Guyana Times Daily

Tourism’s contribution to Guyana to be monitored

– “Tourism Satellite Account” being P14 implemented

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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

Issue No. 2750

Thursday, January 28, 2016

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Plummeting oil prices

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyoil, GPL hog windfall profits – Jagdeo – Govt to “consider” reduction

15 more P14 dialysis centres to be set up – Minister Norton

Page 2

Father of 11 Dismembered body hangs self found at Mahaicony – wife says substance abuse, court case contributed to his demise

Page 12

– relatives believe foul play, not hit-and-run was cause Page 9

Wales Sugar Estate closure

Govt denies negotiating sale of assets, lands ...no final plan on way forward as yet – Agriculture Minister See – workers pray, hold vigil stories on pages 15 & 17

3 hospitalised following Buck Hall P12 boat collision

Ammunition, ganja found in P7 abandoned house Bank of Baroda P8 robbery

3 charged, remanded to prison “Hope and healing” for Essequibo Over 500 persons joined hands along with sugar workers attached to the Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Wednesday in a march and prayer session in protest of the closure of the Estate

Brassington Opposition Leader demands ends 21-year answers, Jordan mute career with Govt – following Sattaur’s exposé Page 17

Damning GRA taxgate allegations

Page 3

P15 – suicide prevention outreach starts today

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thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Plummeting oil prices

Guyoil, GPL hog windfall profits – Jagdeo – Govt to “consider” reduction

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has noted with great concern the fact that the Guyana Oil Company

(Guyoil) and the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) have both been cashing in on mega profits worth over US$200 million collective-

ly, as a result of purchasing extremely cheaper fuel between the years 2014 to 2015, while the ordinary citizens continue to bear the

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

brunt of exorbitant prices for fuel and electricity.

Calls continue to mount on Government to significantly slash these prices, particularly in light of the prevailingly low oil prices on the global market.

Oil has steadied at a still-low US$31 per barrel, with no increase in sight.

This is a devastating blow for oil producers worldwide but a priceless opportunity for consumers around the globe who are cashing in on huge savings; with the exception of Guyana.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Jagdeo explained that the “non-reduction” of the prices at the pump stations has led to a huge windfall in profits, at the expenses of Guyanese populace. He posited that usually, when oil prices are significantly low on the global market, government would lower the prices at the State-owned Guyoil to ensure the market follows.

Similarly with GPL, Jagdeo highlighted electricity prices should have tumbled already.

“Because when your oil is now US$27 a barrel and

it was US$115 in the past then…oil is the biggest component of cost, then the prices should have come down significantly,” he pointed out.

Moreover, the Opposition Leader explained that those reductions could have been a huge stimulus to the economy.

“The consumers would have more disposable income. Secondly, if we allowed the prices to be adjusted, we would have given a big stimulus to the business community, miners, manufacturers, etc… we have missed a huge opportunity,” he stated.

Last year’s mid-year economic report showed Government has been raking in mega-revenues as a result of the falling international oil prices and not passing on the savings to consumers and businesses.

The report explained that although less fuel was imported, Guyoil made a profit of $1.7 billion as opposed to a loss of $0.9 billion in the comparable half-year of 2014.

This means Guyoil took in $2.6 billion that could have ended up in the pockets of Guyanese vehicle owners. This would have been pumped into the economy in consumer spending, creating a virtuous cycle as a stimulus for other business activities.

Guyana imports approximately 10,000 barrels of oil daily. Today, with prices as low as US$30 per barrel compared to last year when the country was paying over US$100 per barrel, Guyana is saving around US$700,000 (GY$140,000,000) every day.

Budget

Moreover, Jagdeo con-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

tended that fuel and electricity reductions ought not to be announced as a budgetary measure.

“We don’t want the reduction in electricity rates and fuel rates to be a part of a budget measure. That cannot be a budget measure, that’s ongoing so the huge savings that the country has seen…we want to see the benefits passed on in an ongoing way, not to wait at a once in a year event around the budget because if that becomes the reality, then when there is need for adjustments downwards, people would start expecting that that should only happen at budget time,” he explained.

Government’s response

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan told media operatives that Government might consider the cries for the lowering of fuel and electricity prices.

On the other hand, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, when prompted on Government’s non-action towards the global trend, explained that stability was better than short-term benefits. turb to page 7

City Hall system analyst allegedly dismissed

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fter much discussion, system analyst of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Waynewright Orderson was on Monday allegedly dismissed from his job.

This decision was taken by the Council at its statutory meeting as it adopted a recommendation from its Personnel and Training Committee. It was stated that Orderson had accompanied Mayor Hamilton Greene on a trip to China for six weeks without applying for or seeking permission to have leave. When he proceeded on this venture, the department’s second in charge had already proceeded on leave.

During the discussion on this issue, several Councillors present made mention of Orderson’s disrespectful and arrogant behaviour towards his superiors in the administration.

After much deliberation, there was enough justification for his dismissal. In his letter to the Town, Clerk Royston King, it was re-

Waynewright Orderson

ported Orderson acknowledged his mistakes; however, when he was summoned before the Personnel and Training Committee, his attitude was not one of remorse.

Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green told the meeting, “This is the straw that broke the camel’s back. As Orderson’s attitude and total conduct was decided on by the other Councillors, Councillor Prabhidual Sattan challenged the Mayor

in relation to Orderson accompanying him on the trip.

Sattan stated, ‘Mayor Green the man accompanied you on the trip. It was your duty to inform the Town Clerk, but you failed to do so’.”

In response, Mayor Green stated, “I will not” get involved in the administrative aspect of this issue, making mention that Orderson accompanying him “on an overseas trip indicates he is on duty, so there wasn’t any need for him to apply for leave”. The Mayor remained mum on giving any comments regarding a recommendation, but he questioned the reason for Orderson’s dismissal in relation to the offence he committed.

The final decision was Orderson would be dismissed with full benefits.

The dismissal also comes in light of the poor performance of his department over a continuous period.

Staffers had reportedly said the services offered were appalling to both staff members and citizens.

news

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thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 28 – 08:30h-10:00h and Friday, January 29 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 28 – 06:50h-08:20h and Friday, January 29 – 07:25h-08:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

Weather: Light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 6.25 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:03h and 19:20h reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres and 2.56 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:38h and 12:54h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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Opposition Leader demands answers, Jordan mute – following Sattaur’s exposé

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WEATHER TODAY

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Damning GRA taxgate allegations

15 21

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

ollowing the abrupt dismissal of Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur and his bombshell revelations that there was massive corruption, nepotism, and unprofessional activities since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government assumed office, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is demanding answers on a number of issues surrounding the controversy.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Jagdeo defended Sattaur’s integrity, noting that he has always discharged his duties in a professional manner.

“This Commissioner General has been there for many years; as far as I am aware, he has discharged his responsibilities in a professional manner: you’ve never heard about any Opposition member in the many years under the PPP [People’s Progressive Party]. It’s a rare thing to hear about an Opposition member complaining about being targeted by their taxes or anything of that sort, so the discharge, in my view, of his responsibilities has been very professional,” Jagdeo said.

The former President, turning his attention to the recent exposé by Sattaur, noted the number of illegalities the former Commissioner General was asked to engage in after the coalition took power in May 2015.

“We have heard the Commissioner General said in his statement that 1) ‘I was asked to rehire people who are corrupt or who had been fired for corruption.’ Has the media core in Guyana asked the Minister of Finance or the Chairman of the Board of GRA or the Acting Commissioner General who, if they have rehired anyone who was fired in the past? Has the media core investigated where any of those people have been fired for corruption?” Jagdeo asked.

He said he was in possession of information regarding persons who the Auditor General recommended be dismissed from

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the GRA, who have since been rehired.

Jagdeo also took a swipe at sections of the media which he said failed to call out the Government on its promises of transparency and accountability.

“Here is this pure Government, the transparent Government getting away with what I think is murder and it’s easy to verify whether the Commissioner General is telling the truth.

It’s easy: ask the people involved and then you can ask him. He said, ‘I have been asked to settle tax matters that will cost billions of dollars’, now it’s clear the Commissioner General has the sole authority to settle tax matters, the Minister of Finance, the Ministry of the Presidency, none of them can tell him how to settle a tax matter yet here is the Commissioner saying ‘I have been prevailed upon.

I’ve been urged to settle tax matters and I have the list of people that where I was asked about this to settle their matters.’”

Jagdeo questioned whether this was followed up, noting that the media seemed not to be interested in the potential billions of dollars of revenue that were lost.

“Isn’t this contrary to good governance: interference in the tax authorities of our country?” Jagdeo questioned.

He reminded of Sattaur’s revelations about the photocopying of files of top Government officials, and

being asked to promote people who were not qualified among other issues.

“I think these things when there are these charges by a technical officer

this matter and I do hope that this happens because this is ominous for the future of Guyana. It’s an ominous thing if the tax authorities of our country can’t manage a professional manner. That is something that is extremely worrying and I do hope too that the international community including those who have solicited to help to draft laws [take note],” Jagdeo said.

The Opposition Leader said that soon his Party intended to engage the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to examine the track record of the APNU/AFC since it took office just over eight months ago.

Jagdeo believes that the dismissal of Sattaur was all part of the Government’s witch-hunt against the PPP and those who seemed to be aligned to the Party.

Former Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority Khurshid Sattaur

who’s a professional person, not by the politicians, not by the Minister ‘cause they have a political motive, then not just the media core but the international community must have a look into

Meanwhile, when questioned by Guyana Times on the issue Finance Minister Winston Jordon did not answer but rather ignored the question.

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thursday, january 28, 2016

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

Man and nature

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

Editorial

Local Government Elections

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t would appear that after two decades of false starts, Guyanese may once again be participating in Local Government Elections (LGE), which have been scheduled for March 18. Nominations were filed yesterday by the two major national political entities – the APNU/ AFC coalition that controls the Central Government and the PPP/C, which is the Opposition in Parliament – along with a bevy of local, independent groups that are contesting specific Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) or Municipalities. The latter is an innovation arising out of amendments to the LGE legislation. Overall, Local Government organs in Guyana comprise nine Municipalities and 62 NDCs. Since most citizens have no knowledge of these elections, the last being held in 1994, GECOM was supposed to have conducted "education drives", but by all accounts, these have not managed to shed the requisite amount of light as to what lies ahead for the citizenry. Many citizens have expressed uncertainty as to what lies ahead. The contestants for control of the entities will have to fill these lacunae as well as demonstrate what their programmes might be.

The quest for LGE following 1994 was dominated by disagreement between the two political forces as they strove to draft new legislation to expand the ambit of Local Government and make it more responsive to concerns at the grassroots. Finally, three aspects of the required legislation were passed and assented to by then President Donald Ramotar in 2013 under the 10th Parliament – the Fiscal Transfer Act, the Municipal and District Council Amendment Act, and the Local Government Commission Act. The President balked at the fourth section which removed powers over Local Government from the subject ministry and vested them in a Local Government Commission that would be responsible for oversight, staffing and regulation of the Local Government organs. The local organs would also now have much more autonomy over their funding, including the power to seek loans. With the change of Government, the last pieces of legislation were assented to last July. The intent is to give more autonomy to the local organs with the expectation they would be more responsive to local concerns.

One of the pertinent structural changes is there will now be "constituencies" within the NDCs and municipalities that would have specific individuals responsible for them.

At the LGE, therefore, there would be two parts to the ballot – just as in the General Election: one for electing Councillors in general through Proportional Representation and another for Constituencies. At the onset of Local Government reform, there was hope that the bodies would be depoliticised by both allowing civic and voluntary groups to contest elections and also that the political parties would not. Unfortunately, in the opinion of some, the latter circumstance did not materialise and it is expected that the intense and sometimes bitter partisan national campaigns will be transferred to the local level.

While there were great expectations of the LGE for the expansion of democracy in Guyana to lower levels, the test of the independence of these bodies will be to the extent that Central Government will allow the local bodies to raise and spend their own funds. The Minister of Public Security, for instance, during the debate on the last bill passed, asserted that the local bodies would now have their own "constabulary" which they would have to fund. It would have been a more robust sign of democratic decentralisation if the decision to have constabularies in the first case was left to the discretion of the said bodies.

The fundamental issue in all efforts at "decentralisation" is the acknowledgement that power in the polity as a whole is already "centralised". History has shown that power is never relinquished without struggle. It is hoped that the newly-empowered local councillors will now seize the moment and declare their allegiance to local empowerment rather than buttressing the powers of the national elite.

Water gushes down the overflow ‘plughole’ at Lady Bower Reservoir in Derbyshire (Telegraph)

GECOM under current management will not hold free and fair elections Dear Editor, Via another media house, GECOM claimed it received no list of requests (to reduce electoral fraud) from the United Republican Party prior to the 2015 General Election. That is not factual.

It is strange that Stabroek News carried GECOM’s response to our Party's release but not our release on allegations made against GECOM. GECOM says the URP should be grateful that it went “out of its way” to help URP qualify to be on the ballot. So, does that mean URP should not complain about a fraudulent election? Did GECOM qualify minor parties (not meeting minimum requirements) to legitimise a planned electoral fraud?

The URP repeats its charges against GECOM relating to fraud: The URP’s agents were not allowed in certain polling stations, including those where the turnout exceeded the actual number of voters. It is noted that the PPP claims in media reports that it also request-

ed the same with a promise that was not honoured.

It was reported in the media that GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally mocked the PPP for sending (coward) poll agents who he described as lacking spine to stand up to thuggish behaviour. Dr Surujbally seemed to have forgotten that it was not the job of party agents to ensure a free and fair election.

That was the job of Surujbally and GECOM at which they failed the nation.

GECOM states the “URP provided no evidence to support its claim that there were fake Statements of Poll”.

That comment alone undermines the entire response of GECOM to URP’s claims. It also undermines the credibility of the body to hold a free and fair election. The URP did not make a charge of fake Statements of Poll (SoPs). It was the CEO of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield, who revealed in a press conference, as reported in the press, that he uncov-

ered hundreds of fake statements. If GECOM feels the election was free and fair, then why was it opposed to a recount and why was (is) it opposed to a forensic audit of the balloting? Why is it opposed to an expedited judicial hearing to the election petition? How is it possible that there were more voters than the actual number of registered voters? Is this not suggestive of fraud?

Surujbally promised an impartial investigation into the fake SoPs. A few months ago, he said he would not carry out an investigation.

Any impartial election officer worth his salt in any part of the globe would make it his responsibility to get to the bottom of how fake SoPs made their way into GECOM’s office or at polling places.

Last May’s declared results were not an accurate reflection of the will of the voters.

The record would show that the URP – working with the overseas support

groups of PPP, WPA, DLM, UF and with the great freedom fighters Vishnu Bisram, Baytoram Ramharack, Ravi Dev, Somdath Mohabir, Vassan Ramracha, David Hinds, Rohit Kanhai, Balram Rambrich, and Latchman Narain, etc, and in Guyana with the then Opposition parties – waged a courageous battle for free and fair elections between 1985 and 1992. We have resumed that struggle after the fraudulent May 2015 election so that Guyanese can have a government that is truly reflective of the will of the voters. Simply denying charges backed by credible supporting evidence and resisting requests for an impartial investigation into last May’s fraudulent election will not give confidence that GECOM under current management will ever hold free and fair elections in Guyana.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bandhu Political Leader, URP

Drug shortages are complex and need a supply chain solution Dear Editor, The concept of supply chain management is little known to anyone as a profession much less a practical approach and it is the reason for our current drug shortages. There are very few in Guyana who practis-

es this profession and even if they do, it is not in its entirety. In 2010, Guyana was named by the Amazon Malaria Initiative as having one of the best public drug supply systems in South and Latin America, which proves that we had

that ability.

