Guyanatime 11 may 2018

Kitty roundabout to be P10 opened for Independence Day

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

Issue No. 3560

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, May 11, 2018

Judicial appointments

End judicial appointments impasse – GHRA Page 3

Pirate massacre

Opposition to table motion today, expects debate Page 9

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$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Lindo Creek CoI

PPP expresses concern over conduct of P13 Inquiry – lacks faith Govt will go after crime wave political masterminds

Laing Avenue man gets 10 years for 2010 murder of P13 relative

Embattled cop back on duty as A Division Sub Divisional P14 Officer

Pirate massacre

Guyanese fashion icon Sonia Noel; veteran Journalist Francis Quamina Farrier and Professor Paloma Mohamed, University of Guyana Deputy Vice Chancellor for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement, share a moment of laughter at the launch of Noel’s four books, including Living with Intention, at the UG Education Lecture Theatre on Thursday (Carl Croker photo)

Taxi driver stabbed to death in triangular love affair

Wholesale vendors arrested

by Constabulary Officers for plying trade

Body found P9 on Number 63 Beach ID’d as missing fisherman

Page 12

Page 7

APNU/AFC 3rd anniversary

PM touts social cohesion P17 as major achievement

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Judicial appointments

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, May 11 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, May 12 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, May 11 – 13:40h-15:10h and Saturday, May 12 – 14:20h-15:50h.

End judicial appointments impasse – GHRA

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloudy skies with light rain showers can be expected in the morning hours while partly cloudy skies can be expected throughout the evening.

Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 01:25h and 13:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.32 metres and 2.37 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:22h and 19:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.89 metres and 0.79 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 02 07 17 21 22 LUCKY 3 4 6 5

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GHRA Head, McCormack Mike

By Samuel Sukhnandan

R

ecent comments made by both President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in relation to appointing a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice for the Judiciary clearly indicate that the impasse has further deepened.

Head of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Mike McCormack, is hoping that both parties would soon put aside their differences and reach a compromise.

McCormack is calling for an end to this state of affairs, as he feels the longer it takes to appoint persons in these two top positions, the longer would the quality of justice here continue to be affected.

“The essence of the appointment of the full positions as opposed to the acting is it ring-fences the individual against political influence.

You cannot be removed. And positions of (this) nature, the essence of the job requires political impartially and independence be protected,” he reminded.

The GHRA head said the same state of affairs obtained in regard to the appointment of a chairman for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“These are major appointments, as is the chairperson for the Elections Commission; but the process by which they are being selected is secretive,” he noted.

McCormack told Guyana Times on Thursday that no one has a clue about the process which President Granger used to select Justice Kenneth Benjamin for the position of Chancellor and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards for the position of Chief Justice; nor is anyone aware why they are unacceptable to the Leader of the Opposition.

The human rights activist said he supports calls made by the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) to have this matter resolved. While explaining that this matter would be of particular interest to the GBA, he said all groups should be equally concerned about sim-

ilar -- and in some cases far more important -- matters.

He was referring to issue surrounding the appointment of a Police Service Commission.

McCormack said, “The problem is (that) there is no politics in Guyana. Politics is a process of compromise and give-and-take, and getting something of what you want, and each party getting enough to stay in the game, so to speak…and you move on and keep improving compromises.

That is what politics is about.”

He contends that politics in Guyana is profoundly dysfunctional, and this, in turn, causes compromises to be seen as weaknesses.

“There is nothing as a courageous compromise, which is a contradiction in our terms of politics. There are no politics, but there are power struggles here,” he added.

The GHRA head went further, to state that Guyana has two parties, “who are beholding to the leaders, not to the people who elected them.

So there are not many points of political power that can mediate problems like this.

Everything revolves around the way two individuals relate to each other.”

On that note, McCormack said, the situation unfortunately can be resolved only by constitutional reform.

“Neither party is interested in constitutional reform, so we will have to look for a solution beyond the political parties,” he said.

“It won’t work if political parties are not behaving as political parties, and more than power groups who are

President David Granger

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

more concerned not to allow the other side any merit or advantage, regardless of the public cost of it,” Mc Cormack declared.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday drew reference to the letter he had written to President Granger since February 2018 about these appointments, when he rejected the President’s nominees. Jagdeo reminded that in his letter he had committed to continuous engagement with the President.

Asked whether he would seek to re-engage the President, Jagdeo made it clear that, as the President, Granger would have to re-initiate the discourse. He noted that he was waiting on the President to get back to him on the mode of future discourse, and stated that the proverbial ball has always been in the President’s court.

But a few days prior to Wednesday, President Granger had said there is nothing left to discuss on the matter. The Head of State had said he had looked for-

ward to a timely settlement of the appointment, which many deem critical to the effective functioning of the Judiciary, but that didn’t happen.

Granger had initially said the proverbial ball was in the court of the Leader of the Opposition. He explained that Jagdeo had rejected his candidates and had not made any counter-proposals in regard to the appointments. He, nevertheless, reminded that the decision is solely dependent on consultations with Jagdeo on these two important appointments.

Amidst the impasse between the President and the Leader of the Opposition over these appointments, the local legal fraternity has been calling for confirmation of the current two judicial heads. In fact, President of the GBA, Kamal Ramkarran, had said the fraternity supports Justices Yonette CummingsEdwards and Roxane George for the respective positions of Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice.

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

The Mae’s school fee fiasco

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or several days, the media reported on the issue about the planned 40% increase in fees at Mae's, one of the most prominent private schools in Georgetown. The administration of the school claimed that costs in general have risen, and they would wish to retain and recruit more able teachers, who would have to be paid more than the present level of salaries.

During the Presidency of LFS Burnham, all private schools were nationalised and brought under the control of the Ministry of Education. This meant that schools owned and conducted by religious organisations such as the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Hindu groups were taken over by the State. During this period of State-control, no private schools were permitted.

The State built several new school buildings, and repaired and renovated many primary schools. New educational policies were experimented with, and many older teachers were dispensed with. But during this period of full State control, the quality of education deteriorated, and parents could see only further and further deterioration into the future. There were persistent and bitter complaints from the public, but the Ministry remained unmoved.

In this milieu of poor education, at the beginning of every school year, parents desperately tried to have their children admitted to the former private schools; since it was felt, with some justification, that those schools had retained some of the traditions of the past. The anxieties and agony which parents suffered at the beginning of the school year was a scenario which no one would like to again experience. For example, the State had established the "Common Entrance" examination, which placed pupils in secondary schools dependent upon the number of their marks. This system openly admitted that there were some schools which were better than others.

When Desmond Hoyte succeeded LFS Burnham to the Presidency, the Education Policy underwent some changes, and among the most important was that private schools were again permitted to be established. Many nursery schools and a number of secondary schools were established, and Mae's was one such.

These new private schools differed in quality among themselves, and were all fee-paying.

Queen's College, President's College and Bishops’ High School were still regarded as the best schools in the country, but some of the newly established private schools came to be bracketed with them, among which was Mae's.

The better of the new private secondary schools, such as Marian Academy, Mae's and School of Nations, tended to have better results than the purely Government-controlled schools, but their fee structure could be afforded only by the affluent, or those poorer parents who were prepared to make a great sacrifice to send their children to these schools. These private secondary schools were all informed by a strong commercial motivation.

Probably the only high-grade secondary school which is not driven by a profit motive, and whose approach to education is altruistic, is the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School (SVN) at Cornelia Ida. This school was founded and administered by Swami Aksharananda, and initially catered for those pupils whose marks were so low at the Common Entrance Examination that they could not have been admitted to the Government secondary schools. The parents of such children came from among the poorer sections of society.

The Mae's fee issue has brought to the fore the many problems and difficulties which the Ministry of Education and the Government must immediately confront and begin to solve.

Such problems would include raising of the standards of both Government primary and secondary schools, so that there would be no need for parents to bear the heavy financial burdens of sending their children to private secondary schools. This present system is unwittingly harbouring elitism in education, and is emphasising class differences.

The system as is has led to the growth of a vicious privatelesson industry wherein parents are heavily burdened financially.

The parents who cannot afford private lessons find their children doing poorly, not because of any innate lack of ability of the child, but because of inadequate teaching. Solving the problem of private lessons by Government is not insuperable; Swami Aksharananda's SVN does not permit private lessons, and yet its pupils are high flyers in their examinations.

Extra-curricular activities have almost disappeared from most schools. There are no games, or clubs or cadet corps, and the children's development has become deficient. The Ministry of Education could constructively resuscitate the model of the old Queen's College before the socialist experiment. In the old Queen's, all the boys went out to the playing field at 3.00 p.m., or were in the Cadet Corps. They also participated in clubs such as photography, debating, and so on.

Would the Government and the Ministry of Education take up the challenge of reforming the Education System?

Members of the National Dance Company perform a routine at the Social Cohesion Day celebrations at the National Cultural Centre on Thursday. (Carl Croker photo)

Sadly disappointed by the silence of the Private Sector

Dear Editor, The events of the past week involving the charges laid against Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington should remove all doubts from anyone who still had doubts as to where the country is heading. The charges and handcuffing, fingerprinting and the ridiculous bail that they have been placed on, suggest that we are going down a very slippery slope to social and economic ruination.

This regime, as the earlier People’s National Congress regime, seems unable to grasp the fact that there is a direct links between the base (economics of the country) and the infrastructure (the legal system, the various institutions).

They constantly interact and affect each other.

It is clear that Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington are victims of a vindictive regime that seems intent on subverting all our institutions to persecute those perceived as being unsupportive of the Granger regime.

Much has already been said about the case. Singh and Brassington did absolutely nothing illegal nor corrupt.

In fact, in one case they sold a plot of land way above the market value. This was in the case of the Rusal sale.

The market value of that

plot of land was obtained by an open tender. It was sixteen million dollars.

It was sold for some thirty million dollars per acre.

The regime spoke about the valuation by a valuator. However, the most important determination of the market value is the market itself. That is best obtained from public bids.

Indeed, many people feel the charges are frivolous.

That is why the lawyers for those two gentlemen have taken the matter to the High Court to rule on.

The fact that the Magistrate refused to await the hearing of that case before proceeding with the charges against these gentlemen is most unfortunate and in the view of a large cross section of our population, unreasonable.

If the regime and its investigators felt that any corrupt action took place, how come none of the purchasers were questioned about the transaction?

Moreover, if they are talking about market value then they are saying that almost all of the more than one hundred thousand house lots that were sold during the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in office below market value.

Are they going to charge all those who obtained those lots which were below the market value?

Clearly, the intention of the regime is to harass people whom they felt made a major contribution to the glaring successes of successive PPP/C Administrations.

The negative attitude of the APNU/AFC to important projects of the PPP/C Government was seen from the time they obtained the one seat majority in Parliament.

They killed the Amaila Hydro Project; they halted the Specialty Hospital project; they have drastically reduced the scope of the airport project; and we recall their determined efforts to damage the financial sector of our economy by voting against the Anti-Money Laundry Bill. On taking power they have set about to destroy the sugar industry.

Now, the persecution of the people who worked hard to push these projects has begun. These actions will lead us to disaster.

In the first place, it would lead to greater brain drain. Many professionals will seek their fortunes elsewhere. They must know that today it is the PPP/C that is targeted and tomorrow it will be others. With the deprofessionalisation of the Police and other security forces and the subversion of the justice system, it is clear that that would impact on economic decisions.

Business people would re-

frain from investing and taking risks. Our economy would flounder.

As the bureaucracy grows bigger, as it is bound to do under such governance, revenues will decline, jobs would be lost, education; health and housing would be sacrificed to feed the bureaucracy and to satisfy the huge appetite of the corrupt.

Already we see the growing deficits, the depletion of our foreign currency and gold reserves. At the same time the debt is rising.

Guyana is on the road to returning to its Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) status.

We have been on this road before and we know where it is taking us.

That is why I am extremely disappointed at the deafening silence of the Private Sector.

If they feel that by staying silent they would be spared the wrath of the regime they are sadly mistaken. Life has thought us time and again that is only a matter of time when they will be consumed. No one should remain silent by these unjust and vindictive acts. Anyone who thinks he/she is safe must remember Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington.

Yours sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Guyanese have lost the right to protect and defend their lives and properties Dear Editor, There were two news items in our media that have caused serious concern and vexation in our society

– a 56-year-old contractor stabbed and killed a bandit who attacked and tried to rob him of his caged bird.

The man was brought before

the court and charged with manslaughter and placed on $250,000 bail. It was well reported in every section of the media about this man doing

everything humanly possible to escape the pursuit of his attacker whose intention was to rob and kill him.

Continued on page 5

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

Political witch-hunt not only reinforces dictatorship, it haunts us for generations Dear Editor, I stand with Dr Ashni Singh, I stand with Winston Brassington, I stand with all those who are being victimised, I stand against political victimisation. I reject the policy of belittling political opponents. I will not let apathy be my solace. I will raise my voice to say unequivocally, political victimisation is wrong.

There can be no dispute, no vacillation, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) is on a mission to harass, intimidate, embarrass, humiliate and victimise their political opponents and any citizen who dares to stand up and speak out.

The charges of public misconduct against Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington, two dedicated and distinguished Guyanese public servants, are appalling, disgusting and nauseating.

Parading them in handcuffs to dehumanise is the stuff of petty despots.

Whatever may be our differences, whatever our political affiliation, our country's freedom is far more precious than blind loyalty to a group of persons who blatantly disregard the civil liberties of citizens. We must stand up, we must speak out. Our rage must be evident, loud and unbending. Martin Niemoller, a prominent Protestant Pastor

in Germany emerged as a formidable public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in various concentration camps. He believed that decent Germans, in particular, the leaders of the Protestant churches, had been complicit through their silence in the NAZI imprisonment, prosecution and murders and genocide of people. He wrote these famous words: First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.

