Guyana Times Daily August 23 2017

$125M landfills for 3 municipalities

P12 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3310

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

QC student cops 25 subjects at CSEC

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Heartbroken 15-year-old commits suicide P7

See stories on pages 3&6

... Ministry dissatisfied with 2017 CSEC results

PRICE

CSEC 2017 top student, Michael Bhopaul – 24 Grade Ones and one Grade Two

…“No reason for celebration” – Education Minister

How sweet it is!!

Man crushed to death by bulldozer at P9 Mahdia

City Hall woes

Full Council did not vote on garbage collection P12 fees – Councillor … slams proposed decision to charge businesses

Amazon Warriors fans savoured the victory of their team as they took another step towards a playoff spot!! The Warroirs defeated the St Lucia Stars in front of thousands of fans cheering them on at the Providence Stadium. Top photo: Amazon Warriors team led by head Coach Roger Harper take a victory lap to thank fans for all the warm support throughout their home games

Woman stabs 15,000 lbs of abusive husband smuggled chicken seized during raids to death Page 2

Crippled murder P2 accused found dead in Lusignan Prison

Page 7

Land CoI

MMA illegally takes 2000 acres of land from cattle ranchers

…says decision should be revoked

Page 10

GNBA debunks claims that 2017 payments rejected P9

… private radio, TV broadcasters claim otherwise

2 News

wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

15,000 lbs of smuggled chicken Crippled murder accused found dead seized during raids in Lusignan Prison

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ollowing stringent operations undertaken by agents of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), two persons were on Tuesday arrested and later released on station bail for trying to dispose of some 375 boxes of smuggled chicken, which weighed approximately 15,000 pounds (lbs).

GRA disclosed that several operations were conducted across the country in Georgetown, Demerara and Berbice, where the foreign chicken was discovered.

The smuggled product was seized from two separate cold storage facilities in East Berbice, Region Six, after it was discovered that the commodities were unlawfully being disposed of by the curators.

It was noted that, over the past week, members of the GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) assisted in the seizure of 190 boxes and one pack of chicken from one of

the locations in Corentyne, Berbice, and 52 boxes and one pack from another facility at Annandale, East Coast of Demerara.

GRA explained that other exercises were also conducted in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice and in the Bourda Market, Georgetown, with more “irregularities in the sale of uncustomed chicken” being noted. Seizures and legal action were taken.

“The GRA seized an aggregate of 268 boxes and two packs of chicken (weighing approximately 10,720 lbs).

That amount was handed over to the Ministry of Public Health for appropriate use under the instruction of the CommissionerGeneral,” the country’s premiere revenue-collecting agency said.

GRA added that in future it would seek to “minimize recurrences” of smuggled chicken entering the local market. The seized chicken will be donated “for utilisation by the appropriate Ministries and other State Agencies, rather than offering them for sale to the general public”.

The revenue body said it is in the process of acquiring and establishing cold storage facilities in its warehouses in Berbice and Georgetown. Between January and April, 2016, GRA noted, it had recouped some $114 million in previously lost revenues, which were recovered during anti-smuggling exercises. The body had emphasised the need for all businesses or persons who are required to pay taxes comply with all necessary requirements in terms of attaining licensing.

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Dead: Shelton George

helton George of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, who was on remand for the murder of D’Urban Street Chinese Restaurant waitress, Debra Blackman back in August 2014, was on Tuesday morning found motionless in one of the cells at the Lusignan Prison.

Upon the discovery, the 22-year-old was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

When contacted, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels told Guyana Times that the man was seen in good spirits on Monday evening while noting that although the accused was in a wheel chair, he did a lot for himself. The circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined as a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be performed today. Samuels noted that the immediate relatives of the dead prisoner were contacted.

In addition to the murder charge, George was also charged for the attempted murder of former Magistrate Fazil Azeez.

After allegedly committing the acts, George absconded and went to

Suriname where he was shot by law enforcement there, which led to him being wheel-chair bound. He reportedly suffered spinal injury and lost a kidney.

Nevertheless, he returned to Guyana and was residing with his mother upon his arrest.

Police contented that on August 23, 2014, Shelton George murdered Debra Blackman, a waitress. It was reported that based on surveillance video, the accused along with two others, arrived on motorcycles at Delicious Chinese Restaurant on D’Urban Street, Georgetown.

It is further alleged that after making a purchase and engaging in a brief conversation with Blackman, George whipped out a gun, pushed his hand through the cashier’s cage and shot the 50-year-old woman. The Police had issued a wanted bulletin for George.

Meanwhile, on the second charge, it was reported that on April 25, 2015, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, George discharged a loaded firearm at Mohammed Fazil Azeez, a former Magistrate, with intent to murder him.

3 QC student cops 25 subjects at CSEC news

wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 23 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, August 24 – 05:00h-06:30h.

… 26 students secured 12 subjects and more

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 23 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, August 24 – 05:35h-07:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light to heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 05:24h and 17:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.78 metres and 2.72 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:20h and 23:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.46 metre and 0.48 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017

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CSEC 2017 top student, Michael Bhopaul – 24 Grade Ones and one Grade Two

Rawleeta Barrow – 19 Grade Ones

Roshawn Cummings – 16 Grade Ones

he Education Ministry on Tuesday officially announced this year’s top performers at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

During the press conference hosted at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), it was revealed that a total of 26 students across Guyana managed to secure 12 Grades Ones and more at the 2017 sitting of the CSEC examination.

Recording a landmark achievement for his school and country was 16-year-old Michael Bhopaul of Queen’s College, who managed to secure a groundbreaking 25 passes at the secondary level regional assessment.

Bhopual, who scored a massive 24 Grade Ones and One Grade Two indicated that he is ecstatic but mostly satisfied that his efforts were not in vain. While speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday, the aspiring professor of Quantum Physics underlined what prompted his ambitious leap to pursue 25 subjects.

He relayed, “I just want to show students across the Caribbean that the limits society places on us do not define us or our capabilities, we are beyond that,” while continuing, “Whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve it, as long as you’re consistent and you’re dedicated.”

As such, the QC student copped the top spot among a list of 26 local top rankers at CSEC 2017.

Coming in at second is Rawleeta Barrow, also of Queen’s College, who earn herself 19 Grade Ones at this year’s sitting.

In her interview with this newspaper, the Chief Justice in the making outlined her climb to success. In doing so she stated, “Preparation wise it was a lot of studying, I had to determine my goal and just focus on it. It was a lot of time, energy, dedication and I couldn’t be happier with the results.”

As such, Barrow noted, “I’m ecstatic actually, but I think the overwhelming emotion that I feel is gratitude to all those who helped me through this experience.”

Ranking third is yet another QC student, Roshawn Cummings, who walked off with 16 Grades Ones at this year’s CSEC examinations.

The aspiring politician expressed delight in his performance and thanked his supporters for the part played in

his success.

“I’m very proud of myself first of all, I mean I didn’t expect to do that well but I’m grateful I’m thankful to God and all the people that helped me to achieve this incredible feat,” said Cummings.

The QC top ranker further conveyed, “I look forward to moving forward in life and

in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

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Berbice top student, Puran Subramanie – 13 Grade Ones

serving my country.”

The remainder of the top five spots was filled by Keshini Digamber, who attained 16 Ones and one Three; as well as Shontel Archer, scoring 15 Grande Ones and three Twos.

Both of the girls hail from the Saraswati Vidya Nakitan

Essequibo Coast

Meanwhile, also present at the press conference on Tuesday was the top performer of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), who hails from Anna Regina Multilateral on the Essequibo Coast.

Nicholas Headley, 17, scored 15 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos and as such is calling on other students from his region to follow in his footsteps.

Commenting on his accomplishment, the Essequibian relayed, “Naturally as any other student would, I’m excited, overjoyed, overwhelmed… preparations for the exams I would say I put in a fair amount of studies with the aid of the teachers. I also remember the almighty above, he is a very important person/aspect

Essequibo Coast top performer, Nicholas Headley – 15 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos

in my life.”

“I would say to any student, if you feel that you have a natural desire, the natural ability to achieve well, go ahead, don’t hold yourself back, go ahead as my teachers would have always told me,” Headley expressed while extending words of advice to students looking to mirror his success.

A total of 26 students ranked among the top performers in Guyana at the 2017 CSEC examination, with each of the young minds gaining Grade One passes in 12 subjects or more.

Among the high-flyers are students of Queen’s College, ISA Islamic and Marian Academy in Georgetown, Saraswati Vidya Nakitan, on the West Coast of Demerara, Anna Regina Secondary on the Essequibo Coast, and Tagore High in Berbice.

Turn to page 8

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017

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

Engaging the religious community in youth development

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ne wonders how Guyanese -- generally a highly religious people, with many belonging to one faith-based organisation/denomination or the other -- have become so blasé’ and deteriorated; to the level where seemingly human life has become so exterminable that murders, suicides and other ills hardly impact on the consciousness anymore, except as transient incidents on the periphery of dancehall and chutney shows and neighbourhood gossip.

But even those who have diverged into the pathways of rampant criminality almost always have their roots firmly embedded in the faith of their fathers, the teachings of which are most often inculcated in them from childhood by their mothers.

Guyana’s faith-based organisations had the benefit of a training programme for religious leaders on domestic violence, held in October of 2006 at the National Cultural Centre. This was an initiative by the administration to address concerns of the escalating ills of the society, and at that forum, then President Bharrat Jagdeo had expressed his appreciation for the continuum of support that he had received from the religious community.

President Jagdeo had used the opportunity to appeal to community and religious leaders to reach out to the youths who are at the crossroads of their lives, especially during that crucial time of puberty, when vital life-changing choices can create a criminal or a pillar of the society.

Many children with single parents wander unknowingly into dangerous pathways that destroy their entire lives, all because of lack of guidance in the right direction by caring community support systems, in lieu of a mother who may work long and unrelenting hours to provide the wherewithal of their basic needs.

The structure of the current society is such that, rather than a hand being held out to guide a child to choose the right path on which to walk to safety, there are drug dealers and ‘sugar-daddies’, among others of their ilk, who exploit the vulnerability of children in their transitional stages of growth without caring about the destruction that they are causing to the lives and the future of their hapless victims.

Only mothers who have experienced the helplessness and the terror can relate to the circumstances whereby single parents are forced to endure the deterioration of their children’s opportunities because they have been led astray by cruel and exploitive persons. Many a single mother has agonised over the wrong choices her children have made because circumstances did not allow her the time nor the opportunity to give her children the requisite guidance and care that would provide the emotional and psychological security that would have allowed a safety net to protect them from opportunistic predators; and only such a mother can appreciate the real security of the community support system that President Jagdeo was advocating.

