Guyana Times - Friday, March 1, 2019

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3850

FRIday, MARCH 1, 2019

PRICE

No election date, no meeting

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Court asks Patterson to justify P8 Berbice Bridge takeover

See stories on pages 3&7

– Jagdeo slams Govt over “fraudulent” behaviour – GECOM Chair acknowledges first letter from President supersedes second – yet Govt Commissioners refuse to discuss elections Page 11

$80 vat included

Sugar workers call for unified union response to their plight

Sophia stabbing

50-year- P2 old suspect hospitalised – family of dead woman calls for justice

…after trade unions’ leaders picket RUSAL’s headquarters

Fire destroys business complexes in Berbice Page 13

GTU awaits word from MoE on 2019 proposal P9 – threatens countrywide protest if talks do not conclude in timely manner

A fire of unknown origin has completely gutted several businesses, vehicles and a house on Thursday afternoon at Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice

Large quantity of sugar missing Mother of from Uitvlugt Sugar Estate 4 crushed Page 10

by motor lorry Page 13

Demerara P12 Bank Limited Diamond Branch celebrates 8 years of business

2 news

friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sophia stabbing

50-year-old suspect hospitalised – family of dead woman calls for justice

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he 50-year-old suspect who fatally stabbed Nadina Kalamadeen on Wednesday evening at North Sophia, Greater Georgetown has been admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public

Hospital (GPHC) following the thrashing he received upon his apprehension.

Of no fixed place of abode, the suspect was reportedly given a sound beating by residents on Wednesday evening after he had killed

the mother of five. The Police have said he is under guard at the medical facility.

The 35-year-old woman was stabbed several times to the back by the man after she had refused to take on his advances while walking along First Street, North Sophia.

When Guyana Times visited the dead woman’s home on Thursday, her family called for justice and a thorough investigation into circumstances leading up and surrounding the murder.

It was reported that Kalamadeen was walking along the roadway in close proximity to her home when the suspect appeared and made several amorous advances towards her.

After the woman refused to accept his advances, he

Murdered: Nadina Kalamadeen

reportedly whipped out a knife and dealt her several stabs to the back.

The suspect attempted to run away, but an alarm was raised and he was apprehended by persons in

the neighbourhood, who later handed him over to the Police.

The injured woman was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mother of the deceased, Elimine De Freitas, told Guyana Times that the suspect was obsessed with her daughter, and now her only concern is seeking justice, to ensure that he is penalised for his actions.

“All I know is that my child died. I hope that we get justice and the Police do what they have to do,” the distraught woman stated.

She recalled that she was at home when she heard screaming at about 19:00h.

“I just hear this hollering, so I thought was the

neighbour making noise.

We look out and I see everybody running and a lady on the road telling me that my daughter fall down and bleeding. As a mother, I just come out…and we carry her to the hospital.”

DeFreitas refuted statements that her daughter had been in a relationship with the suspect, stating that Kalamadeen had been married to someone who works in the interior.

“Is a man who live somewhere at the back, and he deh round the area for a while. Like he was desperate and obsessed with her,” the mother explained.

Kalamadeen leaves to mourn her five children, mother and other relatives.

The suspect is expected to be charged soon.

news

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 1 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, March 2 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

No election date, no meeting – Jagdeo slams Govt over “fraudulent” behaviour

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 1 – 13:20h-14:50h and Saturday, March 2 – 14:05h-15:35h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected throughout the day, followed by clear skies and partly cloudy skies in the evening. Overall temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 00:33h and 12:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.03 metres and 2.12 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:25h and 19:11h reaching minimum heights of 1.21 metres and 1.06 metres respectively.

The first letter shows an official correspondence between President David Granger and GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson that was shared with GECOM Commissioners, while the letter which the Opposition claimed was altered appears on the Ministry of the Presidency official website

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo made clear his intention that he does not plan to meet with President David Granger unless an election date is announced by him, while accusing the Government of engaging in fraudulent behaviour.

On Monday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had written Jagdeo and invited him to a meeting with the President on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 to discuss upcoming elections and funding of those elections, as well as to discuss the role of the National Assembly during this period.

Addressing his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said that the two agenda items listed in the missive were issues covered by the Constitution and, therefore, he saw no need to be meeting on those issues, unless a date was set for an election.

“It is a waste of time to go there for another PR (public relations) opportunity where we shake hands and people believe ‘oh, everything is going fine, we’re in a normal situation’. Unless elections and the time and elections date are on the agenda, there’ll be no meeting,” he asserted.

Jagdeo noted that the Constitution provides for the role of the National Assembly and for the funding and gives the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) the discretion to use the funds that it has at its disposal which is a lump sum.

When questioned as to whether he thinks that he should attend the meeting in the interest of the country and its people, the Opposition Leader responded by saying that he will not accede to any act of bullyism and dictatorship. Rather, the Government should respect the Constitution.

“Moving this country forward can only be done in a

context where we respect our Constitution and the laws of Guyana. It can’t be done with impunity when one side believes they can violate every law, every ruling of the court and when the time comes, use patriotism,” Jagdeo added.

He, however, said he would be writing to the Government to point out his issues, which he would like to be placed on the agenda for discussion.

Fraudulent behaviour

Meanwhile, Jagdeo is accusing the coalition Government of engaging in fraudulent behaviour, after it altered the letter instructing GECOM to prepare for national elections.

On Monday, February

25, President Granger dispatched a letter to GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson, instructing that the Commission begin preparing for elections.

The letter read, “The Government of Guyana is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Commission is provided with the financial resources and has sufficient time to conduct credible elections. I urge the Commission, therefore, to commence preparations for the conduct of GRE [General and Regional Elections].”

It added, “The Government of Guyana will initiate measures to provide funds required and to seek the approval of the National Assembly to ensure that an

agreement can be reached, given both the constitutional requirements and GECOM’s capability.”

However, an altered letter released by the Ministry of the Presidency to the public contradicts what was stated in the original correspondence.

The altered letter reads: “I have noted also, GECOM as a constitutional agency would require a new appropriation of funds approved by the National Assembly for the conduct of General and Regional Elections. I now write you in that context for us to initiate consultations on the readiness of GECOM for the conduct of General and Regional Elections in 2019.”

Turn to page 9

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 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

Make noise for zero discrimination

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arch 1 is Zero Discrimination Day, an annual worldwide event that promotes diversity and recognises that everyone counts. Organisations like the United Nations actively promote the day with various activities to celebrate everyone’s right to live a full life with dignity regardless of age, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, skin colour, height, weight, profession, education, and beliefs.

While many countries have laws against discrimination, it’s still a problem in all layers of society in every country in the world.

Many countries have and still use discrimination as a way of governing.

The UN first celebrated Zero Discrimination Day on March 1, 2014, after the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS), launched its Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day in December 2013. The UN has recognised that discrimination remains widespread – gender, nationality, age, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion can all unfortunately be the basis for some form of discrimination. The international body has noted that in only four out of 10 countries worldwide do equal numbers of girls and boys attend secondary school and 75 countries have laws that criminalise same-sex sexual relations.

According to then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, when the most marginalised and vulnerable face discrimination and abuse, all are diminished. Discrimination in health-care settings also continues to be widely reported, the UN noted and it has stressed that health-care settings should be considered as safe and caring environments; however, such cases are happening too frequently throughout the world. Any obstacles that inhibit access to health-care facilities, including to testing, treatment and care services, must be removed. Access to health must be open to everyone.

Discrimination has many forms, from racial or religious discrimination to discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation or age, and to bullying at school or at work. In only three out of 10 countries worldwide do equal numbers of girls and boys attend upper secondary school, and people living with disabilities are nearly three times more likely to be denied health care than other people. UNAIDS has also emphasised that everyone has the right to be treated with respect, to live free from discrimination, coercion, and abuse.

Zero discrimination is an integral part of UNAIDS’ vision and has highlighted too that the right to health is a fundamental human right that includes access to affordable, timely, and quality health-care services for all, yet discrimination remains widespread in health-care settings, creating a serious barrier to access to HIV services.

Data from 50 countries from the People Living with HIV Stigma Index show that one in eight people living with HIV report being denied health care. Around 60 per cent of European Union/European Economic Area countries report that stigma and discrimination among health-care professionals remains a barrier to the provision of adequate HIV prevention services for men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs.

Zero Discrimination Day is an opportunity to highlight how everyone can be part of the transformation and take a stand for a fair and just society. Everyone will have experienced discrimination of some kind during their lives; however, nondiscrimination is a human right. Equally, States and individuals have a legal obligation not to discriminate.

UNAIDS leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organisations – the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); World Food Programme (WFP); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); UN Women; International Labour Organisation (ILO); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank – and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. The symbol for Zero Discrimination Day is the butterfly, widely used by people to share their stories and photos as a way to end discrimination and work towards positive transformation.

Richard Allen, the former Royal Marines Commando of the British Army who set out on a solo and unsupported journey that covered over 3000 miles, from Sierra Leone, West Africa to Guyana posed with school children at the Marriott Beach Front on Thursday as scores of people turned up to welcome him

Venezuela’s Guaido vows to return to Caracas despite threat of prison

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enezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaido, visiting Brazil to drum up support for his bid to push for a change of government in his country, said on Thursday he will return to Caracas by Monday despite threats of imprisonment.

Guaido said the leftist “regime” of President Nicolás Maduro was “weak, lacking support in Venezuela and international recognition”.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, Guaido called for the enforcement of economic sanctions against the Maduro Government to continue “so that everything is not robbed in Venezuela”.

Guaido, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, last month invoked constitutional provisions to assume an interim presidency, arguing that Maduro’s re-election last year was fraudulent. He has since been recognised by most Western nations as the rightful leader of Venezuela.

But he faces possible arrest if he returns to Venezuela for disobeying a Supreme Court order that he should not leave the country pending an investigation.

He said on Thursday that he and his family had received threats, including of prison. He did not provide further details.

Following a visit this week to Colombia for the launching of a USled plan to get humanitarian aid into Venezuela, Guaido is visiting Brazil to build diplomatic pressure against Maduro.

He is set to leave today for Paraguay and said he would plan his route back into Venezuela over the weekend.

“We continue to strengthen rela-

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaido waves as he arrives at the European Union headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil, February 28, 2019

tions with countries that have recognised our efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela and hold free elections,” Guaido said in a Twitter message, after meeting in Brasilia with diplomats from about 20 European Union member states.

He said there was no chance of dialogue with the Maduro Government without discussing elections as a pre-condition.

Bolsonaro said in a joint statement after meeting with Guaido that the Opposition Leader was the hope for restoring a “free, democratic and prosperous Venezuela.”

Brazil was one of the first to recognise Guaido, after the United States and Colombia.

It is hosting one of the Venezuelan Opposition’s collection points for aid, and together with the United States has funded some 200 tonnes of food and medicine being stockpiled in the northern city of Boa Vista.

Venezuela’s Opposition failed to get

that aid across the border as planned last weekend after Maduro closed it, sparking protests that killed one person and injured others.

Russia and China, which back Maduro, vetoed on Thursday a USauthored resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for free and fair presidential elections and open access for the aid efforts.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington was still working on plans to get the aid delivered to Venezuela, which is suffering from a deep economic crisis marked by widespread shortages of basic necessities.

“We are hopeful that over the next couple of weeks, we can really begin to make a dent in that problem,” Pompeo told reporters while flying to the Philippines from Vietnam.

Maduro denies his oil-rich nation has any need of aid and accuses Guaido of being a coup-mongering puppet for Washington. (Reuters)

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friday, march 1, 2019

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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

APNU may reap what it sows Dear Editor, RUSAL is at a standoff against the Government of Guyana and the bauxite Union headed by Lincoln Lewis.

Union head Mr Lincoln Lewis has, for a long time, been a critic of RUSAL—bitter, vindictive and agitating.

The APNU Government, it would appear, has aided and abetted Mr Lewis, always expressing a position, albeit softer, but no less akin to Mr Lewis, in chastising RUSAL. While the Government of Jamaica lobbied the US to remove sanctions against RUSAL, the Government of Guyana did not.

Fortunately for Guyana, RUSAL was able to have the US sanctions removed—no thanks to the Government of Guyana.

But now RUSAL has a new Board, and its members may not be as understanding about the red ink that has flowed from the Guyana

operations.

The reality is that RUSAL has lost money every single year it has been in Guyana—almost 15 years.

Together with its partner Oldendorff, over US$200 million has been invested in the Guyana operations. It is likely that a similar sum has been lost by both companies over the same period.

Perhaps one needs to thank the PPP Government for being even-handed in trying to save bauxite and sugar.

Nevertheless, an extremely unprofitable venture for the Russians is Berbice bauxite; yet RUSAL has stayed and not packed up. Strategic interests?

Recall AMC, first under Reynolds ownership, then ALCOA ownership, following that company’s acquisition of Reynolds. It racked up huge losses amounting to over US$60 million in the decade leading up to its exit

in 2000.

Recall also Mr Lincoln Lewis and the bauxite union, with the support of the PNC, declaring an emphatic NO to the ALCOA proposal to merge Bermine and Aroaima some 20 years ago. “Black Gold” was the chant. We know the results.

ALCOA declared they were shutting down, and were it not for the PPP stepping in and taking over the company, the operations would have closed two decades ago.

One would hasten to add that, in any reasonable estimation, the operations would have remained closed, given the ensuing state of global markets for the bauxite-alumina-aluminum industry.

The harsh reality has always been that bauxite in Berbice was never likely to be profitable. High overburden, expensive internal logistics, high ocean shipping costs to markets, a combat-

ive and constantly agitating bauxite union, combined with a long period of depressed bauxite prices were constant challenges and reminders for any investor in Berbice bauxite.

