Guyana times 22 march 2018

Govt, international experts discuss blueprint for oil and gas sector P17

–at High-Level Caucus Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3510

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Region 1 battling with measles outbreak – Chairman Page 3

Jagdeo accuses Govt of dismantling pro-poor policies

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P2 Rincon, Santa Rosa residents to get potable water – following $3.2M Water Supply Project

Page 7

Hague family fearful after car set alight

New officers urged to not “succumb to the temptation of corruption”

P16

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Manager P8 testifies in Trinidadian Soca artiste's assault Roopnaraine says WPA, APNU P2 ‘stronger together’

…as GPF inducts 92 new officers

Linden mother died from rare blood disorder, complications

Page

…PM rescheduled after family failed to turn up – Linden Hospital CEO 16

NBS senior staff charged for false imprisonment Page 8

Page Brand new 19 Granger pushes for headquarters for GWI climate Page 10

resilient tourism

Stage set P18 for Wedding Expo 2018 …entry free of cost

NA Multilateral P17 Head, Deputy Head Teachers removed

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news

thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Roopnaraine says WPA, APNU ‘stronger together’

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mid speculation about the coalition’s dwindling support, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) member and Public Service Minister Rupert Roopnaraine on Wednesday said he still has faith in the coalition Government.

Roopnaraine, who was questioned about WPA’s position on the coalition Government, has stated that although the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) executives have not been able to sit down and have a discussion, he does believe that the coalition is the way to go.

When asked if the WPA is considering leaving the coalition, Roopnaraine stated, “That to my mind would be a serious matter, which we would need to engage thoroughly. I can tell you from the start that they would have a hard time convincing me that this (leaving) is a good idea.”

He then went on to say, “I think the coalition with all of its difficulties is the way forward for us. I don’t be-

is desirable. “Those things have changed. It’s not biblical, we can certainly look at it again and see whether it’s doing what we expected it to do and if it hasn’t, then we should review it and amend it,” the Minister noted.

He revealed that there

were no fixed plans to review the Accord, but when and if there was, he would welcome the initiative.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Roopnaraine was questioned on whether or not he believed that the coalition would have the same

level of support for the 2020 elections. In response, Roopnaraine expressed hope that the Government could hold on to its supporters highlighting that the only way to be sure of this was by interacting with the citizenry.

“We need to go down into the communities and see what kind of response we get and what criticisms we get,” he stated.

He further noted, “I think the only way to reorganise the coalition is to reorganise it from the community up.”

Rincon, Santa Rosa residents to get potable water – following $3.2M Water Supply Project

WPA Executive and Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

lieve that any singular party can really accomplish this task ahead of us.”

Roopnaraine further disclosed, however, that he did not see a problem with reviewing the Cummingsburg Accord. He noted that there were provisions that were made in the Accord for certain situations, and those situations have since evolved, hence a revision

G

uyana Water Inc (GWI) on Wednesday signed a $3.2 million agreement with the Santa Rosa Village Council to provide running water to 105 homes at Rincon in the Santa Rosa district.

The agreement was signed at GWI’s Vlissengen Road, Georgetown office.

With a population of 553 persons, Rincon, located in the North West District (NWD) community, will for the first time has its homes outfitted to benefit from running water when the onemonth project is completed.

From left: Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Santa Rosa Toshao Sherwin Abrams and GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles

At Wednesday’s signing, Santa Rosa Toshao Sherwin Abrams said that residents in his community were overjoyed about the initiative as he expressed hope that all 11 satellite communities in the district would benefit from

potable water.

“For too long Rincon has been a community that has been suffering for water; it is one of the oldest communities in the Santa Rosa village,” the Toshao observed.

Region One (Barima-

Waini) Chairman Brentnol Ashley said that this project added to the Region’s overall upward movement and called for GWI to implement similar initiatives elsewhere.

The water authority’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles explained that GWI was seeking to garner water from groundwater sources as opposed to surface water.

For communities yet to receive potable water, he observed that the country must do more to encourage safe environmental practices, including watershed management. “We have to ensure that the mining activity which abound these rivers is safe because many communities access water from these rivers and it cannot be put on the back-burner,” he noted.

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 1 battling with measles outbreak – Chairman

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Thursday, March 22 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, March 23 – 09:00h-10:30h

...health officials monitoring airborne infection

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 22 – 07:05h-08:35h and Friday, March 23 – 07:45h-09:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Sunny intervals are expected to give way to light cloudy skies during the day, while partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Overall temperatures are expected to range between 20 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East North-easterly to Northeasterly between 1.78 metres and 7.15 metres.

High Tide: 07:39h and 20:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.67 metres and 2.52 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:13h and 13:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.55 metre respectively.

wednesDAY, MARCH 21, 2018

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Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

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s the economic plight of Venezuela deepens, health officials in Region One (Barima-Waini) are working to contain reported cases of an outbreak of measles at the border with the Spanish-speaking republic. According to information received, the outbreak which surfaced earlier this year came as a result of infected persons coming across the border from Venezuela.

Guyana Times was told that White Water and Baramita – are two of border communities with Venezuela – have been battling to contain the reported cases.

The situation could be described as particularly worrying since measles is an airborne infection that causes skin rashes with flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose and fever.

Symptoms develop 10 days after exposure and lasts seven to 10 days. When contacted on Thursday, Chairman of the Region One Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Brentnol Ashley confirmed that he became aware of the ongoing situation after regional officials informed him within the last two weeks.

Ashley explained that the Public Health Ministry has already deployed systems and personnel to deal with the situation. “Vaccination has started for that in the various communities; we have a high influx of Venezuelans coming to our borderline communities but the worrying thing is that we haven’t heard the statistics as to how many persons would have been vaccinated or how effective this process would have been,” the Regional Chairman disclosed.

He added that he is hopeful to be updated on the exact number of cases that were detected. Ashley further stressed that the RDC will

assist the region’s health department in fighting the infection – both for citizens and for the infected Venezuelans coming across the border.

It was widely reported that many cross-border patients are uitilising the local medical facilities due to the lack of financial and medical care in Venezuela.

While some are of the view the strain on the local medical centres should be addressed, Ashley noted that in many cases, the Venezuelans citizens are Guyanese returning home fleeing the crisis and that many would bring their children here. The RDC official reminded that malaria had posed an issue in the past and expressed hope that the measles infection would not be allowed to spread.

“Malaria is one of the things that became somewhat of a crisis for us that is under control now but measles is not yet a crisis and we don’t want it to become a crisis so that’s why the preventative measures are being put in place,” he noted.

He disclosed that residents in some of the affected areas would be treated at the

Mabaruma Regional Hospital while other inhabitants will be able to access medical

care at the Baramaita Health Centre or Paquiro District Hospital.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, march 22, 2018

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

Warding off Dutch Disease

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t would appear with the ExxonMobil oil strike, the quest for growth is being abandoned with the expectation that Guyana is now on “easy street”. Warnings about “Dutch Disease” being contracted have not been enough to move the Government out of their oil tunnel vision. Even as this is being composed, the Government was meeting a group of local and international “wise men” to chart our “oil future”.

It seems to have escaped the People’s National Congressled Government that a comparable conclave could have been summoned to discuss our “agriculture future” before shuttering four sugar estates and allowing more than 50,000 acres to revert to “bush”. Rather belatedly, the cobbled together Special Services Unit, selling off the sugar assets realised that a going concern will attract higher bids and are desperately trying to backtrack.

But we believe that to avert Dutch Disease – where the rest of the economy outside of oil is allowed to wither away – the Government has to answer the question “How do we increase the size of the economic pie now so that our growth can be sustained beyond oil?” While there has been talk of investing in and improving our “infrastructure”, we need to develop a more focused five-year projection of the Government’s capital expenditure. One area where we have to move beyond rhetoric has been to expand the previous administration’s thrust into ICT4D – Information and Communication Technology for Development.

Up to now, Government’s comments have been directed at the costs associated with the initiative (fibreoptic cable, OLPF etc) and its domestic impact (improving e-governance, competing with Private Sector providers etc). Unfortunately, its potential to alter the structural foundations of our economy by opening up the export of services has been completely blanked. The Government seems stuck in 19th century economic dogma that saw development as a transition from agricultural to industrial production, with manufacturing being the prime ‘engine of growth’. Only material products are suitable for exports, and services are confined to the domestic market in this view.

But towards the end of the 20th century, developments in ICT effectuated a revolution in delivering services across borders. As a platform for growth and development, the phenomenon was encapsulated as the “3Ts” – technology, transportability, and tradability. “Outsourcing’ of services became a catchword as billions of dollars flowed from the developed countries into the ICT-savvy developing nations.

Trade in services is becoming increasingly more viable, with many businesses now dividing their operations across the world.

The rapid growth of China and India, which have been driven along two different paths, has rekindled the debate on the drivers of growth and development. China’s growth is led by traditional manufacturing, while India’s growth and exports focuses heavily on services – representing the two different paths towards rapid development. And India has not been alone in exploiting the new opportunity: from 1975 exports in services have doubled from six per cent to 12.6 per cent of world GDP. It is very unlikely that we can match the economies of scale to compete with behemoths like China in industrial exports but with our comparative advantage of English as our first language and a populace that still has a collective drive for education we can certainly carve out a niche in the ICT service exports. These exports have primarily been in such areas as Information Technology, business-related, transcribing medical records, data services, call centres, education, entertainment production services, etc. These services differ significantly from the traditional services, which demand face-to-face interaction.

But we will not be in a position to exploit this new driver of growth unless we have both the human and infrastructural resources in place to be capable of offering the service. For countries like ours where businesses are stuck in a “trader mentality”, ICT based exports will also ensure that traditional service activities gain in productivity from the 3Ts. Additionally, a host of new service activities will emerge as a result of unbundling and technological innovation.

We must ward off Dutch Disease at all cost.

Najin (front) and her daughter Patu, the last two northern white rhino females, graze in their enclosure at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia National Park, Kenya (REUTERS/Baz Ratner)

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” Dear Editor, The Alliance For Change (AFC) party would be well advised to take heed of the famous George Santayana quote which says that ‘those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’

Looking at the recent shenanigans of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown, particularly the mistreatment of the AFC members, including preventing the current Deputy Mayor from being nominated for re-election, the precluding from the agenda of the motion of No Confidence by a former Deputy Mayor and subsequent attempt to bring disciplinary action against the mover of the mo-

tion, should cause the leadership of the AFC to become deeply troubled about the union they share with their partners in the coalition Government and their seriousness about shared governance.

But looking at recent history, the AFC should hardly be startled by the former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan being prevented from nominating the incumbent Lionel Jaikaran for re-election to the post of Deputy Mayor. Surely, they must recall in 1996 the reneging on an agreement to rotate the Mayorship of Georgetown between the three parties represented at the Mayor and City Council

by that same group that resulted in the then Deputy Mayor Philomena SahoyeShury, being denied the opportunity of serving as Mayor and also being voted out as Deputy Mayor.

So now that the one group has taken the levers of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Chairmanship of the important committees, what can the citizens expect?

What can the citizens expect for the next nine months? They can anticipate significantly more and higher taxes and fees being levied upon them by the Council for 2018 as they seek to pressure the citizens more to underwrite their luxury needs and hab-

its, including the upping of the container tax, more attempts to impose the notorious parking meter system among many other fees.

Until the ‘Terrific Triumvirate’ is removed and until there is a thorough forensic audit, including an audit of their Internal Section and a Commission of Inquiry at City Hall, citizens should just sit tight and endure many, many, more luxury trips, large tenders being doled out without tender procedures being adhered to, more nepotism, cronyism and favouritism and much more slackness at City Hall.

Sincerely, Laquisha Kaftans

Professor Pollard has failed to address the real issues on the CCJ case Dear Editor, Professor Justice Duke Pollard’s letter “Lowe’s conclusion on case before CCJ was spurious” in another section of the media, which criticises Mr Sherwood Lowe for expressing his views in a letter “Mendez has shifted the CCJ gaze from Article 1 to Article 9 of the Constitution” in that same paper, exposes the fact that Professor Pollard is ‘singing for his supper’ – more so when you consider that he attempts to discount the views of a Guyanese, who has not been pro-PPP, but has been consistent in his expressions since I first met him in the early 2000s.

Lowe, in his letter, makes it clear that he disagreed with the ruling of former CJ Chang, who found in favour of Cedric Richardson, in the case where

presidential term limits have been challenged. However, he has also said that given the arguments made on behalf of Richardson, in the appeal before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the CCJ would be hard-pressed to reject these.

Professor Pollard, who serves as a Legal Advisor to Attorney General Basil Williams (a post he has held since May 4, 2017) sought to discount Lowe’s comments.

Editor, I submit that rather than respond to Lowe, he could have used his time to advise his boss on his misleading comments – rather than go after someone with more credibility.

