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Issue No. 2709

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

PRICE

Public servants 2016 bonus

APNU/AFC breaches May Day pact with GTUC

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Rodney CoI

P5

No report submitted

Page 2

Stop ramrodding Marriott Hotel Project complex bills in NICIL’s audit report weak, rubber-stamp Parliament speculative Page 3

...PPP to Govt

Page 15

– Auditor failed to request core documents

President gifts GPF Winners of 10th National Biennial Drawing $2M for fallen heroes, Competition rewarded scholarship funds Page 13

Small miners ineligible P11 for duty-free vehicles – GGMC says policy needs to be reviewed

Banks DIH sells shares in Banks Barbados P7

Govt yet to establish new GPL Board – fate of company’s CEO to be decided

P5 President David Granger addressing the Senior Officers and Division and Branch Commanders at the Guyana Police Force’s Traditional Christmas Breakfast, on Tuesday morning, while (at left) Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

Republic Bank on Tuesday rewarded winners of Castellani House’s tenth National Biennial Drawing Competition at a simple ceremony. Artist Walter Govind receives his prize from Republic Bank’s Managing Director Richard Sammy

PetroCaribe deals under threat

CJ yet to rule on summons to quash election petition

Page 15

– Venezuela to revise oil agreements

Page 10

Carpenter on remand for illegal firearm, ammo P8

2 news

wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Public servants 2016 bonus…

APNU/AFC breaches May Day pact with GTUC

BY EDWARD LAYNE

P

resident David Granger has breached a commitment he made to thousands of workers, when he said he will never violate their rights nor the collective bargaining agreement which spells out the laws surrounding benefits, increases and the process governing the welfare of unionised workers.

While in Opposition, Granger told workers present at the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (GTUC)

May Day Rally in May this year that if his Government came to power following the election, there would be an end to the disrespect shown to workers by forcing miniscule salary increases and perks at them.

He committed his Government to the resuscitation of the collective bargaining agreement and process. “It is a contract between the next Government and the union represented by the GTUC”, Granger told to the workers as he presented a copy of the coalition’s

From left to right: GTUC member Karen Vansluytman-Corbin; GTU General Secretary Lincoln Lewis; then coalition Presidential Candidate now President David Granger; GTUC President, Leslie Gonsalves and coalition then Prime Ministerial Candidate now Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at GTUC’s 2015 May Day Rally

Election 2015 manifesto to GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis as a symbolic commitment to the pact.

He made it clear that workers could expect an end to the “lil freck” they became accustomed to under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) rule, arguing passionately that an A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration would engage the respective unions in collective bargaining for mutually-accepted agreements.

“We guarantee you that we will stand behind unions so that unions can sit down with employers and restore collective bargaining… it is back to the bargaining table; that is what APNU/AFC will give you. No more Frecks!” he told the exuberant crowd, which chanted, “No more five per cent.”

However, the Government’s announcement Monday that it will be granting a $50,000 year-end bonus for public servants earning below $500,000 monthly is described as backpedalling on this promise and did not escape the attention of GTU General Secretary Lincoln Lewis.

On Tuesday, Lewis took the Government to task over its failure to consult with the unions on the bonus, pointing to what he said is the Administration’s failure to honour the collective bargaining and its own elections campaign commitment.

Lewis said while he welcomes the bonus for workers who are still struggling for wages, attention cannot be lost to the fact that Government at all times is required to uphold the rule of law.

“The payment of this bonus, in the absence of an engagement and concurrence with the trade unions that represent Public Sector workers is another act of violating Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution and Trade Union Recognition Law Section 23 (1) and transgressing the rights of workers,” Lewis said in a statement.

The GTUC head said consistent with industrial relations principles, the bonus is now part of the condition of employment for

public servants and as such, must be paid yearly to public servants.

“For while an employer can choose to put something in place, that employer has no authority under the law to remove it. As such, come 2016 and onward, workers shall be entitled to their year-end bonus unless the unions agree otherwise.

There is an established precedent.

The GTUC head reminded that industrial relations is not about gut feeling; it is guided by a body of principles, rules and laws.

“The GTUC therefore calls on the Government to all times be shrewd in its decision-making and more so to consult in order to make decisions consistent with timehonoured principles, laws and rights. While this and many other acts may be well intentioned, Government has to be mindful that the process it engages in does not undermine good intentions and bring disrepute to its stewardship,” Lewis said.

He added that every aspect of collective bargaining must be embraced by the Government, which is not only consistent with the laws but also commitment given to workers by the coalition during the May 11, 2015 elections campaign.

This is not the first occasion the Government has breached its campaign promise to honour the collective Bargaining Agreement. The Administration in August arbitrarily announced salary increases for public servants. This move drew widespread criticisms from trade unions, since there were no consultations with the trade unions.

At the time, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) rejected the approach which it said was in conflict with the undertaken given by the Government to respect the collective bargaining process.

The APNU/AFC while in Opposition, constantly chastised the then PPP/C Administration for the is described as “starvation wages and “freck” it was giving to public servants, while flouting the collective bargaining.

As a matter of fact, in December 2014, the APNU called on the PPP/C Administration to “respect the collective bargaining agreement and the rights of Public Servants and their Union,” adding “The annual arbitrary imposition of a small increase in wages and salaries for public employees is a clear example of the PPP/C Administration’s arrogance and its abandonment of any pretense at collective bargaining.”

However, upon assumption of office in May 2015, the coalition Government continues to renege on many of its promises, including respecting collective bargaining.

news

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wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 16 – 08:30h-10:00h and Thursday, December 17 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 16 – 07:20h-08:50h and Thursday, December 17 – 08:10h-09:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Thundery showers can be expected in the morning, while heavy rain showers can be expected in the afternoon. Clear skies are expected to give way to light rain showers in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:48h and 20:08h reaching maximum heights of 2.50 metres and 2.54 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:18h and 13:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.59 metre and 0.75 metre respectively.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

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04 10 14 17 19 25 12 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET Tuesday, December 15, 2015

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Stop ramrodding complex bills in rubber-stamp Parliament

... PPP to Govt

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is once again being accused of undermining parliamentary democracy, as it plans to rush three critical pieces of legislation through the National Assembly during Thursday’s sitting.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is expected to move a motion on Thursday, suspending the Standing Orders to allow for the Municipal and District Councils and Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill No 14 of 2015, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill No 15 of 2015, and the AntiTerrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Bill No 16 of 2015 to go through all three stages (first, second and third readings) during the Thursday, December 17 sitting.

The motion is said to have received the leave of House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, thus clearing the way for it to be moved on Thursday.

However, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is protesting this development, which it described it as a “flagrant violation of parliamentary democracy.”

The Opposition is complaining that it was after 13:00h on Tuesday when its Members of Parliament (MPs) began receiving copies of Bills.

“It is noteworthy that none of these Bills were seen before this afternoon (Tuesday) and although they were dated as being gazetted on December 9th and 10th, none has been posted on the Official Gazette Guyana website nor on the Parliament of Guyana website,” a statement from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition said.

The PPP/C added that this move is denying the National Assembly – the highest law making body in the country – the opportunity to scrutinise and examine these pieces of legislation.

It added that this will also prevent the public from having enough time to know what business is before the House, while preventing them from being able to exercise the freedom to express their views on these matters before the House.

The PPP said that a quick glance of the Bills is revealing.

It added that the Municipal and District Councils and Local

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland

Authorities (Amendment) Bill seeks to increase the number of signatures required to support a political party list under Proportional Representation.

These amendments, the Party said, essentially make it extremely onerous or may even deny smaller parties from participating in the LGE. “These amendments are undemocratic and must be opposed by all,” it argued.

As it relates to the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, the Opposition said its MPs, members of the public nor civil society and members of the public were not given adequate time to scrutinise the proposed amendments.

“One has to ask why the rush on this new AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill when the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs has denied that Guyana is not compliant with FATF? Why isn’t there the same urgency to set up the AML/ CFT Authority and the FIU as provided for in the Government’s AML/CFT Amendment Act 2015?” the Opposition asked.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

The Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Bill is an entirely new 98-page legislation, which the PPP/C said it has never seen before.

“Due to the nature of the Bill, developments in other countries on terrorism and concerns with human rights here in Guyana, this Bill should be properly and publicly scrutinised in a Parliamentary Special Select Committee,” the Party said, adding that, “this move by the Government to deny scrutiny and to rush through these Bills further exposes the new Administration for its undemocratic actions. Their actions fly in the face of positions taken by the APNU/PNCR/ PNCRIG and AFC in previous Parliaments.”

The Opposition reminded that the Final Report of the Special Select Committee on the Needs Assessment of the Guyana National Assembly, April 10, 2006, which was unanimously adopted by the National Assembly specifically amended the Standing Orders to prevent Ministers moving that Bills be considered “forthwith” and “not allow

bills to be taken through all their stages in one day” unless in a case of an emergency.

The PPP/C said in its statement that its MPs want the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Union, the United Nations and in particular, the United Nations Development Programme, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Organisation of American States, the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank to note what it called a “new assault on parliamentary democracy” by the Government and to take a stand in support of parliamentary democracy in the 11th Parliament.

The PPP/C is also seeking to rally the support of civil society in opposing what it said is a consistent erosion and abandonment of parliamentary democracy by coalition Government. This is not the first time the Government is accused of subverting parliamentary democracy.

Back in August during a the consideration of the Budget 2015, the Government moved to reduce to three, as opposed to the seven days conventionally allowed for the Consideration of Estimates.

Then in November, Dr Barton Scotland denied a request by the PPP/C for the convening of the National Assembly to discuss a motion aimed at quashing the exorbitant salary increase Cabinet Ministers gave to themselves.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, december 16, 2015

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

Editorial

Local governance

C

itizens are hearing different arguments from the various stakeholders regarding the holding of Local Government Elections next year. For its part, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is saying that it is ready to hold these elections and can do so on March 18, 2016 – a date set by the Local Government Minister after consultations with the elections body.

However, the main Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is advancing the argument that GECOM is not fully prepared to run off the elections and has listed quite a few reasons to justify its position. Whatever the case may be, the nation is anxiously awaiting these elections as they are seen as a key element of democracy. It must be mentioned too that they are long overdue considering the fact that Local Government Elections were last held in 1994.

Last week, at a hastily-called press conference, the PPP Commissioners on GECOM were very strong in their position that because of the differences in the actual electoral process this time around, and the accompanying regulatory and administrative systems that need to be put in place, the elections body is not fully prepared to successfully hold these elections.

The PPP Commissioners highlighted several issues of concern which GECOM must seriously take into consideration; these include the mechanisms in place for the Disciplined Services to vote. They believe that the current system could result in a “logistical nightmare” and they explained why they think so.

There is also the issue of certain outstanding laws that need to be repealed. For example, while there is an Order listing three new towns, there is still a law in existence which identifies these new towns as Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

In addition, they cited the crucial issue of defining the various boundaries. Many boundaries, especially in the hinterland areas, are still to be defined. Another concern raised was the need for a more robust educational campaign regarding the Local Government Elections, given that this process is fairly new to many. While GECOM has started some work in publicising the new system that will be used for the Local Government Elections, not many citizens fully understand how it works.

By now the public awareness and education campaign should have been in full gear in communities across Guyana. This is certainly not the case.

We wish to restate that the PR and education campaign is a key element for successfully holding these elections. If persons are not fully informed about the process and what it means or how it will impact them and the development of their own communities, they will not participate in the process.

These are all valid concerns which GECOM must seek to address urgently as it is only a matter of about three months remaining before the elections are held.

Certainly, we cannot boast of being a democracy and not have Local Government Elections in more than 20 years.

Citizens are crying out for better services. They want to see drains dug, and trenches and canals cleaned. They want safer and more prosperous communities. They want to have more facilities for sports in their communities and they want their views to be well-represented at the national level so that Central Government would become aware of the issues which need to be addressed.

We believe that it is only when people have transparent and accountable institutions at all levels of Government – national, regional and local, will they have confidence in their future. On this basis, we wish to restate the point that effective and efficient public administration coupled with healthy local governance can drive development efforts. Local Government institutions bring Government closer to the people, fostering greater inclusion, civic responsibility, empowerment and participation.

Nothing should hold the nation back from engaging in this democratic process. The nation expects that all stakeholders, especially political parties, will support GECOM in carrying out its constitutional mandate with the highest level of professionalism and transparency. While the various stakeholders have a democratic right to criticise GECOM and point out its flaws, they must also use all the legal and administrative mechanisms available to not only voice their concerns but to work diligently with the elections body to ensure all systems are in place to successfully run off these elections.