Like the rugged roughness and challenges of its terrain, RUSAL may have at times come across this way in its manner of engagement with the often hostile union and its agitating employees.

But, after all, sinking in red ink is not for the meek and mild. Like oil, only global, seasoned players with money, markets and management would dare venture at the risk. Exclude ALCOA and RUSAL and one will be hard-pressed to find an alternative. ALCOA exited 20 years ago. RUSAL is holding on by the skin of its teeth, awash in red ink. The world is awash with bauxite. Guinea is now one of the largest producers of bauxite, targeting 60 million tonnes

in 2020. Guyana Berbice operations struggle to produce 1.2 million tonnes per annum.

So where does this leave Guyana? Linden is a completely different animal!

The price of Linden calcined bauxite sells 10 times higher than the price of metallurgical bauxite produced in the Berbice River. Despite both producing bauxite, the markets and prices of Linden and Berbice bauxite have no comparison.

RUSAL may be about to close its operations in Guyana. The signs are pointing in that direction. If the APNU Government and the bauxite union cannot recognise that it is Guyana that benefits from RUSAL being in Guyana and act accordingly, why should RUSAL fight to keep a loss-making operation alive? The new RUSAL Board, with a US approved chairman as one condition for the US lifting

sanctions against RUSAL, may be happy to exit Guyana and stop the red ink.

Prepare for the vacuum when 1000 bauxite jobs in the Berbice River disappear if RUSAL and its partner Oldendorff decide to finally call it a day.

In its wake, the Berbice bauxite terrain may be quickly gobbled up and once again become a wasteland!

The irony: APNU and Mr Lewis may finally inherit the seeds of discontent they have sown, first against ALCOA, and now RUSAL. The PPP averted disaster when ALCOA exited by nimbly managing a complex transition with a relatively short period of state ownership until it persuaded RUSAL to take the plunge.

With alternatives at close to zero, a second soft landing is highly unlikely.

Sincerely, A Grant

Attending meeting without an election date will serve no purpose Dear Editor, The nation has woken up to a letter dated February 25, 2019 sent by Mr. Granger to Mr. Jagdeo in their respective capacities to discuss: “(1) The National Assembly’s constitutional role in the present situation; and (2) GECOM’s readiness and requirement for funding to enable it to conduct General and Regional Elections (GRE)…”

The Government of Guyana’s financial architecture as prescribed by the law provides GECOM with certain tools that it can use to do its work. As a statutory agency, GECOM and in compliance with Article 222A of the Guyana Constitution has the power to “manage its subvention in such a manner as it deems fit for the efficient discharge of its functions”.

In the 2019 Budget, G$5.371 billion was approved for GECOM to spend in 2019. Aren’t those enough funds to commence preparatory works for the 2019 Elections?

Are we printing gold lined ballot papers? Who does GECOM and Team Granger think they are fooling?

But just supposing that GECOM needs a billion or two more, the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (Act No. 20 of 2003) has given

GECOM the power to ask the Minister of Finance to release funds for a national contingent liability that has occurred because of a constitutional act that was given life by Article 106 of the Guyana Constitution on December 23, 2018. This spending of public money is not a discretionary ask, but a mandatory one which the Minister of Finance must execute.

The Minister of Finance must approve the funding of this future commitment by way of the Contingency Funds, because the entire financial commitment was unforeseen, unavoidable and urgent, and is a matter of national importance that transcends party politics.

So there is no role for Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Granger in this arrangement. GECOM does not need Mr. Granger’s or Mr. Jagdeo’s permission to draw on the Contingency Funds to hold Elections.

As to Issue No. 1 and the constitutional role of the National Assembly, Mr. Granger must be advised that such a role becomes relevant only once an elections date is publicly declared by him and only him.

This process does not need Mr. Jagdeo until a date is announced. Again, who does Mr. Granger think he is fooling?

Between now and March 20, 2019, there is no need

for the National Assembly to meet, unless for the primary act of extending the life of the Government using a 2/3 majority of all the elected members (44 whole members).

But in the absence of an elections date, what is Mr. Granger trying to do, force an after-life for his Government using these zombie tactics? I trust Mr. Jagdeo and his Team would engage in parliamentary semantics by extending the life of a Government that has not yet committed to an elections date.

Enough time has passed

since December 23, 2019 for all the power brokers in Team Granger to fully comprehend the gravity of the matter at hand. We must at least credit them with some common sense.

I therefore call on Mr. Jagdeo to write to Mr. Granger and politely decline the offer to meet, for the simple reason that there is nothing to meet about this time until a date for the elections is publicly declared by Mr. Granger. This is serious business, and Mr. Granger and Mr. Jagdeo are supposed to be serious people with serious respon-

sibilities. There should be no time for games of deceit to outmanoeuvre each other. Attending this meeting without an elections date would serve only one purpose: to kick the bucket down the road. Is this in Mr. Jagdeo and his team’s best interest?

Further, this meeting helps no one; not the private sector, who are seeing their business implode; the citizenry, who live in a society of great uncertainty; and the political opposition, who will only be aiding and abetting an idle Government whose life ex-

pires on March 20, 2019.

This letter from Mr. Granger seeks to serve the interest of one group – David Arthur Granger and his apparatchiks, who continue to live the high life on the backs of the Guyanese people, and expect to continue to do so with zero accountability. Is Mr. Jagdeo so desperate for a fist bump with Mr. Granger that he would attend this meeting without a declared elections date?

We shall see!

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

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ed in February 2019 found that these students showed significant increases in all of the “5 C’s.”

To learn more about how music affects the brain, watch this video where Nina Kraus-Hugh Knowles, Professor of Neurobiology, Physiology and Communication Sciences at Northwestern University – describes the powerful neurobiological roots of music held in the deepest regions of our brainstem.

Starting music lessons at an early age reaps big benefits

By Robert Myers, PhD

S

everal recent articles in scientific journals point to the wide range of significant effects that learning and listening to music has on the brain development of children and adolescents. Other studies reveal that when parents share musical experiences with children and teens, including listening and/or dancing to music, as well as singing songs together, it has a positive effect on parent-child relationships.

Music’s effects on brain development

Based on the use of various neuroimaging techniques, research shows how early music training (before the age of seven) produces actual physical changes in brain structure and function.

One study found an increase in the white matter in the corpus callosum (the switchboard in the centre of the brain) which results in increased brain connectivity. Einstein learned to play the violin as a young child, and a study of his brain showed unusually strong connections.

Another recent study determined that early musical training increased the grey matter in the cerebral cortex, particularly in the sensory-motor area of the brain. The improved coordination this produces was also found to improve emotional regulation and the ability to inhibit responses to events. This, of course, enhances a child’s ability to handle frustration and avoid over-reacting to difficult situations.

Yet another finding from neuroimaging was that even brief musical training results in an increase in blood flow in the left side of the brain. This is thought to result in improved language processing ability.

In March 2018 at the National Institutes of Health Kennedy Centre Workshop on Music and the Brain, a panel of scientists highlighted research findings showing that from infancy, children are responsive to listening to music, and the experience significantly contributes to language development. The group also noted that in addition to promoting language development, music has a positive effect on the development of other cognitive functions including attention, visual-spatial perception, and executive function.

Due to an increased interest in the relationship between

music and brain function, a new field of study known as neuromusicology was created. Using brain imaging techniques in research conducted over the past few years resulted in the conclusion that music activates every known part of the brain. This applies to all of us when we listen to music. For musicians, the act of playing an instrument not only activates the brain but also influences brain development. In general, the brains of musicians are larger, and more extensively connected than those of the general population. They also have a superior working memory, auditory skills, and cognitive flexibility. All of these brain functions are enhanced due to neuroplasticity. This phenomenon, simply stated, is that active and passive activity over time “rewires” the brain by either forming and/or strengthening existing circuits or forming new neurons.

Listening to music at any age is beneficial, as is learning to play a musical instrument (even as an adult), which can result in personal satisfaction and positive changes in brain functioning. However, the current consensus of the experts is

that maximum benefits are attained when musical training begins before the age of seven.

Parents are becoming more in tune with providing exposure to music early on. Earphones for the belly are now available so moms can let their baby start listening to music before they are born. Singing to your baby and providing access to simple toys that make musical sounds are a good start (more about singing to and with kids later). Providing toddlers with musical toys and playing along with them exposes children to the cause and effect of making sounds and they can learn to play simple toons. (childdevelopmentinfo. com)

TO BE CONTINUED

Music’s effects on academic success

At the World Conference on Learning, Teaching and Educational Leadership held in 2012, research studies from multiple sources were shared. For a while now, music has been thought to provide an effective experience in schools for children to develop listening skills as well as for children with learning difficulties. A child’s active engagement in music can have many positive effects, including: * Perceptual, language and literacy skills * Numeracy * Intellectual development * Attention and concentration * Physical development and health

Music’s impact on social and emotional development

Playing an instrument can lead to a sense of achievement as well as an increase in self-esteem. Further advantages can include increased confidence, persistence in overcoming frustrations when learning is difficult, and self-discipline.

Working with the Miami Music Project, the Florida International University’s Community Based Research Institute conducted a study which looked at how school group music programmes affected the “5 C’s” of social development: competence, confidence, caring, character and connection.

The study followed 180 children, ages eight to 17 years-old for a period of three years. These kids were participating in an orchestra model of music instruction. The results present-

By Robert Myers, PhD

T

he Mozart effect is a theory in psychology that refers to research purporting that young children learn better when they listen to the music of famous classical musician, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Early studies indicated that when Mozart was played, short-term improvements in some cognitive functions were experienced by children. However, over time those assumptions were generalised and applied to classical music by other composers, as well.

Mozart lives on in the realm of pop psychology

The benefits of music on humans have been a topic of interest to researchers for many decades. And the notion that Mozart’s music has a profound effect on human cognition originated with the theories of a French researcher by the name of Dr Alfred A Tomatis.

Throughout his many decades of working with disabled children, Dr Tomatis correlated classical music – specifically Mozart – to a decreased incidence of anxiety and depression. Dr Tomatis’ research also demonstrated an improvement in communication skills and an increase in creativity in his young subjects.

Calling upon the foundational work of Dr Tomatis’, Fransces Rauscher and Gordon Shaw published papers in 1993 supporting the alleged Mozart effect.

Rauscher and Shaw’s work outlined experimental tests where children listened to short excerpts from various piano sonatas by Mozart.

The outcome of the experiments showed a short-term

increase in spatial reasoning ability. It didn’t take long for well-intentioned parents to begin buying into the so-called “Mozart Effect” and buying up Mozart music to play in their home.

Questioning the efficacy of Mozart’s music

Closer examination of Rauscher and Shaw’s experiments coupled with subsequent studies yielded some questions as to the efficacy of the Mozart effect. Today, human behaviour experts do not generally attribute increases in IQ to the Mozart effect even when children are reared listening to classical music. Interestingly however, researchers have produced solid evidence that the music of Mozart does, in fact, reduce the severity of seizures in epileptic patients. Mozart’s music also consistently raises the spatial IQ of Alzheimer’s patients. Even though the same experiments have been conducted using music from other classical composers, it seems that Mozart’s music alone produces these results in subjects with these specific conditions. Mozart music also profoundly affects the behaviour of rats.

It seems that rats raised listening to Mozart are able to run mazes faster than other rats that listened to other composers or no music at all.

There is no question that there is a positive correlation between listening to music and improved learning skills.

However, the purported effects of Mozart’s music have not been definitively proven for increasing the IQ of children. Even so, research into the alleged Mozart effect continues to raise eyebrows, as well as more questions. (childdevelopmentin-

fo.com)

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM Chair acknowledges first letter from President supersedes second – emergency meeting ended abruptly

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hairman of the Guyana Elections (GECOM), retired Justice James Patterson has acknowledged that the first letter that was dispatched by President David Granger supersedes the second and therefore its contents stand.

Following the revelation of the varying letters, on Thursday, an emergency meeting was summoned after which the PPP Commissioner on the elections body released a statement on the issue.

See full statement below: At a statutory meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission held on February 26, 2019, a letter written by President David Granger was provided to Commissioners.

The said letter, dated February 25, 2019, was presented to Commissioners upon arrival at the meeting. The letter, inter alia, urged the Guyana Elections Commission to commence preparations for the holding of General and Regional

GECOM Chairman, retired Justice David Patterson

Elections.

On February 28, 2019, attention was drawn by the Leader of the Opposition to the existence of a second letter, purportedly under the hand of President David Granger, also dated February 25, 2019.

Commissioner Bibi Shadick made contact with the office of the Chairman of GECOM and requested a copy of correspondence

received by the Chairman from the President.

An email was received from the office of the Chairman of GECOM at 13:07h on February 28, in which the one letter was attached.

At a meeting of the Commission held on Thursday at 15:00h, an inquiry was made about the existence of a second letter and the Chairman only then confirmed the existence of a second letter. Copies were hurriedly made and provided to Commissioners.

We believe this ‘second letter’ was only sent to GECOM after it was exposed at the press conference of the Leader of the Opposition that the letter posted on the Ministry of the Presidency’s website significantly differed in content from the one circulated to Commissioners on February 26.

No previous mention was made of this second letter nor was any effort made to present copies thereof to Commissioners. A discussion on the content of this second letter ensued and

PPP GECOM Commissioners Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj

upon inquiry, the Chairman responded that it was not his opinion that the second letter superseded the first.

Commissioner Vincent Alexander then tendered the view that it did supersede the first.

Thereafter, a request was made by Commissioner Shadick for the Secretariat to provide a plan for preparation for the holding of elections, in keeping with the urging of the President. At this point, Commissioners Alexander and Trotman insisted that any such plan

must include house-to-house registration.

This flies in the face of the urgent need, as prescribed by the Constitution of Guyana, to hold elections within three months of the successful passage of a vote of no-confidence.