Williams sought to convey the impression at the CCJ that the issue of term limits was not only signed into law – as a change to Guyana’s constitutional provisions in 2001 –

but was part of the agreement detailed in the Herdmanston Accord. Editor, as it relates to constitutional changes, the Accord makes it clear that: “The matters to be addressed by the Constitutional Reform Commission will be measures and arrangements for the improvement of race relations in Guyana, including the contribution which equal opportunities, legislation and concepts drawn from the Caricom Charter of Civil Society can contribute to the cause of justice, equity and progress in Guyana.”

There was never any mention of term limits in the Accord.

Moreover, Act No 1 of 1999 addresses the Terms of Reference for the Constitution Reform Commission Act and, again, there is no mention of Term Limits.

Why did Professor Pollard fail to address this, if he is intent on public declarations of what comments are “spurious” and what is not?

Multiple missteps made

by Williams have been unaddressed by Professor Pollard, in his capacity as Williams’ Legal Advisor. Why did Pollard not address the seeming conflict of interest where the grandson, Richard Layne, of another paid Legal Advisor (James Patterson) of the Attorney General, who led the case at the CCJ, is the judicial assistant to the CCJ President, Sir Byron, according to his LinkedIn profile? This is important, particularly given the loose talk from the Attorney General, which we are all privy to.

Sincerely, Peter R Ramsaroop

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018

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

Aggravating an already Petroleum agreement and Guyana Chronicle claimed firings irate citizenry Dear Editor, Each time the Town Clerk of Georgetown dispatches a long-winded vacuous epistle to the letters column of the local dailies, it serves no other purpose but to aggravate further, an already irate citizenry. One wonders if it is deliberate, to let them know that he can and will do whatever he pleases, and they can ‘Like it or Lump it.’

The Town Clerk knows that the most recent purported ‘election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor’ would better be referred to as the ‘selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor’ which is done by a caucus of select Councillors prior. And therefore, to say that the Deputy Mayor was not returned by virtue of a democratic process is simply egregious.

In fact, the denial of the ‘No-Confidence Motion against the Town Clerk’ which allows him to remain in his seat and spout a lot of baloney, is the epitome of autocracy instead of democracy.

Undoubtedly the Alliance

For Change has been kicked to the curb at City Hall, and every intelligent person knows that. But the biggest and sickest joke so far must be his statement that it is public knowledge that within recent times some members of the Council have been using their voices to disseminate inaccurate information and even fake news to adversely affect the image and reputation of the Council, to erode public confidence and trust in its work, and to undermine its authority, while others have been making efforts not only to improve the work of the Council but also the quality of life in the local communities. If this gentleman truly believes that persons are not aware of the graft, corruption, venality, nepotism and financial mismanagement that is ongoing at City Hall, then he is disconnected, lost and out of touch with reality.

He then goes on to say that three years ago the city was left to rot. Does he not see that from the City Hall Building, Georgetown to everything

else the Council has control over continues to rot and rot even more now? And was he not working right there at City Hall for the last 30 years when the city was purportedly left to rot? He further says that they turned around the fortunes of the city. This guy has quite a sense of humour.

It was only a few contractors, a few officials of the Council and their relatives whose fortunes were turned around, not the city. Then he talks about ‘new and improved conditions of Georgetown’. What is he talking about? The Stabroek Market wharf that has collapsed or the market clocks that are not working? The old and unhygienic abattoir? the City Police training school that is in rack and ruins, the unfinished Kitty Market, the bad roads and poor street lighting, and the robberies around the dirty and leaking municipal markets? Wake up and smell the coffee Town Clerk.

Sincerely, Melissa Chiu

Dear Editor, The recent dismissals of Professor David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis have not displaced the foremost news event in Guyana, this being the sinful giveaway of Guyana’s oil patrimony, followed by the awful decisions in the sugar industry. The terminations have highlighted how politicians attempt to justify inane and asinine acts, by using dishonourable, mendacious or facetious statements.

The utterings by politicians to logically define the indefinable and explain the inexplicable; such as the US$460 million giveaway to Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil, are weak and ineffectual gestures to deceive the Guyanese people.

Over the last two years, several tribal and servile writings of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) members, David Hinds and Tacuma

Ogunseye to ‘green-wash’ the current government, has degraded their admirable soldiering with Dr Walter Rodney in the 1970s; under the banner of the WPA. Lincoln Lewis has not varied half as much in his media offerings, which tend to be tepid and insufficient. All these individuals have co-joined to assume worse misdeeds carried out by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), while at the same time, respectfully genuflecting and serving mild criticisms of the current government.

As William Francis Buckley said “I will not insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you said”; this quote is most applicable as a response to claims made

by Guyana’s oil politicians and the Editor-In-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle to justify decisions relative to the petroleum agreement and the termination of Hinds and Lewis. Ex-President

Desmond Hoyte once referenced a People’s National Congress colleague as a “creature of the party”, truer words were never spoken when it comes to party politics and paramountcy of party leaders.

We have a Chronicle Board that so enjoy their role as status supplicants that instead of resigning en masse from the Guyana Chronicle Board of Directors, thereby distancing themselves from the irrational dismissals of Hinds and Lewis. Instead, the Board members prefer to split and twist words. What we really need are persons in the hierarchy of leadership that have the courage and strength to insist on the renegotiation of the unholy petroleum agreement and to right obvious and egregious wrongs. Several options are in the marketplace that by far, are not as dishonourable.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

Why no public engagement?

Dear Editor, Reference your news item ‘Oil Experts for High-level Cabinet Ministers Caucus today’, a question or two and a few brief remarks. Why was this briefing by a panel of experts not extended to include members of the parliamentary Opposition, civil society and

the various interest groups that have evolved in the wake of the oil discoveries? Surely it would have been possible to at least hold a general session initially before a discussion in camera with Cabinet?

1. The items on the agenda (SWF, national security etc) outweigh any partisan political

divisions and speak to the future of the nation. While these issues transcend the current political matrix and the moment, the meeting is prisoner to both.

2. Public funds have presumably been used to underwrite this meeting and to transport the various experts

from their respective corners of the globe. It is therefore not unreasonable to expect that the expertise made available to the Cabinet also be made available to the citizenry.

3. Did none of the experts or the organisations involved think to enquire as to whether there would be an opportuni-

Why didn’t the President visit Rose Hall?

Dear Editor, It was pleasing to see that President David Granger during a visit to Berbice on March 16, 2018 took some time to meet with laid-off security guards in New Amsterdam.

According to the release from the President’s office, His Excellency reportedly said: “… it is beyond un-

reasonable for workers to be left without salaries for such a long period”. Those are indeed positive words from President Granger.

But while heartened by that interaction, wasn’t it most unreasonable that the President, though a stone’s throw away, did not visit the now jobless, ex-sugar workers of Rose Hall, who are also

facing difficulties. President Granger, at his swearing-in on May 16, 2015, said: “I shall be a good President for all the people.” Certainly, a good President would have ventured to see how the people of Rose Hall are making out since they lost their jobs and to see what assistance he could give.

Rather, the President chose to send Public

Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who, in his usual self, put his foot in his mouth and made incorrect assertions. Mr President, I urge you to live up to your commitment to be a good President and give all our people a Good Life.

Yours faithfully, Liebert Alleyne

The AFC is dead and buried

Dear Editor, Each day that passes only serves to confirm that the Alliance For Change (AFC) is ‘dead meat’ and no amount of empty rhetoric will bring it back to life. The message is quite clear: the A Partnership for National Unity no longer needs the AFC since it has very little to offer, if anything at all.

Those supporters, who came from the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have returned to their respective homes.

Undoubtedly, the 2020 General Elections is a race between the PPP and the PNC. The smaller parties have been decimated and obliterated. However, the young people of this country will be the deciding factor

and since they are not in any way influenced by ‘party loyalty’ I am sure they will vote based on how they view what is taking place currently and then make an educated comparison of what had taken place during the tenure of the previous governments.

I am confident that the poor and inept handling of many issues such as the oil PSA, the quicksilver nature of addressing the GuySuCo dilemma, the ever expanding web of corruption as it relates to procurement, the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman and the economic decline affecting the country. Corruption is more blatant than it ever was, and the Government lacks the political will to effect any meaningful change.

It must be noted that from

May 2015, the AFC has become increasingly tone deaf to all the issues mentioned above and its Ministers within the coalition Government are only intent on securing their ’good life’. I do feel that Moses Nagamootoo should use this opportunity to leave on medical grounds after securing his pension since his ‘spin’ bowling is no longer necessary. He has become so uncharacteristically silent on so many issues afflicting this nation.

In addition, the Public Security Minister seems to be making more statements on agriculture related issues whenever he visits Berbice rather than finding solutions for the escalating crime problems. Corruption has been growing within the Police Force and his Ministry. It

has been alleged that there is a ‘yard sale’ of gun licences in Black Bush Polder.

Then Minister Trotman has made tremendous ‘blunders’ with the EXXON deal which reeks of corruption with this nation losing whatever windfall would have accrued from the discovery of oil. His gimmicks and excuses have become unbearable to the average Guyanese.

Guyanese will have to continue to live as third-class citizens because of his ‘blunders’. Moreover, the Public Infrastructure Minister seems to be having a rough time determining who is not corrupt within his Ministry.

Cronyism and corruption are devouring his Ministry.

Yours sincerely, Muhammad Mustapha

ty for public engagement? One wonders how reports of this exclusive caucus would play with their respective constituencies, employers and funders at home. Chatham House, for example, maintains a commitment to open debate as well as ‘private discussions’ in its mission statement. In this case, apparently, the former has been forfeited in favour of the latter.

4.

The current Administration holds power by a one-seat majority, the slenderest of margins. What was arguably an ambitious coalition of disparate groups is already showing signs of fraying

at the seams. Many commentators have pointed out that, if only for the sake of survival, it needs to govern inclusively and to seek to build alliances across the political spectrum, particularly on issues such as these.

Here was a golden opportunity squandered.

5. This, it seems, is the first of several such gatherings. One hopes that, in the future, the convener and the distinguished list of invitees will make a more concerted effort to respect international norms of public discourse.

Yours faithfully, Isabelle de Caires

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018

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TestTaking

Foundation

Tips

D

o you sweat, chew your pencil, and feel butterflies in your stomach as your teacher hands out a test? A lot of people (adults included) get freaked out when it’s time to take a test.

It’s natural to feel some stress about taking tests.

In fact, sometimes a little adrenaline (a hormone made by your body during times of excitement or stress) is a good thing to jump-start you.

Here are some tips for taking tests: First, be sure you’ve studied properly. It sounds like a no-brainer, but if you’re sure of the information, you’ll have less reason to be worried.

Get enough sleep the night before the test. Your memory recall will be much better if you’ve had enough rest. In a scientific study, people who got enough sleep before taking a math test did better than those who stayed up all night studying.

Listen closely to any instructions. As the teacher hands out the test, be sure you know what’s expected of you.

Read the test through first. Once you have the test paper in front of you, read over the entire test, checking out how long it is and all the

guyanatimesgy.com

Ready to snap? parts that you are expected to complete. This will let you estimate how much time you have for each section and ask the teacher any questions. If something seems unclear before you start, don’t panic: ask.

Focus on addressing each question individually. As you take the test, if you don’t know an answer, don’t obsess over it. Instead,

answer the best way you can or skip over the question and come back to it after you’ve answered other questions.

Relax. If you’re so ner-

vous that you blank out, you might need a mini-break. Of course you can’t get up and move around in the middle of a test, but you can wiggle your fingers and toes, take four or five deep breaths, or picture yourself on a beach or some other calm place. As we all know, it can be easy to forget things we know well — like a locker combination.

The difference is we know we’ll remember our locker combination because we’ve used it hundreds of times, so we don’t panic and the combination number eventually comes back. During a test, if you blank out on something and start to get tense, it suddenly becomes much more difficult to remember.

Finished already?

Although most teachers will let you hand a test in early, it’s usually a good idea to spend any extra time checking over your work. You also can add details that you may not have thought you’d have time for. On the other hand, if you have five minutes until the bell rings and you’re still writing, wind up whatever you’re working on without panicking. (kidshealth. org)

How to catch yourself and get back on track – here's how to start shifting your gears to get out of that irritable space

W

e all have irritable days, when we find ourselves reacting to our child with impatience. We know what respect and compassion look like, but somehow we can’t find them at that moment.

We might feel so fed up that connecting is the last thing we feel like doing.

As long as you catch yourself, apologise, and get yourself back on track, the humans who love you will forgive you. In fact, the way you repair those small relationship ruptures will teach your child some essential lessons about life and love.

The answer for those irritable times: Reconnect with your child, so you're more emotionally generous and she's more cooperative.

The hard part, of course, is that we can't reconnect until we first shift out of that irritable place. So start by shifting gears. Here's how.

Notice your own impatience

You feel irritated, like your child is being a problem. And maybe she is. But instead of using that as permission to get mad, use it

as your red flag that you need to stop and shift gears.

Remind yourself that when you're feeling really good, you respond to her with more emotional generosity.

