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Banks DIH declares over $2.5B profit P13

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2743

Thursday, January 21, 2016

2 dead, 13-year-old missing in Barima River boat mishap Page 10

Wales Estate closure

Decision to close Wales Estate taken ahead of CoI report – Harmon

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Gunmen attack Tuschen businessman for the 5th P14 time Man nabbed with illegal shotgun Opposition concern P12 over Govt wiretapping phones, eavesdropping

Pages 3,7&9

– Jagdeo blasts Govt for rubbishing CoI recommendations – GuySuCo clueless about fate of 1700 workers – GAWU

P10 DPP recommends rape charge for Police Officer Linden fatal accident

P8

Italian Ambassador to Guyana accredited

Taxi driver on $800,000 bail

Page 2

Sophia man’s death

Police hunt 2 suspects P7

President David Granger shares a toast with Italian Ambassador to Guyana, Silvio Mignano, after the accreditation ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday

World Bank officers to assist SARU to recover State assets

Page 2

AFC financier Mother of 4 killed in Bartica Badal to accident head – another air-dashed GPL's Board following Itaballi collision Page 13

Page 11

Sattaur’s son fined for dangerous P13 driving

2 news

thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Bank officers to assist Italian Ambassador World SARU recover state assets to Guyana accredited A ...appointment fosters new opportunities for partnership – Granger

team of specialists from the World Bank’s Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) is currently in Guyana conducting consultations to assist the locally established State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU).

According to its website, StAR is a partnership between the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that supports international efforts to end safe havens for corrupt funds.

StAR works with developing countries and financial centres to prevent laundering of the proceeds of corruption and to facilitate more systematic and timely return of such assets.

The scoping mission in Guyana is meeting with persons from various sectors – Government entities, the judiciary, civil society and any

other agencies – who will be able to advise on the recovery of stolen assets belonging to the state.

Speaking with media operatives on Wednesday at the post Cabinet briefing, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the mission commenced its work that morning.

“The indication that we have is that this scoping mission will meet with all these agencies and craft an actual plan,” he said.

Harmon added that the scoping mission is expected to return to Guyana by March 28, to present that plan and work with SARU, on the way forward.

Upon its assumption to office in May last year, the David Granger administration commenced a series of forensic audits at various State agencies to determine

how State assets were sold, disposed of or transferred by the previous administration, with the intention of unearthing corrupt practices.

Some $133 million of taxpayers’ dollars were expended on the audits.

S u b s e q u e n t l y , Government established SARU to hunt for assets that initially belonged to the Government.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn had stated that SARU needs a “proper” legislative backing as it carries out the mandate given by Government.

The High Commissioner, whose office is lending assistance to SARU in various areas including legislation, said the Unit needs the appropriate and relevant legislation so that it can operate within the confines of the law.

Convicted Trinidadian terrorist dies in prison Ambassador Silvio Mignano being welcomed at the Ministry of the Presidency with a military salute by ranks of the Guyana Defence Force

P

resident David Granger on Wednesday accepted the credentials of Italian Ambassador to Guyana Silvis Mignano, saying that the appointment will open newer opportunities of partnership in various sectors.

The new Ambassador said the two countries share fundamental leverage and strive for the promotion of democracy and peace and other fundamental human rights. On the International arena he said the two countries have been following the path leading to peace, stability and the reduction of poverty.

Guyana and Italy have enjoyed friendly bilateral relations for the past 49 years.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1967 and have since cooperated at the bilateral and multilateral levels. This level of cooperation will continue as Guyana will be considering the candidature of Italy to the United Nations Security

Council for 2017-18.

President David Granger said the appointment of a new Italian Ambassador to Guyana provides many opportunities for collaboration, particularly in the area of agriculture, public health, public infrastructure, and telecommunications.

“Guyana’s focus for the next four years will be on economic development through these four fields.

We would value and welcome Italy’s cooperation to enhance our national economy,” President Granger said.

“Guyana, like Italy, shares fundamental values and is committed unreservedly to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. We are guided by the principles and purpose of the United Nations, especially for the settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means and for the avoidance of the threat, or

use, of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,” the President said.

He also spoke of Guyana’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and to continue to engage other countries on global issues such as climate change: “We are committed to work with the Italian Republic in order to achieve our developmental goals... We are confident that your appointment as Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will serve as a catalyst for enhanced cooperation and strengthened bilateral relations between our two countries,” he said.

The Head of State also took the opportunity to express Guyana’s appreciation to Italy for its initiative for increased cooperation with Caribbean States through the Caricom and other regional organisations.

T

he Trinidadian man who was convicted in the United States for conspiring to blow up fuel tanks and pipelines under the John F Kennedy International Airport has died of heart failure at a prison medical facility.

Kareem Ibrahim passed away at the US Medical Centre for Federal Prisoners in Missouri, just after 10am on Tuesday. He was 70.

After a four-week trial, Ibrahim was convicted in May 2011 for conspiring with three Guyanese nationals, including former Guyanese parliamentarian Abdul Kadir, to carry out a terrorist attack at the JFK International Airport in Queens, New York. He was sentenced the following year to life in prison.

The evidence at the trial established that Ibrahim, an imam and leader of the Shiite Muslim community in Trinidad, provided religious instructions and operational support to a group plotting to carry out the attack.

Attorney Farid Scoon, who represented him in his

Kareem Ibrahim, (left), and Guyanese Abdul Kadir

extradition case in Trinidad, maintained his client’s innocence and said that his body “never took to incarceration”.

“It is unfortunate that an innocent man was convicted of a crime that he had absolutely no guilt [for] and had to spend the last winters of his life in a maximum-security prison in the United States.”

He said arrangements were being made for Ibrahim’s body to be flown back to Trinidad for burial.

Just over a month ago,

Ibrahim became the first person to be officially declared a terrorist by the Trinidad and Tobago government.

Justice Nadia Kangaloo ruled that there was sufficient evidence to deem him a terrorist under the AntiTerrorism Act, and gave the government the go-ahead to begin the process of freezing any of his assets which it found.

The application was the first ever filed and granted under the legislation. (CBN4)

3 Decision to close Wales Estate taken ahead of CoI report – Harmon news

thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 21 – 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, January 22 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 21 –14:20-15:50h and Friday, January 22 – 15:05h-16:35h.

... Estate was “economic nightmare”

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Sunny conditions will prevail throughout the day with light rain showers in the late morning and cloudy conditions in the early afternoon hours.

Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 14:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 08:11h and 20:45h reaching minimum heights of 0.85 metre and 0.68 metre.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

I

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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n light of accusations that it has discarded recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the sugar industry, Government has justified its decision to shut down the Wales Estate, saying that it was taken during the preparation of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) 2016 Budget even before the findings of the Inquiry were submitted.

This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at this week’s post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday. The CoI report, which is currently before a parliamentary committee for review, had advised against the closure of the sugar estates given the current state of the country’s economy.

However, Harmon explained that the decision was made, taking into consideration operational factors. “The decisions with respect to Wales Estate were contained in GuySuCo’s Budget and the 2016 Action Plan, which was developed in 2015 and, therefore, did not bear any specific relationship to the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo,” he said.

Harmon pointed out that the Corporation’s management and Directors were on board with the decision.

“The fact that the factory itself has become such a major issue for maintenance and repairs, and the funds that were required to be pumped into it, it became an economic nightmare to really continue doing things

the way they were doing it before,” he said.

The Minister of State went on to say that this decision was also part of the Sugar Corporation’s plans to stand on its own feet by improving its economic conditions and not having to rely on the treasury for financial support, a step Government fully supported.

On the other hand, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder said that the decision was taken in efforts to boost the efficiency of the sugar industry, pointing out that the Wales Estate was projected to incur a loss of $1.6 billion this year.

However, he noted that the Estate would not be shut down before December 31, 2016, as Government was still working out the arrangements.

“This is not anything new, they closed LBI (La Bonne Intention) and Diamond and moved then to Enmore. There will be adjustments all over the industry to increase efficiency and this is basically what we are doing, improving efficiency in the industry and West Demerara,” he said.

While it was not disclosed how many workers will be affected, the

Agriculture Minister explained that the Wales factory workers would be relocated at Uitvlugt to fill vacancies there and the remaining workers would be given severance packages.

Moreover, Holder stated that the closure of the factory would not affect cane farmers since their crop would be taken to the Uitvlugt Estate for grinding. “So what is being done is to get (the canes to) Uitvlugt – which is a far more modern factory in far better condition, with 95 per cent efficiency compared to Wales’ 85 per cent or less efficiency,” he said.

The Minister outlined that while GuySuCo would cease cultivation on the 3000 acres of cane fields at Wales, the farmers’ canes would not be in jeopardy. As it relates to the transportation of the canes from Wales to the West Coast factory, Holder noted that this was being looked at and they were hoping to come up with a “water-borne” solution.

“We have one year to put the new arrangements in place,” he said.

The Minister further pointed out that while the cane farmers may have to

bear transportation expenses, they could get high prices if the quality of sugar cane produced was better.

In light of these steps taken to financially stabilise the sugar industry, Holder was asked how soon it would before GuySuCo was back on track, enjoying profits. The Agriculture Minister said that the Corporation would never be profitable on its own and would have to diversify in order to be profitable.

However, he explained that the diversified path would have to be an area that was a foreign exchange earner. “Why this country has to hold onto sugar, certainly for the short term, is because it is a big block of foreign [exchange] earner.

Sugar might be making a loss on the financial point, but as this nation is concerned, it is making a profit on the economic account,” he stated.

Moreover, Harmon said that the Government was open to talks with the Opposition, but it would have to be genuine consultation with the interest of sugar workers as priority and not to gain political points.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, january 21, 2016

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

Editorial

Follow the money

E

ven though the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has been in the news, unfortunately it was not for tracking financial flows that might possibly be used for money laundering or the financing of terrorism. But then, it might be because we are in the backwaters of world finance when it comes to “real” money, but SOCU has to keep busy.

With the financial system of most countries liberalised during the last three decades, under the ministrations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its “Washington Consensus” free market fundamentalist approach, capital amounting to billions, and conceivably trillions, can now move quite seamlessly at the click of a computer mouse between countries. The theory, of course, is that this is a good thing, since the money would be seeking greater yields and the latter would come from and further encourage better economic performances.

That was the theory. In practice, it bumped up against the urge to make profits through speculation and the attendant “animal spirits”, as John Maynard Keynes called the capitalist compulsion for accumulation. In the 1990s, for instance, vast sums of money from Western banks flowed into the booming economies of Far East Asia, including Malaysia, Korea and Thailand, etc, in search of higher returns. The economies boomed even more vigorously and everybody was happy.

Until, that is, it appeared to some that the boom might be slowing down. The money suddenly changed direction and there was nothing most of the countries could do about it, since capital controls had been abandoned under the liberalisation mantra. The IMF, presumably formed to prevent the kind of meltdown that occurred, refused to intervene and a collapse ensued.

While some countries in that region did in fact take an oath not to depend on the IMF, but to rather accumulate enough reserves to see them through bad patches, they and the rest of the liberalised world did not give enough weight to the effect policies of the US, which effectively issues the world’s reserve currency, can have. These policies, designed to steady its own economy, inevitably has repercussions on other economies. This is especially true in those countries that have been dubbed “Emerging Economies” (EM) – such as China, India, Brazil, etc.

After the financial meltdown in the US and the EU in 2008, they both followed an “easy money” policy – especially the US that in effect pumped vast amounts of money into the financial system. This policy of the US Fed was known as “Quantitative Easing” – QE. This policy had two interrelated effects – it forced interest rates to the floor - effectively below zero in some instances – and so encouraged investments abroad into the emerging markets for greater returns. All would have been well if the money had been directed into concrete productive investments, but as in the previous East Asian fiasco, much of it was speculative.

After a two-year clearing of its institutional throat, which sent strong signals that financial volatility was a certainty through manipulation of QE, the Fed in mid-December declared it would “taper” or decrease the easy money by raising interest rates. And in the last four weeks, we have signs there might be a repetition of the “East Asian” crisis in the EM even as their economies, especially China’s, had been already slowing down to begin with.

So while there has been a great deal of talk of the BRICS and other EMs’ economic slowdown rippling down to developing countries like ours through a collapse of commodity markets like bauxite, the role of the Fed, with its qualitative “taper” and now an interest rate hike, has not received the attention it deserves as a partial cause of that weakness.

The lesson for us in Guyana, for the day when our financial markets might attract “hot money”, is that we cannot ignore the need to have a judicious amount of capital controls. Even the IMF concedes this today.

This gentleman man enjoying an afternoon of fishing at Ogle, East Coast Demerara

Sugar workers should not be treated in such a callous manner

Dear Editor, The brouhaha surrounding government’s announced closure of the Wales Estate, on the West Bank of Demerara, has not only created an upset in the community of Wales, but has provoked questions in the minds of right-thinking, rationale and reasonable Guyanese – adjectives I use only because the matter at hand is one about facts.

Since the closure was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, I dare say there has been some confusion created by none other than the Government itself, with the many pronouncements on the matter – confusion that I reason may be premised on the backlash Government is battling at its announcement.

However, as the adage goes, ‘truth slips out a little at a time’, and that is precisely what has been evidenced in the last three days.

FACTS

Fact is the Ministry of Agriculture announced the closure of the Wales Estate.

Fact is the Ministry made clear that the “course of action has nothing to do with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the sugar industry” – even as it recognised that the purpose of the CoI was to address GuySuCo’s plans for 2016.

Yesterday, Government said it was the Board of GuySuCo that made the decision to close Wales – the same Board that refused to act on the wage increases and Annual Production Incentive (API) payments to sugar workers because it could not act without the “framework” for a way forward, which was the CoI report.

Fact is that nowhere in the two-volume report does it say that the CoI recom-

mends the closure of any Estate. In fact, Volume One of the report states that the closure of estates is not recommended.

The question now is what considerations were taken into account for such a decision to be made.

Another fact is that the Government of Guyana is GuySuCo’s major shareholder and a decision of such magnitude, with varying devastating impacts for the community at large – specifically if one were to consider the fact that the Wales Sugar Estate benefits some 1,600 workers directly and thousands more indirectly.

In consideration of these facts, so far, the second question that arises is whether or not the GuySuCo Board is ‘taking one for the team’ – upon instruction – by accepting blame for a decision. Even so, another fact is that Government is not excused from its role to protect the interests of a massive number of Guyanese and provide the much touted ‘good life for all’.

That said, the third question is, if Cabinet indeed was the decision making body in this debacle, was the decision made before or after the CoI report was completed.

If it was before, then the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration lied to the Guyanese people in saying it was waiting on the report before it took any major decisions that will affect the sugar industry.

If the decision was after the CoI report was completed, then the fact is that the Government, which paid over $52M for the Commission of Inquiry, rubbished its own report, which does not recommend closure.

The facts of the issue are clear, but so are the questions that linger about the ‘tangled’ comments coming from the APNU+AFC Government.

A befuddled Holder

There is also a worrying amount of confusion coming from none other than Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, himself.

In reading a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, he discloses that the CoI report was sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee. Now any right thinking Guyanese, following the political plays of this Administration, knows that a Parliamentary Special Select Committee is the place Government refuses to send the Bills that it brings to the National Assembly for greater scrutiny, despite countless pleas from the political Opposition.

That said, after clarification was sought, it was disclosed that the Committee the befuddled Minister was referring to was indeed the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services. Taking the report to that Committee was not unexpected. It was a given that the Committee would consider the CoI report, after was laid in the National Assembly. In fact, Minister Holder himself would have to be the one to lead a stakeholder-team to appear before the Committee, while it considers the report.

