Guyana Times Daily

14,500 students to sit National Grade Six Assessment today P14

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Issue No. 2839

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

PRICE

Armed bandits invade Corentyne businessman’s home Page 14

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PCA Chairman blasts Region 2 Police for neglecting P9 duties

2 arrested P7 after mining camp heist

– escape with cash, jewellery Woman Kwame McCoy charged for to be charged threatening for assaultingPage2 PresidentPage Mark Benschop Granger 8

– gun, ammo found Paris climate deal

Countries P17 with about half of global emissions to join this year

GTT launches Independence Night mega concert

Homeless man crushed to P11 death by truck 2008 murder of elderly E’bo businessman

Police hunt daughter, 4 others held

P7

Guyana P7 revising Food Based Dietary Guidelines GTT is slated to host its Independence Mega Concert slated for May 26 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. In photo: Chief Commercial Officer of GTT, Gert Post (left) expressing his elation over the company’s participation in the 50th Jubilee celebrations. Also in photo are GTT’s PRO Allison Parker and GTT Marketing Director Daniel Jilesen (right)

New Gaming Authority Board gets Cabinet approval Page 11

Guyanese gunned down in Trinidad Page 16

M&CC moves to prosecute delinquent taxpayers Page 2

Occupational Health and Safety Month

Ministry of the Presidency hosts health P13 fair

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news

wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

M&CC moves to prosecute Kwame McCoy to be charged for assaulting Mark Benschop delinquent taxpayers

F

T

he Mayor and City Council will be moving to prosecute noncompliant taxpayers as it strives to recover the more than $2 billion it is owed.

In a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green said that indeed the Town Clerk, Royston King would be taking legal action against the defaulters.

It was revealed earlier this year that over 400 businesses have been delinquent in their tax payment to City Hall.

Last week, the Council had disclosed that it was owed more than $2 billion in property taxes. M&CC Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis explained that this sum has accumulated over long periods of time since persons have blatantly disregarded the law.

On Tuesday, the Mayor said that adequate measures were put in place to foster a smooth system that was encouraging to these individuals to come forward and pay their taxes. She added that fewer than a hundred of those who owed monies came forward to settle their accounts. Additionally, the Mayor said that the “am-

ormer Press and Publicity Officer at the Office of the President under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Kwame McCoy, will on Wednesday appear in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face three charges relating to a 2011 altercation with former treason accused turned politician Mark Benschop. This was confirmed by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Tuesday.

Blanhum said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ad-

Mark Benschop stands next to his damaged vehicle

Benschop.

McCoy

was

recently

City Hall

nesty programme” which involves the waiver of interest on amounts owed was still in effect and urged persons to utilise this option during this period.

Companies and businesses must apply to the Council for a 50 per cent to 75 per cent amnesty on tax interest.

In a statement last week, PRO Lewis had signalled that the Council intended to pursue all legal options available to the municipality through the Municipal

and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01. This, she said, would include “parate execution”, which is a debt recovery process under the law.

This procedure is special to banks as it allows the resale of property mortgaged to the bank. The mortgage is organised without going through court proceedings and the institution itself is given the power to hold an auction for the sale of the property by the appointed auctioneer.

The damaged window at the back of Kwame McCoy’s home, which he said Benschop broke

vised that McCoy be charged with simple larceny, malicious damage to property and assault committed on

questioned after Police reopened the 2011 case and was subsequently released on self bail.

The attack occurred outside McCoy’s Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home on March 5, 2011, while Benschop was attempting to take photographs of McCoy’s house which was under construction at the time.

Benschop claimed that he was forced to flee the scene on foot and seek refuge in a resident’s yard following a scuffle with McCoy, and after attempts were made to take away his camera.

Benschop repeatedly identified McCoy as the individual who attacked him.

He also alleged that McCoy damaged his vehicle and removed several items.

However, McCoy told reporters that Benschop and at least three other men turned up at his home and illegally entered the premises. McCoy’s home was under construction and according to him, Benschop and his group broke a window.

Last month, McCoy and three others were arraigned and subsequently placed on bail for a 2010 incident in which faeces was thrown onto columnist Freddie Kissoon in Robb Street, Georgetown.

news

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wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, April 27– 08:30h-10:00h and Thursday, April 28 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 27– 06:55h-08:25h and Thursday, April 28 – 07:40h-09:10h.

Deadly prison riot CoI

Defective cameras increase risks of jailbreak – prison officer – operations room understaffed

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers will prevail 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 to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres per second and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:21h and 19:55h reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.38 metres respectively.

A

s the inquiry into the riots at the Camp Street Prison continues, Commissioners heard on Tuesday that defective surveillance cameras at the penitentiary increase the risk of a jailbreak. Prison Officer Dekanna Benjamin in her testimony explained that surveillance equipment has been in a non-operational state for “three or four months”. She conceded that the non-functioning equipment did impact upon her

partment. Benjamin testified that the Operations Room department is understaffed and would sometimes have only two officers monitoring all of the prison activities. Despite these many challenges, Officer Benjamin pledged that she will remain in the prison service.

The Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) also heard that there are no smoke detectors at the penitentiary. The Commission was previously

Low Tide: 00:56h and 19:55h reaching minimum heights of 0.79 metre and 0.69 metre respectively.

Prison Officer Dekanna Benjamin taking the stand

Prison Officer Esther Charles giving her testimony at Tuesday’s hearing

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work to some extent. The officer noted that she was however able to carry out her job “effectively”.

Benjamin, who has been stationed in the Operations Room for over two years, told Commissioners of the sections which are currently without coverage, but the media was advised that this information must not be made public for security reasons. Apart from being responsible for the video surveillance, it was explained that the Operations Room has oversight for telephone switchboards and arms and ammunition.

The officer who was stationed from the evening of March 2 into the morning of March 3 also told Commissioners of the prevailing challenges which may hinder the overall de-

told of contraband items like matches and lighters being in possession of the inmates.

Fellow Prison Officer Esther Charles, who joined the prison service in June 1998, also took the stand at Tuesday’s CoI. She testified that Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels and Director Carl Graham arrived at 10:55h and 08:05h respectively, but was unsure whether or not they had ever

left the facilities.

Charles also related that on March 3, she was the first officer to inform her colleagues of the fire which she testified started around 11:00h.

The prison officer who has functioned in the Operations Room for some 10 years also explained that she had called the fire service and noted that she would also keep personal notes of times when events occur to maintain accuracy.

When the officer referenced her notes from the day of the March 3 fire, it was revealed that before other joint services members were called, the fire service was called at 11:04h. This account was in contrast to that included in the evidence provided by the Guyana Fire Service on April 13 which stated that the report of

fire report at the prisons on March 3 was received at 11:18h.

At that time, in cross-examination, Attorney Glen Hanoman had postulated that a staff member attached to the Fire Service assisted in “drafting up the log book” for the purpose of bringing it to the Commission and noted that another log book exists for March 2 and March 3. Hanoman had raised suspicion since the Georgetown Fire Station’s log book started at the time of the riots.

After a period of rioting, 17 inmates at the Camp Street facilities lost their lives. The hearings will resume this morning.

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Editorial

Tobacco legislation: The economics behind it

W

e are living in a globalised age, where the world’s knowledge and scientific prowess to quantitatively determine the economic and societal goods for mankind’s benefit have accelerated tremendously. It is against that backdrop that various nations and States have taken a structured and economic approach in dealing with social issues. Smoking is one such issue.

Smoking of tobacco (cigarettes) was once a pastime stratified only to the elites and was one of the precious commodities that drove the Triangular Slave Trade during the period of colonisation. As the world moved away from imperialism and towards capitalism, tobacco became more mainstream and accessible to the masses. So much so that it became a multibillion-dollar industry.

Its proliferation has since slowed with the colossal flooding of empirical information attesting to the devastation that smoking causes to one’s health, primary of which is death.

According to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), each year, tobacco smoking kills six million people: 5.4 million active smokers and 600,000 non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. It is the single legal consumer product that kills up to half of its users when used exactly as intended by the manufacturer, costing the global economy an estimated US$200 billion each year.

It is for this reason that international organisations and unilateral bodies have called for stricter legislation to be implemented by host countries to control and suppress smoking of tobacco.

Last year, PAHO made calls for Guyana to pass tobacco control legislation, citing it as a top priority.

The Health Organisation had posited that the legislation was intended to protect present and future generations from the “devastating harms” of tobacco use, exposure to tobacco smoke and specifically to prevent tobacco use among youths.

The Guyana Government intends to table the tobacco legislation soon in the National Assembly, thereby paving the way for its execution which is intended to institute a host of stringent measures such as restrictions on advertisement, promotion and sponsorship, a ban on displaying tobacco products, a proposal to increase graphic health warnings to 75 percent of the packet, putting mechanisms in place to ensure that the drug is not readily available for purchase in an instant and altering the age requirement for persons to purchase the drug, among others.

The Government should be commended for accelerating the passage of this legislation.

The argument does not end here, however; smoking, for all its ills, is being vigorously defended by some. The producers of this nefarious product are still benefiting tremendously from cigarette sales, even though many countries have increased the excise tax on the sin good in an effort to prevent the masses form using it. A tactic which has since been successful and should be implemented by our Government.

This heavy taxing of the product has invariably led to economic prosperity for countries as the revenues generated have increased exponentially. There is also the creation of jobs that come with the proliferation of such a business. So, some argue that tobacco is an economic tool for growth especially in developing countries.

While that may be true, empirical information has shown that while revenue earnings have increased with tobacco, significantly more is lost in the health-care sector with Governments spending billions on patient care for tobacco users.

However, there are those who still argue from an economic perspective that the revenues collected from the taxing of cigarettes will be lost if tobacco control legislation is enforced.

They should consider this, according to Health and Wellbeing writer Bryan Clark: “During the first 15 years of the Tobacco Control Programme in California, which cost in the region of US$1.5 billion, the savings made in direct health-care costs amounted to US$86 billion. Read that sentence again.

The US$1.5 billion spent on tobacco control in California has resulted in savings in excess of 60 times that sum. If you wish to make the argument that your smoking is doing good by way of taxes, then think again. During those 15 years, roughly 3.6 billion packets of cigarettes that would otherwise have been smoked were not. The loss in tax revenue amounted to little over US$3 billion, less than three per cent of the total healthcare savings.”

Rehabilitation works on the Kitty Market as seen in this Marceano Narine photo, workers are putting a coat of paint on the roof

Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC is not corrupted!

Dear Editor, Permit me to reply to a letter published in the Guyana Times dated April 26th entitled “Unconstitutional practices at the Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC”. It is ironical that the letter writer Neri Alli is talking about “shameful, unconstitutional acts”, “injustice” and “corrupt practices” at the Kilcoy/ Hampshire NDC when these very acts can be attributed to the illegal processes through which she and her husband were given the said ‘lease’ at Tract MA Block 4, Plantation Kilcoy.

First and foremost, this lease application was never presented to the NDC for approval and even the notice of intended survey was never served on the NDC. Hence, the illegality of this process from the inception. The NDC only became aware of the occupation of this land in March 2016 when the ‘lessees’ commenced activities on the said plot of land. This was brought to the attention of the NDC by the residents of the area. The pertinent question here is: Why did this application and notice of survey never come to the attention of the NDC? The land belongs to the NDC and the application and notice of survey should have been approved by the NDC. This is shameful and unconstitutional! This is corruption!

Secondly, it is gross injustice to deprive the residents of the Kilcoy area the opportunity to acquire house lots in the said area when many of the young married couples with their children are living in congested and deplorable conditions with their parents.

These are poor people who want to own their own homes. This is extreme greediness!

Thirdly, it was the residents who protested the occupation of the said land and it was they who brought it to the attention of the NDC. The residents never supported the project and many of them turned out to protest and it was only after my intervention that they were pacified. I promised to investigate the issue. Another section of the media on April 18, 2016 under the caption, “Corentyne residents protest illegal granting of land to businessman” carried photos and details of the protest.

Fourthly, according to the lease, the lessees should within one year from the date of the commencement of the lease “cultivate and beneficially occupy at least one fifth part of the area of land”.

This lease was purportedly granted by the former President Donald Ramotar, commencing November 17, 2014.

Therefore, the one-year limit should have ended

on November 16, 2015.

The ‘lessee’ by her own admission stated that they started operations “during the last week of May 2016”. This by itself is breaching the terms of the lease.

However, what is more alarming is that on the last page of the lease where the signatories have to affix their signatures, the date of the signing was given as May 14, 2015. The ‘4’ was neatly struck off and a handwritten ‘5’ was written on top. Thus ‘14th May 2014’ became ‘14th May 2015’.

Was this act deliberately done to avoid the penalty clause in the lease agreement?

Furthermore, this clearly would show that the former President could not have granted approval at 14th May when he was no longer the President.

This is in keeping with feedback from the former Attorney General, Mr Anil Nandlall, who when he asked the former President about the said lease denied any knowledge about it! Mr Nandlall also added that the former President can swear to an affidavit to that effect.

This is illegallity!

In view of the foregoing, the Regional Chairman, David Armogan, has advised the Lands and Surveys Commission to revoke the said lease.

Moreover, I served a notice to the ‘lessees’ advis-

ing them to vacate the said land within seven days since they are illegally occupying it. This notice is in accordance with Chapter 28:02 Section 143 of the laws of Guyana and was sent on April 13, 2016 by registered post. Despite this the ‘lessees’ have continued their illegal activities on the said land. Now they are trying to get public sympathy to cover their corrupt practices!

I will not pronounce on the feasibility of the said project since that question does not arise. People should understand that there is a legal process which must be adhered to before any project is started and once that is not done, then the relevant laws must be applied, rich or poor alike.

In closing, I wish to add that there are a few other illegal squatters who are currently engaging the attention of the NDC and at the last Statutory meeting it was decided to serve notices on all of them. They have squatted on huge acreages and this cannot be tolerated. This NDC and its officials are not corrupted and it is not corruption to root out corruption, it is justice! The letter writer is just trying to twist things around!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf Chairman Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC

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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

Sugar: A case for Guyana needs all the help in crime, recidivism possible a loss-leader Dear Editor, I read with interest over the years the debates over the sustainability and viability of the Guyana sugar industry. Firstly, it is clear, on a stand-alone basis, sugar is not a straightline profitable industry.

How could it be with costs running at US$800/tonne and being sold for US$300/ tonne? Clearly, each tonne of sugar contributes negative US$500 to the industry.