He had averred that the religious leaders of societies are on “the frontline,” but whether they can make the good generals that would lead their respective communities to a cleaner and more moral society is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, he expressed his faith in their ability to pilot the society’s ship into calmer and more peaceful waters.

The faith of our fathers once made this nation a uniquely ethical and moral one; a clarion call by the current administration to the religious leaders to restore the nation to that state once more may precipitate the restoration of the reputation of Guyanese to that of the days of yore.

An Amazon Warriors fan depicted the beauty of the amazon as an encourgement to her home team when the Warriors snatched up yet another victory on home soil

Need for unity and political bipartisanship Dear Editor, Our country is facing many problems, falling under social, political, economic, etc; and there are workable solutions to almost all of the problems. But our political leaders from both sides of the divide are generally reluctant to address the problems, because in not doing so (maintaining the status quo), They prefer to keep the people in ignorance, encouraging them to fight each other on account of ethnic differences.

People must accept this as a fact in our partisan politics, and take measures to put an end to it.

The people should assert their own power to hold politicians accountable. They must start demanding a say in the politics of the country; if not through their ethnic party, then directly.

The political leaders are not interested in finding solutions to the countless problems facing the population, or in bringing people together. They strive in ethnic conflict. So every time an opportunity avails itself to bring people together, the politicians play on ethnic in-

security, exacerbating racial division, and so we can never find solutions to the mountains of problems confronting this small nation.

It is a truism that no progress can be achieved in our country if politicians refuse to work together and across party lines. This ideology of partisanship that existed for the last sixty years under the PNC and PPP is deeply entrenched in the institutions of the country and in the minds of people. It is almost impossible to penetrate the racial or political divisions, both of which are intertwined. But this racial and political partisanship has to end if our country is to realize its full potential. One group and one party cannot build this country on its own; bipartisanship is needed. People have to come together and forge some kind of racial and political unity.

And since politicians are not interested in bringing the population together, then the population must take the politics in their hands and force the two dominant parties to work together. This can be done through civic groups, or NGOs, or through leadership at the communi-

ty levels – leaders of community groups coming together across ethnic lines, to address concerns and issues and hold the political leaders accountable.

And when I say FORCE the political leaders to work together, I don’t mean getting them to pass bills in Parliament, or simply to meet and discuss issues, or make appointments that only serve the interests of their parties. I mean they must implement policies and programmes to benefit all areas and all groups.

I mean there must be genuine dialogue with all stakeholders at all times. I mean every single citizen must be involved in decision-making. And the politicians must promote citizen involvement. And I mean appointing non-political people to various offices and at state agencies.

Political appointees will not address our problems; instead, they will carry out the programmes of the political leaders. Civic appointees would pay greater attention to national concerns.

There must be genuine bi-partisanship, which must be executed with sincerity,

and the community leaders must make this demand of their party or ethnic leaders.

Some would say this is not possible, and that it is “utopian rhetoric” to seek to get politicians of opposing parties and races to work together, but it is possible to bring the political leaders together -- if the people pressure their political group leaders that “politics as usual” would no longer be acceptable.

To get politicians to work together, people have to take politics in their own hands, and end their total dependence on self-serving, corrupt politicians. By now the people should recognise that our dishonest politicians are not interested in their supporters, or even in the country. Most of the politicians are interested only in themselves. And the people have the power to end this type of self-serving politics.

Only when the people realize their own power, and reject the politicians and start exercising their power will the politicians begin to do things to benefit the country.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

GLDA has neglected North West region Dear Editor, Residents of the Amerindian village of Santa Rosa, in the Moruca sub-region of Region One (BarimaWaini), are complaining that they do not have the services of a veterinarian, even though one is stationed at the Mabaruma sub-region.

I made contact with this veterinarian and asked him why he was not providing services to Santa Rosa village. His reply was that he does not have riverine trans-

portation.

Can you imagine: a Government veterinarian in Region One does not have any means of river transportation? Then what purpose is he serving in Region One? I then tried, but was unsuccessful in, making contact with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Culbert Owen, who was at a meeting on Friday, August 18, 2017.

I wonder if Agriculture Minister Noel Holder receives updates or reports

on the performance of hinterland agriculture, particularly where livestock development is concerned in Region One. But I am appealing to the Minister of Agriculture to investigate the operations of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) with the view that all veterinary doctors stationed in our hinterland region are provided with adequate means of transportation and a budget to do their work in the best interest of hinterland livestock

development, which is sadly lacking. I was informed by Mabaruma residents that the only means of transportation the VET doctor has is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Can this ATV take the doctor to the riverine communities of Port Kaituma, Moruca and other communities of Region One where his services are needed? Simply put, the GLDA, in its mission, has neglected the North-West Region.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, august 23, 2017

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A principled response required Dear Editor, Guyanese organizations (listed below) are calling on Governments and civil societies of Caricom to recognize the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis currently being experienced by the people of Venezuela.

Caricom countries are already beginning to feel the effects of the tens of thousands of refugees seeking asylum in neighbouring Latin American countries as a result of the severe economic disintegration and political instability fuelling that crisis.

The humanitarian crisis is characterized by a shortage of medicines and food, the collapse of public services, the world's highest inflation rate, overt violence, and serious human rights’ violations. The political institutions of the State are in crisis, and allegations of torture and illegal detention are widespread.

The effects of the econom-

ic chaos are reflected in the mounting numbers of refugees threatening to overwhelm welfare and health systems in border regions of countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Panama, with a potential for similar effects in neighbouring Caricom territories.

A particularly worrying dimension of the Venezuelan crisis for Caricom territories was pointed out in June 2017 by UWI Professor of Sustainable Development, Dr. Anthony Clayton, quoted in the Jamaica Gleaner to the effect that, "The problem we are facing is, because with Venezuela's economic collapse, there is now evidence of weapons flooding out of Venezuela, initially into Trinidad, but which will come percolating through the Caribbean. Venezuela has got more guns per person than almost any other country in the (western) hemisphere, including the United States."

He went on to point out that former President Chavez armed militias all over the country to combat the threat of invasion, and “now, with the economy collapsing, a lot of them are selling their weapons, and they are selling them for groceries, pharmaceuticals and basic survival items".

Reluctance to ‘interfere’ in domestic politics has been a guiding principle of Caricom relations, with respect to both its own membership and its external relations. More to the point at the present time, however, is whether this posture of avoidance has discouraged Caricom Governments from developing or adopting reception policies through which to address a major influx of refugees. Moreover, in view of the arms flooding out of Venezuela, will this tendency be fortified?

However, despite the security issues and the fact that Caricom territories’ ca-

pacity for delivering health and welfare services is limited, these factors do not absolve Caricom countries from the responsibility of developing just and fraternal reception policies, and respecting the fundamental rights of individual refugees.

Without some measure of preparedness of this nature, Venezuelan refugees are vulnerable to the kind of treatment experienced by the isolated cases of Angolan, Haitian, Cuban and other refugees who have found their way to our shores. The default response has been to treat them as illegal immigrants, often detained for months on end.

As civil and faith-based organizations, our responsibility to engage with the humanitarian dimensions of the Venezuelan crisis is no less real than that of Governments. For this reason, in a spirit of solidarity and social justice, and in

Solar eclipse is motivation to reflect and learn

Dear Editor, Now that the solar eclipse has occurred on the face of the universe, I would like to make some observations, even though I am not an astronomer and have not seen the eclipse either. My observations might have a touch of rational and religious facet, because there is a thin line between reason and religion, or science and spiritual.

An editorial of this newspaper, dated 16th August 2017, emphasised a natural phenomenon of the solar eclipse with appropriate research, and I would like to commend the editorial writer. But I would like to add a little flavour to the natural phenomenon with supernatural phenomenon, without undermining the natural element.

Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, a planetary

scientist and the director of the Vatican Observatory, and also an expert in asteroids and meteorites, made an interesting mention in the Time Magazine on Thursday, August 17.

He says, “this phenomenon of the solar eclipse must remind us of the immense beauty of the universe, which occurs outside our small world of our occupations. It takes us away from our own world to remind us that we are part of a great, glorious and beautiful universe. The meaning of any phenomenon comes with enquiries, and we can approach this phenomenon spiritually, to bring meaning to our lives, irrespective of our traditions. Ask yourself, what are the questions that rise in me? And answer these in your own heart first.”

My way of looking at this

experience will be different than others, because I believe that God has a way to show His grandeur more concretely through the natural occurrence. God chose to make this rational universe, so that we can predict this natural occurrence with great precision, although not every natural phenomenon can be predicted with precision. We, as humans, grasp the natural phenomenon through our senses as much as we could; but beyond our senses, the universe remains speculative reality. In other words, we see the universe and its contents differently, such that a poet might not look at the universe as a

cosmologist would look at it. Therefore, it is important for us to reflect on natural phenomenon by keeping supernatural reality on the hindsight. If we try to separate these two realities, we would ignore what is beyond our comprehension. We are fortunate to gaze at the solar eclipse through our senses. This eclipse has to help us to live in peace and harmony, because we live under the same sun and its shadow. This also must motivate us to learn more through scientific and spiritual mind.

Sincerely, Jerri Melwin Dias

collaboration with relevant international agencies, we commit to engaging with the challenge of promoting the protection of the fundamental rights of Venezuelan refugees.

A collaborative approach to governance encompassing relevant civic, business and Government agencies might begin by ensuring registration of Venezuelan refugees arriving at our borders, thereby both providing them with legal protection and discouraging illegal entry through porous borders and beaches.

A principled and rights-oriented humanitarian response of this nature is consistent with Caricom’s inclination to avoid becoming embroiled in Venezuelan domestic politics. Additionally, such an approach to the humanitarian crisis would also strengthen the possibility of more orderly reintegration of the refugees into their

own country when circumstances permit a safe and minimally decent life.

E N D O R S I N G ORGANIZATIONS, Anglican Diocese of Guyana Rt. Rev Bishop Francis Alleyne RC Bishop of Guyana BENAB – (Youth) Church Women United East Coast Clean-Up Committees Guyana Society for the Blind (GSB) Guyana Environment Initiative (GEI) Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) Guyanese Organization of Indigenous peoples (GOIP) Jesuits in Guyana Policy Forum Guyana Red Thread Rights of Children (ROC) Transparency Institute Guyana Inc Ursuline Sisters in Guyana

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ministry dissatisfied with 2017 CSEC results … “No reason for celebration” – Education Minister

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espite Guyana recording a minimal increase at the 2017 Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examinations, the

tained in critical subject areas such as Mathematic and English.

The Ministry on Tuesday released its annual report on the country’s

the overall performance.