Campton Bobb and his son view his work at National Art Gallery, Castellani House, which hosted the 10th National Biennial Drawing Competition on Tuesday

Would the APNU/AFC coalition call the PPP/C’s bluff?

Dear Editor, Is former PNC Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Rashleigh Jackson the usual partisan politician or not? Probably, he is more noble than known and would boldly put his money after he ably put himself atop a pedestal of good oldfashioned “patriotic reasonableness” in his KN letter of December 14, 2015. When Guyana’s Parliament meets this week – Thursday, the PPP/C’s Bishop Juan Edghill will be moving a moral motion – hopefully with APNU/AFC support – to require all MPs by law to publicly reveal their individual tax returns to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) over the last 10 years.

Is corruption to be boldly defrocked by the PPP/C? When successfully approved in Parliament...

How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over In states unborn and accents yet unknown!”

(Shakespeare, Julius Caesar) The SN of December 14, 2015 reported that when

“Asked if he was willing to lead the charge, Jagdeo exclaimed, “Of course! Of course! I can’t be calling for it and not willing to be part.

Yes, I will!” Constantly under attack for heading a corrupt PPP/C Government, former President Bharrat Jagdeo is prepared to bare it all and dance up a storm.

On November 28, 2015, he issued a challenge for all MPs to publicly declare their assets. Is the PPP/C Opposition Leader bluffing?

Unaware what were the PPP/C’s Desert Storm plans as reported by the SN, Mr Jackson in his KN letter the same day was most audacious in giving advice to the PPP/C on curbing corruption and malfeasance. Why would he deliberately leave out any similar words of wisdom to President David Granger whom he taught at Queen’s College? Mr Jackson wrote in his KN letter that: “This in my view can be a constructive element in the evolution of a healthy political culture, provided at least two conditions are satisfied. Firstly, the

issues should not be raised vexatiously and should respect the canons of decency.

Secondly, the Government’s response should honour the promises made in their APNU/AFC manifesto, and should be timely and respectful.” All nice, given the times and challenges ahead.

The SN also reported former President Jagdeo as saying: “I am still hopeful that they will agree to my proposal that we go jointly to Parliament to make public the assets of the Members of Parliament and (all) former Presidents’ etcetera own, especially abroad, with a penalty of five years in prison for lying,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo said if the motion is approved, he would be the first to make public not only his local assets but those held outside Guyana. Actually, why should only current MPs reveal their assets and income tax returns? Guyanese have a right to know who are the overnight millionaire politicians from all sides. None should be exempt. Let us go back as far as 1964 for all MPs to bare it all. This will cover

both the PNC’s 1964-1992 and PPP’s 1992-2015 and the current periods. Let’s not leave any stone unturned. That would be the fair thing to do, wouldn’t it? Mr Jackson could be the second jumper after former President Jagdeo to bring back “patriotic reasonableness” from his pedestal – so help him God. He ought to also reveal his yesteryear tax returns when in Government.

Given the issues, the PPP/C motion may engender fierce debate. Would the APNU/AFC coalition call the PPP/C’s bluff? All Guyanese would happily be most supportive of Mr Jackson’s fervent hopes and sincere aspirations if things come to pass.

He wrote: “For now, I hope that the public can be given some assurance that the major political stakeholders will greet and deal with each other with “clean hands”.” What better Christmas present to us poor Guyanese without a 50 per cent pay increase?

Sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

Civilian Legislated Agency needed Dear Editor, The security services – Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force and Guyana Prisons – have all joined in providing information from these agencies that are misleading and, in many cases, outright fictitious. Firstly, the APNU/AFC Government security measures implemented so far has not put a real dent on the serious crimes committed on innocent Guyanese.

Many of these crimes are committed by active members

of the Army, Police and Prison Services. These agencies in the eyes of the general public have been lenient with these lawbreaking security men and for sure lost the respect and trust.

There should be more robust rules: for example, once charged, suspension without pay; no bail should be granted to those charged; once convicted, they should be dismissed promptly and they should be treated just like everyone else when charged.

On the other hand, the

Government should set up a Civilian Legislated Agency to review all security services personnel who have committed crimes proven in court or not and implement strict disciplinary measures.

For the convicted, they must be dismissed forthwith.

The culture of the security services from top to bottom must change if the unnecessary crimes in Guyana will end. Crimes committed by Police such as stopping a car and seeking a bribe for lunch or you get a ticket is illegal

and must stop. Zero tolerance for bribes for getting a birth certificate, passport, driver’s licence, property title, a business licence, a liquor licence, a vendor licence, building licence, and noise infraction in taxi and minibuses, even covering up serious criminal offences. This culture needs immediate attention, action and review every three months to fine-tune corrective measures as they are put in place.

Sincerely, Sheik Ally

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wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt yet to establish new GPL Board – fate of company’s CEO to be decided

By Kristen Macklingam

S

ome seven months after taking office, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration is still to appoint persons to the Board of Directors for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Despite assurances that this new Board would have been operational “soon” after the life of the previous Board had expired, this promise is yet to be fulfilled.

Director of Public Information at the Ministry of the Presidency, Imran Khan told Guyana Times on Tuesday that he was unaware as to when GPL’s Board would be established.

However, he indicated that he would enquire from Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson within the next 24 hours about the matter and contact this publication with the Minister’s response.

Guyana Times understands that this new Board will be investigating recent reports implicating GPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Colin Welch in an over US$4 million contract for pre-paid meters scandal.

As such, Welch’s fate will lie in the hands of the Board members after the probe is completed.

The CEO has come under fire after reports surfaced that he had interfered with the tendering process of a contract for the supply

GPL CEO Colin Welch

of 28,000 prepaid meters to Guyana.

Welch on Tuesday emphatically stated that the allegations levelled against him were “total fabrication”.

“There has been no interference on my part with that project and the allegations are total fabrication which is baseless and preposterous…The tendering process is run by the procurement department and the tender board. The tendering process that was ongoing was annulled or scrapped and we are starting a new one,” he told this newspaper.

He maintains that the text messages and logs of Skype calls that were being considered as damning evidence against him were fabrications which were created to implicate him.

Reports are that Welch reportedly asked a supplier to lie about the specifications in relation to the tender.

Rodney CoI

No report submitted E

ven with an extension granted to Commissioners probing the circumstances leading to the death of Dr Walter Rodney, Government has not yet received the final report of their findings.

Up to late Tuesday evening, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams said as far as he was aware, Government had not yet received the final report by the threemember panel which was due on December 15.

Chairman of the Commission, Barbadian Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham had requested from President David Granger additional time for the Commission to meet to continue fur-

Dr Walter Rodney

ther inquiries; however, this was denied. The team, which includes Jamaican Queens Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown and Guyanese Trinidadian Senior Counsel Seenath

Jairam, was instead given another two weeks to complete the final report to hand over to the Head of State.

Head of the Secretariat Hugh Denbow had told Guyana Times recently that Commissioners during their last conference call had indicated that they were having some challenges with time, as they all live in different jurisdictions.

He said the Commission’s Chairman, Sir Richard Cheltenham had written President Granger last month. He could not say, however, what the letter was about, and what concerns, if any, were raised with the Head of State.

Commissioners and lawyers had in July of this year,

blasted Government for what they said was the premature end to the investigation into the death of the Working People’s Alliance Leader. The contention was that the move would definitely rob the Commission of a comprehensive, thorough and fair outcome.

Rodney, a founding member of the Working People’s Alliance, died on June 13, 1980, when a bomb said to be planted in a walkie-talkie device exploded while he sat in a car outside the Georgetown prison. His family and members of the party he founded maintained that his death was the mastermind of the then People’s National Congress, led by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

On Sunday, Director of Public Information Khan, via a Whatsapp broadcast, told the media that Minister Patterson admitted he had received complaints about this particular tender.

As a result of the complaints, this tender was aborted as instructions were given for the process to be ‘set aside’, and for it to be retendered.

In April last, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) closed the bids with Tesco PLC, a British company that won the contract and undertook to supply the prepaid meters to Guyana.

It was stated that Tesco was going to procure the meters from Shenzhen Clou Electronics Company Limited of China.

At that time, one bidder had raised an objection about the evaluation and award, claiming that

Tesco’s supplier, Shenzhen Clou Electronics Company Limited, did not manufacture the 100-amp meters required by GPL. Another objection raised was in relation to the inspection of the meters.

The 28,000 meters had to be certified by an internationally accepted laboratory before shipment could commence. Questions also surfaced over the certification documents which were presented.

As such, the tender board wrote both Tesco and Shenzhen, seeking clarification.

It was during the waiting period for responses that the controversially appointed Welch allegedly contacted the Chinese company, stating that it must lie about having the 100 amps prepaid meters available in other countries. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

11 tips to remove Christmas clutter and stress from your holiday!

BY KATHI MILLER-MILLER

W

ell I don’t know about you, but amazingly it appears that despite my popular belief (and recurring nightmares!), I am going to survive yet another holiday season. But the reality is that while I will “survive” the holiday, I have once again taken a couple more steps away from my days of true Christmas insanity!

I’m not really sure if my desire to truly “simplify” Christmas is related to my age, maturity, life experiences or a combination of the above, but each year it seems I am more determined to reduce the “Christmas Clutter” and truly appreciate the “Reason for the Season!”

If you find yourself overwhelmed and stressed out from your holiday preparations, you may be ready to take the same journey as me and remove the Christmas Clutter and Stress from Your Holiday! While the transitions may be gradual, this is the perfect time to make some personal commitments to change!

Tips for this year

Pare it down. I don’t know about you, but my family loves traditions! And while I appreciate all of the fond memories they create, traditions also cause stress.

Instead of automatically doing everything you always do, talk with your family and ask each person to pick one thing about the holiday they wouldn’t miss. It could be Aunt Martha’s potato cas-

serole, the family baking extravaganza, the annual Christmas letter or perhaps even the family tree trimming event. Regardless, you might just be surprised what you learn!

Shop less. While it won’t be popular with retailers, buying less can definitely reduce your stress levels.

Think of it like this: Each gift represents stress. First we stress about WHAT to buy. Then we stress about WHERE to buy it. Next we stress about WHEN to wrap

it and then we stress about HOW to pay for it! Instead, hold a family meeting and commit to buying less this year. You set the stage. It could be one less gift or 10.

But ultimately, Christmas will come and go and chances are good that no one will really notice the difference.

And really haven’t we gotten pretty far away from the original intent of the holiday?

Quit topping. I of-

ten wonder what it is that makes us feel like a failure if we don’t make this “the best holiday EVER!” If we remove the emotion, it’s completely illogical to think that we can always improve the memories, or gifts, or food from one year to the next…yet many of us do just that. Stop putting pressure on yourself to top the ever increasing bar and you may just find that the holidays become truly enjoyable again!

Wrap it up! If the tension of finding the “perfect”

gift isn’t enough, then there’s the added tension of the gift wrapping. Instead of waiting to wrap all of your gifts in a couple of marathon events, do your wrapping in conjunction with your shopping.

Finding the time to wrap one or two gifts is much less overwhelming that wrapping 1020. Or better yet, consider making a donation to a local club/charity in exchange for gift wrapping services!

Just say YES! For those

of you that are faced with hosting responsibilities for the holidays, take a deep breath and just say yes. I don’t have to look far (like in the mirror!) to find someone who still stubbornly insists on completing meal prep without help. I have recently decided this is truly the definition of insanity! If your guests offer to bring a portion of the meal, let them.

And if they don’t offer, ask them to bring something.

The reality is that people enjoy contributing to the festivities and each item brought is one less thing for you to handle!

Serve the soup. While the thought of skipping the traditional feast at home may be alarming, perhaps it’s time to switch things up a bit. The holidays are a wonderful time to appreciate all of our blessings in life and what better way to appreciate them than to spend some time with others who are less fortunate. Volunteering to serve at a local soup kitchen is a double win! You skip the stress of holiday food prep at home and also get the “feel good” of helping others who are less fortunate. Or if you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge on volunteerism, then perhaps you make it a point to invite some folks into the house who don’t have the luxury of either having family local or the financial resources to afford the big, traditional meal. For more ideas on volunteering, check this out! to be continued

Food allergies and the holidays

By Elizabeth Leader Smith

T

o eat, or not to eat.

That is the question.

Most holiday gatherings revolve around sharing food, which can be very difficult if you or your child suffers from a severe food allergy.

