Guyana Times Daily - February 15, 2016

The Race to LGE 2016

WortmanvilleWerk-en-Rust candidate has a master plan for P17 development THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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

Issue No. 2768

Monday, February 15, 2016

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‘Green and yellowing’ of Guyana

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Opposition should not be deterred by Speaker’s ruling – Ramkarran Photographer Grandfather killed after chops 10-month- vehicle topples old to the head into trench

GPHC chairmanship

Dr Hanoman P7 Govt’s frontrunner – Dr George Norton

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Access to justice for children

P12

Guyana ranked 100th in the world

Patentia Mandir marches in solidarity with Wales sugar workers Page 9

Ethnic hiring

Comments creating cleavage in society – Dr Surujbally

Main and Church Sts accident

GDF Sergeant on life P8 support

Arms raised in unity! Members of the Patentia Hindu Mandir on Sunday morning rallied in solidarity with the Wales Estate workers

Guyana gets new airlines – to ply New York, Miami routes

Wales workers’ rights must be respected – Lincoln Lewis Page 12

Police unearth 8kg ganja in Berbice minibus Page 7

Union/ Naarstigheid LGE P2 candidates dismissed from jobs

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Union/Naarstigheid LGE candidates dismissed from jobs

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everal candidates from the Union/Naarstigheid Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), who are contesting in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), have been dismissed from their jobs.

Speaking with this publication Sunday, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Rabindranauth Saywack said several persons contesting in the upcoming polls were dismissed from their jobs without any explanation.

According to Saywack only those who are contesting on the PPP/C list were dis-

missed.

He said that such a move is deemed “a spiteful act” by villagers and viewed as an intimidation strategy to prevent the persons from contesting in the upcoming LGE. This is being done even as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is awaiting word from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on a fraud investigation that has been launched after 19 persons in the Union/ Naarstigheid NDC, had written GECOM seeking to have their names removed from the APNU/AFC List of Candidates for Local Government Elections.

Following Nominations

Saturday, February 13, 2016

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Day, the persons, all of whom claim to be members of the PPP/C, discovered that their names were submitted on the APNU/AFC list. These allegations prompted GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield to launch a probe into the matter.

Only recently 40 persons from Williamsburg, Rose Hall, sent two petitions to inform GECOM that they were

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indicated that it may require a “civil action” to effect results.

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

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

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

LGE were last held in 1994.

Region 2 REO justifies living at Regional State House – tells RDC no house was available for him BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

Daily Millions

tricked into signing a document which made them candidates on the APNU/AFC List for the upcoming LGE. This led to Lowenfield visiting the area and rectifying the matter.

Subsequently, the APNU/ AFC coalition removed the 40 names in accordance with predetermined procedures.

The police have since started an investigation to

determine if the signatures were indeed fraudulently acquired.

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

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

In the event defects are recognised after the period has elapsed, Lowenfield had

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egion Two Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson has told Region Two RDC councillors that there was no house available for him to occupy in the Region and as such his only option was to utilise the Regional State House as his living quarters. Hopkinson, clerk of the RDC, was at the time responding to a matter raised at the statutory meeting in January, which stated that he is living a luxuri-

ous life at the Regional State House.

Hopkinson speaking at the February statutory meeting last week, said when he took office as REO there was no house available for him.

“Most of the Government houses they showed me were bat infested, the REO had no place, I left Good circumstances to come here to serve, I lived a Good life at Eccles near some of the most reputable Ministers but the REO cannot live in a bat infested home,” he explained.

He said the only place that could have matched his living standards and lifestyle was that of the Regional State House. Explaining further, he said whatever luxurious items he purchased for State House belongs to the Region Two Administration and said that they were purchased under proper accountability.

Further expounding he stated: “This is not about Rupert Hopkinson, you can’t

Rupert Hopkinson

have a REO living in a house which is run down, how would that speak of my office? The REO must live in a decent and modest environment that reflects my office as well as my standard.”

During this discus-

sion PPP/C councillor Brian Persaud said the onus was on the former REO to find a suitable accommodation for Hopkinson since he knew the region was getting a new REO. Persaud said most governmental officers are living in government houses and he cannot understand why to date there is no house for Hopkinson.

Persaud went on that the Region Two RDC should assist Hopkinson in locating a house where he could occupy.

The council was informed that the house designated for the Region Two REO is occupied by Dennis Jaikarran who is the serving Region Three REO. Meanwhile Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt also said the house that was designated for the REO should be given to him.

Concerns were also raised about the amount of maids and other luxuries available to Hopkinson at the cost of the State.

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 15 – 10:00h-11:30h and Tuesday, February 16 – 11:30h-13:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 15 – 09:15h-10:45h and Tuesday, February 16 – 10:35h-12:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, except for light to heavy rain showers in the late morning to early afternoon hours. Partly cloudy skies with thundery showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:45h and 22:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.40 metres and 2.26 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:51h reaching a minimum height of 0.84 metre.

‘Green and yellowing’ of Guyana

Opposition should not be deterred

by Speaker’s ruling – Ramkarran

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ormer Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran believes that the parliamentary Opposition should not be deterred by the current Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland’s ruling on the issue of the “greening and yellowing” of Guyana.

On February 9, the National Assembly descended into a state of near chaos after People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Alister Charlie expressed concerns over the Government’s apparent attempt to brand the country with the widespread usage of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) party colours on national services.

However, the House Speaker quickly intervened and charged that “green and yellow” are colours of the Guyana flag and, therefore, would not be an object for lampooning. He subsequently ordered that Opposition

Chief Whip Gail Teixeira’s microphone be turned off, disallowing her from making a point on the matter.

A huge debate has since taken centre stage in the political arena regarding the usage of the colours green and yellow and more importantly, the Speaker’s ruling on the issue.

Expressing his views on the matter, Ramkarran indicated that there was no detailed rationale for the Speaker’s ruling and consequently, the PPP/C should not be deterred from mounting a public campaign on the issue.

In his weekly blog “The Conversation Tree”,

Ralph Ramkarran

the second term, can rise in the House and declare ‘Mr Speaker, I move that the cannons guarding the northern entrance of the Parliament Buildings be painted in two colours of the flag, green and yellow.’ Alister Charlie, MP, would not be permitted to say, ‘I object.’ The motion would pass with speaker after speaker supporting it and without a single dissenting opinion being permitted,” Ramkarran reasoned as he reminded that the Speaker’s rulings were final.

he did with the Opposition’s motion on the rice industry, on the alternative ground that the use of the colours is not ‘Government business’ and that, therefore, the motion does not qualify for debate,” Ramkarran explained.

On this note, he expressed that the Opposition should not be discouraged.

During a recent news conference, PPP/C parliamentarian Priya Manickchand first raised the issue of politicising the country by branding Guyana in green and yel-

In further explaining his position, Ramkarran proffered that criticisms, in accordance to the Standing Orders, can be made of various officials such as the President, Judges, Members of Parliament and other public officials but only if a motion is tabled for the purpose.

However, the Standing Orders do not refer to the flag or its colours as permissible subjects for a motion.

“It is, therefore, not known, by virtue of the Speaker’s ruling, whether a motion on the issue can be allowed,” Ramkarran stated.

He posited that apart from the absence of specific authority in a Standing Order, a member may object to the motion on the ground that the colours were being utilised by the Mayor, who has an inclination for the colour green, and not by the Government.

“In other words, it is not ‘Government business’.

The Speaker would then be forced to reject the motion, as

low.

She stated that the Government was forcing its political ideology on Guyanese who did not subscribe to it by using the colours.

The PPP/C MP detailed the fact that bridges, sections of public infrastructure and even the bicycles, boats and buses in President David Granger’s “Three Bs” programme were painted in green and yellow.

Some Opposition officials said that the decision by the Government to “paint everything green and yellow” is a return of “vintage Burnhamism” and brings back stark memories of the days when the party was above the State, with the PNC flag being flown over the Supreme Courts and other buildings that housed State entities.

They recalled “the days when the Army and Police were forced to pledge allegiance to the Burnham regime”.

Ramkarran penned that the word “lampooning” was used in a broad sense, meaning criticising and objecting to, and as a result, people were left to wonder whether Dr Scotland’s ruling meant that no criticism could ever be made of the use of the green and yellow colours at all in the House, or whether criticism of the use of the colours would only be disallowed if it related to the Government’s

use of them to paint public objects.

“My understanding of the Speaker’s decision, by his use of the word ‘lampooning,’ without more, is that a wide interpretation is justified. There was no limitation on his decision. The ruling means that there must be no ‘lampooning’ of the colours in the House for any reason. For example, the Prime Minister, a Christian anticommunist, who served for 50 years in a Hindu, communist party, architect of our current Constitution and an initiating voice for the twoterm presidential limit, now acknowledging its potential dangers of corruption in

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Editorial

Marching against suicide

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hat Guyana has an extraordinarily high rate of suicide is not a recent discovery. At least four years ago, our rates surged to give us the dubious distinction of having the highest suicide rate in the world. Back in 2014 when that distinction was noted, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had issued a menu of measures governments should initiate.

Among these were the creation of national strategies for suicide prevention; restricting access to the most common means of suicide, including pesticides, firearms and certain medicines; providing medical follow-up for people who have attempted suicide; incorporating suicide prevention as a central component in health services; identifying and treating mental health and substance abuse disorders as early as possible; responsible reporting on suicide by the news media.

But since the beginning of the millennium suicide had in fact been declared a “public health issue” and a Suicide Prevention Strategy launched in 2001. In fact most of the initiatives that the WHO later proposed had been launched by the previous PPP/C administration. Legislation, for instance, had been passed and directives issued to control the sale and storage of pesticides and poisons that were common in rural, farming communities.

But suddenly, the new administration in 2015, like Columbus has announced the discovery of suicide as a problem in Guyana without acknowledging that there were already programmes initiated. However it is a fact that under the last Minister of Health the programmes that were instituted were allowed to falter. Most egregious of all the lapsed initiatives was the Gatekeepers’ Programme which had been initiated after a number of studies had been conducted and in collaboration with international experts in collaboration with a team from Dalhousie University in Canada.

The Gatekeepers’ Programme went to the heart of the communities from where the highest rate of suicide sprang. Taking cognisance of the findings from the studies that the largest numbers of suicides were from rural Indian communities, the programme trained doctors, nurses, and most pertinently, members of the community to be on the lookout for telltale signs of suicide and to be competent to offer counselling to the potential victims. These individuals were often reluctant to utilise passive intervention measures such as telephone hotlines, popular in developed countries.

Rather than falling back on its institutional memory and even possibly contacting former Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy, it would seem that the administration is not even reinventing the wheel, but to actually focus on creating “awareness” of the need for wheels.

What else could explain the spate of “photo ops” and “marches” all across the country against suicide that are organised with the blessings of the Government in general and the Ministry of Health in particular? They could not possibly be marching against the new Government for not reversing the neglect of the programmes under the last administration, since the Government is encouraging the marches.

On West Coast Demerara, for instance, there was a march on Saturday against suicide by a Nirvana Humanitarian Society in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with the subject Minister delivering the feature address. But all he emphasised was the need to raise “awareness” of suicide. Is there a Guyanese who is not “aware” that suicide is a major problem in Guyana?

What the Government and those who are focusing on “marches” are doing is shifting responsibility for suicide onto the victims. While suicide is committed by individuals, once it is demonstrated statistically that the rate is differentially distributed in the population, this is a clear sign that the problem is a structural one that needs “public” responses going beyond the individual.

The marches are only excusing governmental intervention in what all authorities, including our own, has defined as a “Public Health Issue”. The Government and the Ministry of a Health should have resuscitated the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, possibly tweaked it, and relaunch its implementation.

This young lad takes an anti-suicide stance at the Jubilee Children’s Mash competition late last week at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

AG's and President's salaries should be taxable Dear Editor, The 2016 national Budget speech argues that this budget seeks to address inequalities and discrimination with a heavy emphasis on increased taxes/licences and tax collection especially from the persons who are categorised as “self-employed”.

The credibility (and compliance) of this case would be “legitimately” advanced

were the President and the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to pay tax on their “public service” salary.

Another Budget presented in the Parliament and yet another failed opportunity for President Granger to address the issue of his “public service” non-taxable salary along with that of his Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs.

The argument of “who started it” and “well yall used to get it” can no longer be tenable. There is no basis for either position to attract a tax-free salary especially when one considers the largesse of the state they receive with all the benefits and their expenses being covered.

It would be interesting to note that had both of them paid tax on their salary of

almost $24 million a year each, the treasury would be almost $16 million richer per year 33 per cent of ($48,600,000). That can buy many boots, boats and buses.

Leadership begins by example!

Sincerely, Charles S Ramson Esq MP

Govt must come to its senses on Wales issue Dear Editor, The support given on any issue to a group or individual, government or nongovernmental, is premised on upholding and respecting laws, international conventions, charters, timehonoured principles and the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens/workers. No one must count on me to give support on any matter that borders on the violation and transgressing of these. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which I have the honour to represent has consistently taken a stand on these tenets regardless of who forms the government or which non-governmental organisation/person is affected.

When the APNU and AFC were in opposition and vacillating on issues of national import the GTUC took principled and strident positions.

There is no other organisation, including of the APNU and AFC that was more strident in holding the PPP government accountable. This nation is encouraged to examine the GTUC’s record on issues of good governance in

this country and holding governments accountable. The GTUC is proud of its record and stewardship.

The GTUC for years has been making a clarion call for the respect of rights and the rule of law. The issue of the sugar industry has the hallmark of a government that wants to control every space, ignore the principle of collective and representative leadership, agencies, and affected stakeholders. Such clearly demonstrate an absence of regard for the Constitution and laws they swore to uphold.

Article 147 of Constitution protects the right of persons to be represented by a trade union of their choice. Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act says that so long as there is a recognition agreement between an employer and a trade union, it requires the employer to treat with the union.

Workers at Wales estate are unionised and this must be respected. Outside of trade union representation as in the instance of cane farmers they have formed a group and consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana

Constitution they must be involved in the management and decision-making of this industry which will impact their wellbeing with the proposed closure. The regional and local governments are too affected because unemployment and loss of economic opportunities will impact residents socially and economically.

This is where contempt continues to be shown by the government in addressing an issue that has serious consequences for this nation. While the government speaks about inclusionary democracy, national unity and social cohesion, an ideal opportunity is in front of them to bring the opposition and other stakeholders on board to address Wales and the sugar industry. Instead, what we are seeing are acts that border on arrogance and divisiveness. In fact, what Guyanese are witnessing today is a continuation of the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar style of governance.

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder is on record dismissing every propos-

al made by anyone on the Wales matter without even engaging any individual or group. The GTUC has submitted a proposal to the minister and requested to meet with him. Up to the time of writing not even an acknowledgement has been received. This behaviour is a common feature by a number of ministers in the government. The arrogance is further displayed when the minister can be talking through the media and in the National Assembly as to what he will do for workers and citizens without even engaging them.

There is no dispute that sugar is in crisis, it has been a drag on the economy, and something has to be done about it. Arriving at solutions for sugar and the welfare of those who will be affected must be in accordance with laws, rights and timehonoured principles. This is what the government is failing to adhere to and we the people must insist they come to their senses.

Sincerely, Lincoln Lewis

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Don’t take President Granger’s vision for granted Dear Editor, President David Granger has laid out a clear vision of our Nation’s future, one where our motto of One People, One Nation, One Destiny can truly apply, a nation of law abiding people with an equitable system of justice, a clean, orderly society with opportunities for a good life for all, as we enter the 9th month of his presidency, it is obvious our President is sincere in his efforts. What has sadly become evident is the undermining of these commendably goals by some of his ministers and their staff.

The recent actions of the Director of Public Information is only the latest in a growing line of contrary positions adopted or articulated, the DPI’s statement that, “It appears as though there is confusion on the role and function of the DPI. GINA, for example, is also wholly funded by the taxpayers but its role is not to cover the opposition. It is to cover the elected government of the day,” is an inexcusable contradiction of the President’s position since his days as Leader of the Opposition “the Government News Agency must cover all three branches of government, Legislative, Executive and Judicial.”

The President also has to contend with his Prime Minister’s tales of woe about his days in the PPP, real or

President David Granger imagined, these stories serve no decent purpose and are at best divisive at a time when we are faced with gravest economic dangers; similarly, the Minister of Social Cohesion cannot defend the painting of the country in green and yellow as use of the “national colours”, to do so whilst wearing a green and yellow party scarf is farcical, to simultaneously call for cooperation makes a mockery of the intent.

After careful observation of President Granger, I am wholly satisfied with his vision and intent, it is time the petty followers and political appointees realise the stumbling blocks they present are doing the President an injustice and by extension our Nation.