What if your child is being really difficult, maybe even impossible? You can't change your child directly, but you can change your own reaction. The more you can react with understanding, the more likely your child will calm down, too.

Remember, those are your emotions. Your child may be triggering them, but as you're always telling your child, it's your job to manage your own emotions.

The only choice you have here is whether to make things better or worse. Can you choose love?

able feelings underneath to surface.

This is one of the most important steps toward emotional wholeness and healing you can take – just feeling those yucky emotions that come up in the course of your everyday life, instead of hiding in little addictions like screens, food and shopping. Many of these feelings are triggered by baggage that goes back to our childhoods.

Every time you simply love yourself through an emotion by letting yourself feel it without acting on it, you're dissolving it, emptying it out of your emotional backpack. You're actually rewiring your brain.

Summon up all the compassion you can for yourself

Take 10 deep breaths.

Shake out your hands.

Jump up and down. Do a yoga stretch. Put on music and dance for five minutes.

If you find yourself yawning or trembling, that's just emotion leaving your body.

Think of all that emotion as "energy in motion" and just let it move through you and on out.

Okay, you aren’t at your best right now. Maybe you’re being brusque or irritable or whining or snappish. That’s not a sign that you’re a bad person. It’s a sign that you need some help. Your job is to be the grown-up in the situation and give yourself that help! (As opposed to taking your upset out on someone else.) That starts with giving yourself some nurturing. Start by speaking tenderly to yourself, reassuring yourself.

Just be with yourself for a few moments

You’ll notice annoyance or impatience, but take a deep breath and look past your judgments (“Why can’t he just behave?!”) to the fears behind your anger (“What if he's still doing this when he's 20?... If I were a better parent, this wouldn’t be happening… What if I've ruined my child?”)

Behind our annoyance there's usually fear or grief or hurt or powerlessness.

The secret is that once you hold yourself with compassion and let yourself feel those emotions, they start to evaporate. Just don’t take action based on those feelings. That urgent need to set your child straight right now? That means you're in fight mode. Instead, take a deep breath, hug yourself, and allow the more vulner-

Move your body to shift the emotion

Give yourself a hug

Acknowledge yourself for your courage in being willing to face those upsets that were making you irritable. Express gratitude for that red flag (your own impatience) that helped you do this small healing and get back on track before a major firestorm erupted.

Take a deep breath and remind yourself "She's acting like a child because she is a child....There's no emergency...What would love do?"

The steps are easy — notice, choose compassion, feel, move, hug!

But actually doing them is some of the hardest work we do – taking responsibility for our own reactions.

The good news is that you're rewiring your brain, so it gets easier every time you do it. And you'll notice over time that your irritable moments are less and less frequent. Which gives you lots more room for joyful connection. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jagdeo accuses Govt of dismantling pro-poor policies

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eneral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo believes that some of the repressive and anti-people decisions taken by the coalition Government since its assumption to office, which have had a severe effect on the lives on many Guyanese, were well orchestrated to dismantle the pro-poor policies set by the party’s founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Addressing an audience which comprised veteran politicians and members of the diplomatic corps on Tuesday evening at Red House, Jagdeo said Jagan worked hard to bring relief to poor and middle class Guyanese.

Jagdeo said he thought it was best to talk about the defining challenges of today and how Jagan’s writings, example and philosophy will help to guide the party in addressing the contemporary challenges.

“We have seen some trends of this Government for the three years they have been in office that has caused a lot of worry for many people. The first is the dismantling of the pro-poor policies of the PPP, whether in the housing sector, taxation on basic food items, water, and electricity,” he stated.

The former Head of

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo addressing an audience at Red House, Kingston, Georgetown

State said the coalition’s Government extends beyond that, because they have been strangely working against the gains made in the local Private Sector.

“One would think that with the pro-poor policies that they will be pro-Private Sector but paradoxically, they are also dismantling the environment in which the Private Sector thrived in the past,” he added.

He claimed that in addition to implementing a slew of taxes, there is now constant harassment of the business community, where there is no longer much dynamism in the sector. “If you do a survey of the business sector you would

find that they are all speaking with gloom about the future,” he said.

Another trend of the coalition Government, according to Jagdeo, is the blatant attempt to reverse the democratic gains of the country. “So Parliament and the separation of powers, sometimes the unilateral or arbitrary interpretation of the President of the Constitution, and the laws of Guyana.”

Jagdeo also pointed to what he described as decisive politics being displayed by the current Government. He referred to the example where hundreds of Amerindians in various hinterland communities had their jobs taken away from them that were created under the PPP Administration.

He also referred to a series of broken promises made by the Government which they are yet to fulfil. The former President noted that certain institutions were put in place prior to the PPP leaving office, but when the coalition assumed office, they began to dismantle them, including the Integrity Commission.

Referring back to the struggles made by Dr Jagan, Jagdeo said that the bravery, resilience and hard work of the former President must

Case dismissed against Cop charged for stealing gun, ammo

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wenty-two-year-old Kevon Johnson of Lot 16 Public Road, Hague, West Coast Demerara (WCD), had his case dismissed on Wednesday after he appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Johnson was accused in August 2017 of stealing a 9mm pistol valued $375,000 and 10 live rounds of ammunition; property of the Guyana Police Force while he was stationed at the Tactical Service Unit (TSU), Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

At the time Johnson was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force for three years.

After the accusations were made against him, he was placed under close arrest and it was only on October 5, 2017, that he was placed on open arrest and told to make an appearance in court.

Facts presented by the Prosecutor stated that on the day in question, ranks acting on information went to Den Amstel, ECD, where they made contact with the defen-

dant who was under a shed gambling with four friends.

The court heard that a physical search was conducted on the defendant and the gun and ammunition were found in his pants crotch.

The Prosecutor told the court that after the defendant was arrested, he admitted that he found the gun along with the ammunition in a cupboard when he was taking out a pair of boots.

Johnson was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 by presiding Magistrate Latchman.

A section of the audience on Tuesday who gathered for a special event to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan

never be forgotten. He noted also that ever since the PPP was formed by Jagan, it has been an all-inclusive party, which has welcomed people of all walks of life to join.

According to him, it is no different today although people would from time to time question the ideology of the party. He said while the major question is whether the PPP is departing from socialism, he said that Jagan’s polices will never die in the party and therefore there is room for everyone.

“There is room for socialist, communist, capitalist or farmer (peasant). It’s not a

departure. It started in the 1950s… because of the policies of Jagan we managed to get the debt down too. We took a bankrupt country and made it viable. If anything that’s the biggest achievement of the PPP. Not the many roads and schools and hospitals we built but making Guyana financially stable,” he added.

Reflecting on the struggles Jagan made to return free and fair elections to Guyana, Jagdeo directed his attention to the diplomatic corps, explaining that the biggest fear in the minds of many Guyanese is whether the coalition would tamper with the

election process in 2020.

Jagdeo said the diplomatic community has an important role to play in ensuring that there continues to be free and fair elections in Guyana.

While noting that this is a genuine concern, he urged his party supporters to work harder to ensure this doesn’t happen, and never to give up hope.

“When he (Jagan) fought for democracy there wasn’t any television and social media. He did it by whatever means and he reached the people and ensured that the work was done. During his time it was more difficult and we have better ways in doing what is right,” he stated.

Also present at the event were former President Donald Ramotar, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, PPP stalwart Ralph Ramkarran, Ashton Chase, and Dr Frank Anthony, among other many PPP members.

This year marks the 100th birth anniversary of the late Dr Jagan who is widely regarded in Guyana as the ‘Father of the Nation’ because of the role he played in fighting for Guyana’s independence.

8 NEWS

thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NBS senior staff charged for false imprisonment

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hree New Building Society (NBS) staff members were on Wednesday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to false imprisonment charges.

The charges read that on January 23, 2018, Anil Beharry , Anil Kishun, and Deka Tularam prevented eight persons, inclusive of Court Marshals and Police Officers from leaving NBS’ Avenue of the Republic office. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Media personnel and members of the public were not allowed in the courtroom when the matter was presided over by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

On the day in question,

The doors to the NBS headquarters which were blocked and locked on January 23, 2018

Court Marshals and Police Officers had visited the lending agency to execute a levy of the business’ assets.

Just two days prior, Justice Brassington

Reynolds awarded some $59 million in damages to the company’s former CEO, Maurice Arjoon for wrongful dismissal and pension.

The company had locked its

doors, claiming that it was under the impression the lending agency was being robbed, preventing customers from leaving the building.

During the six-hour standoff, Joseph Allen, Gina Arjoon, Martin Brown, Alex Green, Patrick Higgins, Ganesh Hira, Shawn Kalicharran, and Goodish Singh were all confined within the building.

Arjune had initially sued for $550 million; however, he was only awarded $79 million and a ruling that he should receive a monthly pension of $372,498.

The trio was released on self bail and will return to court on March 26 before Magistrate Dylon Bess.

Couple on bail for assault

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couple were arraigned in the G e o r g e t o w n Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday for physically assaulting a young man.

The charge stated that on October 10, 2017 at Queen Street, Tiger Bay,

Georgetown, Adi Dubay, 34, and Napula Baptiste, 31, both of B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, assaulted Anthony Bartholomew causing him grievous bodily harm.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Dubay later begged Magistrate Fababyo Azore to issue a warning to Bartholomew, claiming that the young man hurled insults at him while they were entering the court.

In a bid to defend himself, Bartholomew explained

that Dubay taunted him as he passed into the court, which resulted in his reply.

Dubay was placed on $75,000 bail while Baptiste’s bail was put at $100,000. They are expected to return to court on March 28, 2018.

Manager testifies in Trinidadian Soca artiste’s assault

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he manager of popular Trinidadian soca artiste Rodney LeBlanc, also known as “Benjai”, on Wednesday took to the stand to give his testimony against the man who is accused of assaulting the duo back in April 2017.

Disc jockey (DJ) and Manager Seon Issacs recalled the ordeal, relating to the court that they had just

finished performing at popular night spot Palm Court and were preparing to leave the venue when the incident occurred.

The court heard that on the day in question – April 16 – at around 02:30h, the accused and another had just entered their car with registration plates PLL 2456 when the driver reversed the vehicle, hitting the persons

who were standing behind.

They began to tap on the vehicle and the accused subsequently exited his car brandishing a gun towards them while another dealt LeBlanc a stab to the face.

LeBlanc was then rushed to a nearby city hospital where immediate corrective surgery was ordered for his face.

Issacs told the court that

Trinidadian Soca artiste Rodney LeBlanc, also known as “Benjai”

his testimony came just 11 months after the initial incident occurred and that at the time of the incident, he did not make an effort to protect his client.

Reports into the matter state that the accused – 27-year-old Maverick DeAbreau – during an argument moments after the soca artiste wrapped up his concert in Guyana on April 16, hit him with a glass bottle causing actual bodily harm.

Moreover, LeBlanc reportedly started to hit the back of the car with a Ciroc bottle he had in his hand.

The driver allegedly came out of his car and LeBlanc reportedly advanced towards him. However, after seeing the commotion outside, De Abreu allegedly rushed out of the vehicle and dealt one blow to LeBlanc’s face with a bottle.

LeBlanc received 15 stitches for the injuries he received.

Raising the temperature…

Y

…in politics our Eyewitness has oft written (…like that, eh??!!) about events serving as “Rorschach Tests” that reveal the mindsets and motivations of political actors in Guyana. But with the fallout from the “Chronicle firings” we don’t need to project anything… the players are openly “telling it like it is”!! It’s like everyone has now been given Superman’s “X-ray vision” – adapted to expose political machinations!!

The “official” explanation by the Chronic editor for firing Hinds and Lewis was the paper was being “rebranded”. Let’s take that for what it’s worth and examine the writings of the fellas who replaced the two whose heads were served on a platter, a la Salome and Herod, for clues about the “rebranding”!! They’re two youngsters who seem to’ve been just exposed to the western “classics” in book form and couldn’t have possibly been around long enough to experience how the nuggets of wisdom might’ve fared in our Guyanese reality.

It’s clear the two young men still believe history unfolds in a unilinear fashion along paths trod by the Greeks and Romans. Even Black Panther hasn’t woken them up to the fact that there can be other (maybe more relevant) trajectories!! Anyhow, one of the replacements, essayed a piece taken from the Philippics of Cicero against the ambitions of Mark Anthony to take over the Roman Empire. He warned against “The Enemy Within” who’re doubly dangerous because they speak in the “accents” of the incumbents. In other words, they’re traitors to the Republic.

This argument was made explicitly against David Hinds by the fella your Eyewitness referred to yesterday, Milton Bruce, who seem to have a real grouse against the activist. His venom is palpable! And this is where your Eyewitness thinks things are getting out of hand.

Once the “chosen” start using words like “enemies” and “betrayal” of “us” and “they” will get in to do “us” in, then we are unleashing a misdset that took us over the abyss before.

