Guyana Times Daily

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2713 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

December 20, 2015

Scrap metal trade audit report…

Ram’s findings not justified – Baksh

PRICE

Page 19

WHAT'S INSIDE: Tony’s Auto Spares promotion P17

11 women Berbice tolls prisoners to be to be reduced pardoned Monday from January 1 Page 3

Page 7

...‘I am exercising compassion’ – President Granger

$120 vat included

Bartician drives away with RX8 Guyana P6 finishes in top 10 at Miss World competition

– Govt seals deal with BCCI

Opposition Leader hosts Christmas party for Better Hope seniors Page 20

Forensic audit…

NICIL exposes Goolsaran’s P12 misrepresentation on GNCB’s $1B for Marriott − funds were never used, transferred to Consolidated Fund

Guyanese P14 man gunned down in NJ

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday hosted a Christmas Party for hundreds of elderly residents from Better Hope, East Coast Demerara as he continues his mission to spread cheer during the holidays

Fire ravages North Ruimveldt home Page 16

2 commit suicide in Wakenaam

Page 18

Amnesty weapons P8 yet to be destroyed Electronics City brings P14 RCA products to Guyana

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SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

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SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, December 20 – 12:30h-14:00h and Monday, December 21 – 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, December 20 – 11:40h-13:10h and Monday, December 21 – 12:50h-14:20h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 12:04h reaching a maximum height of 2.43 metres.

Low Tide: 05:29h and 18:08h reaching minimum heights of 0.84 metre and 0.79 metre respectively.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

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Berbice Bridge Tolls to be reduced from January 1 – Govt seals deal with BCCI By: Devina Samaroo

M

onths of intense negotiations finally came to an end; the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) and the Guyana Government brokered an agreement that paves the way to the fulfilment of an outstanding campaign promise — to significantly reduce the exorbitant bridge tolls.

The agreement will be formally signed next week and the Bridge Company will receive its first advanced $40 million in subsidy to facilitate the reductions.

The reduction takes effect 1 January.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told Guyana Times the reduction in tolls will reflect the initial proposal put forward by Government; the tolls of passenger cars and minibuses will be reduced from $2200 to $1900 while there will be a 10 per cent reduction for the other classes of vehicles.

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson confirmed the Bridge Company, despite its initial objections, accepted the $40 million subsidy offered by Government to cushion the blow of the reformed toll structure.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had strongly advocated for the reduction of the Berbice Bridge tolls, claiming that the fees were too burdensome on the already financially strained households in Berbice.

This belief propelled the administration to work tirelessly to reduce the tolls.

Deadlines were set and not met, but the new administration did not succeed in persuading the Company to reduce the tolls because of some major concerns relative to the financial stability of the BBCI and the positions of the various shareholders and investors.

Back in August, the BBCI had rejected Government’s

offer of financial subsidies to cover the loss in tolls, arguing that it could plunge into bankruptcy since the reduction was insufficient to offset its debts.

Consequently, it requested that Government extend the concession period from 21 to 50 years or increase the tolls by 55 per cent before it implemented the new fare structure. But Government refused, claiming the requests were wholly unacceptable.

This back-and-forth continued until finally BBCI announced it will accept Government’s offer.

Major losses Prior to reaching this agreement, bondholders of BBCI were asked to accept the lowering of interest rates and the significant extension of the repayment period on their investment in order to facilitate the reduction of tolls. This would have resulted in bondholders suffering major losses on their multimillion dollar investment in the Company.

Guyana Times was unable to confirm if the bondholders have agreed to the terms as requested by the

Additionally, the BBCI has asked that bondholders approve the extension of the repayment periods and schedule of repayments of Bond Tranche 1 and 2 to an additional three and four years respectively, in equal semiannual payments.

The bondholders are the New Building Society; National Insurance Scheme; Republic Bank Limited; Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry; Scotiabank; Citizens Bank;

Granger Pension.

Passing on benefits Junior Minister Ferguson, who is overseeing the entire project, had told this newspaper government did not consider how the benefits will pass on to the ordinary citizen.

Government had promised that reduction of the tolls would be of significant benefit to the ordinary schoolchild and the majority of the Berbice population, who utilise public transportation to traverse the Bridge instead of private vehicles.

Notably, the bridge toll reductions will benefit owners of the vehicles and not the ordinary passenger who will have to pay the fare imposed by minibus operators.

Several minibus operators had told this newspaper that a $300 reduction is too insignificant for them to reduce their fares. They contended that the impact of the reduction will not be as momentous as many had hoped.

When presented with this scenario, the Minister conceded that she did not take this into consideration.

However, she noted that discussions would soon com-

NEW GPC INC; Trust Company Guyana Limited; Hand-in-Hand Trust; Guyana Sugar Corporation Pension; Guyana Power and Light Pension; Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union Pension; Guyana Geology and Mines Pension; Demerara Bank Limited; Demerara Distillers Limited Pension; Massy Pension and Geddes

mence to develop measures that can be put in place to ensure that benefits are passed on to all.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times was told that river taxis will continue to operate throughout next year.

However, discussions are ongoing to determine if the operators will continue to benefit from governmental subventions.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

The Berbice Bridge toll booth

BBCI. The bondholders had invested millions of dollars in Corporate Bonds Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 instruments.

The BBCI asked that the bondholders approve the interest rates applicable to the bonds being reduced from nine per cent (Tranche 1) and 10 per cent (Tranche 2) per annum respectively, to a fixed 7.5 per cent per year.

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SunDAY, december 20, 2015

Views Sunday Editor: Michael Younge Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The slide into totalitarianism

T

he insouciance with which the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government was willing to shove what was essentially a “counter terrorism” Bill through Parliament, shocked even some of their most fervent supporters. But the fears aroused about possibly circumscribing the fundamental rights of citizens to “protect” them, should not have: from the time it became clear that a David Granger Administration would be front loaded and top heavy with ex-military stalwarts, that disposition was inevitable.

The military, after all, is trained to “protect” the populace and while in its traditional theatre of operations that protection is confined to battles against “the enemy”, even then it is accepted that “collateral damage” to the civilian populace will occur. Hence, the hundreds of thousands of civilians killed in Iraq and millions displaced in Syria because tyrants must be removed and weapons of mass destruction removed.

When those military men (and they are almost always men) slide into Government, it is almost impossible for them to completely eliminate that mindset. While not a soldier, Forbes Burnham, as did Hitler and Mussolini and a host of dictators installed into office through the ballot box, donned a General’s uniform, expanded the military by a factor greater 150 per cent and insisted that he would “mould the destiny” of the Guyanese people whether they liked it or not. It was for “their own good”.

David Granger was a key Lieutenant of Burnham in the drive to transform Guyanese society in the image conjured up back in the 1960’s and 70’s. He was in charge of the ideological “reorientation” of the Army. As soon as he assumed office, the peremptory “rectification” of what he considered to be variances from the “true” path began: the renaming of the International Convention Centre was just a portent of things to come.

The splitting and renaming of the “Ministry of Home Affairs” into “Ministry of National Security” and the “Ministry of Citizenship”, is not as innocuous as it might seem. In the world that 9/11 ushered us into, there is a special meaning to the term “national security”. The Ministry of Citizenship would now become the vehicle for not only tabulating “Guyanese citizens” but for also deciding who could have those rights and who could have them stripped. Now, it might just be ensuring that “foreigners” do not enter illegally, but very insidiously, it can slide into citizen stripped of their rights for being “antinational”. All for the protection of the Guyanese people.

The operations of the Ministry of National Security are even more crucial to the creation of the post 9/11 “National Security State” to protect “the people” against “terrorism”.

“Security”, rather than the old fashioned “welfare” grounded in a solid economy, becomes the prime imperative of the state.

Democratic rights will “unfortunately” have to be “sacrificed” on the altar of security.

Many have raised their voices against the arbitrary decision to make the details of bank accounts of private citizens available to the Guyana Revenue Authority, and to the US. The latter ostensibly because, the law is supposed to apply only to “American Citizens” but as has been conceded by the Government, this is actually unenforceable. Since Guyana permits Guyanese to hold dual citizenship: who will decide whether the account is actually that of the US identity?

But this is only the beginning of the surveillance that will become ubiquitous, for “our good”. As was pointed out recently in an article in The Atlantic, “Vanishingly few individuals have the desire to carry out a terrorist attack, but virtually everyone has the means to do so. If the goal is to be zero terrorist attacks, there is a certain logic in attempting to conduct surveillance on literally everyone on earth.”

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party was joined by a wide swathe of Guyanese individuals and institutions in opposing the precipitate “counter-terrorism” Bill that has the possibility for infringing on rights of Guyanese and the Government. There is hope to stop the totalitarian juggernauth.

With bated breath, Guyanese hoped our representative to the Miss World pageant Lisa Punch would bring the crown home. But that title was won by Miss Spain, Mireia Lalaguna (seated). She is flanked by the runners-up, Miss Russia Sofia Nikitchuk; Miss Indonesia Maris Harfanti; Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra, and rounding off the top five was Miss Jamaica Sanneta Myrie (www.missworld.com)

Is Goolsarran a forensic auditor?

Dear Editor, The NICIL preliminary audit report is now available on the web. I see Mr Brassington took the 85 page report and responded with 211 pages. He responded to every paragraph. At the end of the report, Mr Brassington shows all of the questionnaires produced by Mr Goolsarran and NICIL’s answers.

It is clear to me that Mr Goolsarran is biased.

I would even say that this is not a forensic audit; this is a witch-hunt. And this was the same man that audited NICIL before. And why did he go back all the way to 2002, two years after he finished his audit?

Here are a couple of reasons why Goolsarran is not professional. Brassington should write the accounting body and the ACCA because this type of report attacking people is nasty. He attack Luncheon, Ashni Singh, and Brassington plus the whole Cabinet.

First the report is not written as an audit report. I am a layperson. So I wanted to see where Mr Goolsarran got his information. So he had some questionnaires and lots of answers from Brassington.

But what did he do with it? I don’t see this covered in his report. Paragraph by paragraph, Goolsarran makes statements but I keep wondering, where is this information coming from? In a few cases, he refers to the minutes of the Board but I don’t see him referring to the answers from Brassington. The report is just a long narrative.

Second, I wanted to see if Mr Goolsarran had any evidence of anything illegal. I know Goolsarran is not a lawyer. I see a few references but I can’t find any legal references for Goolsarran to show that the law is broken.

It looks like all opinion. Some weeks ago, Mr Brassington issued a press

release. I read the release and realise that nothing in Goolsarran report contradicts Brassington Third, Brassington keep referring to the accounts already being audited and a clean audit opinion. So I was hoping to see that he interviewed the Auditor General Sharma. Also that he would show what was in the audited financials and how it was wrong. But again, nothing. So we have two auditors—one say the accounts are fine but Goolsarran fine-tooth comb everything, write a long report but has no proof.

Finally, I wanted to see if this was a fair report.

After all, this is an auditor. But the thing read like a Kaieteur News article. In fact, the report must be written from Kaieteur Newsroom.

Because he take all of the articles Kaieteur attacking Brassington on and write the report. Like the High Street property is scrapped—but where is the

evidence? I see they had architects and structural engineers like Gaskin but Goolsarran ignore this. The secret bank account—I didn’t see any evidence. Where is the proof of things being illegal—you mean everybody who do business or buy a property from NICIL doing illegal business? Everybody has lawyers. Are we to believe Goolsarran is right and everybody else is wrong?

I look at Brassington response and this man is professional. I hope someone investigates Goolsarran and how the audit report end up in Kaieteur News and Stabroek News. Can someone say which forensic report Goolsarran did before because this report definitely is not a forensic report.

And he got handpicked and paid $7 million so far.

The Government should release his contract and his terms of reference.

Dear Editor, I humble request Guyana Times to publish this letter, bringing the Guyanese public up to speed with the manipulations by the APNU/ AFC government in getting their votes in the upcoming Local Government Elections in March 2016.

