Guyanatime 19 april 2018

Guyana Carnival launched P16

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Issue No. 3538

PRICE

SARA’s anti-corruption walk

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyanese demand action not more rhetoric Page 3

Woman remanded for smuggling ganja into P2 prison

– independent commentators

…walk politically motivated, will not change status quo Driver’s licence exams

Guyanese stabbed to death in Brooklyn, NY

Massive Page 10 irregularities unearthed

Page 17

Fire destroys D’Urban P11 Backlands home …2 homeless

…106 persons sat exam, 207 scripts submitted

GPL currently replacing P16 faulty meters

Jailed: Farmer to serve 10 years for killing cousin Page 8

Audit Report

PAC examines fiscal red flags raised by Auditor P10 General … Region 7 commended on spending

Guyana P13 to attend high-profile AML/CFT conference

Annai farmer Phillip Sutherland was on Wednesday sentenced for unlawfully killing his cousin Martin Roberts during a drunken row at Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) in 2014

Lindo Creek CoI

GDF ranks privately interviewed by Commission Page 2

Interior businesses call for reduction in taxes on fuel, air travel

…complain to Opposition Page MP about multiple issues 11

…designed to bolster anti-money laundering efforts in Region

Chef robbed on Princess P8 Street

2 news

ThursDAY, april 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GDF ranks interviewed

by Lindo Creek CoI

O

ver 10 years ago, a high-profile Joint Services team was deployed to the Lindo Creek area to hunt the members of the Rondell “Fine Man” Rawlins gang and on Wednesday five of its members were privately interviewed by retired Justice Donald Trotman who chairs the Commission of Inquiry into the June 2008 Lindo Creek massacre.

Lieutenants Lloyd Souvineer, Sheldon Howell, Omar Khan and the retired Army Officer Fitzroy Warde appeared before Justice Trotman for the interview, which will determine whether they will have to reappear to provide public testimony.

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

The CoI is still seeking

the presence of former GDF Lieutenant Ayodele Woolford, former Superintendent Dwand Cambridge, Private Taylor, Private Quailo, and Philbert Bobb.

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

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

Woman reportedly stabbed by ex

A

woman was reportedly stabbed by the father of her child on Tuesday in the vicinity of D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

According to information received, the injured woman has been identified

as Lashonna Boyle.

Reports are Boyle had dropped her child off at school and was walking along D’Urban Street where she was viciously attacked by her ex, Cleveland Williams.

The man then report-

edly held the 24-year-old woman down and stabbed her two times in her back after which he fled the scene. The mother of one was left lying on the ground but was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) by

public spirited citizens who witnessed what transpired.

Boyle is said to be in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, the alleged attacker is currently wanted by the Police in relation to the incident.

Woman remanded for smuggling ganja into prison

J

oseph Pollydore Street Lodge, Georgetown resident Nicola Clarke on Wednesday pled not guilty to allegedly smuggling 325 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. The matter stemmed from April 17, 2018, when she was allegedly busted at the Camp Street Prison trying to smuggle the illegal item for her reputed husband Orpheus Johnson, who is presently on remand for murder.

The 37-year-old woman appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before

Senior Magistrate Fabio Azore who denied her bail.

The unrepresented woman was thereafter remanded and she is expected to re-appear in court on May 30. On the day in question, she allegedly attempted to hide the substance in boxes of cooked rice.

According to reports, as the woman presented the boxes of food at the checkpoint, the officers discovered two well wrapped packages containing the marijuana. One of the boxes reportedly had cook-up rice while

Remanded: Accused ganja smuggler Nicola Clarke

the other had a curried dish and rice. The marijuana was neatly packed under the rice. The packages were immediately opened and the illegal drug was found. Her reputed husband, Johnson, was charged with the murder of Travis Rudder, which took place at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara back in 2015.

In that same incident, his son and reputed wife were seriously injured. Of recent, several contraband items were smuggled into the prison. These items included cig-

arette lighters, marijuana, improvised weapons, cellphones and cellphone cards.

In February last, a Joint Services operation at the Mazaruni Prison unearthed several cellular phones and improvised weapons, among other contraband items. The six-hour search exercise resulted in the discovery of four cellphones, five phone chargers, three USB cables, a memory card, 30 lighters, 15 smoking utensils, six improvised weapons and several other items.

news

SARA’s anti-corruption walk

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, April 19 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, April 20 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, April 19 – 06:05h-07:35h and Friday, April 20 – 06:50h-08:20h.

Guyanese demand action, not more rhetoric – independent commentators …walk politically motivated, will not change status quo

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

WEATHER TODAY Lightly cloudy skies can be expected during the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 06:36h and 19:07 reaching maximum heights of 2.81 metres and 2.64 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:11h and 12:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.52 metre and 0.40 metre respectively.

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ThursDAY, april 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Activist and Attorney Christopher Ram

Commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin

Head of TIGI, Troy Thomas

uyanese are demanding more action to root out, and in other instances, significantly reduce Government and systemic corruption in order to boost public morale and confidence, while at the same time strengthening law enforcement agencies and the Judiciary to prosecute those who are guilty regardless of their rank and file or political affiliation.

They do not need more politically coated rhetoric or walks as these will have no impact on changing Guyana’s current status quo or intensifying the fight against corruption.

Those are the sentiments being expressed by several prominent independent commentators and heads of various agencies that have doubts about the AntiCorruption walk being put on by the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) tomorrow.

Social activist and Attorney, Christopher Ram told Guyana Times on Wednesday that he can’t see what possible change that specific march could bring to help in the fight against corruption. “I will be pleasantly surprised if it did,” he said.

The popular activist feels the activity is merely a public relations stunt being put on by SARA and it is a total waste of time and money.

Asked whether he would be critical of persons who will participate in this and similar marches given the fact that there are still many unresolved issues in relation to corruption, Ram said it should be an exercise of choice. “I think it would be interesting to find out from them why is it they have chosen to take part.”

Outspoken economist and commentator Ramon Gaskin told this newspaper that he finds the march as being extremely odd that a law enforcement agency would get involved in such an event.

“No law enforcement agency will do a march to tell you what a criminal offence is.

Corruption in this country is a criminal offence. Normally marches are associated with other human and civil rights issue,” he said.

Gaskin said he nevertheless finds the idea “entirely ridiculous” and also a waste of time and energy. “SARA should get down to the business of tackling corruption rather than marching on the

road,” he added. Questioned as to whether he thinks it is politically motivated, the commentator said it demonstrates “pure ignorance and stupidity on the part of all those who came up with this brilliant idea.”

Meanwhile, in providing his views on the march, Head of the Transparency Institute of Guyana, Troy Thomas told Guyana Times that he sees it as an avenue to raise awareness about corruption. While Thomas was not too confident about whether it will indeed yield any specific results to end corruption, he said the initiative could be seen as an avenue to bring people up to date with what’s happening.

He said, “I think in order to have an impact on the state of affairs in the country, you need sustained effort to address those matters.

You don’t only need a march, you need to tackle it from several different angles. So, the march is good to bring awareness, but that in itself will not change anything.”

While the Transparency Institute was one of the organisations that has received an invitation to attend the

march, Thomas said he is not aware if the march is being organised by SARA or the Government. However, he is

G

not under the impression that Government is involved and it would be better that way.

The march comes at a time when two former senior Government officials that worked under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration were charged in relation to the sale of three State lands. Thomas said he doesn’t know how long before this event was planned. “If this march is somehow being used to bring attention to those issues that would be the wrong purpose. I didn’t get the sense that that was what it was, but if it is then TIGI will have a big problem with it,” the official added.

Turn to page 8

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guyanatimesgy.com

ThursDAY, April 19, 2018

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

New thinking for development

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s the failure of the neo-Liberal economic paradigm collapsed around the ears of its sponsors up North, the economic profession as a whole has been trying to think outside the collapsed box. We return to this People’s National Congress-led coalition insisting on the in-the-box populist clichéd insistence on governmental giveaways.

Their economic spokespersons have made no critique of the macro-economic fundamentals that undergird the budgets even as economic growth plummets. By avoiding comment on the present model, they unavoidably end up with intractable contradictions – such as cutting taxes while simultaneously increasing spending and are surprised our reserves and the real economy shrinks.

For instance, they might at least consider a programme of development based on some premises of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), which is receiving serious attention abroad.

MMTers assert that government budgets should not be subject to any sort of arbitrary balancing constraint. Instead, the MMTers advocate that the government budget balance should be conceived of strictly from the point-of-view of real economic variables. Thus, if there is unemployment – as has been exacerbated in Guyana after the Guyana Sugar Corporation firings – there should be excess spending making the budget unbalanced. If, on the other hand, there is high inflation due to output capacity being outpaced by demand, the budget should be moved closer to balance or even, in certain cases, into surplus. A leading light of MMT referred to this approach as ‘functional finance’.

The reason that MMTers feel confident in making this case is because they hold that a Government that issues its own currency and allows their exchange rate to float is not subject to any budgetary constraints. They can essentially issue new money – together with Government bonds, if they so wish – until they begin to see inflation. Inflation, then, is the only real constraint to a Government that issues its own currency and maintains a floating exchange rate.

However, if a developing country tries to spend up to the point of full employment while maintaining a floating exchange rate, as stated above, they are likely to experience, devaluation and inflation as the weakened currency chases more and more imported goods that the country’s own domestic industry cannot produce. As incomes rise through Government spending programmes (and potential rises in real wages) people will be more inclined to seek out goods and services that were previously thought of as only available to a small stratum of the population. Devaluation and inflation are then almost inevitable. Luckily for us, with the expected huge inflows of oil funds after 2020, denominated in US dollars these are no longer threats.

We can actually use Government fiscal policy to guide domestic investment decisions and ensure that the some of the goods and services people desire as their incomes rise are produced at home rather than abroad. Then we need be less concerned with currency devaluation and inflation as these goods and services will be denominated in the domestic currency. And we can kill two birds with one stone – by also exporting.

Let’s say people are buying more top-end furniture.

We have an abundance of high quality woods in Guyana – but our manufacturing capabilities are substandard. The Government can establish public-private partnerships to fund one or more industrial furniture manufacturing centres to international standards. Kilns, designing and marketing expertise can be shared. Jobs are created; more money is spent domestically and the export market can be opened up.

This governmental intervention (dirigisme) is a workable method of economic governance. It allows markets to continue to function but at the same time channels investment into needed channels quickly and effectively. It does all this without the need for complex bureaucracies.

All that is needed is good researchers and planners and a government willing to incentivise investment that serves the public purpose. Coupled with the functional finance approach as laid out by the MMTers, the possibilities for fostering growth are endless.

But in Guyana, sadly, the Government seems only concerned entrepreneurs will be making money; not that there will be a virtuous circle created.

Iraqi Yazidis light candles and paraffin torches during a ceremony to celebrate the Yazidi New Year at Lalish temple in Shikhan in Dohuk province, Iraq (Reuters)

Letter to Clive Thomas on corruption walk

Re: Invitation to participate in anti-corruption awareness campaign “Corruption is Everybody’s Business” I wish to acknowledge your letter of invitation to the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, MP, to participate in a “symbolic” walk against corruption on April 20.

The Leader of the Opposition wishes to inform you that he is supportive of any effort that will strengthen the State’s institutional, legal and procedural framework for fighting corruption, in keeping with the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, the UN Convention Against Corruption and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

However, the Leader of the Opposition will not participate in this “symbolic walk” as it is a mere “smoke screen” to detract from the grossest violations of the constitutional and statutory provisions regarding financial probity, transparency and accountability ever witnessed since independence.

Furthermore, he will not participate in such a walk while members and other public officials of successive People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government have been discriminated against, victimised, and targeted by a State-sponsored witch-hunt on frivolous manufactured charges.

The parliamentary Opposition holds firmly to this position, which was reflected in the PPP press release of April 14, 2018, and herein reiterate, that: “after being in office for only three years, the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC Government can easily be classified as the most corrupt Government in the post-in-

dependent English speaking Caribbean. Indeed, its corruption is only surpassed by its incompetence.

In three short years it has managed to completely by-pass the public procurement process, mandated by law, and has handed to its cronies and financiers, hundreds of contracts to the value of billions of dollars…”

The number of cases of such violations is mounting on a daily basis. Suffice herein to provide a few most notable ones thus far which have cost the Guyanese people billions of dollars to their detriment:- Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence ordered the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to purchase $620 million in drugs and pharmaceuticals supplies in 2017 from an identified supplier, without any resort to the procurement process. Then shamelessly and publicly accepted a gift of a freezer from the supplier to store some of these pharmaceuticals. What is worse, the pharmaceuticals were acquired at a cost of over 100 per cent more than their market value. The Finance Minister was forced to produce in the National Assembly the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s records of requests for and grants of waivers of the tender process which revealed that the Health Ministry’s request for the waiver was denied yet it went ahead and procured this enormous quantum of pharmaceuticals in blatant disregard of the rule of law.

- The now famous contract for the Sussex Street Bond – a mere house – which the Government rents

in Albouystown, for GY$14 million per month to store pharmaceuticals, when that same house can only yield a rental of approximately GY$100,000 on the open market. There was no resort to any form of procurement as admitted by Minister George Norton in the National Assembly and for which he was placed before the Privilege Committee; the matter remains pending since 2016! Despite a special Cabinet review team that found that the contract was flawed, and, Minister Harmon stating in 2016 that the Cabinet would reconsider the contract, it remains intact and over GY$300 million thus far has been garnered by the owner in rental. In 2017 the bond was found to contain no pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

- This Government expended over two billion of taxpayers’ dollars in the construction of the Jubilee D’Urban Park facilities and established a Special Purposes Company that was given the responsibility to raise funds and implement major construction works under this project, comprising of a Minister and known members of the People’s National Congress.

In 2016/2017 the taxpayers had to pay for the construction of the facilities in time for the 50th anniversary by way of supplementary financial provisions with no disclosure as to the total costs incurred. Again, there was no resort to any form of public procurement. Despite repeated demands, they cannot produce any credible records to the Office of the Auditor General, in relation to this project. This matter

was also brought to the attention of the newly appointed constitutional Public Procurement Commission in September 2017 to investigate and no action has been taken.

- In September 2017 – the contract for a prefeasibility study for a new Demerara Harbour Bridge was found to have been awarded to a company that did not bid despite there was a public tender where 12 companies bid and one was shortlisted. This procurement breach was also documented to the Public Procurement Commission in the same month and to date, it has taken no action to investigate or rectify the matter.

- This Government surreptitiously negotiated a Petroleum Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil in 2016 and for over a year refused to make it public despite thunderous public pressure. Since December 2017, with the exposure of the Guyana Government agreement with Exxon signed in June 2016, this matter remains the subject of major public debate.

The Government’s sale of the country’s newly found oil and natural gas resources for a pittance is a shame on all Guyanese and a stain Guyana will have to endure for decades to come. Even the International Monetary Fund and countless international petroleum watchdog bodies have found this to be a flawed agreement in violation of basic acceptable international standards for first discovery oil countries and have noted that Guyana will be grossly disadvantaged from reaping it’s just rewards.

Continues on page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, April 19, 2018

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

Situation must be corrected Wasteful loss

Dear Editor, Much evidence exists of the increasing dysfunctionality being encouraged and created by the coalition Government in the Local Government system. The weakening of governance systems is now ever present across the length and breadth of Guyana and comes as a sacrifice of the cohesive and developmental gains that could have been achieved.

