Sunday, March 20, 2016

11 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2802 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

March 20, 2016

PRICE

PPP claims landslide victory at historic LGE polls

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Smyth Street man gunned down execution style Page 9

$120 vat included

Soesdyke woman turns 100

Brazilian arrested Page 15 after gun, ammo found

Govt satisfied with LGE 38% turnout

LGE 2016

P16

P15

Coalition cannot remove alleged child molester from Council – Granger to seek explanation from ‘Defensive Minister’

GWI partners with Region 9 to address El Niño crisis

P17

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Minister of State Joseph Harmon (seated left at head table) and Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan joined President David Granger at a press conference called on Saturday morning to discuss some general matters with respect to Local Government Elections which were held on Friday

LGE 2016

Surujbally, Shaddick spar over GECOM’s voter education programme Page 10 – Commissioners blames GECOM; Chairman rejects responsibility

Dataram’s exposé…

Retired Brigadier to investigate allegations against CANU Page 10

GNBA finalising broadcast licensing criteria

Vriesland residents P9 call for regularisation Vendors dissatisfied with new Merriman P12 Mall rules, conditions

Page 11

– persons with criminal records to be denied access

Wales Estate to grind La Retraite Cane production P19

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NEWS

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, March 20 – 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, March 21 - 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, March 20 – 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, March 21 – 15:15h-16:45h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the better part of the day, while sunny weather is expected to return in the later afternoon hours. Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:42h and 15:00h reaching maximum heights of 2.32 metres and 2.41 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:34h and 20:56h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metres and 0.77 metre respectively.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

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PPP claims landslide victory at historic LGE polls T

he Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is set to achieve a landslide victory at the recently concluded historic Local Government Elections (LGE) which were held on March 18.

LGE 2016 came on the heels of one of the country’s most overwrought General and Regional Elections in 2015, which produced results that are currently being contested by the PPP/C – the Party strongly believes it was cheated out of Government after 23 years by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) whom it alleged conspired to rig the election.

LGE 2016 also comes after 22 years, with the current Government taking much pride in being able to bring back local democracy to the general populace.

Based on unofficial preliminary results obtained from various polling stations across the country, Guyanese have outright rejected the APNU/AFC Government.

According to the figures, the PPP/C secured a total of 747 of the overall 1166 available seats, a percentage of 64.1, whereas the APNU/ AFC only received 374.

In Region One (Barima-Waini), the PPP/C won 13 seats, whereas the APNU/AFC won 11.

In the Mabaruma municipality, both the PPP/C and APNU/AFC won six seats each and as a result, there is likely to be a by-election in three months to break the tie. In the Matthew’s Ridge/Port Kaituma Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the PPP/C won seven seats, whereas the APNU/AFC won five.

In Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), the PPP/C won 86 of 106 available seats; with APNU/AFC gaining 20.

The breakdown shows that in the NDC of Aurora/Good Hope – the PPP/C won 17, whereas APNU/ AFC won one; NDC of Riverston/ Annadale – the PPP/C won 16, whereas the APNU/AFC won two; the NDC of Aberdeen/Zorg-en-Vlyght – the PPP/C won 11, whereas APNU/ AFC won seven; NDC of Evergreen/ Paradise – the PPP/C won 10, whereas APNU/AFC won eight; NDC of Charity/Urasara – the PPP/C won 15, whereas APNU/AFC won three; and in the Anna Regina municipality – PPP/C won 14, whereas APNU/AFC won two.

In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the PPP/C won 182 seats, while APNU/AFC re-

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

ceiving 66.

In Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), Georgetown municipality, the APNU/AFC won 25 seats, the PPP/C won two, Team Legacy won two and Team Benschop secured one.

However, it was a big win for the PPP/C along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), Region Four. The PPP/C won 57 of 102 seats along the EBD and 100 of 156 seats along the ECD. In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 79 seats went to the PPP/C as opposed to 69 seats secured by the APNU/AFC. In Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), the PPP/C received 224 seats, whereas APNU/AFC won only 72.

In Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), the APNU/AFC secured 14 seats and the PPP/C secured three seats.

In Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo), the PPP/C copped three seats and the APNU/AFC received seven.

In Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), the APNU/AFC won all 21 seats.

Jagdeo reclaiming Guyana

The LGE was held in 71 Local Authority Areas which includes 62 NDCs and nine municipalities. Some 507,633 persons were registered to vote and according to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), only 38-39 per cent of eligible voters actually participated.

Already forecasting a massive win,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo issued a statement on Saturday evening assuring the Party’s supporters that it is now one step closer to reclaiming the country.

“As a Party we will continue to work hard to improve people’s lives and to prevent democracy from sliding backward. We are on the way to reclaiming our country, saving it from ruin and destruction by the hands of those who have demonstrated their only interest in Government is to be revengeful, spiteful and discriminatory,” the former President expressed.

He noted that the impressive victories scored by his Party are a clear indication that the PPP/C was always prepared to contest LGE and could never be held responsible for its delay.

“The Party reiterates that all the delays for the holding of Local Government Elections were due to the persistent street demonstrations, legal and other challenges raised by those who used every possible means to throw up obstacles on the path for Local Government Elections,” he stated.

According to the statement, there was a Joint Task Force on Local Government Reform between the then governing PPP/C and the Opposition People’s National Congress (PNC) which deliberated for eight years with little success. That Committee was eventually disbanded by former President Jagdeo who opted to unilaterally table the Local Government Bills but then PNC Leader Robert Corbin had indicated his party’s unwillingness to support four pieces of the legislations.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo noted that the PPP/C managed to win big despite of “the threats and intimidatory tactics used by APNU/AFC Government towards residents at Bartica and elsewhere, as well as the obnoxious abuse of State resources by the Government and vote-buying handouts from the Ministry of Social Cohesion at Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem.”

In that regard, the Opposition Leader expressed his gratitude to all supporters in the LGE. “The PPP/C is impressed by the generosity, unity and solidarity of its supporters, members and volunteers as they collectively embrace the democratic process and delivering victory to the Party. Without every single one of you, the dream for a better Guyana would be impossible,” the statement read.

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

Editorial

Cricket in the City without a ball!

Women, intersectionality and inequality

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here was a most interesting forum held earlier this month at the British High Commission to commemorate “International Women’s Day” under the theme “Pledge for parity”. For most persons thinking of “women and parity”, they would assume what is under consideration is for women to realise “parity” with men in all the spheres of life - but especially economically.

A week after IWD, for instance, the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, focused on creating a conducive environment for gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted unanimously last September by all UN Member States.

The chief guest at the Georgetown event did in fact make this assumption. Her presentation focused on her early experience in the corporate world with men making sexist comments and even women assuming that her role as “a wife and a mother” might be neglected. Her recommendations summarised the proposals that have been touted for the last half century in the struggle for “women’s rights”: equal pay for equal work, equal opportunities in all forms of employment and not just the stereotyped “female” ones, etc.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released statistics that indicate if the gap between the two genders continues narrowing at the same rate over the previous century, it will take another 117 years to close. The year before WEF had predicted it would occur 22 years before. In the US just five per cent of the CEO’s of the Fortune 500 companies are women, and in Guyana, while there are no official statistics, the optics suggest the situation is even more skewed. After all, in the realm of politics it was considered a mark of progress that legislation was enacted demanding just one-third of MP’s from the several political parties must be women. There has been no talk to amend this target towards “parity”. In the appointment of the Cabinet, voices had to be raised in protest when even the 30 per cent goal was not reached for ministers.

The function at the British High Commission was graced by Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, and was hosted in collaboration with “Guyana Trans United” and the “Society Against Sexual Orientation and Discrimination” (SASOD). And this circumstance brought to the fore in Guyana a position that had gained great traction in other jurisdictions but somehow was elided here: that “women” is not a monolithic category and in fact it subsumes several sub-groups the interests of each which need to be addressed on their own merits.

While Minister Lawrence acknowledged the existence of women who were gay or Trans, for instance, she unfortunately focused on society’s need to “change its attitude” towards them, rather than the removal of structural factors that permit or even encourage discrimination against them other than just being “women”. But one cannot fight what is not named. This challenge was faced three decades ago in the US and created a vocabulary centred around the word “intersectionality” to deal with it.

One writer put it succinctly: “Intersectionality was coined in the late 1980s to explain how different markers of identity coalesce to yield unique forms of discrimination. A black woman, for example, might experience not only racism and sexism in her daily life, but could also confront additional barriers that white women and black men do not. It became a way of making visible the experience of individuals that had previously been caught between the feminist and civil-rights movements. It’s tremendously important for new frames to enter our political lexicon to deal with old problems. They mark a space and set of realities that might otherwise slip through the cracks.”

And this is the reality that must be faced in Guyana for women who may be gay, Trans, poor, ethnic, etc, and who face quotidian discriminations from these facets of identity other than being “ ‘just’ women”.

These children wasted no time in enjoying a game of cricket early Saturday morning along Thomas Street, Georgetown, opposite the Georgetown Public Hospital despite them not having a traditional ball. An old bottle was sufficient to satisfy their childhood adventures

We need to find a solution to our race problem

Dear Editor, Reference is made to Rajendranauth Singh in another media calling for censorship of my views because I write on race. My response was not published by the said media. David Hinds, Kwayana, Ogunseye, Phillips write on race but Singh has not called on that media to ban them.

Does Singh actually exist or is he using a convenient fictitious ethnic name? Freddie Kissoon (new KN editor of letters) also stated unabashedly to ban Bisram and Indian intellectuals from publishing in KN. As he did with two letters published (out of 15 sent to the media since December), Freddie severely edit/butchered my response because he is opposed to competing intellectual views. Singh is yet to dispute any of the claims (facts) I made that were substantiated with evidence.

Singh seeks freedom of press (to pen falsities, misinterpretations, and inaccuracies as exposed in his two letters) but not for people like me or Prof Lomarsh Roopnarine, Ramharack or other Indian intellectuals to pen facts.

Contrary to what Singh pens, I do not have a hidden agenda as my views on various issues are publicly stated unlike, the secretive Singh. I don’t mix words and I don’t bury Guyana’s race problem under the carpet as Singh instructs. I have a public agenda to elucidate issues using facts, not innuendoes or name calling as Singh and Freddie do.

What is the problem if someone writes on race?

It is an important and relevant paradigm. The Afrocentric Cornwell West writes almost exclusively on race as do Tacuma Ogunseye, David Hinds, Eusi Kwayana, Eric Phillips, and other Afrocentrists.

Instead of engaging in name calling, why does Singh not focus on finding a solution to racism in Guyana? An example of an unapologetic

racist is someone who refuses to admit a group of people was persecuted on account of their race as happened in South Africa, US, Guyana, etc. The secretive Singh, not me, fits that definition.

With regards to race issues, in which land is Singh living? Almost every issue is viewed through the prism of race as many scholars penned. What issue in Guyana is not about race?

Aren’t slavery, indentureship, banning of goods, rape, crime, firing of workers, elections, prison fire, etc all about race?

Indians and Amerindians felt they were fired from government jobs because of race.

Chinese feel they are violently attacked because of race.