Niemoller's words were a lyrical manifestation of the evils of apathy, arguing that the only way to stop evil is for the moral connectedness of people. Like it was during those brutal NAZI days in Germany, so it is today in Guyana, no time for decent people to opt for silence. The right thing to do now is to band together in collective rage.

While President Granger and his Cabinet smiled with wicked glee as Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington were handcuffed and paraded through the prisoner's chute, even after they had voluntarily

entered the courtroom, clearly intending to embarrass, humiliate and dehumanise them, the majority of Guyanese people responded with absolute rage.

Far from humiliating these distinguished Guyanese public servants, the standings of Ashni and Winston were elevated among their sisters and brothers. Granger and the APNU/AFC took joy in treating Ashni Singh and Brassington as hardcore criminals, but in the eyes of a majority of Guyanese, they were heroes, holding high the badge of honour and courage.

They are criminally charged for serving their country well, for doing their jobs.

They are not charged for stealing any money or for gaining any benefits. This the prosecution has made clear. They are charged for public misconduct – the APNU/AFC claiming they could have sold government properties for higher prices. If what they are charged with has any legitimacy, there are Ministers in the present Cabinet even more guilty of public misconduct. Indeed, if these charges have any legitimacy, Carl Greenidge should be handcuffed and jailed.

One example suffices here.

Under Greenidge's tenure, Demerara Woods was sold for about US$8 million to Lord Beverbrook. Three months later, Beverbrook sold Demerara

Woods for about US$62 million and the new owner then sold it one month later for about US$74 million.

Between 1992 and 1997, Cheddi Jagan was under intense pressure to scrutinise transactions like the Demerara Woods sale. It was only one of a long list of questionable and obviously corrupt deals that also included the sale of GTT. But Cheddi Jagan insisted that we must not follow the example of pettiness and political victimisation. He agreed there were pressing concerns and valid reasons to hold his opponents accountable. But his view was that we must turn to a new page, focus on economic and social welfare needs of our people, build a fee, democratic State and reduce poverty.

Even for those who may still be strong supporters of APNU/AFC, it is time to draw a line and reject political victimisation.

While today is for people like Singh and others, we do not know whose turn it might be tomorrow. Apathy might seem like a safe thing to many, but apathy only provides encouragement for our tormenters. Remember, evil is not simply because there are evil people, but mostly because good people remain silent.

Yours sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Guyanese have lost the right to...

The instinct of fight or flight kicked in and by some stroke of luck, the elder man managed to save his own life by killing the robber. The other incident to mention is the “Pearl Store Owner” who shot and killed one of several bandits that attempted to rob him. These two incidents have two issues in common, robbery with violence with intent to kill and the right to protect one’s life.

It is noticeable for quite some time that the hard working people of this country have lost that right to protect and defend their life and property. Evidence of this loss was clearly expressed in both cases mentioned above.

These bandits are often being described as quiet church boys who were wrongfully accused whenever caught. It is heart-wrenching to hear my fellow citizens, especially women, in anguish begging the question; what have we become in this country? Are we to watch criminals take our hard earning and do nothing? Are we

to become the sitting ducks to be slaughtered by these bandits? Bandits, thieves and looters have been emboldened in recent time and with more right to ploy their criminality as seen in many instances.

Many robbery victims continue to suffer two or more times. They often cut their losses, bury their dead and bitterly struggle to continue surviving. These two men who were supposed to be commended for their bravery and courage were instead charged for manslaughter and murder respectively. Their only guilt was wanting to save their own lives.

The very law that was supposed to protect the law-abiding people of this country have clearly taken the side of criminals.

The two cases mentioned above are just examples of hundreds of other cases.

These two cases have generated some amount of fear and uneasiness to the extent that many quiet and easy-going persons screaming in anger. Where are we

heading in this country is the popular cry.

I wish every right thinking Guyanese must raise their voice against injustices meted out to these two gentlemen and all those who have suffered similar fates.

As former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte once

from page 4

said, “You have a God-given right to defend and protect your life and property against any aggressor”.

Today we have been witnessing more violations of that God-given right.

Yours sincerely, C Woolford

Residents of Festival City seek urgent relief from continued flooding of streets Dear Editor, For the last 15 years I have resided in ER Burrowes Street, Festival City, Georgetown. Over the years, residence in this area commonly experienced flooded streets after even a very short period of rainfall.

However, the situation has now worsened to the extent that both ER Burrowes and Hummingbird Street, Festival City, remain under water-longed situations after the rains have stopped. This is more severe in the eastern sections of these streets, particularly since some segments of these streets have subsided over the years.

As I write, the water level in the eastern section of ER Burrowes and Hummingbird Street is notably high. In addition to being very unsightly, the stagnant water is mossy and foul smelling. Residents traversing the area on bicycles and motor cycles many times experience serious skidding to the extent that some end up falling in the stagnant water.

Included in this group is also the postal service mail delivery staff. Given the persistent flooded streets, taxi services are known to increase their charges once the name Festival City is mentioned. Certainly, this situation is far from wholesome for the community. It has serious potential environmental health and safety implications. Additionally, it can also be quite depressing.

While we heard of many promises and public statements made to comprehensively address the issue of flooding in the Festival City community, to date, the problem remains and is actually

getting worse.

In this regard, I wish to refer to the letter writer who wrote in the January 23, 2017 issue of the Kaieteur News (letter to the Editor) pointing out to the degeneration of Festival City. Sadly, while our President talks about building wholesome communities, the degeneration of Festival City has continued. We, the residents, feel a sense of neglect by those who are in authority and in a position to address our concerns.

On May 29, 2017, for example, residents of the community dispatched a letter outlining their concerns to the Ministry of the Presidency, the Public Infrastructure Ministry, the Communities Ministry and the Georgetown City Council.

There was no response to this letter. The community has an elected representative for the area on the Georgetown City Council but given our feeling of persistent neglect, we are left to wonder what role this individual plays in community affairs.

We noted the notable improvement in drainage in central Georgetown and the consequential reduction in the impact of floods in the City.

However, in the case of Festival City, we still pray for relief from our flooding nightmare. This letter represents yet another plea to those in authority to address our concerns in a manner whereby we can experience notable relief from the situation of bad drainage and flooded streets we face as a community.

Yours truly, Rawle Edinboro Resident of Festival City

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By Jonathan Foiles, LCSW

L

uisa loved her three sons, but I wasn’t sure that they loved her back. All three were in their 20s, and they all seemed to have moved away from Chicago as soon as they could. She was lucky if they called her once a month, and they visited her rarely. To make matters worse, her mother expected her to call her at least three times a day, and she logged all of Luisa’s calls along with the duration.

She kept a list of family members with whom she was feuding, and if one of Luisa’s sons made the list she heard no end of it.

As my work with Luisa progressed I began to see possible reasons for their distance. Luisa called all of her sons’ partners names, and when I challenged this as she had no evidence, she told me that she just knew. She would occasionally visit her sons and each time she came back she recounted at least one conflict with her son’s partner over the way they treated her ‘babies’. Her sons all had hearts of gold just like her, she said. It was the family weakness.

Luisa’s mother was mostly responsible for raising her sons. For much of their childhood and adolescence she was in the throes of an addiction to crack cocaine. Now that they were adults and she had been clean for a few years she was desperate to reestablish a relationship with them, but I wasn’t sure that her feelings were reciprocated.

Mothers scorned

I thought of Luisa as I was reading Jacqueline Rose’s new book Mothers: An Essay on Love and Cruelty. Rose begins by recounting the story of Bimbo Ayelabola, a Nigerian mother who gave birth to quintuplets using the UK’s National Health Service and was pilloried by The Sun for supposedly milking the system. Similarly, in the United States Latina women are accused of

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Foundation

having ‘anchor babies,’ a slur used to denote undocumented immigrants having children in the US. These infants become citizens by virtue of their birth which also makes their mothers less likely to be deported (and enables the infant to some benefits of the social safety net). A few generations ago, when Luisa was having children, there was the supposed epidemic of ‘crack babies’, newborns already addicted to cocaine due to their mothers. The May 13, 1991 issue of Time Magazine featured a picture of a crying child with the words “Crack Kids: Their Mothers Used Drugs, and Now It’s the Children Who Suffer.” Later studies which show that the impact of maternal cocaine use on foetal development was wildly overstated, but by then the media had moved on to its next maternal scapegoat. As Rose notes, “using the agony of mothers to deflect from our awareness of human responsibility for the world has a long history.” It’s not just the media that has looked scornfully at mothers at times. In the Oedipus complex, the boy fights with his father for the right to own his mother; in the accompanying Electra complex, the girl resents her mother for not providing her with a phallus, the symbol of power and generativity. Leo Kanner, who developed the diagnosis of autism, initially believed that the disorder was caused by mothers who demonstrated a lack of warmth towards their children (“refrigerator mothers”), and the view was popularised by Bruno Bettelheim (who was later revealed to be a fraud with very little background in psychology).

Make space for all mothers

We lambast mothers whom we believe have ‘failed’ while also holding up motherhood as the pinnacle of what it means to be human. Pregnant women are supposed to glow, new mothers

are expected to overflow with love for their children, mothers of older children are expected to do everything possible to enable their children to flourish. This vision of motherhood, while true in some respects, in the long run proves to be just as stultifying as viewing mothers as a societal burden. Rose again: “the worst, most insufferable demand that so many cultures of the modern world impose on their mothers is not just the saccharine image laid across the mother in expectation of a better future, but the vast reach of historical, political and social anguish that we thereby ask a mother to nullify.”

What should we do with mothers, then? Having children can yield profound feelings of gratitude as well as moments of “I have no idea what I’m doing” terror, often at the same time.

Children can be deeply frustrating even at their best. In his landmark paper “Hate in the Counter-Transference,” Donald Winnicott lists 18 reasons why mothers might hate their babies, including “his excited love is cupboard love, so that having got what he wants he throws her away like an orange peel” and “after an awful morning with him she goes out and he smiles at a stranger who says ‘isn’t he sweet!’.”

Winnicott contends that “good enough” mothers shouldn’t pretend such feelings don’t exist, but note them and not act on them, a difficult job that most mothers perform daily.

As Mother’s Day approaches, many of our societal narratives about the role of mothers are on full display. This year let’s commit to making space for all mothers, not stigmatising them when they fall short of our ideals while also not lauding them as unimpeachable paragons of virtue. Perhaps we should admit that most mothers, our own included, share elements of both.

They are human, after all. (Excerpt from psy-

chologytoday.com)

T

he recent article in Time Magazine on the issue of “attachment parenting” is raising “mommy guilt” to an all-time high. How much mothering does my child need? Does he need me with him 24/7? Moms (and dads) naturally experience some guilt when they leave their children, whether they are going to work or to the gym. If a parent's personal history involves a physically or emotionally absent parent, this guilt increases. Is it okay for a parent to be apart from their child at times and still be a good parent?

Parenting theory supports the idea that parents gain tremendously from time apart from their family to earn a living, fulfill their goals and interests, or just having time to nurture themselves. Time away helps replenish parents. But is this separation okay for their kids? I would like to add a developmental perspective that will help parents calm down.

While there is no question that it is crucial to your child's well-being that you spend time with her so that she will grow up feeling loved and secure, your child has other developmental needs that benefit by some separateness in the relationship.

One of the major developmental tasks of early childhood is separation and individuation. The child must slowly gain the ability to function as a separate independent individual. At birth, the child experiences a symbiotic relationship or a psychological oneness with the mother. The child is totally dependent upon the mother to fulfill his every need.

Slowly, the child begins to feel more separate as she explores her fingers and toes, plays alone on a mat with her toys, sits up and even crawls away and returns to a parent. Through these activities the child learns many important lessons: I am a separate individual, I can be on my own, feel safe and manage.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

To be continued

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friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver stabbed to death in triangular love affair

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n apparent triangular love affair turned tragic on Thursday morning after a taxi driver was stabbed to death while in bed with his girlfriend at her Lot 1074 Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward home.

Dead is Claude DeJonge,

also called ‘Sonno’, 40, of Lot 915 South Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden.

DeJonge was found at about 00:10h lying motionless in a pool of blood next to the front door. He was clad in trousers and his body bore several stab wounds to

the neck, shoulder and abdomen.

Based on information received, the now dead man had shared a common law relationship with his girlfriend Tanya Samuels, 35, for approximately 11 years.

However, it is believed

Coalition LGE talks

AFC to fight for 60% of seats secured after polls …or break away from coalition, ride solo

By Michael Younge

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s the Alliance for Change (AFC) is, over the next two days, readying itself for the next round of talks with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) about contesting the upcoming Local Government polls under a united list, there are within the AFC those who are pressuring the Executive to demand that the AFC be given 60 percent of the total seats secured after the elections.

This would mean that that party would have to field 60 percent of the candidates to contest key areas across various municipalities, districts and town councils, while the APNU and its partners would have to settle for fielding just 40 percent of the candidates thereof.

“We are in the process of submitting a proposal to the negotiation team headed by Minister David Patterson, to have him seriously consider making this demand as a means of testing the sincerity and commitment of the APNU to the coalition. We didn’t get what we deserved after the last elections…but this time we are not playing games”, a senior AFC Executive told the Guyana Times on Thursday

President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in happier times

morning during an interview.

The Executive, who is not yet ready to be named publicly, said there is strong support for the position that will be articulated in the proposal, which will be shared with other party Executives in a strategic manner.

“We want them to know that we are not ploys, and that we can work together to keep the PPP out and far away from securing an outright victory, as they managed to do in key areas at the last LGE polls. It is also important to us that we send a strong signal to the PPP and their propagandists that we are not dead meat, as Khemraj had said”, this Executive member maintained.

The AFC team is officially headed by Minister Patterson, while the APNU team is headed by its General Secretary, Joseph Harmon. To avoid tension during the negotiations, both sides have agreed to keep under wraps the discussions and types of proposals which are being considered and made, until the time is right for disclosure.

