Guyana times binder1

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3053 guyanatimesgy.com

LOOK INSIDE !

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

November 27, 2016

PRICE

Govt looking to capitalise on landfill biogas for energy – Granger

$120 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Corentyne carpenter’s murder

P13

Interpol issues wanted bulletin for mastermind

Page 10

Councillor accuses P15 Linden Mayor of dictatorship …as controversy brews within LTC

Chief Executive Officer of Demerara Bank Ltd, Pravinchandra Dave along with Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors, Dr Yesu Persaud, President David Granger and Garfield Wiltshire at the launch of Demerara Bank’s fully solar powered Head Office at Camp Street, Georgetown on Saturday

Release fact-based assessment of Amaila Falls – Jagdeo Page 9

Gunmen rob, No cease terrorise order for RUSAL Mon Repos – Govt family Leaders pay tribute to Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro

Page 7

Page 3

Page 18

Man jailed, fined for narco trafficking …says unemployment pushed him into drug trade P8

GMSA/PSC rap protesters over attacks on F&DD President P12

D’Urban Park fiasco

Govt embroiled in web of deception P11 – Opposition

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, November 27 – 14:30h-16:00h, with a night retraction at 03:30h (Monday morning) and Monday, November 28 – 14:30h-16:00h, with a night retraction at 04:00h (Tuesday morning).

Gunmen rob, terrorise Mon Repos family

nise any of them since they were all masked. He nevertheless is happy that his family is safe but is upset that the crime situation in Guyana is escalating without more intervention by Government.

Meanwhile, his son related that he was putting out his birds when he saw the men.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, November 27 – 15:20h-16:50h and Monday, November 28 – 15:50h-17:20h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with sunny weather expected in the late afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East South-easterly and East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 02:58h and 15:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.45 metres and 2.57 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:47h and 21:10h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.63 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

11 12 14 18 19 26 02 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Daily Millions

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

The house where the robbery took place

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hree armed men on Saturday morning invaded the home of an East Coast Demerara family and carted off an undisclosed sum of cash and jewellery after severely beating four members of the household.

The robbery occurred at about 05:15h at Lot 52 Richardstown, Mon Repos, ECD. At the time of the robbery Jadunauth Singh along with his wife Maharani Singh and six other family were at home.

Reports are that the eldest son Kishan Singh went to the front of the house to put out his bird and he was confronted by three armed and masked men. They were wearing toques and their faces were covered with pieces of cloth.

Upon seeing the men the young man managed to run to the back of the house and raised an alarm. His father who was attending cattle was held hostage by one of the gunmen, who gun butted him to the head. The cattle farmer was then dragged into the house during which the gunmen demanded money and jewellery.

While in the house the bandits shifted their attention to Singh’s wife, who was preparing breakfast thus it was at this point that Singh

senior managed to escape and raised an alarm, alerting neighbours of the robbery.

This caused the bandits to strike his wife several times to the head and dragged her to the upper flat where they

An injured Kishan Singh who was beaten by the bandits

men discharged at least two rounds into the air.

When Guyana Times visited the house, detectives were taking statements from the household.

Speaking with this news-

An injured Maharani Singh

A ransacked bedroom, (inset) is a broken VCR

continued to make demands.

Out of fear the woman handed over a sum of money and a quantity of jewellery. “Meh grandchildren start scream hard hard and I think before them do them anything, leh me give over the money,” the traumatised woman related.

The men rushed out of the house towards a darkcoloured Toyota Carina car and escaped. While running out of the house, one of the

paper, Singh related that it was only on Friday he sold a cow and the money was kept at home.

The traumatised man explained that he was kicked to the abdomen after he put up a fight. He noted that the men were wearing “shiny shoes”. He could not recog-

“I run to the back and holler “thief, bandits” and one of them grab me and one gun butt to head…another one give me one more to the head and drag me upstairs… they tek away the jewel I did wearing,” he added. He noted that one of the men had long hair wrapped in a ponytail and several of his teeth were ice (red), gold and green.

After the bandits left, Singh who is also a labourer at the La Bonne Intention Sugar Estate, took his injured son and wife to the hospital where they were treated and sent away.

Guyana Times understands that one of the man’s daughters-in-law hid in the washroom after she heard the heavy voices demanding money and jewellery.

The Police have since questioned several persons in the area as they intensify their investigations.

(Bhisham Mohamed)

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

Editorial

Castro's legacy

F

idel is dead. And most persons would understand what that statement - carried by every national newspaper meant, even though it referred to the passing of a leader of a rather inconsequential small island. "Fidel", of course, is Fidel Castro and he was the revolutionary leader of Cuba who defied the US, the mightiest country on the globe, for over half a century by representing an alternative vision of human development in the twentieth Century.

Like most countries in Latin America, Cuba had been ruled in the 1950s by a dictator, Batista, who had close ties with business and political interests in the US and which controlled much of the Cuban economy. An idealistic, newly-minted lawyer, who was the son of a wealthy plantation owner, the young Castro launched an attack against a military barrack on July 26, 1953 to trigger an open rebellion against the dictatorship. Even though it failed ignominiously and he was captured, at his trial, Castro made a powerful speech in which the phrase, "history will absolve me" became a rallying cry for many youthful colonial politicians who were struggling to free their countries from the yoke of imperialism.

Castro was released and fled to Mexico where he raised a rag-tag group of revolutionaries, including the Argentinian medical doctor Ernesto "Che" Guevara, returned to Cuba and waged a guerrilla war against the Batista regime from the Sierra Maestra mountains. By January 1959 he and his troops entered Havana and took over the Government after Batista fled to the US. Castro was just 32 years old.

Initially he was viewed positively in the US but after he nationalised businesses, land and property owned by Americans to distribute to landless peasants, sentiments shifted. And as he adopted an increasingly radical posture and opened up communications with the USSR, then locked in a "Cold War" with the US, by 1960, the Eisenhower Government began preparations for a CIA-organised invasion to overthrow Castro's "revolutionary Government".

This "Bay of Pigs" invasion was eventually conducted by the new administration of John F Kennedy and its miserable failure was to weigh heavily on his foreign policy initiatives.

Castro's story became intertwined with ours, after Cheddi Jagan won the 1961 elections, visited Washington in search of aid but in the opinion of JFK, equivocated on the question as to whether he was a "communist". His fate was sealed and he was duly deposed by 1964 in a CIA-directed operation that worked through local labour and political leaders. The PNC, which was ushered into office under Forbes Burnham, was allowed to rig elections to remain there for 28 years because Cheddi Jagan was still unacceptable to the Americans.

Castro encouraged revolutionary activity against dictatorships in Latin America and in 1962 there was one leftist guerrilla group in western Venezuela, which encouraged that Government to collaborate with the US efforts to remove Jagan from office. JFK actually visited Venezuela at this time.

Ironically, of course, Burnham veered "leftwards" after 1970 and vied with Jagan for the approbation of Fidel Castro as a "revolutionary". Burnham was one of the Big Four leaders in the British Caribbean who opened up diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1972. Eric Williams, one of the other Big Four leaders, wrote a book, "From Columbus to Castro" to signal the seminal role Castro played in West Indian History.

Domestically, Castro held the faith on the low esteem leftists held for what the west defined as "democracy" but they called "bourgeois democracy" since it focused on the "political" right to elect governments but not on ensuring that "economic and social rights" were concretely given meaning.

Castro's regime introduced universal free education from nursery to university, levelled income distribution, gave his country a free medical system and concretely integrated Cuba's mixed population.

The US economic embargo against Cuba, however, helped to retard economic progress and maybe with the passing of Castro, this might finally be lifted.

Life in pictures: Fidel Castro was born in 1926 to a wealthy sugar planter. He turned to revolutionary politics as a young man. In a 1957 snap, the young anti-Batista guerrilla leader is seen with his brother Raul Castro (left), while operating in the mountains of eastern Cuba. He became President in 1976, and over the years, Castro has met with many dignitaries, including US Vice President Richard Nixon, in 1959; Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2000; former US President Jimmy Carter in 2002; former South African President Nelson Mandela in 2001; and former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in 2006. He ruled over Cuba for nearly five decades, until handing off power to his younger brother Raúl in 2008 (The Telegraph and Reuters)

Stop the divestment of GuySuCo! Dear Editor, It must be recalled that towards the end of Desmond Hoyte’s reign there was an obscene haste to privatise in order to make one ‘last raid’ on the treasury which was in direct contradiction of what he had announced at the PNC’s 6th Biennial Congress in 1985. He had said that, ’…the bauxite industry, the sugar industry and other strategic industries which we have nationalised in this country will never, never, never be denationalised…’

However, during its last days (1989-1992) the same PNC under Desmond Hoyte embarked on a massive privatisation campaign never seen anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. The result was that more than 40 State entities were sold for far below their book values and the current market price prevailing at the time.

For instance, the book value of Guyana Timbers Limited was stated at US$130 million but was sold for US$23.2 million! Many of these entities were sold to foreigners delib-

erately shunning or shutting out local investors. (Will this be the same with GuySuCo?) It must be recalled that the privatisation of GuySuCo was derailed by the tenacious and astute leadership of the PPP and GAWU which bore fruit for the long and hard battle fought by the PPP and GAWU. They submitted a number of reasons why GuySuCo should not be privatised and in the end they won.

(Will they win this time?)

But alas! That dark PNC Era has returned to Guyana in more ways than one: the economy sliding downwards, wage freeze for sugar workers, increase in the number and amount of taxes, cronyism and rampant corruption at all levels; spiralling crime, massive Government spending sprees, poor accountability, massive salary increases for Government ministers and other officials, rising costs of living, blackouts, spiralling unemployment especially among youths, witchhunting, and all the usual failed election promises! It is clear that the APNU/AFC

Government worked overtime to catch up where the old PNC left off. They have achieved this Herculean feat in just 17 months!

What is more revealing is the fact that the Coalition went through an elaborate charade to hoodwink sugar workers that they seriously feel that ‘sugar is too big to fail’ having previously made inadvertent slips which exposed their true intentions. However, the fact that Anthony Vieira is made the head of the Diversification Unit and Dr Clive Thomas as Chairman of GuySuCo and compounded by that fact that the CoI has recommended privatisation within three years, should have made it clear that sugar has already ‘failed’ and this Government is only interested in satiating its penchant for wasteful spending and corrupt deals.

In addition, this Government at the end of 2015 was ecstatic about GuySuCo surpassing its budget and just a while ago was exulting in the performance of the Skeldon Estate. This

was exactly the same scenario which played out when Booker Tate was called in 1990 to manage GuySuCo under the Hoyte Administration.

It must be recalled that the Hoyte Administration took full credit for the improved profitability of GuySuCo, yet a little later Kenneth King, Senior Minister of Economic Development, placed the deadline for the privatisation of GuySuCo as July 1992! This was just before the General Elections in 1992.

This haste to privatise has returned with intense fervour, therefore we should expect that by 2019 just before the next General Elections that GuySuCo would be fully divested and that tilapia should be swimming on some estate lands much to the gratification of the Head of the Diversification Unit! What an achievement!

I do hope that Dr Jagdeo and the PPP will do what Dr Jagan did in 1992 and stop the divestment of GuySuCo! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Very unfortunate that CCJ referendum was defeated Dear Editor, The electorates in Grenada have rejected a referendum to amend the Constitution to abolish appeals to the Privy Council and accept the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the final court among six other constitutional amendments. The rejection came despite a call by Prime Minister Keith Mitchell for the amendment. What is noteworthy is that little over 30 per cent of the voters exercised

their franchise. It seems as if the majority has no interest or has flatly rejected the proposed changes.

This is the second Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States that has rejected a referendum for constitutional amendment. The first was St Vincent and the Grenadines a little over six years ago. Among the other changes sought were a proposal to change the country's name to

Grenada, Carricou and Petite Martinique; to establish a fixed date for general elections; to amend the Constitution to bar anyone from serving more than three consecutive terms as Prime Minister; to establish an elections and boundaries commission; to authorise the Governor General to appoint a Leader of the Opposition from the party getting the second highest number of votes; to establish a fixed date for elec-

tions which must not exceed five years; and to expand the fundamental rights of citizens in several areas. It is unfortunate that the electorates have rejected the referendum and one wonders if the amendment was only for the CCJ, if it would have been approved by the electorates. It should be noted that Prime Minister Keith Mitchell campaigned vigorously for the proposed changes.

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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

Stubborn attempt to defund sugar industry Dear Editor, The sugar industry continues to be one of the most important industries in the Guyana. It supports more than 15,000 jobs and $22 billion in taxable compensation to workers. The sugar industry also attracts direct investment valued at close to $3 billion directly and more than $5 billion indirectly. This is approximately four per cent of all direct investment in Guyana; more investments than what the “permanently travelling to conferences” CEO of GO-Invest has developed in all his work life.