During the period 2007 to 2011, all non life-saving drugs were at 85 per cent to 90 per cent availability in all health facilities and lifesaving drugs were 100 per cent available for 95 per cent of a calendar year.

This was the best it has ever been in Guyana’s history, and it was because of a special focus on building a strong supply chain system, which unfortunately never continued after 2011. contines on page 5

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thursday, january 28, 2016

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Battle lines have now been drawn Dear Editor, It seems like the fight is on. With the nominations for Local Government Elections all turned in, battle lines have now been drawn. And it does not look good. I witnessed what took place on Nominations Day. The young people with their animated supporters were out in their numbers and the fighting rhetoric has begun.

Divisive terms like “little axe to cut down big trees”, or “it is young people’ time” are been repeated-

ly and forcefully bantered about. The ammunition seems to be hurled at any and every one who is older than 30 years. It seems like those of the younger generation want to send the current Administration a message. The talk is that the youths were not sufficiently represented in the Administration at the national level, so with the easy possibility of access to administration at the local levels, the youths have upped the ante.

They are spouting

that it is the youths who helped bring the current Administration into Government and it is the youths who will unseat the current attempts of the ‘old-heads’ to get back into the Councillors’ positions. They seem convinced that the Mayors, at least the Mayor of Georgetown, should be a youth.

However, the reason I say that this kind of angry rhetoric does not sound good is because of what it can lead to. It can lead to another divisive body

Drug shortages are complex...

from page 4

Regardless of the criticism of sole sourcing, it was a mechanism that was put in place to safeguard our health system from chronic shortages similar to what we are experiencing now.

However, it should not be the only mechanism in place, since it is also necessary to develop other suppliers in country so that there are options.

Minister George Norton who was then Shadow Minister of Health when the PPP was in power believed that everything that was wrong with the drug supply was due to sole sourcing; as such, he had promised that by stopping that practice, shortages would be solved.

Today, we see that there are more shortages than ever before.

The Government must acknowledge that it is not yet equipped to solve this problem alone, and it should seek support from technical persons in the field of supply chain management. I believe health care should be non-political and everyone should support the Government on this.

It is not simply about buying more drugs and supplies, instead it requires a multi-pronged approach that should be implemented systemically throughout the supply chain. This takes time to build and it is a very fragile system to maintain

in rich countries, much less a country like ours.

The US Government under its PEPFAR programme has been supporting us for 10 years mainly in the field of HIV/AIDS drugs and it has proven successful, but this is a small fraction of the health supply system and it is easier to manage.

There is urgent need for this system to be the way it was back in 2007-2011 and improve thereafter, but it will have to be a bipartisan issue.

Sincerely, Malcolm Watkins, Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

at the municipal level.

Already, the country is observing the vitriol and the hatred and non-cooperation that are obtaining in the National Assembly.

Now the youths are saying that it is their turn to ‘run things’. Imagine for a brief moment if one of the ‘old-heads’ wins the mayorship. It sounds like it would be war. If the trend holds, especially with the younger folks more excited about the Local Government Elections, the Councillors will be made up of a significant amount

of youths. However, because of the Proportional Representation aspect of the elections, the larger parties will have Councillors who are not likely to be youths. This could be a recipe for administrative disaster at the local level.

As an ‘old-head’ independent candidate, I would like to see the divisive rhetoric turned down, because it is a non-starter. Frankly, I applaud the interest and the organisation of the youths and their groups. They are young

people in leadership all over the world. However, if we begin with a fight, it is obvious that nothing much, if anything, will get done at the local level.

Heaven knows, we cannot afford to replicate at the local government level, the warring and verbal slaughtering which now obtain at the national level. Guyana can ill afford that.

Pastor WP Jeffrey, Independent Candidate, 8th Constituency

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Foundation

A dad-to-be was praying to have a girl, until he opened his eyes

By Kenneth Griffin

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t 36 years old and having recently gone through a messy divorce I have remarried and my wife of three months is now pregnant. I move fast and seldom let that grass grow under my feet. This will be our first child for both of us, and as a member of the generation of men raised solely by women I was praying for a girl. Most of my buddies have boys and they all have turned out pretty well but my lack of what I perceived as “man knowledge” has put a fear in me of not being able to teach my son how to be a real man if she gives birth to a boy.

My preconceived notion of what it means to be a man was drilled in me from a young age. My mother who had been married five times always choose alpha male, cowboy hat wearing, sweat for your paycheque men. They never stuck around very long so most of my childhood was spent learning what it was to be a man from television shows like the Dukes of Hazzard or MacGyver. I have often wondered what men who are raised by women do when they need an oil change, need to use a level to hang a picture, or want to mount a television on their wall… for me, I called a handyman and pride swallowed paid his US$100 an hour rate.

Yet another failure as a man or so I thought …the reality is I am a skilful mate in non-traditional ways in that my wife would say I am an amazing cook, great with feelings and words, and even

guyanatimesgy.com

keep a tidier home than she would. The question begs though how can a man raised by a woman teach his son anything about being a “real man”?

This is what was keeps me up at night until I sat down and truly analyzed my situation. The notions that had been drilled into

me by society, my mother, my stepfathers, my alcoholic grandfather were just ideas, and ideas are much easier to change than beliefs. I had to change my mindset if I was going to survive this pregnancy and fatherhood. Perhaps the perception and global shift in thinking of gender roles will save me from this fate if she does indeed deliver a boy, but at the time, I was still praying we have a little girl.

I know how to do girl stuff in the traditionalist form and it is what I am most comfortable doing.

Even as a young boy I would find myself drawn to soap operas on the television instead of the more macho wrestling or karate movies that were all the rage in the 80’s. I was always drawn to peer groups of girls and even

now as an adult most of my close friends are women.

I just never fit in with the “real men” and would often shy away from learning or trying new man stuff. I felt like I would embarrass myself when I showed I could not even drive a nail properly.

How does one attain such

knowledge and how does one pass it on if it was never instilled in the first place? If I needed knee replacement I would go to a specialist but where is the specialist that can replace never learning to properly throw a spiral on the pigskin or tie a neck tie when you need it? There is a vast amount of men in the world today who are growing up with a loving, kind, and a good home run solely by a mother.

Are those men are missing out on a vast amount of learning adventures that are cut short by fathers who are not in their lives?

I intend to do my best over the next 9 months to learn the things that were not taught to me and become more of the man I wish I was. It is a pride swallowing experience when you are at the local hardware

store and do not know which screwdriver or hammer to purchase to get started. While most men are worried about how a baby will change their lives, the money, the space, I spend my nights worrying will I raise another weak man who cannot fix a flat tire.

What should be keeping me up at night, however, is how to teach my son to be self-sufficient, treat women with respect, and earn a wage that allows him to pay the mechanic to change that tire if need be. I am 36 and I have never had to change a tire so why has this thought loop plague my mind?

It found a resting place in my insecurities of what defines me as a man. I have a loving wife, nice things, a career, and a passion for writing that keeps my mind active and aware. In the end, our thoughts become our world and I have had to radically change the way I think. Beating myself up for things I do not know is about as useful as a Philips head screwdriver on a flat head nail (see I am learning).

My wife keeps telling me it will be okay and that we can always just Google or YouTube whatever we don’t know and go from there. I do find some comfort knowing the technological advances of the last 20 years may save me from admitting I just simply do not know how to be a “man’s man.”

Better yet, that I am the new and improved “man’s man.” Bring on the Barbie’s dream house or the GI Joe play set. This real man, this real dad, is ready. (Yahoo! News)

Parenting and stress: Developing your own coping strategies

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tress is an inevitable aspect of parenting. It can begin in pregnancy, or even earlier for people with reproductive issues. By the time a child is born, no parent is immune from the stresses of their position.

How to handle feeding, choosing a sleep training method, or even deciding where the child is going to sleep (bed share or crib) are all examples of stressors facing new parents.

As the child grows, discipline becomes another source of stress. In addition, there is the misconception that parenting stress ends when the child reaches a certain age. This, and other incorrect assumptions, often contribute to parenting being harder than it has to be. Often this leads to adrenal fatigue and a collection of physical symptoms.

These are the facts. First, the stress you feel as a parent will continue throughout course of your life and the life of your children. The sources of that stress, and

how best to deal with it, is what changes as you and your children grow. Second, stress-free parenting is as much of a myth as Bigfoot.

Stress is an inherent aspect of parenting; you will not eliminate it, but you can try to prevent some of it and effectively manage the rest.

The following techniques can be used by any parent to reduce stress and increase their enjoyment of the wonderful gift that they have been given.

Step one: Establish support systems

Establishing a support system early will lay a foundation for parents in the years to come. This is an essential step that applies to every parent or parent-to-be, regardless of marital status, employment status, or socioeconomic status. Everyone needs help at some point and, like a well-stocked emergency kit, it pays to have a system in place before you need it. There are two ways to go about building support systems, and parents should pursue both.

First, accept the help that is offered. Parents receive the greatest amount of offers to help during pregnancy and immediately following birth. Now is not the time to be shy about accepting those offers. In fact, one common mistake new parents make is assuming they will be able to go it alone.

Make sure to acknowledge everyone who volunteers, and keep a record of what they are willing and able to do for you.

Use this as a stress-busting toolbox. Be sure to let people know you intend to take them up on their generous offer, and follow through.

People will not make these offers if they aren’t willing to help; it is not bad form to hold them to their promise.

You may not need someone to bring dinner over or walk the dog right now, but these simple favours can be life-savers later on. As a new parent, just getting an extra 15 minutes to jump in the shower, have a cup of tea, or simply spend some time alone, can do wonders for relieving stress. (adrenalfatiguesolution. com)

TO BE CONTINUED

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Tax reductions, wage increases should underpin Budget 2016 – Jagdeo

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has indicated that Budget 2016 should include key measures to resolve a host of major issues currently affecting the economy, particularly satisfactory measures to boost consumer spending powers in order to stimulate the underperforming economy.

The highly anticipated National Budget will be presented on Friday by Finance Minister Winston Jordan to a magnitude of fervent listeners who are eager to hear the variety of measures Government will introduce as its financial plan for 2016.

Though the parliamentary Opposition was not afforded the opportunity to participate in consultations ahead of the Budget 2016 presentation, the Opposition Leader has a long list of high expectations.

He explained that the lowering of taxes, coupled with higher wages, would lead to consumers having more disposal income which could then be pumped into the economy.

Foremost, Jagdeo posited that Budget 2016 must feature major tax reductions, given that this is an outstanding campaign promise the Government is yet to ful-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP/C Member of Parliament Juan Edghill at the press conference on Wednesday

fil and also because a significant drop in taxes can jumpstart to ailing economy.

Specifically, he suggested that the Value Added Tax (VAT) be reduced to as low as 12 per cent.

Jagdeo also acknowledged Government’s plan to lower the excise tax on the importation of new vehicles, but noted that this move will not be beneficial to the majority of Guyanese.

The Opposition Leader further explained that many Guyanese cannot afford the acquisition cost (tax aside) of a new vehicle and con-

Ammunition, ganja found in abandoned house

M

embers of the Police Narcotics Branch, acting on information received, went to an abandoned house at Waterloo Street, Georgetown on Wednesday morning where they found several rounds of ammunition and a quantity of mari-

juana.

According to information received, at about 11:00h, the ranks searched the abandoned house where they found 11 rounds of .9mm ammunition and 78 grams of cannabis sativa. No one was arrested and investigations are ongoing.

Guyoil, GPL hog...

from page 2

“I think stability is more important than short-term gains and losses… In other words, rather than us reacting every time there is a drop or rise in fuel prices, I think from a long-term outlook, stability is preferable,” Minister Gaskin stated.

Calls for reduction

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and former Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali had both called on Government to lower the fuel and electricity prices.

The Commission also noted that the reductions would provide the much-needed stimulus for the recovery of the sluggish economy, which was still reeling from the effects of the elections-induced slowdown.

The PSC explained that if

urgent action was not taken, imports would eventually be drastically cheaper on the local markets and certain local production would diminish while exports would be more expensive. “… the competitiveness of local manufacturers, farmers and service providers will be lost if urgent action is not taken,” the PSC warned.

It compared the prices at the pump stations in Guyana against those in other countries, concluding that Guyanese were paying almost US$4.50 per gallon of gasoline – almost twice the cost of gas in some developed countries.

Ali had recommended, at minimum, a reduction of 40 per cent in the price of fuel at the pumps and at least a 30 per cent reduction in the electricity tariffs.

sequently expressed hopes that measures be introduced for the lowering of taxes on reconditioned vehicles as well.

Secondly, Jagdeo emphasised that there needs to be substantial salary increas-

es for Public Sector workers and pensioners.

Given that Government is steadfast in its decision to get rid of the pensioners’ water and electricity subsidies in last year’s Budget, Jagdeo posited that the pen-

sion should be increased by at least 35 per cent to cushion the fall of the subsidy removal.

Additionally, Jagdeo charged that there must be the reinstatement of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, noting that this initiative brought significant relief to parents across the country.

Moreover, the Opposition Leader said he expects to see significant support being offered to the productive sectors, including mining and agriculture.

In November 2015, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had requested a number of documents before engaging in talks with Government regarding the upcoming budget.

Jagdeo disclosed that the Finance Ministry never responded to the correspondence. According to him, it would not have made

“sense” to participate in consultations without the requested documents since the relevant data would not be available.

The documents requested were the Commission of Inquiry report into the Guyana Sugar Corporation, the latest Bank of Guyana report, IMF Article Four Consultation Report, Income and Expenditure Statement for a stipulated period, Government’s forecast for the rest of the year, among others.

Moreover, the Opposition Leader explained that the PPP/C wanted to know Government’s “sector strategies” for rice, sugar, ITC, mining, tourism, health, education, housing, crime and forestry, in order to grasp an idea of the Administration’s outlook for the future.

“We wanted to get their take on how they are approaching these issues,” Jagdeo said.

8 news

thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Bank of Baroda robbery

3 charged, remanded to prison T

hree men were on Wednesday brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged for the brazen daytime robbery committed on Bank of Baroda’s Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) branch.

Thirty-four-year-old taxi driver Sean Anthony Aaron, called “Ninja” and “Ratty” of Lot 317 North East La Penitence, Georgetown; Kennard Jabar, 28, of Lot 88 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, and 39-year-old Eon Campbell were not required to plea to the indictable charge which stated that on January 22, at Mon Repos, ECD, while being together with others and armed with a gun, they robbed Raywattie Lall and Latchmie Mohabir of $2,075,900. They were also slapped with an additional charge which stated that on the same day, they robbed Shirley Lucas of a .32 Taurus Pistol valued $160,000, property of Roshan Khan Security Services.