But this source, who sits on the AFC Executive and is a privy to the discussions, told this newspaper that a faction in the party believes that, in the interest of transparency, members of the public and supporters of the AFC ought to know what is taking place at the negotiations.

Turn to page 10

Dead: Claude DeJonge

that the mother of two and the suspect, Corwyn Arthur also called ‘Cross eye’, 34, of Central Amelia’s Ward, shared a secret relationship, and as such, he would periodically sleep over at her house.

That relationship, Guyana Times understands, ended in December, 2017, but Arthur would still visit Samuels’s home under the pretext of being a family friend. On Wednesday evening, the suspect reportedly visited the woman’s home, where he saw DeJonge.

At the time, the suspect was smoking marijua-

na, which annoyed the now dead man, who asked him to leave the premises.

An argument erupted between the two men, but the suspect left after DeJonge summoned the Police. In retaliation, the suspected later sent threatening messages to DeJonge’s phone, informing him that he would “make his life a living hell”.

At about 00:10h on Thursday, DeJonge was in bed with his reputed wife when the suspect entered the house via a window that was left opened. Upon entry, he walked straight to the bedroom, where he confronted the now dead man.

A fight ensued between them, during which the suspect whipped out a knife and dealt the man three stabs as he shouted, “I gon kill you! I want you soul! Me gon murder you!”

Samuels started to scream, but the suspected soon turned his attention to her, saying, “Is you cause that! I want he head!

I get poison to drink when I done!”

According to information received, the suspect grabbed the woman’s hands and took her out of the house, ordering her not to tend to the injured man.

After putting up a fight, she managed to get out of the suspect’s possession and ran towards the house to check on her reputed husband.

The suspect reportedly ran away with the knife as he screamed, “I am going to drink poison!” Up to late Thursday afternoon, he was still missing.

The Police were contacted, and immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect. Checks at his home proved futile. Arthur reportedly contacted relatives and related what had taken place, declaring he was going to commit suicide.

Meanwhile, DeJonge’s body was escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. The body is presently at the Wismar Hospital Mortuary awaiting a Post Mortem. (Utamo Belle)

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friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Another suspect arraigned with murder of America Street money-changer

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acey Heyliger of Lot 42 Shell Road Kitty was on Thursday remanded to prison when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with the murder of money- changer Sean Nurse, who was gunned down along America Street in February last.

The 25-year-old Heyliger was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on February 4, 2018, while in the vicinity of America Street and Avenue of the Republic, and being armed with a firearm, he murdered money-changer Sean

Kacey Heyleger

Nurse, also called ‘Fabulous’.

Police Prosecutor Gordon

Mansfield told the court that investigations into this matter have been completed and the file is completed.

Two other men, Kerwin DaSantos and George Hope, both 22 years old, have also been charged with this murder.

The well-known money-changer, of Lot 33 Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was sitting in a chair at the corner of Avenue of the Republic and America Street when he was approached by a man armed with a handgun.

The man demanded that Nurse hand over a bag con-

taining an undisclosed sum of local and foreign currencies. Nurse resisted, and in retaliation, the bandit pulled the trigger, shooting him once to his head. Nurse collapsed, and died almost immediately.

The Police retrieved a spent 9mm shell at the scene, and questioned several persons, who gave a description of the shooter. At the time of the shooting incident, the suspect was reportedly clad in a red hoodie and a pair of brown trousers.

Heyliger will make his next court appearance on May 21.

Head in bucket case

Friendship man found guilty of killing wife – for sentencing on June 4

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n emotionless Vindra Siriram was late Thursday found guilty of unlawfully killing his 25-year-old reputed wife Shelly-Ann Persaud, whose head was found submerged in a five-gallon bucket of water on June 10, 2014 at their Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

The verdict was handed down at the High Court in Georgetown just after sunset.

By a jury proportion of 10-2, Siriram was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter.

In the minutes after the verdict was announced, Siriram stood expressionless in the prison’s dock. However, he lightly exhaled before he was allowed to take his seat.

The presiding judge, Justice James Bovell-Drakes, had summed up the case several hours prior, detailing the recollection of witnesses and directions of law.

The case was heard for over one month. In the end, the jury took the standard two hours to make its determina-

tion. However, Siriram could not be sentenced on Thursday, because his attorney, Damian Da Silva, requested the presentation of a probation report. As such, Justice BovellDrakes adjourned the matter to June 4, when Siriram is expected to hear his term of imprisonment.

It was stated that Siriram and Persaud were heard arguing prior to the woman’s death. The couple’s daughter testified to this on the witness stand. Siriram had claimed that on the morning of June 10, he had awoken to find his wife in the submerged position, and had immediately called out to a neighbour.

He had also stated that on the Monday before the murder, after work, the bus had stopped at Herstelling, EBD, where he and some co-workers had imbibed at a rum shop before leaving at around 19:00h. Siriram had also stated that after he had reached home, an argument had erupted between him and his wife, during which he had been hit to the wrist.

Deceased: Shelly-Ann Persaud

He added that after his daughter had parted them, he had gone and “get knockout”, and had awoken around 02:00h the following day, when he had allegedly found his wife lying face down in the bucket before he called out to those nearby.

The jury, however, disbelieved this story, and considered that Siriram was drunk when he committed the criminal act. A post-mortem examination revealed that Persaud died as a result of drowning and manual strangulation.

Guilty: Wife killer Vindra Siriram

The pathologist had testified that there were marks of violence about the body and signs of compression as if someone had forced her head down in the bucket.

Persaud had been the mother of Siriram’s three children, and had even dropped out of school during their relationship, which had begun in her teenage years.

The State was represented by Seeta Bishundial and Shawnette Austin. (Shemuel Fanfair)

Gardener remanded for robbing, wounding elderly couple

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ason Jupiter, a 24-year-old gardener, was on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared in her court to answer to a robbery-under-arms charge and two counts of discharging a loaded firearm.

It is alleged that on March 2, 2018, while at

Laing Avenue, Georgetown, Jupiter discharge a loaded firearm at Randy Sampson with intent to murder him.

It is also alleged that on April 2, 2018, while at Saffron Street, Georgetown, Jupiter discharged a loaded firearm at Dodnauth Danasri with intent to cause Danasri actual bodily harm.

It is further alleged that

on April 3, 2018, he robbed Hardai Danasri of $150,000 cash before making good his escape on a bicycle.

The Danasris, an elderly couple of Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, were attacked and robbed by four bandits on bicycles as they were plying their trade at the La Penitence Market.

After carting off more than

$150,000, the men fired shots at the couple, one of which managed to graze Doodnauth to his head.

The gunmen managed to escape, but Jupiter was later apprehended. The others are still on the run.

The matter has been adjourned until June 1, 2018 for report.

Teen, taxi driver arraigned for $5M cannabis bust

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teenager who is presently sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and a taxi driver were on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after they were arraigned in her court charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Michael Bascom, 41, of Phase One, Linden Housing Scheme, and 18-year-old

Reva Bovell of Obama Drive, Linden pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them.

The Police state that on May 9, on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, they had in their possession 11.832 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

In an application for bail, Attorney-at-Law Clyde Forde told the court that his teenage client is scheduled

to complete her Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams in June.

Forde added that, on the day in question, Bovell entered Bascom’s taxi at Obama Drive in Linden with nothing but her purse.

However, the vehicle was intercepted at the Soesdyke junction by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), and the narcotics were found in the car, and not in his client’s pos-

session.

Bascom, however, was not represented.

CANU prosecutor Kunyo Sandiford informed the court that there are oral and written caution statements made by the defendants that link them to the drugs.

Sandiford objected to bail being granted either defendant, citing the seriousness of the matter. The matter has been adjourned to May 24.

Development…

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…and land conundrum our Eyewitness is still trying to wrap his head around these charges the PNC-led Government – via their proxy, SOCU – has brought (and will bring, according to their Chronic) against ex-Finance Minister Singh and ex-NICIL head Brassington. Now, after all the accusations that were hurled against them, and the rest of the PPP officials when in office -- about “billions and billions siphoned off” from the Government’s coffers -- he’s trying to figure how exactly the “siphoning off” occurred in the land transactions cited.

So your Eyewitness will state, as clearly as he can, his understanding of what the Govt/SOCU might be claiming to get this CRIMINAL charge of “misconduct in public officials” to stick. The lands were either valued by an appraiser much higher than the selling price – or else there was no valuation done to provide a baseline. But are they also saying the difference between the two sets of FIGURES was “siphoned off” into the pockets of the two ex-officials??

In a word, were there some under-the-table payoffs made by the purchasers of the lands to the accused?

That’s what partisans of the Government believe, going by their comments on blogs and social media – not to mention columns in the Muckraker. But if that’s the case, how come the transactions to MovieTown and Deripaska are cited and not the ones to Giftland and GBTI for their HQ??

The latter were sold for just as much less than their valuations as the former. By their differential treatment of the two identical sets of transactions, are they signalling no “siphoning off” occurred in the latter??

This would then suggest that the Govt/SOCU have a paper trail (electronic or otherwise) on the “siphoned funds” into the pockets of the two ex-officials. But the Govt/SOCU haven’t even SUGGESTED such a trail to Singh and Brassington. And believe your Eyewitness – they would’ve been screaming from the rooftops if they even had a hint!

If no “smoking bank deposits” exist, then the charges can only be justified by claiming the “opportunity costs” of the difference between the valuations and the selling prices lost to the Government were done in such an egregious manner that would lead to CRIMINAL culpability of the two individuals now in the docks!! But if that’s the case, then all of the “undervalued” land sold by the previous Government -- and THIS PNC ONE -should lead to criminal charges of “misconduct in public officials”!!

Weren’t all of the land sold for the industrial estates, housing drives, and to attract FGI sold at below their “market values” – even going by infrastructural costs expended?

But it’s all about spite and bile, isn’t it? …or underdevelopment of rice??

The Chronic’s bigging up PM Nagamootoo for the Mexican paddy market opened up after he happened to be attending a meeting in that country when his Government lost the Venezuelan market. Now, nothing is wrong with this playing to the political gallery.

Nagamootoo, after all, is fighting desperately for political relevance post-2020!!

But what’s criminal (misconduct?) is the point sought to be made: that the rice industry’s doing better than ever! They would want us to forget that RICE production passed 600,000 tonnes way back in 2014, and no matter how they slice it, dice it, or puree it, the prices then – buoyed by Venezuela absorbing more than one-third of that - were almost DOUBLE the present prices.

This present boasting isn’t only unfair to the poor paddy farmers and the rest of the RICE industry, but destructive to future prospects for the viability of the industry. Most farmers still eke out a living on five acres or less, and if prices aren’t improved, they’ll be doomed.

Like their cohorts in sugar. Is that the plan? …and EU? President Granger missed the opportunity to remind the EU Ambassador that unilateral scrapping of the Sugar Protocol doesn’t augur well for the ACP negotiations in 2010.

But then he’s also a unilateralist!!

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

News

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friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pirate massacre

Opposition to table motion today, expects debate

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ome three weeks after Guyanese fishermen came under attack on the high seas in Surinamese waters, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will be seeking at today’s sitting of the National Assembly to adjourn its scheduled agenda to deal with what it says is a matter of “definite urgent public importance.”

In a statement to the press on Thursday, the Party said it submitted the motion in the name of parliamentarians, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Harry Gill.

Additionally, the Opposition has also submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly, a Private Member's Motion calling for the re-establishment of the Labour Ministry, with the expectation that this motion too is debated at today’s sitting.

With regards to the ‘Motion of Adjournment on a Matter of Definite Urgent Public Importance’, the parliamentary Opposition outlined that four boats with 20 fishermen, most of whom were Guyanese, were attacked in a most horrific and violent manner on Friday, April 27, 2018 by pirates off the coast of the Republic of Suriname leaving 12 missing, 5 survivors and three bodies found thus far; and less than a week later another boat with Guyanese fishermen was also attacked by pirates in the Republic of Suriname leading to one dead and four missing.

It further detailed that the families of the fishermen in Guyana met Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and MP Anil Nandlall interacting with families of the victims and concerned fishermen in Suriname

subsequently travelled to Suriname to meet with families and survivors of these piracy attacks, and, the Guyanese Community, in Suriname.

The motion added that those families and the survivors have explained in great detail the horrors they have endured at the hands of criminals and expressed great fears that these atrocities will be repeated unless the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.

The Opposition said in the motion that these attacks were not merely robberies, murders and acts of piracy but the very cruel and inhumane manner by which they were executed; these should be treated as acts of terrorism requiring the application of the full force of the law to bring the perpetrators to justice by both Governments.

It added too that the families and communities of the victims, and, fishermen in general, have been deeply traumatised and severely aggrieved by the lack of empathy, information, and action

by Government officials in the last two weeks.

On this note, the PPP/C Opposition is calling the Guyana Government to informs the National Assembly of the actions which have been taken in respect of this horrendous human tragedy, thus far.

They also want to know what actions the State intends to take, in relation to, “…the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of these horrific acts and the intellectual authors, thereof; the measures put in place or to be put in place designed to create a safe environment for fishermen to continue to ply their trade at sea; and what form of financial assistance, if any, is being or will be offered to the families of the victims, as well as, the owners of the fishing vessels, engines, seine and equipment which have been damaged, destroyed or lost.

The Opposition also wants to know, “…what form of enhanced collaboration, if any, is being pursued with the Government of the Republic of Suriname to patrol and monitor the waters, inclusive by air, and including, the installation of Global

Positioning Systems (GPS) or similar technological apparatus on licensed fishing vessels… (and) what mechanisms, if any, have been put in place to ensure that when reports are made to the law enforcement authorities in Suriname and Guyana, they are treated seriously, confidentially and with dispatch.”

The coalition Government is also being called upon to State in the National Assembly, what enhanced role is being played by the Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname, to represent, facilitate and ren-

der assistance to these traumatised families and victims, in particular assisting with access to the Surinamese authorities with regards to law enforcement, health care, immigration and release of the bodies for burial, and further issues which affect the interest and welfare of all Guyanese either residing or working in the Republic of Suriname.