Sugar, though loss-making, is a precious hard-currency earner for Guyana; as such, the importance of sugar should be taken in the context of its overall macroeconomic contribution.

Sugar, like any other basic farm commodity, barring a global unplanned shortfall, is destined to remain a lossleader. However, in the case of Guyana (and other developing nations), such loss-leaders are key hardcurrency earners making them critical components of the national development equation.

And this will remain so, until an alternate more profitable forex earner takes its place. Guyana has long been faced with this inversion where this critical forex earner costs more to produce than it sells for in the open market, the viability which was propped by the European pricing model. On the surface, and without much thought, one would cast aside and close the doors as who wants to be making a US$500 loss (current state).

This is true from a micro-economic standpoint, from the perspective of an individual or individual firm. A commercial enterprise would have made a decision based on the optimal allocation of resources and its myopic choices.

The question for Guyana, are there any alternatives for the deployment of the US$800 input costs translating to a higher value

than the US$300 forex revenue? The answer is no.

And bear in mind sometimes, even commercial enterprises entertain the concept of “loss-leaders” where specific products, portfolios or even units are “carried” as they augment the more profitable segments of a portfolio.

Sugar, in the true national sense, is a loss-leader, not by choice but by national necessity – the necessity to earn hard currency. There are no real alternatives to deploying the resources to a more profitable forex-generating venture. Had the sugar industry been in private hands and without price support, it would have likely been closed a long time ago.

Given the industry is in Government hands and the Government enjoys national economic and taxing jurisdiction, this transforms a loss-making industry like sugar into a loss-leader in the general economy.

In looking further at sugar and the Guyana reality, one must consider the US$800 input cost as the end of the cost chain, i.e. it is what it is, US$800.

Furthermore, one must consider, this US$800 as primarily local input costs, such as labour, land, energy (from bio-mass), etc.

There are some imported costs such as depreciation on imported capital equipment, replacement parts and service material, fertilisers and other supplies.

However, given the labour intensiveness and methods employed, the presumption is, most of the costs are locally derived in Guyana Dollars. The value chain for sugar itself is almost fully captured in Guyana.

Packaging and branding could add value, but that presents its own set of challenges. Operational excellence through local input cost optimisation and field output productivity improvements are essential to improving the value proposition on

the cost side.

In a nutshell, there are no easy answers, no cutand-dry solutions to the economic reality of Guyana.

Closing sugar is not an option. As long as Guyana remains a basic commodity agrarian economy, the lossleader model is the only option. As long as it remains an economy dependent on loss-leader products, duties, VAT and other taxes will remain high.

The challenge of any such government is to remain alert, vigilant and discerning in how it generates and consumes its hard currency. Such economies need thoughtful minds and deliberate actions to ensure resources are consumed in ways that create value.

There is little room for wastage and for trial and error.

The Government needs to keep its “eyes on the ball” and understand the interconnectivity of the various components of the economic fabric. The sugar industry is still a critical strand and, as such, flow-back subsidies are part and parcel of that economic model.

Barring a hot commodity like oil at higher world prices than today, the only other hope is to develop the local economy beyond mere basic commodities.

Guyana needs to add verticals and depth to its traditional economy, built on its traditional products.

Guyana needs to leverage the forex earned from the loss-leaders and from windfalls like gold, etc, to invest and create further exportable value from domestic input sources. To do this, Guyana needs cheap and reliable power, good governance and a skilled workforce capable of creating value through differentiated products and services for which customers are willing to pay sustainable prices in the Region or wider markets.

Sincerely, H S Gautam Naraine NY, USA

Dear Editor, I said it in a letter about a year ago and I will say it again. The Ministry of Public Security, perhaps, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection, needs to have someone or a team, go into the Guyana prisons and find out from the inmates why they are becoming so violent. Those who have been arrested for committing these unconscionable crimes should be approached and engaged in some formal Q&A sessions.

The Government, for the sake of the safety of its citizens, needs to know what is driving these criminals to be so violent. We need to know if there are things that can be done to reduce or eliminate these behaviours. It is as though these perpetrators have given up on life. They commit these heinous crimes and then brag about them as if they suspect that there are no consequences for their actions. Or as if their own lives have no meaning. Something is driving these individuals to perpetuate these vicious acts and the administrators of this country need to find out what is happening.

How is it that there are so many guns for hire? What is it about the mood in this country that a young person would be so willing to risk their life and freedom to commit such barbaric acts? As a criminologist, with a passion for Clinical Psychology, I would be very interested in those findings and I am sure that there are other segments of society that will be equally interested. A suicidal person seeks to end their own life. However, over the last 7 to 12 years we have seen in Guyana a blatant desire for our young people to engage in the act of taking other peoples’ lives, either as revenge acts or paid assignments.

What we as a country need to understand from those involved in these behaviours is why has the value placed on life (of others as well as their own) become so insignificant and inconsequential to them?

The security and judi-

cial systems are not designed to deal with the collection of data that will aid in these kinds of research. Therefore, the Government needs to construct and empower an outfit to immediately undertake the challenge of ascertaining the causative factors for these deadly, antisocial behaviours exhibited among our youth.

The research should include demographics – race, parental upbringing, gender, academic level, religion, age, etc.

The research should be conducted by individuals who are trained and experienced in dealing with the nuances of the criminal mind, possessing the disposition to gather truthful answers from the participants. Once a significant amount of data is collected and complied, it should then be released nationally so that stakeholders could sift through the findings to see how they might be able to help. For instance, if the data shows that the offenders are

of a particular age range, or race, or academic status, or if they come from a certain demographic, programmes can then be designed and interventions made with those scientific realities in mind.

Editor, for years, Guyana has been shooting at the crime situation in the dark. A reduction in criminal activities will have to include every possible, conceivable aspect of solutions. Cronyism, incestuous friendships, party affiliations, race and ethnicity will have to be relinquished.

Guyana’s problems – all of them – can be traced to our 50 years of academic braindrain. Therefore, all the help that is needed in Guyana should be welcomed, especially in the area of crime and recidivism.

Pastor Wendell Jeffrey Practical Christianity Ministries

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Foundation

It’s Autism Awareness Month

– we’re lighting it up blue. But which aspects of autism most need more attention?

By Kimberly Stephens

T

he days when “autism” meant little more than “Rain Man” are long gone. Last year, Sesame Street introduced an autistic Muppet.

But autism is even more complex than most people realise. The autistic population is wildly diverse. The genetic and biological underpinnings of autism are infamously heterogeneous.

So as we light it up blue for Autism Awareness Month, which aspects of autism are most in need of more attention?

I canvassed individuals across this community and asked them what they wished received more attention or was better understood. I condensed and edited their responses. The topics covered here aren’t comprehensive; this is certainly only a start. Which aspects of autism do you wish people were more aware of?

The importance of relationships—romance, siblings, & the desire for connection

Alex Plank Founder of WrongPlanet. net and Autism Talk TV, diagnosed with Asperger’s I’ve found that people have a lot of trouble with romantic relationships. On my website [WrongPlanet.net] there’s a forum for love and dating. Constantly I read posts about guys who’ve never been able to go on a date, don’t know how to flirt.

A lot have never even had a kiss. These are guys some-

times in their 30s, 40s even, which to me is pretty tragic considering that everyone wants to have a human connection and that’s a pretty important part of most people’s lives.

Ron Suskind Author of Life, Animated, a memoir about his autistic son Siblings live t h e whole l i f e journey together, from the beginning to the end.

My sons Walter and Owen really grew up in unison. The relationship was formative for each of them, truly formative. It’s often thought about as, here is the person with autism, who is distinct, and the neurotypical person, who is just like everybody else. But they’re not. They’re changed by the experience and I think certainly not in a bad way. That bond, which is indelible, ends up being so defining. There’s an understanding of how powerful the word brother or sister can be, even with all that the world throws out at it and when the hand that some of these folks have been dealt seems to chal-

lenge it—it does and it deepens it. It’s quite beautiful.

Daniel Wendler Author of Improve Your Social Skills, diagnosed with Asperger’s Many people think that because autistic people may lack social skills or become over-

whelmed in social situations, that they don’t care about connecting with others. But I think the desire for intimacy is a human need, not a neurotypical need. An autistic person may need to connect with others differently than a neurotypical person would.

But if more people knew that autistic people can feel lonely, too, I think they might put the effort into finding a way to connect.

Engagement, not sympathy

Yetta Myrick Founder of DC Autism Parents, mother of an autistic son No parent asked for

their child to have autism.

No child you know wants to be facing these challenges on the day to day. But our children are going to have challenges so we need to ensure that they have the best chance possible. Some people might feel like autism is the end of the world, and that’s their right. But by the same token, I’m looking at all the things my child can do. I’m learning from him every day. There’s a good and bad to everything.

These kids, regardless of where they are, all are a gift.

If people really want to help and make changes, you have to learn to treat them like human beings. Feeling sorry for folks is not going to help anything.

Sarah Kane Mother of four autistic children You always feel like you’re not doing enough.

You tell yourself that you’re their mom, you can do this.

But at one point or another, it’s just so much. One person can’t do it on their own. You need help. I love it and appreciate it when people ask if they can help. I don’t take offence to that. Sometimes it’s a huge thing to have someone be like, “Can I help you push your cart while you hold your kid while you’re walking around the store?

Can I hold this kid? Can I help in any way?” It’s really awesome for people not to be scared of us or our children even when the situation looks scary. (Excerpt from psychol-

ogytoday.com)

To be continued

The upside of adolescence – preparing ourselves for successful parenting during the teen years

By Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, MSEd

Be the kind of parent who will know what is going on

Effective monitoring is not about what you ask, it is about what you know. You’ll know what your teen chooses to tell you. Be tellable. The secret to being tellable is to tone down your reactions and choose to be a sounding board that offers guidance when asked. That means turning off your “parent alarm” (“Mom I met this guy.”

“You’re too young to date!!”); dialling down catastrophic thinking (“You got a C-, you’ll never make it!! We’ll move you to a school that knows how to teach!!”); and avoiding overempathising.

Preparation is protection

There is no role more fundamental to parenting than to protect our children.

However, we also know that overprotection can harm them because they will believe we consider them incapable and will never learn to navigate the world. Our challenge is to temper our protective instincts so that we can offer the needed balance of protection and guidance, while allowing life to be an effective teacher. Don’t get me wrong – when safety is at immediate risk, jump in with full protective force. But our job as parents is to set clear boundaries, and then (mostly) get out of the way AFTER we have prepared them with the knowledge about risky behaviours and the social skills to deal with pressures.

(Conclusion)

Failure is an opportunity for growth

Our kids need to experience failure while they are under our watchful eyes. If we treat the stakes as too high now, they’ll suffer later when the consequences of failure are much greater. When young people learn their limitations, they learn the compensations and “work-arounds” they’ll need throughout their lifetimes.

Failure is such a harsh word. It has an unforgiving, finite tone. More appropriate words would be mistakes, missteps, misadventures, or misfortunes; all of which suggest a temporary state.

A first step to becoming comfortable with allowing failure in your children’s lives is to see it as a passing event.

It is sometimes a wake-up call, occasionally devastating, but always an opportunity for growth.

Be a lighthouse

Parenting cannot be approached as a fad where our approaches change like flavours of the month. Too often, parenting ideas are designed to grab headlines.

Often extreme views with no evidence behind them generate the most attention.

Wherever there are extremes, the truth is usually to be found somewhere in the middle. Parenting is about finding the approaches that fit your child’s temperament, needs, and circumstances.

So you shouldn’t hover like a helicopter, but you should watch carefully. You shouldn’t pressure like a tiger mom, but out of respect to your child’s capabilities you should hold him or her to high expectations.

You shouldn’t clear an obstacle free path like a snowplow, but you must look ahead for dangers. You don’t want your children to encounter the world freely with limitless freedoms, but you must understand their ingrained need to forge their own paths successfully.

Lighthouse parenting is rooted in decades of research that show good educational, emotional, and behavioural outcomes of authoritative or balanced parenting.

We should be like lighthouses for our children; beacons of light on a stable shoreline from which they can safely navigate the world. We must make certain that they don’t crash against the rocks; but trust they have the capacity to learn to ride the waves on their own – and prepare them to do so.

Final thought

Remember while it is lovely to have someone always agree with you, it is a blessing to watch somebody you love develop, grow, and mature into his or her own person. (Excerpt from

psychologytoday.com)

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wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Guyana revising Food Based Dietary Guidelines G

overnment is collaborating with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) to revise the Food Based Dietary Guidelines for Guyana.

The objectives of the two-day workshop which commenced on Tuesday at the Cara Lodge Hotel in Georgetown, are to preserve the health and nutrition situation of Guyana; present the findings from the evaluation of the existing food based dietary guidelines; determine priority issues to be addressed, through the revision of the FBDGs; and to establish a national FDBG task force.

FAO’s representative in Guyana, Reuben Robertson said while the Organisation has been widely known for its close association with the agriculture sector, it has over the last four years seen to need to reconfigure and connect with the public Health Ministry and place significant emphasis on food, by ensuring that every-

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings

one, everywhere, has a right and access to good, safe and nutritious food.

This commitment on food and nutrition, he said, has been heightened within recent times. Speaking directly to the representatives of Government Ministries, civil society and agencies, Robertson said each has an

obligation to ensure that the commitments given are achieved.

“All civil society and organisations, we have an obligation to ensure that the commitments are achieved.

We would recognise that we as countries just last year, give a commitment to the Sustainable Development

Goals (one and two), where number two focuses on ensuring that food and nutrition security for all. We have an obligation to work together to ensure that we achieve these objectives,” he said.

FAO, as an international organisation within the UN, is cognisant that nutrition is the mandate of the Public Health Ministry. However, it is too great an issue to be left for the Public Health Ministry alone. He said it requires an inter-ministerial, inter-sectoral collaboration. “... We have to meaningfully address the issues affecting our countries in terms of stunting, malnutrition, undernourishment and the ugly faces of non communicable diseases. We have been promoting good governance of food and nutrition security, it embraces the concept of all institutions, agencies, civil society and Private Sector, working together to achieve a common goal.”

Minister within the

2008 murder of elderly E’bo businessman

Police hunt daughter, 4 others held

A

s Police reopen the investigation into the 2008 murder of East Bank Essequibo (EBE) businessman Habiboodean, four persons have been arrested while law enforcement continues the search for a fifth suspect, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed.

Superintendent Blanhum said that investigators were now seeking the late businessman’s daughter who was a person of interest in the probe. He said despite several visits to her home, she could not have been located.

