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Health huts for major Golden Jubilee events – Dr Norton Page 13

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2848

Friday, May 6, 2016

PRICE

City Council blocked from removing some Stabroek vendors

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Despite stakeholders’ plea, used cars ban P3 takes effect

Page 3

Ramotar blames coalition for new environmental tax lawsuits – says spite, short-sighted politics

Ram responds to CoI Chairman...

Cites procedural disregard, injustice as reason for Bar Association opting out

Page 7

Page 7

costing Guyana billions

Town Clerk Royston King

Donald Ramotar

Christopher Ram

50th Anniversary literary festival P14 launched

Guyana celebrates Arrival Day Page 16

Several roads in Linden in deplorable condition

– as inclement weather intensifies P12

Ramada Casino P8 robbery suspects for court today

Children of the East Coast Demerara Praant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha during a performance in celebration of Arrival Day on Thursday

Corentyne gas station guards robbed Page 14

Education sector CoI

Teachers recommend performance, experience-based salaries

Page 11

Mora-Parika NDC

Roadside vending P11 regularised – Chairman ..touting remains an issue

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news

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friDAY, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, May 6 – 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, May 7 – 05:00h-06:30h.

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The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, May 6 – 16:20h-17:50h and Saturday, May 7 – 17:00h-18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day. Thundery showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly between 2.68 metres per second and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 16:26h reaching a maximum height of 2.84 metres.

Low Tide: 09:59h and 22:15h reaching minimum heights of 0.27 metres and 0.40 metre respectively.

WEDNESday, may 4, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

01 09 14 19 24 25 25 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Daily Millions

10 23 24 26

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LUCKY 3 3

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Draw De Line 02

04 06 08 09

City Council blocked from removing some Stabroek vendors

11 15

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

igh Court Judge Roxanne WiltshireGeorge on Wednesday issued an interim order blocking the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) from removing some vendors from around the Stabroek Market.

An injunction filed by a vendor, Peter Warner, on Wednesday in the High Court, sought to restrain Town Clerk Royston King and the City Council from removing some vendors from the outskirts of Stabroek Market.

King had said Wednesday that vendors would be able to move on to their new vending site by Thursday; however, the court has decided otherwise.

The High Court Judge will begin hearing the case on Tuesday, May 10.

According to the legal document seen by <<<Guyana Times>>>, the plaintiff claims from the defendant, a declaration that the use and occupation by the plaintiff of a portion of private property situated at the former Guyana Stores Bond, Water Street, Georgetown, owned and controlled by either the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) or Malcolm Panday, for the purpose of trading and vending is lawful and duly authorised by the owners.

It said that a declaration that the decision of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of

Town Clerk Royston King

Georgetown made and contained in notice dated May 3, 2016 and signed by the Town Clerk of Georgetown, to remove the plaintiff who is trading and vending on private property is illegal, unlawful and in breach of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 Warner is also claiming damages in excess of $100,000 against the defendant for unlawful interference with his property, and $100,000 against the defendant for an intended trespass against his property.

The injunction restrains King and/or officers of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Georgetown from removing, destroying, damaging and/or interfering in any manner whatsoever with Warner’s stall, goods and merchandise.

According to Warner, he has been a clothes vendor for the past 15 years and has

been occupying and conducting business at a stall situated at the former Guyana Stores Bond, Water Street, with the permission, authorisation and licence of Panday.

He said the property on which he trades was initially owned by Guyana Stores Limited and was used as a bond.

According to reports, the Guyana Stores Bond was sold

by NICIL to Panday.

The vendor said about five years ago, Panday held a meeting with a number of vendors, including himself.

At that meeting, Panday granted permission for the vendors to use his private premises to erect stalls and use it for vending and trading until he needed it.

“My stall measures approximately 10 feet by 15 feet and made of wood and zinc. My stall currently holds approximately 300 pairs of jeans, 200 pairs of boots, 300 jerseys and 40 pairs of slippers. My stall is the only place I have to store my inventory and it does not hinder or interfere with free flow of traffic on the pavement controlled by the Mayor and City Council,” Warner said in the court document.

He related that on April 28, at the request of officers of City Council, he, along with several vendors, attended a meeting at City Hall where they were told by King to participate in a cleanup campaign for Georgetown.

On May 1, 2016, he said he, along with several other vendors, was involved in the cleaning up exercise along with members of the City Council.

He said the area targeted was the very former Guyana Stores Bond and its environs including all drains, parapets, pavements and vending areas in and around Water Street, Georgetown.

From all accounts, Warner said, the Mayor and Councillors are directing himself and other vendors to remove from the private property for an indefinite period of time with no certainty as to reoccupation of the area.

He said there were approximately nine stalls located at the former Bond. However, none of the stalls encroach or impede upon the pavement, road and drains in the area or in any manner whatsoever hinder or interfere with the ability of the City Council to clean or maintain same.

On Sunday last, over 140 persons vending on the outskirts of the Market were removed by the City Council, which said it needed to begin a massive clean-up campaign.

However, vendors became enraged after it was found out that no place had been readily provided for them to continue their vending. A series of protests followed, the last being in front of the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday.

Despite stakeholders’ plea, used cars ban takes effect

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espite objections from almost all quarters of society, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the local used car dealers, and the political Opposition, the Governmentimposed ban on importation of used vehicles eight years and older from the date of manufacture to the date of importation took effect on Sunday, May 1, 2016.

The highly-unpopular measure was announced by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during the presentation of the 2016 National Budget in January, which he said was part of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change

(APNU/AFC) Government’s programme of ‘greening’ the economy and protecting the environment.

The ban, seen by many as anti-poor and anti-business, covers cars, vans, buses, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), and pickups. This ban is not applicable to vehicles used in the manufacturing or agricultural sectors.

The Government in the same vein had moved to remove the taxes on vehicles less than four years old as a cushion.

The excise tax on 1500cc vehicles less than four years old was removed, while there was a 50 per cent reduction of the excise tax to 10 per cent

on vehicles less than four years old between 1500cc and 2000cc.

But, based on Japanese used car website www. tradecarview.com a 2011 Toyota Allion which costs approximately $4.7 million without taxes, to be shipped to Guyana and with a tax of 68.2 per cent as is outlined by the Government, would cost approximately $7.9 million in total.

A used Toyota Allion 2007/2008 was being sold here for approximately $3.2 million. This ban makes it virtually impossible for a significant part of the Guyanese population to own a vehicle, and will significantly affect

the multibillion-dollar used car industry. turn to page 10

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

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

Editorial

The ERC conundrum

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n Wednesday, April 27, 2016, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Appointments chaired by Dr George Norton, Public Health Minister, convened a high-level stakeholders meeting at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, to kick-start a democratic process aimed at reconstituting a new Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

For those conversant with the political history of this country, the attendance at the meeting was rather disheartening in the least and foreboding at most from the standpoint of the pivotal role that the ERC is constitutionally mandated to perform relative to mitigating ethnic discord in Guyana.

Indeed, it is hoped that the apathetic attendance at the meeting last week is not by any means an accurate gauge of the levels of [dis]interest in the resuscitation of the entity, and by extension its work, by the constituent groupings that were invited to send representatives, otherwise, in future, citizens may very well reflect on and rue this missed opportunity of meaningfully contributing to the composition of a body that, in the current circumstance, is destined to play a strategic role in defining and influencing race-relations in the country.

All things being equal, a new ERC will come into being in probably a month’s time. This would be the country’s second ERC, replacing the first which was formed on March 8, 2002, and which, admittedly, had a chequered history.

The first ERC was chaired by Juan Edghill (who was the Christian representative), and its tenure constitutionally expired in 2006. From then, right up to 2015, an inordinate period of time during which the country saw the running-off of two elections (ie, in 2011 and 2015), no new Commission was established to replace the first ERC which, over time, became mired in a host of issues such as court matters instigated by the main parliamentary opposition challenging the organisation’s constitutionality; loss of membership through attrition – resignations, deaths, illness, and migration – resulting in the lack of a decision-making quorum; and, to some extent, a loss of public trust and confidence in the organisation’s credibility.

Subsequently, after the results of the 2011 general and regional elections transformed the PPP/C into a minority government, the framework for a new ERC was agreed to in 2013 between the government, and the parliamentary opposition parties - APNU and AFC. At that time it was consensually agreed by government and the opposition parties to add three more constituents – namely, the ethnic representatives of the country’s African, East Indian, and Amerindian peoples – to the original mix of representatives, thus increasing the total number of elected members from seven to 10.

The process to select the nominees for the new Commission concluded in 2014 and the names of those selected were made public. But, for some inexplicable reason, they were never sworn-in as Commissioners.

However, notwithstanding all that has gone before, the present APNU+AFC administration to its credit, seems very serious about going the whole yard, that is, seeing to finality the linear processes of selection, nomination, parliamentary approval, and swearing-in of a new Commission, and in this regard they should be aptly commended.

It therefore boggles the mind as to why the public isn’t fully engaged as they ought to be in the inchoate process underway to select officials to sit on this important constitutional body.

Strictly speaking, by way of comparison, the ERC is probably the most powerful of all the Rights Commissions established in this country after Independence. Based on the powers ascribed to it by the Constitution, it is more or less a quasi-judicial body that can summon, adjudicate, and penalise.

It is pellucid that the ERC when constituted, will be especially critical to pre-empting and meliorating the divisive ethnic intolerance that usually overshadows the country’s elections periods; whilst generally mediating and arbitrating, all year round, the varied ethnic problems abounding within our polity and which daily threaten the country’s very existence.

In fact, the move to put together the ERC at this time is most propitious from the standpoint that race-relations between the country’s two main ethnic groups (Africans and Indians) are at their lowest point, as is customary in the aftermath of all elections held here since the 1950s.

Undeniably, the journey ahead for the Commission is going to be predictably challenging and painstaking in service to country. At this point though, it is absolutely necessary that the groupings identified to nominate persons to sit on the ERC take into consideration the character, interests, abilities and competencies of the people they choose.

More than 300 Guyanese from around the state of Florida gathered on Saturday for the 50th Golden Jubilee gala and were invited to be part of their homeland’s renaissance which has occasioned the cleaning up of the environment, greater emphasis on education and training and the opening up of investment opportunities in a range of sectors, among other positive developments. In this photo, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, the guest of honour and keynote speaker, receives a token at the gala at The Signature Grand put on by the Guyana Association of South Florida, the Guyana Sports Development Association and Ms Joy Agness of Joy Agness Events

Pleased to read PPP condemning racism Dear Editor, I applaud former President Donald Ramotar and others in the PPP hierarchy for exposing racial discrimination being experienced by Indians and Amerindians ever since the coalition APNU/AFC was installed in office last May. Ramotar must be commended for courageously penning several articles in recent months exposing the coalition’s racist policies targeting Indians and Amerindians and even some Africans and Mixed who supported the PPP. However, critics inform me this position is in sharp contrast to when PPP/C was in office and Indians were targets of violent racist attacks and robberies from the other side. I received emails pointing out that Ramotar and others in the PPP hierarchy were largely silent when Indians were victims of attacks during its rule and worse, they attacked those who came to the defence of Indians.

During elections held between 1992 and 2015, and at countless opposition marches in between those years, Indians were targeted for physical attacks and robberies; many females were sexually molested. Indians were victims of racism.

The PPP downplayed the racist attacks on its own supporters and did not take effective measures to protect

and defend them. Indian victims did not get justice for the brutality they experienced – financial compensation for arson at their homes and businesses and for racially motivated robberies.

It was ROAR and Indian rights activists who called for an end to the racist attacks on Indians. They stood up for and defended the Indians against the attackers and demanded protection from the PPP government and now from the APNU/AFC government.

I received an email from a fan, “calling out PPP leadership as hypocrites playing a game writing letters about racism against Indians now to show that the PPP cares for Indians”. He feels Indians are only used for their votes and then dumped aside after the election.

Another email rebukes Ramotar for only now taking up the issue of racism against Indians at a time when he is in no position to do anything for Indians: “He should have exposed antiIndian and anti-Amerindian racism many years ago and took measures to end racism and protect them when he was President. There is no point in crying now” when PPP can’t protect Indians.

Another email pointed out that, “Indians were abused when PPP was in and out of government. PPP never had real power. And when it had power, it did not know how to use it like how

PNC and David Granger use power”.

My own position is it is never too late to expose racism regardless of who are the victims. Clearly, going by reports in the media and my personal experience traveling around Guyana, Indians and Amerindians have been victims since the change in government.

A ROAR organizer sent me an email in which he claimed that Ramotar, during a PPP visit to Winnipeg, Canada around 2001 simply walked up to him and called him a racist without any prior discussion.