Also of note is the fact that, according to Parliamentary records, each Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services – (20032006), (2007-2011) and (2012-2014) – has summoned the Ministers of Agriculture and representative from GuySuCo to discuss the sugar sector.

Each Committee’s report

was tabled in the National Assembly and subsequently adopted.

A question on investment

Another notable pronouncement from the Government was that Wales Estate’s closure was due to the fact that Skeldon benefited from the investment, while the Wales Estate languished in need of similar support.

Back to facts, it should be noted that Skeldon, like most areas in the Region 6, has ‘Grade A’ lands and greater investments there were merited. Fact is Wales Estate lands are categorized as ‘Grade C’ lands.

Fact also is, while APNU+AFC claims that one was sacrificed for another, compared to the two national budgets – the 2015 and soon to be presented 2016 Estimates – the former administration’s investment per annum in sugar still surpasses investments made by the new Government. Only a meager $12B was invested in 2015 and the same amount, $12B, was announced as an inclusion in the 2016 Budget. Fact is that the former government promised the industry $20B in 2015, when APNU+AFC only gave it $12B. Fact also is that it was APNU and AFC, while in Opposition, that were gunning to cut the budget allocations, as recent as 2014, but changed positions after hundreds of sugar workers protested outside Public Buildings on the day that matter was being debated.

Another fact is also that the US$50M line of credit from India was intended to support factories, including Wales. As the new government APNU+AFC must say what it will do with that money. turn to page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, january 21, 2016

5

Saddened by the closure Sugar workers should not... of Wales Estate from page 4

Dear Editor, Like me, most Guyanese, here and abroad, must have been shocked when they opened the newspapers and read that Wales Estate will be closed at the end of this year.

I was equally saddened when I read the comments by residents of this estate’s community by a section of the media captioned “Wales residents say will be badly hit by the sugar estate closure”. The full extent of this closure is not properly felt yet; it’s when they will actually be unemployed that the full impact will be felt. Time will tell.

The Agriculture Ministry in its statement contended that “it was impossible to make sugar at Wales viable” and that closing the estate would “allow improvements to be carried on the better performing estates”.

I disagree that “it’s impossible to make sugar at Wales viable”, since this estate was one of the “better performing estates” not too long ago.

The current poor performance of the estate is due primarily to poor management at the estate and head office levels in the past 7 years.

Agriculture operations and research and development units at head office have failed to provide the kind of support and advice to sustain the high level of production and productivity that prevailed on this estate in the era of 1991 to 2008 as will be illustrated below.

Between the period 1991 to 2004, an era when Booker Tate man-

aged the industry, sugar production appreciated considerably each year. The average sugar production in this era for Wales was 24,638 tonnes per year, of which Farmers contributed an average 7746 tonnes each year or 31 per cent of the total estate’s production.

Cane yield and land productivity was 65 tonnes cane per hectare and 5.54 tonnes sugar per hectare, respectively.

After 2004 sugar production precipitously declined on all estates each year to present time.

Between the period 1991 to 2008, the full era of Booker Tate, average annual sugar production for Wales was 24,932, with farmers contributing 7733 tonnes. Cane yield and land productivity was 68 tonnes cane per hectare and 5.69 tonnes sugar per hectare, respectively.

Despite production declining on all estates from 2005 to 2008, Wales consistently sustained a high performance.

Between the periods 2009 – 2015, under local management, the average sugar production for the estate is 20,709 tonnes and cane yield is 47 tonnes cane per hectare; a decline of almost 4000 tonnes sugar per year and a drop in yield of 18 tonnes cane per hectare. Herein lies the problem.

Farmers’ contribution rose from 31 per cent to 50-52 per cent as result of poor cane yield and low land productivity. For all the years, unlike the other estates, Wales enjoyed a stable and least disruptive

workforce.

Editor, I make this analysis to illustrate that Wales has demonstrated over the years as being a consistently “better performing estate”, but it has suffered immensely through mismanagement of the agriculture operations that has now led to its peril, where close to 1800 sugar workers will have to be severed from employment.

The recently-concluded Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry listed 10 “main issues that led to the current poor, unacceptable state of the sugar industry”, among which is “not adhering to, or being guided by, basic and well-established practices, especially in agriculture”.

Its unthinkable what will be the fate of these workers and their families, and not forgetting the many small and medium sized businesses that line the pathways from Sisters Village to Free-and-Easy whose main source of income is from sugar workers.

Editor, the decision to close Wales Estate and having to sever close to 1800 workers must be attributed to neglect and mismanagement, and the ownership of this national tragedy points in the direction of all those who would have adjudicated in the agriculture management and control of the sugar industry from 2009 to date.

Yours faithfully, Rajendra Parmanand

Fact is too that if one were to assess the investments in the Skeldon Estate, a lot of that money is provided by foreign funders and represent long term loans.

If one were to review that, then it would be clear that actual withdrawals from the national treasury were minimal. Compare this to the investment in a struggling Bauxite industry, where almost all the funds were from the treasury under the former government, which acted in this matter because the people of the community needed the industry to support their livelihoods.

So the question is how does APNU+AFC rationalise its statement that Wales was sacrificed for Skeldon and that the needs of the Wales Factory would have been ignored.

Ignoring facts On the point of ignoring, it must be noted that while many sugar workers may soon be on the breadline, Government’s investment in Linden electricity subsidies continues in the billions.

Why is investing in sugar, which is in a difficult situation, different from investing in significantly reduced electricity for the people of Linden? With the lat-

ter, there are no returns to the treasury, but people indeed benefit. With the former, investments can support the industry’s return to viability, which in turn will see a return to the treasury.

Also, it was Government itself that lauded the improved performance of the Skeldon Sugar Factory. The same factory, which benefited from an investment – an investment that APNU+AFC is criticizing the former administration even as it lauds the improved performance of Skeldon. Government needs to pick a side, in all truth.

Sugar at one point contributed 20 per cent to Guyana’s foreign earnings, according to information from the Ministry of Finance.

Sugar has given much to Guyana and the Guyanese people and in its hour of need decisions must be made considering the bigger picture – the financial and economic implications of keeping the industry alive. Sugar workers who have bled and toiled for the industry that has given much to Guyana and the Guyanese people should not be treated in such a callous manner.

Sincerely, Adrian Anamayah, MP.

6

thursday, january 21, 2016

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Quirky discipline rules that work continued

By Dr Joan Simeo Munson

“W

hy can’t I get my kids to get their homework done and off to bed without the constant screaming, bickering, and crying?” If you’ve asked yourself this question regularly, you’re not alone. Parents tell me that homework and bedtime battles are some of the most nerve-wracking, exhausting moments of parenthood. No wonder. When everyone is coming home tired and cranky, homework and getting ready for bed are prime fodder for arguments. But with some simple, thoughtful changes, you can develop a Calm Evening Plan that will make things a lot less stressful for you and your children.

I’ve found that the most effective plan for eliminating homework/bedtime woes starts as soon as your child gets home, not at the end of the day when everyone is tired and probably not at their best.

It’s also important to make it realistic so that it works for everyone, you can follow it consistently, and you don’t ask too much of yourself or your children. Here are eight tips to help you create your Calm Evening Plan. You can try all of them or pick and choose.

For calm evenings – after school through bedtime Hold a quick family meeting. Begin the process on a weekend by calling a family meeting. Let your children know that after-school time, right up through bedtime, is going to run differently from now on. Keep it simple

and let them know the goal: to get as much completed before bedtime with as little stress as possible. You can say, “We’re going to try something different starting tomorrow after school so things work better for all of us.”

Set expectations and consequences.

Establish rules for what has to get accomplished as soon as your children get home from school. For children of all ages, this can include putting shoes and jackets away, emptying lunch boxes and water bottles,

and setting up their homework at their study space. Tell them ahead of time what the consequences will be if they don’t do their chores, and be sure to follow through. Setting some simple ground rules can keep chaos from erupting after school. If your child complains about homework after school, point him back to the ground rules and consequences.

No screens.

Watching TV or playing video games when first arriving home from school make it difficult to begin homework or chores and should be eliminated

from the afternoon ritual. So does having access to other electronics (phones, tablets, etc); have a basket handy where all electronics go as soon as your child walks in the door. When you want your child to have their electronics returned or to be able to watch TV is a personal choice. Just be clear that permission to use the phone during a break involves a specific time limit and then the phone goes back in the basket.

But what should you do if your child needs his laptop

or tablet in order to do his homework? One solution is to have tablets and laptops parked in a visible place and allow your child to “check them out” in order to use them for homework. This means they alert you that they need them, what they are using them for, and the length of time they will be used. Using electronics in a specific area of the home where you can monitor their use can also be helpful for younger children who may or may not be able to stay on task.

Allow decompression

time. Allow your children a certain amount of time to decompress, but make sure the amount of time is decided upon prior to when “down time” starts. If your child has a lot of energy, a 15-minute bike ride can help release it. If your child is tired, a snack may be the answer. Just remember to stick to the agreed upon time limit.

Divide homework into doable sections.

Homework should begin after decompression time so that it doesn’t interfere with bedtime.

For children of all ages this tends to be a challenge, so breaking homework up into doable sections can help.

Some parents find it helpful to have their children divide their homework into sections: what they want to start on immediately after school, what they wish to work on after chores or dinner, and if necessary, what to finish up later in the evening, after they shower or complete an extracurricular activity.

Some children need breaks in between assignments. For younger children, set the timer (15 minutes is usually good) and explain that once the timer goes off, they have to sit back down and continue.

Older children can set their own breaks, but make sure that break doesn’t turn into an hour on the phone. Let them know how they can access you for questions; for example, what’s a good time to call you at work? For younger children and middle schoolers especially, determine how you’ll check in on their progress. (Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

– tired of nagging and scolding?

Try these surprising solutions

By Barbara Rowley

Rule #4: Take that show on the road Goal: Peace and quiet

Is it just me or does someone saying “one-strawberry, twostrawberry, three-strawberry” over and over in a squeaky voice make you want to smash some strawberries into a pulpy mess? I want my kids to be gleefully noisy when they need and want to be. But I don’t feel it’s necessary that I be their audience/victim past a few minutes or so, or that I should have to talk (shout?) over their, um, joyous clamour when I’m on the phone. So once I’ve shown attention adequate to their display, I tell them that they’re free to sing, bang, chant or caterwaul to their hearts’ content, just not here. The same goes for whining, tantrums and generic pouting.

For the irrational and longwinded whining jags sometimes used by her four-year-old son, my friend Denise has turned this rule to a pithy declaration: “I’m ready to listen when you’re ready to talk.” She then leaves the room.

Why it works: It gives children a choice rather than a prohibition and does so without rejecting them.

Rule #5: We don’t argue about money Goal: Short-circuit begging and pleading for stuff

This rule has to be enforced consistently to work, but the basic deal is that you can tell your child yes or no on any requested purchase, but you don’t discuss it. If your child protests, simply repeat, calmly, like a mantra, that you won’t

argue about money. The key to success is that you have to have the courage of your convictions and not argue. Thus the calm repetition.

It cuts both ways, though: When your kids want to spend their “own” money, point out potential mistakes and give advice on the purchase if you’d like, but at the end of the day, don’t overrule them unless it’s a matter of health or safety.

After all, you don’t argue about money. They may make some bad choices, but they’ll learn.

And you’ll all enjoy shopping together a lot more.

Why it works: It shifts the focus from the whined-for treat to financial policy. You’re almost changing the topic on them, no longer debating why they should or shouldn’t have gum or some plastic plaything and, instead, invoking a reasonablesounding family value.

Rule #6: I can’t understand you when you speak like that Goal: Stopping whining, screaming and general rudeness

This one requires almost religious consistency of application to work effectively.

But, essentially, you simply proclaim incomprehension when your child orders (rather than asks) you to do something, whines or otherwise speaks to you in a way you don’t like.

Whispering this helps; it takes the whole thing down a notch on the carrying-on scale. This is a de-escalation tool, so calmly repeat the rule a few times and don’t get lured into raising your voice. A child who’s whining or being rude is clearly seeking attention and drama, so use this as a way to provide neither.

Why it works: It empowers your child by suggesting he has something valuable to say (if he says it nicely) and allows you to completely invalidate (ie, ignore) the rude presentation.

Rule #7: There’s no such thing as boredom Goal: Prevent your child from saying “I’m bored”; teach her to entertain herself

A friend of mine says this is one of the few things he got right with his kids. The first time his older daughter claimed she was bored, he simply denied that the thing existed. Now he sometimes adds: “There’s no such thing as boredom, only failure of the imagination” or “...only mental laziness.”

Surprisingly he’s never gotten the “There is too boredom!” argument, only an exasperated “Da-ad.” Regardless of the phrasing, the result is the same: The burden of amusement lands directly on your child, which is precisely where you want it.

Why it works: By the time your kids have figured out the puzzle of how something that exists can also not exist, they won’t be bored. Also, it changes the terms of debate, from a challenge for you (list all my toys, then cave in and let me watch TV) to one for them. Besides – if your child learns how to entertain herself, there truly is no such thing as boredom. And that’s a gift that will last all her life. (Excerpt from parenting.com)

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thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Wales Estate closure

Sophia man’s death

Jagdeo blasts Govt for rubbishing Police hunt 2 suspects CoI recommendations T

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fter investing millions of dollars to launch a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to determine the best way forward for the industry, Government blatantly rubbished its recommendations and is currently coming under fire for its decision.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo lambasted the administration for repudiating the prudent submissions made in the CoI report, which clearly noted that there will be dire consequences if any of the sugar estates were to be shut down during the current economic crisis plaguing the country.

An excerpt from the report reads: “Commissioners were aware that the closure of estates, especially in Demerara had been recommended and considered in previous studies thought it not prudent to make such a recommendation at this time.”

The report considered the current state of the economy with awareness of the problems in the various industries coupled with the unemployment rate. It also took into account that cane farmers from Wales and the Nos 1 and 2 Canals have invested millions of dollars in the acquisition of agricultural machinery plus millions more in growing sugar cane with the expectation of continuous harvesting for another three years.

According to the report: “Based on these considerations, it seemed inappropriate to advocate the closure at this time of any sugar estate. That subject is likely to surface in the future, but it will necessitate forward planning and discussing with fanners such a plan with adequate notice to phase out their operations.”

But government without any consultations with sugar workers, announced

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the closure of Wales Estate, despite the fact also that its State Minister Joseph Harmon had only recently assured this would not happen.

Jagdeo, during a press conference at Freedom House Monday, blasted the government for repudiating expert advice on what’s best for the industry, noting that it appears as if it is vindictively attacking the support base of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

“Now this was the government that was waiting to be advised by these technical people and they have suddenly moved away from the recommendation of this sacred report that they were waiting on,” he stated.

Issues

Jagdeo concurred with some of the issues addressed in the report but asserted that some were based on inadequate information and alternative perspective.

He noted that if the ‘economic rate of return’ was calculated, one would be able to easily capture the multitude of benefits that GuySuCo generates for the entire economy.

“It’s not just the profit and loss statement that you have to look at. GuySuCo

serves multiple purposes,” Jagdeo insisted, noting that the Corporation provides many community services.

He also explained that one cannot solely examine the debt of the company and pronounce on a decision without considering the critical factors.

He pointed out that the short-term debt can be easily reduced because its majority is taxes owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) whereas the long-term debt is monies owed to the government for the acquisition of certain machinery like the cogeneration plants.

“They will not be required to service these things because the government has not after them… even the GRA, the property tax and corporation tax, the GRA hasn’t gone after them… the government is not going to close down the industry because they’re not paying the taxes to GRA; because there was a time when the sugar levy was about 20 per cent of the sugar revenue in the good days when sugar was contributing 20 per cent to the total revenue of the country,” Jagdeo emphasised.