The motion further detailed that “…be it further resolved that if the Government of Guyana has not yet acted upon the issues articulated above that

this National Assembly urges them to do so with every convenient speed… (and) be it further resolved that this National Assembly urges the Government of Guyana to utilise the provisions in the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Piracy Act to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

At a press conference on Wednesday, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan updated the local media on his visit to the neighbouring nation during which he addressed most of the issues the Opposition are enquiring about.

Pirate massacre

Body found on Number 63 Beach ID’d as missing fisherman

Gavin Outar

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decomposed body found on the Number 63 Beach, Corentyne, on Thursday has been identified as that of Gavin Outar, one of the fishermen killed during the recent pirate attacks in Surinamese waters,

local media has reported.

The body, which was found by fishermen, was identified by relatives by the tattoo on the chest. It is currently at the Skeldon Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Currently, law enforce- The decomposed body of Gavin Outar ment in Suriname have seas before chopping and more than a dozen persons tossing them overboard. in custody, including two al- Thus far, there have been leged suspects identified by five survivors and four bodsurvivors – “Crackhead” ies recovered while 11 fishand “Dick” – who attacked ermen are still missing.

20 fishermen on the high

10 news Kitty roundabout to be opened for Independence Day friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Project Supervisor Sherod Parkinson along with WSG Design Engineers Imran Baksh and Jorge Linton at Thursday’s press conference

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s there continues to be mixed reactions by road users over the Kitty roundabout road project, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has embarked on a sensitisation campaign to educate motorist on the correct use of the facility ahead of its opening.

During a press conference on Thursday at the Ministry’s Wright Lane office, Project Engineer Sherod Parkinson disclosed that the project is near completion and the Ministry is looking at an opening and commissioning before Independence Day. Further updating the media on the project, Parkinson said the project is about 95 per cent complete, with the only things left to do are the road markings and the installation of the road signs.

This, barring any unforeseen barriers, should be completed within the next week and a half, he added.

The Project Manager went on to praise the performance of the contrac-

tor, S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Constructing Services, in getting the roundabout completed ahead of the June deadline.

“The work started on time, it was executed in a manner above, what we would call the norm in Guyana, and because of the diligence of the contractor and the fact that he committed the resources necessary for project, we were able to get the project completed a month and a half before the schedule,” he stated.

Meanwhile, as preparations are ongoing to have the finishing touches done, the Ministry has embarked on educating motorists and the general public about the correct use of the roundabout.

“Currently we’re in the process of creating an animation that will outline the movements… We also have an e-brochure up right now that are showing the movements and these will also be printed,” MPI Public Relations Officer, Desilon Daniels, revealed.

She went on to note too that the Public Infrastructure Ministry has also been in contact with the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) to further sensitise the public on the use of the facility.

“We’re partnering with all the stakeholders to also get this information out to members of the public on how they could use the roundabout and how they can benefit from it in a most optimum way. So we are going through a public awareness campaign and much of it is going to be continuously rolled out leading up to the opening and beyond that,” Daniels explained.

The $78.9 million project saw the construction of the circulatory lanes, a truck apron, and central island.

According to Parkinson, while some concepts had been floated around initially, there has not been any decision as to what the central island would be used for but he suspects it would be

something with an aesthetic appeal.

During the press conference, two engineers – Imran Baksh and Jorge Linton – attached to the Ministry’s Work Services Group (WSG) who designed the project, explained the rationale behind removing the traditional traffic signal interaction, replacing it with a modern round-about and the correct usage of the facility.

The roundabout is expected to reduce waiting and stoppage time for motorists heading to the East Coast of Demerara and those using Carifesta Avenue, Vlissengen Road, and the Kitty Public Road, which will in turn reduce fuel consumption.

When completed, the flow of traffic in the area is expected to significantly im-

The Kitty Roundabout

prove by 30 seconds since vehicles heading to the East Coast of Demerara and those using Carifesta Avenue, Vlissengen Road, and the Kitty Public Road will no longer have to stop and wait on the traffic light to change, even when no vehicles are in the way.

Other benefits of the roundabout are fewer collisions, which is more prevalent with signal intersections, and the severity of those collisions, of which one of the caused is speeding. The speed limit on the roundabout is 30 kilo meters per hour.

AFC to fight for 60...

“The mood is that party members do not want them to make a decision that is binding for all of them…they want to understand the terms and conditions properly. They want it discussed and voted on before any agreement is reached…cause this won’t go down like in 2015…it’s either they give us more seats and more power, or we will walk away and go solo,” the Executive maintained.

Meanwhile, the coalition, in a brief statement on Wednesday evening, said it discussed at its Monday meeting “several national issues

that required urgent attention, including arriving at an agreement for contesting Local Government Elections and Constitutional Reform”.

“The meeting was conducted in an atmosphere of the highest cordiality, and was most productive. This process will continue in earnest in the coming weeks. The coalition partners have agreed to release joint statements at appropriate times”, the statement ended.

The meeting took place on Monday afternoon following insistence of the Alliance For Change and the dispatch

From page 7

of several pieces of legislation between the two coalition partners.

The talks between the AFC and APU come on the heels of the first partner issuing an ultimatum last week to discuss several key issues before a formal decision is made by the AFC to coalesce for the polls.

On May 1, the AFC gave President David Granger fourteen days for the meeting to take place, after its executives had raised concerns about neglect, disrespect, and unfair treatment from APNU.

S RAIGHT Where is the digital nation you promised, Mr Granger?

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he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) promised to provide “a comprehensive threeyear master plan which would be carefully crafted by globally respected experts in their respective fields to help prepare Guyana for that exciting transformation from a mostly commodities-driven economy to a fully-fledged and respected player in the International Digital Economy.” They called it “Digital Nation”. Where is this Digital Nation? Or was this another of President David Granger’s empty promises in an attempt to fool the youths in 2015?

At the world’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain that ended on March 1, 2018, we heard about transforming networks for 5G. Guyana is still living with 3G HSPA+ networks, which they market as 4G. So it is all a gimmick in Guyana, this whole concept of a Digital Nation.

Let me be clear, the two main carriers did market 4G some 30 months ago but after talking to several technicians living in Guyana, they have confirmed that the mobile signal is not consistent and you are more likely to benefit from 3G with the illusion of 4G. For us to understand the difference, what is 4G and 3G on the mobile platform?

3G vs 4G To be advertised as 3G, a network is required to meet technical standards for speed and reliability. According to the OpenSignal Report, the average connection speed for 3G mobile phones is 4.1 Mbps. 4G, on the other hand, are designed to deliver theoretically higher connection speed but the global average is around 16.9 Mbps.

This should not take away from the fact that the top five countries are far outperforming the rest of the world. Singapore has an average connection speed for their 4G mobile phones of 44.31 Mbps and it is available 84.43 per cent of the time. They are closely followed by South Korea with an average connection speed for their 4G mobile phones of 40.44 Mbps that is available 97.49 per cent of the time.

The other countries that are offering over 40 Mbps are Norway and Holland. Where is Guyana?

According to that report, Guyana offers 4G with an average connection speed of 12 Mbps but it is only available about 33.13 per cent of the time, with the remaining time covered by 3G connections.

This is possible because the newer generations 4G ready phones are designed to be backward compatible to communicate through a 3G if the 4G networks fail. This is what happens in Guyana for 66.87 per cent of the time, an expensive 4G compatible phone is communicating using a 3G network; the Mercedes Benz being pulled by the proverbial donkey.= It makes no sense to pay for 4G services but two-thirds of the time you are stuck on a 3G network. Isn’t this the definition of fraud? The Public Telecommunication Ministry is failing the nation badly on this front. Why after three years and all these promises, we have still not broken the monopoly and leveraged the investment opportunities from that development? It was Granger who promised in his first 100 days to liberalise the “Telecommunications and ICT sectors”.

NOT DONE Mr Granger!

Granger told us on page 32 of his 2015 manifesto that he will take public policy measures to enhance the “legal and regulatory framework to create an environment that recognises that ICTs are now tradable and that the ICT sector (including telecommunications) must be organised along competitive lines to ensure growth and development within the sector and the economy as a whole.” All bunkum if not backed by action. Just look at the Government website and you find that they are "committed to promoting and implementing Government’s vision of establishing ICT as a fundamental pillar of Guyana’s developmental agenda, creating a digital government, and increasing broadband and Internet connectivity throughout the country in the transformation of Guyana.” AND? Where are the deliverables? Where are the investments in new technology to drive the ICT sector? Where is the real tangible action toward rolling out a digital government? Where are the increases in Internet and wireless connectivity? Why is Guyana only benefiting from 4G only one-third of the time and only at special locations? And what about the APNU/AFC promise of “establishing adequate computer labs and Information Technology and training in every school”. Yet another unfulfilled Granger promise? As one drill down into the actions and promises of this Granger-led People’s National Congress Government, you find more and more they are experts at saying things that are demonstrably false. There is a pattern here and we must quickly expose and depose these low-class BULLCRAP artists before they further destroy the nation.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 news

friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wholesale vendors arrested by Constabulary Officers for plying trade

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lmost 30 wholesale vendors were on Thursday afternoon arrested by City Constabulary officers and placed on station bail for allegedly attempting to ply their trades in the vicinity of Robb and Alexander Streets, Bourda, Georgetown.

At the scene on Thursday, family members of the arrested merchants, who are also vendors, stood out in their numbers and told media operatives that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is stifling their means of earning an honest income.

“The Revenue [officer] come collect the money. I already done pay to sell in the car. The Constable them come now and seh no selling… A whole gang of them gone in inside. Wa you

gon do with the load? We done pay to sell,” one of the merchants identified as “Natasha” told Guyana Times.

This newspaper understands the vendors were given permission by the M&CC to ply their trades along Robb Street, Bourda, for three hours a day, with the cut off point for them at the location being 15:00h.

As such, they are ordered to pay a sum of $1000 to $1500 on a daily basis.

“The three hour vary from when you come. That’s what City Hall tell we but they [Constabulary Officer] now come with different rules,” another irate vendor explained.

According to him, they were told on Thursday that the three hours commenced from 07:00h which indicated that their sell-

Some of the produce that the vendors were unable to sell

ing period would conclude at 10:00h.

However, the wholesale vendors complained that the logic behind the time set is severely flawed and hinders them from achieving their maximum sales which leads to a signifi-

cant loss in their produce.

“I come from till a Berbice and is eschalot and celery we bringing down. The eschalot and celery can’t reach here fuh 7 ‘o’clock. The only way it can reach is if we bring it a night before and we can’t do

that because it gon spoil. Is perishable items we does sell,” a merchant explained.

Another vendor, who identified herself as a single mother, was almost in tears as she explained that she is running out of options to provide a daily bread for her family.

“My kids going to school…

I buy and sell load [vegetables]. I take greens from the farmers. You does bring the load and you does have to sell it [because] when you go home, farmers look forward for their money,” she said.

The vendors called on Town Clerk Royston King to engage them to better understand their day to day plights, giving him a more sympathetic view when it came to the council making rules which would adversely affect the merchants.

They recalled that Government had urged them to plant more and to invest in farming; however, according to the vendors, the advice is of no use if they are being hindered constantly from selling their goods.

Meanwhile, at the Bourda Police Outpost, a large group of vendors were seen seated on the bench inside.

When this publication enquired as to which officer could provide information as to why the merchants had been arrested, the news entity was immediately snubbed.

Moreover, the female constables were heard screaming and shouting at the relatives of the vendors who had been apprehended, ordering them to leave the outpost.

Also witnessing this was City Councillor Bishram

Kuppen who expressed his belief that the vendors’ arrests seem to be racially instigated.

“When we came here, apparently there were about 20 vendors that were arrested. They are all of one ethnic background. They’re all [East] Indian vendors. Now I’m wondering why there are only these [East] Indian people that are being arrested…The people are just trying to make a living here and I don’t understand why they’re hassling them…

Some of these people cannot afford to pay bail and they’re crying inside there,” he said.

He also criticised the inappropriate behaviour of the City Constabulary officers.

When contact was made with Royston King regarding the issue, he explained that he had not received an official report on the matter.

However, he said in prior instances, the M&CC had being experiencing some problems with the wholesale vendors who were attempting to extend their activities beyond the three-hour limit.

“In so doing, they were influencing in a very negative way, the flow of business in our [nearby] markets. In particular, the Bourda Green area,” King explained.

King further noted that he has had several meetings with the vendors “and we had tried to persuade them to abide by the time given to them by the Clerk of Markets so that all of the vendors who are involved in making a living would be given an opportunity to do so.”

As such, he posited that action had to be taken to bring some order.

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friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lindo Creek CoI

Laing Avenue man gets 10 years PPP expresses concern for 2010 murder of relative

over conduct of Inquiry – lacks faith Govt will go after crime wave political masterminds

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is of the view that the conduct of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is reminiscent of a commission hell bent on achieving a particular outcome – one which points the finger to the armed forces.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Jagdeo expressed concern over what he said was the slant the CoI was taking. Jagdeo pointed to the manner in which witnesses are being cross-examined: as though the testimony must fit a particular narrative.

He noted that this happens “if they give anything contrary to that narrative, which is that the Army massacred people at Lindo Creek; that is what this Government is trying to prove that our Army massacred people, which is patently false. And I’m sure our soldiers are taking note of this, what they’re trying to do.”

According to Jagdeo, facts are being revealed about a caution statement from a gang member. He noted that this statement pointed out something he and the Party already knew, as to the culprit being the Rondell “Fine Man” Rawlins gang.

“We’ve called on this President to do a CoI that has a comprehensive Terms of Reference that starts off with the escape of these prisoners, what role the political players played in helping them to settle in a community that they took over and terrorised. But particularly (find out) the role of political players and the subsequent massacres and how they got weapons,” Jagdeo said.