The PPP group included Ramotar, Goffrey DaSilva, the Toronto Consul General, and a couple others.

Just to put the issue in perspective, I was informed that “ROAR Winnipeg” was a small group that was committed to the primary objective (racial equity and not racial dominance) of ROAR in Guyana and the group supported ROAR. To put the issue in context, prior to the PPP Winnipeg visit, Ravi Dev was invited, as an Indian Rights Activist, for a threeday visit to Winnipeg to meet Guyanese and discuss the social and political events in Guyana. It was noted that “Ravi had not as yet announced ROAR as a political party that would contest elections. This would come after the murder of an Indian business woman in

New Amsterdam. Indian business persons were being robbed and killed at will during PPP governance and the party was not mounting an effective response. ROAR sympathizers told me they felt the PPP was doing virtually nothing to end the racist terror unleashed against Indians and urged Ravi to address the issue and internationalise the predicament facing Indians. Ravi took the issue head-on; he spoke out against the attacks on Indians thereby forcing the PPP to condemn the abuses and human rights violations meted out to Indians”.

A ROAR supporter also informed me a PPP supporter did the same in Toronto at a Ravi Dev meeting. The source told me: “Speaking to a large crowd of ROAR supporters sometime around 2002, Ravi’s speech was disrupted by an Indo-Guyanese woman who asked a rather unintelligible question and as Ravi tried to respond, she started screaming that he is a racist. This created quite a commotion”.

I was also reminded that the PPP leadership held a meeting near to Ravi's home around 2002/3 right after ROAR was launched “engaging in a cuss him down just because Ravi spoke out against racism experienced

by Indians and demanding racial equity for all groups”.

All of this is now water continued on page 5

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

What plans does our Gouveia suggests parliamentary new Administration debate on Ogle Airport renaming have to tackle this crime situation in Guyana?

Dear Editor, The sudden rise of crime all across Guyana has been a great concern of all Guyanese citizens fearing for their lives from the hands of criminal elements and bandits.

I was flabbergasted when I saw the news on Channel 67 May 3, 2016 in Travis Chase news report he mentioned the Police Force said the crime rate has fallen significantly while many are begging for their lives from criminal elements that stalks our beloved country like a sudden Nightmare on Elm Street now in the streets and homes in Guyana.

With this new wave of crime where just a few days ago Princess Hotel Casino was robbed; many families in Berbice and Essequibo are robbed and killed. But this doesn't seem to bother our erudite Home Affairs Minister and obscure Commissioner of Police. It seems as if our complicated political ideologies tied the tongues and hands of our security people in authority.

What plans do our APNU+AFC administration have to tackle this crime situation in Guyana?

Our President needs to address the nation on crime and blackouts, and not the Minister of State.

We have quite a number of Vice Presidents: I am unable to count but yet they are very silent on the crime situation but very vocal on the 50th Anniversary cele-

brations. I still wonder what is there to celebrate when our people are crying and hurting for police protection.

If this administration cannot protect our own citizens then how will they protect the foreigners coming in to celebrate our 50th Birthday Celebration?

I am yet to hear the voices of the religious organisations about this crime situation such as: CIOG, Maha Sabha, Guyana Evangelical Association; Bahai and Rasta organisations.

To my amazement the United States Ambassador is silent; the British and Canadian High Commissioners are silent but were very vocal during the elections. Why are they silent now? We will soon become a nation of political refugees just like Syria.

I am yet to hear the voices of many of our so-called prophets and false apostles in Guyana who were given political awards for achieving nothing.

I remembered two profound quotations from George Orwell's book Animal Farm: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

"Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals.

He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare

minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself." ? George Orwell, Animal Farm These elegant truths from Orwell's magnificent book fits our political scenario here in Guyana. Our leaders crave political power and recognition but cares less for the citizens of this nation.

That's what Orwell meant when he said ''but some animals are more equal than some'' depicting man with a greedy and unscrupulous mentality.

It's about time our soldiers be placed to guard government buildings and banks, and patrol the nation around the clock like Suriname. We must accept one fact: that after 50 years of Independence we have become a failed nation, failing to protect the rights and dignity of our citizens. What have we really achieved after 50 years of bad administrations?

It's time we rise up and take back this nation, all of us from every religion, creed, culture and race must fight for justice to protect this nation.

I end this discourse with this inspiring quote from Dante Alighieri: ''Consider your origin you were not born to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge.''

Yours faithfully, Rev Gideon Cecil

Pleased to read PPP... continueD from page 4

under the bridge since PPP has begun to recognise its fatal errors. But the history of its behaviour needs to be on the public record.

As some of my reading fans say, it is good to read

PPP leadership exposing anti-Indian and antiAmerindian racism and political victimisation. Racism must be condemned regardless of who practices it. But the PPP must go further and call for justice for the victims of racism. And APNU/

AFC must end the practice of firing workers based on their ethnicity and political affiliation. The country needs power sharing-among the ethnic groups.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, Jerome Khan asked the question "Where was the good old Captain, when the Timehri Airport was renamed” I was sitting in Parliament, as a witness and listening to the raging debate for and against the proposal to change the international airport's name, the rightful place to debate such an important action as renaming an International Airport.

I am a mere pilot so I would not dare enter into a debate with an eminent lawyer and successful business executive like Jerome Khan.

All I would venture to say is that Branding in business is extremely invaluable.

If your family owns an airline, an aviation maintenance company, and is the major shareholder in the airport in which you operate and by a stroke of coincidence the airport is being rename in your Family name, and Khan with his high qualifications and business sense is saying there is no economic branding benefit what more could I say?

By the way, I am not an easy believer in ”coincidence".

The coincidence of the Correia's being a major shareholder in the airport and the airport being renamed "CORREIA" baffles my mind.

As far as I am aware and as far as I was told, this idea to rename the airport is purely the initiative of the President and I do not think the President would deny that fact.

Even Mike Correia is publicly "claiming" that he was just as surprised like everyone else when the President publicly pronounced on it for the first time.

Might I remind Khan that the Ogle Airport lease was also executed during the same period that as he slanderously claims “that the acquisition of state properties was done at below market price".

What I would like though is the evidence, not just hearsay, evidence that this man EF Correia is worthy of this esteem honour to have this airport named after him and by extension to further brand Guyana.

Show me the evidence that he was a professional aviator.

Show me the evidence that he contributed in a sig-

nificant manner to aviation development in Guyana.

Show me the evidence that he contributed in any significant manner to our national development.

Show me the records of his distinguished service to Guyana that warrants naming our country’s second international airport after him.

Convince me that he is distinguished enough and his contributions to our country are of such magnitude that warrants this honour. Show me the evidence, convince me and I will publicly bow before the sign at the airport.

Until then, I say this is the most outrageous, undemocratic and low blow to the majority of the aviation stakeholders.

There was no consultation. In fact, as of now there is widespread disagreement with our airport being named after the major shareholder who is already exercising anticompetitive and dominance behaviour at the airport.

Khan, this is Business not politics.

Captain Gerry Gouveia AA, CEO Roraima Airways

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Foundation

Moms just want to have fun – most agree that if mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy, so what does it say when some moms say they’re having less fun than a decade ago? most 60 per cent of mothers polled say more fun would translate into less stress about life’s daily problems and would mean they’d raise their voices less. So everybody would win! In fact, 64 per cent of Americans agree that if mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

ccording to a new “State of Fun” survey commissioned by shoe brand Crocs, the state of moms’ fun is that they aren’t having nearly enough of it!

Is motherhood all work and no play? The answer is “yes” for many moms, who admit they’re having less fun today than they did 10 years ago.

Crocs Chief Marketing Officer Terence Reilly said

far too little sleep, planning activities for the family, and endless loads of laundry – heck, endless responsibility! – mothers have 10 fewer days of fun per year versus the general population, the study found.

Why is fun in short supply for the average mom?

Apparently...

61 per cent don’t have extra money to spend on fun or activities 52 per cent are too consumed with a busy home life and responsibilities

Audrey McClelland, co founder of MomGenerations. com and a mom-of-five, partnered with Crocs to offer these tips for incorporating

in a press release, “We polled more than 2200 adults in the US and about 13,000 across six countries for the first-ever Crocs ‘State of Fun’ survey, and uncovered a much larger fun deficit in America than we ever imagined, especially among moms.”

As many as 79 per cent of mothers are yearning for more fun in their lives, and it makes sense; what with caring for sick kids, getting

38 per cent are overwhelmed with caring for children Meanwhile, 90 per cent of moms report feeling overly stressed. Are we mothers facing a “fun deficit” crisis?

It doesn’t take a survey to tell us more fun would mean a happier life for moms, with more smiles and belly laughs, more energy, and less stress! But the numbers support this; al-

more fun into your life, without having to spend too much money. Try some of her suggestions this Mother’s Day! Get outside! Connect your kids with the outdoors early – head out to local nature trails and enjoy a family hike. Take photos, journal your experience and create a memory that will last until the leaves change.

Get cultured. In many cities, cultural institutions, such as museums, science

By Melissa Willets

A

The Upshot

centres and the zoo, are FREE. Even better, many have dedicated children’s sections to help your kids better connect with the arts and science at a young age.

Plan an arts or science day out and explore the free institutions in your city.

Farm to table. Who says farmers’ markets or rural farms are the only place to get fresh produce? Help your kids understand the food cycle by creating a flower garden or vegetable garden in your backyard or neighborhood. You’ll be creating fun for the entire summer!

Kid chefs. Using what’s already in your pantry, help your kids get creative their own baked creations.

Construct a fun zone!

Let your kids sketch out the dream fort and with their help, build a fort in your living room with blankets and pillows.

I agree given how hectic life gets with a job and three kids, fun can be hard to come by. But I try (try being the key word) to stop and enjoy the little moments that make everything worthwhile, whether it’s my toddler saying something totally hilarious, my five-year-old just hugging me out of the blue, or my second-grader teaching me some silly song she learned on the bus. For me, it’s about finding the fun amid the chaos, even if it only lasts a short time, and then you have to dive back into the busyness of life!

How do you have fun with your family? (parenting. com)

Fascinating Mother's Day facts

By Millie Dent

W

hile you're busy lavishing praise and presents on your mom on Mother's Day, give her the gift of

knowledge: Share with her this story, as well as these other fun Mother's Day facts.

US$62,985: Annual salary you would have to pay someone in 2015 to perform the tasks mothers do at home, according to calculation by Insure.com.

14: Hours per week the average mom spends cooking.

2 billion: Number of mothers in the world.

68: Percentage of people who plan on calling their mother on Mother's Day – which equals about 122.5 million phone calls, more than any other Sunday throughout the year.

7,300: Average number of diaper changes a mom does by a baby's second birthday.

26.3: Average age at which a mother had her first child in 2014, up from 24.9 in 2000.

4.3: Babies born each second worldwide.

69: Highest recorded number of children born to one mother. The woman was married to a Russian peasant and lived in the 18th century. She gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quadruplets.

(Excerpt from CNBC)

news

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friDAY, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Ram responds to CoI Chairman

Cites procedural disregard and injustice as reason for Bar Association opting out

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fter being labelled childish by Prison Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Chairman, Justice James Patterson, Guyana Bar Association (GBA) President Christopher Ram has finally responded, explaining his Association’s reason for withdrawing from the Inquiry, which is seeking to determine what led to the deadly prison riot on March 3.

Last month, Justice Patterson scolded Ram, who had stormed out of the CoI, withdrawing the group’s participation from the investigation. Patterson had said Ram’s behaviour was childish.

At the time, Ram was of the view that some lawyers at the CoI were being sidelined, and more ‘privileges’ were being given to the Guyana Prison Service’s and Guyana Fire Service’s legal representatives.

In his response on Thursday, Ram said the Bar Association could not be al-

GBA President Christopher Ram

lowed to be “perceived as compromised or complicit in an exercise that paid little regard to basic standards of procedure and fairness in this matter”.

He said the Chairman, the only legal person on the Commission, could not escape responsibility for the shortcomings that did a disservice to those who died or were injured or otherwise affected by

the events of March 3.

Ram said the statement issued by Patterson, two days after he walked out of the CoI, failed to address the issues at hand, but rather was replete with personal attacks and invective.

“Since I only read about the statement in the press, I wrote to the Chairman on April 26 asking for a copy of the statement and for him to indicate to me from the detailed transcripts of the proceedings the instances where my conduct fell short of professional standards. So far, Mr Patterson has failed to respond to my request. Without engaging in any ad hominem accusations, I wish to clarify the position of the Guyana Bar Association on the decision to cease participation in the Commission,” Ram said.

