Guyana Times Daily

Works on WCD/ EBE Road project 20% completed – Govt Engineer P

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2788 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

March 6, 2016

PRICE

Govt mulls separate facility for highrisk criminals

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Grove man confesses to murdering teenage girlfriend P7

Page 18

– wants better training for prison officers

1 dead in Aubrey Barker Road accident Page 3

Providence accident

Traffic Chief hospitalised after car crashes into utility pole

Electricity tariffs

PSC, GMSA Head sees no need for reduction P15

Page 15

2016 LGE Georgetown Debate Guyanese charged P8 for cocaine trafficking in Barbados

The Georgetown Debates got off to a fierce start on Saturday, with candidates going head to head. The debate which was organised by a group known as Under the Tamarind Tree, saw participation from Mark Benschop, representing Team Benschop; Michael Leonard from Team Legacy; Sherrod Duncan representing the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition; James Cole of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic; Clayon Halley from Youths For Local Government; and Dr Phillip Thomas representing the Nation Building Corp (See story on page 5)

Women’s Business 2 commit suicide 8 homeless after in last 24 hours Corentyne fire Expo opens ...Minister Lawrence lauds initiative Page 6

Pages 2&15

Page 7

PSC has P17 a “big problem” with Corruption Perceptions Index

– ABC diplomats differ

2 news

SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Berbician hangs self from gooseberry tree

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man was on Saturday morning found dead hanging from a gooseberry tree in the backdam after a search party spent close to 24 hours searching for him.

Dead is Carl Barron of Khotbradt Village, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The 23-year-old-man had gone missing on Friday and a search party of close to 40 persons found him about 400 metres into the Backdam, hanging from a wild gooseberry tree.

The rope was tied to two separate branches of the tree to ensure that the objective was realised.

Reports state Barron left home at about 07:20h on Friday to take care of his cows. The man who is a cane harvester, had not returned to the estate when the spring crop commenced.

His mother Bridget Barron said she journeyed into the backdam to the cow pen but did not see her son there. “I see a bucket with milk hang up, so a know he

Dead: Carl Barron

milk the cow and hang up the bucket. I call him but no answer, so I thought that he probably done with one of the cow calf and coming back, but I wait and I ain’t see he,” the aggrieved mother said.

The grieving mother said after some time elapsed, she was of the opinion that one of the calves had escaped from her son and he had gone after it.

“So I sit down and wait till after 11 o’clock and after

I ain’t see he, I come home and call my husband and tell him. According to the mother, at about 13:00h a search party of eight persons which comprised mostly family members went and looking for her son. The search took them several miles into the backdam.

As villagers returned home from work and heard the news, they waited with bated anticipation and at nightfall, it was evident that he was not found.

A much larger group ventured into the backlands of Khotbradt at about 19:00h, taking flashlights and electronic devices with them.

The group returned to the village at about 01:00h on Saturday and at sunrise, close to 40 villagers went again in search for the missing man, who up to then, was not considered missing by the Police.

His lifeless body was discovered attached to a rope which was hanging from a gooseberry tree, with his feet almost touching the ground.

The tree was a short distance

away from the cow pen.

The dead man’s mother said several years ago, her son had a nervous breakdown but had returned to normalcy. She said his girlfriend who now resides in the city returned to the village for the weekend to observe her daughter’s birthday.

She said her son was elated over the fact that the woman and his daughter were expected to visit his home on Sunday. However, they did not show.

“He turn to me Sunday afternoon and say “Mummy it look like she gone back to town”, and I could see like he disappointed,” Mrs Barron told this publication.

It was only a few days earlier that the now dead man told his father that he was bored and fed up.

Richard Barron, the deceased’s father, said during 2015, his son went missing for a few days and when he was found, he confided in him that the thought of suicide had crossed his mind.

“Well I talk to him and I

think that he get over that but last week I see a piece of rope in the house that his sister bring in the house and I look at this thing and just decide to hide it…”

Barrow leaves to mourn

his parents, six siblings and a three-year-old child.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on the body as Police continue to investigate the man’s death.

Loud music lands Essequibo neighbours in court

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wo neighbours found themselves before the courts after one of them played music so loudly that it was to the annoyance of the other.

Gomattie Boodnarine and Azeeman Bibi of Vilvordeen, Essequibo Coast, made their first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Friday at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

Boodnarine was charged for noise nuisance and entered a not guilty plea to the charge. It is alleged that on February 1, she played her music set so loudly, it affecting Bibi. She was cautioned

by Bibi; a clam she denied, hence they were brought before the court. The 22-yearold defendant was represented by Attorney Haimraj

Rajkumar.

According to Bibi, she wants the court to warn Boodnarine on her behalf.

Bibi, who is 68 years old, said she cannot sleep at night due to the loud music played by the defendant.

She also told the court that she has a differently able child and he is also affected by the noise.

After listening to both Bibi and Boodnarine, Magistrate Sunil Scarce told both women that they are neighbours and should live lovingly.

He cautioned Boodnarine to play her music at a moderate level. Boodnarine apologised to Bibi, adding that it will not happen again. The matter was then dismissed.

3 Wakenaam rice crops destroyed NEWS

SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, March 6, 2016 – 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, March 7 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, March 6, 2016 – 14:35h-16:05h and Monday, March 7 – 15:20h-16:50h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers with sunny intervals can be expected in the morning, with sunshine is expected to dominate in the afternoon. Partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:33h and 14:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.41 metres and 2.55 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:25h and 20:52h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metres and 0.60 metre respectively.

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

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s the El Niño conditions persist, the crisis in the rice industry has deepened since crops continue to perish. Guyana Times interviewed rice farmers in Wakenaam; an island on the Essequibo River on Friday, who stated that the weather coupled with financial woes have caused many of them to abandon the industry.

Previously, farmers received $2500 for one bag of paddy, but actually made a profit of $2000 since $500 per bag was charged to transport their produce from the island to the coastland, as there is no rice mill on Wakenaam. Farmers are now receiving $1800 per bag.

One farmer, Ramkissioon, explained that out of 5000 acres, only 200 were cultivated and related that 50 acres were completely destroyed in this crop. He stated that because he is owed money by rice millers for the last two crops, sever-

related Jaichand. He pointed out that without these payments, he cannot repay loans for equipment, noting he owes for diesel and cannot afford parts. Jiachand also observed that if the rice industry were to close on the island, residents would be

former General Manager Jagnarine Singh. Jaichand explained that current head Nizam Hassan engaged them in a recent meeting in which “a lot of promises” were made.

“We glad if the Government can assist we…

greatly affected.

“Everybody [will be] out of jobs, everybody depend on rice,” the farmer expressed.

He called for the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to provide assistance to cushion their plight.

He said that in the past, rice farmers would obtain assistance from the GRDB under the management of

people should get back seed paddy and fertiliser to go back into the rice industry,” expressed the farmer.

Jaichand called for a mill to be constructed on the island in addition to a well being dug so that “fresh water” can be pumped into rice beds as the salt water from the river is damaging the remaining rice crops.

Ramkisson

al young men have been out of work.

“I used to employ six to seven persons throughout the year, all of them get 200 days leave now,” Ramkissoon stated.

Another farmer, Jaichand, 46, stated that he would usually plant 110 acres but only chanced 65 acres. Jaichand fears his entire livelihood is in jeopardy as he is still owed for his paddy.

“We are owed since last crop by Wazir Husain [to whom] we sold the paddy,”

turn to page 8

1 dead in Aubrey Barker Road accident the now dead man was pinned and had to be removed from the wrecked car by members of the Guyana Fire Service who were summoned to the scene. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Guyana Times also understands that a second person who was travelling with Williams at the time of the

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South Ruimveldt pensioner has become the latest road fatality following a two-vehicle collision along Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Saturday.

The accident reportedly occurred at about 17:00h.

The dead man has been identified as 76-yearold Trem Williams of Lot 77 Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt. According to in-

formation received, the now dead man was driving along Aubrey Barker Road when a route 41 minibus slammed into the car after the driver attempted to avoid hitting another car.

An eyewitness told media operatives that the minibus was driving at a fast rate at the time of the accident. The passengers in the minibus escaped unharmed.

From reports received,

accident was also injured.

The name of that person was not immediately released to the media but this publication understands that he would have suffered bodily injuries.

The Police have since arrested the driver of the minibus as they continue their investigations. Attempts to contact the relatives of the dead man proved futile.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, march 6, 2016

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

Editorial

Trump trumps Republicans T

he Republican Party's worse nightmare came to life last Tuesday night: Donald Trump emerged out of the "Super Tuesday" with such emphatic wins over his mainstream rivals that barring some catastrophic meltdown, he appears to be a shoo in forthat party's presidential candidacy in the November general elections. In doing so, he has vindicated the ancient philosophers' scepticism about democracy being a legitimate method for a state to chose its leaders.

Their scepticism centred on the empirically observed tendency of demagogues to sway the ordinary citizen, who has no interest in educating him/herself about the fine print on policy. And even back then they knew, "the devil was in the details". In America and most mature democracies, the democratic system worked because of the formation of political parties. The leaders of these took time to craft policies for confronting challenges to their societies based on overarching coherent ideologies that attempted to ground their premises on empirical data.

In the American system for choosing the "party's standard bearer" to compete for the Presidency, members of the two parties vote directly in "Primaries or Caucuses" for individuals placed on the ballots. While there was always the possibility for an "outsider", that is, a "non-professional politician" to enter and win these contests, (and this was the touted "virtue" of the system) their chances were remote. The politicians therefore had the benefit of both worlds: they could boast about their "democratic and open" system while running processes that generally self-selected from a small poll of professional politicians stressing issues drawn from the party's playbook - which are never called "manifestos".

Sometimes "wild cards" can be thrown up by the process: Ronald Reagan from the Republicans and Barrack Obama from the Democrats come to mind. But up to now these outsiders by and large hoed to their party's general policy prescriptions. It has to be a symptom of a deep crisis in the American political system that this year, both the Republicans and Democrats have produced two outsiders - Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders - who have both veered sharply from their party's orthodoxies.

After Super Tuesday, it would appear that Bernie Sanders will not be able to deliver a knockout punch to Hillary Clinton, who even though a woman, is a consummate "insider" and Democratic team player. She will carry the Democratic flag.

Donald Trump, on the other hand has utilised the Primaries to go directly to grass root Republicans with a demagogic series of outlandish proposals that are anathema to the traditional leadership of the Republican Party, but playing to the gallery.

Trump has been able to garner the support of average Republicans and if he turns up at the Republican Convention with the requisite majority of delegates, he will be contesting the elections as a Republican and place enormous pressure on the regular politicians in Congress and the Senate to support his programs. Some of the latter have already indicated they will refuse to do so and this will obviously precipitate a further crisis in American governance if Trump were to go all the way.

On his stance against Mexican immigration (build an "impenetrable" 1000+mile wall between Mexico and the USA") he proposes to fund the wall through tariffs on Mexican imports. Tariffs will also be applied on Chinese goods and taxes on US companies that moved to offshore production.