So what we see Clive Thomas doing today by clandestinely making decisions that continue to accelerate the breaking up of the Guyana Sugar Corporation is nothing but anti-national and anti-patriotic. His actions continue to spread misery in the industry and will continue to deny Guyana economic activi-

ty. But strangely enough, there are tons of academic literature from the 1970’s proving that it is this same Thomas who wrote widely on the relevance of the sugar industry, its usefulness to Guyana, how much the sugar industry contributed to the Guyanese economy by way of the sugar levy and how it has paid its dues and subsidising other industries. So why this fip-flop from Thomas? Why this determined attempt to destroy the sugar industry

by Thomas? Is he suffering from a serous state of geriatric amnesia or dementia?

But this stubborn attempt to defund the industry and bring greater poverty to the rural folks of Berbice and Demerara will backfire on Thomas and his new political masters in the People’s National Congress (PNC). This group is now dogmatically supported by their chief apologist who has now added his voice to the oppressive dialogue.

Very unfortunate that CCJ...

Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda has shifted its referendum on the issue to early next year – not later than March – following rigorous debate in the Lower House of Parliament. The original date was October 27, 2016, but Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer wants more time to educate Antiguans on the importance of the change. Prime Minister Gaston Browne said 67 per cent of the vote is required, and the polls seem

FROM PAGE 4

to indicate that although more than 50 per cent are in favour of the change, they have not yet reached the target. Although the regional court was established in 2001, so far only four countries – Guyana, Barbados, Belize and Dominica – have abolished appeals to the Privy Council and accepted the CCJ as its final court.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo told the media that “Bailing out sugar is like raiding the Treasury”.

Is that so?

But this same Nagamootoo was the one who wrote extensively in the Mirror newspaper in the 1980’s on how the PNC was attempting to actively destroy the sugar industry with the sugar levy. Today, this same Moses has “turncoat” on the workers and joins with the PNC elitist in their aloft agenda of destroying the livelihood of sugar workers. This makes him nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, prepared to destroy the welfare of the people at the bottom so that he can fill his own pockets. That makes him anti-Guyanese.

But this history of the PNC oppressing the workers is well established. If one checks the International Labour Organisation’s records, they will find a complaint lodged internationally in 1978 which outlined how the PNC Government was actively trying to dislodge permanent workers with PNC members by hiring some 6132 “ PNC scabs” to cut cane, although there was an excess supply of regular sugar workers.

As a result of this oppressive political action by the PNC then, thousands of rural folks from the villagers were denied an income.

Today we have the same old PNC and some

new friends in the form of Moses Nagamootoo, playing their same old imperialist game with the lives of the working class.

My comments are not racist since some of the best cane harvesters can be found at the Wales, Rose Hall and Blairmont Estate and they are all Afro-Guyanese citizens. At Wales Estate, more than 40 per cent of the cane harvesters are Afro-Guyanese people but yet this is the first estate this cabal of North Georgetown African elites chose to shut down.

The consequence of this Noel Holder-led charge against the sugar workers of Wales will reduce them to a state of beggary. So in their quest to destroy the sugar industry, they are prepared to starve many people who may have voted for them. This is nothing but desperation on the part of the Granger-led Government.

In the final analysis, this Government of geriatrics and political opportunists, like Moses Nagamootoo, are no good for Guyana, since all these “fat cats” are more concerned with is how much cash they can stuff in their own pockets, how many foreign trips they can make and how many free perks they can draw from the sweat of the working people of Guyana.

Sincerely, Jai (Harry) Lall

GuySuCo should practice what it preaches Dear Editor, The Senior Communications Officer of GuySuCo proffered several arguments ranging from lack of scientific perspectives to the changing shape of the economy in a longwinded response to Hydar Ally’s take on the sugar industry that was published on November 12.

These are all very sound arguments and concepts however, one wonders whether this Officer is aware of what goes on in GuySuCo, her employer.

I say this because every day we hear that GuySuCo is bankrupt and labour cost is too high yet, the company in its employment drive from May 2015 to now could afford the following: Est Monthly Salary (G$)

Job Title CEO (Interim Management)

4,000,000

Finance Director (Interim Management) 2,500,000 HR Director

1,200,000

Engineer Consultant (Ex-CoI member)

900,000

Project Consultant (Ex-CoI member)

900,000

Agri Consultant (Ex-CoI member)

1,000,000

General Manager - Technical

800,000

perations Engineer Manager

800,000

echnical Process Manager (Ex-CoI member)

800,000

TOTAL

12,900,000

These estimations are conservative as additional allowances, facilities and benefits are not included. GuySuCo may wish to correct these figures which will be an upward adjustment. From this, the following should be noted: (1) GuySuCo is not in financial troubles. Reason being, it could afford to pay nine persons a total of G$12.9M per month, including very recent hires. This fits perfectly in Thomas’ apex of the triangle economy. The average cane harvester, shoveller, weeder, factory worker, officer worker, etc, languishes at the base of the triangle.

(2) Taxpayer’s monies are used to pay all workers including the CEO’s salary of $4M/ month and Finance Director’s salary of $2.5M/month.

(3) New hires can receive a salary package of hundreds of thousands of dollars but the average sugar worker cannot receive a 1% salary increase.

(4) Will GuySuCo ever receive value for monies paid out to these nine persons? All nine persons are in their very senior years and effective work would be just 4hrs/day at best.

Adrainna Thomas should ensure GuySuCo practices what it preaches about lowering cost, reducing labour cost, developing a resilient business, etc, before attempting to lecture others. The principles being advanced by the corporation do not coincide with its actions.

Yours sincerely, Sookram Persaud

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Foundation

"The downside to becoming a doctor, I think, is it's a very long process; four years of medical school, three years of internship, two years of residency, umpteen years of specialization, and then finally you get to be what you have trained almost all your life for." – Jim Lee

T

Anu Dev

oday I've decided to write a bit about what my last week has been like. It hasn't been the most exciting week but it's been what I’ve come to expect from a typical week in medical school - tiring but somehow still satisfying.

I'm currently in my Adult Medicine rotation. My time is split between being on ward rounds, helping with ward work and bedside-teaching on the wards. See the common theme here? The wards. Every rotation we've been through, there’s always a doctor telling us some variation of "the wards are your textbooks and the patients are the pages of those books".

I was on call last Sunday and Thursday. On call days, whatever units are "on call" are then in charge of the management of all of the patients admitted that day. By our Friday post-call rounds, I think we ended up with over 50 patients admitted under our

unit. On call days, I’m expected to be down in Accident and Emergency to "clerk" patients and help with things like taking blood.

Last Thursday, I got to meet an interesting family. Their son had to be brought in for a sickle cell crisis. In sickle cell anaemia, there's a mutation that cause the red blood cells to be sickleshaped instead of the usual rounded, biconcave shape.

Because of this change in the shape of the red blood cells, the cells don't flow through the blood vessels as smoothly as they should.

Sometimes they get

stuck in the blood vessels - that's called a vaso-occlusive crisis.

These crises are extremely painful. This patient had been having pain for the past week despite being on pain killers.

Talking to the patient and his family, I got to hear firsthand the effects sickle cell anaemia can have on patients and their families. The patient had to be hospitalised more times than people four times his age and he has to be on antibiotics and painkillers every day. Before I started clinical medicine, sickle cell anaemia was just something I read about in books: I didn't hear it talked about all that much. But in the past month, I've seen so many kids and now adults coming into the hospital because of complications of sickle-cell anaemia. It’s been an eyeopener. Medicine is becoming more granular - and real.

There's a lot of walking around in medicine and especially in this rotation because we have patients in all parts of the San Fernando General Hospital - the new hospital, the old hospital and in the teaching hospital. We end up doing most everything on the move - talking, eating, studying (and sometimes even sleeping) are all done while walking.

That's why I spent over an hour last weekend trying to find the perfect pair of comfortable shoes after spending a week with bruised and blistered feet.

We have classes on the wards most days of the week.

Usually we have to examine a patient and summarise our findings to the consultant, along with what we think the diagnosis

might be. Then we're drilled with questions around the patient's particular condition.

It's supposed to help us to think clinically about what might be wrong with the patient and helps us to hone our techniques when examining patients.

Helping out with ward work usually means routine things like taking blood, putting in IVs

and setting up things like blood transfusions. There's also a lot of filling out of forms and running down to the lab for things. Again, more walking.

It’s been a long week, and a tiring one at that. But I’ve ended the week knowing more than I did at the beginning, so all that running around and walking up and down feels worth it.

Republic Bank honours outstanding CSEC performers

Bibi Aseeya Mohamed, Theresa Gobin, Vishani Ragobeer, Kayla Yan and John Harrison were honoured by Republic Bank for their outstanding performances at this year’s CSEC examinations

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everal outstanding performers at the recently concluded Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations were honoured by Republic Bank Guyana.

These were the five top CSEC performers with Right Start accounts at Republic Bank and they each received bursary awards on Thursday.

Assistant Manager – Information Technology, Yugisther Mohabir, said the the awards were given out as part of the organisation’s way of recognising and motivating the younger generation.

“Some of you are not only Right Start performers but also among the top performing students in the country, an accomplishment that makes us even more proud of your achievements. I am sure that you would have worked incredibly hard and your dedication and persistence in your endeavours resulted in your excellent performance at this year’s CSEC examinations,” Mohabir postulated.

The awardees were se-

lected from submissions received from branches across the country. Those who copped the honours were Bibi Aseeya Mohamed, Theresa Gobin, Vishani Ragobeer, Kayla Yan and the lone male student, John Harrison.

The Assistant Manager wished the awardees continued success. “We encourage you to remain grounded as you continue to grow and excel, never give up on trying to do what you really want to do,” he noted.

The Assistant Manager congratulated the awardees on behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited.

Meantime, Supervisor at the Head Office, Grandison Robinson told the gathering at the New Market Street, Georgetown premises that the bank recognises the importance of rewarding hard work and noted that the bank is committed to honouring academic excellence at all levels of study.

The bank encouraged the students to continue on their path of excellence.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No cease order for RUSAL – President Essequibo Coast family

T

he conflicts surrounding Russian bauxite company RUSAL and its labour issues have not reached such a grave stage that it warrants a cease order.

This is according to President David Granger.

He made this assertion during his weekly telecast “The Public Interest” which was aired on Friday.

An official order handed down by a Government agency or court directing a person or entity to stop doing something immediately is called a “cease and desist order.” Such an order effectively places an injunction on the person or entity that prohibits the named activity, labeling it suspicious or illegal.

“I don’t think we need to reach the level of a cease order at this point in time. There are measures which could be put in place by the unions to ensure that the controversies are adjudicated and I do not think those measures have been exhausted at this point in time,” President Granger stated, in response to a question posed by one of the journalists on the panel.

The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and RUSAL have had issues following the dismissal and suspension of 57 workers several years back.

Some of the workers’ concerns raised over the years include being compelled to complete tasks without the necessary equipment to do the job; staff working far in excess of five years and receiving no raise in pay; staff reporting sick receiving pay eight hours for a three-day pe-

accuses Police of brutality

A

riod, but upon resumption money is deducted from their salary; poor ventilation in office areas; and no occupational safety and health representatives or committee, among several other issues.

The bauxite company recently disrespected the Government by failing to attend a meeting organised

by Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence and Junior Minister Keith Scott to deliberate on the matter.

Recently, the workers union expressed concerns over the company’s move to establish a Workers’ Social Welfare Committee, noting that it is an attempt to isolate employees from the unions.

According to the Union, this Committee would be responsible for

addressing workers socio-economic issues” and be its workers’ medium for communication and information flow to and from management.

The Union contended that this move is unacceptable and infringes upon workers’ freedom to subscribe to a union of their choice.

Nonetheless, President Granger holds out that there are measures that can be explored before Government makes any extreme decisions regarding this matter.

“I urge that the Ministry of Social Protection remain engaged with the company, and if necessary, we can result to legal means to ensure workers’ rights are protected,” he said.

RUSAL has been operating in Guyana since 2014.

Coomacka residents continue to plead for better road

– David Granger school bus remains grounded

The deplorable condition of the road, (inset) the collapsing bridge

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esidents of Coomacka, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) are calling on relevant authorities to give urgent attention to the deplorable state of the community's access road and a bridge which collapsed several months ago.

Drivers and residents alike have registered their concern, pointing out that there has been no improvement for months. Currently, drivers are complaining about the state of the access road, rendering it unsafe to drive, more so when it rains.

