Guyanatime 13 june 2018

Exxon advances Liza Phase 1 development P16

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Issue No. 3593

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

GECOM Chairman rejects top-ranked applicant – PPP Commissioners

Parika drug bust

5 remanded for trafficking over 28 lbs of cocaine, 77 lbs ganja P15

Page 11

…although candidate served 3 years as DCEO

Teen dies after allegedly jumping from moving car Page 12

6-year-old drowns in Pomeroon River

Former SWAT Head to challenge Felix’s ‘special leave’ P16 decision Teen slapped with rape P11 charge

Page 7

Corentyne rice farmers cry for water in heart of rainy season

“Nasty Man” for High Court appearance P12 today

Page 3

Attorney found guilty of failing P3 to render assistance to accident victim

…say blocked canal causing water woes Rice farmers who cultivate in the Number 52-74 Villages on the Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are in dire need of water to begin the next crop.

Currently, the Seaforth Canal is covered by vegetation blocking the flow of irrigation water, making it almost impossible for them to start preparation and cultivation

“Govt not meeting with us” – MovieTowne Page 9

…investor blames APNU/AFC for delays

Bandits invade Berbice Imam’s home Page 7

Minibus conductor killed in Essequibo Coast accident P10

Child Labour Policy soon P13 to be finalised …poverty listed as main cause of phenomenon

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news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, June 13 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, June 14 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 13 – 16:35h-18:05h and Thursday, June 14 – 17:00h-18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers will prevail in the day and into the evening, intermixed with light rain showers. Temperatures will range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly and North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 03:52h and 16:32h reaching maximum heights of 2.82 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:55h and 22:11h reaching minimum heights of 0.37 metre and 0.53 metre.

SATURDAY, june 9, 2018

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Corentyne rice farmers cry for water in heart of rainy season …say blocked canal causing water woes

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ice farmers who cultivate in the Number 52-74 villages on the Corentyne, Berbice, are in dire need of water to begin the next crop. At present, the Seaforth Canal is covered with vegetation blocking the smooth flow of irrigation water making it almost impossible for them to start preparation and cultivation.

According to some of the farmers, the canal has not been cleaned since February and now it cannot be cleared manually. Of the 14,500 acres of land cultivated last crop, only 4000 acres has some amount of preparation for the next crop.

Guyana Times visited the canal situated several miles inland from the residential area. A lush green mat of grass is covering to entire canal. According to Ramish Ramdat, who has a 200-acre plot at Number 70 Village, he has been able to plow and chip one hundred acres but needs water to flood the field.

“I need water right now.

The field is being left exposed and it will cost me having to do additional work. This problem is because of the blockage of the Seaforth Canal and we cannot access water.”

Ramdat said he and other farmers met with the regional authorities and were promised that an excavator would have been sent to assist them on Monday. When this publication visited on Tuesday, no excavator was in the area and the farmers were hoping for more than the few hours of rainfall.

Another farmer, Chandredat Narinedat, who has 50 acres at Number 71 Village, said he has started to prepare for the next crop but is left at a standstill because of the lack of water to flood the fields. Like many other farmers who are being affected, Narinedat is contemplating whether to continue with the crop.

“We say abee gon wait lil mo but if abee wait lil bit

Attorney found guilty of failing to render assistance to accident victim

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ttorney Chandra Sohan was on Tuesday found guilty of failing to render assistance to an injured person following an accident. His 10 lawyers were successfully able to get the court to throw out the driving under the influence charge.

Sohan, who is a former Magistrate, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh on three traffic charges – driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to provide Police with his personal information and failing to transport the injured person to the nearest medical facility.

The charged stemmed from an accident on August 4, 2017.

According to the prosecution’s case, on August

4, 2017, while on the Williamsburg Corentyne Public road, Sohan drove motor car PJJ 6060 while a male pedestrian crossed the road from South to North into the path of the vehicle.

The victim did not offer to give any evidence in court but was still suffering from the injuries he received.

The matter was reportedly settled for $250,000.

Meanwhile, Sohan was fined $35,000 after the court found him guilty of not rendering assistance to the victim following the accident.

The other charge against him was dismissed after a battery of lawyers led by Attorney Mursaline Bacchus put forward legal arguments as why the driving under the influence

charge should not be entertained by the court.

The court eventually upheld a High Court’s running that the devices being used by the Police to conduct breathalyzer tests for alcohol consumption must be calibrated every six months.

The court found that the device used to test Sohan back in August 2017 was not calibrated within six months prior to its use and as a result, the charge was dismissed.

In April last year, Sohan was fined by Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer for contempt of court. The incident occurred during the Preliminary Inquiry in the Fayez Narinedatt murder trial of which Marcus Bisram is considered the mastermind.

The blocked Seaforth Canal stopping the flow of water to the cultivation area

mo, abee nah go get fuh cut rice in dry weather,” he explained.

The farmers argue that if they cannot commence the crop now then they will be forced in the rainy season and that will be counterproductive.

According to Narinedat, he stands to lose about $3 million if he is forced to harvest during the next rainy season.

He told Guyana Times that they are about to make a decision collectively as rice farmers. “Abee ah think about call off crop because abe na get no saying from no body.”

Meanwhile, President of the 52/74 Water Users Association, Ahmad Rajab says farmers have been pouring into the Association’s office on a daily basis seeking his help.

He said the contract to clean the Seaforth canal is normally awarded in February, however, so far this year it had not been cleaned.

“I made a request about three times for them to clean the canal. We are ready to start the pump but if we start the pump the water is going to overflow and go into the savannah. We have a

lot of water available but it can’t pass.”

He further explained that with the amount of vegetation in the canal, it cannot be cleaned the way it is normally cleaned; manually.

“We need a machine now to clean this and this is holding back the farmers a lot.”

The Water Users Association head said two thirds of the land is still to be repaired for the next crop

as a result of the lack of water.

The crop should have commenced in mid-May and almost one month later the farmers are still uncertain whether they will be able to plant.

Rajab said as far as he is aware, a contract to clean the canal was awarded to someone, but that person has done nothing.

Those contracts are nor normally for maintenance and are one-year contracts.

Hence, it should have been cleaned in February and maintained since.

Rajab says if the Regional Administration know that they will not be able to assist then the administration should advise farmers not to go into the crop.

“Going into the crop will cost millions of dollars and farmers are going to suffer,” Rajab told Guyana Times.

(Andrew Carmichael)

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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

Death anniversary of Dr Walter Rodney

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oday marks the 38th death anniversary of Guyanese scholar and political activist, Dr Walter Rodney, who played an integral role in fighting against political oppression and racial divisiveness in Guyana.

Rodney believed strongly that if Guyanese were serious about fast-tracking the socio-economic development of an independent Guyana, which had not so long before he returned in 1975 managed to break away from British rule, then it had to abide by international best practices, which encouraged rule on the basis of democracy rooted in the need for adult suffrage and respect for human rights.

This is despite his belief that socialism was the answer to the eradication of socialism.

Dr Rodney, who was a social and academic icon, also worked alongside the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s Founding Leaders Dr Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan to rally the masses against the seemingly dictatorial tendencies of the then ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, which appeared bent on the marginalisation of certain ethnic groups, independent voices and stakeholders who did not support its political and economic ideology on many fronts.

The political activist throughout his career understood the complex relationship that existed between the haves and have-nots in society so much so that he believed that the power to reduce poverty and fight underdevelopment rested not only with the individuals and the prevailing economics of a society but with the measures and policies taken and implemented by the State.

In fact, books and pieces of his writings like “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” and “Groundings” are indicative of the importance that Dr Rodney attributed to class struggle, ending the politics of oppression and racism, and the need for reparations.

In order to continue his work and vision at home in Guyana, Dr Rodney formed the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) party in 1974 with persons who believed in delivering a higher quality of leadership and political direction given Guyana’s complex political culture at that time.

While many may not recall or admit the party was also formed as an alliance of the Working People’s Vanguard Party; the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA); the Indian Political Revolutionary Associates and Ratoon. It only became a legitimate and locally active political party in 1979 when a decision was made for the party to compete in the 1980 elections.

Unfortunately, Dr Rodney was not killed or did not die mysteriously as some historians and other political parties would want the younger generations to believe but was assassinated in 1980. This development amongst others forced the party not to compete in those elections but to stand in the 1985 elections.

And despite pulling out at the last minute because of the belief that there was widespread rigging and electoral fraud, the party still received 1.4 per cent of the vote and won a seat. It subsequently retained that seat in the 1992 elections where it increased its share of the vote to 2.0 per cent.

As the leaders of the WPA became fewer and more distant from the policies and ideologies adumbrated by Dr Rodney before his assassination, the party started to lose critical support among the masses especially its middle-class following and those from the mixed ethnic groups. This is evident in the elections result of 1997, which saw the WPA teaming up with the Guyana Labour Party and only managing to secure 1.2 per cent of the vote which still resulted in it winning one seat. It bounced back by winning two seats at the 2001 elections.

In a turn of events, one of its members walked away to join the Alliance For Change (AFC) in 2006 and then the party opted to join an alliance with the PNC in 2011 which was the party that was rumoured to be responsible for the assassination of its founder in one form or the other.

Many believe that Dr Rupert Roopnaraine’s decision then was a betrayal of Dr Rodney’s legacy and the beginning of the transformation of a party with a proud history into a submissive and compliant political unit unable to influence or change the dynamics of its senior political partner.

Today, Dr Rodney’s party has all but disappeared on paper even though there are those who sit within its leadership that are fighting to defend Rodney’s legacy and redirect the course of the WPA away from the malpractices, corruption, and political missteps of the PNC, which forms a major part of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government that won the 2015 Elections.

Divisions and infighting run high within the party as its apparent leader, Dr Roopnaraine clings to a ministerial post for which it is still not clear whether he serves at the behest of the WPA or the leader of the PNC who is also the country’s President. The party is in a worse place than Dr Rodney left it and should undergo a process of introspection and change.

Rohingya refugees crew a fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal near Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh (Reuters)

38th death anniversary of Walter Rodney (Pt 2)

Dear Editor, Politically, the coming to power of the People’s National Congress was a result of support received from internal and external forces, which worked to the advantage of that party, allowing it to rule for 28 years (1964 to 1992). Similarly, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s return to office was the result of the shift in the balance of the social/political forces – internal and external – which facilitated that regime’s rule for 23 years (1992 t0 2015).

The big challenge facing the nation as we remember Rodney is to understand the likely direction in which the country is heading. This is of paramount importance if we are to avoid the negative effects of internal/external influences and to take control of our destiny. In light

of our known history, this is no small matter, since history has demonstrated that external forces and their interests have been the dominant factor in determining the political, social and economic direction of the country. Additionally, the domestic/internal contracdictions in the country and the struggle to resolve them have militated against our ability to resist the viciousness of the external forces and influences. In short “people’s power” which Rodney and the WPA invoked never matured to the point to facilitate liberation of the people and the country.

Given this reality, the obvious question is where do we go from here? Not surprisingly, the masses are, in their own way, daily asking the same question in search of an answer. I can not and will not pretend to have the

answer to this question.

However, I am convinced that this country, 38 years after the passing of Rodney is once again at the crosroads. But no two historical junctures are the same.

They may be similarities but also differences. Our present economic, social and political situation in significant ways is more challenging in this post-independence period. Like any historical moment, there is the possibility of success or failure.

My candid judgment is that our national political leadership; both Government and Opposition, civil society forces and the masses are not up to the challenges we are faced with. Therefore, it is questionable whether the nation can achieve the necessary political and social cohesion needed to defeat the histori-

cal odds and avoid repeating past mistakes, for which we pay a high price of grave under development. The jury is out on this matter and we will have the answer sooner rather than later.

Political observers will not fail to comprehend the importance of the year 2020 to the future of the nation since it is an election year and, equally important, the year designated for the commencement of oil production.

Added to those developments the year 2020 will be the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Walter Rodney.

In closing, it seems that at every significant juncture post 1980, Rodney stands before us reminding the nation of the need for self-examination and reflection.

Sincerely, Tacuma Ogunseye

How can we have any confidence in GECOM and President Granger?

Dear Editor, GHK Lall in a recent letter in the media conveys that 46 per cent of Afro-Guyanese versus 21 per cent of IndoGuyanese does not represent an ethnic imbalance within the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). This is a gross misinterpretation.

Of course, lopsided figures such as these show how Afro-Guyanese are wildly overrepresented. And importantly, they fail to reflect Guyana’s demographic breakdown. Such misinterpretation needs to be corrected because it hides a serious problem which will persist if it goes unaddressed.

Also, in a show of respect for the Guyanese people, the Chairman of GECOM needs to provide the actual statistical evidence to verify these figures. We cannot trust any information coming out from GECOM when considering

the level of corruption that goes on there.

Which Guyanese can forget how President Granger hurriedly installed the GECOM Chairman close to midnight? Why was such an important appointment transacted at such a strange time of the night? This is because President Granger was into an unethical and unfair act. Naturally, such a shady appointment triggers widespread fears that President Granger is determined to stifle our voices, like his party had done for 28 years. So how can we have any confidence in GECOM and President Granger? Where is the respect by President Granger for his people?