Time and tide wait for no man; let us not take the opportunities present in President Granger’s vision for granted.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

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The Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry and the UNDP culpable of negligence Dear Editor, Last week, the LCDSfunded Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) project vehicle was seen transporting in its uncovered tray, young Amerindians who are part of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, on the Railway Embankment.

The vehicle is identifiable by its Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) logos as well as its snorkel – the only 4X4 pick-up truck to possess one in the MoIPA. Under the previous administration, the vehicles provided for by the Norwegian-funded LCDS projects, namely ALT and

ADF, were not allowed to conduct operations other than for the purposes for which they were acquired.

This was in keeping with the UNDP’s strict requirements for accountability, ensuring that funds were used only within the confines of project needs. It was also intended to prevent incidents such as this one.

Ironically, the UNDP’s logo figures on the vehicle, despite that the organisation is not a donor, and has not contributed a dime to the Government of Guyana’s projects, (instead the UNDP is allotted some 8 per cent of the annual project budget under the line item reimburse-

ment costs, amounting up to 2015, to US$240 000, and excluding additional costs such as DSAs). This is additional cause for interrogation as to the organisation’s responsibility in guaranteeing accountability for the use of project funds and assets. It also implicates the organisation’s responsibility in the protection of the schoolchildren, some of whom appear to be very young, as their lives were deliberately endangered by the Ministry staff.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock, chastised the former administration during his Budget speech last Thursday, for being neg-

ligent and incompetent.

However, this is a perfect example of his own inexperience, complacency and laxity which have contributed to the deterioration of the quality of services his Ministry now renders to Amerindians across Guyana.

Both the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry and the UNDP through this unfortunate incident, are culpable of negligence and unprofessionalism in the use of project funds and assets, and in the quality of their engagement toward Amerindians.

Sincerely, Anna Correia

Belize busy as PM Barrow takes over chairmanship of Caricom Dear Editor, A wide range of matters are carded for discussion when Heads of Government of the region meet Tuesday and Wednesday at the 27th Intercessional meeting in Belize - ranging from the Zika threat, climate change, banking, financial services, CSME, and other areas.

Most of the member states from Haiti to Suriname will attend the confab at the Placencia Resort located on the southern side of the country when Prime Minister Dean Barrow will take over the chairmanship from Barbados Freundal Stuart. Most of the nationals of the 16 million region are not happy with the pace of Caricom - the Caribbean Community - they feel that decisions taken by the Heads are not acted upon in a timely manner.

The burning question

of the future of the financial services will be ventilated because it is felt that the region was inaccurately categorised as high risk for financial services since there is very little or no evidence of wrong doing by the financial institutions.

Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands, two overseas British dependent states are the leading territories in the financial services. The banking sector in the Caribbean has been experiencing major challenges due to the severing of correspondent banking relations by US banks, and the ensuing banking crisis is high up on the agenda.

Decisions taken at the historic Paris Agreement will also be discussed as it affects Small Islands Development States (SIDS) in relation to funds for climate change.

Public Health is a major concern and it is expected that a

considerable amount of time will be spent on this topic especially at this time when Zika is a threat. In fact reports state that at least five Caricom member states are affected from the virus.

Cricket is not on the official agenda, but it is expected that the issue will be dis-

cussed in light of yet another pay dispute between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board. A few cricket fans are calling on Caricom heads to intervene.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

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Foundation

parenting habits to develop before your child becomes a teen (Continued from Saturday)

By Jessica Bowers

6. Spend time with their friends While it’s said that you can’t choose your children’s friends, you can certainly know who they are.

With such a high possibility of getting left out of the loop, knowing who your children are with and what they’re doing is key. Start this habit by being the parent with the best play dates, so your children will be used to having you around with their friends.

And heed this warning sign: if your children are talking about people who you’ve never met and don’t know anything about, it’s time to get acquainted.

7. Understand their interests As soon as my children start talking about Creepers, TNT, or anything related to Minecraft, I start wishing I had a dentist appointment to get me out of the conversation.

The things that interest my children are often bor-

ing to me, but because it matters to them, I pretend like it matters to me. Being willing to understand what matters to them is a huge relationship builder that carries over into the teen years.

dren will do anything, even tell you the details of their day, to stay up a little later. Prior to the teen years, this is a great time to catch

just as willing to talk, and there’s an even more serious reason why checking in at night should be your habit. If children are going

8. Find a hobby to share When my son turned 10, we started running together and training for short races. It helped to burn off his pre-teen hormones and jumpstart my 30-something metabolism, but it also gave us another commonality and bonding point. Now, that he is a teenager, he looks forward to our runs (mostly because he is faster than me), but also because it’s something special that defines our relationship.

9. Tuck them into bed Conventional parenting wisdom holds that the first three minutes after children wake up and the last three minutes before they go to bed are the best times to connect with them. The magic behind bedtime conversations is simple: chil-

up with your children, but it’s a habit that should definitely continue as they age. Turns out, teens are

to start making dangerous choices, the evidence of those habits will be more obvious at night. We have

checked in on our children at night to find that they’ve snuck their iPads to bed or they’re eating junk food after bedtime. More importantly, though, teens are so much more likely to get in trouble, including sneaking out, when they feel like their parents have gone “off-duty” for the night.

Checking in reminds them that you’re always present.

10. Let them fail (or succeed) At the beginning of this parenting gig, you were quite literally responsible for your child’s survival. Remember, the early years –what I like to call the “death watch” period – when you got to the end of every day grateful that they hadn’t ingested bleach or fallen down the stairs? That kind of vigilance is a hard habit to break. It’s best for parents to start early to begin to train themselves to give their children space to try things on their own. That way, when it’s time to let them go for good, you have enough practice to actually be able to do it. (www.parenting.com)

Pace yourself: When you’re a parent, there’s no finish line (Continued from Saturday)

By Jennifer Meer

My daughter’s masterpiece sits in the middle of the floor. I have a harder time dismantling it. I know how hard she’s worked on it, and I’m kind of loving the Pet Shop hotel she has made out of the Little People Barn and Zoo and some building tiles. Super Mario is checking people in at the front desk. It’s actually all pretty fantastic. All the toys live together now in this strange and wonderful world thanks to extended periods of lapsed cleaning and poor sorting. Even in my own frenzied sorting state, I can’t help but admire the beautiful haphazardness of it all. I slide it to the side of the room, unsorted and not put away.

The next day I make my way downstairs and find my youngest banging the train tracks on the floor. With a most unlikely generosity of spirit, I presume she’s using them to make her own special brand of music. My daughter is using the tool bucket to make a model iPhone. My oldest, far too quickly approaching eight and a much less frequent visitor to the toy room, is carefully undoing all of my hard work in the play kitchen to prepare me a tray of food. I see that he has dumped out the pizza I so carefully put back together to use the tray to pile high wooden donuts, plastic cupcakes, and ice cream. It’s his masterpiece, his vision of the ultimate dessert experience. It’s kind of fun to remember how a little boy thinks about dessert, like it’s legitimately the greatest thing ever. Somehow it’s easy as a grown-up to forget how great kids are at appreciating small things and elevating randomness to a near art form.

I suppose that’s really the whole purpose of play to begin with: random bursts of creativity and enjoyment, punctuated by the occasional prop.

I sit down at the kitchen table and take a pretend bite of my son’s dessert surprise. I can almost taste its pretend sugary sweetness, a combination of childhood whimsy and a desire to deeply immerse myself in this increasingly rare moment of fantastical play between him and me. I look down at my feet and find a stuffed animal, a baby blanket, and that missing piece of wooden pizza.

I know one day this house will be clean. I know one day the toys will be sorted and put away. I know that one day I will hate it. (www.parenting.com)

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Walter Rodney CoI

GPHC chairmanship

Dr Hanoman Govt’s frontrunner Ramotar hopes for copy – Dr George Norton of final report

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Dr Max Hanoman

ormer People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) parliamentarian, Dr Max Hanoman is tipped to become the new Chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Board of Directors.

This was confirmed by Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton on Sunday, who stated that the Government has identified Hanoman as its frontrunner for the position though, he added, the decision was not final.

Dr Noel Blackman, who was appointed Chairman of the GPHC on December 31, 2015, was recently arrested and charged in the United States for illegally writing a large number of prescriptions for a narcotic-based painkiller.

Following the arrest, Dr Norton had publicly declared that he was “disappointed” that the newly-appointed GPHC Chairman has been arrested and charged with illegally issuing prescriptions for a powerful painkiller in New York.

The New York Newsday reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI) suspected that Dr Blackman was illegally prescribing vast amounts of oxycodone – 365,000 pills in 2015 – in a drug-dealing enterprise spanning three states. Oxycodone is a narcotic-based medication used to treat moderate to severe pain and can be habit forming even at regular doses.

According to the Newsday, FBI agents took Blackman, 68, into custody after they ordered a Guyanabound jet taxiing for takeoff with him on board at the John F Kennedy Airport, to return to the terminal.

Dr Blackman, who was under investigation for several weeks, was intent on permanently leaving the United States, according to a tip agents received before they headed him off at the Airport. After the plane returned to the terminal around midnight on Sunday, Dr Blackman was arrested and later charged with conspiracy to distribute the narcotic.

Reports are according to his prescription records checked by federal authorities, the 365,000 Oxycodone pills came from 2487 prescriptions – a marked increase from the 114 he wrote for 3800 pills in 2014 and 63 written in 2013 for 2100 pills.

The Newsday also reported that federal agents with Homeland Security investigators also found US$30,000 in cash stashed in Blackman’s luggage.

Dr Blackman was a Health Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration.

According to the Official Gazette of December 23, 2015, “Dr Blackman will perform the responsibilities as GPHC Chairman for

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

the period of one year, effective December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2016”.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament on Tuesday, Public Health Minister Norton said he was “very disappointed” by the actions of the newly appointed GPHC Chairman and steps were being taken to replace Dr Blackman on the medical institution’s Board.

Dr Norton noted also that although Dr Blackman has been charged, he has not been proven guilty.

The PNC stalwart is a registered vascular surgeon in the City of New York and also an Executive Board Member at the World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr Blackman completed his undergraduate studies at Howard University before pursuing his Doctorate of Medicine at Hahnemann University Medical School.

Meanwhile, Dr Hanoman, also a PNC stalwart, is the former Medical Director of the University of Guyana’s School of Medicine and currently operates the Dr Max Hanoman Medical Centre.

Grandfather chops 10-month-old to the head

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10-month-old baby of Lot 70 Middle Dam, La Grange, West Bank Demerara is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was reportedly chopped to the head by his grandfather Saturday evening.

According to information, the child’s grandfather, 45, was intoxicated when an argument ensued between him and his daughter-inlaw, the child’s mother.

Guyana Times understands that the argument started after the child was left unattended while the mother went to the backyard to attend some chores.

During the argument, the grandfather reportedly picked up a cutlass and upon seeing this, the child’s mother ran to collect her child but the drunken man carried out the brutal

attack.

During the attack, the mother, 17, was chopped once to the right hand and the baby received a chop to the head.

The baby and mother were both rushed to the West Demerara Regional

Hospital but were transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital.

The baby’s condition was listed as critical while the mother is in a stable state.

The police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

Former President Donald Ramotar

F

ormer President Donald Ramotar is hoping he would be able to access a copy of the findings into the death of Dr Walter Rodney from President David Granger.

The investigation into the death of the political activist was launched back in February 2014, during the period Ramotar was President.

He had said at the time that Guyanese the world over and supporters of Dr Rodney had for years been

calling for an independent investigation into the death of the historian and founding member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). He said too that the historian’s wife and children had also made several requests for an inquiry.

After a 17-month long investigation, commissioners in the inquiry finally handed over the report last Tuesday which presumably details the circumstances that led to the death of Dr Rodney.

The content of that report is yet to be made public by President David Granger.

The WPA stalwart was killed on the evening of June 13, 1980, when a bomb said to be planted in a communications device exploded while he sat in his brother’s car outside the Georgetown Prisons.

The WPA had always maintained that the leader’s death was well orchestrated by the then People’s National Congress (PNC), led then by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. The PNC has always denied this claim Seeking to find the truth

Dr Walter Rodney

once and for all, the People’s Progressive Party finally acceded to the numerous requests to have the inquiry launched.

Back in February 2014, Barbados Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham, along with Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam were sworn in to serve on the panel of the investigation.

Police unearth 8kg ganja in Berbice minibus

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man is now in Police custody after traffic ranks discovered eight kilograms of marijuana stashed away in a minibus in which he was a passenger.

According to information received, about 08:35h on Sunday, the Route 50 minibus was proceeding along a road in the vicinity of Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice when Police ranks on

traffic duty pulled it over after their suspicions were aroused by activities in the bus.

The ranks then conducted a search, during which they unearthed a haversack containing eight kilograms of cannabis sativa.

The driver of the minibus and a male passenger were arrested and taken into custody, and an investigation was subsequently launched.

Guyana Times understands that during questioning, the passenger admitted to ownership of the narcotic.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum informed this publication that the driver was released soon after the passenger’s confession. He also disclosed that the detained man would be brought before the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court today to answer to the charge of trafficking in narcotics.

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Photographer killed after vehicle topples into trench

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Dennis Persaud

photographer lost his life in a tragic accident at Reliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast Saturday night after he lost control of his car.

Dead is Dennis Persaud, 43, of La Belle Alliance, Essequibo Coast who was driving along the Reliance Public Road at about 23:30h when the accident occurred.

The father of three reportedly lost control of the car and it toppled off the road and landed in a nearby canal. This newspaper was told that upon hearing the noise, residents rushed to investigate.

They pulled the severely injured man out of the wreckage and rushed him to

the Suddie Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The Police have launched an investigation into the accident.

Speaking with this newspaper, the dead man’s wife Lilawattie Persaud recalled that she last saw her husband at about 20:00h on Saturday night. She said she was informed about the incident by residents from the area. Struggling with tears, the woman described her husband as hard working and loving.

Only recently Essequibo Technical Institute lecturer Crisnauth Cassinauth, and Lakeram Persaud lost their lives in a road accident.

No obligation to dissolve NDCs after Nominations Day – GECOM

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he 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), six towns along with Bartica, Lethem and Mabaruma, which will have Local Government Elections (LGE) next month, legally did not have to be dissolved at Nominations Day. That’s according to GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.

The CEO made the comments in response to allegations by Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Vice Chairman, Dennis DeRoop.

The Vice Chairman at a regional meeting told councillors that the 2016 LGE are illegal. He argued that by law the subject minister, who in this case is Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, should dissolve all local authorises before Nominations Day. “These elections are uncon-

stitutional, the Minister had up to Nominations Day to act,” DeRoop had said.

However, Lowenfield in offering clarity on the issue said the Minister is not bound by law to do so.

“The law says the minister may dissolve the council before the holding of Local Government Elections, weather he wants to do it one or two days before the elections, the law does not say that he has to do it before the elections, so any argument to say that we are operating outside the ambit of the law will not stand up in court. That is what the law clearly states, that the Minister may,” Lowenfield noted.

The issue brought heated debate in Region Six and criticism of the Communities Minister’s actions.

GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

At National and Regional Elections, the law states that Parliament and all Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) must be

dissolved within a specified time before the holding of those elections. The date for those National and Regional elections must be announced by the President while the date for the holding of LGE must be announced by the Minister of Communities.

The LGE will be held March 18, 2016.

Communities Minister Bulkan made that announcement on November 20 last.

The elections will be held for 71 local authorities which consists of 585 constituencies situated in nine of Guyana’s ten administrative regions. There are no NDCs or township situated in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

LGE was last held in Guyana in 1994.

Main and Church Sts accident

GDF Sergeant on life support

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he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant who was involved in an accident on Saturday has been placed on life support as he continues to battle for his life at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

When Guyana Times visited the hospital on Sunday, Sergeant Selwyn Woodroofe of the Army Intelligence Unit was still unconscious and in critical condition.

It is alleged that Sergeant Woodroofe, of Crane, West Coast Demerara, was crossing the road at Main and Church Streets when he was struck by a speeding minibus.

The Sergeant, who was on duty at the time, was seconded to the Intelligence Unit’s Military Criminal Investigation Department.

The driver of the minibus has since been taken into Police custody as investigations are continuing.

Amelia’s Ward man on bail for damaging minibus

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n Amelia’s Ward man was granted bail in the sum of $5000 by Magistrate Clive Nurse last week when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s

Court to answer the charge of damage to property.

The defendant, Joseph Dandrade of 1442 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, is accused of damaging the win-

dow of minibus BNN6657.

The minibus window valued $45,000, is the property of Seon Bakker, the virtual complainant (VC).

The defendant told the

magistrate he planned on repaying the VC for the damaged window.