This is the language of extremism that inevitably leads us to ensure “purity” of those who’ll be allowed to enter into the Kingdom of (in our case) the coming oil wealth. Hinds and Lewis have repeatedly assured the powers-that-be they’re committed to the end game, but are just in disagreement with some particulars. This is not “pure” enough for the new gatekeepers, so what about the rest of us??

It’s just like when that upstart Rodney dared to tell Burnham he was insulting African Guyanese when he assumed they’d railroad a “PPP Indian” from the Corentyne, for treason.

And we all know the “sharper steel” had to be brought out, don’t we? It’s like déjà vu all over again!! …in elections rigging Have you, dear readers, been following the accusations of a Data Mining company – Cambridge Analytica (CA) – having access to 50 million Facebook accounts – and using the info to possibly influencing the last US elections on behalf of Trump? Now, while most have been obsessing about the betrayal of the Facebook business model’s confidentiality assurances to its members, your Eyewitness is more concerned about the “influencing” of elections by CA!!

He’s always assumed Facebook would be using its data to make money – and that means closing their eyes to a whole lot of slackness. But while you, dear reader, may believe this kind of data exploitation might work in the US where everyone’s plugged into the Matrix, and it doesn’t concern us, think again!! News is out from a secret taping of a CA executive by a British TV Channel, they were involved in the recently (very) troubled elections in Ghana that had to be held over because of violations!

And, dear reader, if data manipulation could affect the Kenyan elections, why should we be exempt?? …of water GWI just announced they want to build a new HQ on prime Bel Air land they reclaimed because a fence was obstructing the Lama Canal.

As opposed to a building?

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

News

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New officers urged to not “succumb to the temptation of corruption” …as GPF inducts 92 new officers

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he Guyana Police Force on Wednesday hosted a Passing Out Parade for 98 new officers who recently completed the Basic Recruit Courses 364 to 66, successfully inducting them into the realm of the Force.

Training began on September 6, 2017, with 127 new recruits, however, because of the intensity of the courses, only 98 graduated.

The new officers were subjected to teachings in crime, traffic and Information Technology along with other aspects of training to make them well rounded Police Officers.

While delivering the feature address, Assistant Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie applauded the officers for completing the training course. He noted the fact that they are part of the parade bears testimony to their strong will and dedication toward protecting the citizens of Guyana.

“As the new generation of Policemen and women you will face moral challenges and high public expectations and you are expected at all times to exhibit that professionalism and dedication so necessary for the execution of duties. From this point forward until the day you leave this job, you will be in the public’s eyes subject to constant comments… it is just a fact from now on,” he said.

“Remember the oath you took to serve and protect the citizens of this country, this must always be on the forefront of your minds. Avoid temptation and remain honest when carrying out your functions. Law enforcement officials are expected to display special qualities,” Hoppie added.

knowledge, skills and abilities to address the weaknesses. He noted the officers are required to display high moral and ethical standards at all times, adding they are to not only be Policemen in uniforms.

“You need to be imbued

is in keeping with a modern Police Force. Remember this is a service profession.

It is your responsibility to protect and serve, never take action based on emotion,” he noted.

“One of the fundamental keys to successful law

without this trust Police work becomes much less effective,” Hoppie explained.

In presenting the course overview, Sergeant Anderson said since the commencement of the training sessions the ranks were exposed to various tech-

enforcement is good Policecommunity relation or the relationship between the Police and the community you serve. Good Police community relations are imperative to developing trust between Police and citizens,

niques and the essential principles of policing practices and principles.

At the parade, the graduates were awarded trophies in the categories of most improved, runner up and best student for each course.

Senior officers with the best graduating student of each course

He urged the officers to be committed to serving their communities, to execute their duties without fear or favour and to develop a high degree of self-discipline and integrity. In addition, he noted challenged the officers not to succumb to the temptation of corruption.

“Be vigilant. The multidimensional and multifaceted nature of crime today requires vigilance and foresight to maintain that stronghold on perpetrators.

It is becoming more evident that traditional reactive styles of policing do no effectively contain crime and criminals in a society that is rapidly changing through technological advances. As a consequence proactive measures are necessary and you are to be the architects of same,” he noted.

He explained the qualities will prove to be invaluable to the work of the officers. He challenged the new officers to take every opportunity to enrich their

The newly minted Police Officers

with the understanding that the public comprises people with an infinite variety of attitudes and disposition which will often be at variance with yours, hence the need to display the level of professionalism that

10 NEWS

thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Granger pushes for climate resilient tourism …as Inter-American Congress of Ministers on Tourism opens Importantly also, Granger told the participating countries that the protection of the Americas’ patrimony, its natural assets, cultural diversity is the bedrock of sustainable tourism.

As such, tourism industries must be protected from the perils of transnational threats such as cybercrime and trafficking in all forms. “Security cooperation against transnational threats will make societies safer for our citizens and our visitors,” he told countries of the OAS. Granger urged the conference to seek solutions to ensuring that the Americas

President David Granger (centre) with several top Government officials from across the Americas n underscoring the im- land and low-lying coastal the South.’ The North and portance of tourism to states,” he explained.

East have had their day. It several countries, particHe said rising sea lev- is now the South’s turn. A ularly those in the Americas, els are eroding beaches, de- sustainable tourism sector President David Granger stroying coral reefs and declared that sustainable disrupting marine life, all tourism requires sustained prime Caribbean tourist action to ensure a more cli- attractions – the result of mate resilient tourism sec- climate change. Extreme tor, and this should be taken weather patterns are precipseriously by every country. itating droughts and floods, Addressing the open- which diminish food suping of the two-day XXIV plies and customer services Inter-American Congress of needed by the tourism secMinisters and High-Level tor.

Authorities of Tourism beGranger said therefore ing held in Guyana at that climate resilient tourthe Marriott Hotel, the ism will help the hemisphere Guyanese Head of State to recover from natural hazsaid climate change is real ards. He said increased freand has proven potential to quency of hurricanes in the reverse progress in many Caribbean can attest to the A section of the audience at the opening of countries. inflicted severe damage the two-day tourism conference “It is not an intellectual to infrastructure: bridges, invention or political soph- boats, hotels, roads, resorts can make this century an can catalyse their tourism istry. Climate change rep- and utilities, which are vital occasion for rediscovering potential by increasing anresents the most potent to tourism. the ‘New’ world,” Granger nual tourist arrivals. To do threat to Caribbean tour“The 21st century must told the large gathering on this, the President said they must protect the Americas’ ism, particularly to small-is- become the ‘Century of Wednesday.

I

natural capital by developing a concerted approach to the environment.

But more than that, he said they must promote increased connectivity between tourist destinations; and provide smaller states with easier access to capital for investments to build a more resilient industry. “…small island states tend to lack the resources

to finance their own air and shipping lines so that new routes can be exploited to boost tourist arrivals. Travel needs to be cheaper, easier and faster. Destinations need to be connected efficiently to make tourism more competitive with our parts of the world,” he stated.

Turn to page 18

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

W

orld Water Day, observed on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.

Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods.

S u s t a i n a b l e Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution. The United Nations is advocating that everyone, wherever they are and whatever they are doing on March 22, to make it about nature and water.

Background

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to

celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/47/193 of 22 December 1992 by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) contained in Chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21.

States were invited to devote the Day, as appropriate in the national context, to concrete activities such as the promotion of public awareness through the production and dissemination of documentaries and the organization of conferences, round tables, seminars and expositions related to the conservation and development of water resources and the implementation of the recommendations of Agenda

21

2018 Theme

Nature for Water

This year’s theme – Nature for Water – explores how we can use nature to overcome the water challenges of the 21st century.

This year’s theme, ‘Nature for Water’, explores nature-based solutions (NBS) to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.

The campaign is called ‘The answer is in nature’ and raises awareness of NBS. The central message is that NBS, such as planting trees to replenish forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands, is a sustainable and cost-effective way to help rebalance the water cycle, mitigate the effects of climate change and improve human health and livelihoods.

Environmental damage, together with climate change, is driving the wa-

ter-related crises we see around the world.

Floods, drought and water pollution are all made worse by degraded vegetation, soil, rivers and lakes.

The UN has emphasised that when we neglect our ecosystems, we make it harder to provide everyone with the water we need to survive and thrive.

“Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges. We need to do so much more with ‘green’ infrastructure and harmonize it with ‘grey’ infrastructure wherever possible. Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihood,”

the UN said in a statement.

2018 World Water Development Report

Importance of Conservation

The 8th World Water Forum is being held in Brasilia from March 18th to 23rd 2018; the overarching theme is Sharing Water.

The conference opened on Monday hours after the United Nations issued its 2018 World Water Development Report warning that about 3.6 billion people, or half the world's population, already live in areas where water can be scarce at least one month a year. That could rise to 5.7 billion people by 2050, the report said. "There is simply no time to lose," Brazilian President, Michel Temer said during the opening remarks.

Participants are meeting against the backdrop of the

situation in Cape Town, which until earlier this month was projected to run out of water as early as July, forcing the closing of household taps and extreme rationing.

That crisis has now eased, with the local government saying that a campaign to bring 60 percent reduction in consumption has done enough to avert the shutoff.

"This is the consensus," Temer said. "Life on earth is threatened if we don't respect nature's limits."

This year, the report will focus on nature-based solutions for water supply and availability in the long -term. And the fact the Brasilia is suffering the worst water crisis in its history - with shortage and rationing - is a reminder of the importance of this theme. (Source AFP)

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thursDAY, maRCH 22, 2018 | guya

H 22, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Facts Water demand:

• 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water resources • By 2050, the world’s population will have grown by an estimated 2 billion people and global water demand could be up to 30% higher than today.

• Agriculture currently accounts for 70% of global water withdrawals, mostly for irrigation – a figure which rises in areas of high water stress and population density. Industry takes 20% of the total, dominated by energy and manufacturing.

The remaining 10% goes to domestic use – the proportion used for drinking water is much less than 1%.

Water availability

• Today, around 1.9 billion people live in potentially severely water-scarce areas. By 2050, this could increase to around 3 billion people.

Water quality

• An estimated 1.8 billion people use an unimproved source of drinking water with no protection against contamination from human faeces.

• Globally, over 80% of the wastewater generated

by society flows back into the environment without being treated or reused.

Climate and environment

• The number of people at risk from floods is projected to rise from 1.2 billion today to around 1.6 billion in 2050 – nearly 20% of the world’s population.

• Today, around 1.8 billion people are affected by land degradation and desertification. At least 65% of forested land is in a degraded state.

• An estimated 64-71% of natural wetlands have

been lost since 1900 as a result of human activity.

• Soil erosion from croplands carries away 25 to 40 billion tonnes of topsoil every year, significantly reducing crop yields and the soil’s ability to regulate water, carbon and nutrients.

The runoff, containing large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous, is also a major contributor to water pollution. (Excerpts from UN World Water Day

fact sheet)

D

rinking adequate water will benefit your health. Dehydration is common and can present with headaches, dizziness and tiredness – it’s important to make sure that you consume enough fluid while exercising or in hot weather. The common advice is to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid, ideally water, daily.

According to a Harvard Health study, a healthy person needs 30 to 50 ounces of fluid per day. Drinking fluids is crucial to staying healthy and maintaining the function of every system in your body, including your heart, brain, and muscles. Fluids carry nutrients to your cells, flush bacteria from your bladder, and prevent constipation.

Older adults often don't get enough fluids and risk becoming dehydrated, especially during the hot season when people perspire more.

How to make lemon water However, If you are someone who finds it difficult to drink water, or doesn’t really like the taste, then adding lemon to hot or cold water can

make it more palatable. It’s possible to mistake thirst for hunger, so if you have been advised to lose weight, try having a glass of lemon water first when you feel hungry to see if you're really just thirsty. If you usually opt for fizzy or sugary drinks, lemon water would be a lower-calorie and lower-sugar alternative.

Lemon water is simply

that; the juice and/or slices of lemon including the peel in water. Warm or cold water is up to you. It can be made at home or on the go, just add the lemon juice to your water bottle. You can add other ingredients and flavours such as orange or mint if desired.

The lemons can be juiced (in advance if convenient) and even stored in ice cube trays for freezing (bbcgoodfood.com)

16 NEWS

THURsDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Linden mother died from rare blood disorder, complications …PM rescheduled after family failed to turn up – Linden Hospital CEO

By Utamu Bell

L

inden Hospital Complex (LHC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Farouk Riyasat has noted that 41-year-old Jennifer Gill, who died on Monday following a normal delivery at the medical institution, suffered a blood disorder, referred to as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), which caused rapid blood loss and thinning eventually leading to shock and kidney failure.

The CEO made the revelation, which he stated was his belief, during a media

Dead: Jennifer Gill

brief that was also attended by the Hospital's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Romesa McDonald and Public Relations Officer Toshanna Alicock on Wednesday.

Alicock said the institution was saddened by the incident and expressed sympathy to Gill's family, noting that the Hospital would have completed its investigation and an official report was already prepared and sent to the relevant authorities, including the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Director of Regional Health Services.