It is hard to believe that both President Granger and the GECOM Chairman do not understand that AfroGuyanese are grossly overrepresented at GECOM but

such a racial dynamic works to their advantage and so they will shamelessly resort to immoral tactics to defend such an unfair situation that will enable them to hold onto to power by cruelly stifling our voice. We are concerned that our voice will not be heard at the polls. These people can’t be trusted. And none of this is good for social cohesion and the prosperity of our country. Amid such gross dishonesty by the A Partnership for National Unity/People’s National Congress (PNC) human beings suffer and our country remains poor.

It is also clear that Lall and largely the PNC are ignorant of the fact that Indians are highly intelligent and highly capable people. The reality is that Indians are successful people all over the world. Of course, we possess the req-

uisite qualifications to effectively function at GECOM but we are discriminated against so that the racial dynamics remain in favour of the PNC. Absolutely, like my fellow Indo-Guyanese, I am insulted by how the PNC tramples our rights and then demean us to cover up its immoral behaviours. This is divisive and cruel.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic represents a segment of the population who has been disrespected and mistreated by the PNC in all of our history. And which Guyanese will doubt that the appointment of the GECOM Chairman together with the racial imbalance at GECOM, plus the 28 years of election rigging under the PNC are not examples of abuse by the PNC.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram

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Press Release on Sugar – Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, MP

This Press Release follows my June 7th Press Conference where I addressed certain issues relating to sugar and undertook to issue a Press Statement documenting some of my concerns: 1. $30 billion bond borrowed by NICIL with Sovereign Guarantee

On May 31st, I made mention of $16 billion financing being borrowed for GuySuCo. Three days later, NICIL hurriedly issued a Press Release confirming that $30 billion private bond financing was signed with over $16 billion already disbursed to NICIL. The NICIL Press Release indicated that the remaining funds will be borrowed regionally to complete the $30 billion bond.

The nation needs to know that this money has been borrowed with a sovereign guarantee, making the Treasury responsible for ensuring its’ repayment over 5 years starting next year. You may recall that the APNU-AFC controlled Parliament recently raised the debt ceiling to guarantee debt to the amount of G$50 billion. Apart from a mere reference to a 30 billion GuySuCo bond, not a single detail was provided.

To date, despite over G$16 billion disbursed, APNU has failed to provide the Parliament or the public, any details on how the NICIL $30 B borrowing will be used?

Why is NICIL borrowing the money and not the Government? Where will the money to repay the bonds come from?

In the past, funding for projects like the Berbice Bridge or the Marriott Hotel, were accompanied with considerable documentation and studies. Where are the documents and details for this hugeUS$150 million bond? Why is it a secret when a public guarantee is being issued? The Berbice Bridge and Marriott did not have sovereign guarantees.

Government has a duty to explain why it did not borrow the money itself if a sovereign guarantee was being issued. Government typically borrows at interest rates below 2% and repayment terms over 30-40 years. Why is the NICIL-GuySuCo SPU borrowing at 4.75% and repaying this over 5years, with a full Government guarantee?

We do not know what assets secure the bonds. We are extremely concerned about the risk of the Treasury having to pay back the investors and have serious concerns on whether investors are simply relying on this guarantee when there are glaring transparency and accountability issues.

2. No GuySuCo Board and infighting between GuySuCo and SPU

In recent weeks, we have read reports of GuySuCo management complaining to Minster Holder about the NICIL GuySuCo SPU. Despite this, the Government has remained silent. I have said publicly that the lack of a Board of Directors for GuySuCo since February is a huge problem. We now have the largest employer and state-owned entity operating without a Board of Directors.

This seems to be a recurring theme as another large state company, GPL, is also reported to be without a board since January.

It is critical that the role of the Board of GuySuCo, last Chaired by Clive Thomas be clarified for the following matters, given that the Board, management, and various officials of Government, can be taken to task and held responsible: i. Decisions and approvals of the assets (the various estates) vested from GuySuCo to NICIL with a vesting date of December 30, 2017 including the transfer of 100% of the GuySuCo shares from Government to NICIL. ii. All matters relating to the G$30 B bond and the intended use of the monies iii. The impact of the above on the settlement of the G$115 billion of liabilities left on the books of GuySuCo. First, the Dec 30th2017 Vesting Order was likely approved by the Board of GuySuCo, followed by the Government as Shareholder (Cabinet), given that the Board of GuySuCo had not expired on Dec 30th, 2017. Chairman Clive Thomas would likely have played a key role as the head decision maker from the Board and arranging the shareholder approval for such a substantial removal of assets from GuySuCo. Minister Holder and Jordan would also have been involved. One assumes that the NICIL SPU and NICIL Board were also in the loop on the transfer. One assumes there are written agreements between NICIL and GuySuCo in respect of the management of the assets vested from GuySuCo to NICIL given that NICIL does not have the staff to secure these assets. For example, is NICIL now managing the electricity generation (both the Wärtsilä 10 MW and the bagasse)? But these facts are far from clear and extremely opaque. It is understood that the GuySuCo Board expired in 2018.

Secondly, this murkiness continues in 2018, when the bond is finalized. To what extent did the Board of GuySuCo and Cabinet, approve the details of the NICIL bond. At what point, does the Board of GuySuCo fail to be part of the decision-making process Thirdly, flowing from the asset transfer and issuance of the bond, what arrangements were made by the Board and Management of GuySuCo in respect of the G$115 B of long and short- term liabilities left on the books of GuySuCo? Is there an updated set of financial statements after the vesting? Creditors who have not been paid, are likely to first sue the board of directors and management involved in the assets stripping (Vesting Order transfer), for transferring assets and not making provision for settlement of liabilities.

3. Huge unfunded pension liability revealed in 2016 audited accounts

Since my press conference, we saw a resurgence of concerns about the GuySuCo pension scheme. We now see GuySuCo 2016 audited financial statements disclosing a huge unfunded pension liability of over G$30 billion. But no-one in Government is speaking publicly about this or engaging the Unions and the workers. The largest pension plan in the country, the largest employer, a major unfunded pension liability, and no one in Government seems willing to talk about it. Yet they are proceeding at a rapid pace to strip GuySuCo of its assets. Tens of thousands of people could be hurt by this — but APNU seems oblivious to telling the people affected what they plan to do.

GuySuCo audited accounts for 2016 was completed almost one year ago. However, it has not yet been tabled in Parliament. The PPP calls on the APNU-AFC Government to table the audited accounts and come clean to the Parliament on the many important issues.

4. Vesting Order strips assets from GuySuCo and fails to address over $115 Billion of its’ liabilities.

At the end of last year, Minister Jordan signed a vesting order transferring to NICIL, the assets off our estates -- Skeldon, Rosehall, Wales and Enmore, free and clear of all liabilities and taxes. The vesting order also transferred the shareholding of

GuySuCo, 100% owned by Government, into NICIL. There was no press conference or explanation of the strategy. Without telling the Unions or the workers how the pension liabilities and other employee liabilities will be addressed, or the significant other GuySuCo liabilities, this APNU Government is stripping GuySuCo of its major assets. Why vest assets into NICIL when you are also transferring the shares? It makes no sense.

The December 30th, 2017 vesting order signed by Minister Jordan, strips GuySuCo of a substantial portion of its assets. A perusal of the 2016 audited balance sheet of GuySuCo shows total short term and long-term liabilities exceeding G$115 billion. But no one has explained to the creditors who are owed by GuySuCo billions of dollars, how and when they will be paid. After the vesting, the remaining assets are significantly insufficient to discharge its liabilities. Farmers, suppliers, employees, banks, are just some of the parties owed. The asset stripping of GuySuCo, which may be illegal, further obligates the State to stand behind the liabilities of the Corporation.

5. Decisions on policy issues relating to sugar privatisation necessary before

divestment GuySuCo has laid off over thousands of sugar workers and closed estates, while at the same time announcing a policy of privatisation sugar.

Yet on privatisation, this APNU Government has not publicly addressed the following: i. What is the privatisation framework and policy? Will it use the PPP privatisation policy or a new policy? What is the role of the existing Privatisation Board? What are the roles of the NICIL Board, the GuySuCo Board, the NICIL GuySuCo SPU, in respect of managing, restructuring and privatizing sugar. ii. When will the employee issues be settled and negotiations concluded with the Unions. Just look at the pension issue as one of many issues to be resolved. What is the severance pay package? When will all the outstanding NIS, PAYE, and other employee benefits going to be paid? iii. What will the legal framework for allocating international and local sugar markets?

Guyana enjoys preference prices and quotas with the EU, the US, Caribbean, and other countries. How will these markets be allocated? Managing competition between estates and between state estates and private estates require considerable preparation and careful decision-making? How will local sugar sales be allocated among different estates and distributors? iv. How will private cane farmers be paid given the existing formula enshrined in legislation? The legislation has worked with only one national sugar corporation. Cane farmers don’t know how this will change with private ownership of the estates. In fact, the closure of estates, such as Skeldon is likely creating considerable dislocation in the private cane farmers industry. v. How will the land be treated? Will it be sold or leased? Per the audited accounts, GuySuCo has over 50,000 hectares of land under lease or ownership. Land leases (or land ownership) need to be carefully addressed. Issues relating to drainage and irrigation have not been discussed? What will the standard lease terms be? vi. What will the tax regime for the sugar sector consist of? It must be decided for all private (and public) sugar estates and sub-contractors to ensure a level playing field.

Legislation may also be required to give effect to this new regime. Given all the new taxes and fees imposed on the economy, any investor will want to have certainty on the tax regime and the risk of changes. vii. When will the valuation for the estates be completed? It is public information that PWC (Jamaica) is doing a valuation. But what are they valuing? Estates that have been closed! Government should release the PWC Terms of Reference. And how can PWC value the estates, without knowing the answers to the many policy issues. Will the valuation cover the entire GuySuCo? Unless one was selling at liquidation values, it will take time before the preparatory work is in place to properly privatise GuySuCo. Advertising for buyers of the various estates before the rules of game are defined, is a recipe for failure, unless this is yet another scheme to enrich the friends of APNU. Little wonder there is so much confusion.

We already know that the firing of thousands of workers and the closure of estates will prejudice getting the best deal for the estates.

6. Urgent need for APNU-AFC to publicly engage on sugar plans

It is clear this Government operates in stealth when it comes to GuySuCo. In fact, this is their standard operating procedure for many important matters.

The lack of consultations and public information is clearly now backfiring. GuySuCo and NICIL GuySuCo SPU infighting has now boiled over to the public. The process of privatisation is yet to be defined along with decisions on all major policy issues.

We predict that the lack of transparency and accountability will further undermine saving the sugar industry and the huge number persons affected.

The PPP calls on APNU to publicly address all relevant issues on sugar and engage the Unions and employees on all matters impacting their welfare. Failure to do so, could result in much greater financial and economic risks for the country.

It is extremely important to clear up the murkiness and opaqueness surrounding the issues raised in this release.

It is likely that numerous legal actions may be filed by creditors and persons whose contracts were adversely impacted by the GuySuCo restructuring and asset stripping.

Identification of all persons involved in the decisions will be critical as these persons may be exposed to wrongdoing for misconduct stemming from acting negligently and recklessly on matters involving tens of billions of dollars.

Monday, June 10, 2018

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Rodney a fighter for unity, justice and dignity (Pt 1) Dr Walter Rodney was brutally murdered Dear Editor, June 13, 2018, is exactly 38 years since Walter Rodney was assassinated by the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime. It is a very significant anniversary, since Rodney would have been dead as long as he lived, thirty-eight years.

Yet, this young man’s life is still remembered by ordinary people years after he died. He is being remembered because of the life that he lived, the contribution he made to the cause of the oppressed in Guyana, the Caribbean, Africa and the world.

Walter Rodney was not just a substantial intellectual. He was recognised as a very powerful historian and his work on Africa’s history have become classics. The difference with Rodney and most of the other intellectuals was that he was an activ-

ist. Theory and practice went hand in hand. He was not an armchair general.

He was an advocate of black power and was deeply concerned and moved by the plight of working people in Africa and the Diaspora.

However, he was not a racist. In his application of black power to the Caribbean he was completely inclusive, it was for him all the oppressed peoples. He was one who advocated and worked for unity of working people. This was seen in his approach to the Guyanese situation in particular and to the Caribbean more generally.

I have had the privilege to have heard many of the speeches he made when he returned to Guyana in 1974.

I must of herd most of those delivered in Georgetown.

To me, he was probably the only African Guyanese leader, outside of the People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), to have consistently carried a line for unity of all working people. He never sought to use his obvious standing in society to put one race against the other. His intellectual integrity and honesty always came through in his every presentation This is where he stood head and shoulder above his colleagues.

Indeed, I have noted elsewhere he stood alongside Cheddi Jagan in the politics, in both content and form that he advocated. Honesty and sincerity are the hallmarks of this politics.

That is why he took a strong position against the PNC regime. He stood for justice. He did not just blindly idolise black people. He also made a distinction between oppressors and oppressed in that group as well.

His disdain for the PNC

dictatorship was marked.

He was truly saddened and moved by the way the PNC used race to mislead African Guyanese and to make the black working people develop hostility to the Indian working people. This was most manifested in his active support for Arnold Rampersaud, a PPP activist, who was framed with a murder, charged and the PNC worked hard to hang.

It also came through clearly in his solidarity with the sugar workers strike in 1977.

Today, we are observing his life’s work at a time when the gains we have made is being once again lost as the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity regime has taken up where the PNC left.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Such is the good life Dear Editor, There are many issues effecting this country, our beloved Guyana, and these issues seems unimportant because the nation seems to be brainwashed with the rewards of the oil as the ruler’s way of governing is forcing businesses to close or directly shutting down places and causing the unemployment rate to increase drastically and expense climbing in every house.