He posited that after observing a number of weaknesses in the proceedings of the Commission days after it began taking evidence, the Bar Association on March

Chairman of the Prison CoI, retired Justice James Patterson

11, 2016 applied for and received standing from the Commission to appear before it. Some of the weaknesses, he said, were commencing public hearings without any adequate preparation, including placement of advertisements inviting witnesses; the absence of basic information gathering; the absence of Rules of Conduct; the non-

Ramotar blames coalition for new environmental tax lawsuits – says spite and short-sighted politics costing Guyana billions

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ormer President Donald Ramotar has stated that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) is to be blamed for the recent lawsuit against Government for environmental taxes imposed on companies importing beverages in Guyana.

Last month, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams revealed that SM Jaleel & Company Limited and its local subsidiary, Guyana

Beverages Inc, have filed proceedings in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as they seek a refund of the now repealed environmental tax that was paid in Guyana over a seven-year period. This action comes in light of a CCJ ruling last year in a similar lawsuit filed by Surinamese company Rudisa Beverages, which was awarded $1.6 billion in compensation by the Court. According to Ramotar, this situation is the result of the APNU and AFC’s “short-

sighted and vindictive politics”, noting that if those parties while in Opposition had shown an iota of patriotism, the current situation would not have happened.

He recalled that the environmental tax matter arose several years ago when Rudisa Beverages sued the Guyana Government for violating the Caribbean Community (Caricom) agreement in relation to the treatment of Member Statesbased companies operating in

Guyana.

The environmental tax that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had imposed on companies importing plastic bottles affected mainly soft drink companies. turn to page 15

appointment of a Commission Counsel; the selection of witnesses, and the conflicts of interest among Commissioners.

“In an effort to assist the Commission, the Bar Association soon thereafter provided the Commission with a copy of the Rules of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry and other literature and authorities on Commissions of Inquiry, including the role and authority of the Chairman in a Commission of Inquiry.”

Ram said the Counsel for the Bar Association and inmates had expressed their dissatisfaction repeatedly, but out of public duty and an obligation to contribute to the search for the truth, continued its participation in the Inquiry. The situation became entirely intolerable when a key witness, the Senior Superintendent of Prisons was being examined by opposing Counsel, he added.

The Bar Association President said as a result, following consultations with Glenn Hanoman who regularly appeared at the hearings on behalf of the Association, and with other Attorneys at the Commission, it was agreed that the Association’s continued participation in the Inquiry only served to give legitimacy to a seriously flawed process.

Attorneys were particularly struck by the repeated and ill-informed comment of

one Commissioner that the Commission was not a court of law and the insistence for procedural proprieties was time-consuming, unproductive and unnecessary. On the other hand, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the Commission was more concerned about an artificially imposed deadline rather than a genuine pursuit of its Terms of Reference.

“It is my contention that any Commission of Inquiry, and certainly one investigating the worst prison deaths in the history of any Commonwealth country, cannot be fettered in its search for the truth. Truth is often hidden and its discovery takes painstaking examination. Unless there is clear evidence of irrelevance, obstructionism or time wasting, Commissioners ought to carry out their duties diligently and fairly to all the parties with not even a semblance of injudiciousness, arbitrariness, capriciousness or ignorance of the relevant rules.

“The Attorneys representing the Bar Association did not take the decision to withdraw lightly and we remain committed to the cause of justice in this matter. We could not, however, allow the Bar Association to be perceived as compromised or complicit in an exercise that paid little regard to basic standards of procedure and fairness in this matter,” Ram said.

8 news

friDAY, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Ramada Casino robbery suspects for court today

T

he three suspects who were arrested following an early morning armed robbery at Ramada Princess Casino last Friday will make their first court appearance today, according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum.

The three men, Wayne Griffith, Junior Stewart, and Andrew Blackman, a security guard attached to the hotel, are expected to be

Griffith was arrested after he was left behind by his colleagues on the morning of the robbery.

Upon his arrest, the Police were able to gather information which led to the arrest of Blackman, who is said to be the mastermind of the robbery.

However, as Police continued their investigations, Stewart, of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was im-

Wayne Griffith

Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino

slapped with several charges, including armed robbery, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

plicated. He was arrested at his sister’s home at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, with a bag containing over $900,000 in

wet $5000 and $1000 notes.

He was only recently released on bail for a gun-related charge.

Meanwhile, Blanhum

stated that Police were hunting another suspect.

Pandemonium broke out at the gambling facility on April 30 when four gunmen stormed the Casino about 03:45h and discharged several rounds as they relieved patrons and staff of cash and other valuables.

During the shooting, Eon Garraway was shot to his left hand; James Gregory, to his left foot; Orlando Knights, to his left hand; and Udairan Sookraj to his right hand. They were all admitted to a city hospital.

In addition, Melissa Ferguson, Jermaine Mason and Roshel Fraser were also assaulted by the armed men.

Based on reports, after the men entered the facility, they held a security guard on duty at gunpoint and took away his shotgun and several rounds of ammunition.

The men then ordered everyone to lie on the ground and escorted the guard to the cashier where they relieved said cashier of an undisclosed sum of foreign and local currency. By this time, the Police were alerted and they responded promptly.

As they arrived on the scene, they were confronted by the armed men which resulted in an exchange of gunfire. During the exchange, Police Lance Corporal Andrew Richardson was shot to his abdomen. He was admitted to a city hospital and reportedly underwent emergency surgery.

Meanwhile, the firearm taken from the guard was recovered while three of the men managed to escape.

It was reported that the car used in the robbery was hijacked at Brush Dam, Buxton, East Coast Demerara. It was impounded.

Eyew tness Getting it right...

Y

...on “Arrival”

esterday “Arrival Day” was commemorated in all three counties – mostly in celebratory mode, but exclusively by Indo-Guyanese. Yesterday, your Eyewitness suggested if the other ethnic groups – who indubitably also “arrived” – feel their arrival was noteworthy, they too would have petitioned for its recognition. And yesterday’s events just confirmed their disinterest in the day. Why? In the editorial of yesterday’s edition of this newspaper, the objective facts on “Arrival” after Emancipation were outlined: and this included Africans from the West Indies (42,513) and Africa itself (13,355) who in fact far outnumbered the total number of Portuguese (30,685) and Chinese (14,189). The 55,868 persons of African origin who arrived AFTER Emancipation is more than half of those slaves that were freed in 1834 – some 82,000.

Maybe one reason for Afro-Guyanese leaders not to acknowledge and not to also agitate for the arrival of so many of their ancestors is because this would undercut their polemic that is still used to divide the peoples of this country. That “the arrival of Indians after Emancipation undercut the bargaining power of the newly freed slaves”.

That it did –- but so did the “arrivals” of Africans.

If we remember this latter fact it would force us to contemplate the reality that they were all pawns of the colonial state and planters who only wanted cheaper labour to produce sugar. They even tried folks from Malta (208), the US (70) and the Azores (164). But we should remember too that the planters themselves were faced with competition for their sugar markets from lower-cost producers - and were facing ruination. To them, seeking cheaper labour meant survival - it was a “rational” decision.

When a decade ago, the EU decided to cut the price of our sugar by 36 per cent – based on the same “free market” argument explaining their “humanitarian” decision to import sugar from other, “poorer” sources – our Government also had to make adjustments. The modernisation of Skeldon was analogous to the vacuum pan technology, the new ploughing technology, etc the planters introduced – in addition to cheaper labour.

We also lost labour here because there were other opportunities for sugar workers to gravitate to. Today we too are faced with making hard decisions on sugar.

So on Arrival Day, we should all commemorate our arrivals, and use the occasion to remember that we all “come from the nigger yards” – as our great poet Martin Carter put it: brutal, maybe, but profoundly true.

Arrival Day should not divide, but rather unite us, to create a nation in which we can all hold our heads high.

...on departure

It’s rather ironic as we wrangle over “Arrival Day”, the population of Guyana has remained constant for the last four decades. Even shrunk marginally. What gives? As countries develop economically, their birth rates drop proportionately. Educated and wealthier women and men just don’t want all those “pickneys” around. We’ve seen this in the developed countries where the birth rates’ve dropped below the 2 per family it takes to keep a population from declining. So has our economy done as well to produce this effect?

You know it hasn’t! Our population’s stagnation is due to our folks migrating to those same developed countries losing populace. Our loss is their gain – not that Donald Trump thinks so. But then, there’s the question whether he actually “thinks” at all!

So with us commemorating “arrival”, we should also spare a thought on “departures”. There are at least as many Guyanese – if not more – outside Guyana than inside. Recently, Minister of State Joseph Harmon made a pitch in Florida for some to return.

Not gonna happen. You can never return home – for more reasons than just economic.

...on drug shortages

The Ministry of Health’s shooting itself (and the Administration) in the foot by insisting there’s “no drug shortages”. Every voter who’s shown up at a hospital or clinic knows otherwise.

Their eyes will be cleaned by 2020?

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

news

9

friday, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

NATA moves to Court of Appeal to Bush Lot farmer granted block renaming of Ogle Int’l Airport bail for burglary and – not ruling out taking case to CCJ simple larceny

O

A

Ogle International Airport

s the Ogle International Airport (OIA) renaming debacle deepens, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has signalled its intention to appeal a Supreme Court decision not to grant its injunction blocking the change of name to the Eugene F Correia International Airport.

On Wednesday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told the media that the injunction filed

by NATA was dismissed, paving the way for Guyana’s second international airport to be renamed at a ceremony on May 9, 2016 that coincides with Independence celebrations.

However, NATA’s Attorney, Christopher Ram on Wednesday told a news conference that the Association has already made a submission to the Court of Appeal seeking redress. A date for that hearing has not yet been set.

Ram was confident that the Court of Appeal would rule in NATA’s favour and the injunction would be granted.

“It is quite possible that

this decision can be reversed on appeal,” the Attorney stated.

He also made it clear that if the appeal was not granted, NATA was not ruling out taking the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The controversy surrounding the renaming of the OIA started when President David Granger, on September 17, 2015 at the commissioning of the Correia-owned TransGuyana Airways Beechcraft, urged that the Board of Directors of the Airport consider renaming the facility the Eugene F Correia International Airport in recognition of Guyana’s first Minister of Communications, Shipping and Aviation.

However, nine of the ten operators at the Airport have rejected the proposed name change, arguing that it would create unfair competition, since the name is similar to that of the Chairman of the Board, Michael Correia.

Additionally, they are arguing that the Correias are controlling the Board of Directors and are the owners of a competing airline, Trans-

Guyana Airways, which operates out of that Airport.

The nine companies opposing the change are Air Services Limited (ASL); Domestic Airways; Hinterland Aviation; Hopkinson Mining Aviation; Jags Aviation; Oxford Aviation; Phoenix Airways; Roraima Airways, and Wings Aviation – all members of NATA. NATA President Annette Arjoon-Martins had said the Airport was incorporated back in 2000 with five shareholders, each holding 20 per cent in shares. According to her, they all served as Directors of the company.

“Fifteen years later through a series of manipulations by the Chairman, Mr Michael Correia, the Correia Group of Companies, which he also heads, now owns 67 per cent of the shares in this company. As a result, Ogle Inc has become a member of the Correia Group of Companies.”

She said of the original five founding directors, only two were allowed to remain.

More than that, five of the seven directors of OAI currently are either family or as-

Wakenaam farmer remanded for narcotics trafficking

A

cash crop farmer from “Beturf”, Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), was on Wednesday remanded to prison for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Rishi Ramnarine, 40, made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Police alleged that on May 1, 2016, Ramnarine was discovered with 25 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession during a search exercise.

The defendant’s Attorney, Latchmi Dindyal told the Court that the illicit substance was not found on her client and pleaded for bail to be granted since Ramnarine had a permanent place of abode.

Police Prosecutor

Rambhague objected to bail, stating that no special reason was given. According to the prosecution, Police carried out a search on the defendant and the drug was found in his right front pants pocket. He was arrested and when questioned, he admitted that he usually smoked the cannabis.

Magistrate Scarce remanded Ramnarine until May 25, 2016.

Gun recovered in North Road drain, man nabbed with pistol

R

anks of the Police Narcotics Branch on Wednesday recovered a shotgun in a drain along North Road, Georgetown.

According to information, the ranks got a tip and went to the area where they found the muddy weapon.

The Police have launched an investigation into the in-

cident, but no one has yet been arrested.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, one man was taken into custody after he was found with an unlicensed firearm while walking along Main Street, Georgetown, on Thursday.