Portuguese feel they are marginalised because of race. In my travels in Guyana over the last two weeks, I heard endless complaints all pertaining to race.

Several individuals (of different races) were given traffic tickets and they all attributed it to race even though race may not have had anything to do with the issuance of the tickets. That is the nature of our and all multiethnic societies. The same holds true of the US and Canada.

For example, when people don’t get promotion at their jobs, they cry race even when race has nothing to do with an action.

American elections are also about race. Haven’t you been paying attention to the Presidential primaries in both parties? Donald Trump uses race in his campaign message. Wasn’t the struggle for Guyana’s independence or decolonisation in general about race?

Why hasn’t the non-existent Singh criticised Freddie Kissoon or Afro-centric writers who write perennially on race? Singh seems very confused writing “Everything in Guyana is not about race”, but he then concedes “Guyana’s main problem is race”. What kind of contradictory comment is that?

Singh claims his family moved to the US because of a racial conflict and attacks on Indians. Is that not about race? And then he tells us that he and his family have moved on.

NB David Hinds (KN Mar 8) said we must not move on from the abuses of the past and we must hold the abusers to account. Why didn’t Singh take Hinds to task for not moving on?

The literature in the mass media, including the Barbados-based (now defunct) Caribbean Contact, and reports from various commissions of inquiries and journals state that the overwhelming majority of IndoGuyanese who migrated to the US and Canada did so to escape racial persecution - job discrimination and marginalisation, physical attack by kick-down-the-door bandits, physical beatings, ban on ethnic foods, thuggery, election rigging, etc. Freddie Kissoon claimed he wrote a monograph and it was all on race. Singh did not take him to task.

With regards to his appeal to Adam Harris (NB: Freddie Kissoon is letters editor) for censorship of Bisram (rest assured Freddie will not publish this response uncensored), is that what the US media are doing to Donald Trump. Singh claims to be writing from the US. Is he honest? Since he is so concerned about race, has Singh written to the US media to censure Trump for his commentaries on race and for wanting to deport all immigrants (including the fictitious Singh and family). Dr Martin Luther King’s appeal was entirely on race?

Should he have been banned by the media? And how about Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other civic rights leaders all of whose appeals were exclusively on race, should they have been censured also? If Jagan or Kwayana had not taken up race, would democracy have been restored to Guyana?

I have been fighting racism internationally (including in the US and against apartheid South Africa and Ian Smith’s Rhodesia) and for equity and justice among all humans regardless of race. I also fought to restore democracy in Guyana that now benefits Singh to pen his view in the media that was previously banned and granting him the freedom to call for my ban in KN. What has been Singh’s contribution on these fronts?

I write on race (and other issues) because I want to see a better Guyana and this can only come about when the race problem (which Singh claims is “Guyana’s main problem”) is faced squarely and discussed in the open. David Hinds and Eusi Kwayana also say that is their agenda. We all must work towards a solution; that has been my consistent position ever since I started commenting on political issues.

We must discuss race openly and not sotto voce as Singh advises.

We must not bury race under the carpet as Singh and Freddie are advocating.

I care about my country and race has been destroying it. We must find a solution to equitable sharing of resources and decision-making among the varied ethnic groups. Airing this dirty linen in the public to embarrass the politicians, as Hinds has been doing, is the way to go to find a solution to it.

I urge whoever uses pseudonym Singh don’t hide behind a fictitious ethnic name. It seems my commentaries on race have had the benefit of getting Singh to openly take a stand - a good thing although he does not agree with me. Democracy depends on open debate and differences, not censorship.

And Singh does not have to worry about censorship of my letters as Freddie will severely edit this response.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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

What is Bulkan doing about Carl Parker and others?

Dear Editor, The silence of the media on the countless allegations of corruption levelled against Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region 9, Carl Parker, is appalling. I ask, is the media protecting Parker? While Parker’s close ties with one media house might explain that entity’s silence, it is puzzling as to why others refrain from investigating the crimes for

which he is being accused.

Since the coalition took over, reports suggest that Parker openly discriminates against Amerindians, including patients, school children and their leaders. He is accused of discriminating against Amerindians based on perceived political persuasion. He overtly rejects the authority of the Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock, as well as Vice

Chairman Karl Singh, both Amerindians. He has gutted the allocation of resources to the office of the Regional Chairman in such a way as to limit the outreaches to Amerindian villages. His excuse is that the Regional Chairman is conducting political work.

Other allegations concern Parker’s presumably corrupt practices in the distribution of regional con-

Lessons to be learnt in governance Dear Editor, A friend of mine shared the following extract from a BBC report featuring the amazing lessons in governance especially noteworthy for poor Third World countries like us in Guyana.

I sincerely think it is worth giving it the widest publicity, especially at this time and in the current circumstances in Guyana: “On November 5, 2015 Tanzania swore into office a new President.

Coincidentally he is also a John. John Magufuli is doing what has been termed the “Rwandanisation of Tanzania”.

If you don’t know about what Paul Kagame has done with Rwanda make Google your friend. Here are some of the things John Magufuli has done already in LESS THAN A MONTH. Not in 3 or 6 years, one month. He’s shown a clear commitment to walk the talk but not to talk and talk and talk and talk more like we do here: 1. Soon after his election, Magufuli declared there would be no celebration of Independence Day on 9 December because it would be “shameful” to spend huge sums of money on the celebrations when people were dying of cholera. Instead, the day has been set as a national day of cleanliness, and the money will go to-

ward street-cleaning services. He has said everybody should pick up their tools and clean their backyards.

2. After his first official visit to the Muhimbili Hospital, and seeing the horrible state it was in, he ordered over 200 million shillings marked for “parliament parties” be used to pay for beds for people lying on the floor and sharing beds.

A few days later 300 beds were delivered. He dismissed the governing board and got a new team in place, and within days the broken MRI was fixed. He also pared down his inauguration party from $100,000 to $7,000 and sent the extra money to the hospital.

3. Three days into his term, Magufuli announced a ban on all foreign travel by government officials.

They have been instructed to instead make regular visits to rural areas to learn and help solve problems facing everyday Tanzanians.

All tasks that required officials to travel abroad would instead be done by high commissioners and ambassadors who are already in place.

4. He has restricted all first- and business-class travel to government officials, except the president, vice-president and prime minister.

5. There will be no more

workshops and seminars in expensive hotels when there are so many ministry board rooms available.

6.

He suspended the Tanzania Revenue Authority’s chief and other officials pending investigations after a visit by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to the port of Dar es Salaam found 350 containers listed in its books were missing.

7. When he had to travel 600km to Dodoma, from Dar, to officially open parliament last week, he didn’t order a private jet – instead, he chose to drive.

8. At the National Assembly in Dodoma last week he clearly sent out the message that it will not be business as usual under his leadership.

9. He promised to cut public spending, fight corruption and enhance accountability in public service. He said it is time for Tanzanians to walk the talk.

10. Magufuli reportedly told parliamentary leaders that the people of Tanzania want him to solve their problems and not make speeches”. End These are lessons for any Government serious about its people and them enjoying a good life.

Yours truly, Nowrang Persaud

tracts, without tendering.

But the latest accusations emanate from a District Education Officer - an educated Amerindian woman - Shaharazade Atkinson, that Parker has sexually harassed her and violated or withheld her rights and entitlements as a public servant.

The woman has produced documents to show her many attempts to obtain help from the Education Ministry, to no avail. Does she have to sue the Government so as to finally be heard? Can Amerindians no longer rely on the Government for protection? Are our legislations and Constitution no longer effective?

Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock has written extensively about this anomaly but despite the complaints pouring in from people who are fed-up of Parker, the Government remains blind and deaf and the media is following suit. We have entered a new era of political bullyism in Guyana, reminiscent of similar times when the Opposition was helpless in the face of tyrants.

Similar patterns have been observed in other Regions. Regional Chairman for Region 5 Vickchand Ramphal, is challenged by the same obscene behaviour from the APNU councillors who in less than three months have disrupted three RDC meetings. Their refusal to cooperate only serves

to show that this coalition’s “national unity” and “social cohesion” slogan is a farce and that the Communities Minister condones the terror unleashed against our leaders.

Such forms of abuse have never been practiced by the former administration, even though it had to put up with men like Hamilton Green who refused to do in 23 years under the PPP, what he enthusiastically did in 9 months under the PNC-led coalition. It is a shame that the country must now revert to anarchic behaviour from regional leaders at the detriment of the people’s wellbeing.

Non-cooperation in our

regions is not just a matter of social cohesion, it is a threat to our economic development as it hinders progress. These are not isolated cases and even if they were, it would still require urgent intervention from relevant powers to rectify.

Until Minister Bulkan and this Government puts a stop to this injustice, development and by extent the people, will continue to suffer. Perhaps the civil sector should take up the responsibility to protect this country’s interests where the Government and its allies in the media are failing.

Sincerely, Anna Correia

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Foundation

Patentia pensioner wants subsidies returned “Holi is a time to reach out with the colours of joy. It is the time to love and forgive. It is the time to express the happiness of being loved and to be loved through colours.” – Anon?

I

Anu Dev

hope the country is fully recovered from the excitement (?!) of our Local Government Elections and is ready for this Wednesday, when the entire country will be splashed with colours as Hindus and also nonHindus celebrate Phagwah – the festival of colours. I just got back from school in Trinidad and I’m raring to go!! By late afternoon, parents will be hard-pressed to recognise even their own little darlings as everyone becomes uniformly colourstained as they celebrate Phagwah.

In the morning, females of the home – that’s me and my mom in our home, thank you! – will be busy cooking all types of traditional Holi sweets like Gujiya, Gulgula, Ras Milai, Gulab Jamoon and Goja so that everyone will be free to go out and play Phagwah.

Phagwah commem-

orates the beginning of Spring, the triumph of good over evil and a time for new beginnings for everyone. It’s a story set many eons ago among a people called “Asuras” – traditionally opposed to the gods but incorrectly called “demons”.

A young Asura prince named Prahalad had the courage to stand up to his own father, King Hiranyakashipu, who had started to challenge the gods. Because of a boon he received form Lord Bramha, he was nearly invincible and so filled with arrogance and pride. He demanded he be worshipped by his subjects.

To paraphrase Albus Dumbledore, “It takes great courage to stand up to our enemies but it takes even greater courage to stand up to our family (friends)”. And Prahalad had that courage.

No matter how many times his father and teachers tried to convince him otherwise, Prahalad always kept his belief in Lord Vishnu. And his prayers didn’t go in vain.

The king had his minions

try every which way to kill his obstinate son but to no avail: the boy was protected

by Lord Vishnu. This was even when his Aunt Holika, immune to fire, tried to burn him in a pyre.

F i n a l l y , Hiranyakashipu contemptuously challenged Prahalad to prove that Lord Vishnu was indeed in everything and everyone. Lord Vishnu appeared out of a pillar as Narsimha – half man-half lion. Hiranyakashipu’s boon was that he couldn’t be killed by man nor animal; not by hand nor by any weapon; not in the day nor in the night; not in a house, outside nor on the ground nor in the air. Lord Narsimha killed Hiranyakashipu with his claws, on his knee, on the doorstep of the Palace at exactly dusk. God will always find a way... once the devotee does his or her part. Prahalad was crowned King.

