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SOCU interrogates MP, former GRDB officials guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3215

Friday, May 19, 2017

Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Vlissengen Road shooting

Accused killer of dredge P13 owner to hear fate today

– Nandlall dismisses charges as frivolous, malicious President to attend US-Arab, Islamic Summit in Riyadh P11

From left: PPP/C parliamentarian Nigel Dharamlall; former member of GRDB, Badrie Persaud; former Deputy GRDB General Manager Rickey Ramraj; head of the Rice Producers Association, Dharamkumar Seeraj; and former Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) of the Agriculture Ministry, Prema Roopnarine making their way to SOCU Headquarters on Thursday

Over 1000 Region 8 residents affected by floodwaters Page 2

Businesswoman charged with P8 failing to declare $9.2M in cash at CJIA Kaneville man gets 9 years for killing cousin-in-law P9

– APA says response extremely slow

Teacher’s body found hanging in apartment – lover arrested

Page 11

Norton hospitalised Page 11

– after suspected heart attack

Alberttown shooting

Businessman P9 found not guilty of murdering suspected bandit ...after PI cleared him in 2015

2 news

friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Over 1000 Region 8 residents affected by flood waters

– APA says response extremely slow

T

here are reports that the water level has risen over the past few days in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) communities that have already been inundated by heavy rainfall and flash flooding of recent.

The communities most-affected include Kaibarupai, Sand Hill, Chenapau and Waipa. The water is 15 feet high in some places, and approximately 10 houses have been washed away and more than 20 have been under water in Waipa up to press time. The health centre has also been under approximately four feet of water, and many farms have been completely destroyed.

Residents are thus appealing for food and shelter.

Kaibarupai is reportedly hardest hit, the flash-flooding having caused landslides which have lent to the overtopping of the Ireng River that has swept away residents’ belongings.

Efforts to bring relief

to those communities are continuing, according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. He disclosed on Thursday that, based on an initial assessment of the situation, more than 1000 residents have been affected by the flood waters.

He said the disaster preparedness team at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has been activated, and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is also assisting with relief efforts.

“We will do a proper assessment as to what the true

A resident sits at the door of his home, surrounded by flood water

This resident is trying to prevent his clothes from being destroyed by the flash flooding in Region 8

situation is… They (CDC) have already started taking steps to get relief to those persons who are there,” he explained.

Harmon said it is important to note also that some of these communities are located in valleys; and therefore, when it rains heavily, the villages would be flooded.

Claiming there is not much that could be done at this time, Harmon said residents would most likely be unable to get additional relief until the water recedes.

He said President David Granger has also been provided with an update of the situation, and has since instructed the relevant agencies to take every action to assist residents.

However, Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) executive Laura George has expressed displeasure with the work being carried out by the CDC. George said, “We are concerned that the response is extremely slow, even as we recognise the need for an assessment

which the CDC says it first needs to conduct.”

The APA has also denounced what has been described as “a disrespectful response” from head of the CDC, Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup, who has allegedly been quoted as saying: “No one will die in one day.”

The APA has described his comments as “disrespectful,” and has called on the CDC to act professionally and efficiently.

3 SOCU interrogates MP, former GRDB officials news

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, May 19 – 11:30h-13:00h and Saturday, May 20 – 12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

– Nandlall dismisses charges as frivolous, malicious

Friday, May 19 – 10:25h-11:55h and Saturday, May 20 – 11:35h-13:05h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Heavy to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with sunny weather prevailing in the late afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 10:39h and 23:26h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres at each scheduled high tide.

Low Tide: 04:09h and 16:48h reaching minimum heights of 1.06 metres and 0.94 metre.

The former GRDB officials making their way to SOCU headquarters, accompanied by their lawyers on Thursday

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ix persons were on Thursday afternoon summoned by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for questioning in relation to the Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB’s) operations during the years 2011 to 2015.

They were later charged and bailed for fraudulent omission of records in regard to the lucrative PetroCaribe Fund.

The six are former GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh; former Deputy GRDB General Manager Rickey Ramraj; Badrie Persaud of the Guyana Oil Company; former Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine; PPP Parliamentarian Nigel Dharamlall; and head of the Rice Producers Association, Dharamkumar Seeraj.

Guyana Times was told that each of these persons had received a telephone call informing them that they were being charged, and instructing that they report to the Special Organised Crime Unit’s (SOCU’s) Headquarters. They were not immediately told of their offence, but after several hours of interroga-

tion by SOCU officials, they were then transported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to have their fingerprints taken, before being taken to the Brickdam Police Station to be charged and placed on station bail.

They are all expected to be arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts today, Friday, May 20 2017.

While none of them was allowed a chance to interact with the media, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, representing some of them, explained that the charges “concerned the failure to make certain entries in relation to monies received through a foreign-funded project.”

He described the situation as “harassment”, and advised the affected persons to sue the state for compensation, since, he said, he believes the matter is frivolous and he is certain that no conviction would be made therefrom.

“Public monies have to be better spent! This (that) you’re seeing here is costing the state millions of dollars.

This will have to go to court; it will take months in the court and it will never yield a conviction; and a proper-

ly advised person charged in these circumstances would be advised to sue the state for compensation, because this is nothing short of malicious prosecution,” Nandlall told media operatives.

The former AG also lamented that there was no evidence to support claims that the six persons had intended to commit fraud by the omission of records.

“There is no evidence that this money was missing; that the money was not spent for the purpose for which it was disbursed. In fact, the money was spent for the purpose for which it was disbursed,” he explained.

Nandlall criticised SOCU for levelling charges against these six persons in regard to the omission of “a ceremonial entry into the record.”

He said the accountants should rather have been charged.

“Absolute nonsense! This is absolute harassment!

Why is it that [they’re] putting people through this ordeal: damaging their character, putting their family and them through anguish and through suffering just because (they) have the power to do so?” he questioned.

During the early part of 2017, it had been report-

ed that false and misleading statements were being sent to the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela by the former General Manager of the GRDB in order to obtain monies from the PetroCaribe Fund. The fund was established almost a decade ago, when Venezuela introduced an oil sale arrangement wherein Guyana and a number of CARICOM and Latin America countries took oil at concessionary rates, paid a percentage in advance and protracted payment of the balance over a 20-year period. The PetroCaribe Fund was supposed to hold millions of US dollars.

Inconsistencies in this Fund was just one of several financial irregularities highlighted by Nigel Hinds Financial Services in the forensic audit it had done for the period 2011 to 2015.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had noted that, based on the audit report, millions of dollars had passed through the accounting unit of the GRDB. He highlighted that the “glaring” financial irregularities uncovered by the auditors had no “no traceable signs that (they) were ever approved”.

4

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friDAY, may 19, 2017

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

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

The proposed US/Mexico border wall fee

G

uyanese and other Caribbean nationals residing in the United States who send remittances to relatives and friends back to their home countries are beginning to experience some level of anxiety as there are concerns that they could soon be charged a fee to do so once the relevant Bill becomes law.

It could be recalled that one of President Donald Trump’s most controversial campaign promises was to build a wall along the US’ southern border, which he claimed would be paid for by the Government of Mexico, to deter illegal immigration. The Government of Mexico has resisted calls for that country’s tax payers to fund the wall. The Trump Administration seems serious about moving ahead with building the wall; but not with US taxpayers’ dollars.

US Congressman Mike Rogers, of Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District is proposing that an amendment be made to the US Electronic Fund Transfer Act to impose a two per cent fee charged on individuals sending money to recipients in 42 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Guyana. The bill, which is titled Border Wall Funding Act of 2017 (HR 1813), has already been introduced in the US House of Representatives.

The bill lists a penalty of not more than US$500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved in the remittance transfer — whichever is greater — or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both; for people found guilty of evading the transaction fee.

Since February, similar legislation has been introduced to the US House of Representatives under the Border Wall Funding Act of 2017. The most recent such bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas to allow the use of assets seized from Mexican drug lords, like Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. However, many experts are questioning the rationale behind the move. According to Alicia Nicholls; an international trade and development consultant, the proposed fee on remittance outflows makes no sense and therefore could not be justified. For example, while the intention is to target illegal immigrants who send money back to their families; US citizens and Greencard holders also remit money to their relatives and friends abroad and they will also be made to pay the fees.

Additionally, according to Nicholls, the list of ‘foreign countries’ excludes some of the largest sources of illegal immigrants to the US It is still not clear on what basis the Latin America and Caribbean countries were targeted over the others.

Further, if passed, the bill could destabilise the US’ ‘backyard’ which is contrary to US strategic homeland security interests. Currently, many of the region’s economies are already threatened by de-risking, elevated debt levels and high unemployment; this proposed Bill is another worrying development.

In providing his interpretation of the issue, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey was quoted in this newspaper as saying that if successful, the Bill will cause severe problems not only in Guyana, but the wider Caribbean and Latin American region. He estimated that Guyana stands to lose G$25-40 million. That’s quite a lot of money for a small country such as ours.

Regional governments must therefore stand up and speak out before it is too late. Dr Jeffrey made reference to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Trade and Investment Agreement with the US Through that agreement, the Caribbean has been recognised as small and vulnerable economies, and the need for the Region to be given special treatment is reinforced.

Considering the implications, Nicholls has suggested that Latin American and Caribbean governments, along with their diplomatic representatives and the diaspora, lobby against the passage of this bill by engaging in discussions with Congressional and other officials on the serious economic and social impact any potentially significant decline in remittance inflows could have on remittance-dependent countries in the Region.

Angel Peng, eight, who injured her hand in a scalding accident when she was nine months old, poses for a photograph wearing a 3D-printed prosthetic hand designed and built by engineer Chang Hsien-Liang, in Taoyuan, Taiwan (Reuters/Tyrone Siu)

Bachan, Seetaram were cut from the same bolt of cloth

Dear Editor, I write in reference to a letter written by an AFC member, captioned “PPP Parliamentarian Harry Gill is out to score cheap political points”, in which he courageously but foolishly tries to defend a former APNU+AFC RDC Councillor.

I am amazed that shady characters are the ones most willing to risk exposure to defend the indefensible. And I wish to thank Pradeep Bachan for keeping the Carol Joseph drug-abuse issue alive in the public domain, for Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence needs to put aside her loyalty to a PNC comrade and have this case thoroughly investigated by SARA or the Guyana Police Force, to recover the millions of dollars of public funds reported to have been fraudulently spent on feeding Carol Joseph’s drug addiction with the full knowledge of those in authority at the Fort Wellington Hospital, West Coast Berbice.

But before I debunk the nonsense written by this latest Carol Joseph apologist, let me repeat what I told his ‘buddy friend,’ Abel Seetaram, in a previous letter: When credibility is not part of one’s DNA, no one takes that one seriously. And anyone with an ounce of brain or self-respect would know it is not wise to draw attention to oneself if one is known to have a bad character.

Just so everyone knows who we are dealing with here, Pradeep Bachan is a former pastor of the Church of Christ, but he is far from being a saint. It is alleged that, years ago, he “ripped off” the church before he was thrown out. During the drought that affected parts of Region 5 last year, Bachan visited residents in the Mahaica Creek

and presented himself as a Member of Parliament. And he allegedly took money from a number of persons there, promising to get them firearm licences.

He also allegedly took a bribe from a businessman and his wife who operate on Stelling Road in Rosignol when their stocks of alcoholic beverages were seized by agents of the Guyana Revenue Authority last year, promising to use his contacts to get the stocks released from the GRA. It took months and an embarrassing public confrontation with threats to take the matter further for the businessman and his wife to finally recover the money they had paid to Pradeep Bachan for a service he failed to deliver.

He is also known to be promoting himself as the Chairman of the ‘Diamond Board’. Someone very close to Pradeep Bachan admitted, “If you know Pradeep, he is chairman for a lot of boards…

The man tries to impress everyone that he has contacts…

He and Seetaram were cut from the same bolt of cloth.”