Aaron and Jabar were unrepresented; however, Campbell’s Attorney made an application for reasonable bail, telling the court that his client was implicated by the other suspects simply because he removed the tint from the getaway car, which the Attorney stated his client does for a living.

A Sean Anthony Aaron

Eon Campbell

Kennard Jabar

He stated that his client has three children and has been a graphic artist for the past 15 years. It was further related that Campbell sells car accessories, makes licence plates and tints car windows.

The Attorney argued that the only involvement his client has is in the removal of the tint which does not necessarily mean he was involved in planning and perpetrating the robbery. However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence and the penalty attracted. He also highlighted the fact that Jabar gave the Police different addresses from that which was given to the Court.

He stated that they have

credible evidence and that the three accused admitted to being part of the robbery. As such, the Magistrate refused bail citing the Prosecutor’s reasoning as well as the fact that a dangerous weapon was stolen during the robbery.

The three were remanded to prison and the case will be called again at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court for February 9.

It was reported that four masked gunmen stormed the Bank of Baroda branch at Mon Repos and carted off an undisclosed sum of cash. According to information received, four bandits invaded the Bank which is located on the ground floor of the Mon Repos Mall at about 12:50h, and relieved the

female security guard of her .32 service revolver.

The men then held two female tellers at gunpoint and relieved them of the money. Customers were not conducting business at the time of the robbery. After committing the robbery, the four exited the building and escaped in a waiting silver-grey Toyota Primo bearing licence plate PNN 8984.

The Police disclosed that the plates were false. Upon receiving the report, the Police swiftly erected road blocks at strategic locations but the car was not seen. The surveillance footage has since been handed over to the Police as they continue to investigate the robbery.

Maid jailed for 18 months after stealing from employer

A

36-year-old housekeeper was on Wednesday jailed for 18 months after she pleaded guilty to stealing from her employer.

Shaundel Williams of Lot 59 Russel Street, Charlestown, accepted the larceny charge which stated that on December 27, 2015 at 168 Durban Backlands, Greater Georgetown, she stole three diamond earrings valued $361,000 and $60,000 cash from her employer Gem Nacimento.

Eyew tness Raw deal...

The charge was read by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The court heard that Williams was employed by Nacimento for over four years and when arrested, she refused to say why she committed the offence. According to information received, the defendant made a report to the Police that her employer’s home had been broken into and that the articles were missing. An investiga-

Shaundel Williams

tion was launched and when Police attempted to question the maid, she acted nervous and refused to cooperate.

This led Police to conducting a search of the woman’s home where they discovered the earrings and a quantity of other jewelry in a purse.

She was arrested and admitted to stealing the items.

The Magistrate sentenced her to 18 months, telling her that she was placed in a position of trust and should not have committed the brazen act.

...for Chanders

in't it a shame...the way Chanderpaul had to take his leave from West Indian Cricket. There are few things that illustrate the depths into which our cricket has sunken than having one of the greatest cricketers slink off the scene as if he'd just embarrassed us rather than showing us what true grit is all about.

And it all has to be laid at the feet of the WICB – which continues to be hell-bent on doing everything in its powers to make us the doormat of the cricketing world. From Brian Lara to the cow lasher from Bridgetown, the view is unanimous that the WICB should've organised a final tour for Chanderpaul so that his fans in the Region could've said their goodbyes properly.

It's our West Indian way. Regarded as the cognoscenti of cricket and there isn't a fan who doesn't appreciate the contributions of this little man with the "heart of a tiger". He gritted it out to be with Lara as the Prince of Port of Spain went beyond the boundary to eclipse Garfield Sobers' "most runs scored in a Test innings".

He was there as West Indies chased the then highest score set to win a Test match – against Australia, no less.

And for one often dubbed a "grafter", he scored the fastest Test century at Bourda. He ended with the second highest number of runs in West Indian Test history – just behind the great Brian Charles...who rooted for him to go on and break that record.

The WICB, however, chose to let him go without even the courtesy of a personal meeting. And then turned the tables by saying Chanders should've known it was time to go...that he needed to make way for new blood. But now that it's all water under the bridge – who's been proven right? Chanderpaul who thought he had a couple of years still left to fight the good fight on the field, or the WICB who thought otherwise?

We thought so. At his absolute worst, Chanderpaul could've added some stability to our brittle middle order.

Comparisons are odious...but just think of what we just saw in Australia.

So, now that Chanderpaul has hung up his box on his own volition – this Eyewitness, at least, would like to say: "The test of man is the fight that he makes.

The grit that he daily shows.

The way that he stands upon his feet.

And takes life’s numerous bumps and blows."

And that was the measure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the humble cricketer from Unity.

...for Ramjattan?

You, Dear Readers, would know our Minister of National Security isn't exactly on top of your Eyewitness' hit parade.

Mr Ramjattan has made too many bone-headed decisions to be otherwise placed, but that doesn't mean he should be stripped of his rights – the way his friend Nagamootoo has been stripped of any line responsibility. Our Constitution protects even the certified moron.

Your Eyewitness is referring to the shocking revelation by ex-GRA Commissioner General Sattaur (he's been fired, no?) that someone – who's unnamed at this time – recently copied Ramjattan's tax files and carted them out of the GRA. Now, even though we know Sattaur might've been sucking up to keep his job under the new Administration – and this individual had to've been some 600lb gorilla insider – he should've spoken out immediately.

But what does that say about Ramjattan, who says he's "shocked"? Even if he's being audited for payments from Fedders Lloyd, there are still his violated constitutional rights.

After all, it's not like he's PPP anymore, say what!

...for Sattaur

Your Eyewitness just saw a centre page ad commemorating the 14th Anniversary of the GRA formation. All sorts of accolades on how well the taxman's been doing for President and country. The first Commissioner General is named – but not the second and longest serving – Sattaur.

Now that's downright cold, man! How easily is history airbrushed!

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

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thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Dismembered body found at Mahaicony

– relatives believe ‘foul play’, not ‘hit and run’

T

he dismembered body of a father of four was on Wednesday morning discovered at Drill Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), suspected to have been the victim of a hit and run accident. The dead man has been identified as Curt Anthony Burke, 40, of Drill, Mahaicony, ECD. According to information received, one of the man’s feet and hands were found in close proximity to the body, which was partially hidden in a clump of bushes along the new road at Drill Village.

The other foot was still missing up to late Wednesday evening. His face had several cuts and the bicycle he was riding when he was last seen was found close by with a damaged front wheel. A plastic bag with fish was also found close to the body.

Based on information received, the man was last seen at about 17:30h on Tuesday when he left home to visit his sister who resides some distance away.

Cecil Burke, the now dead man’s uncle, told Guyana Times that when he woke up on Wednesday morning, he did not see his nephew but thought nothing of it.

He said that a short

Dead: Curt Antony Burke

while later, three Police ranks including a Sergeant and a traffic officer went to the house to enquire about the deceased but he told them that he did not see him for the morning and as such, assumed that he was still at his sister’s house.

The Police ranks, he said, told him that they received a report that his nephew was struck down while riding along the public road.

They also claimed that they searched the area but did not see anyone. The man noted that the Police left but soon after his phone rang and it was his sister from the United States who informed him that his nephew “foot and hand cut off”.

Cecil Burke said that in a panicked state, he made his way to the area where the Police claimed the man was struck down. On his way, he

Causing death accused freed

R

evon Austin of Lot 466 Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, walked out of the Linden Magistrate’s Court a free man on Wednesday, after presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse found him not guilty of causing the death of popular Linden minibus operator Neburne “Challo” Charles.

Austin had been charged for causing the death of Charles by dangerous driving on Tuesday October 1, 2013, on the One Mile public road, Wismar, Linden.

During the course of the trial, the prosecution had argued that the defendant drove his motorcycle in a reckless manner which was deemed dangerous to the public, thereby causing the accident and subsequent death of Charles.

However, when the case was called on Wednesday, Magistrate Nurse, having perused the evidence, stated that two key witnesses in the matter had failed to testify against the defendant.

The other witness, he noted, was present some distance away from the scene of the accident and would have testified that she had seen the deceased on the day in question, as he had passed her at the Four Corner area located along the One Mile public road. The Magistrate further stated that the wit-

ness said she then saw the motorcycle as it passed her, riding at a fast rate, about three minutes after she saw the deceased, which was approximately 22:00h.

The witness, according to Magistrate Nurse, said however that she did not see who was riding the motorcycle. Magistrate Nurse further said Police investigators failed to determine if the defendant manoeuvred or sped in any way considered dangerous to the public. He went on to state that based on the evidence provided, the court was unable to determine whether the defendant rode the motorcycle at a rate which was lawfully inconsistent and failed to establish the rate of speed the defendant had riding at the time of the accident.

There was no evidence to support his manner of riding or speed in the report booklet, coupled with the fact that the witness who had allegedly heard the impact caused by the accident did not testify, as outlined by Magistrate Nurse.

As such, he indicated that the prosecution failed to establish that the defendant rode dangerously. The case against the defendant was therefore dismissed after the Magistrate found him not guilty of the charge.

saw a crowd and knew something was wrong. As he got closer, the Police were conducting their investigations.

He later learnt that one of his nephew’s feet and hand were severed from his body.

He noted that the Police did not allow the family members to see the body but it was until the ambulance came that they had the opportunity to see the man’s body while it was being removed.

He noted that while gathering information, he was told that a “blue tundra” was seen in the area with the driver claiming that he had struck down a cow. “We pass the information on to the Police so we hoping that the driver of the vehicle is arrested”.

An aunt, Carmen Burke, in tears told Guyana Times that the last time she saw her nephew was on Tuesday afternoon when he left to get some fish for her. She noted

The area where the man’s body was discovered

that she is in the process of building a shop and he was helping out with the construction.

One of her sons, she added, is returning from abroad and wanted some fish to take overseas, hence, the now dead man had promised to get it for her.

“Every night he son would stay with me and in

the mornings he would bring the child school clothes… this morning (Wednesday), he son wake up and done bathe and eat but he didn’t reach with the clothes so I say he running lil late. Time went by but no sign of the man but I didn’t take it for anything,” the woman cried.

As they kept looking out for her nephew, she noticed

that the Police had come to the house and were enquired about him, but soon after left. She too noted that she received a telephone call from a relative who informed her of the tragedy.

“Ow! This ain’t look like an accident… they chopped my nephew and then let it look like an accident… Meh nephew hand and foot cut off and he face got chops”, she cried. The aggrieved aunt explained that she did not have the courage to look at her nephew’s body.

The Police in a release stated that they are investigating the circumstance surrounding the death of Burke who sustained injuries consistent with that of a hit and run accident.

Burke leaves to mourn his four children, siblings and other relatives. His body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thurSday, january 28, 2016

News

Jordan tells GRA staff to “shape up or ship out” under new dispensation

By Edward Layne

A

s allegations of corruption are traded between former Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur and GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas, employees of the revenue body were told that if they could not operate under the new dispensation, they should resign or be forced out of the entity.

“I have no bones in saying those who cannot stay on this ship either go voluntarily or will be pushed off of it,” Finance Minister Winston Jordan told employees, who were gathered at the GRA’s Camp Street, Georgetown head office for a ceremony to mark the entity’s 16th anniversary and the handing over of equipment by the local United States Embassy.

Jordan lamented that the GRA had, in the past, been plagued with “corruption and mismanagement”.

“GRA’s image has been tarnished in the past, levelled allegations of corruption, mismanagement and so on and so forth. I want to say today we need to put that in the past. The future

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

is bright: we need to move forward with confidence, hope, aspiration, dedication, determination; there is a big job to do. I have always been forthcoming with you. I provide the resources and I expect you to provide me with the results,” Jordan stated.

The Minister said that the GRA must be an organisation that functioned effectively, by enforcing the tax laws of the country fairly but firmly.

Jordan’s comments came mere days after the GRA Board without any formal probe, internal or external,

used what it said was “information which has emerged” to fire Sattaur, who reportedly refused to be involved in the mass removal of tax information for a number of top officials in the current Administration.

The Minister’s statement also comes at a time when the former Commissioner General has made sweeping allegations against the new Government, accusing it of corruption, nepotism and unprofessional undertakings.

Last Friday, Sattaur, following his dismissal, exposed a tax scandal at the Revenue Authority as he revealed several unscrupulous, illegal undertakings and malpractice taking place at the country’s premier tax and revenue collection agency.

He made damning accusations about illegal and suspicious removal of tax information and files which were photocopied.

Those files, he said, related directly to records pertaining to Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan. He said a “known” individual had photocopied and removed

GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas

the documents and he was forced to turn a “blind eye”.

Sattaur also claimed that he was forced to settle tax cases for meagre sums, costing the country’s coffers billions of dollars in lost revenue.

He added that he was asked to promote unqualified staff, who were acting for a considerable period, before they were found to be suitably qualified and even those who had “questionable records” of service.

The former Commissioner General went on to disclose that staff members who were previously dismissed for corrupt practices have since been rehired and placed in senior positions.

On the other hand, GRA Chairman Lucas sought to justify the Board’s decision to terminate the services of Sattaur, claiming that he committed several infractions.

These include breaching his Oath of Office, being in possession of a safe used for storing confidential taxpayers’ documents and backdat-

Former GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

ing benefits for himself.

However, the former Commissioner General, in a statement, denied the accusations, calling them “highly offensive”. He further gave explanations of the circumstances of each allegation.

Indian national bemoans Police sloth on robbery complaint

The Georgetown Seawall

A

n Indian business tourist claimed that he was robbed of his valuables, which included a bag containing money and his passport and decried the local Police’s slothfulness in investigating the incident.

Dr Dipak Kumar Sharma, a surgeon, related to this publication that on Sunday evening he was visiting the Georgetown seawall area with a friend and some time before 20:00h, the left back window of his friend’s motor car was smashed and his belongings were stolen.

“There’s a man who gives cover-up to the thief: he’s the guy who sells the CD there – he doesn’t sell a single CD in the whole evening, but he

[had his] music at extra loud volume…the cart came and stop right near the car,” Dr Sharma alleged.

While Dr Sharma believed that the push cart vendor did not directly commit the offence, he suggested that he was part of the entire scheme. It was claimed that the offence was committed by a known gang who would target tourists.

Dr Sharma claimed that another vehicle on the same night also had a smashed window.

The Indian national was scheduled to leave Guyana on Monday, but remained in the hope that Police would investigate the crime.

“I went to the [Brickdam] Police Station, did every-

thing and all they did was take the report.”

His matter was also reported to the Indian Consulate and local immigration authorities.

Attempts to contact senior Police ranks on this matter proved futile.

The Indian national explained that his entire outlook on the country has turned negative, noting that of all the countries he has visited, this was his first time being robbed.

“They are spoiling the name of the country; they are spoiling the business,” Dr Sharma stated.

The surgeon has called for a special Police department to provide protection to foreigners.

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thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

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thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Father of 11 hangs self Suspect released on station bail Corentyne baby molestation incident

– wife says substance abuse, court case contributed to his demise

By Kristen Macklingam

W

ords could not describe the atmosphere at the residence of boat Captain Gavin Singh who hailed from Lot 17 Dundee Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where relatives and friends turned up on Wednesday afternoon to mourn his death.