In August, heavy downpours resulted in the collapse of the revetment on the access bridge, which caused intense flooding in the small farming community. Councillor of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Chairman of the

Coomacka Development Council (CDC) Dexter Harding said it was the third time that the bridge had collapsed and pointed to faulty work by the contractor as the main cause.

Harding had also complained that the poor state of the two infrastructures will have a negative effect on the Granger School bus which was later commissioned by the President to serve students of the community. To date the bus has not been able to serve the students since it encountered problems on its first trip to the community to pick up students, given the state of the road. Residents say they have returned to using other means of transportation to get students to school.

"Things are not better. The issues are the same. No resolution to the bridge issue. The

road is still the same. With the constant rainfall it is getting worse. We also don't know when the school bus will be in operation because the road remains in a deplorable state," one parent told this newspaper.

Another resident disclosed that since the road is very low and the drains are not dug, when it rains it gushes over the roadway. This he noted also creates indentations along the road.

Although it was graded recently, residents say due to the highness of the drains it causes the road to flood during the rains which further leads to erosion. With regards to the bridge, residents disclosed that works was only carried out to half of it and there is no support underneath.

According to some residents, laterite could be used to rehabilitate the roadway.

(Utamu Belle)

family from Lot 621 Onderneeming Sandpit, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is calling for a thorough investigation to be launched into the alleged Police brutality which took place late Friday evening.

Reports are Fernando Federicks was picked up by Police for questioning into a series of breaking and entering and larceny that occurred in the village.

According to man’s mother, Anita Federicks, her son was apprehended on Friday night around 21:00h for questioning. She said in order to maintain peace, she asked her son to comply after the Police surrounded her home with guns. According to the woman, at about 22:00h, a Criminal Investigations Department rank attached to the Suddie Police Station took black bags and placed it around her son's face and began to kick and stomp the man to his chest. She said that she could not bear to see her son beaten in such a manner. According to the woman, it was not until Saturday morning that her son was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was admitted.

Beaten: Fernando Federicks

The woman is calling on the Police Commissioner to intervene in the matter.

When Guyana Times contacted Divisional Commander Khali Pareshram on the matter, he noted that Federicks is a suspect in several break and enter reports but was not aware than he was hospitalised. He did however say that he was told that the suspect was taken to the hospital for observation. According to the Commander, the suspect is part of a gang, and as such, was arrested to assist with investigations. He however promised to investigate the allegations of brutality.

8

NEWS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trinidadian fraudster charged again

A

Trinidadian who is currently on remand on charges of fraud that occurred at two city hotels a few months ago, on Friday made another appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for another charge of fraud at another city hotel.

Anthony Nestor, 28, pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which stated that between September 2 and 17 at Eldorado Inn at Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, he incurred a debt of $135,000 by means of staying at the hotel and

refusing to pay.

Police prosecutor Kevin London told the court that the virtual complainant was reading a local newspaper when he spotted an article about the defendant defrauding hotels. As such, he made a report to the Police Station and investigations were launched. Nestor was subsequently charged with the present offence.

London informed the court that the defendant sought accommodation at the Eldorado Inn by stating that he had lost his baggage on a Caribbean Airlines flight. He was granted per-

mission to stay without paying until he retrieved his luggage. However, that was not the case.

The unrepresented man told the court that he lost his baggage and was unable to pay, however he is now able to pay immediately through his spouse.

He handed over the money to a representative of the hotel in court but was $5000 short. He promised to pay the balance by Monday.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan made it known to the defendant that failure to pay the remaining monies will incur a four-

month sentence.

In addition he was placed on a 12 months bond to keep the peace.

Meanwhile, Nestor remains on remand for the previous charges which stated that between April 1 and 15, 2016, at Brandsville, he incurred a debt of $206,804 and at Opus Hotel, between April 15 and 18, by falsely pretending he had a valid credit card, obtained $66,000 in credit.

According to Trinidadian newspapers Nester has been charged several times for fraud-related charges.

Man jailed, fined for narco trafficking … says unemployment pushed him into drug trade

A

resident of Grove, East Bank Demerara, was jailed for three years and fined $30,000 after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Nigel Sookra, who was unrepresented, appeared

before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Sookra admitted that on November 24, 2016, at Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he had in his possession 23.5 grams of cannabis for the purpose of

trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor Kevin London, a group of Police on patrol observed Sookra acting in a suspicious manner, and as such, they stopped him and conducted a search on his person. During the search, 17 transparent Ziploc bags

with the illegal substance were unearthed in one of his pockets.

In mitigation during his court appearance, Sookra told the court that he was not finding any jobs and decided to “take a chance” since he has two children to maintain.

Saluting...

I

...el Commandante

t's a supreme irony that Fidel Castro, the man who for over fifty years rejected bourgeois values, died on US "Black Friday" - a day epitomising the capitalist drive to squeeze the last penny from the workers through fetishizing bourgeois consumerism. But then the irony was probably lost when American designers from the sixties onwards made Castro's "anti-bourgeois" military fatigues into a chic fashion statement. Banana Republic, anyone?

Castro was one of the last real "revolutionaries".

Not just a revolutionary to overthrow a repressive government - even though that's nothing to scoff at.

Not just a revolutionary to bring poor Cubans of African descent into the cities and install them into the posh homes of the departed ruling strata who'd departed to Florida...and helped to break the racial segregation that'd prevailed up to then.

Not just a revolutionary who insisted education must be available all the way to university and medical schools - absolutely free. And ditto on free medical care to one and all. Not just a revolutionary to remove the exclusivism and elitism from medical schools to train and export doctors to all Latin America and Africa. Not just a revolutionary who insisted all jobs are of equal dignity and workers must be paid so as not to create class differences.

No. Castro was a revolutionary who believed that there could be a total transformation of the human psyche so that folks would be able to accept the egalitarianism he insisted was necessary for a just society. From each according to his ability; to each according to his needs. And we know in this he failed - because so many Cubans are just raring to enjoy the spoils of the consumer society and the inequalities that go with it - even though by all the measures mentioned above, Cuba's done better than any other society in the Caribbean.

But Castro really "failed" because of two factors.

First there was the economic embargo imposed since 1960 and is still in place. Who can predict where Cuba would've been today if it could import spare parts for its industrial base during those fifty+ years? Then there's the TV programmes from the US that's beamed into Cuba which flaunts the "good life" in that society. Who supports Castro to mention the US and the "developed world" are able to enjoy that sybaritic lifestyle because of their historic exploitation of the Third World?

Most commentators predict that with the passing of Fidel and then of his brother Raul, the new generation of Cuban leaders will go the way of China and graft a capitalist economy onto a socialist society.

But Castro must be saluted for fighting the good fight.

...a principled stance

You gotta hand it to Juan Edgehill for sticking to his guns in the obvious attempt to bully him into submission in Parliament. Here it is... over a year ago he calculated the Guyanese tax payers would be set back a Billion dollars over the government's 5-year term to deal with the 50% salary increase the Cabinet awarded itself.

And for the third time he refused to bow and scrape when he was convinced he was right. Now in the latest meeting of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee which is being used like the Spanish Inquisition on him, Edgehill produced the figures to back-up his assertion.

And the Committee, headed by Speaker Bartland Scotland, were struck dumb! They now say they have to "consider" Edgehill's submission.

But one has to ask why the persecution of Edgehill?

Was he correct when he asserted that African-Guyanese who join the PPP get singled out more for "condign" treatment?

The PNC-led coalition Government couldn't possibly be that racist, could they?

...the printer's devil?

The Chronic reported that Prezzie called for a return of the glory days when Linden produced Aluminium.

Surely Prezzie didn't say that, did he? Linden produced ALUMINA and not aluminum.

Must be that pesky printer's devil again!!

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

NEWS

9

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Release fact-based assessment of Amaila Falls – Jagdeo plies. Only two weeks ago, they bought four new oilbased generators. The blame for this situation lies entirely with the APNU/AFC coalition,” read an excerpt of a statement from the Office of the Opposition Leader on the matter.

years. President Granger said that the Amaila Falls Hydropower project would saddle Guyanese with decades of debt,” the statement posited.

The Party outlined that Amaila Falls has repeatedly

Party/Civic (PPP/C) pointed out too that the then Opposition was privy to all of this information – that the Amaila Falls Project met the world-class social and environmental safeguards of the Inter-American

Global capital markets

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

G

overnment’s unjustifiable delay in the release of the factbased assessment of Amaila Falls – which would have determined if this was the ideal route for renewable energy in Guyana – creates strong suspicions of attempts to hide the conclusions in the report.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has issued another call for the release of this document so that Guyanese and businesses can access an independent assessment of the merits of Amaila Falls and determine for themselves if the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition’s decision to scrap the project was indeed in the best interest of the country.

Amaila Falls could have been almost operational by now and consumers could have been close to seeing the end to expensive, unreliable and dirty electricity and Guyana would have been entering into the ranks of the top 10 users of clean energy worldwide.

The project, which would have been the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country’s history, had the potential to reintegrate the country with the global capital markets for the first time in over 40 years, the Opposition Leader said in the statement.

“Instead, Guyanese face years more of unreliable electricity supply and excessively high bills – with no end in sight. Blackouts last for up to 10 hours a day, and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is putting future electricity costs up by buying expensive, dirty energy sup-

The missive explained that the People’s National Congress (PNC) party, now APNU, caused Guyana to be excluded from the global capital markets in the first place – and the decades of zero investment in Guyana that resulted.

The Opposition chronicled that upon assuming office in 2015, APNU/AFC continued their “economic vandalism” by stopping the project in its tracks.

“They justified these acts of vandalism through a series of inaccurate statements, including when the Finance Minister stood before the National Assembly and declared that to proceed with the Amaila Falls project would be “a downright criminal act of deception.” The Minister said that the Government’s “investigations” had revealed that Amaila Falls would cost GPL US$2.6 billion over 20

ing any strident measures towards its realisation.

Govt wrong

The Party contended that Granger was outright wrong when he declared that the Project would saddle Guyanese with debt.

“There would be no public debt. The Government’s contribution to Amaila Falls would largely come from US$80 million which was earned in payments from Norway and has been sitting – unused – in a bank account at the World Bank and then the Inter-American

2012, for about half the cost,” it explained.

The PPP/C argued that customers’ electricity bills would have decreased significantly from 2017, and would further plunge in stages until it reached 90 per cent cheaper than they were in 2012.

Government had initially promised to release the report by May 2016 but now it is saying that the document will be made public in January 2017.

Government is now pursuing, as an alternative to the Amaila Falls Project, the Hope Beach Wind Farm

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Fall Hydropower Project

been identified as the best fit for the first major hydropower development in the country and that the ideal way for its development would be through a public-private venture.

In 2013, Guyana had secured a best-in-class US private investor to be the major sponsor for Amaila Falls and the contractor to build the project was selected through an open, competitive, international process.

The People’s Progressive

Development Bank (IDB).

The Party noted that Guyana could have sustained its global leadership on green growth and low carbon development, instead of being relegated to the rump of countries that talk about green growth but does not act.

Jagdeo has already labelled this Government as being one of such, with President Granger constantly touting the concept of a green economy but not tak-

An artist’s impression of the Hope Beach Wind Farm Project

Development Bank for years.

By 2017, Amaila Falls could be generating about 50 per cent more electricity than the entire GPL supply in

Project – but the Opposition has since contended that this will not generate enough capacity to dramatically transform the country.

10 NEWS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt looking to capitalise on landfill biogas for energy – Granger

A section of the gathering on Saturday evening at Demerara Bank

A

s Guyana continues to move along its “green path”, the Haags Bosch Landfill site may soon be used to generate electricity. This was suggested by President David Granger who related that the gases emitted from the area aback Eccles, East Bank Demerara, could be used to provide power.

“One of the solutions to Haags Bosch is to ensure that we trap the gas that is being generated there and use it for electrical generation,” the President ex-

plained.

He made these comments on Saturday evening at the launch of the Demerara Bank’s fully solar powered Head Office at Camp Street, Georgetown, where he congratulated the company on making good on its 2015 pledge that it would have continued “to go green”.

“I am proud and I must congratulate the bank – not only taking up the challenge but on demonstrating leadership to other corporations in Guyana,” President Granger told the gathering

that included bank executives, diplomats and a range of other officials.

Demerara Bank went fully solar at its Head Office on October 21, which meant that the services of electricity company, Guyana Power & Light (GPL) were no longer utilised. This move was praised by the Head of State who further pointed out that the country’s “clean energy revolution” is gaining momentum. On this point he encouraged other local companies and organisations to follow suit, stating that,

“Guyana will move closer” to fully utilising renewable energy by 2025.

Chairman of Demerara Bank’s Dr Yesu Persaud boasted that his company’s all solar initiative has shown the world that a “small Third World country can do it”. He reiterated his mantra that “nothing is impossible”.