Based on reports, about 09:30h a Police mobile unit

intercepted the suspect, who was seen acting in a suspicious manner and conducted a search on his person whereby a .22 pistol was found concealed in his pants.

He was questioned and could not present a firearm licence.

He is expected to be charged shortly.

sociates of the Correia Group, which now controls everything at the Airport.

“It was never the intention of the five founding shareholders/directors that one of the aircraft operators should have control at the Airport. It was also never the intention of the Government of Guyana when they signed the lease agreement with OIA in 2000 that one single operator would control the Airport in 2016. It should be noted that Government had used the word “fair and equitable access” in this master lease no less than 40 times.”

Meanwhile, NATA member Captain Gerry Gouveia has now issued a call for the renaming of the facility to be subjected to a parliamentary debate, similar to what obtained when the Timehri International Airport was renamed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in 1997.

dit Ramjattan of Bush Lot Village, Essequibo Coast, was on Wednesday granted bail on two separate charges.

Ramjattan made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court charged with simple larceny and burglary respectively.

The Police alleged that on May 2, 2016, he broke into the dwelling place of Norlondo Brown in the night therein to steal. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The other charge stat-

ed that on April 18 and 19, 2016, Ramjattan broke into Ester Blackman’s place and stole a wooden ladder, which was later recovered.

The defendant also pleaded not guilty to that charge. He told the Court that he was 40 years old, had six children and was not a flight risk, nor did he have any brushes with the law.

There was no objection to bail. Ramjattan was granted $50,000 bail for the burglary charge and $20,000 for the simple larceny charge.

He is expected to return to court on May 18, 2016.

10 news

friday, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Govt reveals names of D’Urban Park contractors

– defends project against Opposition probing

A

s the D’Urban Park Development Project continues to face public scrutiny and criticisms, Government has sought to defend the Project, revealing details including the names of contractors.

This follows the submission of a list of oral questions on the Project by Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill during Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly.

Despite the fact that Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland disallowed the questions, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson released a detailed statement on the Project.

According the Minister, a total of 17 firms were shortlisted from the Ministry’s prepared list of shortlisted contractors to bid for the construction of timber framed bleachers with a steel framed roof.

Of that number, nine contractors were selected and are on board with his Ministry working towards a May 12, 2016 deadline.

“As per procurement regulations, interested bidders

were invited and were required to respond in writing, indicating their intention to provide a bid. Further, they were required to present sealed bids, which were delivered to the Office of the Coordinator of the Works Services Group, as well as visit the site,” Patterson noted.

He added that the selection criteria were based on a number of items, including attestation of site visit; access to line of credit, no less than $4 million, and commitment to provide requisite staff for two shifts per working day.

The Minister went on to say that of the 17 invited firms, four were selected. These include R Bassoo and Sons; House Designs and Engineering Associates; S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Constructing Services; and C and L Construction Inc. They joined TBL Engineering; Chung Global; Mc Branz (Car Care); Barnes and McCoy, who were already involved in the Project prior to the Ministry assuming responsibility.

The Minister added too that the materials for some of the works were procured by the Ministry via direct pur-

An artistic impression of the completed D’Urban Park Project

chase from its approved suppliers in accordance with the Procurement Act of 2003.

Moreover, Patterson sought to address concerns about D’Urban Park, pointing out that the short-, medium- and long-term benefits to be derived from expending resources on the Park were considered and Government has determined that the cost was justifiable.

While persons have questioned the necessity of D’Urban Park to hosts jubilee events when there is the National Stadium available, the Public Infrastructure Minister noted that the hosting of President David Granger’s inauguration in May last year at that venue highlighted the shortcomings of the Stadium.

“During the inauguration,

the Stadium was filled to its capacity of 16,000 persons.

This event also caused major traffic disturbances and safety concerns, as noted by the Police and Fire Departments, who cautioned against a similar activity at this venue. It is anticipated that our Jubilee celebrations will be witnessed by more than double the number of persons who attended the inauguration last year, thus leading to greater demand of space,” he explained.

Capacity

According to Patterson, D’Urban Park has a capacity to accommodate some 30,000, making it the largest venue in the country.

Moreover, he outlined that compared to the previous state of the D’Urban Park area, the

aesthetic and sanitary transformation makes for a healthier and more wholesome community.

He added that the facility would also be used for a variety of public events beyond the Independence celebrations, including religious ceremonies, food fairs, education exhibitions, musical concerts, medical outreaches, physical training, gymnastic displays and other public rallies.

by the Ministry’s engineers.

With regard to works being done, Patterson said his Ministry was working on the completion of Phase One, which is for the Jubilee celebrations.

He remarked that while costs for the phases have not yet been determined, the sum of $150 million has been allocated for the completion of the first phase.

Consultations

Responding to concerns about transparency and accountability regarding donations towards the Project, Minister Patterson said all donations before the Ministry assumed responsibility were made to a registered company outside of his Ministry and would, therefore, be audited differently.

However, he stopped short of naming the company and the entity under which it falls.

The Minister further underscored that the Ministry’s responsibility over D’Urban Park would not have financial impact on other scheduled projects, given the sum set aside for the completion of this phase.

Contrary to concerns raised, the Minister noted that consultations were held with residents of the surrounding community to make D’Urban Park a reality.

In fact, every Government going back to the late 1970s made varying proposals to upgrade the area and it was based on those proposals that the Administration conceptualised the current design of the Project.

Minister Patterson admitted that the Project has had its hiccups, including substandard work on the bleachers, but noted these defects are presently being corrected by contractors following reviews

Despite stakeholders’ plea, used cars ban...

It is because of these reasons the proposal was met with stern objections from a number of stakeholders.

Several auto dealers had

spoken to Guyana Times back when the announcement was made and noted that the ban will only benefit the uppermiddle class and described the

move as “jumbie economics” being implemented at a time when the Guyanese economy was struggling to “keep its head above water”.

They also accused Government of satisfying the interest of a select few, particularly those who are dealers in new vehicles.

The Guyana Auto Dealers Association (GADA) had also called on Government to put a hold on the implementation of the decision and hold consultations with key stakeholders.

The PSC had urged Government to rescind the decision which it said would only bring undue hardship to poor Guyanese.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo had also condemned the move which he said would completely deny the poorer class of Guyanese

Donors

from page 3

from enjoying the luxury of owning a vehicle. “...a lot of vehicles that are coming into this country, they're older and cost a bit more in foreign currency for the country because they are not as efficient, etc, they are a bit more polluting, but at least a section of our population that is may be middle-income, lower middle-income, poor can still afford something to drive; now they are not going to be able to...,” Jagdeo had said.

But, President David Granger had subsequently defended the decision, stating that the measure was in the best interest of the country.

“We don’t want developed

countries to treat us like junkyards sending their junk that they cannot use themselves,” he declared,” they are not going to put up with it, because it’s inefficient and smoky, why should we put up with it?”

He explained that while he understood the argument put forward by the auto dealers, the protection of the country was his priority.

“Every public has a right to represent its own interest and the auto dealers probably expressed concern because they feel their profits will be affected, but the Government has to think about the whole country.”

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11

friDAY, may 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Education sector CoI

Teachers recommend performance, experience-based salaries

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eachers’ salaries should be based primarily on performance, qualifications and experience. This was among the recommendations made by teachers on remuneration packages, in a report to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education sector.

In the report, teachers of The Bishops’ High School stated that remuneration was a key element of any education policy, and should express a vision of the teacher as a professional with a decent salary and good employment conditions.

“The teacher remuneration system not only determines how much teachers earn, but it also has an effect on the attractiveness of the profession, particularly for males, and on the organisation of schools, and on the educational outcomes of students. Indeed, the precise impact of the education system will depend on a sizeable number of factors, some of which are within the control of the Ministry of Education and the central government.

Attracting the best graduates into the profession, and retaining a quality and motivated cadre of teachers will likely remain a challenge.

Status, working conditions and opportunity for professional development all contribute to this objective. But remuneration remains one of the most powerful success

factors in education,” the report stated.

According to the teachers, studies have suggested that teachers and teacher expertise are the most important factors related to student learning and achievements.

“Unfortunately, however, the importance of teachers to student achievement has not always translated to better teacher compensation,” the report noted.

The teachers went on to point out that traditionally, teacher compensation has been based exclusively on individual development criteria such as length of service and level of education attained. “Initially, these criteria were aimed at preventing pay inequity between men and women prevalent until the 1940s. They also helped to protect teachers against subjective administrators, and to give incentives to younger teachers to stay in the system,” the teachers affirmed.

The report elucidated that in Guyana, teachers are paid according to a version of the single-salary, or steps and lanes, schedule. It was indicated that this does not imply that all teachers earn the same salary. “Salaries vary, and they vary according to the characteristics of individual teachers. For example, teachers with more education units have larger salaries and teachers with

Mora-Parika NDC

Roadside vending regularised – Chairman ..touting remains an issue

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n moves to deliver on his promises after being re-elected as Chairman of the MoraParika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Jaideo Sookho has disclosed that “illegal vending” on the roadside at Parika has been contained, but noted that minibus touting remained an issue.

On Thursday, Sookho told Guyana Times that despite the complaints of a few who would ply their trade at the Parika Market, the NDC was able to convince the sellers that they should not “take up too much of the road”.

“We regularised the vendors; we asked them to be more in the corner – don’t take up much of the road [and] we were able to achieve that… some of the vendors disagree, but we were able to get them to understand that we are not removing them entirely from the road, we asked them to pull from over the parapet,” Sookho explained.

It was early in April that the Chairman had told Guyana Times he would ensure that “illegal vending” on the roadside ended.

When asked about the NDC’s efforts to address the

complaints about minibus touting, the Chairman noted: “We are hoping to end the touting as soon as we find somewhere to put the Parika to Vreed-en-Hoop (short-drop buses); We have to do some more regularising with the bus park because… some of these buses are doing the spinning (avoiding the turn system and picking up passengers on the go) and are causing the touting too.”

Sookho noted, however, that many bus drivers, especially those who ply the Parika to Georgetown route, would use the turn system in the park which was established at Parika.

To bring an end to the issue of touting, the Chairman said meetings would be held with the relevant stakeholders to engage in discussions.

“We have to invite the Traffic Department, the Minibus Association [to] discuss the issue of touting,” he stated, adding “we have plans; we want to cut out this touting, find a proper monitor so we could get a turn system” .

Meanwhile, he noted that kind-spirited community members assisted in the clean-up of the compound at the NDC’s office.

administrative designations also earn more,” the teachers related.

It was explained that the net income of Temporary Qualified Mistresses and Masters is $58,659 while Untrained Graduate teachers receive $92,456. Meanwhile, Untrained Graduates, with a master’s degree are paid $99,164, while Graduate Senior Mistresses and Masters receive $118,512.

The teachers continued to point out that a critical omission from the single-pay schedule used in Guyana is

pay for seniority. They explained that this system works by segmenting and paying teachers based on the number of years served. “An obvious advantage of such a system is that it rewards staff for years of experience and incentivises young teachers to remain in the profession. As an example, a pay by seniority scheme may have three grades of seniority – less than five years, five to ten years and more than ten years. There is a strong argument for making an element of salary dependent

on length of service and on teacher effort. Pay by seniority rewards teachers for their commitment of time to the system and reflects the relative differences in experience among teachers, while performance-related pay permits reward based on something other than credentials or years of experience, both of which have been shown to be poor indicators of teacher effectiveness ,” the report stated.

Given this issue, the teachers have recommended that a group-based performance incentive scheme be used by the Ministry. “For a subject department with five or more students on CXC’s merit list, CSEC and CAPE, a group package of, say, $50,000 to those teachers in that department with direct responsibility for the results. For example, if a business department secures two merit students in Principles of Accounts (CSEC), two in Principles of Business, and one in Economics, then this

department qualifies for the incentive. Additionally, a monetary reward can be also offered to each department with five or more students on Guyana’s merit list (top 10 students), CSEC and CAPE. For a school with the highest overall pass rates at CSEC and CAPE respectively, a monetary reward in the range of $100,000 can be offered. To make this system [a] fair one, different categories can be established [to] reflect the varying challenges faced by different schools,” the teachers explained.

They have also urged that non-financial incentives be provided such as coverage of tuition fees in return for a teaching bond; an increase in uniform allowance by a factor of three, to $24,000, annually; loan guarantee scheme for the purchase of a vehicle by senior teachers; tax exemptions and/or discounts: as well as discounts and/or exemptions for the purchase of state-provided goods and services.

12 news

friDay, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Several roads in Linden in deplorable condition – as inclement weather intensifies

I

nclement weather over the past few days has left several already “substandard” roads in Linden in a deplorable state.