He is scheduled to make his next court appearance this week.

Lindener jailed for provoking breach of peace

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Linden man was sentenced to three months behind bars by Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday for

the offence of provoking a breach of the peace when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The court heard that

Quinn Giddings, a farmer of Half Mile, Wismar, made use of obscene language to a juvenile at Silvertown, Wismar, on

June 12, 2015.

He had been on remand for the charge, prior to the sentence being handed down.

Eyew tness Remaining in an Abusive relationship... ...after Cummingsburg

The coalition relationship between the APNU and AFC was explicitly pursued like a marriage between couples.

There was the “getting to know each other phase” during the 10th Parliament, when the logic of controlling the Legislature - if they cooperated - pushed them together.

APNU was the pursuer, and they went out of their way to please AFC: originally, for instance, they didn’t think much of the AFC’s “no confidence” gambit - but then went along.

The AFC, like most brides, had their last-minute panic attack about whether “they were doing the right thing”: witness Khemraj Ramjattan’s hysterical outburst that his party would be “dead meat” if they hitched up with APNU. So like some modern brides, the AFC insisted on a “prenuptial agreement” - which was dubbed “the Cummingsburg Accord”. When that was announced on Valentine’s Day 2015, even jaded cynics exclaimed, “Awww!”

Launching the campaign at Whim, the conservative Berbice birthplace of Nagamootoo, the latter announced: “They are asking whether this marriage between the AFC and APNU will work… We have to make this marriage work because in the first one hundred days in office we have a lot of work to do.”

Well in the first 100 days, not only was almost none of the promises kept - the heart of the Cummingsburg Accord was gutted when Nagamootoo wasn’t allowed to run the house - or in this case, Chairing the Cabinet. President Granger’s excuse was this “wasn’t allowed constitutionally”, even though Ramkarran - a friend AND a lawyer - disagreed.

And this was the start of the abusive relationship.

The Cummingsburg Accord was the first step in any abusive relationship, which is to seduce the victim and make them feel like they are the ones in control. But the APNU knew the power hungry NAGAMOOTOO and Ramjattan were weak. Research shows abusers are drawn to people who already feel powerless in other aspects of their life.

Windbags?

The AFC boasted they would walk out if the Accord wasn’t upheld - but they’re still there. Why? Well, there are moments when abusers are kind and the abused party still maintains hope of eventual bliss. Notice the paeans to Pressie??! Studies show that abused women often experience a kind of Stockholm Syndrome in which a victim comes to identify with and become attached to the abuser.

But it’s mainly because the AFC HAS become “dead meat” politically but they have nowhere to go if they get out of this relationship. And like the abused wives of some rich men, they too like the big money, the SUV’s and the titles.

The abuse will continue but the abused Nagamootoo and Ramjattan will stay.

...after the elections

One of the most dramatic moments in recent political sociology was captured in pictures of sugar workers at Wales protesting the government’s decree to shutdown the estate by yearend. The protestors were practically all Indo-Guyanese even though Wales has one of the most “ethnically balanced” work forces in Guyana. Why weren’t all workers out when ALL were being thrown out on the streets to fend for themselves?

It’s another variant of the reasons why folks remain in abusive relationships. In the case of politicians and their followers who remain with them through all sorts of abuse, there’s an even stronger agreement than the Cummingsburg Accord - the Constitution. If the politicians don’t treat their followers right, the latter can just vote them out comes the next elections.

But the politicians know they won’t - hence the continuation of the abuse. They’re like abusive husbands who know the abused wives ain’t going nowhere.

They hate the abuse - but they hate even more the other woman who may take their place.

...”autonomous” agencies

But there has to be something else operating when “autonomous agencies” - constitutionally protected - go along with governmental bullying.

Is it the fear of visits in the heat of the night?

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

news

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Ethnic hiring

Comments creating cleavage in society – Dr Surujbally

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

I

n light of recent comments made by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee who accused the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of ethnic hiring, Chairman of the elections body Dr Steve Surujbally has stated that comments such as these can create “cleavages” in society.

Dr Surujbally was at the time addressing the closing ceremony of a two-day training session for media operatives on Local Government Elections (LGE) on Sunday.

He pointed out that when persons make statements such as GECOM has hired or that its staff is 95 per cent of a particular ethnic group and the media reports it without investigating or verifying to see whether is it true, then it could cause societal divisiveness.

“It is not good enough to be making and allow this nation to be reading statements like you report that can only cause cleavage,” the

Chairman stated.

According Dr Surujbally, if this was indeed the case then it would mean that the elections body has lapsed and is bias, which is not the case.

He outlined on the figures mentioned by the opposition: “Those figures would tell you that it is nothing like 95 per cent. Then we have to find out how many people applied of the various (ethnic) groups and of those people who applied, how many actually passed the exam. These are things that will get us to the truth,” he stated, while urging reporters to be cautious with such comments.

He noted that the media as well as politicians should do their part in not only building a togetherness society, but show the same attitude of togetherness in the thrust towards developing Guyana. Dr Surujbally stressed that the media particularly need to use its resources to convince the citizenry that they are one.

“The motto said so – we are one and we cannot allow anybody to create a cleavage.

It is more than a cleavage when you are saying that a large percentage of GECOM staff is a net of one ethnic group. What you’re saying is that that majority ethnic group that is within GECOM cannot in fact carry out a neutral position, have a neutral position and carry out with transparency a great election. Now that’s damning to that one ethnic group, how can you accept that,” he questioned.

The GECOM Chairman remained the media that they are the prevailors of in-

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

formation and selling that information, thus he encourages the media to be more investigative when reporting on such contentious matters.

On Monday last at the party’s media conference, Rohee raised concerns about a distinct “ethnic imbalance” in the staff component at the country’s electoral institution and called on the diplomatic community to pay keen attention to the series of activities occurring on the lead-up to the March 18 LGE Day. “We cannot understand, how when GECOM sets exams that one set of people are failing and another set of people are passing… how are these exams being set in such a way that only one set of people can pass and another set are failing?” Rohee wanted to know.

The General Secretary further pointed out that such imbalance is one of the tools being used to alter the results of the elections in a particular direction.

Patentia Mandir marches in solidarity with Wales sugar workers

Pandits Surendra Tiwari and Chandreeca Tiwari on Sunday morning led a march in solidarity with Wales sugar workers

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truck by the enormity of the tragedy that will unfold after the Wales Estate is closed down, a group headed by Pandits Surendra Tiwari and Chandreeca Tiwari along with members of Patentia Hindu Mandir marched from Patentia to the Wales, West Bank Demerara, Sugar Factory in solidarity with the sugar workers on Sunday morning.

Following the announcement by Government that the Wales Sugar Estate would be closed by the end of 2016, a large section of society has made an outcry against this decision that will have dire consequences on the employees of the Estate. If the Government goes through with plans to shut down the Estate, the over 1700 employees would be thrown on the breadline.

“The Wales Sugar Estate is the largest source of employment for most of the people on the entire West Bank area, including Patentia where our Mandir is located,” one Pandit related. “Unless

One year later

UG pay hike still being negotiated

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lmost a year following a deal between the workers’ unions of the University of Guyana and the administration on a pay hike, talks to this effect are still ongoing.

This is according to acting Vice Chancellor Dr Barbara Reynolds, who at a recent press conference told Guyana Times that following the 10 per cent increase in March of last year, talks between the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) with UG’s administration are still ongoing.

“We have had several sets of discussions with both staff and students; the unions combined; UGWU and UGSSA have made certain demands with regard to terms and conditions of service and that includes the salaries, leave, waivers etc and they are all under discussion,” Dr Reynolds explained.

“The University made a

This rejection saw the closure of classes, which had put students at a disadvantage.

Among the staff demands at that time was a 60 per cent salary increase, a 200 per cent increase in travelling allowance, a better medical scheme, increases in allowances for books and other materials, duty-free concessions and yearly research grants.

Dr Barbara Reynolds

first commitment of a 10 per cent increase on 2015 salary that was effective January 1, 2015. We are still in the process of negotiating the rest of the package that would be any additional increases in salaries,” stated the acting Vice Chancellor.

These ongoing talks emerged from a five-week strike taken by staff in early 2015 after they rejected a five per cent increase offer.

UG staff later agreed to a 10 per cent pay hike and classes resumed in early March of 2015. Since then, workers at the University have remained hopeful that other fringe benefits would become a reality. On this point, acting Vice Chancellor Reynolds noted that while waivers and leave incentives do not carry a “cash value” to recipients, there is a “cost value” attached which is

the Government offers alternative employment immediately, the Estate must continue production. We cannot even survive one year of the so-called “transition,” the religious leader stated.

Asked what might be the likely effects in the event that the Government goes ahead with the closure by yearend, Pandit Surendra replied, “Our area is already plagued with high rates of petty crime, alcoholism, drug usage, suicide and domestic violence caused by the harsh conditions on a sugar estate. All of these will get worse and the crimes will get more serious. We hope the Government will reverse its decision,” he hoped.

Meanwhile, sugar workers across the country have declared their support for the workers at Wales, even voicing their plans to hold a countrywide strike in retort to the closure.

The Wales Sugar Estate is one of the oldest in the country still functional but is operating at a huge loss so the relevant authorities opine it

should be closed down. Plans are afoot to have these workers receive their benefits and severance pay, a source stated.

Meanwhile, hundreds of sugar workers and their families are slated to be directly affected as their only means of a livelihood will no longer exist.

This newspaper was told that in the phasing-out process the canes at Wales will be transported via tractor/trailers—at tremendous costs—to the Uitvlugt Factory on West Coast Demerara.

It must be noted that the distance between the two factories is great—from Bank to Coast. The old fashioned method of using punts to haul canes is not applicable since the Boerasiri conservancy does not have a direct link between the two estates.

This means that the only way to transport canes would be via tractor/trailer which can carry a comparatively very limited amount per trip, thus proving to be a very costly venture.

borne by the University.

Dr Reynolds also cleared the air over reports of UG receiving a $3.2 billion subvention in this year’s Budget, noting that the figure is actually $1.4 billion.

“The $3.2 billion that is quoted in the newspaper is actually the total revenue of the University…it includes tuition, fees and other elements. The actual increase in subvention on the part of the Government moved from around $900 million to $1.4 billion,” Dr Reynolds explained.

The current state of classrooms and washrooms was highlighted, but Dr

Reynolds observed that the University’s Administration was yet to decide how the money would be spent.

“What we need to do now is weigh where [and how] we shall spend that money so that while we increase staff salaries which is not the issue, we have to look at maintenance, infrastructure and conditions not just for staff but students,” the acting Vice Chancellor stated.

Negotiations between UG’s administration and the unions on the improvement of working conditions for staff have been ongoing since 2012.

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News

50 RDC homes occupied New improvements for LGE – Minister Bulkan by out-of-office personnel W O

f the 147 houses designated for regional employees under the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), about 50 are presently occupied by personnel who are out of office, a fraction of which comprises retirees of the Council.

The homes are usually occupied by the Regional Chairman, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) and other senior officers.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian made the disclosure at the February statutory meeting of the RDC recently, stating that in some cases, some people have at least three houses under their control. Morian said the issue would form part of the discussion when the Housing and Land Committee meets on February 29.

It was Councillor Charles Sampson who brought the issue to the forefront and made calls for order and regularisation as it relates to the occupation of these RDC houses. He said a closer look at the situation was needed and called for an explanation as to what has been happening, while stating that the situation has been a cause for con-

Regional Chairman Renis Morian

cern for a long time.

“For years now, since I was a Councillor which is since 2011, we’ve always been talking about the housing situation in the Region, based on the occupation of houses in the Region by various officers...it’s causing a lot of controversy and we need to fix it...Over the past two years the thing seem to have gone out of hand, where the Region spends money every year on certain properties and these properties are not being occupied by the relevant people who should occupy them...We cannot have it going in the haphazard way it is going at present,” Sampson said.

He added that there have

been numerous complaints by officers in need of the houses.

Meanwhile, Morian said work has already commenced to have those houses regularised, noting that the REO has sent out letters to such persons. He alleged, however, that some members of the present Council were guilty of encouraging those persons to continue to reside in the houses.

“So we blowing hot and we blowing cold...the people ain’t got no right in the houses: they are retired, some of them build other houses and they hold on to it. They got Councillors right here telling them ‘don’t move’,” he stated.

The Regional Chairman noted that the REO, being the chief financial officer of the RDC, has the authority to remove such people from the houses. Nonetheless, the Regional Chairman said, there are various scenarios that caused some people to remain.

Presently, the Regional Chairman’s house at Richmond Hill remains unoccupied. In like manner, former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon had also failed to occupy the designated home even after rehabilitation works had been carried out on it.

ith Local Government Elections (LGE) a month ahead, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan emphasised that although this election demands great expenditure, it signifies a venture in good supremacy and admiration for the citizens of Guyana.

This pronouncement was made in the National Assembly during the Budget 2016 debates. According to Bulkan, there will be 71 councils with the new philosophy of support from Central Government that will dictate the affairs of bodies within the local government.

“Catastrophe conditions which currently characterise towns and villages will be replaced by community revitalisation, in which people are permitted to practise their legitimate right to administer and develop their areas. The fresh approach to community management, he stated, will see partnership,

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

not partisanship, respect not a desire to dominate,” Bulkan stressed.

According to Bulkan, each administrative region should be prepared to accept challenges offered by the Government and begin to take more tenure of their areas. He explained regions must guarantee that natural and other resources are being used to exert a pull on investments, contribute to raise the standard of living,

improve the quality of life, create jobs, and implement development.

The Communities Ministry in collaboration with Finance Ministry, along with other local and foreign agencies and groups will provide support to administrative bodies in the development of programmes, known as a Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD).

He stated one such programme that was funded was the Canadian Funded Caribbean Local Economic Development Initiative (CARILED), which will be updating the development for six municipal plans, and which will also see the involvement of new councils when they are formed.

Government Local Elections are set for March 18.

Local Government Elections were last held in 1994, though the constitution stipulates they should be held every three years.

Region 2 trench cleaners still owed – Council bemoans condition of waterways

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he drainage and irrigation system in Region Two continue to be faulty and clogged as many trench cleaners are still owed. This issue was raised at the statutory meeting of the Region last week.

Collation councillor, Naithram raised the issue of poor drainage and irrigation. According to him, several trenches are clogged and those that are cleaned are not to standard. At that point, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said that trench cleaners are still owed. Ramdatt also informed the council he learnt that rangers are on contract and questioned transparency and accountability.

“I can’t see how a ranger can pass a trench when he was contracted to clean same” the chairman noted.

He recommended that REO Rupert Hopkinson scrutinize

A clogged trench at Golden Fleece

same.

Ramdatt said at a recent inspection conducted in the back dams it was revealed that canals, drainage trenches and sluices were out of order.

Naithram after listening to same, alleged that rangers are

not doing their jobs and called for immediate sanction.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times also observed several trenches in Golden Fleece, Somerset and Aurora areas are not cleaned. It was also observed that contractors are spraying the weed instead of removing it.

A trench contractor explained to Guyana Times that he was still owed fees for cleaning trenches in January.

He said that the rate at which contractors are being paid is unprofitable, and persons only keep their contract as a “pastime”. According to him, trench cleaners are being paid $35 a rod. He said they were promised an increase to $200 but to date that is still to materialise.

Others contractors echoed similar sentiments, stating that more money is needed to clean trenches.

According to clerk of the RDC, Hopkinson, trench cleaners were paid for money owed in 2015. This newspaper was told that the payments were made only after Guyana Times had published an article on the issue.

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News

Venezuela’s claim to Guyana

Sir Shridath touts juridical resolution

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uyanese Diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal said the signing of the Geneva Agreement back in February 1966, was the only available option of a peaceful resolution to the conflict of Venezuela’s outrageous claims to Guyana and thinks that a judicial resolution now could move Guyana forward with its Independence.

THe former Foreign Affairs Minister was at the time speaking on a televised programme recently.

Ramphal, who was also present at the signing of the Agreement 50 years ago, said it was an essential part of the larger picture of Guyana’s Independence.

He explained that

Guyana was on the cusp of Independence, “we were about to be free and Venezuela… basically tried to stall Guyana’s Independence by agitating its claim to the Essequibo.”

According to Sir Ramphal, who is probably the only person alive today who had witnessed the signing, Britain, Guyana’s then colonial master, had strongly resisted the claims by Venezuela because, “from their standpoint there was no question about Guyana’s move to become an Independent State.”

He said the British Government arranged for a meeting of representatives of Britain, Venezuela and the then British Guyana,

Sir Shridath Ramphal

which took place in Geneva on February 16 and 17, 1966.