For quite a while now, the fuel price has been an issue because of the increase, causing minibus operators to strike because they know that an increase in fare would be an additional burden to the commuters, and instead of reaching to an agreement, they just ignore this issue as if it’s not important. One would have expected a reduction in spare parts, tires etc, just to level out the ex-

pense for a minibus owner but no! This nation will benefit from oil so, this burden is not important. Now without a doubt, the fares will increase and there’s noting commuters can do but pay the fare, where some have to use three different transportation to reach either work or home every day. Some good life!

In one of the newspapers, we’re seeing the Government signing tougher sanctions against the fishing industry which I am in somewhat agreement with and wonder why they had to wait until we got sanctioned and one industry is closing before acting and what plans they have for the pollution that occurs every time the kokers open.

To date, garbage is still being dumped into the trenches throughout Guyana and is a tremendous threat to marine life, so are there any plans to combat that?

Guyana is indeed blessed with a tremendous amount of resources that once utilised, we could earn a decent reward, but with a Government whose eyes seems bigger than their vision, I am sure we cannot capitalise because only the oil seems important to them. From the time we were sanctioned or even before, we have dried shrimp and fish that on demand all over locally, especially in the interior and use it in many types of food that could have been marketed overseas.

There are many things that we have that the world don’t know about except when hearing about them from fellow Guyanese or tourists, that could make a tremendous impact and we could earn a lot if marketed but this Government’s vision seems limited and help from them seems fruitless. I guess you have to be established to

get their attention.

The dried fish and shrimp business should be considered because many countries could use products like those, especially those that are prone to disaster. We have a lot of vegetables that could be canned also, instead we are not hearing any plans about that, instead we are importing canned vegetables even though the exact vegetables are grown here. While businesses are closing, this Government should have approached the management and explore the possibilities available instead; but, no, they don’t care because your action might be considered as a form of victimisation against them, even though, their way of governing is causing busineses to close.

Such is the good life.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

Dear Editor, Thirty-eight years ago today, Dr Walter Rodney was brutally murdered by the Government of the day. Since June 13, 1980, supporters of Rodney and Forbes Burnham have sparred, mostly indirectly, over Burnham’s innocence in the matter. Did he know of the deed? Did he order it? Many Rodney supporters would answer those questions in the affirmative while most Burnham supporters would exonerate the founder leader. Some Burnham supporters who have had the courage to accept responsibility for the deed have charged Rodney with intending to violently overthrow the Government and they justify his murder on those grounds.

Before Rodney’s murder, there were political murders and since June 1980 there have been other political murders in Guyana. I know many Burnham’s supporters who have condemned those political murders after 1980 and have rubbished the claims by the offending Government – not their government, of course – that the victims were trying to violently overthrow them. The present Government, which includes Rodney’s Working People’s Alliance in name but not in substance, rejected the findings of the Commission of Inquiry that found the Burnham Government guilty of the offence.

How could the founder leader, the god-like visionary of our independence be ever guilty of involvement in such acts, they ask. It is the contradiction of our Guyanese-Caribbean psyche that we are not ready to contemplate and accept. But it is one that we must inevitably confront not before long. Not even oil will spare us that historical task. I shall not cease reminding us of that task.

So, we remember Rodney today, not to glorify him as some would have us believe – who Jah bless no man curse.

His glory lies in his undying contribution to GuyanaCaribbean, African and world civilisation which directly enriches the minds of serious worker-thinkers and finds its way in policies that daily free humanity from the shackles of ignorance and unfreedom of all kinds all over the world. Where Walter Rodney walks and dwells he takes an honourable Guyana with him.

Give Thanks.

We remember Rodney today to remind Guyana that our Guyanese independence is still a long way from the freedom we deserve. We remember Rodney to remember that public servants and other workers still can’t earn a living wage, that sugar workers still cry out for justice, that crime and violence still haunt our streets and our homes, that Government still remains the personal property of the governors, that ethnic mistrust still is the rule.

We remember Rodney to remind Guyana that political fear is still part of governance, that political spite still walks the halls of governance, that governors still like power and its trappings more than serious policy, that the poor is still powerless, and that peoples power is still suppressed by dictatorship. And above all we remember Rodney to irritate and disturb the enemies of freedom for all and uplift the angels of hope, resistance and overcoming.

For me, freedom can only be attained by the overthrow of bad governance – it was so in Rodney’s time and so it is thirty-eight years after his murder. As Martin Carter wrote back then on Rodney’s murder: “Assassins of conversation/ They bury the voice/They assassinate, in the beloved Grave of the voice/ never to be silent.”

Sincerely, David Hinds Believer that Walter Rodney was murdered by the Government

Time to get serious and stop the scourge of smuggling Dear Editor, Where is Guyana going when it comes to law and order? When will we, as a nation, get serious and stop the scourge of smuggling?

Recently, the media reported that two Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officers were shot with pellets by smugglers. From what I read, the two officers were part of a GRA team that attempted to intercept a vehicle and a boat suspected to be operated by smugglers transporting smuggled chicken and alcohol at Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara.

Smuggling has taken root as a nasty part of Guyana’s underground trade. These ‘big shot’ smugglers plus a swarm of small-time hustlers doing the same wickedness do not give two hoots that their crimes cost Guyana countless millions of dollars in funds for social development. This loss deprives law-abiding citizens of much-needed benefits like improved health care, better education, proper roads and

infrastructure etc.

People hell bent on gorging themselves on the proceeds from crime have been smuggling fuel, gold, food, electronic equipment, alcohol, cigarettes and much more across Guyana’s borders for decades. Much talk and some anti-smuggling campaigns have done little to slow them down, much less stop them.

Smuggling in Guyana reached its zenith in the 1970s when the Government of the day banned essential goods such as flour, onion, garlic, corned meat and salt.

Even sugar was being imported in those days.

In those days, many people believed that the External Trade Bureau was controlling imports at the behest of the then Government and many basic commodities were not readily available.

Therefore, many citizens turned to smuggling to get essential goods for themselves and for resale. The Government back then obviously meant well and did

not realise the extent to which people would go in order to get essential consumer items.

Today, even though all these goods are available to everyone in great abundance, the reality of smuggling remains, and it is a thriving business.

Smugglers pay no tariffs or taxes. Therefore, they undermine legitimate businesses that not only pay all tariffs, but also pay NIS and other legitimate operating expenses, thereby contributing to the coffers of this nation and enabling our Government to provide us with services that are essential to our people’s wellbeing.

This is not the first-time smugglers have shot at GRA officials. Thank God, the injuries to the GRA officers were not life threatening. I wish them speedy recovery and hope they resume their duties fearlessly, when they are healed.

Obviously, the team members were not cowards; actually, they were very pro-

fessional in their approach to these criminals. Thankfully, arrests were made. Kudos to the officers and to GRA for having such committed personnel in the law enforcement department.

I suggest that we set-up an intelligence gathering network around the country.

This network can particularly target smuggling hotbeds such as Charity, Corriverton, Anna Regina, Mon Repos and Mahaicony.

Our intelligence network could set up sting operations with officers infiltrating smuggling rings by pretending to be wholesalers or vendors willing to buy smuggled commodities.

The GRA and Police can also set up a hotline to facilitate getting anonymous tips that would lead to the arrest of smugglers. Also, a reasonable reward can be offered in exchange for any information leading to the identification and arrest of smugglers.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan Sr

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6-year-old drowns Bandits invade Berbice Imam’s home in Pomeroon River B

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search has been launched for the body of a six-year-old Abrams Creek Primary School student after he fell into the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Tuesday.

Reports are Ramesh Khan, a Grade One student of Abrams Creek, Upper Pomeroon River, fell into the river about 11:45h when he went to wash his feet. The river runs along the front of his school.

According to information received, the boy and an eightyear-old female student were playing at the health post building, which is also housed in the school’s compound.

The girl reported that about 11:40h she and the

now-deceased student were playing when he told her that he was going to wash his feet.

She told investigators that shortly afterwards she saw Khan’s upraised two hands in the water and she began to scream.

Guyana Times was told that upon hearing the child’s screams, teachers rushed

out and ran to the landing, but the child was not seen.

Two men from the area then jumped overboard in search of the boy, but their efforts proved futile. The Police were called, and an investigation has been launched.

Meanwhile, another search party has been combing the area for the child’s body.

VC denies political interference at UG …says institution governed in transparent manner

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ontrary to perceptions surrounding the University of Guyana (UG), Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith is maintaining that he and his executives are accountable to various bodies and as such, he is not a ‘runaway Chancellor.’

Professor Griffith made these comments during a media engagement at Herdmanston Lodge on Tuesday where he updated the public on UG’s operations. Griffith also denied that there is any political interference at the university while at the same time noting that the institution has been principally run by Government funding.

The Vice Chancellor noted that a revamp of the University’s governance structure was undertaken with a view to not only overhaul the current operations but the look into the University of Guyana Act which in many regards is out dated with references to Britain and having academic links to the United States and Canada. The Act’s approval would need bi-partisan parliamentary approval. It was explained that the current UG Council has approved former Vice Chancellor Professor Lawrence Carrington to head a Governance Reform Committee.

Professor Griffith explained that Committee met on several occasions, having hosted several meetings over a year and a half and submitted a report in March 2018 at the University Council.

There were consultations at Turkeyen and Tain with students and the union. To this end, operatives met with Attorney General Basil Williams and Education Minister

UG Vice Chancellor, Ivelaw Griffith

Nicolette Henry which was a move to provide stakeholders with updates.

The media was told that an extraordinary meeting of the Council will be held on July 26 whereby the changes to the University Act would be finalised which would then be sent to Parliament for approval. Griffith went on to explain that the consultative process will seek to address the “daily intrusion” of politics into the University’s operations.

“The Governance Task Force recommending that there should be no partisan, political representation or special interest representation on the University Council. There should be no ruling party coalition or Opposition party,” the Vice Chancellor observed.

The objective, according to what the media was told, is that a smaller governance structure is being prized with the focus on “competence” as opposed to special interest representation. University Registrar, Dr Nigel Gravesande added that another implemented measure sought to attain more autonomy of the Vice Chancellor’s office.

“The Vice Chancellor would have to report on the activities of the University with statement of accounts…to the Council,” Dr Gravesande noted.

Professor Griffith meanwhile noted that much of the staff at the 55-year-old institution is being regularised, having moved over 40 persons from month to month contracts which had seen job insecurity. He praised the improvements to UG’s facilities, highlighting that new campus registry building and air conditioning units to two main lecture theatres as some of the major achievements.

He however cautioned that some challenges abound especially in the area of fulltime lecturers in the school of medicine. Nevertheless, he hopes that the university could garner more collaboration with the business sector and from alumni especially in the area of funding. This would be aimed at reducing the dependence on State subventions.

In his 2016 report, Auditor General Deodat Sharma found that $209 million were unaccounted for from the University Science and Technology Support Project. In that year, the sum of $906 million was allocated this project for curriculum reform; infrastructural design and research; infrastructure rehabilitation; equipping of science laboratories; drainage; Internet network; multimedia equipment; and institutional capacity building at the University of Guyana. A supplementary provision totalling $411 million was approved, bringing the total allocation to one thousand, three hundred and seventeen million dollars ($1.317 billion). (Shemuel Fanfair)

andits on Tuesday morning invaded the home of the Imam of the New Amsterdam Central Masjid after he and his wife had left for prayers.

The Imam’s security guard is assisting Police with the investigation into the disappearance of cash and other valuables from the Vrymens Ervin, Berbice home.

Reports are Imam Mohamed Hanif and his wife left home about 01:00h to participate in prayers at the Masjid. He returned about 05:00h and found the house ransacked and doors broken open. The Imam explained that no one was left at the house except the security guard on duty at the gate.

“We have a security we normally leave at home.

When we returned, the security told us that four men came into the place and they subdued him, and they broke

Imam Mohamed Hanif stands in one of the ransacked rooms

three doors and got into the upstairs.”

The entire upper flat of the building was ransacked, and an undisclosed sum of cash and other valuables missing.

According to Imam Hanif, one of his neighbours telephoned Central Police Station in New Amsterdam about

02:30h, but no one responded.

“I returned home and met the place ransacked and then after the Police arrived.”

Hanif noted that the security guard was hired temporarily to facilitate the Ramadan period and has been employed six days.

Police are continuing their investigations.

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Airport drug bust

Cosmetologist remanded for narco-trafficking

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he West Ruimveldt, Georgetown woman who was on Saturday last intercepted at the Eugene Correia International Airport, Ogle

with cocaine stashed in her suitcase was on Tuesday remanded to prison.

Twenty-two-year-old Shareefa Tappin denied the offence when she appeared

Shareefa Tappin

before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts.

It is alleged that the cosmetologist on June 6, 2018 at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), had in her possession 6.99 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution’s case stated that the defendant was an outgoing passenger on a Liat flight when her luggage was searched

by Customs officers and the drug was found.

Tappin was remanded to prison, and was expected to return June 19, 2018 at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Going backwards…

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…in sugar hose who thought your Eyewitness might’ve been a bit over the top when he predicted the remaining three sugar estates will end up being shuttered, should consider the report that they fell short of achieving even their modest first crop target of 36,000 tonnes.

And this, in the face of Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt being adjudged as the best in the industry and capable of bringing down the cost of production that had skyrocketed to over US$.40/lb when world market prices were hovering around US$.12/lb.