This was as Education Minister Nicolette Henry took to the podium at NCERD on Tuesday to present an overview of the

Education Minister Nicolette Henry along with other officials of her Ministry, joined by the top students of the 2017 CSEC examinations

Education Minister has indicated that she is not satisfied with the country’s performance, especially given alarming results at-

performance at the CSEC examinations, during which it was revealed that Guyana this year recorded a 0.29 per cent increase in

country’s accomplishments at CSEC 2017.

Henry conveyed to the gathering, “Overall we saw and increase of one per cent

and there were 35 subjects that we took this year.”

She went on to say, “Guyana achieved 63.68 per cent pass rate with Grades One to Three and that is against 63.39 per cent in 2016. Of these, 12.49 per cent of the entries gained Grade Ones, 22.72 per cent gained Grade Twos and 28.47 per cent gained Grade Threes.”

While outlining the performance of the students, Henry indicated that of the 35 subjects pursued this year, there was a 100 per cent pass rated achieved for two subjects while for 10 other subjects areas, 90 per cent of the students managed to secure outstanding performances.

An additional 14 subjects have seen improvement in the overall pass rate as well.

However, despite of those positive accomplishments, the Education

Education Minister Nicolette Henry speaking during the release of the 2017 CSEC results

Minister lamented over the fact that four subject areas projected no improvements, while a whopping 11 subjects recorded a decline in performance.

Mathematics, English Language (English A) and Literate (English B) were all among the subjects recording worrisome pass rates.

Whereas the already troubling pass rate for English A at the 2016 sitting was recorded at 59.3 per cent, this year saw a further decline with only 57.99 per cent of the students gaining Grade Threes and above at this essential subject.

With that, Minister Henry posited that despite the improvements in some areas, the results this year do not merit a national celebration.

On that note she relayed, “When you recognise that you’re you know going downward in terms of performances in several subject areas. I looked at 11 subject areas I will think it

will not be consistent with normal behaviour for us to be celebrating that today.”

As a result of the unsatisfactory performances, the Education Minister indicated that strategies will be put in place ensure improvement at CSEC in the coming years.

“It seems to me there is a lot of work to be done, this is not the worst performance we have seen but Guyana certainly needs to be moving in a different direction when it comes to education,” Henry expressed.

Moreover, emphasising the need for actions to be taken to better cater for the nation’s youth, Henry reassured those in attendance that, “It seems to be a long road ahead of us. The good thing though is the battle that we believe is quite a winnable battle and we will do all that we can possibly do with resources available to us and the Ministry of Education to ensure that we are on the right path where we can eventually get to the place where all you can see is joy and celebration,” but stressed, “we are not there as yet.”

Nevertheless, of 12,684 candidates registered for CSEC this year, a sum of 164 students secured Grade One passes at eight subjects and more at the 2017 examinations. The results also reflect outstanding performances emanating from regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Ten and Georgetown.

Of this total, 93 of the top performers hailed from schools across Georgetown, with Queen’s College walking away with the majority, producing 41 of the high flyers.

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Woman stabs abusive husband to death

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30-year-old Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) woman is on the run after she allegedly stabbed her reputed husband to death with a pair of scissors during an argument.

Dead is Alfro Adams, called “Fro”, a labourer of Himacobra, Moruca, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The incident occurred on at about midday on Monday at Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon River.

According to information reaching <<<Guyana Times>>> the suspect, Wavney John, was living in an abusive relationship with the deceased for the past six years. Relatives related that the now dead man was in the habit of consuming alcohol and would often times accuse his wife of having an affair with her cousin.

This newspaper was told that the couple has an 18-month-old child and they were residing at Himacobra, Moruca, Region One. However, she was forced to move out because of the constant abuse at the

hands of her reputed husband. As such, she moved to Dredge Creek where she resided with her aunt. She was subsequently employed as a handy craft worker.

On Monday, Adams showed up at John’s aunt’s house at about 07:00h but the suspect and her aunt were at Charity Market selling their craft works. He was seen at a nearby shop imbibing and at about 11:00h, he reportedly followed John and her aunt into the boat in which they were travelling to return home.

As the women managed their daily chores, Adams, who was by then intoxicated, started to slap John accusing her of having an affair.

To defend herself, the woman reportedly grabbed a pair of scissors and reportedly stabbed him to his chest.

Adams fell to the ground and was rushed to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital where he succumbed. Police ranks including Commander Stephen Mansell subsequently visited the home where the incident occurred.

The pair of scissors was not recovered. Police are continuing their investigations.

(Indrawattie Natram)

Heartbroken 15-year-old commits suicide … after death of 12-year-old “girlfriend”

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ollowing the tragic death of 12-year-old Amber Richards, who was crushed to death by a fallen house at La Bonne Intention on Friday last, her reported “boyfriend” took his own life upon receiving the news.

Dead is Ricardo Niranjan of Lot 410 Block 12, Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara. The duo reportedly met through a cousin of the 12-year-old more than six months ago and started a relationship.

However, information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the young man’s mother and two sisters travelled to Suriname to visit a relative and he was left at home alone.

His body was discovered on Monday evening by another sister who went to check up on him after he was not seen since Sunday evening.

His body was discovered hanging from one of the rafters in the living room of the house. The Police were contacted and the body removed and taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination. Rajni Niranjan, a sister of the dead teenager, told Guyana Times that her brother and the now dead girl have been together for the past year.

“He come home and tell mommy that he like some girl and that they does normally talk and so… But meh mother warn he about getting too involved with she because she was only

Dead: Ricardo Niranjan

she explained that ever since the tragic accident that claimed Richards’ life, her brother has been emotional.

The distraught sister related that there was a wedding in the area and on Saturday evening, he reportedly told friends that he was going to end his life claiming that he had no one to live for. This threat was not taken seriously.

On Sunday evening, he reportedly drank a few beers and got “high”.

She further explained

The collapsed house in LBI

11-year-old when they start see each other,” the sister noted.

The cousin, she added, sells greens at a bridge in the community. Nevertheless,

that she was under the impression that her brother was staying at the wedding house but it was until his friends called on Monday af-

Dead: Amber Richards

ternoon to enquire about his whereabouts, she went to look for him at her mother’s house.

When she got there, she called out for him but there was no response. “The door de lock from inside and it had a little crease so I peep in… it was then I see he with the rope around he neck…,” the woman cried.

She immediately went home and related what she saw to her husband and they raised an alarm. The door had to be broken to gain access to the house. The teen leaves to mourn his mother and four siblings.

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

94-year-old charged for forging transport

F

itz Lewis, a pensioner of First Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to answer to a charge of forging a transport.

The 94-year-old man denied the charge, which was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge alleged that between November 1, 2003 and November 30, 2003 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he conspired with per-

sons to forge transport 380 of 1981.

Lewis’ Attorney, Roger Yearwood, requested bail on the ground that his client poses no risk of flight.

According Yearwood, Police ranks visited his client’s home and informed him that he is wanted at the Brickdam Police Station in relation to the said matter upon which he contacted his lawyer who accompanied him to the station.

The pensioner was released on $50,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on August 31.

QC student cops 25...

Berbice

Tagore Memorial Secondary, a school which has been under investigation after allegations surfaced that a teacher was offering students illegal drugs, is now boasting success at this year’s CSEC, as two of the students from the class that was at the centre of the investigation have topped the region.

Kamella Parsudial of Number Naught Village,

Corentyne, has topped Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) with 13 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos while her classmate Puran Subramanie of Number 67 Village, Corentyne, copped 13 Grade Ones.

Parsudial is the daughter of a rice farmer and Subramanie is the son of a fisherman.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Parsudial said she wanted to challenge her-

Settling ambiguities…

W

Fitz Lewis

from page 3

self and wrote 15 subjects.

The young woman explained that there was a lot of competition which pushed her to excel.

Not quite sure what she intends to do, in a positive voice she said it will be something in the medical field.

Meanwhile, Subramanie says he had to give up watching television and spent many nights studying.

“Some nights I went right through. My mother would

tell me to go to my bed and get some rest but she understood that I was up doing my studies. When I am finished I would go in. My mother was very, very supportive when I was studying.”

The young man is still to decide what he wants to make his career since he has two options. “It will either be in the medical field of aviation. I am not sure as yet but I like both of them,” he said.

…in “ancestral” lands

ell, your Eyewitness is happy the CoI into African “ancestral lands” has finally started its work. For the longest while, there was the dispute as to whether Amerindian land ownership was also going to fall under the CoI’s auspices; but, thankfully, the Government has decided to drop that -- hopefully permanently. No percentage in stirring up THAT ants’ nest!!

Your Eyewitness’s happiness was precipitated by his hope that, at long last, he’ll be able to get some clarity as to exactly what is “African ancestral land”. He knew that after the abolition of slavery, against all odds, the newly freed slaves bought estates that were being abandoned right, left and centre. Was this the “ancestral land” that needed a CoI? But if it was bought, wouldn’t the title have been conveyed, and so we would all know exactly who owned the lands?

But it isn’t that simple. Your Eyewitness knew also that, after the abolition of slavery, the planters wanted to have their (sugar) cake and eat it too! They received their compensation from Britain for slaves that up to then had been “property”, but still wanted to keep the freed men and women bound on the plantations. Selling plantation lands to the latter would make them independent of the planters, and this they fought tooth and nail to stop.

They persuaded the government of the day -- which was, in any case, there to look after their interests -to pass laws that mandated land could only be sold in blocks of a minimum of 100 acres! This they felt would be beyond the capabilities of the slaves, even though they’d been working for wages during the “Apprenticeship Period”, between 1834 and 1838; or had saved up from sales to each other of produce from their provision grounds.

But the freed Africans outfoxed the machinations of the planters and POOLED their money, and bought the plantations jointly!! Now, your Eyewitness knows this can present a problem in the present, since the descendants of the original owners would all have some claim to the land that was owned jointly. So, while he understood the allocation of these “ancestral lands” would not be simple, he had all confidence it could be resolved without having Solomon necessarily reincarnated. Just advertise that all who had claims present them within a given time frame!

What confused your Eyewitness was when some folks started writing letters in the press about lands that weren’t in the original deeds and are now occupied by other race groups being “ancestral” -- and therefore would have to be seized. This would be a retrograde step.

Could the CoI therefore define “African ancestral lands” ASAP?

…in procuring pharma

When will the rape of the Treasury via pharmacontracts be brought under control? Not stopped completely; we know that’ll never happen in this or any other government, man being man and all that. But at least not be done so blatantly that it’s like the Rape of the Sabine Women! Your Eyewitness firmly believes that, because there wasn’t even the perfunctory CoI into the warehouse scam and the ANSA outrage, the latest rape took place, and more’s in the offing.