However, according to Blanhum, the woman has already been blacklisted at all legal ports of entry, and would be promptly arrested if she attempted to flee the country.

The Crime Chief could not say how soon charges would be laid against the suspects.

Dead businessman: Habiboodean

Habiboodean, 77, of Ruby, EBE, died at a hospital after being badly beaten in his home on February 15, 2008.

The businessman’s wife, Bibi Nazeela Habiboodean, now 50, and his former employee, Terry Lewton, 38, of Vergenoegen, EBE, were charged with the murder, but the case was subse-

2 arrested after mining camp heist – gun, ammo found

P

olice in the Mazaruni have arrested two armed bandits who on Sunday evening robbed a gold miner of a large quantity of raw gold after they brutally chopped him about his body.

Police said that the men were arrested Monday evening. The Police said Neil Jordan, 42, a miner of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was at a mining camp at Farback Backdam, Mazaurni, when he was held up by two men who were armed with a

firearm and a cutlass.

During the incident, Jordan was chopped to his body by the men who took away a quantity of raw gold before escaping.

Police responded to the report and managed to intercept the two perpetrators in the Mazaruni area.

Law enforcement recovered an unlicensed 9mm pistol with seven rounds and a cutlass.

The men remain in custody and charges are likely to be laid before the end of the week.

quently dismissed owing to insufficient evidence.

But investigators reopened the cold case following a breakthrough last week when one of the four men arrested for the murder of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife, Bibi Jamila Munir, 69, who were burnt to death in their Good Hope, EBE home said he had knowledge of Habiboodean’s death.

Twenty-eight-yearold Linden Lewis, called “Bullet”, during interrogation, told investigators that he was the hit man behind Habiboodean’s murder.

According to the suspect’s claims, he was hired by the businessman’s daughter who complained that his other relatives had received properties and other assets, while she had received nothing.

The woman reportedly stated that she wanted her

father’s fuel station, his cash in the bank, and assets in Georgetown.

She reportedly promised Lewis $6 million and a house and land to kill her father.

Lewis reportedly told investigators that five persons sat down and planned the elderly man’s murder.

On February 15, 2008, the relative reportedly helped Lewis to gain access to Habiboodean’s house.

The man said he was confronted by the businessman who asked him “What you doing here?”

Lewis reportedly informed the businessman that he was sent by his (Habiboodean’s) daughter to kill him and began beating the elderly man with a piece of wood.

Lewis said that he never received what was promised to him, but instead he was given $5000 “to go into the bush”.

FAO’s representative in Guyana, Reuben Robertson

Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings said Government, through her Ministry, is committed to seeing Guyanese eat healthily. According to Dr Cummings, essential to enjoying the good life, is being fit and healthy enough to enjoy it to the best of your ability.

“Therefore, as a Government and a Ministry, we have placed great emphasis on nutrition and are committed and determined to ensuring that every Guyanese, not only understand the importance of eating healthy, but recognise that it is vital to practice healthy eating on a daily basis.

Giving an overview of the exercise, FAO’s Regional Consultant, Dr Pauline Samuda said back in 1992, the FAO along with the World Health Organisation (WHO) established the World Declaration and Plan of Action for Nutrition and called upon Governments to promote appropriate diets and healthy lifestyles.

Later in 1996, 180 countries approved the Rome Declaration on World Food Security. She said the UN and Governments across the world had declared that all people have a right to a nutritionally adequate diet at all times.

Dr Cummings advanced her discussion, relating the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and productive life. This, she said, include growth and development, energy production and the maintenance of cellular and muscular integrity.

While, underscoring the importance of nutrition and FBDGs, Samuda also pointed out that the Guidelines vary from country to country. In Guyana, the process for developing FBDGs began in 2002 and were finalised and launched in 2004.

The process which was spearheaded by the Food Policy Division of the Health Ministry and assisted by a multisectoral Task Force, also received support from the Pan American Health Organisation.

8 news

wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Woman charged for threatening Eyew tness President Granger – lawyer claims client is “technologically challenged”

A

n East Bank Essequibo woman who allegedly used Facebook to issue threatening and derogatory statements against President David Granger was on Tuesday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Bibi Safoora Salim pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on $200,000 bail.

The 52-year-old mother of three, who hails from Vergenoegen, East Bank, Essequibo, was taken into Police custody for questioning following her Facebook post about shooting the President.

She was represented by

President David Granger

Attorney Euclin Gomes, who told the court that his client was “technologically challenged”.

This claim was however challenged by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers who strongly objected to

bail and told the court that Salim admitted in a statement to the Police to being the owner of the laptop which she used a password to access the said account.

He also objected to bail on the grounds of the serious nature of the offence, threats posed, and the racial remarks that were used on social media against the President.

Salim reportedly sent two photos via whatsapp messenger to her son, which shared similar messages.

According to Prosecutor Jeffers, the case files are completed and some 14 eyewitnesses are slated to testify in the trial, which is said to commence on

S

Bibi Safora Salim

May 11.

Salim was charged for attempting to excite hostility on the grounds of race contrary to Section 2 (1) (C) of the Racial Hostility Act Chapter 23:01 of the Criminal Offences Act.

“Passa Passa” granted bail for theft – sings for Magistrate in Court

A

Lethem man was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of $35,000 when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with larceny.

Thirty-three-year-old Dexter Rosmay, called “Passa Passa” pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 19 at Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, he stole from Nafraz Shamsudeen one gold band valued $125,000

and $93,000 in cash.

In Court on Tuesday, the defendant said that he was an upcoming music artiste who was well-known within the Lethem community.

When Chief Magistrate McLennan asked him to sing one of his songs to ver-

ify his claims, he complied.

He was ordered to report every Friday to the Lethem Police Station until his next court appearance on May 30.

The matter was transferred to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

Richmond man jailed for escaping from custody

T

wenty-seven-yearold Ravindra Singh, of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was jailed for six months after he pleaded guilty to

a charge of escaping from lawful custody.

He made his appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

The charge stated that on April 21, 2016 while in Police custody, he escaped from the Anna Regina Police Station.

The prosecution said

Different rules...

that Singh had been arrested on an assault charge when he escaped from the station.

He was recaptured on April 22, 2016 by Police.

...for the plebes

cott Fitzgerald supposedly confided to Ernest Hemingway that the rich are different from the poor.

To which the paragon of brevity retorted, “Yes...they have more money!” Well, the biggest revelation from the Panama Papers is the rich don’t only have more money – they get to keep it by making the rules. While you and I have to cough it up to the Government as taxes.

For years Guyana’s been dragged over the coals by the FATF for not doing what they demanded on “Money Laundering”. We’ve been threatened with “blacklisting”, placed on a list with “rogue states” and had our international financial transactions slowed down. And all this because we – an economy with barely a GDP of US$3B for our entire 800,000 citizens – were placing the world financial system at risk!! And as soon as Parliament reconvenes, we’ve been ordered to tweak our AML/CTF legislation once again.

In the meantime, Oxfam’s just announced US corporations have secreted US$1.4 trillion in “tax havens”.

That’s TRILLIONS, FOLKS’! One thousand billion is one trillion – 1,000,000,000,000!! . And in US dollars! Technology giant Apple, the world’s second biggest company, topped Oxfam’s league table, with some US$181 billion held offshore.

Microsoft just has US$104 billion!! But don’t worry folks... that’s not “money laundering”.

Why? This trillion-plus stash’s been moved around like the fella who plays three card monte and dared you to guess which one is the King. Well, in international finance, we don’t have to guess – the rich are all “the King”. And it’s not just the Americans. There were Billions stashed away

by Latin American drug lords, Russian big wigs, Hong Kong business whizzes, Middle East potentates and Israel arms dealers.

Marx’s been vindicated by the Panama Papers. Even though they mightn’t know each other, the rich of the world do form a CLASS. And that makes the rest of us – countries and people – all peons. And forget all the media sturm and drang...nothing’s gonna be done with the real big fishes. Cause the rich folks with those secret accounts make the rules of the game.

Over here, businessmen are about to be burnt at the stakes for lobbying for their companies. Over in the States, OFFICIALLY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS for the fellas owning that US$1.4 Trillion spent billions to lobby the American Government to favour their companies. Just 50 corporations shelled out US$2.8 billion between 2008 and 2014 lobbying Govt officials. So that’s OK...it’s LEGAL. And don’t think only the rich countries are hurt by the tax dodge/money laundering by the corporations. Nokia evaded US$2 billion in taxes to India.

Which coulda fed millions of those children they parade on TV!

...for inside folks

We still don’t know “who” spent “what” for the D’Urban Park monument to the Jubilee Big Bash. But with the Government pumping in $150 million just to complete the 50 per cent or so that’s still to go, it means that at least $150 million has already been spent. By whom? Well, all sorts of names are floating around...but it gotta be some contractor or the other “lobbying” in the tradition described above.

These contractors, for whatever reason (objections from on high?) have definitely walked off the job. What to do to save the honour of our fair country? Well, Prezzie called in the Public Infrastructure Ministry, but it seemed the goodly Minister buckled under the pressure – just like some of the wooden stands! Prezzie was then forced to send in the Army to complete the job.

It was just like when Prezzie was a young soldier and the Army had to save GuySuCo from the GAWU strikers!

...for Nagamootoo?

Poor Prezzie must be paraphrasing Henry II of yore, “Will no one rid me of this troublesome Prime Minister?”

As he wonders whether it was worth it to give the AFC 40 per cent of the Ministries – and the PM. How dare he and his shill identify military fellas in Government as an “independent political force”. Was he taking lessons from Luncheon?

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

news

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wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

PCA Chairman blasts Region 2 Police for neglecting duties

By Indrawattie Natram

R

etired Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Cecil Kennard has noted with great concern, reports that law enforcement from G Division (Essequibo CoastIslands) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is neglecting its duties and officers are not acting on reports as soon as they are made.

The former Judge, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times after his recent two-day visit to the region, said there is a high prevalence of officers

PCA Chairman Cecil Kennard

neglecting their duties, and he will intervene in same.

The PCA Chairman had visited Region Two on

Friday and Saturday last as part of his outreach to interact with citizens at the grassroots level and well as officers of the Force.

On Friday, the retired Chancellor met with officers from the G Division, where he spoke to them about the roles and responsibilities and conduct as Police Officers. During his address, he commended the efforts of the officers but called upon them to give more for the safety of persons living within the region.

He reminded them that they have a role to protect the citizenry and should do so with determination and much courage. He also

Alexander Street shooting

Gunman slapped with murder charge

T

he man who allegedly shot and killed Wakennaam businessman Mahendra Persaud was on Tuesday slapped with a murder charge when he appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Raul Vera was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which stated that on April 19, at Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown he murdered 26-year-old Persaud during the course of a robbery.

Magistrate Fabayo Azore adjourned and transferred the matter for reports and fixtures until May 16.

According to reports, Persaud who would usually travel to Georgetown to purchase goods for his family’s

Murder accused, Raul Vera

Murdered: Mahendra Persaud

business was about to enter a store to transact business at about 11:00h, when he was pounced on by a gunman who demanded that he hand over his money.

Persaud resisted the

bandit’s attempt to relieve him of the bag he was carrying and was shot once to his chest.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he subsequently died.

reminded that no person should be detained beyond 72 hours at any Police station and at no time should motor vehicles be detained over the weekend without good reason.

In addition, he implored officers to exercise patience and to be courteous to the public at all times. He was also concerned about persons having to visit the station for follow-ups; instead he suggested that the officers should give constant feedback to persons inquiring.

The PCA Chairman also noted that no Police Officer has the authority to take away any document or driver’s licence from a motorist.

Kennard’s visit concluded with him interacting with residents of Essequibo in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council on Saturday evening. He said while there, he met with over 30 residents who voiced their

concerns. One prevalent concern, he noted, was neglect of Police duties – an issue he intends to address. Many persons also complained about Police Officers not fully identifying themselves when taking reports or investigating a crime. The Chairman promised to follow up on

same and hailed his trip to Essequibo as successful. He also commended the efforts of the Regional Chairman and the Regional Executive Officer for making his trip comfortable. His next visits are schedule for New Lethem, Amsterdam, Madhia and Port Kaituma in the coming months.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, april 27, 2016

News

Conduct of NA Hospital CEO “unacceptable” ... “let the doctor make a report to the Police Station” – Health Minister

By Ramona Luthi

A

fter it was brought to light that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Amsterdam Hospital, Berbice has allegedly been physically abusive towards a doctor of the facility, Health Minister, Dr George Norton has advised that the doctor report the matter to Police.

“I would advise the doctor to report the matter to the police station, as I would hope that anybody that is abused does. Let him make a report at the station. If the doctor wants, he can address the letter to me and I would investigate. I have no problem with that. We cannot uphold anyone abusing others. It’s totally unacceptable,” Dr Norton said.

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Health Committee Chairman Haseef Yusuf, in a letter published in Guyana Times on April 14, 2016, stated that the New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice has ‘’a matador who intends to ensure that everyone, from administrators to doctors to

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

nurses is not spared of his vicious onslaught’’. He indicated that the CEO of the medical facility has been using the health institution as a coliseum to target the employees.

According to the letter, there have been several complaints issued against the CEO who is reportedly not only verbally abusive, but, of late, physically abusive. He has allegedly said that the facility belonged to him, in the midst of heaving his insults at patients, employees and sundry in a

boisterous tone.

It was explained that on April 6, 2016, Dr S Alli, who was attending to three patients in the Emergency Unit during the afternoon session, went to the laboratory to uplift lab results for one of the patients. He was then approached by the CEO who reportedly “boorishly” enquired about his business in the room. When Dr Alli stated his reason for being in the lab, the executive hurled abuse at him and took him to the Medical Superintendent. After the issue was heard, the Medical Superintendent explained to the CEO that it was not peculiar for the doctors to collect lab reports in emergency cases. The CEO, not satisfied, stormed out of the office with Dr Alli behind him.

The doctor then enquired from the CEO if he had any problem with him, and this reportedly further angered the executive, who allegedly pushed Dr Alli against the wall and waved his fingers in the doctor’s face, before asking if he wanted to know what the problem was.

Dr Alli immediately

made a verbal report to the Medical Superintendent who advised him to submit a written complaint to her.

Yusuf also posited that a formal complaint was made

by Dr Alli to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on April 22, during the Ministry of the Presidency Outreach Programme at State House in New Amsterdam. The Minister assured him that the matter would be dealt with accordingly.