“Decide on what you want and go after it,” the Chairman encouraged.

In light moments, Dr Persaud took some time to single out older gentlemen like him who have served the country for a number of years. He humorously targeted GWI Chairman Dr Richard Van West-Charles but it was his light-hearted jab about Guyana being a “poor country” to pay Hamilton Greene’s pension that had the gathering in a brief moment of uproar.

“We together we can change this country, not only green but make it a prosperous place where our people will be proud of saying, when they travel overseas, that [they are] Guyanese,” Dr Persaud stressed at the event.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the company, Pravinchandra Dave explained that Demerara Bank is the first in the Caribbean to fully operate on solar power. He made reference to the April 22, 2016 Paris Climate Change Agreement that Guyana signed onto which aims to reduce gas emissions and foster Climate Resilient Development.

He pointed out in sentiments echoed by President Granger, that the country will achieve success if it focuses on capitalising on available resources such as wind, sun, water and fertile land. The CEO disclosed that G$775 million was spent on the 25,000 square foot building and noted that much planning went into its roofing design to accommo-

It's only (our) money S

atiricus was sick and tired of people digging up the past. And so he was in a grumpy mood as he and his buddies celebrated Thanksgiving. Even though he knew about this quaint American festival when they sacrificed the fattest turkey they could find and their entire family would pray over it, this was the first time he'd actually be participating.

"Bai Sato, me su'prise Cappo rememba abee and sen' somet'ing fuh abee celebrate T'anksgivin'!!" said Bungi.

"Mus' tell am me gi'e t'anks to he."

"I'm not surprised Bungi," replied Satiricus. "Cappo know how things brown in Guyana with us."

"But it's not brown for everyone," interjected Hari. "You hear Edge Bill explain how much our Ministers will get just from their 50% raise?"

"Me hear," nodded Bungi. "Edge Bill seh waan Billian dallah. But how much a wan billian dallah?"

"Well, look at it this way," explained Hari. "You know how much that house you built last year cost you?"

"Budday!! Me had to tek out loan fuh buil' dat house!" exclaimed Bungi. "Four millian dalla! Me na know w'en me guh pay da back!"

"Well, the $1B increase can build 250 houses like that!!!" said Hari in a disgusted voice. "And imagine that is only the RAISE! What about the rest?"

"An' dem get DUTY-free cyaar an' t'ing," marveled Bungi.

"Dem should really do dis T'anksgivin' t'ing!"

"But hold it fellas!" interjected Satiricus. "Don't you think our Ministers deserve to live properly?"

"But na dem same Ministah bin a seh abee cyaan live in caddilac style in an dankey cyaa't ecanamy?" inquired Bungi.

"But you don't understand," replied Satiricus. "They're just showing us how we will all live when we finish with the "dankey cyaart" economy."

"But that's putting the "dankey" before the "cyaart", isn't it?" grinned Hari. "And those donkeys will gallop away and leave us in the dirt!"

"Leh abee drink to Cappo," suggested Bungi as he clinked his beer bottle to his buddies'. "At least he rememba abee!" date the 360 solar panels.

The structure was designed to save costs and it uses LED lights and 52 Inverter ACs. There are also 216 batteries which will store power from the panels and will last up to three days without direct sunlight.

There are also generators as a last resort that would be powered for two hours to re-

charge the batteries.

Dave explained further that nearly $28 million was spent on the panel and batteries but it will save in an energy cost of nearly $1.5 million per month.

President Granger, other officials and the media were granted a tour of the multimillion-dollar facilities.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

NEWS

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

D’Urban Park fiasco

Govt embroiled in web of deception – Opposition

G

President David Granger

overnment is twisting deeper into the tangled web of deception it has weaved surrounding the D’Urban Park scandal. Now that damning revelations are coming to the fore, the public is demanding now more than ever, answers to pertinent questions relating to the controversial Jubilee Project which has been shrouded in a mass of secrecy and confusion since its inception.

Opposition Members of Parliament Dharamkumar Seeraj, Joseph Hamilton and Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, hosted a press conference on Saturday morning in response to what they described as President David Granger’s “worrying defence” of the D’Urban Park Project and to emphasise once again how these unfolding events are extremely disconcerting.

Moreover, the parliamentarians expressed grave concern over Government’s bold posture in refusing to be an-

swerable to the public and tossing the media around like a football when pressed for explanations and clarifications on this guarded Government initiative.

In September 2015, substantial works commenced on the huge plot of land behind Durban Backlands for the development of what was pegged as a state-of-the-art recreational arena, which would be used for the country’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations.

Government, whenever grilled for information regarding funding for this initiative, opined that donations from public-spirited citizens were being pumped into the project.

It is now made public that a private company, Homestretch Development Inc –established in January 2016 – expeditiously solicited donations from private individuals for the development of Jubilee Park.

President Granger’s defence was that, “When we went into office, budgetary provisions were not made for the construction of that stadium in time for independence celebrations in May 2016 and it was felt prudent to establish a special purpose company… when we realised that we had to engage in contracts and agreements with construction firms to build the stands and everything else that was involved in the stadium and as soon as we could, we terminated the work of that company and (transferred the project to) the Ministry of Public

in Guyana’s laws for a special purpose company.

Teixeira highlighted too that when the project was initially handed over to the Public Infrastructure Ministry in April, Government claimed it was owing to “shabby” works and not because a private com-

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Infrastructure with the sole responsibility to complete the Project.”

However, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition questioned which entity was collecting monies and spearheading the development of the Jubilee Park prior to the formation of the company in January, since Government claimed it did not invest a single cent into the initiative.

Additionally, Teixeira inquired why in all the supplementary papers brought to Parliament in 2015, Government did not request provisions for the works on the Durban Park project or why it was not budgeted in the early 2016 National Budget.

Teixeira also contended and demanded answers regarding why this “special purpose” company is still in existence if its works are completed – noting that in the first place, there are no provisions

pany had completed its tasks.

Furthermore, she said the public was only now made aware of the establishment of a private company and if there was nothing secretive about the entire undertaking, why was this information not made available earlier.

She also asserted that if the private company received monies to invest into a government project, then these funds should be accounted for and made available to the public since the undertaking is a government initiative.

TURN TO PAGE 15

12 news

SunDAY, november 27, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Stakeholders rap protesters over attack on F&DD President …call for phyto-sanitary enforcement, antidumping legislation

S

takeholders in the manufacturing and business sector have come out in support of the Head of the Guyana Food and Drug Department (G-FDD) Marlon Cole, in wake of protests against his decision to ban the importation of certain products into the country.

On Wednesday last, a group of employees from Suria Manufacturing along with other local importers staged picketing exercises outside of the Ministry of the Presidency and the Public Health Ministry, accusing the G-FDD Head of corruption and demanded his removal.

Suria Manufacturing Head Frank Sanichara alleged that Cole is deliberately and unjustifiably preventing products from coming into the country and that several lawsuits have already been filed against him.

But the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) and Chairman of the Trade and Investments Committee of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Dookhoo both contended that the G-FDD is finally doing its job regarding the upholding of the law when it comes to certifying and labelling of imports.

Both entities view the protest actions as malicious and expressed that disgruntled parties should revert to the courts if they feel they were wronged by decisions made by the G-FDD. During an interview with Guyana Times recently, Dookhoo explained that Cole is rightly conducting his functions as G-FDD Head and lauded him for his strident efforts.

Private Sector Commission Chairman Ramesh Dookhoo

“I believe that’s a very important department and the Terms of Reference of that department is to ensure that food is properly labelled and our laws speak very loudly to those standards that has to be met in food labelling and food certification. I believe that the current head of the Food and Drug Department is simply trying to do his job. Over many years, we have not had such a dynamic FDD Head,” he stated.

Similarly, the GMSA in a statement on Saturday expressed concerns over the accusations being made against the head of the regulatory body, noting that it supports all legal action being taken by the G-FDD and urged all parties not to impede or interfere with the work of the entity, which is an important body under the law.

Phyto-sanitary, anti-dumping

Dookhoo, who is also the President of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce, explained that the work of the G-FDD is even more important in the

absence of key structures such as antidumping legislation and phyto-sanitary enforcements or veterinary laboratories.

“What do we do? Do we allow all and sundry to enter Guyana at the will of whoever wants to import into Guyana I believe the answer is no. In the rest of the Caribbean, these structures are set up and you have to meet the requirement of those countries to export to those countries,” he stressed, explaining that the G-FDD should be allowed to conduct its functions unimpeded, especially in the interest of having standard products available on the markets to consumers.

These sentiments were also echoed by the GMSA. A Veterinary Laboratory provides diagnostic medical testing for infectious agents, toxins, and other causes of disease in animal diagnostic samples submitted by veterinary practitioners serving animal owners, public officials associated with public health, law or wildlife management, and scientists with collaborative research projects.

Phyto-sanitary enforcements are to ensure imports that are plant related is free of specified pests and/or diseases. Anti-dumping legislation are laws that prohibit the sale of goods at prices that are less than the fair market price.

Dookhoo said he is aware that Government is in discussions with stakeholders on the introduction of these measures and noted that such structures would be very much welcomed in Guyana.

NEWS

13

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corentyne carpenter’s murder

Guyana’s post- Interpol issues wanted truth politics

By Ryhaan Shah

T

here is now a proper word for it: post-truth. This is the newest addition to the Oxford Dictionary and the word is defined as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion that appeals to emotion and personal belief.”

Guyana has been living with post-truth in all the years since our 1966 independence.

Facts have never been important to shaping our politics and this has impacted Ryhaan Shah negatively on our culture and society.

ROAR and GIHA called for a Truth and Reconciliation Committee years ago, both groups recognising the need to grapple with the brutal political realities that have contributed to Guyana’s continuing underdevelopment and lack of progress.

No such committee was ever established and the realties that created Guyana’s racial divide have simply solidified into economic stagnation and ingrained societal and political corruption. With the two main political camps always succeeding in their “appeal to emotion and personal belief”, knowledge-based truths have never mattered in general elections. The status quo of division wins every time.

Whole political campaigns are based on post-truth.

The APNU/AFC Coalition actually campaigned on Guyanese forgetting the past thus creating the perfect vacuum for its post-truth to flourish. With each side championing its own post-truth politics, there is no likely path out of the divide.

Even today, President David Granger can stand in the hallowed halls of Parliament and speak about Guyana’s more recent “troubles” without batting an eye as to who created the troubles and why, because he knows that his edited version of the facts is the post-truth wisdom on which his party thrives.

Over 70 per cent of Donald Trump’s “factual” statements during his presidential campaign were found to be mostly false or downright lies. In the end, this didn’t matter. The groundswell of support that gave him victory derived from his appeal to voters’ emotions.

In Britain and the US, the majority voted and turned on its head the notion that the people can be trusted to choose the democratic values of truth, justice and equality which will promote and secure the common good.

What has happened, instead, is a rise in populism that is driven by a combination of factors that include a trend towards nativism coupled with the increasing popularity of social media. It is less about understanding relevant information and more about responding to emotional appeals.

Historians contend that representing society in terms of facts is a medieval idea that arose with the birth of accounting.

Merchant bookkeeping, they say, provided society with a type of truth that could stand alone and without interpretation that could be swayed by faith or emotions.

Now, however, there are statistics, surveys, and focus groups that measure emotional responses and enthusiasm levels, adding new perspectives to available data. There is possibly an oversupply of information with numerous social media platforms providing ready access to every kind of data. These have varying degrees of credibility but to most consumers, credibility is not important.

There is no one reality based on facts that everyone can agree on anymore. Most people get their information from social media rather than mainstream news outlets with the result that every opinion, prejudice and perception now has sources with evidential data to support that belief; and, as seen with the Trump and Brexit campaigns, there are leaders ready to encourage that direction.

The days of depending on what were considered cold, hard facts to make a case or prove a point are over. It’s every man to his own truth as he sees it. The pollsters got both the Brexit and Trump victories wrong because they failed to take into account the emotional appeal and the enthusiasm factor that moved the needle for the majority of the populace.

A New York Times report stated: “We are in the middle of a transition from a society of facts to a society of data. During this interim, confusion abounds surrounding the exact status of knowledge and numbers in public life, exacerbating the sense that truth itself is being abandoned.”

In Guyana, the political/racial divide is kept intact by the post-truths being peddled by both political sides. We’ve been ahead of the world in this one area and are a perfect example of the dangers of abandoning truth altogether for primal emotions, and beliefs that are not tempered by reason or facts.

Even before the word was coined, it was post-truth together with nativism that brought Hitler to power: it was Germany for Germans, and Germans were swayed by raw emotional appeal. How soon the world forgets.

