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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3012

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

PRICE

GRA’s billion-dollar container scanners inoperable Page 7

…as warehouse dishonesty points to massive tax evasion – Audit Report

Guyoil hikes prices Auditor wants GuySuCo to repay on kero, gasoil $4B loan to Govt

Page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Controversial treatment chemical

GWI ordered to halt use P2 Dataram jailed for fake passports, other P9 offences – reputed wife remanded

Page 14

…as Agriculture Ministry denies making any such agreement

Rising cost of living hurting quality of life – NACTA poll

P7

Gunmen rob couple at P11 Bourda Market

Power P15 outage hits Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice Guyana International Volunteer Effort (G.I.V.E) in an effort to enhance the ambience of the Kingston seawall on Tuesday cleaned the environs between Camp Street and Battery Road. Every Tuesday the group of volunteers, which include children, embarks on this venture (Dexter Ceres photo)

“Every single creditor is paid on time” – Jordan Page 2

…debunks $20B debt default analysis, despite AG’s findings

2014 fatal stabbing

Not Guilty!

Wife P10 acquitted

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

“Every single creditor is paid on time” – Jordan …debunks $20B debt default analysis, despite AG’s findings

F

inance Minister Winston Jordan said he was appalled by reports published by news outlets countrywide that Guyana had defaulted on $20 billion in debt last year.

He said the reports were completely erroneous; however, the Auditor General’s Report for 2015 confirms that Government indeed defaulted on $20.292 billion in public debt.

During a news conference on Monday, the Minister also contended that the analysis, which was compiled by former Alliance For Change (AFC) economist Sasenarine Singh, has the potential to irreversibly damage the country’s reputation.

“The damage that will be done to this country if it goes internationally. If we were rated by Moody’s or any one of them, you

know what would happen overnight with a headline like this?

Overnight, what would have happened to a country like this?” he expressed.

Jordan maintained that Guyana has paid every creditor on time with the exception of five countries, owing to known difficulties.

countries, despite attempts by past Governments, refuse to grant the 90 per cent debt writeoff which is provided for under the Paris Club Agreement.

“We cannot accept less than 90

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

“Guyana has not defaulted on anybody’s debt. Guyana is up to date with every single creditor that we owe with the exception of those under the Paris Club Agreement for whom we have not

been able to meet an agreement,” he explained, noting that this was an existing problem.

The Paris Club is a group of officials from major creditor countries whose role is to find coordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries.

Jordan explained that these

Sasenarine Singh

per cent write-off from any outstanding bilateral debt in any settlement. Some of these countries are not willing to give us. In case of one country, they are unwilling to give us even one per cent writeoff,” he said.

Singh had outlined that not paying one’s debt as promised is a bad move since it translates to the future generation being saddled with these debts.

He also observed that these developments were reminiscent of the practices of the Forbes Burnham Administration.

“This is a dangerous development and it harks one back to what happened under the Burnham Administration when that government refused to pay the debt leading to the debt burden climbing to 98 cents of every dollar earned by 1990,” the economist noted.

Controversial water treatment chemical

GWI ordered to halt use T

he Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI) was on Monday ordered the halt of its usage of a potentially dangerous chemical for countrywide water treatment purposes.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC), a governing body that ensures regulated utilities offer an efficient service to consumers, wrote the water company expressing concerns over the numerous media reports on its usage of the controversial chemical.

In the correspondence seen by Guyana Times, the PUC instructed the GWI to immediately cease the usage of the chemical “until a full and comprehensive review by an external agency confirms that it is compatible with existing safety standards.”

GWI in a statement to the press on Monday, conceded that it has been using the questionable chemical, but insisted that it is not harmful.

The chemical being used to treat the water is called Antinfek which contains the active ingredient Polyhexanide.

Guyana Times first reported that GWI was using the chemical, which not only Haiti refused to use but is without certification from the US National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and failed to demonstrate its ability to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) limited protection microbiological performance targets.

Additionally, Director of the Government Analyst-Food and Drug (GA-FDD) Marlan Cole told another section of the media that the Antinfek chemical has negative reviews and has also not been tested or certified by the GA-FDD. But GWI said the chemical is

not dangerous, pointing out that it was tested by a number of other laboratories in Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Switzerland, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago and Germany, all showing favourable results in its use.

The water utility explained that chlorine is still being used as the sole disinfecting agent in all the treatment plants, while laboratory studies are being done on the use of other treatment alternatives.

GWI argued that it was found that the residual concentration of chlorine has a short life, thus does not protect the water from recontamination during prolonged storage, thus the move to use Antinfek as well.

Antinfek is manufactured by Dovebiotech Group of Companies which describes the chemical as a powerful organic bio-polymerbased compound, effective in decontamination of water against waterborne diseases, bacterium and fungi.

Internal communications show that the GWI Scientific Services Manager outlined that research suggests that the chemical was not recommended for approval for household water treatment distribution in Haiti, which had no NSF certification for drinking water use.

But, GWI in its statement argued that it was just one university which determined that the chemical was not safe for use in Haiti, which is insufficient to disregard its advantages altogether.

These reports have grabbed the attention of Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton who indicated to another section of the media that he will be seeking an explanation from GWI on the issue.

news

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wednesDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, October 19 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, October 20 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, October 19 – 06:30h-08:00h and Thursday, October 20 – 07:25h-08:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Sunny weather with chances of light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly, ranging from 3.57 metres to 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 06:30h and 18:43h reaching maximum heights of 2.75 metres and 2.79 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:01h and 12:18h reaching minimum heights of 0.29 metre and 0.53 metre respectively.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

04 07 10 14 17 18 27 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Daily Millions

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Auditor wants GuySuCo to repay $4B loan to Govt

– as Agriculture Ministry denies making such agreement

T

he cash-strapped Guyana Sugar C o r p o r a t i o n (GuySuCo) is being asked to repay a loan of almost $4 billion which it received from Central Government as part of its $12 billion subsidy last year.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma, during an audit of the nation’s accounts for last year, found that Cabinet in June 2015 had agreed that the sum of $3.8 billion, which was transferred to GuySuCo be treated as a loan.

Amounts totalling $12 billion were released to GuySuCo during the period June to December 2015 and according to Auditor General Sharma, “An examination of Cabinet decision number, CP (2015) 6:3:BB dated 16 June 2015, indicated that the sum of $3.8 billion be treated as a loan.

Sharma found, however, “no loan agreement was provided, as a result, we are unable to determine the terms and conditions of the repayment of this amount”.

The Agriculture Ministry, in response to the auditors, claimed that GuySuCo never entered into a loan agreement for that amount.

The Auditor General is adamant, however, that the Ministry complies with the Cabinet Decision and enter into a loan agreement for the repayment of the $3.8 billion transferred to GuySuCo. This past week, Head of State, David Granger had bemoaned the state of affairs, with GuySuCo pointing to its $89 billion in local and international debt.

The President was at the time addressing Parliament and said the most grave financial problem when his Administration took office in May 2015 was the bankruptcy of GuySuCo, which owed the aforementioned amount.

“Your Government was forced to divert money from economic development and social projects to rescue the ailing corporation with an

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

immediate injection of $12 billion. An additional $11 billion had to be provided the next year, 2016, making a total of $23 billion bailout in 1 8 months.”

T h e President n o t e d , “These transfers exclude the servicing of GuySuCo’s debts in respect of the Skeldon E s t a t e Modernisation Project – a monstrous and monumental US$200 million mistake and, probably, Guyana’s single most costly industrial catastrophe of all time.”

There has already been an indication too that GuySuCo will be looking to Central Government for yet another bailout before the end of the year.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Professor Clive Thomas is on record saying that the entity had initially requested $11 billion, but had only received $9 billion in the 2016 Budget and, as such, would have to approach Government before the end of the year to gain

another $3 billion in subsidy.

GuySuCo has already recorded a whopping $6 billion deficit in its accounts for the first half of 2016, but this has been masked by the $9 billion subsidy that was handed to the beleaguered entity by Government.

In fact, while the $9 billion transferred was earmarked for the Corporation to be disbursed for the entire year, all of the money has already been transferred.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had doc-

umented in his 2016 MidYear Report that the reason the allocation was disbursed in its entirety by the end of June 2016 was “because of a deterioration in the Corporation’s cash balances that was due to a severe shortfall in production”.

The subsidy that was transferred to GuySuCo has in fact allowed the company to record on its books an operating surplus of $2.9 billion, down from an operating surplus of $3 billion for the corresponding period last year.

Jordan had earlier this year also complained bitterly about the lack of alignment between production costs and market prices which has resulted in the destabilisation of revenues and the eventual need for Government support packages.

“This is exemplified in the case of GuySuCo, where constant demands for transfers continue to crowd out other priority Public Sector expenditure.”

The inefficiencies, he said, compromise GuySuCo’s ability to compete globally, while facing growing competition from alternative sweeteners and sugar substitutes.

According to Jordan, “In the short run, GuySuCo, in particular, poses a large risk to the Government’s fiscal position.”

He said if sugar production failed to improve in the second half of 2016, GuySuCo may face financial strain that would lead to requests to the Government for further transfers, on top of the $9 billion it has already received.

4

guyana-times.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

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

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

Editorial

Food security

T

he pledge to eradicate hunger and poverty must go hand in hand with rapid transformations of farming and food systems to cope with a warmer world, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in a new report, which was recently released.

Agriculture, including forestry, fisheries and livestock production, generate around a fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Agriculture must both contribute more to combating climate change while bracing to overcome its impacts, according to The State of Food and Agriculture 2016.

FAO warns that a “business as usual” approach could put millions more people at risk of hunger compared to a future without climate change. Most affected would be populations in poor areas in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia, especially those who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Future food security in many countries will worsen if no action is taken today.

Further, the FAO, in the report, conceded that overhauling farming and food systems will be a complex task due to the vast number of stakeholders involved, the multiplicity of farming and food processing systems, and differences in ecosystems.

The report emphasises that despite the challenges, efforts must begin in earnest now as the adverse impacts of climate change will only worsen with time.

The FAO report also describes alternative, economically viable ways of helping smallholders to adapt and making the livelihoods of rural populations — often the most exposed to the downside risks of climate change – more resilient.

It provides evidence that adoption of ‘climate-smart’ practices, such as the use of nitrogen-efficient and heattolerant crop varieties, zero-tillage and integrated soil fertility management would boost productivity and farmers’ incomes. Widespread adoption of nitrogen-efficient practices alone would reduce the number of people at risk of undernourishment by more than 100 million, the report estimates.

It also identifies avenues to lower emission intensity from agriculture. Water-conserving alternatives to the flooding of rice paddies, for example, can slash methane emissions by 45 per cent, while emissions from the livestock sector can be reduced by up to 41 per cent through the adoption of more efficient practices.

FAO’s road map also identifies policies and financing opportunities for the sustainable intensification of agriculture.

Helping smallholders adapt to climate change risks is critical for global poverty reduction and food security. Close attention should be paid to removing obstacles they may face and fostering an enabling environment for individual, joint and collective action, according to the report.

FAO urges policymakers to identify and remove such barriers. These obstacles can include input subsidies that promote unsustainable farming practices, poorly-aligned incentives and inadequate access to markets, credit, extension services and social protection programmes, and often disadvantaged women, who make up, up to 43 per cent of the agricultural labour force.

In commemoration of World Food Day 2016, which was celebrated on October 16 , under the theme “Climate is changing: Food and Agriculture must too”, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, while delivering remarks, spoke of the importance of chartering a new agricultural trajectory in keeping with ever-changing climatic conditions. He too acknowledged the importance of addressing the impacts of climate change on food security and echoed the call for immediate action in tackling the issues.

It is comforting to know that the current subject minister continues to advocate for climate-smart agriculture in Guyana, and has pledged to ensure that society implements measures to withstand the effects of climate change.

Agriculture Month 2016, which is currently being observed, also reflects on building a resilient agriculture system as a means to adapt to climate change. Even as Guyana maintains its status of food secure, there are pockets of food insecurity.

The Government of Guyana has committed to ensuring Guyana moves towards a more modernised agricultural sector with an effective and more sustainable system for ensuring food security, access to safe food and maintaining a healthy and productive population.

As the administration moves to provide a good life to all citizens, the fact that they recognise that agriculture has a major role to play in this regard is encouraging. It is now for them to take action so that Guyana remains food secure.

The poppy sculpture "Weeping Window", a cascade of thousands of handmade ceramic poppies by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper on display at Caernarfon Castle, Wales (Reuters/Rebecca Naden)

Granger Govt attacking another constitutional office

Dear Editor, It would appear as though the David Granger led Government has set its sights on another constitutional office to bear the brunt of its intimidation and bullyism. The bold, brazen and blazing headline of the State-owned Guyana Chronicle of October 18, 2016: “Jordan Flays Auditor General”, captured my attention. The Minister of Finance is an elected official appointed by the President to manage our financial affairs. He is part of the executive.