From the entrées and sides to the cakes and cookies, holiday dishes are frequently prepared using one or more of the top eight allergens; milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. And, because food allergies can range in severity, it’s ultimately up to the sufferer (or the sufferer’s parent) to sort out the necessary precautions they need to take to stay safe.

The good news is, with a little preparation and planning you can enjoy the holidays without a trip to the emergency room. Here are some approaches to consider: Prepare an all-inone dish. If you’re bringing a dish to a party, make something that will serve

well as a stand-alone meal in case there are no other dishes that you feel comfortable eating. One-pot meals – such as holiday-ready dairy-free baked MushroomPolenta Pie – are an easy way to cover your bases. If dessert is more your style, a fresh take on apple pie or fruit cake that is gluten free, dairy free, vegan and super delicious might be your best bet!

Encourage signage. If you’re planning a potluck, ask the cooks to write an ingredient card with their name on it to place in front of their dish. This way, food allergy sufferers can easily identify the dishes they’re comfortable eating – or locate the cook if they need more information about how the dish was prepared.

Call ahead. Dining out can be one of the toughest things for food allergy sufferers to navigate. If you’re invited to a meal at a restaurant or a party that’s being catered, call the restaurant or catering company ahead of time to ask about your options. Some chefs are willing to discuss alternative food preparation methods and ingredients.

Don’t hesitate to investigate. If your food allergy has the potential to cause anaphylactic shock, read labels closely, steer clear of foods with a likelihood of cross-contamination (food from bulk bins, deli cases and salad bars to name a few) and when in doubt, play it safe.

Eat before you party down. If you’re attending a gathering and are unsure if you’ll be able to eat the food, have a light meal before you go and pack a small snack to get you through the evening in case there’s nothing you’re comfortable eating.

Pack crackers in an airtight container for on the go. Or these roasted nuts with a sprinkling of spice can be packaged into a single serving and tucked into your coat pocket or purse.

Host the party. When you do the cooking, you control the ingredients. Ask guests to contribute ice, beverages (labelled) or board games. Find recipe inspiration and check out our tips for holiday hosting with special diets. (www.wholefoodsmarket.com)

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wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Pay sugar workers bonus too – GAWU Head ...GuySuCo’s employees are Government employees

By Kristen Macklingam

I

n light of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s move to award public servants who earn less than $500,000 per month a bonus of $50,000 in December this year, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is calling for the same to be given to its sugar workers.

GAWU President Komal Chand on Tuesday told Guyana Times that while this announcement which was made by the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is a “much welcomed” one, his Union was imploring that the sugar workers throughout the country benefit from such an act.

“This announcement

must also be looked at against the fact that the sugar workers having not been granted an increase in pay for the first time in decades. Secondly, what is also of grave concern is that they have not even discussed with the Union the claim that the Union submitted.

The law and the agreement between the Union and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) require discussions and negotiations to take place,” Chand said.

He emphasised that regardless of the fact that the sugar workers’ wage/ salary increases negotiations for this year have not been held, it is expected that the bonus which the Government was giving to other public service employees be given to the hardworking sugar workers as well.

According to the GAWU

GAWU President Komal Chand

President, this should be done because all sugar workers in Guyana are considered to be workers of the Administration. “....GuySuCo is the only shareholder of the sugar industry. So by extension, GuySuCo’s employees are,

in fact, Government employees,” he posited.

Guyana Times was told that the Union was of the view that in light of the 2.5 days which are being offered to the sugar workers as their Annual Production Incentive (API) for 2015, this bonus will be gladly appreciated and much welcomed.

“The API sum will be paid till in March next year, so we feel that the $50,000 should also be extended to the sugar workers. This is taking into account what has been given to them: is more than unreasonable, it is a token; it is a pittance.

So we are calling on the Government of Guyana to also extend that bonus, that sum of $50,000 to every sugar worker,” Chand stated.

This newspaper was also reminded that while there

Banks DIH sells shares in Banks Barbados

B

anks DIH Limited on Tuesday confirmed the sale of its over 4.3 million shares in Banks Holdings Barbados to SLU Beverages Limited of St Lucia.

In a statement, the beverage giant stated that the sale of 6.7 per cent stake in Banks

Barbados to SLU has barred the possible takeover of Banks Barbados by beverage conglomerate ANSA McAL Limited.

The sale, the beverage giant said, took place on December 2.

On Tuesday, in defending its decision to sell the shares, Banks DIH in a statement to the me-

dia said that in 2005, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Banks Holdings Barbados which predetermined that it “may not dispose of the shares it possesses in Banks Holdings Limited as a result of this share transfer unless the first option to purchase those shares has been offered to

Banks Holdings Limited.

Also that Banks Holdings Limited may not dispose of the shares it possesses in Banks DIH Limited as a result of this share transfer, unless the first option to purchase those shares has been offered to Banks DIH Limited.”

Turn to page 11

continued to be a deadlock on negotiations around the workers’ API for 2015.

If this payment of the bonus being given to public servants is not extended to the sugar workers, this would not bode well as it would appear to be “discriminatory”, Chand said.

He pointed out that the sugar industry exceeding

its production target for this year was testimony to the hard work and dedication of the country’s sugar workers at the various estates and factories.

As such, they should be rewarded for their efforts, dedication and commitment, he added. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

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wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eyew tness

Canje man on remand for Playing favourites… …with Bonuses trafficking cannabis

A

n East Canje, Berbice, man was remanded to prison after he was reportedly found in possession of a quantity of narcotics while travelling in a minibus.

Sheldon Simon, 45, of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, pleaded not guilty to the trafficking in narcotics charge when it was read by the sitting Magistrate at

the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court.

The charge alleged that a total of 5 kilograms 470 grams of marijuana was found in Simon’s possession on December 11.

According to reports, on the day in question, a female Detective was in a minibus in Corentyne, Berbice, during which she got the scent of cannabis

sativa (marijuana) in the vehicle.

The officer requested that driver take the vehicle into the Springlands Police Station Compound; however, upon arriving there, the suspect reportedly attempted to exit the vehicle.

The Detective was forced to physically restrain him from leaving.

Checks were made on

his person and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems were allegedly found in his possession. The narcotic was weighed and amounted to 5 kilograms 470 grams.

Simon was subsequently charged for trafficking in narcotics.

The 45-year-old man will make his next court appearance on December 29.

Carpenter on remand for illegal firearm, ammo

A

carpenter who was reportedly busted with a .38 Colt Pistol along with two matching rounds of ammunition was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLeannan.

Mohan Chandrajeet, 25,

of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on December 11, 2015 he had in his possession an unlicensed gun along with live matching rounds of ammunition.

Reports state that

ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Saturday conducted a search on a house at Westminster, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) where Chandrajeet was reportedly found with the weapon

and ammunition.

In court on Tuesday, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that Chandrajeet admitted to the offence under caution.

He was remanded to prison and the case will continue on December 28.

defendant, together with others robbed Lakram Shuslachan of a gold band valued $37,000 while being armed with a gun on Saturday October 3. The incident is alleged to have occurred at the Mabura access road. The second charge of robbery under arms read against the defendant stated that he, together with others at the same location on Saturday October 3, robbed Shawn Kishan of his Galaxy cell-

phone valued $22,000, and $36,000 in cash. Hinds is alleged to have also robbed Kishan of a TM 6×6 Bedford truck, valued $12 million along with 16,500 litres of fuel, valued $2 million; both the property of Julius Ferreira. The defendant who was represented by Attorney Gordon Gilhuys, was remanded to prison for the offences.

Additionally, he was also slapped with the charge of unlawful pos-

session of a firearm, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail for that offence in the sum of $50,000. Another charge against the defendant alleged that he had a red and black power generator in his possession, which is believed to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained on Friday, December 11, at Wisroc Housing Scheme. The cases against Hinds will continue on January 6.

Wisroc man remanded on robbery charges

A

Wisroc Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden man was on Tuesday slapped with three counts of robbery related charges when he appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Twenty-nine-year-old Rawle Hinds of Lot 112 Wisroc was charged with two counts of robbery under arms and possession of an offensive weapon.

It is alleged that the

S

ometimes you wonder whether the Government’s deliberately trying to polarise the politics of the country even more than it has been for the last half a century. What else can you make of its decision to have GuySuCo stonewall the sugar workers for their Annual Production Incentive (API) yet find $1.5 billion to give Public Servants a $50,000 bonus? Tax free!

The Government knows how these things play out in Guyana. While it’s all well and good to say public servants who earn less than $500,000 annually should get a fillip, how can the Government not expect, say, sugar workers to contrast their differential treatment. They, after all, have APIs as part of their contract: they reach production targets set by management and at the end of the year, there’s supposed to be a bonus payment depending on how well they did.

The targets aren’t set by workers. It’s not their problem that GuySuCo’s broke. The Government is even more broke than GuySuCo. Every year, the Government has to borrow to cover its deficit. Plus when the new Government took office, it swore the kitty was bare. So where is it going to get this $1.5 billion.

The troubling development is the Government’s also making folks like your Eyewitness who have to ask these questions sound quite churlish, if not downright mean and “divisive”. So folks are hoping to stew in silence since the Government appears to be pandering to a constituency that has already received a substantial 13 per cent raise for the year. Even some of its own supporters in other sectors will be miffed.

Workers in the non-governmental entities get wage increases based on productivity increases. The economists point out that such increases are “non-inflationary”, but workers couldn’t care less for that. What they do know is that it’s not unreasonable for the employer to get some improvement in his output of widgets or whatever if he’s going to give a “bonus”. So where’s the increased productivity from the public servants?

What we’re witnessing is the widening of the populist imperative that characterised the APNU/AFC campaign.

Promise the people anything so they’ll be in your corner!

This might work if the country had enough to go around for everybody. But like even President Granger says, the “six sisters” of the Guyanese economy are all in intensive care.

So imagine if the workers in the productive sector – who have to deliver economic redemption – feel they’re being shafted while their taxes are used to give bonuses to the non-productive sector – what we can expect from them?

Your Eyewitness just hopes they don’t show up in front of OP with their pitchforks!

…or footsies with crime?

The Police’s SOP instructs them to release crime statistics at the end of every month. Every month, the number of crimes and road accidents heading for the skies. So, this month, the Police duly released the figures for end November which showed that “serious crimes” climbed by 9%. Not to rub it in, even the editor of this newspaper chose not to have a headline “Crime spirals by 9%”!

The Police, of course, had taken strong exception to this newspaper describing thusly the steady and inexorable climb of serious crimes. What say they now? Well, they incredibly chose to break their SOP to announce that OF DEC 11, crime had “ONLY” climbed 7%!! Can you believe this sick abuse of statistics?

Since when do we release “half month” statistics? Just to show they ain’t doing “as bad”? As another politician said, “You can fool all the people sometimes; some of the people all the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time!”

…but not with sugar

To add insult to injury, the same day the $50,000 tax-free bonus was announced…GuySuCo boasted it’d surpassed its targets – with more “grinding” to go. And management wants “better relations” with workers – but won’t give them their API! It’s a mad, mad world!

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

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wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, december 16, 2015

News

CJ yet to rule on summons to quash election petition

A

cting Chief Justice Ian Chang is yet to hand down a ruling on the summons to quash, filed by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield challenging the Elections Petition that was filed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Member Ganga Persaud.

In the petition, which was filed on June 24, the PPP/C member is asking the court to grant a number of orders including the nullification of the May 11 General and Regional Election, as well as an order for new elections to be held.

The Election Petition named the Chief Elections Officer and the representatives of the List of Candidates for all eight parties that contested the General and Regional Elections, as the defendants.

However, Lowenfield counter-filed legal actions, claiming in the summons that the petition does not have sufficient facts to support the claims being made. At an earlier sitting, Attorney Anil Nandlall, representing Persaud, had pointed out that he has presented all the necessary information required in the petition.

These include facts on the rejected ballots and refusal of the Returning Officer to grant a final general count, among others.

“The petition itself is 13

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang

pages long, it details some 28 odd grounds and the reliefs, which it seeks, are the Statutory Reliefs which are to be sought in any Elections Petition based upon any given facts. So we could not have pleaded anymore than what we have pleaded… Each one of the grounds that were alleged, there are sufficient facts pleaded in support,” Nandlall had told reporters.

Persaud has since retained Jamaican attorney Abraham Dabdoub, to represent him in the case and on the last occasion in November, Dabdoub submitted arguments in response to the claims outlined by Forde.

