Binder2

4-year-old undergoes successful spinal P14 surgery at GPHC Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2831

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Rice farmers burnt to death by bandits Page 17

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: $420M fertiliser deal

Cabinet approved without tendering

P3

... while other company offered cheaper price

Minister Harmon meets Linden’s new Mayor to discuss plans, challenges P12

– donates stove to Charles Roza School of Nursing

Rohee cautions against being sympathetic to prisoners P9 … “ we are inheritors of that” – Ramjattan

Media barred from prison CoI – Public Security Minister dodges P15 transparency question

Fire guts 2 Tucville homes P14

– 12 homeless

– botched robbery angered gunmen The burning home of Bibi Jamila Munir and Mohammed Munir (inset) on Sunday evening at Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) which was set alight by bandits

LBI operations shutdown

125 workers of 846 likely to be fired

Page 12

– operations to close by May month-end

US media censorship observation

PM claims that US wants to damage image of coalition Govt Page 16

Vendors P2 complain of derelict Stabroek Market wharf – awaiting repairs promised by Town Clerk

Former P8 Minister charged for breaching city’s by-laws

2 news

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Vendors complain of derelict Lindener remanded for Stabroek Market wharf causing Policeman’s – awaiting repairs promised by Town Clerk death

By Ramona Luthi

T

hree months after promising major upgrades at the Stabroek Market Wharf works are yet to commence.

In January Town Clerk Royston King had announced that there will be “massive upgrade” at the facility.

On Monday Guyana Times visited the wharf where vendors expressed disappointment that no such repairs had commenced and the wharf continues to dete-

riorate.

According to vendors and water taxi captains plying the Georgetown/Vreeden-Hoop route who use the wharf on a regular basis, their complaints continue to be ignored as no change or repairs are forthcoming.

“You know how much times we complain? Dem keep saying they gon fix it and all dem nice promises fuh the media, but nothin’ ain’t happening.’’

One vendor near the wharf said he fears for his life daily, as the rotting

Rusted zinc structure that serves as part of the roof

A

Blueberry Hill, Linden man was on Monday slapped with a causing death by dangerous driving charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Ron Cole was slapped with the charge which stated that on April 11, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, he drove his motor car GRR 9355 in a manner danger-

Dead: Police Constable Kelvin La Fleur

Rotted boards that make up the Stabroek Market Wharf

boards and posts could collapse at any time. He however pointed out that this is his only means of income and has no other choice but to continue vending at the location.

“Watch dem boards hay.

If yuh too heavy, yuh go fall through. Yuh ga fuh tek yuh time and watch every board wen yuh walking. One slip up and yuh fall,” the worried man said.

Other vendors complained that because the structure is derelict heavy winds usually cause zinc sheets from the collapsed roof to fall.

“Wen breeze blow hard, yuh ga’a move way fast cause the zinc might fall and chop yuh,’’ one vendor said.

The vendor added that some parts of the roof were just patches made with old rusted sheets which does

not prevent rain from beating down on their stalls.

“Watch da ting dem call roof? That is a danger hazard. Plus it ain’t even stopping the rain from coming in.’’ It was demonstrated by one man that some boards were not even nailed and would sometimes raise on one end when a person stepped on it.

Walking along the wharf, persons pointed out the rotted boards and wide spaces between some boards. They added that persons could quite possibly fall into the river, if they do not look where to walk. One man said, “Dem don’t listen to we. Wata falling all over.

It got big, big space weh we ga’a walk. But wa we gon do? We ga fuh mek a living somehow.’’

Meanwhile efforts to contact the Town Clerk proved futile.

Charged: Ron Cole

ous to the public, thereby causing the death of Police Constable Kelvin La Fleur.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the Court that the Policeman was at the time directing traffic when he was struck down by the 40-year-old defendant.

The 25-year-old La Fleur, who was attached to the Providence Police Station at the time of his demise, succumbed to the injuries three

days after the accident.

According to reports received, the traffic rank was in the process of crossing some schoolchildren when he was struck by the Canter truck which was overtaking another vehicle. Following the accident, La Fleur sustained injuries to both hands and a broken right leg. He was discharged from Georgetown Public Hospital, but owing to persistent pains, he was rushed back to the medical facility on Thursday morning. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

Prosecutor Jones objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence and the gravity of the penalty. He also related to the court that the case file was incomplete.

Magistrate McLennan has suspended the defendant’s licence.

The case will continue on May 6.

news

3

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, April 19 – 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, April 20 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, April 19 – 14:45h-16:15h and Wednesday, April 20 – 15:30h-17:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions can be expected throughout the day with light rain showers in the late morning into early afternoon. Cloudy skies are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 26 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.09 metres per second.

High Tide: 15:11h reaching a maximum height of 2:47 metres.

Low Tide: 08:46h and 21:02h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.73 metre respectively.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS M 04 05 07 11 15 17 08 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Monday, April 18, 2016

Daily Millions

11 19 23 25

02

LUCKY 3 0

9

4

Draw De Line 05 10

12 13 15

18 21

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

$420M fertiliser deal

Cabinet approved without tendering

... while other company offered cheaper price

O

ne of the biggest criticisms facing the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is its lack of transparency as it pertains to the administration of State affairs. Against this backdrop, information has surfaced which suggests Cabinet disregarded the accountable process of tendering in awarding a $420 million fertiliser contract to HDM Labs, although another company was offering to provide the fertiliser at a cheaper price.

HDM Labs had highlighted, in its cease-and-desist letter to Guyana Times, that the company’s President, Hardat Singh, during one of his frequent trips to Guyana “became aware that urea fertiliser being used by rice farmers were being sold at exorbitant prices, at the approximate price of G$5600$5800 per 50kg bag, and accordingly made contact with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture to offer for sale fertiliser at prices significantly below the then locally available market price, at approximately G$4160 per 50 kg 3 bag (i.e.

US$400 per metric tonne).

Naturally, given the fact that this significant price disparity in favour of local farmers was overwhelming, being more than 25% cheaper than was currently being retailed on the local market, the Permanent Secretary referred the matter to the Guyana Rice Development Board (“GRDB”)”.

It was further stated in the letter that “the GRDB accepted HDM Labs’ offer and on January 14, 2016 execut-

GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan

ed a contract with it for the supply of 5000 metric tonnes of fertiliser (the “Contract”)”.

The pertinent fact is that no one involved in the contract award can claim the requirement for an open bidding process was followed. The Procurement Act of 2003 (effected in 2004) in accordance with Section 16 (1) establishes the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) which is the body that “facilitate[s] the establishment and implementation of regulatory environment conducive to transparency, economy, efficiency, openness, fairness and accountability in public sector procurement”. It is through this body that the $420 million fertiliser contract should have been awarded, to the lowest appropriate bidder, after open, competitive and transparent bidding from different companies.

Furthermore, when this news agency spoke to GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan on the statements made by Singh, Hassan said:

“The GRDB entered into a contract with HDM Labs based on a Cabinet decision.

There was a Cabinet decision and based on that decision, the GRDB executed.”

One of the GRDB Directors, Jinnah Rahman, who in previous articles accused HDM Labs and its President, of being connected to the AFC, and being awarded the contract as a result, confirmed that the contract was not tendered for nor were the particulars released to the GRDB. Rahman outlined that the Board had wanted to help the farmers by providing some form of concessions and it was decided that the farmers should get cheaper fertiliser. Recommendations were made to the Agriculture Ministry, but it was later discovered that a contract had been signed between HDM Labs and the GRDB to supply the fertiliser at the price outlined above. “I understand that the matter went to the Cabinet and the Cabinet approved of this person, so the Board didn’t know who this person was before, it came to us as a surprise.”

What is worthy to note at this juncture is that another company, Nova Scotia Manufacturing Company Limited (NSMCL) had expressed interest since December 30, 2015 in supplying the fertiliser at a cheaper cost.

The Director of NSMCL, in a letter to the GRDB General Manager, which was copied to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, stated that

the company was offering to supply “6000 m/tons of Urea Fertilizer ex United States of America as a cost of GUY$3600 per 50 kg bag delivered at Friendship Wharf”. The company outlined further that the “contract can be done and signed today for supply of same” and the fertiliser would be delivered 8-10 days after loading.

NSMCL again sent a letter to the GRDB on January 11, 2016, three days before the contract was executed with HDM Labs, expressing interest to supply the fertiliser, the only difference being that when it arrived at the wharf “before breaking bulk”, the price would be G$3700 per 50kg bag.

It is not clear what HDM Labs price would have been when the fertiliser reached Guyana, but it would certainly not have been less than the G$4160 per 50kg bag.

What is clear, is that had the fertiliser contract been tendered and awarded to the lowest bidding competitive price, which in this case might have been NSMCL, the Government of Guyana could have saved G$470 on every 50kg bag of fertiliser (i.e. US$370 per metric tonne) or even more were other companies given the opportunity to bid.

HDM Labs has since said that its contract to supply the fertiliser is in “full force and effect”, although it is now four months after the signing and the company has missed the deadline to supply the fertiliser for the rice farmers to use, since their last crop. turn to page 8

4

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

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

Editorial

US Human Rights Report

T

he US State Department has just issued its latest annual Human Rights Report that is based on data from 2015.

As such, it evaluated the record of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government over the last six months of the year. With the new Government insisting its raison d’être was “change”, the Report offers a framework to examine what changes were instituted in this fundamental aspect of national governance.

One of the most strident criticisms by the present Government when in Opposition against its predecessor was its draconian control over the State media. Very little coverage was afforded to the Opposition and the bulk amounted to simply providing public relations for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

APNU/AFC’s Presidential Candidate David Granger explicitly declared there would be no place for State ownership of the media in his Administration.

However, the US Human Rights Report, Section 2.

Respect for Civil Liberties, specifically referring to “Freedom of Speech and Press”, points out: “Censorship or Content Restrictions: In August, the Prime Minister issued a directive that all headlines in the State-owned print media be first scrutinised and approved by his office before they are published. The directive was a response to a headline criticising the Government. The Prime Minister also serves as Minister of Information.”

The Report neglected to mention that the newspaper, the Guyana Chronicle, was forced to issue an editorial position agreeing with, and defending, the Prime Minister’s position on the role of the State media.

The coverage of the State newspaper became even more sycophantic following the Prime Minister’s directive and in fact, earlier this year, took it upon itself to actually photoshop a front page picture to “show” the President with a multiracial crowd. Maybe this may appear in next year’s report.

Another area on which the “government as opposition” had criticised its predecessor was in the ethnic composition of the Cabinet. Taking a stance that it was much more open about the reality of Guyanese voting along ethnic lines, the parties to the coalition were specifically constituted to address ethnic imbalances in representation. Under the category of “Elections and Political Participation”, the Report agreed with the above assessment and noted: “While supporters of the two major parties (the PPP/C and A Partnership for National Unity) were drawn largely from the Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese communities respectively, political party leadership was more diverse.

The Cabinet is also ethnically diverse, mirroring the ethnic makeup of the general population. Four Cabinet members are Indo-Guyanese, including the Prime Minister. The ethnically diverse National Assembly included several indigenous members. There were also two indigenous Cabinet ministers.”

But there are some ambiguities and contradictions in the above statement that need to be explicated. Firstly, President Granger had created 27 Ministries – three within a Ministry of the Presidency and 23 others. Secondly, he has made a distinction between “Senior” and “Junior” Ministers and claims that only the former – amounting to 16 persons – attend “Cabinet” meetings. Evidently, the Report is referring to the latter group. But four Indo-Guyanese out of a total of 16 or 25 per cent is not “mirroring the ethnic makeup of the general population” when that group constitutes 43 per cent of the population according to the last declared census.

If the total number of Ministers is considered, then the number of Indo-Guyanese increases to six. However, 6 out of 27 comes out to 23 per cent which makes the proportion even less representative.

Finally, in terms of “Representation of Women”, the Report noted: “The Constitution requires that one-third of each party list of electoral candidates be women” and “there were 16 women in the 65-member National Assembly”. It pointed out, however, as several NGOs had pointed out at the time, “President Granger named two women (or 13 per cent) to his 16-member Cabinet.”

It is clear that, as in several other areas of national life, the APNU/AFC Government has to pull its socks up.

A young lad discovers the horse power of the Police Force as an officer teaches him how to ride a horse at the Police Career Day held at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown (Dexter Ceres photo)

Alarm at the targeting of farming community by bandits Dear Editor, The Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) is outraged at the wave of attacks targeting the farming community generally, and the rice farmers specifically.

The first assault on rice farmers was the reneging by the government of a multiplicity of pre-election promises, which is now perceived as a ploy to win the votes of the farming community.

This was followed by the scandalous imbroglio of sole sourcing of fertiliser, using the farmers’ own money, as a payoff for political favours.

Then, seemingly in efforts to decelerate the unprecedented strides the industry has been making during the last administration, the Government rescinded the former Government’s waiver of VAT for heavy-duty capi-

tal equipment and imposed on the millers increased licencing fees for mills, costs which redounded to the beleaguered rice farmers.

Correspondingly and simultaneously, a wave of murderous attacks by the criminal fraternity has been launched against the populace, but seemingly especially targeting farmers, with rice farmers bearing the brunt of these attacks. This has implanted in the minds of farmers that they are being singled out for extermination in a bid to subsume the rice industry in particular, and the agricultural sector in general, in the national socio-economic demographics.

Rice farmers are a hardworking and hardy lot and they have sustained Guyana’s food security for generations.

The Munirs are no exception. Like most members of the farming community they worked since their childhood to better their circumstances and today, when they should be enjoying the fruits of their laborious life and great sacrifices they have been deprived of their lives in the most brutal fashion – being burnt alive with no hope of help, in their own home by psychopathic predators who feel entitled to wrest by force the fruits of the hard work of others.

The RPA family is mourning this great and tragic loss in their ricefarming community, especially the most brutal manner in the way this helpless elderly couple, who had barricaded themselves in a strong room for protection, were set ablaze by the beasts intent on murder.

It is public knowledge that the Munirs never kept money or any valuables in their home, and it is being conjectured that some motivation other than robbery is driving the crime-wave targeting this particular community across the country.

The RPA demands that the Security Minister take urgent and committed steps to find the perpetrators and protect the farming community and general populace from such murderous attacks in their own homes, and in the society at large.

On my own behalf, and on behalf of the RPA family, we extend condolences and express outrage of this heinous act in support of the Munir family.

Sincerely, Dharamkumar Seeraj General-Secretary RPA

Leguan road in deplorable state

Dear Editor, I am writing out of concern about a problematic issue that continues to affect the residents of Leguan for a number of years. I am referring to contractors who are awarded sea defence work on the island. These contractors in a very unscrupulous manner would damage infrastructure work on the island example roads, bridges and dams and leave without fixing them.

To my understanding a provisional sum is given to them to effect repairs to any damages that may occur during the course of their work. I would like to state clearly that at the end of the work the contractors in a subtle way would usually pack up their equipment and leave the island without effecting any repairs to the damages they would have caused. Such actions are causing hardship on the res-

idents to traverse the road.

I therefore call on the relevant authorities to ensure that these contractors do not get away with such barbaric actions.