“We saw some of the GDF weapons that surfaced, that

Special Superintendent of Police, Trevor Reid reading Dwayne Williams’ statement

they were using. But they also had weapons from the past, that the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry showed that were given by the PNC, over 100 weapons that resurfaced in the crime wave in 2002. I would like him to look at all of that.”

Some time between June 12, 2008, and June 24, 2008, miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry, and Nigel Torres were shot dead, and their bodies burnt at the Upper Berbice River mining camp, which was being operated by Leonard Arokium.

The Lindo Creek CoI is the first of what the coalition Government has said would be a series of inquiries into the hundreds of killings, which occurred during a crime wave that began in 2002. The CoI was established to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the killings of eight miners and to report its findings and recommendations to President David Granger.

At the time, a high-profile Joint Services team was deployed to the Lindo Creek area to hunt the members of the “Fine Man” gang. Last

month, five members of the Joint Services team were privately interviewed by retired Justice Donald Trotman, the CoI Chairman.

Lieutenants Lloyd Souvineer, Sheldon Howell, and Omar Khan and retired Army Officer Fitzroy Warde were among the men who appeared before Justice Trotman for the interview, which determined whether they would have to reappear to provide public testimony.

The men had been sought by the CoI and were subsequently made available by the Guyana Defence Force after they received a letter and public notices were published in the daily newspapers.

Only on Tuesday, the Commission heard that a then 15-year-old member of the notorious “Fine Man” gang told Police investigators that the gang was responsible for murdering the eight men at their mining camp.

Dwayne Williams, who is now 25 years old and currently on remand for several murders, in July 2008 told investigators that they (the gang) had escaped the Police in the Ituni area where Otis “Mud Up” Fifee was killed.

L

loyd Greene of Lot 140 Laing Avenue, Georgetown who was on remand for the past nine years for the murder of Earl France has finally pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter on Thursday in the High Court.

For his admission of having caused the man’s fatal stabbing on April 26, 2009 at Laing Avenue, Greene was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Justice Sandhill Kissoon.

The 40-year-old labourer who has battled mental illness was deemed fit to stand trial. In computing Greene’s sentence, Justice Kissoon considered the time Greene spent awaiting trial, his guilty plea and the fact that he showed remorse among other things.

According to reports, the accused had gone through

Lloyd Greene

four Preliminary Inquiries (PIs) before he was committed to stand trial at the High Court by Georgetown Magistrate Dylon Bess in May 2014.

His Attorney, Adrian Thompson told Justice Kissoon that the amount of time his client spent awaiting trial was unreasonable.

He also highlighted that Greene was raised by his mother since his father was not around and as such, requested the court’s mercy.

According to the facts presented by State Prosecutor Lisa Cave, the now deceased man was visiting his cousin at Laing Avenue when the mother of France’s three children took the young children to visit him.

Some time later, France and Greene had a fight which resulted in France being stabbed in the left side of his chest. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination gave his cause of death as shock and haemorrhage owing to stab wounds to the heart. Greene was said to be 24 years old at the time of his demise.

Man admits to drunk driving, fined $7500

M

ark Bess appeared before Wales Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool and was fined $7500 for driving while being over the prescribed limit for alcohol consumption. The first-time offend-

er admitted that on May 3, 2018 at Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD), he drove a private motor car while being in a drunken state. Police found his breath alcohol level to be

125 micrograms. During his appearance at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Bess’s licence was endorsed. He was also given an ultimatum to pay the fine or spend one week in jail.

14 News

friDAY, may 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Embattled cop back on duty as A Division Sub Divisional Officer A

lthough departmental charges were recommended against him after he was caught smuggling alcohol, Deputy Superintendent Motie Dookie has resumed full duties with acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine defending the decision.

The former Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Unit Commander was busted back in December during a routine roadblock on the Corentyne, smuggling some 30 cases of Johnny Walker whisky into the country from neighbouring Suriname.

He has since been removed as SWAT Commander and was temporarily posted at the Force’s Strategic Planning Unit doing a desk job. However, it was revealed that Dookie

is now the Number Two Sub-Division Officer of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara).

In defending the move, Ramnarine explained that while all the processes available to the Force’s administration were adhered to regarding Dookie’s case, the organisation could not have afforded to keep the former SWAT boss confined to “four walls”, given that the hierarchy of the country’s premier law enforcement agency is suffering.

The acting Top Cop pointed out that the Force has lost 15 senior officers in the past two and a half years to retirement, while about five to seven senior officers from the rank of Superintendent up are currently on lengthy outstanding annual vacation leave.

On this note, he add-

Acting Top Cop David Ramnarine

ed that after the embattled Deputy Superintendent’s circumstances were reviewed, it was found that he has some 100-plus days of annual leave outstanding as well, hence a decision was taken to have him proceed on leave, which he agreed to.

“He is entitled to due process, a part (of which) has been completed…

Dookie being a Deputy Superintendent of Police, therefore, in the circumstances which the Force has to be superintended on a daily basis, couldn’t find himself anymore in four walls… And so on his return, he was sent to A Division to perform duties in uniform – general duties…,” Ramnarine stated.

With regard to the smuggling case, the acting Police Commissioner told reporters during the press briefing that the Force’s administration has completed its work and departmental charges were recommended. That file has been sent to the Police Service Commission for further action. However, with the Service Commission not op-

Deputy Superintendent Motie Dookie

erational since the life of the body expired last year and a new one was yet to be appointed, no further action has been taken.

“When the Service Commission is reconstituted, another course of action may follow which may necessarily see the matter, depending on the course of action taken by the new Service Commission, return to the Police Force,” Ramnarine stated.

Dookie’s resumption of duties comes months after President David Granger

told the Annual Police Officers’ Conference earlier this year that the practice of transferring and demoting rogue elements will not bring an end to the scourge of corruption within the Force.

The Head of State’s comment at the time was in relation to Dookie’s temporary transfer to the Force’s Strategic Unit. He had said that corruption within the law enforcement agency could not be cured by ignoring it.

“Dookie’s law teaches that if corruption is concealed, it will continue.

Transferring a corrupt officer from one branch to another, or posting him from one Division to another, or promoting him, or demoting him from one rank to another, cannot guarantee he will change his wicked ways,” the President had stated.

He went on to say that senior officers turning a blind eye to corruption put the lives of not only honest Police ranks on the line but those of the public as well.

Duo arrested with illegal gun, ammo

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olice ranks in Georgetown have arrested two males after they were found in possession of an unlicensed weapon.

The discovery was made around 20:00h on Wednesday in Campbellville, Georgetown.

According to Police reports, the ranks were on a mobile patrol on Dennis Street when they observed the two males, each riding a bicycle, acting in a suspicious manner.

The officers decided to stop and search the men and during the process, one of them was found in possession of an unlicensed .380 pistol with six live rounds.

Both suspects, a 32-year-old resident of Campbellville, Georgetown, and a 21-yearold resident of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, were arrested and taken into Police custody.

The men are being processed for court as they assist with further investigations.

In the monthly statistics at the end of February 2018, the Guyana Police Force reported that some 24 illegal firearms were taken off the streets to date, compared to 22 for the corresponding period last year.

These include: 15 pistols, four revolvers, four shotguns, and one sub-machine gun. Moreover, 15 of these weapons were found in A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara); four in B Division (Berbice); one in C Division (East Coast Demerara) and two each in F (Interior Locations) and G (Linden-Kwakwani) Divisions. No unlicensed weapons were found in D (West Demerara) and E (Essequibo Coast and Islands) Divisions during that period.

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friDAY, may 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Health communication critical in preventing disease outbreaks – Minister Cummings

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ealth communication is an important undertaking that can significantly assist Guyana with steering clear from any detrimental disease outbreaks and also foster healthy lifestyles for all.

This was stated by Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Karen Cummings, who noted that the Ministry is working towards developing the method in which useful health information is disseminated to the Guyanese public, while also trying to renew primary health care.

“Health communication is an essential component of any public health programme. This vital component provides a vehicle for the transmission of mes-

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Karen Cummings

sages to targeted audiences on a number of issues that can result in the creation of health awareness and the development of the embry-

onic stages of health literacy,” Cummings stated.

“Sustained strategically targeted health communication, can in great measure, avert an outbreak or crisis if it is carefully constructed and disseminated to its intended targeted audiences in a timely fashion.

Knowing who, what, when, where, why and how to communicate are timeless fundamental pillars on which we must base our strategic communication activities,” she added.

While addressing the communication barrier between the Ministry and the public, Minister Cummings highlighted that the internal structure that deals with the diffusion of information must be modified,

since the effective external communication must be created at its source.

“In order to have effective external communication, we must first enhance the way we communicate with ourselves. It is imperative, that with a high degree of seriousness and collective responsibility, we address our internal communication mechanisms. The manner in which we engage in our internal communication will certainly result in a more informed and empowered workforce which will ultimately drive the work of the Ministry with vigorous enthusiasm and commitment,” the Minister explained.

She also related that the crisis communication plan-

ning is an initiative which is on the Ministry’s agenda in order to target any outbreaks or other emergencies before it leads to catastrophic damages.

“In the effect of a crisis, we must be responsive. We must have in place, guidelines for effective communication during a crisis. Crisis communication planning can help us deal effectively with those unexpected disasters, emergencies or other unusual events that may cause unfavourable publicity for the Ministry.”

For this to materialise, poor message construction must be a thing of the past and information must be professionally processed for it to be received well by the public.

“Apart from being a blemish on the Ministry’s image and demonstrating a breach of professionalism, poor message construction can also have far reaching effects as it could mislead recipients and result in harmful and adverse outcomes. Effective health promotion activities will contribute significantly to a more informed and healthier citizenry. ” These mechanisms that the Ministry is currently engaged in will ensure that negative feedbacks are not generated by the public and will also result in the public being educated and informed about lifestyle changes and the magnitudes and precautions of prevalent diseases.

UG removes vehicle wheel-lock sign O

nce again, the administration of the University of Guyana (UG) has reportedly made another decision without notifying the students of the institution, by removing the wheel-clamp signs that were erected a few days before the commencement of final exams for the current academic year.

The students of the Turkeyen Campus were flabbergasted when they noticed that the signs were removed.

This, they related, was as a result of many visitors voicing their objections to the decision by the University to implement wheel clamping and limit the areas that were allotted for parking.

A student, who requested to remain anonymous,

related that those who utilised the parking spaces were unaware as to whether or not the wheel-clamping and other attached fees for the removal of the vehicle clamps were still in effect.

“I just saw this morning (Tuesday) that the signs were removed just like that.

We weren’t given any notice or anything, but I believe a lot of us had objected to it, since it was affecting many persons.”

According to the students, they are confused as to whether or not the wheel-clamp rule has been revoked and if they are allowed to park in the spaces where barricades were placed.

“The signs have been removed, but I’m not sure if I can park there again be-

cause I don’t know if they will clamp my car, so the only thing to do now is to come early to get a space before everybody does,” a stu-

dent said.

Several of them also related that the student population has outnumbered the facilities that were ini-

tially allocated for parking and as such, an even smaller space made it even more difficult to acquire a parking spot. The students claimed that it was a premeditated plan that was devised by the administration to have them cramped into the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) parking lot which cannot facilitate even a fraction of the vehicles during peak period.

Apart from this decision, the main concern centred on the vehicle clamping system, which was introduced by the administration.

Guyana Times was also told that this decision was a unilateral one and the student body was not informed about these changes.

If vehicles are clamped, students will be required to pay $3000 for the clamp

to be removed and an additional $1000 for every day that the vehicle is clamped.

This is one of the many decisions which were made without an opinion from the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS).

Earlier this year, the administration made a unilateral decision to hike the administrative fees, which the UGSS condemned.

Students of the institution are calling for some clarity on the plans which are being discussed by the UG administration, since they are the ones mainly affected by these changes.

They also noted that being a part of the University meant that they too should voice their opinions and be notified before decisions were implemented.

16 news Minister Trotman meets Jagdeo meets with Indian Minister, CPA SG delegation from IMP friDAY, may 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman along with the delegation from the Mexican Institute of Petroleum (IMP) and officers of the Natural Resources Ministry

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday

and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Secretary General

and ties between the parties involved and a host of other issues related to

met with India’s Minister of State for Human Resources Development, Dr Satya Pal Singh

Akbar Khan, at his Church Street, Queenstown office.

Discussions centred on building better relations

Guyana’s national development and long-term ties with India and CPA.

N

atural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and a team on Wednesday met with the Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, Iván Sierra and a delegation from the Mexican Institute of Petroleum (IMP).

The meeting was a follow-up, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Natural Resources Ministry and the IMP in March 2017 to facilitate cooperation in scientific and technological exchanges and capacity building within Guyana’s emerging petroleum sector.

To date, one young Guyanese is on a post-graduate scholarship to the IMP, and a technical officer was able to observe an off-

GTIC hosts open Career Day fair

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A section of the law enforcement exhibit

he Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GTIC) on Thursday hosted its Career Day fair under the theme, “TVET – the pathway to development”, aimed at sensitising youths on the various career fields available across Guyana.

Approximately 11 entities participated in the fair and exhibited the various services and programmes being offered by organisations that employ people who are interested in the technical and vocational sector of education. The main idea of the initiative was for students to realise the importance of mastering a skill in today’s society.

The GTIC booth’s main focus was to educate students and the public about the services being offered at the institution.

In this way, persons will not only be able to choose their profession wisely, but will also be able to easily make a decision on the ca-

reer path they intend to pursue.

Administrator of the institution, Dexter Cornette related that the idea behind the career day was to inform

Tools of the trade displayed at one booth

here to target students in secondary school who are about to leave school to enter into the world of work.

We feel that they should know of the training that is

One exhibitor demonstrating the use of a piece of equipment

students who were about to write their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations about the programmes offered by the GTIC. “Today, we have our open day career day fair which is

available to them and so we open our doors so that they can come and interact with the present students and also instructors,” the administrator explained.