Yusuf further stated that it was at the said outreach that Alli met with him and relayed the incident, accompanied by many medical staff of the Hospital who felt strongly about the matter and empathised with him since they were recipients of verbal abuse from the CEO, but had not spoken out in fear of victimisation.

A complaint was also made by Dr Alli to the Director of Health Services, Jevaughn Stephens, who advised him to send his complaint in writing.

In his letter, Yusuf said that he was “calling for a Commission of Inquiry to be held for this incident”.

Parents protest conditions at Mocha Nursery

I

n the wake of the protest by parents of Mocha Nursery School pupils

over the unsatisfactory conditions, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam has said

he has not received a report on the incident.

The Education Ministry

official made the disclosure and declined to further comment when contacted by Guyana Times about what mechanisms were being put in place to rectify the situation.

A crowd of parents and guardians as well as other residents of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara began their protest on Monday outside the Nursery School, forcing its temporary closure. Equipped with placards, the demonstrators pleaded with Government to acknowledge their concerns about the hazardous and sordid conditions pupils were forced to endure on a daily basis.

Parents highlighted that their complaints have

What “intimidation”?

S

atiricus was never surprised by the mud thrown at his favourite politician, Nagga Man. That came with the territory, Satiricus figured. For a fellow like himself without much wattage upstairs, folks just assumed he didn’t know what he was doing and didn’t even bother to comment. But with a brain-box like Nagga Man, they were always imputing negative motives to his actions. For some reason which Satiricus couldn’t fathom, they figured he was a “smart fly”.

Take this latest accusation that Nagga Man was INTIMIDATING the folks running Chronic – the People’s Paper. What stuff and nonsense!! Nagga Man was such a sweetheart...how could he possibly INTIMIDATE anyone?

But Satiricus knew exactly when the whole rigmarole started. It was when that Chronic cub reporter had filed a story “Govt bludgeoned the Opposition”. All Nagga Man did when he ran into the reporter (NOT “ran down” the reporter, as the gutter press reported snidely) in the corridors of power, was to tell him gently the headline should rather have been, “Government blundered against the Opposition”.

Now, Nagga Man didn’t have to do this...he could’ve let the reporter be ridiculed. But as a onetime journalist, out of the kindness of his heart, he volunteered to help the young man. Unlike 60 years ago when he’d come to town from Berb Ice and no one lent him a helping hand. But not used to such generosity of spirit, the press immediately claimed Nagga Man was “berating” the reporter.

In the media feeding frenzy that followed, Nagga Man merely explained “guvnment” owned the Chronic.

Satiricus was still amazed how the press persecuted Nagga Man for not saying “state owned”. Nagga Man was a man of the people...a son of the soil, as anyone looking under his nails could tell. What do the people know about “state” and “guvment”? They were more worried about the state of the guvment.

And now this latest accusation Nagga Man was “intimidating” the Chronic staff when he and his shill met them weekly. Here again, it was all because no one appreciated the kindness of Nagga Man. He could’ve easily had the Board meet the editors – it was their job. But he wanted to pass on his wisdom as a son of the soil (not “soiled son”, as some said) to the new editors since the old ones had all retired.

How could that be “intimidation”? It wasn’t as if he hinted they too might be retired.

dangerous creatures. They related that on numerous occasions, the pupils would complain of snakes in the

One resident who identified herself as Cathy George maintained that a new nursery school was needed giv-

lavatory. Other persons expressed dissatisfaction over the insanitary conditions of the toilets.

Although complaints were made about the issue, they reportedly “fell on deaf ears” as nothing was ever done.

en the current state of the school and the increased population of the community.

When this publication visited the school on Tuesday, the teachers had locked the doors and windows and refused to provide any information.

The Mocha Nursery School

gone unheeded over the years and they could no longer accept what their children were forced to experience. They said the school’s shaky, rotting structure was cause for worry in addition to the overgrown grass in the schoolyard which harboured snakes and other

wednesDay, APRIL 27, 2016

guyana-times.com

11

News

Homeless man crushed New Gaming Authority Board gets Cabinet approval to death by truck G

By Kizzy Coleman

A

homeless man was tragically killed on Tuesday afternoon when he was crushed to death by a container truck at Sheriff and Garnett Streets.

The dead man, who was said to be in his late 30s, has been identified only as Michael, also called “Jail Boy” of Tiger Bay, Georgetown.

According to reports, around 15:00h, the man was attempting to retrieve a bottle of drink which had slipped out of his hand and rolled under a container truck that had stopped at the traffic light, unbeknownst to the driver.

When the light turned green and the vehicle began moving, his head was crushed in the process.

“The container [truck] was in traffic when the man was crossing Sheriff Street. The bottle of drink which he had in his hand fell and rolled under the container. He was trying to get the drink before the container started to move, but the man (the driver) didn’t see him under there so when the traffic light turned green, the man started to drive and crushed him,” an eyewitness related.

The woman explained that after the driver of the container truck became aware of what had occurred, he stopped and exited his vehicle, looked at the dead man, re-entered his vehicle and drove off.

Another woman who saw

The dead man lying on the road

what transpired explained that just minutes before the incident, she was having a conversation with the man who left to buy a bottle of drink.

“I was just speaking with him; he was joking with me, telling me that he bought bread and that he would share it with me, but only if I buy the drink. Anyway, he left to go buy his drink and by the time I go inside that store and came out back, I saw him lying on the road with his head smashed in,” the woman said in disbelief.

Also speaking with this publication, an employer of the now dead man disclosed that he was released from prison just four days ago.

He noted that the man was well-known on Main Street, Georgetown and he would always have tools in his hands, ready to work.

He stated that he mainly employed the man as a

handyman to do work around his place of business occasionally.

The businessman related that for the many years that he had known the man, he never spoke of any relative.

He added that it was customary for Police Officers to collect Michael during parades and lock him up.

“He would serve his time and then come out back.

People call him “Jail Boy” because he would always have on jail clothes.”

When Guyana Times visited the scene of the accident, the man was lying in the middle of the street with his entire face smashed.

The bottle of drink he was attempting to retrieve was seen on the road next to him.

Up to press time, it was unclear if the driver of the container truck had been arrested.

An investigation into the matter has been launched.

overnment has given its approval to a new Gaming Authority of Guyana which convened its first official meeting on Tuesday. The members of the new Board include Roysdale Forde, who will serve as Chairman; Christine King; George Vaughn; and Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

The group during the meeting pledged to fulfil the mandate which has been assigned to them. They also committed to ensuring that their operations are conducted in a manner that is fair, transparent and which adheres to the laws, rules and regulations which governs the Authority.

The Gaming Authority of Guyana is a statutory body established under the Gambling Prevention Act of Guyana and is vested with the power to regulate Casino operations in the country.

The new members will serve for a period of two years, with effect from March 1, 2016, to

February 28, 2018.

The Authority was established in December 2008 under Section 32 (1) C of the Gaming Prevention Amendment Act, and is responsible for the issuance of licences under Section 32 of the Act; the monitoring of casino operations here; the administration of regulations made under the act and advising the Minister with respect to the administration of the regulations or any other relevant matter.

In February 2009, the Gaming Authority issued a premises licence to Georgetown Investment and Management Services Inc for the establishment of a casino and an operator’s licence to the former Princess Hotel Casino. The Gambling Prevention Law amended in 2007 allows only registered guests of the hotel and overseas nationals to be patrons of the casino. There has over the years been widespread objection to the legislation

from members of the religious community, who argued that there are serious societal ills connected with gambling.

It was said that having such a facility here could lead to economic ruin. The Act states that contravention or failure to comply with the regulations will result in conviction and could lead to fines of not less than $1 million or more than $20 million, and imprisonment for terms of not less than six months or more than two years. The legislation allows for the issuance of casino premises licences to a new hotel or resort complex with a minimum of 150 rooms ideal for accommodation.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo had said at the opening of the Princess Casino that while he was not in support of gambling, he believes that Guyanese need to be able to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of choice.

12 news

wednesDay, APRIL 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

GTT launches Independence Night mega concert ... investing significantly in independence celebration – CCO

W

ith the golden jubilee anniversary activities already on the roll, GTT once again has indicated its support, this time with the hosting of its Independence Mega Concert slated for May 26 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

During a briefing of the event on Tuesday, the company announced the details of the concert which is anticipated to be a major highlight of the independence celebration.

Speaking at the launching event, Chief Commercial Officer of GTT, Gert Post, expressed how elated the company is to be such an active supporter of the events that will highlight Guyana’s accomplishment of thriving as an independent nation for the past 50 years.

Post made it clear during the briefing, that the company’s role in the events leading up to the celebration is primarily to give back to the country as it marks 50 years, noting that “we only turn 50 once.”

Being one of the largest concerts to highlight the anniversary, a number

of local, regional and international artistes are set to take the stage “by storm”, making it a monumental night and much so, anniversary.

Post disclosed that the top artiste of the night would be renowned US hit artiste Sean Kingston, who definitely will be a top attraction for the show.

In addition, coming in from the Region are chutney sensation, Ravi

B; along with Jamaica’s young and upcoming artiste, Vershon; and soca ‘phenomenal’ Bunji Garlin.

Meanwhile, form Guyana’s own array of artistes – Jackie Jaxx, Natural Black and Jumo have been confirmed as performing artistes for the mega concert.

With the aim of giving back to its customers, the company will additionally be offering special pack-

ages for persons purchasing tickets at GTT’s stores countrywide.

Post informed that since the venue is set to hold over 20,000 persons, the company will be rewarding the public domain for just supporting the initiative.

He said that persons purchasing tickets at the price of $2000 and are on the ‘blue network’ will receive a complimentary onemonth data plan or Top Up of $2000 which would be valid for seven days.

Even those who are not part of the network will receive a complimentary SIM card in addition to onemonth data plan.

Special rates also exist for persons shopping at GTT’s stores for smartphones over the next few weeks leading up the concert.

Commenting on what is the dollar figure attached to all the contributions that the company is making to the celebrations, Post said that the “company is investing significantly” in pulling off the activities.

He however clarified that the company has gotten on board since it has recognised how monumental the celebration is and what great impact it would make on the country’s economy.

Post assured that GTT will continue to support the Government in any way possible to make Independence 2016 a remarkable one that would be etched in the country’s history.

Over the past few weeks, GTT had made a contribution of $1 million for the four nights of fashion extravaganza, as well as $2 million for GuyExpo.

Keeping it real Indian Arrival Day

I

ndian Arrival Day is a special day for Indians in this country. As Ryhaan Shah reminded us, it was the determined efforts of members of ROAR and GIHA who lobbied a reluctant government to set aside a special day in recognition for Indians and to pay tribute to their contributions to the development of Guyana. There were many opponents to such a demand. While ignoring the Dr Baytoram Ramharack fact that other major ethnic groups have had their own day (or month) of recognition, the PPP bowed to pressure and declared what was to become known as “Arrival Day” in 2004. They were deliberate in their intention to drop the word “Indian” from Indian Arrival Day. As they say, that is now history. Indians will be celebrating Indian Arrival Day on May 5th.

When Indian Arrival Day is celebrated, Indians remember the occasion that marked the arrival of the first two indentured Indian cargo ships to the New World, the Whitby and the Hesperus. As they embarked on a journey across the “kalapani”, they unwittingly became part of the “Gladstone experiment” that was designed to keep the sugar economy profitable for the plantation owners.

The Whitby sailed from Calcutta on January 13, 1838 with 249 Indian immigrants, and after a voyage of 112 days, arrived in the British colony on May 5. Five Indians died on the voyage before arriving at their destination. The ship immediately sailed to Berbice where 164 immigrants were recruited by the Highbury and Waterloo plantations. The Whitby returned to Demerara and between May 14 and 16, the remaining 80 immigrants disembarked and were taken to Belle Vue Estate. Out of a total of 244 Indians who arrived on the Whitby, there were 233 men, 5 women and 6 children.

(Dwarka Nath has compiled a remarkable record of Indian achievement in the country).

The second ship, the Hesperus left Calcutta on January 29, 1838 with 165 passengers and arrived in the colony late on the night of May 5, the same day as the Whitby, with the loss of 13 Indian immigrants who died on board. The remaining 135 men, 6 women and 11 children were distributed between May 8 and 10 to the Vreedestein, Vreed-en-Hoop and Anna Regina sugar plantations. This year marks 178 years since the first generation of Indians landed in Guyana.

But we should be clear about what the celebration entails. It is not only a celebration of Indian arrival or the adverse social and economic conditions and hardships Indians experienced under indentureship between 1838 and 1917. It is more of a celebration of their ability to overcome the many challenges they faced in the country.

Among those Indians who came to Guyana were labourers with many skills including those skilled in pottery, jewellery and tailoring. There were Christians, Muslims and Hindus, all of whom brought their religious beliefs and cultural values that contributed to the rich cultural mosaic of Guyana.

Economically, they helped to develop the economy of the colony by keeping the sugar and rice industries afloat. As independent entrepreneurs today, Indians have contributed in large part to the development of the Guyanese economy.

To quote the Barbadian writer, George Lamming, “...those Indian hands – whether in British Guiana or Trinidad, have fed us all. They are, perhaps, our only jewels of a true native thrift and industry. They have taught us by example the value of money; for they respect money as the only people with a high sense of communal responsibility can.”

Adaptation has not been easy for Indians in the colony.

Seen as interlopers, recalcitrant and as transient migrants who did not belong in the ecumene, Indians were forced to defend their reason for existence and they had to deal with every stereotype that was thrown at them. The one stereotype which brands Indians as thrifty and wealthy seems to linger on. Resentment against Indians continues in places like Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname because they have a keen desire to use their entrepreneurial skills to improve themselves.

Today, the Indian community in Guyana is facing many social, political and economic challenges, some old and some new, as they struggle to secure their rightful place in Guyanese society.

Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com

News

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wednesDay, APRIL 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Occupational Health and Safety Month

Ministry of the Presidency hosts health fair

T

he Ministry of the Presidency in collaboration with a number of agencies hosted a mini-health fair for employees, as part of observances for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Month.

From mid-afternoon over the last two Fridays, inter-departmental sessions were held at the Training Division of the Department of Public Service and in

the Ministry’s compound where staff competed for prizes for their various departments. At the Ministry, staffers competed in board games such as Chinese checkers, dominoes and a few childhood favourites like hopscotch and Chinese skipping as well as karaoke, in fulfilment of the ‘stress relief’ aspect of the programme.