The Auditor General is a constitutional office holder empowered by our supreme law and statutes to carry out specific functions and is not subject to the authority, direction or control of the executive. This has been so since the early 2000’s when a number of legislative changes were initiated and made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

Since then, the Ministry of

Finance has had absolutely no role in the preparation, finalisation or tabling of the Auditor General’s report. Minister Jordan remained engaged as a senior official at the Ministry of Finance during the PPP/C tenure from 1992 continuously to 2007 thereabout when he departed. He is fully aware of all the progressive changes that were made to professionalise and make the Audit office fully independent.

The statements attributed to the Mr Jordan is totally out of order, insensitive, irresponsible and reeks of a level of arrogance never seen before among government Ministers in Guyana.

Some questions must be asked. I call upon the Minster to answer the following: 1. In this era, touted by the Coalition government as a “new dispensation” and “fresh approach”, does the Minister of Finance want to play a role in the editing of the Auditor General’s report?

2. Did the Ministry of Finance participate in the usual practice of responses and clarification to queries about financial statements of individual budget agencies with the Audit Office?

If it did, what else Minister Jordan requires?

3. Did the Minister of Finance edit the final reports of the forensic audits initiated by the APNU/AFC government?

NB: The Minister of Finance had control over this process, even by way of sole sourcing.

(Handpicking the auditors for the agencies he wanted them to audit).

4. Does the Minister of Finance believe in public accountability, transparency and good governance?

If he does, why the statement that he does not have to give an explanation to the Auditor General for monies spent from the Contingency Fund?

The people want to know. Perhaps the coalition Government may wish to explain its position on these

matters, inclusive of its stance on those statements made by Mr Jordan at his Press Conference.

The citizens of Guyana are aware that the Auditor General’s report represents the findings of an independent and autonomous constitutional office and should be treated as such.

This Report will be examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament, where every accounting officer from every ministry, every region and every statutory budget agency is afforded an opportunity to defend their positions and actions.

This recent attack by Minister Jordan is another in a series that openly displays arrogance, insincerity and the level of deception practiced by the APNU/AFC government on the people of Guyana. Mr Jordan must be held accountable.

Dear Editor, I support both the African Cultural and Development Association and retired Rear Admiral Gary Best for rejecting the make-up of the recently launched Guyana Oil and Gas Association Inc as this “association” was created by a few businessmen and foisted upon the unsus-

pecting citizens of Guyana.

This illegality is apparently supported and financed by very influential people.

The wider business community and other stakeholders should have been invited to discuss at a public forum organised by the Private Sector Commission to coordinate the formation

of such an organisation. A Steering Committee should have been established to look at the rules and the objectives. Thereafter, a special meeting should have been arranged for a supervised election, to elect officers to manage the affairs of the Association.

We have here a selection

rather than a public discourse and election of office holders flowing from a public engagement.

Does the by-laws of this incorporated association allow for AGM and election of Directors?

Yours sincerely, Bishop Juan A Edghill, MP, People’s Progressive Party/Civic

Questions for Guyana Oil and Gas Association Sincerely, Name withheld

guyana-times.com

wednesday, october 19, 2016

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Missing the point David Hinds Dear Editor, I beg an opportunity to reply to Dr David Hinds. In his reply to me he seems to have missed altogether, misread and/or misunderstood/ misinterpreted some of what I wrote.

Firstly, he claims incorrectly that “I excluded the part that the PPP (really the PPP/C) sought to remove the electricity subsidy from Linden”. I addressed that issue straightforwardly and frankly in my paragraph beginning, “Concerning the attempt to initiate the reform of the electricity supply in Linden.”

Recall that after the second day of the 2012 budget review between the then Government and the Opposition, I read a statement in Parliament on the reform of electricity supply in Linden which was received no differently from the statement by Dr Ashni Singh the previous day which increased old age pension even more than we had budgeted.

There was no rejection of that agreement for an increased old age pension but the furore fomented in Linden put an end to the “agreement” for electricity reform in Linden. It unfortunately also put an end to any further budget reviews.

The following day, we (the government and opposition) were to talk about our various preferences for development programmes for as much as about one third of the VAT revenue, approaching 10 per cent of all revenues. This would have been a big step forward towards some “ shared governance “from the much smaller arrangement of earlier years between then President Jagdeo and Mr Hoyte, the then leader of the opposition.

Concerning a judgment on the disastrous disturbances which followed in Linden, I would offer the report of the Commission of Inquiry which the Opposition called for, and which put a share of the burden on the local MP and oth-

er activists. There may be a silent acknowledgement of the commission report in that those activists, former MP Kissoon and Regional Chairman Solomon have not been continued in their earlier political roles.

With respect to the lack of progress on the agreement that ended the disturbances, the PPP/C kept to the most important and overriding one, that there would be no consideration of any change in the provision of electricity until after various socio-economic committees had been agreed upon and had reported. A large number of meetings were held to agree on membership of these committees and on the Linden TV station but little progress was made. The difficulties encountered in establishing the Linden TV station since the Coalition assumed office should demonstrate that it was simplistic to think that all will go well were there, no PPP, nor PPP/C, as the stumbling block in the way.

On the comparison of Linden and other mainly African Guyanese areas (say South Georgetown) in 1992 and 2015, I cannot believe that anyone who knew those areas and the lives of our people in 1992, could say that they were worse off in 2015: not with the great improvements in the supplies of electricity and water, primary and secondary schools, other public buildings and private dwellings, vehicle ownership, etc. In Linden there probably were no more than 100 private vehicles in 1992 but more than two thousand in 2015. The mainly African public service saw steady wage increases exceeding the inflation rate and sharing in the great increase in vehicle ownership.

A comparison with the discussions and awards of the Coalition Government since it took office in 2015, particularly with what they were saying during the campaign, would show that the PPP/C wasn’t that bad after all.

As President Jagdeo has been saying, there has been and continues to be fun-

damental differences between us of the PPP/C and the PNC/PNCR/APNU, beyond the racial difference.

In my view, we of the PPP and PPP/C are moved by rural sentiments and think in terms of and work in practical ways for improvement of the largest number of Guyanese (whatever race, religion or region) from the position they are at. The PNC/PNCR/APNU is moved not just by urban sentiments, but by urban elitist sentiments as indicated by a number of things which they have been doing since in office.

We the PPP/C believe that during our 23 years in office our people and country moved a far way towards becoming one people, one developing country with a common destiny. There are now more African Guyanese owned businesses than ever before (admittedly smaller to middling because of the more recent start-up). Also many large companies like the BK Group are becoming really Guyanese companies.

In my first response to Dr David Hinds, I called on my fellow members, supporters and friends of the PPP/C not to be daunted by the wall of suspicion built by decades of propaganda against us, but to reach out to fellow Guyanese who are African Guyanese. Now I call on my fellow African Guyanese to think again of the PPP/C, engage our leaders, members and supporters and you may find a Guyanese of your liking.

Yours truly, Samuel A A Hinds Former President and former Prime Minister

Bharrat Jagdeo can move Guyana forward Dear Editor, Only Bharrat Jagdeo, a gifted, brilliant son of Guyana, can move this great country towards modern development. Bharrat has proven through his presidency, that he is capable of taking Guyana along the road to a modernised country. This man, who served the country with distinction as President, is the only true leader Guyanese can depend on for a secure future for themselves, children and future generations.

Bharrat as President has moved Guyana from a poor country to one that the world has respected and every Guyanese can proudly say“yes, Bharrat did an excellent job.”

It is very sad now that we have not seen such dynamic leadership coming from President David Granger and the APNU/AFC coalition Government. Things have surely slowed down and the President is not moving the country in the path of progress and development.

What Guyanese had hoped for has been temporarily lost and it is sad because, as for me, I am getting older every day and what I wanted to see - Guyana as a modernised country - is suddenly lost because the PPP/C is not in government.

I am only waiting on the next general election to see the PPP/C win and take control of Government so Guyana can continue again on the road to modernisation and, at least before I go with my God, I can experience what a modernised Guyana will look like.

Bharrat Jagdeo’s vision for a modernised Guyana includes a modern concrete bridge across the Demerara River, a modern highway from Linden to Lethem, deep water harbour, the Amaila Hydro Power Project, Specialty Hospital, a bridge

across the Corentyne River, modern international airport etc, etc.

Only Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C can deliver those projects and many others to modernise Guyana, not the APNU/AFC. Bharrat is a gifted, talented person from God to Guyana. This country has had many other good leaders but none can be compared to Mr Bharrat Jagdeo. Guyana knows it, he is brilliant, the champion of the earth. We must be proud of such a leader who can turn this country around into a modernised, great, developed country.

A man who is gifted and brilliant in climate change, he has won admiration from around the globe for his ideas on climate change.

Guyana and Guyanese truly need Bharrat Jagdeo as President of the Republic of Guyana again, to continue the modernisation of this great country.

If the APNU/AFC has vision for development, it

would have continued many projects so that the country could move forward. But, they choose to condemn and waste money on forensic audits instead of continuing where the PPP/C left off.

Two years of their term in Government will be finished in May 2017, leaving them 36 months more - what mega projects can the government now embark on to convince Guyanese that they are moving the country towards modernisation?

At the end of five years in power, the writing on the wall will surely say – “5 years lost for Guyana in the modernisation path.” How sad for a country that cannot set up a Hydro Station to transform itself into a great, prospering country, after 50 years of independence from the UK. Only Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP/C can make Guyana into a powerful industrialised country!

With regards, Kevin Singh

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

Page

guyana-times.com

Foundation

How to help your child navigate a route to career success

BY VIRGINIA ISAAC

E

Y, the global professional services organisation, reported in January 2014 almost half of parents are unaware of the range of options open to young people turning 18, and that more than half didn’t fully understand the long-term implications for their children’s careers.

While most parents are well intentioned in supporting their children at key stages in their academic career, the simple reality is that in a rapidly changing world, they’re not always fully equipped with the resources to do so successfully.

Here is my guide for parents on how best to support their children in their career choices:

It’s a changing world The simple reality is the world is a very different place today to the one you will have faced when making study, training and career-related decisions.

New roles are being created all the time, and it seems many jobs open to young people today didn’t even exist 10 years ago. While a report from the Education Endowment Foundation last year found non-cognitive skills are increasingly seen at least as important as cognitive skills or IQ in determining job prospects. These equally important other factors include character, persistence, ability to cope with failure, to make connections and to think critically.

A good starting point to better understand the range of job options available and what skills employers are looking for is to visit the job profiles section of the National Careers Service website, where specific roles are categorised by occupation. This resource will enable you both to examine some of the specific roles in the sector your child is most interested in.

You can also help by supporting your child as they discover where their nonacademic strengths lie. Psychometric profiling is an effective means of doing this and provides an element of impartiality – something which is difficult for a parent to achieve. There are a range of tests but to find out more information, visit Futurewise New Generation.

Encourage individuality Be careful that you don’t unintentionally pressure your child to realise your own unfulfilled ambitions. They may not be suited to the career you once dreamed of, but remember they’re an individual and need to be given the freedom and space to live their own life.

Where your concern over their career and study choices may be deeply held, it is vital that your advice and expertise remains impartial. You should be realistic about your child’s potential, and seeking guidance from their school or college as to their

likely educational achievements will help to identify appropriate routes out there.

Open your mind to alternatives Don’t assume that your child will follow your academic path. Today, more than ever, there are a myriad of options for breaking into different sectors. Earning while they learn on an apprenticeship may not only be better suited to your child, but will allow them to avoid the daunting student debts that so many young people experience.

There are a wealth of online resources

which can help to explain the various paths that you and your child may wish to consider, including the UCAS Progress website for information on further education and college options, Which?

University, or the notgoingtouni site which provides details on alternative options such as apprenticeships, employment options and sponsored degrees.

Encourage networking A rich and varied CV can pique the interest of an admissions tutor or potential employer. You should encourage your child to seek out work experience placements, take up volunteering roles, attend taster days, or simply speak with people already working in a sector that they’re interested in. It may be that your own professional and social networks can come in handy here.

It’s never too early to start thinking about the future – encouraging your child to start a portfolio of experiences for use in a future CV or as part of a personal statement can be beneficial from as early as year nine. Remind them to record all their work experience placements and gain references from them, as well as include part-time jobs held and roles involving responsibility either at school or outside organisations.

It’s also a good idea to ask someone not familiar with your child to appraise their CV/personal statement and review how it comes across given they won’t have preconceived opinions of them as an individual.

Get to know key dates and be prepared for what’s ahead – we all know teenagers aren’t always the most communicative or organised, so there’s no harm in equipping yourself with knowledge of the key dates for each stage of their academic career. From as early as 13 you can support them by attending subject option evenings for GCSE (or equivalent) choices. By 14 or 15 they should be thinking about first work experience placements and you’ll undoubtedly be able to help with this. By the time they’ve completed formal education you can be on hand to assist with preparing for, and travelling to, university and college open days or job interviews. (The

Guardian)

T

he International Day of Girls, observed on October 11 each year, has inspired me to voice my opinions about why women’s rights are important.

First and foremost, women’s rights are important because they are human rights. What many people don’t seem to understand is that the fight for women’s rights is not demanding that Ashley Anthony women be treated better than men but that they be treated as equals, as human. In today’s society, identifying as a feminist has become synonymous with identifying as a “man hater”, while this simply isn’t true.

Feminism is important to me, and it should be to everyone since women make up literally 50 per cent of the world’s population. By disenfranchising women, we are effectively curbing our potential as a species.