Mabaruma mayoral election fiasco

Opposition Councillors to boycott all mayoral meetings – MP Croal …maintains by-elections should have been held

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he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillors in Mabaruma have collectively decided to continue their boycott of all meetings chaired by incumbent Mayor Rupert Henry Smith after he was re-appointed Mayor

by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan.

In keeping with the instructions of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, the Town Council of Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) held elections for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Monday last.

Smith was nominated as the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) pick for the mayoral chair while Councillor Vibert Emmanuel was the PPP/C’s pick and following the voting process a tie of 6:6 was declared. This according to Chapter 28:01 resulted in the need for another round of voting, which was done with the same results. However, Town Clerk Barrington Ward wrote to Minister Bulkan requesting his intervention.

In a letter dated March 15, Bulkan appointed Smith Mayor.

“By virtue of the authority vested in the Minister of Communities in Section 13 (8) of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, which also provides that in such circumstances the Minister shall select one of the above-nominated Councillors as the Mayor, it is hereby declared that Councillor Henry Rupert Smith is the Mayor of the municipality of Mabaruma for the ensuing year,” the letter noted.

This, however, did not go down well with the PPP/C Councillors, who were furious at the Minister’s appointment, since they have a matter of similar nature before

Mayor Rupert Henry Smith

PPP/C MP Collin Croal

the courts. The Councillors have collectively decided to continue their protest of boycotting all meetings chaired

by Smith.

This position was related to Guyana Timesby Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) for the Region, Collin Croal.

He noted that the Councillors would continue working for the betterment of their constituents, but would not support the person that sat in the mayoral chair unless a democratic process was employed for his or her election.

“The Councillors all would continue to do their work and attend the committee meetings and the statutory meeting, but when the instrument is handed over (at the statutory meeting) and the Mayor have to chair it, then they will walk out of that meeting,” he explained.

“By staying there and recognising the Mayor would give legitimacy to his post and it was not a democratic process that got him there,” Croal added.

Croal further related that in the event of a second tie, according to Section 13(6) of the Municipal and District Councils Act, the power to break that tie lay with the registered voters within the town. According to Section 13(6) of the Municipal and District Councils Act, “on account of equality of votes, the Town Clerk shall appoint a

date not later than December 28 in the same year for the election of the Mayor from the tied candidates by the voters whose names appear on the register of voters, for the time being in force, for the city.”

In April of 2017, Justice Diana Inshanally quashed the appointment of Smith as the Mayor and ordered that fresh elections be held. The ruling was as a result of PPP’s Zulfikar Mustapha challenging the decision by Bulkan to appoint a mayor after there was a 6-6 tie in the number of seats won at the 2016 Local Government Elections.

Justice Inshanally noted that the appointment violated the Municipal and District Councils Act because it was “is in excess of and without jurisdiction, made in bad faith, is unreasonable, arbitrary, capricious, based upon irrelevant and improper considerations, mala fide, malicious, vindictive, unlawful, ultra vires, null, void, and of no legal effect”.

With the same situation playing out again, Croal said that they were still awaiting a ruling on the 2016 case, which would decide if they were to challenge Smith’s appointment once again.

He added that they would continue their protest as Smith was expected to be sworn in as Mayor for a third term soon.

LHC CEO, Dr Farouk Riyasat (left); PRO Toshanna Alicock (centre) and Dr McDonald during the press briefing Wednesday

She said a Pathologist from Georgetown travelled to Linden on Wednesday to conduct a post- mortem examination on the body of the now deceased woman; however, her family did not show up despite being informed. This led to the procedure being postponed.

Alicock said according to facts from the report, on first assessment by a doctor, Gill was in active labour when she arrived at the Hospital, being dilated at six centimetres (cm) and did not require a C-section.

"On assessment by the consultant, the patient had no criteria for a C- section...," she noted. Alicock explained that Gill delivered a healthy baby boy and received the necessary drugs and blood that were needed.

"After the patient gave birth, the patient was observed to be haemorrhaging and the patient was then prepped and taken to the theatre to have a hysterectomy." She added that Gill went into hypovolemic shock (also referred to as haemorrhagic shock) and was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where treatment was continued.

However, she went into cardio-respiratory arrest, and despite resuscitation, she died at 20:30h on Monday. Alicock maintains that Gill was treated by a team of expert doctors and that immediate family members were kept up to date on her condition by Dr

McDonald and other members of the team throughout the process.

The CEO noted that the Hospital provided for doctors to be on call 24/7, refuting allegations that there was no doctor available. He said only the anaesthetic consultant was later called in, but an obstetrician had been present with the patient at all times. An obstetrician was the one to decide if Gill needed a C-section, but he said Gill was found to be in the position to facilitate a normal delivery.

Dr Riyasat reiterated that doctors were on site while consultants were always on call and theatre staff were always available.

He added that a doctor was on site when Gill arrived and had observed that she was in labour.

He said the consultant who was called in arrived and did another assessment and Gill was fully dilated by then. Following the normal delivery, Dr Riyasat said, Gill was doing well until about half an hour later when nurses noticed she was bleeding heavily.

He said she was seen by a specialist who did routine procedures and the bleeding stopped but recommenced.

Dr Riyasat explained that Gill's uterus was not contracting despite treatment and doctors made a decision to remove it via hysterectomy. At this time, he said, she was stable and conscious.

After the anaesthetic doctor

arrived, Gill was taken to the operating theatre.

"Because of the blood disorder that this girl was suffering from, during the surgery, she went into a shock...because the clotting factors were not present within her bloodstream, it wasn't clotting the blood as fast as she was bleeding ... therefore, she end up with DIC, a coagulation disorder – Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ... so ... the blood gets thinner..." This, he said, leads to kidney shutdown, but he said Gill was treated for the blood-clotting issue.

Dr Riyasat added that following the hysterectomy, Gill was not passing any urine and died as a result of kidney failure due to rapid blood loss.

According to the CEO, a C-section would have also been life-threatening with the blood disorder, which was only detected after the hysterectomy. He said staff also learnt that a family member of Gill also suffered from the disorder and had to have her uterus removed.

Additionally, he said they learnt that Gill, who had two other children, also suffered severe haemorrhaging during one of her other pregnancies. The CEO said staff only learnt this later, as he explained that specific tests were required to detect the disorder. Prior to this incident, the LHC recorded zero maternal deaths since 2009.

Hague family fearful after car set alight

P

olice are investigating the circumstances which led to a Hague, West Coast Demerara (WCD) resident’s car being set on fire.

Reports are the car belonging to Yoganand Persaud was partly burnt on Wednesday morning. Guyana Times was told that two persons entered Persaud’s yard by climbing over the fence about 12:20h on Wednesday and doused the vehicle with gasoline. According to Persaud, one of the persons then lit an umbrella and used it to set the car ablaze, which resulted in damage to the engine and the front section of the car. After the flames were seen, the family was alerted, and efforts were made to remove the burning car from the yard and save the house from going up in flames.

Meanwhile, Kamlawattie

A damaged section of the car’s bonnet

Persaud, who was at home at the time of the incident, noted that this was not the first time attempts were made to burn the vehicle.

She noted that on Monday morning, gasoline was thrown at the vehicle and in some sections of the yard. A bottle containing gasoline and a wick which was set ablaze was then launched in the direction of

the car.

However, the fire was doused in midair before making contact with the vehicle. Soon after an alarm was raised, and the men fled in a car. In both incidents, the Police were summoned, and statements were taken from the family. An investigation has since been launched into the matter.

NEWS

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt, international experts discuss blueprint for oil and gas sector – at High-Level Caucus

P

resident David Granger says while many people are dazzled by the prospects of petroleum wealth, there is need for greater understanding and education on how the sector operates.

He made it clear that even as the sector was about to take off, his Government would not veer from the ‘green’ development trajectory nor would it stray from delivering on pre-petroleum promises such as removal of the development disparity between the coast and the hinterland, creating an ‘education nation’ and a more cohesive Guyana, and empowering people, all of which will translate to a ‘good life’.

Speaking at the HighLevel Caucus on Oil Sector Strategy on Wednesday, which was organised by the Natural Resources Ministry, the Head of State said, “We

need to educate ourselves as a Cabinet, as a Government and as a population as a whole. We have to take a sober approach to the exploitation of this valuable resource. We need to create the organisation, the structure that will manage this resource and even now, as I speak, we are in a state of transition. When the Government came into office in May 2015, it was literally at the same time, almost at the same date, that the announcement of the petroleum find was made. So, we are still putting in place an organisation that is capable of managing this resource and that is one of the reasons why we need this type of advice.”

The core objectives of the forum, which was held at the Baridi Benab at State House, were to build awareness on key issues relating

to the oil sector; frame the country’s strategic choices to each of the key issues; to align those choices and to provide a blueprint for a sector roadmap. It brought together a mix of international and local experts on natural resources, governance, fiscal policies, finance and economic development.

During the deliberations, there were recurring themes such as economic diversification, education, technology and infrastructural development, all of which were identified as priority areas to be pursued in order to transform the country’s socio-economic landscape. President Granger pointed to the need for legislation and strong oversight institutions to protect citizens from the adverse aspects that could flow from the exploitation of this resource.

“We need to mobilise, not

NA Multilateral Head, Deputy Head Teachers removed

Acting Principal Narine Ddatt Dhanraj

By Andrew Carmichael

T

he Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher of the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) have been removed from their posts by the Education Ministry after over a dozen teachers sought transfers to other school after failure on the part of the authorities there to address allegations of racism and mismanagement at the school.

In their letters or transfer requests, the teachers all sighted racial tension. They had all claimed that the situation at the school had made the working environment uncomfortable among themselves and also the students.

Back 2016, the Region Six Regional Democratic Council had recommended having either the Principal Narine Ddatt Dhanraj or the acting deputy head Shondell Phillips removed from the premier secondary learning facility in the region.

The school is run by a Board and despite several calls at the regional level for the duo’s removal, no action was taken.

After the life of that Board came to an end came

April 2017, the canteen management arrangements were changed allowing certain teachers access to the funds and control of the school canteen. It had been reported that there was a lot of unauthorised spending and mismanagement of the school’s funds which later led to segregation in the school.

Results from the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) showed a downward trend as the New Amsterdam Multilateral School has been losing its premier standing.

The year 2014 was the last year the New Amsterdam Multilateral School topped the region from a percentage standpoint.

As a result, earlier this month, the Education Ministry took a decision to remove both Dhanraj and Phillips in an effort to save the school as the Regional Education Committee had also been reporting that the school has been reporting increasing numbers of social problems.

In January, a letter was issued to Phillips stating that she was being sent to the Vrymens Erven Secondary. After the letter was issued, there was political interference and the letter was recalled. But even before the letter was recalled, other teachers began signalling their reluctance to work with Dhanraj by applying for their own transfers.

Meanwhile, as from the new school year, Dhanraj will take up an appointment at the Central Corentyne Secondary at Bushlot, Corentyne while Phillips will go to the Vrymens Erven Secondary in New Amsterdam.

Dhanraj who was acting at the school’s Principal for more than a decade, will

President David Granger speaking at the forum

only national will but national resources. This is going to be the single largest industry in Guyana. As a country of just about three quarters of a million people, we need to ensure that our resources are mobilised, so that every Guyanese understands the importance of petroleum… We have to protect the rights of investors by establishing the institutions to ensure that there is no abuse or misuse of this resource. Without the institutions, without the judiciary, without the oversight by the National Assembly and without prudent management by the Executive, much of what we are attempting to do will fail,” he said.

M e a n w h i l e , Legal Adviser on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, Sir Shridath Ramphal reminded the

Caucus of the ongoing controversy and the hurdle that the country still has to overcome. “We must not proceed as if that challenge does not exist. At the outset, we cannot afford the luxury of running ahead of ourselves,” he said.

Sir Shridath also commended the Government of Guyana’s efforts which resulted in this matter being referred to the International Court of Justice. “What is at stake is two-thirds of the country and if Venezuela had its way, almost all of our maritime space… It is a colossal step forward that Guyana has gotten to Geneva. We sought a judicial settlement for over 50 years and it is finally in hand,” he said.

One of the main presenters, Sir Paul Collier, a Professor at Blavatnik School of Public Policy at

the University of Oxford, urged the Government to focus on proper policy choices and decisive national leadership. He also spoke of the importance of transforming oil revenues into assets, noting that the oil resource presented numerous opportunities, but the Government must develop a sound strategy to transform those opportunities into tangible benefits for the Guyanese population.

Other presenters at the forum included former United States Ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick Duddy; Dr Valerie Marcel, an Associate Fellow at Chatham House; former Manager of the Chilean Sovereign Wealth Fund, Eric Parrado; Peter Harrington, a Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and Professor Paloma Mohamed from the University of Guyana.

UG launches Cheddi Jagan photographic and book exhibition Acting Deputy Head Shondell Phillips

not be heading the Central Corentyne Secondary.