Imagine: a particular company had been nabbed selling almost expired drugs to this Govt, but kept getting contracts. Imagine: the company was caught conspiring with a Govt employee to have inside knowledge of bids, but still kept getting contracts. Imagine: the company being blacklisted by the IDB for shady practices, but was still able to be awarded a $30M contract!!

And to rub salt into the wound, the company’s Trinidadian -- a country where no Guyanese company is allowed to bid on pharma contracts!

Think something na regulah?

…in Carifesta

Prezzie will now have a new 1823 Monument built at Parade Ground, where the slaves were executed.

Shouldn’t we pull down the one those dastardly PPP people placed at the start of East Coast, where the rebellion occurred?

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

News

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GNBA debunks claims that 2017 payments rejected … private radio, TV broadcasters claim otherwise

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number of private television, cable and radio broadcasters have claimed that the Guyana National Broadcasting Agency (GNBA) has refused payments for 2017, but GNBA Chairman, Leslie Sobers, has debunked those claims, stating that there seems to be some “mix up” about the issue.

He confirmed that the new Board welcomes all broadcasters to fix their applications and to settle their arrears.

Guyana Times spoke with several of these broadcasters, who all claimed that the fees were rejected. The owner of the National Television Network (NTN), Anand Persaud, said his company has an unblemished record and have been paying its fees.

The last payment was made in 2015. Persaud said, however, “I called three weeks ago and someone in the finance department of the GNBA said that the Board instructed them not to accept any payment for 2017.”

The NTN owner, has been in broadcasting since 1999, and also owns a radio station, claimed that this move was ‘wicked’, “because they already had in mind what was the plan.” He was referring to the Broadcast Amendment Bill which when becomes law, automatically terminates all broadcasting licenses.

Raymond Cummings of Freedom Radio also told Guyana Times that based on his knowledge; the GNBA is not taking payments for 2017.

He related that Freedom Radio would have paid for the entire 2016, and only 2017 fees are outstanding.

However, Sobers told Guyana Times on Tuesday that he does not believe payments for 2017 were rejected. “What I think happened is that there may have been advice that they have to make themselves compliant as of 2016, before we can consider who is going to be licensed in 2017,” he stated.

The GNBA Chairman lamented that several broadcasters have certain incomplete procedures in relation to their original application.

While noting that it is nothing major, he said there are others who have arrears and are still seeking to pay to get a licence in 2017.

“I don’t know which part of the world they operate in, where they can find that you have outstanding arrears for 2015 and 2016 and want a licence for 2017. So, we haven’t rejected any request for a licence for 2017, but advising that you have to become compliant as of the end of 2016,” he explained.

Some radio operators have indicated to Sobers verbally that they were advised that they should hold off on payments for their radio licence until the Board sorts itself out. But the GNBA Chairman said that instruction was not passed on to the staff by the Board he currently chairs.

“I can’t speak for any other Board. The Board I am now

GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers heading which was appointed as of February this year does not reject and would never reject. We are calling on people to pay. If broadcasters were told, I am speaking particularly in terms of radio, to delay or hold back for the time being, that could not be something that they should believe and hold on to because that board is no longer in authority.”

At present, the GNBA is going through the list of compliant broadcasters, to determine who will not be reissued licences. In addition to this, the GNBA Board is also contemplating moving away from issuing one-year licences, rather issuing those that could last for two years.

The law allows the GNBA to grant licences for not more than 10 years. “We find that this one-year licence is a bit onerous. So we will do that.

And they have to become com-

pliant. So it’s not that we are rejecting money. Which entity rejects money? The GNBA is run on the revenues earned from licenses.”

“The whole process of regulating the broadcasting industry requires work and staff that must be paid,” he further argued, explaining that the monies to do that regulatory work comes from licence fees.

“So we can’t reasonably reject money that is due and payable to us,” he added.

Sobers said the GNBA will not issue licences to anyone unless they clear their arrears. “And if by the time the amendment to the (Broadcast Amendment Bill) is assented to and you have 30 days to put yourself in order and you don’t something else will happen. But once people bring themselves up to date, and then there assurance of being relicensed is very high,” he stated.

He continued, “So, it is nothing intended to scare people away or drive people out of the industry. The job of the regulator in this instance here is to ensure that we have quality broadcasting, the playing field is level and everybody has an equal access to the same resource as they so desire to utilise it.”

The GNBA head said the rationale behind this move is to bring equity to the broadcasting industry. “So, that also we will address and ask the broadcasters to address their minds as they seek to be relicensed.”

Man crushed to death by bulldozer at Mahdia

A

Public spirited citizens assisting to remove the man’s body

machine operator was on Tuesday afternoon crushed to death by a bulldozer after it encountered mechanical problems at 111 Miles Mahdia, Pataro River, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). Dead is Kennard Craig, 55, of Number 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Reports are the man was operating the heavy-duty machinery and in the process of climbing a hill, the equipment encountered problems and suddenly cut off.

Nevertheless, he managed to restart the machine

with the help of a colleague.

It was after the machine restarted, it rolled backwards and trapped Craig. From reports received, the man’s head was completely crushed by the machine.

He was taken to the Mahdia Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

F Division (Interior locations) Commander, Rabindranauth Budhram confirmed that the accident occurred, while noting that an investigation was launched.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, august 23, 2017

News

Land CoI

MMA illegally takes 2000 acres of land from cattle ranchers … says decision should be revoked

By Lakhram Bhagirat

C

hairman of the Abary Cattle Ranch Company Limited (ACRCL), Hemraj Kissoon, told the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into ancestral land ownership that the Mahaica, Mahaicony, AbaryAgriculture Development Association (MMA) illegally took possession of some 2000 acres of land that belonged to the company without any reason or explanation.

He added that the decision should be revoked and the land should be transported and returned to the company.

Providing a background of the ACRCL, Kissoon said the company is a limited liability company which has been in existence since 1909 with the responsibility for fattening animals in the Abary area. He said that they have over 3000 heads of cattle, utilising approximately 7784 acres of land.

However, he noted that this amount of land is not sufficient with each head of cattle, requiring at least four acres of land to graze since sections of the land is swampy and grass does not grow in some parts.

He explained that the lands owned are leased, free to hold, titled, DHMP (During Her Majesty Pleasure now During His Excellency Pleasure) and land under permission and that the ACRCL have documentation for all of the land it owns. He tendered a number of those documents to

Commissioners (from left), Berlinda Persaud, Professor Rudolph James, David James, Chairman George Chuck-A-Sang, Paulette Henry, Lennox Caleb and Carol Khan

the CoI as evidence to support his claim. However, in 2015 following a survey, the MMA, without any explanation or reasoning, took possession of over 2000 acres of DHMP and leased land from the company. Kissoon added that when the lands were taken they wrote to the MMA objecting the decision but they are yet to receive any response.

Detailing the work and history of the ACRCL, Kissoon explained that prior to the MMA, the company had its own drainage network to irrigate their lands. “The canal and conservancy was built on it (the ACRCL land). The conservancy took away some of it.

The main canal divides the land in two because it runs from North to South into the conservancy. It is written down from the MMA to the farmers that any problems come about they would resolve all of it. If you lose land they will give you alternative land, they will pay you for it or they give you com-

pensation one way or the other. All of this was decided with the MMA and farmers before they started the (MMA) scheme,” Kissoon related.

He further related that although their lands have been surveyed and properly demarcated, they were asked by the MMA to have the land surveyed and had to pay some $3 million to have that done. He related that after the ACRCL made the payment the land was surveyed and the combined 2000 acres were taken from them. He proposed that the land be given back to them and transported so that they can continue their rearing.

A representative from the Paradise Multi-Purpose Co-op told the CoI that they would like to have back their farmlands in Enmore, Hope, Foulis and Bachelors Adventure on the East Coast of Demerara. He related that the lands are ancestral lands taken up by the Guyana Sugar Corporation

(GuySuCo) and later abandoned. He is also seeking reparations from GuySuCo. President David Granger in March of this year established the CoI under the Commission of Inquiry Act, to examine and make recommendations to resolve all issues and uncertainties surrounding the claims of Amerindian land titling; the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands acquired by freed Africans, and any matters relating to land titling in Guyana.

The Commission is headed by Reverend Oswald Peter

Chairman of the Abary Cattle Ranch Company Limited (ACRCL), Hemraj Kissoon

Chuck-A-Sang, and includes Paulette Henry, David James, Carol Khan-James, Professor Rudolph James, Lennox Caleb and Berlinda Persaud. The public hearings are being conducted at the GL&SC Secretariat in D’Urban Backlands.

Backdam subjects

S

atiricus always knew he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the room. Any room! But he figured that was how the (brains) cookie crumbled, and admired those who clearly had more marbles upstairs than he did. So he was particularly chuffed when he read about the kid who copped TWENTY-FIVE subjects at CSEC. Satiricus had been quite happy with the five subjects he’d managed to scrape together back in the day.

“So you think anybody will beat that score?” Satiricus asked, as he settled down with his beer.

“Budday, wance yuh set wan target, somebady guh beat am!” said Bungi with assurance.

“Yeah,” said Hari. “Remember when no one thought kids could get twenty subjects?”

“In our days, ten was a big number!” exclaimed Satiricus. “How many you wrote again, Bungi?”

“Na mek yuh rass wid me!” said Bungi good-naturedly.

“De waan subjek me pass mo’ dan all you five!”

“How so?” asked Satiricus. “Prove that to me, and I’ll buy beer tonight!”

“Well me waan subjik, Agri, mek me wan good canecutta,” said Bungi winking at Hari. “An’ wan good canecutta gat fuh pass five tec’nical subjik!”

“Really?” asked Satiricus. “Lay it on me!”

“Well, filin’ de cutlass a waan subjik,” said Bungi. “You t’ink anybody can file dong an’ balance wan cutlass?”

Satiricus nodded, “OK.” “Cutting’ de cane a waan nex’ subjik,” said Bungi.

“How far fram de tap an’ how low fram de groun’ suh yuh na chap yuh toe!”

Satiricus nodded again. “Two!” “Liftin’ de cane bundle, a wan technical subjik, “Bungi grinned as Satiricus nodded. “Suh yuh na get goadie!!”

“Fetchin’ de cane to de punt a namba four,” continued Bungi.

“And number five?” demanded Satiricus “How fuh drink free rum an’ beer fram yuh fr’en an’ na get drunk!!” grinned Bungi. “Da de bes’ subjik!!”

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Baseness, vileness and depravity

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ast week I wrote about the coalition G ove r n m e nt ’s propensity for ludicrous, preposterous statements.

APNU/AFC’s daily statements disrespect the nation and insult citizens.

Their statements also expose their authoritarian, dictatorial DNA. As they govern with an iron fist, Dr Leslie Ramsammy their actions are not chaperoned by any moral compass.