Diamond and LBI Estates

Meanwhile, it was pointed out that the PPP/C administration had similarly

Linden murder suspect for court today

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awrence Carter, 54, of Phase 1B Wisrock, Linden, who brutally hacked his wife to death and injured his stepdaughter, 18, is expected to make his court appearance today at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

He is expected to appear slapped with murder and attempted murder charges.

Carter and his reputed wife, Leolyn Sullivan, 34, had a heated argument in the wee hours of Monday during which he whipped out a knife and stabbed the woman at least 19 times. The woman’s daughter Shameka Campbell who ran to her mother’s rescue, was also stabbed to the neck and arm.

Slain: Leolyn Sullivan

After committing the act, the man attempted suicide by slicing his arm with a knife. The trio were rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where Sullivan was pronounced dead on ar-

rival and Campbell admitted. Carter was treated and handed over to the police.

It was reported that the argument between the couple started after Sullivan could not account for her whereabouts over the weekend and more so, why photographs were taken with she and another man in a compromising position.

However, it was reported that Sullivan had travelled to Georgetown Friday to conduct business and had returned late Sunday evening. She had reportedly confided in a friend that she and Carter were expected to meet with “Welfare” over some issues on the same day of the incident.

closed down the Diamond and La Bonne Intention Sugar Estates (LBI), however Jagdeo explained that the situations are vastly different.

“Basically, it (Diamond and LBI closure) was the continuous restructuring of the industry. There were lots of things that happened over the years, systems were changed, we moved to mechanisation… but when you talk about a closure of the nature that is at Wales, it is totally different. Listen to the callous way it was done, they made the announcement and now they are trying to tell the people what the plans are. Even the report said you have to talk to people long before you make a decision of that nature,” he explained.

Moreover, Jagdeo emphasised that the PPP/C will stand in solidarity with the beleaguered sugar workers and their families and fight with them for the survival of the Wales Estate.

He said the Party will make vigorous attempts to convince the government to reverse the decision and if all talking fails, the Party is prepared to join the sugar workers in protest.

he police are now hunting two men wanted for questioning in connection with the death of Akeem Culley, 25, whose decomposed body was fished out of a canal in Sophia on Tuesday morning, 21 days after he went missing.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that the police are awaiting results of the post-mortem to get a clear direction on how to deal with the death.

However, Guyana Times understands that the man might have been shot and stabbed on the night he went missing.

Jamal as he is commonly called, was found in a trench referred to as “Forty-foot” by residents after a foul stench was emanating from the area.

The miner went missing on December 29 after he was abducted by four men who stormed his home.

The men had accused the now dead man and his brother of stealing a motorcycle. As they were leaving, Jamal’s reputed wife Kendyce Duncan said she heard Culley make a groaning sound followed by the sound of two gunshots.

Since then, she has not seen nor heard from Culley.

She made several reports to the Turkeyen Police Station about her missing

Dead: Akeem Culley

husband and although the police searched the area, they came up empty-handed.

However, after some time, persons in the area complained about a foul stench and thus a check was made but the residents did not find anything.

On Tuesday last villagers decided to clear the bushes from the trench and it was then the man’s decomposed body was found.

It was reported that two suspected stab wounds were seen on the abdomen and a gunshot wound to his foot.

The decomposed body of the father of two was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home and an investigation was launched by the police.

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thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eyew tness

Linden fatal accident

Taxi driver on $800,000 bail Remembering

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he taxi driver who struck Linden pensioner Henrietta Cadogon on Monday, killing her in the process, was granted $800,000 bail when he made an appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The defendant, Wendell Smith, 35, of M12 One Mile, Wismar, Linden, was granted bail by Magistrate Clive Nurse.

Smith was represented by Attorney Gordon Gilhuys. The charge against the father of two stated that on January 18, 2016, he drove hire car HC5603 along the One Mile Public Road, Wismar, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of

Cadogon.

Meanwhile, the post mortem of Cadogon, 74, on Wednesday revealed that she died of multiple injuries.

Cadogon of 572 Canvas City, Wismar, was struck while attempting to cross on a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Four Corner, One Mile, Linden.

At the time of the accident, Smith was reportedly driving at a fast rate. He later surrendered to police.

Cadogon was admitted to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) where she died later on Monday while receiving treatment.

Smith is scheduled to return to court on February 10.

Henrietta Cadogon

“Gaza Kim” has to pay child compensation

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man, who gave his name to the Police and eventually the Court as “Gaza Kim” was on Wednesday taken before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with assaulting a boy child, 7.

The Court heard that the accused, 26, whose particu-

lars were not given, dealt the child a slap to the head on January 13. The defendant accepted the charge, telling the Magistrate that he was simply “joking around”.

He alleged that on the day of the incident the child hit the accused in his head with a Styrofoam food box and in retaliation the ac-

cused dealt him a slap. The child reportedly told his father of the incident and his father lodged a complaint with the Police.

The defendant told the Magistrate that he and the child plays together and that they usually make those sorts of “physical jokes”. He said when he hit the child, the child neither

Lindener jailed for felony offence

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n Amelia’s Ward man was sentenced to 18 months behind bars after he was found guilty for two break and entering related charges.

The defendant, Mark Reid, 54, of Lot 2403 Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony, as well as break and enter and larceny.

The court heard that he broke and entered the home of Shawn Sealey at Lot 2400 Central Amelia’s Ward on December 12, 2015, with the intention of committing a felony.

The court further heard that Reid also broke and entered the home of Andrew Blair between December 11 and 12, 2015 and stole a laptop valued $75,000.

The defendant had been on remand for the offences since December, 2015. The 18 months sentence will run concurrently.

cried nor received injuries and it was all a form of joking around.

The Magistrate reprimanded him, telling him that at his age, he should not be “playing” those sorts of jokes with a child.

Magistrate Moore thereby ordered the accused to pay the child $15,000 in compensation.

Man arrested with illegal shotgun

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Matthews Ridge, North West District (NWD) resident is expected to be charged with illegal possession of a firearm shortly, after being found with an unlicensed shotgun on Tuesday.

Police stated that about 10:00h on the day in question, ranks of a mobile patrol at Matthews Ridge, conducted a search on the man and the shotgun was found in a bag. He is assisting with investigations.

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…the great MLK

t was with some surprise - and a great amount of disappointment - your Eyewitness noticed so very little coverage of the legacy of Martin Luther King last Monday – the third Monday of January on which he’s honoured in his native US of A. In a world that’s filled with hatred, bigotry and downright savagery of man for his fellow man, the work of words and works of this great man deserves to be promoted more than ever.

And it’s not as if we don’t know about him because he’s from the US…he was a beacon to many in the Caribbean as we also struggled for our peoples to be treated with dignity in a world that insisted in defining us as “sub-human”. What set apart MLK, of course, is the path of struggle he chose. As a devout Christian who took the tenets of the Christ seriously, he interestingly was inspired to choose “non-violent resistance” from a man of another faith –Hindu – and halfway across the world – Gandhi.

Interestingly, Gandhi wrote about the impact of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount on his own development.

Gandhi’s strategy of Satyagraha or “non-violence” had been widely reported in the US contemporaneously as they occurred –such as the famous “Salt March” of 1930 and continuing to his death. King wrote extensively about the influence of Gandhi on him - and in 1959 spent five weeks touring India being hosted by Gandhi’s disciples.

If nothing else, MLK should remind our leaders that oppression is a universal phenomenon but so is the human struggle against its odious effects. And that ultimately we can’t allow oppression to make us forget our human commonality. Or allow immoral means to justify moral ends. If we go down that road, in the end we become the same as the oppressor… and will inevitably oppress others.

But while MLK might be known most for his “nonviolent” struggle in the west – he was not just concerned about the narrow issue of civil rights – important as that was in the context he was operating. Even though the Johnson administration had passed the Civil Rights Act and a raft of other initiatives to enlarge the space of justice for African Americans, MLK criticized the war in Vietnam because he concluded that it was an unjust war.

For this he earned the savage ire of President Johnson – but he never wavered in speaking truth to power.

Guyanese should insist his words ring from the mountains of the Pakaraimas to the plains of Crabwood Creek.

…our hardworking M&CC workers

In this year of the 50th Jubilee Celebrations of our Independence, we have the amazing news that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) staff will be getting their own GATED community. These goodly folks, after all have been keeping our Garden City in all its pristine glory all these 50 years!

After all, Town Clerk Royston King reasoned, the city has land in places like Bel Air, the mason’s, engineers, plumbers etc who can knock out these houses like hot phouleries! Never mind these good folks are being paid from our rates and taxes for providing their services.

Furthermore, King explained, private companies like Banks have gated communities for their employees, so why not the City Council for their band of dedicated workers? The incidental fact that Banks just declared $2B+ in profits – and has been doing so for years, is irrelevant. You can’t expect the City Workers to work like Private Sector workers, can you?

Ah….to be a City Worker!!

…our sugar heritage

Everyone’s all het up Wales Estate’s going to be pulling down the shutters. For good! But old people say “if you get a lemon, why not make lemonade?” So they can’t produce sugar efficiently?

What about medical marijuana? The world’s largest farm was just launched in Chile… Imagine what we can do…since it’s the sugar workers from India that brought “ganja” here!

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

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thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

GuySuCo clueless about fate of 1700 workers – GAWU T he Guyana Sugar C o r p o r a t i o n (GuySuCo) seems to be heading down a very dismal path with regards to its future plans for the many workers of Wales Estate, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who are set to become jobless before the end of this year.

This was the conclusion drawn by those very workers, who along with their representative unions, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), met with officials from the corporation Wednesday to discuss the way forward.

But that meeting with the three-man delegation which included Chief Industrial Relations Officer James Sukhu, and Earl John, did very little to offer answers to the disturbed sugar workers.

The workers, who have planned a range of actions to persuade Government to revisit its decision, have condemned the move which they say will leave them in a vulnerable position.

“They don’t have a plan and we want to say that we are in a very poor state” was the cry of Tallak Khan, a father of three. “If GuySuCo closes, where will I find a job in the next three months to take care of my family?

I have three children going to primary and secondary schools. I will definitely have to take them out of school. In Wales there is no company, no industry, noth-

Workers of Wales Estate gather on the road leading to the La Bonne Intention Sugar Estate following their meeting with GuySuCo officials on Wednesday

ing, we will have to come to Georgetown and push cart”, he told Guyana Times some minutes after meeting with GuySuCo. Another cane harvester Gordon Thomas said: “You can’t just jump and do something like that. You have to give us a try, because all the estates have been running at a loss. And if it is running at a loss then you have to put money into it. All we asking is for you to put a $3 billion into Wales and it will be able to stand on its feet over the next three years.”

GAWU’s head Komal Chand, who led his delegation to meet with the corporation, said both his union and NAACIE will be taking actions if Government does not reconsider its plans.

He said the workers have already decided that they will be engaging in some protests in the lead-up to the closure of the estate.

“They felt that they will work in the community and

gather the residents to seek their support because persons in the community some of them are pensioners receiving pension from the estate, the milkman, the tailor, the butcher all depend on the workers’ income,” he said He explained that there will also be two petitions to President Granger: one from the community itself, and one from the workers.

“And so they are thinking about a number of things to do and they have an entire year to get into this venture. They are talking about prolonged substantive protest actions in the ensuing month and they feel that they will have a wider public support to cause Government to undo its decision,” he said While this is happening however, he said they also plan to improve their revenue stream from value added Sugar as well as improve their production.

“They surpassed their target last year, they are going to improve their target this year and they are also of the view that Government’s decision could be reversed.”

Speaking of the meeting held earlier in the day, Chand said GuySuCo did not turn up prepared for the meeting.

“They have not been able to tell us how many workers they will retain at Wales at this time. How many they will have taking up work at Uitvlugt, how many during the course of the year they will have transferred to Uitvlugt. They say they are looking at engaging in a new venture. We asked them to give a breakdown of this and they have not been able to provide any answer because they have none.”

Government made an official announcement Monday that it was moving to close the Wales Sugar Estate.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, it acknowledged that there is

need for investment to ‘refurbish’ the estate and that the figures for this remain significantly high.

However, “the finances are simply not available” and diverting funds from the other estates to keep Wales afloat would “seriously jeopardise the future of these estates,” the Government said.

As such, the Administration remains steadfast in its position that this cannot be allowed to happen and, therefore, the decision to close Wales Estate is final.

In a media statement, the Agriculture Ministry stated that there was a “gloomy outlook” for sugar prices in the foreseeable future and the Wales Estate has been projected to make a loss of $1.6 billion to $1.9 billion this year.

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thursday, january 21, 2016

News

2 dead, 13-year-old missing in Barima River boat mishap

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wo persons were killed and a third is feared drowned after the boat in which they were travelling capsized while crossing the Barima River, North West District (NWD) on Tuesday morning. The incident reportedly occurred about 03:00h.

Those who perished as a result of the mishap were identified as a teenager and a woman believed to be in her 40s. Their names were not immediately available to Guyana Times.

The 13-year-old feared drowned was identified as the daughter of Maureen Santiago, the owner of the boat, former-

ly of Mabaruma, NWD, who now resided in Venezuela.

Santiago and her children were heading to her mother’s place at Mabaruma

Settlement from Venezuela when the tragedy occurred.

Based on initial reports, the boat was carrying at

least 14 people, some of whom had asked for a ride.

As they were reportedly heading across the Barima River, the boat came into rough waters and capsized.

Eleven of the persons managed to swim to shore.

A search party was established, and the bodies of the teenager and the woman were found in Venezuelan territory. The bodies are at a funeral home in the Spanish-speaking country.

The search continues for the missing 13-year-old girl.

Law enforcement officers in Venezuela have questioned the owner of the boat, as they continue their investigation.

DPP recommends rape charge for Police Officer

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he Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that the Police Officer who allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl be charged with rape of a child under 16 years of age.

According to reports, the young woman, who hails from the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), was alleg-

edly abducted by a gold miner but escaped; she then sought to lodge a complaint with the Police Officer with whom she was previously acquainted.

The young woman reportedly went to the Officer’s home and it was there that the Officer allegedly committed the act. After news of the incident was made public, the Officer was transferred from

the Timehri Police Station to the Tactical Services Unit to facilitate an investigation into the allegation.

Reports had also surfaced that the Officer’s sister, who is a medical practitioner, attempted to cover up the incident by offering the young woman’s family a hefty sum of cash to retract the rape allegation.

Rape case against Barber dismissed

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rape case against a barber was on Wednesday dismissed by Justice Navindra Singh when the victim refused to pursue the case any further.

Collis Allen, 27, a barber who was attached to Clippers Barber Shop, received a not guilty verdict on a charge which read that on September 8, 2014 he raped a 16-year-old female.

The court had previous-

ly heard that on the day in question at about 16:00h Allen picked up the victim in his car with her consent under the pretence of dropping her home.

However, he took her to an isolated spot in the Botanical Gardens where he forced her to engage in fellatio, taking photographs of the young woman during the process.

She subsequently made a report to the Police and

Allen was arrested. He was later put on trial before the High Court and was represented by Attorney Peter Hugh while the State was represented by Attorneys Narissa Leander, Michael Shahoud and Siand Dhurjon.

The young woman, who is now 18, told the Court that she is ready to move on with her life and does not have any interest in taking the matter any further.

5 Lindeners remanded for being in marijuana den

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agistrate Clive Nurse on Tuesday remanded five Lindeners to prison for the offence of being found in a place where persons resort to for the purpose of smoking cannabis sativa.

