Guyana Times - Friday, April 19, 2019

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3899

FRIday, april 19, 2019

PRICE

ExxonMobil makes 13th discovery offshore Guyana

WHAT'S INSIDE:

CJIA P3 increases unilaterally forced on passengers – Jagdeo

Page 3

ICJ border controversy case

Guyana to ask World Court to proceed with hearings

$80 vat included

Page 6

Man charged for allegedly stealing P17 pump, water tank from EPA

– after Venezuela fails to file counter-memorial

MoE requests AG conduct special audit P15 of UG – request birthed from appeal made by 2 workers’ unions

The Guyana Police Force this week distributed over 200 kites to children of the Agatash and Byderabo communities in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

In this photo, F Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis, and Officer-in-Charge of the Bartica Police Station, Assistant Superintendent Orin Pitt, pose with the excited kids

12 arrested after Police swoop down on several homes in Berbice Page 6

Hughes’ lawsuit “muzzling transparency”, Page “freedom of 7 expression” – Teixeira

GNBA threatens Page legal action 8 against default broadcasters

…releases names of compliant broadcasters

P7 Woman arraigned with mother’s murder – claims she was brutally beaten to confess to crime

15 more touts arrested P6

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, April 19 – 05:30h-07:00h and Saturday, April 20 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, April 19 – 16:35h-18:05h and Saturday, April 20 – 17:00h-18:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, followed by clear skies in the evening. Overall temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 04:24 and 16:47h reaching maximum heights of 2.87 metres and 2.83 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:20h and 22:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.32 metre and 0.42 metre respectively.

WEDNESday, april 17, 2019

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CJIA increases unilaterally forced on passengers – Jagdeo F ollowing the announcement of an increase in fees at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has slammed the unilateral measure and the downgraded specifications of the airport expansion project.

This was ventilated during his weekly press conference on Wednesday, where the former President criticised the fact that these new charges were sprung on passengers without any consultation.

“At the Airport now there is confusion if you call, long delays. These charges were sprung upon us, without any consultation with the airlines or anyone else. And what are we paying back for?”

The justification for the increases had been the Airport’s ongoing expansion project. According to Jagdeo, however, Guyana is being ripped off because the Government has downgraded the specifications of the project.

For example, he noted that Guyana was originally supposed to get eight air bridges. However, they have been reduced to four air bridges and with the decrease, lost a substantial size of the airport expansion. He noted that they would have gotten a new terminal building, with enough room to accommodate eight aircraft.

“I travel out of the airport and I get extremely angry every time. Because I know what the contract was and what kind of airport we were supposed to receive and I look what we’re getting now. And I get extremely angry because we’re being ripped off, because of complicity with this Ministry.”

“In the original design, we had to have eight (air bridges). So they had to build the terminal building to accommodate eight, plus the parking apron. By reducing, not only are you reducing the number of air bridges, you are reducing a substantial size of the airport, plus the apron on which those aircraft have to stand. So we should have had an entirely new terminal building. Now the terminal building is a rehabilitation work.”

Increases

As of April 1, arriving and departing passengers at the CJIA will have to pay an additional US$35; all to support the ongoing CJIA expansion project.

This was confirmed

by Caribbean Airlines on Tuesday – one of the major airline carriers at the air-

The CJIA expansion model

port. According to the airline, both the airport security fee and the airport passenger service charge will be increased.

“The total cost of the new fees to all travellers for a return trip is US$35 or GY$7315. For departing passengers, US$17 and US$15 for arriving passengers payable in Guyana dollars at the prevailing foreign exchange rate,” the airline had said.

According to Caribbean airlines, CJIA had advised all airlines that these increases were to support improvements at the airport.

According to the airline, it will be facilitating the collection of the new fees at the check in counters and arrival hall for departing and arriving customers respectively, from April 15.

“For tickets purchased after July 1, 2019, the fees will automatically be included in the cost of the

ticket at the time of purchase,” Caribbean Airlines added in its statement.

CJIA expansion

For some time, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has faced questions over the CJIA expansion project’s costs and delayed construction. The project was initially supposed to have been completed within 32 months.

But by January, with the project still not completed, Government had ruled out extending the last date for China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) to complete the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project which was set for March 31.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had warned that CHEC would be fined more than GY$200,000 or US$7000 per day if it missed the latest deadline to complete the

project.

The project got underway in 2012, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration when Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (ExportImport) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was to contribute some US$12 million.

The A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), when in Opposition, had cut the funding the then PPP/C Government had allocated for the expansion project.

When the coalition Government came into power in 2015, the project was put on hold, but after discussions between Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and CHEC, it was later announced that the project would be continued.

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friday, april 19, 2019

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Good Friday

G

ood Friday is a quiet day with no celebration, as Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s suffering and death on the Cross. It is a commemoration to remind Christians of the brutality Jesus suffered at the hands of the worldly authorities.

Christians in Guyana will join in observing Good Friday. Christians, on this day, commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary by observing a very quiet and solemn commemoration as they reflect on His suffering and death on the cross.

According to the Gospel, Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the last supper, commemorated on Holy Thursday. Today, as Christians remember the life and eventual crucifixion of Jesus Christ, one must also consider the public service role of the church in society. From a layman’s perspective, the church is a hospital for sinners, and not an exclusive club for saints; and as such, it is where people seek refuge when in need of “spiritual fixing”. With all the weight and pressures of their world weighing down on their minds, people expect the church to provide answers which no other institution can provide. As such, the church plays an important public service role within the community and immediate environs in which each individual edifice is located.

In Guyana, there is no doubt that the church - whether Christian, Hindu (temple) or Muslim (masjid) - plays a significant role, both socially and otherwise. However, there seems to be a need for a more dominant role of these institutions in tackling social issues, including crime, among youths. The involvement of youths in crime is no secret in Guyana. A glaring example of this is a quick perusal of any of the dailies, wherein many of the perpetrators of crime – petty or serious – are youths, although this phenomenon is not limited to these shores only.

These religious institutions make a difference in people’s everyday lives, and many of our churches are deeply rooted in communities. It is through this medium that these religious institutions can impact youths and crime. The church, through outreach programmes, can impact neighbourhoods, making them not only generous, but safe. Because of the influence that churches have over their congregations, Government should tap into this and offer support to churches (Christian, Hindu, and Muslim) to finance projects that would enable them to more effectively tackle issues of poverty, which in many cases are the root cause of crime.

This support will, to a greater extent, encourage churches to develop a broader vision for how they might have a greater impact on the lives of people in local communities and their surrounding environs.

There is no doubt that youths of today are faced with numerous challenges, even more challenges than there were in years gone by; and, as such, to adequately address the issues, emphasis must be placed on the church, which is one of the institutions that first touch the lives of youths.

Churches, with adequate financing, can help address the issue of crime by instilling values that relate to moral compasses being missing in many of today’s youth. Among these values are honesty, respect, spirituality, and a sense of justice and fairness.

Happy Easter to all our readers!

Two staff members attending to customers at the newly opened Jaxx International Grill located at MovieTowne Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. The facility was opened to the public on Wednesday evening and catered for a wide range of dishes from the Americas to Asia

Better must come!!!

Dear Editor, Senior officials in a Government are in special positions of authority to influence the mission, administrative priorities, and business decisions of the State. Ministers, in particular, are considered senior officials. These individuals are expected to consider as their primary responsibility their obligations to the nation.

Upon taking the oath of office, their private financial business interest becomes secondary. If they cannot adhere to such best practices of good governance, then they should just get out!

Therefore, the call from Transparency International Guyana Inc(TIGI), for policies to provide boundaries for those Ministers owning companies that are doing business with the State, has to be seen in that light as a good call.

But isn’t this a call too late? The egg-suckers have already gotten accustomed

to sucking eggs.

To his credit, in late 2014, Dr. Anand Goolsarran, former head of TIGI, also made this call.

Since Dr Goolsaran’s call, Mr. Granger promised the nation that he would have provided the framework for good governance upon winning political power. He was very clear in his words on the 2015 campaign trail.

Mr. Granger personally promised the nation that he would bring an end to “cronyism at the highest levels that seemed to be draining the nation’s financial resources and blocking human development”.

Is Mr. Granger suddenly suffering from amnesia?

It is now 2019, and the evidence clearly illustrates that Mr. Granger failed with an “F” GRADE to match his words with action. In simple language, the entire nation was scammed by a BS artist.

Who are the politicians today draining the people’s

resources into their personal companies by putting their personal interest above those of the people?

Just read the newspapers and you will find adequate evidence of at least 29 members of Team Granger, in just three years, who have engaged in all sorts of side hustle: from fuel smuggling to influence buying, to using their positions to win contracts for themselves and close family members without any competition, to securing multi-million-dollar jobs with private oil companies for their spouses and other close family members, and so on. These are all acts of conflict of interest.