That Albion, always the most efficient estate, took another week’s production and still couldn’t reach its target, is an ominous sign. Similarly, Blairmont’s failing to meet its modest target after an extra THREE weeks!

What this means is the cost of the sugar produced is even HIGHER than the old, unacceptable costs. The rump sugar industry is fast going backwards – and approaching the abyss of no return. No end to subsidies!

We once hear that absenteeism of cane cutters (imagine the powers-that-be thinking that calling them “cane harvesters”, would motivate them!!) contributed to the shortfall. So why is this news?? Absenteeism in ALL the estates has been endemic for the past decade: exactly what was done to bring them back in the fields?? Closing the other estates?? If the Wales cane cutters refused to move to Uitvlugt to work, why would, say, Rose Hall workers go to Blairmont or Skeldon to Albion??

The unilateral closure of the four estates by the PNC Government signalled to the workers on the remaining estates they were expendable…and therefore it’s not surprisingly they would’ve begun hedging their bets. The workers at the bottom of the work-chain frankly don’t give a damn that GuySuCo still doesn’t have a Board. But the managers and field superintendents would be affected since they’re virtually on their own.

Even in the best of times recently, the latter group were conspicuous by their absence from the fields – and with no one looking over their shoulder, it’s hooky time, baby!!

Slavery and then indentured labour were introduced because sugar production demands labour be absolutely guaranteed during the harvesting season. Since your Eyewitness doesn’t think world opinion would approve us returning to those days, then it’s up to the powers-that-be at GuySuCo, to introduce INCENTIVES to get cane-cutters to come out.

And this is what this government isn’t prepared to do – even though the Desmond Hoyte administration in 1990 showed what wonders could be achieved by sweetening the pot. Nope! This government will say, sugar isn’t viable; close down the remaining estates, and then sell them off with the others for a song.

Of course, that’ll be AFTER the vigorish is passed under the table!! …on child labour Your Eyewitness notes a host of full-page ads by the Government trumpeting “World Day against Child Labour”.

This is so hypocritical!! How can this PNC Government fire 7000 rural, agricultural workers – with no alternative employment in sight – and expect their families to survive without their children having to “labour”?? Does this PNC Government understand the nature of our rural economy?

Even in the best of times, children of sugar workers have to perform all sorts of part-time labour in order for food to get on their table. Fishing, vegetable gardens, rearing chickens and sheep/goats, etc, is not child’s play – but in the rural areas, it’s certainly child’s work!!

But since Guyana has now graduated to a cash economy – light bills, phone bills etc – those “chores” of the rural children in the sugar belt will now be formalised as they’re forced to take paying jobs – full time or part time – in whatever openings there might be in local workshops etc.

But so what? Vengeance is mine, says the PNC!! …on catfish/gilbaka The PNC Government had since 2016 to address concerns by the US Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) on our export of catfish to the US. They still haven’t done so!

So what? Their constituency isn’t affected!!

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

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“Govt not meeting with us” – MovieTowne …investor blames APNU/AFC for delays

MovieTowne under construction

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ovieTowne proprietor, Derek Chin, said Government has ceased meeting with them as several issues are affecting the smooth completion of their US$45 million project, costing them additional millions in interest charges.

The Guyana-born businessman said the multimillion-dollar investment is being plagued by several challenges resulting in additional charges to him and his investors. He made this disclosure on Tuesday morning when several Private Sector bodies had a tour of the facility.

Chin said at the initial stage of their investment,

they had regular meetings with Government but as time progressed, those meetings became scarce. He noted that those meetings are important since they can be used to iron out issues in relation to concessions among other things.

“We have met with Government and I don’t seem to meet with them anymore… to say that Mr Chin how is your investment going, what can we do to help.

So that communication link with the Government is very important… the Private Sector is the driver. The Government cannot outrun the Private Sector because it is the Private Sector. It has its own money, but the

Private Sector needs to be given that encouragement,” Chin said.

Additionally, the businessman said Government should be more involved in discussion with the Private Sector and work hand in hand since they are the ones who are the drivers of the economy.

“In Georgetown we need an overseer Minister to follow the progress and say what is going and be able to loosen some of the barriers and allow things to happen faster because people want delivery faster and we have to pay millions of in interest and it is a real burden,” he added.

PSC position

Meanwhile, Private Sector Commission Chairman, Eddie Boyer, noted that there are several investments that are ready and waiting for Guyana but the Government needs to understand that they have to work with the Private Sector to realise those developments. He added at this time, the focus should be on the speedy completion of the project since it has overrun

Private Sector members with Derek Chin in one of the cinemas

several completion dates due to a number of factors.

“The problems are minuscule, they are solvable and Government has to get involved to solve some of those problems… when you are doing a project the Government should have a person to fast track and make sure some of these things are done in time because overruns can cost millions of dollars,” he said.

Conduit

In an effort to ease the burden on Chin, President of the Georgetown Chambers of Industry and Commerce, Deodat Indar, offered to be a conduit between Government and MovieTowne to assist with the completion of the proj-

ect.

The initial cost of MovieTowne was pegged at US$30 million but has now escalated to US$45 million as a result of several delays.

The investment is seen as the largest Private Sector undertaking in recent years and is expected to create several hundred jobs and boosting the economy.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chambers of Industry and Commerce (GCCI) to check on the progress and offer support to Chin ahead of the scheduled August opening planned the tour of the facility.

Once completed, MovieTowne Guyana will be outfitted with eight state-ofthe-art screens with the to-

tal seating capacity of 2100 and equipped with the technology needed for patrons to immerse themselves in the magic of every film.

Additionally, there would also be a 60,000-square foot Massy Stores Super Centre along with a series of various cafes, bistros, restaurant and stores. Among the cafes scheduled for the plaza is the famous Hard Rock Café.

During the tour, both PSC’s Chairman Boyer, and GCCI’s President Indar reiterated their commitment towards supporting the venture. They noted that it is investments like these that catches the attention of international investors making Guyana a hotspot for development.

PPP slams Govt for unilateral creation of NDCs …says no free, informed consent pursued

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is questioning the silence from Government after it created two new Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), without even consulting the residents as part of the ‘free and informed consent’ process.

According to the Party on Tuesday, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan surreptitiously gazetted an order on June 1, 2018 creating the Aranaputa/Upper Burro and Annai, Region

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

Nine NDCs. “Most worrisome is that this Order was only posted

on the Official Gazette website a week later and up to that point neither Minister Bulkan, who signed the Order, nor the Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock, had made any public announcement concerning these new NDCs.” According to the Party, in 2016, the Communities Minister issued an Order declaring Aranaputa an NDC in Region Nine, but this is in an area where there is no titled land. “However, this was a controversial move as there was little or no consul-

According to the Party, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock has remained conspicuously silent as these actions are taken without consultations

tation with the community or the surrounding titled communities.”

The Party recalled that

Bulkan had admitted during the 2018 Budget debate that he had set up a council in Aranaputa without the in-

volvement of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The Party added that the Minister had also admitted that the Chairperson and Deputy Chair were being paid from the Toshaos budgetary allocation for Region Nine.

Noting that an NDC has to comprise more than one People’s Cooperative Unit, the Party said that this new Order terminates the previous Order. According to the PPP, it also increases the territory in the Aranaputa NDC to include two People’s Cooperative Units, with a six-member council.

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Minibus conductor killed in Essequibo Coast accident

Dead: Lalman Narine Sahadeo

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minibus conductor has died in an accident on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dead is 41-year-old Lalman Narine Sahadeo.

Reports are the conductor died on the Spring Garden Public Road on Monday about 18:00h.

Guyana Times was told that Sahadeo was riding a bicycle on the Spring Garden, Essequibo Coast Public

Road about 200 feet away from his home when he was struck by a speeding car.

According to reports, a neighbour heard the impact and upon investigation saw Sahadeo’s damaged bicycle and alerted his family. The body was found about 130 feet away from the point of impact in the trench alongside the road.

The 23-year-old driver of the car is an employee of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). He is from the same village.

This publication was told that the man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and drove away from the scene. He then went to the GFC office in Supenaam, where he was later arrested. Sahadeo leaves to mourn his wife, Zaheeda Sahadeo, and only child, Suchipra Sahadeo, a student of the Good Hope Primary School.

His body was taken to the Suddie Morgue to await an autopsy. Police are investigating.

Dump meets Dung S

The car that hit Sahadeo

PPP slams Govt for unilateral...

“But the most egregious aspect of these Orders is the establishment of the new Annai NDC … now includes a very large territory with several titled Amerindian communities – Annai, Rupertee, Kwatamang, Wowetta and Surama. The new NDC will have 12 council members. However, most of these titled villages just completed their elections for Toshaos and Amerindian Village Councils.”

“None of these communities were consulted in keeping with the international policy of ‘Free Prior and Informed Consent’ included in the Amerindian Act. As of June 8, 2018, the Regional

Democratic Council, the North Rupununi Development Board, and the Amerindian Village Councils and communities in these areas were totally unaware of this development.”

The Party pointed to a number of issues, including the complete lack of progress in issuing communal titles, comments from Presidential Advisor Eric Phillips, the establishment of the Land Commission of Inquiry and the Government’s refusal to implement Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) initiatives aimed at Indigenous development.

“The end result is that

applications for titles and extension of lands to Amerindian peoples and the demarcation of titled lands are now virtually at a standstill. Whilst the (Amerindian Development Fund) seems to have become susceptible to ‘cherry-picking’ by the Government as to which villages will receive their project funds. The slowing down of all the initiatives of the LCDS, and, in particular the (Amerindian Titling Project) is a major cause of concern, especially since US$2 million of the available US$10 million has been spent in the last three years and produced nothing.”

“Other actions by the

from page 9

Government leave no doubt as to its policy with regard to Amerindian rights and communal titles, the termination of 1972 Amerindian Community Service Officers in July 2015; the closure and termination of all staff in the ALT of the Ministry of the Presidency in late 2015, new staff for the ALT Unit were hired over a year later; the consistent violation of ‘Free Prior and Informed Consent’ on issues affecting Amerindian communities; the worsening socio-economic conditions and shortage of drugs and medical supplies in these interior areas, to name a few,” the Party added.

atiricus didn’t know why he’d been so tense about the meeting between Presidents Dump and Dung.

It wasn’t as if he would’ve been affected if they’d started to hurl nuclear missiles at each other. Guyana was out of the missile trajectories – and the North East Trade winds that lulled him to sleep at nights wouldn’t be bringing any fallout his way. But you never know, he worried, as he ambled over to the Back Street Bar. “Whether the elephants fight or make love, it’s the grass that always gets crushed, you know,” he said to the fellas after he took his beer.

“That Dung fella looks more like a Panda Bear, if you ask me!” smiled Hari. “And with that hairdo, Dump could pass for a sheepdog!!”

“And dem Panda Bear gat laang, laang claw, you know!!” chuckled Bungi. “De sheep-daag na stan’ wan chance!!”

“OK, fellas, you know what I mean,” said Satiricus.

“Sato, ole fr’en, na tek worries!” said Cappo. “Dem two chap mek fuh mattie! Dem know wha’ dem a do!”

“Cappo rite. Abee dese sh’u’d jus’ watch!” said Bungi. “When two big bottle deh ah table, lil one nah gat business deh.”

“Dump and Dung are two drama queens, Sato,” observed Hari. “They’re going to milk this thing for years. They just love the attention!”

“I don’t think you fellas are taking these men seriously,” said Satiricus heatedly. “Dump is the president of the most powerful country in the world!!”

“Yes, but how me can tek wan president serious w’en ‘e ah eat two Big Mac, two Filet-O-Fish an’ wan milk shake fuh lunch ev’ry day?” grinned Cappo.

“And let’s not forget,” said Hari. “Dung’s favourite dish is Oshintang, dog-meat soup which supposedly gives him immunity and virility!”

“So you fellas don’t think this meeting was important in the very least?” asked Satiricus. “What about peace?”

“Sato, ole fr’en’ leh abee wait and see if anyt’ing guh happen,” said Bungi seriously. “Nah tek yuh mattie eye fuh see.”

They all clinked their beer bottles to that.

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Employment discrimination

GECOM Chairman rejects top-ranked applicant – Commissioners …although candidate served 3 years as DCEO

GECOM Commissioners Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-nominated side on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has signalled its intention to approach the international community after the highest scored candidate was rejected for the post of Deputy Chief Elections Officer.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the Commissioners accused GECOM Chairman Retired Justice James

same as other candidates.

According to Commissioner Bibi Shaddick, Persaud emerged from the interviews with a score of 76 while the second ranked candidate, a Roxanne Prince-Myers, scored 72.

“Vishnu Persaud, who had served as the DCEO for at least three years, was told that he had to reapply.

The interviews were held ... at the end of the interviews,

Roxanne Myers.”

“The three Commissioners on our side decided on principles (thus choosing the top ranker, however) the three Commissioners on the other side (had a change of heart and chose the second ranking candidate). The Chairman, as a casting vote, (then)... announced that the position will be offered to Ms Roxanne Meyers … for their master’s degrees, one did studies in gender relations, one did studies in elections,” Shadick related.

Questioning whether the stage was being set for a particular reason, Shadick was adamant that action besides writing to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) would be taken. She added that the matter would be brought to the attention of the international community.