Seems like the AFC are so hard-up for members that there is no vetting process in place to reject the scum who constantly embarrass the party. The AFC will have to decide whether they would allow the likes of Abel Seetaram and Pradeep Bachan to define the image of that party, or take the high ground and cut them loose now, in order to protect what little image the AFC has left.

In his letter, Pradeep Bachan wrote, “MP Harry Gill has beguiled the media houses and Nurse Sheriyn Marks to score political points for himself and the PPP/C, and used both to his advantage in the Carol Joseph medical issue.” He also added,

“His manipulation is baseless, because the medical history of the patient Carol Joseph and the various surgeries of Carol Joseph are strictly confidential from the various private hospitals. Her medical procedures also remain confidential. Also psychological treatment from Government institutions for her physical illness over the years remains confidential.”

Well, here are some known facts that I assume Bachan is not aware of.

FACT: From 2008 to April 2017, Carol Joseph has been getting 100mg of the highly addictive drug Pethidine almost every day, and occasionally twice a day, as is documented in the Dangerous Drugs Act book at the Ft Wellington Hospital. And although this book is now replaced and is likely to disappear in an effort to cover up her history of addiction, the hard evidence that is in my possession will be made public at the appropriate time if I am forced to defend my actions.

FACT: Pethidine is a restrictive drug that is similar to morphine. It is used only when a patient is experiencing severe pain, such as in child-birth. It is not recommended for long-term use, and it is highly unusual for a doctor to prescribe Pethidine for Dysmenorrhea.

FACT: Staff Nurse Sheriyn Marks is a highly trained and certified midwife who is familiar with the proper use of Pethidine. In any event, it does not take a rocket scientist to know that Carol Joseph is addicted to Pethidine when she turns up at the hospital almost every day to get her “fix”.

FACT: If anyone closely associated with the PPP/C was found to be using their

position to extort a highly addictive drug from any hospital for as often as Carol Joseph has done over a period of 9 years, this vindictive Government would have had them and their doctor arrested to face criminal charges for the misappropriation of public funds and state assets.

FACT: Carol Joseph is a sick woman who needs professional help to wean her off her drug addiction; something her close friends and party comrades had known for many years but did nothing about.

Perhaps that will change now.

FACT: Had the RHO, Dr Cheefoon, and the Minister of Public Health addressed the concerns of Staff Nurse/ Midwife Sheriyn Marks as articulated in her letter, Carol Joseph’s addiction and abuse of state assets would not have been made public. Instead, they arrogantly covered up this abuse, and allowed Carol Joseph to intimidate and harass the poor nurse with threats of transferring her to Monkey Mountain and reporting her to Minister Joseph Harmon.

Even now, there is no investigation on this highly controversial issue, and Minister Volda Lawrence has not commented on Joseph’s abuse and misuse of Pethidine from her hospital stock. Nurse Marks, on the other hand, has been transferred from the hospital for doing what is right and honourable. She is being targeted and victimized for being a model civil servant.

I call upon Minister Volda Lawrence to do the right thing and reverse this injustice done to Staff Nurse/Midwife Sheriyn Marks. She is not the criminal here, and should not be punished.

Harry Gill

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, may 19, 2017

5

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

City Hall lacks vision, A modern abattoir is needed in Georgetown competence Dear Editor, An invitation issued to all artists and designers operating in the city -- to meet with the Town Clerk of Georgetown in the Promenade Gardens, to solicit ideas for improving the aesthetics of our capital to make it comparable with the great cities of the world -- could only be one of two things: This is either another artless attempt to divert the citizens’ attention from the realities of the backwardness and squalour that they are forced to exist in, thanks to the Georgetown Municipality; or this gentleman has completely lost touch with reality and is merely lifting unashamedly, or as we would say locally, ‘pirating’ concepts and models that are employed by cities that are advanced, well managed, and clean.

How could he even con-

sider creating such a façade -- consisting of murals, art pieces, fabrics, etc -- while the drains are filled with unmentionables; the roads are pot-holed; hardly any street lighting exists; minibus touts harass passers-by; mosquitoes are everywhere; the parapets are overgrown with weeds and bushes; almost all of the municipal buildings are in a ruinous state; the slaughterhouse, where animals are infamously bludgeoned to death, is in a grubby state; and the cemetery is a national disgrace?

Surely, he could not be serious? That would be putting the cart before the horse.

I don’t understand why this Council seems interested only in cosmetic and outrageously expensive projects, such as constructing the Presidential Park, deploying a road sweeper to

sweep roads filled with craters, and installing the scandalous parking meters.

Why don’t they get involved in some necessary and worthwhile projects, like constructing a modern recreational centre, inclusive of a municipal swimming pool; like repairing and replacing all defective street lights; like building modern shopping plazas that would accommodate all of our vendors; like putting CCTV cameras in and around municipal markets, and have the Constabulary effectively monitor them etc, etc?

Is it that they have no vision and competence at City Hall to conceptualise and effect such necessary and basic schemes? Or is it that such projects would not benefit them?

Sincerely, James Mc Onnell

Dear Editor, I believe most Guyanese welcome wholeheartedly the creation of new shopping centres and malls around Georgetown and beyond. It adds a new shopping experience that we enjoyed only when we travelled overseas.

Of particular delight has been the establishment of modern, spacious, and well lit supermarkets that contain cutting edge bakeries, butcheries, and delicatessens where one can obtain their treats from the oven, fresh meats and pre-cooked meals.

But there remains one sore issue that continues to undermine all of these advances, and that is the dilapidated state of the municipal abattoir in Water Street, and the unhygienic and barbaric methods used to slaughter the animals, the meat of which is supplied to these very state-of-the-art butcheries and supermarkets.

Indeed, as a butcher my-

self, I say that it makes little or no sense for the owners of these modern supermarkets and butcheries to expend tens of millions of dollars installing stainless steel meat processing centres, hiring master butchers, etc, when the Georgetown Municipality refuses to upgrade, or even rehabilitate, its abattoir that has responsibility for slaughtering animals entering the city for meat processing.

Because of the sad state of the facility, animals would, on occasion, escape and jump into the Demerara River, or make a dash for their lives down Water Street, much to the dismay of passers-by and nearby store owners.

The methods used to slaughter the animals are similar to those used by the Vikings in times past. The facility is always without the requisite cleaning agents, causing the walls and floors where these animals are dragged to be in a state that leaves much to

be desired. There is always a foul smell there, as the disposal of waste is always done in an unhygienic manner.

Water requirements are woefully inadequate, as the main pipeline does not have the required pressure of 20 psi. The boiler that supplies the hot water– which needs to be at least 82 degrees Celsius for cleaning -- is all but dead.

Instead of building useless presidential parks; jetting first-class around the globe; hiring contractors to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars to brush cut parapets; building housing schemes for a select few of their workers; hosting meaningless PR programmes, such as ‘Georgetown on the Move’ etc; why does the Council not tear down that old abattoir and construct a modern facility in the interest of food safety and the well-being of citizens?

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

Anand Sookram, champion south-paw tennis player and cricketer, has passed on

Dear Editor, I would like to thank the unnamed contributor to the letters column in the local media of Wednesday, May 10th edition, through whom I learnt of the passing of Anand Sookram at the age of 69.

Through your medium, I wish to share some more information on Anand Sookram. I was fortunate to get in contact with a close colleague of his: opening batsman for Port Mourant and Everest Cricket Club, Isaac Surinarain, who provided most of the following information, which should be of interest to sports enthusiasts.

Anand’s early claim to fame came through his prowess at table tennis, inspired by his coach Elik Nankoo, a Berbician gentleman who coached at the Port Mourant

Community Centre. Sookram went on to become junior champion of Port Mourant Community Centre Club in Berbice, and then put Guyana on the table tennis map by winning the Caribbean Junior Tennis Championship.

At the senior level, he won the Berbice and Guyana National Championship competition, and was runner-up in the annual Berbice Sportsman of the Year Award (not certain of which year).

A very important fact is that Sookram played against a Korean national player named Dholjuan Lee in a match held at Queen’s College and watched by Dr Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham and Peter D’Aguiar. Sookram was beaten, but gave a credible performance and was commended by the Korean inter-

national.

Incidentally, at the same venue, Isaac Surinarain played a 2-set match against an English national champion player named Richard Bergman (not sure on spelling of name).

In the sport of cricket, he was a useful batsman, but was essentially selected as a bowler possessing the useful ability to bowl left-arm medium pace and orthodox legspin to good effect. He bowled with immaculate accuracy in The Rothman’s Cup final (circa 1972) and helped to strangle the stroke play of the Etwaroo brothers in particular, to hand the Everest Cricket Club its first victory in the knock-out format under the captaincy of the late David Persaud.

Anand possessed a great

Beware the ‘Kangaroo Committee’ at City Hall Dear Editor, It is quite unmistakable that the folks at the Georgetown City Council, are completely antipathetic to the principles of transparency, accountability, and decency.

Here we are again, this time it has to do with the purported review of the parking meter contract by a ‘Kangaroo Committee’ consisting of Councillors and Officers of the very Georgetown Municipality that they have set up. Alas!

The assessment exercise is also cloaked in secrecy and mystery.

Clearly, if serious about reviewing the shady parking meter contract, an independent committee would have been set up and not

with any members from the same Council that created the problem in the first place aboard, as they could not be objective in the first place.

Unbelievably, just like the ‘Fantastic Four’ did in entering into this disgraceful parking meter contract in the first place, this committee has made the review process a top-secret, undercover operation.

But are they reviewing the contract with and by themselves? What about all of the concerned stakeholders such as ordinary citizens, business persons, taxi drivers and mini bus operators? What about organisations such as Transparency International Guyana, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the

Private Sector Commission, the Movement against Parking Meters?

What about the religious community? What about the schools? Will they be invited to be involved at the last minute if at all?

With more than two months elapsed of the three month period given by the Minister for the Council to get it right, it is logical for persons to become concerned that the Council will try to foist the very same company Smart City Solutions on the citizenry and ramrod this very contract with just a few minor adjustments down everyone’s throats. Beware!

Sincerely, Amber Valentine

cricketing brain, and liked to devise strategies to get his opponents out. I remember him telling my late father, David Persaud, in my presence that table tennis helped to sharpen his cricketing skills, and he liked to play tennis at every opportunity while in the pavilion awaiting his turn to do battle on the field.

Anand’s cremation in New York on Thursday, May 4, was fittingly attended by many of his fellow Berbician cricketers, notably stalwarts Sew (Black Boy) Shivnarine, a former WI Test cricket-

er; Isaac Surinarain; Derek Kalicharran; the Beasmonie brothers, Gopie and Vinoo; Kamal Singh, and the Etwaroo brothers among others.

On a personal note, I owe Anand a debt of gratitude for encouraging me to bowl googlies when he saw me delivering my left-arm ‘chinaman’ deliveries in our Queenstown backyard. He immediately put me on a crash course to learn to bowl the “wrong un”, as it is sometimes called.

To his grieving widow and

five children, I extend our deepest sympathy to you all.

I would like to take this opportunity to urge the sporting authorities to do research into our past sporting legends and their legacies, in an effort to pay tribute to these erstwhile individuals, but also with a view to providing some inspiration to aspiring youngsters.

May Bhagwan Ram grant his atman eternal rest.

Yours sincerely, Christopher Persaud

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Page H

ealthy communication skills amongst family members can be some of the most difficult and trying to develop and maintain. They may be directly related to you and have seen you in every possible situation, but that doesn’t mean finding ways to communicate comes easily. Family members sometimes tend to be tougher on each other and more open about any and all feelings they may be having.

While this can sometimes be favourable, it can also lead to conflict, strained relationships, and undue tension. But since there are no more important ties than the ones you have with your family members, it is important to work on improving the lines of communication amongst each other.

Below are five ways to improve family communication.