The accused Carl Andrews, a labourer, 61, of 167 Central Amelia’s

Ward, MacKenzie, Harold Evans, 68, of Lot 70 Victory Valley, Wismar, Yvonne February, 63 of One Mile, Wismar, Carl Obermuller, 43, a labourer with no fixed place of abode, and Hola Joseph, also a labourer, 49, of 1039 Victory Valley, all pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared

at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The charge against the five accused is that they were found in the said place, which is situated at Victory Valley, on Sunday, January 17, without lawful and reasonable excuse.

The matter was adjourned for February 3.

Narcotics trafficking accused remanded

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Lindener was remanded to prison Tuesday by Magistrate Clive Nurse on a trafficking in narcotics charge.

The defendant Colin

Harding, 59, a miner of Lot 136 First Alley, Wismar, appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge which stated that he had 30 grammes of cannabis sa-

tiva in his possession for the purpose of trafficking on January 17, at Victory Valley.

He was remanded to prison and the case will continue on February 3.

thursday, january 21, 2016

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News Mother of 4 killed in Bartica accident

– another air-dashed following Itaballi collision

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mother of four has become the latest 2016 road fatality after she was stuck by a truck on Wednesday in the vicinity of the service station at the junction of First Avenue and Sixth Street, Bartica, Region Seven, (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Dead is Denita Williams, 31, of Dogg Point, Bartica.

While information remains sketchy of the accident, Guyana Times understands that the woman came to Bartica to purchase groceries at the market but ended up under the “Model M” truck bearing registration number GRR 7153.

According to information, the woman was dragged sev-

eral meters before the truck came to a halt. She was picked up by the driver, Dale Edward and rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver and the other occupants of the vehicle were taken into police custody and are assisting with investigations.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford along with other representatives from the Regional Democratic Council visited the dead woman’s relatives and offered condolences.

Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford met with relatives of the dead woman

Controversial Coroners legislation

Govt passed ethnically discriminatory bill – Jagdeo alleges

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said Government has gone ahead with the passage of the Coroners Amendment Bill without making any attempt to change its colonialist features.

This failure he said has now placed Guyanese of certain ethnicities to be left out of something that should benefit everyone in the first place.

“We now have a Bill that will become an Act and still describes persons of Indian and Chinese origins as immigrants of Asiatic origins as it were in colonial era. And should they die of unnatural causes, we would have to report this to the immigration Agent General. That is a feature of the Bill that we passed in Parliament”.

Last Thursday, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams read for the second time, the Coroners Amendment Bill 2015. That Bill, after much debate and unending back and forth, was passed, albeit without the support of the opposition.

The Bill according to Williams will allow for answers to be given to the hundreds of families who lost loved ones in instances of “unnatural deaths” during the 2002-2003 crime wave.

But the Opposition Leader argues that government needs to remove the section of the bill, which will now become an Act, and which offers no support to East Indians and Chinese here, especially in light of the speech given by President Granger in the context of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary.

“The bill that we urged the Government to go to the select committee with; a feature that has been accepted by Parliaments across the world, so that the best bill could go to the floor…

just for two days…. And we urge its removal especially in light of the speech the president made in the context of Guyana’s 50th anniversary. There are features of that bill that describe us as living on a plantation and so on... Which are old colonial features, where they have refused to go to the Special Select Committee to change”, he said. “It leads me to believe that what the President says has absolutely no meaning to his own cabinet, then how can it have meaning to any of us, because every day, the things he has spoken so far, we have seen radical departure from those practice”, Jagdeo said.

Government used its oneseat majority to railroad its Coroners (Amendment) Bill – Bill No 11 of 2015 through the National Assembly.

It claimed the Amendment, which would authorise the appointment of several new coroners in all three counties, was necessary to clean up the large number of ‘unnatural deaths’ that have occurred over the years.

The Opposition objected on two grounds – that the new coroners were “unnecessary” and “politically motivated”, since sitting Magistrates were also coroners, and secondly that some “racist and colonial” language needed to be eliminated from the extant Act. The Government was referring to one set of killings that occurred between 2002 and 2008. Towards the end of that decade, the People’s National Congress (PNC), under the leadership of Robert Corbin, compiled a list of what it claimed to be over 400 mostly young Afro-Guyanese men who were killed by a “Phantom Squad” since 2002.

Corbin did not include

the large number of other individuals who were killed contemporaneously by armed gangs that operated out of Buxton.

At the time, Corbin claimed he wanted an “international investigation”, since the Police had been “involved in some of the killings”. However, following the PNC-led APNU/ AFC victory at the last elections, the new Government proposed that coroners be appointed to investigate the alleged “phantom killings”.

Invited to discuss the issue by Attorney General Basil Williams, former AG Anil Nandlall requested that the Bill be sent to a Select Committee so that the entire Bill, which had elements from its first enactment in 1887, could be scrutinised.

The incumbent AG refused.

During the debate in the National Assembly, PPP/C vehemently reiterated its objections to the Bill, with both former AG Nandlall and PPP/C’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira emphasising the racist language embedded in the Act after the Amendment.

Nandlall said the Special Committee review was necessary since the Act, passed 129 years ago, speaks to “Asiatics” and “plantations”, thus making it out of touch with the current realities. “In my humble and respectful opinion, this Bill is an abysmal failure in an attempt to amend the law,” Nandlall said.

In her peroration, which failed to move Government, Teixeira described the resultant Act as “racist” and “colonialist”. The PPP/C parliamentarian was referencing sections such as the one referring to “inquiry into unnatural death of immigrant on plantation”.

Itaballi accident Meanwhile, General Manager of the Bartica

General Manager of the Bartica Gold Mining Operation Christopher Shewram

Gold Mining Operation Christopher Shewram was air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital

nursing severe head and body injuries he sustained in an accident at Itaballi, Region Seven.

Based on information received, Shewram who is a manager of a mining operation was waiting at the Itaballi Crossing when a motor lorry slammed into his parked All Terrain Vehicle (ATV).

Hospital sources confirmed that the man sustained broken arms and legs along with head injured.

He is presently a patient at the GPHC and is listed in a stable condition. The police have also taken the driver of the motor vehicle into custody as they continue their investigations.

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thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Skeldon cane harvesters protest – want better pay, working conditions

By Andrew Carmichael

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lthough grinding has ceased at Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) factories, cane harvesters attached to Skeldon Estate are on strike.

On Wednesday the workers started week three of strike action as they protested the conditions under which they have to work as weeders during the out-of-crop period.

Guyana Times understands that the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) is backing the strike.

GAWU’s Berbice Regional Supervisor Harvey Tambron said two days’ work for one day’s pay is unacceptable.

“Since January 5, 2016 the workers went to an area called Cram Brook to work and the work that was shared to them they could not complete that task and as such they could not have earned.

The next day they went back to the same location.”

The following day the workers were sent to another location and again could only have completed half of the day’s allotment, thus earning a half day’s pay.

Tambron explained that the union is still trying to en-

GAWU’s Harvey Tambron was in the forefront on Wednesday morning

gage management.

“So far only the agriculture manager went to the location to see the conditions, and when we went there I would say that 85 per cent is with flowering stage of weed; and we are talking about hard weed, vines and so… we have asked management from the Georgetown office to visit as well but they are reluctant to do so.”

crop period. Some of them are not taking up work while others who are confronted by dire economic straits are forced

$2,666 per day according to their earning levels set by the collective Labour Agreement.

The estate management having set out its price, unlike in the past, is holding to it in spite of clear, logical and convincing arguments by the workers’ representatives and union’s field officers towards the resolution of disputes.

Meanwhile one of the picketing workers, Patrick Singh, who has worked on the estate for 18 years said this is the first time they have been confronted by such a situation as he accused the company’s management of being unreasonable.

“I got six children going to

Richieram Mahacechand management is giving them as weeders more work that they can handle a day.

He explained that in the past once workers were given difficult tasks which they could not complete in a day, the workers were paid a full day’s pay.

“The first day we turn out we tell them that this work is too much and they say they can’t do anything about that.

The work that they give, we could only do half an we wuking we five an a half to six hour.”

The workers argue that in the past, out-of-crop weeding was done in areas where

gage in protests outside of the administrative office to press for the restoration of the status quo in the settlement of price disputes.

The workers said they are walking on thin ice following Governments announcement that the Wales Estate is to be closed. They say management at the Sheldon factory had been threatening to close the factory. Despite this they intend to continue to press their demands for better working conditions.

Tambron pushes it a little further, saying if management does not resolve the issue the union will be calling on other estates to come out

grass is. This time around they are being asked to cut trees for the same pay.

Workers peeved over the situation have decided to en-

in solidarity. “The other estates will face the same problem so we have to have it fixed now before all the harvesting workers are affected.”

GAWU responds

GAWU in a statement issued Wednesday said Skeldon cane harvesters who are assigned to undertake tasks in weeding grass and bushes within the cane fields are being over-tasked and underpaid in the current out-of-

Some of the protestors outside the factory on Wednesday

to work. Many of them daily earning levels are reaching between $1,060 and $1,780.

The release said they ought to earn not less than

school, how could I send them to school when for the year I ent even earn a dollar.”

According to one of the gang representatives,

Opposition concern over Govt wiretapping phones, eavesdropping

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ith controversy still high following the “surveillance scandal” on private citizens, damning revelations have surfaced that government may be involved in the wiretapping of persons’ phones and the illegal eavesdropping on telephone conversations.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Government benches would often boast about “tapping their political opponents’ phones and listening to people.”

Asked if he genuinely believes these pronouncements, Jagdeo said he is unsure of what to believe, however he said he is extremely concerned about the situation.

These allegations come on the heels of immense public disquiet about the violation of one’s privacy subsequent to the botched intelligence operation where People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian Charles Ramson Jr’s family became the victims of an alleged unauthorised highspeed chase by officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The exercise ended with a deathly crash on Carifesta Avenue on December 30, 2015 killing three persons, including GDF Sergeant Robert Pyle, his wife Stacy and Canter driver Linden Eastman.

Since, the relevant authorities have been tight-lipped on the matter and have practically refused to address the

nation on the situation despite mounting pressure from various civil organisations, inclusive of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Red Thread, and the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCC), among others.

Conceding that there are indeed far too many unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of the bungled operation, the Opposition Leader renewed calls for an impartial Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to be mounted into the incident.

He blasted the government for refusing to heed to public outcry and launch an inquiry into the controversial operation while they have been launching inquiries into a number of other matters all along.

“This is totally unacceptable and we cannot sweep it under the carpet,” Jagdeo contended.

He noted that it is very worrying also that the police and military are being misused to target not only PPP/C officials, but their families.

Jagdeo also lamented the fact the SOCU is being “politically abused” to achieve the agenda of the government.

He explained once more that SOCU was established with the intention of tackling organised crime such as in relation to money laundering and therefore has no business in dealing with surveillance operations on civilians.

Jagdeo said it is cause for much concern that the Commissioner of Police

Seelall Persaud, who is ultimately responsible for the operations of SOCU, has distanced himself from the matter.

On the fateful evening of December 30, 2015, Sergeant Pyle who was on annual vacation was called out on a “legitimate” SOCU operation and along with other SOCU members was staking out the home of Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Winston Brassington.

During the stakeout Pyle, with his wife in the car, began chasing a vehicle suspected to be affiliated to Brassington.

However, it was later revealed that the occupants of the vehicle were Alana Seebarran, wife of the PPP/C parliamentarian Charles Ramson Jr and her brother Raymond.

During a movie-style highspeed chase along Carifesta Avenue, one of the two vehicles – the one with Sergeant Pyle and his wife – slammed into a Canter being driven by civilian Linden Eastman.

Both Pyle and his wife along with Eastman died as a result of the crash.

President David Granger has already declared that there was no need for a full probe since the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force were probing the incident.

While the army had issued a brief statement only to say Sergeant Pyle was on a “legitimate operation”, there has been no further information from the police nor the army on the status of their respective investigations.

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thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

AFC financier Badal Sattaur’s son fined for to head GPL's Board dangerous driving

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lose financial ally and friend to the coalition Government, local businessman Robert Badal has been named Chairman of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Board of Directors.

The announcement of Badal’s appointment was made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Wednesday at this week’s post-Cabinet briefing.

Badal, the owner of Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel and Guyana Stockfeeds Inc, is a known supporter of the Alliance For Change (AFC) party, one of the six parties that comprise the governing coalition The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had launched its 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign at Badal’s hotel. Moreover, the businessman was present and even spoke on the coalition’s election campaign trail.

He first appeared on the platform of the coalition’s unity rally at Anna Regina, Essequibo, but was given a poor welcome by the crowd.

Badal was critical of the previous People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration and its office bearers.

Robert Badal

Back in January 2014, one of Badal’s companies – Guyana Stockfeeds Inc – got into a public spat with the Guyana Securities Council (GSC) over the payment of dividends to shareholders.

In a public advertisement, the GSC revealed that the company claimed that it made a payment of more than $80 million in dividends owed to shareholders in its JanuaryJune Interim Report 2013 for the Financial Year 2012, but this was not actually done.

The Council had warned shareholders to protect themselves by seeking legal advice against Guyana Stockfeeds Inc. However, the company

maintained that it had paid the dividends.

Meanwhile, Minister Harmon also disclosed the new heads of Boards for several other State agencies. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport Board of Directors will be led by new Chairman, Attorney Stephen Fraser.

Shabeer Hussain will be heading the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) Board, while Roopnaraine Sukhai was appointed Chairman of the Firearm Licensing Board under the Public Security Ministry. The other members of the Licensing Board are Dr Bhiro Harry, Kim Kyte-John and Christina Jagmohan.

Additionally, the Minister of State named a few other heads of Boards appointed under the Public Security Ministry. The Guyana Prison Service Training Board will be headed by Murray Greenidge; the Guyana Prison Service Agriculture Development Board will be chaired by Dr Simpson DaSilva; the Guyana Prison Service Recruitment Board

by Ms Alona Sankar, while the Guyana Prison Service Sentence Management Board will be headed by Dr Melissa Ifill

Banks DIH declares over $2.5 B profit – Credits to internal efficiencies, favourable material prices for 13% growth

By Edward Layne

ties.

s beverage giant Banks DIH prepares for its 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, January 23 at the company’s Thirst Park location, Chairman Clifford Reis is expected to inform shareholders that the after tax profit for 2015 is in excess of $2.5 billion.

Reis in the Chairman’s Report in the Annual Report, noted that the company made $304 million more than the 2014.

“The profit after tax for the Company was $2.569 billion compared to the $2.265 billion in 2014, an increase of $304.0 million or 13 per cent. This improvement was as a result of the increase in physical sale by 3 per cent, an increase in revenue by 4 per cent and a reduction in operational expenses by 4 per cent due to internal efficiency measures and favourable materials prices,” Reis said.

The chairman said that despite the erosion of consumer’s confidence in the run-up to the May 11, 2015 Elections and the events that followed, the company was able to adapt to the changes and managed growth.

Reis said the company continued its focus on development and strengthening of shareholders confidence during 2015 by way of capital improvements made to its production plants, the delivery and distribution networks and the training of employees in all areas to actively respond to the techno-

Reis said the company anticipates that the global macroeconomic environment will continue to impact the landscape of all businesses.

“And so we have continued to rise above the challenges that may come our way. Investments in the expansion and modernisation of our production facilities, strengthening our geographic reach to all areas across the country and enhanced export trade will significantly enhance our vision of success,” he stated.

Bearing the tagline “The Journey of Discovery Continues” the company notes that the quest for knowledge of origins grew in intensity as new discoveries and inventions created several platforms from which this search for answers was launched, and credits the evolution of the company over the six decades to humble beginnings grounded in the relationships entered into with its employees, stakeholders, customers, suppliers and franchise partners.

Even as hundreds of shareholders prepare to participate in the AGM Saturday, Reis said the institution remains solid in its mission to build on its tradition of excellence by providing quality products and services, financial results and management performance that meet the interests of shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers and the community at large.