Additionally, students were also briefed on the or-

ganisations which can provide them with job opportunities after completing their studies.

“In addition to that, we invited a number of organisations who we feel could relate to training. We’re trying to relate the training here with industry, so that persons take a step-bystep foundation course here at the GTIC. They will also know that one of these companies can assist with providing them with a job for their skill.”

A student who participated in the exhibition, Vickanand Deokie revealed that the fair was an interesting one, since guidance was given on the steps to be taken when choosing a career path or area of study.

The fair saw many secondary school students taking advantage of the handson knowledge being gained.

Samples of the work of students at the institution were also displayed at some of the booths.

shore environmental baseline study.

Since March 2017, the IMP has opened a new deepwater technology research facility, which houses six state-of-the-art labs and a centre for evaluation and accreditation of labour skills and competence that is recognised to award both Mexican and international certificates of accreditation and has carried out pioneering work on its first social baseline study.

In addition to the technical assistance and training to produce three white papers on the development of

a petroleum training institute, legislative framework and regulatory framework, the IMP has now introduced a fourth white paper on oil field management.

The Natural Resources Ministry is pleased to announce that a delegation of four officers will be travelling to Mexico within the next quarter of 2018 as part of the technical exchange.

The Ministry and IMP also agreed to pursue a broader framework of scientific and technological exchanges through the University of Guyana.

Guyana continues tourism development quest – Minister Gaskin

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he Tourism Department in its pursuit to develop Guyana’s tourism sector is continuing with its plans by engaging public and private stakeholders which is proving to be beneficial to the country as time progresses.

This was revealed by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who also holds responsibility for tourism, during a multi-sectoral workshop which was held under the theme “Actioning the Declaration”, to address the Declaration of Georgetown.

“The general intent of the Declaration of Georgetown is to expand connectivity and increase sustainable tourism within the countries of the Americas through collaborations between and among public and private stakeholders,” the Minister noted.

Minister Gaskin, during his brief remarks, noted that the problems being faced in the tourism industry by other countries within the Americas were similar to Guyana’s.

He highlighted that the only difference was the level of importance with which each matter was dealt. With these workshops in place, the issues will be addressed sooner.

Plans are also materialising to bridge the gap between the Public and Private Sector by having more workshops where new ideas can

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

be exchanged.

Throughout the day, the stakeholders were engaged in activities which were spearheaded by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Captain Egbert Field; GOInvest Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Owen Verney; Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Brian Mullis; University of Guyana (UG) Lecturer Althea Connelly and Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Andrea de Caires.

Topics discussed included measures that are needed to support innovation in the tourism sector, ways in which Guyana can strengthen its internal and external means of transportation, and strategies that can be implemented for the promotion of multi-destination travel which involves Guyana.

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friDAY, may 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IMF predicts improved GDP growth for 2018 – says fiscal outlook will improve with oil revenue

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lthough Guyana has recorded one of the lowest economic growths in 2017, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has now predicted real economic growth of 3.4 per cent for 2018. The IMF said this will be driven by continued strength in the construction and rice sectors, and a recovery in gold mining.

This announcement was made in the IMF’s published report following a visit by a team led by Marcos Chamon, who visited Georgetown from April 23–May 3 to hold discussions for the 2018 consultation.

The team met with Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, Central Bank Governor Gobin Ganga, other senior officials, representatives from the Private Sector, the opposition party, labour unions, and other key stakeholders.

They reported that inflation remained subdued at 1.5 per cent at the end of 2017, largely driven by food items, while core inflation was close to zero. Further to that, weaker than expected export growth and higher oil prices contributed to the current account balance turning negative.

In 2017, the current account recorded a deficit of 6.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from a 0.4 per cent surplus in 2016. That deficit was largely financed by foreign direct investment, particularly in the oil and gas sector, and higher loan disbursements to the Public

Sector. Reserves stood at 3.2 months of imports, and the mission projects it to remain around that level in 2018–19.

The IMF noted that fiscal deficit remained stable in 2017. The Government deficit was 4.5 per cent of GDP, lower than the budgeted 5.6 per cent. This better than expected outturn was largely supported by higher revenue arising from improvements in tax administration.

In 2018, the deficit is projected to widen to 5.4 per cent of GDP due to the cost of restructuring the sugar industry, including severance payments to displaced workers, as well as an increase in infrastructure related capital expenditure.

Guyana’s last best growth rate was 5.2 per cent in 2013.

World Bank records show Guyana’s growth rates in 2014 was 3.8 per cent, 2015 3.2 per cent, and 2016 3.3 per cent. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had claimed that the poor performance was linked the dismal figures to sectors including sugar.

“Sugar, we had budgeted at 208,000 tonnes, came in at only 137,307 tonnes. Bauxite

again did not do quite well.

We had budgeted 1.7 million tonnes. Bauxite came in at 1.4 million. Gold (was a) major disappointment. We budgeted at 694,000 ounces. It came in at 653,674 ounces,” he stated.

But amid the slowdown in economic activity in 2017, the Bank of Guyana’s accommodative monetary policy stance is appropriate, according to the IMF. The major financial institution said however, as the economic recovery strengthens, monetary policy should gradually revert to a neutral stance. Exchange rate flexibility should continue to help cushion external shocks.

Fiscal outlook

As the IMF focused on the fiscal outlook for Guyana’s in its recent report, it noted that the country’s medium-term prospects are favourable. The commencement of oil production in 2020 will be a turning point. The main direct effect on the domestic economy will be through higher fiscal revenue, and spillovers to supporting activities. The balance of payments will swing sharply to positive after 2020.

“Oil revenue significant-

ly improves the fiscal outlook, and is expected to place the public debt on a downward trajectory. The mission welcomed the progress made on establishing a comprehensive fiscal framework for managing oil wealth,” it explained.

An important point made by the IMF was the fact that debt sustainability concerns are weakened by future oil revenues, but it warned that the financing of short-term deficits should be carefully managed.

“The mission supports the authorities’ prudence towards private external borrowing.

The authorities were encouraged to rely to the extent possible on Development Banks, including non-concessional financing, and to follow-up on their plans to develop the domestic bond market,” it added. Meanwhile, notwithstanding significant upside benefits, the prospect of revenue from the oil sector could lead to real exchange rate appreciation, eroding competitiveness in some sectors.

Therefore, the IMF said regulatory and administrative measures should aim to reduce the relatively high costs of doing business in Guyana. The mission noted the small improvement in the World Bank’s Doing Business indicator that measures the Distance to Frontier of regulatory best practice.

It said accessing Guyana’s natural gas for power generation could provide a cleaner and more affordable energy alternative, meeting immediate needs while renewable energy initiatives are pursued.

AFC still promises constitutional reform, reliable electricity …ignores sugar industry as it reflects on 3 years in Govt

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oday marks three years since the 2015 General and Regional Elections which elected the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition into office, and the minority party has reflected on its success over the past years, while acknowledging that there is much more to be done to ensure the ‘Good Life’ for Guyanese.

Among the areas the AFC said the coalition Government’s efforts must be doubled to advance progress are constitutional reform, full liberalisation of the telecommunications sector and also the provision of stable and reliable electricity.

According to the AFC, Guyana is poised for massive infrastructural, economic and social transformations which will pole-vault the nation into a being hemispheric leader and pace-setter as well as the pride of every Guyanese.

Reflecting on the past three years during which Government worked to unlock the long lamented potential of Guyana and re-

alising the good life for all Guyanese, the AFC reaffirmed that it made the correct decision in the best national interest when it signed the Cummingsburg Accord and the enter into a pre-election coalition with the APNU. According to the AFC, public servants are benefiting from significant increase in salaries, as the citizenry are all benefiting from a lower rate of VAT, lower taxes, a higher tax threshold, higher minimum wage and better pensions. There is a better and wider delivery of a higher quality of education and health care all across the land, the party added.

The AFC further posited

that infrastructure is undergoing a national revolution with new and better roads, new pedestrian overpasses, walkways and sidewalks; lighted streets and roadways and renovated bridges.

The AFC went on to point out that for the first time, Guyana has hosted multiple major meetings, conferences, summits and expos, including GIPEX, CFATF, Judges and Magistrates and tourism.

The party said too that public telecommunications too is undergoing a major revolution with over 100 ICT Hubs built and commissioned in every corner of Guyana and faster and free Internet services provided

country-wide.

The AFC noted that despite agenda-fuelled criticisms, Guyana’s fast-track to first oil in 2020 is moving apace with all the requisite frameworks and legal mechanisms being advanced.

This has been done studiously and following wide consultation and an insistence on engaging with the public at every level.

However, AFC in its statement failed to mention the downsized and minimised sugar industry which has since been reduced to a mere three estates across the country at the hands of the coalition Government, as it reflects on the agriculture sector.

Instead, it said drainage and irrigation, farm to market roads and other infrastructure have been improved considerably.

The party further added that the rice sector is undergoing a resounding rebound following diligent work on securing new overseas markets – particularly in Mexico as pursued

by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

APNU/AFC 3rd anniversary

PM touts social cohesion as major achievement

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s A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) mark three years in office today, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has said that one of the major achievements made by the coalition Government is bridging racial divide and promoting social cohesion among Guyanese.

In addressing, at the National Cultural Centre, a large gathering for Social Cohesion Day on Wednesday, the first Vice President sought to defend his Government by stating that several successes were made since 2015. This was a major campaign promise made by the APNU+AFC coalition Government.

While the Social Cohesion Ministry was created to promote this agenda, there isn’t much success that has been recorded.

But Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo again defended the Government, stating, “In this land of six races, for the first time ever, we voted into office a Government comprising six parties.

So Guyana is not only multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious, she is also multi-party, with a rainbow coalition that has the image with various ethnic and cultural strands of our society.”

Nagamootoo boasted that political dominance by one single party was ended in 2015 when the APNU and AFC took office, and that their accession to office has led the way to national unity and togetherness.

“I mention that election not to drag politics into this event, but only to tell you that social cohesion is better promoted in societies where leadership is inclusive. Such broad leadership helps to encourage the willingness of members of society, especially a divided society,” he added.

However, despite the Prime Minister’s boastful comments, the AFC has had several internal fights with the APNU over leadership positions. Some of the issues faced between the two parties have also made rounds in the public domain, and have been topics for discussion by columnists, among others.

Only recently, the AFC’s National Executive Council urged that party’s Leader, Raphael Trotman, to formally write APNU Leader President David Granger requesting a meeting with him.

The meeting was aimed at discussing the idea of contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) as a collective, and other burning matters, such as the revision of the Cummingsburg Accord.

Trotman had announced the possibility of the AFC breaking away from the

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

APNU for this year’s LGE. The AFC leader went as far as to reveal that there was a strong body of opinion within the party that the AFC should go it alone, which may have been prompted over delays in regard to reviewing the Cummingsburg Accord.

In mid-November 2017, the top leadership of the AFC had decided to revise its governing agreement with coalition partner APNU. This decision was taken after the AFC – the smaller of the two factions forming the Government – had been accused of being coerced by its larger partner.

There have been reports that the AFC has not been too comfortable with the current Cummingsburg Accord, which sets how the two coalition partners would divide up the Ministries.

Under the current configuration of Government, the AFC has received the portfolios of Prime Minister, Public Security Minister, Public Infrastructure Minister, and the Agriculture Minister, among other things.

The AFC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has mandated that the party’s leadership formally write to APNU with regard to the review and revision of the Cummingsburg Accord.

The Cummingsburg Accord has a lifespan of a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years, and has been focused primarily on the General and Regional Elections. As such, President Granger has said, the AFC has several options, including allowing the agreement to proceed as is until its expiration in two years’ time.

The AFC has, of recent, come under fire for the perceived submissive role it played when it joined forces with APNU. In 2017, top leadership of the AFC had decided to revise its governing agreement with APNU. However, despite this perceived success, the current Government has been called out for its allegedly blatant acts of corruption and nepotism. The scandals range from the renting of a multi-million-dollar drug bond to the D’Urban Park controversy, and several others.

friday, MAY 11, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

P

A

s Guyana prepares for its inaugural carnival experience, a number of events are still being added to the list of activities to be held between May 18 and 27.

One of the most exciting events that Guyanese are looking forward to is the Carnival road tramp set for May 26 along an earmarked route in Georgetown.

From costumes to music and live music – all is expected to take the signature event by storm. However, after the tramping is done, it’s the wash down and there is no better place to do that but in the National Park.

It is an event titled, “Soca Rave” brought to you by King Leo Promotions, Wildfire Entertainment and the Guyana

Carnival Committee. All the ‘big boys’ will assemble to provide one of the wildest and most provocative experiences ever.

The concert will feature Kerwin Dubois, Patrice Roberts, Blaxx, Nailah Blackman, Rupee, Ravi B, Orlando Octave, Timeka Marshall, Jumo and a superstar studded line-up of international soca deejays who will add excitement to the night’s activities.

All the listed artistes are known for their energetic performances and will ‘mash up’ the place. General admission tickets for the event cost $4000 while the VIP experience is $10,000 and the VVIP experience is $20,000.

reviously known as “Lil Man”, Wilbur Levans now called “B52” has released his newest single titled “Hype Master”, just in time for Guyana’s Carnival. The song was written by the artiste and was produced by Burchmore Simon out of Kross Kolor Records. The song w a s recorded a few months ago in the Sound Green Studio but was only ready for release last week.

The singer who is presently on an overseas gig told Guyana Times Entertainment that the song was created with the aim of giving Guyanese the soca experience for carnival. The song tells a story of a boring party that is being hyped up by a few people who can be described as hype masters.

Since its release, the artiste has been receiving great reviews and hopes that during his short vacation in Guyana, people can relate to it.

He returns to his overseas gig on Saturday and is expected to return to Guyana in December.

Although he will be performing on cruise liners, he intends to release his album, “Light it up” in a few weeks’ time. The album will comprise several genre of music ranging from soca to hip hop and R&B.