There is simply no moral cavity. There is a phrase used in criminal law - Moral Turpitude - to describe conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals. Truly, APNU/AFC governance pillories moral turpitude on a daily basis.

As they plunge Guyana into dictatorship, APNU/AFC act with an increasing quality of baseness, vileness and depravity.

I will never be guided by false diplomacy, nor will I ever ignore my responsibility to speak out. No citizen should hesitate to speak out against the baseness, vileness and depravity that APNU/AFC subject us to in our country today. It is said that, over history, the most egregious acts that have been perpetuated against humanity were made possible by people’s silence. Wrongs committed against people by a government often are because governments were permitted to do so by the silence of good people.

Every day, APNU/AFC subject us to vile statements that unfortunately reflect their governance model. They feel they have no obligation to the people they serve. APNU/ AFC, in fact, treat people as their subjects, much like the old time royalty, when kings ruled over their subjects.

Minister Jordon, in one of his many impersonations of a brutish king, recently insisted that the Exxon oil contract cannot be released because the PPP had signed the contract with a secrecy clause. The argument is not only ludicrous, but is an abdication of their duty as the people’s government. They had promised that APNU/AFC would be transparent and would release all contracts to the people. They deemed secrecy clauses as illegal and criminal. They must now prove that the PPP did sign a secrecy clause, and they have an obligation to abandon that secrecy clause.

In any case, did they not try to convince people that EXXON and the possibility of oil flowing in Guyana was an APNU/AFC success story? Are they now, by their own admission, conceding that Exxon was brought to Guyana

by Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP? Having conceded that it was Jagdeo and the PPP that initiated the oil find in Guyana, and that it was the PPP that brought the company to our country, they now want to hide what they are giving away.

The agreement was signed in 1999, when there was still uncertainty of whether or not Guyana possessed oil fields with feasible amounts for commercialisation.

They insist there is nothing in the contract people do not already know. If we already know everything, what is the purpose for secrecy?

The PPP signed the Amaila Hydropower deal.

APNU/AFC disowned it and discontinued it. I believe that a government must respect and honour previous government commitments.

But this is not the moral or legal compass that guides APNU/AFC, because if it were, then they would have respected the agreement with Amaila.

Incidentally, the PPP had an agreement with the people -- that all our children in school would have an annual grant of $10,000; our pensioners would benefit from water and electricity subsidies; sugar estates would remain open; rice farmers would have a fair price for a bag of paddy; and people would have safe and reliable access to medicines in our hospitals and clinics. All of these contracts have been disowned and abandoned.

NTC conference 2017

Chairman to push for tangible results W hile some people have expressed a lack of confidence in this year’s National Toshao Council (NTC) conference, and believe the event would serve as just another gathering for chit-chat, Chairman of the NTC, Joel Fredericks, has given assurance that the executive team would work hard to ensure that something tangible is achieved.

Having commenced on Monday, The NTC conference has attracted dozens of Amerindian leaders from across the country, congregating to discuss the challenges they face and chart a course for the future development of their respective villages.

Fredericks said these Amerindian leaders would each have equal opportunity to have their voices heard, and the NTC would work closely with Government to have the issues addressed.

However, he noted that the concerns raised would be given priority based on significance.

Unlike previous NTC conferences, Fredericks said, this year’s event is a bit different, since, for the remainder of the week, until Friday, the Council has put together a questionnaire which would be circulated during the regular plenary sessions, when the ministers of Government will be present to answer questions and to take note of the issues affecting these indigenous communities.

All the various sectors will be listed on the questionnaire, and if one or more community has an issue in any of these areas, the toshaos will make note of these issues on there.

“For example, if you have an education issue, you just write at the side, and we will look at it and place all under one heading. We will present it and add recommendations on how we see the issues could be addressed.”

Frederick said these very issues will be raised with ministers and Government department heads, especially as it relates to mining, agriculture, tourism, education, and health.

“We want to hear what the Government planned for these areas, because right now, we are going into a plenary discussion with various groups, and we want to hear the (ministers’) response.”

The NTC Chair did admit that after most NTC conference, there is seldom follow up, and little progress made on the issues raised.

However, he has committed to ensuring that the NTC work is placed on a database, and will be following up with every department after the conference. This, he said, will ensure that communities get the help they need, and it would also mean that the conference has served a purpose.

Meanwhile, now that Government has presented the NTC with a plot of land to build their secretari-

NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks

at, Frederick said this would assist the Council tremendously, because its leadership is scattered throughout the country. He believes that erection of a secretariat

would bring about more organisation to the NTC, and provide a place where leaders of various Amerindians villages can assemble and discuss issues. The request for a secretariat for the NTC was made last year by Indigenous leaders to President David Granger. The NTC Chairman noted that construction of the secretariat on the NTC conference plot of land, located next to the Heritage Village at the Sophia Exhibition Site, could commence shortly. He added that the President has committed to supporting the venture, and corporate support is expected. Before the opening of the conference, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had said it hopes

the discussions would ensure there is clarity, Amerindian rights would not be harmed, and the widest possible consultation in the communities across the country would ensue, especially in relation to the proposed amendment to the Amerindian Act of 2006.

They also expressed worry with Government’s sloth in the implementation of the opt-in mechanism for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). This, the PPP/C said, is critical to maintain the principle of “free, prior and informed consent” with Amerindian villages. This fundamental issue requires that the Government commits at this conference to expedite the opt-in mechanism,” it stated.

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

City Hall woes

Full Council did not vote on garbage collection fees – Councillor … slams proposed decision to charge businesses

A

fully constituted Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) did not vote to impose fees on city businesses in order to collect garbage, yet this decision was taken

by City Hall. A price schedule was recently released.

The proposal is not going down well with People’s Progressive Party (PPP) representative on the Council, Bishram Kuppen.

In an interview with this publication, he took City Hall to task for the decision.

“There was no vote,” he said. “This is a matter that was in discussion, but for the Council to come out and say that the decision was made and there were consultations, I’m not aware of that. Even if there were consultations, the Town Clerk cannot make that decision.”

Kuppen noted that committees should make recommendations, after consulting with stakeholders or the public. These recommendations, once made to the full Council, should then be discussed and voted on. He queried who made such a momentous decision without a vote on the Council.

Kuppen noted that the issue would be raised at the next meeting.

“It has to come before the full Council as recommendations and then (a) vote. There are no indications what would constitute a small business,

Town Clerk Royston King

what is a medium business.

Generally, you have committees in the Council that make recommendations.

And those recommendations are brought to the full Council to be voted on. I am not aware of any meeting.”

“You can’t implement fees without the full Council’s approval. Now the Finance Committee makes certain recommendations, and somehow I think they are of the opinion that the Finance Committee can make decisions for the entire Council. If that is the case then they have no need for Council.”

It was reported in sections of the media that Town Clerk Royston King had announced that from September 1, 2017; small businesses will have to pay $5000 per month for garbage collection, while medi-

M&CC Councillor Bishram Kuppen

um-scale businesses would have to pay $8000. Large businesses would be required to pay $12,000 per month.

For quite some time, the M&CC has been accused of being cash strapped, and on multiple occasions, work around the city has had to be halted, since the municipality was unable to pay workers and waste disposal service providers.

This prompted Puran Brothers Disposal and Cevons Waste Management to withdraw their services, as City Hall’s debts rose to the multimillion-dollar range. According to the companies, the issue of non-payment has been a long standing one. The companies had revealed that City Hall’s debts date as far back as 2015 and promis-

es proffered by the council have not been honoured.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the Council and its partners (the contractors) reached an agreement, which in substance said that the City Treasurer would focus on payment of the current accounts while working to find an arrangement to settle the outstanding debts for 2016, while avoiding service disruption.

The Council has said that it would be putting alternative measures in place for garbage collection, and urged residents to ensure they properly dispose of their waste and await the arrival of the garbage collectors. They also say that the Treasurer’s Department would be intensifying its revenue collection drive to recover money owed to the city.

At a meeting with stakeholders in April 2017, the Mayor had informed that the Council is cash strapped and requested businesses pay more for commer-

The state of garbage in the city

cial waste disposal. Mayor Chase Green had told the business folks that City Hall cannot afford to keep up with the weekly amount of $1.8 million only to clear commercial waste.

Though there have been talks of the implementation of a new fee for commercial waste, City Hall officials have remained mum on just how much they are proposing to charge.

Notwithstanding, the mayor threatened that should businesses refuse to pay the

new fee, City Hall will have to resort to using the law to discipline them.

Town Clerk King has in the past said that even if citizens pay all of their outstanding taxes, the Council would still fall short of enough money to cover everything it has to do. King said the implementation of a new fee is in order because the service of waste disposal is a very expensive one that the Council cannot afford at the moment.

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

$125M landfills for 3 municipalities T he Communities Ministry on Tuesday inked a $125 million contract for the consultancy and design of landfill sites in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); and in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) – a move Government believes could strengthen the solid waste disposal system in outlying areas.

Over the next eight months, overseas-based firm ESP Inc in association with SEMPCO, will be involved in the preliminary studies for the design of sanitary landfill sites in the three municipalities, covering a cost of Gy$125 million.

At the simple signing ceremony at the Communities Ministry, Minister Ronald Bulkan highlighted the special interest Government has been placing on sanitation. He noted too that Government is seeking to ensure equality between the coastland and hinterland communities.

“I don’t think it would be unfair for me to say that not enough emphasis was placed in the past for proper and effective solid waste management and that is something that the Administration wants to break and move towards to a more modern management of waste disposal,” Bulkan said.

He said the question of capital towns and their roles

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan with officials from the consultancy firms at the Communities Ministry on Tuesday

have been highlighted by Government.

Present also at the signing ceremony were the Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall and acting Mayor of Linden Waneeka Arindell.

Oil and gas sector

Regulatory agency, laws proposed to regulate local content … body to oversee licensing, performance, database of suppliers

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o ensure that Local Content Policy is adequately enforced when the oil and gas sector gets on stream, Government plans to create a regulatory agency tasked with, among other things regulating all suppliers; and this agency would by superintended by a multi-stakeholder group.

This is according to the draft Local Content Policy formulated by the Natural Resources Ministry and seen by this publication.

The policy says legislation is likely to be enacted to set out how Guyanese would benefit, and enforcement would be the responsibility of a well-funded and resourced regulatory institution that would, in turn, be overseen by a multi-stakeholder group representing local bodies that are involved in the sector.

The regulatory agency would also have to report to Parliament, as is customary for most regulators, who report to the Public Accounts Committee or are overseen by the Auditor General and the Social Services Committee.

According to the document, if contracts are awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the regulator will also be tasked with ensuring international operators manage their work according to the local content strategy. This, it says, will apply from the development to operation parts of the project.