Start with a clean slate

In order to start improving communication, it is important to start with a clean slate and clear minds.

This may take a bit of work up front, starting with some tough conversations.

Starting the process by having some open, raw conver-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

sations and getting everything on the table can be a therapeutic way to start repairing relationships.

Set goals

Goals help keep you focused on the task at hand and can be used as a benchmark to work towards. The goals can be as simple as

having a text conversation with every family member once a week or as in-depth as setting family retreats once a month – it is completely up to the family as to what they’re looking to accomplish.

Participate in team building exercises

When you feel in sync

with your family members, you’re more likely to be open with them about your thoughts and feelings.

Team building exercises can be a great way to build up the trust and confidence in each other that may have been lost over the years and start working towards a better place. These exercises

don’t have to be put on by some formal establishment or third party; even simple tasks such as doing trust falls amongst each other can be a great starting point.

See a therapist

There is no shame in seeking outside help when it comes to familial situations, and communication issues are no different. Having an

impartial person outside of the immediate family group take a look at the situation can help bring new light and insight into the various situations and really work to clear up issues.

Have each member pick a group activity

Even though you’re related, your family members may be drastically different from you, especially in terms of hobbies and personal taste.

By having everyone pick a group activity to do, you’re not only acknowledging your differences but celebrating them.

Participating in these activities may even bring about some similarities or common interests that were previously unknown!

Familial relationships are some of, if not THE, most important relationships of one’s life. Even though they are built on unconditional love, they can still become tarnished and worn throughout the years.

By making it a priority to improve communication amongst family members, you will soon see results and be well on your way to overall improved relationships. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

:An easy mnemonic for difficult family members

BY PAM MYERS, BSED

I

t’s hard to set strong boundaries with your relatives.

Whether you love them too much to say no or loathe how easily they get under your skin, there’s something about family that makes it hard to stand up for yourself. It doesn’t have to be that way. By using the JADE mnemonic, you can avoid conversational minefields and eliminate shouting matches at the dinner table. Use JADE to remember that you never have to Justify, Argue, Defend, or Explain with a relative, and you’ll be on your way to a more peaceful existence with your family.

No Justifications necessary

If you’re tired of getting the third degree every time you visit home, it’s time to start using the first step in the JADE method. Don’t justify anything. You don’t need to explain why you chose that college major, pierced your nose, or accepted a job your family doesn’t like. As an adult, you can make whatever choices are best for you. When your motivations are questioned, make it clear that you’re not putting up with an inquisition. A firm but polite “I wanted to do so” or “I felt it was the best choice for me” tells your family that you’re not open to an extended review of your decisions.

Avoiding Arguments

When your relatives start sucking you into an argument, it can be challenging to resist. That’s understandable. Keep firm and remember that family arguments don’t lead anywhere positive. It’s okay to say “I don’t want to argue with you” or “Let’s agree to disagree on this.” If you want to lay on the guilt, ask your relative “Why are you picking a fight with me?” You’ll make your point, but be prepared for pushback.

Don’t go on the Defensive

A clever way for mean-spirited relatives to control a conversation is forcing you to defend yourself and your decisions. This is a more sophisticated way of picking an argument. When you present a logical reason for your actions, you’re only giving your family new angles of attack. Don’t help out your vicious family members. Tell them “I don’t want to talk about this” or “Can we talk about something else?” If possible, suggest a specific and neutral topic of conversation like your relative’s children or favourite hobby.

You don’t have to Explain yourself

Family members can make you feel small and juvenile just by asking you for an explanation. Comments like “How can you think that?” or “What in the world makes you believe that?” are not going to lead to anything positive. Rather than continuing the negativity by trying to explain yourself, refuse to engage. Say something like “Let’s talk about something else” or “We clearly have strong opinions on this. Let’s pick a more neutral topic” can help you avoid these conversational traps.

In a functional family, you will rarely have to use any of these suggestions. If you find yourself using JADE techniques on a regular basis, then you are not the problem.

Remember that family time should be about love, acceptance, and togetherness, not criticisms and nit-picking. It is always appropriate for you to deflect rude questions, change the topic of conversation, or refuse to discuss negative topics. With JADE, you can remember four ways to de-escalate negative interactions and make family time happier. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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friDAY, may 19, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Former Magistrate to Harmon maintains head Chronicle board President still considering 2nd list of GECOM nominees

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Geeta Chandan-Edmond

Karen Davis

Sherod Duncan

ormer Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond has been appointed the new chair of the Board of Directors at the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL), the printers and publishers of the Chronicle newspaper.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon made this announcement on Thursday during his post-Cabinet press briefing, stating that Chandan-Edmond will be ably assisted by eight other members of the Board.

These persons include Allan Fraser, Karen Davis,

Bert Wilkinson, Hakeem Khan, Ruel Johnson, Sherod Duncan, Tabitha SaraboAlli and Hilbert Foster.

According to Harmon, the life of the new Board will last from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018.

Previous GNNL boards under the new Government have however proven to be very contentious, as Jean La Rose, an Indigenous rights activist who was appointed to head the Board back in 2015, resigned months short of one year. La Rose was a candidate for the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change

(APNU/AFC) coalition in the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Following her resignation, Director of Public Information, Imran Khan, was elevated to the post of acting Chairman. However, this raised many concerns in relation to the independence of the policy-making body.

The other Board members that are candidates include Tabitha Sarabo, Ruel Johnson and Sherod Duncan, who are known APNU/AFC supporters.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

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peaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, revealed that President David Granger is still carefully considering the Opposition-submitted second list of nominees for the chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“The second list has been provided to His Excellency the President, and I can say to you that the President is considering the list”, Harmon said.

He revealed that the President had had consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Wednesday morning, and the question of the list had been raised.

“The President gave the Leader of the Opposition the assurance that he is considering the list, and that as soon as he has finished his consideration, he would get back to him. And so there is no issue of a third or fourth list (having to be compiled),” Harmon revealed.

“We (the Government) understand the patience of Guyanese; that this is an issue that is of importance to them; and I can assure you that His Excellency is going to give it the urgency that it requires,” he explained.

The President had deemed unacceptable the first list of six nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader because it did not include retired judges, or current judges, or persons deemed judge-eligible. That first list had comprised the following persons: Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist Lawrence Lachmansingh; Attorneyat-Law and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; Retired GDF MajorGeneral Norman Mc Lean;

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

The President had requested the Opposition Leader to submit a new list with nominees that exemplify qualities such as impartiality, independence and integrity.

This second list of nominees currently being considered by the President includes Retired Justice of Appeal B.S. Roy; Retired Justice William Ramlall, Attorney-at-law and former Magistrate Oneidge WalrondAllicock, Attorney-at-law Kashir Khan, Attorney-atLaw Nadia Sagar, and businessman and aircraft pilot Captain Gerald Gouveia.

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friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Businesswoman charged with failing to declare $9.2M in cash at CJIA Shooting down…

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lmost two weeks after she was apprehended by immigration officials at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), allegedly entering the country with a large sum of US currency (equivalent to G$9.2 million) without declaring same, a 36-year-old businesswoman of Robb Street, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday morning.

Tracy Ann Todd, who was represented by Attorney Glen Hanoman, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on May 4, 2017 at the CJIA, she brought into Guyana US$44,685 and failed to declare the said money at the nearest immigration office.

Based on reports, the woman arrived on a St Lucian flight to Guyana’s main port of entry with the money in her possession. It is not clear how the woman passed security checkpoints in St Lucia with that amount of money.

Customs officials discovered the foreign currency stashed during a routine check on her luggage. She was immediately pulled aside and questioned, and Special Organised Crime

Unit (SOCU) was quickly involved.

The law stipulates that once any passenger carries in excess of US$10,000, the money must be declared to the relevant authorities for clearance.

Hanoman, in a bail application for his client, related that Todd posed no flight risk, as she had a fixed place of abode at Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. He further stated that his client was gainfully employed, supplying hardware and construction materials to St Lucia and Trinidad.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore, however, argued that the defendant might flee the jurisdiction in the event that bail was granted, adding that Todd was dishonest in failing to de-

clare the said cash which was concealed in a postcard among clothing items.

Bail was granted in the sum of $150,000, and Todd was slated to return to court on May 25, 2017.

Back in January 2016, jewellery belonging to a Better Hope, East Coast Demerara goldsmith and valued at more than $10 million was confiscated by ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) at the CJIA. The man, Richard Ramjit, was accused by security officers of smuggling gold, but he denied the allegation. At the time, he was told that the jewellery was seized because it was worth approximately $4 million, which is in excess of US$10,000 – the threshold at which seizures can be made under amended anti-money laundering laws if there is no declaration to Customs.

The CANU ranks worked in accordance with the mandate of SOCU, which was set up to detect crimes related to money laundering and terrorism. Ramjit has since sued the State for $10 million on the basis that his fundamental rights and freedoms were breached.

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…oil gambit

rom the moment Raphael Trotman floated the notion of an oil refinery for Guyana -- and then hired an “expert,” back in January, to determine its ‘feasibility” -- your Eyewitness said he was wasting our money. The fella was going to be paid $10M to do a “desk study” -- meaning he’d just look at the literature of the subject and make a pronouncement -- which is precisely what your Eyewitness did back then, and concluded: “Trotman’s just hired a $10 million consultant to advise him as to whether we should build a refinery here!! Has he worked out why Trinidad loses its shirt every year on its refinery? Or why Hess closed the largest refinery in the Caribbean? Or that Uganda’s minuscule 30,000bbl/d refinery will cost US$4.3 billion?”

So now that the “expert” has also pronounced that a refinery is just not feasible for us, does your Eyewitness get even $1M for giving Trotty an early warning of what to expect??

But it all goes back to the cluelessness of Trotman for the portfolio he holds -- Natural Resources. We all know he’s just stringing along the APNU/AFC supporters about jobs being “in the pipeline”, but was he so dumb to think his hired “expert” would support his pie-in-the-sky nonsense?? Hey! The “expert” was part of Hess when they closed the aforementioned Refinery in the Virgin Islands!! If Hess couldn’t keep a refinery going, can Guyana?

Trotman said they needed the study ‘cause his Government was being inundated with requests to set up a refinery here!! So why did GUYANA have to do a feasibility study? Shouldn’t those “investors” -- if they exist -- foot that bill? After all, it’d be their money -- a minimum of US$5 billion!! – on the line. Right?? Or maybe not. Was it a “political investment” demanding dividends??

And that brings us to that other airy-fairy dream: the US$500M “oil facility” of Trotman’s trumpeting.

Your Eyewitness had also punctured this “there’s jobs ahead” ploy. And just like with the refineries, the pin used was “Who’s gonna cough up the US$500M?” ExxonMobil, the biggest whale in the oil ocean, already said very clearly they ain’t interested!! And if the company that’ll be employing the 300 employees on their FPSO doesn’t need this facility, who does??

Another “political investor”??

Trotman had better spend some time figuring out if Guyana will EVER get any money from our undersea oil. Exxon might’ve sunken, let’s say, a cool billion (US) dollars on exploration and the FPSO front end engineering costs on Stabroek.

But they’ve just spent US$6B on shale oil…which is cheaper and safer than ours!! Let’s not count our barrels before they’re pumped!!

…the “right thing”

On the “ANSA Pharma Arch” fiasco, the PM’s Shill, otherwise known as “DPI” (dots per inch??) claimed it was all due to “a desire by this Government to please and to do the right thing.” His Govt, he opined, needs to be “shrewd”. He should take his own advice: be “shrewd,” and not “shrewish,” as he is wont to do!!

So let’s look at the advice from MLK, famously offered by Spike Lee at the end of his film ‘Do the Right Thing’: “Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys a community and makes brotherhood impossible.”

Isn’t this what the present actions of the Shill’s government amount to to its “non-supporters”??

…Duty-free

You’d think we’ve heard it all about the rules on importing “duty-free” vehicles, right?? Wrong!!