Today Team Granger offers fickle promises, fatuous platitudes, and long-winded empty statements to throw sand into the eyes of the people as they try to cover up these massive acts of conflict of interest and corruption.

But to this call by TIGI, they should know that the

time is long gone for statements; the time is now for greater advocacy on the international front, where organisations like the UNODC can be lobbied to help they uproot these massive acts of misappropriation of public funds. After all, it is Transparency International that defines corruption as the “abuse of entrusted power for private gains”.

If one were to reflect on the two latest cases, one would ask the legitimate question: Were the profits from VideoMega and Yearwood Construction not shared with sitting senior officials in Team Granger?

Are these two officials associated with VideoMega and Yearwood Construction not in a position to influence contracts in favour of these two companies?

I rest my case! BETTER MUST COME! Yours faithfully, Sasenarine Singh

CJIA should provide clarity on increases Dear Editor, Reference to article captioned “CJIA hikes passenger fees to “support expansion costs”” that was carried in your April 17 edition, which says that with effect from April 1, 2019, outgoing and incoming passengers will have to pay US$35; outgoing US$17 and incoming US$15, payable in Guyana dollars at the prevailing exchange rate.

The new rates are for an increase in Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) security fees and the intro-

duction of a passenger service charge, all effective from April 1, but officially announced on April 17.

First question: Is the “prevailing exchange rate” in accordance with the Bank of Guyana’s rates, the rates of local commercial banks, or those of the Cambios?

Secondly: Why should the local travelling public be asked to pay to support the airport improvement when the local travelling public pay their fair share of taxes, which went towards funding the full cost of the improve-

ment? I believe the new charges should be levied on non-nationals, and not on nationals.

I recently bought a return ticket to Toronto, and embedded in the cost of the ticket is the usual G$4,000 airport tax. I am now required to pay an additional G$7,315 (equivalent of US$35). As such, my total cost to use the airport facility as an outgoing/incoming passenger will be G$11,315.

Third question: Would outgoing/ incoming passengers be required to pay the

usual G$4,000 airport tax plus the G$7,315 to “support improvement” of the airport?

And for how long would passengers be required to provide this support?

Editor, I should be grateful if the relevant authority could provide full clarity to the issues raised in this letter, so that the travelling public could be enlightened on a rather vague advisory issued by CJIA in the aforementioned captioned article.

Yours faithfully, Jai Petam

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

Guyana has been reduced to the silliest place on earth Dear Editor, When I wrote in an earlier letter about an impending arrest of the Opposition Leader, I was absolutely right, because that is what nearly took place on Wednesday. We were in receipt of information from reliable sources that the Police were given instructions to arrest Dr Jagdeo for offensive remarks he made at Babu Jaan.

Maybe that would have been the case if the information was not leaked out earlier, and the public and the international community were not alerted. But seeing that the public out there was well informed, it seems that the arrest plans suddenly changed to a mere “visit” by the lawmen.

Now, that chance dropin was not just a dropin as we know it, because those lawmen came with a few questions for the former president. The questions stem from two alleged statements he made: “Chase them out” and “Jackass”. The last utterance, Jackass, is a fabrication, because a recording of his address shows that he used the word “Judas” and not “Jackass”.

But whether he used the

word “Judas”, as the traitor Iscariot from the Bible, or “Jackass”, as the animal Jesus rode into Jerusalem that Easter Week, the point remains the same: the Opposition Leader is within his constitutional rights to free speech.

And speaking of free speech, isn’t it strange that all of this is happening around the time when The Easter Story is told? So, if we are to take a cue from the PNC and its coalition, we can rewrite some parts of the Bible to read, “Moses betrayed his brethren for a 50 per cent increase in salary and David is vainly trying to enslave the Guyanese public with one big stone in a one (1) seat rigged election”.

I hope the Guyana Police from the “Criminal Investigations Department” do not read this, because there might very well be an arrest warrant out for me. I have made light banter of this an asinine -- oops, I used the wrong word -- rather ludicrous performance by the CID. At a time when persons are being beaten, robbed and murdered, this is the time the lawmen are idly seeking after seem-

ingly harmless statements made by the Opposition Leader. Isn’t this the height of stupidity? The last murder -- of the money-changer -- took place a mere stone’s throw from a Police sub-station.

Isn’t this the silliest of things we could ever witness? Shouldn’t the Police be directing their energies and resources into important matters, like crime-fighting? But this is what Guyana has been reduced to, the most foolish of republics ever.

And it all stems from a Government that is equally foolish and is clutching at straws, or anything for that matter, that can make it look good.

So I would like us to again revisit this latest act of desperation. If you are to judge Dr Jagdeo’s statements as disrespectful, divisive, demeaning and volatile, then we should listen to a couple of statements made by the Government’s side also, to see if those warrant a visit by the CID. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo called the Honourable Dr Jagdeo a “Coolie Bully”, to rapturous applause by the coalition members in Parliament.

Isn’t that a slanderous, humiliating and racial rant?

Then if it is not considered thus, what is?

Certainly that was not meant to be a spontaneous piece of banter.

We turn to Security Minister Ramjattan, who told a reporter, “Haul you rass”. He, too, was never sanctioned for that vile remark.

Yet another minister made a boom out video.

Minister Simona Broomes made a “Boom out Jagdeo video” in the hallowed chambers of Parliament.

She was never reprimanded, nor did she ever get a visit from the CID. Now, mark you well those Boom out lyrics rhyme with Buju’s Boom bai bai ----”, and you are asked to fill in the blanks here. Because, earlier in Parliament, this very same brawler of a minister repeated the phrase that “only men are found on this side of the house,” end of quote. So when she made that “boom out” video, it must be taken into context.

So why wasn’t she “questioned” for that statement?

Interesting!

Then there is the call for “war” if the PNC do not

have their way on an illegal house-to-house registration.

This war cry was made in the presence of ministers who cheered those vile singers on.

Shouldn’t they be investigated also?

Even before that, the PNC were guilty many times over of hostile and divisive songs and statements. Using the community of Buxton as pawns during the crime years, a highly controversial song with equally violent lyrics was penned, “Bad man a bad man, bad man a Buxen Man….Bad Man a shoot man.” Are we to interpret that song to be a call to violence, or, as the PNC would have it, a chant by PNC church boys on their way to high mass? This song was penned at a time when scores of people were dying, including members of the very same Police Force who are now commanded to investigate the former president.

So, is this Government telling us that words and statements have harmless meanings when they use them, and a totally different connotation when they come from the Opposition?

Is that what they are telling us? I hope not, because that would be the dumbest thing I have ever heard in a long time.

But come to think of it, that is exactly what this Government is preaching: there are one set of rules for the Government, and another for the Opposition.

Come on, Mister President, your administration is full of sh.....t.

Oops, sorry, I accidentally used that word. I hastily retract that statement. For a slow learner like myself, I’d rather go for the use of the simpler language: Sir, your administration is full of that “miasmic fluid.”

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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friday, APRIL 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

12 arrested after Police swoop down on several homes in Berbice

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welve persons were taken into police custody following a raid by law enforcement officials on Thursday morning in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Some were arrested for cannabis while others were taken into custody for other crimes.

Two males and two females who hail from Angoy’s Avenue are presently in the lock-ups after police ranks swooped down at their homes and unearthed a quantity of cannabis in their possession.

Reports are that ranks from “B” Division along with officers from the Police Narcotics Branch carried out a cordon and search operation that lasted for over four hours.

The two males along with a female were apprehended at a house in Number Two,

Canje Village while the other female was arrested at a home in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

GuyanaTimes understands that about 20 pounds of cannabis were found in the yard in Canje and about two pounds of cannabis was discovered in the house at Angoy’s Avenue.

Additionally, during the operation, eight other persons were arrested for questioning in relation to a number of armed robberies and other offences.

Commander of “B” Division, Paul Langevine, explained that between 04:00h and 08:30h on Thursday, officers from his Division including members of the Police Narcotics Branch conducted the raids and made the discoveries.

He confirmed that eight persons were arrested

investigations.

In relation to cannabis cultivation and seizures, earlier this month, Head of the Police Narcotics Branch, Kurleigh Simon, had told this publication that in the past four months, the Police Narcotics Branch has conducted in excess of 15 eradication exercises in Berbice, and these were done in more than 30 fields where marijuana was being cultivated and harvested.

“Since the year started that total of eradication exercises totaled in excess of B Division Commander Paul Langevine

Police Narcotics Branch Head, Kurleigh Simon

from the New Amsterdam, Berbice, area for questioning into armed robberies and other offences including a shooting incident.

Presently, the 12 persons are assisting with the

50 acres of land that cannabis was grown.”

According to the Senior Superintendent, a lot of work has been done by ranks during the first quar-

ter of 2019, in comparison to what was completed for the entire of last year.

“Last year we had 15 eradication exercises and of course seizures but we have upped the ante in this fight.

We recognize that the demand for this substance has to be limited and the main way to do this is to cut off the source of supply. We are being proactive rather than reactive where instead of seizures we are targeting cutting off the sources.”