The APNU/AFC gov-

ernment took 50 percent increases for themselves, gave the public sector 5 per cent, now another bonus $50,000 to public servants - Army, Police, Prisons, Immigration, Nurses, Teachers, Transportation, Marine and all other government employees where the majority are AfroGuyanese.

The productive sectors such as Sugar and Rice received zilch, because they are PPP/C supporters even though they make up the majority of the electorate.

Fellow Guyanese Amerindian, Chinese, Portuguese, Africans, Indians and others, please, do not be fooled, this de facto government says

they care, but that is a big lie which can be proven if you examine their record after May 2015.

From the President David Granger, Joseph Harmon, Raphael Trotman, Basil Williams, Ronad Bulkhan, Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan, they have all lied to all of you.

Michael Fredrick

Look beyond that $50,000 bonus

CONTINUES ON PAGE 5

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SunDAY, december 20, 2015

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

One cannot be a Hindu Christian to gain predatory rights of conversion Dear Editor, My letter is in response to Devanand Bhagwan's letter of 12/18/15 in Guyana Times which seeks to convert Hindus to Christians.

Why he has chosen Hindus as his target for conversion is for him to upfront explain. Is he afraid of converting Jews or Muslims to Christians for example? His claims that he has love, respect and honour for Hindus are most hollow.

The lions also have similar love for the bull and deer to feed on them by their certain extermination.

Christianity is founded exclusively on the life of Jesus Christ as a rebellion against Mid-East Judaism.

For Christians, Christ is God of all Christians of all their many denominations.

Whatever denomination he belongs to, can Bhagwan explain if his way and his Protestant

understanding and interpretation of Christianity is the best and only correct way to moksha? That would make all other Christian denominations automatically wrong. Did he get divine instructions to so chastise Wakenaam Wesleyan pastor for their wrongdoings?

Most emphatically Bhagwan cannot practice Christianity and be devoted to Christ by means of Hindustani practice whose destruction he is on foreign missionary dispatch to eradicate. Bhagwan cannot comprehend that Hindus understand Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma as a way of life.

It is also a religion that embraces the divine trinity of Brahma the Creator, Shiva the destroyer of evil and Vishnu the preserver. In the Bible, Jesus's apostle Thomas said to him "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus replied "I am

Look beyond...

The proof is there - they claimed that the treasury was bankrupt, former government officials were corrupt, thieving and they will go to jail, they fired over 5000 fellow Guyanese denying them an income to provide for their families, sending the economy into recession, spiralling brutal crimes, the breaching of Parliamentary norms, hiring of auditors without tendering, forcing bills through Parliament by denying debates and examinations of their contents, hiring unqualified

the way, the truth, and life; no one comes to the Father but through me.

If you had known me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him" (John 14:6).

The Christianity which is practised today is far removed from what Christ lived and preached in his time. Most Christian beliefs are deeply rooted in Christ as their saviour.

Christianity originated in the Mideast but the strain in Guyana and the entire world is strongly European.

Both Hinduism and Christianity has its own songs and music.

Music is not germane to Christianity as it is to Hinduism with its dances, food, languages, rituals, pennants, fundamental beliefs in karmic rewards and punishment.

There are no equivalent established female icons in Christianity as there are in Hinduism eg Mother Lakshmi and

Durga Ma. Motherhood and reverence for women is paramount in Hinduism.

No such equivalence exists in Christianity. What is Bhagwan to go and sing in a Hindu mandir even if he clasps his hands "joray" style in Hindi terminal mimicry?

Dance in Hinduism is not frolic of self satisfaction gyration but worship of the divine. It shows reverence to the deity depending who is being worshipped.

Lord Shiva has his own dance style. Christian hymns and Christmas songs are celebratory to the season of which Christ is part. European pagan practices became Christian permutations by attrition eg Santa Claus and the Christmas tree.

Sorry to the Bhagwan missionary. But in Christianity one cannot revere Lord Krishna (of the Mahabharata) and Christ as both co-equal saviours. In the context of

FROM PAGE 4

party activists as REOs, withholding funds for needed local government works, wasting money on the cleanup of illegal garbage disposal by city dwellers, and worst of all, they talking about cohesion when there is ethnic cleansing unabated.

Free and fair elections and voting are constitutional human rights for all.

Therefore, rigging of elections, surfacing of fake Statements of Poll, kicking out other parties’ election officials, a bias Guyana Elections

Commission, and voter’s intimidation, physical violence, police officers failing to act accordingly to uphold the laws, cannot and will never bridge the racial divide in Guyana.

Real change will only be achieved in Guyana when the APNU/ AFC+PNC rethink their real purpose and find ways and means to stop carrying the chips on their shoulders.

Yours Sincerely, Sheik Allu

Sanatan Dharma or simply Hinduism (for your benefit), all Indians are descendants of Ram, and Sita, and a host of other Hindu deities. Those Indians who were originally Hindus in ancestry but are now Christian converts by claims to their changeover of beliefs in miracles must acknowledge their cultural lactification (Europeanisation) was due to colonisation of their minds.

Indians both Muslims and Hindus speak English today in Guyana not by miracles but by brutal rule by our colonial masters. Bhagwan claims to be very proud to be a Christian. In Hinduism, humility is fundamental as is grace, civility. No Hindu will be found demanding the right to go make joyous noise in another religion's house of worship to convert the flock to another shepherd. Bhagwan is not in

Hinduism but can he explain whether he accepts if he accepts Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu as equal to Christ?

The prasad, milk and food that is served at the end of the Hindu ritual is usually sanctified in reverence to the Hindu deity.

When Bhagwan eats it he must understand what he is doing.

Bhagwan should stop his foolishness and return to the true teaching of Sanatan Dharma from which he originates.

It is the laws of his karma which will determine his fate. Reminder? Not all who cry “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven! You know the rest of that camel story going through the needle's eye and you waiting up to now in line?

Bolo Ramachandraki!

Jai ho!

Vassan

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Guyana finishes in top 10 at Miss World competition “I find that it’s the simple things that remind you of family around the holidays” – Amy Adams

L

Anu Dev

ast Thursday I returned home after the absolutely most gruelling semesters of Med School that I’ve had to slog through yet.

But then they did say that third-year was going to be the highest hoop of all the hoops they make you jump through to become a “professional”.

I must say that there were times when I was convinced that the volume of work they insisted we cover was another variant of the water boarding they condemned at Guantanamo! In one they pour water over your nose to convince you you’re drowning; the other they make YOU pour a waterfall of information over your burning brain.

It makes you think that madness is just a finger

snap away!

While it’s over – for three weeks at least, when I start it all over again – the reality that I don’t have to spend all of my time furiously trying to absorb as much of my textbooks as possible hasn’t fully sunk in. To say I’m “euphoric” to be back home with my family would probably be the understatement of the century. Even though I’m vegetating right now…I am looking forward with the old “bated breath” for the new Star Wars flick, as I wrote last week. While it takes will power to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks, rewards at the end do help!

And now it’s almost the end of 2015. Another year has flown by! For some reason I’ve felt like no time has passed since 2013. So it’s really quite strange to think that we’re hurtling fast towards 2016. And it’s even weirder to think that by the time the next

Avengers movie comes out, I’ll be graduating.

Soon people will start thinking about what the past year has been like and what they expect from the new year. And some people have probably already started thinking about those things. I know during exams, most students already resolved that next year will be different, next year they won’t leave things quite so last minute. We somehow conveniently forget that when the new semester begins, but oh well, it’s the thought that counts?

But before we all start with the self-introspection and all of that serious stuff, the holidays are right up in front of us waiting to be enjoyed.

The excitement for the holidays is palpable.

The stores are already thronged with people doing shopping for the holidays, stocking up their pantries for the feasts

they’re about to prepare.

Houses are already festooned with lights and tinsel. It’s all very festive! As the old song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer” It’s the most wonderful time of the year It’s the hap-happiest season of all With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings When friends come to call It’s the hap- happiest season of all” It’s been only three days since I’ve been back and it already looks like it’s shaping up to be a wonderful holiday! I’ll be making the most of the three weeks I have before I’m sent off back to the coal mines in January. New York, here I come!!

Happy Holidays!

Lisa Punch

F

or the second consecutive year, a Miss Guyana delegate in the Miss World Pageant was named in the top ten.

On Saturday evening, Lisa Punch made Guyanese proud when the pageant was hosted in Sanya, China.

The Guyanese beauty ambassador was named in the top ten from among a list 114 countries who competed in the Miss World Pageant.

From the inception many thought Punch was not pageant material but she has proven them wrong.

After the preliminary competition, the local singer and songwriter captured the audience and judges as she belted out her original song, “One Last Time”, which was written in memory of a young cousin who passed away a few years ago. As a result, Punch was adjudged the winner of that segment.

This automatically placed her in the top 20 and moved one step closer to the title.

Then, on Pageant night, she again impressed the sitting judges and was named among the top 11 and more so, placed in the top ten in the beauty with a purpose initiative. Her focus was suicide among youths.

At the end of the competition, Miss Spain, Mireia Lalaguna Royo, 23, a professional model from Barcelona copped the coveted title.

The first runner-up was awarded to Miss Russia while Miss Indonesia was named the second runnerup. The remaining finalists were Jamaica and Lebanon.

However, the sport award went to Miss Namibia while the People’s Choice award went to Miss Vietnam as well as the best world designer’s dress.

Wheelchair-bound man receives burns in NA fire

A

differently able man is now a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital following a fire which completely destroyed a two-storey house in New Amsterdam on Saturday.

Aubrey Joseph who uses a wheelchair for mobility received burns to his back and lower body. Doctors said that although he is in a stable condition, his burn injuries are quite serious.

Reports are that shortly before 12:30h, the 62-yearold, who lived with a mentally challenged woman and prepares his own meals, was in the process of doing so when the fire started. He occupied the lower flat of the building.

It is believed that he turned on the gas stove before lighting a match and when he did there was an explosion.

The former security of-

ficer did not call for help but tried to get to safety by himself as the fire started to spread throughout the kitchen. He was seen crawling towards the door by a passerby and taken to safety and then to hospital.

Two units from the New Amsterdam Fire Service responded and were able to put out the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other buildings. Concerns were raised about the whereabouts of the other occupant of the house – mentally challenged woman – but when the fire was extinguished, a searched of the debris by fire fighters and residents of the community found no signs of a body.

Up to press time the whereabouts of the mentally challenged woman was still unknown.

NEWS

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SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

11 women prisoners to be pardoned Monday ..."I am exercising compassion" – President Granger By: Devina Samaroo

D

espite immense public outcry, pardoned prisoners are what Guyanese can expect as their Christmas gift from the Head of State, David Granger.

President Granger said he will be spreading Christmas cheer in a much bigger way this year by releasing another batch of criminals for the holidays.

“I know there have been some who criticised the decision but I am entitled to some compassion at Christmas time,” the President announced during his weekly telecast.

The prisoners, all of whom are mothers, are likely to be released tomorrow.

The President noted that during the Christmas season now and in years to come, he will particularly focus on putting the interest of women first.

“I want them home for Christmas,” he said.

Eleven prisoners will be home for Christmas.

According to the President, persons who were sentenced for nonviolent offences are eligible for release while those involved in trafficking in persons and trafficking in narcotics will not be released.

This initiative, like the pardoning of prisoners in observance of Guyana’s

Independence Anniversary, will become an annual tradition of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) administration.

“I intend to do this every Christmas for mothers and every Independence Day for young persons,” President Granger pledged.

Following the release of 60 convicts earlier this year, the government was widely criticised from almost all sections of society, including the Guyana Bar Association.

Despite the condemnation, the President insisted that the release of “petty” prisoners will become an annual event.

This decision had generated immense uneasiness among Guyanese, especially in light of the all-time high crime rate. The government was also criticised about the apparent secrecy that shrouded the entire process.

To no avail, persons were calling for the identities of the convicts to be published and for government to make public the selection process of these criminals.