A

Future outlook

Clifford Reis

logically evolving world and emerging market demands. ‘”The group’s turn over net of taxes was $24.87 billion compared to $23.695 billion in 2014, an increase of $1.180 billion or 5 per cent.

The group’s operational profits before tax was $5.285 billion compared to $4.94 billion, an increase of $310.0 million or 6.3 per cent,” Reis said in his report, adding that “the group’s after tax profit attributable to shareholders was $2.945 billion compared to $2.660 billion, an increase of $285.0 million or 10.7 per cent.”

Banks DIH’s net asset value per share has increased from $25.9 by 10 per cent to $28.6 and has increased its dividends proposal to shareholders to $0.69 per share unit, resulting in an overall cost of $690 million.

The chairman said that in order to achieve this ambitious growth targets, the company over the years has been modernising its production and distribution capabilities, especially in brewery, soft drinks, rum, wine and ice cream production facili-

T

he son of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur was on Wednesday fined $25,000 for careless driving when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Fiyad Sattaur, 19, of 136 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on January 16 at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he drove motor car PRR 4423 without due care and attention.

The young man had been pursued by a tinted unmarked vehicle which turned out to be driven by a female Police Officer who reprimanded him for an alleged traffic offence.

The young man in a correspondence with Guyana

Times on Tuesday had related that on Saturday around 09:00h, he was heading to the Islamic School at East Street, Georgetown, and while at the intersection of Middleton and Sandy Babb Streets, Kitty, he observed the heavily tinted vehicle.

The young man went on to say that while on Sandy Babb Street, he overtook the vehicle and headed across Vlissengen Road straight into Thomas Lands. According to Sattaur, the tinted vehicle followed him, driving in a dangerous and aggressive manner until it was parallel to his vehicle.

The young man said he then headed towards East Street, but stopped near the hospital, and the tinted vehicle pulled up alongside him, and a female in a blue Police uniform exited and began

screaming at him.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Guyana Police Force “refuted” the claims made by Sattaur, saying that they were “totally untrue and malicious”.

The Police confirmed that indeed a uniformed female Police Sergeant, attached to the Traffic Department, had pursued the young man, but only after observing that he overtook a line of other vehicles waiting at the traffic light at Sandy Babb Street and Vlissengen Road.

The Police said the officer eventually caught up with the vehicle at Lamaha and East Streets.

The younger Sattaur was ordered to drive to Traffic Headquarters, Eve Leary, and complied. He was then placed on self-bail.

14 news

thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Garbage disposal Gunmen attack Tuschen businessman for the 5th time continuing at Le Repentir

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usinesspersons in Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), are calling on law enforcement to increase patrols in the developing community as a grocery shop was hit by bandits for a fifth time.

According to reports, gunmen barged into Clarence Grocery and Boutique on Monday evening and held up the staff and customers, before escaping with a large sum of cash. The incident occurred sometime around 20:30h.

Guyana Times understands that there were several customers in the shop when four armed men stormed in and ordered everyone to lie on the ground.

One of the men held on to a customer as hostage while his accomplices approached the workers and demanded money.

The terrified workers

handed over the day’s proceedings, which amounted to approximately $100,000.

After collecting the cash, the men rushed out and escaped on foot.

While no one was hurt during the ordeal, the incident has left persons traumatised and owner of the business, Clarence Cozier, is now fearful over the safety of himself and family.

Recalling Monday’s incident, Cozier, better known as ‘Weggy’, related that he was about to close business when the gunmen pounced.

The man said he was standing at the counter when he observed the first gunman entering the store.

The businessman said he immediately went into hiding as he knew the bandits were going to demand money from him. He added that a woman, after realising what was about to happen, took his children into the

back of the building, where they also hid.

Cozier said the ordeal lasted for about three minutes before the men escaped.

According to the businessman, this is the fifth time he has been robbed since he opened his business back in 2006. The man related that he was previously robbed of millions of dollars and is yet to recover any of this belongings, which are in police custody.

He further stated that he suspects one of the robbers to be a man charged with one the previous robberies committed on him. The matter is currently in court but the person out on bail.

Over the past months, several homes and businesses in the developing EBE community have been robbed and according to residents, the police seem to be challenged in bringing the situation under control.

Mixed articles in M&CC bin for disposal

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fter its initial denials, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has acknowledged that waste disposal at the Le Repentir dumpsite is continuing.

Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis on Wednesday related to this publication that this disposal was in the form of sludge, which came from various canals in the city.

Earlier in January, Guyana Times carried a series of reports on the complaints of North East La Penitence residents who were affected by continued garbage disposal at Le Repentir.

Jermaine Charles, a furniture maker, stated that the smells which emanated from the dumpsite would affect him “now and again”. He further claimed that disposal in the cemetery had “always continued” – an allegation the

Council refuted.

Pamela, a young woman who was selling in a shop nearby, said “you get used to the smell”, but believed that the waste disposal should be stopped.

Another resident, Lavern said that her main problem was the fact that she had to deal with flies.

“You sprinkling thing and them not going away,” the woman stated.

This newspaper had visited the cemetery on January 8 and an on-site official whose only name was given as Mr Olivier stated that waste disposal in the cemetery was “discontinued”, and the grading of the land was ongoing.

When this publication embarked on further investigations, an M&CC bin filled with mixed garbage was seen in the cemetery ready to be disposed of.

The Public Relations Officer, however, empha-

sised on Wednesday that garbage disposal in the Le Repentir was a thing of the past.

Lewis stated: “We had [dug] out a place in Le Repentir where we were throwing garbage and the community was voicing their concerns … the people in that area really suffered and that is the fact and so we began to put the sludge there (in Le Repentir).”

A Solid Waste Management official had confirmed that the sludge was likely to include articles not authorised by the Council for dumping.

The Public Relations Officer said that she was aware that sludge dumping has occurred recently.

“Last week, it was still going on, but this is a new week and I still have to talk to the Director to determine if we are still putting that sludge there,” Lewis said.

Miner remanded on larceny charge

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man was Wednesday remanded on charges of larceny when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Keiron Cummings, 22, of Albouystown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to charges which stated that between September 20, 2015 and January 17, 2016 at Port Kaituma Water Front, North West District in Essequibo, he stole three re-

Keiron Cummings

frigerators, one television and one stereo all valued at $580,000 from a relative, Keisha Cummings.

The Court heard that on the day in question the defendant entered the Virtual Complainant’s house and stole the items, which he then sold. The television was the only item recovered.

Magistrate McLennan remanded the defendant to prison. The matter will return to court on February 3, 2016.

Woman charged for using threatening language

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26-year-old woman on Wednesday appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore to answer a charge of using threatening language at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Alisha Adams pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on numerous occasions she used threatening language against the Virtual Complainant (VC), Elizabeth Thompson.

The Court heard that the VC and the defendant lived in the same house.

It was alleged that the defendant, along with friends, would torment the VC threatening to kill her.

The VC stated that she was a diabetic and she could not endure the constant torment.

She explained that she reported the matter to the Police on numerous occasions, but nothing was done.

When given an opportunity to speak, Adams explained that she was the one who was being tormented by Thompson.

She stated that she lived in the bottom flat of the house and was currently nursing a sick child. She claimed that Thompson was aware of this, but she attempted to kill her baby by painting a room in the house, knowing that inhaling the paint fumes could be hazardous to her baby’s health.

The Magistrate reprimanded both individuals and ordered them to sign a bond to keep the peace.

The matter will return to court on January 26 2016.

thursday, January 21, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Global stock markets Climate change: 2015 shattered global temperature record by wide margin fall amid oil rout

Many markets are now in so-called bear market territory – a fall of 20 per cent or more from their most recent peak

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tock markets worldwide have tumbled with investors unsettled by the continued slide in oil prices and fears about the impact on global growth.

Europe’s main markets closed sharply down, led by the FTSE 100, which sank 3.46 per cent, or 203.2

points, to 5673.58.

In afternoon trading on Wall Street, the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq indexes were close to three per cent down.

Many markets are now in so-called bear market territory – a fall of 20 per cent or more from their most re-

cent peak.

Germany’s Dax and the Cac 40 in Paris ended 2.82 per cent and 3.45 per cent down respectively.

Since the FTSE 100’s alltime high of 7103.98 points in April last year, the total market capitalisation of the index has fallen by £396 billion.

The falls in Europe and the US came after Asian stocks closed sharply lower.

Markets in Dubai closed at a 28-month low, while in Japan shares fell to their lowest level since October 2014.

Top emerging market shares and currencies were also caught up in the turmoil, with the Russian rouble hitting a new record low of 80.295 against the dollar.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

US and Russia fail to agree on Syria talks invite list R ussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the talks between Syrian government and opposition groups should start by the end of January as planned, but the invitation list remains a sticking point.

Lavrov met on Wednesday with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Switzerland to bridge the divide, but failed to find agreement.

“We have provided our

proposal, the US did the same, and now the members of the Syria opposition groups also provided their proposal” on the invitation list, Lavrov told reporters. He stressed that it was now up to UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura to come up with a solution.

Contrary to the position held by Washington, Lavrov reiterated that the armed groups Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham are not ac-

ceptable as invitees, labelling them “terrorist organisations”.

But despite the failure to agree on the invite list, Lavrov said neither he nor Kerry had thought about postponing the talks, which are scheduled to start in Geneva on January 25.

“The political process will begin, we hope, as soon as possible, at the end of January,” he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Global temperature anomalies in 2015: Many parts of the world have experienced significantly higher temperatures than the average through 2015

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lobal temperatures in 2015 were the warmest on record, according to data published by meteorologists in the United Kingdom and United States.

The Met Office figures show that 2015 was 0.75C warmer than the long-term average between 1961 and 1990.

US data suggests that 2015 “shattered” the temperature record by the widest margin ever recorded.

Experts say the record

temperatures were due to a combination of El Niño and human-induced warming.

Data produced by the US space agency Nasa and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) show that 2015 “shattered” the previous record set in 2014 by 0.13C. According to Noaa, the increase in temperature over land and ocean surfaces between 2014 and 2015 was the largest margin by which the record has been broken.

The fact that 2015 was

going to break records had been heavily trailed by research agencies all over the world.

“Looking ahead, 2016 looks like it’s also going to be another warm year and that’s associated with the fact that human influence on the climate through greenhouse gas emissions has pushed us into new territory,” said Dr Peter Stott from the British meteorological organisation’s Hadley research centre. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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thursday, january 21, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Adventures in Meet the LivePitch finalists Entrepreneurship Y E ou dream of owning your own business or have already taken the plunge but need financing and once someone says to you create a business plan following my free online step-by-step programme and if it’s great, $500,000 is yours to start up or grow

your business. Sounds impossible? Well, that’s exactly what Scotiabank did in collaboration with Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and hundreds responded. Now we are down to the final four and they need your help to claim that 500,000, so let’s learn a

bit more about them. After introducing themselves to the public in Scotiabank’s Money Moves show earlier in January, last night, they made their pitch to the judges but the public’s vote can decide the winner since the judges’ score and the public’s votes will be added. With public

voting closing tomorrow and each person allowed only one vote, every vote is important so cast your votes at facebook. com/ScotiabankGY. The winner of the LivePitch Business Plan competition will be announced on Wednesday January 27.

Justin Roberts Deslyn Griffith

Ryon Persaud

Extravagant Celebrations o you get flustered or overwhelmed by the mere thought of planning a party or any event? Are you already stressed thinking about the stress, time and confusion it would involve? Extravagant Celebrations aims to take the stress and other problems of creating an event from scratch away. It prides itself on taking your event to a different level beyond the run-of-the-mill.

The vivacious owner, Deslyn Griffith, says her event-planning and party supplies business will take the concept you come with and execute it at a price to match your pocket, with its flexibility and organisational talent setting it apart. She says the intangible prize of this competition is being allowed to share her “passion with Guyana and to show other young people, especially other young women, that we can monetize simple skills that are often taken for granted and build visions that provide not only for ourselves but for others as our business grows”.

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D

The Solution Centre

self-described “unique nerd”, Ryon Persaud, through his business, The Solution Centre, offers technology solutions to grow businesses and will not stop until he gets your computer and network problems “fixed completely”. The Centre also seeks to maximise the use of available technology in creating Business Process Automation (BPA) with the aim of providing solutions geared at reducing manual and redundant business activities.

“We will remove your stress and frustration; improve the way you do business and help you do more with less. This is the power of technology,” Ryon, who has several years of industry expertise, declared.

He is confident his business will win the competition and his mission to bring technology to Guyana will get increased scope.

Michael Williams and Valmiki Bankay

Wafugee Inc eed a hard-to-find car part? Or want to know where some local place ‘behind God’s back’, or anywhere in Guyana, is? The Wafugee (Amerindian for “Big Boss”) site promises to help you find that part or place or even that person, in Guyana.

The concept is simple: the site acts like a big boss to bring “everybody together and help them get their stuff done”, Michael Williams, the technical mind behind the social and e-commerce site, said in a Scotiabank Money Moves interview. With his business partner, Valmiki Bankay, Michael has created an interactive, online site that connects people, places, products and services in Guyana in a single space. They intend to further develop the site should they win.

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Oil plumbs new lows below US$27 as oversupply woes persist

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S oil prices crashed below US$27 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since 2003, caught in a broad slump across world financial markets with traders also worried that the crude supply glut could last longer.

Oil has fallen more than 25 per cent so far this year, the

Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana

Fixed as at January 18, 2016 Calculated at 94% purity

Buying

Selling

GBP

$ 291.18

$294.85

CAN

$140.62

$142.26

USD

$205.98

$208.44

$ 224.58

$227.47

EURO

U.S.

$1090.45

Gross

$210,560

Net

$195,821

Indicators as on January 13, 2016 Indicators Crude Oil

US$ per barrel

Price

$28.46 USD

Rough Rice

$10.810/cwt

London Sugar

$417.50/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

-3.37 Change %

+1.36 -1.81 USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1099.70

$1100.70

Low/High

$1090.80

$111.00

-1.50

-0.14

Change

W

Business News

Market statistics Cur

Robby’s Weedcutting, Landscaping and Building Maintenance Services ith a passion for the environment, the “green” Justin Roberts wants to revolutionise the weedcutting, landscaping and maintenance business in Guyana, offering at reasonable prices secure high-quality services from trained staff who are certified as safe to be on your premises by background checks and Police. His goal is to contribute to a safe, clean, healthy and aesthetically pleasing environment while providing customers with the comfort of knowing they are in safe hands. The yet-to-be launched business promises, “We do the little things that make the big difference.”

stablishing a business is not for the faint of heart, but absolutely anyone can do it if they are willing to put in the work. According to entrepreneur .com, you might be an entrepreneur (at heart, if not yet in practice) if: You take action Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group and co-star of TV’s Shark Tank, says people who have a concept but not necessarily a detailed strategy are more likely to have that entrepreneurial je ne sais quoi.

You’re scared You’re resourceful You obsess over cash flow You don’t ask for permission You’re fearless You welcome change You love a challenge You consider yourself an outsider You recover quickly You listen You focus on what matters (when you figure out what matters)

Business Concept – Business Plan

A set of documents prepared by a firm's management to summarise its operational and financial objectives for the near future (usually one to three years) and to show how they will be achieved. It serves as a blueprint to guide the firm's policies and strategies, and is continually modified as conditions change and new opportunities and/or threats emerge.

When prepared for external audience (lenders, prospective investors) it details the past (if applicable), present, and forecasted performance of the firm. And usually also contains pro-forma balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, to illustrate how the financing being sought will affect the firm's financial position. (Business Dictionary)

steepest such slide since the financial crisis, piling more pain on oil drillers and producing nations alike. Yet they keep pumping more oil into an oversupplied market.