Further, it can only be seen as another act in the series of dilatory tactics employed by certain Commissioners and the secretariat of GECOM to derail this important and constitutionally mandated timeframe.

Having become very obvious that there was no plan to be discussed regarding the preparation for elections, the we were left no option but to walk out of the meeting.

This was confirmed in a statement from GECOM where Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward explained that Thursday’s special meeting was convened to discuss and approve the work schedule derived from the approved work plan for 2019 which was submitted by the secretariat.

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Court asks Patterson to justify Berbice Bridge takeover

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

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ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has been ordered by the High Court to give reasons behind his decision to grant the November 2018 Berbice River Bridge Toll Order, which saw Government taking over the maintenance and operation of Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI).

As part of the legal proceedings filed by BBCI in its bid to retake operations of

the bridge and implement toll increases, the court was asked for immediate interim relief by way of an application for Minister Patterson to supply the facts and reasons for the decision on the Toll Order.

Prior to filing the legal challenge, the Bridge Company had written the Public Infrastructure Minister asking for the facts and reasons for the Toll Order within 14 days as provided for by Section 15 of the Judicial Review Act, but the Minister never responded.

As such, during Thursday’s in chambers hearing, High Court Judge, Justice Gino Persaud, directed the Minister to state his reasons for issuing the Toll Order.

Lawyer for BBCI, Attorney Ralph Ramkarran, indicated that the Minister was given 28 days to file his response.

“We will have to wait and see if the Minister re-

Different strokes…

Y

sponds. They might appeal the decision, I don’t know; they could appeal to the Full Court. But that’s the decision as it stands and we will have to wait and see what happens,” Ramkarran said following the brief in chamber hearing on Thursday.

Deputy Solicitor General Debra Kumar appeared on behalf of the State during

that hearing.

In October, the BBCI disclosed that it is facing bankruptcy and as such proposed to increase its tolls, as much 300 per cent in some cases, to keep the Bridge Company afloat. It said Government’s refusal to entertain consultations on the toll hike, which will prevent the continuing heavy financial losses of BBCI, forced the company to announce the increase.

The new tolls proposed by the BBCI, which were to take effect on November 12, 2018, would have seen cars and minibuses paying $8040 to cross the bridge; pickups, small trucks and four-wheeled drive vehicles $14,600; medium trucks $27,720; large trucks $49,600; articulated trucks $116,800; and boats $401,040.

However, this was strongly opposed by Government, and subsequently, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson issued the Berbice River Bridge (Public Safety) Toll Order, which took effect on November 1, 2018.

The Order sought to prevent the BBCI from increasing the tolls for vehicles to cross the bridge and as such, Government took over the functions of maintaining and operating the Bridge, while ordering that the tolls remain the same. According to Government, this was done in the best interest of the people.

However, the BBCI approached the High Court late November, asking it to quash the Minister’s order, thus allowing them to resume responsibility for the bridge and also implement the toll hikes. Both Minister Patterson and Attorney General Basil Williams were named defendants in the court action and were served with notices.

In its substantive application, the BBCI is asking the court to quash the Order freezing the tolls, to prohibit the Minister and Government from exercising the functions of maintaining and operating the Bridge, and to declare that the order is unconstitutional.

This matter is still pending in the High Court and is expected to come up for case management soon.

…for PNC folks our Eyewitness is all for workers’ struggle and all that, but he understands one thing from bitter experience!

There can’t be workers without businesses!! You can start selling “sweetie” on the street, or hock water at traffic stops, but you ain’t a worker no mo…you’re self-employed!!

Now, businesses can close down for any number of reasons – but invariably, it’s because they aren’t profitable.

Where would they get the money to pay employees at the end of the week, or month, or whenever?? In fact, we had a classic case starting around Christmas of 2016, when this Government shut down Wales, and would follow up with Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon. They said sugar losing money and had to be subsidised by the Government.

Overall, some 5,100 workers directly employed by GuySuCo were fired, along with another 2000 or so employed by private cane farmers who were supplying cane to the closed estates. The workers were, of course, livid – and being told just before Christmas sure didn’t help! – at the Govt’s heartlessness. After all, the Government’s own CoI – led by the Chairman of GuySuCo -- had recommended keeping the subsidies going for another three years and then privatise the industry.

Folks pointed out the social responsibilities of governments to their citizens – but the Government stood firm. They were running a business, and couldn’t keep on with it if there were no profits!! The 7000 workers were on their own – since it wasn’t Govt’s responsibility to facilitate alternative employment. At the time, your Eyewitness felt that this was one hard-nosed “free-market” Government, where morality or justice didn’t enter the picture - the market decided those issues.

So he’s in a bit of a quandary right now with the standoff in Berbice between the Govt and RUSAL bauxite. Rather than being a Government, RUSAL’s a real PRIVATE business, which all and sundry expects to be even more concerned about profits. The company says it’s been losing money ever since it was wooed to take over the mines when no other company would, back in 2004. So one would think it’d be real concerned when workers just walk off their jobs – violating their contracts – and thus slow down production – and profits.

They fired 91 workers who did this, and suddenly the same Government -- which fired 7000 workers for not even striking, but merely because sugar was losing money – are up in arms and rallying the country against the “monstrous” company!!

The touted narrative is about the “rapacious” multinational exploiting our poor workers -- earning $269,000 monthly plus free electricity and gas.

But could it be that, unlike sugar workers, they’re PNC supporters? Naah…the PNC’s not that callous!! …with Integrity Commission The PPP Government established an “Integrity Commission” way back -- probably hoping to usher in a sense of responsibility in Government officials to declare their assets and incomes. It would be very easy to identify the profligate corrupt big ones – if their big houses etc far in excess of their incomes. Between 1964 and 1992, the PNC had created such a cesspool of corruption in Government that citizens had become very cynical about even the new MPs who’d been voted in after free and fair elections of 1992.

But a funny thing happened on the way of implementing what everyone thought was a very good start to cracking down on corruption. Excepting the PNC!! Their MPs refused bluntly, and when asked why, said they objected to the Chairman – who just happened to be the head of the Anglican Church – Bishop George! Imagine that!!

Well, the shoe’s on the other foot now, and the PNC has appointed its own Chairman. But its MPs still aren’t filing!!

Where there’s smoke, there’s the fire of corruption!!

Bun dem!! …for access to books?

What’s all this hullabaloo about RUSAL “cooking” its books with “transfer pricing” and suchlike. Didn’t the Government’s 10 per cent of the shares ensure they had PNC’s Lance Carberry on the board??

They’ve had access to the books!!

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

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTU awaits word from MoE on 2019 proposal – threatens countrywide protest if talks do not conclude in timely manner

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

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he Guyana Teachers’ Union is wasting no time in highlighting the benefits that it wants for teachers for this year as it has already submitted its 2019 proposal and is awaiting word from the Education Ministry to commence discussions.

That is the word of GTU’s General Secretary, Coretta McDonald, who, on Thursday, told the media that she expected the two parties to begin the first round of talks before the end of March.

However, she warned that a timely decision agreeable to both the GTU and the Education Ministry must be made, so as to avoid any negative reaction from teachers across the country.

“In 2018, you would have seen the reaction of the teachers when it came to their benefits and I want to say to you in 2019, it is going to be no different… I am hoping that at that first meeting, we are going to actually lay out where we want to go and how quickly we are going to get there, because I am sure the officials at the Ministry of Education, they would not want to have a re-

peat of what transpired in 2018. If we have to do it, we will do it, but we are saying loud and clear we are prepared to sit and talk, but we are not prepared to sit and talk for a whole year,” McDonald stated.

She explained that the 2019 proposal submitted by the GTU went beyond this year and was a three-year proposal. She hopes that within a two-month period after discussions begin the two parties involved can settle things amicably with decisions that are welcomed by both the Union and the Ministry.

“I am hoping that we are able to sit, look at that proposal, agree, disagree, come to a compromise, so that we can have a Memorandum of Understanding signed off so that teachers can begin to enjoy their benefits…

Our first talks are going to be held before the end of March, I can tell you that, before the end of March, we might have two sets of meetings and we might have agreements, half-way agreements coming from that proposal,” the GTU General Secretary noted.

According to McDonald, the Union has a positive outlook at this year’s upcoming discussions with the Education Ministry because it understands in full what transpires in the school system and is aware that teachers are hardworking people.

“When we look at the results we get every year at CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] and the improvements we would have gotten at the Grade Six and at CSEC, come on, under the conditions that teachers work, it should ring

No election date...

It makes no mention of the Head of State’s instruction to begin preparing for these elections, which are constitutionally due before March 19, 2019 – following the passage of the no-confidence motion, which toppled the coalition Government on the evening of December 21, 2018.

“This is fraudulent behaviour. Obviously after the first letter went off, there was some internal problem … and they then changed the letter and put this letter up,” the Opposition Leader remarked.

“I don’t think we can even move forward as a country if you have a government operating fraudulently. This is fraudulent behaviour on the part of the Granger Administration,” Jagdeo added.

Jagdeo believes that the second letter now opens the door for further delaying tactics on the date for holding the general election.

Following the passage of the no-confidence mo-

tion tabled in the National Assembly by Jagdeo, the Constitution provides for a date for elections to be set within 90 days.

This time period, which comes to an end on March 19, 2019, can only be extended with an agreement of two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly.

But the Opposition Leader has made it clear that his party will not support an extension to the time

Teachers protesting last year

a bell to let you know that teachers have not only been working within the confines of their job specifications, but teachers work outside of (them). When you sit in a classroom of 37 children all with a different mindset and you as one teacher, you have to be able to work around all of them, to ensure that they all grasp the concept. Quite a lot of our folks, our employers can’t do that.”

The GTU General Secretary added that the role of a teacher went beyond the syllabus that the school provided for them to work along with.

“The job of a teacher is not only to stand in front of a classroom, but you’re a mother, you’re a father, you’re a counsellor, you’re a policeman, you’re a judge, you’re a nurse, every single thing all in one. And so, I am hoping that our employers, our partners – the Ministry of Education, they will not only take the praises when the results are out, but they are going to stand in the places of teachers when we sit there to discuss benefits for teachers,” she reiterated.

From page 3

for the holding of elections.

GECOM had given July as a timeline for the hosting of elections, but at the same time, it stated that the present voters’ list would expire on April 30.

Although the Opposition has been calling for elections within the constitutional time frame, the Government claimed that it was up to GECOM’s readiness to host same.

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Large quantity of sugar missing from Uitvlugt Sugar Estate – senior manager implicated

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large quantity of sugar that was supposed to have been packaged and shipped out of the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate/Factory, West Coast Demerara has reportedly gone missing, and one of the senior managers attached to the estate may soon be sent packing.

A source close to the sugar industry told Guyana Times that this news came to light recently when the first crop for 2019 ended and an audit was conducted to determine the performance of the workers and the output of that estate and factory.

“I heard that there is a

racket going on there, and was advised that a certain manager was fingered and someone told me he requested early retirement. They (Uitvlugt Sugar Estate) were not accounting for the right amount of sugar, and had been declaring less,” the source stated.

This newspaper was Uitvlugt Sugar Estate

told that 55lb bags of sugar were being documented as 100lb bags and sent out of the facility, and this means that the customers who would have purchased those bags were actually robbed.

Guyana Times understands that the missing sugar could amount to 3000 pounds.

“When they did an audit, molasses-to-sugar ratio -- there is a way to calculate it, a scientific way to calculate -- they found that they have more molasses. There is a ratio: for every unit of

sugar, there should be some molasses,” this newspaper was told.

According to the source, employees of the sugar estate related that they had been told to “throw away” the excess molasses, so that no traces of the act could be found because the excess molases would have revealed an inconsistency in the sugar on hand and the actual production. Attempts on Thursday to contact the manager and senior officials attached to the sugar estate,

as well as GuySuCo management for a comment on the matter, have proved futile.

In December last, the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate, along with those at Albion and Blairmont, had achieved in excess of their target production for the year 2018.

This led to a number of qualified employees receiving bonuses for last year as a reward for their performances.

The workers, along with the management teams at the three locations, were urged to continue along this path, but with declarations of lower output at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate thus far for 2019, this means that the workers who would have benefited from weekly incentives during that period would not have received them.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

S RAIGHT

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Sugar workers call for unified union response to their plight …after trade unions’ leaders picket RUSAL’s headquarters

The Net Foreign Assets at the Bank of Guyana are in trouble?

By Sase Singh, MSc - Finance, ACCA

W

hen we think about a person’s economic well-being, we do not just think about how much they earn only. We also think about their belongings and investments, including their level of marketable education and skills. The same is true for a nation.

When it comes to assessing a country’s economy, the Ministers of Finance tend to emphasis Gross Domestic Product (GDP): that is the size of the economy. Or more precisely, the value of goods and services produced in one year by a country. However, used alone GDP does not provide the full picture of the health of an economy.

So what are Guyana’s assets? Firstly, all produced capital such as the production from our ‘six sisters’ – rice, gold, sugar, bauxite, logging, fishing – and new capital works in the nation like new highways and new investments count as assets. Then there are natural capital like our forest reserves and newly-discovered natural resources like oil.

Most importantly, there is the quality of our human capital. This begs the question – are we retaining enough of our university educated people and others with the hard skills in the sciences and engineering at home? Then there are Net Foreign Assets (NFA), an element that has been propping up the Guyanese economy since 1998.

The graph above speaks to NFA/GDP. This graph basically tells you the story around the size of the convertible foreign assets that the Bank of Guyana controls to the size of the economy. Meaning, how easily we can pay our foreign obligations to fuel the local economy.

If we reflect on the state of the economy in 1985, just after the last rigged elections in Guyana (the year of Burnham’s death), we saw that the NFA/GDP was negative 410 per cent. That translates to the Central Bank being totally unable to meet its obligations to finance the foreign liabilities of the nation. They could have printed a world of Guyana dollars in those days, it was worth nothing since it was only paper money that was not easily convertible to trade internationally.