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he “No Retreat, No Surrender” Deejay clash which was billed for April 28 at the Teamo Fun Park, Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Now that the sun is shining, the event is set for this Saturday, May 12, at the same venue.

The event will feature the ‘baddest’ deejays in Berbice. These include Deejay Unruly, Deejay Marvin, Deejay Keifer, Deejay Versatile, Deejay Von Hype and Deejay Delly Ranks.

The winner will receive $100,000 in cash, the winner trophy and a spot in the Art of War 2018 Deejay Competition billed for the latter part of 2018.

Before the competition begins, juggling will be done by Ricochet and Shocking Vibes.

The clash will commence at 22:00h. Emcee for the evening will be Deejay Dauren.

Admission to the event is $1000 before 22:00h.

The event is powered by Guinness with Sounds by Gold Rock.

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s the world prepares to pamper their mothers on Sunday, organisers of the 26th annual Mother and Daughter Pageant is set to host the show in fine style at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening.

The pageant will be hosted under the theme ‘Love’s Kaleidoscope’ and will see 22 pairs competing in the junior, middle and senior categories.

The contestants are making sure

The winners of the 2017 Mother and Daughter Pageant

that all final touches are in place to impress the judges and the audience as a whole. The highly anticipated contest is billed to commence at 20:00h. This year’s programme will be packed with lots of entertainment by some of our best artistes and of course the audience will be dazzled by the creativity of the mothers and daughters as they compete.

The pageant will also focus on the scourge of domestic violence in Guyana

and as such, a special tribute will be paid to Reona Payne who was killed in April.

Reona is a past contestant of the Mother and Daughter Pageant, so the tragedy of her demise has left the organisers heartbroken, but strong to continue to raise awareness of the problem.

The pageant is organised by Supa Stylistics Promotions, which is headed by Dr Sulan Fung-Browne and her mother, Mrs Ingrid Fung.

guyanatimesgy.com

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he Atif Aslam concert was held on May 1 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, and although days have passed, those who braved the rainy weather still have a vivid image of the heartthrob serenading thousands of his fans who flocked the arena.

The show was organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabah and the Bollywood singer definitely lived up to every expectation. Although he arrived hours before his live performance, he left and embedded mark on those who attended.

The highlight of the evening is his melodious and powerful voice that echoed from afar. Singing some of his most popular tunes, the audience

friDAY, may 11, 2018

(Photos by Javin Singh and Amanda Richards)

– especially those in the VVIP section – took the opportunity to shake the renowned artiste’s hands while those in the audience sang alone.

He performed from the Bollywood genre to folk music, Qawalis and pop songs which have undoubtedly sent the audience into a frenzy. Some of his songs included “Pehli Nazar”, “Tu Jaane Na”, “Tere Sang Yaara”, “Dil Diyan Gallan”, “Tera Hone Laga Hoon” and “Main Rang Sharbaton Ka”.

During his performance, the rain came down twice but patrons were well prepared with their umbrella.

After performing some of his hit songs, he performed several done by others which had all sections of the audience singing along.

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he Cotton Tree Community of West Coast Berbice will be hosting an event on Sunday, May 13 to celebrate the Village Day under the auspices of friends and families of Cotton Tree and Innovation 360. The event is slated for the Cotton Tree Die Hard Ground, commencing at 09:00h.

The village day will be a family-oriented affair with lots of activities for the entire family ranging from cricket, dominoes, football, hamper distribution and other novelty events. Talents pieces will also form part of the day’s entertainment and special prizes will be up for grabs for teams and patrons.

Participating cricket teams will include Port Mourant, Cotton Tree, De’ Edward, Blairmont among others.

Also, the elderly and mothers will also be given a treat and hampers since it will be Mother’s Day, as well as goodies and ice cream giveaways for children. All patrons to the ground will be given a coupon for a special gift drawing labelled “Village Appreciation Prize”. A “money blowing cage/ball” will also be set up for an opportunity to “grab” cash.

Games, and rides for children, music and tassa drumming, along with various other forms of entertainment will be available at the venue. The entire village is invited to come out and have a day of fun and frolic.

With just two days to go, persons who are interested in participating in events can contact the organisers on telephone numbers 611-005-5 or 687-9009.

Admission to the event is absolutely free.

Also during his performance, several persons were given the opportunity to go onto the stage to meet the superstar and have his autograph. One such person was a 97-year-old woman whom Aslam thanked for being one of his dedicated fans.

In addition, one fan who was a part of the singer’s Washington, DC, concert followed him to Guyana where she got the chance to hug the young Pakistani

s i n g e r.

The show started as scheduled but at the commencement, people were still making their way into the packed arena.

The show was opened with a dance routine by members of the Dharmic Nritya Sangh who made way for the young heartthrob, Vivek Mishra, who was well received by the audience.

After singing a few songs, he made

ineteen-year-old Devi Mankarran was born at Bush Lot, Corentyne and grew up with four sisters. She is an upcoming singer who is full of potential and has a passion for the art form. Devi has resided in Bush Lot practically all her life.

She attended the Kildonan Primary School where she wrote the National Grade Six Assessment and was awarded a place at J C Chandisingh Secondary School in Rose Hall.

After completing her secondary education, she received training at the Bush Lot Village Health Centre as a health care assistant. The talented young woman who also has her eyes set on a medical career worked with Dr Rawana at Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice for a period of eight months.

However, things did not go as planned and as such, she is currently unemployed.

However, she started to sing in her village Mandir and then at religious functions and Melas. She was always told that she has a great voice and was encouraged to put in to use.

“After Chris Ramphal’s first song “Tere Bina” I knew to myself that I could work along with him and take my singing to another level, I want to be more than just singing at Mandir and religious functions; I want my voice to be heard across my country and the Caribbean”.

As such, she has teamed up with Ramphal to record a

way for the man with the golden voice and his band.

The funds garnered from the event will be used in the Dharmic Rama Krishna School Expansion project which will involve the construction of a new secondary school and additional primary facilities.

The mega concert was held to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.

new duet titled “Aankh Hai” which will be released shortly.

With this song, she hopes to get her musical career off the ground.

As such, five years from now, she sees herself performing in front of huge audiences while fulfilling her dream which is to become a professional singer. As a teenager, she has had her challenges but it has not deterred her from moving one step closer to realising her dreams.

She encourages her peers: “No matter how hard it is, just make the effort, make a try to follow your dreams, strive for what you want in your life”.

Meanwhile, apart from music, she likes to dance and her favourite colour is pink.

She would like to thank her mother Shazeeda; dad, Mahesh; and her family and friends for the tremendous support that they have showed her. She is espec i a l l y grateful to Chris Ramphal for collaborating with her.

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friDAY, may 11, 2018

Indian Premier League 2018...

Pant's epic ton in vain as Sunrisers reach play-offs

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n top of the world: Rishabh Pant scored a century off 56 balls BCCI Delhi Daredevils' Rishabh Pant smoked an unbeaten 128 off 63 balls - the highest score by an Indian in T20s - but another Delhi boy Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson stole his thunder and ensured Sunrisers Hyderabad became the first team to progress to the playoffs. The result also meant Daredevils were the first team to knocked out.

On another night, Pant's blistering assault might have been a match-winning one. He let out a cathartic scream after being part of two run-outs. He then single-handedly took on Sunrisers' attack like an action hero would treat a bunch of villains. After raising a 56-ball hundred, he let out a cathartic roar and furiously swiped his bat in the air.

A target of 188 on a cracked Feroz Shah Kotla pitch looked like a tall task, but Dhawan hit form and Williamson extended his rich form to make light work of it. They added an unbroken 176 for the second wicket - the highest stand for Sunrisers - to usher their team home with nine wickets and seven balls to spare.

Sunrisers' sensational attack had limited Mumbai Indians to 52 for 3 - the lowest 10-over score this season - while defending 118 against Mumbai Indians last month.

They repeated the feat again, against Daredevils on Thursday night. Shakib Al Hasan found grip and turn

Kane Williamson and Shikar Dhawan are congratulated by the Delhi Daredevils squad

with the new ball to dismiss Prithvi Shaw and Jason Roy off successive balls. Pant denied Shakib a hat-trick and instead went onto hit a hattrick of off-side boundaries to greet Siddarth Kaul into the attack. Shreyas Iyer, at the other end, laboured to three off eight balls, before he became the victim of a terrible mix-up with Pant.

Harshal Patel, who was promoted to No. 5, ahead of Glenn Maxwell and Vijay Shankar, injected some urgency into the innings with a brace of sixes off slower balls. Another piece of sloppy running, however, resulted in the run-out of Harshal for 24 off 17 balls. It was the fourth time in four games that Pant was involved in a run-out. Pant was fuming, and he unleashed his pentup frustration on Sunrisers' attack. The first ball he faced after the Harshal run-out was banished over the midwicket boundary. It brought up his fifty off 36 balls; he

then needed only 26 balls for his next fifty.

Maxwell was in the firing line at the non-striker's end, when Pant forayed down the track and belted Shakib over his head. He then stretched out, met the pitch of a wrong'un from Rashid Khan, the No.1 T20 bowler right now, and fiercely reverse-swatted it away to the backward point boundary. Pant, however, hit his peak when he flipped Bhuvneshwar over short third man not just once but thrice. Pant had Maxwell, a master of trick shots himself, punching his gloves and Williamson smiling wryly.

Bhuvneshwar had Maxwell holing out with the first ball of the last over, but Pant smashed the remaining five balls to the boundary, the pick of them being a one-handed six over long-on. All told, Pant took Bhuvneshwar for 43 runs off 11 balls at a strike-rate of 390.90 and Daredevils took

135 off their last 10 overs.

The popular opinion was that bat first and bat big would apply pressure on Sunrisers. Their only two losses this season have come while chasing 180plus totals against Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings. Against Daredevils, Sunrisers had an early setback when Alex Hales was pinned lbw by Harshal's offcutter in the second over.

That was the only setback and the next over bowled by left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem was the only over in the chase without a boundary.

Dhawan, who had managed only 68 runs in five innings since sustaining an elbow injury, was severe on anything that was remotely short and wide outside off.

Williamson, however, was just doing his thing. He kept manoeuvring the balls into the gaps and put the bad balls away.

Dhawan moved to his fif-

ty off 30 balls, when he swatted Harshal over midwicket for four, in the 12th over.

Williamson, meanwhile, brought up a fifty off his own three overs later, off 38 balls. Daredevils dug deep into their reserves, with Plunkett and Bolt bowling a variety of slower balls, and Nadeem even venturing a legbreak, but nothing worked against Dhawan and Williamson.

Masters of the defence: check.

Masters of the chase: check.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Rishabh Pant celebrates after scoring a ton

SCOREBOARD Delhi Daredevils Innings (20 overs maximum) PP Shaw c Dhawan b Shakib Al Hasan 9 JJ Roy c †Goswami b Shakib Al Hasan 11 SS Iyer (c) run out (†Goswami/ Sandeep Sharma) 3 RR Pant † not out 128 HV Patel run out (Dhawan/ Sandeep Sharma/†Goswami) 24 GJ Maxwell c Hales b Kumar 9 V Shankar not out 0 Extras 3 (lb 2, w 1) TOTAL 187-5 (20 Overs, RR: 9.35) Did not bat: LE Plunkett, S Nadeem, A Mishra, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-21 (PP Shaw, 3.5 ov), 2-21 (JJ Roy, 3.6 ov), 3-43 (SS Iyer, 7.4 ov), 4-98 (HV Patel, 13.6 ov), 5-161 (GJ Maxwell, 19.1 ov) BOWLING: B Kumar (4-0-511), Sandeep Sharma (4-0-

24-0), Shakib Al Hasan (40-27-2), S Kaul (4-0-48-0), Rashid Khan (4-0-35-0) Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings (target: 188 runs from 20 overs) AD Hales lbw b Patel 14 S Dhawan not out 92 KS Williamson (c) not out 83 Extras 2 (lb 1, w 1) TOTAL 191-1 (18.5 Overs, RR: 10.14) Did not bat: MK Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, YK Pathan, SP Goswami †, Rashid Khan, B Kumar, S Kaul, Sandeep Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-15 (AD Hales, 1.5 ov) BOWLING: TA Boult (3.50-43-0), HV Patel (4-0-321), S Nadeem (2-0-22-0), LE Plunkett (4-0-41-0), A Mishra (3-0-29-0), V Shankar(1-0-14-0), GJ Maxwell (1-0-9-0)

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sports

Youth and Junior Championships slated for this weekend

I

t will be a busy weekend in the world of track and field as the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) prepares to host the 2018 installment of the National Youth and Junior Championships.

The action, which kicks off at 10hrs at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, will attract athletes from Guyana’s top clubs, robustly vying for supremacy and a chance to represent Guyana at the Youth Olympic Games.

President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, explained that this year’s competition is even more important because of the Olympic factor.

Owing to the inability of the international authorities to host the qualifiers for the Youth Olympics in Colombia and Guatemala, those trials will now be held locally. As such, the AAG has made the decision to use the National Youth and Junior Championships as Guyana’s qualifying platform.

The Olympic stakes are even higher, due to

an increase in Guyana’s Universality spots.

Previously, Guyana had just one spot, but after pleas from Aubrey Hutson, that number has been increased to three.

The results of this weekend’s track meet will be forwarded to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the International Olympic Committee, so they can ascertain who will receive the Universality spots.

Anticipating an intense competition come Saturday

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President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson

and Sunday, the AAG President is urging patrons to come out and support the youths on their quest.

“We’re encouraging people to come out and support our athletes at this weekend’s National Youth and Junior Championships.

We’ve been flooded with a hive of activity in track and field over the last couple of months, and we’re now getting back into competition mode since CARIFTA. So, please come out; please support,” Hutson stated.

GCB/DMLAS/NSC/NSSCL

North Georgetown hand Charlestown 68-run thrashing in play-offs

T

he Georgetown Zone play-offs of the GCB Secondary Schools Cricket continued with North Georgetown dishing out a 68-run thumping of Charlestown.