Sure enough, fresh data from the American Petroleum Institute on Wednesday showed US crude stocks rose more than expected last week. Crude inventories rose by 4.6 million barrels in the week to January 15 to 485.2 million, well above analysts’ expectations for an increase of 2.8 million barrels, the industry group said.

Venezuela requested an emergency OPEC meeting to discuss steps to prop up prices, but other delegates dismissed the idea.

A Middle Eastern shipping

firm became one of the first to resume direct business with Iran after international sanctions on Tehran were lifted at the weekend, a reminder of how quickly more oil may flow.

“The Iranians are clearly stepping it up to battle for

market share in Europe,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York. Not only is that a major market for Saudi Arabia and Russia, but US oil is now flowing unfettered to Europe for the first time, “so it’s a battle royale”.

Investors' guide

Dark mood as markets sink

S

ome observers think that many markets were riding for a fall. Asset prices were pumped up by ultra-low interest rates in the developed world and also by the central banks that have engaged in quantitative easing, buying financial assets with newly created money.

That happened with shares, with bonds and with commodities. For commodities the boom is well and truly over, partly due to the slowdown in China and in the case of oil mainly due to plentiful supplies.

Clearly there are some troublesome developments and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has a warning: “If these key challenges are not successfully managed, global growth could be derailed.”

That at bottom is what the markets are worried about.

“Investors have decided the world is a riskier place,” said Laura Lambie, senior investment director at Investec Wealth Investment.

She says that concerns over growth in China, the prospect of rising US interest rates and the possibility that low oil

prices might force some oil companies out of business are the main concerns for investors.

“There’s been a short-term change in sentiment,” she said.

The IMF’s decision on Tuesday to downgrade its global growth forecast for this year and issue a warning about the outlook added to the dark mood among investors.

World stocks are now at their lowest levels since 2013, with the MSCI world equity index down 9.9% in January, its biggest drop since 2009. (BBC News)

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news

thursday, january 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Negotiations ongoing to acquire unused land for housing

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson speaking to members of the public

G

overnment continues to fulfil its promise of meeting the needs of the people as Minister within the Communities Ministry, with responsibility for housing, Valerie Sharpe-

Patterson on Wednesday met with members of the public to address the needs of lowincome citizens trying to acquire land.

Minister SharpePatterson informed the large gathering that most of the land was not owned by the Government, but by other stakeholders.

However, she explained that negotiations were currently ongoing with stakeholders who were not occupying their land. “I am planning to meet with all these agencies because some of the land they have, they are not using it for anything and if we could get it to issue it as house lots, then we are going to negotiate with them.”

In addition, Minister Sharpe-Patterson noted that the new policy of the housing

department mandated that before the issuing of house lots, basic utilities must be provided. These include water, electricity and roads so that residents enter cohesive communities.

According to the Minister, this was the request of President David Granger.

“He wants us to put in roads even if it is not to the best quality in the first instance, and it is usable; we have to give it with a promise that within a year or so, we will make it top quality road. He wants us to ensure it [any housing development] has electricity and water.”

More than 25,000 house lot applications are still to be processed. The Minister told the gathering that measures would be put in place to address the issue in this year’s

Guyanese urged to conserve water as EDWC runs low

W

ith Guyana forecasted to have torrential rain until March month end, citizens are urged to adopt water conservation practices as the prolonged dry season has resulted in a reduction in the water level at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC).

This call was made by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Richard Van West-Charles, and head of the Civil Defence Commission Colonel Chabilall Ramsaroop on Wednesday.

It was revealed that there is no natural flow of water from the conservancies since the water levels are below its full supply due to the bout of dry season upon the country.

Minister Holder pointed out that the 250,000 plus residents in Georgetown, who consists of one third of the country’s population, will have to pay special head to this appeal.

“The level of the (EDW) conservancy is below… and at that level water cannot come out like gravity into any canal.

So what we are doing is pumping water from the Maduni into the conversancy to try and raise the conservancy level but that isn’t working as well as we would like so we have to pump from the conservancy into the Lama (canal)… and Lama is what feeds Georgetown through the shelter-belt,” the Agriculture Minister outlined.

He explained that this current situation developed as a result of Guyana not having had the short rainy season

CEO of GWI Richard Van West-Charles

during mid-November to late January this year. This, he noted was compounded by the fact that the short dry seasons are historically more intense than the prolonged dry season.

According to Holder, Guyana is now heading into the two driest months of the year (February and March) without the short rainy season and this situation is expected to continue into April. “It isn’t going to get better it can only get worst over the next few months,” the Minister said.

However, the CEO of GWI at an earlier press conference on Wednesday, disclosed that they are taking immediate actions to ensure that the water supply to Georgetown and the country is not hindered. He disclosed that GWI is looking to dig a new well in the capital city to push the water supply to residents.

“We are now moving to en-

sure that an additional well will be drilled so that there will be additional water from ground sources in shelter-belt and we are seeking to rehabilitate another three wells to ensure that there is a good adequacy of water supply,” he stated.

Van West-Charles further underscored the need for conservation practices urging citizens to immediately report any leaks or breakages with the system to prevent wastage of water.

“We are asking the public that they immediately put in place conservation measures to ensure that there is no significant water lost within the system… we will continue to monitor very carefully the situation as how this impacts the country,” the GWI head stated.

Meanwhile, Colonel Ramsaroop of the CDC revealed that he has already had talks with the Ministry of Public Health for preparations in the case of an outbreak of water borne diseases, which are likely during prolonged dry periods.

“There might be particularly in the rural areas, we have seen already signs of it in Regions One and Nine. But we are in discussions with the Ministry of Health, who is monitoring the situation, because the Civil Defence Commission do not have that capability,” the CDC Head pointed out.

He went onto rate the current El Nino situation as 8 out of 10, highlighting that forecasters have indicated that this current bout dry season is expected to run until the end of March into early April.

Teen in court for assault

A

teen was on Wednesday sentenced to pay compensation when he appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore in Court 10 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on assault charges.

It was alleged that in early January Jumal Brown threw a brick that struck Shemroy Victor causing him bodily harm.

The defendant explained that he was on South Road, Georgetown headed home

from lessons when someone threw a brick that struck him.

He added that he saw the person and was trying to pelt that person but accidentally hit Victor who was standing in the crowd.

He further stated that he apologised to Victor on numerous occasions, as it was not his intention to pelt him.

Brown added that he was very sorry for his irresponsible action and would not repeat it.

The Virtual Complainant

(VC) stated that the defendant did not apologise to him, but said ‘oh shucks’ when he realised that the brick struck the wrong person.

He explained that he would like to be compensated for the injuries he received.

Magistrate Moore stated that Brown has to accept criminal responsibility for his action and ordered him to pay compensation in the amount of $12,500.

The gathering at the “Meet the Public Day” with Minister Valerie Sharpe-Patterson

budget.

However, she urged citizens not to “lie” on their application forms, since this will cause problems in the long

run when it comes to payment, especially for those with low incomes.

It was also made known at the meeting that no new

housing schemes will be developed this year owing to Government wanting to develop the infrastructure in the existing ones. (GINA excerpt)

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, January 21, 2016

ARCHIE

Be ready to leap into action if something unexpect(March 21- ed develops. It’s your ability April 19) to act quickly that will guide you to success. Talking will lead to conflict.

ARIES

Talk with people who see TAURUS things your way. Your ability (April 20- to relay a workable solution May 20) will put you in a key position.

A little muscle behind your plan is all that’s required.

dilbert

Deal with any controversy GEMINI (May 21- you face or problems that are June 20) affecting your home and relationships. If you fail to take action, someone else will put you in a precarious position.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Speak up and be willing to stand behind your ideas.

Having a well-thought-out plan and the wherewithal to make it a reality will boost your confidence and your popularity.

Strive for personal perfection.

LEO You can make improvements (July 23that will be admired by others Aug. 22) and that can contribute to a better lifestyle. Make every move count, and avoid senseless disagreements and disappointments.

Look at the possibilities, VIRGO and think about one of your (Aug. 23bigger ideas until you have Sept. 22) flushed out all the flaws. Be creative, but don’t lose sight of reality. Balance will be required.

Calvin and Hobbes

You need time to reflect LIBRA (Sept. 23- and work quietly behind the Oct. 23) scenes until you are fully ready to take on the task of getting others to support your plans.

SUDOKU

Your contributions will SCORPIO (Oct. 24- not go unnoticed. Your abilNov. 22) ity to see what’s required to make something work will help you bring about positive change both at home and at work.

Emotional matters will SAGITTARIUS escalate if you try to hide (Nov. 23- from problems. You are best Dec. 21) off facing whatever dilemma comes your way head-on, so that you can move forward with a clean slate.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Step into the spotlight and CAPRICORN share your ideas. You will (Dec. 22- face opposition, but once you Jan. 19) weed out who isn’t on board, you can regroup and aim for success.

Don’t make waves, start AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- fights or disrupt a situation Feb. 19) that can have an impact on your future. Look for alternatives instead of walking away from a problem.

Not everyone will like your PISCES (Feb. 20- plans. Your presentations March 20) must be persuasive if you want to gain the approval you need to forge ahead.

thursday, january 21, 2016

19

Richardson’s 5 scripts dramatic Zimbabwe spinners keep series alive by defending 187 Australian comeback

Vusi Sibanda set the tone for Zimbabwe’s total from the very first over (AFP photo)

Z

imbabwe’s batting line-up put up a powerpacked performance, something they hadn’t done earlier in the series, to keep it alive with a 31-run win in the third T20 against Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe’s spinners continued to pick wickets, like they had done earlier in the series, and derailed the hosts’ chase around the halfway mark despite their strong start.

Marshalled

by Vusi Sibanda at the start and Malcolm Waller later, Zimbabwe’s sustained aggression took them to a challenging 187 after stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza had said the “160-mark” would be decent on this pitch in Khulna.

Tendai Chisoro, Graeme Cremer and Sikandar Raza took all six wickets and conceded only 40 runs in their 10 overs.

There were useful contributions from all of Zimbabwe’s top five batsmen, and each of them had a strike rate of over 120.

Sibanda showed his intent from the first ball he faced by charging at left-arm pacer Abu Hider, one of the four Bangladesh debutants, to drill him through the cov-

For a time Smith was facing Australia’s first defeat of the summer and an end to their record streak of ODI wins, but he marshalled his men grandly as India selfdestructed. Their loss maintained another proud record for the hosts - never have Australia failed to defend a tally of greater than 300 on home soil.

There was one unsettling factor in India’s chase: Ajinkya Rahane suffered split webbing in his right hand when fielding and a spokesman said he would bat “if required”. He did not come in at his usual No. 4 position; the resultant shuffling up of MS Dhoni, Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Ravindra Jadeja played some part in the hectic collapse that was to follow.

20 when in search of a fifth.

Hider and Shahid were punished for 45 runs in the first four overs and Sibanda welcomed the third debutant Muktar Ali with a four as well. Zimbabwe were 59 for 1 when rain interrupted and Shakib Al Hasan had Richmond Mutumbami and Sibanda caught at deep midwicket after the break, in consecutive overs, to drag the run-rate from over ten to under eight.

Meanwhile, Waller and Williams were getting themselves set. And having faced about ten balls each, they unfurled a barrage of boundaries to help Zimbabwe

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe innings (20 overs maximum) H Masakadza* c Mosaddek Hossain b Mohammad Shahid 20 V Sibanda c Sabbir Rahman b Shakib Al Hasan 44 R Mutumbami† c Sabbir Rahman b Shakib Al Hasan 20 SC Williams lbw b Abu Hider 32 MN Waller c Soumya Sarkar b Shakib Al Hasan 49 Sikandar Raza c Sabbir Rahman 7 b Abu Hider PJ Moor not out 10 AG Cremer not out 0 Extras: (lb 2, w 3) 5 Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 187 Did not bat: BV Vitori, TS Chisoro, T Muzarabani Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-80, 3-89, 4-163, 5-177, 6-186 Bowling: Abu Hider 4-040-2, Mohammad Shahid 3-0-32-1, Muktar Ali 2-017-0, Mashrafe Mortaza 4-037-0, Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-323, Mosaddek Hossain 2-0-10-0,

ers for four. He carved out a pretty wide ‘V’ on both sides of the pitch by dispatching meaty drives and flicks.

Masakadza also got going after a slow start, and hammered Mohammad Shahid, another debutant, for four consecutive fours, but fell for

Mahmudullah 1-0-17-0.

Bangladesh innings (target: 188 runs from 20 overs) Imrul Kayes b Chisoro 1 Soumya Sarkar c Masakadza b Cremer 25 Sabbir Rahman c Muzarabani b Sikandar Raza 50 Mosaddek Hossain 15 b Sikandar Raza Shakib Al Hasan c Waller b Cremer 3 Mahmudullah c †Mutumbami b Cremer 6 Muktar Ali not out 19 Nurul Hasan† not out 30 Extras: (b 1, lb 2, w 3, nb 1) 7 Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs) 156 Did not bat: Mashrafe Mortaza*, Mohammad Shahid, Abu Hider Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-69, 3-92, 4-100, 5-102, 6-107 Bowling: TS Chisoro 4-0-15-1, BV Vitori 4-0-45-0, T Muzarabani 3-0-41-0, SC Williams 3-027-0, AG Cremer 4-0-18-3, Sikandar Raza 2-0-7-2.

swindle 85 runs from the last seven overs; six of those went for at least ten an over.

Mosaddek Hossain dropped Williams on 12 at backward point, but it was Waller who caused more damage. (Cricinfo)

(Cricinfo)

Aaron Finch and David Warner laid a solid platform with an opening stand of 187

I

(AFP photo)

n turn imperious then inept, India tripped over in sight of the finish line at Manuka Oval to gift Australia a fourth victory from as many matches. John Hastings and Kane Richardson were the architects of a staggering passage of implosion by the visitors - losing 9 for 46 after centuries from Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan had taken India to a mere 72 runs shy of victory with 75 balls remaining.

Hastings and Richardson claimed a combined 5 for 17 from 27 balls to ensure the afternoon work of Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell was not wasted, on a Manuka surface the Australian captain had hoped would become more difficult to bat on under lights.

SCOREBOARD Australia innings (50 overs maximum) DA Warner b I Sharma 93 AJ Finch c I Sharma b Yadav 107 MR Marsh c Kohli b Yadav 33 SPD Smith* c Gurkeerat Singh b I Sharma 51 GJ Maxwell c sub (MK Pandey) b I Sharma 41 GJ Bailey c RG Sharma b I Sharma 10 JP Faulkner b Yadav 0 MS Wade† run out (RG Sharma/Yadav) 0 JW Hastings not out 0 Extras: (lb 7, w 6) 13 Total: (8 wickets; 50 overs) 348 Did not bat: KW Richardson, NM Lyon Fall of wickets: 1-187, 2-221, 3-288, 4-298, 5-319, 6-319, 7-321, 8-348 Bowling: UT Yadav 10-1-673, B Kumar 8-0-69-0, I Sharma 10-0-77-4, Gurkeerat Singh 3-0-24-0, R Dhawan 9-0-530, RA Jadeja 10-0-51-0

India innings (target: 349 runs from 50 overs) RG Sharma c †Wade b Richardson 41 S Dhawan c Bailey b Hastings 126 V Kohli c Smith b Richardson 106 MS Dhoni*† c †Wade b Hastings 0 Gurkeerat Singh c sub (SE Marsh) b Lyon 5 RA Jadeja not out 24 AM Rahane c Smith b Richardson 2 R Dhawan c Warner b Richardson 9 B Kumar c Smith b Richardson 2 2 UT Yadav c Bailey b Marsh I Sharma c †Wade b Marsh 0 Extras: (w 5, nb 1) 6 Total: (all out; 49.2 overs) 323 Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-277, 3-277, 4-278, 5-286, 6-294, 7-308, 8-311, 9-315, 10-323 Bowling: NM Lyon 10-0-761, KW Richardson 10-1-685, JW Hastings 10-0-50-2, JP Faulkner 7-0-48-0, MR Marsh 9.2-0-55-2, GJ Maxwell 1-0-100, SPD Smith 2-0-16-0.