The agency’s duties would include monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the licensing and registration process for all suppliers.

It will also be in charge of creating databases for suppliers, local professionals and technicians, as well as projects. It is proposed that the body would also set targets for these projects.

In a recent interview, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, said Government would adopt a “hands off” approach to local content.

He was at the time responding to questions on whether more could have been included in the policy to ensure more jobs for locals and more investment opportunities for businesses like suppliers.

“One of the things the business people would tell you is that the market must be allowed to grow. Too much Government intervention is what the private sector says it does not want; so competitiveness is what rules the day,” he had stated.

Local content

Local Content and what it will do for Guyana has been a burning question since the announcement of oil in the Stabroek block.

After Exxon first tempered expectations by saying that few job opportunities would be created by oil, it has since said it would help with local content delivery.

The oil giant was granted a production licence in June of this year, and Minister Trotman has given Exxon a six-month deadline in order to present its Local Content

Plan to Government.

ExxonMobil’s newly appointed Country Manager in Guyana, Rod Henson, had recently announced that the company would be relocating its onshore operations, which were used for support services, from neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana.

He had told participants at a meeting that it was not a case whereby ExxonMobil would be looking to build a facility for its support services, but would rather put out tenders, and anyone interested in providing the shore base services could present a proposal.

Trotman had, in 2016, announced that Cabinet had given its ‘no objection’ to the establishment of the onshore industrial site on Crab Island, in the mouth of the Berbice river. He had said it would be forged through the joint efforts of the ministries of Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure and Business.

Construction was announced for early this year, and the investments from the private sector and Government’s infrastructural work and support were to be equivalent to US$500M; but the Crab Island facility is yet to materialise.

Added to the $125 million for the landfill sites, another $6.5 million will also be expended on soil testing at Mabaruma, Region One. Government will soon set up a landfill site in that municipality.

About 70,000 residents in four municipalities and one Neighbourhood Democratic Council are expected to benefit from these modern waste disposal facilities.

This is required in order to provide a safe and environmentally-friendly place for the final disposal of waste.

The Ministry has collaborated with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find suitable locations for disposal facilities. Several locations have since been identified and conditional approval given for the development of sanitary landfills.

The Ministry said it has a mandate to safeguard the wellbeing of its citizens and preserve the environment for

future generations through the relevant policies, infrastructural development, institutional strengthening and capacity building and public awareness and community participation.

The Communities Ministry intends to have the site developed through a phased approach with the essential elements completed during the first phase.

The landfill design would incorporate topographic survey of the sites, access to the site, site security, waste disposal and fill management, leachate management, landfill gas management, operations and maintenance manuals, environmental audit and environmental monitoring and management systems.

It will also involve the design drawings and bills of quantities and estimates for construction of the sites as well as preparation of bidding documents.

The consultants are Stan Gonsalves, Executive Vice President of Exponential Services Inc; in association with Lead Consultant, Ramon Latchmansingh of Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Inc (CEMCO).

Designs and bidding documents are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018 and bidding will commence shortly thereafter.

The contract for the hydrogeological and geotechnical investigation at proposed landfills in Region One (Mabaruma and Port Kaituma) will be undertaken

by E&A Consultants Ltd. Conditional approval has been given by the EPA for a proposed site at Khan’s Hill in Mabaruma and Sia/White Creek at Port Kaituma.

The soil parameters which will inform the design of the sanitary landfill are requirements by the EPA. Soil investigations will be conducted at various proposed sites including 14 miles Bartica, Region Seven; Kara Kara, Linden, Region 10; Bon Success, Lethem, Region Nine; Red and White, Mahdia, Region Eight; Khan’s Hill, Mabaruma, Region One’ White Creek, Port Kaituma, and Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Dumpsites that will be upgraded to landfills are Byderabo, Bartica, Rose Hall, Lusignan and Haags Bosch.

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Scenes from

Hero CPL Match 21 Amazon Warriors vs Stars

NEWS

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wednesDAY, august 23, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM chairmanship

Too early to say if Chairman’s absence will affect LGE 2018 – Bulkan

I

t is still too early to tell if the absence of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would have an impact on the preparation for Local Government Elections (LGE), Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has said.

LGE is constitutionally due to be held by December 2018, but the Minister said there has been no communication from the elections body, that it could need more time for the holding of LGE, given the current circumstance.

“The Administration is on record repeatedly saying that under its watch, LGE will be held once they are constitutionally due”. He said however, that if there is going to be a stalemate over the appointment of a GECOM chair, “it is too ear-

ly to pronounce on that”.

GECOM has been without a Chairman since February 28, 2017, when Dr Steve Surujbally stepped down after 15 years at the helm.

Since then, Government has been unable to select a replacement, although the parliamentary Opposition has been presenting lists of nominees as is constitutionally required.

Last month, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said he had commenced the process of preparing a third list of nominees for the post of GECOM chair to be submitted to President David Granger. At least 10 persons had been shortlisted.

President Granger had rejected the second list of nominees on the basis that it was “unacceptable” in accordance with Article 161

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

(2) of the Constitution. The first list submitted by the Opposition was also rejected on that very basis, but with no detailed reason given.

The President’s interpretation adumbrated that a current or sitting Judge or someone eligible to be

a Judge in Guyana or the Commonwealth Caribbean is preferred to be appointed as Chairman of the electoral body. The Opposition’s contention, however, is that the Constitution clearly contemplates two categories of persons for the post: “Firstly, a High Court Judge or an Appellate Court Judge; a former High Court or Appellate Court Judge, or a person qualified to be a High Court or an Appellate Court Judge. Secondly, or (disjunctive), any “fit and proper” person.

The President subsequently amended his position to include his ‘criteria’ that the GECOM Chairman must not only be a Judge, but must not be an activist or member of any political party, among many other provisions.

Following the rejection

of the second list, a consultation was held between Jagdeo, Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Natural Resources Minister Raphael

event that the third list is rejected by the President, a high-level team would be established, representing the President and the

Trotman, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and PPP/C parliamentarian Irfaan Ali. It was agreed that in the

Opposition Leader, to begin working instantaneously on exploring modalities to bring a resolution to the matter.

wednesdAY, august 23, 2017

Barcelona sue Neymar for alleged breach of contract B

arcelona are suing Neymar for 8.5 million euros ($10.00 million) for breach of contract as they want him to return the bonus he was paid when he signed a new five-year deal just nine months before joining Paris St Germain, the Spanish club said on Tuesday.

The Catalans are asking for an additional 10 percent payment due to a delay in their demands being met.

"Barcelona have taken these actions in defense of their interests, after Neymar's contract was rescinded just a few months after he signed on until

2021," a club statement said.

Brazilian striker Neymar, who joined PSG earlier this month after the French club triggered his 222 million euros release clause, said he was surprised by the decision but warned he was not going to give in.

"It is noteworthy that this news was received with surprise, since the athlete completely fulfilled the contract then in force, with the full deposit of the amounts set out in the buy-out clause freely agreed with F.C. Barcelona for his release," Neymar's represen-

tatives said in a statement.

The statement added that the 25-year-old forward's lawyers were preparing a formal defense to the demands.

PSG activated Neymar's release clause as Barcelona were unwilling to negotiate the sale of one of their best players.

Barcelona have passed the complaint to the Spanish football federation (RFEF) after first filing the lawsuit in court, as well as demanding PSG subsidize it, should Neymar not be able to take responsibility for it.

In the days after he

signed for the French club, Barcelona refused to pay the reported 26 million euro installment of the loyalty bonus which he was due to receive this summer, citing breach of contract.

On Sunday, Neymar criticized the Barcelona board after helping PSG beat Toulouse in Ligue 1.

"I am disappointed with them (Barcelona directors).

I spent four very happy years there and left happy, but not with them. For me they shouldn't be in charge of Barcelona. Barca deserve much better and everyone knows this," Neymar said.

(Reuters)

Gayle chosen as ambassador for new T10 cricket format

T

Chris Gayle

he game of cricket could be set for another revolution with the proposed introduction an additional variation of the game in T10 cricket.

The new 90-minute format of the game, being promoted by T Ten Sports Management is expected to be hosted in the United Arab Emirates from December 21st-24th of this year and is expected to feature several other game-changing innovations.

Just as he has in the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current shortest format T20 cricket, West Indies talisman Chris Gayle is expected to be a major selling point of the tournament.

Pakistanis head back Ronaldo loses to CPL after all appeal against 5-match ban C Shadab Khan

T

he Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is allowing its players to return to the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), for which it had first delivered No-Objection Certificates.

The PCB had initially asked that the players return from the leagues to facilitate the playing of a World Series XI game, as well as a the National T20 Cup. That competition has been rescheduled to November.

According to PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi, the

National T20 Cup had to be rescheduled because of his organisation's busy schedule.

"The World XI series was not officially confirmed when we set the dates for our domestic tournament," said Sethi.

"That series falls right in the middle of when our competition would have been played. Then there's a by-election [on September 17 on the seat of now-disqualified prime minister Nawaz Sharif], and after that the team has to go to

the UAE, so the competition was squeezed out," he added.

"As a result, we have moved it to November. An added advantage of this arrangement is that our players who are taking part in the CPL and other county will be able to take full part in those tournaments. This will make the players happy too, as well, as the CPL." The Tallawahs' Imad Wasim, the Tridents' Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz, the Trinbago Knight Riders' Shadab Khan, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots' Mohammad Hafeez and Hasan Ali, and the Warriors' Babar Azam are all now free to return.

(SportsMax)

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The 37-old left-hander, who has been announced as the Brand Ambassador of the sport, will be joined at the six-team tournament by Virender Sehwag, Shahid Afridi and Kumar Sangakkara.

The teams will be named after selected South Asian regions. In total, the tournament is expected to feature 50-international cricketers accompanied by fledgeling talent from associate nations. The draft date for the competition is expected to be announced at a future date. The tournament is scheduled to be a four-day weekend cricket Carnival.

ristiano Ronaldo will have to serve his fivematch ban for pushing a referee after the Spanish sports court (TAD) rejected Real Madrid's appeal against the length of the suspension, Spanish media reported on Tuesday citing court officials.

The Portuguese forward shoved official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after being sent off during Real's 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Aug. 13.

As a result the Spanish Football Federation issued Ronaldo with a 3,005 euro ($3,543.20) fine and a four match suspension in addition to the automatic one game ban the player was due to serve for the red card.

"Another incomprehensible decision. From injustice to injustice, they will never overthrow me," Ronaldo posted on Instagram.

The ban ruled Ronaldo out of the Super Cup second leg and Madrid's first La Liga match of the season against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. Real won both matches.