I justifiably, condemn and will continue the exposure of the wicked intent of the Government’s partisan, disruptive and clearly unproductive agenda. Regrettably, the Government’s approach is glaringly visible through their deliberate, callous and presumptuous circumvention of the roles of legitimately elected Councils in our Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

These Government excesses of power, obviously, negatively impact and contradict good governance practices. The results are far reaching and linked to a certain permanent social deterioration. Certain constitutional elements guard against these excesses, such as the meaningful functioning of a semi or fully autonomous Local Government Commission (LGC).

Since the delayed es-

tablishment of the LGC in October 2017, the nation has not heard much from the Commission itself. It leaves one to wonder about the approach to what the LGC needs to be doing? Clearly, the Commission needs to make citizens aware of its difficulties and move to remedy the emerged alarming incidences under its mandate.

The general media has candidly made the public aware of the numerous reported violations and breaches of financial and other regulations

by Government empowered Regional Executive Officers and Town Clerks.

More so, Government officials have been either silent or shamelessly attempted to cover for the blatant misappropriation and mal-administration by these officers. Fraud and more fraud is taking place in the LAAs and apparently, nothing is being done to prevent this lightening fast growing epidemic.

The associated pervasiveness of the foregoing will never benefit residents of communities and all citizens at large. They are also not uncommon when with the rules are applied in a partisan manner, and being convenient bent in favour of a particular political party or for a selected few. As expected, the sit-

uation is fuelling greed and its associates’ impediments as the agents of the State embark on a get rich quick syndrome, rather than ensure acceptable governance.

The weakening of the Local Government system in light of the Government’s approach cannot be denied.

Only recently, Councillors from the Linden Regional Democratic Council joined the bandwagon of public commentators against the excesses.

More serious is the fact that so-called contractors, are allocated work to do which they can never complete. Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is experiencing the highest turnover of Regional Executive Officers and Town Clerks.

Recently the once ‘discarded’ Mayor of Linden, Orrin Gordon was appointed as the Regional Executive Officer (REO) in Region 10.

This appointment did not have the blessings of the LGC and is a blatant disregard by the Communities Ministry in not allowing the LGC to do its work.

Further, the members of the Region 10 Regional Works Committee are accused of soliciting money from the public and persons expressing interest in bidding for contracts.

Many are of the view of what happened with the

Letter to Clive Thomas...

- This is a Government that surreptitiously stashed in a secret bank account, US$18 million, received from ExxonMobil as a signing bonus in 2016 and uttered not a word about it to the public for over a year. In December 2017, the media exposed proof of the US$18 million signature bonus that Government received from Exxon. The funds were put in a Bank of Guyana interest bearing foreign currency account instead of being deposited in the

2016, this Government defeated a parliamentary Opposition motion calling for all Members of Parliament to make public their Income Tax submissions and their Integrity Commission declarations for the previous 10 years.

- The Auditor General’s Annual Report for 2016 found 82 breaches of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) and 71 breaches of the Procurement Act as shown below:-

Summary of findings from 2016 Audit Report

2014

2015

2016

Overpayment on construction

53

62

126

Weak internal controls

90

99

106

Breach of FMAA

47

21

82

Breaches of Procurement Act 2003

16

18

71

Breaches of stores regulations

52

53

60

Others

19

71

53

Outstanding cheque orders & missing vouchers

24

21

31

Overpayment of salaries

16

20

22

Non delivery of items

16

21

18

Revenue related matters

24

7

13

Public accounts

12

15

10

Losses not yet written-off

20

31

4

Misstatement of Appropriation Accounts

1

0

3

Non-disposal of unserviceable vehicles

7

3

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Consolidated Fund as required by the Constitution. This matter has been taken to the courts. The Government continues to refuse to move the monies to the Consolidated Fund to reflect accurately the country’s revenues in compliance with the Constitution.

- This Government took 30 months to appoint the Integrity Commission and after three months, the Commission is not functioning. In

- The US State Department Report, March 2018, titled, “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report – Volume II,” identifies Government corruption, for the first time in Guyana’ history, as one of the main source of money-laundering. In short, we have a “Government of money-launders.”

- This Government secretly paid itself, retroactively, a 100 per cent increase in salary, to July 1, 2015, mere weeks after

Chairman of the Works Committee in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

As for the Georgetown municipality, the Mayor and Town Clerk have become tourists of immense extravagance, while mismanaging the City’s finances.

Minister Joseph Harmon must not turn a blind eye to the unsatisfactory parking meter issue because the general public would not. It is public knowledge that before the ‘Gang of Four’ left this country to finalise the parking meter deal, they had a meeting with the ‘bosses’ at the Office of the President and the big General Secretary of the People’s National Congress was there at the meeting.

The Public Accounts Committee is recommending that all the corrupt Regional Executive Officers and Engineers must be booted out of the System.

It is clear that the corruption in all these Ministries and State departments are getting worse and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition Government is doing nothing to deter same.

The situation must be corrected!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

from page 4

assuming office.

In light of this short list of blatant transgressions by this Government, can one wonder why the parliamentary Opposition, critical national stakeholders and thousands of Guyanese are angry at the audacity of this Government to accuse others of corruption when there is nothing being done to stop this “corruption haemorrhage” undermining the rule of law in our country?

The Government manipulates the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and directs the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to institute fabricated and malicious charges against political opponents and highly qualified professional Guyanese, who have served their country and their people with distinction. The frivolous charges instituted against Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington are simply the most recent, and, we have no doubt others will be made victims of this vindictive and undemocratic regime.

In conclusion, the passage of the SARA Act has given you, sir, enormous, in fact, super powers – something we abhor as it is in total contravention to human rights and due process – but sir you have those powers so why have you taken no action as a so-called anti-corruption champion to bring members of the present Government to book? As they say clean your own house so that others can see the light and know you are serious about fighting corruption!

You are right, sir, “Corruption is everyone’ business”; we have made it ours, maybe you can demonstrate to the Guyanese people that it is yours.

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira, MP, Parliamentary Opposition Chief Whip

of lives

Dear Editor, The list of persons dying in road accidents due to the parking of vehicles on both sides of the Corentyne Highway continues to escalate while persons in authority display the tendency to be deaf, dumb and blind to this avoidable carnage of our citizens.

The Prime Minister’s representative in Berbice, Gobin Harbhajan, highlighted these ‘weapons of mass destruction’ at the end of last year and he lamented the fact that no Ministry was taking the responsibility of removing these vehicles, which include abandoned and derelict ones. These obstructions include tractors, trailers, draglines, water pumps, combines, grain carts, tanks and other types of agricultural machineries.

This gets worse when large swathes of paddy – which actually take over more than half of the road – are being dried by the same farmers guilty of illegal parking.

It was stated that pedestrians also faced a high-risk venture when they traverse these areas.

A few days ago, another horrific accident at Number 59 Village on the Corentyne sent shockwaves through Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) when a car returning from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport slammed into a parked lorry on the side of the road.

Regardless of what explanation is given, the fact is if the

lorry was not parked there then the accident would not have been fatal. One life is lost, and another is fighting for her life.

Moreover, when one looks at all the deadly accidents on the Corentyne Highway, a common trend can be discerned – all the vehicles slammed into these parked obstructions. In one of the gruesome accidents, which claimed the lives of five persons, the driver tried in vain to evade a pothole and slammed into an approaching lorry after he tried to avoid hitting the obstructions on the road sides.

According to onlookers, if there were no parked obstructions then the driver would have evaded the approaching lorry.

There is now an increasing number of grain carts parked on the roadsides.

Each gran cart has the capacity for 80 bags of paddy and they have no lights or reflectors and I am sure they are not licensed. I am not against the rice farmers using technology, but they must follow the law and they need to be reminded they should not present a risk to other road users.

As an NDC Councillor, I am requesting the Commissioner of Police to investigate and to instruct his officers to enforce the laws so that we can save some of the lives of our citizens.

Yours sincerely, Raj Lakhram

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, April 19, 2018

Page Foundation Promoting productive struggle in Maths – giving middle school students tough problems in advance of instruction pushes them to work like mathematicians

By Michael Giardi

Last year I began working at a school with block scheduling, which offered me 100-minute Maths classes, four days a week. As a Maths teacher, I’ve always stressed about having enough time in class and was thrilled to begin my new schedule. However, I wasn’t as thrilled about the new curriculum, which left me searching for ways to engage my students in Maths on a daily basis.

After I watched a TED talk about the power of visual learning, I had an idea to challenge my students with activities that would promote productive struggle. I called these exercises Maths hooks and began using them in my classes before providing instruction about how to solve them.

Maths hooks changed the feel in class right away.

There was confusion, conversation, wonder mixed with frustration, some magical revelations, and lots and lots of rigorous thinking.

This was all exactly what I was looking for.

Inquiry before instruction

Ideally, I wanted every hook to look like this:

©Michael Giardi Not every Maths hook has a visual component, but images are helpful for engaging students.

A simple visual accompanied by a short, succinct prompt. Not every Maths standard boils down to such a visual though, so often I use mathematical models, patterns, or matching exercises to catch kids’ attention.

The idea of the hook is to allow students to investigate the concepts within the daily lesson in a straightforward manner through a low-floor, high-ceiling problem that generates conversation.

Sometimes there is no visual component. For example, I gave my students this series of equations: 48 / 43 = 45 916 / 912 = 94 2510 / 259 = 251 This hook invites students to investigate properties of powers. Hooks like this are simple to differentiate to the needs of your class or of student groups within the class. The trick is to find the challenge level your kids need.

In the example above, you could ask students to write a fourth example of the rule, write the rule in

their own words, create an algebraic rule for the property, or define negative exponents.

To struggle is good

When a hook hits the right level of challenge for your students,

it lands with a thud. Students get very quiet. Slowly but surely, however, voices begin to rise. In the beginning, there are questions – lots of them.

They’re basic questions like, “What am I supposed to do?”

Soon more specific questions arise. Students might ask about the meaning of the exponents, why the answers all have smaller exponents, or why the “big numbers” are the same.

And sometimes that’s it. That’s as far as they can get, and I step in and begin my lesson. However, in that time, my students have collaborated, persevered, and said wrong answers out loud many, many, many times.

All of this helps me build a classroom culture that values voices and ideas over right answers.

In the time that students

work on a hook, I have the opportunity to gather terrific formative assessment.

Best of all, before I’ve even introduced my objective, my students have some questions for me.

questions and make calculations. They also felt the way mathematicians often feel, completely stumped. All of which, for me, is terrific.

Because above all, in Maths class, I want my students to become mathematicians.

Investment dividends

Becoming mathematicians

Before introducing solving systems of equations algebraically to my eighthgrade students, I asked them to work on the following hook: Peter observed these two equations: 9x + 4y = 19 and y = x – 5. Peter’s claim was this: 9x + 4x – 20 = 19. Prompt: What is Peter thinking, and is he correct?

After the initial shock, many students decided to use Peter’s equation to solve for x. Then they went on to calculate the value of y. Of course, this didn’t reveal to them the process of substitution to solve systems of equations, but it did show their effort and desire to use their prior knowledge to make sense of the new ideas presented to them.

In short, they did what mathematicians do – ask

Perhaps the largest benefit of using hooks has been the investment it creates in my lessons.

Now that I’ve given my students seemingly impossible puzzles to solve, they naturally want to know the solutions. Hooks open students up to asking questions and admitting confusion, something many would never dare do in my traditional lessons. So lessons that begin with a hook get a turbo-boost from students’ engagement.

In addition, there are the benefits of productive struggle: Students attain a deeper understanding of the structure of the problem because they’ve had the oppor-

tunity to tackle it on their own first. Using hooks, my lessons feel different, classroom discussions click, rigorous thinking is undertaken, and students enjoy learning. From the students’ perspective, math class becomes fun.

I’ve created hooks for every seventh- and eighthgrade standard and shared them on my website, MathHooks.com. However, new hooks can easily be created and applied at any grade level. Many of the hooks I created were simply the common Maths models used in my lessons—but presented to students before any instruction.

Allowing students the opportunity to practise inquiry before instruction makes Maths come alive. It challenges them to engage in struggle, collaboration, and rigorous thinking, and it increases participation in lessons. Most importantly for me, hooks create a feeling of discovery and fun in Maths class that makes it different from... well, Maths class. (Edutopia.org)

Cultivating caring kids

By Glenn C Altschuler, PhD

“B

e kind whenever possible,” the Dalai Lama once wrote. He then added a kicker: “It is always possible.”

According to Thomas Lickona, a developmental psychologist and emeritus professor of education at SUNY Cortland and author of How to Raise Kind Kids: And Get Respect, Gratitude, and a Happier Family in the Bargain , acts of kindness become likely as well as possible when parents teach their children morality, compassion, and generosity.

In How to Raise Kind Kids, Lickona provides a long list of practical suggestions for seizing – and creating – opportunities to cultivate good character.

Lickona reminds his readers that being kind does more than make others happy. Altruism is hard-wired in human beings: even in two year olds, a “helper’s high” activates the part of the brain that stimulates joy. Caring also enhances emotional and physical health throughout life.

Respecting and obeying legitimate moral authority, Lickona maintains, is a foundational social principle.

Authoritative parenting, however, should not be arbitrary.

Parents should give children a voice and responsibility in the family; they should be empowered to participate in decisions that affect them and others. Lickona recommends a “family mission statement” that lays out core values; family meetings that hold individuals accountable; a quick round of “gratefuls” at meals; and a “talk it out space” where conflicts can be addressed. An advocate of

the assignment of substantive chores to every member of the family, Lickona claims that paying kids for their work robs them of opportunities to develop the habit of helping; he cites studies that indicate that external rewards weaken the intrinsic motivation to do the right thing. And he gives a shoutout to a junior high school in a tough neighbourhood in New York City that required students to perform an altruistic act each day for seven days, record the experience in a diary, and reflect on how it affected their sense of self.

Discipline is essential to successful character education, Lickona believes. Expectations should be clear – and set high.

If behaviour is inappropriate, parents might consider giving the “culprit” a chance for a “redo.”

Sometimes, Lickona suggests, parents can avoid power struggles by giving their children a choice: “[It’s bath time]. Would you like to take it right now, or should I set the timer for five minutes?” However, although parents should avoid acting in anger and try to take account of each child’s temperament, they should not shrink from delivering “stern correction” when appropriate.

Lickona provides a boatload of websites, book titles, and examples of kindness projects and life goals that confirm, complement and supplement his approach. At the same time, he recognises that creating a culture of kindness and respect these days is “in many ways countercultural”, but he has made a compelling case that a counterculture may be just what we need. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.

com)

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New Tobacco laws

Companies will have enough time to be compliant – Lawrence

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midst concerns by the local tobacco industry, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence has assured that sufficient time will be given for companies to become compliant before the new tobacco laws are enforced.

Last week, the Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) raised concerns over the absence of the necessary regulations that would guide them to be in compliance with the new legislation. The Tobacco Act was passed in the National Assembly and subsequently assented to in August last year. A commencement order was then signed back in December but enforcement was put on hold pending a public sensitisation campaign and the publication of the regulations, which the Public Health Ministry had

to prepare.

However, subject Minister Volda Lawrence explained to Guyana Times on Wednesday that the company will have sufficient time before enforcement of the new tobacco laws.

“When that regulation comes out, it gives that

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

company a time in which they are to put their house in order. The regulations will not come out today and then they have to do whatever tomorrow... When the regulations are completed and approved, DEMTOCO will have a copy. That is the norm all around the world

and the tobacco industry is well aware of this procedure,” Lawrence posited.