The agreement was then signed on the 17th between

Haags Bosch Landfill entrance being cleared

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he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Solid Waste Management Unit and Puran’s Brothers Waste Disposal Service are cleaning the environs of the main entrance to Haags Bosch Landfill.

This collaborative effort aims to remove the garbage dumped on the road way over a prolonged period of time. On Sunday, acting Mayor and City Council Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis told this newspaper that work had been commenced by Puran Brothers Waste Disposal Service, which is temporarily contracted to maintain the Landfill and its environs.

Lewis explained that the Waste Disposal Service was presently engaged in cleaning operations at the site. A bulldozer is currently being used to pack waste into the temporary holding cells.

She noted that the Council was in the process of setting up new policies and terms of reference for a

Garbage being cleared at the Landfill

new contractor to take over operations at the Landfill.

Provisions will not only be made for the site, but the main entrance. Additional guard huts will be placed along the roadway to prevent illegal dumping of garbage.

The temporary holding site will be opened to accommodate garbage from 07:00h to 17:00h on weekdays and from 07:00h to 13:00h on weekends. “It is hoped that with new management, the Landfill Site will meet the necessities of the loan agen-

cy, the Inter- American Development Bank,” Lewis stressed.

The Landfill contract was reportedly taken back from BK International as a result of unsatisfactory work at the site for some time.

The Landfill was designed to take in the waste of the entire Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), from Soesdyke to Mahaica, and to ensure that no fetid odour was prevalent. It was also intended to make provisions for the trapping of fire-causing methane gas.

Britain and Venezuela.

“The new Government, the Burnham Government, had to be at the meeting because the independent Guyana would inherit whatever would be the conclusions of the meeting,” Sir Shridath recalled.

“It was a maddening occasion (the signing), because this (Venezuela’s claim on Guyana) was something so much of the past, that it should have been of the past and should not have been even in our thoughts as we looked ahead but Venezuela was adamant, was threatening and had to be dealt with and the Geneva agreement was the result,” the renowned Guyanese diplomat explained.

50 years later, on the eve of the signing of the agreement and following the recent renewal of claims of Venezuela’s historical claims to Guyana, Sir Shridat is of the view that the only way for Guyana to rid itself of this controversy is to have the matter settled by the highest international tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“This matter has gone on for 50 years; we have tried all manner of means. They have tried all manner of deeds… they have not produced a shred of evidence, or even an argument that that award must be set aside… It is a legal issue, legal conten-

tion, and must be settled by the ICJ,” he said.

“It is a bold and courageous thing to do, but we are so confident that justice is on the side of Guyana that it is the proper thing to do,” he said.

He premises that having closure to the controversy would mean a lot “for the world; for the rule of law; for the sanctity of treaties, which is of importance to the whole world. It would mean everything for relations between Guyana and Venezuela.”

Closure to the controversy would be “an opportunity for true friendship to develop between the peoples of Guyana and Venezuela,” he noted.

As part of 50th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement, President David Granger is slated to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon next week, in New York, where he hopes to further press Guyana’s position for a juridical settlement of the decades-old border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

The Head of State is also expected to advocate for Guyana at the 27th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in Belize on February 16-17.

According to the Geneva Agreement, which was made between Venezuela and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on February 17, 1966, just months before Guyana gained Independence, a “Mixed Commission” of Guyanese and Venezuelan representatives would be established to seek “satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the controversy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom, which has arisen as the result of the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void”.

The agreement also states that if following the report of the Commission, Guyana and Venezuela do not reach an agreement then the countries must choose “one of the means of peaceful settlement provided in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Guyana, on February 17, will observe the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement.

On May 26, Guyana will also celebrate 50th Anniversary of Independence.

Nowhere in the Agreement does it even suggest that the 1899 Arbitral Award had been nullified.

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monday, february 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Wales workers’ rights must be respected – Lincoln Lewis

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ead of the Guyana Trades Union Congress Lincoln Lewis has affirmed that the workers of Wales Estate are unionised and pressed that this must be respected.

The GTUC head stated that the union for years has been making clarion calls for the respect of rights and the rule of law.

He added that the issue of Guyana’s sugar industry has the characteristic of “a government that wants to control every space, ignore the principle of collective and representative leadership, agencies, and affected stakeholders”, to which Lewis added is a clear display of a lack of regard for the constitution and laws which are to be upheld.

In the statement issued over the weekend the trade unionist stated that Article 147 of the Constitution protects the right of persons to be represented by a trade union of their choice and Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act says that so long as there is a recognition agreement between an employer and a trade union, it requires the employer to treat with the union.

Lewis noted that the workers of Wales Estate have formed a group and added, “consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution they must be involved in the management and decision-making of this industry which will impact their wellbeing with the proposed closure”.

The GTUC Head added that outside of trade union representation is an act of contempt by the

with him but their request was never acknowledged, which he added is a common feature by a number of ministers in the coalition government.

“The arrogance is further displayed when the Minister can be talking through the media and in the National Assembly as to what he will do for workers and citizens without even engaging them”

come to their senses.”

On January 19, Government confirmed it will be closing Wales, West Bank Demerara, Sugar Estate after this newspaper first broke the story. This announcement caused much outrage from various sections of society and in light of accusations that it has discarded recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into

es from other officials who had previously insisted the decision was taken at the level of the GuySuCo Board.

Meanwhile, on Thursday last Agriculture Minister Noel Holder confirmed that the soon-to-beclosed Wales Sugar Factory will be converted to a business establishment that will see the rearing of poultry and other livestock.

the sugar industry, Government justified its decision to shut down the Wales Estate, saying it was taken during the preparation of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) 2016 Budget even before the findings of the Inquiry were submitted.

However, on February 7, President David Granger disclosed that Cabinet was responsible for the closure of Wales Estate, a direct contradiction of the utteranc-

The Minister was making his presentation of the debate on the Budget estimates in the National Assembly.

According to Holder, an aquaculture feasibility study is set to commence. He said the preliminary indications are that if professionally undertaken, aquaculture will turn out to be a major profit generator that will provide employment for many.

Lincoln Lewis

Government on an issue which has serious repercussions for this nation.

“While the government speaks about inclusionary democracy, national unity and social cohesion, an ideal opportunity is in front of them to bring the opposition and other stakeholders on board to address Wales and the sugar industry. Instead, what we are seeing are acts that border on arrogance and divisiveness. In fact, what Guyanese are witnessing today is a continuation of the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar style of governance,” he argued.

According to Lewis, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder is on record dismissing every proposal made by anyone on the Wales matter without engaging any individual or group.

He stated that the GTUC had submitted a proposal to the Minister and requested to meet

The soon-to-be-closed Wales Estate

Lewis affirmed.

The GTUC head lamented that there is no argument that Guyana’s sugar industry is in crisis, but added that something must be done about it. However, he stressed that arriving at solutions for sugar and the welfare of those who will be affected must be in accordance with laws, rights and time-honoured principles: “This is what the government is failing to adhere to and we the people must insist they

Over 2000 persons educated Guyana ranked 100th in the world on Zika Virus in Region 2 Access to justice for children

G

– fogging to commence

An officer from the EHD in Region Two educating schoolchildren on the Virus

O

ver 2000 persons including school children living in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) were educated on the Zika virus late last week.

This is part of a series of outreaches being conducted in the Region by the Environmental Health Department (EHD) at various schools.

Senior Environmental Officer Shaleena Baksh told this newspaper that

the department is currently conducting health education training on the Zika virus in schools, house-tohouse and at various governmental and non-governmental offices on ways to safeguard themselves from the virus. Similar trainings are being conducted in the Pomeroon River.

In addition the EHD is awaiting permission from the Region Two Administration to commence fogging. Fogging

is expected to commence today throughout the Essequibo Coast.

The department is thereby advising residents to support the exercises and to cover all drinking water and food during the fogging exercises.

It is advised that persons sleep under net, wear repellent or long clothing and keep their surround clean. Thus far no one has been infected with the virus from Region Two.

uyana was ranked as 100th in the world on how effectively children can use the courts to defend their rights, according to new research from the Child Rights International Network (CRIN).

The report is entitled “Rights, Remedies and Representation” and focuses on whether children are empowered to file lawsuits when their rights are violated, the legal resources available to them, the practical considerations for taking legal action and whether international law on children’s rights is applied in national courts.

It condenses the findings from 197 country reports, researched with the support of hundreds of lawyers and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and is intended to help countries improve access to justice for children nationally.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has been directly incorporated into the law of Guyana via the Constitution, but the state may divest itself of certain rights in the CRC by a two-thirds vote of the elected members of the assembly.

Children may challenge violations of their rights in a number of ways, from making a complaint to the Rights

of the Child Commission, to applying directly to the High Court for redress. A child can initiate court proceedings through a ‘next friend’, and may receive free legal assistance from the Children’s Legal Aid Project to do so. Backlogs and delays in Guyana’s justice system, including delay in the opening of the Family Court, continue to affect children’s access to justice.

Achieving access to justice for children is a work in progress and the report represents a snapshot of the

is hard to ignore how many countries with deplorable human rights records are on the lower end of the ranking for children’s access to justice,” she clarified.

The report’s foreword, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Chairperson Benyam Dawit Mezmur stated, “The Committee welcomes this research and already envisages its concrete contribution to its various engagements with State Parties.

Child rights standards in international instruments do

ways children’s rights are protected across the world.

Notably, CRIN Director Veronica Yates explained that while the report highlights many examples of systems poorly suited to protecting children’s rights, there are also plenty of people using the courts to effectively advance children’s rights.

“Our ranking represents how well states allow children access to justice rather than how well their rights are enshrined. However, it

not mean much for the lived reality of children if they are not implemented. In particular, if the fundamental rights of children are violated, it is critical that children or those acting on their behalf have the recourse, both in law and in practice, to obtain a remedy to cease, prohibit and/or compensate for the violation. I hope this study is only the beginning of a new shift in making access to justice for children a priority that will enable other rights to be fulfilled.”

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monday, February 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

First Lady applauds East Coast ‘Day of Sports’ for students – says friendships formed, camaraderie will foster cohesion

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irst Lady Sandra Granger applauded organisers of the East Coast Demerara’s ‘Day of Sports’, held at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground, saying only positive benefits can accrue

to have fun, noting that even during this exercise they will be acquiring negotiation and team-building skills that will help to inform their characters.

“I think this is a very laudable exercise because it

joy comradeship. I want to encourage you to put your hearts into the games, enjoy the friendships and comradeship and be the best that you can be,” The First Lady said.

Minister within the

First Lady Sandra Granger delivers the charge before the start of activities at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground

This student bowler puts all her effort into her bowling as her teammates and competitors pause to see the results

from providing a safe space for school children to meet, interact and cohere.

Before declaring the ‘Day of Sports’ open on Saturday, Mrs Granger encouraged the participants

is bringing together school children from Plaisance to Victoria, East Coast Demerara… I believe that students need a break from their studies now and then to get out, exercise and en-

Social Protection Ministry Keith Scott echoed these sentiments.

James Lewis, Chairman of the Plaisance Main Road Committee Group, who spearheaded the activity,

in an invited comment, said that after reading in the press about the many anti-social behaviours young people were engaging in, he decided to take action to address it.

“There were so many negative things about our young people in the newspapers; from suicide to other things. So I decided to come together with my committee members to organise a ‘Day of Sports’ for our children and talk to them

[and encourage them to be positive role models], Lewis is quoted by the Ministry of Presidency statement as saying.

The ‘Day of Sports’ roster included a number of competitive games and other recreational activities and at the close, the students will be engaged in an interactive session for discussions on suicide and other topics.

Despite the inclement weather, students

from President’s College, the Institute of Business Education, Cyril Potter College of Education and other schools turned out in their numbers.

Their efforts during the games were met with resounding applause; with winners celebrated and runners-up consoled. Overall, the students seemed to delight in the activities, especially the inter-school cricket matches.

Polluted air causes 5.5 million deaths a year – new research

M

ore than 5.5 million people worldwide are dying prematurely every year as a result of air pollution, according to new research.

Most of these deaths are occurring in the rapidly developing economies of China and India.

The main culprit is the emission of small particles from power plants, factories, vehicle exhausts and from the burning of coal and wood.

The data was compiled as part of the Global Burden of Disease project.

Scientists involved in the initiative say the statistics illustrate how far, and how fast, some nations must travel to improve the air their citizens breathe.

“In Beijing or Delhi on a bad air pollution day, the number of fine particles (known as PM2.5) can be higher than 300 micrograms per cubic metre,” explained Dan Greenbaum from the Health Effects Institute, in Boston, US. “The number should be about 25 or 35 micrograms.”

Breathing in tiny liquid or solid particles can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, respiratory complaints and even cancer.

And while developed nations have made great strides in addressing this problem these past few decades, the number of citizens dying as a result of poor air quality in developing countries is still climbing.

According to the study, air pollution causes more deaths than other risk factors like malnutrition, obesity, alcohol and drug abuse, and unsafe sex. The Global Burden of Disease project puts it as the fourth great-

Cost benefit

Michael Brauer, from the University of British Columbia in Canada, said the statistics should make Governments think hard about the scope of their antipollution policies.

They ought to spur greater ambition, he added.

est risk behind high blood pressure, dietary risks and smoking.

Elderly factor

In China, there are said to be about 1.6 million deaths a year; in India, it is roughly 1.3 million. This data is from 2013, the most recent year for which it is available.

The key sources of pollution are slightly different in each nation, however.

In China, the dominant factor is particle emissions from coal burning.

The project calculates this source alone is responsible for more than 360,000 deaths every year.

And even though China has targets to restrict coal combustion and emissions in the future, it may struggle to bring down the number of deaths because it is acquiring an aging population and these citizens are naturally more susceptible to the illnesses associated with poor air quality.

“So, we think more aggressive policies are urgently needed to reduce the emis-

sions from coal combustion and other sectors,” stated project researcher Qiao Ma, a PhD student at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

In India, the problem that draws particular attention is the practice of burning wood, dung, crop residues and other materials for cooking and heating.

This “indoor pollution” causes far more deaths than “outdoor pollution”.

And looking at the broad economic trends in India, the research team says the country runs the risk of having even poorer air quality in the future.

Chandra Venkataraman, from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, in Mumbai, warned: “Despite proposed emissions control, there is significant growth in the demand for electricity as well as industrial production.

“So, through to 2050, this growth overshadows the emissions controls (in our projections) and will lead to an increase in future air pollutant emissions in 2050 in India.”

“The trick here is to not take the 50 or 60 years that it took in the high income countries, and to really accelerate the process; and that’s really where we think these statistics, the data, will come in handy,” he told BBC News.

“In the US, we know that for every dollar spent on air

pollution improvements, we can get between a $4-$30 benefit in terms of reduced health impacts.”

The research team presented its findings in England at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. (BBC)

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 15, 2016

Regional

Haiti chooses interim President

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aiti’s Parliament has chosen an interim President a week after Michel Martelly stepped down, leaving the country without a head of state.

The new leader, Jocelerme Privert, was elected at a marathon session of the National Assembly that continued into the early hours of Sunday.

Privert is the current head of the Assembly.

He will serve as president for up to four months while Haiti holds a new presidential poll.

A run-off vote in January was cancelled because of violence and instability and earlier this month a man believed to be a former soldier was beaten to death by a mob during continuing anti-Government protests.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is still struggling to recover from a huge earthquake in 2010.

In a speech before he was elected, Privert vowed

Jocelerme Privert is the current head of Haiti’s National Assembly

to “foster confidence” across society, ensure stability and hold the much-delayed runoff vote “as soon as possible”.

The election will now be held on April 24, with a new president due to be sworn in on May 14.

The last-minute deal aims to prevent the country from plunging into an immediate power vacuum.

Speaking before he stepped down, Martelly said his biggest regret was that January’s presidential elec-

tion had been postponed.

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

But the result was contested by the Opposition challenger, Jude Celestin.

He accused the electoral authorities of favouring Moise and threatened to pull out of the run-off vote.

Mayor in Trinidad to resign over controversial comments about women

A

Mayor who sparked outrage at home and abroad for comments he made about women’s behaviour at Carnival, following the death of a Japanese woman who travelled to Trinidad to play mas, appears to be buckling under the pressure of the widespread criticism and calls for him to go.

The Mayor of Port of Spain, Raymond Tim Kee, announced in a statement to the media Saturday that he planned to call it quits.

“I intend to call an emergency meeting of [the City] Council, and tender my resignation as Mayor,” he said.

“It is hoped that with this decision, the Office of the Mayor is now protected, my unreserved apology accepted by my fellow citizens, and that the focus can now be placed fully on solving the murder of a visitor to our shores.”