We are grateful for the sea defence works being done, but I think it is time for the engineer, the sea defence board and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to ensure that the principles governing these contractors are implemented.

They should play a pivotal role in ensuring that the contractors abide by all rules and regulations as they strive to secure the sea defences.

These contractors must be held accountable for damages they are causing to the island.

Yours sincerely, Inshan Ayube Vice Chairman Region 3

Saddened by rice farmers' death Dear Editor, It is with a deep sense of sadness that Bibi Jamila Munir and Mohammed Munir met their end. The circumstances can only be described as barbaric and beyond human comprehension. Those

responsible for this dastardly act cannot be considered to be humans. These two persons have made significant contributions to community and the country. Their lost is a tremendous blow to the Muslim community, rice community

all across Guyana and more specifically those of Region Three. I pray that those responsible for this act face the full blunt of the law and are brought to justice speedily. We cannot continue to lose outstanding and remarkable as-

sets like these to the hands of barbaric animals. I pray that God grant the families and friends and wider community compassion and love.

Yours sincerely, Irfaan Ali

news

5

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Prison situation stable – Public Security Minister ...wardens seeking counselling – Director of Prisons

By Shemuel Fanfair and Joseph Allen

P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said on Monday that with the increased security at the Camp Street jail, the situation has stabilised. The comment came in light of security being beefed up at the prison after 13 of the 15 prison wardens reported sick apparently in response to the increasingly aggressive behaviour of inmates.

Ramjattan opined that the deployment of Army and Tactical Services Unit personnel was responsible for the restoration of Guyana Prison Service officers’ confidence.

“There is tremendous stability there right now. There are a lot of other things that we have to rectify; we still have to get trials called up,” Ramjattan stated.

Towards this end, the Minister posited that he was in communication with the acting Chancellor of the judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, to ascertain when the requisite arrangements for in-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

mates’ trials will commence.

“Those [prisoners] that are committed for High Court trials and those who are remanded For Preliminary Inquiries and also at the Magistrate’s level, it is something that we watch constantly, but it appears that there is a settling of the dust,” the Minister expressed.

One month has passed since the deadly Camp Street riot in which 17 inmates. Prisoners had set several fires inside the Capital A block of the penitentiary which housed high-

profile convicts and hardened inmates awaiting trial.

A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into what transpired and what mechanisms should be put in place to address the situation is currently under way.

Several prison wardens who were present during the deadly events and their aftermath have been left with lasting trauma. According to information reaching this publication, signs of recovery for many officers seem very far removed as they continue to suffer from flashbacks of their encounters with the prisoners.

When Guyana Times contacted Director of Prisons, Carl Graham for an update on the situation on Monday, he said officers present on that day were given counselling facilitated by the Social Protection Ministry.

He noted that the wardens could seek further counselling if they so needed. Graham opined that the prison was getting back to its normal state.

On April 14, the wardens who were expected on duty for the day shift reported

over.

He, however, noted that adequate temporary measures were in place to secure the facility.

President David Granger had last week convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee at the Ministry of the Presidency to discuss the prison situation.

This was in light of reports that drugs and weapons were thrown over the Camp Street prison walls.

The Camp Street Prison

sick, which led Graham to deploy temporary replacements from the Timehri and Lusignan Prisons. Prison wardens have been expressing fear for their lives as reports of abuses at the hands of prisoners continue to surface almost daily.

When he was asked if there was need for permanent measures to secure the jailhouse should the wardens decide to resign, Graham had said that he was confident that such drastic actions would not be taken by the officials. Graham had expressed confidence that none of the 13 prison war-

dens who had submitted seven-day sick leave certificates would quit the job. He insisted that these officers would return to work when their sick leave period was

6

tuesDAY, april 19, 2016

Page Foundation Motherhood, medicine, and mortality

guyana-times.com

– can good mothering protect against cardiovascular problems later in life?

By Romeo Vitelli, PhD

T

he emotional bond between mother and child plays a powerful role in emotional health and well-being as children grow into adults, but can it have an effect on whether they develop heart problems?

An intriguing new study by a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota suggests that it can. The study, which was recently published in the journal Health Psychology, uses data taken from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescents to Adult Health (also known as Add Health) to determine the impact of a strong maternal bond on whether or not participants develop cardiovascular problems later in life.

Add Health is a longitudinal study which follows thousands of participants beginning in early adolescence and continuing through to middle adulthood. Along with data on emotional and physical well-being, the research also looks at factors such as family relationships, romantic relationships, and ties to the community. Conducted in a series of “waves” starting with the 1994-1995 school year and continuing through to the latest wave in 2016 to 2018, the Add Health research project has already led to hundreds of research articles on a wide range of different topics relating to how emotional and physical health changes across the lifespan.

In this latest study, lead researcher Jenalee Doom of the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development and her co-researchers used Add Health data to assess how maternal warmth during adolescence affected later health.

They focused on cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is now the leading cause of death for men and women.

But why would maternal warmth during childhood help protect against heart disease later in

life? Research studies have already found a range of biomarkers associated with CVD that appear to be influenced by a strong maternal bond in childhood. These include blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol levels, cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels.

Adults who experienced secure attachments to their mothers as infants were also less likely to experi-

ence inflammation-linked conditions such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease than their counterparts who were insecurely attached as infants. A 35-year follow-up study by Gary Schwartz and Linda Russek found that 91 per cent of men without a warm relationship with their mother during early adulthood developed chronic disease (heart disease, hypertension, alcoholism) later in life. For those men who did have a warm relationship, only 45 per cent suffered from chronic illness decades later.

Other factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), gender, and family genetics have already been found to play a powerful role in later health. However, good maternal support seems especially important in protecting individuals who might otherwise be at high risk for disease.

This appears to be especially true for those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since growing

up disadvantaged means not having the financial and personal resources that can ensure good health, strong parenting becomes even more important in protecting against disease. It’s hardly surprising that the greatest health risk is found in adults who had a childhood history of abuse and neglect.

To examine how a good mother-child bond during adolescence can protect against CVD risk even decades later, Jenalee Doom and his fellow researchers studied over 11,000 Add Health participants who

met their research standards. These standards included having a maternal figure in the home during adolescence (whether a mother or a mother-substitute), having the maternal figure reporting on the quality of their relationship during adolescence, and taking part in the later four waves of the study. The mean age of participants at the time when they were first assessed was 15.3 and 28.7 during the fourth wave when CVD risk was examined.

As expected, results showed that a strong maternal bond during adolescence was linked to lower risk of CVD in later life. This relationship remained strong regardless of whether participants grew up in high or low SES households. Good maternal support was also linked to lower depression in later life though other factors such as financial stress were also important.

Still, the authors warn that this study has some major limitations, including the fact that it only studies the link between maternal support and health up to middle adulthood. How strong a maternal bond was during adolescence may become less important as people grow older. Even so, this study does suggest that good parenting is especially important during critical periods of development such as adolescence.

It can also mean that programmes encouraging better communication between mothers and their adolescents can yield important health benefits for the future.

While more research is still needed, there is already clear evidence that a good start in life can have a powerful influence on later life choices. Considering the financial and social costs associated with CVD and other forms of serious illness, the old adage that the best medicine in the world is a mother’s hug may be more accurate than you think. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

ways to talk so your children will listen (Part 4) 13. Give notice. If your child is fully engrossed with something or an activity and it is time to move on or leave. Give them some advance warning so they get used to the idea. For example “George, it is nearly time to go.

Start saying good-bye to the puppy please”.

14.

Use enquirybased listening. Show your children that they have your full attention and you care enough to listen to them. Reading the paper, vacuuming and working on the computer are too distracting to give your children your full attention.

If you really cannot talk at that point, don’t pretend to be listening. Promise them a time when you can listen and be sure to follow through. Show that you are interested in what they have to say by using inquiry based listening. This is when you respond to them with words that encourage more conversation. For example “Sounds like you’re saying…….” Or “How did that make you feel?” or “Do you mean……?”

15. Make time for one-on-one conversations. This is especially important if there is quite an age gap between your children. Sometimes older siblings talk over the top of the younger ones, and sometimes the younger ones just prefer to let the older siblings do all the talking.

Conversations with older siblings can sometimes be over and above the younger children level of communication. Plus older siblings require stimulating conversations where they can learn and inquire for more information.

Therefore, try to get some one-to-one time with your siblings alone at different times so you can really talk at their level and use appropriate vocabulary. It might just be while walking to the park, reading a book together before bed, or driving to get an ice cream. It doesn’t have to be structured time, but make quality use of opportunities as they arise. (Excerpt

from childdevelopmentinfo.com)

to be continued

news

7

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Rohee cautions against being sympathetic to prisoners … “we are inheritors of that” – Ramjattan

By Devina Samaroo

C

autioning that nothing good could be achieved once criminals feel empowered, former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Monday expressed concerns that the David Granger-led Administration may be too sympathetic towards prisoners.

Following the threeday deadly rioting at the overcrowded Camp Street Prisons, much focus has been placed on management of the facility and the conditions prisoners are exposed to.

Lots of developments have occurred since the unrest, including government ministers negotiating with prisoners and the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to listen to the views of prisoners with the objective of determining what exactly triggered the mayhem; and to make recommendations to prevent a repeat of the situation.

Prior to these developments, President David Granger had pardoned 52 prisoners who were convicted of “minor, nonviolent” offences, and he has every intention of continuing this tradition.

However, Rohee is worried that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition is being too sympathetic towards the prisoners, which he suspects could be the reason for many of the problems that are ongoing at the penitentiary, including the absenteeism of practically 80 per cent of prison wardens.

“Why do you think this large amount of officers re-

A scene during the three-day deadly prison riot at the overcrowded Camp Street jailhouse

ported sick? It’s because it appeared to them, and perception is very important in a prison, that the Administration is more sympathetic to the prisoners…” he presumed.

Rohee pointed out that prisoners are not senseless, and will capitalise on any opportunity that works to their advantage.

“One has to be careful that you don’t send the wrong signal to prisoners. If you only give the prisoners (the impression) that you are 100 per cent sympathetic to them, and you set up an internal mechanism to negotiate with prisoners… so when civilians introduce themselves into that situation and begin negotiating with prisoners and then we have at the same time the press carrying reports from the CoI that all appear to be sympathetic to the prisoners, and all these things are filtering their way into the prison; and persons are reading them, they get the feeling that, you know, these people are sympathet-

ic to us and we are on the right track,” the politician explained.

In this regard Rohee chided the move by government to dispatch two senior cabinet members (Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and State Minister Joseph Harmon) to facilitate discussion with the prisoners as a tradeoff for them to stop rioting.

“That visit between those two men were not helpful. If they want to negotiate, they should do so through the directorate of the prisons, speak to the prison officers and get their views or through the visiting communities,” he noted.

Rohee conceded that management of the prison system is a complicated task, especially in light of the many challenges that arise.

Rohee explained that as Home Affairs Minister, there was a solid human resource structure which would seek to address problems as they arise within the prison service.

He said he would meet with the Director of Prison weekly to discuss the number of challenges faced during the management of the system.

Additionally, he said there are sitting committees comprised of civilians who would visit the prisons to host statutory meetings and subsequently report to the Home Affairs Ministry their observations and what they felt were required for rectification.

He noted too that there were annual meetings with all of the visiting committees to formulate general plans for all prison locations as well as solutions for peculiar problems.

Regardless of the firm human resource structure, Rohee pointed out that there was still a shortage of human resources (trained prison officers) – a problem the current administration has since pledged to address.

Rohee posited that not long before the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) departed executive office, Cabinet approved the establishment of a recruitment and training board to hire individuals to work within the prison service.

“The individuals recruited were interviewed by a board of civilians, that was no longer the hierarchy of the prison,” he stated.

Another problem, he explained, was striking an ethnic balance in the prison service.

“Up to this day, it remains a challenge. How it is to be address is left to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS). I don’t think it could be done through political interference; the policy was already laid down based on what the Disciplined Services Commission Report said, and this was approved in the National Assembly as well,” he stated.

Other challenges were in relation to the special watch prisoners who are the most dangerous criminals along with the overcrowding.

One of the measures to address the overcrowding was the effective functioning of a Parole Board which would oversee all applications by prisoners for parole – which only applied to prisoners who completed one third of their sentences.

Remission varying from three months to one year was another measure in place to overcome overcrowding.

Placement on bail and community services sentencing were also implemented.

Generally, Rohee posited that the previous administration was on the right track and he urged the current government to pick up

from where itleft off.

The prison reform plan outlined sweeping measures to be taken to address the number of issues affecting the efficient management of the prison service.

In essence, the Timehri Prison and Lusignan Prison would house first-offenders.

Also, the Timehri Prison was earmarked to become an industrial hub where the inmates would be engaged in activities such as masonry; and the Lusignan Prison would have placed much emphasis on educational reform.

Both the New Amsterdam Prison and the Mazaruni Prison were identified to become self-sufficient.

The New Amsterdam Prison was to be used mainly for poultry production, whereas the Mazaruni Prison would have focused on cash-crops and livestock.

Ramjattan responds

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan stated that Rohee should be the last person to talk about what needs to be done to effect prison reform, given that his administration’s 23 years of governance placed the prison service in the state it is in today.

“That same Rohee, had we not gone there, would have said ‘you know, they’re not taking a hands-on approach. And when you do take the hands-on approach, this is how he comes. Look, those fellas are what placed us in this almost disastrous, catastrophic situation.

Their absolute recklessness in how they managed the prisons have caused this and we are inheritors of that…” Ramjattan stated.

8 news

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Former Minister charged for breaching city’s by-laws

F

ormer Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill was slapped with a charge of breaching the City’s bylaws and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Edghill pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on March 17 at South Ruimveldt he covered the southern parapet of Sugar Cane Street with a derelict vehicle.

The Prosecution contended the vehicle was in a derelict state when the former minister was spoken to by a constable. It is alleged that the former minister admitted to being the owner of the vehicle and was given two weeks to remove it from the parapet.

In court on Monday, Edghill’s attorney Sase Gunraj challenged the charge on two grounds: one, that the definition of derelict vehicle in the charge

Former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill

was wrong; and two, if instituting such a charge the prosecution must be able to establish ownership of the vehicle.

However the prosecution in their argument stated that all four wheels of the said vehicle were deflated, hence it’s derelict state.

Edghill maintained that the vehicle is in full working order.

He was placed on selfbail and the case will continue on April 25.

City Constable, accomplice Kuru Cabinet remanded on B&E charge Kururu man approved remanded on drug charge without...

A

Seon Isaacs (left) and his alleged accomplice, Delmar Booker, being escorted to court by a City Constable on Monday

A

City Constable and his accomplice on Monday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Alex Moore charged for breaking and entering and larceny.

Seon Isaacs, 22, a City Constable, and Delmar Booker were both charged for the offence which stated that between April 13 and April 14 at Stabroek Market, they broke and entered an

electronics store and stole a quantity of items.

The articles valued in excess of $2 million are the property of Bhagmattie Haripershad.

It was reported that the two were caught red-handed by a passing civilian, who alerted the Police.

They were remanded to prison. The defendants will make their next appearance on April 29.

Kuru Kururu man on Monday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was allegedly busted by Police with cannabis.