On April 3, 2019, the police in the “B” Division finally managed to intercept a Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice resident who was wanted in connection for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the Police, a team of ranks, upon information received, swooped

down on the suspect’s home at around 11:15h on the day of his arrest.

A search conducted on the premises unearthed sixteen taped parcels of compressed cannabis. When weighed, the illegal drugs amounted to 27.2 kilograms.

As such, the 27-year-old was immediately arrested where he is being processed for court.

Meanwhile, on March 29, last, a young man has been taken into police custody after he was caught with a quantity of cannabis in his possession while travelling in public transportation.

The 24-year-old suspect of New Amsterdam, Berbice, was a passenger in a minibus on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) when the vehicle was stopped by police.

ICJ Border controversy case

Guyana to ask World Court to proceed with hearings – after Venezuela fails to file counter-memorial

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he Guyana Government will be moving to have the International Court of Justice (ICJ) go ahead with the proceedings after Venezuela failed to submit its counter memorial on jurisdiction within the court-imposed deadline.

Back in March 2018, Guyana went to The Netherlands-based World Court to confirm the validity of the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, which fixed the land boundary between the two neighbouring countries.

Last year, the ICJ found that it would be appropriate to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the case before considering its merits.

To this end, Guyana submitted its written Memorial on Jurisdiction back in November, demonstrating that the Court has jurisdiction to decide on the validity of the Arbitral Award and the resulting boundary.

As a result, the ICJ had fixed April 18, 2019 as the date for Venezuela to sub-

The International Court of Justice

mit a Counter-Memorial on Jurisdiction in response to Guyana’s submission. However, the troubled Spanish-speaking state has failed to make a submission on that date, and according to a statement for the Guyana Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday, Venezuela has indicated in a letter from its

Foreign Minister that it had chosen not do so.

“In consequence, Guyana has decided to ask the Court to proceed directly to the holding of oral hearings, at the earliest possible date, to determine its jurisdiction over the case. Guyana is confident that the Court will agree that it has jurisdiction, and then pro-

ceed to decide on the merits of Guyana’s suit,” the missive on Thursday stated.

Guyana submitted the case to the Court after the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) determined, pursuant to his authority under the Geneva Agreement of 1966 – to which Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom are parties – that the dispute over the validity of the Arbitral Award, and the resulting boundary, must be decided by the Court.

That constitutes a sufficient jurisdictional basis for the Court to proceed.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry release, Guyana regrets that Venezuela, notwithstanding its obligations under the Geneva Agreement and the Secretary General’s decision to refer the matter to the Court, has chosen not to participate in the case.

However, as the Court itself has made clear, the door remains open to Venezuela to join in the proceedings, which

will continue to a final and legally-binding judgment, pursuant to the Court’s rules, whether Venezuela participates or not.

“Guyana takes note of the Venezuelan Foreign Minister’s recent tweet that, at some point in the future, it will supply the Court with “information” about the case to assist it in the exercise of its judicial functions. If this is a first step toward Venezuela’s full partici-

pation in the case, Guyana welcomes it.

At the same time, Guyana has reserved its right to object to any submission by Venezuela that violates the Court’s rules or is otherwise prejudicial,” the missive added.

The next step going forward now, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, will be for the Court to schedule the dates for the oral hearing on jurisdiction.

15 more touts arrested

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s the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department continues with its campaign to clean up the minibus parks in Georgetown, ranks on Thursday rounded up and arrested another 15 individuals for touting.

The exercise was led by Sergeant 18039 Michael Ramdas and other ranks of Traffic Headquarters, and was conducted at the Routes 31, 32, 40, 41, 42 and 47 bus parks.

The Force has reiterated that “the campaign, which is aimed at bringing back some semblance of order at the various bus parks around Georgetown, and more so for the safety and comfort of commuters, is ongoing, and will continue until the desired results are achieved”.

Only recently, touts were complaining of the campaign and begging authorities not to take bread out of their mouths, while promising to act in a more professional manner. Some of them told <<Guyana Times>> that it is unfair for Guyanese who are attempting to make an honest living in a country with a high percentage of unemployment to be prosecuted for so doing.

One tout who refers to himself as “King Tout” explained that he was recently arrested three times and made to pay hefty bail sums, which he stated is unfair since he is no criminal.

“Touting does give me my daily bread…three times them lock me up in one week, you know, and it’s real heart-rending right now.

When you go to court, the fine you does gotta pay is $15,000 to $20,000,” the tout angrily revealed.

According to the man, if Government could provide employment for him, he would happily leave the touting profession, which he only turned to because he found no other means of employment.

While some persons have made representation for the touts, many others have complained about the disorderly manner in which they behave at the minibus parks.

Traffic Chief Linden Isles has said the exercise is aimed at ridding the parks of all touts, and as such the public’s cooperation is critical. He also noted that the campaign will be ongoing until the desired results are achieved.

So far, over 100 touts have been arrested and charged.

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Hughes’ lawsuit “muzzling transparency”, “freedom of expression” – Teixeira

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ormer Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has accused Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes of trying to muzzle transparency and freedom of expression.

She made this accusation after receiving legal notices in relation to comments she made about the awarding of contracts to the Minister’s company, Videomega Productions.

It was explained that a letter dated April 16, 2019 and addressed to Teixeira was sent to Freedom House, but Teixeira received the document only on Thursday, April 18, 2019. The letter was sent by the Minister’s husband, Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes from the law firm of Hughes, Fields & Stoby, and it accused Teixeira of making “defamatory statements” against the Minister.

“These allegations amount to a very serious li-

PPP Executive Member Gail Teixeira

bel, and have caused her considerable distress and embarrassment. All the allegations made against her are false, and your attack on her was unjustified,” the letter, which was shared on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Facebook page, outlined.

The legal notice has asked that Teixeira make a public retraction of the

statements and offer an apology as well as pay over $10 million as compensation to Hughes. Otherwise, the letter stated, legal proceedings would be filed in the courts.

However, when contacted by Guyana Times on Thursday, Teixeira said she anticipated being served with court notices, since the April 16-dated letter had given her up to 16:30h on that day to respond.

Teixeira said she only received the document two days later (13:20h on Thursday); nevertheless, she maintained that she would not adhere to the demands made, pointing out that Minister Hughes, who is also the Vice Chair of the Alliance For Change (AFC), did admit to her company receiving a contract from the Energy Department.

“They admitted to what I said. They admitted they were given the contracts…

So I’m not going to apolo-

Woman arraigned with mother’s murder – claims she was brutally beaten to confess to crime

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he woman who is accused of murdering her mother in Berbice was on Thursday remanded to prison by Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh when she appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court.

Cameela Jameer, 47, fainted when she made her appearance at court on Wednesday, thus the magistrate was unable to read the charges brought against her. However, at court on Thursday, she accused the Police of assaulting her to get her to confess to committing the crime.

When the charges were read to her, she was not required to enter a plea. Police stated that on April 12, at Tempe Village, West Coast Berbice, she murdered Rookmin Jameer.

Cameela Jameer making her way to court on Thursday

The body of her 67-yearold mother was discovered in the kitchen of their home

in a pool of blood with a gaping wound to her neck.

Turn to page 9

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes

gise, and I’m not going to pay 10 million dollars compensation. Let’s go to court and let the court decide,” Teixeira insisted.

It has been reported on Thursday that Minister Hughes has also sued another newspaper and its columnist, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, for $20 million over a publication which said that she was in breach of the Integrity Commission Act as a result

of receiving the contract.

According to Teixeira, the Public Telecommunications Minister is trampling on transparency and freedom of expression.

“This is muzzling the right to bring to the public’s attention things that are going on… This is all muzzling the press, muzzling freedom of expression, muzzling transparency. Why must these things be hidden?

Why must these things not come to the public’s attention? That’s the truth, and the truth must come out,” Teixeira posited.

Hughes’s company, Videomega Productions, was recently the recipient of a contract from the Department of Energy to do radio and television public service announcements (PSA’s) for the department, which is coordinating preparations for Guyana’s oil and gas sector. Sources had indicated that Videomega Productions, a company for which Minister Hughes is the managing director and

executive producer, received contracts from the department.

After the story broke, the Minister had insisted that she was not involved in the day-to-day running of the company since 2015. She had noted that the contract in question was for $832,000 for the production of three 60 second television PSAs. She had maintained this position in her statement, adding that she has always declared her connections to her company, and moreover, never sought to use her ministerial influence to get contracts for her company.

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday disclosed that the minister did not relinquish her role on the day-to-day operation of the multi-media company. In fact, he revealed that Hughes has been signing cheques to suppliers as recent as late last year.

To this end, Jagdeo has called for a thorough probe into the issue.

8 News GNBA threatens legal action against default broadcasters friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…releases names of compliant broadcasters

T

he Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has released a list of all local broadcasters that are compliant for the year 2019; which means that only those are authorised to broadcast.