Guyana Times was told that the 42-year-old father of 11 hung himself in his bedroom on Tuesday evening following an altercation with his wife. The incident is said to have occurred around 20:30h.

Reports are that his wife, Sharmilla Singh, was in their yard with the children for some time before she ventured upstairs to check on her husband but received the shock of her life when she saw him hanging from a rope.

“I couldn’t believe it, I screamed for my son to come and together we got him down from the rope. I kept shaking Gavin, asking him what was wrong, but of course he didn’t answer.

I kept holding on to him, shaking him, and didn’t even let go when we got to the hospital or Police,” she told this publication.

Despite her husband being abusive towards her for a number of years, the woman stated that without his presence in her life and the lives of her children, she is unsure as to their future.

They have been togeth-

Gavin Singh, his wife and one of their daughters in happier times

er for 23 years, with their youngest child being six months old. The widow explained that often Gavin would use illegal drugs and display outbursts of anger which would most likely result in him hitting her.

As a result of being high “on the drugs he smoked up,” he would threaten to take his own life as well as kill her, she said.

“He used to tell me that he would kill me first so that no other man can get me and then he will kill himself… he used to smoke up the drugs many, many days but I didn’t expect that he would actually kill himself… he

had a lot on his mind but lately it was this court case where they wanted to jail him,” she explained.

Singh further explained that her husband was a boat captain and a crew member died while out at sea. Police ranks were said to have detained him for questioning and subsequently he was placed behind bars for a short while.

“They wanted him to go jail for couple months but he beg and so not to go jail.

I know he take this thing on and he was going court and thing. But I think this is what really trigger him to kill himself,” she added.

– victim’s family furious

T

he suspect in the 17-month-old baby sexual assault investigation in Corentyne, Berbice has been released from Police custody.

The suspect was arrested on Sunday last after the mother of the baby girl reported that the child was sexually assaulted. The report was made after doctors at the New Amsterdam Hospital confirmed that the child’s hymen was ruptured.

Moments later, Police arrested a neighbour.

According to a source close to the investigation, the suspect was released on station bail on Tuesday after the 72-hour detention period had elapsed. The source noted that the file pertaining to the matter has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

However, the release of the suspect has caused tempers to rise in the village as family and friends of the infant’s mother are up in arms over the incident.

One family member expressed disgust at the decision of the Police to release the man, being fully aware that he lives next door to the child and her mother.

Meanwhile, the issue of the accused being released on station bail while awaiting advice from the DPP was addressed by Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) Director Ann Greene.

Speaking at a forum in Berbice during September 2015, in observance of Child Protection Week, Greene said the Police have been instructed to proceed with charges against persons accused of sexual offences against children and not to wait until investigations are completed and the DPP gives the go ahead.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence also at the same forum went a step further saying “No more will the Police have to wait on the DPP before implementing charges against paedophiles; our children

must be allowed to grow up in a safe environment.”

During the September forum, it was also highlighted that two months prior, a Pandit of Number 60 Village was caught having sex with a helpless 22-year-old girl who was taken to the religious leader’s house for help.

The Pandit was placed on $100,000 station bail as the Police waited on the DPP to return the file.

The Pandit left the jurisdiction before he could be charged.

On Monday, Police at Whim confirmed that they were probing an allegation of sexual molestation of a 17-month-old toddler by a neighbour after a doctor at the New Amsterdam Hospital found that the child’s hymen was ruptured.

The child’s 18-yearold mother of Corentyne, Berbice told Guyana Times that the incident took place on Sunday, while the child was at the neighbour’s house.

3 hospitalised following Buck Hall boat collision

T

hree persons are now patients at the Suddie Public Hospital following a twoboat collision in the vicinity of Buck Hall, Region Two on Tuesday evening. One of the men, only known as “Tyrone”, sustained a broken arm while the two others received severe injuries about their bodies.

According to information received, one of the boats belongs to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) while the other is owned and operated by “Ducky”. Guyana

Times understands that the GEA boat was powered by a 200hp outboard engine and the other by a 75hp.

At the time of the accident, the area was reportedly dark and based on reports gathered, both captains may have been inexperienced and more so, unlicensed. The passenger boat was damaged beyond repair, while the other received minor damages.

A boat operator who spoke with Guyana Times said that there are a lot of unlicensed captains who op-

erate the Supenaam to Buck Hall route and despite them raising the issue with the Maritime Administration, the situation remains the same.

He noted that if this matter is not addressed, there will be other boat mishaps which might even result in the loss of lives.

As such, he is calling on the authorities to look into the matter.

The Police, this publication understands, have launched an investigation into the boat collision.

Motorcyclist air-dashed to city following accident

A

motorcyclist was on Wednesday air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical condition following an accident at Third Avenuem Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

While the correct name of the injured man was not available, Guyana Times

understands that he is popularly known as “Bryan”, and is from Bartica.

According to information received, the injured man was riding his motorcycle when he allegedly crashed into the rear of a motorcar driven by Ron Jacobs. As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist fell onto the

roadway.

He was picked up and taken to the Bartica Public Hospital where he was treated but due to the severity of his injuries, he was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The driver of the motorcar has been detained by the Police as they continue their investigations.

4 Lindeners remanded on burglary charge

F

our Lindeners jointly charged in connection with a burglary offence committed against an Amelia’s Ward, Linden resident were remanded to prison

by Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday. The four – Julius Branker, Harold Rogers and Phelon Cumberbatch, all of Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, along Martin Fraser of Lot 6 Constabulary Compound, Mackenzie – made an appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court where the

charge was read to them.

It is alleged that between January 20 and 21, they broke and entered the storeroom of the Virtual Complainant (VC) Martin Wooldijk at South Amelia’s Ward and stole a chainsaw valued $200,000, a gas bottle valued $30,000 and a gauge valued $20,000.

The stolen items which amount to a cost of $250,000 are all property of the said VC. The men were represented

by Attorney Gordon Gilhuys

who told the court that the four accused, who are no strangers to the courtroom, were picked up from their homes by Police, whom he said were not in receipt of any evidence against them.

He argued that he also had statements to justify his claim, adding that the accused are presently on bail in relation to another offence.

However, Magistrate Nurse ordered that all four accused be remanded to prison. The case will continue on March 1.

news

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thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Lusignan remembers slain victims of the 2008 massacre – 8 years after 11 lives were snuffed out

E

ight years after the serene community of Lusignan, on the East Coast of Demerara, was thrown into a state of shock following the tragic circumstance, which saw the lives of 11 persons being snatched away; the community has ensured that the victims’ legacies live on, not only in their community but in Guyana.

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) on Tuesday hosted its annual memorial interfaith ceremony in remembrance of the 11 persons who were killed on January 26, 2008.

The event saw a number of officials from both the past and current Administrations, and residents of Lusignan gathering in unity to share their grief.

The atmosphere was filled with sorrow as each speaker made their remark to the gathering on the issue and many family members were unable to hold back their tears during the reflection period of the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill, stressed the importance of working as a community to pursue “love, unity and togetherness.”

He urged the residents and families to not allow hate to build up, but rather focus on moving forward with the pleasant thoughts and memories of their departed loved ones.

Edghill further encouraged the gathering to analyse the situation, learn lessons from it and work with the country to avoid this episode from ever reoccurring.

To these pleas from Edghill, the gathering could be heard giving their endorsement, with one resident stating that “this is the guy who stood by us during that time, he is giving good advice.”

On the more political aspect of the ceremony, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall appealed to the Government, particularly the Social Cohesion Ministry, to ensure that the aftermath of the incident is addressed so that there will be some level on peace returning to the community.

“This community has remained as volatile as it was before. Much needs to be done as a people and as a country to reduce the chances of this tragedy reoccurring,” he stated.

Also addressing the gathering was Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, who in her address advised the residents on measures that can be taken to assist with the healing process. She also vowed to create avenues to address such issues, and other relating problems within the social sector of Guyana.

Ally assured that the Government will work with the community in implementing activities that will assist the community in moving forward.

Coomacka resident jailed for assaulting reputed wife – woman lost 3 teeth as a result of the assault

M

agistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday sentenced a Coomacka Mines resident to six months behind bars for assaulting his reputed wife, stating that he wanted to send the right message to society that “domestic violence will not be tolerated”.

The defendant in the matter, 38-year-old James Torres was charged for unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm upon his reputed wife Eluena Paul on December 19, 2015, at Coomacka Mines, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The court heard that on the day in question, the two had a misunderstanding, which eventually led to an argument. The defendant then became annoyed and landed two cuffs to the face of his reputed wife with whom he has four children, causing her to lose three teeth, in addition to facial lacerations.

She later filed a report at the Mackenzie Police Station, which led to the defendant subsequently be-

ing questioned and charged with the offence. Magistrate Nurse, in handing down the sentence commenced with an 18 months jail sentence.

He said many people these days are not exercising the right judgment, hence an increase in domestic violence and murder and that he wants to ensure and be very careful that the right message is sent to society. He then asked the defendant to give a reason why he should not send him to the Camp Street Prison for 18 months.

In response, the defendant said he had talked things over with his reputed wife, however, Magistrate Nurse said he was dissatisfied with such a reason. The defendant then begged the court for leniency and the sentence was then reduced to 10 months.

The presiding Magistrate then asked him why the sentence should be further reduced. When the defendant stated that he would not assault his wife again, only then was the sentence reduced to six months.

A memorial arch erected in memory of the victims of the 2008 Lusignan massacre

At the ceremony, Guyana Times spoke with some family members of the victims, who were visibly still in bereavement.

One of the victim’s mothers could not help but weep as her son’s name was mentioned. Since she was unable

to talk, one of her friends explained that the woman has not yet gotten over the shock and only this morning her son had ‘appeared’ to her in a dream.

January 26, 2008

In the wee hours of that

ill-fated morning, gunmen – all armed with rifles and shotguns – entered the homes of five families at about 01:30h.

In an ordeal that lasted for about 15 minutes, the gunmen massacred entire families, from the smallest to the eldest occupant of the house.

Many residents were awakened by the terrifying screams of the helpless victims and the subsequent sound of gunshots, and then deafening silence, until another household was attacked.

Even though the massacre is not remembered by the every Guyanese, it will definitely continue to be etched in the minds of those who are survivors, who lost loved ones and whose community was shattered as a result of the massacre.

Those who were murdered were Clarence Thomas, 48, his two children Vanessa Thomas, 12, and Ron Thomas, 11; Mohandan Goordat, 32, and her two sons, Seegopaul Harilall, 10, and Seegobin Harilall, 4; Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 52; Seecharran Rooplall, 56; Raywattie Ramsingh, 11; Shazam Mohammed, 22; and Shaleem Baksh, 52.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, January 28, 2016

News

Tourism's contribution to Guyana to be monitored – “Tourism Satellite Account” being implemented

T

he Tourism Ministry is moving to implement a system known to reap tremendous economic successes in many developing countries, which it said could also be used to jumpstart Guyana’s fragile economy.

The initiative, called the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), is being looked at by the Ministry and it is hoped that with all hands on board, a new perspective could be drawn on Guyana as a pristine tourism destination.

The Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), on Wednesday hosted a tourism awareness workshop on the prospects of the TSA here in Guyana.

The Tourism Satellite Account, advanced by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, measures the economic contribution of tourism. A few countries in the Caribbean including The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica and St Lucia have already begun the process of implementing TSA, with The Dominican Republic having a fully fledged TSA. It allows for the harmonisation and reconciliation of tourism statistics from an economic (national accounts) perspective. This enables the generation of tourism economic data – such as Tourism Direct Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – that is comparable with other economic statistics. How the TSA does this relates to the SNA logic of contrasting data from the demand-side

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes addressing the stakeholders at the launch of the awareness workshop on the Tourism Satellite Accounting system

(the acquisition of goods and services by visitors while on a tourism trip) with data from the supply-side of the economy (the value of goods and services produced by industries in response to visitor expenditure).

A National Implementation Committee was formed in November last year to oversee the process of implementing TSA in Guyana. This Committee comprised of the Director General of the Ministry of Public Telecommunication and Tourism, Director and of the GTA, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Head of Surveys and staff of the Bureau of Statistics, Researchers from the University of Guyana, among others.

At the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes said it is a known fact that tourism remains a bolster to the economy of any country.

The national competitive strategy in Guyana in its report in 2013, stated that the estimated value of tourism and hospitality generated

by tourism in Guyana was US$215 million, representing some 8.3 per cent of the GDP. “If we could achieve 8.3 per cent of GDP and this was achieved really with only moderate governmental support over the last decade, can we imagine what the future could hold?

Imagine what our contribution to Guyana’s GDP as Guyana continues to attract more citizens of the world, especially our nationals living in the Diaspora,” Hughes told the auditorium of stakeholders According to her, every right thinking Guyanese is very well aware of the value of tourism to this country.

“It is a fast growing service industry that is raking in billions of dollars from the billions of tourists who travel the world over with billions to spend… To the casual observer, it may seem like Guyana is facing hard times, with the price of gold on the world market low, with the loss of a few rice markets, even when our rice yields are increasing, with the sug-

ar industry facing economic challenges, and the market of our bauxite almost all but disappeared”.

The Tourism Minister said the silver lining could be in the discovery of oil in the Stabroek Block, by the US-based oil and gas exploration company ExxonMobil last year. “But we have to understand that extraction and export will begin the soonest in the next five years. It is against this background that we recognise that tourism is among the few industries that is ready to deliver right now,” she affirmed.

“With the current system and the actual reflection of the dollar value of this investment; revenues generated from the sector, would be close to unassailable,” the Minister added.

According to Minister Hughes, Tourism Satellite Accounting can provide opportunities since being aware of the value of the contribution of tourism in Guyana is vital.

“After all, how else can I approach the Minister of Finance and ask for more investment in the sector when as you all know, we need investment, roads education and many other areas.

The workshop, she said, would be able to put the country on the road to full implementation of tourism potential.

“I urge all stakeholders to look at the bigger picture and I commit to ensuring that systems are crafted with your concerns in mind.

It has happened in other parts of the Caribbean and it can happen here,” Minister Hughes said.

Houston resident says Alberttown Police Station neglecting his assault report

Godfrey Bacchus displays his torn T-shirt and bruises in the photos above

A

2 8 - y e a r - o l d Houston, Greater Georgetown resident is seeking justice after Police at Alberttown Police Station failed to properly investigate his case.

Godfrey Bacchus claimed that after being assaulted by three bouncers at the Rio Night Club in Alberttown, the Police dismissed the report he made.

Bacchus alleged that around 01:30h on Monday,

15 more dialysis centres to be set up – Minister Norton I

n an effort to reduce the current situation of confusion and congestion at the Georgetown Dialysis Centre and reduce the crisis level of patients suffering from renal failure, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton stated that the Health Ministry would set up 15 more centres to offer dialysis.

These centres will be set up across the country.