“Cellphone thief” theory

Additionally, concerns were raised about the perceived injustice against the victims of “petty crimes” by releasing the “nonviolent” criminals, like a Cellphone thief.

However, President

come habitual and repetitive offender; whereby if he gets another chance, he can turn his life around and pursue a useful career,” he explained.

However Granger said repeat offenders, including the pardoned prisoners, will become ineligible to be released again.

The President further explained that when these persons are released, they will attend rehabilitative programmes with the aim of developing their skills so they can be reintegrated into society.

President David Granger

Granger does not believe persons ought to be gravely punished for such petty crimes, regardless of the effect it has on victims.

Asked specifically, “what about the victims of petty crimes”, the Head of State stated: “I don’t believe somebody should be banned forever for stealing a Cellphone.”

He explained that persons should not be punished for small “misdemeanours like the stealing of Cellphones. I don’t see why a 19-year-old should be spending 14 months in jail for stealing a Cellphone.”

The President said he believes in forgiveness and that young offenders should be given a second chance in life.

“If a person remains in jail too long, he/she will be-

“Petty crimes”

Meanwhile, it was alleged that one of the persons who had been pardoned by President Granger raped an elderly woman in Berbice. Since the incident, the Guyana Police Force and Prison Service have been mum on the incident with some of them appearing to be suffering from bouts of amnesia whenever this newspaper attempted to ask questions about the young man’s background and track record with a view to confirming the allegation.

Contentions were also raised about the potential violence in “petty criminals”.

Referring to the “Sheema Manger” incident, many asserted that “petty crimes” can quickly escalate into violence.

Sheema Mangar, 21, was

killed as she was pursuing the perpetrator who entered a car after snatching her BlackBerry phone back in September 2010. The deceased Demerara Bank employee reportedly stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to stop it but was ran over and dragged several meters after which the car sped away.

Another case to con-

sider of a not so innocuous cell phone theft was one recently, back in June, when Keith Daniels, 18, of Lot 42 Public Road, Kitty, Georgetown and formerly of Yarakita Village, North West District: He was stabbed three times during a robbery. After the young man collapsed the perpetrators relived him of a mobile phone and cash.

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SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Amnesty weapons yet to be destroyed

C

ommissioner of Police Seelall Persaud has disclosed that the weapons and ammunition collected during the Firearm Amnesty period are yet to be destroyed.

He made this disclosure on Wednesday during an interview with reporters.

According to Persaud, while the laws allow for the weapons to be disposed of, the Police are yet to be authorised to do so.

“I haven’t written and made any recommendations as yet to the Minister (of Public Security). That will be done in the near future. In the meanwhile, the weapons are stored under lock and key with limited persons having access,” he told reporters.

The Firearm Amnesty Programme commenced on 1 September and was slated to last for one month, however the time was extended to two weeks into October.

By the end of the amnesty period, a total 186 illegal firearms were collected by the police. These includ-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

ed: 153 shotguns; 13 pistols; ten air rifles; nine revolvers and one AK-47 rifle.

In addition, the police received a number of ammunition and ammunition components amounting to 2011.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had revealed that all the illegal guns and ammunition collected during the amnesty period would be destroyed, noting that none will be reused by the Police Force or any other agency.

Both the Police and Public Security Minister himself have come under heavy criticism over the Amnesty Programme, with persons saying it was a failure since none of the weapons or ammunition collected were linked to any criminal activities or serious crimes in the country.

However, Ramjattan in response told Guyana Times they did not expect criminals to hand over illegal guns and ammunition that they would have used to execute criminal activities; nonetheless, he expressed satisfaction over the fact that they were able to remove over 180 illegal guns and over 2000 ammunition from the streets of Guyana.

Following the end of the Amnesty Programme, the Police embarked on a “crackdown” exercise on those persons who are believed to be in possession of illegal firearms but did not take advantage of the amnesty period.

Previously, Ramjattan

Santa Claus…

S

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

had warned that at the end of the amnesty period Police will crack down on everyone in possession of illegal weapons.

“Don’t think after the amnesty is over and we start cracking down, you can come and ask to be lenient – we won’t have any of that,” Ramjattan had warned.

He noted that over the past few months police have been gathering intelligence on where to find such persons.

Man run-down by drunk driver severely injured D wayne North, 36, of Gibraltar Village, Corentyne, Berbice, who was struck by a drunk driver and left for dead at 19 Village Public Road, West Coast Berbice is cur-

rently at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing injuries.

According to reports reaching this newspaper, North suffered broken hand, fingers, toes, foot, when he

was struck Tuesday last by Mohamed Khan.

He underwent surgery on Wednesday which was successful, according to reports.

Speaking with Guyana Times, North explained that doctors in order to repair his broken right foot, had to put steel in three places.

He explained that pres-

Eyew tness

ently he is move and is in constant pain: “I am not feeling too good but that is to be expected after the ordeal that I went through.

I am still in bed 24/7 but I thank God every day since the incident that I am still alive and I hope to God that very soon I can recover and be able to do things on my own.”

TURN TO PAGE 10

…for Public Servants

o there’s been a Commission of Enquiry into the public service that’s been sitting since September. It shows no signs of winding down. They were given “three to five” months to finish their tasks with “extensions” promised, if necessary. They WILL be necessary, trust your Eyewitness.

Now you’d think with all the fuss the Government made about saving money and denying the Rodney CoI a twoweek extension on that ground, they’d be concerned, no?

Especially when they already seemed to’ve concluded MONEY’s the root of all that ails the lower ranks of the largest bloc of employees in the country.

What with giving them a retroactive 13 per cent salary increase that hit the treasury for more than a billion dollars and another $50,000 “Bonus” that’ll set us back another $1.5 billion, you’re beginning to talk about real money here. But why worry… Government can print our monopoly money, can’t they? So transforming into “Govt Claus” also this Christmas, the Government’s going around doling around money to Government workers like it’s going out of style. The one month’s bonus for the Disciplined Forces are coming up anytime now. With good reason, those in the receiving line have joined the Govt Claus with loud “Ho! Ho! Ho’s!”

Not so for everyone – especially those working in the Private Sector. There, one business owner and representative said they just aren’t generating that kind of profits to make such payouts. Another asked the question that evidently hasn’t crossed the mind of anyone in the Government: “Since money will have to be printed on account of falling tax collections with the collapse of the economy, won’t the resulting inflation hit the public servants with their fixed salaries and pensions the hardest?”

But why worry? Let’s eat, drink and be merry… only spoilsports worry about tomorrow – or the reason why there’s a public service to begin with. One old timer from back in the day, former Chief Probation Officer Cecil Murray gave testimony and had a few words about this in his testimony to the CoI. What he said amounted to this: the Public Service was not, and shouldn’t be, a holding pen to reward impecunious supporters.

The old timer called the present level of service “pathetic” and questioned the criteria of selection for the workers. No one followed the civil service’s rules, for the simple reason that no one – even at senior levels – knows what those rules are. A bureaucracy, as Weber pointed out so long ago, works on the routinisation of all tasks.

And this takes discipline. Which free money can’t buy.

…for buying support

Nagamootoo handed out a million bucks to the villagers of Liliendaal. No one bothered to mention Nagamootoo lives in Liliendaal. The money was probably to quell the murmurs of discontent occasioned by his crass highhandedness to have the street to his home asphalted at the cost of $29 million! His neighbour’s and others not on his path got wood!

Pressie’s being doing the Santa bit also – but that’s expected, no? But the business community? Solely for altruistic reasons and expecting no reward – they’re tripping over themselves offering goodies in his name.

Especially some stalwarts that gorged themselves at the PPP’s trough.

There was "that" contractor early in the day, cleaning Georgetown even better than Cinderella under the watchful eyes of the wicked stepmother! He then launched a boat “David Granger II” for schoolchildren in the Pomeroon. But most altruistic of all, was one Ernie Ross – who donated $30,000 pairs of shoes to hinterland children.

If you’ve ever seen a pig with his snout in a garbage dump, that was fattening himself, courtesy the PPP.

…at sugar retreat?

So the Sugar CoI, which was to be presented in September but postponed for a RETREAT in November and then postponed for a retreat in December because Pressie and Greenidge were out, took place without them.

So another retreat is necessary. And no Santa for sugar workers this Christmas.

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

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SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

10

SunDAY, december 20, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Dr Astell Collins tipped as Chairman for Habitat for Humanity By: Devina Samaroo

A

fter several weeks of meetings the local Chapter of Habitat for Humanity supported by its Regional Office has accepted the nomination of Dr Astell Collins to be its next board chairman.

Dr Collins’s will be the youngest chairperson in the 21-year history of Habitat for Humanity Guyana.

His appointment follows a long list of prominent figures inclusive of Sheila George, William Woolford, Fitzpatrick Alert, Ovid Walton, Alex Graham and William Harris.

Guyana Times understands his appointment will be confirmed in January at a special board meeting.

Dr Collins is expected to play a key role in expanding the services and programmes of Habitat for Humanity Guyana across the country, lead the Friends of Habitat Group, and initiate and promote strategic programme partnerships that materialise both technical and financial resources.

In an invited comment, Dr Collins noted he is “over-

Dr Astell Collins

whelmed and humbled” he was considered.

He also highlighted a prior connection to Habitat for Humanity through one of his former mentors Irvin Adonis, who himself is a prior national director of Habitat Guyana.

Even though Dr Collins is so far the youngest chairman, he brings a wealth of experience in leadership development.

His effectiveness was recognised with a number of prestigious awards nationally and internationally; which includes South Africa "IKUSASA-special

recognition Award", the United Nations "Golden Rule International Award", the USA "International Champions of His community" and also from Guyana "Award of Excellence”.

Recently, he was included within an elite group of world leaders when he was awarded the Global Leadership Award at Capitol Hill, Washington DC. Dr Collins is widely known for his role and involvement in the ‘Be the One Leadership’ (BD1

low-income earners and poverty-stricken families.

In working with various stakeholders to facilitate the process of housing intervention, HFHG strives for an enabling environment whereby extremely poor families can have access to a better quality of life and promotes community development.

The agency has received tremendous support from beneficiary families, corporate partners, local and international volunteers to in-

Leadership) outreaches throughout Guyana and beyond.

Habitat is a non-profit organisation registered in Guyana in 1995 with a mission to alleviate poverty through increased accessibility to decent living conditions, especially for

crease the impact of its work.

Over the years Habitat for Humanity Guyana has provided approximately 600 fully functional houses at no or little cost for partner families in addition to assisting several thousands through livelihood development and skill training.

Man run-down by drunk driver...

FROM PAGE 8

When asked to relate what happened on the day he was struck by Khan, North explained his memory is vivid as to what transpired: “I remember clearly what happened. I was cooking squash and chicken but I accidently made the stew burn, so I decided to go look for my two sheep.

While I was in the corner of the public road in Gibraltar chasing my sheep, I saw this white 212 car coming with full speed in my di-

Area, East Coast Demerara, who was driving his car HC 1209.

Khan struck North and after attempting to get away, he reportedly crashed into a truck at Bath, West Coast Berbice, before being nabbed by the police.

Khan was taken into custody and underwent a breathalyser test that showed he was way above the legal limit.

He was scheduled to be charged.

rection. I was on my bicycle so I ride more into the corner because I couldn’t go right or left as two trucks were coming in both directions, but the driver of the car kept on in my direction and hit me off my bicycle into the air.”

He added that after being struck, he was still conscious and tried to yell for help but was grateful that many persons saw what happened and came to his assistance.

He was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital but

subsequently rushed to the GPH where he is currently a patient.

An aunt of North disclosed to this newspaper that on Monday North’s grandmother was buried, and on the very next day, Tuesday, she was shocked to hear he was involved in an accident.

She expressed gratitude her nephew had survived the ordeal and is recovering.

North was struck by Khan, a hire car driver of 110 Mon Repos North, Squatting

Better to give than to receive

S

atiricus was proud of his friend Cappo, the cane cutter. They were in the back street bar bending their elbows. Cappo’s sugar estate had finished “grinding” three weeks ago and he was at loose ends. Meaning he hung around the back street even during weekdays. During the “crop” he’d be too bushed to even get out of the hammock he’d drop into when he trudged back from the backdam.