All of the activities were done in an effort to moti-

vate and boost staff morale and to assure them of management’s concern for their health and well-being.

This year, OHS Month is being observed under the theme, “Workplace Stress: A Collective Challenge”.

The Ministry collaborated with the Public Health Ministry, the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) and DaSilva’s Optical Service to host the event.

Monk visits Guyana to establish yoga society

M

onk Acharya Siddeshvaranana from the Ananda Marga Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) is visiting Guyana after five years to establish a centre for the Ananda Marga Yoga Society Guyana branch.

Siddeshvaranana disclosed he was happy about the construction of a facility to accommodate members instead of having them use various locations to host their meetings. The NGO is focused mainly on yoga, meditation, chanting, mysticism and charity.

Ananda Marga Yoga Society Guyana aims to help the Guyanese population through a variety of voluntary programmes. It plans to visit schools and educate students and teachers on the benefits of yoga and meditation.

Siddeshvaranana has toured a number of other South American countries, including Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil, lend-

Monk Acharya Siddeshvaranana

ing his assistance to the people.

“I just want to help people in this time where things are really heard and frustrating,” he told this newspaper. According to the Monk, “I am here watering seedlings while the land is fertile.”

The Ananda Marga NGO disclosed that the goal was to make the world a better place, a prosperous one with opportunities for all, and to bring people upon a common platform of unity, love and multifaceted talents.

It said meditation was tested at the Stanford University by Dr James Corby and was found to be one of the most powerful forces in time.

“In many places of the world, people have enjoyed a multicultural, rich and diverse experience by incorporating Ananda Marga style of yoga in their own traditions,” the group noted.

An employee of the Ministry of the Presidency having her eyes tested

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guyana-times.com

wednesDay, april 27, 2016

News

Armed bandits 14,500 students to sit National invade Corentyne Grade Six Assessment today businessman’s home – escape with cash, jewellery

The Belvedere house that was invaded

A

Corentyne, Berbice family is left traumatised after a group of heavily armed bandits invaded their home and carted off with some $2.5 million in cash and a quantity of jewellery on Monday evening.

Bandits carrying guns and knives invaded the home of businessman Agbar Ali located at Lot 16 King Street, Belvedere,

time of the invasion, the house was well lit and an unoccupied building next door was also lit.

“We hear the dog bark like somebody pelt the dog so we watch over by the verandah but didn’t see anything but the dog keep barking at the back. My brother was in the bedroom and all awe deh outside. So we sit and after we hear the dog

Businessman Agbar Ali

Corentyne, Berbice.

Reports are that six persons were at home when the men jumped into the verandah of the house and committed the robbery.

Bibi Sherina Ali, who was at home at the time of the robbery, said when she noticed that the home was being invaded, she and a daughter quickly locked themselves in a bedroom.

The woman said at the

bark, we decide to go inside so as we about to close the door I see somebody jump on the verandah at the side. He say don’t move; he get a gun and a knife,” the woman explained.

She said that despite the warning, they started screaming as they ran into one of the bedrooms. “I go in the front room and the rest of the family go to the back room and he tell them don’t

holla or he gon shoot, and after we stop holla, dem attack me brother inside the bedroom,” the woman recounted.

Another family member reported that she and two others were taken into a bedroom by one of the men who was armed with a gun and a knife and told to be quiet, while Ali said one of the men held him at gunpoint and demanded money.

The haberdashery huckster said he first heard his sister and uncle screaming.

“After the screaming I hear a funny voice and then about two or three seconds I see a man inside my room masked, he says, “bring the money, don’t hollar.” I open the ‘chess’ (vault) took out $2.5 million and he left.

Soon after the Police came, we called Whim [Police station] and they send the patrol.”

The invasion lasted about three minutes.

According to the businessman, he only saw one of the men. His sister said she saw another one.

Some neighbours say they saw the men entering the home. No one has been arrested, but Police say they are continuing their investigations.

According to Ali, the money was acquired from sales over a period of time and he made arrangements to make a payment on his car and also to pay some of his suppliers on Tuesday.

Over the past few weeks there have been a series of robberies along the lower Corentyne, with the most daring being the invasion of a house situated opposite the Albion Police Station on March 13. On April 10, a man was killed when bandits invaded his home at Topu.

There have also been other home invasions at Belvedere, Port Mourant, Ankerville, Hampshire and Rose Hall Town.

S

ome 14,500 Grade Six students across Guyana will sit the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations today and tomorrow.

In a statement on Tuesday, Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has urged the students to remain optimistic during the course of the examinations. He reminded them to maintain a focused and relaxed mind which would be beneficial throughout the exams.

“If you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths. Pace yourself, don’t rush. Read the question and pay attention to all the details looking for key words in every question to help you to understand and answer what is being asked of you,” the Minister advised the students.

He also took the time to reinforce standard regulations regarding examinations, including punctuality at all times. Students were additionally reminded to walk with their timetables to all four examinations and to carefully read

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

through the papers before attempting to answer any questions right after signing their candidate number on all sheets.

The use of cellular and electronic devices is prohibited and students found with them can be disallowed from completing the NGSA. Across the Caribbean, Grade Six students will be sitting four subjects: English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

The English and Science exams are today, and Mathematics and Social Studies, the following day.

Though the regulations

remain the same in terms of sitting the exams, there have been many changes administratively that have gotten public criticism over the past weeks.

Much argument had arisen recently after the Education Ministry made the announcement that candidates would now be required to include their names on the provided answer sheets as opposed to only the candidate number.

Roopnaraine had said that this decision was taken solely to authorise that the candidate whose name was printed on the answer sheets was actually the one who had written the exam.

He said that this can be confirmed by the candidate’s signature.

The Minister had noted that the part of the paper bearing the candidate’s information would be detached prior to marking and kept for administrative purposes, which would ensure that the process was transparent.

These changes, officials reassured, would in no way hinder the standardised method of marking.

Telecoms Bill to be tabled by May month-end – Minister Hughes

T

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

he long-awaited Telecommunications Bill will soon be tabled in the National Assembly. This comes after months of consultations with many of the relevant stakeholders.

In a recent interview, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes related to the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the date was still being finalised and should be completed before May 31.

“There were extensive discussions, so what we want to do is to bring the legislation to the Parliament as soon as we can, and we are working on that. I do not have a date yet, but I would envision it would be

probably before the end of May,” Hughes pointed out.

Once this Bill is passed, it is expected that it will specifically address the expansion of telecommunications services to remote areas. The Minister, however, pointed out that final adjustments were being made to the Bill by way of consultations with telecoms companies GTT and Digicel Guyana.

It was noted that passage of the Bill would “allow Guyanese the opportunity to enjoy better telecommunications services, and wider and faster Internet bandwidth”.

Hughes also noted that the Public Telecommunications Ministry was working with

the telecommunications service providers to deliver enhanced services for visitors for the Jubilee celebrations. The Minister also told GINA that many people have already indicated that they were coming to celebrate Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary, so there is a need to make them comfortable.

“We are working with the telecommunications companies to ensure that visitors are able to use their phones and will be able to have the technical support that they require,” she added.

It was further posited that the Bill is being crafted to “build a competitive system in the telecommunications sector, and is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers”.

To this end, it will provide for “an open, liberalised sector that will attract new markets and investors”.

The Telecommunications Bill was introduced in 2011 and revised in 2013 in the 10th Parliament. In 2015, Government had given approval for two legal consultants to be hired to finetune and make adjustments to the Bill.

wednesDAY, april 27, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

Dozens of civilians South Sudan peace killed in Syria’s boost as rebel returns Aleppo attacks S A outh Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar has been sworn in as Vice President in a boost for a peace deal aimed at ending more than two years of conflict.

He returned earlier to the capital, Juba, to take the post in a new unity government led by President Salva Kiir.

Tens of thousands have been killed and about two million people left homeless in the conflict in South Sudan, which became independent in 2011.

Machar fled Juba at the start of the civil war in December 2013.

He had been accused of trying to organise a coup,

President Salva Kiir (right) welcomed the return of Riek Machar (left) to the capital

which he denied –- but it set off a round of tit-for-tat killings, which developed into a full-blown conflict.

Both men, whose personal falling out resulted in more than two years of bitter conflict in the world’s

The amendment was proposed by the Opposition, which won control of the legislature last year.

The Opposition has tried various means to oust Maduro, including constitutional reform and a referendum.

In its judgment, the

Supreme Court ruled that the proposed amendment was constitutional, but could not be applied retroactively.

Members of the Opposition have expressed frustration at what they say are stalling tactics from the Government.

Maduro, 53, replaced

youngest nation, spoke optimistically about the future, addressing the media at the swearing-in ceremony. (Excerpt

t least 35 people, including eight children and five rescue workers, have been killed in the Syrian city of Aleppo and its outskirts in attacks carried out by the Government forces and the rebels, a monitoring group says.

The rebel shelling killed at least 19 people and the Government air strikes killed at least 11 on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Five civil defence workers – known as the “White Helmets” –- were also killed by the air strikes and a rock-

et attack on their centre in a separate incident in the rebel-held town of Atarib, on the outskirts of Aleppo.

The Observatory and Civil Defence colleagues said the attack appeared to have deliberately targeted them.

“The targeting was very precise,” Radi Saad, a civil defence worker, told the Reuters news agency. “They were in the centre and ready to respond. When they heard warplanes in the area they did not think they would be the target.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Qatari bank Top Venezuela court blocks bid to investigates reports cut President Maduro’s term of massive data leak

V

enezuela’s Supreme Court has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to cut President Nicolàs Maduro’s term from six to four years.

The court ruled that the amendment could not be applied retroactively to Maduro’s current term.

from BBC News)

Hugo Chávez in 2013, but his popularity has since fallen as the country battles recession.

According to Venezuelan law, leaders can be recalled halfway through their term by a popular referendum.

Maduro’s six-year term reached its midpoint on Tuesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Journalists protest against arrest of colleagues in Cairo

A

round 100 Egyptian Journalists staged a protest in central Cairo on Tuesday against the arrest of colleagues for covering demonstrations opposing President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Security forces arrested at least 33 reporters trying to cover small anti-Government protests in Cairo on Monday that were dispersed with tear gas, according to the New Yorkbased Committee to Protect Journalists.

On Tuesday, some 100 reporters gathered in front

Security forces arrested at least 33 reporters trying to cover small anti-Government protests in Cairo on Monday that were dispersed with tear gas

of the headquarters of the

journalists’ union, witness-

Brazil fights surge in Swine Flu deaths

The increase in the number of Swine Flu cases prompted the Government to bring forward the vaccination campaign from June to the end of April

T

he Health Ministry in Brazil says 230 people have been killed by Swine Flu this year – more than six times the number for the whole of 2015.

More than 70 deaths were registered in the last

week alone, officials said.

A national campaign of free Swine Flu vaccinations begins on Saturday.

Brazil, which will host the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August, is already suffering an outbreak

of the Zika Virus.

Long queues have formed outside private clinics that are already offering the Swine Flu jabs.

In the state of Rio de Janeiro alone, some four million jabs are reportedly being offered.

Priority is being given to the groups of people seen as most vulnerable – the very young, the elderly and those already suffering from other conditions, says the BBC’s Wyre Davies in Rio. “The official data shows that people over the age of 60 and under five are the most affected by the acute respiratory syndrome caused by the H1N1 virus,” the city of Sao Paulo Health Secretary, Alexandre Padilha, told O Globo newspaper. (Excerpt from BBC News)

es said.

Yehia Qalash, head of the union, said security forces had prevented dozens of accredited Journalists entering the building on Monday.

“This kind of incident has not happened for years,” he said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from authorities.

Sisi has faced a wave of public criticism for agreeing to cede control of the uninhabited Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi and Egyptian officials say the islands belong to Saudi Arabia and were only under Egyptian control because Riyadh had asked Egypt in 1950 to protect them. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Qatar National Bank says its officials are investigating reports of a large-scale data dump [Reuters]

A

major bank in Qatar has said it is investigating what it called “social media speculation” on allegations of a massive data breach exposing personal data of thousands of clients.

Files from Qatar National Bank (QNB) were allegedly uploaded to a file-sharing website called “global-files. net”, but removed without explanation.

Thousands of bank records totalling 1.4GB of data were said to be posted after the alleged bank hack, including passwords, account numbers, and credit card information.

“Referring to social me-

dia speculation in regard to an alleged data breach, it is QNB Group policy not to comment on reports circulated via social media. QNB would like to take this opportunity to assure all concerned that there is no financial impact on our clients or the Bank.

“QNB Group places the highest priority on data security and deploying the strongest measures possible to ensure the integrity of our customers’ information.

QNB is further investigating this matter in coordination with all concerned parties,” the bank’s website said. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

Trump and Clinton set to sweep north-eastern primaries

D

onald Trump is seeking to win all five north-eastern states holding primaries, including Pennsylvania, with his rivals pinning their hopes of stopping the Republican front-runner on a fragile coordination strategy in the next rounds of voting.

For Democratic leader Hillary Clinton, wins in most of Tuesday’s contests would leave little doubt that she will be her party’s nomi-

nee.

Rival Bernie Sanders’ team has sent mixed signals about his standing in the race, with one top adviser suggesting a tough night would push the Vermont senator to reassess his bid and another vowing to fight “all the way to the convention”.

Clinton was already looking past Sanders, barely mentioning him during recent campaign events. In-

stead, she deepened her attacks on Trump, casting the billionaire businessman as out of touch with Americans.

“If you want to be President of the United States, you’ve got to get familiar with the United States,” Clinton said. “Don’t just fly that big jet in and land it and go make a big speech and insult everybody you can think of.” (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

16 news

wednesDAY, april 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Businesswoman, sons' murder case

Confessed killer charged

BY KIZZY COLEMAN

T

he alleged killer, who over the weekend confessed to murdering an Anna Catherina businesswoman and her two young sons in 2012, was on Tuesday remanded when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on the West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Abishai Caesar, 31, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was slapped with three charges – murder, assault and threatening language.

The first charge alleged that on September 24, 2012, at Anna Catherina, WCD, he murdered 41-year-old Jennifer Persaud and her sons Afridi Bacchus, age six; and Jadon Persaud, 18 months old.

He was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

According to reports, on the night of September 24, 2012, the dead woman, who was an owner of a liquor store and bar, along with her two sons were discovered at around 20:10h with their throats slit.