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

bulletin for mastermind

T

wo days after Marcus Brian Bisram was charged in absentia for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has issued a wanted bulletin for his arrest. The bulletin came two days after the Guyana Police Force issued a similar bulletin.

Only on Thursday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that the Police Force was in the process of seeking the assistance of Interpol to publish a “Red Notice”. Now that the notice has been published, Bisram is now an international criminal and is to be arrested at sight.

Interpol in its bulletin urged persons in the United States to contact the nearest Police Station or 911 once the wanted man is sighted.

Guyana Times was told that Bisram has two stores in the

Queens, New York area and one in Manhattan.

It is believed that the man is now in hiding but local law enforcement officers have confidence in the assistance being provided by Interpol to locate the wanted man.

Bisram became the central point of attraction after he was fingered in the murder of 26-year-old Narinedatt by several who had already confessed to the murder and subsequently charged. It is believed that the now wanted man might have made sexual advances at Narinedatt but was blatantly rejected.

It was due to the embarrassment, he allegedly ordered his body guard and others who were at a party to kill the carpenter. The carpenter was snatched and beaten into an unconscious state then his body dumped on the roadside and run over

Wanted: Marcus Brian Bisram

with a car to make it appear as if he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident.

From reports received, the now dead man and the mastermind were friends, leaving persons in the community shocked. Meanwhile, seven persons including the mastermind’s mother and sister were charged in con-

nection with the murder.

The two women were accused of offering $4 million in bribes to members of the Major Crime Unit who had taken up the case since it was believed that Police ranks on the Corentyne were covering up the evidence to prove that the carpenter’s death was a homicide and not a hit-and-run accident.

The body of Narinedatt was discovered about 03:45h on November 1, 2016, along the Corentyne Highway at Number 70 Village, at a scene which appeared to be that of a hit-and-run accident.

Police had initially treated the incident as a hit-andrun, but reopened investigations after relatives of the dead man kept calling for the Police to further investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

14 news

SunDAY, november 27, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Attorney seeks to address gaps in Younge’s Take Guyana’s mental health sector

N

ew York Attorney Anthony Autar, has announced the launch of a consultancy firm to address critical gaps in the mental health sector in Guyana.

This entity−the Autar Consultancy Firm − is based in Kingston, Georgetown, and provides a unique range of services, including expert legal, policy guidance to Government agencies, risk management services, training to healthcare institutions, and a steady hand to families navigate the local mental health sector.

According to Autar, the gaps in Guyana’s mental health system must be urgently addressed.

“For too long, the people of Guyana have had to settle for sub-optimal mental health services – with scarce professionals, who are often overworked, an antiquated legal framework that fails to promote and protect the human rights and dignity of individuals living with mental illnesses, and widespread discrimination.”

New York Attorney Anthony Autar

According to the founder, the consultancy firm is very troubled to see the number of Guyanese who are unable to access quality care in a timely manner.

“We are concerned that the people of Guyana will continue to suffer in si-

lence, and fall through the cracks, if we do not act speedily to improve the standards of mental health services in Guyana,” Autar noted.

It was noted that the firm will be vigorously advocating for the implementation of an updated mental health law to replace the outdated Mental Hospital Ordinance of 1930, and the decriminalisation of suicide. In addition, they are also providing training and professional guidance on a variety of mental health and related matters to healthcare institutions. Services will also be offered to families seeking guidance in accessing mental healthcare for loved ones in need.

Autar graduated with a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the Hofstra University School of Law, where he was an Associated Editor for the Hofstra Law Review and a Health Law and Policy Fellow. Before returning to Guyana, Autar worked at a Manhattan-based health law litigation firm.

The D’Urban Park disaster

H

istory will not be kind to the Government of President David Granger if it continues its unprecedented wave of abuses, excesses and corrupt practices which are no doubt testing the patience and intelligence of all right-thinking and law-abiding Guyanese citizens.

The truth is Granger’s Government probably holds the view that its cheap political clap backs, hostile public relations machinery and one-seat majority in the National Assembly are enough to create a sheepish, docile and compliant populace which do not possess the testicular ability to challenge the Executive and win!

Also, when one looks at the postures of its ministers especially the Prime Minister, Attorney General and Social Cohesion Michael Younge Minister, it is easy for one to arrive at the conclusion that the APNU/ AFC Government believes that it has a divine right to govern, and those who oppose that right must be silenced, sidelined, dealt with and denied the right to thrive in both business and politics for as long as the APNU/AFC hold Executive power.

A closer look at the policies, decisions and projects undertaken by the new Government expose the fact that there is no “big” appetite on their part for good governance, transparency, and accountability, regardless of the tricky and sometimes sleek rhetoric from their devout spokespersons Joseph Harmon and Raphael Trotman.

Granger’s Government is missing the mark every time it is given the opportunity to demonstrate that it is a Government for all the people that is interested in pursuing unity and reconciliatory politics. It continues to miss the mark whenever it is caught in the middle of scandals and corrupt practices and fails to discipline its principals, ministers and hand-picked party officials who have found themselves in the public service and benefiting from lucrative business contracts and deals.

Last Monday another opportunity was missed in the National Assembly for the Government to admit that they erred and would require more guidance in the future when making key decisions about the country’s overall development, especially when it comes to infrastructural development.

Recall that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, which was in Government for 23 years, moved a motion aimed at mandating Government to release key details about the financing of the controversial D’Urban Park Development Project.

The PPP/C was forced to move the motion because the Government with its usual arrogance refused to come clean on the project from the outset. From the inception of the project there was secrecy over who was responsible for the venture, how much money it required, and where the money was being recorded and kept.

There were also allegations that the new Government was coercing businessmen into financing the project. Soon after the nation discovered that substandard and poor quality work valued at hundreds of millions was squandered on the project which resulted in the Public Infrastructure Ministry taking over its completion and which saw hundreds of millions more being spent.

This is most shameful, and despite appeals for answers from the public, parliamentarians and civic leaders, the Government continues its posture of indifference and defiance.

Now we hear that the Government placed the construction and financing of a public asset into the hands of a private company which was set up more than 120 days after initial works started.

We now hear that there was no budgetary allocation for the project and that it was in the interest of time that some breaches and wrongs were undertaken.

We now see the President and his ministers defending another deceptive and controversial venture as they seek to do damage control.

But there are now more questions than answers after the PPP tabled its motion. What is the true cost of the “asset” that we have at D’Urban Park? In order to arrive at the answer the Govt must provide account for all of the donations that were made by the public and spent on the project.

How much more monies were paid out by Govt to cover debts associated with the latter half of the project; and how many persons are still owed? Who is managing the facility and was any feasibility study done or even widespread consultation undertaken that pointed to a need for another stadium in that part of the country?

The President disappoints all Guyanese when he continues to defend the indefensible. Surely, he must launch a Commission of Inquiry into the project to see if he too was misled by his Cabinet of Ministers.

I predict that were the PPP to continue its research and parliamentary work, this Government would be put to shame and its track record damaged beyond repair. There are too many bosses, advisors and security experts in the coalition. That is why crime is up, business is down, corruption is thriving and governance is still poor. Nothing has changed in this country since the departure of the PPP. Things have moved from bad to worse and I fear that the worst is yet to come. The D’Urban Park Development Project is a disaster and lacks vision. It is the centrepiece of the Government’s legacy and nobody is smiling except Hamilton Green who will be all teeth on the way to the bank monthly, regardless of the misfortunes of the Government.

NEWS

15

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Councillor accuses Linden Mayor of dictatorship …as controversy brews within LTC

C

ouncillor within the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) Lennox Gasper said the Council is in serious trouble and needs intervention from high authorities to bring some sort of order and decency, noting that it continuously refuses to honour the law. He alleges that instead, the Council continues to operate under the orders of its Mayor Carwyn Holland.

Speaking with the media Thursday, Gasper sought to highlight issues arising from the Council's statutory meeting which was held on Wednesday, and criticised some decisions made by Holland.

According to the Councillor, the issue of the recently reopened toll booth arose during the meeting, whereby Holland indicated that he had received letters from out-of-town businesses seeking the 25 per cent reduction in toll fees. However,

Gasper maintains that those businesses, which he refused to name, do not have branches in Linden, but rather vendors who sell their products.

As such, in his opinion, the community of Linden will not benefit.

Gasper added that despite the advice of councillors, Holland did not consider that the new rates are far higher than the previous and the fact that it's competing with the Mackenzie-Wismar bridge tolls. The decision, Gasper maintains, was not in keeping with the democratic process.

He said when he attempted to state these opinions during the statutory meeting, he was told by the mayor to withdraw his statement and apologise to him since it was deemed slanderous, threatening and malicious.

He said the mayor went on to state that if he did not withdraw the statement, he would be suspended from speaking in the Council as well as removed from the meeting.

Councillor Lennox Gasper

"I refused to apologise...because according to the law...in no way was I disrespectful to the mayor. I stated my opinion...and it doesn't necessarily have to agree with the mayor’s", Gasper stated.

He further alleged that the mayor then attempted to have him physically thrown out of the meeting by the council's inspectors when he refused to apologise.

"How could this mayor be acting in the interest of the Linden people when he would

Govt embroiled in web...

In addition, Teixeira said she refused to believe that Government, marketing Durban Park as its flagship project, did not invest a single dollar into its own legacy.

She also argued that the mannerism in which the Government officials consistently dodged questions on the matter reflects of the secretive and controversial nature of the project.

Also, the fact that Government blatantly refused to disclose that Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine is a

Director of the company, supports the assertion that the project reeks of some sort of corruption.

In this regard, Teixeira questioned how did Minister Roopnaraine and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) crony Larry London become Directors of the company, ultimately benefiting from some of the funds collected.

The PPP/C had previously questioned too whether this private company, as all private companies are required, will be paying its tax to the Guyana Revenue

FROM PAGE 11

Authority (GRA) or whether for some special reason, it was exempted from doing so.

Teixeira demanded that Government in the interest of accountability and transparency, untangle itself from this spinning web and come clean by giving full disclosure on the project.

She strongly believes that the public has only stumbled upon the tip of the iceberg in this controversy and that more shocking discoveries will soon be made in relation to this latest scandal of the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

have reopened the tollbooth without considering the objections of the people? When this tollbooth was given the claims and objections period, persons objected...but to my surprise it was signed onto and it was re- enacted. When it was reinforced, nobody took the time to analyse what this would mean to the Linden people with the new system which was put in place. One councillor was calling for the old system to be employed when others were calling for Lindeners not to pay but none of that was looked at. The mayor forced ahead."

Town Clerk saga

"He went on to attack the Town Clerk with an unlawful, forceful ejection...to go on immediate administrative leave, without duly considering the consequences...the council is now faced with likely court summons which by way of letter the council has already, through the letter of the Town

Clerk's lawyer, will have to answer to that at the level of the court", Gasper outlined in relation to the recent decision by Holland to send Town Clerk Jenella Bowen on administrative leave pending investigations.

Gasper further alleged that since the Town Clerk was sent on leave, Holland has been interfering in administrative business of the council and called on Minister of Local Government to intervene.

Gasper said the Council to date, has not produced anything productive, maintaining that the garbage situation has still not been remedied.

He also stated that the mayor’s trips to China and other places were not productive and accused a certain "elite" group of being power drunk and trying to manage the town.

"Elements within the Party (A Partnership for National Unity) and within the town are seemingly mus-

Mayor Carwyn Holland

tering councillors in their manipulative web to tell councillors they're not ready to let Mr Holland go...Linden needs a plucking out. Linden is not run by the RDC and the M&TC, it is being run by an elite of 5", Gasper noted.

Meanwhile, efforts by this newspaper for a response from Holland on the allegations proved futile.

16

news

SunDAY, november 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Parking meters will negatively impact work force – PSC T he Private Sector Commission (PSC) believes that the impending implementation of the controversial parking meters will have severe effects on people working in the city.

An official within the PSC stated that the charge commuters will have to pay will place tremendous strain on the average man working in the city, since some of them do not earn enough to support that sort of service.

It was highlighted that neither the Council nor the Government should compare Guyana to other international countries that have installed the systems in their cities.

“You can’t compare Guyana with international countries and say let’s implement parking meters… in some of those countries people can’t afford to drive to work so they use underground transportation,” the official stated.

Although the parking meter project came under fire from all ends, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) is moving ahead with its implementation, with the first phase set to be completed in December.

Not only will private citizens be forced to pay the charge, they will have to endure paying Value Added Tax (VAT) on it until the City can

have it removed. The implementation process would be divided into two phases – the first phase of the parking meter project will occupy 3237 parking spaces in Georgetown, utilising 157 parking meters.

