relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S (RHTY&SC, M.S) and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), through its international soft drink brand Pepsi, has been renewed for the 14th consecutive year.

On Friday last, the company renewed its cricket sponsorship of the RHTY&SC, M.S Under-19 and Intermediate cricket teams. Pepsi has been sponsoring the teams since 2004 when they replaced former official sponsor Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the long-standing relationship between the club and the official sponsor. He stated that DDL and Pepsi are two of the main reasons why the RHTY&SC, M.S is widely considered Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation with an unmatched list of activities and achievements.

The club, Foster stated, has won the Guyana Cricket Club-of-the-Year Award five times since DDL and Pepsi came on board- 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2016.

The teams have also won Berbice Championships and have produced Berbice and Guyana junior cricketers, while Shemaine Campbelle and Assad Fudadin have gone on to represent the West Indies.

Since 2004, the Pepsi

DDL Marketing Manager Larry Wills (right) and RHTY&SC Assistant Organising Secretary Ravindranauth Kissoonlall finalise the partnership

Under-19 team has produced players of the calibre of Assad Fudadin, Abdel Fudadin, Shemaine Campbelle, Akshay Homraj, Clinton Pestano, Dominic Rikhi, Loydel Lewis, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Brandon Prashad, Naresh Mahadeo, Keith Simpson, Sylus Tyndall, Parmanand Narine, Shailendra Shameer, Brandon Corlette, Marian Samaroo, Sheneta Grimmond, Plaffina Millington and Deborah Vanderstoop among others who have either played for Berbice or Guyana.

The team also won the lone Intermediate tournament for Berbice team when they lifted the Neal and Massy title in 2010.

Foster also disclosed that under the name of the sponsorship, the Pepsi teams have undertaken hundreds of personal development projects under the sub-headings of sports, culture, charity, pro-education, awards/ honour, religious, youth development, job creation, social community development among others.

Kevin Sinclair would be in charge of the Under-19 team with Kevlon Anderson as his deputy, while Major James Fraser and Delbert Hicks would be in charge of the Intermediate team.

Among the players of the Pepsi teams would be Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Shemaine Campbelle, Sylus Tyndall, Keith Simpson,

Brandon Corlette, Mark Papannah, Troy Mathieson, Brandon Prashad, Erva Giddings and Chanderpaul Govindan.

Marketing Manager of DDL, Larry Wills, hailed the relationship between the two organisations as successful and noted that the teams have represented the Pepsi brand with pride and success on and off the cricket field.

DDL, he stated, invests heavily in sports, culture, education and youth development as part of its corporate duties and is proud to be associated with the RHTY&SC, M.S. The sponsorship for 2017 is worth $240,000.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, may 16, 2017

GFF/Stag Elite League II…

GCB/Hand-In-Hand Under-19 Inter County…

Yadram, Persaud headline Demerara squad

GDF crowned champions

T

‒ Buxton thump Top XX to qualify for play-offs

he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) suffered their first loss in season two of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League on Sunday evening but it was not enough to stop them from being crowned champions.

In the feature clash of the night, GDF came up against Fruta Conquerors in a highly anticipated matchup and it was a high intensity game as both teams tried to outrun each other. The first goal would come off the boot of Fruta’s Eon Alleyne in the 27th minute to give the Conquerors a brief respite.

Sherwyn Caesar, leading goal scorer of the league, leveled the scores in the 47th minute but aging fleet-footed Fruta Conquerors striker Anthony “Awo” Abrams made it 2-1 for his team in the 68th minute, a score line which remained the same until the final whistle.

In the second match of the night, Buxton United came up against Lindeners

Top XX as they sought to dislodge Victoria Kings from third spot.

The game began with Top XX soaking up pressure and trying to launch counter-attacks; however, this tactic was near impossible as the outfield conditions proved too troublesome for their wide players. There was a struggle for possession as the first half went on until Buxton’s Keoma Sullivan broke the deadlock with a well-placed finish in the 32nd minute to make it 1-0 Buxton.

Hugh Michael Phyll would add a second for Buxton on the stroke of halftime before a William

Europe brace in the 47th and 77th minute made it four goals for Buxton. Top XX scored two consolation goals in the 71st and 86th minutes through Selwyn Isaacs and Monty Simon. When the final whistle blew the scores read 4-2 and it meant that Top XX joined Monedderlust in the relegation zone while the Kings and Buxton progress to the “Big Four” in third and fourth places respectively.

Earlier in the evening Victoria Kings had relegated a shabby Monedderlust when they beat them 2-1 to go third temporarily.

The four teams: Victoria Kings, Buxton United,

Fruta Conquerors and GDF will play in the “Big Four” tournament starting on May 19.

The leaders GDF will face off against second placed Fruta Conquerors in Playoff one, with the winner advancing to the final. Third placed Buxton will face their East Coast Demerara counterparts Victoria Kings in the second play-off.

However the loser of the GDF vs Fruta Conquerors game will have a second chance in play-off three against the winner of the second play-off. The final will be played on May 28.