Yesterday we learnt something new. When anyone breaks the rules, they’re hauled before the courts; but when the GRA breaks the rules for one of its own, it’s “flexibility”!!

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

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friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Kaneville man gets 9 years Alberttown shooting Businessman found for killing cousin-in-law

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Dead: Jason Ramatar

hirty-two-year-old Rayan Van Lange, of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, was on Thursday sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment after he changed his plea on the commencement of his High Court trial for his cousin-in-law’s murder.

It was only on Tuesday that Van Lange held out that he was not guilty of murdering his cousin-in-law.

However, before the first witness was scheduled to testify, the murder accused informed the court of the change in his plea. After being re-arraigned, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. As such, Judge Navindra Singh directed the 12-member jury to return the corresponding guilty verdict.

Van Lange was accused of stabbing to death his cous-

in’s husband, Jason Ramatar on May 31, 2015 at Kaneville.

State Prosecutors Tuanna Hardy and Siand Dhurjon had contended that after his wife’s birthday celebration, the man who was drinking heavily stabbed Ramatar four times with a knife following an argument.

Minutes before Justice Singh gave his ruling, the accused with tears trickling down his cheeks begged the court for mercy, telling Ramatar’s relatives that words could not express how sorry he was for what happened. His attorney, Mark Conway appealed for a reduced sentence, informing the court that his client was a father of three and had no prior convictions.

“He wants to contribute to society, he is very remorseful,” the defence counsel opined.

State Prosecutor Dhurjon, however, reminded that the deceased was a bright and decent young man, whose wife was pregnant at the time of his passing. He also told the court that the altercation which led to the stabbing lasted 20 minutes before Van Lange took the knife to commit the act. Dhurjon maintained that there was “no justification” for Ramatar’s killing.

After hearing from all parties, Justice Singh indicated that the accused must be punished as a life was lost.

Guilty: Rayan Van Lange

He stressed that this “unfortunate incident” seemed to be occurring too often among friends. The Judge took into consideration the early plea, remorse shown and the fact that the victim made some contribution to the altercation before sentencing Van Lange to nine years, with deductions for time spent on remand.

Cop on self-bail for assault

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Police Constable, attached to the Special Branch at Houston on the East Bank of Demerara, was brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday to face a charge of assault, dating back to 2015.

An unshackled Dwayne Dudson stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read the charge which stated that on October

16, 2015 at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on the person of Donald Mahadeo.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The legal representative of Dudson stated that the 26-year-old resided in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, with his wife and child.

According to information reaching Guyana Times the defendant has a twin brother who was previously charged with the offence, as authorities were unsure who the guilty party was.

Dudson walked out of the courtroom on his own recognisance, as the prosecution made no objection to bail.

He will return to court on May 22, 2017.

Reacting to the ruling, the deceased’s sister, Lisa Edwards told Guyana Times that the sentence imposed was not sufficient for her brother’s murder, noting that Ramatar’s son still asked for his father.

“My brother has died and gone already and there’s nothing more that we can do. Nine years? It’s two children that [were] left to mourn without a father. His son is asking where is his father…

There [was] nothing else to say, but his father went to the interior for some time. He has a one-year-old girl now,” Edwards noted in tears.

She added that her mother was too ill to attend court.

The State had contended that the accused and the victim were present at his wife’s birthday party, the day before the night in question. Hours later, according to reports, the accused and now deceased man argued over purchasing more alcohol. It was after this that a scuffle allegedly ensued and Van Lange armed himself with a kitchen knife and committed the act. Ramatar succumbed to his injuries, after he had been rushed to the Diamond hospital, East Bank Demerara A post-mortem revealed that the man died from shock and haemorrhage due to four incised wounds. The knife penetrated his jugular artery and lung. He was 24 years old. (Shemuel Fanfair)

not guilty of murdering suspected bandit ….after PI cleared him in 2015

Freed: Businessman Lawrence Wayne

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u s i n e s s m a n Lawrence Wayne, a licensed firearm holder who had shot and killed a suspected bandit Dexter Lindo at Light and Fifth streets, Alberttown, Georgetown in August 2014, has been found not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter by a 12-member jury after deliberating for almost three hours in the Demerara High Court.

The businessman, who had been cleared of the murder charge in October 2015 when Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan had upheld a nocase submission that the de-

fence had put forward, had been rearrested in February 2016 after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had opted to reinstitute charges against him.

The State’s case was that Wayne had pursued and shot Dexter Lindo after an alleged robbery had been perpetrated on his business place – Wayne’s Beverage Paradise on the Merriman Mall. Lindo was reportedly confronted in the vicinity of a shop and shot three times. He died just days later, while a patient at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital.

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, on Thursday declaring Wayne a free man, advised him to avoid trouble.

Released, Wayne ran to freedom, accompanied by overjoyed relatives who were too overcome with emotion to say much. However, relatives of Lindo were visibly annoyed at the verdict, with some angrily remarking that the businessman had “murdered” their relative.

Wayne had, earlier this week, informed the court that he was relying on the statement he had given the police. turn to page 13

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friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

S RAIGHT P

President to attend US-Arab, Islamic Summit in Riyadh

Thanks to Granger The poor in Guyana cannot easily access aspirins today

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here was a sign on the desk of President Harry Truman which says “The buck stops here”. A poor country like Guyana cannot afford a Pageantry President, who exhibits a silent meanness to the majority of the poor and the working class, while remaining clueless on the core developmental needs of the nation. Any keen listener to the stage-managed programme called “THE PUBLIC INTEREST” can hear all the right words, but when you reflect on those words and the reality in action, the President is found severely wanting. Almost to the point of being deemed grossly incompetent.

A fit and proper President would have acted swiftly on the fact that 92 per cent of the medical supplies procured under his watch were done using the non-competitive and nontransparent system, called sole sourcing. What is surprising is that these unethical and crooked arrangements have expanded under this Granger presidency when compared to the Ramotar presidency. How can this be when in the 2015 campaign, he personally presented himself as the anti-corruption candidate? But as we are observing today, the proof is in the eating of the pudding. When the people expected justice from Granger, there is none to be had. This continued expression of feigned ignorance to the reality of the system has led many to ask why this duplicity? Who really is in charge?

These non-competitive and non-transparent methods used to procure medical supplies have placed public funds into the pockets of a few companies in a very inequitable manner. In one case, after a few weeks of securing one of these fuzzy deals from the PNC-led Granger Administration that was valued at some G$605 million, a G$20 million gift was “kicked-forward” to fulfil a “small days” fetish of a pageantry presidency. Doesn’t this smell like a bribe? This is nothing but old school “influence buying” similar to what the mafia did with the politicians of Chicago back in the days.

But what is an even more important development is that precedence has been set. The “brown paper bag” culture is alive and kicking under this Granger presidency. Those who want to get ahead on contracts and deals just have to deliver some arches, statues, and parade grounds and garnish these entrées with the “brown paper bags”.

When these things happen, the majority loses and only a handful of people win. It is as if the presidency is on sale.

Case in point, some 64 per cent of the budgetary allocation in the 2017 Budget for the procurement of medical supplies has already been spent. However, more often than not, the poor people who have to visit the State medical facilities cannot even get aspirins. What are they really buying with this money – Viagra, and Cialis?

It is no secret that the key operatives in the local operations of that company (with the G$605 million deal) are close friends of the Granger Administration and even closer to the AFC leadership to the point that the Governmentowned Kingston Hotel is under the control of one of these players. Thus, the preferential generosity! I have condemned such behaviour in the past from the friend and family crew under the Ramotar Government and it would be remiss of me not to oppose and expose such unethical and immoral attitudes from this now discredited Granger Administration and their friend and family crew.

Sole sourcing and selective tendering is the preferred way to bequeath contracts to favoured companies. These people in the Public Health Ministry with full support from the key players in the Finance Ministry are behaving as if their father has a legal transport on the Treasury and they have a right to advance these corrupt ways. Who suffers from all this crookedness? THE POOR AND THE WORKING CLASS! One just has to read the report of the Auditor General to understand what is at stake here. But even with the Procurement Commission now established, it is scary how stony silent Ms Carol Corbin remains on this G$605 million deal. There are many Guyanese companies that can offer better quality medical supplies at lower prices in a more timely manner to the public hospitals. But as we all know, when there are arches to build and more pockets to fill, we must not expect the corrupt players in the Granger Administration to worry about the needs of the poor. Fool me once and the joke is on you! Fool me twice and the joke is on me! The poor and the working class will not be fooled twice in 2020.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

resident David Granger will be heading a delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend a high-level summit there this weekend.

The Guyanese Head of State has accepted the invitation to attend the upcoming U.S.-Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

The invitation was extended to President Granger

by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud through his Minister for Information and Culture.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, has said the summit will bring together leaders of the world’s Islamic nations and invited heads of states.

“It will address ways of building more robust and effective security partnerships to counter and prevent the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

President David Granger

around the globe through promoting tolerance and moderation,” he explained.

President Granger’s delegation would include: Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Audrey Waddell; First Secretary of the Guyana Permanent Mission to the

United Nations, Shiraz Mohamed; and Director of Education of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Sheik Moeenul Hack.

“To facilitate the President and his delegation’s attendance, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be providing air transport to and from the confer-

ence, hotel accommodation, meals, and internal transportation within the Kingdom,” Harmon reported.

The conference will also be attended by United States (US) President Donald Trump, who will mark his first visit to the Kingdom since assuming office as 45th U.S. President in January 2017. Asked whether there would be any bilateral discussions during the summit, Harmon said there isn’t a specific agenda to determine whether there will be meetings between Granger and Trump, or Saudi officials.

“What I do know is that the issues in relation to the Islamic Development Bank and the loans and facilities that are available to Guyana will be part of the engagements,” he disclosed.

The summit will also focus on ways to enhance cooperation between the Muslim countries.

Payment to AG advisors below $20,000

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overnment has confirmed the salaries for legal advisors to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams as being between $15,000 and $20,000.

In a press statement to the media on Thursday from the AG’s office, it said that a mere monthly stipend of G$20,000 is given to the chairperson and G$15,000 for each member.

According to the statement, these legal professionals who have been selected to assist the AG are appointed as members of the Ministerial Council of Legal Advisors and not staff appointees at the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Earlier on Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told media operatives at a post-Cabinet press

briefing that the salaries for these advisers were minimal.

He said, “We have talent that is available in the country and when you have talent like that, there are people who have actually been in the system who served as Judges, some as Court of Appeal Judges and so on, and who have actually given their consent to act in that capacity. I think it is something that any Government will take and hold with both hands.”

Harmon also noted that the legal advisers volunteered their services.

Earlier this month, Harmon had announced the establishment of a Ministerial Council of Legal Advisors to the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister.

He said the functions of the Council would include

Attorney General Basil Williams

providing legal analysis and advice on the development of the local justice sector, Government’s legislative agenda and litigation mat-

Teacher’s body found hanging in apartment – lover arrested

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26-year-old teacher attached to the Goed Fortune Secondary School was on Wednesday afternoon found dead in a house at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

Dead is Tishaun Bess who was found hanging from the roof in the home which she shared with her lover.

According to relatives, Bess was last seen by her mother on Monday after she had returned from work. However, the now dead teacher did not show up to the school on Tuesday as well as Wednesday which prompted her family to file a Police report.

It was when the family, escorted by Police Officers, visited the home of the de-

ceased that they found her lifeless body hanging from the ceiling. It was reported that she may have been there for approximately two days.

The relatives of the deceased indicated that the relationship shared between the woman and her boyfriend is known to be abusive. As such, despite the incident initially appearing to be an act of suicide, they are speculating that foul play was involved in the death of the teacher.

Furthermore, one family member pointed out that the lover was last seen on Tuesday and only ‘resurfaced’ after Bess’s body was found. As such, the man was taken into Police custody where he remains under investigation.

ters; providing input into legal policy design and engaging stakeholders with interest in the justice sector where appropriate.