According to the Public Health Minister, those regulations have been completed and are currently before Cabinet to be reviewed and approved.

DEMTOCO, which is a

major player in the local tobacco industry, had said that it has been trying to meet with the Ministry to iron out this and some issues. However, Minister Lawrence noted that she has responded to the company and is awaiting some information from DEMTOCO before such a meeting can be scheduled.

“I received two letters from two attorneys representing DEMTOCO, who indicated in the last letter, they would like to meet with me. I responded asking for them to send an agenda – what is it they would like to meet with me for – so I can know as a Minister what technical personnel I need to have [during the meeting] to be able to address their issues. I have not had a response from them,” she stated.

Initially, DEMTOCO had raised concerns with aspects of the drafted legislation but now that it has been become law, the company said it is ready to be to be compliant.

In fact, Managing Director Maurline Kirton said last week that while the company has already gone ahead with steps to be in compliance, some aspects such as ‘no-smoking’ signs and packaging and labelling of tobacco products require the regulations as a guide on how to implement the new laws. “…the institution of the graphic health warning pictures on the packs, that re-

quires regulation where the Minister will specifically say this is the pool of images that you need to use, this is the rotation period, how long the rotation period will last for, you may or may not have what we call a conviviality period so you rotating from images A and going to B… We need to get those images, send them to the supplier, have them printed on the boxes, insert it into our production line, produced, shipped, sell to our distributors and sell to our retailors. (And) there is a timeline that is required to do all this,” Kirton had point out.

Back in December, the Public Health Ministry had said in a statement that when the regulations for the packaging and labelling of tobacco products are passed, the industry will have nine months to comply with the regulations.

It had also promised to meet with the players in the local tobacco industry “to inform them of the implementation of the complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.”

Security guard denies murdering fisherman

Murder accused Marlon Callender will go on trial next week

Deceased fisherman: Envil Pollard

12-member jury was on Wednesday empanelled to hear the case of security guard Marlon Callender who has denied killing fisherman Envil Pollard on January 29, 2015, at the Pritipaul Wharf at McDoom, East Bank Demerara.

State Prosecutors Mandell Moore and Lisa Cave presented the State’s murder indictment before Justice Sandhill Kissoon at the High Court in Georgetown. Callender entered a not guilty plea upon his arraignment.

The matter was adjourned to next Monday when the trial will commence with the prosecution’s opening address. The defendant is represented

by Attorney Lammy Singh.

Callender was committed to stand trial at the High Court by Magistrate Judy Latchman in July 2016 at the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry.

According to reports, the shooting occurred following a confrontation between the two men. It was alleged that the deceased met his demise while fishing in the vicinity of Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc and it was reported that the accused was a security guard attached to that entity. The murdered man, who had resided in Crane Playfield, West Coast Demerara, was a fisherman for over 30 years.

He was also a father of eight children.

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Supply robbery convict denies $3.7M theft

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hirty-year-old taxi driver Steve Hercules from Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Wednesday denied a $3.7 million theft charge, just one day after he pled guilty to ammunition and false licence plate possession charges. Hercules was one of six men, who were reportedly found with a quantity of firearms and ammunition while travelling in a stolen car, moments after allegedly attempting to commit a robbery last Tuesday on poultry farmer Michael Chang Yuen at Supply, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

He took the rap and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and fined $800,000 for the illegal firearm, ammo and false licence plate charges.

However, he was taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on even more charges on Wednesday but denied that on March 25, 2018, at Princes Street, Lodge, he stole Shawn Liverpool’s motor car along with cash and other items amounting to $3.7 million.

Police said Hercules carried out the brazen attack while being armed with a gun. Hercules

Steve Hercules and his alleged accomplices were shielding themselves from public view at the Providence Magistrate’s Court earlier this week

who was unrepresented at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts will make his next court appearance on April 30.

Meanwhile, his alleged accomplices in the Supply robbery case will next appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on May 10.

They are Mark Prince, a taxi driver of La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD; Leonard Khan, an Albouystown, Georgetown fish

vendor; Marvin Blackman, a fish vendor of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Nabadingi Gobin, of Georgetown; and Edward Skeete of Albouystown. Gobin and Skeete were earlier this year released from a murder charge after a High Court Judge upheld a no-case submission.

At Tuesday’s court appearance, the men, with the exception of Hercules, all denied the

10 charges that were read to them. The Prosecution’s case contends that on April 10, 2018, while being in the vicinity of Grove, EBD, they had in their possession six live .32 ammunition, eleven 9mm ammunition, two 9mm black pistols, and a .32 black Taurus pistol.

Another charge stated that the men attempted to commit a felony on April 10.

Hercules was additionally charged with fraudulent conversion of a vehicle’s identification mark. It was alleged that on April 10, 2018, at Grove, East Bank Demerara, he changed the identification plates of a grey Premio motorcar registered as PVV 6204 to HC 4543. Hercules however denied this charge. In fact, he told the court that a customer of his offered him $50,000 to transport the vehicle on April 10, 2018, to Georgetown from Soesdyke. Hercules said prior to him delivering the vehicle; he was told of the contents therein but still agreed to perform the duty. He further explained that on his way to the city, he collected the five men.

The men, he argued, did not know about the gun and ammunition.

Jailed: Farmer to serve 10 years for killing cousin

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n Annai farmer and former clerk, Phillip Sutherland, late last month withdrew his guilty plea for unlawfully killing his cousin Martin Roberts during a drunken row at Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) in 2014.

He once again pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Following his plea changes, the self-confessed killer was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by High Court Judge, Justice Sandhill Kissoon on Wednesday.

Sutherland admitted that he caused Roberts’ death on January 9, 2014, at a Kwaimatta Village farm after heavily consuming yeast tonic, a strong Indigenous alcoholic beverage. The offender withdrew his plea on March 27, 2018 after initially saying

Phillip Sutherland

that he was guilty having pled to the lesser count of man-

slaughter on March 6 before Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the last criminal session.

On March 27, 2018, he was due to be sentenced; weeks after Sutherland’s attorney requested a probation report.

While the Judge did not openly express how his sentence was computed, Justice Kissoon did note that mitigating factors, aggravating factors and time spent awaiting trial were considered. The Judge highlighted the dangers of alcoholic consumption being responsible for some 50 per cent of abuse, domestic and gender-based violence cases.

“The court hopes that you continue the path to rehabilitation,” he observed.

Sutherland’s Attorney Siand Dhurjon in pleas of mitigation had earlier noted that his client and his broth-

er, Franklin Sutherland, were initially charged with murdering their cousin. The sibling was however released on insufficient evidence.

It was reported that the brothers and Roberts travelled to the Kawimatta Village farm and were returning home when the trio began to imbibe but shortly after a fight ensued which resulted in Roberts being thrown to the ground and brutally beaten into an unconscious state. He was subsequently pronounced dead.

Roberts died from asphyxiation, a broken larynx and blunt trauma to the head. The killer, who is native to the village of Annai, was 22 years of age at the time of his crime.

The State was represented by Prosecutors Mandell Moore and Lisa Cave.

Chef robbed on Princes Street A 24-year-old chef was on Tuesday evening robbed of his mobile phone and $12,000 in cash by a lone gunman, as he was in the vicinity of South Alley on Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

The victim has been identified as Peter Holder of Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

According to Police information, the incident occurred at around 20:30h.

Guyana Times understands that Holder visited his relative’s home, some distance away from his own on Princes Street at around 19:30h.

The relative reportedly has a car rental business. At that time, the suspect, pretending to be a customer, approached Holder’s relative and informed him that he wanted to rent a motor car.

However, the perpetrator reportedly informed the busi-

nessman that he only had his licence in his possession. As such, Holder reportedly offered to transport the suspect to his home for him to uplift his other documents.

The man agreed and as the duo prepared to leave in motorcar PTT 1664, he (suspect) hopped into the back seat, after which he informed Holder that he had to drive to Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

This publication was in-

Guyanese demand action...

While TIGI supports State assets recovery, Thomas did mention that he is aware of the concerns regarding how the agency was organised and potentially how it went about its operation. As such, he noted that SARA should be careful when it comes to issues because there may have some issues within the organisation with persons making certain public statements, which he does not support.

“And that sort of be-

haviour, in my view, affects the perception that that they are an impartial agency. And I would strongly recommend that SARA addresses that and form up their image. They can’t be seen to be partisan in any way, given the purpose that they are serving,” he asserted.

Contact was also made with President of the Guyana Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran, who told this publication that he hasn’t seen

any reference to the march anywhere and doesn’t have a position on it, simply because it was not brought up for discussion by the Association’s executive.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has declined an invitation extended to him by Head of the Agency, Dr Clive Thomas to participate in a march. In declining the invitation, the Opposition Leader said he viewed the walk as it is – a mere “smokescreen” to de-

formed that while driving East along Princes Street, the suspect then whipped out a small black handgun and pressed it to the Chef’s neck before demanding that he turn over his valuables.

The bandit then made good his escape on foot, heading North along South Alley.

The matter was subsequently reported. Up to press time, no arrests have been made in this regard.

Investigations are ongoing.

From page 3

tract from the grossest violations of the constitutional and statutory provisions regarding financial probity, transparency, and accountability.

Furthermore, he added that he would not participate in such a walk while members of successive People’s PPP Governments and other public officials have been discriminated against, victimised, and targeted by a State-sponsored witch-hunt on frivolous manufactured charges.

Embracing…

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…corruption iscussing a rape at York University in Toronto, a Policeman blurted out: “I’ve been told I’m not supposed to say this – however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised.” That remark launched hundreds of protests across the globe as women came out in the scantiest clothing possible in what they labelled “slutwalks”. The point, of course, is they were embracing the supposed opprobrium and declaring they’ll darn well dress like “sluts” if they want!!

One local Policeman also made some similar remarks a while back but sadly, our local feministas didn’t organise slutwalks here. But there’s still hope for local activism showing we’ve not completely apathetic. Right after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo accused the PNCled APNU/AFC coalition of being “the most corrupt Government in the English-speaking Caribbean”, Clive Thomas – head of the State Assets Recovery Agency (and NOT the Chairman of GuySuCo anymore!!) decided he was going to embrace the scorn and launch a “Corruption Walk”!!

Way to go Thomas!!!! Who said the man who’d launched the radical Black Power group “Ratoon” back in the day against Forbes Burnham had lost his (activist) mojo??! Then, he’d started out in Tiger Bay, to symbolise Burnham’s neglect of the poor and powerless black youths.

This time, we know he’s going to hone-in like a guided missile on all the “corruption havens” that are now abound in Georgetown. But just to make sure, your Eyewitness would like to make some suggestions as a public spirited (anti-corruption) citizen.

Thomas can do worse than start right opposite the nowPNC-green OP building where his SARA HQ’s located – and protest the corruption amounting to over a billion dollars that it took to construct that Stadium at D’Urban Park. He can have placards, for instancing, protesting the private company – which included the Education Minister (and his WPA co-leader Rupert Roopnaraine) – collecting hundreds of millions in donations even before they were registered.

And then not providing any accounting to date!!

He and his “corruption squad” could then shuffle down Brickdam to the Health Ministry with another placard asking “Still shortages: Wha’ happen to we $605 million in pharma??” Then segue over to the Sussex Street bottom house “warehouse” that one fall guy had to “beg pardon” over…but the money’s still flowing into Larry’s bankbook!! $560 million and counting!! And since he’ll be marching around the just flooded Georgetown, another placard can demand, “Wha’ happen to de $500 million clean up money?”

Anyhow your Eyewitness is happy after spending years developing his “criminalised state” hypothesis and having all the audits go nowhere (A common law writ? C’mon!!), Thomas is still going after corrupt officials.

It takes one to know one!! …past sins Your Eyewitness is happy British PM May confessed how sorry her country is for deporting children of legal WI immigrants who’d helped rebuild Britain after the German Blitz. Never mind she’d just mamaguyed the visiting Commonwealth HoG’s…confession’s good for the soul!

She even extended the apology to include the buggery laws they foisted on us during colonialism. Your Eyewitness always wondered why’d they insisted on those laws when the practice was rampant in their (upper class) boarding schools and (lower class) navy. Of the latter, Churchill boasted its traditions were “rum, sodomy and the lash”!!

Anyhow, while May’s in this confessional mood, the West Indian PMs (and President Granger) should take up your Eyewitness’ suggestion made last month to bring up the issue of Reparations at CHOGM. Even before her present contrition, he’d predicted Britain would need the Commonwealth more than we need it.

From our perspective, Reparations should include slavery, the genocide committed on the Indigenous Peoples and the exploitation of the Indentured Portuguese, Indians and Chinese.

This should generate some unity here!! …Islamic Banking After some confusion – which is par for this Government – Jordan says they’ll most likely propose projects that’ll utilise the full US$900 million from the IsDB. So have they formed the Sharia Council to ensure the projects are transparent?

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

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ThursDAY, april 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Motorcycle fatalities higher than last year – Traffic Chief The disheartening trend of accidents started in February of this year when an East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, res-

The accident occurred on February 5, 2018 around 19:50h. The deceased, Iftikar Ishmael, was riding motorcycle CC 2962 when he collided with a motor lorry, GNN 6695, owned and driven by 30-yearold Balwant Mohabeer, a truck driver of Lot 52 Zorg,

Campbellville, Georgetown and Mauava Chase, 25, Lot 187 Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown both lost their lives in that accident. King reportedly lost control along the southern section of the Houston carriage way and crashed into the median.

Dead: Zahid Mohamed

The Guyana Police Force has recorded an increase in motorcycle fatalities during a four-month span as compared with the same period last year. This was related by the Traffic Chief on Wednesday to Guyana Times.

According to Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram, a whopping

Dead: Suresh Kellowan

six deaths due to motorcycle accidents have been documented for the year so far, thereby securing an increase, as compared with last year, where the Force documented four motorcycle fatalities.

Ashram told this publication that the major cause of these accidents was speeding.

He alluded to the fact that there were even cases where the cyclists were not even wearing helmets.

It was explained that those accidents were caused by inattentiveness, failing to confirm to signs and speeding.

Ashram made a call for motorcyclists to be more careful and to adhere to the speed limits.

Winston Williams (Guyana Chronicle photo)

ident was killed after he lost control of his motorcycle and slammed into a nearby lamp pole.

The 26-year-old, Zahid Mohamed, a construction worker of Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, according to reports was heading home on the Railway Embankment when he lost control of motorcycle CH 6696 in the vicinity of Atlantic Ville.

Also in February, 68year old Winston Williams, of Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice lost his life on the Williamsburg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, when he collided with a motor car.

According to information received, the accident occurred at around 06:30h.

The motorcar involved, HC 3825, was being driven by a 47-year-old Canal Place, South Ruimveldt Garden, Georgetown resident.

This publication was informed that the vehicle was proceeding West along the southern side of the road, at an allegedly fast rate when the pedal cyclist suddenly rode out from Dr Tulsi Street, resulting in him being struck.

Williams was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Days after, a 17-year-old mechanic of Lot 36 Vilvordeen Village on the Essequibo Coast tragically lost his life after an accident on the Airy Hall Public Road.

Dead: Mauava Chase and Stanley Junior King Essequibo Coast. Ishmael was reportedly heading home at the time of the accident.