The problem is the US has signed numerous regular trade and Free Trade Area agreements into law that would be violated by these tariffs. There is also the small matter of American consumers being willing to absorb the costs of all the tariffs on imported goods they have become used to buying on the cheap.

For Guyana, there would be the challenge - if Trump were to keep his promise to deport 11 million illegal immigrants - of hosting at least 100,000 of them who are from Guyana.

Former Housing and Water Minister and current People's Progressive Party/Civic parliamentarian Irfaan Ali recently joined youths from the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh organisation to enjoy a night of Chowtal

Govt must take responsibility for the prison deaths, riots Dear Editor, President Granger said it, “the prison riot caught him by surprise,” and sure did because his administration did not in the least fathom or as such expected such a reaction from them.

The Coalition Government is in high gear putting things in place for the big 50th Independence anniversary bash - they are in party mode - a prison riot is the last thing on their mind.

However, I am not in the least surprised, I knew something of this nature was bound to take place and here’s my reasoning.

Granger at his inauguration released sixty criminals back into society, shortly after that he released forty more bringing the total to one hundred.

He later spoke of these criminals in endearing terms calling them “petty thieves” among other flowery terms. He alluded to his own fallacy theory that these guys were denied the basic human rights. He very nearly called them the new choir boys of his administra-

tion.”

In the history of Guyana never has there been a president who is so obsessed with criminals.

Meantime, the criminals themselves were taking notes on all of the foregoing developments. They were formulating in their mind that here we have a president who is on our side and one who would stop short of anything to “free us” yes, literally free us or, at least have us continue to enjoy all the privileges of an illegal lifestyle.

Make no mistake this is the mental picture painted in their minds of the Granger administration.

Further to my logic were the 50th Anniversary themes such as the 50/50 plan for squatters - you pay 50 per cent for the land and you can go possess it, the other 50 per cent can be paid later.

This was another incentive for the illegal squatter settlers. So, if all of this could be forthcoming for those “underprivileged masses” in society why can’t these niceties be extended to us in jail. Please forgive me

for mooting the idea, let’s say the immediate release of fifty more of the hardened criminals to coincide with the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

This seems to be a nice proposition. Instead of continuing in the same lenient careless way this government is going about things, came a turnaround in their attitude and treatment of prisoners. In a strange twist the authorities decided to order a lock-down and removal of all the prisoners’ illegal marijuana, cell phones and other paraphernalia.

This was the final straw that broke the camel’s back, this is certainly a cause for war. The next logical thing to do was set the place on fire with the same lighters and matches used to light my weed.

At this stage the Granger Government thought that the prisoners were just on another of their temper tantrums and everything would soon subside albeit everything would be alright in the morning.

But that was not to be, the following morning saw

renewed attempts to burn the prison down as the conflagration met full eruption.

The fire service could have doused those cells with water from hoses held atop high ladders.

And by the way where was the water canon? This too could have been brought into action to bring the fire under control and save lives.

I shall speak in detail of the water cannon in a subsequent article. The prison warders for their own part were outnumbered by the prisoners and were fearful for their lives so they did not open the cells.

The result is 17 prisoners were roasted alive locked away securely in their cells.

I close by saying this reeks of gross negligence and incompetence on the part of the prison officials and the government on the whole.

The question on everyone’s lips is why? Couldn’t this matter be better handled? And the answer is yes, and that is if we had a responsible government.

I rest my case.

Neil Adams

The prison riot – the real reason Dear Editor, Disregard for one moment the messenger and consider the message: Accepting that self-preservation is nature’s first law, what would have changed in the last eight years that would have made the prisoners respond in the way they did some three days ago and, equally important, having seen the consequences of that response, why would the response be repeated the next day knowing that the assumed risk is fatal.

Let us establish some truths before we proceed: one, though overcrowded and not unlike almost all prisons in the world, the prison population has not increased it has decreased; two, the sections of the prison where the riots took

place called capital A and capital B, were particularly not overcrowded; three, the time on remand awaiting trial has not increased it has decreased; the prison conditions and diet etc have not got any worse if anything it has got better.

So what would have changed? The contention advanced herein is “psychological”. If one of the first acts you do as a new leader of a nation, de facto or otherwise, even before the inauguration ceremony, even before you name and appoint your members of Parliament, even before you appoint your Attorney General, even before you outline your plan for a nation, even before you present a budget to the nation, is you announce to that nation that you

will pardon convicted criminals you create a reasonable expectation in the minds of the prisoners that they ought to be pardoned or at least be considered to be pardoned as well. In addition, the immediate prioritisation of this presidential pardoning act imbues the perception of being soft on crime and soft on criminals.

This reasonable expectation is amplified by two factors: one, some of those prisoners may have supported that leader (at the very least in spirit) so they perceive the leader as being “their guy” and two, a second act of pardoning occurs some six months later.

Essentially, there is a psychological break in the minds of the prisoners and they feel emboldened to respond in a

way which would grab the leader or rather “their leader’s” attention and in a democracy protest and riots are the most effective way to grab the attention of the government.

How has the government responded? The actions of the prisoners were baptised by the government’s commitment to improve conditions and treatment and the families of the prisoners will be compensated. Unless cosying-up to prisoners and their families is part of the plan of this government this is yet another precipitous decision which will only crystallise that reasonable expectation.

Sincerely, Charles S Ramson Esq MP

NEWS

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sunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

The Race to LGE 2016

PPP’s annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Service

Hundreds to Special attention to be given converge at to recreational facilities Babu Jaan

By Kizzy Coleman

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ith Local Government Elections (LGE) fast approaching, candidates vying in the elections are upping their game to ensure a win, to fight for the rights of those living in the constituency they are contesting in.

The same can be said for the candidate contesting for Constituency 10 (Uitvulgt, West Coast Demerara), Avinash Shardananda, who is contesting under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) banner.

“Special attention will be given to the establishment of play houses for recreation. This is a passion of mine because I hate to see children in the streets being idle, I want to help in this regard,” Shardananda related.

Shardananda disclosed to <<Guyana Times>> that in the community of Uitvulgt, there is a large percentage of school dropouts; an issue that can be avoided. As such, measures will be taken to address this issue.

“Because of these youths not being in school, there is a huge drug problem in the area. A lot of youths go into drugs and we need to clamp down on this soon after the election. We are going to approach the various stations responsible for this and make recommendations as to what we need to see happen and put forth strategies that I have come up with,” Shardananda lamented.

Another major issue that plagues Constituency 10 is the issue of flooding.

Because of the poor maintenance of the drainage system in the village, water build-up causes consistent flooding.

“The drains and seawall in the area, when not maintained, contributes to flooding. The outfall drainage pipe when maintained prevents this.

I want to ensure that it is maintained, we cannot have flooding each time the rain falls. This is a major issue that

Avinash Shardananda is contesting Constituency 10

I vow to look into”.

Special attention is also to be given to the construction and maintenance of culverts.

The neglect of bridges is another major problem that was highlighted by Shardananda.

“In Uitvulgt pasture, across the burial ground, there is a bridge that needs urgent attention. This is chief among the development in my constituency that I will be addressing”.

Uitvulgt is a community that is plagued with the issue of improper garbage disposal and Shardananda proposes a number of methods to tackle this issue. “We need to make persons aware of the problems caused by garbage build up, like pollution. If they are aware of the problems cause by the dumping of garbage then they will avoid doing it. I know this is easily said that done but I am committed to trying my best in this regard”.

This candidate encouraged voters to elect him as their winning candidate as he is determined to succeed in anything that he endeavours to do.

“I am well known in my constituency and everyone that knows me, knows that I put my best into whatever it is I am working to achieve. In this instance, I will be looking into the interest of the residents of my constituency, I will ensure betterment for them all”.

oday, hundreds of Guyanese will be converging at the Babu Jaan heritage site in Port Mourant, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) to celebrate the life and work of former Guyanese Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan.

Organised by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), this yearly tradition attracts huge crowds, who gather to pay respects and listen to political leaders reflect on the struggles and achievements of two of Guyana’s greatest leaders.

The site has historical relevance not only because of the Jagans but also it is the burial ground for the early indentured ancestors from India.

Interestingly, the cemetery only became famous after Dr Jagan’s cremation. It was constructed for his cremation but cremations were first held there around 1986.

In fact, it was a long struggle to get governmental approval for the site to be used for cremation and it took a long struggle by the founders of the crematorium to have it built.

The crematorium was not used again after Jagan’s cremation, becoming a monument to him.

Over the years, there have been mounting concerns regarding the need to upkeep the memorial site which had practically been transformed into a dumpsite.

But for today the facility has been cleaned and nicely decorated in the colours of Dr Jagan’s founding Party (red, yellow and black).

Revenue generation, parking dominate GT LGE Debate

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ith just 12 days before Local Government Elections (LGE), candidates from several political parties vying for the City Council faced off in a historic debate last evening at the Theatre Guild as they sought to convince the electorate.

The debate, organised by a group which calls itself Under the Tamarind Tree, saw participation Mark Benschop from Team Benschop, Michael Leonard from Team Legacy, Sherrod Duncan from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), James Cole of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Clayon Halley from Youths For Local Government, Dr Phillip Thomas from Nation Building Corp.

While the candidates were quizzed on a number of issues dominating the city, including parking, drainage, security, revenue generation and financial autonomy were the most contentious.

While the candidates outlined lofty plans for the development of the city, they fell short in convincing how exactly they intend to generate revenue to execute these plans.

Leonard in his response suggested a scaling down of city spending and increased revenue collections, including parking meters, wise spending as well as possibly toll stations for persons who come from outside of the city daily.

“We have persons who are living outside of Georgetown but come to Georgetown every day, they make use of our services, they make use of our open spaces, but they do not contribute to the maintenance of our city, “Leonard said.

Duncan suggested that there be a number of other investments in the city to boost revenue.

“City council was the entity that brought the Lotto that idea was siphoned off by central government… the money from the Lotto alone we could manage the budget for the city. We want the Lotto back

at City Hall,” Duncan stated.

The other candidates also made similar suggestions, with Benschop putting forward a lofty plan for the M&CC to have its own radio and Television Station to be used for commercial purposes.

On the issue of security, Benschop said that among his party’s plans to improve the security of the city is that of a total reform of the City Constabulary to ensure they do more than just collect market rates and “shake down” vendors, but to ensure they are more professional.

Other issues raised included maintenance of the city, drainage, youth development, building code and homelessness.

The candidates have made it clear that while they will work with central government, they have no intention of being bullied or controlled by the administration.

The debates are expected to be taken to the other municipalities across the country in coming days.