The Council is being assisted in the execution of its mandate by support staff from the Legal Affairs Ministry. The members of the Council of Legal Advisors are former Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Judge, Justice Duke Pollard; former High Court Judge, Justice James Patterson; former Appeal Court Judge, Justice Claudette Singh; Professor Harold Lutchman; and Professor Harold James.

Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has often criticised Williams’ performance in handling several legal matters.

Norton hospitalised – after suspected heart attack

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

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Dead: Tishaun Bess

A post-mortem examination is set to be conducted today to determine the cause of death of 26-year-old Tishaun Bess.

The Police investigation is still ongoing.

ocial Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton was on Thursday admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital for observation, after complaining of feeling unwell.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, Norton suffered “a heart attack”, and went to the Hospital with a headache, high blood pressure and slightly slurred speech. Norton, a noted ophthalmologist, made several blunders during his controversial reign as Public Health Minister. The Ministry of the Presidency said it would provide relevant updates where necessary.

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friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Matthews Ridge water supply system to get $5.5M upgrade

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he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has signed an agreement with the Matthews Ridge/Arakaka and Port Kaituma Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to undertake a $5.5 million water supply improvement programme in Matthews Ridge.

The agreement was signed between Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles

and Chairperson of the Matthews Bridge Ridge/ Arakaka and Port Kaituma NDC, Margaret Lambert at a simple ceremony in the community on Thursday.

Witnessing the signing was Region One (Barima-Waini) Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, as well as GWI representatives in the region.

The agreement covers the upgrade to the community’s water system by facilitating the rehabilita-

tion of the water sources (two springs,) and the tapping into a third spring to provide additional water supply. It also covers the remedial works to the community’s water supply reservoirs, and its distribution and transmission network.

Dr Van West-Charles told residents at the ceremony that interventions in the community are in line with the water company’s renewed commitment to

GWI’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles signing the agreement for the $5.5 million upgrade to the Matthews Ridge water supply system

ensure that villages across Guyana have access to potable water.

He explained that GWI’s urgency in this effort within the hinterland regions is particularly driven by the opportunity for incidences of waterborne disease, and the risk for contamination to the water supply system.

In addition to initiating a number of efforts to improve access and quality of water in the regions, Dr Van WestCharles explained that the water company is working with regional and local authorities to efficiently and effectively address the issues of leaks in the communities.

He explained that currently, in the sub-region, GWI is working with the Matthews Ridge/Arakaka

and Port Kaituma NDC to share the cost of addressing leaks in the area.

The result should see by the end of August, a significant increase in terms of quantity of water supply in the communities, in both the morning and evenings hours, he said.

Also towards addressing quality of access, the GWI Managing Director explained that the water company is working with the region to install a kit at the hospital, where the water supplied by the newly rehabilitated Matthews Ridge water supply system can be monitored for microbes and other quality characteristics on a weekly basis.

During his address, he also stressed the need for partnership to ensure the

continued reliability of the water service.

He noted that there needs to be “stakeholders’ ownership” of the interventions that GWI undertakes if the water company is to stay on top of its mission of delivering quality water to all. “We need you to work with us if we are going to investigate in a timely basis leaks that are compromising the system and contaminating the water that the people are receiving,” the Managing Director said.

He also called on the NDC and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to help with identifying communities that do not have access to water. “We do not know the terrain and this is where the regional administration and the NDC can come in and help us because we take the mandate of the President seriously in terms of addressing inequity where they exist with respect to water,” Dr Van West-Charles said.

According to a GINA release, he explained that to facilitate engagements with the residents, GWI will be striving to establish monthly water meetings with the communities to get feedback, “so we do not want to wait if there are issues… but we will be able to put these issues on the table and find solutions to them,” he said. turn to page 16

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friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vlissengen Road shooting

Accused killer of dredge owner to hear fate today M urder accused Travis McDougal who is implicated in the shooting death of a businessman will know his fate today. Forty-threeyear-old dredge owner Ashok Raghu was killed outside the Botanical Gardens on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, in August 2014, in the alleged execution of a robbery by two bandits.

Now that closing addresses have been presented by the prosecution and the defence in court, Justice Navindra Singh will this morning sum up the entire case before the 12-member jury can deliberate to return a verdict. It was in July 2015 that McDougal was committed to stand trial for murder, along with porkknocker Jermaine Otto. However, McDougal will learn his fate on his own as Otto was one of the prisoners who perished in the deadly Camp Street Prison fire, following riots in March 2016.

McDougal, of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, and his accomplice were both accused of killing Raghu on August 18, 2014, during the further-

Murder accused: Travis McDougal

ance of a robbery of $4 million, committed on the now deceased man and his wife, Shyrazadi who was shot to the thigh.

The wife of the deceased testified with great emotion on Wednesday, identifying McDougal as one of the persons who committed the deadly crime. At Tuesday’s trial, Police Superintendent Michael Kingston who was attached to the Brickdam Police Station that year read out the caution statement

that McDougal allegedly gave Police.

The jury had heard that McDougal knew his accomplice, Jermaine Otto, called “Fungus”, from the time they attended the Lodge Secondary School together.

Otto was said to have asked the accused to drop him in Kitty, Georgetown, because McDougal had a driver’s licence.

According to McDougal’s recounting of the night’s events, when the two were on the motorcycle and had reached the traffic light at Regent and Vlissengen Roads, Otto jumped off and proceeded to a car.

“All I hear is shots,” the accused allegedly stated, further adding that he later heard that the man died but the wife got shot. Otto contacted him and reportedly said: “I hope my name ain’t get call.”

Superintendent Kingston further testified that McDougal signed the

caution statement six times, adding that the accused was not handcuffed when he had done so. The Police witness further told the court that the accomplice, Jermaine Otto was subsequently arrested, after intelligence was passed on to investigative ranks.

It was on Friday last that State Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh also testified saying that Raghu died from a perforated lung due to a gunshot.

It is believed at the time of the robbery that one of the men had grabbed a haversack containing $4 million,

but Raghu’s wife held onto the haversack before she was shot. The State’s case is being led by Prosecutors Tuanna Hardy and Siand Dhurjohn, while the accused is being represented

by Defence Counsel, Nigel Hughes.

Businessman found not guilty...

According to that statement, on the day in question, he shot Lindo during a confrontation which had occurred after a robbery had been carried out on his business place.

According to Wayne’s version of events, he had received a telephone call from someone, informing him that armed men had entered and robbed his stall at the Merriman Mall. He later told police that when he arrived on scene, the men were in the process of fleeing in a waiting vehicle; so he pursued the men in his own vehicle,

and confronted them at Light and Fifth streets, Alberttown, where he ordered the men to “freeze!” One of the suspected bandits allegedly pulled a gun from his waist, but Wayne opened fire on him.

That, Wayne said, was how Lindo ended up being shot.

Lindo, then 26, had resided at Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown. Police had reportedly recovered an unlicensed .32 Beretta pistol with four matching rounds in his possession at the time of the confrontation with Wayne.

About 20 witnesses testified during the trial. One of

from page 9

the witnesses was Wayne’s then teenage son, who was the cashier at his father’s establishment. The young man told the court that he had refused to hand over a bag of money which he had in his possession.

Wayne was represented by Attorneys Stanley Moore and Maxwell McKay, both of whom were absent on Thursday when the verdict was handed down. The State’s case was presented

by Prosecutors Shawnette Austin, Tamica Clarke and Mandell Moore. (Shemuel Fanfair)

14 news

friDAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Acting Top Cop orders return of Taxi driver in custody high-powered rifles seized at party for seaman’s murder

Acting Top Cop David Ramnarine

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force swooped down on a house party being held at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty in Georgetown on Wednesday at about 22:00h and arrested two men who were in possession of high-powered automatic rifles.

Guyana Times understands that the men and their weapons were taken to the Brickdam Police Station, but were subsequently released following the intervention of acting Top Cop David Ramnarine.

Although held at the house of a close associate referred to as “Paper Shorts”, the Kitty party was reportedly organised

by Saddiqi Rasul, who has been accused of ripping off the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) of more than $900 million.

Contacted on the issue, the acting Police Commissioner confirmed he had instructed that the weapons be returned to the men. He claimed that while a number of gun licences issued to Rasul had been revoked, there are still a few

that are valid.

Guyana Times understands that the weapons might have been registered to a security company operated by Rasul.

Asked for a comment, the Crime Chief referred questions to ‘A’ Division Commander Marlon Chapman. But contacted on Thursday morning, Chapman said he was not aware of the situation, although he promised to enquire into it.

Guyana Times has been

the owner of SSS Minerals Trading Inc, had allegedly deposited six cheques in the bank between March 21 and 24, 2017. The cheques were for the sums of $290 million, $96 million, $138 million, $89 million, $298 million and $45 million.

The Bank Manager reportedly colluded with Rasul to change the cheques before clearing them with Citizens Bank, from whence they had allegedly originated.

As investigations contin-

The Police outside of the Sandy Babb Street house during the operation

reliably informed that Rasul, presently on bail for several counts of fraud, might still be operating his gold business although the Natural Resources Ministry had reportedly suspended his licence to operate.

It has been reported that while several licences had been issued to gold dealers for 2017, Rasul’s company, SSS Minerals Trading, has not been recipient of any.

If that is indeed the case, Rasul has no authority to buy, sell or trade in gold until the outcome of the investigations.

Rasul, of Prashad Nagar and of First Avenue Bartica,

ued into the alleged fraud committed by Rasul, a search was conducted at the Sandy Babb Street, Kitty home of his close associate, and it was reported that after several hours of search, SOCU agents removed from those premises three CBR motorcycles, a Jet Ski and a bag containing a quantity of ammunition.

Prior to that raid, a black 2013 Hilux belonging to Rasul was seized by SOCU after it was discovered to be bearing false number plates. It is believed that that vehicle was imported from Brazil without the necessary paper-

C

Saddiqi Rasul

work and taxes paid.

Days after the vehicle was seized, GRA officials swooped down on another of Rasul’s locations and found a fully armoured vehicle that was not registered with the revenue authority.

Rasul is believed to have robbed and conned several gold dealers out of hundreds of millions of dollars. He presently has hanging over his head several lawsuits from clients from whom he had allegedly taken money to purchase gold, but had fraudulently converted same to his own use.

rime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Thursday confirmed that detectives have arrested a taxi driver for questioning in relation to the murder of Roy Rowland, whose body was discovered with a single gunshot wound to the head at Marigold Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens.

The Crime Chief related that ever since the taxi driver was taken into Police custody, he has been giving conflicting accounts of his interactions with the now deceased man. The driver is reportedly claiming that Rowland requested to be dropped at a location in West Ruimveldt and instructed him (the driver) to collect him after dropping home his child mother.

However, he told ranks that after dropping home Rowland’s child mother, he went back to collect him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

He attempted to phone him several times, but all the calls went unanswered.

He said he went away and it was not until Wednesday morning, he learnt of the man’s demise. The Police

Dead: Roy Rowland

will continue to interrogate the suspect.

The body of the 27-yearold seaman, of Lot 25 Castello Housing Scheme, La Penitence, Georgetown, was discovered about 06:30h by a resident who went to take out his cattle. He immediately raised an alarm and the Police were summoned.

During investigations, a 9mm spent shell was found at the scene. The Police are working on the theory that the man might have been killed somewhere else and his body dumped in the area, since residents did not hear a firearm being discharged.

Father of 3 missing, family worried

F

amily members of Mahase Chanderpaul, called “Kishore”, of Perseverance Public Road, Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are worried by the sudden disappearance of the 52-year-old man.

According to a relative, Chanderpaul, a father of three, was a patient at the Suddie Public Hospital and was last seen by nurses leaving the Hospital on Wednesday, May 17 at 22:30h. The relative related that Chanderpaul told nurses he was going home, but has since been missing. Relatives are now questioning why officials at the Hospital “let him go”.