POINTS TABLE Team

GP

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

P

Guyana Defence Force FC

10

9

-

1

36

8

+28

27

Fruta Conquerors FC

10

8

1

1

25

7

+18

25

Buxton United FC

10

5

-

5

19

16

+3

15

Victoria Kings FC

10

4

2

4

13

22

-9

14

Topp XX FC

10

1

1

8

9

30

-21

4

Monedderlust FC

10

1

-

9

8

27

-19

3

Islamic Solidarity Games …

Lewis hopeful for medals from Table Tennis team ‒ Franklyn upbeat about chances

G

uyana’s Table Tennis team comprising Junior Olympian Chelsea Edghill, Trenance Lowe, and current National Champion Christopher Franklyn along with Nigel Bryan, Natile Cummings and Joel Alleyne will have their first taste of action on Wednesday at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan and head coach Idi Lewis is hopefully that the talented bunch of players can bring home silverware.

“I don’t want to make predication on medals, we are taking one match at a time and hopefully it is good enough to give us not one but a few medals," Lewis disclosed to Guyana Times Sport.

He added, “a lot of the guys are peaking, they are all looking good; you see the fight, intensity and the will in training sessions which is very heartening”.

His enthusiasm would stem from having Edghill, who is on a scholarship at Lindenwood University in Missouri, playing on a regular basis, Franklyn’s experience and success at this event, along with Bryan and Cummings, and imperious form.

Meanwhile, Franklyn, who reached the quarter-finals at the 2005 edition of the Games held in Saudi Arabia is planning, on going even further.

“The last time I went, my preparation was not all that good, it was not focused in certain key areas like tactical and physical so this tournament I started preparing like a couple months ago and I feel good so I like my chances,” the player explained.

He further stated, “the competition there is of a world class level and this time, there are even more players from the top

Coach Idi Lewis

100”.

The racket wielder is charging his teammates to give a good account of themselves as success here can put Guyana on the map.

“It can only do good, they don’t know about us, when they think about South America they think of Brazil, so it can open opportunities for camps and I’m asking the guys to put their hands up and do a good job”.

The 33 year-old plans to continue working hard with the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held in Australia from April 4-15 and the Senior Caribbean Championship in Cuba later this year.

(Akeem Greene)

23

T

he Demerara Cricket B o a r d has named a strong 18- man squad to represent its county in the 2017 GCB/Hand -In-Hand Under-19 I n t e r County Three (3) Days and One Day Josh 50 Overs

with the experienced Vice captain Ronaldo AliMohamed.

The tournament was initially set to beua P ersa gin this week ud Tournaments. but the inclement The squad includes weather forced its Guyana Jaguars and postponement to possibly W e s t next Monday.

The full team read: Bhaskar Yadram (Captain ) , Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (Vice Captain), Joshua Persaud ,Raymond Perez ,Navendra Persaud, Ramnarine Chature ,Richie Looknauth, K e s h r a m S e y b o d a n , S t e p h o n Wilson ,Sagar Hatharamani ,Dwayne Dick, Indies m Gravin Boodwah ,Kishna a r d ar Ya Bhask Singh ,Dambuka Nqgando Under-19 ,Tameshwar Motieram p l a y - er Bhaskar ,Mark Jeffers ,Kennard Yadram who will captain Moonsammy ,Mark the side.

Ramsammy ,Himanauth In addition, West Indies Dindyal.

Under-19 selectee and wickThe manager is Omar etkeeper/batsman Joshua Hussain, coach is Reon King Persaud is expected to of- and the assistant coach is fer valuable support along Dhanpaul.

Fowler sets new PB in 50m freestyle T

he Islamic Solidarity Games being held in Baku, Azerbaijan is in full swing and while there has not been much success for the Guyanese contingent thus far, Andrew Fowler could count himself fortunate.

In a time zone that is nine hours ahead of Guyana in addition to the chilly weather, Fowler swam a new Personal Best (PB) of 25.32s in the semi-final of the 50m Freestyle but did not qualify for the final; Fowler qualified for the semi-final in a time of 25.51s. However, teammate Earlando McRae did not had garner the same results in his 50m Breaststroke where he clocked a time of 34.31s which was not enough for him to qualify for the semi-finals.

Coach of the contingent, Stephanie Fraser told Guyana Times Sport on Monday that McRae was not in the best of condition but him along with Fowler gave the best account of themselves.

“Earlando’s race was brought forward; he had to head to the call room immediately after warm up and he is not in the best of condition since he was not training regularly; all in all, they both tried their best on their first day”.

She added, “Earlando realises that he did not put in the required amount of training, especially after not swimming for such a long period.” This morning McRae is due to swim in the 50m Backstroke and the 100m Freestyle along with Fowler.

Freestyle along with Fowler.

Earlando McRae (left) and Andrew Fowler during a warm-up session

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

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

2nd Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Boxing…

Guyana cop 6 golds, 2 silvers in brutal title defence Pg 22 Action in the 57kg Juniors final: Shaquille Wright (blue) vs Blessing Waldropt

Guyana’s Ryan Albert (blue) on the attack vs Kareem Boyce

Islamic Solidarity Games …

GFF/Stag Elite League II…

Pg 23

Pg 23

Chelsea Edghill

GDF crowned Lewis hopeful for medals champions from Table Tennis team Christopher Franklyn

‒ Franklyn upbeat about chances

‒ Buxton thump Top XX to qualify for play-offs Season two of the league came to an end Sunday at the Guyana Defence Force Ground with some exciting action

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