There would be no preferential or extra treatment in relation to patients and their sickness at the centres. The financial cost of the treatment for these patients will be subsidised through the Ministry, once they are referred to the centre from the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

Additionally, Minister Norton explained, patients who suffer from renal failure are treated holistically since they may be suffering

from other ailments. Given the high number of cases, the demand for additional machines is on the increase and the Georgetown Public

Hospital is challenged with the responsibility of taking these patients out of the crisis stage. It was highlighted patients were not treated permanently at the Georgetown Public Hospital. They were granted referrals through the Ministry to smaller private centres for continuation of their treatment after being taken out of the crisis stage.

The Minister also emphasised the Government was completely responsible for the payment of this service for all patients. He, however, outlined that persons in outlying regions may in some instances have to stand the full cost of their treatment.

The Minister stressed that there were no crite-

ria for access to this service, but it was important that once patients completed their sessions at the Hospital, they asked for the referral to an approved medical facility that offered these services.

It was noted by the Minister that dialysis treatment was currently offered at Doobay Renal Centre located in Annandale, East Coast Demerara to patients who were out of the “crisis stage”.

Recently, during an interview with Guyana Times, dialysis patient Wendy Blenman shared her plight: although she had benefited from free dialysis treatment from the Government, she was now being forced to pay for the service.

he was dragged and beaten after the bouncers accused his female companion of not having paid the entrance fee.

He claimed that at 02:00h he proceeded to the Alberttown Police Station where Police reportedly said that a medical certificate would be needed before they could take the report. After he was examined at Woodlands Hospital, Bacchus went back to the Alberttown Station with the medical certificate.

He further stated that when Police finally went to the nightclub, he pointed out the bouncers, who confirmed that Bacchus was indeed thrown out.

After a brief conversation with the club’s manager, the Police Officers reportedly told the man, ‘These fella [the bouncers] can’t leave they job right now, because if the security leave the job, nobody will be there fuh look after the club.’

Bacchus related that the Police and he left for the station, with the intention to return when the club had closed to continue the investigation.

He was then told at daylight to “go home” with his torn t-shirt and bruises about his body.

This publication made several attempts to contact senior Police ranks for clarification on this matter on Tuesday and Wednesday, but to no avail.

thursday, January 28, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Wales Sugar Estate closure

Community members join hands in massive street protest – workers pray, hold vigil

O

ver 500 persons on Wednesday joined hands with sugar workers attached to the Wales Sugar Estate on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), in what they said was an ardent effort to let Government know that they would not give up without a fight.

Since Government’s announcement that it was moving to close operations at the Estate, a sombre atmosphere has enveloped the community and its environs, particularly because of the massive impact the closure would have on those whose livelihood depended on the Estate.

The Agriculture Ministry more than a week ago announced that a decision was made to close the gates of the Estate, noting that there was a “gloomy outlook” for sugar prices in the foreseeable future and the Estate has been projected to make a loss of $1.6 billion to $1.9 billion this year.

The relevant authorities are contending that this coupled with the extent of refurbishment needed renders the Estate prohibitively costly to maintain.

“It is impossible to make sugar production at Wales viable… The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will be exploring the feasibility of alternative ventures utilising the Wales lands. The important criteria for such projects would be wealth creation and employment generation,” the Ministry said.

But employees and their

families have been adamant that should Government give Wales another try and pump just a little amount of funds into operations, there could be a turnaround and hundreds of jobs could be saved. Government is yet to accede to these cries and in the interim, as promised the sugar workers said they would be doing everything possible to jolt Government’s conscience.

The protest, the first in which community members were involved, followed two major previous protests: the first outside the La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara Estate and the other in front of Parliament Building late last week.

The event commenced around 17:00h on Wednesday and the protesters circled the Patentia Scheme, before halting at the market square opposite the school, where they were addressed by leaders.

Chairman of the local committee set up to

man the protest actions, Gordon Thomas said that each community member has expressed dissatisfaction with the move made by Government.

“They are dissatisfied with what is going on with the closing of Wales Estate because they say that their lives will be affected also.

Because most people there depend on the Estate, because is either their husband, son or grandson or some close body is working there for them,” he said on Wednesday.

Thomas said persons were looking forward to more protest actions early as in the new week, a move they hope Government would buy into and reverse its decision to close the Estate.

“They are talking now about bringing out their children, because where will they find money to send their children to school when they have SBAs and all sort of things? They cannot afford for the Wales

Estate to close.”

Only last week a raucous crowd of sugar workers protested outside Parliament Building calling on Government to rescind its decision to close the operations of the Wales Sugar Estate.

The crowd using placards called on Government to reconsider its decision, which they say would have dire consequences on themselves, their families and the very community.

The contention is that Government has made an irrational decision in its move to close the Estate.

That protest had followed meetings with executives of GuySuCo the previous day, which, according to President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, did nothing to appease the growing uncertainties of sugar workers.

Chand told Guyana Times that the GuySuCo delegation appeared clueless about the fate of the more than 1600 workers.

He said the protests were just one method sugar workers would be using to seek Government’s assistance.

“They felt that they will work in the community and gather the residents to seek their support, because persons in the community, some of them are pensioners receiving pension from the Estate, the milkman, the tailor, the butcher all depend on the workers’ income,” he said.

Barbados Police given increased powers to protect domestic violence victims

P

olice in Barbados will be given powers, under amended domestic violence legislation, to enter premises without warrants and issue emergency protection orders to safeguard victims of domestic abuse. They will also be required to respond every single domestic violence complaint they receive.

But the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has sounded an alarm over some of the increased powers granted to lawmen intervening in domestic confrontations.

Under the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which was introduced in Parliament

by Minister of Social Care Steve Blackett on Tuesday, a junior Police Officer may: issue an emergency protec-

15

When lawmen respond to complaints, the information must be recorded in a Domestic Violence Register. The Act also mandates those officers to complete a report and provide a copy to the complainant

tion order if he or she has reason to believe that such an order is necessary to ensure the safety of a person at risk; issue emergency protection orders without the consent of the persons at risk; enter any premises without a warrant if

an officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that an emergency protection order, an interim protection order or a final protection order is being breached; and enter premises – on the invitation of a person resident there, or independent-

ly – if there is reasonable grounds to suspect that a person on the premises has suffered, or is in imminent danger of suffering, physical injury at the hands of some other person.

The legislation further empowers law enforcement officers, pursuant to an order of the Court, to seize any ammunition, firearms or other weapons in the possession or control of perpetrators of domestic violence, whether or not those weapons were used to commit acts of domestic violence.

The amendments come against the background of research showing that there were 62 deaths resulting from domestic violence between 2003 and 2015, with the highest incidence occurring in 2003, when 10 women died at the hands of men. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

“Hope and healing” for Essequibo – suicide prevention outreach starts today

By Shemuel Fanfair

T

he Caribbean Voice (TCV) will lend its support in fighting Guyana’s suicide epidemic by engaging residents in an outreach programme called “Hope & Healing for Essequibo”. The programme will start today and will last for one week.

Banmattie Ram, a trained counsellor, ordained minister and former Chief Schools Welfare Officer, is working with the Non-Governmental Organisation to save lives and reduce the scourge.

“People need to understand the culture of the people there. If you do not know [the] culture, you would not know to ask the right questions in order to help them,” Ram related, adding that there was a lot of hopelessness in the society. She called for jobs to be provided for young people.

She said the focus would be on schools and high-risk areas, especially on the Essequibo Coast, where volunteers would wear T-shirts bearing the Suicide Hotline Number.

The former Education Ministry official also explained that schools and religious organisations would be targeted, as part of an all-inclusive effort to curb the rising numbers.

“It’s a multi-sector approach to bring all hands to bear to work on this issue – social workers, counsellors, Government,” Ram posited.

She commended the work of TCV and emphasised that after the oneweek period was over, advocacy must not end.

“After the period has ended, they would like to see other volunteers remain to continue the work of helping those [in need],”

Ram remarked.

The organisation, which is New York-based, has the simple approach of focusing on everyday issues in order to build self-esteem.

TCV Vice President Bibi Ahamad explained that the different ways of life in the communities and thinking patterns were quite unique.

“You have to go [to] the family; you have to sit with them, talk with them and listen to their problem and then you will know how to assess the situation,” Ahamad said.

TCV was one of the early advocates for the Suicide Hotline by encouraging persons to utilise its services.

The organisation has already engaged in outreach programmes in Georgetown and Berbice and with rising suicide cases in Essequibo, it believes that now is the opportune moment to work with residents.

An inter-faith service will be held as part of the programme to reduce the growing number of suicides.

The activists called for Guyana to have more indepth research in order to garner statistical data which can then be used to properly assess the exact locations which need keen focus. This, they said, would be vital in reducing the rate of suicide in the country.

Earlier in 2016, it was reported that 511 Guyanese had taken their own lives over the past five years. Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud noted that 2015 accounted for the lowest number of cases at 89.

However, as January has progressed, the number of reported cases of suicide and unsuccessful attempts has continued to increase.

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thursday, january 28, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

Business inspired by fashion: The Damalle Jackman story

By Treiston Joseph

P

ulchritudinous, young and business savvy are three terms you hardly find in one sentence to describe one individual.

Yet, Damalle Jackman, the owner of the new fashion business Indulgence, which is located at 24 Pike Street, Kitty embodies all of those terms.

A trained immigration officer, Jackman also known as “Mallie” decided to venture into the world of business with her own clothing store specifically aimed at females of all sizes at the tender age of 23, instead of settling for a steady pay cheque.

Jackman shared with Guyana Times her impetus to venture out as a young entrepreneur.

“I chose to become an entrepreneur mainly because I believed in self-development, if you want better then you have to work towards your goals and dreams and I really just want to establish myself as a unique force.

“Fashion is one of my passions; that is why I chose

Damalle Jackman

the clothing business… there is always the need for clothes so while there a lot of stores in this field. I still believe that I can make an impact and be different in this type of market,” Jackman stated.

Coming from a background where the value of money and various life values were taught to both her and her brother from a very

young age. Jackman highlighted that it was definitely a good feeling to have her own business at this point in her life.

“I mean my mom has taught me well and this whole process has been a learning experience for me as an individual, I mean from coming up with a unique name for the business, getting a good location, colour coding, finding dedicated construction workers and overseeing your job getting completed to the standards you desire could be a bit frustrating but it taught me patience,” Jackman highlighted.

The St Stanislaus graduate also noted that the procedure with regard to registering the business was a bit “tumultuous”.

With all of those experiences after her belt, Jackman envisions expanding the store not just to numerous locations but also internally to various departments.

“For now I am focusing on the females, but I also want to include males and maybe a kids section to re-

ally boost sales.

“One of the things I have thought about is opening another location, but right now it is about establishing my brand,” Jackman noted.

She is confident that she can thrive in Guyana’s tough business market, “I view the market as very competitive especially in my field, but I’m positive and I believe I provide women with a sense of style that is not seen here and I think you always have to believe that you are different and try to help your customers see that they are getting not just something unique but something different as well,” Jackman posited.

The young entrepreneur, who also has aspirations of entering the Miss Guyana World Pageant, shared important factors for being successful.

“Some of the lessons I’ve learnt is to really be humble, persistent, treat customers the way I would like to be treated… to have and maintain a great relationship with customers.

“I’ve also grown in the aspect of my determination:

I’ve learnt to be strong and have grown to be knowledgeable enough to know that success is never an option, it’s a must,” the 23-year-old told Guyana Times.

Moreover, the former Immigration Officer, who is also learning to play the violin, believes that all young people should aspire to great things.

“Since establishing Indulgence I’m pretty much contented with the support and sales I’ve received. I see it developing as I continue

to provide unique and quality clothing.

“I also believe that as a young person, you just have to aspire to do great things and find your purpose, and I truly believe that this is the start of great things to come.”

Contact info: 226-7962; 672-9598 I 24 Pike Street, Kitty (Between Vlissingen Road and Alexander Street opposite the car wash) I http://www.indulgence. com I www.facebook.com/ Indulgence

Some of the pieces offered by Indulgence

Business News

Wafugee wins Scotiabank’s LivePitch Business Plan contest

W

afugee, the local tech start-up working to connect people, places, products and services (http://www. wafugee.com) and become the online marketplace and social media site for Guyanese, has wowed the Scotiabank LivePitch judges to win the first prize of $500,000 in a business

account and business coaching from ActionCoach.

After months of competition, Wafugee emerged victorious from the prospective and existing businesses that submitted their business plan utilising Scotia’s free software. The other finalists: Robby’s Weedcutting, Landscaping and Building Maintenance Services;

Extravagant Celebrations and The Solution Centre won four months business coaching from ActionCoach. Michael Williams, the technical mind behind the social and e-commerce site, and his business partner, Valmiki Bankay, intend to grow their start-up into a driver of productivity, business and social interactions.

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

Fixed as at January 27, 2016 Calculated at 94% purity

U.S.

$1116.50

$147.51

Gross

$215,590

$205.98

$208.44

Net

$200,499

$ 223.80

$226.67

GBP

$294.29

$298.00

CAN

$145.82

USD EURO

Indicators as on January 27, 2016 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$31.45

Price

USD

Rough Rice

$11.235/cwt

London Sugar

$414.55/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

+3.53 Change %

+2.04 -1.23 USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1124.70

$1125.70

Low/High

$1114.10

$1128.80

+5.00

+0.45%

Change

Business Concept – Financing

The act of providing money for a project. Example: The financing of the project was done by two international banks. (Business Dictionary)

Investors' guide Dow closes down triple digits; stocks spooked by Fed statement on economy

U

S stocks closed more than one per cent lower Wednesday, despite higher oil prices, as disappointing quarterly reports weighed and the Fed statement renewed concerns about global economic growth.

The major averages initially held near earlier levels – narrowly mixed – following the statement release, before falling past morning lows.

“I think it’s the acknowledgement that the global economic and financial economic developments are going to be monitored closely, because they could potentially put (the Fed’s) outlook at risk,” said Craig Bishop, Vice President and US Fixed Income Strategies Lead Strategist at RBC Wealth Management, US. The Dow Jones industrial average closed about 222 points lower after falling nearly 290 points in after-

noon trade. The Nasdaq composite closed more than two percent lower. The S&P 500 ended about 1.1 per cent lower as information technology weighed.

Apple had its worst day in almost two years, while Boeing had its worst day since 2001 after both firms reported earnings.

As widely expected, the Federal Reserve left rates unchanged in its post-meeting statement Wednesday.

The central bank said it is “closely monitoring global economic and financial developments and is assessing their implications for the labour market and inflation, and for the balance of risks to the outlook”.

US crude oil futures settled up 85 cents, or 2.70 per cent, at US$32.30 a barrel. Oil pared gains after an initial spike on the Energy Information Administration’s report of a

build of 8.4 million barrels, more than the prior week’s 4.0 million rise, but less than an earlier industry report indicated.

Treasury yields edged off earlier highs after the Fed statement release, with the two-year yield lower at 0.83 per cent and the 10-year yield flat at two per cent.

The US dollar held 0.4 per cent lower against major world currencies, with the euro near US$1.09 and the yen at 118.62 yen against the greenback. Earlier, the dollar hit a new three-week high versus the yen.

Gold futures hit their highest level since early November.