“When he was admitted, we left two tele-

phone numbers at the Hospital to call us in case of anything….so why didn’t any official call us?” the relative asked.Chanderpaul was admitted Tuesday morning. Family members said they were disappointed at the Hospital’s security for allowing patients to leave in the night.

Ever since Chanderpaul’s disappearance, his family has been searching for him. Anyone with news of the whereabouts of Mahase Chanderpaul, called “Kishore”, is asked to contact the nearest police station or family members on 609-2425, 630-0535, 655-7141, or 694-7567.

fridAY, may 19, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Trump: FBI inquiry into Russia Fox News founder Roger Ailes dies links “hurts US terribly” at 77

P

resident Donald Trump says the decision to appoint a special counsel to oversee the inquiry into Russian influence on his election “hurts our country terribly”.

He said the US was being made to look “divided, mixed up”, media reported.

Earlier, he tweeted that the decision was “the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history”.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been selected to lead the inquiry.

“I believe it hurts our country terribly, because it shows we’re a divided, mixed-up, not-unified country,” Trump told CNN and CNBC .

His reaction differed

Robert Mueller (left) with his successor at the FBI, James Comey, whose dismissal prompted calls for a wider investigation

from Wednesday when he was quoted in a White House statement as saying: “I look forward to this matter concluding quickly.”

In naming Robert

“More than 3000 escaped” DR Congo jail

M

ore than 3000 prisoners are believed to have escaped from the main prison in Democratic Republic of Congo, security sources have told the BBC. The authorities say only around 50 prisoners got away when armed men attacked the prison on Wednesday.

The security sources also said dozens of people were killed during the attack on Makala prison.

Ne Muanda Nsemi, leader of the political-religious sect Bundu Dia Kongo, is among those who escaped.

A police spokesperson told a local radio station, Radio Okapi, that the prisoners were dangerous, and called for anyone who saw them to tell the authorities.

The sources say that around half of the prison's inmates fled during the attack.

Government officials say a police officer and at least five attackers were killed, while several sources say that up to 100 died.

The authorities accuse supporters of Nsemi's supporters of being behind the attack, although the group has denied this. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Mueller, the US Deputy Attorney General said it was in the public interest to pick an outsider.

Mueller’s appointment has been welcomed by politi-

cians from both sides.

Calls for a special investigation mounted after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey last week.

“With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign and the Obama Administration, there was never a special counsel appointed,” he tweeted on Thursday.

A number of times previously, Trump has likened the investigation into potential collusion between his campaign and the Russian Government to a witch hunt.

His latest tweets came hours before he was to hold a joint press conference with the visiting Colombian President. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T

he ex-Chairman and founder of Fox News, Roger Ailes has died aged 77, his family says.

A statement from his wife, Elizabeth said she was “profoundly sad and heartbroken”, calling him a “patriot”.

Ailes ran Fox News for two decades and is credited with transforming it into arguably the most powerful voice in conservative media.

But he stepped down last year after a number of female employees accused him of sexual harassment.

At the time he said he was resigning because he had become a “distraction”.

Mrs Ailes’ statement said: “During a career that stretched over more than

five decades, his work in entertainment, in politics, and in news affected the lives of many millions.

“And so even as we mourn his death, we celebrate his life.”

The cause of his death has not been made public but CNN said he suffered a fall last week before slipping in to a coma, citing a family friend.

Rupert Murdoch, the head of Fox News’ parent company 21st Century Fox, said Ailes played a “huge role in shaping America’s media over the last 30 years.

“Roger was a great patriot who never ceased fighting for his beliefs,” he added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Woman killed, 22 injured as car hits Times Square crowd

A

woman is dead and 22 other people injured after a car sped on to a pavement in New York City's Times Square, the Fire Department says.

The 26-year-old driver, a US Navy veteran and US citizen, is in custody.

"There is no indication that this was an act of terrorism," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. The maroon Honda jumped the curb and travelled for three blocks before crashing.

Photos showed the sedan partially on its side on the pavement with smoke and flames spewing from the bonnet.

The crash follows recent deadly car-ramming attacks in London, Berlin, France, Israel and Sweden.

The FBI is investigating the incident at the Midtown Manhattan tourist venue, but so far officials say there is no terror link

The FBI is investigating the incident at the Midtown Manhattan tourist venue, but so far officials say there is no terror link.

NYPD said the suspect, Richard Rojas, is a Bronx resident who was arrested in 2008 and 2015 for drunk driving.

Police believe the suspect was reportedly was high on synthetic marijuana, known as K2, ABC News reported, citing law enforcement sources. Initial tests reportedly came back negative for alcohol but positive for drugs.

"It is believed to be an isolated incident, it remains under investigation," the New York Police Department said on Twitter.

City authorities said they would nevertheless deploy extra police from anti-terror units to key locations around the city as a precaution. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 news

fridAY, may 19, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man remanded for firearm, matching ammo found in taxi

A

Venezuelan-based Guyanese youth was on Thursday morning arraigned before Chief

Magistrate Ann McLennan to face charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and matching ammunition which

he had allegedly left in a city taxi.

Jose Adwell denied the charge which stated that on

May 15, 2017, at Georgetown, he was in possession of one 9mm pistol along with 14 rounds of matching live ammunition. The unrepresented man cut a lone figure in the prisoner’s dock, contending that he has no knowledge of the charges brought against him. The court heard that Adwell currently resides at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, being 21 years of age.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore related that on the day of the incident, the defendant was a passenger in a city taxi when the driver noticed a firearm sitting in the passenger seat of the cab after drop-

ping off his client. The driver then reportedly drove to the Ruimveldt Police Station where he made a report of the find and lodged the gun, leading Police ranks to his vehicle to retrieve the weapon.

He then escorted the officers to the address where he had dropped off the suspect who was contacted shortly hereafter, cautioned and placed into custody.

Bail was denied by the Chief Magistrate and the man was remanded to the Camp Street Prison. According to Moore, Adwell reportedly admitted to the Police in a caution statement to ownership

Remanded: Jose Adwell

of the weapon.

The court was told that the ballistics report is outstanding and the matter was adjourned to June 7.

Matthews Ridge water supply...

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley recalled that a few months after assuming office, he met with Dr Van West-Charles and discussed the water woes, not only in Mabaruma, but those of Matakai and Matthews Ridge. He explained that since this early conversation and several others that followed, Dr Van West-Charles and his team worked assiduously to improve the areas of concern that the region listed to them.

As the GWI continues to address the issues in the region, Ashley gave his RDC’s commitment to continue working with them. “I know that they could continue to give that level of support and partners with the RDC

to bring better quality of water to all residents,” he said.

In addition to Mathews Ridge, GWI’s most recent intervention in the region includes works in Hosororo, Oronoque and Yarakita.

The Regional Chairman also assured residents that his only concern is that of bettering the quality of life of all the people living in Region One, irrespective of their ethnicity and their political preference. “… What I am concerned with is making communities better, helping them to develop from strength to strength and I am glad that the (Guyana) Water Incorporated would have fully come on board, in this drive,” Ashley said.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Matthews Ridge/

from page 12

Arakaka and Port Kaituma NDC, Margaret Lambert thanked the Government for the intervention that would allow for clean water supply to the homes of the residents in the NDC. “We are thankful and grateful for this water upgrading in this NDC and we are pledging to work with GWI so as to bring even more water intervention to our communities,” Lambert said.

As per the agreement signed, the funds for the water intervention in Mathews Ridge would be provided to the NDC, which would then engage residents to provide the works. As per the agreement, GWI would then provide materials for the works to be undertaken.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, May 19, 2017

Alecia Jiwanram

Ash Ramnauth

I Divya Singh

n less than 24 hours, a new Miss India Guyana will be crowned following the pageant which is slated for the Guyana Marriott Hotel this evening, commencing at 20:00h. The 10 delegates are adding their final touches to their outfits and are ready to compete in the various segments with the hope of securing the coveted title.

The finalists are Cynthia Dookie, Sangeeta Bahadur, Alecia Jiwanram, Shoshanna Ramdeen, Divya Singh, Karishma Makwana, Samantha Chunilall, Rajnie Shiwpal, Sarah Rajkaran and Ash Ramnauth.

All of the finalists went through a two-month long training session, which saw them participating in several professional and personal developmental seminars. This also saw them being pre-judged in the preliminary round of the competition.

On coronation night the delegates will compete in the talent, evening gown, and Indian wear segments and the queen will be determined after the intelligence segment.

Also, patrons will be mesmerised by a packed cultural presentation, consisting of a presentation by Miss India Worldwide, Karina Kohli; the Ishara Dance Troupe; Ryan Dance Group; and the Magic Touch Dance Troupe. Also performing at the event will be local singing sensation, Mahendra Ramkellawan. Tickets for the event cost $15,000 which includes a buffet dinner and $5000 for general admission.

Karishma Makwana

Samantha Chunilall

Cynthia Dookie

Rajnie Shiwpal

Sangeeta Bahadur

Sarah Rajkaran

Shoshanna Ramdeen

18

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, may 19, 2017

W

restling fans that were all eager to watch their favourite wrestlers spar against each other for supremacy at an event called “Thunda in Guyana” at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall will have to wait a while longer. The event which was billed for May 27 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will now be held on July 1.

Organisers of the event when contacted explained that due to unforeseen cir-

cumstances, they were forced to shift the event.

One of the organisers noted that the entire card has changed and the event will feature bigger superstars in the wresting fraternity.

During the night of July 1, patrons will be able to witness at least eight highly competitive matches feature some of the best.

While information who will compete against each other is not known, Guyana Times Entertainment un-

derstands that some of the wrestlers who have been confirmed to participate are Ryback, Bobby Lashley, Tyrus, Carleto , Al Snow, Tommy Dreamer and Carlito among others.

Prices for tickets will be announced later. There will be a special update on the event on Maximum Sport aired on NCN this evening at 21:05h.

Carlito

Ryback

T Al Snow

Tommy Dreamer

Bobby Lashley

Tyrus

District

Ultra Lounge for

grand opening

on May 24

he packed to capacity National Cultural Centre was on Saturday last left mesmerised as several pairs of mothers and daughters gracefully took to the stage in the 26th edition of the Mother and Daughter Pageant.

The delegates competed in several categories but at the end, only a couple from each of the categories was adjudged Heather Gonsalves and Renee

the winners.

In the Junior Category, Dacia Fraser and Samacia took the top honours while in the Middle Category, Kenciola Craig and Ashanti were adjudged the winners and in the Senior C a t e g o r y , H e a t h e r Gonsalves and Renee were crowned the best of the best.

G

uyanese will have a chance to broaden their choices as it comes to party spots in town as another is set to have its grand opening on Wednesday, May 24.

The grand opening of District Ultra Lounge at the Giftland Mall, Pattensen, Greater Georgetown, is expected to be epic as one of the most versatile and energetic DJs in the Caribbean is set to set the place on fire.

Come Wednesday, DJ Marcus out of Trinidad and Tobago will take it up another notch to ensure fans have a grand time. Alongside him will be DJ Blax Bee and DJ Monster.

The trio is expected to turn on the heat as early as possible. However, ladies who wish to attend the event will be admitted free all night. There will also be Heineken specials throughout the evening. Those who wish to secure a VIP booth can call 690-9919 for additional information.

The event is sponsored by Heineken.

Dacia Fraser and Samacia

T

for Georgetown Club on Sunday

he Georgetown Club, Camp Street, will come alive on Sunday, May 21 as the Rotary Club of Georgetown hosts “A taste of South America”. It will be an evening of good food, wine and beer.

The event is an annual feature for the Non-Governmental Organisation and has been lifting the bar on a yearly basis.