Tim Kee has been under fire ever since Wednesday when he said that women had a responsibility to ensure they were not abused and needed to maintain a level of dignity during Carnival festivities, in response to reporters’ questions about the discovery of the body of a woman, still dressed in a Carnival

costume, in Queen’s Park Savannah that day.

The deceased was identified later that day as Asami Nagakiya, a Japanese pannist who often visited the twin-island republic for Carnival and was well known in the local pan community.

Women’s rights groups, civil society groups, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other citizens, as well as other people living outside of Trinidad and Tobago, gave Tim Kee a tongue lashing, reprimanding him for his “insensitive” and “offensive” comments. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Pope kicks off Mexico visit with social justice message

(BBC News)

Caribbean-American leader urges support of community groups

“H

elping others is an essential ingredient for being a better human,” declared a CaribbeanAmerican community leader.

“By giving we increase not only our goodwill, but we expand our ability to have a productive, joyful life,” asserted Kwayera Archer Cunningham, head of Global Ase, an international firm established to assist leaders, organisations, corporations and communities working for social good.

The veteran community leader underscored the importance of giving to support community development in the United States and the Caribbean in 2016, asking “what better New

Year’s Resolution can you make than to resolve to help those people and organisations working tirelessly to help others?”

Quoting the late legendary author Maya Angelou who declared: “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver,” Archer Cunningham touched on another intangible effect of giving.

Archer Cunningham, who was honoured in September by the historic National Guild for Community Arts Education, points to the work of five organisations “on the front lines of socioeconomic and cultural development”.

Heading her list of community-based groups do-

ing exceptional work is the Cecil Boswell Facey Foundation in Kingston, Jamaica, which is investing in Jamaica’s future through basic education, the arts and the environment; and The Rethinkers in New Orleans, Louisiana, which runs Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools.

She also suggested the New York-based Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy which Archer Cunningham founded and where she served as CEO for 25 years; the Makeda Thomas New Waves! Institute in Trinidad, which has gathered more than 200 dance artists, teachers, and scholars in the Caribbean and the Space Contemporary Art Museum. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Pope Francis is the first pontiff to visit Mexico’s presidential palace since Mexico and the Vatican restored diplomatic ties in 1992 [AP]

P

ope Francis has kicked off his visit to Mexico by calling on the country’s political leaders to provide “true justice” and security to its citizens hit by drug violence.

Pope Francis told President Enrique Pena Nieto and other politicians on Saturday that they have a duty to help citizens “have real access to the material and spiritual goods” including “housing, dignified employment, food, true justice, effective security, a healthy and peaceful environment”.

The Argentine Pope is the first Catholic pontiff to visit the presidential palace since Mexico and the

Vatican restored diplomatic relations in 1992, after years of animosity because of the Church’s role in the country’s politics.

In a subsequent hardhitting speech to his own Bishops, Francis challenged church leaders to courageously denounce the “insidious threat” posed by the drug trade and not hide behind their own privilege and careers.

He told them to be true pastors, close to their people, and to develop a coherent pastoral plan to help Mexicans “finally escape the raging waters that drown so many, either victims of the drug trade or those who

stand before God with their hands drenched in blood, though with pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened”.

The speech was met with tepid applause, with only a handful of Bishops standing in ovation.

During his week-long trip, the Pope is expected to address the issue of drug violence, migration and corruption in Mexico, the largest Spanish-speaking Catholic country in the world.

Francis arrived in Mexico’s capital on Friday night, welcomed by adoring crowds waving yellow handkerchiefs. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Brilliant Barbados 50 giving back to travellers IDB official hails Jamaica for taking B lead in venture capital rilliant Barbados is once more on track to offer potential visitors attractive incentives to choose the island as their holiday destination.

Fresh on the heels of Barbados’ 50th independence jubilee celebrations, which were kicked off earlier this month, officials of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) announced that an offer of a 50 per cent discount will be extended to multiple markets, with “More Excitement. More Value.

Come Celebrate!” as its call to action. This updated version of the campaign, dubbed Brilliant Barbados 50, falls in line with the BTMI’s digital marketing strategy, which emphases tracking visitor

“We hope to build on the positive results yielded from last year’s campaign…” – BTMI CEO William Griffith

trends, interests and issues, as well as keeping a close eye on the marketing return on investment.

BTMI CEO, William Griffith commented, “We hope to build on the positive re-

sults yielded from last year’s campaign with an improved iteration rebranded to mark our island’s 50th anniversary of independence. This year is already off to an encouraging start and by launching

this promotion early, we hope to sustain that performance through the traditionally softer summer and fall months.”

CEO of the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA), Sue Springer, added that the BHTA and its hotel members are very excited to once again be partnering with the BTMI in this national marketing package.

“It is hoped that with the foundation laid last year with the Brilliant Barbados brand, together with the additional excitement being evoked by the celebrations of Barbados’s 50th anniversary, that the programme will be very successful and assist in driving extra business for the members during the softer periods.” (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

I

nter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Representative Therese Turner-Jones has hailed Jamaica for leading the way in the development of a venture capital eco-system in the Caribbean.

“What we are witnessing is the evolution of the development of the eco-system for venture capital and angel investors in providing more opportunities for small and medium entrepreneurs to thrive in Jamaica,” she said.

A venture capital ecosystem serves the purpose of bridging the financial gap for

companies, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Turner-Jones was speaking at the signing of a new US$3.5 million Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and the IDBMultilateral Investment Fund.

The IDB representative pointed out that venture capital was not a wellunderstood field, and was something that was new to the Caribbean. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

monday, february 15, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Syria conflict: France urges end Justice Antonin Scalia’s death sparks battle for to Turkish assault on Kurds Supreme Court control F T

rance’s Foreign Ministry has urged Turkey to end its assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

In a statement (in French), it said it was “worried about the continued worsening of the situation”.

On Saturday, Turkey began shelling the militia, which it says is linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

The fighters – the YPG militia based in Syria – have rejected Turkey’s demand to leave areas it has seized, saying Islamists would return if it left.

Turkey’s assault is a new thread in an already-complex conflict that has drawn in competing regional powers.

A statement on Syria’s State news agency also condemned Turkey’s interven-

The Menagh air base was captured by Kurdish fighters last week

tion, calling it “outrageous violation of international law”.

France also called on the regime and its allies to stop their bombardments “across the whole of the country”.

France said priority should be given to im-

plementing an agreement reached in Munich this week, and the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) group.

Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. About 13.5 million

people have been displaced.

Attempts to broker a peace deal have repeatedly failed, but on Thursday, world leaders agreed to work towards a so-called cessation of hostilities in Syria within a week.

The US and Russian Presidents agreed in a “frank and business-like” phone call to work more closely to achieve this, the Kremlin said on Sunday.

Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been carrying out airstrikes since September against what it terms “terrorists”.

According to Reuters, US President Barack Obama urged Russia on Sunday to stop bombing “moderate” rebels, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to latest efforts to end the war. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Huge fire engulfs venue at “Make in India” event

A

huge fire engulfed the venue of a cultural event in Mumbai on Sunday that was being held at the opening of a “Make in India” week launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drum up foreign investment.

Television pictures showed fire breaking out at the front of the outdoor stage during a performance by dancers. Fanned by high winds,

it quickly spread, licking the sides of a scaffolding rig and lighting up the night sky.

Thousands of spectators, among them dignitaries including the Chief Minister of the host state of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, were evacuated safely.

“Venue was evacuated immediately. Traffic management allowed early dispersal without any trouble,” Fadnavis tweeted, adding

that no fatalities or injuries were reported.

The fire broke out at 20:24h due to a short circuit and 14 fire engines and 10 water tankers took just over an hour to bring it under control, said Raviraj Kamde, fire officer at the Maharashtra Fire Control Room.

Eyewitnesses said the evacuation was orderly.

The blaze is likely to overshadow the message of India

being open for business that Modi wanted to send. When he opened the investor jamboree on Saturday, Modi called Make in India “the biggest brand India has ever created”.

The Prime Ministers of Sweden and Finland took part in Saturday’s gala opening ahead of Make in India Week, which is being attended by 2500 foreign companies and 8000 firms from India.

he death of one of the most conservative members of the US Supreme Court, Justice Antonin Scalia, has sparked arguments over the process to find his successor.

President Barack Obama said he would nominate a replacement.

But the Republican candidates for the presidential nomination have called for a delay until after the election.

Before Justice Scalia’s death, the US high court had a conservative 5-4 majority.

It succeeded in stalling major efforts by the Obama Administration on climate change and immigration.

With places on the Supreme Court now balanced 4-4 between liberals and conservatives, the fight for influence in one of the highest forums for decisionmaking in the US promises to be as fraught as the current presidential race.

Justice Scalia, who was 79, was appointed by

President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He died in his sleep early on Saturday.

Leading Democrats have expressed their eagerness for a new judge to be appointed soon.

The President said he intended to name a replacement “in due time”.

Hillary Clinton, a candidate for the Democratic nomination, said Obama “is President of the United States until January 20, 2017. That is a fact, my friends, whether the Republicans like it or not”.

Fellow candidate Bernie Sanders urged the party to “get on with it”.

Any nominee for the Supreme Court would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate, which could also delay a decision until after the 2016 election.

Donald Trump, who leads polls to be the Republican presidential candidate, said Senate Republicans should “delay, delay, delay”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Central African Republic votes in presidential runoff

(Excerpt from Reuters)

New Zealand cliffs collapse in Christchurch earthquake

C

liffs have collapsed in New Zealand during an earthquake in the city of Christchurch on the South Island.

No serious damage or fatalities were reported in the Valentine’s Day quake that struck at 13:13h local time.

Beaches to the east of Christchurch were busy with swimmers and surfers when rocks began to fall into the sea.

The 5.7 magnitude quake occurred days before the anniversary of a deadly one in 2011, which destroyed the city centre and killed 185 people.

New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and

The earthquake, classified as severe, lasted less than 30 seconds

volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.

New Zealand’s seismological body GNS Science classified Sunday’s earthquake

as “severe”, recording that it took place at a depth of 15 kilometres (nine miles) and 15 kilometres to the east of the city.

Resident Stephen

O’Dwyer said he was on the beach with his wife walking their dog when the cliff in Sumner started to collapse.

“The ground started to go soft. Water was coming up under the sand and people were sinking down to the ankles as the ground went soft.

It shook for about 20 seconds,” he told the BBC. The quake sent large clouds of dust billowing over the suburb.

“I have to say that it was business as usual 15 minutes after the fact,” said local Richard Loffhagen, who took a photograph of the dust and debris rising from Scarborough Beach. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China bank chief says speculators caused yuan fall

C

hinese Central Bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan has accused “speculative forces” of targeting the country’s currency, the yuan.

He said there was no reason for the yuan to keep depreciating in value and China would not let international speculators dominate market sentiment.

Zhou’s remarks came as Chinese markets prepared to reopen today after a weeklong New Year holiday.

Efforts to defend the yuan have eroded China’s foreign currency reserves.

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

But that has declined

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

In January alone, the reserves plunged by US$99.5 billion as the People’s Bank of China sold dollars in an effort to shore up the value of

the yuan.

Zhou’s comments came in an interview published in the Caixin financial magazine.

“International speculative forces have recently focused on shorting China,” the People’s Bank of China Governor told the magazine, without giving further details.

He dismissed fears that China’s currency reserves were declining too fast, saying: “It is normal for foreign reserves to rise and fall as long as the fundamentals face

no problems.”

The Chinese economy posted growth of 6.9 per cent in 2015, its slowest rate since 1990. Fears of an economic slowdown have caused some investors to move their money out of China in search of better returns elsewhere.

However, Zhou said China would not tighten its capital controls as a result. “Capital outflow and capital flight are two different concepts,” he added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Parliamentary polls which were cancelled over irregularities are also taking place [AP]

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oters in the Central African Republic are heading to the polls in elections seen as a crucial step towards restoring democratic rule and ending years of violence that have left the impoverished nation split along religious lines.

Two former Prime Ministers, FaustinArchange Touadera and Anicet-Georges Dologuele, are contesting the presidential runoff on Sunday while authorities attempt to rerun a first round of parliamentary polls which were cancelled over irregularities.

CAR was plunged into the worst crisis in its history in early 2013, when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President Francois Bozize.

Christian rebels responded to Seleka abuses, attacking the Muslim minority community. Thousands have died in the bloodshed,

and one in five Central Africans has fled, either internally or abroad.

“I hope we will finish with these problems once and for all, and we will have a good laugh in the end,” said Parfait Gbokou, 30, who was among the first to cast his vote after polls opened at 06:00h at a primary school in the centre of the capital, Bangui. Polling stations will close at 16:00h local time.

A turnout of nearly 80 per cent for a first round of voting in December was largely viewed as a popular rejection of the violence, which has left the northeast under the control of Muslim rebels while Christian fighters roam the southwest.

Both Dologuele, a banker, and trained mathematics professor Touadera have made the restoration of peace and security the centrepiece of their presidential campaigns. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 news

monday, february 15, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana gets new airlines – to ply New York, Miami routes

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new air transportation service has extended its service to Guyana with the aim of ameliorating the shortages of flights to several destinations worldwide.

On Sunday, Trans Royale Corp – One Guyana Air Travel, made the announcement of this new venture, which it said will be travelling to Guyana from JFK, New York and Miami, Florida.

The flight operation is a joint venture between Trans Royale Corp — One Guyana Air Travel and Eastern Air Lines Group Inc, a Miami based airline.

According to the air service company, Eastern Air Lines currently flies a fleet of five Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Its latest aircraft delivery was on February 5, 2016.

“Eastern Air Lines is currently working in assembling a fleet of Next Generation aircraft, and has signed an initial order with Boeing for new 737800 aircraft with deliveries commencing in April 2017,” the company said.

The airline currently operates chartered services to many US and international cities in-

cluding Havana, San Jose, Santiago, Nassau, Bridgetown, among many other destinations.

Eastern Air Lines has a long history in airline operations dating back as early as 1930 and was one of the “big 4” carriers in the USA, until the first Gulf War 1991.

The company said it is very aware of the few

choices available in air transportation, however it said the provider has entered this market to render some assistance in this regard.

“One Guyana Air Travel will have a fare structure that will be realistic and economically viable for sustenance of operations and the continuation of services,” the company said.

The schedule will be

two flights weekly from Miami with two flights weekly from JFK in off peak, and three flights in peak.

According to the company, “It’s a small schedule to supplement the market shortage”.

There will be a few flights from May 20 for Guyana’s Independence weekend celebration, however, the full schedule will begin July 1.

The company said its ultimate mission is to work towards acquiring the flagship status as Guyana’s national carrier in the near future.

“The management and staff of One Guyana Air Travel will be working very closely and cooperatively with all relevant authorities and regulatory bodies in acquiring the National Carrier status.

GPA, Canadian High Commission hosts media training on LGE

50th anniversary celebrations

Medical outreach held at Kwakwani – POTS to host blood drive

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n commemoration of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Health Committee in collaboration with the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) hosted a medical outreach last weekend at Kwakwani, Berbice River.

For the Children Sake Foundation, an adolescent group, and the Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) Guyana all were part of the outreach team.

The Region is set to benefit from similar outreaches until December, as part of its calendar of activities in keeping with the observances. Residents benefited from services provided by a 43-member team such as dentistry, peer education, counselling and testing, health talks in relation to the Zika Virus, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and suicide.

It was noted by an organiser, Dr Gregory Harris, that a total of 25 persons were counselled on suicide in light of a recent case of attempted suicide in the com-

munity. That person also received counselling from the team. Additionally, residents were given chemicals to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water near their homes.

Dr Harris said over 500 persons benefited from the outreach programme and praised the response by residents. Follow-up mini healthcare outreaches are scheduled to be held in the community over the next few months.

Meanwhile, POTSGuyana will be hosting a blood drive in aid of the blood bank.

The blood drive themed “Give blood, stay alive and yes to living” will be held on Saturday, February 20 at the POTS-G crisis centre at Lot 43 Croal and Alexander Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown.

Miss Guyana World Lisa Punch will also be at the event, participating and interacting with donors.

The organisation is hoping to attract about 100 donors to support the cause.

Sachin Lall, the Operations Manager of POTS-G, related that one donation can play a vital part in saving some-

one’s life.

“Blessed are the ones who can give back life with their blood. One unit of blood can save up to three lives,” he stated. “We never know when our loved ones may be in need of blood; be a hero and save lives. Come out and donate blood with us; you can meet and greet Miss Guyana World Lisa Punch and take a selfie,” he related in encouraging persons to participate.

Ruth English, the Vice President of POTS-G, is urging eligible persons to take a stand in saving someone’s life by donating one unit of blood. It was explained that in order to make a donation, donors must be at least 17 years old. “It’s not just about giving blood: it’s about saving someone’s life.