After hearing arguments from the two parties, Justice Chang adjourned the matter, indicating that a ruling would be handed down on the next hearing.

His office was supposed to send out notices, informing the parties involved of the date for decision on whether he will uphold summons or not. However, no such notice has been received by any of the parties.

On the other hand, another defendant/respondent named on the Election Petition, the representative for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) List of Candidate Professor Harold Lutchman, had also filed a summons in which he is seeking “further and better particulars” from the Election Petition.

The delay in the hearing and determination of the summonses will impact the substantive Elections Petition case by delaying it. However, should Justice Chang uphold any or both of the summonses on the grounds proffered, he can strike out the petition.

Prior to the filing of the petition, Persaud was required to file an ex-parte application, seeking permission from the court to file the actual Election Petition. The matter was heard before the acting Chief Justice, who granted leave for the petition to be filed.

Some of the grounds laid out in the Election Petition includes valid ballots being wrongly deemed rejected, Statements of Poll (SOP) used to ascertain the re-

sults contain arithmetic errors, multiple voting by persons and impersonation of persons, PPP/C ballot attendants and polling agents being prevented from accompanying the ballot boxes, and the fact that there were fraudulently concocted SOPs.

Former Police charged for not returning uniform

A

former member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was on Tuesday charged for not returning a number of military outfits after they were found in his possession by Police.

Twenty-one-year-old Leon Williams of Lot 74 Accabra Drive, Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court to answer to the offence of unlawful possession of military stores.

It is alleged that on December 11, he was discovered with two Police head dresses, a Police cap badge, a pair of Police Officer’s shoes and four black Police pants; all property of the GPF. The defendant, who told the court that he is currently unemployed, pleaded not guilty to unlawfully having the items in his possession. Bail was granted in the sum of $20,000. The case will continue on January 27.

Relativity and Police statistics

S

atiricus knew he was a duffer. Back in the days of his dissolute youth, he just couldn’t get his head around things like Maths in school. His life was miserable as the class toughs ragged him something fierce. Then one day, as he was dozing in front of the TV, he heard about the “Theory of Relativity”, invented by that great scientist, Albert Einstein.

Most of the stuff seemed like mumbo jumbo to Satiricus, but one thing he heard in plain English: if you try to measure something, the answer you’ll get depended on your perspective. Satiricus thought it was quite wonderful of the Guyanese Police to combine with the Guyana Chronicle to prove once again the Theory of Relativity was absolutely spot on.

Take a bow from whatever dimension you are in the space-time continuum, Albert Einstein!! The Police, at the end of every month, announce how they were doing on “serious crimes”. And these are real serious stuff such as rapes, murders, and kidnappings.. .As the numbers climbed higher and higher every month, an irate citizenry understandably had a few (really not SO few) choice words for the Po-Lice.

So the Police plunged into action to bring down these “serious crimes” numbers. They picked that year the bandits had launched their final frontal attack on the State and bodies were piling up like flies everywhere. And announced: “See! Crime isn’t as bad as it was then!” Well, needless to say, the citizenry were outraged. And had a few more choice words for the Police. But it was a matter of “relativity”, smiled Satiricus superciliously. The measurement of crime depended on the perspective of the fella doing the measuring!

And this month the theory was proven even more rigorously. The Police said serious crimes had risen by 9% -- but not to worry! It was all under control.

The Police had made a new adding up on Dec 11 and found crime had risen by “only” 7%. 2% drop in 11 days, no? NO!!

The Chronicle applied Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, and claimed the increase was actually “7%!!!! Guyanese can all sleep soundly now! omrades from the Chronic get the Nobel Prize for Physics AND Mathematics this year.

wednesday, december 16, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Small miners ineligible for duty-free vehicles – GGMC says policy needs to be reviewed

S

everal small miners have expressed dismay over the fact that they are now being informed that they do not qualify for the duty-free vehicles as was previously conveyed to them by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) under the previous Administration.

In August 2014, at the launching of Mining Week, media reports quoted former President Donald Romator as saying that in an attempt to assist investors within the mining sector, the Administration would be providing miners with 4 x4, four-door vehicles with duty-free concessions.

The duty-free concessions would be given for a “particular type of vehicle”, the former President had said, but explained that key requirements for such concessions would be that miners make their gold declaration and pay taxes.

In applying for these ve-

hicles, small miners who invested in the local mining sector were disappointed when they were met with a bottleneck in the system.

Guyana Times was told that small miners were recently told that in order for them to qualify for the dutyfree concession, they have to have an output of 500 ounces of gold or above a year. In addition, diamond miners,

Banks DIH sells...

The statement said that Banks DIH offered its first option to sell its shares to Banks Holdings Limited, but the Barbados company’s Board of Directors had no interest in repurchasing the shares, and as such, that decision cleared the way for the shares to be sold to the St Lucian company.

The company noted that at the time it sold its shares in Banks Holdings Barbados, the St Lucian company already had 40.3 per cent of the issued capital of the Barbadian company and with the purchase of the 6.7 per cent held by Banks DIH, its stake in the company climbed to 47 per cent.

The Directors of Banks

from page 7

DIH, the statement said, believe that the sale of its shareholding in BHL was both financially and commercially advantageous and will increase shareholder value in Banks DIH Limited.

It noted throughout the whole process of the takeover battle for BHL, the Directors of Banks DIH were guided by the company’s financial and legal advisors.

SLU Beverages is a St Lucian registered company that had been fiercely competing against ANSA McAL for a greater stake in Banks Holdings Limited, Barbados.

In 2004, ANSA McAL had tried to buy majority shares in Banks DIH Limited.

the newspaper was told, are not eligible for such concessions.

Speaking with Guyana Times, some of the small miners expressed their disappointment that they do not qualify for the vehicles.

One miner, whose min-

ing operations is in the vicinity of Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), said he went to the GGMC’s office in Georgetown on Monday to apply for a duty-free concession but was informed that he does not qualify.

“I approached the person who looks after the vehicles and I was told that only gold miners can apply; diamond miners cannot because they are not eligible. Also I was shocked to know that because I only produce an output of 200 ounces of gold a year, I will not qualify for the vehicle,” the miner said.

“Which small miner does sell 500 ounces of gold a year, oh come on, as long as you’re able to sell that amount each year, that means that you are a rich man and you can afford to buy your own vehicle,” the vexed miner said.

Another small miner told this publication that they now feel undervalued although they too contribute to the mining sector in Guyana.

The miner added that it is very expensive and difficult for small miners to do business in the hinterland area when there is no mode of transportation.

“We are the ones that really need those vehicles because as a small miner, it costs me about $100,000 just to take five of my workers into the backdam. It is very expensive but if I can get one of those vehicles, it would help a great lot because even though I am a small miner, I also contribute to the gold market,” another concerned miner said.

When contracted for comment on the issue, Deputy Commissioner of GGMC

Newell Dennison explained that there are indeed rules in the public domain but that the GGMC sponsors response to requests based on the guidelines that they received from a higher level.

He added that there are criteria that govern the duty-free vehicle, which is done at a policy level. “Whether good or bad, we don’t set the rules that govern the distribution of the vehicles, we are not the ultimate agency for the duty-free vehicles, the Natural Resources Ministry through us distributes these vehicle, so I would recommend that the miners take their complaints to that Ministry.”

He further added that this issue cannot be addressed by the GGMC but that it is indeed an issue that needs to be addressed.

12 news

wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

US ‘100,000 Strong in the Americas’ initiative

Keeping it real UG among winners Was there “meaningful” T

he University of Guyana (UG) was named among nine winners of the United States Government’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund grants, for a project it collaborated with the Texas Tech University on supporting the oil and gas sector.

According to the US Embassy, the announcement was made by the White House, US Department of State, Partners of the Americas, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

The 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund grants is sponsored by ExxonMobil to support university partnerships and new study abroad programmes at an event with Vice President Joe Biden.

The University of Guyana won in partnership with Texas Tech University for their project titled “Enhancing the Capacities of Undergraduates at the

The University of Guyana joins a prestigious group of international universities that were among the winners

University of Guyana and Texas Tech University to Support the Oil and Gas Sector.” The total amount of money awarded to the two

universities is US$25,000.

The University of Guyana and Texas Tech University established a study abroad programme to enhance the

capacities of undergraduate study with a focus on the sustainable development of the oil and gas sector. Students from both countries will study together in a course that emphasises service learning and hands-on projects. Students will explore issues of sustainability, social justice, and transparency in the oil and gas sector, as well as participate in field trips and guest lecturers that address engineering ethics, resource economics, and ecological conservation.

“We have to invest in the greatest natural resource we all have – in our people… this investment in our young minds is critically important,” Vice President Biden stated at the event. “It rests on exposure… exposure to culture, language, and politics of other countries. That’s how we’re going to build the closest ties that will cement the economic growth and stability of this hemisphere,” he added. turn to page 13

consultation in the appointment of the Chief Justice (ag)?

L

abour leader Lincoln Lewis, in a recent letter to the press, argued that meaningful consultations between the Government and the Opposition are necessary for the greater good of society.

He was referring to the meeting between President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo regarding the appointment of Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards as acting Chief Justice. Lewis makes a rather unusual argument, namely that the Opposition Leader is part Dr Baytoram Ramharack of the “Executive”. However, in making his argument, and while calling for a new political culture, Lewis did not fail to show his sleight of hand when he took a swipe at the Opposition Leader by suggesting that “As Bharrat Jagdeo cries foul … Mr Jagdeo must be reminded that he lacks the moral authority to question the appointment when he chose not to appoint Justice Claudette Singh”.

Is the Opposition really part of the Executive? No formal powersharing arrangement exists between the Government and the Opposition. Regarding the Executive, the 1980 Constitution clearly states that “the executive authority of Guyana shall be vested in the President” and “may be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him” (Chap X, 99(1). Granger is the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

In general, the Opposition plays a number of important roles in a functioning democracy, including, but not limited to, suggesting policy alternatives; articulating and promoting the interests of its constituents; improving parliamentary decision-making procedures through debates; scrutinising the legislative and budgetary proposals of the Government; enhancing stability, legitimacy, accountability and transparency in the political processes, and acting as a “shadow” Government.

Mr Lewis may want to rethink his reference to the Opposition as being part of the “Executive”. Nothing is mentioned about the Opposition Leader (or “Minority Leader”?), having any role to play in the Executive.

I have no evidence to suggest that Justice Cummings-Edwards may be unsuitable for the job. However, I am more concerned about the “consultation” process. Lincoln Lewis used the words “meaningful consultations” to refer to the selection of the Chief Justice, a phrase extracted from the Constitution (127) (2). But, what exactly constitutes “meaningful consultations”? And, how was meaningful consultations manifested in this recent meeting?

First, consultations are influenced by the environment and the participants in any such discussions. Based on news reports, President Granger’s meeting was held with the Opposition Leader in the presence of Minister of State Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Joseph Harmon and Attorney General Basil Williams. Mr Jagdeo, on the other hand, was the only person from the parliamentary Opposition seen sitting with Government officials at the meeting. I would argue that this was a gross miscalculation on his part. Jagdeo should have been accompanied by a legal adviser, preferably someone well versed in constitutional law. In addition, Jagdeo missed an important opportunity to school a younger member of his party by excluding that person from such a meeting. If anything, it’s a reflection that Jagdeo still dominates the politics of the PPP. Two, President Granger publicly dismissed a call by the Opposition Leader for the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to submit a report on the performance of Justice Cummings-Edwards for her to be appointed acting Chief Justice. This is not an unusual request by the Opposition Leader, knowing that this is an important position in the third arm of Government, especially when it is highly likely that the Chief Justice may very well make decisions that directly affect Jagdeo, the PPP and its constituency. So much for “meaningful” consultation.

Third, the local media quoted President Granger as saying “The Constitution requires me to consult and having considered the potential candidates, I have made my choice.” This seems to be a clear indication that “meaningful” consultation was non-existent. President Granger was simply engaged in a formality. He knew what he wanted, consultation would not change his mind in any way. Granger possessed gravitas, the Opposition Leader did not.

Four, Jagdeo is reported as saying that he did not have an opportunity to “review the curriculum vitae of the nominee prior to the meeting”. Yet, Attorney General Basil Williams, who was present at the meeting, indicated that he (Jagdeo) expressed no fundamental objections to Justice Cummings-Edwards (another reason Jagdeo should have been accompanied by a member of his party). If meaningful consultations were held, should not the Opposition Leader be given the courtesy of examining the Justice’s curriculum vitae, especially since the matter was raised at the meeting? Any leader, who, as far as we know, still has the support of a large percentage of the population, should make this an issue.