The striker will sit out league fixtures against Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad before making his comeback against Real Betis on Sept. 20.

TAD could not immediately be reached by Reuters for comment. (Reuters)

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wednesdAY, AUGUST 23, 2017

50 million could watch Mayweather-McGregor in the US alone C

onor McGregor's improbable challenge of Floyd Mayweather Jr. could be seen by a staggering 50 million people in the United States as fans and the curious gather in small and large parties.

The fight Saturday night threatens the pay-per-view revenue record set by Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao two years ago and could dwarf it in viewership as people use the event as a reason to have friends and family over for a little escapism and controlled violence. ''It's a cultural event that crosses all demographics and all social and economic factors,'' said Mark Taffet, who formerly ran pay-per-view for HBO. ''People are getting together to have a great time and we surely need an excuse to have a great time.''

Taffet said that while an average of 5-6 people normally watches a pay-per-view, he wouldn't be surprised if the fight averages 10 people a household. If it sells 5 million pay-per-views as widely anticipated, the fight could be watched by nearly one in six Americans.

The fight will also be seen by millions more worldwide, with promoters claiming it will be available either online or on a

TV screen to more than 1 billion homes in 200 different countries. ''If you are in Manhattan or you are on a desert island somewhere, if you have Wi-Fi, you can buy this fight,'' promoter Dana White said.

Each pay-perview sale means more money in the wallets of both fighters. Though estimates vary widely, Mayweather is expected to make some $200 million, while McGregor will likely pocket at least $100 million.

Though ticket sales have been slow in Las Vegas - largely because of astronomical prices - the fight is shaping up as must-see TV at a price of $99.95. People are expected to buy the fight in record numbers, with many sharing the cost of the telecast with friends and family they invite over. Taffet said people will treat it much like a Super Bowl by getting together in larger numbers than usual.

''I think this is first and foremost a television event,'' said Taffet, who oversaw 190 pay-perviews in his career at HBO. ''The success of this fight in the financial record books of history will be made on pay-per-view.

And I believe it's going to deliver.''

Industry observers say it's hard to judge how many homes will buy a pay-perview until the day of the fight many times, as people often buy late. But the anecdotal evidence - primarily the chatter on social media - indicates a good likelihood of it smashing the 4.6 million record of pay-perview sales set by the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. That's largely because the matchup will likely cross over from being just a sporting event to a party night. ''We have definitely seen massive general market interest in addition to the sports fan,'' said Stephen Espinoza, who heads sports for Showtime, which will televise the

fight. ''These general market viewers are often not part of the audience for even the biggest combat sports event. So the ceiling is pretty high.''

Espinoza said the very nature of the fight - a matchup between a UFC star who has never boxed as a pro against one of the greatest fighters of his time - will drive the payper-view sales. ''We believe this is an unprecedented event, quite frankly no one knows what to expect,'' he said. ''The element of these two outspoken personalities in one unprecedented event is compelling.''

An early indication of interest in the fight is the massive betting both in Nevada and in other places where it is legal. Bookmakers say it will be the biggest bet fight ever, with an overwhelming number of the early tickets on McGregor to pull an upset.

Still, there are plenty of tickets left in the arena itself, where prices originally ranged from $2,500 in the upper sections to $10,000 at ringside. Ticket prices have been dropping in the resale market - with some available for less than $1,300 on Tuesday - and are expected to decline more in the days before the fight. (AP)

Boycott apologises for racist knighthood joke G

eoffrey Boycott, the former England batsman and Test Match Specialsummariser, has made an "unreserved apology" after suggesting that he'd have a better chance of getting a knighthood if he "blacked up" his face to look like a West Indian cricketer.

Boycott, who played 108 Tests for England between 1964 and 1982, including 29 against West Indies, made his remarks during a question-and-answer session at a VIP lunch during the first Test against West Indies at Edgbaston.

Knighthoods, he said, were handed out like

"confetti" to West Indies greats - he named no names, but a total of 11 former Caribbean greats have been conferred the honour to date, including Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Curtly Ambrose.

"Mine's been turned down twice," he told the event's host, Gary Newbon. "I'd better black me face."

Boycott's remarks were met with an uneasy silence by his audience, a room that included several black guests who had paid close to ÂŁ300 a head for the occasion.

In the wake of a wave of criticism, with one of those present denounc-

Former Windies pacer Winston Benjamin appointed Hurricanes head coach

F

ormer West Indies pace bowler Winston Benjamin has been appointed head coach of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

Benjamin will take up his assignment from September 1, 2017.

The player who made his debut for the West Indies against India in 1987-88, was one of two candidates interviewed for the post.

Benjamin is a certified level-three coach and has more than 20 years of coaching experience during which he has contributed to the development of players at the grass root, school, community, national, sub regional and international levels.

His most recent assignments were as coach of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes under 17 team and the under 19 team. He also performed duties with age group and senior national teams of Antigua and Barbuda, the

Winston Benjamin

Leeward Islands senior team and as a consultant for the Bermuda national team as well as the West Indies team.

He has also been credited with the development of several emerging players including the current West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.

In his career for the West Indies, Benjamin played 21 Tests and 85 one day internationals capturing 61 and 100 wickets at averages of 27.01 and 30.79 respectively.

(SportsMax)

W

a y n e Rooney scored his 200th Premier League goal in Everton's 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Monday and gave another display which showed his career is far from over.

ing him as a "dinosaur", Boycott took to Twitter to apologise.

"Speaking at an informal gathering I was asked a question and I realise my answer was unacceptable," he wrote. "I meant no offence but what I said was clearly wrong and I apologise unreservedly.

"I have loved West Indian cricket my whole life and have the utmost respect for its players."

The last England cricketer to receive a knighthood was Sir Ian Botham in 2007, with Sir Alec Bedser earning his a decade earlier in 1997.

Geoffrey Boycott

Rooney joins the 200 club Rooney's 35th minute goal looked to have earned Everton a surprise vict o ry at t h e Etihad Stadium before substitute Raheem Sterling volleyed in an 82nd minute equalizer.

Although he did not end as the match-winning hero, Rooney was able to savor the moment he became just the second player to reach 200 Premier League goals.

Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, who ended his career with 260 goals, welcomed Rooney to the exclusive club by tweeting: "It's been lonely in this @

premierleague 200 club.

Welcome and congratulations @WayneRooney".

"It was nice. To do it today in such an important game for us, with tough games coming up, it was a sweet moment and I am sure the red half of Manchester will have enjoyed it as well," said Rooney who scored 183 of his goals in the red shirt of United.

Rooney's move last month back to the club he has supported since his youth and where he made his professional debut, was questioned by some critics who wondered whether he might have run out of steam.

But the 31-year-old, who scored on his home debut against Stoke City last week, gave another display of clever passing and positioning as well as his trademark finishing.

"It is not bad for someone who is not fit anymore and can't get about the pitch! I have always put a shift in for the team and tonight is no different," he said.

"The manager has made it clear he wants to play me in the attacking positions. I have done that throughout my career and the thing for me is to play. I didn't play as much last year and if you don't play you don't get that match fitness," he said.

Rooney's revival in blue has raised the issue of whether he could earn a recall to Gareth Southgate's England squad ahead of next month's internationals.

"I am focusing on Everton. I am sure I will speak to Gareth Southgate over the next few days and we will see what happens," said the forward. (Reuters)

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The combined national squads

hirty-six youth players from across Guyana are encamped as part of preparations for the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) scheduled for Suriname from the 25th – 27th August, 2017.

This three-day camp, which began on the 21st August, will feature both male and female squads and will focus primarily on technical

and tactical skills.

Head Coach of the Male team, Sampson Gilbert, said this focus is necessary due to the short period of encampment. He added that it is a continuation of the work done in the various GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs) “We will then expand on this and look from an individual and

collective perspective on how the team will respond in a game situation. I expect to have a game with the GFA Senior team tomorrow…I expect the mental strength from the players and for them to inculcate what is being taught and execute same. ” Gilbert said.

Among the male team are two Goalkeepers, six Defenders, seven

The team is Midfielders and three Forwards. For the fe- scheduled to demale team, they are three Goalkeepers, five Defenders, six 1 Jervis Cumberbatch Midfielders and four 2 Hackette Simeon Forwards.

3 Jackman Cecil The Assistant Coach 4 Garrett Jeremy of the Male team is Levi 5 Padmore Kevin Braithwaite while the 6 Smith Shomol Head and Assistant 7 Eastman Marriheo Coaches of the fe8 Ritch Raushan male team are Akilah 9 Moore Orin Castello and Tricia Munroe respectively.

part on the 24th August, 2017

The male squad is: 10 Hackette Ryan 11 Dowding Ryan 12 Robertson Nixon 13 Macey Chris 14 Peters Anton 15 Haynes Shane 16 Atkinson Brandon 17 Daniels Sherral 18 Miller Lorenzo

BCB under 13 KSM Investment hands over Polo inter zone soon RHTY&SC/Kares Engineering Inc Patron Green Economy Tournament

T-shirts to 4 semi-finalists A

ll plans are in place for the successful hosting of the finals of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club/Kares Engineering Inc Patron’s Green Economy Softball Cricket Tournament. The tournament is organised in honour of the Club’s Patron and President of the Republic of Guyana David Granger’s, 72ndBirthday and to promote the effect of Climate Change to Berbicians.

The semifinals and finals of the tournament would be played on Sunday August 27, 2017, at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

Four teams would be batting for the top prize of $500,000 and the Green Economy Trophy. The four semifinalists are Jai Hind Cricket Club of Albion, Grill Master of Canje, Prophecy Boys of Port Mourant and Hard Knock of Manchester/ Ulverston. The four teams on Thursday last attended a pre-finals meeting with RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster who stressed that no form of indiscipline would be tolerated and that all of the teams are expected to be at the venue by 08:30 hrs.

Representatives of the semifinalists also received 13 coloured Polo T-shirts each which were donated by Mahadeo Panchu of KSM Investment. The teams would use the T-shirts for

“RHTY&SC, MS, Asst Secretary Simon Naidu hands over the KSM T/Shirts to the four captains

the semifinals, third place Playoff and the finals. The long serving Secretary/CEO expressed gratitude to KSM Investment for the T-shirts which would allow the four teams to be properly attired for the matches.

The semifinals would be played using the 10-Overs format, the 3rd Place Playoff would be played 15-Overs per side while the finals would be played using 20/20. The Tournament started with eighteen teams drawn from across the ancient county and was played over two weekends at the Hampshire Cricket Ground and the Area ‘H’ Ground in front of capacity crowds. All four captains at the meeting expressed confidence of copping the top prize of the largest ever cricket tournament to be organised in Berbice.