According to information received, the lorry was proceeding West out of a gas station, which is located on the eastern side of the road, while the motorcyclist was said to

The accident occurred around 21:45h.

On Sunday, motorcyclist

Dead: Iftikar Ishmael

Dead: Florenda Benjamin struck down by motor car HC 6299, which was driven by 31-year-old Michael Stewart of Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie.

According to the Police report, the driver of the car, which was proceeding North, reportedly overtook another car and in the process struck Benjamin, who was proceeding South along the eastern side of the road.

Teenagers hospitalised following Region 2 boat collision

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be proceeding North along the western side of the road at a fast pace. Ishmael allegedly lost control of his motorbike and ended up on the eastern carriageway where he struck the front of the motor lorry on the left side.

On March 12, two young people died in a motorcycle crash on the Houston carriageway, Greater Georgetown.

Stanley Junior King, 24, of Lot 116 Section M

Suresh Kellowan of Enmore, East Coast Demerara lost his life while negotiating the Russian Embassy turn on the Kitty Public Road in Georgetown at about 03:00h.

Reports are the 22-yearold machine operator was proceeding West while attempting to negotiate the turn when the motorcycle slid and collided with the guard rail of the said Russian Embassy.

Kellowan reportedly was not wearing a safety helmet at the time.

Just Tuesday, a motorcyclist died after he was struck by a car at Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). Three persons, including an 11-month-old child, were injured in the accident.

The dead cyclist was identified as Florenda Benjamin of Block 22, Wismar, Linden.

Reports are the accident occurred about 16:30h on Sir David Rose Avenue, Mackenzie. Guyana Times understands that 37-yearold Benjamin, who was riding motorcycle CJ 1644, was

wo teenagers are currently seeking medical attention at the Oscar Joseph Hospital, located at Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) following a head-on collision between two boats in the Lower Pomeroon region.

Reports are that the two girls, who were identified as 14-year-old Michelle Smith and 17-year-old Vanessa John were travelling in a boat operated by Wayne Boyan on Tuesday evening at Wakapoa, Lower Pomeroon.

Consequently, 49-yearold Hubert James was reportedly proceeding East in the opposite direction in the path of the vessel which was operated by Boyan.

This resulted in a headon collision whereby the teenagers sustained injuries and were dashed to the hospital to receive medical

attention. Meanwhile, the operators of the two boats were taken into custody as

the Police continue their investigation into the matter.

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Audit report

PAC examines fiscal red flags raised by Auditor General …Region 7 commended on spending

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n a rare occurrence, officials from a region were commended by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when they appeared to defend certain red flags raised in the 2016 Auditor General’s report.

Officials from the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) administration, including Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rodrick Edinboro and several of his regional officials, were questioned

by the Committee on several fiscal matters.

Opposition Member of Parliament Pauline Sukhai, who was acting as Chairperson of the PAC in the absence of substantive Chairman Irfaan Ali, noted the seriousness of instances where contractors were overpaid back in 2016.

O p p o s i t i o n Parliamentarian Nigel Dharamlall noted that maintenance works in the

region had amounted to $307.4 million, with almost all of that money being spent. Citing this and other examples, the MP enquired how the region was able to keep so close to their planned expenditure.

In response, the REO noted that planning had much to do with it. At the same time, however, he disclosed at the prompting of PAC member Volda Lawrence some of the issues

“Massive irregularities” uncovered in GPF’s driver’s theory exam

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he Head of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Office of Professional Responsibility is in the process of conducting an investigation into allegations of “massive irregularities in the Guyana Police Force learner driver’s theoretical examination” which took place on Thursday April 12, 2018 at the Felix Austin Police College, Georgetown.

According to a statement from the GPF, a report was lodged by a senior pastor, who is the Force’s Chaplain to the Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine and one of the invigilators to the April 12 examination.

In that report, it is alleged that at the conclusion of the stated examination “One hundred and seventy four (174) persons were registered to write the examination but one hundred and six (106) persons presented themselves on the day in question. However, two hundred and seven (207) scripts were received at the conclusion of the examination and one hundred and fifty five (155) of the two hundred and seven (207) scripts were completed.”

Police say that initial inquires revealed that a Senior Subordinate Officer who was mandated to oversee this theoretical examination in collaboration with two pastors from the COPS

and Faith Community Network partnership with the GPF, along with three junior ranks, left the examination venue shortly after the examination commenced and did not return.

Further it was reported that a Junior Subordinate Officer, who ought not to have been at the examination venue, presented himself, spent some time and left, subsequently.

“The three Constables left the examination venue prior to the counting of the examination scripts by members of the COPS and Faith Community Network after the conclusion of the examination,” the Police report said.

Guyana Times understands that only the members of the COPS and Faith community Network – the two pastors – were left in possession of the completed examination papers.

According to the Police, preliminary inquires revealed a complete breach of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) govern-

ing the administration and conduct of the learner driver’s theoretical examination.

As such, “due to the circumstances, while the full and comprehensive investigation is awaited, the members of the public who sat the examination at the venue on the Thursday April 12, 2018, will have to re-sit the examination…regrettably, but deemed absolutely necessary. (They) will be informed of the date and time when they will have to re-sit that particular examination,” the Police press statement said.

GPF’s statement also detailed that since the involvement of the members of the COPS Faith Community Network in the invigilation of the Learner Driver’s Theoretical and Practical examinations, there have been reports of a significant reduction in the opportunities for corruption, complaint and allegations, while highlighting that this voluntary involvement will continue.

The completed investigation will be sent for legal advice.

The regional officials before the PAC on Monday

the region faces with clearing cheque orders.

“The geographic location and distance to deliver plays a part in that,” he said. “We also have problems with the availability of the item, if it’s not within the local borders. We also have problems when seeking duty-free concessions.”

“Also, there is the stringent adherence to the release of one cheque until another is cleared. By the time you’re ready for that one, there’s also a problem with that. But the cheque order system, as it is, was really designed to deal with cash payments to employees,” he related.

Sukhai ultimately commended the regional authorities for the improvements they had made in their systems.

“There seems to have been somewhat of an im-

provement in the region and I will ask that some of the areas that we have had some prolonged questioning,” she said. “That you, take note of those and make sure that you come prepared in the future because I am sure we will see you back in the stipulated time and thank you again for the engagement here, you and your team.”

On other matters relating to expired drugs, the region also conveyed to the Committee it had a clean bill of health.

For instance, the 2016 report had noted that audit checks had revealed there were 23 types of expired drugs in the regional administration’s possession, which are still to be destroyed. But since there was no value stated on the documents for the items, a total cost of all drugs destroyed could not be ascertained.

PAC Member Juan Edghill had raised concerns over whether expired drugs were being distributed to hinterland residents.

According to Regional Health Officer, Dr Edward Segala, however, the expired drugs were not being distributed. Dr Segala also noted that the drugs have been destroyed. But all is still not well with the system.

“The system is a challenging one. For example, at the level of a hospital where you have a pharmacist… it is much easier to notice and to tell whether a particular medication is going to expire within a certain timeframe.”

“The challenge though would come from the farflung areas, in our case, Upper Mazaruni and Middle Mazaruni where there is no pharmacist… so supervision can be quite challenging,” he had noted.

Aspiring filmmakers being urged to register for workshop

A screening at the Moray House

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s excited filmmakers and aspiring ones across Guyana continues to prepare their films for a chance to have their films screened at this year’s third annual Timehri Film Festival, it was recently announced that persons still have an opportunity to participate in its Documentary Filmmaking Workshop.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Monday, Marketing and Logistics Director of the Festival, Alysia Christiani said persons interested in being part of the workshop – which is scheduled for May 28 to June 2 at the Business School, Brickdam Georgetown – can register online at timehrifilmfestival.com/documentary-workshop.

Christiani informed that the workshop will be beneficial to filmmakers and even those who are aspiring, but do not know where to start.

During the course, participants will learn how to create short documentaries

focused on stories within their communities. It is also expected that the course will explore how the fundamental storytelling methods used in fiction, can be used to create immersive non-fiction films among others. The students will also learn the fundamentals of interviewing subjects, conducting research and documentary shots.

The deadline for registration is May 28. The cost of registration from now until April 30 will be $36,000.

Late registration fee will be $41,000.

As it relates to the Film Festival, slated for May to June this year in Georgetown, outstanding films submitted by participants will be selected by a panel to be screened at the event.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr George Norton on Friday last noted his eagerness to be part of the event. He said although it is being hosted by a private organisation, he is

happy that it is becoming a reality.

Last year’s Film Festival was held during the months of May and June. It lasted for six days and reportedly featured over 26 short films.

The activity saw partnerships with different countries. It was reported also that last year’s screenings of the short films were held at different locations across the country, mainly to target a wider audience.

“Adero”, a short film which won the 2015 Caribbean Film Project, and was directed by Guyanese Kojo McPherson, was screened at MORAY House attracting a major audience including First Lady Sandra Granger and Ministerial Advisor on Public Telecommunications, Enrico Woolford.

The film was about a brooding 30-odd-year-old corporate drone on a quest to find his true identity; journeying through his dreams as much as in the physical world.

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thursDAY, april 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Interior businesses call for reduction in taxes on fuel, air travel …complain to Opposition MP about multiple other issues

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usinesses operating in the local tourism sector, particularly those in the hinterland, are calling on Government to reduce taxes for interior air travel and fuel.

This call comes amid concerns over the rise in cost for these services and commodities, which, to a large extent, is affecting border trade between Guyana and Brazil, especially in Lethem.

This observation was made by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and former Government Minister Irfaan Ali, who met with members of the business community in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) over the weekend.

During his visit, the Opposition MP said that the local business community

complained also about being constrained by new rules implemented by the Brazilian authorities with regard to trade.

Some business owners said that while commercial goods were processed at the border between the two countries every day, that has now been reduced to two days – Mondays and Fridays.

The business community said despite raising this concern with the local Brazilian Consulate and the Guyana Government, nothing has been done. This is severely affecting their business operations.

Meanwhile, contrary to the national road transport agreement, private vehicles are now required to get permission to use the usual route and cannot travel on week-

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

ends. The MP said this new initiative has created hardship on the business community and could stymie development.

The community said the lack of representation from

Guyanese authorities was another concern.

Another observation made by Ali was that the local business community in that Region was being neglected as large contracts were going to contractors outside the Region and Brazilian companies, with mostly Brazilian workers.

“The business community also complained bitterly about the condition of the Lethem to Georgetown trail which is getting worse. Some sections are now impassable with travel time and damage to vehicles increasing substantially. The deplorable condition has increased transportation cost,” he stated.

Further, a new development is now taking place in Bonfin, Brazil with the au-

thorities signing a decree to have shops there not subjected to state tax. The business community is worried about the effect this would have on their businesses, as most of them depend heavily on Brazilian traffic.

The MP said, “They are of the view that the Brazilian authorities had been continuously taking strong and continuous steps to secure business on their side of the border with no action or policy initiative.” In this regard, they want a free zone and improved infrastructure to reduce cost of transportation, among other issues.

It was explained that electricity cost about 50 per cent in Bonfin of what it did in Lethem, according to the business community. “This is a major hindrance to business and development in the

Region. The business community are of the view that this needs to be corrected if they are to effectively compete,” he added.

The former Minister was also told by the business community that special emphasis must be placed on low-interest loans to help stimulate activity and prospects in the local economy.

He said residents and the business community complained about lack of consultation on infrastructure projects by Central Government.

“The present Industrial Site road came in for great criticism. Residents and business people are of the view that the four-lane road is unnecessary and are of the view that the money can be used more effectively on additional urgent infrastructure needs,” he explained.

Fire destroys D’Urban Backlands home …2 homeless

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heldon Baptiste and his wife are now left counting their losses after a fire, believed to be of electrical origin, destroyed their two-bedroom house at D’Urban Backlands rendering them homeless.

According to information, neighbours discovered smoke emanating from the house sometime around 11:00h and immediately summoned the Guyana Fire Service.

While they awaited the arrival of the firefighters, they started a bucket brigade but were unable to

Sheldon Baptiste

save the wooden building as the fire quickly spread.

The firefighters arrived around 11:35h and immediately began accessing water from the nearby trench and started to douse the flames that had already razed the house.

Baptiste said he left for work some time about 08:30h and all of his appliances were off. The man said he was uncertain as to what may have caused the fire and was waiting on the firefighters to provide him with the cause.

“I am living here for over four years now with my wife and when I left this morning everything was off. I just

Firefighters dousing the flame

come home here for lunch and when I come, then them neighbour tell me the house burn down. When I come here, I see the house done burn down. Is everything I lose, boy,” Baptiste said.

“I just buy a music set for

$100,000 and I had a fridge, chair set, wardrobe and everything else. All me wife and me have right now is the clothes on we back,” he added.

Neighbours say the fire may have been electrical in

origin since the community is plagued by illegal connections to the nearby GPL pole. An investigation is ongoing while the couple are contemplating their next move.

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thursDAY, april 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana moves 1 step closer to banning plastic bags

Plastic bags pollution

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s the country progresses towards achieving the goal of a green state, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Guyana will be partnering with supermarkets in Georgetown to minimise the use of plastic bags, as part of Earth Day 2018.

The statement was made to <Guyana Times by the Director within Technical Secretariat, Sharifah Razack on Wednesday.

Razack said, “It all stems from the international theme for Earth Day, where it is about reducing the use of plastic, and that is not the only reason, we are doing this for several other reasons”.

So far, the Director noted that six major supermarkets in Georgetown, as well as their subsidiaries, have expressed their willingness to participate in the drive to reduce the usage of plastic bags.

Those supermarkets include Bounty, Mathai, Survival, Budget, Distribution Services Limited (DSL) and Massy.

These supermarkets will use boxes, reusable bags and biodegradable bags to pack their customers’ goods. They are also urging persons to walk with their bags, so as to curb the plastic situation in Guyana.

Candacie Thompson, Senior Environmental Officer, EPA, later explained that the initiative will officially get started on World Earth Day, slated for April 22. She said, “We are looking at it as a launching pad and to raise awareness on the consequences of plastic pollution… many people are so accustomed to using these ‘single use’ plastic bags and basically like the

supermarkets is just one of the activities being done for Earth Day. It is being done, according to her, “to see how the initiative goes to get a feedback as we seek to change persons’ attitude to the use of plastic”.

She said too that the EPA may consider taking the use of plastic bags to a governmental level, based on the public’s response to this initiative and after the necessary sensitisation methods would have been conducted to alert the public on the dangers of plastic bag use.

The implementation of this new initiative comes at a time when Guyana happens to be one of the countries in the Caribbean that is mostly affected by plastic pollutants.

Over the years, plastic articles, specifically plastic

ticipation of approximately one billion people. It is being held this year under the theme ‘End Plastic Pollution’.

The EPA of Guyana will be endorsing this message as they strive to end this type of pollution that undoubtedly plays a role as a major pollutant in Guyana.

World Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 in

T name suggests, you can’t get much use out of it. When you take stuff away from the supermarkets in it, it cannot be reused except for garbage and it ends up in these landfills and accumulates because they are not biodegradable”.

Thompson noted that the engagement with these

bags have been the reason for clogged drains, trenches and canals and often times result in flooding.

The Government of Guyana took the decision to place a ban on styrofoam back in 2016, after much contention.

Earth Day is a global event which sees the par-

The rising temperature, global warming and other ecological imbalances are due to the fact that half of the world’s rainforests are gone. The deaths of 70,000 persons in Europe were due to rising temperatures in 2003. These imbalances are also leading to frequent flooding and other disasters across the globe, which include forest fires, again impacting the trees.