According to Commissioner Robeson Benn, the matter went beyond racial discrimination and struck at the very heart of merit-based ap-

Two of the anti-PPP posts made on Facebook by the new GECOM Deputy Chief Elections Officer

Patterson of using his deciding vote to block the appointment of former Deputy CEO Vishnu Persaud, in favour of someone who was scored less by interviewers.

Persaud had been made to apply for the position, the

people were scored, ...on that average, in every case, except the DCEO (’s case), the top ranking candidate was selected. The DCEO position ranked Vishnu Persaud, an Indo-Guyanese as top rank...the second was

pointments. It was emphasised by the Commissioners that Persaud had previously served in the position.

In addition, he had never been cited in wrongdoing, and moreover reapplied and

Lindener jailed for B&E

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ermaine King, also called “Kingman”, of Lot 26 First Alley, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been sentenced to one year in prison by Magistrate Clive Nurse for the offence of

break and entry and larceny.

King admitted that on May 25, 2018, at West Watooka hill top, Wismar, he broke and entered the house of Sulika King and stole $30,000.

Magistrate Nurse, in

handing down the sentence, informed King that he took into consideration the seriousness and prevalence of the offence in the community, as he expressed hope that the one-year sentence will serve as a deterrent to others.

Teen slapped with rape charge

A

teenage boy who reportedly raped a 17-year-old girl of Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was on Tuesday slapped with a rape charge and appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts before city Magistrate Leron Daly.

Eighteen-year-old Etzer Hope, also of Mazaruni, Region Seven, reportedly engaged in sexual activity with the young woman last month.

The prosecution did not release any information about the matter in court.

However, the teen was released on $200,000 bail. The case will continue on June 18, 2018 at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

emerged as the top-ranked candidate from a bipartisan interview process that involved Commissioners from both sides. It was pointed out that for other posts, the top-ranked candidates were appointed without hiccups.

“Persaud emerged as the best ranked candidate ... On our side, we thought that these objections were scurrilous..., could only be described at this point in time as not being fair,” the Commissioner stressed.

“We have grave concerns where a Guyanese, who is imminently qualified for the position... all his appraisals were excellent, that in the decision of the Chairman, he should not have been chosen as the DCEO...This is a matter of fairness, which we believe we have to take action [on] and making approaches to Ethnic Relations Commission.”

Former Deputy CEO Vishnu Persaud

GECOM Chairman James Patterson

Meanwhile, a perusal of Prince-Myers’ Facebook account showed a number of anti-PPP posts.

In one of her posts, she stated, “This forensic audit of #GPL points to another mess the Coalition inherited from the #PPP. Hopefully, it could be salvaged without further inconvenience to

citizens. Time to call these public officials to account.”

The Commissioners made it clear in their release that retired Justice Patterson “continues to act in a manner that does not inspire confidence, particularly given that his decisions are not informed, rational or fair”.

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wednesDAY, june 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen dies after allegedly “Nasty Man” for High jumping from moving car Court appearance today

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P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 19-year-old after she reportedly jumped from a moving car on Lamaha Street, Georgetown.

Dead is Sasia Adams, formerly of Pomeroon, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) who resided at East Street, Georgetown.

Reports are about 20:00h, Adams’s 21-year-old boyfriend, of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) rushed her to the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital. He reportedly told nurses that she jumped from his moving car while they were proceeding along Lamaha Street.

Guyana Times was told that the young woman, who was conscious at the time, later told doctors that she fell at home.

She was admitted into the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with severe head injuries and succumbed to her injuries about 11:00h on Tuesday.

Sasia Adams

Police have taken the boyfriend into custody and are investigating the matter.

wenty-three-yearold Dellon Henry of Houston, Greater Georgetown, is expected to appear before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court today in relation to the alleged shooting death of Dexter Griffith at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on September 29, 2015.

Reports were that Griffith on the day in question, at about 19:30h, was sitting on a chair at Genip Street, Ruimveldt, when the accused walked towards him and fired several shots in his direction, mortally injuring him.

It was also reported back then that after being shot,

Dellon Henry, called “Nasty Man”

the now deceased man managed to stand up and walked a short distance away in an attempt to escape from Henry but eventually fell unconscious to the ground, while his assailant escaped.

Public spirited persons near the scene of the crime had taken Griffith to a city hospital where he was later pronounced dead on arrival.

Henry has always denied he murdered Griffith. In fact, he had noted that on the day in question and at the time of the shooting, he was at home with his mother and was nowhere near the scene of the crime. Henry was committed to stand trial two years ago.

Boxing Night murder trial

Husband, wife claim innocence – to know fate in coming days

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i s h a w a n t i e Ragnauth and Nyron Thakurdyal, who are on trial for a relative’s Skull City, Patentia, West Bank Demerara murder, which took place on December 26, 2014, addressed the court via unsworn statements on Tuesday, telling Judge and jury that they are innocent of the charge before them.

Giving an unsworn statement meant that they could not be cross-examined.

Ragnauth, called “Shelly”, confirmed that her uncle was indeed cursing her and that their fight got physical. She also admitted that her reputed husband, Nyron Thakurdyal, went to defend her after the late Sunil Ramsundar grabbed her.

She said she stopped a car because she was going to report the matter at the Wales Police Station and noted that she did not have a knife or a cellphone in her possession.

Nyron Thakurdyal’s account of the event was similar as he claimed his reputed wife’s uncle fell to the ground after he restrained him from hitting Ragnauth.

During his unsworn statement, which saw his accent change from Guyanese to American, the defendant expressed that after he saw Ramsundar holding his reputed wife, he went over and grabbed his hands.

“I told him to let her go and when he let her go, he ended up falling towards the fence...we jump in the car and [Vishawantie] holler out to drive to the station,” he noted.

“Next thing the Police told me go in the lockup... then a few days later, they brought this allegation of murder against me,” Thakurdyal, also called “One Eye” added.

Nyron Thakurdyal

Vishawantie Ragnauth

Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan in his testimony gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage, and stab wound to the neck. The Pathologist told the jury that there were injuries to the right forearm, right chest, left part of the neck and jaw; noting that a puncture to an artery caused excessive blood loss.

The jury also heard that Ramsundar was also stabbed to the left palm, which the Pathologist said indicated that the injury was defensive in nature.

Under cross-examination

by Defence Attorney Nigel Hughes, the doctor however admitted that the possibility exists that the deceased could have fallen on a paling stave or a sharp object other than the kitchen knife that was said to be the murder weapon.

However, under re-examination by Prosecutor Lisa Cave, the expert witness said it was more likely that it was the knife that caused Ramsundar’s fatal injuries.

Police Constable Alex Solomon had tendered the brown handled kitchen knife that he said the accused woman had in her possession under her clothing. He claimed that Ragnauth took it out in his presence. Under cross-examination, he admitted that he did not find

any cellphones on either of the accused persons at the Wales Police Station. It was only last week that off-duty Police Lance Corporal Benjamin Dufu, who was giving the duo a lift on the Wales public road, told the court that he drove into the Wales Police Station after he grew suspicious of them.

According to Police reports in 2014, the incident occurred at about 22:00h where it was alleged that Sunil Ramsundar’s sister was reportedly being assaulted by her daughter, Vishawantie, and Vishawantie’s reputed husband, Thakurdyal. At that time, reports stated that the now deceased man enquired from his sister why she was crying, and upon learning that the couple had physically assaulted her, the man approached his niece for an explanation. However, this reportedly turned into a heated argument, during which Ramsundar was stabbed about his body. He collapsed on the spot and was pronounced dead on arrival to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Both the prosecution and defence presented closing addresses before the jury and Justice Sandil Kissoon.

The matter will be sent to deliberation in the coming days.

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wednesDAY, june 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Child labour policy soon to be finalised Consultations continue for …poverty listed as main cause of phenomenon

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ith attempts to combat and eliminate cases of child labour, which has been on the rise for a number of years, a workshop for the draft of the National Child Labour Policy was on Tuesday hosted by the Department of Labour.

The workshop, which was held in commemoration of World Child Labour Day under the theme “Generation safe and healthy, end child labour”, saw the contributions of a number of stakeholders. The recommendations from the workshop are expected to result in a final document that can be implemented to prevent child labour.

General Secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) Dawchan Hagasar, commented on the alarming picture of cases of child labour in Guyana and the dangers which can be caused to a child as a result of working at a young age in dangerous conditions.

“While we are aware that there is a commitment to eradicate child labour in Guyana, we also at the same time cannot be comforted by the statistics. We have seen from the most recent available national labour rapid assessment survey that children in Guyana are engaged in the worst forms of child labour including dangerous activities in agriculture,” Hagasar stated.

Some children may be exposed to hazards when they lift and carry heavy loads, in domestic households or by working with pesticides in the agriculture field.

Hagasar also related that the high unemployment rate in Guyana does not contribute to the lowering of these cases, since many children are sent out to work to support their families.

“Children employed as domestic workers work long hours and are isolated in private homes where they are susceptible to physical abuse and sexual abuse.

Children working in the streets are vulnerable to se-

A skit that was performed to educate the gathering on child labour

vere accident and crime. The facts are alarming and the situation is saddening. The massive bellowing of the unemployed in our country in the recent times cannot be helpful.”

Meanwhile, Advisor of the Consultative of the Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI) Samuel Goolsaran noted that while children are working for small wages, some magnitudes of child labour can cause irreversible damages to a child. He explained that while some cases might be visible, it is difficult to recognise other instances of child labour in Guyana.

Additionally, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle who addressed the gathering of stakeholders on behalf of the Minister within the Social Protection Ministry Keith Scott revealed that the main cause of child labour in Guyana is poverty, which accounts to some 82 per cent while 13 per cent was as a result of force by parents. There is an interconnection between poverty in the household which requires children to enter into a work environment to obtain money. In these circumstances, their education is abandoned.

“The root cause of child labour is extreme poverty.

There’s seems to be a strong coloration between poverty and child labour. Hence, ev-

ery act directed at the illumination of poverty can be considered as an attack on child labour.”

General Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, also recognised poverty as the main factor for the exploitation of a child in Guyana. According to him, the education of people after the policy is completed will lead to awareness. This will foster action and result in change. However, the principal target still remains at poverty.

Further, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative Palo Marchi noted that the policy is important since there is not much statistics on child labour in Guyana which can cause major prevention.

“The development of the policy will push an agenda.

Let’s have a policy which is going to have a strategy, piece of legislation and implementable. So we will push an agenda to together prevent child labour by ensuring more focus investment towards education and social protection measures to combat child labour and especially prevent it.”

At the end of the workshop’s discussion, concerns surrounding the drafts were likely to be finalised to ensure that a comprehensive policy is completed and adopted.

New Peace Corp arrive in Guyana

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Members of the Peace Corp that arrived in Guyana

hirty-eight Peace Corps trainees arrived in Guyana on Tuesday morning to begin their 27 months of service to

the people of Guyana.

The new trainees are part of the 31st group of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Guyana since 1995, and rep-

resent 20 out of the 52 United States. The volunteers’ age range from 21 to 47, and come from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Turn to page 16

new school curriculum

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nstitutions across Guyana will be introduced to a new curriculum which caters for all students, as consultations begin for the reformation of the current school syllabus.

The discussions are currently ongoing with nine Canadian consultants from the Saint Francis Xavier University and the Mindbloom School, who have been collecting information from educators and schools from various regions across Guyana.

Another consultation was hosted on Tuesday at the National Centre for Education Research Development NCERD, featured three consultants – Paula Mackinnon, Joanne Thompkins and Jeffery Orr – and administrators from various specials schools where the concerns that surround the education of these children were raised.

Several teachers related that the standard school curriculum was used to teach children with disabilities while others informed that the current curriculum is too packed to reach

One of the consultants, Paula Mackinnon

the needs of every student.

Additionally, it was noted that Guyana depends heavily on the assistance of outsiders, which is not as effective as an internal guide. To modify this, the curriculum will be modified to suit the needs of Guyana’s children.

One of the consultants, Paula Mackinnon, gave an insight on the expertise of the consultants that were directed to enhance Guyana’s current syllabus.

“We bring with us, expertise in curriculum development and curriculum reengineering and reform. And then some specific expertise

in inclusive pedagogy [and] in subject areas to help explore views of how the curriculum might be enhanced in that regard,” Mackinnon informed.

“This is a curriculum for Guyana. We can provide assistance for the development but it is yours and we hope that it provides every student with the opportunity to reach their full potential,” she added.

Director of National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), Jennifer Cumberbatch in her remarks noted, “Special education needs is a special part of our curriculum as we look at it in the very near future.

We are ensuring that everyone is included. We want no one left behind and we want no one left out.”

Several consultations were held over the past months with public and private institutions so as to provide equal opportunities for all students. After the information has been gathered, the team will be returning to Guyana in July to make further progress.

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wednesDAY, june 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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wednesDAY, june 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Parika drug bust

5 remanded for trafficking over Misconduct for GuySuCo 28 lbs of cocaine, 77 lbs ganja

and GPL to function without Boards, accumulating $60B debt

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isconduct in office has become a new weapon for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) to intimidate and harass its opponents and to consolidate their rapid institutionalisation and descent into dictatorship.

But APNU/AFC itself is the one that is absolutely guilty of misconduct in office. Two clear examples of misconduct in office are the continued negligence of the Ministers of Agriculture and Public Infrastructure to appoint Boards of Directors for two Dr Leslie Ramsammy of Guyana’s most important public corporations – GuySuCo and GPL. The absence of these Boards at a time when both public corporations seem to be floating clueless, productivity clearly deteriorating, while both are accumulating incredible debts, which are likely to reach $60 billion soon, represent clear misconduct in office.