Twenty-seven-year-old Andell Solomon of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 14 at Kuru Kururu, he had in his possession 1000 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the Court that the analysis report for the case was currently outstanding.

As such, Solomon was remanded to prison. The case will continue on May 12.

from page 3

The company President had even said that “HDM Labs made the necessary arrangements for 5000 tonnes of urea to be available at port for transport to Guyana, that cargo [is] currently awaiting approval from the GRDB to be shipped”.

This approval would appear to be up in the air at this time since the GRDB GM highlighted that “while payment for the fertiliser was by Letter of Credit established through a local commercial bank, the supplier requested that the Letter of Credit be irrevocable and transferable”. And this last requirement cannot be complied with by local banks because of local antimoney laundering laws.

As such, Nizam said: “GRDB continued to monitor the supply and prices of urea on the local market and has been in constant communication with HDM Labs Inc, since the supply of this commodity can no longer be considered urgent and immediate.”

Rice Producers Association General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj had alleged in a press briefing months ago that Cabinet approved a contract for the procurement of $420 million in fertiliser from a “known campaign financier of the AFC/APNU coalition”. He also alleged that the contract was not tendered nor advertised and Government’s actions were “in direct contravention of the laws, norms and conventions applicable to the acquisition of farmers’ inputs”.

HDM Labs and its President have since denied all the accusations levied against them by different personalities, including GRDB Director Rahman.

Singh had stated that he was not an “investor” nor “campaign financier” of the AFC or APNU, but a “philanthropist” and neither himself nor “HDM Labs have been subject to investigations, or involved with or accused of money laundering, fraud or otherwise since the formation of HDM Labs or at all”.

Eyew tness

Trusted...

Y

...Trader?

up! That's the name of a programme our Minister of Business has come up with to speed up the processing of our imports. To tell the truth, we wish he'd come up with something to speed up the processing of our exports – since this would mean foreigners are buying our "stuff" and willing to spend foreign money for it. And...you know... create that virtuous cycle of mo' production and mo' jobs and mo' happiness all around.

But hey! We gotta take what we get, no? So back to the "Trusted Trader", which – to be honest again – immediately struck your Eyewitness as an oxymoron. No – we're not commenting on the Minister's intelligence, OK? Just that the elements in his expression appear fatally contradictory.

Quick now...have you EVER come across – or even read about – a trader who's HONEST? Let's cut to the quick about a few things about business in general – and then trading in particular. Of course, we've heard about "honest businessmen", haven't we? But all that means is some businessmen'll "honestly" interpret the rules of the game (and they do see business as a game!) to ensure they make the greatest amount of profit. And it's because of this nonnegotiable rule that another rule has come down to us down the ages – "CAVEAT EMPTOR": buyers beware. NOT "Buyers trust".

And when it comes to the business of trading, you have to be on your guard in spades. While this is true everywhere – in Guyana this isn't a theoretical issue – but an empirical one. And we're not even thinking of the businessman who'll "try a thing". In Guyana, it's the gatekeepers at Customs, or the airport or wherever there's a gate who'll put the squeeze on the businessman or Trader. And which one of these worthies will refuse?

Not because the propositioned businessman is necessarily of pristine puritanical purity – but because he's caught in one of the oldest dilemmas when making a choice where others also are confronted with the choice. It's called "prisoner's dilemma". Basically the businessman might as well cut his deal since he has to assume while HE may be a paragon of virtue – his competition certainly aren't. And if he passes on the offer and his competitor doesn't – he's doomed.

So Minister Gaskin should quit blowing a gasket because someone suggested his "Trusted Trader" isn't just an oxymoron – but in reality will simply increase corruption.

We can just see all the big ones who've been greasing palms all along being signed up as "Trusted" because their copy books are free of blots.

And the new kids on the block have to "prove" themselves as their goods rot on the wharves.

...to rile up?

Your Eyewitness will be the first to admit that Prezzie's avuncular demeanour and his obvious desire to do better are a positive development for politics in Guyana. But "demeanour" has to be matched at least by rhetoric – don't you think? – to say nothing about that clincher called "action". So it was quite difficult to read the following statement as Prezzie visited the community of Fyrish on the Corentyne. And if you know ANYTHING about the Corentyne, you'd know that it's different ethnically than, say, Whim.

Said Prezzie – "When this community developed, it was the fruit bowl of the Corentyne. Even when Black Bush Polder was opened for the first time, they got their planting materials and their seedlings from Fyrish. But now we have seen that other communities which have benefited from the beneficence and generosity of Fyrish seem to be overtaking Fyrish in prosperity.”

And Black Bush Polder, you would also know is just like Whim. Isn't Prezzie's juxtaposition just a wee bit divisive?

...Minister of Security

Looks like the guests at 12 Camp Street really took to heart Minister of Security Ramjattan's speech that was so full of empathy for their "sufferations".

Shouldn't he return and empathically ask them to stop roaming the yard and return to their rooms and better meals?

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

news

9

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

APNU/AFC “knocking $25M set aside for night court arrangements from pillar to post” – Rohee A

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has been criticised by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee for its abysmal failure to implement a clear-cut economic plan and social model to improve the livelihood of the Guyanese working class.

“The APNU+AFC coalition administration has been knocking from pillar to post in an aimless attempt to find an appropriate development model to build on what the PPP/C left behind for the advancement of the socio-economic development for Guyana.

Thus far, it has failed ignominiously to do so,” he told a news conference at Freedom House Monday.

During the press conference Monday morning, Rohee concluded that the government has no interest in focusing on economic and social development but rather on meaningless projects including beautification and celebratory initiatives.

“The Granger administration for its part, rather than focusing on economic and social development to benefit the Guyanese working people, resorts to stealing votes at both the General and Regional as well as the Local Government Elections, beautification, celebratory and alternative capital projects in an effort to show that they are different from the PPP/C as if such projects really matter,” Rohee stated.

Rohee also posited that the persistent corruption scandals rocking the Granger administration has resulted in growing disillusionment and dissatisfaction on the part of its own supporters in particular and the Guyanese people in general.

He said the socio-economic model based on the programmes and policies of the PPP/C served to sustain persistent growth rates resulting in consistent improvement in the lives of the Guyanese working people in general but more particularly, for single-parents, pensioners, young Amerindians and workers in general.

Rohee reminded that President David

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

Granger had promised to craft a long-term national economic strategy but to date, nothing of the sort has been presented.

“Nothing of the sort has come to pass though almost one year is nearing with the APNU+AFC in government. Instead, all that has happened is the snatching of votes from the electorate, the monstrous salary increases, racial and political discrimination, corruption scandals, victimisation and the persistent witch-hunting of persons who do not please the Granger administration politically nor ethnically,” Rohee stated.

He also reminded that during his inauguration, President Granger had stated, “The fight against poverty cannot be won through handouts but through providing jobs.”

But Rohee pointed out that contrary to his declaration, “Granger himself has been handing out buses, bicycles and boots while at the same time neglecting large numbers of young people, some of whom “Voted like a Boss” hoping for change but who, much to their regret have not seen any benefits coming their way since the APNU+AFC assumed office.”

And Rohee predicted that nothing better will come once the APNU+AFC continues to govern the nation.

pproximately $25 million has been allocated to facilitate night court sessions, which are expected to commence in a matter of weeks.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan told media operatives on Monday that while certain terms were yet to be determined, Government has set aside a huge sum of money to cover the expenses of this undertaking.

“The Minister of Finance (Winston Jordan) has allocated a sum in the vicinity of $25 million for this kind of arrangement…I don’t know if that will be sufficient, depending on how many Magistrates we appoint,” he explained.

Initial reports had suggested that there would be five temporary Magistrates appointed to man the night court.

Ramjattan noted that the

The sum of $25 million has been set aside for night court arrangements

Judicial Services Commission would have to convene a meeting to appoint the Magistrates.

Government took a decision to introduce the night court system in an effort to dispose of the huge back-log of cases that have kept inmates on remand for years.

This initiative is part of a package of prison reforms taken by the Administration following the deadly prison riot at the Camp Street pen-

itentiary which claimed the lives of 17 inmates.

Presently, Magistrates open their courts from 09:00h and close at 14:00h, Monday to Friday.

According to reports, the night courts will be opened from 16:00h to 20:00h, Monday to Friday.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh had suggested that this initiative last for a period of six months.

2015 murder accused “Baggie” arrested at Haslington, ECD

G

Patrick Boodie

ariban Ali, 21, called “Bagie”, wanted for the murder of Patrick Boodie, which occurred on April 15, 2015, at Levi Dam, New Amsterdam, Berbice was arrested over the weekend at Haslington, East Coast Demerara.

At the time of his arrest, he had 7.7kg of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times the suspect is being grilled in connection with the two offences. turn to page 10

Gariban Ali

10

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, april 19, 2016

News Coverden fatal accident

Driver of SUV remains in hospital – Police moving full steam ahead to institute charges

E

ven as Jason Bhaskaran remains in serious condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Police are moving full steam ahead with regard to instituting charges in connection with the deadly smash-up at Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Sunday morning.

Guyana Times understands that the Police have completed their investigations and the file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

According to information reaching this newspaper, the injured Bhaskaran will be held liable for the deaths of Rudolph Bess, 22, of Lot 220 Kaneville, EBD and Hansranie Persaud, 15, of Grove Housing Scheme, EBD. The driver, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, reportedly left his lane to dodge a drop in the roadway, which caused the accident. From reports gathered, several empty beer bottles spun out of the vehicle as it toppled. This newspaper was told that the young man was returning from a wedding to his Track “B” Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara home on the

Book Review: Hillary McD Beckles, Britain’s Black Death: Reparations for Caribbean Slavery and Genocide, Kingston: University of the West Indies Press, 2013.

G

Dead: Rudolph Bess

Dead: Hansranie Persaud

Injured: Jason Bhaskaran

fateful morning.

This publication also understands that the now dead teen girl had sneaked out of her mother’s house to join her friends at one of the blackwater creeks on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The grandmother of the dead teenager at the scene was overheard taking about her wayward behaviour.

Based on reports received, the teenager was having an affair with Bess which the family was against. In addition, her relatives had already packed her bags and were willing to send her off with the young man if she had persisted.

On the morning of the accident, Bess and Persaud were returning from a party in Soesdyke on a motor-

cycle and in the vicinity of the Kaylee’s Service Station, the SUV which was driven

by Bhaskaran slammed into them after swerving from a dip in the road.

The motorcycle, along with the two now dead people, was forced into the vehicle driven by Yolanda Fraser-Patterson. She was returning to her Paradise, East Coast Demerara Home with her husband after dropping off a relative at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Her husband, Joseph Patterson reportedly told Police ranks that the accident happened in a “flash”, recalling that he and his wife were chatting when the motorcycle came crashing into them.

As a result of the impact, both Bess and Persaud suffered severe injuries that resulted in parts of their bodies being torn off and scattered on the roadway. Bhaskaran meanwhile lost control of the SUV which toppled several times causing him to incur severe head injuries.

The Guyana Fire Service had to be summoned to the scene to assist in removing the drivers of both vehicles. Fraser-Patterson, her husband and Bhaskaran were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, but were transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Bhaskaran and the injured woman remain patients at the medical facility, while Patterson was treated and sent away.

2015 murder... from page 9

He is expected to be charged with murder, as well as possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The wanted man is accused of chopping to death Boodie, 38, of Levi Dam, Mount Sinai, Berbice, during a confrontation with some men at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

It was reported that Boodie and his brother had cleared a piece of land next to a fenced area owned by a man known as John. After clearing the land, they lit a fire which apparently spread to John’s place and he became angry.

Boodie allegedly went into John’s yard to investigate and as he wended his way in he was chopped. He then shouted for his brother who came running to his assistance, but he too was attacked and chopped several times about the body.

Boodie fell into a shallow drain and as he clambering out, he was shot by Ali, brother of John.

However, residents had related that there was a fight, with the now dead man attacking John with a pitchfork while his brother used a cutlass. According to residents, it was at this point that John’s brother came to the scene and began shooting.

Boodie was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The police had subsequently issued a wanted bulletin for Ali in July, 2015.

After almost a year on the run he was finally arrested at a house in Haslington.

iven the recent discussions in the letter columns of the dailies on reparation, I thought my review of the above book might be useful.

Over the past three decades or so, there have been a number of organisations, associations, countries, regions, and conferences on reparations for African slavery in the Americas.

However, the call for reparations was uncoordinated and fragmented among the aforementioned institutions and agencies.

Not until the UN conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa in 2001 that a sound platform for reparations became a serious issue.

Government officials, delegates, activists, representatives as well as academicians from the world over, including Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe, Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine attended this conference.

Various positions for and against reparations were discussed and debated.

Professor Beckles’ book builds on this conference and intensifies the call for reparation in the British Caribbean, home to a majority of Africans.

Beckles presents a compelling case for reparation in which he argues that Britain and other European slave regimes should take responsibility, apologise, and pay reparation for three centuries of African enslavement in the Caribbean.

Beckles uses international law as well as morality and argues impressively that African enslavement in the Caribbean was a crime against humanity. He posits further that the link between slavery and the continuous harm and hurt of the descendants of Africans is still prevalent in the Caribbean.

While Beckles’ case for reparation is impressive, one is forced to ask whether the call for reparation will receive support and whether former slave regimes in Europe and in North America will answer in the affirmative. Caribbean countries have wholeheartedly supported reparation through Caricom.

Most African countries have followed the position of Caribbean countries but some have rejected the idea on the basis that there are pressing issues to be dealt with in Africa.

Some African countries have taken a neutral position on reparation.

The United States and former slave regimes of Europe and the European Union have rejected reparation. They stated that they will not apologise or pay reparations for African slavery in the Americas because slavery was a legal institution, and therefore they should not be held accountable for a situation that occurred a long time ago. They argued also that slavery was too remote for any recuperative strategy.

Furthermore, “Officials of the British state have also suggested that even if one accepts that a crime against humanity has been committed, the challenge of meeting reparation case is impossible owing both to enormity of the slavery system and to the impossibility of crafting a reparatory response that would be meaningful and would bring closure to the case” (p 167).

The United States condemned African slavery but refused to accept one nation holding another financially liable for a historical situation that happened a long time ago. Britain offered a statement of regret and deep sorrow but refused to apologise or pay reparation for African slavery in the Americans.

What is sad and disappointing when reading the conversations for and against reparation is that the delegates who represented and spoke on behalf of former slave regimes (the United States and Britain) were of African descent.

For example, Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, and Condoleezza Rice, a national security advisor, spoke against reparation.

Beckles’ contribution is not so much that he shows former slave regimes are reluctant to apologise or pay reparation. This is expected because to apologise for slavery would mean guilt and subsequent financial compensation which amounts to 7.5 trillion pounds.

Beckles has done remarkably well to first, have contemporary leaders of former slave regimes recognise and respond to the horrors of slavery, and second, to mobilise and internationalise the call for reparation.

Because of Beckles’ book, the call for reparation, like slavery, is the newest common thread that binds Africa and the African Diaspora. One suspects that the call for reparation will persist, and perhaps someday it will be decided in the international court of justice.