The situation actually got worse by 1991, which led to a further deterioration of this ratio of NFA/GDP to negative 497 per cent. The Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) kicked in and by 1992, the ratio had dropped to negative 193 per cent. The truth remains, the PNC transferred in 1992 to Dr Jagan a bag of economic bones from their graveyard of economic mismanagement. I am yet to see any economic facts that tell me that these people knew what they were doing in the pre-1990 days.

It took the PPP five years to reverse a decade of PNC maladministration with respect to the state of the NFA/GDP. If one looks at the graph, the state of NFA/GDP was climbing since 1992 and for 19 straight years, it improved so much so, that Guyana peaked in 2010 when the NFA was 30 per cent of the GDP. This meant that, if called upon to back all transactions in the economy, Guyana was ready to pay 30 per cent of those bills in hard currency instantaneously; a very different story from the year of Burnham’s death when this ratio was negative 410 per cent.

Since the dawn of the new era in 1992, all of that heavy lifting was done when two men took charge of the economy, first Dr Asgar Ally for a short period and then until it peaked in 2010 – Bharrat Jagdeo.

Historical revisionists will never erase the job done by Mr Jagdeo as the key influencer who pushed the greatest growth in the wealth of this nation.

I would be the first to agree that in his last year as President in 2011, the NFA/GDP declined from 30 per cent to 28 per cent, but what has Mr Ramotar and Mr Granger done collectively to stem that decline since? Between 2011 when Mr Ramotar assumed office to the end of 2018 under Mr Granger, the NFA/GDP declined from 28 per cent to 14 per cent. That is a collective meltdown of 100 per cent thanks to the poor leadership of the economy under Mr Ramotar and Mr Granger.

The Net Foreign Assets at the Central Bank are set to decline even further in 2019 as the economic impact of the closure of four sugar estates digs in and this will further constrain the supply of foreign currency. Let us not forget that demand for foreign currency is expanding as the price of fuel and fertilisers increases. Mr Granger Please thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com. thinks thatshare oil will your solve all.

DREAM ON, MR GRANGER!

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) President Lincoln Lewis on Thursday

S

ugar workers, particularly those fired following the closure of several estates, are now calling for similar representation in the wake of the unions’ collective response to RUSAL’s termination of over 90 bauxite workers.

Over the past three years, Government has closed four sugar estates- Skeldon, Wales, Enmore and Rose Hall putting more than 7000 workers on the breadline. The rights of some of these workers were trampled upon after they were forced to wait for more than one year to receive their severance packages.

In addition, workers of Wales Estate were forced to approach the court in order to receive their severance payout.

As such, in light of Thursday’s protest by the trade unions of Guyana outside RUSAL’s headquarters, the sugars workers believe that a similar approach would be beneficial to their cause.

On Thursday, union leaders held the first of a series of picketing exercises against the aluminium company RUSAL in light of the sacking of more than 90 workers.

The unions have threatened that if the company does not adhere to the labour laws of Guyana, similar actions will continue to ensure RUSAL corrects its latest unethical act.

Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) President Lincoln Lewis says that this is “only the beginning” as he stood in solidarity with the workers in front of RUSAL’s Queenstown, Georgetown head office.

“We are going to ratchet it up gradually; this is the start of the public protests outside of the media… Now we come out to the streets, the leadership of the unions are coming out this morning (Thursday) to start it with a view of building the momentum. It is our intent that at some point, we are going to bring down the bauxite workers and settle in somewhere in Georgetown if we don’t get results,” he stated.

The veteran trade unionist also called on the Bauxite Company to recognise the GB&GWU as the union representing the aggrieved workers. RUSAL had initially stated that the company did not recognise the GB&GWU. Lewis added that this protest attracted the leaders of the other trade unions in Guyana,

that RUSAL needed to re-engage the 90 workers that it sent packing and let them resume their duties, without any deductions to their pay and benefits.

He added that RUSAL could not claim to be operating at a loss in Guyana, since that would be unbelievable.

“The fact that they could hide their figures, because they could have transferred to their parent company explained that to look at their records and to able to see what they are saying cannot be accurate, an accurate picGuyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand

One of the workers on the picket line on Thursday

since they were cognisant of the fact that over the last decade RUSAL has been operating with impunity, resulting in the suffering of Guyanese citizens.

Meanwhile, Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta McDonald emphasised that the policies in place for foreign companies operating in Guyana needed to be reviewed and revamped to ensure that Guyanese labourers were not taken advantage of.

“The thing is Government will have to uphold their end of the bargain while the Union will have to keep policing whatever that document that is being signed between Government and the company, the Union will have to police that document and we can only police that document if we have a copy of that contract document,” she explained.

The GTU official stated that stipulations must be laid out and that would be the only way to ensure that Guyanese employees were protected from foreign companies which exploit them.

“If we had those stipulations laid out, then it would be very easy at this time for us to put that into action and to have the necessary penalties or sanctions be given to the companies. What we have here is a very brutal company who feels that they can treat Guyanese anyhow and you know I just want to simply put it this way: if it were a Guyanese company operating in Russia, would it have been allowed to do to the Russians what they are doing to our citizens?”

In addition, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Komal Chand noted

ture. And nobody would believe that… The basic thing that they ought to do is reinstate the workers, well, not reinstate but more so, re-engage the workers,” Chand added.

Days after firing the workers, RUSAL has defended its

actions, insisting that its employment contract takes priority over the workers’ right to strike.

A company representative explained that workers signed contracts which stipulate that they can be dismissed if they refuse to work. The fate of the sacked workers now remains in limbo, as the RUSAL representative said their reemployment depended on a number of factors.

It was reported that the company could only afford to pay a one per cent increase as it has not been making a profit, but rather, breaking even.

As the issue intensifies, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has already instructed the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to commence a technical review of the company’s operations.

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friday, march 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTT launches “Real Demerara Bank Limited Diamond Branch celebrates 8 years of business Talk” platform for customers

– continues with VISA Debit Card promotion

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he Demerara Bank Limited Diamond Branch is celebrating eight years of business today, and to mark this occasion, the Bank will be engaged in a series of activities to express appreciation to its customers and employees for their unwavering commitment and support over the years.

The Bank has also announced that it would be extending its VISA Debit Promotion at the Diamond Branch, and that customers establishing a Statement Savings Account during the month of March will receive their VISA Debit Card absolutely free. Terms and conditions will apply.

The dynamic vision of Dr Yesu Persaud, Founder and Chairman of Demerara Bank Ltd, has led the Bank to become a household name for commercial banking in Guyana, and a pioneering financial success story for its investors and the country.

Officials noted that the Diamond Branch was established at an opportune time, as many communities along the East Bank Demerara were rapidly being developed and there was high demand for banking services, particularly credit facilities to assist with the construction of low income and residential homes.

Since its establishment in 2011, the customer base

GTT CEO Justin Nedd sitting down with the hostess of the new initiative

Staff members of the Demerara Bank, Diamond, EBD Branch

of the Diamond Branch has grown extensively, and this

can only be seen as a reflection of the Bank’s ability to deliver quality banking services.

“We know that the success of the Bank is inextricably linked to the success of our customers, and therefore we respond to their needs with great agility,” one official noted.

Demerara Bank Ltd. prides itself in supporting the development of various sectors by extending a wide range of credit facilities, personalised banking services, and value added products.

The company also continues to be the leading source of financing for renewable energy in Guyana, and encourages both energy efficiency and energy conservation to ensure energy sustainability for the future.

To date, the Bank has significantly reduced its carbon footprint by operating most of its locations on renewable energy.

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Demerara Bank Ltd. express their appreciation to the customers of the Diamond Branch, who have shown incredible support and loyalty over the years.

G

TT will be launching a monthly live chat platform under the theme “Real Talk” to connect and engage with its customers.

Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd has said this new forum would allow for live communication with the public, to keep them informed about relevant topics such as liberalisation, Blaze service roll out, customer experience, and a number of other related matters.

He is quoted in a press release as saying, “This direct channel will provide full transparency as we extend the same spirit of open dialogue shared with the media.”

Nedd explained that GTT did not just change its tagline to ‘Do More’, but is changing the way the company interacts with its cus-

tomers.

“Our VP of Customer Experience, Orson Ferguson, and the team are doing a great job by doing pulse checks via customer surveys; sending gentle reminders on bill payments, sharing product information as well as helpful tips on services,” said Nedd.

He reminded that GTT’s vision is to improve the life experiences of customers by unlocking innovation through applications and infrastructure to every home and business -- a vision which he said is more like a promise to the people of Guyana.

GTT is expected to roll out its first “Real Talk” live chat forum on its Facebook Page on March 08, 2019 at 14:00h. The company is encouraging the public to like its Facebook page to be a part of the discussions.

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Fire destroys business complexes in Berbice

The aftermath of the fire on Thursday

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cinema, restaurant, hardware store, boutique and two vehicles were destroyed on Thursday afternoon in a mid-afternoon blaze. The fire destroyed two buildings at Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) just after 14:00h.

The flames were first seen coming from the building which housed the Countryside Cinema. A restaurant, hardware store and a boutique were also housed in the same building.

According to eyewitnesses, there was a loud explosion and then thick black smoke was seen emanat-

ing from the centre of the three-storey building.

The flames moved towards the front of the structure and within minutes, the entire upper flat was engulfed.

One unit from the Corriverton Fire Station arrived but had difficulty tapping into a water source due

Mother of 4 crushed by motor lorry

Dead: Christina Raghu

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female pedal cyclist was on Thursday afternoon crushed to death by a motor lorry transporting a combine along the Albion Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. The

The bicycle that Raghu was riding at the time of her demise

dead woman has been identified as Christina Raghu, 41, of Chesney Squatting Area, Corentyne, Berbice.

The mother of four had just dropped her grandson off at school and was head-

The lorry that was involved in the fatal accident

ing home when she reportedly rode into the path of the lorry. Raghu sustained injuries and was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to one eyewitness, Raghu did not stop after riding out of the school’s street but instead rode onto the main highway. “She just ride out and did not look,” the eyewitness said.

The now dead housewife usually takes her grandson to school on bicycle on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, the lorry is owned and driven by a Corentyne businessman. He was taken into custody as investigations continue.

to mechanical issues.

Meanwhile, the fire rapidly spread to an unoccupied house next door. The owners are reportedly overseas.

After several minute, the house was turned to ashes.

The two vehicles that were parked at the bottom of the house were also destroyed.

Residents made desperate attempts to extinguish the blaze but retreated due to the intensity of the heat.

The bucket brigade was far from adequate and did nothing to prevent the raging flames from swiftly moving through the building.

Regional Councillor Bigilie Motie who lives two buildings away, and whose house was under threat, stated that the first set of fire fighters arrived and went to a water source but could not get water from the canal after the pump malfunctioned.

The fire fighters watched helplessly as the second building went up in flames.

“This is not Georgetown,

The firemen attempting to tap into a water source

where the houses are close together, they could have saved the second house,” Motie said.

Meanwhile, as the fire threatened a third building, a unit from the Skeldon Estate arrived and was able to prevent further damage.

A unit from the Rose Hall Fire Service subsequently

arrived on scene to render assistance.

The owner of the three storey building, Dave Subnauth, when contacted was unable to estimate his losses at the time. He was dealing with the arrest of his younger brother whose lorry was involved in a fatal accident at Albion.

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Commonwealth rower raising awareness

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fter approximately three months sailing the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Richard Allen, a former Royal Marines Commando of the British Army, arrived in Guyana around sunset on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

Allen, who rowed from the shores of Sierra Leone to Guyana, was greeted by scores of spectators upon his arrival. Speaking to the media moments after docking at the Harbour Master’s Boathouse in Georgetown, he explained that he undertook the expedition to raise awareness and change common misconceptions about the Commonwealth as well as to raise funds for various charities and foundations.

“The Commonwealth isn’t about politics or politicians, it’s about people, all 2.4 billion of us and we should really be coming together to help each other,” he remarked.

He told media operatives that while the journey was for a good cause, it was not without challenges. The Commonwealth rower disclosed there was a point during which he was separated from the vessel.

Another major challenge for him was when three of his four oars broke. This, he said, led to him “stringing”

together the broken parts to form a new oar which he used to complete his journey.

During a press briefing at the Guyana Tourism Authority’s (GTA) boardroom on Thursday, it was noted that when the journey was undertaken, Allen contacted the Guyana Foundation and expressed an interest in highlighting their work.

Supriya Singh-Bodden, founder of the Guyana Foundation, said during Allen’s stay in the country, he will be raising awareness on the Foundation’s work in mental health and environmental awareness.

“We discussed the natural beauty and the natural flora and fauna and the sea and the fact that it is one of the most important resources that we possess. We also looked at ways to design an educational programme to raise the awareness on the necessity to protect the environment,” the founder said.

According to Allen, this project will create collaboration among schools across continents.

“We’re creating a network of children learning about each other and working together and if we can link a school in Guyana with one in the UK or somewhere

else in the Commonwealth that would be an amazing thing because children are growing up to say we’re not isolated on our own, we’ve got friends and we’re working on something together.”

During his meet-andgreet with scores of students from schools in the region, Allen underscored the importance of being conscious of your actions and the im-

pact they have on the environment.

“Things we do just doesn’t necessarily affect us; it has lots of effects on other people… plastics ending up in the sea and ruining marine life.

It’s very important that we start looking after things and start reducing how much plastics and rubbish we use,” he explained.

The Commonwealth rower received a warm Guyanese welcome and was presented with tokens from the students of St Margaret’s Primary School as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Allen will also be visiting the various project sites of the Guyana Foundation as well as several schools. It was highlighted that he was made an ambassador of the Guyana Foundation in the UK and that the expedition was only part of a much bigger project.