Residents, particularly drivers, have voiced concerns over the state of several roads in both Wismar and Mackenzie in areas such as Block 22, Amelia’s Ward, Victory Valley and Wisroc.

They noted that some of the roads have gotten worse, with a few impassable.

Because of this minibus and taxi drivers are refusing to venture into some areas, according to residents.

“The Region and the Town Council got the capacity to deal with some of these roads, but nothing ain’t doing. Look at Block 22; is years nothing ain’t do to some of them roads,” a resident pointed out.

While several stretches of road at Block 22 re-

The Conflict about the Conflict

W The state of a Block 22 road

cently benefited from repair works through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), residents indicated that others have been neglected for years, with the situation being compounded by the constant rain. They pointed out that erosion was also a major issue, coupled with floodrelated problems caused by

Partly eroded road at Block 22

poor drainage.

Another resident of Block 22 opined that “one of the worse roads in Linden” was situated in that area.

“This road is slowly eroding. We know about bad roads all the time here, because for years some ain’t repair. People with vehicles does think twice before

coming here. We waiting to see what the Region doing, because is years this area troubling with this issue,” the resident indicated.

Similar sentiments were echoed throughout Linden, as the country braces for the bad weather associated with the May-June rainy season.

e all know that we are in a crisis in Guyana – never mind us whistling in the dark about “Jubilee”. With murders and mayhem committed right next to police stations, business activity plunging by at least 30%, businessmen not investing, and fear enveloping the land, I wonder what else we could call it if not a crisis.

And behind it all is the “politics as war by other means” declared back in the sixties. While the politicians will deny it, the question then arises as to why we haven’t been able to end this war. One of the major reasons is that our politicians have studiously avoided identifying the nature of the war and so for almost half a century have been shadow boxing without offering us a chance of peace.

Our problem in Guyana is a political problem and it must have a political solution. The currency of politics is power, and politics is ultimately concerned with the competition of groups within a given society to capture and secure State power. There is nothing sinister about this struggle for power: the question is what would the power holder do with the power and would the power holder be given the legitimacy to use the power by the citizens of the country?

The composition of the competing groups varies with the nature of the divisions or cleavages in the society: all societies are split economically, most ethnically and some racially. The nature of the political competition depends to a large extent on which of the cleavages emerge and remain as the most salient.

In Guyana, we all know our political competition is based on the ethnicity/race (they are synonymous in Guyana) dominant cleavage and it not only suffuses politics but most of our other social interactions. But yet a powerful norm has emerged that rejects the public acknowledgement of this fact. In fact, if one dares to raise the issue in open discourse, apart from the distaste aroused, you are immediately branded a “racist”.

The main culprits who have purveyed this obtuseness have been the early politicians who have, by and large, dominated the politics of Guyana into the modern era.

Their Marxist-Leninist ideological premises evidently compelled each of them to deny that when it came to protecting their political interests, Guyanese divided themselves on ethnic lines.

Every day of the year, these same citizens run around the country announcing strenuously we are all “one” – “Guyanese”. But when they went individually behind the blinds of the voting booths, they divided themselves as if they were all wired to some ethnic headquarters.

And it was not because they were “bad” but because of deep-seated, structural insecurities and fears coalescing around ethnic identity. And because these insecurities would be exploited by the same politicians who would sanctimoniously deny ethnicity’s centrality and spout the “all awe is one” mantra.

But there was another piece of evidence, proving the politicians knew very well of the ethnic selfidentification by the people. Before ROAR, all of the parties in Guyana defined themselves as “multiracial” parties. The parties thus conceded that to be seen as legitimate, they had to try to convince the voters they had representatives from all the ethnic groups in their midst and were then competent to represent all their interests. Yet since the elections of 1957, all elections have been more or less ethnic censuses where the Indians voted for the PPP and Africans voted for the PNC. Other groups had to make their choice. Yet the parties insisted that they were multiethnic through the transparent subterfuge of “ethnic window dressing”.

But with all ethnic groups now “minorities” in Guyana, the uni-ethnic parties cannot even pretend to be wearing “multiethnic clothes” – read “tokens”.

This the PNC evidently did in 2015 by overtly coalescing with the AFC for its “Indian” 11%. Is the conflict over the conflict over? Will the PPP follow suit analogously?

news

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friDay, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Region 5 floodwaters Health huts for receding – Chairman major Golden On Sunday last, the Regional Chairman had observed that desiltation works to alleviate the flooding were undertaken.

On Monday, Ramphal said the main risks which residents faced included loss of crops and livestock, as well as damage to appliances and property.

With the rains bringing relief from the extended dry weather that had plagued the country and damaged many crops earlier this year,

Farmland that was inundated earlier this week

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

fter heavy rains and clogged drains left several communities in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) inundated since Sunday, the floodwaters are receding, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal has informed.

The affected areas are Dundee in the Mahaicony area, Trafalgar, Lovely Lass, Bush Lot and Hope Town.

Ramphal told Guyana Times on Thursday that although “light showers” continued, no other areas were affected.

Responding to concerns about mosquitoes breeding in the remaining stagnant water, the Regional Chairman noted that fogging has been ongoing for the last two weeks.

It was also explained that the Region still needed an excavator and hydraulic pump to undertake much needed cleaning and de-silting of drains and canals, so

Desiltation works in the Region on Sunday

as to prevent further flooding.

This was in response to reports that the Region did not have “sufficient resources” to do this.

Guyana Times reported on Tuesday that flooding in the Region was posing a severe threat to residents, especially farmers, their crops and livestock. Several pastures where animals normally graze had seen high

levels of flooding.

The Regional Administration had briefed the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on the situation, while the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was in collaboration with the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) to desilt the outfall channel of the Trafalgar sluice.

Guyana Times was made aware that many rice farmers in Region Five are yet to harvest their acreage.

Jubilee events – Dr Norton

T

he Public Health Ministry has announced it will be establishing medical huts at all venues for major events this month to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence Golden Jubilee.

This was revealed by Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton who told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the medical support during the celebrations would be similar to what obtained when Guyana hosted several matches during the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 in the Caribbean and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010.

The Minister stated that the team of local medical practitioners has been trained in offering emergency responses when, or if, the need arose.

With the anticipated large number of persons attending these events both from the Diaspora and at home, there were concerns expressed as to how to equip the local health system to respond in cases of medical emergencies.

It is in response to these

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

concerns that the Ministry moved to establish the health posts at venues for major events during the almost month-long celebrations.

The personnel at these health posts are expected to treat with minor medical issues, while major cases will be shuttled to nearby hospitals.

Over the past few months, Government has been putting plans in place under the various Ministries to ensure the Jubilee activities planned are successful.

14 NEWS

friday, may 6, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Corentyne gas station guards robbed A

s law enforcement officers in Berbice map out a plan to put a halt to robberies in the county, two security guards at M Ali and Son Service Station at Strand were on Tuesday night tied up and robbed.

Reports indicate that the perpetrators used a screwdriver to stick up the guards and then bound them. They were relieved of an undisclosed quantity of phone cards and $30,000.

Also on Tuesday night, two men armed with cutlasses robbed a Port Mourant businesswoman.

Reports indicate that the masked men broke into the home of the businesswoman and took $60,000 from her.

Less than 24 hours before, two armed men, also masked, attacked a businessman two doors away, and relieved him of a quantity of cash and jewellery.

Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam addressing the issue of crime on the Corentyne said there was a criminal group which operated out of Free Yard, Port Mourant.

He said the group had been active in March but had gone dormant. His comments came as he

addressed concerns of residents in Rose Hall Town, at a meeting on

Officer hitting his bulletproof vest.

One resident at Wednesday’s

A section of the meeting on Wednesday which dealt with the crime situation in Berbice

Wednesday evening. “There is no way you ought to accept what is happening in your community,” the Commander told residents.

He explained that there was another gang which operated out of Rose Hall, “And they bring people into Rose Hall. They operate in twos or in threes to commit robberies.”

Recently, a man known to the Police disarmed and shot a Police

meeting who witnessed the incident said the act was puzzling.

“The officer was begging his colleague for his firearm. The second Police refused to give the first one the gun and I believe that if he had actually handed over the gun to the other Police the criminal would have been shot, but for reasons unknown the gun was never handed over.”

According to the Commander,

the Police are not having an easy task even after placing persons before the courts. “Now the Magistrates are not inclined to remand prisoners based on what happened at Camp Street, so we put them in and they come back out to do the same things again. They don’t mind, the criminals would find money for a lawyer and money for bail. They go in and they come back out and we start the same cycle all over again. The community has to help Berbice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission Skills Training Centre and Counselling Centre at Port Mourant, Pandit Surish Sugrim noted that the way Police Officers in Georgetown handle crime was different from the way officers in Berbice handle crime.

He said there was need for more Police vehicles because of the long distance between police stations on the Corentyne. “Police alone cannot solve crime, as a community, we need to work together.” He suggested that there be more frequent Police patrols in the community.

Sugrim, however, questioned why all Police Officers were not

equipped with firearms and handcuffs as in some Caribbean states.

Assistant Commissioner Amsterdam said if Police Officers used their guns in an indiscriminate way, there would be consequences they would have to face: “We are arming our ranks while they are on duty and there are some ranks – depending on where they are stationed – [who] have personal firearms,” he said.

According to the Commander, more vehicles are expected to come to the Division shortly. However, he could not promise that the Rose Hall Police Outpost would be getting its own patrol vehicle.

One resident, who is a budding social worker, questioned the reason for not having in place a programme to reform prisoners. “They need help and I believe that some of them can change their attitude if they get the right help that they need… When they do come out [from prison] is there a follow-up check to see what they are doing?” she questioned.

Most of the armed robberies committed along the Lower and Central Corentyne over the past three weeks have targeted the business community.

50th Anniversary literary festival launched

I

n commemoration of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary as a nation, the Academic Working Group (AWG) of the National Commemoration Commission (NCC) on Wednesday launched the literary festival activities, which includes a national symposium series and a digital tent.

Director of Culture and chairperson of the AWG, Dr James Rose explained that the digital tent, which will take the form of a website, would be capturing Guyana’s history and culture over the past half century.

Dr James noted that several activities would be held

in keeping with the festival, including 50 days and 50 night of literature.

“There will be 50 sessions of interfacing with 50 communities, we have completed 23 sessions thus far and have 27 more by this end of the month,” Dr Rose explained, adding that, “a series of playwright workshop will be held in Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara in line of the literary festival”.

Dr Vibert Cambridge, Professor Emeritius, of Media Arts & Studies Scripps College of Communication, spoke of the significant amount of work that was put into the website by way of cooperation between the students of

the University of Guyana and their counterparts from the Ohio University.

Archivist Nadia Carter expressed excitement over the website which she said would allow Guyanese and others at home and abroad to access information on Guyana’s history.

Carter noted the website was still in its demo format as additions are being made, but would soon be available.

The website is said to have a similar format of ancestry.com and will be rich in Guyanese history and music.

Interviews with various public figures over the past five decades are also expected to be uploaded.

friDAY, may 6, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

News

Deadly air strike hits Syrian Ramotar blames coalition for new... refugee camp in Idlib from page 7

The strike occurred close to Syria's northern border with Turkey [Al Jazeera]

A

n air strike on a camp for internally displaced Syrians near the country's border with Turkey has killed at least 30 people, activists said.

The attack on the camp in Idlib Province on Thursday

also left dozens of others injured, with a number of those killed children, according to the United Kingdombased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, reporting from the Turkish

city of Gaziantep, said activists were split on whether Russian or Syrian planes were behind the attack.

"Many in the Opposition believe that with strikes like this there's proof the Government is not serious about the cessation of hostilities,” Khodr said. "These people (internally displaced) live close to the Turkish border in search of safety...they think that the closer they are to the border, the safer they are."

Video of the incident posted on social media showed tents on fire and victims buried underneath debris as rescuers tried to put out flames.

Idlib is not part of the partial ceasefire that was announced after an agreement between the US and Russia.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Massive Canada wildfire spreads south forcing more evacuations

A

massive wildfire in Alberta, Canada, has moved south, forcing more evacuations on Thursday.

The fire is now 85,000 hectares, or 850 sq km, which is larger than the city of Calgary.

It has grown five times its initial size since it broke out, prompting more than 88,000 evacuations.

The fire started on Sunday in Canada's oil sands region and many oil sands projects have cut production.

The emergency operations centre has moved 300 km south and the evacuation order has widened as the flames spread past Fort McMurray.