Meanwhile, the book will be useful to professionals, researchers, and to the descendants of African slavery in the Americas (Lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu). Review was first published in the Journal of Third World Studies (2015)

tuesDay, APRIL 19, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

Crabwood Creek murder

Kitty Market rehabilitation

Vendors peeved at Suspect arrested slow pace of works at Moleson Creek B

By Rennella Bourne

V

endors of the Kitty Market, which is currently under renovation, have expressed frustration at the slow pace at which the work is being carried out, since it is affecting their businesses.

Rehabilitation works on the dilapidated market got underway some two months ago, after many years of neglect. Vendors had been relocated nearby to facilitate the process.

However, according to them, the process seems to be taking “too long” to be completed.

Guyana Times visited the market on Monday, where vendors, who were relocated to the eastern side of the market, related their distaste for the temporary location.

According to one of the vendors, C Persaud, the process seems to be moving at turtle pace much to their discomfort.

“I don’t know when they will finish for us to go back in there. Don’t you see they have not gone anywhere with the top much less to start the bottom and that is where we have to go,” Persaud said.

He added that he and the other vendors were relocated on February 5 and were told that they would be able to access their new stalls in May. As one vendor who asked not to be named said, “It

Ongoing renovation work at the Kitty Market

looks like Christmas will come and reach us here and pass us too.”

During the visit on Monday, this publication noticed that several stalls were unoccupied as a result of the heavy downpour on Monday.

According to the vendors, the temporary location is costing them dearly since they are not getting adequate sales to sustain themselves and families.

“I did not get a sale for the day here and people don’t even know where we are; I have to be looking for customers on the road to catch my hand a little,” another vendor told this newspaper.

Vendors complained too that the small spaces they were allotted at the temporary relocation area are preventing them from displaying their goods hence hampering their sales.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) had estimated that the rehabilitation of the landmark would take three to five months to be completed.

The Kitty Market was established in 1882 at the railway line. In 1970, it was extended after it was taken over by the M&CC. The Market was meant to be utilised by Georgetown’s Atlantic Coast neighbourhoods in the city’s east

Mocha mechanic’s killing

Ongoing feud led to murder – suspect A fter almost one year on the run, Kenkassie Lynch – the main suspect in the murder of 23-year-old Terrence Lanferman, who was shot dead in his home in Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara – was arrested.

He is expected to make his first court appearance today.

The suspect, according to reports, has confessed to murdering the mechanic on the night of June 1 at Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia. He also implicated a cousin of his, whose name has been given only as “Birdman”.

Lynch allegedly told investigators that he killed the man as a favour for his cousin, since the two had an ongoing feud.

It was reported that Lanferman, who was

Dead: Terrance Lanferman

known to Police, was shot dead, execution style, while in his home at 127 Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia.

According to reports, the young man was playing music at a high volume in the lower flat of his house when the lone gunman, later described as being dressed in a black coat, en-

tered the yard and proceeded to his front door.

Further reports indicated that the gunman then knocked on the door. It was after Lanferman opened the door that he was shot, about four times to the chest.

A neighbour said that immediately after the shooting, the gunman was seen fleeing the scene. The neighbour related that upon seeing the man and realising that Lanferman had been shot, another resident gave chase on a bicycle, but the gunman, who had apparently parked his CG motorcycle that had no registration plate one corner away from the home, jumped on the motorbike and made good his escape.

Even as Police are expected to charge the young man today, they are on the hunt for “Birdman”.

end including Bel Air, Campbellville and Prashad Nagar.

asheer Harinauth, also called “Bouy”, who was wanted for the murder of Corentyne businessman Shameer Ally, called “Kazac”, was arrested at Moleson Creek on Monday. He is expected to be arraigned with murder at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

Ally’s body was discovered by Police lying in a pool of blood at his home at Grant 1805 Weld Tank Dam, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on October 24, 2015.

Reports are Police were investigating a report of threatening language and damage to property and had gone to Ally’s home.

After calling out for Ally for some time without any response, the Police Officers ventured into the yard and made the discov-

Dead: Shameer Ally

ery.

It was reported that Ally and the suspect had an argument over a longstanding dispute and Ally had gone to his home at Lot 15 Grant 1805 and damaged several windows.

Police investigations had led to the arrest of two men, but they were subsequently released.

12 news

tuesDay, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

LBI operations shutdown

125 workers of 846 likely to be fired

– operations to close by May month-end

T

he Guyana Sugar C o r p o r a t i o n (GuySuCo) plans on completely shutting down the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Sugar Estate and merging its existing operations with the Enmore Estate by May 31, 2016.

This is according to a brief from the Sugar Corporation to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on the integration of the East Demerara Estates.

Some 125 of the 846 workers attached to LBI Estate are at risk of losing their jobs since the functions they currently carry out are expected to be merged with that of Enmore Estate The statement explained that the LBI section has 846 employees from which 125 are duplicating functions that are currently being undertaken at Enmore. These include personnel in the Mill Dock, Field Workshop, Field Laboratory, Field Office, and Stores.

The breakdown shows that 58 persons work in Mill Dock, 38 in Field Workshop and the remaining 29 is split in the Field Laboratory, Field Office, and Stores.

Approximately 721 are

LBI Estate to be completely closed by the end of May

working at both the LBI and Enmore sections, primarily in harvesting and crop husbandry areas, therefore it is presumed that these jobs are secured.

GuySuCo explained that the number of employees who will be fired will be determined after filling existing vacancies at Enmore Estate; however the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial

and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) had expressed concerns that full-time and regular employment will be unavailable.

The Sugar Corporation explained to the agriculture minister that the LBI Factory was closed in March 2011 as a part of a plan to integrate the East Demerara Estates into one production entity to optimise the use of the limited pool of labour.

The corporation further explained that both estates,

at the time, were significantly underutilised as a result of shortage of field labour.

It also pointed out that for integration to make sense, the duplicated activities (which were the remaining operations at LBI Estate) would need to be rationalised.

GuySuCo said this should have been done since 2011; however because it was not completed, the results were further deterioration in the economics of the

East Demerara operations.

“The East Demerara Estate’s cost of production increased from US26 to 30 cents per pound prior to the closure of the LBI Factory to US41 cents per pound after the closure, peaking at US54 cents in 2013,” it stated.

Consequently, GuySuCo said it behoves the current management to expedite the completion of the integration of the Enmore and LBI Estates to try and prevent sugar production in East Demerara from going out of existence in the near future.

The sugar entity also noted that the Mill Dock operation is only necessary where there is a factory and in the case of LBI Estate, its existence is basically useless.

“Retaining it for the past 5 years represents keeping approximately 58 persons on the payroll with no productive work to do and transporting canes from the LBI cultivation to the Enmore factory in a more costly manner,” GuySuCo said.

Meanwhile, GuySuCo and the two unions are currently in discussion aimed at having the process completed by the end of May, 2016.

However, GAWU and NAACIE are completely against this decision and had asserted that GuySuCo had gave its assurance that there would be no closure of any other department after the closure of the factory in 2011.

Earlier this year, GuySuCo announced the closure of Wales Estate by yearend and that some of the workers would be deployed to the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate while the others would be redundant.

GuySuCo and agriculture ministry are yet to devise a plan for the future of affected sugar workers.

Notably, the closures of both estates follow assurances by the government that no estate will be shut down anytime soon.

In fact, following the announcement on the closure of Wales Sugar Estate, government promised that no other estate would be shut down.

The closures also come on the heels of a multimillion dollar Commission of Inquiry report which advised against the closure of any sugar estate or operation at this time.

Harmon meets with Linden’s new Mayor to discuss plans, challenges – donates stove to Charles Roza School of Nursing during visit

M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon met with recently-appointed Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland on Monday to facili-

tate discussions on the way forward in fostering growth and development.

Holland engaged the Minister in discussions on what the Council has in

place to evolve the town into a modern city that is self-sustaining.

The new Mayor said that although the Council has only been serving Linden for a short span of time, it was obstinate in its goal of transforming the large mining town.

He informed that plans have already been engineered for this cause and the Council would continue to be unyielding in its objective.

During the meeting, Holland also briefed Harmon on the Council’s plans for farming in the town, which would be revived through strategic planning and rehabilitation of the prominent markets, including Wismar’s.

Also on the agenda was transforming the mining town into one that facilitates the thriving of businesses to ensure consistent economic growth.

This will be achieved by promoting entrepreneurship which would be effective in boosting the economy in the short and long term, as well as creating more jobs.

Mention was also made of reforming the infrastructural sector, addressing the re-

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during his meeting with Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland

quirements of acquiring housing at an affordable price and supervising the human and natural resources in line with the town’s expansion.

Holland said the town of Linden would also be joining the rest of the country, including Bartica, on the drive to ‘green’ Guyana, one of the President’s goals.

“It is our top priority to make Linden a green town and we have a roadmap. Some of the things we have in train

are waste management, which we want to carefully reconstruct. We want to do waste to energy instead of simply disposing waste; develop landfill development strategies; find alternative energy solutions – we are looking at hydropower given the many falls, which we have around,” the Mayor said.

Meanwhile, in a visit to the Charles Roza School of Nursing in Linden, Minister Harmon donated a six-burner gas

stove to the students during a simple presentation ceremony.

In brief remarks to the small gathering, Harmon related that he was aware of the inconvenience students faced owing to the lack of proper cooking equipment.

He added that the gesture was part of plans to reach out to the public and have positive influences to help boost people development which in turn will benefit the country.

News

13

tuesDay, APRIL 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

International Day of Monuments Minister Norton bemoans lack of professionalism at Georgetown, and Sites observances – National Trust launches Linden Heritage Trail publication

Diamond hospitals

By Rennella Bourne

P

I

The unveiling of the Linden Heritage Trail publication

n keeping with the observance of International Day of Monuments and Sites, the National Trust of Guyana (NTG) in collaboration with the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport on Monday launched the Linden Heritage Trail publication - featuring 48 pages of monuments and sites across the Linden community.

A ceremony was held at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Hall at Mackenzie, Linden to mark the occasion.

NTG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nirvana Persaud, board chairman Lennox Hernandez, Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland and Regional Vice Chairman Alroy Adolph were among the dignitaries present to witness the historic event, observed under Guyana’s 50th Jubilee theme, “Reflection, Celebration and Inspiration”.

During her remarks, Persaud said the National Trust was pleased to be a part of the publication, which features over 42 monument sites within the community. It also contains a corresponding map that contains the locations of heritage sites and the trail, which begins at Amelia’s Ward along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

In relating an overview, Persaud said the aim is to encourage locals in the communities and individuals to consider the importance

of cultural heritage to their lives.

“Our vision is that our heritage must be valued or preserved, our history recorded and our people inspired and empowered and I’m confident that this new publication fulfils this… With this special book-launch of the literary heritage of Linden… showcases the history of the Municipality… of cultural, historic, socio-cultural and national importance within the Municipality, including some sites which are no longer a part of the landscape of the locality, that have all contributed to the legacy of the township”, she related.

In his presentation Adolph thanked the National Trust for assisting in the preservation of the heritage sites, while emphasising the importance. He further encouraged those gathered, who also included school children, to not only read the publication, but visit the sites as well.

Meanwhile, Gordon who is a contributor to the publication, expressed disappointment at the small gathering which he referred to as a “sparse sprinkling of people”, as he noted that a lot of effort was put in by the National Trust in making the publication a reality.

He nevertheless provided lots of information on the history of Linden as a bauxite mining community, noting that the community’s heritage is extremely rich.

“Linden has and contin-

ues to have a very rich cultural and historical past which equates to any living space in this country of Guyana. We have to understand that this cultural heritage… is rich precisely because of the interwoven nature of the peoples of diverse backgrounds”, he noted.

Holland said there is need to promote Linden’s heritage and to connect the disconnected as the community showcases its wealth and heritage. In an effort to ensure this, he said he recently made a call for all public institutions in Linden to promote a part of the community’s heritage. “…Our heritage is our link to the future. It is our foundation and you cannot build without a foundation.

The future that we aspire to attain, it must be predicated on the solid foundation derived from our exemplary heritage of our people… our heritage is diverse and extensive and its influences are rich and deep…,” the Mayor related.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Morian, who indicated that young people should also be involved in the preservation of monuments and heritage sites.

Following the launch, Holland and Persaud unveiled the photographic scenery of sites contained in the Linden Heritage Trail, following which attendees were treated to a tour of the sites.

50th Anniversary Celebrations

$5M released to Region 10

R

egion 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) has received support for participation in Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary observances which include the restoring of historical sites, among other preparations.

For these preparations $5 million has so far been released, with $3 million set aside for participating in the float parade.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian said he will be approaching the Ministry of Social Cohesion, which also has a budget for the activity, while he also outlined plans to engage head of the Region’s Commemoration

Committee councillor Sampson and Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephen for suggestions on the way forward in getting a letter out to the Ministry.

It was noted with some concern by the town council that a regional clean-up

exercise and public washroom facilities were omitted from the budget. Sampson said there is much need for washroom facilities, more so across Linden, whether permanent or temporary, noting that it is necessary not only to facilitate the country’s Independence observances.

“With the 50th anniversary coming up, we are really seeing the need for the facility…”, he stated.

Given the added benefit of many people coming into the community for events such as the Linden Town Week and others, Morian reiterated the need for such facilities.

ublic Health Minister, Dr George Norton has registered his condemnation of the high level of unprofessionalism being displayed by staff at some medical facilities, including the country’s premier health institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Dr Norton’s comments came in light of a barrage of complaints about the manner in which patients were being treated by staff at medical facilities.

During an interview via phone with Guyana Times on Monday, the Public Health Minister said that he was doing everything in his power to rectify the situation, assuring this publication that he was working feverishly to rehabilitate the entire health sector.

According to the Minister, he has received several complaints not only about the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, but other public health facilities across the country.

“Presently, we are looking into changing the entire administration structure to prevent the inabilities of rendering assistance, especially in cases of emergencies,” Dr Norton disclosed.

The Minister was prompted to look into the sit-

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

uation at the Diamond medical facility after an asthma patient was allegedly barred from receiving oxygen and forced to wait for hours before receiving treatment.

He said they were currently investigating the complaint: “The complainants were instructed to submit two statements of what occurred and also the accused; we don’t want to make any hasty move, since we are already experiencing shortage of technicians, nurses and doctors; however, disciplinary actions will be taken against the guilty ones.”

“At this moment we are trying to introduce ethical and professional programmes at our health facilities so as to ensure health

practitioners are competent enough to deal with the public,” Dr Norton added.

The Minister disclosed that there was also a shortage of midwives at the Georgetown Public Hospital, as it needed at least 200, but there were only 38 at the facility. “[The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] GPHC had a record of 48 midwives last year, but due to staff meeting their retirement age, 38 midwives are what the Hospital is left with.”

“Despite the shortages of these health practitioners, those found guilty of displaying less than what is expected ethically will be subjected to disciplinary actions,” Minister Norton reiterated.

14

guyana-times.com

tuesDay, april 19, 2016

News

4-year-old undergoes successful spinal surgery at GPHC

D

octors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), have successfully performed surgery on a young child birthed with a spinal defect.