The lesson, of course, is that anyone can be a Prahalad by standing up

to the Hiranyakashipu in their life. Life isn’t about always being a passive person who doesn’t have opinions or who doesn’t stand up for their beliefs. That’s not to say you should always pick up cudgels whenever someone steps on your toes. But you should always let them know firmly, that you’re not just someone they can take advantage of.

The story of Prahalad would’ve been told countless times last week as schools put on Phagwah shows incorporating the story as a skit or in Mandirs and in homes.

The message of Phagwah is a very strong one. Stand up for what you believe in; don’t be a carpet that everyone walks on. Always remember Prahalad, a young boy who has the strength and the courage to stand up for his beliefs. Don’t just go along to get along.

So everyone, go out this Wednesday and have a wonderful, colourful Phagwah!

Holi Re!

T

Patentia resident & fish vendor Zoreena Persaud

he nixing of Government subsidies to electricity and water for pensioners have made it difficult for them to provide for their basic needs, thus adding to their hardships.

This was on Saturday reiterated by fish vendor Zoreena Persaud who told this publication that if she had not been a working woman, her husband, an old aged pensioner would have struggled to survive.

“It affect we really bad, if me didn’t got this business I don’t know how me husband would mek out,” she related.

She noted that even with the recent increase in the old-aged pension, she is unable to meet all her needs and is calling for the reinstatement of government subsidies.

“We calling on the authorities to put it back to how it was like before,” Persaud emphasised.

The Patentia resident further said that apart from her husband, many other elderly persons in the area cannot afford their bills.

“The old people dem got to pay for water, dem ah get one lil $17,000 but wha de use?”

“You have to pay it back for light, we have to pay phone bill… when dem old people done pay da what would left out of da $17,000?” questioned the fish vendor.

Back in January Guyana Times reported that Government’s monthly $17,000 pension could not cater to the needs of these aged beneficiaries. Ramrattie, 76, of De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara, told this newspaper she was shocked when she received a $16,000 water bill.

The elderly woman also related that she could not afford to make the payment in time and as such, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had cut off the water supply to her house.

Ramrattie also said she was forced to pay a $6000 reconnection fee in addition to signing a contract with the water company. This contract, she said, was to ensure that all outstanding payments are paid.

She also lamented that the current Old Age Pension was not sufficient to meet her needs.

“If at this age me only depend pun pension and if me got to pay water company, me’en know how me gan make out… the pension can’t pay de money,” stressed the 76-year-old.

Back in October of 2015, this newspaper reported on the dire state in which some pensioners had found themselves after the removal of the subsidies. At that time, Tessa McKenzie, 70, had expressed her frustrations over the eliminations.

“I never had to worry about the light bills and the water bills. When the month come, it was just a $2000 for the light bill and like a $4000 for the water bill. Cause it’s me alone and how much one old lady gon use up? So the pension I used to get was good ‘cause at least I had leftover to buy my lil’ groceries. Now, it’s like all my pension going behind the bills,” stated McKenzie in October of last year.

The Old Age Pension is a monthly payment available to Guyanese aged 65 or older; however, before anyone can receive this benefit, he/ she must meet eligibility requirements.

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Eyew tness Development... ...and underdevelopment

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e all know Guyana’s sorely in need of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). All our traditional export products have crashed for one reason or another – sugar – prices; rice – drought and markets; bauxite – China’s slowdown etc...etc. Not unexpectedly, the economy’s moribund. But is a mega-supermarket the kind of FDI we really need?

What exactly will the claimed US$24 million supermarket the Trinidadian company Massy just opened at Providence, do for our economy? Replace rice and sugar with the promised 100 jobs? You’re kidding, right dear reader? Those two industries contribute to the upkeep of at least 200,000 men, women and children. Right now, selling groceries is the last thing we need in Guyana.

Every street corner in the villages gave their mom-and pop groceries...and small supermarkets are already giving them a run for their money.

And in the towns? Well, don’t we already have supermarkets? Massy’s might be massive – but what exactly will they sell that’s not already available in Guyana.

Twenty kinds of ketchup? What’s this nonsense about buying and selling “Guyanese Products” – and showing the Finance Minister “fingling” same sweet potatoes?

Why can’t Massy develop that Plantain Chip factory Leguan’s crying out for? Why underdevelop us further? Is there a Guyanese who can’t get sweet potatoes? Or is the one-stop shopping rich elite not going to be visiting the “ground provision” vendors on Merriman Mall.

Oh...we forget...Massy’s not going to put THEM out of business... Town Clerk King already did that with his 500 per cent rental increase for a smaller stall to the said vendors. But back to Massy Supermarket. We have to admit, they tried every which way to sound Guyanese. Did you see the sign over one aisle announcing “Can Meat” and “Can Vegetables” rather than “Canned Meat and Canned Vegetables” – which we Guyanese NEVER say?

But seriously folks? Can you hear that sucking sound your Eyewitness picked up on the moment he saw the Massey Supermarket? That’s the sound of Massy sucking out dollars from Guyana that would’ve been circulating and creating virtuous circles in “buying and selling” here. And it’s not just dollars – it’s AMERICAN DOLLARS. Businesses in Trinidad are restricted from buying US dollars – they have to go through the Central Bank like we used to do back in the “Burnham Days”.

So in addition to siphoning off all those West Coast, West Bank and East Bank wealthier grocery shoppers, that sucking sound you hear will be Massy siphoning off US dollars to Trinidad and pushing up our exchange rate.

It’s not totally coincidental the sucking sound we all know up to now is water being flushed down the toilet.

Same difference!

...of democracy

OK...the LGE results are in. And all it did was confirm that race politics – represented by the supporters of the two major parties – is also alive and well at the local level.

There was a faint hope by some – including this Eyewitness – that away from the hotbed of national politics which determines who runs the country, the racial imperative might lose some of its intensity. Not this time though.

With 20/20 hindsight, once the two big guns entered the fray in their own names (what’d you think? Folks don’t know APNU is PNC. Steewps!!) It was a foregone conclusion. In some uni-racial constituencies, the “other side” didn’t even bother to field a candidate.

But one big surprise – at least to this Eyewitness – is how some candidates were wiped out following Pressie’s “don’t split the vote” call. For instance Benschop.

With the drubbing he got after his years of activism... can he come back?

...and protecting locals

India’s faced with the same invasion of supermarkets threatening their millions of local shops. But having allowed in one set of merchants – The East India Company – who ended up taking over the country for Britain – India’s placed controls on their entry.

A hint to Beneba mek Quasie tek notice!

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

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SunDAY, march 30, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Smyth Street man gunned Vriesland residents call for regularisation down execution style – many wanted to vote in Friday’s LGE M D

oments after returning home from a night club on Saturday morning, a Symth Street man was gunned down in his backyard.

The dead man was identified as O’Riley Small, 32, of Lot 2 Symth Street, Georgetown. His body was discovered at approximately 03:00h by his mother.

Based on reports, the now dead man had just returned home when he was confronted by the gunmen who opened fire on him. He was reportedly shot to the head, hand, feet, abdomen and eyes.

Gail Ann Edwards, an aunt of Small explained that she was sleeping but around 03:00h she was awakened by her nephew shouting “Aye Aye” followed by gunshots.

The woman noted that after the gunshots, they went out to enquire when they saw her nephew’s hat and shoes at the front gate but did not look at the back of the house. “It was until his mother came down and looked at the back, she found him lying at the back and he was already dead”, the woman cried.

Although Guyana Times understands that Small’s car was hijacked some time ago, the aunt noted that she

Dead: O’Riley Small

is not aware that her nephew had any issues with anyone. Edwards noted that her nephew did not seem to have any old grievance with anyone around and did not know who would want to harm him.

However, when Guyana Times contacted the mother of Small, she refused to give any comment.

Back in 2013, Small was charged with break and enter and larceny committed on Central Electronics located on Robb Street, Georgetown.

It was alleged that he along with an accomplice, David Lynch broke and entered Central Electronics and stole a quantity of items, which included a flat screen television and a met-

al safe, along with an undisclosed sum of cash.

Also in February 2013, he was fingered in an attempted robbery of Wayne Heber at Premneranjan Place, Prashad Nagar which left three bandits dead. Those killed were Tony Ogle, 42, called "Skin Teeth" and "Ninja" of Callendar Street, Albouystown, and Leon Gittens, 24, called "Cow" of Hill Street, Albouystown and Shawn Brown.

In addition, Small was shot along with four others during a shooting at the National Cultural Centre, Mandela Avenue, back in 2009.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that Marry Prince called “Max” of Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was up to late Saturday evening being grilled on the execution. He was reportedly arrested shortly after the shooting incident. Prince is reportedly a security official at the popular night club where the now dead man was partying prior to his death.

The Police have confirmed that a suspect was arrested and is assisting with investigations.

Investigators have retrieved several spent shells at the scene as investigations continue.

By Shemuel Fanfair

espite the low voter turnout at Friday’s Local Government Elections (LGE), many residents in the community of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara expressed disappointment in not being able to exercise their franchise. This is a result of the area not being part of any Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and as such was ineligible to be contested by constituency candidates.

It was also explained that residents in communities beyond Patentia were also disallowed from voting.

Some of these areas are said to be Free and Easy, Vive le Force and Reynstein.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, a resident, Data – only given name – related that she has been living in the area for over 30 years and thus wanted to cast her ballot.

“Dem seh you nah pay tax and if you nah pay rates and [taxes] you can’t vote,” Data opined.

One fish vendor related

that many residents wanted to vote as representatives could have advocated for their needs.

“Me glad if betterment could come,” stated the woman.

Another resident posited that even though these were not the ‘big elections’, she still would have

appreciated if her fellow community members could cast their ballot.

Roshini Mohan expressed great frustration at the fact that Vriesland is not yet regularised. She opined that residents have “no rights and access” to services.

“Fo you come and vote fo your right you can’t do it; that ah you legal and

democratic right,” stressed Mohan. She explained that she resided in the area over 30 years while her husband lived there for “over 40 years”.

She further related that some residents had attempted to establish the area as an NDC, through advocacy.

“Dem boy done form a NDC group, done get de stamp, only fo de people come and regularise this place,” Mohan posited.

She further noted by not paying rates and taxes, only the residents stand to lose.

On the other hand fellow resident and vendor, Shivanie Persaud who sells at Patentia market said she is too busy to be bothered by the local polls. “Me nah got time because nobody not give me anything if me nah wuk,” expressed the vendor.

Vriesland is situated some 14 kilometres from Vreed-en-Hoop. The majority of residents are currently employed with Wales Sugar Estate which is slated for closure by yearend.

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sunDAY, march 20, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Dataram's exposé...

Retired Brigadier to investigate allegations against CANU

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eeks after self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram made damning allegations against ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Brigadier, Bruce Lovell, was appointed the lone commissioner to head the inquiry and conduct the investigations.