The fire is now 85,000 hectares, or 850 sq km, which is larger than the city of Calgary

There are still no known causalities from the fire, but there was at least one vehicle crash with fatalities on the evacuation route.

Eight thousand evacuees currently in camps north of Fort McMurray will be

resettled in southern urban areas, officials said on Thursday.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said the fire was growing in size due to high winds, but that it was "under control". (Excerpt from BBC News)

The contention was that the local companies, mainly Banks and DDL, were not subjected to the same tax making it discriminatory towards overseas companies.

Ramotar noted that this case should never have reached the CCJ for a decision because the PPP/C Government had reached an agreement with Rudisa that if all the companies were treated the same, then the company would drop the case.

The former President added that his Administration consulted both local companies and while there was not full agreement, a decision was taken to cut the tax by half and apply it to all the companies operating in Guyana.

“We thought that the Opposition would find no difficulty in supporting this, that the Opposition would realise the cost to Guyana’s taxpayers and support the amendment to the law. Unfortunately, the Opposition saw this as another tool to damage the PPP/C Government,” he stated, adding that despite forceful and convincing arguments by his Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Legal Affairs, the then APNU and AFC Opposition parties used their combined majority to vote against the

Former President Donald Ramotar

relevant bill.

This, Ramotar outlined, resulted in the case going before the CCJ, which ultimately ruled in favour of the beverage company incurring a billion-dollar bill for the Guyana Government to honour the award.

The former Head of State outlined that this could have been avoided and the money injected into the sugar sector, thus preventing any closure of estates, if the then Opposition had listened to the pleading of his Administration.

“The PPP/C had also warned that would not be the end of the matter. It was pointed out then that some companies from Trinidad and Tobago could also take

us to court because the case with Rudisa was the same.

APNU and AFC seemed delighted to hear this, seeing that it would hurt the PPP/C Government. That seemed to spur them even more to vote against the amendment. As things turned out, it is those parties that are in Government now and had to pay the $6 billion which they so delighted in imposing on the Guyanese taxpayers,” he remarked.

According to Ramotar, what the PPP/C had warned about was now coming to pass and companies from T&T were now suing the Government as well. He pointed out that this could cost the taxpayers of Guyana much more than the Rudisa judgement as some of those companies were much bigger, thus the award could be even greater.

The former President posited that this situation was totally unnecessary and completely avoidable; however, APNU and the AFC had displayed a strong unpatriotic stance.

“These are the parties that now wield power in our country. The level of vindictiveness and hatred is unprecedented. The cost of such an attitude is great. The bill is climbing,” Ramotar commented.

16

friDAY, may 6, 2016 | guyana-times.com

– hundreds make pilgrimage to Highbury

Dignitaries including Region Six Chairman David Armogan, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Ravi Dev at the Arrival Day event at Highbury, Berbice

A

s this country celebrated Arrival Day, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingam, says although May 5 is the day that Indians first set foot on the shores of Guyana, the Month of May is fitting for Arrival Day in Guyana to be observed.

It was in the month of May that the first batch of Portuguese arrived and also the first batch of indentured Africans.

“Celebrating Arrival Day of May 5 is a fitting way to pay tribute

Tassa drumming at ICT

to the dedication of not only those who came from India, but also those who came to Guyana from other parts of the world.”

Guyana as indentured labourers. Records indicate that 75,000 went back after the indentureship period.

However, many remained and worked on the plantations.

High Commissioner Mahalingam brought greetings on behalf of the Government and people of India to the Government and people of Guyana.

Meanwhile, political activist Ravi Dev, delivering the feature address, noted that East Indians of Madras origin who were brought to Guyana in 1838 were considered lazy, and they should be congratulat-

A delightful dance sequence at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha ECD Praant

Two generations viewing one of the exhibits at the "Indian museum" at the ICT

He was at the time speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the arrival of the first batch of Indians who landed in Guyana. On May 5, 1838, the Whitby docked

Part of the gathering at Arrival Day event

at Plantation Highbury along the Berbice River and 128 Indian natives set foot on the shores of Guyana for the first time.

Addressing those who made the annual pilgrimage to Highbury, High Commissioner Mahalingam said even though 178 years have passed since the first set of Indian immigrants set foot on the shores of Guyana, as a people they have been able to preserve their culture.

“They landed in Guyana with only a handful of personal baggage but most importantly they carried the genes, mind and soul, knowledge of medicine, culinary skills. They also brought with them the art of dance and music. We Indians are so proud of Indian immigrants who have gone to other lands and have established themselves with remarkable success.”

A total of 239,000 Indians were shipped to

ed for their resilience: “For the planters to say that we don’t want any more of those Madrasie, we have to salute them. That spirit of resistance ought to be nurtured. They were not lazy; they wanted the contracts which were signed in India to be respected.”

Ten per cent of the 239,000 Indian immigrants who came to Guyana were Madras; most of them were placed in Berbice. “We were brought here not because the Africans did not want to work; the Africans wanted to work, they had been slaves for 200 years, but the British planters wanted the labour to be so cheap and the free Africans of Guyana refused that wage. We were brought here to undercut the Africans who wanted better wages. They decided not to work in support of their African brothers,” Dev explained.

Dev went on to explain that today’s Indians in Guyana are not Indians of India but of this land. “We changed what had defined India for 1000 years – caste.

In Guyana, we don’t have a caste problem. In Guyana, we broke religious barriers.”

Dev asked for the same unity which existed between the indentured labourers to remain with all Guyanese.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan also addressed the several hundred who attended and said Guyana could only go forward if such unity existed.

Meanwhile, the Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT) hosted its annual cultural function at the Indian Monument Gardens on Thursday.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Social Cohesion Minister

Amna Ally, along with former President Donald Ramotar, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, former Mayor Hamilton Green, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh and executive members of the ICT were in attendance.

A large crowd came out to show their support and appreciation. Members of the ICT had on display an ‘Indian Museum’ which had on display the history of the Arrival of East Indians to Guyana in 1838.

The Indian Arrival Committee also held its Arrival Day Mela in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, which saw a massive turnout, while the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s East Coast Praant also held cultural activities for Arrival Day 2016.

Drummers performing at the ICT event

Former President Donald Ramotar, Ryhaan Shah, Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally and former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds among the audience at the ICT

guyana-times.com

friday, may 6, 2016

T

he Mother and Daughter Pageant is billed for the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening under the theme “25 Flights of Love” to commemorate its 25 years in existence. Last week, Guyana Times Entertainment featured the delegates in the Senior Category. This week, we will be featuring the delegates in the Middle and Junior Categories.

Pageant Director and Executive Producer, Dr Sulan Fung believes that this year’s event will be extraordinary. The event will feature a special 25 years journal which will chronicle the pageant over the past 25 years.

In addition, many of the past winners are expected to be at the NCC to support the event as they reflect on their days on the big stage.

This year’s event will see contestants competing for a number of big prizes, including trips to several overseas destinations. It is also the first time that the event will have a 76-year-old mother gracing the stage in addition to a mother who is visually impaired.

Meet the contestants in the Junior Category:

Kibbyann and Kalliah

Latanna and Lataliya

Mary Sue and Typhia

Latoya and Calise

Mia and Breann

Tricia and Princess

Shevon and Xaria

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guyana-times.com

friday, may 6, 2016

Mother and Daughter Pageant Meet the contestants in the Middle Category:

Alegra and Krystal

Kendra and Akua

Madonna and Malia

NIcola and Collis Ann

Mary Sue and Anniesa

Soca Gone Wild for HJ Water World on May 22

Oneca and Ariane King Bubba

Lil Rick

H

its and Jams Entertainment will kick start its contribution to the Golden Jubilee celebrations with one of the hottest beach parties titled “Soca Gone Wild” featuring some of the best Soca artistes in the house. The event is set for May 22 at the HJ Water World, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

This will be the ultimate Soca concert of the season, with an amazing line-up of artistes, including Shelly G, Lil Rick, Jumo, Olatunji, Third Bass, Kwasi Ace, King Bubba, Shal Marshall, and 5Star Akil.

They are all hyped and ready to entertain their fans with the most energetic performances.

Tickets for the event will be released shortly and will cost $2000 at the usual locations.

Later in the month, there will be several other events hosted in celebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, including “50 Shades of Reggae”.

Shelly G

“Golden Children” Album launch set for PC tonight T

he “Golden Children” Album will feature several tracks from Guyanese artistes to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. This unique album will be officially launched at Palm Court this evening, and will see live performance by the six artistes who sang the tracks.

Among the songs on the album are “Not A Blade of Grass” by Juke Ross, “Guyana”

by Poonam Singh, “Home” by Juke Ross, “Where I Am From” by Remar, “El Dorado” by Gadinelli and “GT Woman” by Dublin.

At the launch party, 100 patrons will receive a free copy of the album. The event is expected to get hotter with some fine juggling by DJs Energy, Shizzle and Akielo.

Admission to the launch is $2000. In addition, the artistes will be at the Giftland Mall on Saturday for an in-house autograph signing.

There, members of the public can purchase a copy of the album and the artistes will be on the spot to autograph them.

The “Golden Children” Album was made with the intention that after the 50th Independence celebrations, the featured artistes would remain marketable based on a system that was put in place by their managers and sponsors.

The “Golden Children” Album project was made possible by ANSA McAL under the Stag Brand, the Tourism Ministry, HAB, Beepat’s, F&H Printing and INK Works.

Shal Marshall

Olatunji

friDAY, may 6, 2016

guyana-times.com

Aracari Resort Jubilee

Karaoke Contest sings off Saturday evening

Some of the faces to expect at Saturday’s karaoke showdown

T

he Aracari Resort at Versailles, West Bank Demerara will be buzzing with activities Saturday evening as large crowds of amateur singers congregate at the location to cash in on the fantastic cash prizes up for grabs, as its Jubilee Karaoke Competition gets under way.

Singers will battle for a whopping grand cash prize of $50,000 and a trophy, as well as a night for two at the Aracari Resort. The lucky winner will also get a recording deal, compliments of the Kross Kolor Recording Studio.

The second-place finisher will cart off a trophy, two months’ gym and pool membership for two, and a package from the Aracari Resort Salon & Spa. The third-place winner will take home a trophy, one-month pool membership for two, and dinner for two, compliments of the Aracari Resort.

Interested persons can still contact the organiser on 264-2946 or 694-9406 for more information.

The quarter-finals are set for May 14, with the semi-finals and grand finale slated for May 21 and May 28 respectively. Please note: only amateur singers are allowed in this competition!!!

19

Fashion Expo to feature pieces from David Rose School students, NA Penitentiary inmates

U

nder the ambit of Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA), young people are attending workshops on art, stencilling, craft and innovative fabric design at the David Rose Special School, as the Fashion Expo aims to showcase the work of the students as well as New Amsterdam Prison Inmates.

The participants have responded magnificently to the training of several mentors, including Clinton Duncan and Shonta Noel, who are painstaking in their approach to disseminating their respective techniques.

The David Rose School will be producing 50 pieces of fabric art to be displayed at the Fashion and Beauty Expo that will be held at the Pegasus Hotel between May 21 and 22 from 10:00h to 19:00h. The pieces will also be sold during the exhibition. Proceeds from the sale of these pieces will go toward the school.

As a bonus, Jubilee Crochet Accessories created by the women of the female penitentiary in Berbice will also be on sale at the Expo. However, these limited edition pieces will be available from next week.

The Beauty and Fashion Expo is a platform for businesses to have a chance to exhibit their products and services on a large scale.

This exposure will serve to advertise these businesses, which will in turn attract customers and investors alike. As these businesses grow, the fashion and beauty

Fabric art

sector will increase, which will contribute to Guyana’s growing economy.

As such, all are welcome to the Expo.

Anything and everything that tickles your beauty and fashion fancy will be available, from Maybelline makeup products to hair extensions, from homemade body lotions to established spa treatments, from local fashion designs to fashionable accessories.

Meanwhile, the SNFCA, in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development, recently launched “PROJECT 6/50”. The team has been working assiduously to realise their plans to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. Every year, SNFCA has been involved in philanthropic work, but this year the Foundation will be incorporating its work into the Jubilee festivities by providing 50 hampers to 50 single mothers among other initiatives.

Mega Banton, Jipsy King added to Vintage Beach Concert line-up

A

s we count down to what can be described as one of the most anticipated “Old School” parties, titled “Vintage Beach Concert”, the organisers have added two Dancehall artistes to the cast. Mega Banton and Jipsy King will now join several high-quality artistes to add their vibes to the evening of May 27 at the Hits and Jams Water World.

It is expected to be an epic night and will see live performances by Red Rat, Ghost, Frisco Kid, Mr Lexx, General Degree and Rupee.