Young Stephon Bradford, 4, had been born with an infrequent defect where there was a mass growth on the outer part of his back that hindered many natural body processes and activities.

In usual circumstances, babies who are birthed with the defect are required to undergo immediate surgery to avert possible risk of death, but in little Stephon’s case his family had no choice but to wait due to the lack of medical personnel at GPHC in the field of neurosurgery

Little Stephon Bradford

to perform the sensitive operation.

The family had contemplated carrying the child overseas but could not afford it. Stephon’s family was left with no alternative but to support him through his illness as he daily struggled to

live his childhood with the defect.

Even though Stephon was not like other childern, since he required a lot more care, attention and resources, his family maintained the faith and continued to support him, ensuring that he led a somewhat normal life.

The family’s prayers were answered when one of Guyana’s neurosurgeons who had been studying abroad returned home to to serve his country in the medical field.

Dr Amarnauth Dukhi had come into contact with the young patient after his return and made all preparations to perform surgery on the child.

Speaking during an interview at GPHC on Monday,

Dr Dhuki told Guyana Times the child’s condition, medically, can be classified as a condition where the spinal cord and the nerves are located on the lower back of the patient.

This he said can cause major obstructions in body processes, including the inability to control intestinal and urinary functions.

Additionally, this has an extensive impact on the patients’ motor skills.

Through a complex surgery, a team of four medical practitioners led by Dr Dukhi were able to successfully place the spinal nerves back into the spinal column.

Dr Dukhi related that Stephon has already begun to show major improvement

Large business executive delegation to visit Guyana next month – excited about attending GuyExpo 2016

B

usiness executives from 28 United States (US) companies and three chambers of commerce set for a trade and investment mission to Guyana next month are impressed with the programme of meetings and activities being arranged, and are excited about viewing the products and services that will be on display at GuyExpo 2016.

In a statement, the team to be here from 10 to 14 May will be engaging government and the private sector, as well as US embassy officials, and visit to operations of local companies.

“I am really excited about this mission and look forward to learning more about the business opportunities that Guyana has to

offer. Even more exciting is that we get to view at a single event many of the companies operating in Guyana and hopefully will be able to speak with those whose operations fit our interests,” said Gary Arkin, president of Premiere Stoneworks, LLC of Delray Beach, Florida.

The mission will meet US Embassy officials on May 11, followed by meetings with Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, and a team from the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).

The team will then be engaged with the chairman of Ming’s Products and Services, Stanley Ming who will present his Guyana 20/30 plan.

Also on May 11, the team

will visit the headquarters of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat for a briefing on arrangements in place for intraregional and international trade.

The following day the mission will meet Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, who will provide an overview of Guyana’s Economy, followed by a meeting with Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“Visits are planned to a number of companies including Global Seafood Distributors, and the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) which will host a lunch in honour of the mission. Members of the mission will also attend the opening of GuyExpo 2016,” the statement said.

The statement added

that the companies represented on the mission have business interests here in agriculture and agri-business including shrimp farming; electronic assembly; telecommunications; light manufacturing; infrastructure including road and railway construction (BOOT model); tourism; real estate, housing development; transportation and logistics; the sourcing of Guyanese products for export, particularly seafood and the supply of raw material, equipment and other products to Guyana, the statement said.

Michael Young, executive director of the Belize American Chamber of Commerce of Florida was also impressed with the cal-

endar of activities.

“The programme is a very impressive one and demonstrates that Guyana is serious about business. I also find it a very novel idea to include a courtesy call on the leader of the opposition.

In the Caribbean especially, it is good to know the thinking of the opposition on business issues,” Young said.

Peter Yu, president of US-1America, Inc, who is also a leading member of the Taiwan Business Association of Florida says they are particularly interested in the advantages Guyana can offer in the area of electronic assembly and light manufacturing not only for the local market but for preferential access to international markets under special trade agreements.

“I am glad that there will be meetings with the necessary officials and with Caricom to learn more about these agreements and what percentage of the value of products must be local in order to qualify,” he said.

The mission is being mounted by Outreach Aid to the Americas, Inc’s (OAA), Caricom Outreach Programme and the newly established Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) Inc. Chairman of the board of directors of the GACC Oscar Spencer says the organisation views the visit as the first step in a process that hopefully would lead to mutually beneficial business relationships.

A retired senior official at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Spencer stressed that job creation is key to Guyana’s economic and social development and “investment and trade are critical to the job creation process.”

Coordinator of the mission, Wesley Kirton is thankful for the assistance being offered by a number of agencies and companies in an effort to make the mission a success.

“The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Business and Go-Invest as well as the Honorary Consul in Florida have been quite helpful as have some companies such as Suriname Airways and the Ramada Princess Hotel.

A number of government ministers and agencies I am assured will be available for one-on-one meetings with those businesses interested in the tourism, agri-business, public infrastructure, mining and other specific sectors,” said to Kirton.

He also pointed to the unique interest of one company - medical marijuana - which while having legal implications could result in significant job creation and revenue earnings for the country, not to mention the availability of prescribed marijuana-based medicines for patients.

“I saw their presentation last month to the Government of Belize and am of the belief that it is worth looking at. I made it clear to the company’s representatives that marijuana remains an illegal substance in Guyana but I see the value of making a presentation to the relevant authorities. It is expected that they will make the presentation to the Ministry of Health and the Attorney General’s Chambers and even possibly to the general public,” Kirton explained.

since surgery as he is now able to move around freely.

According to the doctor, Stephon doesn’t have full control of his urinary functions but they are optimistic that in the near future the young patient will have the full ability to control this process.

The young child is said to be recovering well since the surgery ten days ago. He is to be discharged sometime during this week as his condition improves.

Paying the young child a visit, Stephon seemed to be recuperating well as he interacted with his grandmother who was at his bedside.

Speaking with this publication, the child’s grandmother said that the past four years have been chal-

lenging for the family but they kept their composure and faith, believing that one day he would be freed from the defect and could have a normal childhood—and life.

The woman was elated to inform that her grandson is showing gradual improvements and is on the road of recovery. She thanked the team of doctors, nurses, and other staff for their diligent work in nursing the child back to health.

This effort by the doctors will not end here as Dr Dukhi indicated that once the human resource is available he along with his team will continue to meet the needs of patients ensuring that they all have an equal chance to lead a healthy and productive life.

Fire guts 2 Tucville homes – 12 homeless

The destroyed Tucville, Georgetown house By: Kizzy Coleman

A

fire suspected to be electrical in origin completely ravaged two houses in a family yard at Tucville, Georgetown on Monday evening leaving at least 12 persons homeless.

The two houses located at Lot 3 Tucville Squatting Area were completely destroyed while another in the same yard had extensive water damage.

Reports reaching this newspaper stated that at about 08:00h the fire started in the 3rd building in the yard.

According to owner of the house saved, Omaelli Chester, she was in her home when she heard screams of fire!

“I was inside and I heard people screaming fire! fire! and I came outside and saw the back and middle houses on fire.”

The woman explained that upon seeing this, she ran outside and public spirited persons hurriedly formed a bucket brigade but was unsuccessful in saving anything.

“We started a bucket bri-

gade but it did not work, the two houses were already ablaze” she grieved.

She further disclosed that neighbours assisted her in bringing out her valuables as the fire was starting to catch onto her property.

The visibly distressed owner of the house where the fire started, Nicola Junard explained that she smelt smoke and ran out of her home. She disclosed that the fire did not take long to spread.

“Before I could even process what was happening, the fire had already spread and started to catch on the middle house”.

Reports are that the owner of the middle house lives in Suriname and was made aware of the fire via telephone.

When the Fire Service arrived, there was not much that could be done since the fire had already engulfed the buildings. However, they worked assiduously to save the front house from being ravaged.

An investigation has been launched into the fire.

tuesDAY, april 19, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

News

Media barred from prison CoI – Public Security Minister dodges transparency question

M

embers of the media were on Monday barred from hearing the testimonies of members of the Prison Service at the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly Camp Street Prison fire. This decision followed a meeting with Commissioners which delayed the start of Monday’s session.

Sometime after 10:30h, Chairman of the CoI, retired Justice James Patterson advised that the testimonies would be done “in-camera”. Before the public was ushered out of the proceeding, Justice Patterson had stated that he would inform the media as to when they would be allowed to return.

One of the key wit-

nesses expected to testify at Monday’s session was Prison Officer Lyken (only name given). Lyken, who was reportedly ordered by his superiors to take video footage of the prison riots, was poised to give his version of the events which led to the deaths of 17 inmates.

Notably, this publication witnessed equipment being set up to present the video footage taken as evidence.

In the past weeks, controversy had ensued when the Attorney representing the Joint Services, Selwyn Pieters had made constant references to the footage in grilling his witnesses despite the said footage not being tendered as evidence.

When upbraided by the CoI Chairman, Pieters threat-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan speaking with the media at the Guyana Fire Service on Monday

ened to resign from the CoI. Justice Patterson had raised concerns over the way in which the video footage was released to the public. In the footage,

which was shown to the media operatives on April 4, prisoner Collis Collison and members of riot forces were shown to be engaged in an altercation.

Attorneys representing the Guyana Bar Association had later raised concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the nondisclosure of the Standard Operating Procedures which govern the Joint Services operations at the Camp Street Prison.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was on Monday questioned by the media over the closed-door setting and concerns about lack of transparency with the process. Ramjattan whilst evading the question of transparency posited that it was within the authority of the Chairman to allow such a move.

“The CoI is controlled by the CoI members…he has authority to do that I sup-

pose under the Terms of Reference and if he thinks it is a matter for security reasons, why not?” the Minister posited.

Notably, Station Officer at the Guyana Fire Service, Andrew Holder was last week allowed to disclose what inmates related to him when he carried out his investigation as to the cause of the deadly fire.

Holder had concluded that the fire emanated from inside the Camp Street facilities and that inmates were indeed responsible.

“It is my conclusion that this fire occurred as a result of a prisoner or more than one prisoner setting fire to mattress or mattresses within the prison walls,” Holder had noted.

Kerosene lamp confirmed Syrian Opposition as source of Enmore blaze asks UN to halt – lit stove resulted in East Bank Berbice blaze

A

fter thorough investigations by the Guyana Fire Service to ascertain the cause of the fire that destroyed an Enmore, East Coast Demerara, home resulting in death of a pen-

Hope Street, Enmore.

According to reports, the fire started around 02:30h that morning and had quickly spread through the house, trapping the pensioner.

By the time Fire Service arrived the fire had already engulfed the building and nothing could have been done but to out the fire.

John’s daughter, who resides a short distance

osene lamp that night since her mother is unable to do so.

She returned home and hours later she received the call informing her of the tragedy.

East Bank Berbice fire Meanwhile, the fire which destroyed the home of Clyde Riddle and his wife Abigail Riddle on East Bank Berbice had started from a stove being

according to the owners.

Though residents of the area as well as the Fire Service had tirelessly tried to save the building, this trying was futile.

In light of fires that could have been preventable once the necessary precautions were taken, Gentle said persons need to be more cautious since failing to take basic precautions may result in unfortunate events.

peace talks

The Opposition delegation asked the UN envoy to postpone formal negotiations until the Government is “serious” about transition [Al Jazeera]

T

Banmattie John who perished in the Enmore Fire

sioner, the Fire Chief has confirmed that the origin was a kerosene lamp.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle in an interview with Guyana Times on Monday said evidence proved that a lit kerosene lamp had caused the fire.

Gentle said it appeared the lamp had fallen off a table and had quickly set the house afire before any help could be rendered the elderly woman.

It is believed the elderly woman who had poor eyesight may have accidentally knocked the lamp off the table.

Banmattie John, 70, perished in the early Sunday morning fire which engulfed the twostorey wooden house she lived in alone at Lot 90

The property that went up in flames on East Bank Berbice

away, told Guyana Times that she had visited hours before to check that her mother was tucked into bed and everything around the house was in order.

Since the house was without electricity, Lilawattie John, one of the daughters, related that she had lit the ker-

left lit.

Gentle grievingly disclosed this, stating that investigations by the Guyana Fire Service confirmed that the stove was left lit even though the occupants had gone out.

The property went up in flames mid-Sunday morning, resulting in the loss of over $15 million,

He said even though the Fire Service is determined in serving its function, there is only so much it can do since it is only alerted when a fire has already started.

Gentle reiterated the need for vigilance which is the most effective measure in safeguarding one’s property and lives.

he mainstream Syrian Opposition asked the United Nations to halt peace talks on Monday and rebel groups launched a new offensive against Government forces, accusing the world body of bias in favour of President Bashar al-Assad.

The Opposition’s coordinator at the Geneva talks, Riad Hijab, said earlier it was unacceptable for talks to go on if the Government and its allies pushed on with sieges and bombing civilian areas, echoing recent criticism of Government offensives elsewhere.

Only three delegates met UN envoy Staffan de Mistura for talks on Monday, instead of the usual 15, after a letter signed by unspecified “armed revolutionary factions” said de Mistura and the Government were trying to put forward “half-solutions”.

“We asked for the postponement of talks, only a postponement until

the conditions are right,” Mohammad al Aboud, a member of the negotiating team, told Reuters.

The Westernbacked Opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) later confirmed the decision in a statement, saying a pause would be “a chance ... to respond to the core subject of forming a governing body that has no role for Assad”.

The HNC emphasised that it was not walking out of the talks, the first attempt to negotiate a way out of the five-year-old conflict in two years; a diplomat said they wanted the UN to publicly criticise the Government.

“De Mistura must imperatively reassure the Opposition,” one senior Western diplomat said.

“He needs to make a public statement putting pressure on the Government.

It’s in his interest to keep the talks alive. He needs to say that the regime isn’t listening.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

16 NEWS

tuesDAY, april 19, 2016 | guyana-times.com

US media censorship observation

PM claims that US wants to damage image of coalition Govt

BY EDWARD LAYNE

J

ust one day after Guyana Times reported that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was criticised by the United States’ Department of State over his 2015 attempt to suppress Freedom of the Press, particularly in the state media, the government in a strongly worded statement rejected those claims.

US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour in its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 said while the government “generally respects the laws which provide for freedom of speech and press, there have been attempts by the administration to suppress freedom of the press.

Under the heading Censorship or Content Restrictions the report pointed to an attempt

by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to restrict and control the content of the state-owned Guyana Chronicle.

“In August (2015), the Prime Minister issued a directive that all headlines in the state-owned print media be first scrutinised and approved by his office before they are published. The directive was a response to a headline criticising the government. The prime minister also serves as minister of information,” the report noted.

However, in a brief statement Monday, Office of the Prime Minister’s Department of Public Information (DPI), while

not making direct reference to the report said government was repudiating, “in the strongest terms irresponsible allegations repeated in the media alleging censorship in state media.”

“Such claims are wholly false and baseless and attempt to damage the image of the Coalition Government which is trying to repair democratic institutions, including state media which had been left in a shambolic state under the previous administration,” the statement said.

It argued that the coalition g o v -

ernment has established independent and professional boards for major state media entities.

However, a close examination of the board of directors of the two main state media entities, Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network Incorporated are loaded with persons who are linked directly to the coalition government, including APNU/ AFC candidates in the 2015 general and regional elec-

tions.