Girls in Guyana are not exempt from this discrimination, and even though it may not be very obvious, I assure you it is felt. It’s felt when young girls are told that their dreams of Science and Mathematics are misguided, and that perhaps they would be better off studying arts. And the numbers reflect the sentiments. Because fewer girls are encouraged to enter STEM fields, we find fewer girls becoming engineers or computer scientists. I, personally, have seen in my own Physics classes, sometimes I will be one of two or three girls. We need to remind ourselves, and others, that your gender does not limit you to a specific field of study or way of life. We are not born with predetermined skills and flaws; being female does not make you automatically bad at Maths. What does, however, is not trying hard enough because you’re convinced that you can’t do it.

Something else that I’ve noticed is that there are some people who claim to be feminists, b u t yet condemn a certain type of female. This is the opposite of what feminism wants.

The feminist movement is asking for the right for women to choose who they would like to become, and for them to have the opportunity (equal to that of a man) to achieve this. If a woman decides that she wants to be a housewife, and another decides that she wants to become an astrophysicist, neither is better than the other. It’s time for us to start encouraging girls to follow their dreams no matter what those may be. Nothing is unattainable simply because of one’s gender.

It is time for us to begin respecting women. Women are not valuable because they are someone’s daughter, wife, or mother. They are not valuable because of their relationship to men, but rather they are valuable simply because they are human. With this realisation, we should understand that by being human, women deserve our respect.

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

GRA’s billion-dollar container scanners inoperable …as warehouse dishonesty points to massive tax evasion – Audit Report

T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the past five years purchased two container scanners to improve its monitoring capabilities at a cost of over US$6 million, but one is currently not operational and is, in fact, unserviceable, while the other touted as a mobile device will now have to find a stationary resting place to be shielded from the elements of weather.

The startling state of affairs was uncovered by Auditor General Deodat Sharma, who during the course of auditing the national books for 2015, found that both of the container scanners were posing problems for the GRA administration.

The 2015 Audit Report was made public this past week by Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, when he reconvened the sittings of the Assembly.

According to Sharma in his report, in May 2010, the Administration acquired an electronic container scanner

at a cost of US$1 million for the purpose of 100 per cent container scanning.

The scanner, which was placed into operation in May 2011, was three years later determined to be inoperable on October 18, 2014.

This was said to be due to a loss of power to the device’s electrical cabinet.

The Auditor General, during the course of his audits, found too that another scanner, which was acquired in November 2013 at a total cost of US$5.3 million and placed into operation on January 4, 2014, also became inoperable on June 18, 2016.

At the time of the report being released in September of this year, “the position remained the same”.

Sharma in his audit report has provided an explanation proffered by the GRA, which said the “first scanner is unserviceable and is not cost-effective to repair”.

With regard to the mobile scanner, the GRA informed the audit office that this one “malfunctioned because of its constant expo-

The now inoperable GRA container scanner

sure to the weather conditions”.

According to answers provided by the GRA, “the scanner was repaired, but currently the Authority is in the process of identifying a permanent location” for it.

The Audit Office has since recommended that the GRA continue in its efforts to identify a suitable location for the scanner that would protect it from the rigours of nature.

Warehouse corruption

The Auditor General has also flagged several incidents of dishonesty at ware-

houses across the country which has led to instances where the payment of duties and taxes could not be verified to the tune of more than $100 million.

Sharma, in his 2015 report on the accounts held by the GRA, found that there were 34 private warehouses in operation during the period under review – 17 of which were subjected to physical inspections by the Audit Office between April and July this year.

The Audit Office, during the course of its investigations, found that 36 pieces of equipment and 17 vehicles

Rising cost of living hurting quality of life – NACTA poll

S

ome 94 per cent of Guyanese respondents in a popular opinion poll expressed that the rising cost of living is one of the most serious problems facing the nation.

Following the change in political administration last year, 95 per cent of respondents observed a major decline in their purchasing power which they noted is seriously hurting their quality of life.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration has been severely criticised for its implementation of anti-poor policies and introduction of unnecessary taxes and fees, which will place great financial burdens on the working class.

The parliamentary Opposition condemned the Government’s justification

Vishnu Bisram

of these decisions, explaining that it was backward to raise revenue collection by taking more money out of the population’s pockets.

While the previous Administration had its fair share of criticism, the opinion poll shows that a majority of Guyanese feel they are

worse off today than under People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) rule.

The opinion survey was conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA), spearheaded by well-known pollster Dr Vishnu Bisram.

The stratified random sample survey comprised 710 registered voters to reflect the demographic composition of the population. The findings are analysed at a 95 per cent significance level with a margin of error of plus or minus four per cent.

According to the poll, people expressed limited confidence in the coalition Government’s ability to manage the economy (bring in investment, create jobs, promote growth, etc).

Asked if they approve of Government’s handling of

the economy, 34 per cent said “yes”, while some 55 per cent said “no”.

TURN TO PAGE 16

valued in total $370.9 million were not found in five warehouses operated by one importer, and there was no evidence that the equipment and vehicles were released by the tax administration.

Compounding the situation, the Auditor General further found that there was no evidence that duties and taxes of approximately $89.7 million were paid.

According to the Auditor, “Section 100 of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01 prohibits a warehouse owner or keeper or any person in his employ from opening or gaining access to a warehouse except in the presence or with the knowledge and consent of an officer of the administration.”

The Auditor General highlighted too that a total of 44 pieces of equipment valued at $312 million, with estimated taxes payable totalling $50 million, were re-

moved from four warehouses in which they were deposited and transferred to another four without the permission of the GRA Commissioner General.

“The removal of warehoused goods from one warehouse to another without the permission or knowledge of the Commissioner General represents a breach of Section 115 of the Customs Act,” the Audit Office said.

Further checks revealed that 10 pieces of equipment and five vehicles physically verified in three warehouses were not traced to the warehouse registers maintained by the administration.

“Efforts to ascertain the value of the equipment and vehicles proved futile, since it could not be determined the year the items were warehoused and the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) of each piece of equipment and vehicle.”

8 news

wednesdAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS

Eccles man charged for Household appliance possession of narcotics thief jailed

A

A

resident of Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was on Tuesday brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with being in possession of cocaine.

Leron Coates, 39, of 930 Eccles New Housing Scheme, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on October 15, 2016 at 930

Eccles New Housing Scheme, Coates was found to be in possession of cocaine.

According to the facts of the matter, Police carried out a search on the defendant’s premises, where the cocaine was found concealed in a ziplock bag.

As such, the man was arrested and charged with the offence.

He was granted $150,000 bail and would return to court on November 7, 2016.

man of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was on Tuesday charged with breaking and entering when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Frankie Slow, 33, of 902 Beverley Hills, Lethem, was made to answer to the charge before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

It was alleged that between October 13 and 14, 2016 at Beverley Hills Drive in Lethem, he broke and entered the dwelling of Michelle Kenya and stole several items worth $525,000.

According to the prosecution, the Virtual Complainant (VC) secured her premises the evening before and the following morning, she noticed it was broken into. Upon checking, she discovered that several

household appliances were missing.

As a result, she made a report to the police station.

Police Officers subsequently searched the defendant’s home – as he has a wellknown reputation of being a thief – where the stolen items were recovered.

The defendant contended that he went to Lethem to live with his mother, but he was put out of her home by her boyfriend and was homeless.

He told Magistrate McLennan that the items were not found in his home as he did not have one. He confessed, however, that he did steal and hid the items.

Slow told the Magistrate that he did not intend to steal any longer as he has learnt his lesson.

He was sentenced to six months in prison.

Eyew tness Ducking responsibilities...

H

...on Broadcasting

ere your Eyewitness had been protesting for months (a year and a half?) about our dear Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo being denied the powers of his office - don’t even talk about those under the “Cummingsburg Accord”. And now it’s been revealed in one shameful episode when he was begged to exercise even the vestigial power left - he refused to do so!!

Your Eyewitness is of course referring to the entreaties and pleas of the Chairman of GNBA - who falls under the PM’s diminished portfolio of “media” - for the PM to intervene in the mockery of Tony Vieira was making in the functioning of the Board of the GNBA, because he refused to accept the authority of the said Chair, Leonard Craig.

In an exchange reminiscent of an earlier one between Peter D’Aguiar and Forbes Burnham - in which Burnham said D’Aguiar felt he could treat the PNC “like a carton of used drinks bottles” - Tony Vieira, an ordinary Board Member, screamed at Craig: “Do you know who I am??

I am a Vieira!” Now Vieira couldn’t possibly be talking about his qualifications as a broadcaster. That would have meant admitting he’d failed ignominiously once he didn’t have the monopoly protection of the PNC, where he just stole content from the skies and was allowed to charge Guyanese for it!

No! He had to be referring to his social class - where he couldn’t be shaken from his belief that a fella like Craig had to obey him as a member of what he still sees as “the ruling class” - even though Craig was officially his superior. And this is what Craig had pointed out to his boss Nagamootoo.

But the man who claimed he was a follower of Jagan in fighting for the dignity of the ordinary man - was evidently not only struck dumb, but blind. He claimed he couldn’t read the letters Craig sent him with the complaints!!

Well… how about all those reports in the press for all these months. Nagamootoo couldn’t possibly have been too busy to read those, could he? What? With being neutered and all! Or if he’s really insisting on his “perks” - as the world on the ground insists - doesn’t his shill summarize the news for him every morning?

But really the problem isn’t the powers of a Nagamootoo (or the lack thereof). It’s the problem of the AFC in general and Nagamootoo and Ramjattan in particular. The AFC has no clout with the APNU any longer - and the mentioned leaders couldn’t care less - once they have their “positions and perks”.

But then again, why’s your Eyewitness surprised?

Wasn’t he told Nagamootoo was “all talk and no action”?

…in Finance Ministry

When APNU and AFC were in the Opposition, Auditor General (AG) Reports were like Stone Tablets handed down behind burning bushes. The contents were used like battering rams against the PPP administration - chastising them on every slip there might’ve been between the (spending) cup and the (accounting) lip. But now they’re in government, suddenly it looks like the AG has lost his halo!!

Here you have the Finance Minister (FM) issuing one of the strongest attacks on the integrity of the AG’s Office, even as he insisted the latter was an “autonomous body” and he “doesn’t wasn’t to trample on that autonomy”. If your Eyewitness were of a poetic bent he would’ve said, “methinks the FM protesteth too much!!” How else can you describe his assessment of the AG’s Report as “designed to inflame rather than educate and inform”?

The AG, dear FM, is supposed to just tell it as he saw IT the government’s books. And no! He doesn’t have to have the FM “edit” his report!

...on fairness

If the FM thinks he was done wrong by the AG, for having the departments’ heads - and not him - comment on the report before publishing, is he sympathetic to NEW GPC not even getting a chance to show they’d shipped all their pharma?

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

news

9

WEDNESday, october 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Dataram jailed for fake passports, other offences – reputed wife remanded

By Kizzy Coleman

W

ith a look of defeat on his face, convicted drug lord Barry Dataram walked into the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts shackled, with his reputed wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, ahead of him, to both face charges of forgery, evasion of penalty and illegal departure.

Dataram, who was on the run after he was jailed in absentia for five years for cocaine trafficking ,was on Tuesday sentenced to a further four years in prison, while his reputed wife has been remanded to prison when they appeared before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Office.

Addressing the charge, Dataram told Magistrate McLennan that he took “full responsibility.”

He explained that Boodnarine had no knowledge of how to acquire such (passports), stressing that he was solely responsible for the offence.

The second charge stated that between September 20, 2016 and October 15, 2016, Dataram, having been charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and having knowledge of the penalty attached to the crime, attempted to evade the penalty. The third charge read that on September 20 at Springlands, Berbice, Dataram departed

The illegal passports (Photo courtesy of Royston Drakes)

McLennan read three charges to Dataram, 38, of Lot 36 Patentia, Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The first charge stated that between April 15, 2013 and October 15, 2013 at Camp Street, with intent to defraud, he conspired with others to forge one Republic of Guyana passport in favour of himself reporting that same was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport

Guyana without the consent of an immigration officer.

The prosecution disclosed that on September 20, Dataram departed Guyana via the back track route and went to Suriname where he was subsequently arrested by Surinamese law enforcement.

He was then extradited to Guyana where investigations were carried out by the Central Immigration Office, and it was found that he il-

Anjanie Boodnarine

legally left Guyana, as there was no record of his departure. The passport that he was found with was reportedly fake with name David Persaud. An investigation has been launched by the Ministry of Citizenship into that incident.

Boodnarine, 21, Dataram’s reputed wife, of Lot 79 Patentia, Wales, West

Bank Demerara, was slapped with two charges.

The first charge read that between April 15, 2013 and January 15, 2016 at Camp Street, with intent to defraud, she conspired with others to forge one Republic of Guyana passport in favour of herself reporting that same was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office.

She was also charged with departing Guyana without the consent of an immigration officer.

Boodnarine pleaded not guilty to the offences and her Attorney, Clevaund Humphrey made an unsuccessful bail application.

As such, she was remanded to prison until October 31, as the prosecution pointed out that she was a flight risk.