“So Christmas coming up sharp, boy,” said Satiricus as he took a chug of his beer. “So you gon buy a drink for the boys or what?”

“Wha de rass yuh talking about Sato,” snarled Cappo heatedly. “Yuh know dem na pay abee a black cent fuh API. Ah brucks, bai. Ah brucks.”

“Man, is what you telling me?” Satiricus asked with a smile. “Naga Man said you guys making big bucks.”

“Budday, whatevah “bucks” me mek, is me head feel de pressha,” Cappo replied grimly. “But he na tell yuh dat is only half de year abee does get wuk?”

“So that’s why you look out for API!” exclaimed Satiricus. “So you could have a nice Christmas”.

“Nice Christmas me ass. Ah talking ‘bout food pan de table, bai!” said Cappo softly. “An abee meet all dem target. Why abee cyaan get API and everybady else ah get bonus?”

“Cappo my friend, it's not fair to compare,” said Satiricus virtuously. “Somebody will always do better than other people.”

“Sato, man whay uh deh pan? Yuh smoking something or wha” said Cappo in a surlily, as he slapped the table with his open palm. “Me head mash down wid all dem cane me fetch…Ah wha dem do fuh get all dem bonus? Ah me money sugar bring in ah pay dem!”

“Cappo, ole buddy, you never hear it's better to give than to receive?!” smiled Satiricus.

“Suh how come dem nevah gie me nutten?” challenged Cappo. “Ah yuh gon gat fuh buy drinks fuh me till next crap. Dat mek me feel bettah!”

11

SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

12 news

SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Forensic audit…

NICIL exposes Goolsarran’s misrepresentation on GNCB’s $1B for Marriott – funds were never used, transferred to Consolidated Fund

BY EDWARD LAYNE

T

he National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) on Saturday exposed what it said is gross misrepresentation of facts on the part of former Auditor General (AG) Anand Goolsarran who conducted a forensic audit into the operations of NICIL. Goolsarran in his audit report sought to suggest that there was corruption involving the transfer of $1 billion in 2012, from the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB) for the Marriott Hotel.

Goolsarran claimed that while it is showing that the full amount was expended, at the same time the amount is shown as “outstanding funds”.

“In addition, NICIL did not provide a schedule of payments in relation to this amount. It is therefore not clear whether the amount

of $1 billion was indeed paid over to NICIL, and whether any expenditure was incurred,” he said.

However, in a detailed response on Saturday, NICIL said that the $1 billion was advanced by GNCB to NICIL on the authority of Office of the President, for intended use in the Marriott.

“The sum was deposited to NICIL’s regular bank accounts and was not kept in any separate or special account. The financial statements properly and consistently showed the G$1 billion as an amount due to GNCB. The entire amount was returned to GNCB in 2015 with the approval of the NICIL’s Board since it was no longer required for the Marriott project. These funds have since been paid into the Consolidated Fund,” NICIL explained.

In his report, Goolsarran also alleged that the Guyana

Water Authority (GWI) made a $353 million contribution to rehabilitation of the sewerage system, while NICIL in turn made two payments totalling $53.098 million to the utility company, which he claimed was for the drilling of a well for the Marriott Hotel.

“NICIL’s $53 million payment to GWI represents payment for relocation of a well.

It is recognised that the forensic auditor has made some general statements regarding the uncertainty on spending but it is pointed out that the forensic auditor did not seek clarification of these issues. Consequently, the forensic auditor connotes that such uncertainty is by extension a reason for concern,” NICIL said in response.

He also stated that during 2010-2013, NICIL’s financing of the Marriott Hotel totalled $5.371 billion, comprising $800 million share capital, $3.316 billion (equivalent to

US$15.5 million) in an interest-free loan and $1.255 billion in advances. As at July 7, 2015, NICIL’s advances to the Marriott Hotel increased to $4.521 billion, giving a total funding of $8.637 billion.

It is evident that the acceleration in the disposal of State assets/properties, and the sale of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) shares and the investment in Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) were done to secure financing of the cost of construction of the Marriott Hotel.

However, NICIL in response said such a statement

by Goolsarran is “entirely speculative” and should be struck out.

“The facts show that NICIL had enough funds for its targeted investment in AHI (Atlantic Hotel Inc) of US$19.5 million. At the end of 2012, NICIL had over $8 billion in cash. At the end of

National Budget 2017 will be presented before January 1, 2017.

“So if we do not catch it in the first budget, we can catch it in the second budget,” President Granger said.

The Head of State explained that Government would like to give workers a bigger take-home pay and that this is something the Administration is working towards achieving.

“We would like to give workers a bigger take-home pay and I cannot say at this point in time whether there are any fiscal measures in the

2016 budgets… Generally, there has been a sort of sympathetic view towards raising the threshold so that working people can take home more pay… That is likely to happen in 2016,” he related.

The President alluded to the Lutchman Commission, being headed by Dr Harold Lutchman, which is currently dealing with reviewing the working conditions and salaries of Government workers.

According to the Head of State, the Commission will submit a report of recommendations and Government will then act accordingly.

Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran

2013, this figure totalled over $6 billion, despite the fact that NICIL had already invested the full targeted investment of US$19.5 million into AHI,” NICIL said, adding that “GTT proceeds were kept on NICIL’s balance sheet for some years before being used for AHI, with it being used only after efforts to prevent the funding of US$27 million

committed by Republic Bank and similar efforts to prevent the private investor from investing US$8 million in equity.”

Previously, NICIL had contested most of Goolsarran’s report into the Marriott on the basis that he did not request the source documents on many occasions, but formed ill-informed opinions.

These recent loopholes in the report, have brought even into sharper focus, the long held view of many that Goolsarran and Christopher Ram – both staunch supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition – were not suitable to conduct the forensic audits on the basis that their reports will be biased since they have always openly accused the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration of widespread corruption.

Salary increases for public servants in 2016 – President

P

resident David Granger said public servants can look forward to the announcement of salary increases and better working conditions in 2016.

He was at the time being interviewed on Public Interest, a weekly programme aired on State media. The President disclosed that two National Budgets will be presented in 2016 and that one of them will cater for salary increases for Public Sector workers.

The National Budget 2016 will be presented before January 31, 2016 whereas the

President David Granger

He did not say when this report will be presented.

Nonetheless, Granger said public service workers can expect an improvement on what prevailed in the past.

“Good things are in store for the workers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President disclosed that the top priority area in the Budget 2016 is education. Already, some $32 million was allocated towards this sector, Granger stated.

The second ranked area of interest is national security and the third area of focus is infrastructure.

“The country has got to be

safe if you are to attract investors… (and) unless we build infrastructure in this country we will not be able to get to the resources, particularly in the hinterland and we will not be able to police the areas properly and we will not be able to reduce the cost of extracting gold and other minerals,” he stated.

The only two hallmark projects included in Budget 2016 are the Demerara Harbour Bridge Project and the LindenLethem Highway, President Granger revealed. These projects, he noted, should come to fruition before 2020.

news

13

SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

What’s the plan?

E

ight months into the new Administration, everyone is still waiting to hear what plans the Granger Government has for our country’s development.

There is a void where there should be energy, activity and enthusiasm. There appears to be no one at the helm with the firm hand needed to guide us towards the promised good life.

In fact, campaign rhetoric and jingoism still prevail, and the continued daily hysteria over the People’s Progressive Ryhaan Shah Party (PPP) Administration’s alleged ills creates the distinct impression that it is the PPP that is still in Government and facing a vociferous coalition Opposition.

The continued assaults by sycophants willing to overlook Government’s own transgressions and corruptions do fill the vacuum of nothingness with much distracting noise but after all the railing against the PPP Government’s projects – Amaila Falls, the Specialty Hospital, the airport expansion – the Administration has had no option but to fall back on them, albeit with some face saving gestures of making adjustments.

This backpedalling more than anything else exposes their vacancy of ideas. The Granger Government has nothing to offer.

All their years on the Opposition bench, they opposed for opposition sake and not because they were bristling with better ideas or with any ideas for that matter. There is a distinct void where there should be, at least, some programmes, projects and ideas especially in a country with so many developmental needs.

What’s the plan for export earners like sugar, rice, timber, gold, and bauxite? Where are the promised investments that will create jobs and drive our economic expansion? Where is the promised employment for our youths? And where is the strategy for fighting the serious rise of serious crime to create the stability and security needed for social and economic development?

There are no announcements about incentives that will attract investors, or any announced subventions or tax breaks to encourage local businesses to expand.

There is only the gravest danger that Guyana will careen out of control in the absence of policies that are needed to provide national direction.

The runaway crime might be a symptom that the country is already out of control, and that Government continues with its initial arrogance is an added worrying factor.

This past week, they rammed the anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism bills through Parliament despite widespread criticism about the lack of consultation on these critical issues.

Even its $50,000 bonuses for lower-paid civil servants have drawn fire from the Guyana Public Service Union and the Guyana Trade Unions Congress for the lack of consultation.

GuySuCo’s criticism is driven by Government’s continued denial of any bonuses for sugar workers.

The bonuses are all a lot of added expenditure and someone should be worrying about the revenue earning side of the national ledger. Perhaps, oil was expected to gush and money was expected to flow. However, with oil prices continuing to fall and with a renewed global momentum to cap green house gas emissions, these expectations will have to be adjusted downward and Guyana’s own policy on climate change made clear.

With our coastline under threat, it was a travesty that Guyana was a no-show at the recent conference in Paris on climate change. Minister Raphael Trotman did attend but given his non-participation, he might as well have stayed at home and saved us all those first class travel expenses.

It appears that being overshadowed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s high profile makes Government less than confident in these circles. But to ignore this critical issue would be to the country’s detriment so the Administration should be magnanimous and enlist Jagdeo’s help for the country’s sake.

The only energy and enthusiasm being displayed anywhere is on the much needed clean-up around the city. But this is also expenditure. It brings nothing to the national coffers.

Nor will the grand “sport” being planned for next May’s jubilee independence celebrations, the only other project that is underway. Again, this has little revenue earning potential.

The “tourists” who come will stay mostly with family and whatever spending occurs will be at the commercial street level.

But Government’s jubilee hype is spurring a mania over the number “50”. So, 50 streets might well be renamed.

And the country is to be saddled with the expense of having a 50-dollar note introduced into circulation. This is totally unnecessary but it probably satisfies Government’s rather childlike glee over applying the number “50” to every possible sector. These then are their ideas for the good life.

No doubt, President David Granger might well release 50 more criminals onto the streets to commemorate our independence, our continued independence from law, order, and any real hope for progress.

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

14 news

SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Electronics City brings RCA products to Guyana

E

lectronics City promise big deals for the Christmas season as it will be partnering with RCA, a worldwide distributor of many electronic appliances, to open an RCA franchise in Guyana.

On Monday Electronics City will be officially launching its RCA products at Giftland Mall, Plantation Pattensen, Georgetown.

This will see the company being the sole distributor of RCA products in Guyana and South America.

RCA products are known around the world to be affordable electronic items and appliances on the market.

RCA Corporation was founded as the Radio Corporation of America an electronics company.

General Electric acquired RCA in 1985 and took the company and its products to

RCA products at Electronics City at the Giftland Mall

new heights.

Families have come to expect exceptional performance, quality, innovation and value from RCA and because of Electronics City, Guyanese will now share in that experience.

RCA iconic name can be found on flat-panel and 4K televisions, tablets, smart

phones, home appliances, kitchen appliances and many other quality products.

Speaking with Guyana times, a representative of Electronics City stated that since the company has been providing RCA products, the response has been tremendous and that the products

are going really fast, especially the RCA televisions.

General Manager of Electronics City Radica Ramdeen-Sears encourages all to visit the launch on Monday as there will be big deals. “Come on down to our store at the Giftland Mall and capitalise on our deals for the Christmas season” she stated.