This year, patrons can enjoy food, wine and a variety of beer from several South American countries including Argentina,

Brazil, Chile, Suriname, Peru and obviously Guyana.

Tickets for the event cost $2000 but patrons will have a chance to sample everything there is to offer on the day of the event. The action gets underway at 12:00h and apart from the food, wine and beer, there will be a variety of music to tantalise your dancing buds. All proceeds will go towards the Literacy Project – Book Mobile.

The event is sponsored by Kings Jewellery.

This year, the theme for the pageant was ‘Rhythm of Love’.

It is one of the longest pageants promoted by Supa Stylistics Productions under the directorship of Dr Sulan Fung-Browne and her mother, Mrs Ingrid Fung.

Kenciola Craig and Ashanti

friDAY, may 19, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

B

articians are in for a treat on Saturday, May 27, when the event “Stars in Concert” is held at the Bartica Community Centre Ground. The event is one of two planned by the recently formed Guyana Committee of Services to raise funds to assist sportsmen and woman and more importantly, to promote cultural activities. “Stars in Concert” will feature some of the best local talents in Guyana and will cater for all. Those expected to perform are Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson; Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones; Odessa Primus; former Chutney King, Bunty Singh; Roger Hinds, also called “Young Bill Rogers”; Rajan Tiwari; and Ivelaw Campbell, called “Granny

Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson

Lyndon Jones

Ivelaw”.

In addition, there will be a guest appearance by a Haitian singer. The local talents promise to give residents in Bartica and those from neighbouring villages their money’s worth. Come and be mesmerised by songs, skits, dances and other entertainment pieces. Tickets cost $1000 and will be available at the gates.

Some members of the cast are expected to travel to the United States with Lady Ira to host several fundraising events.

Odessa Primus

Bunty Singh

Anil Azeez

Earl Bishop

Shal Marshal

Blaze Antonio

O

n the night of May 26, all roads will lead to the National Park Tarmac for the Hits and Jams Independence J’Ouvert Party. The event will feature several regional and local acts, including Marsville from Barbados and Shal Marshall from Trinidad and Tobago.

The Guyanese line-up will feature hot off the block Blaze Antonio with his “blow song” – an artiste who has been creating quite a buzz on the local airwaves. He will be joined by former Carib Soca Monarch, Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo among others.

The event is a signature event for the Hits and Jams entertainment group as part of its contributions to Guyana’s Independence celebrations. Tickets for the

J’Ouvert party cost $1000 in advance and $2000 at the gate.

However, on the day of May 26, the entertainment group will host a family fun day at HJ Water World with activities for the entire family. On the eve of the Independence celebrations, a “Flag Party” will be held at the 704 Sky Lounge.

On May 27, a boat cruise is planned for the Demerara River and will leave the Transport and Harbour Wharf at Kingstown at 18:00h. Performing on board will be Stichie One Man Bank, Super Ray One Man Band, Fusion International Sound and Stereo Sonic.

All events will feature deejays and selectors from BOOM FM.

Kester D

Melissa Vandeyar

Jumo Marz Ville

19

Saiku Andrews

Roger Hinds

T

he National Park is the place to be this Saturday evening for one of the most dynamic gospel concerts in recent times. The concert is titled ‘You Album Launch concert’. Renowned Guyanese gospel singer, Saiku Andrews will launch his album titled “You”.

Actually, Saiku Andrews was spotted for his talent by Jamaican music producer, Danny Brownie and worked with him on several original tunes which were then made into an album. Brownie has been producing music for the some big names, including UB-40, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and others.

However, on the night of the launch, several high quality artistes are expected to take the stage, including Kevin Downswell and Prodigal Son out of Jamaica; Anil Azeez; Kester D; Trenacia Esseboom; Eion Greaves; Melissa Vandeyar; Solid Youth; and Earl Bishop out of Guyana.

In addition, London-based Atta Boafo will be performing as well as Sean Sobers, Pex Gospel Band, Toisha Andrews and Shawn English.

Tickets for the show cost $1500 but upon entry into the National Park, ticket holders will be given a free CD. Tickets can be picked up at Andrew’s Supermarket, Aubrey Barker Road; Kester D Music Centre, Orange Walk; Church’s Chicken; Giftland Mall and Julia’s Variety Store, Regent Street.

The event is promoted by Plus Entertainment. Gates to the venue open at 16:00h and the show gets underway at 18:00h.

Solid Youth

Granny Ivelaw

Atta Boafo

Eion Greaves

Kevin Downswell

Prodigal Son

Trenacia Esseboom

20

friDAY, may 19, 2017

Lucrative cash prizes on offer at Independence darts tournament –15-member Trinidad and Tobago team to attend

C

ome May 26 to 28 at the Millennium Manor Hotel on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, the Guyana Darts Association (GDA) will be looking to hit bulls-eye when it hosts its Independence International Tournament.

The three-day event will feature top players from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, while participation from Barbados, Jamaica and Brazil is yet to be confirmed.

For the hosts, they will be fielding over 40 local players, while 15 have been confirmed from the twin-island republic.

Participants will pay a fee of US$15 to enter each category. In the Mixed Nations category, the top three finishers will walk away with US$600, US$300 and US$150 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Luck of the Draw winner will take home 50 per cent of the pool, second place will earn 25 per cent, while the other 25 per cent will be shared between third and fourth place.

The Luck of the Draw is open to practically anyone who believes he/she has the ability to play the game, while the Mixed Nations Doubles will see a local player being paired with one from overseas.

In the individual categories, US$100 will go to the players with the most 100 points, highest check out, shortest games and most 180 points.

The Male and Female Singles are the major attraction, with reigning Caribbean Singles champion Sudesh Fitzgerald being Guyana’s top ranked player. Luis RamirezMerlano, who teamed up with Fitzgerald to win the Caribbean Doubles title last year in Barbados, will also be in action.

Other players who are expected to defend home turf in the Male division are Lalchand Rambharose, Anil Lachhman, Sherwin Greene, Anthony Bissoondyal and Bholanauth Ramdyal, while on the distaff side, Guyana will be represented by Rosetta Hiralall, Shondell Hyles, Hemwantie Amyan, Victorine Chandro and Melissa Smartt among others.

The Tournament, which is the initiative of newly-elected GDA President Sheik Yassen, is aimed at the Association laying the foundation to host the Caribbean Championships in 2020.

To date, Millennium Manor Hotel, Roosters Bottled Coconut Water and R Ganesh Mining Enterprise are the corporate partners on board for the tournament.

Jamaican coaches don't see benefit to more World Cup spots

F

ormer Reggae Boyz coach, Carl Brown and Bradley Stewart believe that the Reggae Boyz will be no closer to World Cup qualification even if the CONCACAF region were to get two and a half more spots.

Now the CONCACAF region receives an alottment of three and a half spots and it is the general belief that the Reggae Boyz would be one of the teams to benefit if there were more on offer.

"We are talking about it being easy. We have to consider other teams are thinking the same. They see the opportunity as better than it presently is. So even smaller Caribbean countries see it as a great opportunity to one day play the World Cup, but if we sit back and do nothing, these people will surpass us," said Brown.

According to the former Jamaica player and coach, the Reggae Boyz, as it stands, are not good enough to make one of the extra places.

"We were not in the last six for this World Cup (qualifying), so even in six spot we would miss out. We are talking about it being easier and we can't make top six, so there's a lot to be done," said Brown.

Brown believes the Reggae Boyz need to change tac and focus on getting exposure for its players in smaller competitions like the Gold Cup on a more regular basis.

The blueprint for success, Brown believes, is already in the country, with the 1998 campaign still there to follow.

Stewart, assistant coach to Theodore Whitmore during the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign, believes Brown is spot on in his assessment.

"Nothing would be easier for us. To get there, you have to come through the preliminary round and be in top six, and the competition structure has to change to support the numbers," he said.

"We need consistent training of the grouping, have international exposure regularly, because there may be quality, but you must have consistency playing together," he added, suggesting that local camps and regular friendlies were key.

(Sportsmax)

Luiz Ramirez-Merlano (left) and Sudesh Fitzgerald were outstanding for Guyana at the Caribbean Darts Championship last year, and they are expected to do well at the Independence International Tournament

Karthik replaces injured Pandey in Champions Trophy squad

I

ndia have included Dinesh Karthik in their squad for the Champions Trophy as a replacement for Manish Pandey, who has been ruled out with a left side strain. Pandey sustained the injury during a Kolkata Knight Riders practice session ahead of their IPL Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Karthik has played 71 ODIs since his debut in 2004 - keeping wicket in 24 of them - scoring 1313 runs at 27.93. He was part of India's victorious 2013 Champions Trophy campaign, and last played international cricket during the 2014 Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

In recalling Karthik, the selectors have rewarded his excellent domestic form across formats. He scored

704 runs in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy at 54.15, with one hundred and five fifties, and was a vital cog in Tamil Nadu's run to a 50-overs title double, scoring a combined 854 runs at 85.40 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Deodhar Trophy. In the IPL, Karthik was Gujarat Lions' second-highest run-getter with 361 at a strike rate of 139.38.

India squad for Champions Trophy Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Yuvraj Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Dinesh Karthik ( Cricinfo)

CLASSIFIED PAGES friday, may 19, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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21

GFF/Stag Elite League…

Play-offs rescheduled due to Congress

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The play-offs have been rescheduled due to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) upcoming Congress

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League “Big Four Tournament” has been rescheduled to a date yet to be announced; the playoffs were supposed to begin today.

In a statement to the media, GFF Competitions Director Ian Alves noted that the rescheduling was necessary to facilitate preparations for GFF’s Congress, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 27.

The Stag Elite League concluded on Sunday last with the Guyana Defence Force leading the standings with 27 points followed by Fruta Conquerors FC on 25.

Victoria Kings FC finished third with 14 points following a win over relegated Monedderlust FC, while Buxton United FC rounds off the top four teams with 13 points.

The top four teams of the League will be contesting the “Big Four” knockout tournament. The “Big Four Tournament” will have a total of $3 million up for grabs with the prize money distributed as follows: first prize – $1.5 million ($1,500,000); second prize – $700,000; third prize – $500,000, and fourth prize –$300,000.

Aggressive T20 opening style suits Narine S

urprise T20 batting revelation Sunil Narine believes a spot at the top of the order has been a perfect fit for his natural instincts.

Narine the mystery spinner better known for bamboozling batsmen with the ball for most of his career has had solid success at the game’s other spectrum recently.

The 28-year-old has featured in the position for both the Melbourne Renegades, in the Australia Big Bash League and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In fact the Caribbean national made headlines only a few weeks ago after scoring a 15-ball fifty, the fastest of IPL 2017 and joint-fastest in the competition’s history.

"It's easier batting in T20 because I'm a naturally aggressive person, so I don't have to temper anything," Narine told Espncricinfo.

"In first-class cricket you have to bat according to the situation and the opponent."

Narine has scored 420 runs in T20s this year, more than in his entire career before. In his entire T20 career Narine had scored 382 runs in 195 games, fewer than two per match, and had never previously batted in the top four.

(Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, may 19, 2017

Hetmyer trusting in positive batting style

By Akeem Greene

A

t 20 years of age, talented Guyana Jaguars top-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer made his Test debut for West Indies last month against the touring Pakistan and showed great signs of a future star in the making with some sumptuous stroke-play.

But the elegance and aggression did not correspond with a flurry of runs, since in his three Tests, he had a high score of 25 and accumulated 96 runs in six innings.

Looking back at the flamboyant left-hander’s dismissals, many came from injudicious shots and at times, lack of patience.

Optimistic of getting the nod for the August-September tour of England, the player told Guyana Times Sport that he would remain positive in his approach to constructing a Test innings.

“I will try to approach it not necessarily the same way, but I’m not trying to change how I approach my game, because some people went into Test cricket one way and they changed; I probably need to tighten up on some stuff,” the Berbician posited.