Phillips, whose substantive position is head of department, will head the English Department at the Vrymens Erven Secondary.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan noted that the Regional Administration and the Education Ministry were forced to conduct an investigation which revealed there is a management problem and division at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School. “It is clear that the head teacher cannot manage the school because there seems to be some level of animosity or division between himself and the deputy which is tearing the school apart; one side is with the head teacher and another side is with the deputy and that is reflecting on the behavior of the students as well. We have seen a turn for the worst in terms of discipline at that school.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman noted that President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Mark Lyte was offered the job as principal of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School but has refused.

The vacancy will have to be advertised, Armogan said.

Some of the works that were on display at the exhibition

I

n commemoration of the birth centenary of the late President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan, the University of Guyana (UG) on Wednesday launched a photographic and book exhibition in honour of his life’s work.

The event featured key speakers including UG Registrar, Dr Nigel Gravesande; Professor Emeritus Winston McGowan and Dr Jagan’s daughter Nadira JaganBrancier.

During his address, Professor McGowan referred to the works of the late President as “phenomenal” and summarised the range of his works. He also stressed on the humble persona which enveloped Dr Jagan and his famous books, one of which is the The West on Trial that speaks of Guyana’s fight for freedom.

The Professor also quoted Dr Jagan saying, “I first wanted to be a doctor. Didn't

want to be merely a specialist and craftsman and cure individual aches and ills. I wanted to cure the ills of society. I want to know that I have served humanity as a human being.”

Meanwhile, JaganBrancier used her platform to speak on the personal life of her father, his ambitions and hobbies.

In addition, there was also a voice clip presented on behalf of UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, who noted that the University was using the exhibition as an opportunity to have conversations about important personalities, policies, and projects.

“We are intending at our university to raise how we deliver intellectual discourse to extend the perimeter of our engagement beyond the places where we have campuses,” he stated.

At the exhibition, which was hosted at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT), various photographs, books,

newspaper articles and other publications which were composed by Dr Jagan were displayed. The organisers also noted that this was just a fraction of his works which they were able to gather and there were many outstanding pieces in other parts of the world.

In the coming days, the exhibition will be held at other areas in the country.

It will commence on March 22-29 at the UG Turkeyen Campus, followed by the National Library Main Branch from April 3-10, the National Library New Amsterdam Branch from April 23-30 and finally concluding with the National Library Linden Branch from May 4-11.

The coordinators are urging all students to visit the various exhibitions so as to gain more knowledge on the works of the late President of Guyana. The birth centenary of Dr Cheddi Jagan will be celebrated on March 22, 2018.

18 News

thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dr Jagan’s 100th birth anniversary

CJRC slams Govt for failure to print commemorative stamps …Guyana is not the property of PNC – former GPO Chairman

Specimens of the stamps that were supposed to be made available by the GPOC

T

he Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) has slammed the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) for its failure to deliver on its commitment to make available a collection of commemorative stamps in honour of the former President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan on his birth centenary.

In a statement on Wednesday the CJRC blasted the Government for its deliberate attempt to disturb the activities, which were planned on Tuesday to launch the stamp.

The Centre pointed out that despite given assurances by the GPOC and Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes that the stamps would be available in time for the launch, they were told by the Post Office that the Office of the

President should be contacted in relation to the release of the stamps.

Members of the CJRC believe that this transaction should have been a routine one between the organization and the GPOC, rather than a politically interfered matter. Initially, there was an agreement between the CJRC and the GPOC to have 400 first-day covers be printed for which $200,000 was deposited by the Centre. At that point in time, the stamp specimen and the first-day cover were already finalised.

The CJRC has viewed this as a measured attempt to frustrate the work of the Centre in light of the Administration’s attempts to seize the Red House, a case that was now before the court.

Moreover, this is consid-

ered as an “action of assault” against the late President of Guyana, who had made significant contributions towards the development of the nation.

Meanwhile, former GPOC Chairman Juan Edghill said that it was unprecedented for a client, in this instance the CJRC, to be referred to the Ministry of the Presidency for explanations or other information as it relates to this unfulfilled transaction between the Corporation and a client.

“This is nothing short of a full and open display of petty, partisan politics influencing a business transaction that could be considered purely an administrative matter,” Edghill said on Wednesday.

He noted that this recent development, as simple as it may appear, made pellu-

cid several things, including the micro-management by the State and the depth to which the dictatorial attitude of the People’s National Congress (PNC) will go, to stifle the political legacy of anyone outside that cabal.

“The disrespect that the Government is prepared to mete out to its own appointed governing board at the GPOC and the subject Minister for the sector by directing a client to consult with the Ministry of the Presidency; this is PNC control freakism in fine style and all other players are nothing ,but mere decorations in the room/coalition; it is one of the loudest messages of hypocrisy as it relates to national unity and social cohesion, which is much-touted by this Administration and finally, it makes the administration and management of the Post Office cronies who are subjected to political directions and who cannot or are unwilling to act, without approval from the PNCdominated Government,” Edghill said.

He urged the Government to be reminded that Guyana was not the property of the PNC. “Guyana belongs to all Guyanese.

Notably, Dr Jagan’s role and contributions cannot be discounted even by the fiercest of political opponents.”

127 graduate from Sophia Training Centre O ne hundred and twenty-seven Sophia Training Centre (STC) students graduated on Wednesday after successfully completing the 31st Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme (YEST) in a variety of disciplines.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), Social Cohesion Department’s Programme Coordinator, Sharon Patterson told the graduates that the completion of their course was a stepping stone to a better future.

GPHC trains, graduates 12 Operating Room Technicians

The sixth batch of Operating Room Technicians with some of the course facilitators, and Senior Officials of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

T

he sixth batch of Operating Room Technicians drawn from various hospitals in Guyana and Belize graduated on Wednesday.

The successful graduates are from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), five; three from private institutions; two from the Mabaruma Regional Hospital; and two from the Belize Defence Force. They are two Medic Soldiers (from Belize), one Nursing Assistant and nine Patient Care Assistants.

At the simple graduation ceremony at the GPHC Resources Centre, the graduates were charged by Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Keith Alonzo, to not become complacent with their new skill, and to continually strive to develop themselves.

“You have worked hard to achieve this milestone.

Your work is not in vain. As certified Operating Room Technicians you have the necessary skills… that can open doors to many achievements,” Alonzo said.

Further Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Brigadier (Ret’d) George Lewis noted that as Operating Room Technicians, they have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that persons feel better and lives are saved.

“Your job places you in the operating room before, during and after (surger-

ies). Preparing the operating room, ensuring all the necessary supplies and surgical tools are there, sterile and free from any foreign bodies and generally making certain that everything is in place in the correct manner,” the CEO said.

The nine-month training exercise began in April 2017 and was primarily based at the GPHC. Eighty percent of the training time was spent in the operating room giving each trainee firsthand experience about operating procedures.

During the nine-month period the trainees were also exposed to training in Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgical procedures, laparoscopic surgeries and neurological surgeries.

The trainees took their final theoretical examination on January 21, 2018, and the practical examination on January 23. This batch recorded a 100 per cent pass rate, resulting in all 12 trainees completing the programme.

The trainees then began a 12-week period of preceptorship where they will continue to work under supervision, improving their skills and competence. Following this, they will return to their respective hospitals to function in their capacities as Operating Room Technicians.

President Granger calls...

From page 10

Section of the graduands of the 31st Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme (YEST)

“I am certain that many of you here today would be repeating this particular journey at some other stage of your life. I believe you will

Social Cohesion Department Programme Coordinator Sharon Patterson

seek to move to higher levels in your respective fields of study,” Patterson said.

The Programme Coordinator urged the students to be willing to always learn and never turn away from opportunities that would serve to benefit them in the future.

Patterson said the Government has designed the programme to ensure it served as an effective avenue that instructed youths in self-development and as a result, the development of the country.

Valedictorian Lafia Yearwood advised her classmates to apply the knowledge and skills learnt during their training as they enter the world of business.

She also encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.

Instructor Brian King thanked both the private and public organisations who provided tours and work-study opportunities for the students. These, he noted, allowed the students to gain valuable experience.

He was optimistic that there would be continued collaboration with both private and public organisations.

YEST is a programme that offers youths between the ages of 16 and 25 training in cosmetology, information technology, masonry, carpentry, welding, and mechanical and other skills-training programmes.

Further, Granger said the Americas can straddle the sea and integrate the continents, North and South through Information and Communications Technology.

He therefore urged the congress to consider charting a roadmap to create a single ICT space of the Americas.

The President did not stop there; he also used the opportunity to boast about Guyana’s unique biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, explaining that Guyana is becoming a ‘green state’, which will allow the country to develop a resilient tourism sector by protecting the environment.

“Guyana together with Brazil, Colombia, Suriname and other states of Central and South America – is a home to some of the giants of the world,” he said, naming a few such as the anaconda, anteater, armadillo, and otter, among other large creatures that could only be found here. The President said Guyana should be seen as a ‘gateway’ to the continent

for the goods, services and peoples of the South to markets and destinations in the Caribbean, Central America and North America.

He said the country remains committed to its membership of regional and hemispheric organisations such as: the Caribbean Community (Caricom); Association of Caribbean States (ACS); Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR); Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC); Organisation of America States (OAS) and the Union of South American States (UNASUR).

The XXIV Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism, which commences today, attracted participation from a large number of Caribbean States that are members of the Organisation of the American States (OAS).

Of the 13 Caribbean countries that are members of the OAS, 10 were represented at the Congress, being held for the first time in Guyana.

NEWS

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Under pressure

Joey Jagan backpedals on predicting PPP victory

By Michael Younge

P

olitical novice, Joey Jagan who is the son of the founding leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), on Wednesday backpedalled on his prediction that his father’s party will emerge victorious in future elections if the party redoubles its focus.

Guyana Times had reported that Jagan, speaking at an event organised by the Indian Arrival Committee last week in honour of former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, had predicted a PPP victory at 2020 elections in presence of high-level PPP officials, IAC representatives and admirers of Dr Cheddi Jagan’s legacy.

“I come from the PPP. I grew up in the PPP. So I have sympathy for the PPP. I will always have sympathy for (them). I feel the PPP is the birth of politics in this country, and will end up as the party to carry this country forward eventually.

Everybody will come back to the PPP, just like it started.

That’s what is going to happen,” he predicted.

“If you understand his-

Joey Jagan

tory, the PPP is like the Romans. The Romans took a beating from Hannibal in one afternoon and the Romans came back with two armies three months later. So the PPP are like the Romans. You can knock them down, you can hit them down. They will come back.”

Soon after Dr Joey Jagan, who has suddenly blossomed into a supporter of President David Granger’s A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition which opposes his father’s party, sought to distance himself from his statement via a technicality, saying he never predicted a PPP

victory at the next elections.

But a senior political commentator said the fact that Jagan made the statement speaks volumes about the work that the PPP has done since its electoral defeat in 2015. In fact, that commentator explained that Jagan is probably under pressure from the coalition forces he is now seeking to promote for the statements he made.

“I think Dr [Joey] Jagan wants to distract us by mentioning a specific year. He said in the future. He left it open for interpretation. The next election is 2020. What stop’s anyone from drawing that inference from his open statement. Media people must not be bullied and cowed by politicians like Dr Jagan. Why does he not dispute the facts and the thrust of the report,” the commentator said.

The commentator also said “Dr [Joey] Jagan has a history of disloyalty and is known for saying one time and then suddenly switching his position at another time if it is not advantageous to him or convenient. No one needs Dr Jagan to school them on politics…”, the commentator said.

Brand new headquarters for GWI

Demolition for clearing canal or brand new office? Workmen dismantling a fence in Bel Air Park on Monday

F

ollowing the dismantling of a fence behind a property in Bel Air Park, Georgetown, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has expressed that a section of the land facing Sheriff Street is the most probable sight for the State company’s headquarters. This was related by GWI’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles who noted on Wednesday that he intends to have the central offices of the entity in one building. “We have plans to have one large headquarters and we are in discussions to see how Government can provide us,” he told the media.

Declaring that there “is no space outside of renting buildings”, he noted that GWI has the transport to a property that was handed over to the Health Ministry under the previous Administration.

He pointed out that the current building in which he operates on Vlissengen Road includes Human Resources, Welfare Officer Occupational Health and Safety, Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Monitoring Unit.

“There’s nothing luxurious about the premises which we’re at; they [staff] have to function in some place, if you were take a tour, it’s cramped,” he stated.

He observed that the current set-up does not lend itself fully to confidentiality, especially where personnel matters are concerned. However, the GWI’s plan to erect a brand new building in the area behind homes in Bel Air will not be executed without opposition as at least one home-owner is preparing legal papers to challenge GWI dismantling his fence later Monday afternoon.

On that day, 10 workmen attached to the GWI carried out the demolition works which the State body contended were justified on claims that the fences are illegal encroachments along the Lama Canal. Nevertheless, Van West-Charles reiterated on Wednesday that GWI will follow through with the works even as several homeowners voiced their concerns over the move.

“We are due to have a meeting but where they have encroached beyond reasonable boundaries, we shall remove those fences. People have called to find out what is happening and we are going to meet with them,” he stated.