Mr Lewis’s concluding observations in this case seem accurate: In situations like these, the role of the Government should be to seek consensus through meaningful consultations whereby “the parties shall discuss and deliberate the issues, where name(s) shall be floated by both sides, and a decision arrived at”. However, “the President turned up and floated his name and the Leader of the Opposition, conscious of the issue that was to have been discussed at the meeting, came ill-prepared, raising matters that are peripheral to the issue”.

If this is what passed as “meaningful consultations”, the public good is not served. The Guyanese people are the losers.

Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com

news

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wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

President gifts GPF $2M for fallen heroes, scholarship funds

P

resident David Granger on Tuesday announced a contribution of $2 million to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The money will be divided equally between the Force’s Fallen Heroes Foundation and its scholarship fund.

The President, who himself benefited from a GPF scholarship to attend Queen’s College, made these announcements at the Force’s Christmas Breakfast at the Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. The breakfast was hosted

by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud.

President Granger also used the opportunity to declare that while the Force has faced significant challenges, adding that it has ‘turned the corner’ and Government will continue to ensure that adequate resources are provided to ensure the security and safety of Guyana.

“I would like to say, without hesitation, that the Police Force has faced tremendous challenges but right now, on December 15 as we look back, I would say that the Police Force has overcome the most severe challenges,” he said.

The Head of State noted that the formation of the

President David Granger addressing the Senior Officers and Division and Branch Commanders at the Guyana Police Force’s Traditional Christmas Breakfast, on Tuesday morning, while (at left) Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, (at right) Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan look on

National Security Council has been instrumental in ensuring that the Administration is heavily involved in supporting and working with the GPF to ensure that the crime situation in the country is addressed.

The Head of State’s comments come just one day after the Police admitted serious crimes have increased by nine per cent.

Meanwhile, the President has noted that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is now obliged to report to from page 12

UG among...

The goal of 100,000 Strong in the Americas, President Barrack Obama’s signature education initiative in the Western hemisphere, is to increase the number of US students studying in the Western hemisphere to 100,000, and the number of Western hemisphere students studying in the United States to 100,000 by the year 2020. The initiative is aimed at enhancing hemispheric competitiveness, increasing prosperity, and preparing a more globally competent workforce.

“This is a unique opportunity to expand the educational experience in regions that are strategically important to ExxonMobil as well as strengthen academic disciplines that will drive the energy industry into the future,” ExxonMobil Vice President of International Government Relations Neal Goins said.

“The success of this initiative will further economic development in the Americas as well as increase the potential number of qualified candidates who may wish to pursue a career in the industry,” Goins noted.

The objective of the

current competition, generously supported by ExxonMobil, is to increase study abroad in engineering, physics, geology, and geophysics. The winning higher education institutions submitted innovative proposals that will create new or build on existing partnerships that increase study abroad opportunities for STEM students, especially those in the eligible academic fields of study from six countries. The competition was open to institutions in the US, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Mexico.

The Innovation Fund awards promote transnational institutional partnerships rather than direct scholarships. The announced awards are up to $25,000 each and will leverage commitments from the selected universities to increase student mobility, address institutional barriers that prevent STEM students from studying abroad, and promote study abroad in engineering, physics, geology, and geophysics in the Western hemisphere. It is expected that approximately 132 students will study abroad as a result of the nine grants awarded.

Cabinet on the state of the Police Force on a weekly basis.

The President also said

that the Police Force will be given the resources it needs to enable it to make Guyana safe. He added

that Government is working to have the Security Sector Reform Plan, offered by the British Government back on the table. “We have great plans for Guyana but those plans will not bear fruit unless Guyana is a safe place and the Police Force is central to the safety of our citizens and the security of our nation”, the Head of State said.

M e a n w h i l e , Commissioner Persaud, in his remarks to the gathering said that the new Administration has created “a lot of hope” in the GPF. “I wish to say today that we are very motivated.

Our investments in capacity building, particularly this year, have been paying dividends. We see the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and crime intelligence working

together and [they] have been adequately addressing a lot of the high profile crimes that we see in our streets,” he said.

The Commissioner added that Operation DRAGNET, which was launched on December 1, is already demonstrating some amount of success but did not divulge statistics on the success.

On Monday, the GPF stated that that serious crimes increased by nine per cent at the end of November 2015 when compared to the corresponding period in 2014.

Among the serious crimes that have recorded an increase are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, december 16, 2015

News

UN’s global AIDS strategy launched in Guyana – maps out approach for prevention, treatment and zero discrimination

A

s the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues globally, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has launched its global 2016-2021 strategy

in Guyana.

The 2016-2021 strategy, titled “On the Fast-Track to end AIDS”, maps out the UNAIDS approach to globally accelerating the AIDS response over the next five

years to reach critical HIV prevention and treatment targets, and achieve zero discrimination.

The strategy is an urgent call to front-load investment, to close the test-

ing gap, to increase focus and financing for HIV prevention and to protect the health of the 22 million people living with HIV who are not yet accessing treatment.

The strategy is also an instrument for social justice and dignity.

The launch on Tuesday aims to inform stakeholders about the targets set out in the new strategy and allow plenary discussions to highlight Guyana’s plans for the implementation of the strategy.

In remarks at the launch, UN resident coordinator in Guyana, Khadija Musa said this strategy came at a critical time in the history of the HIV epidemic and response. She noted that the strategy underwent a highly consultative process with thousands

UNAIDS Country Director Martin Odiit handing over a copy of the UNAIDS 2016–2021 Strategy to Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings

of stakeholders involved.

The UN representative went on to explain her organisation’s support towards Guyana, as it readies itself to implement the new strategy.

“As the UN, we are committed to enhancing our efforts to achieve greater coherence, reduce duplication, and continue to provide high-quality technical services to our partners as we all support UNAIDS to end ‘AIDS as a public health threat by 2030’,” Musa assured.

Meanwhile, Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings lauded this step taken by the UN. She noted that Government was committed to supporting the efforts by the UNAIDS towards ensuring local achievement of the 9090-90 treatment target by 2020. That is at least 90 per cent of people living with HIV knowing their positive status, 90 per cent of them having access to anti-retroviral treatment in order to stop the transmission of HIV and 90 per cent of those on treatment having an undetectable viral load levels in their blood.

According to the Minister, while Guyana has been doing well in its fight against HIV/AIDS, the objective of this new five-year strategy is welcomed. Dr Cummings underscored the importance of cooperation to fast-track the targets set out in the strategy.

“Quickening the pace over the next five years is pivotal to global prospects for bringing the AIDS epidemic to an end.

Continuing at the current pace will mean continuing to leave people behind, exacerbating inequalities, unsustainably expanding costs and compromising social justice. An ambitious global strategy is required to take us forward – one

that mobilises political commitment, focuses resources and accelerates progress,” the Minister stated.

In his presentation of the strategy, UNAIDS Country Director Martin Odiit highlighted that the HIV/AIDS epidemic was far from over. He noted that the strategy was designed to guide and support locally tailored responses across the globe, while fostering new forms of leadership and accountability.

Odiit emphasised that the fragile window of opportunity over the next five years must not be missed.

The 2016-2021 Strategy presents three high-level milestones and 10 targets to guide and monitor the global response. These 10 measurable targets have been modelled as those most critical to ensure that the ambitious fast-track goals are met.

The most critical next step for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the UNAIDS strategy will have to be clarity on the means of implementation.

According to the UNAIDS Country Director, a multisectoral approach that involves all relevant Government Ministries and Agencies, civil society and partners is required. He called on the Government and stakeholders in Guyana to use the strategy as a seminal reference and scale up the AIDS response to achieve the desired targets of 90-90-90.

In addition, the strategy also urges for HIV prevention efforts to be stepped up so as to reduce new infections by 75 per cent by 2020.

At the 70th UN General Assembly in New York in September 2015, Heads of State endorsed the SDGs agenda which include eliminating AIDS by 2030.

news

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wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Marriott Hotel project

NICIL’s audit report weak, speculative – Auditor failed to request core documents

T

he forensic audit conducted by former Auditor General (AG) Anand Goolsarran into the construction and operationalisation of the Marriott Hotel is weak and speculative, as he failed to seek clarification or request key documents before forming conclusions, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) said in response to the audit report.

Many had raised objections over Goolsarran, a former Auditor General under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government and Christopher Ram, both staunch supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, pointing out that their reports will be biased since they have always openly accused the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic Aministration of widespread corruption.

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

For example, Goolsarran

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

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

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

He also stated that during 2010-2013, NICIL’s financing of the Marriott Hotel totalled $5.371 billion, comprising $800 million share capital, $3.316 billion (equivalent to US$15.5 million) in an interest-free loan and $1.255 billion in advances. As at July 7, 2015, NICIL’s advances to the Marriott Hotel increased to $4.521 billion, giving a total funding of $8.637 billion.

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

However NICIL in response said such a statement

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

“The facts show that NICIL had enough funds for its targeted investment in AHI of US$19.5 million. At the end of 2012, NICIL had over $8 billion in cash. At the end of 2013, this figure totalled over $6 billion, despite the fact that NICIL had already invested the full targeted investment of US$19.5 million into AHI (Atlantic Hotel Inc),” NICIL said, adding that “GTT proceeds were kept on NICIL’s balance sheet for some years before being used for AHI, with it being used only after efforts to prevent the funding of US$27 million committed by Republic Bank and similar efforts to prevent the private investor from investing US$8 million in equi-

PetroCaribe deals under threat

– Venezuela seeking to revise international oil agreements

C

aribbean countries enjoying the PetroCaribe Agreement with Spanish speaking Venezuela may have to seek out alternative courses of action, as the Opposition coalition, has announced that the new

National Assembly to be installed in January 2016 will be working to revise international oil agreements, which Government had signed through the oil alliance.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Tomás Guanipa, Secretary General

of Opposition party Primero Justicia (Justice First) and re-elected Deputy at the National Assembly, who said that the qualified majority won by Opposition coalition Unified Democratic Panel (MUD) would promote a social agenda. Turn to page 17

ty.”

NICIL further stated that the sale of the preferred shares to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was intended to add liquidity to NICIL but also provide an investment to NIS, given its

lack of good investment opportunities.

It added that it is a fact, the NIS received dividend for 2012 and 2013 from this investment at the rate of 11 per cent, and at the time of the sale, of these shares by

NICIL, BBCI was showing healthy profits.

Almost immediately after assumption to office, the APNU/AFC Administration hurriedly and arbitrarily launched a series of forensic audits into several State agencies with the aim of unearthing corrupt practices by the previous Administration with the sole intention of “sending them to jail”.

The most recent report from Government is that Finance Minister Winston Jordan is yet to read the report and that the recommendations from the report needed “Cabinet’s blessings” before any further steps can be taken.

16 news

wednesday, december 16, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Targeting rice for political vendetta

I

am more convinced than ever that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has a political vendetta with rice farmers. Like sugar workers, rice farmers have been abandoned. Nothing is being done to address low paddy price and as farmers face a water challenge, the APNU/AFC seems oblivious of the problems rice farmers are facing.

As we speak, only about 20,000 (approximately 20 per cent) of the targeted Dr Leslie Ramsammy 100,000 hectares available for rice cultivation, have been sown for the 2016 first crop, compared to about 75 per cent this time in 2014. More than 60,000 hectares were prepared, but farmers are hesitating in sowing paddy. Rice farmers are openly questioning the commitment of APNU/ AFC to the rice industry.

As I stated in Parliament and other places since 2012, rice farmers have been investing more than $30 billion annually in rice production. This investment has allowed Guyana to re-write the record books each year in terms of paddy and rice production. Even though the second crop of 2015 was somewhat disappointing, the 2015 rice production of close to 700,000 tons again creates a new record for rice production.

But the second crop of 2015 was the first time in 10 crops since 2011 that a new single crop record for rice production was not attained. Two other things happened during the second 2015 rice crop to worry us. There was a reduction of about five per cent of cultivated acreage and there was a reduction in yield per hectare; the first time in almost 10 crops that both acreage and yield were reduced.

Clearly, these warning signals are being ignored by APNU/ AFC. Rice farmers will not keep investing in an industry that has no Government support. It is vital that APNU/AFC reconsider how it is treating rice at this time. The sloth in the sowing of paddy for the first crop of 2016 is a visible sign that we are going to see a reduction in rice production in Guyana.