According to reports, President David Granger confirmed that the retired military personnel has agreed to be the lone commissioner while it was further reported that he will be investigating the allegations made by Dataram.

The Terms of Reference have already been approved and the investigations are expected to begin by April 1.

Dataram, during an interview with HGPTV Nightly News (Channel 67), alleged that senior officials

S

Head of CANU James Singh

Retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell

of CANU are involved in drug trafficking activities and even alleged that one of the ranks bagged some $10 million in exchange for allowing cocaine to leave the country. He also made allegations against the fairly new Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

After the revelations, Head of CANU James Singh denied all allegations of impropriety levelled by Dataram.

He explained that Dataram’s savagery against his agency may be as a result of Dataram’s uneasiness due to the commencement of his trial for possession of 129.230kg of cocaine found in Shrimp at his Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X, Diamond, East Bank Demerara residence on April 16, 2015.

His relative, Troy Dataram an electrician was recently found with over $10 million cash in his home by the SOCU. On the other hand, Singh stated that CANU welcomes the “frank confessions” of Dataram as it relates to his involvement in the narcotics trade and urged him, along with “others” connected to the nar-

Hadfield Street man nabbed with gun, ammo

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resident of Hadfield Street, Georgetown, was on Friday arrested after he was found in possession in an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Based on reports, the man was walking along Hadfield Street when he was stopped by a police mobile patrol and

Cooking Duck Curry

a body search conducted.

An unlicensed .45 pistol and six marching rounds were unearthed.

He was questioned by the police but failed to produce a firearm and ammunition license. He was taken into custody and is expected to be charged shortly.

Self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram

cotics trade, both small and large; mules and traffickers alike, to attend the nearest Police station and/or the CANU Head Quarters, Georgetown to provide useful intelligence in past and ongoing investigations and operations.

“CANU welcomes further public confessions of criminal elements. CANU urges the citizenry to stand up, speak out, to have the tenacity to testify against the elements of the narcotic trade; and help the Unit make Guyana a safer place,” he stated.

Singh added that CANU agrees that all law enforcement bodies should operate justly, within the confines of the law, and noted that Guyanese should continue to adopt this apparently new stance of intolerance to white collar crime plaguing Guyana.

atiricus was in awe of his friend Alfred. Well... if the truth be told, Alfred wasn’t REALLY his friend... like a “buddy” or anything. But nowadays with people “friending” people in Timbuktu (or wherever) they’ve never seen or likely to see in the flesh in this lifetime, Satiricus figured, “What the heck?” He DID know Alfred since they were in short pants in “Big ABC” – which they now call “Nursery”. Kinda like how Nagga Man knew Pressie back in Whimpy Primary School. However, Alfred’s knees weren’t as dimpled as Nagga Man described Pressie’s.

Alfred had been a big time “suck-up”. He was always finking on the young Sato, who even back then figured out he wasn’t the brightest bulb in Big ABC. Alfred would sidle up to Miss Baghevems and whisper as to how Sato was copying from Pearly. Young Satiricus was embarrassed... he did have such a crush on Miss Baghevems!

A suck-up then and a suck-up now. And Satiricus had discovered this made Alfred eminently qualified to be a local politician. As a youth-man Alfred became a member of the Pee-an-See. He used to rush to climb his grandmother’s coconut tree to pick “water coconuts” whenever the Peean-See honchos visited from GT. When the PPCEE got in, Alfred had become married by then and started the tradition of cooking Duck curry whenever the honchos came around. He became a Councillor on the NDC. Never did a thing for the village but Satiricus heard he cooked a meeeean duck curry! Satiricus never got to taste it... he wasn’t a big honcho of anything.

And now that PPCEE was out and KFC was in, Alfred was now a yellow KFC. Still serving up duck curry – but now to the big honchos of the KFC like Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man. And he was the KFC candidate in the LGE for he and Sato’s village – which was now called a “constituency” in the same NDC where he’d done nothing for 20 years. And this was what had earned Satiricus’ awe. He and his friends would be arguing for hours every night about politics and what was needed for the people and so on at the back street bar. But THEY were never picked to run for “Councillor”.

They figured their problem was they’d never learnt to cook duck curry. But not to worry. Hadn’t Alfred promised at the LGE meeting where three persons had showed up (including his wife and two kids) he would take care of all the problems of the village?

Just like Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat of the KFC had done for the country. Happy Days were here again!

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, march 20, 2016

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News

GNBA finalising broadcast licensing criteria – persons with criminal records to be denied access

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he Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) board of directors is slated to meet this Thursday to examine the list of criteria to be used during the consideration of over 25 applications for Radio and Television licences, according to several members of the board.

The meeting comes on the heels of a recent meeting between the GNBA and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo where he urged the body to begin is-

suing Radio and TV licences and “allowing the window of fresh air to touch our broadcasting in Guyana.”

GNBA Chairman Leonard Craig had subsequently confirmed that the body will begin processing applications “within a matter of weeks”. He had however stated that the board was still working out the criteria.

But, a source close to GNBA told Guyana Times that the drafting of the criteria was almost complete by a sub-committee, and the

full board at the Thursday, March 24 meeting is likely to examine the draft, which

ABC countries praise LGE process

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ith the hosting of Local Government Elections in Guyana on Friday after some 20 odd years, the ABC countries have extended their commendation on the credibility of the process.

Teams from the United States Embassy, the British High Commission and the Canadian High Commission had observed the Local Government polls. The diplomatic observer teams consisted some 90 observers, spread throughout the nine administrative regions.

In a joint statement on Saturday, the ABC countries said during Friday’s events, they found nothing to question the integrity or credibility of the voting process.

“The US Embassy, British High Commission and Canadian High Commission congratulate the Guyanese people on the democratic process that we observed in (Friday’s) Local Government Elections. We wish to reiterate our strong and considered opinion that the voting and counting processes in the Guyanese Local Government Elections

will be shared in consultations with broadcasters to secure their inputs before publishing the final version.

Among the areas being examined, according to the source, include children’s programming; advertising; local production and programming, pornography, fitness and propriety, among others.

Fitness

When asked to expound on the criterion relating to “Fitness and propriety”, the source declined to elaborate, only saying it is in line with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Guidelines for Broadcasting Regulations.

US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway

were free, fair, and credible,” the statement detailed.

According to the diplomats, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has once again done a “credible job” in ensuring that the critical elections day phase of the process was free and fair.

“We would like to congratulate Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and the Commissioners and staff of the Guyana Elections Commission for their suc-

British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn

cessful organisation of these polls,” the ABC countries stated.

The diplomats are will be hosting a joint press conference on Monday to discuss the observation process of the Local Government Elections. High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana Pierre Giroux; British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn, and US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway will all be in attendance.

Section 6.6 of the UNESCO Guidelines states; “It is an overriding requirement in many broadcasting laws for licence holders to be ‘fit and proper’. There is no legal definition of ‘fit and proper’ but it generally means that licensees must be free from a criminal record involving dishonesty (such as fraud or theft) or other serious crime.”

It pointed to an example where the UK regulator decided to revoke a company’s radio licence after its major shareholder was convicted of rape.

This criterion also speaks to cases of persons being involve in other criminal activities, including tax evasion, human trafficking, backtracking and murder.

Guyana Times was reliably informed that at least one of the persons whose application is pending is known for tax evasion and backtracking.

Recently, the GNBA chairman when asked if criminal records will be considered when applications are reviewed, said all factors will be considered.

“We would look at all

the applicants; we will evaluate them using all the factors in the law and all other social and other factors. We will take everything into consideration,” he stated.

In fact, insiders informed Guyana Times that this is the most salient requirement for issuing broadcasting licences, since broadcasters have a tremendous ability to influence youths and other susceptible members of society.

One executive stated that Section 24(1) of the Broadcast Act specifies “Eligibility for licences” and subsection 2 insists “the authority shall have regard to (b) whether the applicant is a fit person to hold a licence.”

Several businesspeople have raised concerns about the issuance of licenses to persons who would have been or are involved in criminal activities.

They advised that when the board meets, that issue is taken into consideration, and any such person/s should be prohibited from obtaining licences.

There are around 25 pending applications for radio, television, and cable licences.

12 news

SunDAY, march 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Vendors dissatisfied with new Merriman Mall rules, conditions

By Merissa Wilson

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arlier this week, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) dropped the bombshell that the Council will be adding a whooping $1200 to the rental fees for vendors using the Merriman Mall.

This decision came in light of the recently rehabilitated Mall which had been upgraded in keeping with Guyana’s clean-up campaign.

However, apart from the vexed issue of the rental fees, vendors have voiced their dissatisfaction with the structure itself, as well

as the curfew imposed.

It would seem that this new structure was constructed with the attempt to reforming the conditions under which persons were vending, but this has somehow conflicted with that intent.

On Saturday, Guyana

The rehabilitated structures of the Merriman Mall

Times paid a visit to the rehabilitated site where vendors vented their anger at the inconsideration of the M&CC towards their plight.

Though the structure seemed intact with the vision of the M&CC, the vendors have opposing views to new hardships they face as a result of the actions.

Grateful for the upgrade, the vendors however believe that there is a substantial

amount of issues that need to be additionally addressed.

Fees

Before being relocated to the Cummings Street vending area earlier in January, the vendors had been consistent in paying their usual $300 per day to use the grounds for plying their trade.

However, as it has been reported, this $1200 addition

to that fee poses an immense difficulty for the vendors who told this publication that the money they acquire from vending barely sustains them and their family.

Being their only source of livelihood, the vendors are calling for the relevant authorities to examine their plight and rescind the decision to have such a hefty cost attached to rentals. turn to page 16

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SunDAY, march 20, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

LGE 2016

A most shameful Surujbally, Shaddick spar over GECOM’s picture of Government

BY RYHAAN SHAH

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week ago, all the media published a most shameful picture of the Granger Government. It was the photograph of the new board of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). Of the 12 people in the photograph, (two board members were missing), three were Government Ministers, all African Guyanese and two of those women; of the 11 Board members named, two of them were women, both African Guyanese, and Ryhaan Shah there was a lone, single, solitary Indian Guyanese male.

Everything is wrong with this picture and especially since just months ago, Government was forced to reconstitute several State Boards to be more gender and ethnically balanced because of public outcry. That so soon after, the Granger Government can persist with its racial and gender discrimination indicates a total disregard for the people’s wish for parity and equality.

The Georgetown Public Hospital presented its Board to the media days later in a photograph that was less staged and friendlier. This Board is more ethnically and gender balanced; no Government Ministers were present in the press photograph.

It appears that the Administration was well aware that it had to sell the GPOC Board to the public, hence the presence of no less than three Government Ministers in the formal photographic line-up. If the idea was that the presence of the heavyweights would check public protest, Government was right.

Not a word has been said by the media, women’s groups, the GHRA, and every other NGO concerned with rights and fairness. If President David Granger was testing his authority, he scored a resounding victory.

Until now, the Administration had tried to keep up its masquerade of unity which is dependent on some level of appearance for appearance’s sake.

However, the GPOC board with less than 10 per cent representation of Indian Guyanese who are the country’s largest minority at over 40 per cent; and with a similar underrepresentation of women who make up half of the population show that the Administration is confident that it can now bare its racism and gender bias.