However, homeowner Peter Ramsaroop, who said he will file court proceedings against GWI, maintains that the company acted wrongly

since according to him, he has complied with its directives.

“We are going to file court action against GWI for damaging the property and for giving no prior notice. They are creating security risks for people in that area and yards would be compromised,” he highlighted.

“He can do whatever he wants to do,” was Van WestCharles’ response when questioned about the impending legal action on Wednesday.

GWI Regional Manager, Georgetown, Curtis Niles, who was on site at Monday’s exercise, had told this publication that the fences which the Bel Air residents erected were affecting GWI from clearing the canal, which provides water for the capital city. <<<<Guyana Times>>>> reported that long before the structures were erected, the Bel Air residents had complained to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) about their fears of being robbed. According to information received, operatives within City Hall reportedly gave the residents permission to take care of and to weed the lands to curtail the bushes. However, over time, home owners started to plant permanent trees and erect gazebos.

Bumper crop for Black Bush farmers as cash crop farmers receive low pay

A bumper rice crop is expected in Black Bush Polder

R

ice farmers in Black Bush Polder are celebrating a bumper crop boasting yields of 45 bags of paddy per acre, while cash crop farmers in the same area are worrying about the low pay they are being offered for their produce.

Sixty-five per cent of the 18,000 acres under rice cultivation has already been harvested in the four polders.

Another 4500 acres remain in the fields to be harvested before the crop comes to an end.

While those farmers are happy, the cash crop farmers are worried about the low prices they are receiving for vegetables.

Seeram Ownauth is a cash crop farmer who has five acres under cultivation in Yakusari.

He says sellers who come to his farm to purchase do not pay until after selling the vegetables to retailers.

“When they come back then they pay you and they give you what they want. The cash crop farmers are being offered $1000 for a bag of eggplant. Ochro, he said, is offered $10 per pound.

Some of the low prices are reflected in the market. While the farmers are being offered $10 per pound of okra, it is being retailed at $80 per pound at some outlets. Meanwhile, the rice farmers are counting big dollars. Roshad Gafoor has 45 acres under rice cultivation. He told Guyana Times that he is expecting to receive $1.9 million for all of his paddy. Another rice farmer in the Polder, Sasenarine Ramnarine, is smiling after reaping his 21 acres.

According to him, he reaped an average of 35 to 40 bags of paddy per acre. This he re-

ferred to as excellent. During the last crop, some farmers were reaping 25 bags of paddy per acre in the Black Bush Polder.

He attributed this bumper crop to proper field management and the correct usage of fertilisers and insecticides.

Previously, Ramnarine planted the hybrid strain referred to as GRDB 10 which is a hybrid from Brazil. Some farmers who have planted the GRDB 10 have reported similar yields to Ramnarine.

However, that production could be considered low as farmers are seeing as many as 50 bags of paddy per acre being harvested from some fields.

Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman David Armogan

and that will also help the farmers to make more profits this crop, the Regional Chairman related.

In the Black Bush Polder, 18,000 acres are under rice cultivation and a further 24,000 in what is considered the front lands or the Corentyne coast between Adventure and Number 43 Village.

The Chairman explained that there is a problem in trying to ensure that while the backlands (Black Bush Polder) needs the fields to be dry for harvesting, those in the front lands who will be harvesting in a few weeks need water so that they can pump into their fields.

“So that is a little problem that we have to keep the wa-

Region Six Chairman David Armogan met with some rice farmers in Black Bolder Polder on Wednesday

met with some of the farmers on Wednesday morning, saying several other factors affecting operational cost have resulted in larger profits for the rice farmers. He explained that the cost to hire trucks during this crop has decreased. The price of hiring a combine has also decreased

ter in the canal at a level that it can reach to the front lands for those farmers and also at a level that if it rains there will be no flooding in Black Bush because then the farmers will not be able to reap and those who have not finished reaping will have big loses,” Armogan added.

President Granger receives courtesy call from outgoing New Zealand Ambassador

P

resident David Granger on Wednesday received a courtesy call from New Zealand’s outgoing Ambassador to Guyana and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Jan Henderson at State House.

Henderson, who has been based in Barbados, will return to New Zealand next month when her tour of duty comes to an end. During the brief meeting, at which Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who is also performing the functions of Prime Minister, was also present, the Head of State said Guyana is pleased with the level of cooperation between the two countries during the Ambassador’s tenure.

“Your tenure wasn’t noisy but it was effective and as you return to your country,

we hope that you will be better positioned to do more, particularly for the Small Island States,” he said.

Henderson described her tour of duty as successful, not-

ing that she is pleased that she has accomplished most of what she had set out to do when she took up the role.

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thursDAY, march 22, 2018

CPL, Yello Media ink 3-year partnership

ello Media, the Caribbean’s foremost digital and print advertiser, and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have announced the formation of a new three-year partnership designed to create community support, commerce, and engagement through cricket.

The regional partnership, the first of its kind for Yello Media Group since its rebrand in 2017, is part of the company’s push to establish and support initiatives that celebrate Caribbean people and culture. Yello Media Group’s Director of Marketing Tshani Jaja welcomed the initiative stating “Cricket plays such an important role in Caribbean history and culture. The CPL has in recent years

Hero CPL Commercial Director, Jamie Stewart and Yello Media Group Director of Marketing, Tshani Jaja sign the agreement between the two organisations

driven a resurgence in the sport and has successfully engaged a wide subsection of support from all age groups, including young people. With this partnership Yello Media Group is able to introduce a more modern and digital take on a tradition that has been ongoing for generations”.

Yello will, through its newly introduced mobile app and online platforms, provide match fixtures and profiles on players. Yello will also launch an online campaign to give fans an opportunity to win match tickets and special prizes in Yello’s participating markets Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago.

CPL Commercial Director Jamie Stewart added “We are ex-

cited to welcome Yello as a Sponsor of the Hero CPL for the next 3 years. Yello is the Caribbean leader in the digital space and it is perhaps testament to the League’s innovative and powerful online presence that this exciting partnership has been possible.

He further added, “Fans can expect some fun activities both online and offline, with the opportunity to win tickets, merchandise and unique experiences as the CPL gets closer. We would like to thank the Company for their shared vision and invite fans to find what they need throughout the Caribbean with Yello.”

The partnerships further establishes the Yello Media mantra of knowing and celebrating local.

Hockey gets boost in coaching and umpiring

T

he Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) stands to benefit greatly in the two areas of coaching and umpiring through the exposure of two of its national coaches to a world-level indoor hockey coaching course and the elevation of its most experienced umpire to the world body’s promising list.

Long-standing Women’s National Coach and GHB President, Philip Fernandes, along with Men’s National Coach Robert Fernandes both attended an Indoor High Performance Coaching Course held in Berlin, Germany, from February 5-8, during the 2018 Indoor Hockey World Cup. The course was staged by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in conjunction with the European Hockey Federation (EHF), which boasts most of the top indoor hockey-playing nations of the world.

The course was conducted by a team of eight FIH

coaching mentors, who are mostly former top international players who have moved on to the coaching world and some of whom were coaches of successful international teams in the recent past.

Along with the mentors, the participants of the course benefitted from lectures given by current top international coaches.

Participants were selected through a global process and comprised of top coaches in their respective countries, which included Germany, the Netherlands, UK, Czechoslovakia, Canada, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malaysia and Guyana.

In addition to the presentations, participants were themselves assigned projects both individually and in groups, which required match analysis, presentations and the management of athletes during practical training sessions.

The Guyanese coaches

National women’s coach Philip Fernandes gives halftime instructions during the CAC qualifiers

were both highly complementary of the course and the learning opportunity it provided in addition to all the global contacts made for the sport.

Philip Fernandes, who is also a certified Pan American Hockey Federation Coach, received his FIH Level Three coaching certificate on this occasion and recom-

mendation for the FIH Final Course placing him among elite company of very few in the region.

Umpire Devin Hooper, who had obtained his FIH badge back in 2008, is one of only two Guyanese to hold this prestigious status. This distinction approves an umpire as suitable to officiate in International competition.

After his officiating assignments in the 2017 Indoor Pan American Championships held in Georgetown, Guyana, Hooper received the additional recognition of being promoted to the FIH Promising list for Indoor Hockey.

This means that he is now being sought after by

the International Federation as an umpiring talent to be developed for higher level competition.

Guyana has never had an umpire reach the world class level for the sport and with this promotion, Hooper is likely to receive the much-needed attention and support to attain that level.

According to the Honorary Secretary of the GHB, for the quality of players to develop and advance in the sport, the officiating needs to also of a high quality. That way the players are being constantly trained in what is correct and what is not.

Such good habits are of paramount importance as these intricacies of the game can mean the difference between success and failure in the international game.

The GHB is proud of these recent achievements and look forward to having its local playing community benefit from the expertise of these individuals.

sports

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fter the resounding success of the first three seasons of the Americas Rugby Championship, the continent will inaugurate a new performance tournament for countries in Sudamérica Rugby and Rugby Americas North.

The Americas Rugby Challenge will be played from August 24 to September 1 in Medellín, Colombia, in the 15’s format.

The first edition of this new tournament created by Rugby Americas will be run by the Federación Colombiana de Rugby, which has chosen the city of Medellín to host it; the venue will be the Estadio Cincuentenario.

Two representatives from each region will take part: Guyana and Mexico will represent the North and host Colombia and Paraguay will represent the South.

Each team will play three games in the round-robin

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the Championship. Guyana arrives as 2017 RAN Senior Men’s Champion and Mexico has been invited because of

and Americas Rugby Chairman Agustín Pichot, said, “It is a great honour to announce the dates, venue and participating

A big test awaits the Guyana’s National Men’s Rugby team

winner will be the team with the most tournament points.

Paraguay and Colombia are in the 40th and 41st World Rugby Ranking positions and are the best ranked teams after the four participants in

its Major Market designation.

For the 2019 Americas Rugby Challenge, and in subsequent years, the two RAN teams will be those which qualify first and second in RAN qualification.

World Rugby Vice-President

teams for the newest tournament for the continent.

We see competitions as the key factor in growth and to have four teams competing in a tournament such as this is great news for rugby in the

Americas.”

“The growth of the game in the continent is increasing and tournaments such as this generate the aspiration for countries to be better and more competitive,” Pichot said.

“I congratulate the Federación Colombiana de Rugby for organising what we know will be a great event that will enhance the development of the four participating unions and our two regions.”

The President of the Federación Colombiana de Rugby Andrés Gómez, added: “We are delighted to be hosting in Colombia this new platform for the game, which integrates countries from the whole continent. This will be a great sporting challenge for Los Tucanes which will help them raise their performance.”

The match schedule will be announced in a subsequent release.

Belle Vue celebrates Palm Court takes another lap with Tucker Rajpat’s national selection S

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tournament – Sunday August 26 and Wednesday August 29, with the final round set for Saturday September 1. The

A

fter many years of dormancy, the Bellevue Sports Club (BVSC) since its resuscitation in 2013 has been creating and providing opportunities for the youths within and outside of its perimeters. The youths are not only engrossed in sports, but academics also.

The BVSC is starting to reap the benefits of its efforts as they held a simple ceremony at the BVSC pavilion to celebrate its First National Athlete last Thursday evening.

The community and the BVSC has much to celebrate as their contribution and hard work did not go futile Nicholas Rajpat who hails from the small community of Belle Vue, on the West Bank of Demerara will be donning national colours, as part of this year’s National U15 cricket squad, representing Guyana at the national level.

Discipline and hard work has been the main contributors to the success of this left handed opening batsman and part-time wicketkeeper.

This was a proud moment for the youngster and his father who could not hold back his tears of joy and fulfillment as father. This journey started five years ago through the vision of persons that understand the needs and benefits of

GCB’s Anand Sanasie presenting a cricket bat to Nicholas Rajpat

sports and to reach out to a community that has so many youths desperately in need of something positive.

Prior to five years ago, the play field was engulfed in bushes and described as a cow pasture, but today that has changed and the main players in that change cannot go unrecognized. The involvement and contribution of Pastor Krishna Singh coupled with the management of BVSSC, has been immensely effective positively.

Gracing the ceremony were Anand Sanasie - secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, former Guyana under 19 captain Travis Persaud and representatives from the West Demerara Cricket Association and Local NDC. Sanasie and Persaud, respectively presented a bat and a gear bags to Nicholas and encouraged him to stay focus on his development and capitalized on the opportunity that is in front of him. With the taste of success and the many youths that are attracted to community, much more can be expected from the work and inspiration that is provided

by Nicolas and the Belle Vue Sport Club. The club expressed its gratitude to the community and everyone that support over the years.

uper biker Raverio Tucker has constantly improved his game and so has been the support of one of Guyana’s leading night spots, Palm Court.

The entity on Wednesday extended their long arm of corporate support by assisting Tucker with his preparation ahead of Sunday’s National Race of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit.