Meanwhile, Dataram pleaded guilty to all of the charges.

He explained to Magistrate McLennan that the reason for him leaving the country was because he felt like he was not receiving

Barry Dataram being led into court

a fair trial.

Dataram explained that his Attorney and the Magistrate that the matter was being tried before had personal issues and, as such, he was not receiving a fair trial.

“My Attorney and the Magistrate had some per-

sonal difference and because I felt like I was not receiving a fair trial before her,” Dataram related to the court.

He was jailed for 12 months each for fraud and evasion and two years for illegally leaving Guyana.

The sentences are to run consecutively.

10

guyana-times.com

wednesday, october 19, 2016

News 2014 fatal stabbing

Not guilty! Wife acquitted N

icola Joseph, the woman who was accused of stabbing her husband, Curtis McKinnon to death in a July 21, 2014 altercation at their Lot 12 Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara home has been acquitted of murder.

This decision was handed down at the High Court in a trial heard before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

The 12-member jury returned a not-guilty verdict as the prosecution could not disprove the self-defence

Dead: Curtis McKinnon

case made out by Joseph’s Attorney Sonia Parag.

At Monday’s hearing, a brown handled stainless steel knife, believed to be the murder weapon, was tendered as evidence but the court heard that it was not dusted for fingerprints.

Under cross examination by Defence Counsel Parag, Police witness, Police Constable Alex Solomon was grilled as why the stainless steel murder weapon was not photographed,

as with other pieces of evidence at the alleged murder scene. Constable Solomon explained he secured the murder weapon which bore drops of blood stains.

A blood-stained mint green mosquito net was shown to the jury and was also been tendered as evidence.

Eight witnesses testified during the trial, including Joseph’s two children.

The State was represented by lead Prosecutor Siand Dhurjon.

Region 10 residents call for equal access to education

R

esidents of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) are calling for equal education opportunities to be granted to children living in the region.

This issue was recently raised when the Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry into the education sector met with education stakeholders in the region, particularly residents within the Regional Democratic Council of Linden and Kwakwani.

The stakeholders raised their concerns about the present state of education and its delivery within the region, while making calls for the Education Ministry to ensure that children have access to equal education opportunities.

The opportunities they mentioned included access to sport facilities and equipment, technology, adequate

and hygienic school facilities, and transportation, which are all challenges in the region.

They highlighted the need for welfare officers; an additional boat to assist children from riverine communities in getting to school in a timely manner; and the need for a bus to transport children who live in Moblissa, a village about seven miles in from the Soesdyke Highway, to attend school in Linden.

One of the issues raised was the fact that children

living in Moblissa continue to drop out of school, owing to the distance they are required to travel to get there.

One parent noted that the lack of Internet access in the community also presents a challenge when completing assignments.

Residents of Obama Drive, Amelia’s Ward in Linden have also expressed similar concerns. It was noted too that teachers continue to “short change” children in the classroom as they frequently complete the syllabus at their private lessons,

which inevitably puts a significant number of students at a disadvantage.

Additionally, regional authorities and community leaders are urging the Government to ensure that all schools are placed on the same level in terms of the types and quality of subject areas and the level of resources put into sustaining those subject areas, including the sciences.

A call was also made for guidance and counselling officers to be placed in primary schools.

In its effort to review, revise, upgrade and extend the Education Sector Strategic Plan, the Education Ministry has launched an inquiry into the education system. The inquiry is intended to provide “evidential bases” for the revision, upgrading and extension of the plan, the Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Strike weapon S

atiricus was grinning. And this surprised his friend Cappo, the cane cutter who was knocking back a few with him - as usual - at their old stomping grounds, the Back Street Bar. Cappo was surprised since while he loved his buddy dearly, he had to admit Satiricus wasn’t exactly a “sunshiny” guy.

“Suh wha’ mek yuh skin yuh teet’ like da?” he asked bluntly, even though he knew Satiricus became the last of the big time spenders when he was in a good mood. And beers flowed like the proverbial milk and honey.

“Well, my good friend, this is one time when I will be asking YOU the questions,” said Satiricus as he continued grinning, “and not like how you usually grill me like I stole your mother’s white fowl!”

“Wha’ yuh wan’ aks me?” said Cappo guardedly. “Me only a wan canecutta yuh know.”

“And that’s exactly what I want to ask you about,” replied Satiricus. “What are you guys striking for?”

“Sato, yuh a wuk fuh wan pay-pa,” said Cappo sternly.

“Yuh know abee wan’ mo’ money and stuff.”

“That’s exactly what I want to ask you about,” said Satiricus triumphantly. “How do you think you can get more money when the company is losing money and the government has to bail it out?”

“Budday! De company na lose money beca’se abee na do abee wuk,” Cappo said heatedly. “Why abee shou’d suffa fuh dem big maninja mistake?”

“You’re all in this thing together,” advised Satiricus. “If the company fall, everybody will be hurt.”

“Sato, lemme aks yuh somet’ing,” Cappo replied in a serious tone. “How laang me a wuk in de backdam?”

“Twenty-five years,” answered Satiricus.

“Yuh na t’ink abee old canecutta know waan-two t’ing ‘bout cane?” Cappo asked.

“I should think so,” said Satiricus said fervently.

“Suh how come de guvment a pay big, big money fuh all dem “expert” fuh fix suga’.” Cappo asked. “An’ dem na aks abee canecutta, who knew mo’ dan all dem expert about suga’?”

Satiricus stopped grinning. But he ordered another round for his friend Cappo, the cane cutter.

“Let’s drink to more money for sugar workers!” he said, as he clinked his bottle with Cappo’s.

NEWS

11

wednesday, october 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Suspect in Corentyne 2nd suspect in stabbing apprehended Police custody Businesswoman’s murder

P

olice on Tuesday morning arrested the suspect for the fatal stabbing of Yansen Brusche of Ulverston Village, Corentyne.

According to a Police statement, Winston Benjamin was apprehended in the Lesbeholden Backlands, Corentyne, Berbice, at 06:30h and is assisting with investigations.

Police reportedly found what is suspected to be the murder weapon.

It was about 13:30h on Monday that Williams allegedly stabbed his reputed wife of 19 years to death.

The dead woman, Yansen Tamika Brusche, 38, of Lot 20 Second Street, Ulverston Village, Corentyne, and a

The murder suspect: Winston Benjamin

mother of four, who operated the canteen at the Alness Primary School, had gone to a shop two houses away from her home when she met her demise. She was reportedly stabbed five times by her reputed husband,

who had also gone to the shop to make a purchase.

Brusche’s lifeless body was picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The owner of the shop, Beverly Green, said Williams started stabbing Brusche who tried to escape, but there was not enough space for her to escape from the cane cutter. She said from behind the counter which has bars, she tried desperately to take away the knife but was unsuccessful. “So I run around and try to grab the knife from Winston and so Yansen escape from Winston and she tried to go out the gate but the gate was closed and she

Gunmen rob couple at Bourda Market

A

couple were on Tuesday buying oranges in the vicinity of Bourda Market when they were robbed by three armed men.

According to information reaching this publication, the couple who reside in Paradise, East Coast Demerara, went to a nearby bank to withdraw cash be-

fore walking to the market.

While there, in the process of purchasing their oranges at North Road and Orange Walk, they were accosted by three men, who exited a white Toyota 212 car and pointed a gun at them.

According to a source, the couple were relieved of a handbag containing important documents and an un-

disclosed amount of cash.

The men had in their possession a shotgun and two handguns. The robbers made good their escape by driving west along North Road into Alexander Street then into Church Street.

A report was made to the Alberttown Police Station and investigations are ongoing.

just head into the house.”

She explained that she continued to hold onto the suspect who took his shirt off in a bid to escape, but she continued to hold on to him and attempted to take the knife, which he switched it to other hand.

“He start saying “loose me gal, loose me gal,” so I lose him and he run down the street and out to the road and when I turn to go in I see Yansen bleeding in front the door; she collapse…

I she give a deep breath and she eye turn up an she was lifeless,” Green related.

According to one eyewitness, the now dead woman left the relationship about three years ago when after a fight with Benjamin, “he did run she with the cutlass,” a neighbour said.

Brusche leaves to mourn her father, siblings and four children; Briana,18; Quizell, 13; Naomi, eight; and Qusen, one.

P

olice have arrested a second suspect as investigations continue into the brutal murder of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara businesswoman Bibi Ally.

The 56-year-old woman, of Lot 4 Novar, Mahaicony, was found lying face down in her home about 06:00h on Monday.

Reports are the woman was discovered by her nephew, who went to check on her after she was not seen since Sunday afternoon.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, Ally’s neck was broken and there were lacerations about her body.

The woman’s house was also ransacked, leading Police to suspect she might have been robbed and then killed.

Ally had operated a business in the area supplying farmers with pesticide and weedicide. She also

Dead: Bibi Ally

sold phone cards and other items. Several of these items were missing.

Following the discovery, the Police arrested a teenager. He is reportedly from the same village and had an argument with the woman on Sunday when he reportedly threatened to end her life. Investigations are continuing.

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Gary Best heads CoI into mining death Keeping it real

F

ormer Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best has been sworn in to head the latest Commission of Inquiry (CoI), this time to probe a mining death.

This comes less than two weeks after 33-year-old miner Keon Wilson was killed after a mining pit collapsed on him at Rock Creek, Mining District Three, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Under the orders of President David Granger, the CoI was set up to investigate, examine, probe and report on the circumstances that led to the miner’s demise. The Rear Admiral took his oath before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday morning, and pledged that he would be impartial while executing his duties.

After being sworn in, Best told media operatives that the CoI was a “step in

the right direction” as it could establish blame for the fatal event.

“The Commission of Inquiry is an important step in determining what happened…and to determine blameworthiness, if there is blameworthiness; whether or not the Government will implement those or not, that is for the Government – I trust that they will,” the former Army Chief explained.

A preliminary report will be released in two weeks, the public was informed.

Meanwhile, Best was questioned over concerns that only ex-military officers were being chosen to oversee the many CoIs set up. The Rear Admiral noted that while he did not see any difficulty in exmilitary personnel or civilians conducting inquiries, he believed that “competence” of the individuals must be taken into consideration.

Over 35 mining deaths have been re-

The decline of America G

Rear Admiral (Retired) Gary Best taking the oath to head the latest CoI on Tuesday

corded so far in Guyana over the past two years.

uyanese know that the most powerful neighbour in the North is the United States.

It is the country to which most Guyanese would like to go to live. Some may prefer Canada. In the preindependence and postindependence Guyana, it is understandable that Guyanese would have opted for Britain. But the US is still by far the target country for Dr Baytoram Ramharack most Guyanese who travel beyond the Caribbean and South American region. Globalisation, the Internet and rapid commute make it possible for people to travel to big cities around the world very quickly.

The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, is echoing what seems to be a popular narrative these days. He is arguing that America has been taken advantage of by other countries, such as Mexico and China. Thus, his campaign theme and his promise is to “make America great again”.

Trump is arguing that America is so weak today that political leaders are unable to control America’s borders, let alone control its economy and stop its decline. Scholars who support this view point to the post-World War II era when America was a dominant hegemonic superpower with extensive global reach. Military leaders have argued that it is difficult for the US to fight two wars simultaneously because American military might has declined over the years. Some people have adopted a more organic view of American decline – the US, like Rome and Britain, will rise and fall.

A closer look at the arguments made by those who argue that America is in decline seems to make sense, at least, initially. It is true that the economic well-being of the average American (measured as median household income) has dropped over the last few decades. The US’s main competitor, in military and diplomatic terms, is Russia and America seems impotent in deciding on a preferred outcome in Syria or the Ukraine; areas where Russia seems to exercise greater influence.

And China has gone from being a small fraction of the US economy to being the largest economy on Earth.

China has a large and growing Gross Domestic Product (although it is less than the US’s when measured at market exchange rates). And the gap between the two countries is widening. In most American households, everything seems to be “made in China”. Clearly, China’s economic takeoff represents a major shift in global power, particularly when it is flexing its military muscle in the mineral-rich South China Sea area. China’s rise is another economic blow to America’s influence in the important Asian market. Aside from China, the US economy continues to face challenges from other developed countries, including Japan and Europe, countries the US provided with generous economic aid after World War II. The US now has a large trade deficit with other countries.

One continuing fact remains constant over the years – America has taken on too much of the world’s burden, ranging from providing economic assistance to fighting AIDS. While there is evidence to suggest that the US is not the economic and military giant it once was, it can be argued that its global power has been eclipsed. The US cannot threaten countries as it has done in the past, nor can it easily use its economic aid to influence countries to behave in an approving way. The world has changed. Communism is dead and even the US is respectful of democratic norms and international laws to a certain extent. However, as Thomas Friedman has argued in his book The World is Flat, it is not that America is in decline, rather other nations are catching up to the US in terms of their and military and economic development. These global changes pose new challenges for the US. The reality is that the United States remains the world leader in scientific and technical strength. The American capability for innovation and its global competitive power, its advanced Science and Technology, higher education, culture of innovation, and military technology still place the US ahead of the race among the almost 200 countries in the world. While not in “irreversible decline”, the US must continue to adapt to the changing world environment in order to remain ahead of the game. To say that the US is in decline is a stretch. (Send comments to BRamharack60@ gmail.com)

NEWS

13

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

“Maternal deaths indicate that the system is not working” – Anthony

I

n light of a recent report which shows that there is no significant decline in maternal mortality, shadow Public Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said the high incidence of maternal deaths is an indication that the system is broken.