There is someone out there that needs it to be able to see the light of another day and you will be making it possible while sharing your love and being the hero you are,” she explained, adding “Plus you get a free t-shirt and Vitamalt when you make a donation.”

The organisation has been actively involved in tackling issues concerning youths, especially as it relates to mental health. Lall explained that the organisation started school outreaches in October 2015 and has visited over 30 secondary schools in various regions in the country. He explained that the members were trained by the Georgetown Mental Health Team.

CEO Keith Lowenfield along with GECOM Commissioners in discussion with media operatives

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ith the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) about a month away, media operatives were given the opportunity to attend an extensive two-day training session during which they were enlightened on the electoral process.

The training was a collaborative effort of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) and the Canadian High Commission in recognition of the fact that these polls have not been held in Guyana in over 20 years. It was held on Saturday and Sunday at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) building at Main and New Market Streets, Georgetown.

The first day saw an indepth presentation from the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, during which he spoke about the LGE electoral process and the Commission’s role. He also fielded queries from reporters on the process since for most of them, it would be their first time covering the LGE. His piece continued with a panel discussion with GECOM Commissioners – Charles Corbin, Vincent Alexander and Sase Gunraj along with the Deputy CEO Vishnu Persaud, who engaged the media mainly on elections coverage.

Another panel discussion followed, this time featuring GPA President Neil Marks and Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) Vice President Dennis Chabrol, who spoke about the Dos and Don’ts of covering elections.

The day’s session ended with a presentation from ACM President Wesley Gibbings, of Trinidad and Tobago. He spoke about Local Government and Governance in other Caribbean countries.

On day two of the training, Lowenfield returned to talk about the LGE system and the difference in the upcoming elections. He was joined again by DCEO Persaud. Later on, Gibbings returned to the fore along with GPA representative Julia Johnson and they addressed elections coverage in Guyana touching on issues affecting reporters when reporting on the electoral process.

Closing off the training, Chabrol urged that media entities have the handbook compiled by the ACM in their newsrooms to guide reporters on their coverage of the pre-election, Election Day and post-election process.

Meanwhile, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally told reporters that his door was always open to facilitate clarifications and discussions

with the media, especially with the upcoming Local Government polls which he recognised would be a firsttime experience for many of the reporters.

“You ask questions; you must get answers,” he encouraged. Additionally, Dr Surujbally extended his appreciation to the GPA and the Canadian High Commission for facilitating the training. He recognised that the High Commission, for the past 15 years, has been supportive of GECOM and its ventures.

Meanwhile, Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux, who closed the training session, said that he saw the training as an opportunity to support the Local Government electoral process since reporters were a medium through which Guyanese would be informed about the LGE. According to Giroux, for there to be a strong democracy in any country, Local Government Elections must be held. He noted that this process was fundamental to the development of any country.

Moreover, the High Commissioner reflected that this year would be the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Guyana and Canada, adding that his Government was willing to extend support to Guyana in whatever way it could.

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news

monday, february 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

CPA team visits Guyana’s Parliament

The Race to LGE 2016

Wortmanville-Werk-en-Rust candidate has a master plan for development aimed at getting people off the streets and providing them with the much needed detoxification, training and resources so they can become reintegrated with society.

Pastor Jeffrey explained that the available drug rehab centres require patients pay approximately $60,000 monthly – a cost that many cannot afford.

Therefore, he elucidated that his rehab facility would need to be free or would charge a significantly reduced cost.

To achieve this, the LGE candidate developed a sustainability plan by incorporating agriculture in the mix.

Members of the delegation with Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, and Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs

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four-member delegation from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Canada Branch last week visited the Parliament Office where they conducted a number of high-level meetings with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.

These meetings saw an exchange of views on a variety of topics related to the Guyana-Canada bilateral relationship, including areas of mutual interest to both countries such as participation by Guyana in the upcoming Parliamentary Officers Study Programme offered by Canada; an in-

Pastor Wendell Jeffrey Etwaroo Jagernath, Assistant Serjeant-At-Arms, explaining the significance of the Parliamentary Mace to two of the visitors

vitation for two Guyanese parliamentarians to attend the 12th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association training in June 2016, the upcoming Local Government Elections and the Canada-

Caribbean twinning initiative. In addition to these meetings, the team also toured the Parliament Chamber and later viewed the Budget debate.

Viraat Sabhaa Guyana launched

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally delivers her remarks at the official launch of the Viraat Sabhaa Guyana

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he Viraat Sabhaa Guyana has been called upon to take its place in society to enhance lives and foster cohesion.

The call was made Saturday evening by Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, who pledged Government’s support to the newly formed religious organisation.

The launching ceremony of the Hindu movement was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Lilliendaal. It has a mandate to support and promote Hinduism in Guyana, while also serving and empowering persons from all faiths, even those who espouse no religious beliefs, to live balanced lives.

Ally congratulated the group on its official opening, noting that its mandate to create a perfect balance for citizens of Guyana, through spiritual and secular sciences, is wonderful.

“I believe your motto, ‘The Universe is one Family’ is quite a neat fit with what the Government of Guyana is advocating. You have a rapidly growing network

with initiatives in various aspect of human and social development,” the minister said, referring to some of the outreach programmes the Sabhaa has embarked on over the past months. She noted that these initiatives were all directed at addressing key social issues, including abuse, alcoholism and suicide.

Minister Ally commended the group for their efforts to date, particularly since its programmes have benefited citizens from all walks of life. “All of your programmes target a wide cross section of communities, and are not confined to a particular group and that is a welcomed approach because Guyana is a diverse society,” she said.

Underscoring the critical role of religion in human and social development, Minister Ally said Government also recognises its importance to nation building. With this in mind, she said the administration is encouraging the various religious groups to interact to provide scope for development plans for the religious

community.

Meanwhile President of the Viraat Sabhaa Guyana, Pandit Rabindranath Persaud said the Sabhaa was initiated through the commitment, dedication and support of its devout followers. “In a changing world, policies and principles have to be adjusted to accommodate such changes. Old clichés and phrases are uncommon to the modern mind,” Pandit Persaud said.

In 2008, the organisation established itself with the first national Pitri Pasksh programme at the Lusignan Tarmac, East Coast Demerara, which attracted thousands.

“Our motto ‘The Universe is One Family’ demonstrates the deep concern to create a well knitted society in which all could co-exist. The Sabhaa firmly believes that the Universe is One Family and every effort should be made to set and sustain that standard, we cannot ignore the principles advocated in our Sacred Scriptures,” Pandit Persaud said.

He added that the organisation is open to work with any other agencies, religious groups, NGOs and the State to enhance opportunities for all.

Recently, a contingent of over 100 ambassadors of the Sabhaa visited the Essequibo Coast for a grand Satsangh (seminar) at the Lima Mandir. Many other Satsanghs and seminars were held in other communities to establish and strengthen its relationship with all members of society.

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

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omplete with inexhaustible vigour and enthusiasm, Pastor Wendell Jeffrey at the very last minute decided to go up against six other candidates contesting the Local Government Elections (LGE) on March 18 within the Wortmanville-Werk-en-Rust Constituency.

It was just three months ago, this Guyanese academic entered the race with much passion to “dedicate all his energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana” and work towards eradicating all the social ills plaguing his community.

“I have an interest in developing Guyana. I never thought I would be contesting the Local Government Elections, but when I realised you did not had to be a party affiliate or party member, I decided I have nothing to lose,” Pastor Jeffrey related with much excitement.

He will be contesting against, among others, the two major players: the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and other strong newcomers like the Team Benschop Party, the Guyana National Building Corp and another vocal independent candidates.

With his hopes set high, Pastor Jeffrey emphasised that even if he does not earn a seat on the Mayor and City Council (MCC), he will continue to push for his visions and ideas for community betterment to become a reality.

“I am not in this for political grandstanding… Whether I win as a council or not, I will still do this,” he fervently stated.

Returning to Guyana in 2009 with a strong desire to give back to land of his birth, Pastor Jeffrey knew he had a challenging task ahead.

He had crafted a master plan for community development, particularly to address the many social ills like vagrancy, crime, drug abuse, homelessness, unemployment, and the undereducated.

Due to insufficient funding and little support from the government, Pastor Jeffrey was unsuccessful in his efforts to launch those initiatives but was disheartened.

The core of his plan revolves around the establishment of a rehabilitation facility

The rehab centre could initially capitalise on the country’s vast agriculture potential to create employment opportunities by using best practices like the low-labour intensive hydroponics method.

An addict therefore can check into the centre and instead of paying for the services, there can be a tradeoff where the patient takes up employment in exchange for treatment.

The intention is however to have the centre generate enough funds so that after a while, the patients will be paid for the work they are doing.

“So it will be a cost-sharing venture for the local government because it would be to the benefit of the city to not have these vagrants on the streets,” Pastor Jeffrey explained.

This plan, he highlighted, will address issues ranging from unemployment, drug usage/abuse to homelessness and vagrancy.

Interestingly, Pastor Jeffrey has already identified a 10-acre plot of land on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway for the construction of such a facility.

He posited that the location is ideal since it is a best-practice approach to conduct rehabilitation in areas where it is difficult for patients to relapse.

On the issue of illiteracy, Pastor Jeffrey said he can network with academic retirees who are desirous of also “giving back” to their country and arrange periodic forums free of cost for the youths to have personal mentors.

Represented by the symbol of the Dove, Pastor Jeffrey is encouraging constituents to be cautious of whom they will be electing as their leaders.

“Don’t vote for parties, vote for issues…

Vote for the Dove,” he said.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, february 15, 2016

ARCHIE

If you help someone in need, you will affect the out(March 21- come of a life-altering situaApril 19) tion. You can bring about big change.

ARIES

Keep your thoughts to your-

dilbert

TAURUS self. Unwisely sharing infor(April 20- mation could upset your plans May 20) and lead to loss and arguments.

Focus on love, benevolence and what you can do to keep moving forward peacefully.

A professional opportuniGEMINI (May 21- ty is apparent. Consider what June 20) you can do to turn one of your ideas into a going concern.

There is money to be made if you act fast.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

If you accept what’s going on around you, you will have a better sense of what you should do next. Don’t give in to someone’s demands or ignore what’s best for you.

Don’t falter due to the unLEO certainty surrounding you.

(July 23Size up whatever situation Aug. 22) you face and make arrangements that will suit your needs. Your choices will lead to good fortune.

High energy coupled with VIRGO a sound and practical ap(Aug. 23proach to life will help you Sept. 22) bypass people who are unable to make a decision. Trust and believe in yourself.

Calvin and Hobbes

If you execute your ideas LIBRA (Sept. 23- with precision, you will atOct. 23) tract interest in what you are trying to accomplish. Change can be good if you go about it the right way.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – MILLINER

Collaborations look promSAGITTARIUS ising if you set guidelines and (Nov. 23- strive for equality. Don’t be Dec. 21) afraid to make a last-minute change. You will persuade others to think your way.

(MILLINER: MIL-in-er: One who makes, trims or designs hats.)

Average mark 14 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 24 or more words in MILLINER? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD – CREATE care caret cart cater cerate

crate race rate react eater

erect acre arete tare tear

trace tree

Take a creative route SCORPIO to reach your destination.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22) Venture outside the normal parameters in order to find a clear passage to reach your established goal. Progressive action will pay off.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Put more effort into the CAPRICORN way you look and what you (Dec. 22- have to offer. A chance to inJan. 19) crease your awareness while expanding your interests will open a window of opportunity.

Don’t concern yourself AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- with what others think. Take Feb. 19) a pass when it comes to negative people and situations.

What counts is how you feel about your actions. Be true to yourself.

Observe everything and PISCES (Feb. 20- study your opponent’s every March 20) move. Being prepared to win will help you make good decisions and carry out your plans with dignity.

monday, february 15, 2016

19

Decoding the West Indies Under-19 success story K

eacy Carty and Keemo Paul batted for 20.3 overs to wipe out the 69 remaining runs needed to win their first Under-19 World Cup title. There were pockets where an inevitable collapse looked a possibility, but the pair batted with the serenity and confidence that belied their age. Incredibly, Paul struck the only four and six in the partnership. Carty’s answer when asked if it was a conscious effort gave you a peek into his temperament.

“Singles could have done it. We just needed 146 from 300 balls,” he said.

Wait, that’s not how West Indies do it these days, do they?

A careful, and not carefree approach, did the trick. Every run they took in the unbroken sixth-wicket stand indicated their willingness to grind it out and not look for glory hits. At no stage did they look nervous. They didn’t seem to mind the odd miss or the fact that they were made to scrap and look ungainly, particularly against Mayank Dagar, the left-arm spinner, who troubled them with his loop and flight.

What they also showed during the course of the partnership was the hunger to succeed and not leave the task

Even as some of the other sides played practice matches in the build-up to the tournament, West Indies Under-19 players had to make do with conditioning camps (Getty Images)

up to someone else.

Equally impressive was their ability to think out of the box. Paul’s Mankad on Richard Ngarava that turned around their campaign andTevin Imlach’s underarm flick to catch Rishabh Pant off guard in the final were just a few examples. Watching them come out and play like free-spirited tigers, you could sense their changed mindset and approach.

The beauty of their win wasn’t in their preparation, but their execution at crunch moments. Unlike some of the other sides, West Indies played all of three matches

together as a group against Bangladesh, who had played 29 matches between the two editions. Shimron Hetmyer’s side came into the tournament on the back of a 3-0 whitewash. They started slowly, but found their bearings when it mattered. That they managed to pull through as a side despite playing a handful of games together in the build-up could perhaps be put down to their Under-15 and Under-17 development structure, where a few of the side’s members played together.

In between 2014 and 2016, most of the players featured in the regional Under-19 tourna-

ment; handful of them played first-class or List A matches for their respective sides. To make up for the lack of cricket together as a group, the WICB organised three conditioning camps, the first of which was held in Barbados after the Easter holidays last year.

Then they got together a group of 18 in Jamaica in August, while the final touches of their preparation was added in Grenada in December. Interestingly, their late replacement, the fast bowler Chemar Holder, was not in any of these camps.

On the eve of the final,

Hetmyer said that the team was hurt by the three losses to Bangladesh, but insisted all the players learnt a lot and tried to use their experience of the conditions better. “The guys were hurting after that series, but each and every member of the squad picked up from there.”

Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, who followed this team throughout the campaign as a TV commentator, said that he felt the Mankad incident spurred on the team. “I think the Zimbabwe win and the whole Mankad issue, whether you agree it was right or wrong, spurred them on,” he said. “Some of the issue that was said about Keemo Paul and team, was disgraceful. I don’t think it’s a coincidence, because they just lifted their game after that. The passage of cricket was untidy. I didn’t see the Fiji game, but they showed potential against England even if they lost.”

Bishop said while their preparation was far from ideal, the tournament was an indication that there was still plenty of talent underneath the surface in the Caribbean.

“They didn’t have ideal preparation and it should not serve as the template going into the next World Cup,” he observed.

“But what the win says is that there is tremendous amount of talent. We don’t have the volume of bowlers and batsmen in the past, but I think we have enough talent and these guys have proved that it needs to be harnessed.”

This coming together has been the long lost story of West Indies cricket. A group of teenagers have now shown the way, whether it is through sheer guts to effect a Mankad or run a batsman who was just leaving the ball and taking a step out. In the heat of the battle, their realization that Mohammad Saifuddin was only bowling yorkers and it can be tackled by a shorter back-lift and low intensity batting, said much about their awareness which should win a lot of praise.

The likes of Paul, Imlach and Shamar Springer now have full cricket careers. But they are from the West Indies; the conflicting West Indies, the dying West Indies. The West Indies that is only in nostalgia and one whose future seems uncertain.

When they win a World Cup in the sub-continent by beating Pakistan, Bangladesh and India in the knockout stages and do so the hard way, you wouldn’t want to give up on them so soon. (Cricinfo)

Barca crush Celta 6-1, Atletico win 1-0 at Getafe Ashwin’s 4 for 8 gives...

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Luis Suarez

uis Suarez hit three goals as Barcelona crushed Celta Vigo 6-1 and Fernando Torres struck in the first minute as Atletico Madrid carved out a 1-0 win at Getafe in La Liga on Sunday.

Barcelona’s victory, inspired by a brilliant Lionel Messi, restored their threepoint lead over Atletico at the top of the standings.

Real Madrid, who beat Athletic Bilbao 4-2 at home on Saturday, are four points adrift of the leaders on 53.

Messi opened the scoring with a superb free kick in the 28th minute, given for a foul

by Carles Planas on Suarez.

It was his 13th goal in La Liga this season and a record 299th altogether.