The event is promoted

by X-TRA Beer as its contribution to Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations.

The recently-added artistes are known for their energy and hyped performances. Mega Banton, officially Garth Williams, was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1973.

Inspired by the likes of Burro Banton and Buju Banton, and with a similar gruff style of delivery, he achieved international success in the early 1990s with singles such as “First Position”, “Decision”, “No Ninja, No Buju”, and

“Sound Boy Killing”, working with the Black Scorpio team.

He recorded a duet with Leroy Smart (“Mr Want All”), and in 1994, courted controversy with his single “Money First”, for which he was accused of encouraging women into a life of prostitution.

Errol “Jipsy” King also emerged in the early 1990s, performing on sound systems, with a gruff vocal style similar to Buju Banton’s.

After several hit singles in Jamaica, he had some international success with “Work”, a duet with Barrington Levy. He topped the Jamaican singles chart in 1996 with “Sweet Sensimella”, a duet with British singer Jamie Irie.

His other hits include “Butterfly”, “Rail Up”, “Haffi Get You Body”, “Gal A Fuss Gal A Fight”, “Real Ting” with Tony Curtis, and “Question Ask” with Freddie McGregor.

Also, adding some more excitement to the event will be Super Ray and Stitchie, Madd Squad, DJ Platinum and DJ Skinny Hype and most obviously, the most hyped and versatile DJ, Garwin. Persons can get free tickets when they purchase Xtra products while stocks last.

Jipsy King

friDAY, may 6, 2016

20

Brathwaite bash in vain for Daredevils R

ising Pune Supergiants had been marred by four major injuries in the last two weeks and were reeling at the bottom half of the points table with six losses from eight matches. But against Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla, they fell back on the reliable shoulders of Ajinkya Rahane, Rajat Bhatia and a brisk innings from IPL debutant Usman Khawaja to hand the hosts their second loss in their last four matches.

Supergiants first restricted Daredevils to 162 by slowing them down in the middle overs and taking regular wickets. The top order then, led by Rahane's unbeaten and unflustered 63, made sure the chase, which got slightly tense towards the end, was sealed with five balls to spare.

This looked like anyone's game when Supergiants needed 37 from the last three overs. Captain MS Dhoni, who promoted himself to No. 4, struck a four and a straight six off Mohammed Shami, soon after five wides earlier in the 18th over, to bring the equation down to 17 from 12. Iman Tahir removed Dhoni with the first ball of the 19th over but two lusty sixes from Thisara Perera meant Supergiants needed three from the last

over and Rahane finished it with a flicked four.

Khawaja and Rahane accelerated in the chase after the third over by mainly targeting the quicks.

They saw through Jayant Yadav's three overs of offspin and reached 50 when the Powerplay ended. Amit Mishra's googly and thrift

then combined to stump Khawaja, who had already been dropped on 8 and had survived run-out chances on 9 and 22, for 30.

Rahane continued in his usual risk-free and unruffled fashion and he was hardly troubled by JP Duminy and Carlos Brathwaite in a second-wicket partnership of 45

SCOREBOARD Delhi Daredevils innings (20 overs maximum) RR Pant b Dinda 2 SV Samson† c R Ashwin b Boland 20 KK Nair c Perera b Bhatia 32 JP Duminy* run out (Rahane/† Dhoni) 34 SW Billings c Rahane b Bhatia 24 CR Brathwaite c Perera b Boland 20 P Negi not out 19 J Yadav run out (Tiwary) 1 Mohammed Shami not out 2 Extras: (lb-1, w-6, nb-1) 8 Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 162 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Pant, 2.4 ov), 2-48 (Samson, 5.6 ov), 3-65 (Nair, 9.4 ov), 4-110 (Billings, 14.4 ov), 5-137 (Brathwaite, 16.5 ov), 6-138 (Duminy, 16.6 ov), 7-143 (Yadav, 17.5 ov) Bowling: AB Dinda 4-0-341 (nb-1, w-1), NLTC Perera 1-0-9-0, SM Boland 4-0-312, R Ashwin 4-0-34-0 (w3), R Bhatia 4-0-22-2 (w2), M Ashwin 3-0-31-0

Rising Pune Supergiants innings (target: 163 runs from 20 overs) AM Rahane not out 63 UT Khawaja st †Samson b Mish ra 30 SS Tiwary c Billings b Imran Tahir 21 MS Dhoni*† c Billings b Imran Tahir 27 NLTC Perera not out 14 Extras: (lb-1, w-7, nb-3) 11 Total: (3 wickets; 19.1 ove rs) 166 Fall of wickets 1-59 (Khawaja, 8.2 ov), 2-104 (Tiwary, 13.2 ov), 3-146 (Dhoni, 18.1 ov) Bowling: J Yadav 4-0-250, CR Brathwaite 2-0-17-0, Mohammed Shami 3.1-0-500 (nb-1, w-1), A Mishra 4-028-1 (nb-2, w-1), JP Duminy 1-0-9-0, Imran Tahir 4-0-262 (w-1), P Negi 1-0-10-0

with Saurabh Tiwary. But Tahir had Tiwary caught at deep midwicket in the 14th over. By then, Supergiants were still 59 adrift with 40 balls remaining.

Dhoni smashed his fourth ball for a six and after Supergiants took 13 runs off the next 16 balls, they needed 37 from 18. Duminy gave the ball to Shami who sent five wides way down the leg side on the second ball of the over and once Dhoni took strike, he tilted the momentum back with consecutive boundaries to make it easier for Rahane.

Daredevils, who were asked to bat, were largely anchored by their stand-in captain Duminy, as Zaheer Khan had a niggle, but other batsmen could not convert starts into big scores.

Once Dinda knocked over Rishabh Pant's off stump in the third over, Karun Nair and Sanju Samson started scoring boundaries on both sides of the pitch to lift the run rate above eight. But Samson handed a simple catch to midwicket on the last ball of the Powerplay.

Duminy, meanwhile, kept the score ticking by scoring at nearly run a ball but was running out of partners. Bhatia took the pace off the ball for another economical spell and Nair soon holed out to sweeper cover,

Ajinkya Rahane scored his fifth half-century of the tournament

for 32 off 23, while trying to break free.

Sam Billings combined with Duminy to quickly score 24 runs out of the 45 they put together in five overs. Billings had struck R Ashwin for two consecutive sixes and posed a big threat before a switch-hit end-

ed his innings. Brathwaite then took on M Ashwin for two more sixes but impressive fielding from Rahane and Tiwary resulted in two run-outs. Pawan Negi's 19 not out off 12 balls provided Daredevils a late push but it wasn't enough. (ESPN cricinfo)

guys and I've done a lot of strength work in my legs by training on sand to help with the later rounds.

"The speed is still there but this fight will be more mental -- I have to win it with my brains. I can't let my courage take over because it could get me in trouble, it has in the past, but I'm much smarter and wiser now."

Khan is expected to earn around £5 million for the bold move of taking on Canelo at a catchweight of 155 pounds. The Mexican -- whose nickname means cinnamon in Spanish after his red hair -- will be overwhelming favourite and has lost just once on points to Mayweather in 2013.

"I used to get involved in tear-ups and take risks, like I did against Marcos Maidana," Khan said. "But I haven't left myself open in my last few fights and relied on my skills to beat Chris Algieri, Devon Alexander and Luis Collazo on points.

"And that's how I see this fight going. I will be too smart and too fast for him.

The more videos I see of Canelo the more confident I am I will win this fight and become middleweight world champion, which will be huge, it will be a massive shock to the world. But not to me because I believe I can win this world title.

The Bolton fighter may have missed out on big pay days against the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, both of whom snubbed him to box other opponents. But with those greats retired, Alvarez is now one of boxing's biggest global stars.

"I was chasing the Mayweather fight, the Pacquiao fight, and I really believe that if those fights happened they'd be easier than this fight," Khan added. "This fight will be more physical and it will be me using my brains even more, because with Canelo I cannot make any mistakes.(ESPN.com)

Amir Khan says he'll outsmart bigger man Saul Alvarez

A

mir Khan says brains and not brawn will see him pull off one of the biggest shocks in recent boxing history.

Khan, 29, has stepped up two weight divisions to face WBC world middleweight king Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in Las Vegas on Saturday.

A former world light-welterweight champion, Khan has been stopped twice in three defeats and had scares in other scraps against smaller men than Canelo.

But the bulked-up Briton says boxing clever with fast flurries of punches and avoiding toe-to-toe exchanges with the more powerful Canelo will see him upset the odds.

"It's the strongest I've been for any fight, having that little bit of extra weight can only give me that extra advantage in getting power but the speed is still there," said Khan. "All round I feel so much stronger as a fighter. I've sparred a lot of rounds with heavier

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21

sports

Former Windies players part of Level III coaching programme B

RIDGETOWN, Barbados – Over 20 regional coaches, including former West Indies players, have assembled in Barbados for a high-level coaching programme to be staged over 10 days.

Courtney Walsh, the legendary fast bowler and former Test captain, is one of the former players attending the Level III programme being staged at the West Indies High Performance Centre on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. Walsh is also a member of the WICB Selection Panel.

The other former players participating are: Winston Benjamin, Tony Gray, Robert Samuels, Colin Stuart, Ezra Moseley and Henderson Bryan. The list of attendees includes one female coach Samantha Lynch of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

The sessions are being staged by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and are a crucial component to the coaches’ education programme.

Benjamin, who played 21 Tests and 85 ODIs between 1987 and 1995 said: “This is a great course. We have gained a lot of knowledge. This course could be a springboard to better things in West Indies cricket. The coaches here are very enthusiastic and willing to learn and take the game forward.

“Coaching is what I’m all about. I love this aspect of the game and I enjoy my

Esuan Crandon (right) and Rayon Griffith who are the current Coach and Manager/Assistant Coach respectively of the Guyana Jaguars were once new ball partners. They are part of the WICB Level III coaching programme in Barbados

role. I’m happy to give back to the game. Cricket wasn't my first love, but I was good at the game and I enjoyed my playing time, now the time has come for me to contribute in another way to West Indies cricket.

“We have a lot of talented players, we’re never short on talent, but it’s how we harness the talent. The key is to create the environment so the players can thrive and strive for excellence.”

Samuels, 45, is a former Jamaica captain. He played six Tests and eight ODIs between 1996 and 1997.

He noted: “It is really good to see the WICB and ECB are putting on this Level III coaching course for the coaches of the West Indies.

I believe this is a step in the right direction as we look to strengthen game in the Caribbean. This is the way to go and I am really pleased to be part of it.

“One of the key areas

were have focused on is ‘individuality’ and how to enhance the individual player’s game. We have looked at what’s best for the player and how to get the best out of that player.

“Cricket has given me everything and more, and I want to give all. I love coaching and would coach anybody anywhere to help with the development of the game.”

FULL LIST OF COACHES: Samantha Lynch, Colin Stuart, Rayon Griffith, Esuan Crandon, Julian Moore, Glen Dwarika, John Pollard, Tony Gray, Rydell Ramsarran, Robert Samuels, Cleon Smith, Junior Bennett, Gibbs Williams, Irvin Warrican, Fernix Thomas, Clifford Thomas, Steve Liburd, Pernel Watley, Courtney Walsh, Winston Benjamin, Philip Service, Dexter Toppin, Ezra Moseley, Rohan Nurse, Henderson Bryan. (West Indies Cricket Board Media)

Webb could face lifelong ban as FIFA opens proceedings

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ormer FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb could face a lifelong ban from football following a report from the investigatory chamber.

FIFA has opened adjudicatory proceedings against disgraced former official Jeffrey Webb, who could now face a lifelong ban from football.

The former CONCACAF chief and vice-president of FIFA pleaded guilty in the United States in November to one count of racketeering conspiracy, three counts of wire fraud conspiracy and three counts of money laundering conspiracy.

Webb was one of a number of officials arrested in a police operation last May as part of an FBI-led investigation into widespread corruption in world football's governing body.

FIFA's Ethics Committee launched its own investiga-

tion into Webb's conduct and submitted a final report on April 26. A lifelong ban from all football-related activities has been recommended.

"The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, chaired by Mr HansJoachim Eckert, has opened formal adjudicatory proceedings against Mr Jeffrey Webb based on the final report submitted by the investigatory chamber," a FIFA statement released on Wednesday read.

"The adjudicatory chamber has carefully studied the report of the investigatory chamber, under the chairmanship of Dr Cornel Borbely, and decided to institute formal adjudicatory proceedings against Mr Webb, formerly the president of CONCACAF, a vicepresident of FIFA, a member of the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Football Union and the president of the Cayman Islands Football

Association.