According to Dr Anthony, it is evident that the whole system is not working as it should since many of the deaths occur from preventable situations.

“Many of the maternal deaths would somehow relate to hypertension and bleeding but they are preventable,” he said, adding that if Guyana had a strong system of surveillance where pregnant women visit the clinic regularly, they would be able to monitor those pregnancies considered as high risk.

He explained, “We need to isolate those high risk

people and pay special attention to them; I don’t think we are aggressive enough in curbing maternal mortality.”

Dr Anthony further opined that there is a weakness in the mother to child healthcare system and there is room for improvement.

According to a recently released report, Maternal Mortality Estimates, which presently stands at 229/100,000 live births, has not shown any significant decline since the year 2000.

There are two factors which cause maternal mortality; first, those that are directly related to obstetric complications during pregnancy and the second are related to indirect obstetric deaths.

It has been reported that 73 per cent of the maternal deaths in 2012 were direct deaths, ie, those resulting from obstetric difficulties of the pregnant state

(pregnancy, delivery and postpartum), interventions, omissions, incorrect treatment, or a chain of events resulting from any of these.

On the other hand, indirect obstetric deaths occurs due to either previously existing conditions or from complications arising in pregnancy, which are not related to direct obstetric causes but may be aggravated by the physiological effects of pregnancy, which accounted for 27 per cent of

the deaths in 2012.

Dr Anthony stated that many deaths could be avoided if the quality of healthcare services for pregnant women were available.

He maintained that antenatal care is crucial to preventing complications during pregnancy and at births, and thus advocated for a primary healthcare system.

“There is a need for a better primary healthcare system, with more trained

personnel so that they can identify the high risks cases quickly before they go into labour… what we need is aggressive monitoring,” he emphasised.

Antenatal care is available in Guyana at different levels of the healthcare system. Although differences still exist between the coastal and hinterland regions in Guyana, the national antenatal coverage rate has been above 90 per cent since the year 2000.

However, Dr Anthony indicated that in order for healthcare services to be improved, health centres need to be adequately equipped. “How else can they have accurate analysis if ultrasound machines are not available and the mothers have to search elsewhere,” he said.

The Shadow Public Health Minister said the capacity of district hospitals, regional hospitals and clinics needs to be improved.

Notably, some of the causes of maternal mortality are directly and/or indirectly associated to personal characteristics of the mother – their nutritional status; their health situation; to the quality of the environment of where they live (including access to proper water and sanitation); and to the access to government supplies, among others, a UNICEF report said.

14

guyana-times.com

wednesday, october 19, 2016

News

Guyoil hikes prices Overhead vehicle pass for Diamond on kero, gasoil T T he Guyana Oil Company Limited (Guyoil) has adjusted upwards its prices for kerosene and gasoil, a move it says is directly related to increased acquisition costs charged by suppliers and is consistent with the current trend of upward movement of fuel prices on the world market.

The State-owned oil company made the announcement

on Tuesday which points to increases to be paid for kerosene and gas oil by $5 per litre each.

Guyoil, in making its announcement, said it has been absorbing the fluctuations of oil prices on the world market, but recent movements “have made these adjustments necessary”.

The announcement was made by Guyoil Marketing Manager Eric Whaul, who

said, “Conversely, Guyoil is happy to announce a reduction in the price for gasoline by $2 per litre.”

The move is anticipated to not only have a positive impact on individuals who use their vehicles to go to work and conduct business, but also on the transportation sector.

According to Whaul, “it ably demonstrates Guyoil’s commitment to act in the interest of all Guyanese and the nation as a whole.” Whaul said too that as a Guyanese company which is owned and managed by Guyanese and is a major contributor to the national coffers, “Guyoil continues to contribute in a positive way to the overall development of Guyana and remains steadfast in its commitment as stated in its motto –“Excellence in Service”.

The company is wholly owned by the Government of Guyana through the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), and governed by a Board of Directors.

raffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara, in the vicinity of Diamond, could soon be eliminated, as there are plans to construct a vehicular overhead pass in this area.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Projects Manager, Sunil Ganesh, announced that tenders for the project should be advertised early next month and works will commence early next year, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release. There are about 20,000 vehicles that use that intersection, so this vehicle overhead pass would significantly reduce the backup of traffic existing in Diamond, so when the vehicle overhead pass

Public Infrastructure Ministry Project Manager, Sunil Ganesh

is completed you have free flow of traffic coming out of Diamond, there will be almost zero delay,” Ganesh explained.

The Project Manager said too that in addition to the vehicular overhead pass, pedestrian overhead passes would be constructed at the Harbour Bridge, next to the office of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, another at Eccles on the eastern side of the traffic light and a third in the vicinity of the Houston Secondary School.

Meanwhile, the East Bank Four Lane expansion project, which started in 2012, is almost complete. The Ministry is currently working on installing traffic signs and road markings on certain sections of the road. The project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of US$17 million.

Poverty is underlying factor for limited access to ECE enrolment – UNICEF A lthough a number of factors have been identified as causing the reduction in attendance of children in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) programmes, poverty is one of the structural reasons for lowered attendance, a United Nations Children’s Fund 2016 report revealed.

The report stated that despite the fact that public nursery schools are available, the poorer the family the smaller the chances that the child is going to attend ECE programmes.

“In terms of bottlenecks, on the parents’ side, a mix of social and cultural practices and the financial situation of the families hinder the access to early childhood education, and it limits the interaction between parents and young children,” the UNICEF report stated, noting that stakeholders mentioned that for certain parents, ECE is not recognised as part of the child’s formal education – which explains why four in 10 children between 36 and 59 months are not in ECE institutions.

Despite the availability of tuition-free nursery schools,

access to them is still bounded by the financial capacity of the family, the report indicated, highlighting that less than 50 per cent of the children between the ages of three and five in the poor families are enrolled in ECE institutions. This further indicates that other costs might be connected to ECE, such as uniforms, meals and transport.

However, the report also highlighted that for remote areas, poor access to the Government facilities is a major obstacle.

Barriers

The report shows that interactions between parents and young children do not happen with most of the families in Guyana. Thus, the report affirmed that barriers that prevent parents from engaging more fully with infants and young children include: parents’ lack of knowledge about child development, and lack of awareness that verbal interaction with children is important.

“Parents might be held back by mental models

based on traditional beliefs that some practices can be harmful to the child or by a fear of ridicule for violating a social norm against talking to infants,” it added.

“Moreover, the harsh economic situation of the country forces parents to spend long hours working and being absent of their houses.

In some cases, in searching for better economic opportunities in the interior of the country (mining and logging) and abroad, many parents – especially fathers – do not live with their children,” it noted.

It must be stressed that target 4.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

emphasises the importance of investing in ECE and that countries should ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.

In terms of ethnicity, only four in Amerindian children were attending nursery schools in 2014, data from the Bureau of Statistics, Public Health Ministry and UNICEF Guyana revealed.

No order

ECE is divided into day care centres and play Groups for children between the ages of zero and

three years old, and nursery schools for children between three years and six months, and five years of age who did not start primary education.

The Social Protection Ministry regulates day care centres, while the nursery, primary and secondary schools are the responsibility of the Education Ministry.

Nevertheless, Government has no data on the number of children in day care centres.

Despite the fact that day care centres have to follow guidance from the Social Protection Ministry, there is no monitoring of the quality of these institutions. The number of qualified staff and the conditions of the daycare institutions are practically unknown.

For nursery schools, out of the 1601 teachers at public nursery schools, 65 per cent of them were considered to be qualified, 25 per cent were untrained, and 10 per cent unqualified. Out of all the teachers, 12 per cent of them had a graduation related to early childhood education.

The Education Ministry has pointed out, in its

Education Strategic Plan (ESP) that in addition to an increase in the proportion of trained teachers, there has been improved monitoring and greater support to schools through the addition of 40 Infant Field Officers from all education districts who have been trained to support colleagues in a cluster of schools.

The idea is that these Officers should visit schools in the cluster periodically to assess their instructional programmes, internal and external environments and to offer advice as necessary.

In 2011-2012, around 26,000 boys and girls aged three years and six months to five years were enrolled in nursery schools in the country, out of that number, 93 per cent were attending public nursery schools.

There were 442 public and 58 private institutions offering nursery education in the 2011-2012 academic year.

In 2014, on average, 61 per cent of the children aged 36-59 months in Guyana were attending nursery school – 59.0 per cent girls and 63.0 per cent boys.

wednesday, october 19, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

News

Power outage hits Essequibo, GL&SC lease application service to be offered online by 2017 Demerara, Berbice E R esidents across the coast of Guyana on Tuesday were hit by a series of power outages, which spanned several hours, causing much distress.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc, in a release, acknowledged that the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) experienced “three shutdowns” at 12:03h, 12:58h and 16:04h on Tuesday.

The power company explained that this was due to a “suspected fault” on its 69kV transmission line which links the Kingston Power Station to the Sophia Substation.

The company is currently trying to determine the exact origin of the shutdowns.

It was pointed out that while power was quickly restored in both counties, with the exception of some areas.

GPL added that customers from Onverwagt to

Ithaca,Berbice and Sophia to Success, East Coast Demerara and along the East Bank Demerara Corridor received power again around 18:30h.

“The loss of this transmission line connection between Kingston and Sophia has reduced available generation by 32 megawatts within the DBIS, thus necessitating an emergency load shedding programme in the both counties while we work assiduously to return normalcy to the grid,” GPL noted.

Meanwhile, Residents

in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are again facing losses as a result of power outages across the Essequibo Coast, with the latest spate occurring over the past four days.

Guyana Times was on Tuesday told that the unstable power situation has caused much damage to the electrical appliances of many residents, especially refrigerators, and many perishables, including vegetables, were spoilt. The recurring blackouts have a chronic problem for many years.

Essequibian charged for stealing from employer

A

n Essequibian has been charged after he allegedly stole from his employer.

Renson Rawlin, 35, of 14 Camp Hillside, Essequibo River, pleaded not guilty to a charge of larceny when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

It is alleged that be-

tween July 13 and 15, 2016, at Camp Hillside, he stole $30,000 and one alternator, property of Troy Resources.

According to the prosecution, the defendant has been working with the company for 20 months. Between the abovementioned dates, he was on duty when the money and the item went missing.

The matter was report-

ed, and he was arrested and charged.

He told the court that he has no use for the alternator, as he was not a mechanic.

He was granted $70,000 bail. Rawlin will make his next appearance at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on November 10.

UNESCO adopts anti-Israel resolution on al-Aqsa Mosque

The resolution caused Israel to suspend its cooperation with the agency

P

alestinian leaders have welcomed a decision by the United Nations cultural agency to adopt a resolution on occupied East Jerusalem that sharply criticises Israeli policies around the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while Israel says it ignores Jewish ties to the key holy site.

A spokesman for Parisbased UNESCO said on Tuesday that the resolution,

which caused Israel to suspend its cooperation with the agency, was adopted without a new vote after being approved at the committee stage last week.

The text, which touches on Israel’s management of Palestinian religious sites, refers throughout to the alAqsa mosque compound site in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City only by its Muslim names: al-Aqsa and al-Ha-

ram al-Sharif.

Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is the third-holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to the site as the Temple Mount. Palestine’s Deputy Ambassador to UNESCO, Mounir Anastas, told reporters the resolution “reminds Israel that they are the occupying power in East Jerusalem and it asks them to stop all their violations”, including archaeological excavations around religious sites. The UNESCO resolution also condemned Israel for restricting Muslim access to the site, and for aggression by Israeli police and soldiers, while also recognising Israel as the occupying power.

The resolution was submitted by Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Sudan – and was originally passed with 24 votes in favour, six against, and 26 abstentions. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ven as Government continues to work towards an efficient and professional public service sector through, in part, the implementation of digitised systems, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) has begun work to offer online lease application processing and instant responses to questions and queries.

These online systems, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release stated, will be implemented in a phased approach, which will be completed by the end of 2017.

GL&SC Information Systems Manager David Cole said that the Commission was working on making available online, all the services offered at its physical offices, through its website, which was currently being reconfigured.

The first phase, he explained, is the refining of the website’s content, which will be completed by the end of 2016.

“What we are doing right now in relation to the website specifically is that we are revamping our existing website. We are changing its look. We are looking at refining its content and most importantly in another phase, making it much more interactive… we are working on creating a website that can effectively engage members of the public, as well as any other stakeholder in the kind of services that we offer here as a Commission. We are designing a website, which can be used by not just the desktop, but the smartphones so that when persons access it, it is fully responsive to the device it is being accessed from,” he said.

The Commission will be

GL&SC Information Systems Department Manager, David Cole

working to make the chat feature available by the middle of 2017 to afford customers and members of the public instant responses to their questions, queries and suggestions, while the online processing of applications is expected to take shape by the end of 2017.