Additionally, the GNBA has indicated that it would be going after non-compliant broadcasters.

According to the GNBA, the legal cable broadcasters are Premium Communications Inc, E-Networks Inc, Infinity Telecommunications Inc, Go-Tech Inc, Movie Star Inc, and Northwest Television Inc.

The authorised radio broadcasters are Freedom Radio Inc, Little Rock Radio Inc, Pinnacle Com. Inc. – Radio, Radio Guyana Inc, Hits & Jams Entertainment Inc, NTN – Radio Inc, I Radio Inc, CNS Radio Inc, Multi-Cultural Communications Inc, NewsTalk Guyana Inc, JREM, Keystone Solutions Inc, and National Communications Network (NCN).

Meanwhile, CNS Inc, Countryside Broadcasting Inc. Ch 19, Community Broadcasting Network, Dave’s Television Ch 8 Inc, Little Rock Television Inc. – TV, Pinnacle Com. Inc.

Television, STVS Ch 4/21 Inc, Television Guyana Inc, Washington Channel 2 Inc, MTV Inc, NTN Inc. – Television and National Communications Network (NCN) have been listed as legal television broadcasters.

“The GNBA intends to take legal steps within the parameters of the law against illegal broadcasters. According to the Broadcasting Act 2011, Section 43 (C): anyone who carries on a broadcasting service at the licensed location after the licence granted to him has been suspended, cancelled or expired

commits an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one million dollars ($1 million) and (to) imprisonment for one year, and all machinery and equipment used or which can be used for broadcasting and owned by or in the possession of the person concerned is liable to be forfeited,” the GNBA stated in a response.

Additionally, the Authority said plans are in the pipeline to put in place a Broadcaster Award System to give recognition to outstanding broadcasters at a gala event. Those broadcasters will be recipients of a number of trophies, plaques, monetary rewards, and discount in broadcasting fees, among other things.

Phone thief remanded to prison

A

19-year-old was remanded to prison when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he was accused of stealing a mobile phone.

Teron McLead of Plaisance Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, plead not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 18, 2019 at Main Street, Georgetown, he stole a Samsung Galaxy cellphone valued $170,000 from Shanomae English.

On the day in question, the Virtual Complainant had exited a Main Street, Georgetown club and as she made her way to her parked car, she noticed the defendant.

The teenager reportedly snatched woman’s phone which she had in her hand and ran towards Middle Street, Georgetown. The woman raised an alarm and members of a mobile Police patrol in the area responded promptly and gave chase, thus leading to McLead’s apprehension.

A search was conducted on his person and the phone was recovered.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence.

The defendant told the court he has his own phone and he was waiting to catch a bus when he was arrested

by Police ranks.

Bail was refused and the man is scheduled to make his next court appearance on April 26.

On Jackasses…

I

…in politics f the PNC’s politics didn’t descend into violence so often, one may call them “juvenile”. But then, juveniles can become little savages, can’t they?? Remember the “Lord of the Flies”?? Like juveniles, the PNC are very prone to name-calling. Remember them calling opponents of their 1978 Referendum “mice”?? Or dubbing the WPA the “Worst Possible Alternative”, and smirking smugly at their “clever” wordplay??

But they were outplayed when Rodney dubbed their maximum leader “King Midas” with a twist: things touched

by Burnham were turned yellow all right – but not gold!!

Something soft and stinky!!

Rodney was making a classical allusion, and implicitly complimenting his audience for knowing what he was talking about.

When the PNC were in opposition in 2015, their new leader David Granger, who’d vowed to continue Burnham’s “legacy”, told an elite audience of the GMSA that “Guyana was a land of jaguars led by Jackasses”. Army-man Granger was imitating Rodney by paraphrasing a British General during World War I, who’d referred to the British Infantry as being “Lions led by donkeys”.

He was obviously referring to President Ramotar and his Cabinet, who were then “leading Guyana”, but denied this when he was called out. The point is: from his denial, Granger clearly meant the reference to be a very insulting one – note him changing “donkeys” to the more vulgar “jackasses”.

And this explains him filing a complaint to the Police that the Opposition Leader had called him and Nagamootoo “jackasses” at Babu Jaan last month. He clearly felt this was done with the same degree of spitefulness he’d used against Ramotar. He was outraged!

One has to be impressed by the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the PPP Opposition, because they immediately issued a release that the Police were planning to arrest Jagdeo when he returned from his US trip. Chastened by their plans being blown, the Police instead swooped down on the Opposition Leader’s office on Wednesday, where they questioned him on the alleged “Jackass” statement as well as a “chase them out” one.

The irony, of course, is Jagdeo hadn’t even referred to Granger and Nagamootoo as “jackasses”, but as “Judases” – which is THE trope for betrayal. And this was exactly why Jagdeo was telling Berbicians not to make them welcome – “chase them out” - after reneging on their campaign promise to keep sugar going!!

But your Eyewitness believes Granger shouldn’t have been so petty to bring the Police into the matter. He should’ve taken the lead of President Ramotar; or, better yet, of Democratic US President Andrew Jackson, who, when called a “jackass” by his opponent, embraced it as a “strongwilled animal”.

Which then became the symbol of the Democrats! …versus sheep Now, what do you call people who accept the brazen fraud committed by this PNC-led Government on the CJIA “modernisation”? Sheep or Jackasses? Let’s look at the facts. Back in 2013, when it was revealed that the Chinese company CHEC had extended a US$135 million loan to bring CJIA into the 21st century, the PNC cried “FRAUD!!” The PPP had strategised that, based on its location on the northern coast of South America, CJIA could become a major hub serving the Caribbean, northern Brazil, Africa and the rest of South America. But for that, we needed a world class airport.

The PNC scoffed!!

The airport agreed to by the PPP for the loan was to have completely new arrival and departure buildings, with 8 air bridges, an extended airstrip, parking lots, extended apron etc etc. The PNC took over in 2015; paid an additional US$12 million; but accepted an oppressively low, rehabilitated departure area; 4 air bridges, and shoddy workmanship everywhere!

So, if the project was “fraudulent” under the PPP, what’s it now under the PNC??

And should Guyanese bray, or bleat?? …and commuters No. Your Eyewitness isn’t talking about all those donkey carts that still ply our roadways.

He’s referring to those who believed the MPI Minister when he promised a new DHB by 2020!!

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

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ExxonMobil makes 13th discovery offshore Guyana

G

uyana’s principal explorer, ExxonMobil has made its 13th discovery offshore Guyana at the Yellowtail-1 well.

It was only two months ago that the US supermajor made double oil discoveries at the Tilapia-1 and Haimara-1 well in the South-west section of the Stabroek Block.

Yellowtail-1, located some six miles North-west of the Tilapia discovery, encountered approximately 292 feet of high quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir.

According to a press release from ExxonMobil, it was drilled to a depth of

18,445 feet (5622 meters) in 6046 feet (1843 meters) of water.

The Noble Tom Madden began drilling the Yellowtail well on March 27 and it will next drill the Hammerhead-2 well.

This latest discovery adds to the previously announced estimated recoverable resource of approximately 5.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels on the Stabroek Block.

Yellowtail-1 is the fifth discovery in the Turbot area, which ExxonMobil expects to become a major development hub.

Mike Cousins, senior Vice President of ExxonMobil

Exploration and New Ventures, stated “Our success here can be attribut-

Woman arraigned with...

Asked if she had anything to say, the accused told the court that she was terrorised after being arrested.

The court heard the woman relating that she beaten and even forced to kneel on bottle corks, beaten to the knee, kicked and cuffed several times about the body.

The woman also told the court that at one point a plastic bag sprayed with Bagon was placed over her head while she was choked and beaten in an attempt to admit that she had killed her mother.

She further claimed that she was promised sleepless nights and continued interrogation until she admitted to the crime.

She added that when she was taken back to her home, she was again beaten and asked to point out where the

murder weapon was. She said she was taken into the kitchen and was told to hold a knife while a Police officer took a photo.

During her statement to the court, Jameer alleged that two of her gold rings were stolen from her at the Sisters Police Station where she was being held, and during the time she was taken back to the murder scene.

She also accused the ranks of plotting to split among themselves the money that they would get for the rings.

On Wednesday, after the woman fainted, Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh ordered that she seek medical attention, and moreso psychiatric evaluation.

On Thursday, the accused said her fainting was due to the series of brutali-

From page 7

ty she had endured at the hands of the Police, coupled with high blood pressure and lack of food.

The court ordered that the woman be taken to the National Psychiatric Hospital for an evaluation, and be returned to court on Wednesday next.

ed to our industry-leading upstream capabilities, the strength of our partnerships and our ongoing commitment to growing Guyana’s offshore potential.”

Meanwhile, the US-oil giant said exploration and development activities continue at other locations on the Stabroek Block. The Stena Carron is currently completing a well test at the Longtail-1 discovery and upon completion will next drill the Hammerhead-3 well. Later in 2019, the

Stena Carron will drill a second well at the Ranger discovery.