Her body was found on a bed with Afridi on top of her

Confessed killer, Abishai Caesar

and Jadon on the floor next to the bed. Their bodies were said to be already in a state of decomposition, indicating that they were murdered

cused threatened the Virtual Complainant (VC) to cut off her neck. He reportedly forced the VC to take off her clothing, threatening to beat

that they should question Caesar for that murder.

When further questioned by Police, the woman divulged the gruesome details of that

Jennifer Persaud, 41, who was the owner of a liquor store and bar at Anna Catherina; and her sons Afridi Bacchus, six; and Jadon Persaud, who was 18 months old at the time

about a day before the gruesome discovery was made.

With the exception of the wardrobe that was out of order in the woman’s home, the remainder of the house was untouched.

Meanwhile, Caesar pleaded not guilty to the second charge which alleged that on April 2, 2016, at Tuschen Housing Scheme, he assaulted Zoey Phillips with the intent to cause actual bodily harm.

The third charge alleged that on April 22, 2016, at Tuschen Housing Scheme, he used threatening language and behaviour against Zoey Phillip.

The prosecution’s case stated that on the day in question, at around 03:00h the accused went home and an argument ensued between him and his reputed wife Zoey Phillips.

As the disagreement spiralled out of control, the ac-

her.

The woman was able to escape and the matter was reported to a Police outpost in the area. Caesar was subsequently arrested.

On the third charge, the accused denied the allegation openly in court after which the Magistrate entered him into a not guilty plea.

Reports are that on the morning of April 22, 2016, after Phillips was able to escape the accused, she sought help from a Police outpost and was subsequently taken to the Leonora Police Station where she told Police Officers of the years of abuse that she endured at the hands of Caesar.

But what she disclosed next would bring to light the person that was responsible for the deaths of the businesswoman and her sons; a case which had gone cold.

She told Police Officers

night.

She disclosed that on the night in question, Caesar left their home in Anna Catherina where they were living at that time and that she reportedly saw him heading up to the businesswoman’s house after which she allegedly heard screams.

She claimed that moments after, the man went back to his home and reportedly confessed to her what he had downe. She related that he allegedly explained that he had gone to rob the woman but she awoke and saw him. Because she would be able to identify him, he was forced to attack her, killing her in the process.

The couple continued living next door to the dead woman for a while before they moved. Phillips stated that she was forced to keep quiet about the incident.

The case will continue on May 31.

Guyanese gunned down in Trinidad O

ne man was killed and another critically injured in a shooting incident in San Fernando on Monday.

The dead man was identified as Guyanese Kemraj Persad, 30, a construction worker, of Hummingbird Avenue, Duncan Village.

Eyewitnesses said Persad, another man identified as Sean Boodoo, and the shooter were having drinks and liming at an apartment when an argument broke out and the suspect shot the two men.

Boodoo, who also lived at the same apartment, was shot in the chest and was listed in critical condition in San Fernando General Hospital last night.

A villager said he

heard three explosions and thought it was fire crackers.

He said he saw a man running up the road with blood on his chest.

Police said the shooter escaped in a car.

Residents said the men have been renting the apartment for over a year.

Another tenant, Kumar Shivprashad, pleaded for financial help to send Persad’s body back to Guyana as he came from a poor family.

ASP Rawle Ramdeo, Insp Don Gajadhar, PC Doray and other officers of the San Fernando CID Task Force and Homicide Bureau visited the scene.

So far 149 people have been killed for this year.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Dead: Kemraj Persad

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Distorting the truth and just simply lying

A

PNU/AFC has a huge propensity to distort the truth and simply lie in order to confuse and distract the Guyanese people. It has made such a colossal mess of the social and economic conditions in the country that it feels compelled to divert Dr Leslie Ramsammy people’s attention away from the corruption, incompetence and clueless path on which it has taken Guyana.

Take the mess of the allegedly missing US$5 million from the Chinese company which purchased the Government’s GTT shares. According to APNU/AFC, the Chinese company allegedly paid the US$5 million owed. The communication czar of APNU/AFC, Raphael Trotman, (yes even that portfolio has been taken away from Nagamootoo), this week claimed they were unable to track down the payment, implying that someone stole the money.

But many millions of dollars were spent on a trip to China, supposedly to track down the payment of the US$5 million that the Chinese company owed for the GTT shares. Did someone not ask who paid the money, to whom and how they paid the money? No one could leave China with US$5 million in cash in a suitcase. The Auditor General had already determined that up to the end of December 31, 2015, the US$5 million was not paid. Did Harmon find evidence that the money was paid sometime in 2016? Did he find out how and when and to whom payment was made?

Nagamootoo made an expensive trip to Mexico and came back and assured the rice farmers that Mexico had agreed to buy rice from Guyana. This was at a time when Guyana had lost its most lucrative and biggest rice market in Venezuela. People were up in arms with the reckless loss of the Venezuelan market.

Nagamootoo gave the impression that the Mexico would more than make up for the loss of the Venezuelan market. It has been more than seven months now and APNU/AFC has gone completely silent on the Mexico rice market while not a grain of paddy has been exported to Mexico.

APNU/AFC initially told the people that Wales Sugar Estate was being closed because the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) had recommended the closure of estates. It lied because the CoI specifically insisted that closure should not be considered.

Having been exposed, the President insisted GuySuCo made the decision and APNU/AFC went along. In fact, GuySuCo had expended hundreds of millions to prepare new cultivation, improved irrigation and drainage and enhance the Wales factory just before the APNU/AFC’s announcement of the closure.

Incidentally, I was Minister of Agriculture between 2011 and May 2015 and none of the managers or directors of the Board ever once discussed the possibility of closure of Wales or any other estate. Twice I took GuySuCo to the Economic Services Committee of Parliament and never did the closure of estates been signalled. I challenge the managers and the Board and APNU/AFC to provide any evidence that closure was considered during the period between 2011 and 2015.

If, in fact, as the present CEO insists, the PPP Government had considered the complete closure of LBI, how come no one discussed the closure timeline with the Minister of Agriculture between the period of 2011 and 2015? I commend Mr Jairam Petam, the Human Resources Director at the time, for revealing the truth that there was never any plan for the complete closure of LBI. Truth is APNU/AFC instructed GuySuCo to close Wales and LBI and more closure will follow.

Guyana has been named as one of ten countries in the Caribbean where Americans have been warned that they have a greater chance of being murdered than in America itself.

In fact, the murder rate for the first quarter of 2016 exceeds the murder rate for 2015. Crime is spiralling out of control in our country. We are busy looking for who might have thrown faeces on one of their supporters a few years ago and ignore that just this past week a man and his wife were brutally set on fire in their home.

We have abandoned all the big transformative, jobcreating infrastructure projects and think that the D’Urban Park Project is more important for the Jubilee celebration.

We have embraced big business and the rich, giving them honorific titles and granting waivers of their taxes, while increasing 140 taxes on the poor people, even the donkey carts that carry garbage. We think that overpaying for the CPL finals will make people forget about the social and economic mess our country is in. Most people fear that 2016 is the start of another epic period of failure in our country. In the meantime, APNU/AFC is preoccupied with lying, distorting and distracting people. (Send comments to doc_ram@ hotmail.com)

17

news

wednesDAY, april 27, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Paris climate deal

Countries with about half of global emissions to join this year T

he United States of America (USA) has said that countries accounting for about half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions would join the Paris Agreement this year, bringing the Agreement “within striking distance” of entering into force.

At least 34 countries representing 49 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions formally joined the Agreement, or committed to joining the Agreement as early as possible this year at a high-profile signing ceremony at the United Nations (UN) last Friday.

That brought the historic agreement closer to the critical threshold of becoming operational faster than expected, officials said.

“The progress that was made in only hours and days after the agreement was formally opened for signing now puts us within striking distance of entering into force years earlier than anyone would have anticipated,” Brian Deese, a White House adviser said.

He said the gathering at the UN made other advances towards dealing with climate change. The World Bank, along with countries such as Canada and Mexico, earlier this month endorsed setting a price on carbon.

Last Friday, while the world joined in the celebration of World Earth Day, Guyana also joined over 150

Heads of delegations at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris

countries in the signing of the climate change agreement in Paris on Friday.

President David Granger joined hundreds of world leaders to sign the 2015 Agreement, which was crafted in December last year in Paris.

The expected key result of the Agreement is to set a goal of limiting global warming to less than two degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. The Agreement calls for zero net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions to be reached during the second half of the 21st century.

Parties to the Agreement will also pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The 1.5 degrees Celsius goal will require zero emissions sometime between 2030 and 2050, according to some scientists.

President Granger, delivering at the session, said

Guyana has signed the Agreement on account of its recognition of the need for resolute action to combat the challenges of climate change. He said his country will ensure the deposit of the instruments of ratification this year.

According to him, Guyana, through the pursuit of a green economy, will spare no effort to contribute to both a sustainable future and to an effective global response to climate change.

Guyana is a net carbon sink, he said, as its forests seize more carbon than the country’s human activities generate. He said Guyana, with the world’s second highest percentage of rainforest cover, commands important carbon stocks.

It nevertheless, is fully committed to contributing to limiting the rise in global temperature to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The President said

Guyana intends to implement initiatives in the forest and renewable energy sectors, including through the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus programme.

“We will move closer towards a 100 per cent renewable power supply by 2025,

conditional on appropriate support and adequate resources. Our proposed commitments, through avoided emissions, can contribute the equivalent of up to 48.7 million metrictonnes of carbon dioxide to the global mitigation effort,” President Granger said.

According to President Granger, Guyana is prepared to sustainably manage, conserve and protect our national patrimony and place our ecological resources at the service of humanity.

He said Guyana in the short-term, up to 2020, will improve timber monitoring and maintain a high level of timber legality; increase value-added activities in the forestry sector so as to augment carbon storage in long-use wood products; intensify the sustain-

able management of our indigenous communities which own and manage 14 per cent of our national territory; introduce a national Emissions Reduction Programme (ERP) to add two million hectares under conservation, encourage more efficient mining and logging activities and implement Reduced Impact Logging(RIL); invest in solar power, wind power and hydropower to transition more rapidly to renewable sources of energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

The Paris Cop21 Agreement came into being in December of 2015 in Paris, France. The Agreement was adopted by all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 12, 2015.

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wednesday, April 27, 2016

ARCHIE

Your emotions will cause problems if you don’t listen (March 21- to reason. You are better off April 19) taking time out to do something physically challenging to ward off anxiety. Offer affection, not discord.

ARIES

Do what comes naturally.

TAURUS Set the standard and follow (April 20- through. Opportunity and perMay 20) sonal growth are highlighted.

Hard work will allow you to live your dream. A steady pace will ensure success.

dilbert

If you share your ideas GEMINI (May 21- and concerns, you will make June 20) a difference. A unique opportunity will develop that will improve your home and family life. Don’t fear change. Be fair, but firm.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Speak up, share your suggestions and offer solutions.

Don’t worry about the actions of others. If someone is unpredictable, keep your distance.

Your intuition will not mislead you.

Make a move that will LEO change your status or posi(July 23tion. The choices you make Aug. 22) can alter the way you feel and look, and contribute to a healthier, more efficient lifestyle.

A business trip or meeting VIRGO will help you persuade oth(Aug. 23ers to do and see things your Sept. 22) way. Your greatest opportunities will come outside your immediate circle or home.

Calvin and Hobbes

The changes you make LIBRA (Sept. 23- will not please everyone, but Oct. 23) they will bring you more confidence and help you stabilise your life. Don’t look back when you should be moving forward.

Romance is encouraged.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – GARISHLY (GARISHLY: GAIR-ish-lee: Gaudily; flashily.)

Make changes at home SAGITTARIUS that will add to your comfort.

(Nov. 23- Putting your personal touch Dec. 21) behind your plans, along with hard work, will be satisfying and a good investment.

Average mark 23 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 31 or more words in GARISHLY? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – EARDRUM

armed rare read ream rear rearm remuda rude ruder

rued dame dare darer dear demur dram dream drear

drum made mare marred mead murder murre

Open up and share your SCORPIO ideas with someone who un(Oct. 24derstands you. The feedback Nov. 22) you receive will encourage you to develop a partnership that will bring out the best in both parties.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Don’t make assumpCAPRICORN tions or jump to conclusions.

(Dec. 22- Listen, observe and discuss Jan. 19) situations calmly in order to come up with workable solutions that benefit everyone involved.

When it comes to work, AQUARIUS money and maintaining your (Jan. 20reputation, you need to set Feb. 19) high standards. Don’t donate to outside causes when you should be funnelling cash into your home and family.

Draw up and negotiate PISCES (Feb. 20- contracts and deal with perMarch 20) sonal financial matters diligently. Don’t let anyone interfere in your affairs. Don’t feel guilty if an opportunity comes your way.

wednesDAY, aPRIL 27, 2016

ICC suspends Cricket Association of Nepal

19

Irish cricket sets out plans to go mainstream

T

he ICC has suspended the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) in view of government interference in the board. The ICC took the decision during its board meeting on Tuesday.

In December, Nepal's National Sports Council (NSC) had formed an ad-hoc committee to run the CAN. This happened soon after Chatur Bahadur Chand was elected the CAN's president in controversial annual general meeting - which was not attended by its then president Tanka Angbuhang without the NSC's permission. The Chand-led CAN faction then filed a court case, which is still pending, challenging the NSC's decision.

"In light of the ongoing court case involving the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the Ad hoc Committee established by the Nepalese National Sports Council (NSC), which has led to a vacuum of cricket leadership in Nepal, the Board suspended

The ICC board has said Nepal can continue to field national teams in ICC events

the Membership of CAN for breach of Article 2.9 of the ICC's Articles of Association, which prohibits government interference and requires free and fair elections," the ICC said in a statement.

The ICC board added that the suspension would stay in place "until such time as the CAN becomes free of government interference and is properly structured to begin exploiting the tremendous cricket talent and opportunities that exist

in Nepal."

While the suspension will cut off ICC funding for the CAN, the ICC board decided that Nepal national teams could continue to feature in ICC events.

"ICC management will also now work with the Nepalese cricket community, and other stakeholders, in order to assist with the development of a sustainable governance and administration structure for cricket in Nepal." (Cricinfo)

Somerset survive snow, Rampaul five-for

T

wo collapses - one toporder, one lower - ensured that the novelty of a snow delay in late-April did not dominate proceedings at The Oval. But while shots of sleet dancing across shiny outfield sheets provided many with pretty pictures, Somerset's Marcus Trescothick and Surrey's Ravi Rampaul ensured they added something valuable to their own personal collections.