“I think the market talked itself into a dovish statement, but it didn’t slam the door shut on March so there’s a bit of something for everyone there,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities. (CNBC News)

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news

thursday, january 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Wales Sugar Estate closure

Govt denies negotiating Brassington ends 21year career with Govt sale of assets, lands ...no final plan on way forward as yet – Agriculture Minister

By Edward Layne

A

griculture Minister Noel Holder has confessed that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) did not have any concrete plans at this point regarding the future of workers attached to the Wales Sugar Estate, which is expected to be closed on December 31, 2016.

Minister Holder, in an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, clarified that it was the Wales Factory that would be closed, not the Estate as was being reported, adding that the closure of the factory would protect the integrity of the estates in West Demerara.

“To save the estates we have rationalised them and to save the whole industry in West Demerara, each factory is working at half capacity and Uitvlugt is a more modern factory and Wales is an old one,” Holder said.

The Guyana Times first reported on the plans to close the Wales Estate, and, according to Holder, at the time this publication reported on the matter, the Corporation was still not planning to inform workers about the imminent closure of the factory.

“What happened: Guyana Times – I don’t know how they got wind of discussions going on at management level and Board level at GuySuCo – they publish something last Sunday and immediately the thing went viral…so you can’t say it’s not true, because the discussions are going on, so the chances are this stuff would not have

come out until management has all the factories involved, they look at all the staff situation … so they can go and meet the people till around March, April, May, June …

This whole thing came out prematurely and that is the unfortunate part of it and people are asking questions of GuySuCo that they really haven’t got all the answers for,” Holder said, adding that GuySuCo’s “management is playing catch-up now”.

He noted that the finer details of the closure, in-

cluding how many workers would be displaced, and the planned diversification, etc, are still issues that had to be settled.

Holder explained that GuySuCo knew “rationally” it would be closing the Wales factory owing to its age and inefficiency, adding that farmers could expect a better price for their cane if they went to Uitvlugt.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on reports of the Corporation’s plans to sell off some of the lands at the Wales Estate to private investors, Holder did not confirm nor deny this, only say-

ing “I haven’t heard about that…the rumour start up and it start taking its own currency and it start moving...”.

He said the Sugar Corporation would be able to present a proper plan on the closure by April.

The Government had previously said that the decision to close Wales was taken during the preparation of the GuySuCo 2016 Budget even before the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the industry were submitted.

Holder had also said previously that the Wales Estate was projected to incur a loss of $1.6 billion this year.

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo told a news conference on Wednesday that there were a number of inconsistencies in the Government’s statements about when the decision was made to close Wales.

He pointed out that at a recent meeting with GuySuCo, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial

and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) were told that the decision to close Wales was taken before the CoI and was part of GuySuCo’s action plan, claims which he said were not consistent.

“Well, if this was true they had planned to close Wales – what the Minister said was true, that it was part of the action plan. There are two questions we must ask ourselves: Why were they tilling lands there to plant? And why did they rehabilitate the drainage system? Why did

they fix the kokers?” Jagdeo asked.

He noted that if this was true, then “there is a lot of incompetence” at GuySuCo. “Secondly, if they knew this was so that it was part of the action plan to close Wales and it was made before the CoI, two of the members of GuySuCo, the Chairman Clive Thomas and Errol Hanoman, the CEO of the company, they are members of the Commission of Inquiry, why did they not tell the CoI that we have taken a decision to close Wales?” he questioned.

Guyana still perceived as highly corrupt – Transparency International

O

ut of some 168 countries, Guyana has once again made a deep plunge into the waters of corruption with its number 119 ranking on the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) with a score of 29.

Guyana has maintained that score since the TI’s 2014 report. It is tied with Russia, Azerbaijan, and Sierra Leone.

The Corruption Perception Index is based on expert opinions on Public Sector corruption. Countries’ scores can be helped by open government where the public can hold leaders to account, while a poor score is a sign of prevalent bribery, lack of punishment for corruption, and public institutions that do not respond to citizens’ needs.

According to TI, corrup-

tion is still a major problem around the world, but more countries are improving than worsening and the United States and United Kingdom have reached their best rankings ever.

"The 2015 Corruption Perception Index clearly shows that corruption remains blight around the world," said Transparency head Jose Ugaz. "But 2015 was also a year when people again took to the streets to protest corruption – people across the globe sent a strong signal to those in power: it is time to tackle grand corruption."

Brazil, in the midst of a massive corruption scandal at the State-owned oil company Petrobras, posted the biggest decline, falling five points to a score of 38 and dropping seven positions to 76th place.

Transparency noted that in places like Guatemala,

Sri Lanka and Ghana, citizen activists have "worked hard to drive out the corrupt".

Overall, two-thirds of the 168 countries studied scored below 50 and the global average was 43.

Denmark remained at the top of the Index, a closely watched global barometer, for the second consecutive year as the country perceived as least corrupt. It scored 91 points out of a possible 100, while North Korea and Somalia remained at the bottom with unchanged scores of eight.

The US moved up one spot this year to 16th place with a score of 76, tying with Austria. The UK moved up three spots to place 10th, with a score of 81 that tied it with Germany and Luxembourg. The other top spots, from second to ninth, were occupied by Finland, Sweden, New Zealand,

Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore and Canada.

Despite so many countries in the top 10, Transparency said there was still a lot of room for improvement in Europe and Central Asia, which it grouped as one region, saying "in low-scorers Hungary, Poland and Turkey, politicians and their cronies are increasingly hijacking State institutions to shore up power".

"It's even grimmer further down the Index," the organisation continued. "In Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and others, Governments are restricting, if not totally stifling, civil society and free media."

Still, Transparency said, it was a good sign that 64 countries improved their score, while only 53 declined. The others were unchanged.

H

ead of the National Industrial and C o m m e r c i a l Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington will no longer head the controversial entity.

Guyana Times understands that Brassington, whose contract came to an end on January 23, did not ask for his contract to be renewed and Government did not move to offer him a new contract as Head of NICIL. Brassington has over 21 years of service in the financial, privatisation, management and economic project management areas. He served in the Privatisation Unit from 1994 and started heading the entity in 1996.

He became Head of NICIL in 2002.

He has served over five Presidents and has completed hundreds of transactions.

Notable achievements include the privatisation of the bauxite industry, the Berbice Bridge, and the Marriott Hotel. Brassington also chaired many Boards, including GPL’s and Atlantic Hotel Inc’s, and served as a director on many other State Boards.

Since the change in Government, the long-serving professional has come under attack by officials attached to the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change Administration as part of a wider campaign targeting individuals perceived to be close, related to or sympathetic to the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

Back in December 2015, Brassington was sent on leave by Government to facilitate a Police investigation into the operations of NICIL. State Minister Joseph Harmon had said that the decision to send the Executive Director and his deputy, Marcia NadirSharma on leave was made by Cabinet.

However, Guyana Times was reliably informed that Brassington was not ordered on leave, but rather was already scheduled to take his leave.

Sources indicate that Brassington had applied for his leave and this was approved by the Chairman and Board of Directors of NICIL. Brassington proceeded on one-month annual leave effective December 23.

Further, sources close to Brassington indicated that the Board of Directors was never informed by Government of a decision to order the NICIL Executive Director on leave.

At a press conference just days before he proceeded on leave, Brassington informed the public that NICIL auditor Anand Goolsarran had no proof to back up the

NICIL Head Winston Brassington

claims in the report.

“When Mr Goolsarran comments on our financial expenditure and our revenue, and he is criticising some of these [and] for many of the things he is criticising, he is not producing any real detail of where he got his information from or whether the accounts are wrong or not. He didn’t provide any evidence that suggest that and so you have these contradictions. At the end of the day, someone has to look and ask has Mr Goolsarran done a proper job? And I think that we will find that the evidence is lacking,” Brassington said, speaking about information allegedly coming out of the forensic audit.

He added that Goolsarran could not legally support his claims that NICIL has breached Sections 216 and 217 of the Constitution, which state that all revenues or other monies raised or received by Guyana must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

He said based on numerous legal opinions with “some level of depth”, it was revealed that Sections 216 and 217 of the Constitution did not apply to NICIL, as it was a company.

He also chastised Goolsarran who in his assertions implied that the Audit Office of Guyana seemed to have conducted sub-standard audits of the NICIL books over the years.

NICIL was formed in July 1990 by the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government for the purpose of being a Government Holding Company for investments.

Essentially, the company holds Government shares and assets, invests in companies and sells companies among other transactions.

NICIL is basically the company that owns most of the State sector and most of the Industrial Estates, and it operates like any other company: It has revenues; it has expenses; some of the profit is distributed to the Government as dividends, some is retained for working capital, and some is invested.

18

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thursday, January 28, 2016

ARCHIE

Do what you can and refuse to be daunted by com(March 21- plaints or criticism. Bring April 19) about a change that will boost your self-esteem and prepare you for better days ahead.

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June 20) Someone is likely to complain if you make a self-aggrandising move. Fulfil your promises and make sure your motives are honourable.

CANCER

Peanuts

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Do your best to bring greater stability to your financial future. An innovative investment or collaboration with someone with as much to contribute as you will lead to victory.

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Make a commitment and follow through.

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Don’t wait for slowpokes PISCES (Feb. 20- to catch up when you’ve got March 20) so much to gain if you keep a steady pace. Love will highlight your day if you make a romantic gesture.

thursday, january 28, 2016

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016…

19

England crush Fiji by 299 runs

Nazmul, spinners D lift Bangladesh to comfortable win

an Lawrence and Jack Burnham’s centuries led England Under-19 to a massive win over Fiji Under-19 in their Group C game in Chittagong.

After opting to bat, England piled up 371 -3 and then bowled out Fiji for 72 to complete a 299-run win.

C a k a c a k a Tikoisuva removed Max Holden early, but Lawrence (174 off Dan Lawrence struck 174 off 150 balls, the highest score ever 150) and Burnham recorded in Under-19 World Cup history (148 off 137) combined for a 303-run, second-wicket stand in 265 balls. Callum Taylor struck a brisk ST Saunokonoko lbw b Curran 0 England Under-19s innings (50 21 and the last six overs maximum) J Dunham b Mahmood 0 overs yielded 89 runs DW Lawrence c Charters b PV Vuniwaqa run out as England raced to Baleicikoibia 174 (Curran) 36 371.

MDE Holden c Baleicikoibia b 1 S Tuitoga*† lbw b Curran Fiji were nevTikoisuva 3 J Baleicikoibia b Mahmood 5 er in the chase from JTA Burnham b Charters 148 C Tikoisuva b Green 0 the start, losing five CJ Taylor not out 21

b Green

T Yabaki c BJ Taylor 7 wickets within the GA Bartlett not out 1 10 JF Charters b BJ Taylor

first six overs, with Extras (b-2, lb-4, w-17, nb-1) 24 S Weleilakeba not out 0 Sam Curran and Total ( 3 wickets; 50 overs) 371 Extras (lb-4, w-5, nb-1) 10 Saqib Mahmood doFall of wickets: 1-22 (Holden, Total (all out; 27.3 overs) 72 ing much of the dam2.4 ov), 2-325 (Burnham, 46.5 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Veitacini, ov), 3-361 (Lawrence, 49.2 ov) age. Both picked up 1.6 ov), 2-7 (Maraiwai, 2.2 ov), Bowling: C Tikoisuva 8-0-59-1 (1three wickets apiece, 3-8 (Saunokonoko, 3.5 ov), 4-9 w), JF Charters 9-0-84-1 (5-w), with Mahmood’s fig(Dunham, 4.2 ov), 5-12 (Tuitoga, J Baleicikoibia 9-0-71-1 (1-w), S ures reading 5-4-2-3.

5.2 ov), 6-17 (Baleicikoibia, 8.4 Weleilakeba 8-0-42-0 (1-nb, 2-w), Peni Vuniwaqa proov), 7-27 (Tikoisuva, 11.2 ov), 8-41 T Veitacini 8-0-42-0, PV Vuniwaqa (Yabaki, 17.2 ov), 9-70 (Charters, vided brief resistance 5-0-48-0, T Yabaki 3-0-19-0 25.4 ov), 10-72 (Vuniwaqa, 27.3 ov) with a 74-ball 36, but

Bowling: S Mahmood 5-4-2-3, it was nowhere near Fiji Under-19s innings (target: 372 SM Curran 5-0-22-3 (4-w), MS enough. He was the runs from 50 overs) Crane 5-2-12-0, BGF Green last man out in the DS Maraiwai b Mahmood 1 5-1-7-2 (1-w), CJ Taylor 4-1-17-0 (128th over. (Cricinfo) nb), BJ Taylor 3.3-0-8-1 2 T Veitacini lbw b Curran

SCOREBOARD

A

The Bangladesh players take a selfie after their win

half-century from Nazmul Hossain Shanto steered Bangladesh Under-19 to a total of 240, which their bowlers defended with ease, despite a hundred from the South Africa Under-19 opener Liam Smith. Smith was sedate at the start of his innings, and South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals, with seamer Mohammad Saifuddin firing in pinpoint yorkers and Bangladesh’s impressive assortment of spinners strangling the run rate expertly. Smith picked up the pace as he approached his hundred, but South Africa’s challenge effectively ended when he was caught brilliantly in the covers by the Bangladesh captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz in the 45th over of the innings. Bangladesh eventually won by 43 runs, with Saifuddin and off-spinner Mehedi picking up three wickets each.

Having opted to bat first, Bangladesh made steady progress, with Pinak Ghosh and Joyraz Sheikh scoring 40s before the left-handed Nazmul guided them through the middle and late overs with an 82-ball 73. South Africa chipped away at the wickets, with seamer Wiaan Mulder picking up three, but there were useful contributions right through the Bangladesh order, ensuring they reached what proved an amply defendable total. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Bangladesh Under-19s innings (50 overs maximum) Saif Hassan c †Verreynne b Mulder 6 Pinak Ghosh run out (Ludick/†Verreynne) 43 Joyraz Sheik c †Verreynne b Whitehead 46 Nazmul Hossain Shanto b Mulder 73 Mehedi Hasan Miraz* c Ludick b de Zorzi 23 Zakir Hasan† b Mulder 19 Saeed Sarkar c Moonsamy b Sipamla 4 Mohammad Saifuddin not out 17 Sanjit Saha not out 2 Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-5) 7 Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 240 Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Saif Hassan, 9.3 ov), 2-74 (Pinak Ghosh, 19.1 ov), 3-103 (Joyraz Sheik, 23.6 ov), 4-162 (Mehedi Hasan Miraz, 37.5 ov), 5-207 (Zakir Hasan, 44.5 ov), 6-216 (Saeed Sarkar, 45.5 ov), 7-234 (Nazmul Hossain Shanto, 48.6 ov) Bowling: AD Galiem 8-232-0 (1-w), L Philander 4-120-0, PWA Mulder 9-042-3, L Sipamla 9-0-47-1 (1-w), SA Whitehead 10-044-1, WC Ludick 3-0-19-0 (2-w), T de Zorzi 7-0-34-1

South Africa Under-19s innings (target: 241 runs from 50 overs)

L Smith c Mehedi Hasan Miraz b Saleh Ahmed Shawon 100 K Verreynne† c Saif Hassan b Mehedi Hasan Miraz 1 PWA Mulder b Mohammad Saifuddin 8 T de Zorzi* b Mohammad Saifuddin 8 R Moonsamy lbw b Saeed Sarkar 5 AD Galiem b Saeed Sarkar 22 F Sayanvala c Mohammad Saifuddin b Mehedi Hasan Miraz 17 WC Ludick c Saif Hassan b Saleh Ahmed Shawon 5 L Philander lbw b Mohammad Saifuddin 6 SA Whitehead c Nazmul Hossain Shanto b Mehedi Hasan Miraz 13 L Sipamla not out 1 Extras (b-4, lb-3, w-4) 11 Total (all out; 48.4 overs) 197 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Verreynne, 2.2 ov), 2-27 (Mulder, 8.3 ov), 3-44 (de Zorzi, 14.2 ov), 4-60 (Moonsamy, 20.1 ov), 5-112 (Galiem, 33.4 ov), 6-160 (Sayanvala, 41.5 ov), 7-177 (Smith, 44.4 ov), 8-178 (Ludick, 44.6 ov), 9-195 (Philander, 47.6 ov), 10197 (Whitehead, 48.4 ov) Bowling: Mehedi Hasan Miraz 9.4-2-37-3 (1-w), Abdul Halim 4-0-17-0, Mohammad Saifuddin 7-0-30-3, Saeed Sarkar 10-0-39-2 (2-w), Saleh Ahmed Shawon 10-0-37-2, Sanjit Saha 8-0-30-0 (1-w)

Warner cops Allan Border Medal

D

avid Warner has capped off a year in which he was named Australia’s vice-captain by winning the Allan Border Medal for the first time. Warner also won the Test Player of the Year title at the award ceremony in Melbourne, and finished clear of captain Steven Smith and fast bowler Mitchell Starc in the Allan Border Medal count.