Electronics City is already giving big for the Christmas season.

With every purchase of an RCA television, customers will be given a free Orange Box which is a video game compilation for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac OS X and Linux from E-Networks.

Also with every purchase of a phone, Electronics City will be giving customers a free phone casing and screen protector.

Guyanese man gunned down in NJ

A

nother Guyanese was on Friday morning found outside a night club in New Jersey, USA with bullet wounds to his body. The former minibus driver was identified as Phillip Amsterdam, 49. He died while being transported to a nearby hospital.

According to NJ.com, the exact circumstances of Amsterdam’s death remain

Dead, Phillip Amsterdam

unclear. Authorities have not yet released details of a motive in the killing, or said whether any arrests have been made.

Whether Amsterdam visited the social club on the night of his death also remains unclear. His whereabouts on the night of the shooting are currently under investigation.

The NJ media stated

that attempts to contact the owners of the property that houses the social club were not immediately successful.

Amsterdam’s death marks the second homicide in Newark so far this week. Ulysses Murphy, 44, was shot to death Tuesday morning in an incident in the 100 block of Columbia Avenue.

Younge’s Take This Christmas

T

here are just five days left until Guyanese join millions of people around the world to mark and celebrate Christmas 2015.

Around this time of the year, there is usually a lot of frolic and fun and Guyanese somehow manage to put aside the things political, religious, and social, that Michael Younge are known to drive conflicts and divide unimaginable portions, whether subtle or explicit.

Guyanese are also busy shopping and redesigning their homes to usher in the New Year with the hope of a better year ahead for their families and the country as a whole.

Included in the traditional/secular hallmarks of the season is the demonstration of the Government of the day that it is caring and concerned about the socioeconomic well-being of its citizenry.

The Government therefore makes it a duty to assist the lesser well-off Guyanese by the granting of salary increases, monetary awards for special performances and accomplishments, and other non-salary interventions.

It seems as if the newly elected A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change coalition Government understood its obligations from the first day in office and started a deliberate process, though clandestine in many respects, to ensure that those who fit a certain criterion are selected for rewards and gifts.

So contracts were single sourced and certain contractors given work to commence a massive cleanup exercise around the city of Georgetown.

Then citizens heard that May Day celebrations would be merged with the President’s “Big Bash” Inauguration ceremony. Again more money was found used to cover expenses related to the event. Government denied putting its hand in the State’s penny bank to fund the political events.

Then came the audits and certain auditors who hated the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government were “handpicked” and handed over $133 million in contracts to date, to go on a fishing expedition.

That aside, Government decided it needed CoIs to be launched into everything under the sun that was used by the PPP/C to drive Guyana’s development as there must be some corruption somewhere. While it has not released figures related to the cost, it is expected that more than 100 could be wasted in this area.

Soon after this, the Ministers decided to demonstrate “courage” and gave themselves a salary increase which they felt they “deserved” from a treasury which was supposed to be empty. Incidentally, it was that same treasury that funded countless ministerial trips abroad, fam sessions, the Prime Minister’s $22 million SUV, and other high end vehicles.

To save face, the Ministers then gave public servants a minuscule pay hike during the budget hoping this would stop the criticism of the magnitude, and unfairness related to the self-serving decision.

This month in another publicity stunt, the Government then announced that would give a $50,000 bonus to the workers again within the Public Sector for Christmas.

But hold up! What was the gift for the hardworking sugar workers who met their target for the first time in 11 years? Thank YOU! No bonus.

The situation is worse for these workers because the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union has so far failed to secure a negotiated salary increase for them or the API benefits. The workers also stand to lose millions in their pension scheme as a result of their investment in the Berbice River Bridge.

The Government, which is already perceived as racist within the masses in the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) labour catchment, has committed the biggest sin of its tenure. There is still time to correct it.

No help for struggling rice farmers or those seriously affected by extreme levels of poverty.

No new incentives for our hardworking fishermen and other trades men who lay their lives on the line.

Maybe, these workers do not meet the new criteria set out by the Government to benefit from these perks….

To be continued….

15

sunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

16 news Fire ravages North Ruimveldt home T SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

he festive season has become challenging for an employee of the Ministry of Communities and his family after the house they occupied at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was completely razed by fire on Saturday.

The fire reportedly started at about 12:00h in one of the bedrooms in the wooden structure located at Lot 3785 North Ruimveldt Squatting Area and rapidly spread to other parts of the house, leaving no room to salvage any household items. The fire allegedly started after a

six year-old set a mattress on fire.

At the scene on Saturday, Calvin Prince, one of the occupants of the destroyed home, stated that he was asleep at his relative’s home across from where he lives and was suddenly awakened by screams of fire. He told Guyana Times that as he looked in the direction of his home, the entire building was on fire.

He learnt afterwards that a six-year-old nephew collected the keys to the home and went inside. “It is alleged that he and another

Calvin Prince inspects what is left of his house after the blaze

youngster were playing with matches and he scratch it and light the mattress”.

He explained that persons in the area saw smoke and immediately raised an alarm. Prince stated that one of the children saw the smoke and ran towards the house he was staying and alerted them.

Guyana Times understands that the two children who were in the house had to be rescued by a young man who was in the area.

However, Prince noted that when no one is at home, the doors are locked and was

not sure when the lad collected the keys and went into the house. He noted that it is devastating to be without a house, especially with Christmas fast approaching.

Prince stated that he did not get to save anything from the house but is thankful that no one was injured.

Prince could not say what arrangements would be put in place in the interim until he sorts out his next move.

At the time Guyana Times visited the scene of the fire, Prince could not estimate his losses but noted that it will be in the millions.

Tony’s Auto Spares promotion

Bartician drives away with RX8

C

hristmas came a little early for a Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), truck driver who won a spanking new Mazda RX8 motor car from Tony’s Auto Spares.

Thirteen lucky customers emerged big winners in the company’s annual Christmas promotion, after spending just about $5000 over the past few months to enter the competition.

The winners were from as far as Bartica, in Region Seven; Enmore, on the East Coast of Demerara, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Linden, in Region 10 (Upper

Demerara-Berbice); West Coast Berbice, in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Central Georgetown, Region Four.

Among the prizes were three selfie sticks won by Alex Grant, Joel London, and V Pitamber; two Amazon Kindles won by Leroy Reece and Mahendra Tulsie; a mini Notebook won by Alana Fiffee; five car care gunk products won

by H Parris, Fitzroy Sandy, Gopaul Jiplall, Vickram Singh and Somdat Jagdeo, and a set of mag rims won

by Richard Shaw.

Ayube Khan of Bartica,

who will soon be wed, walked away with the grand prize of a Mazda RX8 motor car. Speaking with Guyana Times at the simple presentation ceremony on Saturday, the elated man said he would usually shop for parts at Tony’s and will never regret this decision.

He related that the call from Tony’s surprised him.

“I couldn’t believe it. I never believed I could have gotten a car like this. I’m extremely happy about it… For everybody out there, Tony’s is the place to shop for auto spare parts,” he stated.

Khan was quick to ex-

press his eagerness to take the vehicle home, noting that the sports car will “look good” in Bartica.

However, owner of Tony’s, Suresh Seecharran, explained that some formalities will have to be completed before the vehicle can be handed over. “As soon as the paper work (is) ready, the car would be handed over to him because we have to take the car by the inspector at (the) licence office so maybe

by Monday afternoon he can pick up the car,” the businessman stated.

Seecharran noted that customers can expect bigger and better things next year from the auto spares store.

“We have plans for next year already. We had a discussion and we’re coming with a more high-end vehicle next year because we realise how important customer support

General Manager of Tony’s Auto Spares handing over the keys to the owner of a brand new Mazda RX8 Ayube Khan at the company’s head office at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara on Saturday

is,” he added.

The businessman further mentioned the company is looking to reach out to all its customers and will be expanding with new branch-

es in areas such as Bartica and Linden. Tony’s will continue to offer customers with products of quality from renowned brands at reduced prices.

news

17

SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

THE

Minister Lawrence promises ‘better days’ for senior citizens spirit, culture, love, experience and a wealth of lessons from which the youths of today can learn. So I want to encourage each of you to use every opportunity to help re-

The substitution of sustainable development by shoes that grow

T

he absurd démarche of this Government does not cease to provoke sentiments of lassitude, coining the question of whether the people are being taken for fools.

While it has become a common trend for First Ladies across the world to usurp humanitarianism in attempts to prove a purpose — as if one absolutely needs to Anna Correia become a first lady in order to become a humanitarian - one would think that the First Lady of Guyana, Sandra Granger, could do better than distribute shoes to Hinterland students.

Especially when this goes against all that the President and his flock of faithfuls preached prior to their assuming office on May 16.

Minister Amna Ally, besides being endowed with the championship of heckling savagely in Parliament, also strives to be a custodian of the values of our President. And so she diligently reminded those present during the handing over of some 1500 pair shoes to students at State House last week, that the President: “believes that there must be no barrier for our children to have access to education. He believes that not because of poverty our children must not have access to education”.

However, as is customary with this not so new administration, there is an inverse correlation between what is said and what is done. It has become a trademark of the coalition, a sort of sequence which defines its DNA. For instance, had the government been genuinely concerned about the level of poverty affecting Hinterland students, then it would have reconsidered slashing the $10,000 school voucher programme, replacing it with a meagre $2000.

Evidently, $2000 cannot compensate for the compounded needs of a student, such as shoes, material and uniforms; so families, especially big ones, are now forced to prioritise among school necessities. Poverty is indeed a barrier to accessing education, and stripping the vouchers from parents does not only accentuate their level of poverty, it also disrupts local village economy.

This government which during its Election campaign had so vehemently opposed all forms of “hand-outs”, a technique which it accused the former administration of practising, prefers to combat poverty by subverting the people’s capacity to autonomously invest in their own development through the availability of viable resources.

Against all logic, the government in spite of having crafted the heftiest budget in the history of Guyana - $221 billion to span the needs of a population of 750 000 for less than six months – has relinquished its responsibility to durably reduce poverty. Instead, it has decided to inspire its ephemeral alms to the people from theshoethatgrows.org, a humanitarian organisation working in Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa, and in countries on other continents. Audaciously, it even went so far as to have the cost of the welfare of Guyanese citizens be borne partly by the private sector, incarnated in this case by a notable airline. How does one explain that in a country where Amerindians account for less than 75000 individuals, as compared to the millions in those aforementioned countries, the Government of Guyana can only combat poverty through free shoes? This is a curiosity which defies logic, and may only be interpreted as pure illiteracy in the art of leadership, governance and development.

GINA described Guyana’s Honorary Consul to Trinidad and Tobago, Ernie Ross, as being “saddened at the fact that children in the remote areas were going to school bare feet”, while noting that “he decided that something needed to be done to address the situation”. Of course something needed to be done. A long term solution is indispensable; an initiative which stretches beyond publicised hand-outs requiring the presence of a First Lady, three Ministers and a diplomat.

Save the instrumentalisation to which is often victim, humanitarianism is noble, not only because it is a dignified, voluntary act of altruism, but especially because it addresses the results of negligence from incapacitated and failing States on their people. Guyana is not a failed State, far from it. It is a developing middle income country which needs adapted and inclusive policies where all citizens may take an active role in their development. Consequently, it is hoped that government officials will draw the kind of motivation which would engender tenacious, contextualised poverty reduction programmes the next time they sit to look at BBC while sipping tea.

Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence

M

inister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence at the Annual Hamper Distribution programme hosted by the Salvation Army on Wednesday announced that senior citizens are the priority of her ministry.

She added that her Ministry is committed to improving the lives of senior citizens, and cherish and value their contributions to society.

She assured: “our Ministry will not go back on our promise of a better life for all senior citizens. I wish to reiterate that this Ministry will continue to work hard with you, our senior boys and girls, so that you can enjoy improved living conditions.”

She noted things are going slower than was intended by her ministry because their present resources cannot provide greater increases in pensions and other benefit.