For the second day in a row, Trescothick drank in the adulation of The Oval after completing his 59th first-class century. He held up Somerset's first innings of 353 like the west country's answer to Atlas with an innings of 127, without which his side might well have been padding up for the follow-on. Rampaul, with his ninth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, had pushed them close to it.

Trescothick was unscathed in the first collapse, which saw Chris Rogers, James Hildreth and Roelof van der Merwe dismissed with just 45 runs added.

I

Cricket Ireland unveils its five-year strategic plan

reland's cricket chiefs have launched an ambitious plan to rid the sport of its elitist perception and seek to challenge the popularity of the country's mainstream sports football, rugby and GAA - by 2020.

The initiative, which was launched on Tuesday in Dublin, comes after nearly a decade of headlinegrabbing performances by Irish teams at world events, starting with their ousting of Pakistan from the Super Eights at the 2007 World Cup and continuing with their triumph over England at Bangalore in 2011.

However, speaking at the launch, Cricket Ireland's chief executive, Warren Deutrom, admitted that the sport's ambitions had to be broader than their previously stated intention of playing Test cricket by the end of the decade, and outlined plans to take cricket into

the Irish mainstream.

"Our goal of playing Test matches by the end of 2020 needs to be broader and more ambitious," said Deutrom. "It needs to envision Ireland not just being a major force in cricket, but cricket being a major force in Ireland.

"When we think of 'major' in Ireland, we think of GAA, rugby and football.

Well, why not cricket too?

We need to shift perceptions of cricket as an elitist, exclusive sport to one that is open and accessible to all.

We need to de-mystify the sport for the Irish public by making it visible, accessible, affordable and inspiring."

An increase in the number of fixtures against Full Member nations is one means to expand the popularity of the sport, and Deutrom also announced that two further T20Is against Hong Kong had

been added to their schedule for 2016 - in addition to the 11 ODIs already scheduled against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Africa and Australia.

A further announcement of more ODIs in 2017 will be made today in Belfast.

Six home matches for Ireland Women have also been announced against Bangladesh, in addition to the seven games already scheduled against South Africa.

Deutrom also placed club cricket at the heart of Cricket Ireland's strategic plan, and announced a new scheme to help them grow through assistance with equipment and facilities.

The KPC Group were unveiled as Ireland's team sponsor for the next three years, with Irish sports company O'Neills extending their shirt sponsorship deal for a further four years to the end of the decade. (Cricinfo)

Kaushal Silva given clean bill of health after blow to head

Ravi Rampaul bowls as Marcus Trescothick looks on

Peter Trego came to the crease and, as well as fighting back with 41 in a fifthwicket stand of 75, did the honours in congratulating Trescothick after he reached three figures off his 144th delivery. Trescothick had resumed his innings on 68 in the morning and played Surrey's attack with the same equal parts respect and malice. He now has three centuries in his last six Championship innings, having helped stave off relegation worries last season.

But both he and Trego were unable to avoid getting swept up in a second collapse of 3 for 8, which

was instigated by Rampaul.

The West Indian is regarded as a somewhat controversial acquisition by Surrey - a Kolpak signing brought in at the expense of younger, homegrown bowlers such as Matt Dunn, who had to make do with a bowl on a practice wicket during the lunch break. Match figures of 8 for 150 against Nottinghamshire, including 5 for 93 in the first innings, brought Rampaul some vindication. Here, he got the ball to move late and jump up off a length - no other seamer had managed either on this docile pitch. (Cricinfo)

K

aushal Silva has been discharged from hospital with a "clean bill of health" after he had suffered mild concussion resulting from the blow he sustained to his head on Sunday. Silva had been airlifted to a Colombo hospital as a precautionary measure, but scans have since cleared him of long-term injury. The Sri Lanka team management said he would be available for selection for the forthcoming Test series in England.

"Kaushal was released this morning and given a clean bill of health," team manager Charith Senanayake said. "The report indicates no major trauma."

A board release said

Silva had been "completely cleared to resume physical activity" by specialists, but that he will nevertheless "be completely rested for two days" before gradually "restarting training with mild gym and ground activity". He is expected to resume batting in the nets next week.

Silva said: "I want to thank SLC, Angelo Mathews and Sanath Jayasuriya for getting me treated and helping get me to this stage. I also want to thank all the people who wished me well from around the world. I will rest for a couple of days, but am really looking forward to getting back onto the field and playing well."

Silva had been fielding at short leg in a practice match

in Pallekele when he was struck by a powerful sweep from Dinesh Chandimal.

Silva had ducked and turned his head, but was hit below the back rim of the helmet, in the padded rear attachment that has come into use following the death of Phillip Hughes. Team-mates said they believed he might have suffered a more substantial injury if he had been using a helmet without that added protection.

Silva had hit a hundred in that practice match and stands a chance of being named in the squad to England. The squad announcement is scheduled for Wednesday. The team is set to leave for England on May 3. (Cricinfo)

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wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rising Pune Supergiants, IPL 2016, Hyderabad…

Seamers, Smith lead Supergiants to 2nd win

A

fter rain delayed the start for an hour, Rising Pune Supergiants' seam bowlers, led by Ashok Dinda, used the fresh Hyderabad surface and generated appreciable lateral movement to reduce Sunrisers Hyderabad to 32-

5, setting up a crucial 34run D/L win. In the chase, Faf du Plessis and Steven Smith consolidated the early loss of Ajinkya Rahane, before finding the boundary in every over of the Powerplay to ease Supergiants to their second victory of the season.

SCOREBOARD Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (20 overs maximum) DA Warner* c Rahane b Dinda 0 S Dhawan not out 56 AP Tare c Perera b Dinda 8 EJG Morgan c †Dhoni b Marsh 0 DJ Hooda c †Dhoni b R Ashwin 1 MC Henriques c †Dhoni b Mar sh 1 V Ojha† b Dinda 18 Bipul Sharma run out (Perera) 5 B Kumar c du Plessis b Perera 21 A Nehra not out 0 Extras: (lb-5, w-3) 8 Total: (8 wickets; 20 overs) 118 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Warner, 0.4 ov), 2-26 (Tare, 4.6 ov), 3-27 (Morgan, 5.3 ov), 4-29 (Hooda, 7.1 ov), 5-32 (Henriques, 8.1 ov), 6-79 (Ojha, 16.4 ov), 7-92 (Bipul Sharma, 18.1 ov), 8-115 (Kumar, 19.4 ov) Bowling: AB Dinda 4-1-233 (2-w), MR Marsh 4-0-14-2, NLTC Perera 4-0-32-1, R Ashwin 4-0-14-1, R Bhatia 3-0-240 (1-w), M Ashwin 1-0-6-0

Rising Pune Supergiants innings (target: 119 runs from 20 overs) AM Rahane c Morgan b Kumar 0 F du Plessis c †Ojha b Henriques 30 SPD Smith not out 46 MS Dhoni*† c Tare b Nehra 5 Extras: b-2, w-11) 13 Total: (3 wickets; 11 overs) 94 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Rahane, 0.5 ov), 2-80 (du Plessis, 9.1 ov), 3-94 (Dhoni, 10.6 ov) Bowling: B Kumar 3-1-17-1 (1w), A Nehra 3-0-21-1 (4-w), Mustafizur Rahman 2-0-210 (2-w), Bipul Sharma 1-0-170, MC Henriques 2-0-16-1

With 25 required to win, rain returned to bring a premature end to the game. It was the 18th win by a chasing side in 22 games this season.

Supergiants' bowlers swung the ball throughout the Powerplay. In the first over, Dinda, making his debut for Supergiants, removed the in-form David Warner with a wide delivery that was cut straight to backward point, eliciting a Christiano Ronaldo-like celebration from the fast bowler. Thereafter, Sunrisers were continually tested against the moving ball.

Dinda and Mitchell Marsh, in particular, used the swing on offer to increase the pressure on the batsmen with tight overs.

The pressure of an unproductive Powerplay resulted in loose shots from Aditya Tare and Eoin Morgan, and Sunrisers were soon left to rebuild from 27-3. The situation worsened when Deepak Hooda gloved a reverse sweep to MS Dhoni. In the next over, Moises Henriques was strangled down leg and Sunrisers slumped to 32-5.

R Ashwin was conceded 14 in four straight

overs through the middle.

Supergiants did not concede a boundary from the sixth over till the 14th. Shikhar Dhawan and Naman Ojha picked off the singles on offer, but the pressure built steadily. Dhawan carried on to post his second fifty of the season, after getting a reprieve in the 15th over, when he was dropped by

Ajinkya Rahane at long-off.

That Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed with an eight-ball 21 meant Sunrisers were able to plunder 37 off the last three overs to finish with 118. Dinda ended with 3-23, his secondbest figures in the IPL. Bhuvneshwar gave Sunrisers some hope in the chase with a wicket-maid-

en in the first over, after having Rahane caught at backward point. However, Smith and du Plessis capitalised on loose bowling, hitting 11 boundaries between them in the next seven overs to all but finish the game.

Mustafizur Rahman's variations, too, were taken apart

by Smith's wristy flicks.

(Cricinfo)

Fans unlawfully killed, jury concludes

N

inety-six football fans who died as a result of a crush in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed, the inquests have concluded.

The jury found match commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield was "responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence" due to a breach of his duty of care.

Police errors also added to a dangerous situation at the FA Cup semi-final.

The prime minister said

the inquests had provided "official confirmation" fans were "utterly blameless".

After a 27-year campaign by victims' families, the behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated.

The jury found they did not contribute to the danger unfolding at the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday's ground on 15 April 1989.

Nine jurors reached unanimous decisions on all but one of the 14 questions at the inquests into Britain's

worst sporting disaster.

The coroner Sir John Goldring said he would accept a majority decision about whether the fans were unlawfully killed - seven jurors agreed they were.

When the conclusion of the unlawful killing was revealed, families were seen hugging each other in the public gallery and some punched the air.

When considering how each of the 96 victims died the jury concluded many died well after 15:15 on the

day of the match.

The coroner at the original inquest in 1991, Dr Stefan Popper, said he would not hear any evidence relating to deaths beyond that time because he believed all the victims had died, or suffered fatal injuries, by then.

The deaths were ruled accidental and those verdicts were quashed following the 2012 Hillsborough Independent Panel report, and new hearings were ordered.

The new inquests found the direct medical cause of death was compression asphyxia in all but three of the victims.

The earliest time of death was estimated from 14:57

The jury was shown pictures of fans in the Leppings Lane end of the stadium as the disaster unfolded

and the last up to 17:00.

Tony Bland, the 96th victim, died in 1993 after being

left brain damaged, due to or as a consequence of compression asphyxia. (BBC Sport)

Richards-Ross to call time on career after Rio

T

hree-time Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross plans to call it day after this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, this summer.

The Olympic Games will run from August 5-21. She announced her decision on Instagram.

“After over a decade of indescribable successes and challenges, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio will mark the end of my 12th and final professional season,” said the Jamaican-born Richard-Ross, who has been plagued by injury and illness over the past few years.

“After my third foot surgery last November, I worked tirelessly to recoup and recover. I put my blood, sweat

and tears into the career of my dreams and experienced profound growth and immeasurable rewards along the way. I am so excited to

Sanya Richards-Ross is a three-time Olympian

celebrate with one last lap around the world and I hope you will be following along.”

In Rio, the 31-year-old

Richards-Ross, the 2012 London Olympics 400-metre champion, will be trying to emulate Marie Jose Perec as the only woman to win backto-back Olympic 400-metre titles. First though, she will have to qualify for the US team and finish in the top three to gain an individual berth. That won’t be easy as she will be up against 2015 World Champion Alyson Felix and the second fastest woman in the world last year Francena McCorory.

So far this year Americans Courtney Okolo and Quanera Hayes have already posted 400m times that are faster than what Richards-Ross’ produced in 2015. (Digicel Sportsmax)

21

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llan Donald is set Darren Lehmann has stat- lowing the 2015 World Cup, to be appointed ed that his former team- Donald spoke glowingly of Australia's bowl- mate Jason Gillespie is un- the bowlers he had worked ing coach for their tour of der consideration for the role with. "I always wanted to Sri Lanka which begins in the longer term, Donald give myself the chance of in July this year. It is be- has the opportunity to show working up until the World lieved that Donald's yet- his wares on a tour in which Cup," Donald had said. "I reto-be-announced deal with the team will aim not only to ally felt now was a good time Cricket Australia is open-ended, meaning he may very well be able to earn a more permanent role in Australia's set-up.

Donald will have a powerful motivation to make the most of his imminent appointment, winning a chance to prove wrong the South African setup that denied him a contract extension. If he is retained beyond the Sri Lanka tour, he could find himself helping the likes Allan Donald (background) was reportedly disappointed that his role of Josh Hazlewood, with South Africa had not been extended in 2015 Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle to topple South defeat Sri Lanka but also to to get out and get on with it Africa when they visit start thinking about the in- and that's that. It's been four Australia for a Test series in timidating task of facing up awesome years and I will to India on the subcontinent miss the guys big time."

November.

The appointment will The parting of ways be- in early 2017.

Donald, who had an out- make Donald the first South tween Donald and South Africa in 2015 had been standing Test record in African to join Australia's described as mutual, but India - 17 wickets at 16.11 in coaching staff since the disESPNcricinfo understands four matches - could perhaps missal of Mickey Arthur at that the team's former spear- be well suited to such a chal- the outset of the 2013 Ashes head had actually wanted to lenge. He also picked up 12 tour of England. His replacecontinue in the role he held wickets at 19.33 in his three ment Lehmann emphasised from 2011. Currently work- Tests in Sri Lanka. South a decidedly "Australian" ing with Royal Challengers Africa's success in that part brand of cricket, but there Bangalore in the IPL, of the world during Donald's is now acknowledgement at Donald recently withdrew playing days was based on CA that a different tactical from the running for a fran- harnessing a strong, dis- and mental approach may chise role with Knights, a ciplined pace attack with be required to succeed in Asia. (Cricinfo) South Africa domestic fran- some assistance from spin. chise.

At the time of his deparWhile Australia coach ture from South Africa fol-

Man City, Real Madrid play to goalless draw

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anchester City will go into the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid with everything to play for after Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Etihad Stadium.

City became only the third side to stop the 10-time European champions from scoring in this season's competition in a captivating tie, but had Joe Hart to thank for a string of late saves.