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SunDAY, march 6, 2016

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Women’s Business Expo opens

“The Hindu religion is the only one of the world’s great faiths dedicated to the idea that the Cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an infinite, – Minister Lawrence lauds initiative number of deaths and rebirths. It is the only religion in which the time ommencing with is supporting such events scales correspond, to those of modern scientific cosmology. ” workshops for ex- which work to eliminate ob– Carl Sagan, Cosmologist hibitors, the inau- stacles that prevent the full

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Anu Dev

omorrow, Hindus all across Guyana will be celebrating Maha Shivaratri. Every month there is one day dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva (“pradosh”) but “Maha Shivaratri is the yearly, ritual worship of this one of the three major ‘personalised’ forms of the ultimate reality or Brahman that Hindus worship.

We are all projected out of Brahman (making us and the rest of the universe part of God) - and we call that aspect “Lord Brahma”; we are all sustained by and within Brahman and we call this power “Lord Vishnu” and finally after billions of years we all return into Brahman as we call this attribute “Lord Shiva”. We are not ‘destroyed’ as some assert, but subsist in Brahman in ‘prayala’ until the next round of ‘projection’.

We do not ever die - but are children of ‘immortal bliss’.

It is interesting that as modern science searches for

explanations of newly observed phenomena such as “quantum entanglement” the theories of David Bohm of London University are experiencing a resurgence. He proposed an “implicate order” of the universe “unfolding” from a previous quiescent phase into which it had subsided to explain the paradox of “action at a distance” occurring faster than the speed of light.

Hindus offer special prayers to Lord Shiva on Shivratri.

In Sanskrit, ‘ratri’ means night and thus, Shivaratri literally means ‘The Night of Shiva’. There are several traditions associated with the night: Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya (the dance of dissolution); he appeared as the Lingam; or he married Mother Parvati. Maha Shivaratri is observed for one night but the preparations begin the preceding day.

The day before Shivaratri, the house would have been given a thorough cleaning both inside and out. Hindus literally leave no stone unturned when sprucing up for Shivaratri (and other festivals)

because symbolically God is welcomed into our house. Who would want God to enter a grubby house?

Traditionally, this sacred festival is observed by offering Abhishek or Dhar. This is the several types of liquid offerings that we make to the Shiva Lingam (literally the “sign” of Shiva as the formless

Brahman) - milk, honey, ghee, dahee (yoghurt), ganga jal, coconut water, and cane juice. Each of these offerings have a symbolic significance but overall they represent a ‘cooling of the linga’ the desire of our souls to merge with God. So, in observance of Maha Shivaratri, we offer prayers and Abhishek to Lord Shiva.

Tomorrow, thousands will go to the Cove and John Ashram, go to their local Mandir

or stay home to offer their Dhar and prayers. My Mom is a Shiva bhakta and Shiva Ratri is always a big occasion in our home.

A growing number of Hindus make time for Mandir even though they mightn’t always be regular attendees on Thursday night, or Sunday morning. So many Hindus coming together and praying together, putting aside whatever personal differences they might have, to worship the same deities. They also do not eat meat during the Shivaratri period. Some Hindus, like my Mom, even completely give up “salt” food completely, eating only fruits.

The whole point of Mandirs is for everyone, the entire Hindu community, to get involved: everyone has a part to play. Everyone can sing along God’s praises with the bhajans, everyone prays together with the mantras.

It helps Hindus to solidify their identities as Hindus. It helps us to feel that sense of pride and to share that feeling with fellow Hindus.

So I hope all Hindus proudly celebrate Shivaratri tomorrow, whether they observe the festival at home or at Mandir.

Happy Maha Shivaratri!

C

guration of the Women’s Business Expo was held on Saturday with a grand turnout.

Exhibiting their creative products and services, the display section of the Pegasus Hotel was packed with industrious women eager to showcase what they have to offer the public.

Applauding the initiative, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, who was tasked with officially opening the exposition, expressed how overjoyed she was that the event was initiated.

Being a strong advocate for women’s leadership, Lawrence related that she is always delighted to support events as the business expo which promote the significance of women in society.

empowerment of women in Guyana.

The person behind the introduction of the well planned project is one of Guyana’s local designers, Sonia Noel who said the initiative was a collaborative effort of Oxygen with Nicole Guyana (O2N) and the Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts.

Observing the visible glitches regarding to the low self-confidence of women in taking leadership, the expo was planned out to empower women as well as to propel their businesses.

In addition, Noel reported that there is a gap between women, as they constantly “bring down” each other which is a contributing factor to the lack of selfconfidence they possess.

She noted that through the

Some of the items on display by one of the businesses at the expo

In all her elation, Lawrence informed that this expo puts Guyana one step ahead of the calls by the United Nations to Governments across the world to accelerate gender party, primarily the celebration of the economic achievements of women.

Being able to ‘pull off’ the celebrations, the Minister therefore commended the initiator of the expo and her exceptional team for putting Guyana in a place where it can be seen as a economic backdrop for women.

Lawrence told those in attendance that this is a new beginning for Guyana, as the expo serves as a forum for women to boost their confidence in order to become prominent leaders in society.

The Minister pledged the allegiance of her Ministry

expo, there is hope that there will be a fostering of women’s personal interaction.

The initiative was also supported by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who even though not present at the event, presented his remarks in the expo’s handout.

According to the handout, the Minister informed that this goes to show that Guyanese women are demonstrating that they mean business. Gaskin added that the involvement of women is essential to the economic growth of Guyana which the Government has been aiming to achieve.

Displayed at the expo were products ranging from invitations, cards, designer clothing, arranged vases and a number of other innovative creations.

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Budget cuts case

Appeal Court overrules CJ’s decision – says National Assembly can cut

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wo years after former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang had ruled that cuts to the National Budgets in the National Assembly is unlawful, the Court of Appeal on Friday overturned the decision, saying the House can make cuts to the estimates presented by the Minister of Finance.

After the then APNU and AFC Opposition parties had used their combined one-seat majority to axe $21.9 billion from the proposed $192.8 billion 2012 National Budget, the then PPP/C administration took to the Supreme Court to block the House from cutting the budget.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had stated that the Opposition has no power to cut the budget and can either approve or reject it in its entirety. In January 2014, Justice Chang ruled that the House can only “approve (or not approve) the minister’s estimates… and does not imply or involve a power to amend or to adjust the estimates presented by the executive Minster”.

Displeased with the ruling, respondent in the matter then Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, approached the Appeal Court to have the matter reversed or set aside.

Some two years later, an Appeal Court panel headed by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, Justice BS Roy and recently appointed acting CJ Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards delivered a ruling on the matter.

According to Justice Singh, the Court disagreed with Justice Chang’s ruling that the House, in the context considered, could not cut

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh

Former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang

or reduce the estimates of expenditure as presented by then Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh. He said the former CJ was markedly “narrow and restrictive” in the approach to the matter.

Justice Singh explained that it comes down to a question of the interpretation placed upon Articles 218 (1) and (2) of the Constitution.

According to the judges, while the constitutional responsibility for the preparation and presentation of the estimates of expenditure was that of the Minister of Finance, it is their considered view that once those estimates are laid before the National Assembly, “the Minister in a sense fades away” since the estimates now becomes the subject of scrutiny by the National Assembly.

“It would put a strain on reason and common-sense to expect that in its consideration of those estimates of expenditure the members of the National Assembly would mechanically offer their approval without question or challenge, or change to the estimates of expenditure pre-

sented by the Minister,” they ruled.

The Judges of Appeal added: “It is defeating to logic and common-sense to contend that the National Assembly could disapprove of the entire estimates of expenditure but did not have the implied power to adopt a less drastic measure, that is to reduce the estimates to a lesser sum,” the Chancellor pronounced.

Moreover Justice Singh in his conclusion of the ruling on Friday, said that discordant declaration by the Minister of Finance in April 2012, that the Committee of Supply had considered the estimates of expenditure and approved them as amended when it had been argued by the government side that the ability to amend resided only with the Finance Minister.

When contacted for his reaction to the ruling on Saturday, since he was the mover of the legal action, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said he was yet to read the decision and as such would not want to comment.

Grove man confesses to murdering teenage girlfriend

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fter almost a year on the run, Shivanand Roopnarine of School Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was captured and has since confessed to the murder of his girlfriend Alissa McPherson, who was stabbed to death in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on April 19, 2015.

The 21-year-old murder suspect was reportedly heading to Mahdia and during the check point at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), he was asked to produce a form of identification.

It was at that point the Police at the check point recognised the young man and made the arrest.

Mc Pherson was stabbed about 41 times and left to die by the jealous man near a washroom in a yard located at Cappy’s Place, Dennis Street, Sophia, where a dance was being held.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that on the night of the incident, he became annoyed after seeing the teenager dancing with another man.

Upon seeing this, he ordered McPherson to leave the

Murder suspect, Shivanand Roopnarine

dance but she refused and in retaliation, he dragged her to the back of the yard where he stabbed her multiple times before escaping. A senior Police rank has confirmed that the wanted man was transported to Georgetown where will be further grilled by Police Officers in the capital.

Guyana Times was told that the young man is likely to make his first court appearance on Monday once advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is sought on the matter.

However, relatives of the dead woman are finally satisfied that the fugitive was cap-

ture and will face the full force of the law.

Her father, Ankoma Powers, in an interview stated that he is overjoyed that the perpetrator who has been on the run for almost a year was finally arrested and has subsequently confessed to killing his daughter.

“I have waited so long to hear this, searched high and low for him… I was forced to give up the kind of intense search that I was doing cause it was taking a toll on me , but I knew he was out there and never gave up hope in finding or seeing him one day,” he stated.

He commended the Guyana Police Force for their interest in the matter and their determination, and more so, the officer who executed the arrest.

The emotional father stated “It is hard to lose your children, it rips at me every moment I remember her… full of life, always smiling, pleasant and beautiful, she was the total package, a gem and to have witnessed her breathe her last breath, it was the most unpleasant experience in my life”, he added.

8 homeless after Corentyne fire

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n early morning fire at Bush Lot Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) has left eight persons homeless, one building flat and another partially destroyed.

Reports are that the fire which started at around 2:00h neighbours saw flames coming from a kitchen window situated on the lower flat of the two-storied wooden building. At the time of the blaze, no one was at home. Eyewitnesses say the fire quickly swept through the building.

Vijai Mahadeo whose wife is in the maternity ward said that he and his son were sleeping at his mother’s house. “So nobody was in the house but by the time I get a call and I reach, was too late; everything already gone.”

As neighbours formed a bucket brigade and accessed water from a nearby pond, the early morning Corentyne wind made their job difficult.

The raging fire started threatening the next door building but the heat was too intense for the bucket brigade to be very effective.

Meanwhile, one resident said she grabbed her two kids and called on her brother and sister for assistance. Within seconds they reached safety.

No one tried to go back for valuables.

The fire service soon arrived and was able to prevent total destruction to the second.

The origin of the blaze is still unknown.

Mahadeo’s house was completely destroyed

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Guyanese charged with cocaine trafficking in Barbados

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eville Phagu, 48, a Guyanese national arrested following the discovery of a quantity of cocaine and marijuana on board a fishing vessel on Wednesday morning last was slapped with eight charges when he made his court appearance in Barbados on Friday.