Glenn Maxwell was named ODI Player of the Year.

Smith had won the Allan Border Medal last year and scored more runs than Warner across all international formats during the voting period, but Warner finished with 240 votes to Smith’s 219, with Starc in third place on 183. Warner was Player of the Series for the home wins against New Zealand this summer having scored twin hundreds at the Gabba and 253 at the WACA; he finished the series with the remarkable return of

It was David Warner’s first Allan Border medal, capping off a year in which he was elevated to the vice-captaincy

592 runs at 98.66 from three Tests.

Warner finished the voting period with 1334 Test runs at 60.63, behind only Joe Root and Alastair Cook in Test cricket in that time. In the count for the Test Player of the Year Award, Warner finished on 30 votes, clear of Smith on 24 and Starc on 18, with batsman Adam Voges

finishing fourth on 16 in a year that saw him become Test cricket’s oldest man to score a hundred on debut.

In his acceptance speech, Warner paid an emotional tribute to his wife Candice, a professional ironwoman and mother of his two daughters, who he said had played a significant role in helping him turn the corner after a disappointing 2013 in which he was suspended over his altercation with Joe Root in a pub in England. He also said he had expected Smith to win his second Allan Border Medal.

“My heart is racing, I honestly thought Smudge had a terrific year and he would have taken this out,” Warner said. “People said to me I can be one of the greats of the game but you just sit there and let that go through both of your ears. You can only control what you control and for me that’s being the best person I can be on and off the field.” (Cricinfo)

20

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T&T trio arrive today Trophy Stall chess tournament starts this weekend for Unity Cricket T

he countdown is definitely on for this Saturday’s inaugural Unity Cricket at the National Stadium, Providence, with the overseas players set to start arriving from today.

Information emanating from the organisers on Wednesday revealed that three of Trinidad and Tobago’s top T20 stars will touch down on local soil at 15:05h today. They are flambouyant opener Lendl Simmons, the effervescent all-rounder Rayad Emrit and the exciting, young wicketkeeper/batsman Nicholas Pooran.

Simmons and Emrit will turn out for the Christopher Barnwell-led 007 Warriors, while Pooran will appear for the Legacy All Stars, captained by Chris Gayle.

The T20 affair will involve a galaxy of overseas and local stars, and will commence at 19:30h. Fans are reminded that no glass bottles, firearms, large coolers or large umbrellas will be allowed into the venue on Saturday.

“Children under 12 will be allowed free since we want the entire family to enjoy a day of fun and frolic on the tarmac, which starts from as early as 10:00h. The concept of Unity Cricket is to unite Guyanese through

sports, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation or social status,” PRO Sean Devers informed.

Five softball matches will be played by Berbice Masters and female teams, who will oppose their Demerara counterparts. And in the contest all softball fans are looking forward to; the semi-finals of the Open 10/10 between Berbice, Essequibo, Wolf Warriors and Regal.

The winner of the semis will clash in the final from 16:30h for $500,000.

Tickets could be bought at M&M Snackette near the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Tiyo’s Future Store (Anna Catharina and Parika), Andrew’s Pharmacy (South Ruimveldt) GCC’s bar at Bourda pavillion, Shoppers Pharmacy (Giftland Mall), Lenny’s (Mon Repos), Deb’s Bar (East Coast), Little Rock Hotel (New Amsterdam) and Poonai’s Pharmacy (Rose Hall Town).

Below is the competition of the squad.

Legacy All Stars: Ramnaresh Sarwan (Captain), Chris Gayle, Rajendra Chandrika, Andre Fletcher, Narsingh Deonarine, Jonathon Foo, Nicholas Pooran, Evin Lewis, Devendra Bishoo, Sulieman Benn, Assad Fudadin, Robin

Bacchus, Gajanand Singh and Royston Crandon.

007 Warriors: Chris Barnwell (Captain), Dwayne Smith, Lendl Simmons, Anthony Bramble, Shemroy Barrington, Jason Holder, Darren Sammy, Steven Jacobs, Sherfane Rutherford, Rayad Emrit, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Samuel Badree and Gudakesh Motie.

Essequibo softball team: Patrick Rooplall, Khalid Baksh, Eknauth Persaud, Vijay Surujpaul, Shawz Grosvnor, Brion Mangar, Ramesh Narine, Greg Singh, Deoraj Dindyal, Govindra Sharma, Ehwaas Baksh, Ricardo Peters and Omesh Gobin.

Demerara Masters: Richard Persaud, Ramo Malone, Uniss Yusuf, Lloyd Rooplall, David Harper, Eric Wendell Meusa of the GCF (left) and a representative of the Thomas, Mahendra Hardyal, Trophy Stall display the trophies that would be up for grabs Fazil Baksh, Davanand fter a relatively qui- nament, sponsored by the Kannon, Tony Singh, et 2015, the Guyana Trophy Stall.

Jagdesh Persaud, Wayne Chess Federation The tournament, which Jones and Mohamed Rafeek. (GCF) will commence the is expected to attract the Demerara Female team: new season this weekend country’s top players, will Latoya Smith, Kavita with a seven-round tour- be held at the National Yadram, Zola Telford, Matanna Cambridge, Roxanne Demonick, Haseena Mohamed, Tamika Wilson, Jinelle Nero, Amanda Bobsemple, Kaysia Shultz, Sangetta Sawh, Alicia Allen and Odessa Oneil.

A

Resource Centre, located in the compound of the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue.

Conducted under the Swiss System, the competition’s first round will take place on Saturday at 13:30h, followed by two rounds of Sunday, the first of which will commence at 09:30h.

The remaining four rounds will take place the following weekend.

According to the rules, the time limit per player is one hour, 30 minutes.

Managing Director of the Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, said it is his company’s delight to sponsor the first chess competition of 2016, noting that several beautiful trophies will be up for grabs.

The Trophy Stall, with branches in Bourda Market, the City Mall and on South Road, has been an avid supporter of the GCF’s programme, and president of the Federation, Irshad Mohamed, was once again grateful for the partnership with the establishment.

Gayle returns to Somerset for T20 Blast RHTY&SC launches annual GBTI Inter- C secondary tapeball tourney

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) on Wednesday last launched the third edition of its Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) Inter-secondary school tapeball competition.

The competition would be played by four secondary schools based in the Rose Hall Town and Port Mourant areas, and would be played as part of the RHTY&SC ‘Say No to Drugs, Suicide, Crime and Say Yes to Education and Sports’ campaign.

Secretary/CEO of the club, Hilbert Foster, stated that the tapeball competition would be contested at both the male and female levels by the Lower Corentyne, J.C Chandisingh, Corentyne Comprehensive and Port Mourant Secondary Schools.

Players have to be under the age of 17 and must be born on or after the first of September 1999. The main aims of the tournament are to promote positive social messages, to promote cricket as a safe alternative to a life on the road and to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary.

The RHTY&SC would also be using the tournament to identify new cricketing talents for the club’s junior and female cricket teams. Foster disclosed

The sponsorship deal was finalised on Wednesday at the GBTI’s branch in Port Mourant

that the club during 2016 would be hosting numerous cricket tournaments at the primary and secondary school, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Second Division and female levels, as it continues its massive cricket development programme, which main objective is to lift the standard of the game in Berbice.

Foster expressed gratitude to the management and staff of GBTI for their continued sponsorship of the tournament and issued an assurance that it would be well organised and achieve all the objectives set.

Manager of the GBTI’s Port Mourant branch, Ghoeblall Mahadeo, stated

that the bank was pleased to partner with the RHTY&SC once again, as it was very impressed with the hosting of the first two tournaments.

GBTI, Mahadeo noted, is fully aware of its corporate responsibilities, and as such, special emphasis is placed on education, sport and youth development.

Mahadeo congratulated the RHTYSC for its outstanding work that targets youths and urged the organisation to uphold the high standard it has set itself in the past. The top teams in the tournament would win trophies and other prizes, while the outstanding performers would take home trophies and medals.

hris Gayle will return to Somerset for a six-match stint in the NatWest T20 Blast during June.

It will bring him back to a club where Chris Rogers, who was outspoken in his criticism of Gayle following the BBL controversy involving his TV interview with Mel McLaughlin, is the County Championship captain although Rogers will not be involved in the T20 matches. Jim Allenby will captain the T20 side.

Gayle had a brief, but blistering, appearance in

the 2015 T20 Blast where he amassed 328 runs in just three matches which included an unbeaten 151 off 62 balls against Kent.

The bowling attacks who will have to be ready in 2016 are Sussex, Essex, Surrey , Glamorgan, Gloucestershire and Hampshire. Gayle will make four home appearances at Taunton.

Matthew Maynard, Somerset’s director of cricket said: “He is a genuinely world class player and was absolutely phenomenal for us last year.

He is probably the big-

gest name in the sport at the moment and his performances in the Big Bash recently have only underlined his status as one of the most explosive players that cricket has ever seen.

Taunton was absolutely rocking when he was out in the middle last year and Somerset fans can look forward to more of the same in 2016.”

Guy Lavender, the Somerset chief executive, said that there could be scope for extending Gayle’s deal depending on how Somerset perform in the competition. (Cricinfo)

Ramdhani returns unopposed as GBA head T

he incumbent Gokarn Ramdhani was returned to the helm of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), following that association’s Biennial General Meeting on Tuesday last.

Ramdhani, who has held the position for quite a few years, was voted in unopposed, noting that his main is to better the achievements of 2015, which he described as the most successful year for badminton in Guyana.

Ramdhani, who is also the national coach, will have Dr Nicholas Waldron as his Vicepresident, and Emelia Ramdhani as Secretary.

The Assistant Secretary is Ayanna WickhamWatson, while Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are Darren Carpenay and Marlon Chung respectively.

The Committee Members are Ryan Chung, Gillian Mangra and Ernesto Choo-A-Fat. The elections took place at the Guyana Olympic Association headquarters in Kingston.

Gokarn Ramdhani

sports

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he Mobile Wizard 10/10 quarter finals have been completed with Omesh XI, Wolf’s Warriors, Speedboat SC and Power XI earning the right to advance to the semi-finals.

The tournament, which is being organised by the Guyana Softball League and sponsored by Trophy Stall, Wolf’s Furniture Store, Rohan’s Furniture Establishment, Miss Love (West Coast), Imtiaz and Imran Hack, produced some exciting action on Saturday under lights at the Tuschen ground.

In the first game, Wolf’s Warriors easily defeated Vipers XI by 42 runs.

Wolf’s Warriors won the toss and made a massive 132-9 in 10 overs with Amrit “Rocky” Rai making 37 (1x4;2x6s) and Lincoln Leander 29 not out (1x4;3x6s).

Bowling for Vipers XI, Akram Hussain (3-24) and Arif Hussain (2-18) were the leading wicket takers.

Vipers XI in reply, lacked the lusty blows and ended on 90-9 in 10 overs, as Vikash Totaram top scored with 23 (3x6s). The bowling for the Warriors

was led by Narine Bailey with 3-20 from two overs.

In another intriguing match, Omesh XI demolished Crossbreed Warriors by 44 runs. Omesh XI took first strike and racked up the highest team total of the day’s proceedings, piling up 162-2 from 10 overs.

Ricardo Adams, with a belligerent 81 not out, which was inclusive of nine sixes and three fours, helped Omesh XI to the daunting total.

Trevus Drakes did not miss out on the run fest as he made 43 (1x4; 5x6s).

Crossbreed Warriors replied with 118 all out in 9.1 overs, as Narine Shaw top scored with a valiant 62 (1x4; 8x6s). Marky Jabbar and Drakes picked up three wickets each from their two overs.

The upset victory of the day came when Power XI defeated Leonora Youths by seven wickets.

Leonora Youths were inserted and scored 79 in 8.5 overs with Imtiaz Hack being the only batter to enter double figures with 27 (1x4; 2x6s). Aaron Deodass picked up 2-16.

Power XI in response, started like a raging bull,

taking 39 runs from a Harrynarine Dhanraj over.

They ended on 84-3 in seven overs with Ravi Laldeo, who opened the batting, scoring a magnificent 78 not out (6x4s; 6x6s).

Hemendra Kowlesssar took 2-3 in one over, bowling for Leonora.

In the final game, touted favorites Speedboat SC hammered Settle XI by 10 wickets in a one-sided affair.

Meanwhile, in the Masters match, there was a high level of excitement as West Coast Blazers won by seven wickets against Parika Defenders.

Below are the summarised scores from the other two games.

Parika Defenders 1119 (Devanand Khanan 45, Bisham Singh 41, Mohamed Saffie 4-25, Leonard Harprashad 3-18) versus Blazers 115-3 in 9.2 overs (Arnold Padmore 37*, Mohamed Saffie 30*, Rambarran Rhambarose 2-19).

Wellwoman XI defeated Lady Jags by 55 runs.

Wellwoman 159-2 (Zola Telford 96*, Beverly Nedd 2-23) versus Lady Jags 94-4 (Lisa Gilkes 43*).

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Classified Ads $5+VAT

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Steel Challenge Shooting is considered to be the fastest practical shooting competition in the world. The upcoming competition promises to be an exciting one, which will consist of four different stages where competitors will shoot at five individual steel targets per stage.

Shooters will be scored using an electronic timing device, penalties of added time are applied for any misses after the designated stop plate is shot and the to-

tal time taken is the score: all while being closely monitored by the Federation’s Range Safety Officers. The shooter with the lowest time to hit all the plates overall in the match will be declared the winner.