The APNU/AFC has created a new legal offence called “Misconduct in Office” and they have even disgracefully charged, without any kind of meaningful evidence, former Ministers and other senior officials that served in Government previously. It appears that the only reason for creating a new criminal offence and for charging the persons they did was that they were senior officials that dared to serve the people under a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government. In the midst of this despicable behaviour, APNU/AFC has taken misconduct in office to unprecedented levels. This column has repeatedly highlighted examples of corruption, incompetence, recklessness and gross misconduct in office, occurring every day, without respite.

The Leader of the Opposition has eloquently this past week highlighted several examples of both political malfeasance and misconduct in office. Both Ministers – Agriculture and Public infrastructure – and other senior officials of APNU/AFC have claimed that they are taking their time to find the right kinds of persons to serve as Board Members. They both claimed that they are consulting widely with people and organisations across Guyana to ensure the right people are appointed.

These claims have raised a number of questions and doubt in people’s mind. First, no one seems to know who these Ministers are consulting with because everyone and every organisation that we have talked to are unaware that the Government is consulting with anyone. Second, people want to know why it is so difficult to identify qualified Guyanese to serve on the Boards or is it that they only want persons loyal to APNU/AFC. Third, people are confused because it has been more than three years that APNU/AFC has controlled Government and yet they have only recently given thought to appointing qualified people for the Boards. Fourth, given that both of these entities were served

by Boards that APNU/AFC appointed in 2015, people assume that APNU/AFC is admitting that both Boards they previously identified were people unqualified.

In the case of GuySuCo, important urgent matters must be addressed. This public corporation continues to flounder, missing their targets and production is becoming an embarrassment even for this Government. It is the reason why we hardly hear anyone talking about production in the industry.

In the meanwhile, as production continues to fall, the pension fund in trouble and the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) is talking about privatisation, management is left alone to do whatever they please. The worse part of this is that the SPU is borrowing $30 billion (US$150 million) which APNU/AFC is guaranteeing.

This means another burden being placed on taxpayers. To not appoint a Board to give their input and to make important decision is not just reckless, it is gross misconduct in office.

The same situation exists at GPL. In fact, the continued lengthy blackouts and low voltage situation is on the increase, instead of being reduced. The situation is moving towards the awful situation that existed before 1992. Not only blackouts and low voltage problems, but electricity losses are again on the increase. In 1992, losses amounted to close to 45 per cent. By 2015 it had been reduced to about 20 per cent. As of now, losses amount to close to 30 per cent. Even as GPL, which Guyanese have now began to deem GP-Hell, continues to embarrass the Government and disappoint people, APNU/AFC has neglected their duty to appoint a Board. Meanwhile, the CEO wants to borrow $22 billion (US$110 million) to add to the debt burden on the Guyanese people.

Given the frivolous charges of misconduct in office APNU/ AFC has instituted against former Ministers and senior officials, only because they served under the PPP, it is our duty to hold Ministers and senior officials in this Government accountable and ensure that we highlight and act against misconduct in office. Adding insult to injury, the Agriculture Minister continues to confess no knowledge of what troubles GuySuCo is enduring.

Clearly, citizens must act to protect the interest of our people and our country.

T

he five men who were nabbed last week on the Parika Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) by Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) ranks with over 12 kilograms (28 pounds) of cocaine and some 35 kg (77.1 pounds) of cannabis were on Tuesday arraigned at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool read the charges of trafficking in narcotics to Doodnauth Chattergoon, 36, and Khemraj Lall, 39, both of Lot 67213 “B” Zeelugt, EBE; Marlon Lawrence, 36, of Felicity, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and Rajendra Persaud, 47, of Liliendaal, ECD. They denied the charges.

However, the fifth defendant, Clive Thornhill, who

The five accused

and reattached with wire and glue.

When the containers were searched, several parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems along with a white powdery substance were discovered.

That car was reportedly being driven by Persaud with Lawrence as a passenger. The second vehicle, PVV 7934, was intercepted with Lall and Chattergoon inside along with cell and satellite phones.

The cocaine found

was reportedly the captain of the boat which transported the drug from Charity, Essequibo to Parika, admitted that he played a part in the narcotics trafficking. He is claiming that the drugs were collected from himself

by Lawrence and Persaud.

According to the prosecution’s case, CANU received a tipoff that the drugs were being transported in two vehicles – PSS 8019 and PVV 7934 – after it arrived via boat at the Parika Stelling.

Motor vehicle PSS 8019 was stopped on the Parika Public Road by CANU ranks and two 15-gallon gasoline barrels were found with their bottoms cut off

Thornhill was intercepted some time later and reportedly immediately confessed to transporting the drugs.

The five men were all taken to the CANU headquarters where the drugs – 12 parcels of cocaine and 42 parcels of cannabis – were weighed.

In court on Tuesday, Thornhill told Magistrate Liverpool that he was unaware that he was transporting drugs as he was only hired to ‘drop off’ the barrels at Parika.

CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford was in court on Tuesday. Chattergoon and Lall were represented by

GTI student slapped with illegal ammo charge

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G o v e r n m e n t Technical Institute (GTI) student was granted bail on Tuesday

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he was found with ammunition hidden in a $100 bill.

Renardo Morgan, of Charlestown, Georgetown, denied the charge which stated that on June 9, 2018 at Lombard Street, Georgetown, he had three rounds of live .32 ammunition without being licensed for same.

His Attorney, Nikesha Persaud told the Court that the teen found the $100 bill

on the road.

However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield explained that the teen was seen by ranks acting in a suspicious manner. This led to him being stopped and searched by the ranks. He was arrested and charged. The prosecution is contending that the ammunition was found wrapped in a $100 bill in his left hand.

Morgan was released on $10,000 bail. As a condition of his bail, he has to report to the Police Station nearest to his school every day.

He will be assigned a social worker.

Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva. Thornhill was advised to seek further guidance from an attorney.

The men were all remanded to prison. The case will continue on July 6, 2018.

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wednesDAY, june 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former SWAT Head to challenge Felix’s ‘special leave’ decision

By Michael Younge

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ormer SWAT Unit Head Motie Dookie is expected to challenge a decision made

by Citizenship Minister Winston Felix while performing the functions of Public Security Minister to send him on special leave with pay, as he believes the move may be illegal and a breach of his fundamental rights as outlined in the Constitution of Guyana.

This was confirmed by Dookie’s recently retained Attorney, Anil Nandlall, who is also Guyana’s former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister.

Dookie was accused of smuggling 30 cases of whisky in December 2017 and was spared criminal charges after the driver of the vehicle that he was in at the time of the interception took full responsibility for the illegal items.

Following the discovery and the subsequent reportage of the media as well as an initial investigation conducted by his superiors, he was relieved of his duties as SWAT Commander. A decision was also taken to transfer him to the Force’s Strategic Planning Unit to

Former SWAT Unit Head Motie Dookie

facilitate an internal investigation. Soon after, he was then posted to the Police A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) last month but reassigned to Police Headquarters, Eve Leary a few days later. On May 24, the decision to send him on special leave was made

by Minister Felix while the performing the duties of the substantive Minister Khemraj Ramjattan who has also refused to rescind the leave instruction.

Also, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Department of Public Service, Reginald Brotherson defended the move on Friday, saying in

the absence of a constituted Police Service Commission (PSC), the authorised Minister or agency can take action against Police ranks using the Public Service Rules after Minister Felix had argued that the action was taken in accordance with the 1987 Public Service Rules.

But Nandlall, speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday said the Government cannot justify the unlawful decision taken by Minister Felix who gave an unlawful instruction to the acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine that resulted in his client being sent on ‘special leave with pay’.

“Minister Felix has no such power…

Mr Ramnarine has no such power. The power to discipline Police Officers above a specific rank lies with the Police Service Commission.

A Police Commissioner nor a Minister has no such power whatsoever to direct, to interfere with or to exercise disciplinary power or control over these officers,” he maintained during the interview despite the arguments put forward by Brotherson and Felix.

The attorney said he has

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix

noted with grave consternation the positions taken by Felix and Brotherson which he hoped they would advance in a modern court of hope.

“I hope to name him (Felix) as a party in the proceedings and I have that those reasons he has articulated in the press, he will come to the court and articulate those very reasons and the court will rule upon his arguments because I have read them and they amount to absolute nonsense,” he noted.

The lawyer did not say how soon he would take formal action by filing the necessary paper work but he did promise that it would be done with great dispatch given the seriousness of the move by Felix.

“The Constitution places that functional remit exclusively in the Police Service Commission. Article 212 of the Constitution provides

that… the power to make appointments to any offices in the Police Force of or above the rank of inspector, the power to exercise disciplinary control [of] persons holding or acting in such offices and the power to remove such persons from office shall vest in the Police Service Commission,” the release continued.

“Clearly, Dookie falls within the ranks provided for and contemplated by this provision. Additionally, Article 226 (1) provides that ‘…in the exercise of its functions under this Constitution, a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority,’” Nandlall had argued.

Exxon advances Liza Phase 1 development

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he Liza Phase One development continues to progress rapidly, with the commencement of development drilling offshore Guyana, ExxonMobil said on Tuesday.

Development drilling began in May for the first of 17 wells planned for Phase 1, laying the foundation for production startup in 2020. The company and its co-venturers have so far discovered estimated recoverable resources of more than 3.2 billion oil-equivalent barrels on the Stabroek Block.

“The work our teams have done in Guyana is remarkable,” said Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Development Company.

“We are well on our way to producing oil less than five years after our first discovery, which is well ahead of the industry average for similar projects. The Liza development and future projects will provide significant economic benefits to Guyana,” ExxonMobil said in a release.

Liza Phase One is expected to generate over US$7 billion in royalty and profit oil revenues for Guyana over the life of the project. Additional benefits will accrue from other development projects now being planned. Liza Phase One involves the conversion of an oil tanker into a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel named <<<Liza Destiny>>>, along with four undersea drill centres with 17 produc-

The Noble Bob Douglas drillship

tion wells. Construction of the FPSO vessel and subsea equipment is under way in more than a dozen countries.

Liza Destiny will have a production capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day. A second FPSO vessel with a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day is being planned as part of the Liza Phase Two development, and a third is under consideration for the Payara development. Together, these three developments will produce more than 500,000 barrels of oil per day.

“Guyanese businesses, contractors and employees have been an essential element of our exploration, drilling and development progress,” Mallon said. “Our focus is on enabling local workforce and supplier development, and collaborating with the Government to support the growth and success of Guyana’s new energy industry.”

About 50 per cent of ExxonMobil’s employees, contractors, and subcontractors are Guyanese, a number that will continue to grow as operations progress.

ExxonMobil spent about $24 million with more than 300 local suppliers in 2017, and opened the Centre for Local Business Development in Georgetown, Guyana, to promote the establishment and growth of small and medium-sized local businesses.

The Centre has enabled access to training and capacity-building support for more than 275 local businesses.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds a 45 per cent stake. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

New Peace Corps arrives...

For the next 10 weeks of pre-service training, the Peace Corps trainees will live with host families who will teach them the Guyanese way of life as they learn how to cook local food, negotiate in the market place, and participate in community activities.

In addition, their training will include a technical component within the health, education and environment sectors where they will engage in field practicums within Peace

Corps’ new local model school programme. The group will be sworn in as Peace Corps volunteers in August, to begin their two years of service in nine regions of Guyana.

In March of 1961, President John F Kennedy created the Peace Corps to provide human resource and technical assistance to developing countries. The Peace Corps was first active in Guyana from 1966-1971, and later returned in 1995 at the invitation of then-Pres-

From page 13

ident, Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Since its establishment, more than 900 American volunteers have supported numerous communities throughout Guyana.

The volunteers have welcomed the opportunity to work with the people of Guyana and extended their gratitude to the people of Guyana for their hospitality, and for the possibility they offer to the volunteers in working together to advance and develop the country.

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wednesDAY, june 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

hindu swayamsevak sangh - guyana Trump in surprise summit move says he will halt Korea war games International Day of YOGA

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Now that you are familiar with us and what we do and how this business about International Day of Yoga came about, let’s get you aware about YOGA itself and some postures that you can practice so you too can be on your way to a safer and healthier life.

Let us look at the spiritual aspect of it first The Spiritual Stretch Yoga is physical, for sure. Regularly practicing yoga develops your stamina, your strength, and your rockstar abs. Postures challenge the body. However, yoga is also a mental practice where you work through emotional stress and psychological challenges – you may even meditate.

If you sign up for yoga classes because you want a thin body or the ability to master a handstand then you are skimming the surface of the practice. If you enjoy yoga for the health benefits then you will certainly feel better with regular sessions. But without the spiritual side, yoga is simply a stretch class, a gym session, or a space for relaxation. Go deeper, and you’ll find so much more.

Promoting Consciousness When committing to yoga practice on a regular basis, yogis seek to experience and become aware of the spirit, or the energy, within and without. We are not talking about ghostly spirits here, or some supernatural being – spirit is higher consciousness; a driving force, a motivation, a reason behind everything we think and everything we do. Being aware of this energy is something spiritual.

Therefore, awareness is critical to yoga as a spiritual practice.

Think of the expression “the mat is your mirror.” When you turn up to the mat you bring yourself – only yourself and all of yourself.