In addition, Jeffery Callender, 39, a Barbadian was also charged with the same offences. They were jointly charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession

of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis, and trafficking cannabis. Phagu was additionally charged with importation of cocaine and importation of cannabis. They were both remanded to prison.

It was reported that the discovery was made at the Carlisle Bay (Browne’s Beach), St Michael by the Drug Squad.

According to reports, a total of 122.9 kilograms of cocaine worth BBD$6 million and cannabis weighing 94 kilograms were found in the hold of the boat.

The boat, as well as the il-

Eyew tness Neville Phagu leaving court on Friday

legal drugs were confiscated and the men arrested.

Barbados drug enforcement officers will continue

Wakenaam Rice...

Another farmer, Takur Persaud, said that he would usually plant 65 acres but planted only 15 – all of which were destroyed. He claimed that he is owed over $400,000 by various millers.

The crisis in the industry has led to some famers leaving rice cultivation altogether, with rising debt and loss of returns as the major reasons given.

Tareeq Ahmad, 38, another farmer who has been cultivating rice since 1995, said he

was forced to stop cultivating rice and now focuses on cattle rearing.

“I was compelled to leave the industry because of the factors of the low price and we have to ship our paddy to Essequibo Coast. We sell to three millers – Hussein, Hack and Ramlakhan; they would take the paddy but would take out the transport cost from our profit,” Ahmad explained.

He stated that he lost $45,000 from capital investments and opined that

their investigations since they are of the belief that more persons were involved in the drug bust.

from page 3

Government should do more to represent farmers.

“When you’re a Government, you have to protect your people, your farmers are your backbone, you have to protect your investments in agriculture… you ought to represent the farmers and the millers,” Ahmad emphasised.

Bhawan Persaud who also abandoned the rice industry said he has now gone into mining pigs and works part time as a labourer. He estimated his losses at $200,000.

Recently, Guyana Times interviewed several farmers on the neighbouring island of Leguan who shared similar concerns over the crisis in the industry. On that island, out of a possible 4000 acres, only 38-40 were cultivated and of this amount, 20 were said to be destroyed.

None of the islands has a water conservancy storage system and farmers are dependent on a consistent return of the rains to ease some of their burdens.

Reversing course...

I

...on cutting budgets

n what is probably a signal that many of the decisions handed down by now retired Chief Justice Ian Chang will be reversed, the Court of Appeal headed by Chancellor (Ag) Carl Singh ruled that budgets can be cut by the Opposition in the National Assembly. Aficionados would recall when the Opposition APNU and AFC held a majority in the House during the last Parliament, they hacked away at the PPP/C’s budget quite furiously to the tune of $21B. When APNU Speaker Raphael Trotman ruled that chopping was OK by the rules (as he read them), Attorney General Nandlall did the stipulated thing in these matters and asked the Courts to make the call. While the Assembly can make its own rules, those rules can’t be violative of the constitution. Constitutional supremacy and NOT Parliamentary supremacy rules the roost here - unlike Mother England.

So Justice Chang looked at the Constitution and noted the relevant Article 218 stated without any ambiguity that the Opposition can “approve” the submissions of the estimates by the Executive. He ruled in his inimitable style: “The power to amend MAY involve the power to approve, but a power to approve DOES NOT imply a power to amend.” The point he was making was, if you’re given the power to “approve” something... by its furthest extension you may possibly claim you also have the power NOT to approve.

And that’s what Justice Chang ruled: if the Opposition so desired it could “disapprove” the entire Budget - but NOT cherry pick what it wants to approve and what not to. In your Eyewitness’ estimation, the Chief Justice was spot on to point out if the Opposition were permitted to do that, it’s tantamount to having them BECOME the Executive. It’s the latter’s sole prerogative to craft the budget for the country based on its Manifesto on which it was elected.

More fundamentally the Chief Justice explained (if not in these exact words), if he were to allow the Opposition to craft the budget then he’d be sanctioning a coup d’etat! So on what grounds did Chancellor Singh, the new CJ (Ag) and Justice BS Roy reverse CJ Chang’s ruling? Well on absolutely NO GROUNDS. They did admit they agreed with Justice Chang that the Articles on which he based his judgement were the relevant ones.

All Chancellor Singh could say was: IT WAS ALL A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION!!! Justice Chang saw it his way, and he and his cohorts on the Appellate Bench saw it the opposite way.

This will become the “I say potato (po-tay- to); you say potato (po-taa-to) doctrine!

...on prison catastrophe?

After every administration since Burnham’s closed their eyes to the bubbling cauldron at 12 Camp St, let’s hope this catastrophe of 17 prisoners perishing during protests will bring about some needed reforms. Heck... what is really needed aren’t reforms... but a root-andbranch change in our stance on penology.

Right off the bat, we need a NEW prison outside of Georgetown. Secondly we need to reform our laws for possession of minor quantities of marijuana. Thirdly, we need a separate facility for remand prisoners: even choirboys will become affected when they come out of remand. Then every civilised state has a social services department to deal with prisoners’ complaints - especially remanded prisoners. Do we?

And if “rehabilitation” is one of the goals of incarceration (in addition to “punishment” and “retribution” etc) shouldn’t we have some job programme to reduce the recidivism rate?

We know jails aren’t supposed to be hotels... but they don’t have to be purgatory or hell, do they?

...at City Hall

Responding to accusations by Team Benschop that City Hall was stymieing its scheduling of meetings, Town Clerk Royston Forde claimed Benschop “attempts to implicate the City’s administration in the Canaille.”

Canaille? It refers to the “masses” but it derives from “dogs”. Ouch!!!

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

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guyanatimesgy.com

News

Works on WCD/EBE Road project 20% completed – Govt Engineer

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t has been over a year since works have commenced to upgrade the two-lane along the West Coast Demerara/East Bank Essequibo (WCD/EBE) roads, however, works are not pro-

State Engineer Kester Hinds

gressing as expected.

Speaking with Guyana Times Project Engineer of Ministry of Public Infrastructure Kester Hinds, with oversight responsibility of the $9.2 billion project, explained that works on the massive road project is about 20 per cent completed to date.

The contract for this project was awarded to Jamaican company, Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) which will be partnering with BK International. The contract was signed in November 2014 and works commended January 2015.

In addition to the upgrade, the project is expected to be completed within 36 months and includes sidewalks and in some sections facilities for cyclists.

According to Hinds, most of the works done are preliminary and were concentrated along a 12-kilometre stretch from the Parika end. He pointed out that some areas require different works than others.

Among the works completed are the paving of the road extension, cleaning of existing culverts and installation of concrete drains. The engineer noted that works are being done in Meten-Meer-Zorg as well as Anna Catherina, where concrete drains are being installed. He noted that culverts from Anna Catherina to Parika were already cleaned.

With a timeline of 36 months, the engineer bemoaned works are not moving at the pace it should, but in the same vain said he does not anticipate any extensions will be required.

“We are expected to complete within the project timeline,” he assured. Hinds outlined that while the project may not be on par to achieve this, there are elements that can be accelerated to allow for it to be completed on time.

He pointed out that the biggest hurdle they are confronted with is that utility in-

frastructures are in the way.

“The challenges that we’ve been faced with are mainly with the utilities location.

That has somewhat contributed to the slow pace that we are moving at,” he noted.

Nevertheless, Hinds stressed they are in talks with the utility companies and the issue is expected to be rectified

tle more populated and have a lot of activities ongoing there so in order to minimise any disruption to the operations, it was much more feasible to start from the Parika end where there won’t be much disruptions—and less traffic as well,” he stated.

Hinds explained that businesses (including stores, road-

Works being done on the WCD/EBE road

soon so that work of the project is not stymied.

“We are in dialogue with the utility companies and we have had significant amount of the utilities relocated so far,” he said, while adding that steps have already been taken to have those utilities along the upper end of West Coast relocated so works can commence there.

According to the engineer, the decision was taken to start at the Parika end of the road because that area is less active than the Vreed-en-Hoop end. “Vreed-en-Hoop is a lit-

side vendors and even bus operators) towards the upper end of the West Coast road are cognizant of the impending works and have committed to relocating when works commence in their respective areas.

He said these issues were ironed out during the sensitisation phase of the project: “We have had several discussions with them and we just trying to iron out what measures will be put in place to facilitate the vendors.”

In the 2016 Budget, Government has announced that some $2.3 billion will be invested to upgrade the road from Parika to Vreed-enHoop. The works include widening the corridor and improving road safety features.

Too ‘fraid of Time

S

atiricus was intrigued. He was an avid follower of the letters’ pages and most times that’s where he started his daily reading. Some fellas started at the back page with the Sports, others with the front page and politics.

Satiricus wanted to hear “the voice of the people” and he heard it loud and clear on the letters’ pages.

And he was hardly disappointed. Like yesterday when he heard from that Minister fella Patto. Now Patto wasn’t one of your flashier politicians. Quick now!! Can you tell Satiricus if Patto is short or tall? Thin or fat?? “So there!” thought Satiricus with satisfaction.

If the truth be told, Patto was about as exciting to cover as giving updates on grass growing. So he hardly got coverage - which is the kiss of death to an ambitious politician. What’s a Minister to do when no one knows you from a hole in the wall? And you want to build your profile for the next election when your party the KFC’s going the way of the Dodo?

Well, manufacture a controversy! And that’s what Patto tried to do! In his missile...ummm...missive, Patto accused Sato’s newspaper of distorting his words so much he was “afraid” of speaking to them. Now Satiricus as an old newshound didn’t really mind the accusation. He knew that to a politician any publicity was better than no publicity.

And Patto’s problem was really NO publicity and he was desperately trying to fix that.

What got Satiricus’ attention was Patto claiming that unlike the Times the other newspapers were paragons of fairness in covering the scene!! “Well really!?!” exclaimed Satiricus, laughing so hard his wife thought was having a coughing fit. “Does Patto really believe, say, the Muckraker’s fair when they persecuted the man who gave the country its first world class hotel, so viciously? Or the Kronic that’s funded by taxpayers’ money to say they should only cover Patto’s Party?

Satiricus didn’t think so. But then, he shrugged. “What’s an anonymous politician to do? Not being noticed is worse than the kiss of death.” And even the prince of death wouldn’t kiss Patto!!

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SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

GECOM probing multimillion-dollar ballot paper procurement … Commissioners suspect fraud, SOPs breached

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mid concerns expressed by several of its Commissioners, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has decided to launch a probe into the recent procurement of ballot papers and other sensitive materials purchased to the tune of US$500,000 for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) nominated Commissioners at a news conference on Saturday, related that GECOM does not follow any structured procurement process but rather makes haphazard purchases of items without specific authority and for this reason, they are deeply concerned.

In fact, the Commissioners expressed that this is a concern shared even by the Government-nominated Commissioners.

“Commissioners on both sides have expressed ongoing concerns relative to appropriate and transparent procurement practices by GECOM,” PPP/C Commission Robeson Benn disclosed.