England is known for causing trouble to numerous batsmen due to the temperature and exaggerated swing movement, which could pose a serious headache for Hetmyer if selected. However, the victorious West Indies Under-19 World Cup Captain is no

way daunted by the challenge.

“It [England] probably might suit my style of batting a bit more because I love the ball coming-on; it is just the swing aspect I think I need to work on.”

In the series, he had his

lengths, the ball would bounce and some, it would keep low, but I don’t see it as a weakness; it was about me and my decision at that time,” he explained.

Prior to the first Test at Sabina Park, the Young Warriors Cricket

Proud moment! Hetmyer receiving his Test cap from West Indies Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams prior to the first match in Jamaica

stumps disturbed four times, once by leg spinner Yasir Shah and the others by balls which were angled in to him by left-arm seamer Mohammed Amir. Though the dismissals hinted at a technical flaw, the batsman said it was more about him misjudging the length of the ball.

“I wouldn’t say it is a weakness; it is just how I judged the length of ball. With these pitches in the Caribbean, some of the

Club player had scored a hightemp 97 in the tour match. In explaining his varying level of success against the same opponent in similar conditions, he stated it was down to the visitors taking the International match “more seriously”.

Hetmyer, who has just played 21 First-Class matches, scoring one century and six half-centuries, opined that he was comfortable with his batting position in the West Indies team.

“I was comfortable with where I was batting. It was not too bad a start for me, considering it being the first time; I just know I have to work a bit harder on my game and technique.”

With a large number of the West Indian players on the series now finding their feet in the Test arena, the batsman felt relaxed with making the step up to international cricket.

“It was a good experience for me. The players are gelling with each other quite well and being a new player in the team, I felt really comfortable with the guys that I played with in four-day and 50over cricket; knowing I had some Guyanese [Devendra Bishoo and Vishaul Singh] who I have been playing with for the last two years also made it comfortable”.

Retracing the moment when he collected his precious maroon Test cap from former Captain and current Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, he said it was a dream come true.

“It was just a tremendous feeling for me, working from since I was 11 years old and to actually make the team. It was just something I was thinking back about and the hard work I have been putting in played off.”

Now that he has had a taste of international cricket, the player was questioned about his desire to play the other formats.

He responded: “I’m just focusing on one thing at a time, focusing

Shimron Hetmyer

on getting my Test stats up and getting runs under my belt before paying interest on other formats.”

West Indies lost the threematch series 2-1, allowing Pakistan to win a Test series in the Caribbean after 50-plus years.

Despite the team’s constant struggles to be a dominant and consistent force in the international arena, Hetmyer called for patience from the frustrated West Indies fans.

“Hang in there with us; it is a new and young bunch of guys and we are working very hard to make sure that the West Indies get back on top of world,” he stated.

GFF club licensing Timehri Rifle Range workshop on Saturday being rehabilitated T

A

ctive shooting has been on hold for the past few months as a result of extensive and highly rewarding works and upgrades to the Timehri Rifle Range to bring it in line with international standards ahead of what is anticipated to be a huge competition, come October.

However, Fullbore Captain of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA), Mahendra Persaud has informed that the Caribbean’s leading

marksmen were ready to return to active shooting ahead of the Association’s 150th anniversary in October this year.

Persaud, who has captained Guyana to many a Caribbean title over the years – Guyana are the current defending Short and Long Range Caribbean Champions – has disclosed that competing on home turf for the 150th anniversary as host of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships would be an honour.

He informed that the likes of Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Dylan

GuyanaNRA members carrying out repairs to one of the target mechanisms

Rebuilding the Backstop

Fields, Leo Romalho, Ryan Sampson, Terrance Stuart and others are getting ready to get back into the trigger groove as they get ready to welcome the top nations of the world, including Australia and Great Britain to Guyana.

“We have been hard at work over the past few months adding a different touch to the ranges at Timehri in terms of upgrade, which has been very successful. The works would have been carried out by the shooters themselves in conjunction with the Guyana Defence Force and we are very thankful for their continued support.”

Noting that the shooters are now getting into second gear, Persaud said that the first practice shoot this Sunday will be held at the 300-, 600- and 1000-yard ranges on the eastern half of the course. “These are the banks that are almost ready for October. Whilst the ranges are not 100 per cent complete, the team must commence training now.”

The GuyanaNRA wishes to express thanks to Chiefof-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West and the high command of the GDF for their support and assistance during the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Timehri Rifle Range.

he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), in collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), will host a club licensing workshop on Saturday at the National Racquet Centre.

The workshop, which is scheduled to begin at 09:30h, is expected to have a total of 40 persons from Regional Member Associations (RMAs); national associations; elite league clubs and clubs which will be in contention for promotion to the elite league, that is, two top clubs in each RMA. According to GFF Competitions Director Ian Alves, the objective of the session is to ensure all senior clubs in Guyana have their club licence. “The efforts that club owners and administrators make in order to ensure our footballers, both male and female, have an opportunity to play football are recognised. It is with this in mind that club licensing procedure is geared to enable clubs to have proper infrastructure and the accompanying requisite regulations.”

GFF Competitions Director Ian Alves

The session will be conducted by CONCACAF Development Coordinator Cristhian Tonelli, and will adopt a Trainer-of-Trainers approach. This is necessary to continuously enable the transfer of knowledge to RMAs and build capacity among same for club licences. A club licence is necessary to enable participation in all CONCACAF tournaments.

Prior to the workshop, Tonelli will meet with the Executive Committee of the GFF, the Club Licensing Manager, the GFF First Instance Decision-Making Body, and the GFF Appeals Instance Decision-Making Body today.

24

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, may 19, 2017

teams for “Gold Rush” futsal tournament

23

– patrons to win pennyweight of gold each night

X

treme Clean Landscaping launched a five-a-side futsal tournament titled “Gold Rush”, at the Windjammer International Hotel on Thursday with the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The tournament will feature 24 teams from various parts of Guyana, including the likes of top sides such as Sparta Boss, Kitty, Back Circle, Front Road, Agricola, and Tiger Bay. Speaking at the launch, NSC Chairman Ivan Persaud congratulated Xtreme Clean Managing Director Shanai Gomes on the successful launch of her business, adding that while Guyana has already seen a rise in sports tourism, it is “refreshing” to see sports connected with entrepreneurship.

He lauded the company for taking up its “social” responsibilities and giving back to communities through sports. Persaud maintained that it was important for Guyana to keep young people gainfully occupied, especially through sports.

In her remarks, Gomes revealed that the decision to launch the company through a football tournament came because one of the founders of the company has a love for football and grew up playing futsal in the

Hadfield Street area.

The tournament will begin on May 26 and will continue on the 27th and the 28th, with finals set for June 4 at the National Gymnasium. It will be played on a round-robin basis with each team that wins progressing to the next round, a defeat means automatic elimination.

The first prize is $500,000, while second prize is $200,000. Fans will have a chance to win a pennyweight of gold on each night of the tournament as well as cash prizes. Entry to the games cost $300 on game nights, while entry to the finals is $1000.

The opening fixtures are as follows: May 26: Agricola vs BV A at 19:00h, Festival City vs Albouystown at 19:30h, Sophia vs Dave and Celina All-Stars at 20:00h, Showstoppers vs Tiger Bay at 20:30h, Broad Street vs West Back Road at 21:00h and Sparta Boss vs Kitty at 21:30h.

Action continues on May 27 with Tucville vs Melanie at 19:00h, Plaisance vs Alexander Village at 19:30h, Bent Street vs Campbellville at 20:00h, North East La Penitence vs Future Stars at 20:30h, Gold is Money vs North Ruimveldt at 21:00h and Back Circle vs Globe Yard at 21:30h.

Managing Director of Xtreme Clean, Shanai Gomes (front row 2nd right), Referee Wayne Griffith (Front row 1st left) and Captains of participating clubs

GBTI Tennis Open to George, Hooper increase serve off on June 2 4th Islamic Solidarity Games

Guyana’s medal tally

G

uyana’s Winston George took the bronze medal in his men’s 200m final on Thursday as his part in the 2017 edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games came to an end.

The Olympian, who had won silver in the men’s 400m on Wednesday, clocked a time of 20.62s to secure third some ways off his season’s best time of 20.40s. Ramil Guliev of

Turkey took gold in the event as he clocked a time of 20.08s, while Salim Eid Yaqoob of Brunei Darussalam claimed silver in 20.56s.

In the field events, overseas-based athlete Natrena Hooper won Guyana’s third medal, in the high jump.

Hooper jumped her way to bronze at 1.77 metres in her favoured event, and finished sixth on Wednesday in the women’s triple jump.

GBTI's Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Pamela Binda (centre) presents the sponsorship cheque to GTA’s Vice President Grace McCalman (left) and Secretary Oswin Coggins

T

Da Silva’s House of Optics testing eyes of players & umpires

A

ccording to a release from the Blairmont Cricket Club (BCC), Da Silva’s House of Optics has partnered with them to assist in maintaining and examining the eyes of club members and officials.

The Executives of the West Bank Berbice club know it is vital to have good vision when playing and umpiring cricket.

Da Silva’s House of Optics has pledged to give free annual examinations to the club members and officials.

BCC Vice President Govindaraj Khan thanked Dr Randall De Santos for contributing towards the club initiative to improve the vision of their officials and players and assured it was the way to go.

The BCC urged sister clubs, cricket boards and match officials to get players and umpires tested today to further improve their performances in the sport at any Da Silva’s House of Optics branch. Da Silva House of Optics is located at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice and the head office is located on Middle Street, Georgetown.

Natrena Hooper displays her medal at the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games, Baku, Azerbaijan

Nadiya Dusanova of Uzbekistan took the gold with a leap of 1.80 metres, while Yousra Arar of Algeria took silver with a jump of 1.77 metres as well, clearing the bar one jump ahead of Hooper.

While both Hooper’s

and George’s part in the Games have come to an end, Guyana still has Alita Moore, who is set to compete in the women’s 400 metres final today, as well as Emmanuel Archibald, who will be taking part in the men’s long jump.

he sixth edition of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Tennis Open will serve off on June 2, featuring 13 categories.

The two-week tournament, which is organised by the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), will see the Men’s Open Singles and Doubles, Ladies’ Open Singles and Doubles, Men’s Over-35 Singles and Doubles, Men’s Over-45 Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Junior Boy’s Open Singles, Junior Girls’ Open Singles and Novice Medley Singles and Doubles.

The Ladies’ Open Singles draw this year will lose last year’s finalist Nicola Ramdyhan, who is currently training in Florida, but the Men’s Open draw will benefit from a coinciding visit from top player Daniel Lopes, who is also attending college in Florida.

Having made a commitment to the GTA in 2010 for this annual tournament, the Bank still remains the sole provider of at least two tennis courts on which the GTA can host its only tournament with the full complement of categories.

The format for all categories except novice is best-ofthree sets. The novice categories will play one set no advantage. The action gets underway from 17:00h every weekday of the competition and from 08:00h on weekends.

The opening ceremony for the tournament is set for 16:30h on June 2, immediately after which first-round matches will commence. The general public is invited, and all players and officials are expected to be present.

Entrance forms have been distributed to all clubs and via the Association’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ guyanatennisassociation. The Tournament Coordinator can be reached at 642-5672 for further details.

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

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

4th Islamic Solidarity Games

George, Hooper increase Guyana’s medal tally

Pg 23

Winston George won his second medal at this year’s event

Hetmyer trusting in ‘positive’ batting style Pg 22 At the age of 20, Shimron Hetmyer has shown immense potential in becoming a future star in the sport (WICB Photo)

Lucrative cash prizes on offer at Independence Darts tournament Pg 20

‒ 15-member Trinidad and Tobago team to attend GDA President Sheik Yassin (second left) with some of the Guyana players. From left are Luis Ramirez- Merlano, Sudesh Fitzgerald and Shondell Hyles

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