“But be assured that you are our top priority and we are working to ensure that substantial increases are provided,” she promised.

Minister Lawrence explained that government recognises that the needs of senior citizens need urgently to be addressed and so to this end is making provisions for better housing, pension and healthcare: “I assure you that we will pay greater attention to the curbing abuse of the elderly and violation of your rights, including the squandering of your assets.”

She further encouraged senior citizens to continue in their work to mould the younger generation of today.

“I would like to leave this message with you, you have been the cornerstone of love, guidance and protection for generations, your unstinting efforts have helped to mould the moral fabric of our society and create strong families. Our families today are severely challenged and need to be given as much support and guidance as various influences seek to condition our minds to value material things and place less emphasis on love and family values. As senior boys and girls of this beloved land you possess qualities that are capable of transforming lives, you are enriched in

store the family unit through your daily conversations and interaction with the youths”.

She concluded: “To you our senior citizens and to all, blessings, may the Christ

in Christmas light up your hearts and be a beacon in your life. Have an enjoyable Christmas, and I wish you peace, happiness and health in 2016”.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, DECEMBer 20, 2015

News

Uganda to restart Burundi peace talks after violence escalates

2 commit suicide in Wakenaam U T wo men from the island of Wakenaam committed suicide on Saturday, leaving residents in a state of shock.

Dead are 80-yearold Sydney “Badri”

Ramphal and Soma Bhryo, 40, both of Belle Plaine village.

Reports reaching Guyana Times state that Ramphal was the proprietor of a drinking extablishment, while

unconfirmed reports indicate that Bhryo may have taken his life due to domestic problems.

Both men committed suicide by hanging themselves in their homes.

China accuses US of B-52 'provocation' over Spratly Islands

An aerial image allegedly shows Chinese dredging around the Spratly Islands

C

hina has accused the US of “serious provocation” after it flew B-52 bombers near one of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Chinese military personnel were put on “high alert” during the incident on December 10, and issued warnings to leave.

The Pentagon said it was looking into the complaint.

China claims large swathes

of the South China Sea but is in territorial dispute with a host of regional neighbours. In October, China rebuked the US after a destroyer sailed close to a reef.

On Saturday, a statement from China’s Defence Ministry accused the US of deliberately raising tensions in the area with the B-52 over-flight of the disputed Spratly Islands, which it calls Nansha.

A report in the Wall St Journal said there were two B-52s on the mission and that one unintentionally flew within two nautical miles of Cuarteron Reef on the Spratly Islands, possibly due to bad weather.

China said the flights “constitute a serious military provocation and are rendering more complex and even militarising conditions in the South China Sea”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

ganda said on Saturday it would resume mediating peace talks for Burundi after violence that has pushed the Central African country close to civil war and led the African Union to prepare for the imposition of a peace keeping force.

Both the Government and Burundi’s largest Opposition coalition welcomed the move to restart talks. On Friday, the African Union said it was preparing to send 5000 peace keepers to Burundi to protect civilians, for the first time using powers to deploy troops to a member country against its will.

Tensions have been running particularly high since gunmen attacked military sites in the Burundi capital Bujumbura last week, unnerving a region where memories of the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda are still raw. Burundi slid into crisis in April when

Burundian Police Officers collect a cache of weapons recovered from suspected fighters after clashes in the capital Bujumbura, Burundi, December 12

President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans for a third term in office.

The United Nations says at least 400 people have been killed since April when Nkurunziza’s decision triggered protests and later a failed military coup. Uganda’s defense minister, Chrispus Kiyonga, told a news conference in Kampala the securi-

ty situation in Burundi had been deteriorating.

“It is now considered appropriate and critical that the dialogue resumes,” Kiyonga said. He said about 14 groups representing various sections of Burundian society, including the ruling party, Opposition parties and civil society would attend the talks. (Excerpt from Reuters)

29 confirmed swine flu cases in T&T this year

T

here have been 29 laboratory-confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) in Trinidad so far for 2015, with three resulting in death.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, on Friday shared this information in an attempt to clear the air on what he said was “misinformation” in the public sphere.

Deyalsingh held the first of what is to be a weekly media conference on health issues at the Ministry’s Park Street, Port of Spain, head office.

“We are not in a crisis as far as H1N1 is concerned,” Deyalsingh said.

He said two of the three deaths were as a result of patients with co-morbidities such as diabetes.

The other death was a patient who had a kidney transplant and whose immunity had been severely compromised. He defined the at-risk groups for the virus as healthcare workers, children, pregnant women and the elderly.

He said despite these being the at-risk groups, the majority of confirmed cas-

es were people between the ages of 20 and 64. The cases have been found in St George West, St Andrew, St David and Naparima/Mayaro.

Deyalsingh also commented on the front page story of a daily newspaper today which reported an H1N1 scare at the Sangre Grande hospital.

The report said nurses and patients were scared, with some patients discharging themselves from the hospital to avoid contact with the man rumoured to have the virus. (Excerpt from Trinidad

Guardian)

news

19

sunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Scrap Metal trade audit report…

Ram’s findings not justified – Baksh

H

ead of the Scrap Metal Trade Unit Taslim Baksh is challenging the forensic audit report into the operations of the entity, noting that it is riddled with falsities, heavily based on speculation and many of the conclusions lack the relevant documents to support its notion.

The scrap metal trade was suspended back in July to facilitate a forensic audit probe into the operations of the Unit. The report was compiled by Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants and highlights several areas of alleged illegality and malpractices within the Unit’s operations.

Guyana Times was able to ascertain a copy of the report which pointed to several concerns in relation to the financial operations and functioning of the entity.

An excerpt noted that “contrary to laid down procedures, we noted instanc-

es where containers were packed in yards not legally approved. We also noted that there is no inspection by any Engineer attached to the Unit.”

The report stated that the requirement that the movement of scrap metal from collection yards to licensed yards be observed is not being complied with. It concluded that inspectors and enforcers would visit the unlicensed yards but would not observe the transfer of metals to the licensed yard.

Secondly, the report highlighted that Cabinet on January 31, 2012, approved the purchase of one vehicle for the operation of the Unit; and without requesting further approval from Cabinet, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) – the body under which the Unit falls, approved the purchase of an additional vehicle which cost $6.5 million.

Further, the report stat-

Guyana ranked poorly for failing to reduce accidents

G

uyana has been ranked among the top 60 countries that have not been active in reducing road accidents.

This was revealed at the 2nd Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety held in Brazil on 18 and 19 November 2015, under a resolution theme titled “Improving global road safety”.

The conference saw over 2000 delegates from countries around the world including Ministers of Health, Cities, Transport, and Interior; senior officials from United Nations agencies; representatives of civil society; and business leaders.

According to Chairman of the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), Dennis Pompey, two representatives from the Council attended the conference, where they discussed measures to meet the United Nation’s Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, of which Guyana is a signatory.

The strategy seeks to have member countries reduce accident figures by 50 per cent by 2020.

Speaking at the Council’s yearend media conference, Pompey pointed out that while the country has recorded a decline in the number of road accidents and fatalities thus far for the year, the figures are still very high. He noted that at a Road Safety Conference last month, Guyana was ranked 53 on the list of countries that have not undertaken sufficient efforts to reduce accidents by 50 per cent in keeping with the UN strategy.

“At the Brazil summit, we were told that Guyana ranked 53 (of 218 countries around the world) that did not make any significant efforts to reduce accidents by 50 per cent. While we are saying that the accident figures have decreased, we are not in any way in keeping

Traffic Chief Dion Moore

with the UN convention and we are already five years into this,” the GNRSC Chairman stated.

He went on to say that in the remaining five years, Guyana has to do much more work in order to catch up with the other countries and be on track towards achieving the goal set out in the agreement.

On this note, the GNRSC head implored road users to use the roadways responsibly. He urges drivers to stop speeding and refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol, especially with the Christmas season upon us.

Additionally, he called on pedestrians, who the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department say accounts for the majority of road fatalities, to be responsible road users.

Head of the Traffic Department Dion Moore reported there has been a decrease in the number of road accidents and road fatalities thus far in 2015. He noted that as of 18 December, there have been a total of 100 fatal accidents that resulted in 118 deaths, compared to 124 accidents and 133 deaths during the same period last year.

These figures represent a 19.3 per cent reduction in accidents and 11.2 per cent decrease in deaths.

TURN TO PAGE 20

ed that it was unable to physically verify a motor vehicle listed on the asset register as PPP 12. Subsequently, the document said management indicated that the vehicle is now at the Office of the President.

Additionally, the document stated that no audit of the Unit was properly authorised by the Auditor General as required by the Audit Act nor was a proper audit executed.

Another inconsistency as highlighted in the document is the fact that the Unit paid $2.6 million for Mashramani items in March, 2015. The report stated that no Tender Board approval was seen for this activity. The report said this activity was strange because the Unit did not participate in the Mashramani celebrations and speculated that the expenditure may have been for the Housing Ministry. Against that back-

drop, the report noted that this was in violation of the Appropriation Act. Several other citations of misconduct included the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) not collecting export duty on scrap metal exported during the period under review and that the Unit made monthly payments to inspectors, enforcement officers, administrators and drivers, totalling $43.1 million without any deduction of PAYE and NIS contributions.

Meanwhile, Baksh, who is also the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) Finance Director, in response to the report, contested many of the conclusions and provided clarity to several of the allegations.

The document, also seen

by Guyana Times indicated that the Unit has a list of only 16 items in its noncurrent assets register and that all the assets were

made available to the forensic auditors for physical verification with the exception of the motor vehicle PPP 12.

“Motor Vehicle PPP 12 was transferred to the Ministry of the Presidency in early June 2015, without the knowledge of the Administrator of the Unit.

The Human Resource Department of the CH&PA facilitated the transfer of the said vehicle and to date, no paperwork on the said transfer was made available to the Administrator for presentation to the forensic auditors,” the document explained.

The document also explained that the Auditor General gave consent to Parmesar Chartered Accountants to conduct an audit of the Unit for the years 2012- 2014 and that a complete set of accounts was prepared and made available for scrutiny.

TURN TO PAGE 20

20 news Jagdeo reiterates call for unity and development L SunDAY, december 20, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

eader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday attended a Christmas party for elderly citizens of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, where he emphasised the importance of unity in building the country and fostering development. According to Jagdeo, the Christmas season is representative of the country’s ability to unite for a common reason.

“It is a good thing to bring our people together and especially at this time of the year when our country celebrates what should have been a good year but also the festive season,” Jagdeo stated, as he posited that the Christmas season plays an important part in showing how the entire nation can unite in celebrat-

ing one holiday, despite religious differences. This, he said, represents one of the principles of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). “It is so good that we live in a country where although we may be of different races and different religions, we can come together and celebrate events that may not belong to our religion or our history, but have become national. Normally, Christmas is a Christian event but from childhood every Guyanese child has grown up celebrating this… and this is how it should be in a country like ours that has people of all races and religions. Our Party, the PPP, has always sought from its inception when Cheddi Jagan started it to bring people together, not to divide them because

Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo interacting with the elderly residents of Better Hope, ECD, after the Christmas party

if our country comes together we can make progress,” Jagdeo stated.

He related that Guyana’s culture is one of diversity, positing that we must cherish and maintain our culture. “If our country comes together, we can make progress,” Jagdeo explained, add-

Ram’s findings...

Additionally, the document pointed out that all approval for goods and services were made available to the Auditor, including the purchase of the additional vehicle.

Under “Mashramani stuff”, the report explained that branded pens, shirt, and hats were ordered for distribution at events like Mashramani and GuyExpo. The items were branded with the Unit’s logo and the aim was to

bring awareness to the work of the Unit.

Moreover, the document explained that the Chief Scrap Metal Inspector who was employed with the Tourism Ministry before the trade was transferred to CH&PA was paid gross salary, that is, without the deduction of PAYE and NIS and that the CH&PA Scrap Metal used the same employment contract under the same terms and conditions that existed

FROM PAGE 19

when the trade was under the Tourism Ministry.