Expanding on the situation, Bibi Shaddick explained that the matter revolves around the manner in which it is executed.

“The practice seems to be, ‘Hey, we need to get this done and the Chairman says to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hey, go do it…and then the CEO says to the Chief Accountant to prepare a cheque for so much and whatever’… there seems to be no rules being followed,” Shaddick observed.

She continued “Huge sums of monies are being expended at GECOM, huge sums without any form of agreement of

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

any kind of formal documentation. Somebody just says go do it and that’s not how procurement is done.”

She further noted that, since being at GECOM, the only activity taken to the National Procurement Board is for the contract of establishing billboards across the country.

With respect to the situation being investigated, Shaddick explained that the ballot papers, Statements of Poll, tally sheets and other sensitive materials were purchased from a Canadian printing company without any attempts being made to find out if another company would charge less.

On that note, Commissioner Sase Gunraj revealed that GECOM has been procuring materials from the same company since the General and Regional Elections in 2011.

However, he pointed out that following the General and Regional Elections 2015, some Commissioners raised concerns about the company.

Consequently, he con-

tended that steps should have been taken to address those concerns and to explore alternative companies.

When prompted, he disclosed that those concerns were in relation to the cost of the process, particularly in areas where GECOM could have saved money as well as the efficiency of the process.

“But the concerns were staunchly and stoutly rejected,” Gunraj posited.

Moreover, the PPP nominated Commissioners pointed out that they are unaware of the costs to place the various GECOM advertisements in the media though they are the ones who should have been involved in the decision-making process.

Additionally, they highlighted that GECOM paid a lawyer over GY$6 million to prepare an application to strike out the Elections Petition which was filed

by PPP/C Member Ganga Persaud.

Again, in this instance, the Commissioners revealed that no attempts were made to follow a standard procurement process to determine if a lawyer could have charged a much cheaper cost to prepare an Elections Petition.

Shaddick, a lawyer for more than a decade, expressed that GY$6 million for that purpose is exorbitant.

She posited too that GECOM will still have to pay more lawyer fees, in addition to the GY$6 million.

Attempts by Guyana Times to contact GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally for a response on this matter proved futile.

However, reports indicate that he is aware of the probe

but opted not to consider the activity an “investigation”.

“Investigation is a strong word, the first thing one would want to do and that is what we have agreed on is that all the parties that are involved in this thing, let’s interview them, let’s call them

and let’s see what is this all about so that’s the first step before you go into some audit,” he said.

Surujbally said at this point in time there has been no decision to conduct a forensic audit “but it might evolve into that, who knows,”

the Chairman is quoted as saying.

Guyana Times understands that among those to be questioned are two GECOM Commissioners and an Information Technology expert who travelled to Canada to oversee the process.

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SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Younge’s Take Negotiating, siding with criminals

T

here is much truth in a statement made by Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher whose Government was facing a tumultuous task responding and calming fiery protests, revolts against the Executive and its policies, and a spike in crime as a result of the declining economic situation back in the 1970s.

Thatcher had declared that she “will not negotiate Michael Younge with criminals or thugs” when confronted with a specific scenario in Northern Ireland.

But her posture on dealing with crime and criminality, prisoners and law breakers in general was consistent especially after the direct attack on her life by the IRA terrorist movement.

Even after this episode, she declared “I will not negotiate with terrorists”.

Guyanese politicians have a lot to learn from the politics of World Leaders like Thatcher. They must understand that every action and posture adopted in the public eyes are likely to have both positive and negative spin-off effects.

On Friday, State Minister Joseph Harmon and Vice President with responsibility for Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan led a team of officials to meet with the riotous prisoners who had set fire to the prison under the guise that they needed better living conditions and other demands met before calm could be restored.

Surprisingly, the ministers appeared satisfied with the outcome of the meeting as the emboldened prisoners agreed to remain calm and end the riot.

In exchange, the ministers related to the media that they agreed to improve the living conditions at the prisons, increase the amount of telephone calls that they are allowed, relook at the detention period at the institution, the quality of their food, and a series of other things.

This “gentleman’s agreement” as one minister described it was brokered despite the President’s announcement that he was establishing a Commission of Inquiry to probe the circumstances which led to the riot and fire at the Prison and the response of the relevant authorities following the loss of life.

Surely, the ministers know that they have legitimised both the riot and fire which occurred at the Prisons by negotiating with hardened criminals’ terms to end the riot.

The simple act of Government ministers becoming so integrally involved in this issue is worrying. The ministers should have advised the Head of the Joint Services Mark Phillips, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and other independent Human Rights individuals to meet the prisoners and listen to their concerns.

Again, the wrong signal was sent and there can be no doubt that in future, the prisoners will believe that in order to get their way in jail, they must riot and cause pandemonium. The Government is surely going to respond and they will have another opportunity to negotiate.

Other prisoners at various locations took note of the progress made by the criminals at Camp Street even before the CoI got working. Who knows what else the prisoners will ask for or riot about? Did the Government consider that there could have been a deliberate plot on the part of some of the prisoners to break out of the jail and that the riot and fire was just a diversionary tactic employed which unfortunately ended with the loss of life?

Also, the Government must bear full responsibility for the boldness demonstrated by the criminals. From day one President Granger has had a fascination with those criminals at the prisons.

He is the only President in history of this country that has pardoned close to 100 convicted prisoners, some of whom have broken the law again after being released.

The psychological impact of that move led to a reasonable expectation by the prisoners that the President and his Government would be more sympathetic to them and they were willing to test it first with the fire and riot. They were right!

The truth is the Government should have stayed out of the matter and should have held the security forces responsible for their actions and inactions in dealing with the matter. It was an operational exercise and the ministers should have only given policy directives. The Government should have condemned the riot immediately while standing on the side of the law.

If the Inquiry proved that there were human rights violations and inhumane conditions at the prisons and the authorities there were culpable, then they should have taken the necessary corrective and punitive actions as part of wider prison reforms proposal which must be rooted in the law.

It is sad that the Government in a haste to score political points and demonstrate that it has a human face would have made the overtures that they did.

There are many lessons to be learnt but the Government has started a dangerous precedent of negotiating with criminals.

Now, there are reports of a promise made to the families of those who died to give them permanent assistance?

Somebody is going mad…

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sunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Traffic Chief hospitalised after car crashes into utility pole at Providence

Electricity tariffs

PSC, GMSA see no need for reduction T

raffic Chief, Superintendent of Police Dion Moore was in the wee hours of Saturday morning rushed to a private medical facility, following a vehicular accident along the East Bank Demerara Highway.

Up to press time, Moore was receiving medical attention.

According to reports received, the official was travelling along the Providence, East Bank Demerara Public Road in a private vehicle when the driver lost control and collided with a utility pole.

By Edward Layne

D

ays after Opposition legislator Irfaan Ali called for a 30 per cent reduction in the electricity tariffs, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) says they see no need for a reduction at this time.

Ali, speaking during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, maintained that both the Guyana Power and Light inc (GPL) and the Government were pocketing millions of dollars in savings as a result of the significant decline in the price for a barrel of oil and fuel generally on the world market since mid-2015.

He stated that a simple analysis of the situation would prove that the price for oil plummeted from between US$130-US$110 to US$30-US$20 per barrel of oil.

Ali maintained that these slumping oil prices had no doubt positively affected the state of affairs at GPL and the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil).

He argued that as a result of the drop in the price for oil internationally, GPL in particular, would have seen a 40-60 per cent reduction in its overall operating costs and expenses, since the purchase and importation of oil accounted for a significant percentage of the previously high related costs.

“GPL therefore needs to reduce its overall tariffs and electricity costs in a comparative manner to

PSC Chairman Norman McLean

Opposition Economist Irfaan Ali

the drop in the price for oil and local operating expenses,” Ali reasoned. The economist said it was “unfortunate” that the company had not decided to do the right thing by the Guyanese public.

But, Chairman of the PSC, Major General (Ret’d) Norman McLean, who also heads the GMSA, told Guyana Times on Saturday that due to the volatility of the world market prices for fuel, which has been fluctuating, a tariff cut is not possible.

Speaking directly to Ali’s call for a 30 per cent reduction in the tariffs, McLean noted that such is not possible.

“I don’t think it’s feasible,” he declared. He also said that a similar situation obtains with regards to fuel prices at local pumps.

Efforts to contact Finance Minister Winston Jordan for a comment on the issue proved futile, as multiple calls to his mobile went unanswered.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had ex-

pressed concern in late January that the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) and GPL were cashing in on mega profits worth over US$200 million collectively, as a result of purchasing extremely cheaper fuel between the years 2014 to 2015, while the ordinary citizens continued to bear the brunt of exorbitant prices for fuel and electricity.

Jagdeo had contended that with the plummeting oil prices on the world market, electricity prices should have tumbled already.

Moreover, the Opposition Leader explained that those reductions could have been a huge stimulus to the economy. “The consumers would have more disposable income. Secondly, if we allowed the prices to be adjusted, we would have given a big stimulus to the business community, miners, manufacturers, etc,” he stated.

Guyana imports approximately 10,000 barrels of oil daily.

Eccles man commits suicide By: Kizzy Coleman

T

he lifeless body of a man was early Saturday morning found hanging in his home, leaving family baffled as to what caused this terminal action.

Dead is Curt Ossorio, 20, of Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), whose body was discovered by his roommate.

According to reports Ossorio an employee of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Mall showed no signs of distress or of having problems.

Guyana Times was told family of Ossorio were contacted at around 01:30h by Police who were at the scene of the incident and informed of the tragedy.

Ann Leung, sister of the dead man spoke to this newspaper: “We got the call and everyone broke down

Curt Anthony Ossorio

but we were told that we had to identify his body. When we arrived at the scene, the police did not take him down as yet and he was just hanging there. I could not take what I was seeing and broke down right there.”

She added that the last time she saw her brother, he was his usual self and explained she did not see any signs whatsoever that he was having trouble.

“I did not sense that anything was wrong with him, even his aunt saw him during the day and she said that he looked well and that she did not see anything strange”.

Family are baffled as to the reason for Ossorio committing the act: “He did not leave any letter or anything, the only thing that we saw at the scene is that he was drinking a large amount of beers because the bottles were found laying around”.

Ossorio’s employer told the family he is shocked as Ossorio seemed well all day at work.

Ossorio is described as a loving, kind, caring and very jovial person.

Traffic Chief Dion Moore

Moore who was reportedly the front seat passen-

ger of the car received injuries and was rushed to the medical facility where he was admitted and his condition is listed as stable.

Guyana Times understands that Moore may have sustained a fractured leg, along with other injuries about his body.

From all reports received, the driver of the motorcar, an unnamed 25-year-old man, received minor injuries as well. He is in Police custody as the Force launched an investigation into the accident.

Attempts to contact the Traffic Chief proved futile.

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts facilities in poor condition

T

he deplorable condition of the facilities at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts especially the lavatories is chief among the complaints of those who make use of the facilities.