It is not rocket science to figure out what might be the reason for rice farmers to abandon production at this time.

Presently, rice farmers are getting about $1500 to $2000 per bag of paddy, but the cost of production is more than $,000 per bag of paddy produced. Farmers invest between $2000 and $3000 per bag of paddy produced in their fields. With continued dry weather, farmers will incur additional expenses for pumping water. It is simple Mathematics – farmers are investing more than they are making at this time.

APNU/AFC boasts that exports of rice and paddy have increased. Truth is, Guyana has not had a difficulty exporting rice for a long time now. In 2014, we exported more than 500,000 tons for the first time because we had enough rice to export. Similarly, I expect that the 2015 export will exceed 550,000 tons. As I have argued many times when I was Minister of Agriculture, Guyana has access to markets to permit an export of more than one million tons of paddy and rice.

The rice export challenge is price, not access, a reality that has completely eluded APNU/AFC. The Venezuelan market provided a price advantage that allowed Guyana to sell to lower priced markets and still maintain a profit margin for millers and farmers, and allowed Guyana the economic advantage of increasing production.

The much-touted Mexican market, if it ever materialises, cannot replace Venezuela. Far from it, the price Mexico will pay for our paddy and rice will be even lower than prices we are presently getting from countries in the Caribbean and Europe.

The APNU/AFC has essentially told farmers to “get lost”, that they are not important. In May, they announced that the treasury was bankrupt and, therefore, rice farmers who are part of the Private Sector must fend for themselves. But the same treasury was able to give private miners subsidies, the Cabinet a vulgarly hefty pay increase, expensive upgrading of living facilities and vehicles for Ministers, globe-trotting for Cabinet and now a bonus for public servants.

There is no support for the rice farmers who are being forced to give up their livelihood. Sugar workers, in the meanwhile, have been cheated of their earned incentive pay.

The Christmas Grinch and Santa Claus have both arrived in Guyana – compliments of APNU/AFC. But in the sure tradition of the old People’s National Congress, some are receiving from Santa and some are being deprived by the Grinch. It is pure and simple – vendetta politics.

(Comments are welcome at doc_ram@hotmail.com)

17

news

wednesday, december 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Sugar Welfare Board

Chairperson unaware of attempts to establishment new Board

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

A

s the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government moves to establish a new Board of Directors (BoD) for the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC), the Chairperson of the present Board is unaware of such an attempt.

Former First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar, who chairs the current Board, told Guyana Times that prior to an article published in the media a few days ago, she had no knowledge that any letters were written by Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence to sugar unions seeking nominations for a new Board.

However, Ramotar maintained that the Board on which she presently serves is still functional and its life expires until June next year.

As such, the decision to establish a new board now comes as a complete sur-

prise.

She told this publication that although meetings have not been held for several months since the new Administration took office, each member on the board has been executing their duties as mandated.

“When the new Government took office, they sent an accounting firm to do a forensic audit on sugar welfare, so they were using the boardroom and they had everything so we couldn’t have meetings and so on. But whatever issues sugar workers had, I still looked into it and continued signing vouchers and so on… payments were made to workers, salaries, clients needed their loans and all these things were approved by this (current) board,” she explained.

According to the SILWFC Chairperson, when the forensic audit had concluded, she urged that meetings continue with the BoD, and as such, she requested that

PetroCaribe deals under...

“We cannot continue selling oil due in 20 years when we need resources immediately. We will promote that our oil is for Venezuelans,” Deputy Guanipa said.

The PetroCaribe deal is an oil alliance of many Caribbean states with Venezuela to purchase oil on conditions of preferential payment. The alliance was launched in June 2005 in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. In 2013, PetroCaribe agreed links with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), to go beyond oil and promote economic cooperation.

The agreement was initiated with the aim of having solidarity with other countries in accordance with ALBA. The payment system allows for purchase of oil at market value for five-50 per cent up front with a grace period of one to two years; the remainder can be paid through a 1725-year financing agreement with one per cent interest if oil prices are above US$40 per barrel.

Out of the 15-member Caribbean Community, 12 countries have signed on to the agreement, including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Venezuela.

While Guyana had also signed on to that agreement and was enjoying a

from page 15

fruitful relationship in that regard, recent tensions between the two countries saw Venezuela pulling out of the rice for oil contract it had with Guyana.

PetroCaribe, a signature initiative of late President Hugo Chávez, has sold about US$28 billion to participating nations across the Caribbean and Central America since its creation in 2005.

Member countries finance as much as half the price of the shipments at one per cent to two per cent interest over 25 years.

Guyana received about half its fuel supply via PetroCaribe, but the agreement was affected by the diplomatic row with Venezuela over a longstanding border controversy.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have soured following ExxonMobil Corporation’s announcement of a “significant” oil discovery off Guyana’s coast in waters that Venezuela claims as its own.

The Spanish-speaking country has contended that borders drawn in 1899 are invalid, and claims nearly two-thirds of Guyana as its own.

However, Guyana’s Government remains committed to the judicial settlement of the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy, and is seeking the legal opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the 1899 arbitral award.

Former First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

the Administrative Officer write Minister Lawrence for advice on the matter.

“I asked the Administrative Officer to inform Minister Lawrence about the board and say that we need to have board meetings and if she can advise on that. The Minister replied that the Cabinet is looking into the matter…

Although meetings were not held because of the forensic audit, I had spoken to the Permanent Secretary just after elections with relation to the Board and she had advised me to continue my duties,” Ramotar further explained.

According to the former First Lady, she has been awaiting a response from

the Government, as to when the Board could recommence meetings, but to date, she has not been contacted.

Meanwhile, the Administration may find itself breaching laws which govern the SILWFC as it attempts to establish a new board, although the present board was still in place.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) President Carvil Duncan on Sunday had told this publication that recently a letter was sent to Minister Lawrence notifying her of the situation.

“She wants to appoint the Sugar Welfare Board and we are saying that the life of the board is until around midyear 2016. So she cannot appoint another board, what she needs to do is resuscitate the board, but legally… you just can’t bring the board to an end and create a new board,” Duncan

had explained.

According to Duncan, Minister Lawrence recently sent letters to the Guyana Labour Union (GLU); the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) requesting that they nominate persons for positions on the new Board.

“What she needs to do is resuscitate the board; she shouldn’t have stopped the board from functioning in the first place…for all intents and purposes, the board is still functioning,” Duncan stated.

GAWU President Komal Chand also told this newspaper that the Unions are of the view that only when the life of a board expires, it should either be renewed or a new Board appointed. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wedneSday, DECember 16, 2015

ARCHIE

Money comes and goes.

Don’t be fooled by promises (March 21- made about a so-called wonApril 19) der product. Keep your cash.

A happy attitude will attract just as much attention.

ARIES

Expand your knowledge.

TAURUS Plan a trip and sign up for con(April 20- ferences that will help you get May 20) ahead. You will make headway if you sport a healthy outlook. Update your appearance and make romantic plans.

dilbert

You may be bored and seek GEMINI (May 21- adventure, but before you go June 20) all-out, make concessions to fit your budget. Change is good, but it must be limited to what you can afford.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

A positive outlook will make all the difference in the world when it comes to getting along with others. You will make new friends if you participate in community events.

You can bring about faLEO vourable change if you initiate (July 23discussions with experienced Aug. 22) individuals. Do whatever it takes to improve your health.

Fitness and proper diet will make a difference.

Calvin and Hobbes

You will find a way to reVIRGO alise your dreams if you keep (Aug. 23an eye out for the unusual.

Sept. 22) Expand your interests and incorporate your ideas and skills into whatever you pursue. Romance is on the rise.

Don’t worry about opposiLIBRA (Sept. 23- tion. Focus on what you want Oct. 23) and how you can go about getting it. Embrace change and don’t let anyone curtail your freedom.

SUDOKU

Keep your emotions in SCORPIO check, or you will miss out (Oct. 24on an opportunity to make Nov. 22) positive personal alterations.

Love is in the stars, and a positive change to your standard of living is possible.

What tempts you will not SAGITTARIUS be worth it. Don’t plunge into (Nov. 23unknown territory without Dec. 21) proper research. Change is good, but only if it’s realistic.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

CAPRICORN Observe before you act.

(Dec. 22- The way you handle others Jan. 19) and manipulate situations to please everyone will lead to victory. Don’t be afraid to be different. Romance is encouraged.

AQUARIUS A unique plan of attack will help you clear up any un(Jan. 20finished business. Keeping Feb. 19) busy will help you more clearly see emotional situations.

check any information you PISCES (Feb. 20- are given before you make March 20) a decision. Overspending on something you cannot afford will lead to more stress. Offer people affection, not treasures.

wednesday, december 16, 2015

19

NBA Roundup

Clippers edge Pistons in OT B

lake Griffin poured in 34 points, and he found Jamal Crawford for a go-ahead 3-pointer with 12.4 seconds left in overtime as the Los Angeles Clippers outlasted the Detroit Pistons 105-103 Monday at The Palace.

J.J. Redick supplied 24 points and Chris Paul chipped in 13 points and 12 assists for Los Angeles, which a 4-1 game road trip. Crawford had 14 points off the bench.

Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Andre Drummond added his league-high 22nd double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Pacers 106, Raptors 90 After falling into a 21-point, first-quarter hole, Indiana countered with a 39-4 run on its way to a roller-coaster-like victory over Toronto.

The Pacers’ huge run that spanned the end of the first quarter and start of the sec-

Blake Griffin

ond quarter gave Indiana a 44-30 lead. The home team never trailed again, beating the Raptors for the first time in the past six meetings between the Eastern Conference rivals.

Jordan Hill led the Pacers with 20 points and 13 rebounds, each a season high.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each had 20 for Toronto.

Grizzlies 112, Wizards 95 Marc Gasol and Mike Conley posted double-doubles as Memphis defeated Washington.

Gasol finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, plus

Pune pick Dhoni, Rajkot go for Raina

MS Dhoni, and his Chennai Super Kings team-mate Suresh Raina were separated by two new IPL franchises

M

S Dhoni was the first pick for the new Pune franchise, owned by New Rising, and his Chennai Super Kings team-mate Suresh Raina was the first player chosen by Rajkot, owned

by Intex, at the IPL player draft held in Mumbai.

The other four players chosen by Pune were Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin, Steven Smith and Faf du Plessis. Rajkot’s other choices were: Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum, James Faulkner, Dwayne Bravo.

Both franchises will lose INR

39 crore from their auction purse, and will have INR 27 crore to spend at the auction in Bangalore to make up the rest of their squad.

All the other Super Kings and Royals players not picked in the draft will go into the main player auction in February.

This player draft was necessary with the addition of two new teams for IPLs 2016 and 2017 to make up for the suspended Super Kings and Royals franchises. New Rising and Intex won ownership at the franchise auction earlier in

December, and Pune having made the most successful bid got the first pick in the draft today.

There were very little surprises in terms of selection. Both teams went for Indian players and international heavyweights, although Shane Watson’s exclusion seemed notable considering there was a rush for batsmen and allrounders. Ashwin was the only specialist bowler picked by either team. There were no fast bowlers chosen.

Fifty players went into the draft and the two franchises could pick anyone they wanted and ask for them. The first player set them back INR 12.5 crores ($1.86m), the next 9.5 crore ($1.42m), third Rs 7.5 crore ($1.12m). fourth Rs 5.5 crore ($0.82m) and the fifth Rs 4 crore ($0.60m).

These figures do not necessarily indicate the player’s full salary. It is only the amount deducted from Pune and Rajkot’s purse. All 10 men picked today will be paid the amount they were originally contracted for by the Super Kings or Royals.

Pune and Rajkot used up all of their allotment of five picks - seven players from Super Kings and three from Royals were chosen. (Cricinfo)

six assists, and Conley scored 18 points with 11 assists.

Gary Neal paced the Wizards with 24 points.

Just 24th in the NBA in field-goal percentage and 29th in 3-point percentage before Monday, Memphis shot a season-best 56.4 percent from the floor and hit 10 of 15 from long range.

Heat 100, Hawks 88 Miami ended a sevengame losing streak to Atlanta with a dominating performance on the backboards and a big effort from the bench.

Chris Bosh had 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds during the Heat’s first win in Atlanta since Feb. 20, 2013. Kent Bazemore led the Hawks with 28 points.

Gerald Green came off the bench to score 20 points for Miami. Led by Green, Miami’s reserves outscored

Atlanta’s bench, 31-17. The Heat outrebounded the struggling Hawks, 54-37.