These machines will be positioned close to all the commercial hubs in Georgetown.

The meters, intended to regulated traffic, will be situated along Quamina Street, Water Street, Hadfield Street, Camp Street, Church Street, North Road, Robb Street, Regent Street, Charlotte Street, South Road, Croal Street, Brickdam, Avenue of the Republic, Wellington Street and King Street.

A demonstration of the use of the parking meter system

According to the PSC official, the meters will also reduce business activity in the commercial hubs in Georgetown.

“We have a concern that this parking meter will have a severe effect on persons working in the city as well it would reduce the level of activity for the business community,” the official stated, adding that the PSC believes that there are different ways at gaining revenue. According to the PSC official, the parking meter contract reeks of a lack of transparency and is an iron fist on the people noting that is ludicrous that the Council would only receive 20 per cent of the revenue garnered. So far concerns mounting over the criteria used for the selection of the streets which will be equipped with parking meters, since it registers as a discriminatory move as some patrons will be mandated to pay for parking while others will not.

The parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had strongly criticised the imposition of this extra financial expense on the public, especially in light of the fact that there were absolutely no consultations on the matter beforehand.

Despite the flaws highlighted in the contract, Government discovered nothing illegal and gave the green light for the commencement of the project once certain recommendations were implemented. This included a reduced fee for parking, which was eventually changed in the contract.

PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall had stated that the Opposition completely rejected the installment of parking meters around Georgetown on the basis of the current economic state.

He argued that the Government’s over concentration on taxing people was the wrong focus since it would

only hurt the economy.

“Whilst they continue to pile taxes on our people, the production sectors are declining, our people are earning less, their disposable income reducing, no new jobs created, no new investment, every day people are losing jobs,” he said, referring to the dismissal of employees at Barama and the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

PPP/C MP Irfaan Ali had moved a motion to debate the parking meter project on the grounds that there were no public consultations, stakeholders have pleaded with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to revise the initiative, and the contract may have violated tender procedures.

The PPP/C has called on the Auditor General of Guyana, Deodat Sharma to conduct a forensic audit into the Georgetown Municipal Council, including the parking meter contract.

news

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SunDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Anna's

Social Cohesion and the Carl Parker issue Anna Correia

B

y now it has become stale news that the APNU/AFC won a campaign on empty promises.

The expectation of change the nation looked forward to, “the good life in a green economy”, withered by the end of 2015. The performance of the Granger administration today speaks for itself, as it cumulates one corruption scandal after the next, neglects its people and turns Anna Correia a blind eye to their hardships.

You know a government’s a failure when those who gave it power begin to complain.

Besides engaging in a Trujillistic crusade to rename public properties in the image of the PNC, and invent institutions to create jobs for boys, the only other thing our President seems good at is ignoring the struggles of Guyanese. That is, when he’s not venerating the late Dictator Burnham for being the “architect of social cohesion”.

Indeed, Social Cohesion became another verse of the coalition’s hymn, convincing voters to get on a ship that had already sunk. There is even a Social Cohesion Ministry now, although no one really knows how it serves its purpose, because all it does is “consult” with pockets of interest groups that pretend to represent the nation. But why worry? Amna Ally did say that “social cohesion is catching on”! Is it?

Insofar as social cohesion is concerned, the Government only provides lip service. There has been no commitment to promote inclusive governance and involve Guyanese in decision-making to date. The fragile relationship of trust between Government and citizens has unravelled at an alarming rate, but this was to be expected the day the coalition decided to assassinate the rice and sugar industries.

It was to be expected the day social entitlements were stripped from the working class and poor.

It was to be expected the day taxes went up for the donkey cart and farmer alike, and the day it began to cost $32,000 a month to park in Georgetown, et cetera. It is little wonder therefore, that the sense of belonging of Guyanese to this society continues to dissipate.

But people should have known better than to trust a leader who believes that Burnham was the “architect of social cohesion”. At least the people of Region 9 did, and perhaps that’s why they’re paying now.

Seven months have elapsed since 1200 Rupununians solicited President Granger himself to intervene on their behalf, against Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker.

This man, a PNC political appointee, is alleged to be a sore in the Region’s development, an instigator of discrimination on 14 grounds, all enumerated in the petition which found its way to the President’s desk earlier this year. His disregard for the RDC’s authority has increased the desire of residents to see him replaced.

Yet, even after trying to intimidate a female Amerindian petitioner with the hope of having her retract the petition, Parker still runs around the Rupununi immune. It doesn’t matter if Sherry Atkinson, an Education Officer, publicly accused him of recurrent sexual harassment at her workplace, a tale not unfamiliar among women who worked with Parker in the past. No one seems willing to lift a finger, especially not Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan or the Education Ministry to which Sherry Atkinson wrote for assistance. But then again why would Bulkan or Roopnaraine lift a finger, if the President himself seems intent on protecting Parker? So much for social cohesion.

What is important is that the Carl Parker issue has not been forgotten, and even if it takes time, the man will have to answer to the people for the rights violations he’s being accused of.

An investigation into the matter will have to produce results, and the Government will have to assume its responsibility in protecting a man long accused of infringing on the social, political and economic rights of Amerindian peoples in Region 9.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) often uses the PNC’s 28-year dictatorial rule as a comparative measure of development and success for its 23 years in power. But what does the coalition use to measure progress, human development and social cohesion? Surely, it cannot be the first five Jaganite years of the PPP, for this would surely put today’s government to shame.

Send comments to sundayarrow@gmail.com

MACORP Awards faithful customers

T

he Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) on Friday evening hosted a grand Customer Appreciation night which saw a number of dedicated customers being awarded.

The customers were awarded plaques for out-

standing loyalty and patronage towards the heavy-duty machinery company.

The awards were given to customers from a number of departments within the company.

It was stated that the loyal recipients of the awards demonstrated the

vital use of CAT equipment in their businesses.

Executive Chief Officer, Jorge Medina who delivered the feature address thanked the customers for being loyal and stated that the company will continue to minimise doubts of their machinery.

Chief Executive Officer, Jorge Medina

West Indies rum producers to meet in Guyana

R

um producers from across the region will meet in Guyana from November 30 to December 1 to discuss challenges faced by the sector in a very competitive global environment.

The meeting which is organised by the industry body the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), and hosted by Demerara Distillers Limited, is the first to be held in Guyana in over 30 years.

Demerara Distillers was a founding member of the association, whose formation dates back to the ’60s and is widely regarded as one of the most proactive

private sector trade associations.

A critical issue for the industry will be the continuing negative impact of the cover-over subsidies which benefit competing brands from Puerto Rico and the USVI, in the US Market.

In April this year President David Granger called for Caricom to use its diplomatic resources to work to resolve this issue. More recently, Trade Ministers meeting in Guyana in midNovember agreed to continue to address the impact of the subsidies on the industry.

Despite these challenges, the sector as a whole contin-

ues to be a major contributor to the regional economy, with over US$550 million in annual export earnings and employing some 10,000 across the industry which comprises all of Caricom (including Haiti) as well as the Dominican Republic.

Chairman of Demerara Distillers Limited Komal Samaroo noted that the industry has transitioned from being bulk exporters to one in which branded value-added products are the focus.

“Looking at the industry today, what you will see is a diverse group of large and small producers with quality brands aimed at the premium and super-premium

markets, both of which are growing strongly.”

The industry will also discuss pressing trade issues such as BREXIT and other market developments as well as technical issues of quality improvements, and waste treatment.

The establishment of geographical indications, as a strategy to combat increase in counterfeiting and passing off will also be discussed.

A highlight of the meeting will be the honouring of retired Chairman of DDL Dr Yesu Persaud who for several decades was a senior of WIRSPA and a chairman of the regional grouping.

18 NEWS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Leaders pay tribute to Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro

G

uyana has joined the rest of the world in remembrance of Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, the Cuban revolutionary leader, who died aged 90 on Friday. Castro is known for his defiance of the United States, and survived half a century of assassination attempts by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The Guyana Government in a statement Saturday reflected on the relations shared between the two countries and how Guyana has benefited tremendously under the reign of President Fidel Castro 19762008.

Guyana hails Dr Castro, globally renowned as ‘El Commandanté’ or, simply, ‘Fidel’ as an outstanding friend and genuine partner, even before the country attained independence. It was under

Cheddi Jagan and Fidel Castro share a light moment in Cuba

his leadership that GuyanaCuba friendly and fraternal relationship had been placed on a solid and unbreakable footing.

When an unjust embargo had been imposed against Cuba to isolate the Castro Government, Guyana, in 1972, joined three other countries in the region to establish

diplomatic relations with a fellow Caribbean state.

Since that time, Castro embraced those countries as partners and responded to their critical needs, especially in the health and education sectors.

To this day Guyana benefits from scholarship and training opportunities afforded to its

young people in becoming doctors, engineers and other specialists. We continue to benefit too, from Cuban doctors and medical experts serving our people in the healthcare system.

Guyana’s President Forbes Burnham had visited Cuba in 1975 as diplomatic relations strengthened over the years.

The Guyana Government expressed that Castro was an exemplar of unparalleled generosity, revolutionary commitment, national dignity and unyielding patriotism.

“Though he was ailing for many years and had prepared his people for the inevitable, the passing of this colossus whose greatness is indelibly written in the history of the world across both the 20th and 21st centuries, will evoke an immeasurable pain and loss

Cuban President Fidel Castro (L-Front) is seen with former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo (R-Front), along with Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide (back left) during ceremonies in La Habana, Cuba in December 2002

in Cuba and beyond. Guyana mourns the death of a dear friend, a revolutionary icon and a giant of international humanitarianism.

“The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana conveys to the Government and people of Cuba sincere condolences and assures that at this time of collective global grief, the people of Cuba are not alone,” Government expressed.

Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, in its statement, said it was deeply saddened over the passing of the revolutionary leader: “This is indeed a great loss

Communist Cuba.

Jagan entered office in 1957, two years before the triumph of Fidel Castro's Revolution in 1959, and proceeded to forge a friendship between Guyana and Cuba.

Relations with Cuba became central to Guyana's new strategy to preserve its territorial sovereignty in the wake of a series of provocative incidents perpetrated by Venezuela.

Particularly, the seizure of Ankoko Island in 1966, the promulgation of Decree No. 1152 (Leoni Decree) in 1968 and the instigation of the Rupununi rebellion in 1969 all occurred while friendly western powers

Former President Forbes Burnham and late Cuban President Fidel Castro

not only to the Cuban people but for freedom loving peoples throughout the world. The late Dr Castro was undoubtedly one of the greatest revolutionaries of all times who during his lifetime had demonstrated that no sacrifice can be considered too great when it comes to defending the rights and dignity of the Cuban people.”

Castro led Cuba for decades and transformed the country into a one-party socialist state. He courted controversy throughout his reign, with the United States becoming increasingly alarmed in the early 1960s with his friendly relations with the then Soviet Union.

Castro became a central figure in one of the defining moments of the Cold War by allowing the Soviets to place nuclear weapons on Cuba.

It sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, leading to fears of all-out nuclear war between the Soviet Union and the US. Guyana-Cuba relations dates back to before 1972.

In 1962, Cheddi Jagan's PPP Administration - in the throes of the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the fierce geopolitical rivalry which made the Caribbean a zone of conflict in the second half of the 20th century - embarked on ambitious commercial and political relations with

stood by.

It is believed that by embracing Cuba in 1972 Guyana was seen to be aligned with Communism and Castroism.

This was confirmed by Fidel Castro's visit to Guyana and Forbes Burnham's visit to Cuba where he was presented with the Jose Marti National Award.

When it provided landing rights to Cuban military aircraft ferrying troops to Angola in 1975, Guyana aligned itself with a geostrategic posture which was to have dire consequences.

Cuban intervention in Angola, arguably, saved the MPLA Government from being overrun by the South African army and Western-supported FNLA and UNITA guerrillas.

The bombing of the Cubana airliner in October 1976 in which 11 Guyanese were killed, an act of international terrorism, was part of the penalty for this new strategic connection. Guyana's complaints of 'destabilisation' during the 1980s were attributed to the attempts by western states to undermine this assumed socialist solidarity.

The collapse of the USSR, the ending of the Cold War and the faltering of Cuba's economy drained the strategic vitality from Guyana-Cuba relations. (Excerpts from www.guyanachronicle.com, www.parliament.gov.gy, www. landofsixraces.com)

SunDAY, NOVEMber 27, 2016

19

WICB/PCL Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament 2016-17

Volcanoes fight back after Reifer’s pink ball 6-for

A

ll-rounder Raymond Reifer inspired reigning champions Guyana Jaguars on the opening day of their third round clash of the Digicel Regional Four-Day League against the Windward Island Volcanoes.