David Lukenauth of Grill Master disclosed that his

team has been working hard to be in top shape to take home the top prize while Adrian Singh of Jai Hind, Elroy Williams of Hard Knock and Chandrashakker Arjune of Prophecy Boys expressed similar confidence.

The first runner up would take home $300,000 and a Trophy, second runner up would pocket $100,000 and trophy while the fourth placed finishers would have to be contended with $50,000.

The Man of the Final will receive $50,000 and a trophy. The tournament is being sponsored by several sponsors including Kares Engineering Inc, Bakewell, KSM Investment, S Jagmohan Construction Services, and Ministry of the Presidency, Annirud Ramcharitar Construction, BK International and Regal Enterprise among others.

T

he Berbice Cricket Board has announced commencement of an Under-13 competition in the county.

The competition will be played in four zones and, in a one day, two innings format.

The four zones are; West Berbice, New Amsterdam Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne.

The Competition is aimed at targeting youths who are born on or after August 2004, and who live in the respective geographical areas.

A statement coming out of the board noted that it is the opportune time for these games, since children are available due to the summer holidays.

Chairman of Selectors for the Junior Panel of the

BCB, Leslie Solomon, is optimistic that this initiative will encourage the younger generation to start their careers early, and to develop into great cricketers like those once produced by Berbice.

Solomon is encouraging all clubs to support the competition, by submitting all eligible players to the BCB’s office at 8-5 St. Ann Street New Amsterdam or make contact via telephone number 3332375 .

The Competition will commence on Thursday August 24, 2017 and each Zone will engage in three games before points are tallied.

Cricketing Clubs in Berbice will be notified via email of all information pertaining to this Under 13 competition.

Ramdhani elected VP of CAREBACO

P

resident of the Guyana Badminton Association, Gokarn Ramdhani was elected as Vice President of the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) for the next two years 2017-2019 at the Annual General Meeting held Saturday, August 19 at the National Racket Centre in Tacarigua, Trinidad.

In a release that reached this publication yesterday, Ramdhani who is serving as Manager/Head Coach of the nine-member Guyanese team that won 8-Medals (3-Gold, 2-Silvers and 3 Bronze) at the just concluded CAREBACO Junior Championships, declared

that he is very happy that Guyanese representative can once again be on the Executive Board of CAREBACO. The release further informed that after serving for 4-years as General Secretary, he moved up to Vice President unchallenged.

The new CAREBACO Board is: President- Rahul Rampersaud (Trinidad), Vice PresidentGokarn Ramdhani (Guyana), Secretary - Navin Gayapersad (Trinidad), Treasurer- ReDon Coulor (Suriname) and Committee Members - Elius Fanus (Barbados), Andrew Clarke (Barbados), Terence Sybesma (Aruba)

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wednesdAY, AUGUST 23, 2017

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

Clinical Warriors thrash hapless Stars

BY AKEEM GREENE

T

he Guyana Amazon Warriors ended their home matches with a dominant seven-wicket victory over a miss-firing St Lucia Stars in Match 21 of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Tuesday evening at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Warriors late run at the play-offs continued to be well intact as they made light work in pursuit of 101, reaching it in 14.4 overs. For the Stars, their lights continued to get darker as they sank to their seventh loss in eight matches.

The thumping win in front of another supportive and vociferous crowd was orchestrated by tightly knit bowling led by leg-spinner Rashid Khan and then assured knocks by Man-of-the match Sohail Tanveer and Jason Mohammed.

Needing a performance quite the opposite of what they did with the bat, the Stars turned to Jerome Taylor who had the in-form Chadwick Walton out LBW with the first ball.

Tanveer, who has a new lease on life with his new role at the top of the order picked up from where he left off Sunday, having a streaky four off the bowling of Shane Shillingford, then slicing Taylor over extra-cover for another boundary.

Captain Martin Guptill produced his trademark thwack over long-off with a slight shimmy down the pitch against the pacy Taylor. However, his treacherous run of form continued when he gave a charge to Rahkeem Cornwall and was undone with a clever piece of bowling.

Despite the two quick wickets, the shots were still being rolled out as the Warriors knew the importance of not just wining, but doing so quickly.

Jason Mohammed wasted little time to get into stride as he lofted Cornwall over extra-cover for a majestic six. He continued to be fluent and pulled Mitchell McClenaghan for four through mid-wicket.

The Warriors were 41 for 2 after six overs.

Tanveer again had the ball greeting the ropes by top-edging McClenaghan for another four. Mohammed seemed to be taking a liking to Cornwall when he played the most delicate of cuts through third-man and the frequent boundaries kept coming.

The first ball after the mid-innings break, Tanveer came down the track to Shillingford and was stumped, bringing an end to

the 51-run third wicket partnership. Tanveer struck 5 fours and one six and the home-side were 73-3 in the 11th over.

Mohammed’s onslaught

at long-off to dismiss Andre Fletcher in the second over.

Next over, a combination of athletic fielding and ball awareness orchestrated an excellent run-out. Shane

Rashid Khan of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrates a dismissal during the match against St Lucia Stars at the National Stadium in Providence last evening (Getty Images)

continued, racing the Warriors to their target, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes, which meant there was little work for Gajanand Singh to do, as Mohammed tapped the final ball to mid-wicket to spark the widespread celebrations at Providence.

Sticking to the formula from Sunday night against the Barbados Tridents, Warriors inserted Stars and got two early breakthroughs. Rashid Khan took a juggling catch

Watson slashing to point, Khan produced a diving stop, after which Keemo Paul executed a direct hit to the non-strikers stump which saw the demise of Watson who was guilty of ball-watching.

Jesse Ryder, who struggled to find timing early in his innings, crunched a short one from the leg-spin of Khan through cover which saw Stars reach 26 for 2 at the end of the power play overs.

Stars continued to look dim as power-hitter Johnson Charles lacked intensity in his 22-ball 15. He paid for his

Corona Beer Invitational Football Tournament

lacklustre approach when he held out to long-on, sinking his team further into trouble at 35 for 3 in the eight over.

Ryder looked the Stars most assured batsman at the crease. He played flamboyant shots through the cover region but saw his innings come to an end via another brilliant piece of fielding

by Paul at deep mid-wicket. Ryder for an inexplicable reason wanted a second with his taped knee.

The lights got a shade darker for the Stars when Khan trapped Darren Sammy in front of wicket and then Cornwall’s wild slog was taken via diving

catch at long-off.

The abysmal performance with the bat continued as Shillingford diced one of Rayad Emrit’s cutter to cover.

A six off the last ball of the innings rounded off a huff and puff innings by the Stars which had no momentum or direction due to an absence of partnerships.

The St Lucia Stars will suit up again on Friday when they come up against the Jamaica Tallawahs, while the Warriors’ next match will be on August 29 against Tridents in Bridgetown, Barbados.

SCOREBOARD

St Lucia Stars 100/7(20.0 overs) J Charles c Permaul b Emrit 15 A Fletcher † c Khan b Permaul 1 0 S Watson * run out (Paul) J Ryder run out (Paul / Walton) 29 S Ambris Not out 15 D Sammy lbw Khan 19 R Cornwall c Guptill b Khan 10 S Shillingford c Jacobs b Emrit 2 J Taylor Not out 7 Extras (1 wd,1 lb) 2 Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) 100 Did not bat : E Leie, M McClenaghan Fall of wickets : 1-6 (A Fletcher,1.5), 2-6 (S Watson,2.1), 3-35 (J Charles,7.4), 4-47 (J Ryder,10.1), 5-73 (D Sammy,15.1), 6-87 (R Cornwall,17.5), 7-92 (S Shillingford,19.1) Bowlers: S Tanvir (4.0, 0, 22 ,0) V Permaul (4.0, 0, (4.0, 0, 16, 1) R Emrit

26,2) R Khan (4.0, 0, 19, 2) S Jacobs (4.0, 0, 16, 0)

Guyana Amazon Warriors - 101/3(14.4 overs) C Walton † lbw Taylor 0 S Tanvir st Fletcher b Shillingford 38 M Guptill * st Fletcher b Cornwall 8 J Mohammed Not out 42 G Singh Not out 8 Extras (4 wd,1 lb,) 5 Total (3 wickets, 14.4 overs) 101 Yet To Bat : A Fudadin, R Emrit, K Paul, S Jacobs, R Khan, V Permaul Fall of wickets : 1-0 (C Walton,0.1), 2-22 (M Guptill,3.2), 3-73 (S Tanvir,10.1) BOWLING J Taylor (2.0, 0, 13, 1) S Shillingford (4.0, 0, 20, 1) R Cornwall (4.0, 0, 27, 1) E Leie (3.0, 0, 24, 0) M McClenaghan (1.4,0,16,0)

Eastville top Flamingo, GFC and Western Tigers draw

By Michelangelo Jacobus

W

hen action in the Corona Beer Invitational Football Tournament con-

tinued on Monday evening at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Eastville FC scored two late goals to beat Flamingo 3-1.

In a fairly one sided

game, Eastville were clearly the superior team throughout the match and opened the scoring after only four minutes in the first half with Michael Charles goal.

The goal scorers for Eastville FC

Flamingo would equalize 23 minutes later through Carl Sanmelo who poked home a rebound after the Eastville custodian fumbled the ball in the box.

As they teams went into the halftime on level terms, the score line failed to do Eastville justice as they should have had at least a two goal advantage with their forwards failing to convert the many chances that fell their way.

In the second half Eastville continued to play positively and with just two minutes left in the game goals were scored by Travis Hercules in the 88th and Cordel Johnson in the

89th which made sure that Eastville walked away with maximum points.

The second game of the night was played out to an entertaining 1-1 draw between Beacon FC and Camptown FC. Both sides played fluid football with the respective defenses having their hands full.

Beacon would draw first blood through a spectacular Travis Lyken goal in the 7th minute but Camptown maintained their composure and stuck to the basics. They were duly rewarded when Jamal Codrington scored in the 36th minute to level scores.

The remainder of the game was a midfield battle and the game eventually petered out to a draw.

In the feature match of the night between home club GFC and Western Tigers, it was heartbreak for the former as they played well throughout the game only for Western Tigers to score in added time to equalize and draw the game.

The young GFC side played superior possession football complemented by smart, crisp passing. They were rewarded when a good team effort was finished by Benjamin Abumchi in the 16th minute to give them the lead.

GFC held on to that lead while the Tigers repeatedly tried to claw their way back into the game. Dwayne McLennon struck in the 93rd minute to draw his team level and walk away with a point.

When the competition resumes on Wednesday, Camptown FC will face Black Pearl FC at 17:00hrs while the in form Northern Rangers FC takes on Flamingo FC at 19:00hrs and Pele FC clash with Riddim Squad FC at 21:00hrs.

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