Madrid – who were without Cristiano Ronaldo due to a thigh problem – will rue the lack of an away goal, but now have the opportunity to take control of the tie at home, while City will hope to net a crucial away goal of their own in the Spanish capital.

A cagey opening 45 minutes saw both sides struggle to create chances of note, City slightly edging proceedings while Karim Benzema wasted a late half chance.

Sergio Ramos should have done better with a header early in the second half but it was a rare sight of goal as both defences resumed control, and the ball spent a large amount of time in midfield.

Casemiro and Pepe were both denied a late winner by Hart's heroics as it ended all squad ahead of the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu on May 4.

Semi-final debutants City made a lot of the early running, with Jesus Navas particularly lively down the right, but Madrid were able to absorb the pressure.

The visitors offered little in attack in the opening 30 minutes, but City stretched the Madrid back line on a couple of occasions with Kevin De Bruyne – back after being rested in the Premier League against Stoke City – and Fernandinho both earning free-kicks in promising positions.

However, Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany wasted headed opportunities from De Bruyne's deliveries as Keylor Navas remained untested.

City's night was dealt a blow just before the break as David Silva limped off, Manuel Pellegrini unleashing young forward Kelechi Iheanacho in his place.

Benzema had the best opening in the final minute of the half from Pepe's pull back, but the France inter-

national blazed his effort over Hart's goal.

Buoyed by that late chance, Madrid started the second half well and Ramos should have done better after 54 minutes from Toni Kroos' corner, but the unmarked central defender headed straight at Hart.

With 19 minutes remaining Madrid again threatened as Jese – who replaced Benzema at half-time – rose above Kompany, but his header looped onto the top of the crossbar from Dani Carvajal's cross.

Madrid were undoubtedly finishing the game the stronger and after Hart had seen a curling Bale shot go wide, the England goalkeeper made a superb reflex stop to deny Casemiro.

And Hart was on hand again to block a glorious chance from Pepe, the City number one denying the Portugal international from three yards.

Navas had the last say, tipping over a threatening De Bruyne free-kick in injury time as the two sides head to Madrid with a place in the final beckoning. (Digicel

Sportsmax)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Bassarath says ICC confident of WICB P

resident of the T&T bers. The release stated the ritories in accordance with Cricket Board (TTCB) ICC wants all its members the ICC’s objectives and and director on strategy. the West Indies Cricket The current call Board (WICB) Azim from CARICOM for the Bassarath says the dissolution of the WICB latest International may have been indirectCricket Council (ICC) ly dealt with following release shows confia decision to suspend dence in the affairs of Nepal from the body. the WICB. In light of an ongoThe ICC sent out a ing court case involving release on Monday sumthe Cricket Association ming up decisions made of Nepal (CAN) and an at their second meetad hoc committee estabing of 2016 at the ICC lished by the Nepalese Headquarters in Dubai National Sports on Sunday.

Council (NSC), to manAzim Bassarath: “The line that CARICOM the sec- has taken, looking to get the board age the sport there, the Under tion ‘Independence of dissolved is not the right one.”

Board suspended the Member Boards’, the membership of CAN ICC reiterated its pofor breach of Article sition of independence and to work independently with 2.9 of the ICC’s Articles of noted that it will not accept the best intentions of pro- Association, which prohibgovernment interference moting and developing the its government interference in the affairs of its mem- game in their respective ter- and requires free and fair

elections.

The suspension means that CAN will not be entitled to receive any ICC funding.

However, the Board, in its discretion felt that the players should not suffer due to this suspension and decided that the Nepal cricket teams would continue to feature in ICC events.

Bassarath said:”The fact that the ICC wishes no governmental interference in the cricket tells me that in our case down here they have the faith that the WICB will put the cricket right and have been putting the cricket right. While the board has been criticised, looking at the fact that we won three world tournaments this year, tells me that there are things that the board is doing right.

CFU President Derrick to appeal FIFA ruling

Underdogs capture V-Net Communications dominoes title

G

ordon Derrick, President of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), is to appeal a ruling by FIFA declaring him ineligible to contest the presidency of CONCACAF. The CONCACAF elections have been set for May 12 in Mexico City.

Reports emerging from the Caribbean suggest that Derrick’s legal team has filed an appeal.

Derrick was initially among three candidates vying for the presidency

along with Bermuda’s Larry Mussenden and Canada’s Victor Montagliani.

However, FIFA announced recently that the Antiguan would not be able to continue in the race.

Derrick has served as CFU president for the last four years, after replacing Trinidadian Jack Warner in 2012, following the cash-forvotes scandal which rocked Caribbean football. Regional officials were accused of either being offered or accepting cash bribes of US$40,000

in return for votes for FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam back in 2011.

Several CFU members were suspended but Derrick was fined and reprimanded.

Responding to the FIFA ruling Derrick said he found it curious that the reprimand of 2011 was too minute to warrant an appeal; that the principal person in the matter was vindicated upon his appeal; yet the matter was deemed significant enough to derail his candidacy. (Digicel

Sportsmax)

WICB Vice-president Emmanual Nanthan in discussion with ICC officials at the meeting

“I believe that the cricket belongs to all the people in the Caribbean and as such the board must continue dialogue with all stakeholders in taking the cricket forward. The line that CARICOM has taken, looking to get the board dissolved is not the right one.”

Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart has come out against the wishes of CARICOM and has stated that he wants Caribbean politicians and leaders to avoid getting too involved in the running of West Indies cricket. (Trinidad Guardian)

U

nderdog chalked up 79 games to win the final of the V-Net Communications dominoes competition, which was contested on Sunday at Amit Ramnarine Sports Bar at Good Success, Wakenaam.

Seawall Boys took the runner-up spot with 74 games, while All Star placed third on 68. Alex Chung made 17 and Mahasewar Ramnarine 16 for the winners, while Mohamed Sheriffudeen and Khalid Zaman got 16 each for Seawall Boys. Heera Sukram marked 16 and Mohamed Kalam 14 for All Star. David Ramlall and Sherwin Thomas were the lover birds. Ramnarine was the MVP, while Underdogs took home a trophy. CEO of V Net Communications,

Captain of the Underdogs team, James Ramnarine (left), accepts the trophy from Mohamed Sheriffudeen in the presence of his team mates

Safraz Sheriffudeen, congratulated the winners and thanked the other partici-

pating teams for being involved in the event.

Tenelec Inc U-15, 2-innings cricket…

Glasgow Jr, Deodat spur Blairmont to huge win

N

Nigel Deodat

Marvan Prashad

Seon Glasgow Jr

ational Under-15 selectees, all-rounders Seon Glasgow Jr and Nigel Deodat, dominated D'Edward Under-15 team in the latest match of the 2016 Telenec Inc. Under-15, two-innings cricket competition organised by the Berbice Cricket Board and sponsored by Tenelec Inc. a Washington D.C. based telecommunication firm.

They got support from another national selectee,

Marvan Prashad, to beat the hapless opponents by an innings and 161 runs.

Playing at former FirstClass venue, Blairmont Estate Cricket ground, the visitors were shot out for 78 in their first innings. Only H. Heeralall with 33 offered resistance. Deodat spun webs around the batsmen taking 5-15 off eight overs.

He got support from Prashad with 4-18 off four overs. In reply, Blairmont

CC made 258-4 declared.

Glasgow Jr scored a magnificent century (101) and got support from Fawaz Gaffoor with an even 50, Marvan Prashad 36 and Deodat 28 not out.

In their second turn at the crease, D'Edward feared worse, scoring an embarrassing 19 all out. Deodat was the wrecker with 5-5 runs off six overs. Prashad supported with 4-6 off five overs.

guyana-times.com

wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

23

Goal Project to start Caribbean boxing at Sports Hall this weekend soon, says Forde G

G

Wayne Forde

uyana seems to be one step closer to having the Goal Project become a reality after years of fruitful attempts to get the project off the ground.

When completed, the facility will provide the country with a much-needed FIFA approved international football stadium, a fact that has not eluded the Wayne Forde-led Guyana Football Federation, which has unanimously endorsed the Project since taking office last November.

In an exclusive interview with this publication recently, Forde explained that the contractor who will be installing the artificial turf have already been identified and selected by FIFA, and in a matter of days, the GFF will be releasing the list of public tenders for the subbase work.

“Once we have selected the contractor for the sub-

base work, we will convey that information to FIFA; they will then enter him into a contract. Once all of this is done, the project will start,” he further stated.

The FIFA Goal Project was initiated by former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, for the benefit of all national associations. The Goal Project is a tailor-made development and assistance programme designed to realise projects based on the specific needs of the national associations.

Guyana was among the first five countries earmarked by FIFA to pioneer its Goal Project. However, despite efforts from the previous administrations of the GFF, the project never got going.

Meanwhile, with the Guyana National Stadium unavailable due to the hosting of the Tri-Series cricket featuring the West Indies, Australia and South Africa later this year, the nation-

al football team, Golden Jaguars, will have its ‘home’ games for round two of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup Qualifiers against Curacao moved to Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao, due to the lack of an appropriate venue in Guyana.

With the Goal Project construction soon to begin, Guyana will be able to have a certified traditional football stadium at its disposal.

With its completion, Guyana will be in a position to host numerous home games without any hindrance. Forde is also hoping to have international tournament finals held right here in Guyana in the future, as this will be a huge boost for the football community.

The proposed site for the Goal Project is the Providence Community Centre Ground with 8.5 acres of land being allocated for construction.

uyanese boxers will look to impress this weekend in the inaugural International/ Caribbean Schoolboys, Junior, Youth and Female Boxing tournament, which is scheduled to begin at 18:00h on Friday and Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

After weeks of preparation, the Guyanese boxers are primed and ready to tackle boxers from their regional counterparts St Lucia and Jamaica. President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, sees the tournament as a great stepping stone for the country’s boxers.

Ninvalle stated that he hopes the International/ Caribbean Junior, Youth and Female Boxing tournament will be an annual event in the region. “This competition is a regional emphasis and it is to make sure that there is competition for our juniors, Guyana

Steve Ninvalle

has started it, hopefully the other nations will continue from here,” he stated.

The Guyanese team will be led by Head Coach Sebert Blake, along with Terrence Poole, Sherdon Thomas, Clifton Moore and Floyd Grant.

Members of the Guyanese team are as fol-

lows: School Boys- Dwayne Baptis, Shaquancy Wright, Deron William, Travis Invervary, Leon More, Kevin Mullin, Junior Hyman, ShumerHutson, Matthew Mitchell, Brian Harris, Theo Bumbary, Joel Allicock, Isaiah Moore and Delroy Elcock; Junior -Shemar Bumbary, Shaquiel Wright, Kevin Allicock, Omar Pollard, Joshua Ross, Christopher Moore, Michael Edwards, Joshua Corbin, Desan Allicock and Akiel Mounter; Youth– Herman White, Duel Augustin and Quincy Boyce; and Female– Akea Londzion, Rianna Rogers and Rondesa Boget.

Candidates of the main teams to represent Guyana in the International segment will comprise of (A team) Isiah Moore, Christopher Moore, Quincy Boyce and Akiel Mounter; and (B team) Delroy Elcock, Desan Elcock, Joshua Corbin and Michael Edwards.

Goodluck and Felicien win Jubilee Pairs Match

The conceptual design of Guyana’s FIFA Goal Project to be built at the Providence Community Centre ground

Bolt booked for Ostrava Golden Spikes meet Top pair Ransford Goodluck and Sherwin Felicien (with trophies) are flanked by the runnerup Leo Romalho (right) and Terrance Stuart and Lennox Braithwaite (left) and Ryan Sampson, who took third

R

Usain Bolt

W

orld’s fastest man Usain Bolt is set to contest the 100m event at the Golden Spikes meet in Ostrava on May 20.

The meet is expected to be the second for the sprinter who announced that he will open his season in the Cayman Islands at the Cayman Islands Invitational Meet on May 14.

The sprinter began preparing for the new season months ago but recently suffered a minor setback when he injured his ankle in training. The sprinter has, however, since been passed fit by his coach.

The sprinter has not featured in any race since the Beijing World Championships last August,

where he claimed victory in the 100 and 200 metres races.

Despite enduring an injury-disrupted season last year, Bolt claimed all three sprint titles at the World Athletics Championships and faced down a challenge from major United States rival Justin Gatlin. (Digicel Sportsmax)

eigning local individual champion Ransford Goodluck teamed up with junior Sherwin Felicien to cart off the first-ever Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) Fullbore Pairs competition, which was held in observance of the nation’s Jubilee celebrations.

Held at the Timehri Rifle Range on Sunday last, most of the shooters, who are in preparation mode for next month’s West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Short Range championships in Antigua, took to the task very well as the margins that separated the winners from the others was not at all large.

This inaugural format, which is normally shot at the Commonwealth Games, saw Guyana represented by the pair of national captain Mahendra Persaud and reigning Caribbean

Individual champion Lennox Braithwaite placing sixth at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

Shooting at the 300, 500 and 600 yard ranges, senior (A-Class) shooters were paired with their junior (X-Class) counterparts. At the end of the 300 yards range, the pair of Braithwaite and Ryan Sampson held a one point lead over Goodluck and Felicien.

But Goodluck, who shot the only possible on the day at the 500 yard range, and Felicien, who dropped just one point at the same range, erased the one point deficit to pull ahead of their competition and eventually win the historic shoot.

The challenge of the wind, which was mostly blowing right to left and changing fast, kept the coaches alert throughout the shoot. Coming in

third were Leo Ramalho and Terrence Stuart, followed by Braithwaite and Sampson.

GNRA Vice-President Paul Slowe, who was on hand, performed duties of presenting the trophies and medals to the winning pair and other top performers.

Slowe, in brief remarks, encouraged the shooters to keep the competitive spirit going as they continue to focus on next month’s Caribbean championships.

Team captain Mahendra Persaud informed that preparation over the next two weekends would be focused on team shoots, as they seek to retain the West Indies Short Range Trophy. Persaud also promised that more Pair Shoots would be held in the future. Meanwhile, the shooters continue their quest for sponsorship towards the Antigua trip.

wednesDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

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

Bassarath says ICC confident of WICB

Pg 22 The ICC had its second meeting of 2016 at its headquarters in Dubai on Sunday

Bolt booked for Ostrava Golden Spikes meet Pg 23

Man City, Real Madrid play to goalless draw

Pg 21 Usain Bolt has not raced since last August

The two teams will meet again in the second leg on May 4

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