Cole explained, “We are trying to make it very dynamic. We want to put in a chat feature… We want to be able to do a better display of our maps because a lot of persons do not know that we produce a variety of maps for any kind of use.

We hope for it to be really efficient and for it to provide timely feedback. Whatever can be done at our physical offices, we want our website to be able to provide that to our stakeholders. The application process is one such service. In moving in line with Government’s move to be more digital and this concept of e-governance, we want to be able to have our clients with the application process, doing it online, submitting the application, vetting it and processing it.”

While he noted that there were some legal ramifications in terms of notarised signatures among

other things, which were yet to be worked out, Cole said that the ultimate goal was a more efficient Commission and satisfied stakeholders.

“Definitely the intention is to be as transparent as possible and to offer what we offer at our offices online,” the Information Systems Manager said.

While these works are ongoing inside the Commission, the e-Government Unit of the Public Telecommunications Ministry is also working alongside the Information Systems Department of the GL&SC to create a Wide Area Network (WAN), which will link all of the databases and record management systems of the various offices of the GL&SC. This will ensure that there is greater collaboration among the offices and better retrieval of client records, regardless of their location.

GL&SC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Trevor Benn said that the Commission was working on serving the needs of its customers and stakeholders and as such, would review and reconfigure its services to suit this goal. Already, the Commission has removed its dress code, while the current application process is scheduled to undergo some changes.

In the past, persons applying for renewal of their leases were required to undergo the same processes as someone applying for the first time. Since taking office, however, Benn said that this has changed and persons were now able to have their renewals completed almost immediately, providing they would have satisfied the required criteria.

Bhubaneswar hospital fire kills at least 20

A

t least 20 people have been killed in a fire at a hospital in eastern

India.

The fire began in the intensive care unit of the private SUM hospital in the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha state and spread to other areas, officials say.

An electrical short circuit is believed to be the cause.

Most of the victims reportedly died from smoke inhalation.

Dozens of patients were taken to other medical facilities in the city. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “anguished” by the tragedy. “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the hospital fire in Odisha.

The tragedy is mind-numbing. My thoughts are with bereaved families,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

Many of the injured are in a critical condition. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 23

“The fire left 20 people dead and more than 100 people injured. They have been admitted to various hospitals in Bhubaneswar and the medical college in Cuttack,” the state’s health secretary, Arati Ahuja, told the BBC.

Many of the injured are in a critical condition.

Earlier reports had put the death toll at 23.

In 2011, 89 people died in a fire that broke out in a hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 News

wednesDay, october 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Linden CIIP workers receive Ramsammy’s Ruminations Guyana’s democracy much-needed equipment

F

ollowing an intervention by the Communities Ministry, employees attached to the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have received a variety of work tools, safety equipment and cleaning agents to better equip them to perform their duties.

The workers, who operate at Wismar and Mackenzie, had voiced concerns over the lack of the necessities and had made an urgent request via the municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council.

According to the Mayor Carwyn Holland, following a meeting with the CIIP groups, a request was made to the Communities Ministry, which in turn responded promptly.

is not dead, but it is very very sick

G Community Infrastructure Improvement Project workers pose with the various tools, safety equipment and cleaning agents they received

He acknowledged that the lack of adequate work gear has always been an issue for the employees, while he also revealed that there is still a

shortage of some equipment including weeders, wheel barrows and slashing machines.

Under the new Council, the CIIP workers also ben-

efited from the return of the $25,000 monthly payment, as opposed to $12,500 under the previous Interim Management Committee.

Bauxite centennial observances to commence this weekend in Linden

T

he Linden community will soon host the “Centennial of Bauxite” observances as coined by the Bauxite Century Board to commemorate hundred years of bauxite mining in Guyana.

The Board, headed by Horace James, has planned a range of activities, which commences on October 22 with a grand church service in

Linden. According to information from the Bauxite Century Board, the hosting of the Schools’ Debating and Quiz competition finals are slated to be held on October 25.

On October 26, a Symposium and the launching of the Centennial Magazine are slated to take place at the Linmine Constabulary Hall, Mackenzie. At the

Symposium, stakeholders will examine the future of bauxite and beyond, while the magazine is expected to chronicle the history of bauxite over the past century.

October 27 will see the unveiling of four Centennial Stamps by the Guyana Post Office Corporation at Three Friends Mines, Coomacka, while a Bauxite Centennial dinner is slated for October

Rising cost of living hurting...

An overwhelming majority (92 per cent) said that unemployment was a serious concern, pointing out that too many people have been out of work since the change in government.

They claim that it was

very difficult for the unemployed as well as the youth, fresh out of high school or tertiary institutions, to find meaningful work to provide for themselves or their families.

The general population

28 at the Watooka Complex, Mackenzie.

The unveiling of an arch to mark the Centennial of Bauxite and Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary will take place on November 21, on location at Casaurina Drive junction, Mackenzie.

The opening of the Centennial Park adjacent to the arch’s location is also slated for November 21.

from page 7

and the business community describe the existence of a very sluggish economy that has contracted significantly since the coalition came into office.

Businesses and the selfemployed (vendors, barbers,

cosmetologists, taxi drivers, cleaners, etc) say revenues and/or incomes have declined between 35 per cent and 55 per cent.

Some say they lost their jobs because of a slowing economy or because of political and racial victimisation.

Many businesses claim that revenues were not enough to cover costs of operations saying that they were forced to lay off staff.

Rice and other farmers as well as some agro industrialists complain that prices cannot compensate for cost of production and that they were retrenching workers as well as cutting back on farming or their business enterprise.

Many say that the present situation reminds them of the 1980s when they could barely survive.

Asked about their current economic status relative to the preceding PPP/C period of governance, two per cent of the respondents say they are “better off” today than under the PPP regime, with five per cent saying that their economic status is “about the same” as under the PPP. Over three quarters (77 per cent), however, say that they are worse off However, even though they feel they are worse off under the APNU/AFC, traditional PNC supporters say they are sticking with the government.

Some of them suggest that the PNC-led Government needs more time to turn around the economy.

uyana’s democracy is not dead, but it is on life-support, very, very sick right now. After 23 years on a journey, beginning October 1992, nurturing and strengthening freedom and democracy, Guyana has reached a stage where our democracy is facing stern challenges and threatened with reversal. We are Dr Leslie Ramsammy poised to return to the postindependence harrowing experience of dictatorship, a period in which party paramountcy prevailed. Since May 2015, we have taken a detour to an all-too familiar road that takes us dangerously into dictatorship.

Two recent events provide eerie evidence that we are knocking on the door of dictatorship. The first occurred when President David Granger just this past week suspended Carvil Duncan as a member and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and also as a member of the Police Service and the Judicial Service Commissions. Duncan is a legally appointed member of the Public Service Commission and the other two service commissions. But the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) view Duncan as standing in the way of APNU/AFC to do as it pleases with the public service, exercising unfettered power; the kind of power we see in dictatorships.

Since taking office, APNU/AFC has targeted certain people, intimidating them and in different ways trying to embarrass them because they refuse to act like puppets.

Duncan is one of those people. They charged him with a criminal offence and have established a tribunal to try to get rid of him as Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

Neither the criminal charge nor the tribunal has convicted Duncan of anything. Yet APNU/AFC has arbitrarily acted against the Constitution and suspended Duncan from carrying out his constitutionally mandated duties. This is not how a democracy behaves. This is the playbook of a dictatorship.

The second event occurred also this past week when Dr Max Hanoman, Chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), held a press conference to announce that Cabinet has instructed the GPHC Board to terminate the contract of Michael Khan as the CEO of that institution. Just a few weeks ago, the GPHC Board had agreed that Khan should continue as the CEO, emphasising that there was no reason why Khan should not continue to do so. Since the Board could not find any reasonable or legal reason to end Khan’s contract, Cabinet took the unprecedented action to reverse the Board’s decision and terminate Khan’s contract. This is the continuing harassment of a longtime public servant because APNU/AFC could not get him to be a puppet. Earlier, soon after they took office in May 2015, they had sent him on leave pending a forensic audit. The audit did not find any reason why Khan should not resume his duties as the CEO. These are merely two recent events. There are a myriad of other daily events and actions which show the stark threats against Guyana’s democracy. I will just cite two others here out of the several dozen we know of. The CEO of the Guyana Livestock Development Agency was removed by the Agriculture Ministry and sent to a junior position in the Guyana School of Agriculture without the involvement of the Boards of either entities. The Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board was sent home and a new Manager appointed without the involvement of the Board.

In the meantime, people appointed by APNU/AFC are running amok, carrying on as if they operate with unfettered powers. Space only allows me one example: the CEO of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is running the public corporation responsible for delivering safe water as if they are accountable to no one. He hires without the Board and he undertakes procurement without any tendering etc. The latest scandal with the GWI is it has arbitrarily undertaken to switch from the well-tested and internationally approved chlorine as a sanitizer for water to a chemical called Antinfek which has not been approved for use as a sanitizer for water, putting the health of thousands of people at risk.

We have entered a dangerous period in our development story as a free, democratic, sovereign country. Governance in Guyana is not following the blueprint of democratic states.

Rather it is following the footprints of dictators and tyrants.

It is the reason why we could close sugar estates without consulting anyone. It is the reason why we could ensure Cabinet gives itself unprecedented pay increases and then tell people to live with it. As I have said before, we do get what we asked for. We believed dictators and gave them the keys to our democratic state. Now we are reaping the result – we are on the road to where dictators live. (Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com)

News

17

wednesday, october 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

PANCAP partners with NGO to strengthen awareness on HIV/AIDS wealth of knowledge that PANCAP has garnered over the years, he was confident that the organisation would be successful in ending the AIDS epidemic.

The Minister said, “With

From left: Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton; PANCAP’s Director Dereck Springer; Dr Shanti Singh and Sarah Fohl

T

he Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has formed a partnership with the Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project to significantly enhance the capacity of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit to deal with HIV/AIDS. The K4Health Project, based in Baltimore, USA, is funded by the US Agency for International Development Bureau.

According to PANCAP’s Director, Dereck Springer, the new partnership is to assist the Partnership with transforming the way in which knowledge management and sharing is facilitated among its member countries.

“Study evidence shows that the earlier persons living with HIV start anti-retroviral treatment, they have better health outcomes,” Springer relayed.

He noted, however, that much went into attaining resources to enable persons to be diagnosed early.

“However, to achieve this paradigm shift, the resources required for diagnostics and treatment, staff education, and clear and consistent public messaging about the benefits of “Test and Start” must be understood by health and other key decision makers,” Springer said.

However, the K4Health Project will assist with packaging and sharing vital information necessary for PANCAP members to begin the process of educating healthcare workers and the public about commencing treatment immediately after an HIV positive diagnosis.

Knowledge Management Advisor, K4Health Project, Sarah Fohl, noted that the goal is to bring PANCAP partners together to share best practices and improve

access to information, which is vital to HIV testing and early treatment.

“Our overarching aim is to support the PANCAP Coordinating Unit’s mandate to demonstrate PANCAP’s value in contributing to a regional HIV response. We believe that through enhanced knowledge generation, sharing and learning among PANCAP members, we can effectively support the scaleup of “Test and Start” in the Caribbean Region.”

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton welcomed the collaboration and noted that this would benefit Guyanese.

“PANCAP, as you know, is vibrant for partnership in the Region of approximately 29 countries and 70 partners mandated to coordinate the HIV response and the helm of the regional response,” Norton explained.

He noted that with the

15 years of experience, knowledge and celebrated globally as a regional best practice, it is my firm belief that PANCAP is strategically positioned to lead our Region toward ending the

AIDS epidemic by 2030.”

Dr Shanti SinghAnthony, who was also present at the event, welcomed the collaboration between the two organisations.

Mayor Holland opined that “for the people and town of Linden, investment is an essential ingredient in advancing the all-inclusive development we envision”.

He was keen to point out the many opportunities for investment in Linden, boasting that there were a myriad of sectors yet to be explored in the town.

He said, “We in Linden boast an energetic and hardworking workforce, whose dedication and integrity is an asset to any enterprise.

Investors coming to Linden can confidently invest knowing that the talent and expertise necessary for every sector can be found in Linden.

However, after years of stymied progress and the negative stereotypes perpetuated about Linden, our new development trajectory must overcome this challenge.”

He pointed out that Linden was the ideal place for investment in many fields, including commerce and banking, agriculture and agro-processing, aqua farming and processing, livestock and poultry farming, hospitality and eco-tourism, fashion, technology, recycling, and, of course, mining and the product development of mineral wealth.

The forum seeks to invite investors, both local and foreign, to consider Linden for the establishment of business enterprises, and to showcase the opportunities and amenities available for investors. The Mayor is encouraging prospective investors to contact the Linden Youth Leaders on phone number 650- 8205 or the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) on 4446373 for additional details.

Linden to host investors forum next month

L

inden Mayor Carwyn Holland, along with the newly-formed Linden Youth Leaders, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), will be hosting an investment forum at the Egbert Benjamin Centre at Mackenzie, Linden on November 18 and 19.

Mayor Holland, who maintained that empowered youths were the best advocates to advance their own success, recently formed the Linden Youth Leaders (LYL), a dynamic group comprising some of the community’s zealous young people.