During a visit by Guyana Times it was observed that the stench emanating therefrom is unbearable.

All tanks in the washrooms are broken, as such the toilets cannot be flushed.

From the looks of the facilities, one can easily assume they have not been cleaned for a long period.

The floors of the washroom are in an unmention-

able state.

This publication spoke with some persons who used the facilities to find out their views.

One woman identified as ‘Phyllis’ explained “I had to be waiting here for a long period until my matter was called, I have

a weak bladder and decided to use the washroom, which was a mistake I made. I didn’t know how to use it because firstly the smell hit me before I even entered. Then when I entered, the toilet bowl was filled, it hadn’t been flushed”. turn to page 18

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SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

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SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

THE

PSC has a “big problem” with Corruption Perceptions Index – ABC diplomats differ

By Edward Layne

Creation of townships in violation of LCDS and indigenous rights

T

he Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project has resumed according to the indigenous affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, who took little pain to assure the House on the matter during his 2016 budget presentation.

Nevertheless, it is what we have all been patiently waiting to hear.

The Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry (MoIPA) for Anna Correia some obscure reason limits the quantity of information it delivers to the public on the status of ALT and its project unit, in particular to Amerindian beneficiaries. Incidentally, ALT is of prime importance to Amerindian development. What can be confirmed presently however, is that the new unit only comprises of a Project Manager, former Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission (GLSC) employee, Enrique Monize, and a land surveyor also formerly employed by the GLSC. There is no Project Associate, as the functions apparently will be absorbed by staff of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), presumably still the project’s designated Partner Entity.

What we also know is that the ALT project lags incredibly far behind its initial three-year schedule and that in the space of nine months, absolutely no progress was made to address the land titling, extension and demarcation needs of Amerindian communities and villages. This can be linked to the lack of will from an administration which had other priorities such as expending efforts to get rid of the original ALT team even though staff were still on contract, in a move to facilitate “jobs for the boys”. After nine months of reported internal discord within and between the APNU and AFC camps in the Ministry, it was obvious that a team had to be sourced from the outside, and that this probably had to be done in keeping with UN safeguards and standards.

This voluntary delay adds to the already formidable task of the new team, which is yet to deliver titles for six communities, 32 villages and Certificates of Title for 64 villages. However, land titling investigation was completed for the remaining 6 communities and 15 villages for which it is now only a matter of political will from the Allicock administration and Cabinet, who must examine and approve the requests.

The coalition regime however, appears to be oblivious to the requests for extension to titled lands in particular. Gross indifference to proposed extensions of villages neighbouring Lethem, such as Moco Moco, Nappi and Yupukari, has resulted in the outlines of a Lethem township which overlaps with requested extension boundaries. In the case of Nappi, the overlap swallows at least two thirds of the proposed extension.

This also reflects the Government’s disinterest for the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), as well as for provisions in the Norway Guyana LCD Agreement to include indigenous peoples in the national decision-making process to build a green economy.

With no evidence to substantiate for any worthy investments in Amerindian land titling during such a long lapse of time since the ALT project was disintegrated in June 2015, it is time that Amerindian leaders demand accountability from the MoIPA as well as the UNDP and other Government stakeholders.

It must be reminded that ALT was designed to expedite the Government of Guyana response to applications, some of which were pending for years primarily due to insufficient financial resources. The LCDS revenues which fund the project through GRIF are not taken from tax payers but instead, are part of a bilateral agreement aimed at crafting sustainable development projects inclusive of indigenous peoples’ participation.

Subsequently, there is no space for unnecessary delays.

The excuse of the Allicock administration for interrupting the project in June was that it needed to accommodate the “transition” of new management. Well, nine months was ample time to facilitate transition insofar as the ministerial seats would have taken the shape of their new leaders, and it is now time to get on with the people’s business.

The Government continues to bulldoze its way through the democratic achievements Amerindians have made over the years as though there is no Ministry to defend the people.

However, the LCDS sees indigenous peoples as being an integral component in developing a sustainable economy and it is on this very basis that the creation of townships breaches the Agreement as well as violates indigenous rights.

If the Amerindian affairs Ministers continue to remain complacent and lax, then civil actors and international observers must be called upon to intervene. So should Norway.

A

s Guyana continues to score poorly in the Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the Private Sector Commission (PSC) says it has a “big problem” with the way the surveys are being done, complaining that it was never asked to contribute to the surveys.

Speaking at a joint news conference with diplomats from America, Britain and Canada (ABC) on Friday, PSC’s Captain Gerald Gouveia questioned the credibility of the annual publication.

Gouveia while expressing the PSC’s concerns that

Captain Gerald Gouveia the government is not doing enough to tackle corruption in Guyana, said the annual report does not reflect the true Guyana situation: “I would say to you that I take great offence to that report and I would say to you that we have never been approached by the people who do those surveys to get our opinions. We don’t know where

they are getting that opinion and so the Corruption Perceptions Index is one which seems to be lopsided.”

He went on to suggest that it should be mandatory for the PSC, a major player in the economy to be consulted on surveys of this nature.

“It should be compulsory that you engage the private sector because if there is any corruption taking place then the formal private sector would be in the middle of it.

But to totally ignore the private sector and come up with this report is damaging our country,” said Gouveia who once headed the PSC.

Government’s efforts

Government’s efforts to root out corruption Gouveia said, is unimpressive, reiterating the PSC’s call for the urgent establishment of the Public Procurement Commission and the appointment of the now defunct Integrity Commission.

There have been widespread calls from anti-corruption activists, including Transparency Guyana Incorporated, the local body for TI, and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in this regard.

Diplomats’ response

However, the diplomats from the ABC countries have a completely different view from that of Gouveia and the PSC on the issue.

Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Georgetown, Bryan Hunt, in defending the CPI said any statistical survey or one that is based on perceptions can be a constructive instrument once used cor-

rectly.

“If someone is taking the CPI and saying, ‘because of this rank, Guyana is more corrupt than (X country)’ then that would be an incorrect use

US Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt of that tool. But what the tool tells you is how people perceive Guyana and that is important because the way people perceive Guyana, drives investment decisions both from the interior and from the exterior,” he explained.

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn said while acknowledging Gouveia’s concern of the PSC not being interviewed, his country sees the CPI as constructive since it gives a good sense of what people feel in terms of corruption in a country.

“And if people feel that there is a corruption problem then that by itself is an issue that is worthy of being addressed because that is the fundamental problem…

People believe that there is a corruption problem and that is one of the issues which must

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn not be ignored,” he stated.

In 2015, Guyana plunged to 119 out of some 168 countries on the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Corruption Perception Index with a score of 29. Guyana has maintained that score since the TI’s 2014 report. It is tied with Russia, Azerbaijan, and Sierra Leone.

The CPI is based on expert opinions on Public Sector corruption.

Countries’ scores can be helped by open government where the public can hold leaders to account, while a poor score is a sign of prevalent bribery, lack of punishment for corruption, and public institutions that do not respond to citizens’ needs.

According to TI, corruption is still a major problem around the world, but more countries are improving than worsening and the United States and the United Kingdom have reached their best rankings ever.

The Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide. The scores are measured from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

18 news

SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt mulls separate facility for high-risk criminals – wants better training for prison officers

G

overnment is considering the option of isolating high-risk criminals in a maximum security facility as a precautionary measure to prevent any possible reoccurrence of the unrest that erupted at the overcrowded Camp Street Prison; killing 17 prisoners as well as injuring several inmates and prison officers.

President David Granger, during his weekly telecast ‘The Public Interest’, told media operatives that the prison facilities need to be evaluated and certain criminals ought to be housed in a maximum security facility.

“What we are contemplating is ensuring that there is a facility… correctional facility… which can guarantee the security of high-risk prisoners without allowing the outbreak of the

“We want to have more trained prison officers so that the integrity of prison officers is beyond question.

It is quite clear that the contraband items had to be done due to the laxity or inefficiency of [the] prison service or with the complicity with members of the prison service,” the Head of State related.

On that note, President Granger emphasised the need to improve the quality of prison staff, at least through enhanced training. Moreover, the President posited that these training sessions can better prepare prison officers to more effectively deal with situations of this nature.

“We need to give them a certain quality of training that prepares them for this type of occupation,” the President posited.

In addition to improved

Prisioners during the recent unrest at the Georgetown Prison

type of violence we’ve seen,” he stated.

Granger reminded that the three major prisons (New Amsterdam, Mazaruni and Georgetown) were built in the 19th century and as such, its physical infrastructure is not up to par with international standards.

Nonetheless, he assured that the improvement of the infrastructure of the prisons is something the State is current taking into consideration.

While on the issue of the historic three-day rioting that occurred at the Camp Street penitentiary, the President spoke about the need for better training for prison officers as a means of stamping out the inclination to get involved in corruption.

training exercises, Granger admitted that the profession is not very attractive and therefore, more incentives need to be offered to encourage young adults to join the prison service.

He said these incentives would include better pay and better working conditions.

Nonetheless, Granger reminded that the Commission of Inquiry into the incidents that occurred at the Camp Street Prison is underway and therefore, Government will be waiting on the recommendations included in the final report before making a decision on the way forward.

The probe will be headed by former High Court Judge, Justice James Patterson as Chairman; Human Rights Coordinator

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts facilities...

Joseph Charles lamented that he slipped in the washroom because the floor was muddied and slippery: “I walk in there and to my dismay before I know what was happening, I slipped on the nasty floor. My entire skin smelled after I got up and to make it worse, I had a matter that I was waiting to be called at the court so I could not go and change my clothes.”

Yet another woman identified as ‘Yvonne’ related that she is using a wheel chair: “I cannot use the toilet without sitting on the

bowl, I was never so disgusted when I had to sit on that bowl which was smelly and dirty.”

Most recently a tank was placed at the side of the lockups in the court compound which from all indications is for a toilet.

Provisions of tanks for all the other toilets have not been made.

This publication made numerous attempts to contact Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh for a comment but were unsuccessful.

President David Granger

Merle Mendonca, and former Director of Prisons Dale Erskine.

Among the Terms of Reference (ToR) to guide them during the inquiry are to investigate, examine and report on the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances that resulted in the death of 17 prisoners and any other subsequent disturbances at the Camp Street Prison; and inquire into the nature of all injuries sustained by the prisoners during the disturbances on and any other

subsequent disturbances.

The Commissioners will also have to determine whether the conduct of the staff of the Guyana Prison Service who were on duty and thereafter was in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures of the Guyana Prison Service; as well as to determine whether the deaths of the 17 prisoners was as a result of negligence, abandonment of duty, disregard of instructions, inaction of the prison officers who were on duty.