German FA backs Infantino for FIFA presidency

T

he German Football Association said on Wednesday it was backing FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino in his bid to lead global football out of its current crisis. The Swiss general secretary of European football body UEFA is one of five candidates for the Feb. 26 election, taking place amid the worst crisis in FIFA’s history.

There is no clear favourite, but Infantino would have a head start if he were to capture the majority of the 53 European votes. Each of

FIFA’s national associations holds one vote.

“Gianni Infantino is the Europeans’ candidate and the best one,” said DFB interim copresident Reinhard Rauball after a board meeting earlier on Wednesday.

“Through his work as general secretary of UEFA he knows all aspects of the game, has outstanding international connections and speaks six languages.”

Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman Bin

Gianni Infantino

Ebrahim Al Khalifa, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne of France, South African businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale and Jordanian former FIFA executive committee member Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan are Infantino’s rivals.

“With his reputation and experience he meets the necessary conditions for structural changes and to take on the challenges ahead,” said Rauball of Infantino.

Forty-one individuals, many of them national association presi-

dents, and entities have been indicted in the United States for corruption and money-laundering, and FIFA’s own ethics committee has banned leading officials including president Sepp Blatter, barred for eight years.

The German FA is the biggest football federation in the world in terms of membership of individuals and clubs. But it has been dealing with its own scandal related to the 2006 world Cup that forced the resignation of Rauball’s predecessor Wolfgang Niersbach late last year.

(Reuters Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, january 21, 2016

WICB/NAGICO Super50

déjà vu for Jaguars as they fall to Red Force D

ifferent year, same story as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force defeated the Guyana Jaguars by 54 runs in the semi-final of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)/ NAGICO Super50 in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.

It was déjà vu of last year’s final where Trinidad batted first, scored 200 runs and then bundled out Guyana for 65.

However, this year they batted first and made 259-9 from 50 overs and in reply Guyana Jaguars folded on 205-9 from 48.3 overs.

The Jaguars innings got off to a slow start due to tight bowling from seamer Rayad Emrit and off-spinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar. At the end of 10 overs they were 22 without loss as openers Assad Fudadin and Vishaul Singh found scoring difficult. Singh was lucky to still be present at the crease since he was droped at point in the ninth over by Akeal Hosein The in-form Fudadin (9) fell to Deonarine via the leg before route in the 14th over due to a peach of a delivery from the off-spinner. Deonarine continued to haunt his former team as he struck again, this time removing Shivnarine Chanderpaul (6) with an inside edge onto his middle stump to leave the Jaguars 38-2 from 17.3 overs .

Captain and off-spinner Jason Mohammed struck with his second ball in his first spell, prising out Singh for 20 via a stumping in the 20th over as the Jaguars were now 42-3.

The pair of Captain Leon Johnson and wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble forged a 65-run partnership which gave the innings much needed impetus. Bramble was the more aggressive of the two batsmen as he brought up his 50 off just 41 balls with two fours and four powerful sixes.

The duo brought up the team’s second 50 off just 28 balls as compared to the first which took 128 balls.

Just as Johnson was looking to up the scoring even more he fell leg before to Jaggesar, prodding forward to a full pitched delivery for 20.

In the 31st over, Hosein got the big wicket of Bramble (51), who gave the bowler a charge and lost his bat in the process of playing the shot and Denesh Ramdin quickly whipped off the bails as Jaguars slipped to 119-5.

Raymon Reifer (12) played down the wrong line and was bowled by Jaggessar to leave the score at 141-6 from 34 overs.

Jaguars now needed 119 to win from 96 balls and it was over to Vice-Captain

Milo U-20 School Football Tournament…

Petra Organisation hosts team briefing – donates goal posts to Ministry of Education

By Treiston Joseph

T

Bramble brought the Jaguars back in the game with his big hitting

Christopher Barnwell to bring home the game but he found the boundaries hard to come by and he was bowled for 22 attempting a wild hack over deep midwicket off the bowling off Emrit.

His departure meant the pair of Paul Wintz and Gudakesh Motie needed to make 95 runs from 53 balls.

However, the pair took the score to 205-9 from 48.3 overs when Wintz fell for 26 off the bowling of Jaggesar to give Red Force the win as Steven Jacobs was unable to bat due to injury.

Earlier, Guyana Jaguars won the toss and elected to field first. Openers Evin (20) Lewis and Kyle Hope (15) took the score to 44 in the 10th over after which Jacobs removed both of them.

It brought the pair of Kjorn Ottley and Darren Bravo to the crease who batted brilliantly with a partnership of 85 to stabilize the innings. Just as Ottley was looking to branch out, he was caught by Johnson off the bowling of Motie to leave the score at 129-3 from 30.2 overs.

It did not take long after for Bravo to bring up his half-century in the 34th over. Bravo and Ramdin began to up the scoring with Bravo hitting three towering sixes in the 44th over.

When the momentum seemed to be going the Red Force's way, left-arm seamer Reifer took the wicket of Ramdin (43) in the 45th over to break a 90-run partnership from 87 balls.

The classy Bravo fell five short of a much deserved century in the 46th; facing left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who delivered a flatter ball on off stump, Bravo rocked back but only to swat it straight into the hands of Reifer.

There after a procession of wickets fell as Deonarine (7) was caught by Johnson

off the bowling of Wintz and the Red Force lost their last five wickets for 32 runs from 5.5 overs.

Permaul led the way with figures of 3-56 from 10 overs as Wintz and Jacobs took two wickets apiece.

The Red Force will now await the winner of Barbados Pride and Windward Islands Volcanoes in today’s second semi-final at the Queen’s Park Oval from 13:30h.

he Petra Organisation which is responsible for the organistion of the Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament held a team briefing on Wednesday with representatives from the various Georgetown schools participating in the tournament.

With the tournament set to start on January 23 at the Ministry of the Education ground, the Petra Organisations allowed the team representatives to express tehir concerns or queries that they might have had.

In addition, it was noted that the Ministry of Public Health will play a role in the tournament at the organization intends to spread awareness on suicide throughout the tournament according a representation from the Ministry in Dr Dennis Bassier.

“This tournament gives our youth the chance to develop both physically and mentally… we at the Ministry are quite aware of the burglar that is suicide and we will be doing motivational quotes at the start of every game.

“This tournament will help us instill the value of life with our slogan life is worth living so let’s kick it together.”

Ministry of Education representative, Nicholas Fraser also commended Petra for the organisation of the tournament while thanking the organisation for the donation of a pair of goal post for the ground noting, “We would like to ensure that we don’t miss an opportunity of learning.”

The tournament will kick off on January 23 from 11:00h with four matches will all matches in the round robin round.

UDFA GT Beer Tournament …

Winners Connection receives prize money

– Derrol Dainty voted MVP

A

t a simple presentation ceremony on Tuesday at Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre, Champions of the GT Beer Knock-out yearend tournament received their prize money along with trophies.

Banks GT Beer Brand Manager Geoffrey Clement has thrown down the gauntlet to the clubs in Linden to find a way of unlocking the key which has seen Federal Winners Connection take a stranglehold on the tournament with their third consecutive win of the annual event.

Speaking at the official ceremony for the presentation of prizes won after the Federal Winners Connection beat Silver Shattas 1-0 in the final.

Clement said, “I also want to congratulate the winning team Federal Winners Connection for the third year, this is amazing and I am throwing out the challenge to the Linden community to take up the challenge in taking the championship from Winners Connection who, have won this championship three years in a row.”

In the company of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), President Sharma Solomon at the head table among others Clement lamented

Winners Connection captain receives the winning cheque from GT Beer Brand Manager Geoffrey Clement

that “I am happy that this competitive match was associated with GT Beer because GT Beer is a competitive product in this market, and I want to give thanks to the community members of Linden to fir the sales of GT Beer thus far in our company.”

Clement also praised Shondel Easton, the Banks DIH Linden Branch Manager noting ““I must acknowledge Ms. Shondel Easton who had given such commitments and re-assurances that the tournament would be a success and we really appreciate and have seen the results that this tournament was a success.

“With the great turnout from members of the community who came out to celebrate in the entire tournament, I was not here for most

of the games, but I must emphasize on the final which I was present on New Year’s Day, it was a very competitive final.”

He added: “I have not seen football at that level in years and I must congratulate the players, especially for the final match between Winners Connection and Silver Shattas for the competitiveness which was really outstanding.”

At the presentation, Clement handed over the winning $800,000 first prize along with their grand GT Beer Champions Trophy to Captain of the squad Marlon Maxius while their top defender Derrol Dainty was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the tournament.

Other individual prizes will be handed out at a later date according to the

UDFA vice president Collie Hercules.

The UDFA president thanked the beverage giants for their steadfastness in sponsorship to the tournament and highlighted that Banks DIH has been associated with the sport for football in Linden for over two decades. He pledged the commitment of the UDFA in light of the continued sponsorship from Banks DIH and recent coming on board

by In Time Recording Studio that football will be promoted and developed by his association.

The other clubs who were handed their cheques were runner-up side Silver Shattas $500,000 and medals, third place finisher Topp XX with $300,000 and Net Rockers $200,000 for coming fourth.

sports

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Essequibo Challenge Cup 10/10 softball cricket…

thursday, january 21, 2016

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A section of the teams on the opening night

he Essequibo 10/10 Challenge Series was off to a bright start in as it brought out the best in terms of participation from areas covering the entire Region Two and the level of discipline shown by the teams were commendable.

In the Female category, Lima Sands North demolished Lima Sands South by five wickets. Batting first, South made 67-7 in 10 overs (Zenel Smith 20; Jessica Ragubeer 4-5 from two overs, Annette James 2-15).

In reply, North lost a couple of wickets early but recovered to end on 69-5 through a responsible innings from Jessica Ragubeer 23 not out turning in a good all round performance along with Akeena Salim 22 not out in a partnership of 39 to achieve victory.

In the over-40 category, Invaders Masters defeated Reliance Masters by seven wickets. Reliance batted first and scored 95-5 in 10 overs (Kishan Singh 24(2x6);Rajesh Gopaul 1-11 from tow overs).

In reply Invaders Masters reached 99-3 in 7.4 overs with Rain Rampersaud scoring 32; Ritchie Bishop 22 while Dhaniram Persaud took 1-24 from two overs.

For the open category, West Coast XI defeated Essequibo by 14 runs: West Coast XI batted first and scored a challenging 136-8 in 10 overs with Vickram Kissoon hammering 58 with five massive sixes requiring new balls on each occasion off 19 balls.

Esaun Patel was the best bowler for Essequibo with 2-25 off two overs.

In their turn Essequibo started brightly but in the mid overs lost a couple of wickets and the pressure was back on. They ended on 122-6 in their 10 overs.

Travis Drakes took 2-22 from his two overs.

South Essequibo cruised past Pomeroon by seven wickets. Pomeroon batted first and scored 56-5 in their allotted overs with Andy Dass 24(2X6); Leyland Mc Donald 2-6).

In reply south made 60-3 in six overs (Govinder Sharma 28 (3x6s); Gary Francis 1-25).

Central Wild Champs defeated Northern Stars by 2 runs in a nail biter. Central Wild Champs made 78-5 in their overs with Ramesh Narine 37 (3x6s); Rana Persaud 2-23 from 2 overs) Northern Stars replied with 76-9 Trevor Lall top scoring with 27.

In their other game, Central Wild Champs defeated South Essequibo by one run in an exciting finish. Central batted first and made 59-7 in their allotment of overs with Ramesh Narine contributing 19.

Bowling for South Ikwaaz Baskh took 1-6 to be the pick of the bowlers.

In reply south were cruising at 23 without loss but the introduction of Ramesh Narine 1-4 and Ravi Singh 1-7 changed the complexion of the game and dried up the runs with south urging their numbers 5 and 6 on could only muster 4 trying to get 5 in the last over ending on 58-6.

Central Wild Champs will now advance to the quarterfinals to be held on April ninth as the show

Quarterfinals set...

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Leonora Youths in their other game mauled Superstreet Reloaded by 44 runs.

Leonora Youths batted first scoring 136-5 in 10 overs(Ramkumar Tulsiram 40(1x4; 3x6s); Krishna Murti 30(4x6s); Deonarine Dass 2-20) In reply Superstreet Reloaded were all out for 92 Vashish Ramnarain 35(1x4;2x6s);Premendra Arjune took 2-19 from two overs However, in their third game of the day, Leonora

Youths lost to Power XI by 2 runs. Power XI batted first and made 124-8 off 10 overs (Richard Sookoo 52(8x6s).

Hemendra Kowlessar took 3-11 from two overs.

Leonora Youths in their reply lost wickets regularly but recovered to be eight down for 122 at the ninth over.

Needing just two off the final over, careless running by the remaining batsmen saw two wickets going down and they lost the match having done all the hard work.

moves to Leguan for the Essequibo Islands zone to be held on the February 20 and East Coast Leg on February 23 at Better Hope.

Meanwhile in the one ball for the females was won

by Maria Bisnauth with the two male finalists tying and being knocked out as the rule states once tied both players will be knocked out.

The crowd showed their support for their favorite players and teams even though the weather threatened briefly to upset plans as fans of softball cricket got a treat when Granny Ivelaw took to the field.

The games were opened

by Devanand Ramdatt, Regional Chairman of the Region and in his remarks implored the teams be cognizant of their roles in the region and ensure that progress is made through initiatives like these and are utilised in a positive way to impact society.

He congratulated the Essequibo Softball League on its formation and pledged the support of the RDC to the body and wished them well in future endeavors. The representative of GSL Leonard Harprashad reminded the participants of the expectations and implored them to register permanently with the Essequibo Softball League in order to have progression of the sport in the region.

On the ESL behalf Secretary, Elroy Stephney asked that the word be spread among areas to ensure representation is achieved in its entirety and game can spread in order to have continuity.

from page 23

The quarter finals are slated for the Saturday under lights as the organisers are planning a lot of side events to go along with the cricket as there will be massive entertainment.

There will be lots of prizes for the spectators on offer as well as the one ball “manto” enters its qualifying stage.

Additionally, the final is slated for the February 13 and the residents of West Demerara are urged to be there to enjoy the entertainment.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, january 21, 2016

Rodrigues relishes “underdog” tag F

ormer Eastern Michigan University (EMU) women’s soccer standout, Ashley Rodrigues, has earned a spot on the Guyana national team for the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier, Guyana Head Coach Mark Rodrigues announced on January 14.

The tournament is set to be played in Texas, from February 10 to 21.

Rodrigues will wear the captain’s arm band in her second major CONCACAF tournament. The former EMU midfielder previously represented Guyana in the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Despite an admirable effort, the Lady Jaguars left the Gold Cup winless.

“We’ve always been an underdog in these competitions, and that hasn’t changed,” Rodrigues said ahead of next month’s competition. “The great part is we like it that way. We know we’ve earned the right to be where we are, nothing has ever been handed to us, or been easy for us. It’s because of these things, that six years later, we’re determined to earn better outcomes this time around.”

A two-time All-Mid American Conference selection under long-time EMU Head Coach Scott Hall, Rodrigues’ name is all over the Eastern Michigan record books. Suiting up in the green and white uniform from 2006-09, Rodrigues reeled in MAC Player-ofthe-Year honours as a senior.