It was also noted that the CH&PA Unit utilised the same procedure in relation to the operation of the scrap metal trade inherited from the Ministry in the day to day management of the scrap metal trade.

Finally, the response rejected the conclusion of revenue leakage and provided the necessary documents to support this assertion.

ing “What I’m very worried about now is I’ve seen some worrying things, that once again after we have emerged from that period from when division was the order of the day and our Party sought to bring people together and to work on their behalf right across Guyana so all of our

people can make progress, once again, we have seen the ugly signs of division.”

He posited that this division is being stirred up by the Government’s intervention into areas beyond their jurisdiction. Jagdeo was at the time citing the recent conflict over a decision taken by Government to alter the date which a Hindu festival was to be celebrated.

He stated that Government should focus on uniting the country and bringing people together. “We need a Government to encourage that, not to judge people on the basis of their race, or their religion and gender,” he stated. Jagdeo declared that his Party has a desire to see Guyana united, and amalgamate for the development of the country. “This is

the kind of country that we want… this is the kind of country that we will struggle for. We will never give up hope on that kind of country,” he reiterated.

In closing the address, he encouraged each person present at the event to work towards achieving that unity, as it is the duty of every citizen. The event which saw one hundred elderly citizens in attendance catered for over 500. Each of the elderly was treated to lunch and a gift hamper. The event was a joint initiative between local donors and the Better Hope Diaspora. The organisers expressed their hope that the initiative would be improved and continued throughout the years through the cooperation of all the stakeholders involved.

Guyana ranked poorly...

According to the Traffic Chief, pedestrians remain the highest number of persons killed on the roadways with 41 of them having lost their lives during this year.

Passengers of private and hire vehicles followed in second with a total of 23 deaths, while 17 pillion riders were killed and 16 motorcyclists.

Additionally, there were 11 pedal-cyclists who lost their lives.

Moore noted his Department recognised that there are a lot of good drivers but at the same time, there are some drivers who, for vain reasons, chose to break the laws and do wrong things on the roadways.

The Traffic Chief outlined

that thus far, some 2663 drivers were charged for speeding, 2452 for driving under the influence (DUI), 1086 for failing to adhere to sirens, 1347 for using cellular phones while driving, and some 3727 for music in public transportation.

Moore explained that these offences were targeted after it was recognised that accidents were becoming a regular feature on the country’s roads. He noted that following the clamping down on these offences, there was a decline in the accident figures.

He further stated that in efforts to curb accidents, his Department is working along with the Ministry of Public

FROM PAGE 19

Security, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ministry of Education along with other stakeholders.

“We know people have to travel, but we want you to travel from point A to point B and get there safely. You have to practice road safety, you have to adhere to the principles and guidelines regarding road safety. If you see someone doing something wrong, call them out on it.

You can make a difference, we all can make a difference to ensure our roads are safer,” the Traffic Chief stated.

Moore went on to say his Department will be implementing various measures to ensure road users abide by the law.

YELLOW PAGES

Sports Victoria XI v West Indians, Geelong…

sunday, december 20, 2015

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Brathwaite, Blackwood warm up with fifties K

raigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood scored half-centuries in stiflingly hot conditions as the West Indians moved to 303-8 on the first day of their tour game against a Victoria XI in Geelong. The two-day match is the West Indians’ only scheduled fixture ahead of the Boxing Day Test, which starts at the MCG next Saturday, and due to the BBL commitments of state players, the Victoria XI was made up largely of men without firstclass experience.

The temperature reached 43.8C at Simonds Stadium in Geelong on Saturday, but Brathwaite seemed unfazed by the conditions and picked up where he left off from his second-innings 94 in the first Test in Hobart.

He scored 78 from 175 deliveries in the first two sessions before he retired to give the rest of the West Indians a chance, although he was the only batsman who retired as the Victorians found seven wickets through the day.

Rajendra Chandrika shouldered arms to the bowling of Jackson Koop

Kraigg Brathwaite followed his 94 in the first Test with 78

and was lbw for 28, which brought Marlon Samuels to the crease in an aggressive mood. Samuels struck seven fours as he moved to 45 from 39 deliveries before he was caught behind off the bowling of fast bowler Jackson Coleman to leave the West Indians at 115-2 after they were sent in.

Blackwood, who was coming off a pair in Hobart, combined with Brathwaite for a 99-run stand before Brathwaite retired, and Blackwood brought up a half-

SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg.

(MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER st. G/ Town. 231-7101

SCOREBOARD West Indians 1st innings KC Brathwaite retired out 78 R Chandrika lbw b Koop 28 MN Samuels c †Kight b Coleman 45 J Blackwood lbw b Hart 69 D Ramdin† not out 38 JO Holder* c Ayre b Hart 9 CR Brathwaite c Doric b Hart 4 1 SD Hope b Doric JE Taylor c Doric b Hart 4 JA Warrican not out 22 Extras (b-4, lb-1) 5

Total (8 wickets; 90 overs) 303 Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Chandrika, 18.5 ov), 2-115 (Samuels, 32.6 ov), 3-214 (KC Brathwaite, 60.6 ov), 4-226 (Blackwood, 63.5 ov), 5-236 (Holder, 67.2 ov), 6-247 (CR Brathwaite, 69.5 ov), 7-250 (Hope, 72.6 ov), 8-257 (Taylor, 75.2 ov) Bowling: JR Coleman 15-547-1, M Doric 19-1-41-1, JE Koop 14-1-45-1, IG Holland 10-3-26-0, JW Hart 18-2-934, SEJ Grimwade 14-2-46-0

New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Hamilton…

SL close in on lead after Chameera’s five SCOREBOARD

Dushmantha Chameera claimed 5-47

WANTED

century of his own to give him some confidence ahead of Boxing Day. Blackwood was lbw for 69 to leg-spinner Jeremy Hart, who finished with 4-93 after running through the lower-order in the final session of the day.

Hart had Jason Holder for nine, Carlos Brathwaite for four, and Jerome Taylor for four, while Shai Hope, the opener, who was overlooked for the Hobart Test, came in at number eight and managed only one before he was lbw to Matthew Doric.

Denesh Ramdin finished unbeaten on 38 from 73 deliveries. (Cricinfo)

S

hort balls were the weapon of choice for Dushmantha Chameera as he cut through the Black Caps batsmen with an incredible five-for.

Play was delicately poised between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the end of day two in Hamilton on Saturday.

New Zealand dispatched the remaining three Sri Lankan wickets relatively early, but encountered some quality fast bowling from Dushmantha Chameera, ensuring a tough day at the office for the Black Cap batsmen, who reached stumps at 232-9.

Doug Bracewell (30) and

Sri Lanka 1st innings 292 New Zealand 1st innings MJ Guptill c Mathews b Herath 50 TWM Latham c Karunaratne 28 b Chameera KS Williamson c Lakmal b Chameera 1 LRPL Taylor c †Chandimal b Chameera 0 BB McCullum* c Mendis b Herath 18 MJ Santner c †Chandimal b Pradeep 38 BJ Watling† c Vithanage b Lakmal 28 30 DAJ Bracewell not out TG Southee c Jayasundera

Trent Boult (0) are not out at the crease, with New Zealand still 60 runs adrift after the tourists were bowled out for 292 earlier in the day.

Sri Lanka finished with a respectable total after Angelo Mathews (77) was caught by Tom Latham off a Tim Southee (3-63) ball, before Neil Wagner (1-51) sent

b Chameera 4 N Wagner c Vithanage b Chameera 17 Extras (lb-3, w-8, nb-7) 18 Total (9 wickets; 78.4 overs) 232 Fall of wickets: 1-81 (Latham, 22.5 ov), 2-83 (Williamson, 24.2 ov), 3-86 (Guptill, 25.2 ov), 4-89 (Taylor, 26.5 ov), 5-128 (McCullum, 43.1 ov), 6-168 (Santner, 62.1 ov), 7-196 (Watling, 71.2 ov), 8-201 (Southee, 72.2 ov), 9-232 (Wagner, 78.4 ov) Bowling: RAS Lakmal 16-4-481 (1-nb, 1-w), AD Mathews 11-7-25-0, N Pradeep 17-4-341 (5-nb, 1-w), HMRKB Herath 22-1-75-2, PVD Chameera 12.4-3-47-5 (1-nb, 2-w)

Suranga Lakmal (4) packing.

Chameera (4) was the last wicket to fall when he edged the ball to Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum at mid-off from a Bracewell (2-81) effort, but the Sri Lankan paceman would have his moment later as he claimed 5-47. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Tokyo Olympics six times over budget

T

he Tokyo 2020 Olympics will cost £9.98bn (1.8 trillion yen), six times more than the original estimate, it has been claimed.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported the overspend on its website.

It said the huge rise had been caused by unexpected payments for building lanes on highways, as well as rising material costs and per-

sonnel expenses.

Next year’s Olympics in Rio has a budget of £2.38bn, while London 2012 cost £8.77bn in total.

However, if the cost of the Tokyo Olympics was to reach £9.98bn, it would still be considerably less than the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, which was estimated to have cost £31bn ($51bn).

The initial cost of the

2020 Games was estimated at £1.6bn (300bn yen).

NHK said the figure was optimistic and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee was expected to show a shortfall of £5.54bn (1 trillion yen).

Total costs for staging the Games will be shared by the committee, the Tokyo government and national government. (BBC Sport)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, december 20, 2015

Permaul, Smartt crowned top cricketers of the year

By Akeem Greene

F

or the second year running, West Indies left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and Women’s all-rounder Tremayne Smartt copped the male and female cricketer-of-the-year prizes respectively when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) held its annual awards ceremony on Friday evening at the Georgetown Cricket Club’s pavillion.

The two were were hailed for their exceptional performances at both the regional and international levels for Guyana and the West Indies. Permaul edged out fellow spinner Devendra Bishoo and batsman Vishaul Singh for the male award.

Permaul also copped the award for Senior Regional Cricketer-of-the-year.

The other nominees in the female division were Akaze Thompson and Shemaine Campbelle.

Female Cricketer-of-the-year, Tremayne Smartt, accepts her award from Minister Nicolette Henry

Albion Sports Club was deemed the club-of-the-year, with Demerara Cricket Club and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club being the other contenders.

Other top awardees were Vishaul Singh (Most Improved Cricketer);

Shimron Hetymer (Junior Cricketer-of-the-year); and Rajendra Chandrika (in recognition of his selection to the West Indies team).

Also receiving recognition for their efforts were Mandy Mangru (Most Promising Female Youth

Player; Sachin Singh (Most runs in Regional U-15); Kevin Omrao (Most wickets in Regional U-15); Kevlon Anderson (Most Valuable Player in Regional U-15); Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed (Most runs in Regional U-17); Bhaskar Yadram (Most wickets in Regional U-17); Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed (Most Valuable Player in Regional U-17); Shimron Hetmyer (Most runs in Regional U-19); Keemo Paul (Most wickets in Regional U-19 team); Balchan Baldeo (Most wickets in Regional U-19); and Shimron Hetmyer (Most Valuable Player in Regional U-19).

Corporate awards were also given to Digicel and Banks DIH Limited for their outstanding contribution to the development of cricket through sponsorship.

Special service awards went to Edward Nicholls for long and dedicated service as a cricket umpire; Sean Devers for outstanding service rendered as a Cricket Journalist; and Jerome Inderdat for outstanding service rendered as a curator.

Delivering remarks at the event, President of the GCB, Drubahdur, commended the Guyana teams for their outstanding performances over the years.

He also highlighted the Guyana Jaguars team for their phenomenal run in the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day competition.

The president also made a call for more of corporate Guyana to come onboard and support the game of cricket.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, congratulated the awardees and charged them to continue their outstanding work, stating that they should proud of their achievements.

Determined to improve the standard of the game locally, the GCB has introduced a new feature of cricket in Guyana whereby junior and senior players are being paid to play in local domestic competitions.

This fact was highlighted

by GCB Secretary and WICB Director, Anand Sanasie.

(akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

NBS Second Division 40over cricket…

Balkissoon (5-23), Hemraj (52) push Bush Lot Challengers into playoffs

Brandon Balkissoon

Rajbance Hemraj

ush Lot Challengers defeated Cotton Tree Die Hard by six wickets to win Zone A of the 2015 New Building Society (NBS) Second Division 40over cricket competition in Berbice, thereby earning the right to advance to the last 16 playoffs of the competition.

In that match, off-spinner Brandon Balkissoon firstly took 5-23 from seven overs to help bowl out Cotton Tree for 142 in 30.3 overs, before opening batsman Rajbance Hemraj hit 52 (7x4s) to steer them to an easy six-wicket victory.

Also advancing to the playoffs was D’Edward, who defeated Bath by four wickets to end up as winners of Zone B. Bath did well to rattle up 205 in their 35 overs, thanks mainly to Jailall Brijlall, who struck 63 (8x4s) and Satesh Latchman 55 (3x4s, 1x6).

Off-spinner Lakeraj Sookra took 6-23 from five overs for D’Edward.

D’Edward then reached 206-6 in 26.3 overs to advance to the next stage.

Elsewhere, Quacy McPherson hit 94 (9x4s, 2x6s) to help Achievers to a 61-run victory over Golden Elparrabell, while Gladwin Johnson scored 58 and took 4-22 from six overs in Monedderlust’s 67-run win Over Number Three.

Challengers defeated Cotton Tree Die Hard by six wickets. Cotton Tree Die Hard 142 in 30.3 overs (Taje Singh 27, Brandon Balkissoon 5-23, Joel Dilchand 2-30) Bush Lot Challengers 1434 in 25.5 overs ( Rajbance Hemraj 52, Joel Dilchand 28, Keith Fraser 2-26).

At D’Edward: D’Edward defeated Bath by four wickets. Bath 205 in 35 overs (Jailall Brijlall 63, Satesh Latchman 55, Mukesh Persaud 33, Lakeraj Sookra 6-23) D’Edward 206-6 in 26.2 overs (Lakeraj Sookra 43*, Heeralall Brijlall 43, Jaipaul Heeralall 42*).

At Lovely Lass: Achievers defeated Golden Elparabell by 60 runs.

Achievers 183-4 in 30 overs (Quacy McPherson 94, Kris Ramnarine 34*, Esrick Fordyce 2-36) Golden Elparabell 123 in 24 overs (Enock Carmichael 27, Kris Ramnarine 3-16, Rendell Bobb 3-15, Rennison Mitchell 2-22).

At Number Five: Monedderlust defeated Number Three by 67 runs.

Monedderlust 224-7 in 30 overs (Gladwin Johnson 58, Errol Rutherford 47) Number Three 157 in 23 overs (Gladwin Johnson 4-22, Travis Ramjit 4-25).

At Lochaber: Tucber Park defeated West Canje by four wickets. West Canje 140-8 (Elon Schultz 47, Keion DeJesus 3-17, Dion Sinclair 2-15) Tucber Park 141-6 in 21 overs (Hakeem Hinds 43, Nial Smith 27*, Raul Ault 3-40).

B

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At Cotton Tree: Bush Lot

Raffik & Sons Construction Second Division 20-over cricket…

Nelson slams 66 to ease Fyrish into semi-finals

F

yrish defeated Albion Community Centre to complete a clean sweep of Group B in the 2015 Raffik and Sons Construction Service Second Division 20-over cricket competition. As a result, they have joined Courtland All Stars, Rose Hall Town Bakewell and Kennard’s Memorial in the semi-finals.

In the match, Albion made 137-7 in their 20 overs with Josiah Dhanai hitting

43 and Guyana Under-17 batsman Adrian Sukhwa 33.

When Fyrish replied, Ray Nelson hit 66 and Wazim Mohamed 30 to steer them to a five-wicket victory with 5.1 overs to spare.

Below are the summarised scores from two games that were played recently.

At Fyrish: Fyrish defeated Albion Community Centre by five wickets.

Albion Community Centre

137-7 in 20 overs (Josiah Dhanai 43, Adrian Sukhwa 33, Kevin Subramani 2-13, Aishnarine Shirkissoon 2-30) Fyrish 140-5 in 14.5 overs (Ray Nelson 66, Wazim Mohamed 30).

At Mibicuri: Chesney defeated Mibicuri Strikers by seven wickets. Mibicuri Strikers 81 all out in 18.3 overs (Devendra Harilall 2-3) Chesney 82-3 in 11 overs (Riaz Ramcharran 25, Youardhan Gurdayal 25, Shastri Persaud 21*).

sundAY, december 20, 2015

guyanatimesGY.com

CGI Local Franchise League 50-over cricket…

Crandon, Hetmyer spur Lower Corentyne to title A brilliant hundred from Seon Hetmyer and a superb allround performance from Royston Crandon spurred Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje to a commanding 121-run win over Upper Corentyne in the final of the Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) Local Franchise League 50-over competition on Saturday.

Playing at the Albion Community Centre ground, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje recovered from the precarious position of 31-5 to post 255, and then shot out Upper Corentyne for 134.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje’s top order was rocked by a fiery spell of fast bowling from Clinton Pestano, who claimed four of the first five wickets to fall.

Pestano removed openers Joemal LaFleur (15) and Hakeem Hinds (00), Eugene LaFleur (05), and Gajanand Singh (00), and Assad Fudadin added the wickets of Devon Clements (00) as Lower Corentyne/ New Amsterdam/Canje’s batsmen failed miserably up front.

However, Hetmyer and Crandon joined forces and proceeded to add 131 for the sixth wicket, a partnership which drained the enthusiasm of the opposition.

Crandon cracked 75 off 94 balls (4x4s, 3x6s), while Hetmyer, with support from Kevin Ramdeen (17) and Romario Shepherd (16), was able to complete a classy hundred.

He was unbeaten on 100 when the innings ended, having faced 137 balls and hitting four fours and two sixes in his knock. Pestano

Cotton Tree, D’Edward square off today

Coordinator of today’s event, Roshan Gafoor, receives one of the trophies for the cricket matches, sponsored by Tiger Sports

A

festive atmosphere, indicative of the season of goodwill and entertainment, is expected today at the Cotton Tree Sports Club ground, starting at 10:00h.

Coordinator of the event, Roshan Gafoor, said the event is dubbed a “Family Fun Day”, as apart from two exciting cricket matches featuring teams from the host club Cotton Tree Die Hard and neighbouring D’Edward, there will be a hive of activity beyond the boundary, especially for the children.

There will be Christmas giveaways and a bouncy castle in operation all day, while each child will be given an ice cream upon entering the venue. Admission to the day’s activities is absolutely free, and there will also be bar-b-que on sale, as well as musical entertainment.

The first match, set to start at 11:00h, will be a 10/10 hardball affair featuring the Under-19 teams of Cotton Tree and D’Edward.

The organisers are using the opportunity to showcase to the Berbice public the abundance of talent that exists within the two clubs at the youth level.

At 13:00h, the ‘big boys’ will be in action in a T20 showdown between the two clubs. Cotton Tree Die Hard will pin their hopes of maintaining home turf dominance on the shoulders of Gafoor, Romain Boodram, Abdool Subhan, Pooran Persaud and Nick Ramsaroop.

D’Edward, on the other hand, will look to spoil the party for the home crowd supporters, and with the likes of Eon Abel, Heeralall Brijlall, Kevon Jawahir and Derick Lalsa in the line-up, they stand a good chance of coming out on top.

The teams will vie for trophies sponsored by Tiger Sports of Old Road, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, while other supporters of the event are Shabeer Baksh of Big B’s Restaurant of Blairmont, Altaf Khan and Faizal of Greens Massive.

finished with 4-53, while Jonathon Foo had 3-64 and Fudadin 2-32.

That splendid recovery seemed to have taken on its toll on Upper Corentyne, who were quickly reduced to 60-4 in the early stages of the reply. It would only get worse from thereon, as Crandon, bowling off-spin, plucked out the remaining six wickets, four of them clean bowled.

From 8.3 overs, Crandon ended with 6-26 to lift the Man-of-the-Match award.

Joshua Ramsammy topscored with 25, while Loyydel Lewis, Foo and Anthony Bramble made 15 apiece.

For the win, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje collected $500,000 and a trophy, while Upper Corentyne took home $300,000.

23

India-Pakistan series appears difficult – Thakur

‘Even if a decision comes in the next week, it might not be possible to host a series in such short notice’ - Anurag Thakur

B

CCI secretary Anurag Thakur has all but ruled out the India-Pakistan series, given the short window ahead of India’s limited-overs tour of Australia, which begins on January 12.

“It’s 19th already and even if a decision comes in the next week, it might not be possible to host a series in such short notice,” Thakur

said at the press conference in Delhi, where the ODI and T20 squads for the tour of Australia were announced.

He, however, said the onus of making that call rested with Pakistan, who are the hosts for the series in accordance with the MoU signed between the BCCI and PCB. “This is not a decision for us to make,” Thakur said. “It is for Pakistan to

make should the Indian government grant permission.

But, given the situation today, it appears difficult.”

The series has remained in limbo for a while now with little progress made in the last few weeks. While the Pakistan government has green-lit the series, there has been no word from its Indian counterpart yet.

(Cricinfo)

sundAY, December 20, 2015

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Permaul, Smartt crowned top cricketers of the year Page 22

GCB Secretary and WICB Director, Anand Sanasie (seated left), shares a moment with the awardees on Friday night

CGI Local Franchise League 50-over cricket…

Crandon, Hetmyer spur Lower Corentyne to title SCOREBOARD

Page 23

Man-of-the-Match Royston Crandon receives his trophy from GCB official Melinda Bishundyal-Chaitram

Lower Corentyne/ NA/Canje innings J LaFleur c Hooper b Pestano 15 H Hinds c wk Bramble b Pestano 0 E Le Fleur c Sinclair b Pestano 5 G Singh c Foo b Pestano 0 D Clements c Ivan b Fudadin 0 S Hetmyer not out 100 R Crandon b Foo 75 V Permaul c Hooper b Foo 9 K Ramdeen c Ramsammy b Foo 17 R Shepherd c Fudadin b Hooper 16 R Johnson c Ramcharran b Fudadin 1 Extras (w-11, nb-1, b-2, lb-3) 17 Total (all out; 50 overs) 255 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-20, 3-20, 4-28, 5-31, 6-162, 7-183, 8-209, 9-245, 10-255 Bowling: C Pestando 10-1-534 (nb-1, w-4), A Fudadin 9-032-2 (w-4), E Hooper 10-2-391, S Perreira 4-0-27-0 (w-1), S Ramcharran 6-0-29-0, J Foo

Male Cricketer-of-the-Year, Veerasammy Permaul, receives the award from Anand Sanasie

Victoria XI v West Indians, Geelong…

Brathwaite, Blackwood warm up with fifties

10-1-64-3, R Ivan 1-0-6-0 Upper Corentyne innings (Target: 256 off 50 overs) L Lewis c E LaFleur b J LaFleur 15 S Ramcharran c Hinds b Johnson 3 J Sinclair b E LaFleur 11 J Foo c Singh b Shepherd 15 A Fudadin b Crandon 6 R Ivan b Crandon 9 A Bramble lbw Crandon 15 J Ramsammy b Crandon 25 C Pestano b Crandon 9 E Hooper c Ramdeen b Crandon 7 S Perreira not out 1 Extras (w-18) 18 Total (all out; 32.3 overs) 134 Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-35, 3-52, 4-60, 5-71, 6-88, 7-93, 8-109, 9-133, 10-134 Bowling: R Johnson 5-1-25-1 (w-3), R Shepherd 6-0-26-1 (w4), E LaFleur 3-1-13-1, J LaFleur 2-1-6-1, R Crandon 8.3-2-26-6 (w-1), V Permaul 8-0-38-0 (w-1)

Coming off a pair in the opening Test, Jermaine Blackwood stroked 69

Page 21

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