The group is expected to undertake several projects to promote social and economic development in Linden under the helm of the Linden Mayor. The investment forum is among the first activities on its agenda.

18

guyana-times.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

ARCHIE

Live a little. Get together with friends or make roman(March 21- tic plans with a loved one. A April 19) promise will be made if you discuss your feelings, objectives and personal desires.

ARIES

Get involved in events that TAURUS are geared toward education, (April 20- communications or strategic May 20) business solutions. You will gain valuable knowledge that will help you get ahead in a competitive situation.

DILBERT

Engaging in social events, GEMINI dealing with children and ex(May 21pressing your feelings to a June 20) loved one are all favored. Let your voice be heard if you want to be granted favors and support.

Put a little thought into how you do your job. Look for (June 21- alternative methods that will July 22) make your work better and help you achieve your goals.

CANCER

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Your stamina and insight will make you a great collaborator and ally for someone who could help you as well.

Love and romance are highlighted and will improve your personal life.

Don’t give in to unreaVIRGO sonable demands. Take care (Aug. 23of your responsibilities beSept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

fore tackling someone else’s.

Networking and participating in work-related events will be helpful and inspirational.

LIBRA Check out an opportunity that (Sept. 23- can lead to extra income, but don’t Oct. 23) sign up for something that doesn’t

have anything in it for you.

Focusing on equality, sharing and getting your facts straight will be necessary.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Keep an open mind, but SCORPIO don’t be too willing to share (Oct. 24what you discover or think.

Nov. 22) Listen attentively and act accordingly. Secure your home and personal effects.

You need to gather inSAGITTARIUS formation and find out what (Nov. 23- is fact and what is fiction.

Dec. 21) Staying on top of the truth will be your best way to avoid confusion and interference.

Romance is highlighted.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

A last-minute change will CAPRICORN cause you to overreact or lead (Dec. 22you into battle with someone Jan. 19) who won’t adjust to your way of thinking. Opt not to argue.

Do your own thing.

Check out an investment AQUARIUS that interests you. Work on (Jan. 20honing or picking up skills Feb. 19) that will help you achieve your financial goals. Love is highlighted.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES You need to keep your (Feb. 20- distance and think matters March 20) through. Someone will make demands or dump responsibilities that don’t belong to you into your lap if you aren’t careful.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

BCCI President Anurag Thakur

Apti Aukhadov was the 2013 world champion in the -85kg category

M

ajor non-television entities such as Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Reliance Jio were among 18 companies that have bought the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document for the next cycle of IPL television and digital rights.

The interested parties would vie for television rights for the IPL in the Indian subcontinent until 2027, digital rights in the same region until 2022 and media rights for the rest of the world until 2022 as well.

The last date for submitting the bid is October 25.

Companies that have purchased tender •Followon Interactive Media •Taj TV India •Star India •Sony Pictures Networks •Times Internet • S u p e r s p o r t

19

International •Reliance Jio Digital Services •Gulf DTH •GroupM Media India •BeIN IP •Econet Media •Sky UK •BTG Legal Services •BT PLC •Amazon •Facebook •Twitter •ESPN Digital Media

P

The television rights are currently held by Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI) and expire after the 2017 IPL season. Star India is in possession of the digital rights and the overseas media rights, except in the UK and the US, all of which also expire after IPL 2017.

BCCI president Anurag Thakur said he was pleased with the response. "With the

olice have charged three men in the fatal shooting of Trinity Gay, the daughter of US track athlete Tyson Gay. Trinity Gay, 15, died after being shot in the neck amid an exchange of gunfire between two parked vehicles at a restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky.

Police do not believe Trinity was in either of the vehicles involved in the early Sunday morning shootout.

Chazerae Taylor, 38, and his 19-yearold son D'Markeo, face charges for wanton endangerment.

A n o t h e r man, Dvonta Middlebrooks, 21,

global trends of showcasing content on multiple platforms becoming increasingly important - TV, internet and mobile rights are up for grabs together this time," he said.

On why the IPL television rights for the Indian subcontinent were awarded for ten years, BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri had said the board wanted to replicate the current cycle, which gave SPNI the rights from 2008 to 2017.

"In our country television is very well established," he said. "If you look at most cricket tenders, eight yearsten years have been the norm. That's why we went for 10 years. The area where trends are changing very fast is digital, that's why we have reduced digital to five years." (ESPNcricinfo)

was charged with wanton endangerment and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

All three men allegedly fired multiple shots during the incident.

Witnesses reported an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles, a grey Dodge Charger and a darkcoloured sports car with tinted windows, at 0400 local time (0800GMT) on Sunday.

Trinity was pronounced dead less than an hour later at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital.

Another man was questioned by police but has not been charged, police said.

The three men are scheduled to be appear at the Fayette District court later on Monday.

Trinity was a talented sprinter at her local high school.

R

ussian weightlifter Apti Aukhadov has been stripped of his 2012 Olympic silver medal after his doping sample tested positive for steroids.

Aukhadov, second in the men's -85kg event in London, tested positive for turinabol and drostanolone, the International Olympic Committee said.

His medal will be reassigned to Iran's Kianoush Rostami, originally third.

Aukhadov was caught when the IOC retested samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics using new analysis methods.

Ukrainian pole vaulter Maksym Mazuryk, who finished 18th in London, has also been disqualified from the 2012 Games retrospectively after he tested positive for turinabol.

The IOC has reported a total of 98 positive cases from recent retests of samples from the two Games in Beijing and London.

At least six of those cases came in one weightlifting event, the men's -94kg category at London 2012.

As a result, the gold medal was passed to Iran's Saeid Mohammadpour, who was originally fifth. (BBC Sport)

From left: Dvonta Middlebrooks, D’Markeo and Chazerae Taylor have been charged in connection to the shooting

She placed in the top five for several events in the Kentucky state competitions.

"She was a beautiful person, very outgoing, athletic, always wanting to accomplish something," Debra Conley, Trinity's grandmother, told the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper.

"She even said that since her father wasn't able to win his gold med-

al that she would win it for him," she said, adding that Trinity hoped to go to university to become a plastic surgeon.

Kentucky High School Athletic Association Commissioner Julian Tackett tweeted that he was "shocked to hear of death of Trinity Gay. A life of such potential cut so tragically short."

Her father, Tyson Gay, is the joint second-fastest

100m runner of all time, behind Usain Bolt.

He participated in the last three summer Olympic games and was part of the US 100m relay team at the Rio Olympics.

He won a silver for the 4x100 meter relay in London 2012, but that medal was stripped when he tested positive in 2013 for a prohibited substance and was banned from competition for a year. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

Annual 5-Stage is now 3-Stage The first stage is from Georgetown to Mahaicony and back covering a distance of 65 miles

eligible to return to racing after his ban expires come November 1.

Riders will be competing for a total of G$400,000, the riders will take to the roadways on Saturday at 7:00h to

complete a 65 mile road race from Georgetown heading to Mahaicony where they would return to the starting point for a finish while completing an Individual time trial from Georgetown to Plaisance, a

stretch of 3.5 miles from 15:00h later the same day.

The wheelsmen will then take to the Outer circuit of the National Park to compete in a 30-lap race beginning from 11:00h on November 6. The

30-lap race is equivalent of 70 miles.

The organizers wish to distinguish the event from the annual ‘Independence 3-Stage Road Race’

W

hat is regarded as the most highly anticipated racing meet for the The top riders calendar year, the will all be in ‘Ride for Life’ FiveHamza Eastman will p r e p a ra t i o n Stage racing meet will be one of the crowd mode ahead not be hosted this year rather it will be favourites heading into of the biggest the Three-Stage race meet and it replaced by a Threeis expected Stage race billed for November 5-6 inclusive of two that young Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman would be amongst the races and one time trial.

The Five-Stage race, would favourites in this year’s event.

Eastman would have have been entering its 10th year but a decision was made recently won the 5th annual to reduce it to three stages this Kadir Mohamed Memorial Road year due to reasons beyond Race with the top prize being an ‘Ounce of Gold’ and also the control.

This event is a collaborative Hand-in-Hand 35-lap feature effort of the National Sports earlier in October.

However, stern competition Commission, the Ministry of Health, Department of Culture is expected to come from team Youth and Sport and the Guyana Evolution, Eastman’s team Cocos teammates Raynauth Cycling Federation.

While the race would Jeffrey, Stephano Husbands, Rider, Geron previously include Berbice and Continental Essequibo, this edition will only Williams and possibly the return of Alonzo Greaves, who will be be hosted in Demerara.

W

ith unprecedented access to the world’s fastest man as he trains, travels, races and relaxes, I AM BOLT will bring audiences a unique insight into the life of a living Olympic and sporting legend, best friend, teammate and son as it’s released in cinemas around the world on November 28.

With unparalleled access to all facets of his life on and off track, audiences will see for the very first time what being Usain Bolt is really like – from his grueling training schedule, major setbacks and challenges he faces in order to achieve his dreams on the global stage to his downtime with friends and family.

Featuring archive footage from Usain’s youth, in-depth interviews with those closest to him – his parents, best friends, agent, coach and fellow athletes – and fascinating footage shot by the man himself over a legacy-defining period in his career and life, I AM BOLT offers an intimate portrayal of a globally adored icon.

“My aim with making this film is to show people how my life really is… What I’ve been through to get me where I am today, the ups and the downs, and an insight into what I am thinking and feeling,” said Bolt. “I know a lot of people around the world feel like they know me already but I’m excited for everyone to see the real me in I The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt AM BOLT.” London, Germany and Jamaica, I AM BOLT The Triple Treble Olympic Gold medalist will mark his silver is produced by Fulwell 73, the creators of screen debut on Monday, November 28 acclaimed documentaries Class of ‘92 and In by attending the film’s world premiere in the Hands of the Gods, in association with London’s Leicester Square that night, with Doyen Global. Co-directed by Gabe Turner footage from the red carpet event simulcast and Ben Turner, I AM BOLT is produced to cinemas around the world. International by Leo Pearlman, Executive Produced cinema audiences will also be treated to an by Simon Oliveira, Matthew Kay, Ricky exclusive interview with Usain following the Simms and Nugent Walker and distributed internationally by Universal Pictures Home main feature presentation.

Filmed on location in Beijing, Rio, Entertainment Content Group. (Sportsmax)

21

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SPORTS

Badri Prasad Memorial T20

Moses too much for Good Success, Maria’s Pleasure book final spot S an Souci Jaguars beat Good Success by 20 runs while Maria’s P l e a s u r e stunned G S q u a r e Cavaliers by 48 runs in the semi-finals of the Badri Prasad Memorial T 2 0 competition in Wakenaam last Sunday.

San Souci was led by an authoritative century from Nokta Moses as they reached a competitive 173/9 after winning the toss at the Wakenaam Community Centre. The Jaguars were off to a disastrous start when Zameer Zaman was caught for four off pacers Wazir Khan and Safraz Mohamed was clean bowled by David Challitar for eight at 10/2.

Moses and his younger brother Beesham then showed great fighting spirit to res- urrected the innings with a thirdwicket stand of 86. Nokta was aggressive in his stroke play and brought up his fifty off 27 balls. Beesham was more composed in lending great support as Nokta continued to accumulate his runs on both sides of the pitch.

Off-spinner Gurnauth Khemraj then bowled Beesham Moses for 13, but Nokta Moses shared in a useful partnership of 46 with Rashaad Rasheed (09) to further boost this team total. Moses who was put down twice hit Ramnarine for a maximum and then drove Imran Khan for boundaries. He reached his century off 55 balls before he was taken off Nazeer Mohamed for 119 after hitting 16 fours and four sixes. Following his dismissal, Good Success picked up some quick wickets with Mohamed claiming 3-20

off four overs, Khemraj 2-28 and Imran Khan 2-33; Wazir Khan and

Challitar had one each.

G Square Cavaliers’ openers Khemraj a n d Ejaz Mohamed g a v e Good Success a quick start by p u t t i n g on 43 in quick t i m e with the former hitting pacer Siddiq Mohamed for fours before flicking Derwin Daniels for another while Mohamed clobbered Daniels for a maximum and drove him to the long-off boundary.

However, Daniels provided his team with the breakthrough when he sent back Mohamed for 16. Tulsieram Ramadeen was then bowled by Nokta Moses for 13 who also trapped Imran Khan LBW for one as Good Success slipped to 67/3. Khemraj soon went for 29, but Nazeer Mohamed and Ramnarine kept their team in the hunt with a fifthwicket stand of 53. Mohamed stroked Beesham Moses for a maximum before flicking Zaman for four while Ramnarine took boundaries off Zaman and Siddiq Mohamed. Ramnarine was then dismissed for 25 while Charles

Benjamin (04) and Shoaib Namaz (00) followed shortly after. Mohamed made 36 (2x4; 2x6) as Good Success finished on 153/9. Nokta Moses grabbed 4-17 off four overs to crown a good all-round p e r - formance while Beesham Moses h a d 2-20, Zaman 2-34 and Daniels 1-34.