Bulls 115, 76ers 96

Overcoming a five-point halftime deficit, Chicago rolled to a victory over Philadelphia.

The 76ers led 56-51 at halftime before the Bulls took control by outscoring Philadelphia 34-12 in the third quarter. Tony Snell outscored the 76ers 13-12 in the period and recorded 15 of his 16 points in the second half.

He also had 11 rebounds.

Chicago’s Jimmy Butler scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the first half. He shot 8-for-9 from the field prior to the break.

Magic 105, Nets 82 Nikola Vucevic scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in a critical third quarter, and Elfrid Payton added 17, lead-

ing Orlando past Brooklyn.

The Magic broke open a close game with a 31-24 third quarter, keyed by the perimeter prowess of Vucevic, who made six of eight shots in the period.

Orlando received 15 points from Tobias Harris, who was questionable to play right up until game time due to a lower leg contusion, and from Andrew Nicholson added 15 points. Jarrett Jack topped the Nets with 15 points.

Spurs 118, Jazz 81

Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points, and San Antonio smashed Utah.

LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker added 18 points apiece for the Spurs. No San Antonio starter played more than 24 minutes as the Spurs won their third game in a row in blowout fashion. (WPTZ.com)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, december 16, 2015

Georgetown Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Top finishers receive prizes

By Treiston Joseph

T

he top teams of the Georgetown Guinness Greatest of the Streets received their prize monies as well as tro-

phies on Tuesday at Banks DIH’s Thirst Park headquarters.

Sparta Boss, who were crowned champions in the wee hours of Sunday, were rewarded by Banks DIH

with their prize money and winner’s trophy.

Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste highlighted that he was proud of the tournament.

“All in all, for us it was

a great tournament: we had the crowd coming out – it was the largest we have had for a Georgetown final and this only augurs well for the other sub-meets next year and for the National finals,” Baptiste highlighted.

Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, who was responsible for organising the tournament, noted that it was definitely one to remember.

“I think it was a really good tournament with a lot of excitement and exuberance, especially from the young Channel 9 who eventually lost to Sparta Boss.

You had the old stalwarts in Back Circle playing well as well as North Ruimveldt who gave us a great final night, but I think all 58 teams play their part in making this competition

Millington receives the MVP award on behalf of his absent teammate Sheldon Shepherd

one of the best competitions,” Mendonca noted.

Sparta Boss were the winners of $400,000 along with a trophy and seven branded Guinness duffle bags. Sheldon Shepherd of Sparta Boss was named as the Most Valuable Player

(MVP) of the tournament.

Channel 9 Warriors, North Ruimveldt and Back Circle who finished second, third and fourth respectively also received their prizes and trophies to bring the curtains down on the tournament.

NBS Second Division 40-over cricket

Gurdayal, Khan propel Chesney into play-offs

C

hesney defeated Kendall’s Union B to emerge as winners of Zone I of the 2015 New Building Society (NBS) Second-Division cricket competition in Berbice, thereby earning the right to advance to the last 16 play-offs.

Leading them to victory were Youardan Gurdayal, who slammed 104 (8x4s, 2x6s), and former Guyana T20 batting sensation Imran Khan, who stroked 78 (2x4s, 1x6).

The two featured in a 171-run second-wicket partnership, which was mainly responsible for Chesney amassing 247-6 in 30 overs. Kendall’s Union B could only respond with 151-7 in 30 overs, with Richard Dhuman hitting 69 (2x4s, 2x6s).

Elsewhere, Bath’s offspinner Satesh Latchman took 5-31 from 6.1 overs to help bowl out Monedderlust of Number Five for 129.

Bath, however, still fell short in their response due to Monedderlust’s mediumpacer Royden Peters picking up 5-5 from five overs as they were dismissed for 103.

Narine Badrinarine scored 60 (4x4s, 2x6s) to help Number 48 Challengers reach 135-5 in 25 overs against Number 64 Fighting Marines. Legspinner Budhram Samaroo then took 5-19 from five overs, as Marines were bowled out for 97 in 21 overs.

Also scoring half-centuries were Saif Latchana of Fyrish Road and Darshan Chalitar of Crabwood Creek Rising. Below are the summarised scores from the latest round of

Imran Khan

Darshan Chalitar

matches.

At Chesney: Chesney defeated Kendall’s Union B by 96 runs. Chesney 2476 in 30 overs (Youardan Gurdayal 104, Imran Khan 78, Fazal Gobin 2-35, Vishal Persaud 2-47); Kendall’s Union B 151-7 in 30 overs (Richard Dhuman 69, Imran Khan 2-17, Anesh Deonarine 2-19).

At Number Five: Monedderlust defeated Bath by 26 runs.

Monedderlust 129 all out in 22.1 overs (Erwin Johnson 34, Gladwyn Johnson 28, Satesh Latchman 5-31, Makesh Persaud 3-12) Bath 103 all out in 28 overs; (Akash Ramnarine 31, Royden Peters 5-5, Dharamdeo Misir 2-9, Colvis Sam 2-29).

At Number 73: Number 48 Challengers defeated Number 64 Fighting Marines by 38 runs. Number 48 Challengers 135-5 in 25 overs (Narine Badrinarine 60, Vadanand Sugrim 2-14, Ramesh Joseph 2-15, Kumar Chand 2-21, Jason Itwaru 2-26); Number 64 Fighting Marines 97 all out in 21 overs (Budhram Samaroo 5-19).

At Kilcoy: Fyrish Road defeated Chesney Riders by four wickets. Chesney Riders 132 in 21 overs (Nazrudin Bux 36, Zamin Hamid 3-29, Saif Latchana 2-10, Asif Gajnabi 2-24, Hassan Hussain 2-27); Fyrish Road 135-6 in 29 overs (Saif Latchana 63, Rakesh Rajnauth 2-10, Isaac Kamaludin 2-25).

At Number 71: Crabwood Creek Rising defeated Number 71 by four wickets. Number 71 scored 149 in 30 overs (Shabir Khan 35, Darshan Chalitar 2-12, Satesh Baldeo 2-25, Divendra Chandradat 2-37); Crabwood Creek Rising 152-6 in 23 overs (Darshan Chalitar 54, Errington Seergobin 43*).

At Bath: Blairmont Community Centre A defeated Bath Spartans by 13 runs. Blairmont Community Centre A 147 in 24.1 overs (Ritesh Bridgelall 46, Mahendra Singh 41, Terry Surijbali 4-10, Ravi Goosai 3-56); Bath Spartans 134 in 27 overs (Navin Ramnauth 29, Chetram Dhanprasad 26, Javed Karim 2-1, Ritesh Bridgelall 2-29, Avishkar Sewkarran 2-33).

21

YELLOW PAGES

GFF, FIFA approve design for Goal Project

wednesday, december 16, 2015

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F

ollowing a unanimous decision taken by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Executive Committee, led by its newly-installed President, Wayne Forde, to endorse the goal project, FIFA will now send out an International Tender for contractors for the installation of the artificial turf.

Once the contractor is identified, work is expected to begin and a deadline of five months has been set.

According to a GFF press release, members of the GFF Executive Committee recently met with Marcel Gaskin, Architect of the Conceptual Design for the facility, where it was pointed out that the project will be completed in two phases, with the first being the installation of the artificial turf.

The second phase will see infrastructure such as stands, lights, beach and futsal training pitches, mini pitches and an administrative centre for the headquarters of the Federation being established.

FIFA-contracted inspector Dr Stephen Baker visited Guyana on August 25, 2015 to conduct soil testing.

The Englishman looked at the sub-base

The approved design of the Goal Project that will be situated on 8.5 acres of land at the Providence Community Centre Ground

and at the entire topography, and reported back to FIFA on what was needed in order to have the turf installed, the release noted.

With previous attempts to set up the FIFA Goal Project failing to come off the ground, the new GFF Executive

Committee believes that this project represents a tangible demonstration of a new era of football in Guyana and the change in governance structure to provide material evidence of development commitments by FIFA and the Executive Committee.

Bolton optimistic as GFF wraps up futsal trials – team to be encamped in January

T

echnical Director Claude Bolton said he was enthused about Guyana’s chances at next year’s Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Futsal Tournament, set for January 22-26 in Cuba, as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) wrapped up its trials for team selection.

Approximately 30 players gathered at the National Gymnasium for the threeday trials, which were conducted by Bolton with assistance from former men’s national team Head Coach, Denzil Thompson.

Bolton, who also served as the Head Coach for Canada’s national futsal team, explained that the squad would now be trimmed to between 16 and 18 players. The players will be part of a minicamp from January 9 to 11.

“It was unfortunate that with the zeal that was rep-

resented on the field that we can’t take everyone and invite them into camp, because all exhibited the enthusiasm that you would want a player have for the game,” Bolton said when asked to comment on the talent displayed and team selection.

Guyana will be placed in Group A with Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda and Haiti, while in Group B, host Cuba will be joined by St Maarten, Costa Rica and Guadeloupe.

The top two teams from the CFU tournament will advance to the CONCACAF Futsal Championship. The 2016 CONCACAF Futsal Championship will be held in Costa Rica in May. “We have a far way to go in futsal,” Bolton said, adding “but in our understanding of the small sided format and the skill level, the skill displayed was a level of com-

Claude Bolton

mitment”.

Bolton pointed out that the team were expected to have “some sort of competition” prior to the CFU event, but much depended heavily on the funds available.

“Guyana participating in this tournament has a lot to do for us [the GFF] seeing where we are in futsal, since we’re attempting to develop all areas of football. We’ve planned that this will grow in years and will also help the futsal programme as we move forward,” Bolton explained.

Same as previous editions, the CFU Futsal Tournament acts as the CONCACAF qualifiers for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. The top four teams of the Tournament will qualify for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia as the CONCACAF representatives.

Guyana last participated at the CFU Futsal Tournament in 2008, finishing fourth behind winners and hosts Trinidad and Tobago; Haiti (second place) and Suriname (third place).

Gayle hopeful of Test return in 2016

W

est Indies batsman Chris Gayle has said that he was not fit enough to play the ongoing Test series against Australia, but hopes to make a return to Test cricket next year. He also urged fans to give more time to the struggling West Indies Test team and allow youngsters to develop their game.

Gayle, who played the last of his 103 Tests in July 2014, said he was trying to get back into the groove after undergoing surgery on his back in July. He recently made a return to competitive cricket in the Bangladesh Premier League and will now play for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.

“If I wasn’t (recovering from a back injury) I would

Chris Gayle has played only four of West Indies’ 16 Tests since January 1, 2014. (WICB

Media)

definitely. I haven’t retired from the game,” Gayle told the Daily Telegraph. “I’m just trying to get back into the groove. Next year, hopefully Test cricket is on the agenda. I haven’t batted for

such a long time. I scored 92 in a game and the next day felt like I’d been hit by a bus.

The body will actually take time to build up gradually.”

Gayle has scored 7214 Test runs at an average of 42.18, but has played only four of West Indies’ 16 Tests since January 1, 2014. His last Test appearance was in the first match of the home series against Bangladesh in July. He subsequently missed Test series in South Africa and Sri Lanka, and home series against England and Australia due to fitness issues.

Gayle also stressed that a young West Indies team needed time to develop in the longer format. West Indies have lost seven of their last ten Tests. On the

current tour of Australia, they suffered a ten-wicket loss in a tour game against a Cricket Australia XI side that featured six players making their first-class debuts. This was followed by a listless performance in the Hobart Test, which they lost to Australia by an innings and 212 runs inside three days.

“If you want to bash the cricket, you bash me basically,” he said. “We are loved around the world. We might not be playing good cricket but … it’s a young team so we have to definitely give it time rather than being so harsh on West Indies’ cricket all the time. Some young players are coming through the ranks. We have to give them time.” (Cricinfo)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, december 16, 2015

CGI Local Franchise League 50-over cricket

UDFA/GT Beer football tournament

Wins for Georgetown, ECD, First-round wins for Strikers and Train Line Essequibo and Upper Corentyne

Goal scorers for Kwakwani Strikers! From left: Shane Adams, Ray Leacock and Dale Sauers

off the boot of Kevin Cadogan.

However, the game would swing back in favour of Train Line in the 58th minute as Chavez Hescott finished a cross from Hatton, which went past the post to score.

Train Line booked their place in the quarter-finals following their 2-1 win over Vasco, and will now face Topp XX on December 26.