Also, the Government Information Agency (GINA) is headed by APNU/AFC candidate Beverly Alert.

“The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana reiterates its commitment to the free media that provides for national coverage that is not driven by partisan politics,” the statement added.

It said that for the first time in many years, state media have been carrying articles and reports critical of the government.

It added that for the first time, state media have been “providing extensive positive coverage to the opposition.”

However, many are of the view government’s actions, particularly those of Office of the Prime Minister, and the Director of Public Information Imran Khan contradict this declaration.

For example, Khan, during the 2016 Budget debates, declared on his facebook page that the GINA was only required to cover the affairs of the sitting Government.

Further, during the same debates, the Prime Minister, a trained journalist, who often portrays himself as a bastion of Press Freedom, reproached a young Guyana Chronicle reporter over an article which criticised the government.

The article headlined: “Gov’t blunders on Budget Estimates …violates laws assented to by President Granger” took the govern-

ment to task after it was uncovered that budgetary estimates presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan were done against two laws, which were passed under the David Granger Administration.

PM Nagamootoo, who once declared that the Guyana Chronicle should reflect nonpartisan views

that all headlines must be approved by Khan before the paper goes to press.

Sources close to that newspaper said up until this time, Khan still throws his weight around and issues directives to the publication, as well as the state-owned broadcaster, the National Communications Network (NCN) Incorporated, on a

which may have a dampening effect on press freedom.

The GPA further stated, it regards the Prime Minister’s stated pro-government expectations of the publicly-funded Guyana Chronicle newspaper and presumably all Stateowned media as “a retrograde, and intolerable step that betrays the governing

FLASHBACK: PM Nagamootoo having a conversation with Guyana Chronicle Reporter Derwyn Wills

so as to objectively inform the public to make “wise decisions”, subsequently told reporters that “the Chronicle is a Government paper”, suggesting that all the reports must be subjective to the Government.

Nagamootoo’s Office later instructed the management of Guyana Chronicle

daily basis as to what its content should be, including instructions to limit the opposition access.

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) had criticised Nagamootoo for his “interaction” with the reporter, which it said could have been viewed as a method of intimidation,

Coalition’s campaign and post-election promises, not to engage in the same press freedom violations previous administrations were accused of.”

Reporters without Borders in its 2015 World Press Freedom Index ranked Guyana 62nd out of 180 countries.

Norwegian delegation due in Guyana next week

A

Norwegian technical team is due in Guyana next Tuesday for a series of engagements with the Guyana Government, the Ministry of Natural Resources said Tuesday in a statement.

The team comprises officials from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative.

The focus of the April 26 to May 4, 2016 visit is to work with the Natural Resources Ministry, the Office of Climate Change (OCC), the Project Management Office (PMO), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and other stakeholders, “to improve capacity in executing the Joint Concept Note and taking advantage of REDD+ opportunities.”

The statement said that since it took office in May, 2015, the Government of Guyana has been making steady progress towards creating a stronger agreement and better outcomes for Guyana’s green growth.

“To date, the Government

has facilitated several meetings and discussions with Norwegian Official,” it said.

The statement said during a recent exchange with Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and Norway’s new Minister of Climate and Environment Vidar Helgesen recognised the efforts being made by government.

“I would like to congratulate you on your initiative to review and make public all information on logging concessions,” the statement said.

Minister Helgesen was also quoted as saying he was encouraged that the Guyana government intended to review the Amerindian Act, in close consultation with affected stakeholders.

Minister Trotman, who has responsibility for the Guyana/Norway agreement is also encouraged by the progress to date and looks forward to the visit, which will continue to advance the partnership in a way that is supportive of Guyana’s “green growth” vision.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is

quoted in other sections of the media as saying he will maintain his call for a suspension of the GuyanaNorway Partnership until Trotman apologises or an international probe is launched into his claim that the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic had given out all of Guyana’s productive forest.

Trotman told Guyana’s National Assembly during the 2016 Budget debate in February that when the APNU/AFC (PPP/C) took office it found that all of the productive forests were allocated.

The PPP/C has since rubbished the claims as “wild”.

Guyana and Norway entered into the forest partnership back in 2009 and this country has already earned up to US$190 million.

Of that amount, US$86 million has been transferred to the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF).

US$80 million has been transferred to the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) for the delayed Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

17 Rice farmers burnt to death by bandits news

tuesDay, april 19, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

– botched robbery angered gunmen

By Kizzy Coleman

P

andemonium broke out at Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) late Sunday evening, when an elderly couple were horrendously burnt alive by bandits who set their house alight after a botched rob-

After not being able to gain access to the couple, the angered bandits then doused the house with gasoline and set it alight.

Speaking with this publication an eyewitness said she heard what sounded like gunshots and got out of bed to investigate.

According the eyewitnesses, the couple was heard screaming for persons to break a door of the heavily grilled house so that they could escape the fire. They were seen through a window in the room in which they were trapped.

“A bus driver started to

What is left of the rice farmers' house

The ravaging blaze on Sunday night

bery.

Dead are Bibi Munir, 70, and Mohammed Munir, 77, of Lot 16 Good Hope, who were both prominent rice farmers in Region Three.

According to reports, at around 23:15h on Sunday, several armed bandits invaded the couple’s premises but they managed to secure themselves in one of the bedrooms.

“I was in my bed when I heard gun shots. I got up and looked outside and I saw the fire and ran outside.

When I got outside I was shocked to see that no one was on the road even though there was a huge fire but I was not aware that people were scared because they heard Uncle Munir screaming thief! thief!”

honk his bus horn and then people started to come out to lend assistance but by then the house was almost covered in flames, so no one could really do anything.

Uncle Munir was at the window begging for people to use chains to pull out the grilled window so that he and his wife could come out but the heat was too much,”

the woman explained.

She added that the now dead man was also giving instructions for neighbours to drive his two tractors out of the yard to prevent them from exploding to which a neighbour complied.

Meanwhile, a businessman known as ‘Dumb boy’ told this publication that after he heard the screams, he went to investigate and it was then that he recognised men armed with guns manoeuvring in the couple’s house.

He added that in an attempt to alert neighbours, he got out his licenced gun and discharged several rounds in the air.

“I saw them in the house and I just went and got my gun and I fired a few shots in the air to alert people of what was happening.”

This publication was told that Jamila Munir had telephoned a businessman in the area, Shiraz Ally, as her house was going up in flames providing him with details as to what was transpiring and pleading with him for help from the deadly blaze.

It is believed the gunmen used the street behind the couple’s house to gain entry to their yard and eventually their house since persons in the area stated that they did not see anyone enter from the front (the public road) entrance.

According to reports, on Saturday night a tinted silver grey Toyota Allion car was “lurking” in the area and it appeared “suspicious”.

Reports stated that the same car was spotted again hours before the fire oc-

curred.

When Guyana Times visited the scene Monday morning, the charred remains of the couple were being removed by undertakers as relatives wailed in agony.

Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikaran was on scene and expressed sadness at the ‘tragedy’.

The police in a statement Monday said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deadly fire.

A team of investigators had already visited the scene and took statements from neighbours.

The post mortems have confirmed the couple died as a result of smoke inhalation.

The elderly couple leaves to mourn at least four children, siblings and other family.

Police in Jamaica seize almost US$7.5M in cocaine

L

awmen have four alleged drug runners in custody after making their second biggest cocaine bust in history over the weekend.

Police seized close to 800 kilograms of cocaine, worth nearly US$7.5 million (J$1 billion) in the early hours of Saturday morning, in waters off Belmont which is located in the western parish of Westmoreland.

Around 01:00h, a joint Police and military team, which included the Jamaica Defence Force

(JDF) Air Wing team, intercepted a 28-foot vessel as it came ashore.

The law enforcement officers pursued and caught four men who attempted to flee the scene.

On board the boat, they found 35 knitted bags containing 693 cocaine-filled packages wrapped in black masking tape.

“This seizure is a significant dent in the operation of drug traffickers. It is also evidence that cocaine is being trafficked back through Jamaica,” said

Commissioner of Police, Dr Carl Williams after the drug bust.

“Local and international intelligence sources have suggested that cocaine in multi-hundred quantities has started to come back through this corridor and Jamaica. This seizure is evidence of that fact. We will be intensifying our assessment of the scope of the problem and will deploy our resources accordingly in partnership with our local and international partners.” (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Police took 35 knitted bags containing 693 cocaine-filled packages off the boat

18

guyana-timesgy.com

tuesday, April 19, 2016

ARCHIE

Put your money to good use. Invest in your skills (March 21- and whatever will help you April 19) raise your standard of living.

The benefits that follow will prompt new beginnings.

ARIES

Concentrate on keeping up TAURUS with fast-changing technol(April 20- ogy, techniques and knowlMay 20) edge. The better equipped you are to take on new projects, the more opportunities you will encounter.

dilbert

Socialise, network and do GEMINI (May 21- your best to make a differJune 20) ence. Your work will put you in the limelight, so be sure to follow through with any promises you make.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Your astute and precise way of dealing with domestic and work-related situations will give you the edge if someone challenges your decision.

Your instincts will not let you down.

Be responsible. The less LEO you complain, the easier it (July 23will be to finish what’s expectAug. 22) ed of you. Then you can move on to activities that promise adventure and excitement with a clear conscience.

Sharing ideas will prompt VIRGO a couple of crucial changes (Aug. 23in a project that you are inSept. 22) volved with. Don’t take a backseat to someone who is all talk and no action.

Calvin and Hobbes

Impulsiveness will be LIBRA (Sept. 23- your downfall. Don’t give Oct. 23) in to emotional whims or spend money you don’t have.

Discipline, fitness and a proper diet should be your goals.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – VEXATION

Stick close to home and SAGITTARIUS take care of your residence (Nov. 23- and the ones you love. Be Dec. 21) careful while operating equipment or machinery. Love is on the rise, and nighttime romance looks promising.

(VEXATION: veks-AY-shun: Something that annoys or irritates.)

Average mark 24 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 35 or more words in VEXATION? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – TOURED toed tore tour trod true outed outer redo

rode rote roue rout route rude rued euro

detour doer dote doter dour duet

A lifestyle change will go SCORPIO part and parcel with a de(Oct. 24veloping partnership. If you Nov. 22) share your thoughts, you’ll come up with a plan that will benefit everyone involved.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

If you are asked to deal CAPRICORN with other people’s affairs, (Dec. 22- take precautions. Your time Jan. 19) will be better spent fixing up your personal space and making changes that offer greater financial security.

You need to get back to baAQUARIUS sics and consider taking part (Jan. 20in some of the activities you Feb. 19) used to enjoy. A new look will result in a pumped-up attitude and a shot at personal success.

Listen to and fraternise PISCES (Feb. 20- with people who have experiMarch 20) ence in a field that interests you. Gathering as much information as possible will help you find what works best for you.

tuesDAY, aPRIL 19, 2016

19

President hails outstanding work of RHTY&SC

F

ormer Guyana Under-19 middle-order batsman Khemraj Mahadeo walked away with close to $200,000 worth of prizes after he was named Cricketer-of-the-Year 2015 by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC).

Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation hosted a gala and highly impressive 26th annual awards ceremony at the St Francis Community Developers where over $1 million worth of prizes were shared out to over 40 club members.

President David Granger, Patron of the club, delivered a stirring address during which he praised the outstanding work of the RHTY&SC and expressed hope that communities across Guyana would emulate the club in an effort to assist youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

The President hailed the outstanding work and leadership of Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, and hinted to loud applause that he might appoint the 2010 National Sports Personality awardee as a sports ambassador to Guyana’s remaining nine regions.

Vision and hard work, President Granger stated, epitomised the RHTY&SC and he stated that the club was successful in breaking down walls, which was preventing people because of their origin from participating in some sports. He encouraged the management and members of the club to continuing making a positive difference.

Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert

Cricketer-of-the-Year Khemraj Mahadeo receives his prizes from President David Granger

Foster, gave a comprehensive report to the club’s activities for the period January 2015 to March 2016. He stated that Shemaine Campbelle’s involvement in the 2016 West Indies winning female World Cup squad as one of the club’s proudest moment and revealed some major plans for the rest of 2016.

These include the construction of a family recreational park, the unveiling of a Region Six Traffic Education Campaign, the second edition of the Edward B. Beharry ‘Say No to Drugs, Crime and

Suicide’ programme and the hosting of a Career Day Fair for youths.

RHTY&SC President, Keith Foster, hailed the contribution of the numerous sponsors of the club and noted that the success of the organisation was based on team work and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Other speakers at the event included newly elected Mayor of Rose Hall Town Vijay Ramoo, Immediate Past Patron Beverly Harper, Marketing Executive of DDL Larry Wills, Gizmos and Marketing Manager Earl Gomes and Metro

Office Supplies CEO Avie Lindee.

Three representatives of the club’s official sponsors stated that their companies were delighted to be associated with Guyana’s top youth and sports organisation and pledged to work along with the RHTY&SC in the future.

Wills congratulated the RHT Pepsi Under-19 team for being outstanding ambassadors for the international soft drinks brand, while Earl Gomes expressed pride in the performance of the Gizmos and Gadgets first division team during 2015 and early 2016. Metro CEO Avie Lindee stated that the success of the RHTY&SC needs to be emulated across Guyana, while Mayor Ramoo pledged his total support for the club and its work.

The club also made several donations to several organisations, including the Rose Hall Town Primary School. The club also honoured Major James Fraser of the Guyana Defence Force with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

The full list of awardees for 2015 are: Farfan and Mendes Under-15 Bowler –Junior Sinclair; Bakewell Under-17 Batsman-of-the-Year – Kevlon Anderson; Bakewell Under 17 Bowler-of-the-Year – Keith Simpson; Bakewell Under-17 Cricketer-of-the-Year – Slyus Tyndall; Pepsi Under-19 Bowler – Slyus Tyndall; Pepsi Under-19 Batsman and Cricketer-of-theYear – Brandon Prashad; Metro Female Bowler-of-the-Year – Erva Giddings; Metro Female Batter/ Cricketer-of-the-Year – Shemaine Campbelle; Bakewell Bowler/

Batsman and Cricketer-of-theYear – Khemraj Mahadeo; Gizmos and Gadgets Bowler-of-the-Year – Shawn Perriera; and Gizmos and Gadgets Batsman and Cricketer-ofthe-Year – Clinton Pestano.

Most Committed Male Member – Matthew Pattaya; Most Committed Female Members – Marian Samaroo and Diana Prahalad; Most Disciplined Member – Chanderpaul Govindan; Most Promising Female Cricketers – Sheneta Grimmond and Shauna Vanderstoop; Most Improved Player – Mahendra Gopilall; Most Improved Female Player – Sherica Campbelle; Workers of the Year – Joel Pike and Simon Naidu; Lifetime Achievement – Major James Fraser; Most Cooperative Member – Sunil Marimuthoo; Male Role Model of the Year – Collis Butts; Female Role Model – Erva Giddings; and Cricketer-of-theYear – Khemraj Mahadeo.