Driver in Skeldon fatal accident remanded

Soorajine Surjraj

The reusable shopping bags

the United States. It later became recognised and accepted Worldwide by the year 1990. It sees the participation of 192 countries.

According to the organisers of World Earth Day, at least two million people die globally, due to indoor and outdoor pollution. It also estimates that by the year 2030, food prices will go up by 50 per cent due to climate change.

he man who was driving the car which ran under a lorry on Monday morning at Number 58 Village, Corentyne, killing one of the three passengers was remanded Wednesday morning on a dangerous driving charge.

Twenty-five-year-old Navindra Premnauth, also called Avinesh, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, is accused of driving motor car HC 1722 in a manner dan-

Remanded taxi driver Avenash Premnauth

gerous to the public causing the death of Soorajine Surjraj.

Premnauth, who appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga, was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

He will have to return to court on April 20, 2018 when the matter comes up again.

It had been reported that the accident occurred at Number 58 Village about 07:30h on Monday when the

driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel which resulted in him losing control of the vehicle and driving into a parked lorry, GMM 9207, which was parked on the eastern parapet.

The impact sent the lorry forward about two metres, causing it to hit another lorry and move it about one metre.

The 52-year-old Surjraj, a gas station pump attendant, was at the time travelling with her mother, Khemnie Surjraj, 70, and her only child, Nesa Sukhra, 15.

They were all in the back seat of the taxi and were returning from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after taking the pump attendant’s sister to board a flight to the US. The car was being driven by a family friend who worked as a mechanic but was moonlighting as a taxi driver.

The car reportedly left Crabwood Creek on Sunday afternoon at about 17:00h.

MoE hosts retreat for Regional Education Officers

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he Education Ministry is currently hosting a threeday retreat for its Regional Education Officers (REDO) in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) aimed at developing strategies for the new Education Strategic Plan 2019-2023.

In a statement, the Ministry said the conference is tailored to ensure the officers are able to demonstrate effective management and supervisory skills in the dispensation of their daily functions in their respective regions. The educators were encouraged to submit accurate and timely reports with a view of ensuring that issues affecting education and schools in the regions are addressed expeditiously.

Education Minster Nicolette Henry believes schools can achieve more if these learning institutions are properly managed and supervised, and training in this regard will assist. The rationale behind the retreat

Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ingrid Trotman

is that the REDOs will ultimately work with school leaders to achieve the desired outcomes which will eventually lead to improved school administrations.

Additionally, it is envisaged that better relationships will be fostered among the education officers, head teachers, teachers and the central ministry.

“Added to that, under

the guidance of the Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ingrid Trotman, the officers will also be brainstorming strategies for the new Education Strategic Plan (2019-2023).

It is at this juncture that the education officers will have an opportunity to articulate their vision for the education sector in their region,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Mark Lyte is attending the conference and is expected to deliver a presentation. Lyte said his presence at the conference underscores the importance of the GTU and the Education Ministry working closely to ensure that the education system works for all and is churning out the desired children.

Over the next three days, there will be various presentations from officers and other resource persons aimed at building capacity among the Regional Education Officers.

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thursDAY, april 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GuySuCo Board headed by Clive Thomas unlawful – Nandlall

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lthough Government has made it clear that the Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) headed by Professor Clive Thomas is the legitimate one, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall claimed this Board has no legal status.

In fact, Nandlall said the Board headed by Colvin Heath-London which is registered and listed on the Registrar of Companies for the same company should be the legally recognised one.

He said any decision taken by the first Board must be viewed as unlawful, illegal and in violation of the Companies Act. Nandall told Guyana Times that there cannot be two Boards of Directors running the affairs of GuySuCo at the same time. He said if indeed the Board under Heath-London is registered then it remains legal until the Government take steps to revoke its appointment and reinstall the old Board.

“This entire fiasco demonstrates that there is confu-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

sion in Government with respect to the management of GuySuCo and the future of the industry… You can only have one legally functioning GuySuCo Board,” he opined.

He said Government was obsessed with controlling every aspect of the country’s management.

When contacted on Tuesday for a comment on the status and chairmanship of the GuySuCo Board, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder declined to comment.

The Minister abruptly ended the call with the reporter, expressing concern with being recorded and allegedly not being told during a previous interview, despite the fact that he was advised that an official comment was being solicited.

Officials at the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) and the Finance Ministry were also tight-lipped about the chairmanship of the GuySuCo Board.

During a press conference on Friday, April 13, 2018, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said contrary to paid full page advertisements that were carried in the daily newspapers and a Cabinet subcommittee’s decision, there is no new Board for the GuySuCo and consequently, no new Chairman.

Asked by members of the media whether HeathLondon was Chairman of GuySuCo, Jordan replied in the negative. “He is not the Chairman of GuySuCo. The Chairman of GuySuCo is still Dr (Clive) Thomas. The Board of GuySuCo ends this month, in keeping with his

Professor Clive Thomas

responsibilities, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder has to bring to the Cabinet a new Board to be in place when this old one is finished.”

He added that there was a subcommittee that met and discussed the issue of GuySuCo and its Board.

“That subcommittee was chaired by Vice President (Carl) Greenidge and it included me, Ministers Harmon and Holder,” he further clarified. “That committee decided, unanimous-

ly the life of the GuySuCo Board comes to an end and a new Board will be put in place headed by HeathLondon.”

Jordan denied there was a political split between the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on the issue. He acknowledged, however, that the subcommittee’s decision died a swift death when the full Cabinet overturned the proposed appointments.

Stressing that this was within the Cabinet’s right, Jordan related that the full Cabinet deferred the decision until it could get more information on the nominees and thus rendered the appointments null and void. “… all subcommittee decisions have to be carried to the full Cabinet. It is when it went to the full Cabinet that the full Cabinet said no, we need to look at this more closely. They want to be sure where GuySuCo is going and who are these people.”

Asked whether Holder, an AFC member, was part of the dissenting voices, Jordan said even if he knew,

he would not say. He noted that there have been several instances where the subcommittee’s decisions are vetoed.

According to the advertisement, which was published on March 14, 2018, the new Board was approved

by Cabinet on February 26, 2018, and the appointments were supposed to take effect on March 1. There had long been rumours of a split at the executive level over the decision, however.

The old Board of Directors had comprised Economist, Dr Clive Thomas as the Chairman and Frederick Singh as the Secretary. The Directors were Louise Bouyea, Fritz McLean, John Browman, Nigel Cumberbatch, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Nazim Ali and George Jervis.

A list of the newly proposed Board was circulated in sections of the media.

On that list were Komal Singh, Verna Adrian, Fritz Mc Lean, Rosh Khan (Jr), George Jervis, Arianne McLean, Vishnu Panday, Annette Arjoon-Martins and two GuySuCo executives.

Guyana to attend high-profile AML/CFT conference

…designed to bolster anti-money laundering efforts in the Region

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uyana is slated to be represented at a high-profile Anti-Money Laundering/ Financial Crimes Conference in Florida, USA; which will, among other things, give countries a chance to review their AML efforts in their respective jurisdictions.

According to the Legal Affairs Ministry on Tuesday, the compliance conference will be a two-day event that will provide participants with useful knowledge they can implement in their countries. Attending on Guyana’s behalf to assimilate this knowledge will be Attorney General Basil Williams, the current Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

“To this end, a group of high-profile regulators and compliance experts will discuss challenges faced by regulated businesses. Unlike

tering the financing of terrorism, and financial crimes prevention. It is the only conference that targets regulated entities of the Americas.

Over the past three years, the annual ComplianceAid Conference has been able to attract a gathering of directors and professionals from the AML space, across the

Representatives from ComplianceAid Conference presenting during an international convention

any other, this conference will address the issues from a non-US point of view.”

“Beyond complying with the AML/CFT annual training requirements, this conference will provide participants a unique opportunity to personally engage with regulators and other experts. This personal contact will allow for a better understanding of the approach to enforcement in their respec-

tive jurisdictions,” a statement from the Ministry said.

The conference is slated for April 18-20, 2018, in Miami, Florida, with Williams expected to present on Financial Technology (FinTech) effects on the changing role of the Compliance Officer.

The ComplianceAid Conference is an annual event that focuses on anti-money laundering, coun-

region.

Only recently, a United States Department of State report was released that listed Guyana, among many other countries, as “major money laundering jurisdictions in 2017”.

The US International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Volume

Two of March 2018 had declared that there was a lack of strong interagency cooperation among AML and drug-fighting agencies, adding that these departments did not have adequate human resources and the necessary training for complete effectiveness.

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thursDAY, april 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese urged to be more health conscious – as Govt launches ‘Health Expo 2018’

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo speaking at the launching of Health Expo 2018 while Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence (fourth from left) and other officials from the Health Ministry are seated at the head table

A section of the gathering at the Ramada Princess Hotel on Wednesday when the inaugural ‘Health Expo 2018’ was launched

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he Public Health Ministry on Wednesday launched its inaugural Health Exhibition aimed at sensitising the public of the services being offered within the public health sector, as well as encourage a more health-conscious citizenry.

‘Health Expo 2018’ is an inter-ministerial and multi-sectorial meeting and

will also focus on developing synergies between the Ministry and healthcare providers as well as the public.

The exhibition, which is the first of its kind to be hosted by the Ministry, will be held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre between May 30 and June 2, under the theme “Reaching for a better life with good health.”

The expo was official-

ly launched at the Ramada Princess Hotel in Providence, East Bank Demerara, by acting President Moses Nagamootoo, who himself recently underwent triple bypass heart surgery.

According to Prime Minister Nagamootoo, while Government has taken certain steps to ensure that the necessary health services are available for citizens, they

too should be health conscious and more proactive in taking care of themselves.

“Health is not only the function of the Government; we have also, as citizens’ functions, choices to make whether we would like to live long, whether we would like to live healthy, whether we would like to live a productive life and here, I believe, that we have to deal with some reality that if we don’t make those choices while we are young and when you have time to do that… life could be cruel to you, life could be cut short, life could be brutal and you could be exposed to those

very things that the health system is set up to look into,” Nagomootoo said to the gathering that was packed with students.

The health-conscious Prime Minister, who made his first public appearance since resuming work after his February surgery, went on to urge Guyanese to read the labels of food products before purchasing so that they are aware of the contents/ ingredients and the quantity. He noted that companies have a way of trapping consumers with their attractive packaging and ‘all-natural’ or ‘0-sugar’ labels when the products contain ingredients such as concentrates.

To this end, Nagamootoo posited that a forum such as the ‘Health Expo’ will not only educate the public on what to look for and how to read the content tables but also inform companies as to what Government is looking for in products, especially with regards to dietary contracts such as the School Feeding Programme.

Also encouraging healthy diets as part of a larger drive to promote a healthy society was Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence. She said, “We hope to make citizens health conscious and take care of their own health. We want to remind people that they are living in a country that’s blessed with an abundance of food that will ensure we not only live long but

healthily.”

Lawrence further posited that in addition to making Guyanese more health consciousness, the expo is also aimed at informing the public of the various health services that are available.

The Public Health Minister further noted that too often persons end up seeking services within the public health sector only after they would have expended large sums of monies at private institutions for services that are being offer free at public institutions.

“There are too many persons within our society who are not au fait with the services provided by the Ministry of Public Health and so this expo is to ensure they are acquainted with the services that are provided and about those services that are provided not only at our local health facilities but also at our primary and tertiary health facilities,” she stated.

According to the Minister, the expo will also provide an interacting platform for the public to give feedback on the public health services and how they can be improved on.

Moreover, during the four-day exhibition period, there will also be a host of activities such as seminars, workshops and a career fair.

The latter will aim at closing the human resources gap within the public health sector.

Guyana to attend...

It had called for more training, education, and resources to improve the fight against money laundering. In its 2018 overview of Guyana, the INCSR posited that “narcotics trafficking and Government corruption are the primary sources of laundered funds”.

The report reiterated that Guyana was a transit country for South American cocaine destined for Europe, the Caribbean and North America, noting that traffickers were attracted to Guyana’s remote airstrips, porous land borders, and weak security infrastructure.

It was outlined that Guyana should continue to provide training to “increase awareness and understanding of AML laws within the Judiciary and agencies. The major agencies involved in anti-drug and money laundering efforts, such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF); the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); the Customs Anti-Narcotics

From page 13

Unit (CANU); the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) were observed as not being effective enough owing to “inadequate human resources, insufficient training, and a lack of strong interagency cooperation”.

Apart from Guyana, Brazil, Barbados, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States itself were, among many others, listed as “Major Money Laundering Jurisdictions in 2017”.

Only last month former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall accused his successor, Basil Williams, of conveying the impression that the country was compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements, based on statements he had made in the National Assembly.

thursDAY, April 19, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

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“There’re amazing experiences associated with popping open a bottle with friends and family.” – Michelle Howard

ichelle and Keon Howard, the owners of new startup Winedays – a wine importer, distributor, wholesaler, and online retailer intent on broadening Guyanese appreciation of wine with their mobile wine bar “Vinny”, pop-up tastings and diverse offerings – first bonded over wine.

Michelle, a wine aficionado raised in Toronto but of Guyanese parentage, and Keon, who migrated in his 20s from Guyana with more familiar tastes, had their first dates in wineries in Niagara Peninsula.

“It was a cheap date,” Michelle recalled with a hint of a smile in her voice. “Wineries on the Niagara Peninsula and Long Island would offer wine tastings on the weekends, four to five pours, 3.5(ounce) pours for $5 (US/CND).”

One wedding – where they gave away as favours three types of wines they made, bottled and labelled themselves with the help of a winery – and two children later, wine remains an important part of the couple’s lives.

“We want to offer Guyanese quality wines at affordable prices,” Michelle said.

“Money is not our motivation.

We love wines and are passionate about wines.

We love people, and we want to share it [wines].”

Offering her husband who first gravitated towards sweet wines after expressing disdain for “those sour wines”, but has now expanded his palate after sampling a wide range of wines as an example, Michelle – who believes wine should be enjoyed at any time by anyone – fervently declared, “There are no rules any more around drinking wines….None of this wine snobbery stuff….it’s not a rich people thing; it’s your thing; it’s a healthier choice; it’s a choice that offers explosions in your mouth.”

“My philosophy is: How would you know if you like it if you have not tried it?”

In democratising and popularising wine locally, the Howards’ ultimate aim is t o pro-

Market statistics

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates

Calculated at 94% purity, April 18, 2018

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

vide a space where new wine drinkers feel comfortable and wine connoisseurs feel challenged. Michelle noted that they have been working hard towards that goal over the past eight months. Winedays delivers chilled wines to your home or office within an hour with no delivery charge for Georgetown residents, but the mobile, full-service wine bar “Vinny” (short for vino, which is Italian for wine (“there is truth in wine”) is the signature initiative. It can be hired for weddings and other events, and comes complete with décor, two trained servers who have been rigorously background-checked who arrive one and a half hours before the event’s start time to set up and spend the same amount of time after the event cleaning up. The company is also launching its monthly wine box subscription service, offering home delivery of bottles of wines and delicious morsels that complement them for a fixed fee.

Michelle, who says her biggest influence is her entrepreneur father who taught her that you should treat everyone with decency and respect, explained that they have been very careful to ensure that they are “taking all the right steps and respecting the laws”.