Celta, who had beaten Barca 4-1 at home in September, equalised with a penalty 11 minutes later taken by John Guidetti after the striker was brought down by Jordi Alba.

Suarez put Barca in front again just before the hour was up when he volleyed home a superb pass from Messi.

The Uruguayan struck again 15 minutes from time as he finished off a fine move started by Messi and continued by Neymar.

Suarez then scored his third when Messi, having been brought down in the box, cheekily kicked a penalty square allowing the Uruguayan to charge into the box and tap the ball in.

Suarez overtook Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the top scorer in La Liga with 23 goals.

Substitute midfielder Ivan Rakitic scored Barca’s fifth in the 84th with a lob over Blanco and Neymar completed the rout in the final minute.

Torres scored his 101st goal for Atletico in the opening minute at Getafe and they then held on for a 1-0 win.

Winger Yannick Carrasco’s low cross from the left in Atletico’s first attack beat the defence and reached the far post where the unmarked Torres tapped the ball home.

The dangerous Carrasco was injured early in the second half defending a Getafe corner and had to come off with what the club later reported was a damaged right ankle ligament.

Getafe are 13th with 26 points. (Reuters Sport)

In a format not as versatile as the traditional ones, the damage had already been done.

The problem with the rest of Sri Lanka innings was twofold: the ball was turning, and the batsmen kept trying the big hits as opposed to looking for a partnership. This was quite similar to what happened with India even as the ball seamed in Pune. Milinda Siriwardana faced only two balls even though he spent three overs in the middle.

The first one he pulled Jasprit Bumrah for four, but when he tried the pull second ball he chose a Nehra delivery that was not short enough and also skidded through to bowl him.

Only a high full toss from Yuvraj that went for six, and the free hit that was given repeat treatment by Dasun Shanaka gave Sri Lanka’s innings some momentum.

Ashwin came awfully close to registering the first international five-for for India, but Jadeja and Raina kept the pressure up and the wickets kept falling. Jadeja’s brilliance showed in the field too, with a delicate back-hand flick

to run Seekkuge Prasanna out and catch Thisara Perera in the deep.

Under hardly any pressure, India walked away to their target with 37 balls remaining even though the turning pitch made strokeplay difficult.

Shikhar

from page 22

Dhawan again displayed his improved leg-side play in his run-a-ball 46 whereas question marks over Ajinkya Rahane’s hitting ability on slower surfaces remained as he mis-hit a few attempted big hits in his unbeaten 24 off 22. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka innings N Dickwella† st †Dhoni b 1 Ashwin TM Dilshan lbw b Ashwin 1 LD Chandimal* c Pandya b Ashwin 8 DAS Gunaratne c Raina b Ashwin 4 TAM Siriwardana b Nehra 4 MD Shanaka b Jadeja 19 S Prasanna run out (Jadeja) 9 NLTC Perera c Jadeja b Raina 12 SMSM Senanayake c †Dhoni b Raina 8 PVD Chameera not out 9 CRD Fernando b Bumrah 1 Extras (lb 2, w 3, nb 1) 6 Total (all out; 18 overs) 82 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-3, 3-12, 4-20, 5-21, 6-48, 7-54, 8-72, 9-73, 10-82 Bowling: R Ashwin 4-1-8-4, A

Nehra 2-0-17-1, JJ Bumrah 3-010-1, RA Jadeja 4-1-11-1, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-15-0, HH Pandya 2-013-0, SK Raina 2-0-6-2

India innings RG Sharma lbw b Chameera 13 S Dhawan not out 46 AM Rahane not out 22 Extras (lb 3) 3 Total (1 wicket; 13.5 overs) 84 Did not bat: SK Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni*†, HH Pandya, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, JJ Bumrah, A Nehra Fall of wickets: 1-29 Bowling: SMSM Senanayake 4-0-22-0, CRD Fernando 2-0-7-0, PVD Chameera 2-0-14-1, S Prasanna 1-03-0, TAM Siriwardana 1-09-0, DAS Gunaratne 2.5-022-0, TM Dilshan 1-0-4-0.

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monday, february 15, 2016

Windies U-19 lift maiden World Cup title

Man-of-the-Match Keacy Carty and Keemo Paul celebrate after getting the winning runs (Getty Images)

W

est Indies’ mix of high-speed hustle with the ball and patience with the bat help them beat pre-tournament favourites India by five wickets in a tense final in Mirpur to lift their maiden Under-19 World Cup title.

India, who were bowled out for 145, held their own and fought till the end admirably until Keemo Paul and Keacy Carty’s ice-cool approach helped West Indies eat into the target and eventually cross the line with three balls to spare. That meant India lost a Youth ODI for the first time since their quarterfinal exit of the same tournament in 2014.

India’s crash began with Rishabh Pant wandering outside his crease, only to find wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach flick an underarm throw back to the stumps to catch him unaware. Imlach’s match awareness that gave them a breakthrough off the fourth ball of the morning set the tone for a dominating display against a batting unit high on confidence.

Anmolpreet Singh, who had done well in the two knockout games prior to the grand finale fell next as he was unable to get his bat out of the way to a rising Alzarri Joseph delivery in the third over, as he gloved a nick to the wicketkkeeper. Then came a blow that ended Ishan Kishan’s run of poor scores as he played across the line and was trapped

lbw, even though replays showed the ball had pitched just outside leg stump.

When Washington Sundar chipped a simple catch to mid-off, a top order wobble seemed complete at 41 for 4 in the 15th over.

India needed a rescue act, but West Indies didn’t drop their intensity even by an inch as Arman Jaffer found out while driving away to the cover fielder to leave Sarfaraz Khan with the unenviable task of reviving the innings and batting through, like he had done for most parts of the tournament.

He did so by adding 37 with Mahipal Lomror, who sweetly timed two fours in his 43-ball 19. Even as a recovery looked a sudden possibility came yet another blow as Chemar Holder, who was brought back in for a new spell, sent him back with an awaygoing delivery that was well pouched by Imlach behind the stumps.

Sensing the inevitable, Sarfaraz tried to break the shackles and found his hitting range, sweetly timing a flick over midwicket for six.

He also brought up a halfcentury off 83 deliveries before perishing in an effort to up the ante. While he was clearly far from his best, Sarfaraz was still miles ahead with his judgment in lengths.

With India collapsing in heaps, the inaccuracy of the West Indies bowlers went

unnoticed as they conceded as many as 23 extras by the time India’s innings came to a grinding hat in 45.1 overs.

Any thoughts of a regulation chase was quickly put on the backburner as India came back hard; West Indies slipping from 67 for 2 to 77 for 5 in the 29th over.

The man who orchestrated the comeback was Mayank Dagar, the left-arm spinner, who teased the batsmen with his gentle flight and drift.

Shimron Hetmyer, the captain, lofted one to longon, while Shamar Springer top-edged a hoick to long-

off. In Dagar’s next over, Jyd Goolie’s attempt to blast him down the ground ended up in a sharp caught and bowled, making West Indies lose their third wicket in six overs.

Paul and Carty had to dig deep. That Carty had an opportunity to do so was courtesy a reprieve when Sarfaraz put down a sharp chance at slip off Dagar. But the pair battled slowly to ensure India’s biggest threat was safely negotiated.

As the innings progressed, India began to get edgy as Pant failed to hold on to a thin edge off Carty in Dagar’s last over. As if to break the shackles, he was lofted down the ground for six in the same over. Slowly, the equation boiled down to 24 off the last five overs.

With nine needed off the last two overs, Paul’s attempted inside-out hit over cover resulted in him hitting one towards Avesh Khan, who put down a tough chance even as the ball was dying on him. Carty then reached a half-century off 122 balls.

By then, the celebration had well and truly begun in the West Indies camp.

The party had kickstarted in earnest when Paul’s top edge flew over the keeper’s head to bring an end to a pulsating clash. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD INDIA U19s +R Pant st Imlach b Joseph 1 *Ishan Kishan lbw b Joseph 4 Anmolpreet Singh c wkp Imlach b Joseph 3 Washington Sundar c Joseph b John 7 51 S Khan lbw b John Armaan Jaffer c Paul b Springer 5 M Lomror c wkp Imlach b Holder 19 M Dagar c Carty b John 8 R Batham c wkp Imlach b Paul 21 Avesh Khan c John b Paul 1 K Ahmed not out 2 Extras (b2, lb5, w16) 23 TOTAL (all out, 45.1 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-8, 3-27, 4-41, 5-50, 6-87, 7-116, 8-120, 9-123, 10-145.

Bowling: Joseph 10-0-39-3 (w5), Holder 10-2-20-1 (w6),

John 10-0-38-3, Springer 9-124-1, Paul 6.1-0-17-2 (w4).

WEST INDIES U19s G Pope c Ahmed b Avesh Khan 3 5 +T Imlach c Lomror b Ahmed 1 *S Hetmyer c Armaan Jaffer b Dagar 23 52 K Carty not out S Springer c Armaan Jaffer b Dagar 3 3 J Goolie c & b Dagar K Paul not out 40 Extras (lb1, w6) 7 TOTAL (5 wkts, 49.3 overs) 146 Did not bat: M Frew, R John, A Joseph, C Holder Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-28, 3-67, 4-71, 5-77.

Bowling: Avesh Khan 10-129-1, Ahmed 9.3-2-32-1 (w3), Sundar 9-1-18-0, Batham 3-012-0 (w1), Lomror 8-0-290 (w2), Dagar 10-1-25-3.

Rammanan wins Centre Point pools competition

Mahase Rammanan emerged winner of the Centre Point Bar pools competition last weekend in Enmore. He earned $20,000 for his effort. In the above photo, from left, in order of their placings, are Mahase Rammanan, Manaeram Persaud, Kumar Shivnauth, Haozhao Yang and Randy Balgobin

We should nurture the talent when it’s young!

H

Says Akeem Greene

ave you ever wondered why farmers take so much care of a seed when it’s planted? It is so small, yet they work overtime to make sure it receives the necessary nutrients and it eventually flourishes into something wonderful.

The same analogy should be incorporated into developing young cricketing talents in the region if we want them to excel when they reach the senior level.

The issue of developing junior Akeem Greene talents of the region has been an exhausting cry but the calls has to be renewed with the phenomenal display by 15 cricketers who represented the West Indies at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup that was played in Bangladesh.

When in the field, the likes of Alzarri Joseph bowling close to 143kmph and not to leave out Chemar Holder, sends shivers down the spine as it evokes shockwaves of memories of an era where West Indies fast bowlers caused havoc and were most feared.

By no means can we not forget to mention the squash buckling hitting by opener Gidron Pope and the steady batting by the Guyanese duo of Tevin Imlach and Shimron Hetmyer. The all-round ability of Keemo Paul and Shamar Springer are some other standouts. Those who missed their performances will be ruing an opportunity to see some exciting cricket.

The worry now is where will these players be in the next five years?

Will they continue to headline the International stage? Who will be the new names in the West Indies senior team? Judging on the past, the future for these players looks frightening.

A colleague of mind always draws the parallel to the fact that Alastair Cook and Assad Fudadin played in the Cross Cutter Under-15 World Cup with Fudadin being the most successful of the two, as in the final of the World Cup, Fudadin scored 55; Lendl Simmons was also in that team.

Fudadin, Simmons and Denesh Ramdin played in the 2004 ICC under-19 World Cup, Cook took part too. West Indies knocked out England in the semi-final; in that game cook made 33 while Fudadin and Ramdin made 51 and 72 respectively.

Believe it or not two years later Cook made his Test debut and scored 104 against India in India. Fudadin on the other hand took eight years to make his debut in 2012 and to date has just played three Test matches.

At the age of 19 they both would have been on the same talent tier yet Fudadin career is nowhere close to that of cook at this point in time which is a major concern.

So what happened one might ask? England has a system set up where these youngsters can develop under the right conditions and make them into world class players whereas the West Indies… well let’s just say the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

If you think it stops there, the 2008 Under-19 World Cup featured the likes of Shamarh Brooks, Darren Bravo, Keiran Powell, Delron Johnson, Devon Thomas, Adrian Barath and Steven Jacobs.

That same World Cup had Virat Kholi, Trent Boult , Kane Williamson and Steven Smith; players who now are considered the best in the current generation of cricketers.

Looking at West Indies, Barath made a debut century but since then has fallen off the map, Jacobs has not played for the West Indies despite being in the regional frame work for quite some time now.

Darren Bravo is the only who has mounted a name for himself in world cricket. I believe it is unfair for anyone to blame these players for where they are in currently, yes the onus on the players to produce the performances to gain attraction but they need the correct guidance.

A High Performance Center was instituted in 2010 at the UWI Campus, Cave Hill, Barbados and it was a glorious initiative as players 23 and under were put through an intensive training regimen.

Last year, it was reported that emphasis will shift from the Barbadosbased High Performance Centre (HPC) and onto the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) for the development of regional players.

The HPC had served the region well in producing a number of well-established Test players, it would no longer function as it did by enrolling a set of players on a year-round basis. Rather, the HPC will now serve to provide the “finishing touches to elite players” coming out of the regional competitions.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has made that move in a bid to counter a worrying trend in which promising cricketers tend to go by the wayside once graduating from youth level.

I would hope that this decision is reconsidered and we get to institutionalise these talents so in the years to come the regional side will hopefully return somewhere close to where there were in their glory days.

21

YELLOW PAGES

Cameron praises U-19 WIndies team after World Cup win

monday, february 15, 2016

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Dave Cameron

is proud this morning of the achievements of this team and we see a clear path to the development of our future stars.”

Cameron thinks “this was a comprehensive team effort and this is indicative of how we would like to move forward with all categories of our game.”

The President in expressing his joy said “it was a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift to all the people in the Caribbean.” He also wanted to highlight the contribution of the families of the young men. He noted also that the team will be appropriately recognised once they return home. (Windies Cricket)

‘We’re going to play the World Cup’

W

est Indies Twenty20 captain, Darren Sammy, has assured the region his squad will not boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup in India next month.

Fears the 15-man squad would opt out of the March 8 to April 3 tournament were heightened over the past week when it emerged that yet another contract dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was simmering.

Writing on the players’ behalf, Sammy told the WICB that the new contracts pay structure was unacceptable, arguing that it represented between a 50 and 80 per cent reduction in earnings.

However, in an interview with a radio station on Thursday, he said the squad had never considered skipping the event and were committed to playing even though their concerns were yet to be resolved.

“I would like to let it be known that not at any given time did the West Indies team think about not going to the Cricket World Cup,” Sammy said categorically.

“We’ve all made it clear that we were going to play the World Cup. At the end of the day, we are professionals, we are paid to play cricket. Iit is our job, it is our life. We just had some issues, some questions we wanted to ask and we asked them, and we’ve just not gotten a response.

WORLD CUP A PRIORITY

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W

est Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President, Dave Cameron is expressing heartiest congratulations on behalf of the Board and Management, to the players and management of the under 19 team which won the World Cup for the first time.

Cameron credits the over 15 months of preparation the team underwent which he thinks “gave them the tools necessary to win the title.”

The five-wicket win Cameron says “was intense, but the players showed resilience and patience required to take them through to the very end. The region

“But we want to assure the Caribbean that playing the World Cup has been at the forefront of all the players’ minds and we will do whatever we can in our power to go out there and win the World Cup for the Caribbean people.”

Players complained that under the new pay structure, their guaranteed income for the upcoming World Cup stood at a mere US$27,600.

In the past, the lowest paid player was guaranteed nearly US$60,000, with the highest paid player raking in US$137,000.

Darren Sammy

The WICB hit back by outlining the new International Cricket Council (ICC) pay system, which now sees funds to ICC members disbursed over an eight-year period instead of for specific tournaments.

Further, the board pointed out that it had, along with players’ union WIPA, the International Cricketers Association and a representative from the International Cricket Council (ICC), engaged in mediation last year to hammer out the new agreement for players - which was then communicated to them.

Sammy said even though players would go ahead with the tour, serious concerns remained over the agreement and noted that the WICB and the players needed to continue communication on the matter.

“The issues we raised, the questions we asked, when we come out of the cricket, the younger players will get experience and come out and ask the same set of questions, so you need to find a common ground where both parties are happy or we need to find a way to communicate better,” the all-rounder advised.

“We must put our egos aside. At the end of the day, the board cannot do without the players and

the players need our cricket board in order for things to function.”

Sammy said that for many of the seasoned players on the squad, the T20 World Cup could prove to be their final ICC event and this was extra motivation to lift the title.

“It’s the format that we’re best at. We cannot ignore that. I believe the squad that has been picked is very capable of going to India and winning the World Cup,” he said.