If you practice yoga with an awareness of yourself you come to learn about the different ways you act, how you react, and what you are like – in creating awareness of yourself you can transform your mind, which in turn affects how you live your life and how you interact with others.

Abandoning Control Awareness doesn’t always lead to the place you want to go.

Yoga as a spiritual practice is not about changing your life so you can earn more money, be a “better” person, or score a job you love. Yoga is not about getting rid of the negative by controlling your mind and your environment. Rather, practicing yoga reminds you there is no “sweet spot” – there will always be a barking dog, a car that runs out of gas, a bad-tempered boss or an inattentive lover. There will always be something you could do without, or improve. Developing a spiritual side with yoga is about holding your pose regardless of the circumstances through an awareness of yourself and your experience.

It is all about relinquishing control.

Most of the time, we are busy analyzing our actions and focusing on our physical performance instead of simply being. How can you develop awareness without taking the time and space to connect deeper within yourself?

Yoga gives you the space to do just that. Many teachers will talk of the importance of the quiet mind – push yourself through the highly physical postures in order to be exhausted enough to let go into your quiet mind or sacred inner space. Just be. Don’t expect positivity, peacefulness or happiness, but if it does come, be aware of it.

Be aware of what you experience, and be grateful. Taking this attitude of gratitude and surrender into your everyday life away from the mat makes yoga a spiritual practice. That is the way to attain a quite mind and a peaceful soul.

In the words of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, “Yoga is the tool to find the ultimate expression of life” Join us tomorrow as we share with you some simple yoga postures that you can do to help with your spiritual wellbeing.

(HINDUS for SELFLESS SERVICE) E-mail: hssguyana@gmail.com

S President Donald Trump made a stunning concession to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday about halting military exercises, pulling a surprise at a summit that baffled allies, military officials and lawmakers from his own Republican Party.

At a news conference after the historic meeting with Kim in Singapore, Trump announced he would halt what he called “very provocative” and expensive regular military exercises that the United States stages with South Korea.

That was sure to rattle close allies South Korea and Japan. North Korea has long sought an end to the war games.

Trump and Kim promised in a joint statement to work toward the “denuclearization” of the Korean Peninsula, and the United States promised its Cold War foe security guarantees. But they offered few specifics.

The summit, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, was in stark contrast to a flurry of North Korean nuclear and missile tests and angry exchanges of insults between Trump and Kim last year that fueled worries about war.

Highlighting the change

US President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore, June 12, 2018 (Kevin Lim/The Straits Times via Reuters)

in tone, North Korea’s staterun news agency reported early on Wednesday that Kim and Trump had accepted invitations to visit each other’s countries. No dates were disclosed.

Noting past North Korean promises to denuclearize, many analysts cast doubt on how effective Trump had been at obtaining Washington’s pre-summit goal of getting North Korea to undertake complete, verifiable and irreversible steps to scrap a nuclear arsenal that is advanced enough to threaten the United States.

Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Trump offered to lift economic sanctions on North

Korea.

Trump “expressed his intention to halt the US-South Korea joint military exercises, which the DPRK side regards as provocation, over a period of good-will dialogue between the DPRK and the US, offer security guarantees to the DPRK and lift sanctions against it along with advance in improving the mutual relationship through dialogue and negotiation,” it said.

North Korea’s formal name is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

While suggesting Pyongyang would take mutual goodwill measures, KCNA made no mention of abandoning the country’s nuclear program. (Reuters)

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wednesDAY, june 13, 2018

ARCHIE

Learn all you can about someone before you open up (March 21- about your personal life or inApril 19) tentions. Don't let anyone put demands or pressure on you.

Implement a healthier lifestyle.

ARIES

Don't make an unnecesTAURUS sary change. The cost will (April 20- turn out to be far greater than May 20) what your budget can handle.

Avoid unpredictable or argumentative individuals. Let experience be your guide.

dilbert

Listen carefully to what's GEMINI (May 21- being asked of you before you June 20) agree. Don't let someone from your past disrupt your personal or financial interests.

Joint ventures are best avoided.

If you get creative and do things differently, you'll be (June 21- surprised at the response you July 22) get. An open mind will help you bypass negativity. Bring joy into your life. Romance is encouraged.

CANCER

Peanuts

Listen and respond from LEO the heart. Being true to your(July 23- self and your beliefs will Aug. 22) make your life easier. Don't let clutter and past problems hold you back.

Calvin and Hobbes

Look at what you can acVIRGO complish, not at what you can(Aug. 23not. If you focus on friends, Sept. 22) family and finding out all you can about your heritage, it will change how you move forward.

You know what you must LIBRA (Sept. 23- do, so stop procrastinating Oct. 23) and start tying up loose ends.

The less you leave undone, the fewer complaints you will face.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — BIRETTA (BIRETTA: bih-RET-uh: A stiff, square cap worn by Roman Catholic clergy.)

Someone will present SAGITTARIUS something that sounds good, (Nov. 23but get the lowdown and Dec. 21) consider the consequences before you decide to get involved. Joint ventures aren't in your best interest.

Average mark 34 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 34 or more words in BIRETTA? The list will be published tomorrow.

Sink your teeth into someCAPRICORN thing you find mentally stim(Dec. 22- ulating. What you discover Jan. 19) will help you broaden your horizons and encourage you to make serious plans.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — NOMADIC

nomad maid main manic mano mica

mind moan monad acid amid anodic

anomic damn danio domain icon camion

coda coin coma

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Wear your heart on your SCORPIO sleeve and let your feel(Oct. 24ings be known. Don't fear Nov. 22) being different or trying something new. Interact with people who can offer a unique perspective.

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don't feel you must do things in a big way to get noticed. Your ability to innovate and stick to a budget will make a difference.

Confusion will set in when it comes to emotional matters. Set the record straight if someone gets the wrong impression. Personal improvements should be considered.

Love is on the rise.

wednesDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

19

207 nations to vote on 2026

FIFA World Cup location

F

IFA members will decide today whether the 2026 World Cup should be played in North America or return to Africa for just the second time, in Morocco.

The choice is clear – between a slick bid based on gleaming stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada or an ambitious attempt from Morocco based largely on yet-to-be built facilities.

On the eve of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the FIFA member nations will cast their vote in a congress of world football's governing body. Morocco's bid for 2026 was only cleared to advance to the runoff vote earlier this month, despite a FIFA evaluation report which classified the North African nation's stadium, accommodation and transport systems as "high risk".

The report left the USCanada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of a possible five. Morocco received only 2.7 out of five, but advanced despite red flags being raised over several critical components of the bid.

A FIFA summary of the bid task force's findings

warned that "the amount of new infrastructure required for the Morocco 2026 bid to become reality cannot be overstated”. But the North American bid has been dogged by concerns that the vote could become a referendum on the popularity of US President Donald Trump.

On Monday, bid leader Carlos Cordeiro repeated a message he has hammered

out again and again in recent months – vote on us, not Trump.

"This is not geopolitics; we’re talking about football and what is fundamentally, at the end of the day, the best interest of football and our footballing community.”

The US lost out to Qatar in 2022 in a vote now tarnished by corruption allegations which spelt the begin-

ning of the end of the once all-powerful FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Critics of the Morocco bid also point to the fact that the 2026 World Cup will be the first to be expanded to 48 teams, posing a severe test for the hosts.

But the North Africans are still considered to be in with a genuine chance.

It has tried, and failed, four times before, in votes

for the 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010 tournaments – it lost out in the latter to South Africa, the only African nation ever to have hosted football's global showpiece.

Morocco has the support of many European countries, attracted by its geographical proximity, and most of Africa, in line with a call from the head of the Confederation of African

Football, Ahmad Ahmad.

However, two Englishspeaking African countries, Liberia and South Africa, have defected to the North America bid.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is believed to strongly support the North American bid because the three countries involved backed him for the presidency in 2016 when he took over after the reign of Blatter, who is being investigated in Switzerland for alleged corruption.

In 2010, a FIFA evaluation committee flagged Qatar's bid for 2022 as "a health risk for players, spectators, officials" over ferocious heat in the Gulf State in June and July. Qatar duly won the vote in a shock result in Zurich; FIFA later moved the tournament to November and December 2022.

The corruption-tainted nature of the 2010 vote prompted FIFA to overhaul its bidding process for the World Cup. Whereas previously the 24 members of the FIFA executive committee used to determine World Cup races, now the hosts will be decided by a vote of 207 individual FIFA member nations. (AFP)

Belgium trounce Costa Rica in World Cup warm-up A

Eden Hazard (right) of Belgium is brought down during the friendly against Costa Rica

powerful brace from Romelu Lukaku and a glittering performance from Eden Hazard saw Belgium beat Costa Rica 4-1 in Brussels in their final World Cup warm-up on Monday.

But Belgium fans would have watched in horror as Hazard, who has been showing great form lately, limped off in the 70th minute.

His teammates later dispelled any fears of lasting damage to the diminutive Chelsea forward.

"I'm not too worried about Eden; he's a tough guy. He gets kicked all the time, but soon gets over it," said Lukaku after the game.

Coach Roberto Martinez's multitalented Red Devils were just too much for Costa Rica, who opened brightly and even took the lead through Brian Ruiz with a slick finish after some early pressure from the visitors. But the side that beat Egypt 3-0 last week, with a world-class Hazard pulling the strings, was 2-1 up by half-time thanks to finishes from Dries Mertens and Lukaku. The giant Manchester United target man got his second with a powerful header after running into space with great speed.

He then set up strike partner Michy Batshuayi for the fourth, and the pair did a little dance to celebrate. Belgium's Group G rivals in the World Cup will have been warned, with it being unpleasant viewing for England, Panama, and Tunisia.(AFP)

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wednesDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

GABF discloses selection for CBC Championships

T

he Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation on Tuesday released the full list of female players that will be representing Guyana at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC)

Championships in Suriname later this month.

The 12-member team will travel to Suriname for their engagement from June 15 to June 22.

Made up of predominantly high

Good on their promise: Baird receives GDF promotion F

ormerly just a petty officer in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Leslain Baird has reaped massive benefits from his medal-worthy performance at the recently-concluded South American Games that were held from May 26 to June 8.

Battling a potential injury in Cochabamba, Colombia last week, Baird was required to persevere in order to come out successful in the javelin event.

With a previous personal best throw of 74.71 metres, Baird was determined to better his scores. Added to that, he was challenged by his superiors at the GDF to throw more than 77.5m. He was told that if he could complete that goal, he would be rewarded with a promotion. Unfortunately, he was not able to complete the feat at the Commonwealth Games held in the Gold Coast, Australia. However, he did not allow that to deter him.

Throwing more than 70m in his first set of tries, Baird recounted that he could feel shoulder pains coming on and as such, he consulted with his coach on whether or not he should continue throwing. With the blessing of his coach, Baird made the best throw of his life – 78.65 metres, breaking the Guyanese and South American records. Although it was not his final throw, Baird could not go on owing to the injury.

Unfortunately, the South America record that was set was later broken by Arley Ibarguen of Colombia with a throw of 80.11m, landing the Guyanese athlete in the silver medal spot.

Nevertheless, Baird noted that he was thankful to the Almighty, his family, his coach, the GDF, and his athletic colleagues for their continued support.

Holding to their promise, the GDF moved to give Baird his well-deserved promotion. Shortly after Baird’s arrival in Guyana, Inspector General Colonel Nazrul Hussain and Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West presented him with his new badge of rank and his new title “Senior Petty Officer of the GDF”.

Baird contends that he will continue to work harder at his discipline and has set a personal goal of touching 80m by the end of 2018.

school players, the Senior National Women’s team include: Ginelle Ifill (Captain); Miriam McKenzie (co-captain); Jada Mohan; Annalisa Barclay; Saffiya Greene; Kennesha Leacock; Roschelle

Campbell; Demelza Nicholas; Caron Bobb-Semple; Makeida Rogers; Cliffanna Hunter and Kesann Charles.

They will be accompanied by team manager Ann Gordon, Head

Coach Troy Greene, Assistant Coach Dave Causway, and physiotherapist and physical conditioner Jonas Anestal. The national team will depart on June 15.

Vettel takes 50th win and F1 championship lead in Canada

S

ebastian Vettel capped an emotional weekend for Ferrari with a clinical pole-to-flag win at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday to retake the lead in the Formula One world championship from Mercedes's Lewis Hamilton by a single point.

The victory was the 50th of the German's career and left him on 121 points to Hamilton's 120 after seven races, with the Briton coming home fifth. In a bizarre ending to the race, and to Vettel's consternation, the chequered flag was waved a lap early by model Winnie Harlow.

"Tell them not to wave the flag when it's not done," the Ferrari driver said over the radio.

The victory put Ferrari back on top in Canada for the first time since seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher claimed the last of his record seven wins on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2004.

Putting Ferrari on pole in Montreal for the first time since 2001 with a track record time, Vettel had powered into the lead and was never challenged as he charged home seven seconds clear of Mercedes's Valtteri Bottas.

It was the German's third win of the season and second in Canada, the first coming in 2013 with Red Bull.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who dominated much of the practice, turned in a mature, error-free effort to take third place and quiet the storm of criticism swirling around him following a string of errors and crashes.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Red Bull, and denied the fastest lap by the early flag waving which meant that did not count.

The timing of Vettel's win could not have been better, coming on the 40th anniversary of the late Gilles Villeneuve's victory for the Italian team in 1978 at his home Grand Prix.