“It’s very scary starting a business around wine in a country that’s not open to it,” Michelle revealed, adding that she has learnt to exer-

Selling

USD

$1351.45

GBP

$295.11

$298.83

Gross

$265,671

CAN

$164.01

$165.91

Net

$244,417

USD

$205.98

$208.44

EURO

$254.76

$258.00

Indicators as on April 18, 2018 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$71.58

Price

USD

Change %

+0.22 Change %

Rough Rice

$289.70/ton

+0.87

London Sugar

$335.80/ton

-1.41

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1349.80

$1350.80

Low/High

$1341.70

$1356.30

Change

+0.60

+0.04%

Business Concept – Annual Report Presentation of a firm’s audited accounts for the preceding year, as required in corporate legislation.

In addition to the auditor’s report, an annual report commonly includes (1) management’s review of the operations of the firm and its future prospects; (2) balance sheet; (3) income statement (profit and loss account); (4) cash flow statement, and other supporting documents. Also called annual accounts. (Business Dictionary)

15

Michelle and Keon Howard at pop-up tasting with local makeup artist Renee Chester

cise p a tience and not worry about things she cannot control. “I am thankful for my husband, thankful he is my partner.

His favourite saying is: “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.” He says, “Don’t worry, what’s for us will be.””

The self-confessed “fiery” half of the husband-and-wife team cautioned, “You are going to get a lot of no’s, don’t take it personally.” She says the most important quality of an entrepreneur is being tenacious, because “you just can’t quit”.

Questioned about what can be done to assist entrepreneurs, Michelle highlighted that financial and other institutions should make it easier for persons to start businesses by reducing the red tape.

“I believe success is whatever it is for you.” And for Michelle, success is making everyone aware of the joys of everyday wines. “The sky is the limit,” she declared. “We want to be a force to be reckoned with, that is sustainable.”

Contact: T: 641-3633/697-5254; WhatsApp: 592-641-3633; cheers@winedaysgy. com

Investor’s Guide

Energy, transport stocks lift Wall Street, IBM drags

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he S&P 500 eked out a small gain while the Dow declined after a volatile trading session on Wednesday, with weakness in sectors such as consumer staples and financials offsetting strong gains in the energy and industrial indexes.

Higher oil prices boosted energy stocks while transport stocks such as CSX Corp helped the industrial sector.

But IBM’s 7.5 per cent drop was the biggest drag on the S&P after the technology company’s quarterly profit margins missed Wall Street targets.

“There’s a lot of headlines pulling the market in different directions. The most notable is energy prices pulling that sector higher,” said David Joy, chief market strategist at Ameriprise in Boston.

Joy attributed a drop in financial stocks to a flattening yield curve in US treasuries.

“Earnings and the yield curve are the two biggest influences,” said Joy, adding that “transports are very strong today which is a very good sign for the economy.”

Number three US railroad operator CSX jumped 7.8 per cent after topping profit estimates. Its news lifted other railroads, and helped to push the Dow Jones Transport index up 1.7 per cent.

Also United Continental gained 4.8 per cent and lifted other airline stocks after reporting a better-than-expected quarterly profit.

Trading was choppy, with the Dow swinging between positive and negative territory while the S&P 500 gave up most of its gains in the last few minutes of trading.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 38.56 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 24,748.07, the S&P 500 gained 2.25 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 2,708.64 and the Nasdaq

Composite added 14.14 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 7295.24.

In late afternoon trade the S&P briefly lost ground after a Federal Reserve report said robust business borrowing, rising consumer spending, and tight labour markets indicated the US economy is on track for continued growth, with trade war risks being the one big outlier.

However, Mark Heppenstall, chief investment officer at Penn Mutual Asset Management in Horsham, Pennsylvania, said investors were hopeful for a positive outcome with China.

“China trade tensions seem to have moved to the back burner,” he said.

“Earnings are part of the equation as well. The bar was high. There was a risk expectations would outpace what comes through but generally earnings have been favourable.” (Reuters)

16 NEWS

thursDAY, april 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

NTC, Government to work together

S

everal days after the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry launched a scathing attack on the executive of the National Toshoa Council (NTC), particularly pointing out the Chairman of Vice Chairman, the two parties have decided to put their differences aside and plan to work on a better relationship.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Minister Sydney Allicock addressed this issue describing it as a “teeth and tongue” which has been addressed. The Minister said his Ministry is committed to working with the NTC to ensure that the rights of Guyana’s first people are protected and they receive the best possible help to continue to improve their lives and bring development to their villages.

“While we have had some serious discussions and challenges, we have been able to accomplish a number of successes we are yet to utilise… we are at the point where old pathways will now lead us in a new direction. Working in partnership is the way to go,”

divisive, disingenuous, and sometimes incoherent statements made by these officials.

In the strongly worded statement, it also pointed to Shuman and said it has taken note of his issuing calls for mass public protest against the Government by the Indigenous citizenry.

The Ministry said it would allow the Guyanese public to Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock (centre) embraced by NTC Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman (left) and NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks

he explained.

Vice Chairman of the NTC Lenox Shuman confirmed the Minister’s comments and explained that while the issues may have been taken to the public, both the Ministry and the NTC have managed to iron out the issues that they had with each other. He said while there were external forces that may have wanted to see the matter being further exacerbated to a point of hostility, he said that will never happen.

Last week, Government accused the NTC of disrespecting President David Granger, and launched a

scathing attack on several vocal Indigenous representatives who were not toeing the line, but exposing serious malpractices of the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Administration.

The Ministry accused the NTC and Shuman, of being confrontational, demanding, and disrespectful in their writings to President Granger. The Ministry said it has also observed a trend of public posturing by NTC executives, and has stated that the NTC has so far not distanced itself from what the Ministry described as rather

President Granger reaffirms commitment to malaria fight at London Malaria Summit

P

resident David Granger in his presentation at the Malaria Summit in London Wednesday proposed a four-pronged international approach to tackling the disease that kills millions annually.

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death in Guyana in terms of communicable diseases; therefore, the President said the country was committed to halving the number of malaria cases and deaths by the year 2023.

From the 2015 baseline of 8329 cases, the Guyanese leader said significant national progress has been achieved in reducing the malaria cases.

“The total number of new cases declined by 60 per cent between 2010 and 2015.

Malaria, unfortunately, despite these gains is highly resilient; a five per cent increase in new cases was recorded in 2016 and again in 2017,” the President told leaders.

The highest incidence of these cases, the Head of State informed the summit, was recorded in the forested areas of Guyana where mining is the

President David Granger during the eighth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

principal economic activity.

The President then proposed the four-pronged international support strategy to combat the communicable disease be directed towards protecting citizens against its spread by the transfer of technologies from developed to developing and poor countries.

“It involves preventing and limiting vector-borne infections by the dissemination of quality health information; it involves providing improved tools for diagnosing and identifying active cases of malaria regardless of spe-

cies and finally, by procuring high-quality combination malaria treatment to ensure full cure of infected persons and to avoid drug-resistant malaria,” he posited.

The November 2017 World Malaria Report showed that progress made to fight malaria had stalled, which posed the risk of all the work done so far becoming undone, or at worst, a resurgence.

As a result, the anti-malaria community united to put on the Malaria Summit in London, under the theme, “Ready to beat Malaria.”

GPL currently replacing faulty meters

T

he Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is currently conducting a programme to remove faulty meters.

Metering Manager of the Loss Reduction Department, Wayne Watson told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the utility company began an investigation in November last year, to sort and replace faulty meters after it was discovered that there was a large number of straight feed prepaid and postpaid customers.

He said that teams were currently working on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor from Timehri to Houston replacing these faulty meters.

The exercise is expected to move to the East Coast Demerara

Metering Manager of the Loss Reduction Department, Wayne Watson

(ECD) corridor within the next few weeks.

Watson noted that GPL is fully equipped with the necessary tools to replace the faulty meters. He explained the main issue with the “straight feed meters were the fact that per-

sons are extending their houses either in size or internally upgrading along with the extension.” Watson said initially when persons apply for the service, they receive 30 amps; however, with additions to their homes such as water pumps and air conditioning units, their load base has now increased.

Watson said these additions were often made without proper consultation with the Government Inspectorate Office. He recommended that persons visit any GPL office to determine if they should increase their amps. Watson also advised that GPL clients relay their issues to the power company “rather than having an unauthorised person attempt to address a problem they are not fully acquainted with.”

judge his intentions. Further to that, the Ministry said it is aware of countless complaints of alleged disrespectful treatment of residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission by Shuman.

Former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai had described the statement issued by the Ministry as a vicious and bla-

tant attack on the Council and Toshoas across the country. Sukhai said she is under the impression there seemingly is disconnect between the Ministry and the NTC. The former Minister said she finds it to be strange, especially since the Minister sits on the NTC as an ex-officio member.

Guyana Carnival launched …airline fares decreased, loans introduced

T

he Guyana Carnival 2018, an event which at its core is to promote tourism on an international standpoint, is expected to attract some 1500 tourists on a worldwide scope.

This announcement was revealed during Hits and Jams Entertainment’s official launch of Guyana Carnival 2018 which was hosted by the Guyana Carnival Committee at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

The event, which is scheduled to feature 10 days of nonstop activities, is expected to feature a wide variety of events to facilitate the interests of all who are participating. The Committee has emphasised on the significant feedback which they have received from tourists, who have already made their bookings and the sponsors which will lead the activities on a promotional aspect.

The Private Sector driven initiative is expected to compliment Guyana’s Independence celebrations while breathing a different vibe and also serving as a major revenue earner that will benefit business enterprises of all descriptions.

This was revealed by the Chairman of the Committee, Bobby Vieira, who noted that the introduction of Carnival is “simply to add another festival to the annual calendar of events in order to promote tourism, entertainment and awareness of locals, members of the Diaspora and visitors to enjoy while we commemorate our Independence anniversary”.

Some of the delegates of the Miss World Pageant 2018, members of the committee and the Guyana rugby team

“Our team is excited to be able to boost our country both economically and socially. This is a grand opportunity for locals to enjoy an international carnival as well as the local service industries to profit,” Vieira added.

He noted that the rates being offered are calculated to be low or equivalent to the prices at other regional and international carnivals. Prices for accommodation and other expenditures have also been lowered by the respective entities.

Two carriers, LIAT and Fly Jamaica Airways, have partnered with the managing committee in which the costs of tickets have been decreased for persons who wish to fly during the carnival season.

Additionally, beverage giant Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) in their partnership will be featuring their beverages with limited edition branding of their water bottles while hotels have cut some of their rates to facilitate

the large tourist influx which Guyana is expected to receive.

Persons who wish to attend the events and are in need of money will be able to do so with a loan, maximum of up to $300,000, which they are expected to repay within 12 months.

The events will last from May 18 to the 27 and will highlight the Miss World Guyana Pageant, which is slated for the same period, along with rugby games, a steel band jamboree at the Bandstand, J’Ouvert on Independence eve, a Genesis road parade and other similar oriented fetes which will be held at different locations around the Garden City.

However, to kick-start the vibes for these celebrations, Main Street will be revived with the introduction of Carnival Avenue starting on May 4 and continuing every Friday. This is expected to feature a number of local artistes who will be given a stage to promote their music.

Millions spent to upgrade Region 6 infrastructure

J

ust four months into the new year, several roads and bridges in East Berbice-Corentyne, Region Six have already been rehabilitated; thus, improving connectivity for residents and schoolchildren across the Region.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Kim Williams-Stephen said that more than $11 million was spent for infrastructural work in the Region.

Notable among the works executed was the rehabilitation of the heavy-duty bridge at Timmer’s Dam into a concrete structure. This particular upgrade which bolsters the bridge longevity has benefited over 500 residents, including over 300 schoolchildren who utilise the structure daily. Additionally, Timmer’s Dam was transformed from double bitumen surface treatment (DBST) road to a concrete structure.

“These works were done

Ongoing rehabilitation works on a road near the waterfront leading into New Amsterdam

taking into consideration the fact that children have to access school and also residents should not be burdened with poor infrastructure. So is not only about having these works, but they must be quality work,” Williams-Stephen related.

Similarly, a concrete bridge at Second Cross Street in Kildonan was repaired while several roads, including the Gibraltar School Street, were rehabilitated. The REO disclosed that there were several other projects in the pipe-

line for the Region, especially from other Ministries.

“We’re having a number of services that are coming to Berbice, from the Ministries of Natural Resources, and Citizenship and we are grateful for their support.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is also doing rehabilitation works in other areas such as New Amsterdam. The additional support from our stakeholders acts as a catalyst to the development of the Region,” Williams-Stephen remarked.

THURSDAY, april 19, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

News

Guyanese stabbed to death in Brooklyn Cuba nominates

A

Guyanese man residing in New York was found on Tuesday stabbed to death in his Brooklyn apartment.

Otis James, 48, was discovered unconscious and bleeding, with stab wounds to his head, face, chest and torso, inside his home on Central Avenue near Cornelia Street in Bushwick, New York at 16:30h Tuesday.

James worked as a city bus driver from 2005 to May 2017, when he retired on disability. He was crippled as a result of a gunshot injury he sustained at Parfaite

Police are seen outside the Bushwick home of Otis James on Tuesday (Ken Murray/New York Daily News photo)

Harmonie, West Bank Demerara two years ago.

He had been shot to the left side of his chest at pointblank range on May 18, 2016 outside a friend’s home after he had closed the gate to board a car that he had expected to pick him up.

The New York Post reported that the man’s apartment may have been ransacked. Police sources told the media that a knife was recovered at the scene of the gruesome murder.

James leaves to mourn a wife and two children.

No one has since been arrested.

Castro replacement Miguel Díaz-Canel

Miguel Díaz-Canel (left) has served as Vice President to Raúl Castro (right)

UK and India 'lay ground' for free C trade deal with bilateral agreement

B

ritain and India have laid the ground for a possible post-Brexit bilateral free trade deal and signed off on a series of commercial agreements worth up to £1 billion, according to Downing Street.

Brexit opponents claim the chances of Britain securing a trade deal with India superior to a Indian-EU deal are a fantasy unless the UK makes major concessions on Indian skilled labour accessing UK markets.

Karan Bilimoria, the British Indian entrepreneur and life peer, insisted Modi’s priority was a free trade deal with the EU. Britain is nevertheless lavishing diplomatic attention over Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, thanking him for breaking a decade of Indian indifference to the Commonwealth

From left: Narendra Modi is greeted by the Queen during a private audience at Buckingham Palace this week. Theresa May and Narendra Modi visit the Francis Crick Institute in London

by personally attending the Commonwealth summit and so giving the post-colonial assembly greater relevance.

Modi did not attend the Commonwealth summit in Malta two years ago, and his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, missed the 2011 summit in Australia and its successor in Sri Lanka in 2013.

But Modi, who was personally courted by both

Prince Charles and Theresa May to attend the talks, regards the Commonwealth as a useful multilateral forum from which China, India’s great rival, is absent. He is also looking for allies in any trade war with the US. In common with most Commonwealth leaders, Modi also sees the visit as a chance to woo the City of London and court foreign di-

rect investment. The Indian Prime Minister has been rewarded for his commitment to the Commonwealth with Wednesday’s lengthy bilateral meeting with May, an audience with the Queen, a visit with Prince Charles to the Science Museum and a commitment that British intelligence will help fight Pakistan-based militant groups. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Southwest plane engine explodes, kills 1 passenger … Pilot Tammie Jo Schults praised for safe landing

From left: Tammie Jo Shults was a US Navy Lieutenant Commander and among the first cohort of female fighter pilots to transition to tactical aircraft. Jennifer Riordan (right bottom) who was killed, was a mother-of-two and bank Vice President

A

pilot who safely landed a Southwest Airlines passenger plane after a jet engine ripped apart mid-air has been praised as a hero by passengers.