People with power and authority send messages more by their actions than by their words and Granger has sent a powerful message of his Administration’s preference for African Guyanese and African Guyanese men, that is, people who look like him. They will be the advantaged and his Government’s further gender discrimination was fully endorsed by women Ministers – Cathy Hughes and Annette Ferguson, and all to no protest.

Guyana is on extremely dangerous ground and the GPOC board could be the first step to the reappearance of institutionalised racism as happened under the Burnham regime.

The Board’s make-up raises obvious questions about political neutrality and whether the public service, including State Boards, are to become rubber stamps for the Administration.

That this comes at a time when Government plans to introduce training to professionalise the public service, makes this move and its motives highly suspect.

For any Government to represent the population effectively, it is important that people from different groups participate. Representative Governments engage diverse communities, draw on the skills of the broadest group of people, and provide checks on the use of political power.

One of the best strategies for improving race and gender relations is to have people from different groups work together as equals in a positive environment where they can all contribute to the country’s development. Membership of State Boards is one of the best such places.

Ethnic and gender inclusion affects the sense of fairness in a society and has the potential to strengthen social cohesion, an idea that Government pretends to support but which the GPOC Board exposes as a lie.

Racism and discrimination of every kind subscribe enormously to a country’s underdevelopment. The exclusion of skills and ideas from the larger section of the population has no place in intelligent leadership and the discriminations of race and gender as reflected in the GPOC Board are actually unconstitutional.

By excluding the majority of the population – races other than Africans and women – from plans for the country’s development, the Granger Government is acting contrary to both the spirit and the legal framework as established by the Guyana Constitution.

But Government shows utter disregard for laws, regulations, procedures and for constitutional requirements as well and if we let these go without protest, we would have no one but ourselves to blame for the downfall that is sure to follow.

The GPOC Board is an ugly, unlawful and the shameful face of the Granger Government. No one should be comfortable with its constitution and no one sitting on the Board should be comfortable either.

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

voter education programme

– Commissioner blames GECOM; Chairman rejects responsibility By: Devina Samaroo

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hairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally’s glowing praises on its voter education programme was challenged by Commissioner Bibi Shaddick who insisted that the election’s body is majorly responsible for failing to successfully inform the public of the nature of Local Government Elections (LGE).

During a media conference on Saturday, Surujbally refused to take blame for the widely presumed poor voter education programme, which many believe was the chief reason for the miniscule turnout at the polls on March 18.

He rather suspected that the contesting candidates, groups and political parties should be held responsible for not bringing out their supporters for the historic elector-

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally and Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

al process.

“That cannot be GECOM’s fault… we felt that more work should have been done by the people who wanted to be in position of leadership… None of the people that you see working at GECOM are/were standing for an election; that is not our job,” he asserted.

Surujbally also contended that the law does not require GECOM to roll out civic and voter educational campaigns.

“If you look at the very

prescription as defined in the law as GECOM’s function, you might be hard pressed to really find civic and voter education, but we have taken that upon ourselves and I will go so far as to say that there was a time where political parties took on that job,” he explained.

Regardless, Surujbally talked up the Commission’s voter education programme and posited that the importance of the elections as well

as the voting process really was not difficult to comprehend.

“If you look at the ballot paper and it’s not too dissimilar from the ballot paper that you hold in the general and regional elections. It is not too complex an issue for even the person who is of a lesser educational background to understand and grasp as to why you should vote. Persons know distinctively that I should vote for somebody who I believe will carry out activities not inimical to my interests but for my interests. So what is there to understand or what is there to not understand…,” he posited.

At this point, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C)-nominated Commissioner contended that GECOM should have done more to educate the general populace about these elections. turn to page 16

14 news

SunDAY, march 20, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Younge’s Take

LGE musings A

s expected, there was a poor voter turnout at this year’s ‘historic’ Local Government Elections, despite the arrogance shown by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) when it continually ignored the concerns raised by key civil society voices and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Michael Younge The voter turn was between 38 and 39 per cent.

To add insult to injury, the Commission’s Chairman-forlife, Dr Steve Surujbally, had the nerve to tell the public that the entity would not take the blame for the poor showing of voters as it was not “running for anything”.

He went on to say that the responsibility for getting voters to participate in the democratic process was that of political parties and those running.

If one was to take Surujbally’s position to its logical end, then GECOM should not be given millions of dollars of tax payer’s monies to spend on its Voter Education Programme, which was piss poor for the recently held General and Regional Elections in May, and was worse this time around for LGE. Also, the money budgeted and approved by the National Assembly for this purpose should be split equally among parties and candidates contesting the General and Local Government Elections, with the smallest portion going to the Commission, if this is the view of GECOM’s Chairman.

The truth is, GECOM failed miserable in executing a massive, in-depth and simple voter’s education project. No excuse will suffice because the political parties did as much as they could to energise and encourage these supporters to be part of the process by engaging in potent political debates, launching manifestos and working the ground to enlist support at the polls.

This is, but, one aspect of the entire voter education process.

After 22 years of not having these elections, one would have thought that more emphasis would have been placed on rolling out regional campaigns specifically designed to appeal to the local characteristics of the electorate there.

GECOM hardly provided Guyanese with well-organised, publicised community meetings and discussion forums as well as good modern social media interface projects that left no stone unturned to ensure they knew what was at stake.

Also, most of its messages targeted the mass media audiences (newspaper and broadcast) and ignored the fact that social media and networking sites (facebook, instagram, Whatsapp) are the fastest modern platforms used to simply complex messages and communicate effectively with people between the ages of 15 and 45.

That aside, it was clear that on election day, Guyanese in general, did not understand how to vote or what would be the impact of them staying away from the polls.

As a result, many of them became complacent because they did not see the rationale behind ‘killing’ themselves to vote if the status quos of their communities will remain the same as ultimately central government has the final say and the power over the public purse.

So, the publicity stunt pulled by President David Granger and his Ministers on Saturday by calling media people to boast about his Government’s accomplishment of returning local democracy to the people and LGE will not work.

A closer analysis of the situation would prove that the Government interfered significantly in the process so that they could have total control from bottom up (local, regional, central) by supporting community representatives that would put Government’s interest in front of the residents’ interest. This is politics.

Granger’s Government has made a mockery of local democracy in this way and should have stayed out of the polls as it already enjoys the seat of central Government. It should emulate Desmond Hoyte’s example.

Also, the manner in which the few thousands cast their ballots on Friday show that Guyana’s political system is ethnically divided and citizens are unwilling to support independent candidates unless they are endorsed by the AFC, APNU or PPP. Somehow, the entire process on Friday appeared farcical and cosmetic. The President’s rush to take credit for the alleged return of local democracy also compounded this feeling coupled with the arrogance of GECOM’s top officials who were satisfied with the low voter turnout among other things.

Incidentally, Guyanese do not want a President who is good at speeches and diabolic ancient references but good in keeping his word and taking decisive action. President Granger could learn a lot from Tanzania’s new President.

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sunDAY, march 30, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

LGE 2016

Coalition cannot remove alleged child molester from Council – Granger to seek explanation from Defensive Minister

By Vahnu Manickchand

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he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition will not be able to legally removed one of its candidates – who has been accused and charged with sexual harassment and child molestation several times in the past, and who was successful at the recently concluded Local Government Elections.

Nonetheless, the party indicated that it will have to discuss the future of Candidate Winston Harding in the Georgetown Council.

However, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has stated that there are no legal provisions for the party to ask the candidate to resign.

Harding had faced several charges for child sexual molestation over the years but was never convicted.

This was brought to light after the man was already se-

President David Granger

lected as the APNU/AFC candidate for Constituency 13 (East and West Ruimveldt).

On Wednesday last, the coalition withdrew its support from Harding’s candidature, saying that the party is “firmly against all forms of abuse, especially the abuse of women, children and the elderly.”

However, Harding went ahead and contested the local government polls dur-

ing which he managed to win his constituency. This then raised concerns about whether the man would be recalled at the level of the party since he initially entered the race as an APNU/ AFC candidate.

At a press conference on Saturday morning, President David Granger said that Harding’s removal from the Georgetown Council will have to be discussed at the level of party. “The matter will be discussed within the PNCR (People’s National Congress Reform) and our partners in the APNU… An announcement has already been made, and we stand by the announcement until it has been discussed within the PNC Councils and within the APNU,” he remarked.

Removal

But a few hours later, at a press briefing hosted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on

Brazilian arrested after gun, ammo found

A

Brazilian national has been taken into custody by local Police after an unlicensed firearm and matching ammunition was found at a mining camp.

According to Police reports, this occurred sometime around 14:00h on

Saturday at the Eyelash Backdam, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).

It was revealed that Police ranks conducted a search on a mining camp at Eyelash Backdam, during which an unlicensed

9mm pistol along with 12 matching rounds of ammunition were found.

The Brazilian man, who was in the camp at the time of the discovery, was arrested and is in Police custody assisting with the investigations.

Winston Harding

Saturday, Commissioner Vincent Alexander pointed out that there are no provisions in Guyana’s local government legislation for the recall of an elected Councillor.

“Our legislation for local government does not provide for a recall of that sort,” Alexander stated.

The Elections body had come in for much criticism over the fact that it did not carry out the necessary background checks in relation to the screening of the candidate, and more so, still went ahead to count the votes for Harding following Friday’s voting.

But the GECOM Commissioner further explained that while the party would have withdrawn

its support from the man, his name was still on the approved list of candidates and already on the printed ballot papers for the Constituency he contested.

However, Alexander noted that the party can ask Harding to resign from the post of Councillor but the final decision would be left up to him whether he would assent to the request.

“There is no legal basis for the disqualification of the Candidate… It’s a moral question, it’s a political question but it’s certainly is not a legal question,” the Commission noted.

Defensive Minister Lawrence

Moreover, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence is also facing heat on the matter after she was reported in local media as saying that the matter was family-related and should not have been handled the way it was.

“This is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason, I can’t tell you because if I had a brother, even if there was an accusation, this is not how I would go about helping him,” she had stated.

The Minister’s comment sparked much outraged

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

among rights activists, with several Non-Government Organisation (NGO) members picketing her Lamaha Street office on Friday, calling for her resignation.

In response to this call, President Granger told media operatives on Saturday that he did not receive a formal request to that effect but will, nevertheless, seek an explanation from Minister Lawrence about the matter.

“I was told the call was made to the President but the President didn’t receive no such call, but what I could say is that I will seek an explanation from Ms Lawrence about the circumstances under which Mr Harding was selected,” the Head of State remarked.

16 news Soesdyke woman turns 100 M SunDAY, march 20, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

angri Rambharose, a Surinamese by birth moved to Guyana at an early age after marrying her Guyanese husband, Nandi Rambharose.

Although they met in Suriname the couple settled at Sand Hill, Demerara River, during the colonial period. After a few kids, they relocated to Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, where Mangri fondly known as “Mai” prepares to celebrate her 100th birth anniversary today.

The couple parented 10 children, six Guyanese by birth and four Surinamese.