Bowling with the pink ball, Reifer collected his maiden five wicket match haul at the Regional level as he spearheaded the Jaguars’ rout of the Volcanoes. He ended with 6-82 from 16.3 overs as the host folded for 192 all out in 51.3 overs in the first Regional day/ night match at the Darren Sammy National Stadium in St. Lucia. Keon Joseph supported with two wickets while Christopher Barnwell and left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul captured a wicket each.

Emerging allrounder Kyle Mayers hit his third fifty at this level as he top scored with 51 while skipper Liam Sebastian assisted with 48. Delorn Johnson batting at number 10 made 30 while wicketkeeper Sunil Ambris scored 24.

Reifer started well as he made the first breakthrough for the visitors as he removed Tyron Theophile caught at the wicket for two. He then had Jerlani Robinson caught behind for five with the score on 16.

Shortly after he removed Kaveem Hodge for naught as he was bowled before the

host added to their score.

Barnwell and Permaul then claimed the fourth and fifth victims respectively as the host after recovering from 26-4 were in further trouble at 98-5.

It was a fighting 72 run fifth wicket partnership between Ambris and Sebastien that gave the batting side s o m e hope.

However, the pair were removed in quick succession as Reifer collected his fourth victim during that period.

The seamer also accounted for wicket of Mayers and Johnson.

It was an outstanding come back from the Jaguars, who failed to dismiss the Hurricanes in the fourth innings of their previous encounter, losing that match by four wickets.

SCOREBOARD

Stumps Day 2 Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 1st Innings K Hope LBW b Cornwall I Rajah c wkpr Hamilton b Powell Y Carriah not out Y Ottley* c Louis b Powell M Richards c Powell b Cornwall J Goolie not out Extras (nb-8, w-1) 9 Total (For 4 wickets, 57 Overs) 173 FOW: 1-162, 2-164, 3-170, 4-172

86 69 7 1 0 1

Did not bat: I Khan, S Katwaroo, S Cottrell, R Primus, K Pierre Bowling: G Tonge 7-0-310 (nb-4), Q Boatswain 6-220-0, R Cornwall 18-6-39-2 (nb-1), J Louis 7-0-29-0 (w1, nb-3), H Walsh Jr 8-038-0, K Powell 11-6-16-2 Windwards Volcanoes Team: Kieran Powell*, Quinton Boatswain, Nkrumah Bonner, Rakheem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton+, Montcin Hodge, Chesney Hughes, Jeremiah Louis, Gavin Tonge, Akeem Saunders, Hayden Walsh Jr

Tea was taken after the Volcanoes’ demise, so the Jaguars had the entire final session to bat. Shortly after the champions started their innings they lost Shimron Hetmyer for naught with the score on eight. Rajendra Chandrika (16) was next to go with the score on 25.

Mervin Mathew was responsible for both wickets.

Vishaul Singh (01) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul followed shortly after to leave the visitors struggling at 44-4.

Captain Leon Johnson and Christopher Barnwell then consolidated the Jaguars position by batting to the end of the day in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 44. In all, the Jaguars sent down 30 overs of pace with Mervin Mathew

leading the way with two scalps.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Queen’s Park Oval

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, sent in by Leeward Islands Hurricanes, were 173 for four in their first innings at the close on a rainaffected second day of their third round game in Port of Spain on Saturday.

After the entire first day was washed out in the third round match, the home were sent in and got to 162 before losing their first wicket.

Kyle Hope stroked his third half century of the season and got excellent support from Isaiah Rajah who made 69 (161 balls; 11x4).

However, it was Hope who was more attacking and who was first to go.

He got to 86 before he was given out LBW to Rakheem Cornwall which triggered a collapse where four wickets fells for 10 runs.

When the action ended prematurely the home team had slipped from 162 without loss to 173 for 4 with Cornwall and Captain Kieran Powell claiming two wickets each.

Jamaica Scorpions vs Barbados Pride at Sabina Park

Jamaica Scorpions, sent in by Barbados Pride, reached 157 for eight in their first innings at the close of another rain-affect-

SCOREBOARD Stumps day 2 Jamaica Scorpions 1st Innings J Campbell c Phillips b Williams 60 S Thomas c Brooks b Roach 2 J Blackwood c Chase b Greaves 0 D Thomas LBW b Greaves 3 C Walton+ c wkpr Rampersaud b Roach 5 A McCarthy c Brooks b Warrican 22 F Allen c Roach b Williams 19 D Jacobs c Brooks b Chase 30 N Miller*not out 5 R Leveridge not out 0 D Green Did not bat

Extras (b-6, lb-5) 11 Total (For 8 wickets, 64.5 Overs) 157 FOW: 1-3, 2-4, 3-16, 4-21, 5-52, 6-90, 7-129, 8-156 Bowling: K Roach 13-4-24-2, J Greaves 12.5-2-40-2, K Stoute 4-2-6-0, J Warrican 12-2-8-1, N Charles 12-4-22-0, K Williams 10-3-16-2, R Chase 1-1-0-1 Barbados Pride Team: Omar Phillips, †Mario Rampersaud, Anthony Alleyne, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Kevin Stoute, Kenroy Williams, Justin Greaves, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Nikolai Charles

SCOREBOARD Stumps day 1 Windward Islands Volcanoes 1st Innings D Smith b Barnwell 17 T Theophile c wkpr Bramble b Reifer 2 J Robinson c wkpr Bramble b Reifer 5 K Hodge b Reifer 0 S Ambris c Barnwell b Permaul 24 L Sebastian c wkpr Bramble b Reifer 48 K Mayers c wkpr Bramble b Reifer 51 S Shillingford c Motie b Joseph 6 M Mathew b Joseph 3 D Johnson b Reifer 30 L Edward not out 1 Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-2) 9 Total (All out, 51.3 Overs) 192 FOW: 1-2, 2-16, 3-16, 4-26, 5-98, 6-98, 7-130, 8-142, 9-184, 10-192

ed day in Kingston.

The opening day was also washed out and the second day was also severely affected by the elements but the visitors made hay while the sun shone in picking up eight wickets in the 64.5 overs that were possible before the rain ended play early.

The fast bowlers Kemar Roach, Kenroy Williams and Justin Greaves shared six wickets in ideal conditions before left arm spinner Jomel Warrican and off spinner got in to the act with a wicket a piece to set the cat among the pigeons in Jamaica.

It was Roach who started the procession when he picked up Shacaya Thomas in the first over of the match.

Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood was next to go when Justin Greaves got

Bowling: K Joseph 12-4-50-2, R Reifer 16.2-3-82-6 (nb-2), C Barnwell 7-1-25-1, G Motie 4-015-0, V Permaul 12-8-17-1 Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings R Chandrika c Smith b Matthew 16 Shimron Hetmyer c wkpr Ambris b Matthew 0 L Johnson not out 21 V Singh b Mayers 1 S Chanderpaul LBW b Johnson 8 C Barnwell not out 20 Extras (lb-5, w-2) 7 Total (For 4 wickets, 32 overs) 73 FOW: 1-8, 2-25, 3-33, 4-44 Did not bat: R Reifer, A Bramble, V Permaul, K Joseph, G Motie Bowling: M Mathew 12-3-192 (w-2), D Johnson 7-1-22-1, K Mayers 11-3-26-1, S Shillingford 1-0-1-0, L Edward 1-1-0-0 Position: Jaguars trail by 119 runs with 6 wickets in hand

him in the next over to leave the hosts at 4/2 in the second over as the Scorpions batting woes continue this season. Devon Thomas and Chadwick Walton who both have international experience didn’t stick around too long and the Pride were in firm control with the Scorpions in further trouble at 21/4 with only opener John Campbell holding an end for the top order.

Campbell eventually got support from the middle order but as they were making progress the Pride bounced back to stifle their effort.

With two days gone, the third day will be crucial and the weather will also be a factor in the outcome of the match as both teams were hoping to continue their winning ways after winning their second round encounters.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, NOVEMber 27, 2016

England gave India upper hand Dirt bike riders to Stag Beer Grass Track Finals…

converge at Ogle T

Jonny Bairstow was lbw to Jayant Yadav for 89

E

ngland failed to capitalise on batting first on the opening day of the third Test against India in Mohali.

On a blameless surface, the tourists played a string of reckless strokes to be reduced to 87-4 and 144-5.

They were rescued in part by Jonny Bairstow, who made 89 in partnerships of 69 with the recalled Jos

Parthiv Patel pockets the edge offered by Alastair Cook

Buttler (43) and 57 with Ben Stokes.

England closed on 268-8, with India set to take control if they can wrap up the innings and bat long on the second day.

The home side, 1-0 up in the five-match series after a big win in the second Test, were accurate rather than brilliant with the ball, and could have been in an even better position if they had held their catches.

England, so often blighted by top-order failures, are once again relying on their lower order and bowling attack to remain in the match, and will be hoping that a dry pitch deteriorates to make batting last difficult for India.

Bairstow, the world's leading Test run-scorer in 2016, showed the patience that almost all of the rest of England's batsmen lacked to spare them from a complete calamity.

Promoted to number five after Ben Duckett was dropped, he showed solid defence against the pace bowlers and accumulated with pushes, punches, sweeps and rapid running - he scored only six fours in his 177-ball stay.

On 54, he could have been caught or stumped by Parthiv Patel off Ravichandran Ashwin, with the wicketkeeper also dropping another edge off Jayant Yadav when Bairstow was on 89.

But, from the next ball, Bairstow was given out lbw on the front foot, failed to overturn the decision on review and departed along with England's hopes of a first-innings score anywhere near par on this pitch.

At the end of play, Stokes was handed an official reprimand by the ICC for using "obscene, offensive or insulting'' language.

It related to his reaction to Indian players' celebrations of his dismissal when he was stumped after playing a rash shot off Jadeja's bowling.

In addition to the reprimand, one demerit point has been added to Stokes's disciplinary record. If Stokes reaches four points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into suspension points and he will be banned.

Two suspension points would result in a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first. Stokes admitted the offence and accepted the sanction.

The poor form of Duckett and Gary Ballance in India and Bangladesh respectively forced England to recall reserve wicketkeeper Buttler as a specialist batsman for his first Test in 13 months, despite the right-hander playing only one first-class match in that time.

His footwork was initially tentative, but time at the crease built enough confidence for Buttler to play trademark reverse-sweeps and handsome square drives.

He eventually joined the list of England batsmen to fall in sloppy fashion, tamely pushing left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja to Virat Kohli at extra cover.

Chris Woakes arrived to add 45 with Bairstow but was bowled by the pacey Umesh Yadav in the penultimate over to leave the tail exposed on Sunday morning. (BBC Sport)

SCORE BOARD Stumps - Day 1 England 1st innings AN Cook* c †Patel b Ashwin 27 H Hameedc Rahane b UT Yadav 9 JE Root lbw b J Yadav 15 MM Alic Vijay b Mohammed Shami 16 JM Bairstow†lbw b J Yadav 89 BA Stokes st †Patel b Jadeja 29 JC Buttler c Kohli b Jadeja43 CR Woakesb UT Yadav 25 4 AU Rashid not out GJ Batty not out0 Extras: (b-8, lb-2, nb-1)11 Total: (8 wickets; 90 overs)268 To bat: JM Anderson Fall of wickets 1-32

(Hameed, 9.6 ov), 2-51 (Root, 14.1 ov), 3-51 (Cook, 15.1 ov), 4-87 (Ali, 26.3 ov), 5-144 (Stokes, 43.6 ov), 6-213 (Buttler, 68.1 ov), 7-258 (Bairstow, 83.4 ov), 8-266 (Woakes, 88.6 ov) Bowling : Mohammed Shami 20-5-52-1, UT Yadav 16-4-58-2, J Yadav 15-5-492, R Ashwin 18-1-43-1, RA Jadeja 21-3-56-2 (nb-1) India team: M Vijay, PA Patel†, CA Pujara, V Kohli*, AM Rahane, KK Nair, R Ashwin, RA Jadeja, J Yadav, Mohammed Shami, UT Yadav

he day many grass track fans were eagerly anticipating has arrived and they should be in for a treat when the Stag Beer Grass Track finals get underway from 11:00h today at the Ogle Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara.

The professional daredevils will have five races at 12 laps while the Novices will have 10 laps and the Chappy will race five laps.

In the professional category, leader Ravin Ramcoomar, Stephen Noreiga, Jerry Da Silva, Vikash Ramkumar, Marlon Baksh, Raj Rajkaran, Alvin Balgobin, Andy Wong and Peter Tulsie will be racing for championship honours.

Currently Ramcoomar leads the point standings with 65 points while defending champion Andy Wong is in s e c o n d p l a c e on 60 points while R a j Rajkaran is tied in third place on 30 points with young Steven De Nobrega.