Tammie Jo Shults captained Flight 1380 to a Philadelphia airport in Tuesday's emergency, according to passengers.

Shrapnel from the shredded engine smashed a window

and nearly sucked a passenger out of the jet. That woman, a mother-of-two, later died.

Captain Shults served in the US Navy for 10 years and flew fighter jets.

A cause has yet to be determined, but officials said an early review of the incident found evidence of metal fatigue where a fan blade had broken off, according to the US National Transportation

Safety Board (NTSB).

The woman who died was Jennifer Riordan, a 43-yearold executive for Wells Fargo bank from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Other passengers pulled her back in as she was almost sucked out of the shattered window, and tried CPR, but to no avail.

Seven other passengers were slightly injured.

Those aboard the New York-to-Dallas flight car-

rying 149 people lauded Capt Shults as an "American Hero" who prevented a much larger tragedy. Captain Shults has not been officially named

by Southwest Airlines, but passengers who were on the flight have identified her as the pilot. Her husband has also confirmed to the Associated Press that she was at the controls of the plane. (Excerpt from BBC News)

uba's Parliament has picked Miguel DíazCanel as the sole candidate to succeed Raúl Castro, 86, bringing the family's decades-long rule to an end. Castro took over as president from his ailing brother Fidel in 2006.

The National Assembly, the country's legislative body, will vote on the nomination but Díaz-Canel is almost certain to be confirmed.

Castro is expected to remain a powerful influence in the communist state even after he steps down. He will stay on as the head of the Communist Party until its next congress in 2021.

But he will formally pass the presidency to Díaz-Canel after the announcement of the National Assembly's vote today. The next Cuban leader will inherit a country in economic stagnation and with a young population impatient for change, BBC Cuba correspondent Will Grant reports. There is also the complex task of leading without the same revolutionary past as the predecessors.

He may have had a relatively low profile when he was first appointed Vice President of Cuba's Council of State in 2013 but he has since become Castro's righthand man. For the past five years, he has been groomed for the presidency and the handover of power. But even before being named first vice-president, the 57-yearold had already had a long political career.

He was born in April 1960, little over a year after Fidel Castro was first sworn in as Prime Minister.

He studied electrical engineering and began his political career in his early 20s as a member of the Young Communist League in Santa Clara.

While teaching engineering at the local university, he worked his way up the ranks of the Young Communist League, becoming its second secretary at the age of 33.

Raúl Castro has praised his "ideological firmness".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Syria 'chemical attack': Shooting delays OPCW visit to site

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fforts by international experts to examine the scene of a suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria have been delayed again after a UN risk assessment team came under fire.

Shots were fired when a security team visited Douma on Tuesday to prepare for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons inspectors' visit.

Nobody was injured and the team returned to the capital, Damascus.

Western states have accused the Syrian government of a chemical attack.

The US, UK and France bombed several Syrian government sites on Saturday in retaliation as the Government and its main ally Russia denied chemical weapons had been used.

Western powers have suggested the government and Russia, which nominally control Douma after rebel forces withdrew, may be

delaying the OPCW visit to tamper with evidence.

Local medical organisations and rescue workers say more than 40 people died when two devices were dropped on Douma, while it was still under rebel control. The UN security detail set out to perform reconnaissance in Douma ahead of the arrival of the actual inspectors, who were scheduled to go in on Wednesday.

As OPCW Chief Ahmet Uzumcu explained in a statement, the two suspected attack sites are under the control of the Russian military police as part of an agreement with the rebels to keep out the Syrian military.

When the security team arrived at the first site, a large crowd gathered and the UN decided to withdraw. The UN security detail set out to perform reconnaissance in Douma ahead of the arrival of the actual inspectors, who were scheduled to go in on Wednesday.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, april 19, 2018

ARCHIE

There are no shortcuts if you want to get things done (March 21right the first time. Size up April 19) your workload and manage your time with precision and firmness.

ARIES

An opportunity will inTAURUS trigue you. Consider the pros (April 20- and cons and what it will take May 20) to initiate a positive change.

Trust and believe in yourself, and present what you have to offer.

dilbert

It’s important to keep your GEMINI (May 21- story straight. If you exaggerJune 20) ate or lead someone to believe you are willing to do something you are not, you will end up looking bad.

Know what you want, and don’t let anyone manipulate (June 21- you or put you on the spot.

July 22) Control the situation instead of letting it control you. If you aren’t ready to make a decision, back away.

CANCER

Peanuts

Don’t expect to get the LEO best price or be told the truth (July 23- when someone is asking for Aug. 22) your help. Your generosity will be taken advantage of if you are gullible.

Calvin and Hobbes

A sensitive situation surVIRGO rounding a partner must be ad(Aug. 23dressed diplomatically. Look Sept. 22) for the perfect moment to make your point without hurting someone’s feelings or causing a scene.

Don’t trust what others LIBRA tell you. Get firsthand in(Sept. 23Oct. 23) formation and don’t make changes that can disrupt important relationships. Take your time and only pursue what’s feasible.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — PASTEL (PASTEL: pas-TEL: A soft, delicate hue; a pale color.)

Make plans to enjoy SAGITTARIUS downtime with a loved one.

(Nov. 23Spending time together will Dec. 21) help you iron out any conflicts you may have with each other.

Average mark 36 words Time limit 50 minutes Can you find 50 or more words in PASTEL? The list will be published Monday.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — WITHHOLDS whist whit width wild wilt wish with idol this toil told

hilt hoist hold holist host howl oldish owlish list litho lost

loth dhow dish dolt doltish shod shot show silo silt slid

A change may appear to SCORPIO be favourable, but go over (Oct. 24the fine print before you Nov. 22) take part. Play it safe and get what you want in writing before you proceed.

slit slot sloth slow soil sold solid stolid stow

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

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ll have to ask direct questions if you want to hear the truth. Someone will distort a message or mislead you.

Getting together with someone from your past isn’t recommended.

Stick close to home and iron out any difficulties or changes you want to make.

Discussions will lead to solutions and positive changes that put your mind at ease.

Don’t be too trusting.

Someone will exaggerate or offer a false impression regarding a deal or purchase that he or she wants you to buy into.

Say no to risky joint ventures.

thursDAY, april 19, 2018

19

Regional teams set to invade Guyana for “Carnival Rugby” S

nament would also see players from the USA and one Brazilian team recently signalled their intention to participate.

The tournament will carry a winner’s purse of US$1400, while the team finishing second will pocket US$700. There is also a US$100 prize for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.

“What I can say for certain is that Jamaica is very anxious to come to Guyana and the players here are also eagerly awaiting their arrival, because it was the Jamaicans who broke Guyana’s heart and snatched their Caribbean title from them in Mexico,” Toney said.

According to the organisers, other information on the tournament will be disclosed shortly.

ome of the Caribbean’s top ‘ruggers’ will invade Guyana on May 20, as Hits and Jams Entertainment team up with the Pepsi Hornets Rugby Club to host the inaugural “Guyana Carnival 7s Rugby” at the National Park.

The one-day tournament was unveiled when the group held their Guyana Carnival corporate and media launch Wednesday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

The Guyana Carnival is set for May 18-27.

Rawle Toney, one of the principals behind the Carnival Rugby tournament, told the gathering that teams and players from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and other Caribbean countries are all eager to make the voyage to Guyana for the highly-anticipated event.

Toney further revealed that the tour-

Pepsi Hornets are the host team for the tournament

Australia to begin hunt

C

for new Coach on Friday

r i c k e t Australia (CA) will begin the process of appointing a new head coach this Friday, even as one report suggested that Justin Langer is

Former batsman Justin Langer seems the front runner to take the job

all but confirmed as Darren Lehmann's replacement. CA

said in a statement that "no appointment has been made, and nor will any candidate be put to the board for ratification on Friday. We expect to have a clearer understanding of the approach and appointment timelines following this meeting."

That would appear to be in response to a report in the West Australian, which said that Langer will be ratified as the next coach on Friday. The 47-year old has been especially successful as coach of Western Australia

and Perth Scorchers over the last five seasons, during which time he has won three Big Bash League titles and two domestic one-day tournaments. Langer has experience coaching Australia as well, notably on a tour of West Indies in 2016 and a home series against Sri Lanka soon after. He has always been among the frontrunners to replace Lehmann, whose contract was originally set to end in October 2019. But the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town

accelerated those timelines.

The captain Steven Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were suspended by Cricket Australia for up to 12 months for the part they played in the incident. Lehmann was cleared of any wrongdoing by an investigation conducted by the board but on the day before the final Test of the series, he told a press conference that he would be stepping down.

The West Australian

said Langer had been considering the position for several days. As a player, he had a highly decorated Test career, forming one half of a dominant opening partnership with Matthew Hayden.

Having made his debut in January 1993, he scored 7696 runs from 105 matches with 23 hundreds and 30 fifties.

Australia's next assignment is a limited-overs tour of England with the first ODI to be played in London on June 13. (Cricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, april 19, 2018

Indian Premier League 2018…

Knight Riders join Sunrisers at summit

appeared to put the visitors on a sound footing in Jaipur, while Sunil Narine was uncharacteristically impotent with ball in hand, finishing with bowling figures of 0-48.

Narine (35) went some way to making amends as he combined with Robin

D'Arcy Short made a slow start © BCCI

K

Uthappa (48) for a second-wicket stand of 69 after Chris Lynn fell for a duck just three balls into the Knight Riders' response to the Royals' 160-8.

And that laid the foundation for a run chase that was ultimately comfortable, with Nitish Rana (35 not

SCOREBOARD

o l k a t a Knight Riders pulled level with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the top of the IPL standings with a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.

The Royals came into the fixture on the back of consecutive victories but were unable to extend that run against a Knight Riders side who now sit alongside the Sunrisers on six points, although they have played two more matches.

D'Arcy Short (44) and Ajinkya Rahane (36) had

Rajasthan Royals Innings (20 overs maximum) A Rahane (c) st †Karthik b Rana 36 D Short b Rana 44 S Samson c K Yadav b Shivam Mavi 7 R Tripathi c Russell b K Yadav 15 B Stokes c Rana b Chawla 14 J Buttler † not out 24 K Gowtham c Shivam Mavi b Curran 12 S Gopal b Curran 0 D Kulkarni run out (Gill/ Mavi) 3 J Unadkat not out 0 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 3) 5 Total (8 wickets; 20 Overs) 160 Did not bat: B Laughlin Fall of wickets: 1-54 ( Rahane, 6.5 ov), 2-62 (Samson, 8.4 ov), 3-98 (Short, 12.5 ov), 4-106 (Tripathi, 13.6 ov), 5-122 (Stokes, 16.1 ov), 6-141 (Gowtham, 18.1 ov), 7-141 (Gopal, 18.2 ov), 8-160 (Kulkarni, 19.5 ov) Bowling: Chawla 4-0-18-1, K

Yadav 4-023-1, Narine 4-0-480, Mavi 4-0-40-1, Rana 2-011-2, Curran 2-0-19-2 Kolkata Knight Riders Innings (target: 161 runs from 20 overs) S Narine run out (Unadkat/†Buttler) 35 C Lynn b Gowtham 0 R Uthappa c Stokes b Gowtham 48 N Rana not out 35 K Karthik (c) † not out 42 Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3 Total (3 wickets; 18.5 Overs) 163 Did not bat: A Russell, S Gill, T Curran, P Chawla, S Mavi, K Yadav Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Lynn, 0.3 ov), 2-70 (Narine, 8.4 ov), 3-102 (Uthappa, 12.3 ov) Bowling: Gowtham 4-023-2, Kulkarni 2-0-20-0, Unadkat 3-0-34-0, Laughlin 3.5-0-37-0, Gopal 3-023-0, Stokes 3-0-25-0

Sunil Narine slashes one © BCCI

out) and Dinesh Karthik (42no) also making impressive contributions as the hosts surpassed their target with seven balls to spare.

The Knight Riders' time at the top could be short, with the Sunrisers set to face Kings XI Punjab on Thursday.

Narine fails for the first time with the ball

Narine's off-colour bowling was so stark that having conceded no more than

18 runs in his previous three matches this season, the West Indies man took just one over to match that figure on Wednesday.

Indeed, these were his most expensive IPL figures, perhaps compounded on a personal level by the fact all of the Knight Riders' other bowlers took at least one wicket.

Samson loses his strength

Sanju Samson was the star of the show when

the Royals got the better of Royal Challengers Bangalore last time out, hitting an unbeaten 92 off 45 deliveries.

The promising batsman had racked up at least 37 in each of his three IPL matches this season prior to Wednesday's outing.

However, he could not replicate that form against KKR, dismissed by Shivam Mavi for just seven after barely an over at the crease.

(Sportsmax)

Guyanese Mavendra Alvarez banned Dindyal, born to bat for 6 months after S

Mavendra Dindyal

tarting at the early age of four, Mavendra started to show his love for cricket. He visited various cricket grounds with his father, jumping at every chance he had to bat.

This simple introduction appeared to be a good stimulus for the budding superstar, who over time developed a great passion for the game.

In the recently-concluded CWI Under 15 competition, where Guyana finished in 2nd place, Dindyal scored 200 runs in the five rounds of matches, which accounted for approximately 25 per cent of his team’s total scores.

While he only took one wicket, in his 11.3 overs, batsmen could only score 42 runs off of him. That is an economy rate of 3.72.

Having been identified from the age of 12, Mavendra has participated for the last 2 years in the Under-17 League playing for Diamond Secondary School, holding the top score in the Schools’ League of 97 against Friendship Secondary School.

However, such heroics were not the epitome of

Mavendra’s early journey, for he had already “donned” whites for the Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) at the tender age of 11, in the second division competition where he still has the highest score at this level of 98 against Diplomas Cricket Club.

Mavendra’s early exploits enabled him to create an unusual feat of playing his first 1st Division Cricket match at the age of 12 years and ten months, when he gained selection to the GYO first team against Transport Sports Club at Everest Cricket Club

ground, registering scores of 14 and 23.

Mavendra Dindyal passes his spare time by watching comedy movies and reading novels. He likes traditional Guyanese foods such as fried rice and macaroni, and dhol (split peas) and rice with fried fish and calalloo (spinach) or bora (long beans).

This young man is certainly one to keep under close watch as he develops both as a cricketer and young man.

He has the talent and mental strength to ascend the ranks of West Indies cricket. (CWI)

Dindyal on the attack

failing 2 drug tests S aul 'Canelo' Alvarez has been banned for six months after failing two drugs tests earlier this year.

The Mexican middleweight, 27, said eating contaminated meat was the reason he tested positive for clenbuterol on 17 and 20 February.

He was forced to withdraw from a world middleweight title rematch against Gennady Golovkin after their first bout in September ended in a draw.

Alvarez's ban has been backdated, so he will be free to fight from 17 August.

Golden Boy Promotions said Alvarez "looks forward to returning to the ring in September for Mexican Independence Day weekend".

The fighter, who did not attend the Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing in Las Vegas on Wednesday, said earlier this year he was "surprised and

bothered" by the adverse test findings.

Alvarez's promoters said meat contamination had "impacted dozens of athletes in Mexico over the last years".