Allen and his boat, which bears the name Tamu’kke meaning “together or united” in Patamona, broke the record of the American endurance athlete, Katie Spotz who rowed over 2817 miles in 2010 from Dakar, Senegal to Georgetown, Guyana.

Construction of women’s home, community centres to commence soon

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he clearing of lands to facilitate the construction of a women’s home and several community centres in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) has been completed, with construction expected to commence later this month.

This comes a year after the announcement by Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell that the United States (US) Armed Forces Southern Command (New Horizons) will be pursuing the initiative in collaboration with Government.

US Army and civil engineers are expected to commence construction this month, as part of “Exercise

Land being cleared to facilitate construction

New Horizon 2019”.

The women’s shelter is expected to cater for abused women seeking help, while

the community centres, one which is to be built at Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie; and the other at Blueberry

Hill, Wismar, will be recreational spaces for the community’s youths.

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friday, MARCH 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Stable political environment is essential for business development – GMSA President …says there should not be a prolonging of current unease ried and no move has been made by the Government to have elections held within the constitutionally mandated 90 days.

Challenges

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GMSA President Shyam Nokta

he Guyana Marketing and Services Association (GMSA) has joined the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and other Private Sector bodies, calling for an end to the political turmoil since the passage of the No-confidence Motion, asserting that it has played a negative role in the business sector.

These sentiments were shared by President of the GMSA, Shyam Nokta, during his address at the Association’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel.

“In recent weeks, we have heard concerns expressed by leading Private Sector institutions – the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Private Sector Commission as the umbrella body – as it regards to investor confidence and a decline in commercial activity, while calling for adherence to the Constitution of Guyana. The GMSA’s wish is to align with these views and to also share the per-

spective that there should not be a prolonging of the current uncertainty and unease… What is most critical is a stable political environment and one which is conducive for doing business,” he asserted.

The GGCI had recently stated that 64 per cent of respondents (or about two in every three businesses) experienced some form of decline due to uncertainty over the state of political affairs in Guyana.

For those businesses which registered a decline in activity, approximately 85 per cent experienced a 25 to 50 per cent drop in the level of commercial activity. The remaining 15 per cent experienced a 75 to 100 per cent decline.

The passage of the December 21, 2018 motion saw the toppling of the coalition Government after receiving a 33 majority vote, as a result of former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud defecting in a vote of conscience in favour of the motion.

It has been over 65 days since the resolution was car-

Meanwhile, Nokta was also at the time presenting on sections of his annual report which played a critical role in the manufacturing and services sector. It was noted that there has been a decline in the performance of traditional sectors, nothing that the tendency has not ceased nor declined.

This trend, he says, is owing to the diminishing rice and sugar industry – which were once Guyana’s chief harvests.

“The performance in many of our traditional sectors have been showing signs of decline. When we look at the midyear report from the Ministry of Finance, it alludes to this.

At present, there are indications that this trend has neither slowed nor reversed.

Some of this can also be held true for the manufacturing sector as well, which contracted during the first half of 2018 by about 2.4 per cent when compared to the 9.9 per cent growth that we had for the same period in 2017, much of this primarily to the decline in rice and sugar sector,” the GMSA President stated.

Regardless of this, the manufacturing sector contributes between six to eight per cent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

As mentioned previously, one of the main challenges

IDB representative to Guyana, Sophie Makonnen

continued to be the high cost of energy, in addition to its reliability that has caused many manufacturers to self-generate their own power. It was mentioned that efforts were initiated to have a tax relief on fuel for these producers.

“The high cost coupled with issues of stability and reliability had pushed many manufacturers off the grid and to self-generate. In fact, energy has been the principle limiting factor in adding value to primary production across many sectors of our economy. Tax measures introduced in Budget 2017, such as the VAT on electricity, further compounded this issue and continued to affect manufacturers in 2018.

We have made a strong case for tax relief on fuel for manufacturers similar to what other sectors benefit from.”

Meanwhile, adjustments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime has resulted in stakeholders being unable to reclaim this type of taxation on their exported goods.

“While there has been a continued call for value adding the primary productive sectors and for more exports, adjustments to the VAT regime in 2018 resulted in some manufacturers unable to reclaim vat on inputs for exported items,” Nokta added.

Economic diversification

Delivering her remarks, IDB representative Sophie Makonnen gave an insight of economic diversification ideas which Guyana can embark on, while embracing technology and innovation.

According to her, these are some of the important factors in building a resilient economy.

“Competitiveness and economic diversification are essential to building a resilient economy, capable of resisting price or production related shock. We have seen this in Guyana to some extent in 2017, when the mining sector fell by almost nine per cent,” Makonnen explained.

She added, “Further de-

velopment of more economic sectors can strengthen economic resilience and allow the country to face and adapt to changing global trends in price, technology and politics.”

As customary, Guyana’s booming oil sectors was also discussed. But the IDB representative sought to point out that while this will impact the economy, provisions must be made for other sectors to be strengthened by enhancing policies, since oil is not a lifetime resource.

“Productivity in enhancing policies will also be important to strengthen the non-oil economy. They are key in the diversification…

There are multiple policy fronts to strengthen the Private Sector competitiveness,” the IDB representative ascertained.

The IDB has been supporting Government recently through the electronic single window for trade, facilitating trade while reducing time and costs.

Her advice to the Private Sector was, “Be innovative and embrace technology.

Make sure you’re providing goods and services that meet international standards. In order to be competitive, you need to meet those standards and I do think the oil and gas economy is pushing and showing that if you’re not competitive and do not make those standards, you won’t make it.”

She noted that the trend of non-traditional sectors making its mark in the economy is one which will continue to increase.

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friday, march 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

A Division Commander and Mash 2019 deemed a team make impromptu success – Minister Norton visits around GT

The Commander and his team meeting with vendors in the Stabroek Market area

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Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) C o m m a n d e r , Assistant Commissioner Marlon Chapman, and a team of senior ranks visited several areas in and around Georgetown. These include the Transport and Harbour Department (T&HD) Georgetown Stelling, Stabroek Market Square, Stabroek City Police Outpost, America Street, Croal Street, the route 44 Bus Park, the route 45 Bus Park, the route 47 Bus Park and the Stabroek Police Mobile Outpost where he met with the ranks and encouraged them to remain alert and carry out all of their duties efficiently.

A courtesy visit was also made to Fire Chief Marlon Gentle.

Issues and concerns raised by business owners, vendors and members of the public were addressed by the A Division Commander and his team, including robberies committed on ven-

dors and customers around the Stabroek area; the loitering of school children on the various minibus parks; the threatening of vendors by armed robbers when they report matters to the Police; minibuses blocking the entrance to the bazaar of Stabroek Market; private hire car vehicles parking on the bus parks; the requests for the presence of more plain clothes ranks between

the hours of 15:00h-20:00h on the bus parks and in and around the Stabroek Market area; better partnership between the Guyana Police Force and the City Police in dealing with crime and a better vendors/stakeholders and Police partnership.

The Commander and his team were commended for the visit and they are looking forward for his continuous support.

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s the Department of Social Cohesion begins to close the curtains on the Mashramani 2019 celebrations, Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton has deemed the activities held thus far a success.

Remaining on the calendar of events is the Linden and Berbice Mashramani parades slated for March 3, followed by the Champions in Concert, in Mahdia, on March 9.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister Norton noted his satisfaction with the massive involvement and support shown by the young people which he opined was instrumental in the success of the country’s 49th Republic Anniversary.

“Though the 23rd of February has come and gone, the Mash spirit still lives, since we still have Mash activities, with the last being in Mahdia where we will have a Champions concert. But overall, I am happy for basically the crowd support… it was amazing to

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

know that at 3 in the afternoon the Mashramani route was filled to capacity, both Vlissengen and Irving road and D’Urban Park … you had to be young, strong and active in order to withstand the longest route we have ever had, and you could have seen the energy from the young people,” he said.

According to Minister Norton, from all indications, support for future Mashramani activities will continue to increase as necessary improvements will be made.

“Mash is here to stay,

and we will try to improve moving forward,” he said.

These improvements include the upgrading of the clean-up exercise which he believes will become a fixture of the Mashramani celebration.

“The organising committee will always have this on their agenda, and we will insist that the cleanup exercise starts as early as possible. Thus far, it is proving to be quite successful. However, we have taken note of complaints made about garbage bins not being placed along the route; therefore, consideration will be taken to improve the citizens’ experience,” he explained.

On Republic Day, workers were seen walking behind the last float cleaning up garbage, into the wee hours of Sunday.

It was highlighted that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) aims to introduce a mandatory fee in 2020 for the cleaning up of vending spots along the Mashramani route, as efforts to get persons to better dispose of their garbage were futile.

133 graduate from BIT training in Moruca

Proud graduates at the BIT graduation, Moruca, Region One

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ne hundred and thirty-three youths from the community of Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini) have successfully graduated from a skills training programme facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The young people attended programmes administered by BIT; these included Information Technology, block making, catering and cake decorating, and refrigeration and AC repairs.

On Wednesday at their

graduation exercise held at Santa Rosa, Deputy Permanent Secretary attached to the Social Protection Ministry, Mohan Ramrattan said, “The knowledge the skills and the training which have been imparted to all of you graduates will contribute to the development of Guyana. We as Guyanese need to recognise the significance and importance of education which all international agencies see as an asset.”

Ramrattan urged the

youths to seek further self-development and preparation in expectation of the lucrative oil and gas sector. In total, there were 65 females and 68 males who pursued the training programme over the past four months.

Toshao of Santa Rosa village, Learmond Emmanuel said the youth of the community are very appreciative of the skills acquired and related that the Government has contributed immensely to their development.

“The Village Council is willing, and we are prepared to continue to help the youths of Moruca, we were fortunate to acquire our own tutors and facilitators from within the community, we will be prepared to accept further programmes from the Board of Industrial Training,” Emmanuel said, as he urged the graduates to seek further Technical skills by joining the Essequibo Technical Institute to give back to their communities and country.

A graduate receiving her certificate from the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Social Protection Ministry, Mohan Ramrattan

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to some of the graduates trained in Information Technology (IT) who all agreed that their newly acquired skills will benefit them as they move forward.

Nakita Jerome shared

that she has applied to begin training in nursing while Mikhail Williams plans to pursue studies in Computer Science at the University of Guyana; and Sunil Pierre has signed up to begin his studies to become a business teacher.

guyanatimesgy.com

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he 4th edition of the “Digicel Triple Treat” was recently launched with the unveiling of the names of several top cricket teams that will be part of the event this year.

The “Triple Treat” as usual includes a 10/10 softball cricket competition, a duck curry com-

petition and the bacchanal or after party.

The preliminary round of the cricket completion has already begun with the four top teams making their way to the grand semi-final and final set for the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground on March 31. The semi-final is expected to commence at 14:00h followed by the grand stage show at 20:00h.

The winners of the cricket competition will walk away with $350,000, while the second place winner will col-

lect $200,000. The third place finisher will bag $100,000 and the fourth place winner will collect $75,000. The Man-ofthe-March, the batsman with the highest run rate and the bower with the most wickets will collect $30,000 each.

During the final of the cricket competition, the duck meat will be on the fire. Those cooking fanatics will be allowed to marinate their duck meat at home and bring it to the ground where stoves and utensils will be provided.

The mixture of the spices will be done at the

friDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

venue before a well experience panel of judges.

The judging of the duck curry competition will be done on the afternoon of March 31. The winner of the duck competition will collect $200,000; the second place winners, $150,000; third place winners, $100,000 and the 4th spot winners will receive $75,000.

The team with the best presentation will bag $40,000.

Meanwhile, when the sun sets, the stage will come alive for the live performances of reigning Chutney Monarch and

first runner-up in the Carib Soca Monarch, Steven Ramphal. He will share the stage with Trinidadian Chutney sensation, Sally Sagram.

The event is sponsored by Banks DIH, GUY Gas and Beharry I n d i Curry Powder.

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erbicians are gearing up for the biggest costume and float parade on Sunday in New Amsterdam. The parade will commence at Stanley Town and head into Espanard Ground for a grand wash down.

Several floats are already en-route to the Ancient Country and from all reports, the event will be massive.

Organisers have con-

firmed that several floats that were on display at the Georgetown costume and float parade are heading to the Ancient County.

However, the Saturday before the grand event, the New Amsterdam Stelling Road will come alive with “Water, Soca, Powder J’Ouvert”.

It will be a ‘wet and dutty event’ that will feature some of the best deejays in the business. These in-

clude Gully Ras, Selector Diamond, Delly Ranks, Selector Thunda, Seen Up and Deejay Unruly. The event is promoted by Banks DIH under its GT Beer brand and sponsored by Payless Variety Store and Homeline Furnishing.

It will be a crazy night, one that cannot be missed.

After the J’Ouvert, get ready for the road tramp which commences at 10:00h.

e w l y crowned Chutney Monarch, Steven Ramphal, is set to turn up the heat at the District Ultra Lounge on Saturday evening at an event titled “Soca in Meh Vein” – named after his entry at the Carib Soca Monarch competitions.

He placed second in that competition, with Lindener Brandon Harding securing the top spot. Fresh out of Mashramani celebrations, this will be the first indoor event for the artiste and he will be leav-

ing no stone unturned.

While he is expected to perform his soca tune, he will also be singing the song he won the Chutney competition with. The versatile young man has since been promotion unity and good relations from his tunes, especially at this time in our nation’s history.

However, apart from the live performance by Ramphal, Deejays Ryan and Countri Boi who are verse on the console, will dish out the best music to make sure patrons have a grand time.

Patrons are encouraged to book their booths early, guaranteeing all-night bottle specials on alcoholic beverages.