The Noble Bob Douglas drillship is currently completing development drilling operations for the Liza Phase 1 development.

ExxonMobil is also evaluating plans to add another exploration drillship, bringing the number of drillships offshore Guyana to four.

ExxonMobil has previously said there is potential for at least five floating productions, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels on the Stabroek Block producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.

Startup of the Liza Phase 1 development is on track to begin by the first quarter of 2020 and will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day utilising the Liza Destiny FPSO, which is expected to arrive in the country in the third quarter.

Liza Phase 2 is expected to startup by mid-2022.

A final investment decision is expected soon, subject to Government and regulatory

approvals. Upon approval, the project plans to use the Liza Unity FPSO to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day. Sanctioning of a third development, Payara, is also expected in 2019, with startup projected for 2023.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international energy company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs.

ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is one of the largest refiners and marketers of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world.

10 friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

G

ood Friday, popularly known as “Holy Friday,” is celebrated conventionally as the day on which Jesus was crucified. This is the Friday that comes immediately before the Easter Sunday.

Celebrating Jesus’s death does not seem a logical reason, but Christians believe the results of Christ’s death were all in good faith. Roman Catholics be-

lieve that, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Good Friday has a deep significance and relevance in Christian beliefs; they consider Good Friday to be a crucial day of the year and they celebrate it religiously to commemorate the most momentous weekend in world history.

As history says, Jesus

willingly suffered and died by crucifixion on Good Friday and it was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Next is the Easter celebration, when Jesus was raised from the dead, declared his triumph and victory over death and sin, indicating a future renaissance for all who follow Him. Good Friday is thus marked as the dramatic finale of God’s plan to save his people from

their wrongdoings and sin.

Good Friday signifies the

greatest triumph over evil and God’s plan to release the

world from oppression. (Excerpts taken from www.eastergoodfriday.com)

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

I

t is the day when Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s cru-

cifixion. So why is it called Good Friday?

According to the Bible,

the son of God was flogged, ordered to carry the cross on which he would be crucified

and then put to death. It’s difficult to see what is “good” about it.

Some sources suggest that the day is “good” in that it is holy, or that the phrase is a corruption of “God’s Friday”.

However, according to Fiona MacPherson, senior editor at the Oxford English

the Baltimore Catechism – the standard US Catholic school text from 1885 to the 1960s, Good Friday is good because Christ “showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing”.

Dictionary (OED), the adjective traditionally “designates a day on (or sometimes a season in) which religious observance is held”. The OED states that “good” in this context refers to “a day or season observed as holy by the church”, hence the greeting “good tide” at Christmas or on Shrove Tuesday. In addition to Good Friday, there is also a less well-known Good Wednesday, namely the Wednesday before Easter.

The earliest known use of “guode friday” is found in The South English Legendary, a text from around 1290, according to the dictionary. According to

The Catholic Encyclopedia, first published in 1907, states that the term’s origins are not clear.

It says some sources see its origins in the term “God’s Friday” or Gottes Freitag, while others maintain that it is from the German Gute Freitag. It notes that the day was called Long Friday by the Anglo-Saxons and is referred to as such in modern Danish.

It also says that the day is known as “the Holy and Great Friday” in the Greek liturgy, “Holy Friday” in Romance Languages and Karfreitag (Sorrowful Friday) in German. (BBC News)

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

S RAIGHT Goat bite Guyana? In 30 days, India was ready for 900 million voters!

By: SASE Singh; M.Sc. - Finance, ACCA

H

ow can India prepare 900 million persons for elections in 30 days, but Guyana cannot prepare 0.5 million people for elections after almost 4 months? In India, their Elections Commission, an independent institution, guards and maintains its reputation for efficiency, toughness, and rectitude. They have a system comprised of 3 Commissioners, who are all retired public service officers. These Commissioners are prohibited from drawing a salary from anywhere else but from their version of GECOM. They are paid US$3,500 per month, with the Chairman getting closer to US$4,500 per month.

On the other hand, I was advised that the Chairman of GECOM draws some US$9,000 per month plus benefits. Where is the value for money? If we are to reflect on the current GECOM Commissioners, these people, by choice, have multiple income streams, and thus are not in a position to exclusively do GECOM’s work the way it ought to be done. If truth is told, every one of the Commissioners serves dual masters, which makes them ineffective at elections supervision, and not independent, at best. As an example, is Desmond Trotman independent in his mind? He works at the Ministry of the Presidency and also serves GECOM. He can never do his GECOM job efficiently. On the PPP side, it is the same thing.

Worse yet, Mr. Granger unilaterally appointed the Chairman; thus this Chairman owes everything to Mr. Granger, and thus cannot be objective and independent. Therefore, we must not be surprised if he continues to act like a PNC man in GECOM. If one reflects on GECOM, one would observe that it is an organisation conceived in bias, prejudice, and discrimination.

The PPP and the PNC did a major injustice to Guyana when they agreed on this format for GECOM. This nation will always be at war with itself if this status quo continues.

I would suggest a model that better serves the idea of neutrality.

How about one Government party member, one member from all the Opposition parties, and the Chairman being chosen by the Chancellor of the Judiciary from a list suggested by the InterReligious Organisation (Hindu, Islamic and Christian faiths)? The final two members should be: one member from civil society (business, the professional community, trade unions, etc.) and the final member being a female Amerindian youth under 35 years of age, who is selected by the Rights of the Child Commission. After all, the under 35-year-olds in Guyana constitute some 60 percent of the population today, they ought to matter.

If one looks at GECOM today, it is nothing but a caravan of geriatrics, save and except for Sase Gunraj. None of the GECOM Commissioners is from the under 35-year-old group. And if you take Sase Gunraj out of the equation, the situation becomes worse at GECOM, where representatives from 8 percent of Guyana speak for 100 percent of the people.

This is just ridiculous!

So, clearly, the people who constitute over 60 percent of the population (the under 35-year-olds) do not have a voice in GECOM. It is this kind of exclusion and marginalisation that facilitates and feeds a situation where the top 10 positions in the GECOM operational leadership emit a perception as nothing but an extension of Congress Place.

Think carefully as to why Vishnu Persaud -- an extremely competent, independent elections expert -- had to be pushed aside to make way for someone who is still learning the job. If one reflects on the output from Ms. Roxanne Myers to date, she comes across as grossly unfit and unsuitable for the role, but yet she keeps her position because incompetence is something to be celebrated in GECOM. Unfortunately, when in power, the PPP failed to take account of the bigger picture: that one day they could be out of power, and did not influence measures to make GECOM more resilient from external political interference. They failed at this task miserably as the then Government, and today this nation has to suffer because we have a PNC-led Government that is bent on destroying what little independence is left in GECOM. History has taught us that the PNC will never play fair when it comes to elections management, because that party does not have a history of winning elections on its own. If it were not for the UF in 1964 and the AFC in 2015, the PNC would have been permanently in the Opposition, because of the way it is constructed -- as a racially biased party that openly discriminates against those who are not its kith and kin. One only has to listen to Volda Lawrence and one gets a gist of the PNC’s DNA: she is only “hiring PNC people”.

So while India’s Elections Commission, with 3 members, takes 900 million people to the polls in 30 days, the goat has Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com. bitten Guyana.

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MoE requests AG conduct special audit of UG

– request birthed from appeal made by 2 workers’ unions

I

n light of an appeal made by the two workers’ unions at the University of Guyana (UG), the Education Ministry has now officially requested the Office of the Auditor General conduct a special audit of the tertiary institution’s finances.

In a statement issued by the University of Guyana, it stated that it welcomes such a move by the administration since it will clear up any misinformation about the present financial status of institution.

“The administration welcomes the opportunity to clear the air on the allegations and assertions by the unions and other individuals… We have long indicated such, both directly to the UG unions and in my two recent memoranda to the University community,” Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith stated.

The request made by the two unions to the Education Ministry was birthed from the fact that the University’s administration, in January

University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus

of this year, stated that the institution was not in a position to pay further salary increases for 2018, having paid a four per cent salary increase to academic staff and three per cent to non-academic staff, both tax-free, in December 2018.

On February 13, 2019, in an update to its members of the UG community on the industrial climate at Turkeyen and the call by the unions for a foren-

sic financial audit, the Vice Chancellor noted that the administration is willing to have its financial position examined by any competent and independent arbiter.

According to the statement from UG, following the Unions resumption of picketing at Turkeyen on March 15, 2019, Vice Chancellor Griffith, in a further update to the UG community, reiterated the administration’s willingness to have an audit

done by an independent arbiter.

“He [the VC] also indicated that the administration had decided to turn the dispute over to the Labour Department for conciliation. The current impasse follows the initiative by ProChancellor, Major General (retired) Joseph Singh to facilitate some listening sessions with the unions and the administration by a three-member panel of the University Council, and the Vice Chancellor’s March 8 invitation to meet with the unions to resume the negotiations proved futile.”