The hearing panel voted to hand down a one-year ban, reduced to six months because Alvarez had cooperated with their investigation. Clenbuterol is used to treat asthma but can also help build lean muscle mass and burn off fat. It is sometimes illegally mixed into livestock feed to make meat leaner.

Daniel Eichner, director at the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory that conducted the tests, said at the time: "These values are all within the range of what is expected from meat contamination."

Alvarez has won 49 and drawn two of his 52 fights.

His only defeat came against Floyd Mayweather in 2013.

(BBC)

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The women after their meeting with BCB President Hilbert Foster

emale cricket enthusiasts in the Berbice area have received reassurance that their area will receive much-needed attention in the remainder of 2018.

This announcement was made by Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster in the presence of numerous female cricketers. The declaration that they will be treated with the same devotion as their male counterparts was well-received by the players at the Rose Hall, Canje Ground last Sunday.

The BCB President admitted that the female division has been neglected over the past years; in an effort to curb this, he announced that the Board intended to host tournaments on a regular basis. However, he noted that they would need participation from the cricket clubs in the county. As such, he urged clubs like Blairmont, West Berbice, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne and Young Warriors to form female teams.

Currently, Rose Hall, Canje and Tucber

Park Cricket Clubs are the only clubs with female members. In an effort to better the performances of the female cricketers, Foster stated, they will benefit from one-on-one coaching as well as social skills seminars and educational posters. He also urged the female cricketers to become more familiar with the history, rules, and practices of the beloved game. Speaking to the audience including West Indies female players Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle and Tremayne Smartt, Foster announced that Guyana female cricketers between the ages of 12 and 18 would be involved in the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Berbice Coaching Programme and the 2018 BCB Cricket Academy, which is scheduled for May and July respectively.

After their rigorous training, the female athletes will be involved in 40 Overs, T20 and Double Wicket competitions. The women were urged to pay attention to their technical skills and keep themselves fit so as to participate

in the Guyana Cricket Board InterCounty Championship.

Meanwhile, the first match of the BCB/Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club 40-Overs Female Cricket Tournament was washed out after heavy rainfall just before the start of play. The two teams – Rose Hall Town Metro and New Amsterdam/Canje – eventually played each other in a 15-over softball match. New Amsterdam/Canje reached 96 for 8 with Odessa Cadogan top-scoring with 43, Niveena Ramnauth made 15 and Divona Frank, 13. Bowling for Rose Hall Town, Plaffiana Millington collected 3 for 8, Shakeba Gajnabi 2 for 20 and Mariam Samaroo 2 for 5.

In response, the powerful Rose Hall Town Metro Team reached 94 for 2 from 11 overs, with Kassie Munroe (40 not out); Kimmone Thomas (12) and Uma Matadin (13 not out) being the principal scorers. The winning team received a cash prize, trophy, and medals, compliments of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

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wo tape ball teams from Craig Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) will finally have a chance to settle the score when they

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while the main objective of the match is to have fun, all players will be looking to give their best since the long-lasting bragging rights will be a treat for the win-

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The action, which starts at 18:00h, also has the hosts suiting up against a team from the Guyana Power and Light.

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he Ancient County of Berbice will soon experience the thrill of T20 cricket as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has collaborated with t ANSA McAL (Guy) Ltd to officially launch the SKYY Vodka 20/20 Cricket Tournament for First Division Teams.

The knockout tournament will consist of 12 teams, inclusive of West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon.

The corporate giants have injected some $450, 000 into the competition. Predicting that the tournament will be a success and enjoyable for the entire family, Foster announced that popular senior players

BCB President Hilbert Foster

like Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Assad Fudadin, Romario Shepherd, Gajanand Singh and Keon

Joseph are expected to take part. Additionally, young talents such as Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Alex Algoo, Kassim Khan, Raun Johnson, Kevin Jawahir, Sasenarine Sukhdeo and Sudesh Dhanai will play alongside them. The matches are expected to be hosted at Area ‘H’ Ground, Skeldon, Cumberland, Blairmont and Albion. Getting down to the particulars, Foster disclosed that only one non-Berbician would be allowed to play per match for a team and a maximum of two would be allowed for the duration of the tournament. Explaining the rationale for this, Foster stated that such competitions were an opportunity to showcase young Berbician talents; however, clubs were in the habit of excluding these young players

while favouring non-Berbician cricketers.

The BCB President also emphasised on discipline, noting that players should be fully attired and should arrive at the playing venue at least half an hour early. He also revealed that within the near future, teams that do not have a youth structure would not be allowed to play First Division Cricket in Berbice. This tournament comes as part of the recently-elected BCB President’s commitment to nurture cricket at all levels. To date, tournaments in the Internal Zone, Under-15, Under- 17, Under-19, Under-21, Female, Second Division and First Division levels have all been launched, while an InterSecondary School Tournament will be officially launched next week.

22 Marks hoping to

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, april 19, 2018

send bodybuilding contingent to CAC Games

A

s the competition date nears, the Guyana Amateur Body Building Federation (GABBF) has rolled out its plans to ensure that it has a successful showing in July.

President Coel Marks revealed to Guyana Times Sport that local bodybuilders will have the chance to travel to Mexico where they will participate in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championship.

“The main event that our federation shows are fielded for is the Central American and Caribbean Championship and it’s going to be held in Mexico this year,” Marks stated.

The athletes will interact with bodybuilders from around the Caribbean and Central America, showing off their chiselled physiques for a chance to bring gold home to Guyana.

Contrary to what happened in previous years, the bodybuilding federation is aiming to reform its system by completely funding the Mexico trip. “Our goal set this year is to fully fund the accommodation and air fare. It’s a very ambitious goal, but we’re going to work hard to see if we can make it a reality as best as possible,” President Marks said.

However, he did admit that if this venture was not successful, the Federation would stand as much of the expenses as it could.

This year’s senior bodybuilding championship will act as a preparatory competition for the international

GMR&SC “King of the Strip” 2…

Balram Auto Mechanics

going all out – bringing Altezza to run unlimited class

their drivers, Pankraj Ramdeo winning the 15-second class and a finalist in the 14-second class. Romeo Singh in his Toyota Galanza won the 12-second class. They are moving up a notch with Nazrudeen Mohammed running in the 10-second class with a M5 BMW. The group is promising fans the thrills and sounds of deafening speed for which it has asked supporters to come out in their numbers. Commenting on the threat by the Trinidadians and Surinamese, they stated it would be tough, but they were working to come out on top.

The event is sponsored by Tropical Shipping, JAPARTS, Mohamed’s Enterprise and ANSA McAL, with tickets being $1000 for adults and $500 for children. Start time is 09:00h.

GABBF President Coel Marks

stage. The competition will be held on July 15, just one week before the CAC is held on July 22 and 23.

Additionally, in an effort to attract more competitors, the GABBF President expressed his intention to make the prizes more tangible.

“We’re going to ramp up our promotions and incentives for the athletes this year; last year, we gave away well over $1 million in cash and prizes, if we could match or improve that we’ll definitely work assiduously to making sure that’s a reality,” he said. The Federation is hoping to have a successful showing, similarly to its novice competition which was held last weekend. This year’s competitors, who turned out in massive numbers, showed substantial improvements, particularly in the female category.

(Jemima Holmes)

Skeete to officiate in CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship

M

aureese Skeete, Guyana’s only FIFA female referee, will officiate in CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship scheduled for Nicaragua from April 19-24.

Skeete, Guyana’s only representative, will be among 28 match officials who will be there to officiate in the tournament, which will decide CONCACAF’s representatives in the 2018 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup in Uruguay.

Maureese Skeete The eight-nation, biennial tournament will see the first double-header being played on April 19 with Puerto Rico vs Haiti and hosts Nicaragua vs Mexico. The group will end with Costa Rica vs Bermuda.

The tournament has eight Referees, 12 Assistant Referees, four Assessors, four Assessors In Training, and one Supervisor for the Assessors In Training. The match officials with outstanding performance have a high probability for selection to officiate in the FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup. The top three teams of the tournament will qualify for the tournament in Uruguay as the CONCACAF representatives.

The Toyota Altezza is expected to compete in the unlimited class

D

rag racing often comes down to who has more power, and it is less about the skill of the driver on some occasions. It is just a quarter-mile of usually tear-away speed, and one team which is looking to make a lasting impression is Balram Auto Mechanics.

The group, which is bringing seven to eight cars pumped with speed to have all of their competitors watch their rear lights, said that it was up for the serious challenge that awaits.

Participating in drag racing for close to nine years now, there are some trophies in the Mechanics cabinet as February’s meet, which was curtailed by rain, saw one of

Romeo Singh will be back to defend his 12-second title

Softball stars

invade Thirst Park tonight A

galaxy of stars that have been shining on the softball cricket circuit will take to the field at the Banks DIH Ground at Thirst Park tonight for a feature clash of West versus

Cricket Association, Royston Ramsarran.

When the action begins at 19:00h, it will be highly competitive and exciting as both sides boast quality players.

Parsram Persaud

Mahendra Hardyall

East.

The game is organised as a welcome home for the former Organising Secretary of the Softball and Windball

In the East-side Legends lineup are some veterans of the game who are looking to teach the young west-side players a lesson.

Before the start of the game, there will be a moment of silence in memory of former legendary softball cricketer Amreith “Rocky” Rai, who died in 2017.

The Legends comprise: Mohendra Arjune, Mahendra Hardyall, Richard Persaud, Parsram Persaud, Lakeram “Mike” Singh, Wayne Jones, Bilal Haslim, Raymond Harper, Hanoman Singh, Mohamed Rafeek, Harry Seepersaud, Robin Bharat, Vivikanand

Ramsaywack, Rahaman Khan and Samuel Kingston.

West Side All-Stars include Ryan Boodhoo, Moahmed Ayume, Azad Azeez, Greg Singh, Safraz Esau and Omesh Narine.

Up for grabs are trophies for the Man of the Match, best batsman, best bowler, best fielder, runner-up team and the winning team. All trophies are donated by Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall in Bourda Market.

23

5Foundation’s teams in the mix for MMP cricket extravaganza thursDAY, april 19, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

F

ive teams have accepted invitations thus confirming their participation in the inaugural MMP Foundation Floodlight Cricket tournament. The one-day tournament, which is scheduled for April 28, was officially launched on Wednesday on the Corentyne.

The tournament, which will be played on a knockout basis, will see Young Warriors CC, Blairmont Blazers, Port Mourant CC, Rose Hall Cricket Club, and Albion CC doing battle at the Albion Sports Complex.

A sixth team, Rose Hall Tigers, are yet to get clearance to play.

The event is being used as a fundraiser for the MMP Foundation for Excellence to garner funds to execute its work programme for 2018. The organisation has so far expended in excess of $4 million on scholarships, a feeding programme and other activities related to education. Treasurer of the Foundation, David Brigbhukan explained that a further $3 million has been budgeted this year.

Public Relations Coordinator Bhisham Mohammed, Carib Beer Brand Coordinator Sean Abel, and BCB President Hilbert Foster at the launching on Wednesday

Speaking of the tournament, he explained that the first-round matches will be 10-over encounters while the semi-finals will be 15over affairs, and the final a 20/20.

“The three teams that win will go through to the semi-finals along with the losing team with the highest net run rate,” the Treasurer explained.

Meanwhile, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster

congratulated the MMP Foundation, saying that it was good to see that organisations were trying to support the Board in its drive to have more organised cricket played in Berbice. “I am also happy to know that you guys have joined hands with us to organise cricket as you know for the past several years and cricket was undergoing some major problems and for the last two months we have been able to restore

some pride to Berbice cricket.” “This is just one of the several tournaments that will be played in 2018; in fact, the Cricket Board will be arranging about 20 cricket competitions at the U-15, U-17, U-19, U-21, First Division, Second Division, intermediate and female at the inter-zone levels, and it is also hoped that we will be able as a board to assist persons and organisations to promote cricket.”

Commenting on the main objective of the tournament, Foster said he was delighted by it.

“I am very happy that the funds from this event will be used to make a positive difference, because the club that I lead has virtually been fighting a one-man battle in terms of assisting underprivileged children to be able to attend school.”

He congratulated the MMP Foundation while not-

ing that the sponsor has also been involved in sponsoring other competitions being run by the BCB. ANSA McAL Trading is one of the main sponsors, promoting the tournament under its Carib Beer brand.

Carib Beer Brand Coordinator Sean Abel, speaking at the launch, said, “Carib Beer has been synonymous with cricket in Guyana. We are happy to be part of the rebirth of cricket in Berbice. What is good to note is that the funding will be given back to the community and that is what is most important.”

The Foundation, a NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), is the brainchild of Mohabir Mookoorchand Persaud (MMP). It has as its objective providing financial support to students facing extenuating circumstances. Meanwhile, the winner of the tournament will take away $50,000 while the second and third-place teams will also receive monetary rewards and trophies.

Outstanding players will also be recognised. (Andrew Carmichael)

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County…

Lower-order rally gives Berbice edge over U-17s – Demerara blown away by Essequibo for 40

T

revon Stanislaus and Leon Swamy both scored fighting knocks of 47 , which gave Berbice a slight edge on the first day of their Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Hand-in-Hand U-19 InterCounty three-day match against the National Select U-17 team at the Everest Ground on Wednesday.

The duo rescued their team who were at one stage 85-5 to give them a respectable total of 176 to which the U-17s were 76-4 at stumps in reply.

Stanislaus struck six fours and two sixes in an attractive innings while partner Swamy hammered three sixes and a single four; Captain Kevin Sinclair looked assured at the crease, but fell for 21.

Pacer Sheldon Charles picked up 3-20 in an impressive spell of bowling

while leg-spinner Niron Bissu took 2-12 and Sylvian Williams, who showcased good intensity with the new ball, took 1-44.

Taking their strike in the middle, Sinclair undermined the U-17s, grabbing the prized wicket of Sachin Singh for just 15 on his way to taking 2-8.

Seon Glasgow struck the ball well in his 18, but was sensibly run out. It now places the burden on Andre Seepersaud, who is unbeaten on 23, to reduce the 100-run deficit today.

Over at the Tuschen Ground, Demerara for the second day running produced a horrendous performance with the bat to be bundled out for 40 against Essequibo in 20.2 overs after inserting themselves.

Kennard Moonsammy was the only double-figure batsman with 11 runs

Trevon Stanislaus was solid in defence during his 47 (Akeem Greene photo)

as Joshua Jones and Joel Fortune had 3-10 and 3-9 respectively, and support also came from Quintin Sampson ,who picked up 2-9.

Essequibo in reply got to 143 in 41.3 overs with Vice Captain Kurt Lovell topping the scoreboard with 43 and Sampson hitting 43 as well; Jones came

and fired 21.

The combination of Saadiq Khan and Ashmead Nedd rattled Essequibo as they ended with 5-42 and 5-43 respectively.

Demerara in their second innings reached 91 for 5 at stumps; Joshua Persaud and Adrian Hinds both made 31.

thursDAY, april 19, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 19

Regional teams set to invade Guyana for “Carnival Rugby” Shane Grant-Stuart, Avery Corbin, Blaise Bailey, Ryan Gonsalves, and Dwayne Schroder joined by the Guyana Carnival Models at the Marriott Hotel at the launch of the Guyana Carnival

Pg 23

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County…

Lower-order rally gives

Berbice edge over U-17s Sylvian Williams bowled with great intensity in his opening spell

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