STRATEGISING WITH COACH

“We all will be coming from playing cricket ... we will have a lot of cricket matches under our belt, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to strategise with coach, Phil Simmons, in order to plan the way we’re going to win the World Cup.” He added: “I know we’re painted ... to be a certain type of cricketers, but this could be an end of an era where Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy - from Under-15 and Under-19 (level) in West Indies team; this could be the last ICC event that most of these players could be playing so we all are motivated.

“I know from speaking to the guys, we will give it our best shot, and hopefully, we can repeat what we did in Sri Lanka (in 2012) in India.” (Jamaica Gleaner)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 15, 2016

WICB/PCL 4-day Cricket…

Johnson’s ton puts Jaguars in control against Red Force

By Akeem Greene

C

aptain Leon Johnson struck a magnificent 111 not out on day three to put Guyana Jaguars in full control against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)/ Professional Cricket League (PCL) 4-day Tournament at the Providence National Stadium on Sunday.

Johnson’s delightful innings lead the Jaguars to 244-4 at the close of play to give his side a lead of 302 heading into the final day’s play.

The star earlier in the day was West Indies left-arm orthodox spinner Veerasammy Permaul who along with leg spinner Devendra Bishoo ripped through the Red Force to bowl them out for 179 and end with figures of 5-65 and 3-48 respectively which gave their team a 58-run lead.

With a handy lead, the Jaguars two openers weathered the early enthusiasm by the Red Force opening bowlers to take the Jaguars to 21 without loss from six overs at lunch as Rajendra Chandrika had six and Tagenarine Chanderpaul on 11.

When the post lunch play got under-way, Chandrika who made a flashy 22 (3x4s) from 28 balls was bowled by off spinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar when he attempted a booming drive to a well flighted delivery.

In the same over, Assad Fudadin (00) steered the ball straight in to the hands of Yannick Ottley at forward short-leg to leave Guyana 40-2 in the 37th over.

Leon Johnson pulled Jaggesar for 4 to bring up the team’s 50 in 13.2 overs with Jonson on 10 and Chanderpaul on 14.

The pair batted smartly, hitting the boundaries when bad balls were bowled while smartly rotating the strike to take the Jaguars to 74-2 when hovering clouds eventually burst and an early tea was taken with the lead at 132.

After play resumed the pair sauntered their way to 100-2 from 37 overs with Johnson on 41 and Chanderpaul 33; Chanderpaul who brought up the team’s hundred with a beautiful whip off his pads which sped to the boundary for four off the bowling of Narsingh Deonarine; coincidently that four brought up 500 runs for the left-hander in 11 First-class matches.

As the late afternoon sunshine beamed down on Providence, Jaggesar was beginning to bowl with great guile and control but he dropped one short and Chanderpaul who used the crease to punch the ball through the cover for four; but the off-spinner got his reward for some hard work when Chanderpaul fell for 42 in a freakish dismal.

The left-hander attempting a drive hit the ball into the feet of Ottley fielding at silly mid-off where after the ball looped into the hands of Jason Mohammed at short extra-cover. His knock saw him face 134 balls, hitting seven fours and featuring in a 71-run third wicket partnership.

The first innings centurion Vishual Singh came to the crease and immediately picked up where he left off as he used his feet to the spinners to treat himself to boundaries through the cover and the mid-wicket region.

Johnson brought up his 26th First-class half-century with a trickle down to fine-leg for three as Jaguars moved onto 143-3 from 47.4 overs.

The Skipper’s landmark came off 98 balls and saw him hit four fours and one

six.

Just as Singh grew in stature he prodded forward to a delivery from Jaggesar and was out leg before for 23 (4x4s) from 24 balls to leave the score on 159-4.

Johnson who lasted played a Test match for West Indies in January 2015 against South Africa, continued to blossom with a series a confident shots both of the back and front foot to carry the lead to 236.

The Georgetown Cricket Club player who played a few fortuitous shots was lucky to survive when he was dropped off an inside on 91 by wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo.

After a difficult patch, Johnson pulled the leg spin of Cariah down to mid-wicket where picked up two runs to give him his third Firstclass century off 162 balls, striking ten fours and one six.

The Red Force began to look ragged in the field as the skipper along with Anthony Bramble began to up the tempo in the quest for quick runs.

Bramble (39*) and his captain forged an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 85 to put their team full ascendency as the Jaguars will look to declare in the

morning to give themselves ample time to bowl out the Red Force.

Earlier in the day, Red Force resumed on 136-3 with Yannick Cariah on 58 and Mohammed with 18 carried-on with their handy partnership when Cariah fell to the bowling of Permaul, caught at forward short-leg by Chanderpaul to end the their 61-run fourth wicket partnership and leave the

score at 159-3. Cariah’s 68 was off of 154 balls and inclusive of six fours and one six.

Captain Mohammed soon fell for 29 (77b; 3x4s) with the Red Force now 161 for 5 which soon turned to 168-8 as Permaul and Bishoo found good rhythm and ripped through the lower order as the next best score was Ottley with 13.

The final day’s play will start at 09:30hrs.

SCOREBOARD Jaguars 1st Innings 237 all out Red Force 1st Innings E. Lewis c Bishoo b Joseph 26 K. Hope c Johnson b Permaul 9 Y. Cariah c Chanderpaul b Permaul 68 N. Deonarine lbw b Reifer 18 J. Mohammed lbw Permaul 30 S. Katwaroo+ c Johnson b Permaul 1 R. Emrit c Fudadin b Permaul 0 I. Khan c Reifer b Bishoo 0 M. Richards c Reifer b Bishoo 1 J. Jaggesar not out 2 Extras: (nb 9, lb 2) 11 Total (all out, 70.3 overs) 179 Fall of Wickets: 1-19, 2-49, 3-98, 4-159, 5-161, 6-167, 7-167, 8-168,9-173, 10-179 Bowling: Joseph 16-334-1 (4nb), Reifer 10-320-1, Permaul 22-6-65-

5, Bishoo 17.3-5-48-3 (5nb), Motie 5-3-10-0 Jaguars 2nd Innings R. Chandrika b Jaggesar 22 T. Chanderpaul c Mohammed b Jaggesar 42 A. Fudadin c Ottley b Jaggesar 0 L. Johnson* not out 111 V. Singh lbw Jaggesar 23 A. Bramble not out 39 To Bat: R. Reifer, V. Permaul, D. Bishoo and K. Joseph Extras: (nb-2, w-3, lb-4, b-6) 15 Total: (for four wickets; 69 overs) 244 Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-40, 3-111, 4-159 Bowling: Emrit14-4-43-0, M Richards 10-0-58-0, Jaggesar 25-5-67-4, Deonarine 10-4-14-0, Khan 4-0-230, Cariah 6-0-32-0

Roshan Satar and Son Supermarket Ashwin’s 4 for 8 gives India series on board with Mash Cup

Wahied Edwards left, YWCC senior team captain collects sponsorship cheque from Sahidrul Satar

M

anaging Director of Roshan Satar and Son Supermarket, Sahidrul Satar of Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice has once again provided sponsorship for the annual fund raiser of the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) Mash Cup 2016.

The Supermarket has supported this event from the beginning are happy to provided continued support.

At the simple presentation, Satar said that it is important as a businessman to give back to such an important event that will help develop the community in which they operate.

He further stated that he is impressed with the work of the club in helping so many youths to stay constructively occupied and at the same time develop their skills.

He added that all of the Canje area should be proud of the players coming out of the club with special mention of Shimron Hetmyer who is already a senior national opener and is currently leading the West Indies Under-19 team at the World Cup in Bangladesh with great success.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the club was First Division skipper Wahied Edwards who thanked the sponsor for his continued sup-

port of the club.

He called on the residents in the area to support the business so that it can give back to the community.

Edwards reiterated the club’s motto of “Striving for excellence through cricket and education” and promised that it will be upheld despite the challenges. Other sponsors on board so far are beverage giants ANSA McAL, Ashiek and Sons Motor Supplies and Auto Sale, Massy Distribution and Office Express.

This event will form part of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club’s facilities and day to day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the No 19 to Gangaram area.

The tournament will be played on February 23, and will involve ten second division teams from the area.

It will be five overs a side with no first division cricketer allowed.

Top clubs such as Canje Pathfinders, Betsy Ground Triple Stars, Kendalls Union A, Rose Hall Community Center and the host are expected to take part. Incentives with the value of over $100,000.00 will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes.

India gather around to celebrate the fall of a wicket (Associated press photo)

I

n his first three overs, bowled at the start of the match, R Ashwin bowled India to their first bilateral T20I series win at home. India bowled Sri Lanka out for their lowest total, 82, to retain their No. 1 ranking, which was on the line in the series decider.

Ashwin’s 4 for 8 was the best figures for an Indian in T20Is, beating his own 4 for 11.

Ashwin’s immediate impact was crucial because the pitch turned square, and India might have unwittingly given Sri Lanka the second use of such a track. You couldn’t have faulted MS Dhoni, though: the pitch looked white, had zero moisture, and no big cracks.

Given the dew expected later in the day, it seemed a prudent decision to ask Sri Lanka to bat because the pitch didn’t look like it would help spin anyway.

Just like in Pune where India were left thinking they would have been in the game had they scored 130 or so as opposed to the 101 all out, Sri Lanka could have given India a fight with a half-decent total because the ball turned square even for Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina. Ashwin left them in no position to get a fighting total, though.

Ashwin, given the new ball, was happy to give it a rip and some flight, mixing in the seam-up delivery that swings away from the righthand batsmen. Sri Lanka, though, came out with a plan to try to hit Ashwin out of the attack. Tillakaratne Dilshan faced the second ball of the match, got a single, and immediately signaled to his partner, Niroshan Dickwella that the ball was turning already.

It didn’t have any impact on

Dickwella, who left his crease early and walked past an offbreak that Ashwin bowled deliberately short.

In the same over, Dilshan was done in by a sharp offbreak from round the wicket, turning enough to beat the inside edge and hit his pad inside the line, but not turning too much to be given out lbw.

If Dickwella played a headless shot, Dilshan’s was purely a bowler’s wicket: beaten on the forward defensive by the dip and the turn. Captain Dinesh Chandimal looked to counterattack, hit two fours off Ashish Nehra, but skied Ashwin in his second over. In his third over, Ashwin enjoyed some luck as debutant Asela Gunaratne was given out caught at leg slip off his pad. Ashwin had now reduced Sri Lanka to 20 for 4 in the fifth over. turn to page 19

guyanatimesGY.com

monday, february 14, 2016

LABA/104.3 Power FM Mash Basketball…

Bulls topple Jets, Raiders out Flames

Terron Welch

N

umber one rated Half Mile Bulls showed their mettle in downing the Amelia’s Ward Jets 85-76 in a game that could have gone either way when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA)/ 104.3 Power FM Radio Mash open basketball tournament commenced on Saturday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

The Retrieve Raiders were also in the winner’s row topping Block 22 Flames 67-45.

Bulls played to their best in discharging their compact game under pressure.

They took the first quarter 25-21 but the Jets came back firing to edge ahead at half time 39-38.

The back and forth game continued in the second half as the third quarter ended 60-59 in favour of the Jets.

The Bulls then went on a rampage in the final period with national- guard Terron Welch ending the game with 32 points.

Fellow national Michael Turner dropped 22 and inside man Kevin Easton nine points as they were able to overcome their opponents for the win.

The best scorers for the Jets were their forward line of Omally Sampson with a battling 19 points, Joel Webster got 15, Vibert Benjamin 12 and Orin Rose with 10 for the losers.

23

Milo U-20 School Football Tournament…

Mae’s impress in round three action

Action during round three of the Milo U-20 school football tournament Dwayne Roberts

The other game played earlier was all Raiders as they scored an emphatic win over the Block 22 Flames.

The Raiders were given this good start through their power forward Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts who led their way with 22 points and national player Keon Cameron scoring 18 while Alexander Rose penetrating his way to 10 points.

By Treiston Joseph

Mae’s Secondary School hammered Charlestown 5-0 on Sunday to end round three action in the Milo Underf-20 School Football Tournament which was held at the Ministry of Education ground.

Mae’s was in top form, moving the ball at will with little resistance from the defence of Charlestown.

Raheem Hutson led the way for Mae’s with a double in the 23rd and 59th minutes while Emmanuel Trotman, Tyrese Payne and Darshan Persaud scored goals in the 39th, 41st and 58th minutes

respectively.

Meanwhile in the first game of the day, St John’s College topped Tutorial High School 2-1 to grab another win in the tournament.

Tutorial High got off to a brilliant start with a goal from Alastair Frank in the sixth minute of the match but never found their footing after.

Eon Adams would equalise in the 11th minute while Joel Taap would score the eventual winner in the 30th minute as the second half played out to a stalemate.

The second game of the day saw yet another 2-1 fin-

ish as St Roses High defeated Freeburg Secondary.

Loncel Martin scored a double for St Roses in the 29th and 52nd minutes to give his school the upper hand while Deron Thom scored a consolation goal for Freeburg in the 68th minute of play.

The final game of the day between Queenstown and inaugural champions of the tournament St George’s played out to a tame nil all draw.

Action in the tournament will continue February 20 and 21st with the final round of action at the same venue.

goal in the 54th minute.

Nevertheless, Guyana responded in the 70th minute with a strike from Mariam El-Masri to give Guyana a much needed spark.

Alison Heydorn would then score a brilliant goal from about 43 yards out curling the ball into the top centre of the net after striking the shot from the left side of the field from

distance in the 76th minute.

The goal would cause while celebrations by the ‘Lady Jgas’ as they held on for their first win of the tournament after losing to Canada 0-5.

Guyana will now have to play Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday for a slim hope of qualifying for the next round of the tournament.

GCB congratulates Windies U-19 on ‘Lady Jags’ top Guatemala World Cup win in Olympic Qualifiers

Shimron Hetmyer

W

ith the West Indies Under-19 squad topping India by five wickets on Sunday in the final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has congratulated the talented group of young men being captained by Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer.

The following is the full release of the GCB: The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is extending congratulations to the West Indies U-19 team on their first World Cup title which they captured earlier today when they defeated India by five wickets in the International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup 2016.

Our boys played particularly well throughout the tournament, exemplifying great team work ethics, and timely individual performances. Throughout the tournament, the players assume the necessary leadership roles with the bat, ball and while in the fielding – taking whatever individual responsibility was required for the progress of the team. Such a collaborative effort must be recognized and acknowledged, as it epitomizes the characteristics of professionalism that is required by West Indies and regional teams.

We are extremely proud of the attributes demonstrated by our young West Indies Team as they consistently exhibited their expertise in a “We can do It, We must do it and we shall do it manner.” Such burgeoning commitment to West Indies cricket is semblance of the player characteristics of the West Indies dominant teams of yesteryear.

We congratulates this young team on their invaluable accomplishment and encourage the players to continue to advance by building on their exhibited valuable attributes to ensure that the saying “Our Youths are our Future” is illustrated by this crop of players.

The GCB sincerely believes that the time is opportune to make the necessary adjustments to our WICB PCL Regional Tournament to ensure the continued growth development of our young West Indies players. The GCB stands ready to host, integrate and nurture such a promising group of players in a cricket development structure that has proven beneficial to our Guyanese players over the years.

We are prepared to support new initiatives that will once again propel West Indies Cricket to the pinnacle of world cricket.

T

he women’s national football squad better known as the ‘Lady Jags’ topped Guatemala on Sunday to gain their first-ever win in a CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament which is being contested in Houston, Texas.

While the first half ended nil all, Guatemala drew first blood with a

G. Square Cavaliers top Maris Pleasure in T20 game

W

akenaam club G. Square Cavaliers defeated Maris Pleasure in a 20 over-a-side match which was sponsored by Trophy Stall and Regal Stationary on Sunday in Wakenaam.

Cavaliers batted first and made 180-6 in their 20 overs with S Sahadeo top scoring with 48 runs.

C Ragnauth supported well with 33 while J Manbodh contributed 42 runs as well in the all-round batting effort.

Bowling for Maris Pleasure came from K Lewis with figures of 2-33 and M Singh who got figures of 2-17.

In reply, stiff bowling by the Cavaliers restricted to a meager total of 90-9 in their 20 overs. Sahadeo returned with the ball to grab figures of 4-17 in an impressive allround performance while also taking two

catches. K khan also supported Sahadeo with figures of 2-24.

monday, february 15, 2016

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

Windies U-19 lift maiden World Cup title

Pg 20

The West Indies side is elated after getting their hands on the trophy (Getty Images)

‘Lady Jags’ top Guatemala in Olympic Qualifiers Pg 23

WICB/PCL 4-day Cricket…

Johnson’s ton puts Jaguars in control against Red Force Pg 22

Alison Heydorn (#2) celebrates her game winning goal with her ‘Lady Jags’ teammates

Leon Johnson

Veerasammy Permaul

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