In addition, patrons can purchase four shots of Tequila and get the fifth absolutely free. Ladies will be admitted free before 21:00h.

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arch is here and emphasis is on the impressionable mind to start the celebration for Women’s Month. “Living with Intention Youth Forum”, scheduled for the Theatre Guild today, will see over 300 young ladies enjoying a

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guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

lthough Guyana’s soca sensation and former members of the X2 Group, Adrian Dutchin now resides in the United States with his family, he has been creating quite a stir on the airwaves here in Guyana and further afield.

He has been releasing music on a regular basis with his Guyanese fans in mind. Even though he wanted to come home for Guyana 49th Republic anniversary celebrations, he has done his part as a patriot of this lovely country. The father of two recently released a brand new track in time for Mashramani titled “Liar”.

The song was written by him and recorded in the Kode 784 Studio in New York. It was produced by Ari Badur of Iceland. This is one of the biggest tunes Dutchin has recorded since he migrated to the US and it has been loved by his fans.

This soca song is definitely one that reminds Guyanese of the real Dutchin; full of energy and vibes.

Reflecting on his musical career over the past years, he

growth atmosphere, as inspiring women share their journeys to motivate the young ladies to be the best they could be. This is the first time this event is being held and admission is free. The line-up of presenters include some of the dynamic speakers who are here for INSPIRE YOU .

Empowering girls runs deep for Cloyette Harris Stoute. In 2017, Cloyette’s desire to transform the world through service led her to establish the Guyanese Girls Rock Foundation Inc – a non-profit organisation based in Saint Albans, New York, dedicated to empowering Guyanese women and girls to create their own paths to success. Faced with bullying as a teen, Cloyette dreamt of creating a space where girls felt encouraged and supported.

In January 2018, that dream was realised when the Young Women’s Leadership Academy opened its doors in the Teen Centre at the Queens Borough Central Library in Jamaica, New York.

The comprehensive 12-week pro-

thinks recoding music in Guyana was fun, while at the same time related that music was of a high quality.

A family would mean responsibilities and less time to do what you like but for the Guyanese singer, he has managed the art of balancing his music interests and his personal life. Performing at various venues in the US has definitely added the icing on the cake, since most of the events he has performed at were attended by Guyanese who can relate to him and his music.

He feels music should bring people together in unity – a characteristic that was definitely portrayed during the celebrations this year.

For those who want to keep abreast with what Adrain Dutchin is up to with respect to music, you can follow him on Instagram as iamadriandutchin.

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gramme offers leadership training, mentoring, workshops, and scholarships to high school girls who are of Guyanese heritage.

Other speakers are Joan Jackie Butcher, who is an educator and Captain Sherry Ann Wilson. Wilson stands proudly in a male dominated field as one of the first female graduating Marine Captains in Guyana, among an esteemed few in the Caribbean. She earned this title when she graduated in 2017 as the second best graduating female in her batch.

Also among the speakers is bestselling author Hilda Bournes from Mississippi who participated in INSPIRE YOU from the beginning, travels to multiple locations, encouraging women who’ve experienced some form of trauma to D.R.E.A.M. again. Thandi McAllister is an Attorney attached to the Maritime Administration Department and a politician who is aiming for the highest political office. Her story of that little girl from the country who was determined to overcome will

he wait is over and the tickets are going like hot cakes as one of the most popular theatrical productions, the Link Show, hits the National Cultural Centre for its 34th edition this weekend.

Over the past 33 years, thousands have gathered at the NCC to have a good laugh from presentations performed by a host of talented actors.

KFC Link Show 34 satires our current political and social situation along with political and topical personalities in a very funny and entertaining manner.

Audiences can look forward to an evening of relaxation and lots of laughter.

The production which premiered in November 1981 has been thrilling audiences from Charity to Linden and Corriverton and

resonate with many young girls.

The National Schools of Dance will be presenting an all-girls presentation and Jacobs Ariel will be singing two of his original songs.

The talented Renata Burnette will be expressing herself through spoken word.

The Theatre Guild and Ramps Logistics were the sponsors for this event.

The exhibitors are ready for the Women in Business Expo on the March 2 and 3 at the Pegasus and admission is free.

The INPIRE YOU event will motivate you to give the world the best version of you and is scheduled for March 3 at the Pegasus Hotel.

Tickets are available at Pegasus and Oasis Café.

New Amsterdam and between 1997-2001 in the USA and Canada over the years.

The cast will comprise of both exp e r i enced a c -

tors and some promising newcomers.

Link Show stalwarts such as Sonia Yarde, Michael Ignatius, Mark Luke Edwards, Mark Kazim, Sean Thompson, Randy Critchlow, Simone Persaud, Simone Dowding, Rajan Tiwari, Nirmala Narine, Paul and Sean Budnah will be joined by other seasoned actors such as Sheron Cadogan, N a t h a y a Whaul, Melika Edmonds, Nelan Benjamin, Makini Thompson, Troy Parboo, Raymond Persaud, along with newcomers on the scene – Zoya Moore, Tamepha Rodney, Rovindra Persaud, Lee Leung, Joshua Persaud, Yohance Koama and Nalini Narishwarie.

There will be a live performance from a

local artiste as an incentive for your continuous support of the show on a yearly basis.

The show gets underway at 20:00h (8:00 pm) and rest assure, your vehicles will be secured since there will be lots of security. The KFC Link Show 34 is produced by GEMS Theatre Productions and The Theatre Company and is directed by Ron Robinson.

Tickets cost $2000, $1200 and $1000 and are available at the National Cultural Centre, KFC locations – Mandela Avenue and Regent and King Streets outlets.

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From Bradman to Hetmyer, the best writers’ judgment stands out – mostly “I

t is curious,” Neville Cardus wrote in this newspaper in December 1928, “how the sense of style and class will make itself felt even through a cable read thousands of miles from the spot.”

This, in the end, is perhaps the most important job of the cricket writer, and what makes reporting more than the mere reproduction of scores and statistics with the occasional added adjective. The reader’s ability to judge a player has been rendered significantly easier since Cardus’s time by the advent of, well, almost everything we now use to watch and learn about cricket except paper, ink and eyes. Still, the writer’s job continues to be done, and with a bit of luck the sense of style and class continues to make itself felt.

When just last month Vic Marks used a few broad brushstrokes to describe “a young batsman who commands attention … a left-hander who has a bit of swagger and likes to hit the ball”, it was the first time the play of Shimron Hetmyer had been described for the Guardian reader. Watching and reading about England’s tour of the West Indies the picture of a 22-year-old of considerable style and promise has continued to fill out, as Hetmyer has blossomed into everyone’s new favourite batsman.

Cardus was writing about one of them when he penned the above statement in 1928, a player who at that point he had never witnessed. As it happens the first time Don Bradman was mentioned by the Guardian had been that January, in a report on a Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and New South Wales, when we described him as “a medium-pace bowler” who “kept a good length”. As with Hetmyer, who has already been a Test cricketer for nearly two years, it took an England tour for a fuller picture to emerge.

In a warm-up game against NSW in November 1928 Bradman was “a brilliant young colt” who “batted splendidly” with “an easy style”. The hyperbole grew further following a century on debut in the first Test, and by the time Cardus got a chance to see Bradman at first A 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar in 1989, hand, when when he was described by Mike Selvey Australia aras “a Gavaskar clone in mannerisms, rived in dirty pads and, it is said, ability” England in

1930, the 21-year-old was already considered among the world’s finest players. “The genius of this remarkable boy consists in the complete summary he gives us of the technique of batsmanship,” Cardus wrote that summer. “The really astonishing fact about Bradman is that a boy should play as he does, with the sophistication of an old hand and brain. How came this Bradman to expel from him all the greenness and impetuosity of youth while retaining the strength and alacrity of youth?”

Bradman wasn’t the last great batsman whom the Guardian initially considered a bowler. In 1954 we wrote about “an 18-year-old left-arm slow bowler from Barbados” (actually 17) by the name of Garfield Sobers. It took three more years, and a century against MCC at Lord’s, before we got excited about his batsmanship, Denys Rowbotham writing that he was “clearly a man who loves to hit hard and often”, while “against all the slow bowlers he used his feet as feet should be used”.

It can be irresistibly tempting to bestow greatness upon players who are simply very promising. Phil Tufnell used to say that Ed Joyce was the best young batsman he had ever seen, an honour Bob Cottam, Somerset’s director of cricket, bestowed on the wildly hyped Mark Lathwell in 1993: “He has immense talent and it’s incredible the way he takes everything in his stride.”

T h e Evening

Standard once gave its young cricketaward to a cal13-year-old by the of John Major. a superb player, young player in try. I see a lot of

best e r l o w name “He’s the best the counTendulkar in

Shimron Hetmyer celebrates his century in the second ODI at Barbados. Will he build on the promise shown during England’s tour?

him,” said Justin Langer in 2007, of Ravi Bopara.

All of these descriptions turned out to be a little overenthusiastic, though observers have also sometimes failed to get excited enough. In May 1974 we sent John Arlott to watch a county match between Somerset and Lancashire, where a youngster was given his first-class debut. “Botham, in his first match, made a pleasant impression,” he deadpanned. The following month Henry Blofeld saw the same player hit 45 not out for Somerset against Hampshire in the Benson & Hedges Cup. “Ian Botham, a young man of 18 from Yeovil, played not only the innings of his life, but he also lifted the game from a state of conventional excitement to one of unbelievable suspense and drama and finally into the realms of romantic fiction,” he drooled. There were, it turned out, other innings-ofhis-life to come.

Looking back, it is possible to appreciate those occasions when, even the first time writers have seen a young player, they have managed to convey a little of the magic to come.

Tendulkar himself was first mentioned by Mike Selvey in 1989, when he played for an Air India XI against England. “The young batters were mighty impressive,” he wrote. “Tendulkar [is] a Gavaskar clone in mannerisms, dirty pads and, it is said, ability.” Fifteen years earlier, after seeing a game between an England XI and the Leeward Islands in Antigua, Blofeld had heralded “a dramatically exciting stroke player” by the name of Vivian Richards. “Like all good players Richards has that extra split second in which to play his strokes and his footwork is good. He has an exciting array of strokes without the experience to know when not to use them.” When we first wrote about a 21-year-old Richard Hadlee in May 1973, Michael Carey spotted that “his splendid action will bear watching by connoisseurs and budding fast bowlers alike”.

Watching for the first time a young player who, if only in your mind and at that moment, could be destined for greatness is one of the genuine thrills of sport, one that can be rendered greater by their subsequent success but cannot be dimmed by disappointment. As ever Cardus transmitted this excitement flawlessly.

“Here was a great cricketer in the making,” he wrote in June 1937 of Bill Edrich, the kind of player who could inspire others to take (and indeed build) a stand. “A finer exhibition of resourceful batsmanship could not well be imagined. When the pitch was at its worst he executed his strokes according to the soundest principles, and his power when he did hit was impressive. He is a player far above ordinary good or high class; he is perhaps the finest young batsman of the day.”

And on that day, if not on any other, it was true. (The Guardian)

Ramos gets 2-game European ban for “deliberate booking”

Federer beats Fucsovics to reach Dubai Championships semi

ergio Ramos has been given a two-game ban

by Uefa “for clearly receiving a yellow card on purpose” during Real Madrid’s Champions League tie at Ajax.

Ramos fouled Kasper Dolberg in the 89th minute with Real 2-1 up, meaning he is suspended for the last-16 second leg.

The Spain defender, 32, told reporters afterwards he would “be lying if I said I didn’t force [the booking]”.

Uefa opened an investigation and gave him with an additional one-match ban for obtained a booking deliberately.

By picking up a suspension at this stage, Ramos reduced the risk of missing a potentially more important match later in the competition, as all bookings are wiped following

oger Federer beat Marton Fucsovics to reach the Dubai Tennis Championships semi-finals and close in on his 100th ATP singles title.

The Swiss was pushed by the Hungarian world number 35 but came through 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in one hour 57 minutes.

If Federer wins an eighth title in Dubai he will become just the second player to win 100 singles titles after American Jimmy Connors, who won 109.

Federer will play Borna Coric or Nikoloz Basilashvili in the last four.

Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Federer, currently seventh in the world, is the highest ranked player remaining in the draw with

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the quarter-final stage.

But should Champions League holders Real progress to the last eight, Ramos would be unavailable for the first leg of that tie.

Ramos clarified his postmatch comments, saying: “I was referring to forcing the foul, a foul that was inevitable. Not to forcing the booking.

“It was a very dangerous

counter-attack in the 88th minute, with an open match and the tie as well.”

He added: “That’s why I said that I would lie if I said I did not know that I was carrying a penalty, just as I knew that I had no other choice than to make a mistake. And that’s what I meant when I said that in football you have to make complicated decisions.” (BBC Sport)

Sergio Ramos has won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid

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Roger Federer already holds the record for the most titles at the Dubai Tennis Championships with seven

Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas meeting Frenchman Gael Monfils in the other semifinal.

World number 11 Tsitsipas, who knocked Federer out of January’s Australian Open, beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (1-7) 6-1.

The 20-year-old could break into the world’s top 10 for the first time by progressing in Dubai.

Monfils also needed three sets to beat qualifier Ricardas Berankis, winning 6-1 6-7 (3-7) 6-2. (BBC Sport)

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friday, march 1, 2019

Farfan & Mendes Men’s 1st Division League…

GCC blow away Old Fort, Vintage edge Supernova Orson Semple was instrumental for Vintage

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he annual Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division League invaded the GCC club at Bourda last weekend as the first round of the prestigious competition resumed.

GCC Vintage lined up opposite Supernova in the first match of the double-header, and the former seemed to benefit from the use of their home grounds in the early minutes of play. It was the Vintage penalty corners that would make the biggest difference in the match. Veteran striker and former national player Orson Ferguson was first on the score sheet as he completed a penalty corner pass with a deflection into the Supernova net after only four minutes.