Proprietor Navin Prashad expressed his delight in the growth of the young rider since this is the third meet they have given assistance after he officially began competitive riding in July 2017.

Prashad underscored the importance of corporate Guyana playing their role in the development of social activities with sports being on the front burner.

In response Tucker thanked the entity for “going on another journey with him” and he plans on making them proud

Raverio Tucker (left) collects his sponsorship cheque from Palm Courts’ Navin Prashad at their Main Street location on Wednesday

by speeding away with some podium finishes.

The motorcycle group is understood to have ten bikes taking the grid with former champion Matthew Vieira being one.

The race meet is organised by the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club with title sponsors being Mohamed’s Enterprise, STAG and Tropical Shipping.

Action commences at 09:00h and tickets are priced at $1,000.

Toucan Distributors Skill Level Squash

Wiltshire, Ince-Carvalhal progress in Category A

T

he second night of the DeAbreu redeemed himself Toucan Distributors Skill later in the evening, battling to Level Tournament at the a win against a clever technical Georgetown Club saw the first opponent in Madison Fernandes, Category A matches on Tuesday. who showed admirable The small category only has anticipation, but was four players this year and held no unable to overcome and surprise in the match between DeAbreu secured his top seed Shomari Wiltshire win 11-13, 11-6, 11-3, and Gianni Carpenter as the 11-5. unparalleled, talented Wiltshire Brother Chad made light work of the match DeAbreu also stormed home winning 11-1, 11-1, 11-1. to victory, extending The match between Samuel Incehis unbeaten this Carvalhal and Michael Alphonso was tournament and more evenly matched as both players safeguarding a sure displayed breath-taking shot selection win in his category.

Shomari Wiltshire in some outstanding rallies. InceIn the lower categories Carvalhal held off the younger dynamo emotions ran high and Alphonso in three games securing an 11-9, 11-7, careers were formed as the younger players 11-9 hard-fought victory. experienced the ups and downs of stiff competition.

Category B also had some close call games with The youngsters showed great improvement in their Abosaide Cadogan showing striking form to move serves and managed some creative rallies. into the leading position of her category with her The competition continues through this week second win of the tournament against Demetrius and final matches will be played on Saturday in a DeAbreu 11-7, 11-6, 11-7. full day of squash.

22

7s extravaganza GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, march 22, 2018

Top Brandz fuelling lucrative Rugby guys because we believe in them,” Wray shared.

In addition, Toney noted that the rugby females will also be in with a chance to kick-start their season as well as part of the overall proceedings of the tourna-

ment.

The tournament is set to start from 11:00hrs on Saturday with the men’s playing for the top prize of $200,000 while second will receive $100,000. The females will also play for a

cash prize that is yet to be determined.

Nevertheless both Wray and Toney urged the fans to support the event that will also provide fans with a fantastic atmosphere at the National Park.

Ramirez-Merlano, Hyles

top seeds at Darts tournament Marvin Wray (second from left) handing over the sponsor’s cheque to GRFU Treasurer Ryan Gonsalves. Also in photo from left: Esan Griffith (PRO); Vice President Rawle Toney; Pepsi Hornets player Blaise Bailey and Teron McCalmon

T

op Brandz Distributors, under their Hairoun Beer-brand, on Wednesday announced their alliance, for the first time, with the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) , for Saturday’s Sevens tournament at the National Park.

Harvard Rugby Club, Trinidad and Tobago’s leading Sevens team, will match skills with Pepsi Hornets, Yamaha Caribs, Panthers, Police Falcons and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for the winner’s purse of $200,000, compliments of Top Brandz Distributors.

At a Press Conference hosted at Top Brandz’

Broad Street, Georgetown Headquarters, Second VicePresident of the GRFU Rawle Toney noted the magnitude of company’s contribution to the sport, adding that “this is the first lucrative tournament of its kind in addition to having Trinidad sevens champions Harvard featuring our very own Claudius Butts coming here to play and we want to thank, Hairoun and Top Brandz for this support.”

“In fact, it’s the perfect way for us to kick-start the season with the quality of players that will be here that will also include Kevin McKenzie from Australia playing for the hornets but

this tournament will give the guys a foundation for the rest of 2018,” Toney noted.

Marketing Manager at Top Brandz, Marvin Wray was pleased to support what he called the ‘gladiators’ of Guyana, telling the gathering of Media, “I’ve followed the sport and what rugby has done is nothing short of exceptional and we are happy to support that development, we are looking for ways to continue development and giving back to you our consumers is important to us.”

“Other organisation might be bigger but we have bigger hearts and we will continue to support these

R

Some of the winners from Sunday’s tournament

amirez-Merlano came out unbeaten at Sunday’s Dart tournament which was held at the Safari Inn Hotel.The tournament was co-sponsored by Ramirez-Merlano and Ruth Avilar and saw Shondell Hyles being was crowned women’s champion from a round robin knock out while in second was Mary Correia.

Hyles also managed to take away the most 100’s for the female category while Victorine Chandro secured the highest checkout of 116 points for the entire tournament.

In the Men’s Singles Ramirez-Merlano started off in the first round with a bye where he met up with A. Damon and defeated him 3/0.

Next was Anil Lachman in the semi-final where also won 3/0. He then went on to play National Champion Sudesh Fitzgerald and won 4/0.

Fitzgerald managed to take home the most 180’s and shortest game incentives; scoring one 180 and a 17 darts finished.

And finally in the Luck of the Draw Doubles category Ramirez-Merlano and S Fenty teamed up and defeated J Holligan and N De Caries (newest member) in the finals 2/0.

Ramirez-Merlano mentioned that it was a great night of darts. However, he was disappointed that the youth tournament was not played due to poor participation.

Nevertheless, this is a category he will continue to place high emphasis on to encourage participation of youths. He further would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who made a special effort to come out and make the tournament successful.

thursDAY, march 22, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

23

…Windies sneak past Scotland to secure 2019 World Cup spot

T

he West Indies came to Zimbabwe with a single goal: to qualify for the World Cup in England in 2019. But along the way, they knew there was something else, perhaps even deeper, at stake: the profound cricketing reputation of one of the game’s proudest regions.

Led by Jason Holder, a 26-year-old seam-bowling allrounder manfully overseeing one of the toughest jobs in the game, the new breed arrived in Zimbabwe under unimaginable pressure.

Those stars above the crests of their shirts, representing two world titles, glistened every time they took the field.

Meanwhile the greats from yesteryear remained at large, prowling the boundary rope, the scale of their achievements sometimes weighing heavy on the youthful current crop.

Thankfully for Holder, he was able to call upon three rejuvenated senior players.

Kemar Roach was back, fit and firing, enthused again to lead the attack. In the middle order, Marlon Samuels brought a steady pulse to a greenhorn line-up; and up top: the great Chris Gayle, in the maroon shirt, back where it all began.

For Gayle, who made a brutal, statement century in their first match, there was evidently a sense of unfinished business. The Windies had missed out on last year’s ICC Champions Trophy and the failure stung them hard.

To not appear in two world jamborees within two years would not merely amount

to a humiliation; it would negatively impact on the game’s popularity in a region that has done so much to fashion the version we see today.

So the stakes, as Samuels himself admitted after a heartstopping l a s t over victory over Zimbabwe, could really not be higher. This tournament, no doubt, was about much more than mere qualification for another one.

F o r Scotland, meanwhile, t h e i r adventure had taken them twisting and turning to this: the H a r a r e Sports C l u b and a date with the fates. A win over the Windies would see them in next year’s showpiece, and the knockon effect on their country’s cricket, building towards a World Cup in the British Isles, would be immense. Cricket in Scotland is already flourishing, and the national team’s recent

results reflect that. But victory here would propel them forward exponentially.

And what a start by the tartan boys. To the very first ball of the match, Gayle was upended by a jaffa from Safyaan Sharif. With the swift departure of Shai Hope, the Windies were suddenly 2/2, leaving Evin Lewis and Samuels to circumspectly repair the damage done.

It was a drawn-out passage: tense, taut cricket, with both teams scoping one another out.

The prize on show stymied natural

Kemar Roach

expressiveness, although Lewis at least did look to kick on once past his fifty. As soon as he did so, however, he walked across his stumps to give Brad Wheal his first wicket, and let Scotland back in the match.

The Scots thereafter were inspired. The last eight wickets fell for just 75 runs, as Kyle Coetzer’s men, propelled by Sharif and Wheal, who each ended with three wickets, harried

National Hockey Teams begin prep for CAC Games The artificial turf at the Georgetown Cricket Club was a hive of activity on Tuesday evening

G

uyana Hockey Board (GHB) President Phillip Fernandes believes the body has had a great start to the hockey season, and it will get better as they prepare for the 2018 Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Games.

Fernandes disclosed that this year will be the first Guyana is able to send both male and female Senior National teams to be part of the event which is scheduled for July 20 – August 3 in Barranquilla, Columbia.

He said, “This is the first time we’re sending both the male and female national teams to the CAC Games and we think we can put together some goods squads and make a good showing for Guyana.”

The President further stated, “The males have been training longer than the females and there is a lot of competition for spots on that team. The women are a mixture of experienced senior players and a few new comers. So we would like to bring the new comers up to speed where they can compete and be ready for

international competition which is by July.”

Fernandes added that the experienced pair of former national players, Damon Woodruff and David Fernandes, have taken the task of coaching the National Women’s side since their initial choice of Australian Jerome Buck was ruled out due to uncontrollable circumstances.

He said, “We have found a few problems finding a Technical Director for the Women’s team because we had hinged out bets on Jermone Buck of Australia who had promised to come down, but at the last minute he had some personal difficulties that made it impossible.”

“We were left looking for a replacement; several considerations were made but with the time frame its difficult so we managed to have a very competent experienced former national player who made himself available to coach the women. I think Mr. Woodruff along with David Fernandes bring together a lot of experience and know-how, to assist the team”, the GHB boss said.

the Windies into submission.

Preying on the anxieties lying near the surface of the men in maroon, Scotland were able to set themselves 199 to win.

What happened next will be known as the run-chase that never was. It is unimaginably harsh to think that Scotland

will never know what they could have achieved given a fair wind and clear skies.

At 125/5 in the 36th over, with a partnership building and just five runs behind the required rate on the Duckworth/

SCOREBOARD Windies innings C Gayle c †Cross b Sharif 0 E Lewis lbw b Wheal 66 S Hope †c †Cross b Sharif 0 M Samuelsc Sole b Leask 51 S Hetmyerc †Cross b Leask 4 J Holder (c)c MacLeod b Evans 12 R Powellb Sharif 15 C Brathwaite c Munsey b Wheal 24 A Nursec Wheal b Berrington 5 K Paul b Wheal 5 K Roach not out 0 Extras (lb 3, w 13) 16 Total (all out; 48.4 Overs) 198 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Gayle, 0.1 ov), 2-2 (Hope, 2.1 ov), 3-123 (Lewis, 30.3 ov), 4-135 (Samuels, 33.4 ov), 5-135 (Hetmyer, 33.5 ov), 6-158 ( Holder, 39.3 ov), 7-176 (Powell, 43.5 ov), 8-184 (Nurse, 45.4 ov), 9-198 (Brathwaite, 48.2 ov), 10-198 (Paul, 48.4 ov) Bowling: Sharif 9-1-27-3, Wheal 9.4-0-34-3, Evans 10-0-

58-1, Sole 7-0-28-0, Leask 100-36-2, Berrington 3-0-12-1 Scotland innings M Cross † b Holder 4 K Coetzer (c) c Lewis b Roach 2 M Jones c Powell b Roach 14 C MacLeod c & b Nurse 21 R Berrington lbw b Nurse 33 H Munsey not out 32 M Leask not out 14 Extras (w 5) 5 Total (5 wickets; 35.2 Overs) 125 Did Not Bat: S Sharif, T Sole, A Evans, B Wheal Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Coetzer, 2.2 ov), 2-12 (Cross, 3.4 ov), 3-25 (Jones, 6.1 ov), 4-67 (MacLeod, 21.6 ov), 5-105 (Berrington, 31.4 ov) Bowling: Roach 7-2-202, Holder 7-0-31-1, Paul 5-0-12-0, Brathwaite 7-227-0, Nurse 9.2-0-35-2

Evin Lewis

Lewis/Stern rain calculation, the heavens turned too violent and the players headed for the sanctuary of the pavilion.

The umpires had no choice.

The mood seemed to be one of cautious optimism that the game would resume and a slightly reduced target would be reset and a heart-stopping finale guaranteed. But the rain kept falling. The spitting became a torrent, and the torrent a deluge. Huge puddles formed on the outfield. The game, and our promised finale, would be taken by the weather.

They now go through the final on Sunday. They await their opponents. No doubt they will be desperate to win the trophy; and no doubt they will approach the task sporting wide, liberated smiles for the first time in weeks. (ICC)

thursDAY, march 22, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Jason Holder

Marlon Samuels

Pg 23

…Windies sneak past Scotland to secure 2019 World Cup spot

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