After probing the inci-

dent, the three-member CoI is expected to make comprehensive recommendations to ensure the safety of the prisons henceforth. They are required to make recommendations in the areas of improving the physical infrastructure of the prison; security arrangements in relation to the custody, management and control of prisoners; appropriate treatment of prisoners in compliance with legal and other requirements, and to prevent a recurrence of any such disturbances.

news

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sundAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Our ‘hard ears’ politicians Essequibo mother remanded

By Ryhaan Shah

I

t is a truth that our politicians do not listen to us but, instead, talk to us, at us, and around us. They believe that they do not have to listen because they know what is good for us. Plain and simple, they are “hard ears”.

The other truth is that if we had a culture of listening and communicating, Guyana would be much further along socially and economically.

Listening is a conscious act. You have to be actively engaged to not only hear but to understand and appreciate what the other person is saying. A response with relevant questions or statements would then produce meaningful engagement and dialogue.

Such dialogue is not only absent between our political parties but also within the parties themselves.

Many PPP members say they are tired of trying to get the party leadership to simply listen to what they have to say. Meetings are held and the leaders attend, but never to listen. They come for the platform to speak to them and at them. The party’s radio and television call-in programmes are the same. They are used to disseminate party propaganda when supporters actually want to engage in discussions.

It is as if the party sees their supporters as unworthy of engagement. For the PPP, views that differ from the party line are seen as “talking back” and criticism, as negative and oppositional, and even as open attacks.

This, even after the party accepted that apathy among their supporters led to their loss of the majority in the 2011 general elections, and to losing the elections outright last May. The apathy is a direct result of supporters feeling disengaged because of the widening gap between themselves and the party leadership.

Treated with contempt, they reply with apathy.

A surefire way to engage and even impassion supporters is to listen to their opinions and suggestions and to involve them in deciding the party’s programmes, plans, and political direction.

Once invested, they will work to see the party succeed.

A political party that shuts itself off from its support base, stagnates, and no one, looking at both the PPP and PNC/APNU, would disagree that both these behemoths have failed to reform, to keep up with a changing world, and to respond to that change with new directions and policies.

They are both still stuck in the Cold War politics which shaped them and the PNC and its government’s current impasse over the findings of the Rodney CoI is due in great part to the party behaving like its original past self when PNC paramountcy ruled.

Once again, PNC supporters are expected to simply follow the leader when, if the party listens, they will hear that the entire country is ready to unburden itself from that dark past.

Should the PNC find the grace and goodness to put country first, we could Ryhaan Shah all be jubilant.

The young people who voted for the Coalition based on their campaign message that the past doesn’t matter have realised by now that it matters greatly because it is about righting wrongs and exacting justice, values that are essential to sustaining democracy and upholding the national good.

But will they insist and make themselves heard and wrest the changes promised them or will they do as my generation and simply abandon all hope and seek the good life elsewhere?

As it is, no party has to listen to its supporters.

Our politics remains locked as a racial battle and we along with it. It did appear that the APNU/AFC Coalition understood that we were battle weary, what with all their campaign promises of change and unity.

It appeared that they had listened and that, having understood, they would deliver with policies to effect the needed changes for progress and development once elected.

As it turns out they weren’t listening, at all.

Their ears were fully “corked up” as ever and, because of this, Guyana is set to suffer another cycle of racist and corrupt governance that will take us further downhill.

What a change it would be if our party leaders were elected in a transparent and truly democratic manner where listening to the electorate would be key to winning. We would have better political leaders and a better chance at progress.

The Greek philosopher Diogenes said: “We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.”

Would that our political leaders take his advice and just listen to what the people have to say. They will learn much about our hopes and aspirations when they do.

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

on drug charge

A

manda Spellen of Lot 14 Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, was Friday remanded for trafficking narcotics. Spellen made her appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on March 3, 2016 during a police drug campaign, Spellen sold 3 1/2 grams of cocaine to a Police Constable.

She denied the allegation, stating that the police wanted to frame her.

Police also stated that

they photocopied the money that was paid for the drugs and when Spellen was approached she was found with the same money that corresponded to that of the police. She however said she received the money from two Indian boys she sold bag stings to. She told the court that she has a baby and she is presently unemployed.

Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack objected to bail on the grounds that there were no special reasons proffered.

When asked by

Magistrate Scarce why she should be granted bail, the woman said she did not sell drugs and police never found any drugs at her home either. She told the court that she has to undergo a surgery and would need medical attention.

Bail was refused and the matter set for recall on April 12, 2016 at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Spellen’s family was dissatisfied with the court’s decision and immediately filed for bail at the High Court.

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SunDAY, march 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Kildonan man’s death

REO ordered to produce report – as residents call for investigation

T

here has been public outcry by residents of Kildonan, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) for a thorough investigation to be launched into the circumstances surrounding the death of fellow villager Richard Dundas, also called “Matics”.

The 53-year-old man died on February 24, at his home after being hit by a missile.

He was seen by a doctor at the Port Mourant Hospital shortly before his death.

Residents are saying that the doctor erred by allowing the injured Dundas to leave the hospital with his condition not being fully diagnosed.

Dundas was laid to rest on Thursday.

A post-mortem performed on the deceased by Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekananda Bridgemohan, revealed that he died as a result of hypovolemic shock – an emergency condition in which severe blood and fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood throughout the body – as a result of

haemorrhage to the foot, cirrhosis of the liver and trauma to the dead as a result of a fall Dundas may have experienced after he would have seen the doctor.

Residents explained that although Dundas was considered poor, he had a big heart, was willing, helpful and was loved by everyone in the community.

“You could always get him to do something for you. Is everybody he does help,” one resident said. “When people are poor and they go places like the hospital, where they have to depend on people, they don’t get the service they deserve; it is the course of the poor,” another resident stated.

Following the death of Dundas, Health Services Director of Region Six, Jevaughn Stephens, in an invited comment said according to the doctor involved, the patient was delirious and did not want to be treated.

Stephens said he was told that Dundas had to be restrained by Police who were on hand. He, however, said

that an investigation has been launched.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the issue was discussed at the Regional Democratic Council level.

Addressing the full Council, Councillor Zaman Hussain said media reports on the incident were disturbing since it was the doctor who allegedly refused to admit the injured man after treating him at the Port Mourant Hospital, that pronounced him dead less than an hour later.

“This is a very serious situation whereby we are allowing things like this to be swept under the carpet quietly. We need to make sure that the person or doctor who did this should be held responsible.

We should get a thorough investigation into this issue,” Hussain said.

Region Six Regional Executive Officer, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya has been instructed to present a detailed report on the incident to Regional Chairman David Armogan in a week.

Municipal workers demand public servant status

M

Some of the New Amsterdam municipal workers

unicipal staff attached to the Mayor and Town Council in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Friday petitioned Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan to be recognised as public servants.

The Minister had gone to meet with Councillors at the Regional Democratic Council boardroom in New Amsterdam.

The workers say they have been denied the $50,000 bonus which Government paid public servants in December last year, adding that they only earn $36,400 monthly.

They also said the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) de-

ductions are being made from their salaries as though they are receiving $50,000 monthly. The municipality has a staff contingent consisting of 50 monthly workers and 28 weekly workers.

According to the petition, for more than 30 years, the municipal workers have been seen as public servants and whenever there is a wage increase for public servants, they receive a correspondence from the Ministry giving approval for the municipality to pay increased wages and salaries based on the availability of funds.

The workers say they have been addressing the issue through their Union – the

Guyana Labour Union (GLU) – since November last year but the Minister had never responded to any of their correspondence. Assistant General Secretary of the GLU Camille Reid said the other two municipalities in the region; Rose Hall Town and Corriverton, have the same concerns.

“We would like the Ministry of Communities to acknowledge that municipal workers are public servants and as soon as they do that, we will know that we will be entitled to the Government minimum wage.

Our present minimum wage is $36,400 compared to what the Government is giving to workers now; $50,000.”

“Cash Money” remanded for purchasing stolen jewellery

P

opular salesman Jermaine Williams also known as “Cash Money” of Richmond Village, Essequibo Coast, was remanded to prison for pur-

chasing stolen items from Avinash Ram. Willams appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Friday at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

Police alleged that Williams on February, 27, 2016, purchased from Ram a gold chain valued $100,000 and a gold ring valued $20,000 property

of Paramdai Yugeshwar.

Police have also alleged that Williams purchased the items knowing that it was stolen.

Williams told the Court that he purchased the items and that Ram had approached him to borrow money and as such he purchased the items.

Ram however told police that Williams gave him two joints of marijuana for the jewellery.

Williams then told the magistrate that he was before the court for break and enter and larceny and he recently returned home after serving three years jail. He said he wants to live a de-

cent life with his wife and begged Magistrate Scarce to grant him bail. He promised to attend all his trials.

The Prosecutor however objected to bail on the seriousness of the offence and its prevalence. Bail was refused and Williams is expected to return to court on March 16, 2016.

Wakenaam residents to Govt: “We are important too” …want more emphasis on development support

R

esidents in the Essequibo island of Wakenaam have called for better facilities to improve their quality of life.

Among their needs were the installation of streetlights, improved water pressure and the return of landline telephone service.

It was explained that there is a lonely road around a burial ground which can be unsafe as no houses are around.

Residents said street lights would benefit school children who would go to lessons in the evenings.

The water pressure in many areas was said to be low which was blamed on the current dry conditions.

One inhabitant explained that for “several months” the flow of water in the taps was reduced and claimed that persons farther away are not receiving water supply.

Another resident said to be an employee of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was seen filing two buckets. It was explained that this GWI employee would “help out” some of those who were without service.

A gentleman helping residents full water

Cattle farmer, Tareeq Ahmad has called for a “purified water system”.

In the past, there was landline telephone service in Wakenaam. Coconut and rice farmer Takur Persaud while praising the availability of mobile telephone service said everyone would be grateful if landline service would return.

Shopkeeper Ivy stated that she has made several reports over the non-functioning service and also emphasised that she would be happy if it returns.

Regional Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo

Islands/West Demerara), Julius Faerber had informed this publication last week that the Regional Democratic Council has already made representation on behalf of residents with Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT).

He noted that Wakenaam along with Leguan were supposedly slated to have a return of landline phone service sometime in 2016.

The chairman cautioned that GTT explained that before it can return the service it would need to assess the amount of telephones it has within its remit.

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21

Ronaldo bags 4 as Real thrash Celta Vigo

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ristiano Ronaldo scored four times as Real Madrid cruised to a 7-1 win over Celta Vigo to move within a point of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo claimed his fifth hat-trick of the season to take his total to 39.

He struck three times in 15 minutes after the break, after Pepe had headed Real into a 1-0 half-time lead.

Iago Aspas pulled a goal back but Ronaldo completed his treble and headed in a fourth before Jese and Gareth Bale, on his comeback, scored late on.

Ronaldo’s efforts - which took him past 350 goals for Real Madrid and up to second in La Liga history with 252 - saw Real bounce back from losing to Atletico in their previous home game, a 1-0 defeat that virtually

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 27 goals in La Liga this season and is second only to Lionel Messi in the league’s all-time standings after surpassing the 251 of former Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra

ended their hopes of catching Barcelona at the top of the table.