Despite the confident demeanour of Vintage, the Supernova strikers managed to carve their way into scoring distance three minutes later, and midfielder Hilmar Chester capitalised on a

defence error to tie the score at 1-1.

Influential Vintage playmaker and former national player Orson Semple, however, not only showed his dominance in midfield, but dominated the score sheet in the second half by completing two penalty corners to leave the final score at 3-1 for Vintage.

The powerful Bounty GCC took to the field next to face off against a rebuilding Old Fort side. GCC dominated the play, but the youthful Old Fort team held firm until the 24th minute, when national midfielder Meshach Sargeant produced one of his typical moments of Vintage’s Patrick Edghill is swarmed by the Supernova defenders skill to eliminate the last two Old Fort defenders and hammer his shot into the net.

Full scores: With Old Fort down by only one goal at the half, spectators were keen to see whether they could withstand anothGCC Vintage defeated Supernova by 3 – 1 er half of the immense pressure being applied by GCC. The Goals: Bourda boys, however, opened the flood gates just two minutes Vintage – Orson Semple 2, Orson Ferguson 1 into the second half through an Alan Fernandes shot. Mark Supernova – Hilmar Chester 1 Sargeant, Kareem McKenzie, Kevin Spencer, Devin Hooper and Meshach Sargeant all scored goals in the second half to Bounty GCC defeated Old Fort 7 – 0 add to GCC’s two-goal tally.

Goals: The match therefore ended with an overwhelming score of Bounty GCC – Meshach Sargeant 2, Alan Fernandes 7-0 in favour of the GCC. Matches are being held on the Saint 1, Mark Sargeant 1, Kareem McKenzie 1, Stanislaus College Ground, and will run every Saturday and Kevin Spencer 1, Devin Hooper 1 Sunday until May 20

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County Tournament…

Lallbachan, Campbell star in Essequibo’s demolition - Berbice record win against President’s XI

drawing the innings out to 46.3 overs. When Dodnauth ran himself out for 21, the tail could do nothing, as Lallbachan, Rayad Latiff and Charles swooped in and cleaned up the tail.

Demerara’s bowling was led by Lalbachan,

Omari Lallbachan receiving his Man of the Match award for his 4-18

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he action continued in Round 3 of the Dave West Indian Imports and Exports Under-15 Inter County Tournament, as Essequibo U-15 battled Demerara U-15 in a low scoring affair at the Everest Cricket Ground on Camp Road in Georgetown.

Essequibo won the toss and took first strike on a pitch that was more favourable to the chasing team. For the past two matches played at the Everest ground, both teams have won chasing.

Essequibo, however, took to the field in full confidence.

They would later regret that decision, as they found themselves at 22-3 early on.

Essequibo lost Sarwan Bishram (01) and Shazziff Mohamed (6) to the bowling of Thaddeus Lovell. Then

Deo Khanai found himself walking back to the pavilion shortly after.

Essequibo needed a miracle, with Justin Meghu and Aryan Dodnauth at the crease, but again lost three more wickets in quick succession.

Meghu and Dodnauth compiled a partnership of 12 before Meghu departed, trapped leg before by Omari Lallbachan for 10.

Eight runs later, Lallbachan struck with a double wicket, as he removed Sheridin Stoll and Ravy Nandalall for 6 and zero respectively, to leave the score at 48-6.

The Essequibo side then crawled into their shell as a full on collapse occurred. The last four wickets tumbled quickly despite Essequibo

who snagged 4-18; Joash Charles, who claimed 2-16; Lovell (2-12) and Latiff (112).

Needing just 83 for victory, Demerara made light work of the total, as the inform Jodan Campbell top scored with an unbeaten 40 in leading the run chase with Mooindra Dindyal.

He supported well with 22 not out, despite losing Lovell for 16 off the bowling of Gladwin Henry.

Henry was the only

wicket taker for Essequibo, bagging 1-23.

Meanwhile in the other match at Lusignan, Berbice defeated President’s XI by 41 runs. The boys from Berbice won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 135 all out in 47.2 overs. Tameshwar Mohabir continued his consistency, scoring 30 while Capatin Isaiah Thorne top scored with 34.

Bowling for President’s XI, Sachin Balgobin a n d Nityanad Mathura had three wickets each.

I n reply,

MatthewPottaya was among the wickets again; he had 4-20

Essequibo were bowled out for 85 in 44.5 overs; Matthew Pottaya had 4-20 in 10 overs, while Salim Khan and Thorne had two wickets each.

Plans in place to combat refereeing issue for NAMILCO Under-17

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he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is seeking to put measures in place to avoid any refereeing hiccups when the NAMILCO Under-17 Football tournament kicks off in a matter of weeks.

The refereeing body has, in recent times, found itself in hot water, with instances ranging from late arrivals to now shows at Guyana Football Federation President matches. The situation Wayne Forde has been so severe that Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, had called out the body for not showing up at a futsal event.

Given these occurrences and the large amount of games that will be played simultaneously during the NAMILCO Under- 17 tournament, Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde disclosed that the Federation has had to craft a clear plan on how to combat the issue. He noted that it is not in the GFF’s best interest to be shifting officials around.

“We’ve developed a strategy that will be deployed at the youth level. It is not to anyone’s advantage to be moving a referee out of Linden to officiate a game in Georgetown, because at that level it is a clear case of development. Of course we have to protect the integrity of the game and we have to ensure whoever is officiating the game is not directly associated with one of the teams who are playing,” the GFF President explained.

Forde went on to explain the path that the GFF intends to take so as to have an adequate amount of referees attached to the various regional member associations (RMAs) during the intra-association phase of the tournament.

“So the strategy is that we’re going to be working within the association to have the association identify a corps of young referees that may be now entering the game or may have been there for a while. We will train them as much as possible, and have the association referees administer the games within the association,” Forde disclosed.

The NAMILCO Under-17 tournament will include playoffs within all nine RMAs, beginning in March. The winners at the RMA level will then compete against each other to crown a national champion.

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21 GCS continues to fuel athletic initiatives sports

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he Guyana Committee of Services (GCS) continues to extend a lending hand in the world of sport, helping local sportsmen and women to realise their dreams.

In other instances, the GCS has come to the rescue of athletes who find themselves in life-or-death situations. This was the case with Guyanese boxer Clive Atwell back in 2016, when the pugilist was in need of 5 million dollars to undergo a very important brain surgery. The GCS gathered its troops and advocated Atwell’s cause through awareness and fundraising activities in order to contribute significantly to the surgery.

Years later, the GCS continues to wear its heart on its sleeve, hosting training camps in Linden and Berbice, or donating sporting equipment as in the case of Bartica. Its most recent venture was making donations to a current and a former athlete.

“We know that Government is there. We know that other organisations are there as well, but we decided that more needs to be done, and we wanted to do our little part,” GCS member Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones told a small gathering on Thursday morning.

Longstanding athlete Alisha Fortune is hoping to jet off to Torun, Poland to participate in the 8th World Masters Athletics Championships Indoor from March 24-30. While sportsmen and women from in excess of 100 countries will be competing, Fortune has had Masters successes in the past, copping triple gold in 2015 and one gold and two silvers last year. However, the Guyanese sportswoman cannot become the first to participate in the indoor version of the tournament unless she achieves her $800,000 goal, which will cover travel and accommodation. Fortune is yet to accumulate $500,000 of her total in order to leave for the United States on March 17, where she is expected to receive her visa to travel to Poland.

On a tight deadline, Fortune has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the GCS for its timely contribution.

“I’m preparing to go out there and make my country proud,” she declared, “and I’m very thankful,” she added.

Alisha Fortune and William Harris are flanked by Guyana Committee of Services members Linden Jones, Leslie Black, Joseph Ramkumar and Lorrie Ann Adams

Veteran amputee athlete William Harris has a number of marathon wins under his belt. However, a hit some years ago has taken a toll on his sight, affecting his right eye. The veteran athlete, who will be travelling to Trinidad and Tobago to undergo surgery, has already received some $1 million from the Government of Guyana, and is short of his total by just $200,000. Harris, too, expressed his gratitude to the Guyana Committee of Services.

“I’d like to say thanks to the organization for doing their best. They always do,” Harris said.

F&H Printing on board Mambo Sports Bar’s Domino tourney

The GCS also took the time to recognise member Leslie Black, who was recently bestowed the honour of receiving a national award.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Committee of Services is currently running a raffle which will see the winner receiving $1 million. The raffle is priced at $500 a chance, and will be drawn on August 31. As explained

by Jones, the proceeds would go towards assisting the committee to carry out its mandate.

“Because it is through these events that we are planning, we are able to raise funds,” Jones said.

Rupununi FA Champions League launched

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VACANCY ONE MALE/FEMALE JUNIOR ACCOUNTS CLERK. PASSES IN ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS AT CXC. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WILL BE AN ASSET. APPLY AT MIKE’S PHARMACY, BEL-AIR. VACANCY EXISTS FOR ONE MANAGER TO WORK AT HOTEL PURPLE HEART RESTAURANT AND BAR ON THE ESSEQUIBO COAST. MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTIONS. CONTACT 226-9768 or 665-6082 MONDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 9AM TO 4PM OR SEND APPLICATIONS /CV TO innovationsamericamng@gmail.com.

&H Printing became the most recent corporate entity to offer support for the Mambo Sports Bar/Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire 18-team Domino Competition.

The sport, which has been enjoying widespread growth and popularity, will see most of the top teams in the country vie for total prize monies in excess of $300,000 and trophies at the Barr Street-based Sports Bar. At a simple presentation ceremony on Wednesday at the Trophy Stall in Bourda Market, staffer Alexis Barrington handed over trophies to Wiltshire for the March 3 event.

Wiltshire, in response to the kind gesture, thanked F&H Printing for its continued support to the sport, and added that F&H has always been one of the entities that the Domino fraternity can turn to for assistance; in no instance has it ever disappointed.

He assured fans that a number of top teams have already committed to participating in the competition, and he said he expects a keenly contested day of rivalry.

The winning team will receive $150,000, while second and third place finishers will take home $75,000 and $45,000 respectively.

All top finishers will collect trophies.

Meanwhile, Wiltshire informed that the Guyana National Domino Association’s rules will be in effect, and the format to be used is 4 games, 6 sittings in, 2 in 1 out system.

Double six time is 14:00hrs, and entrance fee is $12,000 per team.

Drinks and food will be on sale throughout the day.

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Defending male champions Tabatinga FC

he Rupununi Football Association’s (RFA’s) Champions League was on February 20, officially launched at the St Ignatius Benab.

A short briefing was done by the President, Rayan Farias, who thanked all club members for their continued support throughout the year, and outlined his vision for the development of football in the Rupununi.

Also speaking on behalf of GFF, President Farias shared greetings from the parent body, and shared its mission towards developing football in Guyana.

Ken Grant also handed over gear to the referee, while other clubs made short presentations.

The opening match will commence on March 2 at a venue to be confirmed.

Defending Champions Tabatinga FC (male) and Gladiators FC (Females) will take on Snatchers FC in both categories.

In a statement to the RFA, Gladiators FC would like to wish all teams best of luck, and urges fair play. They have thanked the RFA body and organizers for another Rupununi Football Champions League.

Following an exciting contest with Paiwomak Warriors Football Club at the Wada’apna Sports Complex back in 2018, Tabatinga FC (Males) and Gladitors FC

(Females) emerged champions of the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Champions League. Tabatinga FC defeat Paiwomak Warriors 1 – 0, while Gladiators FC won against Paiwomak Warriors 4 – 1.

The Rupununi Football Association provides a platform for both males and females from across the Rupununi to showcase their skills and talents. Teams will be competing for a first place prize of $500,000, while second and third place will receive $300,000 and $150,000 respectively, plus medals and trophies. Prizes for the Most Valuable Player and Best Goal Keeper will also be up for grabs.

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Trophy Stall staffer Alexis Barrington handing over one of the trophies to Mark Wiltshire last Wednesday at Trophy Stall Defending female champions Gladiators FC

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P&P Insurance Brokers’ Practical Pistol Match…

Beharry, Harry strike first on 2019 calendar

Ray Beharry (c) and Dr Pravesh Harry (r) received their 1st place trophies from Practical Shooting Chair, David Dharry

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he Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) recently successfully hosted its first Practical Pistol match for 2019 under the sponsorship of P&P Insurance Brokers.

At the end of January, twelve shooters gathered at the Timehri shooting ranges to take part in an exciting Practical Pistol match comprising of four stages. The match was conducted by Match Director (ND) Pravesh Harry, who also served as the Stats Officer -- the person responsible for computing the scores of the shooters. Assisting the MD was Range Master David Dharry and several range officials, who ensured the match was conducted safely.

Shooters participated in the Limited and Production divisions. Each division had its unique requirements and restrictions, as prescribed by the USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association).

Since each division has its own regulations, the shooters do not directly compete with each other across divisions. Hence prizes were awarded for 1st to 3rd place in each division.

The stages were derived from the USPSA Nationals of 2018, and also designed by members of the GSSF.

The first stage, called ‘Fun in the V,’ comprised of 9 paper targets and 2 falling steel targets called poppers. Requiring a minimum of 20 rounds, shooters tried their best to push themselves to shoot as fast as possible, since the stage was designed to be all about speed.

Stage 2, ‘Watch your fire,’ was in fact the polar opposite. Ten paper targets, shielded by numerous ‘No Shoot’ targets, forced competitors to slow down, trying hard not to hit the penalty producing ‘No Shoot’ targets.

The final two stages, extracted from the USPSA Nationals, required a total of 30 rounds of ammunition. ‘I miss that kind of clarity,’ and ‘He could fool a professional’ proved to be very challenging, as speed and accuracy were both very important in these stages.