Playing at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, match winners North Georgetown took the opportunity to bat first, posting 115 for 6 off their allotted 20 overs, due to a slight rain delay.

All-rounder Wayne Bollers stroked an unbeaten 45, which included 3 fours; but Afelre Henry, who was run out for 12, was the only batsman to reach double fig-

ures.

Charlestown Secondary’s bowling outing was a collective one, as Raymond Bandhu, Collin Smart, Kelvin Gordon and Ravi Hanuman took one wicket each in a decent performance.

Charlestown, in reply, had a nightmare start, chasing a relatively decent total set by North Georgetown.

In the end, the decent target proved too strenuous, as they struggled on their way to 47 all out off 13.4 overs, with four of their batsmen failing to score.

Opener Raymond

Bandhu was the only player on the Charlestown team to post any decent score.

Bowling for North Georgetown, Shivanand Gossain led from the front, bagging 5-3 from just 3 overs. Bollers, who starred with bat in hand, earlier supported well with his legbreaks, bagging 3-11 from 4 overs. There was a wicket each for Michael Pooran and Mervyn Permaul.

North Georgetown will now meet Chase Academy to determine the Georgetown District winner in a match set for Saturday, May 12, from 10:00h at a venue to be

GFSCA/Back to Eden/Khan’s Trading/Permaul’s Trading/Trophy Stall Tournament

Floodlights meet Parika Defenders in curtain-raiser

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he Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown, Georgetown is the venue for the opening match of the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association- organized (GFSCA) Tournament sponsored by the following entities: Back to Eden, Khan’s Trading, Permaul’s Trading and Trophy Stall.

Parika Defenders have been pitted against Floodlights to get the ball rolling in the Masters Over-40 years old category from 19:30h.

Meanwhile, the intensity will continue in the same category, but at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground on Thomas Lands on Sunday, when Wellman take on Amazon Masters on Pitch One, and Fishermen

Masters and Savage do battle simultaneously on Pitch Two from 10:00h.

The afternoon fixtures will bring together Albion Masters and Parika Defenders on Pitch One, and Success Masters and Enterprise Legends on Pitch Two from 13:00h.

The tournament will be played in four categories: Masters Over-40 years old, Masters Over-50 years old, Male Open and Female Open.

Teams still interested in being part of the action may do so by calling Wayne Jones on 650-1790 or 685-6908; Anil Beharry on 623-6875, or Jailall Deodass on 615-8644 or 672-3994.

Wayne Bollers

confirmed.

The play-offs involve the three Georgetown zone winners: North Georgetown (East Georgetown zone winner), Chase Academy (North Georgetown zone winner) and Charlestown (South Georgetown zone winner) competing against each

other for the Georgetown District winner.

The 2017/2018 Guyana Cricket Board tournament is sponsored by the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited (DMLAS), and is endorsed by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, may 11, 2018

Hockey outdoor leagues suspended

T

he Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Outdoor Developmental Leagues, slated to run from March 24 to May 20, have been suspended after inclement weather interrupted almost three weekends of hockey action.

This disclosure was made by the executive members of the Guyana Hockey Board.

Recent rainy weather has rendered the Saint Stanislaus ground, which was to be used for hosting of the leagues, in poor playing condition; and as such, the GHB has been unable to complete any game since April 21st.

Having also considered the situation of its junior players, many of whom are currently sitting the Caribbean Examinations

Council (CXC) exams, the GHB has noted that it would be unfair to have those players on standby every weekend with the hope that the field would be acceptable for play.

Thus the GHB has arrived at its decision to suspend the development leagues. Both Under-19 and Second Division leagues have been postponed until further notice.

The leagues will continue with the hosting of the second round of matches. Currently, for the U-19 males, the GCC Pitbulls lead the way with 15 points. Hikers are in second position with 9 points, whilst Joseph Warriors and Saints Sonics follow with 7 points apiece. Old Fort, Saints Splinters and North Ruimveldt Multilateral

GCB/DMLAS/NSC/NSSCL

Wakenaam Combine trounce Bartica by 86 runs

A

round off the category with 6, 3 and 0 points respectively.

On the female side of the U-19s, Bingo Spartans have 9 points, while St Joseph’s, Saints and GCC Her-ricanes have 6, 3 and 0 points respectively.

GCC, the Sequels and Old Fort are tied in first position of the Second Division with 12 points apiece; Bounty GCC follow with 9 points; and Saints U-19, Senior Saints and Hiker Cadets finish off the category with 6, 3 and 0 points respectively.

The Second Division females are being led by Pizza Hut GCC with 7 points, Saints are in second position with 4 points, Bingo Spartans have 3 points, and Old Fort and Woodpecker Hikers have one point each.

Hamel Lamb slammed a half-century and bagged three wickets in vain for Bartica

collective all-round display steered Wakenaam Combine to an 86-run victory over Bartica in the ongoing Guyana Cricket Board-endorsed Secondary School’s Tournament.

The Good Success Ground saw eventual winners, Wakenaam, winning the toss, taking first strike, and racking up 209 all out off just 25 of their allotted 50 overs.

Sachin Dindiyay led the way with a top-score of 52, while Ricky Persaud stroked 41 and Fitzroy Retimiah 40, all in good support.

Bowling for Bartica, Hamel Lamb was the star with 3 for 41, while Tevon Mc Pherson bagged a useful 3-54 for Bartica, whose reply was a nerve-wracking task. Clearly unsettled, the Bartica batsmen crumbled for 123 off 18 of their allotted 50 overs.

Again, it was Lamb who came to the rescue, as he was the only batsman to display a high level of resistance with a solid counter-knock of 56. Mc Pherson chipped in with 18.

Bowling for Wakenaam, Ricky Persaud stormed the line-up with 5 for 31, and Ryan Atkinson followed suit with 2 for 12.

The 2017/2018 GCB School’s tourney is sponsored by the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited (DMLAS) and endorsed by the National Sport Commission (NSC).

London Marathon entries break 400,000 mark

London Marathon – London, Britain – April 22, 2018: Runners set out to tackle the 42km course

M

ore than 400,000 runners have entered the ballot for next year’s London Marathon, breaking the event’s own world record for registrations.

The final total of 414,168 applicants from Britain and overseas represents a 7.3 percent increase on last year’s 386,050 bidding for a place at the world’s most popular marathon.

Just under 55 percent of British entrants have never participated in a marathon and

for a second consecutive year, the majority of those are women.

“One of our goals is to inspire people to take up sport, and it’s fantastic that more than 190,000 people from the UK have been inspired to apply to run a marathon for the first time in 2019,” event director Hugh Brasher said in a statement.

Entrants will be notified of the result of the ballot in October.

The marathon is on April 28, 2019. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, may 11, 2018

23

2018 GCB Senior Women’s T20 Inter-County

In-form Berbice, newbies Essequibo square off in opener

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erbice will commence their title defence against an inexperienced Essequibo side in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board Women’s Senior T20 tourney which bowls off on Friday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Having retained their 50Over title in Wednesday’s final against Demerara, Berbice will come into the T20s with a clear advantage over the two sides due to their performances in the previous series.

161 runs respectively in the One-Dayers.

Their new head coach, Ryan Hercules, has said the team has a long way to go, and most of its players have little or no cricket experience; but he expects them to learn fast, as they are talented.

Having recorded lacklustre performances in the last competition, it will be interesting to see their approach in the shortest version of the game.

Berbice, on the other

The Berbician stars, Guyana and Windies all-rounder Erva Giddings and her international teammate skipper Tremayne Smartt, proved that their experience and skills were far above even the most skilled ladies in the competition.

With her left-arm pace and pugnacious batting ability, Giddings bagged an MVP award versus Essequibo in round two of the 50-Over tournament, claiming a 5-for and hitting 45 not out to take her side into the finals.

In the previous match, against Demerara, Smartt tapped into her experience and claimed the MVP award in finals for her returns of 3-12 and 12 not out in a successful chase, which helped Berbice retain the title by a whopping 50 runs.

Although the weather reduced a few of the mandatory allotted overs in the last tournament, the pressure still fell upon Essequibo, who are in the midst of a rebuilding/transition phase.

That phase saw them being rattled by 8 wicket and

Parika’s top scorers with 19 runs each.

Bowling for Essequibo Islands, left-arm spinner Ryan Atkinson grabbed 5 for 12, while Henry Gladwane Jr picked up 3 for 11.

In reply, the touring Essequibo Islands team, adopting a calm and watchful approach to their batting, eventually made it past their target of 77 by the fourth ball of the 20th over, despite being interrupted by the fall of wickets at key intervals. The Essequibo team eventually ended on 79 for 6. Ryan Atkinson was again the shining star for his team,

amaica has become the first Caribbean member to officially endorse the unified bid coming from CONCACAF for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Though it was never in doubt, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts for the first time publicly confirmed that Jamaica's vote for hosting rights for football's showpiece will be for the USA-MexicoCanada joint bid.

The Jamaica Observer has been reliably informed that other Caribbean members could begin to make public their backing of their colleagues to the north.

“Jamaica's position is pretty simple, really. We're honoured to offer support to our sister federations within the Concacaf family. In that breath, Jamaica supports the One Concacaf vision wholeheartedly as it has already resulted in a much more unified and stronger confederation.

“This was demonstrated recently on the formal launch of the Concacaf N a t i o n s League (CNL).

This is a competition that will significantly benefit the region and

Essequibo Jamaica Islands J advance to district finals T

he Essequibo Islands Secondary School boys got their reward for travelling all the way from Wakenaam after they trounced the Parika Salem Secondary by four wickets.

The action came as part of the Guyana Cricket Board/Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited/National Sports Commission/National Secondary School Cricket League (GCB/DMLAS/ NSC/NSSCL).

The two teams met at the Tuschen ground, East Bank Essequibo, where the Parika Salem team opted to bat first after winning the toss.

However, the Parika Salem team had to work hard for their runs due to remarkable performances from a few of the Essequibo Islands bowlers. Ably assisted by their fielders, those bowlers managed to save some crucial runs, which eventually led to the Parika salem team being restricted to just 76 all out from 22 of their 30 allotted overs.

Wazim Mohammed and Travis Christian were

top-scoring with

15.

For Parika’s bowling line-up, Shivraj Mohabir took 2 for 16, while there was one wicket each for Wazim Mohamed, Travis Christian, and Orlando Adolphus.

Owing to this victory, the Essequibo Islands Secondary School will go on to play Essequibo Coast in the Essequibo District finals today.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts

Erva Giddings

hand, w i l l fancy their chances in the T20s, especially with the form of their two star players, Smartt and Giddings.

Senika Campbell, who bowled well a few days ago, openers Shenita Grimmond and Melanie Henry, and middle-order batter Katana

Mentore have been in prime form over the past few games, and could take full advantage of the fewer overs.

Action in round one is set to bowl off at 10:00h, weather permitting. (Clifton Ross)

take the lead

more so the smaller nations. We appreciate that countries like Mexico and USA, in particular, would have had to make significant concessions for the CNL to come to fruition and, therefore, there is an obligation to reciprocate,” Ricketts said yesterday.

While the CONCACAF bid was always considered the front-runner, Africa's Morocco has emerged from the shadows relatively late to offer a challenge. The north African country, which has the backing of Confederation of African Football chief Ahmad Ahmad, is seen to be trying to woo support in Europe and Asia.

But Ricketts says there is no need for concern as the united CONCACAF bid is strong.

“We are respectful of the process and the Moroccan bid, but we feel extremely confident in the capacity of united 2026 to put on a fantastic show for the world to experience, not only for the millions of travelling fans, but the billions of television viewership that follow the sport,” said the JFF head.

“Football needs to learn that the World Cup cannot have any risk for us members and also be a white elephant, and as such, the united bid offers that certainty,” Ricketts added.

With the USA, Mexico and Canada being among the globe's mighty economies and dynamic marketplaces, a World Cup in North America represents a great opportunity for record profits for FIFA and a priceless legacy.

“Economically, with so many millions of fans travelling to the region, undoubted-

ly, a significant spin-off exists for the Caribbean tourism product with targeted and astute marketing. It's such a win-win for the Caribbean. Our peoples would benefit innumerably.

“A FIFA World Cup in the Concacaf region holds tremendous promises for our member countries — exposure of our confederation to the world.

Also many countries from other confederations will seek to play Friendly International matches within the confederation as build-up to 2026, and there would be opportunities for exposure of our administrators and technicians to the event — opportunity to be considered in the World Cup Legacy Programme,” Ricketts noted.

The JFF boss has called on the rest of the Caribbean to vote with one voice at FIFA's 68th congress on June 13 in Moscow when the host of the 2026 edition will be known. The tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, after FIFA approved the expansion from 32 teams.

“Let's (Caribbean) raise our collective voices in support of the United 2026 bid as this should be seen as a Concacaf bid. It's our time and we need to unite behind the ambition of our sister countries from up North.

“Jamaica's view is that a potential exist for Caribbean countries in the not too distant future to form part of future joint-bidding efforts with our sister countries from the North once all the variables are right. Why can't this be reality?” Ricketts quizzed.

For the first time, every football nation will be allowed to vote, and every vote will be made public and up to 207 of the 211 member federations will vote, excluding the four bidding members.

In its drive for transparency, FIFA will uphold its pledge to publish the choice of each member, as previously FIFA's ruling executive had chosen the World Cup host countries from 19862022.

The World Cup last came to CONCACAF back in 1994, when the USA hosted.

friDAY, may 11, 2018

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

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Pg 22

Hockey outdoor leagues suspended Hockey action at the Saints Ground

GFSCA/Back to Eden/Khan’s Trading/Permaul’s Trading/Trophy Stall Tournament Pg 21

Floodlights meet Parika

Defenders in curtain-raiser Ramesh Narine could make the difference in tonight’s opening fixture

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