The collaboration between the UDFA and Banks DIH will see 14 teams participating for cash prizes and trophies. The first-place team

T

he excitement of yearend football made a grand return to the mining town of Linden, with the staging of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA)/GT Beer Football Cup, which kicked off on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground.

Thousands gathered at Region 10’s premier venue and witnessed Kwakwani Strikers taming Retrieve Lions 4-0, and Train Line defeating Vasco 2-1. Playing in the opening match of the third installation of the GT Beer sponsored tournament, Dale Sauers netted the game’s first goal just five minutes into the contest.

Roy Leacock, who made light work of the Retrieve Lions’ defence throughout the night, scored two goals (36th and 63rd minutes), while Shane Adams found the back of the net in the 70th minute to cap a lopsided affair in favour of the team from the Berbice River.

Train Line goal scorers! Shawn Stephens (left) and Anil Hatton

Kwakwani Strikers, following their win on Sunday, will now play Silver Shattas on Boxing Night (December 26). In the second game of the night, Anil Hatton netted in the 24th minute to give Train Line the advantage when he headed in a corner taken by Shawn Stephens.

And just when the massive crowd felt that the first half would have ended 1-0, Vasco equalised through a 45th minute goal, which came

will pocket $800,000, while second place will cart off $500,000. Third place will be awarded $300,000, while the team which places fourth will walk away with $200,000 in cash. All matches will be played at the MSC ground, with the other playing nights being December 18, 20, 26 and 27. The semi-finals are on December 30 and the final on January 1, 2016.

By Avenash Ramzan

T

he seventh round of Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) Local Franchise League 50-over competition was played on Tuesday, with Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, Essequibo and Upper Corentyne recording victories.

Georgetown trounced East Bank Demerara by eight wickets; East Coast defeated West Demerara by five wickets; Upper Corentyne beat West Berbice by 99 runs; and Essequibo prevailed by 28 runs over Lower Corentyne/ New Amsterdam/Canje.

At the Port Mourant Ground, national T20 batting star Jonathon Foo continued his fine form in the competition by smashing 123 in Upper Corentyne’s 272-6 from the allotted 50 overs against West Berbice.

Foo’s knock spanned 108 balls and included nine fours and a six, and he added 108 for the third wicket with opener Sharaz Ramcharran, who cracked 53 (4x4s). Rajiv Ivan finished the innings with a flourish, hitting 40 off 36 balls (5x4s). Kevon Jawahir snared 3-56 off nine overs for West Berbice, who responded with 173 all out in 47.4 overs. Foo returned to capture 3-27 off 5.4 overs and Eon Hooper 2-25 off 10. Quacy McPherson topscored with 57 (4x4s, 1x6); Brentnol Woolford made 31 and Jawahir, 27.

At the Imam Bacchus Ground, hosts Essequibo batted first in a rain-affected match against Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje and put up 205-9 from the reduced 40 overs. Ricardo Adams led the way with a fine 70, which spanned 101 balls and included nine fours and a six. Opener Royan Fredericks made 40 (7x4s), while off-spinner Gajanand Singh grabbed 4-32 off six overs. Raun

Raj Nanan

Steven Sankar

Johnson (2-38) and Royston Crandon (2-40) were also among the wickets.

Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje then crumbled for 177 in 35.5 overs to suffer their first defeat in the competition. Seon Hetmyer led the way with 51 (5x4s), but Fredericks was the standout, nabbing 4-37 off 7.5 overs.

Anthony Adams chipped in with 3-39 off seven overs.

In a low-scoring affair at the Wales Community Centre Ground, East Bank Demerara could only put together 94 all out in 26.2 overs after deciding to bat first, as they struggled from the onset against tight bowling. Lanky left-arm spinner Raj Nanan was the chief wrecker, claiming magical figures of 4-10 from seven accurate overs. Kellon Carmichael and Devon Lord supported with 2-26 and 2-30 respectively, as Leonard Caleb (29), Shivram Persaud (23) and Robin Bacchus (13) were the men in double figures for East Bank Demerara. Opener Jeetendra Sookdeo then struck 40 (6x4s, 1x6); Shemroy Barrington an unbeaten 22 (3x4s, 1x6) and Andrew Lyght Jr 18 (2x4s) as Georgetown achieved victory at 96-2 in 15.4 overs. Danny Narayan and Ershad Ali were the wicket takers.

Taking first strike after

winning the toss at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, West Demerara folded for a paltry 77 in 23.5 overs. The West Demerara lads folded to the spin of Steven Sankar, who claimed 5-23 from 5.5 overs, while Anthony Ifill took 2-27 off six overs. Michael Hubbard (18) and Safraz Esau (16) were the main scorers for West Demerara. Despite losing five wickets, East Coast Demerara survived a testing spell from Javon Searles to achieve the win at 81-5 in 21 overs. Searles picked up 3-31 off 10 overs, while Chanderpaul Hemraj made a solid 34 not out (4x4s) and Brian Sattaur 17 (2x4s).

Following the completion of the preliminary stage, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje (46 points); Upper Corentyne (42) and Georgetown (36) emerged as the top three teams.

By virtue of topping the league phase, Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/ Canje have advanced to Saturday’s final where they will play the winner of Thursday’s play-off between Upper Corentyne and Georgetown at the Port Mourant Ground.

The final will be a day/ night encounter starting at 14:00h at the Albion Sports Complex Ground.

GTTA aiming to host National Championships in January

T

he executive committee of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) confirmed the dates for its flagship National Championships which are set to serve off on January 14.

The Association is aiming to host two separate parts of the Championships, with the senior leg being held from January 14 to 17 and the junior leg from January 21 to 24.

The 22-category Championships were not held in the past three years for varying reasons such as the conflicting international schedules of players and lack of sponsorship. However, a press release noted that the executive of the Association felt it was very critical that every effort be made to have the Championships hosted given the event’s importance to structuring the sport, more so at the commencement of the year which would lend to structuring of ranking selection and other aspects.

Nigel Bryan

Chelsea Edghill

A release noted that the executive committee saw the hosting as critical to: providing an environment for the legacy and history of the sport with the crowning and naming of national champions in the respective categories, establishment of a national ranking system which would guide the selection process and which was critical to transparency, establishing a benchmark to which players must aspire in

view of improving the competitiveness of the sport domestically and the promotion and marketability of players among other benefits.

The early announcement of the dates of the Championships is to give the players time to prepare properly.

Nigel Bryan, Chelsea Edghill, Trenace Lowe and Colin France were some of the previous champions when the Championships were last held.

guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, december 16, 2015

23

Local footballers to Superb Mohamed spurs Enterprise XI to title participate in CFU/ MLS Combine EBSC Busta Cricket Festival

Delon Lanferman

Jumane Somerset

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has named Alpha United’s Delon Lanferman and Jumane Somerset of Pele FC as Guyana’s selection for the 2015 Major League Soccer (MLS) Combine in Curaçao.

Set for December 17-20, the MLS Combine will feature players from within the confines of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), competing in front of professional scouts for an opportunity to earn an invitation to the annual Addidas MLS Player Combine in Florida January 8-13, 2016.

Guyana’s senior national team Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz selected the players following his assessment of the Stag Elite League (Genesis phase) and in keeping with the 18-22 years old MLS Combine rule.

Lanferman finished the League Genesis as the highest goal scorer with 10 goals, one more than Pele’s Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson.

He played a pivotal role in his club’s success this year, despite them finishing second in the League Genesis behind Slingerz Football Club.

The 20-year-old Lanferman is yet to make his senior national team debut, although he represented Guyana at the Under-20 and Under-23 levels. Somerset, 22, is described as one of Guyana’s top defenders, but the player is also yet to make his Golden Jaguars debut.

Pele FC finished third in the Stag Elite League (Genesis) and conceded a total of 14 goals in their 16 matches played. Only league champions Slingerz FC (nine) and Alpha United (11) con-

T

Raffik & Sons’ Construction Second-Division T20

Sinclair’s 49 steers Courtland into semi-finals

A

match-winning innings of 49 (6x4s, 2x6s) from Keon Sinclair enabled defending champions Courtland All Stars to defeat Big Star of Ulverston to complete a clean sweep of Group A in the Raffik and Sons’ Construction Service SecondDivision 20-over cricket competition.

With the win, Courtland All Stars have now advanced to the semi-finals of the competition, which was specially organised for teams in the Lower and Central Corentyne areas.

Sinclair’s contribution led them to 182-9 in their 20 overs, and Big Star managed 119-5 in 17.1 overs when bad light brought an end to the match, giving Courtland victory on a better run rate.

Tasho Forrester made 47.

In the other match, Mahendra Ramdihal hit 46 (4x4s, 4x6s) to help Tamarind Root post a challenging 1529 in 20 overs against Fyrish, who overhauled the target in the final over, losing seven wickets along the way.

Below are the summarised scores.

At Fyrish: Courtland All Stars defeated Big Star by

Keon Sinclair

virtue of having a better run rate. Courtland All Stars 1829 in 20 overs (Keon Sinclair 49, John Percival 24, Joe Tyndall 2-15, Patrick Tyndall 2-21, Royden Gray 2-51); Big Star 119-5 in 17.1 overs (Tasho Forrester 47, Timothy McDonald 2-21).

At Fyrish: Fyrish defeated Tamarind Root by three wickets. Tamarind Root 1529 in 20 overs (Mahendra Ramdihal 46, Altaf Hussain 4-29, Imran Ally 3-32); Fyrish 153-7 in 19.5 overs (Chetram Roopnarine 33, Dilip Rengasammy 2-20).

ceded fewer goals.

The MLS Caribbean Combine is an annual showcase of Caribbean football talent first organised jointly by MLS and the CFU in 2013, with the inaugural combine being held in January 2014.

The Combine provides opportunities for Caribbean players to be observed by MLS scouts with the hope of being invited to the MLS Combine, an invite-only showcase event held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, prior to the annual MLS Super Draft.

The Combine is part of an agreement between the two entities as they try to promote football development throughout the Caribbean Region. Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson is the first and only Guyanese player to be signed by an MLS club following his 2009 deal with the Colorado Rapids.

F

Zaheer Mohamed

ormer national First-Class cricketer Zaheer Mohamed used his vast experience to good effect on Sunday, as he led Enterprise XI to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Enmore in the final of the Enterprise Busta Sports Club (EBSC) Busta Cricket Festival at the Enterprise Community Centre Ground.

Mohamed, with 18 First-Class matches and five List A games for Guyana between 2004 and 2014, starred with bat and ball and proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Mohamed bagged 4-28 from four overs with

his off-spin, as Enmore were shot out for 111 in 19 overs. Vivian Albert and R Pooran supported well with the ball, claiming 2-13 and 2-27 respectively. Imran Hassan topscored for Enmore with 31, while Keno Ramascindo chipped in with 22.

Mohamed then returned with the bat, scoring a solid 38 not out, as Enterprise XI reached the target at 112-5 with exactly two overs to spare. Rohan Mangal and Nishad Ulla scored 22 apiece during the run-chase.

Bowling for Enmore, left-arm seamer Gavin Moriah picked up 3-14 off four overs.

Such was Mohamed’s influence on the game, he made a clean sweep of the individual accolades, copping the Man-of-the-Match, Best Batsman and Best Bowler awards.

Earlier, in the third-place playoff, Enterprise A prevailed by eight wickets over Buxton. In a match reduced to 10 overs per side, Buxton posted 50-7 with M Cole scoring 19. V Sundar (3-14) and S Yadram (2-4) were the chief wicket takers. S Mohabir and R Beepat then scored 27 and 15 respectively, as Enterprise A knocked off the target for the loss of just two wickets, both of which fell to Cole (2-20).

For earning the tag of champions, Enterprise XI took home $50,000 and the Busta trophy, while Enmore had to settle for $25,000 and a trophy. Trophies were also given to the winner of the third-place playoff and Mohamed.

The competition was organised by the EBSC and sponsored exclusively by Guyana Beverage Company under the Busta soft drink brand.

wednesday, december 16, 2015

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

Georgetown Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Top finishers receive prizes Pg 20

Sparta Boss Captain Devon Millington receives the championships trophy along with the prize money and duffle bag at the presentation on Tuesday

CGI Local Franchise League 50-over cricket

EBSC Busta Cricket Festival

Wins for Georgetown, ECD, Superb Mohamed spurs Essequibo and Upper Corentyne Enterprise XI to title Pg 23

Pg 22

Jonathon Foo made a 108-ball 123 for Upper Corentyne against West Berbice

Guyana Beverage Company officials pose with members of the successful Enterprise XI team

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