At the small handing over ceremony at Muneshwers Travel Service on 45 Water Street, Georgetown, President of the GSSF, Vidushi Persaud, in accepting the kind sponsorship, conveyed thanks to Colin Changur and the

from page 22

management of the company.

She noted that “Steel Challenge is the perfect way to introduce new shooters to the safe sport of steel shooting because of the easy to understand rules and scoring coupled with the satisfaction gained from the instant audible “ping” heard when the bullet hits the steel plate.”

More information can be found on the GSSF website: www.

GuyanaSportShooting.com.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, january 28, 2016

The untold story of Shiv Chanderpaul…

Mings Products and Services outfits Yamaha Caribs

Part 2: A statistician’s – GRFU season to kick-off on Saturday delight A

Shivnarine Chanderpaul has racked up some impressive numbers during his glittering career

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hat attention to detail has led to some amazing batting statistics. He ended his career with over 20,000 international runs – second most by a West Indian. That puts him among the best of the best and in a league of extra-ordinary gentlemen who worn the maroon cap for the Windies in the gentleman’s game.

When he called time in his career last week his stats showed: a record 164 Test matches. He has scored 11,876 runs at an average of 51.37 runs per innings.

Chanderpaul made 30 Test centuries and ended just behind Brian Lara’s West Indies record of 11,953.

He appeared for the West Indies in 268 ODIs and has 8,778 runs with 11 centuries. His first-class career has stretched 349 matches, he has accumulated over 25,000 runs bolstered by a whopping 71 centuries.

The great Desmond Haynes had this to say: “When he first came into the West Indies team I was still around and I remember seeing a little boy and I was very impressed with his ability. He was someone who was driven and was determined to get better. He came into Test cricket with a good attitude towards batting – always looking to bat long and play within his limitation – and I was pleased with his progress.

“A very memorable moment for him was when he batted with Brian Lara when [Lara] broke the amazing Test record of 365 by the great Sir Garry Sobers at the ARG Antigua.

“Not many people remember the role Shiv played on that day but I will always recall how he stayed at the crease and did the perfect job.”

On numerous occasions Chanderpaul has stood up and batted resolutely for West Indies to pull them out of the fire. One such occasion was the first Test against Australia at Sabina Park back in 2008. He was struck a frightening blow

on the head by a wicked bouncer from Brett Lee but soldiered on to make 118, which held the first innings together.

“I remember that clearly.

I was looking to get a single.

I pushed my foot out a little early and Brett Lee saw me push my foot out and bowled a short ball. I saw him pull it down and I tried to duck but it did not bounce and it knocked me out cold. I was flat out. When I got up,?I couldn’t move my hands and my legs couldn’t move,” he recalled.

“I remember when I looked at the scoreboard I realised the position we were in and I said to myself ‘I need to bat on in this innings I need to stay here’. I could not go off at that stage.

The team needed me to bat on. Dr. Mansingh came out and I needed to get some clarity from him whether or not I was good enough to carry on. I said ‘Doc, if I stay on out here am I going to be okay?’ He said ‘Yeah, you’ll be okay, you can bat on’.

When he said that it gave me new ‘vision’ and I settled in to dig in again.”

He continued: “Then I remember Ricky [Ponting] came up and said ‘No no, no he’s got to go off. He got a hard hit, he can’t continue. He should go off’. I knew why he was saying that.

You see, he wanted me off the field because he knew I could hold them up. I looked at the scoreboard and I said I needed to bat on and on.”

A few weeks earlier, Shiv showed his batting prowess in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at the Queen’s Park Oval. He had to overcome a bout of illness in the morning to even make the starting XI, but by the evening he was celebrating a onewicket win off the last ball.

He struck 10 runs off the last two balls – a four through wide mid-off and a six over midwicket off the wily Chaminda Vaas to spark wild celebrations on and off the field.

“Before the game I was sick and?I could not do too

much. I was really struggling and I wasn’t sure how much I could really do. I felt like vomiting while I was batting. I was trying to get a few boundaries to try and keep us in the game to keep up with their run rate,” he said.

“The pitch was really difficult to bat on. . . the ball wasn’t bouncing. It was keeping really low and in the end when we had to bat, it was very difficult.

Their bowlers tried to bowl as full as possible. I thought Chaminda would aim to be full and bowl ‘block hole balls’. There were many things going through my head. He was a very smart bowler. He went for the yorkers and I was able to hit both balls to the fence. The second-last one, I got to it and it ‘fired’. It was sailing past mid-off and I knew we had a big chance here.

“The next one was a full toss and?I swung as hard as I could. I timed?it really when but I saw Mahela [Jayawardena] circling and settling down at midwicket.

I said ‘I hope I had enough on that’.

“Then I saw him going back and jumping and I knew I had done enough.

I was so excited. I was just running. . . I was so excited.

I didn’t know what was going on but I know I was excited. Then I felt someone come and pull me down. It was Fidel and he grabbed onto me and congratulated me.”

2008 was a great year.

He averaged over 100 in Test cricket and was named the International Cricket Council’s Player Of The Year and took home the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.

That year, he was also named one?of Wisden’s Five Cricketers Of The Year.

“It was really big for me. I never expected to win something like that, knowing we have so many good players out there. To actually come out on top, it’s a great honour.”

To be continued… (windi-

escricket)

s the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 2016 season kicks off on Saturday, Mings Products and Services, in its continued support of the Yamaha Caribs, outfitted the team with a complete set of uniform on Wednesday.

The handing over ceremony was held at the company’s headquarters in Kingston.

Director of the Mings Products and Services, Colin Ming, explained that, “Mings has been supporting Caribs for 24 years, and we want to take this opportunity to stay onboard for 2016, and wish them the best of luck and we hope the support we are giving go a long way in them retaining the championship in 2016.”

Ming further added that he believes it is the company’s corporate responsibility to support sports.

Secretary of the Yamaha Caribs, Walter George, was

extremely grateful for the kind gesture by the company, noting that despite their poor performances of recent, the company has stuck with them.

George also highlighted the fact that, “the donation encompasses a complete outfit, as most companies would simply donate the jerseys only.”

Despite not having the best of seasons in 2015, captain of the team, Akeem Fraser, revealed that they are training hard and looking forward to a more productive 2016.

“As we head into 2016, we didn’t win any game last year or the year before, but we took those defeats and we started training towards the new year; most of the guys are focused and there are training really hard towards redeeming themselves and we are looking forward to win these match-

es,” Fraser stated.

Fraser furthered added that his team is extremely thankful for the support given by Mings and they want to show their appreciation by bringing home the championship trophy. However, some games in the Yamaha Caribs pursuit for glory will be lacking a vital component in national player Theodore Henry.

The captain revealed that “we will be missing one of our key players, Theodore Henry; he will be going on training tour from March, so we he won’t be with the team fully, but I think we will do well despite him not being here to support us.”

The GRFU has two matches slated for this weekend at the National Park, as Pepsi Hornets will play Yamaha Caribs on Saturday, then on Sunday, Police Falcons will tackle UG Wolves. (akeemg@guy-

anatimesgy.com)

GSSF receives support from Muneshwers for Steel Challenge

Colin Changur (left), Travel Consultant of Muneshwers Travel, hands over the sponsorship package to GSSF President, Vidushi Persaud. At left is GSSF’s Board Member, Dr Bhiro Harry

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he Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) has announced that it is all geared up for take-off this weekend when they will be hosting the first competition for 2016: a Steel Challenge Shooting Match, which has been sponsored

by Muneshwers Travel.

The Match Committee reported that this first match is an eagerly awaited one by members anxious to return to the Range to compete against fellow shooters in two SCSA Divisions: Wildcat and Limited.

The prizes up for grabs

will be awarded to the top three overall in each division. Wildcat Division will have competitors using .32ACP and any other calibre lesser than a 9mm, while those in the Limited Division will shoot 9mm or higher calibre hand guns.

To add to the excitement of this first Match for the year, Colin Changur, renowned Travel Consultant of Muneshwers Travel, has announced that a special prize of electronic ear-muffs will be presented to the shooter with the best time in two of

the stages to be announced by the Match Director at the start of the Match.

As an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association- a sister body of the United States Practical Shooting Associationthe GSSF over the past 18 months, has been organising matches following their strict safety policies.

This simple, yet actionpacked shooting sport attracts Guyanese pistol shooters from all around the country on a regular basis. turn to page 21

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, january 28, 2016

23

Munroe hosts circle tennis Leonora, workshop in Kildonan Windsor Forest Minor League 10/10 Softball…

and Tuschen record wins

NSC Sports Officer Alistair Munroe addressing the participants

F

ollowing up on a commitment made last October to have circle tennis resuscitated in Guyana and become one of the premier sports in the country, Sports Officer attached to the Department of Sports- National Sports Commission (NSC), Alistair Munroe, has taken the first step in that direction.

On Sunday, the NSC held the first of a series of workshops to popularise the game. The workshop was held for students attending primary and secondary schools on the Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

Speaking at the opening of the one-day programme held at the Kildonan Community Centre, Munroe said that the workshop sig-

nalled the beginning of a series of workshops to be held across Guyana leading up to an inter-regional championship during the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.

“With the sport emerging from Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) during the 1930s, my vision of circle tennis at the Department of Sport - NSC; which is heavily supported by Director of Sport Christopher Jones, is that we restore the excitement of playing circle tennis right across the length and breadth of Guyana, and that we would have training and tournaments during the year. This is something we will be seeing shortly,” Munroe said.

The workshop was held under the theme “Circle Tennis - Taking the game back to its glory days” and was being sponsored by the NSC. During the 1970s and 80s, circle tennis was a popular sport in Guyana and was one of the major sporting events at the annual Guyana Games, which was contested between the country’s 10 administrative regions. Over the past two decades, there had been a tremendous decline of the sport locally.

According to Munroe, the Department of SportsNSC will be sending special teams to the various regions between March and April of this year. “Not only to showcase the sport, but assist with setting up of circle tennis sub-associations and

facilitate training ahead of a championship,” he explained.

NSC Board members, Seon Erskine and Inga Henry, were also present. Henry challenged participants to ensure the sport is played in all the schools in Berbice.

The workshop was facilitated with assistance from Michael Trotman, Marsha Wong and David Wren.

The one-day programme also included a practical session. Meanwhile, the NSC sponsored second workshop will be held today at the Timehri Red ground.

The official programme will commence at 09:00h and is expected to attract participants from primary and secondary schools, along with clubs and religion organisations.

GCB/Banks DIH Limited/DIGICEL NSSCL...

Wins for St Joseph’s High, Skeldon Line Path Secondary E ast Georgetown champions, St Joseph’s High School, defeated North Georgetown champions, Chase Academy, despite Kurt Lovell’s 6-28 when the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Banks DIH Limited’s Coca Cola and Rainforest Water, along with Digicel continued.

Playing at Everest, St Joseph’s High School took first strike after winning the toss, but only managed to score 108 all out in 24 overs. Kurt Lovell was the chief destroyer, claiming excellent figures of 6-28, which in most instances, would have put his team in a comfortable position to win.

However, when Chase Academy to their turn at the crease they found the going tough while chasing a relatively small target. All their batsmen, including West Indies Under-15 selectee Joshua Persaud, struggled on a pitch which was not conducive to stroke play.

They were eventually dismissed for just 75 in the 19th over. Bowling for St Joseph’s High, Zacharia Mootoo turned in remarkable figures of 4-3, while he

Gavin Chatterpaul

was well supported by Adrian Hackett and Tishaun Tracy, who had two wickets each.

Over at Skeldon ground, in the

Corentyne Zone, Skeldon Line Path Secondary crushed Skeldon High School by 75 runs in a low scoring affair.

Winning the toss and taking first strike, the Skeldon Line Path Secondary lads were dismissed for 130 in 24 overs.

Gavin Chatterpaul top scored with 35, which included three fours, while Alex Burnett contributed 20.

Bowling for Skeldon High School, Kwesi Lewis bagged 3-18, while they were two wickets each for Aaron Jamoladeen, Sarwan Chaitnarine and Stephan Norah.

Skeldon High School in their turn at the crease folded for a dismal 55 in 15.5 overs. Bowling for Skeldon Line Path Secondary, Gavin Chatterpaul returned with the ball to claim 2-11 off four overs, while Rudy Jamoladeen, the brother of Aaron, took 2-10. Mahendra Chaitnarine had 2-13 and Afseer Hussain took 2-12.

The NSSCL will continue today with Chase Academy playing Charlestown at Everest, while the Enterprise ground would feature a double-header with Cummings Lodge facing Lusignan and Annandale battling LBI.

Tuschen’s Rezekiel Renee during his entertaining knock of 34 against Uitvlugt

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he Minor League 10/10, organised by the Guyana Softball League, continued at Leonora Primary School ground last weekend, with the home team maintaining their unbeaten record.

The level of the competition has visibly risen in the three matches that were played.

In the first game, Windsor Forest defeated Uitvlugt by six wickets.

In their first match of the tournament, Uitvlugt lost the toss and were inserted to bat, reaching 65-9 in 10 overs. Anthony Baker top scored with 13 (1x6), while Sachin Balgobin claimed 2-9 and Leonardo Torres 2-8.

In reply, Windsor Forest Primary made 67-4 in 7.5 overs with Rajiv Arjune blasting 27 (1x4; 2x6s).

In game two, Leonora Primary humbled Tuschen Primary by eight wickets.

Tuschen Primary batted first and scored 66 all out in 9.5 overs with captain Renaldo Scott top scoring with 18 (2x6s).

Tuschen took 20 runs off the first over, but after Scott was dismissed by virtue of being bowled by his opposite number Aryan Persaud in the second over, the innings went into a decline.

The bowling of Leonora Primary was spearheaded by Persaud with 3-7 from two overs and Ricardo Rampaul with 2-1 from two overs.

In reply, Leonora raced to 67-2 in five overs with skipper Persaud clobbering 32 not out (3x4s; 2x6s) in a mature all-round display of batting.

In Tuschen Primary second game of the day, they mauled Uitvlugt by nine wickets. Uitvlugt, inserted to bat first, never had a chance as they made 73-7 in their 10 overs. Anthony Baker 16 (2x4s) and Shazim Khadir 15 (2x4s) led the scoring. Rondell Oxford (312) and Renaldo Scott (2-6) were the chief wicket takers.

In Tuschen’s turn at the crease, they raced to 74-1 with Rezekiel Renee blasting his way to 34 not out (1x4; 3x6s), and was ably supported by Alex Ritchie 27 not out (2x4s; 1x6).

The tournament will continue this weekend with Greenwich Park, Den Amstel and MetenMeer-Zorg doing battle.

The tournament is sponsored by Parboo General Store and Rohan Furniture Establishment.

thursday, January 28, 2016

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

T&T trio arrive today for Unity Cricket Pg 20

Lendl Simmons Rayad Emrit Nicholas Pooran

Gayle returns to Somerset Mings Products and Services outfits for T20 Blast Pg 20

Yamaha Caribs

Pg 22

– GRFU season to kick-off on Saturday

Chris Gayle blasted 151 off 62 balls against Kent last season

Director of Products and Services, Colin Ming (third left), hands over part of the outfit to captain Akeem Fraser in the presence of teammates and staff

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