In the second semi-final, Maria’s Pleasure followed the Jaguars lead and took first strike after winning the toss. They then amassed a respectable 162-8. Bernard Lewis and Mark Lewis added 46 for the first wicket before the latter was caught off Jaggernauth Manbodh for 16. Bernard Lewis hit Dayawant Shiwnandan for a maximum and drove Chandrika Ragnauth for fours before he was removed by Manbodh for 33. Maria’s Pleasure then lost three quick wickets, but Marsh Singh slammed four fours in scoring 26 while Alex Clementson made 18 to prop up their team batting down the order as Manbodh snared 3-16, Satrohan Shiwnandan 2-20; Kamal Khan, Ragnauth and Dayawant Shiwnandan had one each.

Cavaliers were off to a bad start losing openers Heera Sukram and Ballie Scott both run out for seven and 13 respectively. Pacer Kennard Lewis then removed Kamal Khan (03) while Bernard Lewis accounted for Manbodh (02) and Ragnauth (00) leaving the score at 43-5. Dayawant Shiwnandan and Bhumeshwar Ramkisson then added 36 but when Ramkissoon was taken of Mark Lewis for 11, the rest of the batting failed to offer any resistance as Cavaliers were sent packing for 114 in 18 overs. Shiwnandan remained unbeaten on 24 (3x4) as Bernard Lewis bagged 4-16 off four overs while Mark Lewis had 3-19 and Kennard Lewis 2-14. The date for the final will be announced later.

Downes, Campbell lead senior rankings

- Resaul, Gentle ahead of junior field

I

n a historic move, the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) recently uploaded its players’ ranking on its Facebook page and for the first time the ranking includes ratings

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Anthony Downes

from players’ overseas performance.

According to information coming out of the association the ranking is for performance between January 2016 and October 2016 and from henceforth it will be updated on the page immediately after every tournament. Prior to the latest ranking update, the first of its kind was done in December of 2015.

Leading the way in the male and female senior rankings is Anthony Downes and Cristy Campbell respectively. Downes currently sits on 4000 rating points some 400 ahead of his closest rival, Leyland Leacock.

Meanwhile, closing off the top five in this category are Daniel Lopes (2800),

Harry Panday (2450) and Godfrey Lowden, who sits on 2400 points.

While in the female category, trailing Campbell, who sits on 2600 points areAretta Dey 2400, Shelly Ramdyhan 1800, Fiona Bushell 800 and Carol Humphrey 600.In the junior field it was no surprise that powerhouses Heimraj Resaul and Afruica Gentle lead the way in their respective male and female categories. In the male division, Resaul top his peers with 6750 points follow by Joshua Kalekyezi 6025, Jordan Beaton 3125, Mark McDonald 2600 and Vijay Sharma 1725, in that order.

On 5400 and some 50 points ahead of the second placed, Gentle is the queen

of the pack.

Kalyca Fraser is in second on 5350 points while the very talented Nicola Ramdyhan is on 4300 points in third and trailing her are Shivani Persaud on 2700 and Sarah Klautky 2450.

The next major tennis tournament is the Tennis Inter Guiana Games (IGG), which will be held in French Guiana between October 27 and November 1. Only junior players are participating in this event so it is expected that there will be an update in the junior rankings subsequent to the games. For more information and a better understanding of how the ranking was done visit the Guyana Tennis Association page on Facebook.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

Inter Guiana Games 2016

National dart players Flores believes volleyball need support

teams will be competitive

P

resident of the Guyana Volleyball Federation Retired Commander, John Flores has mixed views about the teams selected to represent Guyana at the Inter Guiana Games (IGG), but he do believes that both will be competitive.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport, Flores is adamant that the male team will defend its title but is uncertain of the females’ chances. Both teams will play in a best of three series against Suriname on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Unfortunately French Guiana will miss this year’s event.

The teams have been encamped since Friday October 14, the said date the squads were reduced to their final 12.

According to the President, the players are currently involved in intense training, which focuses on their technical skills and team work.

The training sessions are being conducted in two parts at the National Gymnasium from 7:00h to 11:00h in the morning

and between 18:00h and 22:00h in the evenings.

Under the supervision of coach Levi Nedd, Flores said the male team look like a well prepared unit who is ready to defend the title they won in 2015. Prior to the IGG the males met early this year for a clash with Trinidad and Tobago which served as ideal preparation for the neighbours rivalry.

Meanwhile, in comparison to the 2015 team, Flores said the females this year are fitter but because some are from rural areas it was difficult to get them together at an earlier stage. Nevertheless they were involved in club challenges leading up to the annual games.

The female team is being coached by the experienced Jadeshwar Doolchand.

The 2016 edition of the Inter Guiana Games officially open on Friday at the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora however, the volleyball action will get on the way at 13:00h with female action followed by the males.

National Volleyball Coach Levi Nedd

I

n their quest to participate at the Barbados Darts Festival and Trinidad and Tobago Darts Association (T&TDA) Chan Ramnarine Classic, national players Sudesh Fitzgerald and Lallchand Rambharose are seeking the support of corporate Guyana.

Fitzgerald, who is the national and former Caribbean Champion and Rambharose have been attending the Barbados Festival since it originated and have been successful with several top finishes at the event.

Meanwhile it will be a first for both of the players to participate in the Chan Ramnarine Classic since it is a first for that tournament.

Invitation was sent directly to Fitzgerald and his team from president of the Caribbean Darts Association and the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Darts Association.

However it will not be possible for the players to make it to these tournaments without sponsorship. To date Dr. Terrence Joseph a familiar face around the local darts association has been the only person to make a contribution but a lot more is needed for the two-man team to participate according to Fitzgerald.

L-R: Lallchand Rambharose, Allan Niles and Sudesh Fitzgerald at the conclusion of the Allan Niles Singles Tournament recently at the Malteenoes Sports Club

The funds raised will go directly to Accommodation, airfares, entrance fees and meals.

The two tournaments will take place during the month of November with the Barbados Festival occurring between November 11-14 while the Trinidad Classic will take place on November 26 and 27. The prizes for the two events amount to U.S $12,000.

While participating in the

two tournaments the players will feature in the singles, doubles and mixed nation categories.

Meanwhile, former national champion Norman Madhoo who resides in Florida has signal his intention to once again participate in the Barbados darts festival.

Persons interested in supporting these players can contact Fitzgerald on telephone number 616-2039.

GCA/ NBS 2nd Division

Everest wallop Diplomats by 256 runs

Javed Rasheed

K

hemraj Ramdeen of the Everest Cricket Club recorded the latest century in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ New Building Society (NBS) second division 40 overs tournament to propel his side to a convincing win over minnows Diplomat on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Ramdeen top scored with 114 as he led Everest to 371-6 from 40 overs. Saheed Mohamed 58, Denesh Mangal 41, Akshaya Persaud 35, Richie Looknauth 37 and Gavin Sookdeo 30 were the other batsmen to contribute to

their team’s mammoth total.

The Carifesta Avenue side then returned to dismantle their opponents for 115 all out in 28.2 overs.

Once again left arm spinner Javed Rasheed was the pick of their bowlers with 4-24 from eight quality overs while Mohamed 2-13 and Rajin Sookdeo 2-22 supported beautifully while Looknauth and Riyad Sattaur, snared a wicket each.

K. Mondisir made 43 for Diplomats in an ambitious knock.

Everest won the match by 256 runs to stay alive in the tournament.

In other results at the weekend reigning champions Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) defeated Diplomats, Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) defeated Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO), Guyana Defence Force (GDF) defeated Police, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) won against Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) and Sophia shocked GDF.

B

angladesh all rounder Shakib Al Hasan has said that getting used to the workload of a Test match will be his main challenge going into first Test against England at Chittagong on Thursday.

Although Bangladesh have named four spinners in their 14-man squad, Shakib - with 147 wickets in 42 Tests - is by far and away the most experienced member of a quartet that also includes Taijul Islam, Shuvagata Hom and the uncapped Mehedi Hasan.

Taijul did claim the remarkable figures of 8 for 39 to defeat Zimbabwe at Dhaka in 2014, but he managed a solitary scalpin his two most recent Tests against India and South Africa last year. Shuvagata hasn't convinced in his seven Tests, picking up eight wickets at a bowling average of 59.12; Mehedi is also an off spinner, and has taken 41 firstclass wickets at 23.48 but is completely unproven There is no substitute for experience at Test level. Meanwhile, and Shakib Al-Hasan with 42 Tests is ready for the English challenge the two-man seam attack has one rookie in Kamrul Islam Rabbi.

The thin look puts much pressure on Shakib, who has bowled marathon spells in Tests ever since Mohammad Rafique retired in 2008. He

will also be a vital source of runs in Bangladesh's middle-order.

"I think I will find out about my confidence when I get into the Test," Shakib said. "We are trying to be best prepared for the game. We haven't played a Test for a long time and I don't even remember the last time I played a longer-version match. So this is going to be a little difficult for me. To be honest, there isn't much to prepare for, since a lot of it is the mentality going into a Test match."

Since their last Test in July last year Bangladesh have played 27 international matches but also had to go through a pause of ten months between November 2015 and September this year to play ODIs. Shakib said that it took Bangladesh some time to get used the ODIs as well, despite their success in the format in 2015.

"We have also played ODIs after nearly a year and it took us twothree matches to get into the groove.

It is different to bat or bowl for a longer period, which in itself is a challenge," he said.

Shakib said that their bowling attack has the ability to bowl out a side twice in a Test match, provided they get some help from the pitch. "A lot will depend on the wicket. We usually try to play on flat surfaces in home conditions so that our batsmen can score runs.

"If the conditions favour our spinners and pacers, I think they have the ability to take 20 wickets. But it won't happen on a flat wicket," said Shakib. (ESPNcricinfo)

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

23

BCB/NBS 2nd Division

Tucber Park win nailbiting grand finale

O

n a day blessed with cloudless skies, Tucber Park of New Amsterdam prevailed over Rose Hall Town Bakewell by 6 runs in the final of the 2015 New Building Society Limited sponsored 40over second division cricket competition for teams in Berbice. As expected, the game which was played at the Mecca of Berbice cricket, the Albion Sports Complex, went down to the wire and was decided in the final over.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell won the toss and strangely choose to field

Another former national youth wicket/ keeper batsman, Hakeem Hinds joined forces with Deonarine and batted beautifully for a partnership of 51 before Hinds threw his wicket away for 27. In came young allrounder Chetram Persaud who ran well between the wickets with Deonarine to put on 45 for the third wicket before he went for 31. All along Deonarine stood like a rock.

In the quest for quick runs, Tucber Park lost wickets regularly and ended on 190 for 7 in their allotment of 40 overs. Deonarine top scored with a responsible 64 (5x4).

Narine was Rose Hall To w n

Steve Deonarine collects the Man-of-the-Match award for his match-saving innings

in scorching heat. Ameer Seecharran and national under 17 batsman Steve Deonarine opened the batting for Tucber Park and together put on 40 runs for the first wicket in 12 overs before the former went stumped by former national senior wicketkeeper/ batsman Delbert Hicks off left arm spinner Ravi Narine for 7.

Bakewell’s best bowler with 2 for 35 off his allotment of eight overs with Collis Butts, Khemraj Mahadeo and Michael Rengasami picking up a wicket each.

In reply, RHT Bakewell lost Berbice under 19 skipper Brandon Prashad for nought in the first over off former national under 19 pacer Niall Smith. Captain James Fraser, a

former Berbice senior opener joined opener Surendra Kissoondyal and together they put on 34 for the second wicket before national under 19 all-rounder Joel Seitaram caught Fraser in two minds to bowl him for 11. The hard hitting Mahadeo joined Kissoondyal but did not last long. He was caught at backward point off Seitaram for 10.

Hicks came to the crease but then lost his partner for a labored 23. Rengasami came and went for 10 with his team in trouble. However, Hicks was joined by Narine who took the attack to the bowlers, mixing solid defense with calculated aggression. They put on 47 for the sixth wicket before national under 15 all-rounder Leon Swammy bowled Hicks for 42. RHT Bakewell did not give up with Narine rallying with the tail. However, the youthful Tucber Park team held their nerves to bowl out RHT Bakewell for 184, to win by 6 runs.

Narine remained unbeaten on 45. Seitaram finished with 2 for 23, Swammy 2 for 25 and Smith 2 for 36.

At the post-match presentation ceremony, captain of the victorious Tucber Park team, Keon DeJesus collected the winning trophy and cash incentive of $60,000.00. DeJesus’ opposite number, James Fraser received the runner up trophy and $30,000.00. Young Deonarine was named man of the match and best batsman and Seitaram took the best bowler prize.

Speaking on behalf of the BCB, Angela Haniif thanked the teams that participated in the competition, the media, the umpires, Guysuco, Albion Estate and above all, The New Building Society Limited for sponsoring such a large tournament. She said that most if not all of the current national and West Indies senior and junior players from Berbice played in this competition some time in their career. Berbice manager of the NBS, Rana Persaud stated that his company has faith in the current BCB and will continue to support the game in the county and across the country.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016

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

Guyana female vollyball team fine tune preparation ahead of Friday's opening

Pg 22

Flores believes volleyball teams will be competitive Tucber Park win nailbiting grand finale Pg 23

A jubilant Tucber Park Captain Keon DeJesus collects the winning trophy from NBS Berbice Manager Rana Persaud in the presence of teammates, BCB officials and staff of NBS

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