The UG Administration holds the view that talks with the unions should not focus exclusively on salaries; that performance and a Collective Bargaining Agreement also should be discussed.

Meanwhile, UG’s administration was accused of wanton spending, including hosting several events and standing the expenses of meals and accommodation for guest speakers.

16 news NGSA concludes with mixed reactions from pupils friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

T

he National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) concluded on Thursday with varying reactions from pupils; some claiming it was challenging, while others said it was quite simple.

The two-day examination covered four subject areas – Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and English Language.

However, pupils breathed a sigh of relief at the end of day two, with the hopes that when the results are released, they would have achieved their desired secondary school.

Guyana Times visited a few locations where mixed reactions were shared as persons exited the examination room. Over at St Margaret’s Primary, Harry Cox stated the he was pleased with his performance over the past two days and looks forward to some time to relax.

“It was challenging but

Students of St Margaret’s Primary after all of the exams were completed

I think I did exceptionally well. Social Studies, Science and Maths were a bit challenging. I think I did alright,” he stated.

Jaron Sookram stated that he aspires for a place at the Bishops’ High

School. According to him, the examinations were easy because he put a lot of hours into studying.

“The exam was easy because hard work pays off.

Some of the preparations I made were waking up ear-

ly like 05:00h to revise and staying up around 11:00h,” Sookram explained.

Meanwhile, Kenesha Marshall said she cried at the commencement of the first subject but sported a huge smile after exiting on

the last day. “ Y e s t e r d a y (Wednesday), the English was easy and the Science was hard and today (Thursday), the Mathematics was easy and Social Studies was hard. I was so scared that I cried the night before,” Marshall stated, adding that she is hoping for placement at Saint Stanislaus College.

Another colleague, Surendra Persaud, told this publication, “The exams went fairly well. We had one or two hard questions but I think I passed.”

Children from the St Agnes Primary School also related that some subjects were challenging.

Kaitlyn La Fleur posited, “It was a little bit hard but I tried my best.”

Some students said they plan to engage in all the recreational activities which they would have sacrificed over the past months,

while others looked forward to the Easter holiday to fly their kites.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry and Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson visited a few schools around the city – Ketley Primary, St Stephen’s Primary and St Gabriel’s Primary – after the first examination.

This year saw an increase in candidates from 14,551 to 14,715. This examination is key, since the results would determine which secondary institution these students would be placed.

Prior to this, the students had to write the National Grades Two and Four Assessments back in 2012 and 2014 respectively. A percentage of the marks from all three assessments will be calculated to determine the overall performance of each student.

News

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friday, april 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

5000 youths to participate in 53rd Independence celebration

S

ome 5000 students from across the country will form part of this year’s 53rd Independence anniversary celebrations.

The event, which will take place at Durban Park on the day of May 26, aims at promoting patriotism and cultural appreciation for youths.

Social Cohesion Minister Dr. George Norton, updating the media on Thursday on the much anticipated event, said the annual Independence Flag Raising Ceremony will take the form of a youth rally this year.

The event, he said, will see

the involvement of 5000 students from across all regions of Guyana.

He added that much emphasis is being placed on the inclusion of youths.

The Minister added that the Planning Committee, which also includes Director of Culture Tamika Boatswain and Coordinator of the Independence celebrations, Andrew Tyndall, is making every effort to make improvements in every aspect.

He is anticipating a successful hosting of the event, and is hopeful that the introduction of a Katak Dance will leave those in attendance amazed.

Some of the activities planned are: hosting of the Guyana Film Festival, An Evening of National Songs, Poetry and Stories, Our Annual Independence Art and Craft Market, and an Independence Concert Series; which are to be hosted in Regions 1, 4 and 6.

Coordinator of the Independence Celebrations, Andrew Tyndall, told media operatives this is the first year that a large number of youths will participate.

The students will also be hoisting the Golden Arrowhead.

He explained that the concerts in the regions are

Man charged for allegedly stealing pump, water tank from EPA

M

ark Bynoe, a former employee of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with a simple larceny charge.

It is alleged that on February 30, 2019, at Ganges Street, Sophia, Great Georgetown, Bynoe stole one

Myers pressure pump and tank valued at $1 million; the property of the EPA. The defendant who resides at Last Field, Squatting Area, D Field Sophia, plead not guilty to the charge.

Police stated that on the day in question, a Rural Constable was on his way to work when he saw the accused and another man pushing two separate carts with the pump and tank.

The matter was reported to the Police and on April 15, 2019, the accused was contacted by Police ranks, who told him of the allegations but he denied. However, he was positively identified by the Constable who reported the matter and as such, he was arrested.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail.

The matter will continue on May 3.

The Golden Arrowhead being hoisted at the last Independence celebrations

intended to reach areas where they did not go during the Republic celebrations.

There will also be an art and craft exhibition which will give persons the oppor-

tunity to showcase their locally made products.

Meanwhile, the film festival, which will take place during the week of May 26, will showcase films produced by Guyanese, and will give the audience an opportunity to see and interact with producers. These films will also be part of the upcoming CARIFESTA. Responding to questions posed by the media, Tyndall said the Guyana Carnival Committee is a private one and is not working in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Cohesion, and that the committee will in no way downplay Guyana’s traditional Independence celebrations.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, april 19, 2019

T

he Shri Surya Narayan Mandir will be spearheading Shri Raam Vivaah; an evening of song and dance – Caribbean Raam Leela on Friday.

The event is being hosted by the Shiva Gana Org, out of Trinidad, and will be held at the Leonora Stadium, West Coast Demerara, from 19:00h.

This activity is based on the Ramayana, which is perhaps one of the most popular epics in Hinduism.

It tells the beautiful story of the life of Shri Ram during his time on earth.

Written by Valmiki, a Sanskrit poet, the Ramayana narrates the life of Shri Ram – the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The main story in the Ramayana is the 14-year exile of Shri Ram from the Kosala Kingdom of ruled by his father Raja Dasharatha. Ram’s exile to the forest was upon the request of Dasharatha’s second wife, Kaikeyi.

The text documents the trials and victories of Shri Ram, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana during their exile

to the forest.

Believed to be written during the first century BCE by Valmiki, the Ramayana is considered one of the largest ancient epics in the literary world. Like many other Hindu epics, the Ramayana is riddled with teach-

ings of ancient Hindu sages.

The Ramcharitmanas was written

by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16 century with derivations from the Ramayana.

From the Ramcharitmanas, one of the most popular chaupai (poetry) “Ram Siya Ram” was developed.

I

t will all go down in the community known as the gateway to the interior, Bartica, this weekend as some of the most anticipated events for the annual Bartica Regatta get underway. Although many are gearing up to witness the exciting boat races, some are preparing for the bacchanal and fun.

On Saturday, the action kicks off with the grass track races at the Mongrippa Playfield, where several riders and drivers will compete head on for supremacy. This will be followed by the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, where the nine delegates will showcase

their talent, skills, intelligence and charm.

The deletes would have already competed in the costume competition but

on pageant night, they will be judged on introduction, talent, swimwear, evening gown and intelligence.

The night will culminate

with a road jam at Platinum Square, featuring De Marco and Bill Cosby.

The action continues on Sunday with the boat rac-

ing events, commencing at 10:00h. After a long day in the sun, the partying continues in the evening with the Guyana All Star Concert

featuring some of the best artistes Guyana has to offer.

These include reigning Carib Soca Monarch, Brandon Hardin; reigning Chutney Monarch, Steven Ramphal; Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson; Tamika Marshall; soca sensation Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo; and Michelle “Big Red” King.

On Monday, the second edition of the boat racing continues at Golden Beach, followed by the international concert titled “Soca Meet Chutney”. This event will feature Queen of Baccanhal, Destra Garcia; and former International Chutney Monarch, KI.

Ravi B

A Beenie Man

fter raising and flying your kites, the place to be is the Giftland Parking lot for the Unity concert, featuring Jamaican dance hall artiste, Beenie Man; and former International Chutney Monarch, Ravi B. It will be a grand affair and more so, a fusion of dancehall and chutney.

Apart from the two great performers, there will be Stitchy, the Shakti Strings Orchestra, Team MMR, Deejay Magnum and Deejay Energy. They all have one thing in common and that is to entertain to the fullest.

Advance tickets cost $2500 and $3000 at the gate. Patrons can also pay $10,000 for the VIP experience.

Tickets are available at Giftland Mall, Liliendaal; and Nurse to Burst, Light Street, Georgetown, and the action gets started at 16:00h. It will be a once in a lifetime concert featuring the king of dance hall and the former king of chutney.

The event is sponsored by Corona and on the day of the event, there will be drink specials all night long.

friday, APRIL 19, 2019

GFF launches KFC National U20 Intra-Association Independence Cup

A

t a simple ceremony held at the KFC Corporate Office on Vlissengen Road, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in collaboration with KFC, launched an Under-20 Knockout Football tournament which is set to run from April 27 to May 20, before concluding with national Inter-Regional Member Association play-offs from May 31 to June 9.