The family is indeed blessed as “Mai” is now surrounded by 35 grandchildren, 50 greatgrands, and 21 greatgreat-grandchildren.

The family boasted that the lineage also extends to Suriname where an extended family resides.

Over the last 100 years this matriarch has worn many hats including farmer, wife, sister, aunt and mother, and today she is surrounded by an adoring family to celebrate her birthday.

“Mai” is also multilingual often switching from English to Dutch to Hindi and “taki taki” (a Surinamese dialect) in one conversation. At 100, her activities are limited but she still enjoys cooking the

Surujbally, Shaddick spar over...

“I feel very strongly about this and I’ve said this more than once… GECOM’s civic and voter’s education started too late,” Shaddick exclaimed.

According to the Commissioner, these LGE are unlike any elections Guyana has faced and for that reason, the nature needed to be explained to the population.

Shaddick distinguished that it is not the importance or voting process of the elections which the general populace did not understand but rather it is the nature of the system that appears to be

mindboggling.

“Many people who went and voted still do not understand that this system is not like the system we have for general and regional elections. People still don’t understand that there is a PR (Proportional Representation) and what that means… what the constituency candidate means, and all that,” she explained.

Shaddick also blamed the media for failing to properly educate the public.

Surujbally returns

After contradicting his position, Surujbally still maintained that GECOM worked assiduously to get information out to the public: “The focus over the last six weeks didn’t begin then… there were call-in programmes and panel discussions taking place since last year… There was a bombardment of texts and call-in programmes and interview… it is not something that just started a week ago, please do not go away with that impression,” he stated.

Nonetheless, Surujbally

assured that GECOM will ensure it will take measures to improve in areas where it fell short.

Turnout

Meanwhile, GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield disclosed there was approximately 38/39 per cent voter participation in LGE 2016.

He noted that there was 55.5 per cent voter participation on Disciplined Services Voting Day. LGE 1994 recorded 47.91 per cent overall voter participation.

Vendors dissatisfied with new...

Mangri “Mai” Rambharose at her 99th birthday celebrations

traditional way on the fireside and indulging in many of her favourite foods including chicken curry, dhal puri and a coke cola.

Dancing was on her must do list as a young woman, a hobby she still embraces today with high spirits, sound mind and a jovial nature.

This centenarian can also hold anyone in spirited conversation, sharing stories of old times and giving sound advice.

The only surviving sibling of five, “Mai” is by no means lonely as she is surrounded daily by a loving family spread across Guyana, USA and Suriname who join to wish her a blessed birthday with many more years ahead.

One of the vendors who spoke with this newspaper, Melissa Roberts, informed that this is the only trade she has known for the last 35 years.

She appealed for the price to be reduced to cater for those who are less financially stable.

The woman said the structure lacks basic amenities like electricity, washroom facilities and water supply, thus making it an unfair bargain on behalf of the vendors.

Additionally, given the case where the vendors request electricity, they are required to pay an extra $500.

“I have children to send to school, groceries to buy, bills to pay monthly, transportation costs. The poor are suffering,” Roberts argued.

Roberts recalled when she once rented three stalls at the cost of $1000 for the days that she worked, but now has a

smaller space costing at a higher price.

Amar Sugrim who had been vending for more than 15 years shared equal sentiments as Rogers, indicating that the increase is exaggerated given the plight of the persons whose occupation is vending.

Another vendor reported that given business has fluctuated since their return to the spot; a greater weight is placed on the vendors to pay the total daily fee of $1500.

Curfew As if $1500 rental fees were not enough to burden the vendors, they were recently given the mandate to follow precise hours for vending on the premises.

According to the declaration by the M&CC, the stalls at Merriman Mall would be open to vending on Wednesdays from

11:00h, Fridays from 13:00h and all day on Thursdays and Saturdays.

The vendors told Guyana Times that considering the increase, the M&CC should be a little more thoughtful and grant them extra time to earn the money for fees.

Given the hours, they said it is inadequate time, not only to earn money to cover the rental fee but also to garner enough money for their personal use.

They had proposed that if the M&CC is firm in keeping with the increased prices, they could at least prolong vending hours.

Structure In addition, the vendors at the Mall are concerned about the poor order in which they were placed as opposed to their previous stall position.

Roberts reported that before the relocation, they had

from page 13

from page 12

been told by the Town Clerk that they would be placed in their initial spots.

However, upon returning to the premises on Wednesday last, they were told that there was a new procedure in acquiring spots. The vendors were made to put their hands in bags, pulling numbers to which stall they would occupy.

The stalls, which have been built with high walls, has also been criticised by the vendors as they believe it does not fit the ideals of a market place, since the high walls prevent exposure of their goods to potential customers.

The vendors are therefore hoping that these inconveniences would be reviewed and addressed by the incoming City Council after the Local Government Elections results have been announced.

NEWS

17

SunDAY, march 20, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

THE

"The First Peoples' Are Amerindians"

C

hair of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Eric Phillips, also President of the African Cultural and Development Committee (ACDA) and advisor to the Government of Guyana, recently regurgitated the question of land reparation for African Guyanese. In his threepoint justification of why Africans should be granted 18 per cent of Guyana, he Anna Correia presented a highly flawed argument.

For instance, the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project is not scheduled for completion in October 2016, but rather in 2017. The project was allotted a three-year time frame which commenced in June 2014. For clarity, ALT is not conducted under the “auspices of UNDP” but rather, is a Government of Guyana project without any donors.

Phillips must also note that while Steven Campbell indeed pioneered Amerindian land rights, he so strategised as a member of The United Force (TUF) party, and not by the good grace of the “Catholic Church” and the “Business community”.

Further, the lands owned presently by Amerindians do not “complete the cycle” of Amerindian land titling for “our 50th anniversary” for two reasons: 1) The 1969 Lands Commission Report recommended after research that some 24 per cent of Guyana be returned to its indigenous peoples and 2) all land title applications have not yet been processed, meaning that the amount of land owned by Amerindians is bound to increase once the Government respects its commitments.

Phillips defended that Africans have legal claims to land in Guyana because they arrived “100 to 200 years” before the Wai Wais and Wapishanas. However, indigenous peoples are irrefutably the first, archaeologically proven, inhabitants of Guyana. The Amerindian Research Unit at the University of Guyana would confirm that based on the findings at Kurupukari, the Wapishana people were present in what is now known as Guyana, 3000 years ago (Carbon 14 dated, Beta laboratory, US. Archaeological excavations conducted by Dennis Williams).

As for the Wai Wais, no archaeological excavations were conducted on their territory to determine how long they were present in pre-colonial Guyana. That their existence predates the arrival of the Europeans remains uncontested, as will confirm the Amerindian Research Unit.

Today there are nine known Amerindian nations in Guyana, which makes Africans the third people to have arrived and the eighth in line for land reparation based on Phillips’ own first come, first serve argument. However, indigenous peoples do not “receive land for being here first, but instead, their ancestral home is being returned to them in recognition of theft perpetrated by the colonial empire. The difference is stark.

Further, Phillips refers to “450,000” African lives being lost “to genocide” in Guyana almost as if to diminish the importance of Amerindian land rights. Now, in such an unfounded and unjust comparison, it must figure that 90 per cent of the entire indigenous population of the Americas was wiped out by the Europeans, with disease being the first killer, and often used as a weapon to steal land. Today, indigenous peoples continue to be invaded and robbed of their land and culture. It is unimaginable for us to picture the same crime perpetrated against mass populations of Europe or Africa by newcomers. If there are people on Earth who suffered an unacknowledged genocide, it is indigenous peoples.

Phillips persists that “the entire economy of Guyana in 1838” was created by “enslaved Africans” while Amerindians “were living nomadic lives”. However, the economy at that time was invented by the colonial empires and not Africans, using inhumane means which included tremendous dependence on African slaves as well as indentured immigrants. Nuance. The Egyptian dynasties also resorted to slavery in order to mount empires, and their architectural relics such as the pyramids were born out of the sweat and blood of slaves. More importantly however, is that all peoples of Guyana, not just Africans, built (and continue to build) our country. But Amerindians used their sound knowledge of the land – an advantage –, to flee the slave masters, retreating to the interior, leaving their homes of origin to the Europeans, slaves and indentured immigrants.

Disputing the land rights of Amerindians demonstrates limited knowledge of the concept of land reparation, and is divisive and unhealthy in a period where social cohesion is becoming a myth. It also ignores our dependence on Amerindians for the preservation of our rainforests and the development of a sustainable economy.

More troubling yet, is that it is an attempt to rewrite the history of Guyana.

GWI partners with Region 9 to address El Niño crisis

A

imed at offering relief to the hundreds of residents in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) during the prolonged dry season, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is collaborating with the region and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for this reason.

This was according to a statement from the nation’s water supplier which stated that the company has already commenced work in the region, assessing the situation.

These assessments would be followed up by discussions with GWI’s technical team and the regional administration on deriving strategies to provide for short, medium and long-term resolutions.

These discussions so far have included GWI’s Executive Director (Infrastructure, Planning and Implementation) Ramchand Jailal; as well as the region’s Deputy REO, Regional Vice Chairman and regional Engineer.

In addition, the company has engaged the service of experienced Hydro-Geologist Roger Simon, to overlook the process and further advise the team on what solutions would be more effective.

During the analysis phase of the project, the expert had observed that within the region, there are a number of facilities which can be used on a short-term basis to provide adequate water to the stricken

Assessment ongoing in Region Nine

villages.

These advantages included the existence of elevated storage tanks, which can be developed to circulate water throughout an entire village.

The team reported that constructing stand pipes to be extended at convenient locations within the village could possibly provide water for the residents.

So far, the team has additionally sketched out strategies so that the springs and hand dug wells in the villages which have dried up, can be connected to the main water system, in an effort to alle-

viate the hardship of residents having to walk for miles to obtain water.

This will also ensure that schools, hospitals and other major public facilities have a constant supply of water for this period and until a permanent solution is drafted.

To craft a more permanent solution, the team, after observing that almost all the wells in the region have dried up, has already formed partnerships with the regional administration to address this issue.

Based on information, the company will be facilitating the construction of new wells that are expected to be completed before the end of 2016.

In all these strategies, the team however has concerns about the sanitation of the water, and whether it will be sanitary enough for consumption.

As such, they have indicated that they will be preventing the risk of contamination by cementing the areas from exposure and distributing chlorine tablets frequently to residents.

GWI has assured the region that they will be working tediously in order to ease their inconvenience and prevent a reoccurrence of this type of situation.

Thus far, the team has been able to provide significant help to Annai, Aishalton and Katoonarib in ensuring water is accessible within these communities.

18 news

SunDAY, march 20, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt satisfied with LGE 38% turnout

D

espite reports of a 38 per cent voter turnout at Friday’s Local Government Elections (LGE), Government said it is pleased with the figure while adding that it is better than what was anticipated.

This was said at a press conference on Saturday morning headed by President David Granger, Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan; all of whom hailed the process as a success, saying that local democracy has been restored after two decades.

According to Minister Harmon, while the numbers were in fact low, they were not less than the amount of

turnout at any other election.