The club also honoured Keith Hicks and Ravindranauth Kissoonlall (25 years) and Terry Pike (15 years) for long and faithful service as executives, while Elizabeth Brusch, Joyce Wiggins, Mark Papannah, Felisha Archer and Lucy Pike were specially honoured for outstanding work as members during 2015.

Each of the awardees received medals, trophies and among the prizes shared out were bicycles, gold medallions, designers watches and clothing, footwear, microwaves, electric fans, electric blenders, food hampers, cosmetic hampers, electric irons and airline tickets.

Inzamam-ul-Haq appointed Pakistan chief selector

I

nzamam-ul-Haq has been appointed chief selector of Pakistan. A former Pakistan captain, Inzamam was the head coach of Afghanistan since October 2015, and was contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board until December 2016. The PCB, however, requested the ACB that he be released from his contract early.

This will be Inzamam’s first time as a selector; he had worked as Pakistan’s batting consultant briefly in 2012-13. The PCB has not set a fixed term for Inzamam’s tenure.

He heads a panel that includes former opening batsman Wajahatullah Wasti, Tauseef Ahmed, an off-spinner who played 34 Tests and 70 ODIs, and seam-bowling all-rounder Wasim Haider, who played three ODIs and over 100 first-class and List A matches.

“I have played a lot for Pakistan but it’s for the first

time that I have come [as selector] and the PCB has given me such an important responsibility,” Inzamam said.

“I want to thank ACB that they allowed me to do national duty. The three selectors should be involved in first-class cricket and [we have] one fast bowler, one spinner and one batsman so that we can cover three sectors.”

Inzamam’s appointment comes in the wake of several changes in Pakistan cricket. His former team-mate Waqar Younis had stepped down as coach on April 4, a day after Shahid Afridi relinquished his T20 captaincy. This shake-up was the result of a poor 2016 for Pakistan. They lost the T20 and the ODI series in New Zealand in January. They lost two of their four matches in the Asia Cup T20 in February and in the ensuing World T20, they lost three out of four games. In both tournaments, they could

not make it beyond the first round.

Performance reports from Waqar and team manager Intikhab Alam had made several points pertaining to selections. Waqar had suggested the chief selector “should be someone who has played modern-era cricket and has a positive vision” and recommended Inzamam for the job.

Pakistan’s next assignment is a full tour of England - four Tests, five ODIs and a lone T20I - that starts in July. Inzamam cautioned against expecting an immediate change in performance.

“We have to be patient, don’t expect anything soon. I will see the players first, inshallah you will see a change soon. I am here for the national duty and I won’t leave it,” he said. “To select a team is a very important thing, it has to be done by some cricketer, I will try to fulfill my duty. It’s the start, I don’t

Inzamam-ul-Haq was released early from his contract with Afghanistan to take up the post

have a magic wand, it will take time, there will be technical things and other problems too which we have to see.

“I can’t talk about the last selection committee, but you have to make a pool of players and guide them

and spend time with them.

When you make changes, you face problems, but we will be back on track if we make a pool of players.”

Inzamam is Pakistan’s highest run-getter in ODIs with 11,701 runs in 375 matches, and their third-

highest in Tests with 8,829 runs in 119 matches.

He was also among the country’s most distinguished captains and as selector, he wanted to make sure the captain remained the “main man”.

“I will try and also hope that I will be allowed to work independently,” Inzamam said. “My role is different, when I was the captain I used to give my suggestions.

Now, I will listen to them (captains) too about what’s their suggestion. When I was the captain I used to have my say. The captain is the main man. Like how I used to give my suggestion, I will give importance to what captain and coach will say because they are the ones who matter inside the ground.”

Pakistan bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, who was rested for the Asia Cup and World T20, has assumed the role of coach at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

(Cricinfo)

20

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016

Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2016, Hyderabad…

Warner, 90*, leads Sunrisers to 1st win W

in the toss, restrict your opposition to a manageable total, and bat through the chase to win it for your team.

Everything went to plan for David Warner, whose unbeaten 59-ball 90 steered Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first win of the season after their bowlers had kept Mumbai Indians to 142 in conditions that led to a wellmatched contest between bat and ball.

It had rained in Hyderabad on the eve of the match, and the residual humidity made the new ball swing appreciably. Both the Sunrisers’ opening bowlers exploited this, but Mumbai’s seamers, apart from Tim Southee, did not. They bowled too short and suffered the consequences on a deck that was otherwise excellent to bat on, and against a batsman, Warner, who loves to cut, slash and pull. All of Warner’s boundaries against the quicks, apart from a big six down the ground off Jasprit Bumrah, came against the short ball.

Southee kept Mumbai in the game with three well-timed wickets, starting with a late-swinging yorker to Shikhar Dhawan, but Mumbai kept feeding Warner a steady supply of

David Warner was particularly severe on the short balls

release balls, which he put away merrily. He ended the game with two sixes in three balls, flat-batting Mitchell McClenaghan over mid-off and pulling him over deep square leg, and Sunrisers were home with 15 balls remaining. Mumbai’s defeat was their third in four matches.

Warner had hoped, while

opting to bowl, that his seamers could exploit the initial freshness on a greentinged surface. It only took four balls for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to strike, though it was swing rather than seam that did the damage. With Kieron Pollard out due to food poisoning, Mumbai had brought in Martin Guptill, and his debut innings in the

IPL was terminated by a perfectly pitched outswinger that kissed his edge through to the wicketkeeper.

Guptill’s inclusion meant Mumbai had to rejig their batting order, and Rohit Sharma demoted himself, rather than Parthiv Patel, to accommodate the New Zealand opener. Parthiv looked distinctly uncomfortable against the swinging ball, playing and missing repeatedly before he was bowled by a back-ofthe-hand slower ball from Barinder Sran that jagged in like a left-arm wristspinner’s googly. Then came a self-inflicted wound - Rohit, who came in at No. 4, running himself out while looking for a suicidal single. When Jos Buttler, surprised by extra pace from Sran, gloved an attempted pull in the 11th over, they were 60 for 4 and going nowhere.

At the crease now were Ambati Rayudu, who had been promoted to No. 3, and Krunal Pandya, who had been promoted to No. 6 ahead of his brother Hardik, who had batted at No. 3 in all of Mumbai’s previous matches. All the meddling with the batting order indicated a muddled think-tank, but Rayudu and Krunal made the most of their opportunities.

SCOREBOARD Mumbai Indians innings (20 overs maximum) MJ Guptill c †Ojha b Kumar 2 10 PA Patel† b Sran AT Rayudu c Henriques b Sran 54 RG Sharma* run out (Henriques/†Ojha) 5 11 JC Buttler c †Ojha b Sran KH Pandya not out 49 HH Pandya b Mustafizur 2 Rahman Harbhajan Singh not out 1 Extras (lb-2, w-6) 8 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 142 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Guptill, 0.4 ov), 2-23 (Patel, 3.6 ov), 3-43 (Sharma, 7.1 ov), 4-60 (Buttler, 10.4 ov), 5-123 (Rayudu, 17.1 ov), 6-135 (HH Pandya, 18.5 ov) Bowling: B Kumar 4-0-17-1, BB Sran 4-0-28-3 (4-w), MC Henriques 4-0-23-0 (1-w), Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-32-1 (1w), Bipul Sharma 4-0-40-0

They had to bide their time initially, with Moises Henriques and the left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma varying their pace cleverly in the middle overs. But Bipul, who had gone for only 14 off his first three overs, hadn’t bowled much to a left-hander. Only three balls. The next four yielded 18 runs as Krunal swung him away for three successive sixes in the 14th over. Rayudu stepped out and hit one himself, and

Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (target: 143 runs from 20 overs) DA Warner* not out 90 S Dhawan b Southee 2 MC Henriques c †Patel b Southee 20 EJG Morgan c HH Pandya 11 b Southee DJ Hooda not out 17 Extras (lb-2, w-2, nb-1) 5 Total (3 wickets; 17.3 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Dhawan, 0.5 ov), 2-66 (Henriques, 10.1 ov), 3-100 (Morgan, 14.2 ov) Bowling: TG Southee 4-0-24-3 (1-w), MJ McClenaghan 3.3-033-0, JJ Bumrah 3-0-19-0 (1-nb), Harbhajan Singh 4-0-38-0 (1-w), HH Pandya 3-0-29-0

Bipul finished with figures of 0 for 40.

The momentum seemed to be with Mumbai, with six overs to go, but Sran, Bhuvneshwar and Mustafizur Rahman proved too difficult to get away, changing their pace astutely and executing the yorker perfectly. The three quicks shared the last three overs, and gave away only 19 runs while picking up two wickets.

(Cricinfo)

Djokovic, Williams claim UK Government could kibosh Salman Butt Test recall top athlete awards P

World number one Novak Djokovic reached all four grand slam finals last year, winning three of them

T

ennis stars Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were crowned the Sportsman and Sportswoman-of-the-Year at the annual Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin on Monday.

World number one Djokovic reached all four grand slam finals last year - winning three of them - while also claiming eight other titles on the ATP World Tour.

Williams, meanwhile, reaffirmed her status as world number one with the same number of grand slam wins, along with two other titles on the WTA Tour.

New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks were named team of the year, while their flyhalf Dan Carter won the comeback of the year award after his man-of-the-match performance in the final.

Golfer Jordan Spieth took out the breakthrough of the year award after the 22-year-old won the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015.

Brazil’s Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias was sportsperson of the year with a disability for a third time after earning seven gold medals at last year’s IPC Swimming World Championships.

German triathlete and 2015 World Ironman champion Jan Frodeno was named action sportsperson of the year, and three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda was given a lifetime achievement award.

Johan Cruyff, who died of cancer on March 24 aged 68, was also given a special spirit of sport award in recognition of his work helping to deliver sport-related projects for underprivileged children around the world. (Digicel

Sportsmax)

akistan’s hopes of offering a controversial recall to Salman Butt for their forthcoming tour of England, six years after his involvement in the spotfixing controversy at Lord’s in 2010, could be stopped in their tracks by the UK Home Office, in spite of the willingness of Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, to consider him.

Butt, who was then Pakistan captain, was jailed for 30 months for his part in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal that centred on delivering noballs to order. The scandal erupted after the third day’s play of the Lord’s Test, following a News of the World sting.

However, he served just seven months of the sentence before being allowed back to Pakistan under the UK government’s early release scheme, which means that the person is formally deported and cannot return to the UK within 10 years of the end of the original sentence.

In a section relating to refusing visas, the UK Home Office website states: “If a person has been sentenced to a period of between 12 months and less than 4 years imprisonment, the ECO [Entry Clearance Officer] must refuse the application until 10 years has passed since the end of the sentence.

“The end of the sentence should be taken to mean the entire sentence imposed, not just the time a person spent in prison.”

Salman Butt was involved in the sport-fixing scandal

The Home Office does not comment on individual cases.

However, ESPNcricinfo understands that Butt’s status as an international sportsman would not entitle him to preferential treatment.

One such figure to be caught out by the law, which was amended in December 2012, was the boxer Mike Tyson.

He was denied a UK visa for a promotional tour in 2013 on account of his criminal convictions for rape and assault.

Butt’s five-year ban from cricket was completed earlier this year and he has returned to action in the Pakistan domestic set-up. Butt, now 31, was the second-leading runscorer in the National OneDay Cup with 536 runs at 107.20 and Waqar Younis, who recently resigned as

coach, had been keen for him to be included the World T20 squad.

Misbah said that the Pakistan Cup, a new tournament which begins this week, is another chance for Butt to impress.

“We have a settled line up between Nos 3 and 7 but the opening slot is not as consistent as the rest of the order.

There are issues and we are looking at a couple more options including Shan Masood and Salman Butt,” Misbah told ESPNcricinfo.

“Salman is playing well and overall I didn’t see any such difference since he left [in 2010]. He is a good prospect and he has also scored ample runs after his comeback. Watching him in the nets he looks good, but now

we have to see how well he will do in the upcoming tournament.

If Butt was permitted to make the tour it would open up the possibility of him returning to international cricket at the scene of his crime.

The Lord’s Test in 2010 was the last of Butt’s 33 caps and the ground will stage the first Test of Pakistan’s visit this year.

It would also raise the possibility of England facing two of the three players found guilty of spot-fixing in that contest.

Mohammad Amir made his return to international cricket on the tour of New Zealand in January and also played in the recent World T20. A Test return is now on the cards in the England series although he, too, may face visa implications despite having played in New Zealand, Bangladesh and India this year. Successfully gaining a visa for those trips does not mean he will automatically be allowed back into the UK. He was denied a visa for the UK in 2014.

The third of the players jailed, fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who is now 33, also returned to cricket in the same tournament as Butt but is not considered as close to an international return.

The selection of Pakistan’s Test squad for the tour to England will be the first major task for Inzamam-ulHaq who was confirmed as their new chief selector on Monday. (Cricinfo)

21

sports

YELLOW PAGES TUESDAY, april 19, 2016 | www.guyana-times.com

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 611-1018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

Driving School Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION Music 2016!! Register - learn to play the recorder, drums, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, violin, steel pan and train your voice at Foundation 7 Music School. Call 225-1151/657-8404

FOR SALE One Toyota Spacio, One Toyota Forklift, One Motorcycle 110cc, One Cement Mixer (Ransom), Vick’s Hardware. Tel: 2642682/649-0707 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and at Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 2265053.

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer & HP scanner $25,000. Call 225-2676 or 601-5285.

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655 2 STOREY CONCRETE HOUSE 35 X 45 ENCLOSED DOWNSTAIRS, SIZE OF LAND 65 X 120, SECTION A DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME, EAST BANK DEMERARA, CONTACT # 664-5052/6170583

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral).

Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/ VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

KEY UTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249.

We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

optician Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

health

Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 Mondays-Saturdays 9am-3pm.

Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

lAND FOR SALE 1.5 Acre Land in W.B.D. Call #:658-0115 Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 625-1514 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234 One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale. Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 695-3150 (serious inquires only)

property for sale GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 673-5546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987 Bargain! One 3-bedroom wooden building in Georgetown. Solid greenheart beams, columns & boards. $1.3M Negotiable. Call 227-4285

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

WANTED Fast growing food distribution company is looking for a driver and salesperson with a car, experience and police clearance. Call: 231-8344 or 231-8529 Wanted, One Joiner to work in Crown Dam, ECD. Call: 627-3405 or 2224576.

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

(MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST. G/ Town. 231-7101 Vacancy exists for one full-time Pharmacist to work on the West Coast of Demerara in Metenmeerzorg.

Telephone: 275-0733

services House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

spirituality Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anew-life@live.com SICKNESS, EVIL, SPIRIT, RELATIONSHIP, IMPOTENT, REUNITE, LOVERS, PREGNANCY, JOBS, BUSINESS, BLOCKAGE ETC. 612-1975, 683 5228

services Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

wewLeonora New Housing Scheme, W.C.D. Garage, Kitchen & Shower.

Tel: 675-5998/268-2277.

NO CHILDREN. Working Persons Only

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 225-7878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

B

Businessman Shahab Hack presents a set of footballs to a group of footballers in the area

usinessman Shahab Hack made yet another donation of footballs and athletic shoes to individuals in the Tiger Bay area on Sunday.