Present at this ceremony were the GFF President Wayne Forde, Competitions Director Ian Alves, Technical Director Ian Greenwood; and Charissa Rampersaud, KFC’s Training and Human Resources Manager.

Remarking, Alves said, “The Independence Cup will take place in two legs; that is where the clubs affiliated to each member association will compete to become the regional association champion. This will be followed by the interassociation or national play- off, which will be played among the champion clubs of all the associations. All affiliated clubs to the GFF, through their regional member associations, are eligible to participate in this tournament.”

Asked how the under-20 football would tie in to the upcoming ‘junior qualifiers’, Greenwood said, “The under-20 football that is being launched is another key development strategy.

We need to ensure that our footballers are playing. So it’s another strategy to ensure that our players are having up to ten thousand hours of practice. At the end of it all, we will be looking

to select the best players for the U-23 team. We know we have a lot of key players in the senior team, but we are excited as, from the pool of U-20 talents, we can select the best to represent Guyana at the Olympics.”

KFC representative Charissa Rampersaud related that KFC is proud to be teaming up with the GFF to host the first under-20 football tournament. This tournament, she said, will see involvement of the GFF’s 9 regional member associations which comprise a total of 102 clubs. She iterated that the KFC family is very passionate about supporting “initiatives aimed at developing our young people and helping them become well-rounded, productive members of society”.

GFF President Wayne Forde said, “My hope is that this partnership will serve as an encouragement to other corporate partners to help us develop football in Guyana. We at the GFF have been working for the past three years to develop the U-20 football. I want to use this platform to ask the fans to come out and support the tournament. It is my solemn commitment to the KFC Group that we will do everything in our power to reciprocate value for the investment you are making here.”

Prizes for the tournament are as follows: first place, $500,000; second place, $300,000; and third place, $200,000.

19

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friday, APRIL 19, 2019

Pandya brothers, Chahar star in Mumbai’s emphatic win

H

ardik Pandya monstered 32 off 15 balls, Krunal Pandya struck 37 not out off 27, and together the two put on a fifth-wicket partnership worth 54 off 26, which became the centrepiece of Mumbai Indians’ 40-run victory.

Mumbai Indians were 104 for 4 after 15.1 overs, heading towards a par-score in the range of 150 on a slow Feroz S h a h Kotla surface when t h e

brothers united. Although they took a little time to get into the slog mode, they exploded from the end of the 17th over - Mumbai reaping 54 runs off the last 19 balls of the innings.

The in-form Hardik produced the more blistering innings, walloping his eighth ball for a six way over longoff, whipping his 12th ball into the long-leg boundary, eventually finishing up with three sixes and two fours in his innings. Krunal had been slow to start, hitting only 17 off his first 18 deliveries, but he found the boundary four times off the last eight balls he faced to assist in the furious finish that Hardik spearheaded.

Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan began the chase well, hitting 48 in the Powerplay, but Delhi Capitals soon lost their way. Shaw, Dhawan, Colin Munro and captain Shreyas Iyer all lost their wickets in quick succession, sliding to 63 for 4 after 10.2 overs, the required rate creeping up towards 11. None of the Capitals’ middle-order batsmen could launch a serious challenge to Mumbai’s score, and after losing regular wickets,

the team eventually mustered only 128 for 9 in response to Mumbai’s 168 for 5.

Rahul Chahar’s super spell

His first over - the second of the innings - went for ten runs, but Chahar came back after the Powerplay to deliver the spell that sunk Capitals’ chase. Dhawan and Shaw had laid a half-decent foundation, making 48 off the first six overs, before Chahar beat Dhawan’s reverse sweep, and ended up bowling him off his pads.

That over cost only four runs, but the next Chahar over would prove to be even more fruitful. The required rate now having climbed to well over nine, Shaw came down the track to try and slam Chahah over longon but only ended up being caught. Later - after Krunal Pandya had dismissed Colin Munro in the intervening over - Chahar bowled perhaps the delivery of the match to dismiss Shreyas Iyer, drifting his legbreak through the air, pitching it on middle and leg, then getting it to spit away sharply to beat Iyer’s push and collect his off stump. His second, three-over spell had seen him claim three wickets for nine runs.

Delhi’s Kotla woes

Capitals’ coaches have already complained this season that the Kotla surface has favoured spinners more than they would like, but four games in, perhaps it is the Capitals outfit that needs to adapt. Where Mumbai’s bowlers relished taking pace off the ball,

Capitals perhaps underbowled their spinners, Amit Mishra only delivering three overs, despite having bowled Rohit Sharma with a sharp legbreak early in the game.

Capitals have now lost three of their four home matches this season. Their only win at the Kotla came via a Super Over.

Mumbai’s supporting hands

The Pandya brothers’ final explosion was perhaps the definitive partnership of the game, but Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock also made substantial contributions to the eventual total, adding 57 off 37 balls for the first wicket. De Kock looked set for a big innings too, before he was needlessly run out by Suryakumar Yadav.

And while Chahar made the best bowling contribution for Mumbai, Jasprit Bumrah also put in another outstanding performance, seaming the ball early on, and hitting his yorkers beautifully on his way to a bowling analysis of 2 for 18 from four overs. Bumrah also effected the run out of

3

SCOREBOARD

Mumbai Indians Innings (20 overs maximum) RG Sharma (c) b Mishra 30 Q de Kock † run out (Rabada/†Pant/Patel) 35 BCJ Cutting lbw b Patel 2 SA Yadav c †Pant b Rabada 26 KH Pandya not out 37 HH Pandya c †Pant b Rabada

32 KA Pollard not out 0 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 3) 6 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 8.4) 1685 Did not bat: RD Chahar, J Yadav, JJ Bumrah, SL Malinga Fall of wickets: 1-57 (RG Sharma, 6.1 ov), 2-62 (BCJ Cutting, 7.5 ov), 3-74 (Q de Kock, 9.5 ov), 4-104 (SA Yadav, 15.1 ov), 5-158 (HH Pandya, 19.3 ov) BOWLING I Sharma (3-0-17-0) K Rabada (4-0-38-2) CH Morris (3-0-39-0) KMA Paul (3-0-37-0) A Mishra (3-0-18-1) AR Patel (4-0-17-1) Keemo Paul, throwing down the stumps at the non-striker’s end, after collecting the

Delhi Capitals Innings (target: 169 runs from 20 overs) PP Shaw c HH Pandya b Chahar 20 S Dhawan b Chahar 35 C Munro b KH Pandya 3 SS Iyer (c) b Chahar 3 RR Pant † b Bumrah 7 AR Patel b Bumrah 26 CH Morris c HH Pandya b Malinga 11 KMA Paul run out (Bumrah) 0 K Rabada c Pollard b HH Pandya 9 A Mishra not out 6 I Sharma not out 0 Extras (lb 5, w 3) 8 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 6.4) 1289 Fall of wickets: 1-49 (S Dhawan, 6.3 ov), 2-59 (PP Shaw, 8.3 ov), 3-61 (C Munro, 9.4 ov), 4-63 (SS Iyer, 10.2 ov), 5-76 (RR Pant, 13.5 ov), 6-107 (CH Morris, 16.6 ov), 7-107 (KMA Paul, 17.1 ov), 8-107 (AR Patel, 17.2 ov), 9-125 (K Rabada, 19.4 ov) BOWLING HH Pandya (2-0-17-1) RD Chahar (4-0-19-3) SL Malinga (4-0-37-1) J Yadav (4-0-25-0) JJ Bumrah (4-0-18-2) KH Pandya (2-0-7-1)

ball following a delivery.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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sports

21

Guyana nominated Trophy Stall ride to CFU Legal with Jumbo Jet Committee Triple Crown event

G

uyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Third Vice President Thandi Mc Allister has been nominated to the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU’s) Legal Committee, a Standing Committee of the CFU. The appointment, a first for Mc Allister, will see her providing “strategic guidance and comments/recommendations to the Executive Committee based on communication with relevant regulatory authorities, law makers, governments, CONCACAF and FIFA,” as per the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

“It is a privilege to be engaged in the administration of football at the regional level. This is an opportunity for Guyana to contribute to the strengthening of the legislative framework which governs the 31 member associations responsible for the management of football in the wider Caribbean Region,” Mc Allister said in an invited comment.

“Constant analysis of legal issues relative to football is necessary if the rules, regulations and statutes are to evolve to cater for the advancement and development of the sport in the region; and so I’m honoured to be considered as having the competencies necessary for such an undertaking,” Mc Allister added.