“Historically at Local Government Elections, the voter turnout has been lower than they are for national and regional elections, so the turnout this time around in our view was even better than had been anticipated,” he noted.

Harmon pointed out that the intensity of the campaigns, particularly in the townships resulted in higher turnouts in these constituencies, as opposed to those in the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs) areas.

“This is so because of the vibrancy of the debates which took place. The fact that there were challenges

from independent groups, political parties and other individuals, I believe that in fact energised the population but this might have come a little bit late,” he stated.

Minister Harmon added that with LGEs now being held again, persons would realise the importance it plays in their communities and would opt to participate the next time around.

On the other hand, Minister Bulkan stated that it is premature to conclude that the voter turnout was low without an official declaration from the Guyana Elections Commission.

However, the elections body a few hours later on Saturday said that the turnout at the

President David Granger (centre) along with Ministers Joseph Harmon (left) and Ronald Bulkan at the press conference on Saturday

local government polls was somewhere between 38 and 39 per cent, taking into consideration that the votes in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) were being re-

counted at the time.

“If indeed the overall turnout in these elections, when the figure is known, is in that (low) vicinity… I would see that as a very high turnout. It may be recalled that the last elections in 1994, the turnout was then about 32 per cent,” he declared.

Nevertheless, Bulkan pointed out that despite the perceived low figures, Friday’s local government polls show that Guyanese are interested in the process.

“I think it’s a vindication that people are interested in the process and even though it is a fact that yesterday [Friday] was only the second Local Government Elections in the last 45 years, it shows that our people still want to participate in this process,” he posited.

When asked whether declaring Friday as a public holiday would have facilitated a larger turnout, Government sought to defend its decision, pointing

out that not all of Guyana was eligible to vote at the local government polls.

Minister Bulkan made reference to the area along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway (from Yarrowkabra to Linden) that is not under an NDC or does not have a local government organ. He also mentioned a few other communities in the hinterland, including Rockstone.

Moreover, President Granger related that during a recent visit to Kortberaadt, East Bank Berbice, members of the community were asking to be included in an NDC so that they too can participate in LGEs. “So there’re rural communities which are not entitled to vote so they couldn’t vote. Although they were in the General and Regional Elections, they were not able to vote (Friday),” he said, while adding that there is also an entire region (Eight – (Potaro-Siparuni)) that does not have any local authority areas.

LGE 2016

No major hiccups in Region 3 – Faerber

By: Kizzy Coleman

T

he atmosphere was one of peace and quiet as there were no major hiccups in Region Three (Essequibo-Islands West Demerara) at the conclusion of the Local Government Elections (LGE) 2016 held on Friday.

Speaking with Guyana Times Regional Chairman Julius Faerber said that after the opening of the polling stations, the elections was conducted in a quiet atmosphere without major difficulties.

He noted that the process in the region was well executed, adding that even though there were some hiccups here and there, there were no major ones. “I am happy to disclose that all went well in terms of there not being any major issues in

the region. There were no notable issues and I am proud that this was so in this region”.

With regards to the preliminary results, Faerber disclosed that results were still coming in but that it showed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was leading in the region.

“I think that it is favourable for us in Region 3, the PPP/C will almost take all of the NDC’s (Neighbourhood Democratic Council). Again I am very happy with how everything was carried out and I am eager for the results. I know that despite what the outcome is, things will remain calm and collected.”

From the commencement of the LGE on March 18, being held after 22 years in Guyana, the country in the whole saw a peaceful election, one to be proud of.

19 Wales Estate to grind La Retraite cane production news

sundAY, march 20, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

of the closure with farmers.

Mohamed Abu Talib Khan, who moved to Wales Estate in 1979, following the closure of Versailles, noted that transport to Uitvlugt would be “impossible”. He further stated that farmers are at a cross-

E

Roger Caryll in one of his cane plots earlier in March

ven as continued strike actions by sugar workers propelled the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to issue threats of halting the current crop, grinding continues at the Wales Sugar Estate, on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD).

At La Retraite, WBD, on Saturday, Guyana Times witnessed cane cutters hard at work loading the produce of private cane farmers onto trailers which would then be attached to a tractor before being transported to the Wales estate.

The imminent closure of the estate will put many sugar workers and farmers on the breadline, with many surmising that the community of Wales would become a “ghost town”.

On March 7, Guyana Times reported on a number of cane farmers who expressed concerns over the infeasibility of transporting canes from West Bank to Uitvlugt Estate on the West Coast of Demerara.

Farmers had explained that for transport of canes to occur, access roads and bridges would have to be constructed. The farmers also said that while they transport anywhere from six to 10 trailers of canes to Wales, the distance to Uitvlugt could only yield one trip per day.

Some farmers said they

will go into cultivating other crops, while others said Government must reverse its decision to close the estate.

Too costly to upkeep

La Retraite farmer Hesley Jacobs related that he along with his brother planted 50 acres of canes but plan to divert to planting suckers, cassavas and pigeon peas by next crop.

Jacobs noted that he cannot afford to go to Uitvlugt and citied the difficulties farmers would encounter with transiting their produce.

“You have to go through Number One Canal, then you have to go through A-Line, then you have to go to Centre Line, then to

Leonora high bridge, then to get to the factory you have to go out on the road so it wouldn’t be an easy task, the cost would be high so you wouldn’t able to upkeep that,” Jacobs had explained.

These views were also echoed by Neil Levans, who said that the distance to Uitvlugt is too far and has nixed the idea of transporting canes to the location.

Roger Caryll had related that he recently paid off his loans and estimated that the closure will cause him to lose “millions” in investments.

The farmer had expressed disappointment that none of the officials at the Agriculture Ministry came to address the impact

A cane cutter loading canes into a trailer

LGE 2016

PPP/C supporters decry mistreatment

A

number of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supporters on Friday decried mistreatment at the hands of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, as they had their command centres removed.

These centres they explained were at the required legal distance which is 200 yards from all polling stations.

Guyana Times was told that supporters were threatened to be locked up

by police if they were to put back the command centres from where they were removed.

“We had our rights breached, we have a right to support who we want to as long as we are not doing so illegally” one supporter said.

“We are only trying to lend our support so we could see the changes that have to be brought about in our community and it is very sad that we are facing such mistreatment.”

This publication under-

stands that the police were called to lend assistance in removing the command centres. Objections were raised by the supporters but nothing could be done to stop the mistreatment.

Returning Officer of Region 3 Gordon Clarke who was present as this incident unfolded was contacted for a comment on this and other issues but refused to comment.

This publication even tried to contact GECOM for a comment but all attempts were futile.

roads as the price of sugar is not feasible.

It was explained that farmers once received $104,000 per tonne of cane but that has been reduced to $58,000 per tonne.

Many of the farmers emphasised that the

Government is “not looking into their interests.”

Following a report carried in Guyana Times in January, Government and GuySuCo confirmed the estate’s closure, citing that Wales accounted for losses between $1.6-$1.9 billion.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, march 20, 2016

ICC T20 World Cup…

Kohli special steers India home on a turner T

here was rain, but the Eden Gardens was not submerged.

There was a pitch that made spinners seem like grenade launchers. There were 61337 people including certifiable legends of the game from Sachin Tendulkar to Imran Khan. All of it added to the spectacle of IndiaPakistan cricket, but Virat Kohli rose one step above with an innings of gumption and class.

India needed to win tonight to stay in control of their fate at the World T20.

A few tactical errors left them with a competitive 119 to chase. When the ball grips into the deck, slows down and simultaneously turns, a batsman's judg-

Virat Kohli celebrates after taking India home (AFP photo)

ment becomes of great importance. Hitting on the up carries risk. Playing too far away carries risk. Finding a run a ball can be troublesome. Kohli found 55 of

them in only 37 balls to beat Pakistan for an 11th time in a World Cup match.

Kohli's thirst to compete was apparent when he said a cricketer needs tough

pitches. He had the 18 overs that Pakistan had to bat to assess the one in Kolkata.

There were a few shots that he needed to avoid, and a few things he needed to exploit - like his speed between the wickets. He fed his innings with 19 singles and a two, playing his shots as late as he could, and every time he played one, it was with the intent to get some runs.

Kohli allowed only nine dots in his innings. Perhaps Pakistan made the task slightly easier by not bowling out Mohammad Amir.

Pakistan's batsmen, who were heavily maligned leading into the tournament, acquitted themselves quite well when the ball was darting around. Ahmed

Shehzad laid a solid foundation with his 25 off 28 balls.

They eased past the first 10 overs with only two wickets lost. Ashwin had only one left in his quota and Jadeja had two. Dhoni did not think about Yuvraj at any point in the game, and

kept at it with his seamers.

Pandya gave away 15 runs in 14th over and Bumrah 13 in the very next.

At that point, it seemed Pakistan had the edge.

Then Kohli came out and took it away from them.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan innings Sharjeel Khan c Pandya b Raina 17 Ahmed Shehzad c Jadeja b Bumrah 25 Shahid Afridi* c Kohli b Pandya

8 Umar Akmal c †Dhoni b Jadeja 22 Shoaib Malik c Ashwin b Nehra 26 Sarfraz Ahmed† not out 8 Mohammad Hafeez not out 5 Extras (b 2, lb 3, w 1, nb 1) 7 Total (5 wickets; 18 overs) 118 Did not bat: Mohammad Sami, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-46, 3-60, 4-101, 5-105 Bowling: A Nehra 4-0-201, R Ashwin 3-0-12-0, JJ Bumrah 4-0-32-1, RA Jadeja 4-0-20-1, SK Raina 1-0-41, HH Pandya 2-0-25-1.

India innings RG Sharma c Shoaib Malik b Mohammad Amir 10 S Dhawan b Mohammad Sami 6 V Kohli not out 55 SK Raina b Mohammad Sami 0 Yuvraj Singh c Mohammad Sami b Wahab Riaz 24 13 MS Dhoni*† not out Extras (lb 3, w 7, nb 1) 11 Total (4 wickets; 15.5 overs) 119 Did not bat: HH Pandya, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, JJ Bumrah, A Nehra Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-23, 3-23, 4-84 Bowling: Mohammad Amir 3-1-11-1, Mohammad Irfan 2.50-25-0, Mohammad Sami 2-017-2, Shahid Afridi 4-0-25-0, Shoaib Malik 2-0-22-0, Wahab Riaz 2-0-16-1.

EBFA / Ralph Green U-11 League…

Agricola knock out defending champs Herstelling

Agricola’s Floyd Boyce (left) and Herstelling Kai James battling for possession of the ball

A

new champion will be crowned following the exit of defending champions Herstelling Raiders on account of their 3-1 loss to Agricola yesterday when the East Bank Football Association / Ralph Green sponsored Under-11 League continued at the Grove Playfield.

Yesterday’s opening match saw Craig and Diamond United battling to a 0-0 draw with Craig and Grove Hi Tech set to face off in the final Group A match on Saturday. Grove is already assured of a place in the semifinals; a win will see them ending as the top team in the group.

Diamond and Craig are on a point each and a loss for Craig will see the battle

for the second place in the group coming down to goal difference.