That led to some unrest in the Bernabeu and Celta, who were unbeaten in three games in their pursuit of a place in the Europa League, should have gone ahead when ex-Liverpool striker Aspas headed against a post.

But Pepe calmed things down as he nodded in his first goal of the season from an Isco corner.

Real were below full strength but overwhelmed Celta in the second half as they gave themselves the perfect preparation for the second leg of their Champions League last 16tie, which they lead 2-0, at home to Roma on Tuesday night. (BBC Sport)

Wins for Slingerz FC...

Slingerz, who dominated the encounter for most of the match, saw their national players Vurlon Mills and Trayon Bobb netting goals.

Mills scored in the 26th and Bobb in the 43rd to practically secure the win in just the first half of the match. Though GFC played with more vigour in the second half, Slingerz still asserted their dominance and could have added more to the score sheet.

In the other match, Fruta Conquerors held off a late surge by Guyana Defense Force (GDF) to win 2-1.

Conquerors, who held controlled the first half of play, saw Jahall Greaves scoring in the 18th and Shaquille Agard in the 35th.

However, it was an encouraging second half display by GDF that sparked interest in the match as Conquerors defense was under immense pressure. GDF

from page 23

finally broke through, which saw Delwin Fraser scoring a neatly composed goal in the 68th.

Fraser, playing on the right-wing, made a quick run when he came on the inside of the center-back, to steer the ball easily into the net.

The League will continue today at the Guyana Defence Force ground with Buxton United playing GFC at 18:00h and Pele tackling GDF from 20:00h.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, march 6, 2016

Wolf’s Warriors say thank you to supporters

T

he Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association’s (GFSCA) Wolf’s Warriors cricket team wishes to express gratitude to its supporters, fans and well-wishers in helping to make possible the team’s trip to the USA to participate in

the in the 13th Florida Cup Softball Festival. The event is sponsored by the South Florida Softball Cricket League, and Wolf’s Warriors will be representing Guyana.

The event will be held on March 11-13 GFSCA Wolf’s Warriors

is the only all-star team from Guyana which will be playing in this year’s competition. GFSCA Wolf’s Warriors is especially grateful to the many corporate entities which have assisted financially, logistically and technically to make the sojourn a

Wolf’s Warriors won the Open category of Guyana Softball Cup in 2014

success.

“As the only Guyanese team participating in the Open competition, we are aware of the high expectations which have been placed

on us. We wish to assure supporters and fans that we will play competitive cricket and will do all we can to bring back glory to Guyana,” the team said in a release.

The other Guyana teams participating are Floodlight, Floodlight Legends and Regal Masters. They will all compete in the Masters category.

Milo Schools U-20 Football…

Bishops’ edge St Roses to book quarter-final spot

Some of the action during the day's proceedings

L

loyd Anderson’s goal in the 75th minute proved to be the deciding factor as The Bishops’ High School secured victory against St Roses High School by a 1-0 margin on Saturday in the Petra Organisation’s Milo School Under-20 Schools Football tournament at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

In the earlier matches, Dolphin produced a splendid performance to defeat Richard Ishmael 4-1.

Dolphin took an early lead

when Shawn Mohammed netted in the 17th minute, followed by Leon Richardson in the 30th.

However, Ishmael hit back when Tamiel Hutson hit the back of the net in the 33rd, but Ryan Dowden in the 57th and Carly Lynch in the 65th extended Dolphin’s lead.

Lodge Secondary handed North Ruimveldt Secondary a 3-1 defeat with a double

by Shemar Smith in the 8th and 10th minutes, followed

by King Frank in the 27th.

Matthew Kissson was the only scorer for the opposition in the 45th minute.

Queens College held their never to win 6-5 on penalty kicks against Tucville Secondary. In a game that went in to extra time, as neither of the teams could find a way to break the deadlock, the eventual outcome was decided by penalty kicks.

Queens College will now face Bishop’s in their quarter-final match. Round of 16 action will continue today at the same venue.

Cheddi Jagan memorial road race in Berbice today

T

he East Berbice roadways will be a hive of activity today when the 19th annual Cheddi Jagan memorial road race is staged from 09:00h.

The 55-mile race, in memory of the founder of the People’s Progressive Party Civic and former president Cheddi Jagan, will pedal off in front of Freedon House at New Amsterdam, proceed to Number 55 Village before returning to Port Mourant for the finish.

The veteran, female, and mountain bike riders will turn at Hog Style on the upward journey and return to Port Mourant for the finish.

The first six finishers in the Open category, along with the top three juniors, veterans and

Orville Hinds

mountain bikers, as well as the first Over-60 rider will be rewarded.

Last year’s winner was Orville Hinds, who clocked two hours, 38 minutes, 29.44 seconds (02h: 38m: 29.44s), followed by Alanzo Greaves,

Raynauth Jeffrey, Robin Persaud, Hamzah Eastman and Raul Leal.

Raphael Leung, Andrew Hicks and Christopher Griffith were the leading three juniors, while Ozia McUally won the Mountain Bike race ahead of Julio Melville and Deeraj Garbarran, and Marica Dick outhustled Whitney Poyer and Toshawnna Doris in the female segment.

Walter Isaacs was the top Over-60 rider. The race is being sponsored jointly by several sport enthusiasts and organised by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed. PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee is expected to drop the flag to send the riders on their way in front of Freedom House, New Amsterdam.

sundAY, march 6, 2016

guyanatimesGY.com

23

UG Inter-faculty T20…

Vantull’s 91 leads Staff to win over Natural Sciences

D

amien Vantull struck a belligerent 47-ball 91 to lead Staff to an 89-run victory over Natural Science in the University of Guyana’s Inter-faculty T20 competition.

Playing at the University’s ground, Staff batted a racked up an impressive 209-9 from their allottment of overs. Staff got off to a solid start as

Kenroy Joseph and Falim Mohammed put on 63 for the first wicket before Joseph fell just one short of a well-deserved half-century. The right-hander hit eight fours and two sixes.

Staff stuttered a bit,

Damien Vantull

Wins for Lions, Tigers, Bears and Buffaloes

Rudolph Baker

Johnny Azeez

he Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)/Raj Singh Insurance (RSI) Over40 20/20 cricket competition entered round two on Friday last with Lower East Bank Lions, Upper East Coast Tigers, Georgetown Bears and Georgetown Buffaloes all recording wins. Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At DCC ground, Lower East Bank Lions defeated West Demerara Mavericks.

West Demerara Mavericks 144 all out in 19.2 overs (Eon Williams 81, Johnny Azeez 5-17) Lower East Bank Lions 145-2 from 16 overs (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 50, Saheed Mohamed 45*, Sahadeo Hardiow 36).

At Zeeburg ground, Upper East Coast Tigers beat West Coast Demerara Seals by 20 runs. Tigers 1925 (Eon Abel 64, Mustaq Shah 64, LatchmanYadram 39, Rampersaud Shivpersaud 3-20) Seals 172-7 (Rampersaud Shivpersaud 101*, Wasir Khan 27, Eon

Abel and Shameer Shahid took three and two wickets respectively).

At Everest ground, Georgetown Buffaloes overcame Upper East Bank Colts by six wickets. Colts 146-8 Sanjeev Datadin 62, Lenny Messiah 3-9, Wilfred Whyte 2-13) Buffaloes 147-4 (Rodolph Baker 57, Reginold Rodrigues 42).

At Lusignan ground, Georgetown Bears defeated Lower East Coast Bulls by 17 runs. Bears 139-8 (Jason Melville 49, Daniel Harricharran 22, Dexter Jones and Guyanand Rambarran took three and two wickets respectively) Bulls 122 (Chandrika Jeenarine 51, Carlos Reid and Mark Ferreira took three and two wickets respectively).

The third round is slated for Friday, March 11. Lions will clash with Bears at GCC, Buffaloes will lock horns with Bulls at DCC, Seals will take on Colts at Farm and Mavericks will go up against Tigers at Wales.

T

GFF/Stag Elite League…

Wins for Slingerz FC, Fruta Conquerors

Shaquille Agard (left) and Jahaal Greaves

S

lingerz FC and Fruta Conquerors notched up wins in the latest round of matches in the Guyana Football Federation’s Stag Elite League on Friday eve-

ning. Slingerz FC returned to the top of the table by virtue of their 2-0 victory over home side Georgetown Football Club (GFC). turn to page 21

but it was over to the lefthanded Vantull, who tore into the Natural Science attack as he smashed eight fours and six sixes. Shemar Muntu was most successful bowler with figures of 3-14 from two overs.

In response, Natural Science were bundled out for 120 from 17 overs, as Muntu top scored with 38 and received support from Treyon Harry with 27.

Eric Benn was the pick of the bowlers for Staff

with 4-31 from four overs; Davindra Pantlal took 2-15 and Vantull chipped in 2-21. The competition will continue on Wednesday when Technology play Natural Sciences from 13:00h.

sundAY, march 6, 2016

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Road to Mecca III...

Welch’s 4th quarter blitz powers Bulls to win

By Treiston Joseph

T

Part of the action between the Half Mile Bulls and the Amelia’s Ward Jets

EBFA /Ralph Green U-11 League…

Friendship upset defending champs Herstelling

Friendship and Herstelling Raiders in action on Saturday

erron Welch scored 15 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter to guide his Half Mile Bulls to their win on the first night of the Road to Mecca National Club Basketball Championships on Friday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Welch, who had a rough first half, scored 21 points in the second half as the Bulls, out of Linden, topped the Amelia’s Ward Jets 81-66. Michael Turner also scored 11 points in the win.

Scoring for the Jets came from Javon Nelson with 19, along with Joel and Allister Webster, who had 15 and 12 points respectively.

Meanwhile, Colts routed Block 22 Flames 80-45 on the back of their stifling defence, holding the Flames to just three points in the second quarter.

Stanton Rose led the Colts with 19 points, while Kurt English had 12 points and Shane Webster 13. Selywn Henry had 10 points for the Flames. Action will continue today at the said venue.

P

laying in East Bank organised football for the first time, the village of Friendship made the best possible start when they defeated defending champions Herstelling Raiders 2-0 as play in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA)/ Ralph Green sponsored Under-11 League kicked off on Saturday at the Grove Playfield.

Both goals were scored via the penalty route by star of the Friendship team, Shavi Atkinson, who led the team well and showed a good head for the game.

The match started with both teams trying to field each other out, but it was the Friendship unit which looked the more experienced of the two as they passed the ball around with Atkinson leading the charge.

In the fifth minute of the first half, the Friendship boys were awarded a penalty which was clinically put away by Atkinson past Herstelling’s goalkeeper Tyron Persaud.

The first half ended with Friendship holding on to their advantage.

The debutants continued to look the better of the two sides and was again awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute for a handled ball in the area. Atkinson again stepped up to take the kick and he scored again to give his side a 2-0 advantage which remained until full time in the 30 minute encounter.

The competition will continue on Saturday morning at the same venue.

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