She was also named to the MAC All-Tournament Team, All-Academic Team, and garnered national recognition as an All-Great Lakes Region honouree.

The quick footed midfielder holds the EMU record for goals in a game, registering seven against the University at Buffalo in October 2007.

Ashley Rodrigues

In Eastern’s win over the Bulls, Rodrigues netted the fourth hat-trick in EMU’s history while assisting on another goal for the Eagles. She is also one of three players in the programme’s history to record three assists in a game, accomplishing the feat against Eastern Illinois University in September 2008.

Meanwhile, the 11-day CONCACAF tournament will split matches between two venues for round-robin play. All of Guyana’s group stage games will take place at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, the home of the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League and Houston Dynamo of the MLS. Group A, featuring the United States, will play at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

The top two finishers of each group will advance to the semi-final matches in Houston, Texas. The winner of each semi-final will

qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as earning a spot in the CONCACAF Championship match on February 21.

Guyana is currently ranked 92 in the world and is in the same group as Canada (11th), Trindad & Tobago (48th), and Guatemala (84th).

The Lady Jags begin play on February 11 against Canada before taking on Guatemala on February 14. They will then close out round-robin play on February 16 against Trinidad and Tobago.

If the Lady Jags finish in the top two in their pool they will advance to the semi-final game on February 19, for a chance to play in the championship game two days later. Other teams competing in the Olympic qualifying tournament are Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions, United States.

Cycling Federation head makes U-turn on doping findings – “At this moment I will like to make a formal apology to those people/persons whom I have unintentionally offended”

P

resident of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF), Horace Burrowes, has issued “a formal apology to those people/persons to whom I have unintentionally offended”, claiming that he was unreliably informed about the doping findings on the cyclists who were tested at the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage last year.

In a Facebook post early this year, Burrowes revealed that Guyana’s top cyclist, Alanzo Greaves, along with riders from Barbados, Jamaica and Colombia tested positive for a prohibited substance.

The cyclists from Barbados and Jamaica were later identified as Darren Matthews and Marloe Rodman respectively, while the identity of the Colombian is yet to be revealed. All the cyclists in question were tested by the Caribbean Regional AntiDoping Organisation (RADO) on November 1, 2015- the final day of the Tour of Guyana FiveStage.

“Members of the GCF would like to thank Mrs Karen Pilgrim and Guyana Olympic Association for conducting these tests. With these random tests that were conducted, not only Alanzo Greaves has tested positive, but cyclists from Barbados, Jamaica and Columbia also tested positive.

Guyana Cycling Federation will continue to work closely with Guyana Olympic Association to continue to conduct random testing and to bring order to the sport that we all love,” Burrowes said in the initial post.

On Wednesday, the GCF head acknowledged that the information he made public “had sparked a lot of controversy”, he apologised to the parties involved.

“Even though I did not mention anyone athlete in particular aside from the Guyanese athlete, I will really like to make a heartfelt apology to the Jamaican Cycling Federation (JCF) and Marloe Rodman. Marloe Rodman and I are friends and he knows that

Marloe Rodman

Horace Burrowes

I will not offend him in anyway; I believe that my posting was misconstrued and instigated by those persons who will like to see the GCF and JCF in conflict. But I will like to affirm to those individuals, you are on the wrong path to success,” Burrowes said on Wednesday.

He added, “If I made a mistake by posting something that is incorrect, as a leader I apologise; it’s the right thing to do.

The reason being, we took these positions to make a difference in cycling, not for our personal gain. The JCF President Kirk Finnikin and myself will not allow distraction in the path of our job. The JCF have always been a friend of the GCF and we will always have an open invitation for their athletes to compete in any of our events.”

It is protocol for RADO to inform the athlete, then the relevant association and from there the athlete could request that his B sample be sent for testing. If the athlete is dissatisfied with the result, he/she can move to the courts to challenge it.

Defence

After the first post by Burrowes, Greaves denied having knowledge of the findings, pointing out that he was never contacted by RADO. As of Wednesday, that position remained.

Finnikin then came out in defence of his top cyclist Rodman in light of rumours that he has failed the test.

It was later understood that Rodman was contemplating legal action against those spreading the false information. This publication also understands that Matthews was also unaware of the findings of the test.

Flashback

Back in November, Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina refused to take a random drug test by officials of RADO, leading to him being disqualified and losing the top position on the overall leaderboard at the end of the Tour of Guyana Five-Stage.

By virtue, Team Gillette Evolution’s Raul Leal, who was behind Ospina at the end of the five stages, became the automatic champion of the event.

Ospina was among 10 riders, who were identified to be tested.

The Columbian refused to subject himself to the test, thereby forcing the organisers of the race not to acknowledge him as champion. Ospina’s teammates Darren Matthews, Jaime Ramirez, Raynauth Jeffrey and Hamzah Eastman were also eventually tested, after they initially expressed reservations.

The Guyanese trio Alanzo Greaves (Team Mengoni), Leal and Geron Williams (Continental), along with Marloe Rodman (Heatwave) and Jamal Eastmond (Heatwave) were also tested.

YWCC receives support ahead of Mash Cup 2016

Ashiek and Son Motor Supplies and Auto Sales has become the first entity to lend support to the annual fundraiser of the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice. The club is set to host the annual Mash Cup on February 23.

At a simple presentation ceremony held recently, Ray Ali, Managing Director of the business establishment located at Palmyra, East Canje, Berbice, presented the sponsorship cheque to Hubern Evans, senior coach of the club.

Ali said that he is proud to be associated with the striving cricket club, which has over the years produced many outstanding cricketers, with the latest being current West Indies Under-19 captain Shimron Hetmyer,

who is in Bangladesh for the Youth World Cup. Hetmyer is also a senior national opener.

Ali continued by commending the club for providing opportunities for the young people in the Canje area. He also praised the club for the level of accountability they have shown over the years.

Evans thanked the company for coming onboard once again after providing support for every tournament since its inception. He said that despite the challenges faced, the club continues to march forward. He called on other businesses and private individuals to follow suit.

Evan warned that the pattern of crime these days show that many idle youngsters commit them and bru-

Former national player, coach and selector, Hubern Evans (left), collects the cheque from Ray Ali, Managing Director of Ashiek and Son Motor Supplies and Auto Sales

tal ones too, referring to the incidents at Kildonan and Bush Lot, West Coast, Berbice. The club over the years has helped to keep many young boys off the street and get them constructively engaged, with many enjoying a better life.

He reiterated the club's motto of "Striving for excellence through cricket and education."

Evans also cautioned that many of the wayward youths are now robbing and hurting their own villagers and pleaded to elders and religious organisations to play their roles. He closed by saying that the club alone cannot do it.

This event will form part of Guyana's 50th Independence Anniversary celebration with proceeds going towards further im-

provements to the club's facilities and day-to-day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the Number 19 to Gangaram area.

The tournament will be played on February 23, a national holiday, and will involve 10 second division teams from the area.

It will be five-overs-a-side with no first division cricketers allowed. Top clubs such as Canje Pathfinders, Betsy Ground Triple Stars, Kendall’s Union A, Rose Hall Community Centre and the host team are expected to compete.

Incentives to the value of over $100,000 will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes. The organisers are hoping that the event will be a success, just as it was in 2015.

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, january 21, 2016

BVA concludes successful workshop for referees

The participants pose with the facilitators. At left is BVA president Levi Nedd; at right is GVF president John Flores; third from right is Bonnie Grimes; and at centre isAndrea Flores

L

ast weekend, the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) held a two-day seminar/ workshop for referees at the Port Mourant Community Centre, Corentyne, Berbice.

The activity attracted 14 participants from across Berbice, namely Afraaz Hussain, Rashaad Razak, Jason Seelochan, Luen David, Puran Persaud, Devendra Budhu, Klondyke Rodney, Noresh Jairam, Levi Nedd Jnr, Alston Bisnauth, Vickram Nandram, Jamaul Bourne, Adityanand Singh and Malika Jervis.

The main facilitator was FIVB Referee, Bonnie Grimes, of the GDF, together with BVA president Levi Nedd, Guyana Volleyball Federation president John Flores and GVF executive member Andrea Flores.

Among the topics covered were the duties of the first and second referees, duties of the line officials, duties of the scorer, scoring on the FIVB official scoresheet, playing faults and protocol and hand signals. There were spirited question and answer sessions with regards to the FIVB Rules of the Game 2015-2016 edition and discussions, as well as practical sessions during which participants were assessed.

John Flores, in his remarks at the closing session, said he was very pleased with the level of knowledge of the participants and described the seminar/workshop as being very successful. He urged the referees to continue to practice and noted that their names will be on a national list of referees,

therefore it was up to them to achieve the highest level to be able to officiate in international matches.

Nedd thanked all the participants for making the sacrifice to attend and also the GVF president, Andrea Flores and the main facilitator Bonnie Grimes for their invaluable contribution towards the activity’s success.

John Flores also used the occasion to present 50 balls and six volleyball nets to the BVA, and updated those present about the main focus of the GVF for 2016. He said emphasis will be placed on Under-16 schools volleyball, female volleyball and beach volleyball. He also revealed that the federation will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year and a national competition is being planned for May 2016.

Mobile Wizard 10/10 cricket…

23

Berbice business rewards young Jawahir

West Berbice leg-spinner, Kevon Jawahir, receives the cash from Supervisor of Baksh Travel Service, Reshma Ramdeo, in the presence of other staff of the two establishments

B

ig B’s Restaurant and Baksh Travel Service of West Coast Berbice have award Blairmont Cricket Club’s all-rounder Kevon Jawahir for his outstanding performances in the recently concluded Guyana Cricket Board’s Local Franchise League 50over competition The cricketer was presented with an undisclosed amount of cash to better equip himself to improve his cricket. The two entities are being operated by Shabeer Baksh, the current president of the Blairmont Cricket Club.

Jawahir, a leading righthand leg-spinner in the Ancient County, managed to play five out of the seven games for the West Berbice franchise. He missed the other two due to academic commitments.

Jawahir, the Berbice Cricket Board’s Under-21 Player-of-the-Year and Most Disciplined Player in 2012, celebrated his 21st birth anniversary last December. He picked up 15 wickets at a strike rate of 15.5, an average of 11.3 and economy rate of 4.40.

He was also among the runs, averaging 38.5 from

three innings, with a best of 44 off 41 balls against the eventual champions New Amsterdam/Canje.

The absence of the country’s premier leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who was in Australia with the West Indies team, provided a golden opportunity for Jawahir to showcase his skills in the Local League.

He expressed appreciation for the support given

by Big B’s Restaurant and Baksh Travel Service, and said he is patiently awaiting the chance to advance further in his cricket career.

“Chucky” wins Centre Point pool competition

Quarterfinals set for Saturday under lights

T

he Mobile Wizard 10/10 softball cricket tournament organised by the Guyana Softball League (GSL) and sponsored by Wolf’s Furniture Store, Trophy Stall, Rohan’s Furniture Establishment, Miss Love (West Coast) trading, have completed its round robin round with more than three teams confirming their position in the quarterfinals.

The quarterfinalists are Leonora Youths, Viper XI, Power XI, Speedboat SC, Wolf’s Warriors, Settle XI, Omesh XI, and Crossbreed Warriors.

Over the weekend at Ruby Ground, Brickery All Stars squeezed past MMZ XI by one wicket MMZ XI batted and scored a challenging 113- 6 in 10 overs (Skipper Elton Grant 42 (3x4s; 4x6s) while Stephano Morgan took 4-17 off two overs.

In reply, Brickery All Stars were cruising in the sixth on 77-1 but a flurry of wickets caused by a good

move by skipper Elton Grant who brought himself on saw Brickery sliding to 94-9 by the ninth over; needing a further 19 runs off the last over.

The task of bowling the last over was given to Parmeshwar Persaud who threw the match away by bowling 12 wide deliveries in that over with the last ball being swung for six to seal victory by a whisker.

Settle XI defeated Irfaan XI by four wickets. Settle XI won the toss and batted scoring 118-5 in 10 overs with Mahadeo Sookhoo hammering 42 off 21 balls. Sham Singh finding form with the ball took 3-16 from two overs.

In reply, Irfaan XI struggled to 59 all out in 9.5 overs with Diaram Persaud being unplayable taking 2-4 from two overs and supported by Hakim Khan with 2-10 from his two overs.

MMZ XI scraped home by one wicket against Irfaan XI. Irfaan XI batting first scored 85 all out in 10 overs with Jitendra Kishore making 45(2x4s;1x6).

In their turn at the crease MMZ XI made the task difficult on themselves by getting out to some careless shots and making a mountain of the runs. The only batsman to play sensibly was Skipper Elton Grant with a score of 24 which guided his team to victory with one ball to spare.

At Leonora Primary School Ground, Leonora Youths defeated Vipers XI by 24 runs. Leonora Youths batted first and rattled up 136 all out in 10 overs with Imtiaz Hack hammering 48 (1x4; 5x6s) off 22 balls, he was supported by Ramkumar Tulsiram with 36(1x4, 4x6s). Amit Hussain 2-11 and Akram Hussain 2-20 were the best bowlers for Vipers. I In reply, Vipers XI made a run for it in the process losing wickets regularly and losing their inform batsman Vickash Totaram who scored 34 off 11 balls as the team ended on 112-5 off their 10 overs. turn to page 21

From left: Winner Amir Mohammed, Avinesh Persaud, Deoraj Chanand, Haozhao Yang and Suresh Ramdeen

A

man going by the alias “Chucky” is the undisputed champion of pool in Enmore, East Coast Demerara, following a keenly contested all-Enmore competition on Saturday last at the Centre Point Bar. Amir Mohammed, popularly known in the village as “Chucky”, emerged as the best player from a field of 50 persons, who entered the competition. Mohammed defeated Avinesh Persaud in the two-best-of-three final.

Mohammed copped $20,000 cash and a beautiful trophy, sponsored by Centre Point Bar, while Persaud had to settle for $15,000 and

a trophy, compliments of L. Nauth and Sons.

Deoraj Chanand, also known as “Chub Up”, finished third and received $15,000 and trophy, sponsored by Sunil of Blossom Scheme, while Haozhao Yang, popularly known as “DK”, ended fourth and copped $5,000 and a trophy, donated by Sir Deoraj Nauth.

Suesh Ramdeen took the fifth spot, and he received giveaways from Premium Beer. The top four finishers were also recipients of Premium Beer giveaways.

The cash prizes the players received were derived from

the fee they paid to enter the competition.

Organiser Jacob Persaud said the two-best-in-three, one day competition produced some thrilling games, with the advantage swinging back and forth being a regular feature.

Persaud noted that he was enthused by the large turnout of players, and the support shown for the game in the village. He also congratulated the top five players on their performances, and noted that Mohammed will have bragging rights for one year, as the all-Enmore competition is an annual affair.

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

thursday, January 21, 2016

WICB/NAGICO Super50

Déjà vu for Jaguars as they fall to Red Force

Darren Bravo’s 95 was the pillar of the Red Force innings

Deonarine and his teammates celebrate another wicket which put the Jaguars on the back foot from the onset

Pg 20

Milo U-20 School Football Tournament…

Petra Organisation hosts team briefing

Cycling Federation head makes U-turn on doping findings – “At this moment I will like to make a formal apology those people/persons whom I have unintentionally offended”

Pg 22 Pg 20

– donates goal posts to Ministry of Education Director of Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca (right) shake hands with Nicholas Fraser of the Ministry of Education in the presence of Dr Dennis Bassier and members of the defending champions Chase Academy (Treiston Joseph photo)

Alanzo Greaves

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