Agricola, after giving up a walk over to Friendship in their first match came with a mission to win and despite falling behind by the 6th minute, thanks to a Kai James strike for Hetstelling, Agricola kept on pressing.

They would sink the equalizer three minutes later to ensure the first half ended 1-1. The second half was all Floyd Boyce’ half as his two goals ensured victory for Agricola and a place in the semifinals as the second team emerging from Group B behind Friendship.

Boyce scored in the 19th and 21st minute of the 30th minute match.

news

YELLOW PAGES

WICB/ PCL 4-day Cricket…

sunday, march 20, 2016

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Motie, Johnson put Jaguars in control against Scorpions – Scorpions reeling at 171-5 in response to Jaguars 420

By Akeem Greene

K

ey wickets by left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and Captain Leon Johnson’s solid 93, put the Guyana Jaguars in firm control of their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) 4-day match against Jamaica Scorpions at the National Stadium, Providence on Saturday.

Scorpions in response to Jaguars 420 were reeling at 171-5, when the day’s play came to a close; Motie sniffed out three vital scalps to leave the visitors still needing 100 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Jaguars, who began day two on 297-4 reached 421 all out on the back of an attractive innings by the skipper.

The Scorpions response did not get off to the best of start as opener John Campbell (02) top-edged a short ball from left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer to be taken at mid-on, with the score on 15.

Shacaya Thomas and West Indies player Jermaine Blackwood both played some piercing drives off the bowling of the new ball bowlers Christopher Barnwell and Reifer.

The pair took the visitors to 70-1 at tea with S. Thomas on 32 and Blackwood 33; but the third over after the resumption of play, Motie got the wicket of Thomas when he got him caught behind without adding to his tea time score; his entertaining knock, saw him hit five fours and one six from 69 balls.

Motie, who was bowling a bit too fast in the early stages of his spell, skillfully bowled an arm-ball to have Andre McCarty (03) out leg before as his side slipped to 74-3.

It then became 88-4 when Paul Palmer (06) played back to a deliver to Motie and was out leg before but the spinner had to leave the field after being hit on the hand.

Blackwood continued to exhume patience as he reached his 16th First-class half-century off 116 balls, hitting six fours with the total at 97-4 in the 38th over.

The right-handed Blackwood played down the wrong line from delivery from Reifer and was out leg before for a well composed 62 as the Scorpions were now 120-5.

An attractive 51-run sixth wicket partnership between not out batsmen Devon Thomas (40) and Aldaine Thomas (21)

Gudakesh Motie

ceased the fall of wickets as Scorpions trail by 249 runs; Motie so far has taken 3-33 and Reifer 2-43.

Jaguars resuming on 297-4, saw Bishoo only adding to his overnight score before falling for 03 to Jacobs but Johnson continued his phenomenal run this season with some audacious cover drives and cuts as the early morning play was extremely fast paced.

Barnwell made a cameo 25, hitting three fours and one six after which he fell leg before to leg spinner Damion Jacobs and the score now 354-6.

The skipper carriedon batting positively and looked set for his third cen-

tury this season when he edged the medium-pacer Devon Thomas to the keeper to fall for a well-played 93; he hit six fours and one six in facing 185 balls.

Reifer (11) went the leg before route to Jason Dawes as Permaul (21) and Anthony Bramble who made brought up the teams 400 after which Permaul handed Jacobs his fifth wicket; Motie soon went for 04 as the home side was bowled out just after lunch.

Jacobs, who bowled impressively throughout the match ended with 5-135 and Dawes in support with 2-39.

The third day’s play continues today from 10:00hrs.

SCOREBOARD Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings R. Chandrika c&b Jacobs 76 T. Chanderpaul lbw Jacobs 21 S. Hetmyer b Blackwood 107 *L. Johnson c wkp A. Thomas b D. Thomas 93 V. Singh b Brown 22 D. Bishoo c Dawes b Jacobs 03 C. Barnwell lbw b Jacobs 25 R. Reifer lbw b Dawes 11 +A. Bramble not out 21 V. Permaul c Blackwood b Jacobs 21 G. Motie b Dawes 04 Extras: (b5, lb3, w1, nb12) 21 Total (All Out, 127 Overs) 420 Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-157, 3-243, 4-286, 5-306, 6-354, 7-371, 8-384, 9-414,10-421 Bowling: Dawes 15-3-392, Brown 20-3-73-1, Thomas 17-5-48-1, Jacobs 43-6-1315, Bulli 10-1-52-0, McCarthy 3-0-11, Campbell 16-0-500, Blackwood 3-0-12-1

Jamaica Scorpions 1st Innings J. Campbell c Permaul b Reifer 01 S. Thomas c wkp Bramble b Motie 32 J. Blackwood lbw Reifer 62 A. McCarthy lbw Motie 03 *P. Palmer lbw Motie 06 D. Thomas not out 40 +A. Thomas not out 21 To bat: D. Jacobs, J. Dawes, G. Brown, D. Bulli Extras: (nb4, lb 2) 6 Total: (5wkts, 57overs) 171 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-70, 3-74-88, 5-120 Bowling: Reifer 10-3-432, Barnwell 4-2-21-0 , Motie 15.3-4-33-3, Permaul 18-635-0, Bishoo 9.3-3-37-0.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, march 20, 2016

GCB congratulates Hetmyer on his maiden Senior Regional ton

Every game a final warns Samuels

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Cricket Guy Inc extend heartiest congratulations to Shimron Hetmyer on scoring his first first-class century which he achieved at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday, the first day of the crucial final round match of the WICB PCL 4-Day 2015/16 between Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions.

According to the GCB release, his positive approach to his innings was a pleasure to behold, especially since Guyana needed a strong start to a ‘must win’ match.

GCB indicated that their immediate aim is to prepare Hetmyer mentally to produce similar innings consistently and go on to build bigger innings.

“He is overflowing with confidence and talent, a natural leader, and is hungry to be one of the greats of this lovely game. We believe he would be a valuable asset to the West Indies team in the near future.

Just last month he led the West Indies Under-19 team to their first ever World Cup victory; his leadership was second to none, and he also scored a match winning half century against Bangladesh in the semifinal,” the release noted Hetmyer has been con-

B

Marlon Samuels

Shimron Hetmyer

sistent in his outstanding achievements. Over the recent years, he has dominated youth cricket in Guyana and has been the most talked about and admired opening batsman in the West Indies.

“The Executives,

Members and Staff of the GCB and CGI are extremely proud of his rapid elevation.

We are eager and excited to see him excelling at the highest form of the game.

We wish him a long and successful career,” the release ended.

atsman Marlon Samuels has warned there are no easy teams in the Twenty20 World Cup and says West Indies must treat every game like a final, if they are to win the tournament.

West Indies opened their campaign with an emphatic six-wicket victory over England in Mumbai last Wednesday, and now face reigning champions Sri Lanka here on Sunday in their second game.

Samuels, who played a key role in the win over England, believes while that success was vital, the Caribbean side needed to refocus for the coming fixtures.

“We want to take everything from this game in terms of where we can improve and learn from this game going into the next game,” Samuels said.

“Sri Lanka is a very dangerous team and in the shorter format you can’t take any team for granted so you have to go out there and play against every team like it’s a final so if we have six games, we have six finals.

That’s the attitude we have to go into all these games with.”

West Indies are in a tough Group 1 where they also clash with the likes

of South Africa and minnows Afghanistan, who gave Sri Lanka a stern test in their opening encounter on Thursday.

However, the Windies boast an array of experienced T20 players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Darren Sammy and emerging players like Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite.

The side was hit with several withdrawals prior to the tournament but Samuels said this had not impacted the team adversely.

“We lost a couple of players within the last couple of weeks – (Sunil) Narine, (Kieron) Pollard, very good T20 players – but nevertheless, we replaced them with players that are hungry. We have Jason (Holder) here and Carlos (Brathwaite) here and Ashley (Nurse),” Samuels pointed out.

“We replaced them with players who can step up to the plate so yes, the vibes are here and this is the format that we have been good in and as long as we play and get our all-round cricket together, we will be unstoppable in this tournament.”

While Gayle’s remarkable unbeaten hundred carried West Indies to victory against England, it was Samuels who set up the victory with a cameo 37 at the

top of the order.

His innings accounted for his side’s momentum early in their run chase and the Jamaican said his aggressive approach had always been part of his plan, especially after the early loss of opener Johnson Charles.

“Every batsman wants to get more runs, every bowler wants to get more wickets but the most important thing is we lost an early wicket … so it was for me to just continue the momentum,” he said.

“I just put a little venom out there and just went out and played freely. I tried to stick to the team plan which is to reach fifty in the first six overs.

“If Chris was going, I would be the one that rotated and gave him the strike but Chris saw that I was going and playing well so he was just looking to give me the strike so it works that way when you’re in a team environment.

“The player that is going takes the pressure off the next player [at the crease].

You let him face more balls and play freely.”

He added: “Overall, it was a team effort. We can improve in the outfield and we can still improve in the bowling. From here on in, we’re looking to improve.”

(Windies Cricket)

Milo U-20 School Football Tournament...

Chase Academy embarrass Lodge for back-to-back titles

By Treiston Joseph

C

hase Academy emphatically declared who the best team in Georgetown is with a 9-0 drubbing of Lodge Secondary in the final of the Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament that culminated on Saturday evening at the Ministry of Education ground.

Chase will not only go down as the only team thus far to win multiple titles but also as the team to produce the most one sided final in Milo history with their dominant display of football.

Kelsey Benjamin was the top goal scorer in the tournament and the final ending the night’s action with four goals in the 26th, 47th, 58th

and 66th minutes.

Ralph Parris in the 12th and 40th and Ryan Hackette in the 24th and 50th minutes ended with doubles to add insult to injury.

Sunil Logan put the exclamation mark on the game with a goal in the 82nd minute.

2014 champ Lodge simply could not hang with the fire power of Chase and their defence as Captain of Chase Jeremy Garrett pointed out after the final was porous.

Meanwhile South Ruimveldt topped Queen's College for third place with a 2-nil win against Queen's College.

South Ruimveldt scored consecutive goals in the space of a minute to snuff

the life out of the play of Queen's College.

Cecil Jackman would draw first blood in the 22nd minute while Adrian Aaron added to the lead almost immediately in the 23rd minute.

At the presentation ceremony held immediately after the event, Director of sport Christopher Jones, Brand Manager of Milo Renita Sital, Vice President of the Guyana Football federation Rawlston Adams, Director of Petra organisation Troy Menodca, Ministry of Education Nicholas Fraser and Ministry of Public Health Dr Dennis Bassier commended the players as well as the execution of the tournament.

23

sunDAY, march 20, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Milo U-20 School Football Tournament...

Chase Academy embarrass Lodge for back-to-back titles

Page 22

Chase Academy along with sponsors and high standing officals pose with the winning Chase Academy team

WICB/ PCL 4-day Cricket…

Page 21

Motie, Johnson put Jaguars in control against Scorpions – Scorpions reeling at 171-5 in response to Jaguars 420 Leon Johnson

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