Hack, who is actively involved in the area for over two years, explained that his involvement arose through the various initiatives the Guyana Police Force would have in communities like Albouystown and those similar in nature.

The businessman explained that he has been actively involved with the group as he pays several visits with them on a weekly basis. However, his main aim is give persons from these communities an opportunity to engage in sports rather than fall victim to crime and other unscrupulous activities.

He made the example that “I grew up watching the likes of Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Carl Hooper play for West Indies. Now if you look at the recent World T20 team, there was not even one Guyanese in the squad.”

A presentation of athletic shoes is made to a young upcoming talent in the Tiger Bay area

Hack added that “when you support groups like these you help to build sports men and women in Guyana, because a lot of them have talent and they are just in need of the opportunities.”

Hack ended by encouraging other businessmen to come on board and support these communities rather

than marginalise or stigmatise them. “They should see the good in them and help in any way possible,” he intimated.

The philanthropic work of Hack extends to communities on the East Coast, East Bank and West Bank.

He said he will continue to be actively involved in activities of this nature.

Jamaican gymnast qualifies for Olympics J

HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

TO let

Shahab Hack makes donation to Tiger Bay group

Call: 223-7230 Ext 35

amaican Toni-Ann Williams created history on Sunday night when she became the country’s first gymnast to secure qualification to an Olympic Games.

Williams put in a solid performance at the Rio Olympic Test finishing 38th overall, and 16th as an individual not competing with a full team, with a 52.931 total in the all-around event.

The athlete’s highest score of the day came as a 14.066 on vault, which ranked her 24th among competitors. She also finished in the top 35 on beam (29th, 13.666) and floor (32nd, 13.366). Williams tallied an 11.833 on bars.

Despite claiming that he had expected Williams to achieve the significant milestone Jamaica coach Justin Howell admits he has been floored by the achievement.

“What an amazing accomplishment. It’s a little surreal at the moment, but

Toni-Ann Williams

we believed without a doubt that she would qualify,” Howell said.

Williams initially finished below another Jamaican competitor Danusia Francis at last year’s World Championships, but was given the nod by the Jamaica Gymnastics

Association to compete at the Rio event. The athlete a California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) student missed the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships to compete at the Rio Olympic Test Event. (Digicel Sportsmax)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016

GCB/Hand-In-Hand U-19, Inter-county 3-day...

Perez, Renee’s 50s brighten rain-affected day

Ronaldo Renee raises his bat after reaching his second fifty of the tournament B y A keem G reene

N

ational youth players Raymond Perez and Ronaldo Renee both struck unbeaten halfcenturies to give Demerara a solid start in their pursuit of Berbice’s first innings total of 198 on day two of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19, Three-day Inter-county tournament at the Everest ground on Monday.

Due to rain, play only began at 15:00h and 41 overs were bowled. At

stumps, Demerara had reached 170 without loss.

Perez and Renee were unbeaten on 64 (4x4s) and 89 (11x4s) respectively, as their team trailed by 28 runs.

When the day began, Demerara resumed on 38 without loss with Perez was on 18 and Renee on 11.

The pair batted smartly in the overcast conditions, as Renee in particular looked to be aggressive against the spinners with

some lovely sweep shots and cuts.

He tugged Asif Ali behind square to bring up the first boundary of the day and the team’s fifty in the 21st over.

The diminutive righthander continued to manipulate the field in style to bring-up his second half-century of the tournament off just 97 balls, inclusive of six fours. He spent 126 minutes compiling the fifty.

At the other end, Perez match Renee with some sweetly timed straight drives as he moved on to his fifty with powerful pull through mid-wicket off spinner Brandon Persaud.

At that point he faced 122 balls, hit three fours and spent 180 minutes at the crease, and Demerara were now 148 without loss.

After the duo took their opening partnership stand pass the 150 mark in the 49th over, they began to look more aggressive, but the soggy outfield prevented many of the powerfully struck balls from reaching the boundary.

Both batmen will certainly begin today hoping first to secure first innings points for their team then hopefully reach the triplefigure mark.

Over at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, a wet outfield prevented any play between Essequibo and the Select Under-17s. Essequibo had ended day one 72 without loss in pursuit of the Under-17s’ 243.

Mark Williams on 57 and Nathan Persaud on 15 will look to clear the deficit of 171 runs if weather permits today.

Inspired Gayadin wins Beacon Ministries golf tournament “

I

came to have fun and play a good round of golf with the guys; it was fun. More significantly, before the start of the tournament I had a talk with the sponsor, His Holiness, Pope Emmanuel, Rev Dr London, and he inspired me to perform the way I did. He was a great inspiration!”

Those were the words of Mike Gayadin following his win in the Beacon Ministries fourth annual golf tournament on Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

With trophies for first to third place in each category, 18 trophies were accounted for. Categories included three Flights, the Longest Drive, the Nearest-to-thePin and the Overall Net. A gross tournament was not played.

Gayadin emerged with

the best overall net of 63, followed by Roberto Grissi (65) and Hilbert Shields (66). By virtue of having the best net score, Gayadin was declared champion of the tournament.

In the ‘A’ Flight (0-9 handicap), Mangal (70/79) won ahead of Avinash Persaud (73/75) and William Walker (74/82), while the ‘B’ Flight (10-18 handicap) was won by Gayadin (63/77), followed by Shields (66/83) and Kalyan Tiwari (67/85).

In the ‘C’ Flight, Grissi (65/91) won from Shanella Webster (69/88) and Maurice Solomon (72/96).

Parmanand “Max” Persaud has the Longest Drive, while Patrick Prashad was Nearest-to-the-Pin. Last year’s net champion Richard Haniff noted that the competition on Saturday was so fierce that his “good”

net score of 68 really did not count for anything.

Typical of his passionate love for the salvation of men’s souls, Pope Emmanuel took time to explain the simplicity of the magnificent grace of the gospel to all present. He assured those present that Beacon Ministries would continue supporting Lusignan Golf Club in any way it can, and he is very pleased to be involved in sponsoring tournaments.

Vice-president Patrick Prashad thanked Dr London for the sponsorship of an excellent tournament and noted that since Beacon Ministries has been involved in the Lusignan Golf Club it has only inspired great camaraderie and brought positivism not only to the club, but also to those associated with the club.

Harper presented with Dolphin Award of Excellence T

he outstanding contribution of Ansa McAl Trading’s Chief Executive Officer and Immediate Past Patron of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), Beverly Harper, was recognised on Sunday last by the organisation.

Harper became the fifth recipient of the club’s highest award, the Dolphin Award of Excellence, after being inducted by Patron of the Club, President David Granger.

Secretary/CEO of the club, Hilbert Foster, hailed the fourth Patron of the RHTY&SC as an outstanding Honorary Patron, who led with distinction. Foster stated that under Harper’s patronage the immediate past Patron was a highly respected leader, role model and outstanding friend who has stood by the club in good and bad times.

He stated that over the last five years, the club has successfully expanded its ‘Say No to Drugs, Crime and Suicide Campaign’, focus more on its ‘Say Yes to Education and Sports Programme’, assist more less fortunate families and expand its cricket development programme and hailed Harper’s contribution to these developments.

On a personal note, the long-standing Secretary/ CEO hailed the former Patron as a true friend and close advisor, whose advise he highly respects and cherishes. Harper became the fifth awardee of the highly touted Dolphin Award of Excellence after Robert Selman of the Guyana Beverage Company, President David Granger, Jennifer Cipriani of Scotiabank and Ravi Mangar of Gizmos and Gadgets.

President Granger, dur-

President David Granger presents the award to Beverley Harper

ing his feature address, praised Harper for her contribution to the club as Patron and expressed the hope that he would be able to follow in her footsteps and provide inspiration to the club and its members.

The RHTYSC also presented the Dolphin Award of Excellence to Marketing Executive of DDL Larry Wills, Kaieteur News Sport Reporter Franklyn Wilson and DTV-8 News Editor Gregory Rambarran.

Rambarran has been covering events of the club for over 20 years and together with Wilson were credited for making the RHTY&SC a household name in Guyana.

Wills has over the last six years been very supportive of the club and together with Wilson and Rambarran were honoured for being role models to youths and outstanding friend of the club.

The Dolphin Award of Excellence is the RHTY&SC’s highest award and would only be given to 25 individuals.

Among others who would be honoured shortly are Rajin Ganga of Bakewell, Vice-president Carl Greenidge, Onai Vasconcellos of Farfan and Mendes, Kent Vincent of Food for the Poor and journalist Avenash Ramzan of Guyana Times/TVG/RGI.

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016

23

Central leg of DVA school tournament deemed a success

GFF/Stag Elite League Finale…

Lanferman’s hatT trick sinks GFC

Pele’s marksmen! From left: Colric Beckles, Gregory Richardson and Konata Mannings

A

lpha “The Hammer” United seemed to have returned to their usual destructiveness on the football field when they inflicted a 5-0 thrashing on Georgetown Football Club (GFC) on Sunday in the Guyana Football Federation’s Stag Elite League Finale.

Playing on GFC’s home turf at Bourda, home team had no answers for the aggression of Alpha United, as national striker Dellon Lanferman scored a terrific hat-trick, which propelled his team to the resounding victory.

From the onset, Alpha United looked the team to beat, as Lanferman notched up his first goal in the second minute, followed by Anthony Abrams four minutes later. Abrams again was on the pounce when he scored his second goal in the 30th minute to put the visitors up by three at half time.

Though GFC had some moments of brilliance, they were not able to capitalise and Lanferman added two more goals to his tally in the 48th and 93rd minutes, which effectively put the final nail in the coffin for GFC, in what has been a dreaded Finale campaign.

GFC have not won any of nine matches to date and with only one draw, it effectively puts them in the cellar position. Alpha United, on the on other hand, should be renewed by the performance as they now look to cement third place with five wins from their nine matches and two draws.

In the other match, Pele bounced back from some lacklustre performances in the league Finale to comprehensively defeat Monedderlust 4-1.

Colric Beckles gave Pele the early lead with his strike in the 38th and two minutes after Gregory Richardson registered his first of two

goals in the match to end the excitement in the first half.

Konata Mannings was the next point-man as he extended the lead with a goal in the 58th, but an error of judgment in Pele’s defence allowed an own goal to be scored and the score line now read 3-1.

That soon changed when Richardson scored once more in the 64th minute, to give Pele a much needed victory. Pele will remain in fifth place with their third win of the Finale, but they move four points in touching distance of fourth place Guyana Defence Force.

The Berbicians, on the other hand, are just below Pele, but have only gained six points from their nine matches. Finale action will continue on Wednesday at the same venue with Alpha United playing Monedderlust from 18:00h, followed by Pele and Buxton FC from 20:30h.

GWRKA to celebrate Sensei Dunbar’s milestone

T

he Guyana Wado-Ryu Karate Association (GWRKA) has planned a series of activities in honour of its chief instructor Sensei Winston Dunbar, who celebrates 50 years as a martial arts practitioner, and the celebrations will coincide with Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

The programme will kick off with a Fitness Walk on April 24 from the National Cultural Centre to Banks DIH Sports Club at Thirst Park starting at 07:00h.

Members of the GWRKA and well-wishers will participate in the event sponsored by Banks DIH Limited.

The next event will be a National Youth Championships, billed for May 8 at the Banks DIH Sports Club starting at 10:00 hours.

The championships will be opened to students six years to 15 years old from karate clubs at Mae’s School, Banks

Sensei Winston Dunbar

DIH and Farm, East Bank Essequibo. There will also be a fund raising bar-b-que to the hosted by the Association.

Sensei Dunbar, a Seventh Degree black belt (Shian), started practicing mar-

tial arts in March 1966 at Lithographic Karate Club and later became one of the founders of the Guyana Wado-Ryu Karate Association and the Guyana Karate Federation, along with Frank Woon-aTai, Alex Waithe and Steve Moonasingh.

He attended the World championships in Los Angeles, U.S.A., in 1975 and among his many achievements was a 2007 International Olympic Committee (IOC) award in recognition of his contribution to the development of karate in Guyana. He was also awarded the status of Technical Advisor for Wado Ryu for the Caribbean and Guyana by Grand Master Hironori Otsuka.

Sensei Dunbar has expressed gratitude to Banks DIH Limited for supporting the work of the GWRKA).

Sessions are held weekly at Mae’s School in Subryanville, Banks Sports Club and Farm, East Bank Essequibo.

he second leg of the ongoing school tournament hosted by the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) was a resounding success as central schools put on quite a show at the St Rose’s High School on Friday last.

The atmosphere was electric and the fever of competition was running high. The central leg saw the best of Marian Academy, The Bishops’ High, Queen’s College, St Rose’s High, Guyana Trust College and St Stanislaus coming out to bring their ‘A’ game.

In game one, Rose’s fended off Queen College to win 16-14, while game two saw the Bishops’ High trump St Stanislaus 2512 and Marian defeated Guyana Trust College 2211 in game three.

Queen’s College faced The Bishops’ High in game four and won 2212, while in game five it was an easy win for St Rose’s against the Guyana

Trust College 25-7. Game six was dominated once again by Marian Academy against the lads from St Stanislaus 22-13, as St Rose’s had the upper hand in game seven against the Bishops’ High 23-8. The final game saw Queen’s College winning against Guyana Trust College 2511. Each game lasted 10 minutes.

The school with the most points at the end of the allotted time was de-

clared winner.

The DVA has expressed delight at the fervour shown and the talent displayed by the youngsters, especially since for many of them were playing for the first time in a tournament.

The central leg will continue on Wednesday and the DVA is confident that the level of competition will be even higher as the schools will seek to prove they are the best.

Guyana to play in USVI and Curacao

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in collaboration with the Curacao Football Federation and the United States Virgin Islands Football Association have come to an agreement as it relates to their respective fixtures of the second round of the Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup Championship.

This decision was made

due to the unavailability of an appropriate venue in Guyana to host the matches and was agreed to by the two other Regional Associations and the Caribbean Football Union.

The Guyana National Stadium, the original venue of the games slated for Guyana, is unavailable for use due to an international cricket engagement. The

National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, was considered as an option however, following a site visit by a team from the GFF, the venue will require a significant amount of work to ensure its readiness.

Guyana will play host Curacao on June 1 and host USVI on June 4, while Curacao and USVI will meet in Curacao on June 7.

tuesDAY, APRIL 19, 2016

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

GCB/Hand-In-Hand U-19, Inter-county 3-day...

Perez, Renee’s 50s brighten rain-affected day Pg 22

Raymond Perez (left) and Ronaldo Renee leave the field after their unbroken 170-run stand for the first wicket

Ronaldo Renee unleashes one of his powerful drives down the ground

Inspired Gayadin wins Beacon Lanferman’s Ministries golf tournament hat-trick sinks GFC GFF/Stag Elite League Finale…

Pg 22

Pg 23

From left: Alim Hussain, Maurice Solomon, Mike Mangal, Kalyan Tiwari, Mike Gayadin, Dr London, Hilbert Shields, Parmanand Persaud (kneeling), Fazil Haniff, Roberto Grissi, Patrick Prashad, William Walker, Avinash Persaud and Shanella Webster

Alpha United’s scorers! Dellon Lanferman (right) and Anthony “Awo” Abrams

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyana-times.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.