Among other key responsibilities of the Committee are: “assisting member associations of CFU with any legal matters (subject always to the rules of conflict) upon formal written request by such member association; review and make written recommendations and/or proposals to the Executive Committee relating to the CFU’s position relative to regulatory or legislative proposals or changes with regards to the CFU, CONCACAF or FIFA statutes; lobby and proactively engage with the relevant regulators in relation to the point previously stated, and recommend external legal advice as necessary and obtain regular updates from said legal advisers regarding their services to the CFU”.

G

uyana’s leading distributors of silverware, Trophy Stall, have continued their support of horse racing by committing sponsorship for the final leg of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee’s (JJTRC’s) inaugural Triple Crown final leg, which gallops off this Easter Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice.

At its South Road location, proprietor Ramesh Sunich presented organiser Nazrudeen Mohamed with over half a dozen trophies which will be awarded to top performers at this Sunday’s highly anticipated race meet.

Mohamed expressed gratitude for the generous gesture made by Sunich, while Sunich noted that he is always ready to support horse racing, which attracts fans from all walks of life.

The Triple Crown race promotion provides a bonus of $500,000 for whichever horse can complete three consecutive victories; and come this Easter, the mare Valentina, in the three-yearold Guyana-bred category, will be the only animal in the running for the Triple Crown bonus.

The feature race -- C Class and Lower -- will pay out prizes amounting to almost $2 million, with the winner of that race pocketing $1 million.

The winner of the race for three-year-old Guyana-bred horses will pocket $400,000; the F Class winner will pocket $350,000; the H Class winner $300,000; the ‘I Class’ winner $250,000; the J Class winner $230,000; the K Class winner $220,000; the L Class winner $200,000; and the L Class and Lower winner will pocket $140,000.

22 Who will make the cut in Windies World Cup squad? friday, APRIL 19, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

─ asks Brandon Corlette

I

t is exactly 42 days before commencement of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) World Cup competition in England, and the West Indies are yet to announce their provisional 14-man World Cup squad; the squad is expected to be announced in a few days.

It was made clear that the new Cricket West Indies (CWI) administration led

by President Ricky Skerritt will see the big players earning selection based on their availability.

Eight of the teams

around the globe have to date announced their provisional World Cup squad, but Afghanistan and West Indies are yet to make those announcements.

In a press conference in Antigua earlier this month, it was announced that the players in the IPL will be selected for participation in the World Cup, and the squad to Ireland is not the World Cup squad. It was further announced that each of the players in the IPL is being watched by the CWI selectors for selection.

The IPL will conclude

on May 5, 2019, and CWI has catered for players who make it to the final on May 5 to join West Indies camps at later dates.

However, those players who will not play the finals would be available for participation in the camp ahead of the World Cup. The other nations have left out some noLeading run-scorer for table players from West Indies in the 2015 World Cup, Chris Gayle their World Cup

while Jason Holder had 9 wickets.

This 2019 World Cup squad will feature newcomers making their maiden appearances. Such players would likely include Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope and A s h l e y Nurse, among others. squads, but West Indies may include some big names in their 2019 World Cup squad. In the 2015 edition of this tournament, Jason Holder led the WI team, which included senior players Darren S a m m y , M a r l o n Samuels,

Sunil Narine was replaced

by Nikita Miller in the 2015 World Cup squad

Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. That team ended in fourth position in ‘Pool B’.

At that 2015 mega event, Chris Gayle, who is now likely to sign off after the 2019 World Cup, was the best batsman for the West Indies. Gayle played six matches at that event and finished with 340 runs, averaging 56.66, including a masterful double-century against Zimbabwe.

Marlon Samuels, who seems to be off the radar at the moment, finished the 2015 World Cup as the second best West Indian batsman, with 230 runs averaging at 38.33, including one century.

In that World Cup, West Indies had the services of Jerome Taylor, who was their leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in seven matches. Andre Russell finished with 11 wicke t s ,

I n I P L 2 0 1 9 , Gayle, Russell, Alzarri Joseph, Kieron Pollard and Keemo Paul each had turned in “player of the match” performances. Sunil Narine is coming into his ways, striking the ball cleanly and bowling with control for KKR. Time will tell who of the IPL players the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel led

by Robert Haynes has chosen to make the 15-member WI squad. Will the big players who have not featured in West Indies teams in recent times make a return? This question will be answered in due time.

Marlon Samuels has proven himself to be a big tournament player in the past

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, APRIL 19, 2019

23

No Giddings in Windies Women squad to Ireland and England ─ Campbelle lone Guyanese; Grimmond, Gajnabi selected for camps H ayley Matthews and Stacy Ann King have been included by the Cricket West Indies (CWI) interim selection panel in a 14-member West Indies Women’s Squad that will tour Ireland and England from May 21- June 26. Matthews returns to the squad after an injury layoff, when she damaged her MCL playing in the Women’s Big Bash in Australia last December.

The injury resulted in Matthews missing the recent West Indies Women’s series against Pakistan in Karachi and Dubai. Stacy Ann King is returning to international cricket after an almost three year absence. King last represented the West Indies Women in the home series against England in 2016. Interim Chairman of Selectors Robert Haynes on behalf of the interim selection panel said, “Stacy Ann King’s return to the West Indies Women’s team to tour Ireland and England is no real surprise after her performance during the recently concluded Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup and CWI’s T20 Blaze tournaments. Her experience is very vital in this very crucial series against England, a series that we must win, so her ability to bowl good left arm swing will be an added dimension to our bowling attack. Anisa Mohammed and Merissa Aguilleira’s performances in the recent women’s championships weren’t what we expected or how we wanted them to perform, so unfortunately they were not picked on this touring squad. There are other ladies who are vying for these coveted spots, we have three other wicketkeepers who have all been scoring consistently thereby outperforming Merissa.” Haynes added, “In terms of Anisa, we have Hayley who’s back and the Captain Stafanie who can both bowl offspin and have been performing consistently well. So overall we have a very unique and balanced team which reflects what we saw in Guyana during the Women’s Championships. Merissa and Anisa have given a lot to West Indies Cricket and I’m sure based on improved performances we can see them back in the West Indies Women’s team in future series.” The fourteen (14) member squad along with six (6) reserve players will assemble in Antigua from May 6-20 for a training camp, before the touring party’s departure to Ireland from Antigua on May 21. The West Indies Women will play Ireland in three (3) T20 Internationals on May 26, 28 and 29. Then they play England in three (3) One Day Internationals as part of the ICC Women’s Championships on June 6, 9 and 13. Followed by three (3) T20 Internationals on June 18, 21 and 25.

Pele Alumni continues to boost youth development

T

he Pele Football Club’s Alumni has again boosted the services of the National Library with a timely donation of robotics educational tools for use by children countrywide.

According to Director of the association, Dennis Ivor Carrington, the public library is a foundation for education, and presenting tools that will enable children to become more educated while supporting sport participation is the main focus of the Pele Football Club’s Alumni.

“It was a pleasure to research and provide what is needed for the youths of Guyana, and it is our honour and our privilege to continue to support the library. I think (that), as we go forward, it would be great to get more feedback on how effective what we have supplied is working, and if you would like to go another route,” he said at the simple but meaningful presentation ceremony on Thursday morning at the Guyana National Library.

He explained that, to date, the Pele Football Club’s Alumni has donated close to 20 laptops and 4,000 books to the Guyana National Library; and, this year, the focus in on the special need of today’s world: technology, STEM, construction.

“So, for us, we would have to go to the corporations in the US and ask for their support for the kids in

Guyana. Everything we are doing is for the kids in Guyana, exclusively to assist the kids in their education. Keep in mind we are a football- oriented corporation; that is how we started in 1971, education was taken for granted,” he explained.

He added that while the alumni he represents focuses heavily on sports involvement of youths, education and sport go hand in hand, and this must not be overshadowed.

“So, forty years after that, we came back and (found) that education is by the side…and it is our mission to continue as long…the energy and support to help young people with their education while doing their sport.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Library, Petamber Persaud, noted that the contributions made by the Pele Football Club’s Alumni will go a far way in helping Guyanese children with their education.

“When I think about robotics, I think about man’s humanity to man, and how science and art can work together for the betterment of this world. When I think about people receiving, I conjure images of people’s hearts on the other end of the spectrum, those who are giving. And those hearts beating with satisfaction… So, ‘Thank you’, to the Alumni,” he declared.

Full squad reads: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Hayley Matthews (vice-captain), Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell, Shemaine Campbelle, Natasha

McLean and Stacy Ann King Additional Players: FOR CAMP ONLY Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Reniece Boyce, Britney Cooper, Shanika Bruce, Shawnisha Hector (CWI)

friday, APRIL 19, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

No Giddings in Windies Women squad to Ireland and England ─ Campbelle lone Guyanese; Grimmond, Gajnabi selected for camps Page 19

GFF launches KFC National U20 Intra-Association Independence Cup GFF President Wayne Forde (second from right), Competitions Director Ian Alves (right), and Technical Director Ian Greenwood receiving a cheque from Charissa Rampersaud, KFC’s Training and HR Manager

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