Scores were computed on the go, thanks to the use of electronic scoring methods by way of a special application called Practiscore. Within minutes of the match being called to an end, scores were produced.

Ultimately, there were two sets of winners, one for each division.

Sincere gratitude was expressed to the sponsors of this match, P&P Insurance Brokers, for their commitment to GSSF and for continuing to make this an annual event.

The Board of Directors wishes to commend the Match Director, Range Master, Stats Officer, Range Officers and the shooters for ensuring an efficient event. Special thanks also to the Guyana Defence Force, Chief of Staff Brigadier Patrick West, Commissioner of Police Leslie James, OC Guy Nurse, the ranks of TSU and the Guyana Police Force, the Media, the Management of Clear Waters, and GSSF members for their support in promoting practical shooting locally. Sincere thanks were extended to Vikash Panday of P&P Insurance Brokers.

The results were as follows:

Place 1 2 3

Name Harry, Pravesh Dharry, David Phang, John

Place 1 2 3

Name Beharry, Ray Khan, Lancelot Blake, Michael

Match Pts 321.1280 307.7666 210.1690

Match Pts 348.1653

2019 Windies v England ODI series…

Bishoo, Nurse battle ODI inconsistencies

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he 33-year-old Guyanese Devendra Bishoo and 30-year-old Barbadian Ashley Nurse have been the missing puzzle in the West Indies’ resurgence. With the World Cup looming, Windies will be building a team for the mega-event, to be held this May in England and Wales. Will both Bishoo and Nurse book a spot to the World Cup? In the ongoing 2019 One Day International Series between England and the West Indies, Bishoo and Nurse have two wickets combined, conceding 335 runs in 40 overs in tandem. In the first ODI, the spin twins, Nurse and Bishoo, bowled 20 overs, conceding 147

runs and picking up one wicket.

In the second ODI, played in Barbados, Bishoo and Nurse bowled 16 overs together, conceding 77 runs in their wicket-less match.

The third ODI was washed out in Grenada, but Bishoo and Nurse were unsurprisingly taking to the cleaners in the fourth ODI. In the run-fest, the duo bowled 14 overs together, conceding 111 runs and grabbing one wicket in the match.

With the final ODI match set to be played in St Lucia, Bishoo and Nurse will have to redeem themselves if they desire to book a spot to the World Cup. In this series, Bishoo bowled 24 overs,

conceding 170 runs at a poor bowling average of 170.00, with one wicket to his name. The off-spinner Nurse bowled 26 overs, conceding 165 runs and picking up one wicket. Both spinners, seen as the first choice duo in the spin department, have ordinary overall ODI career averages. Nurse played 44 ODIs, picking up 42 wickets at a bowling average of 42.69, with his best bowling figure being 4-62. The Guyanese leg-spinner Bishoo played 41 ODIs in his career, and has 38 wickets at an average of 43.89, with his best bowling figure being 3-30. Either spinner is yet to pick up a five wicket haul for West

LGC hosts 1st back-to-back tournament weekend for 2019

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Devendra Bishoo

Ashley Nurse

Indies at this level.

In contrast to other nations, Windies spinners are poor. India’s spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal; Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Mujeeb; South Africa’s Imran Tahir and Tabriz Shamsi, England’s Mooen Ali and Adil Rashid are all formidable units.

Bishoo and Nurse are currently out of colour; to dominate the World Cup, the Windies ODI team requires a deadly spin duo the likes of Khary Pierre and Fabian Allen.

Perhaps consideration should be given this duo in the near future, if Bishoo and Nurse continue to fail. (Brandon Corlette)

iding on the coat tails of the successful Valentine weekend tournament atmosphere and the relaxing Mashramani celebrations tournament, the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will have two exciting tournaments back-to-back this weekend. This is in their bid to reach an incredible milestone of 50 tournaments in a single year.

The first event will commence this Saturday, March 2, from 12:30 pm when the New Trend Auto 18-hole 3-Flight (0-13, 14-21, and 22-28) Medal play tournament takes place. New Trend Auto, located on David Street, Campbellville, is a leader in new and used auto parts, along with a stateof-the- art repair shop for all types of vehicles. It also specialises in repairing pick-up trucks. The company offers a Rewards Card for loyal customers, and special discounts on a weekly basis. Any part or repair is guaranteed.

CEO and owner of the new Trend Auto busines, Rudy

Ramalingum, who decided to set a standard in quality and service 6 years ago when he started the business, has expanded the business to include the Foodtown brand restaurant and wholesale foods and snacks. Saturday’s tournament prizes are for 1st and 2nd in each Flight, Nearest to Pin, Longest Drive and Best Gross.

While the event of Sunday (March 3) will commence at 09:00hrs. Club members Romel & Robin will be sponsoring a 9-hole 2-Flight (0 -7 and 8-14) Medal play tournament.

Prizes and bragging rights for which will be given to participants from 1st to 3rd in each Flight. Also prizes for Nearest to Pin, Longest Drive, Best Gross, and overall Best Net will be handed out. Water and drinks are free for each player.

The public is invited and is welcome to spectate free of charge at these tournaments. For further information, persons can make contact with the Lusignan Golf Course on 592-220-5660.

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friday, march 1, 2019

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2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day tournament…

Reifer strips Barbados of their Pride - Jaguars lead by 86 runs

Jonathan Carter opened the floodgates for Pride with 3-45

By Brandon Corlette

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t was a day that belonged to the Guyana Jaguars, specifically the Bajan boy Raymon Reifer, who grabbed 5-20 and scored an unbeaten 33 in the Jaguars’ Regional 4-Day match against the Barbados Pride at Guyana’s National Stadium at Providence.

On a day that saw 17 wickets fall, Guyana Jaguars ended on 162-7 in 60 overs, in response to Barbados Pride’s 76 all out in 29.1 overs.

On the eve of the match, both teams expected the Providence pitch to suit spinners. It was the total opposite where the wickets were concerned on the opening day. The Providence pitch had the juice for the bowlers who were willing to work.

The 27-year-old Barbadian Raymon Reifer, an important asset to the Jaguars, destroyed his countrymen with his sixth First Class five wicket haul. Earlier, the visitors

had won the toss and elected to bat.

Jaguars included in the squad 22-year-old Ramaal Lewis who played one First Class match previously for Jamaica. He made his First Class debut for Jaguars and completed the sharpest of catches in the slip cordon.

Batting first proved costly for the Pride on a wicket covered with grass. Reifer kept it simple, bowling in the right areas to ensure Pride were blown away for 76 in 29.1 overs.

Day one proceedings began with Romario Shepherd and Reifer sharing the new ball. At 15-1, Pride lost the left-handed Mosely, who was trapped in front by Reifer for two. Pride are without their frontline players, who are Vishaul Singh on the go during his 33 currently featuring in the Windies ODI team. Thus this outfit lacked experience in the batting department. The left by Miguel Cummins. Vishaul Singh, who attained promoarm seam bowler Reifer then struck in the eighth over, when tion to number three, negotiated well with Tagenarine Chanderpaul as the hosts were 56-1 at tea. Singh was he removed Rashidi Boucher (17) with the score on 21-2.

On the back of Reifer’s brilliance, the Jaguars continued rock solid on 22 while Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 13 to pick up wickets at regular intervals. With the score on from 74 balls.

Right arm medium, Carter bowled a long spell post the 23, Pride lost their most experienced players in Jonathan Carter (1) and Shamarh Brooks (1). At that stage, Pride tea interval when he removed Chanderpaul for 19, out looked a long distance from reaching 50. A 26-run 10th wick- caught behind, and Vishaul Singh went in similar fashion et partnership saw the Pride to 76 all out when Veerasammy for 33. Carter opened the floodgates as Jaguars slipped to Permaul broke the partnership with the first ball he bowled. 76-4 when Johnson edged one behind and was out for one Permaul ended the Pride’s misery when he removed off the bowling of Miguel Cummins.

Barnwell (02), Anthony Bramble (22) and Rutherford number 11, Chaim Holder, for a breezy 22 from 18 balls. In the eventful morning session that saw only two Pride bats- (15) all failed to offer significant resistance. The men reaching double figures, Reifer was the star of the show right-handed Barnwell was out caught in the slips off with 5-20 in 10 overs, including five maidens. Christopher Carter, Bramble was trapped in front by Marquino Barnwell had 2-26 in six overs, while Sherfane Rutherford, Mindley after he was dropped by Carter at first slip, and Romario Shepherd and Veerasammy Permaul had one wick- Rutherford was brilliantly caught at first slip by Carter at 140-7. et each.

Reifer continued his fruitful day remaining unbeatAfter the lunch interval and innings break, Jaguars openers strode out to the middle to overcome the darkness. en on 33 from 75 balls, hitting five boundaries. Shepherd They lost Chandrapaul Hemraj for nine when he was bowled was the other unbeaten batsman at stumps with seven.

Day 2 promises to be a cracker. It will commence at 9:30h local time.

Holder set to be named Windies’ 3 SCOREBOARD T20 Captain for England series

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ason Holder looks set to be named as West Indies’ captain for the forthcoming T20I series against England.

While Carlos Brathwaite is the regular West Indies T20 captain, selectors are minded to ensure the ODI squad spends more time together ahead of the World Cup. This, they feel, will help them fine tune various strategies, including who bowls in power-plays and at the death.

The decision, which would see the entire ODI squad retained for the three-match T20 series against England, is understood to have been agreed by the selectors, Holder and the interim head coach, Richard Pybus, but is still subject to board approval. The team management and selectors are adamant it does not threaten Brathwaite’s long-term future as leader of the T20 side.

While West Indies head to Ireland in May for a tri-series that also involves Bangladesh, there is some doubt as to how beneficial it will prove for their World Cup preparations. Up to Carlos Brathwaite (left) and Jason Holder eight members of the ODI squad could be unavailable due to a scheduling clash with the ment is critical at this stage,” he said at the time.

IPL, so the tournament may well see opportunities given Khary Pierre, Kieron Pollard, Obed McCoy and, perhaps, to young players or those on the fringes of the first-choice Sunil Narine (who said he wasn’t ready to be considered for squad. selection for the ODI squad as he continues to work on his If confirmed, the plan would represent something of a remodelled bowling action) could be among those who miss change of policy from the selectors. In November, Courtney out as a result of the decision.

Browne, the head selector, suggested every T20I series from With the likes of Andre Russell, Darren Bravo and Chris then would be used as preparation for the T20 World Cup in Gayle now back in contention in both limited-overs formats, Australia in late 2020. however, there is a fair amount of crossover between the “With the T20 World Cup two years away, the process of squads. There is also a growing belief from most involved rebuilding a squad to be a competitive unit for the tourna- that West Indies could surprise a few at the World Cup. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Barbados Pride 1st Innings S Moseley lbw Reifer R Boucher lbw Reifer S Brooks c Bramble b Shepherd J Carter b Reifer A Jones c Lewis b Reifer S Springer c Bramble b Barnwell T Walcott c Bramble b Barnwell J Warrican c Bramble b Rutherford M Cummins not out M Mindley c Singh b Reifer C Holder b Permaul

2 17 1 1 4 8 8 0 4 5

22 Extras 4 Total 76 all out (29.1 overs) FOW 1 - 15(S Moseley, 5.1 Ov) , 2 - 21(R Boucher, 7.4 Ov) , 3 - 23(S Brooks, 8.4 Ov) , 4 - 23(J Carter, 9.5 Ov) , 5 - 28(A Jones, 13.4 Ov) , 6 - 39(S Springer, 19.2 Ov) , 7 - 44(Jomel Warrican, 22.6 Ov) , 8 - 44(T Walcott, 23.3 Ov) , 9 - 50(M Mindley, 24.2 Ov) , 10 - 76(C Holder, 29.1 Ov) Bowling R Shepherd 8-3-17-1 R Reifer 10-5-20-5 S Rutherford 4-1-10-1 C Barnwell 6-2-26-2 R Lewis 1-0-1-0

V Permaul 0.1-0-0-1

Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings 162-7 (60 overs) T Chanderpaul c Walcott b Carter 19 C Hemraj b Cummins 9 V Singh c Walcott b Cummins 33 L Johnson c Walcott b Carter 1 C Barnwell c Warrican b Carter 2 A Bramble lbw Mindley 23 R Reifer not out 33 S Rutherford c Carter b Springer 15 R Shepherd not out 7 Extras 20 FOW 1 - 12(CHANDRAPAUL HEMRAJ, 8.2 ov) , 2 - 68(TAGENARINE CHANDERPAUL, 28.5 ov) , 3 - 73(VISHAUL SINGH, 32.4 ov) , 4 - 76(LEON JOHNSON, 33.2 ov) , 5 - 78(CHRISTOPHER BARNWELL, 34.6 ov) , 6 - 104(ANTHONY BRAMBLE, 39.4 ov) , 7 - 140(SHERFANE RUTHERFORD, 49.5 ov) Bowling M Cummins 12-0-39-2 M Mindley 9-1-26-1 S Springer 8-5-11-1 J Carter 18-3-45-3 J Warrican 8-2-16-0 C Holder 5-1-11-0

friday, march 1, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…

Reifer strips Barbados – Jaguars lead of their Pride by 86 runs Page 23

Raymon Reifer was unbeaten on 33 (Brandon Corlette photos)

Raymon Rifer grabbed 5-20 during his superb spell

Dave West Indian Imports U-15 Inter-County Tournament…

Page 20

GCS continues to fuel athletic initiatives Page 21

Lallbachan, Campbell star in Essequibo’s demolition Mooindra Dindyal pushing one to the offside

Alisha Fortune receiving the sponsorship cheque from former Sportswoman of the Year, Lorrie Ann Adams, in the presence of Clive Atwell, Linden Jones, Leslie Black and Joseph Ramkumar

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