"Perfect is probably a good way to describe it. It's unbelievable. I said yesterday how much this place means to Ferrari and to have a race like we had today is unbelievable," said Vettel.

"It's 50 for me, but after a long stretch that Ferrari didn't w i n here, I saw the people around and they were (Reuters) s u per happy."

Sebastian Vettel celebrates his Canadian Grand Prix victory

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Gouveia wins 6th Lusignan Golf Club Tournament

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From left: M Bhagwandin (holding for R Persaud); Aleem Hussain; M Mangal (holding for I Gouveia); Patanjalee Persaud and Dr Joaan Deo

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72/11; fourth – Patanjalee Persaud 73/18.

Others who placed in the top nine were: Satrohan Tiwari 73/14; David Harry 76/12; Mike Mangal 77/8; Bridgelall Harry 77/16 and Patrick Prashad 78/9. Despite parts of the course being dampened owing to inclement weather, some 17 pros braved the conditions to put on a competitive game.

Following the match, Club President Hussain congratulated the winners and expressed his delight that they had been determined to play a good game of golf despite the weather conditions. He thanked the groundsmen for the sterling work they are doing to maintain the course as a playable one. Standing in for Captain Chatterpaul Deo, golfer Dr Joaan Deo assisted with the distribution of prizes.

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eteran golfer Ian Gouveia gained momentum towards the quest for the Lusignan Golf Club title, as he emerged the winner of last Sunday’s sixth Club Tournament.

Gouveia was challenged only by Club President Aleem Hussain in his Gross performance – a tie for 83, with Gouveia having a better back 9. In the end, it was Gouveia’s game as his Net scores gained him a clear three-point lead over the second-place winner.

Nearest The Pin was won by Mahendra Bhagwandin; winner of last Sunday’s Grand Coastal Tournament, Best Gross – Gouveia; Best Net first place: Gouveia 67/16; second – Rabindranath Persaud 70/17; third – Aleem Hussain

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T

he ‘Helping Employ Minority People’ (HEMP) association brought some much needed positive activity to the community of East Ruimveldt last weekend when they staged the finals of the East Ruimveldt Inter Block 5 a side small goal competition at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre ground.

The competition was first launched on June 2 by sponsor Verman Bedessee, Chief Executive Officer of Bedessee Imports, during a visit to the Guyana. During the launch, Bedessee pledged his full support to the development of youth football in the country and promised a donation of football gears, equipment and educational materials.

The finals of the competition which was highly anticipated by members of the

community and as such received an excellent crowd support, was conducted by Coach Lloyd Smith and Danella Barrow.

In the Under 13 category, the youngsters put on an impressive show by going neck to neck with each other. Eventually it was West Side Ballers who defeated Golden Star by one goal.

Moving up to the Under 15’s, it was Eastvill w h o emerged victorious over East ballers. Anton Vasconcellas and Brian Burette scored

for Eastvill whilst the lone goal for East Ballers came off the boots of Casion Warren.

The Under 17 category proved to be the most thrilling with La Warriors restricti n g Texas

Warriors from scoring.

Shemar King was the star of the team, netting both goals.

At the presentation, Chairman of the Georgetown Single Women HEMP association Ms. Timbi Hendricks urged the youths to always be disciplined, respectful and committed to the sport and their educations.

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wednesDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

Windies looking to Newly-commissioned take series 2-0 as roundabout unveiled as “Clive Lloyd Drive” visitors seek win

W

est Indies will look to keep their fire blazing come Test two after whipping the Sri Lankans by 200-plus runs in the first match, which ended on Sunday.

Led by centurion Shane Dowrich, Keiran Powell and a battery of fast-bowlers; West Indies secured a much-needed Test win against a decent team.

Looking forward to the second Test, both teams will need to keep their cool and hope the glimpses of form shown by some of their players actually peak over the next few days.

Powell, who scored 88 in the second innings, will need to play another

crucial role over the next five days as Dowrich’s rich vein of form was likely to continue. While the W i n dies will want more from their middle-order, the signs shown by Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach and others said mountains about the Caribbean side’s confidence.

Sri Lanka will want Kasul Mendis to continue his crafty ways as the opener scored a near match-winning/saving ton in the second innings and could be a thorn in the Windies side again.

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal, veteran Angelo Mathews and Kasul Perera will need to play better innings this time around.

As seen at the Queen’s Park Oval, the Windies pacers are fired

up and are keen on bowling with certain aggression.

Roach, Miguel Cummins, and Shannon Gabriel were lively and dangerous which rattled the Asians while Chase and Bishoo provided enough spin to subdue the Sri Lankans.

From the visitors’ perspective, pacer Lahiru Kumara is a revelation and will be called upon to create more opportunities for his side while the veteran Ragana Herath could likely partner off-spinner Akila Dananjaya in this second Test, at the expense of Dilruwan Perera.

(Clifton Ross)

DCC President Roger Harper, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green, sponsors from Top Brandz and others during the official unveiling of the Clive Lloyd roundabout

T

Shane Dowrich

Devendra Bishoo

he newly-commissioned Vlissengen Road and Carifesta Avenue roundabout was on Monday officially declared the Clive Lloyd Drive following a special unveiling ceremony.

The roundabout, which leads to the Rupert Craig Highway, saw the former Windies skipper and legend being honoured by members of his club, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC); Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green and sponsors from Top Brandz.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service and Master of Ceremonies, Reginald Brotherson, believed that the move was ideal as it not only recognised the legend, but beautified the city in the process.

Mayor Chase Green, while calling for the proper maintenance of the Boards, said the event was special as it helped to recognise an important figure in Guyana’s cricketing history.

Lloyd, whose first Test was back in 1966 against India, was one of the top tier players of the golden age, winning the first-ever 50-Over World Cup in 1975. DCC President Roger Harper exalted the legendary batsman for his contribution to the sport, Guyana, and the world over.

2018 CWI Regional Women’s T20 Round 2

Campbell helps Guyana secure win over Trinidad

Shemaine Campbell

A

fter losing to Jamaica in Sunday’s opener, Guyana’s ladies rebounded with an empathic seven-wicket win over Trinidad and Tobago in round two of the 2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Women’s T20 tourney. Round two played on Tuesday at Sabina Park saw Guyana racking up 70-3 in 14 overs in the first innings with skipper Shemaine Campbell hitting two sixes and three fours in her top score of 44 not out as opener Shenika Grimmond set the tone with an aggressive 17 as Trinidad’s best bowler, Anisa Mohammed returned figures of 11 runs for her two overs.

Earlier, the Guyanese squad ensured that their match against Jamaica

was out of sight as their star-studded bowling unit helped to keep their opponents to 69 runs when they batted first.

On Sunday, the Guyanese ladies warmed up with an unfortunate loss at the hands of the hosts who beat them by eight wickets after mustering 75-2.

Grimmond (24) was the top scorer, as no other Guyanese cricketer passed nine.

Windies Women’s International and Jamaica skipper Stafanie Taylor bagged 2-12 while Roshana October starred with 3-11.

Round three will bowl off on Thursday with Guyana looking to continue their winning streak when they tackle Windward Islands under lights at Sabina Park from 19:00h.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

Sammy looking to future ahead of

23

2018 Hero CPL D ynamic all-rounder Darren Sammy is looking to his future and a post-cricket career, as he prepares for the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which gets underway from August 8.

Sammy will appear for the St Lucia Stars in this year’s CPL, and recently, the former Windies and two-time World T20 Cupwinning Captain, who is still very much in demand and is far from done with playing cricket, has started thinking about what he will do when he does hang up his boots.

The hard-hitting righthander pointed out that he was weighing all the options regarding a post-cricket career; options which include coaching, commentary, and mentoring.

“A few of the franchises that I’ve played for, they want me to venture into coaching and mentoring. It’s something that I’ve spoken to my manager about, but to be honest with a young family coming up, I’ll probably take a couple years off, raise my kids, enjoy life with my family, because I’ve been on the road for like forever,” he said.

“I’ll watch my kids grow, get to see them take out a tooth and enjoy stuff like

that, and in between definitely, probably, mentoring. I don’t want to spend all this time away from home anymore. Commentary – you know I’ll venture. The income acquired over the years, I just have to make sure it’s in the right places and investments that could sustain me and my family for my remainder of my days on this earth.”

It was a difficult year for the St Lucia Stars in 2017, with them failing to win a match, their only points came from an abandoned game at Warner Park, St Kitts. Sammy says they just never got going. This year, there is an almost completely new squad, with Sammy one of only five players that appeared last season.

Sammy was relieved of the captaincy of the Stars halfway through last season.

“I think we just never gelled as a team out there.

To start off, we missed a few key players: Lasith Malinga pulled out, David Miller pulled out, Shane Watson was injured the first three games of the tournament.

We just never came out of the blocks. The race was finished, and we still didn’t get out of the blocks,” Sammy reflected.

He continued, “I always say cricket has always been a team sport, but you need individual performances.

We didn’t get that. We probably could bring in some changes to the franchise to make it better. So, I’m actually looking forward for this season and see what it brings.”

He says his focus is solely on his own on-field performance for CPL 2018. “Well, to be honest, this year I’ve taken a backseat in the planning. Obviously, things didn’t go well for us last year and I won’t be the captain of the franchise. I’m staying away from this entire decision-making.

“I will focus my energy in performing on the field, obviously helping the captain and trying to win games for St Lucia, especially when we are at home playing in the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground,” he added.

As someone who has had a huge amount of success in T20 cricket, not least captaining Windies to two World T20 titles, Sammy is well placed to explain why Caribbean cricketers have done so well in the format.

“Well, I think the style of play, when you see a West Indian you think of flair, you think of excitement, you

think of entertainment and that’s what T20 is about.

The brand of cricket that we’ve played, we’ve been playing T20s from way back.

Sir Garfield Sobers and these guys, they batted like T20.

“Sir Viv Richards, the flair in which they played.

When everybody was striking at 60-something, Sir Viv was striking at 80 or 90. So, we’ve always played that fast-paced brand of cricket and it’s just that our generation is just blessed that T20 was introduced during that same period.

“I think it’s been for the last decade; it’s been what’s keeping West Indies cricket still as a powerful brand, because we’ve failed at Test matches, we’ve failed at One Days, but we’ve excelled at T20s. Our team get in to the playoffs for so many T20 finals. I think except when we’ve played in the Caribbean, we were in the semi-finals for all the T20 competitions that we’ve played. It’s just a format of the game that suits our Caribbean people.”

When asked what makes Hero CPL so special, Sammy says there are so many elements that combine to make it a unique tournament.

“CPL is a very great brand –

where y o u g e t all the W e s t Indians p l a y ing at the same time, mix the internationals with that, plus you’re in the Caribbean. I don’t think there’s any other cricketer in the world that would not want to tour the Caribbean. Beautiful place, blue sea, white sand, amazing people, amazing food, it’s like you’re on a vacation and that’s the type of atmosphere CPL brings.

“Plus, the cricket is exciting, the fans won’t enjoy a cricket game like that anywhere else than in the Caribbean. We’re just

Darren Sammy unique in the things that we do, the way we celebrate, and CPL is a growing brand.

I would love for St Lucia to win this one coming. We’ve not really represented ourselves really well, but hopefully this year we can raise the trophy. It’s a competition that keeps on growing, keeps on producing young cricketers and hopefully that could filter into international cricket where we can start producing cricketers that could go on to play well for West Indies,” Sammy ended.

GOA recognises successful SA Games athletes T

Bronze medal winner Keevin Allicock (right)

he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) on Tuesday took the time to honour the strides made by the Guyanese contingent who recently returned from the 2018 South American Games, which were held in Cochabamba, Bolivia from May 26 to June 8.

With stellar achievements such as Guyana’s first international javelin medal and Guyana’s first boxing medals at the games, the 11-member contingent was praised for making their homeland proud. Leading the acclamation was GOA President KA Juman Yassin.

“They’ve done extremely well. I’m very proud of them,” he stated, wearing a broad smile.

The Guyanese contingent comprised badminton player Narayan Ramdhani, table tennis players Shemar Britton, Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings and Trenace Lowe; boxers Colin Lewis and Keevin Allicock, and track and field athletes Winston George, Akeem Stewart, Jenea McCalmon and Leslain Baird. Of that team, five athletes returned home with medals, making for a commendable contingent-to-medal ratio.

Keavon Bess was entrusted with the demanding position of Chef de mission, a task that the GOA President said he executed well. “He did an

exceedingly good job. His reports were accurate, I think some of them were written at 2am, but every day we got a report from him,” Yassin said.

In his remarks, Bess disclosed that he saw tremendous potential on display from the Guyanese athletes. “Overall, the team was easy to manage. I gained a lot of experience and I look forward to being in a position to help the development of sport in Guyana and more so to help the young ones that I see have a lot of potential in them.”

Leslain Baird’s javelin throw of 78.65 metres landed him a silver medal, while track and field teammates George and McCalmon secured bronze in their disciplines. Competing in the light welterweight and bantamweight categories respectively, Colin Lewis and Keevin Allicock both managed to cop bronze medals.

Citing hindrances such as the altitude, thin air and the extremely cold weather conditions, most of the athletes believed that they could have done better in familiar conditions. As such, Ramdhani noted that if the athletes could be allowed to arrive in host countries earlier, they would have time to adapt to the climate and adjust their game accordingly. This sentiment was echoed by all of the athletes and coaches present.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

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