In the Novices category competition will stem from Avo Ramcoomar, Ishwar Ramkellawan, Nathaniel Persaud, N. Mohamed, Nick Baksh, Rickey Rhodios, Amo Perry, Kevin Dyal, Jackson Baksh, Sid Rajkaran, Daniel Hardeen and Ramesh Latchman.

While in the veteran class, Terrace Clark, William, Sheik Yaseen, Raja, Paul Satnarine will look to turn back the years as speedsters.

Organiser Sheik Yassan, who is also the Chairman of the Guyana Grass track Hall of Fame Committee, explained that the likes of Stanley Ming,

Practice hard, compete easy.

That’s what some of the riders are saying as they put in the efforts at practice on Saturday

K e v i n Jeffrey, Avery Gomes, Keith Ramnarine, Mike Correia and Jerry ” Max” Govia will be honoured.

Prizes up for grabs will see hampers donated by Ricks and Sari, Roraima Group of Company’s trip for two to the famous Arrow point Nature Resort.

Yassen is grateful for the support of title sponsors Stag Beer along with Trans Guyana Aviation, Regal Sport, Hurrys Bakery, Crazy Auto Works, B.M. Soat Auto sales, R.R.T Tyre Service.

Ravin Rajkumar will be hoping he can fend off the stiff competition to win the coveted championship

sports

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Trophy Stall Doubles is GLTA season finale

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Devi Sunich of Trophy Stall presents the symbolic Doubles Trophies to GLTA executives, Secretary Oswin Coggins and Junior Participation Chair Grace McCalman

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n Saturday December 3 2016, tennis players from the six active tennis clubs in Guyana will serve off their quest to be Trophy Stall Doubles Champion for 2016.

Trophy Stall Doubles has established itself as the premier doubles tournament of the calendar year with seven years running. It is the only exclusive doubles tournament on the Guyana Tennis Association’s (GLTA’s) calendar and is an opportunity for seasoned doubles players to take part in one of the most intense forms of the game, which entails a battle of skills, power and speedy hand work at the net.

The categories to be contested are Men’s Doubles, Ladies Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Men’s Over 35 Doubles, Men’s Over 45 Doubles and Novice Medley Doubles.

Proprietor of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich reflected on the support his business received from the tennis community for many years and reinforced his commitment to the development of tennis having seen consistent effort from the association to keep the sport alive. But he expressed concern for the continuous absence of proper state of the art facilities for more tournaments local and international and to attract more coaches and players.

This year will once again showcase high drama as players contend in the last tournament of the year to finish the season strong in hopes of securing their spot at the top of the player ranking table.

Forms are available at the clubs. The Tournament Coordinators are Leyland Leacock (660-4011) and Shelly Daly (642-5672).

All players are required to assemble on Saturday December 3 at 8:30h for the Opening Ceremony of the tournament.

Enmore, Strathavon vie for T20 title E

nmore Cricket team will today look to continue its dominance in East Coast cricket in the showdown with Strathavon at the Fairfield ground today.

The Enmore unit will feature a strong base of former national junior players like Chris Surat and Amir Khan and will start as favourites to win the East Coast Cricket Committee T20 tournament. The squad also includes the experience of Imran Hassan and Gavin Moriah.

Meanwhile, Strathavon will depend

on the likes of Chandrapaul Hemraj, Gobin Hemraj and former junior fast bowler Sylus Tyndall.

The winning team will take home a trophy and $100,000 and the runner up a trophy and $50,000. A side attraction will be a finger licking bar-b-que with all proceeds going towards the continued development of the Fairfield CC.

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sundAY, NOVEMber 27, 2016

GHB/ Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival 2016

Lions, Toros on course for glory T

he Toronto Lions fired warning shots to all opponents with their comfortable win over local top side Old Fort as the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival continued on Friday evening at the National gymnasium on Mandela Avenue. The Toronto side put together strings of passes in a disciplined approach to picking apart their opposition and were devastating when the eventual scoring opportunities appeared.

Tony Cole was his usual outstanding self in goal for the Fort and kept the game scoreless at the half, but the Lions would make their breakthrough in the opening minute of the second half through a Jonathan

Roberts deflection goal.

After being foiled by Cole on several occasions, the Lions seemed to opt for hard passes across the goal

for deflections to achieve success. This tactic worked as Shane Rajaraman scored two goals similar to Roberts and a third field goal to

give Lions a 4-0 lead by the 36th minute. Satnam Dosanjh put the exclamation mark on the performance with a final minute

Hikers Krezia Layne being challenged by Leigh Sandison

goal to take his team’s tally to 5. Old Fort created their own opportunities in the match but Shankar in goal matched each opportunity to earn the shutout.

Following their impressive performance on Thursday evening, the Queens Park men destroyed their opposition on Friday. Queen’s Park opened the day’s matches with an 11-2 drubbing of the Bal-Wash-ers as Trinidadian nationals Akim Toussant and Jordan Vieira proved too much for the Washers hammering home four and three goals respectively. Darren Cowie scored a double with Dominic Young and Jerazeno Bell completing the Queen’s Park scorers.

Rishi Bhagava and Jesse Larson each managed singles for the Bal-Wash-ers.

The Toronto Lions only needed three minutes to get on the scoresheet against Carib HC as match topscorer Jonathan Roberts pierced the air with a penalty corner strike that was too fast for the Carib goalkeeper.

Roberts would score four more for the match en route to a convincing 10-1 victory for the Lions. Shane Rajaran with two goals while brothers Micah and Devohn Texeira along with Satnam Dosanjh scores one each to complete the Lions scoring.

Jael St. Louis was the lone marksman for Carib.

The Bal-Wash-ers returned later in the evening

to chalk up their first win of the division against the Avengers with a 4-1 final score.

The goals for the winners were shared among Dean Schiller, Rishi Bhargava, Yannick van Bavel and Jugwinder Mahal while Meshach Sargeant scored for the Avengers.

In the ladies fixtures, the Toronto Toros managed their second win of the competition. After a bit of a slow start, the Toros seized control of the match and were up 3-0 by the 32nd minute as Kaelen Watson scored a double and Danica Jayme added a single. The match then took a strange turn as the Hikers clawed themselves back into contention with a pair of goals from Nicole Eastman and Krizia Layne. The boisterous Hikers supporters seemed to provide just the catalyst needed for the Hikers to craft their comeback but Jayme carved a chunk out of their enthusiasm with a 37th minute field goal to take the score to 4-2. Alana Lewis managed a final goal for Hikers very last minute of the match but with all spectators on edge, the final horn would see the score remaining at 4-3 in favour of the Canadians.

Striker Sonia Jardine of Pizza Hut GCC took 15 minutes to get on the scoresheet but then rattled off three more goals for the 4-0 win over Old Fort.

Jardine would be the lone scorer of the match and showed her class as she produced a goal each time she was on the court for the second half of the game.

In Pool A of the veterans competition, Old Old Fort made a strong bid for a place in the final with a 5-3 victory over Malvern HC of Trinidad. After a 1-1 halftime score, Old Old Fort fell behind in the 29th minute by 2-3 before storming back with three unanswered goals for the win.

Veterans pool B saw Antonio’s Hickers edge Carib HC by 3-2 while the Queens Park vets managed a 6-2 victory over Balwash-ers and a 7-3 win against Carib HC.

guyana-times.com

sundAY, NOVEMber 27, 2016

Smalta Girls’ Pee-Wee Football Tournament 2016

23

St Stephen’s begin title defence on winn ing note −16 goals scored on opening day

T

he third annual Petra Organisation/ Smalta Girls Pee-Wee Schools Football Championships began on Saturday at the Ministry of Education with 14 of the 16 teams getting in to action.

After a delayed start, the teams took part in the ceremonious march past all decked out in their uniforms and seemingly ready for action.

After the opening whistle, St. Agnes Primary and St. Pius Primary opened the proceedings with a group B encounter which began at a fast pace with the former netting two goals in the opening 10 minutes. Amanda McPherson was first on the score sheet with a conversion in the fifth minute while Shequeena Smith found the back of the net four minutes later before St. Pius’ defence settled down.

After full time the score remained 2-0 in favour of the lasses in red who will go into next week’s action very high in confidence while St. Pius will have to regroup and come again.

In other matches, defending champions St. Stephen’s Primary needled Redeemer Primary in a Group D match.

Odelli Straughn was the lone scorer when she converted in the seventh minute for St. Stephen’s Primary.

St. Gabriel's Primary won via walkover after South Ruimveldt Primary failed to show up for their encounter.

A similar result gave St. Margret’s Primary the vital opening win after Tucville Primary were no shows fir the Group D fixture.

Former champions, Stella Maris were beaten 1-3 by a busy looking Enterprise Primary. For Enterprise Kemeora Warren (14th), Tanya Mohabir (16th) and Emmaria Mercier

GFF/ Stag Elite League 2016-17

Buxton win; King’s push Conquerors V

ictoria Kings corrected its defence from their first game disappointment to draw 0-0 with host Fruta Conquerors in their exciting clash on Friday eve-

ning.

The host spearheaded the field for the first 15 minutes of play where several skilful moves afforded them with scoring opportunities but unfortunately they did not capitalize.

Conquerors seemed en route to complete a sound victory but the visitors had other plans as their midfield led

by Winston Pompey, who fielded his strikers with golden opportunities, gained momentum.

At the start of the second half both teams were involved in intense battle but due to their held up, the host made two changes which did not make a difference. Those changes were made in the 55th and 73rd minutes while the guests made their lone change in the 63rd minute.

With time running out and no team taking the crucial lead, tempers began to flare and Conquerors’ Rashaun Ritch was ruled out of the match due to yellow cards in the 56th and 75th minutes while Sherlock Dowden also picked up a yellow of his own for the visitors.

Meanwhile, in the other match, Monedderlust surrendered an early lead as they went down to Buxton United Football Club 3-2.

Teron McDonald registered the first goal in the match in the 13th minute to take his team ahead. But Buxton’s Dellon Wright, who scored a brace in the match replied in the 17th minute to get things going for the East Coast team.

The match got even more competitive as both teams up the tempo, increased speed and showcase skill. This could not have been without a player being handed a card. As Keon Norville was given a yellow card in the 27th.

Exactly five minutes later Wright scored his second goal to give Buxton their first lead of the match. Even that could not have stopped the adrenaline rush in the first half as Kendon Lindeley made the scores of spectators present, roared, with a goal just before the break (43rd). Twenty minutes after the interval Dwight struck again to seal the deal for Buxton. It was the first game for both teams.

The second edition of the Guyana Football Federation Stag Elite League continues this afternoon with another double header, this time at the Guyana Defence Foce (GDF) Base Camp Ayangana ground. In the opening contest, Monedderlust will bounce back in action when they come up against Linden’s Top XX at 16:00h while Buxton will look to continue their winning ways when they face off hosts, Guyana Defence Force at 18:00h.

The calm before the storm. The teams line up cordially after the ceremonial march past to begin the third edition of the tournament

(20th) scored a goal each while the 2014 champs lone goal was an own goal in the 18th minute.

F. E. Pollard Primary and St. Angela's Primary played to the only draw game of the day. After the final whistle, the score line read 1-1 with Carletta Ross scoring in the 13th minute for St. Angela’s before Cedranessa Benn equalized in the 23rd to keep it that way until the end of regulation time.

In the most one-sided game of the day, North Georgetown Primary beat Smith’s Memorial Primary 4-0 with Alicia James scoring the first hat trick of this year’s tournament.

James breached the porous Smith’s Memorial defence in the 5th, 17th and 20th minutes while an own goal in the 15th sealed the deal.

West Ruimveldt Primary then won by a two goals to one

margin over Winfer Gardens Primary after a double from Gabriella McGarrell in the 3rd and 10th minutes. Winfer Garden’s then benefited from an own goal in the 13th minute.

The tournament continues next Saturday with more group matches also at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue. At the end of the group stage of matches, the top two finishers from each group will progress to the quarterfinals.

The remaining eight teams will faceoff for positions 9th to 16th until the tourney ends on December 17.

Trophies will be awarded to all 16 teams, while medals will be awarded to the top two finishers. On the individual side, accolades will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player, the Highest Goal Scorer and the Best Goalkeeper.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016

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

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WICB/PCL Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament 2016-17

Volcanoes fight back after Reifer’s pink ball 6-for − 14 wickets tumble on opening day Page 19

GHB/ Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival 2016

Lions, Toros on course for glory Lions striker Jonathan Roberts (centre) breaks through the Old Fort defence

Page 22

GCC Pizza Hut’s Sonia Jardine on the attack

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