"The final report was transmitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 26 April 2016, with a recommended sanction of a lifelong ban from all football-related activities for violations of articles 13, 15, 18, 19 and 21 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

"During the course of these adjudicatory proceedings, Mr Webb will be invited to submit his position with regard to the final report of the investigatory chamber, including any evidence (art.

70 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics), and may request a hearing (art. 74 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics)."

In his guilty plea to US judges late last year, Webb admitted he had "abused" the position of responsibility he held at the top of the game.

"I abused my position to obtain bribes and kickbacks for my personal benefit," he said.(Digicel Sportsmax)

22

friDAY, may 6, 2016

CPL finals venue still not final F

ollowing a number of media reports in the Caribbean, Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has issued the following statement in relation to the venue of the finals.

Mr O’Donohoe said: “The CPL is currently in negotiations with three countries who are each bidding to host the finals of this year’s CPL. Despite recent speculation, no decision has been made regarding the venue and it is hoped that negotiations will be concluded within the next fortnight.”

This statement fol-

lows weeks of uncertainty throughout the cricketing circle where there were reports of the finals being awarded to Guyana initially then to Trinidad & Tobago.

Just recently, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Guyana’s Minister of Education who also holds ministerial portfolio for sports, confirmed that the CPL finals will be hosted in Guyana. However, CPL failed to announce Guyana as the host nation on April 30, the date that was set to do so publicly.

Around the same time, news surfaced that the Government of Trinidad & Tobago has made a counter-

offer which CPL has accepted. This was supported by Minister of Finance the honourable Winston Jordan as he was responding to reporters at parliament on Wednesday this week. The minister who spoke confidently said that Trinidad and Tobago had out bid Guyana and that the finals will be in the twin island republic once again.

The question of which country will be the proud host of the CPL finals this year will be answered by CPL officials, while the public will now speculate on which three countries are in the running to host the finals.

Cavs ease to victory over Hawks in game two

T

he Cleveland Cavaliers head to Atlanta on Friday with a two-game buffer over the Hawks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers earned a commanding 2-0 series lead after outclassing the Atlanta Hawks 12398 in the NBA play-offs on Wednesday.

Having already beaten the Hawks in game one on Monday, the top-seeded Cavs were at it again two days later as they took control in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final matchup.

LeBron James led the Cavs with 27 points

Aiming to reach back-toback NBA Finals, the Cavs were devastating in game two, racing out to a 74-38 lead at half-time.

The Hawks did manage

to reduce the margin on the road, adding 32 points in the third period and outscoring the Cavs 28-17 in the final term, but it was a mere consolation as the hosts rested their star players.

LeBron James led the Cavs with 27 points in 28 minutes, while J.R. Smith contributed 23 points.

Kyrie Irving had 19 points and Kevin Love posted a double-double via 11 points and 13 rebounds.

The Hawks were led by Paul Millsap's 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Game three is in Atlanta on Friday. (NBA.com)

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

NSC top awardees jubilant about accomplishment

Kristian Jeffrey receiving his Sportsman of the year award from Director of Sports Christopher Jones

M

otor racing speedster Kristian Jeffrey and the effervescent multitalented Alicia Fortuned copped the Sportsman and sportswoman of the year award on Wednesday Night at the National Sports Commission 16th annual National Sports Award held at the National Cultural Centre.

Jeffrey enjoyed another successful year on the racing circuit by dominating the group 4 category while setting lap records at three of the four host circuits of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship CMRC host circuits. He was crowned champion driver at the Jamaica Leg becoming the first Guyanese to achieve such a feat in the modern era.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport, an elated Jeffrey who was also nominated for a FIA award in Panama, made mention of the risks associated with the sport and the huge financial demands required. Jeffrey also a nominee last year got the nod ahead of Versammy Permaul (Cricket), Kerwin Clarke (Bodybuilding), Winston George (Athletics) and Devon Davis (Bodybuilding).

Also a winner of the

award in 2012, Alicia Fortune was just as dominant, winning the Bronze medal at the Central America and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Championship (CACBBFF). Fortune also won gold in the 100, 200 and 400 Meters women 40-44 age category at the World Masters Athletics

her. She also highlighted the 3D’s discipline, determination and dedication as the driving force behind her continued success. The other nominees contesting Foster for the award were Chelsea Edghill (Table Tennis) and Tremayne Smartt (Cricket).

Ranked 53 in the world for juniors, badminton player Narayan Ramdhani was awarded the Junior sportsman of the year prize.

Ramdhani is ranked number 1 in the Caribbean and 3rd in the Pan American (PANAM) countries. He won bronze in the Caribbean Regional Junior Championships and is the only male junior athlete with a world ranking in Guyana. Other nominees for the award were Shomari Wiltshire (Squash), Shimron Hetmyer (Cricket), and Terrence Williams (Judo).

The Junior Sportswoman of the year award went to Table Tennis sensation Chelsea Edghill.

During the qualification period, 2015, Edgill won the Senior National Championships ladies single title as a junior compet-

Minister Nicolette Henry presents Alicia Fortune with her Sportswoman of the year award

Championship (WMAC) 2015 in France.

Speaking to the media she thanked her sponsors, coaches, her entire family, the various associations, her apostle and most of all the almighty God for the tremendous support shown towards

itor along with all Guyana Table Tennis Association tournaments.

The other nominees in the category were Brianna Ramdhani (Badminton), Brittany Mack (Powerlifting), Aleka Persaud (Swimming), Akila Wilshire (Table Tennis) and Madelene Mangru (Cricket).

guyana-times.com

friDAY, may 6, 2016

23

Jeffrey, Fortune Mayor’s Cup to kick cop top NSC off on Saturday sports awards A —TVG/Guyana Times Avenash Ramzan is Sports Journalist of the Year (non-print)

BY AKEEM GREENE

M

otor Racer, Kristian Jeffery and the multi-talented Alisha Fortune were among the top awardees

letes who work from 8am to 4:30 pm have to run home to put in work at community centre ground that lacks the basic facility of lights”.

The Director of Sport further went unto to highlight

resent the crown of Guyana’s jewel, adding that they are a “Beacon of hope to the majority of young Guyanese The winners of the other 14 categories of the year for 2015 are as follows:

fter the inclement weather thwarted several attempts to start the 22nd edition of the Mayor’s Cup Football Championship it will finally begin on Saturday at the Victoria Community center on the East Coast of Demerara.

The opening game is at 18:00 Hrs which will see Ann’s Grove United coming up against Eagles FC. The feature game of the opening night will have Milerock FC out of Linden tackling Beterverwagting FC out of East Coast of Demerara from 20:00 hrs.

On Sunday, fans will once again be entertained with another double header at the same venue. The opening fixture of the evening puts together Mahaica Determinators against Herstelling Raiders followed

by Golden Grove against Buxton Stars in the second game.

The tournament which has 24 teams will be played on a knock-out basis and features teams from the five associations in Guyana.

For the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) the teams are by Milerock, Eagles and Federal Winners Connection.

Representing the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) are the Guyana Police Force, Western Tigers FC, Riddim Squad FC, Santos FC and Camptown FC. East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) teams are Mahaica Determinators, Ann’s Grove United, Victoria Kings FC, Golden Grove FC, Buxton Stars and Beterverwagting (BV)/ Triumph United.

The interest of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) will be kept by Grove Hi-Tech, Agricola Red Triangle, Soesdyke, Herstelling Raiders and Kuru-Kururu Warriors while Den Amstel, Pouderoyen, Uitvlugt, Beavers and Eagles will be the participants from the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Den Amstel and the Victoria Community Ground Community ground will be the venues hosting matches.

A championship trophy and $700,000 will be given to the winners while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.

DC Jammers arrive for four match series

Junior Sportsman of the Year Narayan Ramdhani receives his award from Dr Karen Pilgrim

when the National Sports Commission (NSC) hosted its annual award ceremony on Wednesday at the National Cultural Centre, Georgetown.

Jeffrey, who won Sportsman-of-the-Year award, was the Champion Driver of last year’s Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) while Fortune copped the Sportswoman-of-the-Year award after an outstanding run at the World Masters Championships which was held in France.

Among the standout of the awards was TVG/ Guyana Times Journalist, Avenash Ramzan who for the sixth time won the Sports Journalist of the year award (non-print).

The key note for the awards ceremony were undoubtedly the words of Director of Sport Christopher Jones as he pellucidly voiced that a new dawn of sports beckoned for Guyana and sportsmen and women will be treated with dignity.

Jones said “a new era has dawned in the way we treat our athletes, for years their efforts, dedication and sacrifice have gone largely unnoticed and underappreciated.

He added, “the winners must be afforded their due respect; no longer must ath-

some ill treatment of athletes that will desist and they will be duly rewarded.

“No longer must our athletes who won these awards be treated with disrespect; the time has come for our sports men and women be recognised at national events; its time our sports personalities are afforded the right to national facilities, it’s time that a provision of house lots to our exceptional athletes be expedited”, the Director said.

Jones also alluded to athletes being able to receive special care at health facilities across the country and also outstanding athletes are beneficiaries of scholarships to the University of Guyana.

Most notably the Director addressed the longwinded issue of the naming of the National Stadium at Providence, stating that “we have a duty to our cricketers in the naming of the stadium at Providence, which is still outstanding”.

He ended by stating that these recommendations will form part of the National Sports policy document that “must be concluded by the end of 2016” Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture and Sport, Nicolette Henry mentioned that the winners rep-

Junior Sportswoman of the Year- Chelsea Edghill (table tennis).

Junior Sportsman of the Year- Narayan Ramdhani (Badminton) Female Sports Personality of the YearLuanna Fernandes (Proprietor of Woodpecker) Male Sports Personality of the Year- Godfrey Munroe (President of the GTTA).

Female athlete of the Year with a disabilityDeandre David (bronze medal winner at the 2015 Special Olympics).

Male athlete of the Year with a disability- Calvin Thomas (gold and silver medalist at the 2015 Special Olympics).

Sports Journalist PrintFranklin Wilson (Kaieteur News).

Most Improved Sports Association/FederationGuyana Sports Shooting Federation.

Sports Association/ Federation- Guyana Cricket Board.

Female Sports Official of the Year- Shelly Daly Ramdayan (tennis).

Male Sports Official of the Year- Anand Senasie (cricket).

Male Sports Coach of the Year- Linden Johnson (table tennis).

Sports Team of the YearGuyana Squash Team.

G

Action from the Jammers’ last encounter in Guyana in 2012

uyana Amateur B a s k e t b a l l Federation (GABF) will be hosting the D.C Jammers Basketball Team out of the United States of America for four exhibition matches during the month of May. The ‘Jammers’ who recently arrived in Guyana are scheduled to open their campaign against Ravens this weekend. They will then battle Pacesetters on May 23 before they oppose a feisty Linden unit; the Retrieve Raiders on May 27.

Jammers will end their campaign on May 28 against reigning Road to Mecca Champions, Colts. Fans will be treated to an exciting display of intense and competitive basketball showdown.

Local teams will be allowed to use three guest players

in the matches against the Jammers.

The Washington based ballers D.C. Jammers first engagement against Guyanese opposition was when they took on Guyana’s National Basketball Team in July 1988. The locals led

by Hi Flyers Leon Christian and coach by Mike Brushe at that time used the inaugural series as preparation for the 7th Caricom Championship which the land of many waters successfully hosted at the National Sports Hall.

Although the Jammers loss all three matches the experience gained in 1988 would later proved invaluable.

The boys from Washington returned five years later July 1993 and won an international triangular series against Guyana and Suriname thanks to

the Mastery of new recruits Willie Hodge, Steven Nurse, Heinrod David, Reggie King and Andre Lee. The ‘Jammers’ last appearance in Guyana was in 2012, when they took on the Guyana’s national team.

The ‘Jammers’ would come out victorious winning 6562 in a closely contested encounter.

This year, the local teams will be hoping to have different results as they seek to impress against a highly skilled Jammers’ team.

Venues for the matches are yet to be announced while exhibition matches before the commencement of the main attraction are also yet to be named. Admission to the matches is set at $1,000. DC Jammers are expected to depart local shores on May 29th.

friDAY, May 6, 2016

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

CPL finals venue still not final

Pg 22 Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of Hero Caribbean Premier League clears the air on the venue for the finals this year

Jeffrey, Fortune cop top NSC sports awards — TVG/Guyana Times Avenash Ramzan is Sports Journalist of the Year (non-print)

Director of Sport Christopher Jones hands over the award to Journalist Avenash Ramzan

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